R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 76

B@@K REVEAL: Preying on the Church by Kimberley B. Jones #PreORDER

Preying on the Church
Kimberley B. Jones
Publication date: August 26th 2021
Genres: Adult, Christian, Contemporary

Preying On The Church, is an inspiring novel about an African American middle-age woman Margie, who is well-known in her community through her job as a Realtor, serving as a representative on the Rockford Town Council, and giving her portion of life at Rockford Baptist Church.

A tragic accident happens that no one could ever believe. After a church shooting, Margie loses faith as her life is shattered into pieces losing someone close to her that causes her to journey through the five stages of grief.

It takes her to the lowest possible point of survival: isolating herself from friends and family, losing faith, drinking alcohol, almost getting arrested, and losing her job to realize she is on a path of destruction.

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Author Bio:

Kimberley B. Jones is a small country girl from St. George, SC. She followed her heart in college writing children books. Recently she decided to challenge herself and branch off to novels. She is your typical nomad who moves from place to place. Not by choice, but her husband serves in the military. She has a bachelors and masters in early childhood education. Kimberley is represented by Rhetaskew Publishing company and is best known for her debut novel, Our Friendship Matters.​When she is not writing, she is either thinking of another topic or reading. She loves writing , it gives her a chance to escape into another human character and express herself, other than being your typical mother and wife. If you don't want to be on her bad side, then she needs her white chocolate mocha every morning. Some days Folgers breakfast blend coffee is okay.

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BOOK BLITZ: The Highlander's Pirate Lass by Heather McCollum #GIVEAWAY

The Highlander’s Pirate Lass
Heather McCollum
(The Brothers of Wolf Isle, #2)
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: August 23rd 2021
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance

Eliza Wentworth is no lady. After the notorious pirate Jandeau murdered her family, she vowed to spend the rest of her life at sea, saving others. She’d rather be firing cannons than embroidering pillows—or worse, bowing to the demands of a husband. But when she’s stranded on an island off the coast of Scotland, now she is the one in need of help. And, annoyingly, that help comes not only from a man, but a man she struggles to resist.

Highlander Beck Macquarie has never met a woman like Eliza. He hasn’t met many women, period, thanks to the blasted curse set upon Wolf Isle decades ago. To save the clan, he needs a wife and bairns, and rough-around-the edges Eliza is anything but wife material. She has no intention of staying once she’s able to set sail again. He should let her go. But the desire between them is impossible to ignore.

When she asks Beck to teach her the ways of the bedroom while she bides her time on his island, he can’t say no. As they learn more about each other, though, past trauma and secrets resurface. Now, Eliza must choose between the freedom and comfort of the only life she’s ever known and sacrificing it all to save the people she loves…including Beck.

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EXCERPT:

Eliza tore her eyes from Jandeau’s approaching ship to stare at Beck. “You aren’t planning to fight him, are you?”

Beck walked away, yelling more orders, changing the sails to catch the wind to take them into a position to sail around the isle. He was still trying to get to the windward side.

Eliza ran after him, grabbing his thick arm. “You cannot beat him, Macquarie. He has forty cannons and fifty bloodthirsty men. Even if he wasn’t flying his red flag, Jandeau would kill you all.” She tried to shake his arm, but it didn’t move. “And he will take the children, Alice, and me.” She shook her head. “You must convince him not to attack.”

He leaned into her. “That is Cullen Duffie’s ship out there. The two of us will catch him.”

She gritted her teeth. “Not before Jandeau sinks this ship. Your friend will not reach us in time.”

“The Calypso is sturdy,” he said, his hand sliding down the polished wood of a mast. “Go with the children into the cabin,” Beck said. “I will stall him with cannon fire until Cullen reaches us.”

Eliza let out a rough growl between her clamped teeth. Fool! He had little to no experience fighting a sea battle, and none with the likes of Claude Jandeau. “You are going to get us all killed!”

