Meet the men of Rhyme's Reason

Meet the men of Rhyme's Reason, the second romantic serial from the Dating a Werewolf Series. If you've read Rayne's Thunder you've met Rhyme. She is the lead in this new romantic murder mystery serial.

Introduction

Rhyme Manchester is the second in her family to take on the Mating Games. Despite the chaos that ensued for her little sister, Rayne, during her own games, Rhyme decides to give it a go. All three siblings only have one year to mate and marry and time is running out. Logically, it makes perfect sense.

The problem is that Rhyme has never had the best emotional intelligence. Intelligence is her comfort zone and she will need to escape that tidy little box she has put her life into in order to find the love of her life.

When one of the ten contenders is murdered on the opening night of the games, Rhyme’s reason flies out the window. What is worse, all signs point to multiple contenders in the competition for her heart as the potential killer. Will she be able to work through the clues to find the other half to her soul? And when she does, will that man be a murderer or will he be the next one murdered?

This is the first book in a six installment paranormal romantic murder mystery serial from the Dating a Werewolf Series. Thank you for joining Rhyme as she embarks upon her journey to love in part one of Rhyme’s Reason.

Chapter One

DEAR DIARY, I’M STARTING THIS journal to keep my life in order, my emotions in check, and to help me make the most informed decision possible as to who I should choose as my mate. So much has happened in the last few months. My father passed away. My brother became the Colorado Alpha. My sister found her mate. My best friend, Isaac, was killed in a battle that bordered on the epically infamous Hattfields and McCoys feud, in truth, many people died in that battle, all over becoming alpha. I never really understood the need for power. My father had that gene, so does River. All I ever wanted was love, but I digress.

I have not even begun to tell you about how my little sister became the second Colorado alpha. Rayne was kidnapped and forced to kill her captor. In that one act, she went from a tracker wolf to an alpha pack leader herself, and now she and River have split the territory of Colorado. I can promise you, I have no intention of becoming an alpha, and I hope the Mating Games go smoother for me than they did for Raynie.

I’m ahead of myself, again… See, that’s why I decided to make this diary. If given leeway, I tend to babble. It is one way to process information, one I learned in law school. Thinking out loud, kind of like brainstorming. And you’d never guess how much you can discover when you talk out the problem. Not the most effective way, but it worked for me. It also helps me to write out lists, especially pros and cons. Seeing it written in front of your eyes in a logical manner helps to eliminate the emotional factor that messes everything up.

So I guess you’re wondering why the need to get married and find my mate? I would be wondering, inquisitive mind and all. Another law school trait.

When our father died, he left behind some hefty stipulations in his will. The only way we’d be able to receive our inheritance would be if all three of us find our mates and get married within a year of his death. One down, two to go.

Ironically, the one person I could see myself with, once we helped him over his own grief, died, and now I’m mourning Isaac’s loss while trying to find my husband. Father left each of us a list of ten men he pre-approved for the match, but while he was always good at pairing off his pack mates, his track record with his children wasn’t stellar. Well, that’s not true. He matched Storm and Rayne, but that was a no-brainer. We all saw that coming, all of us but Rayne.

He also picked men who betrayed my sister and our pack. Grayson, may his soul burn in hell for eternity, and Brick, who was now in the Authority prison for his betrayal were also on his list and they were epic fails. Interestingly enough, he also had Simon on Rayne’s list who is now dating Chloe, which killed two birds with one stone. Daddy never wanted River and Chloe to date, and putting Simon in the mix helped with that. It was pretty obvious Simon wasn’t meant for my sister. He was nothing like her type.

I’ve already broken off one engagement to a cheating lawyer and one of the men from father’s list, Jax. He turned out to be a better friend than lover. There was always a kind of wall between us. One I had no clue how to break down. He was good at playing the doting beau, but after seeing Rayne and Storm together I knew I was settling.

I almost fell for him, but my little sister taught me one thing, a mate is a cherished gift and if you picked the right one, the fireworks would light the night sky. I wonder if I’ll be able to recognize love if it comes? Rayne says it will bite you in the ass if you ignore it. You just know.

If it is possible, I want to find that soul-searing lover that leaves me vulnerable and yet safe in the arms of the man made for me. It’s not too much to ask, right?

