B.L. Blair's Blog, page 72

May 2015 Monthly Giveaway - Free copy of Forgive Me (Holton Series #4)

Growing up, Mitch Carson had always dreamed of leaving Holton, Texas, traveling the world, and writing life altering stories.  As an investigative journalist, he made those dreams come true, but he left behind the only woman he ever loved.  That was his greatest mistake.  Mitch has returned home to see if she can forgive him for leaving her when she needed him the most. 
In high school, Emily Fairview had fallen deeply, madly, and completely in love with Mitch.  The two of them planned a life together far away from Holton, but when Emily’s family needed her, she chose to stay.  Mitch chose to leave.  Fifteen years later Mitch is back and wants a second chance, but Emily doesn’t know if she can forgive him. 
Return to Holton, Texas one last time to see if Mitch can get Emily to forgive him.  Forgive Me is the fourth and final book in the Holton Series but may be read as a standalone novel.

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Love Target by Heidi Loeb Hegerich $30 Amazon/BN Gift Card Giveaway

  BlurbTeenager Ingrid Liebschreiber is devastated when her parents move the family from their native Munich to Los Angeles in the late 1950s. Homesick, she accepts a neighbor's offer to get her a job as a showgirl in Las Vegas. Intent on earning enough money to return to Germany, she must grow up quickly in the neon jungle - where she is pursued by high rollers and headliners, including a vacationing Elvis. Life's twists and turns land Ingrid in New York in the Swinging 1960s - where she is romanced by Armand: a strong, quiet, handsome businessman in "construction." Most girls dream of Mr. Right, and Ingrid's hard-won independence is challenged when she falls in love. Will she find true romance - a man who can love her as much as she loves him? Or is "happily ever after" just a crazy fairytale? ExcerptThe witch stared past me, lost in thought. Then she shook her head. “I don’t know,” she began, haltingly. “There will be a man, a husband. Somebody that you’ve known. Somebody” — her voice rose — “with dark hair! And . . . eyes that are lighter. Maybe blue.” “I don’t know who this man could be,” I said to the witch. “Trust me,” she said confidently. “Do you have any photographs in your wallet of who this man could be?” I didn’t have a photo of David. But it didn’t matter, since he was married. I fished out a photograph of Armand. The witch held it up in her crooked fingers in front of her hooked nose. She twisted her neck, turning her head this way and that, peering curiously at the photo from different angles. She handed it back. “You should have never been with this man!” I shrugged. “I wish I knew who this mystery man could be.” “It is not important,” the witch said. “You will know in good time. You can bring him into your life. And I want you to do something.” She rummaged on a shelf and removed several objects. “Take these two candles. Write an affirmation on a slip of paper saying that you will be with this man with dark hair that you’ve known. Then put the paper between the candles, and melt the candles together. Light each one, and when they’re soft, mold them together.” I took the candles. Well, it couldn’t hurt to try. Might even be fun. Buy linksWebsite: www.lovetarget.comAmazon: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Target-Heidi-Loeb-Hegerich-ebook/dp/B00KCS0OCY/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1424291237&sr=1-1&keywords=love+targetBook trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L4E9UULoZNUFacebook: www.facebook.com/LoveTargetNovelTwitter: https://twitter.com/LoveTargetBookRobin Leach book review in Las Vegas Sun newspaper: http://www.lasvegassun.com/vegasdeluxe/2015/jan/13/love-target-showgirl-reveals-elvis-pregnancy-swing/?utm_source=mostpopular&utm_medium=banner&utm_campaign=mostRead Author Interview How did your experience as a showgirl help with writing this novel? Since LOVE TARGET is a memoir novel — the unforgettable experiences of my past played into my storyline. In real life I was a 16-year-old runaway who went to Las Vegas because I heard that showgirls earned $200 a week, and a neighbor of my family in the apartment complex in Hollywood happened to be a choreographer of Vegas shows and got me hired for one. Since I had to be 18 to legally work as a showgirl, I doctored my visa using a black pen. That was possible back then, in 1959.Once in Sin City, my innocence rapidly wore away in the neon netherworld of the Las Vegas Strip.Many incidents from my four years as a showgirl in Las Vegas (and, for a time, in Miami Beach) worked their way into the plot of my novel.There was one particular incident I had as a 16-year-old newcomer to show biz that relates, oddly, to my “career” as a writer. I kept telling the stage manager I wasn’t ready yet to perform in Minsky’s Follies. I needed more rehearsal time. Or I wasn’t feeling