Tuesday, February 28, 2023

Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery by G.P. Gottlieb ~ Cozy Mystery @GottliebGp

 

Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery by G.P. Gottlieb

About Charred:

 

Charred: A Whipped and Sipped Mystery

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Setting - Chicago, Illinois

DX Varos Publishing (February 21, 2023)

Paperback: ‎ 320 pages

ISBN-10: ‎ 1955065675

ISBN-13: ‎ 978-1955065672

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0BLMFHSQX

Print Length: ‎ 254 pages

Alene Baron is dealing with frustrated employees, closed schools, and a homeless man who harasses customers outside the door of her café. Then, two dead bodies turn up in the burned remains of buildings owned by the husband of Alene’s best friend and pastry chef, Ruthie. Both bodies are wearing jackets that once belonged to Ruthie and crumbled in the pockets are the café’s distinctive wrappers. At the same time, Alene's uncle, a convicted felon, has resurfaced after disappearing for 22 years. It's all too much for the owner of the Whipped and Sipped Café.

About G.P. Gottlieb:

Known for her imaginative baking and fabulous dinners, G.P. Gottlieb was always an avid reader. She enjoyed several careers, but after recovering from cancer, turned to writing in earnest, melding two passions: nourishment for mind and body, and recipe-laced murder mysteries. She is also the host for New Books in Literature, a podcast of the New Books Network.

Author Links:


Purchase Link - Amazon https://amzn.to/3KJvus5

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

February 21 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 21 – Brooke Blogs – AUTHOR GUEST POST
February 22 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT
February 22 – Baroness' Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW
February 23 – Elizabeth McKenna - Author – SPOTLIGHT
February 23 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT
February 24 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
February 25 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT
February 26 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
February 27 – Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW
February 28 – Lisa Ks Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 28 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 1 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
March 1 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW
March 2 – The Mystery Section – RECIPE
March 3 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 3 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – Novels Alive – REVIEW
March 4 – The Book's the Thing – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 5 – I'm Into Books – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 6 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – REVIEW

Honey Drop: Book 1 – Volume 1 Krishtina Mayers – Alicia Norman ~ @PortlazLuv ~ Historical Fantasy


Honey Drop: Book 1 – Volume 1
Krishtina Mayers – Alicia Norman

Genre: Er0tic Historical Fantasy
Publisher: Luv Multimedia
Date of Publication: January 20, 2023
ASIN: B0BSS4D1R1 
Number of pages: 289
Word Count:  62,482
Cover Artist: Alicia R. Norman

Tagline:  The worlds of gods and men collide when Love and Death embrace.

About the Book:

Honey Drop chronicles the story of willful, beautiful, and headstrong Proserpyn Prina Katsaros, an island noblewoman with a lust for adventure and a taste for the macabre. 

Prina has been obsessed with dark topics and activities, like watching executions and visiting graveyards for as long as she can remember as she believes that to appreciate life, one must also respect death.

One day, a frightening, terrifying man appears, using magic to seduce and play with her senses and heart. Proserpyn is uncertain if he is a wizard, a demon, or something much more overwhelming than that. 

With the help of Abigail, her friend, and lover, Proserpyn will consult the Old Gods and try to find a solution to this lustful madness.

The brainchild collaboration of Krishtina Mayers and Alicia R. Norman, the illustrated novel promises a one-of-a-kind journey from tome to tome!


Watch the Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/a8G5LHFHqnM 

Purchase from Amazon https://amzn.to/3KnOUTv

Read Excerpt 2:

Rain put a soft, wet hiss into the air.

The boots squished onto the grass with each step.

The oiled and hooded cloak protected the woman's gown well.

Her lamp was placed on the highest step of the mausoleum's stoop, right under a slight eave where it would be protected from the weather.

Cheerful and only a little overpowered by the rain, Proserpyn's voice sang.

"Mr. Gregor was kind to children.”

She bent down to wipe some wet leaves and a touch of mud off a step with a spare rag she'd brought.

"Madam Junio donated to all."

She folded the rag and put it reasonably close to her lamp.

"His Grace, the Duke was humble."

She tightened her hood over her head.

"Miss Trishelle loved knitting shawls."

As Prina danced and swayed in place, her steps soon moved with a rhythm that only played in her mind.

"She gave the shawls away, so kindly so openly."

One of her palms extended to catch raindrops.

"She warmed the girl's shoulders while smiling, truly."

The song went on in this manner. In fact, as Prina danced about in the darkness, she passed graves that had the names she'd used. Thanks to the lack of light, they weren't legible, but she knew they were there.

