Tag Archives: adult fiction

$25 GC – Marrying The Mechanic by Shanna Hatfield @xpressotours

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Marrying the Mechanic: A Small-Town Clean Romance
Shanna Hatfield
(Summer Creek, #7)
Publication date: October 24th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A heartwarming journey of love, growth, and the bonds that tie hearts together even when life leads down unexpected paths.

Mechanic Jace Easton grapples with the sudden changes happening around him. His younger sister, Tassie, has always relied on him, but now she’s off traipsing around the globe with the prince of her dreams. As Tassie prepares to step into her future, Jace is confronted with the harsh truth that she has matured, and so has her best friend, Deena. The deepening attraction he feels for Deena—a pull that becomes increasingly difficult to ignore—leaves him further unsettled and struggling to accept his new reality.

Deena Durant may earn her living welding farm equipment, but her true passion lies in crafting metal sculptures. Alongside her artistic dreams, she clings to the hope that Jace might eventually see her as more than his sister’s friend. Until then, she conceals her feelings and does her best to encourage him as everything familiar shifts into unchartered territory.

When Jace and Deena work together to help Tassie’s dreams come true, will they discover their own path to true love?

Marrying the Mechanic is a celebration of unexpected love, personal growth, and the power of relationships in a wholesome, small-town romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Have you talked to Tassie recently?” Deena asked as they headed out of town.

“Last Sunday. She and the prince were on their way to dinner with one of his brothers.” Jace glanced over at Deena, who seemed to get prettier by the minute. “Why? Have you heard from her?”

“Just a few texts and photos. She sent one yesterday of her and Eli with two of his grown nephews. They were heading to Paris for a festival.”

Jace felt a prick of annoyance that Tassie kept Deena more updated on her travel plans than she did him. Then again, he couldn’t blame his sister. Most of their communication started and ended with him asking when she was coming home and reminders to be careful and safe and to not trust strangers.

He probably sounded like a lame recording set to repeat.

No wonder Tassie only called him once a week and rarely sent a text. It was his own fault for acting overbearing and no doubt coming off as angry, even if he was. Tassie wasn’t the one who’d stirred his ire. Most of that ferocity was directed at himself, with a substantial portion attributed to the stupid prince with the charming smile who had turned everything in Jace’s world upside down.

Well, maybe not everything.

Deena was her own kind of surprise. Jace had yet to decide if the changes in her were of the good or bad variety.

A touch drew his gaze to where Deena’s hand rested on his forearm. He debated shaking it off or covering those long fingers with his own dirty paw. Instead of following either inclination, he focused on her sunglasses even though all he could distinguish was a reflection of himself.

With his face red from the heat and too much time in the sun, compounded by his current embarrassment, it was a vision he didn’t really need to see.

“Don’t beat yourself up if Tassie is doing her own thing,” Deena said with a note of encouragement in her smooth voice. “This is what she’s always wanted. What’s she’s dreamed about her entire life. All we need to do is be happy for her. Right?”

“Right,” Jace said, although he’d rather offer a dozen reasons why Tassie was going to eventually come home with a broken heart. Her experiences with Eli were going to make it that much harder to live in Summer Creek when this … whatever was going on with his sister and the prince, came to an end.

Deena’s eyebrow lifted above her sunglasses again, as though she knew exactly what he was thinking. She refrained from commenting, though, and pulled a U-turn in the road, stopping behind his service rig.

“Want me to wait for you to make sure you get it running?” she asked.

“No. I won’t keep you longer than I already have, but thank you for the ride both ways. I appreciate it.”

“No problem, Jace. Call if you can’t get it to start, and I’ll come get you.”

He would rather chew glass than call Deena for help in his current frame of mind, but he swallowed down the refusal and nodded at her. “Thanks. Have fun at the baby shower.”

“I intend to. Bye, Jace.”

He hopped out, lifted the tools and creeper from the back, then let Cleo deliver a sloppy lick to his cheek. It was the closest he’d come to a kiss for a long, long time.

Author Bio:

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries — not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers’ Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest / Bookbub / Newsletter


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$20 GC – How To Solve A Murder With A Grump by Laura Pauling @xpressotours

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How to Solve a Murder with a Grump
Laura Pauling
Publication date: October 8th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Mystery, Romance

Barrie:

I am determined to make my best friend’s wedding weekend perfect. That includes editing the best man’s speech and making sure he doesn’t drink too much.
Except, he’s the worst kind of grump with a capital G.
Not only that but when this perfect wedding unravels, I find myself the object of his wrath.
He blames me.
So I run.
And I’m wearing the wedding dress. (Don’t ask.)
As I hide out in a small town, following my dreams, I stumble upon a decades-old murder mystery.
Turns out texting the grump might be my only lifeline. And I’m definitely not flirt-texting. Nope. Not me.
Because falling for a grump can only lead to a broken heart.
Right?

