Doubly Protected

OUT TODAY!!“Doubly Protected” (MFM) Werewolves of Hanson Mall” book 2

Willow and Hawthorne Cunliffe decide it’s time to sell their parents’ house and reclaim their lives. But someone still wants to find them. How can this be happening? Bailey Hamilton is in jail.
Werewolves Maelor Powell and Dylan Upjohn are determined to protect Hawthorne until the problem is resolved and the safest place for her is in their bed. But could the trouble be connected to Bailey’s brother Jackson and his well-being center? The center does seem to be most unusual. No one ever seems to leave it, though new people constantly arrive.
Dylan and Maelor are determined to keep Hawthorne safe inside Hanson Mall, and they spend every possible moment with her, but she hates being confined and refuses to believe she should hide away indefinitely. This problem has to be solved before the men explode with repressed desire.

STORY EXCERPT

Dylan and Maelor had planned the walk carefully, wanting to show Hawthorne the highlights of the neighborhood, but without taking her anywhere near any areas that might be even the slightest bit unsavory. Not that anywhere around the mall was bad, or even particularly unsafe. There were no gangs here. But still, it wasn’t the top end of town either, nor was it like the apartment building the wolf pack owned, where every person living there was known to the others and held accountable for any guests they invited.
They chose the restaurant where they’d eat with the same attention to detail. It was a tiny pizza and pasta bar, with red and white checked tablecloths and the maître d’ was the owner himself. His wife cooked the pasta, and their children were the servers. It was like something from a previous century, but the food was amazing and the service outstanding. Dylan was sure Hawthorne would enjoy visiting there.
And after that. Ah, after the pasta he hoped Hawthorne would agree to come home with them and this time they’d fuck her properly. They’d give her so many orgasms she’d want to stay with them forever.
Their walk began just the way Dylan had imagined it, with Hawthorne tucked between him and Maelor, setting the pace, and them all talking easily about the things they saw. Unfortunately it went off the rails within the first ten minutes. They came to an intersection and the men led the way to turn right.
“Why are we turning right? I can see stores and a tall building down this way?” she asked.
“There are big houses with nice gardens this way though,” said Maelor.
Dylan took one look at her determined chin and knew she wasn’t going to follow their plan. Just then the lights turned green for them to go the way Hawthorne wanted to, and she took off. He glanced at Maelor and they both shrugged, before catching up with her, and keeping her between them again.
But that set the pattern for their walk. Dylan’s careful plan was discarded and Hawthorne chose where she wanted to go. At least with the two of them to protect her she was safe, but he’d have much preferred her to stay on the path he and Maelor had chosen.
When they eventually worked their way around to the restaurant, he breathed a huge sigh of relief. She liked it. She laughed and chatted with their server, she read the menu carefully before choosing her preferred dish, and then she complimented them and the staff on the meal. Dylan’s heart beat faster. She was so lovely to look at and a delight to be near. He and Maelor could talk to her about the need to stay out of danger later. Only one thing remained. To convince her to come home with them.
As they left the restaurant, Dylan asked, “Will you please come home with us now?”
“Back to the mall?”
“Yes, but specifically to my apartment in the mall.”
“Your apartment?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“We’d really like the chance to make love to you properly,” added Maelor.
“What made you choose your apartment, Dylan, instead of Maelor’s?”
“We can go to Maelor’s if you’d prefer, but my apartment is next to Rhion’s, which is vacant now, apart from all their stored things, until the new closets are finished, so we thought it’d be more peaceful for you.”
Hawthorne giggled. “In case I scream when I come?”
“I’d really like you to scream when you come. Scream loudly. But the neighbors might knock on the door to check you’re okay and that could spoil the mood,” said Dylan, hoping she was just teasing them.
It seemed she was teasing because she laughed again but made no more comments.
It was really nice walking the streets, now quite dark, with Hawthorne between them still looking around at everything they passed. It was hard to remember she’d been kept inside for weeks to be safe from Bailey Hamilton. Well, now he was in jail and she could start to enjoy her life again. In freedom and safety. Surely it wouldn’t be too hard for them to find an apartment together not too far from the mall. One that Hawthorne would like.
“You’ve made quite a few comments about the gardens, Hawthorne. Would you like an apartment with a garden? Some of them have shared gardens where you can grow things,” said Maelor.
“It’s strange. I do like plants very much. But I don’t have the patience to grow them myself. I either overwater them, or forget to water them at all. Either way I don’t have a very good record with growing things. Even potted plants on the balcony don’t survive well under my care.”
Dylan had the feeling she was about to say something more, when she frowned and pulled her cell phone out of her jeans pocket. “Willow wants us to go up to her apartment as soon as we get back to the mall. She said to text her when we reach the building and Rhion will come down to swipe us up to their floor.”
“Something’s wrong,” said Maelor.
“I agree.” Unconsciously Dylan began walking faster as did Maelor. Hawthorne lengthened her stride to keep up with them.
What the fuck has happened?

