Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read: Team Cerberus Tour and Giveaway

Rescuing Annabeth

Team Cerberus Book 2

by Melissa Kay Clarke

Genre: Military Romantic Suspense

The biggest book exposition of the year is just around the corner and literary agent Annabeth Switcher is feeling the pressure. Between babysitting her newest client hell-bent on making her miserable and taking care of the thousands of little things that require her attention, she doesn't have time for a personal life. No matter how much a certain Navy SEAL enters her thoughts.

Levi "Hick" Salter spotted the curvy redhead beauty at a friend's wedding. She is vivacious, brassy and so full of life, he's drawn to her like a moth to a flame. Even though they live on opposite sides of the country, their mutual attraction is too much to resist. Thus begins a long distance relationship for these "friends with benefits." They can't be more - he's committed to his duty and she's got her own life. Phone calls and the occasional meet up is the best they can hope for.

The Navy combines Hick's team with the one headed by Matthew "Wolf" Steel to hunt down a terrorist cell intent on bring down Western culture. While Hick is out trying to save the world from fanatics, Annabeth's concentrating on insuring her clients have a smooth convention. Neither knew their two worlds would collide so violently.

When the cell sets their sights on the literary exposition, Hick must rally the SEALs to save the day and his curvy bombshell. Nothing else matters but Rescuing Annabeth.

This is a full length novel and incorporates the entire SEAL team from Susan Stoker's Seal Of Protection series.

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TEAM CERBERUS (Each story is complete with its own HEA)

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With renewed vigor, she dug into the hot pancakes, stopping only long enough to swallow some coffee or to moan appreciatively. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched as she enjoyed her meal, finally pushing back the plate with a satisfied burp. Hick scooted his chair back and pulled her to him. Settling her into his lap, he wrapped his arms around her. She squealed and tried to get up. "Hick! I'm too heavy. I'll break your legs or at least a chair."

He snorted. "Woman, I've had to carry full-grown men for miles before. You in my lap won't hurt me. Besides, I like you where I can have my wicked way with you. Easy access and all that stuff."

She settled into his lap, wrapping her arms around his neck. "Have your wicked way, huh? What does that entail exactly?"

Hick's hand slid up from where it rested against her hip. Slipping it into the opening where her robe closed, he splayed his hand across her warm skin as he pressed nips and kisses along her collarbone. "A little of this," he whispered huskily.

He loved how her forest green eyes darkened to jade with the desire rising in her. She was so responsive to his every touch, letting him know in no uncertain terms how he affected her.

"A little of that."

"Hick," she whispered as her head fell back and he resumed nibbling at her neck.

Fire licked his blood when she clung to him with trembling fingers. She wanted him as badly as he did her. Well, who was he to deny them both what they needed? His fingers found the knot of her robe and deftly untied it with one hand. Slowly, he pulled the thick terry cloth material off her shoulder, peppering the creamy, speckled expanse with tender kisses. Nipping her playfully, he smoothed away the sting with more kisses until her fingers dug into his arm and she squirmed in his lap. He dipped his finger into the sticky remnants of his homemade caramel sauce and painted a line from her collarbone over the plump swell of her left breast. He felt her inflamed gaze as he licked the finger clean then dove in, tracing the path with his lips. As before, Annabeth squirmed and whimpered, arching against him and pressing her heated flesh to his lips.

"Please," she whispered, her voice going low and sultry.

Hick couldn't keep the smugness from his voice. "Please drive you insane? Yes, I believe I will."

Saving Olivia

Team Cerberus Book 1

Two million people disappear into human trafficking every year. Olivia Parker would never have believed she could be one of them. Born to a barely functional mother and caring for her dependent brother, Olivia was determined to make their future better than their troubled past. Instead, she finds herself thrown into a nightmare from which she cannot awaken

Navy Seal, Grayson "Bruiser" Titus, abandoned as a baby, creates a family with his SEAL team. He would do anything for them and knows they would do the same. However, something is missing - could he find it with the intriguing beautiful sister of Jayden Parker? Meeting Olivia feels like looking at his future wrapped in a pair of deep hazel eyes.

