Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Nov. 1

• This Isn’t You, Baby by K. Webster: Blog Tour, Review & Giveaway

• Mr. President by Katy Evans: Blog Tour
  

• All The Way by Victoria L. James: Blog Tour

• Wicked Apprentice by Madeline Iva: Release Day & Giveaway

This Isn’t You, Baby

by K. Webster
War & Peace #4
Publication Date: October 25, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Dark, Romance

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | Amazon AUS | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

I was a pawn.
Weak and someone easily manipulated.
To be played with as he saw fit.
Until YOU.

YOU shone light in my now dark world.
It was YOU who made me smile.
For the first time in this game, I had hope.
All because of YOU.

The more powerful pieces on the board, however, were a threat to YOU and me.
They would win at any cost.
Two kings ruling with an iron fist.
Allies or opponents, it was hard to tell.

YOU promised to save me.
Told me we would win.

But then I was on the wrong side of the board.
This isn’t YOU, baby.
And I don’t know what to do.

The game is almost over and I’m counting on YOU.
Tick, tock…

Warning:
This Isn’t You, Baby is a dark romance. Strong sexual themes, excessive drug use, and violence, which could trigger emotional distress, are found in this story. If you are sensitive to dark themes, then this story is not for YOU.

This story will make YOU smile.
This story will make YOU angry.
This story will make YOU crazy.

I hope YOU love it, baby.

REVIEW

This is a great new edition to the series. It is a little bit different from the others because the main characters in the other books play a much smaller role in this one. That doesn’t keep it from being a great book. It is a tough book to read because you feel so much emotion for the main character. And then comes the twist you don’t see coming! Be prepared! Great book–five stars!

**ARC rec’d in exchange for an honest review**

 

PURCHASE LINKS

This Isn’t You, Baby #4
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2dhPI8Z
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2e4LiFd
Amazon CAN: http://amzn.to/2dQwrOY
Amazon AUS:  http://amzn.to/2epJFoO
Barnes & Noble:  http://bit.ly/2dcWHVG
iBooks: http://apple.co/2dQENHf
Kobo:  http://bit.ly/2e4KbW1
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2e4LsMH

This is War, Baby #1
Amazon: http://amzn.to/20ebfBd
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1PnXRVS
B&N: http://bit.ly/1S74h1x
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1QKvzaQ
iBooks: https://itun.es/us/MlvEab.l
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1Sxqkio

This is Love, Baby #2
Amazon: http://amzn.to/1RQzkw0
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/21XQY97
B&N: http://bit.ly/1pf0jbE
Kobo: http://bit.ly/1Lcfzjh
iBooks: https://itun.es/us/JAAcbb.l
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/1QKueir

This Isn’t Over, Baby #3
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2aHjcwb
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2auD1eA
Amazon CA: http://amzn.to/2b7QBFO
Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2b0SceT

About K. Webster

 

K Webster is the author of dozens romance books in many different genres including contemporary romance, historical romance, paranormal romance, and erotic romance. When not spending time with her husband of twelve years and two adorable children, she’s active on social media connecting with her readers.

Her other passions besides writing include reading and graphic design. K can always be found in front of her computer chasing her next idea and taking action. She looks forward to the day when she will see one of her titles on the big screen.

You can easily find K Webster on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Goodreads!

Website: www.authorkwebster.com
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bllgoP

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

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Mr. President by Katy Evans

Release Date: October 31st
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Synopsis:

He’s won the hearts of millions. But is he willing to lose his?

I met the president’s son when we were both young. Matthew Hamilton was handsome, polished, and intelligent. I’d never met a guy like him.

He promised me that he’d never run for president. I promised that if he did, I’d be by his side.

Three terms later, an invitation to join Matthew Hamilton’s campaign is the most exhilarating opportunity I’ve ever experienced. I’m determined to make a difference; he is determined to win.

Focused on his goal, Matt is steadfast, ruthless, and disarming. All eyes are on him and his popularity is surging. But soon, the next possible president of the United States is possessing me in more ways than one—and despite the risks, I’m helpless to resist.

We’re stealing touches, stealing moments, and stealing away at night. But our chemical connection is quickly becoming dangerously combustive, putting not only my heart, but Matt’s chance at the presidency on the line.

Winning will take everything. Walking away will be the hardest thing of all.

Review:

Katy Evans has another hit! With all of the political media frenzy happening in the country right now, this was a great escape from the real politics. Love the characters in this new book. Great read–5 stars. Love Katy Evans writing!

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Buy Links:

Amazon ➜ http://amzn.to/2dYH8wj
iBooks ➜ http://apple.co/2dPYPQr
Nook ➜ http://bit.ly/2dNp2hl
Kobo ➜ http://bit.ly/2cQp2Rv

About the Author:

Katy Evans is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author. Her debut REAL shot to the top of the bestselling lists in 2013 and since then 9 of her titles have been New York Times bestsellers. Her books have been translated into nearly a dozen languages across the world.

Email / Facebook / Twitter / Website

 

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All The Way by Victoria L. James

A Natexus Novella

Release Date: 1st November

Goodreads

#AllTheWayRelease

Synopsis

Six minutes after he’d vowed to love me forever and I was the happiest I’d ever been. He wasn’t meant to be with me at the start of my next adventure, but the other half of my soul — the man I’d been away from for far too long — had slammed back into my life with unashamed force all over again. With one look in his eyes, I was lost to all his promises, and I couldn’t find a single reason for us to spend another second apart.

Happiness became a dangerous addiction — one Alex Law was able to wrap me in with an ease no one else had ever done before. Yet no matter how high the clouds we rode upon climbed, the echoes of our pasts never seemed to be too far away.

Not all happily ever afters go the same way and ours was about to bring out sides of both of us that we never knew existed. All I could do was hold my breath and hope that whatever storms we passed through, they wouldn’t be strong enough to tear us apart for a second time.

Our eternity started with a kiss. Now it was up to me to prove that forever really could last a lifetime with nobody else but him.

That beautiful, breathtaking first love of mine.

                          ~ Natalie Vincent

Buy The Book

Amazon US
Amazon UK
Amazon CA
Amazon AUS

Meet the Author 

Victoria L. James is a teenage girl stuck in a thirty-something year-old’s body. A Corona and nacho appreciator with a ridiculous obsession for all things Rocky Balboa, she currently lives in Yorkshire, England with her husband and two baby boys. Having had a strong passion for words and stories going as far back as she can remember, she credits her love of literature to her Grandma Bess who taught her that you didn’t need a lot of money to travel to different worlds, experience new places, and live a thousand lives.

And so Victoria’s unexpected journey to writing began, one impressionable Sweet Valley High book, and tragic diary entry at a time.

Wearing her heart on her sleeve and trying to lighten life with naff, and more often than not, badly-timed, nineties jokes, she has yet to learn the art of knowing when to shut up.

A firm believer in never quitting and a champion of every underdog that exists, she dreams of being able to write forever, hoping her stories will inspire at least one person out there to keep on pushing against the tide of their own struggles. Reading is always the ultimate escape.

Social Links

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Goodreads Author

Other Books in the Series

Natexus

Buy Book 1

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Seven breaths left in her chest, yet I looked back at him. He wasn’t meant to be there on the darkest night of my life, but the mysterious Alex Law continued to make a habit of showing up when I least expected him. With one look in his eyes, everything I’d ever been before him drifted away, and everything I was about to become revolved around him. Grief threatened to ruin me no matter how hard I fought, and Alex had demons of his own to deal with, yet we found a comfort in each other’s pain. We found ourselves alone, two people becoming one. Just us. Natalie and Alex. Natexus. As long as we had each other, we thought we could make it through anything. 