After a few more lines, her feet halted. Her hands slid back under her cloak, where they met at her belly, her arms bent. She turned back to go to where her father's body rested, where she'd placed her oil lamp. She crouched down to touch the thing when she heard a voice she hadn't wanted to hear.

"You couldn't have known any of those people."

Picking the lamp up, she faced the opposite direction. There was nothing unusual in her sight: rain, vague shadows, and outlines–her lantern. Sometimes, there was an occasional streetlamp, but not much else.

It was far too dark.

…She could smell him.

The rain and soggy earth's scent were forgotten. There was burning wood, spice ... and oddly enough hints of dark chocolate and cherries. Did his scent change every time he appeared?

Even though she knew who it must be, she asked, "Who's there?"

The answer, right in her ear, was simple.

"Me."

She quickly spun as she repeated with a higher and more concerned pitch, "Me?!"

The tone turned a little bit more impish, although she could still hear a smoldering hint.

"Would you prefer myself or I?"

He might well have been trying to lick her ear! That is how close it felt!

Shuddering, Proserpyn continued to search for the voice's owner. He must be somewhere! Growing frustration had her brow knitting, "Such cowardice! You won't face a lone maiden in the dark?! Reveal yourself!"

"Is that your wish, Honey Drop?"

Honey Drop?

Proserpyn tried to think of another way to insult the man. She stood there, rain pattering on her cloak. It took around fifteen seconds for her to finally say, "You're irritating and useless. I've no time for such a creature."

She went back to pick up her rag and folded it into a pocket, "I'll leave you in possession of the dead, Sir. No doubt, someone must want you here."

Prina grabbed her lantern and walked off, lighting her path.

Just as she made a slight turn, her heart jumped and she retreated a bit.

A figure was sitting on a rather tall gravestone.

He looked casual as he did it, and this time he wasn't shrouded in black and blue. It was as if he'd known he'd be too difficult to see. Instead, he seemed to be covered in a similar garment of red, or at least Proserpyn's lamp suggested it could've been red. It could also have been orange.

Maybe both.

Well, at least he wasn't hiding.

But ... well ...

Proserpyn's eyes followed the raindrops as they fell down onto the red and orange-clad man. His cloak was so long that it covered the gravestone's front and quite a bit of the earth. When the water landed on the fabric, there weren't any obvious signs of wetness. Neither did the fabric reject the water as if oiled, as her own protective garment had been. The drops seemed to ... disappear ... as if they were falling into something.

It was a detail many wouldn't have noticed, but Prina had been so focused on him that she couldn't help but see the oddity. However, her senses told her not to give a comment.

She stood there, her arm up and out, holding onto her lamp and waiting for the man to speak.

Certainly, he'd have a handful of more words for her, a handful at the very least.

He didn't disappoint.




About  Krishtina Mayers:

Krishtina Mayers is a professional ghostwriter who hails from Bladenboro, NC. She lives in a 100 year-old house with her three dogs and Asatru Norse Pagan beau, Richard, where she pens deliciously dark and sexy works. Her goal is to fully focus on creative writing as she slowly renovates her vintage home.



About Alicia Norman:

By day, Alicia Norman is a copy specialist at a major marketing firm, by night, she is a screenwriter and animator. She lives with her two kids and three cats in the burbs of Dallas, GA, and aspires to share her own brand of historical erotic fiction with  BFF and co-writer Krishtina Mayers. 

Visit Patreon to support her on her mission: https://www.patreon.com/user?u=83953924







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Monday, February 27, 2023

Tuesday Trash and Trouble: Friday Night Mystery Club Series by Joanna Campbell Slan ~ #CozyMystery @joannaslan


Tuesday Trash and Trouble: Friday Night Mystery Club Series by Joanna Campbell Slan


About Tuesday Trash and Trouble

Tuesday Trash and Trouble: Friday Night Mystery Club Series

Cozy Mystery

3rd in Series

Setting - Illinois

Spot On Publishing (October 10, 2022)

Paperback ‏ : ‎ 332 pages

ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8357296788

Digital ASIN: ‎ B0B9T64ZNY

Set in 1986, Joanna Campbell Slan’s latest cozy mystery—Tuesday Trash and Trouble--features a down-on-her-luck divorcée whose passion for solving crimes lands her in the arms of a secretive cowboy--and the cross-hairs of a vengeful killer. 

The year is 1986, the place is…pitiful. It’s Decatur, Illinois, known for high unemployment, striking unions, the pervasive stink of soybean processing, and seven railroad crossings at one intersection. 

A wrong turn along life’s marital highway has left Catherine “Cragan” Collins stuck in Decatur. With a mountain of post-divorce bills to pay, Cragan takes a job selling high-priced newspaper advertising. If she’s lucky, her commissions will cover the cost of her grandmother’s stay in a nearby retirement home. 

