R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 140
August 17, 2020
#CookingWithRachel Beef Egg Foo Yung
BEEF EGG FOO YUNG
Hi! It's me again, back with another long-time family favorite which, for some reason, we'd never actually attempted to make at home. We've only ever ordered it. After this roaring success (we all loved every bite), we won't be making that mistake again. This will probably be visiting our dining table on a much more frequent basis now. For this round, we used a boneless rib-eye that was in the freezer stash, and our choice of veggies included: 2 cups chopped baby bok choy, 1 1/2 cups bean sprouts, 1/2 c diced king mushrooms, 1 shredded carrot, 1 bunch of green onions, and a 1/4 of a red pepper. On the side we served sauteed snow peas with garlic and king mushrooms, and white rice (done in the rice cooker).
Want to see how easy this is to actually make? No kidding. In fact, it'll be an excellent dish for when you need to "clean out" that veg stash in your fridge. As long as you like eggs, this entree can easily be tweaked to cater to your flavor likes. It doesn't even have to be beef. You can go all veg, or choose another protein, like chicken, pork, or seafood. At its basic concept, egg foo yung is a vegetable and egg pancake. That's it.
First step, as always, is to gather your ingredients and prep your mise en place. Proper knife work in the beginning makes the cooking process go smooth and easy. Usually. Here we go!
Get your meat, eggs, the gravy, or sauce, ingredients*, and vegetables together. Prewash/scrub the veg and aromatics (garlic, ginger, and green onion), then dice and chop everything into smallish pieces. If you like chunky raw veg, then feel free to leave the pieces larger. Rinse and drain the bean sprouts, and set to the side. Since the rib-eye had a nice bit of marbling in it, I cleaned the fat out, trimmed it down into tiny pieces and got them rendering in the skillet while the meat was diced and put into a quick marinade of peanut and sesame oil, garlic, salt and pepper.
Step Two: Sautee the rib-eye until it is still slightly pink in the middle and remove from pan. Once cooled, run your knife through it again to get the meat down to smaller "pancake friendly" bite sizes. Pour most of the drippings off to add to your gravy, and then while the pan is still hot, go ahead and get a pre-cook going on your veg. Cabbage and carrot can take longer than egg to cook, so if you don't want raw veg in your finished dish, this step alleviates that. Leave the bean sprouts raw. Set the cooked veg aside to cool while you move on to the gravy and beating the eggs (we did 2 per person, and ended up with 7 pancakes at the end).
*Step Three is to make your gravy and set it on low while you do the rest of the work. About 1 teaspoon each Tamari soy sauce, sriracha, white pepper, one bruised lemon grass, a sliced green onion, and a clove or two of chopped garlic. Mix with 2 to 2&1/2 cups beef stock (I use bouillon to make mine; if doing a different protein, then we would have used our homemade chicken and veg stock), and bring to a simmer. Add a corn starch slurry (1-2 teaspoons cornstarch mixed with water or broth) to thicken the sauce right before serving. Note: we also mixed some of the cooked rib-eye, along with the drippings, into the gravy for extra flavor. You could also do this with other proteins. Some people like peas and carrots added to their gravy, too. Your choice.
Step Four: Assembly. Crack and beat your eggs. Fold in the cooked meat and veg, and then add the bean sprouts. Stir to mix. Scoop a half cup or so of mixture into hot skillet seasoned with sesame and peanut oil. Use a spatula to keep the egg contained and "shape" the pancake. Once done, move to a warmed oven with set up with a cookie sheet to receive the pancakes as they are cooked.
Meanwhile, you can go ahead and have your snow peas, or other sides, cooking.
That's it. All that's left is to plate up, and enjoy!
#BonAppetite!
@REHargrave
https://www.instagram.com/authorrehargrave/
BOOK BLITZ: Random Acts of Baby by Julia Kent #GIVEAWAY
Random Acts of Baby
Julia Kent
(Random #11)
Publication date: August 14th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
You know those television stories about the woman who goes to the emergency room thinking she has a bad case of indigestion or kidney stones or a burst appendix and she comes home with a bouncing baby boy?
Stupid woman, right? Who the hell doesn’t know she’s pregnant for nine and a half months? I used to think those mamas were one block short of a level trailer.
Used to.
Random Acts of Baby is the 11th book in Julia Kent’s New York Times bestselling series as Darla, Trevor, and Joe go on a long, crazy journey involving a baby, living two lives, and learning who you can count on most when you need a helping hand.
