R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 194

BOOK BLITZ: After We Met by Evan Grace #GIVEAWAY

After We Met
Evan Grace
Publication date: August 29th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Gorgeous. Sweet. Funny. He made me feel things that I’ve never felt before. In just one short week over Spring Break, I began to fall in love. That is until it all fell apart. Now, here I am, three years later and I’ve moved on, at least that’s what I told myself until he came crashing back into my life. Things have changed. I’ve changed, and there’s something he doesn’t know.He wants me to give us another chance. I try to fight it, but it’s not long before all of those same old feelings come rushing back. I know he feels it too. I can see it every time he looks at me. I can feel it every time he touches me.It feels like I’m missing something. Like there’s something that he’s not telling me. Something that has the potential to tear it all apart. After all, it’s not easy when you fall in love with your best friends’ father. I didn’t stand a chance after we met.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—EXCERPT:Her dad’s supposed to be the complete opposite of her mom. Molly says he’s a free spirit and a bit wild, but a good and loving dad. I’ve seen pictures and he’s definitely hot. He looks like Samantha’s boyfriend from Sex and the City. I’m sure the women hang all over him.When we finally land, the sun is starting to set. I look out Molly’s window and am in awe of the view. The water looks dark blue, and I can’t wait to see it in the sunshine. As soon as the seatbelt light goes off, Molly pulls out her phone. “I’m texting Dad that we’re here.”I stand up and stretch my poor body—fuck me, there’s no room on these planes. Molly grabs our bags out of the overhead compartment and hands me mine. I follow closely behind her as we make our way out of the plane on onto the tarmac.Molly screams, drops her bag, and takes off toward baggage claim. I follow much more sedately and smile as she flings herself at—who I’m assuming is her dad. He sets Molly down and I smile as I watch him hug her tightly.I hear her say my name, and then they turn toward me. My stomach does a little flip as he smiles at me. Oh God, I can feel my nipples hardening. What if he can tell?“Lani, come meet my Dad. Dad, this is my bestie, Lani. This crazy man is my dad, Damon.” Oh great, even his name is hot.I reach my hand out. “It’s so nice to meet you. Thank you for letting me come with Molly.”He grips my hand in his. I try not to stare at his beautiful face, but I can’t help it. His square jaw is covered in light stubble. His blue eyes are highlighted by beautifully long eyelashes, and he’s got lines around his eyes that just add to his gorgeousness. He’s got that dimple in his chin, and full lips I want to kiss. What?

Author Bio:
A Midwesterner and a readaholic most of her life. One day an idea came into her head and a writing career was born. She's a sucker for happily ever afters and loves creating fictional worlds that others can get lost in. She loves putting her characters through the ringer, but loves when they get to that satisfying, swoony ending. When the voices in her head give it a rest, which isn't often, she can always be found with her e-reader in her hand. Some of her favorites include, Aurora Rose Reynolds, (the queen) Kristen Ashley, Kaylee Ryan, Natasha Madison, and Harper Sloan. Evan finds a lot of her inspiration in music, movies, TV shows and life. She's a wife to Jim and a mom to Ethan and (the real)Evan, a weightlifter, a home healthcare scheduler, and a full-time writer. How does she do it? She'll never tell.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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B@@K REVEAL: Winter King by J.S. Dark

Winter King
J.S. Dark
(The Wyth Courts, #1)
Publication date: October 31st 2019
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

His court is dying, and she’s his only hope …Monsters of the Tywyll Forest have poisoned the Winter Court, unleashing a prophecy that demands a human sacrifice to save the withering land. Willing to do whatever it takes to save his people, King Cadewyn of the Winter Court ventures to the human world in search of one insignificant life to claim… Amber was used to her life being in shambles, but getting kidnapped and whisked off to a magical fae realm was a new low even for her. While feeling drawn to the fae King by a sizzling attraction, her apprehension builds to a panic when she finds out why she was brought there.When Cade discovers that Amber is his mate, can he carry out his plan to sacrifice her? Or will the malicious plotting of others within the court leave Amber trapped in the mystical realm with nowhere to run?Winter King is a standalone steamy paranormal romance with a HEA. Each book in the Wyth Courts series will feature a different couple, with a complete story, and a HEA. Suited for readers 18+ due to language and sex scenes.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order—Pre-order for only 99¢ for a limited time!
Read a sneak peek today!—

Author Bio:
J.S. Dark is the pen name of a USA Today Bestselling author. As J.S. Dark, she writes steamy paranormal and fantasy romance, with red hot heroes and their sassy soulmates. Her passion for books started when she was very little, and her first novel was penned at only thirteen years old. She lives in North Carolina with her husband, two kids, and way too many books!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Newsletter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: No More Bad Dates by Kate O'Keeffe #GIVEAWAY

