Krista Ames's Blog, page 48

#releasetour LOVE TIMES INFINITY by K.L. Ramsey #contemporaryromance @KLRamsey5

LOVE TIMES INFINITYThe Relinquished Series, Book 1
by K.L. RamseyGenre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Black Velvet Seductions
Cover Designer: Jessica Greeley


The last thing Karlie Angel wants to do is travel home to attend her younger sister’s wedding. As if catching her boyfriend in bed with her little sister wasn’t humiliating enough, now she must watch them say, “I do.” Karlie has given up on love, men and her own happily ever after. She just wants to get this nightmare wedding over with and head back out of town. But she didn’t count on Drew Jackson.

Drew had been in love with Karlie since senior year of high school, but she belonged to Jake Ashbrook then. Now, he sees Karlie’s return as his only chance to claim her. He just needs to convince Karlie to let him into her heart. Sometimes, actions speak louder than words, especially when Karlie’s past comes back to haunt her. Drew must find a way to keep her safe and convince her not to run again.

Love Times Infinity is the first book of The Relinquished Series.

“Hey there,” he greeted. “You’re up. I was gonna let you sleep in. You must be tired.” He grimaced with his last statement.

“Yeah, well, someone didn’t let me get much sleep last night.” She winked at him.

“Um, sorry about that.” He crossed the kitchen, handing her a mug of coffee with cream and sugar. “I know that I can be a little demanding. I hope it wasn’t too much, baby.” He leaned in and kissed her. “How’s your coffee? I saw how you took it last night with dinner. Hope I got it right.”

God, she loved that he paid that much attention and took care of her. She went up on her tiptoes and kissed him.

“Yes, perfect. Everything was perfect. I can’t believe I’m saying this but I kind of like you being so bossy in bed. It’s hot when you talk dirty to me.” She started to sip her coffee, but he took it away from her. He put both of their coffees on the counter and pulled her into him.

“Well, I guess it’s good that you like me bossy because that is all I know how to be with you in my bed. Baby, I just couldn’t get enough of you. If I am being totally truthful, I’m hard right now.” He ground his erection into her stomach.

She decided a distraction was in order, if she wanted any kind of nourishment. Good Lord, but the man was built for sin.

“Do I smell bacon?” Yeah, that would work. He smiled, seeming to know her ploy of distraction.

“Yeah, I thought you’d be hungry after last night.” He winked at her and started to make her a plate.

“I can do that for myself,” she said, shooing him away.

“No, I like taking care of you, Karlie. You will just need to get used to me doing things for you.” She didn’t want to feel hopeful about what he just said. She didn’t want to read too much into their relationship or whatever this was that they were doing. But she couldn’t help but feel anything but hope in what he said to her. He wanted to take care of her.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his shoulder, pressing her front to his back.

“Mmm, baby, if you keep that up we won’t be eating breakfast.”

Her hands dipped lower, cupping his cock and rubbing him through his boxer briefs.

“Baby,” he growled, turning to lift her up to sit her ass on the kitchen table. He started kissing up her neck, standing between her spread legs.

“Wrap your legs around me,” he said, taking her mouth, hard, fast, licking and nipping her lips. “Fuck, you’re not wearing underwear!”

She smiled at his realization. He seemed to pick up speed, pulling down his boxers and sliding past her slick folds.

“This is better than breakfast anyway,” Karlie purred, as Drew lifted her T-shirt up, exposing her breasts.

“Hell yeah, it is,” he agreed.




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K. L. Ramsey currently resides in West Virginia (Go Mountaineers!). In her spare time, she likes to read romance novels, go to WVU football games and attend book club (aka-drink wine) with girlfriends.

K. L. Ramsey was born and raised in Maryland where her life changed when she signed up for a creative writing class. Knowing that someday she wanted to become a writer, K.L. received her BA in English from Salisbury State University.

Somewhere in her mid-forties, K.L. decided to write her first romance novel, proving that dreams can be realized at any age.

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Pam of Babylon by Suzanne Jenkins #FREE #contemporaryromance #romanticsuspense @suzannejenkinswriter3

Pam of Babylonby Suzanne Jenkins
Book #1 in the Best Selling Series!

If you like romance series with twists and turns, then you'll love the Pam of Babylon Series.
When Jack has a heart attack on the train from  Manhattan, Pam and Jack's two lovers discover secrets and lies, and each other,in this contemporary romance with a touch of noir.

In a tale of marriage and betrayal, Pam's friendships and sisterly love are stretched to the limit. At what point does a relationship cross over from abuse to choice? And does forgiveness always come with exceptions?

188 Five Star Reviews!

The first of sixteen novels and seven novellas and short stories. Sign up on the author's website for your first FREE short story, First Sight: When Pam Met Jack.

If I Ever Leave You coming November 2017
FREE at AMAZON 

#PreOrder & #Giveaway #Blitz Sexuality and it's Impact on History

SEXUALITY AND ITS IMPACT ON HISTORYThe British Stripped Bare
by Hunter S. JonesGenre: History/UK/Women & Gender/Sexuality

Learn of the scandals and romance that shaped Great Britain. This provocative collection of essays depicts the cultural and societal kinks of the British, from the Anglo-Saxons, Medieval, Tudor, Regency, and Victorian eras.

