Tag Archives: contemporary and literary fiction

Giveaway – Knowing Nichelle by Tinsley Sellers @TinsleySellers @XpressoTours

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Book details:
Knowing Nichelle 
by Tinsley Sellers 
Publication date: August 16th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

SYNOPSIS

She’s just met the man of her dreams…but he’s not who he said he was. Neither is she. Until they get a second chance to make a first impression.

Is he a sophisticated big-city lawyer, or an easygoing small-town woodworker? And if she’s not a career-driven high-powered attorney, then who is she? Hiding behind their masks is second nature until circumstances force them to see beneath the surface and realize just how alike—and in love—they really are.

He’s only got one rule: no lawyers. She’s a lawyer.

Burned by experience, Buck’s got a rule for a reason. After walking away from a lucrative legal position, he found his peace in Beckley. Life on the farm is simple, and his woodworking business is thriving. He’s not interested in trading his work boots for wingtips and rejoining the rat race. So what if she’s the most compelling woman he’s ever met?

She’s only got one requirement: no a**holes. He’s an a**hole.

After a disastrous encounter in a trendy bar, Nichelle’s convinced that he’s an over-muscled a**hole. She’s got a sleek car, luxurious condo, and elegant designer clothes. Family comes first, and her legal career is on the fastest track. She’s never met a problem she couldn’t solve on her own. So what if he can see beneath her carefully constructed façade?

They’re perfect together. They just don’t know it yet.

Welcome back to Beckley, Michigan! Autumn is in the air and as the days get shorter, the air gets cooler and the calm lakes reflect the blue skies and red-gold trees for a double-dose of fall color. The people are just as warm, friendly, smart, funny, and real as you remember. When you need a place to call home, Beckley welcomes you—and sometimes the family you choose is as strong as the bonds you’re born with.

If you like small-town romance, you’ll like Beckley. If you like smart heroines who balance demanding professional careers with a commitment to family, friends, and finding love, then you’ll definitely like it here. If you like strong, sexy, hard-working heroes who have not-so-secret soft spots for kids, dogs, and classic cars, you may find that you never want to leave!

Knowing Nichelle is the third in the Beckley’s Daughters Romance series. It can be read as a stand-alone story, but continuing readers will recognize many of the characters and locations. This series is recommended for adult readers and contains explicit language and intimate situations.

EXCERPT

Buck

“Welcome to the Alpha Quadrant!” the bartender shouted as he poured two whiskies and set them on the bar before us. I finally took a good look around the space; it had been decorated by someone with a serious Star Trek fixa…oh. Got it. This was definitely her home turf.

Nichelle spun on her stool and waved to the karaoke DJ, set up next to a small stage on the wall opposite the bar. His face lit up and he punched the air enthusiastically. When the couple on stage finished their duet, the DJ spoke into his microphone.

“It’s been awhile, Starfleet cadets, but Uhura is in the house!” Someone whooped, and heads began turning towards Nichelle. “Get your fine ass up on this stage, Lieutenant!”

She grinned and shouted over the crowd, “Pick me a song, Harcourt Fenton Mudd!” I stared with disbelief as she picked her way to the stage. Harry Mudd typed a few keystrokes on his laptop as she stepped onstage and took up her mic. I recognized the No Doubt song; Jess had listened to it compulsively—without headphones—when it was first released.

“Funny how I…find myself…in love with you,” Nichelle’s silken voice stopped most of the conversation in the room. Bones poured me another drink without asking.

“I ask myself, how much do you…commit yourself?”

Thank god I was already sitting. Thank god the place was poorly lit and all eyes were on the stage. The bar was suddenly too hot; I pulled off my suit jacket and draped it over the back of my stool. I yanked my tie loose and popped the collar button that threatened to cut off my airway.

“Funny how I…blind myself…I never knew,” she sang more softly, and I caught the wave of pain that rolled off her. I flinched, but she raised her gaze, finding my eyes in the dim light. Her voice grew stronger, and bam! she was playing the crowd like a pro.

It’s just a song, I repeated to myself. Swallowed some whisky. Just a song. She didn’t pick it. Goddamn it, it’s not a message. Maybe it was. This thing between us… Why was she blinding herself to the possibility? Why was she focusing all her effort on proving that it couldn’t work? I didn’t know how to convince her to give it a shot, but I had to try. She deserved so much. I had to give her this.

“It’s my life,” she belted out. “Don’t you forget.”

It was her life, but I wasn’t about to let her shut me out of it. Not without a fight.

The bartender nudged my elbow, and I swiveled away from the stage to face him. “You got a response to that?” He jutted his chin towards the stage.

He stepped away, set up a round of tequila shots on a tray for the waitress, and returned as the song was ending. “You got a response to that?” he asked again with a knowing look.

“I might,” I admitted.

