Naughty Netherworld Press's Blog: Naughty Netherworld Press on Goodreads, page 18
June 19, 2025
The Weight of Loyalty Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Historical Fiction
Date Published: May 25, 2025
“My long-term survival is doubtful under any scenario. Yet, I already defied the impossible by escaping from a watery tomb and swimming to this very spot. But luck is finite—it always peters out.”
As the island of Kefalonia falls under the harsh occupation of Italian soldiers in 1941, British sailor Oliver Graham washes ashore, desperate to evade capture. Rescued by the fierce and determined Natalía Giannatos, he becomes entangled in a web of love, loyalty, and betrayal.
With her brother and fiancé lost to the conflict, Natalía is driven by vengeance against the occupiers and a deepening bond with Oliver. But when an Italian colonel fixates on her, she must navigate a dangerous game of deception to protect her family and village. As Oliver struggles with his hidden heritage and his growing feelings for Natalía, they are thrust into the heart of the resistance, where every choice could lead to freedom or devastation.
In a story that intertwines love and sacrifice against the backdrop of war, The Weight of Loyalty explores the resilience of the human spirit and the lengths one will go to for love. Will Oliver and Natalía’s connection survive the trials of conflict, or will the brutal realities of war tear them apart forever?
About the Author
Mike H. Mizrahi and his wife, Karen, reside in Poulsbo, WA. He is a winner of the (indie Reader Discovery Award and a Laramie Finalist in the Chanticleer Book Awards. His other historical novels include The Unnamed Girl, Tattered Coat, and the Great Chattanooga Bicycle Race.
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Grandma's Bucket of Mercy Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Children's Book
Date Published: May 28, 2025
Publisher: MindStir Media
📘 Book Description for Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy by Robin Carole
You are never too old or too young to learn life’s lessons.
From multiple award-winning author Robin Carole comes a heartwarming true story that celebrates the power of love, forgiveness, and generational wisdom. Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy is a touching tale of one young girl’s summer with her grandmother in 1960s California—and the quiet but profound lesson that would change two lives forever.
Ten-year-old Carole is sent on a mysterious errand involving her grandmother’s elderly neighbor, not knowing her grandmother is teaching her about the gift of mercy. Years later, Carole finally understands the full impact of that experience when a stranger shares how her small, anonymous acts of kindness transformed a life.
Beautifully written and deeply personal, this story is a tribute to the grit and grace of the women who survived the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression and to the enduring strength of intergenerational bonds. Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy is perfect for readers aged 9–12—and for the childlike spirit in every adult who believes in the quiet power of compassion.
✅ True story based on real-life events✅ Uplifting themes of family, kindness, and legacy✅ Ideal for ages 9–12 and meaningful for all ages🪣 Sometimes the smallest gesture can change everything.
About the Author
Robin Carole is a multiple award-winning author and lifelong storyteller dedicated to preserving the legacy of the strong women in her family. A native Californian who grew up in the scenic wine country, Robin spent over 40 years in Deaf Education as a Certified Sign Language Interpreter, working with students from kindergarten through adult education.
Now retired and living in Spokane, Washington, Robin draws from real-life experiences and the stories passed down from her grandmother, mother, and aunts to write books that speak to the hearts of readers young and old. Her passion for storytelling began as a child, sitting at the feet of her family matriarchs, listening to tales of resilience, faith, and enduring love.
Her latest book, Grandma’s Bucket of Mercy, is a heartfelt tribute to the power of quiet acts of compassion—and a reminder that even children can change the world through kindness. Through her writing, Robin invites readers to revisit a time when life was simple, values were taught through action, and lessons of mercy could last a lifetime.
“My education, my work, my goals, and accomplishments are here for only a moment, but my family is a lifetime.” —Robin Carole
Fun Facts About Robin:
Her favorite meal is a classic Southern tomato sandwich She loves gardening, even if it mostly means pulling weeds Oldies music, storytelling, and pets bring her the most joy She still believes in the power of sitting together and sharing stories📚 Explore Robin’s books and discover stories that stay with you—because the lessons we learn from our grandmothers are often the ones we never forget.
