Sunday, March 31, 2024
🐰Hoppy Easter 2024🐰
Easter, 1929 by Frank W Butterfield
Summary:Nick & Carter Holiday #8
Sunday, March 31, 1929
Mrs. Wilson Jones (Louise) of Albany, Georgia, wakes up on yet another Sunday morning to discover her husband didn't come home after carousing down at Louray's by the river.
But she doesn't have time to worry. Easter dinner will be at her sister's house and Mrs. Jones has biscuits to bake. So, she turns on the radio, begins to sing with The Chambers Family Quintet, broadcasting over WSJ in Atlanta, and gets the buttermilk out of the icebox. There's work to be done and Mrs. Jones is a good cook, keeps a clean house, and always delivers on her promises.
Original Review April 2022:
Although this is an entry in the Nick & Carter Holiday series, Easter 1929 is a snapshot in the life of 8 year old Carter, long before meeting Nick. Having yet to read the Nick Williams Mystery series, I have only seen snippets of the characters both as a pair and individuals through these short stories so I imagine, like the other 3 I've read, we see reasons why Carter, in part at least, feels the way he does in regard to family and childhood.
As for Easter, 1929 I can't help but be reminded of my own grandfather who would also have been 8 that year(though only 7 at Easter) and a year later his mother died from breast cancer and his aunt moved in to help his dad raise him and his 2 sisters. From the stories I've heard, I can see similarities between Carter's family members and my grandfathers'(although my grandfather utterly adored his mother and took her death very hard and his dad was an uber Dutch Reformed Church member not a drunk) and I couldn't help but picture a young Berdean Vande Vrede in Carter's place. So not only is this short a very intriguing and I imagine telling peak into events that helped shape Carter into the man who falls for Nick Williams but it also helped me play out that moment in time in my grandpa's life in my mind's eye. I find stories that help the reader connect on a personal level and absolute treasure and that's what Easter, 1929 is for me.
I don't know just when I'll get to read the original Nick Williams Mystery series(I will though and I already have the first 2 on my kindle) but believe me with each new holiday short, it moves up a few notches on my TBR list.
Summary:
Welcome to Morningwood #8
A classic tale of hawk meets mouse…and falls in love.
Last summer, Gus and Blaze were just life-long best friends. They made the leap from friends to lovers and now, several months later, Gus loves Blaze more than ever. Recently, he’s wondered if Blaze still feels the same way. Gus thought their honeymoon phase would last forever.
Blaze is on cloud nine. He has his best friend and his mate. He always knew Gus was his, and now that his best friend has realized that too, Blaze’s life is perfect. He can’t wait to spend eternity with Gus, but recently, his little mouse has been acting strange. Like something has changed in him.
A sudden mission with the Elite Force comes at the worst time, separating the two when they need to talk the most. Blaze waited too long to have Gus in his arms. He’ll deal with the human hunters encroaching on shifter land and he’ll do it quickly enough to make it home in time for the big Easter barbecue—and to convince Gus that they’re mates now and forever.
Love Nest is a Welcome to Morningwood novella that continues the love story of Gus and Blaze. and contains all the steam and laughs you expect from Morningwood and can be read and fully enjoyed as a standalone.
When I saw Kiki Burrelli had another Easter-y themed entry in Welcome to Morningwood I had to read it now which means I jumped ahead a couple of entries(again something I rarely do, as in 99.999% never do). I don't think I missed out on anything that I can't go back and catch up on in the coming months but time will tell😉.
On to Love Nest. Unlike the two I have read, Sack of Gold and Hop On, there really is no darkness here other than relationship drama that yes, mostly comes from non-communicating but as I often feel, without drama you can't enjoy the happy. Personally, sometimes not talking things out happens, it's just human nature to keep things tight to one's chest once in a while for a variety of reasons. For Gus and Blaze, those reasons I think is fear of disappointment in each other's decision to leap from friends to lovers, very understandable.
In their shifter form, hawk and mouse, they couldn't be more opposites attract but as we know, in non-shifter they have been BFFs most of their life so friends to lovers it is and there is no denying their chemistry and passion for each other. Sometimes no amount of chemistry and passion can allay those fears of crossing the friends/lovers line. I get it, it is frustrating and more than once I wanted to shake the pair yelling "TALK TO EACH OTHER!" but it's that frustrating that sucked me in so thoroughly that before I knew it, the last page was swiped.
Whether you're like me and went looking for Easter themed stories are are just on the hunt for a fun read, Love Nest is definitely worth the read. There is a brief mentions of Arthur and Aries from Hop On the biggest being the Easter BBQ is at their home so it was nice that I read that entry first and knew what that pair went through to get their HEA but it's not essential reading to fall in love with Gus and Blaze's journey. Another great holiday gem.
Summary:
Mountain Springs Omegas
Nick loves his job at Mountain Springs’ only pet store, but would like an alpha in his life.
It’s almost Easter, which means rabbits are in vogue at the pet store. But Nick worries that so many will end up rehomed once the novelty wears off. However he can’t stand the cuteness when a gorgeous alpha and his son visit the pet store. Trying to keep the other man around as long as possible, Nick lets the toddler help with the bunnies.
Eddie wants the best for his son Jacob, especially after the boy’s omega-father abandoned him.
Eddie is trying to settle into a new town and life as a single father after Jacob’s omega-father abandoned him at day care. But he notices the easy way his son opens up to the omega at the pet store, the same way his instincts say the other man is his.
But would a single omega be interested in an alpha with a kid?
Bunny Kisses for the Omega is a 8.5K word , non-shifter, M/M, Mpreg romance.
Second by RJ Scott & VL Locey
Summary:LA Storm #2
When he’s lost everything, can Michael rebuild his broken life and find a love worth fighting for?
In the high-stakes world of professional hockey, Michael "Zeetoo" Zhang once had the potential to shine even brighter than his older brother, captain of the LA Storm. But one wrong turn and a growing gambling habit have led him down a treacherous path. After a run of bad luck, he's left with nothing but debts, and after an arrest, he's slammed with a non-custodial sentence of work in the community. Fate takes an unexpected turn when he is placed in an inner-city garden project, where he encounters Bryce, the enigmatic and surly manager of the project, who harbors a deep resentment toward him. Despite Bryce's cold demeanor, Michael wants to prove himself worthy of being loved, if only the scars of past failures and the constant shadow of his brother's success didn't haunt him and leave him feeling lost and alone.
Bryce Kincaid is chased by his own brand of demons, and years out from his mistakes, he's determined to stick to one path and never waver, just in case he once again loses control. Michael Zhang is everything Bryce doesn't want in his life; temptation wrapped in sex, the hockey player is a man on the edge, and to fall for him would mean Bryce opening his heart to hurt.
