Happy Wednesday, friends and fans! We’re officially one week away from the release of Sacred! Pre-order links up are up my publisher’s website and Sacred is uploaded on Goodreads as well!

Tonight on the blog, we have an awesome guest spot from one of my favorite people and authors, G.C. Nichols! G.C.’s paranormal romance, Colors, is set to release in May 2015. In honor of our co-release year, G.C. wrote up an awesome crossover fan-fic! Shawnee is super happy to appear beside Braden and Gioia in this piece! I had the pleasure of reading the earlier drafts of Colors and I just cannot wait until this story releases! Her amazing (!!!) cover art�� and blurb are below the story. We both hope you enjoy it!

Cheers,

Max

~~~~

Of the Sovereign Few

by G.C. Nichols

I cursed my patches. Being in an outlaw motorcycle club did nothing but crucify the woman I loved. She was my mate, my responsibility, and I’d let her down. What the hell was my father thinking when he started this club all those years ago? A group of misfits with special abilities was useless if we couldn’t save Gioia. I was the one to blame though. I let her in knowing she deserved better. My own selfish desires got us into this mess and my erratic power was useless in protecting her.

Horrified by my own weakness, I bowed my head and took a deep breath. The silver flecks embedded in the white tile floor spun out of control, forcing me to shut my eyes. I found no refuge in the darkness. An enormous eagle, engulfed in flames, soared at me aggressively. The rancid stench of his burning wings forced my eyelids open, quickly waking me from my irrational state.

I focused on Gioia. The sight of her motionless body lying on the stark white sheets of the hospital bed heightened my anxiety and sent crushing pangs through my chest. I leaned back in the rigid chair for relief from the agony and held onto her hand tighter. Where the fuck was the doctor? I needed answers.

“Hello, Mr. Davies,” the abrupt voice startled me. I whipped around in my chair and stood to shake the doctor’s hand. The name engraved on the pin of her white lab coat seemed strange, ‘Dr. Shawnee Twofeathers.’ It didn’t matter what she called herself, as long as she could help Gioia.

“Hey Doc, how are you doing? Do you know anything yet? Is she gonna be okay?” I asked quickly. The doctor shook my hand with furrowed brows. I wondered what had her peeved and glaring at me like an angry wolf. Small and sudden shocks of electricity radiated from her fingers to mine and I shuddered from the odd sensation. I slowly released my grip and wondered what the hell was going on.

“You already know the answer, Mr. Davies. You need to heal her yourself.” The doctor’s words blindsided me and my anxiety turned to rage. How could she know?

“What the fuck are you talking about? I don’t need this shit right now, lady���” Gioia twitched in the bed and stole my attention away from the quack doctor. “Gioia?”

“You wear the glyph. A patch of the eagle resides on your back. That’s your birthright and an honor,” Dr. Twofeathers insisted. I jerked my body in her direction as if to dare her but the sight sent tremors up my spine.

The doctor had transformed within seconds. Her dark hair parted down the middle, separated into two tight braids. Each one tied by a suede string and two feathers, justifying her name. A tan leather dress with tiers of fringe hung loosely on her. Turquoise beads and small shells formed a pattern across her chest.

“The eagle is sacred,” Dr. Twofeathers said interrupting my confusion. “He represents power, strength, and courage. His wings signify the balance between you and your mate, each one dependent on the strengths and abilities of the other. Seize your influence and utilize your connection to the Great Creator. Stop being a coward and heal her. You���re of the sovereign few that can.”

I shrugged off the harsh command and oddly found myself trusting her. The doctor’s words reminded me what I had been taught in my youth. Abandoning all fear, I inhaled deeply until there was no air left to ingest. I took Gioia’s hand in mine and held on tightly. Focusing on her beautiful face, I unearthed my light.

A spark popped in my core. My lungs heaved in and out, striving for influence. The kindling flames burst into a massive inferno, burning me. A blinding majestic sun engulfed the room as Dr. Twofeathers reached for Gioia’s other hand.

I closed my eyes and the eagle flew at me again. His wings extended as he soared through the flames and then landed, gliding serenely into the water. Suddenly, he changed course and flew toward the clouds.

“Braden���” Gioia whispered, stirring in the bed. I looked over to Dr. Twofeathers, hopeful her knowledge would guide me, but she was gone.

Gioia opened her eyes and the deep brown of her irises created waves of heat that skimmed over me. I cradled her face in my palms, knowing the warm sensation would soothe her pain. The metallic golden shimmer of her color returned. Purple and silver tendrils hazily drifted past my vision. I placed my lips on hers and pulled at them softly. Sensing the mild pressure reciprocated, my constant aching for her was appeased.

~~~~

Gypsies bestowed the curse. A sadistic man unleashed its power.

Gioia Vita, at thirty-four, is not living the joyous life her cultural name might suggest. Haunted by an abusive past and tormented by the harsh illustrations of a cynical world she struggles to bury her secrets and find serenity in her life. Plagued by a glitch in her vision, she perceives colors and mystical imagery surrounding people that warn her of their intrinsic nature. With a fear for old world superstitions implanted into her from an early age, Gioia finds herself believing in these enchantments. Especially now, that she is seeing these��� colors.

The desire for adventure in her sheltered life prevails when an acquaintance invites her back into the subculture of her rebellious youth. Her vision helps her navigate this tumultuous world few get to experience, the world of 1%ers. An enclave of brothers, bearing colors that reject normal society. She unexpectedly finds the warm colors of family, friends and a new love. Braden Davies restores passion in her heart, but can an outlaw from a chaotic underground culture heal her wounds? First, they must conquer the manipulative adversary that haunts them, unearth long buried family secrets, and learn that sometimes a curse can really be a gift.

For more information, visit www.GCNichols.net!