Julie Elizabeth Powell's Blog, page 67
June 4, 2016
This is a REVIEW/PROMO TOUR FOR RACHEL JONES
PROMO TOUR FOR RACHEL JONES
Desertion and death of her family leaves Jillian Russell alone in the world. A medical diagnosis takes away her performance career. Starting over in Charlotte, North Carolina, she opens a ballet company which takes all her resources and leaves no time to build new relationships.
Trauma surgeon, Alan Armstrong, is determined to fix Jillian’s life before he moves on to set up a rural community clinic that had been the top priority in his life, until he met Jillian.
Will their undeniable connection cause them to change their ambitions so they can be together? Or will they walk away from each other to continue on the paths they had chosen before they met?
Jillian lingered behind, thinking about her students. This was the best group of seven-year olds she had taught since opening the school. She enjoyed teaching all ages but this group was the highlight of her week. Sighing, she wondered if maybe it had something to do with the fact Lily would have been seven this year. Brushing the thought away, she moved to the piano and focused her attention on arranging the music for the dance company’s rehearsal the next night.
Her school of ballet was impressive but her dance company was her crowning glory. Expanding her lungs to their fullest she exhaled, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. The North Carolina Ballet Company, now in its fifth year of existence, continued to experience growing pains and would for several years to come. As they grew in number they also grew in depth and dimension, becoming a cohesive group of artists excited to tell many stories through dance. Their progress was measured by the reputation they enjoyed for offering professional performances to the surrounding communities.
“You have a good-looking group of ballerinas, Jilly,” remarked David as he crossed the studio floor, followed by Alan.
The familiar voice brought a smile to her face. She had met David soon after moving to Charlotte when she was searching for a financial advisor. They had spent a lot of time together working on the financial end of setting up her school. When she took the plunge a year later, with David’s encouragement, and started the North Carolina Ballet Company, he was her biggest fan. Feeling she could trust him with her life, she was grateful he had accepted her invitation to be a part of the company’s initial board of directors.
Turning around at the sound of the tenor voice her eyes darted from her friend to the familiar form standing beside him. Her smile disappeared.
“You!” Jillian took a step back. “What are you doing here?”
“What’s wrong?” David’s gaze bounced back and forth between his friends. “Do you two know each other?”
Her eyes remained fixed on the doctor as if she were seeing him for the first time. He was tall, about six feet she estimated, with thick brown hair and he had the most gorgeous, deep set brown eyes. It was like looking into pools of chocolate and she was finding it hard not to stare. She shifted her gaze to her friend. “I recall seeing him at the hospital, after the explosion.”
“Oh, come on, Ms. Russell. I performed the surgery on your shoulder and I was your doctor for two days—until you fired me. And all you have to say is, ‘I recall seeing you’?”
“If memory serves it was a day and a half. And I’d prefer not talking about anything having to do with the explosion, if you don’t mind.”
“I see. Well, I hope your recovery is going well.”
“Yes it is thank you.”
Amazon US ✯ Amazon Int'l ✯ B&N ✯ Smashwords ✯ Kobo ✯ iTunes ✯ Goodreads
From childhood, Virginia Manning has planned for a career as a concert clarinetist. Blindsided by family circumstances, her plans are interrupted, taking her down a path she would never have chosen. As a music teacher, Virginia’s relationship with the football coach goes from problematic to romantic. After Blake’s brush with death, a scared Virginia runs away looking for the contentment music has always brought to her life.
Because Blake Oliver has experienced disappointment and pain, he opts for a fresh start in a small New England town. Accepting the position of football coach, he isn’t looking for love when it finds him. But when Virginia leaves to pursue a performance career, Blake realizes it’s not where you live but having someone to love that matters. His only problem is making her understand that as well.
Blake was awake when Virginia entered the ICU cubicle. She pushed a chair against the hospital bed so she could hold his hand.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” he said.
Virginia looked at the tiny lines etched on his face. She wished she had magical powers and could erase them and all the pain he had endured the last few days since the accident. “The nurse said I could sit with you. Where’s your father?”
“Stephen took him home to sleep for a while. He’ll be back later.”
Blake shifted toward her and released a groan. “I hate to see you hurting.”
“My nurse was just here asking if I wanted pain medicine. He’s coming back. I would have waited to take the pain killer if I had known a beautiful woman would be stopping by to visit.”
“Good,” she said. “I’m glad you’re not one of those macho men who think it’s not masculine to take pain medicine when you need it.”
“Normally I wouldn’t. But since I’ve had surgery on my leg and I’m dealing with cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and a ruptured diaphragm, I’m willing to compromise my macho image and take the pain killers.”
Virginia frowned at the reminder of what he had been through. The nurse returned with a syringe in his hand. He scanned Blake’s armband and the barcode on the syringe then made a few clicks at the bedside computer.
As he pushed the medication into Blake’s IV line, he said, “Mr. Oliver, this will help with the pain, but it will make you drowsy. Sleep’s not a bad thing since your body needs rest to heal.”
Virginia smiled, knowing he would be escaping from his pain if only for a while. “I’m going to sit here and hold your hand until they throw me out.”
Blake’s eyes flickered open and shut a few times then remained closed. She whispered a prayer for strength, to help her be strong for him. The beeps of the heart monitor became rapid and other alarms sounded. Blake’s nurse rushed into the cubicle. He hit the red button on the wall and shouted, “I need help in here. He’s in V-fib.”
Virginia jumped up from her chair as the space filled with hospital personnel. She was pushed back and then outside. Leaning against the full-length window to support her trembling legs, she was aware of the dampness of her skin. Terror gripped her heart as she watched the surreal scene through the glass partition. The nurse performed chest compressions and in the dream state dominating her consciousness, she wondered if Blake’s chest would hurt later from the contact. Unable to move, her mind became mesmerized by the organized events unfolding in front of her.
A man with neatly combed hair in a white coat said, “Give Amiodarone, three hundred milligrams.”
Someone echoed, “Pushing Amiodarone, three hundred milligrams.”
Another set of hands gave the man paddles attached to the defibrillator on the crash cart. “Set to two hundred joules. Clear,” he said as placed the paddles on Blake’s chest and discharged the shock, causing his body to jump. Virginia watched as everyone paused and then someone uttered the words, ‘sinus rhythm,’ which brought a collective sigh of relief. Most everyone dispersed leaving only a few people at the bedside.
Blake’s nurse came to her and said, “He’s stable, but he’ll be sleeping for awhile. We’ll be watching him closely.”
Virginia brushed at the tears on her cheek. The nurse took a box of tissue from the counter and pushed it toward her. “I know this was a harsh thing to witness. You should go, try to rest and you can come back later.”
“Will he be all right? Could this happen again?”
“Mr. Oliver’s body has been through a lot. But he’s young and healthy. I’m sorry, but I need to get back inside.”
“Please, take care of him.” These were the same words she uttered as she passed the nurses’ station after each visit. But this time, the words were a special plea after witnessing how precarious his medical situation was. If she stayed, her heart would once again be vulnerable as in the past.
Virginia turned and walked away, trying to process what had happened as she moved toward the waiting room to call Blake’s father. The pain in her heart was genuine. An intense pain that went beyond her heart and stirred her soul. Was this what it felt like to lose someone who had become so entwined in your life? She wasn’t sure she would want to go on living if Blake didn’t survive his injuries.
Motto: Despite the struggles, love survives.
While she continued to work her full-time RN job, it was thoughts of what she would do after retirement from her career in healthcare that spurred Rachel to begin writing her first manuscript in March of 2012. Needing guidance and support with her new endeavor, she joined local and national writing groups.
Release day for Rachel’s debut novel, To Dance One More Day, occurred in June 2014. Her second book, Taking A Chance On Love, released in October 2015. She is working on her third manuscript and is planning her first series. Rachel’s books reflect her love of the performing arts. Working as a registered nurse for twenty-five years has influenced the threads of medical drama woven into her storylines.
A music enthusiast for decades, Rachel resides in Kennesaw, Georgia with her husband of thirty-eight years and their spoiled Labrador retriever. She is a member of Georgia Writers Association, Georgia Romance Writers and is a PRO member of Romance Writers of America.
