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Scotland, United Kingdom
Hi! My name is Kendall, I'm 29, a Media Graduate and I'm from Scotland. I'm a Reader, Reviewer, and Blogger.

Wednesday, 2 April 2025

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Lush [California Kings 01] by Tinia Montford!


Excerpt!

   “Didn’t think I’d see you here again.”
   “Neither did I,” I said.
   God help me.
   His eyes, blazing green, cut right through me. Pure rage, and something way worse that made my pulse jump.
   Time had sculpted him into something raw and devastatingly destructive. His sun-kissed skin, richer and warmer than I remembered. Dark waves of hair, tousled and unruly. And those lips… The same lips that used to whisper my name like a prayer.
   I hated him. But the ache between my legs didn’t give a damn.
   Reese started pacing slowly, hands in pockets, a cigarette dangling from his lips. I couldn’t look at him, so I stared at everything else—the garden, the bench, the dirt, even the stars.
   “You’re smoking again?”
   “I’m smoking.”
   I could almost taste that night before the engagement party. The back seat of his Mustang, the scent of salt air mixing with the leather, the hum of his engine as his arm pulled me closer. My fingers traced circles on his bare chest.
   “It’s stopping me from wringing your fucking neck.”
   My heart skipped a beat, but there was no way in hell I was going to show any weakness. Instead, my eyes locked on his, and for a moment, I forgot everything else—everything we’d been through. All I saw was the man who had wrecked me, the man who had damn near destroyed me, the man who made me betray my family for his love, the man whose love I then betrayed for my family.
   And still, I wanted him. Bad.
   I wanted to drag him back to that fire we burned in before, back to the madness, the raw need. Rip him open with my mouth and tongue until we both bled from the inside out. I wanted to make him feel what he did to me—the way he burned me, the way he left me to rot.
   And I had no fucking idea what to do with all of that.
   “You haven’t changed.” I kept my face devoid of any emotion.
   His lips twisted in a faint, almost mocking smile, as though he knew exactly what I was trying to do.
   “I don’t think I’ve ever been good at that,” he muttered. Then, after a long moment, he added, “But you? You’ve changed.”
   “I know this isn’t the…ideal circumstance to meet again.” I straightened. “I didn’t come back to play games.”
   “You fucked me over, and now, after six years, you just show up?” His voice shook, raw with something dark and dangerous. “You turned on me. We were supposed to leave together. Ran out on our plan like I was nothing—” 
   “It was our plan, Reese. You were in on it too.”

Laurene King had it all: beauty, wealth, and a sexy secret affair with Reese Ashbourne— the brooding heir of her family’s sworn enemy.
But one reckless night shattered everything.

Tragedy struck. Laurene disappeared. And Reese was left with betrayal, unanswered questions, and scars he’ll never forget.

Now, Laurene is back, forced to return to the life she fled, but her homecoming comes with a cruel twist. Their families, teetering on the edge of ruin, have resurrected an old deal to save themselves: an Ashbourne and a King must marry—or lose everything.

Only this time, Reese is the groom. Not his brother.

Haunted by the past, Reese craves revenge as much as he still craves her. Trapped in a forced proximity neither can escape, their chemistry ignites—and so do their secrets.

But someone knows the truth about that night. The lies that tore them apart are unraveling, and the shadowy danger lurking in their luxurious world could destroy them both.

With their second chance at love and their families’ legacies hanging by a thread, Laurene and Reese must choose: bury the past or watch everything crumble to ashes.

The clock is ticking, and some truths are better left buried…


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Author bio:

Tinia (TUH-NIA) Montford is a Pisces who’s a sap for romance, especially when there’s (tons of) kissing. Loves eighties sitcoms and will consume anything with chocolate. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in English and Graphic Design. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiction.

You can find Tinia at www.tiniamontford.com or on social media: @tiniawritesbooks

Tuesday, 1 April 2025

Release Day Blitz: Web of Lies [Road Trip Romance 18] by A.K. Evans!


After getting the shock of her life and learning the man she dated for three years already has a wife and kids, Kat Ramsey has sworn off serious relationships.

Unwilling to ever be entangled in another web of lies, Kat’s new life is all about having a good time.

Graham Stephenson’s heart has been raked over the coals. All he wants is some peace after everything he’s been through.

Drowning his sorrows at a quiet Rhode Island pub, Graham didn’t intend to meet anyone. But then Kat sits down on the stool beside him.

The next thing he knows, they’re heading back to his place for a night of fun.

Betrayed and broken, the pair find solace in a physical relationship. But deep down, they’re romantics at heart. And when feelings start getting in the way, they’ll be left having to decide if it’s worth taking that risk once more, or if it’s time to walk away.


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Author bio:

A.K. Evans is a contemporary romance author of over forty published novels. While she enjoys writing a good romantic suspense novel, Andrea’s favorite books to write have been her extreme sports romances. That might have something to do with the fact that she, along with her husband and two sons, can’t get enough of extreme sports.

Before becoming a writer, Andrea did a brief stint in the insurance and financial services industry and managed her husband’s performance automotive business. That love of extreme sports? She used to drive race cars!

When Andrea isn’t writing, she can be found homeschooling her two sons, doing yoga, snowboarding, reading, or traveling with her family. She and her husband are currently taking road trips throughout the country to visit all 50 states with their boys.


Monday, 31 March 2025

Release Tour & Giveaway: Their Mended Hearts [Cardinal Creek 02] by Angie Cole!


He’s a firefighter haunted by tragedy; she’s a nurse who never stopped loving him. Jon and Katie find themselves drawn back together, bound by shared history and the promise of healing and hope.

Jon Clemmons, a devoted firefighter, carries the heavy burden of guilt from losing his sister in a tragic accident. His pain runs deep, and he’s learned to keep others at a distance, afraid to let anyone see his scars.

Katie Deluca, a compassionate nurse, and Jon’s first love, has her own wounds, but she’s never stopped caring for him. When they’re reunited at a family wedding, old sparks reignite, and with them, old hurts that need mending.

As Jon and Katie draw closer, Jon’s troubled past, family secrets, and a volatile temper threaten to unravel the bond between them. Katie’s unwavering love gives him hope, but fears of reliving their painful past linger.

Will they find strength in each other to break free from the grip of old grief, or will their love slip away once more?


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy from Amazon



Author bio:

My journey as a romance author is deeply rooted in my personal experiences of love, loss, and resilience. The profound impact of the losses I have endured, including the passing of my grandparents and my parents, has shaped my perspective on life and love.

My own love story is one of healing and finding joy after heartache, and it mirrors the themes I explore in my novels.

As a survivor of grief and a believer in the power of love, I channel my experiences into crafting stories that resonate with the complexities and triumphs of the human heart. My writing is a testament to the idea that love can emerge from the most unexpected places, offering hope and healing. The one thing that can be learned from grief is that it's a very personal experience and isn't the same for every person.


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Giveaway!


Sunday, 30 March 2025

Stacking the Shelves [116]!


Stacking The Shelves is a meme hosted by Tynga’s Reviews and Reading Reality where we show what books we got recently. I do this post once a month.

Stacking The Shelves is all about sharing the books you’re adding to your shelves, be it buying or borrowing. From ‘real’ books you’ve purchased, a book you’ve borrowed, a book you’ve been given or an e-book, they can all be shared!

Purchased (Ebooks):



Purchased (Paperbacks/hardbacks):



Gifted from Authors/Publishers:

I, unfortunately, didn't receive any paperbacks or hardbacks this month.

For Review from Author/Netgalley/Edelweiss:

I, unfortunately, didn't receive any review copies this month.

Currently Reading:


Saturday, 29 March 2025

Blog Tour & Giveaway: Vengeful CONspiracies [Sadie Sabatini Mystery 02] by Nicole Leiren!


Excerpt!

   I grabbed my laptop and returned to the counter. Since Kelsey didn’t want to talk about the election now, I wouldn’t bother her. I was curious, though, about the candidates. The seats being voted on were currently occupied by Jim Bob (JB) Nester, Alan Knightly, and Ted Birmingham. Ted was the only one not running for re-election. I was a little surprised by this. When it came to the Birminghams and their legacy, both influence and power were important. Since Ted typically did what his father wanted, I had no doubt it was Robert’s idea.
   Next, I wanted to take a look at the candidates running to occupy those seats. “Hey, Tessa is running.”
   Kelsey looked my way and grinned. “I knew you’d do some research before Sunday.”
   I shrugged. “The Boy Scouts and I have that in common–always be prepared. I’ve visited her shop, Tessa’s Treats, many times.”
   “She will be a great asset to the board, for sure. One vote down, two to go.” She winked.
   Next up was Karen Bizzy, the “Karen” to beat out all other “Karens.” She had definitive plans for the town of Wilson, very few of which I supported. Denise McDowell and Jackie Price were also vying for a seat. I wasn’t sure either was truly qualified, but out of the two, I knew Denise better. Her motivations, at least, were easier to understand. Jackie, on the other hand, was still a mystery.
   Since I was familiar with them, I hadn’t selected the hyperlink under their name to see the bio and picture. The new guy, Miles Gentry, needed additional research. I hovered over the blue letters that contained his name and hit enter.
   As his picture appeared on a new page, my heart stopped beating for a moment. His hair might no longer be black, and contacts had replaced his glasses, but the face struck a familiar chord from my past. This man was not Miles Gentry. No, I’d recognize the smug look on his narrow face anywhere. This was none other than Miles Grant, a former pharmaceutical executive my team brought down about a year ago due to his use of experimental pesticides which poisoned the workers in the field. He had also skimmed money from the company to fund other experimental programs. In sum, he was a bad actor who had either learned his lesson and was starting a new life, or he had moved from California to Texas to start a new venture where no one knew him or his reputation. At least, he would think no one knew him.
   Either way, I didn’t trust him. My gut was rarely, if ever, wrong. Right now, it was screaming at me that his presence in Wilson spelled bad news for the unsuspecting people of this town. Deep down, I also knew it wouldn’t be long before our paths crossed, which undoubtedly would mean nothing but trouble for me.

Sadie is settling into her new life in Wilson, Texas. She’s making friends and her business, Tesoro, is starting to thrive. But the past is never far behind. When two former team members come for a visit, they bring trouble in the form of a mutual enemy set on revenge threatening to disrupt Sadie’s fresh start.

She can’t turn her back on her team, though. They’ve been through too much together. The more Sadie tries to help, the more she suspects she might be the target of the con this time. With forces conspiring against her, the outcome of her decisions, both past and present, weigh heavily and make her question the choices she made leading to this point.

When their mutual enemy is found dead, alliances are tested, and wits are matched as the race to the truth reveals who can be trusted and who is running their final con.


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy here


Author bio:

Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun -- in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.

Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)
 

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Giveaway!



Friday, 28 March 2025

Release Day Blitz & Giveaway: The Dan Alsop Series by SJ Slagle!


Thanksgiving Storm [Dan Alsop 01]

A cowboy lies dead on the trail, shot through the heart with no one around. Detective Dan Alsop must find his killer through a maze of squabbling relatives, disgruntled friends and Hollywood mobsters. Was it a single event or will the killer strike again?


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Buy your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or Smashwords

Thanksgiving Murders [Dan Alsop 02]

His mentor lies dead at his feet. Detective Dan Alsop is stretched thin with only the notion of an ancient casino robbery to guide him. His search for the elusive killer takes him to cemeteries and silver mines until he strikes again.


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Apple Books or Smashwords


Author bio:

SJ SLAGLE started her career as a language arts teacher. When she began writing, her initial interest was children’s stories, but then she moved on to Western Romance, Mysteries and Historical Fiction. She has published over 30 novels and her website is www.sjslagle.com.

SJ has written several Western Romance series including the THESE NEVADA BOYS, RANCHER, and THE WESTERNERS, as well as Mystery series: FLOYD SISTERS MYSTERIES and SHERLOCK AND ME. All her books are distributed in digital, paper and audiobook formats.

Her first historical fiction novel, LONDON SPIES, was awarded a B.R.A.G. Medallion in 2018. She was given the Silver Award with the International Independent Film Awards for her screenplay called REDEMPTION. She conducts writing/publishing symposiums in her local area.

S.J. Slagle lives and works in Reno, Nevada.




Giveaway!

 

Wednesday, 26 March 2025

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Touch of the Elegrian by Cheryl A. Arko!


Excerpt!

   Krenshaw rushed up the ramp and slammed the hatch shut. With a deft move he engaged the lock. The hatch viewer showed the man hanging onto the entry handhold just outside the locked door.
   “Pilot’s seat.” Erys got the words out between clenched teeth. “Quickly.” He was working overtime to hang on to consciousness.
   Kaytee put her arm around his shoulders and steered him to the command chair. Pounding on the hull reverberated through the small hopper cabin. Their attacker was not giving up. At least his presence was keeping his fellows from firing on them.
   Erys’s arm trembled. The smell of the chief’s apprehension was rank in his nose. Behind him, Kaytee stood stiff as an iron rod, her hands gripping his shoulders. He stretched his hand toward the control panel, stroked it gently. His fingers left a trail of blood.
   He inhaled sharply. Suppressed a curse.
   This time he did not seek to neutralize the controls but rather visualized them in their operating state. The hopper hummed to life. His energy sapped, he sank back in the pilot’s seat and ratcheted up his pain shield.
   He reached his other hand to the left side of the control panel. Flinched as he forced the contact. Then he took over with his mind, and the craft rose from the ground.
   The main view screen flashed on automatically when the hopper took to the air. The man hanging onto the hatch door released his hold, falling to the ground. The remaining thugs crowded onto the landing pad below them. One raised a large tube to his shoulder. The crumbler. With its settings adjusted from micro-assault to maximum width and range, the illegal weapon could definitely bring down a hopper.
   Erys toughened his resolve, his will holding the controls in a life-or-death grip. He was a better than average pilot—but what he was doing now went beyond any evasive maneuvering he had learned in his training.
   An earsplitting boom rumbled through the hopper. Then, the groan of twisting metal. The caustic fumes of melting plastic. The tingle of overworked circuits pulsing in the control panel beneath his hands.
   They had taken a hit.

Prejudice. Legacy. Redemption.

Erys carries a secret that could shatter his world. The telepathic Elegrian has spent his life atoning for his dead father’s role in humanity’s disastrous first contact. Now, as a tech specialist for the Earth-led alliance, he serves in silence—until sabotage threatens the lives of dozens of human children. And the traitor is one of his own.

Forced to work with a brilliant but hostile human engineer, Erys must dismantle not only the deadly conspiracy but also the deep-seated mistrust between their peoples. With time running out, he faces an impossible choice: break the fragile Elegrian-Human treaty and invite the death penalty to forge a forbidden mind link with a human… or let innocent lives be lost.

Two worlds on the brink. A single act of defiance. Can compassion rewrite a doomed future?


Check it out on Goodreads!

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Author bio:

CHERYL ARKO is a science fiction author and an accomplished senior data scientist with a long career in IT and medical data analysis. She has loved reading science fiction ever since she could connect letters into words, devouring everything from Andre Norton to E.E. "Doc" Smith to more and more authors through the years who have shared their thought-provoking ideas of imagined places and alternate realities.

TOUCH OF THE ELEGRIAN is Cheryl's debut novel and was a Killer Nashville Claymore Award Finalist for best Science Fiction/Fantasy. She writes stories that take her to the stars, imagining who we might find out there, inviting readers to come along for the ride to visit new worlds and their people. To explore what makes us different—and what makes us the same. And to discover the inherent good that exists in the universe to balance against darkness, no matter how far we travel.

A seasoned dog trainer, Cheryl lives with her beloved Airedales in a tiny house nestled within thirty acres of serene Minnesota pine trees.