Rachel A. Olson's Blog, page 5

Frantic Cover Reveal @authorcaseybond

Title: FranticAuthor: Casey L BondGenre: YA ParanormalCover Designer: Cover Me DarlingModel: Jacey JulepExpected Release Date: March 11th, 2016Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Porschia Grant is in Frenzy. The hunger is constant. It’s all-consuming, as is the pain and sickness. Something went wrong when she turned. Perhaps it was the fact that an infected bit her moments before, or maybe it’s something else entirely. One thing is certain, if Porschia can’t learn to feed, she will die. If she can’t learn to control her extreme emotional swings, she will kill someone.  And that would destroy her.How long can the night-walkers keep her turning a secret from the Colony? Will Saul stand beside her now that she’s changed? And what will happen when she re-enters the forest?





Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction. You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links:  
Website: www.authorcaseybond.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaseybond Twitter: https://twitter.com/authorcaseybond Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212486.Casey_L_Bond Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caseyb007 Amazon: http://amzn.to/1PmE0pg

Unwanted Girl Release Day Blitz @MKSchiller

Title: Unwanted GirlAuthor: MK SchillerGenre: Multi-Cultural, Contemporary RomanceHosted by: Lady Amber's Tours When a man loves a woman Recovering addict Nick Dorsey finds solace in his regimented life. That is until he meets Shyla Metha.  Something about the shy Indian beauty who delivers take-out to his Greenwich Village loft inspires the reclusive writer. And when Shyla reveals her desire to write a book of her own, he agrees to help her. The tale of a young Indian girl growing up against a landscape of brutal choices isn’t Nick’s usual territory, but something about the story, and the beautiful storyteller, draws him in deep. Shyla is drawn to Nick, but she never imagines falling for him. Like Nick, Shyla hails from a village, too…a rural village in India. They have nothing in common, yet he makes her feel alive for the first time in her life. She is not ready for their journey to end, but the plans she’s made cannot be broken…not even by him. Can they find a way to rewrite the next chapter?




I am a hopeless romantic in a hopelessly pragmatic world. By day, I don a magic cape, calculator (sometimes an abacus), and an assortment of gel pens for my work in the world of finance. But by night, I sit by the warm glow of my computer monitor, and try to create passionate heartwarming stories with a healthy dash of humor and spice.I am a wife and mother of two loveable, but angst-ridden teenagers, that provide great material for my craft. Although I love to write, I am a reader first and enjoy nothing more than curling up with a good book and some tasty Italian (the food, of course!). I hope you enjoy my stories. 

Author Links: Website – http://www.mkschillerauthor.com/ FB author page - https://www.facebook.com/MKSchillerauthor FB personal Page - https://www.facebook.com/mk.schiller Amazon Author page - http://amzn.to/1QuRbKt Twitter – https://twitter.com/MKSchiller Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7223625.M_K_Schiller

Buy Links: Amazon US - http://amzn.to/1QuRe98 Amazon UK - http://www.amazon.co.uk/Unwanted-Girl-M-K-Schiller-ebook/dp/B00WPRBNSO/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1445990962&sr=8-5&keywords=mk+schillerAmazon Canada - http://www.amazon.ca/Unwanted-Girl-M-K-Schiller-ebook/dp/B00WPRBNSO/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1445991031&sr=8-7&keywords=mk+schiller Amazon Australia - http://www.amazon.com.au/Unwanted-Girl-M-K-Schiller-ebook/dp/B00WPRBNSO/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1445991092&sr=8-6&keywords=mk+schiller Publisher’s site - http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/32005 Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25430502-unwanted-girl Barnes and Noble - http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/unwanted-girl-mk-schiller/1121817010?ean=9781601835000&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-GwEz7vxblVU-_-10:1 Kobo - https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/unwanted-girl Google - https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781601835000&c=books Apple - https://www.goodreads.com/book_link/follow/2102?book_id=25430502&source=dropdown


Excerpt 1She shrugged. “The writing’s good, but I didn’t care for the characters.” “Why not?” “They felt one-dimensional. He comes across as a womanizing, self-indulgent fool.” Nick arched his brow, his lips quirking into a grin. “He’s got his faults, but I wouldn’t describe him that way.” “As bad as he was, though, the heroine was even worse. She seemed stupid and fake…almost vapid. She was always getting herself into trouble and falling into hot water.” Encouraged by his amused smile, she continued, “And I refer to hot water in the literal sense. The one I read, the girl was suspended from the ceiling over a pot of boiling water until Max Montero swooped in at the last minute.” “It was acid, and he likes saving beautiful women from danger. What’s wrong with that?” “She could have saved herself, or better yet, not gotten into the situation. And he…well, he could have been nicer to her in general.” “Not every hero comes in a one-size-fits-all package, Shyla. Don’t hold back, though. Tell me what you really think.” “Okay, I will. I can appreciate a different kind of hero, but I’d like one with a functioning set of scruples. In the scheme of things, these books don’t deserve shelf space with the others. They definitely fall into the dime store drivel category.” “Ouch,” Nick said, pouring himself another drink. “I don’t think you understand the concept of sarcasm.” She opened and shut her mouth as the realization hit her. “You were joking when you asked me to tell you what I really thought?” “Yeah, but don’t worry about it.” “So, what do you do for a living?” she asked, anxious to change the subject. It was possible she’d accidently insulted one of his favorite novelists. “I’m an author.” “Have you written anything I might have read?” “The dime store drivel you’re holding.” Uh oh.


