Giveaway – All That’s Hidden by Susan Golden @susangoldenbook @XpressoTours

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All That’s Hidden
Susan Golden
(Sugar Shack, #2)
Publication date: August 12th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

All That’s Hidden is a delightful story with intrigue, humor, and of course, romance. A perfect read for the beach or traveling on a plane. I fell in love with Sugar and Rupert!
-Lorence, singer/songwriter

Pet sitter turned entrepreneur, Jennifer Albright thinks she has it all: an expanding business, a new, blissful marriage to a very sexy husband, a dog named Rupert that people frequently think is a bear, and a parrot named Sugar that Jennifer’s pretty sure is psychic. But her idyllic life begins to unravel when a series of creepy incidents threatens to sabotage the launch of her doggie day care center, and the discovery of a hidden treasure thrusts her into the world of federal agents and international thievery. The chaos soon spills over onto her home life and Jennifer reluctantly begins to suspect that her seemingly perfect, unbelievably supportive husband is hiding something from her. There’s just so much that doesn’t add up.

Tech-mogul Ryan has found the love of his life in his adorable new bride, Jennifer. But trouble seems to follow her like a basset hound. When one strange twist of events offers Ryan an opportunity he feels he can’t pass up, he unknowingly launches himself down the road of suspicion and mistrust. But he’s got this covered. She doesn’t suspect a thing.

Goodreads / Amazon


EXCERPT

Ryan got home about a half hour later. He dropped his jacket on the couch and headed over to where I was sitting at the kitchen counter. 

“Do I smell kabobs? Great, let me wash up and get out of this suit.” 

I poured Ryan a beer and began to plate the take out. It suddenly struck me that this was not appropriate mom behavior. Moms bake chocolate cupcakes and roasted chicken for Sunday dinner. They cook pancakes and tuna casserole. I burn pancakes and have no idea what goes into a tuna casserole. Well, I suppose I could buy cupcakes and the pre-roasted chicken at the Safeway is pretty yummy. Anyway, new babies don’t need cupcakes and I still have at least ten months before there would even be a baby. I could learn to cook. 

Are you serious? You just started a business. Where did this baby stuff come from? What if Ryan doesn’t want any babies? But I want babies. Since when? Since today, I think. I was suddenly very sad to think Ryan might not want any babies. Plural? Oh, good grief!

Ryan enjoyed his kabobs and Lebanese bread. I’d bought salad and rice too. See, I could plan a balanced meal, even if I couldn’t cook one. He washed it all down with his beer. The whole time he was eating, he was rattling on about his day and how he liked Darren. 

I usually found his comments interesting and insightful, but today I wasn’t listening. I love kabobs, but I nibbled on them and moved the rice around my plate. My mind was elsewhere. 

“…and that was when the flying saucer landed on the helipad and we all went out, got in, and took a ride to Mars,” I heard when I tuned back in.

“Uh-huh. Wait. What?”

“What’s the matter, honey? You worried about the business thing? You’re going to do great. Don’t worry.”

“Thanks. That’s not it. Umm…we’ve never talked about this. I was sort of wondering…how you feel about…kids.”

“Kids in general or specific kids? You mean other people’s kids, right?” I sure had his attention, but I got the impression he was not a fan of the conversation topic.

“Well, not exactly.” There were about ten seconds of dead silence. I was still staring at my plate, moving the rice around aimlessly, afraid I’d burst into tears if I looked at him.

Ryan reached out and grabbed the sides of the bar stool I was sitting on and spun me around to face him. He took my chin in his hand and tilted my head up. 

“Are you pregnant, Sugar Shack?” The inquiry was quiet and silky and expectant. He certainly didn’t sound angry. So, I took a chance and looked directly into those ocean blue eyes. I’d never seen them sparkle like that. He was definitely not mad.

“No.” It wasn’t much more than a whisper.

“You want to be?” I wasn’t expecting that.

“Umm. Maybe.” 

“What are we thinking here, six, eight?” He was grinning. My heart lifted.

“We should probably start with one and see how that goes.” I was grinning too.

“No point in putting stuff like this off. We should get started right now.” 

Ryan tugged my arm, pulling me off the seat of the stool, and slung me over his shoulder. I giggled as he patted me on the bottom and headed up the stairs. He banged the door shut with his foot and unceremoniously dumped me on the bed. 

“Lots of kids,” he soundly declared.

Author Bio:

Retired federal government employee turned accidental author.

Website / Facebook / Twitter


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Giveaway – Legacy: The Awakening by Liza Malloy @AuthorLizaM @XpressoTours

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Legacy: The Awakening
Liza Malloy
(Legacy trilogy, #1)
Publication date: March 30th 2020
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Romance

College student Jessica craves a stable, ordinary life. But when she meets the alluring and irresistible Aiden, her life takes a thrilling turn. Jessica knows there’s something different about Aiden, but she’s shocked when she learns his secret. The further Jessica delves into Aiden’s world, the more consumed she becomes with him.

Heir to the throne of a secret kingdom of supernatural beings, Aiden yearns to fulfill his destiny. But from their first encounter, Jessica captivates Aiden. Aiden is certain that Jessica is his only chance at true happiness. But Aiden can’t deny that his presence in Jessica’s life threatens to destroy the very things he loves about Jessica—her generosity, compassion and innocence.

As Jessica finds her life filling with peril she never imagined, she must decide how much she’s willing to risk for love. And Aiden must choose whether to embrace his legacy or follow his heart.

Intensely compelling and powerfully gripping, The Awakening is the seductive first installment to the Legacy trilogy, an unforgettable, epic love story.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

“So, we’re friends?” I turned to him as I spoke and read the regret on his face.

“Jessica, I’m sorry about last night.”

I felt my eyes warming up and willed myself not to cry.

Aiden reached for my hand. “I like you Jessica. Of course we’re friends, but I’m also…” He sighed. “We’re different, you and I, and we’re in completely different places now. It was wrong of me to kiss you.”

We stopped near the dry creek-bed, still holding hands. I glanced over at Aiden and realized he was watching me again, that same look on his face. He wanted me and I knew it, but something was restraining him.

Neither of us spoke for a moment.

“Aiden, the last time we were here, and I made that joke…” I paused.

“About vampires?”

I nodded, my heart racing in anticipation of pushing him away after he’d finally opened up to me. “It was only a joke,” I reiterated. “But I feel like you are hiding something or holding back.” I swallowed audibly.

He inhaled sharply and stepped closer to the water.

I followed him, but kept a few feet between us. “Aiden, I like you, and I want to know you better. I won’t judge you. I just want to know.”

“What do you want to know?” he asked, his voice so quiet I could barely make out his words.

“Everything. I want to know you, Aiden.” I bit my lip to keep from shouting at him, from insisting that he knew exactly what it was that I wanted to know, that I was the one who had no idea what he was hiding.

“What specifically?”

I blew out a sigh. “Why do you move around so often? Why can’t I go in your house? Why do you and your brothers all have long hair? Why couldn’t your sister wear a ponytail?” I held my breath and stepped closer, feeling uncharacteristically brave. “How did you know to get me out of that fire?”

Aiden turned towards me slowly, his head down. “Jessica, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have started anything with you. I just can’t…” He sighed, then made eye contact. “I can’t answer your questions. And we can’t be together, so I shouldn’t have kissed you.”

Without thinking, I leaned into him, pressing my lips into his. He hesitated, but then I felt his mouth respond to mine, his warm lips opening for me, the tip of his tongue gently tickling my lips.

I broke off the kiss before he could reject me again. “I know you care about me,” I said firmly, empowered from my boldness.

“I do,” he agreed willingly. “But that’s why I can’t…”

“Bullshit!” I interrupted. “I’m already involved in whatever it is, so you might as well tell me the truth. What are you hiding? You can trust me.”

Aiden’s eyes quickly darted around, scanning the woods behind me. Apparently satisfied we were alone, he turned back to me, locked his eyes on mine, then tucked his hair behind his ears.

I was so captivated by his stare, with those unnaturally vibrant eyes, that it took a moment for me to register that he was showing me something. I blinked, and refocused on all of him, not just his eyes. And then, I saw it.

Author Bio:

Liza Malloy writes contemporary romance, new adult romance, women’s fiction, and fantasy romance. She’s a sucker for alpha males, bad boys, dimples, and muscles, and she can’t resist a man in uniform. Liza loves creating worlds where the heroine discovers her own strength and finds her Happily Ever After. When Liza isn’t reading or writing torrid love stories, she’s a practicing attorney. Her other passions include gummy bears, jelly beans, and the occasional marathon. She lives in the Midwest with her four daughters and her own Prince Charming.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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  • You can see my Giveaways HERE.
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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
  • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
  • I am an Amazon affiliate/product images are linked.
  • Thanks for visiting fundinmental!