I’ve never really opened up to the idea of sharing my emotions and trusting someone enough to make that a reality, but I’m going to give it my best shot. I promise. Which brings me back full circle. The reason I’m writing in this journal is so I can keep my thoughts straight and avoid letting my emotions muck things up. I figure I can use this as an analysis system. It will help me balance the pros and cons and make an informative decision.

It seemed like a tall order, but I’ve opened my heart to the probability of it working. Now the challenge will be to pick the right man that I can trust with my heart, and do so in a timely manner.

They say you can’t hurry love, but my father was obviously not of that school of thought. The idea that all three of us will find our true loves in a year is tough to swallow, but I am not going to let my family down and I have a vested interest in this, more so than the others. Well, that may not be true, but I have a problem, and that money will help me get out of the hole I’ve buried myself in. Hopefully, the man I choose will help me stay out of trouble in the future. Who knows? I guess we’ll see.

Okay, that’s Eva, the Games’ Master calling me. Things are about to get started. Wish me luck!

Rhyme

Rhyme closed her journal quickly and hid it away in her desk. “Coming!”

Eva was outside the door, tapping her foot impatiently on the carpeted hallway. “I do hope you’re not going to be as difficult as your sister was during this whole process, Rhyme.” She tossed her red hair behind her shoulder and raised her dark eyebrow in the unspoken question.

“My sister wasn’t difficult, Eva. She just didn’t like all the restricting rules.” Rhyme defended Rayne. She really hated it when people spoke ill of others, especially when those others were members of her family. “Raynie, has never been big on being told what she should and shouldn’t do.”

Eva sighed and placed a hand on her thick hip as she examined Rhyme's looks. She had styled her dark hair in a French twist, a style she was extremely comfortable with and applied makeup to her pale skin. They had lost Georgio, Eva’s stylist, during the rogue attack that happened during Rayne’s Mating Game session. His death was heartbreaking. Eva and Georgio seemed close so it was logical she hadn’t replaced him yet. That meant it was up to Rhyme to do her own hair and makeup, something she didn’t mind at all. At least until she had to endure Eva’s scrutiny.

Thankfully, she approved of Rhyme’s fashion sense, for the most part. “It will have to do. Now get downstairs so you can greet the men who are competing for your hand in marriage.”

Rhyme ran into her closet, grabbed her heels, and followed Eva’s heavyset frame down the stairs. No amount of preparation could make her feel comfortable for what she was about to face outside. She’d read all the dossiers on the men she was going to be welcoming into her home, which were sent to her by uncle Mitchell, the executor of the will. On paper, they all seemed suitable mates, but she expected no less from the list of men her father had left her in the will. Rayne’s adventure reinforced Rhyme’s belief that just because they looked good on paper didn’t mean they were decent people. She’d seen many people in her time as a lawyer that looked good on paper or in person, but turned out to be real slime bags.

“Are you ready for this?” River, Rhyme’s brother and her alpha, asked as she joined him on the front porch of the compound. The blazing sun that reflected off the fresh layer of light snow outside blinded her. She loved fall and winter in Colorado. It could snow one day, and the next, be fresh and clear as a spring day. Since this was autumn, she knew the snow would melt away by afternoon as though it hadn’t even fallen.

She blinked her ice-blue eyes, the same shade as his, as she tried to focus on his dark hair, which was longer than usual, a sign he was still stressing over the recent alpha responsibilities. “No. Not really,” she told him honestly as his tan skin and ruggedly handsome good looks came into focus.

He chuckled. “I’m sure it’ll go easier than Raynie’s games.”

“It better. I don’t think I can handle all that chaos as well as she did. When will she be coming home?”

“You’re a Manchester, You’d swim in that situation rather than sink, and you’ll have us here to help you if you get tangled in seaweed.”

Rhyme rolled her eyes at River’s attempt at comedic metaphors. Father was brilliant with them. River, not so much. He was still a work in progress.

“She’ll be here in the next couple of days. She’s bringing Simon and Chloe. Apparently she wants to discuss wedding plans.” River’s grin wavered slightly. Seeing Chloe move on with Simon couldn’t be easy for him, but he was handling it like a trooper. “Do you have any favorites yet?” He asked, changing the subject.

“Nope, I’m going to go with my gut and see where that leads me.”

“Good luck with that, sis.”

She elbowed him in the stomach.

“What? We both know your gut feelings aren’t always the most reliable.” He rubbed his torso as a black Town Car pulled up the gravel driveway.

