D.E. Haggerty's Blog, page 63
November 19, 2016
Promo Blitz for Ave, Caesarion by Deborah L. Davitt #fantasy #althistory
The Rise of Caesarion’s Rome, Book One
Fantasy, Alternative History
Date Published: October 21, 2016
A single event can reshape a world—or shatter it forever.
Fifteen years ago, Caesar escaped assassination, and went on to be crowned Emperor of Rome. His son by Cleopatra, Caesarion, carries the blood of Mars, Venus, Isis, and Osiris in his veins—but will the power that the gods have granted him, be enough to secure his hold on Rome after his father’s death?
What of the powers his sister, Eurydice Julia, has begun to manifest, and her puzzling visions that hint at the sacrifices that the gods of both Rome and Egypt will demand of them?
Will they, together, be strong enough to forge a better world than the one their ancestors built?
Return to the world of Edda-Earth, where magic and science coexist and all the gods are real.
And always remember this truth: The end of all things . . . was just the beginning.
Grab a copy!
Recent Praise for Ave, Caesarion:
“. . . irresistible wit and superior characterization . . . . A scorching alternate-history adventure packed with romance and fantasy action.” — Kirkus
“. . . a fantastically complex, evocative and involving story that moves through . . . every nuance of the social, spiritual and political world of their times. [A]s gripping, involving, and as real as today’s modern world.” — D. Donovan, Midwest Book Review
Excerpt
On this warm summer evening, fifteen years after Julius Caesar had been crowned in the Forum of Rome, the Empire held its breath. Rumor—fleeter of foot than Mercury—swept through the city, from patrician homes to plebeian ones, whispering that Gaius Julius Caesar had suffered some manner of fit. It had long been murmured that he was subject to the falling-sickness, perhaps contracted in tropical climes, or meted out as punishment by the gods for having dared to ascend so far. More troubling, however, were Rumor’s sly additions to her tale: that the seventy-year-old emperor could not rise, and that his foreign-born wife, Cleopatra, would not leave his side, whispering spells and incantations to keep him alive.
The freeborn muttered in the marketplaces; the Empress might be a curse on Rome. Their beloved Emperor had divorced his third wife, Calpurnia, after his coronation, and had extended to Cleopatra and the Hellene-Egyptian House of Ptolemy Roman citizenship for “services to the Empire.” Italians who had only recently been granted citizenship spat at those words; her services, in their opinion, were those of a harlot, and the rights that their grandfathers had died for in the Social War had been granted to her for what lay between her thighs.
Few in Rome understood that the bread distributed by the government—the Annona—came at such a low cost to the state solely because Egypt’s fertile fields provided their plenty at the whim of their queen.
In the last light of sunset, five cohorts of legionnaires marched along the Via Flaminia towards the gates of Rome, accompanying two young men on horseback. The dirt and dust on their uniforms suggested a long journey, conducted rapidly. The senior centurion and all the men on foot were hardened soldiers in their thirties, members of the Legio X Equestris—the first legion levied by Julius Caesar. The Equestris formed the backbone of Caesar’s Praetorian Guard, the personal protectors accorded to many a general over the centuries. Hence the distinctive white crests on the helmets of their officers.
Of the pair on horseback, the elder, who wore the long white crest of a tribune of the Tenth Legion, didn’t look to have escaped his adolescent years; the younger, who wore no uniform, but rather just a tunic and cloak suitable for riding, looked barely old enough to have received his toga virilis. “Malleolus! Fall the men out,” the older of the pair called to the centurion, reining in. “Let them eat and bathe and see their families. But be at my father’s villa outside of Rome first thing in the morning.”
The centurion thumped his breastplate in acknowledgement, and the weary legionnaires gave a desultory cheer. But the centurion let the rest of his men file past, and then caught the young officer’s reins before he could thump a heel into his horse’s flanks. “I’ll be going with you, dominus?” Malleolus asked. It wasn’t quite a question.
The corners of the young man’s mouth kinked upwards slightly. “This is Rome.”
“Yes, my lord.” Solemn acknowledgement. “And fifteen years ago, seven men tried to murder your father. On the sacred soil of Rome.”
The young man put a hand on his shoulder, imperceptible through the armor. “I’m harder to kill than my father, Malleolus. Though I thank you for your care.” In the last rays of sunset, his eyes gleamed an unnatural shade under the shadows cast by his helm—the color of spilled blood. For Ptolemy XV Julius Caesarion Philopator Philomator—generally called Caesarion—was god-born.
