They’re opposites in every way, but they might just be the perfect match.
Believing In You
Priestly Family Series Book 1
by Sharon C. Cooper
Genre: Contemporary Romance
They’re opposites in every way, but they might just be the perfect match.
After a case of mistaken identity, riddled with betrayal, Harrison Grant is struggling to open himself up to other people again. He lost a part of himself while in prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and it seems impossible to move forward.
Enter Nyla Priestly. She’s a woman with a bubbly smile for everyone she meets and who always has a kind word to say. The jaded version of Harrison wants to doubt her personality is real. No one can be that happy all the time. Right?
Nyla has never been into the broody type. Yet something about Harrison makes her body crave him. Sure, he’s gorgeous and happens to be one of the sexiest saxophone players she’s ever met.
But achieving her dream of owning Moody Days Jazz Club is top priority. She doesn’t have time to deal with a man. No matter how good he makes her feel.
As Harrison falls for Nyla and helps her fulfill her dreams, can her unceasing love be enough for him to trust again?
It didn’t make sense that she was fantasizing and sometimes daydreaming about the man. Why him? Why did her temporary boss make her want to touch him all over and jump his bones?
Sure, it had been awhile since she’d been with a man, but it hadn’t been that damn long. And sure, he was handsome in a sexy, geek kind of way with an intelligence that was as attractive as the rest of him. However, he was uptight, standoffish, and a workaholic.
So not my type.
Even with those negatives, the sexual tension that vibed between her and Harrison Grant was hot enough to leave burn marks. It was a good thing that her assignment would soon be over. She didn’t know how much longer she could pretend she wasn’t seriously interested in him.
Then again, who was she kidding? The man was so far out of her league, there was no way he’d be interested in her. It didn’t matter anyway. He seemed like the type to never step out of line. No way would he help her act out some of the fantasies.
Nyla snorted at the thought and shoved her bag into the bottom desk drawer. No sense in daydreaming about someone she could never…
The door behind her burst open, and she jumped, her hand flying to her chest. “What in the…”
Harrison.
“I told you to always get the caller’s name and tell me before transferring them to my phone,” he ground out, his chest heaving as if he was about to blow a gasket at any moment.
Nyla should be concerned, especially since he had never raised his voice at her, but all she could do was stare at him. The man was too gorgeous for his own good, and the fire in his eyes only made him look that much hotter.
Even his black, wire-rimmed glasses didn’t detract from his handsomeness. Smooth deep-bronze skin, a thin mustache and goatee, and eyes that were so dark, they almost looked black, made up his perfect face. Then there was the black turtleneck he was wearing. It molded over his muscular upper body, and the black slacks had to be tailored specifically for him to look that good.
Yup. Too damn fine.
“Did you hear what I said?” he snapped, and that shook Nyla from her thoughts.
“I heard you,” she said, though she wasn’t positive that she’d heard everything. Ignoring his rant and scowl, she said, “Good morning, Sunshine. Can I get you some coffee? Tea? Or do you need something stronger, like a shot of tequila, to calm you down?”
Giveaway
$20 Amazon
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
USA Today bestselling author Sharon C. Cooper loves anything involving romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life.
She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, as well as romantic comedy.
She enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and family game night. Her stories have won numerous awards, including The Rochelle Alers Best Series award for her Atlanta’s Finest Series (2022) and The Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year award (2021).
When she isn’t writing, Sharon loves hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work, or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, or to sign up to be notified of her latest releases, visit www.sharoncooper.net
Maxime has been scribbling stories since grade school, from adventure epics to morality plays.
Blessed with living in multicultural pluralistic settings and having earned degrees in science and marketing, Maxime has worked in business and sports, traveling to countries across five continents and learning about cultures, traditions, and the importance of tolerance and understanding.
Maxime’s second novel, The Matriarch Messiah, was conceived, outlined, written, and edited in different locations in Belgium, including the Turkish and Kurdish neighborhoods of Brussels, in various islands of the Caribbean, in Colombia, in Madrid, Malaga, Mallorca, Spain, London, UK, and on the two coasts of the United States.
How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?
When conjuring up the legend of how monotheism might have been created at the world’s oldest temple, Göbekli Tepe, I originally planned a typical patriarchal lineage which passed down the faith created by these pre-Neolithic people in 10,000 BCE.
The book had the operating title “The Object”. My novel folders are still labeled “The Object I”, “The Object II”, and so forth.
