L.L. Hunter's Blog, page 25

First Life by Rose Garcia - Spotlight + Giveaway!

Dominique has survived the final attempt on her life only to discover that someone connected to her future will suffer her same fate. Determined to spare this innocent loved one from being hunted for lifetimes, Dominique and her remaining allies travel to first life with a mission to alter destiny. When Dominique and her companions arrive in the past, they are confronted with a reality they didn't expect, and are shocked by a turn of events that threaten to change everything they know.

A continuation of the Final Life Series that starts where Final Death leaves off, First Life delivers heart-stopping action and gut-wrenching emotional turmoil. Be sure to read Final Life, Final Stand, and Final Death before delving into the unpredictable world of First Life.

Publication Date: Mar. 15th, 2018

First Life (Book Four) Pre-Order Link: 
-Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2Gm70Sq
-Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2CrWWrR-B&N: goo.gl/2aoyUn
-Kobo: goo.gl/yLJSp9
-iTunes: goo.gl/HYFuKk
-Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2peuowy

Buy Links for Final Life Series:
Final Life (Book One):
-Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2DQ3qz0
- Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2BvRQWW
-B&N: goo.gl/ov96wy
-Kobo: goo.gl/91FLQF
-iTunes: goo.gl/5MYm6W
 Final Stand (Book Two):
-Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2DpMXED
-Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2DDD3va-B&N: goo.gl/Jnm8fs
-Kobo: goo.gl/7YdKCT
-iTunes: goo.gl/2JdPfP
Final Death (Book Three):-Amazon:  http://amzn.to/2FWIuXQ
-Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2Ec91zL-B&N: goo.gl/TjyzVE
-Kobo: goo.gl/Wxn4NE
-iTunes: goo.gl/ESNLQX Giveaway Click here to win a $50 Amazon gift card and a paperback or swag set from Rose Garcia!

The Things We Cannot Change by Kate L Mary - Release Day!

Title: The Things We Cannot Change Author: Kate L MaryGenre: Adult DystopianPublisher: Twisted PressHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Blurb: Jade is smack dab in the middle of a personal crisis when a killer virus sweeps the country, only making matters worse. Before she even has a chance to wrap her brain around what’s happening, the world has vanished and everything she knew and loved is gone. Even worse, she’s starting to think she might be the only living person left in New York.Which probably has a lot to do with how she reacts when she bumps into Trevor in Central Park. What can only be described as a celebration of life is followed by an awkward morning where she realizes she doesn’t even like the only other living person she’s seen in days. And she’s pretty sure he isn’t too thrilled with her either.But when Jade and Trevor realize that this outbreak is much more than just a killer virus, they suddenly find themselves dependent on one another for survival, and it isn’t long before Jade is forced to forget the things from her past that she cannot change, and instead focus on the things she can change in the here and now. Kate L. Mary is an award-winning author of New Adult and Young Adult fiction, ranging from Post-apocalyptic tales of the undead, to Speculative Fiction and Contemporary Romance. Her YA book, When We Were Human, was the 2015 Children's Moonbeam Book Awards Silver Medal Winner for Young Adult Fantasy/Sci-Fi Fiction, and the 2016 Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Winner for Young Adult Science Fiction. Author Links: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KateLMaryauthorWebsite: http://KateLMary.comTwitter: https://twitter.com/kmary0622Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zombieauthormom/Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2FQl4m1Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Kate-L.-Mary/e/B00K48N5EQ/Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1utg3pWBookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-l-maryGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8185415.Kate_L_MaryBuy Links: More Than Survival: http://amzn.to/2seGeZ6Fighting for a Future: http://amzn.to/2FNPdCuPlaying the Odds: http://amzn.to/2GRU9reThe Key to Survival: http://amzn.to/2EKRw9OThe Things we cannot Change: http://amzn.to/2sdzTgx Trevor moved down the sidewalk, keeping close to the buildings. I followed, but my gaze was on the people we passed. They were so obviously dead that it sent a shiver down my spine. Gray skin and blank, milky eyes. Arms that were slack at their sides and feet that dragged against the ground with every step they took. Only they were up and moving around when they shouldn’t have been, making me want to reach out and shake the nearest one and scream at the woman to wake up. They didn’t seem to notice us, and we made it to the end of the block with no issue. My legs were shaking enough to make me wonder if they were going to give out, but in front of me Trevor looked oddly secure. The knife in his hand didn’t even shake. The parking garage was in sight when I stumbled on a crack in the sidewalk. My feet tripped over each other as I barely stopped my body from plunging forward and slamming into the cement. The bottles clinked together and several of the zombies closest to us turned. Their eyes seemed to focus behind the milky glaze covering their irises, and they opened their mouths like they were chomping at the air. “Shit,” Trevor said from behind me. “We have to move. Now. Run!”His words were hushed, but his tone urgent. He didn’t wait for me before taking off, but I was right on his heels. We ran down the sidewalk as more and more of the zombies noticed our existence, each of them turning our way and several of them lunging at us with their mouths open. The sight of them sent fear shooting through me, but the adrenaline coursing through my veins made it easier to run with the bottles of booze weighing me down. They clanged against one another with every step I took, but it no longer mattered if we were quiet because the street was alive with the dead, and they all wanted us.“There!” I called when we reached the entrance to the parking garage. “Third floor.”Trevor dashed inside, and then slowed enough to allow me to get in front of him. I already had my keys out and ready, and as I ran for the stairs, I squeezed them until the metal dug into my palm. Behind me I could hear Trevor’s heavy breathing, letting me know that he was still with me, and as we dashed up the first flight of stairs and then the next, our footsteps echoed through the empty parking garage. A moan bounced off the walls just as we made it to the third floor, but I couldn’t figure out if it was behind us or in front of us, so I kept moving. My car was at the end of the second row, a black BMW that Nathaniel had bought me when I finished my residency. I hit the unlock button on my key and the beep echoed through the garage in response, followed by yet another moan. It was closer this time, and for some insane reason I found myself stopping so I could look around instead of getting in the car.I spotted the zombie only a few cars down just as Trevor ripped the keys out of my hand and yelled, “Get in!” a Rafflecopter giveaway