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/doubly-protected

http://www.bookstrand.com/cara-adams

Publicly Exhibited: The Werewolves of Hanson Mall are here!

Publicly Exhibited (MFM, Werewolves of Hanson Mall Book 1.

Sisters Willow and Hawthorne Cunliffe are fleeing from Hawthorne’s ex-boyfriend, who thinks she’s insane and is trying to force her into a mental health institution because she saw a shape-shifter. They arrive at Hanson Mall not knowing it’s a shape-shifter community.

Cadfael Hanson, the Alpha of the pack, and his second-in-command, Rhion Jones, are instantly attracted to Willow, but telling her about their identity could send the women running away again. They offer the women safety and shelter and try to demonstrate their care for Willow while still trying to discover what made Hawthorne's ex want to lock her away.

The women begin to relax and make friends, but can they ever be safe while Hawthorne's ex is searching for them? And will they lose faith in the mall community once they learn some of the people are really wolves?

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/publicly-exhibited

ADULT EXCERPT

“We can talk about that later. Right now, something else has come up,” said Cadfael.

Willow giggled. Something had indeed come up. It was thick and hard and was trying to find its way into her pussy. She wiggled until his cock was properly at her entry then sank down over him, absorbing his erection into her cunt. He was just as good as Rhion, stretching and filling her completely. Cadfael bent his head and took a nipple into his mouth licking and sucking on it, making her gasp with the intense sensations roaring through her body.

Rhion sat behind her rubbing her back, stroking her spine, gradually petting her skin lower and lower until he’d parted her ass cheeks and was teasing her rosette.

Willow gulped. Damn that felt good. It had been a very long time since anyone had touched her there. But then, it’d been a long time since she’d been in a relationship. Her parents’ deaths had totally absorbed her in the need to deal with their estate. She’d had to be the adult in the family to care for Hawthorne. Suddenly there’d been no time for anything but the house, Hawthorne, and her job.

Now, however, with two men touching and teasing her skin, she was more than willing to think about sex again. And despite the two orgasms she’d already delighted in tonight, she was willing to go for a third.

Deliberately she pushed back on Rhion’s finger, letting him know she was onboard with his thoughts. There was splashing behind her, but she couldn’t turn around to look, as Cadfael was holding both her breasts, licking and sucking the nipples, the areolas, and a whole lot of her flesh into his mouth. The suction was almost making her scream with desire. She wanted him to move his cock, to pound into her, but she understood that Rhion was about to join them and she had to wait for him.

“I’ve never had two men at once,” she said.

“It’s the best sex a woman can have. It’s extreme. Two men filling her until she can’t take anything more. I promise you the biggest orgasm ever,” said Rhion, licking the back of her neck. Then Cadfael lifted her out of the water, and balanced them on the side of the hot tub. Cadfael spread his legs wide apart, so Rhion could open her ass cheeks. He inserted a slippery finger inside her and began opening her up for his cock. He stroked the inside walls of her rear channel, teasing every nerve ending, until she couldn’t keep quiet.

“Shit, Rhion. I need you in there. It’s too much. I’ll come before you even fuck me.”

“I like the way you keep coating my cock with your hot cream,” said Cadfael, kissing her lips.

“Are you hot, little one? Needy?” asked Cadfael, rubbing his finger on her clit.

“Yes.” Willow wanted to push forward and force him to press harder on her clit, but if she did that she wouldn’t have as much pressure on her ass, and she desperately needed Rhion in there right now.

“In that case, I believe we can get two more orgasms out of you. One now, and one when we fuck you.”