As they work side by side, the walls around Bryce's heart begin to crack, revealing a vulnerability that even Michael can't resist. Drawn to each other they discover a passion that goes beyond the ice and the earth, and find a love that defies the odds. Only, just as Michael starts to believe in second chances, his past catches up with him, threatening to derail his life completely, and destroy Bryce right along with him. If he wants a life with Bryce then Michael must confront the demons of his past and fight for the future he never thought he deserved.
Original Read February 2024:
Even with 30+ books in their Hockey Universe, Scott & Locey keep producing amazing stories with so much emotion that your heart can't help but melt No matter how many tropes & pairings the duo creates they keep finding ways to bring originality to said characters and as far as my mind is recollecting, I don't recall any of their athletes and the men who love them facing this kind of struggle(A bit cryptic I know but I don't want to spoil anything😉).
Michael and Bryce are complete opposites from occupations to homelife to emotional states, at least on paper. As Second progresses a few cracks begin to appear that give us a peak that they may not be as opposite as originally thought. Not to spoil anything but sometimes the struggles a new couple faces should be proof that they should not be together and then again it's those same struggles that make them perfect for each other if they are willing to put the work in. Scott & Locey have perfectly balanced both sides of those coins. It's easy for a reader to sit on the outside and want to smack a character(Michael😉) with an iron skillet to make him see sense(trust me I'm that reader most times😉) but when you start to look at life from the characters view you begin to understand why they are the way they are, doesn't mean you don't still want to give a good whack but you understand him😉.
As I've said from their very first hockey collaboration, Changing Lines, I don't know which author writes which character but they have always created a realistic cast. Michael and Bryce are no different, realistic fictious gems that I just want to wrap in loving Mama Bear Hugs until all the pain and drama disappears.
Now, having said that, don't think Second is bogged down in depressing, angsty, heartbreaking melodrama. Yes, there is some of those elements but the hurt is well balanced with comfort, healing, and humor that sucks you in until the last page is swiped and then you want to kick yourself for not reading slower to savor the deliciousness of Michael and Bryce's journey.
Just a couple of things to finish off:
1. As always, most of the Scott/Locey Hockey Universe is a collection of standalones but again as always there are a few mentions of past characters and teams. You don't have to read them first to enjoy Second but I warn you, when these other characters make an appearance or mentioned by current MCs, you will definitely be intrigued with wonder over their journeys and with 30+ books in the universe, that is a rabbit hole you might want to start at the bottom(or beginning as it were) to work your way out of instead of falling further in😉. But seriously, however you choose to read you won't be disappointed nor will you be lost(I do highly recommend reading the original Railers and Owatonna in order as the holiday novellas further the journeys of already established pairings).
2. In the Scott/Locey Hockey Universe there have been a few entries that had very little actual hockey in them for various reasons, ie: off-season, injury, possible retirement, etc. Second falls under "etc". This doesn't diminish the brilliant pull of the story in any way but I just wanted to mention it for those who need to have a lot of on-ice time in their stories, there is some here and it definitely plays a part in Michael's psyche but not nearly as central to the story as in others.
Holiday Surprise #5
Saint Patrick's Day was the best day of Avery's life, the day after was the worst.
Avery left home for Valle Granja at the insistence of his instincts, and the urging of his mama, who'd always supported him. When he meets his fated mate, Cam, at the Saint Patrick's Day Dance he understands why. But joy is soon replaced with grief when only hours later he learns that his parents were killed in a car accident—having never heard that he met his mate and leaving Avery's five-year-old brother behind.
Finding his fated mate was like a dream come true for Cam, but their bond is immediately put to the test.
Cam knew that Avery was his fated mate as soon as he saw him, and he was excited to begin their lives together. However an early-morning phone call shatters the peace of their new bond. Suddenly he finds himself as the surrport for his grieving mate and orphaned brother, a position which brings up memories of his own.
Can new love survive grief and loss, and can they come together as a family?
Bunny Hop Beau is a 23K word , non-shifter, M/M, mpreg, omegaverse romance
Content note: Loss and grief play prominent roles in this book.
First off I'm going to say I found Bunny Hop to be a companion piece to Lucky Dance Date(Holiday Surprise #3) as the first chapters are a recap of Lucky but from Cam and Avery's POV. If you haven't read Lucky, I highly recommend doing so, not because you'll be lost in regards to what is going on but to some degree I would say it has spoilers for Lucky, not word-for-word but enough that I would not enjoy Lucky as much knowing what we see here first. For those who think the first chapters are wasted as "rehashing" they aren't, I was excited to see those events from Cam and Avery's POV as the friends of the MCs, not something you often get to see.
As for Bunny Hop, it goes from unbelievably happy happy to devastatingly saddy saddy in a heartbeat, which life tends to do once in a while. As heartbreaking as the death of Avery's parents is, the flip of a coin change in emotional fortune for the pair was in a way refreshing because of the reality of it. Hard to think in terms of reality when dealing with mpreg and omegaverse genres & tropes but the heartache leaves you even more emotionally attached to the characters than one often finds themselves. Let's face it, Cam has been handed the perfect get-out-of-jail-free card(for lack of better phrasing) but he doesn't bite and he shows Avery just how all in he truly is, yet another reason Bunny Hop is a heart grabber.
Once again Lacey Daize has once again proven mpreg can be both realistic and fantasy all at the same time. Can't wait to read more of her awesome stories.
Easter, 1929 by Frank W Butterfield
Chapter 1
736 West 2nd Avenue
Albany, Ga.
Sunday, March 31, 1929
Half past 6 in the morning
Mrs. Wilson Jones (Louise) opened her eyes just as the sun began to flood the windows of her modest bedroom. Without looking, she tentatively reached out with her left hand and discovered that her husband was, once again, not in bed beside her on a Sunday morning. This was no surprise to Mrs. Jones, but she was disappointed that he hadn't bothered to show up before dawn on Easter Morning.
With a sigh, she threw back the covers, which consisted of a thin cotton sheet, a thin summer blanket, and her grandmother's handmade quilt. Granny Carter had made a quilt for each of her three granddaughters. Mrs. Jones happened to possess the one that was mostly green and blue, and she was always grateful it was that one and not the one that her sister Maria had insisted on which was an awful red and black pattern.
As she stood, she pulled on her cotton nightgown and cinched it tightly around her waist. She loved the feeling of security that the extra hard tug on the belt would bring her. Walking into the small bathroom that was included with the bedroom, she took care of her morning business. Once she was done, she picked up the new cake of Ivory soap and vigorously washed her hands. She'd read in The Atlanta Journal about how important washing one's hands was as a morning ritual, particularly upon rising. It helped get rid of deadly germs and Mrs. Jones was a firm believer that her attention to household cleanliness was the primary reason her two sons, Robert, age 9, and Carter, age 8, had both grown up free of the usual early childhood ailments, except for the chickenpox which, as Mrs. Jones well knew, every boy and girl needed to get as a child in order to avoid problems when they were young adults.
