R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 214

BOOK BLITZ: Eye of the Hurricane by Ophelia Bell #GIVEAWAY

Eye of the Hurricane
Ophelia Bell
((A Fate’s Fools Novella: Breath of Air Collection) )
Publication date: April 30th 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

My name is Aella, and Fate wants me dead.According to entertainment news, I’m the Angel of the Las Vegas Strip, the most sold-out singer at the Pandemonium Casino. According to the higher races—who I didn’t even know existed up till now—I’m part of the bloodline, which means I’m part-human, part-something else.It also means I’m a threat to Fate’s precious balance.To protect me from Fate’s wrath, three demigods have taken it upon themselves to act as my guardians—and lovers. But with the hounds of Fate nipping at my heels, can the Winds tear themselves away from their sibling rivalry over my affections long enough to keep me safe?And why do I have to choose?Warning: This book is a standalone novella set during Ophelia Bell’s epically sexy “Fate’s Fools” series. It is a fast-burn HOT and steamy RH odyssey, not meant for the faint of heart (or libido)… #whychoose!

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:“So you’re some kind of wind magician?” I asked, astounded that I’d even suggested magic was real. And yet when I said it, I knew I was on the right track.Over the past few weeks, I’d seen more and more things that just seemed out of the ordinary in a way that went beyond normal human weirdness. Even a place like the Vegas Strip had its limits for the odd and unexplained. What I’d seen recently was more… supernatural.Baird took a step toward me, closing the distance. “No, Aella,” he said, gripping the jumpsuit bunched at my hips and pushing it down. “I am the wind.”He wrapped his arms around me and picked me up, and in one smooth motion, he spun us and leaped off the ledge overlooking Las Vegas.I yelped in surprise, clinging to him when I realized we had just dived off the Stratosphere without a fucking harness.“I’ve got you,” he said as we plummeted.“Yeah, but who the fuck has you?” I blurted, my voice pitched close to panic, then broke into hysterical laughter when I realized I’d just channeled Lois Lane. My secret admirer was fucking Superman.A snapping noise like sails in the wind hit my ears and I opened my eyes again, but instead of the sky behind Baird’s shoulder, there was a pair of enormous wings feathered in shades of deep gray and striped with white. They beat with slow, strong strokes, and the wind cascaded across my back as we rose higher into the air, soaring away from the Stratosphere and over the Las Vegas Strip.

Author Bio:
Ophelia Bell loves a good bad-boy and especially strong women in her stories. Women who aren't apologetic about enjoying sex and bad boys who don't mind being with a woman who's in charge, at least on the surface, because pretty much anything goes in the bedroom.Ophelia grew up on a rural farm in North Carolina and now lives in Los Angeles with her own tattooed bad-boy husband and four attention-whoring cats.If you'd like to receive regular updates on Ophelia's publications, freebies, and discounts, please subscribe to her mailing list: http://opheliabell.com/subscribe/ 

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BOOK BLITZ: In Other Words by Jennifer Woodhull #GIVEAWAY

In Other Words
Jennifer Woodhull
Publication date: April 30th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

DexterWe became close friends in college. When Sinclair returns home to Dallas after two years in New York, I introduce her to my best friend Cole. The good-looking playboy ballplayer is the perfect kind of guy for the woman I’m sure would never be interested in me…even if seeing them together breaks my heart.

