J.L. Sheppard's Blog

It's here! The cover of Riding Hard, Hell Ryders MC #4. A big thank you to Diana Carlile from the Wild Rose Press who designed it. Riding Hard is available for pre-order on Amazon and Barnes & Noble and will soon be available on Google Play, ITunes, and Kobo as well. Riding Hard will be released worldwide on August 19, 2019 in digital and print. If you follow me on social media, you may have already read the blurb, but I'm sharing it again as well as an excerpt. Enjoy!What’s luck got to do with it?BlurbBiker Dave "Dodge" Roth has never cared about his bad luck with women. He has other things to worry about—paying off debt his ex accumulated and most importantly, raising his three-year-old son, Cullen. When a new neighbor moves in, his boy makes it impossible to ignore her. Hard to miss, she's beautiful, smart, sexy, perfect...After her last failed relationship, kindergarten teacher Alexa "Lex" Millen has decided to do without men. She's bought her first home in a small town in California and remodeled it to her liking. Naturally, she's managed to move across the street from the world's biggest jerk. His son's adorable, but he won't mind his own business. If only her engines didn't rev every time he came around.Excerpt“Fine. I’ll go with you.”Going was her best option. When he took her home, she’d tell him why she’d avoided him and why the two of them getting together was a bad idea. Of course, that’d only work if he didn’t kiss her. So her plan—she had to keep him away.He hesitated for a moment then released her.“I have to say bye.”She spun and made it halfway around when his fingers gripped her wrist. He tugged, turning her to him again. “You hear what I said before, Lex, or are you deaf?”She clenched her jaw and fisted her free hand. Then the anger burning inside her spilled. “For an entire month, I sat in my beautiful house alone. That is, in between the times I got house visits from you being a jerk. I’m very angry with you for ruining the first fun night I’ve had since moving here.”Her face flushed with each word. That heat crept down her neck and chest. “I’ve agreed to leave with you, but I’m not happy about it. I’m not anyone you can boss or control. I were you, I’d tread very carefully because quite frankly, I’ve had it with your insults, your cursing, your caveman tactics. Bottom line...”She tore her wrist from his grasp and shoved a pointed finger in his face. “I’ve had it with you.”A muscle in his jaw twitched. He grabbed her wrist, pulled her hand away from his face, and squeezed. “I could control you, babe, you’d be sitting on my face.”Add to Goodreads:Riding HardBuy Links: AmazonBarnes & Noble

Burdened by Desire, Elemental Sisters #2, is available now in digital and paperback formats.As with every new release (or re-release, in this case), I'm hosting a giveaway. Anyone who signs up for my newsletter will be entered for a chance to win autographed copies of Demon King's Desire AND Burdened by Desire. Winners will be chosen at random February 25, 2019. I'm also taking part of N.N. Light's Be Mine Bookish Giveaway, so you'll get another chance to win my books there. Also, if you haven't heard, Demon King's Desire, Elemental Sisters #1, is currently on sale for just $0.99! If you haven't done so already, grab it at discounted price while you can.Those of you who've read Burdened by Desire in the past, THANK YOU. If you preordered the newly edited version, THANK YOU. Honest reviews are always welcome and very much appreciated. I'll leave you with the cover, blurb, buy, and giveaway links. Jocelyn Davis is stuck between two worlds but not completely a part of either. As an Elemental, her abilities over the elements of the Earth won’t evolve until she meets her fated, the man destined for her. Until then, she’s easy prey and coveted by Malum Inmortalis, the rogue immortals intent on conquering the world. They abducted her once before. Still, she’s determined to live her life to its fullest, and risking capture isn’t slowing her down. Alpha werewolf, Landon Waden, has lived with the knowledge his fated female, the one woman created for him, is just beyond his reach. For months, he’s denied her. He’s had no choice. She can’t give him what the pack needs—an heir. When an attempt is made on her life, he can’t help himself. His instinct demands he make sure she’s safe. But then, there’s one problem: he can’t walk away. He won’t. If only she can forgive him for his greatest mistake…PURCHASE:AmazonB&NITunesKoboGooglePaperbackGIVEAWAYS:Sign Up for My Newsletter(Please note: This link will redirect you to my homepage. Scroll until newsletter subscription and sign up. You'll automatically be entered for a chance to win.)N.N. Light's Be Mine Bookish Giveaway

