Tag Archives: romance fiction

Giveaway – Hiding From The Truth by A B Medley @XpressoTours

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Hiding from the Truth
AB Medley
(Finding the Truth Series, #2)
Publication date: August 16th 2022
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Secrets don’t keep.
Lucy’s are life-changing and dangerous.
Her darkest one is an abusive ex who will stop at nothing to control her, leaving only a smoking ember of who she used to be.
She thinks she’s alone in the battle to get her life back.
Then she meets Tate.
The one man who seems to tear down every defense she’s built around her heart.
The problem is…he doesn’t want a relationship and she wants it all.

Tate’s no stranger to secrets, but he’s content until he meets her.
At first sight, he’s enamored by Lucy.
But the more he discovers, the deadlier her truth becomes.
Now he’s determined to keep her safe whether she wants his help or not.
Suddenly—the ice around his heart is melting, leaving him helpless to fight his feelings for her.

Can they overcome their pasts and the real danger they face to give love a fighting chance, or will they keep hiding from the truth?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

—

EXCERPT:

He steps toward me and hesitates. “Call me if you need me…or anything at all. I’m not
sure I want to leave you after the night you’ve had.” His blue eyes bore into mine, searching for the truth. A truth I’m not willing to tell just yet. “We’re still going to talk. You need to tell me what happened.” His features harden as if he’s masking anger.

“Tate—” I start but he cuts me off by closing the space between us and brushes the back of his hand over my cheek.

“Don’t overthink it, Lucy. You’re safe here with me. You can trust me.” I swallow against the burning in my throat as I try to stifle the urge to cry. This man is out of his mind if he thinks I can trust him. I trust he won’t physically hurt me, but emotionally is a different matter altogether. Not to mention, he doesn’t need to get in the middle of my mess. He barely knows me.
He drops his hand and walks away. I stay still, my feet planted firmly on the hardwood. Rocky jumps down and sits at my feet, as if sensing my pain.

I lower to my knees, and he licks my cheek. “Thanks, Rocky. I can trust you can’t I, buddy?” I scratch him behind the ears again. His tail thumps the hardwood as I hear my phone beep. I check it and almost drop it. My dad, well Steve. Why is he texting me? I quickly check the message.

Dad: Hey Lucy. I just talked to your mom. Can I call you?
Me: Sure.

Almost immediately, my phone rings. “Hello?”

“Hey, honey. Your mom told me what happened. Are you okay?” He sounds like he did before he left. Why does he care now? I don’t get it. I’m getting whiplash from all the men in my life.

“I’ve been better, but I’ll be fine…always am. You taught me I had to be,” I say hoping he’ll feel even the slightest bit of remorse for how he left me.

“I’m sorry, Lucy, truly. I’m coming home to see your mom—and you, if you’ll let me.” I reach for the bed to make sure it’s there to catch my weight. When I drop onto it, I can’t stop the angry tear sliding down my cheek. I won’t let him hurt me again, and facing him, especially now, is not something I’m sure I can do. I swallow and compose myself enough to answer.

“I don’t know. I’m trying to process literally everything in my life right now. You walked out on me and didn’t look back. What do you want? I don’t understand why you want to see us.”

The line goes silent for a few seconds. “Lucy, we need to talk. All of us.”

“Whatever. I have to go.” I hang up before he can say anything else, lying back on the bed, staring at the ceiling in shock for a few minutes before deciding to shower and call it a night. I get everything in the bathroom ready and take a quick shower. When I get out, I wipe the steam from the mirror and see the fading bruises on my arms and even my inner thighs. I have one on my ribs too.

I lean in closer and examine my face. When I look myself in the eye, I don’t recognize the woman staring back at me. She’s weak. She’s haunted, beaten, and battered as much on the inside as the out. She doesn’t know who she can trust. She’s lost her spark.

Who am I now? Am I Steve McCree’s daughter, the one who wasn’t enough for her dad? Am I Rhett Davis’s daughter, the one claimed to be cherished but kept secret? Am I Phoebe McCree’s daughter, the woman who stepped out on her husband and got pregnant? The woman who lied to keep her family together, but lost it anyway?
Am I the girl Taylor tore down piece by piece and left broken? My whole life is full of secrets and lies and broken dreams. Where do I go from here? I don’t know any of the answers, but I do know—hiding the truth is killing me.


Author Bio:

A.B. Medley lives in Tennessee with the love of her life and two sons. Her husband stole her heart when she was sixteen and their relationship is one of those meant to be love stories you find in magazines and novels.

She is a dental hygienist who loves to read and has always dabbled in writing. When she’s not making people’s smiles shine, she enjoys belting out songs with her boys, dancing, raspberries, baseball, and anything vintage. Like any proper Tennessean, Sundrop is her drink of choice.

She loves her family and friends fiercely and believes in always chasing your dreams.

Deception in the Truth is her debut novel—but now she’s hooked, and there’s more to come!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / Bookbub


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Giveaway – Spark Of Madness by Brynn Ford @XpressoTours

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Spark of Madness
Brynn Ford
(Ember Glen, #1)
Publication date: July 21st 2022
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Dystopian

In Ember Glen, men purge under the full moon. It’s the duty of women to serve them. When Mercy refuses to serve, Arlo will force her to find absolution through three brutal trials. But will their forbidden romance destroy their world?

