Diane’s Book Blog: Heather Long

Showing posts with label Heather Long. Show all posts

Monday, March 20, 2017

Hot on Ice: A Hockey Romance Anthology Review

Hot on Ice: A Hockey Romance Anthology (Chicago Rebels, #.5; Station Seventeen, #1.5)

Hot on Ice: A Hockey Romance Anthology by Avery Flynn, Robin Covington, Kimberly Kincaid, Nana Malone, Virginia Nelson, Xio Axelrod, Christi Barth, Andie J. Christopher, Kim Golden, Lena Hart, Desiree Holt, Robin Kaye, Katie Kenyhercz, Heather Long, Kate Meader, Angi Morgan, Susan Scott Shelley, Misty D. Waters

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am a hockey romance addict, so when I saw this anthology I had to have it. I have read a lot of anthologies, what I liked the most about this one is that it had a common theme. Each novella was about a different NHL player on the recent Stanley Cup Championship team the New Orleans Cajun Rage. The stories were about the individual player’s day with the Cup and a legend about them finding their true love on their day. I love how all the books were clearly coordinated. Players were mentioned in each other’s books, and Edwin Motz, the Keeper of the Cup, made an appearance in the stories. Even though each tale had a common theme, every story was amazingly different, enjoyable, and exciting. I like that some of the authors tied their books to existing series. I love that 20% of the royalties earned goes to the Homes For Our Troops charity, a nonprofit organization that builds mortgage-free, specially modified homes for severely injured veterans.

HOT ON ICE consists of eighteen stories:

DEEP CHECK (Station Seventeen #1.5) by Kimberly Kincaid. After a fight, hockey Center, Finnegan Donnelly couldn’t leave his hometown of Remington and his two best friends behind fast enough. Seven years later, he finds himself taking the Cup home to visit his ex-best friend Asher’s grave. While there he is reunited with January Sinclair, the other person, he left behind. DEEP CHECK is a sweet second chance hockey/firefighter romance.

BEAR NAKED by Katie Kenyhercz. After nine years, NHL Defensman, Bear Thompson, returns home to Bear Mountain Reserve in Canada. He wants to get permission to allow a television crew and outsiders onto the reserve for his day with the Cup in hopes of giving his people some good publicity. However, he needs to convince the Chief/his ex-girlfriend, Aria Paul, that it is in the Mi’Kmaq’s best interest. BEAR NAKED is a charming second chance romance. I loved the cultural aspects of this story.

BODY CHECK by Desiree Holt. NHL Defenseman, Matt Vorchak, is coping with a career-ending injury. He returns home to San Antonio for his day with the Cup, to do some apologizing, and soul searching. He seeks out Lizzie St. John, the girl he walked away from. BODY CHECK is a thought-provoking second chance romance.

BREAKAWAY BROOKE by Angi Morgan. Left winger, Deacon “Tripp” Sanders heads to McKinney, TX for his day with the Cup. Coming from a prestigious family, his life has been threatened. Unbeknownst to him, his family hires bodyguard, Brooke Henderson, to keep an eye on him. BREAKAWAY BROOKE has a bit of a supernatural feel. It is full of action and twists.

UNDER THE MIDNIGHT SUN by Kim Golden. NHL Center, Jonas Magnusson, is recovering from a concussion. He goes home to Stockholm for his day with the Cup; while there he is reunited Mariam Kidane.

IN SKATES TROUBLE (Chicago Rebels, #0.5) by Kate Meader. NHL right winger star, Ford Callaghan, takes the Cup home to Chicago; while there he meets the woman of his dreams, Addison Williams. Unfortunately, she is also the ex-wife of his team’s owner. I adored this story. I will definitely be following the new Chicago Rebels series.

CHECKING YES by Misty D. Waters. Left winger, Cooper Banks, left Dove Harbor, Georgia, after discovering a secret, leaving behind Savannah Jane Scott, the love of his life. Three years later, he returns home for his day with the Cup. CHECKING YES is a delightful second chance romance with many exciting twists.

