Friday, December 30, 2022

Kiss Me, My Duke by Fenna Edgewood ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #KissMeMyDuke #FennaEdgewood #HistoricalRomance

 

Kiss Me, My Duke by Fenna Edgewood 

#2 The Blakeley Manor Series


Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Steamy Regency Romance

Date Published: December 29, 2022

Publisher: WOLF Publishing


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In this simmering steamy Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Fenna Edgewood, a handsome but arrogant duke and a prim young housekeeper join forces in a dangerous endeavour… only to find out that falling in love will be the greatest risk of all.


Lost: One duke's sister. Found: The unexpected love of a lifetime.

Edmund "Dare" Blakeley, the Duke of Dareford, is on a mission to find his younger sister who has been ruthlessly abducted. The only problem? He needs the help of his housekeeper to do it.

Before she was his servant, she had another name… and all of London swooning at her feet.

Miss Laurel Spencer has no wish to cavort with a duke–even if he is her brother-in-law. In her younger days, she saw how love can utterly destroy a woman.

But when the duke's younger sister and Laurel's elder brother go missing, she reluctantly agrees to accompany Dare to London to search for them.

As Laurel calls upon old friends in low places, including the most notorious gaming hell in London, her past begins to resurrect itself. Soon Dare is forced to realize how little he knows about the enigmatic woman by his side... and how desperate he is to uncover everything he can about her.

One reckless moment of passion…

Suddenly, a missing sister is the least of Dare's worries. After a wild night in Laurel's bed, his happiness hinges on proving his love is sincere... to a woman terrified of ever risking her heart, even if it means becoming his duchess.

As the Blakeley family mysteries are uncovered, not everyone is glad to see the truth coming to light… and one man will do anything to see that it stays buried.


 About the Author:

Fenna Edgewood writes swoon-worthy, humorous stories of love, family, and adventure. In other words, the most important things in life! She is an award-winning retired academic who has studied English literature for most of her life. After a twenty-five-year hiatus from writing romance as a twelve-year-old, she has returned to the genre with a bang. Fenna has lived and traveled across North America, most notably above the Arctic Circle.

 

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RABT Book Tours & PR

Cover Reveal ~ Apex Predator by Cara Dee (The Game, #11) ~ Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance ~ @XpressoTours @caradeewrites

Apex Predator
Cara Dee
(The Game, #11)
Publication date: January 24th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, LGBTQ+ Romance, Romance

About the Book:

Ring in the new year with Lane, Macklin, Walker, and Ty as a group of Mclean members head down to Florida for some fun. More info to come.

Add to Goodreads 

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Meet the Author:

I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex.

There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly.

Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.

I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

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Thursday, December 29, 2022

One Hundred Dreams Kelly Collins (An Aspen Cove Romance, #22) ~ #ContemporaryRomance #Romance @kcollinsauthor #EnterforaChance

One Hundred Dreams
Kelly Collins
(An Aspen Cove Romance, #22)
Publication date: December 29th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romance

He’s a man trying to keep things under control.
She’s a woman yearning to break free.
Is this a disaster waiting to happen or a love story in the making?

About the Book: 

Actress Cameron Madden is sick and tired of being tired. With her last movie failing at the box office and her career in question, she heads to Aspen Cove to lick her wounds. The small mountain town is the perfect place to escape the prying eyes of a critical public, the demands of her career, and the rules set by her team. Expecting a female bodyguard named Valery, she’s shocked to find the script has been flipped and Valery is a tall, dark, and annoying man who goes by Val. The first thing he does is hand her a set of rules—his rules. And she plans to break every one of them.

The last thing bodyguard Valery Armstrong wants to do is babysit an actress, but when the job comes in, he is the only one available. Saving the day and picking up the pieces is what he’s been doing since his father passed away. That single event ten years ago taught him one thing—prepare for every possibility. Before agreeing to take on Cameron, he asks himself how difficult could one woman be? When he arrives, he hands her the list, then watches as she gifts him with a heart-stopping smile—right before tearing the page to pieces. How difficult could one woman be? Cameron Madden is about to show him.