It's re-release day! Demon King's Desire, Elemental Sisters #1, is available now in digital format on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, ITunes, Google Books, and Kobo. For the first time ever, it's available in print. ;)I'm thrilled to have re-released Demon King's Desire myself this time around. That's right! I self-published, which taught me a lot and gave me the chance to list it at a purchase price of $2.99 and publish it in paperback as well for $12.99. This book holds a special place in my heart because it was the first book I completed, the first book I published. That was back in 2013. Much has changed since then including a lot I've learned as I've continued to write, edit, read, and learn from others. So it was only natural that when my contract expired, I wanted to re-edit my first novel and re-release it. I did just that. The story's the same, but I made changes in style, word choices, and so on.As with every new release (or re-release, in this case), there's a release tour, meaning Demon King's Desire will be featured on a number of blogs and sites. Over the next week, I'll post links on my Facebook page. Feel free to visit and comment. I'm also hosting a giveaway. Enter below for a chance to win. Those of you who've read Demon King's Desire in the past, THANK YOU. If you preordered the newly edited version, THANK YOU. Honest reviews are always welcome and very much appreciated. I'll leave you with the cover, blurb, buy and giveaway links. Jenna Jenson’s spent her life wondering why she’s different. The only people who may help her find out have been lost to her since their mother’s death. When she’s attacked by a man whose supernatural abilities supersede her own, she’s rescued by the devastatingly handsome demon king, Lucas Thaler. While she’s inexplicably drawn to him, powers she never knew she possessed are unleashed, leading her to discover she’s part of a new breed of immortals who can either save or destroy life.After a war in his demon plane and home, Lucas has dedicated his life to battling Malum Inmortalis, rogue immortals whose sole purpose is to rule immortals and mortals alike. As fate would have it, the hunt for these vile creatures leads him to her. She’s the woman he’s been waiting for, for centuries, the woman he’s been dreaming of for centuries—his fated mate.GIVEAWAYWin a copy of Demon King's Desire... PURCHASE AMAZON - BARNES & NOBLE - ITUNES - GPLAY - KOBO - PAPERBACK

It's here! Riding Blind, the third installment of the Hell Ryders MC series, is now available in digital and paperback formats on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, ITunes, Google Books, and the Wild Rose Press. For your chance to win a copy and a Hell Ryders MC hat, enter giveaway below. BlurbHell Ryders MC officer Bryce “Ripper” Knight never knew love until he met Em. Then she disappeared and he was lost. Now, years later, her cousin—a rival club leader—needs him to find her before his enemies do. Ripper has no choice but to protect her, but he’ll be damned if he lets her under his skin again. One look, though, and he can’t deny she still sets him aflame.Leaving Ripper almost destroyed Emelia “Em” Kenna, but in the midst of a bloody club war, she couldn’t choose between the two men she loved most or raise the child growing inside her with a man who didn’t want to be a father. Suddenly, Ripper is back in her life, and she’s riddled with guilt over the secrets she’s kept. Everything’s changed except two things—the reason she left and the fire he ignites.EXCERPTHis gaze locked with hers, and because a part of him swore she’d be gone, he held it for longer than he cared to admit. Finally, he tore his eyes away. He couldn’t help it, so he trailed them from top to bottom. She wore a black tee with the word “Harley” written in freehand cursive across the chest.He knew that tee. Not much different than most of his tees, black and it read, “Harley,” but it’d been his favorite because all those years ago, she wore it to bed.The first time he had her, she found it on the floor and put it on. From that night on, she slept with him in that tee. The only nights she didn’t wear it to bed, the nights he dealt with club business, and she went to bed without him. On those nights, he stole it back and wore it laced with her scent, so with every breath he took, he’d smell her. After she left, he realized he did it because she wasn’t around and he wanted her to be.When she left, she took everything with her, like she’d been trying to erase the memory of her from him. She was gone, and he didn’t know why, and he didn’t want her to be. He needed something, anything. He thought he had at least that shirt, so he looked everywhere, tearing his room apart, but he never found it, and now he knew why.She took his favorite tee. She stole it and left... PURCHASE AMAZON - B&N - KOBO - ITUNES - Google - WILD ROSE PRESsENTER GIVEAWAY

