Holly Kelly's Blog, page 2

Now Available in Print: If He's Watching by Laney Wylde

Today the third book in the AFTER TWELVE series by Laney Wylde—IF HE'S WATCHING—is now available in print! Perfect for fans of television shows like REVENGE, SCANDAL, and VERONICA MARS, the AFTER TWELVE Series is a gritty social-issue drama that delivers steamy romance, intrigue, and the most bittersweet revenge plots.  Estlyn's determination to right every wrong is sure to quench your thirst for justice, yet leave you wanting more. Head on over to Amazon and grab a copy of this thrilling novel!

NOW AVAILABLE IN PRINT!
PURCHASE IF SHE PLAYS HIS GAME ON AMAZON

AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE If He's Watching
Laney Wylde
(The After Twelve, #3)
Published by: Crimson Tree Publishing
Print Release Date: 7/29/19
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, ThrillerTrust is a currency she can't afford to spend.Dark and seductive, If He's Watching is the second book in the thrilling new adult series After Twelve by author Laney Wylde.
James Sterling doesn't know the first thing about After Twelve, but he's heard the rumors--and if Estlyn can take down a district attorney in grand fashion--well, that's exactly the type of service he's looking for.
The way James reaches out to Estlyn sets off alarm bells, but she's strapped for cash, so she agrees to a meeting. At first, it sounds like the perfect After Twelve case, and there's something magnetic about James that Estlyn feels instantly--but the means to his end are so deplorable Estlyn can't even touch the case. The only problem is that James isn't the type of guy to take no for an answer--and those closest to her may pay the price.
Novels inThe After Twelve Series by Laney Wylde:
If She Were Blind If She Plays His Game If He's Watching GRAB THE FIRST AFTER TWELVE BOOK IN PRINT!
Purchase the first book IF SHE WERE BLIND in print today!



If She Were Blind
Laney Wylde
(The After Twelve, #1)
Published by: Crimson Tree Publishing
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, Thriller

When the courtroom fails, lawyer Estlyn Collins delivers justice outside the legal system. She refuses to rely on others— but when a sinister figure from her past comes back to haunt her, she’ll have to put her trust in someone new… A smart, sexy read!



ABOUT LANEY WYLDE:


Laney Wylde is enamored with all things southern California––the traffic, smog, surprise earthquakes, and nonindigenous palm trees. Consequently, it’s the landscape her strong and sometimes lovable female leads paint their stories on. Her New Adult novels Never Touched and the After Twelve series are bright with provocative themes, steamy romance, and inappropriately timed humor.

When Laney isn’t writing, she’s singing Taylor Swift with her little boy or asking her husband not to tell her about his work as a surgical resident while she’s eating. She daydreams about using her math degree to get into law school, then realizes that would be too much work and that she should just play pretend court on paper instead. While she loves a good book, nothing beats 30 Rock with a bag of popcorn and M&Ms.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Barely Alive: A New Look and A New Book!

A New Look and A New Book!  Clean Teen Publishing is pleased to share the official cover reveal for BARELY ALIVE by Melissa Woods. This third book in an all new zombie romance adventure series is a must-read! Fans of Young Adult and paranormal romance are loving this series. Readers are saying that this series is one of the best apocalypse adventure series all year! Even if you don't like zombies, this is still the book for you! Check out the new cover for book three in the series below. Also, if you haven't given it a read, be sure to grab the first novel. It's currently free in digital format for a limited time!
COVER REVEAL: BARELY ALIVE by Melissa Woods AVAILABLE AUGUST 5, 2019Pre-Order Today! AMAZON / NOOK / iBOOKS / KOBO / SMASHWORDS / GOOGLEPLAY She’s half-dead, half-alive—and fully stressed out. Violet has survived a year of the zompocalypse. Now, she’s living in a community called Harmony while trying to piece her life back together following the loss of one of her closest friends. But things in Harmony are not always as they seem, and Violet's world—as usual—becomes more complicated than she ever could have anticipated.
READ THE FIRST BOOK FOR FREE!