Excerpt 2“What are the other meanings for shucks?” she asked. “It has many definitions. It can be a husk on the outer layer of corn. Or it can mean worthless.” She gave him a questioning look so he offered an example, dropping his voice slightly. “Like I don’t give a shucks about what we do as long as we do it together.” Her face flushed slightly, her smile turning suggestive. Encouraged, he dropped his voice a few octaves more. Test the water, Dorsey, but don’t fucking dive in! “Or it could mean to discard.” “Discard?” “As in peel off. For example, she shucked off her black T-shirt in a hurry.” His feet dipped into the complicated waters he’d avoided, waters that could heat up to boiling point if they kept creeping down this dangerous path. “I see. So if I said, do you mind if we don’t shuck tonight, that would be a proper use?” Nick opened his mouth to respond, to try to eat up the words already spilling out into the atmosphere, but she held up her hand, and her lips parted slightly. “But I hope we do shuck one day.” Naughty girl.

Love in Neverland Cover Reveal @heathercmyers

Title: Love in NeverlandAuthor: Heather C. MyersGenre: Fantasy Romance Young Adult/retelling of Peter PanExpected Release Date: January 25th, 2016Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Love in Neverland is as hard to capture as fairy dust. Luckily, Magdalena Trainor has no need for either. Love has never been at the forefront of her mind. Her sole focus is to keep an eye on Captain Nicholas Grey while James Hook - the only person Magda trusts - has Remy Cutler in his clutches. She doesn't expect the task to be difficult - Nicholas Grey may have brawn but doesn't appear to have any brain - except he turns out to be more than she bargained for. And not in a bad way.For Remy Cutler, love in Neverland is impossible and uimportant.  All she wants to do is get back home, back to her parents, her easy life, and even her undesirable arranged marriage with a man she has no passion for.  James Hook may be beautiful, but he's cold, and while he does not raise a hand to her, Remy is constantly left alone, isolated from everyone save for her handmaiden.  Rey still has no idea why she's so special, and James isn't sharing what he's planning to do with her either.  There's a threat looming over her head, and James Hook plays two parts: captor and protector.  With no one left to trust but him, she puts her life - and heart - in his hand - and hook.


Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 26 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real. I recently signed with Anchor Group Publishing, which will see two of my series being published this year. I've self-published over 15 books, with more on the way, so I'm familiar with both a hybrid-traditional publishing method as well as self-publishing. I don't speak in third person (normally) nor do I wear glasses (except when I'm feeling particularly mischievous). I'm lucky to have found my soul mate at the ripe old age of 22, even though he frustrates me on purpose to get a reaction out of me. We live near Disneyland, have two rambunctious female puppies, and have a beautiful baby girl. He has two amazing boys, and has gotten me hooked on Smallville, watching soccer (okay, okay FOOTBALL - FC Barcelona, baby!), and Cancun Juice.

Author Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1U0z9xY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorheathercmyers/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/heathercmyers Blog: http://www.portsidewonderland.blogspot.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200222.Heather_C_Myers
Download the first book, Death in Neverland, completely FREE here:  http://amzn.to/1Q5DKju
Sign up by January 24 Sign up HERE:  http://eepurl.com/bLoM91 for FREE weekly chapters starting Monday January 25th!!

Serendipity Cover Reveal @AirickaPhoenix

Title: SerendipityAuthor: Airicka PhoenixGenre: Adult Contemporary RomanceHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Everyone has a past, some worse than others, but not everyone has the eyes of the world watching their every move. For playboy hot shot movie star James Crowe, his mistake has haunted him for more than a decade. It was a wound that has never healed, but one lapse in judgment has him running for cover as the media descends on him with talons bared. Finding shelter and waiting out the rapid fire seems like the best idea, until he finds himself not so alone. A girl’s wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of her life. They’re not supposed to find their Prince Charming in bed with another woman the morning of. But when fairy tales turn to dust, what's a girl to do? She sets off on her honeymoon alone, of course. Only Audrey Humphrey’s bad day doesn’t end there when she finds her dream paradise already occupied by a jerk with a gorgeous face and a stubborn streak as wide as hers.  Passions and tempers flare as they grapple for peace. Can they find it before James’s past finds him? Can they see what’s right in front of them or will this be just another mistake to run from?




Airicka Phoenix is a romance junkie with an incurable addiction to chocolate. She is also a prolific author of several novels written for young adult and new adult romance addicts who love bad boys, hot kisses and a gritty plot. Airicka prides herself in producing quality material her readers can fall in love with again and again.
When she's not hard at work bleeding words onto paper, Airicka can be found cuddling with her family, reading, watching TV shows, or just finding excuses not to do chores.Be the first for giveaways, teasers and upcoming releases by joining Airicka's newsletter on her website:   www.AirickaPhoenix.com

Author Links: Website: www.AirickaPhoenix.comNewsletter: http://eepurl.com/VgLqDFacebook: http://goo.gl/eYXrrhTwitter: http://goo.gl/yoVWYF Goodreads: http://goo.gl/HGVszfGoogle+: http://goo.gl/wgdslQInstagram: http://goo.gl/QRmqdyPinterest: http://goo.gl/Y5AOQqAmazon:  http://goo.gl/Nq57nJ