She stomped away. “Anders, Pip, Alice!” she yelled, and met them at the aft captain’s cabin.

Alice held Hester on her hip, and they all filed inside. Pip ran to their trunk to tug out her sailing trousers.

“The Borreau is rounding the isle,” Eliza said, running over to the open trunk, her mother’s brooch thumping against her chest. She pulled out her long wool and leather coat. Alice plucked the laces of Eliza’s bodice so she could pull it off over her head. She yanked open her stays. They and her smock flew off quickly as she threw on her white tunic. There was no time to bind her breasts, but her jacket hid them well enough.

“Pip, take Hester and find an empty barrel that she can hold on to if you have to swim with her back to the isle. Do not take the dinghy or they will see you. Then hide.”

She turned to Anders. “You go with them.” She would rather see them dead than be taken.

“But I can—”

“I need you to care for them, Anders. Make sure they have food. Get them to Mull.”

His lips closed tight, and he nodded. She had told all the children about her time on the Borreau ten years ago. They knew the horrors that awaited them if taken. The horrors that her baby brother had to face while she hid away in Jandeau’s quarters. Stop it.

Teeth gritted, Eliza forced her thoughts to the current situation. Otherwise, she would be paralyzed with remorse and fear. She buttoned her jacket, tucking the brooch inside, and grabbed her long bow and pitch-tipped arrows. Alice was already yanking a tunic over her own head. She grabbed the lantern while tucking the ends in her trousers.

Eliza’s gaze locked with hers, and they both gave a small nod before tearing out of the cabin, Eliza jamming her floppy leather hat on her head.

On deck, Beck was issuing orders while his brother yelled to the men manning the sails. Men pulled ropes to turn the ship to try to position it to catch the sweep of wind, giving the Calypso some advantage over Jandeau. But it would not be enough.

I have to stop this! And she would. Even if that meant taking over the ship.

Author Bio:

Heather McCollum is an award-winning, historical romance writer. With over twenty books published, she is an Amazon Best Seller and a Readers' Choice winner.

The rugged beauty and rich history of Great Britain captivates Ms. McCollum each time she visits. The country's history and landscape have been a backdrop for her stories since her very first book.

When she is not dreaming up adventures and conflict for brawny Highlanders and feisty heroines, she spends her time educating women on the symptoms of Ovarian Cancer. She is a survivor and resides with her very own Highland hero and three spirited children in the wilds of suburbia on the mid-Atlantic coast.

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BOOK BLITZ: Written for You by Robin Bielman #GIVEAWAY

Written for You
Robin Bielman
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: August 23rd 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Cam Radcliffe is on a deadline to write his next blockbuster action film, but all he can think about lately is writing romance. The inspiration? His best friend, Reese.

They’ve known each other for years, but suddenly working in the same office has given him a whole new appreciation of her. Reese is driving him wild in the best possible way, and Cam only hopes it isn’t obvious. If she knew, he’s certain their friendship would reach The End.

So, of course, Reese figures it out. But the awkward, negative response he expected is nothing like the reality—like they’re living their own romcom.

A romcom that’s giving him the worst case of writer’s block at the absolute worst time in his career. Especially when the secret Reese has been forced to keep comes out…and threatens to ruin everything.

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EXCERPT:

The pool came into view, along with the backside of a woman standing near the edge. She wore a slip of a dress over her toned body. Her auburn hair fell in loose waves to the middle of her back, and she appeared to be staring at the water with her arms wrapped around herself.

Beautiful.

Alluring.

His breath caught before he reminded himself Reese was one of his best friends and he’d never do anything to mess that up. His brothers would kick his ass right now if they knew the thoughts running through his head.

He didn’t exactly sneak up behind her—okay, he did—and so when she suddenly turned in surprise and grabbed the front of his T-shirt to keep from losing her balance, he should have been

prepared to steady her. Instead, she shrieked in alarm, tugged hard enough on the thin cotton material of his shirt to rip it, and the two of them tumbled into the pool with a splash.

