Why have one great big, long old excerpt of one book when you can have three short teasers to whet your appetite for some new paranormal reads?

Yep, this time we’re giving you just enough of three of Kari Thomas’ books to lure you, reel you in until you’re caught! So read on and enjoy these tantalizing tidbits….

Seducing the Hero:

Kitchen Witch Baylie Campbell needs a hero-a protector-when a crazed stalker threatens her life. Ex-detective-turned cowboy, Colt McKnight, agrees to protect Baylie, and he takes her to his secluded ranch. Colt knows Baylie is big trouble when he meets her, and those misfit, magically-blessed animals of hers are added stress. But he soon realizes it’s more than his male-sanity at stake when it comes to the seductive witch. Colt tries his best to resist Baylie’s charms. but, Baylie knows he never stands a chance. Both learn to trust love again; along with help from her four animals, and fate in the form of a stalker.

EXCERPT:

Colt shook his head. If he managed to stay sane, he was definitely going to make Jason pay this favor back!

“Can you stand?”

Colt looked at her, his mouth gaping open as she suddenly stood. That damn silky gown flew up her thighs with her movement, and he caught a tantalizing glimpse of bikini panties underneath. He couldn’t have stopped the lustful groan had his life depended on it. His groin tightened. He wasn’t sure standing was an option at the moment.

“We need to get your wounds cleaned and bandaged.” She held out her hand. “Come on, cowboy, I’ll help you.”

Colt stared at her bare legs, so close to his face, and cleared a throat gone dry. “How did you know I’m a cowboy?” He grimaced. Was that all he could think to say?

She smiled and his heart raced alarmingly.

“You’re wearing worn jeans, worn cowboy boots, and your cowboy hat is being flattened underneath Sweet Pea’s butt.”

“Damn pig!” Colt surged to his feet. He bent down to retrieve his hat and the pig growled at him as she squished it further into the wet ground. Colt jumped back a step and glared down at the offending beast. “Fine,” her muttered finally, “Keep it. But you’re going to look damn silly trying to wear it.”

Prey for the Wolf:

Bethany Garrett’s brother is kidnapped by a group known as The Hunters who make it their life mission to track down and kill shapeshifters. The Hunters offer Bethany a deal for her brother’s life: Infiltrate the most dangerous group of wolf shifters known and help destroy them. She’s not prepared for the instant attraction she feels for the alpha of the pack, Kane Steele. Now, not only is her life in danger but also her heart and soul. Because once Kane finds out the truth of why she’s there, she doesn’t stand a chance of living very long. And Kane has her sited as his prey now. Bethany knows the time for turning back was lost the minute she and Kane met. And she’s about to find out what it means when a wolf shifter tells her she’s his, no matter what happens in the following days of peril…

EXCERPT:

The big house was quiet, and she saw no one else around as she walked into the dining room. Immediately the atmosphere changed around her. It was noticeably tense. Charged. She stopped in the doorway and instantly locked with Kane’s hard stare. She almost forgot to breathe.

He was stretched out in a lounging chair against the wall, his long legs out in front of him and his arms folded at his chest. He appeared relaxed but she acutely felt the odd tension radiating off him from across the room. He reminded her of a predator just waiting to spring. The thought struck her hard: He’s every bit the wolf he shifts into.

She couldn’t explain to herself why that thought thrilled her, excited her to hot, sensual awareness of him. She was distinctively aware of every breath he took as he stared at her. For just a moment it felt as though they breathed in unison. It was an erotic feeling she’d never experienced before. She caught her breath in a small gasp and broke the pattern.

His thorough gaze traveled from the top of her head to her toes, lingering in certain spots on her body. Invisible heat flowed over her. She felt scorched –and caressed at the same time.

Bethany took another deep breath and released it slowly. “Hello, Kane.”

He smiled, his lips curving in a tight slash before he answered. “Bethany.”

Was that all he was going to say? It was obvious he wasn’t going to make this situation any easier for her because she could see it in his eyes. It was as though he was waiting for her to make the move that would set this scene in motion. She just wished she knew what he expected. She knew he wasn’t happy with the engagement; he’d already made that perfectly clear. And she’d heard him arguing with Ethan after she had moved in earlier this afternoon. He didn’t want her here. Not for anything would she let him know how his resistance bothered her. Not yet, anyway.

The strained silence lingered as she stood there in the dining room doorway and they continued to stare at each other. She tried to think of something to say to break the tension between them. Nice weather we’re having, huh? Yeah, Bethany, she mentally chastised, that should make him look at you with less disdain.

Kane suddenly stood and advanced on her. He walked slowly toward her, holding her gaze captive. His glide was smooth and calculated. She got the distinct impression he would look like that when he was stalking prey. She shivered. She realized she was holding her breath and gasped in a quick intake of air. Maybe I’m that prey.

Temptation Unleashed:

Something wild this way comes…
Once a powerful, practicing Wiccan, Kira Douglas has reluctantly moved to wild and beautiful Sedona, Arizona for only one reason—assume custody of her dead sister’s daughter. She immediately runs into an obstacle. The child’s uncle, the disturbingly sexy Aiden Calhoun, refuses to give her up.

Aiden has good reason for not allowing Kira custody of his precious niece. The child is half witch, half shapeshifter. Allowing her to take the girl could expose the family’s shapeshifting secret he has spent a lifetime protecting.

Their instant attraction isn’t just an inconvenient temptation. It could put his entire family in danger.

But an evil force is re-emerging, bent on destroying everything they know and love. The only way to survive is to put all differences aside.

And overcome the nightmare that once broke Kira’s faith.

EXCERPT:

Uh oh.

She blinked rapidly several times at the sudden change in his demeanor, and her breath caught in her throat. One moment his gothic-handsome face had been full of concern, the next his features resembled a dark thundercloud, ready and willing to burst torrents over their heads. Something dangerous flashed in the mercury depths of his dark gray eyes. That and something more she wasn’t sure she wanted to decipher. The odd, electrically charged moment dragged and, afraid to move even the slightest inch, she took the opportunity to study him.

Dark. Gothic. Dangerous. Primal. The words flashed through her mind the same moment she realized she’d never in her life seen a more handsome man. High cheekbones, aristocratic nose, strong jaw, full, sensuous lips, and dark charcoal eyes. It was a combination that would set any woman’s heart fluttering.

Hers included.

She could feel the steely strength in the muscles of his arms as he held her close to his chest. Everywhere their bodies touched she felt hardness, and she suddenly felt very vulnerable. She quickly slid off his lap and scrambled to her feet. Words failed her and she could only stare.

He looked up at her, his thorough gaze taking its time, touching every inch of her disheveled form. “Finished scrutinizing me?” Mockery tinged his tone. “Or still trying to decide if I’m a wild animal too?”

“That’s uncalled for, Aiden,” Lena scolded, coming back into the room. “You don’t understand what the encounter with that wolf did to her—”

“I’m fine now,” Kira smoothly interrupted, walking across the floor to stand by her cousin. She didn’t feel comfortable standing so close to this man. His gaze was too intense. “Let’s not talk about it anymore. It’s done.” She looked back at Aiden and cleared her throat before asking firmly, “I’m here to talk about my niece. Where is she?”

Aiden stood up, powerful muscles rippling beneath his shirt. He crossed the foyer with a smooth glide that instantly reminded her of a large, stalking cat. The thought made her shiver. He exuded a dark sensuality that was more than just from his physical bearing. There was something…wild…about him. Her heart rate increased with awareness and she chewed on her bottom lip in consternation.

Why in the world was she reacting this way to him?

He was silent as he stared at her with that intense, unwavering gaze. She waited, seemingly patient, and prepared herself for whatever argument he was going to give her about seeing her niece. She was determined not to let him intimidate her.

“Marissa is with my sister, Riana,” he finally replied. “I thought we should talk before you two met.”

She frowned at his arrogant tone. She had the distinct feeling he was stalling. Her temper level went up a few notches.

“I have every right to see her.” She did, but she knew he was right. It would be better to get this discussion over with first. “Sonia—” she paused and took a bracing breath, slowly exhaling before continuing, “—expressed some concern about leaving Marissa here, if something should ever happen to her.” That wasn’t the exact truth, since it hadn’t been the corporeal Sonia who hinted at her concern, but he didn’t need to know that detail. “I’m sure it centered on Marissa’s safety, being around your animals.”

“My niece is perfectly safe here.” Aiden’s countenance became fierce, his brows slanting down harshly. “She was born in this house. She has an aunt and two uncles who would protect her with their lives, as well as a household of servants who see to her every whim, or need.”

She knew he’d play the servants card. There was only one way to fight back.

“She lives in a house where you allow wild animals to roam without control, both in and outside your home. All of you—you, Gavin, and Riana—have careers that keep you too busy to care for a small child. You are away from home, sometimes for long periods of time. How can you guarantee her safety when you’re not here?”

“You’ve obviously thought this through,” Aiden murmured cynically, “but so have I. Do you think any judge is going to grant custody to a woman who has been estranged from her own sister for over five years? Someone who never bothered coming to visit the niece she’s now trying to adopt? A woman who didn’t even attend her sister’s funeral?” His smile was slight, a hard slash to his sensuous mouth that effectively belied the dangerous softness of his tone. “A woman who is a professed witch, who has no other skills, whose income comes from running a magic shop?” His eyes narrowed, his black brows slanting downward again. “Think again, Kira. This is a battle you can’t win and you know it.”

She wanted to scream at him. Everything he said was true and, at that moment, she hated him for his smug confidence. Arrogant bastard! Her thoughts flew in countless directions. She couldn’t—wouldn’t—just walk away defeated, with her tail between her legs. There had to be a way around this obstacle.