Chelsea O'Neal's Blog, page 5

Blood Chained by Eden Ashley

Blood Chained by Eden Ashley Publication date: November 18th 2014 Genres: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Sometimes great evil is necessary to keep what you love most.
After centuries on the run, Rhane can avoid justice no longer. Primes have called him home and now he must finally answer for the sins of his past. But the situation in Rhane’s homeland is far worse than anyone could have imagined, and the judgment Rhane faces is a brutal one. Even relying on the strength of the immortal Banewolf, the man he has become may not survive.
Kali and the other kin work tirelessly to secure Rhane’s freedom, but many obstacles stand in their way. Wesley offers a solution that hinges upon resuming a dangerous search for the Siren’s Heart. Trusting him, she and the kin set out once again to find the elusive artifact, believing Rhane and Warren’s freedom can be bartered in exchange for the statue. But other creatures are searching for the Heart. And with greater resources and a head start, their enemies may reach it first.


Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23352899-blood-chained
Purchase:Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-Chained-Dark-Siren-Book-ebook/dp/B00P872TGS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1415896328&sr=8-1&keywords=Blood+Chained+by+Eden+Ashley

Excerpt from Blood Chained

When another presence entered the locker room, Kali halted her pacing. “You’re late,” she said without turning around. He hadn’t made a sound, but somehow she felt him. That was happening a lot lately. “Sorry. But I seem to have my own classes to attend. And they’re across town, at the university.” Callan’s blue eyes seemed happy to see her. His voice was light and teasing, a stark contrast to the sharpness in hers. Scowling, he glanced around the small space that smelled of female hormones and sweat. “Tell me again why you insist on meeting here.”She folded her arms. “You know I can’t sneak away from the boys. It wouldn’t be fair to them. And it could be dangerous.”“Okay. I accept that.” He took a step closer. “But you can at least stop being so uptight.” He fingered a stray curl, only making her heart ache even more for Rhane. “Everyone is working together to keep you safe.”She didn’t move away. “I know.” “It’s always good to see you.” He came even closer, invading her intimate space as if it were his to claim. She could tell he was hungry to touch her, to be touched. To be used. She hated it when he got like this. He was a tool, an object of convenience. Nothing more could ever evolve of their situation. But sometimes, it was like Cal had forgotten the terms of their arrangement.Taking a seat on the bench put more distance between them. She hoped the move would help remove some of the heat from Cal’s eyes. Unfortunately, it also meant he now towered over her. The position of dominance only elevated the tension. She needed to change the subject. “Why are you attending classes? Surely, Gabriel the mastermind has better things to do than study English 101. Scheming for world conquest sounds more up his alley.” Cal smiled. “Oh he’s scheming alright.” He took a seat next to her, watching her face earnestly. “I still have a life of my own.”“No.” She closed her eyes. “You forfeited your life to Gabriel.”“I’m here now.”“And so is he. His fate is your fate. You can never be without him.” She didn’t understand how Cal failed to understand that.“We’ll have to agree to disagree, babe.” He reached for her, stopping when she pulled away. His brow wrinkled. “Are we doing this or not?”“You know I have to.”“Then stop being so cold.”“I don’t enjoy this.”“I think you do, sometimes.”A knife of pain stabbed into Kali’s chest and twisted. Was it guilt? Did Cal’s words hold some truth? She bit her lip. The hurt it brought grounded her thoughts to the task at hand. “Let’s get it over with.”Cal rolled his eyes. “That’s better.”She frowned. “This is strictly business.”