Category Archives: Book Blitz

RELEASE BLITZ: Spooning my Chuchunya by Marilyn Barr #MonsterRomance

Posted on by

Snuggling Under Snowdrifts,  Book 2

Monster Romance

Date Published: 8/8/2023

 

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

I found the most elusive spot to hide from my parent’s cult but in
claiming my cave, I accidentally allowed a snow monster to claim
me…

 

Dr. Sydney Decker

Six months ago, Dr. Vera Thompson disappeared into the wilderness to settle
with a mysterious “survivalist colony” without a known location.
She may have bought their lies, but I was born into an isolated group of
religious fanatics and can’t believe Vera would fall into the same
trap. Her weak “find my phone app” signal is the lifeline
between us, and I won’t stop searching the frigid tundra for her. My
best friend helped me escape but now, it’s my turn to save her.

 

Sergei

Loneliness threatens my sanity with each rejection at the annual mating
chase. Females fear my hot temper and need for control, instead of
appreciating that I am the biggest and fiercest male chuchunya. I had lost
hope I would discover my dushevnayasvyaz or soulmate, but then she found us.
This season I find myself breaking the ancient rules and deliberately
damaging the rituals I hold dear…at her request. I meant what I said
when I promised to rearrange the world to make my dushevnayasvyaz happy, but
when will I be pushed too far?

Caught between the regimented conditioning of the clan and the willful
spirit of his dushevnayasvyaz, Sergei must choose the order which keeps him
stable or his chance at fated love. Will they escape punishment for their
deeds or face shunning in a desolate place where community means survival?
Will Sydney recognize he’s betraying his kin to win her heart or
ignore their bond in fear of losing her independence?

About the Author

Marilyn Barr lives in the wilds of Kentucky with her husband, son, and
rescue cats. She has nine books with The Wild Rose Press in multiple romance
subgenres from sweet, new adult romance to erotic, fantasy romance. She
loves to place monstrous characters with hearts of gold in historical
romances and her historical, paranormal romances have won the Crowned Heart
Award, 2nd place in National Excellence in Story Telling (NEST) Contest,
Imadjinn Award for Best Paranormal Romance, and Grand Finalist for the
InD’Tale Magazine’s RONE Award. When engaging in the real world,
you can find her with the Kentuckiana Romance Writers, volunteering with her
son’s Special Olympics teams, or dancing around her kitchen. She is a
sucker (haha) for cheesy horror movies, Italian food, punk music, black
cats, bad puns, and all things witchy.

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Twitter

Goodreads

Instagram

Bookbub

 

Purchase Link

Amazon

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RABT Book Tours & PR

BOOK BLITZ: The Control by M.W. Layne #PsychologicalThriller

Posted on by

The Control
M.W. Layne
Publication date: June 5th 2023
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller

I didn’t kill my professor. But someone did…
It’s the dead of night when I regain consciousness in my psychology professor’s office. I don’t know what I’m doing here or why my favorite teacher is slumped over, dead at his computer with his head caved in.

When I stumble over to him on shaking legs, I bury my face in my sleeve to mute the smell of death. But as I lean in to see what he was working on when he was killed, the psych profile on his screen is what makes me wretch. The assessment is about one of his students–someone he describes as mentally ill, losing control, and capable of extreme violence. I scroll to the top of the document, and when I get there my stomach freezes because the name I see is my own.

Jim Straub.

I stagger away from my professor’s cold body, eyes filled with tears. He was my teacher and trying to help me. There’s no way I was the one who murdered him. But if it wasn’t me, who was it? And more importantly, why did the killer let me live?

The Control is a psychological thriller–a dark story of nightmares, deception, and love that will keep you guessing until its unforgettable, twisted ending.

Goodreads / Amazon

Get it FREE on Kindle Unlimited!

—

EXCERPT:

With two fingers, I lift Mooken’s icy hand from the keyboard, treating it like a disgusting bug I have to touch. I’ve watched enough television shows and read enough mysteries to know better than to disturb a dead body. But I need the letters on his screen to stop.

They remind me too much of how Mooken used to make his awkward hmmm sounds in the middle of his lectures when pondering a point his students weren’t getting.

Being this close to a dead person, my body revolts at the heavy cocktail of copper, feces, and urine in the room—a combination I’ve never encountered before.

Well, once before. But that was so long ago I sometimes wonder if it wasn’t another one of my nightmares.

But my stomach tells me the scene in front of me is real. My guts convulse and threaten to spew everything from inside of me, and I swallow hard, choking back my sickness…barely.

I bury my nose in my sleeve, breathing through my mouth. Other than the shallow in-and-out of my air, the room is quiet.

Inside my head, however, things are very loud.