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Friday Book Blogger Special: The Life Of Angus Young
Genre:
Biography, entertainment, music, nonfiction
Buy Link:
https://amzn.to/3Tvhq8RPublication Date:
April 1, 2018
Ebook Price:
$11.99
Paperback Price
$16.89
MP3 CD
$42.23
Also available from Audible. The Audible price will show when you click the link. For me, it shows as one credit since I have an Audible membership.
Book Blurb:
Angus Young, the founder and the last original member of AC/DC still in the band, has for more than forty years been the face, sound, and sometimes the exposed backside of the trailblazing rock band. In his trademark schoolboy outfit, guitar in hand, Angus has applied his signature style to songs such as "A Long Way to the Top," "Highway to Hell," and "Back in Black," helping AC/DC become the biggest rock group on the planet.
High Voltage tells of his remarkable rise from working-class Glasgow and Sydney to the biggest stages in the world. The youngest of eight kids, Angus always seemed destined for a life in music, and it was his passion and determination that saw AC/DC become hard rock's greatest act. Over the years, Angus has endured the devastating deaths of iconic vocalist Bon Scott and his brother in arms Malcolm Young as well as the band's loss of singer Brian Johnson and drummer Phil Rudd. Yet the little guitar maestro's unique flair for performance and unstoppable drive to succeed has kept AC/DC not just on the rails, but at the top of the rock pile.
Features exclusive photographs by Philip Morris
https://www.rosecityreader.com/
https://readingismysuperpower.org/ANGUS YOUNG’S SUIT tonight was a deep black, his short-sleeved shirt even whiter than his hairless legs.
The Friday 56
http://www.fredasvoice.com/It was another six months before Angus and the band resurfaced for the massive Monsters of Rock show at Donington Park in the UK during August.
About the Author
In a career spanning more than 30 years I've written more than 30 commercially and critically well-received books, including biographies of Keith Urban, the Bee Gees, Angus Young and Jeff Buckley. My work has been published all around the world.
New York's Kensington Books has just published my Keith Urban biography in the USA and advance reviews — including praise from 15-time Grammy winner Ricky Skaggs — have been terrific. My other recent subjects include AC/DC's Bon Scott (Bad Boy Boogie), Daniel Johns of Silverchair (The Book of Daniel) and the Easybeats' George Young (Friday On My Mind). I co-wrote the Kasey Chambers memoir, called A Little Bird Told Me, and worked as a ghostwriter with Mark Evans of AC/DC on his bestseller, Dirty Deeds. Kasey's book was part of the '50 Books You Can't Put Down' / Get Reading program in 2011, while Mark's book made NPR's best music books of 2011 list. I also helped Michael Browning with his memoir Dog Eat Dog and assisted Richard Clapton with his book, The Best Years of our Lives.
My biography of Johnny O'Keefe was the Sydney Morning Herald's Pick of the Week in their August 10 2013 issue. My Bee Gees biography, Tragedy: The Sad Ballad of the Gibb Brothers was also Fairfax's Pick of the week and was published in the UK by Jawbone Press. My latest book, 2023's Don't Dream It's Over: The Remarkable Life of Neil Finn is on the bestseller list in Australia and has been widely praised. 'Jeff Apter gives us an engaging portrait of the powerhouse behind Crowded House,' noted the Sydney Morning Herald.
I was a senior writer for Rolling Stone (where I was on staff for several years) and also wrote for the Sydney Morning Herald. I was the music reviewer for The Bulletin for many years and was a senior writer for Vogue and GQ. And I still remember the afternoon I met Aretha Franklin as if it was yesterday.
I'm on Facebook and can also be reached through this site. Also see www.jeffapter.com.au
Book Blogger Hop
Book Blogger Hop
13th - 19th - Do you set a monthly budget for books? If yes, what amount? Have you ever exceeded your limit? (submitted by Billy @ Coffee Addicted Writer)Not really. I honestly don't buy a lot of books anymore. I sometimes review books and get an ARC. I ended up getting today's featured book for about $3 with points I earned from Amazon and Capital One.
Follow our Start page to keep up with the latest from the Naughty Netherworld Press crew.
https://naughtynetherworldpress.start.page
If you don’t already have an Audible subscription, click the link below to get started with your 30-day free trial and grab yourself some beach reads... er... listens. Or, you know, out in the middle of the plains listens if you're, say, me, and there isn't a beach within 2000 miles. You’re welcome.
