Tuesday, August 30, 2022

Book Blitz: WRAPPED AROUND MY HEART

 I'm participating in Heather Alexander's Book Blitz to celebrate the release of her time travel romance WRAPPED AROUND MY HEART. Make sure to enter the giveaway at the end of the post. Best of luck with this book, Heather!

Wrapped Around My Heart
Heather Alexander
(The Kincaid Brothers, #1)
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: August 29th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Savvy New York designer, Emma Cole, inexplicably falls through time and into the arms of the most intriguing man she’s ever met—Wyatt Kincaid, a hunky cowboy living in 19th century Montana. Their attraction is instantaneous, but the secrets they each carry may keep the two apart.

When a mysterious string of fires set off a chain of events, the couple must come together to uncover the perpetrator.

Fate brought them together through time, but will their love be strong enough to keep them united through the centuries?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

EXCERPT:

A sudden crash outside the garage sounded like a car wreck at high speed or, more precisely, a head-on collision. The ground beneath Emma’s feet shook. She lost her balance and stumbled toward the door. Outside, she expected to see a horrible motor vehicle accident and bodies strewn everywhere.

But there was no crash.

No cars.

No one.

Nothing else, except the house and…

She turned back to the garage. Her breath caught in her lungs. What had been the spotless three-car garage was now a two-story wood barn. A buckboard sat to the side. A tall windmill towered behind the wood structure; on the opposite side, a horse grazed in a paddock.

And one very tall and handsome man with piercing blue eyes that rivaled the Montana sky stood before her. His thick blond hair caressed his forehead. He wiped his hands on a rag, then tucked it into the side of his denim overalls. His rolled-up shirt sleeves exposed tanned muscular forearms. Where did he come from?

She glanced at the house, at him, then back again, and trembled involuntarily. The house had suddenly changed. It looked different—the roof had shingles. Smoke billowed out of the chimney, the smell filling her head.

“Ma’am?” The man’s gaze swept over her from head to toe; a gentle smile touched his lips. Something akin to recognition flickered in his eyes. “Are you…lost?”

Who is this guy, why is he here, and how the hell did my life just get turned upside down?


Author Bio:

Heather Alexander writes time-travel, contemporary, and historical romance.

Since she was a child, Heather has been fascinated with time-travel stories and the Old West. After visiting several ghost towns in Montana, she was inspired to combine the two and wrote her first time-travel romance, Wrapped Around My Heart. A Long Island native, she now lives in the south with her family and spends all her free time with her two beloved fur babies. She is currently working on the next book in the Kincaid Brothers series. More information about Heather and her writing is available at booksbyha.com.

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Tuesday, August 23, 2022

Writing Canada by Maggie Blackbird

I'm pleased to have fellow Canadian romance author Maggie Blackbird visit today. She has a brand new release with eXtasy Books, an interracial contemporary romance that is also a marriage of convenience. It's not an easy trope to pull off in a modern story so I can't wait to read this one to see how Maggie pulls it off! Welcome Maggie! 

Writing about Canada is something I really enjoy.  Especially writing about Canada’s Indigenous People. Trying to come up with an idea of how an Ojibway woman now living in Toronto, but from a First Nations community, winds up receiving a marriage proposal from a wealthy man due to inherit a billion-dollar empire, was fun.  One of my favourite tropes is marriage of convenience, and since I’d yet to tackle one (I read tons of them), especially in the contemporary age, scheming to throw these two together was a hoot.

Whenever I write about Canada, I try to use as much of the country as I can.  This comes from my personal and business travels.  In my former job, I was always in Toronto, so it was appropriate to place Shannon Nadjiwon, the heroine, in the big city with her two besties, all three fighting to climb the career ladder.

A lot of my novels take place on “the rez,” and I wanted to write about the city this time.  So why not start with Canada’s most populous place?  I’ve never been to the rich part of Toronto, so researching The Bridle Path, one of the wealthiest places in Canada to reside, was quite interesting.  Oh, those houses!  The land!  Even a stunning river.  The history of how it came to be.  And all within close proximity to downtown.  Well, for me it’s close.  Being from northwestern Ontario, I’m used to travelling distances to get somewhere.  I’m not sure how Torontonians feel about it.  For me, a 2.5-hour drive to get somewhere for a medical appointment is nothing, the same for making trips into Winnipeg or Thunder Bay.

