R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 338

R.E. Hargrave's TOP TEN Books of 2015

Another year is coming to a close. I didn't get to read nearly as many books as I would've liked, but around editing manuscripts and working on my own stories, I did manage to get a few in. Here, in no particular order, are my top ten favorite books of 2015.



IT STARTED IN TEXAS by M.B. FEENEYContemporary Romance / 225 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Leaving the familiar comfort of her UK home for a weekend in Texas is one of the craziest things Charlotte Evans has ever done. Celebrating her birthday with friends is the highlight of her year until she bumps into her favourite rock star, literally.
Gage Weston is used to having women fall over themselves at his feet … A rock star, an actor, he’s got his fair share of female attention, but what is it about the Brit that grabs his attention from the moment they meet?
Communication issues and crossed wires plague them as they try to work out what is going on with them across thousands of miles. Crazy friends and distance issues aside; can a relationship work, or is it a simple case of ‘a girl in every town’?


BEATLESS by AMBER L. JOHNSONContemporary Romance / 213 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Mallory Durham has been left behind and it is making her feel less like an adult and more like an afterthought. 
Divorce, sickness, educational aspirations being shattered, and her Aunt Sam moving into her home, have made Mal's life nearly unrecognizable to her.
When Tucker Scott re-enters her life along with his band, will they offer what she needs to once again find her voice and self confidence or will it strip her of it even more?
Told through the dual voices of Mallory as she navigates her new world, and Aunt Sam's letters to her niece, Beatless tells the story of two women at very different points in their life, fighting the same battles; proving that no matter what age a person is, there are always lessons to be learned.



MAYBE by AMBER L. JOHNSONContemporary Romance / 184 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Letting go is hard. Admitting you need each other is harder.
Emily Portman loves her job. A writer for Breakout! Magazine, she shadows and showcases up-and-coming bands. When her next assignment takes her to Austin, Texas, she can’t wait to add the city to her map of places she’s visited. Places she’s left without looking back. Her plan is to keep moving on, and the last thing she needs is a man holding her back. She’s not going down that road again.
Tyler Macy is stuck in a rut. Despite his exceptional talent as a musician, he has chosen to take a back seat with his music and let others grab the limelight. Wounded and mistrustful, he doesn’t appreciate his friends’ efforts to bring him back to center stage. Emily comes onto the scene and sees his full potential, but he fights to stay in the shadows, shutting her out before she can add to the scars another woman gave him.
For Tyler to find his music again, he needs to accept the help that Emily and their friends offer. When he discovers that his muse lies underneath Emily’s skin, it is still not enough to keep her from walking away. Neither will admit what they really want until it is too late.
Emily is once again thrown in Tyler’s path when she is assigned to join them on tour. Despite the pain in his past, Tyler sees that she is worth it, even if she’s stolen both his heart and peace of mind. In order for them to be together, they both must discover whether the music and their passion are enough to overcome the obstacles that separate them.
Maybe finding love is worth the risk.


TIED BETWEEN by KIRA BARKERBook 2 of the We Kinky Three SeriesBDSM MMF Erotica / 346 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Erin Slater loves her life. With the career she has always dreamed of just one phone call away, and two hot guys who have tied up her personal life in the very best of ways, what more could a girl ask for? Yet as hot and steamy as the sex is with Jack and Simon, sex alone does not a relationship make. They each have their own demons to battle, but acknowledging them can be much harder than it seems.
Not having enough time to spend with the guys is wearing her down, and as much as she loves being Simon's submissive, she needs more from him than the occasional workout in the attic. Simon is still hung up on what happened in the past, and sometimes, she's not sure that he has realized that Jack and Erin can give him everything he'd ever want. Then there is Jack--who is learning to accept Erin and Simon as they are, but still wears his heart on his sleeve--a constant reminder that Erin is not the only one who needs so much more than they have right now. And with their track record? Let's just say that she hopes that they can work this out before they end up unravelling all ties between them.
If you love steamy BDSM erotic romance with a twist, this is the series for you! For the best experience, pick up the first novel - Caught in the Middle - first!


COME UNDONE by KIRA BARKERBook 3 of the We Kinky Three SeriesBDSM MMF Erotica / 306 pagesRead MY REVIEW 
Sometimes, the one thing you can’t have is the only thing you want. 
That is exactly how Erin Slater has been feeling for a while—on so many levels. Sidelined in her career as a trauma surgeon; no longer welcome in her father’s home; being just Simon’s submissive, not the love of his life. What started out as her journey of self-discovery is looking more bleak now that the honeymoon phase is over and reality has come crashing in. That things between Jack and Simon seem to be smoothing out is the high note of her life right now—and that is, by far, not enough. 
But she is willing to fight for what she wants—and she wants so much more. But when she gets it—will she be able to deal with it? 
Dive into this vivid erotic romance full of friendship, lust, love, bondage, dominance, and submission. Intended for mature audiences. 


OBLIVION by JOSHUA RYAN OGGSuspense Thriller / 260 pagesRead MY REVIEW
A maniac is murdering gang leaders in the desert outside San Diego . An upstart Mexican cartel has infiltrated the local market with a toxic new drug. Black magic is whispered in alleys and zombie tweekers roam the streets. The world stands on the brink of something sinister and occult but the only guy Donnie DeGrassi knows that can piece together this supernatural puzzle has completely vanished from the scene. 
Some say Kal Renley is crazy, others claim he’s a genius, but those that dose his chemicals just know him as the Medicine Man, master of high-flying drugs and head-spinning trips. He also knows more about the supernatural than anyone else on the streets. 
Can Donnie get his best friend out of an early retirement before reality gets as ugly as the underworld?

ASCENSION BY LORENZ FONTBook 4 in The Gates LegacyParanormal Suspense/Romance / 444 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Rohnert comes from a long line of pure-blooded vampires. Quiet and principled, he is known for his combat expertise and is beloved by peers and students alike. Having broken away from the Vampire Council, Rohnert has nothing to do with the affairs of the elite group of Elders, which is being run into the ground by Goran, a former friend and ally. 
With the vampire race in upheaval, he must rise to the occasion and fulfill the prophecy of the black book, which is the source of wisdom and history of his people. Refusing to support Goran’s tyrannical rule and with no interest in ruling himself, he allies with freedom fighters led by the indomitable Harrow Gates. However, the prophecies failed to prepare him to handle one passionate and determined human doctor.
Shelly Anderson vowed to never fall in love again, but her resolve quickly changes upon meeting enigmatic and reclusive Rohnert. Although she was lucky enough to get what she wanted, their one night together ended in a nightmare. Now carrying his baby, she intends to raise the child on her own, but Rohnert’s unexpected reentry into her life derails her plans.
While she teaches him how powerful a human’s love can be, Rohnert realizes the lengths he is willing to go to keep her close and safe, even if it means violating a long-standing decree among pure-blooded vampires to keep their bloodlines alive. 
When Goran begins to kill off the remaining Elders, Harrow’s rebels urge Rohnert to step in, but it isn’t until harsh reality comes knocking at his door that his choice becomes clear. Rohnert must do whatever he can to save the people he loves or risk losing them forever, but the reluctant savior may already be too late to protect the lives that matter most.


FIRE DOWN BELOW by DEBRA ANASTASIABook 1 in The Gynazule SeriesContemporary Romance/ Humor / 257 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Dove Glitch is embarrassed about everything above her knees and below her belly button. When she has to fill a delicate, embarrassing prescription the last thing she needs is a sexy-as-hell (and brand spanking new) pharmacist behind the counter. 
Johnson Fitzwell’s first day of his dream career also happens to coincide with the exact moment Dove needs her feminine meds filled. His glorious voice is way too loud–as in, he should be counting down the hits with Ryan Seacrest kind of loud. Thanks to Johnson’s handsome face and gorgeous jaw line, Dove dives headlong into her waking nightmare and asks for a vagina-scented cream. 
How could she not fall for him? Dove's only active goal now is to get Johnson to kiss her right on the lips. Either set. However, his horrible girlfriend is one of many obstacles preventing her from making that fantasy a reality. When Dove defends Johnson in the most unhygienic, unconventionally gross way in the middle of a crowded restaurant, their tender, slightly tantric relationship is off to a galloping, farting start. 
Each print copy of this book will be dipped in holy water by my mom, and glared at by my father as he purses his lips. Neither will help. So, drop your pants and turn to the left and cough. I hope you're not allergic to latex, because it’s time to fill your prescription. Anally.