“Right,” he agreed, but didn’t sound convinced. Kali didn’t care if he agreed. She only needed him for one thing. Still, his hands were eager as they beckoned her closer, held her so tenderly against him. His lips closed around her mouth, cool to the touch. He remembered well and sought to please her, stroking everywhere she liked. Her ears, the back of her neck, the swell of her breast—his gentle caresses found the most sensitive parts of her, coaxing Kali into heightened arousal. She had felt more with him than with any other before Rhane. But with Cal there was always darkness. Feeding from him left her with angry thoughts and violent urges almost too compelling to resist. Daily matches against the kin helped channel those powerful inclinations, giving her rage an outlet. But when Kali reached for his spark…this time things were different.Threads of light had woven into the darker pitch of his aura. Intense purples and royal blues replaced black and gray emptiness. Something had tempered the savage coldness, cultured his humanity. Cal was different. Nearly losing the moment when his hands slipped beneath her blouse, Kali redirected her focus. She had to take the necessary energy hard and fast. The more he touched her, the deeper he fell. The more things got confusing. She needed to get this over quickly for both their sakes. Pressing her hands on either side of his face, Kali drank deeply, urgently. Cal’s lips grew colder. His fingers chilled against her skin. Still, she drank. His spark dimmed and darkened, almost recoiling from her touch. But she pulled it back, sating her thirst. His fingers tightened, dug painfully into her skin. A tremor rippled through his body. Cal shuddered, sagged against her. Then she released him. Cal sat dazed for several long moments. Then his eyes cleared and he jerked as if suddenly emerging from deep sleep. He was panting as he stood up, wobbling unsteadily on his feet. “Shit, Kal.” He moved away from her, to the corner of the room. “Did you have to take so much?”“Sorry. The hunger is getting worse.”“I can’t say I haven’t noticed. What are we up to, twice a week now?”“Sometimes three.” Her reply was absent. She straightened her clothes, busy considering something weighing on her mind for a while now. “I need to figure out how to do this without making out with you. I’ve fed without intimacy once before. I know it’s possible.”“You don’t have to.” Though he still sounded a tad breathless, Cal moved close to her again. “I prefer things this way.”“And you know I don’t.” Hurt written plainly in his expression, she regretted her words. There was no sign of the arrogant and selfish boy she dated a year ago.“He left you, Kali.”“He’s coming back.” His fingers squeezed her wrist, and those piercing blue eyes locked onto hers. “But what if he doesn’t?”“Callan, don’t.” Fearing what holding that gaze would to do him, she pulled away to gather her things. It was time to go. But Cal wasn’t ready to leave yet. “If things were different…we could have a chance.” His face was hopeful, imploring for something Kali couldn’t give. “I can make you happy this time. I know it.”“I appreciate all you’ve done for me…everything you keep doing.” She averted her eyes, unable to look at him. It seemed that she was destined to hurt him. Her very design made it unavoidable. “But Rhane is my soul mate. I will find him. And I will bring him home.”
AUTHOR BIO: I'm Eden Ashley and I was born and raised in a small, sunny town in South Carolina. However, it's the thunderstorms that inspire my best ideas. There are few things I love more than curling up with a good book and a cup of coffee on a rainy day, (except maybe chocolate cake. I love cake.) often reading into the wee hours of morning when something really grabs me. I pretty much love anything with supernatural elements, so writing paranormal romance and fantasy romance seems to be a natural fit.

