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

Thursday 17 October 2024

Blog Tour & Giveaway: ​Obsidian Dreams by A. Riebold!


Excerpt!

   Her words hang in the air, ominous and heavy, but before I can even ask her what she means, everything happens at once. The back door slams shut as she reenters the party, leaving me alone in the night. A van skids to a sudden stop in front of me, its tires screeching against the pavement. The sliding door opens with a violent jerk, and before I can react, a bag is shoved over my head, plunging me into darkness.
   Strong arms grab me, yanking me inside the van with a force that knocks the breath from my lungs. I struggle, panic flaring as I try to fight against the iron grip holding me, but it’s no use. The arms wrap around me like a vice, pressing me against a solid body as the van lurches forward, throwing me back into the man’s chest.
   I feel his breath hot against my neck as he leans down to whisper, his voice smooth and taunting. “Do you remember your safe word?”
   I can only nod, fear and adrenaline coursing through me, making it impossible to form words. He chuckles, the sound sending a shiver through me, and then I feel another set of hands—rough and deliberate—gripping my legs.
   “I need words, Red!” His voice is more menacing this time, a sharp edge cutting through the darkness. I swallow hard, forcing myself to speak, even as my voice trembles.
   “Mercy,” I mutter meekly, the word barely escaping my lips.
   A laugh rings out from the front of the van, the driver’s voice dripping with amusement. “Good girl. It won’t be asked again. It’s up to you if you need to use it. You understand?”
   “Yes,” I whisper, my voice barely audible beneath the pounding of my heart. His arms release me just as I hear the unmistakable sound of fabric tearing, the cool night air hitting my skin as I realize my dress is being cut away.
   The van hits a bump, and I’m thrown back into the man’s lap, his hands gripping my hips tightly, grinding me against the hard length of his cock through his slacks. He purrs in my ear, his voice low and smooth, laced with dark promises. “You feel good here.” His grip tightens, his breath hot against the side of my neck. “We’re so excited to have a new plaything…”
   The words send a shudder through me, a mix of fear and desire twisting in my gut. I’m caught between the terror of what’s happening and the thrill of the unknown, every nerve in my body on high alert as I try to process what’s unfolding around me. The van speeds through the night, the hum of the engine drowning out the chaos in my mind, but there’s no escaping the reality of what’s coming next.

Zara Whitaker is a 34-year-old graphic designer who seems to have everything going for her-on paper. But in reality, Zara is bored. She's tired of enduring the same dates with different men, men who leave her feeling unsatisfied both in and out of the bedroom. The endless cycle of self-centered partners and unfulfilled desires has left her in a state of perpetual sexual frustration.

Desperate for change, Zara confides in her best friend, Lena, who recently married and is basking in newlywed bliss. Lena hands her a simple business card with the name Obsidian Dreams on it, promising Zara that it's the answer to all her problems. Zara can't help but be skeptical-it sounds too good to be true.

But when she reaches out to Blade, the enigmatic and mysterious owner of Obsidian Dreams, Zara discovers someone who not only understands her but is eager to help her explore her deepest desires. That is, if she can figure out what those desires truly are...

Blade, on the other hand, is bored with the routine requests from his clients at Obsidian Dreams. He's been longing for someone who can push his boundaries, someone who can reignite the passion he's been missing. When he's contacted by 'Red'-Zara's chosen alias-he's convinced he's finally found the right person. With the help of his best friends, Raven and Shadow, the three of them set out to create an experience for Zara that she will never forget.


Check it out on Goodreads!

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Author bio:

A.Riebold is a 30-something year old stay at home mom of boys turned Indie Romance Author.

A lover of romance, she has a unique writing style for over the age of 18 books.

Tuesday 15 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Ice Ice Maybe by Rich Amooi!


“I want you to date my daughter.”

Those seven words hit Nolan Reid like a puck to the head.

Once destined for NHL stardom, a skiing accident left Nolan driving the Zamboni for the San Diego Sea Lions. But his humble life of maintaining the ice is about to get complicated.

The billionaire owner’s insane plan? Nolan fake-dates his daughter Zena to ignite her ex’s jealousy. The twist? Said ex is the team’s star player, and his green-eyed monster apparently fuels goals.

Suddenly, Nolan’s navigating a minefield of pretend kisses, all-too-real feelings, and death glares from a human sequoia oozing enough testosterone to give him secondhand chest hair.

