ARTHUR ZARR'S AMAZING ART CAR
by Cathey Graham Nickell
illustrated by Bill Megenhardt
Genre: Children's Picture Book/Outsider Art
Publisher: Twenty-Eight Creative
Date of Publication: November, 2015
# of pages: 40
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Arthur Zarr is a quiet man with few friends. His life is rather plain, and his car is plain, too. But not for long! When Arthur gets a creative idea to add everyday objects to his car’s plain exterior, he’s noticed for the first time. Neighbors and other bystanders add their own artistic flair to the car, too. What happens when he enters his bedazzled vehicle in the town’s art car parade? Mr. Zarr finds happiness and makes friends by building an amazing art car. In this whimsical story, children learn about recycling, community, friendship building, and the power of imagination. The book includes a “History of Art Cars” page for readers who’ve never heard of this creative form of artistic expression. It also has a subtle ABC theme, as Arthur Zarr adds objects to his art car in alphabetical order! This is the first—and so far, the only—children’s book published about an art car. Suitable for all ages but especially ages 4-8. Illustrated by Houston graphic artist, Bill Megenhardt.
Praise for Arthur Zarr's Amazing Art Car:
“Nickell’s book is a treat for sight, sound, and sense, for readers and artcarfans (no, you won’t find the word in your dictionary just yet, anyway) of all levels.”
--Lone Star Literary Life.
“A wonderful story of art, opening up to the joys of life, and celebrating the artist in everyone.”--Lynette Wallace, Executive Director, Orange Show Center for Visionary Art, Houston, Texas.
“Cathey Nickell’s book will help fuel the desire to make positive changes in our world through artistic endeavor.”--Alicia Duplan, Assistant Director, Art Car Museum, Houston, Texas.
“Cathey’s story. . . is both engaging and warm. By the end, I found myself rooting for Mr. Zarr. I even felt a small twinge of disappointment when he didn’t win the trophy. Artcar Nation highly recommends this book. Give it to all the children you know.”— Paul McRae, Artcar Nation.
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ALSO AVAILABLE AT THESE BRICKS & MORTAR STORES: BEER CAN HOUSE, 222 Malone St., Houston, Texas (weekends only). BERINGS Baby and Kids Dept., 3900 Bissonnet St. and 6102 Westheimer Rd., Houston, Texas. BETWEEN THE COVERS BOOKSTORE, 224 W. Colorado Ave., Telluride, Colorado. BLUE WILLOW BOOKSHOP, 14532 Memorial Dr., Houston, Texas. BRAZOS BOOKSTORE, 2421 Bissonnet St., Houston, Texas. CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM, 5216 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas. THE JUNG CENTER BOOKSTORE, 5200 Montrose Blvd., Houston, Texas. TOY FAIR at Pierremont Mall, 4801 Line Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana.
Cathey Graham Nickell is an author, mother, and wife living in Houston, Texas. She is best known as the seeing-eye-person for her little blind dog named Cricket. Cathey launched her first children’s picture book, Arthur Zarr’s Amazing Art Car, in November 2015. She doesn’t drive an art car herself, but she has a habit of covering the back of her SUV with bumper stickers! Cathey also snaps pictures of art cars—which are plentiful in Houston—when she sees them. Her all-time favorite car was the bright-yellow Volkswagen Beetle that her grandmother drove in the 1970s. Cathey draws from her experience as a former newspaper reporter and public relations professional. After taking a few years off to raise four children, Cathey started freelance writing again in 2012 when a non-profit organization called the Institute for Spirituality and Health hired her to research and write its six-decade history. Uniting Faith, Medicine and Healthcare: A 60-Year History of the Institute for Spirituality and Health at the Texas Medical Center was published in 2015. The book is used as a marketing and communications tool, and all financial proceeds benefit the Institute (not Cathey). Cathey graduated from Baylor University with a BA in Journalism in 1985. She earned a Master of Arts from Louisiana State University-Shreveport in 2013. Find her online where she blogs about her writing and publishing adventures.
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$20 CASH & an Author and Illustrator
Signed Copy of the Book!
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Title: Havoc
Series: Storm MC #8
Author: Nina Levine
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Blurb
Meet Havoc... I was happy doing my own thing.
No connections.
No demands.
No problems.
Just me, my club and a whole lot of dirty work to take care of.
She never wanted a biker.
She wanted stability and I gave up on that years ago.
We tried to fight it.
Neither of us wanted it.
But she calms my fury and I show her a man who accepts every part of her.
Now we're trying to figure out how to be together. Because when the need for each other is this strong, to deny it will only cause complete havoc.
Purchase Links AMAZON LINKS TO BE ADDED B&N / KOBO / iBOOKS Excerpt
As I stepped through the bathroom doorway however, I found her. She was in the bath, plugged into her music with her eyes closed and her head resting on the edge of the bath. I stopped and leaned against the wall with my arms folded across my chest. Watching her, my gaze travelled the length of her body. In the short time I’d known her, my appreciation of her body had grown. Where small tits hadn’t turned me on a month ago, I couldn’t get enough of hers. Never letting me down, my dick grew hard while I took in her beauty. “Fuck,” I muttered under my breath as I contemplated the wisdom of fucking her again. I wanted to. Hell, I fucking needed to. She’s a brother’s sister for fuck’s sake. I’d spent the last few hours going over and over that fact in my mind. My decision had been to head back to the motel, sleep on the couch and never taste her pussy again. I hadn’t factored in having her naked body on display the minute I returned. Shit. “How long are you going to stand there staring at me?” she asked as she cracked an eye open to look at me. “Until you get out and let me fuck you.” Both her eyes had opened and I pinned my gaze to hers, not letting her go. Her eyebrows lifted. “I thought you were done with me.” “Turns out I’m not.” She stood and reached for her towel before stepping out. Continuing to hold my gaze, she slowly dried herself off. Teasing the fuck out of my dick. I fought the desire to reach out and rip the towel from her hands. My carefully constructed self-control was being tested and I knew it wouldn’t be long until I caved and took what I wanted. Finally – finally – she finished drying off and closed the distance between us. “What if I’m done with you?” I knew she was full of shit by the breathless tone she used and the way her body leaned just that little bit too close to mine. It was like she was trying to hold herself back, but her body had a mind of its own and couldn’t stay away. I lifted a brow. “Are you?” “I should be. After the way you’ve been treating me, I really should be.” Still all breathy. Still in this with me. I unfolded my arms so I could curl my hand around her neck. Gripping her there, I said, “Yeah, you should be, but you’re not.” I feel the same way. With our faces so close that her breaths whispered across my skin, we stared at each other for a long time. The still air in the tiny bathroom consumed our apprehension piece by piece until all that was left was an unrelenting need to satisfy our hunger. At the first sign of her softening, I tightened my hold on her neck and pulled her mouth to mine. She didn’t hesitate and a second later our bodies pressed together as hard as our mouths did. The smell of her arousal overwhelmed me and I let her neck go so I