Once she had thoroughly rinsed her hands, Mrs. Jones left the bathroom, ensuring her hands were dry before depressing the electric light switch. She quietly made her way through the bedroom and out onto the landing. She saw that the doors to her sons' bedrooms and the bathroom at the end were all hygienically closed with the dormers open above them.
She made her way cautiously down the stairs, keeping a sharp eye out for toys that one or both of her sons might have inadvertently brought out during the night (something they had never done but it didn't hurt to check) and then confidently put her foot on the floor at the bottom of the stairs and made a right, walking through the living room and dining room and towards the kitchen at the rear of the house.
As she walked past the new sofa (all of Mrs. Jones's furniture was new, having been purchased in February when they took possession of the new house her husband had bought, all cash), she glanced to see if the sleeping body of her husband might be visible. It was not.
Mrs. Jones pinched herself on the inside skin of her left wrist in order to banish the passing hope that she might find his dead body strewn about somewhere out front or, preferably, in the backyard where the neighbors would be less likely to see it. Of course, Mrs. Jones considered, as she opened the radio cabinet door to switch on station WSB broadcasting from Atlanta, that, when the police arrived to take her statement as the grieving widow (Mrs. Jones liked that phrase—it gave her immense satisfaction), the neighbors would then have to know what happened. News would, as it always did in both white and colored Albany, spread like wildfire. The neighboring housewives, like Mrs. John Colbert (Roberta) who lived next door, would pick up their telephones (if they had one) and call their closest friends, making sure to speak loud enough for their colored maids to hear, like Ninny, Mrs. Colbert's maid who had also worked for Mrs. Colbert's mother until the poor dear passed in 1921. The colored maids would then tell the milkman or the butcher or the little colored boy who delivered the early-evening Atlanta Constitution all about it and the news would be off to the races.
As the radio began to warm up and she could hear the familiar voices of The Chambers Family Quintet singing "Bringing in the Sheaves," Mrs. Jones pinched herself one more time. She asked herself, "What sort of woman entertains such morbid thoughts?" Although, in her heart of hearts, Mrs. Jones well knew the answer, she was unwilling to look there. Instead, as she pulled out the pitcher of buttermilk from the icebox, she began to sing along with Hannah Chambers, the group's youngest member who was sweetly performing a solo on the second verse:
Sowing in the sunshine, sowing in the shadows,
Fearing neither clouds nor winter’s chilling breeze;
By and by the harvest, and the labor ended,
We shall come rejoicing, bringing in the sheaves.
That song always cheered her up. Mrs. Jones remembered seeing a photograph of the entire Chambers family in the Albany paper. The oldest had been the father, Adolphus, then his wife, Mary. In the paper, Mrs. Chambers had looked very strict but, being a Methodist, she would be. The oldest boy was Jeremiah, age 17, followed by Ezekiel, age 14, and then little Hannah, age 9. That was the same age as her Robert, and she was just as cute as you please. She had black hair pulled tightly into pigtails. Mrs. Jones had, on occasion, dreamed of having a daughter of her own. She could see her own little girl, blonde perhaps, sitting at a perfect little dressing table and allowing her perfectly shiny hair to be brushed a hundred times each night by her adoring mother. If she were only allowed to have two children, and Mrs. Jones had thought about this at length, she would have preferred to keep Robert and send Carter over to live with her sister Velma, who was childless, so she, Mrs. Jones, could welcome a little girl into the family home. Mrs. Jones was convinced that, if she ever had a girl baby, her husband would probably not drink as much as he did or be as rough with the children or with her as he was.
The phone in the living room suddenly burst through her reverie with the familiar two long rings followed by one short ring that meant the operator was calling their house. Mrs. Jones carefully covered the buttermilk pitcher with a towel to keep any flying or crawling bugs from getting in and immersing themselves into the liquid and become undetectable until someone accidentally found one in a biscuit. As the phone rang a second time, Mrs. Jones turned down the volume knob on the radio and then picked up the black candlestick phone, removed the receiver, placed it firmly against her ear to make sure she could clearly hear the far side of the conversation, and then conscientiously said directly into the device, "This is J-73."
"Louise?"
"Good morning, Velma. Happy Easter."
"Happy Easter to you, Louise. Did Wilson make it home yet?"
"No," was Mrs. Jones's crisp and curt reply.
"Well, I thought I'd call and let you know he should be on his way. Roscoe just crawled through the front door and he smells like the inside of distillery. I don't know yet whether he'll make it to church or not."
"Velma! It's Easter Sunday! What will the preacher think if you're there without him?"
Velma chuckled. "Brother Wilkins was down by the river with the rest of the sinners, Louise."
Mrs. Jones simply couldn't believe that was possible. "There must have been some sort of mistake, Velma. Brother Wilkins is a teetotaler. Everyone in town knows that."
Velma chuckled at the other end of the line again. Mrs. Jones hated when her sister laughed at her. She knew that Velma didn't keep to the same standards as herself. Mrs. Jones always felt as if she had to hold up the Carter family pride, even if Velma didn't. And Maria, their third sister, had a stubborn streak a mile wide so there was no reasoning with her. But Velma could be reasonable when she decided to. However, there were some things her sister did that Mrs. Jones simply could not abide.
One example that always got on her nerves was how Velma was so familiar with Mattie, her colored maid. It was all fine and well to talk about how those people were members of the family, but it really didn't do to be going over and having tea in dark town. It just wasn't right. Mrs. Jones, of course, didn't have a maid. Wilson didn't like having colored in the house, even if they only worked in the kitchen and came in through the back door. Mrs. Jones thought it was all for the best, in any event. She was sure Wilson would have been rude to anyone who came in to help. Besides, she could do her own housework, thank you very much. She never understood why Velma kept Mattie on. She didn't have any children. Of course, she and Leroy did live in that big old house just outside of downtown. But still—
"Louise? Are you there?"
"Yes, Velma."
"You didn't answer my question."
"What question was that?"
Velma sighed. "Are you still planning on bringing your biscuits over for Easter dinner today? If not, I need to let Mattie know right this minute. Otherwise, I'll be in trouble again and she might not cook dinner."
"Really, Velma. The way you let that woman boss you around is just shameful."
"Is that a yes or a no?"
"Of course I'll bring my biscuits," replied Mrs. Jones with a sharp tone of irritation in her voice. "But how can I cook if I'm spending the whole blessed morning on the phone?"
With that, her sister hung up.