Mercy
Neglecting my duty to serve is a sin, and during the last full moon, I became a sinner.

He saw me run from my duty, chased me, and caught me.
He promised me that I would be punished.

But I never could have imagined the hellish fate that would be chosen for me. More than that, I never could have imagined the maddening lust that would spark between me and the man who caught me.

This passion is forbidden…and it might set us on fire.

Arlo
It’s my role to catch the sinners, and Mercy sinned gravely.

I saw her and I chased her, drawn to her inexplicably.
She sparked something within me, but she had to be brought to judgment.

Her punishment is coming in the form of an archaic ritual we’re bringing back to make an example of her. I’ll be her warden, her keeper, the man to ensure she stays alive between her torturous trials.

Something within her brings out the worst of me…and the worst of me wants to ruin her.

AUTHOR NOTE: This is a dark romance series that involves many triggering elements which may be upsetting for some readers. A complete list of tropes and triggers can be found on the author’s website at brynnford.com/triggers.

SERIES NOTE: Spark of Madness is book 1 of 3 in the Ember Glen series and it ends on a cliffhanger. The author plans to publish all 3 books by the end of 2022. The trilogy follows Mercy and Arlo and must be read in order.

READING ORDER
Book 1: Spark of Madness (July 21, 2022)
Book 2: Blaze of Misery (October 20, 2022)
Book 3: Embers of Mercy (December 29, 2022)

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

I sinned.

I ran, and I hid.

I rebelled from my soul’s purpose, and I was promised punishment.

He’s come to punish me.

As soon as the realization hits me, I scramble, kicking against the earth to push myself backward and crawl out from beneath him. He ignores me as I awkwardly rush to my feet and back away; instead, he bends to pick up my mother’s journal.

No!

I lunge for it, but he jerks his hand away, holding the journal beside his head.

“Give that back.”

“No,” he says plainly.

He slowly lowers it in front of him, thumbing open the pages.

I lunge again to snatch it, but he only steps back, narrowing his eyes at me with his head tilted toward the pages. “Stop. Your property is my property now.”

“What?”

What is he saying?

I’m entitled to have my own things.

Except, the Control has license to take authority over the personal property of sinners.

And I’m a sinner now.

I feel frozen as I watch him flip through the pages, reading a sentence here and there. A shiver runs up my spine despite the warmth of the sun, and I hug myself, running my hands up and down my arms. Movement in the distance catches my eye; standing at the tree line, at the edge of the meadow, are the other six members of the Control.

Watching.

Waiting.

The notion of my death claws through my mind, scratching away all other thoughts.

Have they come to kill me?

Will I die today?

How will they do it? Burned at the stake like my mother?

“What is this?” Arlo asks, closing the journal and holding it up. “Is this your mother’s?”

I hear him, but I struggle to respond. The very essence of my being is trapped behind a thick wall of ice inside my mind, frozen and paralyzed to thoughts of punishment and death.

“Forget it,” he says with exasperation. “Come with me.”

He holds out his palm, covered with a black leather glove, and I stare at it as if it’s the strangest thing I’ve ever seen, as if it’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever seen…because it is.

If I take his hand, he’ll lead me away, only I don’t know where to and I don’t know what will happen then. I don’t know if I’ll be hurt or tortured, or if I’ll be killed immediately.

I lift my gaze from his hand to meet his stare. “Are you going to kill me?”

His eyes are blue—bright blue, like the clear sky above. They sparkle as he watches me, waiting for me to take his outstretched hand.

I think it’s the first time I’ve ever really looked at him. I’ve only known him by name and in passing before the other night in the forest. I knew of him; I’d seen him and could identify him easily. But looking at him now, I know I’ve never truly seen him before.

“Not personally, and certainly not today,” he offers. “Come along now. We have things to discuss.”

“What things?”

He takes a step closer, and instinctively, I step back.

“Mercy.”

“What’s going to happen to me? Please. Can’t you just tell me now?”

“I’m not going to ask you again.” His offered palm twitches with threat. “We will drag you away if you insist on resisting.”

Part of me wants to resist. If my fate has already been decided—and I suspect it has—then resistance won’t change the outcome. Resisting might make me feel like I did something, that I at least tried. That part of me makes my knees bend with the urge to run.


Author Bio:

Brynn Ford writes dark romance for daring readers. She is a lover of the dark, twisted, and playful, and strives to bring these elements into her stories.

When she isn’t obsessively writing, you may find her binge-watching favorite shows while eating far too much junk food or fanatically reading, always seeking to lose herself in the emotional roller coaster of a damn good story.

She’s a firm believer that her characters continue to live outside the pages in the minds of her readers. Stories don’t end just because there aren’t any more pages to turn.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Newsletter / TikTok / Amazon / Bookbub


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Norse Mythology – The Heilheim Princess by Tiana Warner @tianawarner

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.

I love the color for the gorgeous cover of The Valkyrie’s Daughter by Tiana Warner.

The Valkyrie's Daughter

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have loved what I have read from Tiana Warner, so when I saw The Helheim Princess, I had to have it. I love myths and legends and reading books that stretch my imagination.

‘Sigrid urged Hestur to a gallop….’ and their mad dash to Vanaheim and back had me cracking up. I’ll leave it to you to find out why, but with a start like that, I feel good about the rest of the story.