It's here! Release day! Running Hot, Hell Ryders MC #2, is now available in digital and paperback formats!  As you may already know, Running Hot is second installment of the Hell Ryders MC Series, but it's a standalone novel. If you haven't read the first, Running Wild, and would like to, now's your chance. It's on sale for $.99 cents. If you've already purchased a copy of Running Hot, THANK YOU! If you haven't, click on the giveaway link below for your chance to win it and a Hell Ryders hat.  BlurbThomas “Cuss” Layne has never wanted for anything, except the beautiful girl he saved so long ago. But she’s a rich girl, and he’s a biker. For years, he hasn’t had a glimpse of her. Still, he's never been able to get her out of his mind. When her life’s in danger, he rides to her rescue once again. This time, he’s determined to do what he should’ve done long ago—make her his, in every possible way.Tiffany Hamilton has never gotten over the bad boy with the sapphire eyes and midnight hair, the boy who once saved her. She wants him--a touch, a taste--but he’s never wanted anything to do with her. It’s past time to move on. When the sexy biker barges back into her life, saving her yet again and making demands, he makes it impossible to say no to his raw magnetism. She’ll finally have everything she’s dreamed of…but will it be enough?ExcerptMovie wasn’t halfway done, and his girl had already passed out. Head on his shoulder, legs on the couch to her other side.Smiling, he took a breath. Her head on his shoulder slipped lower. He wrapped an arm around her, turning toward her slightly until her head lay on his chest. Either he’d gotten good at doing that or she was a heavy sleeper. Probably the latter, not once when he carried her to bed had she woken.She let out a small sigh and burrowed into him.He loved that. She did it a lot, and every time she did it, it made him feel like he had the world in the palm of his hands. Maybe not his hands, but he definitely had the world sleeping against his chest.His gaze slid from her face to her hair. He threaded his fingers through it. So soft. So thick. He spared a glance at the television and realized he missed an important plot point. Now, he was lost. Nothing new. He never paid much attention to the movie once she dozed off. He just sat there and watched her sleep. Often, he ran his hand through her hair like he was then. Every once in a while, he looked to the screen. And when he did, he remembered the movie would be over soon, and then, he’d have to force himself to stop staring at her, carry her to bed, and head home.Worse part of the night, heading home.He hated it, hated leaving her.And still, it had to be done.GiveawayWin Running Hot & a Hell Ryders HatPurchase Running HotAmazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo - ITunes - Google - The Wild Rose PressPurchase Running Wild (.99 cents)Amazon - Barnes & Noble - Kobo - ITunes - Google - The Wild Rose Press

Finally, it's reveal time! I'm stoked to unveil this beauty, the cover ofRunning Hot, Hell Ryders #2. A shout out to Diana Carlile at the Wild Rose Press who created it.Running Hotis second installment of the Hell Ryders MC Series, but it is a standalone novel. It will be released June 23rd in print and digital formats. You can preorder from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and the Wild Rose Press now. (Running Hotwill be available on IBooks and Google Books too, but preorder is not yet available.)I'll leave you to enjoy the cover, blurb, and an excerpt.BlurbThomas “Cuss” Layne has never wanted for anything, except the beautiful girl he saved so long ago. But she’s a rich girl, and he’s a biker. For years, he hasn’t had a glimpse of her. Still, he's never been able to get her out of his mind. When her life’s in danger, he rides to her rescue once again. This time, he’s determined to do what he should’ve done long ago—make her his, ineverypossible way.Tiffany Hamilton has never gotten over the bad boy with the sapphire eyes and midnight hair, the boy who once saved her. She wants him--a touch, a taste--but he’s never wanted anything to do with her. It’s past time to move on. When the sexy biker barges back into her life, saving her yet again and making demands, he makes it impossible to say no to his raw magnetism. She’ll finally have everything she’s dreamed of…but will it be enough?ExcerptMovie wasn’t halfway done, and his girl had already passed out. Head on his shoulder, legs on the couch to her other side.Smiling, he took a