Roxanne Rhoads's Blog, page 168

Release Day Blitz Midnight Temptation by Shari Nichols #PNR #UrbanFantasy #Tarot

Midnight TemptationRaven’s Hollow Coven Book TwoShari Nichols
Genre: Urban FantasyPublisher: City Owl PressDate of Publication: June 30, 2020ISBN: 1949090647ASIN:  978-1949090642Number of pages: 274 Word Count: 68,500
Tagline: A witch and a vampire must work together to take down the ruthless head of a human trafficking ring.
Book Description:
When tarot card reader Gillian Howe hosts a supernatural speed dating event, she’s hopeful to discover her chance at love. Making the perfect match is her passion.
Too bad she can’t find one for herself. A chance encounter with a wealthy vampire soon finds her plunged into a secret society of trancing, blood bonds, and human escort rings. She’ll need help to survive, but the vampire detective is the last person she wants...even if he is scorching hot.
Garrett Mulroney’s sire tried to force him into a life of debauchery, but he chose to uphold the law instead. The fact that the one woman he can’t seem to get out of his lust-filled dreams is at the center of his investigation doesn’t bode well. It's a good thing she hates his guts, because it helps douse his growing desire for her and focus on the case. But when Gillian’s cousin is kidnapped into the Du Sang Brotherhood, she becomes the prime witness. Now they’re forced to put their differences aside and go undercover by pretending to be a couple. The more time they spend together, the more Garrett wants her in his life—and in his bed.
Will they be able to develop the love and trust needed to take down the Brotherhood or become its next victim?
Amazon
Excerpt:Suddenly, all the hairs on the back of Gillian’s neck stood on end. Her whole body tensed. The chatter and music became muffled. Her eyes flickered across the lobby in search of who, or what, had caught her attention. Then she saw him. Six-feet-three inches of tall, dark, and brooding stood at the front desk. Detective Garrett Mulroney? What the hell was he doing here? Seeing him again after all these months sent a jolt of shock rippling through her. His gaze locked with hers, and for a moment, she forgot to breathe. They both stood there, staring at each other. It was as though he could see beneath her armor, the kind she wore under the little black dress.The word handsome didn’t even begin to describe him. Mythological titans like Adonis and Poseidon came to mind, males so stunning, they couldn’t possibly be real. But then she thought of other words too, like arrogant, brash…controlling…she could go on. Mulroney crossed the lobby with a confidant gait, his long legs eating up the distance between them in a few easy strides. Her heart hammered in her chest with every step. Every female head turned to catch a glimpse of the vampire. The closer he got, the more her body became hyperaware of his presence. He kept his thick head of dark hair short on the sides and longer in the front. The cut showed off the angles and hard lines of his face. Sexy stubble darkened a square jaw, and he looked every bit as dangerous as she remembered. Long, and lean, Gillian could make out the ripple of sinewy muscle beneath the jacket of his grey suit. In the past, she’d always been attracted to the artistic types. So, there was no good reason why she was drawn to this rough-hewn alpha. But Goddess help her, he was magnificent. Laughter drifted from the bar, and that’s when she realized she was still standing on a chair, gawking at him like some lovesick schoolgirl. She went to step down and her foot slipped out from one of her strappy sandals. Before she could fall sideways onto the marble, two strong arms wrapped around her waist and caught her in midair. When she looked up and into Mulroney’s ice-blue eyes, her heart gave a little flutter. Apparently, the legends about vampires having preternatural speed and strength were real. But then, as his gaze filled with a kind of raw, primal desire, she had no doubt the steamy ones about them possessing a certain sexual allure also rang true.             “You’re lucky you didn’t break your neck,” Mulroney whispered close to her ear and set her on her feet. “What are you doing here tonight, Miss Howe?” The deep rumble of his voice did funny things to her insides.  “I could ask you the same question.” Gillian grabbed the scissors and scotch tape off the table, then shoved them in her black beaded bag. “If you must know, I’m working,” Gillian snapped. Ever since the prickly detective had been assigned to investigate the robbery of one of her clients, a local antique dealer, their paths had collided on more than one occasion.  Mulroney’s eyes did a slow sweep of her from the tips of her three-inch heels to the top of her head. Goosebumps instantly spread across her flesh. Gillian wanted to squirm from the flagrant perusal, but remained still, refusing to give him the satisfaction. Why would she? After all, he had tried to ruin her life. “Interesting work attire,” he murmured.Her hands clenched at her sides, fighting the urge to tug on her dress again. “I’m sure you didn’t walk over here to comment on my choice of clothing. To what do I owe the unexpected pleasure?” she asked with a healthy dose of sarcasm.“Trust me, this wasn’t planned,” he said in a gruff voice, refusing to look her in the eye.Gillian couldn’t help remembering the day he and his partner had showed up at the coven. Peppering her with questions and unwarranted accusations, they’d invaded her safe space, conjuring that too familiar lash of shame, and reminding her of the days when the neighbors used to call the cops to keep her parents from an all-out war.      He kept his hands stuffed in his pockets, his stance casual, but he wasn’t fooling anyone. There was no mistaking the predatory way he kept checking out the people strolling by as only a cop would. She followed his gaze as it took in every detail, restless with intensity, before finally landing on their banner. “Is this a private fundraiser?”She nodded, not in the mood to elaborate. “Are you here in an official capacity? What’s the matter, no real criminals on the streets tonight?” Or maybe this was personal and he was meeting someone. He’d worked with Alex on several cases, and according to Willow, he was a confirmed bachelor, not that she had inquired or anything.   “A quick word, please, Miss Howe. We need to talk.” The object of her unhealthy obsession ignored her questions and reached for her elbow, pulling her off to the side. His touch seared through the thin material of her dress, leaving a hot flush along her skin. At five-foot-seven, she wasn’t exactly short, but even in her heels, he towered over her.   “Hold on. I’m kind of busy right now. What’s this about?” Gillian demanded, catching a whiff of his masculine scent, a blend of sandalwood and clean laundry. She fought the urge to sigh and glared at him instead. “You shouldn’t be here.” Mulroney glanced over at the couple’s tables scattered with rose petals, floating candles, bowls of heart-shaped chocolates, and the Lawrence Charity placards. He turned back to face her and scowled. “I want you to leave. Now.”  “Excuse me?” His words knocked Gillian off-center and before she could process them, an attractive female vampire with dark hair pulled in a tight ponytail walked up to Mulroney and placed a hand on his arm.  “It’s time. We need to go.” A surge of irrational jealousy coursed through Gillian’s veins like battery acid.  For a split second he hesitated, his gaze still fixed on Gillian, and she sensed some kind of inner battle raging inside him. Then he gave her a curt nod and walked away. Her heart sank.Brooke approached and crossed her arms over her chest. “What was that all about?” Not sure what to make of their twisted interaction, or of Mulroney’s ominous words for that matter, Gillian sucked in a quivering breath and let it out. “No idea.”
About the Author:
Shari Nichols grew up in a small town in Connecticut where haunted houses, ghosts and Ouija boards were common place, spurring her fascination with all things paranormal. Ever since she read her first Barbara Cartland novel, her life-long dream has been to write sexy, romantic stories. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, going to the gym, or hanging out with family and friends.
Shari’s a member of Romance Writers of America, New Jersey Romance Writers, Liberty States Fiction Writers and Fantasy, Futuristic, and Paranormal Romance Writers. Shari’s new series,   Ravens’ Hollow Coven, is an urban fantasy with City Owl Press.
Awards:  Beverley Award, Golden Leaf Finalist, Best Book Finalist by a New Jersey Author, HOLT Medallion Finalist, Literary Titan Silver Medal Winner.
http://sharinicholsauthor.com/contact.html#newsletter
http://sharinichols.blogspot.com/
https://twitter.com/shari_nich
https://www.facebook.com/sharinicholsauthor/Shari
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9851324.Shari_Nichols