But a trusted associate challenged me on the overused notion of patriarchy. The presumption of men creating religion discredited half the world’s population as usual.
Why not a matriarchy she asked me. And “The Matriarch” title and premise was born.
One will note that The Matriarch Matrix starts with Peter Gollinger’s story and how his grandfather passes down the legend of the black object he received from his grandfather and so forth.
That was a left over of the patriarchy storyline. The matriarchy story starts chapters later when the pre-Neolithic man, Orzu, saves Nanshe from the terrors of a malicious race of giants of the north.
Nanshe becomes the founding matriarch, for which Zara, who is introduced two chapters earlier, is a descendant.
In the patriarchy outline, Zara was supposed to be a minor character shuttling around Peter and Father Jean-Paul Sobiros to the ruins of Göbekli Tepe.
Once the storyline turned into a matriarchal one, Zara became a major character.
After my first copy edit draft, my beta readers named Zara as the strongest most compelling character in the book. Voila, Zara then took center stage. The last seventy percent of the book is very Zara centric.
Every story has to have a nemesis. Well, I just listened to an old RWA conference presentation which refuted this notion, but most readers are looking for a clear nemesis.
So, an evil incarnate all powerful, all invasive Russian oligarch was created. Alexander Murometz, the head of the MoxWorld empire. He is kind of a Darth Vader who actually has clever dialogue. You’ll find out why in The Matriarch Messiah.
In The Matriarch Messiah, a new secondary character had been scripted in the first draft. Rachel, an Israeli Torah historian and archeologist.
Think a feminine Jewish Indiana Jones. She was only supposed to be a minor nuisance in the way of Zara’s reluctantly proclaimed prophetess status promoted by Alexander Murometz, of course.
But the developmental editor hammered away in her comments how more needed about this new character.
And voila, Rachel shares center stage with Zara in The Matriarch Messiah as the legend of the blue cavern says: “Two women will fight for the light. One must die. For only in the death of life can one be in the chamber of the blue light.” Who will die? Who will save us all?
**Releases March 17th – Preorder Now for Only .99cents!**
Join Sonny and Bailee on their adventure to find a magical Unicorn. The only way to find the magical Unicorn is to follow the trail of POOs until they find a rainbow-coloured, cotton-candy smelling, glitter-covered POO.
Excerpt:
Once upon a time there was a little boy called Sonny and a little girl called Bailee.
They were going to go on an adventure to find a magical Unicorn.
Bailee asked Sonny, “How are we going to find a Unicorn?”
Join Sonny and Bailee on their adventure to find a magical Unicorn. The only way to find the magical Unicorn is to follow the trail of POOs until they find a rainbow-coloured, cotton-candy smelling, glitter-covered POO.
Faith should be crowned “Queen of the Wrong Place and Wrong Time.” Her impulsive, solo trip to Paris seems like a genius idea – until she loses her way back to the hotel. In the rain. At night. When the two men she flags down for directions shove her into the nearest alley, she fears the worst.
Soren was irritable. Not surprising as he’d held off feeding as long as possible. The thought of feeding from someone he knew turned his stomach, and so he ventured above to become just another body in the chaos of Paris. But when the cries of a female in distress reach his ears, everything inside him demands he protect her, and he is unable to hide the true nature of his species.
Soren has no choice but to keep her and bring her to his underground city. It doesn’t take him long to realize why he’d been drawn to Paris, to that street, that alley…Faith. She is the other half of his soul. Admitting the truth to her could damage the fragile connection they built, but when an old enemy, lurking in the dark attacks, they are separated. Now, he may never have the chance.
His heart belongs to one woman, his life to another.
Keir didn’t exist. Not anymore. The Lady of Galbraith had saved him from death. Forever indebted to her alone, Keir had become her confidant, her spy, her assassin. He was her secret weapon against those trying to remove her from power. When Keir is ambushed by a pack of demons, he used the last of his strength to return home and warn the Lady of impending danger.
To say she was stunned when a dying man fell to her feet, was an understatement. For the first time in her life, Cleo acted on instinct and without hesitation – their lives now undeniably bound together. Her single act of benevolence left her reeling, confronted with the knowledge that a stranger had more care and consideration for her well-being than her own family.
Political upheaval is sweeping through the city of Galbraith, splitting alliances and stoking discord. When Cleo is abducted, taken in retaliation from the side she’s chosen, only Keir can get her back. And he will, even if he must start a war.