We didn’t know there were things out there waiting to destroy us: people we couldn’t escape, fates we couldn’t outrun and regrets we couldn’t avoid. Not all love stories go the same way, and ours was about to take a turn neither one of us could have foreseen. All I could do was stand by and watch as my world fell apart for a second time. 

I knew there had been life before Alex Law. 

I just had to figure out if there was life after him…

That beautiful, tragic first love of mine. 

– Natalie Vincent.

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Book: Wicked Apprentice

Author: Madeline Iva

Genre: Fantasy Magic Romance

#WickedApprenticeRelease

Goodreads

Synopsis:

Zephyr, apprentice of magical arts, is having a really bad day. Under orders to capture an uncanny creature for her mistress’s latest spell, she chains up a tall, gorgeous elf in a decaying castle only to find out he’s really a wizard with potent powers over human women. Uh-oh.

Theo has suffered heartbreak and betrayal more than once. He’s got a plan to escape, and when he does, he’s taking the curvy little apprentice with him. Her seductive curiosity about all things elvish makes his heart race, driving him into a sexual frenzy. He’s vowed never to unleash his powers of enchantment upon a human woman—yet while she kisses and teases him, longing for an elf romance, his fae side is slipping out of control.

Their world overturns when Zephyr unleashes a curse involving two magic rings. Under its spell, she becomes a mighty sorceress while the elf-wizard who loves her becomes her apprentice. As Zephyr works to turn the brooding, mistrustful elf into the hero the people need, Theo must find a way to contain Zephyr’s new powers before her wild magic destroys them all.

Madeline Iva’s magic romance fantasy is chock full of wizards and sorcerers. It will enchant readers who love castle romances, all things elvish, and can-do heroines.

Buy The Book:

Amazon US

Amazon UK

Excerpt:

He looked like Satan dipped in ice. A noble forehead fought for dominance over his lush, sensuous lips. The lips won. Long beams of light fell about his pale skin and the black wings of his eyebrows. She checked the ears again. They were less pointy than Spock, yet pointier than your average geeky human. Good god, he was an elf! She was agog to see what Hulgetta wanted with him.

Dragging her eyes away, she looked up at all his books. From one end of the study to the other, the tall bookshelves followed the curve of the wall. The books gave off a silent persistent energy, a low pulse of magic, covering her in goose bumps. She had lust in her heart.

So many magic books, so little time.

Yet orders were orders. She picked up his feet and began dragging him across the room. His arms swept up over his head as she pulled him along to the green door. She tried not to look at the open books out on the tables. Thou shalt not covet another’s magical books. Okay, well, just one. She hung over it for a second trying to read the letters. It sang to her nerves like a soprano choir hitting the high notes in an opera. Like being near a celebrity or the President of your country. Like that.

One day I’ll have a room in a tower like this and read books of magic all day.

Yet how full of briars was her workaday world. He had looked so slender standing up, yet his bones were large, and he was much taller than he had seemed clear across the room. She was and wanted to stop, but the green door was starting to slowly swing shut. She dug her fingers harder into his pointy leather boots and gave a mighty pull, bumping his head along the way. Oops. With a hollow noise, the door behind her shut and clicked. The low corridor sank back into gloominess, and the familiar castle stench of wood smoke, boiled animal bones, and damp straw invaded her nose.

Meet The Author:

Madeline Iva writes paranormal, fantasy, and contemporary erotic romance. Bitten by romance as a teen, she quit her day job in 2009 to start writing full time. In 2013, she started Love Fest, a day of romance panels at Virginia Festival of the Book and co-founded LadySmut.com, a blog devoted to all things intelligent and sexy. Her work “Sexsomnia” is included in THE LADY SMUT BOOK OF DARK DESIRES published by Harper Impulse.

Friend Madeline on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/madeline.iva

Follow Madeline on Twitter: @madelineiva — https://twitter.com/madelineiva

Madeline obsesses over Pinterest here: https://www.pinterest.com/madelineiva/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8310631.Madeline_Iva

Madeline Blogs every Thur & Sat: http://www.madelineiva.com, http://www.ladysmut.com

GIVEAWAY! 

All you have to do is sign up for Madeline Iva’s News at her website. Deadline: Midnight Nov 1st. The prizes smell sooooo good!

http://www.madelineiva.com


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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Oct. 20

★·.·´¯`·.·★Forbitten ★·.·´¯`·.·★

A Twist of Fate Novella ~ First in a Duet.

By J. P. Uvalle

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date 4th November

#ForbittenCover

Goodreads

 

★Book Blurb★

 

Sometimes the Sweetest Drop Can Ruin You…

 

 

Lord Vladimir – better known as the badass vampire from the past, is awakened to serve his kindred as commander of the brood. Little did he anticipate, he’d be responsible for protecting humans as his own, and have to follow a set of rules to co-exist. 

 

 

He doesn’t do rules, and the lines become blurred when he falls in love with her…

 

 

Trinity James – a film student, aspiring to be a talent agent ~ with vibrant blue eyes worth dying for. The problem is…she hates vampires. 

 

 

With a passion. 

 

 

Her father died in a war fighting against vampires. A war which later ended in a peace act between the species. She’s been reluctant to follow the rules ever since.

 

 

Can Lord Vladimir change her mind about vampires, or will his love for her leave him heartbroken and destroyed?

 

 

★Pre Order Links★

 

 

 

★ Amazon US – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1NNTEE

 

 

★ Amazon UK – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M1NNTEEK

 

 

★ Amazon CA – https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01M1NNTEE

★ Amazon AU – https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01M1NNTEE

 

Spotify Playlist: 

★ http://tinyurl.com/hodlcy3

 

★Excerpt★

She’s never been bitten. This should be fun.

 

    The kiss method is the only acceptable way to feed on a human, for they experience just as much pleasure from the bite as we feel drinking their blood. It’s euphoric, and some humans even become addicted to the sensation.

 

    I thumb her shiny wet lips covered in pink gloss and gently glide my thumb over them back and forth. Appreciative of my touch, she kisses my thumb and closes her eyes to take a deep breath. Then opens them looking into mine just as hungry.

 

    “I’ve been waiting for you, my Lord.” She backs away slowly, stroking her fingertips over her ample cleavage. “You’re a dying breed.”

 

    “You don’t say.” I raise my eyebrow, inching closer as she steps backward in her red heels.

 

    “A vampire, who enjoys the thrill of the chase.” Her trailing seduction leads her to stand next to the exit door.

 

I like where this is going.

 

I stalk toward her, running my sharp nails along the surface of the stainless steel countertop. 

 

    I tilt my head slightly. “Are you implying, you want me to chase you? Hunt you down? Ravish you?”

 

    She doesn’t hesitate. “That’s exactly what I’m implying. I want you to bite me, Vladimir…” The words “bite me” to a vampire sound just as tempting as hearing the words “fuck me” to an average man. “And when you catch me, you can have me any way you want,” she moans, slowly sliding her hands down her hips. A laugh escapes her lips and then she scurries out of the door. I give her a head start before sprinting after her.

 

I’m really starting to like this girl.

★About the Author★

J. P. Uvalle is a beautifully twisted soul who has a passion for writing paranormal romance and has the divine ability to make the unbelievable, believable. She was born and raised in Colorado Springs, went to Bel-Rea Institute of Animal Technology and graduated with an Associate’s degree in Applied Science and Technology. JP works part-time as an ICU technician in Highlands Ranch, Colorado at an emergency/specialty hospital.

