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Tuesday, November 23, 2021

Happy Thanksgiving, friends!

 

Pixies and the Thankful Tree

S.L. Donnelly

 

Chapter 1 – The Thankful Tree

The leaves were mostly gone from the trees as nine-year-old Elizabeth Spencer got off the bus and met her brother Noah at the bus stop. “Is Mom still inviting the pixies in for an afternoon of being thankful?” Elizabeth asked as the wind whipped her brown tresses around her face. Several strands got caught in her eyelashes, and she wiped at the riot of curls to get them out of her way.

Noah nodded. “After last year, she feels kind of guilty leaving them out of the festivities. And, since we’re going to Aunt Emma’s for dinner tomorrow, Mom wanted them to join in.”

“Last year was fun. It was our first Pixie-giving,” Elizabeth said as she skipped happily alongside her brother. It used to frustrate her that he walked so fast until she realized it gave her the opportunity to skip.

Noah snorted. “And you burned the waffles.

“No,” Elizabeth retorted, sticking her nose up with a dismissive snort. “I burned the popcorn. The waffles were fine.”

Brother and sister fell into step, but Elizabeth was deep in thought. When she was six years old, a flutter of six pixies had revealed themselves in her backyard. There were six fairies in the flutter. Oberon and Tati were the leaders, and there were four others, Silver Frost, Radish, Drake, and Suki.

Each pixie had their own job within the flutter. Suki was their explorer, making sure everything in the backyard was in working order. Drake was their storyteller who collected stories and kept them all entertained in the evenings. Radish was their gardener, ensuring their group was well-fed. Silver Frost was responsible for liberal applications of ice and rime on all the surfaces.

Since then, they had gone on lots of fun adventures. Last year, Elizabeth had wanted to teach the pixies about one of her favorite holidays, Thanksgiving. It hadn’t been a terrible thing but had definitely left Elizabeth more than a little cautious about cooking on her own again.

This year, her parents were invited to Aunt Emma’s house, and the fairies would be on their own. So, Mom had come up with the idea of a Thankful Tree for Pixie-giving. On it, Noah and Elizabeth had written down things they were grateful for, and their mom would read them. Elizabeth had written down some of the things the pixies appreciated and, well. It left Elizabeth pretty sure her mom was going to regret her idea.

“I still think you should have put nice things on the tree,” Elizabeth scolded. At fifteen, Noah was probably a little too mature for this kind of game but insisted on joining them.

“I put nice things on the list,” Noah objected, but the little smirk around his lips told Elizabeth all she needed to know. Her brother had some mischief up his sleeve.

Elizabeth gave him a droll look as they entered the house. “What are you planning?” she accused.

Noah merely put his hand to his chest in an innocent “who, me?” gesture and walked into the kitchen. “Mom, we’re home. Do you need anything?”

Honor Spencer hugged Elizabeth and dropped a kiss on Noah’s forehead. “Wash your hands and set the table for the pixies. Plastic plates, please,” she said. Honor turned to her daughter. “Do you have any homework for the long weekend?”

Elizabeth shook her head. “And no quizzes until Tuesday. I’m free, free, free,” she said as she danced in a circle. “Thank you so much for inviting everyone in for Pixie-giving again.”

“It’s been a rough year filled with a lot of changes,” her mom said. “We should all remember to be thankful for being together again this year. For having food to share and loved ones to share it with.”

“Can I put on my tutu for the party, Mom? Please?” Elizabeth begged.

Her mom looked hesitant and bit her lip. “Oh, honey. Are you sure you want to risk it getting dirty? You wanted to wear that to Emma’s tomorrow, didn’t you?”

Elizabeth felt a little pout form. “Yes, but I want to wear it today, too. I feel pretty in it.” Ever since her parents had signed her up for ballet classes, she had wanted to wear her dance clothes all the time.

“Pixies are not known for being neat,” her mom warned one last time. “But it’s up to you. If you get food on it, you may not be able to wear it tomorrow.”

