Welcome to the release event for Vertical Lines by Kristen Kehoe! Vertical Lines is a new adult contemporary and is now available for sale on Amazon.
About the Book:
An artist and a smart girl.
A staid family and a broken one.
She’s adorably literal; he’s big and quietly emotional.
Jordana Richards was determined to make the best of her post high school life, despite the fact that nothing about her current college experience was of her choosing: not the school or the major, and definitely not the place. But it wasn't home, so that's something. Yet, the harder she tried to fit in, the less she felt like she did.
Until the night she said screw it.
Until the night she walked out on her parents and bought her very own piece of cake.
The same night she met Brooklyn Novak: brooding artist, huge man, overall scary human being who took a keen interest in her.
Brooklyn was out of ideas. He had no art, because really, his subjects had no soul. When the girl at the convenience store clicked her way into his life on five hundred dollar shoes and the fumes of a tantrum, this changed. Jordana Richards: the rich girl with a mission who gave Brooklyn the spark he needed to create again.
Uncomfortable with their attraction, Brooks and Jordan strike a deal: he'll help her have fun, she'll be his muse for as long as he needs. Simple.
Yeah right.
The more time they spend together, the more both of them realize that what started out as a convenient relationship is now transitioning to vital, and neither knows how to deal with it.
When a truth comes to light that has the potential to break both of their worlds, Jordan and Brooks have to decide how deep their feelings really go, and just how much they are willing to sacrifice in order to be together.
I am a writer of YA/NA contemporary novels. I write about those crazy ages of 18-23 because there is nothing scarier than being told to grow up and decide what to do with your life and who to be so suddenly. I write about love because it’s my belief that love, in one form or another, saves us all at some point in our lives. I am married to a man who understands and believes in me, and mother to a beautiful baby girl and a neurotic Great Dane Puppy.
Prizing provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited. No purchase necessary to win.
Welcome to the cover reveal of the Kiss A Bell series by Cecilia Gray! The Kiss a Bell series are regency romances and release in February.
A brand new series from the author of The Gentlemen Next Door, praised for being a "delightful Regency romp… in the spirit of Georgette Heyer."
THE KISS A BELLE SERIESFive supportive sisters.Five friendly gentlemen.Five stolen kisses.Everyone has kissed someone, but who has kissed whom?Secrets of the past will become very much present as arrangements are made and proposals fly in this charming, Regency-style series.
Book 1: Kiss Me AfterBook 2: Kiss Me DarklyBook 3: Kiss Me SweetlyBook 4: Kiss Me SoftlyBook 5: Kiss Me Again
While all of the stories can be enjoyed as standalones, you may want to read them all. Books 1–3 occur concurrently and can be read in any order; Books 4 and 5 follow respectively.
Kiss Me AfterMeet Alice Belle—the Bossy Belle—used to getting her way. If anyone has to fall on the matrimonial sword it will be she and not her sisters. She has set her sights on the richest, most titled gentlemen in her acquaintance. The perfect man to make her father happy, leaving her beloved sisters free to marry whom they choose.Meet Robert Crawford—ringleader—used to masterminding his way. If anyone is going to marry Alice Belle, it is he. Never mind that he's poor, without a title, and completely unsuitable for Alice in the eyes of her father. He loves her. Which makes him the perfect man to make her happy, whether she realizes it or not.
Kiss Me SweetlyMeet Bridget Belle—the Bookish Belle—her head full of mischief and ideas. Unlike her sisters, she has every intention of marrying a storybook hero. Someone romantic and passionate—just like her.Meet Benjamin Abernathy—the sensible duke's son—his head firmly on his shoulders. Being the rational one amongst his friends has seen him through school and the war. But it will take more than reason and logic to win a battle of wits against Bridget.
Kiss Me SoftlyMeet Seraphina Belle—the Belle Belle—whose face has launched a legion of metaphorical ships. Since her birth caused her mother's death, she's determined to be the perfect daughter. As a dowager duchess at the height of respectability, she is known for turning out perfect matches… until he threatens to ruin her perfect reputation.