Discover the ménage that changed the course of the Anglo-Saxon throne, go undercover to explore Courtly Love, learn about the business of Tudor and Regency marriages. Read of a possible dalliance involving Queen Anne Boleyn, and the controversial marriages of Mary, Queen of Scots. Peek into the bedrooms of Victorian prostitutes.

Each story provides shocking detail about what was at the heart of romance throughout British history.


Would you swig a magic potion or plot to kill your husband in order to marry your lover? These are just two of the many romantic and sexual customs from British history that you will explore as seven authors take us through the centuries, revealing that truth is stranger than fiction when it comes to love. From bizarre trivia about courtly love, to techniques and prostitution, you’ll encounter memorable nuggets of provocative information that you'll want to share.

It's all here: ménage a trois, chastity belts, Tudor fallacies, royal love and infidelity, marriage contracts (which were more like business arrangements), brothels, kept women, and whorehouses. Take a peek at what really happened between the sheets. Each story provides you with shocking detail about what was at the heart of romance throughout British history.

Sexuality and Its Impact on History: The British Stripped Barechronicles the pleasures and perils of the flesh, sharing secrets from the days of the Anglo-Saxons, medieval courtly love traditions, diabolical Tudor escapades—including those of Anne Boleyn and Mary Queen of Scots—the Regency, and down to the ‘prudish’ Victorian Era. This scholarly yet accessible study brings to light the myriad varieties of British sexual mores.

Chapter 1Godiva: Lady, Legend, LegacyEmma Haddon-Wright

Chapter 2Rioting in the Harlot’s Embrace: Matrimony & Sanctimony in Anglo-Saxon EnglandAnnie Whitehead

Chapter 3The Art of Courtly Love: The Ideal and Practice of Love in the Middle AgesJessica Cale

Chapter 4The Tudor Marriage GameMaryAnne Coleman

Chapter 5These Bloody Days: The Relationship between Anne Boleyn & Thomas WyattJudith Arnopp

Chapter 6The Marriages of Mary Queen of ScotsGayle Hulme

Chapter 7Succession, Confusion and Ramifications: Who Should Wear the Crown?Dr. Beth Lynne

Chapter 8Lips of Flame & Heart of StoneThe Impact of Prostitution in Victorian Britain and its Global InfluenceHunter S. Jones


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Hunter S, Jones is passionate about the history of romance, science and music, a.k.a. sex, drugs and rock & roll. She has a popular history blog, and is a historian for Past Preservers Casting. When she isn’t writing, talking or tweeting about kings, queens and rock stars, she’s living the dream in Atlanta, Georgia with her Scottish born husband.

Look for her first collection of historical essays, Sexuality and Its Impact on History: The British Stripped Bare, available early 2018 from Pen and Sword Books. She is delighted to work with the talented team of Emma Haddon-Wright, Annie Whitehead, Jessica Cale, Maryanne Coleman, Judith Arnopp, Gayle Hulme, and Dr. Beth Lynne.

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#promotour Maggie Series by @MyaOMalley #giveaway #PNR #Mystery #Thriller

MAGGIE seriesMaggie, Naomi, and Entangled Souls
by Mya O'MalleyGenre: Paranormal Romantic Mystery Thriller



Have you ever wondered what it would be like to share your home with an unearthly spirit who can’t find closure? Living on the edge of a cemetery with souls dating back to the 1700s would be enough to spook anyone, but Naomi finds it oddly romantic, and becomes inspired to write her next novel. Why not, when her muse, Maggie, calls to her from beyond her own window?

After all, the story couldn't possibly be as complicated as Naomi's own love life. Torn between Ryan, the mysterious and seemingly perfect man she just started dating, and Bryce, the sexy single dad who recently moved in next door, Naomi must navigate the tangled web of dating—all while trying to solve the mystery of Maggie's death.

When things turn dangerous, Naomi quickly learns whom she can trust and, more importantly, whom she can’t. Will she be able to write Maggie’s story and finally give Maggie the peace she deserves?


Naomi sighed as she thought about the outcome of Maggie’s story. Her body had been found washed up near the river. Awful. What a horrible thing. The location of the body had been a place where people walked along a path by the river. Naomi herself had been close to the crime scene many times, unaware of the traumatic events that had taken place there. 

No clues, other than it appeared to be a drowning. Evidence pointed to Maggie going out on a friend’s boat, perhaps, and falling overboard. 

But how?

And where was the friend? It didn’t make sense. A piece of this puzzle was missing; a rather large piece. 

A cold mystery was all that was left of Maggie’s story. 

Come on, come on. Maggie. Talk to me. Tell me what happened to you. What kind of girl were you? 

A sudden screech sounded from the window. Zelda. How was she supposed to concentrate on writing when Zelda kept intruding with her unpredictable behavior? She needed to write Maggie’s story. It was calling to her. If she didn’t write the story, she wouldn’t be able to write anything else. 

Cries filled the air. This was ridiculous. Naomi wouldn’t even waste her time trying to figure out the cat’s problem. “You’re a piece of work, you know that?” Zelda cried out in response. Now the cat had broken her concentration. 

Naomi needed to get out and clear her mind. She grabbed her notebook and her jacket from the hook in the entrance foyer. 

Once she was out of the house and down the narrow path heading into the graveyard, she turned around. It wasn’t surprising to see Zelda pacing back and forth on the windowsill. Crazy. 

After walking around for a few minutes, she was pulled toward Maggie’s grave once more. 

“Maggie, tell me your story. I’m listening.” Naomi didn’t actually expect to hear a response, but she knelt down and listened. She strained to hear the slightest sound, anything at all that would open up this mystery. 