 

 

Aside from being a technician and a writer, she runs two businesses in her spare time—Beautifully Twisted Publishing, and Mary Kay. On top of that, she also contributes her time to the Beneath the Ashes Blog as a Promotions Manager.

 

 

 When she’s not saving lives, coming up with her next plot twist or making women feel pretty and pampered, she’s spending time with family and friends.

 

 

Facebook:

 

https://m.facebook.com/J.P.Uvalle/

 

https://m.facebook.com/beautifully.twisted.publishing/

 

Twitter: @Soul4Writer

 

Instagram: j.p. uvalle




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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: May 17

• Chasing Eva by Camellia Hart: Blog Tour
  

• ImPerfectly Matched by M.J. Fields: Cover Reveal & Giveaway
  

 

Book: Chasing Eva

Author: Camellia Hart

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Goodreads Book Link

Synopsis

An addictive, suspenseful, sensual story about a man and a woman whose lives are about to get sizzling hot…

After living through her share of disloyal relationships, Evangeline Avery will be damned if she lets another man cheat her. A beautiful and confident woman, Eva is the owner of an interior design firm at the brink of collapse. She swears to bring her company back to its past glory, even if it involves sweet talking the one man who caused this turmoil in the first place – Clive Stanton.

Notorious playboy Clive Stanton is a powerful businessman and a formidable enemy of many. He doesn’t do love, or at least not until he meets her again, fifteen years after he saw her last. Eva, his crush from teenage years, the one that got away, is back in his world and he is determined to do anything to make her his.

Will passion and lust bring them together or conflict and the unforgettable scars from their pasts forever tear them apart?

Buy Links

Amazon

Kobo

BN

iTunes

Smashwords

Author Bio

Camellia Hart, a techie turned author of romance, lives in San Francisco with her husband, the love of her life. Other than writing her next romance novel, her hobbies include traveling, lazing on a beach with a good read, watching movies with happy endings while gorging on endless buckets of popcorn, red wine, and champagne truffles.

http://www.camelliahart.com/

Social Links

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

GOODREADS

PINTEREST

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE

Title: ImPerfectly Matched!

Series: Matched Series, Book 2

Author: MJ Fields

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 14th

Cover Model: Ellie McLove from Love N. Books

Photographer: Carolyn Jaime

 

Synopsis:

Kat has found herself caught between a Qwerty and a rock hard alpha.

Ricco’s flippant attitude towards their highly sexual relationship and Kat’s dating seems to be exactly what she needs.

Ricco is the perfect wire-less / no strings, fuck buddy. He loves her peen collection even more than she does to the point she feels nearly battered after each encounter. But when he turns up the kink even more, when Match Up, becomes a twisted virtual version of a cuckold, even Kat tries to turn down the intensity.

@Mr.Mister becomes inventive and creepy, @baller seems too familiar, and @rider1 becomes her closest confidant.

When things get too intense, too emotional, and the past shows up, will Kat run from her problems once again, or will she be accepting of her…ImPerfect Match?

Pre Order Buy Links:

NOOK: http://bit.ly/imperfectlynook

KOBO: http://bit.ly/ImPerfectlyKobo

iTUNES: http://bit.ly/MatchediBooks

---

AVAILABLE NOW!

Title: Match This!

Series: Matched Series, Book 1

Author: MJ Fields

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: June 14th

Cover Model: Ellie McLove from Love N. Books

Photographer: Carolyn Jaime

Synopsis:

ONLINE DATING HAS NEVER BEEN FUNNIER

From USA Today Bestselling author of The Men of Steel series, MJ Fields comes a sexy new romantic comedy.

Kat’s a take no sh*t kind of girl, but when her mother forces her to start online dating with her, she’s taken off guard. The tables turn and now Kat has the opportunity to dish out unsolicited advice of her own.

The ever-unsociable Kat, puts herself out there knowing no man in their right mind will ask her out.

Little does she know the world has changed. The constant connection has caused a disconnect, and while hiding behind a screen most men hold nothing back.

Will Kat be able to get her mother to stop being a behind the scenes text whore, or will she get dragged into the craze that is sweeping the nation?

Includes the FREE NOVELLA UnSocially Yours!

Buy Links:

Amazon: http://amzn.to/1qojkb8

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/MatchThis_BN

iTunes: http://bit.ly/MatchThis_iBooks

KOBO: http://bit.ly/MatchThis_KOBO

About The Author

USA Today bestselling author MJ Fields love of writing was in full swing by age eight.
Together with her cousins, she wrote a newsletter and sold it for ten cents to family members.

She self-published her first contemporary, new adult romance in January 2013. Today she has completed seven self-published series, The Love series, The Wrapped series, The Burning Souls series, The Men of Steel series, Ties of Steel series, The Rockers of Steel series and The Norfolk series.

MJ is a hybrid author and publishes an Indie book almost every month, and is signed with a traditional publisher, Loveswept, Penguin Random House, for her co- written series The Caldwell Brothers. Hendrix, Morrison, and Jagger. All three books in the series are published. The Caldwell brothers don’t grow into alphas, when their mother passes away they become her legacy, her good in the world of bad.

MJ was a former small business owner, who closed shop so she could write full time. She lives in central New York, surrounded by family and friends. Her house is full of pets, friends, and noise ninety percent of the time, and she would have it no other way.

Author Links:
WEBSITE: http://www.mjfieldsbooks.com
FB: facebook.com/MJFieldsBooks
TWITTER: @mjfieldsbooks
INSTAGRAM: Instagram.com/mjfieldsbooks
TUMBLER: mjfieldsbooks.tumblr.com
PINTEREST: Pinterest.com/mjfieldsbooks

Sign up for MJ’s monthly newsletter with giveaways: http://bit.ly/mjupdates

Enter To Win!

$10 Amazon or iTunes Gift Card

2 – Signed Match This! Paperbacks

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Feb. 9

• Sophie’s Voice by Helen Hardt: Blog Tour & Giveaway
  

Book: Sophie’s Voice

Author: Helen Hardt

Genre: Victorian era, erotic, historical

Release Date – 9^th February 2016

Blog Tour 9th -12th February

Goodreads Book Link

Synopsis

Lady Sophie MacIntyre has the voice of an angel, but due to her timid nature, no one ever hears it. After losing a bet to her conniving sister, Sophie auditions for the new musicale at the Regal Theatre run by handsome actor Zachary Newland. Though distracted by Zach’s elegant masculinity and her own nerves, she sings well and earns a role in the production.

Zach is a confirmed bachelor, and his taste in women leans toward the glamorous and uninhibited…until he meets the demure Sophie. Her delicate soprano and understated beauty captivate him. She responds to his inappropriate kiss, but quickly dismisses the heat between them. She’s a lady of the peerage, after all, and not one to associate with a rake like him.

Zach, however, is not so easily dissuaded. He gets what he wants, and he intends to help Sophie find her true voice…in more ways than one.

Buy Links

Amazon Print: http://amzn.to/20Pz4l6

B&N Print: http://bit.ly/1JB7u4w

iBooks: http://apple.co/1N10cd9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1WK1DfF

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1iLKo0h

Books-A-Million: http://bit.ly/1Ms1gW6

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1UW9Cqw

Excerpt

Zach rushed out of the theatre and into the lobby. No sign of Lady Sophie. Looking out the door, he spied her getting into a hansom cab. The cabbie had taken her hand and was helping her into the coach.

He pushed the heavy glass door open and ran forward. “My lady, wait!”

Lady Sophie turned around, her face flushing a lovely raspberry color. She arched her eyebrows.

“If I may have a moment?” he said.

