R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 5
February 19, 2023
ANTHOLOGY RELEASE BLITZ: Wedding Tails~A Limited Edition Romance Anthology
Wedding Tails: A Limited Edition Romance Anthology
Publication date: February 14th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
All you need is love…and a dog.
From USA TODAY Bestselling authors, Jennie Marts & Sharon Wray, and Award-winning authors, Debbie Burns, Babette de Jonghe, Teri Anne Stanley, Mara Wells, and Lucy Gilmore
From USA Today and award-winning authors comes seven wedding tales featuring characters from your favorite Sourcebooks’ series that prove all you need is love…and a dog.
What happens when…… a reluctant cowboy agrees to get set up at a wedding, but then he and his dog fall for the wrong bridesmaid? (Save the Date for a Cowboy)… a negative post about a major league baseball player’s relationship with the publicity-shy girl of his dreams goes viral, can he still convince her to walk down the aisle? (Two Weddings and a Husky)… a sworn bachelor rescues a pretty girl on the way to a wedding but falls for the woman of his dreams at the reception? (Wedding Bells in Magnolia Bay)… a cowboy finds out the woman he’s always dreamed of wants him–and his dog–but he knows he’s the last thing in the world she needs? (Rescuing the Groomsman)… a dog-loving wedding planner must enlist the aid of a sworn-against-pets groomsman to save their friends’ wedding? (Fur-ever Yours)… the only person who can help the best man train the world’s laziest dog to walk down the aisle is the girl who got away…and the girl he’d do anything to win back? (The Very Best Man)… star-crossed lovers can’t find the flower girl and her ring-bearer dog who’ve disappeared on a remote Georgia sea island hours before their long-awaited wedding? (Searching for Ever After)
Return to the worlds of:Creedence Horse Rescue (Jennie Marts)Rescue Me (Debbie Burns)Magnolia Bay (Babette de Jongh)Big Chance Dog Rescue (Teri Anne Stanley)Fur Haven Dog Park (Mara Wells)I Hate You More (Lucy Gilmore)Deadly Force (Sharon Wray)
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Hearthstone Alpha by A.C. Melody
Hearthstone Alpha
A.C. Melody
(Midgard Úlfrinn, #1)
Publication date: February 15th 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Úlfr.It’s the one thing they told her never to be, but can she keep that vow when it’s more than just her heart at stake?Returning to Pine Grove should’ve been a golden opportunity, but things have changed in Reyna’s absence. Her childhood home is full of gorgeous men led by the magnetizing and infuriating Corbyn Bruschard. He threatens to unravel everything she believes is right, triggering her defenses. She’s determined to uphold the promises made to her parents. But the connection she feels to Corbyn makes her yearn for things they warned were too dangerous.
Corbyn walks a precarious line between animal instincts and human sensibilities. He knew Reyna was his the moment he scented her, luring him into a battle he hadn’t foreseen. His beautiful mate is a Valkyrie in Úlfr clothing, her proverbial shield deflecting him at every turn. But Corbyn knows the dangers that lurk in her denial. Their enemies are circling, rising from every direction, and there’s no bigger target than an Alpha’s Mate.
Corbyn will have to use every means necessary to keep Reyna safe, even those she fears the most.
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EXCERPT:
“I’m not going to stay locked up in that house forever, Corbyn,” she stated firmly.
He actually snarled at her. Like she’d seen Breton do to Shayd her first night back. To her surprise, it did nothing but heighten the lust still churning wildly in her gut.
“Do you have any idea the things that went through my head when your brother called, scared to death to find you gone?” he demanded.
Okay. That snuffed the lust like a lid slamming down on a flame. Reyna swallowed hard, but she wasn’t about to back down.
“I know how to handle myself,” she stated stubbornly. “I’m from Chicago—”
“This isn’t the same, Reyna, and you know it,” he cut her off viciously.
“How am I supposed to know anything?” she shot back. “No one will talk to me. You all keep your mouths shut, expecting Serena and me to just follow orders without question yet never give us a reason why. I’m not going to stop, Corbyn. I haven’t answered to anyone in over seven years. I’m certainly not going to start now. So, if you’re going to sit there and tell me that I’m going to be treated like a damn prisoner, I will pack my things today and be done with it.”