ABOUT TINSELY SELLERS

Tinsley Sellers grew up in Chicago, spending her summers with her grandparents in a tiny town a lot like Beckley, Michigan. Life took her to Arizona, Washington, and Idaho before she finally found her home in Arkansas. She is married to an amazing, supportive (and handsome!) man, with whom she has rescued three dogs and two cats. When she’s not writing, she teaches physics and engineering at the local university. When she’s not writing or teaching, she’s probably trying new recipes. She enjoys fast cars, loud music, fine whisky, and big books. In no particular order.


Author links:https://tinsleysellers.com/https://www.instagram.com/tinsleysellers/https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18212378.Tinsley_Sellershttps://www.facebook.com/TinsleySellers/https://twitter.com/TinsleySellers

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sherry @ Sunday Memes

Christmas In July – Merry Me by Amanda Siegrist @amanda_siegrist

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How about some holiday romance during the summer heat. A perfect read for the pool or beach, Merry Me (A Holiday Romance Novel #1), by Amanda Siegrist can hit the spot.

Amanda did the cover herself. Very nice, if I do say so myself. 🙂

At the time I created this post, the novel was free, but be sure and check for the ‘0’.

Merry Me

Amazon / Goodreads

MY REVIEW

I have read and enjoyed many of Amanda Siegrist’s novels and to have some romance and Christmas cheer in July is very welcome.

Elliot’s mother loved Christmas, the smells, the music, so Elliot did too. But, now, his mother is gone. His father tried to make it good for them, but Elliot had closed his heart, not letting anyone in.

The mystery gift..

Merry Me by Amanda Siegrist is an uplifting, heartwarming, karma – give good get good and it comes back to you – sacrifice, love and clean romance. At times it will cool you off and other times it will heat up your reading. This wonderful romance is perfect for any time of year.

I voluntarily reviewed a free copy of Merry Me by Amanda Siegrist.

Animated Animals. Pictures, Images and Photos
4 Stars

GOODREADS BLURB

He never knew a simple gift left on his porch step would mend his wounded heart.

Hiding his dislike for the holidays isn’t easy, especially when Chief Elliot Duncan meets a woman who captures his attention with one sweet smile. Lynn Carpenter is beautiful, strong-willed, hardworking, and he doesn’t know how to return her gift that was left on his porch by mistake. As Christmas approaches, it doesn’t take much for the holiday spirit to seep in, not when Lynn makes it so effortless with her excitement. The only thing he wants for Christmas this year is her heart. But between his meddling father and the need to take care of her, something she passionately resists, he knows it won’t be that simple. He’s up for the challenge, because losing Lynn is unacceptable.

Note: Each book in this series can be read as a standalone.

ABOUT AMANDA SIEGRIST

Amanda Siegrist

Love! Gimme some love and heaps of romance. I have a sappy heart that just loves two people meeting, going through the cycles of a relationship, and ultimately, falling in love. Give me a good book like that and I’m a happy camper:)

I write contemporary and romantic suspense, but I am partial to suspense. I just love a good mystery.

Besides writing, I love baking, crafts, and baseball…oh, and meeting new people. *smiles*

Website  /  Twitter  /  Facebook

MY AMANDA SIEGRIST REVIEWS

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Giveaway – Dating By The Book by Mary Ann Marlowe @maryannmarlowe @XpressoTours

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Dating by the Book
Mary Ann Marlowe
Published by: Kensington
Publication date: June 25th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Is love just something you find in books?

Six months ago, writer and bookstore owner Maddie Hanson was left at the altar. Since then, she’s had zero interest in romance—despite the fact that she runs a book club full of sexy eligible bachelors. But when her latest novel is panned by an anonymous blogger who goes by the name Silver Fox—and who accuses her of knowing nothing about passion—she decides to prove her nemesis wrong by seeking a romance hero in real life . . .

There’s the smoldering rock musician, the bookish college professor, and her competitive childhood friend who may want to steal her bookstore more than her heart. Even Silver Fox is getting in on the action, sending Maddie alarmingly—and intoxicatingly—flirtatious emails. And that’s not all. Her ex wants her back.

Now Maddie is about to discover that like any good story, life has twists and turns, and love can happen when you least expect it—with the person you least expect . .

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

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EXCERPT:

The cry of You’ve got mail! broke the silence, and I made the mistake of checking my phone. The preview showed me an incoming email from Silver Fox. I steeled my nerves for the inevitable sting and clicked the link with one eye closed, bracing for a deadly attack. Here he was a total stranger, and the prospect alone of what he might say had my heart racing worse than a Stephen King novel.

I bounced my foot on the spindle of the stool and dove headfirst into what I was sure would be a flogging.

Ms. Kincaid,

I don’t know why I’m responding to you, but I confess that I keep arguing with you in my head, so I’ve finally decided to tell you a thing or two.