could slide my hands around her ass and lift her. Turning, I held her up against the wall and groaned as she wrapped her legs around me. The urge to drive my cock as hard and fast as I could into her sweet cunt threatened to take over as the only thought in my mind, and I took a moment to work through that and get myself under control. Resting my forehead against hers, I focused on my breathing while I gave myself a talking to. Focus. You’ve got this. You’ve fucking done this enough times to know how to control yourself. But I hadn’t. I’d never fucked a woman like Carla. Had never been with a woman who stole my control the way she did. She invaded every fucking sense of mine until I didn’t know right from wrong, up from down, red from fucking blue. “Havoc.” My head snapped up and I found her staring at me. Unsure. “Are you okay?” she asked, lines creasing her forehead as she tilted her head, frowning at me. I stepped back and let her go. “I need to slow this shit down.” She stood naked in front of me with an expression on her face that seemed to be half confusion and half frustration. “What does that mean?” I wasn’t sure I even knew. “It means I want you sitting cross legged in the middle of the bed waiting for me while I take a minute,” I bit out. My head was so damn full I thought it might actually explode. Too many thoughts. Too many fucking feelings. I jerked my chin at her and snapped, “Go.” Her eyes widened a fraction and I pushed my breaths out while waiting for her to submit. When she didn’t, I growled, “Carla, I need you to go and sit on the bed. Now.” “I’m giving you five minutes to get your head back in this. I’m all for bossy and shit, but I draw a line at whatever the fuck you call what you’ve got going on at the moment. Barking orders at me is a whole lot fucking different than dominating me.” With that, she stalked out of the bathroom. Thank fuck. Also Available
Title: Golden Boy
Series: The Canyon Club #2
Author: Kate Moore
Publisher: Boroughs Publishing Group
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: December 21, 2015
Blurb
In L.A., land of palm trees and perpetual sunshine, charming trust-fund golden boy Josh Huntington meets his match in Emma Gray, an independent single-mother who can’t be won by charm...and who makes him past ready to be a man.
EVERYTHING HE WANTS
Lucky in looks, fortunate in birth, Josh Huntington is a prince of privilege, one of LA’s golden boys. In his nearly thirty years there have been no clouds in the sky and no dip in his funds—until now. His impossibly strong sense of self-interest is being challenged...and not just by his father’s threats to cut his trust fund. There’s also his tenant, a prickly young single mom with a six-year-old and a habit of looking down her self-reliant nose at his wastrel ways. Emma Gray has no use for rich man-boys like her landlord, all charming sensuality and no dependability. Not unless her sink needs unclogging. Josh reminds her too much of her rock-star father and a past that she ran away from. Emma is self-made, from her punk rock wardrobe to her fiercely independent lifestyle. But her quest for family will bring them all together, and soon Emma will learn that the spoiled boy next door desires things she doesn’t realize...and can grow up to be a man she never dared imagine.
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Excerpt
He opened the door. Emma Gray looked like a landlord’s worst nightmare, with her leather-gloved fist stopped midway in its path to his door. Dark rouged lips, nose piercings, and smoky, kohl-lined eyes intensified the glare she gave him. Purple streaks in her hair hung long and straight over her ears. Her black skull-and-crossbones tank top bared trails of lurid floral tattoos running across her collarbone and down her upper arms. A wide, metal-studded black leather belt cinched her waist above an incongruous schoolgirl-plaid pleated skirt. Her slim legs, encased in fishnet hose, disappeared into unlaced industrial-strength black boots. And she looked seriously aggrieved that he’d opened his door wearing only a pair of black silk boxers.
“Don’t you ever wear clothes?” “Not in bed.” Her gaze dropped. He might have made her blush. Hard to tell under that Swedish death metal band look. At least she lowered her fist. “What’s the problem?” he asked. “Sink? Refrigerator? Shower?” It was a mistake to think shower. The very word triggered images his brain ought not to entertain about his tenant, this prickly, independent, don’t-touch-me-ever, single-mom tenant whose rent he needed. He might be at low tide, but not that low. They stood looking at each other in the common second-floor entry under the breast of Venus overhead lamp fixture while he waited for whatever she intended to say. He had time to imagine several intriguing possibilities before she finally got the words out. “I need your help.” He did not move. He did not betray by so much as a flicker of a glance the satisfaction it gave him to hear those four words from this girl who did practically everything herself. Her constant stubborn independence irked him, though he was less amused the few times she called him out on his landlord duties. “Do you?” She glanced back over hershoulder at her unit. That meant she was thinking of her son Max, a tow-headed six year old. “Yes.” “What can I do for you?” “My babysitter didn’t show and hasn’t called, and I’m due at work in fifteen.” He noted what she could and could not say. “You want me to watch Max?” “He can take care of himself, really. He has toys and snacks. He can play while you…whatever. You just have to check on him once in awhile and call me if there’s blood, vomiting, unconsciousness, or visible bones.” He should not have her on, but the temptation was too strong. “Define ‘once in awhile.’ Like, every five minutes, or every half hour?” She blew out a short, sharp breath. “If it gets too quiet, you know, you should check.” “So you want me to keep my music down and my door open.” “Can you do that?” It was clearly instinctive for her to doubt his capabilities. To ask for his help, Ms. Self-Reliance had to be desperate. He straightened and stopped his teasing. “Listen, let Max know the plan. I’ll put on some clothes and take him to the park or something. How long will you be gone?” “Six.” She turned away. “Thank you.” He left the door open and drifted back into his bedroom to find some shorts and flip-flops. Her accepting his help was a slight admission of his usefulness, and he contemplated how to take advantage of his minor victory.
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Author Bio
Kate has lived most of her life along the California coast. That experience has made her a jeans-wearing, toes in wet-sand, married to a surfer, fog-loving weather wimp, with a hint of East Coast polish from spending her college years in Boston. Family history connects her to Irish and English immigrants, Cornish miners, gold prospectors, and adventurers who sailed around Cape Horn bound for San Francisco. When she's not reading, writing or brainstorming, Kate walks in the redwoods, feed birds, collect books, apples and leaves; she watches tele-novellas on Spanish-language TV and immerses herself in all things English. Her favorite food groups are butter, brown sugar, dark chocolate, and red wine. Kate's early literary influences were The Little Engine That Could, The Little Red Hen, and Winnie the Pooh. Austen, Heyer, Chaucer, and Homer came later and inspired her to put that first plot on paper. Kate's heroes are honorable, virile outsiders with some grand ambition; her heroines are practical princesses, who drive those edgy loners into love with good sense and good sex. Her family and friends offer endless support and humor. Kate says her children are her best works, and her husband is her favorite hero.
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Title: I Never Dreamed
Series: Southern Rock Lyrics #2
Author: Ashley Hampton
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Interracial Romance
Cover Design: Underdog Photography & Publishing, LLC
Cover Model: Ricky Bell
Photographer: Ashley Hampton with Underdog Photography & Publishing, LLC
Release Date: March 22, 2016
Blurb
Dr. Nate Roman Heartbroken. Once was enough. I'll never give my heart to another again. One night with a woman is enough for me now. As a psychologist, I deal with emotions all day long. Life gets messy when emotions are involved, and I like my life uncomplicated. Dr. Lynsey Henderson intrigues me. Her smile makes my heart skip a beat. I want her in my bed, but she isn't proving to be an easy conquest. Dr. Lynsey Henderson I finally have everything I dreamed about since I was a kid. Well, almost. I have the best job as a pediatric orthopedic surgeon, and I live in a beautiful historic home in a quaint small town. I'm missing someone special to share my life with. Someone special to love. The last time I tried was a colossal disaster. My path has crossed Dr. Nate Roman's multiple times at work. He is beyond gorgeous and just the kind of guy I swore I'd stay away from.... he has a different girl every night, and I'm not going to be one of the many. He is so damn sweet when he tries to convince me to go out with him, and I don't know how much longer I'll be able to resist.
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#3 I NEED YOU
Author Bio
Ashley Hampton works as a Licensed Psychologist in private practice during the day. When she leaves work, she puts on her writer and photographer hats and enjoys living in the worlds created in her mind. She lives near her hometown of Birmingham, Alabama with her cat, Gemma. Ashley wanted to find a creative way to meld her love for music and psychology with writing, and the Southern Rock Lyrics series was born. With other series planned, Ashley wants to write in the romance, erotica, and psychological thriller genres.
Author Links
I was born in sadness,
which was just the beginning of a solemn and desolate life. I'm no stranger to pain--none of us are. The night I held my best friend's hand as she died, I understood true agony. And I never thought I'd feel happiness again.
But that was so long ago...
Moving to Colorado to be with Colin, my high school sweetheart, was the perfect way to start over and rekindle what had begun to fizzle. I wanted that spark to ignite, to burn in passion and desire. Instead, I found myself falling for Jude, my boyfriend's roommate. He’s the only person who understands my soul, who can breach the walls I’ve built. But I can't have him.
Because I'm Trista Kohl, and my destiny is sorrow.
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I like nachos and champagne and clean sheets. I spend far too much time at Starbucks. I wrote a couple books
He Found Me Series
(He Found Me & He Saved Me)
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Ten Below Zero
Amazon ~ FREE on Kindle Unlimited
Title: Risking It All
Series: Naked Men #1
Author: Christi Barth
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Blurb
Who doesn’t love Naked Men? In Christi Barth’s irresistible series, a group of close-knit friends talk out their problems with naked honesty on a popular blog. Bonded by a high-school tragedy, they’re moving on from the past—and fighting for the future with strong and sassy women. Griffin Montgomery helps people. As a teenager, he kept his best friends alive after their soccer team’s bus crashed in the Alps. Now, as a Coast Guard search and rescue pilot, he saves lives with reckless abandon—until he goes too far and earns a lengthy suspension. Working on the Naked Men projects keeps his mind busy, but Griff’s itching to get back in the action. That’s when he finds his latest rescue mission: a pretty wallflower who’s stuck in her comfort zone. Chloe Widmore doesn’t take risks. As a professional letter writer, she gets enough excitement out of expressing other people’s emotions. So when the hottest man she’s ever seen invades her coffee shop, Chloe surprises herself with how much she wants to be with him. Routines make her feel safe. Griff makes her deliciously unsafe, in so many ways. But falling for him is one risk she might just have to take . . . whether she’s ready or not.
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Author Bio
Christi Barth earned a master’s degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes contemporary romance. Barth lives in Maryland with her husband.
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Title: Jackson's Trust
Series: Fourth Down #1
Author: Violet Duke
Publisher: Loveswept
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: March 8, 2016
Blurb
New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke kicks off her fun and sexy new Fourth Down series with a heartwarming friends-to-lovers romance between a no-strings-attached sports analyst and the hottest damn tomboy he’s ever met. It’s no secret that sports analyst Jackson Gray doesn’t do relationships. What is a secret, however, is the reason why. Jackson’s life is . . . complicated. And it doesn’t help that his current hands-off “friendship” is with the cute-as-hell new sideline reporter he’s assigned to train. Turns out, not only is the woman damn sweet, she also knows as much about football as he does. Like it or not though, Jackson has to remind himself that sex is the only thing he has to offer . . . until now. Leila Hart’s fast-growing friendship with Jackson is something she’d never risk, no matter how unbelievably seductive the reward. Becoming an NFL sportscaster has always been the goal, and thanks to Jackson’s fierce support and mentoring, it all finally seems within reach. Problem is, a girl can only take so much of that sexy-as-sin voice whispering dirty, filthy football stats in her ear before she loses all self-control. A workplace romance with Jackson is a disaster waiting to happen, especially for someone with big dreams . . . and secrets of her own.
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Author Bio
New York Times bestselling author Violet Duke is a former professor of English education who’s ecstatic to be on the other side of the page writing wickedly fun contemporary romances. When she’s not feeding her book-a-day reading addiction, she enjoys tackling reno projects with her power tools, trying pretty much anything without reading the directions first, and cooking impossible-to-duplicate “special edition” dishes that laugh in the face of recipes. A born and raised island girl, she spends her days in Hawai’i chasing after her two cute kids (daughter, Violet, and son, Duke) and similarly adorable husband (their ringleader).
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Title: Saved By The SEAL (STANDALONE Battle Scars novel)
Author : Diana Gardin
Genre: Romance
He saved her life. She showed him how to live it . . .
When he sees a woman drowning, Grisham Abbot immediately leaps into action. The Navy SEAL forgets his training, his past, and the explosion that forever scarred his body and his mind. He can only remember what he was born to do. But saving Greta Owen is a complication Grisham is definitely not ready for. She’s stunning and gorgeous--like sunlight after months of darkness. Yep, Grisham is so, so screwed.
Greta knows that the smart thing to do would be to run from Grisham. He’s a wounded warrior, and his head is a big-time mess. The problem is that Greta wants to make him her mess. One kiss and she’s completely in over her head. And if this SEAL risked himself to save her, then she must find a way to bring him back to life . . .
Diana Gardin was born and raised combing the coasts of Southeastern Virginia. She is now a happy resident of South Carolina as she married into an enormous Carolina-rooted family. She loves the beach, and even more than that she loves to read while sitting on the beach.