Corbyn tensed, his gaze boring into hers as if he wanted nothing more than to call her bluff. But Reyna wasn’t bluffing. He gripped the steering wheel with both hands and glowered out the windshield. His knuckles whitened before he grabbed the gear shift and put it in first. Just as quickly, he changed his mind and put it back into neutral, spinning on her.
“Dammit, Reyna, there’s got to be a compromise here, somewhere.”
Crap, really?
“What kind of compromise?” she asked suspiciously.
“No sneaking out at five in the morning for starters,” he stated heatedly, obviously needing to highlight that little tidbit first.
“I like to jog.”
He didn’t budge.
She rolled her eyes with a sigh. “Fine, I’ll wait until after breakfast, happy?”
“No. Sneaking. Out. Period,” he reiterated. “Tell someone. You’ll also be exchanging numbers with everyone today, and start carrying your phone with you at all times.”
Reasonable. It’s reasonable. There’s no need to throw a tantrum.
“Is that all?” she ground out.
“Hardly,” he answered. “Starting today, we will be taking turns staying with you, Serena, and Justin until we feel it’s safe enough not to.”
“And how is that not making us feel like prisoners, again?” Reyna balked.
Forget tantrum; she was going to deck him right in that perfectly sculpted jaw!
“It’s going to happen whether you like it or not,” he informed her. “We can’t focus on what needs to be done if we’re worried about the three of you. Even you pointed that out yesterday while avoiding the real subject.”
Reyna fumed. Damn him for turning her words against her and knowing why she’d used them.
“Sounds to me like your idea of compromising is all one-sided,” she pointed out heatedly. “I have things to do. Can I go now?”
The automatic locks engaged as he continued staring at her. “You’re on vacation—”
“Not anymore,” she cut him off. “My boss is expecting me downtown this morning, and I have to go unless I want to lose my job—which I don’t.”
“Then, Breton will take you,” Corbyn replied, his tone strained as if he were holding back a completely different reply. “And pick you up when you’re finished.”
Reyna’s jaw dropped as she glared holes into his profile. “You can’t be serious.”
“Very,” he deadpanned, though his tone was somewhat calmer.
He looked at her, his eyes roaming her freely again rather than trying to penetrate her bones.
“Won’t that leave Serena and Justin alone?”
“No,” he answered, leveling her with a stern look. “You’re not going to win this argument, Reyna. There’s no way in hell we’re leaving anything to chance, not with those who matter most to us. Now, get over here.”
She scoffed. As if.
“Please?” he added gently.
It took Reyna about ten seconds to reluctantly scoot across the bench seat, leaving a good arm’s length between them because it appeared he wasn’t going to drive anywhere until she did. If Corbyn thought she was done with her side of their little compromising barter, though, he was in for a big surprise.
Reyna inhaled sharply when he hooked his arm around her waist, lifted her, and set her down across his lap. With her feet facing the passenger door across the bench seat, her back was cradled in the crook of Corbyn’s left arm, though he still clutched the steering wheel.
Desire unraveled in Reyna’s veins, starting in her toes and working up to the roots of her hair. Every inch of her was once again hyper-aware of every inch of him, and she fought hard to keep her composure intact.
“Do you really think distance keeps you safe, falleg?” Corbyn asked softly, tugging her ponytail out from between the back of her head and his shoulder.
Fawk…what?
“Did you just call me fugly?” she snapped.
“Not even close,” he replied. “Answer the question, Reyna. I’m on to your evasion tactics.”
Well, aren’t we clever?
Author Bio:
A.C. Melody is a hybrid author of Erotic Romance and all its savory sub-genres. Confessed javaholic, introverted geeky girl with a twisted sense of humor and a wretched muse. She has a weakness for hard ass Alphas and the strong women who capture their hearts, without damaging their rough edges.
A lifetime lover of fairytales, myths, legends, and ancient pantheons, A.C. spends more time researching than writing. Her biggest goal is to provide new, captivating angles on old, favorite tales with enticing twists and characters that redefine preset expectations.
She's 100% guilty of placing all her money on the underdogs, anti-heroes and shameless whores.
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February 18, 2023
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Entangle You by Diana A. Hicks
Entangle You
Diana A. Hicks
Publication date: January 30th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Find out what happens when a college graduate meets a wealthy CEO in a coffee shop and discovers a chemistry that burns hotter than a steaming latte!
