Welcome to the blog tour for FIGHTING THE FIRE, the third stand-alone book in the adult contemporary military romance series, Warrior Fight Club, by New York Times bestselling author, Laura Kaye. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
FIGHTING THE FIRE (Warrior Fight Club #3) by Laura Kaye
For firefighter Sean Riddick, Warrior Fight Club keeps the demons of his past at bay, even though it means seeing Daniela England. Her ball-busting sarcasm drives him nuts, and he knows he’s damaged goods anyway, but he can’t help but remember how good they were together that one time. Now he wants to take her to the mats no matter how much they go toe to toe.
ER nurse Daniela England has lost so much that she’s vowed never to need anyone again. Fight club helps her beat back her survivor’s guilt, but it means dealing with Riddick. The hot-but-infuriating firefighter is everything she wants to avoid, which is why their one-night stand was a mistake. Now she needs to keep her distance so it doesn’t happen again.
But when Dani witnesses Sean’s motorcycle accident, she steps up to help him recover. One on one, they get beneath all the snark and find a connection neither expected. As Sean heals, the sparks between them burst into red-hot passion—and ignite old wounds. Now there are fires all around—and they have to decide which they’ll fight and which they’ll let consume them.
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Excerpt #1 As Daniela dropped her bag on the bleachers at Full Contact MMA, her bad day had her sighing. “Maybe I just need to beat the crap out of something—or someone.”
A warm breath at her ear was all the warning she got. “Got anyone in mind, Daniela?”
Sean Riddick said her name as if his tongue caressed every letter, and she cursed the shiver that raced up her spine—the shiver that resulted from knowing exactly how damn good his tongue felt. She turned slowly, lazily, as if she were bored to tears. No way was she letting him know he got to her. So she gave him a once-over that she hoped read as full of disdain.
Even though, damn. DAMN.
So tall she had to tilt her head back to roll her eyes at him. Dark hair cut short because it curled when he let it get even a little length to it. With scars near his eye and hairline and a nose that had been broken, his face was too beat up to be handsome. But it was even more interesting for having character—of the fearless, I-run-into-burning-buildings-to-save-people-and-sometimes-get-hurt-doing-it variety. And then there were the tattoos—on his neck, shoulders, arms, the back of one hand, not to mention the hard muscles underneath, because of course the guy was freaking cut, with shoulders like mountains and thighs like tree trunks. Sean oozed unquestionable strength and a fierce masculinity.
He knew he looked good.
He wasn’t wrong. Damn him.
And damn her for being stupid enough to find out just how good he was. Just that once.
But it’d been enough to keep her body attuned to him even as her head screamed been there, done that, shouldn’t have done it the first time and ain’t doing it again.
Dani sniffed. “Not you.”
His grin was pure wicked sin. “You sure about that?”
She sighed. “Absolutely.”
He gave a low chuckle. “Well, you’re welcome to try to beat the shit out of me any time.”
“Don’t you have anyone else to irritate?”
“Oh, I irritate you, do I?” he asked, dropping his bag to the floor. He winked at their friend, Tara. “Hey, T.”
“Hey, Sean,” Tara said, amusement plain in her voice.
Just then, one of the few other women who belonged to WFC walked through the door. “Oh, Jayne’s here,” Dani said, surprised because her friend hadn’t attended in weeks.
Without another word to Sean, Dani and Tara left him to greet her.
Halfway across the gym, Tara leaned in close. “Seriously, do you really dislike Riddick or are the two of you in a perpetual state of foreplay?”
Dani threw her a look that made the other woman chuckle. “Ugh, you really can’t tell?”
Tara twisted her lips and shook her head. “Nope. But something’s different between you guys lately, and I’m dying to know the story.”
“There’s no story,” Dani said. Probably too fast. Definitely too fast, given that Tara had also picked up on the heightened friction between them. Because, of course, there was a big freaking story.
About the Author Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Today is release day for FIGHTING THE FIRE, the third stand-alone book in the adult contemporary military romance series, Warrior Fight Club, by New York Times bestselling author, Laura Kaye. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
FIGHTING THE FIRE (Warrior Fight Club #3) by Laura Kaye
For firefighter Sean Riddick, Warrior Fight Club keeps the demons of his past at bay, even though it means seeing Daniela England. Her ball-busting sarcasm drives him nuts, and he knows he’s damaged goods anyway, but he can’t help but remember how good they were together that one time. Now he wants to take her to the mats no matter how much they go toe to toe.
ER nurse Daniela England has lost so much that she’s vowed never to need anyone again. Fight club helps her beat back her survivor’s guilt, but it means dealing with Riddick. The hot-but-infuriating firefighter is everything she wants to avoid, which is why their one-night stand was a mistake. Now she needs to keep her distance so it doesn’t happen again.
But when Dani witnesses Sean’s motorcycle accident, she steps up to help him recover. One on one, they get beneath all the snark and find a connection neither expected. As Sean heals, the sparks between them burst into red-hot passion—and ignite old wounds. Now there are fires all around—and they have to decide which they’ll fight and which they’ll let consume them.
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Excerpt The next thing Dani knew, she was over Sean’s shoulder and being carried into the house. Up the stairs.
“Sean, put me down. You’re gonna hurt yourself, you big idiot!” She tried to twist out of his hold, but his arm was tight around the backs of her legs.
“I’m fuckin’ fine,” he said in a sexy growl. “And we both know you like getting held down, so don’t pretend that this isn’t making you wet.”
“Damn you,” she said, dizzy more from the force of her arousal than hanging upside down.
He let out a sexy chuckle as he started up the stairs to his second floor. Her thinking brain wanted her to tell him he was going to hurt himself again, but she surrendered to the baser part of herself. The part that knew Sean was right.
She was already wet.
He dropped her unceremoniously on his big bed. The gray-and-white-striped sheets were messy, and the hunter green comforter was folded back, all as if Sean had just rolled out of bed. It made it feel more intimate, somehow, like she was seeing into a part of his life that she wasn’t meant to see. She rolled to find Sean tearing the button-down off, exposing those muscled shoulders and ridged abdomen. His bruising wasn’t quite as dark now, and in places was turning yellow-green as it healed.
Dani’s gaze dropped down to the considerable bulge that filled out the front of his jeans. God, she wanted him to absolutely overwhelm her. And she knew he was one hundred percent capable of it, too.
About the Author Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Welcome to the blog tour for FIGHTING THE FIRE, the third stand-alone book in the adult contemporary military romance series, Warrior Fight Club, by New York Times bestselling author, Laura Kaye, releasing March 30, 2021. See below for information on the book and series, pre-order links, an exclusive teaser, and details on her giveaway.
FIGHTING THE FIRE (Warrior Fight Club #3) by Laura Kaye
For firefighter Sean Riddick, Warrior Fight Club keeps the demons of his past at bay, even though it means seeing Daniela England. Her ball-busting sarcasm drives him nuts, and he knows he’s damaged goods anyway, but he can’t help but remember how good they were together that one time. Now he wants to take her to the mats no matter how much they go toe to toe.
