Hello Readers!

How's your week going so far? I just wanted to share some exciting news with you. Fel and I are thrilled to announce that Cooper, the first book in our new Pecan Pines series, will be releasing on August 15, 2024.

Cooper is an M/M shifter romance, and if you enjoyed our Fox Haven series, we think you'll really like this one too!

Cooper Hayes left Pecan Pines ten years ago after a humiliating defeat. He’s in a better place and in a stable pack now. When Cooper receives a frantic call from his best friend’s little brother, he has no choice but to return home. Staying long isn’t an option, but then he meets Miles again. Gone is the annoying brat who constantly tagged along with Cooper and his best friend. In fact, the little wolf is all grown up now. Even Miles’ scent has changed…because Miles smells like his mate.

We can't wait for you to read their story! If you haven't pre-ordered yet, you can check it out here.

Here's a little sneak preview of the first chapter~

Chapter One

Miles

I glanced up from the worn pages of the book I was reading as the bell above the door chimed. A familiar face smiled back at me—a regular customer, Mrs. Jenkins. 

She had a penchant for historical romances and rarely left the bookstore without adding something new to her collection.

"Good afternoon, Mrs. Jenkins," I greeted warmly, closing my book and standing up from behind the counter. "What can I help you with today?”

"Oh, just the usual, dear," she replied, her eyes sparkling with anticipation. "I'm looking for something set in the Victorian era.”

I nodded and led her to a section of shelves lined with the kind of books she loved. Not that I needed to; she knew this place like the back of her hand. But I was bored and didn’t mind chatting with my favorite customer.

“I just got a new shipment last week. You might find something you like over here," I said, gesturing to the shelf at the back.

While Mrs. Jenkins browsed the books, I found myself staring at an old photo on the wall. It was of me, my brother Sawyer, and our dad, standing proudly in front of the bookstore from way over fifteen years ago. 

Dad had his arm around us, and we were all grinning with excitement on opening day. I reached out and touched the frame, feeling a rush of nostalgia.

“Found it!” Mrs. Jenkins’ voice pulled me back to the present. She was clutching a novel with a wide smile. “This one looks perfect.”

"Great choice," I said, ringing up the book. "That one's a classic. I think you'll really enjoy it.”

After exchanging a few more pleasantries and thanking Mrs. Jenkins for her purchase, I flipped the sign on the door to "Closed" and locked up. I went around the counter, making sure everything was in its place before heading to the back office.

The small office at the back of the bookstore was cluttered with stacks of books and paperwork—Sawyer’s mess from last night when he was helping me with the budget. 

I let out a deep sigh, not wanting to think about the chaos, and made my way to the coffee maker. As the coffee brewed, I imagined Sawyer's voice in my head, chiding me for drinking coffee so late.

"You know you’ll be up all night if you drink that now," Sawyer would say, shaking his head.

I chuckled to myself, stirring in some cream and sugar. "Yeah, but I need it tonight," I muttered under my breath. Those numbers weren’t going to crunch themselves. 

Sometimes, I think I was a coffee addict because of him, always needing the extra boost to keep everything in check.

He was supposed to finish next month’s budget tonight, but he was nowhere to be seen. He hadn’t answered any of my calls or messages over the past couple of hours either. 

If he ditched me for another date or random hookup, I swear I’ll make him handle the bookstore’s budget for the rest of the year.

I couldn't help but reflect on how different we were. After Dad died, I felt the need to keep everything in order, to plan everything meticulously. 

Maybe it was my way of coping, of maintaining some control in a world that had suddenly become so unpredictable. Sawyer, on the other hand, seemed to thrive in chaos, always flying by the seat of his pants. 

But someone had to keep things running smoothly, and that someone somehow ended up being me.

I took a sip and closed my eyes for a moment. After a few seconds of intense meditation—or rather, vivid imaginings of how I’d get back at Sawyer for this—I felt a bit more prepared to tackle the mountain of bills and payments awaiting me.

Sitting down at the cluttered desk, I began sifting through the papers. The bookstore’s finances were tight, and the added strain of Uncle Benjamin's hospitalization was weighing heavily on me. 

Uncle Ben took Sawyer and me in after our father passed away. I thought back to the days growing up with Uncle Ben—how he welcomed us without hesitation, brought us to the lake every summer, and attended our graduations and school events no matter how busy he was at work.