“Whaaa—”

Cadfael lowered his mouth to her breast again, licking, sucking, then biting her nipple, but his finger on her clit never stopped circling and tugging her hot little button.

Behind her Rhion was driving his cock into her ass, forcing her channel to open for him, and burning like fire over a million hypersensitive nerve endings.

“Oh!”

Willow exploded into release, her cunt and ass grabbing hold of the two huge cocks filling her. She sagged between the two men, her body limp and shaking, yet still incredibly aroused.

Her body was still completely relaxed when the men gripped her hips and Cadfael withdrew his cock from her. She opened her mouth to complain, then he began to push back inside and Rhion started to withdraw. She was fulfilled from her latest release, but even so, it only took her a few moments to work out that this was how they’d fuck her. One pushing in as the other withdrew. So there was always someone inside her, yet always movement as well. It was a strange feeling, but most definitely arousing, and her orgasm had never totally died down. It was still flickering deep in her core.

Before long she was tightening her inner muscles pushing back onto Rhion and forward onto Cadfael. She threaded her fingers through Cadfael’s blue-black hair and gripped his scalp to give herself a little more leverage as she wiggled her hips and pushed down on the cocks. Faster and faster the men pounded into her but it wasn’t fast enough. The orgasm was teasing her. It was right there. Right there. Right—

“Yes!”

http://www.bookstrand.com/publicly-exhibited

Another Werewolf Bride!

Nathanael and Justin Cooper want Siyandra Taylor, but they’ve held back from getting to know her better because they’ve seen how she looks at Roderick Cooper, CEO of Cooper’s Farm and Alpha of the Cooper’s Farm Werewolf Pack. But her time to choose is almost up, and they can’t wait any longer.

Roderick won’t look at the woman he loves because, as Alpha, he believes he has to provide brides for his men before picking one himself. Siyandra has almost run out of time to fulfill her contract and choose a pair of bachelors to marry. She really likes Nathanael and Justin, but she’s attracted to Roderick as well.

Meanwhile everyone is on edge as the werewolves move to buy the BDSM club and put in good managers. But before the sale is complete, they really need to find out who is introducing the evil things there.

http://www.bookstrand.com/chosen-by-the-wolves

STORY EXCERPT

“Siyandra, do you still want to see us run as wolves?” asked Justin.

“Oh, yes, please. I’d love that.”

“Cooper, would you like to run with us tonight? It won’t be a long run, just enough for us to stretch our legs properly.”

It’d been a hell of a long time since he’d run in his wolf form. Offhand, he couldn’t even remember when it was. But months ago, definitely. Suddenly his wolf craved to be let out. To run free.

“Thank you, Justin, I’d like that. It’s been too long since last I ran. But how will this work with Siyandra?”

“Esther taught me how to ride the quad bikes. I’ll go on a bike while you three run.”

He smiled at her. She was smart as well as beautiful. But he already knew that from her interview. “All right. Let’s go to the barn then.”

They went back outside and in the barn, Siyandra took the keys and started one of the big red quad bikes, while the three men undressed. Roderick was conscious of being older and less fit than Nathanael and Justin, but at least he didn’t have a bulging belly yet. Although if he continued to spend a hundred hours a week sitting a desk he’d get one all too soon. He really needed to delegate more, but he’d already hired Keisha to help in the office so she could do some of Okapi’s work and Okapi could take over some of his chores. But there still never seemed to be enough hours in the day to do everything.

Oh well, he was going for a run now and really looking forward to it. His cock stood up and bounced as he looked at Siyandra sitting on the quad bike. Damn she was stunning. So very lovely. He wished she was sitting astride him not the fucking bike though.

The men were looking to him to lead them, so he said, “Siyandra, do you know the way down to the river then up to Lookout Hill?”

“Yes. I’ve been there several times.”

“Right, that’s what we’ll do then.”

He led the way down to the river, aware he was running just a little faster than he would if he was by himself. But damn it, he was the Alpha here and he wasn’t going to look old and incapable in front of his men. Or in front of Siyandra. But he’d have to slow down before they started going up the hill. If he got a stitch in his side, he’d look truly pathetic. He ran easily to the river and they stopped there and jumped in and out of the water, and around and over fallen trees. Justin rolled in the sand then shook himself spraying it everywhere, making Siyandra move out of his way, laughing.

