Julie Elizabeth Powell's Blog, page 23
October 24, 2017
PRINCE OF FOOLS by Nancy Gideon
PRINCE OF FOOLS
House of Terriot, book 3
by Nancy Gideon
Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
A dark prince to her Cinderella barmaid . . .
Rico . . . Prince in the shapeshifter House of Terriot
Reckless, hotheaded Rico Terriot seeks purpose and a sense of pride training the resentful guardians of New Orleans to defend a city besieged by a deadly outside force. Torn between his desire for his brother’s mate and the woman tied to the child of another, protecting their future happiness means denying his own on a dangerous path to redemption.
One night of stolen pleasure he didn’t remember and she couldn’t forget…
Amber . . . a single mother hiding a terrible past
Rico Terriot was the stuff of dreams . . . lately all of hers. But there’s no happily-ever-after for someone living in the shadows, protecting dangerous secrets that threaten her and her daughter. Dare she believe in a fairytale prince when he comes to her rescue, not knowing the price he’ll pay for making her troubles his own? From world’s so far apart, is love strong enough to hold them together . . . and keep them alive?
“Utterly captivating 5 Stars, Prince of Fools is intense, fast-paced, paranormal romance/suspense at its best - A stunningly raw, heart racing story that held me in a trance from cover to cover!”
-Cross My Heart Reviews
Amber stood motionless in the kitchen, paralyzed by grief and fear and loss.
It was over. The dream, the desire, the hopes that they'd become more. Rico Terriot was a luxury she couldn't afford. She'd been kidding herself, lost in the fantasy that they'd ever become more than convenient lovers. He wasn't staying in New Orleans, and there wasn't the slightest chance he ever intended to take her—them—with him when he returned to his mountain. Terriots weren't accepting of those not of their clan.
Rico hadn't gone out of his way to seduce her, quite the other way around. She'd taken advantage of his broken heart, made herself available then invaluable, as his friend, as his pseudo-family, as his willing bedmate. He'd probably never considered taking their relationship beyond the sheets and certainly not beyond the perimeter of the Quarter. It was all a blissful interlude to him before being called back to his real life. Leaving her and Evie to face the ugliness of their own.
She stood panting in the center of her kitchen, her sense of security torn away by a single, paralyzing fact. They were still looking. How long before they found her? Was she putting Rico in greater danger by mere association?
They’d have to leave New Orleans. Every second from now on was borrowed time. She couldn’t just run, not with a child to consider. The time to plan for a quick escape started now, this minute, ticking down toward what could be their last.
From now until she went into work, she’d go over her savings, quietly see how much she could get for the house, and start creating a believable lie for leaving everyone she loved behind in a hurry. Then they’d disappear, both her and Evangeline. Or they’d be as good as dead.
The thought again flashed through heart and mind to go to Rico. He’d get them out of the city if she asked.
No. She couldn’t involve him, not while he was within reach of those who meant her harm. He was wrapped up in his own intrigues, and who knew if one spilled over into the other. But if she ran without explanation, he’d follow. She knew he would. So, she’d have to make sure he wouldn’t want to.
Survivor’s instincts that had kept her alive and Evie safe kicked into place, setting in motion the pattern of cool, sharp, unemotional thought that would carry them away from harm and all they’d ever desired.
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Could the bargain they made to save their lives become their reality?
Turow . . .
Strong, silent man of integrity content to serve his new king as a prince in the turbulent shape-shifter House of Terriot. A tracker and relentless hunter, he’s used to running trails alone until charged with returning a traitor to their mountain top home to face the unforgiving judgment of their clan. Isolated with the bad girl he’s loved forever, the choice between duty and desire has never been more difficult . . . or deadly.
Sylvia . . .
Manipulative schemer or victim caught between a mother’s ambition and a rogue prince’s lust for power? Trust is almost as foreign as the idea of love, but to save herself from certain death, she must risk both on the good man who deserves them . . . from someone worthy. Trapped by the only one who believes in her goodness, she must betray him and run for her life . . . or stay and destroy him with a long hidden truth.
Obsessed with an enemy - the only female to ever walk away from him . . .
Colin . . . Prince in the House of Terriot
Brawny, cynical negotiator for his clan, Colin Terriot sees a move to New Orleans as an escape from a painful past and his reputation as a legendary lover. What he didn't expect was to fall hard for a rival spy, the female who tricked and betrayed him by leaving his bed for his brother's. Now, he now must work with her, up close and personal, as the envoy for her clan. Things are about to heat up.
Determined to have him - even if having him means losing all . . .
Mia . . . Strong-willed Guedry heir
Denied her rightful legacy, Mia Guedry plans to stake her claim over the bodies of those who killed her family. But best laid plans fall before her desire for the one male she can't resist, the one who will never trust her once burned by her necessary deceptions. Saving her Terriot prince from plans already in motion may cost more than her inheritance . . . the price could be her life.
Nancy Gideon is the award-winning, bestselling author of over 60 romances ranging from historical, regency and series contemporary suspense to dark paranormal, with a couple of horror screenplays tossed into the mix, and is currently testing the “Hybrid Author” waters of self-publishing. When not at the keyboard, this Central Michigan writer feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin and fowl. She also has written under the pen names Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West and Lauren Giddings.
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FRACTURED by Michele E. Gwynn
FRACTURED
3 Disturbing Tales
by Michele E. Gwynn
Genre: Supernatural Horror
From Amazon Bestselling Author Michele E. Gwynn (Once Upon a Midnight, Oct, 2016 Amazon US; The Winter Wishes Collection, March 2017 Amazon UK) comes a collection of 3 disturbing tales that walks the line between this world and the next.
A Slow Awakening
Premiering in this set, A Slow Awakening is a nightmare happening in real time. Frances Baker is an old woman living alone. Afraid of the dark and of storms she must brave both one dreary, frightful night. Waiting for it all to pass, she awakens to a situation far more terrifying. Unable to move or even speak, she is trapped inside her own body with no way to call for help. As the storm rages on, the demons from her past prey upon the vulnerable woman, dragging her down into a memory buried deep, one best left forgotten. Throughout the night, her life passes before her mind's eye, taunting her and daring Frances to face up to her own mistakes all the while praying for morning to come, and for help to arrive.
Cavanaugh Road
Previously published in Guardian of Dreams from Paper Gold Publishing. "A life for a life. Someone must pay the toll."
On a stormy afternoon in 1951, tragedy strikes ending the dreams of a teenage girl along a lonely stretch of country road in Fort Smith, Arkansas. With the truth hidden, twenty years later, another life meets its fate on Cavanaugh Road. Jake Williams has little time left to enjoy his freedom. The threat of the draft looms as his eighteenth birthday passes. With his older brother and his best friend already deployed to Vietnam, each day is a gift. He has his job at the diner and his brand new, used Javelin. The only thing missing is a girlfriend. One night, Jake spies a pretty blonde outside of the diner, but before he can reach her side, she disappears without a trace. Intrigued, he decides to find out who the new girl is, but fate steps in, delivering devastating news to his family, and issuing a summons he can’t ignore. Despairing and desperate, he takes off down Cavanaugh Road where a near-death car wreck changes his life. It’s there, injured and shaken, that Jake comes face to face with his destiny. The beautiful girl, the one who has captured his heart, is suddenly there to save him. She promises to take him home. But things are not what they seem, and long-held secrets begin to unravel right under Jake’s nose, within his own family. As his days grow shorter, the mystery deepens, and the answers lie around the bend, in an old family plot, on Cavanaugh Road.