Miles:

For the record, I am not a grump.
It’s not me. It’s them.
It’s women.
I’m looking forward to the wedding this weekend. My best friend is getting married.
And the maid of honor texts me.
Not just once.
Oh, no, because that would be much too sensible. Nope. Try a dozen. It felt like a hundred.
I can tell by a glance at the texts that she’s one of those micro-managing, in your business, thinks-she-knows-everything type of woman.
Forget it.
I don’t want her number. I don’t want coffee. I don’t want a date.
I don’t want a single conversation.
Okay, fine. I’m a grump.
But can you blame me?

How to Solve a Murder with a Grump is a full-length hilarious romantic mystery with a swoony, heart-thumping, happily-ever-after kind of ending complete with glitter bombs, snapping turtles (imaginary or not), a decades-old murder, and grand romantic gestures.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

I take one look at him. Oh yeah, he’s a grump.

Definitely.

But I don’t have time for grumps right now.

You see, I’m running late and the elevator is taking forever to get to the bottom floor. My best friend is getting married in two days, and I’m the maid of honor. I’m trying to compose a text to the best man so we can talk about the speeches. I should’ve reached out to him ages ago, but this weekend came fast. It snuck up on me.

Then, a man near me clears his throat, like he’s trying to send me a message. I take one look at him.

No doubt in my mind he’s a Mr. Grumpy Pants, because I can pick them out a mile away. They’re easy to spot once you know the signs.

Of course, sometimes you’ll get lucky. You’ll make a quick exit. Or he’ll spill his coffee. Someone else will grab his attention.

But there will be times you have to interact with this particular species of men.

Just so you know, there are many ways to deal with a grump. I could write a book on it.

First, don’t be fooled by those flashing white teeth and sexy smirks. Don’t be fooled by a blue shirt, almost the color of tropical ocean water that offsets the gray of his eyes. Don’t be fooled by the rippling muscles underneath the blue shirt.

Nope.

Sexy grumps are the most dangerous, because they’ll steal your heart then stomp all over it.

Author Bio:

I write about spies, murder, and mystery. I love a lot of things about writing and reading stories that have mystery and romance. I love the puzzle of a whodunnit and witty banter between characters who love to hate each other. Especially, when they don’t know they are falling in love.

There are about a gazillion books in the wilds of Amazon and maybe half of them are mysteries. If you want to make sure you know when I have a new release in a current series or the start of a new series then visit www.laurapauling.com and sign up for my newsletter.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


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$10 GC – A Little Getaway by Bonnie Traymore @xpressotours @btraymore

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A Little Getaway
Bonnie Traymore
Publication date: October 9th 2024
Genres: Adult, Suspense, Thriller

“Traymore’s page-turner is a tension-filled psychological thriller, where the line between friend and foe is razor thin.” Tracey Devlin, USA TODAY bestselling author

A little getaway takes a deadly turn for Morgan and Kyle Murphy in this spicy suspense thriller about a marriage filled with passion, dark secrets, and suspicions.

Morgan Murphy has always longed for a romance for the ages. And she’s found it with the love of her life, husband Kyle Murphy—until their spicy marriage suddenly starts to cool off.

Is Kyle preoccupied and distant because of a problem with his development project? Or is it something worse? Could Kyle Murphy be…cheating? He’s hiding something, that’s for sure. And Morgan’s determined to find out what it is.

With the help of gal pal Carla Flores, Morgan tracks her husband’s movements, and the signs increasingly point to infidelity, the ultimate sin in Morgan’s book. When Kyle increases their life insurance and surprises her with a weekend getaway to get their mojo back, she goes on the offensive and hatches a plan to make him come clean about what’s been going on.

But before she can pull it off, Morgan’s attacked and nearly kidnapped, and Kyle vanishes from the resort without a trace. With no clue as to who took Kyle or why, she’s not sure who is the biggest threat: the shady investor he owes money to, the police, or the guys she hired to teach Kyle a lesson. With the clock ticking, she needs to find out soon.

Before they come for her, too.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Morgan

I smell death in the air. A briny scent with an undercurrent of decay, wafting in from the murky sea outside our sliding glass door.