He sniffed the water then lapped up a drink, standing with all four paws in the flowing stream. The sand here filtered the water and it was always pure and fresh. Wolves loved playing in water and this was a popular spot for the community both in human and in wolf form.

After a while they were all ready to move on again and he took them over a few dunes, which he expected Siyandra would enjoy going down as much as the wolves did. Then it was back onto the track to Lookout Hill. This, too, was a favorite place for the community to visit. In the day time there was an amazing view out over Cooper’s Farm—the crops, the fields, the wooded area. Even now, after midnight, it was beautiful with stars overhead and the fields lighter and darker shades of gray on black.

Siyandra turned the quad bike’s engine off, and climbed down, petting and stroking each of the wolves. She rubbed their ears and held their muzzles staring into their eyes. When it was his turn Roderick was certain she’d know each of them again if she saw them in wolf form. She was memorizing them so she could recognize them in the pack.

Finally she sat on the grass as if waiting for them to play some more, but the only game Roderick wanted to play involved her naked and his cock deep inside her. Such a damn shame he couldn’t take her. She belonged to Nathanael and Justin now, and it was more than he should expect they’d even let him share this brief time with her.

He changed into human form and sat a few feet away from her, facing her. “So what did you think of our wolves, Siyandra?”

“I saw Gowan on the airplane and I’ve seen some of you in the distance, but it was good to be able to share this time with you. I’ll know you again if I see you. Really, you’re all quite different. Not just in the color of your fur and your eyes, but in the way you stand and walk.”

“How do you mean?” asked Justin joining them.

“You’re a lot more playful. Mr. Cooper is very serious and focused. Nathanael likes to be first.”

Roderick stared at her. She’d summed up their characters in a few words and she was pretty damn accurate. “Call me Roderick,” he said.

“Roderick? Not Rod, or Rick, or Ricky?” she asked.

She had a lighter note in her voice and he wondered if she was teasing him.

“My mother never shortened my name, but at school I occasionally got Dick and didn’t like it. Rod or Rick would be okay in private I guess.” Then he realized he and she would never be alone in private. She belonged to Justin and Nathanael. Fuck it. Why can’t I get it into my head she’s not mine?

“I like Rick for you. Nathanael, do you ever get called Nate?” she asked.

“Yes, I do, and I don’t mind it. Are you going to call Justin, Juzzy?”

“Justin’s only two syllables. I can cope with that.”

Buy Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/chosen-by-the-wolves

Another Werewolf Mail-order Bride is out today!

"Matched to the Wolves" (MFM) "Werewolf Brides" book 4

Shakina Brown is one of the nine mail-order brides brought to Cooper’s Farm to marry a pair of bachelors. She’s determined to open her own beauty parlor. Yaro Cooper and Zoan Cooper are equally determined that she’s their mate. All they have to do is keep her safe from whatever evil is happening in town and get her to agree with them.

Somehow it’s not easy. Shakina can’t see any danger and is focused on making her dream come true. The two werewolf shape-shifters are happy to help her fulfill her dream as long as she’ll fulfill theirs by mating them.

But a trip to the BDSM club highlights to Zoan and Yaro that something really bad is happening there, and it might be about to spread through the town. How can they keep her safe when she’s so far away from them all day long and no one knows who’s behind all the evil in Coopersville?

Buy link: http://www.bookstrand.com/matched-to-the-wolves

STORY EXCERPT

“Get back in the car. You can’t open a beauty parlor here. It’s not a nice neighborhood.” Yaro Cooper urged Shakina Brown to return to the car.

“Who says it’s not a nice neighborhood? This little shopping strip is perfect. The stores here are exactly right to bring clients into my salon. It’s perfect. Absolutely perfect. These are the kind of people who’ll want their hair and nails done.”

Yaro grabbed her arms and tried to push her back into the car. Shakina dug all her weight onto her heels and resisted him. She liked Yaro and Zoan. Liked them a lot. In fact, she would very likely date them if they asked her out. But not until her own life was organized first. The CEO of Cooper’s Farm had agreed to act as guarantor so she could set up her own business and that was her first priority. She’d spent hours trying to find the right place to open her store and this was it.

Zoan Cooper stood in front of her, right in her personal space, so close she could have kissed his nose. If she’d wanted to, that is. But right now she was feeling more inclined to slap the two men upside the head for trying to stop her achieving her dream.