Not his finest moment. Not by a long shot. At least the water was warm.

They surfaced at the same time, his first thought to help her get a hand on the side of the pool since they’d fallen into the deep end. He also readied himself for her wrath, an apology all set on his tongue.

Instead, she gripped the edge of the tile with one hand, swept the hair off her face with the other, and cracked up.

She had a nice laugh.

The kind that had him forgetting apologies and enjoying the moment with her.

“Cam!” she finally said. “What the heck was that?”

For a moment, he was completely distracted by her full lips, almond shaped eyes, flawless skin.

“Surprise,” he offered, hoping he sounded contrite.

She gave him a playful splash. “Duh. And I guess I surprised you, too.”

“Yeah, thanks a lot for driving with me,” he teased. “I didn’t think you were coming up until Founder’s Day weekend.”

“Shay has me reading a gazillion scripts and at the last minute suggested I take time out of the office to do it so I’m not distracted.”

“A gazillion, huh?”

She rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean. A ton. So here I am! You know you’re happy to see me.”

He edged closer, an involuntary reaction he didn’t try to fight. “Here you are.” He had a feeling there was more to the story, but he didn’t press. He was tired. Hungry. And truth be told, more than happy to see her.

Author Bio:

Robin Bielman is the USA Today bestselling author of over twenty novels. When not attached to her laptop, she loves to read, go to the beach, frequent coffee shops (and by frequent she means daily but she's trying to break the habit), and spend time with her family and friends.

Her fondness for swoon-worthy heroes who flirt and stumble upon the girl they can't live without jumpstarts most of her story ideas. She writes with a steady stream of caffeine nearby (see above) and the best dog on the planet, Harry, by her side. She also dreams of traveling to faraway places and loves to connect with readers. Keep in touch on social! xoxo

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BOOK BLITZ: Fox by Harley Wylde #GIVEAWAY

Fox
Harley Wylde
(Hades Abyss MC)
Published by: Changeling Press
Publication date: August 20th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Raven — I learned the hard way not to trust anyone. First the men who’d hurt me, and then my mother when she’d turned her back on me. I had no one. Was it any wonder I didn’t think I had a reason to keep living? A good Samaritan had other ideas, landing me in a psychiatric hospital. Too bad the guards were every bit as evil as those men I’d trusted.

I thought I’d die alone. Unwanted. Unloved. Forgotten. Until the Hades Abyss MC came to take me away. They claim my father sent them, except I’ve never met him. Don’t even know his name. I’d try to run, but what’s the point? Besides, there’s one man who makes me feel safe. Fox. It doesn’t matter that he’s older than me. When he holds me, I know nothing will ever hurt me again. I just didn’t count on losing my heart to him.

Fox — Breaker brought Hatchet’s daughter to the clubhouse, and the moment I looked into those vacant eyes, I knew she’d been badly broken. Some part of me wanted to fix her. Put the pieces back together. Watch her eyes light up and see her smile. She thinks she’s dirty, that no one will ever want her. She’s wrong. I want her. I even want the baby growing inside her.

Never thought I’d find the woman meant to be mine. Now that I’ve had Raven in my arms, chased away her nightmares, kissed her tears away, I know I can’t let her go. I’ll make her mine — the baby too — and I won’t let anyone stand in my way.

WARNING: Fox is part of the Hades Abyss MC series. Be warned there are adult situations and language, violence, and darker themes which may trigger some readers, like suicide and assault. Guaranteed Happily-Ever-After, no cheating, and no cliffhanger!

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EXCERPT:

I felt the burn of a tear slip down my cheek and before I knew it, I was in Fox’s arms and sobbing. I hadn’t cried in so long. It felt satisfying and horrible at the same time.

“Surge, I need you and any other hackers to look into Balmoral. See what you can find so we can bury those f**kers,” Spider said. “Raven, I don’t have a place for you to live on your own. Breaker brought you here. Do you want to stay with him?”

