Please welcome my Black Hills Wolves Packmate Katalina Leon with a moving tale about her inspiration for Uncaged.
Uncaged
book 25, is my second contribution to the Black Hills Wolves series. Portrait
of a Lone Wolf, book 7 was my first. I can’t say enough great things about this
amazing series. I love all the books, and each of the authors has been a joy to
work with. I have at least two more Black Hills Wolves books coming in early
2016. There will be some fun surprises too.
Uncaged,
has a special place in my heart. It’s dedicated to my late sister Christy. I
was fortunate enough to have Christy spend her last months in my home. During
one of our most poignant conversations, she confessed, “I thought my life would
have more romance.” She had a few intense relationships and lots of drama, but
never a loving romance with someone who really cared. Within a day of her passing,
I started writing Uncaged, determined to give Christy the protective,
understanding hero she never had in real life. I created Mitchell for Christy,
but I hope you’ll love him too, because we all deserve a hero who can love us
as we are.
Blurb:
Mitchell Waya was born to rage in a cage. Every time he competes in a mixed
martial arts match, he brings two secret weapons to the ring—a raging heart and
the blood of a wolf. When the beast within explodes, no man stands a chance.
Scaling the heights of an international career, he’s not prepared for the
tragedy and scandal that overtakes him.
At
fourteen, Christy was abducted and abused by a brutal cult of survivalist. In a
brave act of defiance, she attempts to escape but finds herself facing
execution in a dark alley. When Mitchell appears from the shadows like an
avenging angel to rescue her, she catches a glimpse of the protective wolf’s
fury. They form a brief but intense bond but then Fate pushes them apart.
Four
years pass. Fortunes change. Concerned about Mitchell’s welfare, Christy
reaches out, but her kind deed puts her squarely in a killer’s sights, and only
the courage of a wolf can save her.
Excerpt:
“Gee!” he shouted over his shoulder.
“Two cheeseburgers and fries.”
“No cheese on mine,” she added. “I’ll
pay. I appreciate you taking the time to sit down with me.”
He shook his head. “Gee will put
cheese on it anyway. In his mind, a hamburger comes with cheese. I’ve tried
asking him to leave the cheese off mine, but he won’t do it. He’s an eccentric.
I used to peel it away, now I just eat it.”
“Okay.”
“The burgers are on me. I’ve got a
tab here, and I rent a room upstairs.”
“Here?” She appeared scandalized.
“You live above a pool hall? I figured you owned a trophy home somewhere
nearby.”
Settling into his chair. “Nope.”
“This place looks rowdy. It must be
hard to sleep.”
How could he explain the clack of pool cues and blaring music
filtering through the floorboards were pleasant alternatives to the angry voice
in his head telling him he was a worthless jerk. “I don’t mind.”
Drumming her fingertips on the table,
she glanced around. “So, the Tex Wilkins story is true? You really are broke?”
“Disappointed? You sure don’t look
like a gold digger.”
She didn’t skip a beat. A spark of
compassion shone in her eyes. “You deserve better.”
Her words sounded convincing as if
she did care. He took a long look at her. Even a half-dozen layers of frumpy
clothes didn’t obliterate a graceful frame and hint of soft curves. Tons of
wild auburn hair tumbled in waves around her face. Her lush lips sent
conflicting messages. A new terror entered his thoughts. He half feared she
might be one of the women he’d hooked up with on the circuit and long
forgotten, or didn’t recognize minus the heavy glamor makeup. He hoped to God
he’d never messed with anyone this young. “Have we met?”
She seemed anxious, almost
breathless. Her lips parted. “Once.”
Panic set in. “I am so sorry if I did
or said anything to hurt your feelings or mislead you. During a chunk of my
life, everything moved so fast it became a blur. I’m not proud of my
promiscuous behavior, but I can’t say I regret it either. If I—”
Her jaw dropped. “What are you
talking about?”
He gulped. “Have we…the two of us…you
know?”
Her cheeks flushed. “No! Absolutely
not.”
“That’s a relief. I’d hate to forget
someone like you.”
Turning her face, she stared at the
wall. “I made a big mistake approaching you this way.”
He threw his hands in
the air. “I told you not to come. Don’t pretend to be shocked. I thought you
wanted a where-is-he-now interview. The more horrid stuff dug up about me the
better, am I right?”
Uncaged releases
August 21, 2015.
Available via:
Bio: Katalina Leon
Katalina Leon is an artist and
author who can’t commit to a single genre. Her favorite playgrounds are
historical, Sci-fi, contemporary, and most of all paranormal realms. Katalina
brings a sense of adventure and a touch of the mystical to erotic romance. She
believes there's a daring heroine inside every woman who wants to take a wild
ride with a strong worthy hero.
Facebook:
Website: www.katalinaleon.com
Twitter: @Katalina_Leon
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