Elizabeth smiled up at her mom. “I’ll clean it if it gets messy. Pinky promise,” she said, holding up her right hand with her smallest finger extended.

Honor accepted her daughter’s promise, and they shook on it. “Be careful of those pinky promises,” she warned. “Aunt Emma and I used to do them all the time. We take them very seriously.”

“I do, too, Mom,” Elizabeth vowed. She hung up her coat and backpack and raced upstairs to get dressed in her leotard and bright pumpkin-colored tutu. She couldn’t wait to see Suki, Radish, and all her other flying friends.

 

Chapter 2 – Leaves of Gratitude

Once dressed for the party, Elizabeth scrambled down the steps. She paused as if waiting for her cue and then leapt across the living room and into the kitchen. Elizabeth spotted a flash of pink by the sliding glass doors and knew it was Suki. “Can I let them in, Mom?” she asked as she danced and pirouetted around the room.

Her mom held up one hand. “Let me get the cupcakes onto the table,” she warned. “Pixies can be a little,” her voice trailed off as she tried to think of the right word.

“Rambunctious?” Noah supplied.

“Reckless?” Elizabeth asked with a giggle.

“Flighty,” Noah added.

Honor bit back her laughter as she put the plate of tiny cupcakes on the table. “Yes, all those things,” she agreed. She stepped back as she checked to make sure they had everything ready. With a twist of her fingers, she added rainbow sprinkles. “Okay. Let them in.”

Elizabeth slid back the door, and four impulsive fairies flew into the kitchen and flitted around. They carried with them the scent of the cold November wind. “Brr,” Elizabeth said as she slid the door shut. She looked at Suki and the other fairies. “Where are Oberon and Tati?”

“It’s just us tonight,” Radish said. “And we are under firm orders to behave.” He wagged his finger in a decent impression of Oberon. “Don’t break anything, don’t fly into the adults’ faces, and whatever you do, don’t play keep-a-way with Elizabeth.”

Honor’s smile grew tight. Having four very curious fairies in the backyard did come with a few pitfalls. “Welcome to our celebration. Elizabeth told me that you helped her fill out some of the leaves on the Thankful Tree.”

Drake puffed his chest up a little bit. “I gave her the most ideas,” he bragged.

Elizabeth felt a sick sensation in her belly as she looked at the brightly colored paper that made up the leaves of the tree. In school when the teacher asked what they were thankful for, students gave answers like their moms and dads. Sometimes, they were grateful for ice cream or a toy, but there were almost always weightier answers, too. Elizabeth was unsure how her mother would take some of these answers, especially the ones Noah picked.

Her mom let each fairy select a petit four-sized cupcake while Noah and Elizabeth took their seats. Her mom had practiced weeks to perfect the timing on the tiny treats. Elizabeth grinned, thinking how even her dad, who loved sugar and all things sweet, had grown sick of eating the trial batches.

Noah rose to get the special fairy-sized cups her mom had purchased. “I’ll get the milk, Mom.”

“Thanks, honey,” Honor said as she put the Thankful Tree on the table. It was just some twigs her mom spray painted white. Colorful tags in red, yellow, and brown decorated it. Each autumn-colored leaf had neat printing outlining what a person was thankful for.

“These are perfectly fairy-sized,” Suki said with a twitch of her iridescent wings. She smiled with happiness as she took her seat. “Thank you.”

“You’re quite welcome, Suki.” Honor grinned at the pink-haired fairy as Drake, Silver Frost, and Radish sat in front of their plates. Their gazes darted between Elizabeth and her mom as they waited to see what to do next.

“Can I read the first one, Mom?” Noah asked, chuckling as Elizabeth groaned.

Their mom frowned and looked between her children. “I think since this is Elizabeth’s party, she should go first.”

Elizabeth closed her eyes and made a silent wish for one of the leaves to not have something Noah wrote. She opened her eyes and selected one. “I’m thankful that Elizabeth has a friendly laugh,” she read. Elizabeth blushed a little but preened at the words.

“That was mine,” Silver Frost said in a stage whisper.