“Kyle?” I call out again.

Nothing.

Maybe he went for a walk on the beach?

But that wasn’t the plan.

Something’s not right.

I close the door and lock it.

Where did he go?

A log pops in the fireplace, and I startle. This was supposed to be a romantic little getaway, but so far, things have been tense.

“I have a surprise for you, Morgan,” he said, about a week ago.

So here I am, in this little cottage on the beach that he picked for us, in the middle of nowhere, a few miles north of Monterey Bay. A chance to rekindle our marriage. Put some spark back into it. The resort, if you could call it that, is a series of separate units on a vast swath of beachfront land, one step up from a trailer park. I suppose it could be romantic under different circumstances, with the rugged beach outside our door and a cozy fire inside.

I have a bad feeling, though. I came out of the shower and saw a few drops of blood in the bathroom sink. I figured he’d cut himself shaving. And now he’s nowhere to be found. A chill runs up my spine. This place is getting creepier by the minute. Do I wait here like a sitting duck?

The office is on the other side of the property, and I’m not sure if anyone’s there at this hour of the night. It’s not that late. Just after nine in the evening. But even when we checked in, around noon, it took a good twenty minutes for the woman to come to the front desk and help us.

I don’t want to overreact, so I decide I’ll take the car and drive to the store.

Better safe than sorry.

We talked about the fact that I needed milk for my morning coffee. It’ll buy me some time, and when I get back, maybe he’ll be here, wondering where I’ve been. And if it turns out to be nothing, I can keep this little freak out to myself.

But we took his car, so I have to find the keys. I rush into the bedroom and look around. I thought I saw them on the dresser, but they’re not there.

His pants are draped over the back of a chair.

I check the pockets.

Nothing.

My heart starts to race.

I rifle through his carry-on bag.

No luck.

His cell is gone, along with his wallet. I wonder if he went out for provisions while I was in the shower? But the car is parked near the office, a few cottages away, so I can’t see if he’s taken it. I pick up the house phone and call the front desk, thinking maybe the attendant could check if the car is there. It rings and rings and nobody answers.

My heart races even faster. Rushing into the kitchen area, I survey the options. I grab the utility knife. With its five-inch blade, it’s the best option. This is a risky move. I’ll look like a psycho walking around with it if someone sees me, and the last thing I want is to call attention to myself. But the place seems deserted, so it’s unlikely I’ll be spotted.

Who comes to a beach resort in the middle of winter?

This was his idea, I remind myself.

And now I’m here.

Alone.

At a deserted resort.

Clenching the knife in my fist, I step out the sliding glass door and start making my way to the front office.


Author Bio:

Bonnie Traymore is the Amazon Bestselling author of seven domestic/psychological thrillers. Her thrillers feature strong but relatable female protagonists who peel back the layers of suburban American life and give readers a peek inside. The plots explore difficult topics such as jealousy, infidelity, murder, and the impact of psychological disorders, but she also includes bits of romance and humor to lighten the mood from time to time. She’s an active status member of International Thriller Writers and Mystery Writers of America.

Bonnie has a doctorate in United States history and has taught at top independent high schools as well as Columbia University and the University of Hawaii. Originally from the NYC area, she resides in Honolulu with her family.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter


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$40 GC – #HotAndHandy by Lynne Hancock Pearson @xpressotours

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#HotAndHandy
Lynne Hancock Pearson
Publication date: October 15th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Everyone in town loves the handsome handyman.
Everyone except his new neighbor.

Out of jail and desperate for work, Vincent scrapes by with odd jobs. He’s hired to help the gray-haired lady move in next door but stumbles when he finds nothing old or feeble about Hilary.

Rejected by her husband after her body rejected implants, the breast cancer survivor shuts out Vincent until a kitchen appliance crisis forces her to accept his help. Convinced that he could do better, she keeps the younger man at a distance, but he persists, building her confidence and coaxing her out of her colorless cocoon.

With the hot handyman by her side and in her bed, Hilary develops a community program bringing at-risk youth into the building trades. But not everyone wants to see the ex-con succeed. An old foe is determined to derail Vincent, and Hilary is caught in the chaos.

She’s ready to retreat. Ready to leave everything behind—including Vincent.
Can he convince her to stay?