Of course, she heard nothing. 

Nothing but the faraway sound of cars passing down the one-way street adjacent to the cemetery, then the faint cry of a crow overhead. Lifting her head to the darkening sky above, Naomi could have sworn the crow was staring right at her. Was she in the middle of her own eerie dream? Brushing off the uneasy feeling, Naomi shook her head and sat in the grass. 

“Was it your ex? Was it a stranger? Or was your death your own doing?” Naomi’s fingers touched the cold stone, running up and down the gravestone. A sharp crackling from behind caused Naomi to spin around. There was nobody there. 

Naomi would have sworn she heard someone. Perhaps it had been a darting squirrel or other small animal. Her attention returned to Maggie’s grave once more. Call it a gut feeling, but Naomi was convinced there was foul play at work here. It could be her overactive writer’s imagination, but instinctively she knew Maggie had been killed by someone. 

Most likely someone close to her. Wasn’t that usually the story? 

More determined than ever to solve this crime, Naomi stood up and brushed her pants off. She leaned over and spoke directly to Maggie’s headstone. 

“I will figure this out, girl. Just give me some time. I’ll find out who was responsible for this and you’ll give me my story. How does that sound? Fair?” 

The sound came from the woods this time. Whatever was creating the sound remained hidden.




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Naomi has a knack for attracting attention from ethereal beings—whether she wants it or not. Newly engaged to her sexy neighbor, Bryce, she has little time to celebrate and plan for her upcoming wedding, because no sooner does she wrap up a heartbreaking cold case than she finds herself right back where she started, searching for answers alongside ghostly spirits.

This time, however, Naomi learns that things are not what they seem as a man from her past quickly becomes her worst nightmare. If she’s not careful, this man might crush her hopes and dreams forever as he proves to be her most difficult opponent yet.

Still, Naomi tries to focus on her relationship with Bryce. Can it withstand head games and cruel intentions? Naomi makes it her mission to keep Bryce and his daughter safe from harm, but will true love be tough enough to withstand her adversaries?

Naomi must keep her eyes wide open and question everything— and everyone—in order to survive.

She sensed it before she heard the news. She could feel it deep in her bones. All night long she had tossed and turned, unable to find sleep. 

Nick.

“No,” Naomi wailed into her pillow, pounding her fists. 

No. But, of course, she knew it was true. After all, she had a sixth sense about things such as this. Damn, Nick. Why? How?

It had been several months since she had taken in his disheveled form, those cowardly eyes scanning her face, pleading for forgiveness from the other side of the depressing, stained, plastic divider at the county jail. 

Forgiveness that was difficult to give, although she had been working on it. Too late, Nick. It’s way too late for you now. Part of Naomi’s heart ached for Nick’s troubled soul. For the troubled child he had once been. 

Another part turned cold as she conjured up his face in her mind. As she had woken from a fitful night’s sleep, the image of Nick crying out, lost in the empty dark place where challenged souls lacked peace and closure, was too overwhelming to dismiss as a bad dream. 

“Bryce.” Naomi spoke his name aloud, even though her fiancé was most likely sound asleep at his house just up the dirt road. 

She needed Bryce. 

But Naomi knew Bryce would have to wait. Right after her first cup of coffee, she would have to call Officer Marty to confirm the facts of what she already knew to be true. 

How had it happened? Possibilities swirled through her mind. Endless scenarios came forth. It could be anything. Nick had been doing time for his part in the cover-up of Maggie Field’s death. Prisons could be dangerous, particularly for someone like Nick, a man who struggled to keep his emotions in check and often had difficulty conforming to the rules. 

One with a dark, menacing presence. 

One with attitude. 

Memories of the not so distant past slammed Naomi. Images of Ryan and Maggie . . . Maggie. The ghost that had all but consumed her. Maggie had reached out to Naomi, demanding peace. Naomi admitted to herself that she had become obsessed at that time in her life. Preoccupied with putting both Maggie and Ryan to rest. Luckily, Bryce was loyal and patient to the core during the first hectic months of their new relationship. 

What would he say now, knowing that a spirit was back? Knowing that this time it wasn’t the sweet spirit of a girl named Maggie or a quirky, kindhearted man that needed her help? 

This time it was worse, far worse. 

This time the spirit was unsettled, tortured—and to make matters even more daunting . . . 

He was her ex-boyfriend. 

Would Bryce be as understanding about Nick as he had been with Maggie and Ryan? Hopping up out of her bed to make her cup of coffee, Naomi figured she was about to find out. 

***

Moments after she hung up the phone with her friend, Officer Miriam Marty, Naomi reached for her coffee mug but then placed it back on the counter with a gentle thud. 

Damn, Nick. 

Miriam had confirmed Naomi’s worst suspicions and provided the bare facts surrounding Nick’s death. 

He was, indeed, dead. But the strange thing about it was that it appeared to have been intentional on his part. It was too early to say, but Miriam suspected that traces of drugs would be found in his system.

An overdose? Could he have intentionally taken his own life? No, that didn’t sound right. Then again, how well did Naomi even know Nick anymore? For that matter, how well had she ever known him? Naomi supposed it was easy enough for an inmate to have the means to obtain drugs. And, let’s face it, prison life could be grueling. 

