R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 179

BOOK BLITZ: The Rule by Maggie Cole #GIVEAWAY

The Rule
Maggie Cole
Publication date: November 3rd 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’s got one rule: no dating clients. Too bad he doesn’t follow the rules.When Liv White meets billionaire Tom Marko, she’s about to take over his companies—but he wants her over him…and under him. (And everything in between.) It doesn’t hurt that Tom’s handsome, a basketball star with a body to match, and just the right kind of fierce.What’s a whip-smart businesswoman to do?Tom gives Liv an ultimatum: the deal’s off unless they use his Colorado mountain home for their next meeting. Despite her rule, Liv agrees. The truth is, she doesn’t know if she can resist Tom’s presence—or the feel of his hands on her.Just as the hunger between them becomes impossible to ignore, Tom’s past comes crashing back. The two are thrust into danger, and Tom and Liv must fight to keep their lives—and each other.THE RULE is the first installment of the All In series. At 95,000 words, this sizzling novel features a love-at-first sight romance and a guaranteed HEA.

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:Olivia White was fifteen minutes early. It was a trait that got my attention and one that gave me fifteen extra minutes of blue balls.She walked in and glanced around the conference room before she gazed up toward where I stood. Her blue eyes pierced directly at me, and I took a step back. I didn’t want her to know I was there and forgot for a moment that she couldn’t see me through the blackout glass.“I need a few minutes to get set up. Will that be all right?” she asked one of my assistants.Her sweet voice alone made the hairs on my neck stand up.“Sure. The adapter is right in the table. Do you need anything else?”She smiled kindly at him. “I think I’m good. Thanks, Paul.”Paul left the room, and she turned back toward me.Olivia licked, then slowly bit her perfectly pink, lower lip, and surveyed the room.My dick pulsed as I wondered what it would be like to feel those plump lips on my own? What would her tongue taste like? Her mouth was a mouth meant to kiss for hours. No doubt, after you got done kissing her, you still wouldn’t want to stop.I took another step, so I was as close to the glass as possible.She walked to the front of the room and glanced up toward the blackout glass again. Did she sense I was here?Her perfect, pert breasts rose and fell as she took a deep breath, walked back to the table, grabbed her bag, and pulled out her laptop. She plugged it into the adapter, so her presentation would pop up on the big screen.Instead of sitting down, she leaned over and typed quickly on the keyboard. Her body hovered over the table, as her dress inched up the back of her thighs.My mouth went dry. Her thighs were flawless. They looked silky smooth and volts shot up my spine. I could almost feel them squeezing my neck.When her presentation popped up on the screen, she stood up straight and began to flatten her dress against her body. A flawless french manicure graced what resembled soft hands, and they glided over her stomach. She ran them over the curve of her waist. Then, almost as if just to tease me, she pushed them behind her and ran them over her butt and thighs.My cock stood at full attention and visions of what she would look like naked flooded my mind. What would her hands feel like on my skin? Would she grip my hair in desperation to fly?I eyed all of her. Her body was perfect. It would flawlessly fit against mine.She sat and swiveled toward me, then crossed her legs. Her forearm pressed on the table, as she leaned comfortably back into the chair, and drummed her fingers on the table. Not nervously—more out of boredom.I gazed down at her, as my pulse increased. My eyes went to her legs, bare between her short heels and the fitted dress that clung to her curves, and I felt my body become stiffer. As she continued to tap on the table, I thought about how those fingers would feel digging into my back.She reached up and tucked a rogue strand back into her bun. I wanted to release that messy bun, run my fingers through the cascade of her hair, and tug it so I could feast on her long, luscious neck that was made for lips to brush against. What would she sound and feel like vibrating against my mouth?My staff walked into the room and snapped me out of my thoughts. She stood up, turned her long and lean frame toward them, shook their hands, and exchanged hellos before she quickly took charge.I stood mesmerized, as close to the glass as possible and listened to her present while hanging on her every word.Olivia White didn’t just ooze sexy. No, she screamed intelligence and confidence as she presented out-of-the-box yet practical ideas and asked questions along the way. It dawned on me that she was bold but not cocky. There was no doubt that she knew her craft well, but I sensed that she had no idea how beautiful, smart, or sexy she really was.That turned me on further.I had seen her online, read about her in the papers, and watched her clean up her clients’ messes in press conferences. Her self-assurance told me that she was always in control. I wondered how it would feel to have her under me, shaking and losing all inhibition, whimpering and calling my name from those succulent lips, and begging me to send her to a new high.My blood had raced through my veins from far away. Being this close to her, unleashed an entirely new level of desire.And I cursed myself. I needed to stop these thoughts. My company required Olivia White’s expertise, and there was no way I would risk putting her in danger. She deserved more than someone with my screwed-up past. I couldn’t and wouldn’t allow myself to indulge in pursuing her.No, I needed to stay away. Anything with her wouldn’t be superficial, and there was no way I could give myself the gratification. She was exceptional, a rare treasure, and I refused to expose her to my shameful past.

Author Bio:
Maggie Cole is the pen name of a multi-faceted woman. She's an entrepreneur at heart and loves writing contemporary steamy romance novels. Her books will make you feel lots of different emotions. Sometimes you'll laugh, sometimes you'll cry, sometimes you'll have little flutters racing through your veins...and that's Maggie's biggest wish for you when you read her novels. She's a wife, mother, and lives in the sunshine, where she can often be found staring off into space while creating new scenes in her mind.Website / Goodreads

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B@@K REVEAL: Bursts of Fire by Susan Forest

Bursts of Fire
Susan Forest
(Addicted to Heaven #1)
Publication date: August 6th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

Publishers Lunch Buzz Books 2019 selection. Recommended by Publishers Weekly, Booklist (American Library Association), and Library Journal.Bursts of Fire begins an epic political fantasy of revenge, addictions, and redemption for three magiel sisters in an empire where magic has become suspect and where love and loyalty—for one’s lover, one’s family, one’s country—are tested. If Heaven desires the very earth be burned, what place can those below hope for, when the flames come for them?The Falkyn sisters bear a burden and a legacy. Their mother, the imperial magiel of the kingdom of Orumon, protects her people from the horrors of the afterlife by calling upon the Gods with a precious Prayer Stone. But war among the kingdoms has brought fire and destruction to their sheltered world. When a mad king’s desire to destroy the Prayer Stones shatters their family, the three girls are scattered to the wilderness, relying on their wits and powers they don’t yet master.Assassin. Battle tactician. Magic wielder. Driven by different ambitions, Meg, Janat, and Rennika are destined to become all these and more. To reclaim their birth right, they must overcome doubtful loyalties within a rising rebellion; more, they must challenge a dogma-driven chancellor’s influence on the prince raised to inherit his father’s war: a prince struggling to unravel the mystery of his brother’s addiction to Heaven.To Survive. To Fight. To Restore Balance.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—BOOK TRAILER:

Author Bio:
Susan Forest grew up in a family of mountaineers and skiers, and she loves adventure. She also loves the big ideas found in SF/F, and finds fast-paced adventure stories a great place to explore how individuals grapple with complex moral decisions. Susan is also an award-winning fiction editor, has published over 25 short stories, and has appeared at many international writing conventions. She loves travel and has been known to dictate novels from the back of her husband's motorcycle. Follow Susan at http://addictedtoheaven.com/ and http://speculative-fiction.ca/Goodreads / Instagram / Twitter

B@@K REVEAL: Building Bridges by Lia Fairchild

Building Bridges
Lia Fairchild
(Bridges Brothers, #1)
Publication date: January 16th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Former soldier Logan Bridges never imagined he would go from serving his country to helping raise a house full of children after a devastating family loss.Dealing with his rowdy siblings and cousins proves to be almost as treacherous as the battlefields he left behind. And though he’s committed to making it work, he soon finds he’s in over his head.Until someone from Logan’s past, steps in to help.Mollie has always been independent, but finds herself growing attached to the family, and Logan, discovering there’s more to life than working and solitude.Logan and Mollie quickly form a strong bond, and when attraction brings them closer, they agree getting involved wouldn’t be good for the children. But when they both struggle to keep the blurry line of friendship between them, Mollie won’t take that step unless Logan can open up and face his painful past.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Author Bio:
Bestselling author Lia Fairchild writes romance and women's fiction. Fans of her books praise her endearing, real characters who overcome their flaws to become their own heroes. Fairchild is addicted to the warmth of Southern California and holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and a multiple-subject teaching credential. She is a wife and mother of two teenagers.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

BOOK BLITZ: Mambo by Melanie Munton #GIVEAWAY

Mambo
Melanie Munton
(Sultry Nights #5)
Publication date: November 19th 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Mambo (n): a spicy, sensual dance with a high energy level, sometimes described as raunchy; characterized by a free and spontaneous styleSophie Fuentes didn’t get her family out of Miami. Now, el diablo has the most precious thing in the world to her. She has to put all of her trust in DEA agent Max Romano–trust that has been severely tested–in order to keep those she loves alive. But it’s not easy when the bullets start flying and cars start exploding.Max has already risked his life to protect Sophie, and he’ll risk it over and over again until she’s safe. This all started because he couldn’t keep his hands off her, and it will end because he’s too obsessed to ever let her go. Her enemies are now his enemies. And taking them down is nothing short of a life or death scenario.
But those enemies also have no idea what lengths he’ll go to in order to protect the woman he can’t live without.Whether he actually lives through it or not.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—EXCERPT:Max
“Strip.”The order comes out in a no-nonsense tone. I’m not playing around anymore. I want to see every inch of her naked body moving for me.“Take off your clothes while you dance for me. Show me what I’m about to enjoy. Show me what’s mine, baby.”She smiles coyly and kicks off her sandals first.I scoff. “Smartass.”She laughs as she reaches for her top. The cream-colored blouse could almost be considered demure compared to some of the dresses I’ve seen her in. But the skintight dark jeans she’s wearing are anything but demure. They hug her sweetheart of an ass so tight I can see the dimples of her rounded cheeks. And there’s a rip in the denim so high up on her thigh it’s almost indecent.The top lands on the floor.Her bra is the same color, cream with lace detailing. It looks like something a bride would wear on her wedding night. Don’t think about that. You’ll start getting all kinds of ideas. She certainly doesn’t need a wire bra or any kind of support because her natural tits defy gravity.I need my hands on those. Then my mouth.The jeans come off next. Goddamn, the panties match. They’re satin and mesh, all wrapped up in a creamy little package that I want to take between my teeth and rip the fuck off. Especially since they’re covering up an even better package underneath. The contrast of that light cream material against her caramel skin has me practically drooling. She’s like some type of white chocolate/caramel dessert. Like…tiramisu? No, it’s not quite creamy enough. And cheesecake is almost too bland for Sophie’s rich flavor.Crème brûlée.Sophie is fucking crème brûlée. She’s got that top layer of caramelized sugar that’s sweet but contrasts with the texture of the rich and smooth vanilla bean custard below. Her top sugar layer is the wall she erects around her heart that bars the rest of the world from seeing her true self. But once you’re able to work your way past that, you’re treated to the most succulent, addictive flavor you’ll ever taste.And I have every intention of gorging myself on that flavor tonight.

Author Bio:

Traveler. Reader. Beach-goer. St. Louis Cardinals fan. Pasta-obsessed. North Carolina resident. Sarcastic. Bit of a nerd.Author of the Cruz Brothers, Possession and Politics, and Timid Souls series, Melanie loves all things romance, comedies and suspense in particular because it’s boring to only stick to one sub-genre! From light-hearted comedies to sexy thrillers, she likes to mix it up, but loves her some strong alpha males and sassy heroines.Go visit Melanie’s website and sign up for her newsletter to stay updated on release dates, teasers, and other details for all of her projects!
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: Tasting Her Christmas Cookies by Alina Jacobs #GIVEAWAY

Tasting Her Christmas Cookies
Alina Jacobs
Publication date: November 19th 2019
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Winter is coming—and unfortunately it’s bringing Christmas with it.I loathe the holiday. I hate holiday parties, fragrant decorations, and hokey movies. If I had my way it would be winter all year round and never Christmas.Nothing burns like the cold—except a hot oven.That’s right; against my better judgment I agreed to let The Great Christmas Bake-Off film in my tower.And St. Nick help me but I even agreed to be a judge.HollyChristmas is like the perfect sugar cookie—it slowly melts in your mouth, sweetening every taste bud, making you wish it could last forever.I love Christmas. I love the cheerful music, the fun sweaters, and the holiday lights. Most of all I love Christmas Cookies.A begrudging bake-off judge, I refuse to let grouchy billionaire Owen Frost hate Christmas. The man is overworked, his employees are uninspired, and his life is seriously lacking in Yuletide cheer. I want to stuff his stocking with sugary goodness to put him in a very festive mood.So I dressed up as a sexy elf and gave Owen a taste of something extra special. You should have seen his eyes roll back in his head when he bit into the perfect sugar cookie!I can’t let Owen Frost be a distraction. Things are insane enough without a sexy billionaire.My baking subscription service is in the death throes.My Christmas-ruining step sister is trying to sabotage me in the bake-off.I’m being stalked by elves on the shelf come to life.Ok that last one is a little weird, but welcome to my disaster of a life.I need to win The Great Christmas Bake-Off to pay of my debts and launch my baking career. Sleeping with one of the judges is going to ruin my chance for a merry Christmas. Owen with his washboard abs and big Christmas package is a bad idea. It’s best to keep that all wrapped under the tree.But when he said in that deep, sexy voice, “Can I have another taste of your Christmas cookies?” Well, let’s just say I’m unwrapping one particular Christmas present early!Tasting Her Christmas Cookies is a standalone holiday romantic comedy. If you love Christmas desserts, like to laugh out loud at holiday innuendoes, and want Santa to put a tall, good-looking guy under your tree, then pick up this full-length, steamy romance novel! There are no cliffhangers but there is a very happy (Christmas!) ever after!