Aspen Cove, where rules are made to be broken…

Add to Goodreads / Purchase from Amazon

Read an Excerpt:

He pulled an envelope from his pocket and handed it to her. “These are my rules.”

She seemed to sink in front of him, but it was a momentary muscle lapse before that invisible string pulled her back up. Only this time, it seemed to drag her forward to stand in front of him. She swiped the envelope from his hand and tore open the flap. Once she drew out the single page with his rules, she let the envelope fall to the floor.

He watched as her eyes moved across the page. Second by second, they grew until he was sure they’d pop from her skull.

She raised her head and stared at him. “Are you serious?”

“Why would I give you that if I wasn’t serious?”

“It’s a page with one rule. You said rules.”

He smiled. “I don’t need more than one.”

She glanced at the paper and lifted her head. “You make all the rules?” She stared at him like he’d sprouted a horn in the center of his forehead.

“That’s my one rule. Take it or leave it.”

Her jaw dropped, and she took a step back. “What are you going to do? Leave?” She tore the page in half and let the pieces fall to the marble floor next to the envelope. “You’re not the boss, and you don’t make the rules.”

“Wrong.” He turned around, walked back to the elevator, pushed the button, and waited.

“You’re seriously leaving? How am I supposed to get to Colorado?”

He took several cleansing breaths before he spun around to face her. “Nothing has changed. You have a flight waiting at Los Angeles International Airport. It will take you to Denver, where you’ll have to get a ride to Aspen Cove. Rent a car. It’s only a few hours’ drive from there to your destination.”

She seemed to wobble on her heels. “You’re abandoning me?”

He shook his head. “I’m not. I gave you my rules, and you dismissed them. You don’t get to be the top private security firm in the country if you break your own rules, and my only rule is I make the rules.” The elevator door opened, and he stepped inside. “I’ll give you ten minutes to decide. If you’re not down in the lobby by then, I’ll leave. It’s that simple.”

She opened her mouth to speak, but the doors closed before she could get a word out.


Meet the Author:

Like FREEBIES? Join the VIP readers at http://bit.ly/KellyCollinsFreeBook for members-only exclusives!

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International bestselling author of more than thirty novels, Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping love alive. Always a romantic, she blends real-life events with her vivid imagination to create characters and stories that lovers of contemporary romance, new adult, and romantic suspense will return to again and again.

Kelly has sold more than a quarter of a million books worldwide, and in 2021 she was awarded a Readers' Favorite Award Gold Medal in the Contemporary Romance category for A Tablespoon of Temptation.

You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

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Siba - The Eternal Quest by B. Singh ~ #Fantasy ~ @GoddessFish

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

About the Book:

An epic journey of adventure, heroism, and self-exploration through the eyes of a teenage boy named Siba.
Siba’s life takes an exciting turn when his pet parrot takes him to a magical forest. He explores the mysterious forest-dwellers and the precious ancient wisdoms of the fantasy world when a sudden tragedy jeopardizes life on earth. To save the world, he must embark on a legendary journey to the Pole Star.
Siba encounters many mythical creatures and numerous thrilling challenges that jolt him to his core. They leave burning questions in his mind about the world and his own existence. He must dive into the dark labyrinths of his mind, for the last hope of saving humanity seems to be hidden there.
Can he solve the mysteries of the mystical world and his inner world? Can he complete his journey to the Pole Star and save the world?

A perfect blend of fantasy, mysticism, and spirituality that explores the answer to the eternal question – Who Am I?

Genre:

Fantasy

Read an Excerpt:

Master Sung Tzu smilingly stared at the demoralized boy. “Don’t worry. The Great Forest has sent you to the right place. I’ll help you. Close your eyes and tell me what you see?”

Siba closed his eyes and replied, “I don’t see anything. It’s just dark and black.”

“Try harder. Try to see what’s going on in your body, in your mind, in your thoughts.”

“No, Master. I still don’t see anything.”

“You can’t see because you are not focused. Let’s say, focus on a dog. Do you see it now?”

“Yes, Master. I see Limpoo.”

“Limpoo? What’s Limpoo? I said dog.”

“Limpoo is my dog. I see him running toward me.”