My first novel, Dark Siren, is best described as paranormal romance artfully wrapped within a plot chock-full of action, adventure, and edge-of-your-seat suspense, while the series has evolved to become a journey of redemption and second chances as two characters understand that sometimes committing evil is necessary to protect what is loved most. I took the siren from Greek mythology (and borrowed a little from mermaid lore), creating an entirely different creature, with its own mythology, and one that Publisher's Weekly praised for its passion and complexity. This is not just another werewolf/shapeshifter romance or vampire romance. I think this is a story that both adults and teens can enjoy, full of characters to fall in love with!

I love getting feedback! For the latest news on upcoming sequels and other novels, find me on my website:http://edenbynite.blogspot.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EdenAshleyAuthor
Twitter: Eden_byNite, for writing tips, publishing help, and daily updates.

Backstage by A.M. Madden

Title: BackstageSeries: Back-Up #4Author: A.M. MaddenRelease Date: October 27, 2014Genre: New Adult/Contemporary RomanceSynopsisTrey Taylor was loving life. Bass player to the world famous rock band Devil’s Lair, chicks falling to their knees at every turn, no one to be held accountable to for his actions…life rocked. He had all he needed, food to sustain his body, sex to sustain his libido, rock to sustain his soul. For years he walked to the beat of his own drum, and made no excuses to anyone. Running and hiding can temporarily distract your fate, but it won’t derail it. Fate was coming for him, whether he liked it or not. His past was gaining ground and threatening all the secrets he desperately tried to hide. His present was slowing him down, making him feel emotions he buried years ago. The two are about to collide. Will Trey survive the impact?
Buy LinksAmazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~ B&NBook Trailer About the Author Amazon Best Selling Author ~ A.M. Madden's debut series is The Back-Up Series Back-Up, Front & Center, Encore, and Backstage are all available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble and Smashwords. A.M. Madden is a wife, a mother, an avid reader of romance novels and now an author. In The Back-Up Series she aspired to create a fun, sexy, realistic romantic story. She wanted to create characters that the reader could relate to and feel as if they knew personally. A self-proclaimed hopeless romantic, she loves getting lost in a good book. She also uses every free moment of her time writing, while raising teenage boys.
Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Website ~ Goodreads ~ Amazon Author Page Purchase Her Box Set Today Amazon US ~ Amazon UK ~ Amazon CA ~ Amazon AU ~ B&NGiveaway$50 Amazon Gift Card, (2) Signed Paperback by A.M. Madden - Winner's Choice, (2) Swag Pack from A.M. Madden, and (5) ebook from A.M. Madden - Winner's Choicea Rafflecopter giveawayHosted by

Infernal Ice by Joceline Farrah

Infernal Ice by Joceline Farrah Publication date: December 18th 2014Genres: Erotica, Paranormal, Romance

Synopsis:
Beneath the sun kissed skies and the glamour of South Beach, Stygians and mortals co-exist under an uneasy alliance. Governed by strict rules known as Stygian protocol, they live by one most sacred and cardinal rule: Never comingle with mortals.
Grief stricken, caseworker Jessa Belle Jones loses herself in her job, after the love of her life, Scott Dempsey disappears without a trace. When her father announces her betrothal to Abbandon, the General of the Stygian Armies, Jessa-Belle turns to Havah, the Tinseller to thwart her father’s plan by finding her own Stygian noble to marry.
Wrought with vengeance, Stygian Raum Corvus, searches Miami Beach for retribution against the dark mage who took everything he’d cherished.
But when destiny links Raum’s path to Jessa’s plight, will fate keep them together or will Stygian conventions rip them apart?

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23382632-infernal-ice

Plight of the Highlander by Sky Purington+ Giveaway

Plight of the Highlander The MacLomain Series
Next Generation Book 5Sky Purington

Genre:  Time Travel Fantasy Romance
Date of Publication:   November14, 2014
ASIN: B00NXZZIM4
Number of pages:  274Word Count:  78,000
Cover Artist:  Tamra Westberry
Book Description: 
With the dragon blood of her Viking ancestors coursing through her veins, Torra MacLomain has long tried to keep her Scottish clan safe. But a ruthless enemy has been watching...waiting. As Keir Hamilton launches his plan to possess her, many secrets come to light including her passion for a certain highlander.
When Colin MacLeod's undying love for Torra is discovered, he's given an ultimatum. Watch his lass die a brutal death or defect from his clan to lead the Hamilton armies. Four winters later and in charge of Keir's warriors, Colin battles in an ongoing war against the MacLomains. Yet now the worst has come to pass. His ill-found chieftain has finally trapped Torra.
In a castle siege unlike any other and because of time travel, the modern day Brouns and medieval MacLomains join together in a final stand-off against their merciless enemy. Battles rage. Mysteries are revealed. Freedom is found. But most importantly, a love long repressed at last rises up determined to conquer all in Plight of the Highlander.
Available at Amazon  BN   Kobo  iTunes

Available NowMark of the Highlander (Book 1), Vow of the Highlander (Book 2), Wrath of the Highlander (Book 3) Faith of the Highlander (Book 4).
Also Available The MacLomain Series- Early Years (Books 1-3 available in a boxed set) The original MacLomain Series (Books 1-4 available in a boxed set)