Rhyme sucked in a nervous breath as they watched Mack Fredericks exit the vehicle. He wore a white suit, which contrasted brilliantly against his dark skin. His black hair was shaved close to his head and his brown eyes held an intriguing spark. He straightened his suit and pulled out a bouquet of flowers from the car. His movements were fluid and stealthy as he walked toward Rhyme. Before she could react, he held her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. The touch ignited an interest in her body. He was sweet, as far as she could tell, and quite the gentleman.

“Pleasure to meet you, Rhyme.” His European accent only increased the instant attraction. From what Rhyme read in his file, he was a regular Indiana Jones. Doctor of Archeology, curator of the National Arts Museum in Denver, Colorado, and a black belt in Ju Jitsu.

She couldn’t help the slight blush that colored her cheeks. “Nice to meet you, Mack.”

“Yes, very nice to meet you, Mack. I look forward to chatting with you about your work at the museum.” River offered his hand to shake. Mack accepted, but was reluctant to turn his attention away from Rhyme, which only made her temperature rise.

“And the adventures I’ve experienced as an archeologist?” He gave a knowing grin to River before turning his attention back on Rhyme. The intensity in his stare was creating heat in her body.

“Yes, I’m sure you have a great many interesting stories.” River acknowledged. Rhyme knew he was an adventurer. River had always wanted to have an exciting career in anthropology or as a covert spy, but father had other plans for him, being the firstborn, and his son, River’s destiny was determined before he took his first breath.

“I hope I’ll get to hear some of those tales too.” Rhyme told them both.

Mack nodded and took his spot next to Eva just as a second man exited the town car.

The first thing Rhyme noticed was his wavy, dark brown hair that hung just above his shoulders. His hair moved so fluidly it reminded her of those chocolate commercials, ribbons of ooey gooey deliciousness. Her mouth watered and fingers itched to touch the strands. As her gaze traveled, she stopped at his green eyes, then his sexy smile and strong, square jaw. He wore a green plaid button-down shirt over a dark grey t-shirt that did little to hide his rough and tough build. The stonewashed, relaxed fit jeans he wore hugged his hips and large thighs, and covered his cowboy boots. Rhyme recognized him as Trigger Malone, the owner of the Wolf Creek Ranch in Montana. He was all muscle compacted in a 5’10” frame. He moved with ease and had a genuine smile, and what seemed like an easy-going attitude, but there was a glint of danger in those moss-colored eyes, just enough to catch and hold her attention.

“You are far more beautiful than your photo.” Trigger smiled as he walked up to Rhyme and gave her a hug, which surprised her. After the shock wore off, she relaxed in his embrace moments before he pulled back. “I’ve been excited to meet you ever since I got the call from Eva. I’m sorry for your loss,” he told her in a country boy accent that made her stomach call out the butterflies.

Sadness rolled through Rhyme for a moment. She knew he was referring to her father, but there was far more loss surrounding her family than one man, including her best friend and his fiancé. “Thank you.”

“It’s a rough world we live in, but that knowledge doesn’t make it any easier.” His words indicated he also knew about the recent tragedies that had befallen the Manchester house. He squeezed her hand in a comforting gesture, which served to spark her interest. He seemed genuine. It was nice. He was far more profound than she would’ve thought. Trigger was going to be interesting to get to know.

He handed her a wooden miniature of a wolf, then he took his spot next to Mack just as the next car came up the drive. Rhyme found herself fascinated with the tiny wolf statue. It was an intricate design. She turned to him. “Did you make this?”

He nodded. “Yes, ma’am, I did.”

“You are very talented.”

“Thank you kindly.” He winked and Rhyme felt the flutter of butterfly wings in her gut again. Two for two. ‘Well, father, so far so good’ she thought to herself as the next bachelor approached. His blond hair looked like wavy ribbons that layered around his boyish good looks and hovered around ear length. The tan on his skin indicated he loved the outdoors. He was wearing jeans, a blue t-shirt, which matched his eyes, and a worn leather biker’s jacket, which showed he liked his motorcycle, and her dossier told her that motorcycle was a Harley Davidson. He sauntered across the gravel drive to her side and placed a patch in her hands.

She looked down, and read the words, ‘Lives to be a bad girl’ and couldn’t help the smile that spread across her lips. She was the farthest thing from a bad girl, but had always wanted a bad boy to help her live dangerously.

