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Thirteen years ago today, Neil took me on our first date. It was the summer before my freshman year of college, and how was I to know that it was that date and not the prestigious four year institution I was headed to that would change my life?

Today, for me, is a day of gratitude. The last thirteen years have had high highs and low lows, including a bout of homelessness. I woke up this morning to bills waiting for me in my email which I immediately paid without a second thought. I went to the fridge to ponder my breakfast options and had to move things around because after our last shopping trip we’re having a hard time fitting everything nicely in our fridge. Little things like that amaze me. Sadly, I think a lot of you can relate to just how novel an experience those two things are: paying a bill the instant it comes in and having to shuffle food in the fridge to get everything to fit. After a lifetime of food insecurity and automatically tacking the late fee on to bills because I knew the money wouldn’t be in until past the due date, those two things are amazing. And who would have thought that writing would be the key to it all?

This is where the real magic of that first date thirteen years ago comes in. Before writing, I had a successful career in sales. I was good at it, but I felt trapped and like a little part of me was dying. In sales there were good times and bad depending largely on the company I was with and the way they paid out. A great income could disappear with a simple commission restructuring. I left one lucrative position because my ethics wouldn’t allow me to do the things they wanted me to. Sales was what I was good at (I was really just a good listener), but I didn’t love it. Luckily for me, I had a partner who cared much more for me than he did money.

If you’ve followed me for a while, you already know the next part of the story. Neil sat me down and told me he would take care of the bills; all he wanted was for me to write. I’d been writing since I was a child, but I had quickly learned to keep it private. My mother made me feel embarrassed about my writing, and the next time I gained the courage to tell an adult one of my stories, she looked at me like I was a freak. That ended my desire to share what I wrote with anyone. I was around twelve at the time.

I try not to blame the adults in my life for their reactions to my writing. I was raised in an extremely religious home, so the adults in my life didn’t have any clue what to do with a twelve year old who makes up epic stories involving adultery, illegitimate children, and scandal. To them, I was a freak, but to Neil, I was something special. From nearly the beginning of our relationship, he begged me to write. He loves my writing because he knows I love it.

So we struggled through some lean times as I wrote and published, never dreaming that this would ever be a source of income. I eventually took a job with Disney to get out of the house and assuage my guilt over not bringing in an income for the first time in my adult life. Then Measure of Devotion took off. I can still remember where I was sitting at work when I logged into my Amazon account and saw that something amazing was happening.

Neil brought me champagne when he picked me up from my last day at work. To this day, he encourages me to write what I want, what gets me excited. People will love it or hate it, but the most important thing is that it fulfills me. For years I had thought writing was selfish. Neil and I both come from poor families. A responsible adult works at a job they hate in order to pay the bills, right? There’s certainly no place for taking time to write fanciful things. I would have never thought that by doing what I love I’d be able to be both personally fulfilled and financially stable.

Being poor affects you mentally in ways that you can’t even imagine until you’re out of it. After so much food insecurity, it took me years to convince my brain that I didn’t need to eat everything, that there would be more in a few hours and that tomorrow I wouldn’t go hungry. After being homeless, I still do a quick mental evaluation of every city we go to about how hard/easy it would be to be homeless in it should this all go away. And Neil fixes me Velveeta shells and cheese at least once a year because when I was a kid that’s what the “rich kids” ate and we could never afford it, so it somehow feels luxurious even now.

On my thirteenth anniversary, I want to share how important it is to be with the right person. I know writers whose spouses do not support their writing. I don’t understand that, probably because I’ve been lucky enough not to have to live through it. Writing is not the sum total of who I am, but it’s an integral part. It would be the ultimate disservice to myself to spend my life with someone who didn’t love that part of me.

The other thing that I want to share is that the thing you love, the thing that gets you excited, that makes you light up: do that thing. It’s not selfish; it’s self-care. It makes you a better person for your loved ones. Then share that thing with the world. It’s scary. A lot of people won’t like it, most won’t care, but a few people will love seeing it as much as you love doing it. Those people are gold. They are the kindred spirits who make you marvel that among the diverse collection of people on this planet there’s someone you’ll never really know who you’ve made a connection with. Writing is an introverted activity, but publishing my work makes me feel more a part of humanity than anything else I do. It adds a layer of richness to my life I could have never imagined. It has brought people into my life who are friends and inspirations.

