Heart of the Bear

Hey there, Cindy Spencer Pape here. I write contemporary, paranormal, and erotic romance for The Wild Rose Press, Cerridwen Press, Ellora's Cave, and as of today, Total-E-Bound. My first book there releases today, and I'm very excited about this new series. You can click on the cover to check it out.

Heart of the Bear

Guardian Investigations, Book 1

by Cindy Spencer Pape

out 7/7/08

from Total-E-Bound

She can see into the minds of criminals, but can she find her way into the heart of the bear? Detective and psychic Hannah Lightfoot heads to her family’s mountain cabin to make some hard decisions about the future of her career. When she reaches the cabin she finds it already occupied—by a handsome naked stranger. Shape-shifter Evan Maddox is her brother’s friend and partner. After a night of unbelievable passion, they work together to rescue a kidnapped child. He believes in Hannah’s gifts, but can he trust her with his deepest secrets? Maybe even with his heart?

Excerpt:

There was something in the air that night. I sat in my grandparent’s Simi Valley backyard and tried to meditate, but I couldn’t relax. My whole body tingled and twitched, like a storm was coming, though Southern California was in the middle of a drought. I’d come up here for advice, but all I’d gotten was more questions. I had three days left to make a decision about my future, and all I knew so far was that something was in the air. I felt it coming just like most people heard a freight train roaring towards them down the track. I couldn’t tell what was looming, but I was pretty sure it was going to hit me just as hard as the damn steam engine.

“You going to stay out here all night?”

I jumped at the voice, then I smiled. Not many people in this world can sneak up on me, even when I’m moping. My grandfather is one of them. Even at eighty-eight, he still has the stealth and psychic power that made him one of the most successful Navajo intelligence operatives in World War II. He put his arm around my waist, and I leaned into his shoulder, just like I’d done since I was a kid.

“No, Granddad. No answers in the wind tonight. I think I’m going to head up to the cabin for the weekend. Maybe the spirits will have more to say to me up there.” My grandfather had moved to LA to be a cop after the war, but he’d always needed to spend some time away from the city, so he’d built a cabin up in the Sierra Madres. Any of the family was welcome to use the place when we needed a retreat. And I needed one right now—big time.

Granddad nodded. “You be careful up there. Something—someone—is coming. I’d go with you if I could, little one, but you need to face this challenge alone. Call once in a while, and let your grandmother know you’re alive.”

I nodded. We both knew it wasn’t necessary. Nana was a Romany Gypsy. During the war, Granddad had rescued her from a German death squad who’d planned to burn her as a witch. Her psychic touch hadn’t faded in all these years. But calling to check in was only polite, and Nana would expect it.

“Listen to the winds, girl. Listen with your heart as well as your ears.” With that cryptic bit of advice, Granddad turned and walked back towards the house, whistling a tune. Damn, if it didn’t sound like Aerosmith. The old man never failed to surprise me.

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