First, you’re wrong if you think reviewers don’t hear from authors. We hear plenty, and trust me when I tell you that responses can be pretty vicious. I sometimes ignore them, but believe it or not, I do realize that authors are people, too, which is why I find myself wanting to mentor you to a better mental place. My main argument is that you shouldn’t respond to reviewers because your opinion is no longer valid. Or let me rephrase it—your opinion is no more valid than mine.

Second, I find myself once again in the position of defending my own personal situation. While I do enjoy video games as much as anyone of my generation, it’s not my primary occupation. In fact, writing reviews is my hobby. I may do this in my underwear, but not simultaneously at my mother’s house.

Third, I do have a healthy imagination, and I can read between the lines. You may have romantic experience, but I suspect you’ve forgotten what it feels like to truly be in love. Unfortunately for me, love is a feeling I’m all too familiar with, and I recognize when someone is faking it. If I could offer you some free advice, I’d urge you to get out and get more experience—romance, sex, heartache. Live a little. If you haven’t felt your stomach flip when your hand brushes someone else’s, if your spine doesn’t tingle when you think back on your first kiss, you can’t bring those feelings to your readers.

Or ignore me. I’m sure there will be plenty of readers who don’t care about the romance anyway. You can write for them.

SF

Heartache? He wanted me to intentionally fly into that turbulence again? It had taken me six months to nurse myself from the depths of the abyss before I could sink my fingernails into the ledge and heave myself up and out. Silver Fox expected me to just do it again? Sure.

But what if he was right? What if the cocoon I’d wrapped myself in was preventing me from writing a genuine relationship? Worse, what if it was preventing me from moving on with my life?

I poked at my bruised heart and didn’t recoil in agony. Had it dried up and died?

“Live a little.” Like that was so easy.

I made a fresh latte and walked over to sit with fellow romance-phobe Charlie.

“What are you working on, Charlie?”

“Reading.” He closed his laptop and stretched. “Why do you think so much of literature is about waiting? Why can’t it all just be the good parts? Why do I have to wade through hundreds of pages lost in the mines of Moria before getting to some real action?”

“Are we talking about Tolkien?”

“It’s just a metaphor. So much wandering around. My patience grows short.”

“Sounds like my life. I strayed from the path in Mirkwood forest and can’t find my way back.”

“Have you considered flipping pages?”

“Of my life?” I laughed, trying to imagine how that would work.

“Why not? Choose your own adventure.” He pointed his index finger toward an invisible lightbulb. “Stuck in the mines? Go over the mountain.”

“Madness.”

“Maybe, but it’s still a choice. Or just go to the next chapter. It can’t be that hard.”

I considered his premise. “But what if you skipped over all the boring or hard parts of life? You’d go straight to your death bed!”

“Hmm. I think you can always choose to stray from the path.” He stirred his coffee. “And with that in mind, I’m going to make a monumental decision to start a new book.” His eyes sharpened with sincerity. “You could, too.”

Charlie the Chronicler had struck again.

“Choose your own adventure . . .”

Peter wasn’t even in this chapter of my life. How long was I expected to wait for the return of the king? Did I have to return to the original path? Did I have to wait for Peter to come back around?

Or could I consider other avenues?

What if, instead of sitting in my own self-pity, I took a chance on a perilous quest fraught with messy complications, whose successful completion seemed impossible? It wasn’t like there was safety hiding in the mines anyway. I’d already spent six months in the dark, chased by a cave troll of emotional destruction. I might not die of heartbreak, but loneliness rose up like a flaming Balrog from the depths of hell, and only I could choose to fly to higher ground.

I wanted to emerge as the heroine of my own adventure. A badass heroine controlling her own destiny.


Author Bio:

Some Kind of Magic is Mary Ann Marlowe’s first novel. When not writing, she works by day as a computer programmer/DBA. She spent ten years as a university-level French professor, and her resume includes stints as an au pair in Calais, a hotel intern in Paris, a German tutor, a college radio disc jockey, and a webmaster for several online musician fandoms, plus she has a second-degree black belt. She has lived in twelve states and three countries and loves to travel. She now lives in central Virginia where she is hard at work on her second novel. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.maryannmarlowe.com, on Facebook, www.facebook.com/marlowemaryann/, and at twitter.com/maryannmarlowe.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Giveaway – Crashing Together by Lyssa Cole @lyssacolebooks @XpressoTours

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Crashing Together
Lyssa Cole
Publication date: May 30th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

It’s an age old story….

A summer fling….
A temporary thing…

His name was Cole and I couldn’t resist him. He was everything a girl could want in a summer romance. A hot, tanned, surfer with blonde hair and blue eyes… oh and let’s not forget about all those muscles and the six-pack I couldn’t stop staring at.

We agreed to just sex. Lots of sex. Lots of fun. No titles, no relationship, and certainly no love.

Until the sex started to feel like something else.

