Karolina Dalca, Dark Eyes by M. R. Noble blitz

Karolina Dalca, Dark Eyes
M. R. Noble
Published by: The Wild Rose Press
Publication date: December 16th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Blindsided by an attack that destroys her home and blamed for murder, Karolina Dalca, a half-vampire, escapes, only to plunge into the magical societies from which she was sheltered.

Betrayed by those around her, she abandons her dreams of becoming an investigator and flees, trusting only herself. Her police internship would never prove more useful. Hoofing it through the wilderness, she makes it to her university dorm, disheveled but delightfully deflowered.

Enter a full vampire: one wielding dark magic and a ride out of Canada. A fugitive from the law, Karo complies with his demands to escape, unsure whether his requests are bewitched. She vows to clear her name and avenge her mother’s death, but Karo’s family secrets aren’t so easily left behind.

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—

EXCERPT:

“Who are you anyway?” I asked.

“Andre,” he said. “Private Investigator, but I’ll do anything for money.” He winked.

“You’re not human,” I said. “What are you?” I stretched out my Charmed senses and felt magic within him.

“I’m a vampire, princess. Same as you, but with a little extra dark superpower. I’m a full vamp though, and from what I can tell from your dismal amount of speed out there, you’re half.”

He dragged a chair from the wall and sat across from me.

“You have the Dark Charm?” I asked. “I should have figured; you ooze sleaze bag.”

“And you have a little something special up your sleeve too, don’t you, princess? I bet you get a little hot now and then, don’t you?”

I narrowed my eyes.

“And with a name like Karolina Dalca . . . I bet you’ve got enough training to back up that look you’re giving me.”

He knew my name, my powers, and where to find me. My eyes fell over his body, sizing him up as he sat across from me. Strong jaw, tall, six feet and maybe four inches, and muscular broad shoulders. I could take him—if I took him by surprise.

Author Bio:

M. R. Noble has played a tug of war between science and art her whole life, but the rope broke when she wrote the first line of The Dark Eyes Series. Immersed up to her keyboard in paranormal romance and urban fantasy, she enjoys blending the real with the surreal. The only drawback is she misplaces her mug while dreaming up her next scene, and soon finds herself six cups overpoured.

Keeping to her Lake Simcoe roots, she is a member of the Writers Community of York Region (WCYR), where her muse is made not found . . . over a hefty cup of coffee.

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Savage Beginnings by J.L. Beck & C. Hallman blitz

Savage Beginnings
C. Hallman & J.L. Beck
(The Moretti Crime Family, #1)
Publication date: July 31st 2020
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Romance

It started with a single look… my obsession, my desire, and need to possess the sweet, and incredibly naive Elena Romero.

Dark raven hair, and piercing green eyes. She would make a beautiful bride.

Ten-millions dollars and a forced signature later and she was mine.

Like a thief I came in the dead of night and stole her away from her protected castle and placed her in a gilded cage made of gold.

The deal had been settled.

She would become my wife.
She would bear my children.
She would bend to my will.

But most importantly she would help me destroy the man she loved most. The man who took everything from me: her father.

*This is a dark mafia romance that contains mature themes, graphic violence, and sexual content. This is a complete standalone that ends with a happily ever after. 100,000+ words long. There is NO cheating either.**

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—

EXCERPT:

Every word she speaks resonates through me. I don’t want to be like her father. I don’t want to lock her in a cage, but I have to. I can’t risk her leaving or someone getting to her. She’s reached a part of me no one ever has and as terrifying as that is, I can’t let her go. I won’t. I’ll kill, destroy, and hold her against her will if need be.

She is mine until death.

“Sleep, I will keep the nightmares away,” I whisper into her hair, my lips grazing her forehead.

“Will you ever let me go?”

“Untie you from the bed, yes. Leave me? Never. If you ever get away from me, I’ll hunt you down, find you and drag you back here. The day you signed your name on that contract is the day you became mine. I will never let you escape me. Never let you go.”

Silence settles over us, and even though she doesn’t say anything, I know she’s still awake. I ignore that fact and hold her until we both fall asleep, wondering if things have to change so much, or if I can keep her like this forever.

Author Bio:

J.L. Beck is a USA TODAY BESTSELLING AUTHOR, she has written over fifty different romance novels. She started her journey of writing back in 2014 and hasn't slowed down a second since then.

She's captivated by real romance, and loves reading about strong "ALPHA" males, as well as sassy heroines that know or may not know what they want. She is best known for delivering a happily ever after but has ended things on a cliffhanger a time or two.

When she's not typing away at her next book you can find her being a mom to her two adorable kiddos and wife to her high school sweetheart.

She's obsessed with Starbucks, social media, and is definitely more of a dog person than cat.

Author links:
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Born and raised in Germany, Cassandra moved to the United States when she was eighteen. She always had a love for reading, that love slowly transpired into writing. She put fingers to the keyboard and started writing about the dark side of romance.

Cassandra is one half of the international bestselling author duo Beck & Hallman, who are most knows for the writing the Northwood University series.
The pair also write under the pen name Jenna Reed.

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Masters' Escape by Jamie Schulz

Masters’ Escape
Jamie Schulz
(The Angel Eyes #2)
Publication date: December 2020
Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Romance

A night of red-hot passion.
A morning of soul-crushing rejection.

Bret Masters is ready to run. Living as a slave was humiliating enough. But to have his Mistress take him to her bed only to callously dismiss him at sunrise is too much for his wounded heart to bear. Somehow, he must escape her tender trap. Success meant freedom. Failure, a gruesome death. When guard patrols ruin his schemes, Masters is cruelly dragged back to the woman who enslaved him. Her reaction to his deceit, however, is far more damaging to his injured pride than the abuse of the guards. He accepts his assigned penalty as reasonable until unexpected developments force Bret to become his Mistress’ personal servant as well. He wants to deny his feelings for Angel, but can he? Will he be able to resist the overwhelming desire to hold her in his arms again? Or will he plow deeper into the painful abyss loving her might unearth?

Angel Aldridge cannot escape the haunting mistakes of her past. And, now, she’s doomed to repeat them. Bret is every bit the fantasy she dreamed of, but she cannot love him. She made a vow never to fall again. She made another to protect the people she brought to her ranch. If she allows herself to care for Masters, she could fail at both. As her autumn despondency drives her deeper into mental and emotional darkness, she is determined to keep her promises. But her heart has other ideas. When danger appears on her doorstep, will she be able to protect Bret from the enemies she fears? Or will a mysterious illness finally crack their protective walls and allow the seeds of love to find purchase in their damaged hearts…

*Masters’ Escape is the second book in an HEA sextology series. Angel and Bret’s story continues from book to book with the conclusion in the final installment.

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Author Bio:

Jamie Schulz lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family, her husband, and their fur babies. Writing has always been a big a part of her life, and she hopes to one day reach the best sellers lists.

Cowboys, ice cream, and reading almost any kind of romance are among her (not so) secret loves. To her, every one of her stories, no matter how dark, must have a happy ending, and she strives to make them impossible to put down until you get there.

She balances her free time between reading her favorite romance authors--in genres ranging from erotica and dark romance to sweet historicals and contemporary romance--and spending time with her family.

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We Don't Lie Anymore by Julie Johnson

We Don’t Lie Anymore
Julie Johnson
(Julie Johnson)
Publication date: December 8th 2020
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

“We were never just friends…”

One year ago, I gave my heart to my best friend. He threw it in the dirt and walked out of my life without a backward glance.

Or so I thought.

When our orbits cross once more, everything I thought I knew about my relationship with Archer Reyes is turned upside down. The captivating boy I fell in love with is gone; in his place stands a haunted man with secrets burning in his eyes.

Secrets I’d do just about anything to uncover.

It’s been 365 days since I told my best friend I loved him.
365 days since he didn’t say it back.
365 days since he lied straight to my face.

WE DON’T LIE ANYMORE is a breathtaking story of forgiveness, friendship, and the fight for true love… It is the second installment in THE DON’T DUET, directly following the events of WE DON’T TALK ANYMORE.

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Author Bio:

JULIE JOHNSON (born July 3, 1991) is a twenty-something Boston native and USA Today bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels. When she's not writing, Julie can most often be found adding stamps to her passport, drinking too much coffee, striving to conquer her Netflix queue, and Instagramming pictures of her dog. (Follow her: @author_julie)

She published her debut novel LIKE GRAVITY in August 2013, just before her senior year of college, and she's never looked back. Since, she has published more than a dozen other novels, including the bestselling BOSTON LOVE STORY series and THE GIRL DUET. Her books have appeared on Kindle and iTunes Bestseller lists around the world, as well as in AdWeek, Publishers Weekly, and USA Today.

Be on the lookout for her new series, THE FORBIDDEN ROYALS TRILOGY, now available at all e-retailers!

You can find Julie on Facebook or contact her on her website www.juliejohnsonbooks.com. Sometimes, when she can figure out how Twitter works, she tweets from @AuthorJulie. For major book news and updates, subscribe to Julie's newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bnWtHH

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The Lost King by Frazier Alexander blitz

The Lost King
Frazier Alexander
Published by: FyreSyde Publishing
Publication date: November 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

In an ancient place, in an ancient time…

King Athan vanishes at sea. His children, prince Thalos and princess Thara, drift apart with age, their kingdom falling into ruin. Thalos stubbornly clings to the past; Thara, resentful of her father, looks to the future. In the wake of this decline, a beautiful enchantress usurps the throne from the estranged siblings. She exiles Thalos to the edge of the world and slowly enslaves Thara’s mind.

In his exile, Thalos finds another castaway—an old comrade of his father. Together they begin a voyage in search of the lost king. Thara, meanwhile, resists the new queen’s coercive spells and finds a resistance of creatures still loyal to her father.

With a vast world of enchanted islands and beings between them, Thalos and Thara struggle to restore their family and rekindle the hope of the true king’s return.

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—

EXCERPT:

Step by cautious step, he returned to the throne room to see his father’s seat—which had been empty for fifteen years—occupied.

The most beautiful woman he had ever seen sat on the throne. Legs that gleamed like golden honey peeked out of a blood-red peplos embroidered with golden needlework. There was no imperfection on her face, which was held high and proud. Her dark hair cascaded behind her neck and down to her shoulders like a waterfall at midnight, her hair melding with her sable cape. Bare arms, though rigid with solemnity, glittered and jingled with the music of bright jewelry, red-gold rings, and rubies.

But she was not alone. A Phantom-like figure stepped out of the shadows of a colonnade and joined her. The tread of his boots resounded upon the marble, but the rustle of his scarlet robes was like the sound of leaves blown across stone. His entire head was wrapped, and his face hidden behind an emotionless golden mask. An engraved rivulet of tears descended from the right eye-hole. This Phantom figure was silent but for the thin, rasping breath that issued from the mouth-slit of his mask.

The man stared at the lady upon his father’s throne, motionless, for many moments. She attracted him, despite the realization that she must be behind the horrors witnessed, the horrors he’d heard rumors of while away from home. She was beautiful, and his heart swelled with lust for her before he remembered his purpose and saw her beauty as a mask for a sinister heart. Her red-robed bodyguard loomed at her side. The sight of the lurking red Phantom infuriated the man. Anger rose so hotly within him that he felt adrenaline course through his pulsing veins, his face flushed.

Someone appeared off to the side—his sister, Thara. He realized now how grown up she was, how much she looked like their mother. She was shapely and compact now, not the stick-thin little sister he used to play hide-and-seek with. Thara no longer wore her black hair in the unkempt curly mass that she ran around with as a child. Her hair was brushed and held by a thin tiara. Although her face was the mirror-image of their mother’s, her skin had the coppery glow of their father’s people. She looked uncomfortable in brocade. Her acorn-brown eyes were dulled by some sort of mind-altering spell.

“What’s happened here?” asked the man, taking in all the changes.

Thara, in a lifeless monotone voice, said, “Queen Sundra arrived on our shores the day after you left for your training. She came with tidings of our father’s death. His ship washed up on her shores, and he died in her arms. Now we can give up waiting for him to come home.”

A servant in a white tunic marched toward the man bearing a terracotta urn and a bronze xiphos sword—his father’s sword.

“The throne has been relinquished to Queen Sundra for safekeeping,” said Thara.

“Welcome, Prince Thalos,” said Sundra in a lofty voice, standing. “It is an honor to finally meet you. How were your travels?”

The man, Prince Thalos, son of the lost King Athan, grabbed the urn and removed the lid. Inside was a mound of gray ash. He laid it down, then took his father’s sword. After staring in disbelief, he laid the sword down next to the urn. Could it really be that his father was nothing more than ashes and dust?

“My father,” said Thalos, “like all our Kings, wore a special signet ring that he never removed, the look of which only the royal line has seen. Strange that this was not also brought with the sword?”

Sundra shot daggers with her beautiful eyes. And Thalos knew he’d bested her, for what magic could help her create a ring she’d never seen? “Believe me, Prince Thalos, the ring is in the urn, with your father’s ashes.”

“Then I shall examine them.” He removed the lid.

“My Prince!” cried Sundra. “Would you disturb your father’s ashes?”

“That remains to be seen.” Thalos picked up the urn and poured out its contents, a fine, gray dust hissing as it struck the marble floor. They waited to hear a thud, but there was no ring—even when Thalos sifted through the dust with his foot.

“Of course,” said Sundra, affecting a sudden remembrance. “My servants forgot to place the ring inside the urn. They’ll be whipped for this, I assure you.”

“You will remove yourself from my father’s throne,” said Thalos, undeterred.

“Is this how you would speak to the one who has safeguarded your home?”

“Safeguarded?” asked Thalos. The audacity of the word almost pitched him into battle. The blood-stained ropes dangling from the branches of the Ancient Oak flashed in his mind. “What kind of guardian ties her enemies to a tree and tortures them? Who was it that you bound to the Ancient Oak and murdered?”

“Your old nurse,” Sundra said offhandedly.

Thalos felt a wave of searing anger blur his vision. Thalos’ and Thara’s nurse had been tough on them, but she didn’t deserve being lashed to the Ancient Oak and murdered. Thalos never once doubted her love for him or his sister.

“And what,” Thalos asked, his voice choked in restraint of tears, “was her crime?” His hand gripped the hilt of his sword with whitened knuckles.

“She spoke the name of the old King, and swore fealty to him, an act that is now punishable by death. Now, where are your manners, Thalos?”

He stood, resolute and quiet, his chin thrust out in defiance. The desire to draw his sword and kill this witch would soon boil over the walls of self-control. But he could now see her darkly clad bandits lurking, pacing, behind the throne and between the pillars of the hall, watching his every move. And then, there was her Red Phantom as well, whose sheer size intimidated Thalos.

Without hesitating, Thalos drew his glittering bronze sword, and the ring of it was like music to his ears.

He lunged forward, aiming for the heart of the Queen.

Author Bio:

Along with creating his own mythological backdrop for his stories, Frazier is an amateur calligrapher, map-maker, and artist. He is currently working on his master’s in Medieval Literature at the University of North Texas.

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Faerest by Brianna Bennett blitz

Faerest
Brianna Bennett
Publication date: November 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Fairy Tales, Retelling

Mystery has surrounded Sydney White for as long as she can remember. Her mother’s death puzzled even the hardiest of investigators, but eventually, they just stopped trying. So, when Syd is presented with the opportunity to finish a degree in faery anthropology that her mother began over twenty years ago, she leaps at the chance to learn the truth. However, truth is often stranger than fiction, especially when the lines between faery and human are eroding each day. Syd will have to navigate unthinkable deals, a prince in peril she swore she would never speak to again, and an organization only known as Coventry.

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—

EXCERPT:

Strangely, she could still feel the careful caress of his skin on hers, which of course transitioned into other memories about their final night together. ‘No, we’re not going there.’ she told herself firmly, shaking her head as if that would knock the memories from her brain.

Once she fully came back to the present, she found that Sal had already chosen a track and the timekeeper was counting down. ‘Focus, Syd. Dinner is on the line.’ she told herself, the controller’s smooth plastic familiar and comforting.

Princess Peach, Syd’s favorite character, took off when she accelerated, cruising to the front of the pack efficiently.

She made use of all of the boosters, and she was lapping everyone else within minutes. ‘It feels good to get behind the wheel again, so to speak.’ She thought, and soon enough she found herself embracing the thrill of competition.

While Sal and Syd faced off, Jamie sat between them. Each time someone got ahead of Syd on the track, the lights would strobe ever so slightly, but as soon as she reclaimed first place, they stopped.

He glanced over at Sal and caught Sal looking at him out of the corner of his eye. Jamie’s mouth went dry, and he forced himself to focus on the game. Three rounds later, Syd shot up and cheered for her win.

“YES!” She looked down her nose haughtily at Sal. Jamie watched the scripted awards ceremony unfold, Princess Peach on the top tier, Bowser in second, and one of the computer-controlled racers in third.

“Looks like you’re buying dinner!” she crowed triumphantly.

“I can’t believe I just lost to a princess,” Sal said after a beat, and Syd smirked victoriously.

“There’s your first lesson in Mario Kart and in life: Never underestimate the princess.”

Author Bio:

Fanfiction was where it all began. It gave me the opportunity to stretch my creative muscles and work out crucial lessons in the craft. I spent several years writing for free, which helped me understand the realities of the writing world early on.
​
Once I got to college, I did the one thing that most advisors tell you not to do: I majored in what I was passionate about, not what would be most practical. ​
​
After graduating from college with a degree in Professional Writing, I took a year off and then enrolled in a double Master's program. In the 3 years that followed, I dedicated myself to learning as much as I could about all areas of writing and publishing.
​
Nowadays, I'm a medical receptionist, soon-to-be self-published author, Medium blogger, writing coach, and podcast host. I live and work in Philadelphia, PA, USA.

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The Taming of a Wicked Rogue by Samantha Holt blitz

The Taming of a Wicked Rogue
Samantha Holt
(The Lords of Scandal Row, #1)
Publication date: November 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Historical Romance

Forced to leave friends, family, and a life of privilege and fun, Rebecca Fortescue’s world changed overnight nearly ten years ago. Now, with the tightening of a noose, it’s changed again, but she needs to make amends for what her father did.

Which means returning, secretly, to the place where he did the most damage.

And to the residence of one Lord Leonard Moncrieff—the only man she’s ever loved.

She’s certain she won’t see him again, though. Nicknamed a Lord of Scandal Row, it’s clear to her, he’s no longer the boy she knew, and never returns home. The last thing she needs it to be distracted by a man deemed one of the most attractive men in London.

Unfortunately for Rebecca, Leo has been practically banished from London under the orders of his mother thanks to a scandal that, for once, had nothing to do with him. Now he has to spend his days playing the country gent and trying to avoid the female of the species.

It will be harder than he expected, given a sudden influx of young ladies to the area. He might be a rogue, but he has no desire to upset his delicate mother and will, albeit begrudgingly, play the dutiful son. He can avoid a few pretty faces, surely?

At least, until he discovers the beautiful Rebecca hiding in the stables. She’s in need of help, and he cannot resist, despite the fact she once shattered his young heart. The pull between them is as strong as ever but anything between them is impossible.

Or is it?

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—

EXCERPT:

WHY WAS LEO here? Rebecca had followed his pursuits in the newspapers. He never came to Langmere. Ever.

She pushed her back against the wall of the stables. A little brick dust rained down upon her. She wrinkled her nose and held her breath. The lamplight only offered her a hint of his features as he ducked into the building that was shrouded in darkness by the late hour.

He still made her heart skip. Even after all these years. It shouldn’t have surprised her that it did. He always did that to her, and the years had been kind to him, hardening his jaw and filling out his shoulders.

He wore a shirt, slightly untucked and rolled up at the sleeves, revealing muscular forearms dusted with hair. He murmured something to the horse, and her stomach did a tumble. If she closed her eyes, she would be six and ten again, listening to him speak to his horses whilst perched on a milking stool and watching him with such admiration. Their love of animals had brought them together but that had swiftly turned into something else.

Sometimes, she suspected Leonard Moncrieff would be the only man she ever loved.

However, just because he was still kind to animals did not mean he was the same man. It pained her to read every column devoted to him and his dalliances, yet she could not help herself. They had not spoken in nearly ten years and she could not help but want to know every element to his life, even while it stabbed at her heart to read of the rake he had become.

He stilled and turned, the golden light dappling over his face. She sucked in a breath. No wonder women swarmed to him. The attractive young man she had known had grown into the most handsome man she had ever seen.

She clapped a hand over her mouth when his brow furrowed. He lifted the lamp and peered at the shadows. She waited, her heart pounding against her chest so loudly that she feared he would hear it.

Then he shook his head, returned the lamp to the plinth and turned back to the horse, smoothing strong hands down the animal’s flanks.

Rebecca inhaled a shaky breath through her nostrils. And regretted it. Instantly. The brick dust and hay combined made her nose tickle and her eyes water. She pressed a finger under her nose but to no avail. A sneeze burst from her, cracking through the stillness.

She jolted away from the wall with the intention of escaping but too late. Leo descended upon her and grabbed her arm. “Who are you?” he demanded.

She tried to wriggle free of his strong grip, but he grabbed her other arm. When she went to push past him, he shoved back, and she lost her footing and tumbled onto a pile of hay. He fell with her, the sudden tumble dragging him down. The breath left her lungs at the impact of his body atop hers, his strength and height utterly apparent.

“Get off me,” she grunted, struggling against his hold.

“What are you doing here, boy?”

She stilled at the word. He hadn’t recognized her. She supposed the shadows were too dark. And that meant her disguise had worked. With any luck, she could make her excuses, leave, and he would be none the wiser of her presence here.

“Just seeking shelter,” she murmured, keeping her voice low.

He kept her pinned, fingers curled around both wrists. The awareness of his hard body atop hers sizzled through her despite herself. She squirmed once more and he cocked his head, releasing her arms suddenly. “You’re no boy.”

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling author Samantha Holt lives in a small village in England with her twin girls and a dachshund called Duke. If you’re not sure where to start why not try…

Amelia and the Viscount (Bluestocking Brides #1) for a fun, slightly hot shorter length read. Meet the Chadwick sisters and follow their adventures in each of their standalone stories.

You’re the Rogue That I Want (Rogues of Redmere #1) is a longer read with heat, witty dialogue, a feisty heroine and adventure. All books in the series are standalone.

Sinful Confessions is the first in the Cynfell Brothers Series. These are all novella length and standalone–ideal for a quick dip into the world of the sexy Cynfell brothers.

Wake Me With a Kiss is a sweet, fairytale romance. Twists on Beauty and the Beast and Cinderella are also available if you love a clean, fun read.

To Steal a Highlander’s Heart is a full length dive into the world of sexy highlanders. For those who love braw Scots, some steamy scenes, and medieval romance, this series is a perfect escape.

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Overland by Ramcy Diek blitz

Overland
Ramcy Diek
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: November 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance, Thriller

Skyla Overland is proud to work for Overland Insurance, the company founded by her grandfather. She enjoys sharing an apartment with her best friend, Pauline, and is in love with Edmond. Besides one nerve-wracking insurance fraud case in the past, her sheltered life is uneventful and just the way she likes it.

Until one day, everything changes…

Skyla and Troy, the manager at Overland Insurance, are the last ones to leave the office. In the empty parking lot, Troy takes her in his arms. Why would he ruin their easy-going friendship by kissing her, especially since he knows she’s dating Edmond?

Left alone, Skyla hurries to her car, puts on her seatbelt, and glances in her rearview mirror.

The face of a stranger grins at her from the backseat. “How nice to see you again,” he hisses close to her ear.

Regaining consciousness, Skyla finds herself on the backseat of her own car, with her hands tied behind her back.

Is she getting kidnapped? Who is he? And where is he taking her?

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—

EXCERPT:

Prologue

The trip into the city took him almost three hours. Rage dominated his already ugly frame of mind.

“Asshole!” he yelled, honking his horn at the unexpected car that suddenly pulled out right in front of him. “Who taught you to drive, slowpoke? Hit that throttle!”

He looked at his fuel gauge. Empty. A stream of curses spewed from his mouth. He wanted so much and had so little. Life was unfair. Everything he’d ever cared about had been taken away from him and all that remained were responsibilities. The upcoming holiday season only added to his misery. He hated Thanksgiving. It brought out too many people, the spirit of Christmas already in their eyes as they clogged up the streets, sidewalks, and parking lots. Beyond pathetic, they were blind to other people’s misery, pretending the world was one big happy place. It was not. Not for the likes of him.

He drove first to the post office. With any luck, his welfare check was waiting for him. After finding a parking spot, he got out of his pickup truck. The frigid November blizzard immediately hit him in the face, and he pulled up his collar against the snowflakes whirling around. The sidewalk was just starting to turn white, his boots leaving footprints in the slick layer. As he rounded the corner to Edison Street, the force of the cold westerly wind slammed into him. He took a quick hold of his baseball cap, drawing it further down to keep it from flying away, and shuddered. His threadbare camouflage jacket was no match for the almost below freezing temperatures.

Other pedestrians hustled by, all bundled up and eager to escape the cold. He envied them their warm coats. He needed one of those rugged waterproof parkas. Preferably one with a hood and lots of pockets. That would make life a little better.

At the post office, he opened his box and pulled out the small stack of mail. The first item that caught his attention was a red note, informing him his rent for the box was overdue. He mumbled a harsh word, crushed the note in his hand and tossed it onto the floor. “That check better be there,” he mumbled, searching through the stack of letters and advertisements until he found it. On his way out, he dumped the rest of the unopened mail in the garbage bin. Whatever it contained, he didn’t care.

Continuing his drive on fumes, he headed downtown to cash what had become his only source of income. Without a phone or a watch, he had no idea of the exact time. The darkening sky suggested it had to be close to five. When he reached the bank, it was already closed.

“Damn you people,” he shouted. He banged his right fist several times against the glass door, leaving dirty smudges all over. “Lazy sons of bitches! Can’t you work a few minutes longer?”

He looked around with wild eyes filled with wrath, his hands still balled into fists. Several pedestrians hurried to get out his way. He didn’t even notice their shocked reactions as he continued to rant and rave. “Get out of my way!”

He lumbered back to his truck. His stomach growled, and he hadn’t had a cigarette in more than two weeks. He craved the nicotine more than anything. What now?

Frustrated, he stepped in and slammed his palm against the steering wheel. He’d spent his last few bucks on gas and didn’t even have a penny left in his pocket, the mental image of the double burger and large fries beyond his reach. Dammit, he needed cash. He needed it now.

All over the city, lights sparkled. Store windows glowed, filled with decorations and signs, trying to lure in customers with discounts. The holiday season would kick off with Thanksgiving only a few days away, followed by Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday. All the cheerfulness and brightness fueled his resentment. What a way to spend your time, buying useless gifts nobody wanted or needed. Didn’t they have anything better to do with their money? Why not give it to the poor and needy, to someone like him?

Traffic crawled. The snow stopped, turning into a light drizzle. With luck, he might just make it to the Westside Soup Kitchen. He’d been there several times in the past. Run by several priests, or some other religious dudes, the food was decent. They even served a second helping if someone asked. With the holiday season, people were more generous to the hungry and donations to shelters increased. Who knew? They might even offer dessert.

He left his truck and walked the last few blocks. On the way, he passed an All-American diner, an Italian restaurant, and two burger joints. The delicious smell of roasted meat and french fries tickled his senses and made him salivate. His anger against the bank flared up again. He would have given anything for a juicy burger smothered in cheese and several thick strips of bacon, or for a bucket of fried chicken with mashed potatoes and gravy. Instead, he would probably wind up eating spaghetti and cheap white dinner rolls, or Spanish rice with sticks of celery and iceberg salad.

One of the city buses came to a halt next to him, the screeching brakes drawing his attention. The doors opened and people streamed out on the sidewalk in front of him. Others waited to climb on board, blocking his path. He stopped and waited, his hands deep in his pockets, until he noticed the colorful advertisement on the side of the bus.

It read – ‘Protection for all you hold dear. Call Overland Insurance’ – in bold lettering, with two men and two women on either side, all four dressed to perfection, smiling brightly with their too white, orthodontia-enhanced teeth.

He felt sucker punched in the belly and his blood started to boil. He knew that insurance agency too damn well. The Overland family! Definitely the last name he needed to see today. Acid-filled resentment flooded his throat, and disgusted, he spat on the sidewalk. He detested those people, hated them. They’d caused his troubles. They were to blame for his misery. Somebody should destroy them, make them burn in hell. That’s what they deserved.

Author Bio:

A long time ago, I fell in love with the United States while traveling around in an Oldsmobile station-wagon with my husband. We are both born and raised in the Netherlands.
Together, we eventually found our way to the Pacific Northwest, built up a business, and raised our two boys into amazing young adults with their own careers. During this time, I also made a slow transition from reader to writer of many different stories.

My multiple award winning debut novel "Storm at Keizer Manor" sets the bar high for my second novel, Eagles in Flight.
All my books are stand alone novels in different genres. You might be in for a surprise, or a disappointment.

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I, Angel by Julie Light blitz

I, Angel
Julie Light
(Angels in L.A., #1)
Publication date: October 19th 2020
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

I never asked to be an angel. Truthfully, being an angel kinda sucks.

But some angels don’t get harps. We hunt demons.

I might be a social weirdo. And okay, I black out whenever I fly and wake up naked in random places. I can only sleep in windowless rooms. I have that gun problem. Oh, and I can’t drink alcohol, since I randomly start fires.

But I, Dags Jourdain, do good. Sort of. I mean, I try.

When I’m not hunting demons, I work as a P.I. in Hollywood, California.

One night, I get in a demon fight in an alley, and accidentally save the life of a movie star, and everything changes for me.

Meanwhile, someone opened a hell portal under the Hollywood sign, a dead guy left me his dog, and a homicide detective who hates me from high school is trying to decide if I’m a serial killer.

Did I mention being an angel kinda sucks?

*

I, ANGEL is the first book in the Angels in L.A. series, a gritty angel urban fantasy, ideal for fans of K.F. Breene, Shayne Silvers, Patricia Briggs, C.N. Crawford, Linsey Hall

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Are you a book reviewer? Request a review copy here!

—

EXCERPT:

A dog’s wet, slobbery, warm tongue ran up the side of his face.

Dogs liked him. They liked him a lot.

Depending on the day, it was either a blessing or a curse.

In this particular instance, it probably saved his life.

“Pick up the gun, asshole!” the woman yelled. “I threw it right at you!”

Dags stared dazedly at the weapon as it swam into focus.

It lay on the asphalt, not far from the brick alley wall he now vaguely remembered slamming into, some unclear amount of time ago. He even remembered the specific gun.

Looking at it, he recoiled, grimacing involuntarily. His head felt like someone had taken a machete and tried to split his skull open like a cantaloupe, but he still had no desire to pick up the damned gun, much less point it at anyone.

Was that cannon really hers? Had she been lugging that thing around in her purse all this time? Did she have a permit for that thing? And if it was hers, why did she expect him, Dags, to be the one to shoot someone with it? Why didn’t she shoot them herself?

And where did the damned dog come from?

Even as he thought it, some other subset of his mind catalogued the gun in rote:

Desert Eagle. Gas-operated, rotating bolt. Semi-automatic. Designed by Magnum Research Inc. This particular edition was a Mark VII .357 Magnum with a fourteen-inch barrel, stainless steel, accessory mount with a laser scope.

That thing could do some serious damage.

All the more reason to leave it the hell alone.

“I don’t do guns,” he slurred, shoving it away.

It skittered across the alley floor, sliding under a dumpster about ten yards away.

Pushing aside the dog’s cold, wet nose, he scratched its ears out of habit even as he fought to push himself up with his hands.

“Are you crazy?” The woman stared at Dags like he’d just slapped her. Or maybe like he’d just told her he was a unicorn who only ate chocolate-covered strawberries and farted rainbows. “You’re a pacifist? Are you kidding me right now?”

Dags could sympathize.

Not enough to want to go after the gun, but yeah, he got it.

He only made it about halfway to his knees, when a heavy, booted foot connected, hard, with the small of his back. The same part of his mind that catalogued the gun did the same to the weight, shape, and relative precision of that booted foot––even as the blow knocked him forward, nearly face-planting him into the asphalt.

Male. Roughly six feet, two inches.

Two hundred and forty pounds.

Fighting ability: expert. At least one black belt in some martial art or another. Probably some military-style training. Weaknesses: Drops right arm when he pulls back from jabs. Telegraphs kicks with grunts and/or heavy breaths. Has a weird habit of grinning right before a lunge. Conclusion: well-trained, but a bizarrely sloppy fighter. Too used to winning maybe, or maybe it had been too long since he fought someone good enough to challenge him.

But all that was just details. The real issue with this guy wasn’t his fighting ability, or lack thereof, and Dags knew it. Hell, that’s why he was here, instead of calling 911 and letting the police handle it.

The guy wasn’t human. Well, he wasn’t only human.

He was something else.

The boot came down again, too hard for a human of that weight and strength.

Dags caught himself with his hands.

He remembered how he got himself into this situation now.

Unlike Dags’ usual m.o., where he followed people for weeks, making sure he knew exactly who they were, what they were, researching them, studying their habits, getting a feel for them, the likelihood they’d hurt someone, this guy, Dags had more or less caught in the act. He’d seen him drag the woman into a dark alley, like something out of an old detective movie.

He saw the guy’s aura.

He knew there was something wrong with it.

By then, the not-human attacker had a hand over the woman’s mouth.

Dags didn’t have time to involve the police, even if he’d wanted to.

He also didn’t have time to game this one out.

To make matters worse, the woman stuck around, even after he gave her an opening. Even after Dags told her to run.

She wouldn’t leave.

Why the hell wouldn’t she leave?

The guy got the jump on him, which didn’t help. Truthfully, that really threw Dags in the beginning of the fight, but somehow it didn’t bother him as much as the woman just standing there, watching him get his ass kicked.

Anyway, the other thing was Dags’ own fault.

He had the same weakness as the guy currently kicking him in the ribs. He’d gotten too cocky, too used to fighting people who were painfully easy to beat. He’d followed the guy into the alley without the slightest attempt to scope out the scene from a safer angle.

“Get up!” the woman yelled. “What the hell is wrong with you?”

Dags looked up at her in disbelief.

Seeing her standing there, against the opposite wall, which was covered, funnily enough, in an enormous pair of spray-painted angel wings, he scowled.

He waved a hand at her towards the mouth of the alley.

“Get out of here!” he snapped.

“Get off the ground!” she shot back. “Are you stupid?”

“Why are you yelling at me?” He motioned again with a jerk of his hand. “And why are you still here? RUN! Don’t just stand there like it’s reality t.v. Get your ass out of here! NOW.”

Hands on her hips, she frowned.

Under other circumstances, he might have laughed.

She looked like she was about to ask to speak to his manager.

Author Bio:

I write quirky, smart, conflicted, and unforgettable characters who live in realistically fantastical worlds. Many of those characters want redemption. A lot more want tacos, a margarita, and a beachy vacation with lots of sex. They all kind of hate me for never giving them enough of those things.

I write mostly in urban fantasy, paranormal romance, paranormal mystery, and supernatural suspense, and my books are chock full of love and magic, light versus dark, angsty, steamy romances, sharp dialogue, gritty worlds, and metaphysical and paranormal whatsits.

I've traveled a lot, lived in various funky places, but currently live and write full time in Los Angeles, California.

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Worth the Wait by Charity West blitz

Worth the Wait
Charity West
Publication date: November 10th 2020
Genres: Adult, Romance

Gemma Rhodes has her entire life ahead of her. At eighteen, she should be at college, living life to the fullest. Except she doesn’t have her life even the slightest bit figured out. Instead, she’s taken the year off to learn who she is and what she wants – aside from the unattainable Jake Bennet. Her brother’s best friend, her knight in shining armor, and a man who thinks of her as a little sister. She knows she should move on, but how can she when no one could ever compare to Jake?

Jake Bennet might be half a world away in the middle of a war, but the Marine only has one thing on his mind – Gemma. The one woman he can never have. There were some rules a guy just didn’t break, and dating his best friend’s sister was one of them. Riley would break him if he caught Jake looking at Gemma like the lovesick fool he was. When he’s injured and sent home, he knows he should stay away, but sometimes temptation is just too much for a mere mortal to handle.

There’s only one thing Jake needs to know… Can Gemma love a broken Marine? Because she’s had his heart for years, and if he’s learned anything, it’s that some things are worth the wait.

Goodreads / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Jake Bennet reclined on his bunk, his booted feet crossed at the ankles, one hand behind his head. The picture on his phone wasn’t new by any means, but it was no less enthralling. He’d had a thing for Gemma Rhodes for as long as he’d remembered, not that he’d ever admitted it to anyone other than his mother. If his best friend, Riley, knew that Jake was crushing on Riley’s younger sister, there would be hell to pay. Although, after he’d offered to pay for half her car two years ago, he’d wondered if his friend might have an idea. It had cleaned out his savings account at the time, but it had been worth it.

He smiled a little as he stared at the picture and wished he could be there with her now. Even though she was still in high school, after everything he’d been through, nothing would keep him from her side. Her smile was bright enough to light up any room, and her eyes were bewitching. He’d wanted to ask her to his senior prom, but then the school had passed a rule that only seniors could attend. Jake had fought the ruling, but in the end, he’d lost and had to take a fellow classmate.

The way Gemma had chased after her brother and him had always been cute, even if her brother had never thought so. But sometime around Gemma’s fifteenth birthday, Jake had realized that she was growing into a rather stunning young lady, one that he wouldn’t mind dating. As he’d watched Riley chase off all of Gemma’s would-be boyfriends, he’d known that he didn’t stand a chance, not until he’d proven himself worthy. When Riley had talked about joining the Marines, Jake had thought he’d finally found a way to prove he wasn’t a screw-up, but someone who Gemma could depend on when things got tough. Not a boy chasing after dreams, but a man who could provide for her and offer her a real future.

And now he was stuck in Afghanistan, fighting for…hell, he wasn’t even sure what they were fighting for, and he doubted any of his fellow Marines knew either. It was hotter than the lowest level of hell, and every time he inhaled, he swore he breathed in more sand than air. He’d joined the Marines with thoughts of being a hero and defending his country, and now he realized that in this war, there was no such thing as a hero. Every man here followed orders the same as everyone else. Some had medals from previous battles and acts of bravery, but if you asked those men if they were heroes, every last one would tell you no.

His phone vibrated then flickered out, and he cursed the low battery. Shoving to his feet, he decided to check his email and see if there was any news from home, but on his way, he passed Riley.

His best friend looked deathly pale, and like he might puke at any moment. Unease settled in Jake’s belly. He didn’t know what had caused Riley such pain, but he knew it wasn’t good, and since Riley only had two living relatives, something had to have happened to either his dad or his sister. Just the thought of anything bad happening to Gemma was enough to make him feel a little green himself.

“What’s up, Riley? Bad news from home?” Jake asked.

“It’s Gemma. Dad said she went to the store the other night, and someone crashed into her car. She went down the embankment and into the gorge off Brierview Road.” Riley lifted his gaze. “It’s bad, man. Dad sent the email yesterday and said Gemma hadn’t woken yet. She has a broken wrist and stitches in her head where she bashed it against the window and steering wheel. They aren’t sure when she’ll regain consciousness.”

Jake had to lock his knees to remain upright. There was a roaring in his ears and tightness in his chest.

“I want to ask for leave to go home and be with her, but Dad told me my duty was first to our country, and I had a job to finish. He’s right. I know he’s right, but it tears me apart thinking of her lying there hurt, and I’m way the fuck over here unable to do a damn thing.” Riley shook his head. “This is seriously fucked up.”

Jake couldn’t argue the point since he felt the same. The worst part was that he didn’t even have a right to ask for leave to check on Gemma. They weren’t dating, or engaged. If they were older and married, he’d take off in a heartbeat to be with her, but he knew that was just a dream for many years down the road. If Riley wasn’t going to let him date Gemma, big brother sure as hell wasn’t going to let him marry her. Hell, he was only nineteen and shouldn’t even be thinking such thoughts, but when he saw Gemma, he saw forever.

He just hoped he’d get the chance to tell her that someday.

Author Bio:

Charity West is a young adult/new adult romance author who has always had her head in the clouds. She had her first crush when she was four, and it lasted for six years. Then she quickly fell head over heels for another boy, until she had to move away and leave him behind. Jumping from one boy to another, she finally found a keeper when she was twenty, and she’s been married to him ever since.

By the time Charity was twelve, she was sneaking her mother’s Harlequin romances and reading them in secret when she was supposed to be asleep. Teased throughout middle school and high school for the bodice ripper covers on the books she openly read in class, she knew that one day she wanted to write her own happily-ever-afters.

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Crimsy by Michael Martin blitz

Crimsy
Michael Martin
Publication date: November 9th 2020
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction

A YOUNG SCIENTIST and her research team are thrust into a global battle for control of the greatest discovery in human history: a harmless bacteria that loves frozen saltwater—and lives on Mars.

__________________________________

After enduring politics, Congress, marsquakes, dust storms, and landslides, PhD-to-be Jen Z and her research team hope their successful, years-long quest to find life on Mars is finally over.

But their biggest fight has just begun.

◆◆◆

“The you-know-what hit the fan when charming but feckless university lawyer Nathaniel Hawthorn showed up in my office. Someone was trying to patent our stupendous find, Crimsococcus halocryophilus.

“A simple microbe I gave a simpler nickname: Crimsy.

“I think it was the trillionaire investors who helped finance our mission, eager to prevent a repeat of the Martian Ground Wars, when every nation on this planet wanted their ‘fair share’ of the Red Planet: the rocks, dust – and fossils – Odysseus brought back. But a foreign space agency, Homeland Security, the Pentagon, even our own NASA might want patent protection, too.

“The patent filings triggered a law we’d never heard of, the Invention Secrecy Act. FBI agents showed up at my apartment, served my research team with cease-and-desist orders. Crimsy was now classified and would stay aboard Deep Space Gateway indefinitely.

“People called us crazy, said we were wasting taxpayer money, refused to believe. But we proved them wrong. And some fantastic developments after MarsMicro brought Crimsy to the space station make studying it on Earth all the more urgent.

“Our money, our jobs, our privacy, our lives. The muckety mucks holding Crimsy hostage control everything.

“But I’m through letting them control me . . . . ”

Goodreads / Amazon / Facebook

—

EXCERPT:

TOSSING, TURNING, ALMOST FLIPPING, the helidrone moved farther away from the canyon wall. As it pulled clear of the dust, our amorphous nemesis took shape.

“Holy—” another ground navigator (GN) exclaimed next to me.

“Jennifer: We’re witnessing the largest avalanche any human has ever laid eyes on,” Dr. Levitt said, in a hush meant only for me. It looked like the entire canyon wall was collapsing, and at incredible speed. “This is sand on ice, people,” she announced into her mic. “No friction to slow it like snow on snow.”

“Look!” I heard.

We saw the rover on the drone cam now, a tiny David fleeing the sliding Goliath.

“Turn! Turn! Turn! Turn! Turn!” I heard. The rover made a quick turn around a corner.

“Slide’s moving at a couple hundred,” the CGE said.

“If not faster,” Levitt said. “What’s our speed?”

“Holding at twenty five.”

As the helidrone lost sight of the rover, the rover’s own cams caught it hitting bumps that became ruts that became gullies, signs of increasing water flow. The GN throttled it back, but the chief ground engineer put his hand over the navigator’s hand and pushed the joystick forward. The rover slapped the ruts, then jumped over what looked like a sandbar, landing hard and spinning. The cameras cut out and my earphones went crazy.

“What’d we hit?”

“What was that?”

“All communications offline.”

“Systems down.”

The drone cam’s screen was screwed up, too. Static and snow replaced clear images.

“Where’s the drone? Bring it in.”

“Lost contact.”

“So am I interpreting right?” Levitt said. “We’re effed?”

“We’re not letting Hale off that easily,” Cooper said.

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Secrets by Jessica Frances blitz

Secrets
Jessica Frances
(In Midsummer, #4)
Publication date: November 6th 2020
Genres: Adult, LGBTQ+, Romance, Suspense

One storm. One Santa Claus. One stalker. One secret. One surprise. One question. One answer.

Christmas is meant to be a jolly time of year, right? So, why is everyone acting like the plague is around the corner? Every year, I’m always the grumpy guy. Yet, this year, I might as well be sunshine personified.
Conner is definitely hiding something from me, River is unusually moody, and the townspeople have clearly lost their minds. Unfortunately, I can’t arrest everyone in my life and demand they explain themselves … can I?
Since my relationship with Conner is becoming more vital to me than ever, I need to find out what has everyone acting so strange. This Christmas will be the first for Conner and me together. I need to make it special. That means I have to ensure nothing can come between us. Not a Hollywood hunk, not a creepy stalker, and definitely not a snowstorm.
So, will we make it through our first Christmas together? Or will this end up being the worst day of the year?

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

I pull up to the unmanned front gate and park, since the boom gate won’t open without power. Then I exit my vehicle, check to make sure my weapon is secure at my side, and make my way toward the front entrance.

“This is Sheriff Green! Anyone here?” I shout, receiving no response.

I tread carefully, not wanting a broken ankle on this icy ground, and head to the front door. I try the handle and find it’s locked. Then I move to the first window and take a peek inside, but it’s too dark to see anyone. I consider radioing Abby, but I don’t want to distract her or give her presence away in case she’s still in pursuit.

When I then round the building, I see what looks like blood spilled along the icy ground.

“What the …?” I crouch down to it. It’s either real blood or fake from a movie set. Then again, they’re not filming here right now; Prince confirmed that.

I get back to my feet and keep alert as I continue to move around the house, trying windows and doors as I come across them. Everything is locked up, and nothing looks disturbed. But where is everyone? Where are the guards? Where are my deputies?

I freeze as I make out sounds close by. I then continue moving and find they’re growing louder. I can’t hear the words being said, but the panic is obvious.

I draw my weapon, unsure what I’ll find as I move around to the back part of the building and take a quick peek around the corner.

Author Bio:

Jessica lives in Adelaide, South Australia. When she is not writing, you can find her reading, napping or watching excessive amounts of TV. Connect with her on Facebook and Goodreads.

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