This is a Release Blast for A Time for Love in Paris by Kim Hotzon
A Time for Love in Paris
by
Kim Hotzon
Official genre of book: Time Travel Romance
Cover Designer: Melody Pond
Editor: Deborah Gilbert @ Soul Mate Publishing
In 1975, Elise Sutherland, a young woman from Scotland, travels to Paris, France, to study art at the illustrious Fine Arts School of Paris. After stumbling upon a mysterious old book in the infamous Shakespeare & Company bookstore, she unwittingly travels back in time.
Elise finds Paris at the turn of the century a very different place and succumbs to the charms of Michel Flaubert, a masterful painter and sculptor.
As Michel’s career takes off, he discovers an unusual woman lurking inside his studio. There is simply no other woman in Paris like Elise. Though puzzled by her frequent disappearances, he finds himself infatuated.
Can the two star-crossed lovers find love at the brink of WWII?
Seeing it now, existing in the permanence of marble, pierced Elise’s thickly preserved armor. Her lover, the painter, promised an everlasting symbol of his love for her but she hadn’t had the chance to see it finished. She hadn’t forgotten his hands and the trembling vibration they caused as they connected with her naked skin. Her meticulous lover had demanded endless days of posing, sketching, and sculpting while their love had been born.
There had also been light. Indoor and outdoor light, morning light and candlelight. Sketching, en plein air. Halos of soft light shining from the glow of candles onto their nude bodies. He had loved her, after all.
Burning liquid filled Elise's eyes as she relived the pain of losing him. Like reopening an old wound, the scar tissue was peeled back, exposing the inner flesh inside. Her wound had been severe, bleeding and festering for decades. Elise hadn’t wanted this pain to consume her. She’d strived to forget him over the years. The shock of seeing the statue sent her tail-spinning into remorse and doubt. Did I make the right choice? Did I?
“Oh my . . . How?”
Her voice broke, barely a whisper. Snippets of memories and submerged bits flooded back. The proof of their love sat mere inches away from her, both frightening and exciting. Blinking, Elise released her hands from her throat, sliding them over her chest, settling on the slight hardening in her abdomen.
She pictured herself as the winsome young woman she once was. On the brink of adult life, with the world in front of her. Men who stopped as she passed by, whistling and admiring her femininity and natural allure.
She’d been sought after by a man who’d turned his studio upside down for her. His passion and his inspiration being her and her alone. Wonderful days filled with music, laughter, and the promise of romance.
And then, her lover had disappeared.
In October 2012, Kim Hotzon signed up as a volunteer with Developing World Connections, a Canadian non-profit organization. Partnering with the Rwandan based Building Bridges Rwanda, Kim journeyed to a rural village in Rwanda to help construct a community kitchen for genocide survivors.
Her experience inspired her to write Hands Full of Ashes, a romantic suspense novel. As Kim traveled throughout the region of East Africa, a portrait of the book's hero and heroine emerged—Jan and Olivia. Hands Full of Ashes was nominated for the TRR 2015 Readers' Choice Awards and has recently been nominated for the 2016 RONE Awards.
Kim also wrote a short, contemporary romance, The Snow Bird, part of the anthology Sizzle In The Snow: A Soul Mate Christmas Collection, which hit the Top 100 in Anthologies on Amazon Canada. Her latest novel, A Time for Love in Paris, is a time travel romance, and chronicles the love story of a young woman, Elise Sutherland, and her love affair with a nineteenth century painter.
Ms. Hotzon lives in British Columbia with her husband and children, writing novels in between managing a vintage rental company and competing in dragon boat races.
This is a Release & Review/Promo Tour for THE SAGE SEED CHRONICLES by Holly Barbo
THE SAGE SEED CHRONICLES
Review tour for book 1 - 3
by
Holly Barbo
GENRE: YA Fantasy
There are no monsters on Ose. People can be monstrous enough.
Disaster strikes the beautiful world of Ose. Marisily is one of the Sages who can help heal the planet when nuclear winter pushes the civilization back to the brink of destruction. Only she doesn’t know her own powers yet.
It is survival of the fittest as vicious outlaws destroy all that remains, kidnapping, enslaving and killing those weaker than themselves.
With a bounty on her head, alone and betrayed by her own father, can a young woman find the strength and wisdom necessary to rally the good people of Ose and rebuild their culture?
Sari worsened as the day wore on. She was too weak to fight off the effects of the abuse and the fever at the same time. Marisily was at her mother’s side when she died. She closed her mother’s eyes and wrapped her in a clean sheet. Then she sat at her mother’s side and rocked back and forth as the tears rolled down her cheeks. Eventually, her sobbing breaths quieted and she wiped her cheeks.
Dazed, Marisily resumed her duties. She had made a stew in the afternoon with the thought that the broth would be nourishing for her mother. Now she served it to her father for dinner. Jed came in from his workroom and started eating when Marisily quietly said, “Mother’s dead. I have prepared her for burial.”
Jed gave his daughter a long look before he answered. Marisily sensed he was considering saying something that she wouldn’t like and she steeled herself for it, but when he spoke all he said was, “I am sorry to hear that. She was a good wife. The only thing she didn’t do was give me a son. I’ll move her body to the workshop before I go out tonight.” He scooped another piece of meat from the stew and chewed thoughtfully. “Daughter, I don’t think I can continue to support you. I will give you a choice. Rory, the herder, needs a wife. He’s a friend of mine. I don’t believe he has ever cleaned his place and though he is eight years older than me, he is lusty enough to keep you busy. I think he could take you to wife tomorrow. Or you could leave. It makes no difference to me. As your father, I don’t need to give you a choice, but since I’m grieving the loss of your mother, I will be generous. If you are still here tomorrow morning, I’ll know your decision is to wed.” He finished his meal and pushed back from the table. “I am going into Morraton to meet with friends. I’ll bring my new wife home after I bury Sari tomorrow.” Jed put on his heavy coat and smiled to himself as the door closed behind him. He didn’t believe his daughter had enough warm clothing to survive. She would either set out tonight and freeze to death or would stay and leave with Rory tomorrow. It didn’t make any difference to him. She would be gone either way.
Marisily cleared the table, giving her father time to go down the trail to town, keeping an eye on the window until he disappeared from sight. There was no way she was going to remain. Angry at her father’s offhand comments, total insensitivity and arrogance, she was also fully aware of her danger. Marisily had been very lucky that her father had given her a choice. She had been thinking about where she would go. There was a place that she had seen several years before. At the time, Jed had been gone on a journey to obtain yarns spun in Osily. Sari and Marisily had ranged miles from the cabin picking berries. They had separated, to cover more area. Marisily thought hard about where that place was. They had meandered through the foothills during that gathering trip.
She brought out her coat, and put on all of her warmest clothes as well as a few things of her mother’s. Her father would never allow her to leave with anything he deemed his property and that included everything in the home. Marisily knelt by her bed and, rolling back the rug, she removed the floorboard. She pulled out a heavy, knitted hat, scarf and gloves that she had made for her mother’s upcoming birthday and donned them. Her mother would be happy that she was using the gift to survive. Quickly, Marisily emptied her secret cubbyhole of her journal and other small treasures. Gathering what she could carry that she felt her father wouldn’t miss, Marisily stepped outside and disappeared from her childhood home. She had no intention of ever coming back.
There are no monsters on Ose. People can be monstrous enough.
A virulent disease sweeps through the budding civilization on the planet Ose. As people are dropping like flies, the healers’ guild is not making headway in finding a cure.
Just as every hope seems lost, young Ree comes into her sage powers. Despite having to fight the disapproval from those who think her too young and inexperienced, she comes up with a cure from unusual natural sources.
The race is on to get ahead of the epidemic. Time is tight, and a swindler’s “miracle cure” makes matters worse.
With Ree and the healers’ lives in danger, is the whole planet doomed?
Ree smiled and turned away to scan the verge of the grassland where it met the woods. There seemed to be a very subtle movement in the tall stalks as the inconsistent breeze moved the tassels of ripe grass seeds. Ree gazed with casual curiosity at the wind-kissed grass. Her nonchalance gave way to amazement as she realized she and Catri were not alone. Slowly, she sat up straighter and reached out to Catri.
At Ree’s touch, Catri opened her eyes and looked at the young woman’s alert posture. “What is it?” she whispered.
Ree barely breathed the answer, “I’ve never seen any animal like this. It’s beautiful, but what it is, I don’t know.”
The answer did not come from Catri, but instead was spoken inside of Ree’s head. “I’m a lyrix. We are ancient inhabitants of this world. My name is Raow. We prefer to stay hidden. There are few of us left now, but at one time, long before the race you call the Ancients arrived, we were the psychic species that held this world together.” Raow had both Catri and Ree’s undivided attention.
Catri, who had also heard the creature’s voice in her head, spoke first. “Your kind is legend. Stories from the Ancients refer to you, but I have never heard of anyone seeing you. Thank you for this gift.”
Raow continued to focus on the younger woman, though he didn’t seem to mind Catri’s involvement in the conversation. Ree studied the fascinating animal. Raow was about twenty inches high at the shoulder. He was covered in fur from his four paws to the tips of his pointed ears. His tail was no more than five inches long and he had a ruff of fur from under his jaw to behind his ears. Raow had intelligent, gold eyes. The rest of his coloring seemed to shift and change with what was around him as if he was a figment of their imagination. But Raow was quite real.
Ree spoke, all the time keeping his gaze. “I’m honored that you decided to make yourself known to us. Can you tell us why?”
Raow returned her scrutiny. “We lyrix choose who sees us and who will be accepted as part of our family. Ree, we share a special type of kinship. You are a sage with barely awakened powers. This is so new, you haven’t become aware of it. I’m here to provide guidance in these skills and to be in your life when you need me.
Something is shaking Erin’s world. Freak storms and disastrous earthquakes ravage the land, and perfectly healthy people are suddenly dying. Are these harmless coincidences or deliberate, connected events?
Erin's parents die of a mysterious fever, but she isn’t fooled. It is clearly murder. Why would someone want to kill a weaver and his wife? Besides, Erin can feel that same malevolent energy hunting her down. Is that a new skill she didn’t know she had?
With no time to grieve, Erin leaves home and joins a merchant caravan for protection and to give herself time to solve the puzzle.
Who killed her parents? Why are they trying to kill her, too? And why is the planet unraveling?
There was a breeze in the moonlit forest; the shadows shifted and blended as the branches moved. A young woman raced between the trees, oblivious to the branches that tore at her hair and clothing. In her haste, her feet slipped on the leaves and decaying foliage, adding to her terrified flight. The slender girl whirled behind a tree and crouched low. Her large, blue eyes darted back over her trail, searching the flickering shadows for her pursuer. Her breathing was ragged. Where was he?
She tried to catch her breath so she could listen, but her heart was racing like a stampeding elk; her breathing was so choppy that her whimpers escaped her throat in short, ragged bursts. She looked around the tree at the terrain she had just covered. Was that a movement back there? With a gasp, she darted back behind the tree and staggered into motion. She knew he was following. Goose bumps raced up her arms as she tore over the small rise, her heart pumping like a smithy’s bellows.
Something brushed her cheek. At first the soft touch didn’t register through the overwhelming terror of her flight but it came again, this time with a voice. ‘Erin. It’s all right. You’re safe for now. Erin, hear me.’
The light contact came again and abruptly broke through her mind. Startled out of the nightmare that had gripped her, she opened her eyes and, with a shuddering breath, looked up into the gentle eyes of the merlin falcon that was standing beside her head.
“Thank you, Keir.” Her breath hitched as she spoke. She rose up on one elbow and reached up to touch the bird, but her hand quivered with the remaining adrenaline that still coursed through her blood. “That was . . . terrifying.”
The bird bobbed his head. ‘The nightmare is understandable. The murder of your parents is bad enough, but there’s also the fact that you have new abilities. Erin, you’re sensing the dangerous person who is seeking you. I am sure of it, and that had to play into your dream. But that person isn’t near. My kind have been watching. Rest. Dawn will arrive soon. There are some miles to go yet to get to Ree. She will have some answers for you. Rest. You are safe for now.’
Erin’s nod was a little shaky. She could feel the sweat from the nightmare drying on her skin. “You’re right. It was so real, it’ll take me a few minutes to be clear of it so I can sleep. I’m sorry I woke you, Keir.” She shook her head and her long hair slipped behind her shoulders. A few strands still clung to the sticky sweat on her face. Erin raised a hand that was steadier than it had been moments before and brushed the hair away from her forehead. “I know Ree will at least be able to advise me, because she’s a wise woman, and right now I need all of the advice I can get.” She looked off through the trees. “I think we are no more than several hours away.” Erin sighed then sank back down and pulled her blanket around her. “Thank you, my friend. You get more rest too,” she said with a smile.
Keir made a small sound in the back of his throat before flying to a low branch above her. ‘I may be gone when you wake but I will not be far. Just keep going to Ree’s home.’
BOOKS 4 & 5 OF THE SAGE SEED CHRONICLES
A major event of cataclysmic proportions threatens Ose. The damage done by false gossip and accusations has infected people’s minds, and a misguided but deadly witch hunt hinders the remaining sages’ ability to concentrate on correcting the planet’s imbalance.Their one chance to save the civilization comes with the next eclipse, but there are too few of them left, and very little time. The people, the weather, and even the planet itself seem to fight them at every step.
Can Drune and the other sages reweave the fabric of their world before the eclipse tears it apart?
Long-lost artifacts lure people from a lost population out on a secret quest. At the same time, an unexpectedly strong winter storm forces Erin to take refuge in an isolated cabin. Unbeknownst to her, this was the last known location of the missing items that Kai, one of the lost, is looking for.
Dismayed to find Erin at the cabin, he reacts in the only logical way: Kill any witnesses to protect his people.
With a ferocious blizzard ravaging the realm, will the sages be able to prevent bloodshed? And what would it take to avoid war with THE LOST ones?
Holly's world is shaped by her love of family, the beauty of the natural world and an irrepressible creative drive. She has always been curious and sees life through questions. These four characteristics color her writing voice and her stories frequently evolve from her asking "What if....?" Her tales tend to have non-urban settings with nature contributing to the plot, building discordant themes inside a seemingly peaceful refrain.
My motto: Weaving Alternative Worlds with Threads From Today.
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This is a Release Tour for The Wedding Promise by Karen Rose Smith
The Wedding Promise
Book 8 of the Search For Love series
by
Beth Crandall has known trauma. Kidnapped from her birth family when she was three, abandoned at a mall by her kidnapper a few months later, traumatic amnesia has prevented memories from plaguing her as she was adopted and ushered into a "normal" life. But a twist of fate reunited her with her birth family recently and now she's attempting to move forward in a way she couldn't before.
As a teenager, Beth's face was scarred in an attack at a group home where her best friend lived. Now Beth is seeing a plastic surgeon, Dr. Sam Benedict, so he can removed the scar. Sam volunteers his time to the foundation Kids Cause which sends doctors all over the world to help children. Sam, who came from an abusive home, feels children need to be listened to and fixed. He and Beth connect on a deep level from the first moment they meet.
Beth has believed a romantic relationship is impossible for her given her background. But during integration into her birth family and throughout a search for her teenage best friend, Sam remains by her side. He helps to heal more than the scar on her face. Neither of them realize that Beth's search for her friend with the help of psychic Gillian Bradley (continuing character from other SEARCH FOR LOVE books) will land them in a fight for their lives.
Beth Crandall knew what she was doing even if everyone else in her life didn't believe she did.
Seated in the plastic surgeon's exam room on a mid-January morning waiting for a consultation, she felt a little bit anxious. But in her thirty years she'd known a heck of a lot more fear and anxiety than this.
In the past two months, she'd seen more than a few changes in her life since she'd been reunited with her biological family. Being reunited with her sister and parents had been daunting. Moving to York, Pennsylvania, to get to really know them had been a huge adjustment for everyone. Especially for her adoptive parents.
The door suddenly swished open and a tall, broad-shouldered, lab-coated physician strode in. Reading his name tag, she saw that this was the specialist she'd come to see, Dr. Samuel Benedict.
Her gaze went to his face and she was taken aback for a moment by his piercing blue eyes. She looked away, but not before she'd gotten a glimpse of thick black hair, a little longer than most physicians wore it, and a face that was craggily handsome.
He held out his hand and she studied it a moment before she took it. She didn't give her allegiance, trust, or friendship easily...for very good reasons.
"Beth Crandall?" he asked, making direct eye contact.
This time she didn't look away. "Yes."
His dark brows furrowed. "I'm a little confused. I have two names listed here. Present day charts from your family physician in Pittsburgh, but then a folder with old records under the name Lynn Thaddeus."
How was she going to explain this in two easy sentences?
Award-winning author Karen Rose Smith was born in Pennsylvania. Although she was an only child, she remembers the bonds of an extended family. Since her father came from a family of ten and her mother, a family of seven, there were always aunts, uncles and cousins visiting on weekends. Family is a strong theme in her books and she suspects her childhood memories are the reason.
In college, Karen began writing poetry and also met her husband to be. They both began married life as teachers, but when their son was born, Karen decided to try her hand at a home-decorating business. She returned to teaching for a while but changes in her life led her to writing romance fiction. Now she writes romances and mysteries full time.
Presently, she is hard at work on two mystery series—her Caprice De Luca Home Staging series as well as her Daisy's Tea Garden mysteries. When she isn't writing, she cares for her four rescued cats and assorted strays, cooks, gardens and photographs all. She enjoys interacting with her readers on social media.
Married to her college sweetheart since 1971, believing in the power of love and commitment, she envisions herself writing relationship novels, both romance and mystery, for a long time to come!
June 1, 2016
This is a sale blast for A FORTUNE TO DIE FOR by Liza O’Connor
A FORTUNE TO DIE FOR
Book 1 of The White Oak-Mafia Series
AUTHOR: Liza O’Connor
GENRE: Contemporary Mafia Suspense Thiller (with touches of humor)
Megan Clarke had a good life until she wins the Mega Times Lottery and discovers the prize comes with a curse. Worse than the many money-hungry suitors, a serial killer has her in his sight. She changes her name and moves to Iowa with plans to buy their last major forest of white oaks and turn it into a State Park. Unfortunately, the Lottery Curse doesn't stop at state lines and someone there wants her dead, as well. Good thing a disturbingly handsome law officer is just as determined to keep her alive.
Megan realized it was going to be a while before Steve would refocus on the package. “Can I get you something to drink? Green Tea with lemon grass?” He looked health conscious. Actually, he looked like a movie star with a crew cut.
He glanced up. “Sounds good.” He then glanced around. “Any place I can sit and read these?”
“Seriously? There’s got to be over two hundred letters in there.”
“I know. Which is why I’d prefer to do this sitting down.”
“Okay, but if this package blows up on a timer, I’m going to be grumpy when I reach the afterlife.”
He chuckled at her warning, set down the letter he was reading, and picked up the package. “If I open this in the next room, will you be safe from blasts?”
“The room is steel-lined, so I think so. But wouldn’t you rather have some sort of robot handle the matter?”
His adorable grin returned. “Oddly, we don’t have one of those.”
“I could buy you one… You could just take the package somewhere safe and leave it unopened until the robot arrives. I have no problem donating the money to get you guys a bomb robot, given this probably won’t be the last time I need one.”
He studied her a long moment before replying. “You know how I got to be a detective so early in life?”
She almost replied that good-looking people lived a charmed life and received promotions more often than less attractive people, but realized he wouldn’t appreciate her observation. So she behaved and answered, “No.”
“I’ve very good instincts. For example, before you replied, you were thinking something…something I wouldn’t like, so you wisely kept it to yourself.”
Her face burned. Busted! “And your instincts tell you the package is safe?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then take it in the other room and open it.”
Despite his confidence in his instincts, Megan remained on pins and needles for the excruciatingly long half-hour that crawled by as she waited for Detective Williams to return.
Or blow up.
Tess Campbell is a mafia princess who wants nothing to do with her dangerous family. She’d rather spend her life making Grams's forest the best state park in Iowa.
Alistair Castile, aka Steel, is a British prince, his archeological career in ruins due to his promiscuous nature. He’s hired on as forest manager of Tess’s woods and quickly falls in love with the charming young woman, so different from the socialites of his world.
Only there are several serious barriers between them: Steel’s career cannot withstand another scandal and Tess’s father will kill anyone who gets in the way of his daughter marrying a Chicago mobster.
AVAILABLE NOW
Liza O’Connor was raised badly by feral cats, left the South/Midwest and wandered off to find nicer people on the east coast. There she worked for the meanest man on Wall Street, while her psychotic husband tried to kill her three times. (So much for finding nicer people.) Then one day she declared enough, got a better job, divorced her husband, and fell in love with her new life where people behaved nicely. But all those bad behaviors has given her lots of fodder for her humorous books. Please buy these books, because otherwise, she’ll become grumpy and write troubled novels instead. They will likely traumatize you.
You have been warned.
May 26, 2016
This is a DOUBLE RELEASE tour of Offbeat & Queen of My Heart by Nikki Lynn Barrett
Double release tour for Nikki Lynn Barrett
OFFBEAT
Love and Music In Texas Book 5
Name of cover designer: Robert Barrett
Official genre of book: Contemporary romantic
Life is full of choices...
Right before she turned sixteen, Taryn McAllister made several rebellious choices, one which led her to become the drummer for a major teen sensation country star. After a deadly accident, she made another choice - to get back on the wagon and play drums again, no matter that it took adapting because she's confined to a wheelchair.
Now another set of choices is thrust upon her. After reconnecting with her estranged best friend, Taryn is offered a chance to play drums for a local Texas band ready for the Nashville move. Her once strong confidence is shaken, and she's torn between her love of music and the reality that it might not work out.
Chris Roland made a string of bad choices, and it's left him feeling numb. Now he's playing the drums temporarily for his sister's band, but he knows this isn't the life for him. Problem is, he doesn't know what direction to go. He knows what he doesn't want, but can't decide on what he does want.
And then he meets Taryn, the feisty drummer who could be his replacement. He's relieved for a chance to break away....that is until he gets to know her. And while he's getting to know her, she's helping to open up a part of his soul that was long dead and buried.
It's high time to make the right choices. It's just a matter of deciding what choice is right.
“Okay, I've got the book.” Chris wrangled himself away from the woman's arm. “Alice, have you met Taryn? She's playing drums for Baby Stetson. We managed to steal her away from Kyra Sanders.” His eyes met hers, and Taryn knew right off the bat this made him uncomfortable.
Ah. This must be one of his casual sex partners. Fan-friggin-tastic. Taryn gave Alice a long glance. She could see why Chris was attracted to her. Alice had long, dark hair, big breasts, and plenty to offer. So what the hell did he continue to see her for if he could get things from women like Alice?
“Really? You play drums?” Alice didn't hide her shock.
“She's one of the best drummers I've ever had the pleasure of meeting.” Moving around Alice as she continued to gawk, Chris settled in the chair again, then slid the book over to Taryn. “Pick your poison.”
“Don't let Kyra hear you say that,” she giggled as she searched the book for Kyra's song listings. Then she realized Alice still lingered. “It's nice to meet you, Alice.” She stifled a laugh at the woman's look. She must not get rejected often. The feeling lasted for less than a minute before Taryn's insecurities crept in.
Not that she'd ever had a lot of success rates with men, but now she had a lot more stacked against her.
“Yeah, nice to meet you, too.” Alice faked it. She made it obvious. “You played drums for Kyra Sanders? Like seriously?”
“For three years.”
“Nice.” Alice brushed it off, then faced Chris. “Call me sometime. Soon. We need another good time.” She practically purred before sauntering off, swaying her ass as she moved.
“Taryn-” Chris started.
“Let me guess. She's one of your casuals,” she said at the same time, flipping the pages of the book back and forth in her hands.
“Was,” he corrected.
“Was?”
“Yes. Was. I don't want to be that person any longer.” He reached across and covered one of her hands. Taryn froze. The way she reacted to his touch scared her.
“What kind of person do you want to be?” Her voice cracked. Damn, she needed water.
“The person who gets and keeps your attention,” Chris said softly.
“But-” She darted a glance towards the way Alice went.
“Don't, Taryn. Don't look back at her and compare. I know you are. I didn't even remember her name until Melody said something about it being the girl who works at the inn. I know, it sounds bad as I say it.”
Yeah, yeah she was. Damn him for figuring it out.