Excerpt:
Colin reeled her in until she stood between his legs. He braced his hands on her hips, eyes penetrating as he said, “You keep secrets…even from me.”“Especially from you,” she whispered, voice failing when thickened with emotion. “‘Tis safer that way.”Colin’s face remained impassive and he clasped her hips a fraction tighter. “There is nothing safe about me not knowing what you intend. To keep me without knowledge only makes it more difficult for me to protect you.” Torra gently touched his cheek, thoughts once more on the eve before as she murmured, “There will be times that you cannae protect me, that I must fight battles on my own.” Unable to stop herself, she ran the pad of her thumb softly over his lower lip. “‘Tis all part of the fear that you help me face, aye?”Colin closed his eyes briefly before they narrowed on her once more and he shook his head sharply. “I cannae force words from your lips but know this, ‘twill be unforgivable if harm befalls you and I could not help because you shut me out.”Torra offered a small nod. What else could she do? Pain and frustration were clear enough in his eyes. That caused her grief as she thought about what he had done for her the previous night. What he had done to her. Not only his kiss but his touch had kindled a wide swath of sensations that swept her away in a rising tide of soul-deep need. She never imagined a simple kiss could feel so good. Now sampled, she wanted more. Far more. But it wasn’t just his lips she craved. Now she knew there was an indescribable pleasure to be found in his arms. Torra instinctually pulled away. But Colin didn’t let her get too far. His eyes flared and whipped down her body then back to her flushed face.When he stood she put up a hand and shook her head. On a heavy swallow she said, “Nay, ‘tis too soon. I need time to gain confidence.”Her words sounded like an excuse even to her own ears. Mayhap for all she thought this morn that she had come so far, she had not at all. Torra watched Colin internally fight his assertive nature. She knew full well he was tempted to pull her into his arms. Instead, he inhaled deeply and raked a hand through his hair. “Confidence will only be gained through repetition. ‘Tis what I tell my warriors,” he muttered under his breath and stalked into the adjoining chamber.“I am not one of your warriors,” she reminded, following, trying not to get aggravated.“Aye, but you are.” Colin’s regard swung her way as he poured two mugs of mead. “You are mine and you are a warrior.” He handed her a mug, eyes the hardest she’d ever seen them. “If you will not share your secrets then I will focus ever harder on those aspects of this war in which I can help.”She knew precisely what aspects those were. Torra set aside the mug and crossed her arms over her chest. “So you think to train me by seducing me?”“Aye, lass.” His lips quirked but his eyes remained mirthless. “Your greatest strength lies in the relationship you have with the dragon. To become the best warrior you can you must have full control over your other half.”It didn’t matter how much sense he made, his words irked her. But despite her rising temper, Torra was surprised to realize that not only his words but the stern way he looked at her ignited…desire? This time his lips didn’t quirk but curled up ever so slowly, well aware of both her mental and physical reaction.
About the Author:Sky Purington is the best-selling author of thirteen novels and several novellas. A New Englander born and bred, Sky was raised hearing stories of folklore, myth and legend. When combined with a love for nature, romance and time-travel, elements from the stories of her youth found release in her books.
Purington loves to hear from readers and can be contacted at Sky@SkyPurington.com
Interested in keeping up with Sky's latest news and releases? Visit Sky's website, http://www.skypurington.com to download her free App on iTunes and Android or sign up for her quarterly newsletter.
Love social networking? Find Sky on Facebook and Twitter.
Website:   www.skypurington.com
Blog:   www.skypurington.blogspot.com
Twitter:   www.twitter.com/skypurington
Facebook:   https://www.facebook.com/pages/Sky-Purington/260484263999780
Pinterest:   www.pinterest.com/skypurington


Tour giveaway
2- $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card (winner’s choice)

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Face To Face ( Deverell Series Book #2) by Susan Ward

Lady Meredith Ann Merrick must not weaken against the temptation of Varian. He will be her ruin. Varian Morgan cannot indulge his yearning for his beautiful hostage. This wayward sprite can only become his destruction. Captive of desire, Meredith is swept away to America and into the arms of a man she cannot resist. Will love be enough to overcome her doubts, as Varian’s mystery only becomes more mysterious? Can passion bind two people trapped by secrets and the past? When unexpected events send Meredith and Varian back to England, they are forced to share with each other the secrets each have been desperate to keep in hiding. Reeling in shock, their histories linked in ways neither could have ever imagined, Varian forces Meredith into a marriage of necessity instead of a union of love. Unable to resist Varian’s seductive hold over her, is it possible that their unrelenting and fiery passion can bring Meredith to forgive the man who shattered her heart?
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* SIGNED PAPERBCK OF WHEN THE PERFECT COMES & FACE TO FACE BY SUSAN WARD*
*Click Here to Enter* I'm addicted to writing. I've written 26 romance novels in 25 years, but I just started releasing them in May 2014 because frankly there are some things inside them I wasn't sure I wanted my daughters to read. The nest is empty, my girls all grown, so now I'm letting loose. I believe in the adage; Don't judge a book by it's cover! Definitely the case with The Girl on the Half Shell. Perfect looking lives are not perfect. We all have our own challenges to overcome! It's a theme in the books I've written and I cover a wide range of contemporary issues in stories ranging from raw and steamy, to gut wrenching, to happy happily ever after. My first release The Girl on the Half Shell is my most intense novel, the first in the Half Shell Series and the one I had to wait until I had no kids at home to release. My Perfect Forever Series is definitely happy happily ever after! The first in this line of books was released June 2014 with The Signature.
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War-N-Wit, Inc. by Gail Roughton + Giveaway

