Paranormal Love Wednesday Blog Hop: Cursed Awakening Leads To A Savage Dawn

 

Ivy Morgan has finally gotten her chance to have a life of her own. Romance is not part of that plan. 

Well that was before Nyx Wahpeton walked into her life. 

Now Ivy's wondering if she can trust Nyx with her dark secrets but can Nyx trust her with his? 

Nyx is a wolf shifter and the lives of all those he loves hangs in the balance for one woman; a human woman who has been hurt deeply. 

While the sparks fly between them and the passion they share engulfs them both, an ancient evil lurks in the dark and Nyx will have to fight to keep his people and Ivy safe. 

However, evil doesn't always lurk in the darkest of places and betrayal hits the hardest when it's the one you know. 

READ IT NOW! 

  

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 Ivy was afraid at first, but she could now see why Lorna loved it when Terrance picked her up on his Kawasaki. It was really exhilarating; almost like flying except she had to hold on or she’d fly right off. Nyx drove through town and down the old Route 44 before getting off and heading down some dirt roads. Everything was beautiful to Ivy! The statuesque trees with their green leaves and needles, the chestnut brown earth, the green foliage that littered the ground, and the way the sun streamed through the canopy of leaves. Nyx pulled the bike to a halt in front of an old covered bridge. He got off the bike and helped Ivy off as well. When they removed their helmets he led her over towards the bridge.
“This is the old Thatcher’s Bridge. It’s one of the oldest I’ve been told in the whole U.S. of A. My father...er grandfather helped build the bridge.” He explained with a bit of pride.
The old Thatcher Bridge was raggedy, but there was something really beautiful about it. It was like when one looked at a work of art that didn’t really look like it was anything until you took the time to stand back and really see it. The bridge looked as if at one time it might have been red and the wooden shingled roofing had all but either worn away with time or met with some sort of natural catastrophe. She peered in and could see beams of sunlight and dust motes sifting through the air.
“What happened to it?” she asked as she looked up at his face.
“Well, the bridge got old and there was a flood long ago. Something bad happened and well no one travels the bridge anymore. The elders at the Res as well as the town’s folk decided that the bridge would no longer be used. However, no one could bear to tear it down. So here it sits. I’ve been dying to be able to fix it up. I know that sounds kind of dull, huh?”
“No, no it doesn’t. It would be beautiful again with just some new boards, shingles, and some paint. What terrible thing happened?” Ivy was curious now. It really impressed her that he’d want to take on such a project, and take it on for such selfless reasons.
Nyx was a little uncomfortable. The story of the Thatcher Bridge was a sad one that not a lot of people spoke of. He cleared his throat and began the tale.
“Well, the bridge had been in operation for about ten years or so. It was how the people from town could get to the Res. The bridge had been a symbol of good faith and good relations between the ‘white man’ and the ‘red man’. This was back when both the town and the Res flourished with goodness. You know, even though there was all this goodwill there were still prejudices. The mayor at the time had a daughter. That daughter had been seeing an Indian boy much to her father’s displeasure. They would meet at this bridge and see each other. One night during a storm, the Mayor had discovered that his only daughter was with child. He threw her out and since there weren’t any phone lines at the Res at the time, she couldn’t very well call her lover. So she got in her father’s old pickup and headed for the Res.
The new road to the Res hadn’t been built yet so she had to cross the bridge. The storm was raging, the water was rising and that creek there was starting to flood. The car stalled on the bridge. The water was rising and well to make a long story short that great big hole, there…” he motioned to where one wall of the bridge had a huge gaping hole in it, “her truck with her in it was overtaken by water. They found her four days later, drowned. The Indian boy later found out why she had been on the bridge and in his despair, he hung himself. It was a really sad time; a horrible time. Ever since the bridge has been closed and never repaired. It sits as it is now, like a grave marker.” Nyx said sadly.
Ivy’s heart clenched in her chest at his story. It was truly awful what had happened.
“Nyx, I’m so sorry! That is such a sad story.” Ivy said as her voice broke.
Nyx looked over at her, and put an arm around her as he started to see a small tear streak down her face. His lips touched her forehead. It felt so right that she was in his arms and he couldn’t ignore it!
“I’m sorry I brought you here. I just wanted you to see it, but I shouldn’t have. It’s why I want to repair the bridge and make it something as it once was; beautiful!” he admitted.
“No, I’m glad you brought me here! It really is beautiful set amongst the trees and I bet you’ll make it even lovelier than it was before. It shouldn’t be a reminder of tragedy. God knows there are enough tragic reminders around without this being one of them.” she replied softly.
Nyx smiled but couldn’t help but feel the ache in her voice. Lorna’s word’s played in his head, “When it comes to suffering, she’s no stranger to it.”
“Ivy, what tragic reminders do you have?” he asked without really thinking. He wanted to recant his words but couldn’t.
Ivy’s eyes grew even sadder and he could sense she was retreating into herself.
“I, I don’t really like talking about it. They’re n-not important.” She stammered as she stepped out of his arms.