Life has never been much of a fairytale for Valentina, but she’s determined to make up for her past mistakes and bring her son home. Could an intimidating-as-hell coffee house stranger really hold the key to make that happen?
Derek didn’t set out to be anyone’s prince. He may have the riches of a king, but his divorce has made him feel powerless in the battle to keep the business he worked so hard to make a success.
He’s on the verge of losing everything while Valentina struggles to keep what little she has together. Can love over lattes help them build something new?
Author’s Note: Entangle You was previously published under Love Over Lattes.
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Only 99¢ for a limited time!
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EXCERPT:
“I dropped my key.” God, I sounded like an idiot.
She nodded and scooted her chair back. I had an odd urge to grab her leg to stop her. Women normally didn’t run away from me. What the hell? I rose to my feet. Her eyes followed mine until her long neck and smooth collarbone were exposed. Sexy. Now it was my turn to take a step back. Distance felt like a good idea. I smiled at her and placed my hands on my hips to keep myself in check.
Our gazes locked, and I swallowed, feet glued to the wooden planks. “Hi, I’m Cole.” I offered her my hand. “Derek Cole.”
Valentina arched a perfectly-shaped eyebrow. She wore no makeup, but her skin was soft and radiant.
My fingers itched to touch her, to give in, and… “I mean, my name is Derek, but my friends call me Cole.” That usually came out a lot smoother.
“Nice to meet you.” She placed her hand in mine. Gardenias. She smelled like gardenias. “I’m Valentina.”
Her hand was small, but she had a firm shake. Here was a woman who knew what she wanted, who wasn’t afraid of anything. Why was she crying then? Like the first day I saw her, a smile pulled at the corner of my mouth, and a blast of adrenaline rushed through me. A feeling I only got when I wrote code. Suddenly, I released her hand as if it had turned into a piece of hot coal.
“Well, I gotta go.” I showed her my key. The universal sign for this is the only reason I came back. I had to go before I made a complete ass of myself and broke the only rule keeping my head above water right now—no attachments, especially of the female kind.
“Good luck with your list.” I turned to leave.
“I’ll need a little more than luck to get my house back,” she muttered, eyes brimming with tears again.
Damn it.
Through the window, a cloud rushed across the sky, covering the sun for a moment. The shift in lighting stopped me in my tracks. Shit. This was a bad idea. Just then I chucked any fantasy I’d ever had about Valentina from my mind before I walked to the condiment bar and grabbed a couple of napkins. When I walked back to her, I forced a slow gait, taking my time pulling out the chair next to her. I kept waiting for her to send me away, but she never did. Instead, she gawked at me as if I had suddenly grown an extra head.
“What happened?” I offered her the bunch of napkins.
I couldn’t get involved with her or drag her down with me into this never-ending divorce, but that didn’t mean I had to be an asshole. Five minutes, I could give her five minutes of my time.
“It doesn’t matter.” The unshed tears made her eyes look like a perfectly-brewed espresso. She reached for the napkins, keeping her gaze on my fingers, as if she were afraid I’d yank the napkins away. “I’ll find another one.”
The fake bravado tugged at something in my chest. I understood the desolation I found in her expression well. But as much as I wanted to help her, I wouldn’t know how. She’d be better off calling her mom back.
Tears rolled down her face again. When she tipped her head down to hide them, she disarmed me. A few drops had fallen on her flower skirt. Please don’t cry, I wanted to say, but instead, I glanced toward the door.
“I have to go.” She tore the page off her notebook and folded it.
The creases on the paper were even and neat. You could tell a lot about a person by how they handled their personal effects. Everything about her was tidy and organized. She was driven.
She rose to her feet and then stuffed her list in one of the outer pockets. “It was nice meeting you, Derek.”
“Please call me Cole.” I jerked to my feet, then winced.
I shouldn’t have said that. We weren’t friends. We couldn’t be. A year ago, maybe. But now I would just hurt her. And she obviously didn’t deserve that. I rubbed my jaw, tapping my fingers on my lips. Valentina spun and headed for the door.
My pulse raced, and something heavy settled in my stomach. She was leaving. If she lost her home, who knew when she’d be back at Cafe Triste? And I needed her here. I needed her to break up the days, to give me a reason to get up in the morning and leave the house. But she didn’t know that. To her, I was a stranger. We were strangers. She didn’t owe me shit, and vice versa. I pinched the bridge of my nose.
Let her go.