POUGHKEEPSIE BEGINS by DEBRA ANASTASIA Book 4 of The Poughkeepsie Brotherhood Series Contemporary Romance/ Suspense / 199 pagesRead MY REVIEW
It ends with the beginning. This legendary, indie, cult-favorite series ends its tale with the story of the Poughkeepsie brotherhood before the tattoo. Before the train station, before the church, before a criminal empire there was a foster home and three teen boys who chose each other as family, because the ones they were born into didn’t exist
Still in high school, Beckett is already laying the groundwork for a grander life ahead, one where his brothers want for nothing and get some respect for once. But even as he plans, Beckett must decide if he’s ready to make that choice—diving in to a life that trades his chance at a future, his chance at something as simple as first love with a girl named Candy Cox, for their chance to find happiness.
Blake, Beckett, and Cole’s devotion to each other is forged by fists and the driving need to belong somewhere, to do more than just survive this life. Readers of the series know they each get there in the end, but before we count smiles, we must first shed tears. These early days of the Poughkeepsie brotherhood will play on your heartstrings before serrating them with a knife; they’ll lift your soul with music, only to leave you with nothing but a desperate prayer for hope.
And when you reach the end of the beginning, you’ll be ready to start the series all over again.


BURNING FOR HER KISS by SHERRI HAYES Book 1 of The Serpent's Kiss SeriesBDSM Erotic Romance/ 315 pagesRead MY REVIEW
Beth Davenport has no interest in getting involved with another man for the foreseeable future. To say her last relationship ended in disaster would be a colossal understatement. The only reason she agrees to put in an appearance at Serpent’s Kiss, a private kink club in downtown St. Louis, is because her best friend, Nicole, won’t quit nagging her. When she walks in the door that night, the last thing she expects to do is meet a man who will have her reconsidering her ban on men.
As a captain with the St. Louis Fire Department, Drew Parker is used to being in charge. His crew relies on him to make sure they know what they’re doing and return home to their families after every shift. It isn’t, however, what he wants in a relationship. Drew decides to join Serpent’s Kiss to see if what appeals to him in fantasy is something he wants to explore in the real world. He’s also hoping that he’ll be lucky enough to meet a woman with whom he can explore his desires. The night Beth walks into the club, he is intrigued. Drew has to get to know her better.
After what happened to her, Beth is reluctant to get involved with Drew. It doesn’t matter that he is sweet and charming. She’s been burned before and Beth doesn’t think she can survive having her heart crushed again. Drew, however, won’t take no for an answer. He wants a relationship and is determined to chip away at her defenses until she relents. Will she give him a chance, or did her ex leave her with scars too deep to heal?
happy reading in 2016!

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RELEASE TOUR: And Night Descends by Bruce Blake

