Our lips met in a flurry of movement, giggles, teeth knocking, and playful nips as we both sought to gain the upper hand in our play fight. Soon our movements slowed and heated, and every touch became more deliberate.
“You’re so beautiful,” I murmured against her mouth.
Our bodies molded, and Amanda released a soft gasp. Her back arched in pleasure. Her fingers wound into the hair at the nape of my neck, causing shivers to tremble down my spine as our hips found a steady rhythm.
Whatever fate planned for us in the future, we had now to grab onto, and I didn’t intend to waste a moment of it.
Acknowledgments
It would be impossible to keep writing without the support of my family and friends, especially my dad, brothers, and sisters. My mum, although no longer with us, continues to inspire me and my boy, Eric, never lets life get boring.
Over the years I’ve been lucky to have the support of many people from the autism community. A special thanks to the mums who motivate me to push on through, even on the days I feel I have nothing left to give and words seem impossible.
My friends are a constant source of advice when it comes to life and writing. Thanks to Dawnetta Viars and Irina Porotskaya for always being there on the other side of the world to tell me in the nicest way when I’m doing it all wrong. Jennie Gammon Speck and KiTT, your endless encouragement and patience, especially when it comes to Shades, kept the characters in my head and heart.
Omnific Publishing has been my publishing home for four years now. I’m more grateful to everyone than I can possibly express, especially to Elizabeth Harper for bringing us all together. Thank you to Sean Riley, acquisitions editor at Omni. Colleen Keough-Wagner, Lisa O’Hara, and especially Robin Lonscak for taking a moderately passible manuscript and making it gleam. Thank you to Coreen Montagna, Micha Stone, and Amy Brokaw for taking that gleaming manuscript and turning it into a beautiful book. And an extra helping of thanks to Lisa for being the glue that holds Team Shades of Avalon together.
Traci Olsen, my publicist, has shown enormous patience over the last number of years, answering my questions and working away in the background to get my books into the right hands. I appreciate all you’ve done. Lastly, but importantly, my readers, the reviewers, and bloggers who tirelessly promote me, I am so grateful to every single one of you. Thank you.
About the Author
Carol Oates came into the world on Christmas morning in an elevator. Raised just across the street from the childhood home of Bram Stoker, author of Dracula, it was only a matter of time before Carol’s love of all things supernatural emerged.
She began experimenting with fiction at school and keeps the notebook containing her first unpublished novel in her desk drawer. Over three decades later, all her stories still begin life scrawled on paper.
When not writing, Carol can be found exploring history with her son. Luckily, he shares her love of old buildings, castles, and tombs.
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Romantic Suspense
Whirlwind by Robin DeJarnett
The CONduct series: With Good Behavior, Bad Behavior & On Best Behavior by Jennifer Lane
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Paranormal Romance
The Light series: Seers of Light, Whisper of Light & Circle of Light by Jennifer DeLucy
The Hanaford Park series: Eve of Samhain & Pleasures Untold by Lisa Sanchez
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New Adult
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Streamline by Jennifer Lane
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Fighting Fate by Linda Kage
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Young Adult
The Ember series: Ember & Iridescent by Carol Oates
Breaking Point by Jess Bowen
Life, Liberty, and Pursuit by Susan Kaye Quinn
The Embrace series: Embrace & Hold Tight by Cherie Colyer
Destiny’s Fire by Trisha Wolfe
The Reaper series: Reaping Me Softly & UnReap My Heart by Kate Evangelista
The Legendary Saga: Legendary by LH Nicole
Fatal by T.A. Brock
Erotic Romance
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Anthologies and Singles
A Valentine Anthology including short stories by Alice Clayton, Jennifer DeLucy, Nicki Elson, Jessica McQuinn, Victoria Michaels, and Alison Oburia
It’s Only Kinky the First Time (A Keyhole series single) by Kasi Alexander
Learning the Ropes (A Keyhole series single) by Kasi & Reggie Alexander
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Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Information
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author
Check Out These Titles From Omnific Publishing
Coming Soon From Omnific Publishing
Table of Contents
Cover
Title Page
Copyright Information
Dedication
Prologue
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Epilogue
Acknowledgments
About the Author Check Out These Titles From Omnific Publishing
Coming Soon From Omnific Publishing