Excerpt & Giveaway! Jinxed, The Rock #2 by Sandrine Gasq Dion

Jinx Jett is a rock superstar. As such, the hunky Skull Blasters drummer thoroughly enjoys the many perks of willing groupies, earning him a reputation as the band slut. Making it big and scoring hot women is something Jinx never expected. There's a little voice in the back of his mind constantly reminding him of how he used to be -- shy, overweight and acne prone. One night in a gay bar turns life upside down when Jinx runs into Jayden Dempsey, a kid he's been fantasizing about since giving him his autograph at a mall. Long-held insecurities keep Jinx from fully committing to anyone, and he may lose Jayden if he can't put his past behind him. Jayden Dempsey always wanted out of his life in small-town Alabama. When his parents kicked him out after he told them he was gay, Jayden decided the time was right to move on. He crosses the country to try out for 'Singers!', a show that propels unknowns to stardom. In a twist, producers choose him and three others as winners and form a boy band called London Boys.This season, the show brings Jayden and the guys back for the finale. Surprise! The contest's heavy metal finalist will be singing with Skull Blasters. Jinx and Jayden's initial meeting doesn't go so well, and Jayden's stunned when the guy he's crushed on for years turns out to be a total jerk. It doesn't stop him from falling into Jinx's arms every time they're alone, but Jayden didn't sign on for one nighters. He wants Jinx Jett, baggage and all. Can a former teen outcast put rejection behind him and embrace the acceptance standing right in front of him? How much will one boy bander put up with from his rock idol before enough is enough? Can they make it work? Or are they jinxed in love?

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~*~

The stall next to the one I was in opened and a man walked out. His eyes met mine and widened. “Oh, fuck me,” he whispered. In two seconds flat, I was back at the mall with that golden-haired hottie with the bubbled ass of fantasies. His clear, blue eyes were still fixated on me as I moved forward. “I know you,” I said stupidly. “Oh my God! I thought … the door closed, so I thought … holy shit! I just sucked Jinx Jett’s cock?” “Could you not yell that?” I snapped. “I’m not … well, you know …” “Gay?” he drawled. “Here’s a tip — don’t come to a gay club and stuff your cock into a glory hole!” “It’s Jayden, right? You’re the guy from the mall?” “You remember my name? Wait, okay, back up here for just a minute. Why are you here?” “I was, um, curious?” “Well, that’s just great. Another guy ‘curious’ about gay men.” Jayden lifted his fingers to indicate air quotes. “I didn’t know if I should stay or what. I mean, how does this work? Do I thank you for a fabulous blowjob? Tipping seems to cross a legal line …” “You liked it?” Jayden gaped in astonishment. “Like it?” I laughed. “Fuck yeah, I fucking loved it.”

~*~

 

~*~

“Can I get some clothes?” “I like you in a robe.” Jinx waggled his brows. I started for the door and Jinx jumped up and grabbed my hand. He pushed me into the wall and gently pinned my hands above my head. “Jinx …” I gasped as his thigh insinuated itself between my legs, rubbing my balls. “Yeah?” his breath caressed my lips. “I … fuck … stop doing that,” I panted. “This?” Jinx raised his knee higher and rubbed my dick. My God, my mouth actually started watering as Jinx leaned in closer to me, letting his tongue trail my bottom lip. I wanted to taste him so fucking bad my whole body hurt. I wanted him. I couldn’t deny it. “Fuck, you are sexy as sin,” Jinx rumbled against my lips. “Love your lips, your eyes, even your fucking hair turns me on.” I clenched my eyes shut and tried to stay in control. “Yeah? Even if I’m a talentless pretty boy?” Jinx stiffened. He pulled back slowly and searched my eyes. “I’m sorry I said that.” “Yeah? Why did you say it? What’s your problem with me being in a boy band?” Jinx sighed and let my hands go. He rubbed his hands down his face and exhaled slowly. I continued to speak because by that time, my word vomit had begun. “I don’t even like boy bands, but you know what? This is where I am and fuck it! I’m successful. Do you know I auditioned with one of your band’s songs?” Jinx’s gasp was very audible in the room. His eyes widened. “Yep, that’s right. I sang Manwhore; the song fits you.” “I deserve that.” “Are you going to tell me what your problem is?” I placed my hands on my hips, glaring at him.

~*~

Best selling author, Sandrine (Sandy) was born in Inglewood, California. Raised by "Old School" French parents, she later moved to Tucson, AZ. It was there that writing became a hobby. Always told she had a great imagination, Sandy wrote short stories for her friends in High School. In college, she took more writing classes while working on her Criminal Justice degree, but it wasn't until a soap opera caught her eye that she got involved in male on male romances. On the advice of a friend, Sandy dipped her toes into the world of M/M Romance. Sandy takes the writing seriously and has had countless conversations with gay men as well as hours of research. She's been involved with the military in one way or another for over twenty years, and has a great deal of respect for our men in uniform. She's traveled the world, but has finally returned to Arizona.

