Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 131
April 30, 2021
A Bewitching Friday
INTERVIEW WITH MILA NICKS (Black Moon Rising) #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/3SbI50EBDfj
Interview - Co-Vid 2020 by Mike Scantlebury #CrimeFiction #MysteryThriller #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/3Nsr50EBDoG
The Goddess of Magic [Book Tour with Excerpt] #bewitchingbooktours https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
Spotlight & Excerpt: How to Kill a Dragon, by J.A. Culican #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/cprB50EBDvc
THE GODDESS OF MAGIC by TAMARA HUGHES #bewitchingbooktours
https://supernaturalcentral.blogspot....
Apocalipstick by Lisa Acerbo - Book Tour + Giveaway #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/IHYE50EBD94
Whoever possesses the Great Library of the Underworld rules Hell itself & threatens the destiny of both the Heavens & Earth.
The Underworld Library: Hellbrary Book One by Laura Bickle
Free with Kindle Unlimited https://amzn.to/3du2jXU
#DarkFantasy #FantasyBooks #KindleUnlimited
Full of dark magic, dragon shifters, & forbidden romance How to Kill a Dragon is the first book in the Heir of Dragons trilogy by USA Today Bestselling Author J.A. Culican.
https://amzn.to/32lSLcw
#Fantasy #Dragons #Fae #HeirofDragons #DarkMagic #DragonShifters
Arts and Crafts with Amy Winters-Voss - Textile Art with Indigo Dye #TextileArt #ArtsandCrafts #IndigoDye #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/TFXL50EzFmi
Black Moon Rising by Mila Nicks #PNR #ParanormalRomance
Black Moon RisingParanormal Hunters Book TwoMila Nicks
Genre: Paranormal RomanceDate of Publication: 23 April 2021ISBN: ASIN: B08L8W4YCFCover Artist: Red Leaf Book Design
Tagline: Dreams aren’t always so sweet
Book Description:
Philadelphia. Boston. New York City.
Selene Blackstone is finally getting the chance to explore like she’s always dreamed. Once stuck in her hometown Brimrock, with the curse broken, she’s a free witch. Together in their trusty caravan Ghost, she and her paranormal investigator boyfriend Aiden O’Hare are traveling cross-country filming for their show, Paranormal Hunters.
Their first case brings them to the colonial town Maresburg, Virginia, where the Mhoon Hotel is said to be one of the most haunted in the country. At the century-old hotel, guests experience nightmares so frightening they’re heart-stopping—literally. Selene and Aiden only have a couple of weeks to figure out if this case is a scammer at work, or if there’s some truth to what they say: dreams do come true. And so do nightmares.
Amazon
Black Moon Rising Excerpt 1:
“We’re here. Time to get up,” Aiden said, but Selene didn’t budge. He draped her arm over his shoulder and lifted her into his arms, carrying her down the passage leading into the hotel.
The foyer lights were already off except for the desk lamp at the reception counter. He staggered up the stairs, keeping his balance while holding a dozing Selene. He had no clue where her key card was and didn’t have the energy to stop and search. Instead, he fumbled for his own, sliding it into the slot on his door handle. The lock clicked and the door swung open. He delivered Selene to his bed, figuring she would wake up once she realized they were no longer driving.
But she didn’t. Aiden spent the next half hour showering and shaving. He emerged in his glasses, T-shirt, and pajama bottoms and discovered Selene was still deeply asleep. A frown curled itself onto his lips as he debated if he should try waking her again. He lowered himself at her side on the bed and gave her a gentle shake.
“Selene,” he said. His insides knotted with a strange premonition. “Wake up. We’re back at the hotel.”
Selene was the lightest sleeper he knew. It was what made her insomnia that much worse; the slightest noise normally woke her. She needed a perfect temperature and often even the bed itself kept her up if not comfortable enough. She wasn’t someone who fell into a deep hibernation type of sleep.
Her only answer to him was another sleepy moan. She rolled onto her side and snuggled one of the bed pillows. She really was knocked out.
“I didn’t realize she was this tired,” he said, sighing. He unzipped her boots, tugging them off, and then pulled the bed comforter over her.
He dimmed the lights and picked up his book for some bedtime reading. Before he made it to the armchair on the other side of the room, he stopped short. Outside the door there was an unmistakable whispery sound, like the soughing wind.