QUEEN OF MY HEART
Life Won't Wait, Book #1
Name of cover designer: Robert Barrett
Official genre of book: Contemporary romantic
When the next King of country music offers to take you under his wing, what's a girl to do?
Pinch herself, of course. Repeatedly. Then take the offer!
Quinn Winters is tired of being the actress known for most killed off characters. After discovering her love of music when her last role portrayed a country singer on a daytime soap opera, she's making a much needed change in life. Quinn is unprepared for the demands and expectations needed to succeed in Music City. One pleading call from her sister puts her in an all too familiar, but unwanted position.
Five years ago, Tucker McGinnis auditioned for a reality singing show, never expecting to win. His sudden fame and popularity comes as a major surprise. After a multi platinum debut, his second album is suffering the dreaded sophomore jinx. His musical muse becomes elusive when guilt plagues him over an accident which affects his family. He is blown away by Quinn when he overhears her audition at his record label, singing his most personal song.
An attraction builds, and a connection through music is formed. But when life gets in the way, Tucker makes another offer - A temporary marriage which will benefit both of them, until things become too real.
Two souls destined for the stage, two hearts blending together to create beautiful music as individuals, but even better as country music's next power couple- if they can shed the images of who they used to be.
“No. I can't let that happen. She's my niece. I want to take her. Tell me what I have to do to become her guardian,” Quinn pleaded. “Winnie said she'd sign over custody if need be, so what do I do?”
“Quinn, how can you do that? Aren't you in Nashville trying to get a record deal? That's not the life Piper needs. She needs stability.” The woman's tone was sympathetic. Her gaze landed on Tucker. Something flickered in her eyes. Probably recognition.
“I'll sell the property Grams left me. It'll give me the money to take care of Piper and hopefully get something going for Winnie when she gets clean.” Desperation laced her voice. Tucker could tell by the stricken tone that she didn't want to go that route.
He had no idea what made him do it, especially since Quinn never agreed, but Tucker spoke without thinking on it too much. “She has stability. She's kinda living with me already. She's also started a job with me for the past few months, and we've become close. I- I know it's a short time, but I've been thinking about asking her to marry me. Is that stable enough?”
When Quinn gasped, Tucker stepped closer and closed his fingers over her cold, clammy ones. Forgive me, darlin'. I couldn't help myself. Again he'd made a ballsy, unlike him move. “I'm sorry to ruin the surprise, but you know I'll do whatever I can for you, and especially Piper.” His voice wavered. No taking the words back now. “I don't want to you give up that property. We've talked about this, darlin'” Did he pull off the act?
What. The. Fuck. Possessed him to do that?
“I knew you looked familiar. Tucker McGinnis.” The woman's jaw dropped.
“Yes, ma'am. I heard Quinn's voice one day, and I couldn't stay away. We kept our relationship quiet for personal reasons, of course. Whatever we need to do in order to get Piper in Quinn's custody, please let us know. We'll make it all official right away if we have to. Quinn and Piper will be well cared for. The two of them won't have a thing to worry about.”
Dig a hole, why don'tcha?
The case worker attempted to keep her composure. Tucker noted the relief in her eyes. “I'll go get Piper so you can see her. We'll need to get official documentation and permission from your sister. If she'll sign over guardianship to you, we'll have this taken care of within a few days. If she refuses...” She started to walk away. “Oh, and Quinn? Congratulations. I'm so happy you're happy. Good for you.”
“You and me. Outside. Now,” Quinn muttered through clenched teeth. He followed her to the front porch. “What the hell were you thinking? Do you know how much worse you made this? Seriously, Tucker!”
I'm an avid lover of books. I've been writing as far back as I can remember, completing my first "book" by fifth grade in one of those one subject spiral notebooks. I have a passion for music, photography, jewelry and all things creative. I live in Arizona with my husband and son, but dream of being somewhere much colder and stormier. For now, I'll have to live that life through my characters and stick it out with the summer heat.
Amazon ✯ FaceBook ✯ Facebook: Nikki's Book Nook ✯ Facebook: Nikki's Book Stormers ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Blog
This is a promo tour for Dustin series by June Kramin
Dustin series
by
June Kramin
Genre: Time Travel Romance
DUSTIN TIME
Kaitlyn thought she was happy with her life. Her veterinary practice successful, and a “boy toy” to keep her satisfied. At least until the night she turns thirty, when the inevitable biological clock starts to tick. Convincing herself that he is simply not father material, she decides to let him go. Dusty refuses to leave without a fight, and fate strongly agrees.
After an unsuccessful breakup, she wakes up once again in Dusty’s arms, only he’s not the same man. He’s an older version…and their child is crying from the next room. The days that follow bring more of the same: arriving at a time in her past or alternate future, on her birthday. Dusty is the only constant in all of her travels, anxious to win her over in each timeframe.
Seeing a whole new side to him and knowing that they were truly meant to be, she allows herself to finally love him. Knowing she has to have fixed what was wrong, she expects it all to stop; only it doesn’t. Battling her frustrations daily, Kaitlyn desperately searches for the answers that will bring her time traveling to an end.
Katie walked into the coffee shop and smiled wide again. It was all so familiar. At least this time she’d know what to expect. She noticed her shoe had become untied so she bent down to tie it. When she stood up, she looked into a familiar face–only it was a few years younger as well.
“Fancy meeting you here,” the man said, then smiled wide, obviously happy to see her.
Kaitlyn fainted.
~*~
She woke up on the couch of the coffee shop with Dustin at her side and a washcloth on her forehead. She tried to sit up but he gently pushed her back down.
“Just lay back there, cupcake. Take a few minutes to gather yourself.” He turned to the manager who was also standing there as if he worried that there would be a lawsuit coming. “You can go. She’s fine.”
Kaitlyn stared at Dustin’s profile as he talked. He was just as gorgeous four years younger. He looked closer to eighteen than he did twenty-one. His beautiful brown eyes glistened with the same gold flecks. He was still muscular, just slightly smaller and a little skinnier. His brown hair was a little longer too. She did always say she preferred short hair on men, but she wanted to run her fingers through it just the same. She watched his Adam’s apple as he talked and longed to give it a kiss.
Never mind, she thought. If this is a dream, let me sleep.
DUSTIN'S TURN
Upset over a horrible twist that fate has thrown Katie’s best friend, Dusty is determined to find a way to right this horrible wrong. After years of being afraid to even mention his name, Dusty goes in search of Frank, the one person who helped Katie through her time traveling torment. When he discovers Katie can’t go back in time again, but he can, he takes the chance to do for Courtney what Katie had done for his sister: Save her life.
He quickly finds out that things are not going to be as easy as he thought. Getting Katie to fall for him all over again is a challenge he wasn’t prepared to take on. Having the knowledge of Katie’s time traveling helps somewhat, but Frank’s assistance doesn’t prove as helpful as it was for her. Being sent to altered timelines, as Katie had been, are equally frustrating for him. But finding out Frank’s identity was the most surprising “trip” of all.
Again Dusty pondered what exactly the significance of Frank’s appearance was for Katie. He never seemed to be much other than someone for her to talk to. Dusty wished he was here for him to talk to now. “Who and what were you, you old codger?” he said aloud.
“You rang?”
Dusty was speechless at the man that stood before him. “I…uh…what?” he said in a raised tone of great shock.
“You rang. Quit your shouting, too. I’m old, not deaf.”
“You’re…” Dusty was at a loss for words.
“Here. Now what can I help you with?”
“How did you… why… holy sh—”
What’s the matter boy?”
“Am I dreaming?”
“Why? Do I look like I’m the man of your dreams?”
“No…uh… holy crap.”
“Look. You’re the one that showed up looking for me.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t think you’d actually show up.”
“Are you ever a nut job.”
“I think you’re right.” Dusty sat back and took a deep breath. “Uh… can I get you coffee or something?”
“I’m fine. Thanks.”
“This is just too weird. We’ve hardly talked about you since Katie stayed put.”
“Afraid I’d show up again?”
“Something like that I guess.”
“You want me to go?”
“No!” Dusty shot to his feet. “I need to talk to you.”
“Katie’s doing great, isn’t she?”
“Perfect.”
“And the kids?”