Something more..
Something way more…

But for him?
It was still just sex.
Until it wasn’t.
Until everything we didn’t mean to build unraveled in a heap of secrets, lies, and broken trust.

We came crashing together but will our summer fling survive the waves?

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Addi

“You’re in over your head and you know it.” Leigh lifts her frozen margarita to her lips and eyes me over the sugar rim.

“I am not.” I roll my eyes and look around the smoky bar. I don’t know why I even let Leigh talk me into coming here. It’s dark, a little sketchy, and the millions of fog machines fill the place with smoke so thick you’d think they allowed cigarettes in here.

“You’re in denial, Addi. You can’t even look at me.”

I snap my eyes back to her. “It’s hard to see with all this smoke.” I wave my hand around for dramatic effect. I’m so in denial but she doesn’t need to know that.

Leigh laughs and rolls her eyes. “Yeah okay girl, whatever you say.”

“The drinks are delicious though.” I raise my glass before bringing to my lips to it, licking the sugar rim.

It’s as if a storm is brewing, ready to take over at any minute, inside my belly. Awake at night, I stare at the ceiling as it flips and twists, growing worse.

The storm named Cole.

He fills my bloodstream, running through my veins, and follows me everywhere I go. No matter what I do, I can’t stop it.

I was a fool thinking I could and I’m a fool now as I sit here and let it happen.

I’m falling hopelessly in love with Cole.

It’s unreal, consuming, and lighting me on fire from within.

I’ve never felt anything like it before. The more I see him, the more I want. And Leigh is absolutely correct.

I’m in over my fucking head.

Author Bio:

Lyssa Cole has been in love with books for as long as she can remember. Escaping into a story is her favorite pastime. Wanting to be a writer for a couple years, she is now crafting her own stories. She loves to write sweet & sexy romance with lots of heat and some suspense to keep you guessing and wanting to turn that page! She lives in Southeastern Mass with her two kids and two dogs. Lover of coffee, all things chocolate, & always the avid reader, you can keep up with Lyssa Cole by subscribing to her newsletter here: https://www.lyssacolebooks.com/bio.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Newsletter


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Giveaway – That Guy and That Girl by Natalia Albrite @NAlbrite @GoddessFish

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I am a cover girl, so having Natalia Albrite sharing her thoughts on book cover is very appropriate. Welcome to fundinmental and let’s get started.

How do you choose a book cover and what importance do you place upon a book cover? 

The Importance of Book Covers by Natalia Albrite

I place HUGE importance on a book cover and here’s why:

  • I only get one chance to make a first impression. Fair or not, we are a visual people who make all sorts of judgements based on looks. In the realm of personal interactions this can be very unfair. In the realm of professional work, it can still be unfair but fighting the reality would not be a good use of my time. The fact is that potential readers will make a judgement call about the quality of my work based on the cover of my book. I only get their attention for a few seconds and I want to entice them to stick around.
  • My covers need to reflect my brand. I strive for consistency across all platforms. I want to create a seamless experience for readers who look further into me and my work. I want them to explore freely without any jarring moments of, “oh that doesn’t fit.” I know that my books and I are not for everyone but if we are for you, I want you to stay and get comfy in my little corner of the romance world!

How I choose a book cover:

  • I use my gut. I decided to skip past any trend research. I picked something that I liked and reflected a larger sense of me. I want to sustain this career and I know that if I choose according to trend or market, that will wear me out in the long run. I would have a hard time staying excited about what other people like.
  • I want to be inspired. I sought custom cover design for That Guy and That Girl while still early in the revision process. I found my choice to be incredibly inspiring! I was inspired to make the best book I could so it would match up to a great cover!
  • I value the services of a professional. I love my writer’s lane and I respect the graphic designers’ lane. I like to think that I have a great sense of what I like but making it come to life visually is not a skill that I currently have. Fortunately, I had some savings that I set aside to hire a professional. I was so grateful for the work of Robin Vuchnich of mycustombookcover.com

What are your favorite covers? What catches your eye when you explore new authors and their books?

That Guy and That Girl by Natalia Albrite

GENRE:   New Adult Contemporary Romance

PLEASE NOTE: this book will be $0.99 during the tour.

BLURB

Olivia Meadows is excited to finish her senior year of college as a volleyball national champion beside her teammates and best friends. A complication arrives in the form of John Hunter, that guy, her brother’s best friend whom she has had a secret crush on since she was eleven years old. Effortlessly charming and handsome, with a body honed by years of playing football, John initiates his charm offensive and Olivia finds herself unable to resist him.

John Hunter is pumped to finish his senior year of college as a football national champion beside his teammate and best friend. The only thing missing is that girl, Olivia Meadows, his best friend’s little sister. He needed to sow some wild oats before settling down with Olivia but now he is ready for something serious with the girl he has always admired. 

