Twinkle (Sugandha) Varshney's Blog, page 27
July 30, 2018
Lovesick Titans By Amanda Meuwissen
Lovesick TitansBy Amanda MeuwissenGenre: Gay Romance, Urban Fantasy, SuperheroNot even a Titan can always stand up to a God.Malcom Cho is in over his head, wrapped up in a love affair with his superhero nemesis Zeus, who most people in Olympus City only know as Detective Danny Grant.
Lovesick Titans begins where Lovesick Gods left off, after a heist gone wrong that ended with a museum guard dead and Mal and Danny beaten and exhausted from their fight with the new threat in town, Cassidy Ludgate—Hades.
Unaware that Ludgate’s true motivation is revenge for the death of his father at Zeus’s hands, Mal wants only to keep Danny close, while Danny races to solve the cases surrounding Ludgate to stop him from whatever he has planned for them next.
What Mal doesn’t know is that Danny didn’t pursue him with the purest of intentions but sought to break his heart in retaliation for not being there when he needed him in the fight against Thanatos. Even though Danny no longer seeks that end, the lies between them loom like a shadow about to descend upon them both.
And Hades has only begun to toy with them…
About the Author
Amanda Meuwissen has been writing and posting online for many years, including maintaining the website and blog for the software company Outsell. She is an avid writer and consumer of fiction through film, prose, and video games, and is the author of the paranormal romance trilogy The Incubus Saga and young adult novel Life as a Teenage Vampire. Amanda lives in Minneapolis, MN, with her husband, John, and their two cats.
On Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAmanda...On Twitter: https://twitter.com/MissSuperCubeWebsite: https://www.amandameuwissen.com/On Amazon: https://amzn.to/2yXFwTk On Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40055759-lovesick-titans
ExcerptHis phone buzzing beside him pulled Danny back to the present and the evidence on his desk. The fiber was indeed silver, but he wouldn’t know more until he sent it to Andre and got some results back. Checking his new text message, he saw that it was another from Cho. He’d texted Danny earlier, right after he left the man’s apartment. It’s Mal, Sparky. Not Cho. Don’t forget it. Danny always made that mistake, and he’d done it when he left too—“I’ll see ya around, Cho.”This time the message said: Gonna have to help me celebrate when this lip heals. Danny smiled; Cho had also gotten pretty beat up last night. But no. He couldn’t. He couldn’t. He had to end this. Cho didn’t even know the truth, that Danny had been lying to him, using him. He’d confessed that he killed Thanatos but not the real reason why, that after killing Danny’s partner and friend, Thanatos had targeted and killed Danny’s mother the night of the power station explosion. Cho had no idea that Danny once blamed him for all of it because he hadn’t been there to help. The last thing Danny wanted now was to hurt Mal by telling him those terrible truths, even though, in the beginning, hurting him was what he’d wanted. All he could think to text back was: Sorry. Stay safe. Be easier to do that if we had a plan. I know. Just give me some time to think. Don’t keep me waiting too long. “Another piece of evidence from the museum heist last night, Detective Grant,” a uniformed officer said as he entered Danny’s office. “Hey, Boyd.” Danny set his phone aside. “Thanks. Just set it in the inbox. I should be able to get to it right away and pass everything to CSI.”“Anything to please the captain, right?” Boyd said with a friendly smile, which fell when his eyes darted to the dusty remains of Rick’s desk. He made scarce after that to escape The Tomb. Danny couldn’t blame him. His deceased partner’s old desk might as well have been a headstone and Danny was the crypt keeper. It was afternoon now, and while the pills had helped him get through the morning and the initial files and evidence he had, reaching a stalemate with the fiber, reading Cho’s texts, feeling like every turn led him down another dead end with every corner of his life closing in around him like his prison of an office and Rick’s empty desk across from him, had Danny wishing he could take one more. He knew he shouldn’t depend on the pills just because his mood took another dive, but would one really make that much of a difference?When he set the fiber aside and reached for the new bag of evidence, he nearly dropped it as it caught in the light. It was Cho’s earpiece. The comms Danny had ripped from his ear when he attacked him, thinking he was working with Ludgate. Danny didn’t know where the comms had come from originally, but he’d never seen anything like them. They had to be custom made. Cho probably had a tech guy somewhere with access to good quality equipment. Or Hephaestus, one of Cho’s faithful Titans. Some parts might be untraceable, but Andre was very good at his job as a CSI. He’d likely be able to connect some of the components to the manufacturer and figure out what businesses in Olympus City sold them, which would lead the police right to Cho’s neighborhood. This was exactly the type of thing Danny hoped for from a case. But not today. Not when the evidence was Cho’s, and Danny doing his job could put the thief in the line of fire. He was already wanted by the police after breaking out of jail. Things could only get worse if the OCPD started lurking around his neighborhood and found out where he lived.Danny fought the urge to throw the earpiece in the trash. Which of course he couldn’t actually do.
Could he?
July 28, 2018
Tainted Heartbreak by Terri Anne Browning
Title: Tainted HeartbreakSeries: Tainted Knights #3Author: Terri Anne BrowningGenre: New Adult Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: July 28, 2018
Blurb
How do you say no when your roommate wins an all-inclusive rock experience and begs you to go along? You don’t. Ever. But Amara was starting to see that maybe she should have.
Everything that could have possibly gone wrong, has. Until I run right into what feels like a brick wall.
Of course, the brick wall has a name, too.
Cash Graves.
I knew the name, even if it was a newer one to the rock world. He’s the bassist for Tainted Knights, the band who was making huge splashes in the music world. Their newest hit was all over the radio and currently on repeat on my playlist … and I just spit my margarita all over him.
With a wink and a smile, he should have gotten on stage and let me go on with my life, if a little star struck over the delicious rocker. He should never have looked back, and I shouldn’t have begged for more.
But I did.
And now, my heartbreak might just be the end of me.
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Author Bio
Terri Anne Browning is multiple USA TODAY bestselling author. Being dyslexic, she never thought a career in writing would be possible, yet she has been on best selling lists multiple times since 2013. Reese: A Safe Haven Novella was her first Indie published book. The Rocker Who Holds Me changed the tables and kicked off The Rocker... series featuring the sinfully delicious members of Demon's Wings. The Rocker... Series is now complete with 12 books and the occasional novella. Other books by Terri Anne include the Angel's Halo MC Series, as well as The Lucy & Harris Novella Series, The Vitucci Mafiosos Series, and The Tainted Knights Rocker Series.
Terri Anne lives in Virginia with her husband, their three demons---err, children--and a hyper Frenchie named Grunt.
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Scarred by Elizabeth Knox
Title: Scarred
Series: Demons of Hell #1Author: Elizabeth KnoxGenre: Romantic SuspenseRelease Date: July 28, 2018
Blurb
I had it all, or at least I did according to everyone else. I had the club, I had the most powerful husband, the Prez of the Demons of Hell MC. I had a family. He’d told me time and time again the club was my “family”. My “family” let a lot of things happen to me that shouldn’t of. My “family” did a great job of turning a blind eye. My “family” was great at letting me be the punching bag for their mistakes. For all of his pent up anger and frustrations. My “family” was the reason I almost died.When Rage came into my life I saw nothing else. His name was a warning and I didn’t listen.
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Elizabeth is a romantic suspense author most popular for her Mob and MC books, the international bestselling author of Reign, Redemption, Revenge, Relentless, Promised, Tough as Steele, Stripping a Steele & Blackjack.
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Dead Lawyers Don't Lie
ThrillerDate Published: Jan. 1, 2016
A mysterious killer who calls himself The Artist is assassinating wealthy lawyers in San Francisco. When war veteran Jake Wolfe accidentally takes his picture during a murder, The Artist adds Jake to his kill list and he becomes a target in a deadly game of cat and mouse that only one of them can survive. How far would you go to protect your loved ones from a killer? Jake wants to leave his top secret, violent past life behind him. But the reluctant, flawed hero can't ignore his duty and his personal moral compass.
About the author:
Mark Nolan is the author of Dead Lawyers Don't Lie, and the sequel,Vigilante Assassin. Right now he's busy writing Jake Wolfe Book 3. He has raised two great kids and one very smart retriever dog. Mark also tries to make time every day to answer emails from readers. You can reach him and subscribe to his newsletter at marknolan.com.
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Not the End by Gianna Gabriela
Title: Not the End
A Standalone NovellaAuthor: Gianna GabrielaGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: July 27, 2018
Blurb
I needed you.I needed you to tell me I was beautiful.I needed you to tell me it was all going to be okay.I needed you to be with me.To love me.To protect me.I needed you—but the sad thing is you didn’t need me.You didn’t want me.You never cared about me.And when you gave up on me, I gave up on me too.I lost myself because I found all my self-worth in you.And when you left me, I left myself too.Now I’m left wondering, could I come back for me?
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Early Reviews
Author Elizabeth Knox: "I really don't want to spoil this book for anyone, and I won't, but what I can tell you is how amazing Not The End is. I can tell you how it ripped my heart open and made me feel in such a truly authentic way. D's story is one you have to read. I think that a lot of girls will be able to relate to what she went through and it will help them heal. Great job, GG!"
Author Jenna Lee: "Such a powerful short story that will stay with me forever. I believe everyone that went to high school will relate to this story."
A Brunette and Her Books: "There are not enough stars for how beautiful a story this was to read...This book completely touched my heart. Gianna did a beautiful job of touching upon real-life situations that many people will find themselves in and shows that in the end, they will come out stronger, more resilient, and more accepting of who they are meant to be."
Magic Beyond The Covers Book Blog: "Such a powerful story. I was in tears reading it. Dimah struggles every day with other kids at school. She goes through an emotional few months. Aron goes to the same school as her and takes notice of her. They form a friendship that she didn't realize she needed."
E&A Book Blog: "A beautifully written story about what happens when the person you love the most betrays you in the most ultimate way and learning to live again. I was captivated by this story from beginning to end. With twists and turns, it took me on an intense emotional journey. A definite must read."
Reading With 2 Book Lovers: "I devoured this story. These characters really spoke to me. Highly recommend this book."
Author Bio
Gianna Gabriela is a small-town girl living in the Big Ol’ City of New York. She’s been reading for years and calls it her addiction. Her favorite genre to read is anything in the YA, NA, and Contemporary Romance realm. She's a writer of the sexy alphas you want and the strong heroines you need.
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July 27, 2018
Rebellion Reborn
The Metis Files, Book 3Urban FantasyRelease Date: July 24, 2018Publisher: Red Adept Publishing
Millennia ago, beings we call angels were tasked with watching over humankind in its infancy. Rather than protect humans, these Watchers decided to subjugate them instead, beginning a rebellion that would rock both Heaven and Earth. Defeated, the most powerful of the Watchers were imprisoned for eternity, while the weaker ones were condemned to live out their existence on Earth, relegated to the shadows that now occupy human myths and legends.
Until one of the Watchers escapes.
Immortal protector of humanity and one-time hero of the Trojan War, Diomedes—better known as Steve Dore these days—is horrified to discover that what human authorities think is a mentally unstable cannibalistic murderer is actually a gateway to something ancient and apocalyptic. Racing against a cosmic timetable, Diomedes is drawn into a dark and sinister underworld in a desperate attempt to stop another uprising.
But stopping this enemy may cost him far more than his life. Some grudges never die.
Other Books In The Metis Files Series:
The Metis Files, Book 1Publisher: Red Adept PublishingRelease Date: June 2015
Eternal life. Eternal battle.
Steve—Diomedes Tydides to his Trojan War buddies—just had a bad day on his charter fishing boat in San Diego, but when the goddess Athena calls on her faithful warrior for another secret mission, he’s ready. The bomb that exploded inside the Metropolitan Museum of Art isn’t the crime American authorities think it is. Someone also stole the Cup of Jamshid, and Diomedes knows its fortune-telling abilities won’t be used for anything benign.
Though Diomedes recovers the Cup from a determined shaman holed up beneath Central Park, when he finds his allies slain and the Cup taken once more, he knows he’s up against a truly powerful enemy. Over a millennium has passed since Diomedes last contended with Medea of Colchis, deranged wife of Jason the Argonaut, but neither her madness nor her devotion to Hecate, goddess of witchcraft, has waned, and she intends to use the Cup of Jamshid to release across the world a dark brand of chaos unseen in human history.
Immortal since the Trojan War, Diomedes must once again fight for mortals he understands less and less, against a divine evil he may never truly defeat.
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The Metis Files, Book 2Publisher: Red Adept PublishingRelease Date: February 2017
The hunter becomes the hunted.
Framed for the murder of a high ranking member of the Unseelie Court of Fae, Steve Dore–also known as Diomedes, Guardian and protector of mankind–goes on the run. He’s determined to uncover the real culprit and clear his name.
But the assassination may be the beginning of a more sinister plot that involves not just the Fae and Humankind, but all the races of the world. And what if the real assassin is a boogeyman even the Fae don't believe is real?
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About the Author
Brian S. Leon is truly a jack of all trades and a master of none. He writes just to do something with all the useless degrees and skills he's accumulated over the years. Most of them have no practical application in civilized society, anyway. His interests include mythology and fishing, in pursuit of which he has explored jungles and museums, oceans and seas all over the world.
His credentials include an undergraduate degree from the University of Miami and a master's degree from San Diego State University, plus extensive postgraduate work in evolutionary biology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he studied animals most people aren't even aware exist and theories no one really cares about anyway.
Over his varied career, Brian's articles have been published in academic journals and popular magazines that most normal people would never read. They can be found in The American Society of Primatologists, the American Journal of Physical Anthropology, Proceedings of the American Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the like.
His more mainstream work came as an editor for Marlin and FlyFishing in Salt Waters magazines, where he published articles about fishing and fishing techniques around the world. He won a Charlie Award in 2004 from the Florida Magazine Association for Best Editorial, and several of his photographs have appeared on a number of magazine covers--almost an achievement of note, if they weren't all fishing magazines.
Always a picky reader, Mr. Leon enjoys stories by classical masters like Homer and Jules Verne as well as modern writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, David Morrell and Jim Butcher. These books, in combination with an inordinate amount of free time, inspired him to come up with tales of his own.
Brian currently resides in San Diego, California.
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Coti's Unclaimed Mate By Elle Boon
Title: Coti's Unclaimed Mate (Iron Wolves MC, Book 9) Author: Elle Boon Genre: Paranormal Romance/Shifter/Vampire/Demon Release Date: July 27th, 2018 Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.
Will they find beauty in the ashes as the fire settles, or will they go up in flames?Coti’s a shifter, but he’s so much more than meets the eye. NeNe’s a human who’s ready for a change, however is she ready for all that Coti will bring? The Iron Wolves will face an enemy bent on destroying them in a way no one expected. When the dust settles, and battle lines have been drawn, Coti and NeNe will find who can be trusted and who can’t.***Warning: Contains a shifter that doesn't want a mate and a tiny human who's more than a handful "wink".
Jenna opened one eye, pinning her with a purple heated look. “You can’t have it both ways, child. If I were to take your bear out of you and send you back none the wiser, would you be happy?”NeNe wrapped her arms around her stomach. On one hand, she could go back to being just normal NeNe, but on the other, if she did that, she’d not have the ability and knowledge to fight against what happened, if it happened again. Plus, she kinda loved her bear. She allowed her mind to imagine Coti and all his sexy glory to appear in her minds eye. Fuck, the man was too damn handsome for her anyway. At over six feet five, dark hair, green eyes and more tattoos than she could count, he had bad boy on lock. His smile could melt the panties off of any woman from sixteen to sixty, plus his muscles. Damn, his biceps were bigger than her thighs when he flexed. She couldn’t imagine him going to the gym, but he clearly worked out regularly. Their time together hadn’t given her the option to trace his eight pack with her tongue the way she’d fantasized, and if she moved forward, she probably never would. The alternative though, she couldn’t live with. “Damn rock and bear place,” she joked. “To be a bear, or not to be, that is really not fair. Can you magically make Coti okay with it?”“Of course I could, but he’s already on board with the entire shifter gig,” Jenna announced. “Now that’s all cleared up, I think my nuggets are getting restless. They’re kinda like their fathers, wanting to decide when they arrive and when they don’t. I told them,” she paused, looking down at her stomach, a hand on each side. “You two need to stay in there and cook a little longer.” Jenna sighed, rolling her head back on the seat, meeting NeNe’s stare. “What? Doesn’t every expectant mother tell their young to cook a wee longer?”“I’m pretty sure babies are the bosses when it comes to delivery.” She stared in awe at Jenna’s belly, amazed to see the rippling that was visible through her shirt. “Holy shit. Does that hurt?”Before Jenna could answer, there was a slight stir of air, something she’d never have noticed had she been human. Instantly, her bear was rising, bringing her to her feet and next to Jenna. Her claws came out, ready to defend the female.“At ease, we are here to collect our Hearts Love and young.”“Do I know you?” One of the men asked.“Damien, Lucas, this is NeNe. NeNe, these are my mates, fathers to my nuggets.” Jenna’s voice sounded strained.NeNe shook her head. “I’m not even gonna say what’s on the tip of my tongue. As for knowing me, I’m pretty sure I’d remember if I’d met you.” One didn’t forget meeting gorgeous men, especially twins. Holy crap on a cracker, the two men were almost as good looking as Coti.Jenna laughed, then groaned. “I’m glad you think my guys are handsome. They can be a handful.”“How are you in my head? I’ve got a wall up.” She shook her hand trying to get her claws to retract, sighing as they disappeared.One of the men moved closer while the other circled around, picking up Jenna. NeNe didn’t back away, waiting to see what he was up to. Her bear didn’t rake at her, which was odd.Once he was within in a foot of her, he snapped his fingers. “Bear, you’re the bear,” he yelled, making Jenna jump.“Dang it Damien, inside voice. Of course, she’s a bear, did you not see her claws?” Jenna asked.Damien shook his head. “I was calming our little ones.”Jenna sighed. “Is that why they’ve stopped trying to rip their way out of me?”Lucas stood with her in his arms. “Let’s go home. I think they’ve cooked long enough, love. Now it’s time we let nature take its course and allow our wee ones out.”NeNe stared at the trio, wondering how she was going to get home. While she appreciated Lula and everyone she’d met while she’d been in Fey, she needed to see where her life back home was. If she even had a life still.Jenna held her hand out. “NeNe, come here.”Looking at the two dominating men, she eased between them, taking the other woman’s hand. “What is it?”“There’s many things you’re going to encounter, but one thing you need to remember. Pack is the most important thing in a shifter’s life. Kellen is one of the best alphas, along with Niall the alpha of the Mystic Pack. If you don’t think you want to stick around the Iron Wolves, I can send you to another pack. But this is non-negotiable, you need to be a part of a pack. You’ll be the only bear amongst wolves for now. I see that is all about to change, though.”She gasped, hearing Jenna’s words. “Are you saying the Iron Wolves MC are made up of actual wolves?”
I’m a full-time wife and mother of two who has loved to read and write since childhood. I survived cancer and decided I could do anything, setting personal goals then and there. Four years later, after meeting many wonderful writers who allowed me to beta read for them, whom I can now call friends, I decided to write a book. Several years later I’ve attained my first goal, becoming a published author. I love to write and have all kinds of stories in my head waiting to be written. The best part about my new journey is that if I don’t like it, I can re-write it, unlike real life, so I always make sure there’s a happy ending. I’m creating new worlds, and I hope you all enjoy them with me. I can guarantee you’ll always have a hero or two you’ll love, and a heroine you’ll want to be.
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July 26, 2018
Come Back
Contemporary/Upmarket/Women’s FictionDate Published: September 2017
Vi Masters wonders…can you come home again? More, she wonders why anyone would want to. She fled upright, backwater Freedom, Iowa at seventeen and hoped never to return. But this time, she can’t stand up against the pleas of the aunt who raised her. It’s one weekend. How bad can three days be?
Three measly days in a wonderful eighteen-year marriage – that’s what Vi’s stepmother hopes. But what if Ben discovers what Tammy knew about why his daughter ran away – something he seems determined to finally find out? She can’t be sure Ben would forgive her, and that’s got Tammy scared to her bones.
One day in and Vi has to face how Aunt Sadie is failing, Caregiving will surely wreak havoc on Vi’s hard-won career, but how can she not? At least she might be able to turn the party Sadie’s planned into a night even Alzheimer’s won’t let Sadie forget.
But that’s before Vi finds out Nate Barlow has moved back to town. Now after all she’s already survived, Vi must dig deep for courage. Nate will never be able to accept Vi’s past. Will he? Who knew hope would be so scary?
Excerpt
Chapter 12
Nate
I figured I’d chat with Victoria at Sadie’s shindig Saturday and leave it at that. So it caught me off guard when she showed up for a Pinewood breakfast Friday. Makes sense, I thought. Sadie wanted to show her off. Not because she was famous, but because she doted on Victoria, always had.
So why was I surprised? And worse, why did it feel like a punch in the gut?
Chill, I thought as my ears went hot. No biggie. I had famous clients. Got tongue-tied with the first few, but as my dealer says, they all put their underwear on one leg at a time. But picturing Vi Masters in underwear didn’t help at all.
It felt like seventh grade. I wasn’t prepared then either. The guys had ragged on me something fierce – those days when all girls had cooties – which meant I stopped hanging with her a few years before. So when she walked into school that fall, I hardly knew her. When did she get so tall and willowy? With these subtle curves that set my imagination reeling? Why hadn’t I ever noticed her eyes were like the river at sunset?
From then on, she was Victoria, not Vicky, not Vee, like I called her when we were kids. Sexy, sultry, worthy-of-worship Victoria. And from then on, my damn ears and tongue were an adolescent nightmare whenever I came within ten feet of her. Smooth, that’s what I was.
Find your smooth now Slick, I thought as she moved toward my end of the counter.
I had more than a few minutes to get myself under control. Every last customer – Dick the retired trucker, George the retired math teacher, Mrs. Briggs and about a dozen more – wanted to shake her hand and have a word.
Working the room, I thought. Like a gallery opening. Coffee instead of wine.
I watched her smile and chat her way through the crowd. A pat on the arm here, a question there, a compliment on Miss Harriet Blue’s tacky old sweater, one I remembered from piano lessons. Miss Harriet puffed right up. She’ll likely go to her grave in that sweater now.
Mrs. Briggs got most of Victoria’s time. No surprise there. Even before we could read, the library was her favorite haunt. Worked there senior year – when she wasn’t bussing tables here at the Pinewood. So it was my haunt too.
That year I finally started acting human around her. Made conversation, joked around. Took till prom before I got the nerve to ask her out. She about knocked me flat when she said, “We’ll have a better time on prom night, don’t you think, if we go to a movie or something the night before?”
Long time ago. I jerked back to the present as Sadie tugged Victoria to the counter.
“Connie, just look at my Vicky.” She giggled as only Sadie can. “Vi, I mean. Oh, I’ll never get used to it.” Sadie turned from Victoria to Ma, “Doesn’t she look wonderful? I can’t tell you how thrilled I was to see my baby again!”
Up close, seventh grade memories didn’t hold a candle to this gorgeous creature.
“Connie, it’s so good to see you,” she said. “The Pinewood wouldn’t be the same without you. And you look better than ever.” Actress or no, she sounded like she meant it.
Victoria reached out to squeeze Ma’s shoulder – a simple greeting between old friends – but Ma pulled back, slammed the coffee pot down on the counter, and said, “Victoria Johansen – Vi Masters – whatever you call yourself – I always did like you. But I have a mammoth-sized bone to pick with you!”
Obviously not the greeting Ms. Hollywood expected. A calm veneer slid over her face fast as a lick, but like most painters, I notice things. Her hand dropped to the strap of her handbag, white fingers gripped tight. No wonder. Ma can be a scary lady.
“Do you have any idea what you put my boy through when you ran off?”
I tried to interrupt. “Ma. Let it be.”
She gave me the eye. “I will not. She ought to know what it was like for you to get hauled down to the police station. As if you knew where the silly girl went.” Ma wheeled back to Victoria. “And your father! Son of a bitch hit my boy! Blackened his eye. Worse, he made my Nate feel like a criminal, like he’d hurt you, or drove you away when anybody – anybody with a brain not up his butt – could see the only bad thing Nate ever did was fall for you.”
So much for calm veneer. Victoria’s face went white beneath her California tan, and I respected the maker of that handbag strap. She swallowed hard. Her eyes cut to me for the first time, then back to Ma. She opened her mouth, but it was clear she didn’t know what to say, where to begin.
Ma, on the other hand, still had plenty to say. Or would have, except I interrupted again.
“Ma. She didn’t know. Look at her face. How could she know? Let it be.”
“Well she ought to know.” Ma wasn’t done, but she was running down. Ma’s like that. The woman has a mighty temper. But when she’s said her piece, it’s done. Usually. “You left a mess for other people to clean up, missy, and you ought to know it!” Then, apparently satisfied she’d said what she needed to say, Ma picked up the coffee pot with her right hand, swung her left around for a mug, and said. “Now. How do you take your coffee?”
Victoria sank onto a stool, looked at Ma, at me. “Connie. Nate. I’m sorry. I am so sorry. I…” She swallowed hard again. “I didn’t know. Didn’t think… Oh God. I wish… I’m just so sorry.”
I decided to let her off the hook. “Long time ago. We survived. And so did you, I’m glad to see.”
“Nate. Nate Barlow.” Like she saw me for the first time. “You’re still here. You look…”
I grinned. “Yeah. I know. Like an aging hippy. I get that all the time.” I tugged on my ponytail. “You wouldn’t believe the grief I get from the Freedom Regulars.”
She smiled – less assured, less sparkling than the Hollywood smile she’d dished out on her way down the counter. Softer. A little rueful. A lot like the night I kissed her. “I’ll just bet. Didn’t we always say that the Freedom Regulars would never change? But that’s not what I was going to say. You look good. That’s what I was going to say. Good.”
“Ah, hell. I can’t do it.”
“Can’t do what?”
“Can’t stay mad at you.”
Her smile faded. “Oh Nate. I am sorry. So sorry. I never thought Ben would come after you. Hit you? Oh Nate.”
I waved her off. “No biggie. It wasn’t my first black eye. Or my last for that matter. Can’t pin Ben’s actions on you. Wouldn’t be mad at you for that. If I could.”
The smile was nearly back. “Okay. I’ll bite. Why would you be mad at me? If you could?”
I picked up my coffee. Took a long swallow. Milked the moment. “The prom. You stood me up. For the prom.”
I said it lightly. Like it didn’t matter. Not anymore. Back then? Stood up on prom night? Suspected of something awful. Not the best night of my life.
Now trumps then. I expected a snappy comeback like she zings on TV, but she seemed as much at a loss for words as during Ma’s rant. An odd cast shaded her eyes. Almost like…sorrow. I cut her a break.
“Even so, can’t seem to stay mad at you.”
Funny how the relief on her face made me feel easier too.
“I’m glad,” she said.
Watch yourself pal.
Ma came back with the coffee pot. And a smile. She can’t stay mad either. Just don’t get between her and her cub. As if you could.
“More coffee, you two? Crayons, coloring books? Legos?”
Victoria’s laugh came out low and husky. “Just like when we were kids, Connie? In the back booth? Waiting for you and Sadie to close up? That’s a good memory.”
“For me too,” Ma said. “For half the town, I’ll wager. You two were good for business. Got folks to dig deeper in their pockets.”
“Good old Pinewood.” Victoria looked around the diner. “So much the same. But different too. Brighter than I remember. And those wonderful drawings! Those are new.” She gestured to the framed caricatures that lined the walls. “The Freedom Regulars!” She grinned.
“Those are Nate’s. He’s a very successful artist, you know. He’s had shows in New York, London, all over.”
“Ma. Stop bragging.” My damn ears went hot again.
“Nate! Really? These are yours?”
I nodded.
“They’re wonderful! So fun! So…real.”
Funny. That’s what I was going for. To poke fun – gently – at folks, and still show I like them. Each one has hopes and dreams and sorrows – all important, all real.
“Nate did well up at Ames, even studied in Paris.” Ma came around the counter to stand behind me, hands on my shoulders. A united front. I let Victoria off the hook, but Ma wasn’t quite done with her. “He was gone a long time. I thought maybe he’d stay in New York City, he did so well there. I’m sure glad to have him home though.”
Victoria got the message. “Connie. I really am sorry for…what happened after I left. I wouldn’t have brought on trouble for you or Nate. Not if I could help it.”
“And you couldn’t help it then?”
Victoria studied the inside of her coffee mug.
Ma persisted. “So you’re not telling why you put us through that?”
“Ma. Give the girl a break.”
“No harm asking, is there?”
But there was. I could see it in Victoria’s eyes.
“No.” She said it quietly, dropped her eyes, then raised and leveled them at Ma first, then me. “I had…reasons. Good reasons. Private reasons.”
I know Ma. She wasn’t satisfied. If she chose, Ma could wear you down till you’d confess crimes you never committed. But this time, she only gave Victoria the eye. And when that didn’t produce answers, Ma nodded, and said, “All right then. We’ll leave it at that.”
“Guess she can’t stay mad at you either,” I said.
“I hope that’s true.” She paused. “Friends?”
“Friends,” I said.
Ma nodded. “Friends.”
“Just like that?” Her voice was light but there was effort behind it. The handbag strap wasn’t out of danger yet.
Ma and I glanced at each other and shrugged.
“Just like that,” I said.
“Once a friend, always a friend,” Ma said.
“Thank you.” She blinked, seemed about to say something, but gave her head a tiny shake. She gave us both a bright smile – still sincere, but somehow not quite so personal. Like she pulled on a cape of Hollywood bravado. She glanced over to where Sadie was in full chat with Miss Harriet Blue and said, “I hope maybe you can help me with something.”
What now?
Victoria leaned toward Ma. “Connie. You’ve known Sadie a long time. You see her as much as anybody. How’s she doing?”
“Well… Now honey, you know your aunt is an old friend. A good friend.”
“I wouldn’t ask if it weren’t important.”
“Well…”
“What Ma’s trying not to say is that Sadie never was the sharpest crayon in the box.”
Victoria smiled. A sad smile this time and a nod. “Oh, I know. She’s a dear, sweet woman, and I love her. But she’s always been a little…dizzy. What I want to know is…well, is she getting dizzier?”
I was surprised to see Ma’s eyes fill. She grabbed a napkin, turned toward the wall, dabbed. “Damn, damn, damn.”
“Ma? You okay?” Nobody gets between the cub and his mama either.
I saw her shoulders square like they do before she tackles any hard thing like pull a splinter from my finger or face down Ben Johansen. She nodded. “She’s slipping. Not a lot. Not enough so most people notice. But she gets confused. More now. Carleen and I, we’ve been picking up the slack.” She gave a little grin. “Not exactly new. More this last year.”
Victoria nodded and studied her coffee again. And then, damned if her shoulders didn’t square up just like Ma’s. She looked up. “I’m not surprised. Afraid and sad and…royally pissed off. But not surprised.” She paused. “How long can you keep covering for her, Connie?”
“As long as she’s able to get here. To stand upright, to walk. As long as she stays…docile and will follow directions. If it gets to the point when she fights us, well… Then it won’t be good for her to be here. For her – or for us. Till then…” There went the shoulders again. “We’ve got her back.” This was no off-the-cuff response. Ma’d given it considerable thought.
Victoria nodded. “Thank you. I needed to know.” She looked my way. “Nate?”
“Can’t say I’ve noticed much. Not job-related. But…” I didn’t want to say any more than Ma had. “She’s not as careful with her hair as she used to be.”
“Her hair?” I caught the tone. The surprise. And the speculation. Not the first time.
“No, I’m not gay,” I said. “I’m a painter. I notice things.”
Ma looked at Victoria. “I raised a boy who notices a woman’s hair. I’m so proud.”
She is. I know it and she knows I know it. Won’t stop her pulling my chain though. The two of them laughed – till they had to grab and dab. Which was fun to see.
Sadie left Miss Harriet Blue and joined us at the counter with a look that said, “I know there was a joke here. I know I won’t get it. But I like to laugh too.” Classic Sadie. Out loud she said, “Vicky, honey, I’ve got my hair appointment.” Poor Sadie. “What’s so funny?”
Victoria smothered a laugh before she kissed Sadie’s cheek. “You go ahead. I’ll walk over to Lindy’s and meet you. Half an hour?”
“Okey dokey!” Sadie bounced toward the door.
As soon as she was out of sight, Victoria said, “I want to do something for her. Something that will matter later, when… Later. I could use your help. It’s about tomorrow night’s party.” Ma and I listened as Victoria told us what she wanted to cook up.
About the Author
Sally Crosiar lives in the Finger Lakes of New York State where she reads incessantly, enjoys time in and on the water, savors dark chocolate with red wine at every opportunity, and teaches about health and play for Empire State College. She is the author of Find the Love of Your Life, based on her own true story, My Uncle Dave, a children’s book with an adult message, and co-author with Dr. Sidney B. Simon of Love Builders: Tools to Build Every Relationship. Come Back is her debut novel.
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Rivers by S.L. Scott
Title: RiversAuthor: S.L. ScottGenre: Standalone Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: July 26, 2018
Blurb
This Standalone Second Chance Rock Star Romance by New York Times Bestselling Author, S.L. Scott, will have you falling in love with Rivers Crow while introducing you to his Sexy as Sin brothers and band mates—Jet, Tulsa, and Ridge.
Rivers Crow has everything he could ever need—a rock star life, more money than the devil himself, and worldwide fame. Except he’s still missing the one thing he wants—the girl he left behind.
Stella Fellowes has a life she doesn’t want—an unfulfilling job, debt without a ceiling, and lonely nights she spends pretending not to miss the one thing she needs—the boy who broke her heart.
Five years later, the guitarist she once loved is back with a hit record, millions of fans, and that look in his eye that still makes her weak in the knees. Only she’s not the same girl he once knew.
When these two star-crossed lovers come together, time starts to heal old wounds. Although she’s compelled to look past his sins, will he be able to look past hers?
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Excerpt
Stella Lilith used to have an adventurous side, but I think it’s been a while since she broke a few rules. “Will you climb out first?”
There’s my girl. “Yep.” I press down on the sink, hoping it doesn’t fall off the wall. It looks old, so I’m not sure it can hold my weight. But it’s getting louder in the hall, so I climb up, grabbing an exposed pipe above the window, and maneuver my legs through the opening. Good thing we’re on the ground level. Pushing off, I land on my feet in the alley and turn around. “Stella?”
She peeks out and by the way her lips are twisted and her eyes are looking at the cement, she’s nervous. “I don’t want to fall.”
“I’d never let you. Not to the ground anyhow.”
For a second, she looks confused, but her brow relaxes and a small smile appears. “You’ll catch me?”
“Every time.”
She disappears, and I can hear her climbing onto the sink. Her legs slide out the window until her ass rests on the metal sill. “Ready for me, Rivers?”
“All my life.”
“For real,” she says, her nerves causing a slight shake to her tone. “You’re going to catch me, right?”
“Always.” I take her by the ass, and say, “Put your legs over my shoulders.”
“What? No.”
“Yes. I’ve got you. Then all I have to do is back up as you slip out.”
“I’m not as light as I used to be. Are you sure you can handle me?”
I work my way under her so her legs are over my shoulders. “Don’t worry about me, baby. I can handle you all right.”
Her thighs squeeze my neck. I like to think it was the name I slipped in there, but it’s probably because she’s anxious to do this. She slips out a little more, and our eyes meet. “You’re sure you’re ready?”
“All you have to do is let go. I have you.”
Releasing the pipe, she ducks her head to the side while I support her back with my hands, holding her until she clears the glass. Helping her upright, my face is against the jeans that cover her vagina and she’s squeezing my head with her legs so tight I don’t know if I’m going to live. What a sweet fucking way to die.
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Releasing September 27, 2018
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Living in the capital of Texas with her family, Scott loves traveling and avocados, beaches, and cooking with her kids. She's obsessed with epic romances and loves a good plot twist. Her favorite color is blue, but she likens it more toward the sky than the emotion. Her home is filled with the welcoming symbol of the pineapple and finds surfing a challenge though she likes to think she's a pro.
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Downbeat by Jodie Larson
Title: DownbeatSeries: Lightning Strikes #4
Author: Jodie LarsonGenre: Contemporary RomanceRelease Date: July 26, 2018
Blurb
Downbeat |n|: The first beat in a measure, often the strongest. Fame, fortune, traveling to different cities across the country…I’m living the dream. As the drummer for the Lightning Strikes, it’s my job to hook you in and keep you coming back for more. It’s my craft, my calling, what I’m a master at.
Even with all that, I’m still just a normal guy who wants to eat at food trucks and lounge on the couch, playing video games until I can’t see straight. Everything was perfect.
At least I thought it was, until a blonde bombshell walked into my life and made me question everything I thought I knew. I want her. I need her. Only, she’s afraid of the spotlight, afraid of what it’ll do to her and the ones she loves. The wall around her heart is keeping me out, but I know before long I will break down her barriers. She needs to know that there is more to us than what she sees, that this chemistry between us is our downbeat to forever. All the guys in the band have their happily ever after. Maybe it’s time for mine.
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Excerpt
He slides his hand into mine as we chase after Jayce through the arcade, watching him bounce from game to game. It doesn’t bother him that he doesn’t know how to play or whether he’s heard of it. If it’s available, he wants it.
“Anything you want to do?” Pax looks over, still holding my hand with no intention of letting go. A million little butterflies take off in my stomach. Being with Pax is so natural, it doesn’t even phase me anymore when he does things like this, acting like two people who have known each other for years rather than weeks.Looking over, I see a race car game that opened up. Way back when, I used to be good at these.“Race you,” I say, dropping his hand and taking off like I’m one of the kids. Pax laughs behind me, as does Jayce, though neither are moving fast.“I’ll help you,” Jayce says, acting like my own cheering section.With Pax in the seat next to me, it’s hard to focus on the screen. I turn the wheel to choose my car, finally selecting one that had a good ratio of speed and acceleration.“Ready?” the computer voice says. A digital, scantily-clad woman appears on the screen between our two cars with a flag in hand and the beach behind her.“Go!”I stomp on the gas pedal and weave around pedestrians and other cars, trying to catch up to Pax who flew off the starting line like a pro. Damn, I may be rusty at this.Jayce’s directions aren’t helping as I hit the wall for the third time, dropping all the way to last place. Why can’t this be like Mario Cart? I could really use a blue tortoiseshell right about now.Needless to say, I didn’t win. Pax leans over, cracking his knuckles as he stretches his arms out in front of him. “I thought this was going to be a challenge.”That’s it. There’s gotta be something I can beat him at.I look around, desperate to find something that will give me hope.Nothing. I suck at video games, always have, always will. Instead, I opt for one of the non-video games in the entire place.“There,” I say, pointing to the basketball hoops.“Really?” He looks me up and down. “You don’t seem like you have the height.”I shove at his shoulder. “It’s not like I’m going against Shaq.” He’s a basketball player, right?Pax laughs and leads the three of us to the hoops.“Can I try?” Jayce asks.I hand him one of the balls. “I don’t think you’re tall enough but go ahead and try.”To my surprise, Pax lifts him off the floor, holding him high enough to take a shot. “Now he is.”The ball goes in with ease, leaving the two of them whooping and hollering, slapping each other’s hands, finally ending in a fist bump. He’s turning my own son against me.“Okay, Mama, your turn.”I dribble the ball against the carpet – which is useless because it doesn’t bounce – and raise my arms to take a shot. The ball flies over the safety net, hits the front of the rim and straight down.Pax holds up Jayce again, repeating the same motions as before. With each shot, mine fall short while theirs sinks in.I give up.When the buzzer sounds, I acknowledge my defeat. “That’s not fair. There’s two of you.”Jayce hugs my waist. “It’s okay, Mama. We’ll teach you how to play.”Pax snorts and turns away. I smile down at my son and ruffle his hair.“Thanks, buddy.” Pulling out my phone, I glance at the time. “It’s getting late and you need to take a bath.”A collective whine from the two of them brings a smile to my face. “Do we have to?”I nod. “Yes. Time to go home.”We walk to my car, letting Jayce crawl in first so I can secure his seat belt. Pax holds out his arm, wrapping it around my waist to stop my progress around the car.“You know, I’m kinda dirty too. Wanna take a bath with me?”Everything clenches south of my navel at the thought of being naked with him. I’m not sure if we’re ready to take that leap yet.“We’ve had enough firsts for today. How about we save that one for later?”He smiles, the corners of his eyes crinkling in the corners. “Can’t blame a guy for trying.” Leaning down, Pax kisses my lips, softly, tenderly, not taking it further than necessary in public and in case prying little eyes spot us.“Did you drive to the beach? I suppose you need your bike.”Pax shakes his head. “Nah, I walked. I can call an Uber.”“Get in the car,” I say with authority. It’s not often I use my mom-voice, but it’s ridiculous that he even suggested getting a ride from someone else.Once we’re all situated, I head down the road, following Pax’s directions to his place. Since I was passed out the first time I went there, and then too focused on the man between my legs the second time, I didn’t remember where it was. It doesn’t shock me that he’s down the street from Grounded. No wonder why he’s always there.Pax opens Jayce’s door and gives him a high five. “See you later, bud.”“Bye, Pax. Come play with me soon, okay?”With a final fist bump, he blows it up as they both laugh. “You got it.”I step out of the car and stand by the door. Pax traps me with his arms, caging me in while leaning into me.“When can I see you again?”I chew on my bottom lip. He frees it with his thumb, only to find it trapped again because I can’t stop fidgeting with him this close.“My next day off is on Saturday. Weekends are better for me.”He pushes a lock of hair away from my face, running the finger down my cheek until he’s cupping my jaw, tilting my head up to stare directly into his bright, hazel eyes.“Then weekends it is. I want them all. Yours and Jayce’s. I had a lot of fun today. More fun than I’ve had in a while.” He kisses the tip of my nose. “But don’t think you’re off the hook during the week. I expect excellent customer service when I stop in for my coffee.”I laugh, clinging to his shirt while resting my forehead against his shoulder. Every muscle in my body relaxes as he holds me in his arms. This feels more natural than anything else I’ve ever experienced. It pains me to walk away and leave him here.“No fake smiles. Only the real ones for you.”
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Author Bio
Jodie Larson is a wife and mother to four beautiful girls, making their home in northern Minnesota along the shore of Lake Superior. When she isn’t running around to various activities or working her regular job, you can find her sitting in her favorite spot reading her new favorite book or camped out somewhere quiet trying to write her next manuscript. She’s addicted to reading (just ask her kids or husband) and loves talking books even more so with her friends. She’s also a lover of all things romance and happily ever after’s, whether in movies or in books, as shown in her extensive collection of both.
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