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Excerpt & Giveaway! Indigo Road by R.J. Jones

Two best friends take a year off to find themselves… and end up finding each other.

Joshua Simpson has just finished four years at Purdue University, but that’s not why he’s buzzing with excitement. Once they’ve said goodbye to their families, Josh and his best friend Alex are taking off to discover America in an old but reliable VW van, planning on not seeing snow for an entire year.

Josh has always considered himself straight—except for that one time in college—so when he and Alex are living in such close proximity on the road, he’s unsure what these new feelings mean. Is it because they’re spending 24/7 together, or is it something deeper? And does it really matter since Josh has only ever seen Alex with women?

While in Oregon, Josh meets Johnno, a sexy but confusing Aussie surfer. While having an impromptu surfing lesson, Johnno helps Josh realize who he is and what he wants—but Alex’s reaction leaves Josh confused.

From a Montana ranch to the bright lights and dangerous streets of Los Angeles to a dark and lonely deserted highway in Alabama, join Josh and Alex as they drive around the US, discovering not only who they are, but who they can be together.

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~*~

Alex and I climbed into the van and soaked it all in. Our parents were standing arm in arm outside watching us, big proud smiles on their faces. Some of our party guests were mingling around, talking about their own graduations and wishing they had done what Alex and I were about to do, while others went back to their beers and food and watched from a distance.

We closed the doors to shut out the noise and suddenly it was just Alex and me.

“I can’t believe they did this,” came Alex’s shocked whisper.

“I’m still trying to figure out if I’m hallucinating. How many beers have you had?”

“Not nearly enough to hallucinate this.”

“Are you sober?” I asked.

“If I wasn’t before, I am now.”

“Good, pinch me.”

The bastard punched me in the arm.

“Ow, fucker. I told you to pinch me.”

“Still think you’re hallucinating?”

“No. Thanks.”

We spent the rest of the night looking at the van, which was tricked out spectacularly, only stopping to say goodbye to our guests. By the time the night was over, I was sober and lying on my back in the rear, my best friend next to me.

“Dad apologized for the color,” I told Alex after staring at the ceiling for what felt like ages.

“What’s wrong with the color?” he asked.

“It’s purple.”

“Indigo.”

“What?”

“It’s indigo,” Alex said very matter-of-factly. “You know, the second-to-last color of the rainbow, not blue but not purple either.”

“What’s the last color?” I think I was still drunk after all.

“Violet.”

“There’s two purples in the rainbow?”

Alex reached over and grabbed my hand, squeezing it tight before releasing it.

“Yep.”The wonder in Alex’s voice had my chest tightening, and I turned to look at him, only to see a large smile matching my own.

~*~

R.J. Jones started as a reader and eventually made the progression to reviewing. It wasn’t until two men popped into her thoughts, insisting on telling her their story that she started to write.

It started with one scene. A hot and dirty one in the shower…

R.J.’s initial thought was if she could write their scene then they’d shut up and allow her to concentrate on other aspects of her day. Not so. That shower scene ended up being 3000 words long and three hours of work. And still, they didn’t shut up. They told her their entire story and she didn’t sleep for days. Sometimes she couldn’t keep up with what they were telling her and she had to keep a notebook by her bed.

Whilst she was writing their story a side character decided he needed his story told too. Then other characters followed suit.

You see the problem? If she ever wants to sleep again then she needs to write.

R.J. is a wife and a mother to two boys. She is surrounded by males. Even her dog is a boy.

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Book Promo! Heartbreak and Honor, Romancing a Scot #3 by Collette Cameron

Abducted by a band of renegade Scots, Highland gypsy Tasara Faas doesn’t hesitate to blacken the eye of her rescuer when the charming duke attempts to steal a kiss. Afterward, Tasara learns she’s the long-lost heiress Alexandra Atterberry and is expected to take her place among the elite society she’s always disdained.

Lucan, the Duke of Harcourt, promised his gravely ill mother he’d procure a wife by Christmastide, but intrigued by the feisty lass he saved in Scotland, he finds the haut ton ladies lacking. Spying Alexa at a London ball, he impulsively decides to make the knife-wielding gypsy his bride despite her aversion to him and her determination to return to the Highlands.

The adversary responsible for Alexa’s disappearance as a toddler still covets her fortune and joins forces with Harcourt’s arch nemesis. Amidst a series of suspicious misfortunes, Lucan endeavors to win Alexa’s love and expose the conspirators but only succeeds in reaffirming Alexa’s belief that she is inadequate to become his duchess.

