R.E. Hargrave's Blog, page 94
May 14, 2021
B@@K REVEAL: Magician Rising by Renee des Lauriers #ComingSoon
Magician Rising
Renée des Lauriers
Publication date: May 25th 2021
Genres: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Dark powers she can’t control. Deadly hunters tracking her down. Can she rip the target off her back before it turns fatal?
Jun Bear has lived with bad luck all her life. And when a professor threatens to give her a failing grade, the college senior sees her hopes for graduating in two months going down another ill-fated drain. But her fortunes plunge further when an unnatural earthquake shakes the campus and unleashes cold-blooded assassins after her head…
Unsure what’s happening, Jun finds herself facing a trained killer intent on exposing the wielder of the dangerous magic. And when she’s provoked into revealing her unexpected new abilities, she’s determined to prove her innocence before she’s permanently eliminated.
Can she win over an ally and survive a bloodthirsty secret society fixated on wiping her out?
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BOOK BLITZ: Call of the Huntress by Stacy Bennett #GIVEAWAY
Call of the Huntress
Stacy Bennett
(Corthan Legacy, #2)
Publication date: May 11th 2021
Genres: Adult, Fantasy
A soul half-healed, a huntress caged, a soldier reborn. Three lives scarred by battle, scattered by death, and shadowed by spirits. But Fate’s call will not be denied.
Captain Khoury has more lives than a cat. But when he wakes in Seal Bay to find Cara and Falin gone, his promises to them haunt him as surely as Sidonius’s hands around his throat. Regardless of the vengeful spirit’s threats, he knows where his destiny lies.
Cara’s soul is not fully healed and her magic is damaged, leaving her even more vulnerable than before. Although finally free of Sidonius, she discovers that sharing a mind is like being a prisoner all over again and someone else holds the key.
Falin knew a sacrifice was needed, knew it should be her. But instead of dying, she finds herself trapped in a life she no longer owns. Her rebellious will cannot surrender and she pins all her hopes on a ghostly ancestor’s shady deal.
—
EXCERPT:
FALIN
Falin strode back to Sorchia’s, jaw tight with determination, more a huntress now than she’d ever been. The motherly presence fluttered like nerves in her stomach. It was agitated by the thorn barriers in her mind, irritated at the huntress’s refusal to merge with Cara. But even it could do nothing against the huntress’s will.
Sacrilege was the least of Rebeka’s crimes. The treasonous attempt on the high priestess’s life ensured that any Sister worthy of her blade would be out seeking vengeance. It was true Falin had done things outside the letter of the Law and she had not sworn fealty to the Mothers, but she was faithful to the high priestess.
If there had been another way to spare Cara the memory of this quest, Falin would have done it. Imprisoning Cara, who had been a prisoner all her life, felt wrong but it would have been far worse to make her experience what was coming firsthand.
After the sun had set so no other Sisters might see her leave, she took a last look at Sorchia. The priestess’s face was soft and serene, the lines of time not quite so deep now. Dark lashes brushed her cheeks as her breath moved in and out like a tide between her parted lips. She looked healthy, Falin needn’t have worried.
Falin quietly gathered up her weapons, then leaned over and placed a kiss on Sorchia’s hair, soft as the brush of butterfly wings so as not to wake her. She hated leaving Sorchia, but Rebeka had to be put down and there could be no Sister’s Oath for Cara.
Tiptoeing out of the hall using the door by the river, she slung her sword on her hip and tucked her knife in her belt. Khoury’s dagger she slipped into her boot. It was time to go hunting.
From the river’s edge, the huntress loped south of the village and picked up the trail just past the sparring ring. She didn’t track Rebeka. She didn’t need to. She only had to follow the wolf’s mind to find where both of them were. The moon was lowering in the sky when she noticed a small, flickering light in a clearing ahead. She was surprised at the risk Rebeka took lighting a fire. The dark-haired woman was, as usual, overconfident.
How could Rebeka assume I’d let this go unanswered? she wondered. Have I become that soft? She knew the answer to that and it didn’t please her.
A shadow detached itself from the brush and rubbed against her legs.
“Good job, girl,” Falin said, squatting down to scratch the shaggy ruff of fur behind Lela’s ears.
Hunt? Lela thought as her pink tongue lapped Falin’s chin in greeting.
“Yes, it’s time to finish this. But not you. You need to wait here.”
Disappointment trilled along the connection she had with the wolf. A hunt was a family affair, after all.
“It’s not really a hunt,” Falin murmured, her hand on the furry neck. “I need to…prove something.”
Falin wasn’t sure what she was getting at but the wolf seemed to understand that this was a game of power, a contest between alphas.
Lela bumped her shoulder against Falin’s leg affectionately. Good hunter, the wolf’s mind purred. Then Lela settled herself back down in the brush to wait.
“If I fail, you can’t let her go back to the Haven,” Falin said. “Keep Sorchia safe.”
Not fail. The wolf licked her lips which Falin interpreted as agreement.
Falin unfolded from her crouch and drew her sword with a heaviness in her chest she didn’t recognize. It wasn’t guilt she felt. Maybe responsibility. A sense of duty that sat on her like chain mail. She closed her eyes to search her own feelings, ensuring that all Cara’s softness was contained. Weakness had no place here. Rebeka would kill her as soon as look at her. But there was nothing in her heart except thorns and blood and the bruise on her ego from Isabel’s soft words.
