Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Friend Face Off [Love on Thin Ice 03] by Grace Worthington!

Excerpt!

   “She can’t go with you,” a voice growls behind me. I spin around to see the hockey player’s steel gaze locked on the jerk who’s asking me out.
   “Why not?”

   “Because she’s going to the party with me,” Dawson replies without looking at me.
   My breath catches. I’m caught between a guy who makes angry hives break out on my body, and one who makes my heart feel things I shouldn’t. 
   “Is this true?” Stewart asks me directly.
   I pause, then look at Dawson. “Yes, he’s my date,” I say, even though I know this is a bad idea. Because once it’s out there, I’m committed. I’ll have to date my brother’s best friend.
   I make myself move closer to Dawson and give his arm a pat, only to realize I'm touching what feels like a boulder. Seriously, no man should be walking around with biceps that huge, even if he is holding a coffee carrier with four cups. Either the man is working for a food delivery service in his spare time or consumes coffee at an alarming rate.
   Dawson’s eyes trace over my workout wear. His mouth quirks at the corner. “Good run?”
   I nod and thread my fingers through my knotted ponytail.
   “You were always so fast,” he says.
   How does he know this?
   “Oh, right,” I laugh. “The night I tried to leave you behind at the party.” 
   I glance up at him and I’m immediately mesmerized by his eyes. He’s not my usual type—his hands are calloused from hockey. He’s rough and mysterious and his hair looks amazing without any effort. Plus, he’s always ready with a hockey pickup line that’s so cheesy it actually circles back to charming. 
   I need an emotionally sensitive man who reads books and quotes my favorite parts. Not someone who punches people in the face for a living. Of course, there was that one time he quoted Jane Austen. And he did buy my favorite romance book at the store. What kind of man does that?
   My eyes trace over his frame. Dawson’s got that tall, dark, and muscular look. Put him in flannel and he’d be a sexy lumberjack. The image of Dawson in flannel with an axe stirs a funny feeling in my chest. 
   I can’t date a hockey player. He’s my brother’s best friend. That’s double the trouble. 
   And I just agreed to a fake date with him.

Getting involved with your brother’s best friend is risky enough. But when he’s a hockey player? It’s a whole new level of bad idea.

As a ravenous reader, I’ve got a secret: I’m obsessed with hockey romances.

But let me tell you, real life hockey players are nothing like my book boyfriends.

So I threw down the gauntlet on BookTok. I challenged any single guy out there to prove me wrong. Can a real hockey player be as romantic as the ones in my favorite stories?

Enter Dawson Hayes, a goalie with a point to prove and my brother’s best friend. He’s confident he can win me over and take me on the most romantic date of my life.

But there’s a catch: for me to accept, I have to pretend that he’s my fake boyfriend. Now everyone in my small town thinks that Dawson and I are having a fall fling. Even if it’s a fling that can’t last.

Worst of all, I’m starting to believe this fling is real. I’m falling for my brother’s best friend.

DAWSON

The first time I met Emmy, her brother warned me to stay away. As hockey teammates, that made her totally off-limits.

But now I’m back in Emmy’s small town to play in a charity hockey match, and I can’t resist her dating challenge: to find out if any man can be more romantic than the book boyfriends she adores.

Emmy and I are both fiercely competitive, and I’m determined to win her over.

When the moment of truth comes, the chemistry between us turns into something neither of us expected:

A romantic face-off between friends who are insanely attracted to each other.

Now, I’m out to prove to her that you should never judge a book by its cover—or a hockey player when it comes to love.

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Author bio:

Grace Worthington eats, breathes, and geeks out over sweet romcoms. So it’s no surprise that she believes that laughter and love are a cure-all for pretty much everything in life. After a short stint working in musical theatre (where she was often cast in comedic roles), she instills her books with witty banter, lovable characters, and a story that moves your heart and soul. Her inspiration includes quaint towns by the beach, romantic comedy movies from the '80s & '90s, and the crazy shenanigans of her family. Snag a free sweet romcom at graceworthington.com

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: State of Union [Kingmaker 03] by Paula Dombrowiak!

Excerpt!

   “Are you so angry I left that you’d offer my mother money just to prove a point?”

   “I didn’t do it to prove a point,” he reassures.

   “You can’t help messing with my life!” I yell at him.

   “I wouldn’t have to if you had just taken the money and gotten the hell away from them,” he explains. “At least I could have dealt with that, but not this.” He motions around the house in disgust and it’s that look in his eyes that I can’t bear.

   I know what he sees.