His mother, Cleopatra, who had made her son co-ruler of Egypt with herself when he was no more than three, claimed that the blood of Isis and Osiris ran in her veins. His father had once minted coins that reminded the people of Rome that his house claimed descent from Venus. And none could deny that Mars had favored Caesar on the battlefield as well. Yet neither of his parents had shown the signs of divine favor as clearly as Caesarion did.
Malleolus released the reins, saying mildly, “I would sleep better tonight, my lord, if you’d allow me to follow you to the villa’s gates.”
A quick smile. “You’re going to insist?”
“I would never so presume. But I do ask, dominus.”
“For the sake of your good rest, then, yes.” A nod, and then the young patrician clucked at his horse, preparing to enter the city. But now his brother, young Alexander, caught the reins. “Caesarion,” Alexander said, his voice tight, “You’re not carrying a sword. You can enter the city legally. But . . . if you enter now, you’re giving up your right to a triumph.”
“I don’t care,” Caesarion replied impatiently. “Father had a choice once, between being accorded a triumph for his victories, and standing for election as consul. He chose the consulship. You pick the thing that’s more important. And seeing him before he dies . . . that’s more important.” He grimaced. “And ensuring that we’re here to deal with issues of succession, too. Gods. I hate thinking like this.”
Alexander shook his head sharply. Five years younger than his brother, he still seemed to have more political acumen. “A triumph will ensure the love of the plebeians. And you must have the mob behind you before dealing with the Senate.”
Caesarion’s expression tautened. “It’s strange, Alexander. I see your face, but I hear our mother’s voice when you speak.” An impatient shake of his head. “Every man who stood with me in Germania deserves that triumph. They all deserve that recognition, because without the men who followed me, the seventh Legion would have been cut off, surrounded, and destroyed in that damned forest.” His face settled into stubborn lines. “But holding a triumph instead of making my way to Father’s deathbed?” He regarded Alexander steadily. “Bad taste. It would look as if I valued his position more than his life.” He stared at the Porta Flaminia, and then turned his head and spat into the dust at the side of the road. “To Dis with the damned triumph. Let’s go home, brother.”
Centurion Ramirus Modius Malleolus trotted silently alongside the pair as they entered the city. They looked far too young to bear the weight of the Empire on their shoulders. But Caesarion will have to carry it. And in spite of the young man’s high rank and youth, he liked Caesarion. Uncannily, almost everyone did. The love of his father’s legions was mostly assured, but Malleolus had seen freedmen and slaves who served the legionnaires in their camps—men who hated anyone with a patrician name—smile when Caesarion addressed them.
He sighed, and kept his eyes on the people crowding the streets. No one had yet given them more than a glance, but someone had to keep these two youngsters alive.
About the Author
Deborah L. Davitt was born in Washington State, but grew up in Reno, Nevada, where she earned her BA in English Literature. She received her MA in English at Penn State, where she taught college rhetoric and composition, and has since worked as a technical writer in industries including nuclear submarines, NASA, and computer manufacturing.
Her poetry has appeared in Star*Line, Blue Monday Review’s Storytime Challenge, Grievous Angel, Silver Blade, Dreams and Nightmares, Poetry Quarterly, and other venues. A short-story of hers has appeared in Intergalactic Medicine Show, and she has four novels published to Kindle–The Valkyrie, The Goddess Denied, The Goddess Embraced, and Ave, Caesarion.
Contact Links
Website ~ Facebook ~ Promo Page
November 17, 2016
Read an excerpt of Collide; a #paranormalromance from @lrj8826
Paranormal Romance
Date Published: September 2016
Be careful what you wish for, it just might come true…Lauren’s life has been turned upside down by some simple choices that have gone awry.
Since her father’s mysterious death, Lauren Cowley has been stuck in a pitiful rut until she begins having ominous encounters, haunting her every move. While attempting to break free from her wretched life she meets Donovan. He is tall, dark, good-looking, strangely familiar – and yet terrifying. His unexplained ability to stare deep into her soul with emotionless eyes frightens her, yet she has no desire to break free from the gravitating pull he has on her. He unlocks her passion…and suppressed memories forcing her to fight for everything she loves. Lauren now has to face the reality of demons and the tragic consequences they have had on her life.
Grab your copy here!