After the divorce, Cragan swears off men, but she’s a sucker for a guy in a nice suit. She falls hard for a man who publicly snubs her. On the rebound, she accepts an invitation from Ross Gentry, a quiet hunk who favors pearl snaps and cowboy boots. Cragan reasons that her heart is safe, because she and Ross come from two different worlds. But one night in his arms might be enough to prove her wrong. 

Without warning, everything blows up in Cragan’s face. Her boss threatens to take away her accounts, a friend’s little sister is kidnapped, and an overnight guest is shot. Cragan’s best friend, Pru, is accused of attempted murder. After all, Pru’s gun was used in the crime. 

Cragan calls an emergency meeting of the Friday Night Mystery Club. These mystery-loving career women are a group of smart cookies. Can their combined talents prove that Pru is innocent? And will they find an answer in time to save Cragan from the wrath of a vengeful shooter? 

It takes a club to solve a mystery!

About Joanna Campbell Slan:

Joanna is a New York Times Bestselling, USA Today Bestselling, and Amazon Bestselling author as well as a woman prone to frequent bursts of crafting frenzy, leaving her with burns from her hot glue gun and paint on her clothes. And the mess? Let’s not even go there.

Otherwise, Joanna’s a productive author with more than 80 written projects to her credit. Her non-fiction work includes how to books, a college textbook for public speakers, and books of personal essays (think Chicken Soup for the Soul).

Currently, she writes six fiction series: The Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series (Agatha Award Finalist, contemporary, St. Louis setting, crafting), the Cara Mia Delgatto Mystery Series (contemporary, Florida setting, DIY, and recycling), the Jane Eyre Chronicles (Daphne du Maurier Award Winner, 1830s England, based on Charlotte Brontë’s classic), the Sherlock Holmes Fantasy Thrillers (late 1800s, based on Arthur Conan Doyle’s books), the Tai Chi Mystery Series (featuring a mature female amateur sleuth!) and the Friday Night Mystery Series (set in Decatur, IL in 1986 with a spunky female heroine.)

A former TV talk show host, college teacher, and public relations specialist, Joanna was one of the early Chicken Soup for the Soul contributors. She won a Silver Anvil for her work on the original FarmAid concert to benefit farmers.

In her ongoing quest never to see snow again, Joanna lives with her husband and their Havanese puppy, Jax, on an island off the coast of Florida. You can email her at jcslan@joannaslan.com or visit her website at https://linktr.ee/jcslan

Author Links Purchase Link - Amazon https://amzn.to/41Hzj7x

TOUR PARTICIPANTS:

February 27 – Literary Gold – AUTHOR INTERVIEW
February 27 – Jane Reads – CHARACTER GUEST POST
February 27 – Sapphyria's Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
February 28 – #BRVL Book Review Virginia Lee – SPOTLIGHT
March 1 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT
March 1 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – Novels Alive – REVIEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 2 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 2 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT
March 3 – Christy's Cozy Corners – CHARACTER GUEST POST
March 4 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT
March 4 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 5 – I'm Into Books – AUTHOR GUEST POST
March 5 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT
March 5 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

Shifted (The Shifted Series, Book One) by Roxanna Mason ~ Paranormal Romance #PNR


Shifted
The Shifted Series 
Book One
Roxanna Mason

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Date of Publication: 12/18/2022
ISBN: 979-8-218-12243-0
ASIN: B0BNCBQT61
Number of pages: 516
Word Count: 109,379

Cover Artist: Benjamin Richard

About the Book:  

Jacey Lange has everything she has ever wanted. She is newly engaged, and her menswear line is one of the fastest-growing in the country. Beautiful, successful, and deeply in love, Jacey feels like she's on top of the world.

That is, until she catches her fiance in bed with her assistant.

Everything around her comes crashing down.

Thankfully, her best friend, Leon, welcomes her back to her old apartment with open arms. The people in Jacey’s life watch for months as she wallows in her misery, until Leon hatches a plan: if Jacey agrees to get herself back out there and promises to go out with the next five guys that ask her, no matter who they are, then not only will he give her the master bedroom in the apartment, but both Leon and Jacey’s sister, Elise, will agree to stop meddling in her love life.

In rapid succession, Jacey finds herself falling for five completely different men. Yet despite all their differences, there is something oddly familiar about each one. When she finds out why, it won't just change the way she feels about love, it will make her question everything she once thought was real.