“You know, you can talk to me if you need to! I mean I don’t want to intrude but no matter what it is that bothers you, you can talk to me if you want.” he offered.
She gave him a half smile that didn’t reach her eyes as she turned to look down at the creek with its bubbling stream flowing along. Nyx decided to drop the subject. The last thing he wanted to do was be pushy. He just hoped she’d learn to trust him. Whatever it was, he didn’t care; he only wanted to help her if he could. Nyx cared about her even though he knew he shouldn’t.
“Come on, I have someone I want you to meet!” he said as he led her back to the bike.
Ivy hoisted herself on the back of bike and wrapped her arms around Nyx wondering where they were going next but not caring as long as she was with him now. Nyx started up the bike and again they were off. They headed on down the dirt path beyond the bridge. They came back up onto the main road and he headed east on it. The sun was just starting to make the sky look peachy-pink, but there was some blue in it still. Nyx pulled off onto another dirt road that looked more like an old service road. At the end of the road was a small drive way. Nyx stopped in front of a small house. It looked more like a log cabin out of an Outdoor magazine. There was a middle-aged woman rocking in a chair snapping green beans into a terracotta bowl. She looked up and smiled as she waved at Nyx.
Nyx helped Ivy off the bike and led her towards the front porch to where the woman was now standing. “Margaret, this is a friend of mine, Ivy Morgan.” He greeted. Ivy stepped to the side of Nyx and shook the woman’s hand. She smiled warmly at both Ivy and Nyx.
“Margaret White Elk has lived here her whole life, Ivy. She’s a good friend to my family, and well just about everyone else! She doesn’t say too much, but Margaret is one of the finest women I know and she makes the best fry bread!” Nyx whispered.
Margaret made a gesture with her hands and smiled. Ivy guessed that Margaret must be deaf, and wished she knew sign language. However, Nyx seemed to be communicating pretty good with her. Inside the woman’s small house was an iron stove, dried fruit and herbs hanging from the ceiling on a rack, a modest counter top and sink combo, a small Frigidaire, and cabinets with see through panes that showed her dry goods and dishes. On the oak looking table, there were bowls of fruits and nuts along with a few fat candles. Everything looked homey and neat. Woven rugs were placed strategically and decoratively. On the walls were pictures in heirloom frames and beautiful paintings. Ivy would have bet her next pay check that she had painted them herself. A few of them were nature landscapes and animals, but there were four that really looked like abstract art pieces. The colors were vibrant and every detail had been included. She could have sworn that if she had touched the painting of a trio of bear cubs that she would have felt a fuzzy face instead of a canvas with paint.
Margaret went straight to a cabinet and took out three glasses that she filled with tea. All the colors from the wooden floor to the furniture were all bright earth tones. The cabin seemed just as cozy as the woman in front of her. Margaret took out a covered bowl and set it on the table. It was fry bread. Nyx took a piece and broke it in half. He gave a piece to Ivy. She took a nibble and then a bigger bite. Nyx hadn’t lied; this was good stuff! Margaret made some more gestures that were probably American Sign Language. Nyx laughed and nodded.
Ivy was through her half of bread when Nyx handed her another piece. Margaret laughed. Ivy felt her face flush with embarrassment. Nyx patted her hand. “Don’t worry; you are giving her quite a compliment by eating her fry bread! Margaret can hear if you speak to her; she just can’t speak.” He explained.
“Thank you for welcoming me to your home and thank you for the bread! I’ve never had anything like it before and it’s delicious!” Ivy smiled at Margaret who smiled back and clapped her hands.
Margaret signed something and Ivy watched Nyx shake his head “no” and then she signed something else and Ivy didn’t miss the wink he gave her.
After about an hour and a short walk around back so Margaret could show Ivy her garden; Ivy and Nyx were back on the bike heading towards town. Ivy pointed out where she lived with Lorna. It was dark by the time they reached the house. They stood for a span of moments that seemed like eternity as they stared at one another.
“You should probably go in, Ivy. I really liked spending time with you today and I know Margaret liked having you around!” he said next to her ear.
Ivy didn’t want him to go. “I liked spending time with you too! Margaret is really nice, but was she born mute?”
Nyx’s eyes shadowed at that moment. His face looked pained.
“No, no she was married once. Her bastard husband beat on her. He was an alcoholic and he tried to strangle her. He crushed her voice box. Before, she met and married him; she had one of the most beautiful singing voices on the Res! Margaret’s husband died while coming home from a bar one night. He had been drinking and started a fight with the wrong guy. The guy tried to keep from fighting him, but the drunken asshole pulled a knife and the guy while trying to wrestle the thing away accidently ended up stabbing him.” he sighed and looked away.
“Margaret must have really loved the bastard though because she never again married.” Nyx knew a little more details but he was going to spare Ivy the play by play.
Ivy bowed her head. She knew all about how volatile men whether they were drunk or not could turn. It gave her shivers.
“She seems to really like you though; your visits must be a comfort to her.” Ivy whispered.
Nyx raked a hand through his hair, thinking to himself; once again he’d said something that had pained her, “Yeah. She is a very good friend to my mother. My mother always took care of Margaret as a child and then when she’d been hurt by her husband. I was little and Margaret walked over fifty miles in the snows of winter when we were all very sick. It was so bad that no one from the Res or town could come, but Margaret did. It’s ironic, Margaret is a healer among my people and hers yet she couldn’t heal herself.” He looked at Ivy and knew that he had totally killed the mood. He cursed himself.
“Hey, enough about Margaret though. I really liked spending time with you and I would like to see you again, how about tomorrow?”
Ivy shook her head, “I can’t. I have to work a double tomorrow. I won’t get off until after seven.”
Nyx just smiled, “Hey, I don’t mind as long as I could see you! If nothing else, I could give you a ride home!” He found himself hoping that she’d say yes, but he wanted to see her smile.
Ivy thought about it and gave him a half smile, “Okay. I work down at Grady’s Café. I get off at seven.”
Nyx took his hand and placed it slowly and gently on her cheek as he leaned in slowly and barely touched his lips to hers. Ivy knew she should bolt but the man drew her in like a magnet! For a moment she was lost in the sensation of his kiss. In a lot of ways, it was her very first kiss!
When she parted her lips ever so slightly, Nyx deepened the kiss. Immediately heat flushed her whole body and she became a live wire. He rested his hands on her either side of her face as he kissed her. Never had she ever been kissed like this before. She’d always felt cold and inhuman when Papa Paul had touched her. She didn’t feel that way with Nyx. Suddenly she became all too aware of her body’s reaction and she withdrew.
Nyx knew that something had turned her off but he just smiled and gave her the space she needed. He wished he knew what it was or rather who had hurt her. Nyx didn’t press for details; he just hoped she’d open up about it.

