Author: Rachel Walter

Title: True Connection

Series: Soul Mate, #1

Pages: 526

Genre: Young Adult Paranormal

Date published: July 12, 2013

Synopsis:
'It's going to take a fight, I know that. But it's more than just a fight for my life. It's a fight for my soul and my soul mate.'


Jazzy Williams is not your average coffee-loving teen. She's struggling with her grief, her famous uncle’s fans, an overprotective big brother, and a depressed mother, all while trying to make friends at her new school. In the first week, she meets a gorgeous green-eyed hottie who turns out to be more than just some high school crush - he's more than human. And she unknowingly enrages a very dangerous breed of immortal who wants her soul or life as payment. With the help of supernatural friends and protectors, Jazzy thinks she's safe until what remains of her family is put in danger. Does Jazzy have what it takes to save her family, life, soul and soul mate, or will all be lost?

*Warning* Mature Content. This contains some profanity, mild sexual situations, innuendoes, and violence. Recommended for ages 16 and up, depending on maturity level.

“Let’s go, preferably before my uncle tries to talk to us about the birds and the bees,” I say. I’m surprised I can even keep my face straight.
            “Hey!” Leland shouts, as he enters the living room with an unmistakable look of mischief on his face. “Invite your friend in for a minute. I promise I won’t say a word about the diapered years, or how you used to-” he’s cut off. “Oomph!”
I look over to see Henry laughing in the corner, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out he tossed his football and hit Leland in the gut.
I laugh. “Thanks, Henry!” I look at Seth. “Come in, I guess. Welcome to the nut house,” I say loud enough for Leland and Henry to hear. “This is Leland, and the munchkin is Alex. And you already know Henry. Leland, this is my friend, Seth.”
            “Pleasure to meet you, sir,” Seth says to Leland. He shakes his hand and squats down to Alex’s level. He tickles Alex, making him giggle. I can’t help smiling at their interaction.
            Leland sets us free after a few minutes. He just wanted to remind Seth to do the speed limit and that I have a curfew. He also slipped in a “I know people, you can’t hide,” warning.
“Where are we off to?” I ask.
            He opens the passenger door for me. “I thought we could head out to Lake Arthur. Maybe rent a boat,” he tells me, before shutting my door. I watch him walk around the car and get in. “I know you like water, and it’ll be quiet enough for privacy. We’ll have plenty of time for you to ask all the questions I’m sure you’ll have.” He winks at me as we travel down the road.
            A bundle of nerves seems to lodge in my throat, preventing me from saying a word in response. He and I… Alone… Privacy… The words swirl in my head, making me grateful that I’m already sitting.
To give me time to collect myself, I pull out my phone and let Leland and Henry know where we are headed.
NO! Come back, that’s too far! – from Henry.
Have a good time at the lake Jaz, ignore your brother. – from Leland.
            Swallowing my panic and giddiness, I decide to lighten the mood. “Do you really want to talk or are you just using this as an excuse to get me to go on a date with you?”
            “I do have some fairly important things to discuss with you, but if you’d like, we can save it for another day and make this a date,” he answers, while not taking his eyes from the road.
            “Fine, talk first. If you’re lucky, I might give you my number.” I laugh.
            “I don’t need your number,” he says quietly.

Author: Neeny Boucher

Title: Back of Beyond

Pages: 316

Genre: Young Adult Romance

Date published: March 20, 2016

Synopsis:
Dina Martin and Nicholas Riley are total opposites. She's the good girl with the perfect grades and he's the bad boy with a reputation. Growing up together with close family ties, they have been at war as long as they can remember. When the unthinkable happens, neither of them wants it. Set in a small town at the turn of the millennium, this story is about family and friendship, the love of music and how sometimes who you don't want, is exactly who you need.