Be careful what you wish for. John and Olivia find themselves dealing with adult consequences very quickly and wondering if their young love can endure the pressures of adulthood. Will they find deeper love or implode from the pressures of their own making?

EXCERPT

I spot Marcus in my dad’s hand-me-down Maxima with John in the front seat next to him. Oh jeez. John Hunter. He’s that guy. He’s the stuff of young girls’ dreams and I gave him up long ago by trying to turn my eyes to other guys. The way I see it, it’s like this: 1) he’s Marcus’s best friend and I have no interest in messing up their friendship; 2) he’s not an intentional player but he’s a player just the same; and 3) thank you, but I’ll skip the broken heart, please. I’ve grown up in proximity to this handsome devil for most of my life and he still manages to make my stomach drop when I see him.

It’s such a cliché to say that he’s tall, dark and handsome but clichés work for a reason—they’re inescapable kernels of truth. John is tall at a striking six feet and four inches. He’s dark with his almost-black hair and deep brown eyes. I can’t forget the handsome with his perfectly structured jaw line. Ridiculous. Just by looking at him, I can feel my adrenaline kicking in and the sweat gathering. Great.

I plaster an annoyed look on my face because that’s how we interact with each other. That’s part of our unwritten script. He plays the charming rogue and I play the cynical wallflower who is suspicious of all his kind gestures. He jumps out and does a half-bow. “Madame, your chariot,” he says as he gestures to the front seat.

Natalia is a lifelong reader and lover of romance novels. Before finally tapping away at her keyboard to create her own stories, she tried all sorts of professions: elementary school teacher, barista, seller of make-up, baker, and the list goes on. When she isn’t pursuing the arts, she’s hanging out with her husband, two wacky children, and full-figured Corgi.

  • Website: www.nataliaalbrite.com
  • Twitter: https://twitter.com/NAlbrite
  • YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCD-cYs7QgaRDMJMSy2QimNA
  • Instagram: http://instagram.com/nataliaalbrite
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/nataliaalbrite/
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Encourage your readers to follow the tour and comment; the more they comment, the better their chances of winning. The tour dates can be found here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2019/04/vbt-that-guy-and-that-girl-by-natalia.html

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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Giveaway – Billion Dollar Daddies by Breanna Hayse @BreannaHayse @SDSXXTours