The Dating Debate by Chris Cannon - Release Day!

Title: The Dating DebateAuthor: Chris CannonGenre: YA RomCom, Sweet RomancePublisher: Entangled TeenHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Blurb:Nina Barnes thinks Valentine’s Day should be optional. That way single people like herwouldn’t be subjected to kissy Cupids all over the place. That is, until her mom moves them next door to the brooding hottie of Greenbrier High, West Smith. He’s funny, looks amazing in a black leather jacket, and he’s fluent in Harry Potter, but she’s not sure he’s boyfriend material.West isn’t sure what to make of Nina. She’s cute and loves to read as much as he does, but she seems to need to debate everything and she has a pathological insistence on telling the truth. And West doesn’t exactly know how to handle that, since his entire life is a carefully constructed secret. Dating the girl next door could be a ton of fun, but only if Nina never finds out the truth about his home life. It’s one secret that could bring them together or rip them apart.Disclaimer: This Entangled Teen Crush book is not for anyone who has to get in the last word, but it is for all book nerds, especially those who live next door to so called unapproachable gorgeous guys. There’s no debating the chemistry. Chris Cannon is the award-winning author of the Going Down In Flames series and the Boyfriend Chronicles. She lives in Southern Illinois with her husband and several furry beasts.She believes coffee is the Elixir of Life. Most evenings after work, you can find her sucking down caffeine and writing fire-breathing paranormal adventures or romantic comedies. You can find her online at www.chriscannonauthor.com.Author Links:Amazon: http://amzn.to/2vXeeaJGoodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8285334.Chris_CannonTwitter: https://twitter.com/ccannonauthorWeb: http://www.chriscannonauthor.com/Fan Club: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1444443819173580/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriscannonauthor/Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/chris-cannonBuy Link:Amazon: http://amzn.to/2GdaA0R Later that night, I sat reading on the couch, when Gidget came over to join me. And by join me, I mean she wedged her long, skinny nose under my book and pushed it up so she could play the world’s largest lap puppy.“Gidget.” I set my book down and looked into her soulful brown eyes. “Are you not getting the attention you deserve?”She made a sound that my mom and I described as her complaining yodel. “What’s that about?” I asked as I ran my hand over her silky blonde head. She yodeled louder.My mom walked into the living room. “She is trying to tell you we’re out of chewies.”“Oh, no.” I hugged Gidget. “The horror.”She whined like she agreed with me. “It’s okay, girl. I can run to the store.”“It’s not like she can’t wait until tomorrow,” my mom said.“No big deal. I need gas anyway.” I slid out from under Gidget and looked at my fur-covered jeans and shirt. “The good thing about running to the pet store is no one cares if you’re covered in fur.”West’s dad had parked his ridiculously large SUV further up the driveway. Backing out next to his car was almost impossible. Thank goodness I only had to back up next to West’s Ford Fusion, which wasn’t a big deal.I set my phone on the dash and checked my mirror before backing up slowly. My cell buzzed, and I turned my head to see who the text was from. The scraping crunch of metal on metal set my teeth on edge. I stomped on the brake and stared at my hands where I’d turned the wheel the slightest bit to the right when I’d checked the text. Son of a… A cold sweat beaded my forehead as I pulled forward and parked. It took me a moment to unclench my hands from the steering wheel. Maybe it wasn’t that bad.No one had come running, so the crash hadn’t been that loud, which gave me hope. Less sound had to mean less damage. Right? Hands shaking, I undid my seat belt and climbed out to assess the carnage.My Jeep sat up higher than West’s car, so I’d scraped a foot of his paint and ripped off his passenger-side mirror. It lay on the ground, mostly in one piece. Maybe I could stick it back on like a Lego. Would it snap back into place?I picked up the mirror and held it up to its former position. Nope. It was broken clean off. Acid surged in my stomach. Now what? Shit. I was going to have to confess. And since I couldn’t knock on his door, I was going to have to call him.Damn. Damn. Damn. It’s okay. I can do this. Not a big deal. Right… I dialed his number.“Nina?” He sounded surprised to hear from me.“Hey, West. I wanted to let you know…we can drive to school whatever time you want tomorrow.”“What are you talking about? Why would we ride together?”“Well, the damage isn’t bad,” I said, stalling for time. “It’s your passenger-side mirror, really, or lack of one.”“What in the hell are you— Oh my God…did you hit my car?”“Yes.”I could hear the sound of him moving, and then the front door flew open. He stalked down the driveway.“I’m sorry.” I held the mirror out to him.He snatched it from my hands and stared at it like he couldn’t believe what he was holding. “You hit my car.”“I did.” This was when me not lying really sucked.He walked over to his car and ran his hand down the area where the paint was scratched, and then he inspected where the mirror used to be. I bit back a nervous laugh when he tried pressing it back against the car the same way I had.“We could try some glue, or maybe duct tape,” I offered.“Duct tape?” He practically spit the words out at me. “You want to duct tape my mirror back on my car?” https://www.instagram.com/p/BeVqYIvgoZr/

