School isn’t out for the Summer…Yet!

By Brandy Walker

It may be time for the kids to get out of school for the year but not at Shifter U. The students at the shifter only college are still chugging along trying to make it through the year some having a better time than others. Changing Her Tune Book 2 picks up the story we caught a glimpse of in Shifted Plans. Tess Flanagan, the angry and humiliated band student we met briefly, is finally shaking it all off. She no longer spends every free moment locked in her room shunning the population around her. In fact, her perky cheerleader housemate has convinced her to head out to the Wash & Wait Laundromat on a late night laundry run. Granted she promised there wouldn’t be anyone else there but promises like that can never be kept.

I loved diving back into the Shifter U world and seeing how everyone was doing. There’s glimpse of Avery and Declan. A look into Blaire’s life. And of course a run in with the sexy Braun brothers.

If you haven’t read the first book, Shifted Plans, now is a great time to grab it. For a limited time it is $0.99 on Amazon! Come and discover Shifter U – Home of the Lions, Tigers, Bears…and more.

GIVEAWAY: One lucky commenter will win a copy of the first book Shifted Plans, just answer the following question in the comments.

What kind of classes would you expect to see at a shifter only college?

PURCHASE NOW: All Romance eBooks | Amazon | iTunes | Google Play | Kobo

BLURB:

Men suck…

Tess Flanagan is determined to make it through her final year of college even if it kills her. After months of hurt and humiliation thanks to her ex-boyfriend, she’s finally shaking off her anger and pain. Her future holds promise—or it did until a new guy, the star receiver on the football team, mistakenly thinks her roommate is his mate when it’s actually her.

One tiny mistake…

Big man on campus, Austin Shaw looks forward to a promising career in the Pro-Shifter Football League. He has an awesome life—hot women, great friends, and a loving family. But when he scents his mate, his “perfect game” gets thrown off.

More than meets the eye…

Austin soon finds out it’ll take more than a sexy grin and big personality to get Tess to talk to him. She’s nothing like the woman he knows, and there’s something going on just beneath the surface. Can ROAR help them discover the true path to happiness?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Brandy is a paranormal romance author who, on occasion, likes to dabble with contemporary. She’s addicted to murder mystery shows and who-done-its. You’ll almost never see her without some type of skull paraphernalia on and is always dreaming of more tattoos.

Brandy is a Navy brat, prior enlisted Army, current Army wife, and mom. She lives in Virginia with her husband of almost 20 years, their three kids and one dog.

Website | Facebook Author | Twitter | Pinterest | Tumblr

Online Store Get Your Shop On | Newsletter | email: brandy@brandywalker.net

Character Interview – Craving Cameo

    Good Morning everyone, I’m doing something a little different today. Usually when I do a character interview it’s only the main characters, but I have gotten so many requests from people wanting to know more about Cougar and Felicia along with Cricket, that I thought I would include the main characters of Craving Cameo in this short interview.

Since everyone has gathered with us, let’s begin.

Q: What was your first impression of Cameo when you met her?

Quade: Pure trouble wrapped in ribbons and dresses. I knew even when she was six she would be the death of me and she almost was. *A round of chuckles filled the space.* But, she was cute. Curious. Always gave me the biggest smile whenever she saw me and truth be told, she owned my heart from the moment she laid eyes on me.

Felicia: Her wit. *She looked to her friend and gave a small smile.* I remember walking into the auditorium to grab my dorm assignment and my freshman pack and there she stood giving some RA hell. The guy had at least six inches on her and about seventy pounds, but she didn’t care. By the time she walked away, she had her folder, key and a meal plan I’m not even sure she signed up for. *Felicia laughed.* The next time I saw her she was in class. We hit it off from there.

Cougar: My bar would never be the same again. *He sat back in his chair slightly and extended his legs. Folding his arms over his chest, he smirked.* I knew who she was the minute she stepped inside with Felicia. All I kept thinking to myself was; does Drake know about this? Do I have to worry about the Alpha trying to come in here and kick my ass? But, this girl can take care of herself. Don’t let her girly looks deceive you.