Witch ResurrectedWar-N-Wit, Inc. Book 1Gail Roughton
Genre:  Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Publisher:  Books We  Love, Ltd.
Date of Publication:  September 21, 2014
ISBN:         978-1-77145-314-1ASIN: B00NSY9NZ8
Number of pages:192Word Count: 63,858
Cover Artist:  Michelle Lee

Book Description:        
Ariel Anson thinks she has her life in order. She’s young, smart, and beautiful, even if she doesn’t believe the beautiful part. She’s a paralegal with a great career and a fiancé who’s a CPA. You just can’t get any steadier than that. Then she meets private investigator, bounty hunter, process server Chad Garrett.
What does War-N-Wit, Inc. stand for anyway?
Warlock and Witch? For real? Oh, yes! For real.
Her life as she knows it is over! Instead of organizing corporate documents and pleadings, she’s chasing bail jumpers and taking down serial killers. And investigating secret societies. Like Resurrection.
Not everyone can join, just the elite few who remember their past lives. Only the Seer knows if those memories are truth or fabrication. There’s just one problem. The new Seer is missing in action. War-N-Wit’s new assignment is a blast from the past! But whose past?
Available at Amazon
Mean StreetsWar-N-Wit, Inc. Book 2Gail Roughton
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Publisher:         Books We Love, Ltd.Date of Publication: October 17, 2014
ASIN: B00NT22DXI
Number of pages:194Word Count: 58,274
Cover Artist: Michelle Lee

Book Description:
Daytona Bike Week. Biker’s paradise. The perfect place for Chad and Ariel Garrett to take a few days off and relax with Chad’s buddy Spike and Ariel’s little sister Stacy.
But nothing ever goes as planned with that magical duo. Trouble just stalks them like a black cat. A missing agent riding with an outlaw biker gang, a call from Chad’s past, and War-N-Wit, Inc.’s riding again, with romance blooming in the midst of danger. From Daytona, the crew heads back to Vegas and another family wedding. Spike and Stacy are ready to say “I do!” In the Tunnel of Love Drive-Thru at the Little White Wedding Chapel in Vegas, of course. It’s become a family tradition.
But what’s supposed to happen in Vegas just refuses to stay in Vegas. And you’re not going to believe this side-trip!
Available at Amazon



About the Author:
Gail Roughton is a native of small town Georgia whose Deep South heritage features prominently in much of her work. She’s worked in a law office for close to forty years, during which time she’s raised three children and quite a few attorneys. She’s kept herself more or less sane by writing novels and tossing the completed manuscripts into her closet.
A cross-genre writer, she’s produced books ranging from humor to romance to thriller to horror and is never quite sure herself what to expect when she sits down at the keyboard. Now multi-published by Books We Love, Ltd., her credits include the War-N-Wit, Inc. series, The Color of Seven, Vanished, and Country Justice. Currently, she’s working on Black Turkey Walk, the second in the Country Justice series, as well as the Sisters of Prophecy series, co-written with Jude Pittman.
Another War-N-Wit plot always seems to be brewing on the back burner, too, whether she’s actually trying to brew one or not, and usually boils quicker when she’s trying not to brew one at all. 