No, no. Something didn’t feel right about this. Nick’s sentence was only to last just a few more weeks, why would he purposely harm himself? As Naomi tried to make sense of the news, she paced the floor. Zelda, her loyal feline companion, weaved in and out of her legs as Naomi stopped and grabbed her coffee mug from the table. 

Sharp rapping on the door startled Naomi, causing her to spill her coffee on her blouse. “Shoot!” 

Voicing her own displeasure at nearly being stepped on, Zelda screeched as she tore into the living room. Naomi snatched a napkin, wiping at her top as she made her way to the door. 

“Are you ready?” Bryce raised an eyebrow as Naomi stepped to the side to allow him through the front door. He leaned over and placed a quick kiss on her forehead. 

“Ready?” 

“Ah, yes. Remember? We were going to grab a bite and then head over to the trail for a walk?” 

Yes. That’s right. She and Bryce had plans this morning. With everything going on, she had clearly forgotten. 

“I . . . I’m so sorry. Give me a minute to change my shirt. Sit, I’ll be right back.” She scurried up the stairs to her bedroom to change. This could be a good thing, the time alone with Bryce. His young daughter, Holly, was in school, and she could have Bryce’s full attention. 

Dressed in a clean shirt, Naomi sprinted down the stairs and grabbed her sneakers. She attempted her best smile as she tied the laces. “Almost ready,” Naomi managed.

“What’s with you? Why are you out of breath?” Bryce cocked his head as he studied Naomi. 

“Just excited to spend the morning with you,” she offered a bit too cheerily, glancing up at him as she felt nagging guilt rise in her throat. He wouldn’t be happy about the news regarding Nick, and that was putting it mildly. He simply couldn’t even begin to understand. He would tell her to leave it alone, not to get caught up in somebody else’s problems. 

Naomi swallowed hard and gripped Bryce’s warm hand as they made their way to his truck. Once inside, Naomi glanced at her fiancé and then gazed down at her lap. 

“Bryce?” she whispered. 

Concern etched his handsome face. “What is it? What’s wrong?” He reached for her hands. 

“We need to talk.”






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ENTANGLED SOULS
coming late 2018

If Naomi thought solving three murders was going to earn her a respite from the spirits who flock to her for guidance and resolution, she couldn't have been more wrong. This time around, helping her friend, Officer Miriam Marty, solve a particularly daunting case is just the beginning.

Newly married to her soul mate, Bryce, Naomi figured she could settle in and enjoy the first few months of marriage without the all-consuming task of helping the spirits around her find the closure they so desperately seek. She should have known there was no chance of normalcy, though - even her stepdaughter Holly's quirky friend, Lillie, adds to the confusion.

This time, Naomi's challenge is unique. Not only does she have to put her heart and soul into helping an intricate, beautiful ghost, but this precious soul soon teaches Naomi that her path in life, her fate, has led her to precisely where she needs to be.

Everything about Naomi's past experiences with the paranormal crashes together as Naomi becomes entwined in the entangled plot that has become her life, alongside the unique souls that complete her destiny.



Mya O’Malley was born and raised in the suburbs of New York City, where she currently lives with her husband, daughter and step-daughters. The family also consists of a boxer named Destiny and a ragdoll cat named Colby. Mya earned an undergraduate degree in special education and a graduate degree in reading and literacy. She works as a special education teacher and enjoys making a difference in the lives of her students.

Mya’s passion is writing; she has been creating stories and poetry since she was a child. Mya spends her free time reading just about anything she can get her hands on. She is a romantic at heart and loves to create stories with unforgettable characters. Mya likes to travel; she has visited several Caribbean Islands, Mexico and Costa Rica. Mya is currently working on her eleventh novel.

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#blogtour GODDESS of the WILD THING by Paul DeBlassie III @pdeblassieiii

Let nature and the elements be your guide as we introduce you to Goddess Of The Wild Thing! 
     
Goddess of the Wild Thing is a dramatic tale of one woman’s spiritual journey where magical happenings, unexpected turns of fate, and unseen forces influence her ability to love and be loved. Eve Sanchez, a middle-aged woman and scholar of esoteric studies, encounters a seductive but frightening man who introduces her to a supernatural world in which the wicked powers of a surrogate mother’s twisted affection threaten love and life. In the mystic realms of Aztlan del Sur, Eve and three friends struggle with whether bad love is better than no love and discover that love is a wild thing.


 
     
Paul DeBlassie III, Ph.D. is a depth psychologist and award-winning writer living in his native New Mexico. He specializes in treating individuals in emotional and spiritual crisis. His novels, visionary thrillers, delve deep into archetypal realities as they play out dramatically in the lives of everyday people. Memberships include the Author’s Guild, the Depth Psychology Alliance, the International Association for Relational Psychoanalysis and Psychotherapy, and the International Association for Jungian Studies. 