Alive?
Melissa Woods
(The Alive? Series, #1)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Genres: Post-Apocalyptic, Science Fiction, Young Adult, Zombies, Romance, Adventure Series

Everyone knows the first rule of the zombie apocalypse: Don’t. Get. Bitten.
Too bad Violet has never been great at following the rules. Walking home after a night of partying, she manages to let one of the Dead take a chunk out of her only hours after they’ve begun walking again. Fortunately for Violet, she doesn’t die. Unfortunately for Violet—she’s not exactly alive, either.
Violet’s body is undergoing changes, and suddenly the taste of human flesh is not as revolting as it once sounded. Controlling her new urges will be hard. Living with survivors who have no idea will be even harder. And the real zombies? They still want to eat her, too…
Surviving the zompocalypse is tricky when you play for both teams.
New from author Melissa Woods, Alive? is a heart-pounding adventure with suspenseful plot twists, complex characters, and a dash of dark humor. Gritty and raw, Alive? is sure to keep you guessing, and will delight zombie apocalypse fans everywhere.

DOWNLOAD FOR FREE TODAY AT: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / GooglePlay ABOUT AUTHOR MELISSA WOODS:

Writer, primary school teacher, zompocalyptic obsessive.
Melissa Woods is the author of 'Alive?', a young adult zombie adventure story, set for release on October 30th 2018.
When she's not writing or teaching, Melissa can usually be found walking her three dogs, playing video games, or, occasionally, spending time with her husband.
Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads

New Release: The Apatura Iris by Jon Messenger

Jon Messenger's fourth novel in his MAGIC & MACHINERY series is finally here! Today we're excited to share the official release of THE APATURA IRIS, the fourth MAGIC & MACHINERY NOVEL. Grab your copy of THE APATURA IRIS today!

If you've somehow missed hearing about the first three books in Messenger's series, now's the time to dive right in since the first novel in the Magic & Machinery Series— Wolves of the Northern Rift — is currently free for a limited time! Not sure if this series is right for you? Fans are calling this series, "Sherlock Holmes meets Steampunk." If you like mysteries, magic, steampunk, science fiction, fantasy, adventure, shifter novels, vampires, READING, and more— start reading this series today!

NOW AVAILABLE - THE APATURA IRIS by Jon Messenger

RELEASE DATE: JULY 1, 2019 (AVAILABLE NOW)
Magic is an abomination—one that has grown tired of being hunted. The Inquisitors have hunted magical creatures for a dozen years, striking fear into those that dare escape the Rift. But now, in the swamps in Northern Ocker, a new evil is rising—one that's not afraid of Inquisitors. Simon and Luthor must hunt this new evil into the very house of madness. And the madness seems to be catching…

READ TODAY! AMAZON / iBOOKS / KOBO / GOOGLEPLAY/ NOOK / SMASHWORDS
START READING THIS SERIES TODAY FOR FREE:


AMAZON / NOOK / KOBO / iBOOKS / SMASHWORDS
In a world of science, magic is an abomination.

Magic is an abomination. It spread from the Rift, a great chasm hundreds of miles long that nearly split the southern continent in two. The Rift was a portal, a gateway between their world of science and the mythological world of magic.

On the northern continent of Ocker, King Godwin declared that no magical monstrosity would be allowed within their borders. The Royal Inquisitors were formed to investigate reports of mystical occurrences and, should they be found, to destroy them.

Inquisitor Simon Whitlock knows his responsibilities all too well. Along with the apothecary, Luthor Strong, they’ve spent two years inquiring into such reports of magical abominations, though they’ve discovered far more charlatans than true magical creatures. When assigned to investigate Haversham and its reports of werewolves, Simon remains unconvinced that the rumors are true. What he discovers in the frozen little hamlet is that the werewolves are far more real than he believed; yet they’re hardly the most dangerous monster in the city.

ABOUT JON MESSENGER:
WEBSITE / FACEBOOK / TWITTER


Jon Messenger (Born 1979 in London, England) serves as an United States Army Major in the Medical Service Corps.  Since graduating from the University of Southern California in 2002, writing Science Fiction has remained his passion, a passion that has continued through two deployments to Iraq and a humanitarian relief mission to Haiti.  Jon wrote the "Brink of Distinction" trilogy, of which "Burden of Sisyphus" is the first book, while serving a 16-month deployment in Baghdad, Iraq.

Jon Messenger is the author of The World Aflame Series, The Brink of Distinction Series and The Magic & Machinery Series.

