Audiobook News!
DESIRE ME is here!
No, not in ebook. That's been around for a while. But audio... I don't know if any of us were ready for this.
Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter have continued their phenomenal work on the Southern Nights: Enigma series. They bring Saint and Rae to life in a way that has sent chills up my spine every time I listen. Not to mention making the “hot” in Enigma even hotter! If you love audiobooks, even if you haven't heard the rest of the Southern Nights series, you've got to grab this one.
How about a sample?
What are early listeners saying about DESIRE ME?
A lot! Here’s just a sample from Twitter users:
“This is so good — one helluva ride!”
“Only a few chapters in and I'm hooked! Amazing work from Stella Hunter & Jason Clarke.”
“Have plenty of water with this one.”
“I love Ella Sheridan’s writing. She has some of the best romantic suspense books in the biz.”
“More Stella and Jason? Yes please!”
Don’t wait! Grab your copy at your fave audiobook retailer:
I recently spent a week with my critique partner, Gina L Maxwell, talking writing and actually writing at her home with her fantastic clowder of kitties and her super-affectionate boxer, Nova, who couldn't seem to stay out of my lap.
But I didn't just spend the week cuddling Nova. I also spent it working on the very next Silver Foxes of Black Wolf’s Bluff book, now titled 40 AND (SO OVER) FIXING IT. Erin and Carter are sparking off each other like you would not believe. I hope to have this book finished by the end of this month and out to you in June. Then it's time to dig into some serious progress on PHOENIX FALLING. I'm also right now in the process of working out the next story arc for Assassins and Nix's team backstory.
One of the most frequently asked questions I get about Assassins is whether or not Levi and Abby’s storyline will continue. I'm happy to say that you won't lose the original brothers in the continuing arc. Much in the vein of J. R. Ward and similar authors, I intend to include storylines from the brothers as well as the ongoing stories about the new team in each new novel. Will we see Levi and Abby get married? Have that baby they didn't realize they wanted until it was no longer a possibility? Well, you'll have to read to find out the details, but I can assure you there will be details. (insert evil author laughter here)
Lastly, I have something exciting to share!
I’ve joined forces with Romance Devoured and thirteen other Bestselling Romance Authors to bring you an amazing giveaway! The best part? EVERYONE WINS!
Everyone who enters will automatically receive all 14 books free! And one lucky winner will also get a $25 Amazon gift card. How cool is that? Almost like a gift from your favorite romance hero!
But it won't last forever, so RUN, don't walk!
Click here to enter -> https://promos.romancedevoured.com/lnk/scg-ella-sheridan
That's all the news for now. Keep an eye out for next month's newsletter and release information for FIXING IT. Sneak peeks of PHOENIX FALLING. Details about the next hero and heroine in Assassins (and maybe even a book title if it will finally come to me!). There's so much to look forward to this year. In the meantime, happy reading!
~ Ella
Spring News and Tulips!
Spring Has Sprung, Y’all!
I’m finally recovering from my bout with Covid early this year, and I’m busy working on the latest Silver Foxes book. The book is now officially called 40 AND (FINALLY) FIXING IT—"fixing it” because it features Erin, Black Wolf’s Bluff’s beloved general contractor. Our small-town girl meets her match in a big-city guy this go-round when Carter and his precocious little boy show up in BWB. I’ve got a lot of fun things planned for this book that I think you’ll love, not the least of which is a crazy male peacock named Willard who thinks he’s in love with Erin. I can’t wait for you to meet him.
Aside from writing, I’ve been resting a lot, swimming when I can, and spending time with Oliver, who just turned four (I cannot believe it!), and my kids. My daughter recently took me to a local tulip farm that is in full bloom for springtime right now. You would not believe all the blossoms! Tulips in all varieties and colors, from the lightest butter yellow to the deepest, darkest red. Beautiful orange and red hybrids. Gorgeous white blooms with light peachy stripes. Want to see some pictures?
As far as books, I’ve got great news for anyone who is looking for the last audio installment for Southern Nights: Enigma. DESIRE ME will be releasing in April! I’ll have a pre-order link for you at the beginning of the month, so keep an eye out for that.