“Thank you. You have a lovely laugh, too,” Elizabeth said.

Radish plucked a leaf while the other fairies dug into their special treats. The gardener read out, “I’m thankful that pixies like to play.” He winked at Elizabeth. “We like playing with you, too.”

As each of the other fairies picked a leaf and read it, Elizabeth felt her shoulders begin to relax. Maybe Noah had only been teasing her. The leaves all had perfectly normal things to be thankful for.

Drake was jotting things down in his notebook. His job was as the flutter’s storyteller, and Elizabeth was sure he was describing the event for future generations to learn about the holiday. One day Elizabeth wanted to hear Drake’s stories.

“Toilet paper,” Sukie read out. Noah snorted with humor and Elizabeth rolled her eyes.

“Yes, I can see that,” their mom said with a carefully hidden smile. “A toilet paper shortage would be terribly inconvenient.” Elizabeth giggled, but not too much. She didn’t want to encourage Noah when he was in that kind of a mood.

As Elizabeth relaxed into the celebration, it was Noah’s turn to read a leaf. “Corn,” he said with deadpanned inflection.

Their mother frowned in confusion. “Corn? Just corn? Because you like popcorn?” Honor guessed.

Noah chuckled. “Of course, corn, Mom. You can see it in your poop!” The fairies stared at him for a moment before dissolving into giggles. He lifted the leaf in front of Suki. “And then you can use toilet paper to wipe your bottom.”

“Fine. Corn,” Honor interrupted him with a groan, as she hid a smile behind her hand.

After that, and much to Elizabeth’s astonishment, the suggestions on the leaves got sillier. “I’m thankful for bubble gum,” Suki said while Honor shuddered. “If Elizabeth hadn’t coated me in bubble gum, her mom wouldn’t have given me a bath and freed my wings.”

“I am certainly not thankful for gum,” Elizabeth said with a moue. Pixie-giving had taken a hard left turn and was way off track. “I’m thankful for the day we lost power in August.

“Why that day?” Silver Frost asked.

“Oh, it was so hot,” Honor said as she thought about the day. “We had to open all the windows, and we all got bitten by mosquitoes.”

“True, but you and Daddy pulled out flashlights, and the fairies used their shadows and acted out stories for us. That was the best,” Elizabeth explained. When Silver Frost and Radish agreed, Noah only shrugged and said it had been “okay.” Elizabeth’s annoyance with her brother grew.

“Okay. Last one,” Honor announced. She plucked the leaf and read. “Pumpkins.”

“You can spit the seeds,” Drake said as though announcing something quite meaningful.

“And, if you eat them, they also appear in your,” Noah said with a cackling laugh

“Stop!” his mother interrupted. “Do not say it, Noah Spencer.”

Suddenly, it all felt too much for Elizabeth. This was not how Pixie-giving was supposed to go!

 

Chapter 3 – All the Things

Elizabeth stood on her chair to make herself the biggest thing in the room. “Stop,” she shouted, wanting to stomp her foot but knowing that would be far too childish.

Noah stopped, lifted his brow in shock, and looked at her. “What’s the matter, Lilibet?” he asked.

“No one is taking this seriously,” Elizabeth said, feeling her eyes burning with unshed tears.

“Elizabeth?” She felt a slight tug on her skirt, and Elizabeth looked down to see Suki hovering near her. “We are taking it seriously. We do like spitting pumpkin seeds. Pixies love games.”

Noah shrugged. “Okay, maybe I was being a little silly, and I’m sorry that hurt your feelings but come on, Lilibet. It’s Thanksgiving. Why can’t we be happy for the funny things, too?”

“But what about dance and mom’s baking? Or Dad getting better when he got sick? Or being thankful that this year we get to spend the holiday with Aunt Emma and Uncle David when last year, we couldn’t go out?” Elizabeth was on a roll and pushed forward. “There are big things to be thankful for. Like, having pixies to play with or a brother who isn’t mean to me. Having Mom and Dad home every night.” She spread her hands across the fallen leaves with their various answers. “How does that compare with corn?”