#HotAndHandy is a small-town, reverse age-gap romance between two people starting over after being kicked to the curb by life and love.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

It was Friday, and Vincent hadn’t seen Hilary all week, even though they shared the same address. They’d texted, though, and agreed to happy hour on her deck, with him bringing the drinks and her providing the food. Taking the stairs two at a time, he smiled at his own eagerness. Last week was great. Her enthusiasm for setting up the training program was contagious. Tonight, they would work on a proposal to present to Iris and Ali, to get KBS on board. And hopefully, they’d do some more kissing. He stopped himself from thinking beyond that. After all Hilary had been through, he did not want to rush her. His cock argued otherwise; thus Vincent started and ended each day with a cold shower.

He shifted the six-pack of beer and bottle of wine in his arms to rap on the door. No one answered. Glancing over to the driveway, he confirmed Hilary’s car and bicycle were both there. Through the windows of the French doors, he saw her purse and car keys sitting on the counter so he tried the doorknob. Unlocked, he pushed the door open and called, “Hey, you okay?”

“Not really. Can you come back here?”

Dropping the booze on the table, he hustled to the bedroom, expecting more blood. The room was empty. “Hilary?”

Her voice came from the en suite bathroom. “In here.”

He peeked in to find her rooted to the floor, arms crossed over her chest, facing away from the door. Seeking her reflection in the mirror, he caught the disgusted look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“There was a huge-ass spider. It startled me, and I dropped my glass, which shattered on the floor. I can’t move because I’m afraid I’ll cut myself.”

“I’m thinking you should give up day drinking,” he said, taking in the broken glass and Hilary’s bare feet.

“It was a glass of water.”

“Maybe buy plastic stuff. You and glass don’t seem to get along.” He grinned at her growl of annoyance.

From his examination of the floor, his eyes moved upward and widened. She wore bright pink panties and a matching camisole. Nothing else. He swallowed. With clothes, she was hot. Without, she was dynamite. Long firm legs, tight rounded ass, flat belly, and toned arms. She may not have tits, but Hilary was sexy as hell.

“Are you going to stare, or are you going to help me?” Bright red dots sat high on her cheekbones.

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, umm…give me a second.” He pulled off his T-shirt and placed it on the floor at the base of Hilary’s bed. Then he leaned into the bathroom and grabbed a hand towel from the rack. “I’m going to wipe down the backs of your legs in case there are any pieces of glass on them.” Glass crunched beneath him, and he was thankful to be wearing shoes. He crouched, and carefully ran the towel down the backs of her thighs and calves. She tightened at his touch, and he heard a sharp intake of breath. He spoke gently as he would to a wild animal, “Your legs look fine. I’m going to pick you up and put you on the end of the bed. We’ll do the fronts of your legs, and then your feet.” He glanced up to catch her nod, then tossed the towel over his shoulder as he rose to stand next to her. A pulse beat rapidly in the hollow of her throat. He grinned at her reflection. “I promise not to drop you.” With one arm behind her knees and one arm around her shoulders, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He placed her down so her feet were above his T-shirt on the floor, and knelt in front of her. Her slim foot was silky smooth, and he concentrated on looking at the skin of her legs and feet, trying not to inhale the provocative scent emanating from the juncture of her thighs. “I didn’t know you were afraid of spiders.”

She huffed and crossed her arms again. “I’m not afraid. It startled me. Did I not mention it was a huge-ass spider? It had to be the size of a dinner plate.”

“Really?” He sat back on his heels, trying not to smile. “And what happened to it?”

“I don’t know.” She waved an arm in dismissal. “It probably scuttled back down the drain, laughing at me. I’m surprised you didn’t hear me scream.”

He picked up his T-shirt and wrapped the towel in it, chuckling as he stood. “I didn’t see any glass, but I’m going to shake these out over the garbage can and put them on the washing machine. Then I’ll grab the vacuum cleaner. Don’t move until I get back. There might be bits of glass in the carpet by the door.” Looking up, he caught her gaze on his chest and abs…and lower. He slowly straightened, not bothering to conceal the proof of his arousal.

The red spots were back in her cheeks. “Fine. I’ll be here.”

Author Bio:

Lynne Hancock Pearson writes fun, flirty, feel-good fiction that simmers at low heat. Set in the Pacific Northwest, they are stories of people finding their way, even if it takes a while to get there.

She lives near Seattle with two and a half finicky felines and one long-suffering husband. She is a left-handed middle child who grew up in the Great White North and is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Canada.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


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$25 GC – Barristers & Bones by J L Brannick @xpressotours

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Barristers & Bones
J. L. Brannick
(Las Vegas House of Spades, #1)
Publication date: October 15th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Dark Comedy, Dark Romance, Romantic Suspense

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

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

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

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

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

He smirked and walked over, wrapping his arms around me. “Why do I feel there’s no right answer here?”

My lips quirked. “Because you’re smart, but you never listen.”
He bent down and sniffed my neck. “I do listen to you, especially when you’re

making those sexy little whimpers while I’m–”
I put my hand over his mouth. “If you start with the dirty talk, we’ll never make it

to Ezra’s house for dinner.”


Author Bio:

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

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter


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    • Giveaway – Enduring Promise by Susanna Lane @xpressotours

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    Enduring Promise
    Susanna Lane
    Publication date: October 8th 2024
    Genres: Adult, Historical

    Can Love Survive the Trials of Fidelity?

    After a failed romance in Texas, Bryce Enders has carved out a new life in the harsh wastes of Montana’s gold fields. But when a newspaper headline reveals the wild escapades of his younger brother, Bryce’s path takes an unexpected turn. He heads for Ogallala, Nebraska, where he’s shocked to find Cort not only married, but thriving as the owner of a sprawling cattle ranch.

    While their reunion is far from smooth, the brothers quickly rediscover their old affection for one another and Cort offers Bryce a job on the ranch. As he settles into his new life, though, Bryce becomes entangled in a new set of troubles-this time of the heart. His growing affection for Hannah May, a neighbor struggling to keep her ranch afloat, soon becomes impossible to ignore. But there’s a catch. She’s already married to a brute who abandoned her for the lure of gold. Torn between his sense of honor and his undeniable feelings for Hannah, Bryce faces a dilemma as old as time.

    Hannah, too, is trapped between her steadfast Christian values and the harsh reality of her situation. Despite her husband’s cruelty, her sacred vows keep her tethered to a man who may well be dead. Yet, Bryce’s determination to free her only deepens the conflict, as a dark secret from his past emerges to haunt him.

    Knowing their futures depend on resolving this standoff, Bryce and Cort embark on a perilous journey back to the gold fields. What they find will test their brotherhood, challenge their resolve, and ignite a conflict with Hannah’s husband neither could foresee.

    Goodreads / Amazon

    —

    EXCERPT:

    The Civil War separated them. Time changed them. One newspaper article brings the Enders full circle… but not without the spiral of fate.

    This historical western romance, part of a series, delves into the strength of those willing to reach beyond the impossible to survive the rugged land. Where the Nebraska sky touches the grassland and where the gold camps harbor danger… the adventure and romance merges in Enduring Promise.

    Cascading events drive Hannah May Van Stadt to question her steadfast convictions and loyalty to a brutal man who’d abandoned her for the gold fields, leaving her to hold onto his derelict ranch. Even at the cost of his life, Bryce Enders’ growing love for this intrepid woman, drives him to make a fateful decision. Confronting the man who stands between them turns out to be far more dangerous than he could have imagined.

    Filled with action, heartbreak, and danger while brimming with memorable characters, the story promises to linger in the reader’s thoughts long after the book is closed. The following is an excerpt of the contradiction between the two main characters as they struggle against an untenable attraction.

    For a moment, she thought he wasn’t going to speak at all. As she was about to leave him to his work, he said, “Won’t take long to fix the fence.” Yanking on his gloves, he loosened the hammer from the tool bag slung over the packhorse. “Didn’t bring a wagon. Wasn’t sure if it might bog down in the river.”

    While she watched, he ignored her. “Thanks,” she managed to murmur. He’d taken a snappish tone, and she was at a loss for anything else to say. He sure didn’t seem happy to be here.

    “Be out of here by the afternoon. If you got something to do, you don’t have to stay here.” After that quick glance over his shoulder, he returned to the posts. He jutted his chin toward her waiting horse. “Best get to it.”

    “I raked up the mess those cows left behind yesterday. Figured it was time to look for unbranded strays. I have a corral down by the creek where I chase them.”

    “That’s man’s work,” he said while he loosened the cinches on his saddle, still avoiding looking in her direction. When he finally turned to face her, his eyes raked her from head to boots before returning to his work. Yesterday his eyes had stayed on hers. Today, there was censure and disdain. Of all the conceit. Seething, she lifted her chin while her mind searched for a response.

    “Man’s work? I’ve got no man to do the work. How else would it get done?”

    “After you round up these cattle and chase them to that corral, just how do you plan to brand them? Besides that. Those penned cows need hay,” he called out. “Need to get them to water or they’ll bust down the corral. Why not sell out? Your husband might not ever be back, Missus Van Stadt. Or do you plan to do this forever?”

