REVIEW: Here's to Tomorrow (Here's to #1) By, Teagan Hunter

Today I am sharing my review of the first book, Here's to Tomorrow, and some teasers from the HERE'S TO series by Teagan Hunter. Each book in this series is available to read for FREE in KindleUnlimited. Check out buy links below to grab your copies now. 

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Here's to Tomorrow (Here's To, #1)

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Book Blurb:

SEXY SINGLE DAD ROMANCE!

HUDSON

When I became a single father at seventeen, I knew my path wasn't going to be easy. Hell, sometimes it sucked. Year after year, I tirelessly busted my ass until my business was booming. Until my daughter was happy. Until life? It was good. Settled. But sometimes being settled is overrated. Boring. Especially when a little excitement walks through my door in the shape of Rae Kamden. With her sarcastic mouth and smartass comebacks, she's the type of girl still sowing her wild oats and not looking to settle. Not with a guy like me.

RAE

I've been stuck in this small town since I was a child and nothing is going to keep me here. Not anymore. Done being tied down, I'm out of here the first chance I get. This town can kiss my ass goodbye. I'm twenty-two. Single. Unwilling to settle. But if I did? It wouldn't be with Hudson Tamell. So explain to me why the moment he looks up from under the hood of my car, the sarcastic replies on my lips come out sounding sweeter. Why does he make me want to settle down, right here, with him? That's not what I wanted. But maybe it's what I need.

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*Review*

This is the first book in the Here’s to series. This is one of the first books I have picked up from this author and it turned out to be an ok book. While I didn’t absolutely over the moon love it, I didn’t hate it either. It has its touching moments and for my tastes it also has its problems but I found myself enjoying this book by the end. The characters were lovely and the writing was good. The story seemed to have a “shiny” quality to it in the beginning that I wasn’t sure I was enjoying but the “shiny” coating finally fell away there were real characters and a real story that you love.

Rae and Hudson have their meet cute and the connection starts there. The author didn’t waste any time in having us feel the connection that these two characters had. Hudson was a great father. Sweet, attentive, and really all about Joey. Joey herself was a great addition to the story. I lived for her moments in this book. Rae is sassy and a normal young person not looking for anything serious or to even settle down. I got that and I loved watching her journey falling in love with Hudson and Joey. I was worried that her career dreams kind of just fell to the wayside though.

Like I said this series is the first I have picked up from Teagan and I think I will continue to read them. If you are not a fan of super sweet and soft reads this book isn’t for you. I love sweet books as long as I don’t get bored. I felt myself, in the first half, get bored with the pace but I held on a stuck through and Teagan ended up doing an amazing job. There are some issues that I felt just got brushed away that should have been addressed but maybe we will get the answers in the other books through the other characters. The “shiny-ness” fell away and we were left with a real story filled with love and real characters. I am definitely going to be picking up the rest of the series because the interactions with the secondary characters were awesome as well.

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Here's to Forever (Here's To, #1.5)

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Book Blurb:

HUDSON 

I've been living in a blissful bubble for nearly a year now. Everything with Rae is perfect, and I feel like we're on the fast track to forever.Then I go and do something stupid and suddenly we're speeding toward Splitsville. Well, to be fair, I've been doing something stupid. I just haven't had the balls to tell her about it. It could break us. Or make us stronger. I'm only hoping she sees things my way... 

 RAE

I never anticipated my life looking like it does, living with my boyfriend and his eight-year-old daughter. But here I am, happier than I could have ever imagined. Until Hudson screws it all up, telling lie after lie after freakin' lie. But he thinks he's "doing the right thing". He doesn't see things my way... How am I supposed to say yes to forever when I can't even trust my tomorrow? Maybe this was all a mistake...

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Here's to Yesterday (Here's To, #2)

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Book Blurb:

You're not supposed to fall in love with your boyfriend's brother...

HER

My entire life has been "perfect" for as long as I can remember. A loving family, a boyfriend who adores me, and anything I wanted, I got. But it was all a lie, a façade. My family isn't loving, my boyfriend is more interested in my body than my mind, and it turns out money can't buy happiness. I've felt lost and stuck for far too long. Then, everything changed when I was least expecting it. It wasn't supposed to happen. Not with...him.

