The Traitor by Abigail Owen is out now. Check out the fantastic paranormal romance and be sure to grab your copy today!
Title: The Traitor
Author: Abigail Owen
Genre: Paranormal Romance
MY REVIEW
Whoa…The Prologue grabbed me and the story never let me go! It made me sad and angry and ready to fight.
Rune could fight his thoughts as much as he wants, but when he met Hadyn, he met his match. I quickly fell in love with her sassy attitude. She shows no fear, though he thinks she should. He doesn’t need dragon flames to set her body on fire.
Hadyn had tracked down Rune, and it was luck that she found him when she did. Her parents had told her to RUN to Rune., a rogue black dragon with a bounty on his head. He doesn’t know it, but he has friends and they will need them to rescue her parents from the Alliance.
Rune had been an enforcer for the Alliance, chosen to uphold dragon law. BUT, the laws were breaking down and Rune knew he could no longer continue in the same way. Now, with Hadyn, he will have to make his move.
Abigail Owen’s vivid descriptions of the characters and action, the dragons in flight, almost make my stomach lurch with the twisting and plummeting through the air. The romance is obvious, but that’s okay with me. The dialogues and thoughts are humorous, at times, and I love when danger and humor collide. Makes for some fascinating characters, with well developed personalities. Half the time I am gritting my teeth, the other half I am smiling at their antics.
Cracking up at dialogue like:
“…you’re awful cute when you get all alpha-hole-y.”
“Well, hello there Grumpalumapagus….”
Beware, the sex is fiery hot!
It’s always fun to see how Abigail Owen will take a familiar storyline and add a fresh twist. She gives her characters, at least the spotlighted ones, a happy ever after, but I am still fearing for them. I know it will not be all laughs and fun and games and I know not all of them will survive. That is what I fear the most.
The tears did flow…and flow. The minute I thought they would stop, Abigail Owen put me on pins and needles, showing me no mercy and I LOVE IT! The tears kept flowing and I kept rereading parts…because I have to. More tears…Even though I know, or I think I know how the story will end, she keeps me on my toes and my emotions roiling. This may be my favorite Fire’s Edge book yet.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Traitor by Abigail Owen.
5 Stars
About The Traitor:
Decades ago, rogue dragon shifter Rune Abaddon took a stand against the decaying, corrupt systems governing their people. He now uses his bad-ass reputation to protect the innocent as it all comes crashing down. But he’s pushed the limits one too many times. His hideout is destroyed, his few allies are scattered and hiding, and the Alliance has placed a dead-or-alive bounty on his head, making him the most wanted dragon in the western hemisphere. And then the most enticing woman he’s ever met barges into his mountain, demanding an audience.Hadyn Reece’s future was ripped away long ago. The man fated to be her mate was murdered alongside her parents before Hadyn was old enough to be turned, leaving her to be raised and trained by her dead mate’s parents in the dragon shifter world. Now, the Alliance has come for the only family she has left. It’s a good thing she was raised by dragons, because the only one who can help her save them is a traitor she’d be smart to fear.Especially when his dragon decides she’s theirs.
Multi–award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic.Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Claire Kohler will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Briony Fairborn, a midwife in eighteenth-century Scotland, comes from a family shrouded in scandal. Left with only one friend after her mother’s death, she has little hope of gaining any others, let alone finding a husband. Instead, Briony tries to live a quiet life and avoid her neighbors’ ridicule as much as possible.
But things in Everton take a drastic turn when a storm brings foreigners to the village docks.
On the night Santiago Mendes arrives, he comes with a broken ship, a broken leg, and a broken spirit that Briony finds herself profoundly drawn to. Her scarred heart slowly starts to open, and although Briony suspects he may be hiding something, she cannot help but dream of the possibility of love.
That is, until another stranger appears in town, intent on repaying a childhood debt. A dangerously handsome stranger who shows Briony that she’s even more different than she could have imagined. And that her past is far darker than she realized.
Magic, romance, and political intrigue collide as the secrets surrounding one Scottish woman begin to unravel. Secrets that she may not be ready to face.
Read an Excerpt
“Open the door! By order of His Majesty the King!” The harsh shout from the street below wrenched Santiago out of his reverie.
The sounds of merriment abruptly ended within the house, and nervous whispers took their place. Santiago peered down from the balcony at the ten quadrilheiros standing right outside the door. He’d never seen that many gathered in one place, since they typically stayed in Lisbon near the king. What could be so important for them to show up here?
“Santiago!”
The man turned to find his sister standing before him, a nervous Andreas at her side. Her entire body was trembling as though she would fall apart at a moment’s notice, and Santiago observed the way she gripped Andreas’s arm with such intensity that her knuckles had turned white.
“Are they going to arrest us? Why are the quadrilheiros here?” Lucia whimpered in a low voice, her breaths so shallow she could barely get the words out.