Purchase Links:

Amazon      BN

Read an Excerpt:

I didn't know what Owen had in mind, but it was already obvious to me that I would go anywhere this man was leading. He kept his hand in mine as he guided me through the crowded bar and toward the pool tables. Thankfully, because the band was still playing, the back of the bar was far less populated.

"Is playing pool normally part of a first date with you, or are you just trying to get me alone?" I teased.

Owen took a step towards me, pinning me between him and the pool table.

"Both," he said with a smile on his face that I could only describe as wicked.

I tilted my head to the side as I looked up at him. "Let's make it interesting, then."

"Interesting?"

I took a step to the side, sliding out from between him and the ancient wooden table. I grabbed a pool cue off of the rack and tossed it to him before grabbing a decidedly smaller one for myself. "We're going to need more shots," I said to him.

A smile crept over his dark features. "My kind of girl..." he murmured as he lowered his head towards mine.

"Nope, if you want to kiss me, you better plan on winning."

Owen shook his head and left me at the table while I started to rack the balls. A few minutes later, he returned with four shots; two of whiskey, two of tequila. I took one of the shot glasses filled with dark brown liquor straight out of his hand and threw it back. I winced as the alcohol made my throat close in on itself. The truth was, I might have been putting on a show. I enjoyed the way I felt around Owen, but I didn't know if I was as wild as I wanted him to believe.

"So what are the stakes here?" he asked me as he set the remaining shots on a nearby hightop.

"If you win, you get to take me home..." I said in a voice I barely recognized as my own. It was breathy and seductive. Those two shots apparently went to my head faster than I thought.

"And if you win?" Owen asked with a raised brow.

"If I win, I get a second date."

"Who said we can't do both?" he said with a chuckle.

I rolled my eyes. I didn't have this whole impulsive, whiskey-drinking, short skirt-wearing Jacey completely figured out yet.

Owen took a step towards me. He reached for my hips and pulled me toward him. "What do you really want?"

I could feel my pulse banging in my ears, and the loud, crowded bar faded into the background. He reached around my head, threading his fingers into my hair and tugging me towards him. I leaned forward, expecting him to kiss me, but his mouth hovered over mine.

"What do you want?" he asked again.

"You," I said, my voice caught in my throat.

"What was that?" he asked teasingly. His deep voice, vibrating through me.

"I want you."

Finally, he brought his lips to mine and kissed me deeply. Kissing Owen wasn't new to me; we couldn't stop kissing the night he drove me over the Brooklyn Bridge. But this was something else. I wasn't sure I even knew my own name anymore.

"When I take you home, it's going to be because you're begging me to...not because I won at pool."


Meet the Author: 

Roxanna Mason is a debut paranormal romance author and formally trained actor from Los Angeles, California. It was her deep love of storytelling that led her to study theatre and that same love of storytelling that drove her to write her first novel. When not writing, Roxanna is binge watching horror films, creating vegan recipes, and dancing around her living room to Fleetwood Mac.



  


Sunday, February 26, 2023

#Review ~ The Duke’s Secret Cinderella by Eva Devon ~ @EntangledPub @turnthepagebts #HistoricalRomance #NeverAWallflower #turnthepagetours #TTPT #TDSC #thedukessecretcinderella


TITLE: The Duke’s Secret Cinderella

AUTHOR: Eva Devon

PUBLISHER: Entangled – Amara

RELEASE DATE: February 21, 2023

GENRES: Adult Romance, Retelling


BUY LINK: Amazon https://amzn.to/3ZmSh0Z

ABOUT THE BOOK:

Charlotte Browne could just kick herself. What on earth possessed her to tell the Duke of Rockford that she is a lady? But something about the duke's handsomeness and kind intelligence makes Charlotte blurt out the teeniest, tiniest falsehood. Now it's too late to admit she's just plain Charlotte of no particular importance—with cinder-stained hands, a wretched stepfather, and no prospects for marriage...

Rafe Dorchester, Duke of Rockford, has done what every self-respecting duke must do—avoid marriage at all costs. But the only thing stronger than the duke is his mother. When she lays down the highest ultimatum, he'll need to find a duchess. Immediately. Only, when he calls on a potential bride, he instead finds the pert, fresh-faced Lady Charlotte. Rafe was warned to never mix the business of marriage with pleasure, but when it comes to her...oh, business would be a splendid pleasure.

One passionate, illicit kiss sends Charlotte fleeing, leaving only a delicate blue ribbon behind. For Rafe can never discover her secret, or it will ruin her beloved sister's chance at marriage. But the duke knows that when you've found the one person that ignites you, body and soul, nothing can keep you away.