ER nurse Daniela England has lost so much that she’s vowed never to need anyone again. Fight club helps her beat back her survivor’s guilt, but it means dealing with Riddick. The hot-but-infuriating firefighter is everything she wants to avoid, which is why their one-night stand was a mistake. Now she needs to keep her distance so it doesn’t happen again.
But when Dani witnesses Sean’s motorcycle accident, she steps up to help him recover. One on one, they get beneath all the snark and find a connection neither expected. As Sean heals, the sparks between them burst into red-hot passion—and ignite old wounds. Now there are fires all around—and they have to decide which they’ll fight and which they’ll let consume them.
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Dear Readers, I’m so excited to share my new standalone romance, Fighting the Fire! This is the fourth book in my Warrior Fight Club contemporary romance series, which mixes military and sports romance elements to tell the story of an MMA training club which creates a found family for veterans transitioning to civilian life and dealing with their war-borne demons. In Fighting the Fire, Sean and Daniela are two of my favorite characters I’ve ever written–they’re both strong, loyal, snarky, and hiding some pretty deep hurts that in the end make them so perfect for each other. And all that frenemies tension makes the chemistry between them hot AF! I hope you love them as much as I do!
About the Author Laura is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty books in contemporary romance and romantic suspense, including the Hard Ink and Raven Riders series. Growing up, Laura’s large extended family believed in the supernatural, and family lore involving angels, ghosts, and evil-eye curses cemented in Laura a life-long fascination with storytelling and all things paranormal. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two daughters, and monster puppy, Schuyler, and appreciates her view of the Chesapeake Bay every day.
Welcome to the blog tour for LETHAL PROTECTOR, the third book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Rifle Creek, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
LETHAL PROTECTOR (Rifle Creek Series #3) by Kaylea Cross
Single mom Tala Baldwin is no stranger to sacrifice. After losing her leg while serving her country, she’s now training to become a competitive biathlete. With her daughter off to college, she’s able to shoot for her dream of making the national masters team. Even her Christmas break in Rifle Creek doesn’t slow her down. She’s asked her trusted friend Braxton to help her train—all while trying to pretend she doesn’t ache for him. Braxton was there for her during the darkest day of her life and he’s been there for her since…but only as a friend. In fact, he seems more determined than ever to hold her at arm’s length—until a deadly blizzard traps them in the mountains with a wanted killer hot on their trail. Now Tala once again finds her life in his hands as they face the lethal threats together.
Now he’s at his breaking point.
Sgt. Braxton Hillard is a master sniper, renowned for his ability to operate without emotion. Except with Tala. She’s all he’s ever wanted—but can’t have. For four long years he’s kept his distance. She’s way too good for him and she would realize that if he ever made a move. But the attraction between them is too powerful to deny, and once she makes it clear she wants him, he can’t keep his distance any longer. As they fight to survive in the mountains, all bets are off. Braxton is ready to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves—even his own life.
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Excerpt #1 Tala stopped, looking up at him, her pulse skipping at the focused look on his face. She couldn’t read his expression but his stare was intense. As if he had something important on his mind that he needed to tell her.
“Is…everything okay?” she asked slowly.
He shifted his feet but didn’t answer, and his hesitation worried her.
“Brax? Is something wrong?”
He glanced away, ran a hand over his jaw, then focused on her again. “What you said earlier. About me being part of the family.” His voice was low, taut, the muscles in his jaw and shoulders tight.
She frantically tried to gather her scattered thoughts, wondering what had upset him. “What about it?”
“Is that how you see me? As family?”
Something in his tone, in the silent tension coming from him, gave her pause and warned her to phrase her answer carefully. Especially when she took into account the things he’d said earlier. Was he hinting that…
Voicing her feelings aloud made her feel incredibly vulnerable, but she needed to be honest right now, because this would change everything, one way or the other.
Holding his gaze, she drew a steadying breath before answering. “If you’re asking if I think of you in a brotherly way, then… No.” Not even a little.
He stilled, his gaze sharpening, the leap of heat of that dark stare sending a ripple of shock—and hope—through her. “So how do you think of me?”
She looked away, fighting a blush as her discomfort level skyrocketed. She didn’t want to make a fool of herself or be humiliated if he didn’t reciprocate her feelings. “I…”
“Tal. Look at me.”
She did, and felt herself drowning in those deep brown eyes, all the feelings she’d repressed for years suddenly rushing to the surface.
“Say it,” he rasped out.
I’ve wanted you forever.
The unspoken words got tangled on the tip of her tongue. But she couldn’t look away. Couldn’t drag her eyes from his, her pulse pounding in her ears as she waited for him to say something. Do something to put her out of her misery.
He took two steps toward her, stopping inches from her boots to reach both arms past her. He leaned in to cage her against the truck doorway with his big body, his hands on either side of her head, the muscles in his arms, shoulder and jaw standing out.
And his eyes. The sudden, volcanic heat in them made the breath stall in her lungs.
Shock punched through her, followed by a wave of molten desire as she stared up at him, his face mere inches from hers. She had to be reading this wrong. Had to be, because he was staring at her like he wanted to devour her and was struggling to hold back.
“Tal.” His voice was low, his taut expression making her heart thud against her ribs. He’d only ever looked at her like this in her dreams.
“What?” she whispered back, anticipation and need swirling inside her.
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Welcome to the blog tour for MY KIND OF LOVE, the first book in the new adult contemporary/military romance series, Finding Love, by Nikki Ash. See below for information on the book, buy links, the exclusive excerpt, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
MY KIND OF LOVE (Finding Love Series #1) by Nikki Ash
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: MY KIND OF LOVE Series: Finding Love Series #1 Author: Kikki Ash Release Date: January 21, 2021 Genre: New Adult Contemporary/Military Romance Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Micaela
Once upon a time, a boy and a girl met and fell in love…
That’s the way my love story began, but unlike the fairy tale, it ended with me standing in the cemetery, watching my prince get lowered into the ground, along with all our dreams. Now he’s gone and I’m lost. Until an impromptu trip to my family’s beach house has me spending time with Ryan.
With his help, I’m learning to live again and make plans for the future. The only problem is, we both know they can’t include him.
So, when our time is up, we do the only thing we can do—go our separate ways.
Ryan
My entire life, I’ve felt like the waves in a raging sea—crashing and breaking, never settling.
Until Micaela stormed in like a hurricane, colliding into my life and my heart. I thought she’d be my destruction, but instead she turned out to be my calm. The more time we spend together, the more life she breathes into both of us. But all too quickly, our time is up and she’s ready to face her future—one I can’t be a part of.
So, I do the impossible and walk away.
But life is crazy, and love knows no bounds. You might’ve thought this is where our story ends, but the truth is… it’s only the beginning.
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Excerpt “I can’t believe you’re graduating tomorrow.” Lexi, my best friend and pseudo cousin, takes a hit off the joint she brought with her as a graduation gift and passes it to me.
I take a small hit, since I’m not usually one to get high, and nod. “This will be you next year.”
I pass the joint to Georgia, my other pseudo cousin and best friend. “Both of you, right?”