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Lonnie 1, is only .99 cents

Billion Dollar Daddies: Lonnie
by Breanna Hayse
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Graye Manor is known throughout the BDSM community for producing the best trained, specialty submissives in the world, and caters to matching these ladies with the perfect partner to guarantee a Happily-Ever-After. But what happens to those girls who aren’t accepted into the program, especially those naturally pulled toward an age-play dynamic? They are matched with Billionaire Daddy Doms… and rarely just one…
LONNIE
Lonnie Stuart is facing a prison sentence for felony shoplifting. Instead of entering the courtroom, she’s summoned into the judge’s chambers. There she meets Maxwell Tohler who offers her placement in an experimental reform program designed to give young women a second chance to achieve their greatest goals and live their dreams. She’d be assigned a ‘guardian’ who’d provide for her every need and lavish her with the care she’s always desired. The downside is the requirement to follow the guardian’s rules or risk some unpleasant time across his knee.
Her first inclination to Max’s proposal is to run, except she’s drawn to his handsome face, strong body, and the ‘thing’ in his voice that makes her feel small, vulnerable, and safe. Not only does he stir a heart that yearns love and acceptance, but her body as well. So, when Max rejects her request to be her guardian, she’s crushed.
Max, the case-worker for the Guardian Program, is sent by his old friend Dorian to evaluate and match one of the denied applicants for Manor submissive training. Taking the bench in the Hampton’s as a favor for the regular judge, Max ends up face to face with the girl he was sent to meet! She was everything he ever wanted in a woman and more-smart, beautiful, sweet and a little broken. Refusing her request to belong to him is one of the hardest things he’d even done, but the program was to help the women, not himself.
Little does he know, but their meeting is one of Dorian Graye’s grand schemes to match the perfect girl with her perfect Daddy Dom!
To her delight, Lonnie’s unexpected assignment to the stern alpha male begins a journey of personal growth and sexual exploration. Max takes her from New York to his stunning home on the edge of Lake Tahoe. She’s in for a second surprise when she meets Mik, Max’s identical twin. For the first time in her life, she is confident that genuine love would be hers in the embrace of the two Daddy Doms!
Her action-filled fairytale ending falters when her vicious aunt starts to stir up trouble by trying to gain control of Lonnie’s considerable trust fund. The cross-country investigation and legal conflicts bring up some ugly secrets and deception, causing a rift that might easily destroy Lonnie’s dreams of a HEA and tear the twin brothers apart forever.
Facing the most difficult decision of her life, Lonnie turns to an unexpected resource for advice. Should she chose one of the men for herself or save the brothers’ relationship by walking away with a broken heart?
Note: This new series is brought to you by the author who started the Age-Play phenomena, Breanna Hayse. As a BDSM/AP lifestyler, she ensured that the reader enjoys the dynamic in the way it exists in real life. If you haven’t read realistic AP literature, or believe it’s not your cup of tea, give this book a try. You might be surprised at what you find inside this full-length novel!
Billion Dollar Daddies: Lonnie 2
With identical twin Daddy Doms, Lonnie faces
Double the Trouble and Twice the Fun!
LONNIE
After escaping the ghettos of New York City, Lonnie is finally free to live her Happily-Ever-After in beautiful Lake Tahoe with her identical twin Daddy Doms, Max and Mik Tohler. In addition, Dorian and Meredith Graye, and her future mother-in-law step into her life and give her the love of a family that she’s longed for.
Princess rooms, tea parties, and a surprise trip to a very special house at Mt. Shasta encouraged the emergence of her ‘Tween’ and all the sass, trouble, adventure, laughter, and attitude that comes with the title. Spurred on by her Daddy Doms, Lonnie explores the wants and needs of her long-neglected inner child; but when she slips into her ‘adult’ mode, her womanly desires are awakened. Her innocence and vulnerability are tested when the twins plan a surprise that takes her to ‘The Lair’ in San Francisco and the unique BDSM playroom. There her eyes are opened to another level of sensuality, trust, and love. She also faces a fear she can’t ignore and an object of past abuse. Can she summon the courage to face a terror of long-ago and clear the path for future joy, or will she do what comes naturally and run?
Max and Mik are as opposite as they are the same. One is creative and spontaneous while the other is controlling and disciplined, yet through the woman they share, the twins’ strengths and weakness blend together. They soon discover Lonnie’s presence brings out the fun-loving banter and play that a past betrayal stripped from their lives. She turns their world upside down and, with that, they learn the freedom of creative control—when it comes to both discipline and the bedroom!
Together, Max and Mik give Lonnie what she needs the most. She is spoiled and disciplined, and her life is filled with more love and care that she knows how to handle. Yet, an obstacle seems to be waiting at every turn, and she starts to question her decisions. After all the turmoil, jealousy, insecurities, and fears are exposed, the choice to make the relationship a permanent commitment has to be made. The last thing she wants is to hurt the men that saved her life and offered a second chance at happiness, especially before the holidays, but she’s learned the hard way that everything good comes with a hefty, and usually painful, price.
Publisher’s Note: This book, the characters, court scenes, etc is FICTION. Please sit back and enjoy a story for what it is– Entertainment and fun!
Billion Dollar Daddies: Jennie
What can one Little girl and her four handsome Daddy-Doms do to keep warm during cold, Alaskan nights in Denali National Park?
Jennifer Hudson lives in a world that has no place for her other than being the ‘reward’ given to her owners’ clients. She’s beautiful, smart, and sexy, but years of pain and fear have left her emotions and desires caged and without a key. She knows that she won’t survive much longer in her present circumstance and needs to decide-
Does she run and risk her life, or remain where she is and never have one?
