To
Mate a Wolf
Shifters
of the Claiming Kind, Book
2
by Jordan
Ashton
Genre: Erotic Alternative
Paranormal Cowboy, M/M, shape-shifters
Publisher: Siren Publishing * Date of Publication: October 2014
ISBN: 978-1-63258-432-8 * ASIN: B00P89X9CO
Number of pages: 93 * Word Count: 21,486
Cover Artist: Harris Channing
Book Description:
Evan Michaels has just become the
mob’s number one target. They want him dead before he can tell the police what
he knows. When the Brooks brothers, five kind and brave wolf shifters, offer
their aid and protection on their cattle ranch, Evan jumps at the offer.
Chandler Brooks opened his home to
Evan Michaels, a cute half-lynx who was in dire need of his and his brothers’
protection. But he never imagined he’d open his heart, too. All this time he
thought an eternal mate didn’t exist, until Evan came into his life. He tries
to win the frightened and cocooned half-lynx’s heart and make him his life
mate. But a past lover returns, determined to ruin any chance Chandler has at
love and happiness.
Can Chandler make Evan trust him
and open his eyes to the everlasting love that exists between them, while
protecting him from a hidden and deadly danger lurking nearby that’s ready to
strike?
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When they got to
the range, Chandler removed his hat and rested it on a wooden post, then
waltzed up to a magnificent black horse. Patting its black mane, he said, “This
here is Wanda. She is a thoroughbred. I bought her from our neighbor Sal
Winfred. He owns several racehorses. She’s too old to race competitively
anymore, but she’s perfect for us.”
He turned to get
the burgundy leather saddle resting in the corner of the stall and hauled it
over her, securing the straps on both sides.
Jumpy and fearful,
Evan stammered, “D–do you have a super slow pony I can ride instead?”
Chandler laughed,
his pearly white teeth sparkled in the beaming afternoon sunlight. “Wanda is
the slowest and tamest we have, I’m afraid.”
Evan’s armpits
began to perspire with his apprehension, and he really regretted wearing this
light blue T-shirt which turned dark blue when it got wet. Soon he’d be a
sweating slob. And if he lost his grip on Wanda and landed on his ass or his
face in front of his dreamboat hunk, well, there went any chance of making a
good impression.
“All right. I–I
guess I have no choice but to ride her,” he stuttered.
“I’ll be riding
with you, if that reassures you.” He gave him a slanted, flirty smirk.
Panic and
excitement twirled around Evan like a tornado, making him anxious and super
uneasy. He hoped he didn’t forget to put on deodorant after coming out of the
shower, because with all the sweating he was doing, he’d start smelling like
the horse they’d be riding pretty soon.
“Unless you prefer
to go solo…” Chandler tilted his head to the right.
Evan shook his
head. “No, believe me, the last thing I want to do is ride Wanda solo. I’m
scared I’ll hurt her or she won’t like me and hurl me off.”
Chandler held out
the stirrup, grinning. “No, she would never do that to you. She likes you a
lot. You’re a super likable guy, you know.”
Evan blushed as he
put his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself onto Wanda. Her wide girth
had his tense inner leg muscles stretching.
Once he was
settled, he absorbed Chandler’s words. You’re a super likable guy. Was that a
good thing or a bad? Was he likable as in he could be a good friend? Or was he
likable as in a boyfriend-boyfriend relationship? He hoped Chandler meant the
latter.
After Chandler
positioned himself behind him on the horse, he wrapped his arms around Evan to
reach for the reins. Evan lost his breath when Chandler’s nose tickled the back
of his neck through his stretching movements. His heart raced fast. He could
feel its pulse in his throat.
“Sorry about
that,” Chandler apologized.
“It’s okay.” Evan
squeaked and coughed, trying to clear the nervousness from his throat.
Chandler’s cologne
smelled sweet, alluring, and very familiar. Was it Drakkar Noir he wore? Before
he could ask him if it was, Chandler squeezed Wanda’s sides, and she began to
gallop slowly.
Evan gasped.
“You okay?”
Chandler’s warm breath caressed and tickled Evan’s ear and cheek.
“Yeah,” he
mumbled, trying to get a grip on his raging hormones and stop his churning
stomach.
Wanda continued to
gallop at a steady pace. Soon Evan’s drumming heartbeat settled to its natural
pace as his fear began to subside. He stared out at the vast grasslands. It was
breathtaking. He’d only witnessed this type of view in movies or still life
photos, but never in real life.
As if reading his
mind, Chandler said, “It’s thirty acres. My parents started this ranch some
thirty-one years ago. They had just moved to Oklahoma when someone told them
that this place was being sold through an auction. The previous owner had
passed away. He had no kids or wife, or any other family who could inherit it,
so it went to the state upon his death.
“They got it at an
amazing price. My brothers and I have always lived here. It’s the only home
we’ve ever known.”
Evan sighed
slowly, still admiring the land. “And it’s beautiful.”
Chandler nodded,
gazing around as well. “Yes, it is.”
After a moment’s
silence, Evan turned to stare into his eyes. He said, “Felix told me your
parents died when you were only twenty-one and you had to look after your four
younger brothers all by yourself.”
Chandler stared
back in silence. He wasn’t smiling nor frowning, and he seemed to simply be
thinking. Evan wondered if he was remembering the past and how it must have
been hard for him to have so much responsibility put on his shoulders at such a
young age.
“Yeah, I did. I
also had to take care of the ranch. It was really difficult at first,
especially with Bane, my hardheaded brother. It isn’t easy for two alpha wolf
shifters to get along. And at that time he was a rebel, to say the least. But
we all found a way to get along and work together.”
Staring deeply
into Chandler’s eyes, Evan said in a soft, low voice, “You’re remarkable.”
Chandler chortled.
“Thanks. No one has ever called me that before.” His laugh turned to a soft
smile. “And so are you.”
Blushing once
again, Evan lowered his gaze. “No, I’m not. I was never like you. I wasn’t a
responsible person or caring of others. I was the opposite. I let my brother
and my mom down.”
Chandler gently
touched his chin, lifting it so Evan’s eyes would meet his. “You were young,
and didn’t know any better. But now you do and have changed. So stop putting
yourself down and be proud of who you’ve become. Evan Michaels, you are one
remarkable, handsome, amazing guy.”
He leaned in, joining his warm lips to Evan’s. Electricity traveled through their contact, taking Evan’s breath away.
He leaned in, joining his warm lips to Evan’s. Electricity traveled through their contact, taking Evan’s breath away.
About
the Author:
Jordan Ashton is a writer and wife
whose passion for reading romance novels led her to writing them, too. She
believes love can conquer all and that it makes the world go round, not money.
Her heroes, heroines, and the worlds she creates bring this belief to life. She
is and will always be a true romantic at heart.
Bookstrand: www.bookstrand.com/jordan-ashton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_J_Ashton
Tour
Giveaway Prize:
$50 Amazon Gift Card and An ebook
copy of books 1-5 in the Shifters of the Claiming Kind series
Thanks so much for featuring my book and giveaway on your blog this month. I appreciate it. :)
ReplyDeleteLoved the excerpt! Thanks for sharing, I can't wait to read this one.
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