His other award winning book: 
A young curandera, a medicine woman, intent on uncovering the secrets of her past is forced into a life-and-death battle against an evil Archbishop. Set in the mystic land of Aztlan, "The Unholy" is a novel of destiny as healer and slayer. Native lore of dreams and visions, shape changing, and natural magic work to spin a neo-gothic web in which sadness and mystery lure the unsuspecting into a twilight realm of discovery and decision.
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Books On Fire Tours:  This was a difficult read. Not because it was a bad story. On the contrary. It was mind blowing! It was difficult because it messed with one's mind in the most clever and effective way, which only a Pscychologist can do. So what is it about? Eve and her friends use yoga and other spiritual means to help them navigate life when it gets tricky, and the often elusive thing called love. Debating whether or not bad love is better than no love at all, they go through life's ups and downs together. Yet when Eve meets a man called Sam, who has potential, evil lurks and causes havoc in her life. An epic battle between good versus evil ensues between her and Sweet Mary, and in the process she finds her true self. BUT, there is so much more and as a reader you can only wonder what is real and not real.Many people will complain about the lack of dialogue on this novel, but it is rich in back stories and information vital to the development of the plot. This book is not only filled with mystical and magical, but paranormal, metaphysical and occult elements. Essentially a great read for horror/ thriller fans, those who like a little romance will also enjoy this read.  Because it catered to all my needs as a reader, I give this book 5 stars. 
"Paul DeBlassie III has an extraordinary ability to pull the reader into his mythical world, and the special effect depictions drawn within my mind while reading *Goddess of the Wild Thing *could easily match up with some of the most gruesome of horror stories on film. He transports you through an amazing spiritual journey exploring the power of fate and love. Packed with action, suspense and even romance, Dr. DeBlassie has written a truly brilliant and riveting supernatural story!” ~ Tamara Ferguson, international, multi-award-winning author"
"Paul DeBlassie III has a wicked gift in writing psychological thrillers, and he does it in a way I have never experienced before. In *Goddess of the Wild Thing*, he gave me a glimpse into his reflections, inviting me to draw closer to the dark side. His writing is rich with supernatural symbolism and, when all is resolved, deeply empowering.” ~ Uvi Poznansky, artist and award-winning author
“*Goddess of the Wild Thing* by Paul DeBlassie III brilliantly couples his in-depth knowledge of the human mind and behavior with his love of lore, imaginatively knitting a deeply psychological and esoteric story that will keep you turning the page. I could picture clearly the fantastical sense of place . . . a must-read magical tale.” ~ Luna Saint Claire, author of *The Sleeping Serpent*
"Dr. DeBlassie, author of the multiple-award-winning *The Unholy*, produced another novel with depth, action, and spirit in *Goddess of the Wild Thing*. For centuries we’ve struggled with whether bad love is better than no love. In this paranormal thriller, a fierce woman tackles the question with determination and fire.” ~ Rayna Noire, author of the *Pagan Eyes Series*

 



The stone altar was used by Eve and company to conjure natural energies of earth, air, fire, and water. Tonatzé symbolized feminine strength and ancient powers. Around the altar, the four women entered mystic states with intuitive inspirations and visions. The four mestizas frequently gathered at midnight, when the full moon shone most lustrously. They held hands, sipped their whiskeys, and inhaled magic herb. Soon the image of the Goddess flickered in rhythm with their soft singing under the light of the high-desert moon.  Chant and trance conjured natural magic. They yielded to relaxation, reverie, and trust in one another and the natural world.
Descending into a meditative state, they were whisked from one world to the next. On slips of paper, they quietly wrote their worries, dilemmas, trials, and tribulations.
Seeking answers and relief, they placed the folded papers in a granite bowl before the altar. They lit a match. Paper burned.  Silence wrapped its arms around the four. Gentle breezes stirred. Hoots of distant and nearby owls carried through the nighttime atmosphere. Flames from the granite bowl rose three feet and abruptly expired, devoured by darkness.
The ritual of fire fortified the coven, foul happenstance and unexpected hazard averted, all save one kind.  Man trouble waited for Eve like a demonic jack-in-the-box, head bobbing and grinning. Muscles up and down her back tightened. It was this that caused her to flee into denial, the thought of time wasted, mind and body pained. The desire to talk, confide in her friends about misgivings about Sam, the last worst guy ever, fled like alley cats into a lonely night. Denial made everything go away—and stay gone—better than a couple of vodkas on the rocks on a chilly evening.  
A white cab edged out of the alleyway bordering the cantina. It pulled stealthily alongside Eve. She bent down and looked through the smudged passenger window. She wanted to make sure she knew the cabbie. Past midnight was no time to be in a trusting mood.   