“Dash O’Grady, I presume?”

“Right on the money, sweetheart. You might as well toss all the others out the window and ride off in the sunset with me on my hog.” His words rolled over her like a toxic spill. Something didn’t seem right about him. He was sexy. He said all the right words, but when he spoke, his close proximity made her want to step back. He reminded her of those smarmy guys who thought they were God’s gift to women. She didn’t like smooth talking douche bags. ‘Looks like I thanked you too soon, father.’ She thought to herself.

“I think we’ll let this game play through and see what happens.” She placed a hand on his granite chest as he moved closer to keep distance between them. “But it is good to know you are so confident in your ability to win my heart.”

“I’m confident you’ll find us perfectly suited for each other.” He grinned and settled for a kiss on the back of her hand.

It took every ounce of willpower in her not to wipe her hand off. She wasn’t ready to discount him yet, but he hadn’t rubbed her correctly and she wasn’t impressed with their first meeting.

She breathed a sigh of relief when she recognized Levi Mason as he breezed across the space between them. He was a lawyer, a very good defense attorney, and Rhyme figured they’d have the most in common. His light brown hair, layered with golden highlights from the sun showed he really did enjoy the surfing that the report outlined as one of his favorite past times. The Puka shell necklace he wore around his neck confirmed his hobby further. Today, he wore khaki pants and a polo shirt, but she had a feeling he looked just as delicious in Bermuda shorts, flip-flops, and little else, which was her idea of the perfect beach attire for a physically fit man. When he smiled, his teeth seemed to glow. It was painfully obvious he used a little too much whitener, but he was known for his easy-going smile and she guessed he was attempting to put his best assets forward.

“Rhyme, I’m very pleased to see you again.”

“As am I. I’m glad to see you were able to work around your schedule to participate.” She smiled shyly. She’d gone up against this man in court a couple of times and he was quite the contender.

“I wouldn’t miss this for anything.” When he smiled, a dimple showed in his cheek, one to match the other in his chin. Aside from the cheek imperfection, his face was perfectly symmetrical which was rare in the werewolf world. Noses and other bones were often broken from rough housing. Thanks to the transformation, things didn’t always morph back correctly. It wasn’t like an arm would move to a leg, but even Rhyme had seen minute in discrepancies after a change or two. They usually fixed themselves after a couple more morphs, but it was common happenstance in their world to see minor changes in one’s appearance over time. “I’m hoping the heat in the courtroom translates to heat in our personal lives also.” He whispered in her ear as he leaned in to kiss her cheek.

If Rhyme was honest with herself, he was one of her top choices, on paper anyway, and it also helped that she knew him in the real world outside of this competition, not that they were ever friends. Being on opposite sides of the courtroom didn’t make it easy to socialize.

The next man to put his name in the running for Rhyme’s hand in marriage was Chance Woodbridge. Short for Chancellor Woodbridge III. He looked like he was getting ready to hit the ski lodge. Navy blue cashmere sweater with tan khakis and brown shoes. His auburn hair feathered back lightly over his ears. His face and hands were lightly sprinkled with freckles, and a peach tone. His fingernails were manicured and Rhyme guessed he’d never seen a day of real work in his life. He was put together like a GQ model, but she couldn’t help but wonder if he was strong enough to be a contender for her heart. She liked manly men, the kind that could work on a broken down vehicle one minute and then carry himself like a socialite the next.

“Hello, Rhyme, nice to meet you.” He spoke with an Aussie accent, which helped up the attraction level. She searched her mind to review the file she had on this man. He was a trust fund kid from Australia. There was very little detail of the man other than his extensive partying history. He wasn’t her top choice, but she’d give him a chance -- no pun intended.

Next up was Elijah Jenkins. His hair was long, dirty-blond, and tied back in a leather ponytail at the nape of his thick neck. His face was strong, and the claw mark scar on his neck indicated he was a wolf that was made, not born into the life. He was built smaller than most of the other wolves, but Rhyme was sure he was a scrapper. He shook her hand and pulled her into an embrace, which was only off-setting for a moment. The man smelled of rosewater and pine, and was far stronger than he looked. ‘A firm handshake can tell a lot about a man,’ Rhyme’s father’s voice echoed in her mind.

“It’s nice to meet you, Elijah.” She told him when he let her go. He was a preacher, but he wasn’t wearing his collar. He wore a pair of jeans and a plaid shirt, and he wore them well. Very well.