“Yep,” Lexi says, speaking for her younger sister like she often does. “Georgia took extra classes and we’ll be walking across the stage together. We’ll both be free from educational hell in twelve months.”
Without taking a hit, Georgia passes the joint to Lexi. “I’d hardly call it hell. We go to a private school that costs more a year than most pay for their house.” She rolls her eyes playfully. “Our lunch is catered and includes items like sushi and Thai, and we have a Starbucks… an actual Starbucks in the quad.”
I laugh at that, but don’t argue. She’s not wrong. Lexi and Georgia live in Los Angeles and attend one of the most prestigious private schools on the West Coast. Similar to the one I attend here in Las Vegas… well, did attend.
As of tomorrow at ten o’clock I will officially be a high school graduate. And come August I’ll be a freshman at the University of Las Vegas.
“Semantics.” Lexi takes another hit. “I can’t wait to be done with high school. It’s such a waste. I don’t need a diploma to do what I want to do.”
“You need one to go to college,” Georgia points out.
Lexi rolls her eyes. “Maybe I won’t go.” She shrugs, making Georgia and me laugh.
We all know Lexi is all talk. She’s a daddy’s girl through and through, and Tristan Scott has made it clear a college education is important, which means Lexi Scott will be getting one, whether she likes it or not.
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Author Nikki Ash
About the Author Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Ally
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
Today is release day for LETHAL PROTECTOR, the third book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Rifle Creek, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
LETHAL PROTECTOR (Rifle Creek Series #3) by Kaylea Cross
Single mom Tala Baldwin is no stranger to sacrifice. After losing her leg while serving her country, she’s now training to become a competitive biathlete. With her daughter off to college, she’s able to shoot for her dream of making the national masters team. Even her Christmas break in Rifle Creek doesn’t slow her down. She’s asked her trusted friend Braxton to help her train—all while trying to pretend she doesn’t ache for him. Braxton was there for her during the darkest day of her life and he’s been there for her since…but only as a friend. In fact, he seems more determined than ever to hold her at arm’s length—until a deadly blizzard traps them in the mountains with a wanted killer hot on their trail. Now Tala once again finds her life in his hands as they face the lethal threats together.
Now he’s at his breaking point.
Sgt. Braxton Hillard is a master sniper, renowned for his ability to operate without emotion. Except with Tala. She’s all he’s ever wanted—but can’t have. For four long years he’s kept his distance. She’s way too good for him and she would realize that if he ever made a move. But the attraction between them is too powerful to deny, and once she makes it clear she wants him, he can’t keep his distance any longer. As they fight to survive in the mountains, all bets are off. Braxton is ready to sacrifice everything to protect the woman he loves—even his own life.
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Today is release day for PROTECTING PRINCESS, the fifth book in the adult contemporary military romance series, Special Forces: Operation Alpha, Search and Rescue, by USA Today bestselling author Jen Talty. See below for information on the book, buy links, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
PROTECTING PRINCESS (Special Forces Operation Alpha Search and Rescue Series #5) by Jen Talty
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: PROTECTING PRINCESS Series: Special Forces: Operation Alpha, Search and Rescue Series #5 Author: Jen Talty Release Date: January 19, 2020 Genre: Adult Contemporary Military Romance
Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Navy SEAL Lincoln Thomas loved only one woman and he’d walked away from her almost five years ago when he realized he’d never fit into her world and she’d never accept he couldn’t turn his back on his country. Never in a million years did he expect to see her standing on his front doorstep on a stormy night, totally drenched, and in a wedding dress, covered in blood.
Naomi “Princess” Grant, daughter of Edward Grant, one of the biggest real-estate moguls in the world has never had to worry about anything a day in her life, hence, the name Princess. However, her life isn’t all that it’s cracked up to be. Five years ago, her forced to break up with the only man she would ever love and pushed her into a relationship that met the needs of the family business. And now, on the eve of her wedding, her father, and her betrothed are murdered, and she’s the one holding the smoking gun.
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Author Jen Talty
About the Author Jen Talty is the USA Today Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, and Paranormal Romance. In the fall of 2020, her short story was selected and featured in a 1001 Dark Nights Anthology. She is currently contracted to write in the With Me in Seattle series by Kristen Proby with Lady Boss Press, as well as Susan Stoker’s Special Forces: Operation Alpha and Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors.
Regardless of the genre, her goal is to take you on a ride that will leave you floating under the sun with warmth in your heart. She writes stories about broken heroes and heroines who aren’t necessarily looking for romance, but in the end, they find the kind of love books are written about :).
She first started writing while carting her kids to one hockey rink after the other, averaging 170 games per year between 3 kids in 2 countries and 5 states. Her first book, IN TWO WEEKS was originally published in 2007. In 2010 she helped form a publishing company (Cool Gus Publishing) with NY Times Bestselling Author Bob Mayer where she ran the technical side of the business through 2016.
Jen is currently enjoying the next phase of her life…the empty nester! She and her husband reside in Jupiter, Florida.
Grab a glass of vino, kick back, relax, and let the romance roll in…
Author Nikki Ash is revealing a teaser from MY KIND OF LOVE, the first book in her new adult contemporary/military romance series, Finding Love, releasing January 21, 2021. See below for information on the book, preorder links, the exclusive teaser, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
MY KIND OF LOVE (Finding Love Series #1) by Nikki Ash
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: MY KIND OF LOVE Series: Finding Love Series #1 Author: Kikki Ash Release Date: January 21, 2021 Genre: New Adult Contemporary/Military Romance Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Micaela
Once upon a time, a boy and a girl met and fell in love…
That’s the way my love story began, but unlike the fairy tale, it ended with me standing in the cemetery, watching my prince get lowered into the ground, along with all our dreams. Now he’s gone and I’m lost. Until an impromptu trip to my family’s beach house has me spending time with Ryan.
With his help, I’m learning to live again and make plans for the future. The only problem is, we both know they can’t include him.
So, when our time is up, we do the only thing we can do—go our separate ways.
Ryan
My entire life, I’ve felt like the waves in a raging sea—crashing and breaking, never settling.
Until Micaela stormed in like a hurricane, colliding into my life and my heart. I thought she’d be my destruction, but instead she turned out to be my calm. The more time we spend together, the more life she breathes into both of us. But all too quickly, our time is up and she’s ready to face her future—one I can’t be a part of.
So, I do the impossible and walk away.
But life is crazy, and love knows no bounds. You might’ve thought this is where our story ends, but the truth is… it’s only the beginning.
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Author Nikki Ash
About the Author Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Ally
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
Author Nikki Ash is revealing the cover to MY KIND OF LOVE, the first book in her new adult contemporary/military romance series, Finding Love, releasing January 21, 2021. See below for the cover, information on the book, preorder links, and a link to add it to your Goodreads TBR.