No More Bad Dates
Kate O’Keeffe
((High Team #1) (Cozy Cottage Café, #5))
Publication date: September 5th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “The perfect fun-filled escape from reality. Kate O’Keeffe at her delightful best!”- Whitney Dineen, bestselling author of Relatively NormalThree friends form the No More Bad Dates Pact: stop dating the wrong guys and start dating the right ones – weirdos and jerks need not apply.Twenty-five-year-old Sophie McCarthy’s career is virtually nonexistent, her family expects her to “do something important” with her life, and she’s totally sick of dating the wrong guys: the self-absorbed, the arrogant, the borderline criminally insane.After she’s unceremoniously dumped during the vows at her boss’s wedding, she and her two equally disappointed-in-love best friends agree to help each other find decent guys to date. Together, they form the No More Bad Dates Pact: stop dating the wrong guys and start dating the right ones–weirdos and jerks need not apply.When Sophie’s roommate Jason Christie–a.k.a. doctor-in-training and serial nurse-dater–joins the pact, he vows to weed out the bad ones for her. But with his rejection of every guy Sophie meets, she begins to wonder if he’s got an ulterior motive. And anyway, why does she always have so much more fun with Jason than with the guys she’s actually trying to date?While desperately seeking her “happy for now,” could Sophie stumble into her “happily ever after?”High Tea is a spin-off of Kate O’Keeffe’s bestselling Cozy Cottage Café series. Escape to New Zealand in this fun, feel-good chick lit series!

★ ★ ★ ★ ★ “I love this book! If you want a novel you won’t be able to put down and will leave you with a smile on your face after you finish it, this is a great choice! So sweet and romantic!” – Annabelle Costa, bestselling author of My Perfect Ex-Boyfriend

Books in the High Tea series:Book 1: No More Bad DatesBook 2: No More Terrible Dates – releasing very soon!Book 3: No More Horrible Dates – releasing soon!

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:I love weddings. The emotion, the vows, the optimism, the dress. All of it. I know I’m a total romantic, and about a gazillion marriages end in divorce every year, but I don’t care. When I watch a happy couple show the world their love, tears well in my eyes and my heart expands because in that moment, something utterly magical happens.What more can I say? I love weddings, pure and simple.Or at least I did until the thing happened.Picture this. I’m at a beautiful, emotional, swept-up-in-it-all type of wedding. I’m sitting on an uncomfortably hard wooden pew, the scent in the air a heady mixture of flowers and polished wood. The late-afternoon light filters through the ornate stained glass windows, illuminating the beautiful bride and her handsome groom.So far, so wonderful.As I watch the bride, dressed in the most beautiful vintage fifties wedding dress I’ve seen—nipped in at the waist, showing off all her curves to (classy) perfection—her Norse god-like husband-to-be reaches out and takes her hands in his. They gaze at one another, their faces alight with a love so real, I can almost reach out and touch it.Which I don’t, of course. That would be weird.Instead, I turn and smile at my boyfriend, my hand over my heart. Andrew glances at me briefly before he returns his attention to the vows.“Bailey. I love you more than I could ever imagine loving anyone. You are my life, my soul. Reflected in your eyes, I am a better man. Thank you.” Ryan’s voice, a.k.a. the voice of Thor, the Norse god, cracks with emotion, and half the congregation—all the women and probably most of the men, although I bet they would never admit it—reach for their tissues.I open my clutch and pull out a Kleenex. I dab at my eyes and glance once more at Andrew. Noticing his brows knitted together, I smile, embarrassed. “What Ryan said?” I whisper, my voice trembling. “So, so perfect.”“Yeah, it was all right, I guess. If you go in for that sort of crap,” Andrew replies, crinkling his nose with distaste.Crap? What does he mean, crap?I open my mouth to ask, but now isn’t the time. Bailey has begun her own vows, her voice so heavy with emotion, I’m amazed any of us can make out a single word. I think she’s saying something about Ryan being her best friend, and how he’s helped her become the vermin she is. No, wait. That would be how he’s helped her become the woman she is. Yes, that sounds much more appropriate and wedding-y.The problem is, I’m so busy trying to work out what’s going on with my boyfriend, I’ve lost all focus on the ceremony unfolding before my eyes. Sure, I know he’s not the most romantic of souls, but even a rugby-playing, one-of-the-guys, rugged type like Andrew can see how much these two love each other, right? I mean, he’s not a freaking robot.I nudge him in the ribs. “You okay?”“Yup. Fine.” His words are clipped, and he keeps his eyes trained on the couple at the altar.And then it hits me. I know what’s going on here! He’s being swept away by the beauty of it all, too, only he wants to appear all manly and stoic. He’s pretending to be grumpy to cover it up. Guys pull dumb stuff like that all the time. I should know; I’ve dated a few.A few too many, actually.I lean closer to him and place my hand on his. “I think it’s wonderful. They love each other so much.”Andrew harrumphs in response.I pat his hand knowingly. “It’s okay, honey. I know you feel it, too.” I settle back into my seat, prepared once more to be tangled up in the love emanating from the soon-to-be-wed couple, when I notice a girl in the aisle opposite us turn and smile. She’s wearing an eye-catching red dress that leaves little to the imagination. It’s totally inappropriate for a wedding, in my opinion, but she’s rocking it, that’s for sure. I smile back at her and wonder how I know her. Maybe she’s a customer at the Cozy Cottage Café? I’ve worked there for a few years now, and I often see our regulars out and about in the city.Her face flushes and she looks away.Weird.And then it happens again.“Who’s she?” I whisper to Andrew.“Who?”“The girl in the red dress. She keeps smiling at me, and I can’t think who she is.”“Oh, err . . . Cindy, I think? Or Sandy? Something like that. We met her at that karaoke bar you love so much,” Andrew replies.“Jojo’s? Really? I don’t remember.” I give his hand another squeeze and return my attention to the wedding.“—the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife,” the priest exclaims. “You may kiss!”As Bailey and Ryan do precisely that, the congregation erupts into applause. Swept up in the sheer romance of the moment, I go out on a limb. Not because I’m “there” with Andrew yet exactly, more because, well, we could be. Some day. I put my hand on his arm and whisper, “Who knows? Maybe, one day, we’ll fall in love like them?”He whips his head in my direction, and I pull back in shock. “We’ll do what?”Less sure now, I reply, “Fall in love . . .?”Yeah, I’m persisting with the lunacy. What can I do? I’m committed. I need to follow through. But really, is it such an outrageous idea my boyfriend could fall in love with me?“Some day?” His brows knit together, almost forming a perfect mono-brow. It’s not a great look, I’ve got to say.“Well, not now. Obviously,” I say hastily in a weak attempt to backtrack. “We’ve only been dating for a couple of months. But some day. You know, in the future.” When all he does is gawp at me, those brows of his threatening to meet permanently in the middle, I add, “In the distant future, far, far away, when little green men rule the Earth and we have robots to do the dishes.”Little green men? Robots? Dishes? What the heck am I talking about?