I sniffled and looked up at Fox. A slight smile kicked up the corner of his lips and he ran his hand over my hair. “She can stay with me. I have an extra room.”

“That what you want, Raven?” Spider asked. “To stay with Fox?”

I nodded, not looking away from the first man to ever make me feel seen. Understood. My heart raced and I trembled, but it wasn’t from fear. Not this time. For once, I felt like things might be okay. I didn’t know the man they claimed was my father, but if they trusted him, I’d at least meet with him. Until then, I’d stay with Fox. I could feel it deep in my gut that he’d keep me safe. Possibly even from myself. I couldn’t promise the dark thoughts wouldn’t return. I might always have days where I wanted to end it all.

The thought of staying with Fox made me feel warmer inside. The shadows were still there, pressing in, but they were held at bay. If latching onto Fox would make things better, even a little, then I knew I needed to hold onto him.

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Author Bio:

Harley Wylde is the International Bestselling Author of the Dixie Reapers MC, Devil's Boneyard MC, and Hades Abyss MC series.When Harley's writing, her motto is the hotter the better -- off the charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can't deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you've come to the right place. She doesn't shy away from the dangers and nastiness in the world, bringing those realities to the pages of her books, but always gives her characters a happily-ever-after and makes sure the bad guys get what they deserve.

The times Harley isn't writing, she's thinking up naughty things to do to her husband, drinking copious amounts of Starbucks, and reading. She loves to read and devours a book a day, sometimes more. She's also fond of TV shows and movies from the 1980's, as well as paranormal shows from the 1990's to today, even though she'd much rather be reading or writing.

You can find out more about Harley or enter her monthly giveaway on her website. Be sure to join her newsletter while you're there to learn more about discounts, signing events, and other goodies!

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BOOK BLITZ: The Billionaire Shifters Club Boxed Set by Diana Seere #GIVEAWAY #99cSALE

The Billionaire Shifters Club Boxed Set
Diana Seere
(Billionaire Shifters Club, #1-3)
Publication date: May 16th 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Welcome to the most exclusive club in the world. The Novo Club. Novo is Latin for “change.” Our members prefer the word “shift” though.

It’s the hottest club in town.

The price of membership is your heart and your secrecy.

All you need to do to join is to be loved beyond your wildest imagination by someone powerful with an…alpha side so primal it’s in their blood.

Are you ready?

Good. Then let’s begin.

* * *

The Billionaire Shifters Club is a paranormal romance series featuring the five Stanton siblings, four brothers and one sister who are all part of an ancient shifter family living in modern America. The subter-ranean club-within-a-club beneath the streets of Boston, Massachusetts holds secrets only the Stantons and their fellow shifters know.

The first three books in the series, The Billionaire Shifter’s Curvy Match, The Billionaire Shifter’s Virgin Mate, and The Billionaire Shifter’s Second Chance are included in this hot, irresistible collection.

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99¢ for a limited time only!

Author Bio:

DIANA SEERE was raised by wolves in the forests outside Boston and San Francisco. The only time she spends in packs these days is at romance writing conventions. In truth, Diana is two New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors who decided to write shifter romance and have more fun.

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BOOK BLITZ: Perfect Grump by Nicole Snow #GIVEAWAY

Perfect Grump
Nicole Snow
Publication date: August 19th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a laugh-out-loud wild office romance where two total opposites fight to deny their perfect chemistry.

I’ve caught a raging case of bosshole.Signing on as a company driver for Brandt Ideas felt like a dream.Big-girl salary. Stellar benefits. Glorious people—minus one.Nicholas Brandt was put on Earth to drive me insane.Of course, he’s my bossman.

He spent the first month mistaking me for a dude.Then he “apologized” with the grace of a drunken moose.A perfect grump with a brutal reputation.A heart-thief sculpted like a fallen angel.A master at making me question all of my life decisions.

