Forge/Casper VanHorne Duet (Print)
A Dixie Reapers Bad Boys Romance
Author: Harley Wylde
Cover Art: Bryan Keller
BIN: 010864-03533
ISBN (13): 9781605218717
Genres: Action Adventure, Contemporary Women's Fiction, Print, Romance, Suspense
Themes: 2nd Chance Romance, Age Gap (Older Man), Christmas, MC Romance, Medical Romance, Multicultural & Interracial, New Adult, Organized Crime, Single Parent/Pregnancy
Series: Dixie Reapers MC Print (#31)
Multiverse: Bad Boys (#9)
Book Length: Print
Page Count: 242
Forge (Reckless Kings MC 4)
Whisper -- The brutal man who kidnapped me made sure I kept quiet and did as I was told for nearly a decade. But he’s not my father, and when Forge came to confront him I knew it was my one chance. Going to live with a bunch of bikers was scary, but I knew there was nothing Forge wouldn’t do for me. When my world imploded once more, I ran. Now Forge is back, and I’m terrified and excited all at once.
Forge -- I only intended to make sure Whisper’s all right. How the hell I ended up marrying her and claiming her son as my own is beyond me. Bringing Whisper and Jacob home had to be the best idea I ever had. Now they’re mine and I’ll do anything to hold onto them.
Casper VanHorne (A Bad Boy Romance)
Casper Van Horne -- Making Carmella my wife was the only way to save my daughter, but I never intended to stay married. Ten years I’ve kept my distance, but now it’s time to set things right.
I never counted on her being sick. Or falling for her as I nursed her back to health. But it’s Carmella who brought me back to life, and now that I’ve had a taste of the tempting woman who wears my ring, I know I can’t ever let her go.
Publisher's Note: Once upon a time, there was a supporting cast member (known as Casper VanHorne) in an MC Romance world, who was not part of any MC. Casper was simply a background player who caught too much attention (For a top rated international assassin, any attention is too much attention).
Eventually Casper met his match in a book titled Naughty or Nice. Apparently that wasn’t enough to satisfy Casper VanHorne. Since his author can’t very well rewrite Casper’s story, we now offer a 2nd Edition as Casper VanHorne. The title and cover have been updated. No content changes.
However. As every assassin knows, actions have consequences. Forge and Casper VanHorne each have their devotees. Per reader request, we are also offering an alternative cover for Forge/Casper Duet, titled, appropriately, Forge/Casper VanHorne Duet.
One book. Two covers. The contents have not changed. Choose your cover. Choose wisely.
Praise for Forge (Reckless Kings MC 4)
"A heartbreakingly beautiful story of trauma moving on, acceptance and redemption. Their chemistry is palpable, their connection was instant but the love they have for one another is undeniable."
-- 5 Stars from Drea Fernandez, BookBub Review
"Forge and Whisper were meant to be; their love story is amazing. I absolutely love how Whisper and Forge completed each other. Forge would do anything and be anything for Whisper while Whisper would give Forge all the love he never knew he needed."
-- 5 Stars from Shelby, Amazon Review
"Another amazing MC read! This one with a childhood crush fulfilled, I practically melted. Forge and Whisper are such a strong, amazing couple. That Whisper had the strength after all she had been through to move off on her own was awe-inspiring. It made me so happy that Forge never forgot her and kept an eye on her."
-- 5 Stars from Leslee Nevill, Amazon Review
"Sometimes it's takes something tragic to happened to find your soulmate, in Forge and Whisper's story it's what exactly happens. Their relationship may come off easily and fast to some but it took years to finally step in the right direction, they're so adorable and perfect together."
-- 5 Stars from Fabiola Cadet-Destil, Amazon Review
"I enjoyed reading another great book. Definitely worth the wait. I can wait to read the next one. This author is definitely my go to, when I want to read a good. Trust me I need a forge of my own!!
-- 5 Stars from Amandagail, Amazon Review
"Who doesn’t love a sexy biker hero? Forge (Reckless Kings MC 4) was another awesome MC romance by Harley Wylde! I have read many of her books and am continually impressed by the way she takes those rough around the edges, scary biker types and turns then into loving heroes. Love blooms in the strangest places and leaves us with another great read! Forge has me wishing for more of the Reckless Kings' stories."
-- 5 Stars from Laura C., Amazon Review
"Forge is so awesome. I just love how he took charge of each situation as it came up. He and Whisper are so good together. I just love it!"