I’m also hoping to have some excerpts and more news on PHOENIX FALLING (Archai Warriors 2) and the next Assassins book coming up in the next couple of newsletters. In the meantime, take care of yourselves, and happy reading!
~Ella
Have You Read COME FOR ME?
Book 1 in the Southern Nights: Enigma book is currently FREE!
He lived a life of danger and loneliness without her. He’s never going back.
Olivia Brannan never expected an ordinary workday to turn into a nightmare. She thought nothing could make her happier than having Dain as her husband. Her hard-core, intense alpha male. Protective to the extreme. Commanding—in and out of the bedroom. Her soul mate. They have everything they ever wanted. Or, almost everything. Until today.
Today, she found out she’s pregnant. And unknowingly walked into a roomful of killers.
Ten years. That’s how long Dain has lived his dream life. His wife is the partner he always wanted, in every way. And if they can’t have children of their own, well, the elite team he runs at Atlanta’s top security firm is often handful enough. They’ve created a “family” that fits them and fills their lives.
One phone call changes all that.
He never thought his wife could get pregnant. He never thought she’d be held hostage. Now it’s up to him and his team to get the love of his life—and the child they never thought they’d have—out alive.
Well 2023 Is Being a PITA
How’s Your New Year Going?
I’ll tell you, mine isn’t going to plan. 😊 That’s par for the course the past couple of years, I guess, for all of us. I started the year off with Covid, and I’ve basically been sleeping and trying to get my brain to work ever since.
So how do I want the rest of the year to go?
Not like this! I began the first week of January on a new mindset journey, working to build more positivity into my life, be kinder to myself, take care of myself. All of that went by the wayside when I became ill. (That happens when you’re sleeping 22 out of every 24 hours! Luckily I’m now down to 14-16 hours of sleep a day. *eye roll*) I’ve been berating myself for not getting better faster, for “starting back at square one” with everything, including my weight loss. But constantly going over the bad things in my mind isn’t helping anything. The sleep helps, but not mentally putting myself down the whole time I’m awake.
How can I change that? The only way to accomplish change is deliberately, one step at a time. So I’m revisiting my plan for this year, and yeah, starting back at zero. Where do I go from here? What can I nourish my soul with? What plans do I have to move toward a more positive mind and body?
And then begin with the first step.
But I’m sure the plan you’re most interested in is my writing plan for the year.
And I definitely have plans! Right now, because my brain is so scrambled, I’m working on plotting three books: the next Silver Foxes book, the next Archai Warriors book (Phoenix Falling), and most important of all, THE NEXT ASSASSINS BOOK!!!! Woot! Assassins will be back this year. I’m planning a minimum of three more books in that series, to be released in 2023 and 2024. Each book will feature a member of Nix’s team, completing the arc from their dangerous past. But I’ll also be including threads from each of the Agozi brothers. We’re not leaving our boys behind! So get ready for a wild ride coming later this year. 😊
I’ll have more specifics starting in March, so keep an eye out. In the meantime, happy reading!
~Ella
Did you know the final audiobook for the SOUTHERN NIGHTS series has finally arrived! TEACH ME is now available in audiobook, featuring the fantastic duo of Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter as Conlan and Jess. Listen to their story as well as TRUST ME (Jack and Maddie) and TAKE ME (Gabe, Sam, and Peyton) today!
Did you know TEACH ME is currently free in ebook? Grab your copy on amazon and add on Whispersync audio for only $7.49! No need to use your monthly credit. 😊
What's Coming Up Next?
Something new! 😉
I've started a new series with the New Year. I'm not quite ready to announce what, but it's something completely new. Sometimes writers just need a break, something to play with and create without looking to past books, and that's what I'm doing with this series.
But what about all your favorite series, you ask? Don't worry! I'll be getting back to those soon enough. My plan is to focus on the next ASSASSINS books this year, see how far we can go with those, and then we will be moving forward with a brand-new spinoff series for SOUTHERN NIGHTS just like I promised (can anyone say Luka?!?!?!). I also have plans for a special release that's been a passion project of mine for a while, unlike anything else I've written. We'll see how that "super secret" project comes along this year!
How about you? What are you doing this New Year? Something brand-new? Something familiar and fun? Tell me all about it, or drop into ELLA'S ESCAPE ROOM this week and let's chat!