With sparks flying, the playoffs looming, and her ex itching to use him as a toothpick, Nolan is playing a high-stakes game of Jealousy Jenga that could crumble any moment.

But for a shot at love with Zena? He might just risk it all.


Check it out on Goodreads!

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Author bio:

Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the bestselling author of 24 romantic comedies. A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a Spanish Princess. He believes in silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.


Monday 14 October 2024

Blog Tour & Giveaway: The Nephilim’s Fate [War of the Nephilim 01] by Eliza Hampstead!


Excerpt!

   In the next lesson, Umbra put the plant pot in front of me again and told me the words to speak. Nothing happened. My plant didn’t grow. All the children around me could do it with ease. I was so frustrated. Maybe magic was nothing for me. I was happy before I knew magic and could live without it. Still, it was frustrating that kids could do it, but not me. I knew I had tried too hard and thought too much about it, but I wanted to succeed. After the tenth attempt to convince the plant to grow, tears formed in my eyes. Why wasn’t I good enough to do this? It couldn’t be that complicated when children could do it. I sniffed and wiped my nose.
   A young witch walked towards me and gave me a hanky. I thanked her and tried to wipe my eyes quickly, embarrassed that I was caught this emotional.
   “It’s not so hard. I really do love plants. I just imagine that the sunflower wants to grow, and I can help her. I tell her that she can come out of the soil, and she does.”
   Tilting my head, I thanked her again.
   She was right. I focused so much on the process that I forgot what I wanted to achieve. I loved plants, too, and talked to them all the time. Why shouldn’t I do this now? Maybe that was my entry point. I put my hands around the pot, closed my eyes, and imagined the seed in the soil. Letting the magic come to me in the same way it had begun to in the park, I smelt pine needles and mushrooms. At that moment, I wanted to push to get it deeper, but I forced myself to stay relaxed and let it flow through me while I told the plant how terrific it would be outside. Sun, water, and CO2 for photosynthesis, all were waiting for her if she would come out of the soil, and that my magic would help her grow faster, that she didn’t have to wait any longer. The feeling of earth magic got stronger, and the inner picture before me was bathed in green. I said the words of the spell. After that, I focused again on the plant, imagining how the seed germinated, how the sprouting fought its way to the surface, how the seed leaves opened, sheeting the seed coat, and how the first leaves developed and opened.
   Suddenly, I heard clapping. Losing my concentration, I opened my eyes. Umbra stood before me, a broad smile on her face.
   “You did it!”
   I frowned for a second before I looked down. The seedling stood before me, the seed coat next to it on the soil. Exactly how I had imagined it. I put my hand in front of my mouth, tears welling in my eyes.
   “I did it. I did it!” I jumped up and down, clapping my hands. I was a real witch! I could do magic, after all! Full of joy, I embraced Umbra and circled her around while we both laughed.

She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.

In the heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.


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Author bio:

Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she's always planning her next adventure.

Sign up for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases, behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews, maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!

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Saturday 12 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Barristers & Bones [Las Vegas House of Spades 01] by J.L. Brannick!


Excerpt!

   He smirked and walked over, wrapping his arms around me. “Why do I feel there’s no right answer here?” 
   My lips quirked. “Because you’re smart, but you never listen.” 
   He bent down and sniffed my neck. “I do listen to you, especially when you’re making those sexy little whimpers while I’m–” 
   I put my hand over his mouth. “If you start with the dirty talk, we’ll never make it to Ezra’s house for dinner.”

A hot, morally gray mentor out for revenge. A sprawling funeral home. Torture, mayhem, and a Las Vegas wedding she can’t remember.

Luna needs to complete an internship to graduate, but staying alive suddenly takes priority when she’s paired with the cold, starkly handsome attorney from hell. Roman Fowler is an infamous partner at the most notorious law firm in Las Vegas, and he’s harboring deadly secrets and searching for retribution. And when he forces her hand, their chemistry explodes.

But she’s not a helpless, scared child anymore. The House of Spades–her adopted family–is a powerful, violent, oddly close-knit clan that has a hands-on, DIY approach to taking care of “life’s little problems.” They’re still deciding if Roman is a problem when Luna’s dark past threatens.

Can they fight the danger and menace together? Or will the monsters win again?


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy from Amazon


Author bio:

J. L. Brannick lives in the desert with her family and fur babies. She works as an attorney, and detoxes by taking long hikes and exploring old Western ghost towns while plotting her novels. She graduated from law school in Las Vegas, Nevada where she quickly realized that truth can be stranger than fiction.