Sinclair.He was the nerdy PhD candidate. I was the cheerleader. We made unlikely friends. Moving back home after two years away, he looks hotter than ever. When I start dating his ballplayer best friend, things get complicated. He doesn’t see me as girlfriend material…but I can’t get him, or my feelings for him, out of my head.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play—EXCERPT:There are not enough words. I don’t mean that in a dramatic way as if there are not enough words to express something with which I’m momentarily frustrated. I mean there are often times when the optimum word for something simply does not exist.Fernweh is a German word that describes a feeling of homesickness for a place you’ve never visited before. The Swedish word, lagom, describes taking not too much nor too little, but just the right amount of something. To wear or use something for the very first time is expressed in Spanish by the word estrenar.I love words more than anything. I love hearing someone intelligent use the absolutely perfect, most fitting word at exactly the right moment. I love anagrams, crossword puzzles, and riddles. I love how they make me think about language and how people use it. Perhaps most of all though, I love awful puns—even dad-level terrible ones. I only know one person who loves language as much as I do, and he also happens to be the very person I can hardly wait to see.The Portuguese have a word for the sensation of nostalgia and longing for someone who is far away. Saudade. That’s what I’ve been experiencing since I moved to New York. I have saudade for Dexter Flynn, but that’s about to come to an end.***I walk into The Tipsy Alchemist, an upscale hipster place Dexter chose to start our reunion evening. I visually scour the space, and am disappointed when I don’t see him. I walk the length of the bar and just as I’m about to turn and head back toward the front, a man leans in close behind me and says, “Excuse me, miss, but might I buy your first libation of the evening?”I turn, ready to tell the guy to get lost so I can call the person I want most in the world to see. When I turn around, though, I’m met with a pair of sweet, soulful brown eyes hiding behind tortoiseshell frames. My heart darts around my chest. I throw my arms around him so hard, I nearly send us both tumbling to the floor.“Dex!” I squeal, squeezing his neck. His arms wrap around me, and they’re far stronger than I remember.“It’s about time you came back,” he whispers into the side of my neck as he squeezes me tightly. “I’ve missed you, Clair.”I feel an instant wash of relief, being here in his arms. The feel of his cheek against mine and the smell of his aftershave trigger an eruption of happy memories. My brain floods with late night talks and board game marathons. My circuits overload with shared stories and supporting each other through tough times—with gushing over books and documentaries at the independent theatre. He has been such a huge part of my life for so long, and now, with him, I finally feel like I’m really home.When we finally break from our embrace, we both realize we’re standing in the highest traffic area of the bar, and the place is so packed we might be physically in danger from rowdy patrons clamoring for beer.“Come on,” he says, grabbing my hand. “I reserved us a booth.”He leads me through the trendy, dark-paneled space to the back where tiny, high-walled booths, are situated. This area of the bar is quieter than the rest, and the high walls of our booth offer some much-appreciated privacy.The booth to our immediate right houses what I can only assume is a bachelorette party judging by the volume and frequency of the word woo, coming from their direction.When the server arrives, I order a cocktail, and Dex orders a beer. “Miss, can I ask, the group of ladies in the booth next to us…is one of them a bachelorette, by chance?” He smirks in my direction.“Actually, yeah. Are they being too rowdy?”“Not at all. I was just curious,” he replies. I snicker and he winks in response.“It’s a cool story, actually,” the server pauses to tell us more detail. “She just got out of the military. She met her fiancé while they were stationed together. He was injured, and she’s a nurse.” She puts her hand to her chest. “They fell in love while he recovered in her hospital.”Dex and I look at each other, and each make the universal face that any red-blooded human with feelings makes when seeing a baby, or a puppy, or hearing a sweet love story. “Aww,” we say in unison, laughing.“Would you please take them a bottle of Dom Perignon and put it on my tab? Anonymous, though, please…with thanks for her service, and her fiancé’s,” Dex adds.“Wow, that’s really nice of you! Absolutely, I’ll take care of it,” the server replies.When she walks out of Dexter’s line of sight, she catches my eye and mouths the words, “Lucky you,” with a wink. It makes me smile unreasonably wide.Lucky me that such a kind, thoughtful, generous man is in my life and cares so much for me. Lucky me that he’s my friend. Unlucky me that he’s not more than just a friend.“That was very generous of you,” I tell him.“I had the good luck to meet an inventor whose work I really admire once at a party. Knowing I was new to success, he told me, “I always say, if you’ve got it, spread it around. Nobody likes a successful, stingy asshole.” I’ve always tried to remember that,” he says with a shrug. We toast to successful good guys.“You look amazing, Sinclair.” Dex is grinning at me, his brown eyes sparkling.I reach across the table and take both his hands in mine, giving them a squeeze. “You look amazing too. By the way,” I say, stifling a giggle. “I didn’t know I’d need tickets.”“Tickets? For…what, exactly?” He cocks an eyebrow up in question.“The gun show,” I reply, pointing to what I can see is a pronounced bicep on each arm.His cheeks flush with crimson as he looks down and away. The expression belongs to the shy, gangly guy I met in school, not the hunky, successful entrepreneur sitting across from me.“So, have you been hitting the gym, or did you invent some magical neurotransmitter that passively enhances muscle tissue?” I tease. “Because if you have, please sign me up as a test subject. Pilates is torture, but I like to eat far too much to ever give it up without some sort of alternative.”He chuckles. “I like to think of the fitness thing as my transformation to Dexter two-dot-oh. I have to say, I don’t hate that my efforts are producing noticeable results. I told you about my business partner Cole, right?” He asks sheepishly.“Your friend Cole, yes,” I reply, rolling my eyes.I think he still has a little trouble wrapping the high school part of his brain around being friends with a jock.“Yeah. Anyway, since he pitches for the Frontiersmen he knows all the best personal trainers. He convinced me to start working out with one he recommended. I go to the gym almost every day now. Turns out I’m not as unathletic as I thought I was.” He grins wide, pride evident on his face.“You certainly seem like you’re feeling pretty good,” I reply. I stand up enough to reach across and squeeze his bicep. “Yep, feeling pretty darn good to me.”He smiles, then he shakes his head and chuckles. “I really do feel good…and even better now.” Something flashes briefly in his chocolate-brown eyes, then he smirks. “I’m just so happy you’re back, Clair.”Clair. No one but him calls me that. The way he says it is familiar and makes me feel special that he has a nickname just for me. It’s the same way I call him Dex. Those terms of endearment are just for us, like they’re special words all our own.By the time we finish the drinks the server brings over my stomach is growling, so we head down the street to a Mexican place that has always been one of my favorites.As we walk the four or five blocks to the restaurant, a group of girls walking the opposite direction toward us are all checking Dex out as they pass. I turn to look over my shoulder and see them all looking back, whispering and giggling. When I look over at him, he seems oblivious.And this is why he has trouble finding the right girl. He has no clue when a woman is into him.I bump his shoulder with mine.“They were checking you out,” I say with a smirk.“Who?”“That group of girls that walked by. They were cute, too.”He rolls his eyes.“So, not seeing anyone?” I ask.“Not at the moment.” He lets out a sigh. “Maybe I’m too picky.”“Maybe you are,” I agree.And that’s the other reason he can’t find the right girl. He has never fully explained the criteria with me, but he seems never to have found a girl that checks all the boxes on the list of Dex requirements for the perfect girl.Someone as genuine and kind, as smart and as funny as Dex deserves someone wonderful, though—someone who can see him for everything he is. I have tried to resign myself to the fact that I’m not that girl in his eyes. I only hope that one day he finds her, and she deserves him.That brings me to another word that should exist, but doesn’t. There should be a word for enjoying something you have, but still wishing it was much, much more.

