Julie Elizabeth Powell's Blog, page 7
June 8, 2018
SWEET AND SASSY WEDDINGS Happily Ever After Romance
SWEET AND SASSY WEDDINGS
Happily Ever After Romance
Genre: Contemporary Romance
With this ring I thee wed, says the groom, and the bride smiles, always beautiful, always dreaming of a happy future. Whether she is young or not that young, a hopeless romantic or an Ice Queen, a vocalist or an attorney, a mail-order bride or a poker-bet fiancée, a single mom or a stay home mother and widow, our bride dreams of love and passion, and a walk down the aisle.
Celebrate true love and commitment with SWEET and SASSY WEDDINGS, nine breathtaking stories from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, all award-winning authors.
MOTHER’S DAY BABIES, Mona Risk, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: Powerful TV News Director, Lou Roland, is certainly not marriage material, yet he wants Barbara in his arms. Not an easy task when his pretty confidante, a widow from Kentucky, proves so difficult to date, unless he follows her rules.
A KISS BENEATH A STRAWBERRY MOON, Tamara Ferguson, Multi-Award-winning author: Vocalist Marielle McKinnon and composer Drew Kendall find love one magical summer after a Kiss Beneath A Strawberry Moon. But when Drew is injured in Iraq and refuses to contact Marielle, who’s become a star, will their love survive?
SECOND CHANCE BRIDE, Joan Reeves, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: Constance is the Ice Queen—can Alex find a way to melt the ice around her heart?
NIGHTFALL, Rebecca York, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: What happens when a macho virgin homesteader meets his mail-order bride?
HOLD ‘EM, Jacquie Biggar, USA Today bestselling author: In the game of love all bets are off. When professional poker player Matthew Shaughnessy wins the pot of a lifetime, he didn't expect to land himself a fiancée.
THE YOU-CAN’T-MAKE-ME BRIDE, Leanne Banks, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author: [Spicy]. When attorney Jenna Jean Anderson needs emergency orthopedic surgery from her childhood nemesis Dr. Stanley Michaels, unexpected attraction flares between them. But can their passion transform to the forever love of their secret dreams?
HIS SACRED VOW, Susan Jean Ricci, Award Winning, Bestselling Author: Abandoned with a baby on the way, Melanie Kirk swears never again to be taken in by a guy’s superficial words, or allow any other diversions to interfere with her responsibilities - enter Taylor Hutchins, a diversion with a capital D.
FINDING LOVE, Natalie Ann, Award-Winning author: What happens when a hopeless romantic falls for a cynical romance writer? Erik is determined to convince Sheldon that what she's believed her whole life might actually be false.
THE BRIDE WORE LEATHER, Suzanne Jenkins, Multi-Award-winning author: After Oscar rescued Lisa from a marriage to the wrong guy, they'll make up lost time together.
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Mona lives in South Florida and has traveled to more than eighty countries on business or vacation. She writes contemporary romances, medical romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fantasy. Sprinkled with a good dose of humor, her stories are set in the fascinating places she visited or more simply at home.
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Writing steamy yet sweet compassionate stories of fate that are wonderfully romantic, Tamara Ferguson is the multi-award winning, #1 international bestselling author of 8 #1 books and novellas in the Tales of the Dragonfly Romance Suspense Series, the Kissed By Fate Series, and the Two Hearts Wounded Warrior Romance Series.
Her wounded warrior romances, Two Hearts Unspoken. Two Hearts Surrendered, and Two Hearts Undone were all winners at the 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards; with Two Hearts Unspoken earning the Silver Medal in Military Fiction. Two Hearts’ Christmas Wish, the fourth story in the series, just spent 6 consecutive weeks at #1 in the Mistletoe Kisses & Christmas Wishes romance set. Two Hearts Surrendered was just announced as a Romance Selection for the 2016 New Apple Book Awards.
Along with the 2015 Romance Reviews Readers’ Choice Award Winner That Unforgettable Kiss, Two Hearts Surrendered and Two Hearts Unspoken were also finalists for the 2016 IAN Book of The Year. Tales of the Dragonfly In Tandem was a romance finalist in the Indie Excellence Awards, while Tales of the Dragonfly In Flight was a romance suspense winner at the Readers' Favorite International Book Awards.
Since she remains a full-time caregiver for an autistic son (along with a bunch of adopted pets!), you can usually find Tammy working at home, where she spends a lot of time not completing her numerous home improvement projects, because she's writing or helping author friends promote their books on twitter.
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Joan Reeves is a New York Times and a USA Today bestselling author of Contemporary Romance. Her novels have been published in a half dozen languages, and her ebooks are available at most ebook sellers with audio book and print editions also available. Several of her books are available in French editions through her publisher in France.
When not writing romance—or nonfiction to share what she has learned in life—Joan divides her time between the hustle and bustle of Houston and a house in the Texas Hill Country. At their country house, Joan and her hero, her husband, attempt to grow wine grapes and fruit trees—all while fighting hordes of marauding gophers, skunks, deer, fox, and the occasional copperhead snake.
Joan lives the philosophy that is the premise of all of her romance novels: "It's never too late to live happily ever after."
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A master of paranormal romantic suspense, Rebecca York is the author of over 150 books. A New York Times and USA Today best-seller, she has written paranormal romantic thrillers for Berkley and romantic thrillers for Harlequin Intrigue. Her romantic-suspense series, Decorah Security, is set at a detective agency where agents have paranormal powers or work paranormal cases. She also writes an Off-World series where each story is a science fiction romance taking place on a distant planet in the far future.
Ruth and her husband travel frequently to research settings for novels and taste new dishes for cookbooks. Her many unique experiences are apt to end up in her books--like the time she encountered a coral snake in the Guatemalan jungle or took a flight in a glider plane.
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Jacquie Biggar is a USA Today bestselling author of Romantic Suspense who loves to write about tough, alpha males who know what they want, that is until they're gob-smacked by heroines who are strong, contemporary women willing to show them what they really need is love. She is the author of the popular Wounded Hearts series and has just started a new series in paranormal suspense, Mended Souls.
She has been blessed with a long, happy marriage and enjoys writing romance novels that end with happily-ever-afters.
Jacquie lives in paradise along the west coast of Canada with her family and loves reading, writing, and flower gardening. She swears she can't function without coffee, preferably at the beach with her sweetheart. 🙂
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Leanne Banks is a national #1 best-selling author of romance novels. She is the winner of the Romantic Times Career Achievement Awards in Series Sensuality and Love and Laughter. She is also the winner of the Florida Writers Beacon Award, the Golden Quill Award, the Georgia Romance Writers' MAGGIE Award and Booksellers' Best Award. Her books have been recognized by the Award of Excellence Contest, the Romance Writers of America Rita Contest, and the National Readers' Choice Awards.
Leanne is a popular speaker to many kinds of groups. One of her workshops was featured on the CBS Morning Show. Drop Leanne an email if you would like to find out more about having Leanne speak to your group.
Leanne believes her readers work hard on the job and for their families, so she tries to lighten the load with stories featuring a strong sense of fun, emotion and sensuality. Reader response is heartwarming. One of her favorite letters was from a woman who had been suffering severe health problems: "[Your books] did more for my health that all the medicine in the world -- as corny as this sounds, [your heroes] made me feel like life is `worth it'."
Leanne lives in Virginia with her family. She loves music, chocolate, quotes, and new adventures.
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An Award-Winning, From Women’s Pens Author, and Humorist, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her Cindy’s Crusades Series, starring the hilarious duo Cindy and Jay DeMatteo. These cherished characters are first introduced in the novel Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, and return to entertain you in the sequel The Sugar Ticket. Their mischief making continues in these shorts Two Miracles for Christmas, A Valentine’s Day to Remember, and The Blind Seer.
Ms. Ricci’s Christmas stories and novellas have been published in the beloved Annie Acorn Christmas Treasuries 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Other selections appear in Annie Acorn's Romance 2015 Treasury, Annie Acorn's Romance Treasury 2016, and Annie Acorn’s Spirited Tales 2015. All may be purchased as stand alone stories, as well as other her titles, including those smoking, hot novellas available in Ms. Ricci’s catalogue, The My Sexy Chef Series.
More recently, Ms. Ricci’s When Sailors Play has been included in Uvi Poznansky’s Bestselling Anthology Love in Times of War. Her current tales are offered in the following anthologies Unforgettable Heroes – Unforgettable Passion, and Sweet Heat – Where Love & Suspense Meet.
Susan and her husband Joe live in a beautiful town near the sea, and when time allows, they love to travel. Together they have seven children and ten grandchildren.
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Natalie Ann lives in Upstate NY with her husband and teenage son. She has always had a love for books, especially romance and happy ever after. She's written the Road Series and the All Series based in the Capital Region of New York. She is currently writing the Lake Placid Series located in the Adirondacks of New York.
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Suzanne Jenkins writes page-turning contemporary romance, mystery, and women's fiction with passionately gripping characters that stay with readers long after they turn the last page. The Detroit Detective Stories, beginning with The Greeks of Beaubien Street are a reflection of American fantasy with historical reality. Pam of Babylon books consistently rank in the Top 100 Best Sellers in American Drama with over 500,000 downloads. A retired operating room nurse, Jenkins lives in Southern California.
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Romance Between The Pages presents...
Listen on Itunes (Subscribe so you never miss an episode! It’s FREE!)
Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!
THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
ALYSSA DAY!
Alyssa Day is the pen name (and dark and tortured alter ego) of author Alesia Holliday. As Alyssa, she is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author, and she writes the Warriors of Poseidon and Cardinal Witches paranormal romance series and the Tiger’s Eye Mysteries, a paranormal mystery series. As Alesia, she writes comedies that make readers snort things out of their noses, and is the author of the award-winning memoir about military families during war-time deployments: Email to the Front. She has won many awards for her writing, including Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA award for outstanding romance fiction and the RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Paranormal Romance novel of 2012.
Alyssa is a diehard Buckeye who graduated summa cum laude from Capital University Law School and practiced as a trial lawyer in multi-million dollar litigation for several years before coming to her senses and letting the voices in her head loose on paper. She has lived all over the country, including Florida, Mississippi, Washington state, Ohio, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, Colorado, Illinois, Texas, Alaska, Michigan, Virginia—and she has lived all over the world: the Philippines, Turkey, and Japan. She loves to travel, and just got back from a cruise to Cozumel (lovely! Wine on our balcony!) and an adventure with a group of high school art students to London, Paris (my favorite city in the world!) and Rome. She currently lives somewhere near an ocean with her Navy Guy husband, two kids, and any number of rescue dogs.
June 5, 2018
ENCHANTED ROMANCES - Magical Passion
ENCHANTED ROMANCES - Magical Passion
by Mimi Barbour, Jacquie Biggar, Rachelle Ayala, Suzanne Jenkins, Dani Haviland, Stacy S. Eaton, Katy Walters, Susan Jean Ricci
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Come into our world, where guardian angels protect you, Fountain of Youth water revives you, and supernatural beings comfort you. Eight paranormal stories with romance and happy ever after endings by eight award winning and bestselling authors. Enjoy the ride into our mystical fantasies filled with superb entertainment!
His Devious Angel - Mimi Barbour
A gorgeous man-hater gets mixed up with a hotshot soldier when he runs her down with his convertible. Now she's stuck having to accept help from him and his angel.
The Guardian - Jacquie Biggar
Lucas Carmichael and Scott Anderson had it all, money, fame, and fortune. But one night's stupid mistake takes everything they thought they cherished and dumps it upside down.
Just My Imagination - Suzanne Jenkins
✯ EXCLUSIVE TO THIS BOXSET✯
Sheila spends twenty-four hours nursing the half-frozen handsome stranger who appears at the door of her rustic cabin back to health. The next morning, he’s gone, and Sheila longs for the mysterious Tom Caldwell. Was he ever with her or was it just her imagination?
Time in a Little Blue Bottle – Dani Haviland
The quest for the little blue bottle of Fountain of Youth elixir just got more complicated for Bella. A vampire, Elvis, and Mark Twain are after the same thing, plus her young escort has a crush on her!
Garda ~ Welcome to the Realm – Stacy Eaton
Sometimes decisions in death are as hard as the decisions in life. When Officer Corey Hamilton dies in the line of duty, she trains to be a Guardian, but will her choices change her destiny?
Black Tied - Rachelle Ayala
When ordinary you and the Son of the Kitchen God are all that stand between a playboy apocalypse and true love.
A Knight’s Sorceress - Katy Walters
Tania Roberts searches for her lost love, a search that will take her through time to a distant world of the Tree people, an ancient tribe of Britons who lived and worshipped the mighty trees, a world where Lord Devlin the Black Warrior, encounters Forestyne, the Sorceress.
Honeymoon in Coffinville - Susan Jean Ricci
An ancient, haunted mansion, a white cat with different colored eyes, and more visions than they ever imagined leads lovers Shannon and Rick to wonder if their newly acquired cat is a guardian angel or a creature of darkness.
Mimi Barbour is an incredibly busy New York Times, USA Today and award-winning, best-selling author who has five series to her credit. The Vicarage Bench Series – Spirit/Time -Travel tales that have a surprising twist / The Angels with Attitude Series – Angels Love Romance / The Elvis Series – Make an Elvis song a book / Vegas Series – 6 books full of romantic suspense, humor and gritty conflicts / and… the fast-paced, edgy, humorous, romantic suspense, Undercover FBI Series. She also has numerous box collections and single titles to add to her credits.
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Jacquie Biggar is a USA Today bestselling author of Romantic Suspense who loves to write about tough, alpha males who know what they want, that is until they're gob-smacked by heroines who are strong, contemporary women willing to show them what they really need is love. She is the author of the popular Wounded Hearts series and has just started a new series in paranormal suspense, Mended Souls.She has been blessed with a long, happy marriage and enjoys writing romance novels that end with happily-ever-afters.Jacquie lives in paradise along the west coast of Canada with her family and loves reading, writing, and flower gardening. She swears she can't function without coffee, preferably at the beach with her sweetheart. 🙂Free reads, excerpts, author news, and contests can be found on her website. You can follow her on Facebook, Twitter or email her via her web site. Jacquie lives on Vancouver Island with her husband and loves to hear from readers all over the world!You can join her street team on Facebook, her exclusive Review Crew or sign up for her newsletter.
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Rachelle Ayala is a bestselling author of contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She writes from sweet to steamy and believes that everyone should find love as often as possible, even if it's within the pages of a book. Rachelle is working on a sweet series of romances with pets and firemen, Have a Hart Romances , and one full of bad boys, Bad Boys for Hire . She also writes sports romances in both football and baseball, as well as many holiday romances, both sweet and spicy.
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USA Today best-selling author Dani Haviland, a Mayflower and Mormon pioneer descendant, recently semi-retired from selling tractor parts, tools, and roses in Alaska, relocating to a more temperate climate in western Oregon to pursue her passions: writing, gardening, and photography.