June 18, 2025
Cracks Beneath the Surface Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Titanic Tales of Love and Loss, Book 1
Historical Romance, Historical Fiction
Date Published: May 28, 2025
When Maddy weds the wealthy and influential John Jacob Astor IV, she believes she is stepping into a life of privilege, passion, and promise. But beneath the dazzling façade of high society, whispers of scandal, resentment, and betrayal threaten to pull her under. Shunned by New York’s elite for marrying a man nearly three decades her senior, Madeleine soon realizes that love in the gilded age comes at a price.
As the Astors embark on their homeward voyage aboard the RMS Titanic, fate sets a course neither could have foreseen. Amid the grandeur of the world’s most luxurious ship, tensions rise, secrets unravel, and the ocean stretches endlessly before them—along with the chasm widening in their marriage.
But when disaster strikes, will love, wealth, or power matter in the face of the unthinkable? And when the ice cracks beneath them, will the Astors’ love survive—if they do?
Cracks Beneath the Surface is a sweeping historical romance woven with heartbreak, resilience, and the echoes of a love tested by time, fortune, and fate.
Are you ready to set sail on a journey of passion, peril, and the power of a love that dared to defy the tides of time? Get your copy today and discover the story behind the headlines.
About the Author
Laura McCrum is a Scottish author and former business and education professional whose passion for storytelling has found its voice in both historical fiction and self-help. Cracks Beneath the Surface is her debut historical romance novel and the first in the Titanic: Tales of Love and Loss series—a compelling exploration of human connection, courage, and social class aboard the ill-fated RMS Titanic. Drawing on meticulous research and a love for character-driven narrative, Laura brings real historical figures to life alongside unforgettable fictional characters.
While her Titanic series is published under her real name, Laura also writes empowering self-help books under the pen name Lamont, including Healing the Rift with Your Adult Child and The Blended Family Guide, which support readers through complex personal relationships.
The second book in her Titanic series, The Last Line, follows First Officer William Murdoch and delves deeper into the lives of both crew and passengers during the ship’s final days.
Laura’s writing bridges the emotional power of fiction with the insight and compassion of her self-help work—offering readers both escapism and emotional resonance. Visit Lauran on her website at www.lmcpublications.com
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The A+ Student Blueprint Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Self Help, Study Skills, Study Hacks
Date Published: June 13, 2025
Why This Book Stands Out
Unlike generic guides, The A+ Student Blueprint blends cognitive science, neuroscience, and Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) to transform how you learn. Struggling with focus, retention, or procrastination? This book offers science-backed strategies to study smarter, not harder, helping you excel in any subject.
What You’ll Discover
* StiC Method: Use Spaced Repetition, Testing, Interleaving, and Categorizing to retain info and ace exams.* FAST Method: Speed learning with Forget, Act, State Management, and Teach techniques.* Time Management: Master Pomodoro, Kanban Boards, and Eisenhower Matrix to prioritize tasks.* Memory Hacks: Use doodling, mnemonics, and Leitner System to memorize effortlessly.* Mindset Shift: Rewire beliefs with NLP’s Godiva Pattern to make studying fun.* Procrastination Busters: Beat delays with Eat That Frog and habits from Atomic Habits.Real Results, Real Stories
Follow Jack’s journey in case studies as he masters vectors, quadratic equations, and biology tests using these techniques. Step-by-step examples show how to apply strategies to real subjects, making learning achievable.
Why Students, Parents, and Educators Love It
* Flexible: Tailor strategies to your Visual, Auditory, Kinesthetic, Olfactory, or Gustatory style.* Actionable: “Try This Now” sections help you start immediately.* Lifelong Skills: Learn how to learn anything, anytime, anywhere.* Inspirational: Shift from “I can’t” to “I’ve got this” with mindset hacks used by Serena Williams and Tony Robbins.Who Is This For?
* Students: High school and college learners seeking better grades.* Parents: Equip your child to excel and build confidence.* Educators: Discover strategies to inspire students.Your Journey Starts Here
With The A+ Student Blueprint, you’re building a toolkit for success. Start with one technique today—color-coding or Pomodoro—and watch grades soar. Backed by research and student stories, this is your shortcut to A+ status.
Join the A+ Movement Today!!