Love Nest by Kiki Burrelli
Chapter One
Gus
The warm spray washed away the aches of the night. With my eyes still halfway shut from sleep, I reached for my moisturizing conditioner. My fingers knocked into the navy-blue bottle. I'd been expecting it to be heavier than it was, and my miscalculation sent the container flying.
The corner of the lid landed hard against my big toe, and I growled—even though such a thing wouldn't have been possible for me in my mouse form. My lip curled.
"Blaze!" I howled. He wasn't home. He'd earned early PT for mouthing off while in the field on our last mission. "I'm going to pluck you and stuff you into a pillow!"
He couldn't hear me. Not even Blaze's hawk hearing was sharp enough to pick up my voice from across town, but threatening him made me feel better all the same. If this had been the first time he'd used my product, I wouldn't be so angry, but Blaze had been making a habit out of using my deep moisturizing hair mask as body wash for weeks now.
Yes, standing in the shower for ten minutes while the cream soaked was excessive, but I liked to spend that time thinking or jerking off. Now I'd have to go my whole day minus my think time and without my stress reliever—all of this while I had frizzy hair.
At the moment, nothing was actually keeping me from masturbating. I glanced down at mini-Gus. He was especially mini at the moment thanks to my annoyance, and I sighed. I'd use this time to enjoy a second cup of coffee before I left instead and save myself from the glop they served down at the station.
Rinsing quickly, I reached outside the shower curtain for my towel, grasping an empty towel rack instead. I wrenched the shower curtain open. My towel lay crumpled—soaking wet—on the floor. I must have missed that when I'd climbed into the shower half asleep. And yep, there were no more towels in the bathroom cupboard. Why would there be? It was Blaze's turn to do the laundry.
It had been months since I'd agreed to move into Blaze's place. Before that, my entire life had been spent pining for the man. When a bizarre accident blew away the barriers between us, I discovered he felt the same way I did. At least, I'd thought he had. Blaze was my boyfriend and my roommate, but before he was either of those things, he'd been my best friend.
I stepped from the tub to the door, shaking like a dog to knock off the excess water. I'd have to air dry today. The only one who would be upset by the water droplets I left on the floor behind me was me. And I decided to forgive myself as I padded, buck naked, into our kitchen—stopping in my tracks.
The kitchen had been spotless last night. Now, coffee grounds were strewn across the counter. A small pile sat in a puddle of milk, turning it a light tan, while the milk dried to a flaky finish. Sighing, I grabbed a paper towel and wiped up the mess. I opened the cupboard under the sink to throw the paper towel away and discovered the trash can as overflowing as it had been last night when I'd asked Blaze to take it out.
When we'd first moved in, things had been perfect. Blaze's roommate, Kyle, had been our biggest hurdle, and it hadn't taken long before Kyle begged to move out, claiming our lovey-dovey behavior made him ill. I'd smugly helped him pack and carry furniture, all the while assuming that the stage we'd been in was how Blaze and I would be forever.
I didn't understand what had happened. I still loved him as much as ever. When I looked at Blaze, my stomach fluttered the same as it used to. But I was beginning to fear the same couldn't be said for him. I didn't know what had happened. Had I changed? Maybe I wasn't taking the changes in our living situation as stoically as I thought.
I tied up the garbage and set it outside the front door, planning to take it to the can on my way to the car.
The state of the kitchen had looked like Blaze had tried to make coffee. Tried and failed, if the amount of grounds on the counter was anything to go by. During mornings when we got ready together, making the coffee was one of my tasks.
I sipped my first cup, the nutty, earthy flavor waking me up in a way the shower had been unable to. I looked around the kitchen with new eyes. My relationship with Blaze wasn't in such a bad shape; it was mostly my lack of caffeine that had made me so morose. I took another sip, doing a spin on the tile to judge my dryness.
I caught my reflection in the living room mirror and posed. Nothing had changed in my looks. Lifting my arms over my head, I flexed like one of those oiled-up body builders. My lips turned down in a frown. Maybe my body had looked a little more… put together.
As a mouse shifter, my metabolism ran at a level most people would have to make a deal with the devil to achieve, but maybe my age was finally catching up to me. Blaze had been teasing me about how I liked caramel sauce in my coffee instead of sugar or honey. Maybe the teasing had been a cover, and he was actually annoyed. And unhappy.
My fingers were slow and unsteady when I dressed in my Elite Force uniform. I winced, my pants feeling just a little tighter than they normally did. Ignoring my finished reflection, I went back into the kitchen and brewed myself and Blaze a fresh cup, placing them both in our travel mugs. I'd bought them our first weekend together, smiling as I imagined all the things we'd do together while sipping on our matching mugs. This way, when I saw him at the office, he'd be relieved to see me.
The drive through town was short, and it was only minutes before I'd parked and walked down the sidewalk to the joint building that the Morningwood Elite Force shared with City Hall, the police department and the morgue.
"Good morning, Gus," Arthur greeted me outside on the path in. He had an Elite Force hat shoved over his blond curls and a leather satchel draped over his shoulder. Captain Aries must have had to go into the office early because he was absent from Arthur's side. Captain always went in when one of us had to go in early, saying he'd never asked one of us to do something he wasn't willing to do.
"Morning, Arthur. How's the little one?" I asked.
Arthur and the captain had enrolled Harlow, their daughter, in T-ball in the hopes that the sport would help her keep climbing out of her shell.
"You should've seen it," Arthur said, already smiling. "Aries bought her the entire outfit, pads, and helmet, and she refused to take any of it off all weekend. I didn't mind. Less bumps and bruises that way—ouch." Arthur rubbed his elbow after accidentally knocking it against the building wall.
"Maybe you should've gotten your own pair," I teased, reaching for the door to pull it open.
"Did you guys make a decision about Easter yet?" Arthur asked, going through the entrance I held open.
I frowned. "Easter?" The holiday was coming up this week.
"For our Easter barbecue this weekend? We wanted to throw a shindig where everyone could enjoy themselves. I know the town comes together, but that's mostly for the kids, and some of you guys have yet to settle down and pop any out. "
My face burned red. Arthur spoke like I should know what he was talking about. Clearly, he'd asked Blaze, but Blaze hadn't mentioned a word of the party to me. Why? Because we hadn't settled down and popped any out? "Blaze and I just… we hadn't made plans to…"
Arthur's eyes widened. "No! I didn't mean you two specifically. Oh, man, that was rude of me, wasn't it?"
I hurried to respond. "No, no, it's fine. I know what you meant. So, anyway, you're throwing an Easter barbecue?"
"I gave Blaze the invitation. He said he wasn't sure but would ask you. It's Easter, starting anytime you want to come over in the afternoon. We'll be at the parade and the gold hunt before then. You don't have to bring anything. Aries and I want to treat all of you. I don't think we ever officially thanked you as a team for just how amazing you all were when Aries was going through his stuff and then with accepting me so warmly as part of the team."