ASSASSIN'S MARK Is Now Available In AUDIO!
It’s finally here — ASSASSIN’S MARK is LIVE on Audible! The fantastic Jason Clarke and Stella Hunter have done a phenomenal job bringing Levi and Abby to life. You don’t want to miss this!
ASSASSIN’S MARK
Keep an eye out for ASSASSIN’S PREY, coming soon.
I knew the minute I saw him that Levi Agozi was too perfect to be real. I didn't care. He came to me, asked for me, and, dazzled by his dark good looks and the bad-boy aura surrounding him, I gave in. Willingly.
My father is set to become the next governor of Georgia, and he'll use me to get there if he has to. He'll hand me over, virginity and all, to the man with the biggest bank account and political pull.
I wanted something more.
I wanted Levi. And I had him—until I woke up, disoriented and confused, at his mercy. He’s a bad boy, all right. A sexy, deadly assassin. And I'm the pawn torn between him and my father, two powerful men intent on destroying each other.
I might not understand their war, but I do understand one thing: no matter who wins, I lose.
“I inhaled this sexy, gritty, thrilling new series and I can’t wait for more!” — Lara Adrian, NYT Best-selling Author
𝐄𝐋𝐈 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐍𝐈𝐗 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐄!
🔥 🔥 🔥
𝘞𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘤𝘪𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦: 𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘶𝘦 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘨𝘰𝘻𝘪 𝘣𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘰𝘳 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘮 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘤𝘺. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹–𝘋𝘦𝘭𝘵𝘢 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘳𝘴, 𝘸𝘦’𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵.
𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘰𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘰𝘵, 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘰 𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘢 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘵 𝘌𝘭𝘪 𝘈𝘨𝘰𝘻𝘪 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘮𝘦. 𝘈𝘯𝘥 𝘐’𝘥 𝘥𝘰 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘺 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮, 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘯 𝘬𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘪𝘳𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘢𝘬𝘦 𝘮𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘴𝘩 𝘐 𝘸𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥𝘯’𝘵 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘰.
🔥 🔥 🔥
You don’t want to miss this pivotal story in the ASSASSINS universe!
AVAILABLE NOW!
The Assassin's Duet is Here!!!
For a limited time you can get the first two books in the Assassin's series together in a duet! It also includes a BONUS SCENE from Assassin's Mark NOT found in the original story!
ASSASSIN’S MARK
I knew the minute I saw him that Levi Agozi was too perfect to be real. I didn't care. He came to me, asked for me, and, dazzled by his dark good looks and the bad-boy aura surrounding him, I gave in. Willingly.
My father is set to become the next governor of Georgia, and he'll use me to get there if he has to. He'll hand me over, virginity and all, to the man with the biggest bank account and political pull.
I wanted something more.
I wanted Levi. And I had him—until I woke up, disoriented and confused, at his mercy. He’s a bad boy, all right. A sexy, deadly assassin. And I'm the pawn torn between him and my father, two powerful men intent on destroying each other.
I might not understand their war, but I do understand one thing: no matter who wins, I lose.
***
ASSASSIN’S PREY
I killed my first man at the age of twelve. I've been killing ever since. I thought it was all I lived for…until Abby. Until the woman I'd kidnapped became the woman I couldn't walk away from.
She owns a piece of me I wouldn't take back, but the rest? The only way to protect her is to hold back the parts inside me that are too ugly to ever reveal. I'll keep her safe, even from me.
And it works. We have the nights, and I hunt my way through the days. Alone.
Until an attack reveals a threat we didn't see coming. One that could take away the dream I didn't realize I had.
Everything. With her.
I'm on the hunt of my life. My prey might run, but in this fight—for her, for us—they don't stand a chance.
Assassin's Heart!
In case you haven’t heard, I’ve been releasing a few books lately.😉 ASSASSIN’S PREY released just yesterday, and the next installment in the series will be out AUGUST 26TH!
♦ ASSASSIN’S HEART ♦
My brother believes he made me a killer. The truth is, I’ve always been different. I can smile while sliding a knife between your ribs—and not feel a moment of regret.
Until Leah.