Cover Reveal: When Light Shatters by Laney Wylde

Crimson Tree Publishing is excited to share the official cover reveal of a new stand alone coming of age romance from Laney Wylde. Her new novel—When Light Shatters— is scheduled to release on August 26, 2019. We invite you to check out this gorgeous new cover and to pre-order this novel at the low price of $3.99*.

(* Pre-order price is subject to change and may increase as the release date approaches.)
COMING SOON! AUGUST 26, 2019


Pre-Order Today: AMAZON / NOOK / iBOOKS
(More retailers coming soon!)
Harlow's parents are dead. So is her brother. So is Tenley.
Probably.
Hopefully.
She's like… ninety-five percent sure about that last one.
Seventeen and orphaned, Harlow is eager to leave her past behind when she moves in with her guardians. But in her new environment, she's drawn to Brighton, a senior in her art class who is haunted by ghosts similar to her own. It's not long before Harlow realizes their friendship has turned into something deeper—something that Brighton would have to sacrifice everything to pursue.
And Brighton does.
Their secret romance is perfect…until the precarious life Harlow has built crumbles beneath her. In the collapse, they both come face to face with Tenley.
Who, it turns out, is far from dead.
Perfect for fans of The Kiss Thief and The Book of Essie, Laney Wylde's coming-of-age, bisexual romance When Light Shatters is a heady and gripping read. With a touch of irreverence and suspense, Wylde's most vulnerable work yet will keep you guessing from the first page to the last.

ABOUT LANEY WYLDE:


Laney Wylde is enamored with all things southern California––the traffic, smog, surprise earthquakes, and nonindigenous palm trees. Consequently, it’s the landscape her strong and sometimes lovable female leads paint their stories on. Her New Adult novels Never Touched and the After Twelve series are bright with provocative themes, steamy romance, and inappropriately timed humor.

When Laney isn’t writing, she’s singing Taylor Swift with her little boy or asking her husband not to tell her about his work as a surgical resident while she’s eating. She daydreams about using her math degree to get into law school, then realizes that would be too much work and that she should just play pretend court on paper instead. While she loves a good book, nothing beats 30 Rock with a bag of popcorn and M&Ms.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Never Forgotten Anniversary!

As a thank you, Kelly wants to give something back and share her happiness with all of you. For the month of July, she is offering an anniversary promotion: purchase any book in the series (with the exception of the free e-book of Never Forgotten), complete the online form with your uploaded proof of purchase, and receive a signed paperback (first 75 submissions; U.S. only) or a limited edition swag pack (next 200 submissions, open internationally).

Never Forgotten 5-year anniversary celebrationFive years ago, Kelly realized her dream of becoming a published author with Never Forgotten. She never imagined that first book would lead to three more and a complete series. She will be forever grateful to Clean Teen Publishing for taking a chance on an unknown writer, to her readers for loving Meara, Evan, Kieran and the full cast of characters that are so dear to her heart, and to the book community for supporting and promoting her work.
Entry form: ENTER HERE About Never Forgotten

"NEVER FORGOTTEN is a sweet romance with a paranormal twist!" ~InD'Tale Magazine
"Look out Hunger Games and Divergent, a new star is coming and will need a place at the top." ~ Savannah E. from Readers' Favorite

USA BEST BOOK AWARDS AND INTERNATIONAL BOOK AWARDS FINALIST
Meara Quinn is about to find out there are worse things than moving to a tiny oceanside town before her senior year. Like discovering there's a secret being kept from her and knowing it's a life-changer.
After experiencing vivid visions of her absentee father, Meara decides she deserves answers. With the help of her new friend Evan, a guy she happens to be falling for, she embarks on a journey in the hopes of unlocking family history and finding her true self. But when she meets a handsome stranger at a local club who knows far more about her than he should, her world is again shaken. In him, Meara may have uncovered the key to the very secret that will reveal not only who she is... but what she is.
GOODREADS PINTEREST INSPIRATION BOARDSTART READING FOR FREE IN DIGITAL FORMAT:AMAZON iBOOKSNOOKSMASHWORDSAbout Kelly Risser
Kelly Risser always knew what she wanted to be when she grew up. Unfortunately, Fairytale Princess was not a lucrative career. Leaving the castle and wand behind, she entered the business world and fits creative writing into the evenings and weekends.