Along with the loud buzzing, my father is telling me to run.

Leave now and save yourself, boy. Before they blame you for all of this.

I ignore him and stare down at Mooken.

After five minutes, his screen starts to fade to black, but I move the mouse, and the screen returns to full brightness.

mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

I lean over my professor’s body like I’m showing a dead man something he might find interesting. I hold the mouse lightly in my hand and scroll up. There are so many pages of mmmms that the document appears to stand still as I scroll. I climb through a hundred pages of that single, lonely letter before I make it to the substance of the file and slow down to skim its contents. I scan blocks of Mooken’s text, reading snippets from the bottom up.

classic signs…

early schizophrenia…

chronic sleep deprivation…

acute depression…

disruptions in personal affairs…

My head throbs as I continue further up the document.

delusions…

romantic interest…

auditory and visual hallucinations…

sleep paralysis…

irrational anger and suspicion toward therapist…

potential for extreme violence…

formal evaluation recommended…

I speed to the very top of the document to see who Mooken was evaluating, and my stomach freezes when I read my name.

Jim Straub.

But this can’t be. I didn’t kill the professor. I know this for certain.

Professor Mooken was my teacher and trying to help me. That must be why I came here tonight—to get his help.

Not to kill him.

The delete key stares at me, cooing, tempting me to erase my name—to fix this.

But I can’t do that—not yet, at least.

I disable Mooken’s screen saver, stagger to the other side of his desk, and sink back into the leather chair.

When I check the clock on the wall, fifteen minutes have passed.

My phone vibrates in my pocket, and on reflex, I check it. As happens so often lately, it’s a missed call from my father, who suffers from dementia and calls and texts daily.

I love and miss my dad, but I can’t deal with him and his altered, severe personality right now.

My present situation is too dire, although there are still a few hours before other professors and students begin entering the building to start their days.

I squeeze my eyes shut to help me remember the events that led me here, but when I do, I hear my father giving me advice again, yelling at me, ordering me.

Leave.

“Not yet,” I say through clenched teeth. “I need to remember what happened first.”

Author Bio:

When Mike writes twisted psychological thrillers, urban fantasy, or stories with a darker bent, he publishes it under the pen name “M.W. Layne” to differentiate it from his other books written as Michael W. Layne. Both Michael and M.W. apologize for any confusion this may cause readers, but this makes it easier to decide which set of books you can let your kids read. Michael W. Layne, yes! Great for any age. M.W. Layne, maybe not until they’re in their teens…

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

BOOK BLITZ: Year of the Fledgling by Linda Kage #YAFantasy

Posted on by

Year of the Fledgling
Linda Kage
Publication date: July 29th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Young Adult

Theron, the Eradicator, has one job: to protect the people of Starcast by killing the deadly creatures that attack them. That’s it.

Being an Eradicator comes with a heavy price, however, for he’s strictly prohibited from having any kind of personal contact with the villagers.

But one night, he sneaks into the town’s harvest festival, anyway, and meets the lovely, young healer’s apprentice.

As Theron grows close to her, it becomes harder to tell what’s more dangerous: risking a fatal injury while battling dark ones or risking fatal punishment by beginning a secret dalliance with a forbidden girl.

In either case, doom seems to be the only outcome, and tension mounts as love and danger blur across the reach of this fantastical, seaside landscape.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

She pounded on the thick door as hard and loudly as she could.

When it began to open and she had her first look at his face again—his features a mask of puzzled bewilderment—the terrible pressure in her chest finally released in a flood, and it all seemed to spill right out of her mouth.

“Wha…?” he started to ask.

But the flood had already hit her.

“I am beyond vexed with you,” she seethed, flinging off her hood so he could see the full extent of her rage before she pushed past him to enter the watchtower.

Theron glanced out into the darkening evening as if to make sure she didn’t have anyone else with her, then he shut the door and turned, lifting his eyebrows sternly. “Please tell me you did not walk up here by yourself.”

Ignoring his question, she demanded, “Honestly, how could you do this to me?”

“Are you absolutely mad?” he challenged right back, just as upset as she, and stormed forward. “What were you thinking? If someone had seen you—”

“They would’ve shrugged me off as you! But no one saw me. And I was thinking about how mad I am,” she railed, lifting her chin to meet his swirling, livid gaze.

Theron scoffed. “Yes, I can tell you’re unhappy, but that gives you no right to put your very livelihood at stake to come up here and tell me thus.”

“It’s my livelihood to worry about, and my right to risk it as I please.”

“And you are one of two people left in this entire, bleeding world that I’m allowed to still talk to. So I refuse to let you be so frivolous with your—”

“Argh!” she shrieked, lifting her hands and curling her fingers as if to display her claws at him. “You are so maddening.”