I shrugged, uncomfortable with his praise. He made the way we'd all been decent humans sound like we'd done something special. "We're more than coworkers in the Elite Force, Arthur. We're a team only as strong as our weakest link." I gasped, thinking about what I'd just implied. It felt like we just kept taking turns sticking our feet into our respective mouths. "Not that you were our weakest link."
"Uh-oh," Bruno said when the two of us reached the Elite Force lobby. He was a giant of a man with a wiry beard that covered a blocky, square-shaped face and short dark hair. "Someone let Arthur and Gus alone together. They're socially awkwarding themselves into a hole." Bruno's voice boomed as loudly as his laugh.
Arthur blushed a deep red while I flashed Bruno the finger. That only made him laugh harder.
"Mouse has a bite?" he bellowed.
Blaze walked through the lobby, coming from the other side. He'd changed out of his PT clothes into his uniform, and, as I always did, I took a second to simply stare. He wore the Elite Force uniform like a second skin. His dark hair, streaked with blond from hours out in the sun, was half dry but styled neatly. He looked up at me with amber eyes—like twin pools of whiskey. I wanted to drink him dry.
"Hey there," I purred, forgetting all the little annoyances that had clung to my back, weighing me down on the drive over. This was probably why nothing ever changed between us. The moment I stood within talking distance of the man, I became a formless puddle of goo. "I brought you a coffee."
Though I'd done the same thing hundreds of times, even before we'd started dating, I still felt shy, like someone would recognize I liked him. And after hiding my love for Blaze for so many years, it was ingrained in me. His fingers brushed over mine as he grabbed the travel mug, and our eyes met. I waited for that glorious moment where the rest of the world would fall away, and the only two things that existed were him and me. Blaze and Gus.
"Thanks," Blaze murmured. "But the coffee I had this morning gave me the shits. I think it's those fancy beans you insist on. Bruno, you want it?"
"Sure, I don't mind the shits. Gives my day some excitement," he guffawed. He took the mug from Blaze, popped off the lid, and proceeded to dump in an ungodly number of sugar packets from the small coffee station.
I glared at him. Those were my home beans! I had to have them specially delivered to Morningwood. Blaze knew that. Blaze knew everything about me. The fact that we'd been best friends since birth meant he'd seen me in every state of life: sad, happy, goofy. We'd had farting competitions and had been entirely too open with our bathroom behavior.
Dread made my gut uneasy. Was that what was wrong here? Most couples took years before they knew so much about each other. We'd jumped into a relationship already aware of the other's most embarrassing moments because we'd been there when it had happened. Before dating me, Blaze had no shortage of men and women willing to give up the chance for forever in exchange for a mind-blowing night of sex with him.
Our relationship had popped up so quickly. At the time, we'd also been fighting for our lives. Had enough time passed since then that Blaze now realized he'd made a mistake?
"How come you didn't tell me about Captain's barbecue?" I asked, the question sounding random and angry since no one else was in my head, and they hadn't been there for the mental lead-up.
Blaze's smile faltered. "The what?"
Captain poked his head out of his office. "Good morning, love," he said to Arthur before his tone hardened to address the rest of us. "Morning briefing, thirty minutes. Don't be late."
I pushed my wet hair back, tucking the strands behind my ear. Embarrassment made my cheeks burn. I should have waited until it was just us two before asking about the barbecue. Maybe Blaze hadn't wanted to go and not asking me was just a cover. One that I'd ruined.
"Uh-oh, trouble in paradise?" Bruno looked between Blaze and me like we were two players in a tennis match. "That didn't last long. Is your old apartment even cold yet?"
Any second, Blaze would correct our coworker. He'd tell him there was nothing wrong with us. No trouble.
Except Blaze didn't say anything. He looked at me. "Do we need to step outside?" he asked warily.
I lifted my chin, both as a reflexive and defensive movement. "Maybe we do."
"Oooo," Bruno howled.
I spun away, facing the door so I wouldn't have to see Bruno's annoying smiling face. Blaze charged ahead of me, and we walked outside together in silence until we lingered at the side of the building.
"Did something happen at home?" Blaze leaned with his shoulder balanced against the building, managing to keep his distance but also shield me from anyone walking behind him.
I sighed loudly, wondering how we'd gotten to this point so quickly. "No, nothing happened. I'm just wondering why you didn't bring up the party at Arthur and Captain's? Do you not want to go? Is that why?"
"Of course I want to go, Gus."
I folded my arms. "Oh so you just don't want me to go."
"That isn't what I said at all, Gus. What the heck? What is wrong?"
I didn't know how to verbalize what I felt. Individually, my complaints felt so petty. If I said them out loud, I'd only see how silly I was being. But they didn't feel petty. My anger simmered just hot enough to keep steaming while never exploding into a full boil.
"Are you upset because I wasn't there this morning?" Blaze asked, his tone turning deep and husky. "You know that wasn't my choice. Captain's orders. I prefer waking up with you."
My stomach clenched as my dick twitched. I was no closer to controlling my sexual reactions around Blaze now as I was able to fly without his help. Blaze and I had sex. Lots. It wasn't like our last time together was all that long ago, but my body reacted like we hadn't had sex in months. I slumped back against the wall, my arms dropping to my sides. "Maybe that's it. I don't like mornings where we don't get up together."
Blaze leaned in, his face free of the stress wrinkles that had been there moments ago. "Then I know just what to do." He kissed my nose. "Shift."
He shifted first, wiggling from his uniform and flapping his wings as he blinked expectantly.
I was wary, unsure of what his plan was. I shifted, scurrying down the sleeve of my uniform to peer up at him. Blaze swooped down, reenacting the scary part of a nature documentary as he secured me in his talons. We'd been flying together for years; it had been our favorite thing to do once we were both mature enough to shift. I still squeaked because even though it was exhilarating and amazing to soar up into the clouds, it was really freaking scary.
Though the ground quickly grew too far away, I knew I was safe in Blaze's talons. He might try to eat me later, but we'd both enjoy that.
Blaze didn't take us back to his house on the bluffs, though; he flew us to the very edge of the Morningwood city limits, over the park and forest to the boundary line where we'd constructed our top secret tree fort when the two of us had been ten. He flapped his wings, soaring in through the open window, where he released me on to a pile of cedar shavings.
I shifted and caught my footing quickly. "I didn't know you meant here, Blaze. We're gonna be late for the briefing."
Blaze surged forward, pushing my back to the wall, his front pressing against mine. "A quickie." His lips massaged my neck as he spoke, kissed, and nibbled his way down my chest.