Santiago reached out and patted her shoulder. “Calm down, sister. We’ve done nothing wrong. I’m sure they just need information for something—”
The door creaked open below them, and Santiago motioned for Lucia to be silent.
“What’s the meaning of this?” Tomas Cabral, head servant for the Mendes family, demanded. Santiago smirked at the older gentleman’s steady voice; it was difficult for anyone to intimidate Tomas.
“Are Senhor and Senhorita Mendes in?”
Rather than answering, the man said, “Why have you come?”
The leading officer growled and said, “Senhor Mendes is to be taken into custody and his sister brought in for questioning.”
Lucia gasped. “What!”
“Shh!” Santiago insisted.
“You’re arresting Senhor Mendes? On what grounds?” Tomas didn’t sound nearly as confident anymore, but Santiago was proud of the man for not allowing the quadrilheiros into the house yet.
“Treason! Now, stand aside!”
About the Author:
Claire Kohler grew up in Mooresville, NC, as the eldest of four daughters. Her love of stories began at an early age, and as a child, she could often be found borrowing way too many books from the library and scribbling away in a journal.
In 2016, Claire became a full-time middle school English teacher in a public school. In her second year of teaching, she also taught social studies. After becoming pregnant in 2018, Claire decided to shift careers and become an online ESL teacher so that she could also take care of her newborn at home.
She now lives in Statesville, NC, with her husband, two children, and three cats. She is also an active member of Christ Community Church Mooresville, where she often serves as a Bible study and small group leader.
Claire plans to continue creating exciting historical fantasy novels and potentially branching out into other genres as well.
Book Title: The Academy Saga by C.J. Daly Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 500 pages Genre: Suspense Romance Publisher: BrandyLight Ink Release date: September 2019 Content Rating: PG-13. My book has some adult themes, language, and a few slow-burn romance scenes.
“Unique, intense, and suspenseful. A story with compelling characters that pull you into the author’s world and keep you reading from beginning to end.
Intriguing start to a new series.” –New York Times Best Selling Author Jami Brumfield
“CJ has created an unforgettable story about a young woman caught up in a world of lies and deception. The Academy Saga is a page-turning read with a twist you may not see coming.”—Tony Jones, Executive Producer of My All American
“Wow wow wow! This book has it all. It’s extremely well written, the characters are amazing and the story is so intriguing that it pulls you in from the very first page. There’s tension, mystery chemistry and of course romance. I loved it! I would highly recommend this page turner!” — RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @abbi_reads_xx
Book Description:
Readers’ Favorite Suspense Romance
Kate Connelly should be careful what she wishes for.
Just seventeen, she already feels like she’s suffocating. Since her mother’s death, her father’s basically checked out, so she’s stuck raising her brothers by herself out in the New Mexico scrub. All Kate wants is a little distraction from the same-ole, same-ole that is her life.
When two mysterious guys show up at the diner where she works, she thinks her wish has come true, until they start giving her a hard time. Like her life isn’t hard enough. Something about them niggles her, but she
brushes it off. She’s never going to see them again anyway . . . right?
Then they appear in an alley one night to either rescue or kidnap her (she’s still not sure which) before disappearing like figments of her imagination.
Kate decides to put the bizarre encounters out of her mind. She has bigger problems to worry about: like that elite
military academy that’s been pursuing her gifted little brother. When one of their cadets shows up at her high school, he creates instant pandemonium. And just happens to be one of those mysterious guys. Coincidence? Mama said there’s no such thing. And to always trust her instinct. But that might be kind of hard, because every time she’s around Cadet Peter Davenport, her gut starts flip-flopping on her. And her heart.
Can Kate keep it together long enough to stop Cadet Davenport’s mission? She’s about to find out. And—once again—how neatly life can be split into before and after.
Book Title: The Academy Saga: Cadet-in-Training by C.J. Daly Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 441 pages Genre: Suspense Romance Publisher: BrandyLight Ink Content Rating: PG-13. My book has some adult themes, language, and a few slow-burn romance scenes.
MY REVIEW
After reading Book I, I could hardly wait to begin Cadet In Training by C J Daly. which picks up where Academy Saga left off.
They use sweet little Mikey to keep Kate in check, but I have a feeling about her. When or how it will change, I don’t know, but she is the mama grizzly bear when it comes to her family and I don’t see her backing down. She is naive, innocent, too trusting, easily manipulated, headstrong, determined, devoted to Mikey.
The Academy is not like an military academy I have ever heard of, and, like her, I am very suspicious of what they are really up to. Pete has been gone for a some time, and Ranger is her trainer. He is a cruel taskmaster…and there is a story there.
“…when I slowed down to breathe, the air smelled foul.” I feel the same way as Kate.
She is independent and Ranger does everything he can to break her. She fought like a hellcat, but she knew she had to change.