Split
Previously published as a standalone.
A car accident left Jennifer Jones alive, but killed her parents. Survivor’s guilt and grief strangles her soul while the continued abuse from her fiancé, Aaron, breaks her spirit. Without warning, she snaps. Free from the moorings that bind her to the rational world, Jennifer finds that stepping across the line, and committing cold-blooded murder means she no longer needs to follow anyone’s rules but her own - but has she gone too far? Now that she’s tasted the heady power of controlling her own destiny, she can’t stop!
Down the rabbit hole she goes into a realm of psychotic darkness so deep, she may never find her way out again! As her world begins to spin out of control, she’s haunted by her misdeeds, and pushed further over the edge. The struggle to hold it together is tearing her apart, and if she can’t find her way back from the dark abyss, Jennifer will split from reality for good!
Excerpt from the premiering story A Slow Awakening
Trapped, Unable to move, and all Alone…
All was quiet. The rain had ceased to fall. The winds died down. The only sound she could detect was the windup clock on the bedside table. She turned to look at the time. Nothing happened.
Again, she tried to turn her head. Her mind said turn, but her neck refused to obey. Something was wrong. Something was terribly wrong.
Afraid, Frances tried sitting up. The view remained the same. Just the ceiling. She stilled, assessing her whole body.
Wiggle your toes! she told herself. Nothing moved. There was no pain, no…nothing. She felt nothing, physically, at least. Inside, she was panicking.
She concentrated, focusing on moving any part of her body. Fingers, knees, shoulders. There was no response. Not even a twitch. She screamed, but no sound came forth. Her mouth did not open.
Dear God, I’ve had a stroke! What will I do? What can I do?
Panic took over, and fear engulfed her. She was paralyzed, with no way to call for help.
She tried to determine the exact time. It had been around 10:00 when she’d fallen asleep. Unsure how long she’d slept, she figured it couldn’t have been more than three or four hours, so it might be around one or two in the morning. Jack was supposed to come around to fix her leaking bathroom sink, sometime in the mid-morning hours. He had a key so she wasn’t worried he’d leave if she couldn’t get up to answer. It was good to know help would eventually arrive, but in the meantime, she was stuck in her bed, unable to rise if needed, to go to the bathroom, to shout for help.
She wanted to cry, but her body betrayed her yet again, refusing to shed a single tear. There was nothing for it except to wait, and see if perhaps her motor skills would return, even if just a little bit. It was the only hope she had besides being found by her son-in-law seven to eight hours from now. She let her mind drift.
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Michele E. Gwynn is a Bestselling Multigenre Author of Crime/Detective books, Sci-Fi/Horror books, and Paranormal/Supernatural romance books in San Antonio. She previously wrote for newspapers, magazines, and online websites. As a journalist, she's covered news and events, and conducted countless celebrity interviews.
She has 3 series currently with several stand-alones, and more books coming!
She resides in the small town of Schertz, Texas on the northeast side of San Antonio with her four felines who so graciously allow her to reside in their home.
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October 20, 2017
HALLOWEEN IS MURDER by Carolyn Arnold
HALLOWEEN IS MURDER
McKinley Mysteries, book 11
by Carolyn Arnold
Genre: Romantic Mystery Comedy
Beware of all that goes bump in the night…
Sean and Sara McKinley are excited about the haunted house they’ve set up as a Halloween charity fund-raiser, but things take a ghoulish turn when the reporter covering their story is found dead. With the media keeping mum about how she died, Sara’s curiosity is piqued, and she convinces Sean to take on the investigation through their PI firm.
But this case is not without its challenges. The police are actively investigating it, as well, and it’s not even clear that the woman was murdered. It will take a little cloak-and-dagger, dress-up, and finesse for the McKinleys to get to the bottom of it, but they aren’t the kind to give up.
As they troll for leads and work through the skeletons in the reporter’s closet, they unearth a few suspects, but they’ll need to carve out the whole truth if they’re going to find her killer. If they do so fast enough, there might even be time for a little trick-or-treating.
Chapter 5
GRIM REAPER CLAIMS A VICTIM
“THERE SURE IS A LOT of secrecy surrounding Chloe’s death,” Sara said. “And they’ve all been ordered to keep quiet?” She looked over at Sean, who was behind the wheel, and arched an eyebrow. “That seems suspicious to me.”
“The station could be protecting their image. She could have had a drug overdose, something else…” he pointed out as he took a left turn, as directed by the GPS.
She wished she could run with that theory, but given their background as homicide detectives, her mind had to rule out murder first. “No, Sean, I don’t think so.”
“Well, before we get carried away, let’s talk to Jackson.” Sean steered the car into an apartment building parking lot.
She’d been working to quiet the voices in her head speculating about how Chloe had died, but speaking with Allison had only ratcheted up their chatter. She needed answers to quell her mind. She also felt a personal obligation to ensure justice was found, probably because she’d known Chloe—even if only for a brief time. Of course, that was assuming she’d been killed.
“And that poor man discovering his coworker,” Sara began. “I wonder where he found her and if he knows how she died.”
“Hopefully we’ll find out.” Sean got out of the car, came around, and opened her door. He held out a hand to her. “Keep in mind that Jackson might not be too happy to see us.”
“I know,” she said, taking his hand. “But if nothing else comes of this, maybe we’ll find out what happened to our segment.”
“Yeah, but will you be satisfied if that’s the only question we get answered?” He looked over at her as he held the front door of the building open for her. The glint in his eyes told her he doubted she’d let the matter of Chloe’s death go until she had all the boxes checkmarked and found out what had happened.
“I’d be lying if I said otherwise, and you know it. But please—” she took his hand “—just keep an open mind.”
Sean nodded. Sara often ran with her feelings, her hunches, her higher knowing, and did so on a whim. In contrast, Sean was compelled by reason, logic, and solid evidence.
They walked up to Jackson’s apartment on the third floor and knocked. Sean was about to knock again when footsteps padded toward the door. Then all went quiet for a bit. She imagined Jackson looking at them through the peephole.
“Jackson?” Sara called out. “It’s the McKinleys.” When he didn’t say anything, she added, “From the haunted house.” Maybe he needed a little more of a reminder.
Sean was shaking his head, and if she was reading his mind properly, he was thinking their coming here had been a bad idea.
“We’d like to talk to you about Chloe,” she said, certain to articulate in such way that he’d sense concern, not suspicion.
The chain rattled as it was being undone, and the handle turned. The door opened slowly.