“This is where those two men tried to capture Okapi. Right here in this parking lot,” said Zoan.

“So what? They drugged him at the Sheraton Hotel. Are you trying to say the Sheraton Hotel isn’t in a nice neighborhood either?”

“Don’t be obtuse, Shakina. This is where the men acted. They must have known they could safely attack him here without fear of reprisals. Get in the car, now,” ordered Yaro.

“Oh, fuck off, you two. They attacked Okapi here because it was nighttime and dark. Not for any other reason. It’s now day time and you’re making a spectacle of yourselves trying to boss me around. Here comes the realtor now. You two can fuck off back to the farm. I’ll catch a taxi home when I’m done here.” Shakina stepped away from them and marched over to the door of the vacant store.

She’d wanted to be a beautician for as long as she could remember. Even as a tiny little girl she’d sit for hours braiding the neighborhood kids’ hair, and inventing various hairstyles. She’d even hoped to manage her own store one day, had picked out a name for it and everything, but there was way too much unemployment and crime in her own hometown. She’d thought of moving to California. All those movie stars and up-and-coming starlets had to get their hair done every day so there was sure to be plenty of work.

Shakina had pondered for a very long time before replying to the advertisement for the mail-order brides. It pretty much meant being a wife instead of a businesswoman. But she would be accepted and appreciated. Her life would have purpose and hope. Finally she’d sent off the application and left the response in the hands of the gods. If she got the job, good. If she didn’t, she’d catch a bus toward California. When her money ran out she’d take any work she could get until she could finish her journey and once there, she should have no trouble finding a job.

She looked down at the sidewalk and hid a grin. Yaro and Zoan were standing right behind her, not touching her. But she could feel their body heat and their annoyance at her actions. However, they hadn’t done what they easily could have, which was to pick her up and physically put her back in the car. She was five foot six and average build, but they were both solid, muscular, and over six foot. Manhandling her would have been dead easy for them. So that proved they did care about her. They’d tried to make her change her mind, but they’d stopped short of forcing her. Which meant they truly cared about her. Yeah, that was interesting.

“Ms. Brown? I’m Gracie.”

“Hi, Gracie. I’m Shakina.”

The woman didn’t look a day over eighteen to Shakina. Maybe it was just that, at twenty-four herself, she was starting to get older. It was definitely time to get a move on and open her beauty parlor anyway.

Buy link: http://www.bookstrand.com/matched-to-the-wolves

Yielding to the Wolves

"Yielding to the Wolves" (MFM) "Werewolf Brides" book 3

Okapi Cooper and Tedros Cooper know one of the mail-order brides, Keisha Robinson, is the perfect woman for them. But not until things go wrong is she prepared to seriously consider their request. And now she has the terrible fear that it might be too late for all of them to find happiness. Someone is targeting the werewolf shape-shifter community at Cooper’s Farm, but why? And are they really dangerous or is it all just a misunderstanding?

Learning a new job and proving she is worthy of trust and respect so she can rebuild her life is Keisha’s focus right now. Okapi is more interested in securing her as his mate. And Tedros won’t rest until the other two are both his partners. Okapi and Tedros won’t be content until she is mated to them and under their protection, but it’s not Keisha whose life is endangered.

Buy link: http://www.bookstrand.com/yielding-to-the-wolves


STORY EXCERPT

She’d stocked shelves in a hardware store. She’d been a checkout chick in a grocery store. She’d had a few casual short-term positions in an office as a very junior junior. But she’d never ever had a real job. And for the last two years, ever since she’d turned twenty-one, that had been the most damning thing of all when she sent in job applications.

In her neighborhood girls worked in shops or brothels. There really wasn’t much else to choose from. Which was why she’d left and come here as a mail-order bride. But today she’d proven to herself she could do proper office work. Well, as long as it was relatively simple, anyway.

The sound of a man clearing his throat had her looking up at the door and there stood Okapi and Tedros. Okapi looked exactly the same as he’d looked this morning. Crisp white shirt, dark pants, and shiny black shoes. Tedros looked as if he’d just gotten out of the shower. His dark brown hair appeared to be damp, and his navy jeans and blue T-shirt looked freshly ironed. But likely she was just imagining that.