MY REVIEW:

The Duke's Secret Cinderella was a fascinating fairytale retelling. The story has a twist in that their isn't a wicked stepmother. Charlotte has a wicket stepfather. He's actually more than just wicked. He's cruel, heartless, and power- and money-hungry. As such, he's pulled Charlotte out of polite society and banished her to the servant's quarters, all while his children maintain their stations within the ton.

When Charlotte is downtown trying to free one of the servant's from horrific conditions in the debtors' prison, she is accosted by a street person. A handsome gentleman intervenes and even assists Charlotte in securing the release of the servant. Upon the rescue, Charlotte learns she's been aided by none other than the Duke of Rockford. What ensues is a tale of deceit, maltreatment, and unspeakable behavior. This is also a tale, however, of love, chemistry, and revelations. 

The path Charlotte and Rafe travel is a bumpy one. Charlotte tells Rafe a small white lie which, throughout the book, escalates. The lie, and its snowball effect, opens the door for Charlotte's stepfather to twist and misconstrue her tales into something more beneficial to him rather than her or others involved. The ending, while epic, is also sad and maddening. Justice is served but, as in real life, it doesn't take away the pain and loss.

The Duke's Secret Cinderella was fun, eye-opening, and a fantastic retelling. I enjoyed the characters, even the bad ones, because they had a part to play in making this story so good. The twists, turns, and ending were surprising and I didn't see them coming. The author wrote a wonderful historical romance as the Cinderella fairytale re-imagined. I really enjoyed this book.

I was provided a paperback of this book to read.

MY RATING:



VISIT THE AUTHOR:

Author’s website: evadevonromance.com

Author’s instagram: instagram.com/evadevonauthor


Saturday, February 25, 2023

Crazy to Believe by Madison Michael ~ Contemporary Romance, Romance ~ @XpressoTours

Crazy to Believe
Madison Michael
Publication date: February 21st 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romance

She’s Betting on Love and the Stakes are High

About the Book: 

The “Crazy Eights” have been best friends for thirty years, but they rarely get together. The remedy? An audacious dare contrived to bring them together for weddings—their weddings. Each participant must marry within twelve months or complete a personally mortifying task.

Meet Sofia, beautiful and brilliant, longing for a family. Starting over after a divorce, Sofia is focused on her career, not some foolhardy dare. She’s set her sights on a new job, a new home and reluctantly accepting her single, childless status. Independent and determined, she can’t foresee she will both win and lose her heart’s desire in the next six months.

Jeremy Klein, genius engineer and inventor, is also making big life changes. He’s sold his startup to become a billionaire CEO overnight. Unfortunately, his ego hasn’t caught up yet, and despite family pressures and turning forty, he is gun-shy about returning to the dating game.

Then Jeremy meets Sofia. They bond over shared business interests and a chemistry that sizzles. Their attraction is immediate and so electrifying that a one-night stand quickly morphs into planning a future.

But plans can change. Accusations threaten to derail their relationship, Sofia’s career and Jeremy’s position. Spies, lies and misunderstandings abound until those “Crazy Eights” step in, scheming and manipulating to secure Sofia her happily ever after.

The stakes are high. Win the bet and lose your heart; or lose the bet along with your dignity. When the wager is nothing short of true love, are Jeremy and Sofia crazy to believe?

In the tradition of The Beguiling Bachelor Series, Madison Michael creates a romance series about independent and sassy women, sexy and successful men, love, passion, and lasting friendships. Infused with a bit of suspense and plenty of humor, Crazy to Believe is a complex romance you’ll be reading all night.

Add to Goodreads / Purchase from Amazon

Read an Excerpt:

“It’s just that we never see each other anymore,” Gabriella grumbled “Sofia is in Boston, Harper is way the hell north and Willow’s on her stupid farm. Just hear me out. Avery’s always busy with her cat rescue, Melanie, with her kids. Sydney is off in New Jersey—we need to fix that, Hon—and even though Rachel lives here in Chicago, we never find time to get together. I hate that it took a reunion for even six of us to be together. At this rate, it will be ten years before we see each other again.” There were sad nods around the table.

“We’re together at weddings and funerals,” Sydney contributed sadly. “Although I don’t recommend more funerals.”

“Noooo—” Sofia spotted the moment Gabriella’s wheels started turning. Gabriella was hung up on Sydney’s words, contemplative, preoccupied. “Not more funerals, please,” she finally continued, “but more weddings would be nice.” Gabriella’s pixie face beamed with mischief.

“What are you plotting?” Harper questioned. Everyone’s attention swung to Gabriella’s face.

“Look at how many of us are single.” Gabriella began, ticking them each off on her fingers like she was reviewing her grocery list. “We are ripe for weddings. We could marry Harper off to Travis , for example, and find Sydney a husband here in Chicago.”