“You know about…” Of course he knows, dumbass. “Um… they’re fine.”
“Your sister Alyson?”
“She’s fantastic.”
“Then what are you jerkin’ my chain for, boy? What’s your pickle?”
DUSTIN'S NOVEL
Katie and Dustin have had to time travel before to right some wrongs, but that’s not the answer or even an option this time around.
Struggling daily to deal with devastating news delivered by a time-traveling Frank, Katie immerses herself in Dusty’s latest manuscript. While trying to correct her own fate, she finds herself completely captivated with Captain Skinnard’s world.
She learns that their lives are intertwined with Dusty’s writing far more than she could ever imagine. From innocent phrases used by her daughter to the names of children and pets, Katie is in constant amazement of the twisted pretzel of time.
Enjoy the final installment in this time-traveling trilogy where you’ll join Dustin and Katie in a new phase in their lives and a touch of sci-fi in Dustin’s Novel.
Instead of being frightened as seeing Frank/Dusty, Katie crossed her arms over her chest. “He gave in too easily.”
“Who gave in too easily?” the older Dusty asked.
“Vick, jackass. Oh, here’s your kid. Okay, I’ll just give up traipsing the galaxy now. No problem. Feel free to die now. Ahhhhh!!” Her hands dropped at her side.
“I’m glad to see you, too.”
“Seriously, Dusty. Make him work for it a little.”
“You’re yelling at the wrong ‘me,’ doll face.”
“Oh, you’ll get it when you get home.”
“How about I get it now,” he said, waggling his eyebrows.
Katie scrunched her eyebrows. “Gawd. Even at your age you’re still this way? I’m not sleeping with the seventy year old you, Dusty.”
“Why not? The almost eighty year old you doesn’t mind.”
That sent her laughing until she snorted. “God, I love you.”
“Annnnd I see you still call me God.”
“Stop it,” She finally walked over and gave him a strong hug. “Should I be worried that you’re here? Please don’t make me or you travel through time again. We’re so happy.”
He clasped both of her hands tight. “No way. I just thought now was a good time to come see you.”
“I know there’s more to this. You showing up is never a good thing.”
“Is too. Last time I showed up, I called me, if you recall. I saved Courtney’s life.”
“I know…but…I’ve just gotten used to the stories. I think I actually know which life is mine. Which ‘you’ I won over and when.”
“You mean which ‘me’ won you over.”
“Whatever. I love you but please go.”
“Can’t you even spare a cup of coffee?”
She crossed her arms and squinted for a moment before she answered. “Fine. But you go before you come home.”
“Deal.”
They sat together on the porch swing out back. Dusty finally spoke up after a far too uncomfortable silence.
“I lied. I did come for a reason.”
Wife, Mother, Writer, Lunatic. Not necessarily in that order.
"There is a fine line between genius and crazy... I like to use that line as a jump rope!"
June, who prefers to go by Bug, was born in Philadelphia but moved to Maui, Hawaii when she was four. She met her “Prince Charming” on Kauai and is currently living “Happily Ever After” in a small town in Minnesota.
Her son and daughter are her greatest accomplishments. She takes pride in embarrassing them every chance she gets. Being hopelessly addicted to 80's music is her super power.
Amazon ✯ FaceBook ✯ About Me ✯ Pinterest ✯ Twitter ✯ Goodreads ✯ Blog ✯ Website ✯ Before Happily Ever After
May 25, 2016
This is a review/promo tour for Books 1&2 of THE SILICON BEACH TRILOGY by Jill Blake.
THE SILICON BEACH TRILOGY
Promo Tour for Books 1 & 2
by
Jill Blake
Genre: Contemporary Romance
BEYOND THE IVORY TOWER
Mature content, 18+. Heat level: 4 (out of 5)
If there’s one thing math professor Anna Lazarev believes in, it’s the value of higher education. So when her younger sister announces she’s dropping out of college, Anna places the blame squarely on the man who inspired her sister’s rebellion.
Venture capitalist Ethan Talbot claims the US academic system is broken. His solution? Pay top students to “opt out” and pursue their entrepreneurial dreams without wasting time and money on a university degree.
In a passionate battle for the hearts and minds of a new generation, Anna will do whatever it takes to prove Ethan wrong. But when his demands take a more personal turn, will she sacrifice her principles to come out on top?
“You did what?” Becca shrieked, after hearing an abbreviated version of yesterday’s debacle.
“Just a little louder, Bec. I don’t think the citizens of Kansas heard you.”
“Wow. Ethan Talbot. I can’t believe I had to drag it out of you.”
Anna switched to speaker phone and lifted her suitcase atop the bed. “It’s not like I planned it,” she said, gathering discarded items of clothing and tucking them into a laundry bag. “It just happened.”
“Period cramps just happen. Weight gain just happens. Ending a three-year-old dry spell with Ethan Talbot doesn’t just happen.”
“I didn’t exactly end the dry spell.” She shoved the shoes into a different bag. “He dropped me back at the hotel and left. End of story.”
“Well, don’t keep me in suspense. When are you seeing him again?”
“I’m not.” She debated dumping the unused box of condoms. It wasn’t as if she’d need them any time soon.
Then again….She glanced at the expiration date. Two years. A lot could happen in two years.
“Why not?” Becca prodded.
“Because I’m heading home.” What the hell. She tossed the condoms in her suitcase. “Besides, we have nothing in common. And he refused to release Klara from the Fellowship.”
“Anna, sweetie, sorry for pointing out the obvious, but most people view the Talbot Fellowship as something prestigious.”
“It’s not a degree, Bec. It’s not even a certificate.”
“Maybe not, but it’ll still look good on Klara’s CV.”
Anna ducked into the bathroom for her toiletry bag.
Becca’s voice followed her. “You know Klara will do what she wants, regardless of what you say. Which means you’ve got two choices: prolong the battle and risk alienating her completely, or accept what she’s doing and move on.”
Anna returned to the bedroom. “What’s option C?”
“It wouldn’t kill you to be a little more flexible. Klara’s the only family you have. Shame to lose her over something that’s going to be over in two years.”
Anna sighed. “Bec, the problem is, we’re not just talking two years. We’re talking her entire future.”
“Does the word hyperbole mean anything to you?”
Anna ignored her attempt at humor. “If Klara doesn’t finish her education, she’ll end up regretting it. Maybe not now, but someday.” She glanced around to see if there was anything left to pack.
“She can always go back to school,” Becca said. “There are plenty of returning students of all ages.”
“I guess.”
“And look on the bright side. Now that Klara’s moved out, you have the whole place to yourself. You can finally have a social life.”
“Is that supposed to cheer me up?” Anna said, zipping the suitcase.
“It’s all in the attitude. Now tell me more about Ethan Talbot.”
“Nothing more to tell.”
“Come on, you have to do better than that.”
“Seriously, Bec. I’m lucky if the guy doesn’t turn around and walk the other way the moment he sees me.”
“I’m sure you’re exaggerating.”
“I’m not.”
“Okay, so what did you do?”
“I threw myself at him.”
“You what?”
Anna winced and lowered the cell phone volume. “I may have had a little too much to drink.” She waited for Becca’s laughter to taper off. “It’s not that funny.”
“Sorry. I’m just trying to picture it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you drunk.”
“Yeah, well don’t hold your breath.” Anna lifted the suitcase off the bed. “I have to go check out.”
“Wait—that’s it?”
Anna sighed. “It’s a long drive, Bec. I’ll talk to you when I get home.”
Two hours later, her phone buzzed. She ignored it. Another hour passed before she pulled into a rest stop to use the facilities and check messages.
She read Ethan’s text while standing in line for coffee.
How are you feeling?
Oh, boy. Mortified would just about cover it. Hung over would work too. And determined to put the entire unfortunate interlude with Ethan behind her.
“Next.”
She dropped the phone back in her bag and stepped up to the counter.
Two and a half hours later, as she unlocked the front door of her Santa Monica apartment, another text came through:
You OK?
Clearly, the man wasn’t going to let it go until she responded.
She dumped her belongings in the living room and typed:
All good. Back in LA.
His response was immediate:
Didn’t get chance to say goodbye.
She sank down on the couch.
Sorry, she wrote. Goodbye.
And that should have been the end of it. Except for some reason, Ethan seemed determined to go off script.