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Author Sign Ups Open for the 2020 Haunted Halloween Spooktacular

This special tour package offers authors individual tours combined with the cross promotion of an overall Halloween event, a group Rafflecopter, and a group Facebook party.

Each participating author will receive:

* 1 Month Halloween Theme Virtual Book Tour

* Custom Tour Banner and Instagram Graphic

* Professional Media Kit and Social Media Script with Custom Hashtags

* Option to Offer Review Copies

* Group Rafflecopter for Cross Promo

* Time Slot in Multi-Author Halloween Facebook Party

* Inclusion in October Book Fair on BewitchingBookTours.com

The early bird fee for this promotion is $99 per author for one book. If you wish to promote additional books each additional book is $50.

This event has a limited number of spaces available. Payment is required at time of sign up to reserve your space.

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Character Interview - A Glint in Her Ice by Janice Detrie #cozymystery

Interview with Sandra Tooksbury, owner of Gaston
Your dog, Gaston, has been featured in news stories across the nation, for helping to solve crimes. How do you account for his uncanny ability?
When he was a puppy, I noticed how he observed people and seemed to discern who was bad or good. If Gaston nipped at a person, or piddled on his shoe, I knew that person was up to no good. People would complain, “You need to discipline that dog.” But I knew better. He had canine ESP.
Many of his cases also involve Professor Vlad Chomsky. How did their collaboration come about?
Vlad’s wife dumped him for her bowling instructor, and he needed a place to live. I have an old house that's been converted into apartments and the rent was cheap. When he met Gaston, they had an instant bond, although Gaston tested him at first with a few warning growls and a bite or two. But Vlad showed his mettle and they became fast friends.
I’ve read that Gaston has some famous ancestors.  Please tell us about them.
Have you ever heard of the vaudeville act, Fifi and Friends? Fifi was Gaston’s great-great-great- oh, I don’t know how many greats-grandmother. I inherited the act, but vaudeville was dead. So I went into burlesque.  I danced and Pierre, my poodle at the time, pulled off my scarves. The climax was when he jumped through a flaming hoop as I twirled my pasties. But I retired from all that many years ago, dearie.
That brings us to your latest case involving jewel thieves, as related in the book, A Glint in Her Ice.
A pair of international jewel thieves were on board our cruise ship.   They sure had us fooled for a while, even me, and I’m an excellent judge of character. But nothing gets past Gaston. Luckily, I had my new outfit along and his bling collar. We looked great on the news photos.

