Title: Timeless (a Book Boyfriend series novella) Author: Erin Noelle Cover Artist: Hang Le Expected Release Date: May 2, 2014 Six years. Two People. One love. After the long awaited wedding of her dreams, Scarlett Templeton - along with her rockstar husband and their five - year - old twins - are finally putting down roots and settling into their first suburban home. While unpacking, they stumble across a box filled with photos spanning the previous six years, and they're catapulted down the proverbial memory lane. Join the couple on their reminiscent journey as they learn a picture is truly worth a thousand words and the emotions they elicit are timeless. Meet the Author Erin Noelle is a Texas native, where she lives with her husband and two young daughters. While earning her degree in History, she rediscovered her love for reading that was first instilled by her grandmother when she was a young child. A lover of happily-ever-afters, both historical and current, Erin is an avid reader of all romance novels. In 2013, she published the Book Boyfriend Series, which included books Metamorphosis, Ambrosia, and Euphoria. Her books have been a part of the USA Today Bestselling list and/ or the Amazon and Barnes & Noble overall Top 100. You can follow her on Facebook @ www.facebook.com/erin.noelle.98, her blog @ www.erinnoelleauthor.com, and on Twitter @authorenoelle. Website: Facebook: Twitter:
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We are thrilled that Lauren Blakely's NIGHT AFTER NIGHT is available today!!! NIGHT AFTER NIGHT is the first full-length novel from her first Erotic Romance Series, The Seductive Nights Series! The prequel novella, FIRST NIGHT, is included in NIGHT AFTER NIGHT!! Grab your copy today and don't forget to enter to win a signed paperback copy of NIGHT AFTER NIGHT! About NIGHT AFTER NIGHT: **Warning: Spare panties are needed for reading this book...you're welcome.*** "You are being rewarded for turning me on. But we're doing it my way. You teased the hell out of me, and now I want to watch you squirm. Crawl up on my bed and get on your hands and knees." Their world was sex, love, and lies. He intoxicated her. Commanded. Consumed. With a dirty mind and a mouth to match, Clay Nichols is everything Julia never knew she wanted and exactly what she cannot have. He walked into her life one night and unlocked pleasure in her that she never knew was possible. Possessing her body, captivating her every thought. Which makes him way too dangerous for Julia to risk her heart, given that she has a price tag on her head. She ran after one mind-blowing week with him, but now he's back, and determined to make her his own. No matter the cost. She was a sexy drug to him. Fiery, unforgettable, and never enough, Julia is an enigma, and Clay isn't willing to let her go without a fight. But she's got dark secrets of her own that threaten to destroy any chance of happiness. She's a wanted woman - the stakes are high, her every move is watched, and yet the lure between them can't be denied. Can two people burned by love trust again when desire and passion are met by danger at every turn? A sensual, emotionally-charged erotic romance from the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lauren Blakely... Please note: This book is intended for 18+ due to dirty talk, light bondage, and lots of sexy scenes. This ebook edition also includes the prequel novella First Night, which precedes Night After Night. SYNOPSIS: From the moment they meet, their connection is perfect in every way but one. It’s New Year’s Eve, 2006, and Justine James is fronting her dead-end band for a less-than-adoring crowd. But there’s one person there who sees what she could be—one person who changes everything for her. Dillon Pierce clawed his way up from the LA streets with no one to count on but his best friend, Ash. Their years of struggle finally pay off when their band, Outlaw Rovers, gets signed and their single takes off. With Ash as the magnetic lead singer and Dillon as the band’s musical soul, they’re destined for greatness, provided Dillon can keep Ash from self-destructing first. Dillon might not be fronting Outlaw Rovers, but he’s always been the only one Justine sees. She’s followed his career from afar and when he shows up at her crummy New Year’s Eve gig, nothing will stop her from meeting him. They forge an intense connection, rapidly moving from friends to musical soul mates. Justine wants much more, but she’s not willing to climb over groupies and industry bottom-feeders to make it happen. Dillon becomes a fixture in her life, but she has to figure out how to keep him out of her heart. Outlaw Rovers begins to implode as Justine’s star is on the rise. The years that follow bring equal parts fame and ruin. For Justine, a new love supplants her old heartbreak, and Dillon has to reboot his life after losing nearly everything that matters. Despite the odds, Dillon and Justine remain devoted friends and musical collaborators. After all the missed chances, wrong turns and painful detours, can they finally find the happiness together that seemed destined from the start? MEL's REVIEW: ALWAYS by Amanda Weaver *was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review I want to start off by saying how impressed I was with this being the first novel I have read by Amanda Weaver. I found Always to be extremely well written and very much a true love story of friendship. Isn’t that where love should start? Always is a standalone novel but you will want more of this rock and roll group. Always begins with two Rock Stars, one at the top of his game and one up and coming, and they forge a friendship like no other and surrounded by music. Justine James and Dillon Pierce stand together as friends and face everything life has to throw them and in the end we get a HEA. I found this story one of the most realistic reads. The problems and hurtles that they each face and experience can be reflected in everyday life. The glamour and allure of major rock stardom is stripped to the bare bones and some of the ugly is shown. The characters are amazing and honest and we all have friends that take us down roads that we may not belong on. I found the relationship with the secondary characters to be just as important as the main characters and really they are what drove the story. Yes, this is a romance but it is about falling in love at maybe not the right time. I really enjoyed Justine and Dillon’s story. It was a “clean” read; drugs and sex and lots of happenings but not descriptive over the top long details. ALWAYS by Amanda Weaver receives 4 out of 5 Platypires!!! TEXAS HUGS AND HAPPY READING!!! INSPIRATION and EXCERPT: The inspiration behind Always: For a long time I’ve wanted to write a story about a friendship mixed with unrequited love. I liked the idea of a girl in love with a guy and then getting over him. Like, really over him, and still preserving their friendship. And then he falls in love with her. That dynamic had been dancing around in my mind for quite a while. I’ve always had a soft spot for artists of all kinds. I’m an artist myself, and I love the idea of people bonding over what they create together. It’s powerful