PENALTY BOX BLUES (a Wild Thing novella) by Robin Kaye. Defenseman, Stryker Gyllenhal, pays off a debt to a friend by taking the Cup back home to Boise, Idaho; while there he is assigned a handler, his ex-tutor and childhood friend, Trish Reynolds. However, he doesn’t recognize her now that she is no longer hiding behind frumpy clothes. PENALTY BOX BLUES is a heartfelt read with a lot of insight and thought-provoking content. This was an adorable story that made me want to check out the Wild Thing Series.

FREE AGENT by Robin Covington. Jamie “DC” Washington has had an eventful year; he just won the Stanley Cup; he is a free agent, and he announced at a press conference that he was gay. While heading to Washington DC, for his day with the Cup, he bumps into his PT Etienne, whom he has been lusting after.

BLADE (B-Squad #2.5) by Avery Flynn. Goaltender, Flynn Kazakov spends his day with the Cup in Snow Bay, The Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Thief, Gillie Pike, tries to warn him that someone is attempting to frame him. BLADE is full of action and twists.

MAKING HIS MOVE by Susan Scott Shelley. Backup Goalie, Rod Fraser heads to New York. He bumps into his sister Kelsey’s best friend, Arielle Charton, who he has had a crush on. He tries to convince her to go on a date with him.

CHECK MY HEART by Christi Barth. Center, Kurt Lundquist, dying little brother Jasper, request that he win the Cup. Ten months later, he won the Cup but Jasper wasn’t around to see it. Kurt runs into Jasper’ nurse Lissette, whom his is attracted to but feels is off limits.

BLOCKED by Heather Long. Bad-boy right winger, Archer Durham needs to clean up his reputation. He becomes involved with pop star Hoshi Sato.

FULL CONTACT by Andie J. Christopher. Left winger, Anders Sorenson goes to Thunderbay Cove in Northern Minnesota. His teammates put a $150,000 bounty on his virginity.

COURAGE by Lena Hart. Coach Mason “The Rage” Courage fights to keep his marriage.

RANSOM by Nana Malone. Right Wing, Ransom Cox is stranded in a cabin in Hope, NY, with his high school crush, Lexa Carlisle. RANSOM is a fun romance.

CAGED by Virginia Nelson. Right Winger, Oliver “Ollie” Tremblay felt obligated to spend his day with the Cup in his hometown. Having bad memories, he left the town as soon as he could. He is reunited with his childhood crush, Maisie Miller. I like how the story flashed back and forth between the past and present.

THE WARM UP by Xio Axelrod. Defenseman, Constantine Zimin just won the Cup, but it is bittersweet because he has no one to celebrate it with. His twin sister died ten years ago; his parents couldn’t make it, and his best friend / teammate Jonas was in the hospital with a concussion. He heads home to Philly where he meets nurse, Sujarta Meriwether.

HOT ON ICE is an amazing read. Fourteen of the authors were new to me. The authors I was familiar with were: Katie Kenyhercz, Susan Scott Shelley, Desiree Holt, and Heather Long. I highly recommend this anthology to anyone that enjoys sports romances. I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book.

View all my reviews

Thursday, January 26, 2017

Hot on Ice: A Hockey Romance Anthology

Good Reads for a Great Cause

Some of the hottest romance authors have banded together to write a hockey romance anthology about a whole team of hockey players who win the Cup and fall in love. Just as awesome is that 20% of the royalties earned will go to the Homes for Our Troops, a nonprofit organization that builds mortgage-free, specially modified homes for severely injured veterans.

You can learn more about Home for Our Troops here: https://www.hfotusa.org. Then pre-order your copy of Hot on Ice for only $2.99! You won’t be disappointed in these 18 hot, sexy stories. Even better, you’ll be supporting a great cause.

