Naughty Netherworld Press's Blog: Naughty Netherworld Press on Goodreads, page 8
August 24, 2025
Lost In His Spiderwebs
Amber Daulton’s Lost in His Spiderwebs
Lost in His Spiderwebs
Series: Lozano Cartel (book 2)
Release Date: October 14, 2025
Publisher: Daulton Publishing
Cover Designer: Satin Rose Designs
ASIN: B0F5SBP3TS
Genre: Dark Romance
Length: 90k
Heat Rating: 5 Flames
Tagline: The cartel king has finally found his queen.
Blurb
Kidnapped by the enemy. Bought by the jefe. Will his smoldering touch thaw her frozen heart?
Rubén Lozano, the new leader of the Lozano Cartel, craves peace amidst a legacy of bloodshed and death. He never expected to find his ex-lover, Drina Cabrera, in the clutches of his vicious rivals. Her haunted eyes compel him to rescue her, but freeing her is another matter.
After five months of captivity, Drina trades one captor for another. Though she succumbs to Rubén’s masterful touch, the bittersweet memory of her daughter and the life she was stolen from is a constant wedge between them.
When Rubén’s darkest secret comes out, he will have to wash his hands in crimson. Will Drina let her king face the danger alone, or stand at his side as his cartel queen?
– Book two in the dark romance series, the Lozano Cartel. All the books can be read as a standalone, but are part of an interconnected series.
– Scenes featuring forced seduction, drug distribution, torture/violence, kidnapping/captivity, and attempted sexual assault may be uncomfortable for some readers.
– No cheating and HEA guaranteed!
– Written in 3rd POV.
Excerpt
“Smile,” Rubén told her. “It’s showtime.”
She nodded and lifted her chin, wincing a little in the flashing camera lights.
As three hand-picked paparazzi snapped pictures of him and Drina from all angles, Rubén counted to thirty before he steered Drina past them to the music room.
“Wow,” Drina murmured as they passed the piano for the ballroom.
A massive chandelier gleamed from the lofty ceiling, its decorative crystals reflecting the soft white light and dancing spots across the ivory walls and the chattering, laughing guests. The live band played instrumental music at the far end of the rectangular room, where Esme’s team had set up fancy tables and chairs for the speech and dinner portion of the evening.
“Why do you keep this room locked up? It’s magnificent.”
He shrugged. “It’s a bitch to clean.”
His blunt answer steepled Drina’s eyebrows. “My, what consideration. I’m sure the housekeeping staff appreciates it,” she teased and pulled him onto the dance floor alongside several other couples. “Let’s dance.”
As her arms slid around his shoulders, he rested his hands on her waist. Her body heat and strawberry aroma enveloped him. Groaning, he gripped the thick fabric of her dress so hard that it bunched and the band of his rings bit into his skin. She rested her head against his chest, and her hair teased his nose. They swayed, lost in each other as though they were the only people around. A foolish notion, one he shouldn’t revel in. If he did, he would ravage her on the floor.
“You have a good turnout,” she murmured while he twirled her about. She spun back into his embrace. “Are any of these people your friends?”
“Hardly.” This was his world. Glamour, power, prestige. The public mask he wore to hide his sinister nature. “You’re swimming in dangerous waters. The sooner you realize I can buy and discard all these sharks and guppies with a flick of my wrist, the better off you’ll be.”
“I’m well aware you’re king of the sharks.”
He snorted, holding her closer. “You’re a barracuda. Lithe grace and sharp teeth.”
“Ooh, I like that.” She nipped at his chin. “I’ll never be a guppy.”
Damn right. As the song ended, he guided her off the dance floor. Duty called.
Add to Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/231721773-lost-in-his-spiderwebs
Check it out on BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/books/lost-in-his-spiderwebs-lozano-cartel-book-2-a-dark-captivity-second-chance-romance-by-amber-daulton
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BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lost-in-his-spiderwebs-amber-daulton/1147318586?ean=2940184374895
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Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=7lNYEQAAQBAJ
Apple/iBooks: https://apple.co/4jpLyht
Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/1648364
About the Author
Amber Daulton is the author of the Lozano Cartel, the Arresting Onyx, the Embracing You, and the Ramseys in Time series, as well as several standalone novellas. Her books are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats.
