The
Harder They Fall
Blake
Pride Series, Book
Three
by JoAnna
Grace
a Paranormal Romance
Madelyn has been alone for nearly
a decade. Ashamed of what she has become, she banished herself from the
Blackburn Pack and resigned herself to a solitary life in the mountains. With
no plans of change, it’s alarming when a young, alluring lion shifter arrives
awakening her senses and challenging her situation. Her inner bear is still
haunted by the last man who tried to claim her and she doesn’t want to make the
same mistake again. Madelyn must discern
if Conall is worth the risk or of he’s another heartbreak just waiting to
happen.
While Conall is tucked away in
the woods with Madelyn, the rest of his Pride faces an attack. In haste to go
rescue his friends, he might throw the most vulnerable person of all to the
wolves. But are they friend or foe?
Available at Amazon
Excerpt:
Leaving the
truck, he unhitched the cart. It was colder up here, but his lion didn’t mind.
Conall sniffed the area, made sure no unsuspecting humans were going to get the
scare of a lifetime, and shifted into a massive African lion. The harness he
and Sampson rigged up last night worked perfectly. He slipped it over his head,
resting it on his shoulders. The lion started his trek up the mountains, having
memorized the map.
It was all too
easy to let his mind wander, to think about absolutely nothing except for where
his paws would land with the next step. The walking path to the cabin was clear
if you knew to look for the notches in the trees. He could travel like this all
day and not get bored, never tire. Being in the wilderness liberated his lion;
the burden he carried behind him only added a minor challenge to his muscular
frame.
This was exactly
what he needed.
The next four hours
passed slowly and quietly, a vast change from the chaos of the last few weeks.
For the first time in a long time, he turned off his brain and let his lion
dominate his actions. His wide paws navigated the terrain with no problems. His
ears alerted him to the movement of the forest creatures and his nose picked up
the various scents of nature. Conall lost himself into his lion and his human
counterpart took a well-needed mental nap. Then he heard an angel.
The voice echoed around the woods and he froze with one paw off the ground. His feline ears perked up. After living with Vivian Blake, diva extraordinaire, for five years, he knew musical talent when he heard it. Vivian had the most beautiful voice he’d ever heard…until right then. Closing his eyes, he crouched down, still as death, to listen. The notes rose and fell flawlessly on pitch and with incredible ease. Her range was awe-inspiring. His breath caught in his throat as he listened to her build up to a note so high and delicate, it caused his heart to soar in anticipation. The emotion of the words, the love conveyed in every measure resonated in his chest. Tendrils of melody wrapped around him, gripping him tighter with every beat. Had he been in human form, he might have fallen to his knees. As it was, the four legs of his lion shook with the driving need to get closer to the source of such mesmerizing singing.
He took cautious
steps over the crest of the hill to look upon the cottage set snugly among the
evergreens. Green tin roof and logs made from local timber provided camouflage.
Smoke rose from the chimney; the smell traveling the air currents was divine.
Three chairs rocked on the porch, pushed by the invisible hands of the wind.
Although the coming winter cold had scared them away, it was clear the cottage
was usually framed with flowers. A brown picket fence protected a garden. He
envisioned Snow White singing to the forest creatures as they scuttled around
her feet.
Ha, he thought.
Any moment now, some old woman would come outside with a radio in her hand.
He didn’t want
the fantasy to end. The lion closed his eyes and let the gentle voice wash over
him. Peace settled in his chest, a heavy weight dissolved from his shoulders.
The notes infiltrated his veins and he felt absolutely drunk with contentment.
Her love song pierced him and eased each breath he took.
Incredible…
The notes cut
off as soon as the wind shifted.
“Who’s there?”
chimed an angelic voice. His singer.
About
the Author:
JoAnna’s tales are spun at her
home in East Texas where she lives with her husband, three kids, and a couple
dogs. When not hiding behind the computer screen you can find her camping,
boating, and shopping.
Sign up for her newsletter to
receive information about new releases, events, and giveaways! www.authorjoannagrace.com
JoAnna loves to hear from readers
and fans!
You can find her at the following
places:
Twitter: @JoAnnaGrace4ya
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