Keeper Release Day Blitz @heathercmyers

Title: Keeper, Stranger Series Book 3Author: Heather C. MyersGenre: YA Dark FantasyHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Danger lurks in the most familiar places.When General Arbuckle reveals the peculiar existence to the world, the Academy of Peculiars is forced to close as a way to protect the faculty and students. Sophie Harper is more focused on the fact that her best friend, Jane, may actually be alive than Arbuckle and the United States military. Daryl's older and mental brother, Marvin, is quick to promise Jane's safe return after brokering a deal with Daryl and Ethan, the academy's dean. But something doesn't sit well with Sophie about Marvin, and if Jane wasn't involved, she's certain Daryl wouldn't have trusted his brother. On top of that, a familiar body winds up slaughtered at the academy gates. Now it's up to Sophie to figure out who could have done it and why, while dodging flying bullets and suspicious ex-boyfriends. Will wants nothing more to protect her; Sophie wants nothing more than find her friend - and herself.In the epic conclusion to the Stranger Series, Sophie will learn that just because someone is ambitious does not mean they're evil, those that she trusts the most have the power to betray her with relative ease, and the best relationship she can ever hope to have is the one with herself.





Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 26 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real. I recently signed with Anchor Group Publishing, which will see two of my series being published this year. I've self-published over 15 books, with more on the way, so I'm familiar with both a hybrid-traditional publishing method as well as self-publishing.  I don't speak in third person (normally) nor do I wear glasses (except when I'm feeling particularly mischievous). I'm lucky to have found my soul mate at the ripe old age of 22, even though he frustrates me on purpose to get a reaction out of me. We live near Disneyland, have two rambunctious female puppies, and have a beautiful baby girl. He has two amazing boys, and has gotten me hooked on Smallville, watching soccer (okay, okay FOOTBALL - FC Barcelona, baby!), and Cancun Juice.

Author Links:
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1U0z9xY Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorheathercmyers/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/heathercmyers Blog: http://www.portsidewonderland.blogspot.com/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200222.Heather_C_Myers

Reap FREEBIE Book Blitz @AuthorCaseyBond

Title: ReapAuthor: Casey L BondGenre: YA DystopianHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR The remnants of the United States of America have been divided. From five enormous, technologically-advanced cities, the Greaters rule over the Lessers. In the Lesser village of Orchard, things are not as perfect as Abby Kelley thinks they are. When the apple harvest draws near and the Greater’s engineered fruits become too much for one village to handle alone, reinforcements from neighboring villages are called upon. Having to choose between her best friend, whom she has no romantic feelings for, and mysterious newcomer Crew, Abby finds herself in the middle of a harvest that she had no intention of becoming a part of. She becomes involved in a situation that threatens the strict rule of the Greaters, and just might give the Lessers hope for a better tomorrow. But, can she help the Lessers without losing Crew? And if she chooses Crew, will she lose her best friend? 
Award-winning author Casey L. Bond resides in Milton, West Virginia with her husband and their two beautiful daughters. When she’s not busy being a domestic goddess and chasing her baby girls, she loves to write young adult and new adult fiction. 
  You can find more information about Bond’s books via the following links: Website: www.authorcaseybond.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/authorcaseybond Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCaseyBondAmazon: http://amzn.to/1SCEPzP Instagram: @authorcaseybond Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7212486.Casey_L_BondPinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/caseyb007



Buy Links: 
Amazon US: http://tinyurl.com/pht888t Amazon UK: http://tinyurl.com/kvj83zp Amazon CA: http://tinyurl.com/p6djny5 Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reap-casey-l-bond/1121088667?ean=2940151755030 iBooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id879231016 Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/reap-1

If you love the Harvest Saga, you can vote for the series to be made into a television show or film! You can nominate actors and choose your dream cast! http://www.iflist.com/stories/reaptheharvestsaga A SLAM JOLTED ME OUT of my slumber. Another bang echoed in the front of the cabin, and footsteps hurried to my door. I didn’t know how long I’d slept, or if it was still daylight, but I was still tired and wanted to retreat back into the sweet abyss again. My door opened, and I turned my head to see my aunt standing in the doorway.“What happened, Abby?” She rushed over.I tried to push myself up, but my back was so stiff. The skin even felt stiff. How was that possible? I winced.“Stay down. Let me see.” She gingerly lifted the back of Ky’s shirt and peeked underneath. The fabric slowly peeled away from my skin where the bandages Evelyn had applied didn’t quite reach, or had shifted, and it felt like part of the wounds tore open again. A hiss escaped from between my teeth at the same time a curse flew from her lips. “Evelyn sent more salve. She said that your body would absorb part of it and that more would have to be packed in.” Lulu helped me sit up and, one by one, I unbuttoned the shirt and again pried it away from my back. The only portion not torn to shreds from the fifteen lashes was the part my bra had covered; although, by the last lash, it only hung on by a thread.“Evelyn came to the depot. She said you’d been injured and gave me the medicine and salve. I had no idea. Did Norris do this?”All I could do was nod.Lulu took my shirt as I laid back down on my stomach and tried to remain as still as possible while she packed my wounds. Having left the room, I could hear her banging around in the kitchen before she returned with a steaming mug containing more of the special tea. I gulped it down, hoping it would help numb the pain like it had before. When my head hit the pillow, I fell asleep almost immediately.Something was touching my face, caressing my cheek. The skin that brushed mine was rough, hardened by the work we all shared. Am I dreaming? I waited, trying to see if it was real or part of a dream. Whichever it was, it was nice, comforting.Rough fingertips moved over the parts of my back that weren’t split open and packed with gunk. I sucked in a breath and held it. It was real. I moved my head and saw his silhouette against the candlelight flickering in from the kitchen and living room. “Ky?” My voice was raspy and barely sounded like my own. Sleep and exhaustion filled every chord.“Shh. I’m here.” Suddenly, I was very aware I was lying shirtless on my bed. Even though I was on my stomach, that didn’t help me feel any less naked in front of my best friend—who happened to be a member of the male species—a very fine specimen according to my girlfriends.I knew he was handsome. I wasn’t blind. But I didn’t see him like that. He’d dated many of my friends and was getting ready to marry Paige Winters after the harvest was complete and the orchards picked bare. His fingertips traced the intact skin between my shoulder blades, and I tensed under his touch.He’d kissed my head and temple and hugged me more times than I could count, but that was different; it was more intimate. His touch was delicate, gentle compared to his normal strength, and anything but playful. “Ky?”He didn’t answer. His fingers explored my back, careful not to stray too close to the wounds streaking across my skin. “Kyan?”“Shut up, Abby. Just let me... Just shut up.” He’d never talked to me like that. His voice was raspy, and he’d never, ever told me to shut up before. So I did. I wasn’t sure why. He shouldn’t have been touching my skin. Shouldn’t have been caressing the good parts left; but, sitting with me in the dark, he was doing exactly that, and I was allowing it.
Copyrighted 2014 Casey L. Bond