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June 17, 2025
Katy in Central Park Release Blitz #rabtbooktours
Book 2 in the Kitty in the City Series
Children's BookA chapter book for ages 5–7Date Published: 06-18-2025Publisher: Crimson Dragon Publishing
Broadway’s favorite singing cat is back on the scene—and this time, she’s headed to Central Park! In Katy in Central Park, Katy is ready for a quiet day with her owner Lilian… until their picnic basket is suddenly snatched.With her best cat buddy Weasel at her side, Katy dashes through the park’s winding paths, determined to solve the mystery. But is everything really what it seems?
This charming chapter book, written and illustrated by Ella English, is full of fun, friendship, and feline flair—plus an important lesson about thinking twice before making snap decisions.🎉 Bonus alert!
At the end of the book, young readers can dive into a bundle of Did You Know? facts about Central Park.
Did you know Belvedere Castle is perched high above Turtle Pond and used to house a weather station? Or that Central Park Zoo is home to snow leopards, sea lions, and red pandas? There are over 280 species of birds in the park, and the entire park is 843 acres—that's about 640 football fields! ✨ Book launches June 18—International Picnic Day!
Celebrate by grabbing a blanket, heading to Central Park, and sharing a storytime picnic with Katy the singing cat!
Ella English is a British author and illustrator known for her children's books, particularly her Kitty in the City series and the Merblood Saga. She writes and illustrates imaginative stories, often with themes of dreams, adventure, and friendship. After moving from London, Ella English now lives in Baltimore, USA, with her two daughters.Contact LinksWebsiteFacebookTwitter: @authorella1BlogGoodreadsPinterestAuthor Instagram: @ellaenglishauthorPublisher Instagram: Instagram @Crimsondragonbooks TikTok: tiktok.com/@ellaenglishPurchase LinksAmazonBarnes and NoblePublisher
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Innocent and Sweet Preorder Blitz #rabtbooktours
Contemporary New Adult Romance
Date Published: June 20, 2025
Anissa Dunn wants one man -- Kameron. He’s got looks, brains and a boatload of attitude… and all that muscle. A girl can only take so much, and he's her heart's desire. She’s not afraid to give as good as she gets and she wants him to be her teacher in all things carnal.
There's only one catch -- he's her bodyguard and the rules state she can't date the staff.
But rules are meant to be broken…
The following excerpt contains material suitable only for readers 18+.
EXCERPTI will make him notice me. Anissa adjusted her dress. The cherry-red halter frock hung on her thin frame. So much for the correct fit. She sighed. No matter what she did, she couldn't put on weight. She debated what to add to improve her figure. If she wore the leather jacket, she'd appear edgy. The clunky boots helped increase her height, so she was fine there. But her bust... drat. She peered down at her chest. A wave of nausea hit her as she thought about her dating past. Guys didn't want to date a woman with a flat chest -- or so they'd told her.
She spied the gel bra cups she'd bought during her last trip to the fabric store. If she had boobs, maybe the guy of her dreams would finally notice her. He had to.
Anissa stuffed the chilly padding beneath the cups of her dress. Her boobs looked huge. Instead of the burst of confidence she'd expected, she hated her reflection in the mirror. The additions didn't fit her frame. But she had a date and no choice but to do her best to entice him. If fake boobs worked, then fine. She'd take her chances.
She donned the jacket, then grabbed her purse and hurried downstairs.
Kam stood in the foyer. He wore the same battered leather jacket, faded jeans and dark sunglasses as he always did. He touched his earpiece. "In position."
Her heart fluttered. Kameron Stone personified sex in human form. Her nipples ached, and she pressed her knees together. She'd never been with a man and wanted Kam to be her first. If she had her way, he'd be her only.
Would he fuck her?
Better yet, would he love her the way she loved him?
"I have the package," Kam said. "Preparing to leave."
She frowned. The package. She didn't have the honor of being referred to by her name. Gaining his attention wasn't going to be easy. "I'm ready."
Kam nodded. "This way, Ms. Dunn."
"Anissa." He'd used her last name. Dang it. She'd pleaded with him so many times to call her by her first name. Ms. Dunn was her mother. She was just Anissa.
"Ms. Dunn." Kam escorted her to the front porch, then down the steps. He opened the passenger door of the limo. "After you."