Hot on Ice: A Hockey Romance Anthology

The New Orleans Cajun Rage professional hockey team just won the Cup. No one thought they’d do it: they were a team of shoulda beens, never coulda beens and a star or two. They’d only been in the Crescent City for three years before this year’s Cinderella run that had them skating off the ice with the championship. Over the following summer, each player gets to keep the Cup for a day. Nobody knows why, but whoever has the Cup falls in love. USA Today Bestsellers Robin Covington, Desiree Holt, Kimberly Kincaid, Nana Malone and Virginia Nelson, Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller Angi Morgan, along with Xio Axelrod, Christi Barth, Andie J. Christopher, Avery Flynn, Kim Golden, Lena Hart, Robin Kaye, Katie Kenyhercz, Heather Long, Kate Meader, Susan Scott Shelley, and Misty D. Waters bring you 18 romances with smoking hot heroes—both on and off the ice.

Learn more about Hot on Ice here: http://bit.ly/2h6k2cH

Like the team’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/HotOnIce/

Pre-order now on…

Amazon B&N iBooks Kobo

Friday, June 10, 2016

SNOW WOLF by Heather Long: Giveaway

Title: SNOW WOLF

Author: Heather Long

Series: Wolves of Willow Bend #9

Genre: Paranormal/Shifter Romance

Release Date: June 7^th, 2016

Publisher: Self-Published

Digital ISBN: 2940158381683

Synopsis:

Ranae is the youngest of the Buckleys, and the only girl amongst three powerful male siblings. Her restlessness and dominant nature has affected every relationship within Willow Bend, not to mention testing the patience of her Alpha. Apprenticeship to the Hunters fed her desire for a purpose. When her Alpha and eldest brother ask her to undertake a mission to the Yukon territory, she’s thrilled at the opportunity for a real chance to be useful. Clashing with the Alpha was the last thing she expected on the dangerous assignment.

The oldest Alpha in the U.S. packs, lives a gray existence. The loss of his mate so many decades before wears away at him, until he doesn’t give a damn about anything. The problems of the other packs are not his, and he prefers to be left to his isolation. The arrival of the Chief Enforcer annoys him, but it is the wolf traveling with him who wakes the predator in Diesel. The scent of mate clings to her, but she rejects his overtures and challenges him on every level.

Find out more at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

SNOW WOLF by Heather Long

Outlaw Wolves & Defiant Hearts!

War may be coming for the Yukon, but Diesel’s battle is very personal.

Praise for the Wolves of Williow Bend Series:

"ROGUE WOLF is a fast paced, intriguing look into the world of shifters. Salvatore is old world a bit stodgy and Margo is very much new world and on top of that a lone wolf and Enforcer. How is it possible that these two could be mates? In author Heather Long's vivid and fun imagination it's very easy." -- Fresh Fiction

"BAYOU WOLF is in a word ... amazing. All the reader can do is hold on for the ride and enjoy the fireworks." -- Fresh Fiction

“If you love sexy wolf shifters, sweet love stories and action then you have to pick up UNTAMED WOLF by Heather Long”. -- Annetta Sweetko, Fresh Fiction

“It is a great story about finding a place to belong and the love that can follow if you allow it.” – Hart’s Romance Pulse reviewing RIVER WOLF

Excerpt

Riding the high of her nearness, Diesel leaned into the force of her hand on his chest. “I know my mate’s scent. I searched for you all over Willow Bend. Why else would Mason send you?” The moment the words left his lips, he reconsidered the phrasing. Her eyes narrowed and her nostrils flared.

“I’m a Hunter of Willow Bend. I am here to deliver a message from my Alpha—and I don’t care what century you were born in old man, but we don’t arrange matings. You don’t just get to walk in here, thump your chest and say mine.” The ferocious light in her eyes sent a quiet thrill through his bloodstream. His wolf roused to the hunt, every color and nuance sharpening under their study.

“No?” He didn’t want to miss a moment of her reaction. Her dilated pupils constricted even as her mouth tightened. Anger soured her scent and her nails bit into his muscle as he pressed into the contact. Despite a faint tremble, she didn’t shift her grip or attack him. Would she? If he provoked her enough? The idea intrigued the hell out of him. No Alpha wanted a weak mate.