Sigrid has no memory of her family and she is bullied by the Valkyries. She wants so much to be one of them, but so many things work against her. Valkyries have magical horses and Hestur is not magical, or white and gorgeous. He is brown, ordinary looking, but as fast as the wind. She trains in secret…and it will come in handy.

Dire wolves. Night elves. Helheim…the land of the dead.

On Sigrid’s quest for her destiny, she will be used and betrayed, but she will also find the most loyal friends and her place in the world.

Tiana Warner’s creative world building had me lost in the fantasy. It’s not the destination, it’s the journey, and I thoroughly enjoyed traveling with Sigrid and her friends. The characters are fleshed out, growing and changing.

I couldn’t put it down long enough to take many notes. I was captivated with the vividly created world, fabulous characters and an adventure filled with surprise and danger. I love when I don’t always know where I am going, but enjoy the time it takes to get there.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Helheim Princess by Tiana Warner.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

A thrilling, intricate, and romantic #OwnVoices LGBTQ fantasy that builds on Norse mythology into a beautiful story all its own.

For as long as Sigrid could remember, she’s wanted to become a mighty, fearless valkyrie. But without a winged mare, she’s a mere stable hand, left wondering who her parents were and why she’s so different. So when the Eye shows her a vision where she’s leading a valkyrie charge on the legendary eight-legged horse Sleipnir, she grabs the possibility of this greater destiny with both hands, refusing to let go.

Too bad that the only one who can help her get there is Mariam, an enemy valkyrie who begrudgingly agrees to lead her to Helheim but who certainly can’t be trusted―even if she does make Sigrid more than a little flustered. As they cross the nine worlds, battling night elves, riding sea serpents, and hurtling into fire to learn the truth about Sigrid’s birthright, an unexpected but powerful bond forms.

As her feelings for Mariam deepen into something fiery and undeniable, Fate has other plans for Sigrid. What happens when the one thing you think you were meant to do might end the nine worlds?

ABOUT TIANA WARNER

Tiana Warner

Tiana Warner is an LGBTQ+ author from British Columbia, Canada, best known for her critically acclaimed “Mermaids of Eriana Kwai” trilogy and its comic adaptation. Tiana is a lifelong horseback rider, a former programmer with a Computer Science degree, and an outdoor enthusiast who loves to explore nature with her musician boyfriend and their hyperactive rescue mutt, Joey. Find her online at tianawarner.com.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / TikTok / Twitter

MY TIANA WARNER REVIEWS

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Giveaway – I’m Not In Love by Mia Kerick @XpressoTours @MiaKerick

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I’m Not In Love
Mia Kerick
(Don’t Let Go, #1)
Publication date: June 13th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

I’m not in love…

I’m not in love…

I will never let myself fall in love with Tristan Wilder.

And maybe if I tell myself this a thousand times, I’ll believe it.

Having lost his parents to a tragic accident when he was nine-years old, wealthy hotel heir Remi (Julian Remington III) refuses to form intimate emotional bonds, fearing a repeat of the crushing loss that destroyed his childhood. This means no deep friendships, no heartfelt family ties, and God forbid should he ever fall in love… Well, it’s safe to say that will never happen.

However, as a senior at the top art college in Garner City—his last year of freedom before he’s required to take his place at the top of the Remington family empire—Remi freely explores sexual intimacy with “distractingly” beautiful men. And he does so with great enthusiasm—how better to distract himself from the temptation to experience tender human connection?

Remi’s plans for emotional isolation are shook up when he meets Tristan Wilder, a nude model for his life drawing class. Stunningly beautiful from head to toe—and inside his heart, as well—Tristan struggles to scrape together enough money to support his twin sister, Tara, and her three young children. Like Remi, “Uncle Tris” is unwilling to enter a romantic relationship—his responsibility to his family is all-consuming. As the men take a chance on casual friendship, Remi comes to admire Tristan’s devotion to his family. And with Remi’s surprisingly doting attention to Tara’s children, he works his way into Tristan’s heart.

Tristan is finally all in, but can commitment phobic Remi lower his walls enough to allow Tristan—and the entire Wilder family—into his heart?

Goodreads / Amazon


EXCERPT

Pressing my forehead to the cool glass, I peek through a slivered opening in the dark curtains and see the backs of about a dozen scattered artists, all standing behind metal easels, adding volume to nearly finished drawings. The room is dim, and a tall studio lamp is directed toward the far wall. In the brilliant glow, a graceful male form in a sensual pose is draped across a pile of pillows on the floor. The single source of light casts stark shadows over his body’s hills and valleys.

Tristan lies on his stomach, chest pressed flat on a blanket covering the cushions, ass lifted erotically, and legs curled gently beneath him. Arms thrust forward enough to cradle his head in them, much of his face hidden by his shaggy, golden mane.

The sight is exquisite—too much so to find proper descriptive words. For this reason, I give up the search and focus on what I want… because tonight is the night.

I’ve waited two weeks to seduce this man. Now that there’s no longer a conflict of interest at school, there’s nothing to stop me from acting on my desire. Surprisingly, I’ve never waited more than a day—at most two—to make my move on a man I desire. And I don’t hold to the three-date rule—wine and dine him three times, and he’s fair game to fuck. In fact, I’ve rarely had three dates with the same man.