“Oh! Ok! Where is he running? On the road or the ground? Where?”

“Nowhere. He’s just running on a black background. There’s nothing else, only him.”

“That’s enough. Open your eyes. That black background is your mind’s eye and part of it formed the colorful moving image of the dog. Some say, it’s the third eye. You can visualize anything in that eye. In fact, whatever your two eyes see, their image is actually formed in your mind’s eye. Not only the eyes but the processing of information from your other senses also takes place there. Your sensory organs are just tools to collect outside information. It’s the mind’s eye, which actually sees, smells, tastes, hears, and feels.”

About the Author:

B. Singh grew up in a small city, Chandigarh, located near the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in northwest India. Since his childhood, he has always had an inquisitive mindset. He doesn’t settle for the pre-existing answers if they don’t make sense to him. Instead, he explores, experiments, and finds the answer himself. He has traveled across India from north to south not only for his education but also to explore different cultures and values. To continue his journey of exploration, he moved from India to Canada. After graduating from the University of Windsor, Canada, he conceived the idea of compiling his learnings in the form of a spiritual fantasy book. This well-crafted and awe-inspiring adventurous journey into a fantasy world is full of chiseled gems of wisdom that will enrich the lives of every human being on earth.

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Tuesday, December 27, 2022

Blood of the Hunted by Marc R. Micciola @MarcMicciola ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #BloodoftheHunted #MarcRMicciola #Fantasy

 

Fantasy

Date Published: December 15th 2022

 

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Weylyn, Olwen, and other members of the marginalized and subjugated group known as the Tóráin are trying every day to gain equality and freedom. Their enemies, which consist of vile human monarchs, their soldiers, and a masked witch assassin known only as The Dove, continue to tighten their grip around the necks of the Tóráin.

Leading The Resistance, Weylyn and Olwen endure many trials that test them physically and mentally, relying on their loved ones to keep them from losing hope. They both wish to see a time of equality and peace, but to achieve that requires more than what they have. Desperation leads The Resistance to find new allies all across the continent of Kosavros with the goal of finally defeating their oppressive overseers.

Their fight for freedom and respect leads Weylyn and Olwen down paths that open their eyes to new dangers, both involving themselves and the rest of the world. However, they do not waiver. For the Tóráin are known for their resilience, and they have already endured much. What comes next will be hard, but they’re ready to fight for their lives. Together.


Read the Prologue:


Weylyn

Cloque, Fleuris  |  November 1789


I tried to ignore the hateful screams coming from the crowd. The insults were shouted in both the common language and Fleuran, with someone even yelling a curse in the old language priests used. Things had already been thrown onto the stage by people who hoped to strike the lycan that was tied up for all to see. I kept my hood high so that I could remain as hidden as possible. I tried to slouch to hide my height while being sure to avoid eye contact with those around me. I had always been proud to be a lycan, and the lack of horns or colored skin was doing wonders for me right now. My satyr friends — as well as the sprites I knew — would have a much harder time blending in with the crowd today than I would. That was if anyone had taken the risk to come. Uncle Benen had refused to allow Brina and me to leave the house, but I snuck out the window late last night and hid in an alley until afternoon came. I could have gone to Ossian’s house, but the satyr would have just tried to keep me inside like Uncle Benen had. I couldn’t stay away. I couldn’t hide. I needed to be here for him. Even if the smartest and safest thing for the Tóráin in the city was to stay inside, I had to be where I was. Deep down, I knew all of the Tóráin felt the same way. We couldn’t abandon him now, not when he needed us the most.

Tears started to fill my eyes as I watched the soldiers bark out instructions to the witches, the women casting spells to torment the brave lycan they had restrained. I was mad at myself for doing so, but I looked away. I looked up, blinking away the water from my eyes as I stared at the looming image of the Sainte Mère Cathedral. I inspected the spires and the stained-glass window high above us as I tried to gather myself. The gothic church’s shadow stretched over nearly the entirety of Dame Square, swallowing the crowd in darkness despite the sun shining brightly in the afternoon sky. After taking a deep breath, I forced myself to look back down at the stage. The image I saw would give every single Tórán who had braved the crowds today a great pain in their heart. The lycan before me meant a lot to our community. He was always empowering those who were deemed devils simply because they were different. We all knew we were hated, but that lycan made us feel like we were worth something. He made me who I am today, and now I had to watch someone take him from me. Today, they were executing the most important person in my life: my father.

The pain I felt was not only the anticipation of loss, but also the knowledge that I could do nothing to stop it. All I could do was stand there, at the front of the crowd, and stare up at my father. He was tied up to two poles and spread uncomfortably. The witches had forced him into his feral shape, no doubt to make him appear to be the monster they would portray him to be. Humans continued to throw food at him, some even threw stones. No one stopped them. The officers and witches weren’t focused on the wrong doings of humans today. Their eyes were fixed on our kind. ‘Diables’, they called us. Beings from another world that many would see eradicated if it were up to them. Today was about sending a certain message to our kind, while sending a completely different one to their own. We were to be humbled and defeated, while humans would be propped up and celebrated. A story would be told on that stage, and none of my kind were supposed to enjoy it. I stared at my father’s face, hoping he would look up and lock eyes with me. For a moment it seemed like it would happen, but I was shoved from behind and forced to turn around.

“I knew I smelled a stray chien. You salauds aren’t allowed to mingle with us up here. Back of the crowd, Diable.”

I looked back over my shoulder at my father to catch him looking right at me. I refused to show weakness. “I’m staying right where I am.”

One of the young men who had confronted me raised a fire poker in the air, but he never got around to actually hitting me with it. A slender hand attached to a lean arm grasped his wrist and he grew red in the face.

“Rosey!” he whined. “What are you doing? He started it!”

Rosalie — my very best friend and one of the few people I knew I could trust outside of my father — was a human. Not even a witch. She was just a regular, wonderful, human. Her parents had helped mine for years since I was a pup. We grew up together, and despite my clear edge in strength, she was always rescuing me from ignorant assholes. The teen harassing me dropped his weapon and used his other hand to reach for Rosalie’s shoulder.

 “Don’t call me Rosey, “ she said as she grabbed his outstretched hand and twisted his fingers roughly. “And I highly doubt Weylyn started anything. Leave us alone or your father will find out just how much of a petit con you’ve been.”

The boy’s face scrunched up before he left through the crowd, massaging his injured hand. His friends followed him, prompting Rosalie to let out a deep sigh before fixing her dress. She grabbed a hold of my arm, laced her fingers through mine, and looked up at my father. The two of us stood there, trying to send him our strength for what felt like hours until trumpets sounded. Up the steps came King Louis, soaking in all the praise the majority of the crowd was giving him. He eventually waved at them to quiet down so he could speak, and I knew that what came next would make my blood boil.

“Gens de Cloque!” King Louis shouted with a pompous grin on his face. “I have been a just king, have I not? I have been a gracious, and bountiful king, have I not? Under my rule, all have prospered! Yet we still have...ordures...that want to see that lovely life tarnished. This monstre murdered ten officers. Dix protecteurs! For that heinous crime, the only plausible sentence is death! But first, we will make an example out of him!”

The crowd roared. The group of witches and officers stood ready now, surrounding the stage as torturers began whipping my father. He kept his fur covered head held high, defiant despite his pain. The people whipping him moved on to more forms of torture, dragging on the inevitable much to the enjoyment of the crowd. They cut at his ears, pulled his teeth, removed his fingertips, and even branded him with the royal sigil of Fleuris. Not once did my father cry out in pain. Not once did he give them the satisfaction they wanted. What they were doing to him had brought tears to my eyes yet again, but I also felt a sense of pride in seeing the strength my father was showing. The torturers looked at the king with lost expressions on their faces, prompting King Louis to rise from his chair and draw the saber at his waist. He began carving his prisoner. He sliced at his arms, and then his legs, then his back, and then his chest. All that and yet, still, there were no cries out for mercy or even a grunt from the pain. Now visibly angry, King Louis grabbed my father by the snout and shouted at him.

“Why must you defy me? You’re dead, Diable, there’s nothing to fight for anymore! Scream like I know you want to! Show everyone the lâche we know you to be!”