It only grew louder as he stood still and listened. The low whispering noise transformed into something rougher—something borderline ragged—and then it dawned on him. The sound wasn’t the wind but one of lungs, intaking a breath. Who those lungs belonged to, he hadn’t the faintest clue.
Aiden’s heart started racing and he straightened his shoulders. The sound was going nowhere, hovering outside the door. He had to check it out, investigate what was going on. In two of his long-legged strides, he crossed the room and pressed his eye to the peephole.
The hall was blanketed in darkness. Staring into the peephole was like staring at the inside of your lids. Yet, as Aiden held his eye against the hole, another strange premonition panged in his stomach. Whatever was on the other side of this door was staring back at him. It was peering into the same hole.
Gooseflesh pricked Aiden’s skin and he backed away. The ragged breathing carried on for another few seconds, an ugly sound to Aiden’s ears, before it faded. Farther and farther away it drifted until the sound died out and silence weighed in.
Aiden hurried over to his desk, grabbing the spirit box, the flashlight, and his copy of War and Peace. The spirit box and flashlight were to detect any unusual activity in the area. The thousand-plus page book was to use as a weapon if necessary. He threw a glance over his shoulder at the bed. Selene was still fast asleep, buried under the covers looking cozy and comfortable. He marched to the door and pulled it open.
Shadows ruled the hallway. Aiden stepped over the threshold, shuddering at the arctic cold in the air. He flicked on both the flashlight and spirit box, which crackled to life. Shining the flashlight down the hall, the shadows scuttled away. Nothing was out of the ordinary. The hallway looked as it always did, a stretch of oil portraits on the walls and doily-like area rugs sprinkled throughout.
The spirit box continued to crackle, its green lights weakly blinking. Aiden scanned the hall some more, his brow furrowed. If there wasn’t anything amiss, then was he imagining the sound? Maybe he was more exhausted than he realized…
He was a second away from turning back and heading into the room. The lights on the spirit box flashed bright and the crackling noise intensified. His eyes snapped to what it had picked up on and his gooseflesh only spread across his skin in a cold wave.
Black ink dribbled from the vent in the hall. It trickled down the striped wallpaper in a slow descent. He walked over and shone his flashlight onto the vent. Selene had been right all along. Whatever it was they were dealing with wasn’t human.
About the Author:Mila Nicks is on a mission to pen heartfelt and entertaining love stories featuring women of color.
When she isn’t writing diverse love stories, you can find her globetrotting, sampling new cuisines, and spending quality time with her spunky pet Chihuahua, Zayden.
For more on Mila, including news on upcoming releases and story freebies, check out her website and subscribe to her newsletter: https://www.milanickswrites.com/
https://linktr.ee/milanicks
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April 29, 2021
A Bewitching Thursday
HEIR OF DRAGONS BOOK TOUR
https://ilovebooksandstuffblog.wordpr...
The Goddess of Magic, Bewitching the Beast Book Three by Tamara Hughes - Paranormal Romance - He was supposed to keep her safe, but the beast spares no one. #bewitchingbooktours https://jbbookworms.blogspot.com/2021...
Virtual Book Tour: Black Moon Rising by Mila Nicks #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/o86o50EAG8V
Co-Vid 2020 by Mike Scantlebury - Book Tour #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/L3QN50EAGbZ
SPOTLIGHT w/EXCERPT - PNR - BLACK MOON RISING by Mila Nicks #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/9i1j50EAG4X
The Liminal Chronicles by Amy Winters-Voss #UrbanFantasy #JapaneseMythology https://www.jazzybookreviews.com/2021...
Apocalipstick by Lisa Acerbo #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/SLPv50EAG1M
Whoever possesses the Great Library of the Underworld rules Hell itself & threatens the destiny of both the Heavens & Earth.