Life has changed from jumping into a skidsteer loader to plow snow to pull-starting the walk behind weed whacker, but there are still enough hours in the day for the feisty old lady to propagate people for her novels and plants for her yard. Sharing is part of her personality, so creating books and photos to share all over the world makes her happy.
Her tenacious and perky attitude is reflected in many of her cyber children, whether they be a British lord stuck in 18th century North Carolina or a 6'7" time traveling 'fairy' who is out to champion anyone who is having a rough time dealing with difficult life situations.
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Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Best Selling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took an early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016, with her last three years in investigations and crime scene investigation to write full time.
Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement, and her teen daughter who is working toward her second degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do and on the choral and cheerleading squads at school. She also has a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy.
Stacy is very involved in Domestic Violence Awareness and served on the Board of Directors for her local Domestic Violence Center for three years.
Be sure to visit her website for updates and more information on her books.
Sign up for all the latest information on Stacy’s Newsletter!
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USA Today Best-Selling author, Katy Walters e.books, and paperbacks are purchased and read in their thousands on Amazon and Kindle Unlimited. Katy lives in the midst of Regency towns on the South Coast of England. Her main interests are historical; contemporary suspense romance, and time travel. She is equally drawn to the paranormal based on mythology and the Dark Ages.
After studying at various universities Katy was awarded a B.A Hons (psych) B.A.(Soc.) B.A. Eng Lit & Creative Writing and an M.A. She was also awarded a Doctor of Science (Hon) for research into pain control.
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An Award-Winning, From Women’s Pens Author, and Humorist, Susan Jean Ricci is best known for her Cindy’s Crusades Series, starring the hilarious duo Cindy and Jay DeMatteo. These cherished characters are first introduced in the novel Dinosaurs and Cherry Stems, and return to entertain you in the sequel The Sugar Ticket. Their mischief making continues in these shorts Two Miracles for Christmas, A Valentine’s Day to Remember, and The Blind Seer.
Ms. Ricci’s Christmas stories and novellas have been published in the beloved Annie Acorn Christmas Treasuries 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016. Other selections appear in Annie Acorn's Romance 2015 Treasury, Annie Acorn's Romance Treasury 2016, and Annie Acorn’s Spirited Tales 2015. All may be purchased as stand alone stories, as well as other her titles, including those smoking, hot novellas available in Ms. Ricci’s catalogue, The My Sexy Chef Series.
More recently, Ms. Ricci’s When Sailors Play has been included in Uvi Poznansky’s Bestselling Anthology Love in Times of War. Her current tales are offered in the following anthologies Unforgettable Heroes – Unforgettable Passion, and Sweet Heat – Where Love & Suspense Meet.
Susan and her husband Joe live in a beautiful town near the sea, and when time allows, they love to travel. Together they have seven children, ten grandchildren, and harbor their queen of the castle Emma the Lab.
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June 1, 2018
ADELLA'S HEART by JJ Ellis
ADELLA'S HEART
A Harper's Rock Legacy Series, Book 3
by JJ Ellis
Genre: Young Adult
Please note: This series deals many teenage issues. This particular book touches on kidnapping, rape, physical abuse, and eating disorders. JJ doesn't go into physical and descriptive aspects of these issues but uses the issues to allow the story to move forward.
Ben Croft and Adella Johnson come from two different worlds. Ben's a high school football star who likes the party girls. Adella is autistic and prefers the majesty of the horses she works with to the social awkwardness created by teen boys.
But for Ben, there's just something about the unpretentious, pretty blonde. So, when his usual charms don't work on her, he drops the act and gets real. They form a quick and powerful bond.
It seems almost from the beginning that the world is working hard to shred everything that ties them together. And it just might succeed when each is faced with a future they never saw coming.
Little did he know that the first time he saw her that day, his world would fall away beneath him. It started with the neigh of a horse, the sweet smell of hay, and a laugh so full of joy it made his heart ache. His eyes scanned the landscape settling on the fence beyond the trees. Adella, standing next to Misty, with her head thrown back in laughter was like nothing he’d ever witnessed before; beauty, life, joy, everything pure in the world stood before him in the girl he wanted so much. As the Wyoming wind tossed her hair about, Ben was finally able to move forward again. But for the first time in his life speech escaped him.
“Ben!” Addie squealed when she saw him approach. “I’m so glad you made it.”
“Uh hi.” He stared at her like he was seeing beauty for the first time.
“We’re going to train Misty some more today. Is that okay.”
Ben looked down at the ground. “What…how…uh…”
Addie looked at him, her expression puzzled. “Oh no! You caught my autism!”
There was a silent beat then both teens laughed breaking the tension. Misty joined in with a loud neigh and a nudge to Adella’s side.
When the laughter finally died down, Ben kissed Adella’s cheek and took Misty’s reins. “What do I do first, boss?”
Anguish
One young man
One desperate decision
Being a teenager is hard enough, but when you have a diagnosis of depression and anxiety life can feel like it is caving in on you. When you add in a new awareness of your sexuality and falling in love for the first time, life can become almost too much to bear.