Rhyme had to admit she was excited to see Diesel Jacovich. He was as handsome as his picture. Olive skin, shaved head, and dark, inquisitive eyes. Diesel owned a martial arts dojo as well as a coffee shop. He was a successful businessman which was probably the reason why father had picked him; a prominent business owner who knew how to fight and defend his family.

“Hello, Rhyme.” He nodded and kissed the back of her hand. His dark eyes intensely focused on her blue ones. The stare made her feel unnerved, but she held her ground. His touch was electric and she was disappointed when he pulled his hand away. Something about this man intrigued her.

“Nice to meet you, Diesel.” She smiled.

Myles Dunkin was the second to last man to arrive. He did so in style, eclectic style. The man walked up strumming a guitar and serenading Rhyme on the front steps with the song ‘Stairway to Heaven’. His voice was smooth as silk. He had green eyes that were alert and playful, and a smile that teased and enticed. His sturdy build and strong jaw were simply the bow that tied the sexy package together. He had long, wavy, brown hair, and like most of the men in the group, he had muscles that moved smoothly under his tan skin.

There was a military tattoo poking out from under his t-shirt sleeve, a stark reminder of his time in the service. According to the file she had on him, he served in Iraq and Afghanistan before returning home to take care of his ailing father who recently died. Something they had in common. There was something ‘nice’ about the man, but ‘nice’ wasn’t always good in the wolf world, and with all the drama that had descended upon her family lately, nice wasn’t a safe place to be.

The next man to join the competition was Stone Phillips. This man gave his name justice. He looked like a stone statue, and had just as much definition, from what she could see under his tight t-shirt, as those Greek marble statues. His pecs were the size of boulders and his arms looked more like missile launchers than guns. His blond hair made her think of the Norwegian God, Thor. This man was actually a bear shifter while the others were wolves. It was odd he made the list. Father wasn’t a purist, but he had never recommended anyone but wolves to her as possible mates. The idea that he was a bear shifter intrigued her more so than his striking good looks.

The file she had on him was sparse in comparison to the others, probably because intel on a bear would be more difficult than that of a wolf. She knew very little about him other than he lived in the Adirondack Mountains in upstate New York. How he and father knew each other was a mystery and one she intended to discover.

“A pleasure to meet you, Rhyme.”

“And you.” Rhyme repeated. “I look forward to hearing more about the Adirondacks.” She told him.

“Of course, and I look forward to hearing more about the Rockies. They are beautiful.”

“Yes, they are.” She agreed.

The tenth man, Jackson Lasiter, was already out of the competition. They’d decided they were better off friends. He’d be arriving later that night and joining in, but more as a spy to tell her what was going on when she wasn’t around than an actual contestant.

“Our last contestant will be arriving tomorrow, but tonight I’ve put together a party in the garden so everyone can get to know each other better.” Eva announced. “So if you’ll follow me.”

Get the rest of Rhyme's Reason (Part One) Death of a Friend on Kindle now. It's only $0.99 or FREE with Kindle Unlimited here.

And if you haven't read Rayne's Thunder, check out the complete serial here or each individual installment on the list below.

Rayne's Thunder

Part One (Master Chef)

Part Two (The Veterinarian)

Part Three (The Politician and the Witches)

Part Four (Mating Games)

Part Five (The Battle Begins and the Games Continue)

Part Six (Alpha's Call)

You can also get the complete serial in a box set here.

Check out my other paranormal series on my website here.

Looking for an awesome deal? Get the Paranormal Affairs Box Set here. It includes 11 full length novels and novellas from 11 of my highly rated series. Hours and hours of romance, page turning action, and twisted adventures. 

The two most satisfying words in an author's vocabulary

Can you guess what those words are? Two words, six letters and a single space. They are so wonderful I usually bold and center them and increase the font size. If you guessed THE END you are correct. I got to write those two satisfying words this weekend and I've been on cloud nine ever since. Rayne's Thunder, the first romantic serial in the Dating a Werewolf Series has been completed, well the rough draft has been completed and I've started on the final read through so I can get the last two installments into the editor's hands. Six installments and 120,000 words later Rayne has her mate, her wedding date, and her happy ever after.