While writing was always a passion of Diana’s, she enrolled in college to become an elementary-school teacher. After eight years of teaching in both Virginia and South Carolina, she decided to stay at home with her first child. This decision is what opened her eyes to the fact that she still very much loved to write, and her first novel was born. Diana is the author of several works of New Adult Romance, including The Ashes Series, The Nelson Island Series, and the Battle Scars Series.
Title: All That I Am
Series: Men of Monroe #1
Author: Rachel Brookes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Robin Harper at Wicked by Design
Cover Photo: Sara Eirew
Release Date: April 18, 2016
Blurb
Ben Hunt lives a life with no commitments, no obligations, and no distractions. As a member of the Monroe Police Department, it works for him—until the picture of that stunning blonde lands on his desk. Sasha Hamilton, with her spitfire attitude, legs for days, and grab-you-by-the-gut green eyes, ignites something within him, and grabs his full attention. The fact that she is the suspect’s sister doesn’t even cross his mind. Sasha Hamilton owns a kickass home décor boutique, an exquisite heel collection, and a painful past. After spending years attempting to heal deep wounds, she’s built walls that even the strongest man couldn’t get through. She could never have predicted a power like Ben Hunt would hurtle into her life at full speed. He offers her everything she needs and nothing she wants. All it takes is one moment.
A split second to change everything she’s ever known.
As a new threat appears, Sasha must decide between pushing away the unrelenting force that is Ben Hunt, or ignoring her head and letting her cautious heart win the battle.
This battle could be the greatest one she’s ever faced, if only she could see the prize waiting for her at the end.
Author Bio
Rachel Brookes is from the east coast of Australia and writes angst ridden love stories with a pinch of craziness, a dash of drama, a cup of romance, and a bucket load of sexiness. With five novels currently published, she is constantly writing and getting ready to release her next hero and heroine into the world. An avid reader, Rachel can often be found with her kindle in her hand, and getting lost in a happily ever after. She has an unhealthy obsession with The Walking Dead, and social media, and loves hearing from readers.
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Giveaway
Title: A Leap in the Dark
Series: Assassins of Youth MC #2
Author: Layla Wolfe
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: March 7, 2016
PRAISE FOR A LEAP IN THE DARK
"I look forward to the next in the series. Congratulations to Layla. In my opinion, this was her best book." ~ Kaz, Triple Bs Book Blog "Absolutely brilliant read and i can't wait to see what comes next and whether the Assassins will manage to take down the fundies!!" ~ Booklover, One Click Aholics "I LOVED A Leap in the Dark. And, now I can’t wait for the next book in this series." ~ Tanya, Tasty Wordgasms
Blurb
Kiss slowly. Play hard.
Oaklyn: That arrogant, loathsome bastard had the nerve to move to Avalanche. Levon left behind his empire of sleaze to invade the tiny, sleepy town I’d decided to call home. I wanted to get away from smut and abuse and into a fresh, innocent place where nobody knew my name, only to be followed right into my very house by the King of Corruption himself. I could handle it if he was physically gruesome. But he struts around with his muscles bulging and his cornflower blue eyes sparkling. I’m a nurse, a practical, sensible gal. But when Levon needs my help, I put away my pride and come running. And he’s going to need a lot of help to go up against the dirtbag Avalanche mayor, blackmailing him with his shameful past. Levon: She’s proud, conceited, and holier-than-thou, everything I hate in a woman. But maybe it’s been too long since I had one, because when she steps up to the plate to help me, I’m doomed. I had to knock her down a few pegs once she knew I wanted her. Joining the Assassins of Youth motorcycle club and giving Oaklyn a few sessions over my knee just seemed to increase her yearning, though. She’s a sizzling hot tornado of a woman. I need her to fight back against the fucking corrupt politicians in this town we’re trying to transform. I might have come from a sordid, disgraceful background. But I’m determined to move into the light and the purity that will make this town great. Publisher’s Note: This is a full-length, standalone novel with a HEA and no cliffhanger. Possible triggers include male prostitution, sexual abuse, gun running, and crooked municipal blackmail.
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TO BE ADDED
Excerpt
“My parents, along with almost every other Lost Boys’ parents. Every parent who threw their son to the wolves. This is why a lot of us learn to feel no emotion. I’m usually pretty emotionless, which is why I’m thinking maybe I can deal with Gideon’s work inside the compound. Yesterday I had to face this Parley Pipkin assbite who was one of the men in on the ass-kicking I received from Zelpha Pratt’s dad. Like it takes ten men to kick the ass of one teenager. I did all right, staring him in the fucking face.”
“You refrained from shooting him, anyway. That’s admirable.” I hadn’t told anyone other than Gideon about Ladell Pratt yet. Deloy probably suspected that he was one of my tormentors, but was polite enough not to bring it up. “Fifteen years of controlling my emotions has taught me well. That’s why I like your scientific way of looking at things. We have more in common than you might suspect. Emotion is a defect in a perfectly logical machine.” “No, no, not at all,” she cried, loud enough for Nana to hear. I moved closer to her, taking her by the upper arms to guide her into the shadows of the kitchen wall, farther from Nana’s bedroom. “Reason alone, without human emotion, has created more wretchedness than a zealot’s crusade.” “You haven’t lived in Cornucopia.” “Watching a Shakespeare performance informs us more about the nature of jealousy, how it can infiltrate a man’s life and ruin his marriage, than any textbook ever could. Harriet Beecher Stowe helped rouse society against slavery more powerfully than any spreadsheet. Dickens did more to prevent child abuse and institutional atrocity than any welfare society report.” I had to agree with her, because literature had replaced emotion in my life. I could feel through works of art, music, and writing. I allowed myself to feel outrage and indignation on their behalf—maybe because they were “made up” works of art, and somewhat remotely removed from my own carefully guarded cage of feelings. “Well, yes. Lennon’s ‘Imagine’ is still played in about five hundred languages in ten billion elevators throughout the world. I’m sure it’s managed to soothe many a savage beast. The photo of the napalmed Vietnamese girl or Dorothea Lange’s Dust Bowl photos still resonate in people’s hearts. Oaklyn, you don’t need to convince me. I feel deeply through others’ creations. It’s just my real life where I have trouble knowing how to feel.” “And that’s where you’ll miss out. You have to feel direct confrontations with people. There’s no sense in having pity for people if you’re being ruled by performance and profit. There’s no point in being charitable if you’re really not experiencing the compassion directly like a stab to your heart. I have a shitty boyfriend, I’ll be the first to admit that. But at least we have passion. We fight with passionate anger in our hearts.” “That’s useless to me,” I said. It sounded heartless even as I said it. When had I become such a callous, insensitive jerk? “I’ve had no close relationships with anyone in my life—ever. Not