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2017/09/30

FINNGARICK by Victoria Danann

FINNGARICK
Black Swan D.I.T., book 2
by Victoria Danann

Genre: Paranormal Romance


“When it came to my attention that D.I.T. was going to Dublin, I thought of Torn Finngarick. After all he knew the culture and could, perhaps, be useful. I confess to the ulterior motive of wanting to see all the floaters brought in from the cold. He was one of the remaining few. And everybody deserves another chance. Right?

As I mentioned earlier, my wife was working for Black Swan setting up a unit called Department of Interdimensional Trespass. It seemed that creatures coming and going at will were causing havoc that had, until recently, been unexplained, believed to be fiction of the myth or folklore variety, or dismissed as interplanetary visitations. Rosie was busy hiring and training people who were going to function as police.

Anyway, I had served with Sir Finngarick when I was first knighted as the fourth member of the infamous Z Team and came to know him quite well. Most believed he was irredeemable. I did not.”
Glendennon Catch, Sovereign, Jefferson Unit



In the long chronicle of Black Swan knights, Torn was one of only a handful who were not second sons. His particular life circumstances, otherwise known as fate, created the perfect storm necessary to build a potential Black Swan knight.

His mother had died when he was a toddler too young to retain any conscious memory of her. His father was a drunk, on the dole, and the town joke. By the time he was seven he’d learned to fight and was ready to take on all comers, even much older kids, anyone who had something untoward to say about his old man. Even though he’d be the first to acknowledge that there likely had never been a sorrier excuse for an elf.

Other elflings had an arsenal of hurtful things to say.

“He’s a shtate gobshite.”

“He’s a pox” or “eejit” or “maggot”.

Torn knew his father had given up, crawled to the bottom of a whiskey bottle and stayed there because he’d lost his mate. He wanted to shout at his da; that he was still there, that his father still had work to do. But he didn’t. He learned to make modest meals and put a besotted Mick Finngarick to bed.

If tears were shed, they fell with no one to see.

As word spread that a person should think twice before insulting Torn Finngarick or his father, opportunities to find release by pounding someone bloody became fewer and farther between.

He’d grown to just under six feet by the time his thirteenth birthday came around. By that time he’d taken to traveling to nearby towns and hanging around outside pubs in hopes that somebody who hadn’t heard of him could be goaded into a fight. When he scored a taker, they were always put off by the grin that communicated pure pleasure. Sometimes it was accompanied by outright laughter.

That would have given a wise man pause. But a wise man wouldn’t be taunted into a street fight with a kid like Finngarick. So Torn was free to show exactly how much he relished the lesson he was about give on the stupidity of engaging in rough play with strangers.

On one such occasion he stole a car and drove to Derry, the seat of the Irish Elf kingdom. He knew there would be a sea of possible victims there, particularly on a Saturday night.

As it happened, a knight named Draglanore was in Derry having a pint with a friend while standing at the bar at the Crow’s Cock on Queen’s Quay. He overheard the patrons behind him talking.

“The boyo’s fuckin’ put down four hale and hearty men and still ready for more. Ne’er saw nothin’ like it.”

Sir Draglanore turned his body toward the elf who’d been speaking and said, “Pardon me for overhearing. Are you talking about an altercation in progress?”

The man looked Draglanore up and down, undoubtedly thinking the man’s speech was a bit highfalutin.

“That’s right,” he said, eyeing Draglanore with a modicum of suspicion. “Outside in front. Boyo too young for drink, but not too young to fight.”

Draglanore nodded. “Thank you.” As he turned back to his friend he acknowledged the quiet voice, but insistent voice. All knights are trained to pay attention to the inner prompting that pulls in one direction or another. Some said it was a function of the mystic. Some said it was a brain mechanism yet to be fully understood. Black Swan was far more concerned with practical application and function than definition. Turning back to his friend, he said, “You’ll have to forgive me, John. I need to check on something.”

John was agreeable. “Go ahead. I’ll keep the beer warm and the women cool.”

Draglanore laughed. “Indeed. Exactly what I fear when I wake each day.”

It wasn’t difficult to find the subject of bar talk. Finngarick and the small crowd he’d drawn had retired to an alley a few doors down from the pub so as not to draw the attention of law enforcement.

Draglanore arrived just as Finngarick delivered a knockout punch to a man who was in his late twenties and muscled to a point that suggested the use of enhancement drugs.

Finngarick was smiling like he was having the time of his life. Draglanore stepped in front of him and turned to the crowd.

“That’s all for tonight folks. The kid has had enough.”

The idea of being shut down by a prissy-talking stranger infuriated Torn. He pushed Draglanore’s shoulder from behind and was surprised when that had no visible effect on the man.

“Ain’t your fuckin’ business, eegit. You wantin’ some? I got enough for you and them, too.”

Draglanore turned slowly and deliberately. When Torn got a look at his face he could see that Draglanore wasn’t like the other men who showed up to fight him. He was self-possessed in a way that was foreign to Finngarick.

“What’s your name?”

“Who’s askin’?”

“Gray Draglanore. And you are?”

Torn huffed and looked up and down the alley, but said, “Torrent Finngarick.”

Draglanore nodded. “A fine name.” Torn snorted, which made Draglanore cock his head to the side. “You from around here?”

Torn wasn’t sure why he hadn’t already turned and walked away. It crossed his mind, but there was something compelling about the man. So he decided to let things play out a bit and find out what his angle was. “No.”

“Just passing through?”

Torn eyes skittered away in the direction of the stolen car. “Maybe.”

“I see. What year are you in?”

“And why would that be your fuckin’ business?”

“I might have an offer for you. I might not. I won’t know unless you answer my questions.”

Again, Torn thought about walking away, but the event is progress had the potential to be the most unusual and interesting thing that had ever happened in his short life.

“I’m in seven.”

“Seven.” Draglanore nodded. “Do you by chance have an older brother?” Torn shook his head. Draglanore showed mild surprise, but quickly recovered his passive expresssion.

“Just me and my da. Why are ye askin’?”

Draglanore ignored the question. “Are you smart, Torrent Finngarick?”

Torn’s lips twitched in a way that told Draglanore what he wanted to know. The kid was angry, handy, smart, and on the way to being on the tall side for an elf. He was already six feet and probably looking at another two growth spurts. At least.

“Do you like what you’re doing now? Your friends? Where you live? Where you go to school?” Draglanore already knew the answers to those questions. Black Swan knights are good at reading people.

Torn barked out a laugh, spat on the ground and wiped a rolled up sleeve across his bloody mouth. “No’ even a little.”

“Well, in that case, I may have an alternative to suggest. I work for an organization that recruits people like yourself. You would get the best education anywhere, see the world, meet people you can respect, and, if you’re interested in that sort of thing, make a lot of money. I can send someone to talk to you and your father if you’re interested.”

Torn narrowed his eyes. “Gangsters? Lookin’ for somebody who can fight.”

It was Finngarick’s turn to be surprised when Draglanore laughed out loud. “No.” The knight shook his head, clearly amused by the idea. “Not gangsters. Although we do know something about fighting.”

“You work for the king?”

“Not the mob. Not the king. It’s a secret. If you sign on, it’s a secret you’ll take to the grave, but it’s also a decision you’ll never regret.”

Torn was intrigued. “My da…”

“Yes?”

“He’s a dosser. Likes the whiskey.”

“Oh?”

“Aye. Most of the time he’s locked and manky.” Torn looked down at his shoes suddenly feeling ashamed in front of the elegant well-spoken stranger.

“I see. And you’re concerned that he may not be at his best when our recruiter comes to call?” Torn looked up into Draglanore’s eyes with a vulnerability that wasn’t there before and nodded. “Leave that to us. Give me your address and expect someone in the next two days. We don’t operate on the same time as the rest of the world. We get things done. You need to be prepared to leave if you like what you hear. Day after tomorrow.”

“Why me?”

Draglanore smiled. “I have a feeling about you.”

Torn glanced away, but hurried to ask, “Will I see you again?”

“Maybe someday,” Draglanore smiled. “In our organization paths tend to cross from time to time. I expect I’ll be hearing things about you within a few years.”

Sir Draglanore did indeed hear things about Torrent Finngarick within a few years. They just weren’t good things.





SIMON SAYS
D.I.T., book 1
Simon Tvelgar wasn’t always the staid and steady director of the Order of the Black Swan headquarters in Edinburgh who manages the most unruly congregation of talented misfits ever assembled into one organization.

No. He was once a young, beautiful, athletically gifted knight, wild and lustful as any, until he fell in love with a Scottish fae girl who on bereavement leave. He lost her to the stones of the Orkneys as they picnicked there on Lammas twenty years before. She was swallowed up and faded from view, a look of panic on her face as she reached for him while her mouth silently formed his name. He lunged to grab her, but she was simply gone.

Year after year he traveled back to the Orkney Islands and talked to locals, but Shivaun was never seen again. Simon channeled his sorrow and loneliness into work until he eventually rose to the highest position open to an ex Black Swan knight.

Now, for the first time, he thinks there might be someone who could find Shivaun. Rosie Storm.

This novella introduces a new Black Swan series, D.I.T., Department of Interdimensional Trespass.



Victoria Danann is the New York Times bestselling author of twenty romances. For the past four years in a row, Victoria's Knights of Black Swan series have won prestigious Reviewers' Choice Awards for both BEST PARANORMAL ROMANCE SERIES and PARANORMAL ROMANCE NOVEL OF THE YEAR. This past year three of her series and three of her novels were nominated. Two of her series took the top two places and two of her books took first and second place in the PNR Novel of the Year category.

In addition to vampire hunting knights, Victoria writes other paranormal romance, scifi, fantasy, and contemporary romance.

Victoria co-hosts the popular ROMANCE BETWEEN THE PAGES podcast which can be found on iTunes or at → www.romancecast.com

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2017/09/29

romance between the pages PODCAST with author DANIELLE STEWART


Ever wondered about the personalities behind your favorite books? Victoria Danann's new podcast with Riley J. Ford has an incredible lineup of authors booked through the spring. No question is out of bounds. Check it out!

THIS WEEK'S BEST SELLING AUTHOR...
DANIELLE STEWART!

Danielle Stewart is a USA Today Best Selling Author of over twenty books. Her series include The Piper Anderson Series, The Edenville Series, The Clover Series, The Piper Anderson Legacy Mystery Series, The Rough Waters Series & The Barrington Billionaire's Series. She has had more the 2.5 million books downloaded and held the number one book rank on iBooks, Amazon and Barnes and Noble.

Danielle currently live in Charlotte, North Carolina with her husband and six year old son. She works hard to perfect the ability to write in a noisy house and create story lines while folding laundry. She loves hearing from readers so please find her on social media!

THIS DEVIL IS CRAZY by Pauline Hornsby

THIS DEVIL IS CRAZY
The Devil's Prophets, book 1
by Pauline Hornsby

Genre: Romance Suspense. (high heat levels)


When Jenna Mitchell enters the world of the Devil’s Prophets Motorcycle Club, unlike most women before her, she is not there to land herself a biker. After the late president of the MC, kidnapped their baby and murdered her sister, Jenna could only look on from the sidelines as another woman raised Jack. Now is her chance to finally reunite with her son, and nothing will stand in her way.

Try telling that to Ali, the club’s enforcer. The stunning, quiet bookkeeper is like the start of his favourite sex fantasy, the part just before the secretary whips off her glasses, and shakes down her hair. One short meeting, and she’s all he can think about.

First love at thirty two, seems unlikely, yet Jenna can’t help falling for the sexy, dirty mouthed biker. But it’s not all MC parties and off the chain hot sex for this interloper. When the man that wants you, demands your secrets too, it’s only a matter of time before he will them find out.



Ali

I let myself into the office the moment Chrissie left to do the banking. “You settling in?” I said, picking one of the pens out of the stupid penguin holder that Chrissie must have bought.

“I have a lot to do,” Jenna said and swallowed. “Can I help you?”

She appeared skittish and I had no plans to alleviate that. “Maybe.” I slid the pen back into the container. “Funny place for someone like you to work. Did you know it was an MC?”

I waited for her to say no, to tell me that she had no idea that the garage had a link to an outlaw motorcycle club. “I worked it out from the address, so yes,” she said.
“You’ve lived here, what, a month?”

“Six weeks. Is there anything else? I’m kind of swamped.”

I reached across and closed the laptop, her perfume hitting me sharply. Roses, unusual when most women around the place smelled of spices and sex. I liked it, though, the aroma lighter, more subtle than I was used to. “Take a break.”

Her eyes went to my mouth like she lip-read me. “I could make coffee,” she said, her hands shaking before she closed them into fists.

“So, where’s Mr. Mitchell?” I asked, her eyes widening in surprise.

“I thought you checked all that out?” Her mouth lifted at one side.

“We did, just wondering if you have one hidden away somewhere.” I leaned closer. “You don’t look single.”

“I don’t? What does single look like?” She appeared interested, her head tilting.

“Not beautiful like you.” I cocked my head to the side. “But you don’t look very content, so you’re either not being fucked properly, or you are on your own.”

Her breath hissed in. “I don’t appreciate that.”

“Being fucked properly?” I didn’t back away, leaning down a little more.

“Being spoken to like that. It’s disrespectful and unprofessional. I’m here to work, not have you come in here and harass me like this.” She rolled her chair back and I held down the chuckle that started making its way up my throat. “I think you should leave.”

“Babe, you don’t get to tell me shit.” I straightened up. Fuck, my dick had been getting hard the entire time I had been talking to her. I had been caught up in the discussion, but still, how the hell had I not noticed?

“I’m just making conversation. Besides, it’s you that’s harassing me.”

“What?” Her eyes grew rounder. Had she noticed? I really hoped so. “I’ve said nothing to you.”

“Yeah, but you’ve been checking me out. I saw you watching me. I’m not an object, you know.” I smiled, softening my words. I’d liked her watching me. Of course, she’d checked out my brothers too. We were probably like animals in a zoo to the pretty little citizen.

“You’re being ridiculous,” she said, her voice wavering. I’d caught her, she couldn’t really deny that.

“It’s okay. I think I like you harassing me.” I scratched my chin. “Yeah, I’ve changed my mind, you can harass me as much as you want.”





Pauline lives in a quaint country town where she writes, reads, and is lucky enough to, live romance. Having found the love of her life early, she has no issue with her friends reading her stories, and being unable to make eye contact with her for weeks after. It’s all about love, and the trials of finding a happy ever after in her world.

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2017/09/28

29 - The Series by Nancy Pennick

29 - The Series
by Nancy Pennick

Genre: YA Sci-Fi

29 (Twenty-Nine)

Allie Sanders thinks life in a small town can’t get any more dull and boring. She plans to escape after graduation. After a bad break-up, she wants to sail through junior year without distraction. Then the mysterious loner sits down in front of her in AP English. He’s the guy she noticed last year desperately trying to stay invisible. She wants to know his secrets. Suddenly her much older military brother, Doug, makes a rare appearance. He takes a special interest in her life. Suspicious of his motives Allie holds back, never really trusting him. Doug wants what she wants—the boy she has come to love. No way would she let that happen. She’d go against family and friends to protect him—and his secrets—even if it ends up breaking her heart.


Our hands touched briefly and a tingle traveled up my arm and back down my spine. He quickly pulled away, handed me the folder and continued to pick up the rest of the mess. I didn’t know if I should say sorry or thank you because I couldn’t take my eyes off his gorgeous face.

As he placed the pile on my desk he looked directly at me, straight through to my soul. “You’re welcome.” His dark hair hung over his eyes and those chocolate orbs burned right through me. A slight smile crossed his face. Then it was over, and he turned back in his seat, pouring over that important book.

I brought my hand to my chest, the one he touched. It still tingled. Funny, I never felt that way with Josh. I never experienced anything when we held hands. Josh may have been a teenage crush but this felt like something more—more like danger and romance could be right around the corner.

I blinked and noticed my schedule still lay on the floor close to Heathcliff’s desk. I debated if I needed it, but didn’t want it in someone else’s hands. I leaned to the side and tried to extend my leg out into the aisle to pull the paper toward me. The schedule lay just beyond my reach. I slipped from my seat into a squatting position, praying no one watched. How embarrassing if anyone saw me. Super powers would be really great right now. Wishing for invisibility, I wiggled a few inches forward and picked up the paper.

As I scooted forward, I couldn’t help notice Loner’s sandals. I had the sudden urge to tell him he had good fashion sense. I caught my breath as I spotted something on the arch of his right foot. I couldn’t make out the whole thing. Part of the foot was covered by the sandal strap. Pen marks? Letters? A tattoo? My blood ran cold. I began to feel dizzy and steadied myself on my desk. I saw something I wished I hadn’t. Loner had a tattoo on the arch of his foot. I couldn’t make out the whole thing but what I saw was enough to send a chill down my spine—I-X.

29² (Twenty-Nine Squared) 

Nineteen-year-old Allie Sanders is a student at UCLA. She’s done everything she can to forget Lucas Montgomery and move on with her life. Her goal is to graduate early and live far from home, a place that holds painful memories.

Fate intervenes and her structured life topples. Lucas returns, or was he ever really gone? Her brother Doug still hunts them, and he’s become darker and more sinister than before.

Sometimes a girl has to resort to drastic measures to protect those she loves, and Allie feels forced to make a choice … one she hopes she won’t regret.


“Will!” I acted more shocked than I should.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to startle you. I know you have to work but wanted to stop by and see you.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “I’m not staying, you like your space and all.”

“Are you going to be around later?” I reached for his hand. “I have a break at three. We can do lunch.”

“You probably haven’t eaten anything. Can you wait till then?”

I pulled a breakfast bar from my bag. “I’ll be fine.”

Will ran his hand through my hair. “I want you to take care of yourself, Allie. Sometimes I feel like you’re going through the motions just to get through life.”

That was profound. I needed to start seeing Will for who he was, not as a distraction. He leaned in to kiss me. I backed away, the Lucas sighting still fresh in my mind. “I’ve got to get going.”

Guilt spread through me when I saw the expression on his face. I cleared my throat and shifted my bag to the other shoulder. “I’ll see you,” I said as I continued on to the library’s main desk. “Three o’clock, our usual place.” I called.

I shelved books and helped people find the section or book they needed during my shift, but my mind kept drifting elsewhere. I saw a place of hope and love and even a future. I wanted to slam the door shut on it and get back to the robotic existence I lived for almost two years. Life would be much easier. I hurt no one, and no one hurt me. But Will managed to push through that door.

Suddenly, a feeling of nausea swept over me. My legs trembled as I steadied myself against a bookshelf. I didn’t know if I could do this. I wanted to put the brakes on this new relationship, all because of Lucas—the man I could never have or see again. Darn! Why did I think I saw him at Nate’s, then here? Did I want him to secretly follow me?


29° (Twenty-Nine Degrees)

After a wonderful celebration in Hawaii, Allie returns to the Niner community in Montana and learns her brother Doug plans to run for a seat in the U.S. Congress. As he is already head of the private security team, the STF, Allie is unsure of his motive, but is determined he must be stopped. She plans to go back to Virginia to sabotage the campaign, no matter the reason he’s running for office. This is just the beginning of another battle between brother and sister, but by the time this ends, it will affect more than just the Niners and Allie. It may change the world.




Nate and Lucas stood in front with the minister. They both looked so handsome in their white linen shirts and khaki pants, but in contrasting ways. Lucas’ dark, good looks caught my eye but I was sure Ashley only noticed Nate’s reddish-blonde hair giving off a golden cast in the setting sun. His tall, lean body had a relaxed stance, not a sign of nervousness. Ashley let out a breath of air, and I smiled knowingly.

Staff members inconspicuously moved around the venue to make sure everything ran smoothly. When they spotted us, soft strands of Hawaiian Wedding Song began to play. On cue, Mr. Donovan rose from his seat and met us under the floral arch. He nodded at me as he slipped by to get in place next to his daughter. “It’s a wonderful day,” he whispered.

I fought back the feeling of dread that I took everywhere these days. Wonderful day? Would I truly ever have one again? My eyes searched the grounds for Doug. He’d always be with me, no matter where I went or what I did. I’d come to terms with that. But for today, I had to set that aside.

I placed my foot on the white runner and locked eyes with Lucas. A smile crept across his face. I felt like we were the only two people on the beach. Tears filled my eyes as I replayed our history in my head. Nate and Ashley had been a part of it all. We were a team, and nothing, or no one, would break us apart again.

29∞ (Twenty-Nine Forever)

Allie has done all she can to protect her family and the Niner community from her brother, but it never seems like enough. Her brother’s dream of creating a new America happened at lightning speed. Doug Sanders, now President of New America, took the country and his sister by surprise. That won’t stop Allie from sabotaging his strategy of expose, divide and conquer. She plans to defeat her brother regardless of the odds against her. Who will be the winner in their greatest battle yet?




Parker waited at the door and stepped through when he saw me. “Come on.” He gestured for me to follow.

Once outside, we hugged for what seemed like forever. “I thought I’d never see you again!” I cried.

“And I thought the same!” Parker lifted his glasses and wiped his eyes on his sleeve. The heat was oppressive, and it made a person begin to sweat within seconds. “You didn’t get breakfast, did you? Although you were never fond of it, if I remember correctly. I know a great place to get coffee.”

As we walked along, I caught Parker up on my life. He seemed to know more about me than he let on. Maybe he’d become close with Carol. I tilted my head. “What’s going on?”

“Well,” he whispered. “Greg isn’t really sick. I called him in sick and volunteered to take his place. I needed to talk to you.”

Shocked or surprised, I couldn’t figure out which I felt. Dear, sweet Parker had to see me? “About?”

“The Underground.”

“Where the subways are?” I wrinkled my brow.

“No, silly, the movement,” he whispered. “Will assured me he’d told you about it.”

“No-o-o.” I shook my head. My mind flashed back to yesterday. I’d slipped unseen out of Doug’s SUV and into the art museum. Carol had whisked me to her office to clean up and change clothes. Will, my old college boyfriend, who was now living in New York working as a model and Carol’s new guy, was also there. He had mentioned some people didn’t believe in Doug and weren’t going to blindly follow him just because he said there was a threat, but had said nothing about an Underground.

Parker glanced at me. “Are you sure?”

“He said something like, ‘There are a lot of us who don’t agree with being herded into big cities for our safety.’ And he made air quotes when he said safety, like he didn’t believe in the threat.”

“Well, there you go.” Parker threw out his hands. “He was practically telling you he was in charge of the movement.”

“What?” I came to a dead stop. “There’s a movement, and Will’s in charge of it? Why am I just finding out about it?”

“We had to see where your loyalties lie, Allie. Remember the Art Gala? Carol was given the task.”
My whole world spun around me. From the outside looking in, I was Doug’s sister. Why wouldn’t I be loyal to him?


After a great career in teaching, Nancy found a second calling as a writer. Born and raised in Northeast Ohio, she currently resides in Mentor, OH. Ohio is her home, but she loves to travel the U.S. Now Scotland is on her bucket list as a place she’d like to visit. Nancy is married and has one son.

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2017/09/27

The RIght Knid of Wrong by Daniele Lanzarotta

Owen Crawford is the ultimate playboy – wealthy, handsome, and charismatic. Yet, things are far from perfect. 

The successful club owner lives with the constant reminder of his dark past. Struggling to accept who he has become, he pushes everyone away by deflecting relationships that would be more than a one-night stand. 

And then, there is Emily… The naïve second year psychology student, who is in a troubling relationship, becomes intrigued by Owen and feels an overwhelming desire to ‘fix him’.
As she gets closer to Owen, she discovers family secrets and lies that pull her deeper and deeper into his world. Will Emily succeed in helping Owen, or will she become his next conquest?  

*Due mostly to Owen’s graphic language, this book is intended for readers 18+*

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ALL I WANT FOR HALLOWEEN by Marie Harte

ALL I WANT FOR HALLOWEEN
by Marie Harte

Genre: Contemporary Romance


Tonight, she plans to let go.

Dressed up and anonymous, Sadie Liberato feels powerful, sexy and free. Where better to lose herself than a masked party?

Gear Blackstone's cheating ex and scheming best friend have managed to spin his life into a serious downward spiral. At least with a mask on he can cut loose for one night. And cut loose he does―with the sexiest, snarkiest chick he's ever met.

After a scorching-hot encounter, Sadie and Gear are desperate to find each other in real life. But can the heat last when the masks come off?

“Harte pens a sizzlingly sexy romance that is both playful and meaningful, exploring real and metaphorical masks, perception, and reality.” KIRKUS



She nodded. “Totally weird.” She poured them both some cider, than added the molasses and cream cupcakes she’d brought home for him. Working at Sofa’s was both good and bad. Good, because she got to take home a lot of their creations, sampling new ideas to see what worked and didn’t. Bad, because if she didn’t constantly work out, she’d weigh a bazillion pounds.

Not that Sadie cared so much about her looks, but twenty pounds over her fighting weight turned her into a slug and made it difficult to sleep. And Sadie prized her ability to sleep anywhere, in any condition.

She led Gear to sit with her at her dining table just off the kitchen. “So give me the details.”

He sat without protest and sipped from his mug. “That is damn good. Tell Elliot he’s a master.”

“He knows he’s good. Adding to his colossal ego gives me nothing but headaches when he starts bragging.” She nudged him to eat a cupcake. “Tell me if you like it.”

“What’s in it?”

“Imagine a soft Mary Jane rolled around cream and touched with caramel.”

He nodded, looking hungrily at the treat. “So like Bit-O-Honey and a Cow Tales?

“No. I said Mary Jane.” She looked down her nose at him. “Quit acting like you know your Halloween candy to impress me and take a bite.”

He did and moaned, and his food-gasm was as sexy as Gear wearing no shirt. Yum.

“Can I have yours too?” he asked as he licked his fingers.

She blinked. “Did you even chew? It’s like watching a dog gobble down a treat.”

“Gimme.”

She slid the cupcake his way and watched him down it with pleasure. Sadie had always liked watching people eat her creations, but seeing Gear enjoy them made it even more satisfying.

“Last bite’s for you.” He held out a small piece. “And trust me, I’m not really wanting to share. Hurry before I change my mind.”

She ate it off his fingers, licking one clean of the creamy frosting.

His gaze darkened, but he merely wiped his hands on a napkin.

“It’s good,” she agreed.

“It’s delicious. But you need better decorations. That’s too plain to add to Sofa’s Halloween treats.”

“I’m going to make spiders out of them. Or big ghosts with lots of cream cheese frosting.”

“Nice.”

She sat sipping her cider, waiting for Gear to talk. They watched each other in silence, each starting to smile more, until they both started laughing.

“I like our staring contests,” he teased. “But I won that one.”

“Like hell you did.”

“You blinked.”

“I did not.”

“Yep, you did.”

“So is this your way of avoiding talking about the fight?”

He groaned. “No. But it’s more fun staring at your face then taking a fist to mine.”

“Man. Who’d you let hit you?”

He laughed. “I totally did. I took a page from your book. If it was self-defense, they can’t come after me later. Except it turned into an all-comers brawl. I went to pick up the box Smoke told me about. I had a few things left I wanted. A cup Iris gave me, some papers of my brother’s he wanted back. Nothing major. Stuff I could have let go, to be honest.”

“But you wanted to see the shop,” she said for him.

He nodded, his look one of grim satisfaction. “It looks terrible. All the girlie posters are down. They have Honda posters up. That’s sell-out material right there.”







Caffeine addict, boy referee, and romance aficionado, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Marie Harte has over 100 books published with more constantly on the way. She’s a confessed bibliophile and devotee of action movies. Whether hiking in Central Oregon, biking around town, or hanging at the local tea shop, she’s constantly plotting to give everyone a happily ever after. Visit Marie's website and fall in love.

2017/09/26

Back 2 School~Romance


REJOICE! The children are back in school.

For those who live to read...here are some awesome books provided by the incredible authors who wrote them. All in celebration of the new school year.

While a few of these books might be oldies, but goodies...others could be new and fresh off the presses.

Relax and find your new favorite author.

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ROMANCE

Romance in traditional literary terms is a narration of the extraordinary exploits of heroes, often in exotic or mysterious settings. The term romance has also been used for stories of mysterious adventures, not necessarily of heroes. These adventure romances usually are set in distant places.

Please enjoy these books that focus on romance and all their sub-genres. The list is available in alphabetically order by title.

Don't forget to enter the Rafflecopter for a chance to win an Amazon Giftcard.

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Women's Fiction/Twisted Romance

Color-coded love stories and revealing female anatomies lead to the puzzling death of world-renowned sculptor, Bruce Jones.

In life, the artist loved women, almost as much as women loved him. Adored for his art, colorful personality, and sexual prowess, Bruce is mourned by the world. The multifaceted perspectives of his four ex-wives, the current wife, his new love interest, and their children narrate this pulse-pounding tale.

Loose ends are tied up by the insights of Sylvia, his son Aaron’s wife and a trusted keeper of secrets; Scott, the private investigator and family friend; Nonna, the quintessential grandmother everyone loves but to whom few are truly related; and Detective Jim Miller who will not rest until he discovers Bruce Jones’ murderer.


Romance

Former social worker Roxie Fisher believes she’s cursed to never find happiness and an invitation to Cupid’s Café isn’t going to change her situation. All the same, against her better judgment, she gives it a try. What else does she have to lose?

After the death of his wife, accountant-turned-firefighter Aidan Craig, can’t stop taking ridiculous risks and never turns down a dare. So an invitation to Cupid’s Café is an offer he can’t refuse. What he doesn’t expect is to meet the social worker who helped him through the darkest days of his life. Now she’s the one struggling, and he’s compelled to help.

The two experience an immediate attraction, but Aidan swore to never become involved in another relationship, and Roxie can’t imagine daredevil Aidan being interested in a boring, cat-rescuer like her.

Can Roxie find the simple joy of taking a risk? Is Aidan willing to risk his heart? Or will they both lose out on a chance at true love?


Sweet Romance

He's not a bad guy, but he did something that has his mother and sister upset. Then there are all the girls in town, they've nicknamed him the Russian Raider.

There's new girl in town, Lynn. Rurik feels the pull the moment he sees her. His reputation is against him and the fisherman knows it.

“I didn’t plan to take off with the money. Ally, my sister was driving our fishing boat to the boatyard to schedule a ton of work the old tub needed to continue making us money. She handed the check from the last offload of salmon to me. I was supposed to take it to the bank and deposit the money.

In all my twenty-six years, I hadn’t been anywhere out of Alaska. I stared at that check, eighty thousand plus a few hundred and didn’t want to let go of it.”

After doing something stupid, Rurik has to fix things which won't be easy.


Romantic Comedy

Linda White is on a mission to sic Karma on her cheating, ex-husband Grey in this laugh out loud second installment of The Green Room Chronicles.

After being blindsided with infidelity and financial devastation, recently widowed Linda has sworn off men forever. Nearing middle age, her dream of retiring early from the airlines is no longer within reach, so, she retreats into the world of battery operated boyfriends to deal with the stress. When the one purchase Linda counts on for a long haul flight to Paris backfires, she passes away suddenly… from a conniption fit, of all things!

Linda lands in the infamous Green Room where she’s met by veteran Green Roomers, Dee Smeltzer and Bonnie Hampton. Always up for stirring the pot and having a good time, they introduce Linda to the finer aspects of the Green Room and Edwina Starr, the renowned sorceress who has a few Karmatic spells up her sleeve. Let’s just say, ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.’

Join Linda, Dee, Bonnie, and a few familiar Green Room faces—old and new—for a frolicking green time that will leave you in stitches as Karma comes full circle.

Contains adult situations, language, and is intended for readers over the age of 18.


Contemporary Romance

You can't go back, and you can't stand still...

Lucy Doolan is a marketing genius. She can sell rain to a frog and snow to a polar bear. Newly single and unemployed, she's lured back to her hometown of Harmony, North Carolina to help out her pregnant evil stepsister...only to find former crush heartthrob Brogan Reese has returned too, to open a new business in town. To add insult to injury, he's still hot.

If the thunder don't get you, then the lightning will...

Brogan never noticed Lucy much when they were young, but seventeen people have recommended her to help him. She's got his attention now. With her sweet personality, brilliant imagination, and penchant for doing the completely unpredictable, Brogan is finding a whole lot of excuses to spend his days-and nights-with Lucy.


Romantic Comedy

One night is all she wanted.

Georgia Burke is on a mission to find a sexy one night stand. After she catches her cheating ex with her friend, in Georgia's apartment no less, she visits her brother in his sleepy lakeside town to regroup. Her first night at Fox Lake and she finds the Drunken Duck pub and puts her plan into motion. Almost.

Will Calder is looking for the real deal. He's done with the short-term flings and wants to find a woman ready for everything he has to offer. Will's determined to show Georgia more than just a single night of debauchery and he'll do everything in his power to keep her close.

Georgia's going to find Will's idea of the perfect woman isn't what she expected. She'll have to face her own insecurities to land the sexy contractor or settle for the vacation fling she anticipated.

Warning: Contains a curvy woman with a geeky streak and the contractor out to win her heart. Expect a sexy romp with a man who knows how to work with his hands.


Contemporary Romance - Sweet Heat

A terrible misunderstanding separates high school sweethearts, Jo and Callum. When they meet again years later, will they be able to get past their hurt pride and old wounds, or will they go their separate ways permanently?






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