Giveaway – Calendar Men Series @SDSXXTours

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Welcome to the Calendar Men Collection.
12 Books.
12 Authors.
Each book references a particular month.
All books are stand alone and independent of each other.
January
by Jude Ouvrard
Defeated.
That’s how Evan Keeler feels. His last tour overseas ended with personal injuries and the loss of his best friend, Fynn Parker. Evan has become broody and gets lost in the darkness of his thoughts more often. Which is no surprise, when he doesn’t see an end to his therapy appointments and can’t seem to get out of his parents’ basement.
At her wit’s end, his mother decides it’s enough. Little by little, Mrs. Keeler convinces Evan to try and get better. To get back to living.
The catch is, because he’s suffering from memory loss, Evan can’t put all the pieces back together. He doesn’t think his history with Jane was all that perfect so it would help if he could remember where they left things off before this last tour.
Although confused by his feelings and reality, Evan does know one thing—he can’t let Jane Parker go.
February
by Scarlett J. Rose
Shift’s life took a dramatic turn in February. After being sentenced to six years in prison for his part in a liquor store robbery, he discovers he’s gotten one of the club girls pregnant.
Six years later, he’s released. Now, he’s got to balance his life with being a great single dad to Lilly, keeping up with his MC brothers, and figuring out his feelings for his neighbour, Cass.
It’s a long and winding road. Will he make it to the end intact? Or will he forever be just another loser.
March
by Susan Horsnell
At 38 years old, Jarrod Turner has everything – literally.
A successful chain of hotels in five countries.
Private 727 jet.
Fleet of cars – Rolls Royce, Bentley and Mercedes Sports.
A Harley Davidson Softail.
And, a cruising yacht berthed at the bottom of the garden of his waterfront home.
Yep, he has everything.
So, why is he so unhappy with his life?
What is it about the month of March which brings back
bitter memories, year after year?
Will he ever learn to live in the present instead of the past?
April
by Aleisha Maree
Kaden was groomed to be tough,
take whatever was thrown his way,
to bury his feelings.
When a woman stepped into his life, one glance and he was gone. Like every other man in the room.
He won his woman, but the time they spent together would prove to be the worst of his life.
Gracie-May was married to Ben – a returned Vet who’d had his leg blown apart in a battle.
He was a drunkard, abusive and bitter about life.
When Kaden returned from war, broken and battered on Anzac Day – 25th April 2018, Gracie-May, the charge nurse on duty, found herself instantly drawn to him.
Could Gracie-May and Kaden be each others’ saviors or is the past too hard to overcome?
May
by Cheryl Wright
She left to start a new career ten years ago, and his heart shattered. Now she’s back, and the sparks have reignited.
But she’s set to leave again in a matter of weeks.
How do two friends reconcile when nothing is promised?
After Sierra West suddenly left town, Braxton Chalmers tried to move on with his life. But thoughts of her always taunted him, to the point no other woman could ever live up to her standards.
Sierra West returned to the outback town of Oakdale after the death of her beloved grandmother. Seeing Braxton again has reignited past emotions. She can’t allow these feelings to surface again – she must return to the city once her business in Oakdale is done.
Can they just remain friends? Or will fate step in and show them they were meant to be together?
Author’s Promise: This is a heartwarming Christmas novella with a happily ever after ending and no cliffhangers. It is a clean and wholesome story with nothing more than hugs, kisses, and holding hands.
June
by C. Renee
Jake Kennedy was twenty-one when his life imploded.
Needing money for his teaching degree, he fell into stripping in nightclubs and becoming an escort to get the cash needed.
Now a fully qualified teacher, he’s finding it hard to let go of his wild stripping ways—that is—until he meets his new principal, Anna Skilton.
Anna isn’t impressed with his double life, and he now needs to decide what’s more important, Anna and teaching? Or stripping?
July
by Sonya Jesus
I don’t do love.
Or hearts.
Or anything that can get broken…
I’m already broken enough.
If you’re looking for the perfect guy, with imperfect actions and an undamaged heart…Stop! Keep scrolling…because I’m not effing good at being good. I’m not boyfriend material. I fill my loveless heart with sex-filled nights and distance myself from any type of commitment—while I still have the power to. Soon, I’ll relinquish my freedom to adulthood and take over Cohen Enterprises, but until then, I own my independence. I breathe bad decisions, blink away my flaws, and enjoy the detached life I’ll never have again.
At least I try to. My guilt-free mornings and shameless nights abruptly stop when I make my next mistake with my brother’s girlfriend. Now, I can’t stop thinking about Delilah. She triggered my heart alive, and I’m torn between the girl I might be falling for and the only person I respect.
August
by Cari Robe
Thomas Gable has only loved one girl his whole life, Ella.
When the woman of his dreams marries his best friend, Mike,
he vows to stand by them both.
When Mike loses his life in a tragic accident Thomas breaks his own promise leaving Ella on her own with no intention of ever seeing her again.
Fate steps in and brings the two back together and Ella needs answers.
Can Thomas find a way to forgive himself and have a second chance with his lifelong love or will the secrets he carries ruin his chance forever?
Take a second chance on love in August, a Calendar Men Series novel.
September
by Heather Osborne
Being a teacher is often a thankless profession, but I love my job—even if it does mean herding around twenty kindergartners. I know how the moms look at me, but it wasn’t until I met Selene Adler that I actually began to look back. However, there’s some reluctance behind those captivating brown eyes, a past she doesn’t want to reveal or relive. Still, I’ve never been one to give up on a challenge. What could be worse than snotty noses and scraped knees?
October
by RaeAnne Hadley
Divorce was never in his plans; a new chance at happiness wasn’t either but true love never gives up.
November
by Margaret Tanner
Hell bent on revenge against the man who had him wrongfully kicked out of the army, Matt Page wants to destroy everything his enemy holds dear.
Even his daughter, Jo.
What will Matt do when his plan backfires?
After he banishes Jo from his life he realizes he loves her.
Can he forget past injustices and win her back?
Or is he doomed to a life of regret for what he could have had – a loving wife and family.
December
by DL Gallie
They call me the Grinch, and they’re right; I hate Christmas. So why am I volunteering to help with the charity toy drive?
I’ll tell you why, Marlee “Oh so sexy” Adams
As soon as we crashed into each other, I was done for. Her ass. Her eyes. Legs that go on and on.
Did I mention her ass?
She’s the perfect present for this Christmas Grinch…
I can’t wait to unwrap her.
Little did I know, unwrapping Marlee would also
unwrap this grinch’s heart.
**Click through the slideshow to view all the amazing authors!!**
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Giveaway – Forgiven Are The Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller @cdoremiller @XpressoTours

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Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed
Christine Doré Miller
Published by: Evernight Teen
Publication date: April 26th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Naïve sixteen-year-old Andrea Cavanaugh is elated when Josh, a charismatic, bright-eyed piano prodigy, becomes her first boyfriend. But the closer she gets to him, the more she realizes that he is not the boy she first fell for. In its poignancy and emotional darkness, Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed takes you deep into the delicate and devastating web of shame that spirals from the depths of dating violence when dreamy teenage love turns dark. Andrea must find not only an escape, but a belief that she is even worthy of freedom.

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EXCERPT:

My eyelids closed as if they were being drawn down by sluggish, unhurried weights. When I forced them open after several seemingly endless moments, nothing had changed. I could still make out a blurry image of Josh standing nearby, Mr. Thompson’s hands clenched firmly on Josh’s shoulders from behind. There was a crowd, I think, and muffled voices. The steel school locker felt cold against my back and I recognized the familiar feeling that lately seemed to just dwell and ache in my bones. Fear, I think it was, mixed with just enough madness to keep the blood racing through my veins … fast. Too fast.

“Why did you do that, Andrea?” Josh shouted in my direction.

My eyes fell closed again. I don’t remember what else he said. I just remember the feeling of each overly pronounced syllable piercing the air while he said it. I stared through the darkness that danced behind my heavy eyelids. What had I done?

I tried to pry open my hazy eyes to examine the faces of the expanding crowd as they stood, mouths agape. I only recognized a few. There were hardcover music books sprawled open on the tile floor at my feet. Confused, I looked to Josh, but the heavy silence of the room deafened any words he may have been saying. I gripped the ends of my soft, thin hair between my slender fingers and waited. Each thought sunk deeper than the last.

There was a poster taped sloppily against the locker behind me. I turned my head to face it and focused. The ends were curled up and there were ripples in the masking tape adorned to the edges. “Oakwood High School Invitational—TONIGHT” it read in handwritten purple block letters. There was a pixelated saxophone image pasted underneath the words, “Brought to you by Mr. Thompson and the Oakwood High Jazz Band.” I brought my hand up to trace the edges. The poster board felt crisp and thick under my fingertips. I could smell the aftermath of the permanent marker. The loud reverberating voice behind me got softer until it resembled a deep echo I could easily ignore. I started to pick at the tape from the bottom left corner of the poster until I felt the sticky residue ball up underneath my fingernail.

Suddenly the life reentered my body in one abrupt breath when I felt a strong tug on my arm. I turned and saw Ethan Marks. Everyone else was gone. Had it been minutes this time? Hours?

“Andrea! Come on,” he barked at me, interlacing my arm, tucking it quickly under his. He jerked me to a standing position and pulled me down the hall, speeding up his gate as I stumbled to catch up.

“Where’s Josh?” I asked worriedly, but he didn’t answer. We were silent as we walked through the empty hallway. I lifted my gaze, trying to catch Ethan’s eye, trying to read his thoughts. His light blue eyes, usually sparkling with laughter, were steely and somber as he charged forward, dragging me with him, away from the wreckage I’d caused.

He stopped short and took a deep breath. His eyes were unyielding and dismal as they studied me, and slowly his frustration melted into a deep sadness.

“What happened, Andrea? What was that back there?”

“I don’t know…” My voice began breaking. My thoughts were muddled beyond recognition and I couldn’t form the right words, or any words, to explain.

Ethan wrapped himself around me in a gentle, firm embrace. It felt kind. And warm. And wonderfully different. My muscles unclenched for the first time in months, and I didn’t know I was crying until I tasted the salt as it stained my face. I buried my head into Ethan’s chest as he tightened his hold on me. I wanted him to say something, to tell me everything would be all right, but we both knew better. So we just stood there, Ethan supporting me as I clasped the back of his cotton t-shirt between my fingers.

After a few minutes, I fully returned to my body as my breathing calmed. I steadied my stance and took a step backward, shakily holding Ethan’s forearms as I regained my balance. Wiping smudged mascara from my pale face, I met Ethan’s eyes and quickly looked down, fixating on a crack in the tile below me.

“Hey,” he started, “Andrea … it’s…”

“I’m okay. Ethan, I’m sorry. I’m sorry you had to … I’m sorry I … ugh your shirt.” I motioned to the tear stains on his light green tee that crept from his chest to his shoulder.

“Oh God, don’t worry about that. Andie, I just…”

“It’s fine.” I wiped my face and took a deep breath. “Thanks,” I said, squeezing Ethan’s hand and looking in his eyes sincerely, so he knew I meant it. “I should go. But thanks.” I shook my head and turned around to walk back into the havoc and face what I had done. I felt Ethan staring at me as I left. He was just another person whose life would’ve been better if he hadn’t met me. I swallowed, took a breath, and kept walking.

It was over for now, that latest incident, and there was no way to tell when there would be another one … but there would definitely be another one. I was too broken for it to be any other way.


Author Bio:

Christine lives in the Los Angeles area with her husband and their two children. She works full-time as a senior marketing manager for a large media company and holds a Bachelor’s of Business Administration degree from Western Michigan University where she studied marketing. Growing up in the chilly midwest, she developed a deep passion for dramatic writing and alternative music at an early age, which still peaks through in her adult-corporate-mom life today. Forgiven Are the Starry-Eyed is Christine’s debut novel.

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Giveaway – Animal Attraction by Kate Willoughby @Kate_Willoughby @XpressoTours

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Animal Attraction
Kate Willoughby
(San Francisco Dragons #2)
Publication date: April 27th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

What do you do when an NHL player steals your dog and won’t give it back?

Maggie Hudson made a heartbreaking decision nine years ago that has haunted her ever since. To fill the hole in her life, she showers her rescue dog with love and affection. But one day, Kirby goes missing.

Six months later, NHL player Spencer Corbett is astonished when Maggie shows up on his doorstep demanding her dog back. He’d found the pug on the side of the road, collarless and in bad shape. But even when confronted with hard evidence she’s the dog’s owner, he begs her to reconsider. His own elderly dog is on her last legs and Kirby has given her a new lease on life.

After Maggie relents, Spencer can’t help but fall for her. Not only is she the most compassionate and selfless person he’s ever met, she’s witty, intelligent and sexier than sin and doesn’t even realize. What starts out as a friendship quickly turns into more, but when a woman from Spencer’s past throws everything into chaos, their fragile relationship is put to the ultimate test.

Animal Attraction may be read and enjoyed as a standalone sports romance!

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Request a review copy here!

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EXCERPT:

What kind of jerk didn’t give back a person’s dog?

The PR man said he had personally given Corbett the message only a couple of hours after she’d called. As the days continued to pass with no word, Maggie grew increasingly frustrated and even angry.

Finally, she decided to take matters into her own hands. Kirby belonged with her and damned if she was going to let some immoral, spoiled, self-centered jerk who only pretended to be a nice guy for the public, get away with keeping her dog, even if he was an NHL player.

After making the decision to hunt down the dog-napper herself, she had watched the video segment again, this time watching for clues as to where he lived. They mentioned Hillsborough. Of course. Very high-class neighborhood. That narrowed it down quite a bit. He dropped the name of an Italian restaurant he frequented that was “within easy walking distance” of his house. That narrowed it even further. She printed a map of the area and marked a three-block radius out from that restaurant. They showed a few seconds of him walking away from his house with the dogs on a leash and she froze the video and took a picture of the view.

Then because he mentioned a team party he was hosting to watch the All-Star game, she decided to go to his house and accuse him of dog-napping in front of all his friends. With any luck, peer pressure would make him give up Kirby. Was it going to be horrid, shaming a Dragons player when for more than ten years she’d rooted for the team with all her heart as a hockey fan? Yes. Could she have gone to the media and exposed him the way Jade had suggested? Yes.

But what it all came down to was she thought he was morally despicable and she wanted to tell him so to his face. She wanted the satisfaction of taking her dog away from him personally.

It took her about fifteen minutes of search-cruising before she found his place. Looking toward downtown San Francisco, the view matched the photo.

As she parked her car, the realization hit her that she was about to barge in on what might be the entire Dragons hockey team. Before she’d arrived, all she’d focused on was getting Kirby back. She’d imagined herself going in and righteously claiming her dog. Her main emotion had been indignation. Now, a case of the jitters undermined her determination.

Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.

She looked up at the spectacular two-story house. The sprawling property looked as if Arts and Crafts architecture and Japanese landscaping had a baby. Lush mature trees cast shade over mossy rocks and boulders. The wooden bridge leading to the front door crossed an actual pond, complete with brightly colored koi fish. As she looked around and the luxuriousness of the neighborhood sunk in, the jitters progressed into near-panic. She’d passed the Sierra Point friggin’ Yacht Club on her way, for Pete’s sake.

No. She would do this. Kirby was hers. Even if she couldn’t offer him posh digs like these, they belonged together. She’d had him since puppyhood. They had a bond that couldn’t and wouldn’t ever be broken. Even now, he was probably wishing he were home with her, cuddling on her old sofa watching reruns of Friends and eating microwave popcorn. She told herself the players were only people, like her. People with unusual, high-profile jobs and bodies like gods.

She went up to the front door where a sign said, “Come on in. Hope you brought beer.”

Gathering her courage, she knocked anyway.

No one answered. And it was kind of quiet. Maybe the party hadn’t started yet.

She tried the door and found it unlocked. Before entering, she took a picture of the sign, because if this devolved and the police were called, she wanted evidence that, technically, she was invited in.

“Hello?” she called hesitantly, crossing the threshold into the foyer.

The house was just as gorgeous on the inside as it was on the outside. She’d seen it on the video, but in person, it felt richer and more personal. A San Francisco Dragons player actually lived here. Spencer Corbett occasionally sat on that couch. He walked on this plush rug.

He—gulp—was standing right there, staring at her.


Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Kate Willoughby is in love with the sport of hockey and the entire Los Angeles Kings team. Having lived most of her life completely uninterested in professional sports, she is surprised at the intensity of her enthusiasm and her growing collection of Kings merchandise: a Dustin Brown jersey (covered with autographs), 3 T-shirts, 5 lapel pins, 3 hats, earrings, several play-off towels, 2 replica Stanley Cup Champions banners, a Christmas ornament, blanket, a car windshield sticker, a license plate frame, and the pièce de résistance, an autographed collector card with a swatch from Justin William’s game-worn jersey.

Yeah. Don’t judge her.

She resides in Los Angeles with her husband, their two sons, and a Chihuahua named Mochi.

She is also a member of the Romance Writers of America and winner of the 2009 EPPIE Award for Best Fantasy/Paranormal Erotic Romance and the 2016 EPPIE Award for Best Contemporary Romance.

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A War Is Brewing – Devil’s Dance by Jeff Altabef @jeffaltabef

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Such a fabulous cover for Jeff Altabef’s Devil’s Dance.

Publisher: Evolved Publishing

Devil's Dance: A Gripping Supernatural Thriller (A Nephilim Thriller Book 2)

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

It is the future, 2042, and he is a killer, a warrior for the angels in the upcoming battle between good and evil. He is a Nephilim, born from a human mother and an angel father, fighting on the side of the angels in the coming Great Struggle.

Technology…to the point where what you see is not always what you get. What looks all shiny and new can be a pile of junk.

Very interesting technological angle. I love a story that makes me question…Just because we can,, should we?

Then my conspiracy gene rises up…is there an ulterior motive?

Devil’s Dance is the second book in the in this thrilling Nephilim series. Jeff Altabef does a fantastic job of creating a world of possibilities and humanity’s ability to rise to the occasion. I love stories of battles between good and evil with otherworldly characters. They make me stretch my imagination and let the author take me away…into a fantasy world where everything is possible.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Devil’s Dance by Jeff Altabef.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

An amazing new technology engineered to make people smarter, a series of gruesome murders, and a mystery so dark, it threatens everyone.

I’m a Nephilim, born of a fallen angel father and a human mother. This makes me special in ways I don’t fully comprehend yet.

A war is brewing between angels and demons, and like it or not, we’ll all have to choose sides. I’ve chosen the side of angels, a curious decision for me, not only because I’m a killer, but because I enjoy killing. Still, an angel promised me that redemption is possible—even for me—and he needed warriors on his side. Did he tell me the truth? I hope so, but who can I trust?

In a small, sleepy, tourist town, an old friend asks me to help solve a series of gruesome murders that have been plaguing the town, but these aren’t just random crimes. Somehow, they’re connected to this war between angels and demons. I prefer working alone, not having to worry about others, but I team up with a self-described anti-technology hooligan, and a beautiful bartender I immediately fall for. If only they knew what I know. The foe we’re facing is way more powerful than anything they can imagine.

I must solve the mystery before it’s too late, because I’m certain of this one thing: everyone’s soul is at stake.

EVOLVED PUBLISHING PRESENTS an intriguing, thrilling look inside a great battle between good and evil, with the second book in the award-winning “A Nephilim Thriller” series. [DRM-Free]

ABOUT JEFF ALTABEF

Jeff Altabef is an award-winning author who lives in New York with his wife, two daughters, and Charlie the dog. He spends time volunteering at the writing center in the local community college. After years of being accused of “telling stories,” he thought he would make it official. He writes in both the thriller and young adult genres. Fourteenth Colony, a political thriller, was his debut novel. Evolved Publishing has published Jeff’s second thriller, Shatter Point, which won the Pinnacle Book Achievement Award for Fall 2014 in the category of Best Thriller.Jeff’s first young adult novel, Wind Catcher: A Chosen Novel will be published in March by Evolved Publishing. He’s extremely excited that his daughter, Erynn Altabef, is his co-author on the Chosen Series. As an avid Knicks fan, Jeff is prone to long periods of melancholy during hoops season. Jeff has a column on The Examiner focused on writing and a blog designed to encourage writing by those that like telling stories.

You can follow Jeff on Facebook, Twitter, or join his newsletter!

MY JEFF ALTABEF REVIEWS

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Giveaway – Chance Series by J Bliss @jblissauthor @XpressoTours

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Not By Chance
J. Bliss
(Chance, #1)
Publication date: June 5th 2017
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Drew Rodd has the desire to escape the shadow of his parents and avoid following in the footsteps of his father and his destructive tendencies. At just twenty-four, Drew is promoted to Executive Director at Rival Tech.

Drew’s way of life involves a constant struggle with his father’s devious intentions and manipulations. He is always seeking to prick and prod Drew to advance and become a pawn to further his own success. Drew is determined to value his hate to get ahead professionally, but the beasts from his past keep lurking.

Jasmine Chance is in her last year of college, a challenge she chose after suffering through physical abuse and leaving home without ever looking back. She has done all she can to carry on toward graduating with her college degree, she believes a brighter future will keep her away from the nightmare that was her childhood.
However, her life changes forever the day she met Drew.

A dinner party draws the two together in an electrifying way. After being preyed upon by their pasts, they stick together closely as a couple once their life circles out of whack. Will their electrifying romance be their saving grace or will it destroy them?

The complete series:

Goodreads / Amazon


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Not by Chance is Free May 1, and 8-10
Taking Chances is 99 cents April 28- May 1st,
Last Chance is at 99 cents May 1st-6th

EXCERPT

Drew

I grab my phone dialing. “Stanley, we are coming out in five.” I hang up the phone and Jasmine walks out in these nice fitting jeans holding a bag and her purse. “Damn, Jasmine. You know I can get through those.”

I reach my hand out to take her bag. “I can carry my bag, Drew. You don’t have enough time to get me out these jeans.”

Why is she so determined to not let me hold this bag? I grab the bag. “Let it go.” She releases her grip. “That’s not so bad, now is it?” She sighs, holding on to her purse. The way that shirt is snuggled up on her breasts has every bit of my attention.

She is looking up shaking her head as if I said something inappropriate. “I guess Drew, it’s just a bag. Get your thoughts situated, I can tell what you are thinking by the look on your face.”

Fuck, she can’t be reading my face. We walk towards the door. I grab her keys off the wall. “I’ll lock up. Stanley is driving so you don’t need your keys.”

She sips in a deep breath. I can tell she wants to be in control. I insert the key locking the door and we walk to the car. Stanley has the door open and she looks up to me saying, “How did you get here?”

“A cab, why?” Her curiosity is growing a bit much more than I expected. Typically, girls don’t ask me anything. Stanley tilts his head taking the bag from me.

Jasmine steps ahead of me. “Thank you, Stanley.”

“You are most welcome, Jasmine.”

Wow, these two are on first name basis. I smirk as I get in after her. Jasmine looks back at me. “Why did you get a cab? Is something wrong with your car?”

“No. Just relax.” I get a card out from my shirt pocket and pass it to her. She opens it with a girlish smile on her face and reads it aloud.

“I’m going for more than thoughtful.”

She smiles at me. I knew I’d won her heart the way she looked at me. All of this is going too fast, faster than I’d ever imagined. Who am I kidding, this is a feeling I never imagined. She looks at me blushing, and with a magical breath she says, “Always with you.”

Damn, if this is what I feel like hearing her say this I don’t know how love might make me feel like. I pull her in close to me and kiss her. “Hey, keep your hands off we will be at the house in twenty minutes.” She twists her lips up and laughs softly.

***

Jasmine

Drew acts like he’s meeting my mom. He needs to calm down, Chantal and Victoria will not be on time. I don’t understand his rushing. I can hear his feet pacing in the living room. I start applying my lotion; with only my jewelry to put on, I will be complete. I take one more look at my eye shadow as I face the mirror and shout, “I will be out in a minute, Drew.”

His footsteps sound like they are much closer. “Baby, open the door. I’m sure you are ready. In ten minutes, Rom will be there.”

I look around the bathroom noticing my stuff all around the floor. Why is his bathroom so massive, it’s just one Andrew here. I did enjoy his double sit-down shower though. I begin gathering my stuff.

 “I will be out in a minute. Why will Romel be there twenty minutes before seven?” I pick up my jeans and stuff them in the bag.

Drew takes a deep breath, I can tell he is trying to stay calm, “Jasmine, open the door or…”

I shout from the other side of the door, “Drew, okay I will in a…” I hear the door unlock. Damn, Drew looks delicious in those jeans. “Why did you open the door?”

“Baby. You look beautiful…you do know I can open any door here.” He smirks looking at me. “Including that one between your thighs.”

“Boy, hush, I don’t get it. I told you seven, why are you in a rush?” I walk out of the bathroom and Drew’s eyes are following my every movement.

“Jasmine, seven means be there at seven, not leave at seven. We are late.” I place my bag on his plush king size bed and he follows behind me placing it in a closet. He walks back over to his bed to wipe out the wrinkles. He is such a neat freak.

“Drew, it’s 6:45, the place is around the corner. I know my girls and they will not be there.”

“Sweetheart, it’s not polite to keep people waiting. Have I kept you waiting?” Drew walks up from behind me wrapping his arms around me. I look up at him saying,

“No, you haven’t, Mr. Thoughtful. I’m ready to go.” He picks me up and rushes to the elevator.

***

Author Bio:

J. Bliss Influenced by, Maya Angelo, Terry McMillan, and her own mother’s prestigious writing, J. Bliss began writing stimulating poetry at the age of thirteen. She dreamt of being an author and never gave up on the passion deep to write that she held within herself.

Her first novel originated from a past radio talk show she was the host of, based on many callers that spoke about having marital problems, most of which stemmed from a lack of intimacy. Drawing from her own experiences and struggles, she felt compelled to write Lovers of Convenience leading to Not by Chance.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


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Giveaway – Raven Acoustics by Grace Harper #GraceHarper @XpressoTours

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Raven Acoustics: Rock Star Romance
Grace Harper
(Red & Black Series, #3)
Publication date: April 9th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Errol Thomas has a tortured soul, always has had.

Errol is out of rehab and is set on world domination. His record label is only too happy to pull his puppet strings to get him to the top of the soul music charts.

But it comes at a price, a price Errol doesn’t find out until it is too late.

He seeks solace in a local candle maker’s shop where Jane, the owner listens to tales of woe. When Ivory walks into the shop that has been his home away from home for over ten years, he is knocked sideways.

It’s only when he meets Ivory that he vows to keep his sobriety promise.

Just when Errol is on an even keel, falling in love with Ivory, her past comes knocking to reveal her secrets. In turn, his cover story at the label starts to unravel.

Will Errol be able to keep focussed on the end game or will he be collateral damage?

Red & Black have their own issues to deal with and become involved with Errol’s music career even if they don’t want to.

This is the third standalone romance novel in the Red & Black Series.

Book 1: Charcoal Notes
Book 2: Crimson Melodies

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Deadline day had arrived.

The intimidating man sitting across from me in his ivory tower office had given me plenty of time to decide.

“What’s it to be, Errol?” Quinn said. His attention was squarely on his phone. I could be forgiven for thinking he couldn’t care less about my answer.

Today, I needed to sign the recording contract with The Dark Side record label or walk away. Quinn Saunders who owned the label had a plan that had played out to perfection. I’d won a talent contest, with my real name and my true passion for singing soul music. Transforming from Casey Lowe, rock band front man to Errol Thomas, solo soul singer was the best move I could have made and it was all thanks to Quinn.

When I saw Donovan Carter in the recording booth at my old label, a year ago, singing a Fragile song, I knew I had to leave Red & Black. When I watched Donovan sing the track, I could see Erin’s reflection in the glass wall of the studio. She’d given me the same proud smile years ago. That was when I was her favourite, before her husband Alex and long before Donovan.

The Dark Side record label building had stunning views across London. I loved coming up to the city to see Quinn. He’d coached me in the ways of the business and how to make a splash. His genius idea to use my real name and have the big reveal at the contest completely blinded all of them at Red & Black. For a moment, seeing Erin’s face when I shouted at Donovan about his sister made it all worthwhile. She doubted him and his innocence in what had happened. For a moment Erin was on my side. I hadn’t felt that in years, not since she danced with Alex Devlin at Green’s Music Venue. The night she left our friendship on the floor and went to him.

“Hell yes, I want this contract, pass me the pen.”

I jumped up from the leather sofa to reach for the contract. Quinn slapped his hand down hard on the stack of papers.

“Are you absolutely sure Errol? I’ll make you a worldwide sensation, but you’re going to have to play a role to get it.”

“I don’t care. All I want to do is to perform on stage and for everyone to know my name. I can sing, I’ve got the looks, and I don’t care what else I need to do.”

“Good lad,” Quinn said, flashing me a conspiratory smile. He took the pen from his inside jacket pocket and handed it over. The pen cost more than everything I owned. Everything about Quinn screamed wealth, and I wanted some of that money.

I scrawled my signature, using my real name in all the places the yellow sticky tabs told me to sign. The deal was done.

“What happens next?” I asked.

I’d retaken my seat on the sofa, watching the boats sail up the Thames river. Quinn had moved to the other side of his office into the gloom. The sun shone brightly in through the windows but only reached half of the floor space. Quinn’s black suit enabled him to blend in with the darkness, and I couldn’t see what he was doing.

“You wait for my call, lad. My PR people will be in touch soon with our game plan.”

“Am I going to lay down some tracks today?”

“Not yet.” I heard his irritation, I could have kicked myself for being over eager. Playing it cool never came easily to me. “We need to get everything in place first. We can take our time, get it right to make you a superstar.”

Quinn turned his back to take a call, dismissing me from the conversation. It wasn’t until he slipped through a side door in his office and his PA came in to collect the signed papers that I understood I was dismissed for the day.

“Have a great day, Errol,” she said with a smile that told me it had been many years since she’d had a good day.

I muttered my thanks to her retreating back, drank the glass of water in front of me and took one more look at Quinn’s office. Over the last couple of years, this had been our HQ for planning. Quinn discussed with me the next step in getting away from Maverick and Red & Black label. Years of planning and here I was, the ink still wet on the contract that would take me to superstardom.

Rubbing my closed fist against my chest as I left Quinn’s empty cold office, I looked for any familiar faces to chat with. I was still used to the Red & Black mansion where everything was open plan. Here at The Dark Side head office, all offices had doors with no windows to peek in. The grey slate coloured carpets marked my exit to the elevators and down to the security desk.

Quinn hadn’t told me what would happen in the coming months. I trusted him to keep me on the path to fame and fortune. Now that I’d signed the contract, I had faith in him more than ever to get me to household name status.


Author Bio:

British author who loves to write about strong women and handsome men. She writes steamy romance novels that will warm your heart.

Writer of the Brodie Saga and the Geary Series, Grace immerses you in stories of love, or rather, love’s pursuit to bring together two people who were meant for each other. It’s not always quick or easy but it will happen eventually.

When Grace is not writing, she can be found mooching about in stationery stores. Grace might have a Maltesers addiction but is not ready to stand up and own that just yet.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Newsletter


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Giveaway – Beauty of the Dark by Amanda Leigh @AmandaLeighYA @SDSXXTours

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Beauty of the Dark: The Complete Trilogy
by Amanda Leigh
Genre: Mature YA Paranormal Romance
Delicious. Tantalizing. Mysterious.”
For the first time, the Beauty of the Dark trilogy is bundled together, including an exclusive short story. Experience the intrigue, magic, romance, and heartbreak with Kiara, Trent, and Kaleib.
From a sinister demon to unthinkable betrayal to forbidden feelings…can they overcome their differences? Will Trent and Kiara give in to their connection? Find out who prevails in this epic battle.
SCARRED – Book 1

A sassy witch, a vampire sworn to protect her, and a vampire that’s falling for her…? All bets are off.

Kiara was born with power. At eighteen, her powers are peaked, and she’s destined to destroy the demon threatening her home town. But even with her power and the help of Kaleib, a vampire who’s like an older brother to her, they’re not strong enough to stand against the evil. Enter Trent, a vampire with a secret past, and the tables turn, giving them a fighting chance.
Kiara shouldn’t feel anything toward Trent, especially since Kaleib hates him, but a strong attraction builds between them during their mission. Trent has successfully avoided caring about anyone for over one hundred years, and he plans to keep it that way. When Kiara asks for help, he can’t seem to deny her. Never would he imagine that he’d run into Kaleib, someone from his past–a vampire who knows his secret. Trent convinces himself he’s aiding Kiara for his own selfish amusement, but the little witch seems immune to his charms and she’s chipping away at his walls. To his dismay, he finds himself beginning to care for Kiara.
Between the demon that wants to kill her and two fighting vampires, how will things play out for Kiara and Trent? Will this demon let them live to find out?
BURNED – Book 2

Just when it seems things can’t get worse…they do.

When Kiara wakes up as a vampire, she knows things will never be the same. Her best friend is dead and the demon that killed her is still out there somewhere. They’re back to square one and Kiara’s newfound thirst hovers over everything they do. The hostility between Trent and Kaleib still brews just below the surface. Will Kiara hold it together or will she lose control? Will her new thirst be too much?
Kiara blames Trent for Sarah’s death and hates herself every time she feels something for him. Their budding trust is tested. Despite everything, he tries to be there for her. By her bedside when she wakes, helping her figure out how to tell her godparents what she is now, even staying in her house when she can’t sleep.
When Kiara’s dreams are plagued with visions of Sarah threatening her, Kaleib and Trent say that it’s coincidence. Her mind dealing with the loss. But as the visions come while she’s awake, it looks less like coincidence and more like something sinister.
Is it her anger over Sarah’s untimely death or is it something more? Something dangerous?
ANGEL – Book 3

The epic conclusion of Amanda Leigh’s Upper YA Paranormal Romance trilogy.

With a battle close at hand, Kiara must face the darkness inside her.

The only way for Kiara to save her loved ones from a sinister demon is to turn herself over. But doing so would ensure the destruction of not just those she loves, but the whole world. When she refuses, someone close is taken from her in warning, sending her into hiding with Trent and Kaleib. While a battle looms, Trent and Kaleib must put aside their hostilities toward each other to protect Kiara. They help her navigate the impending fight, not to mention the hunger fighting within her.
As the final fight draws near, Kiara and Trent grow closer, the limited space ramping up tension and making their passion hard to deny. Will their feelings strengthen them or be their undoing?
When the time comes, will Kiara yield to the darkness within her to destroy the monster haunting her?
Amanda Leigh has had a love of words since before she could write them herself. Once she learned to read and write herself she just couldn’t stop. She reads any genre as long as the book sounds interesting. Which may explain why she can’t and never will be able to stick to one genre in her writing. From Contemporary Romance to Women’s Fiction to Paranormal Romance to Poetry and more to come. When she’s not writing or reading she enjoys getting swept away in a great TV show, going to the theater, listening to music, cooking and many different forms of art. She has a cat she adores and also loves Psychology, tea, coffee, chocolate and Elvis Presley. Not necessarily in that order. Feel free to get in touch with her.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!
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    • Giveaway – Betrayal by Sarah Bailey @sbaileyauthor @SDSXXTours

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    Betrayal
    Corrupt Empire Book 1
    by Sarah Bailey
    Genre: Dark Contemporary Romance

    It all started one dark night. The last night I saw my family. The night I met him. The only man to haunt my every moment.

    Her

    I witnessed something I was never meant to see.
    He took me.
    He broke me.
    He made me his.
    And now he wants to use me to bring down my family.

    Him

    I was never meant to have her.
    The daughter of the scum who stole my life.
    I took her.
    I broke her.
    I made her mine.
    And now she’ll do anything I say.
    One tattooed anti-hero gets caught up in a whirlwind with an innocent heiress. It’ll keep you on your toes with its web of lies and secrets.
    If you’re a fan of dark romance, dive into Betrayal, the first book in the explosive Corrupt Empire Series.
    Sacrifice Revenge
    Corrupt Empire Book 2 Corrupt Empire Book 3
    *Releasing on April 17th!* *Releasing on May 15th!*
    Born and raised in Sussex, UK near the Ashdown Forest where she grew up climbing trees and building Lego towns with her younger brother. Sarah fell in love with novels when she was a teenager reading her aunt’s historical regency romances. She has always loved the supernatural and exploring the darker side of romance and fantasy novels.
    Sarah currently resides in the Scottish Highlands with her husband. Music is one of her biggest inspirations and she always has something on in the background whilst writing. She is an avid gamer and is often found hogging her husband’s Xbox.
    Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!
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    Giveaway – Alien Minds by Christina Bauer @CB_Bauer @XpressoTours

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    Excerpt – Thorne

    “Intoxication with technology is the hallmark of an underdeveloped society.” – Beauregard the Great, Instructions for Visiting Parallel Worlds

    After spending hours on guard duty, I can finally leave Mass General. Soon I’m tooling my hoverbike toward the outskirts of the Boston Dome. Overhead, a cloud-free sky is projected onto the plasma. Tall buildings loom around me in a maze of chrome and concrete.

    An image appears in my mind. Meimi—I never even think the false name Wisteria—lies curled on her hospital bed, drugged up and asleep. Every instinct in my soul says I should’ve stayed behind and guarded her while she rested. Not an option. An important appointment is coming up, and I can’t miss it.

    For Meimi.

    Of course, Godwin—my boss and Meimi’s doctor—doesn’t know I’m leaving the city. Then again, the doctor doesn’t know a lot of things about me.

    Like the fact that I’m not from this planet.

    Plus, I’m not just any alien. My father’s the Emperor of the Omniverse, the universe of universes.

    So what Godwin doesn’t know about me is quite a lot, actually.

    Meimi doesn’t know much, either. To begin with, she doesn’t remember that I’m her transcendent. Even worse, she thinks I’m in league with someone as evil as Godwin. Not to mention that I’m part of a government creating an apocalypse for anyone who isn’t perfect.

    Bands of sorrow tighten around my chest. There’s no avoiding the truth. Meimi sees me as her enemy. I straighten my spine. But being her enemy? That keeps my girl safe. So that’s what I’ll no do, no matter how much it tears at my soul.

    Alien Minds
    Christina Bauer
    (Dimension Drift #1)
    Published by: Monster House Books
    Publication date: April 23rd 2019
    Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

    DIVERGENT meets OCEAN’S EIGHT in this urban fantasy heist!

    On my seventeenth birthday, I wake up in the hospital to find I just survived a sketchy but terrible accident. My parents stand by my bedside—both are beautiful, wealthy, and super-nice. They tell me that once I leave the hospital, I’ll attend the prestigious ECHO Academy, where I’ll churn out equations for the government along with my mega-smart peers.

    So, I’m living the perfect life.

    Then why does everything feel all wrong?

    My parents, my house and even ECHO Academy…none of it fits. Plus, what’s up with Thorne, my brooding yet yummy classmate who keeps telling me I need to remember my true past, which seems to have included a lot of us kissing? That’s one thing I’d really like to remember, except for the fact that I’m pretty sure Thorne is hiding a ton of nasty secrets of his own, including the fact that he may not be from this world. But considering how my own past seems alien to me, it’s not like I can judge. Plus, Thorne has dimples. That’s a problem.

    And worst of all, why does it feel so yucky to work on these calculations for the government? It’s all supposed to be part of ECHO, but my heart tells me that I’m helping something truly terrible come to pass. Thorne seems to think that kissing him again will release my real memories.

    Maybe it’s time to pucker up.

    “Appealing and engaging. Love the strong female character!” – Arlene’s Book Reviews

    This new series is perfect for: fans of urban fantasy, action & adventure, cool science, evil corporations, forbidden romance and hot new classmates who may or may not be aliens.

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


    Author Bio:

    Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

    Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

    Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

    Website / Blog / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn


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