To raise the Small Gods, a Small God must die, When stars go out, the end is nigh. One must die to raise them all, Should Small Gods rise, man will fall, One can stop them, on darken’d wing, The firstborn child of the rightful king.
WHEN SHADOWS FALL…THE DARKNESS COMES…AND NIGHT DESCENDSThe moment Teryk and Danya, the royal siblings, spoke the words inscribed on the long-forgotten scroll, they foolishly set in motion events destined to bring about the prophecy’s predictions. Teryk is the firstborn, but why do the words only make sense to his sister?As they each launch themselves recklessly into a heroic mission to save mankind, it seems inevitable that key elements in this game of the gods would be drawn to one another and collide with frightful and yet-unfathomable consequences.With a Small God already captured and being dragged to his death by a colossal, bloodthirsty golem, is it too late to turn back fate? Can any of them find a way to resist their destinies?Intrigue in the court, an impenetrable veil between two worlds, escape, sacrifice, retribution and magic pull the strings of these puppets of destiny on a massive, creation-spanning chessboard hidden in shadow, veiled in darkness, lost in the night.
Prologue
Long ago, blood and anger colored his dreams red every night until the night she came to him.In his sleep, steel glinted through the haze of crimson, pain flashed. A coppery scent stirred him in his bed, rank bile soured his tongue, and Trenan woke with sweat on his brow and agony tearing through him from an arm no longer there. Every time he awakened, he reached out with a phantom hand, expecting—hoping—for fingers to brush the rough wool blanket or touch his face. But they found nothing because they remained attached to an arm rotting in the bottom of a ditch with the rest of the dead.“At least the rest of you isn’t down there,” Erral had said with a chuckle one day as he sat beside his bunk, struggling to articulate his appreciation.Trenan thought lying in the ditch with the dead might be better than losing the arm meant to wield his sword.What good is a soldier with no hand to hold his weapon?The one-armed swordsman stared up at the dark ceiling, the muscles in his jaw clenched hard against the throb in his shoulder and the knot clogging his throat. Since the days of his childhood, his life had been based on what that arm could do with a sword. It performed feats others couldn’t, moved in ways and with speed beyond the abilities of but a few men. It took lives, saved lives, helped to put down a rebellion.But no more. Off it came, a sacrifice to save the king from a blow meant to separate his royal head from his regal body. A more than fair trade in the kingdom’s mind, but a bitter mouthful to a master swordsman left with the wrong arm.Trenan closed his eyes and inhaled through his nose, filling his lungs to capacity and using the air to squash regret from his chest. Sacrificing himself for the king was expected of him and an honor. But it wasn’t he who’d been sacrificed but his arm, with the rest of him left behind to cope without it.I’d rather have died.And they knew it; it was the reason his chambers were devoid of sharp weapons.“Trenan?”The whispered word didn’t startle him, but he was surprised by the timbre of the voice speaking it. The doctor assigned to his bedside like a hairy-chested wet nurse would return soon to touch his forehead to gauge his temperature, or give him more of the acrid herbs to hide a pain that would never leave, but the man charged with caring for him didn’t speak with a woman’s voice.Trenan dragged his lids open, cocked his head. The woman perched on the chair set beside his bunk was the last person he’d have expected to find.Her hair, which he’d only ever seen her wear up, hung loose past her shoulders in waves the color of honey tinted with a few drops of blood. Her eyes sparkled with the dim light of the taper flickering in the far corner of the swordsman’s chamber, worry plain in their set. Concern tilted the corners of the full lips of her exquisite mouth.“My queen.”Trenan scrambled to push himself up on his elbows, forgot he had but one, and tumbled onto his side on the mattress, jarring his wound. He gritted his teeth and pressed his lips together to keep from crying out, but when he found the queen’s hand upon him, he forgot the pain.“Are you all right?”He looked into the eyes of the young woman who’d seen the seasons turn eighteen times since her birth and once since she’d become wife to the king. The knot of despair that had choked him dissipated, the pain in his shoulder faded. He nodded.“Yes, my queen.”“Ishla,” she said and brushed his cheek with the backs of her fingers. “You poor man.”She settled back on the edge of the chair, removing her touch from his face, but the feel of it remained with him. He struggled himself up to sitting, the wool blanket falling from his bare chest as he stretched to see past the wife of his friend. Behind her, the chamber lay empty.“Where is Gollard?” He looked to her face, found her still gazing at him, so diverted his eyes. “Where is the doctor?”“Do you need him?”She stood, took a half-step toward the door and stopped, awaiting his reply. He’d have answered at once but, when she stood, he saw she’d chosen not to wear one of the elaborate dresses he’d seen her wear every other time he’d been in her presence. Instead, she wore white bed clothes with sleeve cuffs that clung to her wrists and a hem that brushed her ankles.“N...no. I’m fine, just wondering where he’d gone.”Ishla clasped her hands in front of her, lowered her chin to regard her intertwined fingers.“I had him called away.”Trenan stared at the young woman. Now her eyes weren’t upon him, he let his gaze linger, saw that the taper burning behind her cast her outline in the fine cloth. Trenan swallowed hard.“Called away? For what?”She raised her head, making him slip his gaze back to her face, then gestured toward the side of the bed.“May I?”Trenan looked from her to the bed and back, uncertain what she meant, at first. He cleared his throat and nodded.“Of course, my quee...Ishla.”She alighted on the edge of the mattress close enough Trenan felt her warmth. Her perfume filled his nose—not a cologne she’d put on, but the smell of her hair, the scent of her skin. Apprehension stirred in the swordsman’s chest, excitement, confusion.Why is she here?“I’ve come to thank you for saving the king, Trenan.”It might have surprised him that she read his thoughts, but what else might he have been thinking? Trenan shifted away, trying to quell his excited discomfort.“There’s no need. The king has conveyed his appreciation with the best surgeons the kingdom can offer and his promise to take care of me as long as I need.”The words were Erral’s, but this marked the first time Trenan had spoken them aloud. They tasted of vinegar on his tongue, but the queen’s sweetness was enough to overpower the bitter morsel.Ishla wiggled nearer, closing the distance he’d created, her lithe body making little impression on the mattress. His eyes strayed from hers, fell to her curves beneath the bed clothes before returning to find a smile beginning on her lips.“That is Erral’s way of thanking you, not mine. And I suspect his method may be more hurtful than fulfilling.”She lifted a hand and touched her palm to his cheek. Trenan nearly jerked away out of sense of duty to king and kingdom but didn’t for fear of offending the queen. And because he liked the way her warm flesh felt against his.Ishla moved closer and leaned in, leaving a hand's-breadth between the tips of their noses. Her breath touched his lips, her gaze found its way inside him.“It is my thanks I bring tonight.”“And Gollard?”“Won’t be back until morning.”“Who else knows you had him called away?”She shook her head. “A queen can be discreet.”Trenan licked his lips, resisted the urge to close the space between them. A plethora of furtive smiles returned to his memory. From the first time he’d seen his friend’s wife—the queen of the kingdom—they’d been there, finding their way to her lips whenever their eyes met. As much as he wanted them to be for him, about him, he’d convinced himself her nature and her youth brought them forth, convinced himself the tingle-inspiring smiles and gentle blushes weren’t meant for him.Now he didn’t know if he should be elated he’d been wrong, or fearful.His gaze slipped form her eyes to her mouth. He imagined his lips pressing against hers, their tongues finding each other, until the king’s angry visage intruded on his thoughts.“Erral—”“Is your friend,” she finished for him. “And my husband, but he isn’t here. There is you and me, and no one else knows I’m here.”Her hand left his face, fell to rest on his upper chest. The tight thrill swirling beneath his ribs expanded, flowing into his stomach, lower, stirring other things. Ishla held his gaze but moved no more, staring into his eyes with her lips parted, her head tilted.This is wrong.Trenan’s mind continued to resist even as he leaned forward and their mouths came together.***Ishla ran the tip of her finger along the swordsman’s breast bone, tracing a line through the cooling perspiration. The ache in Trenan’s shoulder he’d forgotten as the queen expressed her appreciation crept back as though someone pressed the tip of a stick into his wound.The queen peered at him and he held her gaze. Though neither spoke, words swam through his mind—things to say, plans never to be executed, the vision of an impossible life. He thought he saw the same shining in her eyes, hidden behind a mix of nurturing care and sadness.After a moment, the breathtaking young woman climbed off him, her weight lifting from his hips as another palpable one settled into his chest.“I must go before I am missed,” she said, one corner of her mouth lifting in a lopsided smile.She bent and retrieved her nightgown from the floor. Trenan watched as she shook it out, revelling in the way her muscles moved beneath her porcelain skin, the tremor shaking her breasts. She stretched her arms toward the ceiling and slipped her hands into the sleeves, let the nightshirt fall around her like the curtain falling at the end of a masterful play.A performance Trenan never wanted to end.The gown fell into place and she smoothed the front with her palms. The swordsman reached out, a jolt of pain shooting along the right side of his chest, and grasped her wrist, coaxed her back toward the bed.“When will I see you again?”She looked at him, the smile still on her face, but he watched the sliver of sadness in her eyes overtake it. The queen said nothing in response; she didn’t need to. He’d already known the answer before his lips spoke the words—this was a dangerous game they shouldn’t play again.Dangerous, but worth the risk.Ishla leaned over and put her lips to his, the passion and longing of their earlier kisses usurped by regret, mourning. The touch lingered, and he thought to grab her, pull her to him, but the moment passed and she moved away. Trenan released his hold on her wrist and watched her stride across the room to the chamber door.She let herself out without a backward glance.***“I’ve seen the seasons pass nearly fifteen times,” Dansil mumbled under his breath as he stalked through the castle halls. “I’ll be a man soon enough; bitch can’t tell me what to do.”His cheek still stung in precisely the shape of his mother’s hand, but her punishments didn’t hurt like they did in his youth. Then, they’d caused him more than physical pain; it was as though she’d struck his soul.But if something gets beaten enough times, it toughens.He came to a corner and slowed his pace, peeked around before continuing. Getting caught wandering the halls wouldn’t get him killed, but none of the king’s men would be impressed should they discover him. Even with the red haze of anger at his mother hanging around him, he knew better than to be careless—he’d crept these halls enough times.Dansil followed the hall and went up the next staircase, avoiding the routes the guards followed when patrolling in the evening. At the top of the stairs, he paused a second time, checking both ways along the corridor. Thick carpet in a shade of deep red covered the floor in both directions; portraits of people he neither recognized nor cared to recognize lined the walls.On a whim, he took a right and maintained a slow but steady pace, the muscles in his thighs tight and ready to hie him away should one of the many doors lining the hall open and a visiting noble step out. He figured none would this late at night, but better ready than caught.The end of the hall intersected another; here he stopped again and found himself rewarded for his care. Halfway along the corridor, a door opened. A woman clothed in white bedclothes emerged, the wall sconces behind her illuminating the outline of her body through the cloth.Dansil sucked a sharp breath at the sight and his hand darted to his groin. The woman stood for a short time, hand on the door’s handle, her head hung. Her long hair caressed her arms and shoulders, the light highlighted the shape of her breasts, the curve at the small of her back. After a moment, she raised her head, glanced along the hall away from where Dansil peered around the corner, then swivelled her head toward him. The young man faded back from the corner before she saw him, a silent curse on his lips.He waited, breath held, resisting the urge to peep around the corner again. If he did, and she was walking away, the wall sconce’s light might shine between her legs, outlining the most secret of places. But if she headed toward him, he’d be discovered.The whisper of footsteps padding on the rug interrupted his thought.She’s coming this way.No time to hurry back the way he’d come; if he tried, she’d see him, even if she didn’t turn his direction. Lips squeezed hard together, he pressed himself against the wall and hoped she’d continue straight along the corridor.A moment later, she passed by and Dansil saw her face. His eyes widened and his grip on his half-swollen man thing released.The queen!As she hurried down the corridor, Dansil stepped out from his hiding spot to watch her go, forgetting the possibility she might glance back and see him. She didn’t and, instead of admiring the swing of her hips, the shape of her body hidden beneath the bedclothes, the young man wondered why she’d be out alone at this time of night. When she disappeared around the far corner, he peered back toward the door she’d exited.The curiosity was too much for Dansil. He crept along the corridor in the direction from which the queen had come, his hand extended and fingertips dragging along the rough stone wall. Every door appeared the same as the others, but he’d noted the one from which she’d emerged: the third on the left. A moment later, he stood in front of the plain wood slab, staring at the handle. After a quick survey of the empty hall, he leaned close, pressed his ear to the door, but heard no sounds within.Excited saliva filled his mouth. He swallowed hard, raised his hand and rapped his knuckles against the wood.The knock garnered no immediate response so Dansil assumed the chamber empty until a man’s voice spoke a single word.“Ishla?”The curiosity burning in his brain tingled into his chest and along his limbs. The hand he still held raised after knocking fell to the door handle, gripped it. He didn’t recognize the voice or know who might reside within, but was aware he shouldn’t enter any room in the castle without invitation. He also knew no invitation would come if he waited for one, and he’d never discover who the door concealed.Dansil set his jaw and pushed the door open.A musky odor filled the air in the room, one he recognized from the occasions when his mother came home with a man and sent him off to his chambers. The furnishings were sparse and a man lay upon a bed to the left, one shoulder wrapped with a pink-tinged bandage where his arm was missing. The tender expression on his face went stony when he spied the lad.“Who are you? What are you doing here?”“Beg your pardon, m’lord swordsman. Wrong chamber.”Dansil backed out of the room and closed the door behind him, a wicked grin creeping onto his lips as he went. The door clicked shut; he hurried away along the hall lest the man rise and come after him.Trenan and the queen. The king’s friend and his wife. Together.He rounded the corner and hastened to the staircase, the path of his future falling into view.Sometimes, one unexpected turn of events can change a boy’s life.
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OF THE SMALL GODS SERIES

A hundred hundred seasons have turned since the Goddess banished the Small Gods to the sky, leaving the land to mankind alone. For Prince Teryk, life behind the castle walls is boring and uneventful until he stumbles upon an arcane scroll in a long-forgotten chamber. The parchment speaks of Small Gods, the fall of man, and the kingdom's savior—the firstborn child of the rightful king. It's his opportunity to prove himself to his father, the king, and assure his place in history. All he needs to do is find the man from across the sea—a man who can't possibly exist—and save mankind. But ancient magic has been put in motion by a mysterious cult determined to see the Small Gods reborn. Powerful forces clash, uncaring for the lives of mortals in their struggle to prevent the return of the banished ones, or aid in their rebirth. Named in a prophecy or not, what chance does a cocky prince who barely understands the task laid before him stand in a battle with the gods? Amazon US ~ Createspace ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ B&N When shadows fall, the darkness comes... A disgraced Goddess Mother wanders blind and alone, praying for her agony to end. When a helpful apostle finds her, could it truly be salvation, or does worse torment lie ahead? A sister struggles to understand a prophecy that may not be meant for her while her brother fights for his life. If the firstborn child of the rightful king dies, will it spell the end for everyone? Darkness and shadow creep across the land in the form of a fierce clay golem animated by its sculptor's blood. It seeks a mythical creature whose sacrifice portends the return of ancient evil banished from the world long ago. With its return will come the fall of man. As the game unfolds, the Small Gods watch from the sky, waiting for their time to come and their chance to rise again. They wait for the fall of shadows, the coming of the darkness. They wait for night to descend. Amazon US ~ Createspace ~ Kobo ~ Smashwords ~ B&N


Bruce Blake lives on Vancouver Island in British Columbia, Canada. When pressing issues like shovelling snow and building igloos don't take up his spare time, Bruce can be found taking the dog sled to the nearest coffee shop to work on his short stories and novels.Actually, Victoria, B.C. is only a couple hours north of Seattle, Wash., where more rain is seen than snow. Since snow isn't really a pressing issue, Bruce spends more time trying to remember to leave the "u" out of words like "colour" and "neighbour" than he does shovelling (and watch out for those pesky double l's). The father of two, Bruce is also the trophy husband of a burlesque diva.Bruce's first short story, "Another Man's Shoes" was published in the Winter 2008 edition of Cemetery Moon. Another short, "Yardwork," was made into a podcast in Oct., 2011 by Pseudopod. Bruce's first Icarus Fell novel, "On Unfaithful Wings", was published in Dec., 2011 while the follow up, "All Who Wander Are Lost", came out in July, 2012. The third in the series, "Secrets of the Hanged Man", came out in July, 2013. The first part of his Khirro's Journey epic fantasy trilogy, "Blood of the King", was released Sept., 2012, book 2, "Spirit of the King," in Dec., 2012, and book 3, "Heart of the King," in Feb., 2013.The two books in the Small Gods series, "When Shadows Fall" and "The Darkness Comes", were released in 2013, after which Bruce took a year out to concentrate on his family and career. Book three in the Small Gods series is Bruce Blake's current project.
          MoB Promosmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com

PROMO TOUR: The Works of Jennifer Felton

OFFICIAL GENRE: Paranormal Romance/Mystery



THROUGH LIFE AND DEATH
PREQUELPUBLICATION DATE: October 15, 2015





AMAZON (paperback) ~ AMAZON (kindle) ~ GOODREADS

THROUGH LOVE AND HATE
COMPANIONPUBLICATION DATE: October 20, 2015




AMAZON (paperback) ~ AMAZON (kindle) ~ GOODREADS







      MoB Promosmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com

Coming March 1: THE EDGE OF MADNESS

The Edge of Madness - A Thriller & Horror AnthologyRelease Date: March 1, 2016

MARCH MADNESS as you’ve NEVER seen it… 15 COMPLETE NOVELS AND NOVELLAS FROM YOUR FAVORITE AUTHORS IN ONE PRETTY PACKAGE. 



Kick off Spring 2016 with a collection of macabre, suspenseful and disturbing thriller/horror stories from around the globe — some of which you might be able to read with the lights off. The rest are going to scare the bejeezus out of you! One thing is guaranteed: once you've read them, you won’t ever be the same! 

A mix of previously-released stories and never-before seen tales, this set holds fifteen new worlds to explore — fifteen incredible experiences to bombard your senses, fifteen sets of characters to love, hate and run from — and who could ask for more? 

The perfect companion for a leisurely weekend of mayhem is at your fingertips — one-click your copy today! 


THIS BOX SET INCLUDES THE FOLLOWING TITLES: 
13 — Julie Elizabeth Powell 
SLOTS — R.E. Hargrave 
SPLIT — Michele E. Gwynn 
NO CALLER ID — Ruby West 
SECRETS ROOM — Kim Faulks 
BLOOD CROW — Cleve Sylcox 
BLOOD IS POWER — Ella Medler 
DUPLICITOUS — Stephanie Nett 
A CRYSTAL SNOWFLAKE — Holly Barbo 
LOST SHADOWS — Julie Elizabeth Powell 
TROPICAL NIGHTMARES — Kelly Cozzone 
DIRTY BUSINESS — Julie Elizabeth Powell 
MY DAYLIGHT MONSTERS — Sarah Dalton 
NORTH BY NORTHEAST — Cherime MacFarlane 
CAPTIVE (Book 1 of A New Life Series) — Samantha Jacobey 

RATED MA 18+ for mature content, V — violence, S — graphic sexual situations, L — vulgar language. Not suitable for anyone under the age of 18. Reader discretion is advised. 

RELEASED by PERMISSION — All works in this box set have been professionally proofed by Paper Gold Publishing, unless this service was expressly refused by the author. Some stories are written in American, some in Australian, and some in British English. The authors have chosen to stay true to their heritage. 
All rights reserved.




Pre-order links:Amazon - http://amzn.to/1NHkE0jKOBO -  http://bit.ly/1UtE8IkiTunes - https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1068243575B&N - http://ow.ly/VUOrE



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REVIEW: Poughkeepsie Begins by Debra Anastasia

From Goodreads:It ends with the beginning. This legendary, indie, cult-favorite series ends its tale with the story of the Poughkeepsie brotherhood before the tattoo. Before the train station, before the church, before a criminal empire there was a foster home and three teen boys who chose each other as family, because the ones they were born into didn’t exist
Still in high school, Beckett is already laying the groundwork for a grander life ahead, one where his brothers want for nothing and get some respect for once. But even as he plans, Beckett must decide if he’s ready to make that choice—diving in to a life that trades his chance at a future, his chance at something as simple as first love with a girl named Candy Cox, for their chance to find happiness.
Blake, Beckett, and Cole’s devotion to each other is forged by fists and the driving need to belong somewhere, to do more than just survive this life. Readers of the series know they each get there in the end, but before we count smiles, we must first shed tears. These early days of the Poughkeepsie brotherhood will play on your heartstrings before serrating them with a knife; they’ll lift your soul with music, only to leave you with nothing but a desperate prayer for hope.
And when you reach the end of the beginning, you’ll be ready to start the series all over again.
Genre: Contemporary Romance / SuspenseLength:  199 pages Price on Amazon: $4.99
ADD it on GOODREADS / BUY it on AMAZON
MY REVIEW
Poughkeepsie territory stands primed for a new leader to run the show. Enter a foster kid with a bad rep, on the verge of aging out of the system, and needing to make a decision about his future. When forced to make a choice on the one night that everything should’ve been perfect, he learns a hard lesson about power: it’s destructive and calls for sacrifices.
Lovingly handcrafted, Poughkeepsie Begins will pull you into the world of Beckett Taylor and all that matters most to him. Blake and Cole are his brothers not by blood, but by true loyalty and hardships endured together at the hands of the foster care system. Candy is the beautiful girl who will forever hold a part of his heart when she sees beyond the public face Beckett puts on. 
And you, the reader, will go on an adventure of lost innocence, growing up, and the harsh truth of reality.
** I was given an ARC by the author and OMNIFIC Publishing in exchange for an honest review.**

RELEASE TOUR with #GIVEAWAY: Forever Christmas by MULTIPLE AUTHORS

Book One ~ Christmas Ivy

Ivy’s always been a part of Christmas; can this Ivy put down roots in Forever Christmas, where the spirit of the holidays never fades? Ivy Harper is a survivor. Deprived of college by a selfish mother and stuck in a dead-end job that can’t pay the bills, it’s the last straw when she finds herself a crime victim, too. Hoping for a new start, she flees to the big city, only to end up homeless. Her one chance is an intern program that offers a new life on a farm outside a small town. But can a farm job provide Ivy’s artistic soul the security and fulfillment she needs? Mason Weatherly is exhausted. A leading surgeon, ER doc, and specialist in internal medicine, Dr. Weatherly is in constant demand. Unfortunately his seventeen-hour days and long weeks mean he has no relationship or personal life. Frazzled and desperate for a break, Mason decides to visit his brother, Colton, before Colton settles down. Mason needs to discover for himself how a small town and a tree farm managed to tame his career-driven brother.

Amazon ~  Goodreads

Joanne was born and raised in Sherburne, New York, a quaint village surrounded by dairy farms and rolling hills. From the moment she could read she wanted to explore the world. During her college years she slowly crept across the country, stopping along the way in Oklahoma, California, and finally Washington State, which she now proudly calls home. She lives with her husband and Dobermans, in their home located on the Olympic Peninsula with a panoramic view of the Olympic Mountains.Joanne writes romantic suspense, paranormal, and contemporary romance. She loves to submerge herself in the world of her characters, to live and breathe their lives and marvel at their decisions and predicaments. She enjoys a wide variety of books including paranormal, suspense, thriller, and of course romance.Joanne is a member of Romance Writers of America, and past President of Peninsula Romance Writers, which was Debbie Macomber’s home chapter.               

Book Two ~ Christmas Treasure
A small town where everyone knows everyone's business prepares for the holiday season. It's not just Noelle's secret that places Annie and Noelle in harm's way but a secret from within her own treasured town. Will the town pull together for the holidays despite what secrets linger?Annie Dixon devised a plan with her friends the year before to buy the local tree farm. Her plan to entice Ryder Harris to stay in Glenville also worked. They just announced their 'I do's'. But with the busy holiday seasons ahead, Annie and her friends are swamped. They need help. The Life Bridge program is their answer. They will take on four women from a shelter in the city as interns and lodge them at the farm. Annie takes Noelle Matheson under her wing at the flower shop. Noelle has a hidden talent for flower arrangements but also a hidden secret that Annie wants to uncover. A sudden romance buds between Noelle and Annie's childhood friend, Ashton Norris. Annie hopes Noelle's secret won't leave Ashton broken-hearted again.
“Flowers for all Seasons, this is Annie, how may I help you?”She laughed with Ryder’s comment. “Your lips on mine would be a great start.”“As soon as you get back home, I promise they will be.”He told her he had one more stop for Colton and then would be on his way back but wanted to give her an update of his visit to the diner Noelle had worked at.“Did you find out anything?” Annie’s curiosity built up. She hoped she was wrong that Noelle had a deep dark secret. Especially now that she’d hooked up with Ashton; she didn’t want him to get hurt again. His fiancée did a number on him a couple of years ago. He hadn’t dated since. It had been the talk of the town until last year’s incident at the resort when Ryder arrested the resort’s manager for money laundering, along with his head of security.“The owner of the diner, Marg Peterson, was very helpful. But I wasn’t the only one at the diner looking for Noelle today.”“Who else was looking for her?” Annie pulled out the stool and took a seat. This only proved her instincts were right about Noelle. Something wasn’t right. Amazon ~  Goodreads

Angela Ford originates from Nova Scotia…Canada’s Ocean Playground!Her love of the ocean and sunsets are always in her heart and give her inspiration. Her love for words keeps her turning the page. She is never without a book, whether she’s reading or writing. Now residing in Ontario, Angela works in Finance – numbers by day – words by night. Her dedication to volunteer and involvement with cyber safety seminars gave her an Award of Distinction and sparked the idea for her first book Closure – suspense with a dash of romance that hit the best- selling Action/Adventure and Women’s Fiction. Angela continued this FBI suspense with Forbidden and will deliver the final of the series in 2015. She also writes contemporary romance, sometimes sweet…sometimes spicy and sometimes with a dash of suspense. Unforgettable Kiss delivers a spicy romance with a dash of suspense. Blind Tasting of The Love List series and The Christmas Wreath of the Forever Christmas series are sweet reads. 2015 kicked off with a new Romantic Suspense Surrender.Between two jobs, being a mom with a home always filled with young adults and rather interesting stories; she is lucky to have one very patient and understanding man. But it is the furry family members who rule the house – a Puggle (Pug/Beagle), a new Chug puppy (Pug/Chihuahua) and two loveable cats. Every possible quiet moment she finds, she treasures and just writes about the moments to come. Angela is an avid reader of romance, a member of the RWA, KOD (Kiss of Death – Suspense Chapter) and Mississauga Writers Group. You can follow her at BTGN www.bookstogonow.com or visit her website/blog Romantic Escapes at http://www.angelafordauthor.com to connect with her on her social network sites. She loves to hear from her readers – they keep her smiling!            

Book Three ~ Just Before Christmas
Ex-marine and ex-cop Joel Stinson has left his days of carrying a gun behind. Being hired to work security at a ski lodge seems easy enough and gives him a chance to put some old demons to rest as he awaits the coming of Christmas. When he meets a secretive beauty with a past working at the lodge, his cop instincts warn him to steer clear, but his heart is engaged by her shy smile. Can he risk sharing his past with her or will he be hitting the ski slopes this holiday season alone? Miranda Davis is tired of running and hiding and being afraid. Taking part in The Life Bridge program gives her a chance for a fresh start, and she vows to protect herself at all costs, especially since the police’s failure to do so left her scarred in more ways than one. But spending time with ex-cop Joel Stinson begins to put her at ease, and her fears for her safety and of the police, begin to vanish. Has she found safety-and maybe the chance to love-at last or will danger come calling, putting her on the run once more? Amazon ~  Goodreads

Karen Hall makes her home in East Tennessee with Buddy and Febe, aka THEWONDERDOGS! When not writing romance, she works as a therapist, sings in her church choir and tries to keep the flower gardens tamed-a battle she too often loses.         

Book Four ~ Sadie's Santa
Sadie Wilden needs a fresh start, so when the women’s shelter administrator invites her to participate in a new program designed to safely house battered women and teach them a new job skill, she’s all in. If everything goes right, she’ll meet the social services requirements on time and be reunited with her baby—that is, if the police locate and arrest her ex. Sadie won’t put her daughter in harm’s way, no matter how much she misses her. She just has to lay low and do a good job at her new intern position.When Gus Sadler, an investigative reporter from Seattle, shows up at her workplace, Sadie’s leery of his intentions—after all, it was the media that leaked information that put her baby in harm’s way.Gus is drawn to Sadie right away, but he’ll have to work double time to earn her trust. Can he set aside his inclination to investigate her background or will he jeopardize his chances by digging into her past?

Gus was quiet—too darned quiet. Sadie wondered if she’d done something wrong but she couldn’t think of anything. She really liked Gus, even if he was a reporter. He pulled into a parking spot and turned off the engine. “You know I don’t even know your last name.”“Wilden. Sadie Angelica Wilden.” There. She’d told him. Now to tell him the rest. She opened her mouth to speak, but when she felt Gus’ hand cup her chin, she leaned into him for the kind of kiss she’d waited for all night. Amazon ~  Goodreads

Jackie Marilla writes contemporary romance from the Hawaiian Islands and beyond. She and her husband live on a macadamia nut farm on the island of Hawai'i where they feed a clowder of cats and a flock of hodgepodge chickens. In a past life, she was an elementary school teacher.               