Before Him Comes Me Chapter & Teaser Reveal @AlexandriaSure

Title: Before Him Comes MeAuthor: Alexandria SureGenre: NA Contemporary RomanceHosted by: Lady Amber's Tours Faced with an unexpected choice, a simple nod is all it will take to change the course of Zara's life.Bound to a life predetermined by the restrictive traditions of her community, Zara is offered a glimmer of hope by a complete stranger, a man selected for her. She can choose to walk away from the life she has been trained for.Make new friends and lose her best friend.Explore new places and lose her home.Find herself and lose herself.Will Zara nod and risk everything she knows to discover who she is meant to be?





Alexandria Sure is an avid reader and has written her first novel as homage to fans of the genre she loves. She hopes others will appreciate her novel as much as she enjoyed writing it. Sure follows the work of several authors and feels she has benefited from reading and commenting on their author pages on Facebook. This has given her the opportunity to get to know the people behind the characters she has grown to love. She hopes her readers will check out her Facebook page so she can get to know them and pay it forward. Sure is from Michigan and adores her supportive family, her deaf rescue pup and her mighty Spartans. Her experiences in writing her first novel have revealed the true meaning in Jack Canfield's quote, "Everything you want is on the other side of fear."




Author Links:Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OfwcrAFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Alexandria-Sure-283345031858469/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlexandriaSureYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwBP8A7XIMZub-rMph6uFKAInstagram: https://instagram.com/authoralexandriasure/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9841965.Alexandria_Sure 

Buy Link: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1Ofw9w5 CHAPTER ONE