Cricket: *He gave a shy grin when he looked at Cameo.* I had to get to know her. I knew she was Drake’s babygirl, and I knew he would kick my ass if I touched her, but she is special, you know? *He sat forward in his chair and looked to Quade.* You know it, don’t you? She walks into the room and everyone stops to stare. It’s the craziest thing I’ve ever seen. To be able to call her my friend is the shit. I’m honored.

Cameo: You guys suck. Here you are talking about me and breaking down my tough girl rep. I should cut all of you.

But then the interview would be over. *Cameo curls her lip and growls.* Hey I’m just the interviewer. You’re not allowed to cut me.

Q: The bounty on your head Cameo, did you think it was a quick way for Quade to get in your pants?

Cameo: No. He let me leave. I figured it was Daddy’s way of bringing me home, because he didn’t like me being away from him. But, when we were attacked in the bar… *She let out a slow, shaky breath.* I knew it was real and we had to act fast.

Q: So you came up with being kidnapped by Xavier and Quade?

Cameo: Yep. Quade hated it—

Quade: Still do. I should paddle your ass later for even thinking of such a thing.

Cameo: *Rolls her eyes.* Anyway, I knew it would work. I just hadn’t planned for everything else.

Q: Speaking of everything else, how are you holding up after your father died?

Cameo: I have my good days and my bad days.

Quade: And when she’s having a bad day we’re all here for her.

Cougar: We’re family now. No way in hell we’d let her suffer.

Cricket: Besides Mari, Cameo is like our sister. We’re very protective of her. *He looked at me like the weight of the world rested on his shoulders.* Drake was a rare man, let alone, shifter. He did what he felt was right. Took care of his pack and instilled loyalty into his pack mates. His death not only left a hole in his daughter’s life, but all of ours too.

*A round of nods flowed around the circle we sat in.*

Q: So what’s next?

Cougar: I guess that depends on Felicia.

Felicia: There is so much to sort out. So many things I didn’t know about until now. Plus…I think someone is following me.

Cougar: What?
       Felicia: I’m sure it’s nothing. 

Cricket: My ass, nothing. If we learned anything with Cameo, you never can be too cautious.

Cameo: Why didn’t you tell me?

Felicia: *She shrugged.* You were busy. Besides, I talked to my father who’s going to look into it as well. I’m more than sure it’s nothing.

Cougar: I oughta whoop your ass—

Okay, okay, it’s time for a little this or that, ready? *A grumble of yes’s filled the room.* Excellent.

Q: Chocolate or Vanilla?

Cameo: Chocolate

Quade: Vanilla

Cricket: Neither I want some cookie dough.

Cougar: Vanilla

Felicia: Chocolate.

Q: Staying home or Going out?

Quade: Going out.

Cameo: Going out.

Felicia: I learned my lesson. Staying home.

Cougar: Going out.

Cricket: Going out.

Q: Morning or Night?

Cameo: Both.

Quade: Both.

Cricket: Night.

Cougar: Night.

Felicia: Morning.

One more….

Q: Your mate or A random hook up?

Cameo: My mate.

Quade: My mate.

Cricket: Older, random hook up.

Cougar: My mate.

Felicia: *A sob fell from her lips as she ran from the room. Cougar was hot on her tail.*

Well, that didn’t end like I thought it would. Thank you all for doing this with me.

Cricket: You’re welcome, TL. How about you let me take you for that ride I promised you and I’ll show you what being a bear is about? *He winks at me and I giggled just a bit.*

I’m way too old for you Cricket.

Cricket: Then you’re perfect.

Blurb:

The daughter of the Sentinels pack and MC Alpha, Cameo Cruz moved across country to escape her pack—and the wolf she can never have. Making a new life, she embraced her freedom and went to school. One partying night with her best friend shatters her bubble of safety, and she’s forced to do the one thing she swore she never would…ask for help.

Quade Rainwater lives for his pack and the life the Sentinels Alpha gave him when he took him in. He’d do anything for them, even cut himself off from the she-wolf he’s loved for as long as he’s known her. When all hell breaks loose and someone puts a bounty on his girl, Quade will cross the country to protect her. Unfortunately for him, he’s the last person she wants to see.