One of his eyebrows arched, then he burst out grinning. “But am I maddening enough for you to want to kiss me senseless again? Please say yes.”

She snorted. “Hardly. You’re certainly maddening enough to make me want to wring your fool neck as hard as I can, though.”

Lifting his chin to put his neck on full display, Theron countered, “Well, take your best shot, little healer-in-training. But first, would you at least tell me what I did wrong this time that made you so mad? A fellow appreciates at least knowing why he’s being strangled.”

Xia sucked in an irate breath. Then her chin trembled. And finally, the tears that she’d been holding back all the way from Norbin’s pig pen came gushing down her cheeks.

“You made me care for you!” she accused, weeping so soundly that her entire body shuddered and she had to cover her mouth with both hands to contain it.

Author Bio:

Linda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, sillier side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact.
Published since 2010. Went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature. Then graduated with a Bachelors in Arts, English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.

Now she lives with hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a cataloging library assistant.

Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion, character match Hagrid. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor…or Hulk (can’t decide). Justice League Team Flash. Arrow Team Stephen Amell. Stranger Things obsessed. Heard Laurel, not Yanny.

Started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club. Then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now all over the place with her romance reading tastes.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / Twitter


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

BOOK BLITZ: The Trials of Imogene Sol by C.L. Walters #NewAdult #SciFi

Posted on by

The Ring Academy: The Trials of Imogene Sol
C.L. Walters
Publication date: August 1st 2023
Genres: New Adult, Science Fiction, Young Adult

Imogene Sol has had to work twice as hard for everything she has earned as a cadet at The Ring Academy on Serta. An orphan of notorious parents who killed hundreds of thousands of people in a bombing against the Federation, most people hate her by name alone, others have gone out of their way to make her life difficult. Though she’s managed to acquire a handful of trusted friends over her years at the academy, most of her peers loathe her. But she’s made her mark in the top ten of her cadet class and she’s ready to compete for what’s next.

As the Year Seven Final Trials begin—a series of tests to determine placement within the Federation—Imogene knows all her hopes are riding on her performance. But when she’s framed for an offense that could not only get her expelled from the academy but also incarcerated, Imogene must discover who’s behind the threat against her. When her greatest competition, Timaeus Kade, offers to help her solve the mystery to clear her name, Imogene must decide if she’s willing to trust him. The stakes are high. Only the mysterious saboteur strikes again, justifying she needs his help, proving the stakes aren’t just her future anymore but her life.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Imogene raced across the room to grab the bo staff leaning against the wall, her opponent just steps behind her. The zip of his staff buzzed the air near her head as she ducked, rolled across the mat, and grabbed the weapon she needed from the holder. She turned and crouched with her back to the wall, wielding her staff to block her attacker. The clack of his weapon against hers vibrated up her arm through her elbow, jarring her teeth, but she ignored the discomfort—she was used to it—and shot forward.

“That’s all you’ve got?” She smirked at her opponent.

Vempur growled, showing his sharp incisors. His stark, black hair curled against his umber-toned temple slick with sweat as he followed it up by stabbing the end of the staff toward her face. His eyes, usually green flecked with sparkles of gold, turned completely black as he swung.

She blocked and went for a jab.

Vempur parried, then swung the staff at her head, once more with a loud grunt and frustrated huff. “You’re too quick,” he snapped.

Imogene smiled at her best friend but subdued the laugh. She knew he wouldn’t take it well in the middle of a fight. Not with everyone watching. Their silent, judgmental gazes were enough of a deterrent to keep Vempur’s temper in check. Besides, she wouldn’t have appreciated his humor at the moment either. There was too much on the line.

“You’re stronger. Taller,” she grunted out as she ducked once more. It wasn’t to feed his ego. “Find my weakness.”

“What weakness?” he snapped, frustrated more with himself than her, it would seem. “You haven’t lost yet today.”

“Exactly. I’m tired.”

Vempur growled, surging forward.

But she couldn’t afford to lose and that was the difference.

She rocked back, arching as the staff narrowly missed her gut, then swung her stick out to catch Vempur’s feet. He jumped and brought his bow down to the mat barely missing her back as she rolled out from under his strike.

“Stars!” Halo Mins—their instructor—yelled across the sparring room. “It shouldn’t look like a dance. It should look like a fight!”

Several of the other Year Sevens in the room snickered, and she knew it was at their expense.

“Shit,” Imogene swore, resetting as she hopped away. “He’s going to knock me down.”

“He won’t. He can’t.” Vempur punched out, and Imogene blocked the weapon. They pushed against one another and locked, resting for a beat. “You’ve dominated everyone today.”