Biting my lip, I rubbed the back of my neck. “I have a rental you might be interested in,” I blurted out.
She spun around, frowning, mouth slightly opened.
Author Bio:
Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy romantic suspense and science-fiction romance.
When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / Amazon / Bookbub
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Teach me by L.L. Ash
Teach Me
L. L. Ash
Publication date: February 14th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
From the Bestselling Author of HIM.
Mia
I’ve been trying to get that TA job ever since my senior year at college. I’m in my last semester of my Master’s degree and finally got the job. Only problem is our new professor is a sexy, middle aged, brilliant writer and an even better teacher. He runs the English department and now he’s my boss, my professor, and the center of every last one of my fantasies. There’s no way I should want him this much, but it’s those dang glasses and that smile and that little dimple in his chin. I was swooning the moment I met Professor Harlo, but the moment he opened his mouth, I fell in love.
Owen
This is the last thing I wanted. I’m fresh off a divorce and with two kids and two demanding careers, I don’t have the time or energy for this. Except, this girl sticks inside my brain like ABC gum and I can’t shake her. Doesn’t help that we’re crammed in my office grading papers several days a week for hours at a time. The whole innocent thing she has going on kept me away, but she’s a writer too, and I made the mistake of reading her half finished romance book. Unfortunately for me, the things I love about this girl are her mind and spirit, and those are the two things I can’t say no to.
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EXCERPT:
Writing was my life.
And I’m not joking about that. If I couldn’t write, I would be absolutely useless to society. Some people take antidepressants, or do yoga or hike, or eat really good chocolate ice cream. For me, I write. It’s my therapy, if you will.
So, to say that my creative writing class was my favorite my first year of college was a bit of an understatement. I mean, I’d taken it every year since I started college. When I became knowledgeable enough to become the class’s TA, oh my God, it was like a dream come true.
Sure, being a teaching assistant was mostly just correcting tests, reading papers and doing the grunt work that my professor didn’t have time to do, but I didn’t care. I was going to be learning from some of the best, and my writing was going to benefit. Hell, maybe I’d even try to publish!
Now, the big obstacle ahead of me was getting the job.
I stood outside my professor’s office door, waiting for time to tick by because I was ten minutes early.
“Goddamnit!” I heard from behind the office door and my eyes widened.
Professor Harlo was new, replacing my recently retired professor. A spike of worry shot through me, wondering if the man had a temper.
The door swung open and there Professor Harlo was, over six feet tall, in slacks and a white shirt, deft fingers ripping off his tie.
“Oh, shit,” he whispered, jumping a little when he saw me there outside his door. “You here for the TA job?”
I nodded dumbly, my head bobbing up and down while he dabbed at his shirt. The big brown coffee stain on the front of his shirt finally grabbed my attention.
“Are you ok?” I finally bumbled, grabbing the tissue out of his hand so I could vigorously rub at the stain. “Did it burn you?”
Professor Harlo raised an eyebrow at me and watched me make a bloody fool of myself while I cleaned off my professor.
Oh God…
I finally blinked, realizing what I was doing, and shoved the napkin back at him.
“Sorry, I don’t know what I was…”
“Know how to get this out?” he asked, pointing to the spot and interrupting my apology.
I nodded.
“Good,” he said, waving me into his office as he wandered back in himself.
Those fingers, long and dexterous, started unbuttoning his shirt, starting from the neck down. I watched slack-jawed while he didn’t even bother glancing at me.
“Consider this a trial run,” he said finally, sliding his shirt off his arms before he bunched it against his bare chest.
Uh, yes, bare chest. And what a chest it was! His skin was pale, but there were muscles there that many academic men never bothered to develop. A dusting of freckles sprinkled across his pecs, and a peppering of dark hair trailed down into the band of his slacks.
“Hey,” he called, making the ‘I’m watching you’ motion with his fingers and eyes. “Get this all cleaned up and you’ve got the job.”
I blinked, clearing my mind as he shoved the shirt at me and pulled on an old man cardigan that fit him so well; the horn rimmed glasses on his face accentuating his dark, carmel colored eyes.
“What’s your name, by the way?” he asked once he was dressed again.
I drew my eyes away from the little triangle of chest and neck I was staring at and looked him in the face.
“Mia,” I stammered. “Mia Miller.”
“That’s fun enunciation,” he said with a grunt. “Ok, Miss Mia Miller. I want that back by tomorrow. Can you handle it?”