“I’m sorry. I am getting ready to leave for the Brighton estate, as you can see.”

“Yes, yes.” He turned to the cabbie. “You may go on. I’ll arrange for Lady Sophie’s transport in a few moments.”

“Yes, sir.” The cabbie tipped his hat.

“Mr. Newland”—Sophie cleared her throat gently—“what is this about? This is highly irregular, not to mention improper.”

“Yes, my lady, and I offer you my apologies. However, I could not let you leave without telling you how thoroughly I enjoyed your audition. I would like to offer you a leading role in the new musicale.”

“How are you able to offer me anything? You haven’t heard the other auditions yet.”

“I am familiar with all of the other actors and actresses who will be auditioning today. I know their voices. None of them can come close to you, my lady.”

Sophie fidgeted with her reticule. “I’m afraid, Mr. Newland, that I will be unable to accept a role in the production.”

What? Not able to accept? Did this woman have any idea of the talent she possessed?

Her pink lips trembled ever so slightly, and her cheeks deepened from raspberry to aubergine. Zach gulped, his pulse quickening. Had anyone kissed those lips? How they beckoned him. Sophie was of average height, coming up to his chest. He again eyed her dazzling blond hair swept up tight with only a few wispy curls free. How might it look flowing freely over her milky-white shoulders? Over her pert breasts?

“If you would be so kind, Mr. Newland…”

Zach stood, mouth agape. She had said something after his name, but he had heard no words. Only that voice, that voice from an angel, swirled around his head. He could not get enough of it. Still those rosy lips trembled, calling to him.

He couldn’t help himself. He gripped her shoulders, lowered his head, and pressed his lips to hers.

Author Bio

Helen Hardt’s passion for the written word began with the books her mother read to her at bedtime. She wrote her first story at age six and hasn’t stopped since. In addition to being an award winning author of contemporary and historical romance and erotica, she’s a mother, a black belt in Taekwondo, a grammar geek, an appreciator of fine red wine, and a lover of Ben and Jerry’s ice cream. She writes from her home in Colorado where she lives with her family. Helen loves to hear from readers.

 Social Links

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Nov. 3

• More by Rachel De Lune: Blog Tour & Giveaway

• The Deception Series by Isabella Need: Release Blitz

 

Book: More

Author: Rachel De Lune

Genre: Erotic Romance

Goodreads Book Link

Synopsis

Miserable and dejected in her marriage, Isabel Fields encounters a stranger in a bar promising an opportunity to change her life. Nonetheless, she must make a decision she thought was reserved for other women. 

Sexual dominant, Sebastian York, specializes in igniting passion in his lovers, but women always come and go, and he’s never had a woman to call his own.

Leading Izzy, a natural submissive, on a journey of sexual awakening, their casual arrangement soon grows too confining. Seb satisfies everything Izzy has craved and she instinctively bows to his dominant personality, fulfilling his every desire.

Their casual arrangement ignites Isabel’s long-buried passion and touches her heart, but Izzy struggles with the emotional turmoil that plagues her soul.

Sacrifices will have to be made by both, putting their love to the test. Izzy stands to lose the marriage she dedicated years of her life to, but has a chance to gain a relationship she’s always longed for. All depends on whether Sebastian proves to be the love of Izzy’s life, or leaves her wanting more…

Buy Links

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Excerpt

Can you meet me? Please? Izzy

I press send. That’s it. I can’t turn back now. I order a gin and tonic and knock it back far too quickly, hoping that it will help me find the courage to actually tell Seb what I want.

I pick the bar where we first met, the bar where we’ve met each time since. It somehow seems fitting that it could be the first and last place I see him. And doesn’t that send my heart pounding and my stomach churning? That’s another little message from my body, reminding me of how crazy this all is. I’ve only known the guy for a few weeks and know next to nothing about him.

My phone buzzes across the bar top and I grab it quickly. Maybe Seb’s out of town and can’t come? Maybe he’s busy? With someone else? If I don’t do this today, I’m never going to have the courage to ask him. It’s a gut reaction and one I have to see through.

Sure, Izzy, I’ll be there in a few minutes. S

I close my eyes and remember Phil’s face after I asked him to spank me. The anger when he realised that this is what I really want was plastered across his face. How he shut me out completely and dismissed me. He didn’t want to understand. We’ve been together for eleven years, more if you count the two we dated, but does he really know me? Hell, do I really know me? I’m not even sure of that. I check my watch and silently curse Seb for taking his time.

I order a coffee to sober up. There’s a knot in my stomach and I feel physically sick. It is that mixture of dread and excitement—the good kind of nerves that make your heart beat faster and palms sweat.

I’ve gone over this too many times in my head. What will Seb think? Will he understand? How will I tell him? Just say it. Come out and say it. Tell Seb that you need something more, that you want more. The what-if’s are ruining me.

There have been enough email and text messages with suggestive content, skirting around the topic of sex with flirting and innuendo. He’s seen my profile on the BDSM site and I can guess he’s also seen the images I like on Tumblr. There is clearly more to Seb than he openly portrays. Whether his controlled and sophisticated flirtation is simply a façade, I don’t know, but I am going to find out.

Hands grip my shoulders and trail down my arms. Seb circles around me and takes the seat opposite, and I relax a little at seeing his face. He rewards me with his sexy smile. Breathe. Just breathe.

“Seb, I need to… well… want to tell you something important.” I stumble over my words in my haste, but I have to get my thoughts out this minute or lose the small amount of Dutch courage I’ve built up. There’s no room for “hi” or “hello.”

“Okay, Izzy, what’s so important?”

“It’s just that… well…”

He reaches out for my hands. “I’m all yours. Take a breath and tell me. ”

“This is really hard to say.” Am I really going to tell him? This could ruin everything.

“Come on, Izzy. Tell me.”

His deep tones wrap around my chest and make my heart speed up. I can do this. I want to do this.

I focus on his chest and open my mouth to step over the line I desperately hope Seb doesn’t want to keep in place. “Phil and I haven’t really been ‘together’ for a while, not in the physical sense.” I look up at him but he doesn’t say anything. His thumb gently strokes my knuckles, giving me courage to say more. “He doesn’t understand what I’ve told him I need. We’ve been growing apart for a long time and I’m not happy. I’ve changed, and I… I… Well, I need something different from our relationship. At least… I think I need it. But Phil can’t… I’ve tried to explain, but he won’t try to be the man I need him to be for me.” I pause, hoping to re-gather my rambling thoughts. I risk another quick look into his face. His eyes are hard and he’s sitting as still as a statue. Even his thumb on my hand has stopped moving. “He thinks I’m asking him to rough me up, and that’s not it at all. I don’t want violence. I want to submit.” I look down for a moment. “I’m tired of being responsible for my own sexual pleasure. I want the freedom I’m hoping to find in submission. I want a partner who takes the time to arouse my mind and my body, and I want to abandon myself to him.”

I study his face to see any emotion or reaction to what I’m trying to say. Did I convey myself right? Does he get what I mean?

The only thing I notice is the vein in his neck. It throbs hard and fast. My lips part as I imagine my tongue running up his neck to below his ear. I shake the thought away and focus again on his chest. “I asked him to tie my hands, and he did, but when I asked for something else, he got angry—well, a bit more than angry, actually.”

“Did he hurt you, Izzy?”

“No, not physically.” I relax my shoulders and let go of all the air inside me, physically slumping now that it is out. Will he understand what I am trying to say? I hope so. I want to be open with him. For some unknown reason, I feel I can trust him.

