I leaned forward and lifted a hand to her cheek. I needed to touch her. It was a compulsion. Necessary.
Moving slowly, I ran my thumb along her cheekbone, down to her jaw. Her skin was softer than a flower petal. The softest thing I’d ever touched. “Please. I wish to thank you. I give my word of honor as a Warlord, you are safe with me.”
“A warlord? What is that, exactly? Where are you from? I can’t place your accent.”
I fumbled through my sex-crazed mind for the name of a country on Earth that might work to ease her suspicions. I’d studied her native language, the planet’s geography and cultures. Their history, as much as I could take of it. Warlord? I was an idiot. “South Africa.”
She raised one eyebrow and tilted her head to one side. “You’re a long way from home, soldier.”
“You have no idea.”
She grinned as she wrapped her fingers around my wrist and gently lowered my hand away from her face. “You can buy me a beer and a piece of pizza. The pizza place is two blocks from here.”
“I accept.”
“You asked me, remember?”
It was my turn to grin. “That is not how I will remember our first date.”
“It isn’t a date.” There went that eyebrow again, as if she were scolding me. My fierce, fearless female. My cock jumped in my shorts and I placed an arm across my lap to hide the evidence of my need for her. I was big, everywhere. The last thing I wanted to do was frighten her.
“You are correct.” This was not a date. This was a claiming. After tonight, she would never be alone again. She was mine.
Grace Goodwin is a USA Today and international bestselling author of Sci-Fi and Paranormal romance with nearly one million books sold. Grace’s titles are available worldwide in multiple languages in ebook, print and audio formats. Two best friends, one left-brained, the other right-brained, make up the award-winning writing duo that is Grace Goodwin. They are both mothers, escape room enthusiasts, avid readers and intrepid defenders of their preferred beverages. (There may or may not be an ongoing tea vs. coffee war occurring during their daily communications.) Grace loves to hear from readers.
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Three Reasons You Should Read This Christian Fiction:
Beneath the Willow Tree by Anny Burrus is a quick and insightful read that really demonstrates trust and grace.
The fantasy world and characters do not detract from the message, but it is also told in a way that non-Christians would enjoy as a quick fantasy read.
The physical representation of hate and fear they way to remove and overcome this was well thought out and very tangible.
At least, that’s what Nova thought until she met him.
Her world is painful, her only solace a lone willow tree on the bank of a lake that she goes and sits under at the end of the day. Trust is a word to be laughed at and mocked, not encouraged or actually done. The Mark has made it that way.
But then, she meets a man without a Mark. And he says he can do the impossible, the unheard of, what she has longed for. He says he can free her. But in order for him to do it, she must trust him, something she is sure she cannot do.
Beneath the Willow Tree is a standalone Christian fantasy short story, but can be read and enjoyed by non-Christians.
Beneath the Willow Tree by Abby Burrus was a quick, thoughtful, and entertaining short story. I enjoy short stories since they are great for a quick start to finish in an hour or less type of book. However, I think this one could have used a little more length. I wanted to know more about the land and how the marks appeared. I think that as a fantasy reader, I expect a little more world-building and details to my stories, but as an inspirational or Christian reader, I don’t always expect that. Beneath the Willow Tree straddles those worlds for me so I keep going back and forth on whether or not I wanted to be longer.
I really enjoyed how the message is obvious, but not preachy. (I really dislike preachy books.) There is no missing it, but it’s woven in as such an integral part of the story that you just absorb it along with all the rest and it just fits very well.
**I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book**
Title: Come True Author: Brindi Quinn Series: Come True #1 Genre: New Adult Paranormal Romance
A jaded girl. A persistent genie. A contest of souls.
Recent college graduate Dolly Jones has spent the last year stubbornly trying to atone for a mistake that cost her everything. She doesn’t go out, she doesn’t make new friends and she sure as hell doesn’t treat herself to things she hasn’t earned, but when her most recent thrift store purchase proves home to a hot, magical genie determined to draw out her darkest desires in exchange for a taste of her soul, Dolly’s restraint, and patience, will be put to the test.
Newbie genie Velis Reilhander will do anything to beat his older half-brothers in a soul-collecting contest that will determine the next heir to their family estate, even if it means coaxing desire out of the least palatable human he’s ever contracted. As a djinn from a ‘polluted’ bloodline, Velis knows what it’s like to work twice as hard as everyone else, and he won’t let anyone—not even Dolly f*cking Jones—stand in the way of his birthright. He just needs to figure out her heart’s greatest desire before his asshole brothers can get to her first.
COME TRUE: A BOMB-ASS GENIE ROMANCE is the romantic, fantastic second-coming-of-age story of two flawed twenty-somethings from different realms battling their inner demons, and each other, one wish at a time.
“The queen of world-building.” – Goodreads Reviewer
Brindi Quinn is a fantasy/paranormal author from Minnesota specializing in world-building and romance. She is an advocate of quirky love and firmly believes that banter makes the heart grow fonder.
Since 2011, Quinn has written over a dozen young adult and new adult novels beginning with her debut epic fantasy series, Heart of Farellah. Her works often blur the lines between paranormal romance, science fiction and fantasy, and her series have been hailed as unique, addictive reads by reviewers across platforms.
Quinn has a bachelor’s in general communication studies and is published through Never & Ever Publishing and Midnight Tide Publishing (forthcoming). She considers herself an avid fangirl, indulging heavily in video game lore and all things swoony.
Be sure to catch her upcoming new adult fantasy, Come True, set for publication by Midnight Tide Publishing spring 2022!