and the work exists outside of whatever personal dynamics people might be dealing with. The art can tie them together even when everything else might be pulling them apart. Mix that together with this theme of badly-timed love and Always slowly started shaking out. Brushing my teeth is golden writing time for me. I can’t tell you how many story-telling problems I’ve solved while brushing my teeth before bed. That’s exactly when Always started. Imagine me, toothbrush still in my mouth, toothpaste dripping off my lip, while I furiously typed an exchange of dialogue into the notes function on my iphone before it slipped away from me. It wouldn’t be the first time I’ve started a story that way and hopefully it’s not the last. Anyway, that first bit of dialogue, which came before there was any kind of plot or characters, is still more or less in the book, at the tail end of Part 1. Let’s hear it for toothbrush inspiration. EXCERPT From Chapter 3: The steel gate clanged behind her. “Justine, wait.” Justine spun around to face Dillon. He was breathing hard from sprinting after her. “That is not what I came here for!” She stabbed a finger towards the backstage entrance. “I’m not some fucking groupie who’s happy to wait in line just to give you a blow job!” He held up both hands as he moved closer. “I know that. I know you’re not. And that’s not what I wanted from you when I asked you here.” “Right. I forgot. You wanted to talk about music.” “Yes, I did.” He stepped closer, into the pool of light from the streetlight behind her. His eyes were wide, his pupils tiny pinpricks, and he was still breathing hard, harder than he should have been from just chasing after her. He’s lit, Justine thought miserably. Could the night become any more of a cliché? “So where were we going to fit in the rock and roll? Before the sex but after the drugs?” He sighed and raked a hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I was hanging out with Ash after the show and things got a little crazy. You know how it is.” She laughed, short and humorless. “Yeah, I know how it is.” “Listen, I still want to hang out with you.” “I’m not waiting around until the coke wears off and the girls go home—” “Not tonight,” he cut her off. “It’s too crazy back there and I meant it when I said I want to talk to you. I do. But not here, like this.” Justine looked down at her feet while she thought about it. She was a smart girl and the smart thing to do would be to turn around and go home. But she also knew she and Dillon had something. Music, for sure. Maybe something else, too. It was the “something else” that made her nervous. She was attracted to him, she couldn’t lie to herself about it. But she didn’t want him like this, like that girl in his dressing room had him, and not if it wasn’t going to matter to him. ABOUT the AUTHOR: Like many writers, Amanda Weaver spent her childhood constantly telling stories. College steered her in a different direction and into a successful career as a designer. Several years ago, she picked up writing again strictly as a hobby, to blow off some creative steam. One thing led to another, National Novel Writing Month happened, and here we are. Amanda Weaver grew up in Florida and now lives in Brooklyn, New York with her husband, daughter and two crazy cats. Chasing Prophecy by James Moser Publication date: January 2nd 2014 Genres: Paranormal, Thriller, Young Adult Synopsis: "Chasing Prophecy" is the story of Mo, a teen boy just trying to survive high school in the mountain town of Boulder Creek, Washington. Boulder Creek is an isolated and mysterious place, proud of its reputation as the "Bigfoot Sighting Capital of the World". Mo falls in love with a girl named Prophecy who lives with a group that some call a commune and others call a cult. When she disappears, Mo must find the courage to face the monster that her family has become. "Chasing Prophecy" is a heartwarming contemporary coming of age story. This book chronicles the adolescence of one boy who must transform himself to save the girl of his dreams. GOODREADS // AMAZON About the AuthorThe author works with high school students because young adults inspire him. As such, he wanted to write about teenagers transforming themselves to overcome obstacles, which is what he watches them do every day. This book's mission is to entertain adults while inspiring teens. The result is "Chasing Prophecy," a story about love, loss, redemption, and monsters. Boo Radley is the author's all-time favorite literary character, which is how the Seattle-area legend of Bigfoot entered "Chasing Prophecy". The author lives in Seattle with his beautiful wife and lively eight year old son. When he's not reading and writing, or talking about reading and writing, he's watching too much television and snacking on frozen treats from Trader Joe's. Man, those things are good. Title: Finding Eve Author: Rita Bay Published: September 2013 Publisher: Champagne Book Group Word Count: 28,000 Genre: Shape-shifter Paranormal Content Warning: Adult content Age Recommended: 18+ Synopsis: Nicholas Lyons, chief physician to the Lyons clan of shape-shifters, has mourned the death of his promised lifemate until a rogue shapeshifter reports having seen her at an exotic animal sale. Accompanied by Marie Lyons who is no stranger to the dark side, her new lifemate Anthony, and the imperious Lady Bat, he embarks on a frantic search for Eve through the dangerous world of exotic animal trafficking. Eve, whose first memories are of recovering from an injury at an isolated animal refuge, has lived through a succession of owners in a world filled with cages and cruelty. When Eve meets Marie at the exotic animal sale, she begins to have flashes of a different life – a life in which she was something other than feline. Her last sale, however, has landed her as prey to exotic animal hunters and the clock is ticking. Excerpt Nick tamped down his panic. Eve’s neurological tests, scans, X-rays and vital signs were all within normal limits, but his lifemate had remained unconscious for over twenty-four hours. “Tell me what happened again.” Marie sat with her head in her hands. She’d not left Eve’s side since her call after Eve’s collapse had alerted Anthony that something was very wrong. “We’d talked it out after you left. She was ready to make the change–had even picked out the dress she wanted to wear after she shifted. We were touching so she could feel what I was doing. She made the shift quickly. No problem. Then she just fell over. Like I said a dozen times before.” “She’d never expressed interest in shifting before. You sure you didn’t push her?” “No, damn it, I didn’t. She heard what you said about leaving Lyons’ Den. She didn’t want to leave. She thought if she shifted, you would allow her stay here. This is her home now.” He wanted to kick himself. Eve was sensitive, fragile even, since she’d returned. The last thing he should have mentioned was leaving Lyons’ Den. It was her home and he was going to take her away. He felt himself begin to shift. It was too sudden. He might not be able to control himself. “Quiet, Nicky. I was sleeping.” “Evie?” “Who else runs free in your head?” “You’ve been unconscious for more