All he has to do is keep her safe from the bounty hunters, the locals, and himself….

Excerpt:

“Why? Why are you here?”

“Do you really think I want to be here?” he asked. “Do you think I find it fun leaving my home to drive clear across the fucking country to find you? Huh? I don’t want to be here anymore than you want me here, but your fucking father—” He snarled and began to pace. “He’s losing it where you’re concerned.”

“Well.” She gave a humorless chuckle, turning away from him. “You can tell him I’m perfectly fine.” She wouldn’t give her father or him the benefit of seeing her fear. She’d take care of the other problem on her own.

“Little girl, don’t start.” He laid his hands on her shoulders, and she shrugged them off. “Don’t you know you have a bounty on your head?”

“What?” She whirled around and stared up at him.

“The other night when you called Hui, Xavier also found out about a bounty on your head.” Indifference seemed to coat his unreadable expression and words. “There are more coming. They’ll be here by tonight. We need to leave. If I can get you to your dad—”

“No.”

“Cameo,” he snapped. “This is not a fucking game.”

“You’re right. It’s not a game. I will not forfeit my life for some bounty. I’m staying.” She wouldn’t add he could stay and watch over her.

“Well, you’ve got two choices, sweetheart. Come with me or wait to be picked up by the guys who are out for your bounty.” He didn’t blink. He didn’t get angry, nothing.

“My answer is still no.” Crossing her arms, she arched a brow, daring him to say something to the contrary. She played with fire, knowing full well what might happen if she pushed him too far. Quade was not a wolf used to hearing the word no. His nostrils flared. His body tightened.

“Damn it, Cameo,” he growled, while taking a step toward her. “Why are you being so damn obstinate?”

She blew him off and pushed past him, crossing the room to her small fridge. “I’m sorry if I seem obstinate to you, but this is my life we’re talking about.”

“Is this because I wouldn’t give you the time of day?” Typical wolf. Always thinking with their penis.

“Not hardly.”

“What in the hell do you want from me?”

Want from him? She didn’t want anything from him. She hadn’t even wanted to see him again.

In two strides, he closed the distance between them and dipped his head. “Is this what you want?” He nuzzled her neck and groaned. “Tell me,” he demanded. “Do you want me to drop to my knees and beg for forgiveness? To tell you I’ve wanted you since the moment you turned eighteen?” His lips were only inches from her ear. His warm breath brushed against the shell, causing her to shiver. “You ran away from me.”

“Ran away from you? I left home so I could get an education and be someone better than a thug.” She grimaced inwardly when he flinched and withdrew from her. Quade wasn’t a thug, neither was her father.

“So, I’m a thug now?” He shook his head while clenching his fists at his sides. “Are you saying when you were on pack lands you thought so low of me…of your father and our friends?”

“Now you’re twisting my words.”

“Am I? Didn’t you say you left home so you didn’t become one, meaning we, the members of your pack, are thugs?” He cocked a brow, daring her to say something else stupid. Insert foot in mouth, dummy.

“Look, I didn’t storm into your home and pick a fight with you. So…so why don’t you leave?” Brilliant! Way to go you.

A dark sinful chuckle passed his lips as he pulled her to him, engulfing her in his embrace. “You never did know when to shut up.”

His lips slammed down on hers in a brutal kiss. He tasted of danger and excitement. Of raw masculine power. Cameo’s wolf preened, desperate to rub all over him and submit to his dominance. He swiped his tongue across hers, and she became a puddle of goo. “Would you like to know where my mark will go when I mate you?”

Author Bio:

TL Reeve, a mulit-published author with Decadent Publishing, Cobblestone Press and Evernight Publishing, was born out of a love of family and a bond that became unbreakable. Living in the south, TL misses Los Angeles and will one day return to the beaches of Southern California to ride the waves at Huntington Beach. When not writing something hot and sexy, TL can be found curled up with a good book, or working on homework with a cute little pixie.

Facebook/Twitter/TSU/Pinterest/Blog/Site

Tempting Her Tiger

By Virginia Cavanaugh

Hello Everyone!

I’m so excited to be here today to share with you a little bit about my new release, Tempting Her Tiger.