When are you back in SF?
Was he asking because he wanted to see her again, or because he wanted advance notice so he could avoid running into her? She wouldn’t blame him if it was the latter. She’d never made such a fool of herself before. The only thing that would have been worse was if he’d taken her up on her offer, and then she’d vomited all over him. Or passed out in the middle of things. Or woken up naked and alone and not remembering a damn thing about how she got that way.
Considering all the worst case scenarios that hadn’t happened, she supposed she should be grateful. But that didn’t mean she wanted to see Ethan again. Ignoring the little voice in her head that said liar, liar, she texted back:
Busy with work. Have to stay in LA.
Then she shut off her phone and headed for the bedroom. She squelched any residual guilt by reminding herself that they had nothing in common. If he tried texting or calling her again, she’d simply ignore him. The same way he’d ignored her emails and phone calls when she’d first attempted to contact him.
Of course he hadn’t known her then. He probably got a ton of spam and solicitations, and her messages might have gotten lost in the shuffle—assuming they ever reached him at all. Now that they’d met, the dynamics had changed.
But that was beside the point. She didn’t belong in his world, and he had no place in hers. Best to cut her losses before anyone got hurt. And by anyone, she meant herself. Because she really couldn’t imagine a man like Ethan Talbot getting too hung up on a woman whose IQ far exceeded her bra size.
She toed off her sensible flats, stripped off her clothes, and climbed into the shower. Time to get back to real life.
SWEET INDULGENCE
Mature content, 18+. Heat level: 4 (out of 5)
Becca Markham spent the last six years trying to please everyone but herself. So when she ditches her cheating boyfriend and quits her high-stress job as a software engineer, she decides it’s time to pursue her own dreams. At the top of her list? Transforming her life-long love of baking from a part-time hobby into a full-time business.
Leo Kogan spent years scrambling to escape a life of poverty—first in Russia, then in the U.S. Now a successful surgeon, he needs just one thing to complete his American dream: the perfect woman. But making the leap from casual friends to lovers proves harder than he expects.
Despite a sizzling attraction, Becca and Leo disagree on important things—like love and money. She’s looking for sex without strings; he wants a partner for life. She stakes her future on a risky new business; he’s obsessed with financial security.
Can love bring two headstrong people together…or will their differences end up tearing them apart?
Where are you?
A minute passed. Then two. Maybe there’d been an accident. But if so, wouldn’t someone have raised the alarm over John not showing up for work?
The sense of unease that had been dogging her all day increased. She swiped across several screens until she found the GPS app she’d installed the last time John had misplaced his phone. Before she could enter the passcode, an inner door opened and a medical assistant in drab olive scrubs popped her head out.
“Becca? I thought that was you. What are you doing here?”
It took Becca several seconds to put a name to the face. “Alma,” she said. “Hi.”
“Is that for us?” The woman’s eyes dropped to the bag dangling from Becca’s wrist.
“What?” Becca glanced down. The second box of meringues. The ones she’d forgotten to drop off at the post-anesthesia care unit because she’d been in such a rush to get to the clinic. “Yes.” She pocketed the phone and offered Alma the bag. “Here.”
A deep voice interrupted. “Alma…? I need an Aircast in room two.”
“Duty calls,” Alma whispered. “Go on back. You know where the kitchen is.”
She disappeared down the hall, leaving Becca to follow more slowly. She dropped the bag off in the tiny kitchen and was on her way out when an exam room door flew open and a tall figure dressed in scrubs and white coat stepped into her path.
“Whoa!” He caught her arm just in time to keep her from falling. “Becca! You okay?”
She ignored the tingling sensation in her arm. And the lightheadedness? Probably just sleep deprivation. And anxiety. Yeah, that had to be it.
His head dipped slightly, dark blond brows furrowed. Green eyes scanned her face. She breathed in his scent—something tangy, like citrus, mixed with hospital soap. “Becca?”
“Yes,” she said. “I’m fine, Leo. You can let go.”
It felt like forever before he nodded and released her. She shivered, rubbing her arm where his fingers had touched.
“What are you doing here?” he said.
She was really beginning to hate that question. “Looking for John.”
Leo’s gaze sharpened. “He’s not at the hospital?”
“No.” She bit her lip. “Do you have any idea where he might be?”
Leo hesitated. “No.”
“Would you tell me if you did?”
He shifted and cleared his throat. “Maybe.”
“Leo…”
The exam room door opened. “You’re all set,” Alma said, ushering out a patient on crutches.
Leo and Becca moved out of the way.
“I’m sorry,” he said, dropping his voice. “I need to get back. Maybe you should call Anna…?”
Why would he suggest that?
The sick feeling at the pit of her stomach spread up and out. She took a deep breath and watched Leo’s broad back as he strode down the hall, knocked on an exam room door, and disappeared inside.
Her cell phone vibrated. She fished it out and had to read John’s message twice, because the words kept blurring.
Working hard. About to start another case. What’s up?
Somehow, she got home and made it through the rest of the day.
It was nearly midnight by the time she heard John’s key in the door. She wasn’t surprised. He’d texted her again, advising her of an emergency fasciotomy he had to do on a patient with compartment syndrome.
That was when she checked the GPS app. It confirmed what she already knew: John wasn’t at work. He was nowhere near work. The signal mapped to a luxury resort some thirty miles northeast of the hospital. She looked the place up online. Quiet, discreet, set amid twenty-three acres of lush gardens, it billed itself as the perfect escape from the city, starting at three hundred dollars a night.
And to think, just this morning, she’d been worried about work preempting their weekend plans!
The front door opened. John flicked on the lights and froze. “Rebecca. Why were you sitting here in the dark?”
She blinked, as if coming awake from a dream. “Hello, John,” she said. “How was work?”
Jill Blake loves chocolate, leisurely walks where she doesn’t break a sweat, and books with a guaranteed happy ending. A native of Philadelphia, Jill now lives in southern California with her husband and three children. During the day, she works as a physician in a busy medical practice. At night, she pens steamy romances.
This is a promo tour for DIVERGENT BLOODLINE by TJ Shaw
DIVERGENT BLOODLINE
by
While tracking down a killer, clues lead homicide detective, Viviane Taylor to suspect, Julian DeMatteo. From the get-go, DeMatteo unsettles and irritates her. He's a force she has never encountered, someone who excites her even though he’s forbidden. Her instincts warn that he’s hiding something and she is determined to uncover those secrets.
As king of the vampires, Julian DeMatteo protects the immortal clans. So, when the beautiful, bullheaded cop embroils herself within his world, he must choose between the woman who reminds him of the humanity he’s lost or his loyalty to his people.
As confusing emotions awaken inside her, Viviane can either accept her fate as the one chosen to save the immortal race or lose her soul to darkness. With Julian’s help, she fights an evil that would rip her apart in order to forge a new future with the homicide suspect who’s stolen her heart.
She stared into liquid copper eyes that displayed concern and devotion for her. She would have welcomed Julian’s presence if she’d only been in a bad accident, but she just experienced something far worse than a car crash. His kind caused her great pain.
His kind? How could he not be human? He looked human, had human characteristics—a warm body, beating heart, breathtaking smile. Most of all, she reacted to his touch with such longing that he had to be human. He was her chocolate. His voice reverberated in her mind and whispered in her dreams. He saw her deepest secrets and still wanted her. Yet, he wasn’t human?
✯✯✯
“She’s a mortal female, nothing else.”
Finian opened his hands and spread his arms wide in an all-encompassing gesture. “I have lived a long, long time and have seen many things—impossible things. No simple mortal would have such an acute influence on you.”
Finian gripped his shoulder with bone-crushing strength. “The question is whether you can control your desire?”
He suppressed the urge to laugh. They were miles apart, yet her scent saturated his pores as if she’d marked him. With his beast hungering for its mate, Finian had no idea the enormous energy he exerted just to stay away from her.
Hell, he didn’t even understand why his demon chose her. But after six centuries of sleepwalking through life, this human female had just strong-armed her way into his office and jolted him awake as if she’d slammed her fist through his chest. Now that his eyes were open, he saw only her in brilliant, vivid color. So, how could he spend time with such a woman and not embrace her? A gentle shake drew his attention back to his advisor.