Excerpt
The room was filled with several insidious beings, a scene Donovan was all too familiar with. This was a part of the work he detested the most. He didn’t want to be here, but this man’s corrupt desires forced his hand. Donovan’s height reached a good foot above the man’s stout body, making Donovan appear even more menacing. A heavy debate had transpired between the man and a friend who had tried to stop the transaction, causing heavy amounts of sweat beads to form around the stout man’s receding hairline – despite the cool air.
Turning towards Donovan the man begged, “Please, you don’t have to do this. I have a family and…”
“You should have thought about them before you decided to ruin their lives.” Donovan’s voice was dark, yet a tinge of regret coated his tongue.
The man’s eyes pierced into a part of Donovan he hadn’t felt for years. How could he justify what he was about to do? Just because he was trapped in this situation didn’t mean he should damn someone else to this life – if it even is a life. What is wrong with wanting something so bad you are willing to sacrifice everything for it?
The man slowly turned towards his dark-haired friend who had tried to stop the exchange, gazing into his eyes sorrowfully. The two men were a yin and yang of each other. Where one was stout and fair with the beginnings of a receding hairline, the other was tall and thin with dark, thick hair and olive complexion. Though the two were opposite in appearance their friendship was intertwined like a thick rope.
The dark-haired man’s eyes narrowed as he pleaded to his friend in a weak whisper, “If this needs to happen, let it happen to me. I have no family, nothing that will be destroyed by the outcome.”
The dank air within the room hung thick and dark like a heavy blanket suffocating the room and making it hard to breathe. Donovan was familiar with what was transpiring. Gripping his fingers into a tight fist he fought back the urge to give in to his now natural instinct. Locking his sights onto the two men in front of him he silently watched their useless debate. There was only one way out of this situation and that was if Donovan would let him go, and that could never happen.
The stout man grabs hold of his friend’s shoulders, uttering firmly, “No, this is my fault and I take responsibility for it, but I need you to do me a favor. I need you to…”
Instantly the door opened, causing the two men to turn towards the intruder. “Father, what are you doing?”
A blithe voice rang in Donovan’s ears as he turned abruptly towards the intruder. The girl’s eyes locked onto his and for a brief moment he was reminded of who and what he used to be – a good man. Though his past was now just a grain of virgin sand in a murky moat, for a brief moment Donovan was able to see the grain and grab onto it.
Donovan watched her eyes transform from a bright joyful appearance to one of fear and disgust. Her smile dropped, ripping out her heart on its way down. Donovan’s eyes remained locked onto hers like two magnets colliding, mentally grabbing hold of her with fervor and strength – refusing to let go. Her eyes too were locked onto Donovan’s, though hers told a very different story. One of betrayal, rage and despair, something he couldn’t look upon anymore.
“Please leave, sweetheart. I need you to go – now,” the stout man uttered to his daughter. His voice echoed loudly with guilty pain.
“No,” she snapped back.
A growling voice instantly cut into the small yet crowded room, making everyone freeze with fear. A man stepped out of a dark corner from the far side of the room. He seemed to materialize from the bleak shadows draped mysteriously from the corners of the room, like tattered curtains ready to reveal the main event. “You are pathetic, Donovan. Do I have to do everything myself?”
“Darius, please don’t,” Donovan uttered, trying to stop Darius, but it was too late.
Darius’s black eyes deepened as he tore across the room. A swirling wind ripped through everyone as Donovan rushed over to the girl. His eyes locked onto her now silver-dollar-size blue eyes for the last time. He quickly lifted his hand, wrapped it firmly around her throat and gently squeezed. He watched as the light within her eyes slowly diminished, leaving the room a black plague where there once was light.
About the Author
L. R. JOHNSON is the founder and President of The Inspired Writers League – an active community writers group. When L. R. Johnson was a child she would live in a world of her imagination. Her teachers would have to put her in the front row of the class or she would drift off into a story she was creating. Though she studied Psychology in college she never lost her imagination, constantly creating stories in her mind. Bringing to life her characters and writing great love stories filled with adventure, dynamic characters, and brilliant surroundings is something that L.R. Johnson has a natural gift for. She lives in California with her husband and two wonderful children.