Thank you, Mrs. Tooksbury. We look forward to hearing more about you dog in the future.

A Glint in Her Ice
Gaston the Poodle Mystery
Book Two
Janice Detrie

Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Janice DetrieDate of Publication: April 7, 2020ISBN: 978-0-9987342-1-7978-0-9987342-1-7ASIN:   0998734217Number of pages: 231Word Count:  78,683Cover Artist:  Eric Labacz
Tagline:  Vlad Chomsky invites his new love Beatrice on a romantic river cruise, but his eccentric landlady, Sandra Tooksbury, and her ill-tempered poodle, Gaston, finagle their way on board and embroil him in a jewel heist.
Book Description:
Professor Vlad Chomsky needs a break after saving the town of Crawford, Wisconsin from terrorists, and he knows exactly how to get the rest and relaxation he needs—a romantic Rhine River cruise with the lovely librarian Beatrice Krup.
Vlad imagines sharing his passion for history with Beatrice as they tour the castles, museums, and cathedrals of Germany, while spending warm spring evenings together watching the river glide by—without his ex-wife and kids, and especially without his elderly landlady Sandra Tooksbury, her friend and handyman Norm, and her feisty toy poodle,  Gaston. Yes, Gaston helped Vlad save Crawford, but he doesn’t need a crowd watching—and offering advice—as he takes his relationship to Beatrice “to the next level.”
But Vlad has forgotten Norm and Sandra’s ability to show up just when they aren’t wanted and is dismayed when Sandra hoodwinks her way on board the cruise, Norm and Gaston in tow.
When Norm becomes the prime suspect in a diamond heist, Vlad’s hopes for a quite, romantic cruise are shattered. Will Gaston and the gang discover the real thief in time? And will finally have a chance to “pop the question” to Beatrice?
This is the second adventure of Vlad, Gaston the Poodle, and all of their friends. You can find out more about them in Jan Detrie’s first book, The Seven Ten Split.
Amazon