A man like me shouldn’t have a family. But the minute I opened my eyes from a coma and saw her, I knew I’d forever be tied to her. A nurse who nurtures life. A mother.
I’ve stalked her for two years, unable to stop but refusing to give in to the need to have her. To love her. Until the night her daughter is taken. I’ll light up the world to get Leah’s child back to her.
And then I’ll walk away for good. Not because it’s the right thing to do, but because I know how she’ll look at me after seeing who I truly am.
She’ll see the murderer inside me. And God help me, but she’ll be right.
Assassin's Prey is here!!!
♦THE ASSASSINS SERIES CONTINUES ♦
AVAILABLE TODAY!!
She was my revenge. Now she’s my everything.Read the continuation of Levi and Abby’s story—from the assassin’s point of view.
I killed my first man at the age of twelve. I've been killing ever since. I thought it was all I lived for…until Abby. Until the woman I'd kidnapped became the woman I couldn't walk away from.
She owns a piece of me I wouldn't take back, but the rest? The only way to protect her is to hold back the parts inside me that are too ugly to ever reveal. I'll keep her safe, even from me.
And it works. We have the nights, and I hunt my way through the days. Alone.
Until an attack reveals a threat we didn't see coming. One that could take away the dream I didn't realize I had.
Everything. With her.
I'm on the hunt of my life. My prey might run, but in this fight—for her, for us—they don't stand a chance.
🍾 🍾 ASSASSIN’S MARK is here! 🍾 🍾
I’ve waited a long time for today. Release day is overwhelming, but with a book—and a series—like this, it is…indescribable. Really, there are no words.
ASSASSIN’S MARK was written at a time when I was struggling so much. It changed how I wrote, how I viewed my writing, how I viewed my world, more than I can even describe. I hope you love Levi and his brothers as much as I do, and follow them for many books to come. It’ll be an adventure you won’t forget!
ASSASSIN’S MARK
I knew the minute I saw him that Levi Agozi was too perfect to be real. I didn't care. He came to me, asked for me, and, dazzled by his dark good looks and the bad-boy aura surrounding him, I gave in. Willingly. My father is set to become the next governor of Virginia, and he'll use me to get there if he has to. He'll hand me over, virginity and all, to the man with the biggest bank account and political pull. I wanted something more. I wanted Levi. And I had him—until I woke up, disoriented and confused, at his mercy. He’s a bad boy, all right. A sexy, deadly assassin. And I'm the pawn torn between him and my father, two powerful men intent on destroying each other. I might not understand their war, but I do understand one thing: no matter who wins, I lose.⠀ ⠀ ⠀
*
*TAKE THE RISK TODAY!*
The Assassin
If you’ve been waiting, THE ASSASSIN is finally here as a complete e-book—and it’s FREE! Read it now before ASSASSIN’S MARK arrives. Take the risk…⠀
The Assassin⠀⠀
I’m a cold-blooded killer with no room in my heart for anyone but the brothers I raised on the streets. In the world I’ve created, there’s only one rule:⠀⠀
Don’t harm the innocent.⠀⠀
And I’m about to break it. With her.⠀
COVER REVEAL!
ASSASSIN’S MARK will be here in *one month*!!! I’ve waited so long to reveal this cover, y’all! I’m totally in love, and I hope you will be too. <3 Be sure to preorder your copy today so ASSASSIN’S MARK shows up on your e-reader ASAP on June 24th!
ASSASSIN’S MARK
I knew the minute I saw him that Levi Agozi was too perfect to be real. I didn't care. He came to me, asked for me, and, dazzled by his dark good looks and the bad-boy aura surrounding him, I gave in. Willingly.
My father is set to become the next governor of Virginia, and he'll use me to get there if he has to. He'll hand me over, virginity and all, to the man with the biggest bank account and political pull.
I wanted something more.
I wanted Levi. And I had him—until I woke up, disoriented and confused, at his mercy. He’s a bad boy, all right. A sexy, deadly assassin. And I'm the pawn torn between him and my father, two powerful men intent on destroying each other.
I might not understand their war, but I do understand one thing: no matter who wins, I lose.
The damp night air felt heavy with suspicion—mine. My brothers would tell me I was crazy, but I knew what my senses were saying. They’d been honed over years on the streets to keep all three of us safe, and right now they were screaming.