   “What happened to you?” he shakes his head.

   I look at him with confusion.

   “When I first met you, I was sleeping with one eye open, afraid you’d try to smother me in my sleep,” he jokes darkly. “Then I find you living back here with these people,” he says it with disdain.

   “She was the only family I had left!” I yell, my voice echoing through the empty room and off the walls.

   He raises his voice. “And you are my family!” He taps his chest. “You had five million dollars. You could have gone anywhere. You could have had any life. Instead, you donated it all and came back here to work as a waitress, living with your stepfather,” he accuses. “You cannot ask me to have that knowledge and be fine with it,” he continues. “I couldn’t keep your money.”

   “I know,” he says quietly. “Because you love me.”

   “I don’t love you, Darren,” I grit out.

   He smiles that wolfish grin like he knows a secret. “If you say so. You want to deny that you love me, fine. You don’t want to come back to Washington with me? Fine.” He pulls a lighter from his pocket. Flicking it on, he watches the bright red flame flicker in the drafty room. “But in no world would I ever accept you living here with them,” he raises his voice, the flame flickering.

   “So you can hate me all you want, but I’ll sleep well knowing they’re far away from you,” he grits out, snapping the lighter closed.

   He takes a step forward, grabbing my hand roughly and placing the lighter in my palm. “The house is yours, Evangeline. I bought it for you. Burn it down if that’s what you want.”

Our marriage could make or break us…

Letting go of billionaire playboy Darren Walker was the right thing to do.

My life as a former escort will only damage his campaign for congress, and I’m too scared to admit I’ve fallen in love with my fake husband.

Except when Darren finds me and refuses to let me go, I can’t run from my feelings any longer. It’s time I have the courage to confess that he isn’t my husband in name only. He’s my everything.

All Darren wants is to carve out a future for himself while honoring his father’s legacy. But can I truly be the politician’s wife my husband needs when there are those who will use me to derail his campaign?

It doesn’t matter how much we love each other, I can’t change my past.

But we have no way of knowing that he has shocking family secrets that are yet to be revealed. Secrets bigger than me and powerful enough to destroy him.

And his enemies won’t stop until they’ve left him—and our marriage—in ruins…

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Author bio:

Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. She is a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys, and the tragically flawed. Music inspires her storytelling.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Wanderer of the Wastes by Kit Karlsson!

Kol Mendona, one of the last humans on the magical continent of Alon, is desperate to escape his dying underground compound. When Alessi, a fierce dragon slayer with silver eyes, arrives, Kol sees a way out. As they journey together through the deadly wastes, an unexpected bond forms between them – one fueled by passion and dangerous magic.

But as Kol’s strange new powers awaken, their bond becomes increasingly unstable. Something within him is changing in ways he doesn’t fully understand, and if Alessi ever discovers the truth, Kol may lose more than her affections…

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Kit enjoyed writing as a child and rediscovered her passion during the COVID-19 lockdown. She has a degree in finance and recently graduated from law school, where she was the administrative editor of an academic publication. When she’s not writing, you can find her running barefoot, taming stray cats, or listening to paranormal podcasts.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: A Sleigh Ride For Charlotte by Sarah Lamb!

Excerpt!

   “Doctor, I know. I know that you are in love with Charlotte. I also know that the gifts she’s gotten have been from you, not August.”

   This wasn’t at all what he’d expected her to say. Justin stiffened, though he tried to remain calm. “I beg your pardon?”

   I beg your pardon? That was the best he could do? The only thing he could think of to say?

   “Yes,” she told him. “A mother sees things. You need to tell Charlotte how you feel.”

   It struck him then. She was twisting her hands and looking anxious because she was upset. Of course she was. Her daughter, one who was both beautiful and of marrying age was working for him. They were alone, and it was likely she suspected him of acting inappropriately.

   He had to set things right.

   “Mrs. Harrison, I promise you that in no way have I compromised your daughter’s reputation,” he started.

   “And why not?” she asked, surprising him.

   “Wh-why not?”

   “If you had, then we could have married the two of you, been rid of that horrid August Middleton and whatever plan he has for my Charlotte. You care for her, don’t you?”

   “I do,” he said, panic rising in him. This wasn’t a conversation he’d thought to have.

   “Then why,” she urged, “won’t you tell her? Why do you let her think that scoundrel has sent her those thoughtful gifts? You must say something to her. Especially before it’s too late.”

   Justin was silent for a moment. When he looked into Mrs. Harrison’s face, all he saw was compassion. It made him want to tell her. To confess everything in his heart.