breath. Her head on his shoulder slipped lower. He wrapped an arm around her, turning toward her slightly until her head lay on his chest. Either he’d gotten good at doing that or she was a heavy sleeper. Probably the latter, not once when he carried her to bed had she woken.She let out a small sigh and burrowed into him.He loved that. She did it a lot, and every time she did it, it made him feel like he had the world in the palm of his hands. Maybe not his hands, but he definitely had the world sleeping against his chest.His gaze slid from her face to her hair. He threaded his fingers through it. So soft. So thick. He spared a glance at the television and realized he missed an important plot point. Now, he was lost. Nothing new. He never paid much attention to the movie once she dozed off. He just sat there and watched her sleep. Often, he ran his hand through her hair like he was then. Every once in a while, he looked to the screen. And when he did, he remembered the movie would be over soon, and then, he’d have to force himself to stop staring at her, carry her to bed, and head home.Worse part of the night, heading home.He hated it, hated leaving her.And still, it had to be done.Add to GoodreadsRunning Hot, Hell Ryders MC #2PreorderAmazon-Barnes & Noble-Kobo-The Wild Rose Press

The Fated Immortals Series is on sale for $1.99 each. That means you can now purchase both novels,Awaiting FateandFate Forgottenfor under $4. Both books are standalones.Read the blurbs, excerpts, and a couple of teasers below.Cain Thaler’s lived more than four hundred years fighting rogue immortals, avenging the family he’d lost. It’s all he’s needed, all he’s wanted. That changes the fateful day he lays eyes on his fated mate.Olivia Waden, a werewolf princess, is nothing like him. Unwilling to give her up, he sets a plan into motion: ignoring his need to claim her, he befriends her.Despite Cain’s best efforts at friendship, Olivia has fallen hard for him. It is him she dreams of, him she wants as her fated mate. But she is sure he doesn’t feel the same way. In way over her head, she has no option but to run away from the only man she’s ever loved.Will Cain find Olivia before it’s too late or will their differences tear them apart?“What?” She managed the strength to mumble.He drew closer, pressing his chest against hers. The heat of his body caressing hers, she grew warm with craving. Helplessly, her gaze drifted to his thick full lips. Her mind wandered. What she’d give for a kiss, a single mind-blowing kiss?Cheeks flushing, her gaze darted toward his again. “Why are you…” Her body’s desires overwhelming her, she gasped for breath.“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”He wasn’t just angry. He was livid, and he was livid with her because she’d left.She didn’t know what to say, had no excuse, not one she could tell him anyway.Shutting his eyes firmly, his anger intensified, coiling rapidly against her until she not only felt it but tasted it. Still, she wasn’t afraid. With each passing moment, all she felt was heat, his and hers, and how badly she wanted him.“Answer me,” he demanded harshly. “Tell me why you left without telling me!”His tone startling her, she jolted against him, her body rubbing his. A desire so powerful rippled through her and spiraled inside her, pooling liquid between her legs. It clouded her every thought and every action, so as she stared straight into his eyes, she couldn’t remember what he’d said.Clenching his jaw, he ground his teeth in anger, so close to losing it. “Olivia, tell me!”PurchaseAwaiting Fate:Amazon-B&N-Kobo-ITunes-The Wild Rose PressValerie Matlock’s life revolves around hercoven. Young and naïve, she knows little about the immortal war brewing until the night her coven is attacked. In the blink of an eye, the family she loves is gone. Devastated, she lays eyes on the angry demon warrior, Jacob Rhodes. A Guardian, he means her no harm, but she fears him as deeply as she craves him. She has to stay away. She just doesn’t know if she can.The pain of Jacob’s losses have hardened him. He lives for revenge and uses anger like a shield, keeping everyone at arm’s length. He can’t risk losing more. Tragedy strikes, again, and he’s left caring for his four-year-old niece, Annie. The bright girl deserves better than him. But he can’t give her up, not ever. When he sets his eyes on his fated mate, the powerful witch, Valerie, his life gets twice as complicated. Will she accept him, a demon she fears and his adopted child?A beautiful stranger sleeping on his couch.His heart pounded faster. His chest heaved. Rubbing his sweaty palms against his jeans, a growl escaped his lips. A sense of possessiveness overwhelmed him.Taking a step closer, he pulled in a breath. Shivers ran through his body. Holding back a groan, his jaw clenched.Breathtaking.Fascinating.Marvelous.And it was no longer a mystery. The haunting scent was hers.And it wasn’t just her scent, it was her. Striking, everything about her drew him in. His body pulsed, desire to hold her, comfort her, protect her welled inside him. Powerful, confounding, and indescribable. Even now, staring at her he was drawn inexplicably. He couldn’t put it into words, but he couldn’t ignore it. He knew what it was and why he couldn’t control it.She was his fated mate, the woman granted to him above all others, his other half. There was no question.He couldn’t help what he did next. Ever so slowly, he drew closer. A mere few feet away, he held his hand over her face, craving with every fiber in his being to feel the softness of her skin against his.Before he could, her eyes snapped open. Painful jolts shot through him. The pain so unbearable it brought him, a demon, to his knees. The current gone a moment later, but the pain hadn’t faded. Every joint, every muscle ached.And still, all he could think: her eyes were the perfect shade—honey.PurchaseFate Forgotten:Amazon -B&N-Kobo-ITunes-The Wild Rose Press

It's a new year, which reminds me four years and four days ago, I published my first book,Demon King’s Desire. The year before that in January, I began writing it. I’ve reread it, many times, and there are so many things I’d like to change.Why?Because as I’ve continued to write and read and edit, I’ve learned A LOT.I’ve since released five more books. In every book I reread, there are things I’d like to change. This happens not only because I’m a perfectionist, but because, again, through writing, reading, editing, and working closely with several editors, I’ve continued to learn and hone the craft. Then again, writing is subjective, but still.In the beginning, especially, I was terrified—terrified of what people would think about my work. As an author, putting your work out there to the masses, you’re putting yourself in the spotlight somewhat, putting yourself in a position to be criticized.I’ve gotten good reviews, okay reviews, bad reviews, and nasty reviews. And I can still remember the nastiest review I’ve gotten to date. It read: “I always wanted to play a musical instrument. But, I knew I couldn’t just sit down at a piano... More than desire was required. And more than desire is required to write a book and then expect it to be read by more than just your friends.”I share this because as much as it hurt to read, this reviewer has a point... Yes, more than desire is required to write a book, play an instrument, start a band, do anything. You have to be dedicated. You have to be willing to learn, and you learn through doing, practicing, and making mistakes. But just because you’re not good right away or because you’re embarking on something you’ve never done before doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try. It especially doesn’t mean you’ll never get better.The best advice I could give anyone is togo for it. Write a book, play an instrument, start a band, record a song, whatever... Just do it. It's the beginning of the year, embark on something new. You may never be a best-selling author or play for a stadium or sing the national anthem at the Super Bowl, but you’ll never know if you don’ttry.Now off you go...Go make your dreams come true. :)

It's release day!Fate Forgotten, Fated Immortals 2, is available in digital and paperback formats. You can purchase on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, ITunes, and the Wild Rose Press. That said, my publisher, the Wild Rose Press, hasFate Forgotten(digital version) on sale for $2.50, (half off).Per usual, I'm giving away a copy ofFate Forgotten. You can enter giveaway anytime during the next two weeks. (Link is below.)Also, in case you haven't heard, the first installment of the Fated Immortals Series,Awaiting Fate, is on sale for $.99. Get it before sale ends.Valerie Matlock’s life revolves around her coven. Young and naïve, she knows little about the immortal war brewing until the night her coven is attacked. In the blink of an eye, the family she loves is gone. Devastated, she lays eyes on the angry demon warrior, Jacob Rhodes. A Guardian, he means her no harm, but she fears him as deeply as she craves him. She has to stay away. She just doesn’t know if she can.The pain of Jacob’s losses have hardened him. He lives for revenge and uses anger like a shield, keeping everyone at arm’s length. He can’t risk losing more. Tragedy strikes, again, and he’s left caring for his four-year-old niece, Annie. The bright girl deserves better than him. But he can’t give her up, not