“No.” She withdrew the contact then retreated one step. Crowding closer, he refused to let her abandon him. “Dude…get a grip. I came here to do a job.” A muscle in her jaw twitched. “Or maybe you are trying to prove you don’t hold the Yukon?”

Challenge wound through every syllable. Canting his head to the side, he raised one eyebrow and waited.

“What? Playing crazy, eccentric keeps the other packs at bay and allows you to dictate the terms of your interactions. You don’t want to talk; you walk away or slam a door. You want to shut me down; you declare I’m yours.” Folding her arms, Ranae raised her chin and, although the gold circle on around her gray-green irises faded, it didn’t diminish completely. “It won’t work and I’m really not interested in the games. We have serious issues to discuss with you, Alpha. You can get on board or be left behind to cope on your own should the Russian packs turn their gaze on your territory and your pack.”

Amusement curved through him. Passionate determination etched into her expression. “Our pack will be fine.”

“My pack will be, absolutely. Your pack is debatable.” The aggravation in her scent muted beneath the sting of frustration. “Now you’re baiting me.” Sidestepping him, she tried to put some distance between them. He allowed her three steps before intercepting her again. He wanted her gaze on him, nowhere else. “Seriously, you have a problem.”

“No, I have a mate, but continue telling me why our pack is in danger.”

Pausing, her lips tightened and her eyes narrowed. The curl of her fingers into a fist telegraphed her next move. Would she do it? He pressed into her space, and she rewarded his effort with fresh contact in the form of a blow. It caught him square above his heart, and the second with her elbow connected with his jaw. He accepted both blows, but refused to retreat.

“Your training is incomplete.” Whatever response she’d been expecting, his comment surprised her. “Otherwise you’d understand that two hits will not take down an enraged male, if you want to escape you have to incapacitate or kill.”

“I don’t want to fight you.”

“Wonderful. I have no desire to fight you, but if you need to beat on me to make yourself feel better, go right ahead. I’m very sturdy.”

The corner of her mouth kicked into an involuntary smile, and his breath lodged in his throat, the single glimpse of sweetness a better reward than he could have imagined. “Are you insane?”

“Depends on your definition of sanity.” The tangle of her hair contrasted with the wool of her pullover. How soft would the strands be? When she failed to respond, he reached out to test his theory. She slapped his hand away, and the sting intrigued him.

“Stop.” Command reverberated through the single syllable. “I came here as a messenger, nothing else. Keep your teeth and your hands to yourself. Am I clear?”

In all things, an Alpha could command. He could take a life. He could grant it. Wolves who pledged to an Alpha could be sent into the heart of danger and forfeit all that they owned. The heart, however, could not be commanded nor could he take what she would not willingly give.

His wolf bucked at the rejection, but Diesel withdrew three steps to give her space. Clasping his hands behind his back, he studied the beautiful Hunter before him. She would not tumble easily, nor would she accept his direct pledge. Very well, if he had to learn to court, then he would find what enticed her. “Dress,” he ordered. “Several layers. We will be leaving the guest quarters.”

Expecting obedience, he turned to the entrance and pressed the code to allow Julian entry.

“Are you staying with her or leaving?” Her presence was non-negotiable.

“Since you asked so nicely…” The Chief Enforcer’s expression barely shifted, yet a smirk echoed beneath his words. “I’d be happy to stay.”

Uninterested in the old wolf’s games, Diesel spared his mate another studying look. Ranae gaped at him, and she hadn’t moved a muscle.

“Trust me when I say it will be more comfortable if you get dressed, but if you insist on testing my patience, I’ll happily take care of stripping you first then dressing you.”

The taunt did what the order would not. She moved.

His wolf rose, stretching and raking his claws. Yes, they had the scent of this hunt.