The road was treacherous and action packed. Full of ups and downs and mind blowing twists so I believe it will be a very satisfying read. But you can see for yourself. The first four installments are already available on Amazon at the links below. Check out the reviews and one click into the world of Rayne Manchester and her siblings.

Rayne's Thunder
Part One: Master Chef
Part Two: The Veterinarian
Part Three: The Politician and the Witches
Part Four: The Mating Games
Part Five: The Battle Begins and the Games Continue
Part Six: The One

Part Five and Six are in the editing process and will be released soon.

Sneak peek of Rayne's Thunder (Part Four) The Mating Games

Rayne's Thunder (Part Four) The Mating Games just released and things couldn't be hotter for Rayne Manchester and the stakes couldn't be higher. Nine men have arrived each ready to compete for Rayne's hand in marriage, on the surface they all look worthy, but are they? Can she trust them? This is her heart and her future. 

Introduction

In this installment of Rayne’s Thunder, Rayne has found herself in over her head in men. These alpha males are hot and ready to settle down. Each one of them competes to win a date with her and everyone tries to outdo the next one.

Eva, the Game Master, does her best to maintain fairness through the process but Rayne fights her at every turn. Will one of the six men who win dates with Rayne Manchester win her heart or is it already taken? Which of the nine competing for her hand in marriage will be sent home? Check out the fourth installment of the popular, highly rated, romantic serial, Rayne’s Thunder (part of the Dating a Werewolf Series) today.

Meet the men of Rayn'e Game:

River and Rhyme joined me on the steps a moment later. Rhyme looked fabulous and very chic like always in her business dress attire with her black-as-night hair up in a French twist. River carried an air of masculinity in his wranglers and button-down dress shirt. His black hair styled perfectly. My siblings were used to being in the spotlight. I was not. I felt completely overshadowed by them.

Lincoln was the first to arrive. He was stable, sexy, and knew how to command the area. Control was his super power and added to his sex appeal. His tan khakis and dark brown polo were as impeccable as his golden blond curls. Not a single thing on his person was out of place. I bit my lower lip as the memory of how good his kiss was despite the dangerous situation we found themselves in during his last visit to the compound. He hugged me tightly and I breathed in his crisp pine scent mixed with desire. He would’ve been a front runner if he hadn’t run at the first sign of trouble. That and his purist ideas made me wary, but I promised myself I’d give him a second chance, and with his pack aligning with ours in the upcoming battle for the alpha seat against the rogue wolves I needed to be cautious.

“I’m glad you came back,” I told him with a smile.

He treated me to a sly, knowing grin. “And this time, I’m here to fight for the woman in front of me.” He didn’t need to apologize again. He’d already done that when I invited him to come back for the competition.

I felt a blush creep up my cheeks. “We shall see. No more notes.” I was half joking, but totally serious. The last time he came to court me he left with a ‘Dear John’ letter. It was one step up from leaving a break up text message. I was flabbergasted. I’d thought we were getting along well, but he was obviously not interested in the drama which made his attempt at brokering a peace between our two packs questionable.

Brick was the next to arrive on his motorcycle. The image of his highlighted, brown shoulder-length hair flying loosely behind him from the breeze pulled me back to the night we ran away on the bike for a picnic in the park. Before he even dropped the kickstand, I knew he’d smell of delicious cinnamon buns which oddly matched his toasted almond skin tone. The memory of his fingers grazing my lips as he fed me chocolate covered strawberries caused me to lick my lips in anticipation. When his long, thickly muscled legs reached me on the steps he pulled me hard against his solid chest, the smell of leather from his jacket mixed with vanilla and cinnamon, and circled around us weaving its spell. He moved in close, lips inches from mine, his breath hot on my skin. When I closed my eyes to receive the expected kiss he popped a tasty strawberry in my mouth. “A little something to help you remember our awesome night together.” He squeezed me tight and I swallowed the delectable treat. If I picked him, I’d gain fifty pounds before the wedding with the way he used food as a seduction tool.

“God, that was hot.” Chloe fanned herself as she whispered behind me. “I think I need a shower.” She giggled.

“Shush,” I told her, but couldn’t help but chuckle along with her.

The next to arrive was Eric Christianson. His entrance was perhaps one of the most interesting. He trotted up on a beautiful white horse. His eyes were shielded by a straw hat which did little to cover up his black locks. When he dismounted from his horse, his buckle proudly sparkled from around his slender waist which led down to painted-on Wranglers and worn but well-maintained boots. I found my eyes wandering to his chest which was covered by a button-down, blue plaid shirt that I discovered matched his twinkling eyes when he removed his hat and offered his hand to shake.