Contact Links
Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Promo link
Other works by L.R. Johnson
YA/NA Romance
Published: November 2015
Needing a fresh start, eighteen year old widow Breanna Hayes flees from America to England to fulfill her husband’s last request and her dream of going to Cambridge University. There she meets Callum. He’s arrogant, brash, affluent, rippling with charisma – and certain to run away when he learns about her tainted past. But as an unexpected bond is formed between them she discovers he has secrets of his own. She must overcome her stubbornness, fears, and open her heart again or risk losing a chance at love and the stable family she has always wanted.
“Stop,” I interrupt, not wanting to hear a frivolous apology, “What I do is no longer your concern.” A heavy sigh rolls off of me, “I come from trash. I have always known it, and now I know you believe it, too.”
Turning my back on him I begin hastily walking away when suddenly I hear him softly utter my name. It rolls along the surface of the mist, slamming against my back, piercing into my core, revealing his internal pain. Ignoring his pleading call I continue to walk away from him, leaving all my hopes and dreams behind. My decision is made. I am leaving as soon as my classes are done.
November 6, 2016
If Words Could Kill: A First Ladies Mystery by @BSchlichting #cozymystery #history
If Words Could Kill
by Barbara Schlichting
If Words Could Kill: A First Ladies Mystery
Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Darkhouse Books (September 24, 2016)
Print Length: 220 pages
ASIN: B01LZXHEOJ
IF WORDS COULD KILL is a mystery. Liv owns the First Lady White House Dollhouse store in Minneapolis, and has a doctorate in American history, specializing in the First Ladies. Liv is the last person to see a Mary Lincoln impersonator who is found dead right outside of her store. The impersonator presented clues as to where the fiery speech gave by former President Lincoln, the Lost Speech, may be located. As Liv investigates, she is trailed by someone who makes a habit of murdering people once a new clue is deciphered. The whereabouts of the only copy of Abraham Lincoln’s Lost Speech, a fiery speech on abolitionism delivered in 1856, propels Liv into beating the killer to the pricey speech. Who will locate it first?
About The Author
Barbara Schlichting was born and raised in Minneapolis, Minnesota where her First Ladies Mystery Series is set. Dolley Madison: The Blood Spangled Banner. Barbara graduated from Theodore Roosevelt High School in 1970. Later, she and her husband moved their family to Bemidji. She attended Bemidji State University where she earned her undergraduate and graduate degrees in elementary education and special education.
Barbara also likes to write in other genres. Whispers From The Wind is her first poetry book which has poems for all ages.
Barbara has been known to travel too much, and read while not paying attention to her husband. However she has had an English penpal for over fifty years.
WEBSITE http://www.barbaraschlichting.com
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FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarbaraSchlichting/?ref=bookmarks
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TWITTER https://twitter.com/BSchlichting
FIRST LADY BLOG: https://barbaraschlichting.blogspot.com/
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November 5, 2016
Check out an excerpt of Death at First Sight by @LenaGregory03 #cozymystery #giveaway
About the Book:
Title: Death at First Sight
Author: Lena Gregory
Publisher: Berkley
Pages: 304
Genre: Cozy Mystery
It doesn’t take a crystal ball to see that something’s not right on Bay Island…
Since she left her psychiatric practice in New York City to open up a psychic shop in her hometown on Bay Island, Cass Donovan has given her fair share of readings to conflicted customers. But what she sees in Ellie Callahan’s future doesn’t bode well. When Ellie’s mother, Marge, publicly confronts Cass about the reading, the embarrassment makes her want to curl up and die. And when she later stumbles across Marge’s body—and is a suspect in her murder—Cass is suddenly the star of Bay Island’s rumor mill. Cass is determined to prove her innocence and save Ellie from meeting the fate in her unfortunate vision. But even with the help of her friends Bee and Stephanie, Cass will have to channel some serious sleuthing instincts to find the real killer…
Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Excerpt:
Cass sucked in a breath, the gasp audible in the silence of the small room. Oh no . . . The walls pressed in on her, loomed over her, threatened to suffocate her. This can’t be happening again.
“Is everything all right?”
“Umm . . . sure.” Darkness encroached, tunneling her vision. She forced it back, counted to ten, took deep breaths—anything to fight back the blackness. She struggled against the urge to push the glass ball away from her. “Sorry. I must have zoned out for a minute.” She averted her gaze, hoping the other woman wouldn’t catch the lie.
The woman’s eyebrows drew together, a frown creasing her forehead.
“Are you sure you didn’t see anything bad?” Cass forced a laugh as she shoved her chair back, stood, and moved away from the table. “Of course not. I told you
I would only allow good spirits to enter.” Liar.