So go, do, and share. Relish in that uniquely human feeling of your own insignificance and the simultaneous thrill of being a part of the great fabric of humanity. And maybe when we all feel more a part of this human family, we’ll be a little kinder to each other, we’ll look at the world through a lens of empathy instead of judgement, and the world will be a better place.

Do you love reading New Adult and Urban Fantasy books? Then this is the perfect giveaway for you! 10 New York Times, USA Today and International Bestselling Authors have have teamed up to bring you a SPECTACULAR prize  — a Kindle Fire loaded with 10 bestselling New Adult and Urban Fantasy ebooks! Even better, this contest doesn’t just have one winner, but SIX! One person wins the kindle, and an additional five people will be given all ten of the ebooks in this giveaway. PLUS you can earn unlimited extra entries! Scroll down to learn more about the prizes, or click here to enter:

New Adult and Urban Fantasy Giveaway

The Prizes: One Kindle Fire…

Plus these TEN New Adult and Urban Fantasy Bestselling eBooks!

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Remember, there are SIX chances to win, plus you can earn unlimited entries. So what are you waiting for? Click here to enter the giveaway.

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Do you love reading fantasy books? Then this giveaway is just for you! 50 authors have teamed up to bring you the ULTIMATE giveaway — a Kindle Fire loaded with 50 fantasy ebooks! Even better, this contest doesn’t just have one winner, but SIX! One person wins the kindle, and an additional five people will be given one of the 50 ebooks listed in this giveaway — their choice. PLUS you can earn unlimited extra entries! Scroll down to learn more about the prizes, or click here to enter:

Enter the Fantasy Lovers Giveaway Here

The Prizes: One Kindle Fire…

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Giveaway Announcement!
 
We have 70 Prizes up for grabs at our Facebook Party, including multiple gift cards ranging from $5-$100 or a Kindle Fire! And the prizes just keep coming! Be sure to Join the Party for your chance to win and learn more about the additional prizes we have coming down the pipeline!

Join the scavenger hunt in our Facebook Party for a chance to win free ebooks!

Find the link to the entry form for today’s scavenger hunt secrets in our Facebook Party and enter the following author secrets. Each day two people will be selected to win a free ebook! Follow our blog tour in the party and enter each day’s secrets for more chances to win. At the end of the blog tour, three grand prize winners will receive a collection of 6 ebooks!

Today’s author secrets:

— J.E. Taylor’s Author Secret —

In times of high stress, I have a tendency to dream of things that are going to happen. In high school, when I was under stress from being bullied (my book Silence outlines that time of my life), I started having dreams of people I didn’t know. Just glimpses, nothing major or horrific, just small inconsequential scenes where I was laughing or just hanging out with people I never met. Those glimpses  gave me hope that I had something to look forward to beyond the daily horrors I experienced.

My glimpse dreams have a very different quality to them than regular dreams. It’s like the fabric of time is pulled aside to show me that life will go on. They are crisp and clear and stay with me for a long time and they instill a sense of hope.

When the moment that I dreamed about finally happens, that feeling of déjà-vu is overwhelming and I know exactly what will happen in those few moments. It’s the weirdest feeling in the world, but those dreams helped me understand there was life beyond those four awful years in high school.

Do I still have them? From time to time, but not as often because I’m not under the same type of mental anguish I was back then. It isn’t critical for me to know there is something coming next in order to get me through the day.

My belief that the human mind can reach beyond the five senses is also apparent in my books and lends itself to the world of the paranormal.

— Kyoko M.’s Author Secret —

The first time I ever got in trouble at school was in the 3rd grade when this girl I hated said I was afraid of Piglet (it made more sense as a kid, but I couldn’t stand Winnie the Pooh or anything related to it) and I called her a “pudgy bastard” because I had just seen Men in Black for the first time.

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Today is the day! I am so excited for all of you to finally meet Malcolm, Will, and their whole family. They all have a special place in my heart.

In case you haven’t seen it yet, here’s the blurb:

After the Great Destruction decimated the world, science is the new god. Geneticists rule, instituting a DNA-based caste system in their effort to restore the human genome.

As a Zed, Will’s a virtual slave who isn’t allowed medical care. A tragic accident has left him crippled, awaiting death. Just before his time is up, Malcolm, an enigmatic Alpha with two differently colored eyes, sweeps in and buys him. Will becomes part of a family of freaks—other damaged Zeds who should be dead. Life seems ideal until Malcolm makes a request that could change Will’s life.

Malcolm harbors more secrets than his Zeds could imagine. His attraction to Will unravels his carefully cultivated control, and one secret escapes: he craves pain, not just as a sexual release, but as a way to atone for his past. Will may be the one person who can give him what he needs if Malcolm can only allow him into his heart.

As they struggle to build trust, each secret Malcolm reveals threatens their relationship. In the end, their desire for each other may heal both men if they can unlearn the lessons of the past.

Here are the links so you can grab your copy now:

Amazon US / Amazon CA / Amazon UK / Amazon DE

Apple

All Romance Ebooks

Barnes and Noble

Kobo

Add In Distress to your TBR list on Goodreads

P.S.

For those of you who have read the Measure of Devotion trilogy, there’s a really cheesy Easter egg in In Distress. Enjoy!

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Mark your calendars: the release day for In Distress is just one week away! Pretty soon you’re going to meet Malcolm, Will, and their family. I can’t wait! To help pass the time, I’m posting a sneak peek of the first chapter. Enjoy :).

Blurb:

After the Great Destruction destroyed the world, science is the new god. Geneticists rule, instituting a DNA-based caste system in their effort to restore the human genome.

As a Zed, Will’s a virtual slave who isn’t allowed medical care. A tragic accident has left him crippled, awaiting death. Just before his time is up, Malcolm, an enigmatic Alpha with two differently colored eyes sweeps in and buys him. Will becomes part of a family of freaks—other damaged Zeds who should be dead. Life seems ideal until Malcolm makes a request that could change Will’s life.

Malcolm harbors more secrets than his Zeds could imagine. His attraction to Will unravels his carefully cultivated control, and one secret escapes: he craves pain, not just as a sexual release, but as a way to atone for his past. Will may be the one person who can give him what he needs if Malcolm can only allow him into his heart.

As they struggle to build trust, each secret Malcolm reveals threatens their relationship. In the end, their desire for each other may heal both men if they can unlearn the lessons of the past.

Chapter One

Will adjusted his back against the metal bars of his cage, welcoming the cool touch of steel against his hot skin. It would have been nice if the cage had at least one solid wall to lean against. Instead, it was fashioned like a giant bird cage, and the metal bars were a bitch on sore muscles. Of course, they weren’t really meant for long-term use. Their sole purpose was to display Zeds to shopping Alphas like zoo animals. If all went well, a Zed would spend a few days, maybe a week, in one of these cages before being carted off home with an Alpha. That was how it was supposed to work, but in the back room of Emporium, it wasn’t so simple.

A flash of pain shot up Will’s left leg, and he winced as he shifted position. He could barely look at the twisted mess of a limb. His leg was the reason he waited in the back room instead of out front. He looked around the room at the other cages. The most undesirable of the undesirables stared back at him with no hope in their faces. It was easy in this stuffy room to see why the Alphas and Betas viewed Zeds as less than human. Everyone in the back room had some deformity, something that made their resale value plummet—something that made it all right in the eyes of the law for them to be quietly disposed of if they weren’t sold within a month.

The air chilled, and goose bumps rose on Will’s flesh where sweat had been a moment before. He scrambled to his feet along with the others in their cages. If the climate control was being activated, it could only mean one thing: an Alpha was approaching to do some shopping. As he stood, the goose bumps spread without the huddled warmth of his body. He wore a pair of tight gray shorts that barely covered him, displaying his scrawny frame and mangled leg. He hadn’t been attractive before the accident, and he certainly wasn’t now. In a few more days, one of the handlers would pull him from his cell, and he’d finally learn how Zeds were disposed of. Was it a nice, quiet injection? Will scoffed. He knew better than to hope for such mercy at the hands of the Alphas or even the Betas who operated Emporium. More likely, he’d be tortured, and then when he happened to die, it’d be a nice little “oops” that no one would have to account for. Yeah, that was more in line with how New Cali worked.

Will was so lost in his dark thoughts that he almost missed the shadow of a man who strolled into the back room like a regular visitor. Not only was he silent as a shadow, he resembled one. Thick, straight black hair curled slightly at the ends. A smartly tailored black suit complete with black dress shirt clung to his tall, perfect frame. Not too bulky, but not skinny either. He sported the build of a man whose muscles were strictly for show. Like most Alphas, he probably hardly had to work to maintain that physique.