 Ever since I was a child I have loved books and stories. I am a mother of two and have been married to my high school sweetheart for twenty years. I have been a long time fan of horror, fantasy, and Science fiction genres since I was a kid.

My dream is to be able to create stories that make you, the reader feel as if you are apart of that world and where your senses come alive. Writing paranormal romance gives me the vehicle so that I can write for my favorite bad boys (whether they come with fang or claw) and give them HEA's that aren't damsels in distress but women who we all can relate to. 

 

Nikki Noffsinger's Official Web Page 

COMING SOON! 

SAVAGE DAWN

  

Lahni Wahpeton has returned to help her family but this "Wild Child" isn't about to be mated to the one person on the planet she'd rather neuter than mate. 

Shiloh Red Cloud, the proud and fierce clan chief is at his wits end with his mate. She may not want him, but he's tired of waiting for her. 

It's going to be bloody, but can these two overcome the heartache and stand united against a past that is filled with blood and death? 

  

Evolutionary Publshing

Renegade Night is already released on PA Website

I have to say that having my release date moved up is pretty neat! If you go to the PA website and put my name in the search bar you get my book! So in the next few days I will be calling bookstores*which for me means ones in other cities because we lost our Walden Books* to try and generate some buzz about it! The only thing I hate to say is the price point they have set the book to. I know many people will not be able to afford it and I'm going to work on getting the price down. Please don't let the price detour you from reading the book! If you look below-there is a exerpt from the book!