    Author Bio:

    Susanna Lane’s “Imperfect Promise” delivers a powerful story of redemption, grit, and pure luck as the two primary characters overcome the twists of fate, carving out new lives and leaving an imprint on Nebraska. The author grew up in southern New Jersey and now lives with her husband in rural Delaware. Spellbound at her first glimpse of the Rocky Mountains, she and her husband made them their destination at every opportunity. Cattle drives, hiking, and exploring ghost towns offered her a glimpse of the frontier experience. Her imagination took root as she outlined the stories of survival with every curve of the road. And if you happen upon Susanna bending over a nineteenth century wood cook stove, she’s most likely fitting it into her next story. Her two sons and their families are her gems and her delight. As to her readers . . . she looks forward to hearing from you.

    Winner of the 2022 Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Historical Romance Novel and is now the Will Rogers Silver Medallion Award Winner 2022 for Historical Romance.

    Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


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    • Look on the right sidebar and let’ talk.
    • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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    $20 GC – Magic Unleashed by Delta James @xpressotours

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    Magic Unleashed
    Delta James
    (The Grimm Files, #1)
    Publication date: September 18th 2024
    Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

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

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

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

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

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

    Magic Unleashed, the first book in The Grimm Files, is a gripping paranormal romance where love is a double-edged sword, and the price of power could be everything.

    Goodreads / Amazon

    —

    EXCERPT:

    “Well, if it isn’t Detective Broussard, bright and early. Are you doing the walk of shame as well? Come to sweep my sister off her feet again, or just drag her back to bed?”

    Griff scowled, brushing past her without a word. He wasn’t in the mood for Savannah’s teasing, not when his mind was spinning with everything that needed to be done.

    “Where’s Phoenix?” he asked, his voice low and gruff as he entered the front hall.

    Savannah sighed dramatically. “Upstairs, brooding, as usual. You two really are made for each other, you know that?”

    Griff didn’t respond; instead, he headed straight for the stairs. He took them two at a time, his boots echoing off the polished wood as he made his way to the second floor where Phoenix’s room was. He could feel her presence even before he reached the door, the faint pulse of her magic brushing against his senses like a whisper.

    He pushed the door open without knocking and found Phoenix standing by the window, her back to him, arms crossed. The sunlight streamed in through the tall windows, casting her in a golden glow that made her seem even more untouchable than usual.

    “You didn’t even say goodbye?” Griff growled; his voice thick with frustration as he closed the door behind him. “After everything that happened last night, you just disappear?”

    Phoenix didn’t turn to face him, but he saw the slight tension in her shoulders. “Griff, last night was…” She paused, choosing her words carefully. “It was what it was. But we both know it doesn’t change anything.”

    “Doesn’t change anything?” Griff’s temper flared, and before he could think better of it, he crossed the room in quick strides, grabbing her by the arm and turning her to face him. “It changes everything, Phoenix.”

    She met his gaze, her eyes a storm of emotions. “No, it doesn’t. You can’t just—”

    Whatever protest she had died on her lips as Griff moved faster than she could anticipate, tossing her over his shoulder with ease, his arm wrapped firmly around her dangling legs. Phoenix let out an indignant cry, her fists pounding against his back.

    “Griff! Put me down, you bastard!”

    Ignoring her protests, Griff carried her out of the room and down the hallway, the echo of his footsteps loud in the otherwise silent mansion. Her sisters and Aunt Maeve were already standing in the foyer, watching the scene unfold with wide eyes full of mirth—okay, her aunt was pissed, but her sisters seemed delighted.

    Geneva chuckled. “Well, this just got interesting.”

    “Out of the way,” Griff barked, pushing past them as Phoenix continued to squirm and protest.

    He reached the front room, a spacious parlor with high ceilings and elaborate decor, and set her down none too gently on her feet. He’d known he needed to be in a room other than her bedroom. He needed a room where they could have some privacy without the temptation of her big four-poster bed staring him in the face. With one hand, he slid the pocket doors shut, sealing them both inside and locking out her meddling sisters and aunt.

    Phoenix glared at him, breathless and flushed. “Have you lost your mind?”

    Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

    Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter


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    Giveaway – Tender Temptation by Kaylene Winter @xpressotours @kayleneromance

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    Tender Temptation
    Kaylene Winter
    (Charming Irish, #1)
    Publication date: October 3rd 2024
    Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

    Tender Temptation is a scorching tale of age-gap, insta-forbidden-love, hidden identities, coming of age, and second chances.