The man made his way from cage to cage, examining each inhabitant with a silent, cool gaze. Will steeled himself when the Alpha reached him. He stared straight back into the man’s eyes, trying his damnedest to show that he wouldn’t be judged by his deformity. The man didn’t even seem to notice. Gazing into the Alpha’s eyes, Will had to keep himself from jerking in surprise. Staring back at him were two differently colored irises: one ice blue and the other amber. He never thought he’d find such an apparent flaw in an Alpha, and Will took a little satisfaction in seeing it before he died.

The man finished his inspection and went to a Zed who must already belong to him. She appeared to be in her late thirties—old for a Zed in personal service—and was well-attired in a modest, bright blue dress that appeared to be made out of real cotton instead of synthetic fabric. She was the exact opposite of her Alpha. From a distance, she could have passed for a Beta if it weren’t for the metal collar encircling her neck. She must hold some sentimental value to her owner for him to keep her so long.

Will leaned against the bars of his cage. He would have sat back down, but there was no way for him to do so with dignity, and he wasn’t about to show an Alpha even a smidge of weakness. Will wished the man would just pick who he wanted and leave so he could get back to his morbid thoughts. He knew this man was just one more prick he didn’t have to worry about belonging to. The Alpha hadn’t looked at Will any longer than the others, and Will wasn’t the only one to meet his eyes. There was nothing to distinguish him from the other offerings.

The Alpha leaned down and whispered into the woman’s ear. She snapped her head around to look at him with what appeared to be disapproval and pursed her lips before nodding. He swept out of the room as quickly and quietly as he had entered.

“That one.” The woman’s voice seemed loud in the silent room.

Will startled to see her finger pointed directly at him. His stomach sank, and he tried to keep the shock from his face. Who knew what she’d report back to her Alpha about his reaction. Their Alpha. Will hadn’t ever expected to be owned again. I was so close to it all ending. If only he’d had the courage to take care of it himself before he’d been brought to Emporium. He should have done it the day that damn horse broke his leg.

The tall, unpleasant Beta who was on shift in the back room unlocked Will’s cage. Will ignored the Beta’s helpful hand as he stepped out. There was no way he would appear weak in front of the Zed woman.

She sighed. “What’s your name, boy?”

“Will.”

She flinched slightly at his name, and her eyes narrowed for a moment. “How old are you, Will?”

“Twenty-three.”

She tsked, as if his answer didn’t please her at all, then turned to the Beta. “If you’ll send the invoice to my tablet, I’ll transfer the credits.”

“Payments must be authorized by the purchasing Alpha.” The Beta sneered.

“I have the authorization code. Let me worry about doing my job. Or if you like, I can go get my Alpha to come back in here. I’m sure he’d be thrilled to explain to a Beta how to do his job. We’ll see how long you keep that job and how long Emporium will keep my Alpha’s business if this is the kind of hassle he has to put up with here.”

Will could’ve sworn the temperature dipped a few degrees. He bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smiling. Under different circumstances, Will might have even liked her. The Beta murmured under his breath, something about barren Zeds getting above their caste. Nonetheless, he went to the data screen in the corner of the room as the woman withdrew a glass square the size of her palm from her pocket. She swiped her thumb across it, and the glass unfolded into a rectangular tablet. It was common for Zeds to have tablets in order to assist their Alphas, but Will had never seen a Zed with a Glass Tab before.

“There. Did you get that confirmation? Or do I have to come show you how to find it?”

“I have it here. I don’t need an arid bitch mouthing off at me. You’re free to go.”

Will bristled. It was a low blow to insult a Zed for being sterile, as if they had any choice.

“Come along, Will.”

Will followed her to a side door. It was no surprise Emporium didn’t want him exiting through the front, soiling the appearance of all the young, attractive Zeds on display. As they passed the Beta, whose name Will had never heard, he couldn’t help throwing him a dirty look, not only for his insult to the woman, but for his complicity in Will’s imprisonment.

Outside the side door, a sleek black and chrome bullet car waited. The woman opened the door and gestured for Will to get in. He scooted all the way over, and the woman followed. As soon as the door closed, the car took off without a word or glance from the Alpha behind the wheel.

Will’s nerves crawled up his stomach. The others had told him not to stare down Alphas, that some of them liked that, and the ones who did relished the challenge of breaking Zeds to their wills. Will wouldn’t let that happen. Before this man could do too much damage, he’d provoke him to kill him, or he’d off himself somehow. There was no way he’d die in misery as an Alpha’s plaything.

No use thinking about it. In moments of honesty, Will doubted he had the nerve to follow through. It was nice to imagine he had that kind of control over his life. However, it was best to not make too many assumptions. After all, the man clearly had a soft spot for the woman beside Will. She was pretty in her own way. Her long brown hair was thick and straight. Dark blue eyes kept casting worried glances at the driver.

The silence in the car felt taut, but the man to whom Will had been sold didn’t seem to notice. He kept his eyes on the road, veering in and out of traffic with the kind of clipped movements that made it seem like he only just kept his anger in check. Will wondered why he didn’t fly or use the autopilot if the traffic bothered him so much. Only Alphas had clearance to disable autopilot and drive manually or fly if they wanted. Maybe it was a good sign that he was keeping to the streets. If he wasn’t showy with his vehicle, there was a chance he wouldn’t be showy with his Zeds. Reserved. That was the word for it. This Alpha seemed entirely too reserved. With any luck, that was a good thing.

Will lost track of time as they sped out of the city. He tried to relax and enjoy the relative safety of the drive. The green of the suburbs faded, and the barren wastes spread out before them. Eventually, they ended up outside a large concrete wall. Will craned his neck, but the wall extended out of sight in both directions and rose over twenty meters tall. The blue light of the security net crackled and flickered in the air. So the wall wasn’t exclusively to keep Betas and Zeds in or out; it was also to protect against other Alphas. Interesting. Will had never seen a compound anywhere near as massive as this one.

Giant steel gates opened to allow the car to pass. Inside, the drab scenery instantly transformed into manicured lawns, neat walkways, and well-kept flower beds, like an idyllic park, with houses interspersed throughout. The car approached a hill on which perched a mansion that looked like something from before the Great Destruction instead of the modern homes of most Alphas. Underneath the house, wooden garage doors opened to admit them. The bullet car pulled in next to six other cars, all flashier than the one they were driving.

“Welcome home.” Something sounded off about the Zed’s voice, but Will was too distracted by his appearance to puzzle it out. The man was huge, barrel chested with rich, dark brown skin, much darker than the light tan hue of the people of New Cali. Will had never seen a foreign Zed before. He knew some Alphas liked that sort of thing, but importing was a hassle and pretty rare.

Will’s new owner strode past the Zed before Will or the woman could even get out of the car. “Take care of him, Kaleana.” He never broke his stride or glanced back. Within a few steps, he was inside and out of sight.

Kaleana shook her head at the big man, and he got back to work on one of the other cars. “Come on then, Will. Do you need any help?”

Will exited the car. “No, I walk just fine.” His leg was twisted, not missing.

Kaleana simply raised an eyebrow and turned to go inside. Will followed, trying to mask his limp as much as possible. Walking felt like a novelty after three weeks in that cage. Once his leg stopped sending shocks of pain through his body with every step, he paid attention to where they were going.

Will felt his eyes widen. He didn’t know why he continued to be amazed by the wealth the Alphas held. The floor was marble: gray, black, and white swirls polished to a clean shine. Old-fashioned light fixtures hung from the ceiling without an embedded light in sight. The walls above the chair rail were upholstered with white fabric with a black filigree pattern, and below, the colors of the fabric were inverted.

Kaleana disappeared around a corner, and Will hurried to catch her as she ascended a narrow staircase. The steps presented something of a challenge, but he settled into a rhythm. They passed the first floor, and on the second, Kaleana led him to a thick, rich wooden door. The dark wood of the doors was an interesting contrast to the stark walls, and the gold doorknob was carved with the Alpha crest of the New Cali nation-state. It seemed a work of art in itself. Will had no idea where such an elegant door would lead.

Kaleana opened the door, and Will followed her inside. A large mattress with stark white bedding rested on an intricately carved black wooden frame. The furniture was all black and white with a few polished metal accents. It was the cleanest place Will had ever seen.

“This is your room.”

Will shook his head, thinking something must be lodged in his ears. “Excuse me?”

A smile played at the edges of Kaleana’s lips. “You heard right. There’s a bathroom through the door over there.” Kaleana nodded toward the far right corner. “There’re some clothes in the closet. We’ll get you some new ones that fit better.”

Will’s mind raced. A private bathroom? Clothes specially made for him? His new Alpha must have some weird sexual kink that attracted him to deformed Zeds. It was a basic fact that Zeds either did hard labor that was too dangerous for Betas, or they served as sexual or entertainment companions. It was clear which situation Will had landed himself in. He couldn’t decide if it was a good thing.