The Underworld Library: Hellbrary Book One by Laura Bickle
Free with Kindle Unlimited https://amzn.to/3du2jXU
#DarkFantasy #FantasyBooks #KindleUnlimited
Full of dark magic, dragon shifters, & forbidden romance How to Kill a Dragon is the first book in the Heir of Dragons trilogy by USA Today Bestselling Author J.A. Culican.
https://amzn.to/32lSLcw
#Fantasy #Dragons #Fae #HeirofDragons #DarkMagic #DragonShifters
Arts and Crafts with Amy Winters-Voss - Textile Art with Indigo Dye #TextileArt #ArtsandCrafts #IndigoDye #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/TFXL50EzFmi
Ghost Hunting Tips with Tamara Hughes #PNR #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/vny350EzFjd #GhostHunting
Author Interview - Black Moon Rising by Mila Nicks #PNR #ParanormalRomance #AuthorInterview #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5r0B50EzFbZ
In the Kitchen with Lisa Acerbo #InTheKitchen #CauliflowerGrainBowls #Recipe #bewitchingbooktours https://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/...
Green Living Tips with Mike Scantlebury #CrimeFiction #MysteryThriller #bewitchingbooktours https://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/...
April 28, 2021
A Bewitching Wednesday
Arts and Crafts with Amy Winters-Voss - Textile Art with Indigo Dye #TextileArt #ArtsandCrafts #IndigoDye #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/TFXL50EzFmi
Ghost Hunting Tips with Tamara Hughes #PNR #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/vny350EzFjd #GhostHunting
Author Interview - Black Moon Rising by Mila Nicks #PNR #ParanormalRomance #AuthorInterview #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5r0B50EzFbZ
In the Kitchen with Lisa Acerbo #InTheKitchen #CauliflowerGrainBowls #Recipe #bewitchingbooktours https://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/...
Green Living Tips with Mike Scantlebury #CrimeFiction #MysteryThriller #bewitchingbooktours https://creativelygreen.blogspot.com/...
CO-VID 2020 by MIKE SCANTLEBURY #bewitchingbooktours
https://supernaturalcentral.blogspot....
Book Spotlight & #Giveaway ~ The Goddess of Magic: Bewitching the Beast, Book Three by Tamara Hughes @tamhughes ~ #PNR #bewitchingbooktours https://saphsbooks.blogspot.com/2021/...
Black Moon Rising [Book Tour with Excerpt] #bewitchingbooktours https://www.westveilpublishing.com/?p...
April 27, 2021
A Bewitching Tuesday
INTERVIEW - PNR - THE GODDESS OF MAGIC (Bewitching the Beast, #3) by Tamara Hughes #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/kHk950EyHiG
Book Spotlight ~ Black Moon Rising by Mila Nicks @mila_nicks ~ #PNR #ParanormalRomance ~ Paranormal Hunters, Book Two #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/1DnD50EyH3G
Black Moon Rising Paranormal Hunters Book Two by Mila Nicks - Paranormal Romance - Dreams aren’t always so sweet #bewitchingbooktours
https://jbbookworms.blogspot.com/2021...
Lisa Acerbo's 10 Favorite Zombie Characters in Film and Literature #Horror #Dystopian #RomanticFantasy #NARomance #Zombies
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...
The Goddess of Magic by Tamara Hughes - Book Tour + Giveaway #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/Vol650EyHqE
SPOTLIGHT - MYSTERY - CO-VID 2020 (Amelia Hartliss Mysteries, #2) by Mike Scantlebury #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/iBL550EyHki
Whoever possesses the Great Library of the Underworld rules Hell itself
& threatens the destiny of both the Heavens & Earth.
The Underworld Library: Hellbrary Book One by Laura Bickle
Free with Kindle Unlimited https://amzn.to/3du2jXU
#DarkFantasy #FantasyBooks #KindleUnlimited
Will an ex-mobster protect a woman who hates him? He'll choose between breaking a promise to his parole officer or theold lady. Each choice carries a price. Releases April 30. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WTK6XWP
#LiminalChronicles #Rise #AmyWintersVoss #AsianMyth #UrbanFantasy #IndieAuthors
Character Confessions with Amelia Hartliss #CrimeFiction #MysteryThriller #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/UwVZ50ExCtJ
Co-Vid 2020 by Mike Scantlebury #CrimeFiction #MysteryThriller
http://www.roxannerhoads.com/2021/04/...
Apocalipstick by Lisa Acerbo #Horror #Dystopian #RomanticFantasy #NARomance http://www.roxannerhoads.com/2021/04/...
The Liminal Chronicles by Amy Winters-Voss #UrbanFantasy #JapaneseMythology
http://www.roxannerhoads.com/2021/04/...
