OFF-LIMITS Sanctuary 1
Heat Rating: SCORCHING
Word Count: 21,584
[Siren Classic ManLove: Erotic
Alternative Contemporary Paranormal Romance, shape-shifter, M/M, HEA]
Blurb
When
Quinn Hart’s best friend died, he became guardian to the man’s ten-year- old
son, Noah Stone. So far, Quinn has been able to conceal the growing attraction
he feels for Noah, but now Noah is twenty-two and returning home from college.
Honor still holds Quinn back from revealing his true feelings. Their community
of bear shifters consider reproduction a priority, and Quinn fears they would
never accept a homosexual relationship.
Noah
has always hidden his romantic feelings for his guardian, but now he’s a man,
and his desire is stronger than ever. Unable to handle his feelings, Noah
leaves Oregon for a position in a research facility. But when Noah arrives in
New York, he discovers his employer is harvesting bear bile and he’s the new
source.
Quinn
is determined to find Noah. But can he admit what he really wants before it’s
too late?
Excerpt
Home. Noah had forgotten
how much he missed the endless expanse of lush green landscape and the
sparkling river. And the trees. Especially the trees. When the leaves whispered
in the wind, it made Noah’s heart ache. Whoever had named their small town knew
that trees were sanctuaries.
But
for all that, home wasn’t a place, it was a person—Quinn. Noah could live
anywhere with Quinn. But a life with Quinn was as likely as a sharknado ripping
through Sanctuary.
Noah
moved away from the window and gazed at his reflection. The mirror was wall
mounted and speckled in places. The frame matched the wood dresser beneath it.
A handknitted brown and tan spread covered the crude pine bed. The room had
been decorated on a meager budget, but it was warm and comforting because Quinn
had handcrafted all the furniture himself.
Noah’s
bedroom hadn’t changed since he was a kid. Yesterday, when he’d first stepped
through the door, he’d felt the walls close in on him. As a kid, this room
seemed huge, but now that he was a man, he could see how small it really was.
It felt surreal like turning back the clock, but not in a bad way. If only he
could—
“Where’s
the man of the hour?”
The
sound of loud voices traveled up the stairs. More guests had arrived for the party.
The community was small, but when everyone attended an event, it could be
overwhelming. Noah checked his image in the mirror again. He’d already changed
shirts several times, and he still wasn’t sure that he liked the blue chambray
shirt he’d put on with his khakis. Why am I making such a big deal out
of this? He felt like Marcus primping for one of those stupid frat
parties. What difference did it make what color shirt he wore? Stop
stalling, he told himself. You can’t stay in your room forever.
Noah
stood at the top of the stairs. Below, friends and neighbors were chatting
excitedly. Noah had nothing to say to them. He would disappoint them. Anxiety
made his stomach churn.
Happy Reading!
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Author Bio and Links
Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the
kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on
a pad and pencil.
Some things never change.