About the Author
Lena Gregory lives in a small town on the south shore of eastern Long Island with her husband and three children. When she was growing up, she spent many lazy afternoons on the beach, in the yard, anywhere she could find to curl up with a good book. She loves reading as much now as she did then, but she now enjoys the added pleasure of creating her own stories.
WEBSITE | TWITTER | FACEBOOK
Giveaway
November 4, 2016
Cover Reveal from Heart of Savage by @twiety01 Hint: It’s hot! #romance #giveaway
Romance – NA, Sports, Urban
Release Date: December 20, 2016
Bailey O’Malley has spent her whole life catering to others. Her introverted and nurturing personality wouldn’t allow her to do anything else. She used to enjoy it. Taking care of people made her happy. Until her father died. Nothing mattered after that. In an attempt to protect her, her father gave Connor, her boyfriend, too much leeway and ended up trapping her. Connor was supposed to protect her, be her rock – some rocks need to be tossed as far away as possible. She only has one source of happiness now, her son, and if Connor doesn’t get his way he’ll take that joy from her as well.
Dominic Prince only has one mission in life: forget his past. Forget the pain, forget the drama, and forget the loss. He’s guarded and secretive and that’s the way he likes it and he was doing a damn good job of keeping it that way. Until her. Bailey showed up and his life became a minefield. He can’t decide if he wants to kiss her or shake her, but he does know that he’ll fight to keep her safe. He’ll be as savage as he is in the octagon, outside of it.
Neither of them wants to allow cracks in their armor, but the past has a way of sneaking into the present. Their secrets will tear them to shreds. Hearts will be shattered, bonds will be broken, and what was done in the dark will come to light. Will they survive it?
About the Author
LaShanta Charles was born and raised in the small town of Orangeburg, SC. She has always been an avid reader of all genres, but Romance has always been her true love and is what inspired her to pursue a writing career. In high school, she began letting her classmates read the short stories that she would write and based off of their feedback, her passion for writing pushed her to become a published author. She published her debut novel, Lovely Lies, in 2013 and released the sequel, Lovely Lies 2, in February 2014. Her third novel, Splitting Karma, was released in October 2014. Currently, she is preparing to release her fourth novel, Heart of A Savage, with a prospective release date of December 20,2016. In recognition of her work, LaShanta was named National Black Book Festival’s 2013 Best New Author and was nominated for 2013 Breakout Author of the Year through the African American Literary Awards Show. Lovely Lies was also awarded Most Underrated Book of 2013 for the Literary Scream Awards.
Currently she lives in Yelm, WA, with her husband and three children. She is pursuing a degree in English at Drury University and also serving in the US Army. Her hobbies include spending time with family, sleeping, reading, eating, and of course, writing. Her motto is “strive to excel, not to equal.”
Contact Links
Blog
Giveaway
$25 Amazon Gift Card
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November 3, 2016
Check out the just released #romance Dirty Like Me from @JaineDiamondXO
Book Title: Dirty Like Me, Book 1 in the Dirty Series, can be read as a standalone
Series: Dirty
Author: Jaine Diamond
Genre: contemporary romance / rockstar romance
Published: November 2, 2016
Synopsis:
A gorgeous rock star.
An indecent proposal.
How can a girl resist?
Struggling barista Katie Bloom doesn’t even know who Jesse Mayes is until she inadvertently wins the coveted role of sex kitten in his hot new music video. But by the time she’s in bed with him, she knows his reputation.
Love maker. Heartbreaker.
Making out with a stranger in front of a camera crew isn’t how Katie imagined herself getting over a broken heart, but when Jesse touches her, sparks fly. The sex is fake but the chemistry is real, and soon the steamy video is blazing up the charts.
Then Jesse makes Katie an irresistible offer: act as his girlfriend for six weeks while he promotes his new album. The only catch? Their sizzling make-out sessions will be for the cameras only.
Which is fine with Katie, since she’s not about to trust her heart to rock’s most legendary lover. Her body? Maybe…
Buy Link:
http://amzn.to/2ePZvbk
Dirty Like Me will be on sale for 99 cents Nov 7-11.
Video Teaser
Watch it here!
~ About the Author ~
Jaine Diamond is a romance author who believes in fairy tales, ice cream, and true love. She lives in beautiful Vancouver, Canada with her real-life romantic hero (Mr. Diamond) and their baby girl.
Website: http://jainediamond.com/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661282.Jaine_Diamond
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JaineDiamondXO
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JaineDiamond/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/JaineDiamond/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jainediamond/
November 1, 2016
Top Ten Books To Read If Your Book Club Likes Autobiographies #TopTenTuesday
I love book club and am jumping for joy at being back to a place in the world where I can join not one but two book clubs (because I’m overenthusiastic like that). I don’t know about your experiences with book clubs, but in my experience choosing books to read for the group is nearly as hazardous as discussing The Satanic Verses with a devout Muslim. That’s why I found this week’s Top Ten topic from The Broke and the Bookish interesting.
Looking through my bookshelves for autobiographies I would recommend to other readers, I discovered that I’m apparently in lust with political stories. Maybe because those in political life are more likely to write their memoirs? Or maybe because a life lead in public is inherently interesting to me? Whatever the reason, here’s my list heavy on political themes.
Long Walk To Freedom by Nelson Mandela
Wow. Just wow. Mandela tops the list of people – dead or alive – with whom I’d want to have dinner. The man is beyond inspiring. The book also provides an interesting history of tribes in South Africa.
Madam Secretary by Madeleine K. Albright
This story is interesting not only from the perspective of the first woman in the US to hold such a high position, but also Albright’s personal history.
Living History by Hillary Rodham Clinton
I read this book years before Clinton became a serious contender for the White House. I admit to being interested in learning how she dealt with her husband’s infidelity (not really discussed). I also wanted to hear how she handled being a strong, intelligent, independent woman who (it seemed) played 2nd fiddle to her husband.
The Audacity of Hope by Barack Obama
I read this book before Obama was elected president. I can’t help but be overwhelmed with his intelligence.
Leap of Faith by Noor Al-Hussein
A book written by a real live princess who wasn’t born of royal blood? Of course, I had to read it. It was interesting and very thought provoking.
Personal History by Katharine Graham
I groaned when this book was selected for my book club. It’s so big and who cares! I can be a total whiner. In the end, I found this book fascinating – not only because I had lived in the D.C. area but also the background of The Washington Post and its struggle to survive.
My Life in France by Julia Child
After reading Julie and Julia for my book club, I had to read this account of Child’s life. It was fascinating. What a life she lead! Who knew?
#Bookreview of Love & Lagers ~ #MilitaryRomance out today! from Liz Crowe @beerwencha2
Book Title:Love & Lagers: A Cat Johnson Hot SEALs Kindle World Novella
Author: Liz Crowe
Genre: Military Romance
Release Date: November 1, 2016
Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Owen Taylor lost everything in Iraq—his best friend, his faith in humanity, and his leg.
Haunted by the past, and unwilling to accept the future, he takes an IT job with the Guardian Angels Protection Services (GAPS).
Former chef turned GAPS operations manager Lainey Jackson discovers a connection with Owen—a shared love of great food and beer. Terrified by his attraction to her, Owen shuts down, leaving her wondering if she’ll ever have a normal relationship again.
But by the time Owen can admit his feelings for her, he and his fellow GAPS agents must step in when the dangerous secret Lainey’s been running from catches up with her.
Review
The story was initially a bit confusing. What a cast of characters! Do I need to remember all those names? After that initial confusion, the story builds slowly. There’s quite a bit of story before the two main characters even meet. I really enjoyed this as it gave the reader a good opportunity to become familiar with the main characters before they became enmeshed in their romance. I did find Owen’s story of going rogue beyond unbelievable; especially as it didn’t seem necessary to add this bit of unbelievability to advance the story.
I liked Lainey a lot. What I didn’t like was her male co-workers continuing to ogle her despite being in committed relationships. It objectified women and made it sound as if men cannot be in the presence of a beautiful woman without leering at her. That’s wrong in so many ways.
After some skids and bumps, the romance between Owen and Lainey progresses well enough until Owen contracts a spectacular case of Male Martyrdom and nearly ruins the whole thing. Will men never learn? The story then hits hyperspeed with the last few chapters rushing through to the conclusion. This speedy ending didn’t match the slow build-up at the start of the story.
Overall, a quick but at times hot read. Perfect for warming up on a cold Sunday afternoon this Fall (or any Fall for that matter).
Figuring that shoving her into a shower would simply leave him with a wet drunk, he eased her down onto the leather couch in his living room overlooking the ocean. She muttered and flailed around, managing to smack him pretty hard in the nose before he got her settled under a blue and white afghan Lindsay Love had given him as a going away present.
Of the many things he could do with his fancy, metal lower leg, kneeling was not one of them. But he wanted to stay near her, to watch her perfect face and those pretty Cupids-bow lips as she drifted off, which was so very weird. He second-guessed himself as he pulled a leather ottoman close and sat on it so he could do just that.
As he studied her face, her eyes opened wide, startling him so much he leaned back and nearly toppled off the ottoman. She glanced around, confusion apparent on her face. “Who are you anyway,” she demanded, fixing her ocean-blue gaze on his face. “I mean . . . you know what I mean.”
Unable to resist, he brushed her hair off her forehead and pressed his lips there for a few seconds, relishing the warmth of her skin. When he looked back at her, her eyes were closed again, and her breathing had evened out once more as if the question had never been asked. With a sigh, Owen leaned back, unwilling to stop watching her.
“I’m nobody,” he said after a few seconds. “Or better yet, I’m the guy who’s been watching you for six weeks, trying to decide if he was in anywhere near your league.”
She rolled onto her back and threw her arm up over her eyes. The cover shifted downward, revealing that tempting gap in her blouse once more. With a shaking hand, Owen pulled the blanket up so she was covered then headed into the kitchen. He’d been brewing a batch of dry-hopped India Pale Ale and figured it was time for a taste test, if for no other reason than to remind himself that this was exactly the right time to be a nice guy.
He used the beer he’d made to wash down a few over-the-counter painkillers, then leaned on the counter and watched Lainey Jackson sleep.
Amazon best-selling author, mom of three, Realtor, beer blogger, brewery marketing expert, and soccer fan, Liz Crowe is a Kentucky native and graduate of the University of Louisville currently living in Ann Arbor. She has decades of experience in sales and fund raising, plus an eight-year stint as a three-continent, ex-pat trailing spouse.
Her early forays into the publishing world led to a groundbreaking fiction subgenre, “Romance for Real Life,” which has gained thousands of fans and followers interested less in the “HEA” and more in the “WHA” (“What Happens After?”).
With stories set in the not-so-common worlds of breweries, on the soccer pitch, in successful real estate offices and at times in exotic locales like Istanbul, Turkey, her books are unique and told with a fresh voice. The Liz Crowe backlist has something for any reader seeking complex storylines with humor and complete casts of characters that will delight, frustrate and linger in the imagination long after the book is finished.
Don’t ever ask her for anything “like a Budweiser” or risk bodily injury.
Liz Crowe writes intense true-to-life stories that make you feel. Whether it’s anxiety, love, fear, hate, bliss, or loss woven into her plot lines, you will feel it deep down to your very soul.
–Audrey Carlan, #1 New York Times Bestselling Author
Liz Crowe is one of those rare authors who knows how to take the emotions of her characters and make them real for her readers, binding you to the story.”
—USA Today and Internationally Bestselling Author Desiree Holt
“Liz Crowe is my drug of choice for unconventional romance that pushes the envelope of my comfort zone.”
–Bestselling Author of the Enigma Series, Ditter Kellan
“I’ve learned to expect the unexpected with any Liz Crowe novel—along with 3-dimensional characters and well-written, realistic plots.”
–USA Today bestselling author AM Hargrove
October 31, 2016
Spooky Halloween Reads on Sale #giveaway of $25 #amazon giftcard @RABTBookTours
Click on any of the below book covers to be taken to the page that has more information on the novel as well as the Buy Links! Please make sure to scroll down as each page will consist of many titles in that same genre!
Novels On Sale for $0.99!
Novels on Sale $1.99 and Up!
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October 28, 2016
Read an #excerpt of Craving Beauty, a #darkfantasy from @JennSilverwood
Book title: Craving Beauty (Vol. 1)
Series: Wylder Tales
Craving Beauty is the first of a planned trilogy. Volume 2, Scarred Beauty, will be released December 1st, 2016. Also, a companion novella featuring a secondary character introduced in Craving Beauty, Wolfsbane’s Daughter, is available.
Author: Jennifer Silverwood
Genre: Dark Fantasy
Published: 11/23/13
Synopsis:
Vynasha has spent the last four years tending her mother’s roses and looking after her nephew. The fire that killed their family has left her scarred and put Wyll on the brink of death. Soon the first frost will come down from the mountains and she knows this winter will be his last.
Until a strange beggar appears on the road, telling her of the majikal Source that can heal her Wyll. With nothing left to lose, Vynasha braves the forbidden Wylder Mountains to seek out a cure and her fate.
A lost kingdom is uncovered by an equally lost girl, but the castle is not abandoned as she believes. Shadows cloaking unseen eyes watch. Tapestries whisper from the hidden corners, wondering if the one to break their curse has come. And a hungry beast waits, ready to devour her soul.
Buy links:
Barnes & Noble, Book Depository , Smashwords , Amazon , Apple iBooks
Teasers:
Excerpt:
Wind stirred and a single snowflake flew inside, gliding to the surface before her. One of the panes was open. As she approached the glass door, she took in the breadth of the balcony, stretching past the transparent wall. Mountains stood farther out and the howls that had haunted her dreams sang along with the winter storm.
She jumped and melded back into the shadows when she heard heavy footsteps. Cold terror gripped her chest as she held her breath.
A great shadow fell over her as a heavy paw hit her side with one powerful swipe. Its claws ripped through the fabric of her dress and past the flesh of her back as she was thrown up into the air. Her body collided into a wall of stone. Her head cracked against the rough surface and she could do nothing but lie in a crumpled heap after. Still, she struggled to pull herself onto her hands and knees, knowing she was about to die.
Through the roars in her ears and the howls being carried by the wind, she heard words.
“GRrrOUT!”
The creature’s words pierced through the fog. If it wanted her to leave, perhaps it did not mean to kill and eat her after all, and this gave her a foolish hope. Somehow she found the strength to rise up and turned from the blur of dark fur bristling in the shadows. Now facing the glass balcony door, she raced onto the ledge until her hands were against the twisted railing. The balcony was higher than she’d expected, looming over the gorge between two mountains. She wondered what it would feel like to truly fly all the way to the bottom. Sobs spilled from her lips, but within she felt nothing but apathy. A fitting end to an otherwise useless life.
But she owed it to Wyll, who was waiting for her, to all those who loved her and were gone forever, to refuse the coward’s path. So she turned around slowly, deliberately to face a creature forged by fur, teeth and nightmares.
Golden eyes glared at her from the open glass door, and the moonlight abated against an ominous cloud. It stretched out a clawed foot onto the ledge. Its growl rumbled in her ears, stirring her to action.
Move, you brainless wench, an inner voice taunted her.
This was no better than jumping off the side of the mountain. Before sense could convince her otherwise, she gripped the metal railing and threw her leg up to climb over the other side. Another roar followed her heels as she began to climb further along the edge. Ice along the edge of the balcony was thick and though the creature roared behind her, she refused to stop. She must find a way down or die, and her feet desperately sought a firm hold below.
The bottom of her boot slid against the thick ice, snow blinding her vision. She cried out now of a different kind of terror as her feet hung, danced upon air, and she gripped the thin icy ledge just below the balcony. Her fingers burned as she sought purchase through the leather gloves. She slipped and her stomach lurched as wind and snow sucked and pulled her toward the abyss.
Her hands slipped off the ledge.
Claws clamped down on her arm, jerking her body as it fought against the sensation of falling and capture. Her long curls whipped wildly before her as she was lifted and dragged against stone. The pain was nearly unbearable as sharp metal clawed past the double layers of her dresses and into her flesh.
One thing was certain. She wasn’t ready to die, not until she found a way to give her nephew the life he deserved. Tears of relief squeezed from her clenched eyelids as she was lifted onto the balcony.
The beast growled as it dragged her back into the shelter of the room. She felt a powerful arm, muscle and sinew straining against her body as it tucked her against its brown mane. She was too dazed to do anything but cling to the creature in turn as it barreled through the castle. Slowly, her muscles relaxed enough for her to almost enjoy that wild rocking sensation and the thump of the beast’s heartbeat.
Sometime after, she was laid onto her back. Flashes of silvery light winked in and out of the shadows and the last sight to meet her was a pair of luminous golden eyes before she was lost once more to her dreams.
Author bio:
Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time, she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it’s the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything is better in Texas. She is the author of the Wylder Tales and Heaven’s Edge series, Stay and Silver Hollow.
Author links:
Website – Twitter – Facebook – Tumblr – Goodreads