April 26, 2021
The Goddess of Magic by Tamara Hughes #PNR
The Goddess of MagicBewitching the BeastBook ThreeTamara Hughes
Genre: Paranormal RomancePublisher: Soul Mate PublishingDate of Publication: 4/28/2021ISBN: 978-1-64716-212-2ASIN: B08ZL6ZGG9Number of pages: 220Word Count: 75,000
Cover Artist: Fiona Jayde
Tagline: He was supposed to keep her safe, but the beast spares no one.
Book Description:
Socialite Holly Ellison’s best friends are immersed in a fight against evil. They don’t want her involved, but she’s determined to keep them safe. Little do they know she’s the key to everyone’s survival.
Dr. Peter Rennick hears his brother’s rumblings about witches, magic, and dragon spirits possessing people’s bodies only to find out what he’s saying is true. Peter witnesses firsthand the destructive powers of the beast and demands a role in the fight.
When Peter is put in charge of Holly’s safety, the intense attraction between them is a distraction they can’t afford. They must focus on destroying the beast, a powerful spirit that has its sights set squarely on Holly.
Each book in this series can be read as a stand-alone.
Amazon US Amazon UK Amazon CA Amazon AU
Excerpt:
I, Holly Ellison, am an idiot.
Grinding her teeth, Holly marched down the hospital hallway, away from the emergency room cubicle where her father was being treated for a broken arm. All this time she’d been working her butt off at her father’s art gallery, and for what? She should have seen her father’s betrayal coming. And in a sense she had. She just hadn’t wanted to believe he thought so little of her. Her throat tightened. They weren’t extremely close, but their relationship was good, wasn’t it?
Her footsteps faltered. She wasn’t being the best daughter. Only hours ago her father had fallen down the staircase in his Upper Manhattan duplex apartment. No, other than a broken arm, he was fine. Besides, he had his newest girlfriend at his side. The same girlfriend who would no doubt soon be his traveling companion. Now that he’d had his epiphany that life was too short to continue to run the Ellison Gallery.
Her blood pressure rose again. But instead of passing the reins onto her, his only daughter, the daughter who had been working for him since high school, the daughter who basically ran the gallery when he was gone, he would hire a “professional” to manage the place.
A professional. What was she? A trained monkey?
She pushed open the door to the street and braced herself for the early December nighttime chill.
Sure, she’d never gone to college, but she’d learned on the job. That had to count for something. Her father had given her an office and put her in charge of various aspects of the business. Had that merely been nepotism? His way of showing affection—a pat on the head and, once in a while, telling her she’d done a good job?
A biting wind hit her, but the cold wasn’t an issue. Not tonight. She was too hot under the collar for the icy temperature to affect her. Maybe she should walk all the way to Tess’s apartment. It might cool her off, so she sounded halfway sane when she vented to her best friend. Best friend? The one who kept secrets from her. Ugh. She should go home. A glass of low-cal wine might help just as well.
She rounded the corner of the building and came face-to-face with a . . . masked man? Holy hell! Holly turned tail but got only two steps away when she was grabbed around the waist from behind. Her heart beating so hard it might leap from her chest and pound on the guy for her, she screamed and twisted in his hold as he stuffed a silver compass into his pocket and dragged her toward a parked car.
“No! Let go!” She lost her purse in the midst of stomping on his feet, kicking his legs, elbowing him anywhere and everywhere. The few times she made contact had little effect. “Help,” she yelled as her attacker opened the car door to the back seat and shoved her inside.
About the Author:A small town girl with a big imagination, Tamara Hughes had no idea what to do with her life. After graduating from college, she moved to a big city, started a family and a job, and still struggled to find that creative outlet she craved. An avid reader of romance, she gave writing a try and became hooked on the power of exploring characters, envisioning adventures, and creating worlds. She enjoys stories with interesting twists and heroines who have the grit to surmount any obstacle, all without losing the ability to laugh.
Website: https://tamarahughes.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tamhughes
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tamarahughesauth
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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tamara-hughes
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tamara.hughes2/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7738043.Tamara_Hughes
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Tamara-Hughes/e/B00HXKHTY0
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A Bewitching Monday
In the Kitchen with Tamara Hughes #PNR #OldFashioned #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/TrAK50ExCNR
Arts and Crafts with Laura Simmons- Soap Making #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/Mdz150ExCJk
Lisa Acerbo's 10 Favorite Zombie Characters in Film and Literature #Horror #Dystopian #RomanticFantasy #NARomance #Zombies #bewitchingbooktours
https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...