I rubbed my temples, trying to shake off the nostalgia and focus on the present. I flipped through the bills, relieved to see I had enough to cover the basics for the next couple of months. 

But I needed to tighten the budget even more to handle the extra expenses. We weren’t in trouble yet, but things would be strained for a while.

The repairs and improvements Sawyer and I had planned would be postponed. My plans for the café section of the bookstore would have to wait a little longer too, but that was alright. Uncle Ben was family, and Sawyer and I owed him everything.

"It’ll have to do for now,” I muttered. 

I made a mental note to discuss the situation with Sawyer over the weekend. 

My brother would grumble and complain, but I knew exactly how to soften the blow. I’d just have to put some free food in front of him, and he’d do anything.

As the minutes ticked by, I finally finished and gathered the papers into a neat pile. I took one last sip of my now-cold coffee and glanced at my watch. I had just enough time to meet Noah for our movie.

My phone vibrated, startling me out of my thoughts. Speak of the devil.

"I know, I know, I’m in my car. I’m five minutes away.” I was lying through my teeth, but I stood up and quickly started grabbing my things.

"Just get the tickets first; I’ll be there soon," I urged into the phone.

There was no response, just silence on the other end. I paused, a knot of worry starting to form in my stomach.

"Hello? Noah?" I called out into the phone, hoping for a reply.

There was silence at first, but then I heard harsh breathing, as if Noah were running. I could vaguely hear the sounds of a crowd in the background, but my focus was on Noah’s labored breaths.

"You need to get to the pack lands quickly. Your brother just challenged Ryder," Noah whispered urgently.

I froze, my mind racing. Challenging Ryder, the lead alpha, was not something to be taken lightly. 

I didn't know what was going through Sawyer’s mind, or why he would do something as reckless as that. But it didn’t matter. For now, all I knew was that I needed to be there.

"Are you sure?" I asked, my voice tight with concern.

"I saw it myself," Noah whispered urgently. "Hurry, Miles.”

"I'm on my way," I said firmly, my heart pounding. I hung up, grabbed my keys, and rushed out of the bookstore.

It usually took about 20 minutes to drive from town to the pack lands, but I knew a shortcut through the woods that cut the trip in half. 

It was a narrow dirt road that twisted through the thick trees. I gripped the wheel tightly as my car skidded over loose gravel, finally pulling into the empty lot in front of the pack house.

As I stepped out of my car, I was met with a surreal sight.

Every wolf in the pack seemed to have gathered, forming a tight circle. Their eyes turned toward me as I approached—some with snickers, others with pity, but all with an intensity that sent a shiver down my spine.

Pushing my way through the crowd, I felt the stifling heat and humidity of the hot summer night clinging to my skin, yet I shivered as if I were cold.

Panic and fear gnawed at me as I neared the center. I didn't know what I would find there, didn’t even know if I wanted to see it, but I continued pushing my way through.

An arm shot out from the side, grabbing me and pulling me back. 

"Let go!" I protested, trying to break free, but it was Noah. His face was grave.

"What's going on?" I demanded, my voice tight with worry.

Noah didn't answer immediately, his gaze fixed on the scene ahead. The crowd parted slightly as Noah led me through, their murmurs and whispers blending into an indistinct hum.

I tore my gaze away from Noah’s grip and looked in the direction he was staring. My heart sank as I watched the scene unfold before me.

At the center, two wolves were circling each other: a black wolf—Ryder, the alpha of our pack—and a grey wolf—my brother, Sawyer.

Ryder lunged at Sawyer with powerful, precise strikes, his jaws snapping dangerously close to Sawyer’s neck. Sawyer twisted and turned, desperately trying to dodge Ryder’s attacks and find a chance to hit back. Every move was a near miss.

I could tell that Sawyer wasn’t thinking clearly, that his emotions were clouding his judgment. His strikes were wild and unfocused, missing their mark, as if he were too caught up in his anger.

My breath caught with every clash of teeth and claws. I felt helpless, just standing there, unable to do anything.

Then, Ryder lunged at Sawyer’s head, making him flinch and momentarily drop his guard. Seizing the opportunity, Ryder snapped at Sawyer’s back leg with a sickening crunch. 