I lifted my eyebrows and nodded.
“Good,” was all he said before grabbing his leather briefcase bag and moving past me through the door, locking it on the way out. “By lunch tomorrow!”
I watched him saunter off after locking his office door behind us, and felt like my entire world had just imploded in that tiny room.
Once he was gone though, it was easier to breathe, and when I got some oxygen into my brain, I was able to finally convince myself of how idiotic my little instant crush was. Not only was my professor likely ‘over the hill’ and in his forties, but he was going to be my boss. Because yeah, I was getting the darn job, and no amount of coffee stained shirts were going to get in my way.
Shutting off the blood flow to my little love button, I stuffed the shirt into my backpack and hurried to my next class. Math. Yuck.
Author Bio:
L.L. Ash is a Washington-born writer who has traveled and lived across the western coast of the US. Ash has been writing fiction since she was a pre-teen, and while her writing has improved since then, her love for literature has not changed.
Oftentimes you can find Ash reading an indie romance or enjoying a historical fiction. Dabbling in culinary arts and music, Ash has been an artist for decades but found her true love and passion in romances.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
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February 17, 2023
B@@K REVEAL: Spring Blight by Olena Nikitin
Spring Blight
Olena Nikitin
(Season’s War, #3)
Publication date: April 21st 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
“ Chaos and the wicked soul know no rest.”
(Old folk proverb)
Ina has no time to enjoy domestic life with Mar. As soon as life settles down after the Winter War, King Rewan calls his Royal Witch to give her a new task.
Southern rebellion, crops dying, and an endless stream of assassins attacking the king, leaving a trail that backs to a neighbouring kingdom. To make matters worse, an ancient cult has emerged from the shadows offering sacrifices to Winter’s Death.
One fateful letter and Ina is back on the road with an unlikely companion. But what can one Chaos mage do against so many enemies and the power of the Old Gods?
Author Bio:
Olena Nikitin is our pen name. We are an enthusiastic couple of writers who are fascinated by the fantasy/paranormal romance genre and decided to write a book we would love to read
Behind the Pen name:
Olga - is Polish, armed with a wicked sense of humour and typical Slavic pessimism she is the wicked witch from the East. She has written stories since childhood, initially mostly about her work. As an emergency physician, she always has a story to tell and often not much time to write.
Mark is a typical English gentleman whose charm, refined taste and an impressive collection of books were tempting enough to make Olga leave her homeland. Don't tease him too much; this man has an impressive sword collection and he knows how to use it. He also can fix everything, including Polish syntax in English writing.
See more on our website: www.olenanikitin.uk
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January 9, 2023
NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Errors and Exorcisms by Annie Anderson
Errors and Exorcisms
Annie Anderson
(The Wrong Witch, #3)
Publication date: January 5th 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Savannah is a Hell of a city…
After a quick jaunt to the Fae realm, I’ve come home to find my city on fire, my mate nowhere to be found, and demons running in the streets. Now, I have to help close a portal to Hell while also trying to figure out why my wonky powers are destroying reality as I know it.
And I will. Right after I find my wolf…
Errors and Exorcisms is the third book in The Wrong Witch series. If you enjoy fated mates, enemies-to-lovers, and steamy paranormal romance, then this is the series for you.
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EXCERPT:
In-laws really were the worst.
Sure, most people had clashes in personality, the odd conflict here and there, but me? I got the raw end of the deal when it came to my wife’s family. Then again, Wren could have probably said the same shit about mine—and she’d have been right, considering the throat-slitting event at our first family dinner.
But at present, she wasn’t dealing with homicidal witches hell-bent on eviscerating her from the inside out, and I was, so…
When I woke up this morning with Wren in my arms, I never thought my day would end like this. We were supposed to make sure she was ready to go to the ABI. We were supposed to laugh and joke and make love and go to bed and wake up tomorrow and do it all over again.
I wasn’t supposed to run all over Savannah trying not to get us both killed.
I wasn’t supposed to realize we both wouldn’t make it out of here.
I wasn’t supposed to tell my best friend to take her away from me.
I wasn’t supposed to tell her goodbye.
I wouldn’t trade it now. Because Wren was safe, and these women would never touch her again—as long as I could hold them back.
