Today I am so pleased to welcome Annabelle Jacobs back to Joyfully Jay. Annabelle has come to share an exclusive excerpt from her latest release, The Altered 3. She has also brought along a backlist book to give away. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Excerpt

Matt couldn’t take any more of their misery. “Look, I know you said we needed two full shifters to go, but I want to go in Sam’s place.” He gestured in Ash and Sam’s direction. “He’s going to be no use if he’s worrying about Ash the whole time, and I can’t handle seeing the two of them so fucking sad.”

Sam frowned, but the hopeful look on Ash’s face assured Matt this was the right thing to do.

“I thought you had work to do?” Daniel said, getting his attention. “You said you had a deadline.”

“It can wait. It’s not like they’re going to come down here.” He’d have some shit to explain and sort out, but he didn’t care. That was a job, these were people he loved, and he didn’t want to separate Sam and Ash when their relationship was still so new. “You remember what it was like for you and Jordan at the beginning. We can’t split them up like this. It’s not fair.”

Sam cleared his throat. “I’ll be okay.”

“But I don’t think Ash will.” Matt glanced at Ash for confirmation. Ash flushed, and looked down at the ground.

“Ash?” Sam tipped his chin up with a finger.

“I’m sorry.”

“Fuck, why didn’t you say something? I knew you were worried, but if it’s more than that, you should have told me.”

“I didn’t want to seem needy.”

Matt wanted to slap him around the head and then hug him, for fuck’s sake.

Sam leaned in and rested their foreheads together. “It’s nothing to be ashamed of. You’re still so new at this, and I forget. I’m sorry. I should never have offered to go.” He kissed Ash softly before turning to face Matt. “Are you sure?”

“Yeah. I want to go.”

“But—” Daniel protested and Matt immediately cut him off.

“I know I’m not a full shifter, but I can take care of myself, Dan.”

“I know that. That wasn’t what I was going to say.”

“Oh, well, spit it out then.”

Daniel pulled him into a hug and whispered in his ear. “If you insist on doing this, then take Charlie’s gun.”

“I don’t need—”

“Christ, Matt. I know. Take it for me, okay. I need to know that you’ve got some extra protection. Please.”

Matt deflated, his frustration melting away. “Okay.”

Daniel squeezed him tight before hurrying inside to get Charlie’s gun. They hadn’t deemed it necessary with Sam in the car with Charlie, but Matt could see the logic in taking it now. Even if it makes me feel inferior.

He shook it off, now wasn’t the time for his pride to get in the way of his and Charlie’s safety.

Keira lowered her window, obviously having heard the whole thing. She caught Matt’s eye and mouthed, “Thank you,” to him.

Matt guessed Ash wasn’t the only one who didn’t want Sam to go. He could see why. She’d only just got her brother back. He nodded in return.

Daniel appeared then, gun in hand. “Take care of yourself, and don’t do anything stupid.”

“I’ll do my best.”

He handed it over, and Matt took it carefully. “Do you know how to use it?” Daniel eyed him suspiciously.

“Sort of. I’ll get some pointers from Charlie on the way.”

Daniel paled, and Matt grinned at him. “I’m kidding. Yeah, I know how to use it. Charlie showed me a while back.”

“So not funny.” Daniel punched him on the arm and glared at him. “You better get going.”

“Yeah, okay. See you soon.”

He got a hug from Jordan, which surprised the hell out of him, and then Matt walked around to the passenger side of the Honda and got in beside Charlie.

Charlie smiled at him and started the car. “Ready?”

“Yeah.” Matt smiled back and settled into his seat. “Let’s go.”


Blurb

TheAltered-Three-fMatt is a single shifter living in a house full of couples. It’s not that he begrudges his friends their happiness—especially after everything they’ve been through—but he wants someone for himself. He wants a mate. Living out in the Cornish countryside there seems little chance of him finding one.

Thomas’s life has recently been changed for ever. Newly altered, he finds himself in danger as his mother, a prominent politician, works to put a stop to the mistreatment of altereds and bring those responsible to justice.

To keep him safe, Thomas is sent to Cornwall where Matt and his friends offer him refuge until he can return to his home in London. Despite the circumstances surrounding his arrival, Thomas and Matt bond in a way neither of them were expecting. They struggle to come to terms with what this might mean for their future once the threat is eliminated.


Bio

Annabelle_edited-1Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.


Giveaway

Annabelle has brought a backlist book to give away to one lucky reader. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on Sunday, October 11 at 11:59 pm EST.

  • By entering the giveaway, you’re confirming that you are at least 18 years old.
  • Winners will be selected by random number. No purchase necessary to win.  The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning.
  • If you win, you must respond to my email within 48 hours or another winner may be chosen. Please make sure that your spam filter allows email from Joyfully Jay.
  • Winners may be announced on the blog following the contest. By entering the contest you are agreeing to allow your name to be posted and promoted as the contest winner by Joyfully Jay.
  • Prizes will be distributed following the giveaway either by Joyfully Jay or the person/organization donating the prize.
  • All book prizes are in electronic format unless otherwise specified.
  • By entering you are agreeing to hold Joyfully Jay harmless if the prize or giveaway in some way negatively impacts the winner.
  • Readers may only enter once for each contest.  Duplicate entries for the same giveaway will be ignored. In the event of technical problems with the blog during the contest, every effort will be made to extend the contest deadline to allow for additional entries.
  • Void where prohibited by law.
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