Amazon Page: http://amzn.com/e/B007JVZCKQ
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/GailRoughton
Web-Blog: www.gailroughton.blogspot.com
Books We Love, Ltd. http://bookswelove.net/roughton.php
Twitter: @GailRoughton




~*Tour giveaway*~

5 print copies of Witch Resurrected

Good Girls Don't by Rosalie Lario

Good Girls Don'tby Rosalie Lario Everly Brothers #2
Publication Date: November 17, 2014
Also in this series: Wild Girls Rule
Genres: Contemporary, Romance


Synopsis:Good girls don’t do one-night stands… If there’s one thing Lyssa Rivera knows, it’s that good girls don’t do one-night stands. But it only takes a few hours in the company of sexy businessman, James Everly, to change her mind. All she wants is a night of sin with the man who’s admittedly way out of her league. Then she can go back to being painfully, boringly good. James Everly doesn’t do relationships, not after the horrible example set by his parents. When he meets a luscious, irresistible woman at his favorite bar, he’s more than ready to show her a night of ecstasy, but that’s all it could ever be. He certainly never plans on seeing her again. Yet when he shows up at his meeting the next morning to woo a venture capitalist, he’s shocked to find his competition is the very woman whose bed he just left. James knows he should stay away. He’s no good at long term, and that’s what a woman like Lyssa deserves. But as the two vie for the investor’s attention, he finds himself struggling to choose between the family business and the woman whose touch makes him burn with desire.
About the Author Rosalie Lario is the author of the contemporary romance series, THE EVERLY BROTHERS, as well as the paranormal romance series, DEMONS OF INFERNUM and THE FALLEN WARRIORS. Rosalie double majored in Anthropology and Classics as an undergraduate student, and briefly considered becoming an archaeologist before realizing they don't actually live the life of Indiana Jones. So what was a classical geek armed with a lot of useless knowledge to do? Become a lawyer, of course!After attending law school in Florida, she practiced real estate law for several years before finally admitting to herself that negotiating contracts wasn't nearly as fun as dreaming up stories. When not writing, you can find her on a boat somewhere along South Florida's waterways, chasing down a rainbow or pretending to be a pirate.Website • Blog • Twitter • Facebook • Goodreads
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King Arthur's Sister in Washington's Court by Kim Headlee