However, when he tried to sift through her mind, it was blank; as if a wall was in place he could not breech. He could not even hear one whisper of a thought. Strange, he thought to himself as he kept trying. The more he tried the more he nearly gave himself a headache. She was still walking and if he didn’t figure out something she was going to be in trouble! Alexi thought for a moment of how to proceed. Alexi finally decided to engage the woman in casual conversation and escort her wherever she was headed. She was walking further ahead so he quickened his pace.
“Excuse me; Miss, could you help me? I am new to your city and I am-I mean I am looking for an eatery or somewhere to get a drink perhaps.” He felt moronic as the words fell out of his mouth.
Manners had been lost to him for so long; it felt weird forcing himself to be so polite. However since he couldn’t manipulate her mind and didn’t want to scare her off, it was necessary to gain her trust. After all knocking her unconscious while he flung her over his shoulder probably wasn’t the best way to proceed. It might draw attention and he didn’t want to hurt her. The woman stopped and turned to face him, and he could hear in the acceleration of her heart just the amount of mistrust and fear. The woman looked around nervously as if she was weighing her options of either talking to him or making a run for it. He almost really smiled at the latter because for a human she was small; not tiny but compared to him it would have been funny watching her run while he had just to pick up his pace to keep up.
“Well, um-there is a few fast food places across town and there’s Randy’s Bar and Grill just down the street next to the carwash.” She replied anxiously. It was good that she wasn’t running. Still she was nervous and frightened but she wasn’t running. Alexi took this as a token from heaven.
Alexi smiled to keep things light. He knew the renegade he was tracking was very close, perhaps even watching them now.
“Thank-You, but I am afraid I have been rude. My name is Alexi Tussier. Would you mind having something to eat or drink with me?” he used perfect etiquette.
Lainey was waiting for someone to jump out of the bushes or something and yell “punked!” but there was no Ashton or camera crew. Lainey took a good look at this man; he was gorgeous! He was so big though; broad shoulders, tall, and looked as if he lived in a gym. There was something about this tall stranger, something more than his dazzling good looks. His dark eyes were shadowed by his long lashes and hair. His hair was so black that it actually looked a little iridescent in the glow of the street light. His face was well defined and had a day’s worth of stubble on it. The man looked delicious; sinfully delicious and dangerous.
Alexi had to move the woman away from the street and get her somewhere public where there were people. Warren Langford had been apprehended more times than he could count. Always the council had given him numerous chances and now Warren’s luck had run out due to the fact the council was finally tired of his antics! Warren was dangerous because he was a renegade; a vampire that not only fed off humans but also killed them. Mordacai had given the order to all Guardians to find Warren and dispose of him. Warren’s views were that humans were nothing more than cattle. Alexi set his focus back on the young woman standing in front of him. Alexi wasn’t immune to that there was something about this woman; almost magnetic.
“We can go to Randy’s; it’s just down the street. If you’d like, that is.” The woman said with a slight polite smile.
She was still pretty tense. He was standing over six feet tall and dressed all in black. He was all but stranger to her yet somehow she knew he wouldn’t hurt her. Plus he was drop dead model gorgeous! She felt like a mouse next to his great height. His hair was as black as a raven’s wing and shone in the light. It was just past his shoulders, and Lainey found herself picturing what it would be like to have her fingers in it. She shook her head to get her mind back on track.
Warren cursed into the night as he saw Alexi Romanov, the council’s one man brute squad walk away with his midnight snack. Warren couldn’t help but feel just a teeny bit elated, after all the council had sent their very best when they sent Alexi. What a boon it was for his ego. It would make for an interesting game! Warren shrugged his shoulders the man walking his dog on the next block over never even knew what hit him, until it was too late.
As they walked to the bar and grill, Alexi scanned the dimly light room then settled back on the young woman.
“I have told you my name but I have not had the pleasure of knowing yours!” Alexi’s tone was polite and charming as he pulled a chair out from a table they’d stopped at.
