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Monday, November 9, 2020

ONE SECOND AFTER ANOTHER by Bethany-Kris

ONE SECOND AFTER ANOTHER

by Bethany-Kris The After Another Trilogy, book #3 Publication Date: November 9, 2020 Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Crime Thriller, Organized Crime

Amazon: https://geni.us/OneSecond iTunes: https://apple.co/3g3lkjc B&N: https://bit.ly/313XKyG Kobo: https://bit.ly/2DYf5jI Google Play: https://rb.gy/8tng14

There’s only one way this can end …

Penny Dunsworth isn’t hiding.

Not anymore. An assassin turned legend, AWOL from her organization and hunted from all sides, nothing is going to stop her from finishing what she started. By the time she’s done with The Elite, no truth will be left untold, and maybe—just maybe—she can go back ...

That is if she can make it out alive.

Luca Puzza only wanted to help.

His obsession with the white ghost has left him alone, estranged from his own world and family, and in constant danger. That doesn’t mean he’s going to give up. Besides, if he found her once, then he can do it again. And this time, he won’t be the one letting her go.

There’s too much on the line to fail.

She dares to wish for a life after pain. He dares to think they could have it. But it only takes one second for everything to change—one mistake could end it all.

Some say legends never die.

But what happens when they do?

*

NOTE: One Second After Another is book 3 in the After Another trilogy. It follows the same couple – Luca and Penny – from present to past, and back again. The books must be read in order. Be warned, the trilogy discusses a subject that may be triggering.

The motel room Penny rented in the Bronx wasn’t much to look at. Peeling wallpaper with a faded flower design gave the single room—and attached bathroom—some color, at least. The brown, shag carpet had been laid at least three decades before she even existed. God only knew the things these walls had heard and seen.

That was about all she could say for the motel.

Then again, the place was booked by the hour. She was probably one of the only patrons in the place who paid for several days upfront which should have said enough. Nonetheless, she avoided focusing on the stains on the carpet never mind pulling the sheets off the bed. The old furniture had seen better days but the single table, chair, twin bed, and three-drawer dresser all served their purpose.

She’d stayed in worse.

Hell, she’d been raped in worse.

At least, she was out of the rain, had a place to sleep, and there was a decent diner down the street when her hunger became enough of an annoyance that she had no choice but to deal with it. The motel hadn’t required identification to book the room when she slapped down an extra thousand dollars to cover any damages.

Shit.

They could keep the money.

Maybe spruce up the room.

Penny wouldn’t come looking for it, anyway. And if she could help it, then she wouldn’t bring any problems to the motel, either. After all, the entire point of her getting a room was to use it to stay out of sight. No paper trail. She left nothing behind for someone to use to find her.

Since she didn’t have anything else to do, Penny had at least taken the time to open the duffle bag from Carson to look through the items inside properly. Her wigs were now hanging from wire hangers on the shower’s metal bar to keep them in decent shape should she need to use one. All the makeup that she might need to change her appearance had been set out on the table alongside three pairs of folded black jeans and matching tank tops. Not that the weapons needed to be cleaned, but she took her time with the gun, silencer, and even the knife just because she could.

What was time?

She had too much of it.

For now.

Keeping busy, even if it was only arranging her things and attempting to settle into the motel room for however long her stay would be, was something she could do. Actions she could control. A way to keep her mind from traveling elsewhere.

To keep her heart from hurting.

It always hurt, though.

Always.

Was it all a bit much? Not really. It was, however, exactly what Penny needed. The League had done more than teach Penny how to kill while giving her the chance to change history … even if it had taken her entirely too long to figure out the past never went away. They had also given her the ability to take care of herself.

In every way.

Mentally.

Physically.

In business.

Having already discarded the burner phone she used to contact Carson, she went ahead and picked a new phone from the pile on the dresser along with one of the cards to activate it. If the man followed her directions—and she knew he did—then each card and phone had been purchased from different locations. Despite burners being incredibly hard to track, it wasn’t actually impossible given enough time and the right hacker to do it.

Penny didn’t want to take chances.

Every single time she used one of the phones, it would be destroyed after. Including this time.

From the pocket of her black jeans, she produced a folded piece of paper that had barely made it through the day’s rain. The edges tore at her rough handling, but she didn’t care because she didn’t plan to use the number written inside again after today.

The thing about politicians?

Anything could be found with little effort. Including their addresses, home phone numbers, and even the names of the schools where their children attended.

Penny only cared about one of those—the phone number to the home where her mother had apparently moved in with her soon-to-be husband, the New Jersey senator, Gilles Tracey. Though they apparently lived in Jersey with the senator’s two daughters, they also kept a home in New York and frequently traveled between the two states.

Or, so Penny learned through her searches of the internet. Anything could be found … if someone looked hard enough.

Activating the phone and minutes on the card took little time, and before long, Penny had punched in the number. She put the phone on speaker and held it in front of her as she paced the short length of the motel room while the call rang through.

Once.

Then twice.

A third time.

She honestly didn’t know what she expected—getting the number had been a last-minute decision, and not one she really thought out entirely. So much about her mother and the last several years of her life hunting the woman and anyone connected to her had been carefully planned events. Nothing was left to chance.

The thing was …

Penny wanted Allegra to see her coming, now. Nothing else would do.

“Tracey residence—Joesph speaking,” came a male voice through the speaker.

Penny almost hung up.

Almost.

She didn’t think her mother would actually pick up the phone. She bet the senator had a whole house full of employees to handle every aspect of his daily business. That was before Penny factored in the people her mother probably had on hand.

Nothing about this would be easy.

She already knew it.

“Is Allegra home?” Penny asked opting to just … see.

“Ms. Hatheway is upstairs in her sitting room. Give me a moment—I’ll put you through. Who am I speaking to?”

“An old friend.”

The man didn’t even question it.

A click sounded on the phone before a ringing started again. This time, it only rang twice before the call was picked up.

The feminine voice that answered the call was unconcerned and blasé in tone, but the sound of her mother saying hello still felt like a knife raking down Penny’s spine.

“Hello,” Allegra greeted.

Penny dragged in a slow breath.

Allegra waited one second, and then another before saying again, “Is anyone there?”

“Do you think about me?”

Silence answered back.

It actually made Penny smile.

Then, her mother sucked in a hiss before saying, “Penny—”

She didn’t get more out.

Penny wouldn’t let her.

Nothing was on Allegra’s time anymore. She controlled nothing about Penny. It took years to figure that out, but here she was.

“Did you see me coming?” she asked.

A squeak echoed on the other end of the call, as if Allegra had jumped out of her chair. The woman’s next words came out sharp and stinging when she said, “You little bitch—do you know the mess you’ve caused us? You are dead. How long do you think you can last before we find you?”

Yes, she knew.

Too well.

She regretted nothing.

It had to happen.

“I only need to stay ahead of you, actually,” Penny returned. “What’s left of your organization now, Mother? Every move I’ve made has taken something else from you, hasn’t it? There isn’t very much left. Is The Elite even capable of going up against me now—or someone else, for that matter, if you step on the wrong toes trying to get to me?”

The League, she meant. Not that she would say it. That would simply give her mother information she might not otherwise have. Penny wouldn’t play that game. Just this phone call was dangerous enough.

And she only had one thing left to tell Allegra. Little else really mattered, and she refused to give the woman any more of her life or time than she needed to. Even in her death, Allegra Dunsworth would only get what she deserved and nothing more.

It was all Penny could promise.

The only thing she guaranteed.

“The white ghost is coming for you,” Penny told her mother. “Watch for me, Allegra. I’ll be seeing you.”

Penny ended the call as her gaze found the clock on the motel room’s wall. Directly over the bed, it was the only thing on the walls. The second hand kept ticking. A lot like the beats of her broken heart that smashed against her ribcage because just talking to her mother was enough to damn near unravel everything that kept Penny sane.

Tick, tick, tick.

The sound of the clock echoed in the back of her mind. It continued counting down the seconds until she could finally finish this. One after another. She watched the time go.

What choice did she have?

THE AFTER ANOTHER TRILOGY IS NOW COMPLETE! READ TODAY!

ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.

To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

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Grayson: The Wild Ones by Jessie Cooke

Title: Grayson: The Wild Ones
Series: Jokers MC #5
Author: Jessie Cooke
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: November 9, 2020


Loyalty is the one thing Grayson Richard grew up understanding completely. His belief in loyalty above all else led to him becoming a New Orleans Joker, and finally finding the family he had always been lacking. But loyalty had also given him many sleepless nights. With his uncle imprisoned for a crime Gray knew his mentor Tucker committed, Grayson will be left with two choices, blood or loyalty.

Tucker McCloud was a small-time crook and drug dealer, who ultimately became one of the richest and most respected businessmen in the US…and behind the scenes, a big-time drug and arms dealer. When Tucker is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, keeping his empire running becomes next to impossible, and Grayson’s loyalty will once again be tested when it seems he’s the only one the old man can turn to for help.

In the midst of it all, Poppy Le Blanc juggles her own demons and will have to learn that sometimes strength is less about what you can do for yourself, and more about who you’re willing to let in to help you.

From the swamps of Louisiana, to the coast of California, lives will be changed, people will be broken and above all, loyalties will be tested. Ride along with the New Orleans Jokers, and find whether or not Grayson and Poppy can carve out a path that will lead them far from the pain of their past, or straight into the eye of a storm that’s been brewing for twelve long years.











Jessie Cooke writes hot romance novels about tough guys, bad boys, bikers, fighters and lovers and the women of strong character who tame them.



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First to Fail by Marie Johnston




Title: First to Fail
Series: Unraveled #3
Author: Marie Johnston
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: November 2, 2020


BLURB

By day, I'm a strict principal of a private school filled with wealthy families like the one I grew up in. By night, I'm a lithe assassin with a penchant for latex and roller derby. At least my cosplay character is, and I never let my personal life bleed into my professional one. Until the handsome comic book shop owner I had a steamy session with at the local comic con walks into my office. 

Chris is the father of one of my students, and completely off limits. I wouldn’t be a good role model for all my young students if I trashed my career over a guy, not even one I can’t quit thinking about. 

*** 

As a business owner and single father, I don’t have time to date. But when work and pleasure collide in a dark corner of the local comic con, I’m willing to make dating a priority. Only the hot cosplayer in the tight body suit disappears in the crowd before I get her real name. 

When I see her again, she’s behind an imposing desk, wearing eye glasses instead of a mask, and reprimanding my daughter. Natalia’s determined to keep our roles strictly professional, but I’m determined to get another taste of the uninhibited woman hidden under that business suit. 

First to Fail is a full-length standalone novel in the Unraveled series. It was previously published as Based on Principal in the now obsolete Fanboys series. 





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AUTHOR BIO

Marie Johnston writes paranormal and contemporary romance. She also works as a medical laboratory scientist and has worked as a public health microbiologist. Depending on the situation, she can be oddly unconcerned about germs or weirdly phobic. Marie’s been a volunteer EMT, a college instructor, a security guard, a phlebotomist, a hotel clerk, and a coffee pourer in a bingo hall. All fodder for a writer!! She has a husband, four kids, and even more cats.


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Don't Kiss the Bride by Carian Cole




Title: Don't Kiss the Bride
Author: Carian Cole
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Photo: Regina Wamba
Models: Michael Kemp & Cherry Albrecht
Release Date: Coming Soon


BLURB

My dream was simple. Graduate this spring, save up enough money to escape the house of horrors I was living in, and see the world in a cool RV with my cat, Gus. No strings. 

Then I passed out and face-planted in front of sexy, brooding Jude “Lucky” Lucketti, and he rushed me to the ER. It wasn’t one of my finest moments. But it was one of his. I guess you could say I was a damsel in distress, and Jude was my knight in shining armor. He became my own personal hero, turning up in all the right places at the right times. 

But in reality, I was a girl with a serious eating disorder and a lot of bad luck, and he was a hot, older construction worker with lots of muscles and tattoos. 

Under his rough exterior, he was a good guy. We became friends, and it didn’t matter that he was sixteen years older than me. We had a lot in common—like our love of rock music and vintage cars, and a mutual anti-marriage stance after coming from broken homes. 

So when he proposed, it wasn’t like you think. He figured if he married me and put me on his insurance plan, I could get the medical treatment I needed and couldn’t afford. He even told me I could move into the extra bedroom at his house. 

I said yes. 

The arrangement would be temporary. A marriage on paper and nothing else. Within a year, we’d divorce. 

It should have been easy, but it wasn’t. 

Because here I am, eighteen years-old, still in high school, and married to a man I was never supposed to fall in love with. 

I did, though. 

We had just one rule—no kissing the bride. 

Little did we know, breaking that rule on our wedding day would seal our fate forever.







AUTHOR BIO

Carian Cole has a passion for the bad boys, those covered in tattoos, sexy smirks, ripped jeans, fast cars, motorcycles and of course, the sweet girls who try to tame them and win their hearts. 

Born and raised a Jersey girl, Carian now resides in beautiful New Hampshire with her husband and their multitude of furry pets. She spends most of her time writing, reading, and vacuuming.



Sunday, November 8, 2020

It’s Raining Men by Rich Amooi blitz

It’s Raining Men
Rich Amooi
Publication date: November 8th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

On a dare, Faith Daniels tosses a coin into the infamous “Fountain of Love” and wishes for the perfect man, laughing it off as the dumbest thing she’s ever done. Like magic, her quiet life turns upside-down when men begin to appear out of nowhere. There’s a doctor, a lawyer, a firefighter, and a swimwear model, for starters. All of them are kind, generous, successful, and drop-dead gorgeous. All of them are interested in Faith. But who is Mr. Right?

A feel-good romance novel about love, friendship, and living life to the fullest!

Goodreads / Amazon

Q&A

Do you have a guilty pleasure? Dark chocolate almonds. Five to six each day after lunch.

Who was your first celebrity crush? Farrah Fawcett. I had a poster of her up in my shag-carpeted fort in the rafters of the garage. I even got in a fight with my brother one day when I caught him making out with the poster. I tried to clean it with Windex and ended up erasing Farrah’s mouth.

First car? Lime green 1970 Chevy Nova with polyester seats that stuck to my legs in the summer.

Is there an idea out there that you wish you’d thought of?

Absolutely. These two lines from the movie Airplane!

“Surely, you can’t be serious.”

“I am serious—and don’t call me Shirley.”

Biggest fear? Living without my wife.

What inspires your book ideas?

This may sound crazy but some of my ideas start with just a title. The idea for my fourth novel came to me while in line at Starbucks. A woman reached over and smacked her husband on the arm and said, “Quit being so crotchety.” I smiled and thought Mr. Crotchety would make a great title for a book. Then I brainstormed the story and wrote it.

Caramel, kettle, cheese or regular popcorn? Yes, please.

What’s on your pizza? Pineapple and garlic.

Biggest pet peeve? People who drive fast through residential neighborhoods.

Nickname as a kid? Stitches. Let’s just say I was on a first name basis with the staff at the emergency department.

First author hero? Dr. Seuss

Favorite ’80s artist? Hall & Oates.

Favorite dessert? Betty Crocker super moist yellow cake with chocolate frosting.

What did you want to be when you grew up? A DJ on the radio. I ended up working at some of the top radio stations in Silicon Valley for over thirty-three years. Then my wife encouraged me to take a few creative writing classes at Stanford and here I am writing romantic comedies!

If you were a Disney princess, which one would you be? Did you really just ask me that? Can’t you see how much testosterone I have? It’s just oozing out my pores. I should be offended! I really should be! But I’m not. The answer is Cinderella.

Author Bio:

Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the Amazon Bestselling author of 15 romantic comedies, including It's Not PMS, It's You, Dying to Meet You, There's Something About a Cowboy, and Madam Love, Actually. Over 500,000 downloads from readers around the world.

A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a kiss monster imported from Spain. Rich believes in public displays of affection, silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub


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