She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.
Social Media Links
Follow Me: https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton
Check out my website (Daulton Publishing): https://amberdaulton.com
Sign up for my Exclusive Newsletter (free ebook to new subscribers): https://amberdaulton.com/newsletter-signup/
August 22, 2025
Revelation of His Names Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Non-fiction, Christian, Self-help
Date Published: January 4, 2025
In Revelations of His Names, Terrella Omaña invites readers to explore the profound significance of God's names throughout Scripture. More than just labels, these names reveal God's character, His promises, and His eternal plan for humanity. From the Old Testament to the New Testament, each name unveils a different aspect of God's nature—His holiness, justice, mercy, and love—offering powerful insights into His relationship with His people.
The ultimate revelation of God's nature is found in the name of Jesus Christ. In Him, all the names of God come together, embodying God's power, love, and redemptive mission. The name of Jesus holds the authority to heal, restore, and transform lives, making it the ultimate source of hope and victory.
This book invites you to deepen your understanding of God's character and His work through the names He revealed in Scripture. It is a journey to rediscover the power of these names and how they can strengthen your faith, enrich your worship, and transform your relationship with God.
Terrella Omaña is a dynamic and inspiring individual whose life embodies faith, resilience, and ambition. A woman of God, devoted wife, and loving mother, Terrella is deeply committed to her family and her spiritual journey. Born in Fresno and raised in south Sacramento California, she has successfully woven her diverse experiences into a rich tapestry of accomplishments that continue to inspire those around her.
As a proud United States Air Force (USAF) veteran, Terrella’s journey is marked by discipline, determination, and an unwavering commitment to excellence. Her time in the service instilled in her a deep sense of purpose and a desire to lead by example—qualities that resonate throughout her work and personal life.
An accomplished entrepreneur, Terrella has built a thriving career while balancing the demands of motherhood and family life. Her entrepreneurial ventures reflect her passion for empowering others to embrace their potential and create meaningful change in their lives.
As an author, Terrella channels her wisdom and experiences into written works that inspire and uplift. Her books explore themes of faith, perseverance, and personal growth, offering readers practical guidance and heartfelt encouragement. Her unique perspective as a USAF veteran and multifaceted internet personality gives her writing a distinctive voice that resonates with audiences from all walks of life.
Beyond her roles as a wife, mother, and author, Terrella is a well-known public figure and internet personality. Her engaging presence on various platforms has earned her a loyal following, where she shares her insights on faith, family, entrepreneurship, and personal development. Through her candid and authentic storytelling, she has become a beacon of hope and positivity for many.
Terrella’s life is a testament to the power of faith, hard work, and perseverance. Whether she’s writing, mentoring, or sharing her journey online, her mission remains the same: to inspire others to embrace their God-given potential and live purposefully.
When she’s not busy writing or working on her entrepreneurial endeavors, Terrella enjoys spending quality time with her family, exploring her creative passions, and deepening her spiritual journey. Her unwavering faith and heartfelt dedication to helping others make her a true force for good in the world.
Follow Terrella Omaña’s journey and discover her books, where her words come alive with purpose, inspiration, and grace.
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August 21, 2025
Making Peace With Dementia Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Nonfiction
Date Published: July 10, 2025
Publisher: MindStir Media
Making Peace with Dementia is written for the unsung heroes navigating the challenges of dementia care—family members, friends, and loved ones suddenly thrust into a complex and emotional role. Drawing on more than 25 years of experience as an occupational therapist, senior living consultant, and dementia care coach, Ann Olson offers both heart and expertise in this easy-to-read, transformative guide.
Blending professional insight with real-life stories, Olson shares tried-and-true strategies to help care partners interact more effectively and peacefully with those living with Alzheimer’s, Lewy body, or frontotemporal dementia. With clarity and warmth, she addresses some of the most difficult aspects of caregiving—challenging behaviors, communication struggles, burnout, and grief—while reminding caregivers that they are not alone.