Previous books in the series:
—
Download the first 5 books in the series for FREE and get acquainted with the members of the up-and-coming music group, Random Acts of Crazy, and the women who love them. (That’s $21 in free books!)
—
EXCERPT:
Her hand clamped on my knee, moving up the inseam of my jeans so fast my cock turned into a paratrooper, leaping toward that palm.
“Take the next rest area,” she said, just as we crossed the state line for Ohio.
“What?”
“Old time’s sake.”
Deciphering her words took more effort than it should have. “You need a bathroom? We’re less than half an hour away.”
“I need to ride your one-eyed trouser snake.”
“Huh?”
“I. Want. Sex,” she said slowly, drawing out the words with an aligned tone, as if saying them this way were diplomatic.
“Now? Here? While I’m driving? I’m flexible and up for anything, but not while I’m careening down the Ohio Turnpike at 72 miles per hour. Even I have sexual limits.”
“No. At the nearest rest area.”
“Are you serious?’
“Do I ever joke about sex?”
“No.”
“Then shut up and put on your turn signal.”
Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. Since 2013, she has sold more than 2 million books, with 4 New York Times bestsellers and more than 19 appearances on the USA Today bestseller list. Her books have been translated into French and German, with more titles releasing in 2020 and beyond.From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire she met in a romantic comedy).She lives in New England with her husband and three children where she is the only person in the household with the gene required to change empty toilet paper rolls.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Newsletter / Amazon
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 16, 2020
BOOK BLITZ: The Other Side of the Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman #GIVEAWAY
The Other Side of the Looking Glass
Kathleen Harryman
Publication date: June 29th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense
She wakes up to a life she doesn’t recognize… And to a husband she can’t imagine loving.Kate find herself in a hospital with no memory of who she is or anything about her life. Everything is blank.
An attractive, well dressed and obviously wealthy man stands there claiming to be her husband. Yet, as she first looks into his cold eyes, she wonders how she could have loved and married the man.
As Kate is taken home to her luxury mansion. she realizes her ordeal is just beginning. Life with the controlling Liam, her husband, is more than she bargained for.
Then, her memory starts to come back and the truth emerges…
“A well written, thought-out, intriguing and beguiling story by the author, as told by the characters involved.” ~ Goodreads Review ~
“The Other Side of The Looking Glass by Kathleen Harryman was intense, intriguing, well paced and an absolute pleasure to read.” ~ Goodreads review
Read this romantic suspense thriller from the author of Hidden Danger and When Darkness Falls, The Other Side of the Looking Glass is a tale of subterfuge, mystery, mistaken identity and true love.
—
EXCERPT:
Chapter One
KATE
He clinical smell of detergent penetrates my senses and my eyes flutter open. I find myself staring at a white-tiled commercial ceiling, questioning if I am awake or asleep – though it does seem like a rather strange dream to have. I blink. The ceiling remains. My senses give my brain a nudge and it fires up but provides no answers. Brows wrinkling in confusion, I begin trying to determine what is going on.
One thing I am certain of, is that my body is sore and stiff. Muscles aching, I remain as I am, twisting my head to the right. The sun glares through a wide, steel window. From the sun’s height in the sky, I estimate it has been there some time.
A feeling of guilt settles over me. It appears sleeping in isn’t something I indulge in.
To my right, between the bed and window, is a small white cupboard and a plastic-coated armchair. Sunflowers sit in a vase on the bedside cupboard. I like sunflowers. Though at this moment, I fail to recall why.
An irritating beep-beep sound comes from my left, and I swing my eyes in that direction, lifting my head slightly. Wires litter my body and a pink cellular hospital blanket covers me. The beeping begins to make sense, along with the plastic-coated chair and wires. I am in a hospital.
A sigh escapes my lips as I resist the urge to panic. Instead, I acknowledge my dislike of hospitals. Then again, name a patient or visitor who likes them. There is that clinical smell that lingers long after you have left, and they are full of sick people. At present, I am reluctant to place myself in the ‘sick people’ category, even if my brain is screaming at me, telling me I wouldn’t be here if I was fit and well.
Tentatively, I sniff the air. This hospital does smell nicer than the ones I have stayed in and visited before. At present, I am unable to remember ever spending time in or visiting a hospital, though I’m sure I have done so.
My eyes widen and adrenalin is released into my bloodstream. Hands shaking, my breathing quickens. Panic grips me. Why can’t I remember anything? My eyes fly round the room, unseeing. What has happened to me?