My transactional “love life”—in and out with no complications—has never presented a problem. I don’t hide what I want from the guys I associate with. I’m an open book about hookups being hookups. Sexual intimacy is the goal, in and of itself—and the men I date are rarely left disillusioned. With me, they seek simple hookups, as well.

“No complications” is the law I live by—life experience has taught me that heavy emotional involvement is a one-way street to heartbreak. I’m usually very upfront about this but have been less so with Tristan; I choose not to analyze the reasons.

Author Bio:

Mia Kerick is the mother of four exceptional children–all named after saints–and five nonpedigreed cats–all named after the next best thing to saints, Boston Red Sox players. Her husband of twenty years has been told by many that he has the patience of Job, but don’t ask Mia about that, as it is a sensitive subject.

Mia focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men and their relationships, and she believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. As a teen, Mia filled spiral-bound notebooks with romantic tales of tortured heroes (most of whom happened to strongly resemble lead vocalists of 1980s big-hair bands) and stuffed them under her mattress for safekeeping. She is thankful to Dreamspinner Press for providing her with an alternate place to stash her stories.

Mia is proud of her involvement with the Human Rights Campaign and cheers for each and every victory made in the name of marital equality. Her only major regret: never having taken typing or computer class in school, destining her to a life consumed with two-fingered pecking and constant prayer to the Gods of Technology.

My themes I always write about:

Sweetness. Unconventional love, tortured/damaged heroes- only love can save them.

Mia Kerick focuses her stories on the emotional growth of troubled young men within the boundaries of blossoming, supportive relationships. She believes that sex has a place in a love story, but not until it is firmly established as a love story. And Mia’s stories are centered around a certain theme: even heroes can be sweet. Sweet, but not completely innocent.

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Giveaway – Pink Guitars and Falling Stars by Leslie O’Sullivan @ExpressoTours @LeslieSulliRose

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Pink Guitars and Falling Stars
Leslie O’Sullivan
(Rockin’ Fairy Tales, #1)
Published by: City Owl Press
Publication date: January 6th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Zeli’s signature pop diva sound and image are nothing short of magical—literally. Her fame comes with hidden costs, a curse that could ruin her voice forever.

Aspiring indie musician, Justin MacKenzie, is determined to kick it to the top of the Rampion Records’ Summer Number One professional vs. amateur singing competition.

The favorite to beat in the annual televised contest is none other than the label’s smoking hot superstar, Zeli, whose crazy extensions flow the length of a football field. Those ridiculous extensions, coupled with her bubblegum brand of pop, are an affront to everything Justin loves about music until a stolen kiss blazes into a romantic encounter.

Once inside Zeli’s world, Justin discovers things are not as they seem. In their quest to allow the real Zeli, to step into the spotlight, the pair must confront the mysterious force behind the dazzle of Rampion’s success. If these star-crossed lovers can’t rally their own magic to defeat the darkness, they will lose everything—including each other.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

On the way to wardrobe, to prep for his B.A.S.E. jumping exhibition in Zeli’s platinum record celebration concert, Justin Time stumbles into the pop diva’s dressing room by mistake…

Shades of pink twilight swallow us. Zeli rests lips against the rim of her cup, drowning a sob with tea.

Man, that tea smells sweet. I’d like to tickle my vocal cords with it. What did Grant Gothel call it? Ramp-up tea? Justin wants to ramp up. I stand and take a greedy sniff.

Zeli catches sight of me and leaps to her feet. She screeches like I’m slinging an axe.

I trip over the bottom of the costume rack and fly forward, finding balance a hot second before I plow into her. “Whoa, sweetness. I’m not here to mess with you.”

She clutches her head. “Hair thief!” She raises a pair of fists with intent to cause damage. “Closer and I’ll make your ribs crack.”

“Stop screaming or that cute face will go blue.”

Zeli circles her fists, searching for an in to deck me. “Don’t lay a finger on my extensions.”

“I want no part of that crazy hair mess.” I shake my head. “Keep your freak show, I’ve got no intention–” Taking a step back, I fan an arm down her body. “To finger even a single sweet tress.”

She’s delusional. No thief could bust Rampion security to get up here. Then again, when you’ve got millions glued to your head, imagining creepers in the dark is not so out there.

She zips behind the table, snarling. “You won’t get a piece of this either, fool.”

Hugging her body, she curls into a ball worthy of an armadillo. I’m not stupid enough to take advantage of our alone time, but that doesn’t prevent a Zeli lip lock from ticking onto my mental playlist. Her face pops out of the Z-ball as if she’s plugged into my thoughts.

She raises her hands. “Hands here. Raise them up high where I can see.”

I brush bangs aside, the portrait of casual. “You’re safe, damsel, get a hold of your cool.” I jerk my chin her way. “Cut the innocent act. It’s clear to me. No way a fast track, rock chick hasn’t known–” I throw her an air kiss. “Tune-piping Romeo love of her own.”

She stretches to her full height, not enough to hit the five-foot mark, and plants hands on hips. “Jacklick.”

After flashing my best stink-eye, I head for the hallway before her insults bait me into action I’ll regret. The smack of her hand against the table makes me jump.

“You’re leaving?”

I flick my wrist. “You ain’t nothing but a wrong turn.” I almost clear the doorway of the twilight room when she giggles. I whip around. “What? I’m not the big bad wolf anymore?”

She abandons her table fortress and rakes a finger up and down my wingsuit. The silver bag glides after her. “Big bads don’t wear bananas.”

I cringe.

Realization dawns in her eyes. “Oh, you’re one of my lucky stars.” She claps.

“What?”

“Seven lucky stars, falling from the sky for my concert?”

“Maybe.”

“If not, you’re rocking a wack look.” Zeli smiles, easy with me now that she’s defined my place in her kingdom.

Don’t count me out. I can rock a threat, babe. I’m tempted to grab her and plant a kiss on that laughing mouth. I feel my face flush Zeli pink. Stealing a taste of Z-lip is not worth summoning Gothel and screwing my chances at the Summer Number One audition.

To my surprise, she strolls over and dances a finger across my shoulder. “What’s it like to B.A.S.E. jump? Terrifying or Heaven?”

The touch renders me momentarily mute.

Her fingers pop off my shoulder like I’m a hot stove. “I don’t want anyone jumping for me to be afraid.”

The slightest sensation lingers from our contact. Does rock chick Zeli honestly care how Justin MacKenzie feels flying off her tower? Is this chick nice? For reals, nice? Heavenly tea breath wafts from her lips. An urge for a softer kind of kissing sneaks up on me. Kisses that whisper, not shout.

I match her finger dance and dab a touch on her shoulder close enough to feel the warm skin of her neck. “Nice of you to care.” If I slide my hand around the back of her neck, pull her in…


Author Bio:

Leslie O’Sullivan is the author of Rockin’ Fairy Tales, an adult romance series of Shakespeare/fairy tale mash ups set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s music scene. Coming soon is her Behind the Scenes contemporary romance series that peeks into the off-camera secrets of a wildly popular television drama. She’s a UCLA Bruin with a BA and MFA from their Department of Theater where she also taught for years on the design faculty. Her tenure in the world of television was as the assistant art director on “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” Leslie loves to indulge her fangirl side each year at San Diego Comic Con.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter


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Giveaway – Fauxmance by Cookie O’Gorman @XpressoTours

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Fauxmance
Cookie O’Gorman
Publication date: April 28th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Young Adult

Fauxmance (fow-mans): Term for a romantic relationship that is fake. Real feelings, like love, are strictly prohibited. See also: Why would anyone enter a fake relationship?

Eighteen-year-old Magnolia believes in true love.

Or she did.

When her boyfriend dumps her the day before her sister’s wedding, Maggie is devastated—but her broken heart is only part of the problem. Maggie is the maid of honor, and her sister insists: Every member of the bridal party must have an escort. No exceptions.

Thank goodness for Hayden Davenport.

Sarcastic, cocky, a surprisingly good listener and self-professed player, when Maggie gets stuck in an elevator with the handsome stranger, she thinks she’s found the perfect wedding date. Unfortunately, Hayden hates weddings. Like really hates them.

But one soul-shattering kiss changes everything.

Maggie needs a fake boyfriend. Hayden wants to prove he’s changed his playboy ways. Faking it should be easy. The hard part?

Remembering it’s all pretend and not falling in love for real.

This book features two opposites with sizzling chemistry, a sweet, hopeless romantic and a cynical bad boy who’ll steal your heart. Elevators, fake romance, and weddings, oh my! Get ready to swoon, laugh, and say ‘I do’ to this heartfelt YA romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Want to know the worst part?”

Hayden nodded, and I laid my head against his shoulder. There was no way I’d be able to say this next bit while looking at him. Even without eye contact, I didn’t know if I’d be able to admit it out loud.

“He’s the only guy I’ve ever kissed,” I whispered.

“Seriously?” Hayden asked.

I gave a short nod. “Yep. We were so young when we got together. I thought he was the one. But today, when he let me go, there weren’t any tears. There was no regret in his voice. He just looked relieved.”

It was silent for a moment.

“I guess it doesn’t matter anyway. Kissing is overrated.”

Hayden leaned away, lifting my head so I had to look at him.

“Why do you say that?” he asked.

“People always make it sound so amazing,” I said. “Kisses are supposed to cause fireworks, make you hear symphonies, touch you on a soul-deep level. I used to believe all the hype. I was a hopeless romantic through and through.”

I shrugged.

“But my first kiss wasn’t like that. Actually, no kiss I had after was like that either. Like I said, it’s overrated.”

Hayden shook his head, his eyes suddenly serious.

“That’s awful,” he said.

“No, they were pleasant enough, just nothing to write home about.”

“I kind of want to find Sean, so I can kick his ass.”

I laughed. “Oh, it wasn’t him. Sean liked kissing fine. I always figured it was me. That I was defective or something.”

Hayden put a hand on my cheek.

“It wasn’t you, Magnolia.”

I nodded but didn’t really believe it. Hayden couldn’t know that. He was just trying to make me feel better.

“I’m serious,” he said.

“Yeah okay.”

“Let me prove it to you.”

My brows pinched together. “How are you going to do that?”

“I’m going to kiss you,” he said.

Anything I was about to say left me. My brain went totally blank. What were words again?

“If you still think kissing’s overrated after that, okay. I’ll retire my player card for good.” Hayden’s eyes went to my lips, and they tingled in response. “That won’t happen, though.”

I swallowed to clear my throat. “How can you be sure?”

“Because I’m going to do my best to please you.”

He nodded.

“And between you and me, Magnolia, I’m a very good kisser.”

