Tethered by Leigh Hall
(BirthRight #1)
Publication date: October 29th 2013
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Synopsis:
No matter how hard you fight it—destiny has a mind of its own!
Since foreseeing the imminent death of her parents six years earlier, Chloe has lived a simple, not-so-charmed-life away from her remaining Wiccan family.
Zero magic.
No close friendships.
While struggling to bench-press more guilt than any nineteen-year-old ever should.
But fate intervenes and forces Chloe to return home. As if being an in-the-closet-Seer wasn’t bad enough, now she has to spend summer break with the snarky sister who hates her—and the magical birthright she was hell-bent on denying for all eternity.
Luckily, meeting Mr. Perfect takes the edge off her endless family drama. Hunter’s twenty-five, sometimes old-fashioned in a Jane Austen hero sort of way, and more delicious than molten-lava cake. But the more she tries to hide her family’s magical secrets from this ever-present stranger, the more quickly she realizes he’s hiding a few doozies of his own.
Will the lies and betrayal destroy their relationship before it really begins? Or will learning of their tethered future create an unbreakable bond neither can deny? Either way, their hearts will be forever entwined by destiny.
Purchase:
--Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/386150
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EXCERPT:
He eyes me curiously. “Why, were you
afraid I was stalking you or
something?” Once the words roll off his tongue, a snicker bursts from his lips.
My face heats up. “Of course not! It just
occurred to me after you left yesterday I had no idea why you were here...when
you knew why I was. So now I know.”
“Now you know.” Mischief spreads across
his face, his eyebrows lifting with his crooked smile. “So, if you see me back
here a lot over the next few days, you won’t go thinking I decided to stalk you
after all, will you? Because if we’re here—on the same floor—seeing the same
doctor—we’re bound to run into each
other from time to time. I wouldn’t want you worrying for your safety or anything,
so I figured I’d put your mind at ease before it has a chance to run
away with itself again.” He laughs almost under his breath.
Seriously? Oh, he’s clearly enjoying this. But I’ll play along. Why not? “Your
consideration is touching.” I lift my hand to my heart. “But if you should
happen to change your mind about stalking me, please just give me a heads up
first. I’d be more than happy to provide you with my itinerary. I know how
daunting your schedule must be, so I wouldn’t want to subject you to any
difficulties which might further endanger your well-being.” I tilt my head,
batting my baby blues for affect. “If you like, I could even leave a ladder
outside my window...or binoculars in the tree across the street. You
know...just in case.” Feeling just a tad cocky from my rebuttal, I return the
same sideways smirk he’s now giving me.
“You see, I knew you were a good
woman from the first moment I laid eyes on you. Most aren’t willing to be so
accommodating.”
“Well, the way I see it...you risk your life
to protect strangers every day. It’s merely my civic duty to repay your
kindness. I’m nothing if not old-fashioned.” I re-cross my legs, trying not to
seem too confident.
He leans forward, elbows resting on his
knees. “Well in that case, I promise to let you know when I decide to stalk
you.”
“When...?”
My eyes open wide.
The second he laughs, I jump in right
along with him. How could I not with that amazing, smoky laugh of his? He does
seem to be enjoying this just as much as I am.
“You’re a lot of fun, Miss Chloe. And a
lot quicker than I expected. Very pleasant surprise.” He smiles. His
gorgeous, mocha eyes caress my soul.
Deep breath, Chloe. “Yeah well, you
caught me on an off-day yesterday. But I’ll be sure to bring my A-game from now
on.” I bump my knee into his as I lift my brows flirtatiously.
“I’ll hold you to it, you know. Comic
relief is in short supply around here.” He nods towards the emergency room
entrance.
“Yeah, hospitals tend to have that effect
on people. I can’t imagine why.”
An adorable blush lights up his cheeks. I
don’t know if I ever realized just how sexy it is when a guy gets embarrassed.
Though, I’m sure just about any look
would be attractive on Hunter.
“So, what do you do for fun in this town,
Miss Chloe?”
“When you figure that one out, you
can let me know. I have absolutely no idea. Lived in San Diego for six
years, remember?”
“Oh, that’s right. Well, perhaps some
evening after I decide to stalk you,
maybe I’ll lure you to my car with some candy. Then we can drive around and figure
it out together.” He leans back, eyeing me from under half closed lids as he
grins.
“Well that all depends on how long it
takes you to start stalking me. I can’t wait forever you know.” I do my best to
look serious, but I can’t quite tell if I succeed.
He tips his head back, belting out a
hearty laugh. “Fair enough.”
“So would it be presumptuous of me to ask
how old my perspective stalker is?”
His jaw drops. “I’m appalled! How dare you ask me such a personal
question? You have some nerve, madam.” His acting skills are lacking, but who
cares. He smiles. “I’m twenty-five. So will you bestow the same courtesy upon
me, Miss Chloe?”
Suddenly uncomfortable, I re-cross my
legs, again, then start bouncing my foot. “Are you sure you really want to
know?” Well, it was fun while it lasted. I know I’m way too young for him, and
now he’ll know too. I’m such a dumb ass for asking his age. Idiot!
“Of course I do. It can’t be that shocking.”
“You sure about that?”
“Oh come on, it can’t be that bad.”
I hold my breath for a few seconds, then
exhale. “I’m only nineteen.” My shoulders tense as I get ready for the big let-down.
“So you’re still in school then?” His
head tilts to the side.
“Yup. Only two years left, thank god.”
“Hmm. I don’t know if I can stalk someone
who’s underage. I could get arrested for harassing a minor, you know.” He
attempts a serious tone.
“First, I’m not a minor...and second, I’d say that’s the least of your worries if you turn out to be a stalker.” Ha. Take
that, Hunter Payne!
“You do have a point.” He shakes his head
while looking at the sidewalk.
“Of course I do.”
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AUTHOR BIO:
Brandi lives in central Pennsylvania with her fur-ball cats (Onyx and Klepto), where she spends most of her time attached to her laptops, reading books, appeasing her sweet tooth, and watching TV for motivation.
Growing up in a haunted house inspired Brandi’s fascination with the paranormal, so it only made sense that she’d write Urban Fantasy books for both teens and adults.
Brandi hasn’t been lucky enough to meet her soul mate (yet), so she writes paranormal tales of those who have. Her stories combine magical elements with real-life issues, strong female characters, semi-old fashioned men and family values, woven together and told from an emotional, first-person perspective. She enjoys writing sweet stories that teach girls it’s okay to speak your mind and be independent, career-driven, and not worry about fitting in to society’s mold.
In addition to the BirthRight Novels, she also has four additional adventures she’ll be writing over the next few years, so stay-tuned.
You can follow Brandi at:
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