The Acceptance Series Box Set by Sarah Negovetich - Release Day!

Title: The Acceptance Series Box SetAuthor: Sarah NegovetichGenre: YA DystopianHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Blurb: For the first time ever, get all three books of the Acceptance series in one complete boxset. Includes a free, exclusive novella HALF ACCEPTED.Begin with Rite of Rejection which HEA USA Today called "A draw-you-in read...highly recommended for fans of dystopian and YA.”RITE OF REJECTION... Straight-laced, sixteen-year-old Rebecca can’t wait for her Acceptance. A fancy ball, eligible bachelors, and her debut as an official member of society. Instead, the Machine rejects Rebecca. Labeled as a future criminal, she’s shipped off to a life sentence in a lawless penal colony.A life behind barbed wire fences with the world’s most dangerous people terrifies Rebecca. She reluctantly joins a band of misfit teens in a risky escape plan, complete with an accidental fiancé she’s almost certain she can learn to love.But freedom comes with a price. To escape a doomed future and prove her innocence Rebecca must embrace the criminal within.A young adult dystopian adventure of crime, romance and survival. Perfect for fans of Hunger Games and The Divergent Series! Sarah Negovetich knows you don't know how to pronounce her name and she's okay with that.Her first love is Young Adult novels, because at seventeen the world is your oyster. Only oysters are slimy and more than a little salty; it's accurate if not exactly motivational. We should come up with a better cliché.Sarah divides her time between writing books that her husband won’t read and performing on stage at BE Theatre. Her goal in life is to never grow up.Author Links: Facebook: www.facebook.com/sarahdnegovetichTwitter: www.Twitter.com/sarahnegoInstagram: www.Instagram.com/sarahnegoWebsite: www.SarahNegovetich.comAmazon: http://amzn.to/2DhtX7fBookbub: www.bookbub.com/authors/sarah-negovetichBuy Link: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2GMBpt2

Angel of Hope is here!!!

My brand new series, Angels of London, which is actually a spin off of two of my old series, The Eden Chronicles and The Legend of the Archangel, is finally here! Book 1 anyway. But it won't be long before the final two books are released soon after.

Before you scroll down and buy your copy of Angel of Hope, book 1, Here are some dates you'll need to pop in your calendar:

- Angel of Song - book 2 - Cover reveal and pre-order - Feb 15th
- Angel of Song release - March 31st
- Angel of Darkness - book 3 - cover reveal and pre-order - April 15th
- Angel of Darkness release - May 31st

Please enjoy the blurb and then scroll down to get your copy of Angel of Hope. If you enjoy it, or not, please leave a review at your place of purchase.

Happy reading xx

***

Angel of Hope blurb:

Gabriel Daylesford thought he had escaped a fate worse than death after the battle with Lucifer and his demons.
He knew one day Samson would seek revenge for killing his father.But until then, Gabe has to navigate the halls of Michael Academy and learn what it means to be Nephilim.At least he has Eden and Asher for company.When he starts receiving frightening visions, and a warning from his human grandmother to stop using his trait, he realises he is in more danger than he thought.He has to decide who to trust if he wants to save the world from being overrun by demons once more.And with the sudden appearance of two mysterious girls added to mix,Gabriel knows this won’t be easy.He always knew he was fated for something much bigger than himself. He just doesn’t know what that is yet.
Angel of Hope is the exciting first book in an all new spin off series set in the same universe as The Legend of the Archangel series and The Eden Chronicles.