Inside you’ll discover:
● A deeper understanding of what your loved one is experiencing
● Tools to respond to difficult situations with empathy and confidence
● Guidance on setting healthy boundaries and letting go of guilt
● Techniques to reduce tension and create calmer interactions
● Self-care practices to protect your well-being while caregiving
Through empowering language and uplifting wisdom, Olson reminds readers that while dementia may not improve, we can get better at managing it—and ourselves.
Whether you’re just beginning the journey or deep in the throes of caregiving, Making Peace with Dementia is your roadmap to reclaiming hope, balance, and peace.
About the Author
Ann Olson has dedicated over 25 years to working with older adults as an occupational therapist, senior living consultant, and dementia educator. She is passionate about empowering family caregivers to navigate the dementia journey with greater peace, understanding, and effectiveness.
Ann’s work is grounded in real-world experience—not only as a healthcare professional but also as a personal caregiver. After leaving her demanding job to care for her ailing mother and support others on a part-time basis, she began writing Making Peace with Dementia—a heartfelt culmination of her expertise and life lessons.
Her coaching and teaching help families understand the changes they see in their loved ones, implement proven strategies, develop realistic expectations, and recognize what they can and cannot control. Above all, she believes in supporting the primary caregiver—who rarely asks for the role but deserves guidance and grace.
Ann’s writing is deeply personal, shaped by both financial loss and emotional growth. She credits her clients with teaching her how to be more patient, confident, and compassionate. Through Making Peace with Dementia, she hopes to shift the narrative from caregiving as a burden to something that—while undeniably hard—can be meaningful, manageable, and even transformative.
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The Archaic Thesaurus Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Rediscover the Poetry of Forgotten Words
Nonfiction
Date Published: July 18, 2025
Publisher: MindStir Media
From “abstruse” to “zealous,” each entry is meticulously presented with:
● The word’s pronunciation
● Part of speech
● Concise definition
● A vivid example sentence
● A list of thoughtfully selected synonyms—each with its own illustrative sentence
This A-to-Z compendium invites readers to embrace words like anathema, bellicose, laconic, and quixotic—expressions steeped in literary tradition and capable of transforming any piece of writing into something timeless.
Whether you’re an author in search of the perfect word, a language enthusiast craving the eloquence of yesteryear, or a student eager to expand your vocabulary, The Archaic Thesaurus opens the door to a more expressive, poetic, and nuanced way of communicating.
Perfect for:✔ Writers and poets✔ Lovers of classic literature✔ Educators and students✔ Word nerds and language explorersBring history into your vocabulary. Let these powerful words rekindle your imagination and elevate your expression.
📚 Rediscover the art of language—one magnificent word at a time.
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August 19, 2025
The Smallest of Miracles Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Literary Fiction
Date Published: March 6, 2025
Publisher: Seacoast Press
In The Smallest of Miracles, Douglas Carpenter crafts a masterful literary debut that merges gripping storytelling with profound life lessons. The novel follows Ted Carrington, a wealthy, brilliant, and emotionally distant man on the autism spectrum, who returns to the private elementary school that shaped him—for better and worse. He intends to make a large donation, but what begins as a business transaction slowly becomes a reckoning with his past.
As the story transitions between Ted’s present and his childhood, readers meet the deeply flawed, often cruel boy he once was—especially to a vulnerable new classmate named Anna. But life, in its quiet way, begins to turn his world upside down.
What emerges is not only Ted’s transformation, but an invitation to the reader: to reflect, to slow down, and to reconsider how the smallest decisions—the ones we barely notice—can lead to the greatest changes.
This is not just a novel. It’s a call to awareness. A self-improvement guide disguised as a coming-of-age story.
📘 "Just like everything in life, meaning is found in the small details." 📘 "A golfer knows a 2-inch putt counts the same as a 200-yard drive. Life is very similar..." 📘 "Change is the fertilizer of life. It often stinks, but it is necessary for growth." 🔹 Perfect for fans of literary fiction with depth🔹 A powerful read for young adults and up🔹 Ideal for classrooms and book clubs seeking discussion-worthy themesRead it once for the story. Read it again for the insight.
Douglas Carpenter is not your typical author. A Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Douglas became the youngest stockbroker in the U.S. at just 17 and currently owns two accounting firms and an asset management company in New York. Despite a thriving career in finance, his true passion lies in storytelling.
His debut novel, The Smallest of Miracles, took ten years to write—a deeply personal and intricately crafted journey of self-discovery and transformation. Drawing on his keen eye for detail and analysis, Douglas poured over every word, shaping a literary fiction novel that functions as both an engaging story and a guide to personal growth.
The book explores how tiny, seemingly insignificant choices shape our lives far more than major events. Readers are invited to slow down, reflect, and discover truths hidden in the smallest details—just as Douglas has done through his writing.
Douglas hopes his novel will find a place in high school curricula and on the bookshelves of thoughtful readers young and old. His message is clear: "The truth is always hidden behind things that are out of place."
Connect with Douglas Carpenter to discover a new perspective on life, character, and the miraculous power of small decisions.
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August 18, 2025
The Well-Tempered Violinist Teaser #rabtbooktours
Book 1 of The Gift
Historical Fiction
Date to be Published: November 5, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
Marthe Adler dreams of making history as a great violinist. But in 1905 Germany, tradition and deep-seated prejudice against women musicians stand in her way. To make matters worse, her beloved father’s sudden death shatters her family’s comfortable life, pushing them to the edge of poverty.
But the violin Marthe’s father left her is a constant reminder of the profound bond between them, and it gives her the strength to begin healing. When the Köln Conservatory offers her an unexpected scholarship, she seizes her chance to reach for excellence.
Under the rigorous tutelage of Professorin Wolff, and subjected to predatory harassment by a fellow student determined to destroy both her self-worth and her chances of success, Marthe quickly learns she will need more than motivation and talent to rise to the top.
Filled with heart, wit, and music, The Well-Tempered Violinist is an enduring coming-of-age tale about an artist striving for greatness against enormous odds.
Excerpt
FEBRUARY 1949, HEIDELBERG
In the very beginning was the sound, bright and rich, with an edge of darkness.
I knew it before birth, my mother said, for whenever my father played, I became still in her womb, as if I were mesmerized.
In the sitting room of our house in Eberlinstrasse, I became the audience, propped with pillows before I could sit up, listening to my father and his friends play string quartets on Saturday nights—for love, he said, not money, for he was a banker, though as a young man he had studied with the famous Schradieck in Hamburg. Later, he told me I never fussed, never had to be removed, but remained transfixed, no matter how rough the music nor how often they repeated it. So perhaps my mother was right.
***
The second beginning was my fourth birthday, when my baby sister Anni stuck her fist into my birthday cake when no one was looking and my grandparents gave me a music box that played “Papageno’s Magic Bells” from The Magic Flute, which I listened to until everyone but me was sick of it. Best of all, my father gave me my own small violin and began to teach me its mysteries. First, the names of the strings and their personalities: A, sensible and even-tempered; D, cheerful and impetuous; down to G, serious and thoughtful; up to E, nervous and temperamental, with a tendency to squeak. How to tune them, how to find the notes and make them pure instead of scratchy. He turned exercises and drills into games and improvised harmony to my children’s songs, something different every time. Alle Meine Entchen, All My Ducklings. Bruder Jakob, a round. Kleines Mädchen, Little Girl—my favorite, because it was about me.
I practiced every afternoon for my evening lesson. Occasionally, with nerves like caterpillars in my stomach, I played for the applause and praise of my father’s friends. I might have thought all children were as docile as myself, if not for Anni. Anni’s temper tantrums, Anni thundering up and down the stairs, Anni meddling with my toys and often breaking them. I couldn’t imagine where my parents had found her, or why. Someday, I thought—preferably soon—she would run off to become a pirate and leave us in peace.
The pirate would surely come to no good. But I dreamed I would become a famous violinist and lead an exotic and sophisticated life on the concert stages of the world.
***
When I outgrew my first violin, Anni inherited it and my father began to teach her—at least, he tried. Anni never practiced and she hated lessons of all kinds. The experiment was short-lived and a spectacular failure.
I felt horribly smug for weeks.
My father and I shared a secret language, a world full of treasures where Anni couldn’t stick in her fat little fist and grab anything and where my mother didn’t care to go. A bond grew between us as between two fibers of the same tree, pure and deep. . .
***
MARCH 1906, KÖLN
Both of these beginnings came before the real one, like the prologue in fiction.
The third beginning, the real one, is now: a cold March morning a month past my eighteenth birthday, before the grand front door of one of the grandest houses in Köln. Herr Dietrich keeps a firm grip on my elbow, probably to keep me from running away. In my other hand, I carry my violin in its case. This house, on Leopoldstrasse in the heart of the Lindenthal district, belongs to Herr Ferdinand Kurtz, president of the Bank of Köln. My father’s bank.
Yes. It begins here.
The violin I carry is my father’s, because he is dead.
***
Retired architect Barbara Thornburgh Carlton is an author of fiction, nonfiction, and poetry. Though not a musician, she remains music-adjacent as a volunteer for the San Diego Opera and the Orcas Island Chamber Music Festival in Washington. The mother of two grown children who are remarkably considerate about keeping in touch, she lives in San Diego, California, with her photographer husband, Barry.
The Well-Tempered Violinist, Book 1 of The Gift series, is her first novel.
Contact Links
Facebook: Barbara Thornburgh Carlton, Writer
The Rebellious Countess Book Blast #GoddessFishPromotions
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Helene Matheson will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Society may be run by the men of the ton, but six scandalous sisters are determined to take it by storm one gentleman at a time.
Máira Blair married for love, her honeymoon trip with the Earl of Dorset is a dream come true—until reality turns it into a nightmare. Máira wakes up to discover her husband isn’t an earl, but the captain of a pirate ship and what was supposed to be her honeymoon, is a voyage bound for war-torn France. If that isn’t enough to disparage her husband’s character, he abandons her in the middle of a French port where she must find a way to survive as she defends her virtue and her life. Just when she’s convinced of what kind of rogue she married, the pirate transforms into a hero on a quest to save her and the missing Earl of Astley.
Sir Elias Drake married for convenience, he needed a Scottish bride to complete his mission. He can resist his desire for his beautiful wife, especially after she discovers his true identity. Except Máira Blair was more than he bargained for. He needs her skills, cherishes her compassion, and is tormented by her passion, which only makes him want her and the life their marriage represents more.
It will require both of their talents to rescue the Earl of Astley, and it will take more than a war to defeat their hard-won love—if they can escape.
Read an Excerpt
He wanted to catalog her injuries and soothe her pain. While Jack wanted to douse the fire in her lovely eyes. For that look alone, Elias put his foot in front of the man and gave Jack a shove.
Máira stepped forward in a futile attempt to catch the bastard, but was too late to stop his fall. Jack twisted his body mid-air, in time to keep his nose from hitting the floor. The muffled grunt he released caused Máira to flinch and a few men in the bar to raise their glasses to toast the nasty bugger’s predicament.
She turned on him, eyes flashing as if she suffered the same brutality. “Do you think treating a member of your crew with violence will earn my trust?”
“You don’t understand what he wanted to do to you.”
“The same thing you wanted to do to me?”
He snorted. “Not even close. I was defending your honor.”
Máira looked down at her torn and soiled dress, then lifted a limp curl from her shoulder. “You do it well.”
His guileless bride didn’t understand Jack’s evil intent, nor did she appreciate Elias’s manner of defending her honor. He ground his teeth. She was sizing him up like she had never done before, and he had to school the anger seeping through the facade of polite concern he’d worn since the moment she’d walked into the bar and he’d seen her battered face. She knew the warm-hearted, polite Ellison Collins, Earl of Dorset, not Sir Elias Drake, ruthless killer, spy, and recovery agent for the Crown.
About the Author:
Helene Matheson writes steamy regency historical romance novels with intelligent, unstoppable heroines who don’t require an alpha male to save them—having one in their bed is another story.
