From Burning Ashes (Collector Series #4) (51 page)

“Sprig,” I warned.

“Sweet nectar boobs.”

“Please, stop.” Ryker cringed.

“Honey udders!”

“Go. Now.” I grabbed him from my shoulder and
placed him on the ground.

“Come on, Matty!” He clambered up on the
dog’s back. “Let’s storm the castle.” He patted the dog’s head.
Matty knew this game and liked it since it usually resulted in
treats. “Castle” meant the pantry. “But first let’s go pick up Pam.
She’ll be pissed if I forget her in our adventure.”

Matty barked, taking off for inside the
house. “Eye-Eye Matty!” Sprig grabbed his collar, bounding off,
underwear cape billowing behind him.

I lived in a circus.

And I loved it.

Sprig was just out of sight before Ryker’s
mouth came down on mine, his hands in my hair, tugging me into
him.

I pulled his shirt over his head, exposing
his unbelievable torso. He followed suit and ripped my tank top
over my head. He went down on his knees, his lips brushing my bare
stomach. His hands caressed the slight bump. The love I saw in his
face for his unborn child was mindboggling. I knew how much this
meant to him.

He gave my belly another kiss before he
glanced up with a mischievous smile. “I guess while I’m down here…”
His fingers wrapped around the sides of my pants and underwear,
slowly tugging them off. The evening air hit my skin at the same
time as his warm mouth did and my knees began to buckle. He pushed
me against the deck railing, giving me something to lean
against.

I moaned, arching my back. The sky was now
dotted with a few stars, the deep purples bathing us in a hazy
glow. My nails dug into the wood as Ryker nipped my thigh. I ran my
fingers through his soft hair, pulling him closer. I felt so
lucky.

He was mine. This house was mine and the
people in it. I had a family. A growing one. And I fulfilled
Daniel’s wish. I brought DMG down and rebuilt it. I think he would
be happy for me.

Everything I dreamed of came true.

The journey had been messy, heartbreaking,
bloody, and scary. But it also had been magical, wonderful, and
exciting. Wasn’t that what life was about? Finding your place in
the world wasn’t always going to be easy. But once you found it,
you fought for it, with everything you had.

My place was always meant to be here. With
Ryker.

I had once been a seer, a Collector, a
hunter.

That girl died the night of the fae
storm.

And from burning ashes, I rose again.

A fighter. A thief. A human. A fae. A
survivor.

But I only needed one definition.

Zoey.

A girl who found home.

I am so lucky for the people I have helping
me stay strapped in on this crazy rollercoaster!

A special thanks to:

Rachel at Mark My Words P.R., I have no idea
how I ever did without you! Thank you for everything you do.
Especially when I’m being that crazy neurotic writer!

Jordan, your developmental help and editing
are crucial to me. You constantly push me to be a better writer
while giving me such encouraging positive notes. Thank you.
http://jordanrosenfeld.net/
.

Hollie “the editor”, thank you for your
endless support and love. So glad I can call you my friend!
http://www.hollietheeditor.com/
.

Eden Crane Designs, thank you for the amazing
cover! http://www.edencranedesigns.com/

Judi at
http://www.formatting4u.com/
.
As usual you have made the anxiety of getting my books out on time
so much easier.

As always to Mom. There’d be no books without
you!

To all the readers who have supported me. My
gratitude is for all you do and how much you help indie authors out
of the pure love of reading.

To all the indie/hybrid authors out there who
inspire, challenge, support, and push me to be better. I love
you!

And to anyone who has picked up an indie book
and given an unknown author a chance. THANK YOU!

Stacey Marie Brown works by day as an
Interior/Set Designer and by night a writer of paranormal fantasy,
adventure, and literary fiction. She grew up in Northern
California, where she ran around on her family’s farm raising
animals, riding horses, playing flashlight tag, and turning hay
bales into cool forts.

Even before she could write, she was creating
stories and making up intricate fantasies. Writing came as easy as
breathing. She later turned that passion into acting, living and
traveling abroad, and designing.

Though she had never stopped writing, moving
back to San Francisco seemed to have brought it back to the
forefront and this time it would not be ignored.

When she’s not writing, she’s out hiking,
spending time with friends, traveling, listening to music, or
designing.

To learn more about Stacey or her books,
visit her at:

Author website

www.staceymariebrown.com

Facebook Author page

https://www.facebook.com/staceymarie.brown.5

Twitter

@S_MarieBrown

Pinterest

www.pinterest.com/s.mariebrown

Instagram

Instagram.com/staceymariebrown

Thank you to all my readers. Your opinion
really matters to me and helps others decide if they want to
purchase my book. If you enjoyed this book, please consider leaving
a review on the site where you purchased it. Thank you.

Want to find out about my next book,
West,
A Darkness Series Novel
? Sign up for my newsletter on my
website and keep updated on the latest news
http://www.staceymariebrown.com
.

Dark Dweller, Sexy, Ruthless, Charming,

and Ohhhh So Complicated

“
I itched to change—to become what I was
meant to be: a ruthless killer, something to be truly feared, no
pretense or appeal.”

(Ward Witches – Book One)

JENNIFER SNYDER

Seventeen-year-old Piper Ward isn’t new to
the world of the supernatural. She comes from a long line of
Cloaking Witches and lives in the city of Newvale, a supernatural
mecca. However, when her crush reveals his mystical roots, Piper
discovers there is one supernatural breed she hasn’t
encountered.

Tristan Jarek is part of a tribe long ago
forgotten, one whose magical abilities were stolen seven years ago.
Having been separated from their magic for so long, the tribe is
faced with a crippling reality—it’s dying.

As more of the story of Tristan’s magic is
revealed, Piper becomes faced with a decision: let an entire breed
of supernaturals die out, or give them the one thing that will save
them—her blood.

Of Witch’s Blood is the first installment of
an all new Mature Young Adult series from Jennifer Snyder, blending
urban fantasy and paranormal romance together to create a tale of
magic, first love, and inner strength .

For more information about this novel,
including purchase links, visit:

http://jennifersnyderbooks.com/ward-witches-series/

To learn more about Jennifer, or her books,
visit her at:

Author Website
www.jennifersnyderbooks.com

Facebook Author Page
https://www.facebook.com/authorjennifersnyder