than a day.” “Been sleeping. Change hurt.” “I told Marie she shouldn’t have allowed you to change.” “Afraid you and Tony send me away. Marie gave me shiny dress.” “You always were an acquisitive kit. I will give you whatever clothing you wish.” “Wanted Marie’s dress. She is like me. She knows.” “What does Marie know that I don’t?” “Hurt. Fear. Alone.” “I want that part of your past to go away. Since I thought you were dead, I felt the pain. Alone was the worst. I want things how they were with us before.” “Can’t. Not yet. Can’t speak in my human form. Don’t know why.” “What can I do to make it better, Evie?” “Find my past.” About the Author Rita’s journey began on the Gulf Coast. Over the years, she lived and/or traveled in the eastern US and Western Europe. While juggling family and work, she participated in archaeological digs, earned a black belt in Shotokan karate, prospected for gold and crystals, camped across Europe, and volunteered with the American Red Cross Disaster and Education Services. Rita has worked as a registered nurse, educator and school system administrator. She lives with her family on the Gulf Coast, except when she’s in Atlanta, at least for now. Rita is published in multiple genres with several publishers including paranormal and erotic novellas (Champagne Book Group – Champagne Books and Carnal Passions), historical novels (Siren BookStrand), and contemporary F/M and M/M novellas (Secret Cravings). She posts random bits of historical trivia about western history and culture on Rita Bay’s Blog. Title: The Pact Author: Graeme Brown Published: May 2013 Publisher: Champagne Book Group Word Count: 17,000 Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy Recommended Age: 12+ Synopsis: Enter the world of Will Lesterall, a boy who’s grown up in the safety of his father’s castle. Tales of the outside world ruled by warring kings and creatures of nightmare have never seemed a threat, yet on the night celebrating two hundred years of the sacred Pact that has kept Fort Lesterall safe, intrigues ripen, and in the course of a few hours Will is confronted with a choice greater than he can comprehend. Join an unlikely hero as destiny pulls him into the middle of an ancient conflict between fallen gods and ambitious women, one that demands blood, both holy and wicked, and the power of an ancient fire bound in steel. As swords clash below a watching wood, hope and betrayal war as fiercely as fear and valor. Whether he lives or dies, Will Lesterall will never be the same. Excerpt Will felt a hand on his shoulder. “Lie down,” the woman cooed. The blade glowed like the moon through its sheen of blood and Will obeyed slowly, feeling the stone’s icy kiss against the back of his neck. He cursed himself in his mind, but the voice had no power. That was your only chance. You’re dead now. There’s no stopping her. He still shook with grief, his whole body cold. He saw Robin and the fear in his brother’s eyes. The pain. Will wanted to run, but his body wouldn’t move. Finally, he closed his eyes, whimpering, folding up his legs and turning on his side. He waited and waited, but the moment didn’t come. He waited more, before finally summoning the courage to open his eyes… About the Author Graeme Brown has been enchanted by the epic fantasy genre since he was a child, and consequently he started creating his own world with its stories at the age of thirteen. Influenced by writers like J.R.R. Tolkien, Robert Jordan, and George R. R. Martin, he has finally brought the first of those stories to life with his debut title, a short story called The Pact—48 pages that will whisk you away to a dark, medieval fantasy world with gritty realism. When he’s not writing, he can be found exploring number theory problems or writing computer programs, training for a marathon, or unwinding in a yoga hot room. He has also explored other facets of art, both as a hobby and a profession, including vector graphics, pen and ink, classical piano, and web design. He just finished writing the first of many sequels to The Pact, A Thousand Roads. Amazon Author Page | Twitter | GoodReads | Website Review by J. Hooligan I was given a copy of this book by the author in exchange for an honest review. I was instantly drawn into this book, as it sweeps the reader straight into the story. Even so, it gives enough description that you understand what is going on and it was easy to keep up with it. My biggest issue was how short it was. I understood it was about 50 pages when I started it, so I don't mean the length of it. I mean I felt it was rushed. Too much was done too quickly. I didn't have time to find myself attached to any of the characters. Even without that, the story itself was great. I found myself wishing there was more to it, just so I could continue reading. It was a quick read, and I did enjoy it. I give it 4/5 platypires. Title: Tower of Obsidian Author: L. T. Getty Published: February 2013 Publisher: Champagne Book Group Word Count: 115,000 Genre: Epic Fantasy Content Warning: Minor Violence Age Recommendation: 13+ Synopsis: When Kale mac Tadhg is betrayed by his Lord’s men, he is sent on an impossible quest: slay a witch in a tower, and end a people’s curse. Both Kale’s best friend and brother-in-arms Aaron Smithson and former betrothed Aoife of Westgate set out to rescue him, but their journey takes them into the uncharted waters and Northwestern Nordic colonies, to a land cursed and all but forgotten. They begin to realize that there is some truth to old legends. Kale’s rescue comes at a price—for by the time Aaron and Aoife know where to search, like so many before him, Kale is bound to the ancient tower’s fate. Excerpt You know how the tale is supposed to go. The maiden is seized, captured by some foul villain. The hero gives chase, defeats the villain, and rescues her. The maid and hero wed and live happily ever after. But suppose it doesn’t go like that. No doubt there have been countless stories of maidens taken by villains. Some are rescued, others are killed, and however tragic their stories, they are ended. What if one of these maidens lingered in darkness, with puzzles unsolved, her dragons unslain? She was stolen, like so many before her and many who came after. Was she a goddess, a nymph, or a common girl of great beauty? It matters little. He seized her and forced her into a dark tower, which even the gods could not destroy. Oh how they tried, sending their sons to battle him. All failed. The wicked sorcerer enticed her, tried to trick and confuse her, but she would never submit. In rage, or perhaps when it seemed the tide was turning, and perhaps her true love finally came, the sorcerer, rather than lose her, cursed her. He locked her in a prison, and she and the tower became one. At last, the sorcerer was destroyed, but not sent forth to the land of the dead, or chance his evil would survive the grave. Undying, he remained a fragmented wraith, a wicked creature, the villain in countless stories. Perhaps, that was why his defeat did not undo her curse, for she remained a prisoner in the dark spire. Her would-be hero, defeated at the end, died of a broken heart. The lands around the tower grew dark, as if the world