MY KIND OF LOVE (Finding Love Series #1) by Nikki Ash
About the Book – Read for Free with Kindle Unlimited Title: MY KIND OF LOVE Series: Finding Love Series #1 Author: Kikki Ash Release Date: January 21, 2021 Genre: New Adult Contemporary/Military Romance Links: Goodreads | Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon DE | Amazon IT | Amazon FR
Synopsis Micaela
Once upon a time, a boy and a girl met and fell in love…
That’s the way my love story began, but unlike the fairy tale, it ended with me standing in the cemetery, watching my prince get lowered into the ground, along with all our dreams. Now he’s gone and I’m lost. Until an impromptu trip to my family’s beach house has me spending time with Ryan.
With his help, I’m learning to live again and make plans for the future. The only problem is, we both know they can’t include him.
So, when our time is up, we do the only thing we can do—go our separate ways.
Ryan
My entire life, I’ve felt like the waves in a raging sea—crashing and breaking, never settling.
Until Micaela stormed in like a hurricane, colliding into my life and my heart. I thought she’d be my destruction, but instead she turned out to be my calm. The more time we spend together, the more life she breathes into both of us. But all too quickly, our time is up and she’s ready to face her future—one I can’t be a part of.
So, I do the impossible and walk away.
But life is crazy, and love knows no bounds. You might’ve thought this is where our story ends, but the truth is… it’s only the beginning.
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Author Nikki Ash
About the Author Nikki Ash resides in South Florida where she is an English teacher and mom by day and a writer by night. When she’s not writing, you can find her with a book in her hand. From the Boxcar Children to Wuthering Heights to the latest Single Parent Romance, she has lived and breathed every type of book.
Reading is like breathing in, writing is like breathing out. – Pam Ally
While reading and writing are her passions, her two children are her entire world. You can probably find them at a Disney park before you would find them at home on the weekends!
Welcome to the blog tour for LETHAL TEMPTATION, the second book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Rifle Creek, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
LETHAL TEMPTATION (Rifle Creek Series #2) by Kaylea Cross
Detective Avery Dahl finally has her life back on track after a painful divorce. She’s not going to risk her heart again, especially to a sexy veteran with heartbreak written all over him. Due to extenuating circumstances at an upcoming family wedding, she reluctantly agrees to bring him as her fake boyfriend—and soon realizes her mistake. Because Mason is as lethal with seduction as he is with a weapon, and keeps pushing her boundaries until her carefully constructed walls begin to crumble. Her instinct is to push him away, but when a mysterious enemy targets her, Avery has a choice to make. Face it alone, or take a risk and let him in.
He’s determined to get past it.
After a horrific accident ended his military career, Mason Gallant has struggled to fit into the civilian world. Now that he and his buddies are opening a business together in Rifle Creek, he’s finally found his footing again. But he never counted on meeting a woman like Avery. He can’t stop thinking about her, so when she needs help, he steps up. Except posing as her boyfriend makes things even worse—because he soon realizes he wants way more than just her body. Now that he’s seen the caring, sensual woman inside the tough cop, he wants to protect her from whoever is threatening her. As the attraction between them heats up, the danger escalates. Mason must prove to her that she can trust him with her heart as well as her life—or risk losing her to the bullet of a stone-cold killer.
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Excerpt #1 Avery looked at him in surprise. “You dance?”
“Sweetheart, I’ve got moves you can’t even imagine.”
Amusement and a hint of arousal glowed in her eyes. She didn’t say anything, just followed him out to the middle of the floor amongst the other couples.
He stopped, turned her to face him and locked an arm around her waist, pulling her forward until their bodies almost touched. Avery stared up at him as the music filled the air and other dancers wove around them.
Mason slowly grasped her other hand, raising it to shoulder level. In her heels she was tall enough to look him dead in the eye, and he liked the novelty of it. He read the uncertainty in her gaze, and the desire she tried to hide. She had his entire body hard already, the need to stake his claim on her right here in front of everyone clawing at him.
He began to move, leading her to the beat, sheer possessiveness roaring inside him. This had started off as a kind of game for him, but now he wanted something more. Starting with making her give into the need he could see smoldering in her eyes. Making her surrender to the demands of her body. Make her need him.
It was impossible to tear his eyes from hers as they danced, the heat between them rising with every second. He slowed with the music, swaying gently with her, his arm locked around her waist and the fingers of his other hand encasing hers. Avery’s face was just inches from his own, her golden eyes mesmerizing. Her gaze dropped to his mouth before flicking back up, and the longing she was trying to hide undid him.
He stopped there in the middle of the dance floor to slide a hand into her hair and lower his mouth to hers. When their lips touched, she gasped and tensed for a split-second.
Mason curved his fingers around the back of her skull and angled his head, fitting their lips together. He kept the kiss slow, shoving back the raging need to take, seducing her with every stroke and caress of his lips.
Pure lust and possessiveness streaked through him like a wildfire. He held her to him, battling the need to plaster her body to him, and gave her a teasing stroke of his tongue across her lower lip.
Avery sucked in a breath and pulled her head back to stare up at him. Her irises were nothing but thin golden rings around wide black pupils, her breathing unsteady.
Fuck him. She went to his head like a drug, turning him into a raging storm of need.
She would go on the defensive now, put all her shields up with all these people around, but he’d gotten a taste of what lay beneath them, and he wasn’t giving up now.
Her ex had to be the stupidest fucking idiot alive to throw this amazing, sensual woman away.
Mason was a soldier through and through. He was going to fight for her.
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Author Kaylea Cross
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Welcome to the blog tour for BROKEN BONDS, the latest book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Crimson Point, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive teaser.
BROKEN BONDS (Crimson Point Series #4.5) by Kaylea Cross
Synopsis Autumn winds and rain have returned to Crimson Point.
It’s November in the Pacific Northwest and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Beckett and the Crimson Point gang are looking forward to celebrating the holiday together. This year they all have more to be thankful for than ever…but that also means they have even more to lose.
But this year a different kind of storm is looming.
Recent problems at work have left Beckett and crew scrambling to get projects completed. It’s all hands on deck, and just as the end is finally within sight, a deadly threat emerges from the shadows. When things take a lethal turn, the Crimson Point team must once again come together to save one of its own, and hunt down the vengeful killer before he can strike again.
*Note: This novella is a final wrap-up of the Crimson Point Series and is not intended to be read as a stand-alone..
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Author Kaylea Cross
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Today is release day for BROKEN BONDS, the latest book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Crimson Point, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive teaser.
BROKEN BONDS (Crimson Point Series #4.5) by Kaylea Cross
Synopsis Autumn winds and rain have returned to Crimson Point.
It’s November in the Pacific Northwest and Thanksgiving is just around the corner. Beckett and the Crimson Point gang are looking forward to celebrating the holiday together. This year they all have more to be thankful for than ever…but that also means they have even more to lose.
But this year a different kind of storm is looming.
Recent problems at work have left Beckett and crew scrambling to get projects completed. It’s all hands on deck, and just as the end is finally within sight, a deadly threat emerges from the shadows. When things take a lethal turn, the Crimson Point team must once again come together to save one of its own, and hunt down the vengeful killer before he can strike again.
*Note: This novella is a final wrap-up of the Crimson Point Series and is not intended to be read as a stand-alone..
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Author Kaylea Cross
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Today is release day for HANDLE WITH CARE, the third book in the adult contemporary military romance series, Veteran Movers, by New York Times bestselling author, Marie Harte. See below for information on the book, buy links, and an exclusive teaser.
HANDLE WITH CARE (Veteran Movers #3) by Marie Harte
And that was before he met the stunning, sexy woman having a meltdown.
Evan Griffith has had many careers in his life. But who knew working for his family’s moving company would hold just as much action as his stint in the Marine Corps? On an unforgettable job, Evan finds himself taken by a teenage conman and confronted by a woman wielding a knife―and promptly falls head over heels for her.
Kenzie Sykes is doing her best to raise her little brother and keep him out of jail―all while dealing with her own broken heart that just hasn’t healed. She doesn’t have time for romance. He’s not asking… Until he is, and she finds herself saying yes.
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Author Marie Harte
About the Author Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit http://marieharte.com and fall in love.
Today is release day for HOME WITH YOU, the first fourth in the adult contemporary military romance series, Rambler Battalion, by Claire Cain. See below for information on the book, buy links, an exclusive excerpt, and details on her giveaway.
HOME WITH YOU (Rambler Battalion #4) by Claire Cain
Synopsis I hadn’t seen Major Reese Flint in ten years—not since I was sixteen. Growing up, he was always kind to me despite our age difference and my role as the caretaker’s daughter. Our reunion forced me to see the gorgeous man he’d turned into. Reese was just as shocked by me, but evidently not in a good way since he then resolutely avoided me.
We’re forced back together when Reese’s mother hires me to help him recover from an injury since I still live in the garage apartment above the house I watched for him while he was deployed.
When Reese’s mom asks for more than that, I’m torn between my loyalty to the family who gave me so much during my childhood and my newfound feelings for Reese. Just when Reese stops resisting his interest in me and I have more than I could have hoped for, I discover I’m more at risk of losing everything than I could have imagined.
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Excerpt I groaned as I stood and lumbered into the kitchen where Erin promptly let out a little yelp. She pressed her hands to her heart and took a few deep breaths before laughing hysterically.
Really. She doubled over, her long hair waterfalling to the ground, leaving me to admire the nearly bare expanse of her back but for the two small spaghetti straps of her tank top. When she finally turned upright, her face was red and her green eyes were wet with tears.
“I’m sorry,” I said, chuckling long with her since the sound of laughter was irresistible.
“No, I’m sorry. I—I didn’t expect to see you. I thought you were in bed. And your beard is, like, wow, so I didn’t realize it was you, even though of course it’s you.” She pressed her lips together. “Anyway, I’m sorry for laughing hysterically. It was that, or cry, and I do enough crying so laugh it was.”
“I’ve been sleeping down here so I’m upright. Did you need something?” I asked, and as soon as her face fell, I realized I’d done it again. She set the rag in her hand on the counter and moved to go, but I grabbed her wrist.
“Please. I don’t mean that in a brusque way. I’m not trying to get rid of you. I want to help you find what you need, if you need something,” I said, lowering my voice because whenever she was this close, which was rarely lately, I wanted to say things to only her. I wanted things between us that only we knew about.
She stared down at my hand on her wrist, then back at my face, her chest rising and falling. “I, uh… I came to check and see how the kitchen was. Your mom doesn’t always clean up, so I came to make sure everything was put away so you wouldn’t wake up to a mess.” She looked down like she was embarrassed and gently pulled her arm away.
“That’s very kind of you, Erin.” Her lashes fluttered when I said her name, and I wondered if she preferred her nickname. I’d have to try it out next time.
“Not really. I’m saving myself from more work tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow?” I asked, stepping closer to her because apparently my body wanted more of her proximity.
“I’ll be here to make you breakfast. I mean, if that’s ok, of course,” she said, red rising to her cheeks.
“I’d like nothing more,” I said, catching her green eyes with mine to make sure she understood my sincerity. I was done fumbling around and failing to communicate with her. I’d bungled things between us enough already, and if my mother had obligated Erin to help me, I wasn’t going to make her feel unwanted.
She returned my stare a moment longer, her eyes moving between mine every few seconds.
And then it happened.
Then the best thing of my week happened.
The month.
Sure, maybe the year. I’d made the promotion list for lieutenant colonel and I was pleased about that, but this? This probably topped that.
Her focus moved from one eye, to the other, and then dipped down and caressed my lips. I kid you not, I could practically feel the brush of her lashes against my mouth.
Then, of course, she jerked away and plastered a smile on her face, bid me goodnight, and excused herself.
But it’d happened.
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Author Claire Cain
About the Author Claire Cain lives to eat and drink her way around the globe with her traveling soldier and two kids, but is perhaps even happier hunkered down at home in a pair of sweatpants and slippers using any free moment she has to read and cook. Or talk—she really likes to talk. She has become an expert at packing too many dishes in too few cabinets and making houses into homes from Utah to Germany and many places in between. She’s a proud Army wife and is frankly just really happy to be here.
Welcome to the blog tour for ONE YEAR HOME, the highly-anticipated sequel to the adult contemporary military romance, FIVE YEARS GONE, by New York Times bestselling author, Marie Force. See below for information on the book and series, buy inks, and an exclusive excerpt.
Synopsis
He came home a hero and lost the only woman he’s ever loved…
John
I have no idea how to survive without my beloved Ava. She had no choice but to move on with her life during my six-year deployment and has now married Eric. I hate him for taking her from me. I’d prefer to wallow in my depression and heartbreak, but the whole damned world wants a piece of the SEAL Team leader who helped capture the world’s most-wanted terrorist. I need help handling the relentless requests, and when Ava sends her new sister-in-law to manage the media circus for me, I’m prepared to hate her on principle. Her brother took my Ava. What else do I need to know about her?
Julianne
It takes five seconds to realize Ava’s ex is going to be the most complicated and difficult client I’ve ever had, but the opportunity to represent the most celebrated man in the world could make my career. I’m determined to do the job, even if I dislike John from the moment I meet him. And I like everyone. So much so that my brothers worry about me being exploited by those who would take advantage of my unwavering love for others. But John… He’s in a class by himself, and his bitterness is a festering wound that I begin to wish I could somehow fix for him. The more time we spend together, the more our mutual disdain morphs into something that feels an awful lot like desire. There’s no way I can want this man, or so I tell myself, and when Eric finds out I’ve developed feelings for the man causing trouble in his new marriage, well…
That’s going to be a hot mess.
The hotly anticipated follow up to Five Years Gone is here!
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Excerpt #1 Chapter 2
Julianne
He’s so scary looking that it’s all I can do not to shrivel up in a ball or bolt for the door to get away from him. If I’d run into him on the street, I would’ve moved out of his way so there’d be no chance of coming into contact with him. And that’s not like me at all. I talk to everyone I encounter, which drives my brothers crazy. They swear I’m going to end up dead one of these days because I’m too friendly to strangers.
I can’t help it. That’s just how I am. But this stranger is different, and I quickly realize he’s not about to do anything to make this easier for me. He’s also incredibly handsome, but I barely notice that. The scary requires my full attention.
