Today is release day for TURN TO STONE, the first book in the adult contemporary romance series, Stone, by Ariana Rose. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive teaser, and details on her giveaway.
TURN TO STONE (The Stone Series #1) by Ariana Rose
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: TURN TO STONE Series: The Stone Series #1
Author: Ariana Rose
Release Date: August 28, 2018 Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Link: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Their first run in would not be their last. Each time their paths intersected their connection was undeniable. She was seeking a love that only lived in her fantasies. He was seeking understanding from someone who would allow him to be the human he knew he was inside but couldn’t show the world for fear of the cost.
With everything against them, would they be the one each other so desperately needed? Would people, time and circumstance keep them apart? Would he be able to break free of expectation and reclaim his life? Would she ever openly be able to finally love like she always dreamed of and……. Turn To Stone.
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Author Ariana Rose
About the Author Ariana Rose is a working wife and mother of two from the Minneapolis area. Her need to tell a good story has always been there but in earnest the last 6 years. She was inspired to take the leap to write a story by the encouragement of those who had come before her and those taking the journey with her. Turn To Stone is her debut.
Today is release day for MY KINDA FOREVER, the sixth book in the adult contemporary romance series, Summer Sisters, by Amazon bestselling author, Lacey Black. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
MY KINDA FOREVER (Summer Sisters #6) by Lacey Black
Synopsis Alone. Everything changed for Meghan Summer that fateful February night. All she had, all she saw in her future, was stripped away in the blink of an eye. Even though she finds herself surrounded by her growing family, at the end of the day, there’s nothing but a gaping hole where her heart once beat. Or so she thinks…
Her. Nick Adams shouldn’t want her. First off, she’s his employee and friend, but more importantly, she’s grieving the loss of her fiancé. Even now, more than two years later, which is why it’s important he be there for Meghan as her confidante, without checking out her stellar ass. However, his heart is pulling him toward her…
Together. How do you move past the hurt and pain to forge a new normal? Can Nick and Meghan make a go of their connection? What happens when their newfound love is put to the ultimate test as another is brought in the mix: a ghost.
*Though part of a series, this book can be read as a standalone. It is intended for those 18 and over due to graphic language, descriptive sex, and the world’s most inappropriate grandparents.
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Excerpt Suddenly, being alone with Nick in the dojo has me nervous. I’m shifting my weight from foot to foot and not completely sure what to do with my hands. “Hey,” he finally says, offering me a small smile.
“Hi.”
“You ready?”
“As I’ll ever be,” I grumble, not really sure if I can do this.
Or if I should.
No, I definitely should. After what happened last week, a woman should know a few basic self-defense moves.
Nick heads over to the bench and unties his belt, dropping it on the bench beside my bag. Then, he strips off his white jacket.
My jaw hits the floor.
Unlike our time on the boat Monday, where he wasn’t wearing a shirt, this time he’s wearing a white tank top underneath, and if it’s possible, I think it makes him hotter. It hugs his very hard, very muscular upper body in a way that I’ve only read about in books. (Or saw one time when Linkin stripped for my sister, Lexi.) His shoulders…my word, his shoulders. The definition and muscles are like a work of art. Nick turns back to face me. “Is this okay? It’s hot.”
Yep. Definitely hot.
“Umm, sure. Whatever. Fine.” I know I try to sound casual, but really, it just comes out like a bumbling, blubbering teenager.
“Good. Now come here,” he instructs, and the tone goes straight to the apex of my legs (which are practically shaking, by the way). Why does it sound dirty?
“I’m going to show you just a few moves to help you escape an assailant. The first is an open hand strike. You’re going to use the heel of your hand to strike some of your assailant’s most sensitive areas,” he teaches, demonstrating the move. “Aim for the eyes, nose, mouth, or neck.” He stands in front of me and holds my hand, positioning it and showing me the correct ways to execute. “Here,” he adds, moving my hand to his face.
I can feel his breath on the palm of my hand as I slowly shadow his movements, practicing without actually striking him.
“Good. Now, if he comes at you from behind, your elbow is a valuable weapon. It’s hard, and when thrust into his face, neck, or stomach, you could definitely buy some precious time to get away.” He moves behind me and I immediately thrust upward with my elbow. He easily dodges the blow, as mortification tinges my cheeks.
“Oh my God, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to try to hit you, it just…was a reflex,” I insist.
“You’re fine,” he chuckles. “It’s good for you to actually practice the moves. Well, except this next one. No need to practice the knee to the groin. Just know it’s one of the most effective ways to disarm an assailant. If done right, your perp will be lying on the ground, crying for his mommy while you run away,” Nick teases, holding his hand over his…area.
Of course, my eyes drop down.
Why wouldn’t they?
He was just referring to someone’s…package.
“Yeah, no need to practice that,” I quickly reply, again a blush burning my neck and cheeks.
Is it hot in here?
“Let’s go over a few ways to block a punch or slap,” he says, showing me a few techniques using my arms and hands, before finally demonstrating what to do if the assailant gets me down on the ground.
Yep, I’ve officially lost my mind. I’m practically rolling around on the mat with Nick, who is trying to teach me moves that might one day save my life. And all I can think about is the way his arms feel when they wrap around me or the way his package brushes up against my thigh, not once, but five times.
Five.
Yes, I counted.
“Okay, that’s the basics. I want to do a few of them in a real-life situation. Stand over there, and I’ll come at you. I want you to take me down.”
“Wait, what? I can’t take you down. You’re…big.”
And, cue the blush…
Nick chuckles. “I’ll be okay, honey. Promise.” Then he winks at me, and my entire body seems to catch fire. “Ready?”
No. I’m definitely not ready for this.
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About the Author Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading, writing, and shopping. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves watching NASCAR races, shooting guns, and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.
Lacey’s debut novel, Trust Me, was released in August 2014 and has been an Amazon Bestseller twice for Free e-books, as well as #1 for Contemporary Romance. All of the Rivers Edge books have been bestsellers in the Romance and Contemporary Romance categories.
Today is release day for THE HAPPILY EVER AFTERS, the third book in the adult contemporary romance series, From the Baroness’s Diary, by USA Today bestselling author, Cristiane Serruya. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt. For a limited time, you can pick up the eBook of book 1 in the series for free!
THE HAPPILY EVER AFTERS (From the Baroness’s Diary #3) by Cristiane Serruya
Synopsis I’ve been trying to get away from one man, I didn’t think I’d end up with three.
I flee my abusive husband and travel to Italy to find Salvatore Di Luca, my long-lost love.
But the moment I set foot in Sicily, my life takes an unexpected turn: I meet Enzo, a dominant, broken-hearted man, and we connect at first sight. I couldn’t have imagined he is Salvatore’s elder brother and that they have a younger brother, Angelo, who thinks he is damaged for life.
It’s more than a trip. It’s a life-time journey.
All three of them want me and I want to heal their tortured souls and broken hearts. Before I even realize what is happening, we are entangled. Yet I am still married and the darkness of my past comes crashing down on us sooner rather than later, threatening more than our happiness.
But I won’t go down without a fight—and neither will my Harem—because my journey won’t be complete until forever belongs to the four of us.
If you are a fan of a romantic Reverse Harem Romance, you will love this scandalous, refreshing, and, of course, incredibly sexy story which involves three alpha Italian knights who will do anything for their baroness—oops, their Principessa. Buy this quick-blush, perfect bedside read by USA Today bestselling author Cristiane Serruya now!
Please note that this book might covers sensitive topics to some readers.
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Excerpt My hands pause on the vine and I shake my head hard, trying to clear her voice from my thoughts. It’s not the first time this has happened to me and a hard shake of my head usually takes care of the problem.
“It’s me, Chloé.”
But not this time. A spark of hope flows through me as I slowly turn my head to her voice.
My dream takes a step forward, her boots crunching on the leaves I have been clearing. Because I have been tormented that my trip had been in vain and that I would have to wait to go to France and comb Paris to find where her friend lives. Only manual work under the sun could take her out of my head.
“Chloé?” I ask hesitantly, scared I am having a vision.
There’s a storm inside me. A whirlwind of surprise and fear, threatening to drown me.
Why are you here? And from somewhere deep inside, another question whispers itself. Why did you take so long?
Emotions flit across her beautiful face. She looks older. Well, she’s four years older than when I last saw her, but it’s not that. There are delicate lines around her eyes now, as if she has begun to smile more, her face is leaner, more mature—even more beautiful, if that is possible—and her body seems to be thinner, more toned than it had been at the manor, but that is not something I can say for sure at a glance. Maybe it’s her clothes, which are also more modern than the ones she wore in Beardley Manor but still very proper.
“Oui,” she answers, clasping her hands so tightly together in front of her I can see her fingers getting white.
I clear my throat as I drop the shears into the basket at my feet. “Why have you come?”
It’s not the reunion I have pictured in my mind. There’s something different about her, something more timid than the woman I have given my body and my heart to.
“I-I have come to find you, Salvatore. You did not return and I-I—” Her voice falters as if she realizes only now she doesn’t know why she has come all this way to find me. “I was tired of waiting and I am a bit impatient…you know.”
I chuckle, but I still can’t make myself meet her gaze. “Cara, we all knew you are a lot impatient.”
“You did not come back to me.”
I lift my head at the sound of her voice breaking and I see a myriad of emotions in her eyes. There’s concern, desire, and hope, but none of the heat that we had once shared. “I am not under your thumb to do your bidding any longer, my lady.”
Her eyes widen as the tone of my voice surprises her.
“You were never under my thumb, Salvatore, you were in my heart.”
Her cheeks flush from her own declaration and I regret the cold sound of my words. I clear my throat.
I knew I would never have her as my own, but for a time it was like I owned her, body, heart, and soul. She was the lady of the manor, wife of the baron. But while he had her legally, her body craved mine and no matter how much time he may have spent with her, it was our time together that brought her to life, gave birth to her naughty streak. She belonged to me.
She is still mine.
“Cara,” I say softly, stripping off my gloves. “I thought I would never see you again.”
A tear escapes her eye as I meet her halfway, feeling the coolness of her hands as they run over the warm skin of my back. She is fresh and perfumed in contrast to my smell of dirt and sweat, but she doesn’t seem to care. She never has.
I burrow my face into her shoulder and I breathe deep, taking in her scent—English roses, her favorite flowers. It has haunted me night and day since I left her in that forsaken manor with that bastard of a husband.
About the Author USA TODAY and AMAZON best-selling romance author, Cristiane Serruya lives in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with her six-foot-six husband, two teenage daughters, and Loki, her Shetland sheepdog. Cris is a writer, a lawyer, a reader; a woman, a mother, and a wife. Not necessarily in this order. Or in any order…
She has a Master’s in Business Law and a BA in Fine Arts. In 2012, after twenty-two years of practicing law, Cris decided to give writing a go. And–amazingly–it was just the piece that was missing in the puzzle of her life.
She loves to hear from readers so fell free to stalk her online and visit www.crisserruya.com to win a freebie left there only for you.
Those who want to receive Cris’s very sporadic emails about new releases, giveaways, and promotions can sign-up on http://bit.ly/CS-VIPlist.
Welcome to the blog tour for GOOD TIME COWBOY, the third book in the adult contemporary western romance series, Gold Valley, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Maisey Yates. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
Synopsis In Gold Valley, Oregon, forbidden desire just might turn into the love of a lifetime…
When Lindy Parker lost her cheating husband, she gained a vineyard. She’ll do anything for Grassroots Winery, including teaming up with the hottest devil she knows, rancher Wyatt Dodge. Wyatt is her ex’s friend and has an ego as big as the bulls he rides. But in spite of that, disciplined Lindy has always wanted him…
Lightning struck Wyatt Dodge the first time he saw Lindy Parker. But there were two problems with that: she was married to his friend, and Wyatt doesn’t do strings. But now Lindy is free, and the two of them can finally explore the heat that’s burned between them for so long. But can Lindy make this good time cowboy decide on forever?.
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Excerpt #3 “It’s beautiful,” she said, her voice suddenly soft. “I remember the first time I saw it. The first time Damien brought me out here. And I just… I didn’t think that I was the kind of person who would ever be allowed to have something so lovely.”
Something twisted inside his chest. “Why not?”
He was surprised she’d shared that with him, and the look on her face told him that she was too. Almost like she didn’t understand the words that had come out of her mouth.
“I don’t know.” She looked away from him. “I guess…you know. Some people have beautiful things. Some people have beautiful lives. Some people don’t. And when you’ve lived an entire life of dirty and ugly it’s hard to imagine you could ever have anything else. That you could ever deserve anything else. I used to think of him like that too.”
Wyatt swallowed hard. He related to that a little more closely than he cared to admit. Even to himself. That feeling of being someone who could have a life that looked a certain way. Or being someone who could never aspire to such a thing. Someone who didn’t deserve it.
“It must feel more real now,” he said, unable to keep the gravel out of his voice entirely.
“I don’t know.” She paused for a moment. “It didn’t last, did it?”
“This place is going to last,” he said, knowing that she meant her marriage, but moving on to the winery anyway. “What you’re doing here? It’s going to last. You can’t control what other people do. They’re going to cheat.” He gritted his teeth, hating that when it came to his own experience with this kind of thing he couldn’t stand on the right side of the line. “But this is different. It’s not a person. It’s land. It’s not going to betray you. It’s not going to hurt you.”
“Now that’s spoken like a cowboy,” she said. “I imagine the other faithful things in your world are your horse and your pickup truck.”
“Damn straight.” He took a breath, doing his best to dispel the pressure that had begun to build in his chest. “Speaking of horses, how are you doing on that one?”
“Good,” she said. “You’re right. It is like riding a bike. In that, I remember how it’s done.”
“Well, and Trixie here is a pretty easy ride.”
“Funny. I think I read that on a bathroom wall about a girl named Trixie once.”
“If it was in the Gold Valley Saloon I might’ve written it there.”
She laughed, the sound unexpected and bright, splitting through the relative silence around them. “I don’t believe for a second that you would do that.”
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Maisey Yates lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit.
In 2009, at the age of twenty-three Maisey sold her first book. Since then it’s been a whirlwind of sexy alpha males and happily ever afters, and she wouldn’t have it any other way. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world.
Welcome to the blog tour for IMPOSTOR’S LURE, the eighth book in the adult thriller/romantic mystery series, Sharpe & Donovan, by New York Times bestselling author, Carla Neggers. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
IMPOSTOR’S LURE (Sharpe & Donovan #8) by Carla Neggers
Synopsis Newlyweds Emma and Colin are suspicious when prosecutor Tamara McDermott is a no-show at a Boston dinner party. Matt Yankowski, head of HIT, Emma and Colin’s small, elite Boston-based team, is a friend of Tamara’s, and he needs them to find her.
In London, a woman who was supposed to meet Emma’s art-detective grandfather to talk about forgeries is discovered near death. Her husband, who stayed behind in Boston, has vanished. The couple’s connection to Tamara adds to the puzzle.
As the search for Tamara intensifies, a seemingly unrelated murder leads Emma, Colin and HIT deep into a maze of misdirection created by a clever, lethal criminal who stays one step ahead of them.
As Emma draws on her expertise in art crimes and Colin on his experience as a deep-cover agent, the investigation takes a devastating turn that tests the strengths of their families and friendships as well as their FBI colleagues as never before.
Impostor’s Lure is full of clever twists that will keep readers guessing right to the stunning conclusion!
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Excerpt #1 An antique Maine lobster boat was bound to draw attention at a Boston Harbor marina, but Emma Sharpe hadn’t recognized any of the onlookers until now. She pulled off her work gloves and peered out the window of her apartment, located on the ground floor of a former produce warehouse that shared the wharf with the marina.
What was Tamara McDermott doing here?
Emma tossed her gloves into the sink. She’d been cleaning since midmorning. It was after lunch now—she’d grabbed a chickpea salad out of the fridge—but she was almost finished. Kitchen, living room, bedroom, bathroom. All in four hundred square feet. Plenty of space when it’d been just her, but now she shared the apartment with her husband. Emma smiled at the thought. She and Colin Donovan, also an FBI agent, had been married ten weeks. She hoped she felt this way in ten years. Twenty. Fifty. He was and always would be the love of her life.
But he hated chickpea salad, and he’d been mystified when she’d opted to stay home and clean instead of join him and his three brothers, down from Maine, at their annual Red Sox game.
She took her keys and exited the apartment, ignoring the blast of mid-August heat. Tamara McDermott was in her late forties, a prominent federal prosecutor based in Washington, DC. Emma hadn’t worked directly with her but definitely recognized her. It was Sunday, and Tamara hadn’t called ahead to meet. She wore a casual marine-blue knit dress with diamond stud earrings, a simple gold watch and sturdy sandals. Little or no makeup, sweat dripping down her temples and matting her gray-streaked dark hair at her nape. She must have walked at least a couple of blocks. She wouldn’t be sweating this much if she’d been dropped off by a cab. It was, though, a stiflingly hot day. Emma had on a shapeless linen sundress that didn’t do her any favors, flip-flops, no makeup. She’d pinned up her hair haphazardly, thinking she wouldn’t be seeing anyone until she’d had a shower and put on fresh clothes.
“Hello, Emma.” Tamara squinted in the early-afternoon sun. “This is Colin’s boat, isn’t it?”
“It’s his younger brother Andy’s boat. He’s a lobsterman in Maine.”
“Who’s Julianne?”
Julianne was the name of the classic wooden boat. “Andy’s fiancée. She’s a marine biologist. It was her grandfather’s boat, and he named it after her.”
“But it’s Andy’s boat now?”
Emma smiled. As a prosecutor, Tamara was known for her thoroughness, solid preparation and relentless focus. Of course she’d pick up on the nuances of the lobster boat’s history. “Andy bought it from Julianne’s grandfather. She objected. It was a source of tension.”
“All worked out now, one can assume. Well, it’s a beautiful boat—not that I know anything about boats.”
“I didn’t realize you were in Boston,” Emma said.
“My daughter turned twenty-one yesterday. We’re celebrating tonight. She’s a student here in town. She’s studying archives preservation. I came up for the weekend. I start vacation tomorrow. Unless I get cold feet,” she added with a wry smile.
“It’s been a while, has it?”
“It’s been several years since I took a proper break, yes. I’m scheduled to be away for three weeks. I get clammy hands thinking about it.” She laughed, glancing again at the Julianne, which bobbed in the quiet harbor water between two recreational powerboats. Few working boats used the marina. “I wonder what it’d be like to jump on a gorgeous old lobster boat and take off, see where I ended up.” She turned back to Emma and smiled. “Drowned, probably.”
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Author Carla Neggers
About the Author Carla Neggers is the New York Times bestselling author of the Sharpe & Donovan series featuring Boston-based FBI agents Emma Sharpe and Colin Donovan, and the popular Swift River Valley series set in the small, fictional New England town of Knights Bridge. With many bestsellers to her credit, Carla loves to write now as much as she did when she climbed a tree at age eleven with pad and pen. A native New Englander, Carla and her husband divide their time between their hilltop home in Vermont, a sofa bed at their kids’ places in Boston and various inns, hotels and hideaways on their travels, frequently to Ireland. Learn more and sign up for Carla’s newsletter at CarlaNeggers.com. Follow Carla at facebook.com/carlaneggers and twitter.com/carlaneggers.
Today is release day for MOMENTO MORI, the first book in the adult romantic suspense series, Masters and Mercenaries: The Forgotten, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive teaser.
MEMENTO MORI (Masters and Mercenaries – The Forgotten #1) by Lexi Blake
Synopsis Six men with no memories of the past One leader with no hope for the future
A man without a past
Jax woke up in a lab, his memories erased, and his mind reprogrammed to serve a mad woman’s will. After being liberated from his prison, he pledged himself to the only thing he truly knows—his team. Six men who lost everything they were. They must make certain no one else gets their hands on the drugs that stole their lives, all while hiding from every intelligence organization on the planet. The trail has led him to an unforgiving mountainside and a beautiful wilderness expert who may be his only hope of finding the truth.
A woman with a bright future
River Lee knows her way around the Colorado wilderness. She’s finally found a home in a place called Bliss after years lost in darkness. The nature guide prefers to show her clients the beauty found in the land, but she also knows the secrets the mountains hold. When she meets Jax, something about the troubled man calls to her. She agrees to lead him to the site of an abandoned government facility hidden deep in the forest. She never dreamed she was stepping into the middle of a battlefield.
A love that could heal a broken soul
Spending time with River, Jax discovers a peace he’s never known. Their passion unlocks a side of himself he didn’t even know he was missing. When an old enemy makes his first move, Jax and River find themselves fighting for their lives. But when his past is revealed, will River be caught in the crosshairs of a global conspiracy?
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Author Lexi Blake
About the Author NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Lexi Blake lives in North Texas with her husband, three kids, and the laziest rescue dog in the world. She began writing at a young age, concentrating on plays and journalism. It wasn’t until she started writing romance and urban fantasy that she found the stories of her heart. She likes to find humor in the strangest places and believes in happy endings no matter how odd the couple, threesome, or foursome may seem.
Welcome to the book Blitz for FAITH IN LOVE, the first book in the adult contemporary romance series, Arden’s Glen , by USA Today bestselling author, C.M. Albert. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive look at the book’s playlist, and details on her giveaway. You a limited time, you can pick up the eBook for free and book 2, PROOF OF LOVE, is available for just $0.99.
FAITH IN LOVE (Arden’s Glen Romance #1) by C.M. Albert
About the Book – FREE for a Limited Time!!
Title: FAITH IN LOVE Series: Arden’s Glen #1 Author: C.M. Albert Release Date: August 1, 2018 Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble | Kobo
Synopsis Full of grief and jaded by love, corporate philanthropist Egan MacGuire is given two options by his boss: take a leave of absence or kiss his job goodbye. A road trip with a friend is just the distraction Egan needs to figure out how to get his life back on track.
Celeste St. Angelo left the bright lights and big city for the mountains of North Carolina to open the next phase of her flourishing Angel Therapy business, a healing and wellness center. With the grand opening looming she has no time for distractions, especially love.
When divine timing sparks an unexpected romance, will Egan and Celeste be able to leave their troubled pasts behind and find the courage to have a little faith in love?
About the Author USA Today Best Selling Author C.M. Albert writes heartwarming romances that are both “sexy and flirty, sweet and dirty”! Her writing infuses a healthy blend of humor, inspiration, and romance. She’s a sucker for a good villain, but is a die-hard believer in everlasting love. In her spare time, she and her husband wrangle their two kids and enjoy spending time outdoors. When not writing or kid wrangling, C.M. Albert is also a Certified Medical Reiki Master, chocolate chip cookie aficionado, kindness ambassador, and seeker of naps.
Welcome to the book Blitz for EIGHT GOODBYES , a stand-alone adult contemporary romance, by Christine Brae. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
Synopsis One universe, nine planets, 204 countries, 809 islands and 7 seas, and I had the privilege of meeting you.” –Unknown
When Tessa Talman meets Simon Fremont for the first time, not only is she attracted to him, she’s intrigued by how different their lives are. He’s a dedicated scientist, practical, pragmatic, and grounded—while she’s a head-in-the-clouds romance author. As their relationship grows, they agree to meet in places around the world, while continuing to live on opposite sides of the globe.
Though their feelings for each other deepen, their priorities remain the same. Simon is in a hurry to be financially sound and settle down, but Tessa is enjoying her freedom and newfound success. Neither is willing to give in, but as each goodbye gets harder, Tessa begins to wonder whether fame is the path to happiness, or if she has everything she needs in Simon.
Just as Tessa finds the courage to go after her own happily ever after, the unthinkable happens, separating them in ways they never imagined.
To move forward, she must let go of the past, and determine once and for all if love is truly more powerful than the pain of goodbye.
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Excerpt #1 “Who knows you’re here?” she asked.
“You mean, specifically here? In Hong Kong?”
She nodded.
“No one. My family and friends think I’m traveling for work.”
“Ah. So if anything happened to you, how do they know where to look?” she asked, her chin resting on the palm of her hand.
“Well, when they find my phone and the one thousand pictures of you, they’ll know,” he said.
She laughed. Rather uncomfortably. This is what having an affair feels like. It’s you and him and no one else.
“Adrian doesn’t know I’m here.” This time he leaned forward, closer to her. “Does Riley know you’re here?”
“She has to. Even if I don’t tell her directly, Jake knows. He’s very protective that way. Needs to know where I go, who I’m with.”
“You seem so attached, the two of you.”
“He’s the only constant in my life.”
He stayed silent. She hadn’t intended to offend him with that comment. But then she decided that it was too soon to even think of his role in her life.
That was the real crux of the matter, and she wanted to keep it top of mind.
What about you, your parents? Do you see them often while you’re home?”
He laughed. “As a matter of fact, I have dinner with them every Sunday. They don’t live far from my old apartment. I’m moving to Chelsea when I get back which is a little further away, but I know my mum will find every excuse to come and visit. I’ll be too close to the shopping area for her to resist. She likes to get out sometimes. Leave the farm.”
“We’re lucky we have family we can count on,” she said.
“But none of them know we’re together,” he said, his tone lowered, quiet.
“Why does anyone need to know? Who cares?” she asked in defiance. She observed the way he picked up another dumpling with his chopsticks and shoved the whole thing in his mouth. “Okay, let me rephrase that,” she said. “In time, they’ll know.”
He smiled. “Better.”
He looked at his watch. She could tell that he wanted to change the subject. And she didn’t have to try. A round of applause filled the room. Tessa and Simon turned to see a man on one knee with his arms in the air, proposing to a very embarrassed woman.
“At a dimsum restaurant?” Simon smirked.
“Hey! You’ll never know! Maybe this is a special place for them,” Tessa said.
“Must be,” he answered, pulling his wallet out at the same time. He motioned for the dimsum man to bring the check over.
The man counted the different colored plates, each with a code for the food they ordered, wrote with lightning speed on a pad of paper, tore it off unevenly and handed it to Simon.
As he examined the bill, Simon said, “I forgot that your Twitter profile says ‘hopeless romantic.’“
“Love makes the world go ‘round!” she said in response, pausing to follow up with an afterthought. “At least in Romance books!”
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Author Christine Brae
About the Author Christine Brae is a full time career woman who thought she could write a book about her life and then run away as far as possible from it. She never imagined that her words would touch the hearts of so many women with the same story to tell. Her second book, His Wounded Light was released in December, 2013.
Christine’s third book, Insipid, is a standalone that was released in June, 2014, and her fourth book, In This Life, released in January 2016.
When not listening to the voices in her head or spending late nights at the office, Christine can be seen shopping for shoes and purses, running a half marathon or spending time with her husband and three children in Chicago.
Christine is represented by Italia Gandolfo of Gandolfo Helin Literary Management..
Welcome to the book blitz for LOVE, CUTTER, a stand-alone upper young adult/new adult contemporary romance, by Michelle Jester. See below for information on the book, pre-order links, a couple of exclusive teaser excerpts, and details on her giveaway.
LOVE, CUTTER by Michelle Jester
About the Book Title: LOVE, CUTTER Author: Michelle Jester Publisher: RopeSwing Press Genre: Upper Young Adult/New Adult Contemporary Romance Release Date: August 28, 2018 Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis After an attempted suicide Carter finds himself in a coma. He is able to hear the world around him, yet he can’t move. What he hears propels Carter to begin to see life in a new way, especially when one of his nurses, Kinley, shares parts of her tragic past with him. Soon, Carter realizes he is falling in love with her.
Months after being transferred from the hospital, to a rehabilitation facility, he suddenly wakes up with a passion to live that he never had before and a determination to find the one person he feels may be able to help him put the pieces of his life together again. However, when he returns to the hospital, Kinley is gone and Carter must try to find her based solely on the things she shared with him while he was in a coma.
Only, nothing is as it seems and Carter learns the biggest lesson of them all… the differences between expectation, perception, and reality.
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Author Michelle Jester
About the Author Michelle Jester lives in Greenwell Springs, Louisiana with her husband, high school sweetheart and retired Master Sergeant. Together they have a son and daughter. She is a hopeless romantic and has been writing poems and stories for as long as she can remember.
One of her prize possessions is a bracelet with only a yellow, Rubber Duckie charm on it; which she wears every day to remind her to enjoy the fun and happy things of life!
Welcome to the blog tour for LIAR, the first book in the adult contemporary romance/romantic comedy series, Faux-Mance, by Stephanie St. Klaire. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
Synopsis Fake it until you make it. That was the mantra Cori Dash chanted as she chased a big city dream. The more you tell people you’re on top of the world, the more they believe it – just like they believed the embellished image she sold them with her knock off designer facade. It wasn’t lying if the truth stood somewhere in the middle – and she didn’t get caught.
Dominic Blackthorne owned half of that big city…and a reputation. Rather than dispel rumors or show the world the real Nick, he let his own fake image run free. Until Cori Dash – the only person who told him exactly how it was, even if it stung.
When Cori is faced with her ex-fiance, now engaged to her ex-best friend, it’s game on. In her boldest move yet, she concocts her biggest lie to date by introducing the first handsome stranger that walks by as her new fiancé. Happy to play the part, Nick is already planning the fake wedding of her dreams.
You know what they say about lying – the truth always comes out – and it hurts. Especially when Cori finds out she isn’t the biggest Liar in this game, and she’s been out played.
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Excerpt #1 The whispers caught her attention before the man, aiming for her office did. She scanned the group, following the he’s coming this way, I’ve never seen him before, and is that really him? to the doorway, and her heart sunk. The man who stepped off the elevator was the man from the park — Nick.
Her original instinct had been right. He was a stalker, the creepy kind, and now he was standing in her office with her and her team. How on earth he’d found her, she didn’t know. He only had her first name, though she did mention she worked for the event sponsor. Still, getting past security? This guy was good and probably dangerous.
“What in the hell are you doing here?” she asked, her hands on her hips, offering a threatening glare.
Leaning against the doorway, with his hands in his pockets and a cocky grin, he nodded toward the watchful crowd before saying, “I’m here to see you.”
“Uh, I can see that. You need to leave. I was very clear yesterday — not interested. Are you stalking me?” she asked, quick to scan the group of eyes fixed on her with shocked expressions to match.
The whispers were louder, and the team was so invested in the back and forth, the only thing missing was popcorn. Something was off, and she didn’t know what, especially when she heard didn’t think he was real and it’s definitely him.
Who? she wondered. How did some of her employees know who he was, but she didn’t? Then, a terrifying thought crossed her mind. What if they had seen his picture somewhere, like on TV? Could he be a wanted man? A true stalker? A criminal?
Her fury escalated, and she felt the sudden urge to protect herself and those around her. “I asked you what you’re doing here.”
“I answered.” He winked at a couple of the ladies sitting closest to him. “I’m here to see you — my fiancé.”
Loud gasps filled the room, putting Cori on even higher alert. She tossed her hands in the air. “You know that wasn’t real, right? Do you know the difference between reality and fiction? I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but you need to leave, now. Or I’ll…call security.”
He shrugged, maintaining his megawatt smile, which might have charmed the pants off some, but not her. The chatter didn’t die down, and some of the women seemed to be entranced by his rugged good looks and that flashy smile. This was getting out of hand, and she needed to bring it to a close — fast. For all she knew, he had a gun or knife under that expensive Armani. He was an Armani wearing criminal — a polished thug.
“Figures, I had to pick a crazy one,” she said while picking up her phone and calling the security desk. She couldn’t help but wonder why members of her team continued to gasp in shock every time she addressed him. “Tony, we have a trespasser…in my office.”
“Your nose wrinkles when you’re mad. It’s…cute.” His compliment clearly offended her, but he found that just as cute as the wrinkled nose.
“Cute! Bring back-up, Tony. He appears to be unstable.” She hung up her phone, knowing Tony would be there in no time, given the concern she heard in his voice.
She looked to her staff. “I need you all to leave quickly. This is not a drill. Please follow safety protocol and exit the floor. Justin, you are the safety manager for this floor. You know what to do.” She turned to the man in Armani. “You’re here to see me, just let them go without incident and security will go easy on you.”
As the people quickly filed out of the office and went straight for the stairwell, she couldn’t help but notice the snickers and more whispers. Even a few heads turned and laughed before rounding the last corner. What on earth?
“Protecting your people — that’s honorable,” he said.
“What do you want?”
“A date,” he said, as if it was the most normal thing in the world, given the circumstance.
“You really are crazy!” She reached into her nearby purse and pulled out her mace. You can never be too careful, she thought. She tossed her neck left then right, loosening up, ready to use those self-defense moves she learned back in college. “You come near me and I’ll unload this entire canister on you. Then, I’ll kick your ass…or…something.”
“Wow. City life has really rubbed off on you.” He chuckled.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head, never losing that smile that most likely would have work on her…if he weren’t crazy. “About that date.”
“I’m not dating you. I have a strict policy not to date psychopaths.” After dropping the insult, she thought better of it. If he truly was unstable, it wouldn’t be wise to provoke any particular violent tendencies he may possess. It was time to take some sort of ninja warrior course. The city was showing its dangerous colors.
“We should get to know each other, so we don’t blow our cover.” That nonchalant shrug of his was getting on her nerves, and he knew it.
“Our cover? What the hell are you talking about?” Her hand darted out in front of her, aiming her mace, when he started to move toward her. She did mini lunges, stretching her legs, ready for hand to hand combat, in case it came to that.
He held his hands up in surrender, indicating he wasn’t a threat. “The invite to the San Juan Islands Memorial Day weekend. Winnie and Phillip? Have you already forgotten?”
“Are you mad? That’s not happening. Do you really think I’d leave town with a stranger…or date one for that matter? I really can’t believe this is happening. My lie — lies, really — are catching up to me! This…this is karma, isn’t it?”
“Don’t all dating couples start as strangers?” he asked, matter of fact.
“Well…yes, but we aren’t a couple, we aren’t dating, and I’m filing a restraining order the minute security tosses you on your…ass.” It wasn’t in her nature to swear or be mean, but she thought perhaps a few choice words would intimidate him a bit and let the Armani Killer know she meant business.
She looked around him, through the glass wall, feeling a sense of relief when Tony finally exited the elevator with his sidekick, Carmine. They headed right for her office, Tony’s hand resting on the stun gun on the right side of his utility belt. Tony’s angsty expression froze, and his eyes went wide when he entered the office and Nick turned to look at him. Surely Tony wasn’t intimidated. He must have been just as surprised by the man’s tall stature and clean-cut, tailored suit that didn’t scream sociopath — just like she had been.
“Wh-What seems to be the problem?” Tony asked, looking between Nick and Cori.
Her brows furrowed in confusion. She thought it was rather obvious what the issue was, but clarified by pointing at Nick. “Problem? Him. He’s the problem!”
“But, Cori. I mean…Miss Dash…” Tony stammered.
“But nothing. I want him removed, accompanied from the property, and a police report filed so my restraining order will stand. There is no telling what this…” she waved her hand up and down, indicating Nick, “loon is capable of.”
Tony’s voice turned to one of reason. He clearly saw she was upset, flustered even, but he wasn’t sure she knew what she was really asking. “Uh…but, Miss Dash—”
“Tony,” she interrupted before he could say another word, “I want him gone. Remember I told you about a…gentleman I met this weekend? Well, this is him. He found me. He’s delusional, and needs to go — now. Don’t be fooled by the knock-off designer suit. He’s a threat. Now, remove him.”
“Oh? OH! Well, Miss—” Tony tried, once again, without any luck.
“Tony…” she tried to interrupt him once more, frustrated by his unwillingness to do his job. Why was Tony, head of security Tony, so reluctant to do what he was paid to do?
“I…I can’t, Cori. He’s—”
“Crazy! I know! Remove him!” she shouted, tired of the charade Nick clearly orchestrated.
“It’s okay, Tony. I’ve got this,” Nick said, patting Tony on the shoulder.
“Uh, yes, Mr. Blackthorne,” Tony offered, emphasizing Blackthorne in an attempt to toss Cori a bone before she dug herself any deeper.
Too late. She was already filling the hole she was laying in when Blackthorne registered loud and clear. “Blackthorne? You’re Nick…Dominic Blackthorne…owner of Thorne Industries…my…boss?”
The charming smile returned. “Pleasure to meet you, Miss Dash.”
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Author Stephanie St. Klaire
About the Author Stephanie St. Klaire debuted in 2016, launching her writing career with Rescued, the first book in the widely popular, five book series known as McKenzie Ridge. Stephanie is a Pacific Northwest native currently living in Oregon with her husband, five children, and two ferocious lap dogs.
As a writer, Stephanie brings realistic circumstances to the pages, and fills them with real emotion, reactions, and outcomes. Her characters are passionate, have bold personalities, and full of life. She writes happily ever after’s, with plenty of twists, turns, drama, and of course, steamy romance.
Stephanie has always been a story teller, with the gift of “gab”, and a life-long goal to be a writer. Unfortunate circumstances with her health, finally afforded her the time to do so. Irony at its best, she began writing her first novel at an adverse time, to escape her circumstance and explore the stories in her imagination for relief. She is happy to share those stories with her readers, and bring a little fun, entertainment, and of course smexy characters to the pages.
Follow Stephanie St. Klaire on Social media to learn more about her, and to keep up with her work.
Welcome to the release blitz for GET WITCH QUICK, the first book in the adult paranormal romance/romantic comedy, by USA Today bestselling author, Daisy Prescott. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive teaser. For a limited time, you can pick up the eBook for just 99 cents, or read for free with Kindle Unlimited.
GET WITCH QUICK (Wicked Society #1) by Daisy Prescott
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited
Title: GET WITCH QUICK Series: Wicked Society #1 Author: Daisy Prescott Release Date: August 22, 2018 Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance/Romantic Comedy Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis After falling for tall, dark and brooding Andrew Wildes, Madison Bradbury’s life goes from boring college parties to fighting off curses and dark magic with the help of Salem’s most powerful witches and a pair of ghosts.
When she and Andrew accept summer internships at the Wicked Society, she imagines long days spent learning magic and researching New England’s oldest families, followed by romantic nights strolling around Boston with her new love.
What she doesn’t plan on is getting kidnapped.
If Madison is going to outsmart her enemies, she’ll need to master her magic as quickly as possible.
Get Witch Quick is the first book in the Wicked Society series of interconnected, lighthearted paranormal romances with a cozy mystery twist.
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Author Daisy Prescott
About the Author USA Today Bestselling Author DaisyPrescott writes romantic comedies with heart.
Her Modern Love Stories feature characters in their thirties and forties finding and rediscovering love in unexpected and humorous ways. Her Wingmen books star regular guys who often have beards, drive trucks, and love deeply once they fall. Look for her new Rom Com series, Love with Altitude, in 2017.
Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, and an indeterminate number of imaginary house goats. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.
Welcome to the book blitz for PRIVATE CHARTER, a stand-alone adult contemporary romance, by N.R. Walker. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
PRIVATE CHARTER by N.R. Walker
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: PRIVATE CHARTER Author: N.R. Walker Release Date: August 24, 2018 Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Stuart Jenner’s job is high stress, high stakes, and everything he’s strived for. So why, when the apex of his career is within reach, does he stumble? At his doctor’s insistence, he books a privately chartered yacht to sail around the Whitsundays for two weeks of sun, surf, and sex. When his friend-with-benefits bails on him at the last minute, Stuart decides to go alone.
Foster Knight left the rat race behind six years ago, bought a yacht, and now calls the Great Barrier Reef his home. Sailing tourists around tropical waters is all in a day’s work, and he’s never been happier. When his next client arrives alone, the two-week charter will be the most private job he’s ever had.
Foster can see how stressed and exhausted Stuart is, and he promises him extensive rest and relaxation. Stuart slowly realises his original plan for two weeks of sun, surf, and sex might not be lost yet. Confined to a yacht, isolated by aqua-coloured oceans and the sweltering sun, Stuart and Foster are about to find out just how hot the tropics can get.
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Excerpt #3 We played around in the water, floating and laughing for a bit, then Stuart grabbed the snorkel gear and we swam for what felt like hours, diving down to look at the reef and the fish.
It was so perfect, and I had to keep reminding myself he was a client.
A client who, I had no doubt, I would be having sex with later that night. As far as sexual tension went, we were now off the Richter scale.
He was back to his grinning self, bright-eyed and enthusiastic about everything he found under the surface. At one point, a fish startled him, and I laughed so hard I had to pull up to the surface for air. He followed up and pulled off his mask just to tell me to piss off and splash me, but he was smiling.
And his demeanour now, his happiness, was vastly different from how he’d been this morning. He’d kind of played it off as being a bit hungover, but I doubted that was it. He’d been pale when he went into his room for a while, and it hadn’t looked like a hangover to me. There’d been something in his eyes that told me otherwise. So I’d left him alone, thinking he just needed some downtime, but by lunchtime, he still hadn’t comeout, so I knocked on his door. I hadn’t thought he’d be asleep. As soon I realised he was, I pulled back, but he stirred.
The sheet was covering him, though I could see a partial thigh and hip. He looked peaceful for that briefest second. And absolutely beautiful. Then he sat up, the sheet tangled around his hips, his hair was kind of mussed, and he squinted and scratched his head.
It was adorable.
I’d wanted to climb into bed with him and muss him up somemore.
Same when he climbed up the ladder into the yacht before me. I got a glorious view of his arse in those red briefs, and when he met me at the top, he handed me a towel. He scrubbed his towel over his hair, making it stick up all over. His smile was devastating.
And those red briefs were pretty spectacular dry, but wet? I wanted to meet Calvin Klein and kiss him.
“Whatare you thinking?” he asked, a curious smile in his eyes.
“That Calvin Klein is a genius.”
He looked down at himself, then back up at me and grinned. “Mr Klein can’t take all the credit.”
I snorted. “No, he can’t.”
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Author N.R. Walker
About the Author N.R. Walker is an Australian author, who loves her genre of gay romance. She loves writing and spends far too much time doing it, but wouldn’t have it any other way.
She is many things: a mother, a wife, a sister, a writer. She has pretty, pretty boys who live in her head, who don’t let her sleep at night unless she gives them life with words. She likes it when they do dirty, dirty things… but likes it even more when they fall in love.
She used to think having people in her head talking to her was weird, until one day she happened across other writers who told her it was normal.
Welcome to the book blitz for HOT HONEY KISSES, the seventeenth stand-alone book in her new adult contemporary romantic comedy series, 3 AM Kisses, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Addison Moore. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
HOT HONEY KISSES (3 AM Kisses #17) by Addison Moore
Synopsis What do an obnoxious attorney, a coed gone wild, and a corpse have in common? Shep and Serena are about to find out the hard way.
Spending summer in Hollow Brook will be murder. …
*this is a standalone romance*
When Serena lets her roommate talk her into going to an exotic nightclub that promises to make all of her wildest dreams come true, she’s mortified to find the man behind the mask has an all too familiar obnoxious face. But it turns out Serena and Shep share more than a penchant for soft restraints—they share a propensity for trouble. Finding a corpse places Serena and Shep right at the top of the suspect list, and try as they might to unravel the mystery themselves, they discover that time has already run out for the two of them. Or has it just begun?
From the NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY bestselling author, Addison Moore—Cosmopolitan Magazine calls Addison’s books, “…easy, frothy fun!”
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Excerpt ONCE UPON A BODY
Serena
The place to be in Hollow Brook on a hot Friday night—and I mean hot in the most literal sense—is the Black Bear Saloon. Since the weather in Hollow Brook itself has devolved into Satan’s armpit, the Black Bear is about the only place to get decent air conditioning along with your fair share of hard bodies. It’s June. School is out and summer has descended upon us like fire-breathing cats and dogs raining down like a punishment. Everyone under the sweltering sun has arrived at the restaurant-slash-bar for a night of boozy festivities and all of the sleazy events that will ensue thereafter.
Of course, I’m here with my shortest skirt, my tightest tank top, in a quasi-manipulative effort to pull in the big tips. God knows I need them. The bigger, the better. I might have scored a scholarship to Whitney Briggs University, but that free ride sure doesn’t help with the incidentals of life, such as that cute cherry red bikini I’ve had my eye on and the perfect matching shade of fiery red MAC lipstick—all specifically chosen to highlight my auburn hair.
My sister, Lex, and I both have our deadbeat of a mother’s deep red locks. Although, Lex has an ebony undertone and I’m more Little Mermaid. Not that I mind the cartoonish nature of my beastly mane. I’ve come to embrace it. Hell, I’ve come to embrace just about every quirk and jerk about me—and I kind of mean the jerk part literally. In no way do I set out to come across as a jackass. It’s just that the constant stream of sarcasm that spouts from my mouth is often misconstrued as surly and inconsiderate—as detailed to me by my sweet cousin, Sunday.
Sunday has always been as puritanical as her moniker suggests—with the exception of that whole getting knocked up after a one-night stand gone wrong last winter, but I digress. It’s merely the beginning of summer, and the humidity is already creating a sticky situation. The place is pumping, and I’m hopeful that all of these moderately drunk bodies will equal more than enough to buy a string bikini or two once the night is over. Heck, I might even make enough to fill my gas tank and venture down to the beach to show off my new stitches. There is nothing like a North Carolina white sandy beach in the summer.
I’ve just crested the entry of this fine establishment, passing the overstuffed black bear that greets the guests just outside the doors. It’s usually mobbed by freshmen waiting their turn to sneak in the obligatory selfie, and tonight is no different with three prepubescent looking girls trying to dry-hump the poor thing in the process.
I glance to the floor as my fingers work in haste to tie on my apron, only to have a brick wall of a body slam right into me.
Crap. My nose just pushed in like an accordion, and my strawberry lip-gloss just smacked its way onto someone’s salty flesh.
The brick wall moves back a step, only to reveal himself as a tall heap of muscles—my lip print neatly pressed against his neck—greasy blond hair, and a dangerous smile on his equally greasy lips. Yes, he’s handsome, but he’s got a cocky air about him that says I’ve got a power drill in my pants and I’m not afraid to wield my tool belt. But that squirrely look in his wicked eyes spells out insanity more than it ever does the stable committed type, so I attempt to sashay to his left, but he sidesteps right along with me. His brows bounce in amusement, and I can’t help but note he has that perennial bad boy appeal—and not in a good way—I’m talking fresh out of the slammer tattoo factory, body is a coloring book right up to that lip print I gifted his neck, eyes red with rage and quite possibly the aftereffect of a quasi-illegal substance. He’s older than me by a decade at least. My guess is he’s no frat brat, just a roving troublemaker looking to get drunk and sunk between some poor unsuspecting barfly’s thighs. And as long as he’s got at least a ten-dollar bill with my name on it in that dingy pocket of his, I couldn’t care less what illegal substances or raging sluts this greaseball does to fill his downtime.
“Watch where you’re going, kid,” he barks it out like a reprimand while trying once again to charge right through me. Instinctively, I slap my hands over his chest, sending him sailing backward as his phone slips from his pocket along with a tiny white receipt.
His cell makes an awful slapping sound that penetrates the music blasting through the speakers, taking the decibels in this place to jet engine levels. Oh crap. That can’t be good.
“Did you just push me?” he barks once again, his upper lip set in a snarl as if he were a rabid dog—an insult to rabid dogs everywhere.
“You bet your greasy dollars I did.” My voice is a bit snippier than usual, but I can’t help it. This block of less than hygienic flesh has my blood boiling. “I suggest you watch where you’re going and think twice before referring to me in a derogatory manner—likening me to some kid. I’m all woman, moron, and don’t you forget it,” I shout up over the 12 Deadly Sins, the house band happily blaring away while Dirty Boy—and yes, I don’t mind one bit reducing him to the childish moniker—bends over to pick up his cell phone with an alarming lightning-shaped crack running the length of the screen.
Dear God, how I pray it was damaged well before our scuffle because I sure as heck don’t have two nickels to buy him a new one. I’m pretty sure a week’s worth of my measly tips wouldn’t be able to fix a cracked screen either. And a douchebag like Dirty Boy will certainly want to pin the blame on me.
His eyes narrow in on mine, dark and beady. “Honey, I’ve got bigger fish to fry. Stay out of my way. And if you’re still around by the end of the night, I’ll gladly take you out back and teach you a lesson or two on how to be a real woman.” He winks while brushing his finger over my cheek, and I gag on a thousand different expletives. Dirty Boy dives to my left and thankfully disappears in a flurry of bodies.
“So help me God, I will kill or maim that jackass before the night is through,” I mutter. And just as I’m about to rush over to clock in, the receipt that fell from his pocket catches my eye and I pick it up myself. “On top of being a sexist idiot, he’s a damn litterbug, too.” I glance at it a moment. It’s just a string of numbers written across the front. I plunge it into my pocket without thinking. It’s probably last night’s bed-hopper’s number. I bet after a few beers he’ll be willing to fork out the big bucks to get this valuable promise of STDs back in his possession.
Cole, the bartender, nods my way as I make my way over to clock in. Holt, one of the owners, is usually working alongside him, but he and his wife, Izzy, just had a sweet baby girl named Paige.
Baby fever seems to have swept through Hollow Brook this last year as evidenced by my sweet and yet not-so-innocent cousin Sunday getting knocked up after a one-night stand that she happened to have with the love of her life, Seth. They’re officially together now—engaged to be exact.
Sunday wants a simple courthouse wedding, but there’s no way in hell I’m letting that legal nightmare ensue—the courthouse, not the wedding. Lex and I are gunning to surprise her with something nice at the overlook come Fourth of July. Seth says he’s fine with it, but if the moment arrives, and Sunday decides it’s not what she wants, we’ve agreed to pull out of the endeavor. Pulling out isn’t something in which Seth is an expert, thus the fact their baby is due in September. But, overall, Seth is a great guy, and I just know they’re a perfect fit.
Seth’s sister, Misty, is married to Sunday’s brother, Nolan, so it’s kind of cozy that they’re keeping things in the family quite literally. Nolan, Sunday, and their brother, Rush, are my first cousins on my aforementioned deadbeat of a mother’s side. Since they lost their own mother more than a decade ago through a tragic accident and I lost mine due to negligence on her part—rumor has it, an old boyfriend and a casino had a starring role in the tragedy—my older sister, Lex, stepped in and played the part of mama bird to us all. It’s ironic, of course, since Lex was the least likely of the bunch with a maternal instinct. She’s sort of an anti-nurturer, but she did her best and we’ve all grown up in appreciation of her efforts.
As much as I love my sister, I’ve tried to keep my distance ever since I set foot at Whitney Briggs. Suddenly, she’s a tad too maternal now that my virginity has a glaring spotlight over it—no thanks to the fact Sunday had a fire sale on her own. Nevertheless, I plan on bumping into more than my fair share of bad boys while I’m at WB—sans Dirty Boy and that greasy grin of his. I’d like to teach him a lesson out back—with the working end of my stiletto.
I clock in before heading straight to my area and cringe at the matrimonial sight before me.
A bride.
A bride seated at a table set for twenty. A very bedraggled looking, sour-faced, pissed off bride with a dress that looks as if she just yanked it out of the bottom of a trash can, wrinkled, grimy—and is that a tire track across the front? I’m guessing the nuptials didn’t go the way God intended.
“Welcome to the Black Bear Saloon,” I say, hopping next to her while whipping out my notepad. “Can I get something started for you while you await the rest of your party?” Like a good divorce attorney perhaps, I want to add but shockingly don’t. Tonight seems to be taking on a life of its own. It sure doesn’t need me running off my mouth, even though Lex’s husband, Axel, is a perfectly good attorney turned restaurateur—and this poor bedraggled bride looks as if she needs the brightest and the best in the legal department. Axel and a couple of his buddies opened up a similar bar-slash-eatery over on the ritzier, far less studious, side of town called The Sloppy Pelican. Axel’s brother, Shep, is an attorney as well. I make a face without meaning to. It’s sort of my go-to response when that public defending nuisance comes to mind, and I do my best to swat him away like the mental gnat he is.
“She’s younger than me. She’s got big boobs, too.” The bullish and yet somewhat blushing bride smirks up at me.
Whoa. I take a step back in hopes to duck out of the toxic current she’s just emitted. It looks as if she’s coming in hot with a full tank of ethanol judging by that slight slur in her speech coupled with the vodka breeze.
She slaps her left hand on the table, and I can’t help but note there’s nary a sign of any ring or bling. “Hell, he probably calls them tits because men are pigs that way.”
“Uh…right.” No matter how much I agree with her I’m about to steer this conversation in a culinary direction when a mob of women in alarmingly matching, slightly dingy, bedraggled wedding dresses storm in. And sadly, I’m not in the least surprised.
At the moment, I’m talking to who I guess to be the head bitter bride, an older woman with severe bags under her eyes. Her face looks blotchy and bloated, as worn out as that gray dress she’s donned. A ratted veil is staked into her thick blonde hair, and it looks as if she just plucked it off a corpse bride—not that she doesn’t qualify as one herself. I clear my throat. “You know what?” I muse as the bitter bride brigade falls into their seats like a coven of angry witches whose spells have all just backfired. “Why don’t you ladies take your time with the menu? I’ll be back in just a bit to take your order.”
The head bride lets out a mean whoop while waving in another whole legion of runaway brides in this direction. “Oh, honey, this is going to be one hell of a breakup bash. I came within inches of that unholy altar before I saw the light, and believe you me I’m damn thankful. You just keep the margaritas coming. Hell, we can cut out the middleman. Just send the damn bartender this way. We’ll figure out what to do with him.” The entire table breaks out into cackles over that salacious remark.
***PICK UP A COPY TODAY AND FIND OUT WHAT HAPPENS NEXT!***
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Author Addison Moore
About the Author Addison Moore is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author who writes contemporary and paranormal romance. Her work has been featured in Cosmopolitan magazine. Previously she worked as a therapist on a locked psychiatric unit for nearly a decade. She resides on the West Coast with her husband, four wonderful children and two dogs where she eats too much chocolate and stays up way too late. When she’s not writing, she’s reading.
Synopsis Thais Fenwick was eleven-years-old when civilization fell, devastated by a virus that killed off the majority of the world’s population. For seven years, Thais and her family lived in a community of survivors deep in the heart of the Appalachian Mountains. But when her town is attacked by raiders, she and her blind sister are taken away to the East-Central Territory where she is destined to live the cruel and unjust kind of life her late mother warned her about.
Atticus Hunt is a troubled soldier in Lexington City who has spent the past seven years trying to conform to the vicious nature of men in a post-apocalyptic society. He knows that in order to survive, he must abandon his morals and his conscience and become like those he is surrounded by. But when he meets Thais, morals and conscience win out over conformity, and he risks his rank and his life to help her. They escape the city and set out together on a long and perilous journey to find safety in Shreveport, Louisiana.
Struggling to survive in a world without electricity, food, shelter, and clean water, Atticus and Thais shed their fear of growing too close, and they fall hopelessly in love. But can love survive in such dark times, or is it fated to die with them?
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My Review Set after an illness and the events that followed wiped out half the country’s population and civilization as we know it, Thais and her family manage to survive in a rural town in what used to be Kentucky. But lawlessness and greed are everywhere and soon raiders upend an already upended life and send Thais and her sister into the wilderness. They’re soon caught by raiders and taken to Lexington City where women are more prized than gold. They are ranked according to looks and worth and sorted for a life as workers, wives, or whores. There is no equality and no freedom. Thais is desperate to get her sister out, although to where is still huge unknown. But remaining in Lexington City will be a hell all its own.
Atticus is a soldier in Lexington City responsible for sorting Thais and her sister. He’s filled with self-loathing and a desire to change things for the better. His views on the new fallen world are best summed up in his inner thoughts.
But in every good person there is something dark waiting to take the reins. Now here we were, Evelyn and Atticus, a whore and a murderer, succumbing to that dark part of us, because that’s how life was.
Something about Thais sparks a desire in Atticus to battle back against that darkness and maybe redeem his soul. If he can protect her and her sister, maybe he’s not the animal he believes himself to be. When things spiral out of his control, he has no choice but to get Thais out of the city where survival is even more precarious and betrayal is everywhere. Somehow these two find mutual respect in one another that gives way to something more.
Plot The plot moves at a fast pace from the opening chapter. Scenes are short, and alternating points of view keep suspense high and prevents the story from stalling. However, starting in Chapter 24, the author throws in the alternate point of view in bold parenthesis. This practice is jarring, ripping me from the story each time. These points of view are completely unnecessary to the flow of story, so I began to ignore them when I came across them.
The Characters While I’m sure this was written as a plot-driven story, the characters steal the show. Atticus is a fascinating, intense character who I felt the author was much more comfortable writing than Thais. Thais is also well-developed, but she comes across as almost two people as the story develops. She’s tough and determined early on, but slowly becomes dependent upon Atticus for her survival, losing some of that grit that made me love her in the beginning.
Top Five Things I Enjoyed About EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN 1. Atticus. He’s brilliantly crafted.
2. Dystopian. I do love a good fallen civilization.
3. Unhurried love. I love how the author doesn’t rush anything between Thais and Atticus.
4. Character development. Both Thais and Atticus undergo tremendous development throughout the story that is a direct reflection of the circumstances they’ve been put in, making it very organic.
5. Realism. While this is a young adult novel, the author doesn’t sugar coat the realities of life in a post-apocalyptic world, from rape, cannibalism, violence, and prostitution, a dark world is not made less dark just because the characters are young.
Bottom Line A character-driven dystopian in the best sense of the word with remarkable characters and a solid plot.
Disclaimer
I was provided a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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About the Book Title: EVERYTHING UNDER THE SUN Author: Jessica Redmerski Release Date: August 28, 2017 Pages: 657 Genre: Young Adult Dystopian Romance Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Barnes & Noble
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Author Jessica Redmerski
About the Author Jessica Redmerski is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author and award winner who juggles several genres of fiction.
Meghan Quinn is revealing an excerpt from THE LEFT SIDE OF PERFECT, the first book in her latest adult contemporary romance duet, releasing August 30, 2018. See below for information on the book, a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR, and an exclusive excerpt
THE LEFT SIDE OF PERFECT by Meghan Quinn
About Book 1 Title: THE LEFT SIDE OF PERFECT Author: Meghan Quinn Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Release Date: August 30, 2018 Links: Goodreads
Synopsis For better or for worse,’til death do us part . . .
The better captured me; she’s who stole my heart. And made me realize I couldn’t live without this woman. The worse of her took my breath away–kicked me when I was down and twisted me into a million knots.
When I first met her, I thought she was someone I would never see again. The second time I ran into her, it was a random coincidence.
The third?
I didn’t know it at the time, but she was the girl I was going to marry. But life isn’t always perfect. You have to take the better and the worse–even if it means giving her up, having her slip between your fingers, and letting her walk away.
I’m getting married.
This is forever, ’til death do us part.
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Excerpt Her hands rest on her hips, the navy-blue Grecian-style dress draped down the length of her body, a small slit on the side that barely reaches her knee. “You’re really fixated on this, aren’t you?”
“Nah, didn’t care too much. A homemade dinner would have been nice, though.”
“I can’t cook.”
“Neither can I,” I answer honestly. I either eat out, or I make myself scrambled eggs, and that’s about it. Rory taught me how to make meatballs once but hell if I can remember how to do that. All I know is that I enjoyed crushing the beef between my fingers. I get by with limited knowledge in the kitchen.
She chuckles. “Well, aren’t we a pair?” She turns to watch Stryder and Rory together. Apparently not giving a shit about the even bigger elephant in the room, Ryan asks, “Is this weird for you?”
“I have a flask in my jacket pocket, so you tell me.”
She lifts her bouquet and pulls out a mini bottle of alcohol. She wiggles her eyebrows at me. “Thought maybe we’d both need this since we have to sit through having all these pictures taken with them.”
“Smirnoff? That’s what you brought with you?”
“It was all I had. Don’t judge me.”
“I’m judging.”
Playfully she whacks my arm. “You shouldn’t be judging me. It was innovative. I carved out a little space in my bouquet for this bottle. If anything, you should congratulate me on this genius idea.”
“Was it your idea?”
“I mean”—she toes the ground—“I might have seen the idea on Pinterest along with a recipe for beer cookies that tasted like vomit.”
“Beer cookies?” I shake my head and take the little bottle from her. Twist the cap, tilt the bottle back, and swig. I hand it back to her, leaving half the bottle. “Even I know better than to think beer cookies would taste good.”
“They were for a boyfriend I was trying to impress.”
“Impress or poison?”
“Impress.” She laughs. “Although after our breakup, I should probably say poison. Teach all future suitors: if you mess with me, you get poisoned.”
“It’d keep me away, that’s for damn sure.”
She finishes the rest of the little bottle and returns it to her bouquet. She pats it and says, “I can recycle it later.”
“Get drunk and save the earth. Sounds like a good combination to me.”
“Ryan and Colby, can we get you over here for a few pictures?” the photographer calls out.
“That’s our cue.” Ryan pokes my cheek with her index finger, looking sincerely at me. “Don’t forget to smile, because these pictures will last forever.”
“Scowling not in the job description of best man?”
As we walk over, she says, “I would normally say no, but given the bride is your ex-girlfriend, one scowl is allowed.”
“One scowl? Damn, better make it a good one.”
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Author Meghan Quinn
About the Author Born in New York and raised in Southern California, Meghan has grown into a sassy, peanut butter eating, blonde haired swearing, animal hoarding lady. She is known to bust out and dance if “It’s Raining Men” starts beating through the air and heaven forbid you get a margarita in her, protect your legs because they may be humped.
Once she started commuting for an hour and twenty minutes every day to work for three years, she began to have conversations play in her head, real life, deep male voices and dainty lady coos kind of conversations. Perturbed and confused, she decided to either see a therapist about the hot and steamy voices running through her head or start writing them down. She decided to go with the cheaper option and started writing… enter her first novel, Caught Looking.
Now you can find the spicy, most definitely on the border of lunacy, kind of crazy lady residing in Colorado with the love of her life and her five, furry four legged children, hiking a trail or hiding behind shelves at grocery stores, wondering what kind of lube the nervous stranger will bring home to his wife. Oh and she loves a good boob squeeze!.
Author Jenna Harte is releasing a teaser from TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY, the sixth book in her adult romantic mystery series, Valentine Mysteries. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive teaser.
TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY (Valentine Mysteries #6) by Jenna Harte
About the Book Title: TRULY, MADLY, DEADLY (Valentine Mysteries #6) by Jenna Harte Series: Valentine Mysteries #6 Author: Jenna Harte Release Date: July 17, 2018 Genre: Adult Romantic Mystery Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU
Synopsis Tess Valentine’s only goals for her trip to her home city of San Francisco are to legally take over her trust and to show her sexy husband, Jack Valentine, the sights of the city. She certainly has no plans of visiting her parents, who have resented her since her grandfather gave her the trust money her parents thought should go to them. When her parents invite her to dinner, Tess reluctantly agrees, despite her concerns that her parents may once again resort to unscrupulous tactics to try and take her trust. The last thing she expects on her visit is for her father to be arrested for the murder of his mistress.
Tess has no intention of helping her father despite her mother’s pleas. But when her cousin, the lawyer Tess’ father hires to represent him and the one family member who’d ever been nice to Tess, asks for Tess’ help in the case, she agrees to investigate. Turns out several people could have wanted her father’s mistress dead, including the victim’s sister, a disgruntled employee, and even Tess’ mother, who is all of a sudden very cozy with Tess’ trust lawyer. But as Tess and Jack get closer to the truth, a murderer’s obsession is prepared to stop them.
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Author Jenna Harte
About the Author Jenna Harte is a die-hard romantic, writing about characters who are passionate about and committed to each other, and frequently getting into trouble. She is the author of the Valentine Mysteries, the first of which, Deadly Valentine, reached the quarter-finals in Amazon’s Breakthrough Novel Award in 2013. She’s also the author of the Southern Heat contemporary romance series, and recently sold a three-book deal of a new cozy mystery series involving coupons, fairy tales and airplane repos. The first book in that series, Death of a Debtor, is due in February 2019. She’s a member of the Virginia Writers Club and Sisters In Crime.
When she’s not telling stories, she works by day as a freelance writer, author, and online entrepreneur. She speaks and teaches adult education courses on publishing, writing, and author platform building. She’s an empty nester living in central Virginia with her husband and a fat cat. Get free ebooks, updates on Jenna’s work, and more at her website: http://www.jennaharte.com.
Author Jessica Ruddick is revealing the cover to UNDEFINED, the first book in her young adult paranormal romance series, The Elemental Saga. See below for the cover and information on the book
UNDEFINED (Elemental Saga #1) by Jessica Ruddick
About the Book Title: UNDEFINED Series: Elemental Saga #1 Author: Jessica Ruddick Release Date: 2018 Genre: Young Adult Paranormal Romance Link: Goodreads
Synopsis Sophie loves being an elemental. Being able to bend the natural world to her will is thrilling, even if the need for secrecy is putting a cramp in her dating life. Lately, though, her powers have been growing, making it difficult to resist the heady temptation to use her gifts.
Trying to balance the elemental world with having a normal life is tough enough without her overbearing, way-too-perfect, and way-too-good-looking guardian Aidan watching—and judging—her every move. The trouble is she’s not sure where she fits in and she’s sure as heck not ready to conform to stringent elemental rules.
But when secrets about her life are revealed and outside forces threaten everything Sophie holds dear, she must embrace who she is or risk losing it all.
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Author Jessica Ruddick
About the Author Jessica Ruddick is a 2014 Golden Heart finalist for her new adult novel, Letting Go, which was inspired by her own college experiences. She lives in Virginia and is married to her college sweetheart—their first date was a fraternity toga party (and nothing inspires love like a toga, right?). When she doesn’t have her nose in a book or her hands on a keyboard, she can be found wrangling her two rambunctious sons, taming two rowdy but lovable rescue dogs, and battling the herd of dust bunnies that has taken up residence in her home. To learn more about Jessica, please visit her website at www.jessicaruddick.com.
Welcome to the blog tour for BLOOD CURE, the third book in the adult paranormal romance series, Blood Type,by USA Today bestselling author, K.A. Linde. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and a couple of exclusive teasers from the book.
Synopsis The stunning conclusion to the Blood Type series finds the world in chaos and turmoil with one final battle left to determine who will survive—humans or vampires.
She had the world on her shoulders. Now she has nothing.
Reyna Carpenter was twenty-one when she became a live-in blood escort for the ruthless and darkly handsome vampire Beckham Anderson. She thought this was just a small price to pay for feeding her brothers back home.
But nothing went as planned. Not even her tumultuous relationship with Beckham. And now she wonders if anything will ever be the same again.
As she finds herself in the midst of a losing rebellion, she and her trusted friends must flee from a city conquered by the vampire elite. With their plans blown to pieces and everything they knew and loved gone, their future hangs in the balance.
Despite all she has lost, Reyna must rise from the ashes, reclaim the life that was stolen—and complete her mission, once and for all.
About the Author K. A. Linde is the USA Today bestselling author of the Avoiding series and the All That Glitters series as well as seven additional novels. She get up as a military brat traveling the United States and even landing for a brief stint in Australia. She has a Masters degree in political science from the University of Georgia and is the current head coach of the Duke University dance team.
An avid traveler, reader, and bargain hunter, K.A. Linda currently lives in Chapel Hill, North Carolina, with her husband and two super adorable puppies.
USA Today bestselling author Devney Perry is revealing a teaser from TIMID, the second stand-alone novel in her adult contemporary romance series, Lark Cove, releasing September 4, 2018. See below for the cover, information on the book and series, pre-order links, and an exclusive teaser.
Synopsis Willa Doon has always been shy. Her quiet demeanor was something she’s always embraced. That is, until Jackson Page moves to town. The one man she desperately wants to take notice struggles to remember her name.
Year after year, Willa stands by, watching as the bartender slash playboy drowns his demons in beer and sex. Then one night, he shows up at her door, suddenly aware that the girl he’s seen around Lark Cove is now a beautiful woman.
Except what he doesn’t remember is that this visit isn’t his first. They spent a night together once before. A night he’s forgotten, thanks to a bottle of tequila.
A night that crushed a timid girl’s heart, and set a broken man on the path to heal them both.
About the Author Devney is the USA Today bestselling author of the Jamison Valley series. She lives in Montana with her husband and two children. After working in the technology industry for nearly a decade, she abandoned conference calls and project schedules to enjoy a slower pace at home with her kids. She loves reading and, after consuming hundreds of books, decided to share her own stories. Devney loves hearing from readers!.
Author Natasha Madison is revealing the cover from FAUX PAS, a stand-alone adult contemporary romance, releasing October 1, 2018. See below for the cover, information on the book, and an exclusive teaser.
FAUX PAS by Natasha Madison
About the Book
Title: MIXED UP LOVE Author: Natasha Madison Release Date: August 7, 2018 Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance/Women’s Fiction Links: Goodreads
Synopsis
Meghan Five days in Paris sounded like a great idea for three friends. Especially when amazing wine was in play. It didn’t matter that our rented “apartment” only had one bed, and barely enough space to breathe, we were in Paris and our motto was c’est la vie. Nothing would faze us, not even the rude waiter at the first restaurant we went to, or the insanely hot manger who was insulted when a bottle of wine was returned.
Nothing could bring me down or knock me off my path to the best vacation of my life.
Alex I had six days in Paris and then I’d go back to my wine vineyard. It was smooth sailing, until three “americans” came into the restaurant and returned my newest full bodied, savory creation. I ignored her until she stormed out of the restaurant looking for a taxi at one in the morning. I couldn’t leave her wandering around the streets of Paris, could I?
I’d give her a ride, make sure she was safe, and my duty would be done. Except, was it? Something about her pulled me. This could be a vacation fling. After all, there is no real reason for her to know my interesting secret.
I’m France’s most eligible bachelor.
This faux pair is almost a faux pas…
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Author Natasha Madison
About the Author When her nose isn’t buried in a book, or her fingers flying across a keyboard writing, she’s in the kitchen creating gourmet meals. You can find her, in four inch heels no less, in the car chauffeuring kids, or possibly with her husband scheduling his business trips. It’s a good thing her characters do what she says, because even her Labrador doesn’t listen to her…