Chapter One: Teenage Dirtbag
September 1999
Dina
“Prissy. What are you doing here?”
Dina Martin’s heart sinks. Nicholas Riley’s unnerving green cat eyes measure her and find her wanting. Pretentiously called by his last name, Riley lounges on the door of her family garage with one leg up behind him. Dressed for the river with a towel wrapped around his neck, his long dark hair is tied up on his head.
Avoidance competes with irritation. “I live here,” Dina sighs. “What are you doing here?”
Peeling his lanky frame off the garage, Riley stands in front of her. “Waiting for Johnny, your cool brother. You didn’t think we were here for you?”
His words leech confidence, but Dina’s mind focuses on the plural. Cars are parked on the side of the road, filled with the beautiful people from high school. She shrinks.
Lighting a cigarette, Riley blows smoke at her through his pouty, sullen lips.
“Um, health,” Dina snaps. She waves a hand, but the smoke keeps billowing. “You look like a blowfish.”
Riley laughs, a real one. Her internal alarm rings. Narrowing his eyes, he jabs a finger. “There’s something different about you.”
Dina does a quick tally. She’s gotten taller and is nearly fifteen. Her opinion of Riley is low, but he isn’t stupid, and his powers of observation are acute, albeit cruel. “Really?”
“Yeah,” Riley grins. He points at her chest. “It looks like your boobies finally came in.”
Heat bursts on Dina’s face and her palms go sweaty. Puberty was monstrous. One moment she was as flat as a board and the next, “C” cups sprouted like giant fungi. She cried and tried binding them in the hope they’d go away, but Mom made her stop.
Dina’s mind shies away from the next scarring encounter. The one where she was marched shame faced and head down to be poked and prodded by old ladies. When she returned home with bras, no one was allowed to mention it.
Defensively folding her arms across her chest draws a derisive snort from Riley. Tears start at the corners of Dina’s eyes, but she blinks them away. “Snitched on anyone lately?”
Riley’s mouth quirks up at the corners. “Are you still pissed about this summer? I saved your life.” He winks, tapping her on the arm. “You can thank me later.”
Dina’s hand tingles as Riley bats his eyes at her. “Pissed? I’m not sure that fully encompasses the depth of my annoyance and your hypocrisy.”
“Oh,” Riley mocks. “You’re a little grudge holder, aren’t you? Was it the grounding?”
Very bad words are on the tip of Dina’s tongue, but she swallows the obscenities. Her father is strict on matters of propriety and she is in enough trouble as it is. “Ironic, isn’t it? You, the juvenile delinquent. The worst behaved person I know, snitched on us. Shouldn’t you be getting ready for juvie right now? Does it have semesters, or does it go all year round?”
Riley’s eyes narrow. He bites his bottom lip. “I didn’t get you grounded for the other stuff. Who are you going to blame for that?”
Dina’s head rocks up and their eyes lock. Her heart beats a steady drum against her ribcage. The urge to somehow hurt him dances in her mind.
“Back off my sister, Riley,” Johnny warns, hitting Riley on the arm. Lithe, unruly, black hair with a Celtic cross tattoo that got him grounded, her big brother is one of her favorite people in the world. He’s also Riley’s best friend.
“And, you.” Johnny grins, wagging a finger at Dina. “Stop picking fights.”
He charges down the driveway, but Riley loiters, walking backward. His cat eyes glitter and he drops his index fingers. “See ya. Wouldn’t want to be ya.”
Dina glares. His words hurt. She doesn’t want to be her either. 

Neeny Boucher is a nom de plume because my real name sounds like a 19th Century suffragette. Originally, I'm from New Zealand and am a long-time supporter of the All Blacks. Currently, I am living in Europe and a trailing spouse, following my husband all over the world for his work. This not only gives me the opportunity to write, but also, experience the world and indulge in one of my favourite past-times: people watching.
My own employment history is varied and ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous. All of those experiences and encounters, however, have allowed me to collect amazing stories, which now form the basis of my writings.
I have always loved the weird, the outcast and those on the margins of society because they see the world in a different way. These are the people my characters are based around.
I have a BA Hons (English and Pacific Studies) and a PhD in Sociology/Indigenous Studies.
Presently, I am working on the Complicated Love Series. Book One, Back of Beyond, book two, Lost in Flight, and book three, Ties that Bind.

Author: Morgan Sheppard

Title: Water Weaver

Series: Wraidd Elfennol

Pages: 644

Genre: Fantasy

Date published: October 31, 2015

Synopsis:
The young maiden, Marella, was born to the island of Wraidd Elfennol, a place balanced by the four elements of nature – Earth, Air, Fire and Water. The essence of each element contained in sacred artefacts ensuring the balance of life.

Every year, the community from across the island gather for the Summer Solstice. It is at this celebration the Lords and Ladies of Wraidd Elfennol make an astounding announcement. The sacred artefacts are missing. They then proclaim that four individuals, along with their animal Life Partners, will be selected to restore the balance.

Marella and her otter, Nixie, are chosen because of their link to the element of Water and along with her, three others – each in-tune with a different element.

Together they embark on a quest to either find the missing artefacts or somehow create new ones. As the world around them changes, danger lurks with every challenge the group face. They must hurry as the elements need to be restored before a year and a day have passed.

Failure is not an option or the world as they know it will cease to exist.