Never Forgotten is her first complete series, and she has short stories in several anthologies. In addition, Kelly is a member of the Ferocious 5, who wrote Fractured Glass, 7: The Seven Deadly Sins, and War & Pieces: Frayed Fairy Tales.

Kelly lives in Wisconsin with her husband, two children, Clyde the Whoodle and a school of fish. Visit her at http://www.kellyrisser.com/.

Cover Reveal: The Temple Twins by Emily Shore

It's true, we're a bit obsessed with these covers from Emily Shore's UNCAGED SERIES. That's why we're happy to share the cover reveal for the fourth novel in the series— THE TEMPLE TWINS. This series debuted March 25, 2019 on retail shelves and in online retailers. THE AVIARY— the first novel in the series— hit #1 on multiple best-seller lists and has already struck a chord with readers around the world.

Readers are calling THE UNCAGED SERIES—“A breath of fresh air;” “Beautiful and Frightening;” and “Captivating, haunting, and unapologetically honest.”

A SERIES THAT SUPPORTS A CAUSE.THE UNCAGED SERIES, and the story behind it is very important to both the author Emily Shore and our team at Clean Teen Publishing. In addition to being an author, Emily Shore is an Anti-Trafficking speaker who is dedicated to spreading awareness of the very real crime industry of human trafficking and sex slavery. Emily Shore has committed to donating a percentage of her sales income towards Women At Risk, International— a rescue organization who help survivors of sex trafficking and who help spread awareness of the reality that is happening across the world and in most of our hometowns. Our team at Clean Teen Publishing is dedicated to matching Shore's donation of the first 30-day's worth of sales for each of her novels. As many are aware, the first 30-days of a novel launch is usually when the most visibility happens and when the bulk of a book's sales happens. Since we want to make this a huge donation, we're releasing this series in rapid succession between now and May 6, 2019, PLUS, we decided to offer THE AVIARY— book one—for FREE for a limited time. Our goal in offering book one for FREE, is to maximize the first 30-days worth of sales for each of the subsequent releases because we want to write a BIG check. So while you're checking out this newest cover in the series below, please consider downloading THE AVIARY by Emily Shore for FREE, which we hope will win you over to purchasing the subsequent novels within the series during the first 30-days of each of their releases. If you'd like to learn more about Women At Risk, International, you can visit their website here.
COVER REVEAL: THE TEMPLE TWINS
The Temple Twins by Emily Shore will release on May 6, 2019.



FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!




THE AVIARY by Emily Shore
(The Uncaged Series, #1)

Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Genres: Dystopian, Young Adult

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play
“Gentlemen, we have a special treat for you today. Feast your eyes on this pure-blooded beauty!”

Sixteen-year-old Serenity has spent her entire life in hiding to protect her from this exact moment. In a world where beauty is bought and sold on the streets like a corporate commodity, Serenity’s natural assets are more like liabilities. Despite her parents’ best efforts, she’s been taken—ripped from her home and the only life she’s ever known—to find herself on sale to the highest bidder. And that bidder? Enigmatic and dangerous, Luc is the director of The Aviary—an elite museum where girls are displayed as living art by day…and cater to the lascivious whims of the highest bidder by night. In this elaborate and competitive world, girls go by names like Raven and Nightingale, and will stop at nothing to become top Bird.

Luc comes to idolize Serenity’s purity and aims to turn her into his grandest exhibit of all time—The Swan. In no time, she becomes one of the most coveted exhibits in Aviary history. When she discovers Luc holds the key to finding her parents, she must learn to play The Swan to perfection…to win his heart and earn his trust. But she doesn’t anticipate falling for him in the process. Now she faces an impossible choice: escape The Aviary and lose her only chance at finding her parents—or become Luc’s Swan for good and lose her identity forever.

The Jewel by Amy Ewing meets Tricks by Ellen Hopkins in this gritty Young Adult Dystopian that tells of a fear-inducing future where the world of sex trafficking has become a social norm and where woman aren’t treated as humans and are no safer than they were than they were in The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.

