LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Wendi Zwaduk

Thanks for joining us on our 17th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

He’s her future if she’s willing to make the lie their truth.

Pippa Rand has lived in the shadow of her sister for her entire life. For once, she wants to be praised. When her sister and mother show up for a visit, Pippa decides she’s had enough of their complaining about her being single.

So she invents a fiancé.

She’s been in love with her next-door neighbor, Jon Muir, since she met him, but feared taking things to the next level. Now her lie has changed everything. He wants them to be a real couple. He wants her.

Can the shy bookstore owner and the high-powered lawyer find the passionate love they both deserve? Only if they’re willing to forge the lie into the truth and swap fake for forever.

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Winter Blogfest: Wendi Zwaduk

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment and be entered to win a necklace and earrings made by the author.

The Great Christmas Tree Hunt by Wendi Zwaduk

Every year my family goes for our annual Christmas tree hunt. Now, this doesn’t seem like it would be that hard, but it can be. We have a couple of fake trees, but there’s something about the smell of pine, the feel of the real needles and the idea of going out to find just the right one that’s fun.

I know, I know. It’s tree cutting. The thing about where we go is that the tree farm really does plant new trees every year, two for every one cut down. So, there’s at least that.

Now this story has to do with a couple years ago. We were hunting for that elusive tree, and it was a particularly soggy day. I mean like, it’d been raining most of the day. Yuck. But it’d stopped when we set out and we opted to hunt for the tree because it was one of the few days we could all go together. I mean, why not go together as a family? So we head out and it’s mucky. We start strolling and I find a decent tree. I point it out and as poor DH heads over to it…he found a huge puddle. His boots gave way in the mud and before we know it, he’s down. Now, I’m the type of person that physical comedy makes me laugh. I can’t help it. So, I’m laughing. The tot is laughing. DH? He’s laughing, too. Shrugs. We’re strange. But we decided it was THE tree, so we cut it down and made the sojourn home. Thank goodness the seats in the truck are plastic and we could get the mud off.

What about you? Fake or real trees? Got any good stories about going after that elusive real or fake tree? I want to hear ‘em!

“Are second chances possible? They can be in North Bend.

Alex West left North Bend behind and became the famous author RR Taylor. He’s happy with his jet-setting lifestyle, until a book signing brings him to North Bend. Surrounded by the beauty of the small town and the closeness of the community, he starts to rethink his reasons for leaving. Seeing his high-school flame, Molly Adams, brings all the old feelings back into focus. He wants to make her Christmas bright and win her heart, too.

Can he convince her to believe in the magic of Christmas and their second chance, or is the blossoming romance destined to melt with the holiday snow?”

“Wendi Zwaduk, otherwise known as Megan Slayer, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library. Find out more about Megan and Wendi at: http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm Sign up for the newsletter here: http://ymlp.com/xgjmjumygmgj

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LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Summer Sizzle by Wendi Zwaduk

Thanks for joining us on our 16th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

Sweet music on a summer night brings romance… even to a vampire?

Jenna Munro has loved music for as long as she can remember. Now she sings with an oldies group and lives her dream of stardom, even if she’ s only famous in her small town. She isn’ t looking for love, but when she meets Peter, her heart sings.

Peter Reynolds started his music career during the birth of rock with his band the Daydreamers. He knows good vocalists when he hears them and he’ s drawn to Jenna. There’ s only one problem— he’ s a vampire and she’ s very much human.

They’ ve got the chance at love in the summer moonlight if they’ re both willing to let the music sizzle…

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Winter Blogfest: Wendi Zwaduk

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a necklace and earrings made by the author!!

Holiday Songs! by Wendi Zwaduk

This year, I wanted to discuss my favorite holiday songs. I’m a sucker for holiday music and while I’m not the one who wants to play it right after Halloween, I do tend to get into the spirit rather quickly. There’s nothing better than a good holiday song. So, to celebrate this, I wanted to share my list of favorite songs. This isn’t in a particular order, because sometimes you want a sexy song and sometimes you want a fun one. It all depends on the day. So here’s my list.

Last Christmas by Wham! – How can you not like this one? It’s yearning, sad, but poppy.