Helene moved south for fun in the sun after she retired from public service and began pursuing her life-long dream of writing. She wrote the Amazon best-selling mystery series The Book Barn Mysteries for Lyrical Press and has written multiple award-winning romantic suspense novels under Kym Roberts.
In her spare time she can be found woodcarving by the pool or blogging for The Cozy Corner on Fresh Fiction. To contact her on social media, you can find her under KymRoberts911 on FaceBook, Instagram, Twitter and Pinterest. Her books can also be found on her websites.
Helene Matheson: http://www.HeleneMatheson.com
Kym Roberts: http://www.KymRoberts.com
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DRDM5CSH
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-rebellious-countess-helene-matheson/1147883832
Books a Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Rebellious-Countess/Helene-Matheson/9781648399787
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August 17, 2025
Love's Harvest Release Blitz #rabtbooktours
Women's Fiction with Romantic Elements
Date Published: August 18, 2025
Aaron Collister was Sarah’s high school boyfriend. They connected with their sensitivity to nature and poetry, which might have seemed strange unless you knew that big, tough, Aaron was part Abenake Indian and had been given many life lessons by his mother. They renew their friendship, but neither is ready to commit to more until a crisis leads them to their answer.
This is a spinoff book from the Lilac Lake Inn series, a sweet second-chance, small-town romance. Another of Judith Keim’s books with strong women facing challenges and finding love and happiness along the way.
About the Author
Judith Keim, A USA Today Best-Selling Author, is a hybrid author who both has a publisher and self-publishes. Ms. Keim writes heart-warming novels about women who face unexpected challenges, meet them with strength, and find love and happiness along the way, stories with heart. Her best-selling books are based, in part, on many of the places she's lived or visited and on the interesting people she's met, creating believable characters and realistic settings that her many loyal readers love.
She enjoyed her childhood and young-adult years in Elmira, New York, and now makes her home in Boise, Idaho, with her husband and their adorable dachshunds, Wally and Kacy, and other members of her family.
While growing up, she loved the idea of writing stories from a young age. Books were always present, being read, ready to go back to the library, or about to be discovered. All in her family shared information from the books in general conversation, giving them a wealth of knowledge and vivid imaginations.
Ms. Keim loves to hear from her readers and appreciates their enthusiasm for her stories.
Contact Links
Join my special FB Group - Women with Heart
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August 15, 2025
Friar Preorder Blitz #rabtbooktours
Reckless Kings MC (#7)
MC Romance / Romantic Suspense
Date to be Published: August 22, 2025
Publisher: Changeling Press
Cheri -- I’ve always been the preacher’s perfect niece, the small-town good girl who never stepped out of line. But one reckless night with a gruff, dangerous biker flipped my world upside down. Now I’m eighteen, unexpectedly pregnant, and kicked out of my home for breaking the rules. With nowhere else to turn, I end up on the doorstep of the one man I shouldn’t want. Friar. He’s a rough, older member of an outlaw motorcycle club, and the father of my baby. At least, I think he is. That night is a bit of a blur. He’s also the only one who might protect me from a world that suddenly wants to chew me up and spit me out. Even if he doesn’t love me, I need him… and maybe he needs me too.
Friar -- As a biker, I’ve lived hard and broken more laws than I can count. I’ve never claimed to be a good man. Hell, I don’t even try. But when Cheri shows up at my MC’s door with wide eyes and a baby on the way, something in me shifts. I was never supposed to touch her. She’s too young, too innocent, too off-limits. But I did. And now she’s mine.
They can judge us. Try to tear us apart. But I’ll do whatever it takes to protect my woman and my unborn child. Even if I have to burn down the world to do it.
All rights reserved. Copyright ©2025 Harley Wylde
Cheri
The wooden crucifix above my bed seemed to watch me with judgment as I lay still, listening to the house settle into silence. Eleven forty-five. Uncle Pete and Aunt June had been in bed for over an hour, their nightly prayers long finished. I’d waited, counting each minute, feeling my heartbeat quicken with every passing second. Tonight was my night. My escape. Even if it was just for a few hours.
I slid out from under the floral quilt Aunt June had made for me when I first came to live with them three years ago. The floor was cold against my bare feet, but I didn’t dare turn on the small lamp. The moonlight filtering through the lace curtains was enough. I moved to my closet, pushing past the modest dresses and high-necked blouses that filled the space. Behind them, hidden in the darkest corner, hung the outfit I’d been saving -- tight jeans and a low-cut top that would have Aunt June clutching her pearls and Uncle Pete quoting Proverbs about the path of sin.
My fingers traced the outline of a framed verse on my nightstand: “She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.” Proverbs 31:25. How many times had Aunt June reminded me that a godly woman’s worth wasn’t in her appearance? Yet here I was, applying mascara and lip gloss by the dim light of my phone screen, my movements practiced and furtive.
I pulled on my forbidden clothes, the fabric clinging to my body in ways that made me feel alive, dangerous. The girl in the mirror looked like someone else -- someone exciting, someone with secrets. I tucked my hair behind my ears and took a deep breath. It was time.
The hallway stretched before me like a gauntlet. Family photos lined the walls, interspersed with carved wooden crosses and framed Bible verses that seemed to glow in the darkness. I knew every creaky floorboard, every spot that would betray me. I stepped carefully, placing my weight on the edges near the walls where the boards were less likely to complain. The scent of Aunt June’s lavender potpourri hung in the air, cloying and sweet, a constant reminder of her presence even when she wasn’t around.
I froze as I approached their bedroom door. It stood slightly ajar, and the soft sound of Uncle Pete’s snoring drifted out. My heart hammered so hard I was certain they’d hear it. A shaft of light from their bedside lamp sliced through the gap in the door. Aunt June always kept it on -- afraid of the dark or maybe afraid of what lurked in it. I held my breath and pressed my body against the opposite wall, inching past with glacial slowness.
“Peter?” Aunt June’s voice, thick with sleep, stopped me cold. My blood turned to ice, and I pressed myself deeper into the shadows.
The snoring paused. “Hmm?”
“Did you lock the back door?”
“Yes, June. Go back to sleep.”
I remained frozen, counting to thirty in my head before daring to move again. The lock. I hadn’t thought about the lock. Would I be able to unlock it without making noise? I’d have to risk it.
The stairs were next -- thirteen of them, each with its own personality and voice. I’d mapped them out over months of late-night kitchen raids: the third one screamed, the seventh groaned, the ninth whispered, and the eleventh threatened to wake the dead. I navigated them like a dance I’d rehearsed a thousand times, my hand barely touching the banister for balance.
The living room was a shrine to their faith. A massive painting of Jesus with lambs hung over the fireplace, His eyes following me accusingly across the room. Bibles sat on every surface, bookmarked and well-worn. A collection of angels watched from the mantel, their porcelain faces frozen in eternal worship. The smell of potpourri was stronger here, mingling with the lingering scent of the pot roast we’d had for dinner.
I made my way to the kitchen, where a needlepoint hung over the sink: “In everything give thanks.” My car keys were in my pocket, heavy and promising. Freedom was just beyond the back door. I reached for the deadbolt, turning it with painful slowness, feeling each click of the mechanism like a gunshot in the silence. When it finally released, I eased the door open just enough to slip through.
The night air hit me like a blessing, cool and free from the suffocating holiness of the house. The porch steps were new and didn’t creak, a small mercy. I stepped onto the damp grass, shoes in hand, moving quickly now toward the driveway where my ancient Honda waited.
I slid into the driver’s seat, my heart still racing. The key went into the ignition, and I said a silent prayer -- the irony not lost on me -- that the engine wouldn’t roar to life with its usual enthusiasm. I turned the key, and the car started with a mercifully subdued rumble. No lights came on in the house. I backed out slowly, not turning on my headlights until I was a safe distance down the road.
In my rearview mirror, the house grew smaller, a dark silhouette against the night sky. I finally allowed myself to breathe. The windows were down, and the wind whipped my hair around my face. I felt wild, untethered. The address of the Reckless Kings clubhouse was burned into my memory from whispered conversations in school bathrooms.
