Story Sample: Taming the Beast by Erzabet Bishop

Title: Taming the Beast

Author: Erzabet Bishop

Blurb:

Only true beauty can tame the beast…

Allyse Montlake needs a job and quick. But what can a curvy girl with a penchant for plant magic do in the current job market? It’s just not the kind of thing that most people put on applications these days. To help her mother with medical expenses, she has to get something that pays more than her bookstore job. When she goes with her friend Cara to a job fair, she has no idea she’s just applied for a position on Extreme Bachelor—in front of the camera and not behind the scenes as she intended. When she meets the man behind the mystique, can he love her for who she is and see the beauty behind the curves?

Soren Rochester is a werewolf and the owner of Barks, one of America’s most successful pet store chains. He also happens to be fighting a curse from one pissed off witch, and he’s running short on time to find a mate or else. When his assistant suggests a reality television show, he reluctantly agrees. Can this beast find true love amidst the glittering dresses of the contestants, or will he find her only to lose her in a field of thorns?

Excerpt:

Soren Rochester surveyed the circus unfolding on his lawn and bit back an oath. He had a week left before his ex-girlfriend’s curse took hold and instead of being out there actively trying to find a mate, he was sitting here watching his world being upended. Truckloads of people and party equipment rolled through his private sanctum and he wanted to scream.

He surveyed his publicist texting on her phone and tried to suppress a shudder. “Remind me again why this is a good idea?”

Roxy grinned and thumbed through a stack of folders. “Because I’m wonderful and I promised your mother and Carrick I wouldn’t let you shame the family name by getting neutered by that sad excuse for a witch.” Her pixie-like face scrunched into a mischievous grin. “I make it a point never to let that woman down.”

Soren winced. “How nicely put.”

His new security agent, Abraham, turned his head from the window and offered a snort. Muscular and quick on his feet, the African American man held a secret of his own. He was one of Carrick’s newly acquired gargoyles and already he’d earned his keep by scaring the utter bejeezus out of a member of the paparazzi when they tried to get too close. For the last few nights the man had perched on the roof, keeping tabs on the property and all the goings on. Carrick had recommended the man for the job due to his special talent in sniffing out magical mischief.

“Thank you.” Roxy met his gaze with a steady one of her own. “I wouldn’t have done this if I’d thought of an easier way. Why you had to date that skanky b-word I’ll never understand.”

“You have a picture of this Shelby, do you not? I would like to have a look at her so I know who to handcuff on sight.”

“The problem is, she’d probably like it.” Roxy muttered.

“I wouldn’t know,” Soren scowled.

“Sorry. But she just strikes me as the type, is all.”

“What type is that?” Abraham arched an eyebrow as he turned his head in Roxy’s direction.

“The kinky type.” His assistant blushed but before she lowered her face, Soren noted a distinct sparkle in Roxy’s eyes.

Well, well. So the pixie had a thing for gargoyles. You could never tell about people.

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