Kiss Me AgainMeet Charlotte Belle—the Bovine Belle—who has made a career of being utterly unremarkable. The middle and forgotten child, she is completely unseen, until he sees her. Not that it matters, because the only thing worse than falling in love is doing so with someone who can never love you back.
Cecilia Gray writes sweet stories about smart girls and nice guys.When she isn't writing, she's into books, movies, TV, food, and hanging out with her friends. Subscribe to her newsletter for updates on new releases, sneak peeks, and giveaways.
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.
I’m excited to welcome you to the release event for No Substitute for Mistakes by Carolyn J. Rose. This is the fifth book in the Subbing isn’t for Sissies series and is now available for sale! This is a cozy mystery series and the first three books are only .99 cents!
About the Book:
When substitute teacher Barbara Reed agrees to fill in for an instructor at a juvenile detention facility, she fears it’s a huge mistake. The job is stressful and confining. But Barb needs a paycheck, and a looming teachers’ walkout could eliminate regular subbing opportunities in Reckless River , Washington .
On her first day “behind bars,” Barb recognizes one young offender. When he claims he’s innocent, she sets out to investigate his crime—stealing a pedigreed cat. Her drug cop boyfriend urges caution, but Barb once had a run-in with the cat’s wealthy owner and thinks the kid was set up.
Meanwhile, someone is ghostwriting a cat-bashing blog for Barb’s entitled dog Cheese Puff. Several cat lovers aren’t amused. They post comments vowing to track down the little mutt and make sure Cheese Puff never blogs, barks, or breathes again. While members of the Cheese Puff Care and Comfort Committee scramble to uncover the blogger, a duck with attitude makes fur and feathers fly.
Then things get worse. Disgruntled teachers hire Barb’s bombastic sister to lead their protest. Barb’s friend Paulette discovers her interior decorating assignment pays in drug money. And Barb learns the hard way that snooping can be hazardous to her health.
Carolyn J. Rose grew up in New York’s Catskill Mountains, graduated from the University of Arizona, logged two years in Arkansas with Volunteers in Service to America, and spent 25 years as a television news researcher, writer, producer, and assignment editor in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington. She lives in Vancouver, Washington, and her interests are reading, gardening, swimming, and NOT cooking. Find out more about her and her books at http://www.deadlyduomysteries.com
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.
Welcome to the release event for TheSoul Summoner by Elicia Hyder. This is an adult contemporary fantasy. The book is now available for sale at Amazon!
The Soul Summoner (The Soul Summoner Series #1)
Publisher – Forge Creek Press
Release Date – November 9th, 2015
Genre – Contemporary Fantasy
Rating – PG13
Length – 290 Pages About the Book:
Blessed–or cursed–with a connection to the souls of others, Sloan Jordan can see the best in people… and the worst. For twenty-seven years, she's kept her ability to judge the innocent from the wicked a secret, but eleven young women have been murdered in the mountains of North Carolina, and Sloan may be the only hope of finding their killer.
She has just agreed to help Detective Nathan McNamara with the case, when a stranger--who is as alluring as he is terrifying--shows up at her doorstep with a dark past and another puzzling mystery: she can't see his soul at all.
Now, Sloan is on the hunt for a deadly psychopath with two irresistible men. One of them would die for her, and the other would kill to keep her safe.
About the Author:
Elicia Hyder is the author of several contemporary fantasy novels such as The Soul Summoner, The Siren, The Angel of Death, and The Daughter of Zion as well as a few contemporary romances, The Bed She Made and To Be Her first. Elicia studied American Literature and Creative Writing at the American Military University. She lives with her husband and five children in central Florida.
Sign up for the newsletter and receive a free ebook of The Detective. ** **************** ** GIVEAWAY:
$25 Amazon Gift Card (INT)
Ends Nov. 27
Prizing provided by the author, hosts are not responsible. Must be 13 or older to enter and have parental permission if under 17. Void where prohibited by law. No purchase necessary to win.