Author Bio:
Jennifer Woodhull is based in the Southern United States, spending time in her second home of England, and traveling as often as she can. Her love of travel permeates her work, and her characters often find themselves exploring new and foreign surroundings. A keen observer of human behavior, Jennifer often draws inspiration from something as simple as a fleeting connection, or the glimpse of a unique trait or characteristic. Her favorite place to write is on airplanes. "The drone of the engine, the scores of people, all traveling to something or from something, and being disconnected from digital distractions are a combination that provide the perfect place to write," she says. "If you see a woman in seat 9F who is balancing her Macbook on her lap because it's time to close your tray table, please have patience. I'm just trying to finish one more sentence."Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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BOOK BLITZ: I Spy the Boy Next Door by Samantha Armstrong #GIVEAWAY

I Spy the Boy Next Door
Samantha Armstrong
Publication date: May 25th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Four p.m. spy sessions are the highlight of Mallory Taylor’s day. Observing the boy next door—one with a body and an attitude to match—has her perched beside her window so often it can’t be healthy.When she finally convinces her mom to let her go to public school, Mallory comes face to face with her neighbor, Troy Parker. And he makes it clear he wants nothing to do with her. His rejection awakens a newfound tenacity and maybe even a touch of recklessness. But when Troy starts to show up when she needs him the most, Mallory can’t help but wonder if there’s more to him than he’s let on.Taking chances, breaking rules, and following her heart is all new to Mallory. And no one warned her just how fickle hearts can be. When she discovers that Troy isn’t at all the guy she imagined him to be, secrets rise to the surface that will change her life forever.**This is a standalone mature YA/new adult contemporary romance.

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:We’re about ten minutes into the lesson when everything around me stops and spins. I don’t know which because all I can see is him.“Mr. Parker, nice of you to join us,” Mr. Brown says.I stalked him a few years ago on Facebook to see if we were in the same grade, but I wasn’t expecting to be in the same class.My day just got a hell of a lot better.I press my palm to my chest, feeling the familiar beat. I press harder, hoping the pressure will soften the racket inside of me.He slides a note onto Mr. Brown’s desk, barely acknowledging him before returning his attention to his phone. His fingers fly across the screen as he walks down the aisle.Please look at me. Please look at me. Please look at me, I silently chant, but when he turns and heads directly for me, my prayers abruptly change. Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me. Don’t look at me. My heart’s thumping so hard against my ribcage, I’m losing air.This is the moment.I don’t know what to do. I’ve been envisioning it for so long, and now that it’s about to happen, everything I’ve ever planned I would do or say has gone out the window. I start clicking my pen, then tapping my foot. I should be focusing on the lesson at the front of the room, but I can’t take my eyes off him. He’s wearing a hood, but I can see his hair slipping out from under it. Dark jeans hang low on his hips, and a bag sits snug on his back.He’s only a few steps away. I swallow.He’s in front of me. He looks up.My breath catches in my throat.His eyes widen, then narrow. All these years later, he still doesn’t smile at me.And I realize, I sat in an already claimed seat.