Falin stalked through the forest toward the campfire, pulling determination around her like a cloak. Once upon a time, she might have breathed a prayer for the Mothers’ blessing, but she would not invoke them now. She did not want to owe them any favors. She had grown wary of the cost of their affection. The night in the glade, they revealed their plans to her and she would not subject herself or Cara to that kind of slavery.
She picked her way silently through the brush. Rebeka was awake, staring into the fire that flickered between them. Falin paused, settling herself one last time, adjusting her hold on her sword. Then, she stepped into the flickering light.
“Hello, Rebeka,” she said, her voice throaty and calm.
The Scout looked up, her face calm as if she’d been expecting Falin’s arrival. “So you came after all. I was beginning to think you’d lost your nerve… Falin.” Her voice was laced with unadulterated hate.
Author Bio:
A born and bred Jersey girl, Stacy eagerly left the Garden State for college, as was the family tradition. And after graduating from University of Pennsylvania with a psychology degree, she married a Marine and soon developed a distinct fondness for travel, U-Hauls and Southern hospitality. She returned to Jersey after a decade of that nomadic life with two children, a slight addiction to coffee and a hunger to create something of her own.
She still lives in New Jersey with a neurotic dog and a queenly cat. Even in the hectic wilds of suburbia, she manages to find time to wander the wooded trails and sandy beaches that soothe the soul. Her favorite things are furry four-legged critters, hot coffee and books that make you forget where you are.
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May 13, 2021
B@@K REVEAL: Highland Hero by Cynthia Breeding
Highland Hero
Cynthia Breeding
(Children of the Mist, #2)
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: June 14th 2021
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance
When Juliana Caldwell is abducted from a MacGregor gathering to become the bride of Neal Cameron, time is of the essence to find her. Rory MacGregor is the best tracker the clan has and is ordered to bring her back, even though the two of them have never agreed on anything including that the sky is blue and the grass green.
He certainly would not be Juliana’s first choice of a hero, but at the moment she isn’t going to quibble about who her rescuer is. She’ll do anything to escape, even pretending to be hand-fasted to Rory in order to get the Cameron laird to release her. That plan soon goes awry, and she and Rory are pursued by a determined Neal and they take a circuitous route home, only to be caught in a blizzard that closes the mountain pass they need to take.
They are stranded at Invergarry Castle which poses its own problems since the MacDonnells are friends of the MacGregors and the pseudo-hand-fasting suddenly becomes real. Rory begins to realize that the idea rather appeals to him, but breaking the news to Juliana will be another matter.
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Author Bio:
Cynthia Breeding is an award-winning author of eighteen novels and twenty-four novellas. She currently lives on the bay in Corpus Christi, Texas, with her absolutely-not-spoiled Bichon Frise and enjoys sailing and horseback riding on the beach.
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BOOK BLITZ: Viken Command by Grade Goodwin #GIVEAWAY
Viken Command
Grace Goodwin
(Interstellar Brides Program #18)
Publication date: October 28th 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Science Fiction
Danger and desire…for one Interstellar Bride, they prove an irresistible mix.
Whitney Mason is the daughter of a Wall Street con man. When he is sent to prison and her family’s name is destroyed, she is eager for a new life on a new world. Anywhere but Earth. Tested by the Interstellar Brides Program, she is matched to a strong Viken warrior. What she doesn’t know is that her mate and the other two warriors waiting to claim her are on a secret and dangerous mission for the Coalition Fleet’s Intelligence Core. From the moment she arrives on Viken, they are forced to lie to her… about everything… except their desire.
For Alarr, Oran and Teig, the arrival of a bride is an unexpected complication. The timing couldn’t be worse, but IC command is thrilled. A bride is the perfect cover, giving the fighters access to every inch of the famous pleasure resort where they are working undercover. The males are eager to satisfy their new mate, but keeping her safe is their top priority, even if that means lying to her and using her pleasure to take down the enemy. But their sexy mate’s past will come back to haunt them all, for even if they survive the mission, the truth will be revealed and their beautiful, curvy female can forgive anything—except lies.
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Only 99¢ for a limited time!
—
EXCERPT:
“Get our mate a cloak. Now.” I turned at the sharp command and saw a fierce-looking male with military short blond hair and eyes that saw right through me. His look made me shiver again, my nipples hardened, and my body clenched with remembered pleasure.
It had not been him in the dream, but someone similar, a male whose voice demanded compliance. Dominance. And while I was on the other side of the universe, I’d woken up from my testing no more than thirty minutes earlier, the sounds and feelings from the testing still flowing hot and wild in my blood. And that voice? He was hot.
I met his gaze and shivered again. No. Cold. Like ice. Ice that burned.
Warden Egara knew exactly what she was doing to us brides, didn’t she? Get us hot and bothered with the processing dream, then ship us off to hot, virile alien warriors with lust in their eyes and bodies as hard as rocks.