His face was bloodied and swollen, but at that moment I knew that he was looking at me. Our eyes finally locked, and I squeezed Rosalie’s hand. I took a small step forward, but Rosalie held me back. I looked down to see her crying as she shook her head. Bringing my attention back to my father, I found my eyes to be drowning in tears so much that it was hard to see. It all felt so hopeless...until he howled. Right in the face of the bastard that had committed so many wrongs to him and his kind, my father howled to the sky. Howls broke out from the crowd, followed by screeches and whistles from the harpies and other creatures who had come. King Louis was beside himself from this display. He drew his pistol from its holder, placed the barrel between my father’s eyes, and fired.

The world around me evaporated into nothing until all I could see was my father’s body limp on the stage, held up only by the ropes around his wrists and ankles. My eyes were locked on the horrid sight until Rosalie began pulling me through the crowd as more whistles, and screeches, and howls flooded the city. I barely paid attention to the chaos that was erupting as Rosalie and I pushed our way through the crowd. We eventually escaped the large mass and slipped into an alley.

“We need to get clear of here. My house is close enough, and we’ll be safe there.” Rosalie tried to pull me, but I stood my ground.

“My father is…he’s…” Rosalie came forward and put her hands on my face. The contact had me snapping to attention. “Uncle Benen. Ossian. Darby. They…I have to tell them what happened.”

“Yes. But not right now. Right now, we need to get you off the streets.” The general noise of a boisterous crowd turned into loud screams and gunshots. “Weylyn!”

I nodded furiously. “Yes. Right. Okay. Your house first then.”

The two of us ran off into the city, but the sounds of the riot that had broken out in Dame Square followed us for some time. I barely saw what was in front of me, Rosalie holding my hand and guiding me most of the way. I couldn’t shake the image of my father, torn apart, with a bullet wound leaking from his head. I still couldn’t believe it. My father was dead.

 

About the Author:

Marc R. Micciola lives in Ontario Canada with his two dogs Ace and Rielly. He tries to get to the gym when he can in the week, and when he isn't there, he's working on his next project. Writing is a big part of Marc R. Micciola's life, but things such as hockey, video games, and spending time with friends and family are also passions of his. Despite being a fantasy author, Marc R. Micciola prides himself on his ability to create a great mix of realism and fantasy, blending the two together in just the right amounts to provide worlds you can escape to while also having real characters that are relatable.

 

Contact Links:

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Purchase Link:

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RABT Book Tours & PR

The Body Politic by Stella Atrium @SAtriumWrites ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #TheBodyPolitic #StellaAtrium #ScienceFiction #SciFi #EnterforaChance


Book II of The Tribal Wars


Science Fiction

Date Published: 1/8/2022

 

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BookLife Editor's Pick

 

Brianna Miller returns to Dolvia where tribal women protest the oppressive rule of Rabbenu Ely by self-torchings in the Cylay Square.  Brianna re-establishes her tribal schools and takes on assistant Kelly Osborn who is mixed blood and also a poet.

Kelly visits a neighboring planet Cicero where her aunt Carline Bryant takes over her education. While returning to Dolvia, Kelly meets the Australian adventurer Hershel Henry who has signed on for a tour of Dolvia as a photo-journalist.  Henry takes an opportunity to interview the khalif on the opposing side of the tribal wars.



 

Book I of The Tribal Wars is AVAILABLE NOW!


Fantasy

Date Published: 10-08-2022

 

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BookLife Editor's Pick


On Dolvia, Lt. Mike Shaw demands Dr. Greensboro’s doctoring skills at the hospital, forcing the closure of her bush clinic. She witnesses forced labor, forced migration, and the threat of an epidemic from bad water. She sees how tribal women–often wearing burkas–find solutions for saving the children in a conflict zone, and she commits to the their cause for Home Rule.

Brianna Miller is an isolated girl–a mixed-blood orphan–among the Dolviet tribes. With the lessons from Dr. Greensboro, the abuse from soldiers, the sisterhood among victims, Brianna prepares for a future she will choose for herself. But first she must travel offworld.


FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME - 12/27 - 1/16

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Read an Excerpt from The Body Politic:

We entered China through Xinjiang province and traversed the high Takli Makan Desert overnight. In the morning, the train stood for several hours in Dunhuang, changing personnel from Russian to Chinese and taking on supplies. I watched from the window while porters in tunics and baggy pants loaded goods from a cart. They stopped suddenly, and the noise subsided, so I craned my neck to glimpse the source of the interruption. Some Blackshirts were hustling a group of peasant families, tied together with ropes and shuffling in obvious fear, across the tracks and down the causeway toward a holding area. Laborers returned to their work with measured gestures, careful not to attract unwanted attention, and the way closed behind the new arrivals.

I told myself that this repression was not my problem; I was just passing through.

Presently, a detachment of Russian soldiers wearing blue uniforms with red tooling took up positions outside our VIP car at the end of the train. The officer entered with authority and tucked his hat under one arm. Rufus stood squarely in the aisle with his knees bent and a hand on his knife hilt. The officer stopped.

After a moment, he looked past Rufus’s shoulder to me. “You are Brianna Miller of Arim?” he asked in English. “We are assigned.”

“I have security already, as you can see.”

“These, uh, warriors are included in our detail. The train now enters a province with some, uh, social unrest. Daniel Chin is concerned that your group experiences no, uh, in-con-ven-nience.” His hesitant words and rounded accent made me think his English was newly learned, perhaps his third language.

“Nu delaya,” I said, and Rufus relaxed his posture. Kyros placed a big hand on the officer’s shoulder from behind and led him to a seat several paces from me.

“What do you propose?” I asked.

“We will take the adjacent car and establish a presence around your group.”

“The adjacent car is for the students.”

“They may have to move forward.”

“How many in your squad?”

“Twelve.”

“I cannot provide for twelve. Six only.”

“We brought provisions, and you will be glad for twelve before we reach Beijing. I am Captain Chandliss, and you may direct any questions to me.”

“Captain Chandliss, I assume you are Lithuanian by birth, and your real name has two ‘z’s and three ‘k’s.”

He only smirked.

“Are the soldiers from your same province?” I asked.

“Most of them.”

“Why not provide a Han Chinese detachment to manage our security?”

“My orders were brief,” he said as he twisted to see where Kyros had stationed himself. “I gathered that your Dolviet escort would resent Blackshirts as security.”

I grinned. At least he had the sense to acknowledge what anyone could see. “And what else did Daniel Chin say in conversation?”

The captain didn’t react to the mention of Daniel Chin’s name. “Orders from Paris didn’t mention a bevy of students. You do have accommodations for them on the shuttle and the Company yacht?”

“My arrangements are made,” I said tolerantly. “Thank you for your interest. The students will remain where they are, and you will take the next car. Since you have twelve men and provisions, I expect that the students will remain as safe as I am safe.”

Captain Chandliss watched me for a moment. “Well. The train leaves in twenty minutes, so I’ll excuse myself to put all in good order.” He stood and nodded, unable to break military training. “Ah, how may I address these warriors?”

“Rufus, the son of Cyrus the ketiwhelp killer,” I said with a hand gesture. “And behind you is Kyros rabbe Sudl of Southeast Arrivi.”

He nodded to each warrior. “Ma’am,” he said and left.

Kyros looked at Rufus and mouthed “ma’am” with humor. Rufus covered his mouth with one hand to hide his response.

 

# # #

 

Later, I was called into the student car, I assumed due to the presence of soldiers. But the issue was trivial; something about a stolen item and whom to punish. The boys waited in a silent row, cynical and without gestures. The oldest girl Bernice was in tears, as were two eight-year-olds. I sighed, regretting my decision to include them in my travel plans.

Leah approached with submissive gestures. “These ones need daily lessons to keep their minds off homesickness. They need a common goal.”

I immediately thought of an old method Hakulupe Le had used in the Somule schools to bind students as a group, a method she had learned in prison, in fact. I spoke to the group. “Not all of you will board the shuttle to engage in space travel. I have accommodations for only seven, including the boys, so I must choose who is most worthy. To make this choice, we will devise a test. You will each share your history with the others, and at track’s end in three days’ time, you will each write the biographies of all the others, including the boys. After reading those papers, I will decide who remains with the clutch and who will return to their province. That is all.”