itself knew the tale was too sad. Surely, she was worth rescuing? Surely, there was another who could save her? Imagine then, if you were she: your beauty, your curse, and your true love stolen from you. Imagine your father playing one suitor off another. All the while, the other women despise you. Imagine being changed—much like how a god would turn a nymph into a cow, a goddess into the body of a mortal. Confined to a prison, and even if it were the finest castle in all the lands, heaven, earth, or the underworld, still a cage. All the while, you wait for a rescue which never comes. The spell will not allow you to die nor to grow old. You are stagnant in a world where stories of old become legends, and legends forgotten—dismissed as childish fancy. No, child, surely you do not wish to know that story. Maidens must be rescued, the good endure, and evil smote. Even though you know what is true or fair is not so in your life, you expect nothing else in your story. It is how the story is supposed to go. You will accept nothing but a proper ending. Content yourself then with stories of long hair and spinning wheels. About the AuthorL.T. Getty started writing her first novel in junior high, and hasn’t really stopped since. She’s studied kendo, is an open water scuba diver, and has recently taken up archery, and hopes to learn to do it horseback some day. When she’s not writing, she works as a paramedic. When she is writing, it tends to be rather cheeky. Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Blog Title: The Queen’s Pawn Author: R. J. Hore Published: April 2013 Publisher: Champagne Book Group Word Count: 91,000 Genre: Medieval Fantasy Age Recommendation: 13+ Synopsis: Young Harow just wanted to stay on the farm for the rest of his life, but his mother insisted he go to school in the City to study to be a priest. Now the City is in flames and he is racing across unfamiliar countryside trying to get the mysterious and sensuous Queen Reginee and her extremely annoying and very spoiled daughter Desiree-Rose to safety. Of course there is a rebel army on their heels, black wizardry afoot, and sundry and dangerous creatures and villains, monstrous and common, seductive and evil, lurking along the way. If this were not enough for the youth to worry about, the Queen’s amorous chambermaid and bodyguard Mathilde, a smallish giantess, just wants to get him alone. Excerpt After a brief meeting with Daneld and his lieutenants, Harow, armed with a short bow, and followed by another guardsman so armed and a third carrying two spears, set off into the forest. He followed the downhill slopes, careful to mark the patterns on the trees. Remembering well the woods-lore taught by his grandfather, Harow did not wish to become lost in this unfamiliar place so far from home. The three followed a gentle ravine until they arrived at a quiet pool of dark water surrounded by high ferns, then waited, silent. After what seemed forever, with Harow wondering if they would have to return to camp empty handed before nightfall, two deer steeped out from beneath the ferns to drink. He and his companion loosed their shafts and both animals fell. While the guards prepared the deer for carrying, he dug in the damp earth with his sword, filling his back-sack with edible tubers and roots he recognized from his days on the farm. Gathering up their treasures, the three returned to camp and a welcoming chorus from hungry men. “Do you really expect me to eat dead animals?” Princess Desiree-Rose stamped her foot. “Mother, this is ridiculous.” “Now, my dear.” The queen exited from their shelter and stood up, somehow able to still appear graceful and regal even though her cloak showed the stains and dirt of travel. “We must be prepared for a little discomfort, considering our circumstances.” “I absolutely refuse. No bath, no clean clothes, no decent food… and nobody cares.” The princess suddenly burst into tears, and pushing her way through the assembly, dashed off. The queen motioned for Mathilde to follow after the girl, and smiled wearily at Harow. “You must forgive my daughter, Lord Rickard. When you are young, and used to being kept sheltered and safe, this must all seem very different and terrifying. Desiree-Rose did not sleep very well last night. I’m certain tonight, in the marvelous shelter you have constructed for us, will be a great improvement.” Harow bowed and backed away to see to the evening meal. Discovering that none of the guardsmen knew anything about carving a carcass, or cooking, he set about to demonstrate how to prepare the deer by skinning and cleaning them, how to construct a fire pit and spit and commence roasting and, after finding a large pot among their baggage, how to clean and peel the tubers and roots for a soup. At last, tired and not a little hungry, he gave instructions to the guards to watch over the meal and stood up slowly, uncramping tired legs. Dried blood covered his hands, dirt stained his face. He glanced at the sky. Still an hour or so of sunlight left. Time for a wee bit of a nap before supper. A long wailing scream split the forest air. That sound did not come from any human throat. The queen hurried up, looking distraught. “My lord duke, have you see Desiree-Rose or Mathilde? They have not returned.” The scream wavered and faded, then grew again in volume and pitch, sending cold shivers dashing with chill fingers along the spines of all who heard the sound. The company scrambled to their feet and stared into the depths of the forest. About the Author Ron can be found sailing on Lake Winnipeg when not writing novels or critiquing for an on-line magazine He won first prize for a Canadian Authors Association short story contest for a ghostly love story, but his preference is for longer works including a recent trio of medieval-style fantasies and the Housetrap Chronicles fantasy detective series through www.burstbooks.ca . Supervised by his understanding wife and a large demanding cat, most of his writing efforts continue toward fantasy, with occasional lapses into science fiction and horror. Amazon Author Page | Facebook | GoodReads | Website Giveaway Title: Wicked Hunger Series: Someone Wicked This Way Comes Series, Book One Author: DelSheree Gladden Published: April 1st, 2014 Publisher: Clean Teen Publishing Page Count: 358 Genre: YA Mature Paranormal Romance Content Warning: Violence, minor language, romance Recommended Age: 17+ Synopsis: “Save him and hurt him, don’t save him and hurt him. Pain, either way. Delicious pain. Hunger will be the only one that wins. Hunger always wins.” Vanessa and Zander Roth are good at lying. Their whole life is a giant web of deceit made in an effort to conceal the deadly secrets that plague their family. Zander will do anything to forget his mistakes, including pushing everyone away. He was barely surviving in his self-forced solitude before Ivy Guerra entered his life. The new girl in school, with her pink-striped hair and unyielding curiosity, incites something wicked inside Zander that can only be blamed on his family genes. Now Zander is forced to fight an internal war and make a choice between loving Ivy Guerra and killing her. Vanessa wants nothing more than to shed