My heart fluttered with nervous excitement. This wasn’t just about breaking curfew or wearing forbidden clothes. This was about stepping into a world so different from the one I’d been trapped in, a world raw and real and alive. The night stretched ahead of me, dark and full of promise, as I drove toward the edge of town where the Reckless Kings waited.
I pressed harder on the gas, leaving behind the weight of expectations and the suffocation of someone else’s righteousness. For tonight, at least, I would be free. For tonight, I would be more than just Uncle Pete and Aunt June’s good Christian niece. I would be Cheri Waite, a girl with fire in her veins and rebellion in her heart.
I parked my Honda at the end of a long line of cars outside the clubhouse, partly to hide my car from anyone who might recognize it, partly because I needed those extra steps to steady my nerves. The Reckless Kings’ domain loomed ahead, a rather fancy looking log-cabin-style building. Music pulsed from inside, a heartbeat I could feel even from this distance. Motorcycles lined the entrance, chrome gleaming under bright lights, their owners somewhere inside doing things my uncle would call sinful and I would call living.
My legs felt weak as I walked toward the building. Each step brought me closer to crossing a line I couldn’t uncross. I’d heard whispers about the Reckless Kings since I’d moved to town -- dangerous men who lived by their own code, who took what they wanted and answered to no one. The kind of men Aunt June prayed for on Sundays, her voice tight with disapproval and fear.
The bikes stood like sentinels guarding the entrance. I ran my fingers over a sleek handlebar as I passed, feeling the cool metal against my skin. I smoothed my hands over my jeans, adjusted my top to show just the right amount of cleavage, and took a deep breath. This was it. No turning back.
I pulled the door open and stepped inside.
The sensory assault was immediate and overwhelming. The air was thick with cigarette smoke that hung in blue-gray clouds beneath the ceiling, mingling with the smell of spilled beer, leather, and sweat. The bass from the music vibrated through the soles of my shoes and up into my chest, making my heart sync with its rhythm. Colored lights from neon beer signs cast red and blue shadows across the room, illuminating faces in fragments -- a tattooed arm here, a bearded jaw there, bodies moving through the haze like apparitions.
My eyes stung, adjusting to the smoke and dimness. The floor beneath me was sticky with what I hoped was just beer, pulling at my shoes with each step. Bodies pressed against each other in the center of the room, dancing to music that felt more like a physical force than a sound. Women in tight clothes and high heels leaned against men in leather cuts, their laughter cutting through the din like glass breaking.
Conversations stuttered as I moved deeper into the room. Heads turned, eyes assessed. I felt each gaze like a physical touch -- some curious, some predatory, all intense. A woman with a snake tattoo winding up her neck stared at me with narrowed eyes, her arm tightening around the waist of the man beside her. I kept my chin up, tried to look like I belonged, like I wasn’t counting every rapid beat of my heart.
About the Author
Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances. With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a satisfying note each time.
When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book. She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies. Visit Wylde's website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and don't forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and other exciting perks.
Author on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok: @harleywylde
Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress
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August 14, 2025
Trouble In Heaven Book Blitz #rabtbooktours
Fantasy / Fiction / Spirituality
Date Published: 11-17-2024
Publisher: Made for Success
In the beginning The Alpha created the heavens and the earth. This story takes place before that.
About the Authors
JC Worthington, author of the Trouble Series, is a ministry leader and teacher, driven by his love of God. His imaginative storytelling blends timeless biblical truths with untold stories, taking readers on a mind-bending journey to explore the mysteries woven into Scripture.
Website
R.G. Ryan
R.G. Ryan started writing seriously following a long and satisfying career in the music industry as a songwriter, recording artist, arranger, producer and director of A&R for a couple of record labels. As a songwriter he has over one hundred and fifty songs in publication worldwide and has produced over one hundred album projects. He is the author of the Jake Moriarity series of thrillers, The Voices In My Head (the biography of late Las Vegas entertainment icon, Danny Gans), and the popular Snapshots At St. Arbuck's series. He lives with his first wife on the coast of somewhere beautiful. Can sing a little.
Purchase Link
https://mybook.to/TroubleinHeaven
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