THIS CONTEST IS NOW CLOSED.
A man of deception. A woman of justice. Can their fragile trust be strong enough to prevent a war?
Commander Yara knows perfect leadership requires perfect control and discipline. She has spent years living without the distraction of caring for anything—or anyone. It’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make. Yara has honed herself into the perfect heir to the Azralen throne, but a bloody coup could destroy everything she’s worked so hard for. She must return home to prevent war. Unfortunately the only ship available belongs to an Earthlen trader with no regard for authority—especially hers.
Cyn is a rebel, driven to protect those suffering at the hands of the Elite leaders of Azra. Using his alias to manipulate the lovely but icy commander onto his ship, he has to keep her from Azra long enough to ignite the revolution. But when he awakens a vibrant and feeling woman beneath that icy exterior, he gets more than he bargained for—love. He must find a way to convince Yara to join him, before they get caught in a web of deception that could tear their world apart.
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Were you a rebel in your younger years, or not so much? Are you still a rebel in some ways (or many ways)?
Excerpt from Beyond the Shadows
Cyn concentrated on the wound as he used the knitter to pull the gaping flesh back together, leaving a clean but ugly scab over the hole in her shoulder.
Yara grabbed his forearm, clinging to his bracer. Her glazed eyes locked with his. His own memories of being knit without tranqs overwhelmed him. God, she was in so much pain.
He could feel the stabbing, burning as if he were feeling it in the moment, not years ago.
Finally he turned the thing off.
Yara inhaled, her breath filling her lungs with a shaky hiss.
“You okay?” he asked, offering her another drink.
She nodded and tried to take the cup, but her hand shook so badly, she couldn’t lift it.
Cyn wrapped his hand over her elegant fingers and let his palm slide over the soft skin of the back of her neck as he lifted her toward him. He helped her bring the cup to her lips.
When she finished drinking, he let her hand fall but kept ahold of her neck. The woman had guts. He felt the knot in his stomach tighten.
Her beautiful golden eyes blinked slowly, as a drop of moisture from the kiltii water clung to her full lower lip.
He found himself transfixed on that drop of water, longing to taste it. He could feel the adrenaline in his blood beginning to wane. The shaky loose feeling in his body overtook his senses. He wanted to taste her so badly.
“You did good,” he murmured. She was glorious. She lived up to the promise of her royal blood. She’d been amazing. His body burned with battle lust. It would be so easy to fall down on the bed and pull her into his aching body.
He brushed his thumb behind her slightly pointed ear and leaned closer, inhaling the scent of her hair, hoping it would wash away the scent of death and blood all around them.
She didn’t pull away as his cheek brushed hers. He leaned back just enough to look her in the eyes again.
Her expression had softened with relief, relief and something else, something raw and potent.
He held his breath, leaning in until his lower lip barely brushed the warm skin of hers.
She stiffened.
This was wrong. She is the enemy.
Damn it, he couldn’t do this. Cyn pulled away, letting her fall gently back onto the pillows. She watched him with those sex-honey eyes as she pressed a protective hand over the wound just above her heart.
Ona help him, he wanted her.
What was he going to do?
I didn’t start rebelling against my parents until the summer after I graduated from high school. I lied about who I was hanging out with and where I was going.
by Casey August 23rd, 2010 at 5:59 amI was definitely a rebel when I was living with my parents in HS. Now, not so much. 😆
by MinnChica August 23rd, 2010 at 6:49 amI wasn’t so much of a rebel when I was younger. I was more so of one after high school. And even a little bit now.
by Rae M. August 23rd, 2010 at 6:55 amWell, I suppose I was a bit of a rebel but I grew up in the sticks in a very small town so there wasn’t as much trouble to get into. Now that I am older and have a family of my own I’m not so much a rebel anymore.
by Kate M. August 23rd, 2010 at 7:17 amI guess that I was a little bit. I hate being told what to do, and it makes me want to do the opposite.
by Marlene Breakfield August 23rd, 2010 at 7:29 amnope i was a good girl and still one.
by REGINA ROSS August 23rd, 2010 at 7:34 amI was a cream puff! LOL! My mother was so crazy and rebellious I rebelled by NOT rebelling! I was the nerdy girl who hung out with her teachers.