Zara opens her eyes, her bedroom already filled with morning sunlight. Closing her eyes, she lays perfectly still taking inventory of her body, her feelings and her overall state of mind. Turning eighteen has not made Zara feel any different, yet today will be the first day of her new life.Looking up at Audrey Hepburn in her My Fair Lady poster, Zara takes a deep breath and begins to memorize her belongings that she will never see again. Zara shifts her gaze to the two framed pictures on the nightstand. The first is a picture of her and her best friend Sloane from the first time they went horseback riding. Both of them got the giggles so badly that Sloane’s mother threatened to bring them home if they didn’t pay attention to the lesson.The second picture, taken eight years ago on Zara’s tenth birthday, is of Fredrik giving Zara a bouquet of daisies. Ever since then, he has given her daisies on her birthday and they have become her favorite flower. This neither pleases nor displeases their father; therefore it continues to occur.Zara begins to take mental pictures of each object surrounding the frames. The mini stuffed PINK dog from Victoria’s Secret was something she and Sloane each had to have. Convincing both mothers of the need for the PINK dogs was no easy task and the effort alone required the prominent display of their victory. This neither pleases nor displeases her father; therefore it continues to occur.Next she notices a pink and green polka dotted hair tie. There is nothing special about it, but it was the first of many she and Sloane made over the summer. Their mothers had been looking through craft idea cards in a store when they found one for making easy hair ties. They had spent the longest time picking out fabric for their new project. Zara picks up the hair tie and slips it around her wrist like a rubber band.Funny… the things I’ll miss.On the back of Zara’s nightstand is a bottle of cucumber melon lotion that she won in a drawing at the mall. Never believing for a second that she would win, Zara filled out the entry form. Sloane had cautioned, “The Community exists on the fringe of society, Zara. The less direct interaction that we have with outsiders, the better.”Zara giggles recalling their mixed surprise when she won.Of course I would win.Picking up the lotion and popping the top open, Zara takes a big whiff. She quickly closes it and places it back in its home on the nightstand. A chill travels the length of her back as the details of the only night she wore the lotion comes into focus. Zara’s father promptly sent her back to shower off the odor he found offensive and she was forced to listen to a lecture on how it is up to her Dom to pick the scents that please him. Until the time comes for Zara to be handed over to her Dom, there would be no scents worn in this house that were disagreeable to her father. Vanilla… for her father, it is vanilla on her mother and because Zara’s father does not like the smell of cucumber melon, it is not used in his home.Propping herself up against the headboard, two items stand out. A massive bouquet of daisies from Fredrik sits on her dresser and an equally massive wedding dress for the ceremony is hung on her closet door. She smiles at the flowers. He had given them to her a day early so she could enjoy them one last full day. Zara aches at the reality of not seeing Fredrik or getting her birthday daisies after today.Concentrating on her breathing to keep the tears from falling, Zara looks up at the ceiling and takes a deep breath. When she regains control, she looks once more at her lovely flowers sitting on a dresser in a bedroom in a house with a family that she will say goodbye to forever, for she follows traditions that go back generation upon generation. Very soon Zara will walk out the door and that will be that.While most brides pack suitcases of new clothes and take old belongings into their new life, there will be no packing for Zara. It is customary for the father to transfer his daughter into her new life with nothing from her old life. Once she is in the care of her Dom, her family steps away and the Dom is responsible for every aspect of his new submissive’s wellbeing. This includes ingratiating her into the Dom’s family at every level.The wedding dress hanging in the corner demands Zara embrace the fact that today is her wedding day. Glancing back at the daisies, she wipes the single tear that escapes down her cheek. There will be no daisies for Zara at her wedding. The dress is not of her choosing. The ceremony will be the beginning of a life of no voice and no opinion. The dress is exquisite and the ceremony will be perfect. Zara’s father will be pleased.Zara begins to move through her normal morning routine, knowing there is nothing normal about this particular morning. Her silky long chestnut hair looks healthy and full of body. Pausing to look at herself in the mirror after her shower, the first signs of cracks in her well-trained armor begin to appear. Her green eyes are a tad puffy and have a hint of red. Raising her hand to her bare neck, she realizes it is only a matter of hours before there is a collar. And a Dom attached to it.Zara, no thinking about it yet. It is what it is!Zara walks into her bedroom, sits on the corner of her bed and begins to focus. Using a technique her mother taught her to get through stressful moments like this one, she closes her eyes, inhales deeply… holds her breath… and slowly exhales. So as not to give any indication that the focus is on anything but the here and now, she concentrates straight ahead on a spot on the wall. As she has been trained, deep concentration shifts her away from the overwhelming feelings that are trying to take hold of her.Zara chooses a memory of riding her horse, Gentlemen, crossing the field at a full gallop, with no one else around… just the two of them. She remembers the feeling of control as she sits deeper in the saddle, her legs wrapped tight around him, pushing him just a bit faster. The air whips through her hair as they cross the open field. The sun beats down making the colors of the sky and field more vivid. It is a feeling of complete, unadulterated freedom.Three swift, hard knocks on the door jar Zara back to the present.“Come on in, Fredrik.”“Ready!” Fredrik throws the door open with a loud clap. “I am taking you to a few of your favorite places to say a final farewell. NOT THE MALL, so do not even ask. We have two hours on our own if we hurry. Mother and the other ladies are going to transport the dress and other wedding stuff for you. But, Zara… this is it.”Standing slowly, Zara walks around the room that she has lived in for the last eighteen years. It is a room that is down the hallway from the brother that she adores. She touches her dresser and runs her hand over the footboard. It is a relatively simple room, but she loves it. Standing in front of her Monet print, she smiles and then glances at the Hepburn poster.Stepping over to the chair by the window, she picks up her current read, Little Women, and removes the bookmark. Zara rests it on top of the book and puts the book on the chair. While Fredrik patiently waits, Zara moves the curtain and takes in what a lovely sunny day her last birthday in Chattanooga is turning out to be.“I guess this is it,” Zara whispers as she walks towards the door. Fredrik steps out of the room to allow his sister one final moment alone with her thoughts. Reaching back in, Zara grabs the cucumber melon lotion and squirts one last pea-size amount into the palm of her hand and replaces the bottle. Then she closes the door of her bedroom and her childhood.Zara walks quickly past Fredrik and out of the house she can no longer claim as “hers” to Fredrik’s car. Once inside, she rubs the lotion into her hands with a small kernel of satisfaction. Leaning back against the seat, all that is left for Zara to do in this moment is breathe, so she does. Deeply.After a moment, the driver side door opens and Fredrik slides in. He hands her the travel mug she has used since she began drinking coffee.“Where are we off to?” Fredrik asks in a surprisingly cheerful voice. Without direction from his sister, he starts the car and begins to drive.Zara takes a sip of her mother’s blended coffee and stares silently out the window. The taste of home is all she can think of as she tries to stomach another sip. The coffee is perfect, but the vast memories of what she is leaving behind swirl around inside the mug. She pops the top closed and puts it in the drink holder between them.After a short drive, Frederik pulls the car into a familiar wooded area and turns off the engine. They both open their doors at the same time and start walking in silence up a trail that is barely visible. Zara takes off at a slow jog with her brother following behind, yelling at her.