R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 46

BOOK BLITZ: Hot Girl Summer by Sonia Palermo #GIVEAWAY

Hot Girl Summer
Sonia Palermo
Publication date: March 14th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Sophia DeLuca is over casual hook-ups. Between her sister’s eating disorder, her track record of falling for fuckboys, and a lifetime of being written off as a shallow flake, “failure to launch” may as well be her middle name.

Under false pretences and a fake name, she meets Danny Pearce, an obnoxious musician on the opposite end of the millennial spectrum. Danny is cocky, rude, and a contender for fuckboy of the year.

After a series of serendipitous encounters and a secret gig, Sophia unexpectedly falls for Danny. But when he is faced with his own demons, Sophia must reclaim her power and forgive the past, or risk losing the only thing that’s real.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Gently, he places a hand on the small of my back, guiding me into a small space in front of him. I want to lean into the warmth of his palm, to step back just a little to feel him behind me.

“Better?”

I close my eyes to savour his touch before turning around to thank him.

“No worries.”

Dimples indent his cheeks as he returns the smile, and I spin back around. I’m dizzy, and my heart is racing. I can’t decide if it’s a delayed side effect of the alcohol, or a Danny side effect, but I could easily get used to this feeling. The only downside is that his proximity resurfaces every ache I’d tried to bury when he was up on that stage.

My only hope to avoid going completely overboard with want for Danny Pearce is to focus on the music; the beams of light oscillating between us and the stage; the sensation in my body as the bass ripples through the floor and diffuses at my feet.

I try to focus on anything but the ghost of his breath in my hair, teasing trails down my neck. I lose balance, swaying with no rhythm as his body heat radiates onto mine, and I hope to God this feeling goes both ways. If not, I might die.

Monty addresses the crowd, snapping me out of my stupor. Much like Ollie had done previously, he relays anecdotes and speaks about his music, although his demeanour errs on the side of cockiness over confidence. He introduces his band, thanks the audience, and shares more self-indulgence, but there is no denying his talent.

The band continue their upbeat energy over the next few songs, and the crowd rambunctiously bounce along to hit after hit. But I can’t ignore the all-consuming pulsing and throbbing taking over my entire body, especially when there’s no way of avoiding Danny’s addictive Riviera scent.

Without a glance behind, I finally gather the courage to test the waters. I’ve never made the first move with anyone before, and I like it that way. I’m terrified, but if there was ever a time to take agency over my life, facing the fear of rejection in favour of something better, fighting the voices in my head that tell me I’m not good enough, this is it.

If I don’t try, I won’t know.

Author Bio:

Sonia Palermo writes fun, sexy, steamy contemporary romance with sex-positive, sassy-but-soft heroines and cinnamon roll heroes.

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BOOK BLITZ: Mermaid of Venice by Jincey Lumpkin #GIVEAWAY

Mermaid of Venice
Jincey Lumpkin
(Mermaid of Venice, #1)
Publication date: March 15th 2021
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

IndieReader Approved with 4.8 of 5 stars: “MERMAID OF VENICE is an electrifying series starter that immerses readers in a world filled with glamor, sex, murder, and mermaids.”

Dive into the extremely glamorous life of Gia Acquaviva, an ultra-rich Venetian mogul with a portfolio of clubs and casinos around the globe. Gia harbors dark secrets––and an underwater graveyard filled with the bones of her former lovers.

Her family’s roots descend from the mythological sirens of ancient Greece, but she’s taken every precaution to protect her anonymity and the existence of other mermaids. Gia lures in men with a beguiling façade, but inside lurks a deeply troubled soul, severely damaged by a mysterious past.

Despite her sinister desires, she longs for true intimacy and believes she may have found her match in Cameron Langley, a successful London-based banker and dead ringer for Chris Hemsworth. He offers Gia her first real opportunity for lasting love. They share an intensely passionate, deeply sensual connection… but is her growing affection for new lover enough to lull the murderous cravings she feels building within?