Muncie breaks the uncomfortable silence by clearing his throat. “Captain John West, meet Julianne Tilden.”
Mustering courage and determination to get through this with my professionalism intact even if I’m quaking on the inside, I take several steps forward and extend my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Captain West. Thank you for your service.”
He shakes my hand and offers a brusque nod as he lowers himself carefully onto a love seat. “Have a seat.”
I take one of the straight-back chairs that faces the love seat.
Muncie produces a take-out cup of coffee, cream containers, sugar and fake sugar. “Wasn’t sure if you drank coffee or how you take it.”
He seems very sweet, and I offer him a warm smile, greatly relieved that he’s there in case the scary captain decides to go postal on me. “Thanks. I can’t function without it.”
“You and the captain have that in common,” Muncie says with a pointed look for John as if to say, Get your head out of your ass and be nice.
At least I hope that’s the message he’s sending, because it would be very nice if he would get his head out of his ass and be nice.
I stir cream and sugar substitute into my coffee. “What can I do for you, Captain West?” He’s not going to make it easy for me? I can play that game, too.
“Deal with the bullshit.”
“You’re going to need to be more specific, I’m afraid.” I take a sip of the coffee and thank God once again for whoever thought it would be a good idea to dump hot water over ground cocoa beans. Did they know at the time what a service they were doing for all of mankind?
“I’m getting killed with calls from the media. Everyone wants interviews. They want me to write a book. One company asked me to model underwear for them. It’s nonstop and totally insane, and I can’t deal with it.”
“How are they contacting you?”
“Somehow, they got my personal cell number.” As he says those words, a phone on the coffee table vibrates with an incoming call. “That’ll be the first of at least a hundred calls today.”
“Well, that won’t work. Do you mind if I take the phone and manage the calls for you?”
He hesitates, glancing at the phone with such yearning that I feel my heart soften toward him.
“I’ll get you a new one and make sure she has the new number,” Muncie says.
That’s all the captain needs to hear. “Take it. It’s all yours.”
I take the phone off the coffee table. “Does it have a code?”
“Zero five twenty-five.”
I write that down in the notebook that’s always with me. I sleep with it under my pillow. It has all the most important information about my clients in it. My siblings make fun of my notebook, but a lot of the details contained in there are ultrasensitive, and I’d never keep them on a smart phone that can easily be hacked. We had a seminar at work about that topic last year. It scared the crap out of me and everyone I work with. Quite a few of us have switched to paper and pen since then.
Captain John West is my only client at the moment. The powers that be at the firm were so excited to land him that they bent over backwards to get coverage for all my other clients so I can give the man of the moment my full attention. After ten minutes in his presence, I want to give him back.
But I won’t do that for two reasons. One, everyone who is anyone in my business would literally kill to be me right now, and two, Ava asked me to take care of him, so I will. I adore Ava. She’s made my brother Eric happier than he’s ever been, and there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for her. This is a big deal to her—John is a big deal to her. She was in love with the guy for eight years, more than six of them spent wondering where he was while hoping he would return to her.
By the time he did, she was in love with Eric and they were planning a life together. I know how hard it was for her to see John again after all that time. I can’t for the life of me imagine what it must’ve been like for him to hear she’d found someone else and was engaged to be married.
“Why are you staring at me?” he asks gruffly, startling me.
I realize, to my horror, that I had in fact been staring at him. “Sorry,” I mutter.
He rubs his face. “Did I cut myself shaving again, Muncie?”
“Not this time, sir.”
“I, um, I apologize. I didn’t mean to stare.”
“So you said.” He seems to return the rudeness by taking the opportunity to blatantly stare at me.
I try not to wither under the glare of the most intense blue eyes I’ve ever seen, but I wilt a tiny bit waiting to find out what fresh hell he has in store for me next. “You sure I didn’t cut myself shaving, Muncie?”
The lieutenant commander laughs. “Nope. All good.”
I glance at the captain and note that his scowl has softened somewhat, not into what anyone would call a smile, but perhaps the starting of one.
“Your brother married my Ava.”
And there it is, the proverbial elephant in the room. “Yes, he did.”
“What’s he like?”
Oh, for God’s sake. I hadn’t expected him to ask me that and have no idea what to say.
“Is that a hard question? I take it you’ve known him awhile.”
“All my life, in fact.”
He leans forward, full of intensity and quiet rage. That’s the only way I can think of to describe the vibe coming from him.
“Captain…” Muncie’s word of warning goes ignored.
“He’s… He’s a good guy, one of the best guys I know. He’d do anything for anyone, give you the shirt off his back.” I hate the cliché, but it does the job—and it’s true. In a crisis, Eric would be the first person I’d call.
“What does he do for a living?”
“High-end investments.”
“What the hell are high-end investments?”
“Five million dollars or more.” At his look of distaste, I feel the need to say more. “He can spend a year fully investigating a potential investment, only to have the acquisition committee in his company turn it down. It’s very complex work.”
Judging by his expression, that doesn’t help with the distaste. “Sounds like a heck of a way to make a living.”
“He likes it.” I take a deep breath and tell myself to get control of this meeting. “Back to the media inquiries.”
“How old is he?”
“Did you ask me here to discuss my brother, Captain West, or are you interested in my professional services?” I force myself to look him dead in the eye and not to let him see that he intimidates me.
He stares back at me for a long moment before he blinks. “Both, I suppose.”
“I’m only interested in the professional inquiries, if it’s just the same to you. While I empathize with your situation, I love my brother, and it doesn’t feel right for me to be discussing him with you.”
He doesn’t like that, but too bad. I’m here to do a job, not defend my brother.
“You empathize with my situation? Really?”
“Captain…” The note of warning in Muncie’s tone isn’t lost on either of us.
“Yes, I do empathize with what you’ve been through, and like the rest of America, I’m deeply grateful for the role you played in bringing a terrorist to justice at great personal and physical expense.”
He begins to clap, slowly and dramatically.
Heat creeps into my face, which is infuriating. The last thing I want him to see is that he gets to me.
“Did you practice that little speech on the flight out here?”
“No.” I wish I could punch him and still have a job afterward. The partners were thrilled when I told him who my potential client was. Land him, they’d said, and we’ll consider you for junior partner. “I made it up right here.”
“Nice to see that you’re good on the fly.”
“I’m outstanding on the fly, which is how I became one of the top young PR professionals in New York.”
His cell phone rings, which is when I realize I’m gripping it tightly. With him watching me in that intense, intimidating way of his, I take the call. “Answering for Captain West.”
It’s a producer for NBC Nightly News, wanting to book an interview. “Let me take down your contact information and get back to you.” The name and number go in my trusty notebook.
“And you are?” the producer asks.
“Julianne Tilden.”
“Are you working for Captain West?”
“Please hold for one moment.” I put my hand over the phone so I won’t be overheard. “It’s an NBC News producer. She wants to know if I work for you.”
He holds my gaze for a long moment, during which I honestly have no idea what he’s thinking. He gives nothing away. “Tell her you do.”