**Other Books in the Wolves of Willow Bend Series:

WOLF AT LAW

Prequel is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | ARe

WOLF BITE

Book 1 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

CAGED WOLF

Book 2 is available for pre-order at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

WOLF CLAIM

Book 3 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

WOLF NEXT DOOR

Book 3.5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

ROGUE WOLF

Book 4 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

BAYOU WOLF

Book 5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

UNTAMED WOLF

Book 6 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

WOLF WITH BENEFITS

Book 6.5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

RIVER WOLF

Book 7 available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

SINGLE WICKED WOLF

Book 7.5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | iBooks

DESERT WOLF

Book 8 is available at** Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

Author Bio

National bestselling author, Heather Long, likes long walks in the park, science fiction, superheroes, Marines, and men who aren’t douche bags. Her books are filled with heroes and heroines tangled in romance as hot as Texas summertime. From paranormal historical westerns to contemporary military romance, Heather might switch genres, but one thing is true in all of her stories—her characters drive the books. When she’s not wrangling her menagerie of animals, she devotes her time to family and friends she considers family. She believes if you like your heroes so real you could lick the grit off their chest, and your heroines so likable, you’re sure you’ve been friends with women just like them, you’ll enjoy her worlds as much as she does.

Connect with Heather: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

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June 6^th

Angel’s Guilty Pleasures Guest Post + Spotlight + Excerpt

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Carole Kittie Reviews Review

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Barbara Book Reviews Review + Spotlight + Excerpt

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Close Encounters with the Night Kind Review

Happy Tails and Tales Blog Review

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Snow Wolf (Wolves of Willow Bend #9) by Heather Long Review

Snow Wolf by Heather Long
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Heather Long’s Snow Wolf is an amazing addition to the Wolves of Willow Bend Series. Willow Bend Hunter, Ranae Buckley, is sent on a mission by her alpha to Yukon territory to warn their alpha, Diesel, about the attacks by the Russian Pack on the U.S. Packs. Once she arrives, Diesel doesn’t plan on letting her go, needing to convince her that she is his mate. This contemporary PNR is suitable for adult audiences.

I loved Snow Wolf. I read a lot of shapeshifter novels. This one was captivating and thrilling. Heather Long does an incredible job with her descriptions making the story easy to visualize. I love Diesel. Being the oldest U.S. pack Alpha, he has a reputation of being old-fashioned and behind the times. Boy did they have that wrong. He is a crafty alpha that keeps his cards hidden. There is a lot more to Diesel then meets the eye. I like how Diesel got his name; I also, like his reasoning for Ranae’s nickname. I enjoyed Renae’s character. She is a strong alpha female. She is trying to atone for past mistakes. She is loyal and loves her family. She is a good Hunter. I enjoyed the ending; I found what Diesel gave to Mason amusing. I look forward to the next book in the series.

Complimentary copy provided in exchange for an honest review.

ebook
Expected publication: June 7th 2016
ASIN: B01EO0I0D0
Edition Language: English
URL: http://www.heatherlong.net/bookshelf/wolves-of-willow-bend/snow-wolf
Series: Wolves of Willow Bend #9

View all my reviews

Saturday, June 4, 2016

Stacking the Shelves #92

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you are adding to your shelves, may it be physical or virtual. This means you can include books you buy in physical store or online, books you borrow from friends or the library, review books, gifts and of course ebooks!

If you want to find out more about Stacking The Shelves, please visit the official launch page!

For Review:

Snow Wolf (Wolves of Willow Bend #9) by Heather Long
Love Song by Susan Scott Shelley
Unchained (Eternal Guardians #8.5) by Elisabeth Naughton
Flight from Mayhem (Fly by Night #2) by Yasmine Galenorn
Faded Perfection (Beautifully Flawed #2) by Cassandra Giovanni
From the Beginning (Prescott 0.5) by Mignon Mykel
Stockholm Diaries, Caroline (Stockholm Diaries #1) by Rebecca Hunter

Bought:

Line Brawl (The Dartmouth Cobras #8) by Bianca Sommerland
Crashing the Net (Crashing #1) by Samantha Wayland
Checking It Twice (Crashing #2) by Samantha Wayland
One Hot Night (Old Port Nights #1) by Samantha Hunter
Save of the Game (Scoring Chances #2) by Avon Gale

Slap Shot (The Blake Boys Book 14) by Rhonda Laurel

What did you add to your shelves this week?