Magic or madness? Can your dreams really take over your life?
Falling Awake is the story of a book and the power of imagination to turn two lives upside down.
When Mary Parker finds an unusual book everything in her life changes. As she reads, she dreams, and the quiet, repressed woman is transformed.
She gives the book and the phenomenon a name, 'falling awake’. The existence of the book seems to make others act out of character too. Joe’s usually dour father gambles with the factory where Mary works, and Joe, the romantic daydreamer, engages in a sexual eternal triangle to keep the dull routine of the accounts department at bay. The dominant partner in the triangle is Clem; dark and dangerous.
Extricating himself from Clem, Joe meets Mary. They fall in love and marry in haste when Mary falls pregnant, but this is no happy ever after tale. Their joy turns to misery when Mary miscarries and she turns inward to her darkening 'falling awake' world. Then Joe's father dies, and he has to fight for control of the factory. He falls into Clem’s clutches again, and to make things worse, he believes Mary is going mad, and the people and places she remembers all just dreams dreamt inside her insanity. But then how can Joe remember them too?
Magic or madness?
For Mary and Joe, the impossible - or the deadly - might only be a breath away.
Falling Awake is a brain teaser, an atmospheric mystery, an exposition of madness; an examination of the impossible, a fantasy, a ghost story, a psychological thriller, a love story, and a story of intrigue and sudden death. It will keep you awake at night, wondering, and pausing during the day, questioning …
One editor has already described it as:
“In the best traditions of Audrey Niffenegger and Carlos Ruiz Zafón…”
And others comment:
“…one of the most original, quirky manuscripts I’ve read for a long time…”
“…I especially like the fairy-tale and myth undertones that creep in from time to time throughout the novel: Sleeping Beauty clutching her book with echoes of Snow White in her glass coffin, the transformative red mac with its Red Riding Hood connotations, Mary’s Cinderella transformation from emotionally abused child to confident woman, the mermaid dress, Mariam’s Scheherazade dance, and especially the gambler as Rumpelstiltskin…”
“…a light, authoritative touch with both …story and characters.”
Debrah Martin is a British author writing under three different pen names and in three very different genres. She plots fast-paced thrillers as D.B. Martin, with the first in the Patchwork trilogy, Patchwork Man, having been recently awarded a coveted B.R.A.G. Medallion. Her YA teen detective series is penned as Lily Stuart – THE teen detective; irreverent, blunt, funny and vulnerable. Webs and Magpies are the first two books in the series. And as Debrah Martin she writes literary fiction. Her first literary fiction, Chained Melodies, a startling transgender story to rival The Danish Girl, and described pre-release as “…a beautiful book about love, acceptance and self-discovery…” was also released earlier this month.
Net Galley reviewers can access an ARC of Falling Awake there from 27th October, and all reviewers can obtain a copy and more information about Debrah’s other works by contacting her at the email address below.
For the first thirty reviewers to post a review of Falling Awake on Amazon, if you email Debrah with a link to the review, she’ll send you a bumper bundle (digital) of her other adult fiction books, including the award-winning Patchwork People series. Reviewers are also invited to contact Debrah for review copies of any of her books.
But apparently she could. It was the unusual challenge to the premise that had brought him here against the inclination to evade responsibility and slip home to his own dreams. She’d slept continuously for days now, without the need for water or sustenance; her only requirement, seemingly, a book. He peered curiously through the viewing panel as the attendant hovered behind him.
‘That’s her,’ the attendant announced as if pulling a rabbit from a hat. ‘Mary Parker.’
‘She’s very pretty,’ the tall young man declared, deep blue eyes narrowing to slits as he studied her. The woman’s long red hair cascaded over the side of the bed like blood streaming to the floor, her face a marble effigy of life. She reminded him of Millais’ Ophelia as she floated downstream on her layette of wild flowers – except this frozen beauty was merely asleep, not dead. He wondered what she was dreaming about. She seemed very familiar in a strange half-forgotten way.