Friday 11 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Magic Unleashed [The Grimm Files 01] by Delta James!


Excerpt!

   The air inside the cathedral was thick with magic—dark, suffocating, and alive. The ritual was nearing its climax, and Phoenix could feel the pull of the celestial event above them, the moon moving into its full eclipse. The ground beneath her feet trembled as if the earth itself was rejecting the power being summoned.
   Her heart raced as she stood facing Councilman Fontaine, his face twisted with malicious glee as he presided over the summoning. Around them, cultists began chanting again in unison, their voices blending with the rising energy in the room. It felt as though the very walls were vibrating, barely able to contain the power brewing within.
   Phoenix’s gaze darted toward the door where Ash was supposed to be getting Griff out—away from the danger, but he wasn’t moving. Griff’s body still glowed faintly from the demonic runes that had been etched into his skin.
   Ash was holding him up, but Griff was convulsing, his muscles tensing as the dark magic began to take hold. She could feel it—Griff’s essence was slipping, being consumed by the demon lord that was trying to possess him.
   “Griff, hold on,” Phoenix whispered under her breath, her voice filled with desperation. She felt the connection between them like a lifeline, but it was fragile, strained. The ritual was pulling him away from her, piece by piece.
   Fontaine’s voice boomed over the chanting. “It’s too late, fae. The ritual is almost complete. Soon, the demon lord will rise, and your little pet will be nothing more than a hollow shell.”
   Phoenix’s blood boiled at his words, her magic surging in response. “Not if I stop you first.”
   Fontaine laughed, a dark, mocking sound. “You can’t stop what’s already in motion.”
   Without hesitation, Phoenix hurled a blast of golden energy at him. Fontaine barely flinched, raising a hand to deflect it as if it were nothing. The magic sizzled in the air, absorbed by the dark barrier surrounding him.
   “I’ve had enough of your interruptions,” Fontaine sneered, flicking his wrist. A pulse of dark energy shot from his hand, heading straight for Phoenix.
   She leaped to the side, dodging it just in time, but the force of the blast sent her tumbling across the floor. She gritted her teeth, her heart pounding as she scrambled to her feet. Time was running out, and she knew that if she didn’t act soon, she would lose Griff forever.
   Ash appeared beside her, bloodied but still standing. He had managed to get Griff sort of propped up against the wall, but something was wrong—terribly wrong.
   “Ash, what—?” Phoenix started, but her words caught in her throat.
   Struggling to hold on, Griff suddenly convulsed. With a growl of inhuman strength, Griff’s eyes snapped open, glowing with an eerie, dark light. His body jerked violently.
   “Griff!” Phoenix shouted, fear that she had lost him—had lost everything—clawing at her chest as she rushed toward him.
   But it wasn’t Griff anymore. Not fully. The demon’s presence had taken root, and Phoenix could see the battle raging behind Griff’s eyes. He was fighting, trying to hold onto himself, but the dark magic was overpowering him.
   “Phoenix…” Griff’s voice was strained, barely his own. “I can’t… I can’t hold it.”

Mysterious deaths. Impossible magic. And the sexy dragon who might drive her to murder.

In the shadowy heart of modern-day New Orleans, where the supernatural simmers just beneath the surface, Phoenix Landry is a force to be reckoned with. As a formidable fairy enforcer, she stands as the city’s last line of defense against the demonic threats that prowl the night. She’s trained from childhood and is armed with lightning-fast reflexes, mastery over fire, and deadly weapons, Phoenix knows she’ll only come into her full power when she finds and bonds with her fated mate. But Phoenix has never been one to wait for fate—until it throws her into the path of Griff Cavill, a hard-nosed dragon shifter detective with secrets of his own.

Griff has been investigating a series of gruesome deaths that defy all logical explanation. As their paths intertwine, Phoenix is forced to confront the truth: Griff is her fated mate. Together, they form an uneasy alliance to combat a rising demonic cult. But as their chemistry ignites, so too does the danger surrounding them.

Griff becomes possessed by the very demon lord they’ve been hunting. Phoenix faces an impossible choice: uphold her duty as a fairy enforcer, or risk everything—including her life and the fragile balance between worlds—for the man she’s come to love.

As the battle for New Orleans intensifies, Phoenix must confront her deepest fears and make a heart-wrenching decision in a final showdown that will determine the fate of both worlds.


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy from Amazon


Author bio:

Delta James is a USA Today Bestselling Author known for her captivating paranormal and contemporary romantic suspense novels. She crafts stories featuring complex, curvy heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them, creating a romantic journey filled with challenges and thrills.

After embarking on a transformative second chapter in her life, Delta now calls Florida home. She enjoys relaxing on warm summer evenings with her lovable pack of basset hounds, watching birds, squirrels, and lizards. When she's not weaving fast-paced tales, she indulges in horseback riding, beach walks, and white-water rafting.

Discover more about Delta, including her complete list of books and audiobooks on her Delta James website.

Delta deeply values her readers and strives to respond personally to as many messages as possible. Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, or join her private reader group: Delta's Wayward Pack

Thursday 10 October 2024

Release Week Blitz & Giveaway: 13 to Life [13 to Life 01] by Shannon Delany!


I raised my chin. “I am no Thisbe, scared of a lion,” I challenged.
“And I am no Pyramus,” he confided. “And,” he added, leaning closer, his body casting me in shadow as a smirk twisted his lips, “I am no lion...”

After the sudden death of her mother, all Jessie Gillmansen wants is to deal with the loss in her own time, avoiding any more life-altering changes and regaining some sense of control. Living in the slow-moving town of Junction and focusing on school and the strangeness surrounding the wolf attack in a nearby city may be her best bet—

—until Pietr Rusakova moves in.

Pietr is more than good looks and a fascinating accent—he's a guy with a dangerous secret whose mysterious past is about to catch up to him and turn Jessie's life upside down all over again, threatening everything she thinks she knows about life and the world she lives in.

With secrets coming to light and danger closing in from all sides, time's running out for Pietr and Jessie, and it seems change is one thing Jessie definitely can't avoid.

The new edition of the book which started as a serial story on TextNovel.com in 2008, won the first-ever cell phone novel contest in the Western world in 2009, and was published by St. Martin's Press in 2010 is now greatly expanded and packed with even more action, adventure, romance, and angst!


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy here


Author bio:

Author, book coach, and ghostwriter for intriguing people! Author of the 13 to Life series, the Weather Witch series (both originally published through St. Martin's Press), articles for national children's magazines, and several ongoing serials through Kindle Vella. A much-abbreviated version of 13 to Life (written in just five weeks) won the grand prize in the western world's first-ever cell phone novel contest. Previously a teacher, the Educational Director at a zoo, a Library Director (and many other things!) Shannon is most importantly a mom and a wife who raises heritage livestock and occasionally makes intricate papercutings in upstate New York. She holds an MA in Holocaust and Genocide Studies, and has always been fascinated by history, myths, legends, paranormal research, and romance.

Subscribe to Shannon’s newsletter!

Tuesday 8 October 2024

Blog Tour & Giveaway: His Forever [Banachi Family 04] by Winter Travers!


Over twenty years have passed, but some things never fade...

Brynn is back in Leo's world, even though neither of them expected to see each other again. In Leo's world, danger is a constant threat, and with Candace determined to take out everything he loves, he’s never been more vulnerable.

As old feelings resurface and the spark between them reignites, Brynn holds the key to saving Leo from the chaos surrounding him. She’s the one person he never would have expected to return and fight for him.

Will Brynn and Leo finally have a future together, or will they find that forever is just out of reach?


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy here


Author bio:

Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author Winter Travers is a devoted wife, mother, and aunt turned author who was born and raised in Wisconsin. After a brief stint in South Carolina following her heart to chase the man who is now her hubby, they retreated back up North to the changing seasons, and to the place they now call home. Winter spends her days writing happily ever afters, and her nights being a karate mom hauling her son to practices and tournaments.. She also has an addiction to anything MC related, puppies, and baking.


Monday 7 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Life Wish [The Seven 03] by Linda Kage!



Excerpt!

   “This is bad. This is bad. This is really, really bad,” she chanted to herself, freaking out as she shook her hands and glanced around my room as if she’d just found herself in a dungeon. “He couldn’t see me. Why couldn’t he see me?” Focusing on me, she demanded. “Can you still see me?”
   “Yes.” I nodded. “I can see you. And hear you.”
   “Well, what does that mean?” she cried.
   “I...” I lifted my hands to look at this objectively. “I’m not completely sure. But I’m guessing that either you’re a figment of my imagination, and I’m hallucinating right now, or—”
   When I paused at the second option, she stepped closer. “Or what?”
   “Or...” I blew out a breath and couldn’t believe I was going to even suggest this before I just blurted, “Maybe you’re a ghost.”
   “A ghost?” She blinked at me once, then blurted out a laugh before stopping abruptly to scowl. “No. No!” Shaking her head, she began to pace the room. “I don’t like that option. Being a ghost would mean I’m dead. And I’m not dead.”
   “Are you sure?” I asked hesitantly.
   Halting abruptly, she swerved around to send me a harsh scowl. “I think I would know if I was dead!”
   “You’d think you’d know your own name, too,” I countered with a cringe.
   She gasped, insulted, and then narrowed her eyes. “Okay. Alright. Fair point. But if I was dead, could I do this?”
   Spotting my wallet and keys sitting on top of my dresser, she tried to sweep them off with a swing of her hand.
   Except she missed.
   “What the hell?” Blinking in confusion, she tried again, but her hand went straight through the items.
   Easing forward, I pointed out a single finger and nudged the keys, making them scrape across the top of the dresser.
   “Oh, dear God,” she breathed, turning to send me a horrified grimace. “Am I dead?”
   “I don’t know,” I told her honestly. “But I’ve never been able to see ghosts before, and I’m positive I’ve been in the presence of a few.”
   “Then I’m not dead,” she answered astutely and tried to grab my arm to prove it, only to cause a cool, misting sensation to coat my flesh when her fingers went right through me. “Ugh!”
   I glanced down at the spot she’d tried to touch and then back up again. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’re not exactly alive either.”

What if you fall in love with a ghost?

After four shots of cinnamon schnapps and something called heaven in a cup, Raina Bollen finally feels brave enough to meet her crush, star quarterback Foster Union.

Except her rideshare is involved in a car accident on the way there. Now she’s stuck in a coma, and her soul gets severed from her body, only to tether itself to none other than Foster himself.

Foster never wanted some random spirit to suddenly start riding shotgun in his life, but it doesn’t take long for Raina’s bubbly infectious personality to win him over. She’s just the breath of fresh air he craves because he’s been in need of some serious living himself.

Now if he could only figure out how to help her live in return.


Check it out on Goodreads!

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


Author bio:

Linda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, sillier side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact.
Published since 2010. Went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children's literature from The Institute of Children's Literature. Then graduated with a Bachelors in Arts, English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.

Now she lives with hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a cataloging library assistant.

Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion, character match Hagrid. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor...or Hulk (can't decide). Justice League Team Flash. Arrow Team Stephen Amell. Stranger Things obsessed. Heard Laurel, not Yanny.

Started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club. Then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now all over the place with her romance reading tastes.



Giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Sunday 6 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Love at First Skate [Love on Thin Ice 06] by Ellie Hall!



Excerpt!

   Grabbing the throw blanket from the back of the loveseat, I wrap it around her and then roll her up, moving away from the food and avoiding table legs, and hollering, “Blanket burrito.”
   It’s something that I used to spontaneously do because it’s hilarious, makes Harlow laugh, and is a good excuse for us to be close. Wrapped in the blanket, I have full access to her neck which is ticklish. With her arms tucked in, she can only wiggle and giggle.
   I love it. She does too even though it’s the best kind of agony.
   Her lowered brow Grumpy Cat seriousness disappears and her expression contorts all giggly and adorable.
   “You are the only human on the planet who could get away with this,” she says through laughter.
   “I know.”
   She adds, “I hate laughing.”
   “You don’t. It’s good for you. I consider myself your laughter doctor. This is your daily dose of laughs for medicinal purposes. Take one and call me in the morning.”
   This changes the shape of her laughter slightly because the comment genuinely tickles Harlow’s funny bone, as they say.
   Snuggled close to me, I peek at her. Our gazes drift together and something twists in my chest. She presses her lips together, probably holding back more laughter. The moment lengthens and then snaps as we burst into another fit of hilarity as I roll us on the floor like a giant, runaway burrito.
   “There better be dessert,” she says at last.
   “Churro everything,” I say, my voice a bit deeper than usual as I inhale her cinnamon spice scent at close range.
   A daring and dangerous thought enters my mind. This could be the norm—closing the distance, cuddling, kissing . . .
  But I know better. It would ruin our just friendship. Right then, I do everything in my power to talk myself out of making a play for Harlow.

They say love is messy. Turns out friendship is too, especially when you’re stranded in a cabin with your best friend and hearts are on thin ice.

Teddy
I’ve heard that men and women can’t be friends without it becoming something more. Harlow and I put that theory in the penalty box, thank you very much.

She laughs at my jokes, secretly admires my hockey butt, trusts me with her biggest fear (it’s safe with me). In turn, she knows everything about me. Well, almost.

There’s been a recent development. I’m gone for her. Down bad. Solid Crush. She lives rent free in my mind. I’ve caught feelings. This wouldn’t be a problem except, you know, the whole shattering our friendship thing.

Harlow
You know those days you want to erase? It went like this: my boyfriend broke up with me (it was overdue), and then I broke up with my job while at a work conference (it was mind-numbing).

In an ironic twist, I won the raffle for a romantic getaway trip for two. Who else to bring other than my best friend who’ll gladly commiserate with me? He has a hockey event nearby, so it works out perfectly.

Until we’re stranded in the cozy cabin together. There’s a blaze of attraction. A friendship-changing kiss.
What now? Do we hit the reset button? Salvage what we had? Pretend it never happened? These are things I’d talk to my bestie about, but I can’t because I’m head over heels for him.


Check it out on Goodreads!

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Author bio:

Ellie Hall is a USA Today bestselling author. If only that meant she could wear a tiara and get away with it. ;) She loves puppies, books, and the ocean. Writing sweet romance with lots of firsts and fizzy feels gives her joy. Oh, and chocolate chip cookies are her fave. Ellie believes in dreaming big, working hard, and lazy Sunday afternoons spent with her family and dog in gratitude for God’s grace.

Saturday 5 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell!



Excerpt!

   Laura waited on the carpeted landing of the second floor for Brent to reach the top step. The acrid paint odor was overpowering, suggesting the source was nearby.
   Then she spotted it.
   Down the hall, the door had gained a new paint scheme since Hattie’s death. A garish red heart stood out from the other rooms.
   She flattened, making herself smaller against the adjacent wall, her eyes darting right then left. Her mouth went dry as she tried to think of a reason why anyone would paint the door.
   “Be careful, Brent. Someone’s been up here too. Check the third door down. Didn’t detectives see this?” Laura’s steps creaked beneath her boots as she set out for the heart door among others painted white like most of the staircase. She looked closely at the semi-gloss enamel and swiveled toward the attorney.
   “What in blazes…” Brent leaned closer to the door and inhaled. “Definitely recent. Stay here while I open the other rooms. This one is meant to stand out for a purpose.”
   “Don’t leave prints. Remember what you promised Adams. See if there’s a towel in the guest bath. Surely there’s one up here.” She shivered, folding her hands, standing by for Brent to carefully open the first two rooms to the left of the stairs.
   The upper floor had a feel unlike downstairs. Her potential home must’ve been under surveillance by a person who had left a message behind. Investigators would’ve kept them out of the house if they’d uncovered a recently painted symbol like the heart.
   Nicole? Jordan? How about Lucas, or someone she hadn’t met?
   Brent returned with his report. “Each room has a bed, two nightstands, a dressing table, and dresser with huge mirrors. Typical guest rooms. I’m guessing all Victorian-era bedroom sets but I’m no expert. I wouldn’t be surprised if some of the furniture is original to the house. It looks it. Blue Staffordshire platters, covered bowls, and one out-of-place tall couple in historic dress on horseback are scattered across the dressers. Several more couples are in military dress. Everything appears to be in mint condition.”
   “A mixture of porcelain from an eclectic collector. Were there any obvious bare spots marked by dust like downstairs?”
   “Not that I could tell. Whoever removed the first-floor pieces might not have had time to pilfer from the upstairs yet. A good call on your part to change locks.” He nodded. “Wish we’d done it sooner, assuming the other items were stolen. Do you want me to check more rooms before we step behind the giant heart? There are three more doors at the other end of the hall.” Brent’s expectant eyes fell solidly on her, as he waited to hear what their next move would be.
   She hadn’t noticed his darker tan and the tiny laugh lines before. Brent must have taken his glasses off while driving his Maserati around Austin. The color gave him a natural all-American-boy look.
   “I’m dying to see what’s behind here.” Laura swiveled toward noises downstairs.
   “Anybody here?” A throat clearing came before the doorbell rang.
   She surmised the person thought about ringing after he’d already walked inside. The shrill bell stopped her from going any further upstairs and dread soon followed.
   She recognized Detective Adams’s irritating tone.
   “Hello. Miss Harris? Attorney Hill? Are you in the house? Sheriff’s department.”

Former Celebrity Chef Laura Harris used to be famous for her show-stopping pastries and mouth-watering desserts. Now, she’s attracting a different kind of attention.

Laura’s been accused of murder.

But how could this petite pastry chef brutally smother small-town matriarch Hattie Stenburg to death? And what could be her motive? Hattie was beloved in her little Texas community – a wise humanitarian who Laura considered a confidant and mentor.

Perhaps it has something to do with a last-minute change to Hattie’s will – bestowing the Stenburg fortune and its history-steeped estate to Laura, instead of Hattie’s surviving relatives. Or maybe it has something to do with the sinister secrets Laura uncovers as she desperately tries to clear her name – secrets that could rock the foundations of this close-knit community.

Only one thing seems clear: The real murderer remains one step ahead of both Laura and local law enforcement, leaving a trail of taunts warning Laura to leave Texas or face deadly consequences. She’s in the way – and that means it could already be too late.


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Author bio:

Mystery at a killing pace

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch, her fans often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic suspense, thriller, and cozy mystery books as characters or subject matter.

Marlene’s multi-award-winning Annalisse series boasts numerous Best Mystery honors for all installments including the newest IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, and Global Gold Award for the fourth cozy mystery from down under.

Her children's picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! written for the younger crowd, is based on true events from the Bell’s Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb. Mia and Nattie is suitable reading for ages 3 - 7 years and beyond, a Mom's Choice Gold Award winner, and Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List winner.

Thursday 3 October 2024

Book Blitz & Giveaway: Tender Temptation [Charming Irish 01] by Kaylene Winter!


Excerpt!

   I wouldn’t say I’m panicking.
   No. I don’t need to say it. I feel it in every part of my body. Queasy stomach. Shaky hands. Exhaustion.
   My parents are due back in three weeks and I still haven’t told Cillian the full truth.
   I suck. I’m disappointed in myself. With each passing day, the reality of my situation sinks in. The freedom I’ve grown used to is about to evaporate. So is my relationship with the man I’m falling in love with.
   The thought is unbearable and there’s nothing I can do to stop it.
   Today’s been particularly rough. Hilde stopped by my room and caught me packing a bag for the week and made a point to ask if I “would be sleeping at home anytime soon.” Though I’ve been expecting some sort of blowback, her comment took me by such surprise. I wasn’t sure what to say except to reiterate I was enjoying my time with Emma.
   Her disapproving look sent a chill down my spine.
   Made me wonder if the jig is up.
   Still flustered, now I’m in rush-hour traffic on my way to a Belltown construction site where Cillian is overseeing the latest phase of one of his high-rise development projects. My stress level is through the roof, which isn’t helped by the fact no cars are moving. It would be faster to walk, at this point.
   Aaaaaarrrrgh. I’m fucking frustrated. I should be excited to see Cillian, he always has something fun planned for us. Instead, the butterflies, which threaten to burst out of my head, aren’t from anticipation of spending time with my man, but from the crushing weight of my secrets and what will happen when they’re exposed.
   Something tells me I’ve run out of time. If I don’t tell Cillian soon…
   I can’t even think about the alternative.
   In an attempt to distract myself, I rehearse our conversation in my mind. I could be straightforward. Or, try to make a joke out of it. Maybe I could give him a “what if” scenario to see what his reaction is. The reality is, there’s no way to confess and at this point, it probably doesn’t matter. Either way, he’ll be upset.
   Upset. Ha!
   I’m totally screwed.

I’m a master at rebuilding structures, yet my own life is a constant work in progress. As the middle brother in a family of superstars, I’ve battled alcohol addiction and shoulder the hefty challenge of taking over the family business.

My world makes a seismic shift when I fall hard for Ivy Bright, a vibrant, enigmatic firecracker whose captivating energy makes me feel invincible.

Ivy is more than just a spark in my shadowed world—she’s a blaze. Her luminous presence ignites a clandestine desire in me that I can’t resist. But Ivy harbors deep secrets and a tragic past that keeps her trapped in a life she never chose. Despite our undeniable chemistry, her decision to conceal her age and identity backfires spectacularly, threatening to unravel both our hearts.

Years later, will our rekindled passion withstand buried secrets that come to light, or will the truths of our past push us apart forever?


Check it out on Goodreads!

Buy your copy here


Author bio:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.