I looked over his head at the familiar four walls. How many hours had we spent in this space as children, dreaming about the type of people we'd become? Blaze had always wanted to work in law enforcement, but in his younger years, he switched between wanting to work for Morningwood Police or the Elite Force. I'd only ever wanted to be where he was, by his side.
I sighed, wishing I could talk to the younger version of me who used to beat himself up.
"What is it?" Blaze asked, pulling back to allow a few inches between our faces. "Where are you in that head?"
Our gazes collided, my blue eyes clashing with his amber ones. "I'm here, Blaze. I think… sometimes… this is all a little surreal, you know? How many times did I imagine being with you like this, while I sat in this treehouse with you?"
Blaze smiled and kissed my nose. "I'm sorry I wasn't more confident back then. We could've been together the way we were meant to be for so long by now." He dropped to his knees and looked up from under my erection. We hadn't brought our clothes with us, so we were both still completely naked. "I'm still not finished catching up for all that lost time, though." He parted his lips and slid the head of my cock into his mouth, suckling just the tip while tiny explosions of pleasure went off over my body.
I didn't know how Blaze made other parts of me feel so good when he was really only touching my penis, but he knew every trick and tip to make sure I felt each lick and suckle everywhere. He could lick my elbow and make my big toe shiver with pleasure. The sounds of his mouth on my cock alone were nearly enough to bring me to orgasm. Lewd, sloppy, and wet, my moans were like the melody to his erotic percussion.
He took me deeper, his nose brushing my groin as his chin collided with my balls. He gripped my ass cheeks, pulling them apart with a growl that was as possessive as it was seductive. I wasn't in heat, so we didn't need to worry about protection.
Blaze withdrew, letting my dick fall out of his mouth with a sharp pop. "Grab the branch," he ordered, and my hands flew to the tree branch overhead that grew out of the window.
The tree creaked, but it was sturdy enough for me to hang my weight from, and I did as Blaze rose to his feet, lifting me with my legs around his waist.
"I promise I'll be on my best behavior from here on," he said as he lined our bodies up.
"Your what?" I frowned.
"So I don't get morning PT. You're always grumpy when I have morning PT."
That wasn't one hundred percent accurate, but Blaze thrust inside me in the next moment, stealing my breath and my concentration. Sometimes, he took hours lovingly preparing my body to accept him. Other times, our lovemaking was more primal. I loved both types, but right now, I needed his dominating strength. It was possible that he was more correct than I gave him credit for. Maybe it really was just his absence that got to me. I closed my eyes and pushed the thoughts out of my mind. While my alpha's cock was inside me—giving me a good dicking, as Blaze would call it—I would think only of him and now. Of us.
He kept one hand gripped tightly over my nape, holding me in place while his other hand held my hip. My feet were off the ground as I remained suspended, helpless. I couldn't control the rate of his thrusts or the speed. All I could do was hang on and let my alpha fuck me in the exact manner that he desired.
In our old childhood treehouse.
"You're milking my cock," Blaze growled. "So tight and hot. You're my hole, my perfect hole."
Fuck, that shouldn't have thrilled me as much as it did, but when Blaze started talking like that, I was lost. It felt like something else inside of me took over, like Gus had taken a break, and some other version, one that was needy and wanton, took over. I squeezed my legs around his hips, earning me another low growl. "I can't hold it back," I gasped. I'd done all I could to keep my orgasm from crashing. I'd hung suspended on the precipice for so long that it didn't take long to plunge me into pleasure.
"Don't," Blaze commanded. "Don't ever hold back, my omega."
There was no one around to hear us, and that was a very good thing. The noises I made had likely cleared our section of the forest, spooking small and large animals alike. My vision blurred, going dark before snapping back into perfect clarity. Seeing Blaze fuck me was almost as much fun as being fucked, and I didn't want to miss a single moment, not even while I was coming so hard I'd feel the aftershocks all day long.
Blaze continued to buck and thrust, drawing out both of our orgasms until I could do nothing but collapse against him, sweaty, panting, and satisfied.
"I'm gonna need a second shower," I groaned.
"Don't worry, sweet cheeks. I have that covered," Blaze said, jumping to his feet with an exuberance I wasn't capable of right just then. "Shift. I'll get us washed up and bring us back."
There wasn't any time to argue; we were likely late as it was. But the ridicule we'd get for returning sweaty-faced and smelling like sex would be unbearable. I shifted and waited.
I was still me as a mouse, but my thoughts were clearer, more focused. It was almost like as I shrunk, so did the world, my problems and worries, all of it, shrinking right along with me. But Blaze was still big. He grabbed hold of me with his sharp, brown talons and then took off.
My tiny mouse stomach flew into my throat, and I squeaked but kept my eyes open. The ground below zoomed away before rapidly growing close again. I looked up, but I couldn't see Blaze's face in this position. His beak was pointed down, in the same direction we were flying. When he said he'd handle the problem, I thought he'd fly us home really quickly, but that wasn't the direction we were going. We went down, through the canopy of trees.
The blue of Morningwood Lake grew larger and larger. I squeaked loudly, realizing what Blaze had planned. He screeched as if to tell me to calm down and that he had it all under control. At the last moment, I sucked in a breath and then nearly lost it the moment we plunged beneath the ice-cold water. My heart pounded rapidly, and my lungs stretched tight, demanding I inhale.
Blaze took us back up, using his wet wings to get distance between us and the water. If he tried to dip us a second time, I already decided I would bite his foot and take my chances falling. His wings lifted us higher. The wind whipping by was cold, but it also helped dry my fur so that by the time I spotted the Elite Force building below, I was nearly dry.
That had been my second shower for the day, and I couldn't help but compare the two. I much preferred this one, even if there still wasn't a towel waiting for me after.
Bunny Kisses by Lacey Daize
Nick
“And just where do you think you’re going?” I asked the floppy-eared escape artist currently hopping past the fish tanks.
The rabbit ignored me and continued on his journey.
I chuckled, reached down, and picked up the bunny. I tucked him into my arms and carried him back to the rabbit enclosure at the front of the store. I set him among the other rabbits and stared down at the bunch.
“No more escape attempts, you hear?” I asked the rabbits. “If I catch another of you hopping around the store there will be no treats tonight.”
Satisfied that I was being thoroughly ignored by a bunch of rabbits, I walked back to where I'd been feeding fish.
Bunnies were cute, but I wished the owners didn't feel the need to bring them in every April. Just because kids wanted rabbits for Easter didn't mean they should have anything more than a plushie.
Sadly, I knew that most of the bunnies would end up in a rescue or rehomed quickly once the appeal wore off. The same thing happened every time an animal movie was released. Kids would beg to have the critter, then lose interest a few weeks or months later. Meanwhile the market for that animal would be flooded with those needing new homes.
I finished with the fish and meandered around the store, fronting the shelves and taking note of stock that was running low.