“Wait a sec,” Harper jumped in. Sofia couldn’t remember ever seeing the usually calm Harper this anxious. “I haven’t said two words to Travis tonight.” Sofia was similarly jittery. Gabriella was up to something, and that was never good.

“Well, we need to fix that. I have a husband, so do Melanie and Sofia. Sofia glimpsed down at her lap. She really needed to say something about the divorce. “But we could marry off the rest of you,” Gabriella said as if she was suggesting they go out for coffee. “You are all great catches, my friends. Men should be fighting over you.”

“Count me out,” Avery replied in a millisecond. “I’ve never wanted a husband.”

“I’m not sure I want to remarry,” Sydney admitted in her low voice.

Sensing Gabriella’s scorn from across the table, Sofia barely waggled her head no. She was being set up and rightly so. Gabriella opened her mouth to speak forcing Sofia to pipe up at last. “I need to say something.” She lowered the hand she’d raised as if in the schoolroom and took a deep breath. She wasn’t ready for the questions, and she had no good excuse for waiting so long to share. But Gabriella was done waiting, and it wasn’t Gabriella’s secret to tell. Once she held their attention, Sofia continued. “Count me in on this effort.”

Melanie’s head swerved in Sofia’s direction. “I don’t think so,” Melanie said , disbelief on her pretty features. “Nico would certainly object.”

“Object? Nico would kill you,” Avery chimed in, tossing a pat of butter at Sofia. “Are you insane?”

She shouldn’t have waited, Sofia realized. As embarrassed as she was about the divorce, she was horrified to admit she hadn’t told her friends. Yes, splitting with Nico weighed on her as a failure, but keeping it from the Crazies felt like a betrayal. Why hadn’t she seen this months ago?

“There is no Nico.”

Meet the Author:

Madison Michael is living her dream as a romance writer. Born and raised in Chicago, she covered the four corners of the U.S, before returning to her roots, friends, family and the best pizza anywhere.

She loves cats, cat jokes and cat videos, anything with too much sugar, and everything writing. Author of the Beguiling Bachelor romance series, and several stand alone romance novels, she can be found living in Chicago, writing, eating sugar, pizza or hotdogs, surrounded by cats.

Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest / Bookbub / Amazon


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Friday, February 24, 2023

Cover Reveal ~ How To Rope A Ruthless Cowboy by Anya Summers ~ @AnyaBSummers @XpressoTours ~ Contemporary Romance, Romance

How To Rope A Ruthless Cowboy
Anya Summers
Publication date: March 28th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Romance

About the Books:

Retired Navy Seal Medic and notorious womanizer Matt indulges his savior complex by moonlighting with Search and Rescue. This winter is shaping up to be a doozy, with weathermen warning of the upcoming snowstorm of the century, and sending Matt’s team into high alert.

When a call comes in, Matt’s the only one available to rescue the foolish woman who got her ass stuck on a mountain in the middle of an epic storm. He’s ready to tear a strip off her for heading into the back country unprepared.

But nothing could have prepared him for Kristy. She’s achingly beautiful, with fire in her eyes – and a death wish. Matt can’t deny his attraction to the sexy spitfire, but he vowed never to get involved with anyone this helpless ever again.

Trapped together in a remote cabin until the storm clears, and against his better judgment, Matt caves to the magnetic desire between them, never expecting that, instead of slaking his lust, their encounter will only leave him wanting more.

And when Kristy winds up needing once again to be rescued, can Matt save her, or will history repeat itself, ripping her violently out of his life forever?

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order


Meet the Author:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter / Amazon / Bookbub / Newsletter



Fear and Desire by Sophie Kisker ~ Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Romance ~ @XpressoTours

Fear and Desire
Sophie Kisker
Publication date: February 7th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Romance

Dan has sacrificed everything, including his soul, for this covert op. All that’s left is Laura.

About the Book: 

He prays every night that when this nightmare is over she’ll be waiting for him, and she’ll help him get through the guilt that will plague him for the rest of his life.

Then Laura is ripped from her safe world and thrust into his. Now she’s a part of the darkness and despair. He must say things to her, and do things to her, that she might never forgive him for.

And when the carefully scheduled mission goes terribly wrong and she’s stolen away from him, he must track her down on the other side of the world before she disappears forever into the shadows.

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Read an Excerpt:

“Laura, I am so sorry you got mixed up with this. You know I’m undercover, right? Please tell me you don’t think I’d actually do this kind of thing?”
“No, Dan!”

He let out a relieved breath.

“But I can’t let you go, and I can’t treat you any different from the others.”

