by V. A. Dold
The five shifter rules
Always put your mate before yourself.
Respect another shifters’ mate.
Do nothing to expose the existence of shifters.
Do no unnecessary harm to shifters or humans.
Respect all nonhumans.
OUTSTANDING PRAISE FOR
V.A. DOLD AND HER NOVEL
SIMON
Simon's story takes us back to the bayou and the hot brothers looking for their mates. Simon however is a special case. He has some issues. Issues that stream from not having that personal connection when serving our country proud!!!!! Then of course there's an underlining issue......someone doesn't want him to mate?!?!
Simon is strong and HOT as all get out of hell, he is just broken. Broken beyond anything his family or friends can fix. He knows he needs help and he feels that there's hope when his sister in-law simply touches him. Still that's just NOT enough...not until she touches him....not until.....Rose.
Rose...a beauty, in Simon's eyes. Not your average skinny size heroine. No way...this gal has got you're curves and lack of self-confidence that goes with it. A foster child since a baby, the only real family is the one that she claims her own. That would include Cade's mate Anna, her boys and her two foster brothers. However, like everyone else...she has a past. One that she's not even fully aware of yet (it's amazing what brothers will do for their sister). I'm personally on the border with Rose for a long while through this story. I toss back and forth even if she's worthy of Simon. Thankfully, I'm no goddess...right...LOL
As their feelings progress, outside a ploy is being sought to prevent them from becoming a mated couple...I know ...WTF!!!!
It's totally freaking CRAZY!!! Awesome fight scenes though...I totally LOVE Simon's reaction when he hears about the first attack...Priceless...LMAO!!!
The Final fight scene...OMG...now that one...it was one that was totally a read twice and absorb!!!! Maybe read again!!! OMG!!!!
Rock Him!!! Rock Him!!!
Wholly Boogers!!! I just realized I didn't say one word about the love scenes between Simon and Rose...What was I thinking....they were H-O-T!!!! Notice I put the word *love* and not *sex* because between them that’s the only way to describe it...just fyi.
I totally love what Simon and Rose plan to do for the future...that’s AWESOME!!!!
This story really takes you for one heck of a ride...your intrigued...upset...curious…sad...over joyed...then you're like ...OK...WHO THE HELL really wants the throne!!!
BJ Gaskill 5 stars
CADE
Normally I don't do reviews, but the book was so good that I had to do it. Since I read my first Rubenesque story, I haven’t gone back. I search for bbw books all over the net, buying and reading them like candy. Love my heroines with real attitude, real appetite like me, and if is a shifter story that's better! Very enjoyable story that I know I'll read again and again in the future. This is an ongoing series being 6 additional brothers, friends of Cade (vampires and other shifters) and 2 of the Heroine's sons. I so can't wait to read Simon's story (emotionally wounded ex-marine and Cade's brother) and Etienne (Cade's friend - Vampire Lord). First book I read from this author and definitely will not be the last.
Zamanta De Jesus 5 stars
Billionaires, romance, and shifters oh my! I loved this book. This is the first book I have read from V A Dold and I must say it was excellent! I couldn't put it down! And I can't wait to read more.
melanie a ramey 5 stars
The woman is REAL - plus sized – fluffy
PicardsMom350 5 stars
This book kept my interest from beginning to end. It was a love story with Family and just the right amount of humor and love with some suspense thrown in. I would recommend this book to my friends and family. I can't wait for the next book from this author about the Le Beau Brothers.
Audrey Carpenter 5 star
When the others come out I will buy them! I love the idea that the woman regresses to about age 25 and the body returns to that age also. Interesting idea.
Donna Turner 5 stars
Amazed me how their love grew stronger with each breath I took. When they finally found each other my eyes filled with tears and my heart filled with the desire to know that kind of love from my mate, the man of my dreams.
I haven't read a book about shifters in quite a number of years and now I can't remember why! V.A. Dold has rekindled a deep love from my past with her dynamic writing in Cade. Her words wove their way through my mind and my veins and I became part of the story instead of just a reader.
Patricia, Room With Books 5 stars
Holy mother of OMG! As most know, I don’t read shifter books. Yes, I know that I’m one of the few so when I come across one that I never wanted to end, I will shout it from the rooftops.
Brian's Mom 5 stars
Copyright 2014 by V.A. Dold
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form whatsoever without written permission from the author –except by a reviewer who may quote brief passages in a review to be printed in a magazine, newspaper, or on the web. For information, please contact the author via email at [email protected].
This novel is a work of fiction. Any references to historical events; to real people, living or dead; or to real locales are intended only to give the fiction a sense of reality and authenticity. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously and their resemblance, if any, to real-life counterparts is entirely coincidental.
ISBN-13: 978- 0-9905235-8-1
ISBN-10: 0990523581
Print edition June 2014
Dedication
Thank you to all my readers and fans of the Le Beau Series. I appreciate you more than I can say.