With the aid of Dorian Graye and the Guardian program, Jennie is placed in emergency care of the four-unit team of Daddy Doms who vow to do whatever is needed to keep her safe, happy and whole- even if it means applying some uncomfortable disciplinary measures. One by one, the brothers-in-arms break down Jennie’s hard exterior and draw out the little girl hiding behind the walls of her heart. She soon discovers that the price of vulnerability is high, and the cost dear.
But is love worth the risk?
Author’s Note: This Reverse Harem introduces the town of Northern Lights- an age-play community where ‘it takes a village’ (or, at least three daddies) to raise a happy Little submissive.
Billion Dollar Daddies: Jennie 2
What can one Little girl and her four handsome Daddy Doms do to keep the fires burning on long, endless nights in a remote Alaskan lodge?
Jennie, and her four-man Recon team, continue their adventures in this action packed (and ever so romantic) sequel that explores their unique poly relationship and the little age-play village of Northern Lights.
After being stalked, and surviving a brutal attack, Jennie discovers that there’s so much more to life than satisfying her unceasing appetite for the men who’ve taken her in and given her their hearts. Her trust unfolds and, with it, a mischievous part of her nature in the form of a Middle. Of course, there’s only one way to handle a naughty Middle- and it’s NOT by giving her caramel apples and peppermint sticks.
Then there’s Slater…
After a rocky start, Slater Foxx, the mysterious fourth member of the team, awakens Jennie’s sassiness by taking her up Mount Denali where he introduces her to his rescued wolf pack and the glorious beauty of the Alaskan wilderness. Before they know it, daylight is gone and the couple has no choice but to bunk in Slater’s amazing little ‘ice-castle.’ The unexpected getaway sparks something neither of them could have prepared for.
That’s only the beginning!
As the holidays approach, the little family of five grow closer than ever, but come face to face with the possibility of being torn apart by an outside source. Jennie, once again, is caught between a rock and a hard place- and has to decide what’s more important-
The truth or continuing to live in her ultimate fantasy?
Billion Dollar Daddies: Jennie 3
Jennie and her four handsome Daddy Doms have returned with more
laughs, tears, and hot times as they find ways to occupy themselves
on the long, winter nights in Alaska.
The tiny town of Northern Lights is preparing for their fourth annual WIN (Winter Ice Night) campout. Hot cocoa, an igloo building contest, ice-skating, winter games, bonfires, ball gowns, and loads of CANDY are just a glimpse of what the ladies get to look forward to.
Being a Big girl in a poly-household is fun and satisfying, but so exhausting! It’s been a happy challenge for Jennie to adjust to the needs of the men, but well worth the effort. They treat her like a princess when she behaves, and a naughty little girl when she doesn’t, but are always there with love and A LOT of guidance- whether she wants it or not. With WIN around the corner, she’s trying SO hard to be extra good- but mischief has a way of working itself into the picture. Add to that a dose of stubbornness, and it’s recipe for trouble.
Jenn’s not alone. Her BFF and fellow mischief maker, Lena, introduces her to the greatest delight in the WIN celebration- the girls are allowed to do ANYTHING they want without consequences! Of course, their Daddy Doms are experts with maneuvering around the rules and find ways to ‘show their love’ that even stuns Jennie-the queen of loopholes herself!
So many wonderful things have happened since the four-man team took her in. Who would’ve thought that the day she traveled to the polar regions of Alaska, she’d fall in love with the beautiful winter snows of Denali, learn eskimo bushcraft, and would even be able to hold her own on the ice? She’s happy, loved and desired, and there is nowhere else in the world that she’d rather be.
But she never prepared for what was waiting around the corner that will change the lives of her, and her four wonderful men, forever…
BDSM/AP lifestyler Breanna Hayse strives to give her readers truth and reality of the BDSM/Age-Play/Total Power and Erotic Exchange lifestyle.
Who am I?
I’m a native Californian gone ‘wild’, and had the opportunity to travel the globe and discover the world through the eyes of both a Marine Intelligence specialist and a BDSM lifestyler. I left the service to go into hospice nursing and grief counseling, eventually working as a marriage and family therapist for those involved in alternative lifestyle development. This experience has allowed me to gain unique inspiration for my books and offer realistic plots and relatable characters.
In 2004, my husband, John, and I joined forces to work with both submissives and dominants- teaching, training, listening and loving. Our goal was to take the mystery and fear out of the lifestyle and mentor people in safe, consensual and healthy relationships.
My first book, The Game Plan, was published in 2012 and opened the door to the now-booming world of Age-Play literature. Since that time, I’ve devoted my ‘spare’ time to writing, researching, community involvement, and private and group pro bono counseling in deviant behavior, alternative lifestyle, and addiction recovery.
I was formally ‘dungeon trained’ as a Domme before discovering my submissive side when I joined the service. My scenarios are pulled primarily from either personal experience or observation, including spending time in BDSM clubs as the safety/medical officer. My multi-faceted background allows me to glean from many avenues and give a unique and intelligent literary experience through elements of fantasy and fiction. I also discuss the questions and psychology of the lifestyle in a manner that is fun and informative, and based on ‘the real deal.’
I live with my husband, musician, and fellow-author, John Hayse, and two border collies in southern California. We practice a 24/7 D&S relationship with speckles of AP (and many trips to Build-A-Bear), and happily spend every moment together that we can. My hobbies include my puppies, hiding my vanilla salt-water taffy where John can’t find it, exotic art, collecting inspirational trinkets, and developing my own paddle line. You can also see me as a featured author/instructor in professional conference settings and as a Sexpert for kinkyliterature.com.
Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!
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Giveaway – His Little Wife Lie by Sloan Storm @sloanstormbooks @XpressoTours

