R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 239

BOOK BLITZ: Daisy's Run by Scott Baron #GIVEAWAY

Daisy’s Run
Scott Baron
(The Clockwork Chimera , #1)
Publication date: November 14th 2018
Genres: Adult, Science Fiction

Life in deep space could be a drag sometimes, but Daisy supposed things could have been worse. They were still alive, after all, which was always a plus in her book. Now if only she could figure out who, or what, was endangering her return home, things would be just peachy.It had been one hell of a way to start the day––being rudely snapped from a deep cryo-sleep, and in the middle of a ship-wide crisis to boot––but Daisy was pleased to note that the ship had not decompressed, the crew hadn’t been blasted into space, and, most importantly, they hadn’t simply blown up. At least not yet. So, they had that going for them, but being stuck on a damaged ship in the inky depths of space as it limped toward Earth was not exactly the relaxing trip home she’d imagined.With the powerful AI supercomputer guiding the craft beginning to show some disconcerting quirks of its own, and its unsettling cyborg assistant nosing into her affairs, Daisy’s unease was rapidly growing. Add to the mix a crew of mechanically-enhanced humans, any one of whom she suspected might not be what they seemed, and Daisy found herself with a sense of pending dread tickling the periphery of her mind.Something was very much not right––she could feel it in her bones. The tricky part now was going to be figuring out what the threat was, before it could manifest from a mere sinking feeling in her gut into a potentially deadly reality.

Goodreads / Amazon—EXCERPT:“Should we wake them? I mean, the ship is on fire, after all.” Barry didn’t seem stressed. In fact, his voice rarely showed any extremes of emotion at all, though that was to be expected of a cyborg.“It is a bit early, but yes, given the problems I am experiencing with my internal sensors and fire suppression systems, I think that would be prudent,” the disembodied voice of Malorie, the ship’s artificial intelligence system, replied. “Though I would like you on hand, just in case there are any issues cycling the crew out of cryo-sleep so early, and on such short notice.”“Of course, Mal. Understood.”The handsome flesh-and-metal man with sandy-blond hair rose from his seat in the control room and stepped into the double airlock leading to the central passageway network. Starboard Peripheral Corridor One would have been the faster route, but after the impact, with the possibility of undetected depressurization in any of the damaged and offline pod sections or one of the unmonitored inter-compartmental conduit routing spaces, he’d just have to take the long way. The inconvenience, he reasoned, was certainly preferable to being unceremoniously blasted into space.The Váli was a sturdy ship, and she had only been nudged slightly off course by the collision. There was time to set things right, but sooner was far better than later. At the speed and distance they were traveling, “slightly” could easily become “a lot” quickly.Normally Mal would simply right the course herself, diverting a fraction of her attention toward adjusting the maneuvering thrusters to gently ease them back on target. In the event of a fire of any significance, however, protocol required her to wake the crew of the Váli.The ship’s unusual name had been taken from old Norse mythology, given to it by a cybernetically-enhanced engineer with a fondness for ancient texts. Váli, the son of Odin, brother of Thor. A god prophesied to survive Ragnarok, the end of times.She was a fast ship, no doubt, and extremely nimble, when not laden with additional research, living, and lab pods locked to her support frame for such a long voyage. That bulk-saving performance, however, came at a price. The multiple layers of outer shielding found on larger, sturdier vessels—the kind that would have prevented such a minor impact from damaging them in the first place—were sorely lacking, and so it passed that the ship had succumbed quite spectacularly to what would have been an otherwise minor incident.

Author Bio:
A native Californian, Scott Baron was born in Hollywood, which he claims may be the reason for his off-kilter sense of humor. Before taking up residence in Venice Beach, he spent a few years studying abroad before settling into the film and television industry, where he has worked off and on for some time. Scott not only writes, but is also involved in indie film and theater both in the U.S. and abroad.

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BOOK BLITZ: An Autumn in Paris by Alix Nichols #GIVEAWAY

An Autumn in Paris
Alix Nichols
Publication date: November 1st 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Because of Audrey Hepburn, I have foolishly…
a) bought into the whole “Paris is always a good idea” thing without any offscreen evidence,b) uprooted my son and left my bittersweet memories behind,c) allowed Thomas—the handsome, caring, way-out-of-my-league vet—to disrupt the humdrum life I had self-prescribed for my Broken Heart Syndrome.
Behind his easy smile and swoon-worthy pecs, Thomas conceals an open wound. No matter how hot his kisses or how genuine his affection, he’s still reeling. He can’t move on.And I can’t risk falling for him. I have a child to raise—a preteen boy who needs his mom to be all there.But as autumn strips the trees of their leaves, falling for Thomas is exactly what I do. Throwing caution to the wind, I dare to hope for a future with him……until the past comes knocking.Can we handle it or will it break us forever?Whether you’re a fan of timeless movies like “Sabrina” or prefer steamy contemporary romance novels, “An Autumn in Paris” has something for you to love.Escape to Paris, and let this sweet, fun and sensual tale give you all the feels!

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—EXCERPT:Baloo clings to me, scrabbling and whining as I try to set him down.“Do you know the breed?” Dr. Brousse asks, studying Baloo.I try to peel his paws off me. “Likely a Terrier cross. He’s a rescue dog.”Losing my patience with the uncooperative Baloo, I force him onto the table without realizing that one of his paws is in my shirt.The fabric tears, buttons fly off, and the next instant I’m staring at my breasts on full display, nipples prodding my unpadded, wire-free bra. I lift my eyes in horror and catch him staring at my boobs.He averts his gaze immediately.I cover my chest with my left hand, the right one gripping Baloo so he wouldn’t fall off the high table.The vet takes hold of the dog. “I have him.”Letting go, I yank the lapels of my shirt over my breasts and hold them together, hoping my face isn’t too red.Except, I know it is. My cheeks and ears feel hot enough to spontaneously combust at any moment.