Dodging the blade, I nearly ran into Wren’s cracked-out mother, who was doing her level best to electrocute me to death. All things considered, I was pegging Wren’s family as the raw end of the deal. Especially since they were the reason I was never going to see her again.
“What’s the matter, Fido?” Margot simpered as she clutched a crackling ball of power in her palm. “You afraid of a little shock?”
A shock? No.
Getting roasted from the inside out? Absolutely.
Several decades my senior, the Bannister witches could make me a stain on the floor if I gave them the chance. It wasn’t like our families had ever gotten along, but ever since Eloise Bannister found out I was married to her granddaughter, I’d known my days were numbered.
I just didn’t think it would be this soon.
Author Bio:
Annie Anderson is a military wife and United States Air Force veteran. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she is a southern girl at heart, but has lived all over the US and abroad. As soon as the military stops moving her family around, she'll settle on a state, but for now she enjoys being a nomad with her husband, two daughters, an old man of a dog, and a young pup that makes life... interesting.
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NEW RELEASE BLITZ: Hungry for the Wolf by Kate Rudolph
Hungry for the Wolf
Kate Rudolph
(Guarded by the Shifter, #4)
Publication date: January 3rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Bryan has one job: keep Kerry safe.
When Bryan’s assigned to guard Kerry before she testifies in a high profile case, he expects it to be a simple job. Falling for her is against every rule, but no shifter can deny the mate bond.
Kerry Delgado is anything but simple.
When the bullets and fur start flying, Bryan discovers that he and Kerry have far more in common than he imagined. His wolf demands he does everything possible to keep her safe, but she’s tangled up with dangerous men. And she may hold the key to the mystery of his pack’s existence.
He’s supposed to be a regular bodyguard, even if he’s a werewolf. But when there’s magic involved, nothing is simple. And if Bryan wants to claim Kerry as his own, he’ll need to unravel the mystery before it’s too late and he loses everything.
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo
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EXCERPT:
The more Kerry thought about it, the worse things got. And by the time she was done showering off her run and changing into clothes that would have to do, her hands shook. Her stomach roiled, thoughts of hunger pushed away by panic.
They had to move. Someone could already be coming for her. What if whoever had sent those gunmen had already tracked her phone? She should have chucked it into the Hudson before they had the chance.
Bryan had been taking a shower of his own when she came upstairs, but the water was off now and the house strangely silent. Her father’s friends would be here sometime and she didn’t want to meet them. The people he called friends were all as slimy as they came and even worse than he was. She didn’t want to make small talk or answer questions.
What would happen if gunman attacked the house and only her father’s people were here?
She was tempted to call him and warn him, but a dark part of her said that he’d gotten her into this mess in the first place. If she hadn’t been moving mysterious boxes for his associates, no one would have attacked the gallery.
She’d stopped trafficking in those crates and her father hadn’t insisted that she start up again. But that wouldn’t last forever.
His men could handle themselves. And hopefully no gunmen would come.
She heard Bryan’s footsteps before he stopped in front of her slightly open door and knocked on the frame, pushing it further open so he could lean in the doorway. “Hey,” he said softly.
Her mind flashed back to the kiss, her body suddenly hot before a cold wave of dread washed over her. They’d been out in the open back there. Someone with a sniper rifle could have taken them out. And neither of them would have seen it coming.
What were they thinking?
Stupid werewolf hormones were going to get them killed.
“We need to clear out.” She tried to sound calm, commanding. In control. Her voice didn’t shake, so she was calling it a win. “My father called. He’s loaned this house to a friend and expects us gone before his guests get here.”
“How did he know we were here?” Bryan didn’t move into the room, and his voice was all business. Maybe he was trying to pretend the kiss hadn’t happened.
Good. They could both pretend and go back to a purely business relationship. One hurdle down.
Liar, the voice that sounded a lot like her inner wolf whispered. He’s ours.
Author Bio:
Want to know when Kate releases a new stories and get a free ebook?
Sign up to her mailing list to receive notifications of new releases and deals. The link can be found here: http://katerudolph.net/index.php/subs...
Read new books early on Patreon: https://patreon.com/katerudolph
Kate Rudolph is an ex-derby girl who lives in Indiana. She loves writing about kick butt heroines and the steamy heroes who love them. She's been devouring romance novels since she was too young to be reading them and had to hide her books so no one would take them away. She couldn't imagine a better job in this world than writing romances and sharing them with her fellow readers.