well, I had come down with something. Actually, I was cowering with stage fright. The butterflies in my belly were flapping their wings so hard, I felt sick to my stomach. Finally, the stage manager had enough of my excuses and said I had to go on the next night. So there I was, standing backstage for the first show — for what would be my first time on stage — and I was in first position in the line of showgirls. A long line of showgirls snaked behind me.The orchestra struck up the introductory number, and from the other side of the curtain, cavernous applause erupted. My feet froze! Then I found myself pitching forward and stumbling onto the stage. Barbara, the showgirl standing behind me, had shoved me violently. As soon as I was out there, a spotlight hit me, and I automatically stretched my arms out to either side. I fixed a big grin on my face and began walking in the pattern we’d rehearsed. Barbara and the other showgirls followed. And we posed, turned, smiled dazzlingly, circled the perimeter and pranced to our exit.When it came to writing LOVE TARGET — my first book — I was terrified. My first attempt had resulted in 70 pages — all of which I burned in disgust in my kitchen sink! Then I had a bright idea of finding an editor who could guide me through the process. The editor turned out to be my literary “Barbara” — shoving me into the hard work of writing a book manuscript. He forced me to compose a chapter outline, had me write and rewrite every chapter so many times I lost count, and — ultimately — got me to finish the book and get it out there into the world. How did you decide on names for your characters? LOVE TARGET is a memoir novel, and a historical novel. The historical characters, such as Elvis Presley and Bobby Kennedy, are themselves in the book, of course! Names of other lead characters have been altered, but still fit the era in which the story is set: the 1960s and ’70s. David Lowenstein is based upon a different David, Armand Catalfamo is based upon a different Armand. The lead character and narrator, Ingrid Liebschreiber, is based partially on myself. Ingrid actually is my real first name, not Heidi. “Liebschreiber” is a name I made up. It loosely means “love writer” in German. What traits make a good character for a romance novel? The character has to bound to life off the pages in hot flesh, blood and spirit. The character has to look, walk and talk like the person he or she represents. Like a real person, the character has to have burning desires, and hidden motives as well as obvious ones. A good character for a romance novel is one who is tested by the plot — the way people are tested by life — and responds dramatically. A man who has pined so long and so painfully for a woman who regards him only as a friend that he finally explodes in a mix of rage and boiling passion as he seizes her — and plants his head between her legs. The woman who is so distraught at not being able to win to herself and herself alone the man she has fallen in love with that she finally leaves her apartment at 3 a.m. and trudges, naked under her coat, into the frigid frozen winter night and spreads her coat wide to let the cascading snowflakes coat her so she can catch her death of pneumonia. Will you be writing another book?  If so, can you tell us anything about it? The sequel to LOVE TARGET has been written, and is in the editing stage. I hope to have it out in 2016. I also have eight or nine chapters that I cut from LOVE TARGET that I might publish as a short-story collection. Other than romance, what is your favorite genre to read? I read a great deal, and my interests are quite varied. I’ve recently read, for example, The Paleo Manifesto: Ancient Wisdom for Lifelong Health, by John Durant. He talks about how we’ve gotten away from our natural habitats and this is affecting our health as a species. As for fiction, I’m a huge James Patterson fan. I love his international thrillers, such as The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I’ve also enjoyed the short stories of Alice Munro, with their well-drawn characters and conflicts we all can relate to. Who is your favorite author to read? There are so many great authors that I can’t say I have a favorite.  Author BioHeidi Loeb Hegerich has lived in places as varied as Munich, Las Vegas, Miami Beach, New York, Los Angeles, Squaw Valley and Reno. She has worked variously as a showgirl, business executive, entrepreneur, interior designer and real estate developer. She has traveled to six of the seven continents, and vacationed in spots as different as the French Riviera, the Andes and Afghanistan. She counts among her hobbies weight training, shooting assault rifles, and racing sand rails; she found skydiving entertaining but not as much of a rush as other pursuits. A philanthropist for the arts, among other causes, Hegerich is now embarking on her own artistic quest as an author. The novel Love Target is her first book.