“Not everyone.” She pushed, using her momentum to twist and swing, the pole wide, catching Vempur’s ankles. His giant frame slammed against the mat, and she went in for the kill, feigning a stab into his throat.

Vempur opened his hands against his bow staff in supplication and frowned. “Everyone knows you belong on the leaderboard, Imogene.”

Author Bio:

As a kid, CL Walters, world revolved around two things: stories and make believe. She’s built a real life around those two things: a teacher of stories and a writer of make believe.

With four books now published, she’s looking forward to her fifth release October 13, 2020, a YA Contemporary Romance called The Stories Stars Tell.

Sign up for her newsletter for news, goodies, and fun (www.clwalters.net)

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Bookbub / Pinterest


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

BOOK BLITZ: Phoenix Rising by Mark T. Wellington #TechnoThriller #SciFi

Posted on by

 

Action, Adventure, Techno-Thriller, Suspense, Sci-Fi, Military Thriller,
Conspiracy

Date Published: May 2023

 

photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

Unveiling the latest sensation in the world of Short Form Novels: Phoenix
Rising by Mark T. Wellington!

 

This high-octane, adrenaline-pumping thriller will transport you to the
year 2035, where mind-controlled space-age drones reign supreme, and one
man’s quest to save the world takes an intensely personal turn.

Immerse yourself in the gripping story of Tony Simmons, a fearless Air
Force major with the extraordinary ability to control three of the most
powerful drones ever created – the Devastators. When his family is
kidnapped, and he finds himself betrayed and hunted, Tony is forced to push
his powers to the limit in a desperate race against time.

Phoenix Rising is the perfect embodiment of the Short Form Novel,
delivering a relentless, fast-paced narrative that will keep you on the edge
of your seat from start to finish. Mark T. Wellington masterfully weaves a
tale of suspense, intrigue, and heart-stopping action, combining futuristic
technology and geopolitical complexities with raw, human emotions.

In this compact literary masterpiece, every page is packed with tension,
danger, and unexpected twists, as Tony navigates the treacherous world of
betrayal, espionage, and simmering romantic tension with his colleague,
Adrianne. As the line between reality and fabrication blurs, Tony must
unravel the shocking truth behind the conspiracy that threatens his life and
the safety of his family.


Don’t miss out on this exhilarating new addition to the Short Form Novel
revolution! Grab your copy of Phoenix Rising today and join Tony Simmons as
he battles insurmountable odds to save his family and uncover the sinister
truth that lies beneath the surface. Are you ready for the ride of your
life?

 

About the Author

Mark T. Wellington is a US Air Force Veteran with the Electronic Security
Command who held an SCI/SBI Top Secret clearance—his experience in the
military has given him the tools to tell exciting stories. His expertise in
cyber and electronic warfare, as well as his practices in Krav Maga and
kickboxing, inspired his turbulent and exciting novel, Phoenix Rising.

A citizen of the world, Mark’s passport is a mosaic of global experiences.
He has journeyed from the bustling streets of Istanbul to the steep inclines
of Mount Everest, and from the historic heart of Berlin to the vibrant
culture of Barcelona. Having resided in six different countries, he has
absorbed diverse cultures, engaged with intricate art forms, and navigated
awe-inspiring landscapes.

Despite his technological acumen and AI engineering expertise, he is never
one to be confined within the digital realm. His creativity spills over into
his passion for scuba diving, rock climbing, and racing, each providing
unique inspirations for his storytelling. Moreover, his interests in
cooking, gardening, and painting reveal an individual who fully embraces the
blend of art and science, making his work as varied and colorful as his
life.

With his extensive world travels, deep technical expertise, and unbounded
creativity, Mark is a true renaissance man, promising many more exciting
stories to come.

 

Contact Links

Author Website

Twitter

Facebook Group

 

Purchase Link

Amazon

RABT Book Tours & PR

BOOK BLITZ: Summer Veil by Olena Nikitin #Fantasy

Posted on by

Summer Veil
Olena Nikitin
(Season’s War, #4)
Publication date: July 28th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Behold the monster that will shatter the world. Bear witness to her power in awe and despair.
Saga of the Last Empress

With their bond gone, Mar is determined to find Ina, even if he has to challenge the Gods to steal her back.
With an unparalleled enemy threatening Cornovii, Ina must restore her ability to use magic, or the country she fought so hard to save will fall under the axes of a merciless foe.

He would destroy the world for her. She would sacrifice her life to save it. Can the realm survive their love?

***

Immerse yourself in the final instalment of Season’s War series and learn about the kingdom of Cornovii, where passion is mixed with cruelty, and the unwilling hero with world-shattering power has to make impossible choices. Dark Fantasy with mature themes – reader caution advised.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

She let him live. No one was more surprised than Ina, and the beautiful blue sky seemed to mock the foul mood her choice had created. Yesterday, she’d almost killed the necromancer, but even though he deserved to die for the suffering he’d caused, the witch wasn’t sure she could make a rational decision when it came to Rurik.

Her night terrors were back, and the visions of a desolate desert with bleached bones lying under a crimson sun robbed her of sleep. Add to that her guilt at not dragging Rurik to Osterad and the even more disturbing desire to tear the magic from his soul meant Ina was closer to breaking than she’d ever felt before.

The possibility of becoming a world breaker worried her the most. Without Mar and Ren to help, something inside her soul was eroding, and she lost her temper more and more. First, she’d caused the storm, and then her hold on chaos had slipped in the alchemy workshop. If not for Velka’s intervention, Rurik would be a sad, wet mess splattered across the room.

The quest to restore her bond was no longer about the ability to control her magic, but about survival itself. You never know how much you rely on something until it’s gone, she thought, rubbing her chest. The safety of the bond and the power of two stones made her reckless—arrogant, even. Now, she was worse off than before that hairy oaf was dumped on her doorstep. At least then, she’d had a modicum of control over her emotions.

Thankfully, the situation wasn’t a complete loss. With Rurik’s confession, his plotting, at least its core, was laid bare, and without his interference, Liath and the South were as safe as they could be. The threat of invasion by the Iron Empire had terrified the necromancer enough to lock himself away and seek the oblivion of intoxication. That left Ina with a dilemma: did she travel to Osterad and warn the king of this latest threat, or try to repair her bonds so she could help defend the country from invasion?

‘Right, let’s try to fix my magic first. There’s no point in warning Rewan of an invasion if I lose my mind and kill everyone,’ she said, before turning from her inspection of the ceiling and sitting up. Ina looked at her clothes. Ayni’s armour and the simple dress she used to cover it were all she had, but for the alchemy workshop, she needed clothes that were easily replaced after any of her usual accidents. Her gaze fell on the storage chest next to the bed, and determined to find some work clothes, Ina opened the trunk to find a violet dress with lots of frills and puffy sleeves, which had been fashionable before she was born. The witch looked at the monstrosity, grinning at finding perfection for her messy experiments.

It took her a moment to push her bosom into the dress, but Velka’s horrified gasp was well worth it when she saw her at the top of the stairs.

‘Do you like it?’ Ina asked, twirling extravagantly before Velka grasped her shoulders.

‘So it finally happened. The last thread of sanity abandoned your wretched soul, and now you think you’re the Empress Sowenna. Ina, what happened yesterday? Could I have saved you from this if I’d stayed?’ she asked, shaking her friend frantically.

‘Don’t be silly, Velka. I just found some old clothes I can ruin without worrying. I’m sorry for scaring you last night, but I promise I’m calm enough to focus on repairing my bonds now.’

Understanding brightened Velka’s eyes. During their university days, Ina had always returned from alchemy class with stained, ripped, or burnt clothes; sometimes all three. ‘Damm it, Striga, you should have told me. I thought you’d lost your marbles after yesterday’s discussion with Rurik.’ Velka relaxed her grip, laughing with relief.

‘So you can face me down when I’m about to destroy the world, but one look at me in a dress, and you’re terrified?’ Ina enjoyed the absurdity of the moment before sobering. ‘I will be in the workshop. If you see Rurik, send him up. I’ll need his help to find out what poison Mirena poured into me.’

Author Bio:

Olena Nikitin is our pen name. We are an enthusiastic couple of writers who are fascinated by the fantasy/paranormal romance genre and decided to write a book we would love to read

Behind the Pen name:

Olga – is Polish, armed with a wicked sense of humour and typical Slavic pessimism she is the wicked witch from the East. She has written stories since childhood, initially mostly about her work. As an emergency physician, she always has a story to tell and often not much time to write.

Mark is a typical English gentleman whose charm, refined taste and an impressive collection of books were tempting enough to make Olga leave her homeland. Don’t tease him too much; this man has an impressive sword collection and he knows how to use it. He also can fix everything, including Polish syntax in English writing.

See more on our website: http://www.olenanikitin.uk

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

NEW RELEASE: Will (If It Feels Good) by Alice Gaines #PNR #WomensFiction

Posted on by

Will (If it Feels Good 3)

A Paranormal Women’s Fiction Novella

Sarah collects and sells antiques, and she lives in a fantasy world of her own creation. When she’s transported to another universe, she meets the man of her dreams, but he wants to teach her how to find pleasure in her “real” life.

Will Loudon is Sarah’s pleasure trainer. He’s also an honest-to-God English earl — the exact sort of man Sarah reads about in her forbidden books. He does such a good job of teaching her to find real pleasure, neither of them wants her to go home.

Available At:

Amazon (Kindle)
Apple Books
Barnes & Noble
Kobo Books
Smashwords
Thalia
Vivlio

Excerpt

All rights reserved.
Copyright ©2023 Alice Gaines

The dust in the old attic made Sarah Meadows sneeze, but she wouldn’t have been happier anywhere else in the world.

“You sure you want to look through this ancient stuff?” Mr. Gamble, the owner of the house, asked from where he stood on a ladder behind her, his head poking out of the entrance to the attic.

“You said your wife saved everything,” Sarah answered as she scanned an assortment of old trunks, boxes, and antique furniture someone had found the strength to haul up the ladder.

“Never could get her to throw away anything,” he answered. “As soon as you’ve found everything you can use, I’m going to clean it all out.”

“I’m very grateful to be the first dealer you’ve had up here,” she said. “I’ll pay you a fair price for anything I find.”

“Guess that’s all it amounts to… a little bit of money.” He sighed. “Anything’s helpful these days. I’ll leave you to it.”

Which he did. Left her all alone in the relics of his wife’s life. Poor man. She’d probably find something she could sell in her shop. Then, she’d refer Mr. Gamble to a few businesses that could help him empty his attic in preparation for selling the house. This couldn’t be a joyful enterprise for him. It might be for her.

Dressed in grungy clothing for a dirty job, she got to work. The first box held a bunch of record albums. Vinyl was making a comeback these days. She pulled one of the discs out of its protective sleeve and did her best to scan it for defects in the dim light. Looked pretty good.

The next box had pots and pans. Nothing much there. She hauled herself to her feet and approached what looked like a lady’s dressing table. The wood was dinged, but it could be restored. Polished, it could make a lovely piece for a period boudoir.

One drawer held a hand mirror. Again, wood. Potentially salable. She glanced into it and almost dropped it. It wasn’t a mirror, after all, but the framed picture of a man’s face.

Okay, that shouldn’t have startled her. Maybe the lady who’d owned the piece kept her lover’s face framed in her dressing table. It sure didn’t look like Mr. Gamble, though. In fact, his wicked smile and scandalously long-ish hair fit more with a wealthy rake of another century. Maybe the piece was older than she’d thought.

“Don’t be frightened,” a man’s voice said from somewhere in the attic. A voice with a very distinct English accent.Her heart started beating like crazy. “Who’s there? Mr. Gamble?”

That sure hadn’t sounded like Mr. Gamble. Neither did the laughter that followed her question. Even without having heard the actual voice of a wealthy rake, she recognized it as such.

She’d read about such voices in her favorite novels. She’d never expected to hear one. She put her hand over her heart and did her best to keep breathing.

“That wasn’t a picture,” the voice said. “It was my reflection.”

“You’re being ridiculous,” she said with as much authority as she could muster. “Who are you, and where are you?”

“Over here,” came the answer. But there was still no indication of the direction it came from. Rather, it seemed to be everywhere.Crap. She wasn’t staying up here with some stranger who could be deranged for all she knew. Who hid out in attics? Instead, she got up and walked slowly toward the ladder. She’d tell Mr. Gamble he had a prowler, and once the police had evicted said prowler, she’d return.

“Don’t go, Sarah.”He knew her name. How? She stopped in her tracks but didn’t turn around.

“I’m not here to hurt you,” the voice said. “I’m here to fulfill your dreams.”

What did a formless voice know about her dreams? She hadn’t shared them with anyone because they sounded ridiculous, even to her own ears. To live in a former time that seemed to glitter so much on the pages of novels and in the movies. Back then, most common folk, like her, had led difficult lives with no real education and folk remedies their only health care. But the gowns and the balls. The architecture and art. The manners. Today seemed so coarse compared to that.

“Come find me, Sarah.”

Oh, that accent, like butter on a scone to be covered with jam and clotted cream. Wise or not, she was going to find him, so she might as well set about it. But where?

About the Author

USA Today best-selling author Alice Gaines has published several sensuous and erotic works. She prefers stories that stretch the imagination, highlighting the power of love and sex. Alice has a Ph.D. in psychology from U. C. Berkeley and lives in Oakland, California, where she sings in her church choir.

BOOK BLITZ: Watch Your Back by Stacy Claflin #thriller

Posted on by

Watch Your Back
Stacy Claflin
(Ariana Jones, #1)
Publication date: May 22nd 2022
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Even perfect neighborhoods have deadly secrets.

Ariana and Damon moved to the gated neighborhood of Rosy Hills to leave behind their traumatic pasts. Now they have their dream jobs and are part of a tight group of friends. All of that crumbles when their neighbor Rita disappears without a trace.

Now it looks like one of their own could be a killer. Ariana and Damon must figure out who it is, or they risk never finding Rita alive. If they don’t reach her in time, they could all end up dead…

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

—

EXCERPT:

“Rita, where are you?” he called.

She readied herself to run again.

His footsteps sounded close. “Ready or not, here I come.”

She held her breath. Waited.

Had to get the shoes off.

“Rita…”

A shiver shot down her spine.

“You can’t hide forever,” he said, now sounding farther away.

Stomach lurching, she peeked around the corner.

He neared the swings, his back to her.

She loosened the buckle on her right pump. It stuck. Resisted.

Footsteps grew closer.

Now he was heading her way.

She froze. Tried to fix her buckle. Fumbled.

“There you are!”

Heart nearly giving out, she turned.

He stood halfway between the playground and her.

Rita leaped to her feet and ran. Her right shoe clung to her foot loosely, the buckle not fully undone. Made it hard to remain steady. She kicked, trying to free herself from it.

Finally lost it as she darted between bushes. Rough bark dug into her bare foot. Then concrete as she reached the sidewalk. Her hips protested the three-inch difference between her two feet, one shoed and the other not.

“Gotcha!” His arms wrapped around her middle. He squeezed.

She struggled and kicked, barely able to breathe. “Help! I’m being—”

He covered her mouth.

She bit his finger.

He swore at her. Didn’t let go. Pulled her back toward the park.

Rita squirmed and flailed. Scratched at him.

She wasn’t going down without a fight.

They flew to the ground.

She landed with a hard thud.

He crashed on top of her.

She pushed and strained to get out from under him.

“This could’ve all been avoided,” he grunted. “I only wanted to talk.”

“Could’ve fooled me.” She tried to push him off.

“Don’t you see we’re meant for each other?”

Rita almost laughed at the irony of his words. “This is your way of winning me back?”

“You have to see the obvious.”

The truth was clearer now than before. But pointing that out wouldn’t do any good. Just needed to get away. Get her phone back and call the cops.

Had to think fast.

“You think we can work things out?” she asked, and stopped resisting.

“If you’re willing to change.” He loosened his hold.

She bit back a sarcastic retort. Needed to get him to move off her. “What do you want me to do?”

“You have to stop flirting with guys at the bar, for starters,” he said, giving her more space.

Not enough to run.

“Let’s talk about that,” she said.

He rolled off her and started to say something.

Rita jumped up and ran.

He called after her.

She raced to the park. Through it.

He screamed profanities at her, getting closer.

She yelled for help. For all the good that would do.

Her restaurant came into view.

All she needed was to get to her car. Her fingerprint would start it. Thank God for technology. She’d lost her keys and purse somewhere along the way. Hadn’t even noticed when.

She reached her property.

Something hard struck the back of her head.

Rita flew forward. Landed hard on the ground, her car just out of reach.

Another hit to the head.

Everything went black.

Author Bio:

Stacy Claflin is a USA Today bestselling thriller author who has published more than 75 novels, including Girl in Trouble and The Perfect Death. She has always been curious about the human mind, and in her quest to learn more, she earned a degree in Psychology. Her favorite course was Abnormal Behavior, which has been useful in writing fiction.

Her love for thrillers goes back to her early childhood when she fell in love with Unsolved Mysteries and America’s Most Wanted. When Stacy was five, she got mad at a babysitter who wouldn’t let her watch the evening news. These days, she spends her free time listening to true crime podcasts or watching documentaries on the subject.

She has been telling stories for as long as she can remember, and as child would often get into trouble for trying to convince friends her wild tales were true. Now she puts her creativity to better use by writing page-turning stories that leave readers begging for more.

Stacy occasionally dabbles in other genres, so as you peruse her library of works, you’ll find some romance and paranormal tales, all with strong suspense elements.

Join Stacy’s newsletter to get three free novels: https://stacyclaflin.com/newsletter

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—

BOOK BLITZ: Sprinkle Drifter by Elaine Medine #YAFantasy

Posted on by

 

A Beautiful Fantasy Adventure (Trials of Tweed Book 1)

 

Middle Grade / Young Adult Fantasy

Date Published: May 5, 2023

Publisher: ‎Granite Wings Inc.


photo add-to-goodreads-button_zpsc7b3c634.png

 

Two continents. Two opposing cultures. And a girl trying to find her place
in a divided world.

 

Tweed Resin-Nor is restless. She’s desperate to experience life
beyond her farmhouse. When given a chance to leave behind her dreary
existence, the sixteen-year-old boards a schooner to a foreboding wall in
the middle of the ocean. Will Tweed’s voyage grant her the knowledge
and excitement she craves, or will it lead to her capture?

Traveling to faraway places, Tweed discovers ominous secrets and forgotten
injustices. She forges deep friendship bonds, but some regard her as a
threat. In her words, she’s “the star and the scourge, the
entertainment, and a monstrous surprise.”

Her father was born in the rural landmass of Myot. Her mother hails from
the modern continent known as Serrel. As Tweed attempts to forge an identity
of her own, she’s forced by the authorities to choose between being
Myota or Serrelin. It’s an impossible decision. Should she honor her
dad or follow her mom? Which side of her is more her?

 

If you like riveting exploits in the face of unfair odds, hints of magic,
and eye-opening plot twists, then you’ll love Elaine Medline’s
emotional adventure. Join Tweed on her travels and buy Sprinkle Drifter
 today!

 

Sprinkle Drifter is the first book in the Trials of Tweed coming-of-age
fantasy series. Book Two will be available in early 2024.

 

About the Author

Elaine Medline grew up in Toronto, Canada and now lives in the province of
Québec with her husband and their dog named Zara. She has three
wonderful adult children and three fantastic grandchildren. Her favorite
hobbies are downhill skiing, swimming in lakes, and going on canoe trips.
Elaine’s love of nature is weaved into all her writing. Retired from
her career in health care, she has just released a Young Adult Fantasy novel
entitled Sprinkle Drifter.

 

Purchase Link

Amazon


RABT Book Tours & PR

BOOK BLITZ: Saving Piper Moonlight by Joann Keder #Thriller

Posted on by

Saving Piper Moonlight
Joann Keder
(Piney Falls Mysteries, #2)
Publication date: July 13th 2020
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Piper has lived her entire childhood on the run. She’s about to uncover the deadly reason why…

In the second book of the Piney Falls Mysteries series, Piper Moonlight is tired of constantly looking over her shoulder, afraid of the remaining Fallen Branch cult members. She decides the best place to land is in Piney Falls, Oregon, where the cult originated. At least everyone there knows her story and she’ll be safe.

When she arrives, she finds employment under the watchful eye of Cosmo Hill, also a former Fallen Branch member, at his bakery. Cosmo doesn’t trust Piper or her story. He enlists the help of his fiancé , marketing wonder and super sleuth Lanie Anders to uncover the truth of Piper’s past.

Lanie and Cosmo soon discover there are still shocking secrets buried within the layers of the former cult. As those secrets come to light, those who keep them will stop at nothing to stay hidden. The ugly truth of Fallen Branch will force Lanie, Cosmo and Piper to make unthinkable choices to save themselves and the life they know in Piney Falls.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Can I ask–did you ever love me?”

There is laughter from the other room and a chill runs down his spine.

“I assumed we’d already discussed the uselessness of emotions. They get in the way. Imagine if I let that interfere during the last two decades. We wouldn’t be where we are, on schedule for the metamorphosis.”

“YOU wouldn’t be on schedule. The rest of us–well, me–would be fine. You don’t remember those times we were gardening at Fallen Branch, talking about the future? You said then you couldn’t picture anyone else by your side.”

“I couldn’t. That didn’t mean I loved you, though. You were the perfect partner…for a time. As you’ve said: you didn’t have control of your emotions and I could direct you easily. I gave you a list. You accomplished every bullet point.” The Killer stalks closer. “Is there anything you want them to know? I’m giving you this gift that we never gave the others. A thank you for your service. Let’s call it my ‘emotion’ for today.”

“Tell them I’m sorry. I wasn’t strong enough to continue by your side and I wasn’t smart enough to survive on my own.”

“That’s not at all what I thought you would say.”

“What did you expect? A lengthy speech? I’ve always left those to you.”

“I thought you might want them to know you were a brave soldier in our war. Kind of make them proud, at least.”

He throws his hands in the air. “I give up. You’ll make it your own story no matter what. I learned long ago that it’s impossible to please you. They’ll learn that soon enough.”

“I hope not.”

“Tell them…I tried. Just get on with it now. I can’t bear to think about it anymore.”

His killer hands him a cup. “Cheers, my friend. It was a good ride while it lasted.”

His hand brushes his killer’s and without looking up, he lifts it to his lips.


Author Bio:

USA TODAY bestselling author, Joann Keder spent most of her years in the Midwest, growing up and raising a family on the Great Plains of Nebraska. She worked for sixteen years as a piano teacher before returning to school to receive a master’s degree in creative writing. A mid-life move to the Pacific Northwest led her to re-examine her priorities. She now creates stories about life and relationships in small towns while her ever-patient husband encourages her on.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

—