Both Alarr and the blond male were not even trying to hide their interest. Nor the way their hard lengths bulged beneath their pants. And as much as the intensity from the blond male made my body clench, I was grateful to have Alarr’s hand in mine, his calm, firm staid assurance that things with the ice man wouldn’t go too far.
I’d never been pushed out of my comfort zone when it came to sex. But I knew that was going to change, and the thought both thrilled and terrified me.
Author Bio:
Grace Goodwin is a USA Today and international bestselling author of Sci-Fi and Paranormal romance with nearly one million books sold. Grace's titles are available worldwide in multiple languages in ebook, print, and audio formats. Two best friends, one left-brained, the other right-brained, make up the award-winning writing duo that is Grace Goodwin. They are both mothers, escape room enthusiasts, avid readers and intrepid defenders of their preferred beverages. (There may or may not be an ongoing tea vs. coffee war occurring during their daily communications.) Grace loves to hear from readers.
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May 12, 2021
BOOK BLITZ: The Job by Cara Dee #GIVEAWAY
The Job
Cara Dee
Publication date: May 7th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
With the help of their ball-busting daughter, some questionable morals, and an important job to get done, Casey and Boone will steal you away to the grit and glitz of Las Vegas in this fast-paced romance.
I’m not supposed to do this job without Boone.
We may not share genes, but it’s been us against the world since his mom took me in as a toddler. The rowdy O’Sullivan boys who raised all the hell that Vegas could handle. Not that all my memories are wild and make my heart race. After all, I realized I was in love with the bastard at some point, so there’s been plenty of pathetic yearning and jealousy too.
Even so, it’s been him and me. Brothers, partners in crime, and, for the past six years, co-parents to an amazing little girl. But that’s another story. Right now, I gotta focus on the job our cousin gave us, and I need Boone by my side.
The problem is we haven’t really been on speaking terms for four years now.
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.
—
EXCERPT:
My phone rang in my pocket, and I was surprised to see my cousin’s number. We hadn’t talked in a while. “Darius, how the fuck are you?” I smiled. We didn’t share genes either; he was Boone’s biological cousin, but we came from families that picked up strays left and right. I’d once been a stray, just like Ace.
“I’m good, kid. All good,” he answered. “How’s Vegas?”
“Hot.” I eyed a guy walking past. “What can I do for you, cuz?”
“I have a job for you and Boone,” he told me. “Willow’s gonna send you all the information you need.” That would be his tech-savvy little sister. “Pretty straightforward—recon work, virtually no pay.”
I grinned. “My favorite kind. How’d you know?”
He chuckled. “When push comes to shove, it’s more of a favor, but there will be plenty of opportunities for you and Boone to collect a reward from our target.”
Color me intrigued. I knew Darius used to be a private military contractor, but he must’ve taken a break from retirement if he was calling me about a job.
“You can count me in,” I said. I trusted him, and I was always on the lookout for my next job. “Boone’s another matter. We haven’t been on speaking terms for the past four years.”
“Why the fuck not?” Darius demanded. “Shit was good when we saw each other last year.”
No—far from it. “We’re good at pretending when we have to, I guess.” I hated thinking about it. I hated being reminded of it. “I don’t wanna get into the details,” I said. “Long-ass story.”
“So we’ll save it for another time,” Darius said. “But you better patch shit up with him, kid, because I need you both on this. You’ll hear from Willow tonight.”
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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May 11, 2021
BOOK BLITZ: Break the Stone by Cassie Swindon #GIVEAWAY
Break the Stone
Cassie Swindon
(Golden Chains, #1)
Publication date: May 7th 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense, Young Adult
Raelyn Bell’s father forces them to flee their quaint town, severing the last connection to her dead mother. Now, desperate and alone. But she won’t give up. In a new town, Raelyn defies Pa’s wishes by investigating the truth of her mother’s death. Only the answers will help her fill the void plaguing her heart.
Meanwhile, U.S. Army Specialist Kody Walsh’s duty is to obey orders, no matter how “gray.” His questionable actions lead him straight to Raelyn. If Kody aids in Raelyn’s quest, it could mean game over for his career.
As the two cut through layers of lies, threats, ambushes, and stalkers, their bond grows stronger. But the dangers prove worse than they ever feared. Can they see this journey through without losing their lives—and each other?
Break the Stone is a suspenseful mystery, perfect for fans of fast-paced storylines and heart-pounding romance. It is the first of three books in the Golden Chains series.
Content is for age 17+ with trigger warnings of mild: PTSD, profanity, sexual content, and violence.
—
EXCERPT:
Kody Walsh gripped the sealed red envelope tightly while his other hand steered around a John Deere. He pulled up to an old farmhouse where lace curtains blew out from an open window. His smart watch alerted him about his increased heart rate but Kody ignored it. He parked his Jeep at a distance behind a set of oak trees, leaving it running–just in case.
Hopefully no one’s home. I’ll be quick.
Kody patted his Glock and hustled past a blue Chevy with a dented-in door. It looked so run down that it probably couldn’t even start.
Good. No one can chase me when I leave.
A tall, broad, lumberjack-looking man with a trimmed beard marched out the side door, out to a barn.
Shit!
Kody plastered himself against the side of the house, then snuck inside the open window. He scanned the study room, taking inventory of the exit options: one closed door leading to the rest of the house, the window he just came through and a chimney. His gaze darted around the room.