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His Little Wife Lie
Sloan Storm
Publication date: April 26th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

IT’S NOT A LIE IF WE BELIEVE IT’S TRUE.

That’s what Griff Foster said right after he asked me to be his wife.
Sweet, isn’t he?

Let’s be real: his proposal had nothing to do with romance. Falling in love isn’t in his DNA. With piercing blue eyes and a hard body to match, he goes through women like candy.

But he saved my life.

I promised I’d repay him. I should learn when to keep my mouth shut.
Griff needs a Mrs. Right Now, and he’s convinced I’m the perfect actress.

In case I have any doubts, there are seven badly needed zeroes on a check with my name on it to help make up my mind.

Ugh.

We’re totally fake. Nothing but lies.

Except the way his lips feel on mine.
Except the way his touch sets my body ablaze.
Except the way my soul aches when he looks into my eyes.

He says that without me, he loses everything.
But if I’ve got the upper hand, why does it feel like he’s in control?

There’s only one thing missing from this arrangement.
What happens to my heart when it’s over?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

That was it!

What kind of fucking game was he trying to play? I made a complete fool out of myself, then he tried to turn it around on me! No one was going to treat me like this, especially not him.

Once in my room, I raced toward the closet, grabbed my bag, and dragged it out. Fuck this place!

Tiny Me chimed in. No, no! Wait! What are you doing? The money!

“I don’t care about the money!” I yelped, clutching my fingers into fists. “Don’t you understand? I care about him!” Oh shit. No. No.

I sensed a presence in the doorway. “What did you say?”

“Stay away from me.” I spun in place, biting my lip and sputtering hate. “I’m leaving. You can’t stop me.”

He didn’t listen. Of course. I mean, why start now?

Marching right toward me, Griff continued, “You said you cared about me. Don’t try and deny it.”

Yeah, no kidding. You ass. “Of course, I do! Jesus! Do you know how many men I’ve offered my virginity to? Do you? Take a wild guess.”

Griff didn’t respond. What could he say? He already knew the answer.

I poked him in the chest. “Just one. Guess how that went over?”

Griff’s nostrils flared. His eyes narrowed. I was pissing him off. Well. Good! Now he knew how I felt!

“Move,” I snarled, edging past him.

I felt the handle of my suitcase rip free from my hand. By the time I turned to look and see what happened, he’d swept me up me in his arms, racing for the bed.

No!

“Put me down!” I floated in his embrace until he slammed me with a thump, pinning me beneath him. Struggle was useless, but I gave it everything I had, jerking from side-to-side until the instant his lips found mine.

Oh fuck. No! Yes. Yes. Yeeessss…

The passion from his kiss ripped through my body like wildfire, reigniting the embers he left smoldering inside of me with his refusal. Griff’s pelvis pressed into me, the impossible hardness between his legs threatened to reawaken my lust into an inferno until my wits returned.

“Stop!” I gasped, breaking my mouth free. My palms went flat, shoving against his torso. “Get off of me!”

His gaze gave me the answer. Never. Griff ignored my pleas and gripped harder, making me feel he’d crush me into dust if I uttered another word. Reaching up, I clawed and scratched, digging my nails into the steel of his thick chest. But my rage only stoked him, and he groaned, his mouth invading mine again, filling it with his tongue. My resistance turned to vapor, whisps of hate floating away from me while Griff took what he wanted.

At last, he pulled away. I looked at him, my vision glassy from the struggle, each of us fighting for a breath.

“We can’t.” I exhaled. “It’s a mistake.”

Wait. That wasn’t no. Was it?

He licked his lips and sank his pelvis deeper, driving it hard between my legs. I stifled a whimper.

“You’re right,” he hummed, reaching for one of my tits, cupping it in his grasp. Uhhh. My eyes rolled back in my head, his touch had me on the verge of blackout

“It’s the biggest mistake of all,” he warned. “No turning back. No way out.”

No way out. His words reached into my soul, giving me the answer my brain couldn’t. I don’t want one. Don’t give me one. If you do, I might take it.

Wordless, Griff moved over me, a shadow threatening the last shreds of my chastity. With my legs spread and my innocence at risk, I inched my mouth toward his lips when he whispered his final threat.

“At last.”


Author Bio:

Sloan Storm pens imaginative yarns based on dominant men and the women who challenge them. As such, power plays and passion are the heart of each and every story.

The writer’s creative tendencies may drift as the mood strikes, but the essence of all tales told wind up back at the same place… the polarizing difference between the sexes.

After all, what else is there in life?

When not glued to a keyboard creating tales of whimsy, Sloan loves to talk to fans! If you want to connect, you can do it in any number of ways:

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub


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Giveaway – Forgiven Are The Starry-Eyed by Christine Dore Miller @cdoremiller @XpressoTours

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

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

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Hey,” he started, “Andrea … it’s…”

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

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

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

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


Author Bio:

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

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Giveaway – Animal Attraction by Kate Willoughby @Kate_Willoughby @XpressoTours

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

—

Are you a reviewer?
Request a review copy here!

—

EXCERPT:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gathering her courage, she knocked anyway.

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

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

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

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

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


Author Bio:

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

Yeah. Don’t judge her.

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

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

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter


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  • If you like what you see, why don’t you follow me?
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  • Leave your link in the comments and I will drop by to see what’s shakin’.
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Giveaway – Raven Acoustics by Grace Harper #GraceHarper @XpressoTours

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

Errol Thomas has a tortured soul, always has had.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Book 1: Charcoal Notes
Book 2: Crimson Melodies

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Deadline day had arrived.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“What happens next?” I asked.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Author Bio:

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

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

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

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