   “My dear boy,” she said quietly. “You care so much for her. So, why?”

   “I’m not who she wants. It’s him, not me,” he suddenly burst out, pacing. All of his hurt, all of his insecurities and fears and upset rushed out of him. Now that the flood had started, he couldn’t hold it back.

   “I’m not rich, I’m not handsome. I have nothing to offer. A doctor with his first practice—a new one at that—in a small town is not wealthy. Why, half of my patients don’t pay me in coin, but in service or food. I couldn’t give her all she deserves.”

   “What does she deserve?” Charlotte’s mother asked, placing her hands in her lap, while her eyes never left his.

   “She deserves someone who loves her. Who can give her what she desires. Who can care for her and protect her and…and I am none of those things.” He gestured wildly, hoping his hands would convey his desperation. “The only way that I can protect her is by staying away.”

   Justin lowered his head and whispered, “If I don’t, he will hurt you both.”

Sometimes the simple choice isn’t easy.

Charlotte Harrison dreams of being part of the winter festival, where romance fills the air and new starts are made. Penniless after her family was swindled, she’s always stayed home, unwilling to be looked at with pity. But this year Charlotte is desperate and willing to do whatever it takes to be there when she hears the most eligible man in town has his eye on her.

New to town, Dr. Justin Davis is in dire need of someone to assist him at his practice. When Charlotte is suggested, it seems like an opportunity for them both. At first, he simply wants to help her financial situation. But against his better judgment, he falls in love with her. Worst of all, the man she desires is someone he can’t stand, and he might have just sent her straight into his arms.

Through a series of surprising events, Charlotte learns that not everyone is as they seem, and when she goes to give her heart away, she’s faced with uncertainty. Who is she going to choose? The man she’s been longing for? Or the man who truly loves her?

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Sarah is wife to an amazing teacher and mom to two boys who are growing up just a little too fast. Her day job is helping others to become writers, while she squeezes in each spare moment she can on her own books. She spends her days working and writing in the Blue Ridge Mountains and planning her next trip to Disney World.

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Release Day Blitz: Rent Free [Carter Brothers 05] by Lani Lynn Vale!

Fuck me for choosing the wrong sister.

Atlas Carter was a protector. He was a police officer, had spent years in the Air Force, spent his entire teen years as a volunteer firefighter.

Being a protector was in his blood.

It was his dream.

So when a woman was in a dangerous situation, it was his every instinct to protect her. To shield her. To watch over her.

Only, that woman had played him.

She’d set him up.

She’d made sure that he only saw her.

Then, when the real woman who should hold his heart, the sister, comes into his life, he doesn’t see past the hatred of her to know that she’s only trying to protect him in return.

He spends the next year terrorizing the woman who’s supposed to be his. When the dust finally settles, and he can see clearly once again, she’s no longer there waiting for him.

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Lani Lynn Vale is an American author of humorous romantic suspense novels. Born in the Great State of Texas, she has lived the majority of her adult life in East Texas where most of her novels are based. She’s married to her high school sweetheart whom her readers refer to as “LLV’s Bearded Half.” She published her first novel, Boomtown. in the summer of 2013 after the birth of her third child. She’s gone on to publish over 100 novels, with most of them going on to become USA Today Bestsellers.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: Coerced Queen [New York Underworld 03] by Charmaine Pauls!

My husband will never love me, but I’m in this now until death do us part.

The man who threatened to carry me over his shoulder down the aisle and marry me at knifepoint is both my captor and my liberator. He makes me weak and strong at the same time.

Before, he didn’t give me an option. Now, there’s a choice. But he’s determined to push me away.

If I’m wise, I’ll take that freedom and run for my life. Because the heart of the man who captured and saved me will always belong to the woman who broke it. The man who calls himself my husband will never be mine.

Only, there is no choice for me any longer. It’s way too late to walk away.

I’m in this war now … until death do us part.

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Author bio:

Charmaine loves to write dark and edgy romance that will melt both your e-reader and your heart. She's a mom of two teenagers, an adorable dog, and a dominant cat. Her country of birth is South Africa where many of her stories play off. Her French husband kidnapped her to the south of France where she currently lives with her family. When she's not writing, you'll find her in the kitchen baking cakes or in the gym lifting weights (because ... all those cakes!).

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Blog Tour & Giveaway: Atomica – Between Sea and Sky [Atomica 01] by Heather McKenzie!

Excerpt!

   I had no idea how many days had passed when the ship began losing battle with a raging storm. All of us being held captive by the Raiders had gone through hell and back already, so this was an additional layer of torture. We were all hurting and scared to bits, yet the sea couldn’t care less—it was going to drown us one way or another.

   And maybe that was a blessing.

   As I watched Zoleya from across the cage, water began dripping down from the oily planks overhead and between the unbreakable iron bars. We were in the belly of the ship, the women cowering in the corner either praying or crying, and the men moaning in agony and fear. I was helpless to do anything, only able to watch dried blood turn to tiny red rivers on Zoleya’s skin as she became soaked to the bone. Our journey across Aldira had been hellacious, to say the least, but being responsible for the state she was in felt worse than a million knives slicing up my heart. I was supposed to protect her, and I had failed.

   “We’ll be okay,” said a doe-eyed woman with arms and legs thin as toothpicks. All her front teeth were broken, making her hard to understand. “The storm will pass soon.”

   Normally I’d respect someone who was just trying to be comforting, but that was a bald-faced lie.

   One of the men chained up across from me snorted in disgust. “Delusional,” he said and spat, adding to the slimy water lapping at our toes.

   We could all hear the Raiders up on deck losing battle with the violent weather and churning seas, panic thick in their voices as they yelled “Secure the lashings” and “Man overboard.”

   As water inched past our ankles and up our calves, Zoleya’s gaze met mine. The light from the quivering lanterns danced in her irises. She was so pale. The sky-blue sundress she favored torn and splattered with filth. Her long white hair hung loose down to her hips, clinging to her petite frame—I hadn’t had a chance to braid it for the day before we’d been captured.

   “Calla is correct,” she said, agreeing simply to provide an extra ray of hope. But Zo was bad at lying. Her lip always quivered. “Things will be just fine. Our journey will come to an end soon,” she added.

   Well, that was at least true. Soon we’d all be dead.

   “If you mean that we’re going to drown, then so be it,” a giant of a man with sores all over his face practically growled at her. “I’d rather die at sea than on Cal de Mac. Drowning would be better than what the Raiders will put us through if we make it to their homeland.”

   He was right. The women would be sold as slaves, and the men and I, with our wrists chained over our heads and ankles shackled together, would be forced to fight in the arenas until our last breath. Being captured by these thieves of the land and pirates of the sea was a certain death sentence, and I saw no way out.

   The wind howled like a million wounded Black-Blooded, shrill and curling up tight to my eardrums. As the ship seemed to break apart, I thought of Mom, of Delia, and of Father, their graves dug deep in the toxic Aldiran dirt. Then I prayed to a god who never had a moment to spare for me, begging her to magically transport me back to the cabin with the little woodstove and bury my body next to theirs.

   Those who were not chained up in the cage toppled into each other as the ship crested a wave before dipping sharply downward and then leveling out. Lightning crackled through the sky. Someone let out a heart-wrenching wail… I couldn’t just hang here like a carcass waiting to be gutted, I had to try to do something. Anything.

   Tugging on my restraints caused the shackles to dig deep into my wrists. A sickly warmth trickled down my arms. I nearly passed out from the pain, but I kept tugging; at least I would die with honor trying to save Zoleya.

   “They can’t be barbaric enough to leave us down here to drown,” said a woman with a small child clinging to her legs.

   A man across from me with black greasy curls let out a pained laugh. “Oh, but they are.” His voice was raw with hatred and his face was bruised, one eye nearly swollen shut. “Raiders are no better than the maggots swimming in your dinner.”

   Crates full of stolen food, weapons, silks, and spices slammed into each other, releasing a plume of crushed cloves into the dank air. Someone up on deck shrieked and the wind shrieked back. I wondered if we had minutes. Seconds even. If I had to rip my hands off I would.

   “Eva. Stop that, please,” Zoleya pleaded.

   If I could only break some bones then maybe—

   “Aye, stop for heaven’s sake!” said a massive man directly across from me with hair as red as the blood leaking from his broken nose. His skin was black with filth. His clothes were rags. “It’s bad enough we be trapped in here together. Watching ye torture yourself is making it worse. Besides, even if ye git free, there ain’t nothing a wee missy such as yourself can do. You be just a girl.”

   My pulse throbbed at my temples; how many times had I heard that before? “Don’t you think there’s a reason I’m chained up like the rest of you?”

   The redhead had some sort of answer perched on the tip of his tongue, but the sea spoke first. With another shriek, it dragged its salty claws along the sides of the ship, grabbed hold, and wrenched it to the left. A barrel tipped over, mixing brine and writhing squid into the rising water. More clearly than ever, we could hear the frantic voices of the crew dancing with death above while we waited for it below.

“Never judge based on appearances. Sometimes the most unassuming can be the deadliest.”

A compelling saga of love, duty, and sacrifice set against the stunning backdrop of a lush tropical island, where the line between hero and villain blurs in the shadow of a forgotten world…

In a land ravaged by ancient vendettas, loyal Guardian Eva vows to protect Zoleya, a girl of extraordinary importance. But when a catastrophic shipwreck strands Eva on a mysterious tropical island and Zoleya vanishes, Eva must join forces with other castaways to survive. With ruthless Raiders hell-bent on her capture, Eva clings to hope that Zoleya is alive and waiting to be rescued.

Kade Thorn, a hunter programmed to seek and destroy all remnants of forbidden technology, battles his opposing impulses. Bound by ancient markings etched into his skin that incite violence, he finds himself torn between blindly obeying his directive or pursuing his powerful attraction to Eva, knowing either choice will get him killed.

Forced to rely on each other, Eva and Kade seek refuge deep within the island's eerie jungle and become conflicted about where their loyalties lie. Will they follow their predetermined paths or forge a new destiny together? The fate of Zoleya—the catalyst to either save the world or destroy it—hangs in the balance.

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Author bio:

I am Canadian, born and raised in Alberta on a lovely acreage just outside of Edmonton to musical parents. I began my arts career as a musician, leaving home at the age of fifteen to play in a rock band, then went on to become a singer/songwriter. I wrote songs and told stories with melodies, lucky enough to tour Canada and record four studio albums, as well as work as a studio musician. I spent years singing my heart out. However, when I discovered the limitless creativity of novel writing, I shifted my focus to a literary career. My extraordinary experiences as a musician continue to fuel my writing. I am deeply inspired by art and profoundly humbled by the creativity of others. Creating is a fundamental part of my life, and expressing myself through storytelling is incredibly important to me. I strive to transport readers to different places or provide them with a companion for three hundred pages, impacting them as my favorite writers and artists have impacted me.

I like to write about deeply flawed characters with relatable struggles and how they react in extraordinary circumstances. The Rocky Mountains and the wonders of nature greatly inspire me, and I love to explore the juxtaposition of these settings with urban landscapes. My novels are characterized by action, adventure, lots of romance, and unexpected twists. I like to put my characters in unique settings and fully explore their motivations while drawing heavily on my personal experiences.

I am honored to be represented by Elizabeth Winick Rubinstein of McIntosh and Otis, one of the USA’s longest-running literary agencies, representing remarkable authors such as the late John Steinbeck and Harper Lee. As a ‘hybrid’ author, Elizabeth represents my adult works, while I represent my young adult works. I am determined not to limit myself to one specific genre and hope to follow in the footsteps of authors who have achieved success this way, as I value the artistic freedom it affords.

At present, I have four published novels; Serenade, Nocturne and Rhapsody, all which have achieved bestseller status in digital sales. My newest novel, Atomica: Between Sea and Sky, was just released on August 27, 2024, and is the first book in a new young adult fantasy series.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Played by Naima Simone!

Excerpt!

   “Oh fuck.” I groan, squeezing my eyelids together. But when I open them, the person approaching the house with two bouquets of roses in his arms is still there.

   Ma, what the hell?

   He isn’t familiar to me, but then again, he is. I don’t need to have met this man before to understand who he is and why he’s here. I’ve met about eleven of them before in the last year. He makes a clean dozen.

   “Oh, good, Kyle. You made it,” my mother announces from the porch behind me, as if we all can’t see Kyle standing there. “I’m so glad you’re here.”

   Ma descends the front steps, a wide smile stretched across her pretty face. She might be able to pass for my older sister or younger aunt, but I can never forget this is the woman who birthed and raised me. And right now, it’s only my respect and love for her that’s keeping me from demanding What the fuuuuck?

   ’Cause a bitch is tired of Viviane Wright playing the Millionaire Matchmaker. Sans the millionaire.

   “Oh, we have another guest.” Ma glances at me, curiosity gleaming in her eyes. “Baby, why didn’t you tell me you’d invited someone else to dinner? Hi.” She stretches out a hand toward Solomon. “I’m Viviane Wright, Adina’s mother. And you are?”

   I snort, and Solomon cuts a look at me even as he accepts Ma’s hand, shaking it.

   “I’m Solomon Young. A . . . friend of your daughter’s.”

   “The Solomon Young?” Kyle grows animated like a live-action cartoon. “Oh my God, I knew you looked familiar. Wow. I can’t believe this.” If he held up a sign with I <HEART EMOJI> #19 painted on it, I wouldn’t have been more stunned.

   Ma shifts her attention back to me, a little furrow wrinkling her forehead. I shrug.

   “I’m sorry, I hate to sound rude,” she says. “But should I know you?”

   “Only if you’re an NHL fan, ma’am.” Solomon dips his chin. “I play for the Pirates, Providence’s team. But I understand if I’m not familiar to you. Adina informed me you’re more football fans than hockey.”

   I almost snort again, but as if he’s read my mind once more, he slides a don’t-get-fucked-up glance my way, and I huff out a breath.

   And squeeze my thighs. Because goddamn. That was hot as hell.

   “Ah, okay. Well, that’s ni—”

   “Can I get a selfie?” Kyle cuts Ma off, already dipping inside of his dark-blue sports coat and emerging with his cell in hand. “Do you mind? Your arms are longer.” He passes the phone to Solomon with a wide grin. He’s not lying; Kyle isn’t a short man, but Solomon is a damn giant. I might’ve looked up his stats: six feet, four inches and two hundred and thirty-five pounds. “That’s awesome. Thank you, Solomon.” Kyle cheeses as if they’re pals.

   Though that stoic, slightly menacing mug remains on his face, Solomon does take the phone, and snaps a couple of shots.

   “Oh man.” Kyle shakes his head, fingers flying over his phone. “I have to post these now. No one would ever believe me.”

   This whole thing has taken a sharp turn into the surreal. And by surreal, I mean the what-the-fuck-is-happening-here zone.

   Ma clears her throat. “Uh, Kyle. Kyle?” She calls his name again, and this time, his head pops up, a grin still lighting up his face.

   “Oh, I’m sorry, Dr. Wright.” Chagrin seeps into his expression, and he tucks his phone away again. “I just got a little”—he waves a hand toward Solomon—“excited.”

   “Yes, I see,” she murmurs. “Can I introduce you to my daughter?”

   “Of course. My apologies. It’s a pleasure to meet you. Your mother speaks very highly of you. If I may?” He lifts the forgotten-for-a-selfie bouquets in his hand. “These are for you.” He passes one to Ma and then extends the other to me. “And these are for you. Your mother didn’t lie. You’re as beautiful as she said.”

   Nope.

   Uh-uh.

   Not today, Satan.

   Don’t get me wrong. I’m sure Kyle is a nice guy. I mean, my mother loves me, so she wouldn’t try to fix me up with a douche. But every man she has invited to a family dinner just isn’t my type. I can’t even identify what my type is, but it’s not the parade of guys she’s wined, dined, and offloaded on me.

   You don’t know your type, huh?

   The bitchy voice in my head pipes up.

   And without my permission, my gaze slides over to Solomon. Arousal throbs low in my belly, thumps in my sex.

   “Dina.” Ma elbows me in the side, and I mouth ouch to her.

   Right. The flowers.

   As I take them, Kyle smiles bright, and his regard dips down, lingering on my breasts, hips, and thighs.

   Okay, no.

   I can’t. I just can’t.

   “Thank you, Kyle.” I beam at him, and though Kyle’s smile brightens, Solomon stares hard at me. Taking the flowers, I sidle over to Solomon until I’m standing next to him. He stiffens, but I don’t let that stop me from switching the bags over to the same one grasping the flowers and sliding my now free arm through Solomon’s. “But I think my boyfriend might have an issue with another man giving me flowers.”

   “The fuck?” he hisses.

USA Today bestselling author Naima Simone heats up the page with intensity and wit in this romance between a pro hockey player and a firefighter, both struggling to move on from the past.

Being a firefighter isn’t easy. Especially for a Black woman. Working with family helps a little. But when somebody from your company doesn’t come back from a call, it’s brutal—as in, “How’m I supposed to go on?” brutal.

And one death took me to a really dark place.

A year later, I’m at the Pirates’ hockey training facility. Just another day on the job. Until I find a charred journal. I look inside for the owner’s name, but the words on the page punch me in the gut. It’s like reading my own thoughts. Reliving my own pain.

The journal belongs to Solomon Young, left-winger for the Pirates—a father and widower. When I return it, I’m racked with guilt for the invasion of privacy. The look Solomon gives me is cold as ice.

But damn if that man isn’t hot as hell.

Now he’s stuck in my brain. And fate seems intent on making us face off.

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Author bio:

Published since 2009, USA Today Bestselling author Naima Simone loves writing sizzling romances with heart, a touch of humor and snark. Her books have been featured in The Washington Post and Entertainment Weekly, and described as balancing “crackling, electric love scenes with exquisitely rendered characters caught in emotional turmoil.”

She is wife to Superman, or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent, and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, sometimes domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Soul Love by D.F. Jones!

Excerpt!

   Then, like a curious cat, she thought of the shimmering door in the attic, and it flashed in her mind. Her eyes darted to the steps leading upward. Maybe just one peek before returning to Rogan. Excitedly, she dashed up the flight of steps, her bare feet hardly touching the floor.

   Her arms and neck hair rose like before when she entered the attic. The mysterious door glowed again. Summer glanced downstairs and said, “Oh, don’t do it.” Then her evil twin said, “Oh, come on, chicken little, just do it.” Tapping her toe, she reached over and opened the door.

   Light engulfed her. Summer gasped, instinctively raising her hands to shield her eyes from the blinding brilliance. The intensity of the light was overwhelming, and she felt a strange, almost electric sensation wash over her skin. There was a sudden whooshing noise, like the sound of wind rushing through a narrow tunnel, and the earth seemed to roll beneath her feet. She stumbled, losing her balance as the light continued to envelop her.

   Her heart pounded in her chest, a mixture of fear and wonder coursing through her veins. Time itself seemed to stretch and bend around her. She could feel the fabric of reality shifting, pulling her through the unseen currents of time. The sensation was dizzying, and she fought to maintain her footing, her senses overwhelmed by the experience.

   When the light finally began to fade, Summer found herself back in the attic, but it wasn’t the same. The attic was different this time. Gone were the beautiful desk, sofa, and finished walls. Instead, the space was barren, filled with nothing but dust, spider webs, exposed beams, and odd pieces of furniture. She blinked, trying to adjust to the dim light and the stark contrast to what she had expected.

   Her mind raced, struggling to comprehend what had just happened. She felt a mixture of confusion and trepidation, wondering why the attic had transformed so drastically. The air was thick with the scent of old wood and neglect, adding to the eerie atmosphere.

   Her heart sank. Her hands trembled. Nausea washed over her.

   She shuffled past the old chests and crates and peered outside—no neighborhood—snow instead of summer. Several vintage cars left ruts in what appeared to be a snow-covered driveway. She heard music downstairs, something old and jazzy. She turned and caught her reflection in an old mirror. Oh, my lord. Her hand flew to her chest.

   She shook from head to toe, her entire body trembling with fear and disbelief. She gasped loudly, instinctively taking a step back, her heart pounding in her chest. The person in the mirror did not look like her at all. She cried out in fright, unable to comprehend what she was seeing.

   The reflection showed a beautiful, petite woman with dark brown hair swept high on her head and a single ringlet dangling over her right shoulder. She wore an Edwardian red velvet gown that looked like it belonged on the set of Downton Abbey. Summer’s breath came in short, panicked bursts as she stared at the unfamiliar figure, her mind racing to make sense of the impossible image before her.

   She reached up, hesitantly touching her own face, her fingers trembling as they traced the contours of her cheeks and hair. The woman in the mirror mimicked her movements perfectly, confirming that this strange reflection was indeed her own. The shock and bewilderment left her paralyzed, unable to tear her eyes away from the mirror.

   “What... what is happening?” she whispered, her voice barely audible, filled with both awe and terror. The unfamiliar attire, the different hairstyle, everything felt surreal. She took a deep breath, trying to steady herself, but the sight of the Edwardian gown and the transformed reflection only intensified her disorientation.

   She stumbled toward the door she had come through, but the light was gone. She flung the door open, and a balcony overlooked the woods.

   What am I to do?

   She was nearing a panic attack when she heard a familiar voice and maneuvered toward the steps. “What? Rogan? Are you here?”

From USA Today bestselling author D.F. Jones comes Soul Love, a mesmerizing tale of past lives, time travel, and an unbreakable bond that transcends time itself.

What if a simple dinner invitation could change your life forever?

When Summer Jewel accepts a dinner invitation from her enigmatic new neighbor, her world is turned upside down. Suddenly transported to 1926 Heartsville, she uncovers shocking truths about a past life she never knew existed. This revelation ignites a journey brimming with turbulent emotions and undeniable desires, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew.

Meanwhile, Rogan Randolph, a dedicated agent of The Order of the Invisible Effect, is tasked with subtly guiding the course of human history. His orderly world is thrown into chaos when a portal to his own past unexpectedly opens, offering him a chance to right a wrong. His mission becomes inextricably linked with Summer’s, as she is the very woman he encounters in the future.

Together, Summer and Rogan must navigate the intricate complexities of love and destiny, confronting the mysteries of their intertwined past lives. Their actions ripple through time, challenging the very fabric of reality and altering the course of their journey. True love is never lost, and some connections last forever.

Escape into Soul Love, where destiny and passion weave a captivating narrative that explores the enduring power of love and the intriguing possibilities of fate.

Prepare to be swept off your feet with this spellbinding story of love, loss, and the magic of second chances.

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Meet D.F. Jones, the USA Today Best-Selling Author and #1 International Bestseller who weaves magic into every page, with a career that began as a broadcast consultant at Nashville's ABC Affiliate and led to founding a successful advertising agency, D.F. Jones knows how to captivate an audience.

In 2015, she downsized her agency to care for her parents, finding solace and creative freedom in writing. Writing is more than a passion for her—it's a journey to places where anything is possible, filled with dreams and limitless imagination.

D.F. Jones's books are a whirlwind of supernatural adventure and romance, from angels and demons to time travel, witches, wizards, and ghosts. Her stories are not just action-packed but emotional rollercoasters that will leave you breathless.

At home, she's happily married to her best friend and the love of her life. Together, they cherish their two wonderful sons. She's either laughing at her husband's jokes, cheering for the Tennessee Titans, or tending to her flower gardens when she's not writing.

Escape into a world where love conquers all, and the impossible becomes reality with D.F. Jones. Ready to be swept off your feet? Start your adventure today!

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Cover Reveal: Drawn by Dragonblood [Blood Born 01] by Lynn Burke!

A breeze from deep in the White Mountains reveals my intended female’s sweet scent after years of giving up hope another dragonblood walks the earth. I soar through the skies in dragon form, intent on claiming my destiny.

I find her camping in the wilderness—in another man’s arms.

My conscience battles my desire to tear the lovers apart, but my inner beast demands I take what belongs to us regardless of the cost to any human being.

But fate has other plans, ones I never dreamed possible.

Newlyweds Jon and Dakota agree to ride out a storm in my fire-hewn home atop a rocky peak. They don’t understand the supernatural energy that draws them to me, nor are they aware dragon shifters aren’t fantasy and that three of the ancient blood are required to breed a hatchling.

Revealing who I am and that a hint of dragonblood simmers within both of their veins uproots their existence and makes them question everything they believe.

Will Jon willingly submit to his alpha whose beast wishes to dominate him? Can Dakota accept she has no choice but to hurt the man she’s loved most of her life?

My destined mates must find the courage to make themselves vulnerable to me, or our legacy—and our species—dies with us.

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Author bio:

Spicy romance author Lynn Burke believes everyone deserves healing and a happily ever after. She loves writing hot, inclusive stories of various pairings or triplings and creates characters who will steal your heart.

She is a USA Today Bestselling author, a wrangler of her three spawn, and a farmer's daughter who grows organic food. To escape reality, she hides in a quiet corner with her nose in a book.

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Cover Reveal & Giveaway: A Little Getaway by Bonnie Traymore!

A little getaway takes a deadly turn for Morgan and Kyle Murphy in this spicy suspense thriller about a marriage filled with passion, secrets, and suspicions.

Morgan Murphy has always longed for a romance for the ages. And she’s found it with husband Kyle Murphy—until their spicy marriage suddenly starts to cool off.

Is Kyle preoccupied and distant because of a problem with his development project? Or is it something worse? Could Kyle Murphy be...cheating? He’s hiding something, that’s for sure. And Morgan’s determined to find out what it is.

With the help of gal pal Carla Flores, Morgan tracks her husband’s movements, and the signs increasingly point to infidelity, the ultimate sin in Morgan’s book. When Kyle increases their life insurance and surprises her with a weekend getaway to get their mojo back, she goes on the offensive and hatches a plan to make him come clean about what’s been going on.

But before she can pull it off, Morgan’s attacked and nearly kidnapped, and Kyle vanishes from the resort without a trace. With no clue as to who took Kyle or why, she’s not sure who is the biggest threat: the shady investor he owes money to, the police, or the guys she hired to teach Kyle a lesson. With the clock ticking, she needs to find out soon.

Before they come for her, too.

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Bonnie Traymore is the award-winning, Amazon best selling author of page-turner mystery/thrillers that hit close to home. Her books feature strong but relatable female protagonists. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She's an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

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