Bruiser's team would follow him into the pits of hell. It only stands to reason when Olivia disappears they rally around him. Being SEALs meant they often battled the worse dregs of humanity for God and Country.

However, this is personal.

Saving her is a one-in-a-million long shot, but they will do whatever it takes to bring her home. The only question is: will it be in time to save both body and mind or will her new reality finally break her spirit?

** Warning - Contains adult subject matter **

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The expression on her face made his gut clench. She didn't want him to go. He didn't want to go, either, but he knew he needed to. It made him feel good that she wasn't ready to say goodnight yet. He cupped her cheek with his hand and watched the play of emotions on her face. In this light, with the way her eyes shone, she was so beautiful and vulnerable. He groaned. "Honey, please?" he pleaded. He wouldn't be able to leave her like this.

She closed her eyes and looked away. "Okay," she agreed and turned toward the door.

He pulled her back and curled his arms around her, pulling her protectively into his embrace. Looking down at her, he sighed. "You're getting under my skin, Olivia."

She giggled. "My plan is working."

He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "So it is."

They stared at each other a moment longer before Bruiser lowered his face to hers. He hesitated, watching the way her thick, dark lashes brushed against her cheeks. She rose up on her toes, breaching the minuscule distance until they shared a breath. His eyes swept over her face, drinking in the exquisite beauty that was his Olivia. He wondered, Was she his? Not yet, but she would be. With his mind made up, he brushed her lips tenderly. With the first electric touch, she pressed herself against his body, winding her arms around his waist. Sliding his hand around until he cupped her neck, his thumb swept circles against her throat as his tongue mimicked the gesture against her plush lips. With a soft sigh of surrender, she granted him access, and he slipped inside easily. The taste of her was ambrosia mixed with sweet sunshine and the promise of a thousand moments of pure bliss. He was lost in her. Breathless, it deepened until they were both panting. As the kiss broke, she gave a soft whimper of hunger. The sound twisted him inside. With a groan, he recaptured her mouth in a harder kiss, taking her flavors as he nipped and sucked on her tender bottom lip. Reluctantly, he released her mouth. She laid her head against his shoulder, and he curled his fingers into her hair, tenderly stroking. He could hear her heart racing in time with his. Cripes, what this woman did to him!

Protecting Joselyn

Team Cerberus Book 0

For three terrifying years, Joselyn Kendrik lived a half-life in Witness Protection hiding from a serial murderer and rapist nicknamed 'The Gardener'. After he was killed while placing a slashed teddy bear dressed as her on her father's grave, she could finally look forward to some normalcy in her life. Her newfound peace is shattered a year later when she receives a sinister gift eerily similar to others sent by The Gardener. Although assured by the police it is a copycat, she isn't as confident. Regardless of his identity, her stalker has made one thing perfectly clear; he's set his sights on her and nothing will stop him.

Maddox "River" Benson is looking in the rear-view mirror at a twenty-year career with the Navy SEALs. Contemplating an uncertain future, River jumps at the chance to assist an old friend in the New Orleans Police Department. There is an unknown stalker zeroing in on an innocent young woman. Although there is only so much the police can do officially, River isn't as restricted. Protecting Joselyn is his only priority.

Joselyn's schedule is a bane to River's security strategy. The feisty beauty is intent on pursuing her budding career regardless of her sexy bodyguard's advice. Although their opinions clash in the beginning, the escalating threats force them to come to a compromise. He must trust her with freedom and she must trust him with her life. Meanwhile, the growing attraction between them creates an entirely different set of issues.

How can he concentrate on protecting Joselyn when thoughts of claiming her for his own continually distract him?

When her stalker draws closer, will one ex-SEAL have what it takes to ensure her survival?

Will River be able to Protect Joselyn?

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No frills? Yeah, it sounded about right. Joselyn was not one to call attention to herself. Maybe it had something to do with all those years she spent in hiding but he felt it probably was also her beautiful character shining through. He remembered how she had been with Sasha in the store. Joselyn had been caring, understanding, and giving. Yes, those three words all described this woman. He flinched when he thought about his little faux pas. His woman. He hadn't meant to say it out loud. He hoped she had forgotten about it but something told him she never forgot anything. There was going to be one extremely uncomfortable talk later. He glanced at her as she gnawed on her lip. Reaching over, he gently brushed his thumb over it, nudging it from the grip of her teeth. It was swollen and pink. Fire shot through his body as he imagined taking it into his mouth to taste. He wanted to suck and tease, run his tongue over and between until neither of them had breath left. So beautiful. So amazing. He groaned as she licked it and raised her eyes to him. His heart lurched and raced. So much faith with a touch of fear swam in the caramel colored depths. No matter how afraid she was, she trusted him to keep her safe. He wanted to puff out his chest in pride. He was taking care of her, keeping her safe and she knew without a doubt she was secure.

The moment was lost as they were jostled again. He bit back a growl and pulled her tightly against his side. This was insane! The push of the crowd reminded River how unprotected Joselyn was and his patience was running out. When he had enough and was about to grab his charge and march out of the store, a young woman dressed in the store's distinctive gear approached them. Touching the tablet in her hands, she flashed them a smile.

"Hi. I'm Clarisse. How may I help you today."

Immediately, Joselyn warmed to the woman and explained her old telephone had been lost and she needed a new one. Flashing her a million watt smile, Clarisse motioned for them to follow her to one of the quieter kiosks in the back where additional sales people were helping other customers. "We can get you all set, no problem," she assured them before launching into a spiel about the different models of cell phones and features of each. River listened half-heartedly to the two discuss things as he continued to scan the area. He was being paranoid. Joselyn was safe. Nobody would dare to make an attempt on her with a hundred people nearby. He felt a little of the tension drain away.

"And what do you think, Mr. Kendrik?"

River's attention drew back to Clarisse and he frowned. "I'm sorry what?"

Joselyn gave out a half laugh as her cheeks flushed. "Oh, he's not my husband," she assured the woman. "He's... ah..."

River chuckled at Joselyn's stammering. She looked so cute and he couldn't help himself from teasing her. "I'm her boy toy," he whispered with a wink and laughed softly as Joselyn's blush deepened to a dark red. "You know she's got all kinds of money." He shrugged. "She supports me in a life in which I have become accustomed."

Clarisse looked from one to the other, her jaw dropped open and eyes round.

"You are not!" Joselyn squeaked and smacked his arm. "Cheebus, River, don't say things like that. People will believe it." Turning her attention back to the woman, she winced. "He's really not my boy toy. He's my... my friend." She turned her gaze to him and smiled. "He's my good friend."

Friend.

River tasted the word and found it wasn't quite right. Okay, yes, he was her friend but there was more to it besides the whole bodyguard thing. The revelation he had this morning said it all. She was more than a client, more than an acquaintance. She was slowly becoming everything and it brought forth an unfamiliar feeling. In the twenty years he had served his country, he had known fear on several different levels. Only a fool would not feel anxiety after some of the situations he had found himself. Tracking down terrorists, defusing hostile situations and generally taking care of whatever business his country demanded had given him a healthy respect for fear. But what he was feeling toward the petite author scared him more than all the Taliban in the world. She had wiggled past the walls he had erected until she was bigger than anything else in his universe. If anything happened to her... He slammed a door on the thought. No. Nothing would happen because he wouldn't allow it. He would keep her safe, regardless the consequences.

Melissa was born in Tupelo, Mississippi and raised in Houlka, a small rural town forty-five minutes southwest down the famous Natchez Trace. She found a love of reading very early and quickly devoured everything she could. Told repeatedly that she had a wonderful imagination, she turned to scribbling her musings and wrote her first novel while in college. It was never published and has since vanished. The death of a close friend who aspired to become an author reawakened her own desire resulting in penning her first book, Shattered Dreams, published in 2013.

Melissa now resides in Meridian, Mississippi with her supportive family – husband, Robert and daughter Rebecca, two cats, and two dogs. When she isn't writing, she spends way too much time with her online friends and feeding her ravenous appetite for the written word.

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