I sent him a soft smile. “You’re so conceited.”

“Not conceited if it’s the truth,” he said.

“Some of the things you say should annoy me, but for some reason I find it charming.”

“That’s good. You have to be at least a little attracted to me, or this won’t work.”

No problem there, I thought.

Hayden seemed to be reading my mind, but I hoped he didn’t know just how attractive I found him. It was way too much for the short period of time we’d spent together. And I was pretty sure the attraction was one-sided. Although…he wasn’t opposed to kissing me. That meant he must’ve found me somewhat desirable, right? Still. He might just be doing this because he saw it as a challenge.

“Well, I wouldn’t get your hopes up,” I said. “Sean once told me I wasn’t very responsive.”

Hayden scoffed. “Don’t worry. Unlike your ex, I actually have skills.”

I felt my breath hitch as he slowly leaned forward.

“I just don’t want to disappoint you,” I breathed.

Hayden’s gaze locked on mine. “This isn’t about me. It’s about you.”

The air between us grew thick as his eyes went back to my lips.

“And you could never disappoint me,” he said. “I’ve wanted to kiss you ever since we got on this elevator.”

Author Bio:

Cookie O’Gorman writes YA & NA romance to give readers a taste of happily-ever-after. Small towns, quirky characters, and the awkward yet beautiful moments in life make up her books. Cookie also has a soft spot for nerds and ninjas. Her novels ADORKABLE, NINJA GIRL, The Unbelievable, Inconceivable, Unforeseeable Truth About Ethan Wilder, The Good Girl’s Guide to Being Bad, The Kissing Challenge (YA novella), WALLFLOWER, and CUPCAKE are out now! She is also the author of NA sports romances, The Best Mistake and The Perfect Play. Her newest release FAUXMANCE is coming on April 28, 2022!

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Giveaway – Crunching Her Numbers by Mia Sivan @XpressoTours

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Crunching Her Numbers
Mia Sivan
Publication date: March 31st 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Kelly, a successful investment manager from Tel Aviv, is living it up. She is single, rich and happy to be with men just to scratch an itch. Embarking on a no strings attached relationship with the hot, much younger Slava feels like a great idea—and he’s totally up for it.

Ilan, an ambitious and charming investigator working for the Israeli Securities Authority, is trying to untangle a huge market manipulation scheme. He needs Kelly to crack the case, but whistleblowing might jeopardize everything she’s ever worked for. Ilan, however, can be very persuasive. Soon, and against their better judgment, they start mixing business with pleasure.

But, when Ilan asks her to stop seeing Slava, Kelly realizes that no-strings doesn’t mean it’s easy to let go. With her livelihood on the line and her love life a mess, can Kelly keep it together, or has she thrown one too many balls in the air?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Kelly couldn’t afford to waste more time. She booked a scooter from her app, changed into sneakers, and entered the elevator—just when Ilan ran squeezing in.

“I’ll reschedule my appointment,” he said. “Your boss needed to take care of something.” They stood close in the small elevator. Kelly breathed in his cologne, which smelled woody and spicy without being overbearing. It suited him.

He looked down at her sneakers and smiled slightly. Now that she wasn’t in heels, they were the same height.

“Let’s have coffee together, Kelly.” It wasn’t a question. “I have some time now.” He oozed confidence. He acted cocky, and his masculinity reminded Kelly that she hadn’t had a decent cock in quite a while.

Kelly looked into the serene brown-green eyes. He emitted quiet power without any conscious effort, and she fought his effect on her. “How did you know my name?”

He shrugged. “Have coffee with me”—she was treated to another charming smile— “or maybe something stronger. I’ll tell you everything.”

Kelly looked away and kept quiet. He unnerved her.

They reached the lobby. She walked faster and so he picked up his pace. They were already out in the street, Kelly reaching for her scooter, when he grabbed her elbow lightly. Kelly halted, turning, and Ilan let go of her arm. They locked stares, his cool eyes searching hers, their noses nearly touching. If she leaned a little forward, she could bite the juicy lower lip of his half-open mouth. She wondered what he would do if she did. His slight aroma of masculine sweat smelled of rosewood, and Kelly felt a desire to nuzzle against the dark chest hairs that were showing through the unbuttoned collar of his shirt.

His face was somewhat flushed, so maybe he liked her closeness too. He reached into the front pocket of his jeans, his arm almost touching her breast, and Kelly looked down and noticed a bulge, which she wanted to touch very badly. God, she needed to get herself a good fuck. Soon.

Ilan extracted a business card and handed it to her. She took it, careful not to brush his hand. It read “Ilan Ohayon, Private Investigator” in Hebrew and English. The card didn’t include a street address or a website address, just a mobile phone number.

“Please,” he said, somewhat hoarsely. Yep, he wasn’t indifferent to her. He cleared his throat. “Call me. It’s important.”

“Do you have a different card in the other pocket?” she asked. “You introduced yourself to my boss as a potential client.”

Ilan broke into a dazzling smile, one that showed white teeth and attractive wrinkles in his eyes.

“Clever girl,” he said, extracting a second business card.

Ilan Ohayon, CEO, SMA Business Solutions. This card specified a website, a landline number, a different mobile, and a street address.

“I’ll think about it.” She pocketed both cards before putting on her helmet, unlocking the scooter, and riding off. When she looked back once, Ilan hadn’t moved. His hands were deep in his pockets and he was watching her with an inscrutable expression.

Author Bio:

Mia Sivan is an Israeli woman who lives, works and loves in Tel Aviv. The city is as much a part of her books as any other character.

Mia has worked as a senior investment manager for many years, and the books she writes draws much from her personal experience, as well as real-life scams that took place in the Israeli financial market.

When not writing or dreaming up steamy scenes, she lives with her handsome husband and even handsomer two sons, and enjoys long walks by the beach (it’s Tel Aviv, it’s never too cold).

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Cover Reveal – Hungry For More by Scarlett Se Leva @XpressoTours @letshavemocha

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Hungry for More
Scarlett Se Leva
(Determined, #2)
Publication date: April 20th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

I craved her.
I loved her.
Until she disappeared without a word.

I was doing just fine then she stumbles back into my life.
The sight of her has reopened old wounds.

They say it’s best to forgive.
But all I want is revenge.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo


Author Bio:

Scarlett Se Leva writes unexpected, steamy, suspenseful romance.

When Scar isn’t busy penning her next book, you can find her with her family watching movies, drinking wine, curled up in a corner with a book or running after her three daughters.

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Giveaway – Some Days by J L Lora #CaffeinatedPR @jtothelove

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Today I am exciting to share an excerpt and giveaway from Some Days, a standalone spicy romance in the Sometimes Love Happens Collection by J. L. Lora. Lora is the author of over twelve published novels, including two in Spanish. Her characters are real, flawed, and full of grit as they navigate life, love, and more.

Some Days

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Dutiful daughter, my brother’s keeper, civil servant, and protector of my city—that’s me, Officer Dahlia Wicker. I’m a master at switching hats, until an ambush in the line of duty forces a new title on me—gunshot victim. I wake up in the emergency room, scared to death, and staring into the face of an angel with soft-yet-firm hands and a smile that makes my heart tremble.

Dr. Weston Ellison’s promise to look after my little brother eases my anxiety. His hands on my skin remind me I haven’t been touched by a man in a long time. After my recovery, I can’t stop running into him and I’m forced to admit how often I think about his lips and how badly I want them on me.

We are way too different.

Weston comes from generational wealth, and I’m Baltimore humble. Desire opens the door to our relationship, but feelings break in and take us hostage.

When my brother is unjustly arrested, a spotlight blares on our differences. Our bond falls victim to prejudice, privilege, and racism. Are we strong enough to withstand these age-old threats, or will they destroy us for good?

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple

Read an Excerpt

 

I’m still chuckling as I walk through the door of the 24-hour coffee bar.

That is until my gaze collides with the tall man with the broad shoulders and a smile so beautiful and perfect it should be on Colgate Optimum White ads. It takes away my breath and my good mood.

Doctor Hottie from the ER.

“Dahlia.”

Ugh. “Stop calling me that,” I practically growl at him.

“But it’s your name.”

I sigh. “Call me Officer Wicker, Dr. Ellison.”

He nods, but his eyes still hold that teasing sparkle. “Dr. Ellis. I shortened it so it doesn’t sound so… pretentious. I hope you like that better.”

“I’m pretty sure that’s illegal.”

“Not when I file papers in court.”

“Why would you do that?” Nothing about this guy makes sense to me. “Never mind, I don’t care. Why are you here? Didn’t you hear this place got robbed around this time a couple of nights ago?”

He nods, toying with the apple in his hand. “I did hear that. But with you here, I know we are all safe.”

Jesus. I can only shake my head. Why does he insist on flirting with me?

The better question is how do you resist? That mouth…those lips are nothing if not crafted by God’s own hands.

“How’s your shoulder?” he asks.

It flexes like it’s responding to his voice.

“Fine,” I say.

“Have you done a follow-up?” He takes a step closer, and I take one back.

I do a full round flex for him. “It’s all healed and better than ever. I finished my physical therapy, and they declared it’s perfect.”

So, get off my damned back.

But his eyes are all over my body. All over the uniform that’s supposed to make me look like the epitome of authority, but under his gaze feels like a Cat Woman costume. But he doesn’t linger like the pervs do. No, this fucking weirdo stares back into my eyes and smiles, exposing those perfect TV doctor pearly whites. They’re probably veneers.

That’s why he smiles so much. He’s getting his money’s worth. And why is my body tingling like someone jabbed me with live wire.

“I have to go. I have the four a.m. shift,” he says, turning around and putting a twenty on the counter.

Thank God, he’s leaving. He’s nice and he saved my life, but I don’t want any more reminders of that night. It’s enough that it’s stayed with me, always popping up at the oddest moments in the day and making me wake up in cold sweats sometimes. I need to forget that night and this damned doctor. Even if he has those nice arms and that narrow waist and nice ass that doesn’t belong on a man with that face. Or a doctor.

He grabs his coffee and turns around again, his gaze pinning me on the spot. “It was great to see you again, Dahlia.”

I’m frozen for a second, not knowing what to say, fighting the warm wave settling in my belly.

“You too, doc,” I blurt out.

WTF.

I don’t know why I say it and hate myself because his smile shines brighter and deeper. And I get warmer lower in my body.

“You look really beautiful, as always.” He walks away, leaving me to stare after him with my insides roiling in a way I really don’t like.

Maybe he triggers memories of the night I got shot.  It’s probably a panic attack manifesting.

© Some Days by J.L. Lora, Larimar Press 2022

About the Author

J. L. Lora is a Dominican-American author. Her stories explore the dark side of good characters, people living in the gray areas of life while playing the cards life has dealt them. She loves strong heroines and their equally powerful Men. She currently lives in Maryland, pursuing her dream of writing compelling, sexy, can’t-put-down stories about empowered, badass alpha heroines and take your-breath-away alpha heroes.



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Cover Reveal Giveaway – Transplanted Tales by Kate SeRine @KateSeRine @CaffeinatedPR

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It’s the 10-Year Anniversary of Kate SeRine’s Transplanted Tales series and Kensington is giving them a fresh new look. Today I am delighted to share the brand new cover for The Better to See You, book two in the series. Check it out, read an excerpt, and be sure to subscribe to Kate’s newsletter for the chance to win a hundred dollar Amazon gift card!

The Better To See You

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A fallen fairy godmother finds refuge in the arms of a wolf—until a series of murders threatens to break the spell—in this gritty paranormal romance.

Thanks to a spell mis-cast by Lavender Seelie, Cinderella’s former fairy godmother, Make Believe characters have been cast into the ordinary world. Now that the Tales are flesh and blood, their storybook lives aren’t so simple. But fortunately for Lavender, she’s about to get a second chance at a happy ending.

The Refuge, a sanctuary for wayward Tales, seems like the perfect place for Lavender to start a new life—especially when she discovers an unexpected ally in Seth, the brooding werewolf who’s been typecast as a villain ever since his run in with Little Red Riding Hood. But when humans from nearby towns start turning up dead, their bodies mutilated with archaic Tale symbols, Lavender wonders if Seth’s deep sensuality has blinded her to a deadly reality.

Read an Excerpt

It was over.

I was going to be torn apart here in the middle of nowhere by some winged demon dog. I’d never get the chance to start over. I’d never get the chance to prove I was more than just a colossal failure in every regard—as a daughter, as a woman, as a fairy.

I couldn’t believe my unbelievably shitty luck.

Shaking violently from the pain wracking my body, I lay there, the raindrops mixing with my tears as I sobbed and watched helplessly as pine needles gathered together, creating a thick rope that wound itself around my arms and torso, pinning me to the ground.

Briefly, I wondered how people would remember me after I was gone. Would they speak the name Lavender Seelie and think of the fairy godmother who’d once wielded almost unparalleled power and skill? Or would they remember only the screwed-up fairy who’d ruined their lives when that same power had betrayed her?

            After several agonizing moments, I finally heard the creature leap across the ravine and snapped out of my last-minute pity party, fear and panic once more flooding my veins.

There was no point in trying to summon my magic now—it had deserted me, that was pretty freaking clear. I just hoped like hell my death would be quick.

            The creature prowled toward me, its massive bulk a mercifully indistinct silhouette, and I swear I thought I heard it chuckle, the sound sending chills down my spine. Then from behind me came the whisper-soft padding of paws on the underbrush. In the next instant, a great white wolf leaped over me and slammed into the shadow-creature. The two rolled end-over-end in a tangle of claws and teeth, coming to rest with the wolf on top, its lips peeled back in a vicious snarl.

            I turned my head to get a better look just in time to see the wolf grab the creature’s throat in its teeth. The beast’s howl ended abruptly as the wolf gave a powerful shake of its head, tearing out a large section of demon dog’s throat.

The wolf flung the chunk of flesh into the underbrush then cautiously padded toward me, its head down between its shoulders, sizing me up. As it came closer, I realized it wasn’t an ordinary timber wolf. This animal was easily twice the size of any wolf I’d ever seen and had a distinctly human intelligence shining in its eyes.

I didn’t stand a chance.

It bit through the pine needle rope and shook its head, scattering the needles all over the ground. The rest of the needles instantly fell away, and the trees halted their brutal assault.

I raised a bloody, trembling hand, not sure if I’d just exchanged one predator for another. “Please,” I managed to gasp between the quick, shallow breathes that were all my punctured lung would now allow. “Please…”

In response, a soft shimmering light encased the wolf, and where the beautiful creature had stood, now crouched a man, his ice-green eyes still glowing. As he gently lifted me into his arms, I cried out, pain engulfing me.

“It’s all right,” he said softly, cradling me against him. “You’re safe now.”

I looked up into the grim face of my rescuer, now recognizing him. How could I not when I’d seen his face on Wanted posters and in the Tale news so often over the centuries?

As pain and nausea sent me careening toward a dark abyss, his name drifted to me:

Seth Wolf.


Transplanted Tales Series

Red

Grimm Consequences

The Better to See You

Along Came A Spider

Ever After

Better Watch Out (Fall 2022)

About Author

Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it’s no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after. She’s the author of the award-winning TRANSPLANTED TALES paranormal romance series as well as two romantic suspense series: PROTECT AND SERVE and DARK ALLIANCE.

Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project — probably while consuming way too much coffee.

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10-Year Anniversary Of The Transplanted Tales Giveaway

Join Kate SeRine’s newsletter for the chance to win a US Amazon eGift Card. Winner will be selected at random from her active subscriber list on December 16, 2022. Enter here ➡️ https://www.subscribepage.com/w8n0q1


Isn’t the cover gorgeous?


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