“I’m very excited to meet you, ma’am.” He seemed polite and shy, but the glint in his eyes told me he was also very capable and not afraid of danger which was a good thing around here. It seemed like we were constantly finding ourselves in treacherous situations. His hand shake reaffirmed my initial impression. It also told me he was strong and not afraid of work if the callouses were any indication. I imagined those hands on my skin would be quite thrilling.

The next arrival took me by Storm. Literally. He was my Storm. His long, dark hair was tied back in a ponytail at the nape of his neck. His familiar scent beckoned me and I found myself lost in the turmoil of emotions that came with the irritatingly observant, hard-headed ass who always managed to keep me on my toes because for some peculiar reason I cared what he thought of me. Dislike tainted with trust and interest was not a healthy concoction, but every time he turned those soul searing green eyes on me I lost all control of my senses. Logic flew out the window, and my body responded to his with a dance of desire that burned me from the core to my skin. They say there is a fine line between love and hate, and I experienced that every time I was around this man. My mind screamed danger and my body yelled, ‘Come closer’. It was the kind of relationship that never lasted, but I couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What if it could?’ and I supposed that was why he was here. He walked up the steps and offered me a cup of coffee, and in that moment I realized he wasn’t here to compete, he was here to take care of me like he did with the rest of the family. Evidence of this was when he handed Chloe, River, and Rhyme their own drinks. The man was infuriating.

I turned toward him. “Does that mean you’re not competing in the games?”

Storm sipped his drink. “I don’t play games.” His green eyes watched me over the brim of the cup. I wanted to scream, ‘No!’, to asked him ‘why?’, but I refused to stoop to his level. Instead, I turned away. I didn’t expect the next chain of events to happen. He whipped me around and pulled me into his strong arms. “I don’t play games, but for you, I’m willing to let that rule slide.”

“Meaning what, exactly?” For some reason, I needed to hear the words. I needed to know he felt an inkling of what I was starting to feel for him. I wasn’t about to put myself out there to get burned if he didn’t feel remotely the same.

“Are you ready for a real relationship with real responsibilities?”

“Are you ready to stop treating me like a child?”

“Perhaps.” He grinned.

“Then perhaps I am. We’ll have to see…if you’re still standing at the end of the Games.”

“I’ll only be standing at the end of the games if you show me you’re a worthy mate.” He caressed my cheek and I felt my legs go weak. How someone could be so strong and yet gentle was beyond me. “For now, I choose to compete.” His words made my heart skip a beat before he released me.

Chloe and Rhyme steadied me, and I breathed deeply as I turned around and awaited the next contestant in the “Marry Me” game. If Storm wasn’t such a pain in my ass the games would be over, but the luggage that came with that man was something I was going to have to work to get over before I could consider him my mate. Sure, we had explosive chemistry, but I’ve also felt sparks with the other men and they didn’t carry with them a painful, shared past.

The next to arrive did so in style, and he wasn’t alone. When the limousine door opened, James Frank and a man who looked almost identical poured out of the vehicle. The second unidentified man was sloppy drunk and James had to hold him up to keep him from falling down. James gave me a sheepish grin when Georgio and Storm pulled the almost incoherent man off James and he was able to approach me. He straightened his tie and suit jacket before offering his hand to shake.

“I apologize, Rayne. My little brother can be a handful.” Just then a little girl in a white frilly dress with red hair like James rushed out of the vehicle and clung to his pant legs. James’ cheeks burned red which enhanced his light sprinkle of freckles on his peachy face. I felt for the guy. “I’m sorry, when I agreed to come I had to bring my siblings because our parents were out of the country and…”

“It’s okay,” I squatted down to eye level with the little girl. “I’m Rayne. What’s your name?”

“Kylie,” she spoke past the thumb in her mouth.

“Welcome to my home, Kylie.” I grinned. There was something innately sexy about a man that put family first and liked kids. The way Kylie was clinging to James in that moment, I had a feeling she adored her brother.