Excerpt:
It couldn’t be!” Vlad exclaimed, and he pushed himself into the crowd. But it was.Below him, Sandra Tooksbury in the aged flesh pointed to the crumpled vest adorning Gaston with bold lettering. The overweight poodle with the dingy white fur wagged his tail but showed no sign of retreating from the gangplank.“Can’t you read, young man? It says ‘Service Dog’ on his harness. This dog is a highly trained service dog. MY service dog,” she declared. “He accompanies me wherever I go because of my disability.”The attendant grew flushed but said firmly, “Like I said, madam, no dogs are allowed on board the ship.”“I was told by the young man who made my reservation that service dogs were allowed on board ship.”“That dog doesn’t look like any service dog I’ve ever seen,” sneered the older crewmember manning the gangplank. “He looks like a clown dog escaped from the circus.”“I’ll have you know, young man, I’m prone to having seizures, and this service dog warns me and my traveling companion when I’m about to lose consciousness,” Sandra said indignantly.“Your traveling companion? Who might that be?” asked the crewmember.Vlad groaned as Norm pushed his way through the throng bottlenecked at the gangplank and planted himself next to Sandra, resting his fists on his hips.“I’m her traveling companion. I’m trained in first aid procedures, and I know what to do when her service dog gives the warning,” he declared.“If that fat mongrel is a service dog, then I’m Angela Merkel,” snorted the older man. “You don’t know who you’re dealing with, sir. I’ve long retired from show business but I still have friends in high places. You don’t want to tangle with talk show stars. They’ll smear your cruise line all over the Internet,” Sandra threatened. “Check me out on YouTube. My dog and I are celebrities.”Sandra opened her purse and began rummaging through its contents, scattering used tissues, a half-eaten Mars bar, and several restaurant receipts on the ground. “Here it is. The headline story from The New York Times. ‘Dog Brings Down Terrorist.’”She thrust the Crawford Daily Gazette in the crewmember’s face.“Madam, this is not The New York Times,” he said. “It’s some small-town paper.”“Don’t you get smart with me. The New York paper ran the story, too. It was all over the country. My dog is famous.”“I don’t dispute that, madam, but famous or not, I can’t go against the ship’s policy.” said the man, running a meaty hand through his thinning hair. “I could lose my job.”“Then I demand to talk to your captain. You can check with Laurant in reservations. He told me my service dog was allowed on board with me.”Just then Vlad felt a burly man in an immaculate white uniform push past him, captain insignia gleaming.“What seems to be the problem, Seaman Klaus?” he growled.“This elderly lady wants to bring her dog on board, and I told her that’s not possible,” his voice rose to a whine.“He’s a service dog, Captain. I need him to warn Norm here when I’m about to have a seizure. I was informed service dogs are allowed.” Sandra thrust out her chin defiantly.The captain scratched his head before he spoke.  “I’ll check with headquarters, madam, if you’ll just step aside and let the other guests through.” He looked at the disgruntled passengers behind her and Norm.Vlad saw Sandra flick her index finger at Gaston. Immediately, he began to bark loudly. Not just loud but frenzied barking, so extreme that his body shook, belly fat undulating like waves on the nearby river. He jumped on Norm, grabbing his pant leg with his teeth and dragging him close to Sandra. As if on cue, Sandra emitted a loud moan. She jerked her head backwards, and her body went rigid. She toppled like a Northern Pine felled by a lumberjack straight into Norm’s outstretched arms. “She’s having one of her attacks!” Norm shouted. “Stand back. Give her some air.” He gently lowered her onto the grassy bank alongside the ship and began wildly waving his Green Bay Packers cap in front of her face. A lady shrieked, “Is there a doctor here?” Gaston’s barks turned into pitiful howls as he sat on his haunches next to her.“I’m her guardian! Let me through!” Vlad exclaimed as he pushed through the crowd and rushed down the gangplank. He knelt beside her and reached for her wrist. He could see the blue veins standing out in her frail arm, a tangled network, and felt for her artery with his fingertips. Her pulse felt strong, and he let out a sigh of relief.“She’s had a mild heart attack before, but her pulse seems all right.” he said to the captain standing nearby. Sandra let out another little moan, and her eyes fluttered open. “Where am I?” she mumbled. “What happened?” Then she closed them again.“Ya had another one of yer spells,’’ Norm said. “But yer all right. Gaston let me know just in time to catch you.” The dog’s howls changed to a whine as he stuck his head under her limp hand.Another moan and then her blue eyes opened wide. “My goodness, Vlad, is that you?” She struggled to sit up.  “What are you doing here? The last thing I remember is some rude fellow arguing with me about boarding the ship. Then everything went dark. I must have had a seizure.”Every eye in the gathering crowd now turned to the reddening crewmember and glared at him.


About the Author:

Janice Detrie lives in Watertown, Wisconsin, with her husband Michael and her cat who thinks he’s a dog. A former literacy coordinator, her reading tastes are eclectic, everything from biography to mystery to the classics to nonfiction. She enjoys traveling and theater. She has two children and two grandchildren. A Glint in Her Ice is her second book featuring Vlad and Gaston.
https://janicedetrie.com
https://twitter.com/janicedetrie

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16622949.Janice_Detrie


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Fly Twice Backward by David McCracken #althistory #scifi

Fly Twice BackwardFresh Starts in a World of Troubles David McCracken
Genre: SciFi, SciFiRomance, Alt History
Print Length: 726 pagesPublication Date: October 14, 2019Sold by: Amazon.com Services LLCLanguage: EnglishASIN: B07Z4KRLQZ
Book Description:
You wake back in early adolescence, adult memories intact, including ones that could make you very wealthy now. Your birth family is here, alive again, but your later families are gone, perhaps forever. What has happened, what should you do about coming problems like violence, ignorance, pollution, and global warming? You realize one key connects most, the fundamentalist strains of the major religions disdaining science, equality, and social welfare. You see that there are some things you can change, some you can’t, and one you don’t dare to.
Fellow idealists help you spend your growing fortune well--such as an artistic Zoroastrian prince in the Iranian oil industry, a rising officer in the Soviet army working to find a way to destroy his corrupt government, a Bahai woman struggling against Islamic brutality, a Peruvian leader working for a liberal future, and a snake-handling Christian minister, grappling with doubts, sexuality, and destiny. They are supported by an ally who develops essential psychic powers. The group faces familiar-looking corrupt politicians, religious leaders, and corporate czars, but there is an ancient force in the background, promoting greed, violence, hate, and fear.
This exciting, emotional, thoughtful, humorous, and even romantic sci-fi novel weaves progressivism, music, movies, and literature into a struggle spanning the globe. Vivid characters propel the action back up through an alternative history toward an uncertain destination.
Amazon