I think that’s why I love reading about bad people so much. Bring on the naughty!
by Taylorea August 23rd, 2010 at 7:47 amI rebeled a little when I was younger, but I think I’m more of a rebel now.
by Stephanie N. August 23rd, 2010 at 7:59 amI was a bit of a rebel during my teenage years. This wore out in my early twenties – although I still harbor that bit of the non-conformist in me to this day!
by kylie August 23rd, 2010 at 8:13 amBeing the sixth child in the family doesn’t leave much room for rebellion, unfortunately. Just twitches but nothing major to ruffled anyone’s feathers! :o)
by Tamsyn T August 23rd, 2010 at 8:30 amI never was a rebel when I was younger. I think I am more of a rebel now.
by CrystalGB August 23rd, 2010 at 9:00 amI was a rebel in that I wore what I wanted to wear regardless of what other people thought. I often heard my father say….are you going out like THAT?? Hehe!!!
Valerie
by Valerie August 23rd, 2010 at 9:08 amvalb0302@yahoo.com
in Germany
Well I was a good girl for th most part but I guess you could say I rebeled from the norm. I didn’t follow peers, I didn’t do something just because someone else was, I wore what I wanted not what was in style. I guess I never really out grew that, I still tend to do what I think is right even if others think its not right because its not how others do it. I figure that as long as I’m a good person and do the right things it shouldn’t matter. I get gruff because I spend all my time with my children or all of my money on my children and never go out partying or leave them to take ‘grownup’ trips. I figure that my kids will be grown and out of the house soon enough… I want to spend my time with them and my husband, you don’t have to be with all adults and drinking to have fun. I have plenty of fun w/ my family.
-Brandy
by Brandy B August 23rd, 2010 at 10:04 ambrandyzbooks at yahoo (dot) com
I am not nor have I ever been a rebel. I have always been the more reserved one.
by Stephanie McCarthy August 23rd, 2010 at 10:17 amI wasn’t a rebel then and I’m no one now *g* as a teenager I was way to shy and introverted 🙄
by Ina S. August 23rd, 2010 at 10:26 amI’d say a semi- rebel lol. My older sister kept quiet and seemed to sneekily always get her way. I was all mouth about how everything wasn’t fair lol.I married at 18 and since my hubby was a definite rebel, I was the wild one of the family! I’m still what I consider the blacksheep of the family lol. I seem to be opposite in thinking from all of them.
by catslady August 23rd, 2010 at 10:33 amNot a rebel at all; even then I would sit in my room with books and bookshelves surrounding me and my nose in a book.
by Diane Sadler August 23rd, 2010 at 10:50 amI have never rebelled against my parents, though I am only 19 now, I doubt I will. I have always had my parents trust so when I do want to go out my parents let me because they trust me.
by Lexee August 23rd, 2010 at 10:51 amI was the good sibling and far too practical to be a rebel. Now that I’m older and wiser and had I to do it over again, I would certainly be more of a wild child.
by Devon August 23rd, 2010 at 11:22 amyeah I was a rebel at the age of 14, but with new friends there wasn’t much to rebel against.
by Christina August 23rd, 2010 at 12:02 pmI wasn’t a rebel per se, but I didn’t take rules and no’s for answers as a teen. If I wanted something – I fought for it. But I was too smart and accomplished to be called a rebel. By making my parents proud, I got to dictate a lot in my teen life.
by Jacqueline C. August 23rd, 2010 at 12:08 pmI wasn’t a rebel when I was in high school… I was too afraid to get into trouble with my parents because they expected more from me. I just always listened and followed the rules because that’s what I had always done. When I went off to college I did go a little wild. I spent my freshman year having fun and really experiencing college (and being away from home for the first time). I calmed down and focused more on school after my freshman year.
by Sara M August 23rd, 2010 at 1:15 pmthat would depend on who asked.