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~*~

A click announced the lock giving way.

Creaking on unoiled hinges, the door edged open, inch-by-cautious-inch, and as it did, the brutal sounds from below filtered into the chamber. Light from the corridor’s brackets illumined a sinister, black-clad form.

A disheveled man paused at the threshold, his coat unbuttoned and a pistol protruding from his waistband. In one hand, he held a sword at the ready, and in the other, he brandished a dirk. Legs braced, he stood at the entrance like a buccaneer balancing atop a ship’s deck. 

A pirate in the Scottish Highlands? 

She blinked, slapping aside the ridiculous notion. Lack of food and sleep made her imagination run amuck.

For a tormenting instant, Tasara feared the ethereal body Satan himself, except she doubted the devil possessed pale blond hair and required blades to inflict mortal damage.

Fallen angel seemed more apt for the apparition illumined within the doorway.

She strained to see the man’s face. The dim interior hid his features except for a well-defined profile and a strong jawline. Evil men weren’t supposed to be attractive.

Stance wide, and her hand lifted to bury her knife, she waited for the intruder to move away from the door’s protection.

She must defend the children, no matter the cost. 

“Tathara?” Lala’s plaintive cry filled the chamber. “Piuthar, where be ye?”

The man’s head whipped toward the bed.

The bedding rustled, and a tear-logged voice whimpered, “Me be ascared. I hearded screaming.” 

Advancing farther into the room, the intruder looked this way and that. Light from the passageway spilled across the threshold but failed to reach the bed or the room’s outer edges. 

“A child? Might have told me,” he muttered in a clipped British accent while sheathing his weapons. “No matter, I suppose. A female’s a female.”

My God, what did the debauched knave intend?

The same loathsome things the Scots threatened?

Not as long as Tasara’s heart pumped, he wouldn’t. She shifted, ready to spring. A wee bit farther and she’d have a clear target. He would taste her blade before he laid one finger upon Lala.

The man faced the bed and extended his arms. “Come, sweeting, let’s be about it then. I’m in a bit of a hurry.”

How dare he, the loathsome degenerate? Tasara made an inarticulate noise.

He whirled, his body tense and alert. 

“Tathara!” Terror resonated in Lala’s high-pitched cry.

Tasara lunged, swinging the blade in an arc intended for his neck. “Depraved sot.”

Ducking, he leaped away, her dagger slicing air instead of flesh. Half-crouched and keenly alert, he regarded her.“Ah, the gypsy wench I expected.” Straightening, and apparently unperturbed at practically being skewered, he pointed at her dagger. “I do believe you tried to impale me. Most ungrateful of you, I must say.”

~*~

Award winning, Amazon best-selling, and multi-published historical romance author, Collette Cameron, has a BS in Liberal Studies and a Master's in Teaching. A Pacific Northwest Native, Collette’s been married for thirty years, has three amazing adult children, and five dachshunds. Collette loves a good joke, inspirational quotes, flowers, the beach, trivia, birds, shabby chic, and Cadbury Chocolate. You'll always find dogs, birds, quirky—sometimes naughty—humor, and a dash of inspiration in her novels. Her motto for life? You can’t have too much chocolate, too many hugs, or too many flowers. She’s thinking about adding shoes to that list.

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Guest Post & Review: Scenes From Adelaide Road by Helena Stone

Can a young man find the courage he never knew he had when faced with losing everything he holds dear?

A few months before his final exams in secondary school, nineteen-year-old Lennart Kelly discovers he’s inherited a house on Adelaide Road in Dublin from a grandfather he never knew. Having been ignored, bullied and abused for as long as he can remember, Lennart can’t wait to leave behind his father and the small town he grew up in. Moving away as soon as he finishes his exams doesn’t cure his deep-rooted insecurities though.

Meeting twenty-three-year-old Aidan Cassidy in a gay club on his second night in Dublin, scares Lennart. Used to being ignored and ridiculed, he doesn’t trust the attention he receives and can’t believe a man like Aidan could possibly be interested in him. It takes infinite patience and understanding from Aidan to slowly coax Lennart out of his shell. 

But the past refuses to stay where it belongs and Lennart’s father is determined to take the house in Dublin off his son by whatever means necessary. Just when Lennart is learning to trust and embrace life, a violent attack threatens everything he holds dear. Suddenly Lennart is in danger of losing his house, the man he’s grown to love and maybe even his life. If Lennart wants to protect Aidan and safeguard his future, he’ll have to find the courage he never knew he had.

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I’m delighted to visit Mikky’s World of Books today and share a little bit of background information to my new book with you.