Something wasn’t right.
“Where the hell is this guy?”
The words came out a low growl, but I had no doubt Remi and Eli heard them through the communication device in my ear. It was Eli who answered.
“On his way here, maybe? It’s not even a quarter till, Levi. Not everyone’s got a stick up their ass like you.”
I shot a bird toward the window of the office two buildings down where my youngest brother was working his magic with the surveillance equipment. In our business, you better have a stick up your ass when it came to details or you were dead. Easing deeper into the shadows of the overhang I stood under, I scanned the street once more. “I’m telling you, something’s not right. I don’t like it.”
“When do you ever like anything?” Remi asked. He waited on a second-story balcony directly across the street, hidden behind a brick column, his favorite Remington 700 pointed in my general direction. Watching my back—and giving me a hard time. My relationship with my brothers in a nutshell.
“Never,” Eli said in my ear, proving my point.
*
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Writing Inspiration
What inspires the next book?
Usually, the inspiration is whatever is next on my publishing list. 😊 I try to switch between my different series so no one set gets neglected, although if you’ve been following me for very long, you know a hiatus last year has meant quite a gap in all of my series.
ASSASSIN’S PREY is almost complete. So what’s next? Fionn and Lise! That’s right—SOUTHERN NIGHTS will have a new release this fall! I’ve been champing at the bit to write their story since I visited Ireland this past summer. This book will be set there, and I can’t wait to return, if only in the pages of my book!
I had a truly unique inspiration for ASSASSIN’S PREY: a question. That’s right, a question.
How does a man who’s held himself apart all his life, even from family, who kills for a living, who has nothing resembling a normal life, actually make a relationship work?
That was the whole story in a nutshell. Most romances end once the couple is together, right? I wanted to go past the “I love yous” and find out how Levi, of all people, would react to falling in love. *Spoiler ALERT* We already saw a little bit of this in MARK—he stayed away for a year, but couldn’t stay away any longer. Now that he’s given in, what next?
I hope you’ll check out ASSASSIN’S PREY next TUESDAY and find out. I can’t wait for this tough, tormented alpha to finally, truly understand what love is all about. You can find the book on Radish Fiction starting May 29th!
New Release and Monthly Contest!
It’s release month! In four weeks (minus a day—that’s MAY 29th!), the next book in the ASSASSINS series will release: ASSASSIN’S PREY. This first-person story gets us into the head of Levi Agosti, assassin, and gives us a glimpse of how a man like him deals with love now that he’s met his match.
ASSASSIN’S PREY
I killed my first man at the age of twelve. I've been killing ever since. I thought it was all I lived for…until Abby. Until the woman I'd kidnapped became the woman I couldn't walk away from.
She owns a piece of me I wouldn't take back, but the rest? The only way to protect her is to hold back the parts inside me that are too ugly to ever reveal. I'll keep her safe, even from me.
And it works. We have the nights, and I hunt my way through the days. Alone.
Until an attack reveals a threat we didn't see coming. One that could take away the dream I didn't realize I had.
Everything. With her.
I'm on the hunt of my life. My prey might run, but in this fight—for her, for us—they don't stand a chance.
*
This month, I’m celebrating my upcoming release with a cool giveaway: a copy of the totally delicious first-person romance Wicked Sexy Liar by Christina Lauren, a sexy purple travel LED booklight, and a $15 iTunes gift card so you can read ASSASSIN’S PREY when it goes live on the 29th! To enter, comment below and tell me if you’ve read ASSASSIN’S MARK, book one in this series, and if you have, what you thought of Levi. (Here’s a hint: YUM!)
*** On MAY 29th, one commenter will be chosen, so hurry to enter! (Likes and shares with your romance-loving friends appreciated but not required!) ***
Haven’t read ASSASSINS yet? Start with book one, ASSASSIN’S MARK, on Radish Fiction:
Inspiration
Authors are asked all the time, “Where do you get your inspiration?” The truth is, I don’t always know. Or maybe it’s that I get it from everywhere. Narrowing down inspiration to one source is impossible for me. I simply try to be open and receptive whenever it passes my way.