the strange powers she wields and be normal. Because if Van were normal, she’d be able to have normal things… Like a relationship with the boy she’s been secretly in love with for years. Unfortunately, her life is anything but ordinary. That boy who owns her heart just happens to be her brother’s kryptonite and a potential liability for her entire family. When choices between love and family loyalty have to be made, Van finds herself faced with an impossible decision. As if the Roth family needs anything more to worry about, a vicious plot to expose Van and Zander for what they are is uncovered. When it becomes apparent that someone close to them is at the center of this devious plan, the fight to maintain control and keep their cover ensues. It’s a seemingly impossible battle because something is causing their powers to stir stronger than ever before… and it won’t stop until Van and Zander give in to their wicked hunger. Excerpt “Nobody ever just wants to be my friend, right?” I ask. “That’s what you were going to say, wasn’t it?” “Van, I didn’t mean …” “Yes you did, because it’s true.” I take a deep breath. My ragtag group of friends all owe me. Every one of them is my honest to goodness friend now, but they never would have had anything to do with me if I hadn’t saved their lives. I give up and slide to the ground so I can wallow. “I didn’t mean to sound like such a jerk,” Ketchup says. He sits down next to me. “I thought you were lying, that you didn’t want to admit you had to rescue someone else, that he was only there because he felt like he had to be.” That familiar stab of rejection buries itself in my chest. “I wasn’t lying,” I manage to whisper. “You didn’t save him?” I shake my head. “He saved me, actually,” I say without thinking. “What?” Ketchup demands. I try to backtrack, but Ketchup will not let this one go. Finally, I give in and tell him about what happened in the alley. Well, I tell him as much as I can. Ketchup is stunned at the tale of me getting mixed up with a trio of chollos. He doesn’t bat an eye about me fighting, and he doesn’t look for evidence of bruises or cuts. He doesn’t seem to know whether to be angry or grateful when I mentioned Noah breaking up the fight. In the end, the only emotion that sticks around in Ketchup’s eyes is sadness. “Why didn’t you tell me?” Shame makes me look away. “It was stupid to walk home. I was embarrassed, and I was fine anyway.” “But …” I hold up a hand, not willing to discuss it anymore. Ketchup grunts in annoyance, but doesn’t press the issue. Instead, he goes back to the original topic. The skepticism is clear in his voice when he says, “And now he’s your English partner? Isn’t that kind of weird?” “I know. I was worried at first, too, but he hasn’t pulled anything. I even offered to let him off the hook and do it alone, but he said no.” “Van, I don’t know Noah very well, but he’s been here a few years. He’s heard the rumors and stories. He knows about your…interesting past. How can you be sure of his motivations?” I shrug. Admitting Noah’s biggest motivator for ignoring the vicious stories constantly circulating about me is because he likes me is not something I want to discuss with Ketchup. “Are you sure he isn’t after something?” Ketchup asks. “Van, I don’t want you to get hurt.” “Is it really so hard to believe someone might just like me?” “By someone, you mean a guy,” Ketchup says, jealousy sneaking back into his voice. When I don’t answer, Ketchup knows the answer is yes. He sighs and leans his head against the wall. “Noah likes you?” “I think so. Is it that surprising?” I ask. Ketchup is quiet. His hand moves slowly to take mine, and for once I let him. “Is it surprising that a guy thinks you’re beautiful and amazing?” he asks softly. His hand tightens around mine. “No, it’s not surprising. Everyone should be able to see that about you. Everyone should see you like I do.” Review by J. Hooligan I was given a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I found this story to be fascinating. A family needing to feed off the pain of others, it wasn't something I had read before. The story started out as if the main character, Van, was a normal enough person... but you quickly find out she's definitely not. There's a lot about her I was curious about, and that helped fuel my desire to continue the story. The relationship between Van and Zander, her brother, was quite possibly my favorite part. Too often siblings are written in a negative light of each other. It was nice to see something different. The biggest drawback I found in this story was some of the characters. They seemed to really serve no purpose other than a momentary sense of amusement. It was hinted multiple times that there was a connection between Van and them, but it wasn't explained very well and those characters didn't show back up for the rest of the story. There was one person in specific that really annoyed me. Not the character himself, I liked him. It was the reason for him being in the book. He didn't seem to have any point other than a temporary distraction that takes away from the main part of the story. Maybe he'll be more important in the rest of the series. Otherwise his entire part in this book was a waste of time and made Van really annoying. Aside from that, I did really enjoy reading it. I liked how it ended, and I look forward to being able to reading more from this series. 4/5 Platypires About the Author DelSheree Gladden lives in New Mexico with her husband and two children. The Southwest is a big influence in her writing because of its culture, beauty, and mythology. Local folk lore is strongly rooted in her writing, particularly ideas of prophecy, destiny, and talents born from natural abilities. When she is not writing, DelSheree is usually reading, painting, sewing, or working as a Dental Hygienist. Her works include Escaping Fate, Twin Souls Saga, The Destroyer Trilogy, and Invisible. The first book in the Someone Wicked This Way Comes series, Wicked Hunger, is scheduled to be released through Clean Teen Publishing on April 1, 2014. Giveaway Title: A Sinister Obsession Author: S. B. Redstone Published: August 2013 Publisher: Black Opal Books Word Count: approx. 