Scenes from Adelaide Road is my second solo novel and it’s also the second story I’ve set in Ireland. I’m well aware the Emerald Isle is not a common setting for (m/m) romance novels, but for me it felt appropriate. After all, this is where I have been living for the past eighteen years. I speak ‘Irish English’ I eat ‘Irish’ foods and I’m well acquainted with the Irish way of life.

It can be a bit of a juggling act though. On the one hand I want the setting to be as big a part of the story as the characters are. On the other hand, I have to be very careful not to turn my story into a parody. So while I may use expressions like ‘Jaysus’ and will always say ‘arse’ instead of ‘ass’, I go out of my way not to use words such as ‘begorrah’ or ‘top of the morning to you’. I’ve yet to hear those used outside a Hollywood movie and while it may sound authentically Irish to some, I can assure you it is not.

The flipside of trying to stay away from Irish stereotypes is making sure there is at least one thing in the story that is quintessentially Irish. In Scenes from Adelaide Road the uniquely Irish flavour is provided by Hurling.

Hurling is a sport played almost exclusively in Ireland. It has in the past been described as hockey mixed with murder (Jason Statham) and if you want to know why, you should take a look at the following clip: 

Hurling: The Fastest Game on Grass

It would be very easy to write a long and very interesting essay on hurling, but I’ll restrain myself. There is one detail of its long and illustrious history I would like to share though, especially since it is remotely connected to Lennart’s story in my book.

One of the earliest mentions of hurling, features a young man named Setanta who, when faced with a vicious dog, uses his hurley (the stick) and a sliothar (the small, rock hard ball hurling is played with) to defend himself, earning himself the name Cú Chulainn—"Culann's Hound" in the process. Did I mention this story is about 2000 years old?

No dogs or other animals were injured or killed in the process of writing Scenes from Adelaide Road but just like Cú Chulainn centuries before him, Lennart has his reasons to be grateful for both the game and the hurley in his hand.

Scenes From Adelaide Road is the heartbreaking and emotional story of a young man’s journey to self discovery. Grab your tissues and get comfy because, once you start reading, you won’t be able to stop.

Hate and disdain is everything that Lennart has ever received in life. 

The only person who was supposed to love him and care for him has made his existence unbearable ever since he can remember.

Now, an inherited house from a grandfather he never knew is the way of escape he’s been waiting for and he’s ready for a change.

Little did he knew just how much his life will change the moment he decides to face his fears and step into a gay nightclub. 

You’ll fall in love with Lennart on the spot. He’s been through so much, yet he finds the courage to move on and try to live the live he’s always wanted.

His biggest choice and the best he could have made is to give Aidan, the beautiful stranger he met in the club, a chance. 

Trust doesn’t come easy but, at this point, he doesn’t have much to lose.

His strength is also admirable. He might be shy and awkward most of the time but he keeps pushing and he always pulls through. 

Enter Aidan. Sweet, caring and patient Aidan. 

He fills many roles in the story but the main ones are that of a lover and a friend.

He encourages Lennart and supports him without being pushy or overbearing.

He’s strong when that’s what Lennart needs but tender and loving also, always knowing when to push and when to back down and let Lennart figure out things on his own.

One step at a time, their relationship strengthens and their bond becomes unbreakable even during the hardest times, Aidan teaching Lennart to trust himself and to give love a chance.

I can’t even express how much I liked this story. It’s very well written, fast paced and so captivating.

I found myself tearing up or just smiling like a goof and that is precisely what a book worth reading should do to you.

Oh, the number of times I wished I could crawl inside the story and just hold Lennart and comfort him.

Thank you, Helena, for another wonderful novel. I highly recommend it.

Happy Reading!!

Helena Stone can’t remember a life before words and reading. After growing up in a household where no holiday or festivity was complete without at least one new book, it’s hardly surprising she now owns more books than shelf space while her Kindle is about to explode.

The urge to write came as a surprise. The realisation that people might enjoy her words was a shock to say the least. Now that the writing bug has well and truly taken hold, Helena can no longer imagine not sharing the characters in her head and heart with the rest of the world.

Having left the hustle and bustle of Amsterdam for the peace and quiet of the Irish Country side she divides her time between reading, writing, long and often wet walks with the dog, her part-time job in a library, a grown-up daughter and her ever loving and patient husband.

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Excerpt & Giveaway! A Fool's War, King Jester #3 by Voss Foster

Marley is alive, and back with Toby and the rest of Zirkua Fantastic. But King Jester, the spirit of discord, still roams free, and his most fearsome creations, the Princes, have been loosed from their prisons. Now, human and immortal alike are disappearing, no sign of a body or a struggle to be found. More and more of them each day.