‘Yeah, she is – and quiet now, but she weren’t once. Blimey – you should have seen her then, screaming and hollering. Wasn’t until we found that old book and gave it back to her that she shut up.’ The attendant picked at his nails and watched the tall young man lean in closer still. The corner of a book poked out from under the tightly clasped hands. ‘Then she just slept,’ the attendant added, shrugging his shoulders.
‘What’s its significance?’ the young man asked. He could just make out a title scrawled longhand across its spine. He wondered if the woman had written it on herself. He could only decipher the first word – ‘Falling’.
‘Not a clue, Mister; it’s just an empty book.’ The attendant shifted impatiently, as if tired of waiting, then asked, ‘How’d you know her again?’ He flipped the visitors’ page back to read the tall young man’s entry.
22nd Sept ’92: Time in – 5.45pm. John Hathorne, Director: Geo. Tooley & Sons.
‘I don’t really. She worked at the factory, that’s all. We have to be seen as caring employers so I’m here to check on her before we sign her off the books.’ He paused. Now he came to think of it he might have met her once. There had been a girl with bright red hair like hers the day he’d been shown round the factory. He’d been surprised by her scarlet mac because of the colour clash. He dragged himself from his reverie.
‘You said she had no family?’
‘Nope, apparently the mother died a while back and the neighbours say she’s been a bit odd ever since. Before they brought her in here she was wandering the graveyard down the road babbling about how she couldn’t find herself any more. Shame – when you got no-one.’
‘How do you think she can do it?’
‘What?’
‘Not eat or drink for so long – just sleep.’
‘Beats me. Maybe she’s not really there and we’re just imagining her.’ The young man stared at him. The attendant laughed. ‘Only joking. You done then?’ The attendant looked expectantly at him, and the young man found himself involuntarily offering his business card before collecting his briefcase and coat.
‘I suppose I could see if I can do something to help her if she comes back to the land of the living.’
The attendant turned the card over and read aloud, ‘Bespoke leisure wear and stage costumiers; themed event supplies a speciality.’ He studied the tall young man. ‘Versions of reality, huh? You’ll be getting a lot of custom soon, then.’ He sniggered. Outside the midweek rush hour traffic distantly hooted on its way home. The light had dimmed to the half-dusk of early autumn, but fallen leaves and skeletal trees said winter was already in the air.
The tall young man had spotted the now redundant leather straps on the side of the bed when he’d been trying to decipher the title of the book. The reddening round her wrists indicated where no doubt they’d been clasped until recently. ‘Halloween does tend to be a busy time,’ he agreed, suddenly uneasy. The place was oppressive and the sight of the comatose and confined woman depressed him. ‘Such a waste. Will she ever recover, do you think?’
‘Don’t know, mister. Not sure if she’s actually ill. Probably just the stresses of life – grief and disappointment. They do strange things to us, don’t they? Perhaps if she had someone to look after her, she’d get well again, but then who knows when anyone recovers from life.’ He laughed mirthlessly. ‘Maybe it’s better to just dream?’ The tall young man considered the idea for a while.
‘No, reality is always better, no matter how hard.’
He went back to the viewing window and studied the young woman for a few minutes more before gathering up the Essex County Gazette he’d brought with him and stuffing it under the arm carrying the briefcase. The pages creased and he made to flatten them, but stopped abruptly and tossed the paper back on the table the attendant had been sitting at when he’d arrived. He peered at his hand as if there was something wrong with it before shaking his head. The attendant cleared his throat meaningfully and opened the unit’s outer door.
‘I hope her dreams are sweet,’ the young man added sadly as the attendant ushered him out. The attendant flicked the light off and the room behind them sank back into shadow.
Neither saw the frozen figure thaw, stir, and open her eyes – deep green pools of luminescence. They fixed on the door and she listened intently to the low rumble of the tall young man’s voice as he made his goodbyes. The marble features creased to a frown and the slack body tensed. The book still clutched in her hand shivered.
‘No!’ she murmured. ‘No, no, no!’