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Lilies

I love lilies.  I think they are beautiful flowers which is why I used them for the covers of my Holton Romance Series.  Do you have a favorite lily? Or a favorite flower?

Public Domain Pictures has some lovely photos:


   

Dark Pursuit by Jennifer Chase

From the International Award Winning EMILY STONE THRILLER SERIES:  
Vigilante detective Emily Stone has covertly hunted down killers and closed more serial cases than most seasoned homicide cops combined. Her exceptional profiling skills and forensic techniques, along with deductive crime scene investigations, have made her a compelling force that cannot be beat.  
She has reached her ultimate breaking point and now must face her toughest opponent yet – her biggest fears.  
With preciseness, the Tick-Tock Killer has taken his next child victim and promised to dump the body precisely four days later, mocking police and the community. Stone struggles to balance her inner demons and ghosts from the past, against the wits of a brutal and cunning serial killer in an all-out battle of psychological warfare.  
Can Stone save the next child in time? Dark Pursuit is an action-packed cat and mouse game that will take you to dark places rarely explored.

Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Dark-Pursuit-Emily-Stone-Book-ebook/dp/B00UPDXN3S/ref=sr_1_10?ie=UTF8&qid=1426374924&sr=8-10&keywords=dark+pursuit

View the trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OCbpk4jwtZY
Excerpt: CHAPTER ONETuesday 2100 HoursCar tires squealed as both sport utility vehicles skidded sideways across the narrow street.  The ear piercing screeches and waves of gravel spray ensued as the vehicles held the uneven surface, and then pivoted onto a bumpy dirt road.  The pitch-blackness of the night illuminated with blinding headlights from the two cars – one pursuing the other. Motors revved and engines tacked well into the red zones.  The vehicle’s high beams bobbed and weaved among the trees, and then disappeared into the dense landscape of the forest.Low fog plunged the chill of the evening colder than the current temperature of forty-three degrees.  Pockets of moisture were heavier in some areas allowing for little visibility.  With a murky blur, the cars continued the dangerous pursuit.  The country road quickly turned into a narrow trail, causing both cars to drastically slow in speed. Emily Stone fought the dangerous off road conditions with every ounce of strength that she could muster.  She clutched the steering wheel harder, knuckles white, biceps flexed, concentrating on every sharp turn to remain alert, and to keep the car piloting straight.  Her dark eyes remained unwavering through the narrow view.The seatbelt dug into her chest with every bump and chuckhole in the road.  Fatigue had set in an hour ago, but she could not stop now.  Increasing weakness continued to edge its way through her arms and legs.  The escalating body aches vied for her immediate attention as her forehead pounded with a familiar piercing pain.Pushing through her discomfort, she kept focused on the treacherous road and the vehicle in front of her.Another victim was at stake. Another young innocent victim. It was obvious that the lead driver was also having difficulties with the road as the vehicle bounced precariously close to the edge of the cliff.  The lead SUV skirted and swerved, but still miraculously maintained the right direction and gained a little speed.  Pieces of mud showered Emily’s windshield, peppering the entire front end and undercarriage.  Low tree branches and bushes clawed at the doors and slammed across the roof.  At one point, she thought a branch might break through the sunroof and land on the front seat.  The road hazards did not deter her.      Emily pressed the accelerator even harder.  Her Ford’s RPM throttled to a dangerous level causing the engine and oil lights to flicker.  The dashboard lit up with several warnings that looked more like a carnival ride than an SUV.“Emily!  Em!” a voice yelled from the cellular speakerphone.  “What’s your location?  Dammit Em answer me!”      She ignored the plea from her partner Rick Lopez over the cell phone and turned it away from her.  They were more than partners – some would say they were soul mates.  Either way, he was her rock, her lover, and her only backup.  They shared an unshakable love that drove them together toward the one essential goal –save a victim.  She did not want to look at the screen and see his face drawn and deeply concerned for her safety.  