Bewitching Excerpt:
24. Xerxes: Convoy (Shiraz, Iran, Wed., 9/17/52)
After the three-day mourning period for Grandfather, a small crowd gathers in our courtyard around his new green Cadillac as Father hands me the keys. I’m taking it to our villa on the outskirts of Teheran. From there, I’ll report to the recently opened offices of the new Ministry of Petroleum. There’s also a big old black Buick, which will be going along, brought by three brothers who have done various demanding jobs for the family. Mohammed, my favorite, winks slightly at me. Father’s secondary wives are there, too, colorfully dressed, with most of their children. Mother stands apart from them, of course, with her arm tightly around me.She says, “Son, I know you’re anxious to get started, but you haven’t seen how lawless highways have sometimes become, with less oil money coming in to pay the police.”“Has it come to that?”“Well, your father assures me that with Mohammed driving your car and his brothers in theirs, and the full attention of all, you should make it OK.”Father steps away from the Buick: “Yes, Son, keep your guns handy and don’t stop for anything until you get to cousin Abdollah’s in Isfahan for the night. That’ll end the most dangerous part of the trip.”“We’ll be careful, Father. What is happening to our country?” “A lot of people are short on food, with the British blockage of our oil exports, and some are desperate. Others are just opportunistic. We can’t give in to fear, but neither can we give in to foolishness. Please call when you arrive. Abdollah does have a phone, now that he’s moved into town with his families.”I open the Cadillac passenger door and say: “Those damned British think they own us as slaves, and they intend to teach us not to be rebellious, as dogs needing discipline to do tricks. I hope to God we can prove they’ve misjudged.” I look around at this home, this family that I’m leaving again: with a kiss to each parent, I settle into the comfortable seat by Mohammed.“Go with God, Xerxes,” say both my parents together.“And may God be with you, Father, Mother.”
25. Xerxes: Danger (Near Shareza, Iran, Wed., 9/17/52)
Driving under the noon sun, still short of Shareza, visibility is good. There is no traffic as we head north, so we can pick up speed. To the right, the road is skirting a long, high ridge of barren rock and fallen sand, like so much of the land all the way toward the eastern deserts. To the left, at a bit of a distance, a lower ridge has a few isolated patches of green and an occasional shabby house. I’m missing beautiful Shiraz already. And Austin.The road makes a sharp turn to the right, going around a ridge so we can’t see past the curve. Immediately before it, we see a junky old car pulled off the road, a man working under the hood, and a young family inside. Mohammed is passing them by. “Oh, Mohammed, we should stop, or they’ll be in danger.”“And if we stop, we’ll be in danger . . . . OK, we’ll pull just past that curve, and you look back as we round it. Watch to see if he gets in his car as we get to the curve.”“He did.” Oh, oh! What are we in for?“Roll down your window and look ahead, holding your gun ready. Be ready to hand me mine.”“There, ahead of your brothers! A horse and cart are nearly blocking the road.”“Kian’ll know what to do.”The Buick swerves, so it is aiming straight at the horse’s front shoulder, speeding toward it. The horse rears in panic, tipping the cart backward. Two short hay-streaked men with old-style long rifles tumble out, struggling to get their balance and turn those rifles toward us. Through a window of our leading car, I see--a rock? No, a grenade, exploding as it falls between the men.Gunshots smash into our rear window, one going all the way through and into the windshield before me: “Shoot at that car coming up behind us.”“The children!”“Aim low.”Mohammed slews our car across the road and joins me in firing. Kian screams back in his car, and those brothers join the fusillade. Our bullets must puncture the fuel line of the following car, as flames flare up and grow quickly. The family tumbles out of all the doors and roll away from the car.Leaving the two bodies, a forlorn family, and a burning car behind, our little convoy roars on.“Reload!” Mohammed says.The bodies! And what a waste of my own life, if I’d died here, never seeing Julia again!

About the Author:
David McCracken was born in Louisville, KY, in 1940. Raised mostly in Winchester, KY, he now lives near Winchester, VA, with his third and final wife. He has three children, two stepchildren, and six grandchildren.
After three years in the U.S. Navy following a lackluster academic start, he graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1963, in Diplomacy and International Commerce. He then worked as a Latin American country desk officer in the U.S. Department of Commerce until he returned to school to earn an M.A. in Elementary Education in 1970 from Murray State University, having always been intending to teach. Eventually realizing his children qualified for reduced-price lunches based on his own teaching salary, he studied computer programming at Northern Virginia Community College and worked as a programmer until shifting back into elementary teaching.
He began working on what became Fly Twice Backward in 1983 and finally finished it in 2019! At 79, David strongly doubts he’ll be doing another novel of such scope and complexity, but is preparing to work on a children’s science fiction novel with a progressive bent, being a devout progressive in politics and religion, as well as a lover of learning.
https://www.amazon.com/David-McCracken/e/B07Z5H614W/
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52960668-fly-twice-backward

A Queen’s Pride by N.D. Jones #urbanfantasy

A Queen’s Pride
Feline Nation
Book One
N.D. Jones

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Kuumba Publishing
Date of Publication: June 26, 2020
ASIN: B07Y7N8VDH
Number of pages: 220
Word Count: 71,524 (appx)
Cover Artist: Ravenborn Covers
Tagline: Revenge Is Best Taken with Claws
Book Description:
Lies. Murder. Vengeance.
For centuries, humans descended on shifters' lands, killing and claiming. They devoured all in their path--gold, God, and glory their battle cries. From the flames of destruction on the Zafeo continent, two nations emerged--the human territory of Vumaris and the feline nation of Shona.
No more wars.
No more bloodshed.
Eight decades of peace.
For eighteen-year-old Asha, traveling to Vumaris with her parents, lion alphas of the Kingdom of Shona, should've been a simple matter. Recommitting to an eighty-year-old peace treaty between their countries should've been easier still. Yet, greed and corruption know no boundaries of time and place. So when a group of mercenaries converges on Sanctum Hotel, hellbent on kidnapping Asha and assassinating her parents, her family trip turns into the bloodiest night of her life.
Will Asha lose those closest to her heart--her parents and Ekon, a young bodyguard she loves. If so, will she forgive her enemies or seek divine retribution?
Only time will tell, and it's running out for Princess Asha of the Kingdom of Shona.
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/lkSh5kABc2Q
Amazon

Excerpt: Asha flipped from one television station to the next, her mind more on the way Ekon had made her body feel than on finding a show for them to watch before Mafdet took over the post and sent Ekon to his suite. While Zarina had raised Asha to speak her mind, she had also taught her to do so with forethought and care. Zarina may have a tendency to shock people, but it wasn’t because she hadn’t calculated the impact of her words before uttering them. But her mother had yet to teach her how to curb her thoughts when her body wanted to do the talking for her.Foregoing the television, she clicked it off and dropped the remote control onto the couch cushion beside her. She ached in places she wanted Ekon to touch. If she were alone in the suite and in her bed, she’d close her eyes, slip her hand inside her panties and—Knock. Knock. Knock.Opening eyes that had closed of their own volition and dropping the hem of her dress she hadn’t consciously lifted, Asha sat up—embarrassed and breathless.The knock came again.Asha stood. Waited. A Shieldmane would announce himself, even Mafdet who had a key to the suite. Her parents would call, if they required something of her, expecting Asha to come to them, not the other way around. By the time the third round of knocking sounded, Asha had moved closer to the door, scenting more than the human on the other side. “Miss. Miss. Are you inside? We have an emergency. We need to evacuate this floor.”The man knocked again--hard and urgent.Peering through the peephole, she saw a tall man dressed in the same uniform she’d seen the front desk workers wear. He appeared both anxious and impatient. If there was a fire or gas leak, the man’s emotions were justified. Asha and Ekon needed to get out of there.She unlocked and opened the door. Mistake. Asha stepped backward, and the human stepped forward, shutting the door behind him.A gun she hadn’t seen through the peephole pointed at her.“Don’t scream. Don’t fight. If you follow my directions, you won’t get hurt.” If he didn’t have a gun leveled at her stomach, Asha could’ve misinterpreted his smile as a sign of kindness.“You’re making a mistake.”“No, I’m making the world better for humans.” Gun hand steady, the man who clearly wasn’t a hotel employee, scanned the outer room of the suite. “Is someone in here with you? A guard?” Green eyes tracked up and down her body. “Yeah, as pretty as you are, there has to be a guard nearby. Where? Bedroom? Bathroom?”Asha wouldn’t tell a lie, only to be caught in one, but she also wouldn’t reward the human’s threat of violence with the truth.“Fine. I’ll take your silence as a yes.” He drew closer, blond hair pulled back in a shoulder-length ponytail Asha would rip from his scalp if given an opportunity to strike. “We’ll just wait right here for whoever is in that other room to come out.”They waited. It didn’t take long since Ekon had already been in the ensuite for five minutes. Asha knew why he’d made a quick escape. She hadn’t been toying with him when she’d asked to see him naked. She’d very much wanted to feast upon his body … and with more than her eyes. The door to the ensuite creaked open.The human shoved the barrel of the gun against her ribs, his breath smelling of cigarettes when he whispered in her ear. “I knew someone was in here with you. You’re too important to be left alone. But didn’t your parents ever warn you about opening doors to strangers?” His other hand found one of Asha’s curls and twisted it around his finger. “I told them I could get you to open the door for me. It was the uniform, wasn’t it? No need to answer, little girl. Now, let’s see who came to play.”Ekon appeared in the living room, having reached them on soundless feet. If not for the creaking door, the human would’ve never known he approached. As it was, though, it was Ekon who was taken by surprise.Asha saw the moment her gentle boyfriend morphed into her deadly Shieldmane. His eyes darkened, eye teeth lengthened, sharpened, and his fingernails transformed into long, curved claws.Ekon stalked toward Asha, his focus on the gunman.In a swift upward movement, the human pointed his handgun at Asha’s head. “Calm down, kitty, or I’ll splatter her brains all over this white carpet.”Ekon halted.“That’s good. Real good. Put those fangs and claws away, friend.”“I’m not your friend. If you want to make it out of this room alive, you need to get that gun away from her and leave.”“Yeah, no, that’s not going to happen. She’s why we’re here. Where we go, she goes. You’re the one I don’t need.”A lion roared, and Asha had never heard a more beautiful sound.“That would be my father.”The roar was followed by gunfire, then what sounded like all-out war in the hall.“Fuck! Fuck! What in the hell are those guys doing?”“They’re fighting my parents, which means they’re dying. If you give Ekon your gun, you won’t have to die with them.”


About the Author:

N. D. Jones, Ed.D. is a USA Today bestselling author who lives in Maryland with her husband and two children. In her desire to see more novels with positive, sexy, and three-dimensional African American characters as soul mates, friends, and lovers, she took on that challenge herself. Along with the fantasy romance series Forever Yours, and a contemporary romance trilogy, The Styles of Love, she has authored three paranormal romance series: Winged Warriors, Death and Destiny, and Dragon Shifter Romance.
http://ndjonesparanormalpleasure.com/
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https://www.ndjonesparanormalpleasure.com/author-nd-jones-blog-newsletter/
https://www.facebook.com/ndjonesparanormalromanceauthor/
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3249098.N_D_Jones
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Free Book Friday - Undying Witch by B. Austin #darkfantasy #freebookfriday

***** Free Book Friday *****


A 97-year-old fortune-teller discovers the magic to be young and live forever.


Undying WitchA Dysfunctional Family of WitchesPrequelB. Austin
Genre: Dark FantasyPublisher: Spellbound BooksDate of Publication: October 1, 2019ISBN: 978-1693701818ASIN: B07TPCGDTJNumber of pages: 268Word Count: 51,638Cover Artist: B. Austin
Book Description:
"I will live forever. If I could make you, my daughter, live longer than a human, I would. I do not want to be alone again."
Dima seems doomed to live a life of poverty until she steals the Starostavne Books of Magical Spells and Enchantments. Monks wrote the wizardry books centuries ago. In the Tree of Life Magic and Time Spells book, Dima learns the secret of never aging.
Years later, Dima's teenage daughter resents a mother who is 112 years old but shifts into a woman young enough to be her sister. MEDEA loathes a mother who loves her 17 cats more than she does her daughter. Medea despises a mother who claims all witchcraft as her magic and treats her daughter like a slave. In secret, Medea develops her own sorcery.
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INTERVIEW - SCIENCE FICTION - FLY TWICE BACKWARDS (Fresh starts n a World of Troubles) by David McCracken #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/Equ930qTAsM

INTERVIEW WITH MELODY JOHNSON (Beyond the next Star)
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Fast Beat by Wren Valentino #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/fbQo30qTAwU

The Paradise Key Caper Sandra Madden #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/6IA230qTAxO

A Queen’s Pride by N.D. Jones #urbanfantasy #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/LzFO30qTAvt

The Paradise Key Caper by Sandra Madden #cozymystery #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/UOrA30qTAuR

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INTERVIEW WITH MELODY JOHNSON (Beyond the next Star) #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/NmZn30qTfiy

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INTERVIEW WITH MELODY JOHNSON (Beyond the next Star) #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/NmZn30qTfiy

The Paradise Key Caper by Sandra Madden - Cozy mystery - Interview with the Author #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/1KAL30qTfhC

The Seer Sidney by Charlie Daye #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/gqWu30qTfkS

Fly Twice Backward Fresh Starts in a World of Troubles David McCracken #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/mPLT30qTfjv

Beyond the Next Star Love Beyond Series Book One Melody Johnson #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/z29i30qTfil

A Glint in Her Ice Gaston the Poodle Mystery Book Two Janice Detrie #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/EzVn30qTfie

Book Spotlight ~ The Paradise Key Caper by Sandra Madden @sandrammadden ~ #CozyMystery #BewitchingBookTours #Review http://ow.ly/qsvp30qTfkm

Virtual Book Tour: Fly Twice Backward by David McCracken #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/WBIE30qTfjN

Now scheduling a cover reveal and one week tour for Hex Factor by Andie M. Long http://www.bewitchingbooktours.com/sa...

