Today I am so pleased to welcome Tempeste O’Riley to Joyfully Jay. Tempeste has come to talk to us about Fangs with a Heart (Chain of Fate, #2). They have also brought along some great giveaways! Please join me in giving Tempeste a big welcome!

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Hello and thank you to Jay for having me over. Today I’m sharing a little from Fangs with a Heart, book 2 in the Chain of Fate series. This book has some fun and light things happening, but it also has some dark history that Trace has to overcome so he can find his way to Sasha. And that’s outside the issues happening present tense in the story. You see, domestic abuse isn’t just a het-issue. And it’s not just women that are abused. Men are physically, mentally, sexually, and emotionally abused everyday by those that claim to love them, just as women are. Men are abusers. Women are abusers.

In Fangs Trace has found his perfect mate, Sasha, but what if he’s too afraid to give that bond a chance because of his past. That’s not such a farfetched idea, sadly. This is something that happens in the real world. One of the things I strive to do is put even my paranormal characters into real life situations. Both good and bad. And sadly for Trace, that meant his first try for love wasn’t a good one.

Now, don’t worry. If you’ve ever read my stories, I may make my men work for their happy, but they get there. I would never make them suffer for no reason. But I also want to make sure that everyone can see themselves within the pages of my romances. Sasha isn’t perfect. Just perfect for Trace. And Trace isn’t free of his past… yes, PTSD sucks for the poor were lynx. But, as always, I give each man what they need to find who and what they need to be happy and to find love.

One last thing. If you need help, don’t think you are alone or that there is no one that will help. There are programs and people. To find help, here are a few links. These are by no means the only ones, but these are a few of the ones I know: DomesticShelters.org (https://www.domesticshelters.org/) National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 Gay Men’s Domestic Violence Project (http://gmdvp.org/gmdvp/): 1-800-832-1901


Excerpt

Sasha paced outside the bedroom Trace was currently in. The doctor and one of his assistants, along with Jalin, were still inside with him. It had taken Dr. Niko throwing Sasha out of the room to get him to let go of Trace. If the others hadn’t known there was something more between the two men, they did now. Not that Trace was likely to ever allow Sasha near him after this.

When Dimka and Summer came around the corner together, Sasha stopped and faced them. “What did you find out?” he hissed. “Who were they, and could you track them?”

“Tracking them wasn’t hard, sir, which is why what we found is highly suspect.” Dimka glanced to Summer before he met Sasha’s gaze. “If the hotel room’s items are to be believed, your uncle is behind this. However—”

“What!”

“However,” he repeated louder but without yelling. “It’s all too neat and well laid out for my liking. If they had written a confession and put out a map, it wouldn’t have been any simpler to find the room or the information we now have. I don’t trust it.”

“Nor do I, my lord.” Summer worried the cuticle of his right thumb before he continued. “Something isn’t right. I have never liked your mother’s brother. He’s far too power hungry, in my opinion, as you know, but this….” He shook his head, brows drawn together. “Having his children do this also makes no sense to me, as you would simply kill both his heirs and then him. Anyone with sense knows this. Well, had the attack worked and Trace died.”

Sasha didn’t want to think about Trace dead, so he focused on the rest of the information instead. “Very true. Family or not, I am not known for my patience or kindness when those I care for and protect are attacked. And attacking this particular tribe is doubly insane.” The last group of vampires to set upon the Glacier Rim Tribe—specifically against Sasha’s sister, Princess Nadia, and her fated heart, Alpha Orin Green—were destroyed to a man. Harming Trace would bring the same once he found out who was truly behind it.

“As for the cat in question” came the doctor’s voice from behind Sasha. Sasha spun around so quickly he nearly overbalanced himself. “What news of Trace?”

“That’s what I thought.” Dr. Niko stared at Sasha a moment longer before motioning him to enter the room. “Come. We may have a problem, and I’m thinking you are the only one who can fix it, my lord.”

“Why? What’s wrong with Tr…?” The words died on Sasha’s tongue when he entered the room and found Trace. Sasha’s worries about why his would-be mate wasn’t waking up were over, as Trace was crouched against the far wall of the guest bedroom. He was obviously awake. However, the strange look in Trace’s eyes and the quiet hissing coming from him didn’t comfort Sasha in the least.

With a loud screech—or what would approximate the lynx version, but with a human voice—Trace launched himself across the room and landed atop Sasha. Too startled to do more than brace himself for the fall, Sasha allowed the shifter to bear him to the floor and kneel above him. Trace then paced around him, snarling and hissing and arching his back if anyone got too close. The only saving grace for his loyal guards was that Trace’s fingers were human instead of being their lynx paws—with their razor-sharp claws.

“Back off, everyone. I don’t know what’s going on with Trace, but he’s not harming me in any way, so stay back.”

The collective yeses were slow to come and in no way happy sounding.

“Jalin, please call Alpha Keith Skyler. Maybe he will know why Trace is doing this.” As soon as Jalin stepped out, Sasha turned his head to search out the doctor. “Any clue what’s going on?”


Blurb

Fangs with a HeartNo one touched those that were Sasha’s. And Trace was his, even if Trace’s past made it hard for him to see beyond his fears to what they could become.

Series: Chain of Fate, book #2
Genre: M/M Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Length: Novel / 236 pages
Cover Artist: Catt Ford
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press
Published: May 2017

Lynx shifter Trace Wilson’s fun-loving exterior hides a heart scarred by severe domestic violence—a heart that might not ever trust another male, fated mate or not. When Trace moves to Seattle, WA to take his place as trainer and council representative to the Glacier Rim Tribe, he discovers his mate is the vampire prince Sasha Tolstoi, leader of the Konstantin Coven. It’s not something Trace is ready to accept. Not now, maybe not ever. But if there’s one thing Sasha knows how to do, it’s how to be patient, especially when his fated heart is also his perfect sub.

When an outside force threatens the fragile bond slowly forming between them—and nearly kills Trace—Trace’s instincts shift into high gear. Sasha is powerful, and that means he has enemies, among them several rival covens and an uncle determined to force Sasha into a marriage with a vampire princess. But why involve the lynx Trace in their maneuvering? Finding the culprit won’t be easy, and it will mean building trust—a slow and difficult prospect for someone who’s suffered as much as Trace. Finding a way to move beyond the past, and to love, before those out to finish Sasha can destroy either, is a race the two fated hearts have to win.


Bio

Tempeste O'RileyTempeste O’Riley is an out and proud pansexual genderfluid person whose best friend growing up had the courage to do what they couldn’t—defy the hate and come out. He has been their hero ever since.

Tempe is a hopeless romantic who loves strong relationships and happily-ever-afters. Though new to writing M/M, they has done many things in their life, yet writing has always drawn them back—no matter what else life has thrown their way. They counts her friends, family, and Muse as their greatest blessings in life. They lives in Wisconsin with their children, reading, writing, and enjoying life.

Tempe is also a proud PAN member of Romance Writers of America®WisRWAand Rainbow Romance Writers. Tempe’s preferred pronouns are they/them/their/theirs/themselves. To learn more about Tempeste and their writing, visit http://tempesteoriley.com.


Giveaway

Tempe has brought a choice of any backlist ebook for two winners and one will receive both a print and ebook from the backlist! Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Tuesday, October 31st at 11:59 pm ET.

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
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