His usual dark handsome features would show the extreme stress with a furrowed frown.  She could not bear to look at him.  There had been many other pursuits, some more dangerous, others just a routine investigation, but all were potentially risky and could result in death.  She had made peace with that reality.  She had the extensive experience of handing just about anything that came her way – and wore with dignity the physical and mental battle scars to prove it.  They had spent the last few years hunting serial killers and child abductors, all under the radar of law enforcement.  They did not have to operate by the same rules of engagement or bureaucracy that tied the hands of cops.  Instead, the couple did all the investigative and forensic work for them and forwarded all of the detailed information – anonymously.  They were a covert investigative team that procured results.  A simple plan.  It had served them well.  This time it was an emergency of life and death – an all-out code red involving a ten-year-old girl by the name of Jeannie Sanders, abducted while walking home from a friend’s house.  The photograph of the little girl’s huge green eyes and sweet cherub face burned into Emily’s memory, which propelled her into situations that most people would take great lengths to avoid. The imminent situation drove Emily to an almost desperate impulse – worse than any obsessive-compulsive disorder that could ever accomplish.  She never knew how far an investigation would take her both physically and emotionally, but giving up was not an option when a child’s life was a stake.  The work was necessary to her like air and food.A couple of years ago, Emily had come to terms with the fact that any of her dark pursuits could end with the inevitable.  She lived by her own set of rules and personal motto.  Life was not worth living if you cannot make a difference – right a wrong, catch a serial killer, or save an innocent life.Her life was straightforward as that simple philosophy.     “Em!” Rick’s voice insisted, this time with an exasperated breath.She balanced her cell phone on the dash praying that the signal would not disappear or smash from impact.  Flipping the smart phone over and slipping it into a console cranny, she glanced at the screen.  It was just as she had expected.  The deep drawn look of concern changed Rick’s attractive face.  Even on the small electronic device, his eyes could bore straight into her soul.  It was an expression that made her weak and sometimes to doubt her own capabilities.  The lead SUV pulled ahead just out of view and disappeared into the fog.A large patch of low-lying haze obscured the improvised roadway.Emily reluctantly slowed her speed even more.“I’m in pursuit.  We’re just three miles off the main Interstate on Deer Run Road,” she replied winded as if she had been running a marathon.  “I’m not backing off.  This is the first big break we’ve had…” She slammed on the brakes from the hairpin turn to avoid the steep cliff on her right.  The Ford skidded in that direction and she countered the slide with quick steering and some luck.  The back tires spun several revolutions before traction took hold again.  She did not see the car or any lights ahead of her anymore, so she took her foot from the accelerator. She stopped the SUV and cut the headlights.It was dark in every direction. She pressed the power button and lowered her window.The distinct odor of a hot car engine and an overflowing radiator filled her nose.  It had a familiar sweet and earthy smell.  The outdoors was strangely quiet and dark as a bottomless pit.  Emily could make out a few outlines of large trees, but nothing more.   There was a slim opening in the fog.  The sky remained overcast in a blanket of clouds that obscured any view of the stars or moon.   More deep aromas of the forest drifted into the car.  It was odd.  If she closed her eyes and opened them, there was little difference in the view.  Deep shadows.  Extreme isolation.  Taking a deep slow breath, Emily tried not to fixate on the strangeness of her position, along with the feeling of floating, which made her slightly nauseous.  She had struggled with anxiety in the past, the feelings of panic and the fight or flight responses.  As with most things in her life, Emily worked through them with tenacity and could overcome just about anything.  That was what made her get out of bed every morning in order to tackle every new challenge flung at her.Realizing that she had been talking to Rick, she clumsily felt for the phone.  