Overall I am not too much of a rebel. That’s my story and I am sticking to it. 
by Larena Wirum August 23rd, 2010 at 1:15 pmI was never a rebel, and I am sure no rebel yet. I have a suspicion that I will be a rebel when I am 60 lol
by blodeuedd August 23rd, 2010 at 1:29 pmI started to rebel right after my mother moved to Scotland got her own place..
by alba August 23rd, 2010 at 1:36 pmMom say’s I was testing her.
I know that it did not last long my uncle who was my idol tuned me in very quickly…..
I miss him very much he was my replacement Father and wonderful at it too.
I was a bit of a rebel in my younger days with regards to my parents, but can’t say that I’m much of one in general! Don’t enter me, but this is a fabulous book–good luck, everyone! I’m crossing my fingers that Ms. Granger will have more in this series!
by Fedora August 23rd, 2010 at 1:39 pmI was/ am a bit of a quiet mouse… no rebellion here, that was my middle sister’s job! 😉
by Colleen August 23rd, 2010 at 1:43 pmI wasn’t a rebel when I was a kid. I was afraid of getting butt-wuppin’! Once I went away to college, I “cut loose”. Not in a bad way, though; I became more vocal and out-spoken. So there’s my rebel period…it didn’t last very long! LOL
by Tracey D August 23rd, 2010 at 1:57 pmI was the good girl with the bad thoughts LOL 😉
by Chelsea B. August 23rd, 2010 at 2:29 pmNever a rebel as a youngster, worried too much about getting into trouble and paying for it in the end. Haven’t become a rebel as I have aged either
by Jean P August 23rd, 2010 at 2:46 pmI was a rebel, I loved misbehaving. Now I’m a good little girl…..sometimes.
by Lisa F. August 23rd, 2010 at 3:04 pmI’ve always been more of the rebel type, but that’s only because I see things differently. Nothing too out of the ordinary, just looking at things from all angles and that seems to drive people nuts.
by Leni August 23rd, 2010 at 3:05 pmI was no a rebel not at all. I was quiet and shy and introverted.
by Mary August 23rd, 2010 at 4:05 pmMuch as I would have loved to have been a rebel, I was too much of a nerd/bookworm in high school to even think about rebeling. Once I left for college it was pretty much the same thing, although I did venture outside of my box a time or two.
by Ashley L August 23rd, 2010 at 4:10 pmNot so much. It’s fun to think about, but at the end of the day, rebelling would have ended badly. ‘Sides, if i wan’t the good girl, my friends would’ve been lost.
by Kate C August 23rd, 2010 at 5:15 pmI wasn’t much of a rebel back in high school or even before then. I just didn’t have the attitude plus there was the fear of discipline lurking above me.
I am a rebel nowaday to a point. I’m just more vocal these days. It’s the question of choosing and picking which battles to be fought and won.
by Kai W. August 23rd, 2010 at 5:42 pmSadly I was not a rebel. Strictly the good girl. Trying to break the habit now but you know what they say about old dogs and new tricks.
by Rory G August 23rd, 2010 at 6:01 pmAhh no I’ve never been much of a rebel – I left that to my friends in my earlier years ;). They needed someone to help ground them after all lol.
by Pam S August 23rd, 2010 at 6:16 pmI was never really much of a rebel..since as long as my mom knew where I was I could do what i wanted. 🙂
by Jenna Rysanek August 23rd, 2010 at 6:35 pmI was a rebel without a clue. I used to smoke and run with the bad kids in school. But was smart enough not to end up pregnant or drop out school. At least i liked school. When my mom passed away in my senior yr of high school I wised up somewhat and was able to take care of myself through 2 yrs of college anyhow.
by Pamk August 23rd, 2010 at 6:36 pmi’m much more a quite and introvert girl and it still continue till now 🙂
by Mariska August 23rd, 2010 at 6:40 pmI was not a rebel now, I’ve become braver with age but I’m not really a rebel.
by JoAnna B August 23rd, 2010 at 6:46 pm