Now, it’s the duty of the last remnants of resistance to stand strong against the impossible, battle back the chaos before it ravages Earth. And all the while, a single question remains unanswered: can life ever return to normal after this?

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~*~

Toby wrapped an arm around Marley, felt the hard muscles of his arms. "You're wonderful."

"Well, I try."

They wandered through the camp. Once, it had been a circus, the greatest circus in all the world: Zirkua Fantastic. But it died when King Jester escaped. Now, only haunted remnants remained. Hawkers' corridor, once lively with trade, stood as dusty, weather-beaten booths, the machines and stock left abandoned. The tent frame stood, its fabric long burned away.

And there was the graveyard. It started with Darius, killed in King Jester's escape. But it grew. It grew too much, too fast. After they rescued Marley, they buried what was left of the victims, of the old performers.

Toby turned his eyes away from the graves, back to the skeleton of the tent. Those humans who chose to stay, after everything, spent most of their time here. Toby shook his head. Again, was this really safety? Could they really be safe, even with the protections. Those who stayed behind stayed to fight.When Toby looked at them, he didn't see them alive. Just dead. Killed by Coyote or killed by King Jester or, done away with. Whatever happened down in the town. And he wasn't the one who could keep them safe. Not against King Jester or his army of half-breeds.

~*~

Voss Foster lives in the middle of the Eastern Washington desert, where he writes science fiction and fantasy from inside a single-wide trailer. He is the author of Tartaros, The King Jester Trilogy, and the Evenstad Media Presents series, among others. His short fiction has been featured in various magazines and anthologies, including Andomreda Spaceways Inflight Magazine. When he can be pried away from his keyboard, he can be found cooking, singing, practicing photography, and belly dancing, though rarely all at the same time.

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Excerpt & Giveaway! Against All Odds, Odds Are #2 by Chris T. Kat

And then they lived happily ever after…

Sometimes Joshua Stone thinks he’s died and gone to heaven. How else can he explain Michael’s love for him? And now they’re living together… in a real relationship. This is the stuff of fairy tales, a love like other people take for granted.

Sure, they have their moments, what couple doesn’t? But a small doubt lingers in Joshua’s heart. Can this really be true? Can a gorgeous man like Michael really love someone like Joshua—the guy with cerebral palsy, who’s helpless without his walker or his tricycle to get him around?

Michael senses Joshua’s worries, but there’s nothing he can do to dispel them because that would mean revealing his secret—and he’s not ready for that. Their mutual secrets hang between them like time bombs waiting to explode. They might not survive the inevitable blast.

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~*~

“I’m awake! I’m awake, really!” Joshua panted.

“Really? I don’t want to take advantage of you, you know.”

“Michael! Excuse me for being tired. I keep going to bed later than I should because someone… namely you”—Joshua poked a finger into Michael’s chest—“works overtime all freaking week, and when said someone comes home, he still expects me to spend time with him.”

A guilty feeling settled in the pit of Michael’s gut. He inspected Joshua’s face more thoroughly, difficult as it was with only a small sliver of moonlight illuminating their bedroom, and noticed blue smudges under his eyes that hadn’t been there weeks ago. Furrowing his brows, Michael slid his gaze over Joshua’s face. Joshua had always been slim—too slim in Michael’s opinion, but that was a sore topic with Joshua—but now his cheeks were hollowed, accentuating his sharp cheekbones even more.

“Michael, do not freak out on me now, okay? It’s all fine.”

“You can go to bed if you’re tired; you don’t need to wait for me.” Michael tried not to wince when he mentally added, especially not on Tuesdays and Thursdays because on those days, I’ll always be late.

“Then we’d most likely only see each other on the weekends.” Joshua pressed a kiss to Michael’s lips, licking along the seam and demanding entrance. Joshua’s boldness had only developed recently, but wow, what a total turn-on it was for Michael.

Michael opened his mouth for Joshua’s exploration, quashing the urge to apologize to Joshua—again. It wasn’t his fault he currently had to drive up to Philadelphia each day for work, and he certainly couldn’t afford to say no to this job.

He’d finally managed to score a real job with some benefits. A couple more months and they could look for a new car… one Joshua could climb into on his own.

Joshua unlocked their lips, sighing. “I… I don’t think I can… I mean….”

Michael tilted his head, still reeling from the intense sensations Joshua’s tongue had evoked. Joshua’s left hand flopped next to his side and his right hand moved restlessly. Smiling, he said, “Bad muscle control?”Joshua seemed to force his gaze up before he nodded. Michael captured his lips in a searing kiss. “Can I ride you?”