Author Bio:
Samantha Armstrong's novels incorporate all of the feels--from swoon-worthy heroes to sweet-but-mostly-sassy heroines, quirk and laughter to emotional grit and panty melting-heat. She has written in multiple genres, but never strays far from romance. Born and raised in New Zealand, Samantha Armstrong prefers to be tucked away writing whenever she can -- or, rather, whenever her adorable yet demanding baby boy allows.A normal day for her includes diapers--lots of them--walks with both babies (i.e. human baby and dog baby), writing between naps, and staying up late to write even more. Then somehow fitting all the other stuff in between.To sign up for information on upcoming releases, giveaways and more: https://www.samantharmstrong.com/subs...

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BOOK BLITZ: Lotus Effect by Trisha Wolfe #GIVEAWAY

Lotus Effect
Trisha Wolfe
Publication date: April 29th 2019
Genres: Adult, Suspense

Lakin Hale, true crime writer and victim of an attack that left her for dead, helps crime solvers and victims close cold cases, yet there is one crime she hasn’t been able to solve:Her own.As she embarks on a new case, working closely with Special Agent Rhys Nolan, the details of the murder begin to eerily resemble the event that nearly ended her life. A silhouette of a man haunts her dreams, but there were only two people there that night—Lakin and her murderer. Is the phantom hero who pulled her from the water a delusion, or is he the only one who can unlock her dark memories?Buried in a watery grave of lotuses, the victim calls out to Lakin, unearthing painful memories of what was stolen from her that fateful night. For those that played a part, it’s now time to answer for their sins.

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Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling romantic thriller author Trisha Wolfe. From an early age, Trisha Wolfe dreamed up imaginary worlds and characters and was accused of talking to herself. Today, she lives in South Carolina with her family and writes full time, using her imaginary worlds as an excuse to continue talking to herself.For more information on Trisha Wolfe and her works, please visit: TrishaWolfe.comTo be the first to hear about new releases and sale events, sign up for Trisha Wolfe's Newsletter: http://bit.ly/1rXTKI7Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Reader Group / Twitter

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BOOK BLITZ: Taming the Bad Boy by Jolie Moore #GIVEAWAY

Taming the Bad Boy
Jolie Moore
Publication date: April 30th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From up here on stage, I can see her. Even with her First Lady hair and Sunday school shoes, I can’t take my eyes off of her.The music starts. I swing my hips to the thumping bass. Oh-so-slowly I slip one button through a hole, then another, then another. I ease the black silk from my shoulders and toss it right toward her.I watch her pale glossy lips form a big ‘O’ before she catches it like a major league baller. The flashing lights blind me. Between beats I can see her blue eyes zeroed in below my waist.I know what she wants. I give it to her. With a zip and a tug, the leather pants join the rest of my clothes. In my skin tight briefs, I dance just for her. With the last chord of the song the stage goes dark.I know when the lights come up, another guy will be dancing in my place because this is my last time. I’m not doing this ever again. It’s too bad I didn’t get her name. I really liked that shirt. But not enough to go back and claim it.If she wants me bad enough, she’ll have to find me.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play—EXCERPT:“The shirt sailed toward the table. I dreaded it touching the alcohol that had spilled on the wood. Real silk wouldn’t survive it. So I stood and caught it in mid-air. I was rewarded with a broad wink. I pulled the shirt to my chest, and I couldn’t help noticing the heady scent that rose from it. Nari glared at me. After sending a brief apology to the dry cleaner who was going to have to fix it, I balled the shirt up and pushed it deep into my lap.Lyrics got suggestive. The tight ribbed black tank Rafe was wearing close to his skin, came off as well. I didn’t try to grab for it this time. I was already in for a stiff lecture.Bumping and grinding, Rafe was butt down on the platform undulating to the beat, the tight leather pants obscuring nothing. The names of movie and sports stars blasted from the speakers. The top two buttons of his pants came undone. Hollywood’s female icons thumped with the bass. The zipper came down.I knew what was coming. How could I not? I couldn’t look away. I could look all day. Looking was okay. Like the black and white video of the song, lights pulsed, throwing the club into black and white relief.A quick black out, and the pants were gone. I must have missed the shoes and socks, because Rafe was gyrating on the platform almost as naked as the day he was born, save for some black boxer briefs shot through with silver threads.Those threads were only on the front center, and back of the shorts, highlighting what was underneath. Before I knew it, he was letting his body go with the flow. It was a nice flow. His skin was golden, and bathed in a sheen of sweat. The lights cast blue, red, and ended in gold on him. Silence. A single beat. And it went dark again.I didn’t care if Nari thought I was crazy. I clapped and hooted as loudly as his friends and those around me. The lights and music started again, but Rafe was gone.”