The sound of bone breaking was loud and seemed to echo through the crowd. Time felt like it slowed down as both wolves suddenly shifted back into their human forms, collapsing to the ground in pain and exhaustion. 

I could vaguely hear the hooting and hollering from the sidelines, but my mind was consumed by one overwhelming thought.

My brother was dying in front of me.

My feet instinctively moved forward, wanting to get to my brother’s side, but a large hand suddenly pushed me back. It was Griffin, Noah’s brother.

“Wait,” Griffin urged, his voice firm.

Sawyer lay motionless on the ground, blood pooling around him, his leg mangled with bone protruding. Ryder knelt beside him, his hand reaching out, his claws extended. He whispered something into Sawyer’s ear.

Even in the dark, I could see Ryder’s hand digging into Sawyer’s neck, drawing blood. Droplets glistened in the moonlight.

“No!” I cried out.

* * *

I didn’t even know how we managed to get out of the pack lands. The last thing I remembered was breaking free from Noah and Griffin, my legs propelling me toward my brother, desperate to reach him.

Images flashed in my mind—Griffin's strong arms helping to lift Sawyer into the backseat of the car and my frantic insistence that we not take him to the pack healer.

I couldn’t trust anyone from the pack right now, not after what happened.

Noah and Griffin were the only ones I felt I could rely on at that moment. I told them to take Sawyer to a hospital instead, even though I knew it might prolong his recovery.

But I didn’t care. I couldn’t risk anything, not when Sawyer’s life was at stake.

In the hospital, the sterile, antiseptic smell assaulted my senses as I sat by my brother’s bedside. I watched his chest rise and fall with each labored breath, his face pale and drawn with pain.

“Noah, Griffin,” I said quietly, turning to them. “I’m fine. You can go home now.”

Noah opened his mouth as if to protest, but Griffin placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder. 

“Call us if you need anything,” Griffin said softly, giving me a nod of understanding.

I nodded back gratefully, watching them leave the room. They’ll only allow family in here anyway, and the room was too small for all of us to sleep in.

More than anything, I wanted to be alone with my brother. I pulled up a chair beside the bed and took Sawyer’s hand in mine.

“Hang in there, Sawyer,” I whispered, my voice barely audible.

I rested my forehead against the cold hospital bed bars. First it was Uncle Benjamin, and now my brother. Worry and exhaustion felt like a heavy load on my shoulders.

I heard a rustle of cloth and movement beside me. Startled, I looked up. My brother was finally waking up, lifting his hand weakly. I could feel tears welling up behind my eyes.

I opened my mouth, wanting to speak, but Sawyer was struggling with his oxygen mask, clearly trying to take it off.

Even though he was having difficulty breathing, it was clear he wanted to tell me something important. Without hesitating, I reached over and helped him remove the mask, feeling the urgency in his eyes.

He wheezed as he managed to speak. "Call... Cooper…"

"Cooper?" I repeated, surprised. Cooper was my brother’s best friend, who had left the pack over ten years ago. I hadn’t realized they were still in touch.

Sawyer looked at me with piercing intensity. "I need... him," he insisted, his voice strained but determined. 

I nodded silently as he closed his eyes, and I carefully put the oxygen mask back in place.

Scanning the belongings the nurses had left on the side table, I quickly found his phone. After unlocking the screen, I scrolled through his contacts until I found Cooper’s name. 

Taking a deep breath, I tried to push away the nervousness and anxiety gnawing inside me.

Childhood memories came flooding back: my secret crush on Cooper, even though he barely seemed to notice me; how his eyes would light up with mischief and that smile of his that made everything feel a little better.

Although I knew he saw me as Sawyer’s annoying little brother, I had always looked up to him. He had this way of making even the simplest moments seem special.

Now, with everything going on, I couldn’t help but wonder if he’d remember me at all or if I’d just be a distant memory.

But my brother needed him. I pushed back any lingering doubts and pressed the call button, bringing the phone to my ear.

“Cooper? It’s Miles,” I began, my voice cracking slightly with emotion. I glanced at Sawyer’s pale face as I spoke. “Sawyer’s in the hospital. He… he needs you.”

Pre-order now on Amazon

Cooper will be released on August 15 2024. Have a lovely rest of the week!

Yours sincerely,

Kara