Author Bio:
Visit kateokeeffe.com and sign up to her newsletter so you never miss out on new releases and great book deals again! Follow her on Bookbub to learn about deals on her books. Just cut and paste this link into your browser: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kate-... O'Keeffe is a bestselling author of fun, feel-good romantic comedies. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family, two scruffy dogs, and a cat who thinks he's a scruffy dog too. He's not: he's a cat. When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries, and eating chocolate. A lot of it.Kate is excited to announce her new series High Tea! It's a spin-off from the bestselling Cozy Cottage Café series, and Book 1 is currently on pre-order, due to be released on September 5th, 2019!Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: Till I Found You by Michelle Fernandez #GIVEAWAY

Till I Found You
Michelle Fernandez
Publication date: September 3rd 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Former Navy SEAL, Julian “Booker” Cruz, joined an elite security ops agency with one goal in mind: to forget his past. With the overload of work, there’s no time for romance, nor does he want it. His rule—don’t mix business with pleasure. Until one assignment puts that rule to the test. Chloe Channing is not to discover his undercover role as her protective detail from an unknown psychopath. But as their days pass together in tropical paradise, it becomes difficult to keep his desire from compromising everything. Including her safety.All Chloe wants is to remember, but so much of her memory was lost after her assailant left her unconscious. On a summer trip with friends at her family’s estate in the Bahamas, she yearns for the quiet respite from a previous heartbreak and her tortured nightmares. She never expects a man like Julian to help her find emotional peace and physical healing. But as she falls deeper, her flashbacks slowly come together, and they include glimpses of one handsome, mysterious, yet all-too-familiar face: Julian’s.Is Chloe’s mind playing tricks on her again… or has she met this man before?Even if Julian could let go and risk it all, could he ever forgive himself enough to fall in love again?

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:
Julian wanted to rewind the clock.Go back to the hilltop where they last made love in the rain. Or go back even further, to the day they first met. Maybe
things would be so different now. The one woman who had helped him with his brokenness, healed the deep scars of his heart and awakened his dark soul now needed to be fixed.Agony.The only thing Julian felt was pure hopelessness and he wanted to jump off the ledge. The lead of guilt weighed down his stomach and fire raged within him. His blood-soaked cargo pants and dried blood on his hands were reminders of the fucked-up rescue and recovery that had gone completely wrong.Waiting.That’s all he could do. Time had no place within the sterile white walls of the hospital. Minutes felt like hours and hours felt like an eternity. Julian paced the laminate floors of the long corridor as the blur of nurses that passed by him started to make him dizzy.Julian’s boots moved him into the waiting room. He leaned against the doorjamb and scanned the room. Sam’s head lowered, face in his hands as Sage’s arm comforted him. Ezra and Olinda, their foreheads touching, embraced one another for support and comfort.Guilt stirred in his chest when his eyes met Phoebe’s. Julian swal‐ lowed the lump in his throat and slightly shook his head, sending her unspoken apologies.Phoebe rose from her chair and put her arms around him. She pulled back slightly and framed his face, wiped a tear that escaped his eye.“This isn’t your fault,” Phoebe said, her red-rimmed eyes filled with tears.He shut his eyes. “I fucked up, Phoebe.”“Hey, look at me. Chloe is the strongest person I know.” Phoebe choked back a sob. They stared at each other for a beat until a soft smile pulled at Phoebe’s lips. “I need you to be strong for her.”“I can’t lose her… I just found her.”A momentary silence overlaid the small waiting room. Julian anticipated the doctor’s forthcoming final words. Even now, they tore at him like bear claws shredding his skin. He reached in his pocket, pulled out the turtle charm necklace he had picked up from the shed before getting in the ambulance. Julian stared at the trinket for a moment, hating the lump forming in his throat and the tears blurring his vision. He so badly wanted to see Chloe.Parallel images collided of Amber and Chloe, knocking his breath loose. The doctor’s words that came out… ‘I’m so sorry for your loss’ hammered his heart when they couldn’t save Amber.He prayed he wouldn’t hear those same words again. He sent up a silent prayer hoping for some kind of sign that Chloe was going to come out of this.He needed to remind himself to breathe, to stay strong for her. But it was almost impossible when the woman he loved more than his own life was fighting for her very own. His head pounded as images of her brittle body, the bang of the gun firing one last time, then Chloe falling to the ground—all played in a loop, over and over.Julian put the necklace back in his front pocket. “Don’t you dare die on me, Chloe,” Julian whispered to himself, letting out a deep breath he didn’t realize he’d held in his lungs.

Author Bio:
Michelle is a wife, mother and an avid reader of multi-genres. She's always been passionate about reading and impressed by the influence it has on people. Which is why she started writing in the first place. Romance suspense is her most favorite genre. The damsel heroine and the alpha gentleman hero are who she writes about. It started as a hobby. One chapter turned into ten, then a novel was born. Making up worlds and characters for readers to fall in love with, is the most rewarding for her. May her words give you the 'feels' and may it be an unputdownable book!

Website / Facebook / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: Billionaires {Seven Sweet Billionaire Romances} #GIVEAWAY

Billionaires: Seven Sweet Billionaire Romances
Published by: Enchanted Quill Press
Publication date: September 2nd 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Charming Billionaires, small towns, big cities and the girl of their dreams is waitingEnchanted Quill presents Billionaires; the first in our Sweet Romance collection which includes seven beautiful billionaire romances that are sure to give you many swoon-worthy moments.Featuring irresistible men with big hearts, this limited edition set is sure to have you turning page after page. With happily ever afters galore you’ll fall in love with this stunning collection.Scroll up and one click now to see if true love really can conquer all.

Goodreads / Amazon—SNEAK PEEKS:Kendra saw Michael from half a block away. He leaned against his Ferrari. The car looked so out of place amidst the cobblestone sidewalks and crepe myrtle trees. He wore dark denim jeans and a turtleneck. Even in that casual dress, he gave off an impression of power, intensity, and attractiveness. Michael crossed his arms across his chest, and she took a breath.Had they really been in love once? It seemed like an impossibility. Kendra shook the thought out of her mind. She was here for closure. She was here to assist an old friend. That was all.— Her Perfect Match by Preslaysa Williams—
Janey pushed open the door to the McIntosh room. She thought the guitar on the bed told her everything that she needed to know—that she needed to set down the flowers and get out of the room as soon as possible. But when the bathroom door swung open and steam rolled out and the man from the stadium emerged wearing only a towel, she knew that she had a lot to learn.He froze, but his blue eyes frosted with anger. “You!”Janey slowly put down the vase on the dresser.“Who are you?” He stalked toward her, his feet pounding on the hardwood floor. “Who sent you?”“No one s-sent me,” Janey stuttered.He barked out a sharp laugh. “Come on. You can do better than that. Who do you work for? Celebrity Rag? TMZ? People?”“You forgot the CIA and the FBI.” Sarcasm bit Janey’s voice. Who did this guy think he was? Yes, he looked like Adonis in a towel, but that didn’t mean he could act like a demi-god.He stopped inches from her nose, his eyes raking over her. “Where’s your camera?”“In my room.”He barked out another laugh and his hands, still damp from the shower, patted her down.She stepped away, furious. “Excuse me. I don’t know who you think you are, but you don’t get to touch me.”He frowned at her through narrowed eyes, and she met his gaze.“You expect me to believe we just coincidentally happened to sit next to each other…wait—you must have followed me here.”“Maybe you followed me!”Confusion mixed with the anger on his face. “Why would I follow you?”Janey stared at him with an open mouth for a moment before saying, “I think that you are the most conceited, arrogant person that I have ever met.” She grabbed the flowers off the dresser before turning back to him. “I’ll have you know that there are plenty of very nice, non-stalkerish-type guys that would be happy to sit next to me at a football game and to find me in their room!”Janey slammed out the door, making it bang so loudly that the elderly couple in the Golden Delicious room poked out their heads to see what had happened.Incognito Billionaire, Kristy Tate
The sound of the door banging against the wall caused Emily to spin on the spot and stare open-mouthed at a dripping wet David, in nothing but the world’s tiniest towel. The two of them gawped at each other, then Emily burst out laughing. Forgetting that she was wearing nothing but a white satin slip, she dropped the dress.“That was the world’s fastest shower,” she said between breaths. She had to gasp for air after laughing so hard. “Why are you wearing a face cloth?”David’s face grew crimson red as he clutched the towel protecting what was left of his modesty.“There aren’t any towels in the bathroom.” He sidled toward the closet grinning sheepishly at her. Emily roared. In fact, she laughed so hard, she creased over clutching the splitting pain in her side as she fell onto the bed.“You look––”“Sexy?”Emily eyed him. His body glistened in the golden sunset streaming through the windows, which softened the lines of his muscles. Yes, he did look sexy. But the miniscule square of cotton had her rolling around on the bed with laughter again.— Who Wants to Date a Billionaire? By Laura Burton


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BOOK BLITZ: Crossed Lines by Lana Sky #GIVEAWAY

Crossed Lines
Lana Sky
Publication date: August 14th 2019
Genres: Adult, Coming of Age, Women’s Fiction

Psychopath. Borderline. Crazy. Seventeen-year-old Maryanne Mayweather wears each term like a badge of pride. Expelled from her twelfth boarding school, she lands on the doorstep of her flighty aunt Elaine and Elaine’s husband James, one more screw-up away from being made a ward of the state.Once a successful author, the last thing James Thorne wants is to care for his wife’s bratty teenage niece, especially with his marriage falling apart. When Maryanne crafts an elaborate plan to defame and destroy him, they both discover that words are more powerful than either of them could imagine. And as their relationship goes down a path neither envisioned, the consequences are swift and far-reaching.Some lines weren’t meant to be crossed.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—★★★★★ “It is more, so much more than you’d expect. This is a gripping, thought provoking read that easily and quickly ensnares you in Maryanne and James’ story. A story that pushes boundaries, buttons and crosses big red lines of both the reader and the characters involved.” ~ Amazon Reviewer★★★★★ “Reading Crossed Lines was a bit like riding a roller-coaster. The slow build of the story line was like the clicking and clacking of the coaster while on it’s way to the top – a false sense of knowing what lied ahead. I was so ignorant of what truly waited for me just a few clicks away.
Once the story peeked I couldn’t put it down -trapped in the pages – my lungs fighting to breathe – then slowly the rhythmic click followed by the clack returned and with it my breath. I relaxed believing that the worst was over.
It wasn’t.” ~ Amazon Reviewer★★★★★ “It rocked my world, my heart and my brain. I can’t recommend this enough if you are down for an unconventional ride for one of the TOP READS OF THE YEAR!!” ~ Amazon Reviewer—EXCERPT:“You need me, huh?” he taunts against my mouth, sounding so, so angry. “Do you want to ruin my life that badly? Fine, then. Get me fired. Go ahead.” A hiss escapes his lips when I don’t pull away like he wants me to. Like he needs me to.I stay.And it’s just a kiss at first. A kiss…Slow. Electrifying. Deeper.His hands creep into my hair, raking. My own hands are clinging to him for dear life. We’re at the edge of a glaring red boundary—I can feel it, a sensation like balancing on the edge of a cliff. One wrong move, and whoosh!He should push me away now. I tense, preparing for it. My heart thumps, steeling against the pain. I’m ready to fall alone.But he keeps kissing me. Touching me. Drowning me.And, with one swift motion, we both jump.

Author Bio:
Lana Sky is a reclusive writer in the United States who spends most of her time daydreaming about complex male characters and legless cats. She writes mostly paranormal romance, in between watching reruns of Ab Fab and drinking iced tea. Only iced tea. Drain Me is her debut novel and the first novel in the upcoming "Ellie Gray Chronicles." Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: Deadly Potential by Jennifer Carole Lewis #GIVEAWAY

Deadly Potential
Jennifer Carole Lewis
(A Special Investigations Case File, #1)
Published by: Soul Mate Publishing
Publication date: October 23rd 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance, Suspense

How can anyone protect themselves from a serial killer who can make someone forget they ever saw him? In a world where superpowers are very real, that’s where the Investigators of the Bureau of Special Investigations come in.When songwriter and manager Katie Ballard first began getting letters, she thought they were just another example of the fan mail that has been pouring in ever since her sister Aggi first became the Princess of Pop. With a global concert tour to run and a sharp eye out for those who seek to take advantage of Aggi’s wealth and celebrity, Katie dismisses her secretive admirer until Investigators from Special Investigations arrive on her doorstep.Investigator Ben Morgan’s life is all about his work, protecting both those who have powers and ordinary citizens from one another. But from the moment he takes this case, he finds himself distracted by the cool, competent manager being targeted by one of the most infamous serial killers of the last decade. He’ll need all of his renowned expertise and ability to think outside the box if he hopes to keep her alive.For Katie, Ben might be one of the most attractive men she’s ever met but having her life turned upside down is hardly the way she wanted to begin a romance. She might be used to handling everything on her own, but she will have to trust Ben as a protector and with her heart.Together they’ll fight to keep Katie alive and out of the hands of a man who thinks the best way to get a happily ever after is to make sure there’s no tomorrow.

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:“What was the ‘small gift’?” Investigator Ben Morgan asked his boss as he and his partner read through the case file. He sometimes missed the simplicity of his life before joining Special Investigations. Back then, he could assume anyone who talked to voices in their head needed a psych eval. Once the world found out superpowers were real, it changed everything in law enforcement. If an individual could transform into an animal or bend metal with their bare hands, then anything could be possible.“A blue silk evening dress, hand-sewn and fitted to the target.” Director Henry Delacroix closed the door. As he returned to his desk, he rolled up the sleeves of white dress shirt to reveal forearms covered in wiry black hair. “The unsub left it backstage in Miss Ballard’s dressing room at their concert in Tucson, along with the handwritten note.”“How very brash.” Investigator Ray Corwin shook his head in mock dismay. “He’s in complete violation of stalker etiquette. A gift like that should be saved for after the second restraining order.”Ben hid a smile, keeping his gaze focused on the old-fashioned rows of file cabinets lining the walls of Delacroix’s office. His partner might be new to Special Investigations, but he did not lack confidence to share his opinions. There were lots of rumors about the man ruffling high-ranking feathers back in the FBI. Something we have in common. He had learned to respect Ray’s keen insight.Delacroix’s mouth twitched, the tiny smile appearing and disappearing almost too quickly to register.Ben checked the file again, reading the first two letters. Both were short, only a few sentences. They seemed like ordinary fan mail. “How were these two sent?”“Social media accounts. Each set up right before the messages were sent and shut down immediately after the reply. No way to trace them.” Delacroix tapped the folder resting on his battered metal desk. “The FBI thinks it might be the Director.”Shit. He remembered the serial killer’s name from his own days at the Bureau. Eight women stalked and killed in the last ten years. Ben hated using lurid names, preferring the generic term unsub, an abbreviation for unknown subject. This unsub sent his target letters and gifts before kidnapping and killing them. He then posed their bodies in elaborate settings and costumes. Even Ray stilled at the dropped name. The Director held the honor of being one of the most terrifying serial killers currently operating in the United States.“There’s a concern the unsub may be an occulata hominum.” Delacroix rattled off the Latin term smoothly. He came down hard on any Investigator who used the slang insult loocy to describe those with supernatural powers. “We’ve been asked to consult and determine how the unsub has been able to evade capture despite some very slick operations. This is our chance to show why Special Investigations should be allowed to continue our work.”At its creation three years ago, the Bureau of Special Investigations had attracted a large number of bigots and bullies. They used the badge to boost their own egos and stoke their own hatred. The agency was still trying to purge the bad apples from their ranks while also struggling to cope with every hint of paranormal activity and every weirdo with delusions of comic-book grandeur.Ben had joined Special Investigations immediately after the Jackson Square incident, determined to make certain these newly revealed powers didn’t allow their users to escape the law. He’d heard rumors that Delacroix had been one of the FBI’s Little Green Men and Tinfoil Hat file chasers. People dismissed Delacroix as a conspiracy nut, but they were absolutely wrong. His boss treated every investigation with meticulous care and an unwavering focus on the evidence. Ben followed the same track. “What about the target?”Delacroix handed them a glossy magazine to add to the file. “Katherine Ballard.”A pretty, scantily-clad blonde stared regally from the cover. Ben didn’t recognize her, despite the name AGGI helpfully spelled out in big letters along with a promise to share her trade secrets for staying fit and keeping grounded.If this is the same unsub, a one name pop star isn’t his typical target. A picture inside the magazine caught his attention. The same blond woman from the cover, laughing with her arms around a young woman with dark red hair caught up in a practical ponytail that did nothing to hide her heart-shaped face or big eyes. She caught Ben’s eye more than the practiced glamor of the blonde. The redhead wasn’t looking at the camera, but her brilliant smile shone through the lens. Ben frowned. “The caption says they’re sisters.”“Technically, they’re stepsisters,” Ray said. “Aggi’s mother married Katie’s father when they were both young. They call each other sisters. Referring to them as stepsisters really pisses them off.”Delacroix and Ben both stared at him in surprise.Ray clucked his tongue to express disbelief. “Aggi has been the hottest musical act in town for the last five years. How have the two of you missed her?”“Katherine is Aggi’s manager and business partner,” Delacroix explained.“And she writes songs for a lot of top-forty artists, including Aggi.” Ray turned his focus back to the magazine photo. “It’s hard not to sympathize with the Director. Aggi is wearing her own brand of workout gear, while Katie chooses an oversized T-shirt and leggings? The girl practically cries out for a proper stylist.”His partner’s comment hit Ben like a spark hitting an unexpected pocket of gasoline fumes, threatening an unprofessional eruption. Luckily his boss wasn’t about to let the commentary stand.Delacroix glared at his latest recruit. “Keep your opinions on her personal choices to yourself.”Ben sucked in a deep breath. It wasn’t like him to be so unsettled this early in a case. He’d been up late finishing a report for Denver PD about an arsonist with suspected paranormal abilities. Maybe I need more sleep.“The FBI suspects the unsub could be an occulata,” Delacroix continued. “He’s not a criminal mastermind. He leaves trace evidence and DNA. But no one has been able to get close to him.”“Any clues on what powers this guy might have?” Ben realized he was running a fascinated finger along the edge of the next picture featuring the unsub’s target. Even in a simple T-shirt and leggings, she carried herself with an air of competence and confidence. A woman who probably bulldozed through most obstacles. She’d ignored the first two messages, but alerted the authorities immediately when the sender crossed a boundary. She wasn’t easily frightened or intimidated. Making her even more vulnerable to someone like this unsub. The realization hit him like a stab to the gut. They had less than a week to find and stop the unsub before the body count went up another notch.“No idea on powers. Which is why I’m putting the two of you on the case.” Delacroix’s dark eyes fixed on him. “Ben, you know the most about the different types of powers. Ray, you have a talent for getting information no one else can. Together, two of you are the best I have at getting to the right conclusions on the slimmest data, aside from Investigator Adler.”“And she won’t leave with a class in progress,” Ben finished.“Her loss is our celebrity gain. When do we leave?” Ray asked brightly.“Your plane leaves in two hours. Good luck, gentlemen.”Ben stood up at Delcroix’s dismissal. The familiar surge of anticipation loosened his muscles and sharpened his mind. This assignment held more of a challenge than going around to local precincts to deliver be-tolerant-but-careful lectures about what could be lurking on their streets. The prospect of a real hunt against an adversary who’d already made a fool of top-level law enforcement promised a satisfying challenge.They left Delacroix’s office and jogged down two flights of stairs. Ray hesitated at the bottom landing. “I suppose there’s hardly time to stop at home and pick up my albums for Aggi to sign.”“Just tell me your go-bag is ready this time.” Ben walked rapidly through the utilitarian lobby and shoved open the glass doors, eager to begin the case. They’d need at least an hour to reach the airport, and while federal officers might get to speed through security, no one would be holding the plane for them.“One trip being forced to wear off-the-rack was deterrent enough.” Ray gave an elaborate shudder as they crossed the parking lot. “My luggage is waiting in the car.”Ben couldn’t decide if his partner actually had money, or only liked to pretend he did. Distinguishing between the high-end designers and Walmart wasn’t one of his skills. His own go-bag held two changes of clothing, an extra sweater, decent hiking boots and his assigned weapons. Everything fit in a moderately sized gym bag with room to spare.“Come on, partner, aren’t you the least bit excited?” Ray’s smile held more than a hint of mischief as he lifted two large suitcases out of the trunk of his sleek black luxury car. “We’re going behind the scenes into the glamorous world of rock and roll. Or at least pop and party. It could be a chance to break out of your enforced hermitage and meet some pretty young thing. I’ve heard the dancers with Aggi’s tour are impressively athletic.”“Have you even heard of the term sexual harassment?” Ben gritted his teeth as his partner transferred the bags to the trunk of Ben’s battered sedan.“Have I ever been less than professional in person?” Ray slid into the passenger seat, completely unruffled by his partner’s irritation.Ben pulled the car into traffic. “Don’t I count as a person?”“In the eyes of the law.” Ray grinned. “Trust me, I have a lot of experience in navigating boundaries. I would never push.”He’s right. While his partner’s behavior sounded outrageous, he did seem to have a knack for setting people at ease. Peter could do that, too. His mind shied away from the memory.“I’m a shameless flirt. It’s how I navigate the world and this job. I’m playing to my strengths,” Ray continued. “For you, the whole prematurely grumpy, crusty cynic thing works even if you aren’t much over thirty. The day-old stubble and shadows under your eyes are a method actor’s dream.”Ben’s hands tightened around the leather-clad steering wheel. “This conversation has officially reached the uncomfortable and awkward silence stage.”“It wouldn’t destroy your reputation to loosen up the teensiest bit. But I’m not about to judge.” Ray waved his hand in cheerful dismissal. “Your grumpiness won’t affect my ability to enjoy all of the beautiful men and women that are sure to be hanging around Aggi.”“We’re there for the sister. Katherine.” Even as he spoke, Ben regretted snapping at his partner. Something about this case had triggered an aggressive protective instinct. He ignored the vivid image of the target’s face lingering in the back of his mind.“Actually, we’re there as consultants,” Ray corrected. “To be wise and experienced teachers to the ignorant, not action heroes. Which is a shame, because I would look stunning walking away from an explosion in slow motion.”Ben cracked a grin. “Are you ever serious?”“I don’t expect you to break character on my account. You go on perfecting your bad cop, and I’ll enjoy performing all the other emotional roles.” Ray closed his eyes, effectively ending the conversation.A small smile still clung stubbornly to Ben’s lips despite his best efforts to remain stern.When he’d first met Ray Morgan, Ben had accepted the flippant surface for the truth. During their first assignment, he’d expected Ray to storm off in a huff when protesters identified them as Special Investigations, and began pelting them with garbage and insults. Ben had been prepared to restrain his partner, but to his surprise, Ray had simply wiped away the smelly remnants, apologized to the protesters on behalf of the agency, and left the scene. When Ben caught up to him, Ray explained his reasoning.“They’re absolutely right. Special Investigations has done some horrible things. We’ve taken people out of their homes. We held them in that terrible camp up North without any chance of release. And we did it all because we were scared of people who were different.”Ben hesitated. “Given how you feel, I’m surprised you joined the agency.”“There’s still an important job to be done. The public needs a sense of safety, or else you’re likely to have riots and lynch mobs. If good people refuse to join Special Investigations because of its past, then it’s going to be filled with the wrong type of people to do the job.”All in all, flamboyance and irreverence were a small price to pay for the reassurance of knowing he could trust his partner to make the right choice in a tough situation.Ben grudgingly apologized. “I’ll do my best not to be a buzz-kill.”“I’ll keep my stash of gold stars handy,” Ray replied, his eyes still closed, and his voice dry with sardonic amusement. “You’re not going to ruin my cheer today, no matter how much doom and gloom you insist on packing. We’re going to catch a serial killer who has eluded justice for a decade, hang out with music royalty, and enjoy some West Coast sun. You’ll see, it will all work out splendidly.”Ben wished it could be so easy. Good guys win, bad guys lose, everyone goes home happy. But he’d already learned the hard-taught lesson of reality, nothing was guaranteed. Sometimes bad guys won, and good guys didn’t get to go home at all.

Author Bio:
Jennifer Carole Lewis is a full-time mom, a full-time administrator and a full-time writer, which means she is very much interested in speaking to anyone who comes up with any form of functional time-travel devices or practical cloning methods. Meanwhile, she spends her most of her time alternating between organizing and typing.She is a devoted comic book geek and Marvel movie enthusiast. She spends far too much of her precious free time watching TV, especially police procedural dramas. Her enthusiasm outstrips her talent in karaoke, cross-stitch and jigsaw puzzles. She is a voracious reader of a wide variety of fiction and non-fiction and always enjoys seeking out new suggestions.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: False Memory by Meli Raine #GIVEAWAY

False Memory
Meli Raine
(False #1)
Publication date: November 15th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

It all started with the bereavement flowers with my name on them.Not the best way to wake up, right? I work in a flower shop. I know a funeral arrangement when I see one.I know a killer when I see one, too. And one is standing in my hospital room right now, straight behind the man who saved my life.I can’t tell anyone the truth, because that’s the fastest way to really die. So I do the next best thing. I “lose” my memory.I fake my amnesia.Pretending not to remember a brutal attempted murder has its perks. The killer is backing down, spending less time around me, loosening the noose.The less I claim to recall, the more my rescuer, Duff, works to help me “remember.” I hate lying to him.But he doesn’t understand that my memory is dangerous. To me. And to him.Fooling everyone isn’t easy. It’s the hardest thing I’ve ever done.Except it’s starting to look like I’ve been fooling myself.In more ways than one.Read Book 1 in the newest series from USA Today bestselling author Meli Raine.

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Author Bio:
Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Bookbub / Instagram / Newsletter

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B@@K REVEAL: Haunted by You by Liza Jonathan

Haunted by You
Liza Jonathan
Publication date: September 25th 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Harper can’t stay. And Alex can’t get too attached to her. But their resident ghost has other ideas… Harper Castellano is only in Louisville long enough to help her family market their latest project—a former distillery from the 1890s that they’ve renovated into luxury downtown lofts. She doesn’t expect to be charmed by the city—or rocked right down to her designer heels by Alex, a hot, gentlemanly accountant who’s come for a tour. Too bad the loft she’s just sold him has turned out to be haunted.One look, and Alex Morehouse knows Harper is his sexy, savvy, tattooed dream come true. So if the troubled ghost of a Victorian woman is enough to keep her from moving on to the next city, and her family’s next project, then how can he fear what goes bump in the night?But the more time they spend researching the ghost’s ties to the distillery, the more they realize their sizzling attraction isn’t just about heat. And the more risks their ghost takes, trying to send them a message. Soon, this mysterious woman invades Harper’s dreams with visions about her tragic death long ago, and the terrible consequences of abandoning true love. But with so much riding on her future with Castellano Enterprises, will Harper linger long enough to hear what she’s trying to say?

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Author Bio:
Write what you know. Isn’t that what they always say? Though I currently live in the flat, flat lands of Indiana, I’ve spent most of my life in West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee. As I have found out, you can take the girl out of Appalachia, but you can’t take the Appalachia out of the girl.So now, I write sexy, angsty paranormal romances dedicated to the locations, legends and lore from the thirteen Appalachian states. I find the enchantment of home inspires me to tell tales.When I’m not haunting the house at all hours writing, I have another life as a PR/marketing writer, wife to my long-time husband, and a mother to my two sons, who are rapidly fleeing the nest. Come sit with me for a spell. I've got some stories to tell you...Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Twitter

BOOK BLITZ: Forbidden Desires by Jaimie Roberts #GIVEAWAY

Forbidden Desires
Jaimie Roberts
Publication date: August 29th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Daughter, covet not thy mother’s husband.
Isn’t that a saying?I know it isn’t, but in my case it really should be.Because, in my case, I didn’t just walk up to the line, I crossed so far over it that I can no longer recall how I got there in the first place.
What line did I soar over? The line leading up to him.Owen Montgomery: Rich … powerful … fucking amazing in bed.Oh, and he’s married to my mother.I didn’t seek this out as a way of life, but once I had my first taste of it—and him—handed to me on a glistening silver platter, I felt I owed it to myself to enjoy every delicacy offered to me while I could.I suppose I should have known that my guilty pleasures couldn’t possibly last forever, and when our relationship took a decidedly nasty turn, I was left feeling utterly dejected.Guided by my resentment, I threw caution to the wind and allowed myself to fall into the arms of another man.Not just any man. The man in question is none other than Ethan—Owen’s absentee son.After Owen left me so bitter, I realized that Ethan represented the ultimate escape … and I must admit, revenge.
Why not? He’s gorgeous, charming, and witty to boot.As an added bonus, he’s single.
But … Owen has other ideas. He has decided that no other man can have me but him.I am his … and he will stop at nothing to keep it that way.

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Jaimie Roberts was born in London, but moved to Gibraltar in 2001. She is married with two sons, and in her spare time, she writes.In June 2013, Jaimie published her first book, Take a Breath, with the second released in November 2013. With the reviews, Jaimie took time out to read and learn how to become a better writer. She gets tremendous enjoyment out of writing, and even more so from the feedback she receives.

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