I’d worked in Mountain Springs’ only pet shop since I graduated high school, and was the sole full-time employee. The owners preferred to let me do most of the work as I’d made it clear that I wanted to take over when they decided to retire.
Somehow I still couldn’t convince them to not go all in with the vanity animals though. My only minor win in that regard was a small display of plush animals near the counter so that the little kids wanting something didn’t have to leave empty-handed.
I knew the owners would prefer I sell an expensive animal plus food and enclosures. But I’d rather a smaller sale that kept the pet in mind instead.
I was standing at the register, preparing the order for the week when the bell sounded over the door.
“Welcome to Furever Friends,” I said, barely glancing up. “Is there anything I can help you with?”
“No thank you,” a smooth, masculine, voice responded. “We’re just browsing.”
I turned back to my order form. “Let me know if you need anything.”
“Thank you, we will.”
I flipped through my notes, making sure I hadn’t missed anything that I needed to add to the order.
“Daddy!” a little voice squealed. “Bunnies!”
“You can look, but don’t touch.”
I winced, expecting the impending tantrum. However, several seconds passed without the wails of a child told ‘no.’
I looked up, shifting over a couple steps to see a boy of about two or three with his hands curled into the mesh surrounding the rabbits. His father, a very attractive alpha, kneeled next to him.
“Easter bunny tomorrow?”
The alpha laughed. “No Jacob. A couple weeks.”
“That bunny?” he pointed at one of the rabbits.
The dad stood and ruffled his son’s dark blond hair. “No. The Easter bunny is much bigger.”
“Want bunny!”
The alpha shook his head. “No Jacob. We’re here to get cat food, remember?”
“Kitty wants bunny!” Jacob argued.
The alpha laughed, reached down and picked up his son. “Kitty does not want a bunny. You want a bunny, and are trying to blame it on the cat.”
“Bunny! Want bunny!”
The alpha shifted the boy to one arm, then booped his nose. “Daddy says no. Now let’s go pay for the cat food. I’ll even let you hand the money over, ok?”
“Ok!”
I smiled at how easily the alpha was able to sway the whims of his son. A moment later the father set his shopping bag full of cat food on the counter.
He was shifting to reach for his wallet when Jacob spied the display of plushies, which had a large number of rabbits.
“Want bunny!”
The alpha sat the boy on the counter and looked into his eyes. “Bunnies are a lot of work Jacob.” He looked up at me and smiled. “I bet the nice omega will tell you.”
The smile could have melted me then and there. His blue eyes met mine, and I wanted to grab handfuls of his brown hair and hold him close for a kiss.
Second by RJ Scott & VL Locey
“Card,” I demanded and schooled my features when the king of diamonds turned up. I had a straight flush, and it was perfect—the kind of dream hand in poker that comes once in a lifetime. My heart raced as I peeked at my cards, barely containing my excitement. The odds were in my favor. It was a sure thing, a certainty, and blinded by the promise of winning, I did the unthinkable. I pushed all my chips to the center of the table. Everything. It was a bold move, a statement. I was all in. This was my moment, my chance to erase all my past mistakes, to come out on top, to prove to everyone, especially to my brother, that I was more than just a cautionary tale.
The room fell silent as the other players contemplated their next moves. One by one, they folded, until it was only me and one other—a newcomer with a poker face that gave nothing away. The final card was dealt, and I held my breath, ready to claim my victory.
But fate, as I had learned the hard way, is often cruel. In a twist that seemed ripped from a movie script, the newcomer revealed his hand. It was the only one that could beat mine, a statistical improbability, a once-in-a-lifetime counter to my once-in-a-lifetime hand. A royal flush.
“Read ’em and weep, Freckles,” my opponent cackled.
The realization slammed into me like a physical blow. I’d lost.
Lost everything. The room spun, and the sounds around me faded to a dull roar. I couldn’t breathe, couldn't think. The chips, my lifeline, my ticket to paying my way out of debt, were now sliding across the table, away from me.
The weight of what I had done crashed down on me with brutal force. I’d gambled everything on a single hand, and everything was over. Paying off the debts, the promises of turning things around, the fleeting glimpse of a better future—all gone with the turn of a card—my brief taste of success was ash in my mouth. The debts were still there, looming larger than ever, and now, I had nothing left to pay them with. My car, my last asset, was as good as gone, promised to Looper for a fraction of its worth. I’d been so close to clawing my way out and keeping my baby, only to plunge deeper into the abyss.
“I’ll be back,” I said with confidence, but no one met my eyes.
Bunny Hop Beau by Lacey Daize
Chapter 1 - Avery
~January~
I side-eyed the fax machine as it picked up a piece of paper and started printing. The thing was a constant thorn in my side, but no matter how often I tried to convince my bosses that it was obsolete, they insisted that we keep it.
Apparently some people still preferred to fax documents, no matter how secure and convenient the web portals we offered.
I blinked as it picked up a second sheet. The spam adverts that it usually printed always fit on a single page, which meant that it was one of the rare real faxes. I snagged the cover sheet and noted the number of expected pages, and whom in the office I needed to hand it over to.
I smiled when I saw that José—a handsome alpha mortgage broker—was the intended recipient. It gave me an excuse to talk to him.
I’d met José six months earlier, when I first arrived in Valle Granja, and my instincts had immediately insisted that I get close to him. The urge was almost as strong as the one that had made me move there.
I didn’t question it at first. My mama had always stressed that the universe knew what it was doing, and that it guided us through our instincts. But after months of flirting, and him seemingly oblivious, I was starting to wonder if that inner voice had been wrong.
Once the fax finished printing I checked to make sure that it had all arrived properly, then took it to José’s office.
Unfortunately, several minutes—and even an invitation to lunch—later, he still seemed as immune to my flirting as ever.
I forced a smile as one of the other mortgage brokers, Morgan, headed towards me, and passed him as I walked to the break room.
I was almost there when I realized that I’d left my cell phone at the front desk. I turned around to grab it, but stopped when I heard something that stopped me in my tracks.
“...I ran into my old highschool boyfriend, and… I’ve still got it bad for him,” Jose said
“From high school?” Morgan asked. “Man, you’ve gotta move on. It’s been more than a decade, right? Why not give Avery a chance? He’s obviously interested.”
I plastered myself against the wall. Listening was wrong, but I needed to know.
“No omega should ever be an alpha’s second choice,” José replied. “They deserve a mate who looks at them, and knows that there could never be another. We owe them that much since all the consequences of a failed mating falls on them.”
“I didn’t say mate him, just date him.”
“That would be leading him on, and I’m not down for that.”
“Whatever man. Your loss, but maybe you should let him know so he can move on too.”
Jose sighed. “You’re probably right.” There was a pause, then he continued. “So what did you need?”