Ben Harper is determined to make it all work with the help of his best friend and new love, JC Croft. But when his inner demons conspire against him, can he come out on top or will he be crushed by the pressure?
A Promise to Sadie
Michael Croft, a sensitive, artistic teen, is trying to decipher his father's tragic and complicated legacy.Then, life presents Michael with the opportunity to help his childhood friend Sadie. He agrees, knowing he would do anything for the girl he loves.
When tragedy strikes the young couple, Michael makes a promise that beings to tear his life apart. But he has a guardian angel watching over him. Can his father's broken past help him face life as it should be? Or will Michael turn his back on the lessons of the past and sabotage his own peace?
Defining Riley
At what point will defining Riley become a matter of life or death? Is a legacy left by someone he's never met the only thing that can save him from himself?
Riley Johnson has always carried one label or another. He's the ranch kid, the bully, the jock, the closeted bisexual, the wild kid, the son of the town drunk. But these are all labels placed on him by others. Who is Riley Johnson really, in his own eyes?
Starting with the death of someone he loves, Riley's world beings to fall apart. As he tries to keep his head above water, he's faced with a choice. He can live down to the labels and be the Riley everyone believes him to be or he can search within himself and the hearts of those who care about him to find out who he really is and who he will someday become.
JJ Ellis is first and foremost a mom to five kids, four girls and one boy, ranging in age from 6-22. After that, she is a physically limited wife, blogger and now an author. She holds a degree in Communication Studies (Public Relations) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas but never thought she would choose writing as a career, especially at the age of 42. She once wanted to be a publicist in the entertainment industry, but never a writer. Then one day when she was in her mid-thirties she was going through what can only be described as an early 'midlife crisis' and ideas just started to come to her and she felt compelled to write them down. She finished her first book relatively quickly, but life got in the way and it took her eight years to revisit it and then publish her first novel. She can honestly say that now she is finally right where she wants to be.
JJ has been married to her college sweetheart (and romance novel hero) for twenty-one years and they reside in Casper, WY with their kids and one crazy mutt named Kreuger. She enjoys reading, writing, blogging, computing, and graphic design. She will try anything that will allow her creativity to be released.
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Prize: Ebook copies of the two previous books (Anguish & A Promise to Sadie) and advanced copy of Defining Riley.
F*CKING SHATTERED by K.B. Andrews
F*CKING SHATTERED
by K.B. Andrews
Genre: YA Romance
I've always been the shy, quiet one.
My best friend, the fun loving, outgoing one.
When she's gone, taken away entirely way too soon,
I have to learn how to live.
And not just for me, but for her too.
I have to live for the both of us.
That means doing things I'd never do, stepping out of the shadows
to join the rest of the world- taking chances, falling in love,
and getting into a little trouble along the way.
Losing my best friend broke me.
And when a person breaks,
They f*cking shatter.
✯✯✯✯✯ "An emotional rollercoaster" by Brandi W via Audible
What an incredible story! I knew nothing about this story before listening to it, and I'm so glad I got the opportunity. It is a beautifully written story filled with heart ache, love and rediscovering yourself. The narrator, Sarah did an incredible job of conveying the emotion of the book. I was hooked at the first chapter!
✯✯✯✯✯ "Loved it" by Kay via Audible
This was my first K.B. Andrews novel and I loved it. F*cking Shattered was an emotional, touching novel that had me hooked from start to finish. Its a story about friendship and love, about grief and dealing with grief. Its also about living your life.
I loved Jovie and River. Together they were perfect and I loved going on that journey with them. You will experience a range of emotions with this novel, from crying to laughing to shock, KB Andrews gave us all the feels in this story.
I listened to the audible version of this novel narrated by Sarah Puckett and it was amazing. She did a great job bringing these characters to life and I enjoyed it.
I loved this novel and I would highly recommend it.
✯✯✯✯✯ "I truly enjoyed this story!" by Julie D via Audible
This story of friendship, loss, and new love did my heart good! I think Katie arranged this all hoping it would work out the way it did!! I enjoyed the lists and how they made each item happen!!! Sarah Puckett does a wonderful job with the storyline and with the definition between the characters. I enjoy listening to stories she narrates.
K.B. Andrews was born and raised in a small town in Southern Illinois. She has been dreaming up stories since she was a small child, before she even knew how to spell. She took the first step into self publishing in November of 2016 and hasn't looked back since. Currently, she has written five books, three books in The Chance Series, Finding You in the Darkness, and Losing a Piece of Me. She is a stay-at-home mom of two children, and spends her days in a chaotic mess of life and writing. To stay up to date on things she's working on, find her on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest!
FOREVER IN INK by Jude Ouvrard
FOREVER IN INK by Jude Ouvrard
Ink Series Book 4
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: JC Clarke (The Graphics & Formatting Shed)
Editor: RE Hargrave
Release Date: June 20, 2018
Kyle Layne has it all figured out. The perfect life, including a future with his dream woman, is in his grasp. Each day filling with more happiness than the one before, he couldn’t ask for a better existence.
But fate has other plans.
