Synopsis
After Charlene Johnson's parents are killed in a car accident, she becomes guardian to her disabled brother. With no income coming in, she is forced to move to Eden, Kentucky, the one place her mother told her to stay away from.
Once there, she's certain her mother would also warn her to keep away from the dark and sexy Zack Abingdon. A man of mystery who claims Charlene is his mate. Zack has waited for what seems a lifetime for the other half of his soul. He wants a family of his own, but the woman he has his eye on has no idea he is a werewolf. However, he knows he is the only one who can keep her safe from the evil that stalks Eden.
While he tries to convince her he is the wolf of her heart, she is playing hard to get, and Zack is fearful he will lose her before he can mark her as his own. As Zack and Charlene are finding their way into love, an evil jinni who has wreaked havoc on the town of Eden for decades decides he wants Charlene for his own.
When she learns the truth of her heritage, Zack hopes he can convince her he is the other half of her soul before it's too late.
Excerpt
Jethro cleared his throat. “And this is Zachariah Abingdon.”
Charlene expected to see someone the same age as Jethro and Rebekkah. She caught a whiff of soap and some unrecognizable musky spice and jumped, startled to find him standing at her elbow.
The younger man flipped shocks of silver hair away from his piercing blue eyes. A trail of heat blazed in her face and ignited a fire in her core. He gazed down at her, an amused hint of a smile playing on his full, sensuous lips. “Call me Zack.”
She felt as if he had reached out and caressed her cheek. He took her hand, and a surge of energy jolted her. Did he feel it, too? Dry-mouthed, she squeaked, “Are we related?”
He smiled, showing beautiful white teeth. “No. Is it a problem?”
Warmth filled her chest and suffused her face. She stared down at his large hand still clasping hers. She didn’t want to let go. How long could you hold a stranger’s hand without being inappropriate? “No. Not at all.”
Jethro cleared his throat again, and Zack grinned at her, a sly expression on his face as he slid his fingers away.
She glanced down, half-expecting to see a visible red glow where his touch lingered on her skin.
“We should let other people speak with you.” Jethro pressed an envelope into her hand. “There are no orphans among our people. Come home. We can help you take care of Joey in Eden.”
Goose bumps ran up her spine. How did he know about her brother? Eden. Her mother had warned her. Who exactly are these people?
She stared at the odd trio in their old-fashioned garb as they moved toward the memory table and whispered to each other. She couldn’t make out the words, but the tone sounded pleased. Pleased by what? She examined her new bangle. Feathery-scripted Js twined across the surface. Joanna.
As she puzzled over the dark metal, a dumpling of a woman lunged at Charlene and pulled her into a bear hug. The brassy-blonde reeked of cheap perfume, and her nose bore the signs of time spent with a bottle. “So sorry,” she slurred. “Tragic.”