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She didn't mean to rush into love. He didn't mean to steal her heart.
Fools Rush In by Susan V. Vaughn
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Fast Beat by Wren Valentino
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Fast Beat by Wren Valentino

Fast Beat
Wren Valentino

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Blue Dasher Press
Date of Publication: May 29, 2020
ASIN:
Word Count: 15,000Cover Artist: James at GoOnWrite.com
Book Description:
After her long-time dance partner Tony is injured, Cassidy Downs has only a matter of weeks to find a new partner to remain eligible to compete in the All City Dance Off.
When she discovers Giovanni, a talented and classically trained member of a dance conservatory, Cassidy convinces him to become her new partner despite his reluctance to do so.
As the competition nears, neither Cassidy nor Giovanni can deny the strong attraction building between them.
Amazon

An Excerpt from Fast Beat by Wren Valentino
The buzzing vibration of a text message came in right at the end of the lunch rush. Cassidy Downs reached into the apron’s front pocket and picked up her phone. She glanced down, saw the words, and stopped in her tracks.Come quickly. Tony is hurt.Ducking out of view of the slow-eating customers, Cassidy sought refuge in the claustrophobic break room, which comprised nothing more than a rickety table, two beaten-up chairs, and a dead clock on the wall that hadn’t done its job in over a year.Too nervous to sit, Cassidy paced while waiting for Natasha to answer her phone. Tension filled every muscle as she moved.Finally.“Hello?”Cassidy froze. “Tasha? What happened? Is he okay?”“No,” she said. “No, he’s not. It’s bad.” From the wavering tone in Natasha’s voice, Cassidy knew the situation was serious. Her grip tightened around the phone. “Tell me.” Her breath felt like it was caught in her lungs. She closed her eyes, imagining the worst but hoping for the best. “You’re not going to believe this, but he got jumped.”Cassidy opened her eyes. “What? By who?”“Who do you think? It was the Firemakers.”“Are you sure?”“Cassidy, he had over two hundred bucks in cash on him. They didn’t touch the money. Went straight for his knee. They wanted to make sure he’d never dance again. And he won’t. Tony didn’t deserve this. We both know he’s a good guy.”“He’s my best friend,” Cassidy said. An emotional strand broke and crept into her throat. Tears threatened to spill. Not one to show her feelings, she stopped herself from crying. “And the best dance partner I’ve ever had. What am I gonna do? The competition is in two weeks.”“You need to be in the room when he wakes up,” Natasha said. “We’re at County. How fast can you get here?”Cassidy let out a lengthy breath. A sickening sensation churned her insides as shock set in. How could this happen? “I’ll ask April to cover the rest of my shift,” she explained. “She still owes me from Christmas Eve.”“Time to collect,” said Natasha. “And probably time to find a new partner.”Cassidy shook her head. “I can’t. That’s impossible.”A detectable sigh was heard before Natasha spoke. “Is it?”            As if entering on cue, April suddenly appeared in the doorway of the break room. Short and blonde, she was a physical contrast to Cassidy who towered over most people, including many of the guys they both knew from the neighborhood.             “I gotta go,” Cassidy said to Natasha before ending the call. She turned to her co-worker and friend. “April, I have a huge favor to ask.”            “I already know,” April responded. “Just go, Cassidy. I got this covered.”            “You sure?”            April nodded. “What are friends for?”            “Thank you.”            “Do me a favor, will you? Text me from the hospital and let me know how he’s doing. It might sound crazy, but I’ve had a little crush on Tony since the eighth grade. Not that he ever gave me the time of day.”


About the Author:

Wren Valentino is an author, playwright, poet, and screenwriter. He writes in multiple genres, primarily contemporary romance with an international setting. Wren graduated magna cum laude from Oglethorpe University in Atlanta with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications and English. He earned an MFA in Creative Writing at Queens University of Charlotte in North Carolina. He is a member of Gothic Romance Writers and Romance Writers of America. He loves film noir, white chocolate, classic cartoons, koalas, Julie London records, Nancy Drew, the Peanuts gang, Disney villains, all things Tiki, Italy, and everything written by Jane Austen.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/WrenValentino12
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Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/wrenvalentino/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/WrenValentino


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The Paradise Key Caper by Sandra Madden #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/pO8N30qT2Ud

Virtual Book Tour: Helplessly Hoping by Douglas Kent #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/YO5a30qT2SU

Fast Beat by Wren Valentino #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/5Vy030qT2RU

Free Audiobook Courting Moon: Vampyre’s Desire by Adom Sample + excerpt #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/JNJK30qT2R3

Book Spotlight & #Giveaway ~ A Glint in Her Ice (Gaston the Poodle Mystery, Book Two) by Janice Detrie @janicedetrie~ Cozy Mystery #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/3K7n30qT2k2

Book Spotlight ~ Fly Twice Backward by David McCracken ~ Fresh Starts in a World of Trouble ~ SciFi, SciFiRomance, Alt History #bewitchingbooktours http://ow.ly/sdLr30qT2jt

Ten Favorite Movies of All Time - Helplessly Hoping by Douglas Kent #memoir #guestblog #authorguestblog #memoir
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Beyond the Next Star by Melody Johnson #scifiromance
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