“It’s just I told him it wasn’t a one-off thing I wanted to try, and he… doesn’t want that.” Seb sits motionless. My eyes drop down, unwilling to see what I think must be rejection in Seb’s face. I try to pull my hands away from his grip.

Seb grabs hold of my retreating hands and pulls them closer to him. “Izzy, are you asking me what I hope you are?”

I look up into his beautiful eyes. My world is lost in his hopeful gaze. Our eyes lock together and heat erupts from within me, warming my skin at this simple connection.

“Izzy, you need to be very clear with me on this.” I nod, my courage already used up. “You are telling me that you want to experience submission at my hands, to cross a line, in order for you to understand if this is what you truly desire. You want to know the reality of submission… not the fantasy in your head or the online world you get lost in. Understand what it really is like to put yourself in another’s hands—and you want it with me. Is this correct?”

I take in a breath, my mind racing in a million different directions. Did he just offer me more? Is this really happening? A smile spreads across my lips and I’m unable to stop the warmth that creeps across my cheeks. Our eyes still focus on each other. With my cheeks on fire, I nod. The hard grip he had on my hands gentles and his gaze softens. It is the only change in his expression. “But I’ll need…” I pause, trying to give my brain time to process. “I need you to hold my hand, to guide me. I don’t even know where to begin in this, and…”

“Shhh.”

I break eye contact, suddenly shy about what I’ve admitted. Shit, shit, shit.

“I understand.” He squeezes my fingers and chuckles.

I did it! My heart stampedes in my chest. If I don’t get my breathing in check, I’m going to pass out. I can’t look at him. My chest heaves with every breath. Adrenaline courses around my body. This is it.This is what has consumed my mind 24/7, and now I can’t look at him.

My stomach takes a nosedive as his finger lightly runs down my jaw and tips my head up until my eyes follow and meet his. “This is the address of my flat.” He hands me a beautiful, simple card with a few solitary lines of text. It’s the same thick card as the one he first gave me, but this one also has an address in the city.

“7:30, Tuesday evening. Take a deep breath, knock on my door and I’ll hold your hand. And, Isabel, don’t be late.”

Hearing my full name sends goose bumps across my skin. I’m struck by the intensity of the desire I feel for Seb as I look into his eyes. Aquamarine. They aren’t blue, but a brilliant aquamarine. Blues and greens mix into a bright and clear shade that I hope conceals a darker promise. He still shows little emotion. Smile. Please smile. Or something, anything. I silently plead with him to give me his trademark smile. Why did he call me Isabel? Is he cross with me? But I want to hear him call me Isabel again. Over and over.

“Sebastian,” I breathe. I finally see a response as his lips part to draw in a deep breath. “Okay.” I put a voice to my acceptance and follow it up with a shy smile. But before I have a chance to fully register everything, he stands and walks out. I feel shocked and vulnerable but aroused as hell.

 

Author Bio

Rachel De Lune writes emotionally driven erotic romance. She began scribbling her stories in the pages of a notebook several years ago. Today, she’s still scribbling stories of dominance and submission and is looking forward to releasing her début ‘The Evermore series’ to the world.

Rachel lives in the South West of England and daydreams about shoes, lingerie and chocolate, in-between being a mum and a wife. She would love to give up her day job to devote more time to her scribbles.  For every woman who’s ever desired more.

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Book: The Deception Series

Author: Isabella Need

Genre: Erotic Romance

Synopsis

Beautiful Deception (#1)

Jane Overholt is the no nonsense corporate intelligence specialist at a prestigious athletic management firm, but her ascent up the corporate ladder is cut short when handsome Logan Saeger arrives out of nowhere. Jane’s resentment of the new supervisor quickly fades though, and before long she finds it difficult to avoid the impossibly gorgeous man who stole her promotion.

Corporate security consultant Logan Saeger is eager to complete his first major field assignment: find the mole who’s been helping poach clients away from Sloan-Peterson Athletic Management and Development. Undercover as the new supervisor, Logan plans to get in, get the job done, and get out—but he didn’t count on falling for Jane Overholt.

Dark Deception (#2)

In the wake of another poached client, Logan Saeger and Jane Overholt are working overtime to corner the man they’re certain is behind the sabotage at Sloan-Peterson. In their down time, they can’t keep their hands off of each other, but when a threatening package arrives on Jane’s doorstep one night, she pushes Logan away and takes matters into her own hands.

Logan is desperate to tell Jane the real truth about his employment at Sloan-Peterson, but he can’t do so until he’s sure she’s not involved in the sabotage herself. When she rejects him out of nowhere, Logan is devastated. Still, his gut tells him that Jane is loyal to the company—until she mysteriously takes off with another man in the middle of the day, making Logan question everything he thought he knew.

Captivating Deception (#3)

 

Logan and Jane are closing in on the Sloan-Peterson saboteurs, but all is not what it seems. As the friction between the pair builds to a head, shocking new developments turn the investigation upside down, leading Logan to seek help from an old friend.

With the threat of blackmail still hanging over her head, Jane Overholt is anxious and desperate to get back to normal—until she receives a tempting offer and must choose between her old life and something entirely new. Once she decides, the only question left will be whether or not the man who makes her toes curl and her heart pound will still be a part of her future.

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Beautiful Deception

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Dark Deception

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Captivating Deception

Kindle: http://amzn.to/1ESZETE

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iBooks: http://apple.co/1Kg63si

Google Play: http://bit.ly/1Q7imY9

Kobo: http://bit.ly/1M2vbC8

Author Bio

Isabella Need is an author of erotic romance. Originally from New York, she lives in San Diego where, in a former life, she worked as a librarian. On the advice of her patrons, she picked up her first romance novel at the ripe age of twenty-six, and, after falling in love with the genre, she wrote her first saucy story a few years later. When she’s not curled up with a glass of wine and a good book, surfing the Pacific Ocean, or people watching in the Gaslamp with her long-term boyfriend.

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Oct. 26

• To Hale and Back by Marie James: Release Blitz & Giveaway

Book: To Hale and Back 
(Hale series conclusion)

Author: Marie James

Genre: Erotic Romance

Release Blitz – 26th-28th OctoberCOMPLETE SERIES NOW AVAILABLE

BOOKS 1 -3 FREE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED 

Meet the Men of the Hale Series!

Goodreads Book Link

Buy Links

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Synopsis

While this closely knit group of six tries to settle into normal; drugs, money, and vengeance leave one man dead and another in jail for a wide range of crimes he did not commit.

Friendships and bonds are tested past the breaking point, allegiances are questioned, and relationships threaten to crumble.  From the point of view of all six characters we’ve come to love, perspective is offered on the hell that they are all experiencing, the love they’ve all found, and the sexy, fairytale lives they all wish to get back to.

This is the final book in the Hale Series.

Recommended for readers 18 and up due to strong language and explicit sexual content.

Excerpt

I shake my head clear of those thoughts as I pull into and park in the subterranean garage. I all but jump out of the SUV and sprint to the elevator bank, in a mad rush to get to my penthouse. I’m chastising myself for not grabbing a bottle of wine or a late lunch for us as I unlock the door to the large apartment.

I empty my pockets into the basket on the front entry table. I smile to myself because I know Alexa hates the damn thing. I may actually move it this weekend. Anything to make her happy. I frown as I step further into the apartment and see that the living room and kitchen are empty. I should’ve called her first before just assuming she wouldn’t find something to do, knowing I’d be at work again until late.

I kick off my shoes and scoop them up as I make my way to the bedroom. The door is shut which is odd, but I don’t falter in my steps until I hear a man’s voice, “Fuck, just like that! Suck it deep.”