“Dan, please, get me out of here!” She was shaking. She’d wanted to be brave, but her fear was rapidly overtaking her resolve.

“I know you’re scared. But I can’t get you out of here. This place is crawling with guards who are absolutely loyal to DeLeo. They’ll shoot us if they suspect anything. But in a little less than a month there’s going to be an auction, and this will all be over,” he said. “You’ll have to stay until then, but if you don’t ever want to see me again after that, I understand.”

“Don’t say that! You can’t do anything that would make me hate you!”

“Laura… you have no idea how bad this is going to get. I’m going to have to punish you harder than I would punish the others, to prove that I’m not affected by your presence here.”

The small hope she’d still carried was crushed. She had no choice but to remain here, and she wept silently as she struggled with the words she needed to say, that he needed to hear.

“If I have to stay,” she stuttered, “then I need you to do whatever it takes to get through this, and I don’t want you to feel guilty about it later. If you have to hurt me, do it.” She couldn’t put any more burden on him than he already bore.

“Laura, you don’t know what I’m going to have to do.”

“It doesn’t matter. I’m giving you consent.”


Meet the Author:

Hi there! For years, I wrote and hid stories in the computer, convinced that no one would be interested in the twisted musings of my mind. When the internet showed me that there were others who were just as twisted, I decided to come out of the closet.

My men are strong, even when love makes them tender. My women are fierce and independent and will not surrender until they are respected. My stories are about negotiating the dance between the two, until he claims her heart in the end.

Right now, I split my time between being mother, wife, overworked employee, and servent to the cat's every need. Most evenings will find me hiding in my office cave to write, where I only care about my internet signal and the strength of my coffee.

Find out more about my books, including more complete and descriptive book summaries, at www.sophiekisker.com.

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Hacienda Moon Expanded Edition by KaSonndra Leigh @KaSonndraLeigh @XpressoTours

Hacienda Moon Expanded Edition
KaSonndra Leigh
Genres: February 21st 2023

About the Book:

Tandie Harrison is a police medium struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after a devastating divorce that left her without her precious daughter and her psychic visions. With a heavy heart, she escapes the hustle and bustle of New York City and moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby Rose. Here, she meets Eric, the home’s charismatic caretaker. Despite the ghostly warnings, Tandie finds herself drawn to him, and as their affair intensifies, so does the centuries-old curse haunting them both.

Suddenly, Tandie finds herself at the center of a dark and dangerous web full of deceit and intrigue. As fear begins to consume her, she must find the courage to face the demons of her past if she is to have any chance at a future. Hacienda Moon is a captivating story full of suspense and romance that will ensnare you from start to finish.

Note to readers and bookclubs:

This is the expanded and revamped edition of the Hacienda Moon that was originally published in 2012. Please be sure to add this version to your to-read list as this edition contains more gothic suspense, intrigue, and of course romance.

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Read an Excerpt:

The results of Eric’s handyman skills were beautiful. The final perk was the light rose-colored exterior paint, a shade considered original to the house. Eric didn’t say a word about my upgraded paintbrushes. He was too busy making sure I didn’t catch him watching me as I bent over to paint the lowest boards on the house. However, I turned around at the perfect moment on paint day and caught him staring. His face flushed so badly, I couldn’t resist doing something to celebrate my small victory.

“Wow, it’s so hot out here today.” I stretched my arms, lifting my tee-shirt up until my belly button was exposed, basking in the warmth of the late summer sun. Eric’s mouth fell open. Success! That move totally stole Mr. Intense’s attention. Tucking my lips, I made a move toward an even more creative tease, bending over to pick up one of the three paint brushes I’d dropped.

“What are you doing?” he asked.

“What does it look like? I dropped my paintbrushes.” I shrugged and waved the brush between us. “Did I not use the proper technique for bending over and picking it up?”

He gave me a dimpled grin and moved closer to where I stood beside the house. Glancing down at the brushes beside my feet, he said, “They do look somewhat dirty. You sure you can handle that task? You strike me as somewhat of a nice girl. With that much paint and dirt all in the heads, you have to get a little rough with cleaning them.” His gaze bore into mine, smoldering me under a hazel brown sugary-colored look this time.

I held his gaze. “Oh, believe me. I have plenty of ways to clean dirty things.”

There was about a foot of space between us now. “Is that right?”

“Oh yeah,” I answered, hoping that the pulse line on my neck didn’t show the way my heart thumped inside my chest.

His gaze drifted from my eyes down to my lips and finally ended at my left shoulder. “Then why don’t you start by cleaning that big red spider off your shoulder?” An amused smile spread across his lips, but a scream shrilled out of mine.

Eric slammed his hands over his ears. “Damn it, Tandie.”