-- 5 Stars from Diana mack, Amazon Review
"Forge has me all up in my feelings! His and Whispers story is so completely tragic, utterly heartbreaking, and epically beautiful... an incredibly beautiful journey. Harley Wylde has delivered an all encompassing age gap read that I hated to see end."
-- 5 Stars from GKP2460, Amazon Review
"Forge and Whisper was a hell of a story, the things that they both had to overcome shows the strength in the human spirit! Harley’s books almost always allow you to walk in their world and for that I am extremely grateful! I highly recommend this book and can’t wait for the next one."
-- 5 Stars from Julianna Winslett, Amazon Review
"What a totally awesome book and series!! I just absolutely loved it from beginning to end!! I can't wait for the next book to come out! A definite must read!"
-- 5 Stars from Debbie, Amazon Review
"This book was such a good read... awesome. Can’t wait to see what happens next. I highly recommend this book."
-- 5 Stars from Gretchen Calder, Amazon Review
Praise for Casper VanHorne
"This is one of the characters in this universe that Harley Wylde has created that I have been the most curious about. It is a short read but gave me romance and sizzling chemistry. Harley Wylde was able to show the emotional journey of Carmella from when she got married to where the book starts. There might have been a couple of tears–and a lot of laughs. Overall a great book for readers who want a bit of everything in their read."
-- 4 Stars from Sorrel, Long & Short Reviews
"Casper VanHorne's character has always fascinated me. He's been a peripheral character, staying in the shadows for the most part due to his job as a highly-sought-after assassin. His marriage to Carmella ten years prior was a means to an end - saving his beloved daughter Isabella, who is married to a member of the Dixie Reapers. Carmella has been on her own for the past ten years - set up in a house with servants and left to her own devices. Her friends are the people who are paid to take care of her. She's alone, lonely, and has a huge secret. When Casper comes to town to end things, he finds out that all is not what it seems to be where his wife is concerned. Loved this Christmas short; plus, got to "see" some old favorites!"
-- 5 Stars from Darlene Tallman, Amazon Review
"Casper VanHorne is a great novella where we finally met the woman Casper married to save Isabella. I wanted to punch Casper in the face for breaking this beautiful woman’s heart. It takes a near tragedy to open his eyes and see his second chance. Casper has always been elusive and reclusive. One wonderful woman changes all of that. Watch out for the next generation of Dixie Reapers they might be scarier then their dads!"
-- 5 Stars from Melissa Toner, Advance Reader Review
"...soo sweet and so steamy! It was nice to finally get to [read] about Casper's wife! It was a great Christmas story! And those Dixie Reaper kids, man oh man are they a handful."
-- 5 Stars from Jessica, Goodreads Review
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-- 5 Stars from Excuseu2008, Bookbub Review
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Forge/Casper VanHorne Duet (Print)
Harley Wylde
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2023 Harley Wylde
Excerpt from Casper VanHorne
Carmella
I stared at the enormous rock on my finger and rubbed the golden band with my thumb. I’d always dreamed of getting married, but not once had I ever considered my special day consisting of marrying a man I didn’t know, leaving the only home I’d ever had, and being utterly and completely alone. My husband was a powerful man, and feared by many. He was also extremely absent in my life. Casper VanHorne had married me, flown me out of Mexico, then dumped me in some mausoleum of a house only to vanish before I’d even unpacked. It wasn’t at all what I’d anticipated. Yes, he was older than me, but I’d looked forward to my marriage. When he’d said he would take care of me, even though love wasn’t part of the deal, I’d imagined we would at least live together.
I’d barely been eighteen when he’d married me. At first, I’d thought that’s why he had left, and that he’d return before long. Then one year passed, and another. In nearly ten years, I hadn’t once seen my husband. It was lonely living here alone. Not to mention, I was twenty-eight and a damn virgin. I was starting to think I would die before ever knowing what it was like to have a man’s hands on me, to feel his cock thrusting inside me. My fevered dreams were likely far from what it would really be like if Casper ever came back and claimed me.
As another sharp stabbing pain made my eyes close and my body crumple, I wondered if my husband would return… before it was too late. I’d sworn the staff to secrecy, even the bodyguard Casper had left to watch over me. I’d grown close to the people who ran the house and protected me, even considered them my friends. When I’d first arrived, I hadn’t been able to speak any English. Now I was fluent and didn’t even use my native tongue anymore.
“Carmella,” I heard Bowen shout.