Author Bio:
I write crazy, beautiful love stories because I believe storytelling is magic. I love complicated heroines with secrets, strong heroes who fall hard, and a long winding road to happily ever after. When I'm not writing, I love to travel to witness the diverse tapestry of humanity, photograph the beauty of the world, visit museums, and watch live theater. I live in West Hollywood, California ten miles from the nearest airport.I haven't found my own happily ever after, but I'm not done trying. This year I'm going to go on fifty first dates. Join me as I try to find my Mr. Right or maybe Mr. Right Now.

#50firstdates #joliemoore #crazybeautifullove

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BOOK REVEAL: Jackson by Giulia Lagomarsino #ReedSecuritySeries

Jackson: Book 2 of a 3 book arc
Giulia Lagomarsino
(Reed Security, #14)
Publication date: May 27th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

This is the 14th book in the Reed Security Series and the 2nd book of a 3 book arc. The arc books need to be read in order and it is suggested that the rest of the series is read in order as well.Jackson Lewis saved Raegan Cartwright from a terrible situation and has been keeping her and her parents safe. Raegan knows she can trust the sexy man she’s staying with, but her confidence has taken a beating. Still, she refuses to be the wilting flower that everyone expects of her. If only she could get Jackson to see that. He sees only what he wants to, sure that her refusal to talk about what happened as a sign she couldn’t move on. But when all hell breaks loose at Reed Security, Raegan is pulled into one dangerous situation after another. When it is discovered that Raegan isn’t just an innocent bystander but directly linked to Reed Security’s current situation, she finds herself even more intertwined and is fully prepared to face her issues head-on. But this is more than just an abusive ex. This is something that involves innocent people and deadly consequences. But Reed Security is relying on her and she won’t let them down.

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Author Bio:
I'm a stay at home mom that loves to read. Some of my favorite titles are Pride and Prejudice, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Horatio Hornblower. I started writing when I was trying to come up with suggestions on ways I could help bring in some extra money. I came up with the idea that I could donate plasma because you could earn an extra $500/month. My husband responded with, "No. Find something else. Write a blog. Write a book." I didn't think I had anything to share on blog that a thousand other mothers hadn't already thought of. I decided to take his challenge seriously and sat down to write my first book, Jack. I was surprised at how much I enjoyed writing. From there, the stories continued to flow and I haven't been able to stop. I hope my readers enjoy my books as much as I enjoy writing them. Between reading, writing, and taking care of three small kids, my days are quite full.

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BOOK BLITZ: Letting Love Change Me by Katharina LeBoeuf #GIVEAWAY

Letting Love Change Me
Katharina LeBoeuf
(Damaged Heart Series)
Publication date: April 29th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

More than half of Brody’s life has been filled with abuse and torment. He ran away from home at a young age, deciding that life on the streets would be safer. With no one to hold him back, he spent the summers in California and winters in Colorado, seeking the adrenaline rush he got from shredding waves and fresh powder.He never expected to fall for a woman who had everything he didn’t know he needed or wanted.Paige had everything she ever wanted. With the perfect family and a loving boyfriend, life couldn’t be better. When her life is unexpectedly turned upside down, she suddenly finds herself immersed in death and deceit.In an attempt to make some sense of her now disheveled life, Paige escapes to Aspen where she reconnects with Brody, the surfer with a bad boy persona that she’s been secretly attracted to for years.When tragedy strikes, Brody’s past collides with his present, ultimately threatening the plans he has for his future. Turning his frustrations on Paige, he allows his self-deprecating past to consume him, and he pushes her away.Can Paige break through Brody’s walls and convince him that the love they have is enough to conquer the past? Or will the diversity of their lives prove to be too much for even love to break through?