Why is it always the terrible ones who make a girl tingle?The longer I’m stuck with Satan in endless Chicago traffic, the faster he wears me down.When he needs a “date” at this rich-people charity dance, I crack.

I say yes.I kiss my incurable, broken, off-limits boss—and God help me, I like it.I invite disasters fated to rip my heart out.And just when Nick Brandt can’t cut my life into tinier confetti, the unthinkable does.Guess who wants to save me.Now guess how much barbed wire I’ve got to keep Mr. Anti-Perfect in exile…

Full-length enemies-to-lovers romance overflowing with hilarious quips, teary-eyed twists, and slow-burn steam that sizzles off the pages. A magnificently bad-tempered boss pursues his spitfire driver in a knock down, claiming, need-you-to-live whirlwind to the Happily Ever After.

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EXCERPT:

I’m in the arms of Chicago’s hottest billionaire bad boy. Only, he’s no bad boy, no scandalicious ticket to tabloid-worthy misadventures.

He’s morphed into Prince Charming. He’s too well-behaved.

I’m scared.

“Hey, Nick?” I whisper.

“Yeah?” His warm minty scent tickles my nostrils, a rich cologne tinged with a hint of his sweat and heady testosterone.

“What’s really going on?”

He looks down at me, his head tilted. “What do you mean? Last I checked, you lied about how much you suck at dancing, Reese. Everybody’s watching us and they love it.”

Not what I’m getting at.

I’m about to ask what I’m really here for tonight and why, because it’s obvious to me there’s more going on here.

This doesn’t add up, and it’s not my paranoia speaking.

Yes, I’m playing a part—his fake date.

I’m here, spinning in this beautiful ballroom, hanging on his arm. I’m not even freaking out as we fade into each other, as he enthralls me a little more with every breath, or when people start aiming their phones at us for pictures.

But this isn’t what we’re here for. I’m guessing everyone in this room has an opinion of Nick Brandt, one way or another. We’re not here to impress them.

Who, then? What? Why?

Before I can ask, the lights go lower. The dancing turns infectious, and we’re surrounded by gently twisting bodies, happy couples glued to each other’s eyes and following his lead. Our lead.

A few of those couples wear their desire, their love, full of longing looks and knowing glances and wandering hands.

Oh, God.

Maybe it’s the atmosphere or maybe it’s his smell, but before I know what I’m doing, I’ve leaned my head on his chest. And then I’m just lost in the moment, his willing captive, too overwhelmed for words when his thick hand caresses my face.

His fingers dip under my chin, urging me up to a beautiful doom.

It’s in those eyes. They glow like soft green stars, intense and urgent, asking a silent question—or is it a demand?

What will you do, Miss Halle? I hear him saying in my head. What will you do if I take that mouth right here? Right now?

My toes scrunch up in my shoes. Our movement slows, our eyes lock, our breaths turn heavy.

And when his gorgeous face sweeps down, so ready to devour me, I don’t even have a prayer.

Our lips collide like they’re opening a portal to another world, hot and wet and wild.

He tastes as good as he looks.

He deepens his kiss, drinking me in with a muffled groan.

He swipes his tongue in my mouth, chasing me, swinging between a litany of teases and filthy, claiming strokes.

The nip of teeth against my bottom lip makes me squeak—but holy flipping bossman, I don’t care.

All the tension that’s been choking us for months—all the magnetism since the day he truly met me as a woman at that office pizza party—boils up my throat and into my fingers.

I’m clinging to him, moaning, soaked and wanting and too stunned for words. He gives back a guttural noise that’s too much like the sound I imagine he’d make inside me.

Author Bio:

Nicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.

Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty. With over a million books sold, she lives for the joy of making two people fight with every bit of their soul for a Happily Ever After.

Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.

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BOOK BLITZ: Alien Embrace: A Limited Edition Collection of Sci-Fi Alien Romances #GIVEAWAY

Alien Embrace: A Limited Edition Collection of Sci Fi Alien Romances
Publication date: August 17th 2021
Genres: Romance, Science Fiction

Aliens move among us—warriors, soldiers, explorers, and more—testing fate and finding love with their true mates. And they’ll do whatever it takes to ensure their human mates remain forever caught in their Alien Embrace.