Like lightning from the heavens, Kyle’s dream turns into a nightmare in the blink of an eye. Lost, and filled with pain and anger, his once perfect life now resembles a broken mirror—shattered.
With the help of his best friend Levi, he finds a ray of hope in the depths of darkness. Kyle’s fragile shell is transformed into a work of art, freeing his mind and soul for a chance at a new future while memorializing his sacred past forever in ink. Kyle’s dream has died, but life starts making sense again after his tattooing career takes off and strong friendships help rebuild his sanity… until a one-night stand flips his world upside down, that is.
Can Kyle risk his battered heart in Destiny’s untrustworthy hands? After so much loss, does he dare to dream again?
Pulling me back a few steps, she tugged me closer to her, so our fronts were touching. “I don’t want you to worry, K. A perfect life doesn’t mean diamonds and designer clothes. It means having a roof over our head, being surrounded by love, and having our health. Things we already have.”
We had such a different vision of what we both wanted. Cassidy did deserve diamonds, plenty of them. One every Christmas, one every Valentine’s Day. She was right, though; we already had everything to have a good life, and I should consider myself lucky. What with all the broken families around town, the poor and hungry, even the unhappy, rich businessmen living in their offices.
I had everything, I didn’t need more.
As an editor, sometimes working through a manuscript becomes technical, and you don't necessarily get "sucked in." With Forever in Ink, I found myself having to stop reading to go back and edit. And, yes, I cursed Ms. Ouvrard a couple of times for making my heart race... in both good and bad ways. Kyle's story is as heartbreaking as it is uplifting. Everyone deserves a second chance.
Body, Ink, and Soul ✯ Music, Ink, and Love ✯ Ink Me More
"Drama, true love, tattoos...and everything in between!"
Jude Ouvrard is an author who writes from the heart, and reads with passion and devotion. Jude enjoys stories of drama, true love, tattoos, and everything in between. While writing is her therapy, reading is her solace. Life doesn't get better than books and chocolate, and maybe a little bit of shopping.
A romance lover, Jude writes about love, pain, heartbreak and matters that will challenge your heart. A book can tell an unexpected story, no matter which directions it takes. Jude embraces words that have haunted her for years.
Jude is a working mom who dedicates her time to a law firm and writing books. She has an energetic superhero son, and a supportive boyfriend of many years. Her family is her rock; she could not survive without them. Born a country girl, she transformed into a city woman who now lives in Montreal, Canada. Although French is her first language, Jude decided to write in English because she liked the challenge.
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May 29, 2018
THE BRIDE WORE LEATHER by Suzanne Jenkins
THE BRIDE WORE LEATHER
A Bittersweets: Oscar and Lisa Sequel
by Suzanne Jenkins
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Lisa stood on her toes to reach Oscar’s lips. Muscle memory clicked in, remembering what the others lips felt like, how perfectly their mouths fit together, the line of their bodies melding. They were getting a second chance. The only thing they didn’t know is what total intimacy would be like, because Oscar had been too afraid. But he wasn’t afraid now.
Terry & Alex ✯ Brenda & Larry ✯ Oscar & Lisa
Suzanne Jenkins Bio Suzanne writes page-turning contemporary romance, mystery, and women's fiction with passionately gripping characters that stay with readers long after they turn the last page. The Detroit Detective Stories, beginning with The Greeks of Beaubien Street are a reflection of American fantasy with historical reality. Pam of Babylon books consistently rank in the Top 100 Best Sellers in American Drama with over 500,000 downloads. A retired operating room nurse, Jenkins lives in Southern California.
The Nameless Soldier by Annie Douglass Lima
Description:
What do you do when you’re the only survivor?
Nineteen-year-old Tarvic bears the name of a mighty hero from Alasia’s past. However, the young soldier feels anything but heroic when he regains consciousness to find himself the lone survivor of a brutal attack by invaders from the neighboring kingdom.
Forced to leave his identity behind, Tarvic is thrust into civilian life in the role of protector to three war orphans. When the four of them encounter a mysterious stranger, he must choose between keeping the young girls safe and taking on a mission that could help free his kingdom. Can Tarvic live up to his noble name and find a way to balance his duty and his dreams?
Where to Get a Copy:
Click here to buy the ebook or paperback from Amazon. (The ebook is $2.99 just $0.99 through June 6th!)
Univeral link: books2read.com/u/meAyJR
Not sure if you'll like the story or not? Take a look at the first chapter and see!
The Nameless Soldier
Chapter One
Tarvic woke to the sound of a distant yell, abruptly silenced. He pushed his blankets aside and sat up, puzzled, but heard only the light patter of rain on the canvas. “What was that?”
Drevel, his roommate in the barracks and tentmate out on campaigns like this, stirred and rolled over.
“What?”
“I heard something. Someone shouting.”
“It’s probably just another drill.” But Drevel sat up too, shoving his own blankets away, as Tarvic crawled over and untied the tent flap.