Besides Toronto, I enjoy Alberta and the Rockies.  Naturally, I had to choose this destination for Shannon and Séamus to escape to when he’s confronted with an ultimatum he will receive from his domineering father.

Then there is the trip to Shannon’s home reserve, which is a fly-in Ojibway community.  I really enjoyed introducing the hero Séamus to rez life and the culture, especially since he visits during National Indigenous Peoples Day and finds himself smack dab in the celebration.

Canada is a wonderful country I’m glad to call home.  I hope you enjoy the settings in this novel as much as I enjoyed writing about them.


Blurb:

Her biggest dream’s offered on a platter, but the clincher is, she has to marry a perfect stranger.

When her employer offers the no-nonsense Shannon Nadjiwon the position of chauffeuring Séamus Daugherty, she jumps at the chance. To work for one of Toronto’s most powerful families means she can make her biggest dream of owning a fleet of limos come true, something her female relations tooling away at her Ojibway community want badly for her, and she won’t let them down.

His reckless need for speed cost Séamus Daugherty his license. If he doesn’t marry, as demanded by his overbearing father, he will not only lose his lucrative job with the family business —the only positive aspect in Séamus’ gilded cage life—but everything Daugherty.

The unpretentious and gorgeous Shannon will make the perfect bride, and Séamus is ready to strike a deal with her. One that will ensure he keeps everything he holds dear if she puts a wedding ring on her finger. However, they face three big obstacles: His family, her family, and a marriage neither truly wants, leaving both wondering if the sizzling sexual chemistry and cozy rapport they share is enough to grasp a happily ever after.


Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61663774-his-proposition

Purchase Links:  https://www.extasybooks.com/coming-soon/His-Proposition

Excerpts:

Instead of making the walk to the side door that led to the garage, Séamus used the main entry and stepped outside to sunshine and a blue sky that wasn’t the least bit compatible with the thunderstorm sitting over his head. Not a hint of a breeze was present.

Parked in the circular, cobblestone driveway was the Audi, a car only used for out-of-town business acquaintances for its rear seat comfort package.

The stunning woman standing by the passenger door swept away the gray cloud looming over Séamus’ head. Well, well, well, this was very unlike Father. Shouldn’t a stern codger of old-school manners be present instead?

His new driver’s sleek body possessed the same smooth lines of the metallic-blue town car. Dressed in black from head to toe with a chauffeur’s hat and matching leather gloves, she exuded a perfect posture stiffer than the surfboard Séamus caught waves on in Maui.

He slyly snuck a long look at the swell of her breasts pressing on the fabric of the jacket. Full lips painted the shade of poppy never moved into a smile but remained straight and plush. Red undertones lit her bronzed skin, and hair the color of the midnight-blue sky was plaited in a thick braid.

It was too bad sunglasses tinted with the shade of a moonless night hid her eyes.

She opened the back door and used her gloved hand to motion. “Good morning, Mr. Daugherty. I’m your driver,” she said in a tone smoother than a glass of single malt whisky.

“Yes, I more than assumed so.” Clutching his briefcase, and one hand in his pants pocket, Séamus swaggered to the car.

“Yes, your driver.” Her luscious voice, capable of melting all over his skin, was as formal as her attire.

“Do you have a name?” He extended his hand. “Séamus Daugherty.”

Her black eyebrows, shaped in a perfect arc, rose slightly above her black specs. She was probably surprised he’d asked her name. Most likely when she chauffeured clients, they didn’t inquire about her personal life. Since they were going to spend six months together, for sure they would get to know each other.

“Shannon Nadjiwon at your service, Mr. Daugherty.” She again extended her gloved hand to the car.

He grasped her long fingers hidden beneath the leather material and clutched them in a firm but gentle grip. “Nadjiwon. That’s a pretty surname.”

“It’s Ojibway, sir.” She tilted her oval-shaped face slightly, as if bowing to him.

“Sir?” He almost clucked his tongue, although the appendage in his mouth desired to be somewhere else. Such as, what did her tongue feel like? Oh, it was a wicked thought since he’d only just met her, but damn, she was a fine specimen of the female persuasion.

“Let’s cut with the formality. You can call me Séamus, and I will refer to you as Shannon. How’s that?”

“Whatever you wish.” She gestured at his briefcase. “May I?”

“I don’t allow the house servants to wait on me like a king, and I don’t expect my driver to cater to my every need. I’ll put my briefcase in the car. Okay?” He reached inside the black leather interior. Already, the business console was down, so he set the briefcase on top.

“There.” He sank into the comfortable seat. “I’m all set.”

She shut the door.

Her confident stride while rounding the Audi was the same posture she’d presented from earlier—shoulders back, chin lifted, arms moving stiffly at her sides like a true marching soldier. Not a wiggle came from her slim hips or va-va-voom slender thighs.



Maggie Blackbird Author Bio:  

An Ojibway from Northwestern Ontario, Maggie resides in the country with her husband and their fur babies, two beautiful Alaskan Malamutes.  When she’s not writing, she can be found pulling weeds in the flower beds, mowing the huge lawn, walking the Mals deep in the bush, teeing up a ball at the golf course, fishing in the boat for walleye, or sitting on the deck at her sister’s house, making more wonderful memories with the people she loves most.

Social Media Links:  

Web Site | Facebook Page | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Linked In | Instagram | Amazon Author Page | eXtasy Books Author Page | Newsletter Sign-Up



Friday, August 19, 2022

#NewRelease JAZZ HOUSE by D.V. Stone

D.V. Stone is my guest today. Her new book, JAZZ HOUSE, book 2 in the Impact series, releases August 31, 2022. She sat down for an interview and told me about her writing and her life. Thanks for visiting, D.V.!

Jana, thank you so much for hosting me on your blog today. I’m excited to share about my new release. My Impact Series is near and dear to my heart.

Where did you get the idea for JAZZ HOUSE?

Jazz House is the second book of my Impact Series based on First Responders. The first book, Rock House Grill, is mostly about EMTs. In Jazz House, the main male character is Michael Machau. Michael is a police officer who was introduced as a secondary character in the first book. He is not only one of my favorite characters but seems to be a fan favorite.

Why did you choose this genre?

Several years ago, I did the National Novel Writing Month or NaNoWriMo challenge. That’s where you commit to writing 50,000 words in thirty days. Now, those are a lot of words for a short period of time. Since I have experience as an EMT and in restaurant work, I wrote what I knew. The Wild Rose Press liked it and offered me a contract. 

What do you want readers to come away with after they read JAZZ HOUSE? 

Jazz House has a lot packed into it. An abusive relationship, a secret identity, making a way to overcome these things. I think the thing that I’d like to show most is that with supportive friends and family (whether they are blood relations on not), we can forge a new life and overcome the obstacles.

Do you work on more than one book at a time?

The short answer is yes. While I was writing Jazz House, I worked on two other stories. One has been submitted to my editor. (Shout out to ELF, who I adore. I call her my breathing coach as she gets me through the writing process). I have a project with several other authors that is an early work in progress. And working on a long-term project in my fantasy line, Shield-Mates of Dar.

How many books do you have under the proverbial bed? Will they ever see the light of day?

It’s crowded under there, LOL. I have the first book I ever started that needs tender loving care. The first book is done in draft but needs crazy editing. The manuscript is huge. There are two other books in various stages in that series. Also under that bed is the third book in my mid-grade paranormal series Agent Sam Carter Mysteries. There are a few other things too. A partial short story along the lines of Rainbow Sprinkles. Whew!

Do you write in the same place every day, or do you like to change it up?

D. V. is a rolling stone. I spend a great deal of time in my library/office, but I take it to my deck on nice days. I’m writing this interview in my camper. Occasionally I’ll head to the library when I need a further change of pace.

Tell us a bit about you. Where do you live, and how long have you been writing?

Since marrying my husband Pete twenty-eight years ago, I’ve lived in Northwest New Jersey. Before that, I lived in Northeastern Pennsylvania, where both Rock House Grill and Jazz House take place. Since retiring from full-time employment last year, we also spent the winter in a Florida campground where I worked on books, and Pete worked for the campground.

How do you think your life experiences have prepared you for writing?

Someone asked me if I see myself in any of my characters. My answer is an emphatic yes. All of them. I believe most authors dip into their good, bad, and ugly to develop their characters. I’ve been everything from a farmer, waitress, maid, EMT in an ambulance, emergency room, and woman’s state prison. Over the years, I have been a  veterinary hospital manager, radiology office secretary, and owned both a coffee house and a small restaurant. Whether I’m working on a fantasy novel or a contemporary, bits of my life and experience touch it all.

Do you have any pets? Are you cat person or a dog person? Or are you into totally different pets, like goldfish? What do you like best about your pet?

I’m an animal lover and advocate. I’ve adopted all my pets and fostered many over the years, from Bassett Hounds to bottle baby kittens. Though I don’t have horses any longer, I’ll take any opportunity to be around them. Right now, Hali is my latest rescue dog, and Baby is our cat. By the way, Baby is seventeen years old and went to Florida with us this past winter. She was a champ and took to it like she’d been doing it since she was a kitten.

Hali

What are your hobbies away from the computer?

I live to glamp! We bought a 5th Wheel camper a few years ago, and I can’t get enough of travel. We especially like history and antiquing, so if a place has those, we’re on our way. In conjunction with that, cooking over an open fire is nearly an obsession. When we were in Florida, I often fed the campground. Give me fire, grate, or a tripod and Dutch Oven and ring that dinner bell.

What do you like best about your hero JAZZ HOUSE? 

Oh, Michael! He’s a sweetheart who rescues people and animals. He’s loyal, thoughtful, and a bit of a romantic. I can’t wait for you to read about his German Shepherds Forest and Jenny.

What do you like best about your heroine in JAZZ HOUSE? 

Jordon is complex. She’s made some bad decisions, and boy does she pay for them. However, she is not a coward and grabs her chance to escape and try to build a new life.

How do you choose the names and physical characteristics of your characters? Do you base them on real people?

I usually go to social security for contemporary works and look at popular names for the birth year. But let me tell you, as you write and the character develops, their name can change. In Rainbow Sprinkles, my main character is Gloriana Jones. The name just popped into my head one day with no story planned for her until TWRP called for submission for their One Scoop Or Two series. Gloriana was perfect for the part.

How can readers reach you or find you online?

I’m nearly everywhere! The best place to start is at my website https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/ and my monthly email list  https://mailchi.mp/18125bb60cc5/dv-stones-news-bulletin

Tell us a little about your current work in progress.

One of the things I’m working on is a cooperative effort with six other authors. I’m dipping my toe into historical paranormal romance with this one. Post WW2 action-adventure. Sort of like an underwater Indiana Jones. I’m excited to be part of this amazing group. Also, Felice, Shield-Mates of Dar Book One, was pulled and re-edited. She is being released with a new cover, and the second book, Kisa, will follow shortly.

If I was a first-time reader of your books, which one would you recommend I start with and why?

You could read Jazz House without reading Rock House Grill, but I think the reader would get a fuller, richer story to begin with RHG

Is there anything we haven’t covered here that you’d like to tell readers?

Be kind to each other. We have no idea what others are going through. Hold your friends and family close. Make an Impact in the world whenever you can. Oh, and Hali says, “Woof!”

(Translated to visit the shelters and adopt the pets.)


Blurb:

One woman’s choices. One man’s impact.

Jordan Vasilakis is on the run, living under an assumed name. After a disastrous marriage to a notorious Greek business tycoon, she flees to the States and starts rebuilding her life. But her ruthless husband is determined to destroy her…once he finds her.

Michael Machau is drawn to the new singer at Jazz House restaurant, but the guarded woman is harboring dangerous secrets. The dedicated police officer may have to risk more than just his heart to forge a connection with the woman he knows as Madeline Cielo, especially when he discovers she’s living a lie.

Worlds collide. Lies entangle. Survival, much less love, is in question. They must quickly distinguish friends from enemies or risk losing everything—including a future together.


Excerpt:

Jordan scrambled to the other side of the limo. 

“You sing good tonight.” He scrolled through his phone. 

“Yes, Kyrios.” 

Outside the window, massive cruise ships docked in the port. Happy older people made their way up the gangplanks toting bags filled with souvenirs, while the younger ones debarked dressed for the nightlife. Sparkly sequins flashed like diamonds as one young woman twirled on the pier. 

God, how had she come to this life? She willed her hovering tears not to fall. Kyrios wouldn’t approve. 

When she was offered a place in the touring group ten years ago, she thought it was the beginning of great things. Standing in the cabaret with the lights shining down was her dream come true. When she was the woman in the sparkly dress. 

Until he showed up. 

Each night, Kyrios Vasilakis, Greek business tycoon, sat at the front table watching her. Yes, he was older but so very handsome. Dark hair with silver at the temples, he cut a dashing figure in his black suits. 

Jordan began to sing to him. It was the beginning of the end. After a whirlwind romance, she found herself a prisoner in marriage to a brute.


Buy Links:

https://www.amazon.com/Jazz-House-Impact-Book-2-ebook/dp/B0B1Z2KKN8

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/jazz-house-d-v-stone/1141502643

https://books.apple.com/us/book/jazz-house/id6442847677

Universal Link

https://books2read.com/u/mZQq0e


For one-stop connections Link Tree 

Website: https://www.dvstoneauthor.com/

Newsletter: https://mailchi.mp/18125bb60cc5/dv-stones-news-bulletin

IG: https://www.instagram.com/d.v.stone/

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Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dv.stone.1

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16344100.D_V_Stone

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/d-v-stone

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D.-V.-Stone/e/B01N154Y9U

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@dvstoneauthor

Blog: D.V. Stone - Around The Fire Book and Author Blog (dvstoneauthor.com)

Other Books by 

D. V. Stone

Rainbow Sprinkles by The Wild Rose Press

After the storm come the rainbows.

Amazon  Barnes & Noble   iBook’s


Rock House Grill by The Wild Rose Press

One man’s choices. One woman’s Impact

Amazon Barnes & Noble iBook’s  Google Books 


Contributing Author

Australia Burns by The Wild Rose Press

Amazon


Independently Published

Mid Grade

Agent Sam Carter 

The Mystery at Branch Lake https://a.co/bb0HlkS

The Mystery at High Pointe Tower https://a.co/bb0HlkS

Tuesday, August 16, 2022

#NewRelease from Kathleen Ann Gallagher: NIGHT MAGIC

Kathleen Ann Gallagher joins me today with a look at her paranormal romance novella, NIGHT MAGIC, which was just published by The Wild Rose Press. NIGHT MAGIC is book one in the Moonlight and Jasmine series. Welcome Kathleen!

NIGHT MAGIC by Kathleen Ann Gallagher 

BLURB:

Secrets can put a halt to happiness, unless you free yourself of fear.

Krista Winter is in need of legal counsel. Several years ago, she was forced to flee her life as a teacher in New Jersey after being shunned for practicing witchcraft, and her past is about to catch up with her.

Jon Bartolo is a dedicated attorney. His days are spent serving his clients with their struggles, and his nights are spent in agony, lost in a world between life and death. His mother, who died three years ago, lurks in his house, suffering from a curse for eternity, without a final resting place.

A smoldering fire ignites between Jon and Krista almost immediately, however, he’s sure his secret would frighten any woman away. An afternoon escape brings them closer, but doubts linger between the love-struck couple.

Burning questions about how to fuse their futures together with so much of their past still clouding the future becomes a heavy burden that they’re both trying to bear on their own.

It will take a touch of magic if there’s any hope in sight.


EXCERPT:

It never crossed her mind he’d be so good looking and oozing with sex appeal. She’d pictured an older, average looking man, not the person who stood in front of her. 

Where has he been hiding? 

Krista zeroed in on his wide shoulders and the girth of his chest. It was as if the sky broke open and delivered her dream man in a pretty package. She nearly forgot why she came in the first place. Krista tried to focus and remain professional. She stood and fumbled with the strap on her purse. 

“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms. Winter.” 

His deep and welcoming tone helped calm the tension that traveled through her body. He reached out and shook hand, his touch gentle, and a powerful, magnetic surge hit her hard, zipping all the way down to her feet. 

“Please, make yourself comfortable,” he said in a pleasant, yet authoritative manner, and pointed to a beautifully carved chair with a burgundy upholstered seat. With a confident stride, he made his way behind the massive desk and sat. He caught her gaze and smiled. Her heart thumped as she followed his lead. Settled in front of him, Krista cleared her throat and bit the side of her lip. 

Grandma Angie had taught her how to tell if a man was attracted to her. Late night chats about how she met her grandfather and words of wisdom from a loving relationship stayed in her memory, and she kept that advice close to her heart.

There was no denying her attraction to the handsome lawyer, and it was strong. Fear of failure had ruled Krista’s heart since the breakup. 

Buy at Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Night-Magic-Moonlight-Jasmine-Book-ebook/dp/B09ZZJX1JB


AUTHOR BIO:

Kathleen and Luc
Kathleen is originally from New Jersey, but currently resides in Southwest Florida with her husband and her Coton de Tulear Luc. She has been creating stories since she was a young girl. When she is not dreaming up a plot for her next romance, Kathleen enjoys performing in community theater. You might also find her relaxing on one of Florida’s beaches dreaming up her next romance novel.  Kathleen loves meeting her readers, and she is extremely grateful for their continued support. 

Links:

Friday, August 12, 2022

Book Blitz for #NewRelease THE ACADIAN SECRET by Tammy Lowe

Debut author Tammy Lowe is my guest today. I'm helping to spread the word about her just released YA novel, THE ACADIAN SECRET. Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of the post. Best of luck with this new release, Tammy!

The Acadian Secret
Tammy Lowe
(The Acadian Secret, #1)
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: August 10th 2022
Genres: Action, Adventure, Time-Travel, Young Adult

Nova Scotia has kept an incredible secret for centuries. In 1795, sixteen-year-old John Smith, convinced he’s found buried treasure, digs down into a mysterious pit on a small island.

In present day Nova Scotia, twelve-year-old Elisabeth London knows there’s no such thing as magic, but when she finds herself in 17th century Scotland, she no longer knows what to think. While under the guardianship of a kind-hearted Highlander, Elisabeth discovers his ancestral home holds a mystery of its own.

As John continues to dig the strange pit, he inadvertently begins the longest running, most expensive, and deadliest treasure hunt in history. Now, Elisabeth London and John Smith each try to unravel the secrets consuming them, unaware that a tormented young man holds the string weaving all of their lives together.

For Elisabeth, the adventure is just beginning. Unless her parents discover she’s time-travelling. Then…she is so grounded.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

EXCERPT:

As the evening sun wandered behind the mountains, it cast an emerald glow across a glen. The valley was dotted with boulders, rocks, and drifts of bright yellow flowering bushes that blanketed the rolling hills, perfuming the air with a coconut scent. A small river twisted its way toward a distant forest. Overhead, a hawk screeched while soaring across an endless blue sky, declaring its vast territory to other hawks.

A dog yelped, over and over and over again.

Awakened by the barking, Elisabeth’s eyes narrowed in confusion. Her chest tightened as she sat up. “What the—?”

A huge, hairy boar, with razor-sharp tusks, lunged into the nearby brambles.

With a gasp, Elisabeth scrambled behind a large rock. Her breath hitched as her mind raced to make sense of the surrounding scenery.

That’s when a hunter, with a short beard and wild black hair that gave him a crazed look, came galloping over the crest of a hill on horseback. “Good boy, Talbot,” he yelled when the dog lunged into the brambles after the wild pig. The angry grunts of the boar filtered through the thick shrub.

Elisabeth leaped back, ducking low to hide behind the boulder. One hand pressed tight across her mouth.

The clip-clop stomping of the horse’s hooves sounded closer. Then, the hunter’s voice rose in pitch as his piercing blue-green eyes stared down at her, crouched in the heather. “What the devil…?”

A cold chill ran up her spine when he dismounted. His head cocked slightly to the side, and she realized his hearing focused on the dog and the boar as he drew closer.

Bending to peer at her, the hunter scratched his cheek. “You all right, lass?”

Elisabeth’s muscles tightened and she drew her head back sharply. “Yep. Fine.”

“Then…what are ye doing out here?” he asked in an uncertain tone while helping her to her feet. “Dressed in naught but…that?”

Elisabeth’s mouth opened, but nothing came out.

“Well, you’re lucky I found you before—” The silence in the valley now broken, Talbot howled, the boar squealed, and Elisabeth backed away with quick, jerky steps.

“Dinnae move, lass,” he ordered in a steady, low-pitched voice while reaching for his dagger.

Elisabeth gasped for air, watching the enraged boar desert its hiding spot in the brambles and charge toward the dog, its lethal tusks ready to kill.

Talbot seemed well-trained so, instead of turning tail and running, he danced backward, facing the pig, luring it away from his master. With the boar now in pursuit of the dog, the hunter ran at the beast as if he were a wild animal himself. Jumping on the boar from behind, he grabbed its ear, yanked its head up, and slashed its throat.

Elisabeth’s heart pounded, and she gripped the sides of her head.

The hunter jumped off the boar as it fell limp at his feet and cleaned the blade on the carcass before putting it away. He then walked toward Elisabeth, his bloody hands held in front of him.

“You’ve got a knife.” Elisabeth whimpered as her gaze darted from the enormous man dressed in a skirt to the ragtag group of hunters who came cantering over the crest of the hill.

“Aye, and a sword.” He smirked while pointing at it. “I’m not going to harm you, though. I’m hunting.”

“Hunting what? Little girls?” Not waiting for an answer, she bolted, heading for the distant forest.

The hunter took a step back and chuckled as Elisabeth made her great escape in slow motion, hindered terribly by bare feet.

“You’re completely mad!” he shouted while mounting his horse, motioning to the arriving men to deal with the boar carcass.

The black warhorse was as large and intimidating as the hunter and the animal’s powerful legs kicked up tall grass and thistles as it galloped along. The sound of its hooves seemed amplified as it neared Elisabeth.

Without needing to slow his horse, he reached down, scooped Elisabeth into his arms, and placed her in the saddle in front of him. She let out a sharp scream.

“There. Now be a good lass. I promise I’m not going to hurt you. You’re on my land so I know you’re not from these parts. I cannot leave you alone out here. It’s not safe and will soon be dark.”

A wave of coldness caused Elisabeth to tremble. She had no idea where she was and no recollection of arriving. When the hunter wrapped her in his plaid and nudged his horse on, Elisabeth’s shoulders tightened. She remained silent, bringing a shaky hand to her forehead while trying to figure out what the heck was going on. This definitely wasn’t Mahone Bay anymore.

Author Bio, Tammy Lowe:

An adventurer at heart, Tammy has explored ruins in Rome, Pompeii, and Istanbul (Constantinople) with historians and archaeologists.

She’s slept in the tower of a 15th century castle in Scotland, climbed down the cramped tunnels of Egyptian pyramids, scaled the Sydney Harbour Bridge, sailed on a tiny raft down the Yulong River in rural China, dined at a Bedouin camp in the Arabian Desert, and escaped from head-hunters in the South Pacific.

I suppose one could say her own childhood wish of time traveling adventures came true…in a roundabout way.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Pinterest


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Tuesday, August 2, 2022

#NewRelease from Tina Donahue: SINFULLY HOT

 


Erotic Paranormal Romance

 UNIVERSAL LINK



Blurb: 

A hotter-than-sin reaper. A badass demon. Hell doesn’t get steamier than this.

Zekiel owns the newest nightclub in the French Quarter. The decadent atmosphere draws the corrupt, their blackened souls just what he likes to reap.

Jewel is not amused. Not only has Zekiel cut in on her territory, Satan’s gotten hardcore, upping her quota. All hell’s going to break loose if mortals don’t start selling their souls to her.

The race is on. Zekiel claims victory and wants Jewel as his prize for one evening. Nothing forbidden. Nothing denied. In other words, the whole enchilada, including voyeurism and BDSM.

After the first promising look and lingering touch, they’re goners…even though they’re supposed to be competitors.

This book was previously published in a box set.




EXCERPT:


He brushed his lips over her ear. “Are you challenging me?”

She was a hot mess, unable to do anything except submit. His breath was fresh and warm, his muscles harder than stone. “Challenge you to what?” Us doing the horizontal tango? Bondage? Punishment?

“To see who can claim a soul faster. You seem to think you can.” He snuggled his tongue into her ear.

Jewel shivered. Her knees bumped his. “Not seem. Know. What happens when I win?”

He laughed, his chest and hard stomach quivering.

She should have slugged him but couldn’t find the strength. His beard-roughened cheek scoured hers in the best possible way. Never again would she consider reapers loathsome creatures worse than pond scum. However, he had still horned in on her turf. That deserved retaliation.

She broke free from his grip and stroked his inner arm.

He trembled.

She purred. “What’s the matter, baby? Afraid of real competition?”

He eased back slightly. Charcoal locks dangled over his forehead, begging her to ease them into place.

She resisted.

His dimpled smile returned. “Are you serious? Competition from you?”

Certainly not from other reapers who usually resembled Lurch in that ancient TV show The Addams Family. Even if those guys hadn’t owned the kiss of death, their looks alone sent mortals scurrying for cover. “How about we give it a try?” She shoved him off her. “When I win, I’ll determine your new role at this place.”

“When you win? I’d say ‘if’ isn’t even close.” He bent down until their noses nearly touched. “Want to know what I want when you lose?”

Her expelled from here and roaming New Orleans like a whipped dog, desperately scouring the surroundings for mortals to corrupt so she’d make this month’s quota. If that didn’t happen, Satan might renege on the one promise he’d made her. The reason she’d willingly sold her soul when she shouldn’t have.

Love hadn’t given her a choice.

She shook off the unchangeable past and steeled for battle. “I don’t care what you want, because my losing to you won’t happen. The second I win, I want full access to this place from midnight to seven a.m.”

“My operating hours.”

“Bingo. I expect you to round up the most likely candidates and let me do my thing. No hassle or interference. It’s only right given that you’re trespassing in my hood.”

He played with the top bow on her bustier. “Sure you don’t want to hear what happens when I win?”

She brushed his hand away. “Shall we begin?”

“Fine with me.” He tugged the ribbon, untying it.

Jewel leaned into his touch then stopped and pulled away. “We’re wasting time.” Satan wasn’t going to wait forever for her newest report. “Good luck.”

“Thanks, but you’re the one who’s going to need it.” He ignored her offered hand and swung his to the side, touching a twentysomething guy who strolled up. He sported thick Goth makeup. Metal studs dotted his face in a haphazard pattern.

With Zekiel’s touch, the young man turned whiter than nature or Revlon allowed, clutched his chest, and dropped to the floor.

The guys behind him giggled drunkenly and stepped over his corpse to leave the club.

Zekiel blew on his forefinger as one would a smoking gun. “Wow. Looks like I win.”

She gestured frantically. “Bring him back. He’s too young to die. He’s not even corrupt.” Despite his macabre appearance, his soul smelled of sunshine and hope.

Zekiel regarded the poor slob. “What do I get if I do?”

“Fine, reap him.” She crossed her arms. “I’ll even call 911 for them to collect the remains. I’m not leaving without my quota.”

He muttered something that sounded nasty and revived the young man.

The kid teetered to his feet and blinked repeatedly. “I just saw Heaven.”

Jewel rubbed her temple.

“It was beautiful.” He bounced on his heels. “I wanna go back.”

“Maybe tomorrow night.” Zekiel waved his hand.

The gust that produced whizzed the kid to the exit and out the door.

Zekiel faced her. “Seems like you need me to take a handicap to make our competition remotely fair.”

“Fair would be you taking off and letting me have this place.”

Laughter shook him. “Tell you what, you pick the victim.”

“Not until I know you won’t touch him until I’ve closed the deal.”

“That’s giving away the keys to the castle.”

She stroked his throat, enjoying how hard he swallowed. “Would it be so bad if I won?”

 




About Tina:

Tina’s an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes passionate romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. She’s won Readers’ Choice Awards, was named a finalist in the EPIC competition, received a Book of the Year award, The Golden Nib Award, awards of merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competitions, and second place in the NEC RWA contests. She’s featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.

On a less serious note: she’s an admitted and unrepentant chocoholic, brakes for Mexican restaurants, and has been known to moan like Meg Ryan in When Harry Met Sally while wolfing down tostadas. She’s flown a single-engine airplane (freaking scary), rewired an old house using an ‘electricity for dummies’ book, and is horribly shy despite the hot romances she writes.

Website/Blog: http://tinadonahuebooks.blogspot.com/

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Kensington Author Page: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/author.aspx/24772

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