I was excited when Heather Long approached me about writing for this line. Not only did I get to write a story featuring the college I attended, I also got to take my first journey into writing new adult. It was difficult at times to not make the characters seem older than they were. But having plenty of teenagers around my house helped. LOL

I also created a very neat place in this story. It’s called The Pit. Around here people farm out cliché. It leaves big winding pits behind when they do. So for years I have drove past various areas where they are mining out the cliché and my brain finally came up with a way to make these pits more mysterious and fun.

Here are a couple photos of some shallow pits, but you will see a dirt road that goes up and over down into deeper pits. Being that it was at sunset my pictures aren’t the best, but for those of you not used to these pits it will give you a better idea.

I hope you enjoy this story as much as I enjoyed writing it. And more stories are planned for shifters at this college in the 

future.

  

Blurb:

As a young girl, Stacia Carter had a crush on her brother’s best friend, Jordan Bayne. Grown and independent, she heads off to college and her destiny—to make him notice her as more than just the girl next door. After all these years, there’s no way she’ll take no for an answer.

Seeing Stacia again rocks Jordan’s world. She’s gorgeous, feisty, and hot…and also his best bud’s sister. No way can he have her for his own. But resisting the temptress proves harder than he thought.

When a male from a rival pride attempts to steal Stacia affections, Jordan sees red. No one is good enough for her…not even himself. But the feline temptress stars in his every fantasy. Maybe one more kiss will satisfy his hunger for her. 

Available here:  Decadent Publishing|| Amazon || Barnes & Noble || Kobo || All Romance Ebooks

Excerpt:

Once outside, he called out to her. “Stacia, wait up.”

Her spine stiffened and she stopped forward movement, turning slowly to face him. She gave him a shy smile and he closed the distance between them. “Hey.”

The green shirt she wore hugged her pert breasts and accentuated her lean waist. Wow, he really needed to stop noticing these things. “Do you have another class to get to right now?”

She hitched the strap of her bag a little higher on her shoulder. “Actually, I do. Can we maybe talk later?”

Black spots decorated her hand. “Pen bust?”

Her face and neck started to take on a red tint. “Yeah. Listen, I really need to go.”

“I’ll walk with you. I have an hour before my next class.” He fell into step beside her. “So, why did you choose NMJC?”

“It’s a good school.”

“Yeah, it is. But I’m betting, like Seth, you could have gone anywhere.” A breeze floated past them, stirring her hair and bringing her scent into his nose. She smelled so good. Like flowers and sunshine. He remembered the silken feel of her hair when he’d touched it in the classroom.

Shifted Plans

by Brandy Walker

   It has been ages since I’ve been able to talk about a new release. This year has been a whirlwind of activity having nothing to do with writing. We’re a military family and moved mid-year from Washington State to Virginia. It takes a lot to pack up three kids, a dog, a husband, and a house. Yes, the military does all of the heavy lifting, but the rest is left up to me. Needless to say, it’s taken me a bit to get back into the swing of things.

   Shifted Plans is the first release I’ve had since the move in June and it’s also my very first release from Decadent Publishing. YAY!!! I hope you’re as excited for this new Decadent line as I am. I know there have been some great books before mine and I expect there will be many more after. In fact, I’ve already submitted my second book in my series within the series, Shifter U, the premier college for shifters of all sorts. Keep your fingers crossed for me!

   I started out my journey back in college when Avery popped into my head. She’s the last girl standing in the townhouse she lives in. All of the other girls having graduated or found her mate. Its her last year at Shifter U and all she wants to do is graduate so she can go back to her hometown to start her life on her own terms.

   Avery was strong-willed but with the heart of a romantic. She longed to find her mate but resolved to just let it happen. And it did. Right when she least expected it.

I hope you’ll enjoy reading about Avery and Declan.

Buy Links:

Amazon | Decadent Publishing | iTunes | Kobo

Blurb:

Avery Hillman has one year of college left. Once it’s over she has plans, BIG plans. A job managing her family’s medical practice, an apartment of her own, and a new life where she’s the one in charge. No hovering family, no annoying siblings, and no mate to have to divide her time to be with.