***
 At three a.m., the proverbial witching hour of Aztlan, Sweet Mary left her apartment for the gathering of Las Brujas Malas, deep in the crumbling limestone edifice of vicious spirits. The condemned downtown limestone church, once a prosperous enclave of the Ecclesia Dei, had long been  abandoned. It sat adjacent to Sweet Mary’s bedroom, badly stained by gray and black soot.    
Putrid odors of the cursed underworld that lay beneath its unhallowed edifice, curled through the atmosphere surroundingthe decaying structure. 
Sweet Mary wound her way past the fenced and barbed wired blockade that deterred homeless souls and nighttime vandals. Her lithe frame smoothly squeezed between the slightly ajar, chained doors. She walked over the toppled wooden pews and stone statues littering the concrete flooring from the back of the church to its altar.
The religious artifacts had been defaced by those news media referred to as sledgehammer-wielding lunatics claiming clerical abuse as children.
She quipped to herself, Religion mocks, uses, and abuses. Nothing new under the black sun.
She opened a narrow side door that led to a rusted iron spiral staircase. Into the haunted and torch-lined basement that stretched thirty feet beneath the surface, she stepped. At the final stair, she touched bare earth.
Torches were lit along a cave of mirrors, shards embedded in the walls,  shattered remnants taken from the homes of victims who had defamed Las Brujas.
Anyone who dared speak ill of the brujas ended the day tormented, injured, or maimed. Crises happened. One second they were safe, the next mowed down by an out-of-control car, or mugged and cut, or worse, lured in by a soft and sexy vixen loaded with a nasty biological curse. Mirrors confiscated from homes during nighttime raids reflected the victim’s horrified face when doom struck. Sweet Mary hurried past the legions of rats scampering away from her every step into the cracks and crevices of the century-old limestone structure. 
An unavoidable eyesore at the heart of one the most decayed areas of the often sinister downtown Aztlan del Sur. It was a meeting . In this haunted zone, Sweet Mary presided over the witches of black magic. They knew how to spot love, taint love, kill love. It’s what bad mothers did. It’s what Las Brujas did. It’s what Sweet Mary did—because what had been received must be given.
No one knew where they gathered. Evil demanded hiddenness. Street-smart folk and fear-ridden church folk knew them as Las Brujas Malas, the foulest of witches, not to be crossed. Even those who suspected the whereabouts of their lair dared not cross the street to look at the unholy building, now a crumbling religious edifice.
The witches met at the mouth of a deserted tunnel, which in former years led to the secret chapel of the reigning archbishop, who there entertained a bevy of female devotees. Las Brujas, the four desert urban witches, walked down the twenty-foot descent. Hard-pack dirt sloped gently into the entrance of the unhallowed region of the chapel that had become the accursed cave of Las Brujas.
They moved forward, into the mouth of the cave.

*** 

But here Eve was, paralyzed. Waves of gurgling and quicksand were no metaphor. Agitation could turn bad to worse. Eve clutched harder for a stable mind. It was a torment, nearly impossible not to panic. She gritted her teeth, tightened her mental hold. Gently, millimeter by millimeter, she managed to raise her right hand. Mud offered no resistance. She raised her right forearm out of the hungry maw of dirt and grit. She grabbed hold of a desert oak’s dropping branch. It held firm. Five fingers clutched like a vise. She lifted her left arm and hand. Inch by inch, she loosened her torso from the deadly mud. Low-lying olive tree branches gave steadier purchase. Relief. 
Memories of circling sparrows, an ancient warding against fated demise, provided a moment’s comfort. She pulled upward. Branches did not snap or break. They were supple. Evenly, she pulled with breath after concentrated breath. She gazed toward the sky. There were no sparrows overhead. The silence felt unnerving. 
The sky shifted, turquoise bright turned to leaden gray. The desert olive branch snapped. Eve screamed and dropped. She sank to her shoulders. Quicksand lapped up past her chin, grains of sand forming crusts along her lips. 
Clenching her teeth, she was grateful her mind hadn’t snapped along with the branch. Wits kept panic at bay. 
Dying wasn’t a concern, survival was. It was the getting there that mattered—how it happened, how she did it. She detested the thought of dying by a witch’s curse, slipping into an underworld of final breaths and mud-loaded lungs. If she went down into the belly of the abyss and the mouth of a soul-famished witch, she’d do it on her terms. Middle finger out.



      Book trailer with the Author's choice of music to listen to his book.  

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Seduction in a SuitAn Office Romance Collection

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With a trove of sultry stories and tantalizing tales, this anthology is not safe for work--and that’s finally a good thing!

Whether it starts as a harmless flirtation or a lifelong love affair, these stories explore the complicated world of love and lust in the workplace. Find out what happens when people stop working for the weekend and turn their 9-to-5’s into a full-time liaison.

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Happy #newrelease to LADY OF STEEL by @MaryGillgannon #historical #romance @WildRosePress #giveaway

LADY OF STEELMedieval Ladies seriesby Mary GillgannonGenre: Historical Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press


One rapturous hour sparks unforgettable passion between Lady Nicola and Fawkes de Cressy. The memory of their time together enables Fawkes to survive the horrors and perils of the Crusades and gives Nicola the hope and strength to endure a brutal marriage.

Fawkes returns to rescue the woman of his dreams and finds Nicola enmeshed in a dark web of castle intrigue. Fawkes is so altered by the hardships and cruelties of war, that Nicola fears to trust him with her secrets or her heart.

Surrounded by enemies, the battle-hardened knight and the aloof, wary woman must rebuild the bond between them. Only if they dare let the soul-stirring magic their bodies share grow into love can they escape the sinister plot that threatens to destroy them both.


The tower room seemed much too small. It was like being caged with a wild creature.

He left the table and approached her. Nicola fought the urge to draw back. He seemed to sense her apprehension, for his fierce expression softened. “I don’t want you to fear me, Nicola. Unlike some men, I don’t believe in striking women. Or children. Or anyone smaller and weaker than myself. If I were ever to feel the need the discipline you, I would choose other, more civilized means.”

Discipline her? What did that mean? His words sounded reasonable and reassuring, but there was an edge of warning there. She must find some way to convince him she wasn’t his enemy. She must make it clear she would never deal with him as she had with Mortimer.

Body rigid, her heart pounding wildly, she said, “Milord, you must understand. Mortimer was a brute. There were many times I feared for my life at his hands. Whatever you may have heard of me…” Her hands trembled as she gestured and this time she was glad he saw. “I did what I had to do to survive.” And for Simon to survive.

His expression softened. His dark eyes again flared with violent emotion. “You forget. I knew Mortimer. He tried more than once to kill me. I have no sympathy for him. None at all.”