94,000 Genre: Mystery Thriller Content Warning: Violence and Sexual Content Recommended Age: 21+ Synopsis: A psychopathic killer on a quest leaves behind a string of brutal murders, and to find the Who, the police must first discover the Why… Detective Aubrey McKenzie has been assigned to investigate the murders. A lovely, fabulously wealthy, dark-haired Scot, whose iron will was forged in the inferno of human tragedy, Aubrey is stymied by the lack of solid clues. Now she must rely on her paranormal ability to apprehend the killer—an ability that has been invaluable in her police work but has made a disaster of her social life. Fate teams Aubrey with Detective Joshua Diamond, a handsome, talented, and compassionate man who is more than happy eating a greasy bacon-cheeseburger and wearing clothes that should have been thrown out with the trash. In a race against time, Aubrey and Joshua must overcome their vast differences—and their attraction for each other—and discover the identity of this elusive killer, and the quest this fiend is on, before more lives are destroyed. Amazon | Barnes & Noble | GoodReads Sara's Review To say that Sinister Obsession is a book that takes off from the very first pages and doesn't let up even at the very end is an understatement. I was drawn in immediately to this story, and the fact it touched on the darkest sides of human nature is what made it an engrossing read. The killer was twisted, absolutely insane, but definitely memorable. I don't think I'll soon forget this particular character. The main character of the book is Aubrey McKenzie, a detective on the police force who has an unusual ability to hear the thoughts of others, and this impedes her from having a normal relationship. Because of that, she puts everything she has into her job, and she's absolutely dedicated. She was well-developed and I loved her sharp wit, and there were several times I found myself smiling at the dialogue, especially hers. Throughout the whole book, I couldn't help but be reminded somewhat of Dr. Temperance Brennan from the TV show Bones. That's the mental image I conjured up as I read the book. I also liked Detective Joshua Diamond. He and Aubrey are from different worlds, but when they started to work together, I thought there was great chemistry between the two. It was interesting to see how their relationship developed over the course of the novel – both romantically and professionally. If there's ever another book that features these two characters – Diamond and Aubrey, I'd be interested in reading it. There's plenty of suspense, mystery, and romance in A Sinister Obsession, and I recommend this book to anyone who likes those genres. My rating is 4/5 platypires. Book Excerpt When Aubrey arrived home, she glanced at her answering machine. There was one message. Since she didn’t have friends, she knew who it was. She pressed the button and heard that cold, authoritative voice. “Aubrey. This is your mother. I am reminding you of Randal’s birthday party tomorrow night. He would be quite disappointed if you did not make an appearance. The time—” Aubrey quickly pushed the delete button. She hated being reminded of times and dates by her mother, as if she was a forgetful child. It pissed her off. After taking a hot shower, she slipped into green satin pajamas. Sitting in her entertainment room, watching the late evening news, she sipped 1981 Armagnac Cames Brandy and ate crackers with brie. Nearing three in the morning, Aubrey turned off the television, and went into bed. In the darkness, she obsessed about the murder case, feeling a rising anger toward this heinous criminal. Her last conscious thought before falling asleep brought a smile to her face. She knew the perp had failed to take one essential factor into consideration before deciding to perpetrate the crime. A factor that he didn’t predict, and in fact, couldn’t have predicted. And that factor would eventually lead her to discover his identity and get a conviction. He didn’t know I’d be assigned to the case! About the Author I write under the name S. B. Redstone. I began my career, after graduating from Hunter College, as a caseworker for the New York City Department of Social Services, Protective Services, investigating the horrors of the abuse and neglect of children. After attaining master’s degrees in Social Work and School Psychology, and then completing a post-graduate education in Psychoanalytic Therapy, I became a School Psychologist in the New York City Department of Education and a Licensed Clinical Social Worker in a private therapy practice on Long Island, treating adults, adolescents, children, and couples. Always striving to improve my understanding of human nature, I researched and then wrote a personal improvement book, Taming Your Inner & Outer Bullies: Confronting Life’s Stressors And Winning, which offers remarkable insights into behavior, societal institutions, and relationships. I have written articles on the web concerning human nature, relationships and the abuses of societal institutions, given lectures, and appeared on radio shows. Always having a vivid imagination and a desire to write fiction, I developed my writing skills by becoming a successful writer of short stories, all of which have been published on the web and in print. As an expert in the field of human psychology, I have been able to develop realistic characters from the dark side of human nature where my villains don’t aspire for happiness through personal achievement, but rather from their demented narcissistic schemes. Many of my characters have been taken from my clinical experiences and interesting people I know. I love romance in my stories. It is an essential element in my mystery thriller A Sinister Obsession and horror novel. Now that I am obsessed with writing “senior” romances, it has become further developed and heartfelt. I have two seeking publication at this time. I am a member of the International Thriller Writers Organization and Romance Writers of America. Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website The Other Words Series These are full length contemporary romance books with humor and a deep storyline. Meet Marley, Billie, Stevie and Emmie – 4 funny girls, one quirky family. So pull up a chair, have some vegan ice cream and dish with us. Synopsis – Can she overcome her consuming desire for him? Can he make her comfortable with the other C-word…commitment? Marley Mason is dreading the arrival of the new business consultant. After all, this man will most likely outsource her job to China. The last thing she would expect is a case of mistaken identity, leading to false accusations of kidnapping when she attempts to pick up the wrong man at the airport, or worse…that she would have such a visceral reaction to the right man. Rick Randy is super sexy, scandalously flirty, and perfect masturbation material, but a relationship is out of the question. Rick is contracted on a temporary basis to fix Marley’s ailing company, and then pull out, although as he expresses to Marley, pulling out is difficult for him, in more ways than one! Marley’s feelings range from utter confusion to intense contemplation as Rick charms his way into her life. All of those C-words Marley can control, but it’s the other C-word she fears—commitment. Blog Review from Stacia at Three Girls and a Book Obsession You had me at "R U Randy"!! <3 br="" class="kix-line-break">I swear I literally laughed out loud throughout this book- between the banter with Marley and her sisters, to her smart ass comments, to most conversations between her and Rick I, I don't know that a book has ever been this comical. Aside from that, it was also emotional, addicting, and sexy as hell. I hope to read more from this author :)</3> The Other C-Word will be 99 cents from April 11th to April 18th on Amazon, Are, and Totally Bound’s site. Links for The Other C-Word – Amazon - http://www.amazon.com/Other-C-Word-Words-ebook/dp/B00EQC7HJK/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1396540305 This is book two in the In Other Words series. Damien Wolfe is ferociously sexy. Emmie Mason is fastidiously stubborn. When fate brings them together, they are both challenged