“ZARA FAITH, if you fall and hurt yourself, we will both be dead! You know that. Father will kill me first and make you watch.” His last statement stops Zara in her tracks.Fredrik runs into the back of his sister. “Zara!”They walk the last few yards slowly and cautiously in silence. At the clearing, Zara rushes to the creek’s edge to listen to the sounds of the water rushing by. Sitting upon a boulder, she stares into the churning bubbles. Fredrik sits on the ground next to her and offers her a handful of smooth stones to toss in.With a light toss, the stones hit the water in a series of lyrical plops. Zara brushes her hand off on her jeans. Not accustomed to wearing anything but shorts or shirts in the southern summer heat, she wanted to wear her favorite jeans on her last day in her home and had dug them out days ago in preparation.“Hello?” Zara hears Fredrik say as if repeating himself. “Did you hear anything I just said?”Zara shakes her head and shrugs.“I asked if you remember the stories Mother used to tell us about Aunt Laura. Do you ever think about that?”Fredrik realizes Zara is not going to answer so he gets up to gather more stones. “I wonder why she stopped telling us about Aunt Laura. Those were great stories.”Zara pulls her knees up to her chest and wraps her arms around them, making herself as small as possible. She lays her cheek on her knee. Taking a deep breath and speaking very slowly to control her words, Zara explains to her younger brother, “After one of your doctor visits, I made a comment that I wanted to be a doctor.”“What?”Zara turns and looks at Fredrik. “Mother stopped telling us stories about Aunt Laura because she broke from the Community. She left because she wanted a different life. She secretly took college entrance exams and scored high enough for scholarships. Then one night, she snuck out to start a new life for herself. She got her education and now she has a career doing who knows what or where.“As soon as I was old enough to connect the dots, Mother sat me down to explain that my future was already decided for me. I was not going to become a doctor. I was not going to get an education. And I was definitely not going to sneak out in the middle of the night.”Zara turns her head back toward the creek when she finishes speaking.Fredrik is quiet for a moment. He walks closer and kneels next to her. “Zara, do you wish it was different?”“It is not different, Fredrik. Not for me. I have known for years that this day was coming. It does not make it any easier. Thank you for bringing me here. This was the perfect place to bring me, my temporary escape. The one place on earth where I can forget who I have to be and can just be. Would you do something for me?”“I will try. You know that.”“Would you just talk… about anything? I will miss the sound of your voice and I want to lock it in my memory before we have to go.” Zara forces the words out around the large lump in her throat.“WOW! Am I on the spot or what? Okay! This is my last opportunity to tell you how much I am in awe of you. You are the strongest person I know. The training that you have had to endure to get you ready for today… learning different positions, serving lessons, mental lessons to deal with whatever situation you have to deal with. I know that I only know portions of what your training entailed because Father did his best to see that I stayed as far away from that as possible.“But mostly I am sorry that you had to grow up thinking that your opinions and thoughts were not valid or even considered,” Fredrik exclaims firmly as he kicks at something on the ground in front of him.Zara jumps off the rock and throws her arms around her brother. He wraps his arms around her waist and takes two steps back to prevent them from toppling over into the creek together.“You have always listened to me, Fredrik. You made me feel heard. All the time we spent talking in my room will be memories that I will keep with me forever.”Releasing her brother, Zara is surprised to see his eyes are filled with tears.“Sorry, I know we are not the most affectionate family, but…” Fredrik pulls Zara into another bear hug. He whispers into her hair, “I think you would make a great doctor.”“That was just a child’s comment. I wanted to be a policeman, banker and jockey that same year. Dreaming is dangerous for the daughters of King Council members. I stopped a while ago.”After a moment, he releases her and the siblings stand at the edge of the creek in silence. It is Fredrik who bends down and picks up a stone to throw in the creek with a loud plop.“I remember when we were younger, you would take care of me for hours. You are only two years older… just a kid yourself. You never seemed to mind that I followed you everywhere. You have been the best sister. I am going to miss you like crazy.”Fredrik turns and walks down the path toward the car. Slowly Zara scans the area creating more mental pictures of a place she will never visit again. She notices the shade of the green leaves on the tall skinny tree growing in from the hills, the clarity and level of the water. Closing her eyes, Zara listens to the sounds the water makes, and the sound of each step on the gravel underfoot as she begins to back away from her favorite spot for the last time.As they walk back to the car, Zara tells Frederik, “Thank you for today… I will never forget it. Promise.”Fredrik nods somberly and starts the car.The drive to the Center is short and silent. As they arrive at the front door, Zara’s mother darts out of the building and up to the car. “You are ten minutes late! We have a schedule to keep. Fredrik, please take care of what I have asked you to. Zara, move… move!”“Yes, Mother,” Fredrik responds respectfully.Zara follows one step behind her mother into the Center. The pair walks up the steps and head directly to the Peach Suite. The mothers traditionally use this suite to prepare their daughters for the Circle Ceremony. Front and center, the wedding dress, with its huge princess skirt and layers upon layers of tulle, is the first thing Zara sees as she enters the suite.The top layer, covered in carefully spaced crystals, adds an extra element to capture the light with every step. The corset bodice is made to fit so tightly that Zara takes a deep breath just looking at it. Once the dress is on, deep breaths will be out of the question.Zara notices a shoebox on the chair next to the dress and slowly walks over. She reaches to pick it up.“ZARA FAITH!” Zara’s mother shrieks.Startled, she places the shoebox back on the chair and rushes to her mother’s side.“We are in a hurry. Please sit!”Zara sits immediately and several women descend on her in a flurry to make her Circle Ceremony ready.Zara holds perfectly still in every position she is placed in as she is processed for her pending walk down the aisle. As the last button is secured on her dress, her mother circles around her to get a full visual. Instructed to get into her presentation position, Zara lowers to her knees, careful to not catch any portion of her dress. Sitting back on her heels, she rests her hands in her lap, one crossed over the other. The ladies apply the final layer of hairspray and insert the last of the hairpins before leaving Zara and her mother alone in the suite.Back on her feet, Zara struggles to regulate her breathing within the confines of the dress. She gazes into a full-length mirror, alone with her thoughts. A few hours ago, she woke up in her own bed and now she has been prepared for a short walk that will change her life forever.Her mother steps into the reflection behind her. “You look lovely, Zara Faith. I am very proud of you today. You have taken everything I have taught you and made it your own. You are ready for whatever is placed in front of you.”“Thank you, Mother,” Zara replies in a hushed whisper.There is a knock at the door as mother and daughter look at each other one last time. Zara’s gaze returns to her own eyes in the mirror. She squares her shoulders and takes as deep a shallow breath as she can. Her mother turns and takes a couple of steps toward the door leading out of the suite.“Zara Faith, there is one thing I want you to know before your ceremony. You may not understand, but I love and cherish your father with all of my heart. It will be difficult today. The traditions work. Trust in them.”Harder knocks at the door end the mother-daughter moment. Zara reaches the door first, but knows not to open it. Stepping aside, she waits as her mother opens it and lowers her gaze. Zara’s father stands on the other side waiting to gather his daughter for the ceremony.“It is time!”

Dreamhunter Book Blitz @mayatylerauthor

Title: Dream HunterAuthor: Maya HunterGenre: Paranormal RomanceHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Blurb: Cynthia’s dreams are so real, they are actually coming true – complete with the prerequisite dream guy. But things are not as they seem.Who said dreams are sweet?Chicago businesswoman Cynthia Courtland is completely focused on her career when a sensual, reoccurring dream disrupts her orderly life. Then a threat against her workplace forces her to take time off. She is lost with nowhere to go--only her empty apartment.Work is Gabe’s life too; he takes it very seriously and will do whatever it takes to succeed. He's been watching over Cynthia for a long time and he has her best interests at heart, but can he protect her from the danger she is blind to? When Cynthia insists on investigating the threat so she can get back to work, it makes Gabe's job all the more difficult.When things settle, will there be more for them than a life filled with work? Will she give her dreams a chance to come true? Maya Tyler is the author of Dream Hunter, her debut novella. Being an author is her lifelong dream. Her day job is in Finance, but she spends her free time writing paranormal romance novels and blogging at Maya’s Musings. She loves visitors and you can contact her anytime at www.mayatylerauthor.com.Author Links:http://www.mayatylerauthor.com/http://mayatylerauthor.blogspot.ca/https://twitter.com/mayatylerauthorhttps://www.facebook.com/maya.tyler.792https://www.facebook.com/MayaTylerAuthor/https://www.facebook.com/DreamHunterbyMayaTylerhttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6478044.Maya_Tylerhttps://plus.google.com/105043112636858982190/postshttp://amzn.to/1PxZFxNBuy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1R90m20 The air in her lungs rushed to escape and time stood still. She was aware of only him. Beyond her control, her head tilted and her whole body leaned toward him; her inner core pulsed and buzzed. He drew her in like a magnet, a moth to flame; she was helpless to resist his siren call. He emulated danger, looked like evil incarnate—black and dangerous, seductive and forbidden—and she wanted him.When he grabbed her harshly by both shoulders, she snapped out of her lust-induced trance. “What do you think you’re doing?” she demanded.“We must get out of here.” His words were calm, but his eyes stared right through her.Cynthia opened her mouth to object.“There is no time,” he announced as he tugged on her arm.“Let go of me!” She tried to pull away. “I don’t know you.”Holding her arm still, he stared into her eyes without saying a word.Okay, he seems a little familiar. She gulped. “How do I know you?”Giving her a penetrating look, he replied, “You know me. Quit wasting time.”She opened her mouth to protest again.“We must leave now.”Should I go with him? She tilted her head and looked up at him. His gaze was strong and steady and made her feel safe. This is not the time to be indecisive. She thought about the threat at work and shivered despite the heat.You will be safe with me. There is no time. We must leave now. His voice entered her thoughts like a caress in her mind and didn’t alarm her.He was right. There was no time to analyze her options and run through various scenarios. For all she knew, every scenario without him could mean danger for her. Her body wanted to follow him, she admitted with reluctance, even if her mind resisted. Yes, she would go, she decided, even as she felt herself following him down the street.Power resonated from his muscular build. He kept a hand in a firm but gentle hold on her elbow as they hurried down the sidewalk. Unmindful of their destination, Cynthia had ample time to study her new “friend.” He towered over her by at least a foot, wearing a black leather jacket despite the warm day, and dark jeans that showcased his narrow waist. Every beefy inch of him screamed passion and strength—his tight clothing doing nothing to disguise the sinewy muscles rippling in his legs as he moved—but she wasn’t frightened of him. She hesitated for a minute. Should I be afraid? No, she decided. She felt eerily calm, like all her life had been leading her up to this moment in time, and she was exactly where she was supposed to be. The reason she let a perfect stranger lead her to God-knew-where.She shifted her thick hair over her shoulder as sweat soaked at the base of her neck. The day’s temperature had yet to peak, but it was already warm enough to be uncomfortable and practically running in office attire didn’t help matters.“I need a moment,” she said.They made an abrupt stop. The man offered her an unopened bottle of water. After casting an assessing look at him she accepted the bottle, and took a long, welcome drink.“Thank you.”The man dismissed her thanks with a casual shrug.Cynthia shot him a questioning look.“Later,” he replied in a brisk voice. “We need to go.”“Where?”“We need to go,” he repeated, ignoring her question.They had covered several blocks and, as they moved further from her office, the sights became less familiar and a tremor of fear shook through her body. Where did this guy come from? Why does he think I know him? Because I do know him. The realization hit her hard in the stomach. It’s him.“I need—”“We need to keep going,” he insisted without further explanation.“No!” She planted her hands on her hips and her feet in the firmest stance she could manage as she wobbled on the uneven sidewalk. Then she looked down at her feet and a strange sense of déjà vu washed over her as she stared at the cobblestone path. Her mouth gaped, her breathing quickened. With dread she looked up at the buildings on the street. Her vision blurred. Everything around her spun and faded away as she collapsed into strong arms. She had a vague awareness of him lifting her. As he adjusted his hold, she bounced against his solid chest. She must be dreaming. That was the only explanation that made sense. Nothing like this ever happened in her boring, ordinary life. It’s just a dream. Swallowing her disappointment, she glanced up at the determined expression on his face. He carried her effortlessly, like she weighed nothing. When she rested her head on his chest, she could feel his heart beating steadily. She ran her hand lightly across his defined bicep. Wow. He wasn’t real, but she might as well make the most of it; from experience she knew her dream wouldn’t last forever.