His lips were full and masculine. He had strong facial structure. His eyes that were as green as emeralds seemed to sparkle and were framed with thick dark lashes. There was some sort of danger to this man, and she could feel it. He smiled, briefly but his gaze was still intense. It was so unlike her to just hang out in the dark let alone go out to eat with a total stranger. She had the oddest feeling in her chest that he was oddly familiar though and that was the only reason why she was here sitting across from him now. Lainey forced her eyes off his face and body and silently hoped she hadn’t looked oblivious.
She turned her face up towards him, and pushed through her nerves, “I’m sorry, my name is Lainey Thomas. I’m sorry I didn’t introduce myself earlier. Are you new here to Aurora Falls or just passing through?” Lainey was nervous as hell, here was this total stranger and yet she was drooling over him and he could have been a mass murderer for all she knew.
There was something about the way he looked at her, as if he wanted to devour her. It was almost a magnetic connection. He smiled but there was something about those swirling pools of jeweled green; like he was battle scarred or something. She took note of how he constantly looked around the room and how he concentrated on every word he said. Alexi was up to bat at being uneasy. He didn’t quite know how to answer her question. So he blurted out the first thing that passed through his mind.
“Oh, I am here on business.” He uttered. Alexi was finding it hard to look into those depths of blue and violet. Something was stirring in his chest. Something he intended to fight. He kept telling himself that he was doing his job; this was all part of his job. Nothing more and nothing less he reminded himself.
Lainey loved the way his voice sounded. It was a rich deep baritone. It had a slight accent that she couldn’t quite place but it just added to her list of things that made her heart jump and take off running.
“Where are you from, if you don’t mind me asking? You have somewhat of an accent.” She asked innocently.
Then suddenly an image of Esther came to her mind. ‘God, please don’t let me sound like a nib nose!’ she lamented to herself.
“No, it’s okay. Yes, well Louisiana has been my home for quite some time now but I do travel a lot!” he said quickly but he didn’t sound from the south or Creole, Lainey thought. More like European or something.
They hadn’t been seated long until a waitress sat down two water glasses and set down two menus. Lainey wondered to herself, exactly how she was going to be able to eat much less make small talk with a real life GQ model across the table. There were other women at Randy’s; many of them more beautiful than she was and she could tell they knew it too because they kept giving her the evil eye! She focused on the menu.
A waitress came and took their order. Alexi ordered a glass of dry red wine. Lainey ordered something light, a Sea Breeze and the Island Chicken plate. Then the waitress took the menus and flitted away, nearly tripping as she had her neck craned to keep her eyes on Alexi. Lainey pretended to not notice. Alexi almost chuckled, because he did notice! The hint of blush on Lainey’s cheeks and the way she had slightly narrowed her eyes was almost his undoing.
Lainey suddenly became self conscious since he hadn’t ordered any food. Then she started to worry that perhaps he didn’t order because she might have ordered something he felt obligated to pay for. Alexi sensed her distress. This woman was quite interesting and he found himself oddly wanting to smile at her little bout of jealousy and distress. He couldn’t read her but he could sense it though. Something was bothering her and then he concluded that it was because he wasn’t eating. He sighed.
“I dined earlier. I was looking more for of a social spot; company you know.” He explained coolly.
Lainey didn’t know if she should have been a bit concerned about that or not. The waitress brought their drinks. Lainey sipped hers while she watched him hold the wine glass. It was funny how a man with such powerful and perfect hands could hold something as delicate as a thin stemmed wine glass, but he did. Lainey has not even half way through with her drink when the waitress brought another glass of wine and Lainey’s chicken. Lainey cut a piece of her chicken that was basically Caribbean jerk chicken and offered him a piece.
“It’s really good, and Randy marinates them all day. It’s one of the more popular items on the menu.”
Alexi held up a hand and took a drink of the wine. He didn’t want to tell her he’d dined on two bags of blood and could still taste it on his lips. That had more than satiated his hunger. She prattled on about various points of interest, and Alexi found himself intrigued with her. She had long pale gold blonde hair and violet-blue eyes framed with long lashes. Lainey had a small narrow nose, high cheekbones, and a heart shaped face. She had almost a regal look to her appearance. Lainey was a real beauty and no doubt would be a prize to some man. There was something in the way her eyes lit up when she would smile that warmed him. Something like a childlike innocence; or the way an angel would look and it threw him for a loop. He focused on her mouth, the two full lips that looked like a pink bow. Any man would be lucky to have those to brush up against their skin or to kiss.