“Julian, you must not turn her. Can you do it? Can you control your urges until we figure out what she is?”
✯✯✯
All three men glanced up to find an irate female standing on the staircase landing. A few resilient rays from the evening sun streamed through the windows, setting Viviane’s hair on fire and her eyes ablaze. Julian sucked in a ragged breath at the sight of her. Easing up the steps, his heart adjusted to her accelerated, erratic pace. Using their tenuous bond for the first time, he harnessed her rapid beats and slowed them to match his steady rhythm. Her anger and fear hummed along their bond with powerful intensity. Only her threatening glare kept him from hauling her to his chest.
“I won’t become Beaudeax,” she repeated, her voice vibrating with conviction. “You must promise me, Julian.” She closed the gap between them and cradled his face with her hands. Tears rimmed her eyes, but didn’t fall. “Promise me that our child will not become part of Eddie’s clan.”
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As a child, TJ thrived in the Arizona desert. By the age of five she was riding horses through cotton fields and by eleven bought her first motorcycle, a Honda 125cc dirt bike. Growing up with teachers as parents meant traveling during the summer. Hiking, backpacking, fly fishing, climbing pyramids, surviving earthquakes, and flying in hot air balloons were just some of her adventures. An avid day dreamer, she would lose herself in mystical worlds and far off places limited only by her imagination.
After choosing an academic scholarship over an athletic basketball scholarship, she graduated law school and accepted a position as a Deputy County Attorney. However, prosecuting felony crimes was not as exciting as she hoped, so she traded in her briefcase and the courtroom for a Glock and patrol car. She worked the road as a police officer for five years and now tells officers what to do as a policy writer for a police department.
TJ writes from her heart by incorporating her dreams and experiences to create strong, passionate characters who must overcome personal flaws to survive against the challenges of traversing through magical realms, undiscovered planets, and apocalyptic catastrophes.
May 23, 2016
This is a Release Tour for A JOURNEY HOME by Angela Scavone
A JOURNEY HOME
by
Angela Scavone
GENRE: Contemporary Romance
Stephanie Tyler’s sole job is to fly overseas to war torn areas of the world to retrieve and escort the bodies of fallen soldiers back home to the United States. It is a tough and emotional job but she is honored for the privilege. Her duty also helps her to escape her past and her failed marriage.
But those flights have become increasingly more dangerous and she is forced to have a partner accompany her. Much to Stephanie’s surprise and dismay, she is partnered up with her ex-husband, Captain “D.A.” Douglas Aston.
From the moment Captain D.A. enters the scene, he irritates her. It could have something to do with the fact he slept with her best friend while they were married. As they go on several missions together, Stephanie is forced to be courteous and professional with D.A. even though the very sight of him irritates her beyond comprehension.
Then, Stephanie’s cheating, husband stealing, ex-best friend is killed in Afghanistan and Stephanie and D.A. must escort her body home. While executing this difficult duty, a myriad of conflicting emotions makes Stephanie ponder how short life really is . . . and to question her own ability to forgive.
The phone intercom buzzed and Pam came over the speaker. “Sorry to interrupt, Colonel, but you wanted me to let you know when Captain Aston was here.”
I stared at the Colonel wide-eyed.
He merely smiled and said, “Thanks, Pam. I’ll be out in a minute.”
“He’s here now?” I asked, incredulously.
“Didn’t I mention that?” He rose from his chair and walked to the door as I stood and straightened my uniform.
The Colonel stood with his hand on the doorknob, watching me fuss. “You look tremendous, Captain.”
“What? Oh I don’t care what I look like for him,” I immediately protested, waving my hand in the air.
“Of course.” He was still smiling as he opened the door. “Captain Aston, please come in.”
I heard his voice first. “Thank you, Colonel.”
I glanced down at my uniform to make sure everything was in place before he came into the room. When I looked back up, Captain Aston was walking through the door.
To the female eye, he was a very attractive man. He stood at six-four and was well built, but not so much that muscles and tendons were popping out everywhere. He had a strong jaw and black hair just long enough to run your fingers through. Dressed in full uniform, his handsome features were even more prominent.
Not that I noticed.
“Please come in and we can discuss your new role.”
“Yes, Sir.” Captain DA put out his hand for me to shake, flashing his killer smile that started in his bright blue eyes and ended in a set of mouth-framing dimples. “Good to see you again, Captain.”
I returned his smile and handshake, determined to be professional in front of the Colonel even if it killed me.
Colonel Madison resumed his place behind his desk. “Please sit. This is a quick, informal meeting to get reacquainted with each other.”
I remained on my feet which kept both men standing. “Sir, with all due respect,” I began, facing the Colonel, “I cannot work with Captain Aston.” Apparently, my mouth wasn’t on board with being professional.
“Why not?” DA asked, sounding offended.
I ignored his question and kept my attention on the Colonel, who looked as if he were about to laugh. “We used to be married.”
“I know that.” He smiled.
“Our marriage did not end on a positive note,” I continued, “and I don’t think I can work with him on a day to day basis. In fact, I left Virginia to get away from him.”
“You know, I’m standing right here,” DA chimed in.
“Captain Tyler, are you telling me you can’t put your differences aside to work together as a team? Even though I asked you as a personal favor?” The Colonel’s smile had vanished and there was now a warning in his tone.
“No, Sir.” I heard the warning and decided it was time to back off the fight. “I’ll try putting our differences aside to work together, but I can’t promise I won’t kill him in the process.”
The Colonel coughed out a chuckle. “That’s all I can ask for. Now, you—hopefully—have some time off before another call comes in. Why don’t you show Captain DA around?”
The Colonel spoke as I reached for the door handle. “I’m curious, off the record, of course. How did your marriage not continue on a positive note? I remember the wedding. You two seemed so compatible and so in love. What happened?”
DA and I looked at each other for the first time since his arrival.
“He cheated on me with a friend of mine,” I replied baldly.
“I did not cheat on you! How many times do I have to say it before you believe me?” he retorted, all vestiges of professionalism gone.
“Oh, here we go again!” I shouted back. “I came home early, I walked into the kitchen and there was Alex on top of you on the kitchen floor.”
“I told you it wasn’t what it looked like. I have said over and over again that I did not sleep with Alex!” His tone increased until he was shouting, too.
“You’re telling me that you two never slept together?” I demanded an answer.
“Well . . .” He looked away from me. “Not while we were married.”
“I knew it!”
“It was after we were separated and you had moved here! What did you want me to do? Never sleep with anyone again?”
“You can sleep with whomever or whatever you want for all I care—”
“Ahem.” The Colonel cut in. I jerked back, startled; in the heat of arguing with my frustrating ex, I had forgotten my boss was there.
“Sorry, Sir. Do you see why I can’t work with him?”
The Colonel regarded us both. “Alex?” he questioned DA.
“Alexandra Keating, Sir. She was Stephanie’s best friend.”
“Best friend, my left toe! She’s a traitorous, backstabbing, two-faced, lying, husband stealing bitch.”
“Wow, that’s quite descriptive, Captain. Why don’t you tell us your true feelings about her?” Both of the Colonel’s eyebrows rose in shock.
“I’m only speaking the truth, Sir.” I addressed the Colonel but glared at DA.
“Well.” He clapped his hands together to signal the end of our bickering. “I know you two can be respectful when escorting a fallen soldier home and I know you will be professional during the dignified transfer ceremonies. However, please try and be professional at other times as well or at least civil to each other.” He waved us toward the door.
DA and I both nodded and exited the office. Before we could leave the reception area, the Colonel poked his head out of his office door.
“And, Captain Tyler-”
“Sir?”
“Try not to kill him, please. He just arrived at our base and it wouldn’t look good in the press.”
Knowing the Colonel had a wicked sense of humor, I still couldn’t find my own jocularity. “No promises, Sir, But I’ll give it my best shot.”
“That’s all I ask.”
Angela lives in Ontario, Canada sharing her home with her father and her two much-loved pups (and one evil cat). She currently works for the Board of Education behind the scenes supporting and analyzing student data, however, in her spare time, apart from her avid love of storytelling, she likes to read, spend time with family and friends and concoct dairy free recipes from scratch. Sometimes she wins some, and sometimes she loses some – tofu, banana and peanut butter pudding we are looking at you.