Jackson was standing there in tattered jeans and a T-shirt. His eyes looked weary, and they were wet with unshed tears. Based on his complexion, she guessed that they had interrupted him crying.
“She’s dead.” He spat out the words in a cool manner, as if trying to separate reality from emotion, but it only made his pain that much more tangible.
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✯✯✯✯✯An amusing and entertaining mystery!
By Between the Coverz on October 3, 2017 via Amazon
Halloween is Murder is an adventurous entertaining suspense. The beginning is fun and cute and holds enough intrigue that I had to continue to read to find out what was going on. There are several different twists and turns throughout that will keep you guessing until the end. Carolyn Arnold knows how to keep the suspense and intrigue in her stories to keep the reader entertained.
Carolyn Arnold has written another captivating and amazing story with characters that are well developed and engaging. Carolyn’s stories are brilliantly written, entertaining, and fascinating. This is a definite winner from this author. I can’t wait to read more in this series and will definitely go back and read the previous books.
I have read several books by Carolyn Arnold have not been disappointed yet! No matter the seriousness, amusement, or content, Carolyn creates books that will have you engrossed to the very end. I recommend Halloween is Murder to anyone that enjoys an amusing, adventurous and entertaining mystery.
By Rebecca A on October 5, 2017 via Amazon
Private Investigators Sean and Sara McKinley have rented a house to host a Haunted House for Halloween and have Chloe Parsons, a reporter with Your Source News out to do a feature on it.
But when Chloe winds up dead later that day there are questions about how she died. Chloe's sister, Marie believes that Chloe has been murdered and asks Sean and Sara to take on her case.
Will Sara and Sean and their investigators get to the bottom of it and find out what happened to Chloe?
This was an interesting story that had you wondering who had it out for Chloe when there seemed to be quite the list of suspects.
We don't get much of Chloe first hand but it appeared that she had her mind set on getting where she wanted to go and wanted things her way. I could definitely understand if she made a couple of enemies from time to time.
I think what I found interesting was that Sean, Sara and Jimmy Voight (an investigator with them) seemed to have some resistance by the police so I am not sure what occurred in the past as this was the first book I have read by this author.
The ending did surprise me and I liked that.
What to expect from the McKinley Mysteries:
Romance. Humor. Murder. Are you looking for a murder mystery without all the graphic violence and foul language? Something that you can enjoy in an afternoon and walk away feeling good about afterward? How about a dash of humor and romance? If so, meet former detectives Sean and Sara McKinley. When a billionaire leaves them all his money, they no longer have to work, but they find themselves sticking to what they’re good at—solving murders. Undercover, off the books, and around the world, they’ll get to the bottom of things…and romance it up along the way.
CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.
Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.
Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.
She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada and Sisters in Crime.
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Every Day Is Halloween
“Cozy mysteries are my new addiction. This is my first book by Carolyn Arnold and after completing it her other works were immediately added to my TBR list. Even though Halloween is Murder is part of the McKinley series, it can be read as a standalone.”
–2 Girls & A Book
Ask anyone who loves Halloween and they’ll probably tell you their favorite part about it is dressing up. When you put on a costume, you can be whomever—or whatever—you want. It’s liberating! On top of that, it’s likely that there are all kinds of goodies lying around the house.
When I was a girl, I loved playing Barbie. I loved dressing her up and assigning her whatever life story I wanted. And, man, did I enjoy it! Maybe for a little too long, in fact. I kept playing into my early teens! At the time, I felt like some sort of freak. I certainly wouldn’t have wanted this news to get out to the kids at school. They probably would have called me a baby or something like that. So I kept this part of my life a secret, and I justified my addiction by pinning the blame on my sister, who is six years younger than me—she needed someone to play with!
Now that I’m older—much, much older—I look back and find this aspect of my past amusing. I realize that it’s absolutely nothing to be embarrassed about, but it shows me that I’ve always loved telling stories and acting them out. No wonder I became an author!
In the grand scheme of things, Halloween is very similar. The holiday allows people of all ages to participate in this fantasy, if only for one night. But as an author, I get to experience Halloween every day of the year. I become someone else every time I sit at my desk and immerse myself into the worlds of my characters. I get to delve into their minds, to know their thoughts, their feelings, their personalities, their lives. And I get to share my imagination with my readers. Now that’s a real treat!
Speaking of, I’m going to grab a small bowl of candy corn and gummy peaches and get to writing. Happy Halloween!
Carolyn Arnold
October 17, 2017
STARS IN THE MORNING by Laura Strickland
STARS IN THE MORNING
Landmarks Series
by Laura Strickland
Genre: Historical Romance, Americana
Accused of ruining Mae Ballard and faced with a shotgun wedding, Jefferson Lind knows exactly who’s to blame. He’s been taking the fall for Jedediah’s sins as long as he can remember. Mae’s a shrieking shrew, and he hasn’t seen Jed, his identical twin, since they worked digging the Erie Canal together. If he’d been ordered to marry Mae’s sweet younger sister Rosie, instead, he sure wouldn’t complain.
Rosie’s the only member of her family who believes Jeff, and she’d go to any lengths to free him from her sister’s clutches. But when Jedediah turns up with violent thugs on his tail, things quickly grow more dangerous. Gamblers from Buffalo seize both sisters as hostages, prompting a daring impersonation. Can Jeff and Jed shed their troubled past and win the hearts of the women they love?
She poured some of the septic powder she'd brought into the basin. "Let's get you cleaned up first, eh?"
A few of the scrapes were deep. Clearly he'd had a go at washing them off and done a poor job. The next few moments were painful to both of them. Rosie hated hurting anyone, except maybe Mae. Her sympathetic agony, however, was offset by the sheer pleasure of touching him.
By heaven, to have such a man beneath her hands! He smelled like sunshine, fresh air and tangy male, and it went straight to her head.
She concentrated on separating herself from the feelings surging through her and failed completely when he suddenly raised his hand and touched her cheek.
"What happened to you?"
All sense had gone out of Rosie's mind; she had to search it to remember.
"Oh, that was Mae."
"Mae?" His tawny eyes narrowed between their swollen lids. "She hit you?"
Rosie smiled ruefully. "She did."
"Nasty baggage. She left a bruise."
"Don't worry about me, Mr. Lind."
"I think you should call me Jeff, don't you? Seeing as how you're the one person in the world who believes I’m not a liar."
"Jeff," Rosie repeated, suddenly breathless.
"My misbegotten brother is Jed—Jedediah and Jefferson." Humor tinged his voice. "I'm called after the great president."
"Lucky you."
"Never been lucky, no not me." His eyes looked into hers, dodging nothing. "At least, I never was."
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Award-winning author Laura Strickland delights in time traveling to the past and searching out settings for her books, be they Historical Romance, Steampunk or something in between. Born and raised in Western New York, she’s pursued lifelong interests in lore, legend, magic and music, all reflected in her writing. Although she enjoys travel, she’s usually happiest at home with her husband and her "fur" child, a rescue dog. Author of numerous Historical and Contemporary Romances, she resides within walking distance of the Erie Canal.