She let out her breath. Perhaps now they could begin again, and he would stop playing this game of cat and mouse with her. She nodded. “I’m very grateful you understand. I’d worried you might have heard tales of me, stories meant to portray me as wicked and manipulative.”

He watched her intently. “Aye, I have heard tales. ’Tis good you saw fit to reassure me. Perhaps now, perhaps we can…” He let his words trail off and the atmosphere between them shifted. His dark eyes no longer seemed stern and implacable, but smoldered with frank sexual desire. The tension between them changed, erupting with blazing arousal. 

Fire started in her loins and spread outward, making her skin ache for his touch. She tilted her head, awaiting his kiss.

He hesitated, as if even now he feared to take this final step and give into what his body obviously desired. Observing his forbearance, she thought for the dozenth time of how different he was from Mortimer. Mortimer had been a slave to his emotions. This man sought control at all times.

But at last he brought his lips to hers. The blaze took them both.




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Mary Gillgannon is the author of eighteen novels, including romances set in the dark age, medieval and Regency time periods. She’s been married to her real-life hero for over thirty-five years. Her two children are grown, so now she indulges her nurturing tendencies on five very spoiled cats and a moderately spoiled dog. Her day job is working at the local public library where she has the gratifying task of overseeing the adult fiction collection. Besides writing, she enjoys gardening (a serious challenge in Wyoming) reading, and travel.

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#ReleaseTour for The Burnout Cure by @Jill_Blake #contemporary #romance #FREE on #KU #giveaway

THE BURNOUT CUREA Prescription: Romance! Bookby Jill BlakeGenre: Contemporary Romance Release Date: December 25, 2017
When it comes to burnout, Lily Reid is an expert. Determined to turn her personal tragedy into a cautionary lesson for other physicians, she travels the country, lecturing about life balance and stress management. But her words falls on deaf ears—until she hits on a plan to appeal to a broader audience.

Enter Dr. Wolf Knox, aka “Wolfman MD.” He’s gorgeous, charismatic, and his patients love him. So do millions of fans who follow him online, watching the music video parodies he makes in his spare time. Too bad Wolf believes “burnout” is synonymous with weakness. His motto? Suck it up—and if you can't handle the pressure, get the hell out of medicine.

As Lily and Wolf clash over plans for a joint project, their mutual disdain gives way to desire. But when a fellow physician’s suicide forces them to confront their own fears and prejudices, will their fledgling relationship survive?

(Please note: This is a steamy contemporary romance that contains mature themes and explicit content, meant for adults 18 and over. It is a stand-alone novel, with no cliff-hangers, and a guaranteed HEA.)


Wolf tapped a finger on the pristine white tablecloth. From across the table, another physician glared at him. Obviously not a fan of syncopated rhythm. Wolf sighed, dropped his hand, and feigned interest in what the hospital’s chief of staff was saying. 

Another five minutes of the man’s rambling welcome speech, and Wolf was back to tapping, this time against his jean-clad thigh.

He should have just stayed in bed. Or gone for a run. Or ironed out the lyrics he’d been toying with for weeks. Or done any of a dozen other things, instead of wasting his Saturday morning listening to a bunch of self-proclaimed experts pontificate about physician wellness.

What the fuck was that, anyway?

The stupid catch phrase seemed to be popping up everywhere. Kind of like physician burnout. Another term-of-the-moment Wolf hated. You’d think people would tire of the topic. But no. Whenever he opened a medical journal, or stepped into the doctors’ lounge, or went to the ER to admit a patient, there was always someone talking about wellness, burnout, or both.

And now, thanks to his best friend, Wolf had to sit through six more hours of torture. Unless he managed to sneak out early, during one of the breaks. He glanced at the printed itinerary, searching for the two names he’d been assigned. The first was easy enough to find. Lily Reid, the keynote speaker. But the second….He scanned the list to the very end. Yeah, it figured. The last speaker of the day.

He was going to kill Doug for getting him into this.

Of course, it wasn’t Doug’s fault that his wife went into premature labor last night. But the guy could have tried a little harder to find someone else to sub for him. Someone who wasn’t Wolf. Someone who actually chose to serve on Doug’s damn committee. What was the point of being chair if you couldn’t delegate scut work to other committee members, rather than dumping it on your best friend?

“Come on, man,” Doug had said over the phone, after waking Wolf from the first decent sleep he’d had in week. “Free food, six hours of CME credit, and you’ll be out of there by one at the latest.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” Wolf groaned. “No amount of free food is worth sitting through six hours of BS.”

Doug sighed. “Just because you’ve got the sensibility of a rhinoceros doesn’t make the issue any less real or important.”

“Give me a break,” Wolf said. In the background, he could hear the familiar sounds of the hospital: a monitor beeping, the low murmur of voices. “It’s one in the morning. You really want to debate this? Now?”

“Two introductions,” Doug said. “A minute each. That’s all I’m asking.”

Wolf rubbed his eyes and leaned back against the headboard. “Don’t you have someone else you can tap?”

“Like you said, bro, it’s one in the morning. Everyone else has a spouse or family. You know, a life.”

“Fuck you,” Wolf said. “I have a life—”

A sharp cry on the other end of the line cut him off.

“Gotta go,” Doug said. “I’ll email you the text.”

And that was how Wolf ended up at the 65th Annual Postgraduate Medical Assembly, waiting to introduce some quack hired by the hospital to explain how to get in touch with your inner child. Or whatever motivational mumbo-jumbo the woman planned to sell as the latest antidote to burnout.