You can also find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katerudolpha...
Her website is www.KateRudolph.net
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January 6, 2023
BOOK BLITZ: Cusp of Darkness by Olivia Preya
Cusp of Darkness
Olivia Preya
(The Cusp Series, #1)
Publication date: January 20th 2023
Genres: Adult, Mafia, Romance
Valerius CafarelliIn my world, we live and die for our family. We brand our skin with symbols of loyalty and rank that bind us together. It’s time to step from behind the scenes and claim my birthright, leader of the Cafarelli family. But the mafia is nothing if not set in tradition. Marriage is the only way to claim what’s rightfully mine.When the angel I’ve protected from a distance suddenly needs me as much as I need her, I make an offer she can’t refuse.
She is a candle in the night.She is a prayer to the gods.She is the knife that brings me to my knees.—
Adaliya SolarinI took an oath to save lives, trying to redeem myself from a bloody night where I played judge, jury, and executioner. I worked hard to erase all traces of the night I claimed revenge, but my mind can’t forget the man who ensured I’d never be put away for my crime.Now I need someone to help me save my father from himself. When I’m left desperate and defeated, the man who saved me once offers one last chance at survival. What can I do but make a deal with the devil?
He is the bump in the night.He is my darkest temptations come to life.He is my salvation.Cusp of Darkness is book one of the Cusp series but can be read as a standalone. It has a guaranteed HEA, swoon-worthy anti-hero, and badass heroine. This is an interracial mafia romance containing explicit sex scenes, graphic violence, and is recommended for readers 18+. Please check the author’s website for the full list of content warnings on the author’s website.
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EXCERPT:
Valerius suddenly hiked up a leg, holding it firmly with one hand on my calf and the other discarding the slipper on my foot.
“Hey!” I protested; the motion propelled me back onto my elbows and I scrambled to keep the towel from riding up. I froze, unsure of what he was doing. Unsure of what I wanted him to do. I was hyper-aware of my lack of underwear and his proximity. My mind told me to wiggle my foot out of his hold, but my body wanted to have his hands on me for as long as possible.
Valerius ignored me and inspected the pad of my food intently, stroking his thumb over the sole and narrowing his eyes. A strangled sound escaped my throat as tingles shot straight from his touch to my core. Valerius’s hand was rough and easily clasped my ankle, pulling the entirety of my focus to his touch. I never thought my feet were erogenous zones, but God was I wrong. He flicked his gaze to mine briefly and his bright green eyes were now dark. The cruel, cruel man then suddenly dropped the one foot and picked up the other, repeating the same treatment without a word.
“Listen,” My voice strained too much to sound normal, but I continued anyway. “Foot fetishes are super common, or so I’ve heard. I don’t judge. But I’m not really into that kind of kink.”
“Oh yeah?” His eyes caught mine and he started kneading my foot, hitting a pressure point that made my body simultaneously light up and release pressure at the same time. My head fell back onto the bed, and I stifled a moan. “Then what is your kink, angelo?”
“I don’t have one.” Lies. I had fantasies, don’t get me wrong. But I would never bring them to life. The romance books I read gave me a slew of ideas, but it was one thing to read about bondage and voyeurism and a complete other to act on them.
He stopped his stroking of my sensitive flesh and I almost pouted. Instead, he traced his hand up my calf to bend my knee and stepped into the narrow space between my thighs. He maintained a firm grip on my leg, and I yelped as the towel started to ride up and cool air touched me. I was naked under the towel, and he was getting closer than I should allow. But Valerius kept his eyes on mine the entire time, not once glancing toward my almost exposed pussy. “What did I say about lying?”
I swallowed as he brought his face to mine, balancing his weight on his arm right above my head and fanning his warm breath over me. The position was too close, too intimate. If he lowered himself a fraction more, the length of his torso would press into mine. I bit my lip and turned away, but he caught my chin and forced it back to face him.
“My kinks are none of your business. It’s not like we’re lovers.” I tried to sound matter of fact, but it came out too breathy. His eyes hardened and he dropped my leg before pulling back suddenly.
“Your feet have healed well from when you stepped on glass,” I appreciated him not explicitly referring to the night of Derrek’s death. “But you could have easily torn them again last night without shoes.” Valerius turned away from me and walked to a chair by the window, leaving me to catch my breath on the bed. He was giving me whiplash with this conversation.