Click here to check out my Giveaways

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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

DESERT WOLF by Heather Long: Giveaway

Title: Desert Wolf
Author: Heather Long
Series: Wolves of Willow Bend #8
Genre: Paranormal/Shifter Romance
Release Date: November 24th, 2015
Publisher: Self-Published
Print Length: 90K
Format: Paperback and Digital
Print ISBN: 978-1-517315-795
Digital ISBN: 978-1-310000-867

Cassius, Alpha of Sutter Butte, leads the most ruthless and dangerous pack in the United States. A pack comprised of misfits who didn’t fit in their previous packs, cast offs discarded by their packs and forgotten wolves who rose to create a pack more than a century before in utter defiance of the order of the day. Sometimes pitiless and cruel, he wants more for his people than a yearly bloodbath as they fight for a new place, a better spot in the pecking order. To change his pack, means to change himself and he will find rebellion on all sides, not the least of which is his own defiant heart.

Sovvan Stark, Omega of Delta Crescent, lives a cherished, beloved life in the center of her pack, a delicate and hard won balance. Though she is not the only Omega, she is the most experienced with the tremors of pack upset when power shifts from Alpha to Alpha. When her Alpha approaches her about Sutter Butte’s request, Sovvan considers the matter for several long months. While she might hold within her the key to helping the Sutter Butte Alpha, the undertaking could very well kill her.

Accompanied by a single Hound, Sovvan begins a journey to help Cassius rebuild the foundation of his pack, but first she will have to transform him…

Available at:

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

Outlaw Wolves & Defiant Hearts!

Sometimes pitiless and cruel, Sutter Butte Alpha Cassius Lucera lives in an ugly world where pack means blood, fights, and hate. To change his pack, he will have to change himself and only one person alive can help him—another pack’s Omega. DESERT WOLF by Heather Long is a story of redemption and fate that shows us how strong the attraction can be when opposites attract. If you enjoyed Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley, you’ll get thirsty for Desert Wolf.

Praise for the Wolves of Williow Bend Series:

"BAYOU WOLF is in a word ... amazing. All the reader can do is hold on for the ride and enjoy the fireworks." -- Fresh Fiction

“If you love sexy wolf shifters, sweet love stories and action then you have to pick up UNTAMED WOLF by Heather Long”. -- Annetta Sweetko, Fresh Fiction

“It is a great story about finding a place to belong and the love that can follow if you allow it.” – Hart’s Romance Pulse reviewing RIVER WOLF

Excerpt

Heat rolled in waves from the blacktop of the old highway. Around him, the desert sprawled in its painted glory, seemingly melting into the horizon where it kissed the sky. The colors streaked past him as he accelerated, blowing past the old trading posts and bypassing the interstate with its smoother surface and promise of civilization in the distance. If one sought to journey through the decades, the old highway east of Holbrook was the place to start.

Sweat slicked his back beneath the leather jacket and the motorcycle vibrated between his thighs. Clocking over a hundred, he barely noticed the machine’s growl echoing his wolf’s. Cassius Lucera del Alba, Alpha of Sutter Butte squinted to catch sight of the town he sought ahead.

Though town was a generous description for the collection of ramshackle structures—of which a filling station with a decrepit market attached and a lone bar were clearly detailed. Time hadn’t forgotten the town, it had left it in the dust by doing a hundred and sixty and never looked back. If the location had a name, no map detailed it, not even Google. The poor bastards didn’t even have a ghost to call their own.

Though they might when he finished.

He didn’t slow until he reached the main drag, all eighty-five feet of it and parked his bike in front of the bar. A handful of vehicles were scattered amongst the cracked pavement and gravel. Three he recognized, two he didn’t. Like the bar, the cars were in sad shape and far more popular in earlier decades. Killing the engine, he dropped the kickstand and slid off his baby. Road dust coated her paint and chrome. With a stroke of his gloved hand over the seat, he promised her a bath later.

Leaving the bike, he strode toward the building. No one moved outside, but one wolf stood inside the filling station. He was a smart wolf, he’d spotted Cassius, yet didn’t reach for a phone or make any move other than retrieving his newspaper and flipping it open.

Inside, the cool air rushed over his sweaty face like a sweet kiss. The scents of stale beer, body odor, remnants of the blood spilled throughout the years, and fear stained the experience. The population of the bar—easily a dozen wolves though Cassius scented at least four more in the back—glanced up from their places scattered around the room. Three played pool, four others huddled around a card game while the rest sat in various spots including two at the bar drinking. A couple in the corner paused with her hand down his pants. The bartender—a tall, broad wolf with a balding pate and a world-weary expression raised his eyebrows in silent inquiry.

“Beer. Cold.” Cassius said, and the bartender nodded. A moment later, he set a tall bottle of Corona on the weathered bar top. The sides frosted and a hint of vapor escaped the top. Condensation formed almost immediately on the sides, slicking along the glass in rivulets.

Stripping off his fingerless gloves first. Cassius set them on the bar. Next, he peeled off his jacket. The old leather moulded him perfectly after the many years he spent wearing it. Only after setting it on the bar next to his gloves did he peel off three one hundred dollar bills and lay them next to the bottle. The bartender didn’t say a word as he took the bills, tucked them into his pocket then locked his register and exited through the double doors behind the bar.

Leaning against the aged wood, Cassius swept the room with his gaze. “If any of you are still sitting on your asses, disobeying the direct orders I sent out when I finish this beer, I’ll kill you.” He didn’t raise his voice. Shouting accomplished nothing. Yelling indicated the battle was lost before it began.

Chair legs scraping across the floor splintered the silence. The couple in the corner disengaged. The she-wolf grabbed her purse as she stood. Boots striking the floor punctuated her exodus. No sooner did the door slam shut behind her than the four wolves playing cards toss them down, abandoning their game. The men muttered, but they divvied the pot, then bowed their heads to him one at a time before hurrying out.

Tipping the bottle up, he took a long pull of the cold drink. It soothed his parched throat. One of the pool players threw down his stick. One of the wolves tried to stop him with a hand on his arm, but he shook it off. Then like the other wolves before him, he hurried out the door.

From nearly twenty to only ten—behind feet stomped on the stairs followed by another door slamming. Make that eight. One of the upstairs wolves strode into the bar, and stood in the center of it. Surprise filled his scent at the emptiness in the room. The others waited, their attention divided between Cassius and Finch.

Stupid fucking name for a wolf. Another long pull from his beer, and Cassius was three quarters finished. One by one he met the gazes of the wolves around the room. The smarter ones lowered their eyes immediately, the dumbasses fought to hold his gaze—even Finch.

Focusing on him last, Cassius studied him. Fresh beads of sweat began to trickle along Finch’s cheeks. The wolf swore, then stomped out and slammed the door with enough force, one of the hinges cracked.

Then there were seven.

**Other Books in the Wolves of Willow Bend Series:**

WOLF AT LAW

Prequel is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | ARe

WOLF BITE

Book 1 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

CAGED WOLF

Book 2 is available for pre-order at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

WOLF CLAIM

Book 3 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

WOLF NEXT DOOR

Book 3.5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | Kobo | iBooks | Google Play

ROGUE WOLF

Book 4 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

BAYOU WOLF

Book 5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

UNTAMED WOLF

Book 6 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

WOLF WITH BENEFITS

Book 6.5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks

RIVER WOLF

Book 7 available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | ARe

SINGLE WICKED WOLF

Book 7.5 is available at Amazon | Barnes & Noble | ARe | iBooks

Author Bio

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Giveaway

Follow the tour on November 24th! Two grand prize winners will receive a $10 digital gift card for Starbucks (Open Internationally) and three grand prize winners will receive a digital copy of a Heather Long backlist of their choosing (Open Internationally).

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