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BETTING ON CINDERELLA by Petie McCarty
BETTING ON CINDERELLA
The Cinderella Romances, book 2
by Petie McCarty
Genre: contemporary romance
Garrett Tucker inherits his grandfather's casino empire and steps into the reclusive billionaire's shoes as the "Prince of Vegas." His first act is to buy a bankrupt casino in Biloxi. When he discovers embezzling in his new operation, Garrett goes in undercover. His prime suspect is the new finance supervisor—the spitfire brunette who stole his heart at first sight.
Andi Ryan moves to Biloxi to care for her godmother and takes a job as finance supervisor for the renovated Bayou Princess casino. She discovers someone is skimming from the till and starts her own investigation, worried she will be blamed for the theft when the new owner discovers her godmother has a gambling addiction.
Garrett's rival Vegas competitor has sent a spy in to ruin the Bayou Princess, and Garrett and Andi are forced to work together to prove her innocence and discover the identity of their casino spy.
Garrett mentally kicked himself. He had gone and scared her.
Too much. Too soon.
But he couldn’t make himself move. He could lie here forever with Andi in his arms.
She wriggled from his grasp to sit up. “Um . . .”
“What?”
She looked too uncertain.
Not good.
He was okay with, “Not now, but maybe later.”
“I can’t,” she whispered.
Good thing he was sitting down. The jangle of fear that hit him could have knocked his knees out from under him.
“Can’t or won’t?” he forced out. No maybes on this one.
“Both.”
What the hell? Can’t and won’t?
All his uncertainties flooded back. Flora had said Andi and Peters were just friends. Was that friends with benefits? And what about that damn Drakos pawing her last week? No, he wouldn’t let those doubts crowd them here on the couch.
“Too soon?” he tried.
“Partly.” She looked away, and his heart sank amongst the growing heap of doubts.
“There’s someone else,” he said flatly, working to keep his expression blank and the hurt at bay.
She met his gaze square on then, no doubt trying to muscle her courage. “There’s something I should tell you.”
Damn.
“I’m—” She exhaled hard. “—no good at it.”
What? Is that all?
He fought back a grin of pure joy. “I’ll give you lessons.” He pulled her back for another kiss.
She shoved at his chest. “No. I don’t think I should.”
She flinched at his expression, and he worked to smooth his scowl.
“Go ahead. Spit it out.” Even he didn’t like his tone. “You’re sleeping with someone else, right?”
He should have done his homework before he went off half-cocked with all the flowers and balloons, trying to woo her.
“No, and I should slap you for that, suggesting I’m loose enough to go out with you while sleeping with someone else.”
“Then what the hell is it?” he shouted, forgetting all about Flora at the back of the house.
“I’ve never done it before!” she shouted back.
“What? Slapped someone?”
“No, you jerk. Slept with someone.” This, she didn’t shout.
He froze, right down to his heartbeat, and stared at her bright-pink cheeks. Could it be? Was she? A virgin?
“Holy smokes,” he wheezed.
She stared at her untouched glass of wine. “I’m not saying you and I will never,” she said softly.
Relief, warm and desperate, allowed his muscles to finally move. He gently traced the line of her cheek with his finger, a lump forming in his throat at the touch of something so rare and priceless.
“Glad to hear that.” He brushed his lips across hers, light as a whisper. Once. “My little sweetheart.” Twice. “My precious—” Three times. Always a charm.
“You’re not mad?”
Those big blue eyes stared up at him with an innocence that made his too-experienced heart ache with emotion.
“Mad?”
Should he tell her he wanted to go outside and howl his joy at the moon? To yell to the world what a lucky son of a gun he was? His Andi would be his Andi—proprietary, like his stock portfolio. All his. No one else. A primal sense of possessiveness overwhelmed him.
“No, sweetheart, not mad. Glad,” he managed, then tugged her close and let his kiss show her exactly how he felt.
“When you’re ready,” he said against her lips. “Only when you’re ready.”
He had finally said and done the right thing, for she grabbed his shirt and laid an eye-crossing kiss on him.
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Cinderella's fairy tale moves to Jupiter Island, Florida where Lily Foster, owner of an eclectic landscape nursery, is mistaken for a wealthy socialite by billionaire resort developer Rhett Buchanan. Overdue for a little romance in her life, Lily is anxious for one fabulous date with her handsome prince, so she cultivates her inadvertent masquerade.
Rhett Buchanan has become jaded with the Palm Beach social scene, dominated by scheming women desperate for more money -- his money. Rhett falls hard when he meets Lily Foster. She is a breath of fresh air after the smog of gold diggers constantly surrounding him.
For Rhett and Lily, it's love at first sight until her deception comes to light and pitches their relationship into a disastrous tailspin. Well-meaning friends are determined to intercede and resort to inept high jinks to reunite the estranged couple while a wicked ex-girlfriend plays dirty to keep the couple apart.
Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World -- "The Most Magical Place on Earth" -- where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and her mystery-romance-with-elements-of-suspense series, the Mystery Angel Romances.
Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband, a spoiled-rotten English Springer spaniel addicted to pimento-stuffed green olives, and a noisy Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in Angel to the Rescue.
Visit Petie's web site online or her Facebook page.
EXACTING REVENGE by Kimmie Easley
EXACTING REVENGE
Executioners MC Series, book 2
by Kimmie Easley
Genre: MC Romance/Romantic Suspense (Spicy, MC level violence)
Cover Model: Alfie Gordillo
Photographer: Reggie Deanching
Cover Designer: Cassy Roop
Release Date: Nov 20, 2017
Ronin grows hungrier. Only two things can feed his appetite. Jolene and power.
With a rogue soldier and an enemy club fast on their wheels, the Executioners are left with little option to keep their family whole. Now, away from home territory, Ronin is finding out the trouble may hit closer to the heart of the club.
Can he keep Jolene safe, steer his brothers in a profitable direction, and be the Soldier at Arms he’s called to be without falling on the wrong side of the pavement?
Exacting Revenge is the second, spicy installment in the Executioners MC Series.
Series Order: X Marks the Spot – Executioners MC (Book #1)
I try, once again, to fall asleep. Fucking impossible. I can’t rest knowing the Pistol Kings have the Executioners on their hit list. I can’t think with Jolene in danger.
My only job in life is to keep her safe. She’s the only thing that matters.
I watch her sleep. Her long hair is fanned out across the pillow and she must have kicked off her covers while tossing and turning. Her t-shirt has ridden up, revealing her tight tummy, and a tiny, black thong with little strings is lining her slim hips.
Fuck.
She owns that deep-down part of me. That small part of me that is good. I don’t know, my spirit or soul, whatever the fuck they want to call it, belongs to her.
Better her than me.
She stirs. “Hey baby. Come to bed.” She props herself up on one elbow. Her long locks fall around her bare shoulders. A sleepy grin curves in the corners of her full lips, still swollen from the delicious sex just hours earlier.