Declan Weller has one more class to finish. One more thing he can cross off his ten-year plan. Once that is done, he can transfer to the new job waiting for him and his new life. He isn’t looking for his mate and as far as he’s concerned, finding her can wait another two years.

The Fates have a plan of their own. One that includes throwing Avery and Declan in each other’s path. It’s high time those two found each other and learn the most important thing of all…sometimes plans need to shift.

Meet Gavin from Imperfect Mate

Gavin Stone is a sophomore at Harmony University. He’s also human and a little geeky. Since his long term high school girlfriend broke his heart the last thing he was looking for was another commitment. He buried himself into his studies and avoided the dating scene until he meet Samira at a dorm welcome party. The passion between them was too many to deny.

Stats:

Name: Gavin Stone

Hair color: brown

Eye color: brown

Height: 6’2”

Degree working for: He’s majoring in mechanical engineering with a minor in chemistry

Story told in:  Imperfect Mate

I’m so thrilled to be part of this new Decadent line, ROAR, and excited about the release of Imperfect Mate. I can’t wait to get started on the next book in the series.

Imperfect Mate

Harmony Springs, book 1

Decadent Publishing ROAR line

By Lia Davis

Blurb:

For tiger-shifter, Samira Anderson, leaving home for the first time to attend Harmony University should unnerve her. She’s never submitted to the fear of a challenge and doesn’t plan to start now. Meeting her dorm mates and touring the campus excites her and her cat. Although when she meets Gavin Stone, she’s not only nervous around him but fears she might lose the tight control she has over her tiger.

After a bad break up with his high school sweetheart, Gavin has no intentions of repeating past mistakes. Or so he thought until he sees the beautiful, smart, Samira at the dorm welcome party. Drawn to her like no other, he can’t stay away or shake the feeling Sam isn’t telling him everything.

When he discovers her secrets, a whole new world opens to him, filled with danger, unknown possibilities, and a passion so intense it could last many lifetimes.

About the Author

An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very active imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing is stress reliever that allows her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.

Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Social media links:

Website || Facebook author fan page || Facebook Fan Club || Twitter || Tumblr || Pinterest || Goodreads

Phoenix Rising

By Cara Carnes

I’m thrilled Phoenix Rising releases today. When this line of paranormal new adult books was mentioned to me, I knew instantly what I wanted to write. Specifically, I knew what I wanted Riletta and Macen to share with the world.

What I didn’t expect was the visceral reaction I would have as a writer while putting their story down. I’ve written quite a few books at this point. The characters are always fiercely independent in my head and I as the author always have a firm grasp on their personalities, flaws and little idiosyncrasies.

From the start, though, these characters were different. This story was different. Even as I typed THE END I still couldn’t put my finger on precisely why. Then, late one night, it came to me.

Their journey was mine. Or rather, ours. We’ve all been there in one way or another—in a new place, starting a new leg of our life experience. I might’ve breathed life into Riletta and Macen but they gave me understanding, insight into how far I’d come. More importantly, how much I’d grown.

I was too young to be on my own. I didn’t know that then. I do now. I didn’t have many of the life experiences other kids my age had. I love my family dearly, but stating I was sheltered is such a grave understatement that,if I to said it aloud, lightning would strike me. I knew no one. To make matters worse, I wasn’t exactly a social bug. Add this to the fact I wasn’t living in a dorm and the perfect recipe for a horrible first year culminated.

Fortunately, fate intervened and I followed my heart’s desire and enrolled in a journalism class. It was mostly juniors and seniors. To say I was out of my comfort zone was an understatement. But I was helping put together the college newspaper. Nothing could stop me.

I learned so much the first year there—jello shots aren’t the world’s answer to tasty party snacks and the world will NOT end because there are thousands of crickets have invaded the campus (you don’t want to know. Trust me, it was VILE. *cringes) Those are the first two that came to mind. There were so many more. What can I say? I was a naïve newbie with LOTS to learn. 

I could share tales of over imbibing, misadventures of the socially awkward. But the most important lesson I took from that year was risk. Taking a chance by putting yourself out there is hard, but the reward when it pays off is so worth it.