~*~

Chris T. Kat lives in the middle of Europe, where she shares a house with her husband of many years and their two children. She stumbled upon the M/M genre by luck and was swiftly drawn into it. She divides her time between work, her family—which includes chasing after escaping horses and lugging around huge instruments such as a harp—and writing. She enjoys a variety of genres, such as mystery/suspense, paranormal, and romance. If there's any spare time, she happily reads for hours, listens to audiobooks or does cross stitch.

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Excerpt & Giveaway! Welcome To Forever, Hero's Welcome #1 by Annie Rains

If you love Kristan Higgins, Susan Mallery, or Jill Shalvis, you won’t want to miss the Hero’s Welcome military romance series! Welcome to Forever introduces a small coastal town where America’s best and brightest risk everything for love.

In Seaside, North Carolina, there are two kinds of people: Marines, and kids of Marines. Then there’s Kat Chandler. Recently hired as the principal of Seaside Elementary, Kat makes it her mission to turn the school into a place of peace and calm. That’s not going to be easy with hard-liner parents like Micah Peterson storming in, telling her how to do her job—and then kissing her with those gorgeous lips of his and turning her brain into mush.

As a Marine Sergeant and a single dad, Micah Peterson has just two priorities: doing his job better than anyone else, and getting the absolute best for his son, Ben. But when he meets Ben’s beautiful new principal, a different yearning shifts into focus. He wants her, sure, but he’s also moved by the connection Kat forges with her students. So after learning that she refuses to date Marines, Micah sets two more objectives: convincing Kat to give him a chance . . . and then holding on to her forever.

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~*~

“Have you thought about that kiss?” she asked, as he leaned in close to fasten her seatbelt. She couldn’t control what was coming out of her mouth. “Because I have. A little.” She started laughing again. Val had warned her that she was a horrible drunk, and evidently, it was true.

“What have you thought about it?” he asked, his voice low and bristly. Her buckle snapped into place with a loud click. He could step back now, but he didn’t.

And she didn’t want him to. What was the point of being drunk if you couldn’t say and do what you wanted, and then apologize for it in the morning? No one blamed a drunk, they blamed the drink. “I thought that I liked it. The kiss. It was amazing.” She held her breath as he lingered in front of her, his hand still resting on the seat’s buckle.

“I thought the same thing.”

“You did?” She swallowed thickly, as her heart rode up her throat.

His brow lifted. “You sound surprised.”

“I’m out of practice.” She nibbled on her lower lip, drawing his gaze there. Then his gaze flicked back to her ring. Just the thought squashed the flutterings in her chest, leaving a deep ache that vibrated with the alcohol. “He’s been gone for two years,” she said.

Micah’s brows pinched together softly.

Explaining about John in her state wasn’t a good idea, though. She might start crying, which she didn’t do in front of others anymore, and right now all she wanted to do was forget everything but their kiss. That she wanted to remember. “You could kiss me again,” she said softly.

His smile deepened and, damn, he smelled good.

Leaning in closer to her ear, his hot breath melted her as he whispered, “Kat, you’ve had too much to drink. I’m taking you home now.”

Before she could process what he’d said, he stepped back and shut the Jeep’s door, the sound as offensive as if someone had crashed cymbals in her ears. A moment later, he reappeared on the driver’s side and cranked the engine, another sound that made her wince.

She closed her eyes, unsure of what to do with her drunken emotions.

“If I kiss you again, I want to be one hundred percent sure it’s what you want. Not because my almost ex is walking up and you want to help me out. Not because you’ve had too much to drink and want to escape.”

She suddenly felt very tired, as the Jeep Cherokee headed out of the parking lot. “So, you are going to kiss me again?” she asked. Before she could hear his answer, though, her eyes closed and the sounds of the road and his voice, and the blood thundering in her head, blurred together. She remembered their kiss, the feel of his stubble roughly brushing against her cheek, and the way he had smelled like pine and fudge brownies.

No, wait. His eyes reminded her of fudge brownies. He didn’t smell like them.

Her eyes fluttered open. Yeah, she was definitely going to regret tonight in the morning.

~*~

Annie Rains is a contemporary romance author who writes small town love stories set in fictional towns on the coast of North Carolina. Raised in one of America's largest military communities, Annie often features heroes who fight for their countries, while also fighting for a place to call home and a good woman to love. When Annie isn't writing, she's spending time with her husband and 3 children, or reading a book by one of her favorite authors. Represented by Sarah Younger at Nancy Yost Literary Agency (NYLA).