BOOK INFORMATIONTITLE – King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court AUTHOR – Kim Iverson Headlee GENRE – Science Fiction/Fantasy Time-Travel Romance PUBLICATION DATES: – 1 November 2014 (ebook, illustrated) – February 2015 (audiobook, performed by Caprisha Page) – November 2015 (hardcover, featuring more than 100 illustrations) LENTH (Pages/# Words) – (350 pages/70K words) PUBLISHER – Lucky Bat Books COVER ARTIST – Jennifer Doneske ILLUSTRATORS – Jennifer “The Royal Portraitist” Doneske and Tom “The Creature King” Doneske
  BOOK BLURBMorgan le Fay, 6th-century Queen of Gore and the only major character not killed off by Mark Twain in A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur’s Court, vows revenge upon the Yankee Hank Morgan. She casts a spell to take her to 1879 Connecticut so she may waylay Sir Boss before he can travel back in time to destroy her world. But the spell misses by 300 miles and 200 years, landing her in the Washington, D.C., of 2079, replete with flying limousines, hovering office buildings, virtual-reality television, and sundry other technological marvels.Whatever is a time-displaced queen of magic and minions to do? Why, rebuild her kingdom, of course—two kingdoms, in fact: as Campaign Boss for the reelection of American President Malory Beckham Hinton, and as owner of the London Knights world-champion baseball franchise.Written as though by the old master himself, King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court by Mark Twain as channeled by Kim Iverson Headlee offers laughs, love, and a candid look at American society, popular culture, politics, baseball...and the human heart.BUY & TBR LINKSAMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK – BARNES & NOBLES NOOK – ITUNES – KOBO –  SMASHWORDS  
EXCERPT
Chapter XI: The Queen in Search of a Baseball Club 
CLARICE HELPED ME pack my clothing and accessories for the relocation to London: just what I would need for the first brace of weeks, which amounted to eight large traveling cases, one of which was devoted to my hair accoutrements and cosmetics. Not long after arriving in this century, Clarice had introduced me to these wonderful products, which allowed me to create the same visual effect as I had done for decades with the aid of magic; now you sit privy to the secret of how I could cast ever so many enchantments for President Malory and remain looking as glorious as ever.
While I was yet sorting through my garments deciding which to bring and which to leave, my thoughts turned toward a leaving of another sort. I must have appeared sorrowful, for of a sudden Clarice asked if aught ailed me.
“I shall miss you, Clarice, when I get to London.” Since that answer represented only half the truth, I hurried on with: “And yet I know that you shall perform your duties in continuing to oversee my office here in Washington to the utmost of your considerable abilities.”
That made her smile, and she thanked me for the compliment, but her look turned shrewd. “I imagine you’ll miss President Hinton, too.”
“Of course I shall. She has become as a sister to me.”
I resumed examination of the dress I had been holding, a sexy little black thing that I would have loved to have worn only for Accolon…
“Please tell me about him,” said Clarice.
“I beg your pardon?”
The shrewd look was back. Mayhap it had never left. “Sir Accolon. Queen Morgan, you have not—um, partnered with any man of this century more often than once to my certain knowledge, since I manage your schedule. I suspect that you have not yet found anyone you like, let alone love, as well as he. No one of this era could make you go all moony-eyed while looking at a dress; therefore, you must be thinking about Accolon. So, please tell me about him.”
Ha. I knew I had chosen her as my trusted adviser for good reason, and I rewarded her accordingly. As the memories swirled about in my mind, making me yearn even more acutely for Accolon’s company, I said:
“He was a knight with very few peers during his lifetime, excepting only Sir Launcelot and Sir Gawaine. And my brother—those three were the only knights who ever bested him in single combat. So naturally, he was big—in all parts and portions—and muscular, and very strong, yet as a lover he was no brute, but as tender as any virgin maid could ever wish for. His intellect was nearly as keen as mine, as was his eagerness to assist me in righting the wrongs inflicted upon me by my brother. He had hair as glossy black as a raven’s wing, which he kept short-cropped in the old Roman style; he once said it was more comfortable under the helmet than having masses of hair stuffed up under and making the head sweat overmuch. It had a fine curl to it that I found most endearing. His eyes were an unforgettable shade of blue, and he had a strong chin that he kept clean-shaven…Lord God in heaven! Who on earth is that?”
While I had been discoursing on Accolon’s virtues, Clarice had activated her screen, which was now displaying the image of a man who could have been my dead lover’s twin.
Clarice grinned. “You said the other day that you wanted to find another general manager for the Knights. This man is Alexander Leroy ‘Sandy’ Carter, former WBF second baseman and 2073 Tournament MVP for the Connecticut Yankees. Since his retirement as a player, he has served in various capacities for several teams, including as a GM. He is a renowned expert in all matters baseball.”
In any era, when something—or someone—sounds too good to be true, it—or he—usually is. I asked, “If he is so valuable, then why does he not stay with one team?”
A look of chagrin crossed her countenance. “Sandy Carter is what we call a ‘loose cannon.’ He can be temperamental and wild, and he gets into fights with players and coaches and…sometimes even with his bosses. And not just verbal fights, either. Usually his points are quite valid, but his means of expressing them don’t earn him any friends.”
In a word, then, passionate. Passionate men I understood and could work with. It had been thus with Accolon at the start of our association, and look at all I had been able to accomplish with him. Everything I had ever desired, except King Arthur’s throne.
Wit I well that lying and gullibility were two facets of human nature that had not changed in the last fifteen centuries and shall not change in the next fifteen, either. I had learned this while trying to evaluate potential new Knights for the team. Everyone speaks glowingly of his accomplishments and accolades; no one ever mentions his flaws or mistakes or regrets unless a wise employer chooses to ask specific questions of this ilk. Yet Clarice had offered the bad along with the good of this man. Still, I would be forced as a point of honor to relinquish my coveted title of The Wise if I accepted her words at face value; upon turning the thought-receptors toward me, I soon verified everything she had told me about this volatile man.
I asked, “Is Sandy Carter available now?”
Clarice’s grin returned. “For the right price, Queen Morgan, anyone is.”
It took only one call, and Sandy Carter expressed exceeding pleasure and eagerness to accompany me to London as general manager of the Knights. The fact that I had worn the sexy black number during the call saved the team quite a sum with regard to Carter’s agreed-upon salary.
Neither as queen nor as ball club owner do I ever make idle promises.