Adrenaline spiked through me. He might as well have said my breasts were hanging out. He would’ve gotten less of a response than he did with the spider statement. “Get it off me! Do you see it? Is it still there? Get it!” I shrieked, jumping around and spinning in half circles.

“I won’t help you until you stop trying to burst my eardrums,” he said, still half-way smiling. He came over and put his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace. “Calm down, Tandie. It’s gone, all right?”

Vowing to never tease Eric ever again, I waited for my breathing to normalize and for my trembling limbs to steady as I was pressed against Eric’s chest.


Meet the Author:

Meet your word sculptress...

Author of the International bestselling novels, the Prelude and the Lost Immortals Saga, KaSonndra is also a mother, designer, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. She believes in karma, coffee, and seriously wishes that the producers of Xena would bring her favorite show back.

KaSonndra was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when she's not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals Saga setting). Most of her characters are based on people that she has met throughout her travels and adventures.

People tend to stop and start conversations with KaSonndra as if she has known them her entire life. Does this freak her out? Not really. Her mom says that one day she’ll get kidnapped by one of these folks. KaSonndra's response? She told her mom that if it weren’t for these lovely people, then she wouldn’t be able to create such fabulously romantic stories!

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Thursday, February 23, 2023

**Still Time to Sign Up** ~ Cover Reveal Sign Up Invitation - Crimson Winter: City of Ruby by Justine Alley Dowsett - Young Adult, SciFi, Fantasy, Adventure (March 1, 2023) @MirrorWorldPub #YA #SciFi #Fantasy

 


Mirror World Publishing and Sapphyria's Book Promotions present the cover reveal for Crimson Winter: City of Ruby by Justine Alley Dowsett.

About Crimson Winter: City of Ruby:

Reeling after the fall of the Kingdom of Taiyou, Yukari Namikoya and her remaining allies find themselves reduced to scared refugees hidden far below the earth in the Temple of Machalite. The dreaded Lady Lilyth rules in Taiyou now and threatens to bring the whole world under her dominion one piece at a time.

And what the Lady Lilyth can't control, she plans to destroy.

In a desperate bid for the survival and freedom of the various races of Crimson Winter, Yukari must seek to uncover secrets the Vile Emperor has kept hidden for a millenia and in order to do this, she has to journey to the last place she'd ever thought she'd go - the Ruby City.

Genres: Young Adult, SciFi, Fantasy, Adventure

****This cover is suitable for all blogs/websites/social media accounts.

This cover reveal event is for March 1, 2023. I don't require top or only post of the day for any of my tours. Materials will include a standard post and an HTML.

Launch Date is scheduled for April 17 and there will be a one-week tour announcement following the cover reveal.


Sign up here https://forms.gle/nfUENgSKjp8qu6Xi7 or use the form below:

Release Day Blitz ~ SINNER’S OBSESSION by Bianca Borell ~ Dark Mafia Romance @InkSlingerPR

SINNER’S OBSESSION by Bianca Borell is out now! Check out the gorgeous new dark romance and be sure to get your copy today!

Title: Sinner’s Obsession

Author: Bianca Borell

Genre: Dark Mafia Romance

About Sinner’s Obsession:

When sin and innocence collide, passion ignites.   Aurora McNamara refuses to continue living in fear. More than anything, she yearns to be free from her cruel father and his nefarious plans.   When she’s whisked away under the cloak of darkness, her circumstances take an unexpected turn.   Unwilling to allow her choices to be taken from her once more, Aurora plots her escape. But how can she tear herself away from the one man whose skilled touches and tantalizing kisses leave her breathless? Kieran Hunt belongs to one of the world’s most feared syndicates. Cold. Ruthless. Jaded. A merciless sinner with no conscience and no regrets. His sole goal is to destroy the man responsible for his father’s death.   By honoring a blood oath, he claims Aurora as his wife. But what was meant to be a marriage of obligation instead awakens intense feelings he can’t ignore.   Aurora, with her innocent beauty, is his and anyone who dares to challenge that will feel his wrath. Can a marriage filled with secrets and ever-lurking danger survive? Or will their blooming love prove powerful enough to overcome all obstacles?

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About the Author:

Bianca Borell is a contemporary romance author, voracious reader, nature lover, and unapologetic daydreamer. She spends her nights deciding between getting up to write or trying to silence the voices of her characters. The battle is never-ending.   She has a weakness for tormented characters, second chances, and happy endings.   She currently lives in Germany with her amazing husband and indulges in way too many pastries than she should.   For updates, news, and releases, be sure to visit Bianca’s official website at www.biancaborell.com  

Connect with the Author:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads