I am delighted to learn about the music in the book, since music played such a major role in my own latest release, Woman as a Foreign Language!
Enough yakking from me, I'll let Lyz do the talking now!
" Dear Katherine, thank you for having me at your blog today!
I’m excited to share my latest release with you, Alpha’s
Alpha (Moon Point 2). This story is a standalone of a brand new series
which revolves around the shifter bar, Moon Point. If you’ve read Evernight
Publishing’s Owned by the Alpha
anthology, you’ll find the first story in the series there.
Most of the time when I’m writing I have some background
music playing and that usually influences my writing in one way or another. Alpha’s
Alpha wasn’t any different.
Spotify open, headphones on and hands on the keyboard I set
to work. From the first moment, Lee’s and Alkaline’s story was mainly shaped
around Maroon 5’s music, albeit with a few exceptions. Below is a short list of
some of the songs which influenced the story and a little side note so you can
see what part they touched the most.
I hope you enjoy it!
1.
Animals by Maroon 5 ~ Lee and Alkaline met and kissed for the first time when this song
was playing in the background.
2.
Cold by Maroon 5 ~ When the men decided to walk away from each other, this is the song
I kept replaying.
3.
It was always you by
Maroon 5 ~ In what part of the story do you think I played this
song?
4.
Dani California by Red
hot Chili Peppers ~ This song is Moon Point’s unofficial
anthem. Its drunken patrons love singing to it. It’s a fun song.
5.
Lost by Icon and the
Black Roses ~ At certain moments of the story both characters
felt, well, lost. It’s an emotional song.
How important is music for you? Do you like to listen to
something while reading? Let me know in the comments!"
Lee never thought he’d find his mate at a club, but even less so, did he expect him to be, Alkaline, the leader of the mafia organization known as the Claws. If the lion shifter were not an alpha, things might be easier, but as it is, his mate is bent on keeping them apart. Not that it matters to Lee, he’ll hunt him down and make him his.
Alkaline doesn’t do sweet. Nor vulnerable. Nor submissive. So when his lion decides that his soulmate is an alpha puma, he refuses to accept it. After all, whoever heard of two alphas mating? However, resisting Lee is harder than he ever imagined.
With two men battling for dominance, who will end up on top? And will their romance survive the match?
Excerpt:
The beat of the music made the floor vibrate. The strobe lights flashed, creating a maddening effect. Lee lifted his arms toward the ceiling, and swayed his hips. He mouthed the words to the popular song, allowing the rhythm to wash over him and obliterate any thoughts and worries he still carried from the long day at work.
The animal within him stirred. Tossing and turning, it gathered energy from the pulsing tones and climbed to the surface as if awakening from a long sleep. Lee’s blood pumped faster. His vision refocused, throwing everything into sharp contrast, from the shimmering contents of beverages in clear glasses, to the glittery eye makeup of a random stranger. The club smelled like sweat and alcohol. Bodies pressed together, swaying, moving. Glass shattered somewhere followed by a chorus of “Oh!” and loud laughter. All around, people enjoyed a night out, oblivious to anything more than what lay a few feet from them. Unaware of the hunter in their midst.
Lee licked his lips. His cock twitched. It’d been too long since he’d prowled the night for a bed companion. Focused on his work as manager of the shifter bar Moon Point, sometimes he forgot to have fun, to give into his baser instincts. Normally, he’d go home, relieve himself, and fall asleep until the next day. But he was a puma, a night prowler. And tonight, after he’d closed Moon Point, he knew driving to the countryside and going for a run wouldn’t be enough. He was restless, yearning for something more which he could only describe as the need for company, for the feel of skin against skin, for the gentle caress of caring hands, if only for a few hours.
It was time to hunt.
Lee glanced around and caught the eye of a handsome stud with dark, puppy eyes. He grinned. The stranger looked away, then back at him, a small smile playing on his lips.
Game on.
Swerving his hips, Lee started to make his way toward the man and stopped. The hint of a welcoming scent caressed his senses. A desert breeze mingled with rare wildflowers. A spark lit up his core, sending a shiver of excitement through him. The top of his ears tingled. Lee spun. His heart froze, then resurged, pounding frantically.
Alkaline.
He’d never been formally introduced to the lion shifter, but he knew him on sight. He had to. One didn’t manage a bar in one of the seediest neighborhoods of the city without knowing the local gangs. Besides, Alkaline wasn’t exactly easy to miss. At six-foot-five, with shoulder-length red-blond hair, a matching beard, and slightly tanned skin, he stood out wherever he went.
Lee watched him move. His cock twitched. There was nothing submissive about the male specimen coming in his direction, parting the crowd like some kind of god. Alkaline exuded power, force, and unbridled passion.
Their gazes locked and desire rushed through him. Hell, yes. This was just what he needed. A real challenge. Lee extended his hand and Alkaline took it. The lion pulled him close with a firm tug. Hand on his waist, Alkaline guided him to the music.
Lee sucked in his cheeks to keep from laughing. Hell would freeze over before he was the one following. He pushed back, forcing Alkaline to release him. Then, rolling forward, he placed his hands on Alkaline’s hips and took the lead.
The lion snarled. His amber eyes flashed a warning. Lee didn’t retreat. His cock thickened inside his jeans, rubbing against the material. Abruptly, Alkaline dipped him slightly backwards, threaded his fingers in his hair and held, forcing Lee to stare at him.
His puma growled. Bursting through his defenses, it forced his vision to change. It turned sharper, more attuned to the man in front of him, from the tiny wrinkles in the corner of his eyes, to the small mole above his brow, to the thin coat of sweat which made his face glisten.
Alkaline glared at him. Lee’s blood pressure spiked along with his raging libido. He wouldn’t be the first to drop his gaze. He pursed his mouth. The music changed and someone slammed into them, breaking the connection.
They both moved at the same time. Lips clashed. Hungry. Hard. Lee’s fingers threaded into Alkaline’s long reddish mane and Alkaline rested his hand on the nape of Lee’s neck, bringing him closer. Their tongues entwined, desperately seeking for more, until the air ran out of their lungs and they broke apart panting. For a second, they gauged each other, and Lee wondered if he looked as bewildered and as consumed by lust as the other man.
Just when he was about to speak, Alkaline grabbed his hand and placed it over his erection. Lee groaned.
“I need to have you, now,” Alkaline said.
Find Alpha's Alpha at:
Evernight Publishing
Amazon.com
Amazon.uk
Bookstrand
About Elyzabeth:
Elyzabeth M. VaLey is a writer of sizzling, sexy romance who firmly believes in happy ever after. From paranormal to contemporary, fantasy, or historical, she enjoys exploring her characters' darker side and writing stories about tortured heroes, strong heroines, and all that comes between them and their love.When she's not writing, she can be found walking in the Spanish countryside with her black Lab, exploring castles, or enjoying some tapas with her friends.
Follow her at:
Blog
Website
Instagram (@elyzabethm.valey)
Goodreads
Pinterest (Alpha’s Alpha has its own board!)
Amazon
Thank you for having me, Katherine! It’s always a delight to visit! <3
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