Buy links:

Amazon US: http://a.co/h4gaHwA
Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/5M3n4Ms
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B077XY96W7
Amazon CA: http://a.co/2zJ46PJ
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/yavl3m79
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/angel-of-hope-2
Nook: https://tinyurl.com/y98tqag5

Angel of Hope is here!!! Get your copy for 99 cents for a limited time!

My brand new series, Angels of London, which is actually a spin off of two of my old series, The Eden Chronicles and The Legend of the Archangel, is finally here! Book 1 anyway. But it won't be long before the final two books are released soon after.

Before you scroll down and buy your copy of Angel of Hope, book 1, Here are some dates you'll need to pop in your calendar:

- Angel of Song - book 2 - Cover reveal and pre-order - Feb 15th
- Angel of Song release - March 31st
- Angel of Darkness - book 3 - cover reveal and pre-order - April 15th
- Angel of Darkness release - May 31st

Please enjoy the blurb and then scroll down to get your copy of Angel of Hope. If you enjoy it, or not, please leave a review at your place of purchase.

Happy reading xx

***

Angel of Hope blurb:

Gabriel Daylesford thought he had escaped a fate worse than death after the battle with Lucifer and his demons.
He knew one day Samson would seek revenge for killing his father.But until then, Gabe has to navigate the halls of Michael Academy and learn what it means to be Nephilim.At least he has Eden and Asher for company.When he starts receiving frightening visions, and a warning from his human grandmother to stop using his trait, he realises he is in more danger than he thought.He has to decide who to trust if he wants to save the world from being overrun by demons once more.And with the sudden appearance of two mysterious girls added to mix,Gabriel knows this won’t be easy.He always knew he was fated for something much bigger than himself. He just doesn’t know what that is yet.
Angel of Hope is the exciting first book in an all new spin off series set in the same universe as The Legend of the Archangel series and The Eden Chronicles.




Buy links:

Amazon US: http://a.co/h4gaHwA
Amazon UK: http://amzn.eu/5M3n4Ms
Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B077XY96W7
Amazon CA: http://a.co/2zJ46PJ
iBooks: https://tinyurl.com/yavl3m79
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/au/en/ebook/angel-of-hope-2
Nook: https://tinyurl.com/y98tqag5

I Know Better by A.P. Watson - Release Day!!!