If I am in a hospital, I am safe and cared for. Quantifying this fact allows reason to be heard. Though my heart still hammers, its beat is more regular than it was. My memories are in there, somewhere, I just need to find them. It’s probably the drugs they have given me, clouding and confusing my brain.
Closing my eyes, I demand that my brain starts its cognitive processing. My demand falls into a black hole of nothingness. Not giving up, I decide to think about the sunflowers, as they’d triggered a feeling of happiness. Unfortunately, this simple request is met with vacuity, and a hollow feeling takes up residence in the pit of my stomach. The only mental input I receive is that sunflowers are bright, cheery plants.
My eyes fly open and I face the frightening fact that my life is a blank.
Author Bio:
Kathleen Harryman is a storyteller and poet living in the historically rich city of York, North Yorkshire, England, with her husband, children and pet dog and cat.
Kathleen first published a suspense thriller in 2015, The Other Side of the Looking Glass. Since then, she has developed a unique writing style which readers have enjoyed and is now a multi-published author of suspense, psychological thrillers, poetry and historical romance.
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 15, 2020
BOOK BLITZ: Cursed by Magen McMinimy #GIVEAWAY
Cursed
Magen McMinimy
(The Immortal Heart Academy, #1)
Publication date: August 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
The heirs born of a daughter’s treachery will see their true loves demise.
Kyra has always known where her future was headed… A love that will lead to her death, but one she will gladly embrace and relish, as long as the Fates see fit to allow. As the omniscient daughter of an elite class of warrior, Kyra is ready to welcome all that her lineage has afforded her. Including the love of her best friend.
Makiah has watched every step he’s ever made, with the eyes of the Underworld posing a constant threat, and the weight of a family curse given life nearly a millennium ago breathing down his neck, he can’t afford to make mistakes.
Now that the Immortal Heart Academy has reopened and the next generation of guards and warriors are being recruited, Kyra, Makiah and their friends are busy working through the rigorous training, while struggling to find their place among their peers. As spring finds its way to the Middle World, Makiah’s determination begins to falter, after he pushes the one woman he’s always loved further away, and the reality of a lonely existence begins to weigh on him.
With the help of their friends, Kyra and Makiah will fight against the Underworld, the curse, each other and the outside forces that would threaten to break them all apart.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo
—
EXCERPT:
“You okay?” he asked, as they found some empty space to spar.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she snapped, throwing the first blow for him to dodge.
Makiah side-stepped and twirled around Kyra to attempt a leg sweep. She leapt over his long limb and came down with purpose, aiming for his knee. Makiah saw the pain, as her beautiful violet speckled gaze narrowed.
Pulling back, he managed to dodge the worst of the blows. Kyra’s fists flew rapidly, coming after Makiah without any rhythm or strategy, each swing was fueled by anguish. Makiah watched, as he was pushed back further and further away from the others. The lake was drawing nearer, as she continued advancing on him. Knowing he’d soon be going for a swim, he searched for a break in Kyra’s swings. Finding his opening, with little effort he wrapped his fingers around her wrists, pinning one arm against her chest, he swept behind her, restraining her other arm against her side. His thick forearm wrapping around her midsection. The valley of her lower back hit just below his waist. His lids slid shut at the contact, as she flinched, her muscles tightened beneath his hold. He felt their connection immediately, everywhere their bodies touched; small jolts sent shocks of need through his veins. Shaking his head, he drew in a heavy breath, taking her scent deep into his lungs, as he did. He knew what she was feeling, could taste the heat, the pain, and anger. He felt it too and it broke him knowing he was hurting her.
“Stop, Ky,” he ordered through the thick blonde locks that had escaped her ponytail.
He felt her tense once more, before her body gave up the fight. Her muscles relaxed under his hold. Drawing closer, with his lips just a whisper away from her ear, he spoke gentler this time.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to hurt you, Kyra… it’s the absolute last thing I would ever want to do.”
Kyra held her pain back, kept the tears that always threatened when she let herself feel what it would be like to lose Makiah. Let her heart feel the pain of never being loved by him.
“Don’t,” she answered quietly, her head falling forward. “I don’t see it anymore,” her voice broke with the admission.
Turning her in his arms he asked, “See what?”
She shook her head, before looking up at him, their eyes locking, as she spoke the words that would shatter her. “Us… turns out you really won’t choose me.”
His jaw ticked, as he clenched his teeth. “I can’t,” he muttered.