Amazon US ~ Amazon CA ~ Goodreads

a Rafflecopter giveaway MoB Promosmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com

RELEASE TOUR: Fate's Encore by JJ & TA Ellis

Cover Designer: JJ Ellis CONTENT WARNING: Strong Sexual Content, Reproductive Triggers, War and Combat Triggers, Death Triggers.



Jackson and Francesca, Cole and Evelyn: two baby boomer couples who have overcome their own personal hell to forge vibrant, lasting marriages When Francesca and Cole pass away within six months of each other, Jackson and Evelyn continue the pen pal relationship the two women started some 52 years prior. And with each bit of correspondence they find their hearts healing. Together, can they create a new and lasting bond?



MARCH 2013Evelyn’s day was a busy one and now she was ready to sit down, kick her feet up, and call Fran and Jack. If the last time they talked a week ago was any indication, their weekly phone conversations would soon end. After six rings, the phone was finally picked up.“Hello,” Fran breathed.“Hey sweetie. I just wanted to let you know I love you.”“Love you too,” she managed to get out before pausing, trying to catch her breath. “Evie, Jack’s in the bathroom so I have to make this quick.”“Okay sweetie.” What could Fran need to hide from her husband?“I need you to watch over Jack for me when I’m gone. Help him with his grief.”“Of course. You don’t even need to ask.”“You just went through it, so I figured…”“I know, sweetie.”“You’re the only one I can ask. You’re so much like your twin, and Ethan is one of the few people my dear husband trusts.”“He’ll be just fine. We’ll make sure of it!”“Promise me,” Fran choked out through tears.“I promise!”“Thank you. I love you, Evie. Here’s Jack.”She could hear her friend’s labored breathing. “Love you too, Fran.”A moment later, Jack came on the line. “Hey Evelyn.”“Hi Jack. She’s not doing well, is she?”“No. It’s close,” he murmured.“How are you doing?” She heard a sigh and some deep breathing before he answered. “I’m fine. Right now I’m just trying to be strong for her.”“You’re a good man, Jack.”“No,” he insisted. “I’m just a man who loves his wife. I hate this but she’ll be going into the hospital Monday. We can’t do it here anymore.”“I’m sorry.” Evelyn felt like someone had just reached out and torn her heart right from her chest for the second time in just under six months.Jack cleared his throat loudly. “Enough about me. How did the grand re-opening of Movie and a Pizza Place go? I bet you’re relieved that renovations are complete.”“Everything is perfect. Cole would be so proud of his business. But I think I’m about ready to retire.”“Retire? You’re too young to retire.”Evelyn laughed. “You sure know how to flatter a girl. But I’m just tired. I want to have some fun.”“I don’t blame you there!” He suddenly heard Evelyn screech and her sons laughing in the background. “Boy, you do that again and I’ll scratch your eyes out.”Jack laughed at the goings on at his friend’s house. It made him miss his oldest son Ethan, who was away in the Navy.“I’m sorry Jack. My boys are acting like ten-year-old children.”“That’s okay,” he chuckled. “There for a minute I thought there was a wild kitty cat loose at your house.”“Yeah, sorry about that screech”“No worries here. It’s good to hear you happy again.”“I’m getting there, Jack. I truly am. Could you give Fran a hug and a kiss for me?”“I will. I’ll talk to you soon.”The line went silent and Evelyn put the phone away. With her friend going into the hospital she knew there would be no more weekly phone calls. Fran had been her pen pal for over fifty years and it was now time to write the final letter.



Amazon ~ iTunes ~ Kobo ~ B&N


JJ Ellis JJ Ellis is first and foremost a mom to five kids, four girls and one boy, ranging in age from 4-20. After that, she is a physically limited wife, blogger and now an author. She holds a degree in Communication Studies (Public Relations) from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas but never thought she would chose writing as a career, especially at the age of 42. She once wanted to be a publicist in the entertainment industry, but never a writer. Then one day when she was in her mid thirties she was going through what can only be described as an early 'midlife crisis' and ideas just started to come to her and she felt compelled to write them down. She finished her first book relatively quickly, but life got in the way and it took her eight years to revisit it and then publish her first novel. She can honestly say that now she is finally right where she wants to be.JJ has been married to her college sweetheart (and romance novel hero) for twenty-one years and they reside in Casper, WY with their kids and one crazy mutt named Kreuger. She enjoys reading, writing, blogging, computing, and graphic design. She will try anything that will allow her creativity to be released.


TA Ellis
TA Ellis is married to best selling romance Author JJ Ellis and is the father to five kids, four girls and one boy, ranging in age from 4-20. He holds a degree in Secondary Education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and has flirted with the idea of writing for years. He however did not expect to be writing romance as Sci-fi/horror/fantasy are more to his liking. But as a sounding board for his wife, he realized he had some good ideas and the team of JJ & TA Ellis was born.TA lives in Casper, WY with his wife and kids and one crazy mutt named Kreuger. He enjoys reading, video games and grilling. He is excited to embark on this romance journey...after all, he's been happily married for twenty-one years.

MoB Promosmagicofbookspromo@gmail.com

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Grab your FREE copy of THE FOOD CRITIC while supplies last!
A little something from me to you to say thank you for a wonderful year. ~ Rach

PROMO TOUR with #GIVEAWAY: The Starlight Chronicles by Lisa Orchard

Lark Singer is seventeen years old and already on the way to a brilliant music career. But as she and her band, Starlight, gear up for a competition, life seems to be throwing her a few curve balls. The mysteries of her past seem to be unraveling, and she’s no longer certain she wants to know those answers or how knowing about her past will affect her difficult relationship with her mother. And when her best friend, Bean, changes things between them, all her plans for a musical future are placed in jeopardy. How can she balance her complicated personal life to keep her musical goals on track?


Book One ~ Gideon LeeOriginal Release Date: Oct 19, 2014 Lark Singer’s relationship with her mother is prickly to say the least. As she enters a musical competition that could launch her career, Lark also searches for answers her mother would rather keep hidden. Throw into the mix the fact her best friend Bean has been acting strangely, and Lark finds herself launched into uncharted territory. Will her quest for answers sabotage her musical aspirations?
Chapter One I want to be like Gideon Lee. My lips move as I read the title of my essay. They twitch as I stifle a snicker. Looking around the room, I make sure no one has seen my facial tic. My eyes light upon the Presidents’ pictures lined up on the wall. They face me, each with a unique expression, and I wonder what they were thinking while they posed. They are above the clock so my gaze naturally falls on it. It’s almost time for lunch.I settle back in my seat and my lips twitch again. A feeling of defiant exhilaration washes over me like a tidal wave.Montgomery’s going to freak when he reads this.Despite my best efforts, a giggle escapes and the boy in front of me turns around and gives me the evil eye. I return the glare. He is slumped over, and sweat beads on his upper lip. I think this is odd — it’s rather chilly in the room — but dismiss it before I turn back to my essay.I bet old man Montgomery doesn’t even know who Gideon Lee is. This thought sends another giggle to the surface, but I quickly squash it by biting my lip.I picture him searching Gideon Lee’s name on the Internet. I see his expression changing from confusion to disgust. I imagine him taking off his black, thick-rimmed glasses and shaking his head. I hear him mutter, “Lark Singer, what are you doing?” He rubs his face. I can actually hear the rough sandpapery sound as his hand finds his day old stubble. He sighs and puts his glasses back on. “What am I going to do with you?”I remember when Mr. Montgomery first told us about the assignment. We were supposed to write an essay on someone we admire, someone who has contributed to society in some way. I know when he says this he wants us to write about an a historical figure. After all this is history class, but I raised my hand anyway.“Lark,” he called out as he stood at his lectern.“Do they have to be dead?”He cocked his head as he studied me with his piercing blue eyes. Then he ran his hand over his military style crew cut, and I watched as his salt and pepper hair flattened then popped back into place as if each hair was standing at attention. I could tell he wasn’t sure where this was going. “Well… I guess not.” That’s when he froze, as if he realized he had just opened a door for me and he wasn’t going to like what was on the other side. He shifted his weight, and looked down at the floor before he backpedaled. “But they have to have made a positive contribution to society. It can’t be about a mobster or anything like that.” Pursing his lips, he stared at me, fiddling with those glasses. “This is one half of your semester grade, Lark. I wouldn’t pull any funny stuff.”“Oh, I won’t. Scout’s honor,” I answered sweetly, placing my hand over my heart and giving him the scout salute, while inside I planned my rebellion.I have him. I’m going to write about Gideon Lee, and there’s nothing he can do about it. Amazon ~  Goodreads
Book Two ~ Lark SingerOriginal Release Date: Dec 6, 2014 Lark Singer is seventeen years old and already on the way to a brilliant music career. As she and her band, Starlight, gear-up for an upcoming, life-changing band competition, though, life seems to be throwing her a few curve balls. The mysteries of her past seem to be unraveling, and she’s no longer certain she wants to know those answers, or how knowing about her past will affect her difficult relationship with her mother. And when her best friend, Bean, changes things between them, all her plans for a musical future are placed in jeopardy. How can she balance her unraveling personal life to keep her musical goals on track?
Chapter One
THE GUYS ARE impatiently waiting for me. Bean’s foot jiggles so fast; it appears as if a current of electricity runs through him. We have to be down at Pearl’s by seven.We’re all geeked about playing on stage, I can tell. Performing at Pearl’s gives us the face time we need for when it’s really going to count. The real event — the competition — is only a few weeks away. I pick up my pace, we have three hours to jam and grab some food before we go on stage.“Come on, Chickie,” he says, gesturing with his sticks as he settles into position behind his drums.Rushing forward, I plug in my amp. As I crank out a few chords to warm up, that old energy buzzes through my veins. After a couple of licks, I’m ready and my nimble fingers tingle. I’m wired. I love playing in front of a live audience. “Which one are we jamming on?” I look over at Bean and wait for his answer.His brow creases as he tries to decide. “This one here.” He holds up the lead sheet and waves it impatiently in the air.I squint to see it. It’s the one we titled “Secrets.” Pointing to the lead sheet sitting on Stevie’s stand, I get into position. I had taken a few minutes and titled Stevie’s lead sheets for him the other day.He nods. “Thanks.”Bean slams his sticks together and counts out. “One… two… three.”We’re off, filling the garage with musical energy. My body’s rigid, as if every muscle’s flexed and ready for action. Screaming chords fill the air, as my nimble fingers crank on my Gibson. I feel like I’m a live electrical wire, popping and snapping with unrestrained energy.When we’re done with that song, no one speaks. Instead, Bean holds up another lead sheet and then we’re off again. Tonight’s performance is going to be epic. I can tell just by how we’re coming together. I grin in spite of my intense concentration; my confidence is growing by leaps and bounds. We are so ready for this competition that I can feel it all the way down to my bones.After the second song, I hold up my hand and say, “Our sound smokes. But don’t you think we should play some of the music we’re going to be performing tonight?”Bean snorts. “Yeah. Probably.”We take a few minutes and discuss some of the songs we want to play. We usually crank out tunes that were big hits in the seventies and eighties, a lot of Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Rolling Stones. They’re more mellow than what we’ve been playing, but they’re still good melodies and the crowd at Pearl’s digs that classical sound. Playing this type of music broadens our musicianship, but there’s nothing like cranking out our own songs. After choosing a few of the harder tunes we immediately start jamming.We’ve chosen “Hotel California” by the Eagles. It’s a dark tune about moving to California and I love the melody. My guitar howls out the chords and I feel that quiver inside as I sing the lyrics. After cranking out three more Eagles’ songs, we change it up for a few Fleetwood Mac and Rolling Stones’ songs. They’re great dance tunes and we know we’ll get people out on the floor with these.After the last melody, we take a break. The garage seems to hum with the absence of our music. As if it was vibrating at a rapid rate and is slowly winding down because the music stopped. We all take swigs from the water bottles Bean brought out earlier and then sit in the folding chairs by the wall.“What time is it?” Stevie asks, screwing the cap back on his water bottle.“Time to get going,” Bean answers after a quick glance at his watch. “My brother should be here any minute to help me get my drum set down to Pearl’s.”“Cool. I guess I’ll ride down with Francine.” I grimace as I say this and Bean exchanges a look with Stevie.“I’ve got my parents’ Toyota for the night. You could ride with me,” Stevie offers with grin and a shrug.“Awesome.” I smile at him as my heart swells with gratitude for my band mates. The truce between Francine and me has been extended, mainly because I’ve beenavoiding her and there hasn’t been an opportunity to wage another war. So I welcome any opportunity to keep the avoidance plan going.A horn sounds off in front of the house. Moving to the garage door opener, I press the button. The Brown Turd sits in the driveway, rumbling and vibrating.“There’s my ride,” Bean says. “Can I get some help?”No one talks as we all gather around Bean’s drum set and help him disassemble it. It takes us about fifteen minutes to get everything in the car, but when we’re done, Bean’s satisfied with our work. He gives me a wink and says, “I’ll see you down there, Chickie.” Shifting his focus to Stevie, he says, “Later, dude.” They exchange a quick knuckle bump, and then Bean jumps in the car.As they pull out of the driveway, Stevie gives me a nudge. “Come on. Let’s get going.”I follow him back to the garage, where we grab our equipment and stow it in the backseat of his parents’ green sedan. Then we hustle inside and grab our coats. On my way out the door, I glance at my watch and realize we’ll just have enough time to eat before we play. Since we don’t charge for our performance, the owner of Pearl’s gives us our meal on the house. We’re okay with that because we need the face time and the food at Pearl’s is epically awesome.After we climb into the car, Stevie starts it and pulls away from the curb. “What’re you going to get?” he asks after adjusting his mirror.I tilt my head and think about it before I answer. “Probably a wet burrito.” I smile and face him. “How about you?”“That does sound pretty good. I’ll probably get one of those too.”We share a giddy laugh and then zoom down the road. I love Friday nights at Pearl’s, the relaxed atmosphere and the friendliness of the staff. The owner of the bar, whose actual name is Marge, always welcomes us with a smile. Her grandmother, the original owner, was Pearl.Marge is a rotund woman with big boobs and an even bigger heart. When I was a young girl, I’d been afraid of her. Afraid that I’d get lost in that big pillowy chest and suffocate.I snicker every time I think about that now and chalk it up to irrational fears of childhood.As we pull into the parking lot behind the bar, I turn to Stevie and say. “Hey, did Bean tell you we have a name for the band?”Stevie shakes his head as he puts the car in park and shuts it off. “Nope. What is it?”“Starlight.”Stevie grins and fiddles with his glasses. He repeats the name a couple of times, then turns to me, and says, “I like it.”I let out a squeal of delight. “I do too.”Stevie laughs because I’m not the type of girl that squeals. I’m much more levelheaded, but I can’t help it. We have our songs picked out and we have a name for the band. And the fact that we’re getting face time tonight is just frosting on the cake.“Where’s Bean?” I ask, scanning the parking lot for the Brown Turd.Stevie frowns. “I don’t know. He should be here by now.”“Well let’s get the equipment into the bar. Maybe by the time we’re done, he’ll be here.”“Okay.”Climbing out of the car, I scrutinize the area again and still no Bean. Disappointed, I sigh and grab my Gibson and my amp, then carry them inside. Stevie’s right behind me with his gear in tow.We trudge through the back door and find ourselves in a dimly lit hall. It’s narrow and smells of slimy grease and stale cigarettes. I figure this is where Marge’s staff comes when they want to have a smoke.Traveling down the narrow corridor, we pass a bathroom on the right and the kitchen on the left. Coming from the kitchen is the sound of meat frying on a hot grill, the clatter of dishes, and the barking of orders as the staff hustle around trying to get through the dinner rush.Inhaling a big whiff, I catch the scent of chipotle and cayenne pepper. Must be a Mexican dish is the special tonight, and my stomach rumbles in anticipation. We skirtthe main dining room and enter the bar area. At seven, Marge opens the divider between the two rooms and we’ll start cranking out the tunes.There’s a small stage at the back and we head in that direction. I flick on the light. It flickers before the room lights up. Booths with cracked upholstery line the walls, and there are tables sporting red plastic tablecloths with candles in the center of them. Surrounding the tables like troops taking a bunker, are chairs with the same type of upholstery as the booths.Stevie bangs into a table with his Fender and curses under his breath. I make it up on the stage and place my equipment on the left. Stevie likes the right side and Bean sits center stage, about five feet behind Stevie and me. There’s a small platform for him that sits about ten inches higher than the stage. This way Bean isn’t lost behind his drums. Stooping, I arrange my stand and amp so they’re out of the way, but accessible. Stevie does the same thing, and we’re quiet as we work.After I get everything situated, I glance toward the door and frown. Still no Bean. My stomach flutters. If we don’t have a drummer, we can’t play. I catch Stevie’s eye. “I’m getting nervous.”Stevie gives me a smile and says, “Chill. He’ll be here. You know Bean, he’s always running late.”Just as Stevie finishes speaking, Bean rushes in the door. He’s carrying one of his snare drums and his brother’s following behind him carrying his cymbals. I’m so glad to see him that my heart swells in my chest. The overwhelming urge to run up and hug him is so strong, that I have to clench my hands to stop myself. I play it cool and say, “Hey. We were wondering where you were.”He gives me a wide grin and says, “We had to make a quick stop.” He’s pumped — I can tell by his energetic motions and bright, shiny eyes. “I’ll be right back with the rest of my drums.” He winks at me and then turns to Stevie. “Would you care to help, kind sir?”Bean and Stevie share a laugh at Bean’s silliness, then leave to carry in the rest of the drums. Brian waves to meand bounds. We are so ready for this competition that I can feel it all the way down to my bones.After the second song, I hold up my hand and say, “Our sound smokes. But don’t you think we should play some of the music we’re going to be performing tonight?”Bean snorts. “Yeah. Probably.”We take a few minutes and discuss some of the songs we want to play. We usually crank out tunes that were big hits in the seventies and eighties, a lot of Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, and Rolling Stones. They’re more mellow than what we’ve been playing, but they’re still good melodies and the crowd at Pearl’s digs that classical sound. Playing this type of music broadens our musicianship, but there’s nothing like cranking out our own songs. After choosing a few of the harder tunes we immediately start jamming.We’ve chosen “Hotel California” by the Eagles. It’s a dark tune about moving to California and I love the melody. My guitar howls out the chords and I feel that quiver inside as I sing the lyrics. After cranking out three more Eagles’ songs, we change it up for a few Fleetwood Mac and Rolling Stones’ songs. They’re great dance tunes and we know we’ll get people out on the floor with these.After the last melody, we take a break. The garage seems to hum with the absence of our music. As if it was vibrating at a rapid rate and is slowly winding down because the music stopped. We all take swigs from the water bottles Bean brought out earlier and then sit in the folding chairs by the wall.“What time is it?” Stevie asks, screwing the cap back on his water bottle.“Time to get going,” Bean answers after a quick glance at his watch. “My brother should be here any minute to help me get my drum set down to Pearl’s.”“Cool. I guess I’ll ride down with Francine.” I grimace as I say this and Bean exchanges a look with Stevie.“I’ve got my parents’ Toyota for the night. You could ride with me,” Stevie offers with grin and a shrug.“Awesome.” I smile at him as my heart swells with gratitude for my band mates. The truce between Francine and me has been extended, mainly because I’ve been avoiding her and there hasn’t been an opportunity to wage another war. So I welcome any opportunity to keep the avoidance plan going. Amazon ~  Goodreads
Book Three ~ StarlightOriginal Release Date: Feb 17, 2015 Everything is on track for Seventeen-year-old Lark Singer and her band Starlight. They have a great shot at winning the competition that can launch their musical career. But when Lark discovers they will be competing against her old nemesis Duane McIntyre things really heat up. How far will Lark go to win, and what will it cost her in the end?
Chapter One “AWESOME JAM session!” announces Bean as he twirls his sticks in the air.“We are so ready!” I exclaim. The competition is just a week away, but I’ve never been so ready for anything in my life. We have the smoking hot tunes. Four of them, and they’re full of positive energy. And we have the smoking hot name. Starlight. I love the way it rolls off my tongue when I say it.For a brief second, I think about who we’re up against for the competition and Duh-Wayne’s face floats into my consciousness. I shake my head to wash the image away. Nothing is going to ruin this chance for me, not even Duh-Wayne.The competition. It’s my one chance to get out of this town, to have the musical career of my dreams. The winner gets a paid-in-full opportunity to audition for American Singer and the winner of that gets a recording contract. I can almost feel the contract in my hand.Turning my attention back to the task at hand, I unplug my guitar. As I put my Gibson back into its case, Bean moves from his perch behind his drum set and squats next to me. “Hey, I’ve got to give Stevie a ride home, but after that would you like to go for a cruise?”“Yeah.” I give him a smile. “I would.”“Bean. Come on, I’ve got to get home,” Stevie says in a tone that’s not quite impatient.I stand. “Just let me put this away,” I say, patting my guitar case. I hustle inside and run my guitar up to my room.When I return to the garage, I hit the button and then sneak under the door as it makes its descent. Stevie’s standing just outside the passenger door, waiting for me to climb into the car next to Bean before he gets in. He’s thoughtful that way.I climb in and give Bean a nudge and a grin. He grins back and his eyes have that special twinkle that’s just for me.Stevie scrambles in and closes the door. “Let’s go.”Bean backs out of the driveway and heads down the road. The Brown Turd rumbles and backfires as he steps on the gas. I’m surprised Mr. Szasbo hasn’t made an appearance, but then I remember his cat. Ever since I saved his kitten, I haven’t heard a complaint from him. Maybe he has warmed toward me.It takes us fifteen minutes to reach Stevie’s house. A brick ranch with a long front porch and attached two-stall garage. The house doesn’t seem to match my friend. I expected him to live in some bungalow by the sea. Instead, he’s in small town suburbia and it dawns on me that I don’t even know what his parents do for a living.“I’ll catch you guys tomorrow,” Stevie says with a wave, pulling me from my thoughts.“Yeah. Tomorrow,” I say with a quick smile. I can’t wait for him to leave so I can be alone with Bean.“Later, Dude,” Bean yells before rolling up his window. I snuggle up to him as he steps on the gas and heads toward downtown. “So where do you want to go?”I shrug. “I don’t know. Let’s go someplace where we can talk.”He winks at me and says, “I know just the place.”“Where?”“You’ll see.” He gives me a mischievous smile that sends my heart racing. I love it when he looks at me like that.We make small talk while he drives to our destination. I’m shocked when we pull into a cemetery. “What are we doing here?”“You said you wanted to go someplace to talk.” He snickers. “We definitely won’t get interrupted here.”“No kidding,” I say as I stare out the window. The grave markers go by and I can’t help but think about the people lying beneath the ground. I wonder what kind of lives they had. As I think about these things, I realize there’s a lot of history in this cemetery.“So, what did you want to talk about?” Bean asks as he grabs my hand. The familiarity of the rough calluses onmy skin warms my heart. He stops the car and turns the engine off.“My mom admitted it.”“Admitted what?” Bean shifts in his seat and slouches against the driver’s door.I shift and turn toward him. Before I speak, I rub my fingers along the scar above my right eyebrow. It’s my bastard stamp. I got it the day Duh-Wayne called me a bastard and then laughed when I didn’t know what one was. As I recall the horrific fight we had, a shudder runs through me as I tell him. “She admitted that Jared Miller is my father.”“What?” Bean sits up straight and bumps his head against the window. Rubbing it he says, “When did all this happen?”“Last night.” I brush a curl away from my face. Amazon ~  Goodreads

Lisa Orchard grew up loving books. She was hooked on books by the fifth grade and even wrote a few of her own. She knew she wanted to be a writer even then. Her first published works are the “Super Spies Series.” These stories revolve around a group of friends who form their own detective squad and the cases they solve. “The Starlight Chronicles,” is the next series that Lisa created with musical misfit, Lark Singer as her main character.Lisa resides in Michigan with her husband, Steve, and two wonderful boys. Currently, she’s working on the next book in the Starlight Chronicles Series along with a few new ideas that may turn into stand-alone novels. When she’s not writing she enjoys spending time with her family, running, hiking, and reading.
        

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