With pleasure.
I lie next to her, coiling my arms around her tiny frame. I curl her up, resting her against my inked chest. That X across my heart that connects us, forever. I can feel the rise and fall of her breath as her perfect tits move with her breathing. She’s out again. I remember back to what it was like to not have her in my life. It sends an immediate boulder straight to my gut. That’s a reality I can’t survive.
Executioners MC Series, book 1
Jolene Miller barely escaped the dark underworld of being the president’s daughter of a notorious motorcycle club. After having her heart broken by Ronin, the MC’s Sargent at Arms, she tried to navigate a normal life as an up and coming criminal defense attorney.
When the only family she’s ever known comes under fire, Jolene rushes home to Jericho, California to step in - only to find it’s not just the club who needs her.
Ronin is wanted for murder.
Can Jolene let go of their tortured past in order to save their future?
Kimmie is an international best selling romance author who has grown up traveling the country, rarely settling in one place for much longer than a minute. Being no stranger to heartache and pain, she allows her unconventional childhood to fuel her writing.
Kimmie is addicted to all things books, wine, cupcakes, and flip flops. She is a homeschool momma, southern wife, and pug wrangler.
Kimmie can be found somewhere in the south writing wine worthy stories.
EVIL AWAKENED by J.M. LeDuc
EVIL AWAKENED
The Kiche Chronicles, book 1
by J.M. LeDuc
Genre: Native American/Urban Fantasy/Young Adult
From one generation to the next, legends of good and evil have been passed down around Indian campfires. With each passing generation, less is believed. To the young, they’re just stories, but to the elders, they are warnings.
In the woods, which border between the reservation and the Everglades, four teenage Cree braves recite an ancient ritual. Not understanding the words they say or the implications of their actions, they call forth a demon which had been cast into the netherworld with no chance of escape . . . unless man called it back. Free, it has one plan; build an army of beasts, and ultimately, become immortal by feeding on the spirit of the one destined to become the Kiche—the Sky Spirit Goddess.
It has been foretold that the gates of the netherworld will be opened and it will take the wiles and courage of a sixteen-year-old girl, whose skin is as white as winter’s snow, to send the demons back and save an entire nation.
Pamoon, left abandoned at birth on a Cree reservation, has been marked with a flame on both her neck and left palm. All her life, they have been a nuisance, but now they mark her destiny. With the fate of her friends’ lives on the line, will she have the courage to pick up the gauntlet and walk the path the fates chose for her before her birth? In EVIL AWAKENED, Pamoon and her wolf cub, Scout, begin a journey that may end in her demise or might possibly take her to worlds only humans can imagine. A journey to both heaven and hell. A path only the one destined to become the Kiche—the Sky Spirit Goddess—can travel. She’ll need help if she is to survive; help only the spirits can provide. Let’s pray it arrives in time.
Whatever evil man creates, only man can defeat.
Chapter One
The woods have always been sacred to Native Americans, but sacred doesn’t always equate with good. Like the sweet smell of Pine sap mixed with the pungent odor of decaying humus, spirits run the gamut of good and bad.
Spirits always hear the cries of those who call them; tonight . . . they’ll answer.
March 2, 12:10 a.m.
The smell of the Slash pines and Live oaks permeated the thick blanket of humidity. The temperature remained tolerable, but with air so thick, it was as if the clouds had descended from the sky and fallen upon the earth. The stillness of night and cover of foliage made the environment more oppressive. To a tourist or stranger, the weather might have seemed unbearable, but to those who grew up in and around the Florida Everglades, it was just another early spring evening.
Bobby and his friends huddled around a small, dimly lit fire nestled in the woods between the city limits of Swamp Ridge and the Indian reservation. Sweat poured from their skin, and alcohol swam through their bloodstream. Their teenage, liquor-infused imaginations burned hotter than the heat emanating from the glowing embers. Beer cans and an empty bottle of cheap gin littered the makeshift campground.
“I’m not sure about this,” Bobby, the most rational of the four, said. “You know what Powaw says about this stuff.”
Scott laughed at Bobby’s apprehension. “Don’t be such an âpakosîs,” he slurred. “We’re just screwing around. Besides, Powaw’s nuts. All the elders are crazy.”
Glassy-eyed, Bobby glared at his friend and pointed a stick in his direction. “Don’t call me a mouse. It just doesn’t feel right messing with this kind of thing.”
Mike, the alpha of the group, took his last swig of beer and crushed the can, belching at the same time. “You two losers are always arguing. Let’s do this.” Bobby watched him look over at Ralph, lying on the ground, passed out with pine needles stuck to his face. “Wake up the lightweight,” Mike said. “He has the spell.”
“They’re not spells,” Bobby mumbled under his breath. “We’re not witches.”
“Witches are girls, warlocks are guys,” Scott corrected.
Grunting, Bobby threw his hands up. “Witches, warlocks, it doesn’t matter.”
Mike took a step toward Bobby, his hands balled into fists. “What’d you say?”
“Relax, Mikey,” Scott said, stepping between them. “Every time you get drunk, you want to pick a fight with one of us.”
“I’m not drunk. I just don’t like when Einstein over here says shit under his breath.”
Bobby eyeballed his friend, squinting, trying to erase the double vision. “I said we’re not warlocks, we’re Cree braves. We don’t cast spells; we conduct ceremonies to awaken spirits.”
Scott shoved him, jokingly. “You’ve been spending way too much time with the elders. We’re just out here screwing around. You know as well as I do, this stuff is just legend. These things don’t actually work.”
“Then why bother? Let’s just clean up and go home.”
Mike brushed the dirt off his jeans, tied his long, black hair back in a knot on top of his head, and smirked. “We do it because it’s cool. There is nothing for us to do back on the reservation; at least this gives us a reason to come out here and drink. If you’re scared, little âpakosîs, then go home.”
Tossing the stick into the fire, Bobby’s face crimsoned. “I’m here, aren’t I,” he said. Balancing himself precariously, he shoved Ralph with the toe of his boot. “Wake up.”
Mike splashed beer on his friend’s face to speed up the process.
Drunkenly, Ralph slapped at the alcohol, smudging the dirt on his face, then stumbled to his feet.
After giving Ralph a few minutes to focus his thoughts, Bobby and the others formed a circle around the fire. Taking in the view, he thought of how all his friends looked different, yet they were, at their very core, the same. He was the smallest of the four, but the smartest. Ralph was the quiet one, yet he could be dared into trying anything. Scott was the biggest, the group’s protector. He’d stand up to anyone who dared insult his friends. And then there was Mike. Mike was the athlete, the one who seemed to go through puberty when he was ten, and always acted as if he had too much testosterone rushing through his veins.
All different, yet the same. They all had an olive skin tone with a complexion most girls would kill for. They all had straight, silky, black hair which they wore long and straight. And they were all proud of their Native American heritage.
All different, yet the same.
Bobby’s thoughts were interrupted by the sound of Ralph clearing his throat. Turning his attention to his friend, he watched Ralph pull the ritual he had torn out of his grandfather’s old book from his pocket, unfold the paper, and start reading.