Author Bio:
Magen was born in Northern California, but now resides in the beautiful city of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho with her husband, and miracle baby, Austin. She started writing as a hobby, and is thankful every day she is able to remain home and raise her son while crafting worlds for her readers to get lost in.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Amazon
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
BOOK BLIT: A Haunted Love by Dakota Star #GIVEAWAY
A Haunted Love
Dakota Star
Publication date: August 14th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Ash detests Halloween. Three years ago, her husband’s death during the same week left her scarred. Now, all she desires is a simple, ordered life in the small town of Humble, Connecticut and time with the cutest boy ever – her nephew. That becomes impossible when her sister brings a handsome soldier, Cole, to her door. From the moment they meet, Ash has a hard time ignoring his good looks and those intense gray eyes that have seen enough war and heartbreak to fill a lifetime. What starts as a mutual attraction and a romp in bed leads Ash to face her demons. War has left Cole with more than just physical scars as well. But does serendipity, a ghost, or something sinister have other plans for them? When someone starts stalking Ash, Halloween turns to horror. Does Cole have what it takes to incinerate Ash’s doubts and keep her safe?
—
EXCERPT:
“Do you mind if I stay and finish my coffee out here?” Cole asked.
Was this another significant decision in her life?
She could go on the way she had been for the past three years and ask for her privacy or admit to herself she was curious about and attracted to Cole. If she let him stay, it meant that she wanted to explore what might be between them.
Was she ready to move on and think about a date? If she allowed him to stay, this had the makings of more than an accidental meeting.
She decided she was overthinking. “Sure. Rambo appreciates your company.”
“And you?”
“I can tolerate it.”
He grinned at her snark. “How was the rest of your day after we met at the beach?”
“Rather boring. I did some grocery shopping and took Rambo to the dog park. You?”
“I went to the gym and explored a little bit. There are some excellent parks and hiking trails not too far away. Do you hike?”
Memories flashed before her eyes before she answered. “I used to hike often when my husband was alive. Rambo was just a puppy and even crazier than he is now. Not so much lately.”
“Do you think you’d want to? I love to hike and learn more about the area but could use a guide.”
“Maybe.” She didn’t want to make a commitment she couldn’t keep.
“This is the perfect time of year with the foliage and the cooler temps,” he pressed. “You should take at least one trek in the woods.”
Author Bio:
Dakota Star lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. Both her daughters have finished college and moved away so her dogs, cats, and retired horse now keep her busy. When not outside hiking or horseback riding, she loves to read and travel.
She has worked as an editor, a freelance writer for local newspapers, and an educator at local environmental non-profits like aquariums and The National Audubon Society.
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 14, 2020
BOOK BLITZ: GoodKnight by Giulia Lagomarsino #GIVEAWAY
GoodKnight
Giulia Lagomarsino
(Reed Security, #26)
Publication date: August 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
I f*@ked up when I killed that senator. I thought I was uncovering some dirty secrets.But the things I uncovered could kill millions.Lives are at stake, but none of that matters to me.Not when they’ve taken my wife.They held a gun to her head.Now they’ll all die.I won’t stop until I take them all out. Until she’s back in my arms.Then I have to walk away. My family isn’t safe as long as I’m in their lives.Sometimes to protect the ones you love, you have to walk away.
—
EXCERPT:
I glanced down at the blood on the floor one last time and ran through what Carrie had just said. It could have ended so much differently. If Carrie had never opened that door, Kate might still be alive. She might have had a chance to get out the back door and run. But instead, Carrie led them right to her.
I turned to go, but a flash of gold on the floor caught my eye. Under her desk was the gold locket that I had gotten her after Raven was born. Inside was a picture of each of our kids. I slowly bent over and snatched it off the floor. The clasp was broken, probably during her struggles to get away. I closed my fist around it, the chains dangling between my fingers. I held my fist to my mouth, kissing the locket. I would not let her down again. I would get her back and keep her safe.
I stared down at the blood on the floor one last time, wondering how much of that was hers. I was usually so in command, so ready to push forward through anything, but that had been too close. My life had almost been ripped away.
“Hey,” Pappy said, snapping me out of the haze I was in. “Kate is gone. Let’s go get her back. Don’t just stare at the fucking floor.”
That snapped me out of it. I nodded and stormed past him, ready to get back to work and bring the woman I loved back to me. Racing out to my motorcycle, I threw on my helmet and immediately dialed Reed Security as I drove back to the property.
“Sebastian Reed.”
“Cap, I need Becky to get footage of the clinic. It’s been broken into. One man dead, and Kate’s missing.”
“On it.”
Author Bio:
I'm a stay at home mom that loves to read. Some of my favorite titles are Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Horatio Hornblower. I started writing when I was trying to come up with suggestions on ways I could help bring in some extra money. I came up with the idea that I could donate plasma because you could earn an extra $500/month. My husband responded with, "No. Find something else. Write a blog. Write a book." I didn't think I had anything to share on blog that a thousand other mothers hadn't already thought of. I decided to take his challenge seriously and sat down to write my first book, Jack. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing. From there, the stories continued to flow and I haven't been able to stop. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Between reading, writing, and taking care of three small kids, my days are quite full.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Bookbub
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 13, 2020
B@@K REVEAL: A Sweet, Soft Glow by Joshua Magnotta
A Sweet, Soft Glow
Joshua Magnotta
Publication date: December 15th 2020
Genres: Adult, Thriller
In the ten years since John Malley lost his wife and daughter, he has slowly faded into obscurity in a rural Pennsylvania town. He spends his days at the local bar and tries to numb the pain of his loss. That is, until Ted’s Dead Rose Tavern becomes the home of the biggest mass killing in the history of the town. John, the lone survivor of the killing-spree, is forced on the run. He heads north where he hopes to hide out at his brother’s house.
Meanwhile, in New York City, young Melanie Parker investigates a disturbing new trend she discovered online. From what she has learned, metallic black bands worn along the forearm are responsible for some form of mind control. Skeptical of this theory, Melanie embarks on a night time excursion that places her in the middle of a riot in the middle of the city. Melanie fights for her life as chaos spreads throughout the city.
As John witnesses the events in New York, he is compelled to take action. But once in the city, John is forced to confront his past.
Author Bio:
Josh Magnotta has been a resident of northern Pennsylvania for most of his life. Throughout his early life and teenager years he was an avid writer but during college drifted away from the passion as work and other priorities took precedence. In 2014 he graduated from college and soon began working swing shift in a factory. It was here, during off shifts where Josh would read during the night to stay awake, that his passion for writing was rekindled. After leaving the factory-life behind Josh went back to college and began work on his first novel, A Sweet, Soft Glow. He has since been writing ever since.
BOOK BLITZ: Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors by Annette Maire, Rob Jacobsen #GIVEAWAY
Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors
Annette Marie, Rob Jacobsen
(The Guild Codex: Warped, #1)
Published by: Dark Owl Fantasy Inc.
Publication date: August 7th 2020
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
My name is Kit Morris, and welcome to my warped life.
Picture the scene: Me, an average guy with psychic powers—not that my abilities are in any way average—just trying to scrape by in a harsh world. So maybe I’ve conned a few people, but did I really deserve to be thrown in MPD jail alongside magic-wielding serial killers?
According to Agent Lienna Shen, one-hundred-percent yes.
But her hardass attitude and “Arcana prodigy” status aren’t enough to bring down my former best friend, who slipped through the MPD’s fingers and is days away from unleashing untold horrors upon the city. Or he’s going to steal something. I don’t really know.
Whatever he’s up to, that’s why I’m sitting in an interrogation room with Lienna. And that’s why I just offered myself as her temporary new partner for the purposes of thwarting my ex-accomplice.
And that’s how I’m going to escape. I might even help with the case before I cut and run.
—Warping Minds & Other Misdemeanors is the first book in a new series set in the world of The Guild Codex. It can be read on its own or as part of a larger adventure. More series in the Guild Codex world:The Guild Codex: SpellboundThe Guild Codex: Demonized
—
EXCERPT:
The phone beeped again. Captain Blythe sighed, reached under the table, and lifted a cell phone into view. The screen lit up as she checked her messages. Her mouth tightened, which I took to mean doom and disaster were impending and we should take shelter immediately.
Standing, she clipped the phone back to her belt and turned to Lienna. “I need to take care of something. Keep him talking, Agent Shen.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
With a sharp nod, Blythe strode out of the room and graciously slammed the door behind her.
“A little intense, isn’t she?” I observed.
Lienna took the vacated seat. “She’s a precinct captain in one of the biggest cities in the country.”
Hmm. Despite her neutral tone, her voice had a soft, caressing quality that I found surprisingly pleasant. It was a shame she wasn’t playing good cop.
“Every day, Captain Blythe deals with rampant magic, illicit guilds, arrogant guild masters who think they’re above the law, and violent criminals who use their abilities to hurt, cheat, or kill people.”
She didn’t add, “Violent criminals just like you.” Her restraint impressed me.
“And,” she continued, “all while keeping the existence of magic, guilds, and the MPD hidden from the public. A crucial mandate your guild flouted.” She cleared her throat. “But you were just an intern, weren’t you, Kit? You were doing what you were told. You don’t need to protect them.”
I grinned. “That works better without the throat-clear first. Really obvious tell that you’re about to bullshit me, I’ve gotta say.”
She stiffened in her seat.
“Oh, and try to relax more. The fake sympathy will be more convincing.”
Her glower returned full force, obliterating the remnants of her kind expression. It’d been a decent attempt at building a rapport with me. She wasn’t experienced at the technique, which seemed like an oversight in her training, but I suspected Lienna’s real role in the agency involved far more skill than mere interrogation.
According to the rumors floating through the holding cells—of which I believed maybe five percent— Agent Lienna Shen was an abjuration sorcerer, and abjuration was … anti-magic sorcery?
That concluded my knowledge on the topic. But I did know the handcuffs around my wrists were an artifact created by a sorcerer for a specific magical purpose: in this case, nullifying the magic of whoever had the unfortunate pleasure of wearing them.
When she didn’t respond to my helpful critique, I attempted a charming smile. “You’re pretty young for an agent.”
Lienna’s scowl deepened, even though it was a reasonable observation; she looked my age, which seemed like a stretch for full agenthood.
“Do you know why you’re here?” she asked coldly. “In this room?”
“Because Blythe has a thing for younger guys who can quote the entire courtroom speech from A Few
Good Men?”
“Because,” she said in that clipped tone people use when they’re silently praying for patience—or imagining what it’d feel like to strangle me, “we’re currently investigating three cases of extortion totaling two million dollars, five cases of embezzlement over five hundred thousand dollars each, and eight reports of blackmail. Your guild was behind them all, and unless you want those charges added to your already extensive list of crimes, you should strongly consider shedding some light on the inner workings of KCQ.”
Despite myself, my mood sobered. This wasn’t my first interrogation, but it was my first time in the custody of the international organization responsible for dispatching magic-wielding criminals. I had no idea what to expect as far as charges and sentencing.
“Let’s go back to the beginning,” she suggested. “Your name.” “Kit Morris.”
“How old are you?”
“Twenty-two.”
“What’s your magic class?”
“Psychica.” Which she already knew. KCQ had been a guild populated entirely by voodoo-brain psychics with wildly varying abilities—all the wilder once I’d joined the team.
Author Bios:
Annette Marie is the author of Amazon best-selling YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter. Her first love is fantasy, but fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it's not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / InstagramRob is a Canadian writer, actor, and director, who has been in a few TV shows you might watch, had a few films in festivals you might have attended, and authored some stories you might have come across. He's hoping to accomplish plenty more by the time he inevitably dies surrounded by cats while watching reruns of Mr. Robot.
Currently, he is the Creative Director of Cave Puppet Films, as well as the co-author of the upcoming Guild Codex: Warped book series with Annette Marie.
Author links:
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
BOOK BLITZ: You Can't Buy Love by Melanie Smith #GIVEAWAY
You Can’t Buy Love: A Life Lessons Novel
Melanie A. Smith
Publication date: August 11th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
From award-winning and international best-selling author Melanie A. Smith comes the third book in a new series of steamy contemporary medical romance standalone novels about life lessons that break all the rules.
Money can’t buy happiness, but neither can pride …
Julianna Magnusson is tired of working her tail off at her thankless job as a nurse practitioner for the cardiac unit at Rutherford Hospital. Tired of having little to no time for her own life. But most of all, she’s tired of pretending that she’s happy about it all. So when her boss insists she attend the annual hospital charity gala, spending a ton of money on a dress to impress a bunch of stuck-up snobs doesn’t exactly sound like her idea of a good time.
Still, ever the dutiful employee, she makes an appearance. Only to meet a handsome stranger named Noah who stops her from drunkenly confronting the man who owns the hospital about all the issues at work. Then Noah does so much more, giving her a night of passion that she’ll never forget. Still, Jules has no intentions of taking it further. As timely as meeting him was, Noah is many things she’d never want in a man: Clearly elitist, arrogant, and bossy, he’s nothing more than a one-night stand.
Which was a great plan until he turns up at her hospital with a mind to shake things up in a way that could affect her career and her decision to write him off, igniting an epic battle between them as the chemistry that sparked the initial attraction transforms into a battle of wills. Their clash could jeopardize everything Jules has worked for — or, if she can look past her own pride, it might lead to everything she needs. In the fight between what we think we want and what life has in store for us, what wins?
—
EXCERPT:
I look up, and my head swims a little at the motion from the effects of the alcohol. That’s what I get for being a hundred and twenty pounds and downing it so fast on an empty stomach.
But if I thought that was dizzying, it’s nothing compared to the man fixing me with the most gorgeous smile I’ve ever seen. On an equally gorgeous face framed by well-styled medium brown hair, with deep-set light brown eyes that remind me of golden honey. His full lips are parted ever so slightly as his eyes slide down my body, sending shivers up my spine.
“Thanks,” I manage as my eyes travel over his well-tailored classic black tux. Even in heels, he’s just a bit taller than me, with broad shoulders and a strong build. My tummy flip-flops. I tell myself it’s the alcohol. Or I try to tell myself that. But being a little tipsy … well, I don’t want to listen.
He extends a hand. “I’m Noah,” he offers.
“Julianna,” I reply, slipping my hand in his. Instead of shaking it, he raises it to his lips, placing a kiss on the back. And I swear, I’ve never understood what the word “swoon” really meant in a romantic sense until this moment.
“That’s a beautiful name,” he replies.
I don’t even care how cheesy his line is, every deep, spine-tingling word out of his mouth fans the flames of my attraction to him.
“You can call me Jules,” I counter.
He cocks an eyebrow and gives me a devilish smile as he lets go of my hand. “Duly noted. Sorry, I don’t have a nickname. It’s just Noah.” His grin widens.
“It’s a good name,” I reply with a shy smile. God, I’m such an idiot.
Author Bio:
Melanie A. Smith is the best-selling author of The Safeguarded Heart Series and other contemporary romance fiction. Originally from upstate New York, she spent most of her childhood in the San Francisco Bay Area before moving to Los Angeles for college. After that, she spent almost fifteen years in the Seattle Area, and now lives in the Dallas-Fort Worth area of Texas with her family.
A voracious reader and lifelong writer, Melanie’s writing began at a young age with short stories and poetry. Having completed a bachelor of science in electrical engineering at the University of California, Los Angeles, and a master’s in business administration at the University of Washington, her writing abilities were mainly utilized for technical documents as a lead engineer for the Boeing Company, where she worked for ten years.
After shifting careers to domestic engineering and property management in 2015, she eventually found a balance where she was able to return to writing fiction.
Melanie is also a Mensan and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and driving with the windows down and the stereo cranked up loud.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
August 12, 2020
BOOK BLITZ: When Love Finds You by Lynn Wolff #GIVEAWAY
When Love Finds You
Lynn Wolff
Publication date: August 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
After pasts riddled with pain, can Hadlee and Bryce let themselves love again?
Hadlee
He was the perfect vacation fling.
I needed to get laid and live a little. One night with him would revive my shattered heart and arouse my senses. I could cast aside all my inhibitions and let my lust guide me.
And the best part, I would never have to see him again…or so I thought.
Bryce
She was my last taste at freedom.
I used her, just like all the others that came before her. The women I chose to be with had only one purpose…to fulfill my needs, and then I was done.
But she was different. She put me off balance and got under my skin.
But what did it matter…it’s not like one night was going to change my future.
—
Get it today for only 99¢!
—
CHAPTER ONE:
Hadlee
It’s the very early hours of the morning, a few rays of sunshine are peeking in through the curtains at the sliding glass door, and I’m just waking up. There’s a gentle rocking to the ship, and I no longer hear the roar of the engines, so we must have arrived at our next port. Rolling onto my side, I immediately feel a throbbing in my head so intense, I moan in pain. I squeeze my closed eyes even tighter, willing the throbbing to ease as I take a few slow, deep breaths. Within moments, the pain eases, allowing me to snuggle in the covers and drift back to sleep.
As the ship sways, more and more sunlight pours through the curtains. I dread getting up, but coffee and a hot shower always help my headaches. The bed’s so warm and cozy, I can’t muster enough energy to move, let alone open my eyes. I drift in and out of sleep for a bit longer until I get the oddest sensation, I’m not alone in my bed. This sort of thing happens to me more often than I care to admit, but this time, the feeling is slightly different but not enough to alarm me. Thinking my mind is once again playing its usual tricks, I grab the cover tighter to my body and ease back into my pillow.
The mattress moves, and a muscular arm wraps protectively across my waist, pulling me flush against his body. I’m not fully awake yet, so it takes me a few seconds to realize I’m not dreaming. When I feel a gentle breath on my neck and hear a small moan, my eyes fly open. Holding my breath, I look around, realizing I’m in Bryce’s cabin. My heart sinks and guilt cascades over me. I need to get out of here… now!
I can’t think and can barely breathe, listening so intently to the man behind me, trying to figure out my next move in full out panic mode. I’m trying so hard not to move or hyperventilate. I need to calm down, clear my head, and devise a plan to get out of here… and fast. How the hell did I get myself into this mess? Ah, yes, my sister. I can’t believe she talked me into this! She made it sound so simple, but I have no clue what I should do. I’m dumbfounded and frozen with fear.
Why didn’t I pay closer attention to my girlfriends’ stories? They’ve all been in my shoes, and each one has relayed a wonderful tale of how they gracefully and skillfully escaped unnoticed from a lover’s bed. Why can’t I remember anything they did? Damn! All I know is what common sense is telling me to do. I need to get untangled, get myself out of this bed, get dressed, and slip out the door. I have to be quick and quiet. I can’t run the risk of him waking and seeing me. What would I say then? ‘Uh, good morning, that was fun, thank you, and goodbye, then run out the door?
I’m a coward, I know, but I suck at confrontations, and I will do whatever it takes to find the easiest way out of an uncomfortable situation. Slipping out the door unnoticed would be the easiest thing for me to do right now, so why can’t I move? Why do I feel so protected and content, lying here in his arms? Why does this feel… right?
I slowly lift Bryce’s arm and rest it behind my back. He doesn’t move or say anything, which gives me the confidence I need to continue. Inch by inch, I slowly shift my body to the edge of the bed, using swift, fluid movements, so I don’t shake him too much. Once I’m perched on the edge, I hold my breath and listen. I pray he hasn’t noticed my absence, but I’m way too scared to look over my shoulder. When I hear nothing but slow, steady breathing, I assume Bryce is still asleep. It’s now or never. Holding my breath again, I carefully remove the sheet from my body, slowly swing my feet over the bed, and stand. I frantically look around the room, searching for my clothes, but I can’t seem to focus.
I’m buck ass naked and covered in goose bumps, my heart is racing, and I’m shaking. It would be all too easy to crawl back in bed, but I shake my head at that crazy thought. I need to stick to the mission—get out and get out fast! I quickly scan the floor at my feet. Shit, where are my clothes? I feel like I’m on a scavenger hunt as I scurry around the cabin, looking for anything to put on. I spot my shirt and pants by the couch and quickly dress. Scanning the cabin again, I find my panties and bra near the bathroom door and my shoes on top of the dresser. I gather them quickly and tuck them all under my left arm as I make a beeline for the door. As soon as my hand hits the knob, my body freezes. My heart’s screaming at me to look back. I can’t leave Bryce forever without taking one last look at him.
Damn, my memory was right. My mouth literally drops open. Bryce is absolutely gorgeous. The covers leave little to the imagination. I obviously did a horrible job slipping out of the bed, and when he rolled to his back, the sheet went missing. My eyes glued to his chiseled six-pack and strong, muscular chest, I stand there gawking, as last night’s memories flood my brain. Damn, he was way more than I bargained for. He was an incredible lover, and he outdid any fantasy I ever had. If circumstances were different, I would stay. If I was a stronger person, I would stay. But my past has ruined me. My heart is still shattered, and Bryce was just a one-night stand. I used him to revive my broken heart and arouse my senses. It’s been far too long since I had a connection with a man, but there is no way I’m ready for more than what Bryce and I had last night. He was just a quest, nothing more. Turning back to the door, I quietly slip out.
Author Bio:
Lynn Wolff is a contemporary romance author and poet. She's a wife, a mother, an animal lover, and a huge romance junkie. She likes her heroines smart and strong, her heroes with charisma and style, and she has never read a romance hero she didn't like.She lives in the northeastern region of the United States with her family but is ready to ditch the cold winters and move to warm, sunny Florida. She would much rather be shoveling sand than snow. When she isn't plotting or furiously tapping away on her keyboard, she is deep into the art of poetry, creating mini stories through rhythm and rhyme.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest
GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway
