Welcome to the book blitz for WOODED DISCOVERY, the first book in the young adult fantasy series, Spellbound Chronicles, by B.B. Swan. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
WOODED DISCOVERY (Spellbound Chronicles #1) by B.B. Swan
Synopsis Previously published as Out of the Woods by B.B. Swann.
His senior year just turned magical. Now if only he can win his crush’s affections without getting killed.
Seventeen-year-old Zaidyn Mitchell would rather not be weird. But nothing can be stranger than when the self-proclaimed bookworm wakes up one night, floating several feet above his bed. Still desperate to fit in after his parents unceremoniously unlocked his abilities, all Zaidyn wants is to date the girl of his dreams.
With his magic a little uncontrolled, the budding wizard finally makes a move and promises his beautiful classmate to help stop a construction project from destroying the nearby woods. But when an unknown force attacks and tries to separate them, Zaidyn fears this supernatural world is about to send them to their doom.
Can the teen would-be hero find a way to save them both?
Wooded Discovery is the delightful first book in the Spellbound Chronicles YA urban fantasy series. If you like humor and drama, fun twists and turns, and a dash of danger and romance, then you’ll love B.B. Swann’s coming-of-age adventure.
Buy Wooded Discovery to awaken hidden enchantment today!
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Excerpt #2 Mom sits on the stool next to mine. “I’m glad you found someone you like. And you know the whole you growing up thing scares me. I like having you home.”
“Yeah.” I point at my chest with my thumbs. “President of the mama’s boy club.”
“I’m the founder. I’ve ordered t-shirts.” She laughs. “But that’s not why I’m worried.”
“Then what’s the problem? Everything else in my life has been thrown into a magical blender. Why is this one normal thing the part everyone is against?”
Mom raises her eyebrows. “Who said we were against it?”
“Aren’t you?”
“No,” Mom looks at Dad and he nods. “It’s just that you got serious fast. We don’t want to see you get hurt.”
“Piper isn’t going to hurt me.” I grab another pepper. “Well, unless she breaks up with me, but that’s the risk you take in any relationship.”
“True, but that’s not what I meant.” Mom twists the wedding ring on her finger. “What I mean is… she’s not a witch.”
The sweet pepper turns to ash in my mouth and I stand to throw the rest into the trash. I have my thoughts on that issue, but I’m not telling my parents about it.
“I’m dating Piper.” I cross to the door and turn back around. “And if I can find a way, I’ll get around the stupid law. Or fight to change it.”
“Zaidyn that’s not a good—”
“Not a good idea. Yeah. I’ve heard that before. Sorry if it bothers you, but I’m not going to accept their bigotry without a fight.” Like everyone else does.
Mom flinches at my thought.
Oops. Didn’t mean to broadcast that one. But the truth hurts—obvious from her tears.
Before they can argue anymore, I leave, slamming both the front and my car doors. I drive to Piper’s house with the radio blasting a raunchy rap song. Anything to keep me from thinking about what my parents didn’t say—that I couldn’t stay with Piper, even if it’s what we both want.
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Author B.B. Swan
About the Author B.B. Swann writes books for the young and the young at heart. She is devoted to giving her readers characters they can relate to who overcome their struggles with hope, love, and sometimes a touch (or two) of magic. After twenty-seven years of teaching, she now represents authors as a literary agent with The Purcell Agency and helps others achieve their dreams—no magic required, but she does feel like a fairy godmother at times. She loves to hear from readers. Visit her website at www.bbswann.com or find her on social media from her Linktree here.
Welcome to the book blitz for LEGENDS OF ASH AND DUST, the first book in the young adult fantasy series, The Fearless Saga, by Kate Cowan. See below for information on the book , buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
LEGENDS OF ASH AND DUST (Fearless Saga #1) by Kate Cowan
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: LEGENDS OF ASH AND DUST Series: The Fearless Saga #1 Author: Kate Cowan Release Date: January 23, 2023 Genre: Young Adult Fantasy Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis They forged her into a weapon. Now, she is the last.
Aerona was raised by legends. Her people, the Shae, are the closest thing this realm has to the supernatural: they train their entire lives to protect, forging their bodies like steel. They are the stories told to children in the night, the monsters who lurk in the woods. Or, they were — until the massive Red Wolf army attacked, slaughtering them all in a single night.
Now, Aerona is the last, and it doesn’t help that she is the only female Shae in history. Besides the revenge she has sworn to get, she has one final mission: to protect Niran, a handsome prince with secrets of his own.
In Niran’s home, the Palace of the Golden City, nothing is as it seems. Aerona’s enemies are lurking around every corner, the Emperor is blackmailing her into becoming his assassin, and an ex-Shae librarian is convinced that she has a long-forgotten Shae magic hidden on her skin.
Caught between two worlds, Aerona must kill, spy and betray… even if it means unlocking the magic this world has long been starved of…
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Excerpt #3 “What is it?” I demanded. “What’s happening? Kentric, I saw fire—“
“We’re being attacked,” Kentric said. Shouts and bangs and running footfalls filled the air, filtering in through the dark window.
“What?” I started for the door, but he pulled me back to face him. “We have to go, we have to fight—“
“There are too many, Aerona. Far too many.”
“Too many? We’re Warriors.”
“Fifty of us have already been slain in the Sanctuary,” Kentric said quickly. “More at the outposts and farmhouses. There are hundreds of them, Aerona, an army. We cannot win.”
“No,” I breathed. The world had been opening before my eyes that morning: now, it felt as if it closed in from every angle, crushing me.
Taking a step back, I looked to the glowing window, listened to the screams in the distance.
“We can fight them! Drive them off,” I was pleading, tears in my eyes, but there was ice in Kentric’s gaze.
He had stopped listening. From around his neck, he pulled something on a thin black cord out of his robes. It was small and silver, glinting in the faint light from the window. The symbol of the Shae—all of the Masters wore one, a hand-forged silver pendant. A mountain overlaid with two crossed swords, surrounded by a circle of four dragons. He pushed it into my hands.
“No. I can’t,” I took a step back, looking shakily down at the heavy, cold pendant.
“There’s no time for this. Listen to me carefully,” he took my shoulders, standing so close I could feel his breath on my face. “The prince is your responsibility now. He’s in the barns, Malik told him to meet you there. Take horses and get off the Shae mountain. Get far, don’t stop moving, and don’t use the gates to get past River’s Edge. Go through the river itself. Don’t come back here, don’t try to fight them. You are Shae. You are one of us. Never forget that. We will fight them as long as we can. Stay off the main roads and away from anyone until you reach Dothor.”
I tried to suppress the tears welling up in my eyes, clenching my jaw and my fists, but my heart broke as Kentric wrapped me in a fierce hug. He was old, but like an ancient willow, he was supple and strong.
“Now go, Aero,” he whispered in my ear. “Go!”
I knew I would regret it, Gods, I knew I would—but I did as Kentric told me.
I ran.
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Author Kate Cowan
About the Author Hi, I’m Kate Cowan. I’m an author, writer, painter, and illustrator. When I’m not writing or creating art, I love to take my three insane dogs out for hikes and explore the beautiful Niagara region of Canada, where I live. My passion is in telling stories that move people and capture their imaginations. I also strive to create art that is full of life and beauty. I love creating pretty things, both written and painted. I’m also a martial arts instructor, 3rd-degree black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate, and lover of badass characters (which I’m sure you can tell from my books!!)
Welcome to the book blitz for UNDERTAKING LOVE, the second book in the adult contemporary romance series, Last Chance Responders, by Megan Montgomery. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
UNDERTAKING LOVE (Last Responders Romance Series #2) by Megan Montgomery
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: UNDERTAKING LOVE Series: Last Responders Romance #2 Author: Megan Montgomery Publisher: Advancing Wolf Release Date: April 25, 2023 Genre: Adult Contemporary Romance Links:Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Bethany West upgraded her lucrative career as a sex worker for her dream job as a death worker when she partnered at Smythe & Co. Mortuary. She expected her eco-friendly innovations and death positive attitude to blow the roof off the Victorian-era relic. But that was seven months ago, and during that time, she’s only managed to piss off her embittered business partner, George Smythe, a man dead set on maintaining the status quo and driving Bethany out of his namesake business.
When the pair reluctantly travel together to a mortuary conference in New Orleans—and compete in dueling embalming demonstrations—George finally recognizes the value of Bethany’s business model for the first time. He’s also starting to recognize a growing attraction to his blonde bombshell business partner. Meanwhile, Bethany learns the truth behind George’s cold contempt, and it’s much worse than she thought, stemming not from a single incident, but from the constant on-call status, the compassion fatigue, and the overwhelming stress of the job.
Bethany has 4 days to crack open his tough outer shell to reveal the compassionate man she knows is inside, and she has a plan, but unless George learns to open his heart and lean on her, at the risk of succumbing to their cremation-level attraction in a dangerous way, he’ll jeopardize both the business and their hearts by refusing the true partnership they both need.
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Excerpt #2
George I gripped the edges of the cot and crouched on the balls of my feet, taking a minute to steady myself, head hanging low on my shoulders. I gave myself two full seconds before standing up and getting to work.
No point in wasting time.
I removed my jacket and unbuttoned my shirtsleeves, rolling them up to my elbows, still thinking about what it must be like to walk through life looking like her, putting people under spells.
It wasn’t just her beauty, although I had to admit she was objectively beautiful.
Playboy beautiful. OnlyFans beautiful.
Men spent a collective fortune to look at still images of her. Or so I was told. I would never ever go to her site. Not even to satisfy a morbid curiosity. Why the hell would I? We were oil and vinegar. I spent every waking moment trying to avoid my business partner.
A body could only look so good naked.
I had to hand it to her though; the way she deliberately dulled herself to look more approachable, less intimidating for clients.
Wearing polo shirts and khakis for pickups didn’t quite work, though. There was nothing she could do to disguise her bone structure or her crystalline eyes. Or lips that were full and plump and pink even without her bloodred lipstick. The best she could do was drape her otherworldly figure in baggy, unflattering, generic workwear.
In those tight, vintage-glam, days-off dresses, her body was indecent, perhaps even downright obscene, the way her mountainous hips curved out from a tiny waist. If she wore those outfits around here, her giant boobs displayed alongside the caskets and urns, nobody would be able to get any work done. Who could make a decision around that?
She was cartoonishly drawn, the utmost decadence sprung to life in the form of a woman. Obscene beauty. It was too bad it was packaged into such an unlikeable creature.
Or maybe it wasn’t bad at all.
Because despite her extra helpings of bone structure and sex appeal, the woman posed not the slightest whiff of temptation. Not for me.
Sure, stunningly gorgeous women had once been my type. Just the thought of slipping my hands around a woman’s waist, moving lower as wide hips inched my fingers farther apart would make my dick hard. I used to love that overt type of femininity that threw back to a different generation, with heightened proportions, heels, lingerie. I liked to clutch a woman’s ribs and delicately trace the underside of heavy boobs.
Too Much, amplified by the confidence to own it definitely used to be my type.
Now I had no type. I was as celibate as my brother, Gus, in his last year of seminary. I was ruined by divorce, work, stress, and the feeling that nothing I ever did was good enough. The constant need to push myself further, do more for the clients, make things perfect at any cost. That drive was my mistress now.
I wasn’t a man, I was a granite statue, ensconced in my niche that was this home, this business. There was no blood or desire left inside me. My hands were plastered to my sides, unable to reach for the soft skin of another. Any hardness wasn’t in my cock but in my soul.
So, no. I wasn’t tempted. Temptation was for men who didn’t work eighteen-hour days, remaining on-call the other six. Temptation was for men who could allow themselves to be hurt again.
About the Author Megan Montgomery writes romance. Sometimes they’re funny. Sometimes they’re morbid, but all her characters have cool jobs. She and her husband, Johnathon Olavarria co-host Forced Proximity podcast, a weekly romance book and movie club.
Her debut novel, Well . . . THAT Was Awkward was inspired by her homesickness for southern Maryland. She now lives halfway across the US on the prairie with her husband, son, and mom.
When she’s not writing, reading, lifting weights, or cooking dinners her son won’t eat, you’ll find her toiling in the garden or brewing potions from her medicinal herbs.
THE ROSIE PROJECT (Don Tillman Series #1) by Graeme Simsion
Synopsis The international bestselling romantic comedy “bursting with warmth, emotional depth, and…humor,” (Entertainment Weekly) featuring the oddly charming, socially challenged genetics professor, Don, as he seeks true love.
The art of love is never a science: Meet Don Tillman, a brilliant yet socially inept professor of genetics, who’s decided it’s time he found a wife. In the orderly, evidence-based manner with which Don approaches all things, he designs the Wife Project to find his perfect partner: a sixteen-page, scientifically valid survey to filter out the drinkers, the smokers, the late arrivers.
Rosie Jarman possesses all these qualities. Don easily disqualifies her as a candidate for The Wife Project (even if she is “quite intelligent for a barmaid”). But Don is intrigued by Rosie’s own quest to identify her biological father. When an unlikely relationship develops as they collaborate on The Father Project, Don is forced to confront the spontaneous whirlwind that is Rosie―and the realization that, despite your best scientific efforts, you don’t find love, it finds you.
Arrestingly endearing and entirely unconventional, Graeme Simsion’s distinctive debut “navigates the choppy waters of adult relationships, both romantic and platonic, with a fresh take (USA TODAY). “Filled with humor and plenty of heart, The Rosie Project is a delightful reminder that all of us, no matter how we’re wired, just want to fit in” (Chicago Tribune).
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My Review My husband read this first and handed his well-worn copy over to me and said, “I think you’ll really like this.” He was not wrong. I absolutely loved it. It has everything I love in a good book: quirky characters, a slow-burn romance, at least one clueless individual, and the street-smart counterbalance to round it all out. This formula works in any genre, but it’s my particular favorite in a romantic comedy. There’s so much opportunity for comedic moments with these ingredients and THE ROSIE PROJECT does not disappoint.
Don Tillman is a professor of genetics at a university in Sydney. He’s socially awkward at best, but more likely, he’s on the autism spectrum. When Don decides he should get married, he approaches it like everything else and creates The Wife Project, to help him find the perfect spouse. Love, obviously, isn’t a requirement. But that gets upended when he meets Rosie through his best friend Gene and helps her with The Father Project. Rosie is seeking her biological father with very little to go on from her late mother. That leads Don to suggesting genetics to get to the root of the problem. With Rosie’s DNA and a list of potential candidates, the two set out on a hilarious adventure that includes many mishaps, such as infamous The Jacket Incident.
Plot The main plot is the relationship between Don and Rosie, but the subplots are such a strong part of the story, it wouldn’t work without them. First there’s The Wife Project. Don creates a scientifically rigorous questionnaire to find his perfect mate. And while Rosie is wholly unsuitable, he cannot deny the spark between them. No matter how hard he tries. Then there’s The Father Project and all the hijinks that go along with attempting to gather DNA from unsuspecting men. There’s also his best friend Gene and his philandering ways. In an open marriage with Claudia, Don’s other BFF, Gene is on a mission to sleep with a woman from every country on the planet. He even has a map in his office with pins, because that’s not gross and creepy. While Don may be oblivious about so many things when it comes to emotions, he senses Claudia pulling away from Gene. She may have signed up for an open marriage, but Don feels she’s no longer a fan. So on top of everything else, he feels he must save his best friends’ marriage.
Characters The characters are so fun. They really make the book work. Without Don’s cluelessness and Rosie’s quirkiness it just wouldn’t be the same story. On a trip to New York to gather some DNA, Don finally finds his people in a group of Yankees fans. He doesn’t make friends easily, but batting averages, game stats, and other numbers associated with the game are his love language, and he ends up developing a real friendship with one fan in particular. This was one of my favorite moments in the book, I loved seeing Don come alive when he was in his element.
What I Loved About THE ROSIE PROJECT 1. Don. Quirks and all, he is one of the most interesting characters I’ve read in a long time. The way he names everything is just the icing on the cake that is Don Tillman.
2. Rosie. She’s funny, zany, whip smart, and puts up with all of Don’s eccentricities, challenging him in the way he needs to be challenged.
3. The Wife Project. The way Don approaches finding a suitable mate is comedy gold.
4. Twists. Even in a comedy, there were plenty of twists. Not least of which were related to The Father Project. Every time I thought I figured out the identity of Rosie’s biological father, I was wrong again.
5. Finding Unexpected Love. Don doesn’t believe he’s even capable of loving someone, so when he realizes he actually does love Rosie, it was one of the most satisfying moments of any romantic comedy.
Bottom Line A laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that exceeded all my expectations.
About the Author Graeme Simsion is a former IT consultant and the author of two nonfiction books on database design who decided, at the age of fifty, to turn his hand to fiction. His first novel, The Rosie Project, was published in 2013 and translation rights have been sold in forty languages. Movie rights have been optioned to Sony Pictures. The sequels, The Rosie Effect, and The Rosie Result, were also bestsellers, with total sales of the series in excess of five million.
Graeme’s third novel was The Best of Adam Sharp, a story of a love affair re-kindled – and its consequences. Movie rights have been optioned by Vocab Films / New Sparta Films with Toni Collette attached to direct.
Creative Differences was originally created as an ‘Audible Original’ audiobook, but is now in print with a collection of short stories from across Graeme’s career.
Two Steps Forward is a story of renewal set on the Camino de Santiago, written with his wife, Anne Buist, whose own books include Medea’s Curse, Dangerous to Know and This I would Kill for, The Long Shadow and Locked Ward. Movie rights were optioned by Fox Searchlight. A sequel, Two Steps Onward, was published in 2021.Graeme is a frequent presenter of seminars on writing. The Novel Project is his practical, step by step approach to writing a novel or memoir..
Synopsis
Bookworm (buk-werm): Someone who loves books, reading, and/or studying. For reference, see Charlotte Kent.
Seventeen-year-old Charlotte Kent likes happy endings. Not that she’s looking for one herself. Awkward, never been kissed, and bookish to the core, Lottie would rather read about love than experience it.
But she enjoys helping others find their HEA in books.
Lottie loves working at the library…even if it means running into Bo Stryker.
Broody, athletic, and unfairly attractive when he frowns, Bo works at the flower shop across the street. Lottie is about to get rejected…when surprisingly, Bo steps in, pretends to be her boyfriend, and steals her first kiss.
One viral video later, everyone thinks they’re together.
Bo wants to keep pretending. Lottie wants to make amends—long story short: she was on a ladder; he startled her; the book slap was an accident.
A fake relationship may be the solution. But as they grow closer, Lottie can’t help falling for Bo—which is a disaster because grumpy sunshine only works in fiction…right?
This book features two opposites with undeniable chemistry, one lovable librarian, so many stolen kisses and answers the question:
What happens when a nerd falls for the grump-next-door?
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My Review I didn’t realize how much my soul needed another Cookie O’Gorman YA contemporary romance until I started on page 1 of BOOKWORM. My goodness, her characters and her writing are so much fun! And, I was pleasantly surprised to find out the main characters are the offspring of some of my favorite Cookie characters! Bonus! Yes, I’m using lots of exclamation points because I just loved this story so much. I smiled constantly as I read about Charlotte-Lottie-Lotte and her family and friends. And Bo Stryker is exactly my kind of guy — hot, dark and brooding with a heart of gold (Jon Snow anyone?). Bo is a soccer phenom who lives next door to Charlotte, Lottie, Kent and they’ve been at odds with each other since Kindergarten. That doesn’t stop Lottie from watching him workout every morning from the safety of her bedroom window, though.
When the girls at school make a bet to see who can land Bo first, he seeks out Lottie as his fake girlfriend to get them to back off. The only problem is, Lottie realizes she likes Bo. A lot. And the whole fake thing has the potential to turn into something real. For her at least. So she establishes ground rules: first and foremost is no kissing. Too bad, because the one and only kiss they’ve shared was out-of-this-world hot!
Plot The plot was so fun. It was primarily the relationship between Bo and Lottie, but there was some subplotting around Lottie’s library fundraising event and some cute food-centered super minor subplots. There’s also Lottie’s relationship with Bo’s grandmother and a minor character arc on her part. The story moves at a typical O’Gorman pace with lots of laughs on every page.
Characters The characters are always what I love best about Cookie’s books and BOOKWORM is no exception, though I think I adore Lottie the most. She’s me in teenage form. Upbeat, insecure, opinionated, bookloving, smiles all the time. I could identify with her so much. I think what I loved most about her is that she’s different than a lot of teen protagonists. She just goes with the flow and speaks her mind. It’s a rare combination that I just loved. As I mentioned above, Bo is the swooniest of swoon-worthy book boyfriends. His gruff exterior and marshmallow center were a delight to read. It was also fun to see some familiar characters as well (Ninja girl!!!).
What I Loved About BOOKWORM 1. Lottie. I love her optimism, the way she handles the “bad guys”, how she’s always up for a challenge, her sense of humor. Really, I just love everything about her. She may be my favorite YA female protagonist of all time.
2. Bo. Gruff, scowly on the outside, soft as a marshmallow on the inside. Plus, those arms.
3. Books. I love how books and reading are such an integral part of the story.
4. Scarlett. Lottie’s younger sister is the yin to her yang. I sure hope she gets her own book soon (Cookie, if you’re reading this…)
5. Swoony One-Liners. Bo is a man of few words, but when he says something, it’ll make any girl’s knees weak. I mean, just his favorite flower about undid me.
Bottom Line This might be O’Gorman’s best young adult book so far. At least it’s my favorite! I loved everything about it.
About the Author Cookie O’Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad, The Kissing Challenge (YA novella), WALLFLOWER, CUPCAKE, and FAUXMANCE are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances The Best Mistake, The Perfect Play, and The Sweetest Game. Her newest release BOOKWORM is coming on April 20, 2023!
Welcome to the blog tour for VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES, the first book in the adult paranormal romance series, Vampires of the Daemonverse, by Cee Bee. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES (Vampires of the Daemonvers Series #1) by Cee Bee
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: VIOLINS AND VAMPIRES Series: Vampires of the Daemonverse Series #1 Author: Cee Bee Publisher: Monster House Books Release Date: August 25, 2022
Genre: Adult Paranormal Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Lexa Kozlov must pay her family’s massive debt to the mob… all while raising even more money to save her little sister. The result? Lexa’s trapped in a never-ending (and incredibly illegal) stakeout for the Bratva. She barely has time for sleep, let alone find love.
Enter Caelin Vass, the handsome Scotsman who runs Empire Investments. Caelin offers Lexa a new job with dollars galore, as well as a hot bod (that would be his own) to contemplate every workday. Even so, Lexa isn’t sure she should take the gig. Freaky things keep happening whenever Lexa and Caelin are together. Simply put, the energy between them is magical, sensual, and way overwhelming. Lexa faces a big question: is she leaving her old prison just to enter a worse one… or is Caelin Vass all he seems and more?
***12,000 word novella, previously published on Kindle Vella as Blood Slave***
Vampires of the Daemonverse Series
1. Violins and Vampires
2. Veils and Vampires
3. Vixens and Vampires
4. Valor and Vampires
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Excerpt #3 Lexa
Present Day
I explore the bedroom. The place looks untouched. Someone even made the bed. The curtain is pulled aside, revealing the wall safe.
Which is closed.
Over the years, I’ve gotten good at guessing safe combinations from a distance. I’m pretty sure I know how to open this one. It takes a few tries, but I’m able to unlock the door.
Sweat beads on my forehead as I pull the safe open.
When I last saw Vice open this thing, it was crammed with gold bars. My body trembles with surprise.
This time, the walk-in safe is empty.
I step inside the safe itself. It’s been cleaned out. The picture that was stuck to the inside of the safe door is gone as well. A flash of white catches my eye. A scrap of paper sits on the floor. Leaning over, I scoop up the small document.
It’s a picture of me.
The pic shows me in Big Apple Coffee, sitting at my fave seat by the window. My heart sinks.
Vice knows who I am. I’m exposed.
I’ve been so careful to be the secret earner for Konstantin’s organization. What a disaster. My head feels wobbly on my shoulders. I shuffle back into the bedroom.
And things get worse.
Someone sneaks up behind me. The next thing I know, I’m pressed against the nearest stretch of wall. An electric charge of fear runs through my nervous system.
It’s happened. I’ve been discovered. Someone’s out to hurt Konstantin. Who is it? Italians? Irish?
I do surveillance, I don’t battle thugs. At this point, I should dissolve into tears. Instead, something inside me awakens. An ancient power streams through my veins. Rage overtakes my mind.
“What are you doing here?” I ask.
“It’s my building, lass.”
That voice is low, rumbling, and haunting my dreams. My anger instantly turns into something else. I know who this is.
“Caelin,” I whisper.
When he next speaks, Caelin’s warm breaths fans over my bare neck. “Aye.”
Lights flash before utter darkness surrounds us. Any reflection from the streetlights vanishes. Magic is at work. My breath catches.
A moment ago, the bedroom blinds were closed. Somehow they’ve now opened. Moonlight shines into the room. Cool tendrils of mist twist across the floor and around our bodies. I’m still pressed against the wall.
Only now, I’m naked.
So is Caelin.
Somehow, my vision from before has come to life.
I can’t see the man, but I feel the hard planes of his chest and thighs against my back. My legs now stand more than shoulder-length apart. I sense Caelin’s length pressing outside my entrance, all velvet skin over steely muscle. His rough breaths sound in my ear, making my insides twist with want.
Caelin slides his warm palm down my arm. Everywhere he touches, there’s a trail of want. How can this be happening again?
Not sure I care anymore.
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Author Cee Bee
About the Author Author Christina “CEE BEE” Bauer has sold more than 1M copies across her 45+ epic fantasy books for young adults. She’s recorded (and narrated) eight of her books into audiobooks, as well as led the translation of her novels into four different languages. USA Today has called her work “must-read paranormal fantasy.” Bauer is an autism advocate and quirky loudmouth whose writing style really isn’t for everyone. But if you like stories with complex worlds inhabited by chicks who kick ass and take names, then read on!
Christina lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby. She loves to connect with her fans at ChristinaBauerAuthor.com.
Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates
Welcome to the book blitz for QUEEN OF ROSES, the first book in the adult fantasy romance series, The Once and Future Morgan Le Fay, by Briar Boleyn. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
QUEEN OF ROSES (The Once and Future Morgan Le Fay Series #1) by Briar Boleyn
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: QUEEN OF ROSES Series: The Once and Future Morgan Le Fay Series #1 Author:Briar Boleyn Publisher: Starwater Press Release Date: April 15, 2023
Genre: Adult Fantasy Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon| Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis
A doomed love, a dangerous mission, and a kingdom on the brink of war…
A cast-off princess…
Born into a life of duty and sacrifice, Morgan Pendragon’s destiny has never been her own. Rumored to carry the tainted blood of the fae in her veins, her birthright is stolen from her when she is a mere child. Growing up in the shadow of her brother the king, she has been promised to the goddesses when she comes of age. So, when her brother commands that she seek out a fae weapon of legendary power, Morgan seizes the chance to break free from the chains of her fate.
A dangerous temptation…
As she travels, Morgan finds herself drawn into a strange group of outcasts, led by a dark and enigmatic warrior whose sharp wit and fierce beauty set her heart ablaze. But while Morgan struggles to reconcile her desires with her duty, she and her new comrades discover dangers that await them beyond anything in their wildest nightmares.
A slumbering kingdom awoken by blood…
Believed to have vanished generations ago, a fae kingdom dreaded by mortals is ascending once more, bound to reclaim what was lost by violence and bloodshed. As the fae world, with its intricate web of lies and mysteries, is slowly revealed to Morgan, she is led to the terrible realization that the secrets she carries in her blood make her a greater threat than she could ever have imagined.
The first in an action-packed new series brimming with magic, danger, and spellbinding slow-burn romance, Queen of Roses is perfect for fans of Holly Black, Jennifer L. Armentrout, and Sarah J. Maas.
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Excerpt #2 “Who did this to you?” Draven’s voice was a guttural growl. The sound of a furious animal, not a man.
I shook my head mutely.
“You won’t tell me? You think I won’t find out for myself?” He shook his head as if in frustration. “Morg–”
My eyes widened.
He tried again. “Princess. My lady.” I could see him trying to soften his voice. Which was impossible. A steel sword could never become silk. “Tell me so I may help you. That is all I ask.”
I tried to clear my throat. When my words emerged, my voice was hoarse and cracked. “Thank you, but… there is no need for any of this. I’m fine.”
This time he really did growl. A sound low and deep in the back of his throat.
I tried not to flinch. I failed.
“Last night in the market. Now this. You are not fine.” He crossed his arms over his chest and tilted his head. “Tell me this. Has it happened before?”
I was quiet.
The truth was, it had. But not this badly. Last night… Last night was the worst.
Florian had cornered me before. He had hurt me, bruised me. He had even used his knife. I had small scars in a few hidden places from those encounters.
But compared to last night, those had all been childsplay.
Again I thanked the Three that Draven could not see the rest of the marks I bore. Strange, the things we thought we ought to be grateful for.
If he could see Florian’s name carved across my chest, just above my breasts, well… I had the feeling he would explode into a tempest of rage that nothing would be able to contain.
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Author Briar Boleyn
About the Author Briar Boleyn is the fantasy romance pen name of USA TODAY bestselling author Fenna Edgewood. Briar rules over a kingdom of feral wildling children with a dark fae prince as her consort. When she isn’t busy bringing new worlds to life, she can be found playing RPG video games, watching the birds at her bird feeder and pretending she’s Snow White, or being sucked into a captivating book. Her favorite stories are the ones full of danger, magic, and true love.
Welcome to the book blitz for GRAND GESTURES, the first book int the adult contemporary romantic comedy series, Planners and Dreamers, by Lynne Hancock Pearson. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
GRAND GESTURES (Planners and Dreamers Series #1) by Lynne Hancock Pearson
Synopsis She will grit her teeth and smile at the snobby and suspicious CFO if it means landing the contract. But she won’t put on a dress and definitely not heels.
Event planner Jane Beckett has big dreams for her small company and is bending over backward to accommodate demanding clients. Jane doesn’t have to like them. She doesn’t have to spend her free time with them. But she wants to tease the grumpy pencil-pushing executive who always seems to be in her way, muss up his hair and show him that there’s more to life than boardrooms and bottom lines. That is, when she doesn’t want to yell at him. Or punch him.
Liam Cross believes every woman has a hidden agenda, one that involves taking advantage of big hearted, clueless billionaires like his best friend and co-worker. He’s watching Jane and her sister to ensure that party-planning is all that’s going on. Even though she manages to steal his assistant, he likes what he sees in the smart-mouthed brunette, admires her stubborn independence, and wants to help her fledgling firm succeed despite his misapprehensions.
Paintballs, punches, and sparks fly when inflated egos and miscommunication threaten relationships between friends, family, and partners.
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Excerpt With whiskey warming his belly and muddling his mind, signing up for a paintball session seemed like a great idea, in the light of day and with a pounding headache, not so much. He intended to argue his way out of the non-refundable fee he’d paid in his drunken state. Settling his sunglasses firmly over his eyes, Liam hauled his sorry ass out of the car. His back hurt, his head hurt, and his hands hurt.
Fingering a fresh blister on the palm of his hand, he cursed himself for not wearing gloves at the batting cage the night before. He’d gone directly from the office to the sports field in Magnuson Park. For two hours, he’d slugged away at balls. Personal day. Liam had never taken a personal day. Other than dental and medical checkups, he never took a day off. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d done anything fun without Chuck. He’d whacked the ball time and time again, thinking about his best friend potentially getting his heart stomped on. Again. Worn out from swinging the bat, he’d stopped for booze and takeout, then headed home to stalk Jane Beckett online.
Bullseye Paintball was located in an old salvage yard off Aurora. Whooping with glee, kids erupted out of SUVs and mini vans in the parking lot. Wincing at the noise, Liam made his way to the office and pulled open the heavy door.
“What are you doing here?”
Shit!
Wearing black cargo pants tucked into combat boots and a black hooded sweatshirt, Jane Beckett lounged against the registration desk. She flicked her bangs out of her eyes with a toss of her head and smirked at him. “You’re not playing, are you?”
Her dismissive tone rubbed against his raw nerves. “Yes. Why wouldn’t I?”
Sipping from a travel mug, Jane’s gaze roamed up and down his body, taking in his khaki shorts, fresh white collared shirt, and sneakers. Her lips twitched. “Oh, no reason at all.”
The door opened, and the small office filled with kids, backing Liam into a corner and saving him from having to reply. Jane shifted her attention to the kids and raised her arms in the air.
“Who’s ready to have fun?” she yelled.
“Yay!” the kids replied at the top of their lungs.
“Who’s ready to get dirty?”
They yelled louder.
“Who’s ready to plant a garden?”
The kids looked confused.
“I’m just messing with you!” Jane grinned and opened the door to the playing field. “Head out and find Jason. He’s going to fit you with safety equipment and guns.”
The kids stampeded out, leaving two dads dressed in camo-chic, looking both excited and nervous. One of whom wore an air cast on one leg. “Oh dear,” Jane said, “you’re not going to be able to play with that.”
The man in the cast replied, “Stan and I discussed strategy. I figured I’d prop myself up in a corner and shoot from behind cover.”
“Yeah,” Stan said. “You and I can run and juke, draw their fire, and Carl can pick them off. He can as well.” He looked toward Liam. “Sorry, I didn’t catch your name. Whose dad are you?”
Three pairs of inquisitive eyes turned toward him. “Nobody’s. I’m not part of the party.” He felt like a fool. How the hell to get out of this while saving face?
“Liam’s never played before. He’s here to scout the place for a team-building event for his company.”
Carl and Stan nodded at Jane’s remarks. Liam shot her a quick smile of thanks.
Then she cocked one hip, crossed her arms, and threw him under the bus. “We’ve got tactical gear you can borrow for firsthand experience, Mr. Cross. How about it?”
“Yeah,” Carl said. “You’ll be able to see how much fun it is. And help us out. There’s twelve of them, and with my bum leg, they’ll make mincemeat out of us.”
Stan nudged Carl’s shoulder. “Don’t scare him.” He turned to Liam. “It won’t be that bad. The girls are experienced. We’ll tell Jessica, that’s our daughter, to tell them to go easy on you.”
Out of the corner of his eye, Liam caught the grin Jane was attempting to hide behind her hand. Great. She was laughing at him. There was no way he could get out of this and still keep his man card. “I’m in.” He extended his hand to Carl but glared at Jane.
Thirty minutes later, he found himself cowering behind a stack of wooden pallets with a barrage of paintballs coming at him. What the holy hell?! This was not fun. This was terrifying. He looked back and spotted Carl wedged between empty oil drums, cackling maniacally as paintballs pinged off the metal. What was wrong with these people?
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Author Lynne Hancock Pearson
About the Author Lynne Hancock Pearson writes fun, flirty, feel-good fiction set in the Pacific Northwest. Stories of people finding their way, even if it takes a while to get there.
She lives near Seattle with two and a half finicky felines and one long-suffering husband. She is a left-handed middle child who grew up in the Great White North.
Welcome to the book blitz for I USED TO BE FUN, a standalone adult contemporary/women’s fiction novel, by Melanie Summers. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
Synopsis
“Insightful, entertaining, and satisfying. A deliciously dishy look at a typical American family behind closed doors.” ~ USA Today Bestseller Whitney Dineen
“A life-affirming emotional rollercoaster. Perfect for fans of Where’d You Go, Bernadette!” ~ USA Today Bestseller Kate O’KeeffeA richly satisfying family dramedy for any woman who has asked, “Whose life is this?”
Jessica Holloway is miserable. As mom to two ungrateful, almost-grown children and wife to one appreciative-but-needy husband, she has all-but-abandoned the extraordinary—and extraordinarily fun—woman she used to be.
She may be smiling while she volunteers at the school’s dog wash fundraiser, but inside, she’s seething. Having traded her future as a high-powered attorney for motherhood nearly two decades ago, she’s now desperate to reconnect with the woman she once was.
Pushed to her breaking point, Jessica is secretly terrified at what she might do.
Go on strike permanently?
Take the dog and run away to Mexico?
Tell her mother-in-law what she really thinks of her?
Whatever it is, it’s going to be a disaster. Because this time, Jessica will stop at nothing to get her power back – no matter the cost.
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Excerpt #1 She was bored. No, not bored. How can someone so busy be bored? It was more like disconnected—slightly separated from everything and everyone around her. She didn’t see the point of any of it, which seemed ridiculous because on paper, Jess had it all. A healthy, mostly-happy family, a part-time job she didn’t mind going to, financial security, good friends. It was enough that she felt guilty wanting anything more. But that didn’t change the fact that she did want more. She wanted to live. Some other life. One that amazed her or, more accurately, one in which she was amazing. Before she was Jessica Halloway, she was Jessica Saunders. And Jessica Saunders was supposed to be extraordinary. She was going to do something important in this world, like run a Fortune 500 company or be a high-powered attorney. She’d be out in the world making her mark and people would say, ‘There goes Jessica Saunders. Look at her. So determined and talented, not to mention dressed to kill.’ Jessica Saunders had actually settled on going to law school, and had even scored in the top five percent in the country on her LSAT. But then she got married and she and Mike decided he should focus on his career first, since he already had his degree and only needed to sit for the exams to get his Chartered Professional Accountant designation. But then Winnie came along, followed by Noah, and pretty soon, she’d forgotten all about picking up her studies where she’d left off.
That had happened so long ago, she completely forgot that she used to be thrilled by it all. Jess Saunders was one of those enthusiastic, take-life-by-the-horns sort of girls. The life of the party. She’d dance all night, she’d laugh all day. She was witty. Smart. Great at banter. People were drawn to her. She loved everything. Impromptu trip to Mexico? I’ll grab my passport. Sex? Yes, please. Plenty of it. Mountain mud pie with caramel sauce for dessert? Hand me a fork.
Jess missed her. She really, really frigging missed her. She knew that impressive young woman was buried somewhere inside her. She must be there, right? So, where was she?
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Author Melanie Summers
About the Author Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.
Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.
In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally – then she’ll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for ‘K’ Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn’t require makeup and/or nylons).
Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she’s not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken ‘from above’. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something–more like just staying until they turn the lights off.
She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International.