 

I hope you enjoy Phoenix Rising. More importantly, I hope it helps you recall your younger self and discover exactly how far you’ve come since then.

So, what did you learn your first year away from home?

Buy Links:

Amazon || Kobo || iTunes || Decadent Publishing

Blurb:

Sometimes you have to crumble to ashes before you can fly

Riletta knew hardship. As a shifter who couldn’t shift, she was raised in a wolf pack that ostracized her. She was ready to tackle the world when she was dropped off at the university with no identity, very little cash, and the only thing she wanted—freedom. The last thing she expected was for the university’s resident Alpha wolf to stake a claim.

Macen Giordano hadn’t expected the little female to bring out his protective wolf, but he’s not about to let university politics harm the innocent shifter. Riles may not be wolf, but she is his.

When prejudices threaten them both and shed light on her true nature, the two must survive the impossible to earn their destiny.

. 

Get Ready to ROAR

   

Welcome to autumn, 2014. It’s a time for pumpkin spice lattes, cooling days, and kids heading back to school. I swear it feels like just yesterday that we were doing this last year. You know, I have a deep and abiding love for paranormal romance. I actually fell in love with urban fantasy and by extension paranormals thanks to two authors: Anne Rice and Emma Bull. If you’ve never checked them out, you should.

   Fortunately, in the years since I read those the genre of paranormal romance has grown by leaps, shifts, fangs, and fur. I’ve always had a soft spot for shifter romance, and if you told me a book had wolves or cats or bears in it—well, I was so there. This hasn’t changed, not one bit. I don’t think there’s enough shifter romance in the world, but I did want to see more—what happens when young shifters leave their packs? What if they go off to school? How do they start over? How does a young wolf or cat or bear or any young person really make that final leap to adulthood?

   I am thrilled to introduce Decadent ROAR as an answer to those questions. The line is dedicated to featuring stories about young weres and shifters who have come of age but now must determine the path of the rest of their lives. It's an exciting time of making your own decisions and not having to seek permission, but freedom always comes with a cost. Fortunately for these burgeoning adults, they have the ROAR hotline to reach out to.

Run by the mysterious siblings Hui and Min, 555-ROAR is a line shifters can text or call for help, whether it’s, What’s the best spot to hunt, or I’m in danger. What should I do? It’s a helpline, and a lifeline in some cases. Growing up is hard—being an adult is harder.

So what do we have to kick you off as ROAR launches a new school year? How about a mongrel attending college close to home who must contend with a sexy Alpha and his pride moving into her region? That’s the problem Mischief “Missy” Jones faces in Mischief,     Mongrels & Mayhem by Heather Long.

   Pledging a sorority can be hell, but is it so bad when you have a demon on your side? Werewolf Alexandra will have to decide when Kieran promises to turn over heaven and hell to help her out in Sorority Wolf by Rebecca Royce.

   Not everyone gets encouragement when they head off into the big, bad world on their own. This couldn’t be more true for fragile and abused Riletta who’s dumped at school with no options, no fallback, and no hope—that is until delicious Macen intervenes in the hot ride that is Phoenix Rising by Cara Carnes.

   Choosing college can be a grueling experience, but, then again, so can diving into adulthood and taking responsibility for your actions. Samira faces s a lot of hard choices, none tougher than accepting human Gavin might be her mate in Lia Davis’ Imperfect Mates.

   Life is what happens when you’re not paying attention, and the best things don’t always occur in the order you expect. They sure don’t for Avery and Declan. Both are busy setting up their lives but the allure of mating throws them for a loop in Brandy Walker’s Shifted Plans.

   Attracting attention from the male species is a hard job, even more so when that male is a shifter. Some lines, though, are hard to cross, and

Jordan will fight his attraction to his best friend’s sister, Stacia, with everything he has in Tempting her Tiger by Virginia Cavanaugh.

Ultimately, the question these six stories must answer is not who will they be as adults, but who are they? How do they reconcile everything they've ever known with what can be? It's a new type of shifter romance, with all the love and passion required to achieve a happily ever after....

   Thank you for joining us as we launch a hot new series—we’ll do our best to make every single tale memorable.