Character Confessions with Amelia Hartliss #CrimeFiction #MysteryThriller #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/UwVZ50ExCtJ
Author Interview Trial of a Tyrant by R. L. McIntyre #NADF #DarkFantasy #NewAdult https://paranormalists.blogspot.com/2...
Virtual Book Tour: The Goddess of Magic by Tamara Hughes #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5HEm50ExCLz
Virtual Book Tour: Co-Vid 2020 by Mike Scantlebury #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/meS150ExCGt
Black Moon Rising by Mila Nicks - Book Tour + Giveaway #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/oDIp50ExCB1
INTERVIEW WITH R.L. McINTYRE (The Trial of a Tyrant)
https://supernaturalcentral.blogspot....
Will an ex-mobster protect a woman who hates him? He'll choose between breaking a promise to his parole officer or theold lady. Each choice carries a price. Releases April 30. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08WTK6XWP
#LiminalChronicles #Rise #AmyWintersVoss #AsianMyth #UrbanFantasy #IndieAuthors
Spotlight & Excerpt: Black Moon Rising + Giveaway
http://sadiesspotlight.com/black-moon...
April 25, 2021
Release Day Blitz Trial of a Tyrant by R. L. McIntyre #NADF #DarkFantasy #NewAdult
The Trial of a TyrantThe Assassin of Acreage Book TwoR. L. McIntyre
Genre: New Adult Dark FantasyPublisher: Indie publishing on KDPDate of Publication: 4/24/2021ISBN: 978-1-7365182-3-6ASIN: B08WX7TYJ1Number of pages: 370Word Count: ~ 90,0000Cover Artist: Getcovers
Tagline: Nothing cuts deeper than the truth.
Book Description:
Putting a tyrant on trial could cost everything.
Serena, the great Death Sparrow, saw the sacrifices made at Bathon. She knows to dethrone the Tyrant King would require more than even she is willing to give. The only advantage Serena has left is her magic. As she begins to explore this part of herself, the ever-watchful gaze of the General follows her. He knows that his son Wesley, and her are involved, and relishes in this new game of cat and mouse. It isn’t just Serena who is ready to do anything for her friends. Wesley will risk the same to see his father stays far away from Serena, but he cannot stop the King alone. Together they must keep nine lords alive during the trial or risk the gallows ending everything.
Serena vows to do the unthinkable at every turn. Bow before the Tyrant and his General, play the role of a court Lady and use her magic in secret to give them a fighting chance. However, in this game of secrets, it isn’t only the King’s that are under scrutiny.
The Shadow Heir is coming, and he knows everything about the Death Sparrow and her friends, including her magic.
Amazon
Excerpt
Serena scowled as she worked on Wesley’s tattered back. The General’s hand, his father’s hand, was crueler than even she realized. He was in considerable pain but hissed through his breaths with controlled ease. Her anger rattled her breaths as she grabbed the nearby bandages.“Sit up,” she ordered.
Wesley sat up on the bed turning to face her. He removed the remains of his shirt leaving her face to face with his naked chest. Several white scars decorated it, but her eyes rested on the well-formed mountains he had for muscles. His abs were perfect. His whole body reminded her of a warrior God. A blush grew on her cheeks as she remembered feeling his muscles through his shirt, but now she could see them without interference. She sucked in a breath, trying to focus on the task while her eyes wandered every inch of him.
A smirk crossed Wesley’s face. He gently grabbed her hand, pulling her closer.
“Do you like what you see?” He held her hand against his chest. She could feel his muscles shift with his every breath. It ignited a warmth in her stomach she tried to control.
Her face flushed, and she pulled back steadying her breaths. “Stop distracting me,” she said, unrolling the bandage and holding it to his chest as she reached around him to wrap his back. He placed his hand over hers. The warmth of the touch drew her eyes to his. The look in them held her still. Without words she could feel his every thought. The blush on her cheeks grew as the fire in her stomached grew even hotter.“Stop,” she breathed.
“Are you sure you want me to?”