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:“We are having a Christmas bath scene in the near future,” I said to the camera, “with holiday bath bombs and themed cocktails. But unfortunately, it won’t be tonight. The bake-off starts tomorrow, baking fans!”I looked longingly at the bathtub. Then, making sure the phone was definitely not recording, because I did not need to be that kind of Instagrammer, I took a quick shower. I seriously could not get over how huge the bathroom was. I could live in it. With a toaster and a mini fridge, I would totally be good.After wrapping myself in the robe, I tied a T-shirt around my hair. I had frizzy hair on a good day; keeping my curls manageable was a perpetual struggle. I applied a gingerbread-cookie-scented moisturizer while my videos uploaded. Because I was busy scrolling through my phone and answering comments as I came out of the bathroom, I didn’t notice the half-naked man until he swore.I looked up and screamed.“Help! Help! Stalker!” I shrieked and ineffectively pointed at the stranger. Between the rippling muscles, the washboard abs, and an ass I could bounce a quarter on, I hoped he wasn’t actually here to hurt me, because he could do some damage. Pointing and shrieking wasn’t going to stop him. Fortunately, he looked more shocked and horrified than angry and violent.“Stop screaming!” he bellowed. A freezing breeze blew into the room. It was as if the man had brought the rage of winter into the master suite with him. He looked like it, too, with his ice-blue eyes and silver-white hair. “This is my penthouse. You are not authorized to be here. That makes you the stalker!”I stopped screaming. It clearly wasn’t helping anything. I also couldn’t help but notice that the bathroom wasn’t the only thing that was huge in the room. With him wearing nothing but boxer briefs, I could tell Santa had brought the handsome man a very large Christmas package indeed. The breeze blew in from the balcony, swirling the strange man’s clean and masculine scent around the room. I forced myself to ignore it.“Get out of my house,” Big Christmas Package said flatly.“You get out!” I shrieked. “I’m a bake-off contestant. This isn’t your room!”“What the—” he grabbed his clothes, tugging on his pants. “The Great Christmas Bake-Off? I cannot have Christmas invading every element of my life. This is ridiculous. Christmas is ridiculous. It’s such a stupid, childish holiday.” He punctuated his words by snatching up articles of clothing.“Hey now!” I said, hands on my hips, fear subsiding. “Christmas is never ridiculous. It’s the best holiday ever. And if you can’t see that, well then, you’re just a grinch, aren’t you?”He advanced on me. I was suddenly very aware of how large he was. Christmas package notwithstanding, this dude was tall, broad shouldered, with rippling muscles. He could probably split me in two.Yes, please.“You’re some stupid little baker who never outgrew the childish fantasy of Christmas,” he sneered.My nose was inches away from his chest. He glowered down at me. I was too angry to be aware of his half-naked body. Okay, maybe I was like fifteen percent aware. But the majority of my energy was focused on being offended on behalf of Christmas.“Don’t insult baking,” I said, giving him my best “I want to speak to the manager vibe,” though it was ruined by the fact that I had to crane my neck up to see him and that I was completely naked under the robe. “And never insult Christmas!”His nostrils flared slightly.“Men like you constantly belittle the work that women do to keep cultural traditions like Christmas alive,” I continued, poking him in the chest.“We decorate homes to make them cozy.”Poke.“We cook holiday dinners and bake festive desserts.”Poke.“We host parties that bring families and friends together.”Before I could poke him again, he grabbed my hand in his much-larger one. Then, realizing what he’d done, he quickly released it.“I will not stand for your bad attitude!” I declared.He glared down at me, strong jaw clenched, eyes cold as a frozen lake. “I can’t even believe this,” he finally snarled. He grabbed his briefcase and stormed out, still shirtless.“Oh my God!” Fiona exclaimed, wide-eyed, as she ran into the room. She hugged me then pushed me to sit on the bed. “Are you okay? Who was that? Why was he in here? Someone call the police!”“I knew it! You’re trying to steal my boyfriend,” Amber yelled at me, rushing into the room. “That’s Owen Frost, and he’s mine!”

Author Bio:
If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books...
Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Bookbub / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: Back to You this Christmas by S.L. Sterling #GIVEAWAY

Back to You this Christmas
S.L. Sterling
Publication date: November 22nd 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Bah-humbug!This Christmas, all I wanted was to wallow in self-pity until the woman I thought was the love of my life could explain why she left me at the altar. Instead, my buddy, Zach forced holiday merriment on me. I thought it was going to be a tinsel-laced nightmare… until his sister, Alexa, showed up. Turns out, she grew up into a gorgeous present I was insanely tempted to unwrap. Lucky for me, she shared my desire to meet under the metaphorical mistletoe… and let things heat up from there.For the first time in months, Laura, my ex, wasn’t haunting my thoughts like the Ghost of Christmas Past. Which, of course, is exactly why she had to pick that moment to call and say she wanted to talk. I could only hope St. Nick had a playbook in his sleigh because things were about to get complicated.From author S.L. Sterling comes a sizzling holiday romance hot enough to roast your chestnuts!

Goodreads / Kindle / Paperback—EXCERPT:I was still awake at two in the morning. I was now lying in the dark, staring up at the ceiling. I had heard Zach come in around twelve-thirty and heard Mom and Dad come up to bed shortly after that. The house was now quiet, except for the sound of Dad snoring off in the distance. I lay in the warmth of my bed, my mind still reeling with thoughts of Drew, alone, across the hall. Drew had everything: good looks, a great job, he was successful, and for the life of me I couldn’t figure out why some girl who’d had him would ever let him go. I’d give anything for a chance with a guy like him. Well, not just any guy, and here she was just throwing him away as if he were last night’s trash.I rolled over onto my side and let out a sigh. I needed to get my mind off him, and knowing he was right across the hall wasn’t helping. The first thought that came to my mind as I rolled back over and stared up at the ceiling was cake. Mom had a coconut cream cake downstairs in the fridge, and the more I thought of it, the more I wanted a piece.Finally, the craving won and I got up, threw on a pair of socks, and slipped out of my room. The house was silent, and I tiptoed down the stairs, carefully avoiding the creaky steps. I could see a tiny light that we always left on in the kitchen. I came around the corner to see Drew, shirtless, his sleep pants hung low on his hips, standing with his back to me. He hadn’t seen me, or so I thought, and I was about to scurry back up the steps when he spoke.“Hey, you want some cake?” he asked, holding out a plate with a slice on it. I came slowly around the corner, my eyes firmly planted on his chest and abs. Fuck. The man looked like one of the lingerie models I had photographed. He was so cut and well-defined. When my eyes met his, I saw him take a quick glance down my body, and that was when I realized I was in nothing but a short T-shirt and panties.“Couldn’t sleep?” I asked, taking the plate from his hand. My fingers brushed his, the contact sending a jolt through my body.“No, and I couldn’t get the thought of cake out of my mind either. Your mom makes damn good cake, and this one just happens to be my favorite,” Drew said, watching as I tried to hide my half-naked body behind the counter, a half-smile coming to his lips.“What’s so funny?” I asked as he turned and cut another slice of cake, placing it on another plate.He turned around with fork in hand and dug into the soft, moist cake. He leaned up against the counter, his eyes roaming what he could see of my body as he ate. “I just think that it’s cute that you are trying to hide from me. Especially when you don’t need to hide from me, Lexi. I’ve known you pretty much your entire life. I’ve seen you in less clothing than that. We spent many summers all together by the pool.”I felt a blush rise to my cheeks. “I’m not hiding. I just wasn’t expecting anybody to be up at this time. Besides, I’m not exactly dressed for a friendly chat. You’ve known me all your life, with clothes on,” I said, nervously laughing, and stepped around the corner of the island, setting my plate down.“So, look at me!” he exclaimed, holding his hands out to the side like he was putting himself on display. “Do I look like I’m dressed for a friendly chat?”“Yeah, look at you, Mr. Eight-Pack.” I rolled my eyes. “Do you want some milk?” I asked, holding the corner of my shirt down and raising my arm up into the cupboard for a glass.“Sure.”I could feel his eyes burning into me as I reached for another glass and got the milk out of the fridge. I quickly poured two glasses and turned around, only to see him still staring at me. I did my best to ignore it and slid his glass over to him, returning to my slice of cake. I tried hard to avoid eye contact with him, but it was almost impossible, and when I checked him out again, I could see the outline of his semi-rigid cock through his sleep pants. I bit my lower lip and ate the last bite of the cake on my plate. Drew was already done with his and had put his plate into the sink. I walked over and put my plate in the sink on top of his while he put the cake back into the fridge.I was about to turn around to grab his glass when I felt the heat of his body against my back. I could barely breathe and was afraid to move, so I grabbed the dishcloth, preparing to wash up the dishes we had used. I turned toward the sink and was just about to turn the water on when I felt his fingers dance along the edge of my panty-line. Drew was touching me. Drew, the same boy who used to pick on me, was now standing behind me, a man, running his fingers against my bare skin. His touch was almost paralyzing as I struggled to breathe. He was so close to me that I could feel the light puff of his breath on the back of my neck. I could feel myself get instantly wet, and I bit my lower lip and closed my eyes as his fingers tickled along the side of my belly to grip the edge of my T-shirt and pull it down to cover over my ass.As soon as I was covered, he leaned in, his scent intoxicating, and whispered in my ear, “Thanks for the cake. Good night, Lexi.”I closed my eyes. His hands were still grazing my skin, and I stood there allowing the room to spin around me. His hands then went to my hips and rested there for a couple of seconds, his warm touch searing into my skin, and then, as quickly as he was there, he was gone. The heat from his touch was gone. I turned around. He hadn’t gone far; he was leaning against the other counter across from me, intensely watching me. I looked into his eyes and caught a glimpse of what I was sure was want.At first, the look scared me a little because, well, this was Drew. He then stepped closer to me, the closeness of his body making my nipples harden. I watched his eyes leave mine and look down at my lips, the silence around us almost deafening. I was almost sure he was going to lean in and kiss me, but the sound of the house settling caused him to back away.Without saying a word, he left the kitchen and made his way back upstairs to his bedroom, leaving me alone in the dim light of the kitchen.

Author Bio:
S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs. An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born. When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors on her e-reader. Her favorite authors include Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre and Willow Winters. In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.Website / Goodreads / Facebook Group / Facebook Page / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

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BOOK BLITZ: Freeing Eden by G.S. Kenney #GIVEAWAY

Freeing Eden
G.S. Kenney
Published by: Soul Mate Publishing
Publication date: May 29th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Science Fiction

A unique take on the eternal quandary of “good” versus “evil.”— Joan D. Vinge, Hugo Award-winning author of The Snow Queen
All trader Zara wanted was to help Kell, a clone, retrieve his maker’s memories and discover who he really is. The conflict-torn planet Eden was supposed to be just a stop en route, but Kell begins recalling fragments of memories from Swifthammer, Eden’s now-deceased resistance leader. Despite Zara’s misgivings, Kell assumes Swifthammer’s role, opposing the planet’s foreign warlord Reuel.But Reuel’s schemes take a dangerous turn when it becomes clear he has tampered with Kell’s programming. Could the memories Kell now begins to experience be . . . Reuel’s?Kell struggles to bring peace to Eden by uniting his maker’s heritage with that of the planet’s oppressor, but Zara fears she may be losing her heart to the man who is poised to become Eden’s next and most terrible warlord. Can she help Kell find an identity all his own–and a future they can share together?

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:At seventeen thirty local time, a low, melodious chime sounded in the room.Zara sighed. “Thirty minute warning.”The clone had his arm over her shoulder, and she rested her cheek contentedly on his chest. She could feel his heart beating, and his light breathing stirred her hair.“I hope you’ve gotten used to all my talking by now.” She twisted beneath his arm so that she could face him. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful if you could talk, too?” Zara stroked the clone’s cheek, and a slight smile came and went across his lips. “I almost believe you could.” She looked longingly at him. “And then I would say, Hello, my name is Zara. Za-ra.” She pronounced the word carefully. “And you would say, My name is . . . Now, what would your name be?”“Kell,” said the baseclone.Zara pulled back, her pulse pounding. “What? What did you say?” The baseclone looked at her with his habitual open gaze, head slightly tilted, as if waiting for something that didn’t really matter. He said nothing.Zara felt a lump in her throat, coupled with an almost desperate urgency. “Please. Please say it again. What is your name?” He watched her silently and then hesitantly touched her cheek, looking for all the world as if he were trying to comfort her.Zara took his hand away from her cheek, kissed his palm softly, and then wrapped the hand firmly in her own. She met his gaze and held it. “Tell me your name. Please. I really want to know.”A tear rolled down the baseclone’s cheek, and then another, and Zara felt that her heart would break. “Why are you crying?” she whispered. “Have I hurt you? I didn’t mean to.” Softly, her fingers traced the track of the tear down his cheek.Watching her as if mesmerized, the baseclone spoke, slowly. “My . . . name . . .” There was a pause long enough to make Zara believe that he would not speak again. Then he added, “. . . is . . . Kell.”Zara let out the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding, and she allowed herself to fall back against Kell’s chest. He wrapped his arms around her.“Kell,” she repeated.The chime sounded two long tones.Zara sighed. “Twenty minute warning. I can’t leave you here. In this place. This life. By all of space, Kell, you are not a baseclone. There’s no control unit in your dataport, but you’ve been watching and responding to me. I could begin to believe there might be some kind of advanced baseclone I don’t know about that can do some of that, but you—you have feelings. You were crying! And you understand me and can answer, which means you have some intelligence, even language. You’re not a baseclone, and you don’t belong here.”She stood up and walked to the mirror that was mounted on the wall opposite the couch. Straightening her hair’s disarray, Zara watched him in the mirror as he watched her in turn.“The papers attached to my contract show you were discharged as a baseclone, but I can’t believe it.” She took out her comm. “I’ve transported baseclones, so I have access to the discharge database on Bigollo.” She spoke the access code and her password and authenticated her identity with a thumbscan. “I’ll use your ID number from the contract.” As data appeared on the small screen, she frowned, shook her head, and rekeyed the number.She shook her head again, more stubbornly. “Something’s wrong here. The database on Bigollo says that you died in the tank, and the body was disposed of a month and a half ago.” She rubbed the goosebumps on her arms. “But clearly you’re not dead, because a couple of weeks ago you turned up here on Lesurat as a baseclone with no name and no owner. But that’s false, too. You’re a trueclone, not a baseclone. So what’s going on?”He watched her openly, patiently.“I can’t get into the database of creators. There was no need, since I was dealing only with baseclones on that job. There’s no clue in the data I have as to who or where your creator might be.”The chime sounded several times, insistently.“Ten minutes. Not enough time to figure this out. So let’s just focus on the urgent question, which is, what are we going to do about it?”She began pacing up and down the small room. “If the administrators on Bigollo knew you were a trueclone, you wouldn’t have been sold here. So most likely, they don’t know. That means all I have to do is tell the manager, and he will do the right thing, whatever that is. Return you to the lab, I guess, so that your creator can be found and notified.”She sighed again and turned back to Kell. “On the other hand, this is Lesurat we’re talking about. That man is as greedy as the rest of them. Even if he’s honest, he’ll want very much to doubt me. His purchase papers are in order, and so are the baseclone discharge papers from Bigollo. He’ll rely on them. He’ll ask himself, What would a spacer know? And he’ll answer, Nothing. She’s mistaken.”Zara pulled at Kell’s arm. “Sit up straight, Kell. I’m talking to you. We have to figure this out, and we don’t have much time.”Kell obeyed.“If he’s not so ethical, the situation will be the same, or worse. He’ll pretend very graciously to accept my comments and thank me profusely and just continue doing what he’s doing with you.” A shiver ran down her back. “I can’t bear to think about that.”As if sensing her distress, Kell touched her arm gently.“Thanks, Kell.” Zara managed a smile that she hoped would pass for reassuring. “You’re so much more than a normal baseclone. But touching is not what I need right now. What I need is an idea. I don’t suppose you would have that?” She looked at him quizzically, not entirely sure that he wouldn’t, but Kell said nothing. He watched her impassively, waiting.Zara sighed. “No, I suppose not. If you’d had an idea, you would have been out of here days ago, right? I guess I have to figure this out by myself. So, let’s see . . . we aren’t going to get any help from the manager here. That means it’s up to me. Kell, listen. If I can get you out of here, would you want to come with me?”Zara studied the clone, but his open expression didn’t change, gave no clue to what he might be thinking. If anything, she reminded herself. But he looked so vulnerable that her heart ached. “Now, come on. Answer me. If I’m going to put myself on the line for you, I need to know how you feel about it. Would you want to come with me?”Those beautiful blue-in-blue eyes studied her, seemed to be giving the question some thought. But he didn’t answer.What had she expected?“Yes.”Zara jumped. “What?”“Yes,” he said. “With you.”

Author Bio:
Author G. S. Kenney started reading early, and never stopped. In kindergarten, drawn in by an interesting book with a picture of three witches at a cauldron, she learned to read by starting with Macbeth. Now she writes speculative fiction. Her science-fiction romance novel Freeing Eden, published by Soul Mate Publishing, was a 2018 finalist in the Golden Heart® contest of the Romance Writers of America. The Last Lord of Eden, the second novel in the Ascent of Eden series, will be published by Soul Mate soon.

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BOOK BLITZ: Twisted Surprise by Emery Jacobs #GIVEAWAY

Twisted Surprise
Emery Jacobs
(A Twisted Fate Christmas Novella)
Publication date: November 15th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…Or at least it’s supposed to be. With the holidays quickly approaching, Jovie is looking forward to spending some quality time with her boyfriend Jack.First a family Thanksgiving in Brownsboro, Georgia with her parents, followed by a magical Christmas with their friends back in Houston.But Jack’s disappearing act leaves Jovie wondering if their relationship will even survive the holidays.Ready for a Twisted Surprise? Unwrap this romantic Christmas tale to find out what Jack’s been hiding!

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:“Merry Christmas, baby,” Jack whispers, his warm breath dancing across the skin below my ear.I rub my eyes, turn my head to face him, and smile. “Merry Christmas.”His fingers skim across my bare arm then slide in between mine, squeezing my hand gently.“Did you sleep good?”I nod. “Yeah, actually I did.” I don’t remember much after drifting off to sleep last night, which I usually equate to a good night’s sleep.“How about you? Was the couch good to you?” I motion toward the small sofa beside the bed and cringe. There is no way anyone could sleep well on that tiny thing, but knowing Jack, he’ll lie and say he did just so I won’t feel bad that he stayed the night.He barks out a laugh before rubbing his neck. “I slept better than I have in years.”“I doubt that.” I hesitate for a second. “But thank you… for staying.”“You couldn’t have made me leave even if you wanted to.”

Author Bio:
Emery grew up in Southern Arkansas and has lived most of her adult life in Northern Louisiana.She spends her days working as a Nurse Practitioner in rural health and her nights reading, writing, and occasionally sleeping.She loves real life romance…lots of angst and heartbreak, but always a happy ending.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: Two Thousand Lines by Michelle Jester

Two Thousand Lines
Michelle Jester
Publication date: November 21st 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult

Olivia Brooks has been able to keep her life in Sugar Mill, Louisiana held perfectly together, far away from the small town where she grew up. Even though her past still haunts her, she has found a perfect process of surviving, until a string of events brings Luke Plaisance to Sugar Mill and turns her organized life upside down.
While Olivia fights to hold on to the life she’s created, unraveling it may be exactly what it takes for her to truly survive. She must accept her past in order to live, or let it threaten the only future she’s ever wanted. Because some secrets can’t stay buried… and shouldn’t.
An inspiring and heartbreaking tale of abandonment, survival, and purpose. A harrowing journey of self-discovery and perseverance.

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:Luke saw her red face and swollen eyes.“Whatever it is, I’m sorry.”“No need. Besides, maybe I just cut an onion.”“I’m not asking you why, Olivia, but also don’t feel like you have to lie to me. It’s none of my business and I know that. You don’t owe anyone an explanation.”“Then why are you here?” she turned abruptly to face him, obviously angered.“I like cinnamon rolls.”“You also don’t have to lie either.”“Mama Gigi,” Luke responded quietly.“What?” Olivia bowed her head slightly.“Mama Gigi. She said when I smell cinnamon and baking bread, if I look over here and your kitchen door is open, and I quote, ‘go to her and stay until she’s safe.’”Olivia looked up with tears welling in her eyes again, “I’ll be sure to close my door next time.”“No, you won’t. Mama Gigi said you will always have your door open when you make them. She thought whatever you were mourning was pretty strong, ‘cause it obviously made you feel suffocated.”“I miss her. I miss her so much.”Luke stood quickly and went to Olivia. He wanted to wrap his arms around her and hold her. But, as he got closer she stepped back, so he stopped.“I can’t leave until you’re safe.”“I’m never safe,” she whispered.“You’ve been safe since I got here.”

Author Bio:

Michelle Jester lives in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana with her husband, high school sweetheart and retired Master Sergeant. Together they have a son and daughter. She is a hopeless romantic and has been writing poems and stories for as long as she can remember.One of her prize possessions is a bracelet with only a yellow, Rubber Duckie charm on it; which she wears every day to remind her to enjoy the fun and happy things of life!

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BOOK BLITZ: Begin with Me by Claudia Y. Burgoa #GIVEAWAY

Begin with Me
Claudia Y. Burgoa
(Chaotic Love #1)
Publication date: July 24th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From the outside, Abby’s life looks like a fairytale.Loving family, wealthy lifestyle, education at a prestigious university. The truth? She’s barely managing to survive. Few know the nightmare she lived before she was adopted. And no one knows the secret agony that still haunts her nightmares.With a degree from Berkeley, she could have gone anywhere, but she’s back in Colorado. Not for a fresh start—fresh starts are only an illusion—but for Wes Ahern. Her protector, who throws around words like “therapy” and “talk to me.” Her brother in every way but blood. The one man she wishes could be so much more.Maybe, just this once, she can stop running from her demons.But does she dare let Wes see inside the darkest closets of her pain…or will love be the biggest mistake of her life?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / KoboOnly 99¢ for a limited time!—EXCERPT:I can pinpoint the moment when Abigail Lyons lost her optimism. It was the day her grandmother died. That’s when I began to talk about myself in third person, imagining the worst that could happen and learning to dissociate when my brain couldn’t handle the input.It was the same day I stopped laughing with ease and speaking my mind confidently. At sixteen though, that’s when I went quiet for good. The day I lost all hope, became swallowed by loneliness—leaving nothing more than a scared bundle of nerves who wanted to jump out of her own skin. At twenty-three not much has changed. But I try to hide my flaws and fears. Somedays I’m brave enough to fight against my mind to conquer the latter. Other days, I’m not so lucky.Like my fear of flying with a bunch of strangers. As the plane takes off, I close my eyes, hold onto my bracelet, and count the crystals. I’m not a fan of airplanes. They’re too small, there are too many people on board and anything could happen during the flight. Though, according to my best friend, Wes, the probabilities of dying in a plane crash are one in eleven million. He once explained to me that it’s more likely to be hit by a meteorite, drown in my own bathtub, or get mauled by a bear in Yellowstone than die in a plane crash.He might be right about those statistics. But logic doesn’t apply to my phobia. Every time a plane takes off, my heart beats faster than a cheetah hunting for her next meal and sweat drips down my back. Honestly, I’m not afraid that the plane will lose altitude or collide with another aircraft. I fear that I’ll crash emotionally during the flight. The question for me isn’t whether or not the pilot loses control. My mind is asking, what if I have a full-blown panic attack in an environment where I don’t have control or any means for emotional release?When the pilot announces that we’re allowed to turn on our laptops and move around the cabin, I put on my wireless headphones and turn on my music. If I’m lucky, the two glasses of wine I downed before boarding, plus the one I drank before takeoff, might help me sleep during the almost three-hour flight. If I’m asleep, I won’t have to think about the people around me. Or the possibility of him finding me once I’m back in Denver.My throat tightens at the mere thought of seeing him again. I shut my eyes, squeezing them hard. My body trembles. It’s been so long that he shouldn’t have any effect on me. I count, controlling my breathing. But it’s impossible to calm myself when the images of what happened that night come back. The voices are back too. My heart beats wildly.Please, God, help me.Not now.

Author Bio:
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Colorado, working for a small IT. She has three children and manages a chaotic household of two confused dogs, and a wonderful husband who shares her love of all things geek. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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