ever. When he sets his eyes on his fated mate, the powerful witch, Valerie, his life gets twice as complicated. Will she accept him, a demon she fears and his adopted child?ExcerptA beautiful stranger sleeping on his couch.His heart pounded faster. His chest heaved. Rubbing his sweaty palms against his jeans, a growl escaped his lips. A sense of possessiveness overwhelmed him.Taking a step closer, he pulled in a breath. Shivers ran through his body. Holding back a groan, his jaw clenched.Breathtaking.Fascinating.Marvelous.And it was no longer a mystery. The haunting scent was hers.And it wasn’t just her scent, it was her. Striking, everything about her drew him in. His body pulsed, desire to hold her, comfort her, protect her welled inside him. Powerful, confounding, and indescribable. Even now, staring at her he was drawn inexplicably. He couldn’t put it into words, but he couldn’t ignore it. He knew what it was and why he couldn’t control it.She was his fated mate, the woman granted to him above all others, his other half. There was no question.He couldn’t help what he did next. Ever so slowly, he drew closer. A mere few feet away, he held his hand over her face, craving with every fiber in his being to feel the softness of her skin against his.Before he could, her eyes snapped open. Painful jolts shot through him. The pain so unbearable it brought him, a demon, to his knees. The current gone a moment later, but the pain hadn’t faded. Every joint, every muscle ached.And still, all he could think: her eyes were the perfect shade—honey.EnterGiveaway.Buy Fate Forgotten:Amazon-B&N-Kobo-iTunes-The Wild Rose Press

The release ofFate Forgotten, Fated Immortals II, is just a week away. In honor of its release, the first installment of the Fated Immortals Series,Awaiting Fate, is on sale for just $.99 cents! Get your copy today. :)Cain Thaler’s lived more than four hundred years fighting rogue immortals, avenging the family he’d lost. It’s all he’s needed, all he’s wanted. That changes the fateful day he lays eyes on his fated mate.Olivia Waden, a werewolf princess, is nothing like him. Unwilling to give her up, he sets a plan into motion: ignoring his need to claim her, he befriends her.Despite Cain’s best efforts at friendship, Olivia has fallen hard for him. It is him she dreams of, him she wants as her fated mate. But she is sure he doesn’t feel the same way. In way over her head, she has no option but to run from the only man she’s ever loved.Will Cain find Olivia before it’s too late or will their differences tear them apart?Excerpt:“What?” She managed the strength to mumble.He drew closer, pressing his chest against hers. The heat of his body caressing hers, she grew warm with craving. Helplessly, her gaze drifted to his thick, full lips. Her mind wandered. What she’d give for a kiss, a single mind-blowing kiss?Cheeks flushing, her gaze darted toward his again. “Why are you…” Her body’s desires overwhelming her, she gasped for breath.“Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?”He wasn’t just angry. He was livid, and he was livid with her because she’d left.She didn’t know what to say, had no excuse, not one she could tell him anyway.Shutting his eyes, his anger intensified, coiling rapidly against her until she not only felt it but tasted it. Still, she wasn’t afraid. With each passing moment, all she felt was heat, his and hers, and how badly she wanted him.“Answer me,” he demanded harshly. “Tell me why you left without telling me!”His tone startling her, she jolted against him, her body rubbing his. A desire so powerful rippled through her and spiraled inside her, pooling liquid between her legs. It clouded her every thought and every action, so as she stared straight into his eyes, she couldn’t remember what he’d said.Clenching his jaw, he ground his teeth in anger, so close to losing it. “Olivia, tell me!”Reviews:“From the first page, there is a touch of humor, endearing moments of humanity and need, high energy tension and romantic drama… J.L. Shepard’s gift for mixing it up with the supernaturals is brilliant story-telling.” - Tome Tender Book Blog“Love, humor...Awaiting Fatehas it all.” - The Reading Head“Awaiting Fateby J.L. Sheppard is a delightful paranormal romance that is hard to put down… The author created characters you care about and are invested in the outcome of their story.” – Sizzling Hot Books“This romance captures the heart from the very beginning... The reader can’t help but get completely caught up in all the passion of the story.” - Night Owl ReviewsGet your copy for just 99 cents.Note: Please double check price before purchase. Some sites take longer to list sale price. ;)Amazon-Barnes & Noble-Kobo-ITunes-The Wild Rose Press