"Thanks." She couldn't leave the house without her trusty bodyguard, Kam. She settled on the seat and folded her hands on her lap. Kam would do anything to protect her, and she trusted him, but she was twenty-one and her father needed to put some faith in her. He'd sheltered her from everything. She didn't resent him for trying -- when she turned twenty-five, she'd come into a hefty sum of cash via the trust her mother had left her, but still. She'd gone to an all-girls college, a private all-girls high school and never spent more than a few hours on her own. She crossed her legs, and her skirt rode high on her leg. Did Kam notice? Did he care?
She swept her gaze over him as he sat beside her. Strong and silent. He wore his clothes like a second skin, could eviscerate anyone who tried to get too close, but Kam said so little. Half the time she had no idea if he listened to her. Knowing him, he tuned her out.
"Kam?" She shifted in her seat to face him. Her skirt rode higher. He didn't pay her any attention, which rankled her. "Kameron."
"Ms. Dunn." He seemed to stare straight ahead.
She whipped out her phone. She couldn't go through with the date. Not now. She sent a text to the driver, requesting he stay in the driveway. She'd sent the itinerary to the security team but saw no point in leaving the house. Kam wasn't paying attention to her -- not in the way she wanted. He didn't seem to care.
She sighed. According to the magazines she'd bought, her college roommate and the dirty movies she'd watched in the middle of the night, she had to be aggressive and demand what she wanted. Sure... she could be aggressive. She could demand his attention. But she wasn't sure how.
Anissa switched seats to face Kam. The car rolled to a stop, most likely in front of the house. She parted her legs and leaned back. "Kam."
If he looked at her, she couldn't tell.
"Ms. Dunn?" Kam tensed, and the muscle in his jaw twitched. "Are you okay?"
Nope. He hadn't noticed her lousy attempts to entice him.
"I'm fine," she mumbled. What a liar..."I'd like to talk to you."
"Of course."
He had to make this hard. Fine. She'd be tough. "Did you know where we're going?"
"I do. I've been informed you're to visit Ahuja Cancer Center for the opening of their pediatric wing," Kam said. "Would you like to change?"
The opening of the pediatric wing? She'd never seen that request. "Since when?" Irritation filled her brain. If she'd known she had a real date, she wouldn't have dressed like a streetwalker.
"Your father amended the plans for this evening." Kam's tone remained annoyingly flat. "You're dressed a bit... inappropriately for the event. You should consider a more conservative outfit."
Damn. She shrugged out of her coat. Men wanted blunt, didn't they? She squared her shoulders, then straddled his lap. She flipped her hair over her shoulder. Holy hell. Sitting on his thighs reminded her of being on a bench -- so strong and hard... sturdy. Her nerve endings tingled. What would her stern bodyguard do if she flashed him? Of if she embraced her bold side and stretched across his lap, demanding a spanking? The women in those videos liked being spanked. The idea of having her ass reddened intrigued her. She'd never asked for punishment in her life, but she wanted Kam to dish some out -- right now. She shrugged out of the jacket.
"Ms. Dunn." Kam's tone hitched a bit, but his expression remained blank.
She removed his sunglasses. Looking into his eyes was much better -- and scary as hell. She pursed her lips. Was she coming across as sexy? Shoot. Now she wished she'd left his sunglasses in place so she could use the reflection. Too late now. She licked her lips. If she was going to make a move, she needed to do it already. She draped her arms around his neck. "I need you to help me."
About the Author
Megan Slayer, aka Wendi Zwaduk, is a multi-published, award-winning author of more than one-hundred short stories and novels. She’s been writing since 2008 and published since 2009. Her stories range from the contemporary and paranormal to LGBTQ and white hot themes. No matter what the length, her works are always hot, but with a lot of heart. She enjoys giving her characters a second chance at love, no matter what the form. She’s been nominated at the LRC for Best Author, Best Contemporary, Best Ménage, Best BDSM and Best Anthology. Her books have made it to the bestseller lists on various e-tailer sites.
When she’s not writing, Megan spends time with her husband and son as well as three dogs and three cats. She enjoys art, music and racing, but football is her sport of choice. She’s an active member of the Friends of the Keystone-LaGrange Public library.