since Zelpha Pratt.” “You mean romantic. But you love your men.” I stood tall and proud. “I love my men like a protective mother hen. But passion with a woman? Nothing. At least you have that with your idiotic boyfriend.” It irritated me that she had even an idiotic boyfriend. I’d grown close to her the past week, strange to say. We sort of fit together like hand in glove, though I knew she loathed me for my business practices. I was used to that. I’d been denounced for my field of work for a long time now. It was only because we serviced such a large denomination of pious men and women in the community that no one had harassed us to move. She said, “Decisions such as whom to fall in love with, how to discipline a teenager, which beloved things to sacrifice, which dreams to follow or abandon—all of these choices should be made with emotion ruling, not wiped out and deadened by your logical thinking. If I let myself be ruled by logic, I’d never have hooked up with my worthless Italian boyfriend.” “And that’s a good thing?” I scoffed. She shrugged. “I’m actually trying to get rid of him. Emotion keeps drawing me back to him. But you see what I mean? You’re missing out on such a broad array of human experiences if you don’t go through any of those things.” I was getting riled, maybe with the more Jim Beam I drank. “You don’t understand. I was kicked out of the bosom of my family. I was told that I was a thing, a bother, an inconvenience. I was a miniscule number in a perpetual multitude of numbers—an ‘it,’ not even an ‘I.’” She folded her hands in front of her soberly, though she had drank as much as I had. “I understand. You won’t let yourself feel because that would dredge up all those angry, bitter feelings.” “But I am angry and bitter! ‘Angry and Bitter’ is my middle name! It washes over me time and time again, trapping me in my bitterness, my rage, my inability to even remotely forgive anyone connected to that incident.” “You have to learn to forgive, Levon, or else you can’t move on. Don’t you want to marry and have a regular wife? One that wasn’t chosen for you by some moldy old elders? Don’t you want to feel regular, normal passion and love for a woman—a woman you chose yourself?” I don’t know what the fuck came over me. All at once, I knew I had something to prove to Oaklyn. Suddenly her waist under the furry jacket looked so small, so fragile, like she needed my big hands around it. When I grabbed her, she jumped, as though I was going to hurt her. She held onto my forearms as I lifted her onto the deck railing. She was so fucking light, with bones like a little bird! I parted her thighs with my massive ones, feeling like an ancient tree next to a swaying birch. I touched the tip of my nose to hers, and she didn’t try to pull away. “I might not know romantic feelings,” I murmured, “but I know that sex can masquerade for emotions of that type.” And I kissed her. I gave it my all, letting my usual rage and indignation stand in for passion. I bit her pouty, full lips over and over again until I felt the breath of her sighs against my mouth. Her entire body did a full melt, and she even wrapped her ankles around the back of my knees. Something happened during that wild kiss. My asshole self, who had never even really felt a passionate sexual urge—it was strictly business with all of us—began to cave in. Just like Oaklyn was folding up, dissolving like a sinkhole beneath my onslaught. Some of the walls I’d built up carefully over fifteen years began to dissolve. I could almost feel it, at the edges of my awareness, like a curtain someone was lifting on the two of us. Like a spotlight shining on us coupling there on the deck railing, I began to feel like the star of our show. Only there were two of us, because it wasn’t just me performing like a trained seal. This was a woman who wasn’t my client. I was voluntarily licking her lips of my own free will. My cock was burgeoning, swelling against the wood railing, just an inch from her pussy. It made a giant tent in the loose lounging pants I wore, but I wasn’t embarrassed. Real feelings rushed through my lungs. Every breath I snorted against her cheek, every intake of air was like breathing true, real emotion. I didn’t hate Oaklyn. I sort of even liked her. My hands moved up her ribcage, felt her bony shoulders, cradled her strong jaw. Of course I never kissed clients, so I hadn’t kissed a woman in a year, maybe even two. It just wasn’t in my wheelhouse—I didn’t have the time. So feeling the true, hot, aroused sensuality of a woman beneath my very palms, well, it was a fucking turn-on. But I knew I had to break away. I was good at doing that. “There,” I panted triumphantly, as if I’d just solved some equation on a whiteboard. Oaklyn looked at me wide-eyed with wonder, her lower lip shining as though stung by a bee. She clearly didn’t know what to say or maybe even how to feel, so I helped her out. “How’s that for emotional turmoil?” I was going to stalk off jubilantly, but Oaklyn beat me to it. She leaped from the railing, shoving me out of the way. She stormed off for a few steps, but then thought better of it, and twirled back to face me. “You! Levon Rockwell. You’re the most infuriating, contrary man on the face of the planet!” Then she stormed off. I saw her go into the kitchen and grab the bottle of Jim Beam off the counter without missing a beat, then continue to her room. Infuriating. I liked that. It meant I was getting to her. Then I wondered why I wanted to get to her.
Author Bio
Bestselling author Layla Wolfe likes to bring you alpha males--sometimes two at a time--and the kick-ass women who love them. Her BARE BONES MC series explores the dark, disturbing life of the biker club in Arizona. Her spinoff series THE BENT ZEALOTS MC is a gritty MM saga. She is currently at work on Book One of THE ASSASSINS OF YOUTH MC, another spinoff set in Utah. Layla Wolfe is the pen name of multi-published erotic romance author Karen Mercury.
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Title: High
Author: LP Lovell
Genre: Erotic Humor/Romantic Suspense
Release Date: March 7, 2016
Blurb
I’m Blake McQueen, daughter of Miles McQueen: businessman, politician, all around upstanding member of the community. I’m told that name means something, but well, I’ve pretty much doused it in petrol, set it on fire, and taken a shit on it for good measure. I like to think of myself as a walking middle finger. My name is now synonymous with booze, parties, sex, and drugs. I have to read the newspaper in the morning just to see where I was, possibly who I fucked, and judge my state of inebriation based on how much tit or minge is splashed across page five. Judge me all you like, love me, hate me. I don’t give a fuck. Life’s a party and you should never stop dancing. But even the sweetest of highs has it’s low. There is only so high you can go before you fall, and fall I did, right into the arms of the only man that could possibly stop me from crashing and burning. I’ve always been untouchable. I’ve never cared enough to be touchable. Until now. Love is the most destructive drug of all.
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Trailer
Author Bio
Lauren Lovell is an indie author from England. She suffers from a total lack of brain to mouth filter and is the friend you have to explain before you introduce her to anyone, and apologise for afterwards.
She's a self-confessed shameless pervert, who may be suffering from slight peen envy.
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Giveaway
Title: Caroline
Series: The Hadley Series #3
Author: Kelly Mooney
Genre: Contemporary Romance/New Adult
Release Date: March 7, 2016
Blurb
She wanted a ride on the wild side.
He wanted to win a bet.
Neither expected to fall in love...
Or get hurt.
Six years ago, Tucker Reed left town for the military—never expecting to return, especially after the only woman he ever loved shattered his heart. After all, it was his own damn fault for falling in love. But now, he's back in Sugar Creek and seeing the fiery and selfless woman he left behind, reminds Tuck of one thing: she still has his heart. He was a bad boy; she knew that from the start. Back then, sweet, wholesome Caroline Hadley couldn't resist his charm. She fell fast—and hard. But that was six years ago. A lot has changed since she was a young carefree girl. Now that he's back, Caroline can't help but feel the same pull and attraction all over again—even if she's with someone else. And this time, Tuck isn't giving up as he realizes that she's the only light in his dark, dismal world—a world that can't exist without Caroline.
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TO BE ADDED
Author Bio
Kelly is a New Adult Romance writer residing in Upstate New York with her family. She grew up in Southern New Jersey by the Shore, which gave her the idea to write her first novel. She is the author of several YA novels and is now enjoying breaking out into the NA/Contemporary category. She loves to spend her time reading, cooking, playing with her kids and 2 obnoxious, drooly dogs. She adores hearing from her fans, so please keep in touch. She continues writing love stories during her free time.
Feel free to email her at [email protected]
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Title:SIX (Men By Numbers Series Book 2)Author: Ker DukeyRelease Date:Please see "A letter from the author"Cover Designer: Amy QueauGoodreads: http://bit.ly/1O1vWt6
SIX:
I grew up in the foster system and bounced around from place to place… I know what you’re thinking.
Bad things happened to me and fucked me up?
Don’t feel bad for me. I didn’t know a privileged life therefore I didn’t miss one.
I was what I was and I made it work. I actually had a few good homes in my lifetime, met some good people but that’s not what my stories about.
It’s not a Romeo and Juliet saga either, even if our stories do revolve around similar bases.
I knew a real love, a rare love… a love between two people that were never supposed to fall in love.
Rival gang members are never allowed to fall in love and it cost us everything.
The things I learned growing up the way I did is this:
Love is deadly and often not real.
People come and go and only the rare few stick around when shit gets tough.
I learned the hard way what lurks behind false smiles and that deceitful truths get whispered in sexual moans.
I was taught that dark souls are not born but they are created and you can avoid them, hide from them or learn and become them.
Revenge sculpt and molded me into the darkest of souls and with my wrath comes agony and torment more severe then hell itself.
I took out six of the men who hurt my woman and I will be coming for the rest.
Get in my way and I’ll come for you too.
“SIX?”
I awake with a jolt, my hand reaching effortlessly for the blade kept under my pillow. With the other hand I grab the intruder around the neck and bring them down on to the bed. In a quick flurry of movements I’m straddling the invader with the blade to their throat. The room comes into focus and I become fully aware that I'm not stuck in the dream world any longer but reality, when I recognize the wild, scared eyes of Misty Cooper, my new bar manager staring up at me. Her soft, small frame pinned beneath my own.
Just above the sound of her heavy, restricted breathing is that persistent beeping that was in my dream.
“I didn’t know you were here.” She whispers barely audible.
I remove the knife from her throat and stand abruptly from the bed.
Sitting up her eyes widen and then dart to her lap. I hate the paleness of her cheeks and the glisten in her eyes, knowing I caused her fear.
“I’m sorry,” I quickly push past my lips. “I was working late last night, on a clients tattoo so I crashed here.”
“You don’t need to explain.” She tells me shaking her head. She won’t look at me and it makes me fucking angry with myself.
“Misty, look at me?”
...“Ermm, you’re naked.”
Her cheeks flush a beautiful crimson as her eyes dart up to my junk and then quickly back down to her lap, her teeth popping out to worry her bottom lip.
She’s twenty-five years old surely this isn’t the first naked man she’s been around?
“It’s just a dick Misty, I’m sure you’ve seen one before.” I grab the pair of jeans from the chair I slung them over the night before and slip them up my legs.
“Not that big” I hear her mumble under her breath. Folding my arms over my chest. I quirk a brow at her. “What was that?”
Her eyes pop wide and she quickly shakes her head “Nothing, nothing”
A Letter From The Author
Dear my wonderful readers,
As some of you might know (if you follow me on social media) I’m currently ‘very’ pregnant. My daughter is due in less than three weeks and although we are extremely pleased to have our precious gift join us, it has been very tiring and will continue to be so. I’m telling you this to ask that you have patience when it comes to Six’s release. I’m hoping to stay on a steady writing course but we all know baby’s can be unpredictable. As can recovery after surgery, and that’s how our daughter must enter this world.
I have given Six, a July release date to relieve any pressure on my part. I may finish and release sooner but would rather give a later date to begin with than an earlier one and have to push it back. Six is shaping up to be a wonderful, fascinating and extremely yummy character and I know any wait will be worth it. Thank you for your understanding and support, you all mean the world to me and I can’t wait to bring you Six’s story. I hope you like the cover as much as I do, Amy Queau is very talented, and done an amazing job capturing everything I envisioned for this cover.
I would just like to mention a huge thank you to you amazing bloggers. Thank you so much for all your selfless work in sharing this cover and any of my work. As soon as I have dates for arcs an email will be sent out to inform you.
All the best, Ker.
Instagram / Facebook / Newsletter / Twitter / Goodreads/Amazon/Tsu
Title: Fearless
Series: Broken Love #5
Author: B.B. Reid
Genre: New Adult & Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 5, 2016
Blurb
When faced with broken love… Have you ever had the feeling you were a stranger?
Out of reach, I watched and mourned me.
Nothing moved. Breathed. Nothing lived.
I was in an alternate universe.
No longer an innocent.
I had blood on my hands, and I wasn’t even sorry for it.
I was only afraid for Keiran.
Of his reaction when the shock wore off.
It would be an explosion.
Of hurt, anger, and mistrust.
He’d know I lied.
And to him…
The betrayal born of my good intentions is worse than the act of murder.
…will you succumb to fear… She was supposed to be my light.
The one who saved me from the monster.
But when I looked in her eyes that day, I didn’t see her.
I only saw my father’s killer.
Her love saved me from the monster.
Mine turned her into one.
…or will you be fearless?
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Prologue
LAKE
I never thought I’d find a new reason to not want summer to end. “Baby,” I moaned against his sucking lips once more before pulling away. “You have to let me go at some point, you know.” “No.” And to make his point clear, he gripped my ass tighter, pulling me closer to him while I sat on his lap. I couldn’t help but smile against his chest. “You’re being unreasonable.” “You think I give a fuck?” His sharp tone was replaced with a softly worded plea. “Stay with me, Lake.” Now how was I supposed to resist that? He so wasn’t playing fair and he knew it. To make it worse, he leaned down and rubbed his nose against mine. I could smell the sweet scent of his breath and feel it brush against my face. Keiran had
Title: Sticks
Series: Black Addiction #2
Author: T. Gephart
Genre: Rock Star Romance
Release Date: February 28, 2016
Blurb
Kenzie Clark had made plenty of mistakes. Who cared? Life was all about the journey, and if you couldn’t enjoy the ride then what was the point. The tough-talking guitarist from Brooklyn, NY worked hard so she could play even harder. But some mistakes weren’t so easy to walk away from. Joey Shaw, drummer for Black Addiction, was exactly that kind of a mistake. How could one night of fun turn into a life long commitment? That’s exactly what Joey was asking himself when Kenzie showed up a few weeks later—the soon-to-be baby bump with his name written all over it. He could barely tie his shoes; how in the hell was he going to raise a kid? With neither of them ready to become parents, it was always going to be a difficult, but there was no way either of them were walking away. Come hell or high water, they were having this baby—together. Hopefully they would both be still standing by the birth.
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Excerpt
Prologue - Kenzie
Oh. Fuck. Fuck. Fuck. F. U. C. K. That’s exactly what should be displayed in the window of that plastic contraption shaking in my hand instead of that obnoxious plus sign. The bright blue horizontal and vertical line against a stark white background. Taunting me as I stood there hoping it was some cruel optical illusion. But it wasn’t. Oh my God, I was going to be sick. My head spun as I sunk to my ass on the cold tile floor. The stick that ten minutes ago had been so innocent and harmless was still in my hand as I struggled not to hyperventilate. This couldn’t be happening. I was pregnant. As waves of nausea rolled through my body—something I’d been experiencing a lot lately—my brain tried to reconcile my new reality. My life as I knew it was well and truly over. I am going to be someone’s mother. My hand had barely managed to lift the lid of the toilet as I lost my battle with my stomach. The full body heave expelled not only my breakfast but also my soul into the bowl as the evil EPT wand fell out of my hand and onto the floor. My future—as well as my blueberry bagel—now in the toilet. I had done a lot of stupid stuff in my time. I’ll be the first to admit that, but Joey Shaw was by far the dumbest. Unlike most of the girls he seemed to entertain, I’d known Joey for years. Our bands had crossed paths from time to time on the bar circuit, even sharing the stage once or twice. The appreciation we had for each other was mutual, both professionally and otherwise. He was good looking, sexy and had a body built for sin. It was only a matter of time before we ended up doing the in-between-the-sheets tango; I was impressed at how long I’d resisted. Driven by hormones instead of brains, our little game of flirting came to a very lustful, sexy conclusion last month. That mouth of his wasn’t only talking up a good show, with every single egotistical boast coming out of it not even close to the mind-blowing orgasm he’d given me. His body absolutely delivered on the promise of crazy and unrestrained sex. It had been a night that wasn’t going to be easy to forget. Now it seemed, he had gifted me a permanent reminder. Fuck. I was so screwed. We had barely even spoken since our hook-up, happy for it to be a casual thing between friends. It’s not like I was looking to date him. Ha. Not in this lifetime. I wasn’t that delusional. The man was hot. Not denying that, but I’d had longer relationships with a pizza than Joey had with women. So, I was happy to collect on the toe-curling sex without the side order of is-he-ever-going-to-call-me-again. God damn it. How could I have been so freaking stupid? Ugh. My stomach churned again as my brain rationalized spending most of the day locked in my bathroom. It seemed like a solid idea, one that would see me postpone the what-the-hell-did-I-do-now that was begging to be dealt with. Ha! As if. This year had started out with so much promise. The band was doing great. While no record deals had come our way, our song had gotten thousands of hits on YouTube. And there wasn’t a Saturday night where we didn’t play. Not just dive bars but actually great gigs. We were even making decent money too. Life was pretty awesome. Was. Past tense. Now, of course, I was a few months away from hawking my six-string at PawnRUs and getting a day job at Denny’s. Poor Joey. The sexy six-foot, dark-haired drummer had no idea that our baby was going to be the first and last child he would father, his balls soon to be hanging from my rearview mirror. I’d be sure to inform him and offer my condolences when I ripped them from his still-breathing body. His dick also at risk of ending up a hood ornament. It was only fair seeing as my body would be waving its red flag of rebellion in the coming months that his should suffer too. Might as well wear my skinny jeans while they still fit me, lord knows I was going to be rocking elastic waistbands and stretchy pants in the very near future. My wardrobe, the least of my worries. Huh. I was going to have a baby. My hand unconsciously brushed against my flat-for-now belly, the life its dumbass parents created growing inside of me despite my lack of a clue. A missed period and some wicked fatigue the only hint that something was amiss. And in an instant, it had all changed. Knocked up, sitting on my bathroom floor with my head down a toilet, and I had absolutely no idea of how I was going to be someone’s mom. Inside of me there was a tiny life. A little helpless human who needed my love and protection, who hadn’t asked to be born but had been put there nonetheless. Trusting that I would keep him or her safe until he or she was ready to enter into the world. My baby. Mine. Great. Now my eyes were leaking. The fucking body rebellion I had expected months from now had already started as tears streamed uncontrollably. What the hell was happening to me? I wasn’t one of those emotional girls who wept when they lost their favorite purse. I played in a rock band for God’s sake; I didn’t do crying. It was Joey’s fault. Yes. Let’s blame that asshole and his potent freaking sperm. He was the reason I had apparently lost my mind and would soon have a full uterus. And now I was back to being mad again. Awesome. This was so going to be fun.
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Author Bio
T Gephart is an indie author from Melbourne, Australia.
T's approach to life has been somewhat unconventional. Rather than going to University, she jumped on a plane to Los Angeles, USA in search of adventure. While this first trip left her somewhat underwhelmed and largely depleted of funds it fueled her appetite for travel and life experience. With a rather eclectic resume, which reads more like the fiction she writes than an actual employment history, T struggled to find her niche in the world. While on a subsequent trip the United States in 1999, T met and married her husband. Their whirlwind courtship and interesting impromptu convenience store wedding set the tone for their life together, which is anything but ordinary. They have lived in Louisiana, Guam and Australia and have traveled extensively throughout the US. T has two beautiful young children and one four legged child, Woodley, the wonder dog. An avid reader, T became increasingly frustrated by the lack of strong female characters in the books she was reading. She wanted to read about a woman she could identify with, someone strong, independent and confident and who didn't lack femininity. Out of this need, she decided to pen her first book, A Twist of Fate. T set herself the challenge to write something that was interesting, compelling and yet easy enough to read that was still enjoyable. Pulling from her own past "colorful" experiences and the amazing personalities she has surrounded herself with, she had no shortage of inspiration. With a strong slant on erotic fiction, her core characters are empowered women who don't have to sacrifice their femininity. She enjoyed the process so much that when it was over she couldn't let it go. T loves to travel, laugh and surround herself with colorful characters. This inevitably spills into her writing and makes for an interesting journey - she is well and truly enjoying the ride! Based on her life experiences, T has plenty of material for her books and has a wealth of ideas to keep you all enthralled.
