Taken by the Cyclops/Taken by the Gargoyle Duet (Print)
A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Duet
Author: Megan Slayer
Cover Art: Bryan Keller
BIN: 011017-03584
ISBN (13): 978-1-60521-884-7
Genres: Action Adventure, Dark Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Themes: Capture Fantasy, Elves, Dragons & Magical Creatures, Magic, Sorcery, and Witchcraft, New Adult
Series: Taken Print Duets (#1)
Book Length: Print
Page Count: 290
Will the monsters from their past ruin their chance at a future together?
Taken by the Cyclops:
Piper wants nothing more than to escape a life of abuse and danger. She’s convinced she’ll find a fresh start in Eerie. What she doesn’t expect is Diesel -- a cyclops. He’s dangerous and destructive, and he’s done things he knows are unforgivable.
Taken by the Gargoyle:
Belle Isle came to Eerie to spread her late mother’s ashes. The task seems simple enough -- until her car breaks down, stranding her on the side of the road. She’s convinced she’s at her lowest point. Then she meets the gargoyle…
Praise for Taken By the Cyclops (Taken 1)
"This book was so unlike what I expected. Not only does Piper get protection, she finds safety, her inheritance and love with Diesel... and he finds his heart home with Piper and sees that he was not only worthy but loved. This book show that love doesn't have a timeframe, look or even a special formula. LOVE is LOVE!!!!!"
-- 4 Stars from Beast's Beauty, Amazon Review
"Now this was a interesting take on supernatural romance. The writing was great and the story was entertaining. This was my 1st Cyclops book and it was awesome. I love bodyguards and this was steamy and romantic-it was like a naughty and dangerous fairytale!"
-- 5 Stars from MeemsAngel82, Amazon Review
"This is a good magical and paranormal read with romance, danger and violence. This is such a good read from beginning to end. It is fast pace and fairly quick to read. So worth it. I love the characters!"
-- 4 Stars from Mary, Amazon Review
"I had never read anything this author had published but it was a great and quick read! I really did enjoy it and can't wait to see what else is out there to read by her."
-- 5 Stars from Andrea, Amazon Review
"If you want a book to read when you can sit down and relax, this is a great read. The story is engaging and the characters fun. I want to read more in the series."
-- 5 Stars from Heather F., Amazon Review
"Great book. I've read several books written by Megan Slayer; she is becoming one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to read more of her books."
-- 5 Stars from Jeanne R., Amazon Review
Praise for Taken By the Gargoyle (Taken 2)
"Two broken heroes find love in each other while healing from the past. This book has anguish, guilt, shame, drama, and abiding love. I will definitely go back and read the other book in this series."
-- 5 Stars from Timma, Barnes & Noble Review
"I love that although this story is about witch and gargoyle, it has the elements of Beauty and the Beast and it brings in the other couple in the first book in the series, Piper & Diesel. I am definitely interested in Megan's other books. She definitely has a new reader in me."
-- 5 Stars from Beast's Beauty, Amazon Review
"This was a very interesting story. I don’t think I’ve read anything quite like this the drama and suspense are out of this world. The heat is scorching."
-- 5 Stars from L. Cruce, Amazon Review
"Loved it! Love this series... so good!"
-- 5 Stars from Indie, Amazon Review
"This is a good magical and paranormal read with romance, danger and violence. It is fast paced and fairly quick to read. So worth it. I love the characters!"
-- 4 Stars from Mary, Amazon Review
"The story is well written with suspense, drama, evil, danger, a villain from her past, an abusive childhood, secrets and romance."
-- 5 Stars from Barbara, Kobo Review
"Belle and Azel's story is an amazing tale with the perfect mix of drama and suspense that grabs you from the start. Great story."
-- 5 Stars from Casvec, Amazon Review
Taken by the Cyclops/Taken by the Gargoyle (Print)
Megan Slayer
All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2023 Megan Slayer
Excerpt from Taken by the Cyclops
Just let me get there. Piper sped through the night, checking the rearview mirror every few seconds just in case he’d followed her. She’d tossed her phone a hundred miles ago, but her wad of cash wouldn’t hold out forever. He’d see she’d taken her life savings -- a whopping thousand dollars -- and run. She had to get to Eerie. Anything was better than where she’d come from.
Her life wouldn’t get much better in the new town, but she’d get away from John. He was a bully, and she’d been a fool to hook up with him.
She sped on, blowing past the posted speed limit sign and praying the cops hadn’t seen her. Then again, a night in jail would be better than being with John.
She tugged her sleeve down to hide her bruises. God. She was a smart person and strong, but she’d allowed him to put his hands on her. He’d convinced her she deserved the treatment.
Even alone in the car, she could hear his voice in her mind.
Never going to do better than me.
You don’t deserve anyone else.
You’re bringing me down to be with you, but no one wants you.
You’re a waste of a person.
You’re a piece of shit.
Worthless.
Whore.
Her tears clogged in her throat. Her sex life hadn’t been his business before she’d met him and had gone to nothing once she’d become his punching bag. She’d only ever had three lovers before she met John.
He’d been her undoing. He’d convinced her to quit her studies and change her appearance, and he’d hurt her. What kind of man did that?
John did.
She spotted the village limit sign and gunned the engine.
Eerie was the place for paranormal creatures to belong -- so she’d been told. She’d heard stories of having Faerie blood. Did she? She hoped so. If she truly did, she’d be able to pass the village limit into Eerie. If not, then she’d been lied to, and she’d have to find somewhere else to hide.
Right now, she had to focus on the sign. She sped forward and held her breath.
The second she passed the yellow line on the road, she expected to be in the middle of a field or bland road. Instead, she rolled down the quaint street filled with closed shops, a restaurant, and even a drive-in theater. The place was cute -- in a dark and slightly scary fashion.
At least she was here. That rumor about Faerie blood must’ve been true.
She didn’t hit the accelerator and instead coasted along the main drag through the village.
The place sort of reminded her of photos she’d seen of the 1950s small towns with lots of little businesses, neon signs, wide sidewalks, and eclectic names on the buildings -- Nan’s Nothings, Curiosity Closet, Hot Dogs Dog Wash, Witch’s Brew Coffee… She’d bet the place was pretty in the light of day.
But no one who wasn’t a paranormal creature would be able to see it.
She spotted a hotel on the city square and pulled into one of the parking spots. She’d tucked what was left of her hair into a baseball cap and wore thick gloves -- anything to disguise her appearance. If John found her now, then she’d have to find another safe place and work out another disguise.
She tossed the gloves and hat onto the passenger seat, then grabbed her purse. For all she knew, she’d be turned away at the front desk. She didn’t exactly look like someone who could afford a night at the posh hotel.
Being new in town, she might stick out too much, too.
She braced herself and headed into the hotel. She had a backup plan in case she got tossed but hoped that wouldn’t happen.
A woman with flame-red hair and faint, actual wings stood behind the counter. “Welcome to Eerie. How can I help you?”
“I need a room for the night, please?” She signed, then rummaged through her purse for some money and her ID. “I mean, I’d like a room, please?”
“Sure.” The woman swept her gaze over Piper. “You’re not from around here. How’d you find us?”
“My great-grandmother married a Fae. I never met either one of them, but I’ve been told stories.” She produced her ID card and fisted the small wad of cash.
“Do you have a credit card?” The woman eyed Piper’s ID. “We prefer a card to hold the room -- that and in the event you destroy the property.”
“I don’t have a credit card.” She’d left hers at the apartment and tossed her phone along the road, hoping it’d be smashed by a passing car. Besides, she hadn’t wanted John to find her, and the quickest way to track someone outside of their phone was their use of a credit card.
“Just a moment.” The woman spoke softly into a tiny mic clipped to her shiny blue blouse.
The longer Piper had to wait, the lower her heart sank. She truly doubted she’d ever get away from John, but the odds he’d find her here had to be just about nil. He could be persistent, and if he thought he’d been shafted, he’d be tenacious. Nothing about him surprised her any longer, either.
She put her money back into her purse and held onto her ID.
“Okay.” The woman nodded and produced a swipe card. “I’ll give you a room for the night.”
“Thank you.” She had no idea how happy she’d made Piper. A place to stay that wasn’t the lumpy front seat of the shit car she’d bought for five hundred dollars.
“Don’t thank me yet.” The redhead crooked her over-drawn eyebrow. “You’re a stranger in town.”
“I know.” Piper squirmed under her gaze. Jesus. She hated being nervous.
“And we don’t always take to strangers. You never know why they’re here,” the woman said. “So for now, you’ll have a handler.”
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