Title: I Know BetterAuthor: A.P. WatsonGenre: Adult Contemporary RomanceCover Designer: Regina Wamba of Mae I DesignEditor: Tamara Beard of Wrapped in WritingHosted by: Lady Amber’s PR Blurb:When love gave me more pain than fond memories, I did whatever it took to escape the cycle. Even if it meant selling my car so I could move from the land of cotton to the Windy City. But when I couldn’t quite figure out the best way to start over, my two best friends devised a plan to force me back into the dating world. The only problem was that men and I mixed just about as well as cheeseburgers and clogged arteries. I was burned too many times, and the scars I carried would last a lifetime.A blind date and one-night stand with a devilishly handsome bachelor was supposed to revive my confidence after past traumas, but our encounter quickly transformed into something completely different. Instead of making me another notch on his belt, he offered another arrangement—friendship. Because I believed he was way out of my league, I agreed. It should’ve been an easy task, but it seemed like the only thing I was good at was being wrong. The intense connection we shared was unlike anything I’d ever known. It was just my luck that the only man who had ever treated me with kindness and respect had zero interest in sleeping with me. As my feelings for him deepened past the confines of our friendship, I wanted to believe things between us could change and all my old wounds could heal, but most of the time . . . I Know Better. A.P. Watson is a contemporary and paranormal romance author. She is an avid reader, pole fitness enthusiast, and registered nurse currently residing in Johnson City, Tennessee with her adorable pup, Elle.   Author Links:Web:  http://www.apwatsonauthor.com/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010204632215Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/apwatsonauthor/Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16102410.A_P_WatsonBuy Link: Amazon: http://amzn.to/2Eot12k Chapter One: Young Years Wasted            After scrolling past the fifth sonogram picture on my Facebook newsfeed, I shut off my phone and threw it in my purse. There are only so many peanut-shaped fetuses you can stare at in one day and not want to double up on your birth control. As a twenty-six-year-old Southern woman, my inability to get engaged, married, or pregnant meant I was a constant disappointment to my mother. If I’d known the purpose of college was to find a husband and get married as soon as I graduated, I would’ve saved myself the $25,000 in student loans and worked my way through one of Julia Child’s cookbooks. This type of mentality was exactly the reason I was relocating from the land of cotton to Chicago. Sure, I’d be trading in my townhouse to move into an apartment with my two closest friends from college, and I’d incessantly bitch about freezing my ass off in the winter, but at least I’d have my sanity. Not to mention, such a drastic relocation meant my dating slate would be wiped clean. My two post-college relationships weren’t simply mediocre entanglements, the sexual side of things left much to be desired. If I was being completely honest, I’ve had steamier gynecologist appointments. And I don’t even want to begin thinking about the incident. That idiotic jerk-off practically ruined all men for me. I mean, as a nurse I’m used to people showing me weird things on their bodies, but checking out a large mole on someone’s back doesn’t even compare to being asked to diagnose a guy’s venereal disease. My dating spectrum seems to shoot from one extreme to the other. Either the guys I date are promiscuous idiots who can’t keep their junk in their pants, or they’re vomit-inducing assholes. Is there some cosmic law stating I can only attract complete duds?            “Are you done with your pancakes? I’d like to get to Chicago and have all your shit moved in before the football season starts,” Sean asked, tipping his chin at me in exasperation. What a little twit. Three years younger than I and a whole foot taller, he assumed he could boss me around.             “If you sass me one more time this trip, I’ll murder you.”            His eyes widened at my response. “You wouldn’t hurt me. I’m your cousin!”            “So, what? I don’t care if we’re related. Just because I’m a nurse doesn’t mean I’m overflowing with compassion.” I slid my compact out of my purse and flipped it open. Good thing I wasn’t flying to Chicago. The bags underneath my eyes were so big I’d have to check them as carry-on luggage. I dabbed a bit of powder on the dark circles and called it a day. If I wanted to mask the smattering of freckles covering my nose and cheeks, it was going to take a heck of a lot more effort. But I didn’t mind. The combination of my sassy tongue, fair skin, copper hair, and freckles meant I was a walking, talking spitfire. “Actually, it’s the first thing to go once you start working in a hospital.”            “That doesn’t inspire much confidence.”            I snickered at his response. “I’m an ICU nurse. My job is to save people’s asses, not kiss ‘em.”            “And to think, the other day I kept asking myself why isn’t Wren married yet?”            I flipped my middle finger at him. “Because I’m too fucking awesome to be tied down.”            “You know I’m kidding.” He grabbed my cup of coffee and took a quick swig. “I’m surprised Aunt Shelly is okay with you moving so far away.”            “I think she’s praying I’ll meet the love of my life or get knocked up. Still not sure which she’d prefer more though,” I replied with a shrug. I finished off the last of my bacon and took another bite of pancakes. There was magic in a stack of pancakes and fresh bacon. Something about the mixture of butter and grease always seemed to set my world straight after it goes askew.             “Seeing as how all of her friends have grandchildren and she doesn’t, I’m betting on the latter,” he noted.            “Me too,” I agreed, sighing loudly. Sean left a tip on the table and stood from our booth. While he went to pay for our meal at the register, I gathered my purse and hoodie. I’d just slung my bag over my shoulder by the time he was done and followed him out of the diner. We still had two hours left to drive, and once we got to the townhouse, we needed to unload the U-Haul. “Let’s get to Chicago, smartass.”            We climbed into his Jeep and fastened our seatbelts. “So, why exactly are you moving there?”            “I needed a fresh start, and it seemed as good a place as any.”              “Plus, Terayn and Ryan are there.”            “I know! Honestly, I don’t even care that I’ll be their third wheel. I’ve missed them.”            “I’m sure you have. The three of you were inseparable in college,” he added.             “I think this move is going to be good for me.” I had some doubts, but I brushed all that negativity aside and focused on the positive.             “I think so too, and I’ll only be a couple of hours away if you need anything.”            “Thanks,” I said, nudging Sean’s arm with my elbow. We may have been cousins, but we acted more like brother and sister. His support meant the world to me. “You know I appreciate you helping me move this weekend, right?”            “Hey, what are cousins for anyway?”             “True. So, when is graduation?” I asked.            “The first Saturday in May, I think. Are you still planning to come?”            “Yeah, of course.”            “I mean, it’s still nine months away, but I’d like for you to be there,” Sean said, shooting me a sideways glance.            “I wouldn’t miss it for the world!”            “I just can’t wait to be done with classes. Last semester nearly killed me.”            “You’ll get through, and it’ll be worth it.”            He snorted. “Yeah. Be an electrical engineer, they said. It’ll be fun, they said.”            “On the bright side, at least you don’t get splashed with other people’s urine.”            At my comment, Sean cringed. “Point taken. I’ll stop complaining.”            “You know that’s not what I meant!”            “Of course not, but your job is disgusting.”            “Don’t I know it.”            I started nursing school with the intention to help people, but after Liam fucked me over, my desire to care for people who needed compassion and understanding increased tenfold. Life could be shit sometimes, and if I could alleviate another person’s suffering, then I would. Every job had its bullshit you had to wade through, but nursing was my calling.             Ahead of us, a green sign pointed to the left, indicating the Chicago exit. We still had a ways left to drive, but a strange sense of elation filled my veins. I was rushing toward a new life and, though the prospect was daunting, I was thrilled. Things would change for the better, and I couldn’t wait. Seeing your two best friends hopelessly in love tended to put things in perspective. Sure, one day I hoped to find what they have, but for now, I simply needed to have a little fun and put myself out there. I grabbed my phone and sent Terayn a quick text to let her know I was on my way.             Me: Hey girl! Sean and I are still en route to Chicago. We’ll be there in less than 2 hours!             Her reply was so fast, I didn’t even have time to set my phone down.             Terayn: Eeek!!! I can’t wait!! Keep me updated on your ETA!            Her responding text was over the top, but that was just Ter. In the years we’ve been friends, I’d come to love her die-hard enthusiasm. The accompanying barrage of emojis she also sent was another story altogether. Me: Will do. I can’t wait to see y’all! And you know how I feel about too many emojis.             Terayn: LOL You know you love me! We’re so excited to see you! Ryan has been running through the townhouse all morning fixing things and making sure everything is perfect for you to move in.            Me: He’s so sweet when he wants to be! Tell him thank you!             Terayn: Will do!! See you soon, babe!!            I plugged my phone into the car charger and leaned my seat back. After a few minutes of squirming, I finally found a comfortable position.            From the corner of my eye, I could see Sean looking at me over his shoulder. “How long has it been since you slept?”             “Not that long!” I turned to stare out the window, watching as the row of trees hugging the interstate blurred together.            “Don’t lie to me,” he ordered.            “I slept yesterday!”            “A fifteen-minute nap doesn’t count.”            “I slept three hours yesterday after my shift ended, and then I spent the rest of the day packing.”            “Three hours? That’s all?”            “It’s better than nothing.”            “You need to sleep more. You hardly get any rest as it is.”            I shrugged my shoulders nonchalantly. After two years of working overtime shifts, I was used to functioning on zero sleep. “I’ll sleep when I’m dead.”             “Funny.” He sighed heavily, focusing his attention back on the road. “I’ll tell you what, why don’t you take a nap and I’ll wake you up when we get there?”            I considered his proposition. A nap did sound like heaven, but he’d been driving since we left Tennessee. I felt guilty at the thought of making him drive even longer. “Are you sure?” I asked.            “Yes.”“Fine. But if you need me to take over and drive, don’t hesitate to wake me up.”             “Deal.”            I closed my eyes, thinking I would fall asleep for a few minutes. However, when I awoke, I was surprised to find Sean and I were parked outside my new townhouse.            “Wren!” Terayn jumped down the steps, her jet-black hair waving behind her like a flag, and flung open the door to Sean’s jeep before I could even unbuckle my seatbelt. She practically crawled inside and pulled me into a tight hug. “I can’t believe you’re finally here!”            “Me either!”             “This is going to be just like college but more fun!” she shrieked loudly.            “You bet your ass it is!” We stumbled out of the Jeep, and she hooked her arm through mine. I glanced in either direction, trying to get a better understanding of my surroundings. Townhouses lined the sidewalk on both sides of the street. The two-story brick buildings were perfectly spaced out, allowing for small patches of grass and pear trees every so often. “Wow, this is really nice.”            “Yeah, I love it. It’s a little more spacious than living downtown.”            I stared at my new home, my heart filled with wonder. “I can only imagine.”“I got us a bottle of wine to drink while we unpack tonight. I figured it would make the tedious work more bearable.”            “God, I love the way your brain works.”            “That would make two of us,” said a masculine voice from behind me.              “Ryan!” I spun around to see him standing next to Sean. “It’s so good to see you.” He held out his arms and, like magnets, Terayn and I sprang forward to hug him.             “Likewise,” he replied, smiling broadly. His arms wrapped around Ter and me, and despite our combined weight, he managed to pick both of us up at the same time. “Reunited at last!”            “Hey!” I socked him once in the chest. “Y’all are the ones who left me to fend for myself.”            “I don’t even want to hear it! I’ve been begging you to move up here for almost two years now!” Terayn shouted dramatically.              “I know, Ter. I know.”            “Besides, it’s probably for the best that Wren is just now moving up here. I don’t think Chicago will know what hit it with the two of you living under the same roof,” Ryan added, setting Ter and me back on the ground.            “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”            Terayn mocked surprise. “Yeah, when you get the two of us together, we’re just a couple of saints.”            “Like hell you are. Don’t you remember Halloween of sophomore year? The two of you got me drunk and talked me into streaking through Greek row at midnight. Kappa Phi thought I was some pervert and started chasing me down. I almost got my ass beat by a bunch of sorority sisters and their fraternity boy toys.”             “I know how you feel, man. These two are notorious for causing trouble,” Sean replied.             I headed over to where Sean stood, my attention still focused on my two best friends. “Ryan, you’re the one who listened to us!”           Terayn slid her arm around Ryan’s waist. “Those frat boys were just jealous of you, baby. You looked way better than they did.”            Sean laughed, nudging my shoulder with his. “It’s good to see the three musketeers back together again.”             Ryan nodded his head in agreement. “I was just thinking the same thing. When will you be done with school, Sean?”            “Next May.”            My arms folded across my chest as I glanced at my cousin. “You’re only glad to see us back together again because we talked your parents into letting you come to Mexico with us when you graduated high school.”            Sean shrugged his shoulders slightly. “So, I may be a bit biased.”            “We should plan another trip for May! We went on one after you were done with high school, so it’s only fitting we do another one when you finish college.” Terayn beamed at Sean, pulling him into a quick hug.              I snagged my purse and hoodie from the passenger seat. “I guess we can’t break a tradition.”            Ryan nodded in agreement. “I’m in.”            “Awesome, I can’t wait. Why don’t you girls unpack the boxes while Ryan and I unload the rest of the U-Haul?”            Terayn and I scaled the stone steps to our townhouse. She crossed the threshold and led me to our connected living room and kitchen. “I’ll get the wine glasses!”            The interior of the townhouse was gorgeous. One wall in the living room was comprised of exposed brick, and the kitchen had a long bar you could eat at. Two windows flanked either side of the front door, allowing natural light to fill the space. I glanced around, my eyes admiring some of Ter’s paintings. She truly was a gifted artist. Stepping over to a bookcase next to the television, I noticed the tall structure was decorated with picture frames, many of which I was in. I smiled, picking up a photograph of Terayn, Ryan, and I from college. This was home.             “I’ve always loved that picture.”            “Me too,” Terayn agreed, handing me a glass filled with wine.            Several hours later and most of my stuff was unpacked. Ter and I worked like we were on crack as we crammed the closet with my exorbitant amount of clothes. Once it was full, we turned our attention to the dresser Ryan, and Sean carried inside. It rested on the empty wall by the closet. Despite the beauty of the rest of the townhouse, my room was my favorite spot in the whole townhouse. It was my own little slice of heaven.             I tucked the ends of my sheets underneath my mattress as I stared at the paint covering the walls. “Did you paint in here recently?”            “Yeah, do you like it?”            “It’s gorgeous.”            “Oh, I’m so glad you like it! I went through eight samples of paint before I found the right color of seafoam green. I thought Ryan was going to have a stroke.”            I reached for the other end of my white duvet cover. “You painted this for me?”            “Of course! We want you to feel at home!”            She helped me pull the duvet over my sheets and litter the top of my bed with pillows. “Just being around the two of you makes this feel like home.”            “I think it was time for you to leave Tennessee.”            I grabbed my glass of wine and sat on the bed. “I agree. I mean, it’ll always be home, but I was completely adrift there. I think I got too comfortable, and I knew in my heart the longer I stayed, the harder it would be to leave.”            She nodded, taking a long sip of wine. “You can have a fresh start here, and this place is practically crawling with dateable men.”            I snorted at her comment. “We both know, with my luck, the dateable man who is interested in me will probably still be living with his mother.”            “Oh, Lord! That’s so true!” She collapsed on the bed, laughing.             “Hey!”            “You always attract the losers.”            “I’d almost be offended if I wasn’t so dead inside.”             Ter and I were best friends, and at times, we were also opposites. She was a bundle of light. I, on the other hand, had moments where I descended into darkness. Having your heart, confidence, and sense of self-worth crushed tended to take it out of you. I recovered, but the scars I bore were permanent reminders of past wounds.             She pushed on the stem of my wine glass, prompting me to take another sip. “Drink more. It makes everything better.”            “You only say that because you’ve already found an amazing guy!”            “True.”            “There are so many lepers and creepers out there, you have no idea, girl,” I whined.            “After you called me during your last blind date, I can only imagine.”            I gagged. “This wine is delicious. Please don’t make me throw it up.”            “Okay, I’ll never mention him again!”            “All I’m saying is you’re extremely lucky to have Ryan.”            “I want you to say that again, but louder and into my phone, so I can record it.” Ryan stood in the doorway. I was surprised he hadn’t cut his shaggy blonde hair, especially considering he was working as an investment banker now, but I guess he would always be a surfer boy at heart.             Terayn rolled her eyes dramatically. “Don’t do it, Wren. It’ll only make his head even bigger.”            “I didn’t know that was possible!”            “Oh sure, you girls get back together and in less than a day you’re already ganging up on me.”            “You know you like it, babe,” Terayn countered.            “The pizza is here. Sean and I were going to play some video games in the living room. Do you want me to bring you ladies some pizza and plates in here?”            “That would be amazing!” I held my empty wine glass out to him. “And could you bring us refills? We need more wine stat.”            He accepted my wine glass and turned to kiss Terayn before grabbing her drink as well. “I’ll do it, but only because you are my two favorite girls in the whole city.”            We gorged ourselves on pizza and wine for hours. The guys kept to themselves. I guess they could sense Terayn and I needed some time to catch up. It’d certainly been too long since we’d seen each other, and baring my soul to her about all my recent work and dating mishaps was nothing short of cathartic.             When we got up to change into our pajamas and grab a glass of water from the kitchen, we found Sean and Ryan passed out on the couch. We laid blankets over them and headed back to my room, trying to be as quiet as possible.              I crawled into my bed and nestled under the covers.             I watched as Terayn jumped in beside me. “Oh, I’m staying in here too. I figured we could have a sleepover!”            “Thanks for letting me move up here. I know I’d be lost without you and Ryan.”            “I know what you mean. I love my friends up here, but it just isn’t the same, you know?”            “Oh yeah.” a Rafflecopter giveaway