Honor came and picked her daughter up before sitting down with Elizabeth in her lap. Elizabeth cuddled into her mom’s warmth, forgetting for a moment how angry she was. “Honey, that’s great that you’re thankful for all those things.”

Radish approached. Last year, he’d had a hard time understanding the meaning of Thanksgiving. “You and your family taught me that this time wasn’t just about turkey and gravy. You taught me to look at the world differently and to see all the good things that exist in spite of the bad stuff.” Elizabeth sniffled and snuggled further into her mom’s warm embrace.

“I love watching you dance,” Suki said as she flew to meet Elizabeth’s gaze. “Almost as much as I love flying.” The pink-haired pixie twirled in the air, and her braids went flying around her.

Elizabeth’s dad came into the kitchen carrying two large pizza boxes. “I thought we would carry on our tradition of take out on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving,” he said. Spence looked around the room. “Did I interrupt Pixie-giving?”

Honor set her daughter on her chair and stood to give him a welcoming kiss. “We’re just going over what everyone was thankful for this year.”

Spence put the pizzas down and tugged his wife closer for a hug. On cue, Noah and Elizabeth groaned even though Elizabeth secretly loved that her parents were so affectionate. “What are you thankful for, Dad?” she asked, trying to spare hers and Noah’s embarrassment at seeing their parents kiss.

Releasing his wife, Spence glanced at some of the answers scattered on the table. “Pumpkin seeds?” he asked.

“For spitting,” Drake pointed out.

“And growing more pumpkins,” Radish added.

“I see,” Spence said, holding back a grin. “Corn?”

“Because you can see it in your,” Noah began.

“Noah Spencer, enough,” Honor said, burying her face in her hands while Elizabeth and the fairies dissolved into collective giggles. Maybe her friends were right, Elizabeth thought. It was okay to like the silly things, too.

Spence chuckled. “Yeah, I can see how this night went.”

“You have no idea,” Honor said. She picked up the pizzas to put them in the oven to warm them.

“But Dad, what are you thankful for?” Elizabeth asked again.

After ruffling Noah’s hair and dropping a kiss on Elizabeth’s forehead, Spence stopped. “I am most thankful for my family. So, the thing I’m most thankful for is that your mom agreed to go out with me all those years ago.”

Ignoring her parents’ mooning at each other, Elizabeth thought for a moment. “So, it’s okay to be thankful for big things and little?”

“Exactly,” Honor said as she handed her husband dinner plates.

“Then I’m thankful for my family, too,” Elizabeth said. “Including the pixies.” She smiled around at everyone, and no one minded at all that they had their dessert before their dinner.

 

Saturday, February 9, 2019

February 9, 2019 - New release, fan pricing, and publisher news.



If you felt a breeze this week, I should apologize. That was me, my thoughts spinning as hard as a Cat4 Hurricane.

As an author, I sometimes read other books and think "Wow, I wish I could write like X or Y." But as I wrapped up a collection of short stories this week, it occurred to me that I never will. Anymore than Stephen King can write like Ernest Hemmingway. To finally snap myself out of it, I planned out a new series and told myself to STFU and concentrate on writing like me. Because that's all I've got to work with and I should rock the hell out of it.

My publisher, All Chaos Press, has released a formal announcement identifying the start date of Wenebojo and the technology company that will be working with them to bring the Storytelling to everyone. The company that was chosen to be this integral collaborator is IBM. Wenebojo is a story-based streaming service where you can more fully immerse yourself in your favorite genres, from romance to sci-fi. Learn more HERE.


Now, on to a snippet from my new release, on pre-order for February 15, 2019

*~*~*~The Budapest Brawler ~*~*~*


Zsolt Molnar is a fun-loving, fast-fighting, one-night-stand kind of lover and fighter in the up and coming Bear Knuckle Brawler league. He’s always been the biggest and strongest fighter around and he’s managed to go through his entire thirty-five years unchallenged. But on his way for a six-month training in the mountains of North Carolina, he accidentally hits a bobcat with his car. Call in veterinarian Dr. Romy Richardson.