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GIVEAWAY:
Two (2) print copies of Falling Awake by Debrah Martin (INT)
Ends November 19th
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible.
Today we're excited to share the cover reveal for the revitalized cover of Warrior Spirit, Book 1 of The King of Ireland series by Jean Carroll. The book is also available free for Kindle 10/14-10/18, so grab it quick!
Book Description:
Irishman Blackie O'Brien led a sinful and self-destructive life of women, alcohol and drugs. He was the best, winningest, champion steeplechase jockey in the history of the sport until a near-fatal racing accident ended his career.
But this was no "accident"- his ruthless ex-agent, Mickey Reegan orchestrated the whole thing. It seems that the luck o' the Irish has deserted Blackie once and for all.
And Blackie is no ordinary Irishman. This lusty young man is the direct descendent of Brian Boru, the most influential High king of Ireland. If Ireland still had a king, Blackie would be it.
Now, Blackie is a man without a career and without a kingdom.
Cheltenham
Warrior Spirit chronicles Blackie’s journey from the green valleys of Ireland to the privileged horse country of Middleburg, Virginia. As Blackie begins to despair over his future, in enters beautiful, young Meg, who brings her horses to Blackie’s family farm where he’s been recuperating from the accident.
Their sexual chemistry is immediate.
But Blackie’s family has other plans for him. They believe he’s driven by the spirit of an ancient Irish warrior and demand he find a place in Ireland’s political leadership.
From fighting off alcoholic temptations, thwarting an attempted rape of Meg, and stopping thugs trying to take his life, Blackie leaps over one hurdle after another. Will Blackie ultimately find the future he’s meant to have with the love of a good woman?
I started writing The King of Ireland series in 2008 when I had my second knee replaced. I was immobilized with ice on my knee for hours during the day and was, of course, bored to tears. The’King’ story was something I had played with in my head for maybe twenty-five years. Watching one more TV show, I decided to write it down. I wrote long-hand and quickly filled many yellow legal pads and kept on going. Luckily my sister-in-law was a very good typist, so I enlisted her help.
I made a lot of mistakes at first and along the way learned a great deal about the craft of writing and I’m still learning. I got a mountain of advice and help from agents, editors, contest judges, critique groups and friends. I found quickly that their was something called “word count” and it was frowned upon to have too much of it. So I had to pare my 300K word novel down to where somebody might look at it. Hence I now have a three book, one novella series and might add more if my readers get invested in my characters.
Here is the real star of the show-Beauregarde-our 4 year old poodle
I love my characters by the way and feel very close to them. I got highly insulted when a friend said Blackie just wasn’t her cup of tea! I have a passion for horses just like my characters and have since I was a little girl and saw my first horse. Our property backed up to the Garrison Forest School for Girls in Maryland and they rode their horses through our woods.
I started riding when I was about eight years old and rode consistently until in my thirties and was lucky enough to have my own horse and pony for ten years. I did a lot of showing and did mostly jumping. Later I discovered dressage and became fascinated with it just like the main characters in my book. I retired in 2010 and briefly before that I started riding again and it was glorious to be on a horse once more. I’m retired from Johns Hopkins University where I worked for 27 years as an Electron Microscopist. The best thing is now I get to write full time and feel very blessed to be able to do so.
They got the horses ready, and led them out of the barn. She was getting ready to mount Cloudy when Blackie walked up behind her, leaned into her and whispered with his mouth against her ear,
“Would you like a leg up?”
Her heart flipped and she knew she was blushing from the huge rush she got. Meg wanted to just turn around in his arms and kiss him but she stuck her leg out and he flipped her into the saddle
“Let’s take a different trail today.”
“Okay, lead the way.”
He took off at a trot and she followed. They rode along the edge of a field next to the woods. Meg loved watching him ride he was so good.
Turning into the woods, Blackie slowed to a walk. The peace of the woods surrounded them like a bower; the breeze gently waving the branches; the birds singing their love songs.