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

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

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

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

    Goodreads / Purchase

    —

    EXCERPT:

    Jesus. Will the rain ever fucking stop?

    Hustling down Second Avenue, with little reprieve from the endless downpour, I try to pull my heavy canvas jacket closed, my flannel shirt and black jeans are practically plastered to my body. Water sloshes into my work boots as I try to navigate glistening puddles pooling on the sidewalk.

    I’m soaked to the bone.

    Like most native Seattleites, I don’t own a fucking umbrella.

    Stubbornly stupid.

    Ah, fuck it. I deserve to be wet and uncomfortable. After the day I’ve had, I might as well get the flu on top of it.

    Finally, I spy the green awning up ahead despite the darkened skies. A few more steps and I push through door of the Metropolitan Grill, a Seattle steakhouse institution. Veering left to avoid the hostess, I take a seat at the bar in all my damp glory.

    Settling onto my usual stool with embarrassingly practiced ease, I’m self-aware enough to realize it’s an act of defiance against my wicked cravings. My eyes, inadvertently—or advertently, who the fuck knows—drift to the rows of amber bottles gleaming against the under light of the glass shelving.

    Particularly to the whiskey. Lord, what I’d give for a fucking taste. How I’d savor it. Vanilla and smoky oak. Sweet notes of caramel and honey. A hint of fruit, either orange zest or a slice of crisp apple. I shut my eyes and practically feel the warmth enveloping me in a comforting glow, radiating through every vein and easing the burdens of my mind. Soothing the aches of my soul. Wrapping around me like a soft, fluffy blanket on a shitty Seattle night.

    It’s been over a year since I’ve had a sip. Even though every day is a battle, I haven’t been tempted in months. Today, though, the fight feels harder. The liquor more alluring.

    Freddy, the bartender whom I’ve known for years, sets down a tonic water with lime in front of me. I grip the cool, clear glass tightly, hoping the lime’s sharp scent will override the memory of peat and warmth. The guy in a suit two seats down orders a Red Breast neat. My jaw clenches with envy. The liquid gold catches the light as Freddy pours it with an easy flick of the wrist.

    Mesmerizing.

    Tamping down the old, familiar ache, I turn away. Focus on the clink of glasses and the murmur of conversations around me—anything to drown out the noise in my head. It’s a silent struggle, unseen by the laughing customers in the busy restaurant.

    I take a sip of my tonic, the fizz biting at my tongue. It’s a pale imitation of what I truly crave, but at least it’s safe. Necessary. I’m fully aware of the consequences if I were to give in to my demons. I’ve lived and breathed them and won’t live one more day with regret coiling in my gut. Still, I need something…more.

    “Hey, man. Can I get a hot coffee?” I tap the polished wood with my finger to get Freddy’s attention. “I’m soaking wet and fucking freezing.”

    “Sure.” Seconds later he hands me a steaming mug. “Cream or sugar?”

    “Both.” I slide a twenty toward him. Coffee is no substitute for the nectar of the gods, but at least it will warm me up and keep me sober.

    Hell, it’s no small feat considering what happened today. Suddenly, I’m on the brink of losing my shit and I have no one to blame but myself.

    Well, maybe my stupid, inherited addiction genes. Memories of my da’s spiral into alcoholism invade my thoughts. Barely a teenager when he crashed and burned. I was instrumental in helping him rebuild the business he founded once he got sober. A decade ago, I took over as CEO and now McGloughlin Construction, is the biggest game in town. For what?

    A terrible mistake I made three years ago coming back to haunt me and destroy all my hard work?

    Author Bio:

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

    Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok


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    $25 GC – The Life Wish by Linda Kage @xpressotours @lindakage

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    The Life Wish
    Linda Kage
    (The Seven, #3)
    Publication date: October 3rd 2024
    Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

    What if you fall in love with a ghost?

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

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

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

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

    Goodreads / Amazon / Bookbub / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

    —

    EXCERPT:

    “This is bad. This is bad. This is really, really bad,” she chanted to herself, freaking out as she shook her hands and glanced around my room as if she’d just found herself in a dungeon. “He couldn’t see me. Why couldn’t he see me?” Focusing on me, she demanded. “Can you still see me?”

    “Yes.” I nodded. “I can see you. And hear you.”

    “Well, what does that mean?” she cried.