Sometimes it’s a song that comes on the radio and inspires a character—this happened for me with Abby in ASSASSIN’S MARK. (The song was “Me and My Broken Heart” by Rixton.) Or a TV show. I’ve been watching Dark on Netflix, and it’s made me realize that villains might be terrible, but they can also be compelling. Places can be inspiration—I find many of my ideas while my mind rests out in nature, for walks especially. Oddly enough, the treadmill never gives me inspiration; now why is that? 😟
Where do you find inspiration? What sets your imagination soaring?
Too Many Books?
So many books, so little time. That’s what we say. And now more than ever, our favorite authors are releasing books at a tremendous rate. Always good, right?
I’m wondering about reader fatigue today. Y’all know that before ASSASSIN’S MARK started releasing, it had been a long eight months since my last release—March, 2017. I love that I can get regular installments of some of my favorite series, but I sometimes look at all the Tuesday release day compilation posts and get…overwhelmed. Where do I start? Which series is that book with? What if I want to try something new, how do I figure out which book from a new author to try, their current release or something older?
It’s a lot to take in sometimes!
What about you, readers? Do you get overwhelmed by all the releases? Do you love that some authors produce books fast, and some slower, so you have time to catch up, savor the anticipation? What’s your take on the quick-release reality of romance books in this new age? Inquiring minds want to know! 😉
What's Your Favorite Christmas Story?
I’m running around finishing last minute details for Christmas and working on Assassin’s Mark and Only for the Moment at the same time, so there’s not a lot of time for reading this month. But at night, after all the evening chores are done and I can finally crawl into bed, I take at least a few minutes to read. The problem? I really want to read a sexy Christmas book, and there are none on my TBR.
Help me out, dear readers! Share your favorite Christmas story for bedtime reading—must include sexy times, please! I’ll choose one commenter for a surprise $5 Amazon gift card on Sunday at noon! Head over to my Facebook page for your chance to win!
Release Day!!
*** It’s release day! ***
ASSASSIN’S MARK releases exclusively today on Radish Fiction! Seven chapters are live, and new chapters will appear every Tuesday and Friday. Not sure you want to check it out? How about the opening chapter to get a little taste of what you’re in for?
And it wouldn’t be release day without a contest, would it? I’ll be giving two lucky readers 100 coins to use on the Radish app! To enter:
– Download the radish app from your phone/tablet’s App Store. (It’s free!)
– Create your username and password.
– Check out ASSASSIN’S MARK by searching for my name in the app, or following this link from your phone or tablet:
https://radishfiction.com/stories/S1OkqkMfG
– Take a screenshot of ASSASSIN’S MARK on your phone/tablet and post in the comments!
That’s all you need to do for a chance to win. Oh, and just a reminder—the first three chapters of ASSASSIN’S MARK are free on @RadishFiction, so check it out!
Head over to my Facebook page for your chance to win!
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Chapter One
I’m not sure what I expected. I’d been to bars, but not the kind of bars with pool tables and smoke haze and men on the prowl for a one-night stand. The bars I’d been to specialized in cocktail hours and old men in business suits. The Full Moon wasn’t refined or elegant or quiet.
It was everything I was not. Exactly where I needed to be tonight.
“What’ll you have?” the bartender asked. He was staring at Candy’s breasts, but she didn’t seem to mind, just flashed him a sexier version of her friendly smile. Had she slept with him before?
It was Renee who answered. “Pitcher of strawberry margaritas, Dave.”
“Make that two,” Candy tacked on.
Dave the Bartender nodded at her cleavage. “I’ll send ‘em right over.”
I followed my friends through the crowd toward a table Sarah had snagged while we ordered. The three women obviously had a routine. I’d known they were close, and the fact that they’d extended their little circle to include me from the first day we met in Nursing 101 class had touched me in ways they couldn’t possibly understand. They were normal girls with normal lives and normal homes. I wasn’t, but if they’d noticed, they didn’t mention it. No flicker of recognition at my name, no questions about where I lived or why I never went out when they invited me. Just basic friendship, no strings attached.
They had no idea how rare that was.
“So, Abby, see anything interesting?”