Mikey, I love the way C J writes this character. Her fabulous writing makes me smile. I can hear his words and see his actions.
I love Ranger. He walks that like of bad/good and adds a level of excitement for me that Pete can never do. He is intriguing as I try to figure out who he realllllly is. Would not have a dull moment with him.
The greater good…whenver I hear that I feel someone is about to be sacrificed. A life with purpose…or a slave to whatever the Academy deems. AND IT IS FOR LIFE!
Much of the books deals with school, learning and training, but the second half ramps up, hooking me for Book III
The epilogue…WHAT…WHAT…It blew my mind. I didn’t see that coming…and I am sooooo curious how it will play out.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Cadet In Training by C J Daly.
4 Stars
ABOUT THE BOOK
>“Absolutely ADDICTING! CJ Daly does it again and delivers a story YOU CAN’T PUT DOWN! Edge of your seat GREATNESS! I was completely hooked into this story. I couldn’t turn the
pages fast enough. The Cadet in Training was such a phenomenal escape. With characters that fly off the pages, you become immersed! CJ Daly has stunning story telling skills! I’m still sitting here, like what did I just read and why is it over! Agh! I can’t wait for book 3!!! #theacademysaga is going down as one my absolute favorites! #TeamPete! All the stars! I’m ready to read this one again!” RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @elizabeth.ness.56
Book Description:
Another Readers’ Favorite 5-STAR Suspense Romance. Begin the journey today.
Kate’s destiny has been determined for her.
Hidden out in the country for most her life, Kate Connelly suddenly wakes up, handcuffed to a hospital bed, in the psyche ward of The Academy. Her crime? Being “gifted.” And it’s Officer “Ranger” Nealson’s job to make her adhere to The Academy’s agenda for her. Even though he’s the one who drugged and dragged her in. Kate’s hate for Ranger, and his academy, is at an all-time high. Ranger has his work cut out for him . . . and Kate does too. She has to fight through the rigors of the Cadet-in-Training program, and quickly. If not, she’ll lose the one privilege she’s been given at The Academy—access to her precious little brother.
And until she graduates from the CIT program, Officer Nealson is banned from Missions. When General Weston finally offers a juicy recon to Ranger, he wants to jump at the chance to prove himself again. After all,
catching bad guys is his thing. Almost all pros for doing it. One con—Cadet Connelly has to ride along.
The hardened officer finds he’s slowly been growing a soft spot for his mentee. But he’s determined not to end up like his father, and former Elite Cadet Pete Davenport—throwing away their career for a girl (not even a woman). And Kate has lingering feelings for Pete, who risked his life to warn her, and conflicting feelings for Ranger. She has to set both aside to focus on completing her first mission.
When the dust settles, old alliances are broken and new ones are formed. But one thing remains the same: Kate’s destiny has been determined for her by The Academy. Ready or not . . . she’s set for Missions. Will one of the former elite cadets step in to help change her fate, or will she be left to fight the
Academy’s agenda alone?
CJ Daly grew up on the scrabbly plains of Eastern New Mexico. When she was supposed to be helping her six siblings with chores on the family ranch, she was really sneaking behind dusty haystacks to read. And dreaming about becoming a writer.
After graduating high school, CJ moved to Big D, where she quickly put herself through college while trying to rid herself of her country accent. She had better luck with college, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in English literature. After teaching a few years and pausing to have back-to-back boys, she began writing in earnest.
A few years later, “The Academy Saga” was born. It instantly earned a Readers’ Favorite 5-STAR seal of approval and became an Amazon best seller.
The Enemy in My Bed L.K. Shaw (Brooklyn Kings, #2) Publication date: July 27th 2021 Genres: Adult, Mafia, Romance
Pierce
The Russians have taken far too much from me. So I’ll take something of theirs. Except, I never expected my captive to be a woman. She could be the key to destroying them entirely. I’ll do whatever it takes to get revenge. Even seduce the enemy.
Soon I discover she may not be my enemy after all.
Mila
For nearly my entire life I’ve been held prisoner by darkness and pain. And just when I think freedom is within my reach, it’s stolen by yet another man determined to break me. First with rage. Then with tenderness.
I’m helpless to resist his touch, even knowing that, in the end, all that waits for me is death.
“If you won’t talk about what happened last night, then why don’t you tell me how you got these?”
I stiffen and try to move away at the feel of Pierce’s fingers tracing the scars along my back. He only tightens his grip around my waist. With every question, it’s as though he’s flaying me alive. Perhaps that’s his intent.
“They were given to me by a man named Maksim.” I give in, because I don’t have it in me to fight. Not tonight. He’s chipped away at too much.
Pierce continues touching each one, as though memorizing them. “That didn’t answer my question. I want to know how you got them.”
I close my eyes against the painful memories. He isn’t going to let this go. “I got them by fighting back. By refusing to beg. I got them as a reminder. So I never forget who I am, which is no one. I got them because I was weak.”
“Mila,” Pierce growls into my ear.
“Nothing beyond that matters. Why make me pick at a scab that’s long been healed over? All that will do is add another scar to the ones already there. Don’t I have enough?”
He lets out a sigh. “What if I want to get rid of your scars?”
I shake my head. “Don’t be naive. Scars as deep as these, you can’t just get rid of, no matter how hard you try. They’re permanently etched into my skin.”
“Look at me,” Pierce commands.
Because it’s pointless to resist, I roll onto my other side and face him, but keep my eyes on the crown on his chest. He pinches my chin between his thumb and forefinger and tips my head up, so I have no choice but to meet his gaze.
“I’m not talking about the scars on your back. I’m talking about the ones here.” Pierce releases his hold and places his hand over my heart.
My eyes burn with unshed tears, and it’s hard to swallow. “Those might be even harder to erase.”
Author Bio:
LK Shaw is the bestselling author of the sexy, sinful suspense. She resides in South Carolina with her high maintenance beagle mix dog, Miss P. An avid reader since childhood, she became hooked on historical romance novels in high school. She now reads, and loves, all romance sub-genres, with dark romance and romantic suspense being her favorite. LK enjoys traveling and chocolate. Her books feature hot alpha heroes and the strong women they love.
Want a FREE short story? Be sure to sign up for her newsletter and download your copy of A Birthday Spanking, a short story set in the Doms of Club Eden world! http://bit.ly/LKShawNewsletter
To Hold A Rancher’s Hand Kadi James Publication date: July 27th 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rafe is a volunteer fireman who is sworn to protect his ranch and town. Gail has just lost everything to the devastating fire that destroyed her home. Will these two be able to heal their scars and find new love and happiness?
After the trauma of war, rancher Rafe comes home to help his community as a volunteer fireman while trying to find balance in civilian life. He must carry the mantle of his family, who have been Guardians of Coyote Valley for generations. Now its up to Gabe to protect the town from the fires that ravage the national forests around Coyote Valley. But as he gives his all to the community, he often forgets to take care of his own heart.
Loner Gail has just lost everything to the devastating fire that destroyed her home. When the handsome rancher who saved her offers to let her stay at his place, it seems like the perfect solution. Until she remembers she doesn’t really like living with people. It’s why she was living up on top of the mountain in the first place.
“You’ve been back a couple years.” Javier sipped his coffee as he gazed pensively at his former ward. “I think you’ve got a better handle on it than you let on. But it’s alright. I’d rather you take it at your pace and maybe think about settling down.”
“Settle down?” Rafe couldn’t stifle his laughter. “With what? All I ever see are the sheep and dogs.”
“Well, you’re always pent up in this house.” Javier motioned to encompass the kitchen and the rest of Rafe’s home.
“I spend fifteen hours a day working out on the ranch.” Rafe chided, sliding his breakfast onto the plate. “I’d hardly call that pent up in the house. You know I’ve never had much luck with women.”
“It’s only because you don’t actually ask any of them out,” Javier said with a chuckle.
“I just haven’t met a woman who, well, a woman who made sense to me.” Gabriel took a big bite of his toast and egg.
“Maybe you need to rethink how you make sense to other people.” Javier stood up to wash out his coffee mug. “Maybe it’s the way you’re looking at it.”
“I’ve never even had a girlfriend,” Rafe said. “That is as awkward as they come.”
“Well, it’s hard to have a girlfriend when you’re in the military. But I was married when I was 21. You know you need a support system to get you through some of these things in life that you’re going to face.” Javier placed his cup in the drying rack.
“I can’t imagine facing worse than I have.” Rafe took another bite.
“I pray you don’t,” Javier said. “But whatever you face, a wife sure helps with that. Martha is the only reason I was able to make it through when your parents died. Here I was all of a sudden responsible for a whole ranch and a small, grieving child.”
“Well, I don’t have a child to take care of.” Rafe shrugged as he finished his breakfast.
“No. You’re going to have a hundred children to take care of as soon as these ewes start lambing.” Javier laughed and drained his coffee.
Rafe was just rinsing his plate when a loud static sound filled the air. A dispatcher’s voice called out over the radio. “Report of a half-acre in the grass, moderate rate of spread. Coyote Valley vegetation fire…Cow Mountain Road near mile post 12.38. Command 8. Tactical 2. First at scene will establish roadway IC. Stand by for check back on command 8.”
Gabriel and Javier exchanged a look. “That’s on North Ridge.” Gabriel left his plate in the sink and headed to the entry hall to grab his gear.
“All volunteers report to base,” the dispatcher continued. “Fire house 13 we have a report of a blaze starting up on Cow Mountain we need all hands to the fire department please including the volunteers we need as much help as we possibly can get. There’s a fire on Cow Mountain heading south.”
Javier squinted out the window and the trees swaying in the wind. “There are a few houses up on North Ridge. It’ll get to those first.”
“People living up there, still?” Rafe hoisted his web gear onto his shoulder and slung his boots and helmet up in his other hand.
“Yeah, I think there are about five houses up there,” Javier said, pulling out his phone and preparing a group text. “I’ll get the guys together.”
“I’ll head to the houses. It’s probably near where the fire started.” Rafe nodded to Javier who pulled the door open for him. “It’s not like there was a lightning storm going on.”
“You get what you need to get done,” Javier said. “I’ll send the boys up the mountain as soon as I can.”
“We’re going to need all the hands we can get,” Rafe threw his gear in the back of the truck and tipped his hat to Javier. “If the wind is blowing south, the fire will be headed straight to us.”
Author Bio:
Kadi James was raised on a ranch in Northern California riding horses, writing stories, and waiting for true love to happen. Her passion for storytelling took her around the world to experience global cultures, history, and mythology, always looking for the similarities rather than the differences. After years overseas, country roads brought her back home again and she returned to California, her family, and the ranch where she grew up. Today she writes Sweet Ranch Romance that touches reader’s hearts by reminding them of the simple things that really matter in life; family, kindness, and always…love.
All I’ve Wanted All I’ve Needed A.E. Valdez Publication date: July 23rd 2021 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Harlow Shaw feels naïve for believing in happily ever afters but she craves a love that lights her up.
She thought she had it all with her boyfriend. Until his promising baseball career overshadows their relationship and he asks her a life changing question. It causes her to wonder if what they have is all she ever truly wanted.
Harlow is yearning for more than the curated life she is living.
A trip to Bali, a move to Seattle, and a “burned” cup of coffee lead her to a friendship she didn’t know she needed and a love so deep she can feel it in her bones.
I should’ve known something was up when a race red Ferrari pulled up to my house. Hendrix has always been flashy, from his material items to his personality. He commands the spaces he occupies. Hendrix is a man used to going after, and getting, anything and anyone he wants.
Except me. I’m the girl to tell him, “No.”
My response stuns him, and he asks, “It’s a no then?”
Slowly, he rises from the kneeling position he adopted mere seconds ago to ask me this life changing question.
“You deserve better than me,” I say as tears sting my eyes. I’m aware people are staring now. I thought we were in for an intimate night, sitting at a candle-lit table scattered with rose petals, tucked away at the back of the restaurant. But there’s nothing intimate about prying eyes focused on us, watching me refuse my boyfriend’s proposal.
He sits back down in his seat and reaches across the table for my hand. “You’re my beginning and end, Harlow. All I want is you.”
I can’t bring myself to meet his gaze. Staring into his honey brown eyes will only make this harder.
He watches me in silence, probably trying to figure out why I would say no to his proposal. We’ve been together for two years and things were going great. We’re often the couple people describe as “relationship goals.” But despite seeming picture perfect, I can’t shake the feeling that this isn’t lasting love.
“Don’t you ever feel like we’re just settling, Hendrix? As though we’re together because we’re comfortable, not because we’re in love with one another?” My eyes still haven’t met his. I didn’t want to have to sift through this with him tonight. I hadn’t expected him to propose to me. I for damn sure didn’t expect him to do it in a public place.
Still not letting go of my hand, he asks, “Are you saying you’re no longer in love with me?”
Author Bio:
A.E. Valdez discovered her passion for writing when she was given a journal by her 5th grade teacher and has been creating poetry, works of fiction, and gaming narratives ever since. As a child, she wanted to read more stories with people that looked like her.
She loves all things romance, from heartbreak to happily ever afters. She pours her own heart and soul into the stories she brings to life. Causing readers to fall in, and sometimes out, of love alongside her characters.
Amanda currently resides in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two sons. Most days you can find her sipping on an iced latte while she writes or enjoying time with her family.
A Dangerous Man Raven Stone (Kingdom of Blood and Forest, #2) Publication date: July 20th 2021 Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
I was supposed to kill him.
But that night, he sent me to a different kind of heaven. The screaming, shaking, full of pleasure kind. Twice.
Now he’s all I can think about. When I finally find him again, I’m determined to get under him, and get over him.
But John Degarr isn’t like my other men, with his large, sexy body and his warm grey eyes. He’s also an incredibly efficient killer. The person scary people turn to when they’re scared.
And he’s a vampire.
This man is dangerous, but not for the reasons he scares everyone else.
When he touches me, when he holds me, I want things I’ve never wanted before. I say and do stupid, clingy things.
I want more of him.
But he wants the one thing I give no one.
Because that one thing can destroy me.