It was in sleep mode and the screen was dark.  She pressed the button and her display brightened casting a cartoonish light in the car, but there was no signal.  She had lost connection with him.  She was not sure if he had heard her location or if he could figure out how to locate her.   What initially began as a routine surveillance changed, and then flip-flopped in an instant.  They were following another suspect when this SUV was caught in the middle of the surveillance, and reacted when he spotted them.  They divided the surveillance pursuit and Emily ended up following Kevin Werner, unbeknownst that he was the Tick-Tick Killer.  Everything turned sideways immediately.  She contemplated what to do next.  The soft ticking of her engine cooling kept a hypnotizing beat, soothing her nerves.  She knew that she had to move forward in order to save the little girl, but it seemed that the element of surprise would be the only approach.  There had to be a location where the abductor would hide – a cabin or an abandoned building.Emily turned the key and her Ford roared to life, now with uneven timing.  The headlights illuminated the trees with a brash light, giving a weird depth perception of the forest.  She turned the lights back to regular beams, which made the area seem less ominous.  There was no sign of the other vehicle, no evidence of lights shone anywhere in the vicinity.As she contemplated what to do, there were two logical choices, go forward, or turn back to get a cell phone signal and wait for Rick.   She weighed each option.  The predator was close; she sensed it.  That familiar tingly sensation rode roughshod throughout her body.  It was as if she could feel his breath on her neck.  There was still time to rescue the little girl.  All the other victims had been murdered and then their bodies dumped exactly four days after their abduction – down to the minute.It had already been three and half days… and counting.There was still time.  There had to be enough time.A loud gunning sound of a high-powered engine came from behind.  High beams flashed in her rearview mirror and briefly blinded her.  It took barely three seconds before the blue SUV rammed into Emily’s Ford.  Her body flung forward, snapping her neck and seizing her breath.   The larger vehicle pushed her headfirst at a steady pace.  The thunder of the V8 engine roared like a wild animal attacking its prey. While still holding firm to the steering wheel with her left hand, Emily grabbed the Glock 9mm from her side holster.  It was not there.  She remembered that she had not secured her gun before the pursuit.  Her Beretta was still in her ankle holster.  Carefully maneuvering her body and wrestling to maintain control of the brake as well as the steering wheel, she retrieved the small pistol in her right hand.  Emily did not waste any time, turned her torso to the blinding light, and fired three bullets through the back window of the SUV.  Glass shattered.  The impact from the gunshots echoed in her ears.  Cool air rushed inside the vehicle.  The blast of bullets stunned the attacking vehicle.  The large blue SUV slowed its pace and opened a gap between both cars. Emily caught her breath trying to inhale and exhale evenly.  Her anger escalated as she unhooked her seatbelt.  The little girl was the only factor pushing her forward.  She presumed that the girl was not in the vehicle, but hidden somewhere - close.  The Berretta shook slightly in her right hand from the surging adrenalin pulsing throughout her body as she readied herself again for another assault.The thunder of the pursuing SUV sprang into life and the larger vehicle slammed into Emily’s car once again.  This time it seemed to have more power behind the strike.  The killer was not going to go down without a fight – too much was at stake. It took all of Emily’s strength and concentrated attention to maintain control of her own vehicle.  No matter how hard she held the brake down with both feet; her car inched forward and gathered speed.  The tires slipped and gripped unevenly, and then the traction slipped again building momentum down the narrow trail.  Thick brush and branches scraped along the doors before Emily could see through the tight clearing ahead.  The trail ended with a sheer cliff less than a hundred yards.
 About the Author: Jennifer Chase is an award-winning author and consulting criminologist.  She has authored six crime fiction novels, including the award-winning Emily Stone thriller series along with a screenwriting workbook. 