Too much, actually. Heat flushed my cheeks. “Um…”
Sarah giggled. “Wait till she’s got at least one margarita in her, Renee. Then ask.” She bumped my shoulder with hers. “The selection always looks better the later it gets.”
The selection already looked pretty good to me. Most of the men were our age—early twenties—and not a suit and tie to be found. Jeans and half-buttoned shirts and messily styled hair were the go-to. A tattooed forearm or the wink of an earring wasn’t rare. Beers in hand, the men joshed each other while prowling the room, hungry gazes assessing each woman they came to. One by one they’d peel off with their choice, either to the dance floor or a table or the front door.
What was it like to be the women they chose? In the circles my family required me to frequent, the barrier of my father’s name and status kept men away from me. Here, there were no barriers except my friends and my own insecurities. The idea that I could choose to ignore both and do whatever I wanted quickened my breath. Either I was excited or about to hyperventilate; I wasn’t certain which.
I refused to let the terror win anymore.
The margaritas arrived and we each poured ourselves one. The fruity yet tart liquid set my tongue alight like a sparkler on the Fourth of July, a pleasure I hadn’t experienced before. I savored it as I listened to the girls’ giggling commentary about each man who walked by. It wasn’t long before the room went hazy with something other than smoke and I found myself joining in the conversation without reservation.
I was pouring my second margarita when my phone vibrated in my back pocket. Two shorts, one long: my father. A healthy gulp helped bolster my confidence before I pulled the cell out for a look.
I shouldn’t respond, shouldn’t care, but I clicked on the message anyway, just to see. Maybe he’d changed his mind. Maybe he was worried about me. Maybe he wanted to apologize, tell me he loved me for once in twenty-one years.
Where the hell are you?
Or maybe not. I returned the phone to my pocket.
Sarah leaned close, her voice low. “Everything okay?”
Renee and Candy were focused on the table of men to their right. I gave Sarah a wry smile. “My dad.” I took another drink. “It’ll blow over, I’m sure.”
Sarah laid her hand over mine on the table and squeezed. The gesture mesmerized me. I couldn’t remember the last time someone had touched me because they cared. How sad was that?
My phone buzzed again. I ignored it.
“Holy shit.”
Sarah’s hand left mine to grasp her drink. She took a gulp, her gaze trained somewhere over Candy’s head. I followed it.
Holy shit is right.
The man was tall, dark, and dangerous with a capital D. I’d never seen anyone like him, anyone who made my insides clench just looking at him. Thick dark hair, long on top and shaved close on the sides, highlighted perfect ears and a jaw chiseled from granite. His eyes seemed too light for that hair and his olive skin, shining like spotlights beneath dark brows, almost too intense to bear. And those lips. God. They hinted at sensual pleasures I could only guess at.
He prowled across the room, a lean, muscular panther intent on prey—every woman’s fantasy, including mine.
And he was headed straight for us.
My gaze dropped to my drink. The tables around us held either men or couples, so I wasn’t mistaken about his focus. Which girl was he interested in? Sarah with her sweet smile? Or maybe Candy, with her unabashed sensuality?
An empty glass stared back at me. I reached for the pitcher.
“Hello, ladies.”
My hand froze on the handle as the words quivered through my body. Look up! Look at him! But I couldn’t; I could only sit there like a dumbass holding the pitcher in my shaking grip and praying I didn’t make a fool of myself.
No fear, remember?
No fear. I tightened my grip, lifted. So far, so good. Somehow I managed to pour a fresh drink without spilling, replace the pitcher on the table. Despite the sick pounding of my heart in my throat, I made myself glance up.
Gray eyes locked with mine.
Lord, he’s beautiful.
I expected him to look away, to focus on one of the other women. He didn’t. He stared—at me. Until the urge to squirm crawled up my spine and my cheeks burst into flames.
“Hello.”
Was that my voice, all breathy and…suggestive? It must’ve been; the other girls were staring, silent, their round eyes just as awed as I’m sure mine were. I looked back to the man looming over our table.
He reached a hand out to me. “I’m Levi.”
My fingers settled into his grip like they had been created to fit him. “Abby.”
My voice cracked. I cleared my throat.
“Hi, Abby.” He didn’t let go of my hand, didn’t glance around. Just held me captive with those intense eyes. “Would you dance with me?”