by the other F-word…forever. Fashionable forty-four-year-old, Emmie Mason is content with her fastidious life. She has everything she needs in her loving family and friends. Her eldest daughter, Marley, has married the man of her dreams, and she has a new grandchild. What more could a woman ask for? She isn’t prepared for fate to slap her in the face in the form of a bridal bouquet. Or worse, to run into the fantasy-inducing, eye-catching, panty-dropping, swoon-worthy man she’s been thinking about for over a year, even though they only danced together once. As it turns out, thirty-year-old real estate mogul Damien Wolfe has been thinking about her too. Damien’s flirty, funny and forthright personality challenges Emmie and tilts her world. But it’s his kind soul and compassionate demeanor that really frighten her. He’s easy to fall for, but how could she ever recover if she risked her heart to him? Can they both overcome their fears and commit to that other F-word…Forever? Blog Review – Once in a while I come across a book that has me fist pumping excited so much that before it’s even released I’m telling all my friend they HAVE to read it. The Other F-Word is one of those books. I LOVED IT! From the characters to the story line, my brain was checking marking every box of what I require in a book. Great characters – Check. Witty dialog – Check. Sweet romance – check. Build up to a one heck of a HEA – Check. Great sex scenes – CHECK!!! Let me extrapolate.Emmie and her family. Filled with vibrancy, sibling rivalry and quirky 'relatives' (blood or not) Emmie's family felt as real as they come. These are people I could and would want to hang out with. In case you missed it, there are a LOT of characters. Each and every one of have an added importance to the story-line. Emmie/Jessie and Damien - Cougar and Wolf. Her double name is a funny story in itself. Serious, what wasn’t there to love of these two interacting together. Damien certainly wasn’t what I was expecting. Nowadays, when a book has a ‘rich’ guy in, I’m thinking he’s going to come off all Alpha and dominate the woman. Not so here. Instead I found Damien to be warm, caring and very down to earth. The teasing as friends leading to lover felt so natural. Nothing seemed rushed in this perfectly paced book. The combination of playful and serious moments had me sighing and giggling thorough the whole book. I’m thinking back now about certain parts and smiling all over again. I truly did expect a different kind of book from the title The Other F-Word. Something nasty and wicked. Instead, I discovered a wonderful book that had me laughing, crying and a family that I would love to be adopted into. If you’re ready to take a break from all the YA and NA books that have flooded the book market, then read The Other F-Word by M.K. Schiller. You most certainly will not be disappointed. Dish - This is the best book I have read this year. The Other F-Word Links for The Other F-Word – will be on Amazon and in print on April 11th Available now from Totally Bound at https://www.totallybound.com/the-other-fword?search=the other f-word I am a hopeless romantic in a hopelessly pragmatic world. I have a full time life and two busy teenagers, but in the dark of night, I sit by the warm glow of my computer monitor, and attempt to conjure up passionate heartwarming stories with plenty of humor. I started imagining stories in my head at a very young age. In fact, I got so good at it that friends asked me to create plots featuring them as the heroine and the object of their affection as the hero. We'd spend hours on the phone while I came up with a series of unrealistic, yet tender events, which led to a satisfying conclusion. You've heard of fan fiction... this was friend fiction. Even with that, it took many years to realize I could produce an actual full-length book that readers would enjoy. I try to make my stories humorous, realistic, with flawed but redeeming characters. I hope you enjoy my stories and always find The Happily Ever After in every endeavor. Author Links: Twitter - @MKSchiller Amazon author page – http://www.amazon.com/M.K.-Schiller/e/B00FE0FGDM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1396541069&sr=8-1 “Wasn’t it an amazing night?” “Not yet, but I think it could be,” a deep, gravelly voice answered, causing my throat to go dry despite the copious amounts of liquor I’d consumed. Shit. This was a huge hotel with multiple functions. Why hadn’t I checked before hopping into the car like I owned it? “I’m in the wrong limo,” I said, scooting toward the door. He clasped my arm. “Or maybe you’re in the right one.” My flesh broke out into goosebumps from the contact of his skin against mine. What was going on? This was the reaction of a shy school girl, not a confident woman like myself. “I’m sorry. I have to go.” “Wait.” There was a command in that voice that I didn’t question. I halted right away. “I believe this is yours,” he said, handing me the bouquet. I cursed the flowers because their sweet scent masked his masculine, intoxicating one. “Yes, thank you.” “Tell me I’m not too late.” “I don’t follow.”“Are you the bride or did you catch this?” “Neither. It sort of slapped me in the face.” He chuckled—a deep and hearty laugh. “Maybe it’s fate’s way of telling you something.” “Or maybe I just have bad reflexes,” I said, realizing my ragged breathing and shaky hands gave away my feelings. I pulled the door handle several times. It wouldn’t release. Then I heard the click. “I’ll let you escape, if that’s what you want.” I almost toppled out of the door, but managed to catch myself. The overhead lights came on and I paused, much longer than acceptable, drinking in the sight of him. His deep voice turned me on, but his face was the stuff of orgasmic fantasies. He looked familiar, like maybe he’d already trespassed into my dreams, although I couldn’t place him. He nodded, looking completely composed in a dark, tailored suit and with a wry smile. He had all the ingredients for a delicious recipe—Ashton Kutcher’s sultry lips, Robert Pattison’s thick eyebrows, Mario Lopez’s jet black hair and Jason Statham’s broad chest. His hazel eyes were all his own though. They were so unique, the color falling somewhere between golden sun and forest floor. I was grateful for the bouquet for the first time that night, because I needed it to fan myself. “Good bye,” I said. “Or maybe it’s hello…again,” he whispered, before I closed the door. Again? #OperationMallory Being a full time author is a wonderful job, but one downside is that you don't get any employee benefits. One bestselling author, Stephen Spencer found this out to his cost. He was a regular fixture on the bestseller lists back in 2011 when his Paul Mallory thrillers took off, but disaster struck shortly after his third book when he found out that he had a brain tumour. No longer able to go on the book promotion circuit, his novels soon fell out of the public view and the double whammy of unexpected bills and a drop in royalties kicked in. When Julia Hughes, a British author, heard about Stephen's plight she started #OperationMallory. She enlisted a dozen other authors, and set about getting the Paul Mallory novels