R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 72

BOOK BLITZ: Wanting by Lynn Burke #GIVEAWAY

Wanting
Lynn Burke
(Forbidden Obsession, #1)
Publication date: September 7th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Gideon is a big bad wolf who doesn’t bother with sheep’s clothing, an overbearing jackass who hates our combined families as much as I do.

I shouldn’t secretly love his possessiveness over me at school.

I certainly shouldn’t enjoy the unwanted way my body reacts to him.

My sweet sixteen culminates in the first kiss that I always dreamed of. The nightmare that follows, however, leaves me cold and aching.

I go from wanting…to needing.

But Gideon is gone and I’m about to face the real threat to my innocence.

Alone.

 

WARNING: Wanting is the first book in the Forbidden Obsession Duet and does not end happily ever after. It’s a forbidden romance that contains triggers and mature themes. Recommended for 18+.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

—

EXCERPT:

Piercing blue eyes glanced down over the curves I’d inherited from Mother at too young of an age, but rather than feeling weirded out by Gideon’s good long look at me, warmth tingled into the tips of my breasts. Heat flooded his eyes when they met mine—but blinked out like a flashlight, his face becoming cold and hard.

And leaving me breathless. Shaky and unsettled in a way I didn’t know how to deal with.

“Sis,” he said, his tone as mocking as his slow smirk that fluttered my belly.

Proper poise, I could hear Mother’s echoing hiss from many times before between my ears.

I lifted my chin to do the same as he’d done to me, my narrowed gaze sliding down over his suit as though I found him lacking in every way—which I totally didn’t. Broad shoulders for seventeen, he could have been out felling trees. And that hair…those bedroom eyes, my best friend Jenny would say, could talk a girl into giving up her first kiss.

He stirred things inside me I didn’t understand, and I hated him for the curiosity tingling through my limbs and whispering in my mind.

“I’m not your sis,” I shot back with a huff and flounce of my hair.

Author Bio:

Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BOOK BLITZ: Tribute to the Alpha by Cara Wylde #GIVEAWAY

Tribute to the Alpha
Cara Wylde
(Alma Venus Shifter Brides #0.5)
Publication date: March 31st 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

The war between humans and shapeshifters must end. There has been too much bloodshed, and it’s time for the factions to sign a peace treaty. But there is one man, one wolf warrior, who does not want peace. Not even when humans would be forced to provide shifters with brides to bear them heirs. Ruarc Bloodmoon is not interested in a willing human bride. All he wants is power.

Alma is the only daughter of the future representative of the human faction, and she is ready to sacrifice herself to keep her loved ones safe. Ruarc will listen to no one and negotiate with no one, but maybe he will, if she offers herself to him. If she becomes the first shifter bride in history, maybe he will finally see that peace is the only way for humans and shifters to move forward.

Note from the author: This is a prequel to the Alma Venus Shifter-Brides series, which currently has four completed novels and various bonus novellas available on Amazon. The series is complete, and ready for you to devour.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

“Why don’t you want peace?”

He growled low in his chest, and that deep, primal sound made something quiver inside Alma’s fragile body.

“Because we don’t need it.”

“The wolves don’t need it…”

“Exactly. You humans are weak. Another few months of war, and you’d be crushed forever. It baffles me that the other factions don’t see it. We can just kill your men to the last one, until only boys are left to protect you. You’d surrender then, and we’d enslave all the females. We need child-bearers, after all.”

Alma’s heart ached. She pressed a hand to her chest, hoping it would ease the pain. It took all her might to not break into tears right then and there. Her survival instinct urged her to bow to the stronger being, bend the knee and ask for mercy for her entire species. But that wouldn’t have worked. Not with Ruarc Bloodmoon. She had to be strong.

“You’re wrong. You wouldn’t be able to crush us. Yes, you are stronger and faster than us, but we have the numbers. Even though you’ve killed many, there are still plenty left to fight. And we’re determined. We believe in our cause and in our freedom. We’ve learned how to shoot dragons out of the sky. I bet no one expected that to happen, but it did. So, here we are, trying to make peace. Everyone wants it, Ruarc Bloodmoon. What will it take to convince you that this is the only way?”

He shook his head. “You’re naïve, Alma Hastings. I don’t even know why I’m talking to you. This has been a waste of my time.”

He turned on his heels and made to leave. She couldn’t let that happen, so she gathered all her courage and dared to grab him by the arm. She couldn’t exactly grab him, though, since his biceps was as thick as a tree trunk and her hand was small.