Waking from a seven year healing sleep should have been the biggest shock of Navarre’s night. It was not. The brave female standing before him was, without a doubt, his fated mate. That wasn’t the stunner either. She’d been sent here to feed him, to bring him back and restore his strength, risking her life to save his. Still, not yet the biggest surprise. What had Navarre reeling was her red hair. She was decidedly not his kind.
Cat had responsibilities. Five, to be exact. The children in her care were not hers, but she would do anything to protect them, and that meant staying in Balinese. The evidence of her mixed species was something she could not hide. As this city belonged to Navarre, only he has the authority to allow her to stay. Cat willingly faces her greatest fear, and with it, her past.
Beneath the night, a dark plot unfolds, and Navarre finds himself in danger of losing not only Cat, but his entire city.
Bette feared the city, and for good reason. Valenna had become corrupt, targeting citizens with any substantial amount of wealth or power to their name. Her self-imposed solitary confinement caused her to lose track of time, and her sanity. She could no longer live this way. Only three solutions existed: allow Valenna to dictate her fate, die in the sun, or flee to the fabled city of peace. Bette ran.
Rollin was a Guardian. His job defined his life, the man he’d become, and his core beliefs. Everything he did was in service to the city of Balinese and the citizens within. When a terrified female crashed into his arms, begging for help, he did not hesitate. Everyone and everything seemed to frighten her, except Rollin. He took her home, and once safe under his protection, she began to flourish.
Problem was, in her plea for sanctuary, she claimed a demon chased her toward Balinese, but none had been found. His affection for her grows rapidly, as does his concern over her lie. Then, the arrival of a demon forces Rollin to question his beliefs, his place among the royal family, and the motives of the woman he so lovingly sheltered.
Savard was in a mood to die, but when a human insists on saving his life, death is no longer an immediate option. He knew of no species – human, vampire, or demon – that could see him while in his invisible Spirit form. Unique to this world, this woman’s singularity was a danger to the entire vampire race.
Waking behind bars in an underground vampire city was not how Sera envisioned her night drive ending. She has come to expect nothing from those who pass through her life, but this man, dying on the side of the road, proves to be different. Savard fights to free her from tyrannical vampire laws and to hide her unique abilities. What Sera doesn’t understand, is why he would fight his growing love for her.
Savard’s haunted past threatens to tear them apart. Soon, Sera discovers just how far her guardian is willing to go, and what he’s willing to do, to keep her safe.
In all honesty, Jake had to give his trip to Paris mixed reviews. Beaten and broken by seemingly invincible men with eerie red eyes marked the low point, but abduction by a sexy, knife-wielding vampire? Better than fireworks on the Fourth of July. She was the best medicine for a wounded man’s body and soul. A few busted ribs cost him precious time, but he had to keep moving. Call it vengeance or justice, either way, Jake had a man to kill.
Dulcina had witnessed the destruction left in the wake of demons for far too many years to be rattled by a bloody body. She brought him home and catered to his comfort. Big mistake. The smart-mouth, irritatingly likable man pulled through, and was determined to leave, but with knowledge of other species in his head, the human is a problem.
To stop Jake from escaping, Dulcina promised to help him finish his mission, but the price was steep, and neither were prepared for what they discovered. Secrets are uncovered, and as a Night Stalker charged with protecting all species, Dulcina is forced to make a difficult choice.
Jen Colly is the rare case of an author who rebelled against reading assignments throughout her school years.
Now she prefers reading books in a series, which has led her to writing her first paranormal romance series: The Cities Below. She will write about anything that catches her fancy, though truth be told, her weaknesses are pirates and vampires.
She lives in Ohio with her supportive husband, two kids, and four rescued cats.
This post expands on my previous post about Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI). Today I will discuss its connection to the Ten Commandments.
The MAGA movement seeks to eliminate DEI initiatives while advocating for Ten Commandments displays in public schools.
I disagree with this completely. The First Amendment to the US Constitution calls for the separation of church and state. It also prohibits the government from establishing a religion and ensures religious freedom for all.
Let’s break down DEI and analyze the Ten Commandments.
For this evaluation, we’ll use a kid-friendly commandments template I found on Etsy.TPT also offers a free version. Despite some slight variations, the general principals are the same.