Desk chair—blunt force trauma, non-lethal. Award hung on the wall—one quick slice from a shard of broken glass to the neck could do the trick if needed. Darts in the corner could poke out someone’s eye.
An antique desk stood against a wall in the small room. Kody dropped the red envelope on top of the desk as instructed. Then, he started searching for the item Snyder commanded that he borrow—steal. Kody’s hands were jittery, but he kept repeating the same phrase in his head.
A soldier does anything for the team. Anything.
He sprang across the study and looked in boxes, under books, on top of the shelf, in the cabinets, and rummaged through the drawers. As he slid the bottom drawer out, the rollers got stuck and fell off the track, sending it down at an angle. A girl’s voice started singing from the other side of the door. Kody’s heart raced as he ducked below the desk.
Wait! There it is!
A white marble box was taped underneath. It had a gold compass shape engraved on the front with tiny red specs sparkling like jewels. Kody ripped it off and jammed it in his pocket.
Sacrifices must be made for the team. There’s no other option.
The voice grew louder again and the door knob turned slowly.
Author Bio:
Instead of the boring bio info, here’s some interesting tidbits about the author:
• Tackled her father for a pair of Michael Phelps’ personal goggles• Cried when the Cubs won the World Series• Met husband freshman year of college- a blizzard & tequila may have been involved• Moved to Raleigh by the flip of a coin• Mutated into a zombie when daughter was born in 2013, then again 17 months later for son• Evacuated from a boat crash in the Atlantic during a whale watching tour• Witnessed a wild horse pack galloping through the Rockies• Cofounded a three-person Beanie Baby Club in the 90s, in a treehouse• Snorkeled in The Great Barrier Reef• Broke her foot when pretending to be a Baywatch lifeguard• Completed her first fiction read in 1992, “The Pig Can Jig”• Stranded in a Cancun lagoon while jet skiing• Crunched the back of a Dodge Neon against a wall while transporting a Medieval knight to a pub• Watched Frozen more than any other movie combined to date• Invented a symbol language to pass notes to her best friend in high school French class• Swung off a rope swing of pirate ship in Aruba• Backpacked through Italy• Stole plaques showing what swim records she brokeWebsite / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram
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May 10, 2021
BOOK BLITZ: Falling for Another Darcy by Kate O'Keeffe #GIVEAWAY
Falling for Another Darcy
Kate O’Keeffe
(Love Manor, #3)
Publication date: May 5th 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Women’s Fiction
Don’t miss this laugh-out-loud, heart-warming final instalment in the Love Manor romantic comedy series for fans of Sophie Kinsella’s Shopaholic series, Sinéad Moriarty, and Bridget Jones’s Diary.
First comes love, then comes marriage, then comes baby in the baby carriage. Right?
That’s the way the song goes, anyway. For Emma Brady, marrying her Mr. Darcy was a road to happiness that is about to take a sharp turn to trouble. Creating a tiny Mr. Darcy isn’t exactly proving to be easy. Sure, being newly-weds mean they’re more than happy to give it a good shot, but as time ticks along, Emma and Sebastian’s efforts come to nothing.
It’s time to call in the big guns.
For Emma, that means mood swings, hot flashes, ovulation kits, and more needles than a haystack. Add that to an increasingly-disapproving granny, and Sebastian and Emma’s love is being put to the test in a way they never saw coming.
Will they get the family they so desperately want? And will their love survive? Or will Emma’s fairy tale ending with her Mr. Darcy slip between her fingers?
—
EXCERPT:
“You looked so sexy in those wellies,” he murmurs, referring to my rubber boots. “Do you think I could get a private viewing of you in those and…let’s say nothing else?”
“Nothing else? Sebastian Huntington-Ross, I am deeply outraged.”
“Are you now?” he asks with a laugh that rumbles through me.
“I didn’t know you’ve got a thing for gardeners.”
“Actually,” he says with another kiss that has my head spinning, “I’ve got a thing for my hot Texan wife.”
“I’m guessing you’ll want me to team a ten-gallon hat with those wellies, huh?”
“Now we’re talking.”
As he reaches under my top and slides his hands up my bare back, sending a jolt of anticipation through me, I hear the creak of the door and look up in surprise to see not only Sebastian’s mom, but his granny with disapproving look on her lined face.
Not that this is anything new. The day that woman gives me a look that’s not disapproving I think I might faint from shock.
I instantly dismount Sebastian and readjust my top in an attempt not to appear as though we were about to engage in, well, marital activity. We might be a newly married couple who do what newly married couples do, but getting caught out by my mother-in-law and judgmental grandmother-in-law still puts a halt to proceedings pretty quick. As you would expect.
“Mother, Granny,” Sebastian says in a surprisingly steady voice as he rises to his feet. I’ve had to get used to that here. Sebastian always stands whenever his mom or grandmother enter a room. It’s super formal and weird to me. Where I’m from, you only got up to go fetch another Coke.
“Don’t let us interrupt, you two,” Jemima trills in an unnaturally high voice. She must be feeling about as comfortable as I am right now. “Come, Geraldine. Let’s, err…go for a stroll in the garden.”
Geraldine scoffs. “Jemima, it’s after nine at night and it’s raining cats and dogs out there. Have you gone completely mad?” She clunks her way across the room with the aid of her cane and sits down carefully on one of the seats facing us. “It’s fortuitous that we found you in such a position.”
I blink at her in disbelief. It is?
Jemima is still hovering by the door, clearly uncomfortable. “What about the library, Geraldine? There’s a book collection I thought you might be interested in. I only came across it a few weeks ago, and I think you’ll find it quite fascinating. It’s about the history of bridges in the British Isles, which is a thoroughly enthralling topic—”
“Oh, Jemima,” she scolds. “I haven’t got the least interest in bridges. Take a seat, will you?”
“But—”
“Now.”
Defeated, Jemima replies, “All right.” She slinks into another one of the armchairs and shoots us an apologetic smile.
“We thought you were both out for the evening,” Sebastian begins.
“We’re back,” Geraldine replies, pointing out the obvious.
“How are you this evening, ma’am?” I say to Geraldine as she steadily lowers herself into a seat by the fire with the aid of her cane. It has a brass handle in the shape of a wolf, which appropriately casts her as a Bond villain. All that’s missing is the hairless cat.
“I’ve told you before, Emma. In England ‘ma’am’ is what we call the Queen. Please remember to call me ‘Granny’ now that you’re family. You’re no longer on your Texas ranch here.”
I open my mouth to reply and shut it again. Having grown up in a modest house in inner-city Houston, the only time I’ve been on a Texas ranch was when I was filming Dating Mr. Darcy. “I forgot…Granny. Habit, I guess. You can take the girl out of Texas, as they say.”
Geraldine purses her lips in obvious distaste. “Quite. Now. I have something I must say to you both.”
Must she?
“It’s gratifying to see you’re still engaging in what is characteristically considered the honeymoon phase of a marriage.”
Sebastian’s eyes find mine briefly before he replies, “Thank you?” Because what do you say to that? Yes, we’re at it whenever we get the chance. Can’t get enough of it, actually. We’re at it like the proverbial rabbits. Our room, the living room, the garden, even your room when you’re out at the opera (okay, we’ve never actually done it in Geraldine’s room, and nor do we plan to, but you get the picture).
She steeples her fingers, fixing us with her glare. “An heir. That’s what we need.”
“An heir?” I swallow. She’s already made it abundantly clear that as Lady Martinston, it’s my duty to provide the family with the next generation. The first time she mentioned it, in fact, we’d literally been married less than three minutes. You’ve got to admire the old girl’s tenacity, I guess.
“Yes,” she snaps, “an heir. How often are you engaging in marital relations?”
“Mummy, I hardly think—” Jemima protests as Sebastian’s eyes widen at me.
“Let them answer, Jemima,” she quips. “It’s been a year and still not even a sign. You’re not getting any younger, you know, Emma. I’m certain your fertility has already begun to wane. When I was your age, I’d finished having my children.”
I offer her a weak smile. That was because it was the 1800s and there was no TV.
“Granny, we haven’t even had that conversation yet,” Sebastian says. “Give us a chance, please.”
“What’s the delay? You’re clearly raring to go if that little display earlier is anything to go by. Make it mean something, my dear boy.”
I suck in air, every part of me cringing. The mood has gone from sexy rubber boot fun to creating an “heir” in two minutes flat.
Could this get any more awkward?
“Thank you for your concern, Granny, but when Emma and I decide we’re ready to start a family, we will be sure not to tell you until we actually have something to tell you.”
“Does that mean you’re already trying?” Jemima asks, a healthy dollop of hope in her voice. “Because we can leave right now and let you get on with it if you like.”
Oh, no. Awkward!
Jemima rises to her feet. “Can’t we, Geraldine?”
“I suppose,” Geraldine grumps.
I squeeze my eyes shut, fantasizing that I’m not in the living room with my mother- and grandmother-in-law, my clothes and hair disheveled next to my husband as they discuss our sex life.
“Good-bye, you two,” Sebastian says with a tone of finality in his voice.
Jemima bustles over to the door, clearly keen to get far away from this whole thing as quickly as possible, while Geraldine rises from her seat onto her creaky bones as though she’s an arthritic sloth in no hurry to get anywhere.
It takes forever, stretching the awkwardness out to a breaking point.
Eventually, she reaches the door and turns back to us. “Missionary position. That’s the best for procreation. That’s all your grandfather and I ever did, and we had all the children we wanted.”
Why did she have to put that image into my head. Why?
“Good-bye, Granny,” Sebastian says firmly, and thankfully, she leaves the room, closing the door after her.
Alone once more in the cavernous room, we catch one another’s eyes and instantly dissolve into peals of embarrassed laughter. Catching his breath, Sebastian says, “I’m so sorry about that, Brady. The word awkward doesn’t even begin to describe that exchange.”
“Missionary position?”
Sebastian’s shoulders shake as he laughs. “Granny can be very direct when she wants to be.”
I think of the way in which she announced that I wasn’t good enough for her grandson and that I would be doing everyone a big favor if I just simply disappeared. “Ah, yes. That’s very true.”
He laces his fingers in mine and claims my lips with a kiss. “Brady, I have an idea. How about we grab those wellies of yours and head up to our bedroom away from any prying eyes.”
“And lock the door?” I ask.
His eyes sparkle as his face pulls into his sexy grin. “Lock it, bolt it, and hide the key.”
Author Bio:
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Kate O'Keeffe is a bestselling author of fun, feel-good romantic comedies. She lives and loves in beautiful Hawke's Bay, New Zealand with her family, two scruffy dogs, and a cat who thinks he's a scruffy dog too. He's not: he's a cat. When she's not penning her latest story, Kate can be found hiking up hills (slowly), traveling to different countries, and eating chocolate. A lot of it.
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May 9, 2021
BOOK BLITZ: Definitely Not Dating by Christi Barth #GIVEAWAY
Definitely Not Dating
Christi Barth
(Love Lottery #2)
Published by: Tule Publishing
Publication date: May 4th 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
It’s a chance to start over for both of them…
Everleigh Girard always dates the wrong men at the worst times. The last debacle cost her a job and an apartment. But thanks to a crazy lottery win, she and her friends have a fresh start restoring a historic inn. Determined to make it a success, Everleigh swears off the dangers of dating entirely. Except…the town’s police chief is distractingly hot. So how much trouble could friends with benefits really cause?
Police chief Matt Halliday always puts protecting his town first. He’s blindsided when his house mysteriously burns down, and grateful his friends rent him a room at their inn while they finish renovations. It’s a great deal. Mostly. It’s hard to resist the very beautiful Everleigh. Love is permanently off the table for him—but lust is definitely on.
After their first red-hot kiss, keeping it casual is impossible. Can Everleigh teach Matt to trust again—especially when he’s keeping a secret that may put him and his new friends at risk?
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—
EXCERPT:
Matt could tell she’d keep filling the silence with rambling unless he stopped her. Did he make her nervous? Or was she just second-guessing one of the nicest freaking things that anyone had ever done for him?
He put a hand on her upper arm. Tried with all his might to keep it more of a casual tap, and not let it turn into a squeeze or caress. “Sorry. You caught me off guard. I didn’t know what to say. ‘Thank you’ isn’t enough. This is all way beyond thoughtful.”
Her cheeks pinked up. The flush was adorable.
It made him wonder what else could make her flush like that. And then Matt cursed his one-track mind.
“Oh, it was no big deal.” Everleigh shrugged both shoulders.
No. He couldn’t let her dismiss such a meaningful gesture. Or not understand what an impact it’d made on him.
So Matt stroked his hand up to her shoulder. Did the same on the other side, as well, to prevent her from another shrug. And if his thumbs made contact with creamy skin due to the wide neck of her tee, well, he didn’t regret it.
“Stop. It was unnecessary. Took time and effort from your packed day. It was considerate. And I can’t begin to tell you how much I appreciate it. You made me feel like this really is a place I belong. That’s exactly what I need right now. Somewhere I can feel anchored.”
“Well, good. I’m relieved. I just wish there was more I could do.” Everleigh licked her lips. “To make you comfortable.”
Matt was a lot of things. A police officer. Lieutenant Commander in the Coast Guard Reserve. Son. Boss. Friend.
But he wasn’t a saint.
It had been a hell of a rough week. And it was only Wednesday. A drop-dead gorgeous woman was at 11 out of 10 on the flirt scale. If Everleigh wanted to make him feel better, what kind of a chump would he be to resist?
“Oh, I’m plenty comfortable.” Matt moved his hands up the sides of her neck until they framed her heart-shaped face. “Let’s see if the two of us can move that needle up to something way better than comfortable. For both of us.”
It wasn’t as far down to her lips as expected, because Everleigh stood on tiptoe to meet him halfway. This was no tentative first peck. No cautious easing into things.
Matt knew what he wanted. And Everleigh seemed just as eager.
They skipped over all the first kiss slowness. They skipped about five minutes ahead. Matt took her mouth like it was already his. Because she offered it so willingly. Because she molded her tight, lithe body against his.
Everleigh tasted faintly of…strawberry ice cream. And an inherent sweetness that was all her. There was warmth. Pliable softness, yet also a firmness as she returned his kiss. Equal want, equal giving. Which made it the perfect kiss.
They were swaying in tandem, almost like an unheard melody played. Or maybe it was just their pulses syncing up.
Matt tilted her head to the side a bit more. Then he unleashed the desire he’d been working so hard to ignore since their first meeting.
His tongue swept into her mouth. Immediately, hers danced and twined around his. Teasing, just like Everleigh herself. Fun, sweet, but with a backdraft of heat. Like one of those jalapeño margaritas with a kick that made you crave more.
Matt wanted so much more.
Author Bio:
USA TODAY bestseller Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance. Christi lives in Maryland with her husband.
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May 8, 2021
BOOK BLITZ: Text Wars: May the Text be With You by Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers #GIVEAWAY
Text Wars: May the Text be With You …
Whitney Dineen & Melanie Summers
Publication date: May 4th 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
May the text be with you…
Seraphina Lopez is not your typical airy-fairy astrology fanatic. First and foremost, she’s a businesswoman who happens to have a fascination with the stars. Her lifestyle app, “Live for Your Star Sign” is blowing up, and when she’s asked to be a guest on New York’s most watched Morning Show, she knows the exposure will launch her app into the stratosphere.
Astrophysicist Ben Williams just landed his dream job at NASA’s Goddard Institute, Not only is he heading a multi-disciplinary team in search of habitable exo-planets, he’s also been tapped to be the spokesman for the project. While he’d much rather be crunching the numbers to pinpoint the location of Earth II, he also has to sell the concept to the American public.
When Seraphina and Ben meet on the set of the Morning Show, sparks fly! Sera is there to show viewers how to dress for their star sign. Ben is there in the name of science. Their explosive chemistry sets records for the network’s viewing audience. As such they’re asked to host a regular segment–together.
Ben and Sera hate each other so much, they resort to texting instead of talking when they’re off air (and sometimes on). Yet somewhere in the haze of dislike, they start to realize they have more in common than they thought possible. Is love written in the stars or will it burn up on impact?
Find out in the Text Wars, the third installment of the deliciously funny and romantic Accidentally in Love Series.
—
EXCERPT:
Ben
Once I’m dragged off into the Green Room with all the gorgeous women, I sneak a peek at myself in one of the full-length mirrors propped against the wall. Who am I? And where is astrophysicist Ben Williams under all that hair gel and bronzer? This is going to be the single most humiliating experience of my life. Not only am I dressed like a banana for his first day of school, my manhood is on display like it’s about to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. How is anyone going to take me seriously?
They won’t. That’s how.
Not to mention, everyone I know, including my co-workers, will be watching. NOOOO!!! I have to stop this. Panic starts to build inside of me until my chest cavity feels like it’s about to explode.
The bossy woman who made me take my underwear off loudly declares, “You all look great! This is going to be an amazing show!”
I have no idea what she’s talking about, but I don’t have time to ask because someone else comes in and says, “You’re on next. Follow me.”
I tug at these ridiculous pants in hopes they’ll magically grow three sizes and turn black. Or a nice brown, even. That would be good too. Although I don’t know if brown would go with this awful green vest.
Oh, for pity’s sake, Ben, it doesn’t matter! Your pants aren’t going to change color so forget it. Unless …what if I change into normal pants? Yes, that’s the answer. As we march down the hall and pass my dressing room, I decide I’m going to put on my own clothes no matter what anyone says. As I open the door to dressing room three, I hear Serafina demand, “Where are you going?”
She doesn’t wait for an answer. Instead, she takes my hand and leads me to the third spot in line. “There. You’re right behind our Taurus.”
Grinning broadly, she says, “Okay, everyone, you look fabulous. Just get out there and strut your fine selves.”
Strut my fine self? What in the world is she talking about?
“Listen, I-I think there’s been a mistake,” I call out to her.
“I know, the pants aren’t exactly the right fit, but you can really get away with it, trust me.” She boldly winks which causes me even more distress.
“No, not that …”
That Justin intern rushes over and says, “Ms. Lopez, you’re on!”
I try to get his attention, but he disappears, leaving me with no one to ask for help. I wait for what feels like forever, but I’m sure is only a couple of minutes, before Justin comes back and starts to lead us backstage. “When I point to you, walk onto the stage, turn left at the X, strut down the catwalk toward the studio audience. Pause for a count of two, then spin back around and go out the other way.”
He points to the woman in front of me. As she goes, I watch her carefully, trying to memorize what she’s doing. Okay, that doesn’t look so hard. It’s just walking, right? I can walk. Do they introduce all of their guests like this? My confusion equals my horror. I should have watched an episode of this show, so I knew what I was getting into.
When the woman turns back my way, she’s not smiling. Are we not supposed to smile? Do we pout? Yes, pouting seems right. How do you pout?
Turning to the woman behind me, I say, “Does this look right?” then I push my lips out and try to look like I’m really angry about something. Which is actually true because I’m going to lose it on Dev when I see him.
She wrinkles up her nose and answers, “You look like you’re trying to poop.”
Well, that was rude. I’m trying to learn. I give her a glare and she snaps her fingers. “Perfect! Now you’ve got some serious smolder going on.”
“Gemini Guy! Gemini Guy!” Justin whisper-yells.
I spin around, realizing he means me. He points to the stage wearing a completely disgusted look. As I walk by, I hear him say something about models with rocks for brains into his headset. Models? I’m not a model.
My heart is thumping like a rabbit surrounded by a pack of bears as I walk, trying to keep time with the music which is some airy-fairy crap that doesn’t even have a beat. That bossy Serafina person is sitting on a chair next to the show’s hosts talking … about me … it turns out.
“Geminis absolutely love to be the center of attention, almost to a fault. They’re known to be intelligent, passionate, fun, but also sometimes unreliable and are even called flighty.”
I keep walking toward center stage while I glare at her, causing me to miss the big X on the floor.
“As you can see, our model truly is a flighty Gemini. He just missed his mark.”
I hate this woman. I hate her with every cell of my being.
Hal lets out a laugh. “Other way, buddy!”
“Wow, those are some tight pants!” Lacey inserts. “I can see his center of attention!”
The audience laughs as I scramble to find the damn X. It’s actually quite large and is in bright green tape, so it’s pretty hard to miss. I stalk down the catwalk feeling like a piece of poorly-dressed meat. The audience—mainly older women—start to hoot and whistle and, I swear to God, one woman is waving a five-dollar bill at me.
How the hell did I end up here? I have my PhD. I work for NASA.
I head back toward the hosts while that awful Serafina woman talks about astrology. I’m so busy trying to make sure I land on the X this time I almost don’t hear Hal say, “Geminis really must be flighty because our other guest, Dr. Ben Williams, didn’t bother to show up for Star Day. I understand he’s a Gemini as well.”
I stop in my tracks and stare at him, sweat trickling down my back.
Hal looks at me while making a scooting gesture with his hands. “You can go now.”
Astrology girl gives me an urgent head nod toward the exit. Now is my only chance to fix what has gone terribly, terribly wrong. “I’m Ben Williams.”
All three of them stare at me like I’ve just said I’m from planet Zorbits. Lacey gives me a sympathetic look, as though she feels so bad for the male model who’s so dumb he doesn’t know his own name. “Um, no. Ben Williams is a rocket scientist. You’re a model.” She says this slowly like it’s the only way I’ll be able to understand her.
I wait while the audience has a good laugh at my expense while ignoring Justin and some other woman with a headset who are frantically waving at me. “I’m not a rocket scientist.”
Giving me a condescending look, Hal says, “We know you’re not, buddy. But you’re still special, okay? Now, off you go!”
The fashion show music stops, and the audience becomes so still you’d think they were waiting for me to perform a magic show. Off to the side, I see two security guards at the ready. I swallow hard, then keep going. “There’s no such thing as a rocket scientist,” I say. “What you’re thinking of is actually called an aeronautical engineer or an astronautical engineer. Rocket scientist is a dumbed down word for the job.”
“Wow,” Lacey says, blinking at me. “You know a lot about rocket science.”
I shut my eyes at her inane statement, then open them and say, “That’s because I’m an astrophysicist.”
The astrology “expert” (and I’m using that term lightly) seems to be the first one of the three geniuses to figure out who I am. “Wait, if you’re Dr. Williams, why are you masquerading as a male model?”
Author Bios:
Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.
Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.
She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.
Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.
Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.
Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.
Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.
Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017
Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017
Author links
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--
Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.
Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.
In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally - then she'll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for 'K' Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn't require makeup and/or nylons).
Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she's not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken 'from above'. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something--more like just staying until they turn the lights off.
She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International.
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BOOK BLITZ: Trip the Light Fantastic by Nicole Bea #GIVEAWAY
Trip the Light Fantastic
Nicole Bea
Publication date: May 4th 2021
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Nothing heals a broken heart like an enticing new dance partner.
Eighteen-year-old freshman Chelsea DesRosiers is ready to reinvent herself. After an abysmal breakup with her cheating ex, Chelsea vows to step out of her comfort zone.
The answer? Swing dance classes. Maybe not the best idea for someone with two left feet, but the overwhelmed Chelsea soon finds herself in the arms of swoon-worthy campus dance president, Lux Colford. The attraction rises as the two spend their extra evenings practicing their moves until an old flame of Lux’s shows up.
Can Chelsea risk her heart again? Will Lux prove worthy of her trust, or will finding her inner strength mean walking away?
—
EXCERPT:
I try to unwrap my fingers from his, but before I have a chance, he pulls me into a delicate kiss. It only lasts for a second, but it’s sweet and sensitive and tells me that Lux is feeling something very deep, something that he’s willing to share in public. At least, I think that’s what it means. Maybe it’s hormones or emotions or overwhelmed brains and hearts, but I choose, at least for the moment, to believe it means what he said earlier. That he’s attracted to me.
“Go inside, Chelsea,” he murmurs, gently letting me go. “Before you make me lose my mind.”
A little giggle rises in my throat, and before I can overthink anything, I take off into the foyer. I only look back once I’m inside, and Lux gives me a small wave from under the trees before he turns and disappears into the shadows.
I rush up to my room, trying to hide the massive grin on my face from the few other students I walk past, keeping my eyes down until I’ve securely locked the door to 2C behind me. Immersed in the glow of the fake stars, I lean back against the door with a deep sigh, sliding my back down the smooth surface until I’m sitting on the floor. It’s late, but I’m never going to be able to sleep now. I know because all that’s rushing through my head is the kiss and the dancing and the million different ways I felt this evening that I never knew were even possible. It’s washing over me like a Patrick’s Cove wave, and I can’t help but laugh to myself as my phone dings in the faded light.
Author Bio:
NICOLE BEA is a short story author and novelist who primarily focuses on contemporary teen fiction. An avid storyteller since childhood, she has honed her skills through a variety of educational programs including management, sociology, legal studies, and cultural diversity in the workplace, most recently engaging in coursework about communication for technologists. In addition to writing for young adults, Nicole is also a technical writer for a global manufacturer of CPAP masks, machines, and other products that manage sleep-disordered breathing.
When she isn't busy updating her manuscript portfolio or catching up on her To Be Read pile, Nicole can usually be found gardening, horseback riding, or pursuing her new hobby of learning to cook. She and her husband share their home in Eastern Canada with a collection of multi-colored cats and a lifetime's worth of books.
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