Pill Hill Book Blitz @BWDull

Title: Pill HillAuthor: Bryan W. DullGenre: Drama, PsychologicalHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR A Chemically Imbalanced Romance: Confined to the third floor of an old psychiatric ward located in a hospital on the verge of shutting down, Mason Phillips walks the same hall alongside others that have afflictions that range from obsessive compulsive disorder to schizophrenia. Based on the belief that he does not need help for what ails him mentally, he finds solace in a young woman that sleeps in the room across the hall. Enamored with a woman that he knows nothing about, Mason is faced to converse with other patients about their addictions and phobias as he tries to come to terms with his past and understand others. Sometimes the people that seem different can be the ones that understand the most. 




Currently living in Fort Wayne, IN with his wife (and fellow author Brandy Michelle) and their daughter. Bryan W. Dull goes leaps and bounds to get away from the norm and be his own person; with himself and his writing. Since middle school he has always known what he was good at: entertaining and telling stories. He has been consistently writing and coming up with plots for the last twenty years, but just recently decided to share one with the world. His first novel, "Solstice" is a vampire book inspired by his daughter and noir literature. Born in Anderson, IN, Bryan has also lived in Ohio, Florida, North Carolina and South Carolina (where "Solstice" is based). Being a lover of all things art and pop culture "nerdism"; his interests lie in film, television, comics, games, anime, and books. For a short while, Bryan dabbled in voice acting work only to shift his focus to his family and writing. His favorite authors include; Chuck Palahniuk, Robert Kirkman, Clive Barker, Ernest Cline, and Neil Gaiman.


Author Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OY5DoBTwitter: https://twitter.com/BWDullFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/Solstice.Chronicles/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5829383.Bryan_W_Dull

Buy Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1OY5CkM

Sacrifice Release Blitz @heathercmyers

Title: SacrificeAuthor: Heather C. MyersGenre: dark fantasy/mythology/forbidden loveHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Blurb: What do you risk when you have nothing to lose?Nothing, apparently, given that Keirah has no qualms showing up at Andie's doorstep, asking Jack if she can borrow his resources in order to find Noir. If that's all Andie has to worry about, she could handle her sister.But it's not. Jack's new business partner and former flame is interested in investing in Andie's animal shelter, yet insists on Jack's presence during their meetings. On top of that, her closest friend Reese shares a secret that all but blindsides her. And then there's Lucas Burr, Onyx City's persistent DA, who wants nothing more than the city's incorruptible vigilante, Black Wing, rotting in a prison somewhere at the very least, and will do anything to get what he wants - including using Andie as bait.In this thrilling conclusion of The Dark Paradise trilogy, the war between angels and demons is in full swing. Will Andie survive or will she be just another faceless casualty? 

Full disclosure: I am an acquired taste. I'm a typical blonde Orange County suburbanite who says 'like' more than necessary, laughs loud and probably obnoxiously, and loves to dance in the rain. I'm a 26 year old college graduate with more than a few tricks up my sleeve, and I also happen to be a pretty big Ducks fan. Oh, and I'm a writer. Like, for real. I recently signed with Anchor Group Publishing, which will see two of my series being published this year. I've self-published over 15 books, with more on the way, so I'm familiar with both a hybrid-traditional publishing method as well as self-publishing.  I don't speak in third person (normally) nor do I wear glasses (except when I'm feeling particularly mischievous). I'm lucky to have found my soul mate at the ripe old age of 22, even though he frustrates me on purpose to get a reaction out of me. We live near Disneyland, have two rambunctious female puppies, and have a beautiful baby girl. He has two amazing boys, and has gotten me hooked on Smallville, watching soccer (okay, okay FOOTBALL - FC Barcelona, baby!), and Cancun Juice.Author Links: Amazon: http://amzn.to/1U0z9xYFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorheathercmyers/Twitter: https://twitter.com/heathercmyersBlog: http://www.portsidewonderland.blogspot.com/Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7200222.Heather_C_Myers