Twinkle (Sugandha) Varshney's Blog, page 295

The Roman's Woman by Lucy Leroux

When Gio Morgese meets Sophia, he realizes the “nice guys finish last” adage might be true…and he’s done coming in last.
A well-ordered life and quiet existence is not working out in Gio’s favor. Less aggressive than his alpha male friends, he’s led a circumspect life and married early to gain the domestic bliss he’s always craved. But marriage to the wrong woman has ensured all of his plans blew up in his face.Perplexed and a little jealous, he watches from the sidelines as his closest friends succumb to love, giving up their playboy lifestyles for the family life he’s always wanted for himself. Aware that something has to change before he ends up bitter and alone, he resolves to let down some of the walls that went up after his divorce.Then he meets Sophia, a full-figured goddess completely unlike anyone he’s ever known. Against a backdrop of jealousy and deceit, Gio soon realizes that finding love is one thing. Holding onto to it is something else.Now he’s saying and doing things he’d never imagined he would do. But there are some things—and some women—worth fighting for.For Gio, the right woman is worth everything. The Roman's Womanby Lucy Leroux
SeriesA Singular Obsession #4
GenreErotic Romance
PublisherIndependent
Publication DateJuly 20, 2016
  A Singular Obsession Series   
Release Week Celebration Giveaway!To celebrate the release of THE ROMAN'S WOMAN, Lucy Leroux is giving away two $25.00 Amazon gift cards!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!About Lucy LerouxLucy Leroux is another name for USA Today Bestselling Author L.B. Gilbert.
Seven years ago Lucy moved to France for a one-year research contract. Six months later she was living with a handsome Frenchman and is now happily married to him...and still in France.When her last contract ended Lucy turned to writing. Frustrated by the lack of quality romance erotica she created her own.
Cursed is the first of many regency novels. Additionally, she writes a bestselling contemporary series. The 'Singular Obsession' books are a combination of steamy romance and suspense that feature intertwining characters in their own stand-alone stories. Follow her on twitter @lucythenovelist or http://www.facebook.com/lucythenovelist or visit www.authorlucyleroux.com.*For fans of paranormal romance and adventure check out the author's bestselling Elementals series. Fire: The Elementals Book One is now available on Kindle Unlimited.Author Links        
This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

The Roman's Woman by Lucy Leroux

When Gio Morgese meets Sophia, he realizes the “nice guys finish last” adage might be true…and he’s done coming in last.A well-ordered life and quiet existence is not working out in Gio’s favor. Less aggressive than his alpha male friends, he’s led a circumspect life and married early to gain the domestic bliss he’s always craved. But marriage to the wrong woman has ensured all of his plans blew up in his face.Perplexed and a little jealous, he watches from the sidelines as his closest friends succumb to love, giving up their playboy lifestyles for the family life he’s always wanted for himself. Aware that something has to change before he ends up bitter and alone, he resolves to let down some of the walls that went up after his divorce.Then he meets Sophia, a full-figured goddess completely unlike anyone he’s ever known. Against a backdrop of jealousy and deceit, Gio soon realizes that finding love is one thing. Holding onto to it is something else.Now he’s saying and doing things he’d never imagined he would do. But there are some things—and some women—worth fighting for.For Gio, the right woman is worth everything.The Roman's Womanby Lucy Leroux
SeriesA Singular Obsession #4
GenreErotic Romance
PublisherIndependent
Publication DateJuly 20, 2016
  A Singular Obsession Series   
Release Week Celebration Giveaway!To celebrate the release of THE ROMAN'S WOMAN, Lucy Leroux is giving away two $25.00 Amazon gift cards!
CLICK HERE TO ENTER!About Lucy Leroux
Lucy Leroux is another name for USA Today Bestselling Author L.B. Gilbert.Seven years ago Lucy moved to France for a one-year research contract. Six months later she was living with a handsome Frenchman and is now happily married to him...and still in France.
When her last contract ended Lucy turned to writing. Frustrated by the lack of quality romance erotica she created her own.Cursed is the first of many regency novels. Additionally, she writes a bestselling contemporary series. The 'Singular Obsession' books are a combination of steamy romance and suspense that feature intertwining characters in their own stand-alone stories. Follow her on twitter @lucythenovelist or http://www.facebook.com/lucythenovelist or visit www.authorlucyleroux.com.*For fans of paranormal romance and adventure check out the author's bestselling Elementals series. Fire: The Elementals Book One is now available on Kindle Unlimited.Author Links        
This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

Rookie Love by Skye Turner

Rookie Love by International Bestselling Author Skye TurnerComing August 30, 2016
Blurb:Jase Stevens has a life and career that are heading in one direction… up. His career as the pitcher for the Baton Rouge Gris Gris, the baseball farm team, is garnering him national attention as a major league contract seems to be rapidly approaching. His love life is also not lacking. His devilish good looks and southern charm have women flocking to him both on and off the baseball diamond.
Cally Cooper loves her life and takes pride in the fact that she helps animals that otherwise might be lost due to irresponsible owners and neglect. She runs Love & Paws, a non-profit, no-kill animal rescue center. The animals fill her life with purpose and her heart with love, though lately she finds herself yearning for the love of a good man as well.
After one night of celebration, Jase is arrested and charged with a DUI. Community Service at the Love & Paw’s animal rescue center is part of his sentence.
Neither Cally nor Jase are happy about the situation, but neither have a choice in the matter.
Both have preconceived ideas of what the other is like, but as they spend more time together, a spark of attraction takes them by storm. Will they realize that maybe they misjudged each other?
When two people find something they didn’t know they needed, will they embrace it or run from it?
Are they willing to take a chance on love or will the idea of opening yourself up to something you never expected have them both running from Rookie Love?
***This book is intended for those 18 and older. It contains explicit sex, graphic language, and adult content. Those against those things should NOT read!
 Teasers:
About The Author:Skye Turner is an avid reader and an editor turned writer. She attended Southeastern Louisiana University and Louisiana State University where she majored in Mass Communications, centering her studies in Journalism. She lives in small town Louisiana with her husband, 2 kids, and 4 fur babies. When she's not chained to her laptop pounding out sexy stories she can usually be found playing Supermom, reading, gardening (playing in the dirt), or catching up on her family oriented blog.









 
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Dead Lawyers Don’t Lie by Mark Nolan

DEAD LAWYERS DON'T LIEbyMark NolanGenre: Mystery Thriller



A mysterious killer who calls himself The Artist is assassinating wealthy lawyers in San Francisco. When photo-journalist 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 family and friends from a killer? How many laws would you break? Jake is a veteran who wants to leave his past life behind him, but the reluctant, flawed hero finds that he can't ignore his duty and his personal moral compass.

This gripping thriller is full of suspense, plot twists and surprises. It features a cast of interesting characters, including several strong-willed women, two wise-cracking San Francisco Police Homicide Inspectors, one highly intelligent dog, and a philosophical killer who shares Jake's admiration for Van Gogh paintings but still plans to kill him anyway. As Jake gets closer to unraveling a merciless conspiracy, his life gets turned upside down and the danger level increases, adding to the growing suspense. This entertaining page-turner starts out as a murder mystery and then shifts gears into a high-speed action thriller that takes you on a roller-coaster ride to the riveting ending.


As Jake observed the four lawyers playing golf, and recorded them on video, he felt a weird sense of impending danger and a tingling at the back of his neck. It was something he’d felt a few times while deployed in the military. He checked his car mirrors and looked around the area. But didn’t see anything unusual, so he turned his attention back to the golf foursome.

The lawyers were drinking their beers when they heard a strange muffled sound that seemed to come from the nearby trees. An area known to golfers as “the woods.” That noise was immediately followed by a dull thud that sounded like somebody getting punched hard in the chest by a fist.

Richard Caxton staggered backward several steps, dropped his beer and cigar, and fell flat on his back. The other lawyers gathered around him and they gasped in shock as they saw their friend groaning in agony and bleeding heavily from a sucking chest wound. In a split second, the once wealthy and seemingly invincible lawyer was suddenly dying on the lush green lawn with a look of total surprise on his face.

“Help me,” Caxton said in a hoarse voice, as foamy blood bubbled from his lips and from the hole in his chest.

“He must have been shot by a sniper,” one of the lawyers said, looking around in panic. “I think the shot came from the woods.”

The lawyers glanced at the woods and came to the realization that they could be shot next. Each of them had plenty of enemies and now they felt what it was like to be on the receiving end of an unstoppable power that could destroy their lives. One of the lawyers took off running towards the nearby clubhouse, and the other two quickly ran after him. None of the men tried to help Caxton. It was every lawyer for himself.

As Caxton was dying, he wondered if one of his law firm’s many victims might have sought justice through revenge. So many people hated him; it made a long list. At 12:18 pm Pacific Time, Caxton let out a final gasp of breath, his dishonest heart stopped beating, and his days of lying for a living came to an end.


✯✯✯✯✯Exciting, thrilling, suspense, romance and laughter all rolled into one amazing book.ByWeather-Woman Verified Purchase

I wish I could have given this book 10 stars--it is that good. It is an amazing book that I will not soon forget. You can't help but fall in love with Jake and Cody. What an incredible pair they are. Jake has a unique way of bringing humor and light-heartedness to serious situations. I found myself bursting into laughter at some of the “play-on-words” Jake expresses.

The book took so many twists and turns it had me on the edge of my seat practically the whole time I was reading. The detail in the book is exquisite. It is a hard book to put down. It definitely kept me wondering what came next and what was going to happen to Jake and Cody. The book definitely leaves one wanting more.

If you like playing detective, you will love this book.

He skillfully introduced all the characters throughout the book and what a cast it is. My emotions were all over the place as I read. I'm so looking forward to the next book.

✯✯✯✯✯Something for every crime readerByPortalice Verified Purchase

The title didn't lie - this is a gripping thriller. Author Nolan's book encompasses everything a reader of crime stories could want - a Russian assassin, a hero and his service dog, both with incredible military training, the San Francisco PD with a roster of intriguing characters, the FBI, the Secret Service, even the President of the US. Beside many sidebar stories that kept me reading, the hero and the assassin wage war in unlikely places like the ductwork of a hospital and from pleasure boats in San Francisco Bay to the bay itself. The very first car chase had me holding my breath; the climax, with one surprise after another, had me gasping. Often I am turned off by the language in crime thrillers but Nolan achieves this without profanity. He also achieves passionate, but tasteful love scenes. Nolan left me wanting more. I,as I assume many readers, hope there will be a series of exciting novels about Jake Wolfe and his dog Cody.


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Mark Nolan began his writing career as a successful entrepreneur who created news stories for businesses that were featured in The Wall Street Journal, National Geographic, Parade, Readers Digest and Associated Press. Nolan was born in San Francisco, grew up in the Bay Area of California and has also lived in the Pacific Northwest and Hawaii.

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Lured by My Master by Jenna Jacob

[image error] How far would you go for love? Would you strip away your defenses? Confront your fears? Unlock your darkest secrets? Risk your heart without any promise of tomorrow?I, Cindy Noland, ER Nurse have fallen crazy-in-love with sinfully sexy Dr. Samuel Brooks, only to discover he’s been hiding a kinky alter ego: Master Sam. Confronting him tossed me into a mysterious new world that incited my every fear, made my heart race, and left me questioning everything I knew about myself. Now I have only two options: gather the pieces of my heart and walk away, or lay my soul bare to venture into the sensual unknown with a man whose heart might never be mine?Just how far would I go for love? [image error] Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks [image error] Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo I ARe Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo I ARe Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo I ARe Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo I ARe Amazon US I Amazon UK I B&N I iBooks I Kobo I ARe [image error] Bestselling Author Jenna Jacob's erotic romance comes from the heart of submission. With over twenty years’ experience in the dynamics of the BDSM lifestyle, Jenna strives to portray Dominance and submission with a passionate and comprehensive voice. Her stories will make you laugh, cry, and may leave you with a better understanding of the fulfillment found in the BDSM power exchange.A married mom of four grown children, Jenna and her husband lives in Kansas. Her passions include her family, reading, camping, cooking, music, and riding Harleys. She loves to make people laugh with her outgoing and warped sense of humor. If you're looking for hot romance with a kinky twist, pick up one of Jenna's books. [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error] [image error]

The Last Man Book I by Tobias Wade

Some journeys you will make, and some journeys make you.  -- An new young adult fantasy trilogy begins --
Farris did not believe in the old stories. Grandmother Rochette spoke of such strange things: monsters and magic and impossible heroes who could only exist in legend. But when Tom, her little brother, is kidnapped by the same monsters Grandmother spoke of, Farris is forced to change her view of reality in order to save him.Following their trail sends Farris below the crust of the earth, where layer after layer of new worlds await. She travels both within her mind and without, taking a path of harrowing adventure and personal enlightenment as she tries to free Tom. Unlikely companions join her, from her faithful goat to a magical fish, and Sasha--a man who knows far more about her than he should.~~ Like C.S. Lewis and Philip Pullman? Then don’t miss this philosophical adventure! About the BookThe Last Man Book Iby Tobias Wade
SeriesThe Last Man #1
GenreYoung AdultFantasy
Publisher
Publication DateJanuary 30, 2016
  The Last Man Series    The Last Man Book II - Coming July 21, 2016 We must accept what is before we can create what could be.
Farris has endured the land of fear, but her epic journey must continue as she pursues her brother deeper into the abyss. Nothing is as it seems in the surreal underground world, and she is tested by trials of pleasure, illusion, and love.Farris’s friends walk by her side, but how can she dare place her trust in one of her companions when every possibility of deception promises certain death? Sasha would stop at nothing to bring her back safely, even if it meant losing her brother to do it. Riften's loyalty to his own people hints at ulterior agendas, and her enigmatic Guide has no qualms about manipulating her to do anything that might bring his freedom.She cannot succeed alone. But trusting the wrong person could cost her everything.   
About Tobias WadeAs a child I constructed a spaceship capable of superluminal speeds powered by a fusion core reactor. The submission was denied by NASA on the grounds that it was made entirely of LEGOS. In high school I was told that I could do anything I wanted in life, while only being taught everything that I didn’t want to be. I probably deserved the detentions I received. In college I completed two bachelors of science in psychology and physiology and worked as a researching neuroscientist.
During my psychological studies it struck me as odd that I could learn so much about why humans behave without really understanding the intricacies of human nature. It occurred to me that I had learned more about the depths of human experience from reading Dostoyevsky than I ever had from my text books, and I was inspired to write professionally. I moved to Hollywood where I now write fantasy novels for IPP Books, perform script analysis for Underground Films, and write my own scripts through Creative I Works. 
In my stories, scripts, and books I create surreal worlds which utilize abstract scenarios to illustrate my values. I am drawn to themes of individuality, personal enlightenment, and the subjective quest of defining our purpose. I glorify man’s will to overcome all obstacles within himself and the ability to find beauty in all things, even tragedy.
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For the Love of Gracie By Amy K. McClung

Hard-hitting NA romance wrapped up in delicious heat.
Author: Amy K. McClungTitle: For the Love of GracieSeries: Southern Devotion series, Book 1Genre: NA RomanceRelease Date: July 8, 2016Publisher: Hot Tree Publishing Always falling for the wrong guy, Gracie Walker hasn't had much luck finding Prince Charming. She's reached a point where it's easier to forget about romance and focus on what's important: college, clubbing and her friends.

But the best-laid plans don't always pan out as hoped.

Caught up in a web of relationships that threaten nothing but pain, Gracie has to decide who she can trust and who can help keep her safe.

What lengths will the man of her dreams go to… for the Love of Gracie?
 Only 99 cents for a limited time! Amazon: US | UK | AU | CA
ARe | Kobo | Nook | iTunes
"I get cold easily, so body heat helps." I gazed up at the sky. "Isn't it pretty tonight? You can see so many stars."Ashton and I sat and stared at the stars, not saying a word for a while. Comforted in his company, I quickly relaxed. I lifted the beer bottle to my mouth and took a long swig. "Thanks again, for last night. I had fun, you know, when I wasn't hurling. I cleaned your jacket too." He chuckled softly. "I had fun too. You can keep the jacket. It looks better on you anyway." He offered me a small wink. "You're in college, right?" he asked. I nodded. "What's your major?" Before answering, I choked down the last swig of warm beer and grimaced. Warm beer always made me sick. He laughed at the way my face screwed up in disgust. "Was that a weird question?" I snickered. "No, silly. I don't like warm beer. It tastes like piss." His eyebrow rose curiously. "Drink piss often, do ya?" Nudging him with my elbow, I said, "You know what I mean, smart-ass. Anyway, my major is undecided, much like everything in my life at this moment." He nodded. "That's not uncommon for someone your age." Now it was my turn to get some clarification. "Someone my age? How old are you, Grandpa?" He choked on the mouthful of beer he'd been attempting to swallow, and I patted his back. "Need me to grab Cameron for the Heimlich?" He shook his head. "Nope, I'm good." He chuckled between coughs. I grabbed another beer from a cooler and popped the top. "I'm twenty-six, but thanks for making me feel old, though. You really know how to make a man feel good with that mouth." I was mid-drink that time and spat the beer all over his shirt. His face burned with embarrassment as he said, "I didn't mean that the way it sounded." I doubled over in laughter, and after his humiliation wore off, he joined me.


Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | TSU
Amy McClung was born in Nashville, TN. She is the second oldest of four girls and occasionally suffers from middle-child syndrome. She met the love of her life online in August of 2004, on his birthday of all days, and married him in September 2005.

Currently they have no human children, only the room full of colorful robots that transform into vehicles and the large headed Pop Funkos who represent their favorite characters. Collecting movies, shot glasses, Pop Funkos, and dust bunnies are some of her favorite pastimes.

Amy began writing in September of 2011 and independently published her first YA novel, Cascades of Moonlight, Book one of the Parker Harris series the following May. Her first book was a means of therapy for her, enabling her to escape reality for a while during a difficult transition in her life.

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Only Her by Sandra Owens

Only Her by Sandra Owens Series: K2 Team, #5Genre: Contemporary Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Montlake RomanceRelease Date: July 19, 2016


Former SEAL sniper Cody Roberts has returned from Afghanistan with too many demons and a simple wish: to be left alone. Working for K2 Special Services, caring for the war dogs he rescued, playing his guitar—that’s all he wants to do. But Cody is as protective as his nickname, “Dog,” suggests. A man like that can’t sit back when he realizes the beautiful veterinarian next door is being targeted by an unknown enemy.

Riley Austin is desperate to find out who’s poisoning her animal patients, and she’s stunned by her mysterious neighbor’s suggestion that it’s personal. But Cody makes her feel something else, too: a powerful attraction. He insists he’s no good for her, but those haunted eyes and that chiseled body tell Riley that surrendering to their mutual lust is worth the risk. And despite his conditions—no falling for each other, no regrets once it’s over—she’ll fight to love him just as fiercely as he’ll fight to save her.



Riley needed to clear her head, and a good, sweaty run would do the trick. Since it was dark out and she wasn’t stupid, she would just run up and down the sidewalk in front of her house under the streetlights.After changing into running clothes, she headed out. She checked her Fitbit, noting the steps she’d taken so far that day. Three thousand more, she decided, clipping the device onto the waist of her shorts.On the fifth pass by her house, she heard a car coming up the street at the same time she noticed Mystery Man on his lawn, tossing balls to his dogs. She subtly eyed him as she ran past, a thrill coursing through her at seeing him blatantly watching her.The car’s engine revved as it sped up, and Riley considered yelling at the driver to slow down, that there were children and animals living on the block. Better not to, though. Too many crazies behind the wheels of cars these days.At the very moment she heard the auto’s tires bump over the sidewalk, she was tackled from behind by a pair of strong arms, pulled back against a rock-hard body, and rolled across her lawn until finally being pulled behind a magnolia tree.Acting on instinct, she bit down on the arm holding her. When the man swore and let go, she twisted and brought up her knee, aiming for his junk like she’d been taught in her self-defense class.“Easy, darlin’,” the man said, catching her leg and holding it with a strength she couldn’t match. “I’m rather fond of that part.”Heart pounding as if she’d run a marathon, she looked into the caramel-colored eyes of her mystery man. He let her go, and she scooted away. As she became aware of her surroundings, she heard the squeal of tires as the car raced away. The man’s dogs were furiously barking, and she glanced across the street to see them running back and forth along the edge of the sidewalk.“What the hell’s wrong with you?” she yelled.The blasted man rolled onto his back and laughed. “Now there’s a question.”“Are you crazy?” Great, her new neighbor was a wacko. He lifted onto an elbow, and she couldn’t help but notice how the muscles in his arm flexed. And then he smiled, showing off a dimple on the right side of his cheek, which made her stomach twitchy. Okay, he was a hot wacko.“You keep asking me that,” he said. “Same answer as before. Probably.”Ooh-kay then. The sexy smile faded, and his intense focus on her made her want to squirm. “What? Why are you looking at me like that? Why did you tackle me?”“Enough,” he said, raising his voice.Just as Riley decided she really was in the company of an unbalanced man and it was time to make her exit, the dogs quieted. “Oh, you were talking to them.” There went that dimpled smile again.“I’d never yell at you, darlin’.” He pushed up to a sitting position. “Know who’d like to see you dead?”Well, hell. Just when she was beginning to think he was sane, he went and ruined her hope. Hope, because her stomach was still doing that fluttery-twitchy thing, and really, she was way overdue for some playtime. She just bet he was a man who could teach her a few new tricks.She shook her head. “Of course not. Why would you even ask such a question?”As if used to scoping out his surroundings, he scanned the area around them. “Because whoever was driving that car aimed right at you.”“Huh?”He reached over and put his fingers under her chin, closing her mouth. “Someone just tried to kill you, darlin’.”“Stop calling me that. My name’s Riley. Riley Austin.” Although she actually liked how the endearment sounded when he said it, she would never admit it. She had the feeling he was a man who pushed the boundaries of how far he could go. She swallowed a snort. Admit it, Riley. You’d like him to push your boundaries.“Riley,” he said, his voice caressing her name. “Nice to meet you. I’m Cody Roberts.”And of course, he would have a sexy cowboy name. “That car, it was just someone not paying attention, probably texting.”“Sorry, darlin’ . . . ah, Riley, but no. They were looking right at you and aimed for you. Whoever it was had on a knit hat and dark glasses even though it’s night. Couldn’t tell if it was a man or woman. I should have gotten the plate number, but I was too busy saving your pretty ass. It was an older model Chrysler, a Sebring maybe, so we know that much.”He thought her ass was pretty? Pay attention, Riley. Did someone really try to run her over? She couldn’t think of a soul who had it out for her. “No, no one’s trying to kill me.” On top of her patients dying of poison, that would just be too much. “No,” she said with conviction, “you’re wrong.”“I don’t think—”Those eyes. She could drown in them. Before she thought better of it, she leaned forward and, oh God, she was kissing him.








A best selling, award-winning author, Sandra Owens lives in the beautiful Blue Ridge Mountains of North Carolina. Her family and friends often question her sanity, but have ceased being surprised by what she might get up to next. She’s jumped out of a plane, flown in an aerobatic plane while the pilot performed thrilling stunts, has flown Air Combat (two fighter planes dogfighting, pretending to shoot at each other with laser guns), and rode a Harley motorcycle for years. She regrets nothing.

Sandra is a 2013 Golden Heart® Finalist for her contemporary romance, CRAZY FOR HER. In addition to her contemporary romantic suspense novels, she writes Regency stories.

Through Fire (Portland, ME, novel #3) By Freya Barker

Book Title: Through Fire (Portland, ME, novel #3) Author: Freya Barker Genre: Contemporary Romance & Woman's Lit Release Date: July 19, 2016 Hosted by: Book Enthusiast Promotions
Violence corroded her…

Obedience defiled her…

Fear kept her chained…

Freedom is hard to embrace when she’s never learned to trust. Yet in the span of a second, she grabs a single opportunity and runs toward it. Straight into the sanctuary of a pub at the end of a wharf.

She doesn’t understand the concept of friendship. She’s never felt the connection of a relationship. She’s as innocent as the driven snow and yet tainted with corruption. Still, she finds herself surrounded by people who accept her, without even knowing the first thing about her.

But one of them is determined to dig deeper.

He treasures his friends, yet he’s steered clear of committed relationships. He likes his life comfortably predictable and entirely controlled. Until it isn’t. For months he’s avoided interacting with The Skipper’s newest addition. Perhaps realizing that once he looked deeply into those liquid brown eyes, he wouldn’t be able to turn away.

When his present and her past puts them both on the brink of change, they are forged through fire as one.



Listen to Freya read an excerpt from Through Fire
“Can I see?” His voice is right behind me now and I can almost feel the heat coming off his body.

Still without turning, I drop the peeler and hold my arm out to the side, slowly pulling up the sleeve of my sweater. He steps into my field of vision and wraps one of his large hands around my wrist, pulling my arm out further so he can see. It’s nothing. At least nothing compared to some marks I’ve carried. Still, the hiss of his breath over the raised blister on my forearm seems to burn itself into my skin, and I lightly tug at my arm. He releases it instantly.

“Did you put something on it?”

He settles his back against the counter, his arms crossed over his chest and it would be rude not to look at him. Although his voice sounds gruff, almost curt, his blue eyes only convey concern.

“I did,” I confirm. “It doesn’t hurt. Much,” I add, not quite sure why I felt the need to.

“Have you taken anything for the pain?”

I shake my head forcefully. “No.” No way in hell will I take any drugs. Not even if my arm was on fire.

I can feel him examine me closely and I keep my eyes focused on what my hands are doing. “Make sure to keep it clean. When those blisters open, it can easily get infected,” he finally says.

This time I simply nod. He seems satisfied with that and takes a look at the recipe while I pick up the peeler again.

For the next half hour we work in relative silence as we finish cutting the ingredients and toss them in the large pan, which is now ready to go in the oven. Tim’s easily taken charge and it’s obvious he is no slouch in the kitchen. I have to admit I feel more relaxed today than I did yesterday. Or even this morning when I should’ve been excited about meeting Viv at her apartment—my apartment now—but was worrying about the day ahead instead.

“I can teach you.” Tim’s statement, out of the blue, startles me. “Cooking, I mean. I’m no chef, but I can handle the basics.”

I’m not able to mask the flash of excitement at the prospect. Pam had tried but, with the constant interruptions at the shelter, I’d had a hard time staying on task. I quickly straightened my face, though, the moment I started thinking about the logistics. It would mean being alone with this large man for stretches of time. And where? At the apartment? Here at The Skipper? No. I can’t. I know enough to know that if a man offers you favors, it’s for good reason. Usually favors in return. Otherwise what would he get out of it?

“Why?”

He seems a little taken aback by my question. “Because you want to learn. You said so. Never too late to start. And if I’ve learned anything in my years it’s that regret is the one true failure. Besides,” he says with a shrug of his massive shoulders, “I like cooking. I don’t do it often enough.”

“Okay.” I slap my hand over my mouth but it’s too late to hold back the inadvertent response.

His eyes twinkle with amusement. “Good.” He nods with a smile, before turning back to the stove.What have I gotten myself into? Idiota.








Freya Barker inspires with her stories about 'real’ people, perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy. She is the author of the Cedar Tree Series and the Portland, ME, novels.

A recipient of the RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for best first book, “Slim To None,” Freya has since published eight books. She continues to spin story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!








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A Bodyguard of Lies By Donna Del Oro

Romantic SuspenseDate Published: 06/08/2016



FBI analyst Jake Bernstein is recruited to go undercover and investigate an American grandmother wanted for war crimes during WWII but currently on a tour of England and Ireland with her granddaughter. Jake joins them and runs into complications when his growing attraction to the woman's granddaughter challenges his obligation to remain emotionally detached. As the investigation intensifies, a neo-Nazi group tries to prevent him from learning the truth and Jake struggles to stay alive long enough to either prove the woman's guilt or exonerate her.
Despite Meg Larsen's mounting passion for the stranger who has joined their tour, she suspects he's not who he claims to be. When she realizes her grandmother, the woman who raised her, is the target of the man's investigation, her first instinct is to protect her. Eventually, however, Meg must face the possibility of her grandmother's lifetime of lies while forced to trust a man who has become both their nemesis and bodyguard.



NY Times bestselling author Brenda Novak says of A BODYGUARD OF LIES, Book One in the Jake Bernstein Mystery Thriller series, "The past and the present collide in this intriguing romantic thriller that captures the angst and pain a lifetime of lies can cause...combines politics, romance and history. This story positively captivates!"

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