A blast of wintry air and raindrops greeted him as he leaned out, peering across the tent-studded hillside. Clouds hid the moon and stars, and on every side the thick dark of the forest leaned in from the edges of the large clearing. But the telltale flickering light of distant torches sent shadows leaping over tents and across the open spaces between them. Why would someone be using torches out here? Any soldier in camp had easy access to lanterns among the supplies.
Something was wrong. Very wrong. Tarvic pulled back into the tent and yanked on his breeches and jacket.
They both heard the next yell, closer this time, and then the unmistakable clash of swords. Both men snatched up their own swords, jamming their feet into their boots and fumbling for shields. From all around them, shouts of alarm erupted as men in their company woke up.
And then the enemy was upon them. Horses exploded through the camp, trampling tents and the soldiers just crawling out of them. Riders leaned low off their mounts’ backs, swinging swords and waving torches.
Halfway out of his tent, Tarvic threw himself flat on his face to avoid a slash that would probably have decapitated him. He scrambled to his feet, only to be knocked off them again by a blow that he barely caught on his shield.
Light, shadows, horses, blades, rain. Chaos raged through the clearing to the sound of crashing metal, pounding hooves, shouts of challenge and desperation. Tarvic regained his feet and fought as best he could from the ground while enemy riders thundered around him. Dodging and ducking, he aimed for the men’s legs and tried to keep out from under their horses’ hooves. With no idea who he was fighting or why, his only goal to stay alive for the next heartbeat, he dodged and darted through the tumult looking for spots where horses and enemy swords weren’t. All around him, men fought and ran and crumpled to lie as limply as the trampled tents.
Slipping and stumbling in the mud, Tarvic felt a surge of satisfaction as his sword met flesh and an enemy yelled in pain. And then the man wheeled his horse and charged back toward him, and Tarvic turned to flee.
He tripped on something soft that groaned. Pain shot through Tarvic’s wrist as he caught his fall, and only a quick roll saved him from being trampled as the man’s horse cantered over him.
Its rider wheeled again, and Tarvic rose to his knees, barely raising his shield in time to protect his face. The force of the blow threw him backward, jarring his already sore wrist.
Another horse leaped over him, and Tarvic cried out in pain as a hoof struck him on the shoulder. He stumbled to his feet, ducking low to present as small a target as possible, and ran through the melee.
He saw fewer people on foot now, more obstacles in the mud. Was it cowardly to flee from a battle you couldn’t win? Nothing in Tarvic’s eight months in the military had prepared him for this. Not counting occasional minor border skirmishes, the kingdom of Alasia hadn’t seen an actual war in six generations. Besides routine patrols, city peacekeeping, and the frequent drills and training, the military’s primary duties involved escorting merchant wagons through robber-frequented stretches of rural highway and keeping an eye on the sections of coastline where seafaring raiders were known to attack. Tarvic had never fought in a battle that involved more than a handful of opponents at a time, and none of those opponents had been anywhere near this organized — or this deadly.
If we escape, we can regroup somewhere safer and — A hard blow to the back knocked him to the ground again as another horse pounded over him. Giving up all pretense of courage, Tarvic scrambled to his feet once more and fled for the edge of the clearing and the relative safety of the trees beyond. I can’t do anything here. They’re going to slaughter us all!
He was practically there when another rider appeared in front of him, leaning low with sword outstretched. Tarvic almost impaled himself on the blade, raising his shield just in time. He fought back frantically as the man slashed, swinging his weapon again and again. I need my horse! Military training had included nothing about how to fight a mounted enemy from the ground. But Lightning was tethered in the row of makeshift stalls on the far side of the camp, probably prancing restlessly under his blanket and wondering why his rider didn’t come to spur him into battle.
Tarvic didn’t even see the blow that almost killed him. His ears barely registered the thudding of more galloping hooves from behind, nearly drowned out by the rain and the sounds of battle. But the world exploded in light and pain as something struck the back of his head harder than anything had ever hit him before.
He lurched forward, feeling his sword drop from limp fingers. Managing two steps before his legs buckled, he was just conscious enough to recognize the urgent need to crawl. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Don’t stop. Or they’ll kill you out here. That was the only thought left in his mind as he pulled himself toward the concealing shadows behind the line of tree trunks. And then even that faded, giving way to darkness.
Want to know what happens to Tarvic? Click here to purchase the book and find out!
Universal link: books2read.com/u/meAyJR
About the Author:
Annie Douglass Lima spent most of her childhood in Kenya and later graduated from Biola University in Southern California. She and her husband Floyd currently live in Taiwan, where she teaches fifth grade at Morrison Academy. She has been writing poetry, short stories, and novels since her childhood, and to date has published seventeen books (four YA action and adventure novels, five fantasies, a puppet script, six anthologies of her students’ poetry, and a Bible verse coloring and activity book). Besides writing, her hobbies include reading (especially fantasy and science fiction), scrapbooking, and international travel.
Email: AnnieDouglassLima@gmail.com
Blog: http://anniedouglasslima.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnnieDouglas...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/princeofalasia
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGoodreads
Google+: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnGooglePlus
Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/AnnieDouglassLimaOnAmazon
LinkedIn: http://bit.ly/ADLimaOnLinkedIn
My Review:
I was given an ARC of this book but that does not affect my honest review.