This hot new collection brings you all the best in science fiction alien romances from New York Times, USA Today, and international bestselling authors.

Our heroes and heroines will satisfy your cravings for every kind of alien romance, whether you prefer slow-burn or fast, one hot hero or two…or more.

Get this steamy new collection of alien romances from the best, new, and up-and-coming voices in sci-fi romance.

 

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B@@K REVEAL: Forever by Ivy Nelson #PreORDER

Forever
Ivy Nelson
(A Diamond Doms Novel)
Publication date: September 28th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Russel Adler has one job while Elijah Barrett is away. Keep Holly Barrett and her best friend Gemma Livingston safe from those out to collapse Club Solitaire. There’s just one problem, Gemma is pain in the ass. A gorgeous, irresistible, pain in the ass determined to make his job impossible. She makes the Dom in him twitch but he knows he can’t lose focus or people might die.

Forever is the long-awaited conclusion to the Diamond Doms series.

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Author Bio:

Ivy Nelson is an emerging contemporary romance author, hopeful romantic, and passionate advocate who is versed in all things steamy, sultry, and sensual. It all started back when she read her first steamy romance novel at the age of fourteen. From that point forward, it became her favorite genre--one she wanted to write in herself someday. Sylvia Day's writing style cemented that passion, and gave her just the inspiration she needed to be an author herself. In December of 2018, Ivy published her debut novel, Power Desired at the age of 32.

Most recently, Ivy completed the "D.C. Power Games" series and the prequel to her forthcoming "Diamond Doms series" titled "Hard" (currently available for pre-order). In a not-so-distant past, she was a student affairs professional at a university and earned her political science degree, which explains her politically-driven romance debut.

When she isn't penning steamy scenes or attending writing conferences, you can find this contest-winning karaoke singer and bookworm passionately supporting human rights or growing her Sims 4 empire. She is also a wine aficionado and certified whiskey taster (no really, she has the certificate to prove it). All that aside, Ivy loves spending quality time with her amazing son and husband of three years at their home in Houston, TX.

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BOOK BLITZ: A Breath of Sunlight by Sydney Winward #GIVEAWAY

A Breath of Sunlight
Sydney Winward
Publication date: August 17th 2021
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Don’t show compassion for men. Never save a man’s life. And no matter what, never fall in love with someone you must ultimately kill. But some rules are meant to be broken, even if it means risking your life by betraying your valkyrie sisters.

The plan was simple—attack the Pits, kill the male slaves, save the women. But when Skaja runs into a fae man she can’t kill, she instead breaks all the rules to save him.

Prince Calle was sold into slavery by his jealous brother, and he would do anything to taste freedom again, even put his trust in a dangerous valkyrie. To protect his people and gain the throne, he and Skaja must trust each other. But neither of them expected trust to turn into something more, and the cost of love has a much steeper price than either of them anticipated.

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EXCERPT:

Calle gasped and shot up into a sitting position. He clawed at his throat to remove the boot, but instead of finding a rough leather boot, he touched soft, warm skin.

“Shh,” Skaja soothed as she touched his hands, his face, his hair. “It was only a bad dream.”

Her face finally came into focus in the darkness. Pinched, concerned brows. Pursed lips. Hair falling across her forehead.

He shook his head, suddenly aware of the perspiration that clung to his skin. His back ached where he’d been whipped. His throat still burned for air. The slave brand on his forearm rippled with heat. “N-n-no. It w-w-wasn’t a d-d-dream.”

“It was,” she said in a soothing tone, and for the first time since they’d met, her eyes were kind and gentle. Her fingers stroked either side of his hair. She was touching him… And not just an uncertain, awkward touch. A compassionate caring lingered in her caress, and he couldn’t help but lean into her hand.

She stilled.

“Please don’t stop,” he whispered.

A pause. But then her fingers continued their exploration. Her light touch skimmed his hair, his eyebrows, his nose, his cheekbones. They hesitantly touched his earlobe before she more daringly traced the shape of his long, pointed ear.

His heart slowed into something calmer. Something safer. The fear in his soul settled to the bottom of a clear, placid lake. The pain in his back and throat ebbed. The burn on his forearm died slowly like a waning fever.

He breathed in Skaja’s scent of jasmine and cool midnight skies and breathed out a river of calm. She was right. It was only a dream.

Yet, it had felt so real.

A flash of darkness passed across his mind, and as if he once again found himself in the deep ravine of the Pits, his hands began trembling. Skaja’s gentle touch trailed from his ear, to his shoulder, down his arm, before she clasped his hand. Her touch felt so good. Like a breath of sunlight after being caged in the darkness for so long.

Author Bio:

Sydney Winward is a fantasy and paranormal romance author who dabbles in the occasional historical fiction. She loves building complex worlds filled with magic, strong characters, and emotional stories that can make you laugh and cry.

Sydney is the author of The Bloodborn Series, and when she’s not writing, she’s reading, thinking about stories, or going on adventures with her children. She lives in Utah with her husband, two amazing kids, and one stubborn fish.

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BOOK BLITZ: Finished by Cara Dee #GIVEAWAY

Finished
Cara Dee
(Auctioned, #5)
Publication date: August 19th 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

The Auctioned Series is a journey packed with action, nail-biting suspense, family, and love. In Gray and Darius’s fight for freedom and a future where they aren’t haunted by the ghosts of their pasts, they’ll make you laugh, cry, possibly yell at your e-reader, and swoon just a little bit.

In a race against time, Gray didn’t allow himself to consider defeat. He refused. They couldn’t lose now. Darius had to be okay. Oh God, he had to be okay.

One minute and twelve seconds had passed since the guys in the compound had started collapsing, and Gray could hear Darius in his mind, calling him knucklehead in that sharp tone that demanded attention. Pull it together, focus, get the job done. So with his heart threatening to pound its way out of his rib cage, Gray let this final task become his one and only mission. They were gonna finish the operation once and for all, and they were gonna walk away with a bright future ahead of them. A future that promised family, new adventures, and freaking farm animals.

This was it.

This story takes place in Cara Dee’s Camassia Cove Universe, a fictional town where all books stand on their own, unless otherwise stated, and the reader can jump in wherever they want. The Auctioned Series should be read in the following order: Auctioned, Stranded, Deserted, Played, and Finished.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

There was no point in telling Reese to go faster. He was going as fast as the truck allowed, his hard stare pinned on the dark road ahead, his knuckles white from his tight grip on the wheel.

Gray couldn’t take his eyes off the speedometer. Except for when he glanced down at his watch.

One minute and twelve seconds had passed since Willow screamed out that the guys were collapsing in the compound.

One minute and twelve seconds since Gray’s heart had become firmly lodged in his throat.

A million thoughts constantly tried to stab at Gray’s concentration, and he couldn’t afford to let a single one in. The whispers, the questions, the fears—all of them swirled around in his head. I didn’t know there were gonna be so many victims. Darius better fucking live. Did Alicia release the carbon monoxide anyway? How do we get the guys to the hospital? Gray swallowed hard, his knees bouncing restlessly. He was squeezed into the middle seat between Reese and Niko, and it was suffocating. The second they made it back to the old brothel, he was gonna dive out of the truck. He already felt like Niko was in the way and would delay him.

Precisely everything had gone sideways.

Because Alicia had fucked them over. She’d been working against them from the start.

Gray wanted to murder her.

He closed his eyes for a few seconds and tried to take a deep breath. Focus. Get to the compound. Find Darius. He had to be okay. He had to. Willow hadn’t been able to see him on any of the cameras she’d hacked into, and apparently there were only three. One in the showroom where they’d hosted auctions, one in the back where victims had been held, and one concealed in the lobby.

River was passed out in the back, in the same room where he’d been interrogating Alfred Lange. Dante and Elliott had dropped in the showroom, and—

“G-guys,” Willow stammered. Gray adjusted his earpiece to hear better, past Willow’s panic and heavy breathing. “We have m-movement. Tariq—mask—he’s dragging—” She cut off with a pained whimper that felt like a knife to Gray’s chest. “I-I have to c-call someone.”

“Don’t talk,” Gray commanded, barely recognizing his own voice. It came out sharp and dark, reminding him too much of someone with more authority. “We’re almost there. Focus on your breathing, Willow.”

She’d already saved them more than once.

“Twenty seconds,” Reese said quietly, just as tense as the rest of them. “Gear up.”

Gray reached for his gas mask on the dash and strapped it properly around his head. Niko did the same. The rescue unit wasn’t supposed to face any threats whatsoever, so they didn’t have full combat gear, just utility pants, long-sleeved tees, boots, handguns, and a knife or two.

“Gray, I understand you’ll run for Darius right away,” Reese said. “Just like I will get my brother out of there first—but there’s no playing favorites after that. We help whoever we find.”

That went without saying.

Nausea crawled up Gray’s throat as the brothel came into view, but he pushed it down. He pushed everything down, leaving only his training. Darius’s voice in his head was as clear as ever, and Gray clung to it. He needed to hear Dare’s rough yet smooth whiskey voice calling him knucklehead.

In that voice, he imagined Darius reminding him that panic did no one any good. Keep your emotions in check. Focus.

To Niko’s credit, he opened the door and flew out before Reese had stopped fully behind their other truck, and it catapulted Gray into action. With his heart threatening to pound its way out of his body, he rounded the big truck, ran up to the remains of the brothel, and tore through it. Then down the concrete steps in one of the back rooms and into the compound’s lobby.

I’m coming for you, baby.

He’d just veered left when he came to a screeching halt in the narrow corridor. Tariq was there, wearing a mask, and dragging a lifeless…someone. Gray peered closer, just a quick glance, and recognized Ryan’s face.

“You’re here. Go,” Tariq urged, breathing heavily. “Hurry! Darius is in the kitchen.”

Gray didn’t need to be told twice. He left Tariq behind and ran down the hall, grabbing his gun on the way just in case. Through the showroom, where Gray did everything in his power to shut out the images that wanted to assault him. He’d been through too much, and tonight he’d seen too much, too.

The bodies strewn all over the floor didn’t bother him in the slightest. Justice had been served. It was the knowledge that young, innocent people had stood before the vile monsters that sickened him. Monsters that put a price tag on someone’s life.

“River!” Reese yelled somewhere.

“Niko, Dante and Elliott are here!” Gray barked out. He was sure he just saw Dante move, too; maybe he wasn’t out completely.

Gray darted through the doorway on the other side of the large room. It was darker back here, and he felt his senses sharpen, his heart beat faster, his pulse going through the roof. Too many doors, too many fucking doors. But one was open, two doors down, and he poked his head in. At the same time as his hand found a light switch, his vision adjusted enough to notice the big form on the floor.

“Darius.” He didn’t register flicking on the light or tucking away his gun, only that it was suddenly bright, and he rushed forward to roll Darius onto his back. “Baby, wake up.” He smacked Darius’s cheeks lightly and quickly searched the floor for a gas mask. When he didn’t find one, he removed his own and placed it over Darius’s face. “I’ll get you out of here.” Then he stood up and hitched his arms under Darius’s armpits.

You’ll be fine, you’ll be fine, you’ll be fine.

Gray gnashed his teeth and dragged Darius out of the room. Or kitchen. Christ, all impressions registered too late. Same with the cuts and scrapes on Darius’s face. Or… Shit. The blood. Darius was losing blood.

Author Bio:

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex.

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly.

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

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