Put God First
Worship Him Only
No Bad Words
Work 6 Rest 1
Obey Your Parents
Harm No One
Don’t Cheat
If It’s Not Yours Don’t Take It
Tell The Truth
Don’t Be Jealous Of Other People’s Stuff
Let’s start by defining diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), then examine how the Ten Commandments relate to DEI and its application in teaching.
Diversity-the practice or quality of including or involving people from a range of different social and ethnic backgrounds and of different genders, sexual orientations, etc.
Inclusion- the practice or policy of providing equal access to opportunities and resources for people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized, such as those who have physical or intellectual disabilities and members of other minority groups.
In my modest opinion, diversity and inclusion align with the 6th Commandment. Diversity and equity are not harmful to anyone.
Equity aligns well with the 9th Commandment. To be fair and impartial, you must tell the truth.
Commandments 7 and 8 are also relevant to the DEI initiative. ‘Don’t cheat’ and ‘if it’s not yours don’t take it’; that’s how you treat everyone fairly and equally.
EdW reports that the U.S. Department of Education has created a portal where the public, students and teachers can report practices of diversity, equity and inclusion in public school classrooms. According to the Trump Administration, DEI practices are seen as divisive and as indoctrinating children.
I find this nonsensical, given that half of the Ten Commandments, as previously noted, are encompassed by DEI. The main focus of my teaching was to instill in my kiddos the importance of embracing diversity, equity and inclusion. Or as the Ten Commandments state ‘harm no one’, ‘don’t cheat’, ‘if it’s not yours don’t take it’, and ‘tell the truth’.
School is supposed to help prepare students for real world diversity where people of all creeds, races, religions and genders live. This can only be achieved if children learn proper social skills and appropriate behavior for interacting with others. This is their recipe for a successful life.
Many children’s book authors aim to incorporate DEI into their stories. Indeed, this is a major theme explored across many children’s books, and I’m no exception.
Kamyla Chung and the Creepy-Crawlies:
The lack of diversity in my classroom book shelf inspired this story. Kamyla Chung is a bi-racial child of Chinese and Black descent.
Kamyla Chung and the Classroom Bully:
This sequel to Kamyla Chung and the Creepy-Crawlies tackles bullying and child abuse, which undermine social equity.
Teddy Bear Tea:
Although the characters in this book are animals, I made sure to include the inclusive line, “In colors of black, brown and tan, we feasted, we danced and we ran!”
A Fish Named Fancy:
People generally assume Fancy is female. This is incorrect. Making Fancy male was intentional; I wanted to show that boys can be fancy too.
In pretend play, children enjoy dressing up and exploring gender roles, such as playing mom and dad.
The boys sometimes want to play roles traditionally considered feminine, like babysitting and baking. The same is true for girls who embrace more traditionally masculine activities like using tools, building with blocks, and making roads for cars and trains.
Gingerbread Kids Hide-N-Seek:
I contacted Dasguptarts to work on this book shortly after the attack on Israel. I made it clear to Dasguptarts that I wanted a Jewish and a Muslim child in the book.
My goal was to include everyone and demonstrate that friendship transcends differences. Children shouldn’t suffer the indignity of exclusion because of the terroristic acts of others.
My books are a small representation of what most authors include in their stories. Will that work in an ultra-conservative classroom? They could ban the books, but that would mean banning nearly every children’s book ever written.
This is the incredible true story of railroad worker and union official Mike Elliott, targeted by his railroad employer, BNSF Railway Company, for his safety-related activities.
As the union’s state legislative board chair, Elliott was the top safety official in the state, and the voice for over 900 rank & file locomotive engineers operating trains around the clock, every day of the year.
When his members reported a plethora of trackside signal malfunctions on the BNSF Seattle subdivision, Elliott went to the railroad first, asking that they fix the problems.
When the BNSF failed to act, he contacted the government’s regulatory authority, the Federal Railroad Administration. That led to an FRA inspection of over 130 miles of the railroad’s track and signal systems turning up hundreds of federal defects – all with potential to put workers and the public at risk.
What followed was a retaliation plot reminiscent of the Nineteenth Century Robber Barons: A management-staged conflict at work, police called in, arrest, jail, criminal charges, and termination from his job – not once but twice.
The wrath, influence and power of North America’s largest freight railroad is unleased in full force and in an all-out attack on a whistleblower’s life, liberties, and career. An amazing journey of one man’s righteous battle against impossible odds and the nearly unlimited resources of a multi-billion-dollar corporation.
Excerpt:
His train was about three-quarters of a mile from the Longview yard office, which it passed less than seventy seconds later.
The approach signal to Longview Junction South was located at milepost 100.7. The Longview yard office was at milepost 100.3.
If functioning as designed, this signal should have displayed a solid yellow aspect, indicating “approach and proceed prepared to stop at next signal, trains exceeding 35 MPH immediately reduce to that speed.”
Burlington Northern dispatching records indicated that BN 111 passed the Longview Junction approach signal at approximately 12:20 A.M. Just after this time, the conductor of the local freight job, UP Train 59, was walking to the manually operated “hand-throw” switch at the north end of Longview yard.
He later reported to investigators that the five locomotives of BN 111 passed him before he reached the switch, so he only saw the rear portion of the train, whose speed he estimated at 40 miles-per-hour.
While standing beside the switch, the UP 59 conductor heard what sounded “like thunder, just a rolling thunder.”
At 12:24 A.M., BN dispatching records show that the Longview Junction South interlocking had a “power off” alarm. That marked the moment when southbound BN 111 collided head-on with northbound UP 09 at milepost 102.8. At least two motorists driving north on Interstate 5 witnessed the collision.
One told investigators that he was traveling between 65 and 70 miles-per-hour when he passed UP 09, which he estimated “was probably doing 55.” What he saw was “a major explosion. It was unbelievable.”
Another motorist reported that he saw the headlight of BN 111 coming at him; this because the railroad tracks were close and parallel to the freeway. He watched the train, waiting for the two converging trains to pass each other; instead, they slammed head-on into each other.
“There was just fire and devastation,” he said.
The impact of the collision ruptured the fuel tanks of six of the eight locomotives. Fire engulfed those six, as 10,000 to 15,000 gallons of diesel fuel spilled onto the tracks and over the banks of the Columbia River.
The first fire-fighting unit arrived at 12:36 A.M., twelve minutes after the collision, and began knocking down the flames surrounding the locomotives.
Although a total of forty-four fire and rescue units responded, the on-scene fire commander soon concluded that no one could have survived the flames; he ordered his units to stand down and let the fire burn itself out to consume the leaking diesel fuel and thus prevent further environmental damage.
About The Author:
Mike Elliott is shown near the engine repair yard for Burlington Northern and Santa Fe Railroad Monday, July 24, 2023, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
Mike Elliott was born and raised in Washington State. He enjoys the great outdoors of the Pacific Northwest, classic rock & roll music, vintage stereo gear, home cooked meals, and Seattle Mariners baseball. He lives in Tacoma, Washington.
Blood binds them. Danger surrounds them. Love could destroy them.
Bound
The Elite Series Book 1
by Charley Black
Genre: Dystopian Vampire Paranormal Romance
Bound by blood, Marked by rebellion, Destined for a love that could save or destroy them.
A forbidden bond. A crumbling city. A choice that could change everything.
Serenity
Becoming an Elite—a blood donor for the Vampyr—was never part of the plan. But with my family’s lives on the line, I had no choice but to step out of hiding and into a world I barely understand. My rare blood has made me a target, and now, I’m bound to Kane—the ruthless, untouchable head of the Vampyr Council.
The rebels want to use me. My family depends on me. And Kane… he’s the only one who can keep me alive—but trusting him? That might be the most dangerous gamble of all.
Kane
I never wanted an Elite. I certainly didn’t need one—especially not Serenity. She’s everything I’ve avoided: human, stubborn, and a complication I can’t afford. But from the moment I met her, she turned my world upside down.
Her blood sustains me, but it’s her spirit that leaves me hungry for more. As rebellion threatens to tear the city apart, my focus should be on holding everything together—not on the one woman who’s become my greatest weakness.
She’s more than just a distraction. She’s a risk. One I shouldn’t take.
But I can’t let her go. And if I’m not careful, she might destroy me—or save us all.
In a world where blood is currency and love is forbidden, Bound is a spellbinding tale of passion, betrayal, and a bond that could shatter a city—or bring it to its knees.
Fans of dstopyian fantasy, forbidden romance, and slow-burn tension will devour Bound, the first book in The Elite Series.
Every person, regardless of age or hatred for their kind, yearned to be selected. Deep down, they craved the privileges of being an Elite—the ones who willingly offered themselves to the vampyrs. But not her.
Serenity had no such desires; she refused to be a meal for anyone, no matter how tempting the rewards seemed. Yet, her personal feelings were irrelevant now. This program was her last hope, and if it didn’t work, she dreaded turning to Jax for help—something she desperately wanted to avoid.
Looking up at the clock, its hands slowly ticked as she waited for the nurse to arrive and begin the process that would, hopefully, improve her and her family’s lives.
Sighing deeply to calm her rising nerves, Serenity’s eyes wandered around the office, taking in the sterile and impersonal atmosphere. Four white walls encased a stark, bare office containing only the essentials: a simple desk, a utilitarian chair, a computer, a printer, and a cold, metal filing cabinet. There were no pictures or decorations. It was as if they intentionally designed it to be unwelcoming, discouraging any sense of comfort or happiness.
Honestly, it didn’t make any sense. One would think they would try to create a more inviting space to welcome potential Elites. The environment’s lack of warmth and care showed her what she was truly signing up for and how she’d be treated as soon as her application was approved.
And they would approve it. She did not doubt that.
Serenity had the type of blood that the vampyr wanted… and craved. At least, that was what her father told her. Only those with the rarest of blood types were selected as Elites.
Anyone whose blood type was A or B was automatically entered into the system as a donor, regardless of whether they were positive or negative. O positives were rarely chosen, and O negatives had better chances only if specifically requested. AB positives, the rarest of the rare type, were treated like gold and were consistently selected as Elites, typically matched with the wealthiest of the vampyrs. This made Serenity think despite their claims, money still talked within their society. AB negatives were a myth, according to the locals. Still, they were believed to represent a divine gift in vampiric lore, ‘ambrosia,’ so treasured that only the upper echelons in vampyr society knew of their existence.
As an AB negative, her blood was revered as the most delectable drink. She almost felt violated knowing that such an intimate part of her was seen as a commodity, something to be consumed with primal delight. It wasn’t just about her, though.
The Elite program was supposed to bring balance and peace between the two races, a part of the treaty the humans and vampyrs signed before she was born. But it seemed the vampyrs ruled their lives, despite humans sitting on the city’s governing Council. All the rules seemed to cater to the vampyrs survival, not humanity’s. It was infuriating.
When the office door opened, Serenity turned in her chair to see a petite woman in black scrubs walking through. The woman had caramel-colored skin and dark eyes. A laminated card clipped to her shirt read “Shelia” in bold capital letters.
“Can I have your name, please?” the nurse asked, sitting on the other side of the desk and placing a clipboard with an application next to the computer.
Such a simple question, but for Serenity, it was surrendering to the inevitable. Call it an innate feeling, but she had always known she would end up here signing up to be an Elite.
She couldn’t explain how, but a small part of her, deep inside, suspected it had to do with the rarity of her blood type. As if it had always known this would be her fate. But it was only a feeling and possibly the wariness of her situation.
Either way, she was here now. Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly spoke her name aloud. “Serenity.”
The words felt like a prison sentence once they left her mouth. Every inch of her screamed for her to get up and run away. They only had her first name. There was still the possibility of escape. She could get on the bus and go back home, where it was safe.
But she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to save her family. This was her choice, her sacrifice.
Her mother couldn’t become an Elite because of her sickness, and her sister was too young and sick, so it had to be her. They needed medicine, and this was the only way they could afford it.
Shelia’s kind smile and soothing voice washed over her, easing the tension in her shoulders. “What is your full name, honey? You don’t have to be nervous. You may not even get approved. This is just the application stage,” she assured her.
She was right; this was just the application process. She hadn’t even given a blood sample yet.
If Serenity was being honest with herself, she couldn’t deny the fear that gripped her. The thought of encountering a vampyr had always terrified her. She had hoped never to face one, but now, everything was about to change. She was preparing to leave behind everything she knew.
But she pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. She needed to focus on getting through this, or else her instincts would take over, and she would flee. Steeling herself with a deep breath, she forced the words out. “Serenity R. Wright.”
Shelia punched her name into the machine, attempting to assess her medical history. Her father had burned and erased every document that could identify her blood type a long time ago, insisting it was to keep her safe from them.
As Shelia stared intently at the screen, Serenity knew she was seeing the bare minimum of information. Her father had been thorough in keeping her out of the system. She had been homeschooled, never left the human districts, and always kept a low profile.
The scent of her mother’s homemade herbal concoction lingered on every piece of clothing she wore. The blend of lemon tea tree oil, activated charcoal, rosemary, and vanilla was meant to hide her natural scent.
Since she was young, she’d relied on it to cover up her unique scent. Her mother would create soap and shampoo for her to use and a specialized spray for when she ventured out into public. She always carried a small bottle of vinegar with her, a precaution in case she encountered any vampyrs.
She also wore a light brown cloak whenever she went out. But her mother believed her father’s true intentions were to hide her curly hair and honey-brown eyes, fearing they would attract unwanted attention. She never left without her cloak whenever she traveled, especially outside their district.
Except for today. She felt vulnerable without it but wouldn’t need it after this.
Shelia glanced up from the computer with curiosity evident in her eyes. “The only record we have of you in the system is your birth date. Have you never had a physical?”
It didn’t surprise Serenity that the woman was curious. If she were in her shoes, she would feel the same way. Her answer was simple: “My father was a doctor. He handled all my physicals and medical records.”
The memory of her father hung heavy in the air. He had been training her to be a nurse to help her mother and sister with their medical needs. But his life was cut short by a sudden heart attack during one of his routine trips into the city for more medicine.
With his absence, Serenity felt a part of herself missing; however, her family relied on her strength.
“He didn’t update your records.” Shelia glanced back at the screen and asked, “What was his name?”
“Dr. Richard J. Wright.” She wouldn’t find him in the system. He never officially returned to practicing as a doctor after the war. He only worked as an informal doctor for their neighbors and friends.
The nurse’s brows scrunched in concentration as she surveyed her computer screen. “I can’t find him in the system, and your records have not been updated. We’ll need to do a physical today and draw blood to get your blood type for your application. Let me see if we can squeeze you in with Dr. Bradford.”
Serenity anticipated this; she had mentally prepared for this precise moment. But even with all her preparation, she couldn’t shake the waves of anxiety that threatened to engulf her. Soon, they would know her secret, and she would be in danger. But her family would be saved, reaping the benefits of her becoming an Elite.
She despised the crushing weight of her family’s future on her shoulders; the pressure was almost suffocating. Her palms were slick with sweat, and her chest tightened as she struggled to hold back a sob.
Needing to gather herself, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, seeking respite from the tension. Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts, and she was torn between the responsibility she bore and the fear of what lay ahead.
It was a delicate balancing act; her determination to be strong for her family clashing with the nagging doubt and uncertainty gnawing at her resolve. She knew she had to be here, but that didn’t make it any easier. The emotional turmoil within her was like a storm raging beneath a calm exterior.
With a quiet yet determined resolve, Serenity opened her eyes, squared her shoulders, and braced herself for whatever lay beyond those cold, impersonal walls. She couldn’t let anxiety derail her; her family depended on her strength.
“Don’t worry, honey.” The sympathy in Shelia’s eyes didn’t help her worry. “The physical exam is painless, and the blood drawing is quick and painless.”
But it wasn’t the exam that made Serenity anxious. She was uncertain what would happen once her application was submitted, and there was no turning back.
Shelia typed a few more notes on her computer.
“Alright. I was able to squeeze you with Dr. Bradford. She is wonderful. This way.”
Shelia stood, grabbing a piece of paper from the printer before moving towards the door. Serenity stood to follow when suddenly Shelia stopped and turned back to her.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Shelia asked with a seriousness that almost made Serenity want to run. “Once we walk out the door, there is no turning back. Your name will be filed into the system forever.”
Even if she wasn’t approved by some chance of fate, her name would still be recorded in their databases, making her a potential target in a future blood drought—which meant that if they ever ran out of human recruits, they could call upon her. It was one of the risks she took by even walking into the clinic, but it was her only choice.
“I understand your concern, and thank you for it, but I have to do this.”
Shelia nodded slightly and opened the door. Her eyes, wide with uncertainty, met Serenity’s briefly before she led them into the hallway, closing the door behind them.
Serenity was happy to know that at least one of the nurses here cared about the humans who signed up and ensured this was their choice. This gave her some hope that this whole process wouldn’t be as dreadful as she thought.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and followed Shelia into the hallway, heart pounding as she contemplated what lay ahead.
Giveaway
$30 Amazon giftcard (WW),
Signed Copy of Bound (US oonly)
– 1 winner each!
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