Leah quickly spoke. “May we have writing paper?”

“I will ask Captain Chandliss.”

“May we take our meals in the dining car?”

“What difference does that make?”

“Please.”

“Captain Chandliss manages your safety now. I’ll ask him.”

“Thank you, Rularim. Thanks again.” Leah knew when to flatter.

“I am not Rularim. I’m Brianna Miller.”

“We all thank you.”

“Yes, well. No more complaining and no crying.” I left before she could make another request.

Less than an hour later, Captain Chandliss came into my car. Kyros stopped him at the door but let him pass after a tense moment. “The students want their meals in the dining car. I have no authority for this.”

“Negotiate with the porters,” I instructed, “so the group can take a meal after the other diners have left, twice a day. Ask for a set menu with bland dishes because they have to board the shuttle soon. No sweets from the dessert tray but maybe rice pudding for each.”

His posture emphasized his disbelief. “Do you understand the expense?”

“Rufus will pay from the treasure of Kyle Rula.”

The disbelieving look on the captain’s face wandered to the warrior who was seated at a laptop with his back to us. Rufus turned slowly to fix me with a level stare. He opened the pouch at his belt and extracted a single uncut emerald as big as my thumb knuckle and placed it next to me. The gem was opaque with a sandpaper texture. Without glancing at the captain, Rufus turned back to the computer screen.

I saw the eyes of Captain Chandliss grow large at the sight of the gem. “Have it assayed at the next stop,” I said. “Then pay the porters for their trouble and distribute the remainder among your soldiers.”

The captain stood tall and looked at each of us, perhaps taking a moment to assess the opportunity. “My detachment will bear the current expense. I will have the gem appraised in Beijing where its value is far greater. I will subtract a commission for our service with the students and return the remainder to Rufus before your party boards the shuttle. We will take eight percent.”

“Four percent,” I said.

“Six percent.”

“Four point five percent, and no gratuity.”

“Done.” The captain scooped up the gem and turned on his heel. He left hurriedly, passing through the door that Kyros was holding open, just as though he needed to escape before I changed my mind.

Kyros said, “Much is learned about a man when he resists temptation.”

 

About the Author:

Stella Atrium is an award-winning writer who presents otherworld stories about female protagonists of diverse ethnicity who encounter obstacles relatable to our lives today. How do women in a war zone gain voice in the marketplace using the few tools available to women?

Stella Atrium teaches at university in addition to online writing courses. She lives in Chicago, Illinois.

 

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Release Day Review ~ You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows (Kingsmen Football Stars Book 1) by Piper Rayne ~ @PiperRayneRocks @valentine_pr_ #SportsRomance #Football

USA Today Bestselling Author, Piper Rayne, begins the Kingsmen Football Stars series with an enemies-to-lovers, second chance story set in the world of professional football.

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows by Piper Rayne is now live!

Lee f’ing Burrows

The Kingsmen’s star quarterback.

Legendary throwing arm.

Six-pack abs.

Kissable lips.

Oh, but don’t forget, he’s also a lying, heartless egomaniac who broke my heart in college.

It took me years to build myself back up after his deceit, and now I have the dream opportunity to prove myself working as a sports therapist for a professional team.

The hurdle? Or mountain to be more accurate…

The job is with the San Francisco Kingsmen.

Back when I was a naïve college girl, I felt lucky that he even noticed me. Now eight years later, he’d be lucky if I gave him the time of day.

Which I won’t. Not ever.

Some people don’t deserve a second chance and Lee Burrows is one of them.

Now if someone could only tell him that because he’s hell-bent on scoring the winning touchdown and won’t accept that it’s game over for us.

My Review:

Before starting You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows, I highly recommend you grab False Start and read the novella first. While not necessary to enjoy Lee's story, False Start does provide the backstory for Shayna and Lee.

You Had Your Chance, Lee Burrows features a couple tropes: second-chance and forbidden workplace sports romance. Shayna and Lee met years ago in college. Lee is now the starting quarterback for the Kingsmen and Shayna is fulfilling her life-long dream of becoming an athletic trainer for a professional football team. Pay no attention to the fact that Shayna is joining the Kingsmen as one of their therapists. Actually, pay lots of attention to that fact. 

The chemistry between Shayna and Lee is hot regardless of the number of years between now and the last time they saw each other. Shayna is still hurt by what went down between her and Lee back in college and, even though they are now in close proximity, she vows not to let him back into her life. That's a little easier said than done. 

Shayna knew she'd have to revisit her past when she accepted the job with the Kingsmen. Her icy heart was closed and giving Lee Burrows a second chance was not on the agenda. Lee is surprised to see the one woman who never left his heart or his mind after college standing among his team's athletic trainers. Now's his chance to make amends and ride off into the sunset with her. Except, Shayna's heart might not be a frozen as she thought, and Lee discovers thawing her heart isn't going to be very easy. 

I loved the interactions between Shayna and Lee. They weren't all romance and flowers. The authors did a great job bringing us characters who don't just automatically forgive and forget. There are hurt feelings, regret, and angst. Shayna has serious trust issues after what went down in college. Lee's grovel game was on point, however.

This book is emotionally rich with well-written characters who don't just forgive with ease. I loved everything about the story, the characters, the setting, and the romance. I love how the authors are able to create a story that flows well, pulls you in, and keeps you engaged until the very end. The writing style and story took my breath away. I couldn't put the book down.

I was provided a copy of this book to read.

My Rating:


Download today on Amazon, Apple Books, Audible, Barnes & Noble, Google Play, Kobo!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3Gl4fBL

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3yRZIlc

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Narrated by Callie Dalton & Joe Arden

Goodreads: https://bit.ly/36ckTDS

 

Meet Piper Rayne:


Piper Rayne is a USA Today Bestselling Author duo who write "heartwarming humor with a side of sizzle" about families, whether that be blood or found. They both have e-readers full of one-clickable books, they're married to husbands who drive them to drink, and they're both chauffeurs to their kids. Most of all, they love hot heroes and quirky heroines who make them laugh, and they hope you do, too!

Connect with Piper Rayne:

Website: www.PiperRayne.com

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Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Piper-Rayne/e/B01ND0R15R

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Flying Home by R.D. Kardon ~ @RABTBookTours #RABTBookTours #FlyingHome #RDKardon #HistoricalFiction @rdkardonauthor

 

Flying Home by R.D. Kardon

The Flygirl Trilogy

Fiction

Date Published: 02-21-2023

Publisher: Acorn Publishing LLC


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Never forget…

In September 2001, Tris Miles faces difficult choices. As Chief Pilot of Westin Charter Company, she’s mentoring Jannat, a brash young captain with limitless potential and a shocking secret. An offer to summit the peak of the pilot pyramid entices Tris to quit her job, but an old nemesis stands in her way.

Meanwhile, Tris juggles the men in her personal life. A friend-with-benefits pushes for commitment. An ex-boyfriend returns, still in love with her. Unexpectedly, Tris develops new feelings for someone who is already dear to her.

On September 11th, Tris and her crew depart Edinburgh for the United States. Just feet off the ground, they are mysteriously ordered back to the airport where they learn of a deadly terrorist attack on U.S. soil—using airplanes as bombs.

When Tris discovers that her best friend was a passenger on one of the planes that crashed into the World Trade Center, her world is shattered.

With a broken heart and her entire life up in the air, Tris doesn’t know where to turn. Can she find the courage to navigate her way home?



About the Author:

Robin D. “R.D.” Kardon is a native New Yorker, educated in the New York City Public school system. She attended New York University where she earned a B.A. in Journalism and Sociology, magna cum laude, and was a member of Phi Beta Kappa. Robin graduated with a J.D. from the American University, Washington College of Law.

After ten years as a litigator, Robin began her professional flying career. She holds an FAA Airline Transport Pilot certificate with three captain qualifications and has flown all over the world in everything from single-engine Cessnas to the Boeing 737.

She currently resides in San Diego where she volunteers with local animal rescue organizations and dotes on her beloved rescue pets.


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