I stepped away and decided to return to the break room without my cell phone rather than walk past the open office door and give away that I might have heard the conversation.
I needed to think. How had my instincts been so wrong to lead me to a man who was in love with somebody else?
∞∞∞
I flopped on the couch and removed my glasses. I rubbed at a spot with the hem of my shirt until I was satisfied that whatever it was was gone, then I started to put them back on. It was then that a lock of blond hair decided to fall in front of my eyes. I huffed and smoothed it back into place, making a mental note to get a haircut, then put my glasses back on. Finally I picked up my phone. It was time for my weekly call with my parents, and I really wanted to talk to my mama.
José’s words had echoed in my head for days. “No omega should ever be an alpha’s second choice…”
There was a finality in the statement. He would always love his high-school boyfriend, and it would never change. Anybody else would be the backup option.
I knew in my core that the universe wouldn’t pair me with an alpha who would forever carry a torch for somebody else. But I still had a strong urge to be near him.
I blew out a breath and tapped my parents’ number from my contact list.
“Avery! Sweetheart!” my mama said as she answered. “How are you doing?”
I smiled. Somehow just hearing Mama’s voice always lifted my spirits. “I’m good, Mama. How about you?”
She laughed. “Busy as always. You know how it is.”
“I know. But you’ll have to slow down at some point.”
“Ridiculous!” she replied. “Only death itself can slow down your dad and I.” “Somehow I’m not surprised,” I laughed. “How’s Eric?”
Mama sighed happily. “He’s good. He’s at a birthday party for one of his classmates right now.”
I chuckled. “And you were worried that he wouldn’t make friends.”
“All the other parents are your age or younger!” Mama protested. “Your dad and I are in our fifties.”
“I don’t think anybody cares about that,” I argued. “What they care about is Eric, and what they see is a happy and healthy five-year-old.”
Mama sighed happily. “He reminds me so much of you at that age. Full of energy, and so kind to everybody. I bet he’ll even look like you when you grow up. He’s got the same blond hair and slight frame. Just missing the glasses, though the pediatrician’s keeping an eye on his vision. I just wish you’d have been born closer together.”
“Life does funny things. It just decided that I needed a baby brother to keep you busy until I have kids of my own.”
“That it does, and we’re happy to have him around.” Mama paused. “Did you want me to call in your dad?”
I licked my lips, trying to decide.
“Ave? Honey?”
“Mama?”
“Yes dear?
“Do you remember when I moved out here, that I felt that my instincts were pulling me?”
“Of course.”
“Did I tell you about the alpha at my work?”
Mama hummed as she thought about the question. “You mentioned that there was a handsome alpha there, but that was all. Are things going ok?”
I sighed. “I don’t know. My gut says to stay close to him, and I thought that meant that I was going to end up with him at some point. But I don’t know what to think anymore.”
“Oh honey, what happened?”
I took a deep breath. “I overheard him talking to another mortgage broker at the firm. Apparently he’s still in love with an omega he dated in high school.”
Mama hummed. “Ok…”
I paused. “Mama… he said something that I can’t get out of my head.”
“What was it?”
“He said that no omega should ever be an alpha’s second choice.”
Mama sighed softly. “He’s right.”
I blinked. “Mama?”
“He’s right. But it goes both ways. Nobody should ever be the second choice, alphas or omegas. You want a partner who looks at you and can’t imagine anybody better.”
“What’s it mean though? Why are my instincts insisting that I get close to him if I would only be second best?”
“Just because the universe says to get close, doesn’t mean they’re supposed to be your mate. I don’t think it’s ever really discussed, but if we can have fated mates, then surely we can have fated friends.”
“Fated friends?”
Mama laughed. “Why not? If the universe wants people to be close, it doesn’t have to limit it to romantic partners.”
I was silent as I thought about it. Was I meant to have José as a friend, not as a mate? Somehow it felt right.
“Did that answer your question honey?”
I smiled. “It did. I feel better now. Thanks Mama.”
“I think you already knew the answer, but sometimes it helps to talk things out.”
“You’re probably right.”
Mama laughed. “Only on good days. Let me call in your dad so he can talk too.”
“Ok.”
She set down the phone and I closed my eyes, running over our conversation while I waited for my dad to join her.
Mama always knew just what to say to make me feel better about myself, and I couldn’t imagine life without her.
Frank W Butterfield
Frank W. Butterfield is the Amazon best-selling author of 89 (and counting) self-published novels, novellas, and short stories. Born and raised in Lubbock, Texas, he has traveled all over the US and Canada and now makes his home in Daytona Beach, Florida. His first attempt at writing at the age of nine with a ball-point pen and a notepad was a failure. Forty years later, he tried again and hasn't stopped since.
Kiki Burrelli lives in the Pacific Northwest with the bears and raccoons. She dreams of owning a pack of goats that she can cuddle and dress in form-fitting sweaters. Kiki loves writing and reading and is always chasing that next character that will make her insides shiver. Consider getting to know Kiki at her website, on Facebook, or send her an email: kikiburrelli@gmail.com.
Lacey DaizeLacey lives in New Mexico with her four critters. She’s a Jill-of-all-trades by day, but loves writing in her spare time. She dabbles in a variety of pairings, but jumped feet-first into the deep end of omegaverse the first time she read it. She loves the play on social expectations and the different ways to express romance.
RJ ScottWriting love stories with a happy ever after – cowboys, heroes, family, hockey, single dads, bodyguards
USA Today bestselling author RJ Scott has written over one hundred romance books. Emotional stories of complicated characters, cowboys, single dads, hockey players, millionaires, princes, bodyguards, Navy SEALs, soldiers, doctors, paramedics, firefighters, cops, and the men who get mixed up in their lives, always with a happy ever after.
She lives just outside London and spends every waking minute she isn’t with family either reading or writing. The last time she had a week’s break from writing, she didn’t like it one little bit, and she has yet to meet a box of chocolates she couldn’t defeat.
V.L. Locey loves worn jeans, yoga, belly laughs, walking, reading and writing lusty tales, Greek mythology, the New York Rangers, comic books, and coffee.
(Not necessarily in that order.)
She shares her life with her husband, her daughter, one dog, two cats, a flock of assorted domestic fowl, and two Jersey steers.
When not writing spicy romances, she enjoys spending her day with her menagerie in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania with a cup of fresh java in hand.
Frank W Butterfield
Kiki Burrelli
AUDIOBOOKS / CHIRP / INSTAGRAM
EMAIL: kikiburrelli@gmail.com
Lacey Daize
Easter, 1929 by Frank W Butterfield
Love Nest by Kiki Burrelli
Bunny Kisses by Lacey Daize
Second by RJ Scott & VL Locey
Bunny Hop Beau by Lacey Daize
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