He froze in place, and in what felt like slow motion to both, he turned to face her and look at her hand on his arm. His eyes were wide, betraying disbelief. She’d had the guts to touch him! This small, silly human female had the guts to place her hand on Ruarc Bloodmoon, one of the most feared Alphas of the wolf faction. He wasn’t even sure how he should react.

“What about the clause concerning shifter brides?” She removed her hand when she realized it had lingered long enough on his taut biceps to become awkward. “Humans are obligated to provide shifters with females they will take as wives, and the females will bear their children and help perpetuate the shifter species.”

Ruarc leaned in and sneered in her face. “Didn’t you hear me, little girl? We can take what we want, no problem. We can take as many women as we want and breed them. Once this war is over and we win, no one will stand in our way.”

“A willing wife is better than a wife taken and enslaved. Less drama. She won’t try to escape, harm her mate, or harm herself. Maybe harm the children she never wanted. You must see that I’m right.”

“Right?” He laughed. “Is that what you think you are?”

She pursed her lips and forced herself to ignore his comment.

“I will prove it to you. I volunteer to become the first shifter bride. Your bride, if you’ll have me.”

Ruarc’s jaw was about to fall in shock, but he couldn’t have that, so he clenched it tightly instead. He didn’t know what he’d expected from the little female, but it certainly hadn’t been this. She was offering herself to him, just so she could prove that the peace treaty with that clause in it could work. He had to admit that Alma Hastings was brave. And maybe a tad stupid. Nonetheless, she’d taken him by surprise, and it didn’t often happen that Ruard Bloodmoon was taken by surprise.

“I’ll sleep on it,” he grunted, then was out of the room.

Author Bio:

Cara Wylde loves to write about strong, feisty women and their hot Alphas who will do anything to make them happy. Her books are filled with romance and just a dash of mystery, suspense, and that eerie atmosphere she fell in love with reading too many gothic novels. With a master's degree in Comparative Literature, she can't help but play with tropes and themes from various genres, trying to come up with fresh perspectives on the paranormal characters her readers love so much. Vampires, shapeshifters, demons, witches... Cara will always make sure they get their own twists.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub / Pinterest / Amazon / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

B@@K REVEAL: Golden Crown by Kathleen Mare'e #PreORDER

Golden Crown
Kathleen Mare’e
(Arthur Academy, #2)
Publication date: November 25th 2021
Genres: New Adult, Romance

“If the world is full of monsters, how do we know who wears the crown…”

Hendrix:In the dark of the night he bared his soul, delivering a shocking event that should’ve changed everything.

So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…?

The further I’m immersed in this world he calls the ‘elite’, the more I don’t understand. And it’s not only his world I’m afraid I’m falling for, but the Golden Crown himself as well.

But Pax still has secrets.

And I want him to trust me, like a flame wanting fire.

Because despite his world being nothing as it seems, I’m not sure I could walk away even if I wanted to.

Because the truth be told, I don’t want to.

I want him.Paxton:In the dark of the night I revealed a truth, delivering the brutal reality of what the elite really means.

So why in the light of day, does everything appear the same…?

It’s the same cat and mouse games, and the same political, power tricks where the Golden Crown is all they see. It’s all they want to see.

Except for her.

But there are things I can’t tell her. Things I don’t think she’ll understand yet.

And I need her to trust me, like a fire needing flame.

Because despite me knowing what this world does to those who fall victim to it, I’m not sure I could walk away from Hendrix, even if I wanted to.

Because the truth be told, I don’t want to.

I want her.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

—

Hosted by:

B@@K REVEAL: Hard Drive by Shae Connor

Hard Drive
Shae Connor
(University of Atlanta, #2)
Published by: Entangled Embrace
Publication date: October 18th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Description TBA

Sequel to:

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

Shae Connor lives in Atlanta, where she’s a lackadaisical government worker for a living and writes sweet-hot romance under the cover of night. She’s been making things up for as long as she can remember, but it took her a long time to figure out that maybe she should try writing them down.

Shae is part Jersey, part Irish, and all Southern, which explains why she never shuts up. When she’s not chained to her laptop, she enjoying cooking, traveling, watching baseball, reading voraciously, wearing tiaras, and hugging a lot. She’s also the volunteer Director/Editor for the Dragon Con on-site publication, the Daily Dragon.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

Hosted by:

B@@K REVEAL: Much Ado About Dukes by Eva Devon

Much Ado About Dukes
Eva Devon
(Never a Wallflower, #2)
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: January 25th 2022
Genres: Historical Romance, Romance

The matchmakers’ playbook goes out the window in this bold Regency romance that’s Emma meets 10 Things I Hate About You from USA Today bestselling author Eva Devon.