I offer him a brief nod and return to the call. “I’ll be representing Captain West for media inquiries going forward. May I give you my number so you can reach me directly?” I recite the number for my work phone and tell her again I’ll be back in touch. I end the call and glance at my new client.
The first thing I do is slide my company’s retainer contract across the table. “Before we go any further, I need you to sign this.”
He leans forward to retrieve the document, and after studying it, he says, “Two hundred dollars an hour?”
“I assure you, I’ll earn every dime of it.”
“Yes, you will,” Muncie mutters.
I really like him.
“Who’s paying for this?” Captain West asks Muncie.
“We’ve got it covered. Sign the form.”
He signs it and hands it over to me. “Now what?”
“Now we need to talk about what you’re willing to do—and what you’re not willing to do.”
“If he had his druthers, he wouldn’t do anything,” Muncie says.
I never divert my gaze from the captain. “Why is that?”
“I don’t want to talk about it, but the navy has decided to make me their new poster boy for recruitment. I just want to retire and ride off into the sunset, but they’re not going to let that happen.”
“What’s the minimum that he can do?” I ask Muncie.
“They haven’t given us a minimum. They want him to take full advantage of the opportunities he’s being offered, whatever that means.”
I redirect my attention to the captain. “What’re your physical limitations?”
If looks could kill, I’d be a goner. “I have no physical limitations.”
“So you can travel?”
“Yes,” he says through gritted teeth.
“Here’s what I suggest… We book a New York media tour, including morning shows, nightly news, late night, and then we come back out here and do an LA leg.”
As soon as I say the word “leg,” I wish I could take it back. Not that the word is incorrect, but I don’t want him to think I’m fixated on what he’s lost. And why would he think that exactly? Shut up, Julianne. I hate that inner voice that constantly critiques me. It’s my mother’s voice. She made a career out of critiquing my every move until the blessed day I left for college at Barnard and could breathe for the first time in my life.
He doesn’t respond to my suggestion.
I clear my throat. “Would that work for you?”
“I guess.”
I glance at Muncie, who shrugs as if to say damned if I know what his problem is. Great. He’s been dealing with him for months, and he has no clue. What chance do I have?
I open my notebook and uncover my favorite gel pen. “Let’s cover what you will and won’t talk about.”
“I won’t talk about the raid, the mission or anything to do with Al Khad.”
“That’s what they’re going to want to know.”
“Despite the fact that Al Khad’s camp released the video of the raid, the mission is still classified on our end. I’m not at liberty to discuss the particulars, and even if I was, I wouldn’t.”
“Can you talk about what it was like to be deployed for more than five years?”
“Yeah. It sucked.”
“You have to say more than that.”
“What else should I say?”
“What did you do for all that time?” The question is one that I’ve had since I first heard the story about him and how he’d deployed the day Al Khad’s organization had taken out a US-based cruise ship with suicide bombers, killing four thousand innocent people. My sister-in-law, Ava, who’d been John’s live-in girlfriend at the time, waited five years in San Diego for him to come back before returning home to New York to start over.
“We looked for Al Khad.”
“Where did you look for him?”
He thinks about that, seeming to decide what he should say. “Our search spanned several countries that’re hostile to Americans, so we had to embed and blend in with the locals to get information. That took time and patience, among other things.”
“When you joined the navy, did you know you might have to deploy for so long without any word to your loved ones at home?”
“Other than the girlfriend I wasn’t supposed to have, I didn’t have loved ones at home, which is why I was initially chosen for the unit. In an interview, I could only say that I didn’t have loved ones at home. I can’t say I had a girlfriend.”
“What does it matter now?” I ask. “Cat’s out of the bag.”
“It matters. I don’t want her dragged into this.”
“Yes, that’s true.” I respect that he’s protecting her, even now. “I agree that we’re better off not arousing curiosity about her. The press would be relentless in their efforts to locate and interview her.”
“Which would be inconvenient and disruptive to your brother.”
Infuriated all over again, I stare him down. “It would be inconvenient, disruptive and intrusive for Ava. I’m sure you’ll agree she’s already been through enough.”
Muncie makes a sound that might be laughter, but he quickly coughs to cover it up.
“I agree,” John says. “Ava’s been through enough, and that’s entirely my fault.”
My heart breaks a little for him, because even though he tries to hide it, the pain of losing her is as obvious as his blue eyes, prominent cheekbones and sexy lips.
God help me, but the man is sexy—and completely off-limits to me for so many reasons, it would take me days to list them all in my notebook.
About the Author Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception.
All together, her books have sold 6.5 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news..
Today is release day for ONE YEAR HOME, the highly-anticipated sequel to the adult contemporary military romance, FIVE YEARS GONE, by New York Times bestselling author, Marie Force. See below for information on the book and series, buy inks, and an exclusive teaser.
Synopsis
He came home a hero and lost the only woman he’s ever loved…
John
I have no idea how to survive without my beloved Ava. She had no choice but to move on with her life during my six-year deployment and has now married Eric. I hate him for taking her from me. I’d prefer to wallow in my depression and heartbreak, but the whole damned world wants a piece of the SEAL Team leader who helped capture the world’s most-wanted terrorist. I need help handling the relentless requests, and when Ava sends her new sister-in-law to manage the media circus for me, I’m prepared to hate her on principle. Her brother took my Ava. What else do I need to know about her?
Julianne
It takes five seconds to realize Ava’s ex is going to be the most complicated and difficult client I’ve ever had, but the opportunity to represent the most celebrated man in the world could make my career. I’m determined to do the job, even if I dislike John from the moment I meet him. And I like everyone. So much so that my brothers worry about me being exploited by those who would take advantage of my unwavering love for others. But John… He’s in a class by himself, and his bitterness is a festering wound that I begin to wish I could somehow fix for him. The more time we spend together, the more our mutual disdain morphs into something that feels an awful lot like desire. There’s no way I can want this man, or so I tell myself, and when Eric finds out I’ve developed feelings for the man causing trouble in his new marriage, well…
That’s going to be a hot mess.
The hotly anticipated follow up to Five Years Gone is here!
About the Author Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception.
All together, her books have sold 6.5 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news..
Welcome to the blog tour for COVERT VENGEANCE, the second book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Vengeance, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and an exclusive excerpt.
Valkyrie hacker Amber Brown is deadly in her own right, but her preferred weapon is a keyboard. So after her teammates left her for dead, she took her revenge the way she was trained to—swiftly and brutally. Except one of her targets might be innocent. To right that wrong, Amber vows to rescue the at-risk Valkyrie no matter the cost, and this time she’s working alone. So when a sexy stranger shows up in the middle of a firefight and announces he’s been sent by her sister, it’s going to take a whole lot more than his word to make her trust him.
Chasing redemption may prove deadly.
Elite gun for hire Jesse Cordova lives on the edge of the law. When a new job offer sets off warning bells, he digs deeper and finds the startling truth. The woman he’s been tasked with capturing is a secret government assassin, and Amber Brown is unlike any target he’s gone after before. But bringing her in opens them up to a whole new level of danger, pitting them against one of the most ruthless assassins in the world. Now that the sexy Valkyrie has stolen his heart, Jesse will risk everything to see their mission through—knowing that the only way this ends is with one of them dying.