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Author Bio:
Katharina LeBoeuf grew up in New Orleans water skiing on the bayous and getting her fill of Cajun food. She graduated from LSU School of Nursing and currently works as a Registered Nurse.She loves sitting in her hammock and reading a good book. On the rare occasion there isn't a book in her hand, she's watching her favorite shows like Friends, Seinfeld, The walking Dead, and Criminal Minds on Netflix. She loves cheering on her boys during their baseball games and attending plays her daughter performs in. Oh Yeah! She loves writing too!Katharina lives in Orlando with her high school sweetheart, three children, a smelly cat named Chester (it's not his fault) and two dogs named Rhett and Koda.

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BOOK BLITZ: Raven Acoustics by Grace Harper #GIVEAWAY

Raven Acoustics: Rock Star Romance
Grace Harper
(Red & Black Series, #3)
Publication date: April 9th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Errol Thomas has a tortured soul, always has had.Errol is out of rehab and is set on world domination. His record label is only too happy to pull his puppet strings to get him to the top of the soul music charts.But it comes at a price, a price Errol doesn’t find out until it is too late.He seeks solace in a local candle maker’s shop where Jane, the owner listens to tales of woe. When Ivory walks into the shop that has been his home away from home for over ten years, he is knocked sideways.It’s only when he meets Ivory that he vows to keep his sobriety promise.Just when Errol is on an even keel, falling in love with Ivory, her past comes knocking to reveal her secrets. In turn, his cover story at the label starts to unravel.Will Errol be able to keep focussed on the end game or will he be collateral damage?Red & Black have their own issues to deal with and become involved with Errol’s music career even if they don’t want to.This is the third standalone romance novel in the Red & Black Series.
Book 1: Charcoal NotesBook 2: Crimson Melodies

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:Deadline day had arrived.The intimidating man sitting across from me in his ivory tower office had given me plenty of time to decide.“What’s it to be, Errol?” Quinn said. His attention was squarely on his phone. I could be forgiven for thinking he couldn’t care less about my answer.Today, I needed to sign the recording contract with The Dark Side record label or walk away. Quinn Saunders who owned the label had a plan that had played out to perfection. I’d won a talent contest, with my real name and my true passion for singing soul music. Transforming from Casey Lowe, rock band front man to Errol Thomas, solo soul singer was the best move I could have made and it was all thanks to Quinn.When I saw Donovan Carter in the recording booth at my old label, a year ago, singing a Fragile song, I knew I had to leave Red & Black. When I watched Donovan sing the track, I could see Erin’s reflection in the glass wall of the studio. She’d given me the same proud smile years ago. That was when I was her favourite, before her husband Alex and long before Donovan.The Dark Side record label building had stunning views across London. I loved coming up to the city to see Quinn. He’d coached me in the ways of the business and how to make a splash. His genius idea to use my real name and have the big reveal at the contest completely blinded all of them at Red & Black. For a moment, seeing Erin’s face when I shouted at Donovan about his sister made it all worthwhile. She doubted him and his innocence in what had happened. For a moment Erin was on my side. I hadn’t felt that in years, not since she danced with Alex Devlin at Green’s Music Venue. The night she left our friendship on the floor and went to him.“Hell yes, I want this contract, pass me the pen.”I jumped up from the leather sofa to reach for the contract. Quinn slapped his hand down hard on the stack of papers.“Are you absolutely sure Errol? I’ll make you a worldwide sensation, but you’re going to have to play a role to get it.”“I don’t care. All I want to do is to perform on stage and for everyone to know my name. I can sing, I’ve got the looks, and I don’t care what else I need to do.”“Good lad,” Quinn said, flashing me a conspiratory smile. He took the pen from his inside jacket pocket and handed it over. The pen cost more than everything I owned. Everything about Quinn screamed wealth, and I wanted some of that money.I scrawled my signature, using my real name in all the places the yellow sticky tabs told me to sign. The deal was done.“What happens next?” I asked.I’d retaken my seat on the sofa, watching the boats sail up the Thames river. Quinn had moved to the other side of his office into the gloom. The sun shone brightly in through the windows but only reached half of the floor space. Quinn’s black suit enabled him to blend in with the darkness, and I couldn’t see what he was doing.“You wait for my call, lad. My PR people will be in touch soon with our game plan.”“Am I going to lay down some tracks today?”“Not yet.” I heard his irritation, I could have kicked myself for being over eager. Playing it cool never came easily to me. “We need to get everything in place first. We can take our time, get it right to make you a superstar.”Quinn turned his back to take a call, dismissing me from the conversation. It wasn’t until he slipped through a side door in his office and his PA came in to collect the signed papers that I understood I was dismissed for the day.“Have a great day, Errol,” she said with a smile that told me it had been many years since she’d had a good day.I muttered my thanks to her retreating back, drank the glass of water in front of me and took one more look at Quinn’s office. Over the last couple of years, this had been our HQ for planning. Quinn discussed with me the next step in getting away from Maverick and Red & Black label. Years of planning and here I was, the ink still wet on the contract that would take me to superstardom.Rubbing my closed fist against my chest as I left Quinn’s empty cold office, I looked for any familiar faces to chat with. I was still used to the Red & Black mansion where everything was open plan. Here at The Dark Side head office, all offices had doors with no windows to peek in. The grey slate coloured carpets marked my exit to the elevators and down to the security desk.Quinn hadn’t told me what would happen in the coming months. I trusted him to keep me on the path to fame and fortune. Now that I’d signed the contract, I had faith in him more than ever to get me to household name status.

Author Bio:
British author who loves to write about strong women and handsome men. She writes steamy romance novels that will warm your heart.Writer of the Brodie Saga and the Geary Series, Grace immerses you in stories of love, or rather, love's pursuit to bring together two people who were meant for each other. It's not always quick or easy but it will happen eventually.When Grace is not writing, she can be found mooching about in stationery stores. Grace might have a Maltesers addiction but is not ready to stand up and own that just yet.

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Recapping the 2019 Bluebonnet Book Bash

This past Saturday found me in Killeen, TX for the second (and last) Bluebonnet Book Bash. Just as they did in 2017, our fearless leaders Stacy Pritt and Beth Diaz did an amazing job organizing the madness. From VIP goodies to a full on smörgåsbord of a luncheon, from handwritten cards to the authors to the best group of volunteers I've seen gathered... the Bluebonnet Book Bash will always be one of my favorite events. That being said, this signing will be my last one for a while. It was absolutely wonderful seeing old friends, and making new, but I've come to the decision that until I have some new novels for my readers, I need to stay off the event circuit. I've got two tales underway, Austin Ink and Wanted, and hopefully I'll be back to share them with y'all in the next couple of years. In the meantime, thank you to everyone who has stopped by one of my tables... y'all make the indie book world turn. Okay, enough of the sappy, let me share some of the fun! My setup... and my assistant (who happens to be my favorite daughter).

One of the "new friends" I made. Introducing Gibbly the Hip Hippo (he's J.T. Lozano's sidekick and is a lot of fun!) He got a tad frisky when he stopped my table.
One of the things that makes these events fun is getting to put together neat and cool raffle baskets for readers to win. This time was no different as I went for a beach themed goodie bucket to highlight Kah Key Honeymoon by my alter ego, Ima Synner. Tricia was my lucky winner!                         



Imagine my surprise when the lovely Jenifer Krall of Dragonheart Swag swung by my table with this amazing surprise! Custom badges representing my and The Divine Trilogy. I may have teared up. She's a doll, and if you're looking for custom swag, y'all totally need to look her up:
https://www.facebook.com/dragonheartswag/





And if the day wasn't exciting enough, there was one more surprise in store for me when Monique Brand of the Killeen Daily Herald visited the event. Since we were holding the event to support Operation Stand Down Central Texas, she did an awesome write up about the event and supporting our veterans. Y'all, she'd heard of the Trilogy. Totally made my day!
"R.E. Hargrave, known for her works in the erotica The Divine Trilogy, presented the audience with a military romance titled “Unchained Melody,” about a United States Air Force fighter pilot."
Read the article HERE 




Until next time... #LongLiveKink

BOOK BLITZ: Animal Attraction by Kate Willoughby #GIVEAWAY

Animal Attraction
Kate Willoughby
(San Francisco Dragons #2)
Publication date: April 27th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

What do you do when an NHL player steals your dog and won’t give it back?Maggie Hudson made a heartbreaking decision nine years ago that has haunted her ever since. To fill the hole in her life, she showers her rescue dog with love and affection. But one day, Kirby goes missing.Six months later, NHL player Spencer Corbett is astonished when Maggie shows up on his doorstep demanding her dog back. He’d found the pug on the side of the road, collarless and in bad shape. But even when confronted with hard evidence she’s the dog’s owner, he begs her to reconsider. His own elderly dog is on her last legs and Kirby has given her a new lease on life.After Maggie relents, Spencer can’t help but fall for her. Not only is she the most compassionate and selfless person he’s ever met, she’s witty, intelligent and sexier than sin and doesn’t even realize. What starts out as a friendship quickly turns into more, but when a woman from Spencer’s past throws everything into chaos, their fragile relationship is put to the ultimate test.Animal Attraction may be read and enjoyed as a standalone sports romance!

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Request a review copy here!—EXCERPT:What kind of jerk didn’t give back a person’s dog?The PR man said he had personally given Corbett the message only a couple of hours after she’d called. As the days continued to pass with no word, Maggie grew increasingly frustrated and even angry.Finally, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Kirby belonged with her and damned if she was going to let some immoral, spoiled, self-centered jerk who only pretended to be a nice guy for the public, get away with keeping her dog, even if he was an NHL player.After making the decision to hunt down the dog-napper herself, she had watched the video segment again, this time watching for clues as to where he lived. They mentioned Hillsborough. Of course. Very high-class neighborhood. That narrowed it down quite a bit. He dropped the name of an Italian restaurant he frequented that was “within easy walking distance” of his house. That narrowed it even further. She printed a map of the area and marked a three-block radius out from that restaurant. They showed a few seconds of him walking away from his house with the dogs on a leash and she froze the video and took a picture of the view.Then because he mentioned a team party he was hosting to watch the All-Star game, she decided to go to his house and accuse him of dog-napping in front of all his friends. With any luck, peer pressure would make him give up Kirby. Was it going to be horrid, shaming a Dragons player when for more than ten years she’d rooted for the team with all her heart as a hockey fan? Yes. Could she have gone to the media and exposed him the way Jade had suggested? Yes.But what it all came down to was she thought he was morally despicable and she wanted to tell him so to his face. She wanted the satisfaction of taking her dog away from him personally.It took her about fifteen minutes of search-cruising before she found his place. Looking toward downtown San Francisco, the view matched the photo.As she parked her car, the realization hit her that she was about to barge in on what might be the entire Dragons hockey team. Before she’d arrived, all she’d focused on was getting Kirby back. She’d imagined herself going in and righteously claiming her dog. Her main emotion had been indignation. Now, a case of the jitters undermined her determination.Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.She looked up at the spectacular two-story house. The sprawling property looked as if Arts and Crafts architecture and Japanese landscaping had a baby. Lush mature trees cast shade over mossy rocks and boulders. The wooden bridge leading to the front door crossed an actual pond, complete with brightly colored koi fish. As she looked around and the luxuriousness of the neighborhood sunk in, the jitters progressed into near-panic. She’d passed the Sierra Point friggin’ Yacht Club on her way, for Pete’s sake.No. She would do this. Kirby was hers. Even if she couldn’t offer him posh digs like these, they belonged together. She’d had him since puppyhood. They had a bond that couldn’t and wouldn’t ever be broken. Even now, he was probably wishing he were home with her, cuddling on her old sofa watching reruns of Friends and eating microwave popcorn. She told herself the players were only people, like her. People with unusual, high-profile jobs and bodies like gods.She went up to the front door where a sign said, “Come on in. Hope you brought beer.”Gathering her courage, she knocked anyway.No one answered. And it was kind of quiet. Maybe the party hadn’t started yet.She tried the door and found it unlocked. Before entering, she took a picture of the sign, because if this devolved and the police were called, she wanted evidence that, technically, she was invited in.“Hello?” she called hesitantly, crossing the threshold into the foyer.The house was just as gorgeous on the inside as it was on the outside. She’d seen it on the video, but in person, it felt richer and more personal. A San Francisco Dragons player actually lived here. Spencer Corbett occasionally sat on that couch. He walked on this plush rug.He—gulp—was standing right there, staring at her.

Author Bio:
USA Today bestselling author Kate Willoughby is in love with the sport of hockey and the entire Los Angeles Kings team. Having lived most of her life completely uninterested in professional sports, she is surprised at the intensity of her enthusiasm and her growing collection of Kings merchandise: a Dustin Brown jersey (covered with autographs), 3 T-shirts, 5 lapel pins, 3 hats, earrings, several play-off towels, 2 replica Stanley Cup Champions banners, a Christmas ornament, blanket, a car windshield sticker, a license plate frame, and the pièce de résistance, an autographed collector card with a swatch from Justin William's game-worn jersey. Yeah. Don't judge her.She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, their two sons, and a Chihuahua named Mochi. She is also a member of the Romance Writers of America and winner of the 2009 EPPIE Award for Best Fantasy/Paranormal Erotic Romance and the 2016 EPPIE Award for Best Contemporary Romance.

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