The Harder They Fall
Blake Pride, #3
By JoAnna Grace
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Winged J Press
Cover Designer: Jelaine George
Release Date: July 21, 2015
With two newly mated couples in the alpha house, Conall needs a
serious breather. He’s used to being the fifth wheel but now the distinction is
amplified. When the opportunity for a couple days of freedom arises, he
volunteers to take winter supplies to a mountain-dwelling widow and then spend
some time hiking alone. Plans change when he meets a woman who evokes his
lion’s protective streak and stirs his human desires. She meets none of his
expectations for a mate, but that might be exactly what he needs.
Madelyn has been alone for nearly a decade. Ashamed of what she has
become, she banished herself from the Blackburn Pack and resigned herself to a
solitary life in the mountains. With no plans of change, it’s alarming when a
young, alluring lion shifter arrives awakening her senses and challenging her
situation. Her inner bear is still haunted by the last man who tried to claim
her and she doesn’t want to make the same mistake again. Madelyn must
discern if Conall is worth the risk or of he’s another heartbreak just waiting
to happen.
While Conall is tucked away in the woods with Madelyn, the rest of
his Pride faces an attack. In haste to go rescue his friends, he might throw
the most vulnerable person of all to the wolves. But are they friend or foe?
It was all too easy to let his mind wander, to think about absolutely nothing except for where his paws would land with the next step. The walking path to the cabin was clear if you knew to look for the notches in the trees. He could travel like this all day and not get bored, never tire. Being in the wilderness liberated his lion; the burden he carried behind him only added a minor challenge to his muscular frame.
This was exactly what he needed.
The next four hours passed slowly and quietly,
a vast change from the chaos of the last few weeks. For the first time in a
long time, he turned off his brain and let his lion dominate his actions. His
wide paws navigated the terrain with no problems. His ears alerted him to the
movement of the forest creatures and his nose picked up the various scents of
nature. Conall lost himself into his lion and his human counterpart took a
well-needed mental nap.
Then he heard an angel.
The voice echoed around the woods and he froze
with one paw off the ground. His feline ears perked up. After living with
Vivian Blake, diva extraordinaire, for five years, he knew musical talent when
he heard it. Vivian had the most beautiful voice he’d ever heard…until right
then. Closing his eyes, he crouched down, still as death, to listen. The notes
rose and fell flawlessly on pitch and with incredible ease. Her range was
awe-inspiring. His breath caught in his throat as he listened to her build up
to a note so high and delicate, it caused his heart to soar in anticipation.
The emotion of the words, the love conveyed in every measure resonated in his
chest. Tendrils of melody wrapped around him, gripping him tighter with every
beat. Had he been in human form, he might have fallen to his knees. As it was,
the four legs of his lion shook with the driving need to get closer to the
source of such mesmerizing singing.
He took cautious steps over the crest of the
hill to look upon the cottage set snugly among the evergreens. Green tin roof
and logs made from local timber provided camouflage. Smoke rose from the
chimney; the smell traveling the air currents was divine. Three chairs rocked
on the porch, pushed by the invisible hands of the wind. Although the coming
winter cold had scared them away, it was clear the cottage was usually framed
with flowers. A brown picket fence protected a garden. He envisioned Snow White
singing to the forest creatures as they scuttled around her feet.
Ha, he thought. Any moment now, some old woman
would come outside with a radio in her hand.
He didn’t want the fantasy to end. The lion
closed his eyes and let the gentle voice wash over him. Peace settled in his
chest, a heavy weight dissolved from his shoulders. The notes infiltrated his
veins and he felt absolutely drunk with contentment. Her love song pierced him
and eased each breath he took.
Incredible…
The notes cut off as soon as the wind shifted.
“Who’s there?” chimed an angelic voice. His
singer.
Book 1: Pride Before the Fall
Book 2: Break Her Fall
JoAnna Grace lives in a world of alpha males and strong females
where true love conquers all—at least in her mind! Author of The Divine
Chronicles, the Blake Pride Series, and more, this writer loves paranormal and
urban fantasy romance novels.
From the time she started holding a crayon she began to create
magical worlds. Her first book was a series of pictures about a puppy princess.
The story changed each time she told it, but there was always a happy ending!
Her first written story was about girls who changed into tigers.
Now those stories have become a bit more complex.
JoAnna’s tales are spun at her home in East Texas where she lives
with her husband, three kids, and a couple dogs. When not hiding behind the
computer screen you can find her camping, boating, and shopping.
Sign up for her newsletter to receive information about new
releases, events, and giveaways! www.authorjoannagrace.com
thanks for hosting
ReplyDelete