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Excerpt & Giveaway! Velicious, Part Two by Shelique Lize

Justice Labelle has lost too much in this war of monster and men, and it needs to stop now. After her run in with Erin, which left her lying in a hospital bed, black and bloody blue, Justice is no longer going to sit by and simply accept the twisted hand, that has been dealt. Especially since she now has superhuman powers, all thanks to her being a Doll. Her one and only passion– To get through College and practice law at a top tier firm, is fading from her grasp and its all because of Calvin, Dante, Vampyres and the Government. In fact the government has more secrets than kids have candy… And they’re all just as deadly as the enemies they hunt. But you know what? Justice has come up with her own master plan and heaven help the Vampyre, monster or human that gets in her way!

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~*~

Dante hopped out, popping open his trunk. Unbuckling myself, I stepped out of the car as well. I asked, "What are we doing here?" Where was here, exactly? There was an open field of whiteness below, pure snow and ice. The night was not that cold. The stars were out, and light fluffs of snow fell slowly. All in all, it was a beautiful night in winter. Grinning handsomely, Dante pulled two plastic toboggan sleds out of his trunk. Shaking my head in disbelief, I said, “You're kidding?” “I don't kid.” “No, this not happening.” “You need some fun in your life.” He frowned tossing the tobogganing sleds on the roof of his car. “Let loose.” I shrugged. “I let loose.” “I remembered you telling me that life was your nightmare.” “So what?” “So have some fun with the nightmares of your life. Trust me, this life will use and abuse you, and you simply have to put your foot down and say, ‘Fuck it. No more.’ Everyone deserves a little fun. Don't be life's bitch.” I hated to admit it, but ugh, he was right. Again. When was the last time I enjoyed myself? Correction, when was the last time I had tried to enjoy myself and something bad ended up happening? Sighing, I walked over to his car, and grabbed one of the toboggan sleds. “And if I don't enjoy this?” “If you don't like it, you don't like it. However, you do this for me, I'll tell you anything you want to know about my kind.” “Deal." I smiled and sauntered toward the very top of the white hill and looked below. It was a very steep drop. It was seriously high for a toboggan hill. The last time I remembered I did anything like this, I was in elementary school. Taking a long, cool breath, I placed the sled on a path of melted snow and sat down, looking back at Dante as he meandered toward the hill, holding his sled behind his back. I hated that Dante was bathed in an unearthly perfection. Reaching out to where I was, Dante told me to yell out everything bad in my life, to take back control while sliding down. I didn't question his method. I had nothing to lose. I simply nodded, pushing myself off, and yelled at the top of my lungs. It felt good. By the time I reached the bottom, there was a lightness inside me again. A serious weight had disappeared, vanished for the moment, and I loved it. I moved out of the way as Dante came flying down the hill. Dante's hair was a mess in his face, and he picked himself up with a goofy grin. “How do you feel?” “A little better,” I mumbled, holding my thumb and pointing finger inches apart. Then, grabbing my sled, I took off up the hill with Dante following close behind. Round two of sledding down, I yelled out again at the top of my lungs. Round three, Dante and I raced down. Round four, we were a little silly, going backwards. Round five, six, and seven were just as fun, and round eight changed everything. Crashing into the snow and tumbling over, I laid there, laughing, for many reasons. I don't know if I was losing my mind, or if this was a sane thing to do. Standing above me Dante looked down. “Are you okay?” “Never been better,” I said, gazing into the blanket of stars, my breath materializing. Dante lowered his hand, and I took it with my right, but with my left I scooped up a handful of snow. Standing up, I shoved it in his face, and boy did I run, just as I got a glimpse of Dante's lips twitching. “This is war!” I heard Dante yell from behind me. Turning to face him, I replied, “Bring it on!” With a smile and feeling giddy, I scooped up another handful of snow, and Dante did the same.

~*~

Christmas is right around the corner, so besides the Rafflecopter,

Shelique Lize has decided to give The Velicious Series away for free!

PART ONE CODE: 8UJISKZYYN

GRAB YOUR FREE COPY

PART TWO CODE: 6MDJUOCHB1

DOWNLOAD HERE

Shelique Lize is an awesome mother of two beautiful baby girls, and a wife to the luckiest man on the planet. It took her five years to write Velicious Part One but once her first daughter was born, she decided to revisit the world that she had created. Falling in love with her characters all over again, she wanted to finish their story. Velicious Part Two was written in half the time. Shelique loves anything to do with the paranormal world. She’s a proud Canadian but dislikes winter. She prefers watching the snow falling beautifully from inside a warm home. Currently she likes to listen to The Weeknd and Lana Del Rey, and she’s pretty open to every other genre of music.

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Excerpt, Author Interview & Giveaway! House Of Royals, House Of Royals #1 by Keary Taylor

If you loved BRANDED, you won’t want to miss HOUSE OF ROYALS, Keary Taylor’s newest dark, romantic read.