Thirty-two-year-old Dr. Romy Richardson is at the end of the line, emotionally. Like the cat poster in her office, she has tied a knot and is holding on for dear life. After five years in the field and over ten in animal rescue, she’s buried too many of her clients to feel good about what she does. So, when she sees a listing for a rehab bobcat facility in North Carolina, she jumps at it. What she didn’t count on were the huge bear, leopard, and jaguar shifters roaming the streets of Silver Fells.

Can the man with boundless optimism and energy help inspire the exhausted and hopeless veterinarian? Working together can the Budapest Brawler and the Vet rehab tiny Mrs. Claws Bobcat? Or will losing another patient send Romy into a tailspin?



<<<>>>


“Oh, don’t let her size fool you. An eight-pound cat will take on a two-hundred-pound human if you corner her. These little guys have a lot of muscle, claws, and very sharp teeth to work with.”

Zsolt held up his hand, imagining his bear paw. “I guess. But when I think of my paws and six-inch claws, she seems puny in comparison.”

“Cat’s don’t fight the way other animals do. They will always choose to run first. They will strike at their prey from above. Especially a cat the size of Mrs. Claws here. She’s a predator but also prey. If an eagle decided to soar down and take her as a snack, there’s not much she could do about it.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it like that.” One corner of Zsolt’s mouth kicked up in a tired grin as he took another sip of his coffee. “Grizzlies are apex predators. Not much gets in their way.”

“I bet you a sharp swat by her claws across your nose would make even your bear think twice about a bob-sized snack.”

Zsolt laughed at the image. “Luckily, I’ve never been that hungry.”

The moment between them stretched out. Grew. Like warm taffy at the beach, something drew them together. Inviting him to stay when he knew he should leave.

Only 99c (seriously, that's less than the cost of a cup of coffee at any reputable place!!)

Buy me!!






Thursday, February 7, 2019

Storytelling Service is Live this Month – and My Stories are in it!

Exciting news! 


((
))
^^ the visual representation of me seat dancing.!! << psst, pick purple>>

I am beyond thrilled to finally share this with you guys!! (what, 4 exclamation points in a single paragraph? Yep, I'm that worked up!!) I was notified and actually started crying in line at the grocery store.

All Chaos Press has released a formal announcement identifying the start date of Wenebojo and the technology company that will be working with them to bring the Storytelling to everyone. The company that was chosen to be this integral collaborator is IBM. Wenebojo is a story-based streaming service where you can more fully immerse yourself in your favorite genres, from romance to sci-fi. You can read more about the entire project HERE.

Wenebojo has opened for sales, both advanced ones and something called the Pathfinder group. Pathfinders will enjoy earlier access to all future releases and a variety of other perks. Since Wenebojo is all about the stories, they are setting up this group to provide early feedback and input for story development and selection. <<did I mention pick purple??>>

Pathfinder access will be available Feb 15th. Regular subscribers will gain access in March this year. I really hope that some of you will be in the Pathfinders! It is a great way to help my stories connect with more people! If you decide to sign up, please select GroupPurple for your account. This benefits the authors of the stories, and we would all
appreciate the extra acknowledgment.

I wanted to update you all on the progress for Wenebojo.com and am thrilled that we are moving forward. Feel free to spread the post and the news! If you have further questions, don’t hesitate to comment below!

P.S. I would appreciate it if when you sign up if you would pick Group Purple. It will give you a discount and let me know you love me (you really love me!!) (oh, good grief, Summer, enough with the exclamation points. They get it.)

xoxo,

Keep an eye out for your favorite stories to be brought alive.

hashtags to follow
#Wenebojo
#AllChaosPress
#Storyteller

Saturday, February 2, 2019

February 2, 2019 - Meet Zsolt! - Hot new Release!

Zsolt is the Budapest Brawler, the latest fighter to cross Kingston Heart's path. Can King help train Zsolt for the big leagues?

