B.L. Blair's Blog, page 60

Monthly Giveaway - $10 Barnes and Noble Gift Card

This month's giveaway is a $10 Barnes and Noble Gift Card. Entering the giveaway will also register you to receive my quarterly newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.


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Blessed Are Those Who Mourn by Kristi Belcamino - eBook Giveaway

San Francisco Bay Area reporter Gabriella Giovanni has finally got it all together: a devoted and loving boyfriend, Detective Sean Donovan; a beautiful little girl with him; and her dream job as the cops' reporter for the Bay Herald. But her success has been hard-won and has left her with debilitating paranoia. When a string of young co-eds starts to show up dead with suspicious Biblical verses left on their bodies—the same verses that the man she suspects kidnapped and murdered her sister twenty years ago had sent to her—she begins to question if the killer is trying to send her a message.
It is not until evil strikes Gabriella's own family that her worst fears are confirmed. As the clock begins to tick, every passing hour means the difference between life and death to those Gabriella loves...
ExcerptThe setting sun turns my family into dark silhouettes as I step onto the warm sand. The beach is nearly deserted, except for a lone figure walking north of us along the sand where the waves are crashing in from the Pacific Ocean.A cool breeze makes me glad I trekked to the car to retrieve my daughter’s little lavender parka. We promised her we’d stay until the sun set.Donovan’s back is turned, phone held to his ear. He’s pacing in his bare feet, his jeans rolled up, a scowl on his face from what he’s hearing. A murder. Every once in a while he glances back at Grace kneeling in the sand playing.Grace has dug deep channels with a small red shovel, chatting to herself, weaving tales about mermaids and sea creatures and fairies. She bounces a plastic dinosaur along the sand, a prize won in kindergarten for reading two books in one week. Everything I’ve ever wanted is on that beach—Donovan and our daughter, Grace. My own little family. My life. I’m still far away, closer to the parking lot, when I see the figure walking along the shore is growing closer. It’s a man. His shadow, with its elongated arms and legs, stretches across the beach until it seems to take on a life of its own. Something about his movements seems angry and frenetic—instead of the wandering gait of a casual sunset stroll—and sets off  small alarms in my head. I walk faster, the sand seeming to reach up and grab at my ankles, slowing my progress. Donovan’s pacing takes him in the opposite direction, away from Grace. He’s not paying attention to anything besides his phone call. The man is now closer to Grace, who seems alone on the beach, although Donovan is twenty feet away. Donovan squints up into the pink and orange clouds, raking a hand through his perpetually spiky hair.The man’s path takes him straight toward Grace. My heart races. I can’t tell for sure, but it seems like he’s watching her. He walks at a determined clip, covering ground much faster than me in my flat, strappy sandals. I lean over in mid-stride and rip a sandal from one foot without stopping. Then I scoop up the other in one fluid motion. Still, each step feels like my bare feet are being sucked into quicksand. I hurry, but feel like I’m moving in slow motion. “Grace.” I shout, but my words are carried away on the wind. I’m breathless from fighting the sand tugging at my feet. The breeze, which has grown stronger in the past few minutes, whips my hair. Grace’s brown ringlets bob as she hops her plastic dinosaur around, not noticing anything else. Donovan isn’t far from Grace, but now the man is closer.At the same moment Donovan turns and sees the look on my face, the man reaches Grace. His long shadow falls over her small figure. She looks up with a smile and starts chatting. He leans down. His hand reaches toward her, his fingers millimeters from her arm. A wave of dread ripples through me. My feet feel cemented into the sand. My mind screams, but no words come out of my open mouth. Inside, I’m flailing and thrashing to get to Grace, but on the outside, I’m struck immobile.The man reaches down and grasps Grace’s arm, turning her toward him, and the spell is broken. I’m on wet sand running, the scream caught in my throat coming out as a birdlike garble. I scoop Grace up onto one hip and take a step back. I gasp for air, but I can’t breathe. My heart is going to explode in my chest.
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Kristi Belcamino is a writer, photographer, and artist. In her former life as a newspaper crime reporter in California, she flew over Big Sur in an FA-18 jet with the Blue Angels, raced a Dodge Viper at Laguna Seca, watched autopsies, and interviewed serial killers. She is now a journalist based in Minneapolis and the Gabriella Giovanni mysteries are her first books.
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Monday Excerpt - Forgive Me (Holton Series #4)

Mitch turned back in time to catch his sister when she jumped into his arms. He pulled her close and held her tightly for a moment. He had missed her. When she stepped back, she had a questioning look in her eyes which he ignored. Instead, he turned to the other woman. Rachel had blossomed in the past few months. Gone were the thick glasses and drab clothes. She now looked stylish and happy. Mitch gave her his signature grin and placed his hand over his heart in a dramatic fashion. “Rachel, it breaks my heart to see your beauty and know that you are forever lost to me.”“Shut up, Mitch,” Rachel said in her deep, smoky voice. She stepped forward and gave him a quick kiss on the cheek before stepping past him and heading into the house. Victoria gave him a wide smile and followed Rachel.“Yes, please come in,” Mitch said sardonically as he followed the two women. The movers had finished placing the desk and chair near the window. Mitch signed the necessary paperwork and sent them on their way. He then headed to the kitchen to find his guests.Rachel was seated at the table that was now covered with burgers and fries. Victoria was emptying the bag of the last of the food. “We brought lunch.”“I can see. The question is why. There’s plenty of food here.” Mitch had been pleased, but not surprised, to see that the refrigerator and pantry were well stocked when he had arrived last night. His sister was nothing if not organized.“Who wants to cook on your first day home?” Victoria asked. “Sit, eat.”“Yes, ma’am.”Mitch sat down at the table and picked up a burger. “Not that I’m not glad to see you both, but shouldn’t you be at work?”Victoria worked for an advertising agency in Dallas, and Rachel was head librarian at the Holton City Library. “You know I’m part-time now at Whitman’s. I only go into the office twice a week.” “I took the day off,” Rachel said.Mitch ate a little of his lunch. “So Rachel, how’s married life?”She gave him a smile. She knew what he was doing and was willing to play along. “It’s great. We’re all moved into the house. We’re still arranging things, but it’s coming together.”“I’m glad. I always liked the Miller house.” Rachel’s husband Paul had recently purchased a house in town that had belonged to the Miller family for years. Mitch knew that Rachel had always loved the house.“Me, too,” she replied.He turned to his sister. “How are plans for Mark’s birthday going?”Her eyes narrowed as she answered. “They’re going fine. He’ll be glad you are here this year.”“I’m looking forward to it.”“Okay, cut the crap, Mitch. What the hell is going on? Why are you moving back home?”Mitch grinned, glanced at his watch, and then turned to Rachel. “Seven minutes.”Rachel shrugged. “She lasted longer than I thought she would.”Mitch laughed as Victoria glared at him. He picked up a fry and popped it into his mouth before saying, “You don’t want me to move back home?”Her face softened. “Of course I want you to move back home, but you hate it here, Mitch. So I have to ask. Why?”“I don’t hate it here.” He smiled at the disbelief on her face. “I’ve always loved Holton. I just hated the gossips and petty backstabbing.”“That hasn’t changed.”“I know, but I have. I’ve done my traveling. I’ve seen the world, and now I’m ready to deal with Holton, Texas. It can’t be any worse than some of the places I have been.”The two women laughed. Victoria shook her head. “I’m glad, Mitch, but I don’t und…”“Oh, good grief,” Rachel interrupted. “He’s back for Emily.”“What?” Victoria exclaimed.Mitch gave Rachel a dirty look which she ignored. She stared back at him calmly. He started to chuckle and then broke out into laughter. Rachel grinned. “Like you would have been able to keep it from her.”“I know,” he said, laughter still lacing his voice. “But I had hoped for at least a little time to ease into it.”
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, CreateSpace, and Google.

Sunday Quote

Saturday Teapot

I think this one is very sweet. It is little, about 4-5 inches, and for one cup of tea. It was a gift from one of my sisters.

Pumpkin Cake Roll with Cream Cheese Filling

I'm not a huge pumpkin fan, but this looks delicious. From About.com: http://southernfood.about.com/od/pumpkins/r/blbb465.htm

October 2015 Monthly Giveaway - $10 Barnes and Noble Gift Card

This month's giveaway is a $10 Barnes and Noble Gift Card. Entering the giveaway will also register you to receive my quarterly newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.


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Last Day to Enter! Monthly Giveaway - $20 Amazon Gift Card

September 2015 Monthly Giveaway$20 Amazon Gift Card
You may enter each day here or on my website. Entering the giveaway will register you to receive my quarterly newsletter. You may unsubscribe at any time.


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Finding Gabriel by Rachel L. Demeter - $5 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway

Historical RomanceDate Published: eBook - August 27, 2015 / Paperback - September 24, 2015Published By: Momentum (Pan Macmillan)



Colonel Gabriel de Laurent departed for the war intending to die.
After a decade of bloodstained battlegrounds while fighting in Napoleon's army, Gabriel returns to the streets of Paris a shattered and haunted soul. Plagued by inner demons, he swallows the barrel of his flintlock pistol and pulls the trigger.
But fate has a different plan.
Ariah Larochelle is a survivor. Orphaned at twelve and victim to a devastating crime, she has learned to keep her back to walls and to trust no one. But when she finds a gravely injured soldier washed up on the River Seine, she's moved by compassion. In spite of her reservations, she rescues him from the icy water and brings him into her home.
Now scarred inside and out, Gabriel discovers a kindred spirit in Ariah—and feelings he imagined lost forever reawaken as he observes her strength in the face of adversity. But when Ariah's own lethal secrets unfold, their new love is threatened by ancient ghosts. Can Gabriel and Ariah find hope in the wreckage of their pasts—or will the cycle of history repeat again?
Perfect for fans of Gaelen Foley's Lord of Ice and Judith James's Broken Wing, Finding Gabriel features all the dark romance, searing passion, and historical intrigue of The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables.Add to Goodreads
Trailer



EXCERPT
Ariah stood beneath the immeasurable night sky as she admired the breathtaking view. She lost herself within the constellations, allowing those luxurious diamond strands to coil around her heart. Numberless stars reflected within the Seine’s glassy surface and set the water afire. Breathing deeply, Ariah reached out and folded her hands atop the stone balustrade.This is where she’d found him. Her heart picked up speed as memories of that fateful night invaded her mind and body. Down below, water lapped against the embankment and infused the atmosphere with a soothing lull. A flashback of Gabriel’s motionless form materialized within the shadows . . . and Ariah’s chest constricted as she relived his every kiss and touch.Then –A gentle pressure whispered against her back. Gabriel’s unique aroma filled her spirit while strong arms enfolded her from behind. Somehow, some way, she’d known he’d be here tonight.She sighed deeply and relaxed within his protective embrace. One hand lost itself in her curls and delicately sifted through the strands; the other applied subtle pressure to the base of her spine in a ghostlike caress. Breathless and at peace, she spiraled into a decadent trance. She drank in each sensation . . . the mesmerizing caress of his fingertips against her scalp, the wind’s crisp breath, the Seine’s haunting lamentations . . .Gabriel brushed away the swarm of curls, exposing her ear to the night, and breathed against the fine cartilage. This was the moment she’d feared for weeks – the moment of their parting. Then he sang to her – his voice rich, warm, and sultry, and all other thoughts fell away.“The gentle breath of winter sings,It cools my brow and furls my wings.And when the dusk at last descends,I shall keep my hope, steel my heart, for never will thy love depart.Now you are come all my grief is gone,Let us forget those nights that never dawned.”The rich cadence of his voice seduced her into calmness. Fighting to hold back tears, she rotated in his arms, never once leaving the security of his embrace. Indeed, she’d stay with him until the very end – and they wouldn’t part a moment sooner. She tilted her chin up and met his expressive gaze. The nearby oil lamp shone brightly behind Gabriel, silhouetting his strained features. She directed his body to the side, needing to see his eyes, directing the shadows from his face.“You remember.”Gabriel shook his head while a riot of emotions crossed his features. “I shall never forget.”



About the Author

Rachel L. Demeter lives in the beautiful hills of Anaheim, California with Teddy, her goofy lowland sheepdog, and her high school sweetheart of eleven years. She enjoys writing dark, poignant romances that challenge the reader's emotions and explore the redeeming power of love.
Imagining dynamic worlds and characters has been Rachel's passion for longer than she can remember. Before learning how to read or write, she would dictate stories while her mother would record them for her. She holds a special affinity for the tortured hero and unconventional romances. Whether crafting the protagonist or antagonist, she ensures every character is given a soul.
Rachel endeavors to defy conventions by blending elements of romance, suspense, and horror. Some themes her stories never stray too far from: forbidden romance, soul mates, the power of love to redeem, mend all wounds, and triumph over darkness.
Her dream is to move readers and leave an emotional impact through her words.



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GIVEAWAY $5 Amazon gift card and 3 signed "The Frost of Springtime bookmark
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Monday Excerpt - Trust Me (Holton Series #3)

A brief flare of car lights flashed through the thick glass of the front double doors of the Holton City Library. Rachel Lewis paused for a moment and looked out into the darkness. She was standing by the door with her keys in her hand ready to lock up, but the lights stopped her. She watched helplessly as the car slid across the black ice covering the parking lot. The driver tried to control the powerful vehicle, but the tires could not gain any traction on the slippery surface. Finally, the car came to a stop when it hit the curb of the sidewalk. A moment later the car door flew open, and a man emerged. He looked around briefly before heading to the short stairway that led to the library entrance. He ducked his head trying to protect himself from the freezing sleet and snow. He slipped only once but walked gingerly up the steps.The weather had been cold for several days, but the snow and sleet had started just that afternoon. The winter storm was much worse than predicted, and within just a couple of hours, the roads had become slick and dangerous. As it was two days before Christmas, there were only a few people in the building when the storm arrived. They left quickly, and Rachel had been able to send her assistant home about an hour ago. She had planned to leave herself as soon as she had finished the last of her paperwork. It now appeared that she had waited too long.The man had made it to the door, but she still could not see his face. However, there was something familiar about him. When he opened the door and stepped into the lobby area, the light illuminated his features, and she recognized him immediately. Her heart began to beat faster, and blood rushed through her veins causing her whole body to grow warm.He was absolutely gorgeous. Rachel had thought so the first time she had seen him, and a second look did nothing to change that opinion. His hair was jet black and glossy. The dark waves that covered his head were currently wet with the residue from the sleet but were usually thick and shiny. His face was classic perfection. The forehead was wide and smooth. He had prominent cheekbones and a strong chin. His eyes were a cold winter gray and just as chilling. They were framed with thick dark lashes and set under dark straight eyebrows. His lips were full, and when stretched into a smile, they revealed smooth, even teeth.Rachel had only seen him really smile once, but it had been devastating. It was possible she had only seen him smile once because she had only seen him once before today; however, she doubted it. He did not seem the type of man to smile like that often. Half smiles, polite smiles perhaps but not the full devastating smile she had seen. He typically presented a solemn and thoughtful façade, but that day he had smiled at Victoria which was hard not to do.Rachel smiled herself just thinking about Victoria. Victoria Carson, soon to be Moore, had to be the reason the man was here, standing in her library. Victoria and Andrew Moore were getting married in a little over a week, and he was in the wedding. He was tall, standing a little over six feet. His build was a sculptor's dream. His shoulders were broad, and he had a muscular chest that tapered to his waist. He had a flat stomach and strong, lean legs. He was dressed in a suit that had never been on a rack. It was cut to fit him like a glove. The double-breasted jacket emphasized his broad shoulders, and Rachel knew the shirt was silk. The black overcoat was cashmere, and the shoes on his feet were real leather and handmade. Everything about him screamed wealth and success.
Amazon:http://www.amazon.com/Trust-Me-Holton-Series-ebook/dp/B00FMF2FMEApple:https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/trust-me-holton-series-3/id703553343?mt=11B&N:http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trust-me-b-l-blair/1116875140?ean=2940045252133Kobo:http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/trust-me-holton-series-3Smashwords:https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/353821CreateSpace:https://www.createspace.com/4427478Google Play:https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=W3MiBgAAQBAJ