My hand hesitates on the doorknob, because I know when I swing it open my life is going to change. I teeter on the edge of indecision; my broken heart throbbing painfully in my chest. “I’m close, bitch.” I hear the masculine voice say.

Two things happen at the moment. I’m suddenly angry that Alexa is doing this to me when she thinks I’m at work, but alternately I’m pissed at this man for talking to my woman like that.

Hatred over the cheating wins out and I swing the door wide. My shoes tumble from my hands just as “What the fuck, Alexa,” boils out of my mouth.

She squeaks loudly and tries to pull the sheets over her but it’s too late. She’s already been caught.

Author Bio

Marie James, full-time working mother of two boys and wife of 11 years. I’ve spent almost my entire lifetime living in central Texas, with only short stays in South Carolina, Alabama, and Florida. I’ve always wanted to write novels and just recently had the gumption to sit down and start one. My passions include reading everything under the sun and sewing. I even listen to audio books while sewing. To Hale and Back is the final book in the Hale Series.

I have several other story lines worked out for other books once this series is complete. Reading and writing is my happy place.

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All 4 Books in the Series Now Available:

Book 1 Coming to Hale (Free on KU)

Book 2 Begging for Hale (Free on KU)

Book 3 Hot as Hale (Free on KU)

Coming to Hale

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Hot as Hale

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Sept. 22

• Surviving Him by Dawn A. Keane: Blog Tour & Giveaway
  

Surviving Him by Dawn A. Keane

Genre: Contemporary Romance Suspense – Dark

Goodreads

Synopsis

Dark erotic romance contains subject matter some might find distressing, also violence and sexual scenes. Not suitable for readers under the age of 18.

An explosive love story of a mother, and her struggle to be with the love of her life, against all odds.

Logan is strong, sexy, and the type of father that Dana’s daughters deserve in their lives. Dana’s life is rocked by tragedy, she is forced into running from her psychotic ex-husband, Ian, and it seems he’s determined to keep them apart. Left with nowhere else to turn Dana and her girls seek shelter in a women’s refuge in Manchester, where Dana finds lifelong friendships in the other women who live there. Sisters brought together by despair that haunts them every single day, but the laughter they bring keeps out the darkness that is Dana’s past, she hopes she can find herself again. But a life away from Logan and his ability to ignite the flame deep inside her is almost unbearable. Dana’s not the only one, Logan will fight anyone and anything to be back in Dana’s arms again. Can they carve out an existence for their fiery passion amid Ian’s rage?

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Author Bio

I was brought up in Manchester and I am now living in the beautiful Scottish borders with my three children.

I have enjoyed writing my story as I had a pretty hard upbringing and have suffered like everyone does over the years in different situations, but everyone has a story to tell.

I just hope my story can help someone out there who is, or has been through the same sorts of situations as myself.

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Prologue

The Women’s Aid worker, Pam, seems like a kind lady with short, blonde hair, and concerned grey eyes as she sits opposite me behind her desk with a sympathetic look on her face. A pen and a notebook are situated in front of her and she is listening to my every word, while I tell her of the abuse I suffered at the hands of my ex-husband. All because of a bloody tap.

I turned the tap on as slowly as I could to fill up the kettle, and the water pipe made a loud screeching sound, a rumbling that shook through the whole house. It did that every time the tap was turned on. Ian was in bed and it woke him up. He was so angry with me, he jumped out of the bed, ran down the stairs towards me and started having a complete meltdown, going completely ballistic at me for waking him up. I shook with fear his as his eyes blazed with anger; a murderous violence poured from him as he glared down at me. He started shouting at me for turning the tap on the wrong way. He said that I was a stupid fool for not knowing how do it properly. I didn’t realize there was a right way to do it. I was so frightened because I knew what was coming next.

Ian lost it completely and flew at me so fast my head spun. He was shouting and swearing; he was beyond being in control of his temper. I was scared out of my mind. I trembled as my throat closed. I proceeded to beg him not to hurt me. I pleaded with him, but it didn’t do any good. He flew at me again and punched me so hard in the face that I fell on my knees on the floor. Ian didn’t want to hear anything I had to say. He got right in my face with his forehead firmly pressed up against mine, pushing me down and shaking me with the force. “You’re pathetic. You don’t even know how to do a simple thing. Not knowing how to turn on a tap quietly, you stupid bitch.” He punched me again and again. “Next time, yeah,” he shouted, “Do it fucking right.” He punched me on the right side of my jaw. I could no longer hold myself up.

I slowly agreed that I was pathetic for not knowing how to turn the damn tap on correctly, then my head smashed on the floor full force.

I could feel the blow to my eyes as he repeatedly hit me over and over and again. Black spots filled my vision then everything turned black. When I came to, I couldn’t believe what was happening to me, and Kayleigh. Was she ever going to be safe? What sort of mum am I to let this happen? How can I stop it? I believed that I must have deserved everything I went through. I must have one of those faces men want to injure. Ian left me alone and went to his sister’s house to calm down. I went to the bathroom and splashed my face with cold water, and it hurt so much I winced; the pain was excruciating. The water slowly soothed my face, stinging slightly with each splash. I couldn’t see very well as my eyelids had swelled and were changing colour, my tears stinging the open wounds. My head was in so much pain, I put my face back into the water in the sink to soothe it.

I looked up into the mirror; I was a complete mess. No amount of make-up was going to cover it up; it felt like my heart would pop through my chest, it was racing so hard. 

All I wanted to do was go and see my mum and tell her what happened, ask her for help. But I knew she would be disappointed in me. I couldn’t call her and tell her, she would think I’m such a failure. I stared at my broken reflection in the mirror trying to figure out what I had done to deserve this and I couldn’t. I was so shocked, so scared out of my mind. Ian was back in no time at all with a box of chocolates, like that made it all ok again. He said he was a psychotic human being. He kept saying how sorry he was, so sorry for what he had done, so sorry for losing control and that he couldn’t believe he had hurt his woman. He promised me it would never happen again, but the damage was already done.

Book 2: Surviving You – Coming Soon

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Aug. 24

• Dominate by Sexxa Kohl: Blog Tour

• Twenty-One by Clarissa Wild: Cover Reveal & Giveaway

 

Book: Dominate

Author: Sexxa Kohl

Genre: BDSM Erotic Romance

Goodreads Book Link

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iTunes

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Synopsis

At Club Climax, men get more than they bargain for when they ask for me. Behind those doors, I don’t submit… I dominate. Men love it when I overpower them, when I take control. Some pay me obscene amounts to whip and degrade them, all to fulfill their own sick proverbial pleasures. But truth be told, it fulfills mine too. Every lash I deliver, every harsh action or word is for the girl that once had no control. The girl I will never be again. Not for anyone.

Being on the run, I can’t trust anyone. It’s the only way I can keep us safe. That’s right… us. When I walk out these club doors, I become someone else. I become Mommy. One thing is for sure, I will stop at nothing to protect him.

But sometimes the danger finds you, no matter how much you run, no matter how well you hide. My name is Devyn Wilder, but you know me as Honey. And this is my very fucked up story.

Author Bio

Sexxa Kohl is a sexy sassy Southern bitch who ADORES sex. DUH! Her favorite hobbies include burning up the sheets with her delicious husband, achieving multiple screaming orgasms in new and unusual places, and flashing her tits to the world. She proudly admits to having a tiny bit of male eye candy addiction (Okay, she’s a total man- candy whore).

Sexxa both embraces and expresses her natural sexuality fully in her writing. It is her dream to, one day, stage a massive intervention for the boring prudes of the world who believe the missionary position is erotic.

“SEEK HELP IMMEDIATELY” she screams!