So, I was in a meeting with someone and his name was Zsolt. And I was like - holy crap. I need to write a romance using that name. It is Hungarian but I had never heard of it before. But really - it's a total bear shifter name, right?? (seriously. Please tell me you agree. I love cool and interesting names but i've gotten some feedback that not everyone does.)

<<<>>>

“Oh, don’t let her size fool you. An eight-pound cat will take on a two-hundred-pound human if you corner her. These little guys have a lot of muscle, claws, and very sharp teeth to work with.”
Zsolt held up his hand, imagining his bear paw. “I guess. But when I think of my paws and six-inch claws, she seems puny in comparison.”

“Cat’s don’t fight the way other animals do. They will always choose to run first. They will strike at their prey from above. Especially a cat the size of Mrs. Claws here. She’s a predator but also prey. If an eagle decided to soar down and take her as a snack, there’s not much she could do about it.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it like that.” One corner of Zsolt’s mouth kicked up in a tired grin as he took another sip of his coffee. “Grizzlies are apex predators. Not much gets in their way.”

“I bet you a sharp swat by her claws across your nose would make even your bear think twice about a bob-sized snack.”

Zsolt laughed at the image. “Luckily, I’ve never been that hungry.”


The moment between them stretched out. Grew. Like warm taffy at the beach, something drew them together. Inviting him to stay when he knew he should leave.


<<<>>>

Book is available for pre-order!!







Saturday, January 26, 2019

January 26, 2019 - Budapest Brawler snippet and cover reveal

*~*~*~The Budapest Brawler - planned release date February 16, 2019~*~*~*

Zsolt Molnar is a fun-loving, fast-fighting, one-night-stand kind of lover and fighter in the up and coming Bear Knuckle Brawler league. He’s always been the biggest and strongest fighter around and he’s managed to go through his entire thirty-five years unchallenged. But on his way for a six-month training in the mountains of North Carolina, he accidentally hits a bobcat with his car. Call in veterinarian Dr. Romy Richardson.

Thirty-two-year-old Dr. Romy Richardson is at the end of the line, emotionally. Like the cat poster in her office, she has tied a knot and is holding on for dear life. After five years in the field and over ten in animal rescue, she’s buried too many of her clients to feel good about what she does. So, when she sees a listing for a rehab bobcat facility in North Carolina, she jumps at it. What she didn’t count on were the huge bear, leopard, and jaguar shifters roaming the streets of Silver Fells.

Can the man with boundless optimism and energy help inspire the exhausted and hopeless veterinarian? Working together can the Budapest Brawler and the Vet rehab tiny Mrs. Claws Bobcat? Or will losing another patient send Romy into a tailspin?


<<<>>>

“Oh, don’t let her size fool you. An eight-pound cat will take on a two-hundred-pound human if you corner her. These little guys have a lot of muscle, claws, and very sharp teeth to work with.”
Zsolt held up his hand, imagining his bear paw. “I guess. But when I think of my paws and six-inch claws, she seems puny in comparison.”

“Cat’s don’t fight the way other animals do. They will always choose to run first. They will strike at their prey from above. Especially a cat the size of Mrs. Claws here. She’s a predator but also prey. If an eagle decided to soar down and take her as a snack, there’s not much she could do about it.”

“I hadn’t really thought about it like that.” One corner of Zsolt’s mouth kicked up in a tired grin as he took another sip of his coffee. “Grizzlies are apex predators. Not much gets in their way.”

“I bet you a sharp swat by her claws across your nose would make even your bear think twice about a bob-sized snack.”

Zsolt laughed at the image. “Luckily, I’ve never been that hungry.”


The moment between them stretched out. Grew. Like warm taffy at the beach, something drew them together. Inviting him to stay when he knew he should leave. 


<<<>>>


You can find all of my books listed on my Amazon author page



Saturday, January 19, 2019

January 19 - Hot off the presses! - The Budapest Brawler

I'm working on my edits for the newest book in my Bear Knuckle Brawlers series.

Meet Zsolt Kovacs and Dr. Romy Richardson in The Budapest Brawler

<<<>>>

Thirty-five-year-old bear shifter Zsolt Kovacs rubbed his shaved head and kicked back his chair at the Lusty Leopard and balanced on its two legs. “Thanks for agreeing to train me,” he said to Kingston Hart.

“We’ll start working out of Dixon’s Gym on Monday,” King said. He sipped on a tumbler of whiskey and looked Zsolt up and down. “You’ve been undefeated so far, but there is some fresh blood coming up. And you’re only as good as your last opponent.”

Zsolt nodded. The current heavyweight champion was a polar bear shifter named Drake “The Polar Bear Express” Gerzofsky. Gerzofsky’s half-ton polar bear made Zsolt’s eight-hundred-pound grizzly look puny in comparison.

“You’re the best trainer there is,” Zsolt said. “That’s why I picked you.”

“That’s funny,” King said with a smirk. “I thought I picked you.”

The Bear Knuckle Brawlers, or BKB, was a mixed martial arts bear shifter league formed in the early 2000s. When a series of newly-tweaked soldiers had trouble controlling their shifts, the command of the Shifter Special Forces had sent them into enclosed areas to, as they put it, “fight off the excess adrenaline.” It didn’t take long before bets were taken, money was made, and the league was born. 

<<<>>>

Want to hear how the #BKB started? Start with Fighting for Her Bear

Meet Zane Dixon (yeah, yeah, I'm a TWD fan. so sue me)





Saturday, January 12, 2019

January 12, 2019 Snippet - Fighting for her Bear

Fighting for her Bear

Summer Donnelly



Introducing the #BBK - Bear Knuckle Brawlers. They're a mixed martial arts/ bear shifter cage fighters. And you know, the women who love them. Keep a look out for more of these handsome cage fighters.

First up is Zane "The Hurricane" Dixon.

Because Bears!



Snippet:

Everly Smith rubbed the space between her eyebrows as she felt a headache creep up on her. She was tired, cold, and hungry. She was close to tears, and the last thing she wanted to do was argue with her cousin Fannie. And yet, here they were.
“Fannie, you can’t do this! This is our legacy. The only thing Granddad gave to us. Even if we did decide to sell it, why do you want to sell to that company?” Everly’s slim hands moved to her temples, hoping the impending headache could be nipped in the bud. She should have saved her breath. If there was something Fannie Hopkins wanted, she pushed until she got it.
Everly wasn’t completely against selling the acreage their grandfather had left them. She loved Silver Fells, but she wanted to finish college, too. Her share of the sale of twenty acres would let her finish getting her degree in commercial art and pay for an apartment in town for a few months. She’d still have to work part-time at the Lusty Leopard, but she liked her job at the shifter bar.
She just didn’t want to do it this way.
“Grandfather’s will was very clear. The first of us to get married inherits the house and land. Are you getting married any time soon?”
Everly detested the smug tone in her cousin’s voice.
“You know I’m not.” She began twirling one of her copper-colored curls to soothe some of her nervousness.
“Right. Because you keep hanging out with those animals.”
Anger burned in Everly. Pure and raw, she let it pulse through her.
She thought about the friends she’d made in Silver Fells, North Carolina. It was a small community of both civilians and former members of the Shifter Special Forces. Whether they heard of the town by word of mouth or the recent articles on the blog site Shifter Sightings, the town continued to grow.
“They aren’t animals,” Everly returned, keeping her voice even despite the rage that coursed through her. It would not help her cause to get emotional with her cousin. She thought of the shifter dating website her friend Luna convinced her to try. Plenty of Paws was brand new but getting new members signing up every day from all over the world.
“Right. If you say so.” Derision dripped from every syllable in Fannie’s voice burning through any goodwill Everly had towards her cousin.
Everly thought about Zane, the handsome bear shifter who she had a major crush on. Was twenty-two too young to have a crush? Too old? She didn’t think so, but the twenty-nine-year-old former soldier always treated her like a kid.

Ready for more? Make sure to get it at special fan price of 99c!

Pick me!!