Serena took a deep breath that filled her nose with myrrh. She nearly whimpered at how it only seemed to make things worse but still she pulled her hand away. She focused on the bandages. The soft, cold bandages. The feel of his naked body against her arms continued to fluster her. His breaths seemed to pull her closer as she tried to finish quickly. Wesley grabbed her waist and pulled her tight. She tripped into him, her momentum almost knocking him onto his back. He chuckled, holding her close as his arms wrapped around her. She glared down at him, while a playful grin covered his face as he looked up at her.
“I fear I am a distraction.” He smirked. Daryl left the room as she bent her head down towards his, so her lips hovered above Wesley’s. There was a hunger in his eyes. She felt it too, but she refused to let him know so easily.
“I may be distracted,” she said, letting her eyes drop to his lips before gently licking her own. He edged up towards her. “but it isn’t enough for me to lose focus.” She pushed him back a smirk gleaming on her lips as she returned to the bandages. Wesley sat stiffly, almost pouting as she finished. His eyes carefully watched her ever move. She began to wash her hands in the basin when he bolted up behind her and snatched her waist. She yelled out, his warmth and presence keeping her assassin instincts at bay as he spun her, pinning her between the pole of his bedframe and him.
“You’re finished now. So, stop teasing and kiss me,”
“Is that an order?”
“We both know I cannot order you to do anything.”
She smirked and leaned up to him. His lips laid on hers. A gentle kiss that filled her with a warmth that chased away the darkness that suffocated her heart. He kissed her harder, igniting the hunger she barely kept at bay. He pulled her waist tight, drawing her even closer to him. She gasped at the sensation, continuing their kiss as she moved her hands to his neck and cheek. She carefully avoided his back as she tried to feel as close to him as possible. Her hands wandered as his possessively held her still.
“Can you please not,” said a voice. She looked at the door, lust heavy in her eyes as she saw Sam. Her stomach dropped as she understood what he just saw.
“Sam-”
“I know you chose him; I’d just not like to see it. Now I was here on business, not pleasure like some people.” He said coldly.
“Sam, that isn’t what-” she started feeling the pain that was in his eyes. It felt like tiny shards of glass piercing her skin.
“Enough, Serena!” he snapped angrily. “I don’t have anything to say to you.” She flinched at those words. The pain quickly turned to anger as she moved past Wesley to Sam. He would not talk to her like that. Of all people he knew better.
She shoved him back into the parlor. He stumbled catching himself before he fell.
“Don’t disrespect your better. You want to keep things all about business. Fine, then remember who is above you, Viper.” She growled. He glared back at her.
“Fine Sparrow, but I wasn’t here to talk to you. So, if you don’t mind.” He growled, turning to Wesley.
“What do you want?” Wesley asked, an edge of annoyance in his voice. She wasn’t sure who he was annoyed at.
Sam looked at Wesley’s bandages and scoffed. “I’ve figured out how I can help. I want you to add me to your guards. Once I’m in, I can get into the King’s personal guard. I’ll earn his trust.”
“Can I trust you to not stab me in the back?”
Sam let out a cynical laugh. Serena felt more on edge with that laugh. Her muscles primed for an attack.
“Trust? Is that how you convinced her? I don’t need you to trust me. I can do this without your help if I want, but we all decided on a plan. I just need you to work with me. I’ll repay the favor.”
“That doesn’t answer the question,”
“You truly do not understand assassins.” He looked at Serena a look of mockery on his face. “We do what we must for our own gains. Why she stands by your side is as perplexing as why the moon shines when the sun is out. It is useless.” Sam stepped closer to Wesley who stood stiffly glaring at him. “Do you see yourself holding onto the things you want without my help? A few months from now summer will be in full swing. It will be the perfect time for an invasion, especially since Acreage won’t be sweltering hot like the Samorians are used to. Can you really refuse me?” His eyebrows raised to match his smirk.
“Viper,” Serena warned. Sam rolled his eyes and looked at her.
“I won’t hurt your toy. I refer to your station as long as you keep it, but the moment you lose it I won’t,” he warned.
She took a deep breath, knowing what he meant. If Gwayne heard of her relationship with Wesley, she’d lose her standing in the assassins. Gwayne would destroy her. If Sam didn’t attack her first. Looking at him, she wasn’t sure if he was still her ally or just a convenient blade hired out of necessity. When the necessity ended, was he willing to turn against her? Seeing the pain and anger in his eyes. She knew the answer was yes. So, she needed to make sure he still needed her regardless or she would suffer the fallout.