AUTHOR BIO Kim Headlee lives on a farm in southwestern Virginia with her family, cats, goats, and assorted wildlife. People & creatures come and go, but the cave and the 250-year-old house ruins -- the latter having been occupied as recently as the mid-20th century -- seem to be sticking around for a while yet. Kim is a Seattle native (when she used to live in the Metro DC area, she loved telling people she was from "the other Washington") and a direct descendent of 20th-century Russian nobility. Her grandmother was a childhood friend of the doomed Grand Duchess Anastasia, and the romantic yet tragic story of how Lydia escaped Communist Russia with the aid of her American husband will most certainly one day fuel one of Kim's novels. Another novel in the queue will involve her husband's ancestor, the 7th-century proto-Viking king of the Swedish colony in Russia. For the time being, however, Kim has plenty of work to do in creating her projected 8-book Arthurian series, The Dragon's Dove Chronicles, and other novels under her new imprint, Pendragon Cove Press. She also writes romantic historical fiction under the pseudonym "Kimberly Iverson."YouTube video interview: http://youtu.be/DV5iKrEIROk
FOLLOW KIMAMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER – GOOGLE+ - PINTEREST – GOODREADS – LINKEDIN – YOUTUBE CHANNELGIVEAWAY PRIZES10 e-copies of King Arthur’s Sister in Washington’s Court a Rafflecopter giveaway
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A Very Merry Hockey Holiday by Toni Aleo

Release: December 10th 2014An Assassins Novella (#5.5)

About the book...

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas – with eight stories featuring your most beloved characters and their families – it’s time to get comfy with a cup of hot cocoa and take a sneak peek at the holidays, Assassins’ style.

Join Lucas and Fallon along Tate and Audrey as they await life-changing gifts; Erik and Piper, and Phillip and Reece who have decisions to make that could lead to exciting developments ahead in their lives; and Claire as she makes a Christmas wish and choices for her future. Spend Christmas morning with the Adler family and see what the New Year has in store for Karson and Lacey, as well as Kacey King. The King family faces significant changes and resolutions that will leave readers alternately cheering and maybe a little heavy-hearted…all wrapped up in a big bow.

Join in on the holiday cheer and see who’s been naughty or nice in New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author Toni Aleo’s novella – A Very Merry Hockey Holiday.

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Toni Aleo is the author of the Nasvhille Assassins series: Taking Shots, Trying to Score, Empty Net, Falling for the Backup, and Blue Lines.When not rooting for her beloved Nashville Predators, she’s probably going to her husband’s and son’s hockey games and her daughter’s dance competitions, taking pictures, scrapbooking, or reading the latest romance novel.She lives in the Nashville area with her husband, two children, and a bulldog. Read more about Toni here.

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Jaded Little Lies by Christina Channelle

Jaded Little Lies by Christina Channelle(Four Letters, #1)Publication date: April 2015Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:
What do you do when the love of your life is halfway across the world?
If you’re Jade Reamer, you fill that void with writing depressing song lyrics, hanging out with asshole exes, and re-reading your dead best friend’s diary (morbid, anyone?). But she’s got a lot to deal with—getting to know her biological family, for one. Not to mention getting through her first year of university without her best friend, Nina, by her side.
Then there are the men in Jade’s life. Her ex, Connor, has baggage coming out of his ass since the car accident. Her brother, Bryn, thinks stifling who he really is while pretending everything’s okay … is okay. When that’s far from the truth. And Reed? Reed decides the best way for Jade to deal with his absence is to get her a dog. And when he finally comes back?
Well, things aren’t exactly the same.
Deciphering between love and hate is the least of Jade’s problems … those four letter words  are getting more and more complicated. Especially when she and Reed are keeping secrets from each other. Because as she forms new relationships and rekindles old ones, an unexpected surprise has got Jade’s mouth spewing lies on top of the usual curse words.
But little white lies won’t hurt anybody, right?
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18707455-jaded-little-lies?ac=1

AUTHOR BIO:A dreamer, Christina Channelle holds two degrees in health sciences but has always had a passion for writing. You will find her reading other young adult novels, or concocting a new story on her computer. A TV junkie, she has a close relationship to many characters, both fictional and real. Christina may or may not have an addiction to sushi and coffee. She resides in Ontario, Canada.
Author Links:http://christinachannelle.com/https://www.facebook.com/ChristinaChannellehttps://twitter.com/channellewriteshttps://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6862036.Christina_Channelle

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