YA Fantasy Books Australia Day Promotion - FREE and 99 cent book deals by Aussie Authors

I'm happy to be a part of my fellow Story Queens new venture!
YA Fantasy Books is Selina Fenech and K.A. Last's brainchild. They've been talking about having a book promo site FOR authors and readers that is purely YA fantasy based, and now it is live and running its first promo!

To celebrate Australia Day, you can get the following books for FREE or 99 cents.

Check it out and grab a few new books to read, and please share/ tweet.

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Hidden Seams by Alessandra Torre - Release!!!

Hidden SeamsBy Alessandra TorreGenre: Erotic RomanceStandalone, 336 pages 
Synopsis 
A billion-dollar fashion empire, and it’s about to be mine… I've worked a decade for this. I've sold my soul and my reputation. I've lived a lie, smiled for the cameras, and hated myself, all for this inheritance. And then … she pops up. A mysterious heir with a rap sheet, combat boots, and a mouth that I want to pin shut with my— It doesn’t matter. I’ve played this game for a decade. I can continue the charade a little longer, keep my hands to myself and her body out of my mind. I can keep my secret until the ink dries and everything is mine. Or not.
Goodreads  
 
Buy Hidden Seams:https://books2read.com/hiddenseams/
About Alessandra Torre 
Alessandra Torre is an award-winning New York Times bestselling author of fourteen novels. Her books focus on romance and suspense. Torre has been featured in such publications as Elle and Elle UK, as well as guest blogged for the Huffington Post and RT Book Reviews. She is also the Bedroom Blogger for Cosmopolitan.com. 
Connect with Alessandra  
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2rkHs46Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2s4U9NITwitter: http://bit.ly/2sm94G5Instagram: http://bit.ly/2s4HCtF

Outback Wonder by Juliet M Sampson - Review!!!

Imagine my surprise when the sweet Juliet Sampson offered to send me a paperback copy of her latest book, Outback Wonder. Of course i jumped at the chance to review it. I just finished it, so here are my thoughts...


Outback Wonder follows the story of seventeen year old Hannah. After her parents' separation, she struggles with the fact her father walked out on her and her mother. She blames herself badly. At the beginning she is diagnosed with depression and i really felt for her. This drew me into the book straight away, as i too have been there (not with my parents separating. They are still together. With depression.) I hoped she would pull through. I often went through the same feelings when i was Hannah's age.
Out of the blue, Hannah receives an email from her dad inviting her to spend some time with him in the Flinder's Ranges. She is reluctant to go at first, but she finally accepts.
From here, we are thrust into a great journey of not only self discovery, but descriptions of the beautiful Australian bush. Juliet paints a vivid image of Lake Eyre and the outback. I could imagine myself being there.
Hannah meets Sam, a cute young pilot. I loved reading about their budding romance, and i had hoped to read more about Sam and Hannah when he came to Adelaide. But Juliet leaves room for your imagination to go on an adventure of its own.
I really enjoyed Outback Wonder and recommend it to all lovers of Young Adult fiction.
5/5 shooting stars.

To read more about Juliet and her other young adult stories, and to join to her mailing list, make sure you check out her website: http://www.julietmsampson.com.au