“Kihci Macimanito, Pimihawin Mistikwan, koskonowewin. Tatawaw ota. Kîyânaw natohtamawin kiya ôma wîcihiwewin. Kiya katikaweyin peyakotipiyimisiwin ohtâyihk ana asahpicekewin kiya.”
The trio repeated the Cree words none of them understood and could barely pronounce.
Bobby eyed Ralph, who had stopped reading and gruffed his frustration. “If you want the spirits to hear us, we need to say this like we mean it.”
The four exchanged glances; Ralph nodded and started reading from the beginning. This time, the others repeated the words as if they believed whatever it was they were saying.
The still, stale air was broken by a breeze that whistled through the woods causing the rustling of leaves and branches, creating the sound of shaking maracas. The sudden change in the environment seemed to energize Ralph, who began to recite the words with increased attitude and volume. The others followed suit, and with every word emoted, the winds surged and swirled.
The gusts swept the dirt, pine needles, and dying embers into the night, making them feel like bee stings striking Bobby’s face. An unexplained fear began to bubble inside him as he slapped the dirt from his eyes. Trembling, he tore the paper from Ralph’s hand to stop him from repeating the ritual. Crumpling it in his fist, he threw the paper towards the fire. An acrid blast of wind blew it away from the flames and swept it toward the trees.
The hair on the back of Bobby’s neck tingled. “I don’t like the way this feels,” he whispered, dread dripping from his words. “Let’s get the hell out of here.”
The others must have felt the same way, for they hastily grabbed their packs and started running.
As Bobby raced through the low-branched pines, he thought he heard Mike. The squeal was so short-lived, he couldn’t be sure; his fear forced him to run faster. With each burst of wind, he heard another one of his friends cry out. The combination of running, alcohol, and adrenaline made him want to throw up; he choked it down and kept moving. Turning back toward the noise, Bobby saw nothing through the curtain of night. The air, thicker and heavier than before, forced him to breathe through his mouth. Turning forward, he glimpsed a low hanging branch in his peripheral vision—too little, too late. The bow smacked his forehead, knocking him to the dirt. Instinctively, his hand went to his cheek; he felt the sharp sting of the gash and the wet warmth of fresh blood. His feet scrambling, his hands clawing, it took all his resolve to put one foot in front of the other. His legs finding a rhythm, he sprinted onward.
Seeing the lights of the reservation through the thickness of leaves, Bobby emitted a short sigh of relief before one last gust of wind struck his face. His eyes screamed in horror and his vocal cords danced in pain, but sound never moved past his lips.
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Mark Adduci, writing as J. M. LeDuc, is a native Bostonian, who transplanted to South Florida in 1985. He shares his love and life with his wife, Sherri and his daughter, Chelsea.
Blessed to have had a mother who loved the written word, her passion was passed on to him. It is in her maiden name he writes.
J.M. LeDuc's first novel, "Cursed Blessing," won a Royal Palm Literary Award in 2008 as an unpublished manuscript in the thriller category and was published in 2010. The rest of the Trilogy of the Chosen: "Cursed Presence" and "Cursed Days" followed in 2012, as well as a novella, "Phantom Squad"--a prequel to the trilogy. "Cornerstone," the continuation of the Phantom Squad Series was published in 2013 to critical acclaim.
"SIN" is the first book in the new Sinclair O'Malley Series.
J.M. is a proud member of the prestigious International Thriller Writers (ITW) as well as the Florida Writers Association (FWA) and loves to interact with his fans. He can be reached at jm_leduc@yahoo.com and on Facebook on his author page.
UNACQUAINTED by Leigh Lennon
UNACQUAINTED
by Leigh Lennon
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Rose
One night was all I could offer to a man I barely knew. I intended to return to my perfectly planned life, but now he is back, and with him the reminder of the irrefutable connection we shared.
It’s still there.
I crave him.
One night may unravel my perfect plans as I find myself at a crossroad between security and desire.
Brody
One night, that was all she could give me. Yet here I am back in her life as fate has intervened. When I first saw her in that form-fitting red silky dress,
I was captivated.
She owns my heart.
As I set out to make her mine, she has to choose between her past and future. I don’t think I will survive if her choice isn't me.
Rose
As expected, my mom shows up with Pad Thai, my favorite. “Mom, I said I would cook.”
“I never get take out, I got used to it for years and now Nick has this policy of cooking each night, so indulge your mom,” she spouts off as the hurricane known as Justine Wallace arrives on my front porch. Hurrying past me, she makes her way to the kitchen and at home in my house.
Embracing her, she says, “So, I heard you had a visitor last night?” Her smile tells me to spill it all while she unpacks our dinner.
“What?” I ask.
“Kai told me he gave your mysteriously handsome guy you disappeared with the night of their wedding your phone number. So, one last fling before Jones gets back?”
My mom is not the normal mother. Growing up, we had luxuries afforded to us most kids didn’t. Basically, if we were honest with Mom, we were allowed to do most anything. We could go to parties, hell, Mom would drop us off and pick us up. After my mom finally approved of Jones, which was a long haul and a longer story, she made sure I was given all the resources necessary when we started having sex, though the first time, I did it behind her back. And when Jane would come up from Sacramento to see Kai, she stayed in his room. We were given a lot of leeway in life and for this reason, my mom really has become my best friend.
With a smile on, I say, “Mom, it isn’t quite the way you think. First off, technically I am back with Jones. We have talked about making a commitment. You know we took this year and a half away to see if we truly were meant for each other. Last week he’d said he was ready to move forward in the next step of our relationship.” I stop for a second to collect my thoughts. My mom really should be the easiest person I break this to, yet now the butterflies invading my stomach add company to the baby I’m now growing in there. “Well, we were going to try but something has changed. It's one of the reasons I had you come over tonight.”
Sensing the seriousness in my eyes, my mom leaves our food in the kitchen, leading me to the couch to sit down. With a small smirk on her face, she says, “Well, could it have something to do with the cute young man who came by last night?”
“Indirectly, sort of. I guess a product of…” I trail off as my mom stares me down.
“What? You have me confused, Rose,” I know Justine Wallace hates being confused.
Brody
When we stop a couple of hours up the road to fill up my tank, she asks me to get her a bag of Skittles. “Ah, you have a little sweet tooth about you,” I tease.
When we get back on the freeway, I notice she has poured all her Skittles out on her lap into a handkerchief I assume she had in her purse. “What in the world are you doing, Toots?” I ask.
Looking at me, she only smiles. “I have to eat my Skittles in color order,” she says as if this is common sense.
“And what is color order?” I ask, not knowing there is indeed an etiquette to eating Skittles.
“It’s rainbow order, silly. Red first, then orange, yellow, green, blue and purple.” She scoffs at me and I’m not sure how to even respond to her. My girl is a little quirky. Quirky has never bothered me before.
“Well, now that I know I’ve been doing it wrong all these years, I will be following suit, Toots,” I tease but she doesn’t say much, just smiles at me while she eats all the red Skittles, one at a time, before moving on to the next color.
After her Skittles are eaten, she falls asleep in my passenger seat. Being so beautiful, with full breasts, luscious lips and dark skin, there is no denying the looks make her attractive but there is a connection I can’t resist denying, not that I want to.
As she stirs, I say, “Well, we made good time so let’s stop.”
Rose stretches, looking at the hotel I have pulled into. “Wow, Brody. I didn’t think it was possible but this hotel matches your car.” The truth is money is tight, so I need something as inexpensive as possible. Plus, I feel I should pay for Rose’s room.
“Okay, now that hurts, Toots,” I say, trying to feign a look of shock. She has given me notice on my car, but it has been a good car that I wanted to keep for another year, though I understand her worries concerning our child.
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Justine
I never will get my happy ending. With my past threatening to ruin the possibility of love in my future, I keep every man at arm’s length. Nick appears out of thin air, becoming a part of my life instantly, leaving me breathless and wanting more. The pain that haunts me is still present, but Nick is worth the risk. When he promises me forever; can I trust him?
Nick
Justine makes me see that a forever is in reach with her. She keeps telling me she is hard to love; yet I find it quite easy. Once I break down her walls, she finally lets me in. But, I have a secret of my own which can expose her to the demons that destroyed me in the past. However, with Justine, I will do anything and everything to make her mine.
Leigh Lennon is mother, veteran and a wife of a cancer survivor. Originally with a degree in education, she started writing as an outlet that has led a deep passion as she wrote twelve books. Now ready to publish all of them, she lugs her computer with her as she crafts her next story. She can be found drinking coffee or wine, depending on the time of the day.
October 13, 2017
Back 2 School Special
REJOICE! The children are back in school.
For those who live to read...here are some awesome books provided by the incredible authors who wrote them. All in celebration of the new school year.
While a few of these books might be oldies, but goodies...others could be new and fresh off the presses.
Relax and find your new favorite author.
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MIXED GENRES
Over the last month and a half Magic of Books has presented ten different genres. This post is a mix of genres that may not have been previously presented. Included in this post are genres ranging from self-help to fiction to memoirs.
Please enjoy these books. The list is available in alphabetically order by title.
Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win an Amazon Giftcard.
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50 Things No One Tells You About Book Publishing by Ella Medler
Non-Fiction Author resources - Selfhelp
50 Things No One Tells You About Book Publishing – Clever Solutions To Help You Deal With Publishing, Clearly And Truthfully Explained
The first steps into publishing can be a bewildering experience. This book is intended to remove the pink filters and show Publishing for what it is. Secrets are revealed, myths debunked, practical solutions and coping strategies provided – all tried and tested. Whether you are still deciding whether authorship is for you or you have already caught the bug, this is your honest, clear guide to the many things you should be aware of.
A Day of Pleasure by Cora Cade
Contemporary Fiction
Welcome to the Drunken Duck, a pub where the men are fine as hell and the ladies know how to get what they want.
In MORNING LIGHT, Noah Harper returns home from deployment to find his kid brother’s best friend isn’t a tomboy anymore. Tennyson Sharpe has been waiting for Noah to notice her for nearly ten years and she’ll be damned if she lets the opportunity pass.
When Army Ranger Callum Eversman arrives on the scene in TWO IN THE AFTERNOON, he’ll do anything to protect Molly Ryan, but will a hot fling satisfy her craving for him
Chris Harper falls hard for the feisty Lainey Eversman in STAY THE NIGHT. She’s got a hands-off policy when it comes to pretty boys, but Chris is out to prove he’s nothing like the man she left behind.
A Day of Pleasure Anthology:
Book #1: Morning Light
Book #2: Two in the Afternoon
Book #3: Stay the Night
Defined by Others by M.C.V. Egan
Women's Contemporary Fiction
A word, a single word defines a moment for Anne. She needs to find a new one when her spouse leaves her at the age of 47, coming out of the closet literally in a closet. She finds herself back in her hometown amongst her high school friends which she left behind in her past.
An inheritance from a friend leaves her with the means to meddle and spy on the lives of some of their mutual acquaintances. In an attempt to run from her reality Anne gets engrossed in a game of "fun" and "flirtation" with her friend and fellow sufferer Connie at her side. Anne however did not read all the files and what to her is fun games turns into a deadly reality. It is no longer a game.
Life, death and not even a defining word can stop the reality of manipulation.
Luck Be an Angel by Liza O'Connor
Action/Adventure
Reporter, Ethan Long, is sent into the backwoods of Arkansas to investigate a woman who claims her sixteen boys were born by Immaculate Conception. Not believing in divine intervention, Ethan plans to uncover the identity of the man who continues to impregnate Sara Smith every year, leaving her to raise her sons on nothing but luck and love. He enters their home as a tutor and eventually discovers the truth, but not before he has fallen in love with Sara and her wonderful boys. Now he must face his own crossroad in life and decide whether to follow his heart or his professional obligations.
The Bridge of Deaths by M.C.V. Egan
Historical Fiction
The Bridge of Deaths is based on the crash of Lockheed Electra10A G-AESY August 15, 1939. True events and real people investigated through conventional and unconventional sources in Denmark, England, Mexico and the United States. The reader feel that he/she is also sifting through data and forming their own conclusions.
The Business of Writing by Kim Headlee
Non-Fiction Author resources - Selfhelp
Have you written a book but don’t know how to go about getting it published?
Have you published a book but need advice distributing it to more sales channels?
Are you hunting for more ways to improve your bottom line?
The Business of Writing: Practical Insights for Independent, Hybrid, and Traditionally Published Authors is the go-to guide for everyone wishing to start—or jump-start—their writing careers.
Whether you write fiction or nonfiction, discover the answers to such questions as:
—Do I really need to incorporate, what “flavor” of company should I set up, and how do I take the plunge?
—How do I manage my writing expenses and taxes?
—What is an ISBN, where do I get one, and how many will I need?
—What is an imprint and how do I establish one for my books?
—What decisions must I face in the prepublication phase?
—Do I need to register my book’s copyright and how do I accomplish it? What about using other copyrighted materials?
—How on earth do I condense my 100K-word book to a 300-word description, let alone a 20-word tagline?
—How do I select the best keywords for my book?
—What makes for a great cover and how can I get one?
—What do I need to know about book formatting—print as well as digital?
—How can I turn my book into an audiobook?
—How do I develop and refine my author brand?
—How can I land invitations to speak at conferences and conventions?
—I use several pseudonymns. How do I manage them all?
—What’s an ARC? A media kit? A book trailer? A blog tour?
—Do I really need to start a blog? Send out a newsletter? Dive into social media? Give away my books?
—How do I price my book? Should I pick one price or vary it? Where are the best places to advertise my sale events?
—How much is all of this going to cost me??
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the publication and promotion process, let award-winning, critically acclaimed author Kim Iverson Headlee give you the practical wisdom you need to stay on task and perhaps even come out ahead.
Ty's Journey: Sharing the Lessons, Life and Love of My Adopted PTSD Collie by Ryan Jo Summers
Non-Fiction, Memior, Pets
In March, 2015, nine collies were transported from a Tennessee neglect/ hoarding situation to a North Carolina breed-rescue organization. They were collectively called ""The Baseball Team"", and individually they were given baseball-themed names.They were all untrained, neglected and distrustful of people.Some had reverted to near wild-dog instinctive behavior. A male blue merle called Ty Cobb was the first to be adopted.
His adopted 'mama' recorded the first two years of their journey, chronicling their challenges, doubts, setbacks, successes, surprises, and ultimate triumphs as Ty first learned to trust, then to blossom and thrive.
Written in diary style, this is the story of that one particular, unique collie. He went from being a near-feral hoarding victim, without even a name, through a long trail of adjustments, to belonging to a family that treasured him for the special hallmarks that make him 'Ty'. Along the way, as he healed, he also brought healing to others in need.
* A portion of each sale of this book will go to benefit the Collie Rescue of the Carolina's.
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ALL I WANT FOR HALLOWEEN by Marie Harte
ALL I WANT FOR HALLOWEEN
by Marie Harte
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tonight, she plans to let go.
Dressed up and anonymous, Sadie Liberato feels powerful, sexy and free. Where better to lose herself than a masked party?
Gear Blackstone's cheating ex and scheming best friend have managed to spin his life into a serious downward spiral. At least with a mask on he can cut loose for one night. And cut loose he does―with the sexiest, snarkiest chick he's ever met.
After a scorching-hot encounter, Sadie and Gear are desperate to find each other in real life. But can the heat last when the masks come off?
“Harte pens a sizzlingly sexy romance that is both playful and meaningful, exploring real and metaphorical masks, perception, and reality.” KIRKUS
He grabbed the TV remote from her hands, lifted her up and settled her on his lap while he flicked through channels.
“Hey. That’s mine.”
“I’m a guest.” He batted her grabby hands away.
“Well, you can’t stay late. I have to be up early tomorrow to set up for the festival.” Sadie told him about Sofa’s stand, where they’d be selling hot cider and goodies.
“Are you there all day? I’d call and ask you about it tomorrow, but we both know you never answer your phone.”
“Shut up about that already.” He’d swear she sounded embarrassed. “I said I’d talk to you the next time you called.”
“Gosh, Sadie. I’m the luckiest man on earth,” he said in his best Lassie’s-the-best-dog-in-the-world voice.
She shook with laughter, then yawned.
“Ah, I win. I outlasted the mean chick.”
“We’re playing a game?” she asked.
One where I win the girl if I’m careful. Oh hell. Do I want to win the girl? Then Sadie kissed the underside of his chin and snuggled close. Sugar and cherries hit him hard.
“No game, Sadie. I’m not good at playing them.”
“Me neither. I’m a lightweight. It’s sad.”
He smiled and rested his chin on top of her head. “I wouldn’t call you a lightweight. More like welterweight. Maybe light middleweight.”
She chuckled. “You’re a funny guy.”
“Don’t sound so surprised.” He kissed the top of her head.
“Mmm. I like that. You’re warm.” After a pause, she rubbed his pecs, and his heart gave a strangled leap. “If you’re free tomorrow, you should stop by. I’ll give you free cider.”
“Well, for free cider, I might have to.”
She nodded, her breath warm against his chest. A few moments passed, her breathing growing deeper, more even. “Gear?”
“Yeah, honey?”
“Am I boring?”
He frowned. “You? Boring? You’re the least boring person I know. Scary, cantankerous—and yes, I know what that means. I do read, you know. Oh, and obnoxious. But boring? Hell no.”
He felt her smile against his chest. “Good. You aren’t either. And I’m glad Sahara cheated on you.”
The hurt he felt surprised him, mostly because he hadn’t expected Sadie to be cruel.
“Because you deserve so much better than her.”
He relaxed, stunned to go from feeling high to low and back to high again. “Boring, Sadie? You? Never.” He stroked her hair, loving that she left it long, out of a ponytail.
She fell asleep in his arms, and he wondered how he could feel such bone-deep contentment with a woman he’d met only a week ago. A woman he didn’t want to leave, even though he knew it would be best for both of them in the long run.
But Gear had never been all that smart. So he carried her into her bedroom and tucked her in. The soft blue room needed further exploring, but not now. So he kissed her goodbye, fit her into a compartment in his brain, and his heart, and left, locking up as he walked out.
Once home and in bed, he set his alarm for ten. He had things to do in the morning. And people to see. One dark-haired siren in particular.
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✯✯✯✯Fun and Sexy Read
By bookjunkie on October 1, 2017
All I Want for Halloween is a quick fast read that is more about finding yourself and love rather than the day itself.
Sadie Liberato, a career gym rat is forced by her brother to attend a Halloween party where she has to interact with people when she'd rather sit at home all night on the couch and watch tv. But she happens to run into Gear Blackstone, the reality tv star of Motorcycle Madnezz. One thing leads to another and they find themselves in a compromising position.
The attraction between Sadie and Gear is instant and even though the timeframe for their relationship is slim, the author does not make it cheesy. They have some hot and heavy sex scenes which makes it all the better.
This is a fun and quirky novel. The banter between the characters will have you laughing out loud and wondering if these people exist in real life.
This is my first book by Marie Harte, but I do plan to read more of her works in the future. Hopefully some of the supporting characters in this book will star in their own.
✯✯✯✯✯Totally loved this "tell it like it is" couple.
By Marsha @ Keeper Bookshelf on October 1, 2017
I absolutely adored Sadie and Gear, they are unique personalities and their total honesty set the pace of this book. I do believe though that All I Want For Halloween won’t be for every reader. Now, I happen to love Marie Harte’s work and would never hesitate to pick up a book by her. Yet Sadie and Gear are completely in your face, tell it like it is if you don’t like it tough, a bit of a mean streak, definitely snarky, sassy and hot. They are real life-like in many harder ways. This is not your swooning, anything you say is fine babe type of couple. And I loved them even more for their reality punch.
Neither Sadie nor Gear have a filter between their thoughts and their mouth. If they think it, they say it. I have a friend like them, if you don’t want her honest opinion… don’t ask because she’ll tell you far more than you ever wanted to hear. So, I’m comfortable with these characters for I “get” them.
One Halloween party to cut loose, let whatever happens just happen and forget about the troubles of the rest of the world for a few short hours. What Gear and Sadie discovered was a hotter than hell relationship that fit them perfectly. Sure, there are some bumps along the way, but at their core they understand each other as no one else seems to. They’ll work out just fine, once they get over themselves.
I’d recommend All I Want For Halloween to any Romance reader. Allow yourself to understand two hard, in your face people and watch how everyone has someone that is simply perfect for them. Full of hotness, humor, secondary characters that I want more of and a truly real life couple.
Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit Marie's website and fall in love.