Novels in THE UNCAGED SERIES by Emily Shore include:
- THE AVIARY (Available Now) FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME!
- THE GARDEN (April 8, 2019) ON SALE FOR $3.99!
- THE TEMPLE (April 22, 2019)
- THE TEMPLE TWINS (May 6, 2019)

Content Note: The Uncaged Series raises awareness to the effects of sex-trafficking in the commercialized sex industry. Series inspired by real world truths from survivors and rescue workers

READ THE AVIARY FOR FREE HERE:
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

“The Aviary is a chilling and beautiful depiction of a dystopian world where women are bought and sold as trinkets, unable to control their own bodies. It’s the kind of book you must read and share with others, a cautionary tale to inoculate us against a future that seems all too real.”
~Author Katie French

Author Bio:

Emily Shore is a MN author with a B.A. in Creative Writing from Metro State University and was a grand prize winner of #PitchtoPublication, which led her to working with professionals in the publishing industry. She is signed with Clean Teen Publishing for her anti-trafficking dystopian The Aviary, first in the Uncaged Series. For every sale, proceeds return to trafficking rescue and to Emily and her husband's international adoption fund.

Throughout the years, Emily has connected with rescue organizations and survivors of sex-trafficking and injects the truths she's learned into her books for youth. She loves motivational speaking on the issue of sex-trafficking and always hopes for more speaking events in schools, churches, and libraries. Please contact her on her website if you are interested in hearing her speak.

Emily lives in Saint Paul with her husband and two daughters. They are currently in the process of adopting a little girl from India.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Please consider sharing this announcement. A simple forward, Facebook share, Tweet, etc. can help us bring awareness to both this series and the important cause that a portion of the series sales will be donated to.
~Thank you from Emily Shore and the Clean Teen Publishing Team

Cover Reveal: Defy the Stars by Susan Harris

COVER REVEAL; SERIES SALEFans are already falling in love with Susan Harris' new Romeo and Juliet retelling series titled DEFY THE STARS. This series published by CTP Pulse— also known as a pro binge-reading imprint— launched the first title on March 25, 2019, with book two releasing this coming Monday, and this third and final book releasing on May 7, 2019. What better way to kick off Spring than by jumping into an all new series that's coined to be—

“The magical Romeo and Juliet reimagining you didn’t know you needed” by Melanie with Melanie’s Muses.

Check out this fun cover reveal announcement in the video below from Melanie’s Muses, and then grab yourself a copy of the first book— A TALE OF TWO HOUSES by Susan Harris— and while you're at it, go ahead and pre-order book two— UNTIL DEATH DO US PART— as well so you can enjoy it first thing Monday morning! Happy Friday! [embed]https://youtu.be/Yre_7pdO7vY[/embed]
TAKE ANOTHER LOOK AT THIS FINAL COVER BELOW: *In Defiance of the Stars releases on May 7, 2019. Readers will be able to pre-order this third and final novel in the DEFY THE STARS series on Monday. GRAB BOOK #1 FOR ONLY $.99! A Tale of Two Houses Susan Harris (Defy the Stars, #1) Published by: CTP Pulse Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, Young Adult

Centuries ago, the royal house of witches in Vernanthia split into two factions: House Cambridge and House Montgomery. These two houses warred with each other for an age, causing widespread bloodshed and death. Those without magic—the Nulls—suffered the most. One day, a favored daughter of the Nulls was slain. With her dying breath, she cursed the covens to know no peace until love was possible between the houses. That curse had long since been forgotten—until now. Julian Montgomery is the reluctant Prince of House Montgomery and Rowan Cambridge is in no rush to become the Queen of House Cambridge. Both heirs long for freedom from their birthright obligations. When fate throws these two star-crossed lovers together, it sends them on a collision course with destiny that neither could have predicted. Shakespeare’s classic Romeo & Juliet is reimagined in this compelling drama about two young people drawn by fate into an unwinnable situation. If you think you know how this story ends—think again!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play










  








The DEFY THE STARS trilogy is releasing at a perfect binge reading pace. Readers don't have to worry about waiting a year for the next release. The first book is now available, book two will be available on April 1, 2019, and the third and final book will release on May 7, 2019. So grab book one and get ready for an exciting series that's worth staying up all night reading!
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

Author Bio:Susan Harris is a writer from Cork in Ireland. An avid reader, she quickly grew to love books in the supernatural/fantasy and Dystopian genre. She writes books for young adults and adults alike. When she is not writing or reading, she loves music, oriental cultures, tattoos, creepy snow globes, DC shoes, stationary, anything Disney, Marvel movies, psychology and far too many TV shows. If she wasn't a writer, she would love to be a FBI profiler or a PA for Dave Grohl or Jared Leto.

New Release!

The Witch’s Tower
Tamara Grantham
(Twisted Ever After #1)
Published by: Clean Teen Publishing
Publication date: March 11th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Gothel is a witch. Punished for the actions of her mother, her choice is simple: either she stands guard over Princess Rapunzel—or she dies. But just because a choice is easy doesn’t mean it’s pleasant. Protecting Rapunzel means watching as the princess lays trapped in a tower, bedridden by hair that is so long and heavy it’s slowly driving her insane. Gothel’s life has become one of imprisonment and solitude as well—until a prince and his handsome squire appear at the tower.
Only one object can cut Rapunzel’s hair and end the curse: a pair of magical shears. But the shears are guarded by the most terrifying witches in the land, who also happen to be Gothel’s aunts. As Gothel and the prince’s squire, Raj Talmund, work to form a plan, she finds herself more and more drawn to the mysterious young man from the Outerlands. Unfortunately, his destiny is far more dangerous than she wants to admit: to save a princess, he must kill the witch who’s been forced to guard her.
THE WITCH’S TOWER is the first in an inspired new series of fairy-tale retellings from award-winning fantasy author Tamara Grantham.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo—99¢ on release week only!—EXCERPT:Moonlight illuminated the tower as Raj and I crossed into the meadow. The handcart’s wheels squeaked as I pulled it to a stop at the base of the tower. Raj had been true to his word and purchased all the supplies we needed for winter. I couldn’t complain—I was grateful he’d done it. I only hoped he didn’t expect a miracle in return.
Now I had the chore of transporting everything into the tower. Luckily, I’d brought my largest knapsack. As I loaded vessels of lentils, bags of flour, and a few jars of syrup into my bag, Raj stood over me.
“You’re bringing all that up there?” he asked.
“It’s better than leaving it down here.”
“You really live up there all the time?”
“Yes, I only ever come out to gather edibles, or when we’re desperate for supplies.”
“But how do you get water?”
“We have a well inside the tower. Can you help me?” I tossed him an empty burlap sack. If he was so insistent on being here, he might as well help me.
“It seems like a lonely existence.”
I eyed him. Lonely? What did he know of loneliness? I didn’t feel like admitting to this stranger how desperately lonely the past five years had been, how I lay awake at night wishing I had someone to talk to, feeling as if the silence would drive me to insanity. No, he didn’t need to know any of that.
“It’s not that bad. Rapunzel isn’t one for talking, but we have a cat. His name is Jester. He keeps me company most of the time.”
“A cat?”
“Yes. He’s mostly feral. But he’s friendly enough, and he comes and goes as he pleases. He’s even learned to climb the vines to get in and out of the tower. He’s quite clever.” I adjusted the pack’s straps on my shoulders. “Now, let’s get up there before Rapunzel…” I stopped myself. “Let’s get up there.”
With the pack strapped to my back, I turned to the tower. Wind rushed past, battering my hair against my cheeks, as I prepared to speak the spell.
“Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair!” My words carried on the wind, echoing through the forest.
I waited, nervousness making my hands grow clammy as I held to the pack’s straps, but why did I feel so uneasy? Was it because Raj was with me?
I turned to him. He stood with haunting dark eyes as he watched a coil of ropy, matted hair drop from the tower’s only window high above us. I stepped to the length of hair and grabbed it, holding my breath against the scent of unwashed scalp. I never got used to that smell.
“Should I follow you?” Raj asked.
“Yes. But let me enter first.” Gripping the hair tightly, I started the climb. I made my way toward the window at the top of the tower. Halfway up, my muscles burned, and I focused on breathing to make it the rest of the way. This part was always the hardest, and the sack of supplies weighing me down wasn’t helping. Why did Varlocke have to put his daughter into such an impossibly tall tower?
When I reached the window, I grabbed the ledge. The worn stones felt smooth under my palms as I climbed over, then landed inside. As I straightened, I pulled off the pack and left it on the floor, then focused on the room. Moonlight illuminated the bare stones walls, the well sitting at the room’s center, the wooden chairs, roughly-hewn tables, huge bookcases cluttered with dusty spell journals and vials, and the bed where Rapunzel lay.
I stepped over the matted coils of hair. Pieces of rat and bird bones lay trapped in the knotted strands, seeming to glow white against the dark hair. The sound of gnawing stopped me.
She wasn’t.
“Rapunzel,” I said quietly. “What are you doing?”
The gnawing continued. I approached her on quiet feet, afraid of what I might find. Behind me, Raj scrambled inside the room.
Please don’t let it be the prince.
When I reached her side, her pale, skeleton-white skin glowed in the moonlight. She held a rat.
I exhaled, grateful it was only a rodent and not something—someone—else. A crust of bread and a handful of wild beets sat on the bedside table, but they were untouched.
Raj’s footsteps echoed, and I turned to face him. His tall, lean frame looked so out of place. Only the high sorcerer ever visited, and to have an Outlander squire inside my home unnerved me.
“Is she eating something?” he asked. “What is that?”
“Sorry. It’s the cat’s fault. He catches them and leaves them on her lap. He thinks he’s giving her a prize or something. Rapunzel does that with them sometimes—with the rats—eats them, I mean.” I stumbled over my words, feeling immeasurably mortified that Raj had to see it. But it could’ve been worse.
I approached her. She looked up, as if only seeing me now, and she hissed. With her red-rimmed eyes, it looked as if she hadn’t been sleeping, and her collarbones seemed to be protruding more than I remembered. Her white gown hung off her meatless frame, but at least it was the clean one I’d left for her. She’d managed to change clothes—at least there was that.
“Where is the prince?” Raj asked.
“I don’t know.” I scanned the room. With the large piles of hair covering the floor, he could’ve been hidden, but we should’ve seen some clue he was here—his feet or a hand poking out. Something. “You’re certain he came up here?”
“Yes, positive.”
I studied the tower more thoroughly but didn’t see anything that resembled the prince. Odd. Where was he?
“Rapunzel,” I said, turning to her, “we’re looking for a prince. Have you seen him?”
She shook her head, clutching the rat, her fingers digging into the carcass.
“Please,” Raj said. “I need to find him. His father is the king. He’ll be very sad if he loses his only son. Can’t you tell us where he is?”
Rapunzel focused on the man, but she remained silent. Outside, the sky lightened. Pink streaked through the gray as dawn approached. As the sun rose, sunlight streamed into the room, giving light to the dark places. Something thudded inside the well, and Raj followed me as I maneuvered around the coiled hair toward the raised ring of stones surrounding the deep drop that went straight through the bottom of the tower.
“Is there something in the well?” Raj asked.
“Someone probably.”
I pried open the lid. Sitting atop the wide-mouthed bucket was the prince, who stared up at us with a vacant expression. Hair coiled around him as blue bands of magic wrapped his wrists and ankles. I grabbed his tunic with both hands and attempted to lug him out. He was heavier than he looked.
“How’d he get in there?” Raj asked.
“Rapunzel. She tried to throw him down, I assume.”
“She can do that?”
“With her hair, yes. She’s clever when she’s motivated.”
“He was looking at me!” Rapunzel yelled. Well, at least she was finally speaking.

Author Bio:
Tamara Grantham is the award-winning author of more than a dozen books and novellas, including the Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series and the Shine novellas. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, won first place for fantasy in INDIEFAB’S Book of the Year Awards, a RONE award for best New Adult Romance of 2016, and is a #1 bestseller on Amazon with over 200 five-star reviews.
Tamara holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Lamar University. She has been a featured speaker at multiple writing conferences, and she has been a panelist at Comic Con Wizard World speaking on the topic of female leads. For her first published project, she collaborated with New York-Times bestselling author, William Bernhardt, in writing the Shine series.
Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas. She rarely has any free time, but when the stars align and she gets a moment to relax, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, taking nature walks--which fuel her inspiration for creating fantastical worlds--and watching every Star Wars or Star Trek movie ever made. You can find her online at www.TamaraGrantham.com.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

NEW IN PRINT!

For the Kingdom of Dragons by Julie Wetzel is now available in print! This is the fifth book released within a series that reviewers are calling, "A complete package of incredible action and sizzling romance." Order your print edition of FOR THE KINGDOM OF DRAGONS by Julie Wetzel today!BUY FOR THE KINGDOM OF DRAGONS FOR AS LITTLE AS $7.98*!*Retailers reserve the right to change the pricing at any time.
BUY TODAY! AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / TARGET / WALMARTIt’s a dark day for the kingdom of dragons.Kyle Markel, the King of Dragons, is presumed dead when his plane disappears over the cold waters of the Northern Sound. To make matters worse, his sister, Carissa Markel, has been given undeniable proof that Kyle’s longtime friend, Daniel Callaghan, has been sabotaging the largest investigation Eternity has ever had. He may have also been involved with Kyle’s disappearance.But all is not what it seems.That’s something Angela Lewis discovers when she’s awoken in the middle of the night by a strange and violent ceremony. Her quick thinking frees the handsome man tied to the table, but the knife in his chest makes his survival questionable. Unsure who to trust, she finds herself running to the only place the stranger is willing to go—The Dragon's Wing.Can Angela find someone to save him? And without their king, what will become of the kingdom of dragons?

Author Bio:Originally from Ohio, Julie always dreamed of a job in science. Either shooting for the stars or delving into the mysteries of volcanoes. But, life never leads where you expect. In 2007, she moved to Mississippi to be with her significant other.Now a mother of a hyperactive red headed boy, what time she’s not chasing down dirty socks and unsticking toys from the ceiling is spent crafting worlds readers can get lost it. Julie is a self-proclaimed bibliophile and lover of big words. She likes hiking, frogs, interesting earrings, and a plethora of other fun things.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter




DON'T FORGET TO BUY YOUR COPY! AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / TARGET / WALMART

New Release: If She Were Blind by Laney Wylde!

IT'S TIME FOR MORE STEAMY DRAMA... And a beautiful book for your shelf!
Today is the official print release for IF SHE WERE BLIND by Laney Wylde! We're excited about this new release that's not only an amazing story, but it's going to be a gorgeous new addition to your bookshelf! IF SHE WERE BLIND is the first book in the AFTER TWELVE series by Laney Wylde that readers are calling "addictive." Perfect for fans of television shows like REVENGE, SCANDAL, and VERONICA MARS, the AFTER TWELVE Series is a gritty social-issue drama that delivers steamy romance, intrigue, and the most bittersweet revenge plots. Estlyn's determination to right every wrong is sure to quench your thirst for justice, yet leave you wanting more.NEW IN PRINT FOR AS LOW AS $7.98*! * Pricing is determined by each retailer and can change at any time. AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / TARGET/ WALMARTIf She Were Blind Laney Wylde (The After Twelve, #1) Published by: Crimson Tree Publishing Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance, ThrillerNot everyone can get justice the traditional way—that’s where Estlyn Collins comes in. A young lawyer in Santa Monica, her "legal" service, After Twelve, works outside the courtroom to tip the scales when the justice system has failed.For a price.Thanks to her powerful underground network, Estlyn's success rate is stellar, and her inbox stays filled with inquires from the desperate and vengeful. But when one of those names is a ghost from her past seeking vengeance against her, she’s shaken to her core. Off balance and scared to be alone, she makes an impulsive move for a guy. He’s a complication she doesn’t have time for, but it turns out he may also be an unlikely—if unwitting—asset.Treading the rapidly thinning line between personal and professional, Estlyn pursues her target while outrunning the one on her own back—only to find she may be running into a lot more than she bargained for. ABOUT LANEY WYLDE:
Laney Wylde is enamored with all things southern California––the traffic, smog, surprise earthquakes, and nonindigenous palm trees. Consequently, it’s the landscape her strong and sometimes lovable female leads paint their stories on. Her New Adult novels Never Touched and the After Twelve series are bright with provocative themes, steamy romance, and inappropriately timed humor.When Laney isn’t writing, she’s singing Taylor Swift with her little boy or asking her husband not to tell her about his work as a surgical resident while she’s eating. She daydreams about using her math degree to get into law school, then realizes that would be too much work and that she should just play pretend court on paper instead. While she loves a good book, nothing beats 30 Rock with a bag of popcorn and M&Ms.Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter DON'T FORGET YOUR COPY: AMAZON / BARNES & NOBLE / TARGET/ WALMART