I've read previous stories connected to this one and was pleased to have the opportunity to look deeper into Alasia (a side story).
The Nameless Soldier is about a young man who finds himself adrift...I don't give spoilers, though will say that the tale is filled with meaning as well as action, suspense and mystery.
Honour, love and tragedy are some of the themes, and together with the realistic characters, make this a compelling read.
This fantasy story is extremely well written; its tone, style and storyline for all ages.
I thoroughly enjoyed it and for those who haven't read the Annals, it has hints of the trilogy (great read).
Highly recommended.
***
A great series - The Nameless Soldier just adds to its depth.
May 28, 2018
LAST ORDERS by Laura Strickland
LAST ORDERS
A Buffalo Steampunk Adventure
by Laura Strickland
Genre: Steampunk Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Buffalo Police Sergeant Brendan Fagan, investigating a series of grisly murders spurred by clashes between humans and automatons, only wants to save his city. The last thing he needs in his life is a rule-bending, steam-cannon-toting, unpredictable female like Ginny Landry, a woman who could possibly bring down his career and the one woman he quite likely can't resist.
Ginny means to settle the estate of her mother, an infamous madam, quickly and get out of town. She has no intention of becoming involved with any part of her inheritance or falling for Brendan. In fact, she makes it a point never to date handsome men. But when her rash behavior brings them together, the attraction can’t be denied.
And when the city erupts in chaos, forcing her to choose a moral side, can she deny what’s in her heart?
“Line ’em up again,” the woman cried in a husky voice.
“They’re already lined up, miss!”
She shut one eye. “So they are. Stand back and let me at ’em.”
“She hasn’t missed yet.” The man standing next to Brendan informed him, and then promptly did a double take before yelping, “Hold up! The coppers are here.”
“To hell with ’em!” the woman cried and opened fire. The empties along the wall exploded in an even line, and the room blossomed with heat and steam.
Brendan, mouth ajar, watched in horrified amazement as the explosions continued—at least until the cannon needed to recharge.
“Wall’s on fire!” somebody stated. One of the barmen ran forward and slapped out the flames with his cloth.
“Saints preserve us,” Dennis breathed.
It would take more than saints. Brendan, gathering himself, marched forward and glared up at the woman.
“Get down off that bar.”
She focused on him—a bit blearily, but she focused. She seemed to contemplate his face, his hair, and his uniform before she sneered. “Says who?”
She accompanied the last word with a lean that allowed him a good view of her bodice, most of its buttons undone. Sweet mother Mary, full of grace.
“Buffalo police,” he declared himself, proud to hear he sounded steady as a rock. “Cease and desist. And while you’re about it, you can hand over the steam cannon.”
The crowd booed. The woman looked around at them and waved her hand. “Go away, Officer. You’re spoiling the entertainment.”
“This is not entertainment. It’s sheer stupidity. There are ordinances prohibiting the discharge of a steam cannon indoors.”
“And aren’t you the dull fellow to remind us of those ord-ord-ordinances?” She smiled the kind of smile the devil might. “How about if I blow out that wall? Then we won’t be indoors, will we?”
“We will. At least,” he allowed, “three-quarters. Miss, you’re drunk and shouldn’t have possession of a weapon. Hand it over, please.”
“Isn’t he polite?” She appealed to the bar at large, while Brendan’s temper rose. He didn’t lose it often but felt damned close now.
The other patrons hooted some more and stamped their feet.
Brendan called to his fellow officer. “Dennis, let’s get her down.”
Both of them tall men, each reached for one of the woman’s arms, intending to swing her down from the bar. As soon as they touched her, though, she began to holler.
“Fred! Where are you, Fred?”
A fellow stepped forward. Squat and red-faced, he appeared at least as drunk as the woman. He balled up his fists. “Leave go of her now.”
Ignoring him, Brendan grunted as he and Dennis swung their charge down, him all too aware she still had the now-recharged cannon in her hand.
He set her squarely on the floor, took a half step back, and held out his hand. “Give me the weapon.”
“No one takes this cannon from me.”
“Hand it over, miss, unless you wish to be arrested.”
Amazon ✯ The Wild Rose Press
✯
B&N ✯ Kobo
Dead Handsome ✯ Off Kilter ✯ Sheer Madness ✯ Steel Kisses
Born in Buffalo and raised on the Niagara Frontier, Laura Strickland has been an avid reader and writer since childhood. She believes the spunky, tenacious, undefeatable ethnic mix that is Buffalo spells the perfect setting for a little Steampunk, so she created her own Victorian world there. She knows the people of Buffalo are stronger, tougher and smarter than those who haven't survived the muggy summers and blizzard blasts found on the shores of the mighty Niagara. Tough enough to survive a squad of automatons? Well, just maybe.
Prize: A sweet Steampunk necklace with ribbon choker and antiqued heart. Does your lover have the key to your heart?
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SCARLETT COLE!
The tattoo across my right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada where I met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.
I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I'm getting the chance to follow that dream.
I am represented by Beth Phelan at The Bent Agency, NY.