Every town has its history and skeletons, but Silent Bend, Mississippi’s are darker than most. Ruled from the shadows by the House—the immortal Born and their aging, enslaved Bitten—everyone knows not to go out after dark and that the police will never look into crimes involving blood.

Alivia Ryan didn’t know the man who claims to be her father through a will even existed until she inherits the Conrath plantation. Instead of the sleepy house she expects, she finds a mansion and a staff who look at her with fear in their eyes.

Ian Ward tried to kill Alivia the first time they met, and then insisted he train her to defend herself against the House, who he claims will try to manipulate and take her in for their own political reasons. And the growing attraction between them will threaten their lives—Ian is a sworn enemy of the House.

In Silent Bend, people disappear, the threat of a demented King and the legend of his resurrecting Queen hang over everyone’s heads, and proving loyalty means far more than blood. You’d better watch who you trust in this town…

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~*~

“What are you doing here?” he hisses, pulling me close. His lips tickle my ear. His hand on my waist slips low and his fingers dig into my skin just a little.

The breath catches in my chest and every nerve ending in my body goes crazy. The music surges, and this night suddenly feels too big for me to breathe. 

“I’m not lying down and taking a fate I didn’t ask for,” I manage. My fingers cling hard to Ian’s shoulder. I can feel the muscles beneath his clothes tense and tighten. And suddenly, I’m back to the days at his cabin, when he’d come walking out of the shower with only a towel and I pretended not to look. I know what his bare skin looks like, and I’m craving another glimpse.

“They won’t care about a show of good faith,” he says. “Do you have any idea what this party is even for?”

My silence is his answer.

“They throw this party once a year and offer massive amounts of alcohol so that people won’t remember the blackouts that come from being fed on.”

My eyes dart to that door at the back of the room. The blood on the woman’s shoulder. The blood in the corner of the man’s mouth.

“They’re feeding on the party attendees,” I say.

Ian nods. His scratchy cheek brushes mine. “The bite numbs and makes you forget, but people tend to realize they blacked out. A party like this with this much booze, you brush it off. It’s the one time a year they feed freely upon the townspeople. It’s the only way to keep people from asking too many questions.”

It’s terrifying and horrifying, and I’m suddenly wondering if the man was asking me to dance as my turn to be fed upon.

“It’s bad, but I have to do something, Ian,” I breathe.

“Walking into the fire isn’t the way to do it,” he whispers into my ear.

~*~

Please tell us a little about yourself.

I’m Keary Taylor, and I’ve been self-publishing since early 2010. Since then I’ve released 15 titles and I’m loving every bit of this industry! I write in a few different genres, but paranormal seems to be my most loved. I currently live in Utah and spend my summers on a little island in Washington State with my husband and our two kids! I love traveling, jamming out to music, and have the sugar taste buds of a four year old!

Tell us about your latest book, HOUSE OF ROYALS.

This has been such a fun series to write! Alivia comes to live in Mississippi after a father she didn’t know leaves her his massive estate. She arrives to find a town that’s terrified of the dark and her very last name brings all kinds of fear to their eyes. She’s about to learn of a completely hidden monarchy where the politics get bloody and deadly.

Where did you get the inspiration for HOUSE OF ROYALS?

This story actually evolved from a very different one that I had been trying to write for three years. It was similarly set in the South, in a sleepy, creepy town, but the supernatural basis for it was voodoo. I did a lot of weird research, had massive outlines, but every time I worked on it, I had to stop for one reason or another. I just couldn’t write that version of the story. I joke and say it has a curse on it, but I’m not really joking… One day the thought just popped into my head that vampires would totally fit into this town instead, and the rough monarchy I’d been setting up in the original version worked even better in the vampire version! And House of Royals just poured out of me.

What celebrity would you chose to play the main character(s) in the movie rendition of your book?

I would have Lily Collins play Alivia Ryan. She totally fits the soft, shy girl Alivia starts out as, but captures the hidden wolf within. Ian Ward would be played by Liam Hemsworth (I know, this surprised me too, I’m a hardcore Chris loyalist). And Rath would be none other than Lenny Kravitz!

What do you have coming out in the future?

I’m plowing through this series! Book two, HOUSE OF PAWNS releases December 15th, and then book three, HOUSE OF KINGS, comes out in March of 2016. And the series will continue in the fall!

Keary Taylor grew up along the foothills of the Rocky Mountains where she started creating imaginary worlds and daring characters who always fell in love. She now resides on a tiny island in the Pacific Northwest with her husband and their two young children. She continues to have an overactive imagination that frequently keeps her up at night. She is the author of THE EDEN TRILOGY, the FALL OF ANGELS trilogy, and WHAT I DIDN'T SAY. To learn more about Keary and her writing process, please visit www.KearyTaylor.com.

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