Each book in the Never a Wallflower series is STANDALONE:* The Spinster and the Rake* Much Ado About Dukes

 

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Author Bio:

Sign up now for chances at free books, fun stuff, secret book info and more at evadevonromance.com

USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, Eva Devon, was raised on literary fiction, but quite accidentally and thankfully, she was introduced to romance one Christmas by Johanna Lindsey's Mallory novella, The Present. A romance addict was born. She devoured every single Lindsey novel within a few months and moved on to contemporary and paranormal with gusto. Now, she loves to write her own roguish dukes, alpha males and the heroines who tame them. She loves to hear from her readers. So please pen her a note! evadevonauthor@gmail.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

Hosted by:

B@@K REVEAL: Midnight Renegade by Anya Summers #PreORDER

Midnight Renegade
Anya Summers
(Dungeon Singles Night, #4)
Publication date: September 24th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

They were enemies…with benefits.

Sworn adversaries with no love lost between them. And yet, the night Brody throws down the gauntlet, challenges Reegan to surrender to his touch, she recklessly accepts.

An erotic pact forged in flames. But there are rules. He will give no quarter. No emotional ties. No commitment. And absolutely, no falling in love.

She agrees to his terms. She makes a deal with the devil. She’s playing with fire.

And they are both about to be burned…

 

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Author Bio:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Bookbub / Instagram / Newsletter

Hosted by:

B@@K REVEAL: Calling Quarters by Jen Stevens

Calling Quarters
Jen Stevens
(Beacon Grove, #1)
Publication date: October 7th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult

I was raised to believe that towns full of witches were only in movies, and those spell books my aunt studied were just a silly pastime. I had no idea of the important role I play in a coven with zero knowledge of my existence, or the sacrifice my parents made by leaving behind everything they knew to protect me.

In the wake of my aunt's mysterious death, I have no other choice but to return to my birthplace for answers. But Beacon Grove is a twisted place where distrust spreads like cancer, lies fester, and the truth is nearly impossible to find. 

One thing I’m sure of is the danger that Remy Wildes and our inexplicable connection pose to me as one of the Quarters of the Watchtower coven. Through painstaking research and placing my trust in this man who has been trained since birth to hunt me, I learn that my family is far more intertwined with the tight-knit town than I originally thought.

I could be exactly what they need to save their beloved Quarters, but admitting what I am to those who have been brainwashed into fearing me could put my life at risk.

Calling Quarters is a twisted tale of corruption, lies, and a love story written in the stars.

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

Jen Stevens was born and raised in Michigan where she enjoys the weather of all four seasons in a single day. After obtaining her Bachelor's degree, she quickly realized the corporate world wasn't for her and instead took on the daunting role as her daughter's snack maid. Reading has been an obsession for a long as she could remember, while writing has always been an escape. Jen could quote The Office word-for-word and proudly refers to herself as a romance junkie. She could live off anything made of sugar and has recently obtained the title of Lady. Most of all, she loves connecting with readers!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter

Hosted by:

B@@K REVEAL: Kissing Games by Stefanie London

Kissing Games
Stefanie London
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: October 25th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

He’s a star MLB pitcher home in the small town of Kissing Creek to nurse a torn ACL. She’s a feisty librarian new to town and ready to shake things up, starting with a steamy romance book club. They’ve got nothing in common but everything to lose…

 

Add to Goodreads

Author Bio:

Stefanie London is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty contemporary romances and romantic comedies.

Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and her writing praised as “Elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have earned accolades such as the RT Top Pick and have achieved bestseller status with USA Today and iBooks.

Growing up, Stefanie came from a family of women who loved to read. After sneaking several literature subjects into her ‘very practical’ Business degree, she worked in HR and Communications. But writing emails for executives didn’t fulfil her creative urges, so she turned to fiction and was finally able to write the stories that kept her mind busy at night.

Originally from Australia, she now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter

Hosted by:

BOOK BLITZ: Compelling Urges by Ariella Talix #GIVEAWAY

Compelling Urges
Ariella Talix
Publication date: September 1st 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Successful business owner Ivy Chambers has no reason to doubt her love for her brilliant financier boyfriend Bodhi Monaghan—right up until the moment he disappears into the night.