Fans of Killing Eve and Big Little Lies will love Mermaid of Venice, a sexy psychological thriller with lush fantasy elements. The setting is modern day Europe with all the chic locales, hot spots and vistas of Patricia Highsmith’s The Talented Mr. Ripley and a juicy splash of the lavish lifestyle in E. L. James’s 50 Shades series. This is not the Little Mermaid you grew up with. Gia’s out for blood.

Mermaid of Venice is the first installment in a series of 6 books about Gia Acquaviva.

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EXCERPT:

Gia closed up the house and locked every shutter before climbing aboard her sleek speed boat. The wooden vessel, while practically brand new, looked vintage. Its soft-top cover glided over Gia’s head with a clean, electronic hum. She steered through thick rain toward Marco Polo airport, with only a small black Hermès Kelly bag in the passenger seat. After pulling into her VIP boat slip, she sauntered to her jet, obscured from prying eyes by an ordinary black umbrella.

It was not until she was above the black storm clouds that she truly began to relax. Her demeanor prior to that, with the jet captain and the flight attendant, had been cool and aloof as usual, but it was an effort to appear so calm. She’d informed the flight attendant that she would not be needing anything on the two-hour trip to London. So, he sat in the front of the plane, in case the captain had any requirements. Gia was alone, on the other side of the curtain in the cream-colored cabin, resting in a suede recliner. She liked being alone, almost more than anything else.

The scene in Venice had become too frenzied. If the city had been busy during the festival, everything was three times as hectic now. Gia felt suffocated. They may as well have projected Nico’s face over the city like the Bat-Signal. Therefore, it was better for her to leave town.

When she arrived at her apartment in London, Gia poured herself a glass of Kentucky bourbon on the rocks—the cheap stuff, which in her opinion, was the best. This was maybe the one time in history when London was sunny while Venice got soaked. She slid the terrace’s huge glass doors into their pockets and invited fresh air into the space. Whisky in hand, she gazed out over the top of Harrods to Hyde Park. Kensington Palace sat on the horizon to the west, and Gia pondered where the Queen might be today and whether the old woman ever drank a strong whisky, or if it was tea all day, every day. Surely the Queen endured situations that called for stiff spirits?

Gia placed her nearly-empty glass on the Carrara marble that encased her bath. She drew steaming hot water from the tap and poured in the contents of a cylinder of French sea salt, as well as several drops of rose oil. She pressed a button that transitioned the window from opaque to clear, so that she might be able to spy on the Duke and Duchess a little longer.

Sinking into the bath, Gia stared out across the city as her tail came in scale by scale. The transformation from skin to scale tickled at first, and afterward had the intensely satisfying sensation of an itch that had scratched itself. She laid back, her tail swaying softly in the bathwater. Legs were fine, and hers were long and strong—good legs, if such a thing exists—but her tail… her tail was part of her soul. It’s what linked her to generations of mythical creatures through millennia. Man came from ape. Man, by nature, was competitive and clumsy and impulsive. Mermaid, however, had evolved in a completely different way. Certainly the sea had its brutality, but there was also much cooperation and an alien beauty that Man would never understand. The sea is in constant motion, while being on land is deceptive. The world itself changes all the time, but when you’re on bedrock, you feel that time stands still,as if the planet’s not moving, as if you’re the center of the fucking universe—and you’re not.

Many of the mermaids back in the colony were of the opinion that climate change was the ocean’s revenge, and that the days of Man were nearing their inevitable and welcome end.

Author Bio:

JINCEY LUMPKIN is a writer and creative director in Luxury Beauty. She is the author of the Mermaid of Venice fantasy thriller series. Recognized as a thought leader on women and culture, Jincey has written more than 50 columns for the Huffington Post and Playboy. She headlined Sex Week at Harvard and gave an infamous TEDx talk, “Are Robots the Future of Sex?” She has been profiled by Dateline NBC, Vice, and GQ, among others. Out Magazine listed her in its "OUT 100", naming her as one of the world's most influential LGBTQ+ people, alongside celebrities like Laverne Cox and Ricky Martin.