Author Bio:
Alix Nichols is an unapologetic caffeine addict and a longtime fan of Mr. Darcy. She pens sexy romantic comedies and sci-fi romances that "keep you hanging off the edge of your seat" (RT Book Reviews). At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper. Decades later, she still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), and she became a Kindle Scout winner (2015), USA Today bestseller (2017) and Amazon All-Star for being one of the 100 most-read authors in Kindle Unlimited (2017, 2018). She lives in France with her family and their almost-human dog.**To read a rom-com and a sci-fi novelette FREE, visit: alixnichols.com/freebies (just copy and paste into your browser).**

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BOOK REVEAL: One Day by A.M. Salinger

One Day
A.M. Salinger
(Nights, #9)
Publication date: December 28th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

I will never tire of this man. Whatever he wants. Whenever he wants it. I will accept it all. All of him. Forever — GabeHe taught me so much. How to love. How to laugh. How to fight and make up. And every day that I spend with him is another day I thank God for the gift He granted me when He gave him to me — CamWith their wedding two months away, Cam Sorvino and Gabe Anderson receive an unexpected invitation from Gabe’s estranged parents to visit them in the US. But the trip doesn’t go as planned and Gabe leaves his family home with a bitter taste in his mouth, the memories of his past trauma fresh in his mind once more. Until Ethan asks him to join him on an incredible project, one with the potential to change Gabe and Cam’s lives forever.With Ethan in charge of their secret bachelor party, Cam, Gabe, and their friends go on to enjoy the weekend of a lifetime, including one surprisingly hot and wicked night organized exclusively for them by the sexy bartender.But as the countdown begins to their wedding, Cam can’t help worrying that Gabe is hiding something from him. Little does Cam know about the breathtaking surprises Gabe and Ethan have in store for him and Joe when they finally gather on the island where the wedding ceremony is to take place. And that’s not the only wonderful thing that unfolds in the beautiful surroundings of the tropical paradise.Join Cam, Gabe, and all the couples of the Nights series in an epic finale that will have you crying, laughing, sighing, and cheering for all their happily-ever-afters.Note from the author: this book is the final installment in Nights and cannot be read as a standalone. So, what are you waiting for? Get the entire series now and discover the hot, funny, sexy, wicked couples of Nights!This is a novella length MF/MM romance with a collection of most splendid HEAs!

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Author Bio:
Ava Marie Salinger is the pen name of an Amazon bestselling author who has always wanted to write scorching hot contemporary and erotic romance. In 2018, she finally decided to venture to the steamy side. NIGHTS is the first of several sizzling series featuring sweet, sexy men and women with dark pasts and a whole lot of love to give to the ones brave enough to fight for their hearts. When she’s not dreaming up hotties to write about, you’ll find Ava creating kickass music playlists to write to, spying on the wildlife in her garden, drooling over gadgets, and eating Chinese.Want to be the first to know about Ava’s new releases and get access to exclusive content, sneak previews, sales, and giveaways ? Then sign up to her Reader Group here and join her VIP Facebook Fan Group here.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub / Pinterest / Amazon / Book and Main Bites

BOOK BLITZ: Sacaren by Sadie Carter #GIVEAWAY

Sacaren
Sadie Carter
(Sky Warriors, #2)
Publication date: November 7th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Science Fiction

Frankie Ricci grew up in a household of men. She could change her own tire, fix a leaking faucet and she wasn’t afraid of squishing a spider, so what did she need a man for? Well, sure there was that. But so far, Frankie had never found someone she was interested in enough to do that.Nope. She was happy with her life just the way it was.
Sacaren wasn’t happy. He’d always believed his pack would share a mate. Having six of them watch over one mate meant she’d always be guarded, safe. Now, the idea of having to take care of a mate on his own…it made him feel a little ill.Especially when these human females were so fragile, so easily harmed. How was he supposed to keep one safe?Well, at least they were small. He’d just have to find a submissive, obedient one and ensure that he kept her tightly under his protection at all time. That would be simple.Right?

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Book 1 of the series, Marcun:
—EXCERPT:“I’m not some helpless female just waiting for a male to rescue her. This dress may look like something from the nineteenth century, but I am fully capable of looking after myself.”“You are upset with me for helping get rid of that male with the knife, who wished to relieve you of your money?”“Yes. I did not need your help.”“But he was bigger than you. He had a knife. You were alone. At night. That is not safe.”“No? Really?”He nodded. Clearly, she did not realize how dangerous it was to be alone at night. “Yes, it is not safe.”“Wow, I would never have guessed. I mean, the fact that I’ve just been involved in two attempted armed robberies really didn’t clue me in as to how unsafe it is around here.”“It should. You should have an escort.”“Don’t really understand sarcasm, do you? Let me guess, a big burly man to watch over me? Is that what I need?”“Exactly.” He nodded. He was glad she now understood.“Urgh! Lord save me from idiotic, overgrown men who think they are superior to poor, delicate females. Here’s a tip, buddy, ease up on the steroids. They’re starting to eat away at what little brains you had to begin with.”“Steroids?” He thought furiously. “Drugs? You believe I am taking drugs?”She ran her gaze over him. “You don’t get a body like that without some serious help. How many hours a day do you spend at the gym?”“I do not go to a gym.”“Uh-huh, right. You’re trying to tell me you were just born this way.” She ran her hand through the air. “What were your parents? Greek Gods? Have you got some sort of superhero complex? What happened? Leave your cape and mask at home?”Trying to follow her words was really making his head hurt.

Author Bio:

Best selling author, Sadie wanted to blend her love of writing, Sci-Fi (why did they cancel Firefly - sobs) and sexy, dominant males.If you'd like to keep up with any updates, she has a Facebook page.https://www.facebook.com/sadiecartera... up to her newsletter (http://eepurl.com/bQPcI5) and receive a FREE NOVELLA set in the Zerconian Warriors world, you'll also receive information about new releases, excerpts from upcoming books and deleted scenes.

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BOOK BLITZ: Dark Legacy by Trish McCallan and Dark Nightmares by Becca Jameson #GIVEAWAY

Dark Legacy
Trish McCallan
(Dark Falls)
Publication date: November 6th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Thriller

Rhys EvansSixteen years…For sixteen years he’d lived with the certainty that they’d caught the right guy…convicted the right guy…punished the right guy. While life behind bars didn’t make up for what the bastard had done, the families he’d destroyed, or the lives he’d stolen, the fact he’d died a broken, lonely man locked in a cell had been a small comfort. But now Ariel Hamilton was back—the onetime love of his life and the daughter of Dark Fall’s infamous serial killer. She rolled into town with her icy smile, furious eyes and baseless accusations of police corruption. Damn it to hell, Hamilton had been the X-factor killer, he was absolutely certain of that—no matter how desperate Ariel was trying to prove him wrong.

Ariel HamiltonSixteen years…For sixteen years she’d lived with the knowledge her father had been framed, and watched him waste away in prison for crimes he hadn’t committed. Nobody had believed her back then. Even Rhys, the boy she’d loved with all her heart, had walked away. It had been a hard lesson, but she’d learned it well—count on no one. Now she finally had proof of her dad’s innocence. Proof that Dark Falls police department had framed an innocent man and covered it up…were still covering it up. She wasn’t nineteen anymore, she wouldn’t be cowed and ran out of town. She’d stay and fight to clear her father’s name. Even if that meant drawing the real killer out…even if that meant making herself a target and losing a second chance with the only man she’d ever loved.

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Dark Nightmares
Becca Jameson
(Dark Falls)
Publication date: November 6th 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Thriller

Nicole Salway left Dark Falls eighteen years ago with no intention of ever returning. Destroyed beyond repair, she closed that chapter of her life for good. But nightmares have plagued her for two decades. Nonsensical nightmares that have kept her from leading a normal life. The Dark Falls police department failed her as a young girl, but now she’s a detective herself, and her hometown needs her help. Returning to the place where it all began could crack open her past and leave her raw and exposed if she’s not careful.Mason England isn’t fond of going undercover without his usual partner, but the state has assigned one of their own detectives to help solve a horrific murder. After all, the victim is the governor’s daughter, and all evidence points to a local club. Mason’s temporary partner takes his breath away the moment she enters the precinct. But Nicole is a conundrum. She guards her secrets close, so close that Mason realizes no one has ever penetrated her walls.Sharing her past with Mason, or anyone, isn’t an option. Nicole does not date. Ever. But Mason is persistent and patient. As Nicole’s past unravels, threatening to destroy her, Mason just might prove capable of grabbing the pieces as they fall and putting her back together again.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—The Dark Falls, CO series is a multi-author romantic thriller series set in the fictional town of Dark Falls, Co. Each book features a separate hero and heroine and suspense storyline. They can be read in order or out of order depending on reader preference, although readers may enjoy the books best if read in order. The books currently being promoted are books three and four in the series- books one and two released on October 9th. You can find the four titles currently available, as well as a list of upcoming titles here: http://loriryanromance.com/darkfalls/—EXCERPTS: Dark Legacy
When it came to murder, every avenue was investigated.Assuming the victim had been murdered.Rhys suspected she had been; his instincts had been humming since he’d gotten the call an hour earlier. The location and markings were too damn suspicious for anything else. Unless… unless some malicious prick had found a dead drifter and decided to play a nasty prank on the town.He crunched his way across the first perimeter, his skin and chest tightening beneath the constant furtive glances that followed him. Sevier was waiting at the second perimeter tape—red this time.“You’re late.” There was no accusation in the comment; instead, concern narrowed the light brown eyes studying him. “You okay?”The question stopped Rhys in his tracks and tensed the muscles of his back. Fuck… he’d expected the concern… the questions… those little sideways looks everyone was giving him. He just hadn’t expected them to dig under his skin like slivers of ice.“I’m fine.” He kept his voice neutral, his face blank, and ducked beneath the tape to join Sevier. “When did you start buying into Cantu’s theory of oversharing?”Eric Cantu was Sevier’s partner. He was also the Major Crime unit’s company comic and pop psychologist. Christ, it was bad enough having Cantu mothering the hell out of them, encouraging everyone to express their feelings. Having two dithering hens in the unit would be two too many.Sevier simply shrugged. “The boss fill you in?”“About the carvings? Yeah.” Rhys buried his immediate visceral reaction. But remnants of the nightmare slipped through.A white face frozen in terror… glazed blue eyes… icy blond hair stuck to the snow… a dark red X-9 carved into a bleached-white forehead…He locked down the corresponding surge of rage and horror. Even now, so many years later—those early, raw emotions dug their claws into him sometimes, catching him unprepared. He’d spent the past forty-five minutes drinking coffee and girding himself to make sure they didn’t latch onto him here… now.“Whoever did this… the perp? He’s a mimic. A fucking copycat.” Sevier scowled and blew out a deep breath that hung in the air like a frosty question mark.Rhys grimaced. No shit.While he’d been a clueless kid when Kenneth Hamilton had been carving up young women and dumping their bodies in this section of the Colorado State Forest, he knew many of the detectives who’d been instrumental in catching the bastard.Hell, Gerald Osborn and Craig Patel had been the lead detectives on the case back then. They were sharp as needles, methodical, and unbiased. They didn’t jump to conclusions; they followed the evidence. There was no fucking way Hamilton would have been arrested and convicted without a sea of evidence supporting the case.The bastard had been guilty. There was no question of that in Rhys’s mind. Regardless of how vehemently Ariel had insisted that her father wasn’t the killer… couldn’t possibly be the killer—Rhys swiped a hand down his face. Christ, he needed to get his mind under control. These damn memories were not helping.He sighed and pinched the flesh between his eyebrows. This new victim with her blond hair and blue eyes and the X-10 carved in her forehead had just muddied the Hamilton case significantly.Someone was out to fuck with them.— Dark Nightmares
Nicole had been a detective for six years. She’d worked undercover more times than she could count. This was the first assignment that completely threw her off her game.Thank God, Mason seemed nice enough that he would do his best to ensure she was comfortable, but she really didn’t like putting herself in situations where she was inferior to a man. Ever.He was picking her up from her hotel any minute now, and she was pacing like a sixteen-year-old about to go on her first date. He had said she could wear whatever she wanted, but he’d also implied she might fit in better if she showed a little skin. Apparently, there would be people there wearing anything from jeans and T-shirts to expensive sexy corsets and short tight skirts to…complete nudity.She shuddered and rubbed her arms for the millionth time. She was a grown woman for heaven’s sake. A detective. She could handle just about anything. Blood. Dead bodies. Active shooters. Masked gunmen. Car chases. Heights. The list was long. It didn’t include fetish clubs.Until tonight.At exactly midnight, a knock on her door made her jump. She shook her arms at her sides and took a few deep breaths before peering through the peephole and then opening the door.She hadn’t thought much about how Mason might be dressed, but she was pleasantly surprised to find him in black jeans, a black tee that hugged his pecs to perfection, and black loafers. He’d showered recently. His hair was still damp, and as he stepped into her room, she could smell the clean scent of his soap and shampoo.If this were a date, she would consider herself the luckiest woman alive. He had been attractive from the moment she’d met him, but tonight he was smoking hot. And that smile… The way he looked at her with slightly narrowed eyes. The air between them sizzled and she hadn’t even let him inside the room yet. For several moments, it was impossible to remember this was not a real date. It was a job.Damn. She needed to avert her gaze, school her expression, and shake the wandering thoughts about what his chest might look like from her head. She was on a job. She never ogled men at work.Never.As a rule, she didn’t date anyone she worked with, not even people from another department. Of course, Mason was from another city, so in the long run, he didn’t count. But, looks aside, he had several strikes against him.He was apparently at least somewhat into BDSM. This would never fly with her. He was a detective. She didn’t like to date men who were in her field. It left her feeling like they were in a power struggle. And finally, the guy lived in Dark Falls. That was four hours from Denver. It was also a town she never wanted to return to on a permanent basis.Strike three.With that in mind, she faced him again, only to find him eyeing her from top to bottom. She couldn’t read his expression, so she wasn’t sure how she measured up to his expectations.This is not a date.“Will this work?” she asked, pointing down at the little black dress she’d purchased that afternoon. She was not ordinarily a shopper. She didn’t like crowded stores, and she hated fitting rooms. Online shopping was far more her style. But she hadn’t arrived in Dark Falls with anything she would deem appropriate for tonight, nor did she have time to order something and have it delivered.

Author Bios:

Trish McCallan was born in Eugene, Oregon, and grew up in Washington State, where she began crafting stories at an early age. Her first books were illustrated in crayon, bound with red yarn, and sold for a nickel at her lemonade stand. Trish grew up to earn a bachelor’s degree in English literature with a concentration in creative writing from Western Washington University, taking jobs as a bookkeeper and human- resource specialist before finally quitting her day job to write full time.

Forged in Fire, the first book in her Red Hot SEALs series, came about after a marathon reading session, and a bottle of Nyquil that sparked a vivid dream. She lives today in eastern Washington. An avid animal lover, she currently shares her home with four golden retrievers, a black lab mix and two cats.

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Becca Jameson is a USA Today best-selling author of over 70 books. She is most well-known for her Wolf Masters series and her Fight Club series. She currently lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with her husband, two grown kids, and the various pets that wander through. She is loving this journey and has dabbled in a variety of genres, including paranormal, sports romance, military, and BDSM.A total night owl, Becca writes late at night, sequestering herself in her office with a glass of red wine and a bar of dark chocolate, her fingers flying across the keyboard as her characters weave their own stories.During the day--which never starts before ten in the morning!--she can be found jogging, floating in the pool, or reading in her favorite hammock chair!Becca loves chatting with fans on social media! Reach out, and she will respond!

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BOOK BLITZ: Fate's Fools by Ophelia Bell #GIVEAWAY

Fate’s Fools
Ophelia Bell
(Fate’s Fools, #1)
Publication date: November 6th 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

How do you find a soulmate – without a soul?Deva Rainsong was meant to be nothing more than a vessel to house the enemy’s soul. Bred in a lab with a link to the enemy’s bloodline, she is a mix of all four higher races and the only creature of her kind. No one, not even her family, knows how she works, or what she is truly capable of. And now, with the death of the enemy in the last war, Deva has lost her purpose. Despite the deep connection she forms with five men along her journey, love without a soul can only be an empty affair. Deva refuses to bind any man to that meaningless existence.Unclaimed, empty, and soulless, Deva has been left with nothing but a deep, cold longing for a love that Fate will never offer. But, when Fate hounds begin hunting members of the bloodline, it becomes Deva’s personal quest to find out how to stop them. With her special link, and her five suitors in tow, she is in a singularly unique position. Together, the band of six will embark on a mission to uncover the secrets of bloodline souls, love, rogue Fate hounds, and the true extent of Deva’s powers…Warning: this story is a fast-burn HOT and steamy reverse-harem odyssey, with some M/M content, not meant for the faint of heart (or libido)… #whychoose!

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EXCERPT:
The ursa claim that when they go on their pilgrimage as young adults, they do this thing they call “soul searching.” I’ve always wondered what this meant. Are their souls like vessels that need to be emptied out like old luggage and filtered through to find clues to their true path in life? Or are they missing their souls and the pilgrimage is how they find them?I’ve never asked anyone else this question before because I kind of already know the answer. Their soul searching was a journey to understand the souls they already possessed. I’d have liked to think that my own pilgrimage was the same thing, except I was probably fooling myself.First of all, I’m not really on a pilgrimage at all. I ran away from home and my family is probably looking for me.And second, I don’t have a soul, which is a double-edged sword. It means I’m nearly impossible for my family to find, but it also means I am missing the one thing that could probably tell me where I belong in the world, and I’m fairly certain my own quest isn’t going to lead me to it.Ever since I ran, I’ve been going through the motions of this so-called “soul search,” but haven’t really learned a whole lot about myself that I didn’t already know. I’m an infinitely adaptable creature and a quick study, yet the powers I was born with are still wimpy as fuck. Three weeks into a self-imposed exile from the life I knew, all I’d really learned were things related to the human world to which I’d fled.Humanity was both amazingly resilient and heart-breakingly fragile at the same time. I finally understood why the higher races were so drawn to them. Why the dragons used to collect human mates and hoard them like treasure.That particular instinct wasn’t exactly dormant in me. Thanks to my somewhat unorthodox origins, I was magically linked to a special segment of humanity that was infused with divine blood. And thanks to that blood, there was something distinctly magical hurting some of the humans of the bloodline.My deepest instincts urged me to protect them. Whether it was my dragon nature at work, or a trait of one of the other four races that ran in my blood, I kind of wanted to take half the bloodline home with me just to keep them safe. That would have solved a lot of issues, but it wasn’t exactly feasible to show up in the Dragon Glade or one of the other three sacred homes of the four higher races with a whole pile of humans in tow.Even if I could go home. One of the few things I’d learned about myself was that I was stubborn as hell. I was part human, so that resilience and tenacity was there, but I was also immortal, so not so fragile, at least not on the outside. I couldn’t leave the human world until I’d figured out what was hurting the people I was linked to and why, even if it meant keeping watch over the one thing they possessed that I didn’t: their souls.The irony was not lost on me.

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 REVEAL: Shopping for a Baby's First Christmas by Julia Kent

Shopping for a Baby’s First Christmas
Julia Kent
(Shopping, #15)
Publication date: November 27th 2018
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

My mother wants all her kids and grandkids to spend Christmas Eve at her house and wake up on Christmas morning together.Sounds reasonable, right?And it would be.If it weren’t my mother.My husband, Declan, is protesting any involvement, though he’s openly intrigued by the idea of claiming his territory by suggesting we have sex in my childhood bed.And by ‘suggest,’ I mean make a series of really hot offers that make me whimper when I have to say no.Wait – why am I saying no again?Mom has turned her house into a Christmas showcase that makes Frankenmuth look like the picked-over clearance rack at Target on December 26. You know those crazy people on Etsy who make felted gnomes out of belly button lint and use … a certain kind of hair… to make thatched roofs on little decorative elf homes?Those people are saner than my mother.There is no force of nature stronger — and more emotionally volatile — than a fifty-something grandmother determined to create holiday memories.Wait a minute. Maybe there is.My husband.

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Author Bio:
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Julia Kent writes romantic comedy with an edge. From billionaires to BBWs to new adult rock stars, Julia finds a sensual, goofy joy in every contemporary romance she writes. Unlike Shannon from Shopping for a Billionaire, she did not meet her husband after dropping her phone in a men's room toilet (and he isn't a billionaire). She lives in New England with her husband and three sons in a household where the toilet seat is never, ever, down.

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BOOK BLITZ: Worth the Wait by J.B. Heller #GIVEAWAY

Worth the Wait
J.B. Heller
(Alpha One, #2)
Publication date: November 8th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

What happens when an ex-marine who has never known real love falls for a vivacious redhead about to give up on the concept?When Zak locked eyes on the feisty redhead storming the lobby of an upscale hotel, he didn’t stand a chance. In iridescent green tights, she had grown men cupping their balls as the fire flashing in her eyes passed over them and Zak was a goner. He saw through her smart mouth and quick wit to the fragile woman beneath her bravado.Ellie was beginning to think that love was reserved for a select few and she simply wasn’t one of them. One after another, failed relationships have taken their toll on her vibrant spirit, leaving the once fiery bombshell feeling tarnished and inadequate.Zak’s determination to prove himself to Ellie goes a long way towards breaking down her walls and opening her heart to all the possibilities of their future together. Just when they feel like everything is falling into place one phone call reveals a life altering, explosive secret. Together they need to learn how to expand their love and reinforce their connection while guarding against the danger fixated on them.

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Grab your copy for 99¢! Today only!Book 1 – Worth the Risk – is also 99¢ this week!—EXCERPT:Before she can continue on with her self-depreciative speech I gently, but firmly, place my hand over her mouth. “Enough, Ellie,” I tell her, my tone leaving no room for misinterpretation. I mean business.To my absolute shock, Ellie listens. Her jaw slams shut beneath my hand. I expected her to lick it or try to bite me—it wouldn’t be the first time—but she does nothing. Her eyes lock on mine, uncertainty and confusion shining in their depths.I drop my hand slowly from her mouth, then slide it around her jaw. “Enough,” I whisper as I move in closer, bringing my chest just an inch from hers. Keeping our eyes locked together I explain my frustration. “You say men don’t want to stay with you because you’re a lot to handle…and Red, you’re right.”Her entire body solidifies.Sliding my hand down her throat I feel her pulse race rapidly under my palm. The further my hand travels, the softer her body becomes. It’s just her stubborn resistance keeping her from melting into me the way I know she wants to.When I reach her hip, I squeeze. A tiny moan escapes her before she can stop it, and I smirk. Not once have I allowed my eyes to roam her incredible body. I read everything she refuses to say aloud in her green depths. She knows I’m different. She knows this thing with us is different.
I know she says she’s ready for sex, but apprehension is clear in her eyes. And I refuse to take her until she is as sure about me as I am about her. Bringing my free hand to her other hip I curl my fingers into her flesh that peeks from her between her T and shorts, then lift and swing her into my lap. The startled look on her face vanishes the instant she feels my erection pushing up into her ass. Her gaze morphs into desire andlust.
“I want you, Angel. I’ve wanted you from the second I laid eyes on you. You fascinate me. Entertain me. Calm me. Captivate me. Arouse me. And you do it all, without even trying.” I press my forehead against hers as I relish the feel of her rapid breaths against my lips. “Don’t doubt me. Don’t doubt this. Us,” I plead, sick of dictating how she should feel, but desperate for her to understand. “I am not them.”Finally, after what feels like an eternity, Ellie nods against my forehead. “Okay,” she whispers. I feel the relief that one single word brings, all the way down to my goddamned toes. Her hips rock against me, ever so gently, teasing me. Her soft hand slides around my neck, coming to rest in the hair at my nape. She stokes her long fingers through my hair and I tip my head back, letting her take control, and loving every second of it.She presses an open-mouthed kiss to my throat, scraping her teeth against the sensitive flesh as she moves down to my collar bone. My cock is rigid, straining to be freed. Her ass pushes harder against it, grinding down on my length. My fingers dig further into her lush hips as I take over, shifting her until my cock presses against her centre, then I set the pace.

Author Bio:
JB Heller is an average Aussie housewife in her early 30’s with a wicked sexy imagination. JB and her family live in Central Queensland, Australia on a mini farm of sorts, surrounded animals.She writes both romantic suspense and contemporary romance with a healthy splash of wit. You’ll love her dashingly handsome alpha hero’s and their feisty counterparts. Then swoon over her beautifully damaged, and flawed characters.Most day’s JB can be found glued to her laptop, taking advantage of school hours now that all three of her kidlets are in school. Or trolling Pinterest for her next potential muse. And when she needs a break from the voices in her head she indulges in one of her favourite past times, reading or binging on netflix.

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BOOK BLITZ: Creatus Talis by Carmen DeSousa #GIVEAWAY

Creatus Talis
Carmen DeSousa
Publication date: December 18th 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal

For four thousand years, creatus elders have insisted that the creatus population concealed themselves from human beings because humans had hunted the creatus almost to extinction…But one woman’s research reveals that when creatus first arrived on this planet, humans didn’t fear the alien beings that looked so much like the human race. That is, until the creatus started to breed with humans, creating a ferocious killer feared by humans and creatus alike. A creature so fierce that its legacy of death and destruction has fed nightmares for millennia. And now, a new breed of creatus has been born — or rather, reborn. Vev, one of the first generations of creatus talis, finds herself torn between her younger family members and a forbidden love as she fights to save the young talis from being turned into a weapon — or worse, annihilation.

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Amazon/ Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play—EXCERPT:Hesitantly, Vev stepped forward. She’d never kissed a male before. Wasn’t even sure how it worked. She’d read about it, of course. Watched it. But as with everything, her knowledge only took her so far. Life experience, she was learning, was invaluable.Zach’s heart rate sped up again, and the musky scent she’d noticed intermittently throughout the day escalated. Every beat of his heart fanned the potent scent, filling the room. In response, all of Vev’s senses intensified, as though she were hunting game.“Vev,” he said, stepping toward her again, “please stay.” His hand stroked her cheek, brushing back a strand of hair. He took another step, this time slipping his arm around her waist.The pounding in Vev’s heart exploded into such a fast rhythm she could hardly breathe. She gulped, licked her lips. Zach moved just his head toward her this time, pressing his lips to hers. A kiss. Her mouth parted unconsciously as his mouth moved back and forth.She closed her eyes and inhaled. He smelled so good. So delicious—Vev pulled back so fast that Zach fell forward.She twisted her body, jerking away. The door. The sun must have set. Regardless, she needed to leave.“What happened?” Zach’s voice cracked.“I must go.”“Vev?” His warm hand made contact with her shoulder and she lurched forward, as far away as the room allowed.She wheeled, facing him. “I’m not human, Zach. Can’t you see that?”His lips turned up slightly, revealing curved lines that framed his mouth. “You feel plenty human to me.”“I’m not!” Vev insisted. She reached for the only thing in her vicinity. A broom. She snatched it from the corner and held it up. She didn’t know how much strength humans had. According to Marguerite, not much. “Can you break this?”“Why would I want to break my broom?”Vev huffed out a breath. “Can you?”“I guess. If I leveraged it against something, I could.”Vev brought the broom down over her knee, splitting it in two, then squeezed her hands around each part, pulverizing the wood until each piece was nearly sawdust. She released the slivers and shards, crumbling the pieces.Zach’s eyes grew wide. His heart raced disturbingly fast. She hated scaring him, but she had to make him see the danger. Marguerite had said that her research revealed that the earliest humans hadn’t been afraid of creatus, but that they had become jealous of their beauty and strength, and started hunting them. Vev had never understood that. Now she did. Humans hadn’t hunted the original creatus because they were jealous; they’d been frightened. Because humans smelled good. Because even though she liked the feel of Zach’s kiss, a part of her imagined biting his neck and feasting.

Author Bio:
My stories overflow with romance, suspense, a hint of humor and, of course, a few Kleenex moments. After all, what would a great story be without an emotional event setting the stage? All of my novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic, and will make you cry, laugh, love, and hope. Although some of my books include supernatural or ghostly beings, my stories dance on the edge of make believe. My hope is that as you read my stories, you'll wonder, "Hmmm...what if?"Like most authors, I blame my leap into a full-time career as a professional writer on my love of reading. Reading has always been an escape for me. When life was rough as a child, I could always disappear into a book. But I found something else too... I discovered that writing out my thoughts was healing. Not only could I create hope for my protagonists, but I could do away with the antagonists--legally. When I penned my first novel, "She Belongs to Me," I allowed only my cousin and best friend to read it. They are the reason I write. They pushed me to publish, as they felt my stories would give hope to others who've experienced tragedies. So now, even though I still write for myself, I also write for my readers who continually tell me that my words touched their soul.Currently, my husband of twenty-seven years and I live in California with a very spoiled "rescued" calico we lovingly refer to as "Baby Kitty," even though she's eleven years old. Hubby and I love to experience different areas, so we move a lot. We've lived on both of Florida's coasts: Cocoa Beach and Tampa Bay; Charlotte, North Carolina; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; Chicago, Illinois; Bullhead City, Arizona; and now the Northern Central Valley of California. But we're always looking for our next adventure, so we travel every chance we get.Most of my novels share some of our favorite hobbies, mostly, anything to do with the great outdoors. We both love to read on the beach--or in a coffee shop if it's raining--and if the weather is really nice, we love to go kayaking and hiking. We rarely spend our days off at a movie theater or the mall. In fact, I hate shopping, and my hubby would rather do anything other than take me to a movie when I've already read the book. :)

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BOOK REVEAL: Discovering April by Sheena Hutchinson

Discovering April
Sheena Hutchinson
(Discovering Trilogy #1)
Publication date: April 27th 2015
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

April Landau thinks she has everything she’s ever wanted. Her high school sweetheart, a house she can’t afford, her bipolar tabby cat, and she’s all set to begin her Junior year of college. Just when she least expects it, her life gets thrown for a loop. When things between her and her long time boyfriend unravel, she becomes stuck in a downward spiral of emotion. Finally, opening her eyes to the fact that she may have given up more than she ever could have imagined in this relationship. She finds herself struggling to keep her head above water.Enter April’s next door neighbor— Jared Hoffman. He’s her complete opposite. A high school drop out who was forced to take over his parent’s business after their untimely death. It’s no surprise this tragedy affected him greatly, causing him to recede almost completely from society.But he has one secret. A secret he’s been carrying around for years.What happens when their worlds collide? Can an old friendship be the one thing that brings these two back to life?A new adult love story filled with drama, sex, death, and the complications of all of the above.

Goodreads / Amazon—99¢ for a limited time only!—DELETED SCENE:Jared
My Wrangler rattles into the spot out front of Jack’s Coffee Bean. I flip down the musty old visor that still smells like muck no matter how many times I hose it down. I let out a deep breath as I run my fingers through my short hair before finally climbing out of the car. My hands automatically flatten out my shirt and attempt to tuck it in before my hand reaches for the door. My mind registers the chime of the door before my eyes adjust to the dimness of the shop. One glance around was all I needed to realize she isn’t here. A part of me is relieved, the other part disappointed.
“Yep, Gotcha!” The shaggy blonde barista has the cordless phone to his ear as both of his hands make two very different drinks. “Few minutes late, I heard you April!” My heart stops at the sound of her name. I find myself leaning against the glass display to get a closer listen. “I’ll have your triple caf, one pump hazelnut, no foam latte waiting for you when you get here. Yea, I’ll be fine. Okay—Bye!” the phone slips down his shoulder before he grabs it with one hand and hangs up from the call. When he spins around Jack hands the lady before me two cups before turning to greet me.“Good afternoon Jared, what can I get you?”“Just a small coffee, thanks.”“You got it!” he picks up a cup as he turns, slips it under the spout just as his other hand flips it down. My eyes dart around awkwardly as I pick at the seam on my jeans. Jack must notice, “Sorry for the wait, my help got stuck at school today.” He has the lid on the cup before he even turns to place it on the counter between us. “But she’ll be here any minute, if you wanted to wait.”Immediately, my eyes meet his. One glance was all I needed –he knows. I pause hand halfway reaching for my coffee when my eyes size him up. Is he threatening me with this knowledge? Is he jealous? Or is he really trying to help me out?Jack shrugs as if reading my thoughts, “Just in case you were wondering.” He then starts to wipe down the counter top clearly ignoring the money in my hands.“Uh, thank you,” I mutter pocketing the cash, “for everything.” I turn scanning the coffee house for a free spot. There are a few empty tables, but as I look around at all the coffee patrons, I realize I don’t want to be one of them. I don’t want her to look at me as a customer—someone to please and clean up after (not that I wouldn’t mind the pleasing part). But, I want her to remember Jared. The fun times we used to have together, the closeness we used to have. I know it’s my own fault. I let her go into high school not knowing how I felt. I let her walk off my porch after she screamed for me to open the door. To this day, it’s my fault she doesn’t know how I feel about her. It’s also my fault that she probably never will. Because I am the biggest pussy. I think before slipping out of the coffeehouse without even looking back. I grip the support bar and hop into the driver’s seat of the dirty old Jeep held together by some rusty old nuts that always seem to need replacing. The engine roars to life and I shift into drive by the time I see April pull her puttering little Honda into a parking spot. A flash of blonde hair with pink tips is all I spot before I gun it down the road, towards home.All the next day I regretted not staying. Her and that douche bag, Hunter, broke up again late last night. I heard her screaming outside again before she stumbled into her house. I should have stayed, struck up a conversation. She even drunkenly screamed at me through the window last night. My window was closed so I couldn’t exactly make out what she was saying… but, that’s a step right? Maybe, I should go over and ask her if she’s okay or if she needs a cup of sugar or something… anything!“Ah, truth is you’re too much of a wuss to do anything. That’s why she’s dating assholes and cheaters!” My own reflection taunts me with my own words. My very own brown eyes glare back at me with the same contempt I feel. “Fuck!” I holler throwing the towel off and slipping a pair of jeans on. I slam the bathroom door closed before taking a deep breath in the hallway. My eyes automatically trail over to the closed door in front of me. It’s closed for a reason— much like my chances with April. Like the girl next door, it’s a piece of the past I try to forget, but will never be able to escape from. I recognize the soft puttering of April’s car before it even gets to our street. I listen as her car door shuts and her shoes click all the way down the walkway, up the three stairs. Thump, thump—yup that’s her fumbling with the door. I wish I had the balls to ask her to fix it. I’m entranced by her as my feet wander deeper into my room, through my window I see a swish of blonde hair pass the small window on the stairs, then the door to her room opens. Her cat, Jinx, is the first to enter followed by April. Her tight jeans are what mesmerize me as she bends over and unbuckles her boots. Her window is still open and I think I can hear her humming again. It’s completely out of tune and I can just barely make out the song, but my lips curl into a smile as I continue to gaze at her. She kicks the other shoe off and turns to her dresser. That’s when she starts to run her fingers over the snow globe collection. I remember the first one her father ever brought home with Cinderella inside of it. She was so proud of it, brought the damn thing everywhere. Now, she has about fifteen of them. She continues about her daily routine bopping about to some music as she cleans her room. I think I could watch her all day. When she’s alone she’s so much happier, I don’t know why she doesn’t see that Hunter guy only drags her down. She’s finally free of him, maybe I could finally ask her out. I’m going to invite her to the barbeque tonight.That’s it. I’m doing it! Before, I change my mind my feet stomp down the stairs with purpose. My heart is pounding against my ribcage. This is it. This is happening. I think more for reassuring myself as I open the front door. I’m just going to go up those three steps and ring her doorbell like I used to do a million times. I’ve made it to my driveway by the time I hear the engine of that stupid obnoxious BMW. Fuck! I spin around and open my toolbox on the side of the driveway. I hear him walk up the walkway and ring the doorbell before he clears his throat.She opens the door, I vaguely hear them talking before she allows him to come in. My heart sinks, she took him back! I missed my chance. I slam the toolbox shut and head back inside as my feet still stomp with stubborn purpose. It’s not fair! If I’ve learned anything it’s that life isn’t fair. If it was: my parents would still be alive, I would have April, and a football scholarship. But, if there is some crazy twisted plot of fate and I end up with an opportunity to date April Landau—I swear to give her everything I’ve been dreaming about doing for her for years. I will show her how a real man treats a woman… I just hope that I’m blessed with that chance.

Author Bio:

Sheena is a born and raised New Yorker, who followed her happily ever after to a much more rural town in Maine. When she’s not driving an hour to find a Starbucks or running from bugs that are way to big for her taste, she’s focusing on writing stories that empower and inspire.Sheena always roots for the underdog, believes in love at first sight, and that everyone should have their happily ever after. For more on Sheena and her books visit her website: www.SheenaHutchinson.com.

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