A Dangerous Man is a paranormal romance with MF love, a bit of MM love, and chocolate mousse references. This book includes a woman who isn’t shy about her needs, a bisexual vampire who won’t ever have to choose, and the werewolf son he adores. This is the second book in the Kingdom of Blood and Forest series, but it can be read as a standalone.
So I’d never killed anyone, and it hadn’t been part of the deal. The mark had chosen me. I was stuck. Time to make lemonade out of lemons, and get the fuck out of here.
I led him up to the hotel room, and took a deep breath.
I can do this.
I glanced over my shoulder.
“This is my room,” I said breathlessly. “Well, mine and Lara’s, but she won’t be back for a while.” I added a little giggle at the end.
That was good, right?
I made the mistake of looking at him, and the smile slipped right off my face.
God, the way he was looking at me.
His dark grey eyes were completely focused on me, as if the hallway, the world around us, didn’t exist. He stared at me like I was some sort of combination of chocolate and wine, and he’d been denied both for a long damn time. That gaze spoke of things; of taking his time, of consuming me slowly, of making me feel him everywhere, from my head to my toes.
A frisson rippled over me.
His thumb rubbed my hand. “Open the door.”
For a second I forgot to breathe, and then my other hand was on the doorknob, turning it and letting us inside. He followed me in, closing the door behind him with his foot.
He grabbed me by the waist and pulled me to him. Then he wrapped his fingers around my chin, and lifted my face to his.
Oh, shit.
Then he was kissing me. Kissing me like he would consume me from the inside out. Heat poured through me, pooled in my belly, and then burned lower. He brushed my nipple with his thumb, and I gasped as heat struck my core.
Fuck.
They hadn’t said anything about him knowing how to kiss. About me wanting him. But they wouldn’t, would they? He was supposed to go for the blonde.
I growled.
Fuck the blonde. This mark was mine.
He laughed softly. “Have I got your attention now?”
“What do you mean?” I asked.
His hand trailed down my side. “I got the feeling there was something going on between you and your friend. A bet, perhaps? See who’s first to get a vampire up to the room?”
I blinked.
Close the fuck enough.
I let a shy smile come over my face. “You got us. It was a bet.”
“And you weren’t expecting to win?”
I shook my head.
“Why?” His hand cupped my face, sending sparks down me. “You’re beautiful, and so much more interesting than she is.”
He thought I was interesting?
“Because –” I bit my lip, stopping myself from telling him that he was supposed to like blondes.
God, what was wrong with me? I never slipped like this. It must have been the alcohol, or the heat.
“– because we both know I’m not.” I took a step back, slipping away from his touch. “Don’t we, John?”
Too late, I realized my tone had changed with that last part. He gave me a sharp glance, telling me he’d caught my fuckup. He’d seen that hint of my true self. But it wasn’t my fault. We’d gone off-script, and in those situations I always tended to sound more like me.
“Drop the act.” He pierced me with his gaze. “I don’t want to see the girl you pretend to be around your friend.”
“Then who do you want to see?” I asked. My voice was breathy; so much closer to the person I was pretending to be that it was a relief.
It sounded like I wanted him. Which was the goal, right? To get him in bed and stake him?
Except I was turned on by him. The arousal spreading through me felt like a low-grade fever. It was fucking with my head.
“You,” he replied. He reached out and skated his fingers down my neck, making me shiver. “The girl who just growled at me.”
Fuck.
Author Bio:
Raven Stone is a paranormal romance author. She writes about bisexual, poly vampires and the men and women who love them. She enjoys M/M romances, poly romance, paranormal romance, urban fantasy, and dark chocolate.
The Prologue had me cracking up, but that was nothing I hadn’t expected from this series.
Tula is a mortal, a human, a simple farm girl, but whoever messed with her world and took her man, Zac, the God of Temptation, was going to be held accountable.
Zac had tempted her, but she resisted his hunkaliciousness…until…
Their love will be put to the test.
Never make a deal with a demon.
Talk about walking in someone else’s shes…
I have missed a book or two in the series, but have loved all the ones I have read and each can stand alone.
Gods and demons, supernatural creatures of all races, an evil unicorn, and Mittens…love and romance, the battle between good and evil…
Uproariously funny with characters that stick long after the reading is done. If you love the supernatural world, this is a series you do not want to miss.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of God of Temptation by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff.
4 Stars
ABOUT GOD OF TEMPTATION
From New York Times Bestseller Mimi Jean Pamfiloff comes GOD OF TEMPTATION, a very-probably-inappropriate Paranormal Romance.
Tula Jones is a simple farmgirl who never dreamed she’d fall for a real-life god. And not just any god. When it comes to Zac, God of Temptation, no man is more dedicated, sexy, and alluring on the planet. Hello! Temptation powers!
But when Zac and his brethren mysteriously disappear, Tula is beside herself. Watch out. I’m coming to save my man!(And the rest of his kind.) But where are they?
Then she receives a photo from a mysterious stranger, and the news is devastating. The gods are prisoners in the underworld, and Zac has been cheating with the other “guests.”
Tula doesn’t want to believe Zac would betray her. She and Zac are soul mates, right?
But if she wants the truth, Tula must answer the summons from a demon who’s hellbent on taking over the world.
And he wants to keep her.
Note: This can be read as a standalone, but it’s a smidgeon more fun if you’ve read the other crazy books. This is the series FINALE. Yes, I mean it this time. No. Really. You can’t have more. Snort.
**Get the first three books of this fun romantic comedy a la paranormal series from Author Mimi Jean Pamfiloff FREE, (ends 8/15) : Amazon US / Amazon UK / Amazon CA / Amazon AU / iBOOKS / NOOK
Book Title: The Academy Saga by C.J. Daly Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 500 pages Genre: Suspense Romance Publisher: BrandyLight Ink Release date: September 2019 Content Rating: PG-13. My book has some adult themes, language, and a few slow-burn romance scenes.
MY REVIEW
Since her mother’s death, she had become the mother. She had kept them home, isolated and, in her mind, protected. Why did her mother stress the importance of staying under the radar. From what? Or more importantly, who?
She isn”t paranoid…someone is watching them.
Out in the boondocks, short of funds, she does the best she can, picking up a few bucks working weekends at the diner. Her dad…had pretty much left them to their own devices. He doesn’t physically abuse them, but….
The dialogue is lively and at times I found myself cracking up, laughing out loud. Two chapters stand out, Chapter 8 and Chapter 9.
I love the kids: Kate, who is 16, Andrew, who is 8, and Mikey, who is 5. I can hear Mikey’s voice as I read along, filling me with smiles. I think it would be fun to hear a narrator try to match the voice in my head.
Kate has great instincts and is very leery of what is happening since Pete and Ranger have come into their lives. I feel her frustration and her desperate attempt to save her brother, Andrew, from something she sense is evil, something so wrong she will lose him forever.
Tension and anticipation abound as I try to figure out what is Pete’s end goal. Why do they want Andrew so badly. What makes him different? Is he good? Bad?
I love a slow burning romance.
The Academy Saga by C J Daly has fabulous characters, with Kate, Andrew , Mikey and Pete being the stars. The dialogue is wonderful, with Mikey being the standout for me. It is way past adorable.
Lock the doors and disable the phone. Once you start, I feel you won’t want to stop. So much is going on with an underlying current of evil and suspense. Set aside a lot of time. The 500 page paperback left me with sore arms and blurry eyes, because I didn’t want to stop…though I did have to…until the last word was read. The buildup to the end of Book I leaves me eager and happy to know I have Book II ready and waiting to be read.
I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of The Academy by C J Daly.
4 Stars
ABOUT THE BOOK
“Unique, intense, and suspenseful. A story with compelling characters that pull you into the author’s world and keep you reading from beginning to end. Intriguing start to a new series.” –New York Times Best Selling Author Jami Brumfield
“CJ has created an unforgettable story about a young woman caught up in a world of lies and deception. The Academy Saga is a page-turning read with a twist you may not see coming.”—Tony Jones, Executive Producer of My All American
“Wow wow wow! This book has it all. It’s extremely well written, the characters are amazing and the story is so intriguing that it pulls you in from the very first page. There’s tension, mystery chemistry and of course romance. I loved it! I would highly recommend this page turner!” — RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @abbi_reads_xx
Book Description:
Readers’ Favorite Suspense Romance
Kate Connelly should be careful what she wishes for.
Just seventeen, she already feels like she’s suffocating. Since her mother’s death, her father’s basically checked out, so she’s stuck raising her brothers by herself out in the New Mexico scrub. All Kate wants is a little distraction from the same-ole, same-ole that is her life.
When two mysterious guys show up at the diner where she works, she thinks her wish has come true, until they start giving her a hard time. Like her life isn’t hard enough. Something about them niggles her, but she brushes it off. She’s never going to see them again anyway . . . right?
Then they appear in an alley one night to either rescue or kidnap her (she’s still not sure which) before disappearing like figments of her imagination.
Kate decides to put the bizarre encounters out of her mind. She has bigger problems to worry about: like that elite military academy that’s been pursuing her gifted little brother. When one of their cadets shows up at her high school, he creates instant pandemonium. And just happens to be one of those mysterious guys. Coincidence? Mama said there’s no such thing. And to always trust her instinct. But that might be kind of hard, because every time she’s around Cadet Peter Davenport, her gut starts flip-flopping on her. And her heart.
Can Kate keep it together long enough to stop Cadet Davenport’s mission? She’s about to find out. And—once again—how neatly life can be split into before and after.
Book Title: The Academy Saga: Cadet-in-Training by C.J. Daly Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 441 pages Genre: Suspense Romance Publisher: BrandyLight Ink Content Rating: PG-13. My book has some adult themes, language, and a few slow-burn romance scenes.
“Absolutely ADDICTING! CJ Daly does it again and delivers a story YOU CAN’T PUT DOWN! Edge of your seat GREATNESS! I was completely hooked into this story. I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough. The Cadet in Training was such a phenomenal escape. With characters that fly off the pages, you become immersed! CJ Daly has stunning story telling skills! I’m still sitting here, like what did I just read and why is it over! Agh! I can’t wait for book 3!!! #theacademysaga is going down as one my absolute favorites! #TeamPete! All the stars! I’m ready to read this one again!” RATING: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ @elizabeth.ness.56
Book Description:
Another Readers’ Favorite 5-STAR Suspense Romance. Begin the journey today.
Kate’s destiny has been determined for her.
Hidden out in the country for most her life, Kate Connelly suddenly wakes up, handcuffed to a hospital bed, in the psyche ward of The Academy. Her crime? Being “gifted.” And it’s Officer “Ranger” Nealson’s job to make her adhere to The Academy’s agenda for her. Even though he’s the one who drugged and dragged her in. Kate’s hate for Ranger, and his academy, is at an all-time high. Ranger has his work cut out for him . . . and Kate does too. She has to fight through the rigors of the Cadet-in-Training program, and quickly. If not, she’ll lose the one privilege she’s been given at The Academy—access to her precious little brother.
And until she graduates from the CIT program, Officer Nealson is banned from Missions. When General Weston finally offers a juicy recon to Ranger, he wants to jump at the chance to prove himself again. After all, catching bad guys is his thing. Almost all pros for doing it. One con—Cadet Connelly has to ride along.
The hardened officer finds he’s slowly been growing a soft spot for his mentee. But he’s determined not to end up like his father, and former Elite Cadet Pete Davenport—throwing away their career for a girl (not even a woman). And Kate has lingering feelings for Pete, who risked his life to warn her, and conflicting feelings for Ranger. She has to set both aside to focus on completing her first mission.
When the dust settles, old alliances are broken and new ones are formed. But one thing remains the same: Kate’s destiny has been determined for her by The Academy. Ready or not . . . she’s set for Missions. Will one of the former elite cadets step in to help change her fate, or will she be left to fight the Academy’s agenda alone?
CJ Daly grew up on the scrabbly plains of Eastern New Mexico. When she was supposed to be helping her six siblings with chores on the family ranch, she was really sneaking behind dusty haystacks to read. And dreaming about becoming a writer.
After graduating high school, CJ moved to Big D, where she quickly put herself through college while trying to rid herself of her country accent. She had better luck with college, graduating magna cum laude with a degree in English literature. After teaching a few years and pausing to have back-to-back boys, she began writing in earnest.
A few years later, “The Academy Saga” was born. It instantly earned a Readers’ Favorite 5-STAR seal of approval and became an Amazon best seller.
Join us for this tour from June 22to Jul 12, 2021!
Book Details:
Book Title: The Perfect Murder (a Maximum Security Novel) by Kat Martin Category: Adult Fiction (18 yrs +), 344 pages Genre: Romantic Suspense Publisher: HQN Release date:June 22, 2021 Tour dates: June 22 to July 12, 2021 Content Rating: R. Some explicit sexual scenes.
Book Description:
The eldest of the three wealthy Garrett brothers, Reese Garrett is in the middle of a major purchase for his multimillion-dollar oil and gas company, Garrett Resources. The Poseidon offshore drilling platform venture will greatly enhance the company’s value.
But when Reese is on a trip out to see the rig, his helicopter crashes, leaving him hospitalized and two men dead. It’s discovered the chopper was sabotaged, and Reese is determined to find out who’s behind the crash—and whether he was the intended target. Then, when his lover, Kenzie, is accused of her ex-husband’s murder—a man with a vested interest in the Poseidon deal—clues start pointing to a connection that puts Reese, Kenzie and her young son in the sights of a killer.
From the Texas heat to the Louisiana bayous, Reese and his brothers must track down the truth before the body count gets any higher.
New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin, a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara, currently resides in Missoula, Montana with Western-author husband, L. J. Martin. More than seventeen million copies of Kat’s books are in print, and she has been published in twenty foreign countries. Fifteen of her recent novels have taken top-ten spots on the New York Times Bestseller List, and her novel, BEYOND REASON, was recently optioned for a feature film. Kat’s
latest novel, THE ULTIMATE BETRAYAL, a Romantic Thriller, was released in paperback December 29th. The final 2 books in her Maximum Security series will be release in June, COME MIDNIGHT, a novella was released on June 1st, and THE PERFECT MURDER, a novel in hardcover on June 22nd.
Multi–award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.