    “I…” I lifted my hands to look at this objectively. “I’m not completely sure. But I’m guessing that either you’re a figment of my imagination, and I’m hallucinating right now, or—”

    When I paused at the second option, she stepped closer. “Or what?”

    “Or…” I blew out a breath and couldn’t believe I was going to even suggest this before I just blurted, “Maybe you’re a ghost.”

    “A ghost?” She blinked at me once, then blurted out a laugh before stopping abruptly to scowl. “No. No!” Shaking her head, she began to pace the room. “I don’t like that option. Being a ghost would mean I’m dead. And I’m not dead.”

    “Are you sure?” I asked hesitantly.

    Halting abruptly, she swerved around to send me a harsh scowl. “I think I would know if I was dead!”

    “You’d think you’d know your own name, too,” I countered with a cringe.

    She gasped, insulted, and then narrowed her eyes. “Okay. Alright. Fair point. But if I was dead, could I do this?”

    Spotting my wallet and keys sitting on top of my dresser, she tried to sweep them off with a swing of her hand.

    Except she missed.

    “What the hell?” Blinking in confusion, she tried again, but her hand went straight through the items.

    Easing forward, I pointed out a single finger and nudged the keys, making them scrape across the top of the dresser.

    “Oh, dear God,” she breathed, turning to send me a horrified grimace. “Am I dead?”

    “I don’t know,” I told her honestly. “But I’ve never been able to see ghosts before, and I’m positive I’ve been in the presence of a few.”

    “Then I’m not dead,” she answered astutely and tried to grab my arm to prove it, only to cause a cool, misting sensation to coat my flesh when her fingers went right through me. “Ugh!”

    I glanced down at the spot she’d tried to touch and then back up again. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’re not exactly alive either.”


    Author Bio:

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

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

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

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

    Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram


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    $15 GC – Trophy Wife by Kiru Taye @xpressotours @KiruTaye

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    Trophy Wife
    Kiru Taye
    (Yadili, #6)
    Publication date: September 30th 2024
    Genres: Adult, Romance

    He needs her to elevate his status.
    But she will be his downfall.

    Finally, Ifeoma is ready to fully embrace the freedom of singlehood. Her ex-husband has moved on and remarried, and her son has flown the nest. With the intention of self-discovery, she embarks on a worldwide adventure, determined to fulfil three items on her wish-list: to experience pure joy, to find laughter in every corner, and to revel in her own sensuality.

    Then she meets Nero, a mysterious Black Italian whose charm captivates her instantly. And for twenty-four hours he fulfils every item on her wish-list. But he wants more, more than she’s willing to give. So, she ends it and goes home.

    Months later, Nero turns up in Nigeria, more detached and ruthless than the man she remembers, intent on destroying her family business and legacy. And only one thing will quench his bloody feud—Ifeoma as his trophy wife.

    Still Ifeoma is a titled woman who isn’t easy to control, if she can keep Nero out of her bed—the one place his passion burns hotter than a forge at dawn, consuming her restraint.

    Trophy Wife is book 6 in the Yadili series. In this enemies-to-lovers romance, the air crackles with tension and the chemistry between the characters is scorching hot, creating a story that will leave you breathless. Themes include unrequited love, touch her and die, forced proximity, and the intoxicating darkness of a mafia romance. A full-length novel. No cliffhanger.

    Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Apple / Kobo / Google / Selar

    —

    EXCERPT:

    Nero sat immobilised as he watched Ifeoma approach him. Today she was in a V-neck knee-length multi-print wraparound dress with ties around the side. She’d worn it with a grey blazer which now hung over the chair she’d been sitting on.

    Walking away from a woman had never been difficult for him. And it shouldn’t be with Ifeoma. Yet a heavy weight had crushed his chest when he’d told her he was no longer interested in marrying her.

    She leaned her hips against the table beside him and caught his wrist in her soft hand.

    His flesh burned at the contact, sparks shooting down his arm. It annoyed him.

    This unwavering attraction he held for her had to be because it had been months since he fucked any woman. Months since he fucked her. She was the last woman he’d touched intimately.

    She’d run away after their night together, blocked him from contacting her. Yet here he was burning from her simple touch.

    “Don’t.” The one word was filled with the emotions she roused. A growl rumbled from his chest as he pulled his hand away from her.


    Author Bio:

    Kiru is the award winning author of His Treasure. She writes sensual and passionate multicultural romance stories set mostly in Africa. When she’s not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.

    Subscribe to her newsletter for book news and giveaways: http://www.kirutaye.com

    Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Youtube / Twitter


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