“Huh?
“You need to take better care of your body. I will not have you neglect your needs and unnecessarily harm your body.”
“It’s my body.” I huffed. I didn’t intentionally seek to harm myself, but who was he to tell me what to do with my body.
“Wrong. While we are married, it is my body. And you will treat it well.” He sat in the chair and watched me. I clenched my thighs together. Why did my stomach knot and face flush when he said it was his body? That should make me furious. “And you can keep your deepest, darkest fantasies to yourself for now. But I’ll learn them soon enough. And angelo, you’ll be glad I did.”
I scrambled off the bed. The power dynamic seemed too unbalanced with me––vulnerable and on a bed, practically naked and him radiating power and dominance on a chair.
“I told you, I’m not having sex with you.”
“And I told you we wouldn’t until you begged.” He dragged his eyes over my body, and I felt completely naked. Holy mother of God.
Author Bio:
Olivia Preya is a romance fanatic and author living in Toronto, Canada. She writes about what she loves—love, spice, and panty-dropping men with a soft spot for the love of their lives. When life gets a little tough or bland, she finds that fictional men are the best medicine.
Olivia considers herself to have two personas, like Wonder Woman, but with a pen––corporate marketing specialist by day and spicy romance author by night. She also likes to embrace all forms of sensuality, from pole dancing and erotic novels to good food; she believes that sometimes the best things in life are a little sinful.
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January 5, 2023
B@@K REVEAL: Whiskey by Sybil Bartel
Whiskey
Sybil Bartel
(The Alpha Elite, #7))
Publication date: May 23rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense
Mercenary.
Navy SEAL.
Unconventional Operative.
I didn’t join the Teams. I was recruited. They called me the Specialist. They said I had a unique skill set. I knew who I was.
For eight years, the Navy tried to rein me in with their tactics, techniques and procedures—operations, missions, objectives—they told me to adapt and overcome. I didn’t adapt. I did my time.
Now I worked for Alpha Elite Security. If you called me Specialist, I’d eliminate you before you took your next breath. If you recognized me, it was already too late. I lived by my instincts, and used the resources around me. No target was out of my scope…until my boss unknowingly handed me the only assignment that was.
The one woman I couldn’t kill.
Code name: Whiskey. Mission: Eliminate.
WHISKEY is a standalone book in the exciting Alpha Elite Series by USA Today Bestselling author, Sybil Bartel. Come meet Will “Whiskey” Damien and the dominant, alpha heroes who work for AES!
Author Bio:
Sybil Bartel is a USA Today Bestselling author of unapologetic alpha heroes. Whether you're reading her deliciously dominant mercenaries, bodyguards or military heroes, all of her heart-stopping, page-turning romantic suspense novels have sexy-as-sin alpha heroes!
Sybil resides in South Florida and she is forever Oliver’s mom.
To find out more about Sybil Bartel or her books, please visit her at:
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B@@K REVEAL: Bratva Jewel by Sabine Barclay
Bratva Jewel
Sabine Barclay
(The Ivankov Brotherhood, #6)
Published by: Oliver Heber Books
Publication date: January 24th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance
I can’t resist her. I don’t want to…
She’s tried to leave our life behind, but no one walks away from the bratva.
She can run, but she can’t hide.
I’ll be the one to catch her when she falls. And she will because she’s walking a fine line.
I’ll be there because she’s mine.
I’ll go to the ends of the Earth for her. She’ll discover her limits and realize only I can please her.
She’s my soulmate, and I’m hers. Heaven help anyone who gets in the way.
Bratva Jewel is an interconnecting, standalone Dark Mafia Romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains extra-steamy scenes that will make your toes curl and your granny blush. This is book six in The Ivankov Brotherhood, a six-book series that’ll keep you warm at night.
Author Bio:
Sabine Barclay, a nom de plume also writing Historical Romance as Celeste Barclay, lives near the Southern California coast with her husband and sons. Growing up in the Midwest, Sabine enjoyed spending as much time in and on the water as she could. Now she lives near the beach. She's an avid swimmer, a hopeful future surfer, and a former rower. Before becoming a full-time author, Sabine was a Social Studies and English teacher. She holds degrees in International Affairs (BA), Secondary Social Science (MAT), and Political Management (MPS). She channels that knowledge into creating engrossing contemporary romances that will make your toes curl and your granny blush.
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