He reined Sandman back to ride next to her. Quiet for a few minutes, he stopped, Meg halted Cloudy and Blackie stared at her. He moved Sandman over close, leaned in and kissed her gently on the mouth.
His lips were soft as he brushed them like a whisper over hers. The jolt and rush she got wasn’t exactly soft. She instantly wanted more but he had already kicked Sandy into a dead run.
* * *
Christ, what am I doing?
He jerked the horse away and put him into a gallop to cover up his surprise and embarrassment. Embarrassed! He’d never felt that way before, kissing a woman, even when he was a kid. The instant arousal caught him off guard, another reason to get out of there before she noticed. He knew her mouth would be that sweet. As he galloped off, he licked his lips to savor the taste of her.
* * *
She was startled. He’d caught her off guard. It took her a beat to react and then she took off after him.
Oh my God. He just kissed me.
She’d been wondering what it would be like to kiss him, but hadn’t expected it to be that gentle or potent. The kiss had plucked her like a harp string all the way to her toes.
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GIVEAWAY:
$25 Amazon gift card (INT)
Ends Oct. 21
Prizing is provided by the author, hosts are not responsible.
Welcome to the book blast for Her Favorite Cowboy by Mary Leo! Her Favorite Cowboy is a contemporary romance and released September 1, 2015 from Harlequin.
About the Book:
Back In The Saddle:
Gage Remington needs a place to start over, and Durango, Colorado, is it. By reconciling with his rancher grandfather while attending the annual Zane Grey conference, Gage hopes he can begin repairing past damage. It doesn't occur to Gage that his heart needs fixing, too, until he meets gorgeous doctor Cori Parker. And he's sure his troubled past will send the single mom running.
Since her husband's tragic accident, Cori's been focusing on her family. Though she's deeply attracted to the banker-turned-buckaroo, Gage is a wild card, and Cori can't let anyone bring her life crashing down again. Still, she realizes Gage's finally ready to be the man—and the cowboy—he always wanted to be. But will Cori be part of his future, or one more regret from his past?
USA Today bestselling author Mary Leo writes contemporary romance, paranormal romance, romantic suspense, and mystery. She loves to travel for research while she’s writing a book, or for that matter, even when she’s not writing a book . . . which always leads to yet another book.
Mary grew up on the Southside of Chicago in the tangle of a big Italian family where she learned the art of story from her creative mamma who would craft a wondrous tale each night at bedtime, and where Mary developed an appreciation for fine Italian cuisine from her colorful aunts and uncles.
Today I'm excited to host a stop on the blitz tour for What If by Rita Szollos! This is a romantic comedy and the book is free for for Kindle October 5-9 only! We also have two great giveaways for you at the end of this post!
About the Book:
What If is a romantic comedy and adventure about a black and white photograph.
Ailie Faulkner, a single, 39 year-old woman, married to her work, treasures a black and white photograph, and she’s stored it in her closet for more than a decade. Like a wistful teenager staring adoringly at a poster above her bed, Ailie has spent years returning to this photo again and again, concocting fantasies and daydreams about the photo’s handsome content.
Prone to list making and overall levelheadedness, Ailie usually isn’t one to believe in fate, but her curiosity (ahem, obsession!) with the photograph leads her to a life-changing decision and sends her on an adventure filled with humor, travel, bouts of nausea, unexpected discoveries, and reflections on cooking. Encouraged by her overbearing but obliging mother and an inquisitive grandmother, and guided by the insightful (albeit often contradictory) advice of her best friends, Ailie endeavors to learn about the photo, the person within its frame, and the possibilities of their future.
Add it to your Goodreads shelf & it's FREE for Kindle, Oct 5-9 only! ---------------------------------
About the Author:
Rita Szollos is a sleep-deprived "mum" to a very curious 5 year old, a devoted dog, an angry Kitty, and one very mature teen nephew. She takes pleasure in writing about the smallest details of life - the quiet moments, the snapshots. Together with her Kiwi husband, the family enjoys hiking, biking, kayaking, and camping in the Bay Area around San Francisco.