Crushed and abandoned, she falls into the arms of Bodhi’s handsome best friend and surfing buddy Cooper Houston—who is more than happy to keep her warm at night.

A year later, Bodhi returns unexpectedly. He’s shocked to find Ivy and Cooper engaged, and he can’t handle it.

Will Bodhi, Cooper, or Ivy come out on top (or middle… or bottom)?

How far will they be compelled by their urges?

If you’ve read Ariella Talix’s #1 bestselling book Just Curious, you’ll be happy to hear a bit more about Willa, Jackson, and Casey again in this book. Reading their story first isn’t crucial for your enjoyment of this one.

Suitable for adult readers only. (Psst! There’s a lot of sex and some naughty language). *Warning* possible triggers due to sensitive topics.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Author Bio:

Ariella Talix is the nom de plume of a bestselling author who lives in America's Heartland.Her goal is to preserve the dignity of family members who would rather not be associated publicly with a woman who writes such scandalous and stimulating novels. She's not going to stop writing them though.

She loves her family, pets, great books, not-so-great books that still entertain, and art.

Born and raised near the beaches of southern California, Ariella Talix traveled the world extensively and then found her true home in the Midwest. She has a second-degree black belt in Karate and has been a professional artist for many years. Her work is displayed in countries all over the world.

A sudden brainstorm prompted the first of her novels, Make Believe, and since then the ideas just keep tumbling out like an avalanche.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BOOK BLITZ: Find You There by Brianna Bennett #GIVEAWAY

Find You There
Brianna Bennett
Publication date: August 31st 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Lyric Meadows is used to being overlooked.

Lovingly called Peanut for as long as she can remember, she uses ceramics to escape the high expectations of her parents. It also keeps her from having to tell them that she’s asexual, thereby disappointing them twice because she has no intention to work in music like they want or give them grandchildren. It’s not easy to conceal a part of who she is, but she’ll do it if it means maintaining some privacy.

Luca Sherwood is used to having his privacy invaded.

As the son of controversial politician Richard (Dick) Sherwood, the paparazzi is always up in his business, just waiting for a scandal to blast all over the social media. Unfortunately, Luca’s brother Rider does have something to hide, and it is something that could destroy their father’s career if the public ever learned of it.

Lyric and Luca are an unlikely duo with far more in common than they think.

One day, all of Lyric’s work at the studio is shattered by an apparent vandal. Devastated, she begins to wonder if her parents were right all along and she should just settle for singing. That is, until Luca volunteers to help her figure out the vandal’s identity. Her resulting romantic & sexual attraction to him is startling, but she’s going to need all the help she can get once she learns that the person who destroyed her artwork may be closer than she thinks.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Shut up. It’s not like that. I’ve told you before, Ry, I’m asexual.”

“And that means what, exactly?” Lyric huffed. “I’m just trying to understand,” he added placatingly yet somehow managing to mock her at the same time. Why is it my job to explain this crap to him? she thought resentfully.

“You know, there’s this wonderful invention out there. It’s called Google.”

“Fine, if you don’t want to tell me—”

“You’re insufferable, you know that?” She cut him off, and he just grinned. “It means that I don’t feel sexual attraction toward anyone. I’m not even a little bit interested in it.”

“Not even a little bit interested, hmm? Then what about your high school boyfriend . . . what was his name . . . ?” Lyric stiffened against her will. I don’t want to think about him. I don’t want to think about him. I don’t— Rhythm snapped his fingers. “I remember! Shawn!” Oblivious to Lyric’s internal mantra, he added, “He was such a little douche. I’m glad you guys broke up. He didn’t deserve you.”

“You don’t know the half of it. Anyway, being ace doesn’t mean I never ever feel sexual attraction. It just doesn’t happen as often for me as it does for others.”

Author Bio:

Fanfiction was where it all began. It gave me the opportunity to stretch my creative muscles and work out crucial lessons in the craft. I spent several years writing for free, which helped me understand the realities of the writing world early on.​Once I got to college, I did the one thing that most advisors tell you not to do: I majored in what I was passionate about, not what would be most practical. ​​After graduating from college with a degree in Professional Writing, I took a year off and then enrolled in a double Master's program. In the 3 years that followed, I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could about all areas of writing and publishing.​Nowadays, I'm a medical receptionist, soon-to-be self-published author, Medium blogger, writing coach, and podcast host. I live and work in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter / TikTok

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by: