eBook, $1.95

• Smashwords (all formats), ISBN: 978-1-4657-2609-4
• B&N Nookbook – BN ID# 2940032909170
• Amazon Kindle – ASIN# B007RFTIM2

Print, $6.95

• CreateSpace, ISBN: 1-46803523-1 / 978-1-46803523-0
• Amazon: ASIN# 1468035231

Nia Alaera is the only daughter of Alaerian King Thaedis. To benefit the realm and expand trade, she is betrothed to the mayor of a blossoming town in a neighboring district sight unseen. After her childhood fantasies of finding true love the betrothal is a bitter pill to swallow, but her dedication to her people provides silent courage.

Future possibilities shift when she meets her mysterious husband-to-be before the wedding. With his unruly shock of auburn hair and easy going manner, she is reminded of a mischievous boy rather than a mayor. Shamus O’Neill is a handsome and endearing alternative to the decrepit mayor of her imagination.

When he makes it his daily goal to woo her, friendship flames into fondness. Each act of deference encourages a stronger affection in Nia until her heart comes to realize that the fondness has blossomed to a true and passionate love for her husband.

Excerpt:

Shamus leaned against the carriage as he watched her, Nia, an Alaerian princess, dangling her feet in the cool water of a fishing hole. Fishing, joking, and telling stories of adventure over crumbly muffins and chugs of juice straight from the jug. Each day he knew her he found a different part to her intensity. A different depth to her. A new reason to love her: his wife.

Nia leaned back onto her elbows and kicked at the surface of the water, sending the spray up and over her. She giggled and Shamus sighed. Then he double-checked the security of the fish-holding basket – they’d reeled in three of the huge fish – and made his way back over to her, barefoot as he was.

She welcomed him with a bright smile. “I would love to sleep out here. It’s so lovely, and the ground is so soft, and the air smells so wonderful….” Nia moved her gaze out to the pond and the surrounding brush. “Yes. I want to sleep out here.”

Shamus leaned back on his elbows the same as her, their elbows almost touching. “I’ve done that once or twice.”

Nia took in and released a deep breath, eyes closed. Then she laid back completely, resting her hands behind her head as she continued to peacefully smile. Shamus watched her, fully believing he couldn’t love her more.

“It’s a thrill of adventure to sleep surrounded by so much beauty,” she said.

“I can’t argue with that.”

“It scared me as a child, but I knew Dray would keep me safe. Then I had Ana, and Rook, and Lee… and now you.” She turned her head and reached out to gently hold and caress his forearm. “Thank you, Shay. You’ve given me a second home. Another place to feel safe.”

Shamus couldn’t look away, mesmerized as he was by the blue and the light and the sparkle within her eyes. He smiled. “My pleasure, princess.”

“I know, and that touches me deepest of all,” she told him. “You continue being steady, inviting, and trustworthy… allowing me to feel secure and welcome. You never ridicule, or force your attentions, or disrespect me. Shay….”

Nia’s expression softened to the most wonderful smile he ever saw in his life. It sucked the air out of his lungs and made it hard to remember how to breathe.

“Shamus O’Neill, you let me see who you are, giving me every opportunity to not only be your friend, but to grow in fondness. You’ve even confessed your own feelings, which encouraged me to try for something deeper. An emotion I have dreamed of experiencing since childhood.”

Nia held his gaze a moment before sitting up, gathering his hands to draw him up as well. Her breath fanned his face, her knees touching his and causing his heart to almost stop beating. The ache to hold her was unbearable— She leaned in and brushed his lips with hers. The warm caress sent thoughts to the four winds, his control teetering as his arms surrounded her and drew her close. Her silky soft arms entwined his neck, drawing herself closer as her mouth moved with his, her breath erratic and her heart thudding against his chest.

Sammy! Shamus dragged his lips from hers. He couldn’t do this, could he? “Nia,” he huffed.

But Nia followed him, interrupting any protest or caution by another caress of her mouth, accentuating the touch by a feather-light caress of her fingers across his cheek. Protests vanished and Shamus drew her tight against him, releasing the stranglehold on his control. There was only her, in his arms, her wings a tickle across his forearms as she returned and accepted each kiss.

Then she lifted her lips so very slowly, her breathing as rushed as his while those midnight blue eyes gazed into his… and she smiled. Thoughts finally began to flow with sluggish reluctance. Sammy boy, did you just…? Did Nia…? Kissing…? “Princess?”

“Hm?” And the smile of her eyes danced in her tone.

Shamus cleared his throat, finding it difficult to think when she held him so close and the memory of her soft lips still so fresh… “Did you just…? Did we… kiss?”

Nia’s wings began a soft rhythmic pulse, barely tickling the air, just as they had the night she had confessed her intent to love him. Her arms adjusted their hold around his neck. “Yes.”

Thoughts scattered and Shamus swallowed hard, desperately trying to figure what it meant and if he should ask and if he could kiss her again. “Erm….”

An errant curl distracted her gaze from his and she reached a finger to caress it in line with the others. “I have wanted to do that since this morning.” Her arm returned to its counterpart around his neck.

“Thank you?” Idiot.