Do They Know It’s Christmas by Band Aid – this one’s sad, too, but it proves that there’s a place for hope. Hope and a call to help.

Holly Jolly Christmas by Burl Ives – I love this one because it always makes me think of Rudolph, being a kid and spending the holidays with my grandparents.

Run Rudolph Run by Chuck Berry – this one’s just plain fun. I love a good rocking Chuck Berry and you can’t go wrong with this one.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town by the Jackson 5 – it’s fun, just like Chuck Berry. I love this one. Gets you right into the spirit.

Zat You, Santa Claus? By Louis Armstrong – another fun one that’s fun to listen to. Can’t go wrong with Louis Armstrong

Little Saint Nick by the Beach Boys or the Muppets – I’m going to age myself by admitting I heard this first by the Muppets and there’s nothing more fun than listening to Animal screaming Run, Run Reindeer during this one. It’s great.

The Chipmunk Song by the Chipmunks – this is a titular Christmas type song. It has to be played. It’s fun and you can’t miss it. Plus, everyone seems to know it.

Santa Baby by Eartha Kitt – this one is the original sexy Santa song. Kitt makes it fun, but also a lot naughty.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town by Bruce Springsteen – this one gets its own entry because you can’t deny the Boss. Plus, he manages to do the Eartha Kitt method and made it fun while sexy.

The Chanukah Song by Adam Sandler – this one is naughty at times, fun at a lot more and made people realize there’s more to the holiday season than Christmas. I love it.

So what would you consider your favorite holiday songs? I know I missed A LOT. Hit me with your favorite holiday song titles. I want to know!

 

Are second chances possible? They can be in North Bend.

Alex West left North Bend behind and became the famous author RR Taylor. He’s happy with his jet-setting lifestyle, until a book signing brings him to North Bend. Surrounded by the beauty of the small town and the closeness of the community, he starts to rethink his reasons for leaving. Seeing his high-school flame, Molly Adams, brings all the old feelings back into focus. He wants to make her Christmas bright and win her heart, too.

Can he convince her to believe in the magic of Christmas and their second chance, or is the blossoming romance destined to melt with the holiday snow?

Wendi Zwaduk, otherwise known as Megan Slayer, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

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Buy the book at First For Romance, Amazon, Books 2 Read, Apple Books, or Kobo.

 

LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Running with the Wicked by Wendi Zwaduk

Thanks for joining us on our 15th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

Find what you need at the Refuge. A place to stay, a warm body…love?

What’s a human refugee to do when the last place to hide is gone? For Rachel, the choice is clear—run to Jon. She’s crushed on him from afar. He plays hard, seemingly without regrets. He can save her, but does he return her affections?

Jon Schiff has a past he isn’t ready to talk about and he prefers to live the life of a bachelor instead of taking his rightful place as a Fae prince. When Rachel shows up on his doorstep, battered and scared, he can’t turn her away. The sweet-natured human intrigues him and makes him want to confront his messy past.

But when ghosts from their collective pasts threaten their present, will she accept him as her mate or decide there can be no future with him?

If they’re both willing to run with the wicked, they just might find their hearts’ true desire.

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Winter Blogfest: Wendi Zwaduk

This post is part of Long and Short Reviews’ Winter Blogfest. Leave a comment for a chance to win a prize pack featuring a necklace made by the author. .

The Holidays Mean…the Book Sale?

When I think of the start of the holidays, I think of the Book Sale. I do. Our local Friends of the Library group holds our annual book sale the weekend before Thanksgiving, so that’s my wind-up to the holidays. It makes the coming holiday of Thanksgiving seem like, boom, it’s there. Really.

What does it take to have a book sale? Lots of patience and set up time. You need the books, sure, but you need a lot of help to set up and places to put the books, plus patience to get everything done. This year our group has 30,000 items to put on the tables. Really.

There’s the coordination to get the books to the gym to sell them, setting them all out, putting the tables out, getting the signs up…it can get a little manic and very overwhelming.

But all this chaos also means the week we tear down is Thanksgiving. There’s no fretting time. This is why planning is key. We have a Thanksgiving dinner for our family, but I don’t have time to get the stuff around the week of the event. Nope. I have to make sure I’ve rounded up the various ingredients at least two weeks before or I won’t have time/remember to get anything. Trust me, I’ve forgotten a lot.

There was the year I bought not one, but two cans of sweetened condensed milk, knowing full well I needed to get evaporated. I know it sounds like a silly problem, but pumpkin pie just doesn’t work with the wrong milk.

So it’s that time of year again. The book sale is set up, we’re waiting on the first sale day, my Thanksgiving dinner items are all tucked away in the pantry or fridge and I can sort of breathe. Sort of. I’ll be happy when the sale is over and I can relax.

What about you? What are some of your traditions or lead-ups to the holidays? Do you do anything that’s not quite on the beaten path?

Are second chances possible? They can be in North Bend.

Alex West left North Bend behind and became the famous author RR Taylor. He’s happy with his jet-setting lifestyle, until a book signing brings him to North Bend. Surrounded by the beauty of the small town and the closeness of the community, he starts to rethink his reasons for leaving. Seeing his high-school flame, Molly Adams, brings all the old feelings back into focus. He wants to make her Christmas bright and win her heart, too.

Can he convince her to believe in the magic of Christmas and their second chance, or is the blossoming romance destined to melt with the holiday snow?

Wendi Zwaduk is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to BDSM and LGBTQ themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com and the former AllRomance Ebooks. She also writes under the name of Megan Slayer.

When she’s not writing, she spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

You can find out more about Wendi on her website or on her blog. You can also find her on Instagram, Bookbub and Amazon.

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Buy the book at Books2Read.

Starting Over by Wendi Zwaduk – Spotlight and Giveaway

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Wendi Zwaduk will be awarding a prize pack with a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Music soothes Levon Blackfoot’s soul. He lives for the rush of the crowd and the high of performing, but something’s missing. The music he loves isn’t working. It’s time to make some changes.
br>

Good thing it’s almost the New Year, the Haudeshaun. There’s no better a time to evaluate and pursue the woman he loves—Callie.
br>

Callie King has loved Levon since the moment they met, but a misunderstanding destroyed their relationship. If she can open her heart, they can have a second chance. She loves and needs him.
br>

Maybe Haudeshaun is the perfect time to get what she wants—Levon.
br>

Two broken people with a chance to start over at Haudeshaun—if they’re willing to try.

Enjoy an Excerpt
br>

The door opened and Callie ventured into the hotel room. “Hi.”
br>

“Hi.” Sparks shot through Levon. Every time he laid eyes on her, he thought of the good times he’d shared with her and the way they came together to make love. She blew his mind like no other. She’d been in his visions, too.
br>

“I heard you’re going to take a ten-day sabbatical. Do I need to set up anything for you? Or is this one of your trips where you drop off the face of the earth for a while?” she asked. She laced her fingers together and stared at him.
br>

He craved her. From her deep brown hair to her toes, he wanted this woman. When she appraised him with her dark-eyed stare, he wanted to confess everything. He imagined the taste of her lips, the way she whimpered when they touched and the vision of her beneath him as they made love. She had curves in all the right places, that smile and just thinking about her touch sent shivers down his spine. He loved when she tucked against him as she slept—when they shared a bed—and her ability to give him a no-nonsense answer when they discussed music.
br>

Fuck. He and Callie needed to clear the air because he needed her with him for the New Year’s festivities.
br>

A vision formed in his mind. Him and Callie together for the New Year, a solid couple with nothing between them. She’d be his salvation—if she’d just let him in and let him prove he loved her.
br>

©WendiZwaduk, 2021 All Rights Reserved

br>
About the Author:

Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

Website | Newsletter | Blog | Fan Page Facebook | Amazon Author Page | BookBub | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

Buy the book for only Amazon.

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Serving the Wicked by Wendi Zwaduk

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Wendi Zwaduk will be awarding a prize pack with a necklace made by the author to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A scared human plus a vampire with a secret. Things could be better, but they could be a lot worse.

Raine can’t remember time before the darkness. She’s a human in a paranormal world where humans are a commodity, not people, and she’s been abused by the vampires. When she ends up at the slave auction, she fears her nightmare will never end.

Enter Casey. He’s part vampire, part Fae, dangerous and only has eyes for Raine. He saw her at the BDSM club before she entered the vampire slave world and he swore he’d rescue her. He buys her the instant he sees her on the stage. The innocence in her eyes, combined with the sweetness in her soul calls to him. He wants her to serve him in the bedroom and be his partner everywhere.

She’s been hurt, and he’s a born protector. Can they make the attraction last and turn it into something eternal or will the fear win out?

Reader advisory: This book contains scenes of violence, fighting and death, as well as references to forced sex and feeding from humans.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Raine? He liked the sound of her moniker more than the colorless number three. The name fit her—sad and pretty at the same time. Case rejoiced in the progress he’d made with her.

Raine tugged his suit coat tighter around her. She said nothing, but fear radiated from her.

Casey wanted to know what Lomax had done to her. The girl he’d seen at the club had been more open and free. She’d been happy.

If he’d had a heart, it would’ve ached for her. He remembered the number painted on her chest. Those fucking idiots would paint the girls. He flicked his fingers, removing the paint with his magic. No one should have spray paint on their body.

“Aren’t you going to ask my name?” Casey wanted to tug her into his arms and hold her until she relaxed.

“No.” She didn’t move. “You’re my sir. I should address you as such.”

“Will you call me by my name? I’d prefer it,” he said. “You’re not my slave.”

Her eyes widened.

“I didn’t pay for you to put you to work.” He engaged the engine. A ripple of knowing shot through him. No one would hurt her with him around, but that didn’t mean he wanted to draw attention to them by hanging out in the parking lot.

The vampires had destroyed so much land and with the world plunged into darkness, few felt safe. He possessed means and a safe vehicle, but he didn’t want to lag about.

Raine didn’t relax, but when another car passed his, she clutched his hand.

“You’ll be okay.” He wanted to explain why, but what if she were repulsed by him being part Fae? He’d been ostracized by most of the vampires because of his lineage. The only reason he’d gained entry to the auction was his money. They’d take his cash and ignore his undesirable family line.

She ducked down in the seat. “Will he come looking for me?”

©WendiZwaduk, 2021, All Rights Reserved

About the Author:

Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and BDSM themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best author, best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com.

When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.

http://wendizwaduk.com/indexMegan.htm | Newsletter | Website | Blog | Facebook | Amazon Author Page | BookBub | Instagram | Goodreads | Twitter

Buy the book at Books to Read, First for Romance,
Amazon, iBooks, Barnes and Noble,
Google, or Scribd.

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LASR Anniversary Scavenger Hunt: Starting Over by Wendi Zwaduk

Thanks for joining us on our 14th anniversary scavenger hunt! There are two ways to enter to win and it’s easy to play– first read the blurb below, then answer the question on the first Rafflecopter. You might win a $100 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC (along with other prizes). Follow and visit authors’ social media pages on the second Rafflecopter and you’re entered to win another $100 Amazon/BN GC (along with other prizes)!

Music soothes Levon Blackfoot’s soul. He lives for the rush of the crowd and the high of performing, but something’s missing. The music he loves isn’t working. It’s time to make some changes.

Good thing it’s almost the New Year, the Haudeshaun. There’s no better a time to evaluate and pursue the woman he loves—Callie.

Callie King has loved Levon since the moment they met, but a misunderstanding destroyed their relationship. If she can open her heart, they can have a second chance. She loves and needs him.

Maybe Haudeshaun is the perfect time to get what she wants—Levon.

Two broken people with a chance to start over at Haudeshaun—if they’re willing to try.

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Runaway Royal by Wendi Zwaduk – Spotlight and Giveaway

Long and Short Reviews welcomes Wendi Zwaduk who is celebrating the recent release of Runaway Royal. Enter to win a fabulous gift package and get a First For Romance Gift Card!

Will this runaway royal ever find her place…and true love?

All Princess Catherine Zara of Lysianna wants to do is attend college like everyone else her age. So she’s a royal and requires a security guard to move about in public, but if she goes to university, she doesn’t have to marry the man chosen for her. He’s not her true love, so why torture herself? All she has to do to get her life started is to run away to the US…

And then she meets Luke.

Luke Cobb wants to survive college with a degree in studio art and guarantees that he can show his paintings in the local galleries. All he needs is the right break to get his work mainstream and the right woman to stoke his dormant muse. When he meets Zara, he’s smitten and his creativity sparks.

Except, she’s a princess and he’s a commoner, which could be a big problem…

Enjoy an Excerpt

“I can do this.” Princess Catherine shored up her courage. She was a royal. A princess. She could do anything she set her mind to—except stand up to the king and queen.

She stared at her reflection in the mirror. Her parents, the king and queen of Lysianna, wouldn’t allow her to head to another country on her own. They insisted she be an advisor to her brother, the future king. Charlie could handle himself and he’d be a great king—whenever the time came.

If she didn’t practice what she wanted to say, she’d flounder and this was not the time to lose her nerve. She tucked her hair behind her ears. “Mother, Father, I need to speak with you. I’ve completed two years of online schooling towards a degree in art history and I’m going to Kenton State College in the United States to finish it.” Did she sound convincing enough?

She’d already completed her application for acceptance on campus, chosen her classes for the first semester and landed a good apartment in a building just across from the main portion of the campus. Her plane ticket had been paid for and she’d packed most of her things. All she needed to do was tell her parents she’d be leaving.

She abandoned her image in the mirror and resumed packing the last of her things—her brushes, photos and stuffed rabbit in her bag. She’d come back, but she wasn’t sure when. Sadness filled her mind. Change would be hard—she’d only ever lived in the castle—but she needed to move forward with her life. She’d never be happy living as part of the court. Even if she did nothing more than teach an art class or run a portion of a museum back home, she’d be happy and doing something with her life.

Her lady-in-waiting, Corinne, hurried into the room. “I guess you’re ready to go.” She folded her arms. “Want me to go with you? I should.”

She had plans for her lady and wasn’t about to disclose them now. Corinne was terrible with secrets and would’ve told her parents before the point of no return. “It’s handled.”

Corinne sat on the bed. “What am I going to do with myself? I have nothing to do if you’re not here. They might let me go.”

“They won’t.” She closed her bag. “They like you. If my brother wasn’t gay, they’d have married you off to him by now.”

“But he is gay.” Corinne groaned. “Sucks.”

Her lady hadn’t been shy about her crush on Charlie. In the whole of their time together, Corinne had insisted to Catherine she wanted to marry Charlie. The problem? Besides Charlie being gay, he wasn’t going to marry Corinne simply to make an heir. He refused to change just for the royal line.

“Your parents would rather you marry Duke Elmore. He’s handsome,” Corinne said. “If you’re into older guys.”

Catherine shivered. “Older isn’t the half of it. He’s almost twenty years older than me, he’s not handsome at all and I don’t like him. I don’t want to be married to someone who sees me as a ticket to the good life. He wants a title beyond duke.” Her stepmother would never understand. She’d married the king, despite their ten-year age difference, just to have a title.

“So you’re going to America to avoid him?”

“No.” She simply refused to marry someone out of duty, not love. “I want to finish my degree. Art makes me happy. Him? Not so much.”

“Well, it’s time to talk to your parents.” Corinne walked with her to the corridor. “Need me to do anything?”

“Nope. I’ve got this handled.” Catherine gave her bag to the butler. “Thank you.” She shored herself up again and headed down to the throne room. The car was ready and once she reached the airport, the plane would be waiting to whisk her to the States. Even if her parents said no, she’d left nothing to chance.

“Catherine.” Her stepmother, Eloise, closed her book. “You look determined. Have you made a decision concerning the duke?”

“I have.” She clasped her hands together. “I refuse to marry him.” She stood tall. “I’ve made a choice about my future, too.”

“Oh?” Her father finally looked up from his paperwork. “What have you decided?”

She sucked in a ragged breath, then sighed. “Mother, Father, I’m attending college.”

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Her stepmother spit the words out like sour candies. Catherine didn’t care. She had to focus. “I want a degree in art history. I’d like to learn about the art here in Lysianna and around the world—like my mother used to know.”

“Interesting,” her father said. He tapped his pen on the table. “Why do you want to follow in your mother’s footsteps?”

She’d prepared for this question. “I need to have something that’s mine. I love art and I’m dying to continue my studies.” She had to keep her explanation short and sweet. The more she talked, the greater the chance her parents would coerce her to change her mind. “I want something to hold on to that reminds me of my mother. I don’t remember her and this is my private link.”

“She’s gone,” her stepmother snapped.

“Let her have this, Queen. It’s her choice,” her father said. “She’ll get bored after a year or she’ll find this is the thing she wants to do. As for Elmore, he can wait. Or maybe he can’t and he’ll choose someone else. Doesn’t matter to me. He’s a pest.”

She wasn’t going to get bored, but if her father thought Elmore was a pest, then why try to palm her off on him?

“What about Charles?” her stepmother said. “He should be the one to go first. Yes, he deserves a degree.”

“He already has one.” Catherine gritted her teeth. Their parents didn’t know Charlie well. He hated being referred to as Charles and he wasn’t interested in going to college again. Charlie had attained a degree on his own and had his plan for making his own way without their parents to intervene. Now was her chance to do the same.

“Anyway, I’m leaving.” She turned on her heel and left the room. If she looked back, she risked changing her mind. Only forward now.

“You’re what?” Her stepmother chased after her. “You cannot. We need to arrange lodgings and security and everything else. You’ll need handlers and Elmore should accompany you for protection. Or he should set up a security detail so he can keep you safe, but stay here to run his businesses.”

God, no. Catherine headed through the foyer to the waiting car. “Goodbye, Mother.” The idea of calling her stepmother Mother annoyed her. She’d had a mother and the queen wasn’t a very good substitute.

“Catherine.” Her stepmother caught up to her. “We’ll summon Elmore. You cannot make the flight unprotected.”

She sighed. “He’s old enough to be my father and he’s not attractive, so no.” She tossed her bag onto the seat. “I’ll be fine. No one in the United States knows me, so I won’t need the huge protection you’re planning.” She’d have her roommate in her new apartment and a few transplanted palace security guards around, but out of sight.

“Take Corinne, please?” Her stepmother pushed Corinne at her. “You can’t go alone. And don’t forget, you need to have an approved consort by the time of your official portrait reveal.”

“Fine.” Catherine nodded to her lady-in-waiting. “Let’s go.” She ducked into the car without bothering for hugs or kisses from her stepmother. That wasn’t her stepmother’s style. Her father hadn’t left the throne room. Her stepmother glared at her, but didn’t otherwise show emotion. She wouldn’t dare. Any bit of cracking might show she was human and the people of Lysianna didn’t think she had emotions. She wanted to say goodbye to her brother, but he wasn’t even in the country.

Catherine settled on the seat and sighed. “That worked out exactly as I planned.”

“What about me?” Corinne asked. “You said I’d stay here.”

“I lied.” She winked. “I couldn’t go totally alone. They’re right. I do need someone with me that I can trust.” Well, mostly trust. “I packed you a bag and added your name to the charter. You’re flying with me.”

Corinne’s eyes widened. “My princess.” She grinned. “Naughty.”

She sighed again. “I’ve never been naughty a day in my life. Crafty, maybe, but never naughty.”

“You’ve lived in your brother’s shadow for too long.”

“He’ll be king and I won’t hold the throne. Even if something happens to him, they won’t let me be queen, so why not have something that’s mine?” Catherine asked. “I don’t mind.” She didn’t. “This way I’m out from under their thumb and can experience life.” She couldn’t wait for the next chapter to start. There was a great big world out there just waiting for her to explore it.

There was the tricky thing about her needing a consort, but she had plenty of time. The portrait reveal wasn’t for another year. The world wouldn’t wait a year—not when her consort might be out there somewhere.

About the Author: Wendi Zwaduk is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to BDSM and LGBTQ themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been the runner up in the Kink Category at Love Romances Café as well as nominated at the LRC for best contemporary, best ménage and best anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on Amazon.com and the former AllRomance Ebooks. She also writes under the name of Megan Slayer.

When she’s not writing, she spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice.

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