“You should remember if you want your name cleared you need me.” she retorted.
“Then perhaps when we no longer need each other, I can sever the heart you’ve so enjoyed stabbing.” She felt the pain in her own heart as if he stabbed hers. She held it back. “I expect to be added to the guard’s tomorrow. Be sure it’s done,”
He left the room falling into silence. Serena stood still a few moments calming herself. She still cared for Sam. They grew up together. He was her first everything. His pain was her pain. For so long pain and love had been the thread connecting them. For their history to stop controlling her future she could have to sever their bond, but not until it was safe.
“I should get back to Helen’s. We all have work to do.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Wesley said, throwing on a new white shirt. She looked over at him and sighed.
“I’m fine. I want to walk alone. I want to think.”
Wesley watched her walk to the door.
“Make sure to rest,” she said as she opened the door. Wesley closed the distance between and pressed the door shut. His body nearly draped over hers as she stood looking at the door.
“Serena,” His hot breath caught in the collar of her shirt sending shivers down her spine.
“I should go.”
“I don’t want you to.”
Her knees felt weak hearing those words. She inhaled deeply the scent of myrrh reminding her he was behind her. Not that she could forget. His heat was suffocating, and she didn’t care that her lungs refused to work.
She wanted to be lost with him. Lost from the world full of problems she needed to fix.
“Serena-”
“Stop.” She said forcing herself to think and not give in. Her body and heart roared against her mind. They refused to be ignored but staying would make everything more dangerous. The General could find out. That thought alone warned her that this was not the time to forget what must be done.
“Not tonight.” Her voice nearly wavered. “There is work to be done, and if I stay...” She couldn’t finish the sentence. She opened the door and Wesley stepped back letting her walk alone into the halls. Serena focused. There was no time for distractions.
About the Author: R. L. McIntyre is a new fantasy YA/NA writer, from the Philadelphia area, who debuted February 27th, 2021. She is a fan of all things medieval which includes her own personal sword collection. She strives to write complex and realistic characters using her knowledge of psychology. When not curled up with a book and her fur babies you’ll likely find her out on an adventure looking for her next big inspiration.
https://rlmcintyreauthor.com/
https://www.facebook.com/fantasyauthorRLMcIntyre/
https://www.bookbub.com/profile/r-l-mcintyre
https://www.instagram.com/rachel.l.mcintyre/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57224227-the-trial-of-a-tyrant
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April 23, 2021
Kindle Freebie April 21- 25
The Death Sparrow’s Shadow
The Assassin of Acreage
Book One
R. L. McIntyre
Genre: New Adult Dark Fantasy
Date of Publication: 2/27/21
ISBN:978-1-7365182-0-5
ASIN:B08T933J8Y
Number of pages: 317
Word Count: ~ 80,000
Cover Artist: Getcovers.com
Book Description:
For Serena Nightshade, the infamous Death Sparrow everything has come down to this. Templarians stole her homeland, killed her people, and outlawed her culture. For nineteen long years, Serena has survived as her homeland's best assassin trying to get close to the King who destroyed everything and have her revenge. However, new invaders threaten the little safety she has.
Samorians are infiltrating Acreage and now the Death Sparrow must trade in her daggers for ballgowns to save it. As if infiltrating the castle of a tyrant is not hard enough, shadows of her harrowing past and the man who broke her heart warn her never to trust again, but war is not won alone. She must team up with the Heir Prince, Daryl Merriweather, and his handsome Captain of the Guards, Wesley Trylo to navigate her precarious position at court. That is if she can keep her meddling heart from getting in the way of her mission. If not, even her skills as an assassin won’t be enough to survive this nightmare, especially if the strange gargoyle-like creatures haunting her don’t reveal her darkest secret.
The Gods may be gone but magic isn’t. Especially not hers.
This title includes intense scenes of violence that may be disturbing to some readers.
Get it Free at https://amzn.to/2QJoWzH
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Kindle Freebie April 21- 25
Saving her homeland will cost everything, including her heart.
The Death Sparrow’s Shadow: The Assassin of Acreage Book 1 by R. L. McIntyre
Free at https://amzn.to/2QJoWzH
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