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BLEEDING SOULS SAVED BY LOVE! Blind Alpine by Cerise Rose #NowLive

 BLIND ALPINE by Cerise Rose Wicked Warriors MC Alaska Chapter
In the small town of Seward, Alaska, Charlene Dixon wanted to follow in her father’s footsteps and be a part of the Nanuq Shila motorcycle club; the only downside was the ‘No Old Ladies’ rule. The antiquated rule amused her, but she respected it just the same, and it never stopped her from taking a ride around the peninsula on her old beat up Yamaha, her pride and joy, and dreaming of a bigger and better future for her.
While Charlene is away in Seattle to earn her law degree, she rushes home when her best friend, Mushu, informs her that her father, Tyler, is in critical condition after being shot nearly to death.
During Tyler’s absence, the Nanuq Shila club members vote for the Vice President, Dallas Marquez, having no clue whether Tyler’s condition will change. Dallas is young, most thought much too young to run a motorcycle club, yet they voted for him anyway, hoping he could lead them to end the tirade against the Nanuq Shila club and the Black Aklark club, led by former Marine, Kennedy Townshend.
When Char finds out what really happened to her father; she alters her appearance to become Johnny Wayne, intending to infiltrate both clubs to get answers on who tried to kill her father. She figured with the military training she received from her father; it prepared her for any type of conflict. However, even the amount of fighting and weaponry skills never prepared her for the lies, treachery, and violence that she was about to face within and outside the walls of the Nanuq Shila motorcycle club.
Will Charlene Dixon learn she made a huge mistake in joining the secret men’s only club?
Will her fondness of Dallas foil her plans to bring down Kennedy and dismantle the Black Aklark club for her father’s honor?
Bleeding Souls Save by Love Fable Retelling of  MULAN
AMAZON/KU
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BOOK BLITZ: Audiobook Club by Jessica Frances #GIVEAWAY

Audiobook Club
Jessica Frances
Publication date: February 25th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Being a police officer in a small town doesn’t often offer up many surprises. Working the night shift means I rarely see or do much of anything that doesn’t involve a speeding vehicle, or a drunken rant. And, while quiet nights are better than deadly ones, it still takes some getting used to after living in a big city for years.

So, I’m rather shocked when I pull over a driver and find the dirtiest audiobook playing from the car speakers. And, paint me intrigued when the hot driver struggles to get the enticing words to stop broadcasting to the entire street.

The embarrassing encounter has us both lowering our guard, and I find myself a new friend, one who suggests we start our own audiobook club.Soon, we become more than just friends as we listen and fall into stories and new worlds together and, naturally, the sexy scenes we’re listening to become a blueprint for our own experiences to try … together.But, when life intrudes and our audiobook club breaks up, I’m left wondering if everything was just fiction, or if maybe there is something real under it all.Can we get our happily ever after, or will it all fizzle out before it has a chance to become something permanent?

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Thirty minutes later, we have a functioning bedframe. Two minutes after that, with just a few grunts and one moan stating permanent back pain, the mattress sits on top of it.

“Should we test it out?” I ask, my hands on my hips, breathing just a little hard from the exertion to get the mattress on it.

“You mean, have sex on it?” Ethan asks around a surprised cough.

I laugh, since I’m definitely not that bold as to suggest something like that. “I more mean just jump around on it; see if it holds. But, I mean, if you’re offering …” I trail off and waggle my eyebrows, only a tinge sad when he laughs instead of taking me up on the offer.

“I haven’t jumped on a bed since I was a kid.”

“Me, neither. I wonder why we stop doing this kind of thing? Why does being an adult mean you can’t still have silly fun?” I ask, crawling up onto the bed, feeling all sorts of out of balance as I force my shaky knees to stiffen and hold me.

I have never been great with heights and, apparently, even being just a bed high off the ground is too much. Still, I need to save face now. So, I do a small jump and watch Ethan roll his eyes at me.

“If that was supposed to test the bed out, then you must have the most boring and lifeless sex in here.”

“Who says I don’t like boring and lifeless sex?” I say somewhat defensively, and then I regret it immediately. “Fine, release your inner child and jump all over my bed to prove your handyman skills and impress me,” I tease, moving off the bed, grateful to be back on steady ground.

Ethan removes his shoes, and then, much more confidently, he gets up on the bed, standing to his feet with an ease I never had. While I shook and probably went three shades paler, Ethan grins widely and is as steady as a seasoned yoga instructor.

“Ready to have your bed and world rocked?” he asks me with a cheeky smile.

“Fuck yes,” I breathe out, meaning it in more ways than just jumping on my bed. I think he knows that, given the heat in his gaze. Then he proceeds to do a small jump, perhaps testing out the strength of the bedframe.

So far so good.

Another couple of jumps, and he begins to laugh. The carefree way he does this has me grinning back up at him. He looks so joyful, so happy, and so … close to the ceiling.

“Ethan, maybe you—”

His next jump has more oomph to it, and the top of his head slams straight into the ceiling.

Drywall and paint rain over him, while his legs collapse out from under him, and he lands down hard on the mattress. This is apparently too much for the newly erected bedframe, since it cracks, perhaps the wooden slats that are there breaking, and the middle caves in.

Shock silences me, and my heart is in my throat. I fear Ethan could have been knocked unconscious. He’s not moving.

Did I just kill my neighbor? How the hell am I supposed to explain this to anyone?

Then Ethan coughs while moving his hand to cover his mouth, and then that cough turns into a laugh, and that laughs has him folding in half as tears start to run down his face.

“Ethan?” I hesitantly reach out to touch his shoulder. “Are you okay?”

I’m not sure I’m ready to find the situation funny, given he could have a head injury.

“I think … I …” He can’t stop laughing, and I have to wait a good two minutes for him to get himself under control. “I think I just figured out why adults don’t do this shit anymore.”

I look up at the head-sized hole in my ceiling and chuckle. “You could be right.”

Author Bio:

Jessica lives in Adelaide, South Australia. When she is not writing, you can find her reading, napping or watching excessive amounts of TV. Connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

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BOOK BLITZ: She's Mine by Belinda Wright #GIVEAWAY

She’s Mine
Belinda Wright
(Protected Series, #1)
Publication date: February 27th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Slater

Life is good. Our business is growing. We’re successfully building our fight club empire and everything’s going to plan. Until one of the crime bosses asks me for a favour. Will I watch his daughter while he’s out of town? I know I should say no. I don’t do favours – for anyone. But in a moment of weakness, I agree. How hard can it be? I’m a champion fighter, after all, respected by all the crews, there’s no one who can take me on and win.

But I don’t reckon on Daleylah Martinez, the twenty-two-year-old daughter of the Spanish boss…

Dale

I’ve been waiting for this moment: Papa out of town- I can finally escape the house and enjoy myself. Then he turns up, Slater; one of my father’s gangster friends moves into our house to keep an eye on me. That’s the last thing I need. Well, he can forget it if he thinks I’m doing what he tells me. And there’s no way he’s stopping me going out with my friends. No way.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

She curls her top lip in a faint look of disgust, which ignites a flash of anger within me.

‘I’ve got to study.’ She goes to walk away but I catch her wrist and pull her back. Her eyes widen with shock at my physical action.

‘Dale, I appreciate this is your house and everything, but let’s just set some rules up front, shall we? I’m here for two weeks while your dad’s out of town, at his request, not mine. We don’t have to be best friends. I don’t care if you like me or not. I couldn’t care less, even. But while I’m here, I’m in charge, which means you will not leave this house without informing me first. I don’t care what you do, as long as it’s in this building, but I’d appreciate it if you would do me the honour of being civil when you speak to me.’

Her gaze is fixed on mine; she doesn’t answer, her teeth biting into her lower lip.

‘Do we have an agreement? Because if we don’t, you’re gonna have to stay by my side the whole two weeks I’m here. And I can tell you, that wouldn’t be very pleasant for either of us.’ I don’t let go of her wrist, holding her close as I speak, waiting for her to react to give me something back that I can work with to understand where she’s at. Her eyes are the colour of warm caramel. The smell of her shampoo fills the air with floral and fruity tones. She is stunningly beautiful, even more so, up close. I rethink what I just said; maybe spending two weeks with her by my side wouldn’t be too unpleasant after all. If she’d only drop the attitude.

Author Bio:

I am a mum, reader and indie author. I love spending time at home with my girls or with my nose in a book. My debut novel The Executive Floor was published in 2019 following many years of stockpiling manuscripts. I write in the evenings after finishing work with a glass of wine in my hand.

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B@@K REVEAL: Red by Cambria Hebert

Red
Cambria Hebert
(House of Misfits, #5)
Publication date: March 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fairy Tales, Retelling, Romance

Once upon a time…

An orphaned boy runs away, knowing he is better off in solitudethan in the company of those with whom he does not belong.However, Little Red is not meant to be alone,his crimson halo a calling card to those far and wide.And so off he goes… into the woods to attract the eye of a wicked wolf.

Better to see you with.Better to hear you with.Better to taste you with.

Astoundingly, the woods are not a frightening place,and Little Red flourishes among the weeds and thorns until he isn’t so little anymore.And the wicked wolf he’s gone to catch?Well, this forest has more than one, and perversely,their snapping teeth and sharp claws make him feel at home.Years after walking into the woods, Red is expected to walk back out,carrying with him the head of the most dangerous predator.

But those who sent him into the forest failed to take intoaccount that not everyone fears the bite of the big bad wolf.Some crave it…

RED is book 5 in the House of Misfits series by Cambria Hebert. RED is a Male/Male romance modern version of Red Riding Hood. RED contains dark themes, a Korean Gangster, Opposites attract, Secrets and Twists, Hurt/Comfort, Possessive/Obsessive and Found Family. Oh, and of course spicy times. Please also note there are mentions of off-page child abuse some readers may find uncomfortable.

RED is the final book in this series and would be a more enjoyable experience if the other books were read first. If you read it on its own previous plots and storylines do come into play in this book and therefore may be spoiled.

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Author Bio:

Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

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ANTHOLOGY BLITZ: Cheaters~A Dark Romance Anthology #GIVEAWAY

Cheaters: A Dark Romance Anthology
Publication date: April 5th 2022
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Romance

The game: dishonesty.The goal: to gain advantage.

Morals don’t exist with these people. They do what they want, no matter the consequences.

Rules are thrown out.Honor is void.Right and wrong are abandoned.

Find out what happens when truth and loyalty are discarded in a world where what you want, is exactly what you get.

Cheaters is a limited edition collection of addictive stories from your favorite USA Today and bestselling authors.

—

Authors include:Abigail Davies • N. Isabelle Blanco • Cole Denton • S. Firefox • Stephanie Renee • Ally Vance • Cassandra Cripps • Anise Storm • Rae B. Lake • Chelsea McDonald • Kay Elle Parker • Danielle Jacks • Cassia Brightmore • Zoey Zane • Saffron Blu • Mary B. Moore • Stacy McWilliams • Ruby Papciak • Tinley Blake • A R Thomas • Jason Hes • Kirsty-Anne Still • Persephone Autumn • Lindsay Becs • Sienna Grant • Hart De Lune • Jade Royal

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BOOK BLITZ: Forever You by Leah Busboom #GIVEAWAY

Forever You
Leah Busboom
(Connor Brothers, #12)
Publication date: January 12th 2022
Genres: Adult, Romance, Time-Travel

Can love transcend the bounds of time?

Laci V’s star is bright. The up-and-coming singer just released her new single and it’s climbing the country music charts. Her concerts are filling stadiums, and she’s soon to be nominated for a Grammy award. Laci’s quickly becoming a big-time celebrity. But after a storm rolls through one of her outdoor concerts, Laci wakes up in 1855.

Matthew finds a woman from the future in a field near his homestead. He helps her and takes her home with him, and she fascinates him with stories of inventions that haven’t happened yet. Her determination and grit eventually capture his heart. But this rugged, handsome frontiersman isn’t quite sure what to do with this beautiful time traveler.

As Laci gets to know Matthew, she falls in love with his kind and gentle ways, his fierce love for the land, and his indomitable pioneer spirit. While Matthew may be her perfect man, he doesn’t live in the century she wants to live in. Laci longs for the modern conveniences of the time period she came from, for the friends and family she left behind, and for her blossoming career. Matthew realizes that to show his love for Laci, he must let her go back to the time that she came from. Even though it will break his heart.

Will one man’s love span generations? Can love transcend the limits of time, of past and present—turning what seems impossible into something extraordinary?

Book 12 in the Connor Brothers series of small-town, clean, and wholesome romances. You’ll visit Connor’s Grove before it became a town and Minnesota before it became a state.

This book is a unique blend of historical and contemporary romance, and a story about finding love and never letting it go despite the constraints of time. A clean and wholesome take on Outlander. Fans of The Time Traveler’s Wife or the Little House on the Prairie TV series will love this poignant, powerful twelfth book in the Connor Brothers series. This novel may be read as a stand-alone.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Matthew

We head towards the creek where I found her. When we get there, she turns in the saddle, puts her hand to my cheek, and gazes at me with love in her eyes. Something takes over and I close the space left between us, pressing my mouth to hers.

It’s a kiss that promises the beginning of forever. It takes my breath away. I’ve dreamed about kissing her for weeks—wondering if her lips are as soft as they look. They are.

Her fingers thread through the hair at my nape and my arms wrap around her, drawing her even closer. She kisses me with a passion that she’s been hiding below the surface. I meet her passion with my full heart—our embrace leaves absolutely no doubt about how we feel about each other. This is my last chance to show her how much that I love her, and I don’t waste the opportunity.

The wind swirling violently around us makes the kiss even more reckless and desperate. It’s as if the wind feels my heart shattering into a million pieces.

After an eternity, she pulls back with a stunned look on her face. “Wow,” she murmurs as we gaze at each other, my arms still embracing her small body, never wanting to let go. “I wish you would have kissed me sooner.” Her voice wobbles and a lone tear tracks down her cheek. I wipe it off with my thumb.

Would she have stayed if I kissed her sooner and let her know how I feel about her? I shake those thoughts from my head. Laci belongs in the twenty-first century, and no matter how much I love her, she won’t be happy here.

Another clap of lightning makes us realize that if she’s going to do this, she needs to do it now. “You need to get to the spot where I found you!” The urgency in my voice is evident, but she rubs my cheek one last time as if she’s memorizing my face.

I help her dismount near the place where I first saw her. When her feet hit the ground, she turns and looks up at me. “I love you!” she shouts. Her voice cracks and her lips tremble, raindrops roll down her face in a torrent and she tosses the wet hair out of her eyes. “Please come with me, Matthew,” she pleads, her voice rising with emotion.

The wind howls and thunder reverberates around us. Rain pelts my skin as if it wants to inflict pain—mimicking the pain I’m going to feel when Laci’s gone. I yell to be heard over the roar, “I can’t go, Laci. My place is here.”

She closes her eyes tightly for a few seconds and nods, then takes a few steps away from Sarge and me. My heart aches as I watch her—a tiny figure standing all alone in the vast field, just like when I found her. Laci’s long brown hair swirls around her, and tears stream down her face. She looks beautiful and fierce—a look of determination lights her eyes. My pioneer woman.

A flash of lightning splits the sky. Sarge whinnies and takes a few nervous steps sideways. “Whoa, whoa,” I say as I pat his neck, calming him down.

Laci is still standing in the field, that bolt of lightning not striking close enough yet to do any damage. She pulls something out of her pocket and tosses it to me. I lean over, stretching my arm out, and barely catch it between my fingertips.

“That’s something to always remember me by,” she shouts. I turn over the delicate locket in my work-roughened hand, then tuck it into my pocket.

“I’ll never forget you, Laci. Just like your song—I’ll love you forever.”Laci puts her hand over her heart. “I’ll love you forever too.”“Sing me your song, one more time.” A powerful urgency to listen to her beautiful voice and that haunting song one last time hits me. The need to hear her sing is as strong as the need to breathe. Though the winds still whirl furiously around us, the sound seems to dampen, as if even the storm itself wants to hear her song.

Laci locks her eyes with mine, biting her lip, then starts singing. The words come out wobbly at first, but her voice gains strength as she lifts her voice above the storm and belts out the chorus. “Take me to Forever, With you . . .”

The touching words of the refrain nearly get obliterated as thunder roars full force around us, I feel its vibration shake the ground. Suddenly, a bright flash overtakes my vision, accompanied by a deafening crack! I’m momentarily blinded and Sarge shifts nervously under me. I hold tightly to the reins so he doesn’t bolt.

When my eyes adjust and I can make out the field again, Laci’s gone. . .

Author Bio:

Leah Busboom wanted to become an author since the day she learned how to read! She specializes in the romance genre because she loves a great story with a happy ending. Her books are known for their heart warming stories, intriguing characters and hilarious real life situations that make you want to laugh out loud.

Leah currently lives in Colorado with her wonderful husband, her "Blue Bomber" bicycle and a hundred bunny rabbits that roam free in the neighborhood.

Leah has published several full length romance novel series: Chance on Love series (3 books) and Unlikely Catches series (3 books), which also includes her two holiday novellas - Unwrapping Sam's Heart and Melting Nick's Heart. She just published The Connor Brother series - a new Clean & Wholesome small town romance series. Books 1-12 are now available.

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BOOK BLITZ: Fire of the Forebears by L.A. Buck #GIVEAWAY

Fire of the Forebears
L.A. Buck
(Heritor’s Helm, #1)
Publication date: February 22nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

Pitted against one another, with the people and country they love in jeopardy, the daughter of a deserter and the son of the king have a chance to fulfill their forebears’ legacy—or destroy it entirely.

Twisted monsters called saja lurk in the shadows of the mountains. Rumors say the Fidelis, human wielders of an ancient elemental magic, again walk the plains. Not all in Avaron believe, and not all welcome the return of legend.

Kura’s a skeptic. But, she’ll cross and befriend centaurs, talking animals, and worse to save her family after the rebellion mistakes her for the land’s prophesied savior. And, while he’d rather negotiate with rebels than fight them, Triston can’t ignore prophecy. That was the sham his father used to steal the crown in the first place.

Over a century ago, their ancestors sailed the oceans in search of peace and died as heroes fighting for it. But heroes—and villains—aren’t always what they seem to be.

Inspired by Brandon Sanderson’s grounded characters and JRR Tolkien’s sense of wonder, Fire of the Forebears is a fantasy for fans who think a dual perspective adventure about the fate of one nation might still be pretty epic.

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EXCERPT:

The woman smiled. She almost seemed friendly; she was the only one in this forsaken place to understand it. Pain shot through Kura’s arm and she cried out, grasping her saja wound. Her own pulse beat beneath her hand.

“The more you resist, the more it will hurt.”

Kura locked eyes with the woman, her voice a whispered breath. “What?”

The woman’s blood-red lips twisted into a wide grin. “Have they really taught you nothing? There was a time when men quaked in fear at the sight of me.”

Kura grit her teeth against the pain. “Am I dead?”

“Oh no, pet, you are very much alive.” The woman lifted a slender hand, and the campfire fell to mere coals; the searing heat leapt into Kura’s veins. She screamed.

“Give me the sword, girl.” The woman seemed so calm, but her simple command carried the force of a storm.

Kura shook her head, limbs trembling.

“The sword!” the woman repeated, flinging up her hand.

Fire surged through Kura’s veins, fracturing her natural wall of stubbornness, and she clamped down on another scream. What did she care about the sword?

The pain vanished. Kura fell onto her hands and knees in the dirt, coughing as she drew in ragged breaths. A bird called overhead.

Just a bird? Of all things? She almost laughed.

The fog swirling among the spires receded to reveal a scraggly dead tree a short distance away, with a bird perched on the top branch. It was the size and color of a raven, except for the spots of white—like stars in a dark sky—scattered across its chest. The bird gave another call, the sound a harsh chatter, and flapped its wings to reveal the golden feathers on its underside. It was a flicker.

The woman hissed. “Out of so many, you come for her?”

Kura struggled to her knees, but her limbs didn’t support her own weight. The woman turned back to her, brushing aside her displeasure with a grin. “Go on. Fight.”

Kura tried to stand, but her feet slid on the dry dirt.

“Fight with all the strength you have.”

Kura fell back, chest heaving for air. The woman held a staff, a long wooden pole that held a single-edged blade—one straight and the other curved—at each end.

“That way my victory will be all the more sweet.”

With a shout, Kura ripped her sword from its scabbard and met the woman’s advance. That rusted blade clashed with the sharpened staff, the impact reverberating through the stone spires as a flash of white sparks lit up the darkness. For just that moment the woman’s face was illuminated, and for just that moment her smile faltered.

Author Bio:

A goat farmer, engineering graduate, first degree black belt, and medical student, the one thing Lauren Buck always knew she wanted to be was an author. The first stories she ever wrote, as a grade-schooler, were about super heroes. But, raised on a steady diet of Lewis, Tolkien, and Sanderson, it was only a matter of time before she set her sights on epic fantasy.

When not writing, working, or studying, she enjoys drawing, playing the guitar, traveling, as well as outdoor activities such as hiking, fishing, and kayaking. Sometimes you can find her hanging out on Twitter, probably with a German shepherd or two sleeping at her side.

According to Myers-Briggs Lauren is an INTJ, and country roads will always take her home to wild and wonderful West Virginia.

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B@@K REVEAL: The Magi Manifesto by Kale Lawrence

The Magi Manifesto
Kale Lawrence
(The Magi Menagerie, #2)
Publication date: December 13th 2022
Genres: Fantasy, Historical, New Adult, Young Adult

After the true power of the Tablet of Destinies is revealed, Ezra grapples with the horrors of the night that changed everything. Haunted by the monster who claimed his father’s life, Ezra is determined to see his promise through and become a Magus. But when the Third Order of the Magi have him arrested for crimes he has yet to commit, Ezra is willing to do whatever it takes to prove himself, even if it means going after the very force that terrorises his dreams.

But there’s more at stake than the Magi realise and major risks must be taken to settle the score. Desperate to stop the Legerdemain Brotherhood from claiming infinite power, Jonas must lead a team into the heart of enemy territory and dismantle the Brotherhood from the inside. Can Ezra and Jonas successfully stop the Legerdemain from ushering in a new era of terror? Or will yet another unlikely foe rise from the deep?

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Author Bio:

Since the early age of 6, Kale Lawrence knew she either wanted to be an astronaut or an author. Obviously, the astronaut gig didn’t work out, so instead, Kale turned to fantastic fictional worlds. When Kale is not writing creatively, she works as a Marketing Manager at a pet product company, and pretends she’s an Olympic swimmer at the gym. She has also served as a board member for the South Dakota Writes organization.

In addition to books, Kale has lent her writing prowess to television, and her writing has been featured on nationwide PBS television programming, NBC newscasts, ABC newscasts, and the Travel Channel.

Kale currently lives in Sioux Falls, South Dakota with her feisty tortoiseshell calico cat, Emma Bug and sassy Siamese, Seattle Bean.

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