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Excerpt #2 Footsteps sounded over their heads. Then raised voices came from outside the stairwell door.
“Get behind me,” Amber said, pushing Kiyomi back. She raised her weapon just as the door burst open and fired at the first man through it, catching him low in the chest. He cried out and toppled down the stairs.
Amber was already moving sideways toward the far wall, herding Kiyomi backward as bullets ripped down the staircase. Legs appeared in her line of sight. She fired at the thighs, was rewarded with another guttural cry as the next man tumbled down, but more rushed onto the steps before she could kill him.
She got off four more shots at the approaching men, hitting two more in the chest, then a large shadow detached from the steps and came hurtling at her.
A huge, heavy weight slammed into her side, taking her to the floor. She braced and grunted as her back hit the cold concrete, driving the air from her lungs.
Chest burning, she shoved the man off and rolled away from him. As soon as she was free she aimed her weapon at him, but Kiyomi leaped into action. Though it must have been agony for her the other Valkyrie lunged up and wound the chain binding her handcuffs together around the man’s neck, then twisted.
His eyes bulged and he clawed at the chains strangling him as Amber got to her knees and changed the angle of her aim. But Kiyomi didn’t let go, her teeth bared in a feral snarl as she choked the life out of him. They fell forward and hit the ground with a thud, Kiyomi still pulling on the chains.
Struggling for air and almost out of ammo, Amber reached for a fresh mag and shifted to one knee, turning to face the stairs as more shouts and running footsteps reached her from above. Three more men appeared in the open doorway at the top of the stairs.
She whipped her weapon up to fire but before she could pull the trigger, shots rang out from behind the men and they started falling. She watched in astonishment as they all slid down the stairs one by one, dead or dying, smearing blood all over the stairs.
Staggering to her feet, she blinked to clear her hazy vision just as another figure appeared at the top of the steps. She jerked her pistol up to aim at his center mass, then froze when his face came into view.
Amber stared up at him in astonishment, her pulse roaring like the ocean in her ears.
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
Today is release day for COVERT VENGEANCE, the second book in the adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Vengeance, by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross. See below for information on the book and series, buy links, and an exclusive teaser.
Valkyrie hacker Amber Brown is deadly in her own right, but her preferred weapon is a keyboard. So after her teammates left her for dead, she took her revenge the way she was trained to—swiftly and brutally. Except one of her targets might be innocent. To right that wrong, Amber vows to rescue the at-risk Valkyrie no matter the cost, and this time she’s working alone. So when a sexy stranger shows up in the middle of a firefight and announces he’s been sent by her sister, it’s going to take a whole lot more than his word to make her trust him.
Chasing redemption may prove deadly.
Elite gun for hire Jesse Cordova lives on the edge of the law. When a new job offer sets off warning bells, he digs deeper and finds the startling truth. The woman he’s been tasked with capturing is a secret government assassin, and Amber Brown is unlike any target he’s gone after before. But bringing her in opens them up to a whole new level of danger, pitting them against one of the most ruthless assassins in the world. Now that the sexy Valkyrie has stolen his heart, Jesse will risk everything to see their mission through—knowing that the only way this ends is with one of them dying.
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
New York Times bestselling author, Marie Force is revealing a teaser from ONE YEAR HOME, the highly-anticipated sequel to the adult contemporary military romance, FIVE YEARS GONE, releasing August 6, 2019. See below for information on the book and series, pre-order inks, and the exclusive teaser.
Synopsis
He came home a hero and lost the only woman he’s ever loved…
John
I have no idea how to survive without my beloved Ava. She had no choice but to move on with her life during my six-year deployment and has now married Eric. I hate him for taking her from me. I’d prefer to wallow in my depression and heartbreak, but the whole damned world wants a piece of the SEAL Team leader who helped capture the world’s most-wanted terrorist. I need help handling the relentless requests, and when Ava sends her new sister-in-law to manage the media circus for me, I’m prepared to hate her on principle. Her brother took my Ava. What else do I need to know about her?
Julianne
It takes five seconds to realize Ava’s ex is going to be the most complicated and difficult client I’ve ever had, but the opportunity to represent the most celebrated man in the world could make my career. I’m determined to do the job, even if I dislike John from the moment I meet him. And I like everyone. So much so that my brothers worry about me being exploited by those who would take advantage of my unwavering love for others. But John… He’s in a class by himself, and his bitterness is a festering wound that I begin to wish I could somehow fix for him. The more time we spend together, the more our mutual disdain morphs into something that feels an awful lot like desire. There’s no way I can want this man, or so I tell myself, and when Eric finds out I’ve developed feelings for the man causing trouble in his new marriage, well…
That’s going to be a hot mess.
The hotly anticipated follow up to Five Years Gone is here!
About the Author Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, including the indie-published Gansett Island Series and the Fatal Series from Harlequin Books. In addition, she is the author of the Butler, Vermont Series, the Green Mountain Series and the erotic romance Quantum Series. In 2019, her new historical Gilded series from Kensington Books will debut with Duchess By Deception.
All together, her books have sold 6.5 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller list many times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, a Speigel bestseller in Germany, a frequent speaker and publishing workshop presenter as well as a publisher through her Jack’s House Publishing romance imprint. She is a two-time nominee for the Romance Writers of America’s RITA® award for romance fiction.
Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news..
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Kaylea Cross is revealing a teaser from COVERT VENGEANCE, the second book in her adult romantic suspense/military romance series, Vengeance, releasing July 30, 2019. See below for information on the book and series, preorder links, and the exclusive teaser.
Valkyrie hacker Amber Brown is deadly in her own right, but her preferred weapon is a keyboard. So after her teammates left her for dead, she took her revenge the way she was trained to—swiftly and brutally. Except one of her targets might be innocent. To right that wrong, Amber vows to rescue the at-risk Valkyrie no matter the cost, and this time she’s working alone. So when a sexy stranger shows up in the middle of a firefight and announces he’s been sent by her sister, it’s going to take a whole lot more than his word to make her trust him.
Chasing redemption may prove deadly.
Elite gun for hire Jesse Cordova lives on the edge of the law. When a new job offer sets off warning bells, he digs deeper and finds the startling truth. The woman he’s been tasked with capturing is a secret government assassin, and Amber Brown is unlike any target he’s gone after before. But bringing her in opens them up to a whole new level of danger, pitting them against one of the most ruthless assassins in the world. Now that the sexy Valkyrie has stolen his heart, Jesse will risk everything to see their mission through—knowing that the only way this ends is with one of them dying.
About the Author New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Kaylea Cross writes edge-of-your-seat military romantic suspense. Her work has won many awards, including the Daphne du Maurier Award of Excellence, and has been nominated multiple times for the National Readers’ Choice Awards. A Registered Massage Therapist by trade, Kaylea is also an avid gardener, artist, Civil War buff, Special Ops aficionado, belly dance enthusiast and former nationally-carded softball pitcher. She lives in Vancouver, BC with her husband and family.