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A native of Philadelphia, Jill Blake now lives in southern California with her husband and three children. During the day, she works as a physician in a busy medical practice. At night, she pens steamy romances.

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#newrelease Playing It Cool by Zoe Mullins #erotic #contemporaryromance

PLAYING IT COOLA Men of Steele Novella
by Zoë MullinsGenre: Erotic Contemporary Romance


When Spencer’s old college roommate offers him a job at Steele Construction, he doesn’t hesitate. Not only does he get to be closer to his sister and her family, he may finally have the chance to repair the rift between himself and his parents.

His parents live only three hours away but it may as well be on Mars as a blizzard moving up the coast has him seeking refuge at The Red Gate Inn. Spencer prides himself on playing it cool, but something about the raven-haired innkeeper has him overheated.

As a single working mom, Gina didn’t get much time to herself. With her mom and daughter off to Florida for a week, and the inn she owns closed for the holidays, she is looking forward to some me time. Then it started to snow. In good conscience she couldn’t turn away her brother’s newest employee when he needed shelter from the storm, but her guest has her feeling anything but professional.


It may be cold outside but things are heating up at the Inn.
He backed her up until her bum hit the counter. He was crowding her, but he wasn’t actually touching her. He was staring at her. She saw his nostrils flare a little as he took in a deep breath. She needed to do that too. Breathe. “What are you doing?”

“Waiting for my good sense to take over and tell me it’s a bad idea to seduce my boss’s baby sister.

“Is that what you think you have to do? Seduce me?” When had her voice gotten so husky and teasing? She had pretty much invited him to have his way with her, and most of her senses were saying ‘yippee’.

“You tell me.” His lips brushed across her cheek, and his hands slid past her waist to brace the countertop behind her.

“What are you going to do?” It wasn’t a serious question. She knew exactly what he hoped to do. She hoped he’d do it too. Soon. If his kisses earlier had been anything to go by, and they had her weak-kneed, then she was in for a very pleasant evening.

He pressed his body against her, and she was reminded of the dreams that had plagued her last night. The ache between her thighs was no product of her imagination. It was very real. She wanted him, wanted this.

“You know what I want.” He brought his lips to hers, and slid his hands up her back. He threaded one hand through her hair, holding her tightly, just where he wanted her. She groaned as her mouth parted for his tongue, and she placed her hands against his chest. She couldn’t remember when kissing had been this good. He tasted like heaven. Even better than the pumpkin spice lattes she was addicted to.

An addiction, she thought. That’s what he is, or, at least what he might become. There was something about his gentle control that made her hips squirm, and she never squirmed. He wrapped one large hand around her waist and pulled her tight against him. There was no doubting that he wanted her.




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Invitation to Play
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Deacon has never been the jealous type. Sharing his sub was an integral part of their relationship, especially before they were married. It’s been a year since they’ve invited another to play with them, but then Deacon and Sherri meet Kai, the intriguing ex-Air Force Captain turned tattoo artist.

Kai didn’t care if people thought he was gay, but having his father – the Colonel – shame him publicly for it was more than Kai could take. He moved across the country to start an honest life. He didn’t expect that life would include a new relationship.

Kai isn’t sure where he fits into Deacon and Sherri’s relationship – they didn’t need a bisexual Dom with a chip on his shoulder… or did they?

Reader Advisory: Grab a glass of wine, sit back and relax. This story has two hot Doms and their pampered sub -tonight no one is going to bed unsatisfied. Graphic sexual language and scenes are to be expected. (BDSM, MMF and MM scenes)



A prolific writer, even in elementary school, she was jotting down poems and stories whenever she had the chance - usually during math class.

After many years of working in corporate communications, Zoë decided in 2015 it was time to focus her energy on the kind of writing she loved – hot romances with strong, alpha heroes and quirky, independent heroines.

Zoë’s husband of nearly 20 years threw his full support behind that dream and loves to tell people his wife is a romance author. They live in Atlantic Canada with their two crazy collies. When not at her computer, you will find Zoë chasing after her muddy dogs, working in the garden or helping to renovate their money-pit of a house.

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#newrelease ZPAC Alpha Shifters - #EXCLUSIVE - The Complete Collection by Taylor Brooks

Z PAC ALPHA SHIFTERSComplete CollectionA Siren Erotic RomancebyTAYLOR BROOKS
In Taming Tarek, with Tarek Falco focusing solely on seeking revenge against the Panthatarian that killed his mother, Micah Tulsen steps in refusing to let the past eat away at Tarek and destroy him. The questions remains: can Micah tame his wild beast? Or will Tarek’s unrelenting rage end up destroying them both?
In Predestine, in a time of need and a moment of desperation, Slade and Riker find their two paths crossing. With one, another an unspeakable bond is born and soon they are faced with the question of whether what they have is a result of one moment in time, or if it was predestined.
In Forbidden Fruit, Ty and Rourke’s uniting might have been fleeting if it hadn’t been for a forbidden fruit that Ty had brought along the way. Unrelenting passions and unmistakable lust set the stage for these two as they test the boundaries of species while exploring the depth of their connection.
In The Alpha's Cure, with the once dormant Ericius Virus tearing through Zarantaria for the first time in over two hundred years Alec and Declan are faced with their immortality. Will this Alpha find a cure? Or will he lose everything just like his ancestors did over two hundred years before?
Available exclusively on BookStrand.com