Thank you to my friends and family who cheered me on and believed in me even more than I believed in myself.
And thank you, Tina, the best editor a girl could ask for.
...You helped make this all possible
Simon
Le Beau Brothers
By
V.A. Dold
Prologue- The Plan
Emma Le Beau knelt in front of her alter as she prepared to take her daily meditation time and speak with the spirits when the goddess came to her. “Simon has suffered much, more than any of my children should ever endure. His mate is Rose, a friend to Anna. She will be here at the plantation for Thanksgiving. Her love and connection to Simon will be the final thing he will need to return fully to his human form. I’ve set events in motion to guarantee Simon’s mate will come. Take care, my daughter, blessed be.”
Bursting with excitement, Emma ran to Isaac. “I’ve been given another mate’s identity. This woman is meant for Simon.”
Isaac’s brows furrowed. “Why Simon and not one of the older boys?”
Taking Isaac’s hand Emma quietly said, “Fate doesn’t work in chronological order. There’s nothing type ‘A’ about fate. Fate does what it wants, when it wants, where it wants, and to whomever it wants. You can’t control or dictate fate, it just is.
“The goddess said our sons would receive their mates at the proper time and then she would disclose to us who that mate was and where she would be found. She never said our sons would receive their mates in order by age from oldest to youngest. We should simply accept the gift she has given and not question her.” Emma kissed him, so thankful for her own mate.
“I can see the rea
soning behind Simon receiving his mate before Stefan, he’s still so withdrawn from his experience. I’m thankful the goddess wants to ease his suffering by bringing him his destined mate. Especially if she is the answer to complete his healing. It’s killing me to see him suffer and not able to help him.” Isaac drew Emma in as close as he could get her.
Nibbling on her fingernail, “We need to come up with a plan to get Rose here,” Emma said almost as if speaking to herself. “The barbecue is tomorrow and Anna will be here. I’ll bring up her friends and family from Denver. If I can get her to mention Rose, I’ll point out that Cade’s house is very large and has plenty of room for visitors.”
“So, plant the seed and let it grow?” Isaac searched her face. “Do you think that will be enough?”
“The goddess said she would come. I’ll simply give her the idea for the invitation.” Emma’s smile was blinding.
Rubbing his hands together, “This is happening so much faster than I ever dreamed possible. We came up with the idea only a few weeks ago,” Isaac said. “When we first planned to help all seven boys find their mates I was sure it would take years. Our goddess is moving this along nicely. Once Simon sees Rose and experiences the draw of one mate to another, the unique scent one has for the other, nature will take its course.”
Isaac let out a loud belly laugh. “I guess I don’t have to worry about the boys going through their long lives without experiencing the incredible love that is enjoyed between mates. Now if we could only get some grandchildren.”
Emma sighed wistfully. “I saved many of our baby things from when the boys were born. I would love to hand them down to my grandchildren.”
“You can be very devious, my love.” Isaac nodded in approval. “Okay, it’s decided. I will leave the laying of bread crumbs to you.” He nibbled on her neck and all thoughts of plans flew out the window.
The first mate disclosed had been Anna, Cade’s beautiful mate. Isaac and Emma were thrilled with the results of helping Cade meet his mate. All they had to do was arrange for Cade to meet Isaac for lunch at the Crescent City Brewhouse and then cancel at the last minute. That left Cade free to have a long leisurely lunch with Anna. The love affair and happy ending took off from there. Sure there was a bump or two in the road but what great love hasn’t had them. Harassing ex-husbands, dangerous crime bosses, and suspicious adult children have nothing on a Le Beau.
Chapter 1
AT WAR
Four years earlier
Simon Le Beau squinted at the never-ending dunes, another mirage shivered in the distance as his transport crested a ridge. His squad was returning to base after a tour of recon. Just driving to and from the base, they had to be careful to stay in the tire tracks packing the sand. Following what had proven to be a safe passage in a world full of IEDs and ambush parties. Home sweet home, he thought as he looked at the base, which was really just row after row of desert-tan tents. In a moment of madness, he wanted to splash paint onto everything to break up the monotony. When the recruiter gave me his rah rah speech he should have told me I’d be eating, sleeping, and breathing sand.
Within minutes the guys had poured from the transports and scattered across the base. Habit had him in his tent removing his gear, he wiped his weapons clean and buffed his boots. It was a constant battle against the layer of grit that tried to encase everything. Extending his arms over his head, he stretched unused muscles and flexed stiff joints. Riding in a vehicle that lacked any form of shock absorbers for hours was cruel and unusual treatment. Finished cleaning, he relaxed on his bunk and read a magazine.
His attention was focused on what he was reading, when a shiver ran up his neck. Tremors of unease came from the direction of the village a few miles to the north. This was the first time he’d felt anything other than alertness or boredom since he had arrived two months ago. His friend Peter was part of a team ordered to drive through that seething town to collect a VIP coming in for a high profile inspection of the base. Based on the emotions emanating from the soldiers of the team, they were becoming lax in their diligence. It’d been months since shots had been fired and the lack of aggression was affecting the soldiers and creating a false sense of security.
He sat up, dropped his magazine to the mattress and scratched his fingers through his military cut. Limited options presented themselves. Ah hell, I thought I could get through this without telling anyone. There was no way to explain the situation, without disclosing his gift. He wasn’t sure how his squad leader, Mark Anderson, was going to react to him saying he could sense people’s emotions and dispositions.
An hour later Mark sat forward and leaned his elbows on the table. “Are you a nut? One of those crazy new agers?” Scratching his chin, it was clear Mark wouldn’t take him seriously without proof. Calming his mind, Simon opened himself to sense the room. A soldier in the far corner was on the verge of some kind of violence. A group of four marines were hassling the man as they often do. Some saw it as a rite of passage while others saw it as bullying.
Simon touched Mark’s arm to get his attention. “Do you see that soldier by himself in the corner?” He tipped his head that direction.
Mark looked at the corner Simon had nodded toward. Without speaking, he quirked an eyebrow at Simon.
“He’s going to lash out at that group about five feet to his left. I estimate in about thirty seconds.” Simon said in a bored tone of voice. He was making a point and meant for it to make an impression. For additional effect, he counted down as he felt the man’s aggression rising. “Ten, nine, eight…” When he got to one, the soldier launched himself at the group tormenting him.
Mark’s expression took on a whole new level of interest in what Simon had to say. He listened to the situation as Simon laid it out. Without a word he clapped Simon on the back then left to meet with his superiors.
Swallowing hard on a dry, sandpaper like throat, Simon wondering what this meant for him now that he’d put himself out there, swinging in the wind.
The sun caused him to squint and shield his eyes as he returned to his bunk not sure what else to do. He had just opened his magazine to finish the article on tuna fishing when a Private summoned him to Major Patterson’s headquarters at the center of the base. Not more than twenty minutes after he had spoken with Mark. Well, this is it, either they believed me or they are sending me for psych evaluation.
Simon entered a plush office by desert standards. His boots sounded loud against the flooring. He glanced at the oak bookshelves stocked with a variety of bestsellers. I’d love to borrow a few of those, he thought wistfully. Major Patterson waited, tapping his fingers on a massive oak desk. Give him a crown and he would look like a king in that leather chair, which looked very suspiciously like a throne. He steepled his fingers as Simon approached and eyed him like a bug in a jar.
“Private, I’m told you have some kind of sixth sense radar for trouble,” Major Patterson said without preamble.
“Sir, I guess you could call it that. All I know is I can feel people’s emotions and sense the temperature, so to speak, of a situation.”
“So, you are saying you can ‘feel’ something’s going on in the town that we are unaware of?”
“Yes, Sir.”
“You also ‘feel’ the relaxed nature of the team that will be driving through said town, and are of the opinion there’s to be an ambush of some sort.”
“Yes, Sir.”
“I’m supposed to hand down orders based on your ‘feelings,’ is that right?” Major Patterson used air quotes and sneered as he said feelings, like it was a dirty word.
“No, Sir, you need to do what you feel is right. I felt compelled to cover my fellow marines as best I could. In this situation, that included informing my superior of the level of aggression I sensed in the situation. What is done with that information is up to people with a pay grade higher than my own, Sir.”
“You’re dismissed, Private.” Major Patterson waved his hand toward the door as if he were shoo
ing a fly.
Simon saluted the Major, ignoring his wolf’s snarl, and went back to his bunk, utterly defeated. Just for one moment, he’d hoped to make his superiors understand and listen. But he’d put himself on the line for no reason and his friends were still in grave danger. He’d reached a new low and was in desperate need of some form of skin-to-skin contact to calm himself and his wolf.
He wasn’t used to being in situations where he had such complete lack of control. Snarling and raging, his wolf wanted to take matters into its own paws. Flopping on his bunk, he rubbed his temples to relieve a headache that was building. The next four years of service are going to be a living hell and my only objective is to survive and come out in one piece, mentally and physically.
The next morning, Simon vaulted upright in his sheet tossed bed. The sound of revving engines woke him with a start. He rolled from his bunk to squint at the staging area through still sleepy eyes. The most heavily armed vehicles on the base were preparing to move out.
He stretched his sleepy muscles and yawned. What’s happening that I haven’t heard about? It was hard to keep a secret from a man with superhuman wolf hearing. As he made the military corners on his bunk’s bedding, everyone in the barracks began preparing for the day.
Checking his uniform for military perfection, he adjusted his collar. Satisfied with his appearance, he was ready to face the day. Today he had practice at the shooting range. The newly assigned marines would be there for hours. Experience taught him to eat a solid breakfast and hydrate well before joining the soldiers to begin shooting. First stop, the canteen.