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As Marella watched the bonfire, she could feel a sense of anticipation. She could feel something. but just didn’t know what. She must have made some noise, some movement, because Edlin looked down at her. “Marella?” he questioned.
 She laid her hand upon his arm and then, in a sudden movement, threw her arms around his waist. “It is time,” she said simply, before turning to Riva and holding her too.
Edlin and Riva watched Marella as she turned back towards the bonfire. They saw her head move so that she could see towards the north. There stood Daren with Ula by his side. Together they stepped forward until they stood in the place that Demi had just vacated. 
“We are the Chosen of Lady Daire – called to represent Earth, the senses, and our ability to manifest our desires.” 
Daren’s voice boomed out so that he could be clearly heard by everyone in the main square and sounded as deep as the earth itself. Ula let out a spine-tingling howl as she lent her voice to the occasion. 
Lani moved forward, showing no sign of the shyness that had been with her earlier. “We are the Chosen of Lord Adaryn – called to represent Air, our thoughts, and our ability to have a sense of self.” Lani’s voice was filled with the power of the winds. With a screech, Shaw circled above her head before landing on the ground next to her. 
Then it was Kai’s turn and he stepped up to the bonfire with Kenna at his side. “We are the Chosen of Lord Ethon – called to represent Fire, our passion and ideas, giving us the ability to make decisions.” Kenna gave a bark followed by the fox’s call that is often mistaken for a woman in distress, known as the Vixen’s Scream.  
It was time for Marella to complete their circle. She looked at her parents before looking down to see Nixie by her side. “Ready?” she thought to him. 
“Always,” he replied. 
Together they walked into the light and felt the heat of the bonfire upon their faces. She raised her voice to the sky and said, “We are the Chosen of the Lady Erwyna – called to represent Water and our emotions, giving us the ability to be moved by feelings.” Nixie gave the loud scream that was usually only used by otters when they were threatened. Marella had never heard him make this noise before and she felt it down into her very marrow. 
The four humans, acting again as one, all raised their arms in the same manner as the Elders had not so long ago. They stood facing the bonfire and the crowd was silent behind them. 

Author: Megan Bailey

Title: There Are No Vampires In This Book

Pages: 171

Genre: New Adult

Date published: June 1, 2015

Synopsis:
TARYN HAD NEVER BEEN NORMAL.
She wasn't like other girls- not after that night, that thing, took her parents from her. She made it through hospitals, doctors, and therapy by playing by their rules and saying all the things they wanted to hear. But, inside, she held on to the truth.
She knew what she saw.

SHE SPENT HER TEEN YEARS PREPARING IN SECRET
With her two closest friends at her side, she dedicated herself to a mission. She would train and she would hunt. When the time came, she would be ready. No one she loved would be hurt by one of those monsters ever again

But with high school behind them, new found freedom comes with new responsibilities and new problems. Instead of weapons and self defense classes, she now has jobs and bills. The relation-ship with her best friend was suddenly shifting into new, scary territories. How could she take down bad guys if she couldn’t get her own life in order?

AND THEN THERE WAS HIM.
A mysterious stranger who pops up in suspicious places and throws off all sorts of bad vibes. His face now starred in her regular nightmares and plagued her thoughts in the day. Was she overre-acting? Or, was this finally the monster she had been waiting for? As the scars of Taryn’s past rise up to haunt her, she begins to question herself. With her mission faltering and her friendship off kilter, would life ever be the same again?
Would she ever be the same?

She hit him with a cushion. “Shut up and play the game.”

“Truth or dare?” Aiden asked, his tone resigned.

“Dare. I’m not letting you mock my truths.” She leaned forward and started to mix another drink. One she definitely didn’t need but was having anyway. She wasn’t thinking about this lonely dramatic stuff anymore tonight. Even if she had to drown it.

“I dare you to kiss the first guy you lay eyes on.” Aiden bolted forward with his announcement, but she was faster.

Taryn squeezed her eyes shut instantly. “Nice try, goofball.”

“Oh, that’s not fair,” he grumbled.

“Should have worded it better,” she mocked him in a singsong voice. Eyes still closed, she raised her glass, a little wobblier than before. “Let’s make a toast. To being losers together on a Friday night.”

Instead of a tap of his can to her drink, she felt his fingers slide across the sides of her face and tangle into her hair. Her eyes popped open and locked on his, just inches away.

“Gotcha,” he said in a low voice.

Before Taryn could gasp, his mouth covered hers. It was no gentle, hesitant brush of the lips like she would have expected. No, Aiden met her with a firm, warm pressure that melted her insides like chocolate. His fingers in her hair tightened, sending electricity zinging through her. The drink in her hand was forgotten and slipped to the floor. Neither of them seemed to notice. He ran his tongue across the seam of her lips, asking, and the room tilted. She opened for him. His teeth caught her lower lip and tugged, lightly. She could have sworn she felt the tingle right down to her toes.

He pulled back, dragging his lips against hers in a slow caress. They sat there in the silence, eyes wide. Her head swam and her heart raced. Her scalp tingled where his fingers still pressed into her hair. Those eyes of his had turned to that shade of rich, dark blue. They trailed back down to her lips, which felt a little swollen.

From kissing him. Aiden. Heat blossomed through her belly. That just happened. But, for once, she wasn’t running a million thoughts through her head, worrying each one to death. She wasn’t thinking at all. Her panicky, loud brain was turned off, leaving something dark and hungry at the reins. Taryn wasn’t going to question it. Not tonight. She grabbed Aiden’s shirt and pulled him back down to return the kiss.

Somewhere in her head, it registered.

She was kissing her best friend.

And it was amazing.

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Megan Bailey is a novelist and short story author. When not writing, she loves playing video games for way too many hours and reading everything she can get her hands on. Megan is married to her own wise-cracking, romantic hero. They live in Central Illinois with their two devious/darling daughters and three furbabies: Minna the boxer dog, Logan the black cat, and Gimli the dwarf bunny.