His strong arms wrapped around me, and I felt my body being lifted and carried, likely into the house. The pain had been worse lately, and coming more frequently. I had a feeling I was on borrowed time, but maybe that was for the best. It wasn’t that I wanted to die, I really didn’t, but I couldn’t help but wonder if my husband would be happier if I were gone. I knew he’d been forced into claiming me in order to save his daughter, a daughter he clearly never wanted me to meet.
I’d thought she was younger until he’d explained she was older than me. He didn’t look anywhere near old enough to have a fully grown child. There were a few lines around his eyes, but hardly a hint of gray in his hair or beard. At least, last time I’d seen him that was the case. I had no idea what he looked like now.
As the pain eased, my eyes fluttered open and a concerned Bowen was peering down at me.
“He needs to know, Carmella.”
“No, he doesn’t. He’s had no interest in me all this time. The last thing I want is him showing up out of pity. I only wish…” I bit my lip, refusing to say the words.
“I know, sweet girl,” Bowen murmured.
We’d grown close over the years, but not in a romantic way. Bowen was more like an older brother than anything else. I gripped his hand as I settled back against my pillows. The frequent headaches that later turned to migraines had started a few years ago, and I’d ignored them at first. After Bowen found me passed out in the sunroom, he’d forced me to go to the doctor. It had only taken one test to discover the tumor lodged in my brain. The doctor had referred me to a neurosurgeon, who had wanted to start treatment immediately in hopes of avoiding surgery, but I’d refused. They said it appeared to be benign, but the pressure it was putting on my brain was the problem. Thankfully, my husband didn’t receive the bills directly. I didn’t know how Bowen and Mrs. Weathers had managed to pay for everything without alerting my husband that something was wrong, but they had and I was grateful.
“I can’t stand to see you like this,” he said. “Please accept the treatment, Carmella. You’re young still and have your entire life ahead of you. What you’re doing is the same as committing suicide.”
“I’m not as strong as I once thought I was,” I admitted. “I endured a lot as the illegitimate daughter of the infamous Miguel Juarez. When Casper made me his wife, I’d thought maybe I was going to have a new life. A family of my own, people who would love me. Then he ran and left me here.”
Bowen squeezed my hand. “I love you, and so does every other person in this house.”
“It’s not the same, Bowen. I’m twenty-eight and I’ve only been on a few dates. The only kiss I ever had was sloppy and gross. I’ve never… I’ve never been held by a man who loved me, never experienced passion. Is it wrong for me to want those things?” I asked.
“Of course not, Carmella. Casper would be here if he knew what you were going through. I have no doubt that he’d come and stay with you, take you to the doctor and convince you to start treatment. Don’t make me watch you die. They said if you act soon enough, surgery likely won’t be needed.”
The doctors had said that even though the tumor wasn’t cancerous it was still life-threatening. If I had something to live for, then I’d fight with everything I had in me. But what would be the point? I was lonely, so damn lonely. I didn’t have a family, and at this rate, I didn’t think I ever would. Bowen and Mrs. Weathers were my friends, but they were also paid to stay with me. I knew they cared, but it was different.
I reached up and cupped his whiskery cheek. “I’m sorry, Bowen. I just don’t have any fight left in me. There’s nothing to fight for.”
I felt his jaw tighten and watched as his eyes narrowed. I had a feeling I hadn’t heard the last from him on the matter. And he wasn’t the only one. The cook, Mrs. Weathers, was of the same mind, and so were the two maids and the butler. I knew they’d come to care about me, and I felt the same, but it wasn’t enough. I was so damn tired. The pain was debilitating on the best of days, and more and more often, it would make me lose control of the right side of my body, sometimes for an entire day.
I released Bowen and rolled to my side, letting the tears fall silently. He sighed and I heard the door click shut behind him. Left alone with my misery I wondered if maybe I was doing the wrong thing. I had no doubt they were right and Casper would be here if he knew something was wrong, but I wanted him here because he wanted to be, because he cared… not because someone tattled and said I was possibly dying. The last thing I wanted to deal with was his guilty conscience, assuming he even had a conscience. I wasn’t completely certain what he did, but if he’d had business with my father, I wasn’t certain he had a moral compass. It wasn’t just that Casper didn’t seem to want me. No one had ever wanted me. My mother hadn’t, and I’d been an embarrassment to my father who had given me to Casper as a business transaction.
What would it be like to be loved? Truly loved?
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