back on track. Julia had this to say: "Stephen is a fantastic thriller writer, and for most of 2011 he owned the bestseller lists on both sides of the pond. When I saw that he'd stopped promoting, I knew something had to be done so I put together a group of authors to re-launch the series." That work came to fruition last week with seven brand new eBook covers, five new print editions and a brand new website at StephenCSpencer.com But a full rebrand wasn't enough to satisfy Julia. Instead, she set about organising the biggest book tour in history inviting readers and writers everywhere to share Stephen's story and show off the new artwork (which was designed by renowned Singaporean artist Clarissa Yeo). For his part, Stephen has maintained he doesn't want charity. He just wants the chance to reconnect with his readership. To do it, he's giving away his first book, It's Always Darkest, absolutely free. You can download it in any of the major eBook formats here (no registration required). If you enjoy It's Always Darkest, the series carries on with The Devil You Say, Third Time Lucky and The Middle of Nowhere with a fifth book, Ghost of a Chance, slated for release later this year. Stephen C Spencer was raised in West Palm Beach, Florida, the oldest of three brothers. Before becoming an author, Stephen travelled the world with the United States Navy. He spent his youth enjoying casinos from Torremolinos to Monaco, but it wasn’t until he met his wife Melissa in 2003 that he settled down, and began a family. He's the father of two children, Kaitlyn and Evan. Domestic bliss provided an outlet for his vivid imagination, and this, combined with his extensive personal knowledge of the world’s most exotic ports, gave birth to the internationally acclaimed Paul Mallory thriller series published by Crimeways. He now splits his time between the family homestead in Indiana, and the tropical island of San Estaban. What readers are saying... "Witty and well paced with an ending " - Kate Farrell, Kindle Book Review "Fast, exciting and full of intrigue" - Charlie Plunkett "Spencer really has a knack for the written word." - Joyce Mitchell "A wickedly dry sense of humour." - Jenny Worstall "The main character leaps off the page." - Doreen Cox "Tension-filled" - Joseph Bouchard "A James Bond with heart, tough and chivalrous" - J Ryder "Broody and oppressive atmosphere" - Amazon UK Top 500 Reviewer "Gripped from beginning to end" - Pam Anderson "It's Always Darkest will pick you up, throw you into the air and keep you gulping for breath until the very end." - Emma Elizabeth Fry "One of the best thrillers I've read in years." - Julia Hughes Title: Discovering Daniel Author: Nadine Christian Genre: Young Adult Tour Host: Lady Amber's Tours Synopsis: When a shocking memory surfaces that Ava McCoy can’t understand, she looks for answers. With her parents and her Uncle Sam trying to convince her that she is only chasing dreams, she is determined to prove that they are wrong, the vision too vivid in her mind to be anything but truth. When her investigation reveals another world so shocking and yet so familiar, it feels as if the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together – with only one question left unanswered. Who is Daniel? The very memory of him draws her to the sea. Then, the ocean brings her the answer she’s seeking. Daniel himself. United, Daniel and Ava must find out why everyone wanted to keep them apart – and who is now trying their best to do it again. They must find the answers – before they succeed. Before Ava loses Daniel all over again – this time, forever. Excerpt“I don’t know what to say.” Ava forced between frozen lips. “Don’t bother.” She slid off the bike and began pacing. “You know, I don’t know what’s worse—that you thought you couldn't tell me what was going on, or that you lied to me.” She slid to a stop, turned to Ava, and put out her hands palms up in confusion. “I thought we were friends, Ava.” Ava swallowed hard, horrified to see tears glittering in Sally’s eyes. “We are friends.” Anger replaced the sadness, and Sally ran fingers through her short hair. “Then why couldn't you tell me about the Mer? Tell me what Daniel was? That’s who he is isn't it—not a crew member from the Picton Castle of course. What a fool I am.” She face palmed herself and glared at Ava. “Could you not trust me? What have I done that could ever make you think that?” She stared at Ava, anger mixed with hurt in her expression. “Wait…just wait a moment,” Ava drawled. She slit her eyes at her friend. “The Mer part isn't pissing you off, you’re more upset about me not confiding in you.” She raised one brow and stepped toward her friend who now stood, hands on hips, frown creasing her forehead. “Why aren't you surprised? I mean that Daniel’s a Mer, not a Picton Crew member, not a human even. You look like you don’t even care.” “Because! I don’t. He could be an alien from some distant planet. He could have six heads for all I care. It’s just proof to me.” Sally wailed and threw her hands in the air. “I always knew there was something more than just us in this world. It couldn't be just us humans. I always thought it would be angels or vampires or werewolves…but, Ava…” Sally’s shoulders drooped. “You found a mermaid! You found a creature of the sea and didn't even tell me!” “Mer-male.” Sally rolled her eyes and growled with aggravation. “You’re correcting me now?” “Sorry,” Ava said. “Sorry for everything. I wanted to tell you, Sally, but I just couldn't.” “Couldn't or didn't want to?” She crossed her arms and glared at Ava. “I couldn't. I promised. I promised my father, my uncle, and I promised Daniel.” Sally put her hand to her chest. “God, I always knew there was something different about him.” A dreamy smile crossed her lips and then she visibly shook herself and glared at Ava. “Who has kept your secrets for you since we were in preschool together? Who covered for you when you were late home from school when you met Mark Christian to practice French kissing behind the water tank at school? You could have trusted me, Ava.” Ava gave in. “I’m sorry, Sally. It’s been killing me keeping this from you. I hated sneaking around behind your back and lying to you. Can you forgive me?” Sally pursed her lips and cocked her hip. “You’ll tell me everything?” Ava nodded. “Everything.” A smile grew wide on Sally’s lips and she clapped her hands with glee. “Good. You can start by telling me what it’s like to kiss a Mermai…Mer-male. Did he taste like fish?” About the AuthorNadine Christian lives on Pitcairn Island, a small isle in the middle of the South Pacific. With no airport and no way on or off the island unless traveling by the island's supply ship on it's quarterly supply run, she supplements her free time with writing. Free time is hard to find -- with five children, four goats, two cats and thirty chickens and a life full to the brim. With its rich maritime history, Pitcairn's romantic past comes alive in her novels, capturing the taste of life on an isolated tropical island, miles from the rush and bustle of normal city life. Website // Goodreads // .Amazon // Facebook // Twitter |
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