Sexxa resides outside Nashville with her hot husband and their massive collection of sex toys. She aspires to spice up your world and dampen your panties.

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Title: Twenty-One (21)

Author: Clarissa Wild

Publication Date: October 7th, 2015

Genre: Dark Romance (18+)
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25143793-twenty-one

Synopsis

21 years
On her 21st birthday she’s taken. Collected by a rich family as an unpaid debt. Her body sold. Her mind his.
21 weeks
For 21 weeks she carried a burden no girl should ever have to carry. Now she loses her freedom to a man born to destroy her.
21 days
His name: Angel DeLuca. His mission: to break her in 21 days before she sees through his lies. But she won’t give up without a fight.
21 minutes
It takes only 21 minutes for their lives to be forever entwined.
21 seconds
21 seconds to spill. Time is running out.

Secrets ruin them … but not all truths are worth the price.

This is a STANDALONE Dark Romance novel. WARNING: contains explicit situations, dubious consent, graphic violence, drug abuse, and other disturbing content.

Exclusive preorder on: iBooks

Excerpt:

(Copyright 2015 Clarissa Wild. Unedited. Subject to change.)

Day 1

Sky

A
never-ending darkness shrouds me, the surrounding void like space, swallowing me whole. Eyes open or eyes shut, it doesn’t make a difference to the vast emptiness around me. It seeps into my bones like poison, clouding my mind from the memories that I had.

Where am I?

My body feels cold, and my limbs solid, like they’re not mine. I notice myself breathing, however. The only thing I hear is the steady, rhythmic beating of my heart. The only sound in this dark hole. Thud, thud … thud.

For a moment I doubt my own existence.

Who am I, even?

A drop of water falling onto a surface pulls me back into reality. I’m here, but how?

My fingers tighten and relax in an attempt to regain control. My muscles feel stiff, but slowly the sensation is returning to the tips of my fingers, giving me a small bit of hope that I might find out what happened to me.

With slow movements, I let my hand slide only a few inches, but it’s enough to determine that I’m lying on a concrete floor. My head begins to hurt and every passing second the pain increases. I move my fingers to my head and touch the back of my scalp. The searing pain stops me and tells me I’m wounded.

When I touch my face I gasp. There is a bag over my head with a hole near my mouth and nose through which I can breathe. For a second, I contemplate removing it, but then I realize they might be watching me.

A buzz moves through my body, bringing life back to my limbs. And even though I’m regaining my sense of touch, my vision is still impaired. However, my eyes feel fine as I touch them, so it must be the lack of light.

I push my elbows underneath me and lean up. A sudden queasiness overtakes me, causing me to buckle and heave. I puke on the floor beside me, which surprises me, because I hardly ever puke.

I tally up the sensations that I’m feeling. Nausea, loss of motor skills, buzzing nerves, botched memory … it all leads to one conclusion: I was drugged.

Stabilizing myself on the floor, I focus on regaining control over my body before moving again. This place is unfamiliar to me, and I dig into my mind to find clues as to how I ended up here. The pain that’s slowly creeping to the surface of my skin distracts me, but I still manage to catch a glimpse of a memory in the back of my mind.

Men with black masks and fire weapons dragging me out of a room. A cloth with a sharp odor pushed against my mouth. Drowsiness engulfing me. A big SUV, also black, doors sliding to the side. A blow to the back of my head. All lights went out.

My skin pricks with anxiety, and I shiver to shake off the fear. It doesn’t help, because I know deep down that there is more to come.

There is one question in my mind that can’t help but repeat itself. Why me?

This is the single question every victim of abduction asks.

Except, I already know the answer.

It was only a matter of time before they came for me.

My papa once told me that goodness always comes at a price. Now more than ever, do I realize the truth in his words. However, I don’t regret making the decision for even a second.

Now, I’m here in a darkness so deep it consumes me whole.

And still the light of rebellion sparks inside my heart, fueling a fire I haven’t felt before. An uncontrollable need to defy whoever is keeping me here.

But I will wait. Lying in the cold, harsh, emptiness of this space, I will await my captor’s arrival and take whatever he’s going to give me. Punishment. Pain. I’ll endure it all.

Because that’s what a good person does when they’ve made their choice.

They bear the burden of their choice, because it’s the only thing they can do.

***

I don’t know how many hours pass before a noise wakes me. I can’t remember when and how I fell asleep, but I must’ve been very tired from the ordeal. A metallic door is slid open, a crack of light splitting through the opening. The burlap bag over my head makes it difficult to see, but when I narrow my eyes and focus I can still determine where I am.

Only now do I see how small my cell really is.

The vast emptiness I thought would overwhelm me, turns out to be not much more than a bedroom-sized cell. A quick look at the walls reveals iron rings of all shapes and sizes, used to hook a chain around and snare whoever needs to be contained and subdued.

In other words; me.

Squinting, I watch as a man steps inside, and I focus solely on his presence. Even though the door is open, and freedom is luring me on the other side, I stay put and watch. No matter how much I’d try, I’d never be able to flee. Not like this, with my muscles weak and my body aching. There are probably a bunch of guards waiting outside, wondering whether I’m going to try anything.

So I won’t. I’ll sit right here on this cold, hard concrete, observing my captor as he walks into the room with a certain aloofness. His feet are bold, his body brawny, his face hiding behind a Guy Fawkes mask. If I weren’t so scared, I would’ve pondered why he chose that specific mask to conceal his identity, but now is not that time.

His footsteps sound more like sand scraping off a harsh surface as he circles
around me like a snake ready to attack its prey. The door is left open like a silent seducer, a tool to entice me to run. I look up at my captor, giving him a deadly stare, and even though I can’t see him, I know he can feel the determination in me.

I won’t let myself be tempted to flee like a wounded deer.

Not when I know that this is merely a distraction, like a lollypop being dangled in front of a child while the adult knows full well he’s never going to give it to the child, and the child knows he can never reach far enough to grasp it.

I refuse to be that child.

My captor walks some more, and then returns to the door to close it.

His experiment failed.

I control my emotions.

He doesn’t know who he’s up against.

In the darkness I hear him come closer, the only sound being his steady breath and soft steps. He’s still testing me. Seeing if I’ll give in to the fear. Alone with him, the predator, in a cage filled with blackness. But I’m not afraid of the dark.

My soul has already been tainted and defiled. Nothing he does can hurt me. I already went past the breaking point once … and I survived.

“Up.”

The sound of his voice suddenly breaking through the façade makes me take in a breath. It’s familiar and yet so unknown, the way he speaks to me with full authority, resoluteness resounding in every spoken letter, even if there are few.

I crawl up from the ground, slowly, steadily, maintaining my posture. My aching back and pounding head won’t stop me from attempting to keep my dignity as I stand up straight and stare ahead.

My captor’s steps are everywhere, resounding in the darkness like echoes that disappear into the night. He’s confusing me, and I try not to concentrate on the sound, but on my own heartbeat instead.

Suddenly, he’s right in front of me, and the air is sucked out of my lungs. I struggle not to let my breath come out in short gasps, but I won’t let his tactics work on me.

His breathing sounds like that of a bull, short and loud, as if he’s readying for charge.

But he doesn’t move. He just stands there, gazing at me.

“Do you know where you are?” he asks with a low, gruff voice that brings goose bumps to my body.

I compose myself before I answer. “No.”

“Good.”

I can hear a faint smile behind that word, but the second my eyebrows move, he puts his hands on my chest and shoves me. I fall down backwards on the hard floor, bruising my groin.

After a while, he says. “Do you know why you’re here?”