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress
Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15
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June 16, 2025
Sword of Hadrian #rabtbooktours
Fantasy, Romantic Fantasy
Date Published: March 17, 2025
But magic comes with its own dangers. To protect herself and her newfound powers, Sashki must keep everything secret, including her growing feelings for the prince of Carserae. Though magic is banned in Carserae, Sashki persuades the prince to assist her in fulfilling her destiny, all while keeping her abilities a closely guarded secret. As they embark on a journey to confront the kingdom's fate, Sashki finds herself torn between her heart and her responsibility.
In a world where love and duty collide, Sashki must confront the truth of her identity, her powerful connection to the prince, and the heartbreaking sacrifice required to save her people. Will she destroy the brother she never knew, or can she find a way to save both him and the kingdom without losing herself in the process?
Sword of Hadrian is a captivating fantasy romance novel that explores the complexities of love, magic, and destiny, where every choice comes with a price.
Chloelia Salome initially wrote and published the first version of the Sword of Hadrian in high school, which is now revisited and reimagined in this newest release. Now the author of nine titles, Salome blends epic fantasy with emotional depth, creating a story that’s as moving as it is thrilling.
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To Defend a Damaged Duke New Release Blitz #IndiGo
Title: To Defend a Damaged Duke
Series: Regency Rossingley, Book Two
Author: Fearne Hill
Publisher: NineStar Press
Release Date: 06/17/2025
Heat Level: 3 - Some Sex
Pairing: Male/Male
Length: 76700
Genre: Historical Romance, historical romance, gay, UK, aristocracy, rich man/poor man, second chance romance, hurt-comfort, humorous, slow burn, reunited, opposites attract, scoundrels, brothel owner, horses, horse racing, scheming ingenues
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DescriptionBenedict Fitzsimmons, the reclusive fourteenth Duke of Ashington, nurses a secret desire for his own sex he’d much prefer nobody ever found out about. Indeed, having only ever given in to his urges as a youth—and with disastrous consequences—he never imagined they would. Preferring the company of his racehorses to people, Benedict spends most of his time working on estate matters, longing for a lost love he can never have.
When an anonymous letter threatening to expose Benedict lands in his lap, he’s shocked to the core. He doesn’t have any enemies; why would anyone want to destroy him? Terrified, and with his family’s impeccable reputation at stake, Benedict joins forces with loyal friend, the Earl of Rossingley, to track down the culprit.
Risen from poverty and with a sordid past he’d rather forget, Tommy Squire has a mind dedicated to growing his business ventures and a heart shaped from stone. When the man who once broke it in a life-changing betrayal requests Tommy’s help to avoid a scandal, he finds himself embroiled in a daring scheme to bring down a blackmailer. As their plot unfolds, Tommy realises it’s more than his former lover he’s endeavouring to protect, it’s his battered heart.
This second book in the Rossingley Regency romance series turns to friends of the fourteenth earl of Rossingley, Lando Duchamps-Avery, who once again has a hand in the shenanigans set in London’s wealthy Ton society. This book can be read as a standalone.
The following excerpt contains material suitable only for readers 18+.
ExcerptTo Defend a Damaged DukeFearne Hill © 2025All Rights ReservedLondon, 1813
At the back of the fruit and veg market in Convent Garden, a showman scraped a living. Every Tuesday and Friday, for more years than Tommy Squire had been alive. Same patch, same old rickety stall, same old rickety routine. Same anticlimactic finale. Declaring himself the world’s greatest magician, he’d hold aloft a playing card, purse his wrinkled, whiskery lips, and pretend to blow the spots off it. Tommy had watched him fumble the cards up his sleeve hundreds of times; seen him drop them on occasion too. And yet, on his mother’s grave, even as he wriggled a grubby knave down from his elbow to his wrist, the old sot still swore it was magic.
Tommy was reminded of that showman whenever the lordling’s black eyes, like two jet pearls, fluttered closed. Usually, the memory came seconds after the lordling’s throat made a helpless little whine, speaking its own language, directly into Tommy heart. It heralded the shortest sliver of time before he spilled into Tommy’s mouth and then pressed his lips against Tommy’s, tasting himself on them. Whispering sweet nonsense.
Those were the times Tommy remembered that old showman and his frayed cards, and it was only years later he understood what he meant. The daft sod had spun the story to himself so many times, believing in the magic of it, he ended up fooling himself.