“Do I share this room with another Zed, ma’am?”

“No, and there’s no need to call me ma’am. It’s just Kaleana. There’s a Glass Tab by the bed that you are free to use. It has limited access at the moment. Now, there are very few rules in this house, which means there’s no excuse not to follow all of them. You’re to keep yourself clean. Your meals will be taken with the rest of the boys.”

“The rest of the boys?” When Kaleana had said he wasn’t sharing the room, he assumed that meant there were no Zeds other than the man in the garage in the house. It didn’t make sense to give each his own room.

“Yes. There are seven, including you.”

“And what are they all here for? What are my duties?”

“To do as you’re told. Now, stop interrupting.” Will got the distinct impression Kaleana would rather be somewhere else. “Breakfast is at eight o’clock every morning. Lunch is at one, and dinner is at six. Keep yourself and your room tidy. There is to be absolutely no fighting with anyone else. As long as you don’t cause trouble, you should fit in well here. This is a nice home. You’re very lucky. Do you have any questions?”

He had hundreds of questions, but Will was smart enough to wait until he found the right time—and the right person—to ask them. Only one matter left him with too much curiosity to ignore. “The Alpha, what’s his name?”

Kaleana fully smiled for the first time, her face softening around the creases next to her eyes. “Malcolm.”

Go ahead and add In Distress to your to be read list on Goodreads and sign up for my newsletter to get an email reminder when it’s available. Make sure you click the confirmation link in the email you’ll get from CaethesFaron.com, otherwise you will not be subscribed.

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I’m so happy to finally be able to share the cover for In Distress with you guys! For this cover, I went with an artist that I haven’t worked with before, Ravven. I was completely captivated by her work and was thrilled that she had the availability to work with me. The entire process was so much fun.

In Distress will be released some time in August. I had announced an exact date earlier, but it’s looking like it’s going to be a little later than initially planned. Here’s the blurb, and I’ll be posting the first chapter in the coming weeks.

After the Great Destruction destroyed the world, science is the new god. Geneticists rule, instituting a DNA-based caste system in their effort to restore the human genome.

As a Zed, Will’s a virtual slave who isn’t allowed medical care. A tragic accident has left him crippled, awaiting death. Just before his time is up, Malcolm, an enigmatic Alpha with two different colored eyes sweeps in and buys him. Will becomes part of a family of freaks—other damaged Zeds who should be dead. Life seems ideal until Malcolm makes a request that could change Will’s life.

Malcolm harbors more secrets than his Zeds could imagine. His attraction to Will unravels his carefully cultivated control, and one secret escapes: he craves pain, not just as a sexual release, but as a way to atone for his past. Will may be the one person who can give him what he needs if Malcolm can only allow him into his heart.

As they struggle to build trust, each secret Malcolm reveals threatens their relationship. In the end, their desire for each other may heal both men if they can unlearn the lessons of the past.

I can’t wait for all of you to meet Malcolm and Will! I’ve completely fallen in love with these two men. I’m already hard at work writing more of their story.

Be sure to sign up for my newsletter and follow me on Facebook so you know when it comes out. After you fill out the form below, you MUST click the confirmation link in the email you will receive from CaethesFaron.com in order to subscribe. If you don’t click the link, you will NOT be subscribed.

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Add In Distress to your TBR list on Goodreads.

 

 

 

So what do you guys think of cover? Are you as excited as I am for this new book? Let me know in the comments below!

 

 

 

In this prequel to Haunting Echoes, see how Jocelyn and Michael first met, fell in love, and what led to the events of Haunting Echoes.

Buy now: Amazon US / CA / UK / DE / Apple / All Romance / Barnes and Noble (coming soon) / Kobo

If you haven’t read Haunting Echoes yet, grab your copy now to see what all the fuss is about! Here are just a few review excerpts:

★★★★★ “Superb technical writing made Haunting Echoes a literary masterpiece. I’m so glad I had the opportunity to review it for a blog tour. I wound up purchasing a permanent copy because I can’t imagine not revisiting this in a year; knowing there will be more of Michael and Amaia? That thrilled me almost as much as this story did which is saying something.” -Shandra, This Redhead Loves Books blog

★★★★★ “Paranormal WOW! I absolutely LOVE paranormal romance and this one has reached the top of the list. Haunting Echoes is quite a long read, although it does go by quick. I didn’t want to put it down … the kids can cook for themselves, right? HA!” -M. Schwartz

★★★★★ “I first discovered Caethes Faron when I read her Measure of Devotion trilogy. Such an amazing series! When I saw she released Haunting Echoes, I knew I had to get it! Haunting Echoes is the best paranormal romance I have read in a long time! I could not put it down. The writing and the characters were amazing! I loved Amaia! If you love paranormal romance then you HAVE TO read this book!” -Dani J.

Looking for a hot new m/m read?

Be on the lookout in the coming weeks for the cover reveal of In Distress as well as other exciting announcements!

News and announcements

August 8th and 9th I’ll be at Indie Bookfest in Orlando. It’s actually in the Downtown Disney area. Admittance is free on the 9th and just $27.50 on the 8th. If you’re in the area, drop on by and be sure to let me know! I’d love to meet as many of you as possible. (http://indiebookfestcon.com/)

Authorgraph You can now request an autograph for any of my ebooks by going to https://www.authorgraph.com/. This is brand new for me, so please be patient as I figure it all out :).

Facebook reader group I’ve started a group on Facebook for my readers to hang out, discuss the books, make recommendations, and get exclusive tidbits about what I’m writing. Come join the fun by going to https://www.facebook.com/groups/1423462121274062/.

Thank you all for your support! I hope you like Fates Entwined. I’m already looking ahead to the third book in the Haunting Echoes series and In Distress, the first book in my new m/m series.

Want to help spread the word? Leave a review on Amazon and/or Goodreads and let others know how much you like the books. It’s the best way to help other readers discover a new series!

The reviews are starting to come in for Haunting Echoes and here’s what they have to say:

Paranormal WOW! I absolutely LOVE paranormal romance and this one has reached the top of the list. Haunting Echoes is quite a long read, although it does go by quick. I didn’t want to put it down … the kids can cook for themselves, right? HA! [...] You MUST pick up this book and find out for yourself. I read this book in roughly 10 hours, because the pages and chapters just flow. The fact that the story takes place hundreds of year ago only adds to the incredible story line. Trust me when I advise you to go and one-click it today. Happy Reading! XOXO -Michelle, Battery Operated Book Blog

As I was reading, it struck me several times how well written this book is. The character build up is great and the storyline draws you in. -Amazon reviewer

So if you haven’t picked up your copy of Haunting Echoes yet, do it now (Amazon US / UK / CA / Apple / ARe / B&N / Kobo), because…

Fates Entwined, the Haunting Echoes prequel, is going to be released July 10th!

After centuries of searching, Lawrence has found the perfect person to help him birth a new race of vampires: Jocelyn, the girl he’s groomed to be the most powerful courtesan at the court of King James. Everything goes according to plan until Michael Barwick arrives at court and threatens everything.

Michael abandoned his life at sea in order to take his place as Baron Barwick after his brother’s death. Overwhelmed by his duties, he’s eager to leave court until Jocelyn sits across from him in a tavern. The intriguing woman soon has him opening his heart to her, and he’s prepared to fight for a place in her life.

Jocelyn’s desire for Michael, the one man who has ever fought past her professional façade to truly love her, threatens her independence. When Lawrence offers her the gift of eternal life, she must choose between the man she loves and the freedom she’s struggled for.

Fates Entwined is a prequel and is intended to be read after Haunting Echoes.

Here’s a peek at the first chapter:

Lawrence admired the amber and gold music box on the parlor mantle while he waited for Jocelyn to join him. A delicate golden elephant twirled as tinkling music floated through the air. The superb craftsmanship impressed even him, and he wondered which of her clients had gifted it to her.

Lawrence noticed Jocelyn’s energy brushing against him, reaching out to him, before he heard her steps on the stairs. Her aura enveloped him in its warmth, the strength of its touch bringing a smile to his lips. The approaching young woman was unaware of the magnificence of her energy. Her ignorance made her all the more attractive, as did the fact that she was his. He had taken her raw talents and molded her into his most successful courtesan.

“Lawrence, sorry to keep you waiting.”

“Not at all, my dear.” Lawrence kissed her on each cheek then held her at arm’s length. “You didn’t have to doll yourself up for me.” Jocelyn’s dark blue dress with black lace trim brought out the shine in her auburn hair. A simple blue ribbon with a golden, heart-shaped charm accentuated her slender neck.

A young maid entered with a tea service. Without having to be told, she served Lawrence a cup with two lumps of sugar and a little cream. After handing Jocelyn her cup, the girl left as quietly as she’d come.

“How is Anne faring?” Lawrence blew on his tea. The maid was new to Jocelyn’s service and hoped to someday be a courtesan.

“Well enough. I don’t know if she’ll make anything of herself, but she’s pretty.”

“You should know that it’s not the looks that make the girl.” Jocelyn was beautiful in her own way, but there were plenty of women more attractive than her at court. Her eyes were hazel instead of the more desired blue, she refused to cover her auburn hair with fashionable blonde dyes or wigs, and her bosom was smaller than most men preferred in their paid company. But appearance could only take a girl so far.

“She’s eager to learn, but she lacks patience.” Jocelyn took a sip of her tea.

“If she’s not suitable, we can find someone else. There’s no lack of girls wanting to learn from you.” Lawrence’s tea was sweet, but it didn’t sate his thirst. He would need a real drink once he left Jocelyn.

“Let’s give her some more time. I’ve grown used to her.”

Lawrence nodded. “How was your night with the Marquess of Buckingham?”

“George was wonderful, as always.”

She held something back. There was a way she held her mouth and eyes, as if trying to prevent her emotions from showing. It worked well on clients, but Lawrence wasn’t a client. A decade spent studying her as he’d raised and trained her had attuned him to her physical tics as well as her energy. “He offered to install you as his official mistress, didn’t he?”

Jocelyn sighed as she placed her teacup on the table and faced Lawrence. “Yes, he did.”

“And you weren’t going to tell me?”

“Why would I? I have no intention of accepting.”

Of course she didn’t. She would never give up her independence to anyone. Lawrence was the exclusive holder of her strings. “Still, I should think something that momentous would warrant at least a mention.”

“He knew what my answer would be. If I’d accepted, he would have lost interest. My refusal didn’t appear to dampen his affection. He’ll be here next Tuesday. I’m entertaining a few people to discuss The Pennylesse Pilgrimage by John Taylor.”

“Good. I’ll put it on the calendar. Now, why are you looking so desirable tonight?”

“I was thinking of going to King’s Head.”

“You don’t have to go looking for business at the inn, dear. You’re more than welcome to take the night off. You have a masquerade the day after tomorrow.” It was no surprise that she was eager to exert her independence after having it threatened. The Marquess was a good man who genuinely cared for Jocelyn. He might even love her. He would have seen his offer as security for Jocelyn, but she would only see it as another man trying to control her. She had Lawrence, and he had done a good job of convincing her he was all she would ever need.

“I know, but it’s fun. I promise I won’t overwork myself. You need to stop worrying, Lawrence. I’ll be fine. I enjoy the change of pace away from court.”

“Then have fun. You’ve earned it.”

•••

Lawrence licked Jane’s neck, his mouth watering in anticipation. A gentle pressure in his mouth released his fangs. The razor sharp teeth sank into Jane’s skin, releasing the warm flow of blood. Thicker than water, sweeter than wine, it slaked his thirst. The warmth brought life. Stolen life.

Lawrence released her neck. Jane was one of his favorite whores. While Jocelyn’s success afforded her a private residence, his other girls lived in the brothel, servicing the crowds drawn by Hampton Court Palace. Lawrence had his own home, but he was rarely there. He preferred to make use of his suite in the brothel, where he could keep an eye on his girls and all the comings and goings. He didn’t mind Jocelyn’s independence. He wouldn’t dream of using her services himself. She was too important to him.

Lawrence kissed along Jane’s breasts until he reached the other side. As always, his victim was unaware of his actions. The venom in his fangs masked the pain. Jane would only feel a light pressure and sucking sensation. Nothing out of the ordinary in her line of work. He descended once again on her neck, taking a little more.

Once Jane finished him off, sating more than just his thirst, she swayed drowsily to her room. Lawrence rose. For him, a bed’s only purpose was fucking. He had not slept in more than two centuries. He sauntered to the bookshelf, trying not to think of what he couldn’t have. Selecting the most recent medical treatise, he situated himself in his worn armchair to read.

It took effort to concentrate on the words in front of him. Jocelyn was almost ready. He longed to feel her blood on his lips, sliding down his throat, to taste its tangy sweetness. But it wasn’t feeding he craved. No, the feeding would only be a precursor. She would be shocked by the truth of his existence, but he didn’t doubt she would join him. He would pour her blood back into her. Mixed with his venom, it would transform her into a vampire. His first daughter.

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