Next to arrive was Grayson Drake. He drove up in a brand new silver BMW convertible. His dark, medium length hair was frizzy from the wind but the twinkle in his crystal blue eyes made up for the slight imperfection of his hair. The rest of him was well kept. Black slacks, cream colored polo that accented his golden-tanned skin all mixed together well to create a good looking man. He walked up to me, and instead of shaking my extended hand, he kissed the inside of my palm. “Hello, Rayne. I’m Grayson Drake, but you can call me Gray.”

“Nice to meet you, Gray.” He still had my hand and was absently caressing my knuckles in a circular motion. I didn’t pull away. It was nice, and his touch held an electrical current that grabbed my attention.

On the outside, he looked picture perfect, even with the mussed hair, but his eyes held an air of danger underneath the surface.

“I look forward to getting to know you much better.” And then came the grin -- the danger gone. Though he didn’t look it, he was definitely a bad boy.

The theme song from the Rocky movies blasted loudly from the green Jeep that pulled up next. The cinnamon skinned man shifted the vehicle into park, and then raised his hands to the bar of the topless SUV and swung himself over the closed door and onto the ground, showing off amazing strength and impressively cut arms. I had no doubt under that form-fitting dark blue t-shirt he had a four pack, if not a six pack of defined abs. The man was hot. He wore his black hair cut close to the scalp. His jeans hung low on V-shaped hips. He made his way toward me and when his brown eyes connected with mine I forgot to breathe. He was intense. I couldn’t help but notice the tattoos on his arms, wrists, and neck, and had to wonder what other tats were hidden under his clothes.

“Hello, Rayne. I am Julius.” He spoke with a strong Spanish accent which made him even hotter.

“Julius, nice to meet you.” I smiled and placed my hand in his, which dwarfed my own. If I didn’t know any better, I’d think the man was a bear shifter, not a wolf. It was easy to see how he was an enforcer and second in command of his pack.

The next guy to arrive was Simon Blake. According to the file I had on him, he owned a company that made computer games and many suspected he was a hacker. That wasn’t confirmed, but he was connected to Wolf Vengeance, a handle to an infamous hacker that had infiltrated many prominent government agencies. I knew I had to ask him about it because my interest was piqued. He arrived in a red, convertible Corvette. The first thing I noticed as he approached me were his sharp hazel eyes. Then his height. He towered over the other wolves, and his thin frame was opposite of them as well. Many shifters wore their hair long but Simon’s was shaved with dark brown growth poking up through his scalp. His hands were tattooed with intricate and colorful designs. “You must be Rayne. I’m Simon.”

“It is a pleasure to meet you Simon.”

He kissed the back of my hand, never taking those astute eyes off of me. “You are far more beautiful in person than your picture boasts.”

“Thank you.” I told him, pink coloring my cheeks.

“I look forward to getting to know you better.” He took his place next to the rest of the contestants that had already arrived.

Finally, the last bachelor arrived. I knew from the files his name was Victor, and he was a singer/songwriter and poet. He was larger than most of the men, which was saying a lot. His light brown hair fell in waves around his shoulders and was kissed by the sun. So was his tan skin. He carried a guitar case when he got out of the van that had “Stealth Wolf Men” painted on the side in a multitude of colors. It was his band’s logo.

He smiled softly, shyness in his demeanor and hazel eyes. “I’m Victor, and I’m guessing you are Rayne Manchester?”

“I am.” I nodded.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. Your father was a very good man.”

“Thank you.” His words choked me up for a moment. I hadn’t expected the condolence. It was actually very thoughtful.

“Very good, everyone! I am Eva, your game master. Please come into the house so we can get you all set up in your rooms, then a little dinner, and our first competition.”

Get the installment on Amazon here.

Have you started this highly rated romantic serial? There are only two installments left. Get caught up with one through four below. 

Rayne's Thunder (Part One) Master Chef

Rayne's Thunder (Part Two) The Veterinarian

Rayne's Thunder (Part Three) The Politician and the Witches

Rayne's Thunder (Part Four) The Mating Games

Rayne's Thunder (Part Five) The Games Continue and the Battle Begins (scheduled to be released in October 2015)

Rayne's Thunder (Part Six) The One (scheduled to be released in November 2015)

Coming soon, Rhyme's Reason and River's Fire...

I have plenty of romance, romantic comedies, fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, and mysteries available on Amazon (all within the paranormal genre)... Some are full length, some novellas, some are part of a a series and others are stand alone. Check them all out here on my Amazon author page.

Author Jami Brumfield narrates chapter one of Rayne's Thunder part one M...