*
“Our young lordling’s here, Tommy. Waiting in the best room.” Ma Duggan’s expression soured, matching the sallow hue of her downturned sneer. “Taken off upstairs already to get hisself ready. He’s asked for you.”
Fancying himself as a bit of an actor—he had to be in this business if he wanted paying right—Tommy pretended not to notice young Dickie flouncing out of the parlour. Nor Sidney’s jealous sulk. After all, who could blame them? The handsome lordling had caught everyone’s eye.
“I’ll be there when I’ve finished me tea. Won’t hurt him to wait a minute or two.”
Tommy could control his face, keep it blank. And his voice flat. But the mad thumping in his chest? Not a chance. No more than he could prevent the spirited rush of joy to his head, nor the twitching of his prick. Not when his beloved raven-haired beauty impatiently paced six feet above his head.
He carried up a jug of ale, not pausing to check himself in the glass hung at the bottom of the stairs. He didn’t need to; Tommy’s pretty looks hadn’t waned since he examined them last. Dress him in a corset and stays, and Sidney declared he could work alongside the girls in the bawdy house on the corner. He scratched at the door, thrice, his pulse hammering.
“Tommy. At last. I was growing quite weak with want.”
Already, the lordling had removed his hat and coat, all the better for Tommy to admire his raven locks curling over his stiff collar. Unfastening his cravat with an urgent flourish, he was as eager as Tommy, more so, if the swelling in his breeches was any measure. They were of an age, the raven and Tommy—Tommy eighteen years young to the raven’s seventeen. Yet both so sure.
“My lord.” In the demure fashion he’d perfected, Tommy bobbed his head. The lordling blushed with delight. He relieved Tommy of the laden tray, and his plump mouth twisted into a smile. His hooded eyes, dark as night, latched onto Tommy’s.
“Afterwards with this, Tommy. My…my need for you can wait no longer.”
The best room wasn’t much to crow about. Nothing but a slender bed with a mean pillow, worn sheets, and a wooden chair upon which his handsome raven had tossed his coat. Around a water pitcher, his paying guest’s silk cravat lay unfurled like a banner. Tommy’s threadbare neckcloth joined it.
“Then you must have at me, my lord.” Behind his ribs, his soft heart trembled. “I am yours.”
In pulled up undershirts and pushed down breeches, they tussled on the bed. A pair of kittens let loose in the sunshine. Tommy kissed his raven on the mouth, the only madge he’d ever kissed, but then none of the other madges tasted so sweet. Or returned his kisses with such unmatched desire.
“Tommy,” the lordling groaned as Tommy’s hand found his heavy cock. Already, his smooth fingers gripped Tommy’s more modest member with a familiarity borne of a summer of snatched rendezvous in this simple, private chamber. “Want you,” he sighed, his promise slipping over Tommy like satin. “Forever.”
That first release, as always, came blessedly fast. A race, a relief, a ritual. And if Tommy let his mind go there, it was an unhappy reminder of his true purpose—to let the raven pay for Tommy’s clever hand, and handsomely too. The prettiest youth in the house must pleasure him as he saw fit. That the lordling only ever asked for the plainest of pleasures, and that he pleasured Tommy in return, that he whispered words of affection and held Tommy in his arms as they dozed awhile afterwards, were transactions they kept to themselves.
“Alas, I have but a few more minutes,” the lordling said, wiping Tommy tenderly. Dropping the cloth to the dusty floor, he scooped him up against his chest. “Mama and Grandmama are conducting the serious business of purchasing hat ribbons at Madame Bellevue’s. I am to join them. Apparently”—and at this, he blessed Tommy with a wicked grin—“I am in dire need of two new cravats.”
Tommy fumbled for the one so hastily discarded earlier and pretended to examine it, rubbing the fine fabric between finger and thumb.
“Goodness, yes. This is so last season,” he drawled in an approximation of the lordling’s own cultured vowels, making the other laugh. A most joyful sound, Tommy wanted to capture it and pin it like a moth.
The lordling caught the length of silk as Tommy tossed it aside. Then, easily, because he was so much bigger than Tommy, he rolled him onto his back. Taking Tommy’s slim wrist above his head, the lordling turned it over and pressed his lips to the thin skin, tracing the fragile tangle of blue veins with his tongue as if a path leading to his wildest dreams.
“You dare mock me, Master Tommy?” His scolding was ruined by an escaping giggle. “Then I shall punish you by tying you to the bed. With last season’s cravat, too; oh, the shame of it.”
Pouting, Tommy fluttered his eyelashes. With his fair curls and eyes the docile blue of a china doll, he was a picture of innocence. “That is no punishment at all, my lord.”
“Don’t be too hasty, Tommy.” The lordling wound a loop of cloth around Tommy’s wrist, playfully pulling it tight. “I haven’t yet outlined my plans for when I have you all tied up and at my mercy.”
Anything. You can do anything.
He kissed Tommy’s mouth. “I shall tease you, relentlessly,” he murmured, his tongue stealing Tommy’s breath. “Starting here.”
With his wrist now secured to the bedstead, Tommy tugged a little, sighing with pleasure as lips ghosted along his jaw. Groaning, the lordling buried his face into Tommy’s neck.
“Why do you always taste so divine, Tommy?”
Tommy rolled his hips, his prick hard for his lover once more. “Perhaps because I was made especially for you.”
The lordling leaned up onto an elbow. Solemnly, he studied Tommy. “I do believe you were.” A flush crept up his neck. They could stare at each other all day and never grow tired of the view.
“You were saying,” Tommy prompted, his need growing. “Something about doting on me until I spend again?”
His raven grinned, showing all his beautiful teeth. “Yes! And I shall make it my life’s work.”
Warm fingertips glided up Tommy’s thigh as the lordling came back to himself. “We shall grow old together, you and I. And I shall pass the years teasing you endlessly. Each morning, I shall touch you like this, everywhere but here.” The tip of his thumb tapped the head of Tommy’s swollen prick. “Until I have you begging for me.” Again, his black eyes lifted to gaze adoringly into Tommy’s. “As, hourly, you have me begging for you.”
Lain over Tommy like a thick blanket, the lordling’s body was supple and smooth. If God chose to take Tommy in that moment, he would thank Him kindly and consider it a life well lived. As they deepened the kiss, the lordling’s hips ground into Tommy’s. One day soon, Tommy decided, he’d suggest more; his empty hole craved it, a topic they had yet to broach. Sometimes, Tommy wondered if his lover even knew that was a thing men like them could do. He would explain it, then take the youth’s innocence as tenderly as if it were his own first time.
Soft lips melded as they lost themselves to love. The lordling rubbed himself against Tommy, his teases forgotten. His eyes shuttered closed, his bottom lip trapped between his teeth, the alabaster skin of his cheeks glistened with heat. He was close; they both were. Slipperiness built between their bodies, and with his one untethered hand, Tommy clasped the lordling’s tight buttock.
“I lov—” the raven began.
And never finished.
Cut off by a holler from below. Rattling Tommy’s soul like a musket blast.
“Raid,” Sidney screeched. “Everyone out! Raid!”PurchaseNineStar Press | Books2Read
Meet the AuthorFearne Hill lives deep in the southern British countryside with three untamed sons, varying numbers of hens, a few tortoises, and a beautiful cocker spaniel.When she is not overseeing her small menagerie, she enjoys writing contemporary romantic fiction. And when she is not doing either of those things, she works as an anesthesiologist.Website | Facebook | Twitter | InstagramGiveawayOne lucky winner will receive a $50.00 NineStar Press Gift Code! a Rafflecopter giveaway
A Deceptive Game Ensues Release Blitz #rabtbooktours
House of Croft, Book 4
Historical Mystery / Thriller / Romance
Date Published: 06-17-2025
Acquitted of the crime he was accused of, Adrian Croft begins an investigation that could link a duke to his sister's death. But with a fresh series of murders leading straight to Saint George's Hospital, Adrian is torn between his quest for revenge and the need to catch an active killer. For though he may have sworn to yield his power in order to gain a pardon, all bets are off when villains threaten his city.
Having proven her unfailing loyalty to her husband, Samantha Croft settles into married life - an idyl that quickly crumbles when she and Adrian get caught up in a new series of murders. As they follow a trail that leads them through subterranean tunnels and to a secret organization, they face another threat too: a ghost from Adrian's past who's about to bring war to their doorstep.
USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her books have been published internationally in eight languages. With a fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents, and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in three different countries and in three different dresses.
When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.
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