He was caught up in the violet-blue depths of her eyes and almost imagined what it would be like to move his lips against hers while looking into them. Then Cosette came to his mind. Alexi had a job to do and he needed to get his head back in the game! This was no time for fanciful thoughts! He’d play his part and then he’d move on to his next assignment. That was how it was with him! In all the years he had been with Cosette, he’d never give women a second glance. He’d gotten sick at his stomach in the old days when he’d fed directly from the source. Alexi had cringed every time he’d have to glamour a woman feeding her false fantasies and empty promises. Lainey didn’t make him sick but he pushed those thoughts of attraction right out of his mind! Trouble was, they seemed to push right back in!
“So, Lainey tell me what do you do for a living?” he asked wryly to try and get his head clear.
Lainey suddenly became embarrassed. Here was a traveled and educated not to mention devilishly handsome man and here she was a lowly librarian.
“Umm, I work at the library here in Aurora Falls. I’m just working there until I can get something better!” she stammered.
“Do you live close by?” he asked, not knowing himself why he wanted to know.
Lainey gave him a peculiar look; after all it was a little odd he’d want to know where she lived unless he was stalker or serial killer. She banished the latter when she noticed he was waiting for her answer.
“Yes, well I live about 8 blocks from the library in an apartment complex on the west end of town. That is about as interesting as my life seems to be, I don’t even own a cat!” she answered lowering her eyes.
He leaned back casually back in the chair. “You don’t look like a librarian?” he asked nonchalantly; while thinking, you are much too beautiful to be stuck in a library.
Lainey shifted in her chair and took a drink of her dinner cocktail. “Well, I have a Bachelors’ in English Literature and Liberal Arts. I am hoping one day to get a job working at a publishing house as an agent and work my way up. What is it that you do?”
Now he was in the hot seat for sure and it was turned on incinerate!
“I am well you could say I am in to acquisitions.” He answered a bit qualmish. Alexi didn’t want her to catch on to his anxiety so he kept the conversation going.
“Why would you want to work at a publishing house? Are you a writer?” he asked using a much lighter tone.
Lainey finished chewing her food and then took a drink before answering. “I write but that is just for leisure. I want to be a publisher; you know work my way up from an agent and learn the ropes. Take more school if I need to.”
That impressed him, that she was ambitious. Suddenly he caught the sensation, the warning- it was Warren!
“Would you please excuse me for a moment?” he didn’t wait for her answer as he stood and strode toward the back of the bar.
He had to get outside to look around. Lainey was appealing more to him than he liked and it was irritating the hell out of him. For over two hundred years no woman other than his beloved Cosette had appealed to him! Unlike his fellow vampires, he had shunned love and sex. Dash Babtiste his usual partner, enjoyed human women-well actually any woman was worth Dash’s time. He found all women beautiful, ‘different flavors’ he had put it, and when he wasn’t doing his job he felt no shame in bedding women sometimes more than one at a time. Peter, another Guardian, had even married a human female and later turned her. It wasn’t uncommon. As for Alexi, he couldn’t let Cosette go! Alexi walked out the back door and cleared his mind so he could pick up Warren’s scent so to speak. He could sense him close by but he could be anywhere! As he scaled the adjacent building he heard a muffled scream about ten miles south.
Alexi took off streaking through the darkness. In an alleyway Warren was bent over what looked to be a homeless man drinking his life’s blood. Warren raised his head abruptly and hissed at Alexi with blood running from his mouth down his chin. Alexi reached into his coat and drew out his tiger head silver Kukri dagger. Warren dropped the man who was now dead and leaned into a crouch to defend. Alexi was cool; he’d fought stronger opponents than Warren and knew exactly what Warren’s first move of attack would be. He could read Warren without effort but unlike Alexi; Warren couldn’t get a read on him because Alexi was blocking Warren from his mind. Warren spit a curse at Alexi. Alexi stood ready with his dagger tightly gripped in his hand.
“So you are eager for my head tracker?” Warren growled.