I don’t answer. I refuse to. Why would I? He is only here to intimidate and hurt me. There’s no benefit for me in answering his questions. As a matter of fact, I think he owes me some answers instead.

“Why am I here?” I ask.

He’s silent for a few seconds, and then a smug laugh is dulled by the mask.

“Bold. I like that.”

“Who are you?” I ask, putting emphasis on every word as if they’re the last that’ll come from my mouth.

He muffles another laugh. “Who am I? I am the man who will break you.”

I shake my head, still lying on the floor as if I’m taunting him. Maybe I am. I want him to speak, and for that to happen, I have to be the one asking the questions, not the other way around.

“Where am I?”

“Where you belong,” he growls, and then he takes a step forward, grabs my arm, and pulls me up from the floor.

“Why—”

Smack. His hand hits my cheek, silencing me.

“You do not talk unless spoken to.”

My head is still to the right, as I refuse to look at him. I will not bow to his violence. If he hits me, my body will remain rigid, unmoving. Not an inch of pain will exude from me.

“You may be wondering why you’re here, but you’re forgetting the most important question. What have you done to be here?”

My lip quivers, so I force it to stop. I can’t show weakness. Not now, not ever.

He grabs my chin. “You don’t seem to remember, so let me refresh your memory,” he says. “You stole something. It’s time to give it back. You have twenty-one days to come up with an answer.” He pulls me closer with a pinch. “Lie and I’ll know. Do you understand?”

I nod while blankly staring at his mask. If I’m to obey to survive, I’ll do just that, but no one can take away my pride.

He let’s go of my chin and pushes me away. “It’s time for you to pay back what you owe.”

Fear ripples through my veins. “Pay what back?” I say, taking a step forward.

He shoves me so hard my back hits the wall and the air is ripped from my chest. I sink to my knees against it.

“Don’t think I will go easy on you. Just because I know about you, doesn’t mean I won’t rip you apart if you don’t tell me the truth.”

“What truth?” I gasp. “What do you know about me?”

He turns around, but waits, standing still in the darkness with only the sound of ragged breaths filling the room.

“You tell me,” he says, his voice softer than before, almost as if he himself doesn’t know the reason.

Frowning, I look up at him, and for some reason the way he cracks his knuckles feels so familiar.

But then the feeling immediately disappears as he starts walking toward the door.

“Wait, you haven’t told me why I’m here yet. How am I supposed to know what to tell you?”

I can hear him knock on the door. Then there’s a pause. “Oh … you’ll now soon enough.”

The forewarning brings chills to my skin.

The door opens with a squeak and in comes the blinding light again. It’s so bright, my captor’s clothes almost look pale as snow. But then I realize that’s only because I haven’t seen light in such a long time … and I won’t be seeing it any time soon.

The last words he speaks remain with me for the rest of the day, echoing in my mind over and over again. “Welcome to your own personal hell.”

Author

 

Clarissa Wild is a New York Times & USA Today Bestselling author, best known for the dark Romance novel Mr. X. Her novels include the Fierce Series, the Delirious Series, and Stalker. She is also a writer of erotic romance such as the Blissful Series, The Billionaire’s Bet series, and the Enflamed Series. She is an avid reader and writer of sexy stories about hot men and feisty women. Her other loves include her furry cat friend and learning about different cultures. In her free time she enjoys watching all sorts of movies, reading tons of books and cooking her favorite meals.

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Aug. 17

• Dutch by Madhuri Blaylock: Cover Reveal & Giveaway
  

Book: Dutch (The Keeper Series #1)

Author: Madhuri Blaylock

Genre: Erotic Romance

A dark raunchy romance 

Releases 12th October

 

Synopsis:

Arrogant, handsome, and detached, deadly assassin Dutch Mathew has an insatiable appetite for bourbon, cigarettes, and women. A Keeper for The Gate, the shadowy organization designed to control Death and her Poochas, those reclaimers helping the dead cross back to life, he has three simple rules for anyone sharing his bed: no talking, no kissing, no touching.

Juma Landry is all about talking and kissing and touching. The more talking and kissing and touching, the better.

And as one of Death’s Poochas, the best in fact, she is Dutch’s next assignment. He is tasked with ending each and every one of her nine lives but with her sharp banter, beautiful smile, and hips made for all kinds of wickedness, she isn’t going to make that easy.

Set in New York City and Trivandrum, Dutch, The Keeper Series Book One, is a unique and sexy urban fairytale – a must read for anyone who likes their raunch with a twist of romance and a hint of magic. 

Watch for it to hit shelves 12th October

Pre-order links

Amazon UK
Amazon US

Meet the Author:

Madhuri is that Indian girl everyone thinks is Black, or Spanish, or Black and Spanish. She’s from down South, has lived in the New York City area for more than twenty years, and is proof that you can take the girl out of the South, but you can’t take the South out of the girl.

She loves Old Scout bourbon, tattoos, french fries, Gabriel Garcia Marquez, her mom’s Indian food, all kinds of naughty, filthy things, Friday Night Lights, coffee, and Martha’s Vineyard. She can wiggle her ears, flare her nostrils, and curl her tongue.

She is an introvert who can fool people into thinking she’s an extrovert, all the while wishing she was home alone, not having to speak to a soul, lost in a fantastical world of her own creation.

As the great Charles Bukowski said, she writes because it comes bursting out of her. She cannot stop it, nor does she want to.

She’s the author of the paranormal romance trilogy, The Sanctum, and the upcoming erotic romance, The Keeper Series. In a past life, when she was much sweeter and kind of shy, she developed and published the middle reader series, Ayesha’s Teenage Survival Files.

She does other things to pay the bills.

Social Links:

Website: https://madhuriblaylock.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thesanctumtrilogy?fref=ts

Twitter: https://twitter.com/@madhuriblaylock/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7323620.Madhuri_Blaylock

 

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Books, Photos & a little bit of everything else: Aug. 7

• Emergence by Olivia Hayes: Cover Reveal & Giveaway
  

 

Book: Emergence

Author: Olivia Hayes

Genre: Erotic Romance

Goodreads Book Link

Pre-order link: Amazon US

Pre-order link: Amazon UK

Synopsis

Carson Foster has always been a lady’s man, sweet talking his way into panties night after night. He was a love ’em and leave ’em kind of guy until a raven haired beauty walked into his life, rocks his world, and disappears before morning. After fruitlessly searching for her and reeling from a taste of his own medicine, Carson decides to clean up his act and change his ways.

Sneaking away from her unfaithful and emotionally abusive husband for a night to interview for a new job, Louise Evans meets a sexy, sandy haired stranger, who gives her a glimpse of everything she’s been missing. Now, after landing her dream job, divorcing her bastard of a husband, moving to a new city, and unexpectedly becoming a mother, Lou is more determined than ever to get her life on the right path.

When Carson and Lou suddenly come face to face the recognition is immediate and the sparks fly. While they are both willing to forgive each other for their past deceptions, Lou is still hiding a secret so big it threatens to destroy the very foundation of their new relationship. When past and present collide and the truth is revealed, will everything be torn apart or will their love for one another be enough to withstand destruction?

Author Bio

Olivia Hayes is a native of Savannah, Georgia and now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her loving husband and two children. With her southern roots, Olivia dreamt of one day writing books with the backdrop of coastal Georgia and South Carolina. When she’s not reading, writing, or working her day job, Olivia enjoys spending time entertaining friends and family.

Social Links

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OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES (Both books can be read stand alone)

Book 1: Awakening – Free for a limited time 7th – 9th August

Amazon US  http://amzn.to/1IWZvNX

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/1RenESW

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