Jennifer holds a Bachelor degree in police forensics and a Master's degree in criminology.  These academic pursuits developed out of her curiosity about the criminal mind as well as from her own experience with a violent sociopath, providing Jennifer with deep personal investment in every story she tells. In addition, she holds certifications in serial crime and criminal profiling.  She is an affiliate member of the International Association of Forensic Criminologists. 

Website: www.authorjenniferchase.comFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jennifer-Chase/208188122534165Twitter: https://twitter.com/JChaseNovelistBlog: http://authorjenniferchase.com/  

Forgive Me (Holton Series #4) $25 Amazon or BN Gift Card Giveaway

The fourth and final book in the Holton Series, Forgive Me, is on a book tour with Reading Addition Virtual Book Tours.  The tour has stops at a lot of great blogs.  Check them out!

May 11 - Reading Addiction Virtual Book Tours - Kick OffMay 11 - Books Direct - ExcerptMay 12 - Author Poppy Lawless - ExcerptMay 13 - Obsessed With My Shelf - ReviewMay 14 - We're Jumpin Books - ExcerptMay 14 - TLBC Book Blog - ReviewMay 15 - Readsalot - ReviewMay 16 - A Blue Million Books - ExcerptMay 17 - Coffee Book Mom - ExcerptMay 18 - BYO Book Club - ReviewMay 19 - Jody's Book Reviews - ExcerptMay 20 - A Place in the Spotlight - ExcerptMay 21 - Book Groupies - ExcerptMay 22 - Let's Get Booked - ExcerptMay 22 - Book Babes and Boyfriends - ExcerptMay 23 - Caught Up in Books - ReviewMay 23 - RABT Reviews - Wrap Up 

RT Booklovers Convention

I attended the RT Booklovers Convention this week.  It was a great experience.  I met a lot of wonderful people - both readers and authors.  It was held in Dallas, TX so I was able to sleep in my own bed each night.  The only drawback was that the odd schedule disturbed my cat, Darcy.  She didn't know if I was coming or going.  As you can tell by this picture, it bothered her a great deal. 

Released Today! Forgive Me (Holton Series #4)

Growing up, Mitch Carson had always dreamed of leaving Holton, Texas, traveling the world, and writing life altering stories.  As an investigative journalist, he made those dreams come true, but he left behind the only woman he ever loved.  That was his greatest mistake.  Mitch has returned home to see if she can forgive him for leaving her when she needed him the most. 
In high school, Emily Fairview had fallen deeply, madly, and completely in love with Mitch.  The two of them planned a life together far away from Holton, but when Emily’s family needed her, she chose to stay.  Mitch chose to leave.  Fifteen years later Mitch is back and wants a second chance, but Emily doesn’t know if she can forgive him. 
Return to Holton, Texas one last time to see if Mitch can get Emily to forgive him.  Forgive Me is the fourth and final book in the Holton Series but may be read as a standalone novel.
Available on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, iBooks, Kobo, and Smashwords.

The Marlboro Man by Anna Alexander - $15 Gift Card and Swag Pack Giveaway

   For years Mark Webber was in love with his best friend’s girl, and it had become well past time for him to move on for greener pastures. Not long after he left, Mark realized the Sprawling A was his home, so now he’s back, ready to leave the past in the dust. While he was gone, there had been some changes at the A, including a new ranch hand who comes with a sister that stirs Mark’s passions in ways he never felt. 
Gabriella Montoya has come to the ranch seeking shelter after a failed marriage. Not only is she welcomed with open arms, but she gains six big brothers. But one man doesn’t look at her like he would a sister. Oh, no. Mark gazes at her with a heat and promise in his eyes, and damn if he doesn’t deliver on every one. But Gabriella’s not certain she’s ready to embark on another relationship so soon with a man who has made no bones about wanting forever, especially when both of their pasts rise from the ashes and threaten everything they have.
Excerpt:The amber light caressed Gabriella, making her look like an angel standing before him. An angel on a mission, he’d guess if the determined set of her jaw was any indication, and he had a feeling he knew what the purpose was for her visit. 
“Why did you kiss me?” she asked the second he shut the door behind him. 
Yep. He was right. 
Now, what would be the best way to answer without him getting him decked for saying something inappropriate? Really, he had no right touching her in any way, shape, or form. If anything, he should apologize for being so forward. 
But one look at her face decided his answer. “Because you’re the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.” 
Her lips fluttered into a brief smile before they pressed into a thin line. “Is that the only reason?” 
“No. It’s because,” he blew out a breath, “because I like you. A lot.” 
Several tense moments passed, and with each second the frown on her forehead deepened. “That’s all? You think I’m pretty and you like me. That’s it?” 
“Yes. No. It’s—I…” He blew out another breath and ran his hand through his hair. “I—I couldn’t go another second without feeling your lips against mine. Okay? I know it was wrong. I’m sorry.” 
Her shoulders lowered, and a delighted smile replaced her frown. “The only wrong about that kiss was that it was over far too quickly.” 
“And happened far too soon. I shouldn’t have invaded your personal space that way. Again, I’m sorry.” 
She shifted and took a step toward him. “Thank you for your apology. I greatly appreciate it.” She took another step closer, boxing him between the door and her body. “I have a confession to make, Mark. I like you too. A lot.” 
“Yeah?” The smolder in her gaze felt as if it raised the temperature of the room at least another twenty degrees and turned the floor beneath him to quicksand, pulling him under fast. “Is that such a good idea?” 
She let out a little laugh. “Now that’s the question I’ve been asking myself all day. But you know, I’m tired of doing what I’m supposed to. It’s time for me to do what I want.”
Amazon:The Cowboy WayA Night at The Cavern
Hero Rising
The Marlboro Man B&N:
The Cowboy Way
A Night at The CavernHero Rising 
The Marlboro Man 

ARe Café:The Cowboy Way 
A Night at The Cavern
Hero Rising
The Marlboro Man

Kobo:The Cowboy Way
A Night at The Cavern
Hero Rising  The Marlboro Man    Anna Alexander's literary world changed at age thirteen when a friend gave her a copy of Kathleen Woodiwiss's "A Rose in Winter." With her mind thoroughly blown, she decided that one day she too would be a romance writer. With Hugh Jackman's abs and Christopher Reeve's blue eyes as inspiration, she loves spinning tales about superheroes finding love.    Sign up to receive news about Anna's latest releases at http://eepurl.com/Q0tsz.  WebsiteBlogFacebook Facebook Author Page Twitter Amazon Page Goodreads  
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The Brother's Keep by Tessa Stockon #KeepBlast $10 Amazon/BN gift card giveaway

Four brothers... Four maidens... Four challenges...
Publication Date: May 6, 2015Genre: YA Romantic FantasySeries: The Brother's Keep (4 Novellas in 1)
Four brothers are appealing in appearance and stature. Yet beneath the striking features, magnitude and charm, they are monsters, for each one of them have fallen to darkness and are cursed for all time. Possessed with unique power, along with the wrath to destroy, the brothers consume all in their paths …until unlikely maidens challenge them apiece.

Each of the four young maidens ventures out, vulnerable and alone, to battle unknown elements, demons, and strange magic. Risking all for the journey, they are set to find the demise of their monster. But the question of motive begins to infiltrate each of their minds. Are they really trying to save their people from the harm of the monster or redeem a heartless being for the sake of love? Because somehow, while daring, their own hearts are stolen in what could be the quickest path to destruction, the greatest betrayal of all.

Along the way, meet Lily of the Valley, Bright & Morning Star, Promise the King, and The Messenger, characters potentially aiding these impressionable young women who find themselves quite lost in the keeps of alluring yet unscrupulous brothers.


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Tessa Stockton is a veteran of the performing arts and worldwide missions, having come from a long line of musical arts professionals. She loved seeing the world and absorbing the beauty of other cultures . . . an enriching life full of dance, music, faith, and interesting cuisine. Over the years, she also contributed as a writer/editor for ministry publications, ghostwriter for political content, and headed a column on the topic of forgiveness. Today, she writes fantasy, romance and political intrigue novels.

Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads | LinkedIn



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Secret Somethings by Amber Kay

Blurb: Marriage is bliss for newlywed Jude Clayton. Lord knows she could use it. After years of battling a destructive mental disorder, she’s hungry for some sense of normalcy. Little does she know, she will find the complete opposite with her new husband Bryce. On the surface, Bryce Clayton is every woman’s dream—make no mistake about it. Handsome, intelligent, wealthy and accomplished, Bryce only has one problem. An obsession. 
 Poor fragile Jude knows nothing about her husband’s “extracurricular activities.” What she’ll discover about herself in the process is much scarier than anything either of them can imagine. Jude, with her grotesque sense of humor and her many mental abnormalities, has developed an obsession of her own.  As their unconventional “romance” blossoms into a toxic relationship, truth and lies clash. And some begin to wonder: Is Jude a helpless victim to her husband’s deceitful ways or is she a dutiful accomplice? 
 Purchase on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TQ6BD14 
Excerpt:

Prologue 
July 21, 2009
The first thing I loved about him were his hands.
Bryce Clayton had talented hands—strong fingers, perfect knuckles—beautiful in every way. That man had an orgasmic touch. That’s what I’d like to remember forever, first and foremost. My husband had glorious hands, but they were also weapons. They were destructive beasts that destroyed everything they touched. Including me. 
When they reveal the crime scene photos of his body, the only thing I can focus on are those infamous hands. Long broken fingers drenched in blood, tattered fingernails and gnarled knuckles. I can hardly stomach looking at them. I slump forward in the metal chair, clutching my stomach to quell the nausea.
Soft light spills from the florescent beams overhead, drawing beads of sweat from my scalp. Moisture drips like melting paint across my forehead, making me feel like I’ve been embedded in the sun. This is a side-effect of guilt.
“Mrs. Clayton?” the cop utters. “If you’ll work with me, we can get this over with and you can go home.”
Though my eyes lay fixed on the gruesome photos of my husband’s pale corpse, I nod. He proceeds, “Good. Now, we’ll be recording this interrogation for legal purposes, so I’ll need you to state your full name before we begin.”
He reaches across the table toward his recorder and presses a single button: play. We settle in the silence for a moment and I feel his eyes on me, watching then judging. He has already made up his mind about me. Cops are designed to think the worst of everyone. I’d be offended if I didn’t agree with his assessment of me.
When he looks at me, I’m sure he’s sees the same thing every outsider sees. Stupid, homely, little suburban bitch. I’m a walking advertisement for everything that’s wrong with the twentysomethings of today. Spoiled brats with their heads lodged up their asses. Stupid bitch. I see it in his eyes. This man resents me.
“Go ahead, state your full name,” he orders.
I clear my throat, fidgeting with my fingers to distract my rampant thoughts. As I forge the courage to face him, my eyes are swollen with tears, but I’ve not cried a single tear yet and it scares me. What kind of woman doesn’t react to the death of her own husband? A woman like me? I didn’t think I could be so cold…until now.
“My name is Judith Lillian Clayton.”
“And why are you here today, Mrs. Clayton?”
“Your men arrested me. They say I've been a very bad girl,” I say and for some reason I expect him to laugh at my distasteful quip. Instead, I hear a light sigh as if he’s suddenly growing impatient with me. Guess I picked the wrong time to crack a joke.
“For better clarification, give me specifics. Why are you here?”
My heart, it chugs, coagulating blood in my chest cavity. It hurts. Everything hurts, even the strands of my hair. I’m a pulp of walking pain. Hollowed out like someone has eviscerated my insides with an ice cream scooper.
“I killed my husband,” I say.
“When did this incident occur?”
“July 20, 2009. The final day of our honeymoon.”
“I need you to tell me every single thing that happened on your honeymoon,” he says. “Starting with day one.”
“To understand, you’ll have to hear everything,” I say.
“Meaning what exactly?” he asks.
“My husband was a very complicated man, detective. He was absolutely brilliant, but he was also his own worst enemy. He was a bastard, a jackass and an unapologetic asshole, but against my better judgment…I loved him. To understand why he’s dead, you need to know our secrets.”
He pauses, but eventually replies, “Then give me the whole story.”
“You might not like me very much after I tell you this story. Sometimes I don’t even like myself when I think about it,” I say. “So I want you to listen because I won’t be repeating a thing.”
“Are you intentionally being vague, Mrs. Clayton?”
“Not intentionally, no, but I can only tell you what I remember. And that in itself might not be very credible,” I say. “You will have to fill in the rest of the pieces from there.”
“Just try your best. We have all day. Take your time.”
With a lump in my throat, I nod and say, “Yes sir.”  About the Author:  Amber has been writing for as long as she can remember. Yes, she knows how awful her fifth grade plays were, but she didn't care as long as she had to the power to explore her imagination in the darkest ways possible. She grew up in the south where she ate a lot of BBQ and spent too much time reading.  Some would argue that she was an odd child (and an even odder adult) With her morbid sense of humor, Amber has aimed to be as true to her writing as she can by exploring the darker sides of humankind. She loves psychological thrillers and offbeat plots. Her characters might be unlikeable. Her plots might take disturbing twists and turns, but she tries (as always) to explore the most tragic parts of life with as much humor as possible. 
 Her favorite authors are Gillian Flynn, Liane Moriarty, Tana French and Laura Lippman.  Her favorite movies are dark, suspenseful and (sometimes) romantic. Though she hates most romantic comedies, she absolutely loves (500) Days Of Summer, The Spectacular Now and The Fault In Our Stars. 
 Website: http://www.amberkaybooks.com/Twitter: @rozkae 
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