HIM

I want to make one thing clear: I saw her first. Not that it makes anything okay, but it's true. The moment she walked into my line of sight, I knew she was something special. I could see past the mask she wore, could see right down to her soul. I recognized instantly that she needed a friend...and it just so happens I did too. So, I wormed my way in. Took her out on the town, forced her from her solitary existence. Together we grew brave, stepped outside the boxes we'd been placed in. Walked a thin line between "just friends" and something more. I just didn't mean to fall in love with...her.

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Here's to Now (Here's To, #3)

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Book Blurb:

VEGAS WEDDING WITH A TWIST...

My life is full of regrets. I've screwed up more times than I can count, but I've spent the past several years atoning for my wrongdoings. I'm finally in a good place, ready to move on and step into the role waiting for me. Then Haley Kamden comes crashing into my life, throwing me yet another curveball. Our relationship is one misadventure after the next. It's explosive in all the right ways, and so are we. But I have baggage, and a lot of it. I'm just hoping she can handle it...

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AUTHOR INFORMATION:

TEAGAN HUNTER is a Missouri-raised gal, but currently lives in North Carolina with her US Marine husband, where she spends her days begging him for a cat. She survives off coffee, pizza, and sarcasm. When she’s not writing, you can find her binge-watching various TV shows, especially Supernatural and One Tree Hill. She enjoys cold weather, buys more paperbacks than she’ll ever read, and never says no to brownies. For more information, please visit www.teaganhunterwrites.com.

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EXCERPT REVEAL: Everything Under The Sun By, Jessica Redmerski

Today we have the blog tour for Jessica Redmerski’s EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN. Check it out and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: Everything Under the Sun

Author: Jessica Redmerski

Genre: Dystopian

About Everything Under the Sun: 

Thais Fenwick was eleven-years-old when civilization fell, devastated by a virus that killed off the majority of the world’s population. For seven years, Thais and her family lived in a community of survivors deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. But when her town is attacked by raiders, she and her blind sister are taken away to the East-Central Territory where she is destined to live the cruel and unjust kind of life her late mother warned her about.

Atticus Hunt is a troubled soldier in Lexington City who has spent the past seven years trying to conform to the vicious nature of men in a post-apocalyptic society. He knows that in order to survive, he must abandon his morals and his conscience and become like those he is surrounded by. But when he meets Thais, morals and conscience win out over conformity, and he risks his rank and his life to help her.

They escape the city and set out together on a long and perilous journey to find safety in Shreveport, Louisiana. Struggling to survive in a world without electricity, food, shelter, and clean water, Atticus and Thais shed their fear of growing too close, and they fall hopelessly in love.

But can love survive in such dark times, or is it fated to die with them?

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About Jessica Redmerski:

Jessica Redmerski is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author, international bestseller, and award winner, who juggles several different genres. She began self-publishing in 2012, and later with the success of THE EDGE OF NEVER, signed on with Grand Central Publishing/Forever Romance. Her works have been translated into more than twenty languages. Jessica is a hybrid author who, in addition to working with a traditional publisher, also continues to self-publish. Her popular crime and suspense series, In the Company of Killers, has been optioned for television and film by actor and model William Levy. She also writes as J.A. Redmerski.

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EXCERPT: “IT WASN’T SUPPOSED TO BE THIS WAY.”

It wasn’t supposed to be this way. I was supposed to travel with him until he got me out of Lexington City and then I was to make a run for it, kill him if I had to—but I didn’t. I was supposed to stay with these people and leave Atticus to do what he wanted, go where he wanted, without me—but I couldn’t. I was supposed to be afraid of him not only because of the terrible man he was when I first laid eyes on him, but also because he was a man—but I wasn’t. I wasn’t afraid of him.

I was afraid for him.

I was afraid of being without him…

“Thais?”

I looked up; my bottom lip quivered.

“I will wait for you,” I said, trying to be strong. I wiped my tears, swallowed hard and nodded.

Atticus dashed outside, pushing the barn door out of his way. Seconds later he came back with the horse. He tossed the quilt we’d slept on the night in the barn, over the horse’s back. Then he went over to the backpacks, stepping around Rachel’s unconscious body, and shoved everything back inside. He helped my arms into the straps of the larger backpack.

Fitting his hands on my hips, Atticus hoisted me up and set me on the horse; I grabbed a hold of the horse’s reins.

“Stay out of sight of the house,” he said as he fitted the smaller backpack and his jacket between my legs. “And cut through the woods there”—he pointed toward the back of the barn—“that’s west; just keep as straight as you can in that direction, but don’t leave the woods.”

I nodded.

He walked with me outside the barn, stopped to look out at the flat land beyond the highway where those who were coming for us would likely be, and then led me around the barn. The deep woods beckoned me out ahead; I couldn’t help but feel intimidated by them, as if they were some kind of final leg of our journey—or the beginning of my journey alone.

Steadying my breath, I looked down at Atticus once more, transfixed on his intense blue eyes, the sculpted shape and rough texture of his handsome face, and I couldn’t imagine at this point never seeing it again.

“I’ll come for you,” he promised.

Tearing my gaze from his, I faced forward and tightened my grip of the reins. 

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REVIEW: Blind Love (Cowboy and Angels #5) By, Kelly Elliot

Harley and I had our whole lives planned out, until her plans changed, and those plans didn’t include me.

After years spent trying to get the love of my life out of my head and repair my too-damaged heart, I thought I was finally moving on…but life sure has a funny way of letting you know when those best-laid plans are about to be turned upside down.

My entire world was rocked when Harley unexpectedly moved back to Oak Springs. Every miserable moment I’d spent trying to get over her and every hour I’d wasted trying to erase her from my life came back to haunt me the minute she walked into my office, fear in her eyes, and asked me for help. Would I…or better yet, could I walk away from her this time after all that she had put me through?

What I really needed to know is would I be able to forge ahead with the future I had so meticulously planned—one that didn’t include Harley—or will her return finally open my eyes to a future full of endless possibilities?

“The silent resignation on her should’ve been my first warning, but I was only imagining our future…all the while choosing to ignore our present.”

Kelly Elliot. Those are really the only two words you need to hear from me to know that this book was amazing. Kelly Elliot has a talent for writing love stories that pull you in and make you feel every emotion possible. Harley and Tripp have a second chance at love and you better believe I wanted to be there for every minute of it. I haven’t read the other books in this series, but Harley and Tripp made me want to know about these other couples and the other family members.

“All my problems would have to wait. Tonight was all about the perfect love story-two characters who were destined to be together forever. Something I thought I knew about…once upon a time.”

Let’s start with Tripp. The poor guy had the women of his dreams and on the path to the career he always wanted. The only thing he forgot to think about it the woman he wanted to make his partner. Tripp lost the love of his life in one night and it closed him off. I loved Tripp right from the start. He is sensitive, loving, and down right hot. Don’t get me wrong, he makes mistakes, but he pays for them. Tripp grows and matures. He becomes his own person with the support of his family and Harley. Tripp is also stubborn which makes him frustrating during a lot of this book.

Harley frustrated me. She left the love of her life behind to save him from himself. Which is a very selfless thing to do but I was sad for Tripp. No matter how much understood why Harley did what she did. Harley was a strong character for the most part. She owned a lot of her own problems. Harley wasn’t a character that tried to push the blame on Tripp or anyone else. She took ownership and that was impressive. The only thing that bothered me about Harley was that I don’t think she really fought for Tripp. She explained herself, she told him how she felt, but then she left everyone else to fight for their love story.

            “Its’s always been you, Harley. Always. And it will be for the rest of my life.”

I started reading Kelly Elliot when Wanted came out. I fell in love with her writing then and it has only grown and gotten better. There used to be things that I needed to over look to enjoy her books but now I devoured every word. She created tension that both drove me crazy and kept me in the story. I think I may have hidden my phone and read during work. Oops #sorrynotsorry. Kelly Elliot will always be worth it. This story will have a special place in my heart. It definitely went to the top of my second chance romance books. The story was sweet, romantic, but also had some steamy moments. Read this. Like yesterday.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women and beautiful surroundings.

Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Broken, Without You, and Unconditional Love, to name just a few.

Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.

Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, daughter, and two pups. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys reading and spending time with her family. She is down to earth and very in touch with her readers, both on social media and at signings.

To find out more about Kelly and her books, you can find her through her website.

www.kellyelliottauthor.com

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EXCERPT REVEAL: Begin With You By, Claire Burgoa

Today we are celebrating the release of the first title in Claudia Burgoa's Chaotic Love duet! BEGIN WITH YOU is now live (99 cents till Monday!) and the second book in the set, BACK TO YOU, releases August 9th.

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Begin with You by Claudia Burgoa

Chaotic Love, #1 - Available Now

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Synopsis:

From the outside, Abby’s life looks like a fairytale. Loving family, wealthy lifestyle, education at a prestigious university. The truth? She’s barely managing to survive. Few know the nightmare she lived before she was adopted. And no one knows the secret agony that still haunts her nightmares. With a degree from Berkeley, she could have gone anywhere, but she’s back in Colorado. Not for a fresh start—fresh starts are only an illusion—but for Wes Ahern. Her protector, who throws around words like “therapy” and “talk to me.” Her brother in every way but blood. The one man she wishes could be so much more. Maybe, just this once, she can stop running from her demons. But does she dare let Wes see inside the darkest closets of her pain…or will love be the biggest mistake of her life? An inspirational and emotional contemporary romance Begin with You is a heartbreaking tale of fresh starts and old wounds. This jarring and dark novel will leave readers at the edge of their seats. This is part one of a duet, thus containing a cliffhanger that leads into the next installment. It contains references to childhood trauma, kidnapping, and PTSD.

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Back to You by Claudia Burgoa

Chaotic Love, #2 - Coming August 9

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Excerpt!!!

I take a deep breath before knocking on Abby’s door. Mom’s words continue to ring in my head.

Make her fall in love with you.

“Hey,” she opens the door slightly, staring at the rose I’m holding.

“Are you on your way out?” She switches her gaze from the flower to my face several times. “I thought you texted me inviting me to dinner.”

“Dinner is ready,” I announce, grabbing her hand and kissing it.

“What’s going on, Wes?” She eyes me suspiciously.

I hand her the rose and pull out the blindfold I have in my pocket. “Do you trust me?”

She nods and closes her eyes.

“Hold onto my hand and walk with me,” I whisper in her ear, kissing the back of it.

She shudders and sighs. I’ve got no idea how to gauge her reaction. I should’ve started with something simpler—a simple date, like a movie and some pizza. We walk toward my place, and I direct her as we go up the stairs and out onto the terrace.

“This is exciting. It reminds me of the last time you took me bungee jumping,” she says with a laugh. 

“I feel like we’re back in China and Sterling is begging for his mommy.”

“He’s such a baby,” I say as I take off the blindfold, kissing her bare shoulder.

“This is so much better than Macau.” Abby smiles at the table but then frowns and looks at me. “But as lovely as it is, I’d prefer to eat in the kitchen.”

“Why?”

“Maybe you don’t see it, Wes, but this—” she points at the table. “—is a romantic gesture. A dinner for someone you’re dating. Not for—”

“Not for a woman who I’m hoping will give me a chance to show her that I like her more than as a friend?”

Her eyes open wide, her lips part, and I’m almost sure she’s holding her breath.

“Look, maybe this is too straight forward, but constantly keeping in how I truly feel about you is hard. Too hard. Every night I go to bed wishing that I was with you.” I bare my soul.

“You do?” she whispers, her brown eyes shining.

I caress her cheek, and she closes her eyes, breathing deeply. She opens her eyes and stares at me for a few beats. Then she moves her mouth, but only a soft whimper comes out.

“What are you thinking?” I press my thumb over her creased forehead.

She’s unsure about something. My words? My feelings? What can I say or do to convince her that 

I’m serious—that I want more with her.

Only her.

“I mean every word that I just said, Abby.” I cup her face with my hands lowering my head.

“Wes,” she says with a sigh, her arms encircling my waist.

“Shh,” I murmur, covering her mouth with mine.

A spike of electrified excitement rushes through my body the moment her mouth opens for me. I stroke her tongue, discovering her mouth, tasting her for the first time. I drink from her, sucking the shaky moans coming from her throat. She shivers as I press her closer to my body.

“God, you taste like an angel,” I mumble against her sweet mouth.

I nip at her lip, sliding my hands down her back.

“Is this real?” She finally finds her voice.

“Why wouldn’t it be?”

“It seems too easy, Ahern. I come back, and you sweep me off my feet proclaiming that you want more.”

“Well, it was time to own up to my feelings,” I confess giving her a quick peck. “Ready to eat, my lady?”

I release her and pull out one of the chairs for her. As she sits down, I catch her hesitation. Did I imagine the intensity of our kiss?

“What’s going on?”

“I don’t know … it’s this feeling of dread thumping along with my heart.” She shrugs. “I guess I’ve never dated before. There’s this uneasiness inside my stomach, like something is whispering: ‘enjoy this because it might be the last time you smile.’ ”

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Claudia is an award-winning, international bestselling author. She lives in Colorado working for a small IT company, managing her household filled with three confused dogs, two daughters wrought with fandoms and a son who thinks he’s the boss of the house. And a wonderful husband who shares her love for all things geek. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.  

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EXCERPT REVEAL: Dark Alpha's Hunger By, Donna Grant

We are beyond excited to be sharing an excerpt from Donna Grant's DARK ALPHA'S HUNGER with you today! DARK ALPHA'S HUNGER is the highly anticipated 6th installment of the Reapers series. If you're a fan of paranormal romance, you're going to want to get your hands on this!

 

About DARK ALPHA'S HUNGER

Dark Alpha's Hunger is the sixth paranormal romance novel in New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant's Reapers series featuring a brotherhood of elite assassins who wage war on the Fae at Death's behest--and the women who change their hearts. There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you… Where Death leads, I follow. Nothing will stop me from my duty – not even the darkness that claims me. It’s the music that leads me from the dark, returning me to my brethren and a new foe that has risen. Learning who hunts Thea could be the key to unraveling what we need to know to defeat our enemy. The Half-Fae’s music stirs a passion within me that I’ve never known. For her, I will break my vow of silence. For her…I will risk everything.

Add DARK ALPHA'S HUNGER to your Goodreads TBR here!

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Excerpt:

Even over the noise of the city, Eoghan heard the violin. As soon as the first strains of the song reached him, everything else faded away. He couldn’t ignore the music any more than he could stop using magic.

He hadn’t known what drew him to Dublin—until he heard the strings. The closer he got to the pub, the more the music seemed to wrap around him, tugging him near. And holding tightly.

Eoghan didn’t mind. In fact, he sought out the sound. He needed to know who played the instrument. Was it the pretty woman who’d helped pull him through the portal? Or someone else?

Remembering Rhi’s words about his eyes, he called forth a pair of sunglasses and put them on before entering the tavern. The place was packed with people as eager as he was to hear more of the music. 

He shouldered his way through until he found a place near a wall. Normally, this kind of crowd sent him the other direction, but tonight, he didn’t think of leaving.

As soon as his gaze landed on the woman swaying as she played the violin, he inwardly smiled. Her blue hair wasn’t something he would ever forget. The mix of various shades of blue suited the tempestuous nature he’d glimpsed in her gaze the night before.

She had her eyes closed, completely lost in the music, moving from one song to another without missing a beat—as if she were performing for the notes, not the people. Slow or fast, it didn’t matter. 

The woman had serious skill.

Then again, he expected nothing less from a Halfling.

He eyed her black jeans encasing long legs and the black lace, long-sleeved shirt that scooped low in the front to reveal just a hint of cleavage. The black, high-heeled boots elongated her legs.

There was a flash of sparkle through her hair. Eoghan then spotted the mismatched earrings through the strands. One was a crown that hung from rhinestones, and the other a scepter.

Some might argue that her blue hair and shiny jewelry drew attention, but Eoghan knew the truth. 

Most only saw her hair or the solid black clothes and looked away in disgust or stared at her tresses, trying to figure out the exact shade. Few ever really noticed her face.

It was the perfect disguise for a half-Fae wanting to blend in.

Compared to her bandmates who were eating up the attention of the crowd, the Halfling was almost removed from it all. As if she preferred solitude but endured people in order to share the music that fell as easily from her as breath.

Eoghan’s lungs seized when she suddenly opened her eyes and locked gazes with him. Even from a distance, he knew those orbs held every shade of brown imaginable from a mix of raw umber and caramel to flakes of dark brown.

There was the slightest parting of her lips to let him know she recognized him. Now that he knew she was the one who had led him out of the darkness as well as pulled him through the portal, he owed her a great debt—one he feared might never be repaid.

He intended to cast magic that would alert him if she were ever in danger from humans or the Dark, but especially from Bran. He planned to do it as he followed her home.

When the band played their last song and walked from the stage, Eoghan made his way to the back of the pub to wait. He knew as soon as the door opened that it was the Halfling before she even stepped out.

He hadn’t planned to talk to her or even let her know he was near, but then he looked at her face. The next thing he knew, he’d spoken. The words sounded rough and raw, even to his ears.

Her head swiveled to him, and he walked from the shadows straight to her. The soft curve of her lips when he told her that he was in her debt made his blood heat. It took a moment for him to realize that it was lust that burned through him. It had been a long, long time since he’d felt it.

Memories from the night before as he’d covered her body with his when the dolmen exploded filled him. He recalled the softness of her body, the warmth of her skin. The smell of mint from her hair. He wanted so badly to touch her that he fisted his hands.

Death had sent him on a mission. Already, Eoghan wasted valuable time seeking out the Halfling. He needed to cast his magic and leave.

But she was near enough to touch. By the stars, it had been too many eons since he’d last yearned for the touch of another. If only the Halfling would raise her hand to his cheek or even his shoulder. 

Anything.

So long as she put her hand on him.

“I’m Thea. Thea Keegan,” she said. She raised a brow. “And you are?”

He parted his lips to answer when something materialized behind her. The Dark smiled at Eoghan. 

Without hesitation, Eoghan grabbed her against him and spun, bending over her and acting as a shield so the force of the magic landed on his back.

Blistering pain zapped through him as ball after ball of magic pummeled him. There was no time to fight the Dark, not with Thea. He glanced at her before he teleported both of them away to the roof of a building.

His knees gave out, pitching him forward. Eoghan caught himself with one hand and struggled to keep from falling on top of her.

“You can let go,” she said.

His muscles were locked with pain. It took a couple of tries before his arm finally released her. She moved from beneath him and climbed to her feet. Eoghan dropped his head and used both hands to keep from falling on his face.

“Dear God,” she murmured from beside him.

He closed his eyes and let his body heal the wounds. The Fae’s magic ate away at his skin, muscle, and bone like acid. One of the perks of being a Reaper was faster healing, as well as stronger magic than other Fae, but that didn’t make the pain any less excruciating.

The minutes ticked by without another sound from Thea. She remained beside him, and he could only imagine what was going through her head. Though he was immensely grateful that she wasn’t bombarding him with questions.

When most of the throbbing diminished to a level where he could breathe easier, Eoghan rocked back onto his haunches and rested his hands on his thighs. Then he opened his eyes and turned his head to her.

Thea’s face was a mix of panic, alarm, and curiosity as she set her violin case by her feet. Her brown eyes held his as she squared her shoulders. “I believe you were about to tell me your name.”

No hysterics, no demands, no fear. The more he was around Thea, the more he liked what he saw.

“Eoghan.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Eoghan. I don’t suppose after what happened last night and just a moment ago that you’d feel the need to fill me in, would you?”

He rotated his shoulders, stretching out his newly healed skin before he removed the remnants of his shirt. Then he climbed to his feet and used his magic to replace the garment with another.

Thea’s eyes briefly widened, but she stood her ground and waited.

“Why do you color your hair so?” he asked.

She hesitated only a minute before replying. “I like to do something different.”

“It’s not to keep other’s eyes off your face?”

Her brows snapped together. “How . . . ? Why would you ask that?”

“Those like you either embrace who they are or hide. The hiding seems to be instinctual, I’ve found.”

“Those like me?” she repeated, her frown deepening. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Eoghan looked out over the city. He really wished Cael or one of the other Reapers were there to tell her. He was never very good at imparting such news.

“Eoghan,” she urged.

His gaze swung back to her. “Why do you dye your hair?”

This time, she didn’t pause in answering. “Because people look at it and not my face. And before you ask, I don’t know why I don’t want others to look at me.”

“It’s because you have Fae blood.”

She swallowed nervously and dropped her arms. “I see. Did I bring us up here?”

“I did that.” When she stared at him blankly, Eoghan sighed. “You’re getting a crash course in this, and I’m sorry about that. I’m a Light Fae. The man who attacked us in the alley is Dark Fae. You can spot them because of their red eyes and the silver in their black hair.”

Thea nodded slowly, her face blank.

“I had no intention of telling you any of this. I was going to leave, but the Dark showed up.”

S

he continued to nod, her face folding into anxious lines.

“Are you understanding me?”

“You’re Fae. I’m half-Fae.”

He lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Aye. That’s the gist of it.”

“I need more.”

Eoghan ran a hand down his face. What she wanted was for him to talk more. After so many millennia of silence, he was finding it difficult.

“Do you not want to tell me?” she asked.

He shook his head. “Until you pulled me from the portal stones, I went a very long time without speaking.”

“Oh.” She shoved a lock of hair from her face. “If it’s too much, then don’t—”

“The Fae come from another realm, but our civil war destroyed vast parts of it. Most have chosen Earth as their home. Ireland, in particular. The Light Queen takes the north, and the Dark take the south.”

Thea blinked, her lips forming an O.

“I’m part of an elite team who is hunting a rather nasty Fae bent on slaughtering Death. Aye, Death is a person,” he said when he saw the question fill her eyes. “Bran has become a nuisance that has to be stopped. He was the one who sent me to that other realm with a beast that was hunting me. I heard your music and followed it right to the doorway the Halflings and Druids built eons ago to go between realms.”

She blew out a long breath. “I think I need a drink.”

“It’s the mention of the Druids that got you, isn’t it?” he teased.

Her look of disbelief faded as she rolled her eyes. “You don’t look like someone who jokes.”

“I’m not, but you looked like you needed the distraction.”

She smiled, laughing softly. “I did. Tell me how you know I’m part Fae?”

“You’ve the look of us. It’s your beauty, but a Fae always recognizes another. Does no one in your family know?”

Thea hunched her shoulders as she shivered against the cold. “I’m an orphan.”

“So am I.” He wasn’t sure why he told her that. It was a part of his past that he rarely thought about. 

“We should get you out of the night air.”

She looked at his outstretched hand. “You brought us here, right?”

“I did. And I’m going to take you wherever you want to go.”

“Really?” she asked with a tantalizing grin. “Anywhere?”

He nodded. “Anywhere.”

“I want to see the pyramids of Egypt.”

Eoghan kept his hand out and waited for her to take it. She studied him as she reached for her violin case. As soon as her palm slid into his, he teleported them to the great pyramid.

“Bloody hell,” she murmured and stumbled back, nearly dropping her case when she spotted the monuments.

He steadied her with a hand as her head tilted back to take in the grand structure before her.

“You really are Fae.”

It had been a long time since Eoghan was around anyone with so much enthusiasm. He was supposed to be finding the other Reapers, though Death hadn’t told him how to do that. But he couldn’t seem to leave the beautiful, beguiling Thea just yet.

Her head turned to him. There was a huge smile on her face as her eyes sparkled with excitement. 

“I’ve always wanted to travel. The pyramids have always fascinated me. Thank you for this.”

The smile that had begun to form on his face died when he spotted the veiled Fae about two hundred yards away. A quick glance around showed five more.

It looked as if he didn’t need to find the Reapers. They had found him.

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About DONNA GRANT

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her "totally addictive" and "unique and sensual" stories. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children and an assortment of animals in Texas. Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Goodreads