Keisha wanted to ask, “Why are you here?” She knew what she wanted the answer to be, that they wanted to date her. But she couldn’t imagine that’s why there were here in her brand new workplace on her very first day. So instead she asked as blandly as she could manage, “Can I help you?”

Teddy looked at her with those enormous eyes. It was almost as if he were pleading with her to do something, but she had no idea what that could be. She’d scarcely spoken to him and he’d never even hinted that he wanted her to agree to do something for him. And as for Okapi, he’d been completely businesslike with never a hint of anything personal in any of his requests. She kept her helpful look on her face and waited.

“Do you know anything about chess?” asked Okapi.

“Chess? Like, the board game?” Keisha was confused. She’d heard of it, of course. In fact, she’d even known a couple kids who played the game back in high school, or maybe it was middle school.

“Some people play it on computers, too. These days, the computer often wins, but when computers first started to play people who were very good, they always lost,” added Tedros.

Keisha nodded but she had no idea where the conversation was going.

“On Saturday there’s going to be a huge chess display in Coopersville, including a match played with life-size pieces. The game is going to be a reenactment of a famous contest. A match that’s unusual because it was played very offensively where most players prefer to play defensively. So it should be a lot more exciting to watch than a regular game,” explained Okapi.

“You said life-size pieces. However do they move them then?” asked Keisha.

“Oh, they’re people in costumes who move themselves as directed by the two payers, on a huge board. A chess board has sixty-four squares, eight wide and eight long. The chessboard here is laid out on the ground with different colored squares for the people to stand on so it’s twenty-four feet wide and twenty-four feet long. Spectators sit on bleachers like at a baseball game so they can see everything properly,” explained Okapi.

“That does sound like fun,” she said.

“I have tickets for the chess match and the display hall as well. Would you like to come with us?”

Keisha was surprised at how hesitant Okapi sounded. Almost as if he expected her to say no. But she meant what she’d said. It did sound like fun. “Yes, I would, thank you. I’ve never seen anything like that before.”

Tedros smiled hugely and she was glad she’d said yes. He seemed so happy.

“Is eleven all right? That’ll give us time to look at the displays and eat lunch before the chess match begins.”

“Yes, of course. Thanks.”

“Great.” Tedros was still smiling at her and she couldn’t help but smile back at him.

“Right. Well, I’ll see you here tomorrow at nine then. Is everything okay with the data entry?” asked Okapi.

“Yes. I don’t have any questions for you. I hope I’m not going too slowly.”

“Take as long as you need. Call me if you don’t understand something.” Okapi nodded at her and he and Teddy left, Teddy smiling back over his shoulder at her.

A date. Okapi and Tedros had asked her out. She’d better Google chess tonight to make sure she understood what was happening. Oh, and the display, too? What would that be? Like chess sets or something? Perhaps she’d better Google that as well. Keisha shivered with excitement. Finally, finally, finally! A date with Teddy and Okapi. Hell yes!


http://www.bookstrand.com/yielding-to-the-wolves

Tamed by the Wolves

"Tamed by the Wolves" (MFM) "Werewolf Brides" book 2.

Dera Williams is very happy when Gowan and Maitho Cooper finally invite her out on a date. But the day turns to disaster when there’s a downpour and they’re far from shelter. And that’s before Dera notices strangers watching Cooper’s Farm. Who are they and what is happening?

Gowan is determined their second date will be a success and he and Maitho put in an enormous amount of effort into cooking up the perfect scene. The evening is a great success and their romance is progressing really well. The men are certain she’ll soon agree to a much closer relationship with them.

Then Dera accepts an interview at a dodgy recruitment firm and the men are determined to protect her no matter what she wants or what anyone else says. Is someone targeting the women on the farm? And how can they keep such an independent woman safe?

http://www.bookstrand.com/tamed-by-the-wolves

STORY EXCERPT

“We’re really excited about spending time with you today,” added Maitho.

I am, too. I really like you both, but I don’t know much about you. Today I’ll find out if I still like you after spending the day alone with you. I really, really hope you’re both as nice as you appear to be.

Maitho came and stood beside her. “You said you’d ridden a quad bike before. I expect you remember that you rest your feet on the little step here, and hold on to the padded area of the bar here,” he said pointing to a higher step on the main step of the bike, then to a metal bar that ran along both sides of the back of the passenger’s seat.

Dera nodded and climbed on the back of his bike, then said, “So where are we going first?”

Maitho easily swung his body onto the quad bike in front of her, while Gowan said, “We’ll show you along the main roads of the community first. The first settlers were very logical. They camped in the center of the village and laid out their houses along four roads, north, south, east, and west. Later, cross streets were added connecting them in a sort of squarish ring about a quarter mile from the heart of the community.”

The quad bikes had a top speed of only about fifteen miles an hour, but driving through the center of the farm community, that was a suitable speed which allowed her to see everything without taking so long to travel it would seem like she was staring at people or their homes. From there, they drove down to the river and followed it for quite a long time before heading up to Lookout Hill. Esther had taken her here because it provided an excellent view out over the farm and its fields of cabbages, onions, and rich green grass.

On the top of the hill, Dera shivered, wishing she’d thought to bring a sweater or even a jacket. When they’d left, the sun had been shining brightly, and she’d expected today to be another warm sunny summer’s day. But the sky was gray and cloudy now and the wind had freshened and gotten colder.

Gowan pulled his own sweater off and handed it to her. “Here, it’ll be too big, but it should keep you warm.”

“Thanks, but what about you?”

“Wolves are physically tougher than humans. I’m less likely to catch a cold than you are.”

Hmm. That didn’t sound nearly as romantic as his actions were. Nevertheless, she pulled his sweater down over her head, sniffing the man-smell and enjoying his body warmth as well as the heat from the woolen fabric.

“We’d planned to have a picnic lunch up here, but it’s a bit windy. We were going to take you to the wild area where the wolves like to run and play next. That’s more sheltered and would be a better place for our picnic, I think,” said Gowan.

“That’s fine by me.”

Dera was happy to leave all the arrangements in their hands. They knew the area and she didn’t. Esther had taken her around a bit, but really she only knew the small area near the community hall where the women were staying. There was a general store opposite, and the office building where all the work of the farm was organized. Truly, the management of the farm had provided almost everything the women needed in their own building. Apart from taking a blanket out to the central grassed area and sitting in the sun with some of the other human women sometimes, , Dera had felt no urge to wander. Although she knew if this was to be her home she had to learn to find her own way around.

She climbed back on the quad bike, and said, “Will you teach me how to drive it, later?”

“Of course.” Maitho pointed out various knobs to her, but then his voice was swallowed up by a loud clap of thunder, followed immediately by a torrential downpour. It was almost like standing in a shower. Rain just poured out of the sky as if someone up there had opened a floodgate.

The two men yelled at each other but the only words she could understand were “Hold on tight!”

Her hands were so wet and slippery she didn’t feel safe holding the bar, so she leaned forward, tucked her body against Maitho’s and grabbed his belt with both hands. Even huddled against his back, spray was getting in her face, so she shut her eyes and used his burly body as shelter. The bike was moving faster now as they raced downhill and back toward the community. That was fine by her. The expedition was at an end and her plan for the immediate future was a hot shower and dry clothes. She opened her eyes when the tires hit the paved road again, but they weren’t near the community hall so she shut them again, only to be surprised as the bike bounced under shelter and the rain was drumming on a roof instead of pounding against her body.

Dera opened her mouth to demand to be taken home, instead of waiting the rain out under shelter and getting even colder, but then she realized perhaps the men were struggling to drive the bikes in the bad weather. It wasn’t safe if they couldn’t see properly and after all, no one had bought swimming goggles with them!

But no. Gowan was racing up half a dozen steps onto a porch and Maitho was pulling her sleeve. “Let’s go.”

“Is this your house?” she asked as he hustled her onto the stoop.

http://www.bookstrand.com/tamed-by-the-wolves

Mail-order brides for the werewolf pack!

The first book in the "Werewolf Brides" series is out now! Mail-order brides for a werewolf pack!

Surrendered to the Wolves

http://www.bookstrand.com/surrendered-to-the-wolves



Esther Johnson answers an advertisement for mail-order brides to marry two men of their choice from twenty-four eligible bachelors. Then she learns they’re werewolves. But the werewolf community at Cooper’s Farm is very welcoming, and Xola and Kairu Cooper are extremely yummy. It’s not how she’d planned her life, but once she finds a job, she’ll consider their attractions.

However, getting a job isn’t all that easy. Oh, it’s way better than in her old neighborhood, but there are so many other considerations. She’s made friends with the other mail-order brides, and Xola and Kairu keep distracting her with outings and their wonderful bodies.

Then Xola sees some people watching the farm and he and Okapi learn that there’s something not quite right going on in the local BDSM club. Is Esther safe? Are any of the human women safe? And how will Xola and Kairu protect her when she’s determined to go work in Coopersville town.


STORY EXCERPT

Clipboard man came down the aisle collecting the contracts and she handed hers in silently. Once he had them all he returned to the front of the plane and called out, “Okay. Prepare for departure.” He locked the airplane door, strapped himself into an empty seat, and the plane taxied over to a runway. A couple of other airplanes took off first and they looked huge beside the little one she was in. But their plane didn’t need much runway to lift off and was soon banking over the city, then heading due east.

Clipboard man stood up and moved to the front again. “Coopersville is a medium-sized town of about a quarter million inhabitants. Our community is on the outskirts of the city and most of our people work in town. Whatever career you want or kind of job you’d like, you should be able to find there. If you want to study, there’s a community college in town and we will pay all your study expenses as long as you pass your tests. Unemployment is very low and the town council is not corrupt or inefficient. Our own people have lived in this area for half a dozen generations now and we are active in local affairs.”

Esther really hoped that didn’t mean the town was as corrupt as hell, but that their community was running the crime. But really, if they were the bad guys why would they advertise for women. Surely they’d just buy them or kidnap them instead of getting them so openly?

“All the people born in our community share the surname Cooper. We were the original inhabitants of Coopersville and have kept the name to illustrate our connection. My name is Xola. It starts with an X, not a Z though.” The man grinned at them and suddenly looked years younger than he had before. Esther decided likely he wasn’t really all that much older than her after all. Maybe thirty, but no more than that.

“The reason we advertised for women is that for several generations now far more boys than girls have been born into our community. At first our leader was concerned that it was because of inbreeding, although many of our members had found partners outside the town. More recently we’ve learned that it’s a worldwide problem. People like us seem to give birth to two boys for every girl. Hence our need for brides for our men, and the need for men to share a woman.”

He waited quite a while this time, as if expecting questions. Esther looked around the airplane as best she could, but none of the other women had raised her hand, or seemed particularly upset or concerned at the news. After all, if they were flying women into the town, there had to be a reason for spending so much time and effort to do that.

“Over the past year our unmarried men have formed themselves into pairs. Two men who are used to working with each other and are prepared to share a woman. Men who have stood the test of time as good friends or companions. When you choose your husbands, you will be choosing a pair. The two men you’ll marry. Do you understand? Are there any questions?”

“How many pairs are there to choose from? Like, I mean, is there just enough for us each to have a pair?”

The question came from right up the back and Esther didn’t see which woman had asked it.

“We advertised for twelve women. Only nine passed our tests and agreed to come. So even the woman who decides last will have a choice,” replied Xola.

He waited for a while, Esther guessed it was for any other questions, but no one said anything. Finally he said, “There is one other thing you all need to know.” He clicked his fingers together and the curtain behind him into the cockpit parted. Esther got a glimpse of the back of the pilot’s head, and then a big black dog stood beside Xola.

Xola clicked his fingers again and the dog paced through the cabin, stopping beside each seat. Some of the women stared at him, others petted his head. Esther was trying to work out what was happening. Obviously this was some kind of test, but what for? When the dog stopped by her she stroked his head and ears. His fur was silky soft so he was evidently well cared for. But he was very big with a long tail and she had no idea what breed he was, never having owned a companion animal or even had a close friend with a dog.

Eventually the dog had visited each of the women and stalked back to Xola. He did look quite fierce, but he had behaved with perfect manners. Was he perhaps a guard dog or something?

Xola clicked his fingers a third time and the huge dog shimmered, and turned into the man who’d helped with the luggage. Xola held his clipboard over the man’s genitals, hiding them, but Esther didn’t think anyone would be checking out his cock. Most of the women were gasping and chattering. One had shrieked, although whether that was in fear or surprise, Esther wasn’t sure. She really couldn’t think right now. Fucking hell. What have I agreed to?

http://www.bookstrand.com/surrendered-to-the-wolves