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Title: Whiskey Neat
Series: Uncertain Saint's MC
Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: MC Romance
Griffin Storm wasn’t prone to violence, but when someone takes what Griffin holds dear, the world as he knows it is gone.
Retaliation, revenge and rage fuels him. His MC, The Uncertain Saint’s, do their best to offer support, but Griffin is beyond redemption. He’ll do what he has to do. Kill who he has to kill.
He doesn’t care if that means he dies. If it gets him what he wants, then it’s worth it.
He fakes it all until the night he walks into a sex shop for batteries and lays eyes on a woman that will change his life.
Lenore makes him think past tomorrow. Makes him want to see just what the future might bring.
But his life’s a dangerous one built around pain and deception, and not for the faint of heart.
He won’t give up the past, not until he’s done what he promised to do.
And if that means she’s not there when the dust settles, he’ll risk it.
Lenore, though, won’t give up on him. She’ll fix him, whether he wants her to or not.
“Come on, Doogan,” I urged, giving his collar a tug.
Doogan didn’t budge, which was why I had a front row seat as a man sailed over the railing of Mr. Marshall’s porch, and landed about ten feet away from where I was standing.
“Oh, my God,” I breathed.
I didn’t move, though, because the man was suddenly surrounded.
Men in leather were everywhere…but the one man that held my attention was stomping down the porch steps and heading straight to the man on the ground.
Griffin, the man who’d bought batteries from me just two days ago, was well and truly pissed.
When his eyes swung to me, I didn’t know what to do.
Should I run?
Stay where I was?
Question after question barreled through my mind, leaving me shaking in fear…and something else I wasn’t ready to admit to just yet.
“Go home,” he ordered.
I blinked, looking to my left and right to be sure he was talking to me.
Since I didn’t see anyone else around me, I decided he was talking to me, but I just couldn’t get my legs to cooperate out of fear.
Not to mention that I would have to walk through the lot of them to get to my house.
When I didn’t move fast enough, he issued the order again, only this time it was biting.
“Go. Home,” he snapped.
I turned on my heel and started walking, coming to a sudden stop when Doogan still refused to move.
“Mother of God,” I whispered. “Come on Doog,” I whispered frantically. “Let’s go.”
He did move, just not in the correct direction.
No, he walked straight up to Griffin and licked his hand, a hand that was stuck out, not in invitation to approach, but instead to stop the dog from getting too close to him.
“Can’t you control your fuckin’ dog?” He grated out angrily.
Tears were stinging my eyes, because, by that point, I had the attention of not just Griffin, but the whole freakin’ lot of them.
My heart was beating frantically in my chest as they watched me, and I just knew that if I didn’t get the hell out of there I’d get the hell beaten out of me…or worse.
“Where do you live?” Griffin asked, taking a hold of Doogan’s leash.
It slipped from my hands, and I watched in helpless horror as it did.
And what did Doogan do?
He freakin’ followed him!
“Umm,” I whispered. “Three duplexes down from here.”
“Be back,” Griffin said as he took my hand in his free one and started to walk me back to my house.
The men returned their stares on the man they were circling, and I glanced over my shoulder just in time to see one of the big ones kick the poor guy on the ground next to his feet.
He didn’t say a word, and neither did I.
I was too scared.
What if he beat the shit out of me?
Raped me?
What if…
“I’m not going to hurt you,” Griffin growled, interrupting my inner diatribe.
“I know,” I lied.
He snorted. “Stop shaking. I said I wouldn’t harm you. I’m a cop.”
Yeah, but good cops didn’t beat the shit out of people in the dark of night.
I’m a married mother of three. My kids are all under 5, so I can assure you that they are a handful. I’ve been with my paramedic husband now for ten years, and we’ve produced three offspring that are nothing like us. I live in the greatest state in the world, Texas.
Title: Jack & Coke
Series: Uncertain Saint's MC #2
Author: Lani Lynn Vale
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: May 6, 2016
Mig’s wife is a bitch.
How else do you describe a woman that lies, cheats and steals to get what she wants?
That’s exactly what happens when she traps him into a marriage he wants nothing to do with, saddling him with a kid that he knows doesn’t deserve to be in a world like his.
He’s doing a pretty bang-up job at ignoring everything but his responsibilities as a DEA officer and a member of The Uncertain Saints MC.
Then his neighbor knocks on his door, and everything he thought he knew is blown out the window.
Deceit
Annie teaches Mig that not every woman is out to get him.
Her love for Mig stretches past what’s appropriate for two friends, and Annie soon straddles that invisible boundary between appropriate and inappropriate.
Annie’s not a cheater, though.
When she tries to say goodbye, Mig won’t let her leave, and soon the tiny town of Uncertain blows up with the news of Annie and Mig’s innocent friendship.
Betrayal
Matters of the heart are foreign to Mig, and it takes Annie being gutted for him to see the wrong he’s done.
He waits too long, though, and Annie’s heart is broken.
She wants it all, or she wants nothing. She can’t take anymore half-hearted attempts at being just friends.
The heart wants what it wants, and it doesn’t take long for Mig to realize that.
Title: Living With Regret
Author: Riann C. Miller
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Jersey Girl & Co
Release Date: April 7, 2016
Blurb
Sometimes the simplest choice has the power to change your life.
Chase Ten years ago, I turned a hard decision into a simple one. I allowed others to decide my future . . . then I lost the best thing that ever happened to me. I let go of the girl I loved in exchange for a life I was told I wanted. Then one day I woke up with no recollection of my reality and instead I believed my life had turned out how I had once dared to imagine. Now everyone is waiting for me to remember the day I ruined my future as I struggle to recall a life without the person I so carelessly tossed away. Somehow, I was gifted a second chance with the woman I love, and I’m going to fight like hell to keep her. Jordan Your brain has a funny way of convincing you what is real and what is not; even if your heart never lets you forget the truth. After Chase Adams broke my heart, my life moved forward, even though the light I once felt had extinguished. Then I received an unexpected phone call that changed everything. Every day we make choices, but most of the time they don’t affect the rest of our lives. I wanted to love again. I wanted to trust the gift I was given, but every choice has consequences. Now I have to decide to let go of the past for the sake of my future. . . or risk living with regret.
Author Bio
Riann has been obsessed with reading romance novels for close to five years. She loves getting to know new people in the book community and has met several people along the way that she considers true friends.
Riann is happily married with two children. When she's not reading or writing, she's usually spending time with her family, friends or watching baseball.
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Title: False Start
Series: The Mavericks Series #1
Author: Julianna Marley
Genre: Contemporary Sports Romance
Cover Design: Shanoff Formats
Release Date: March 22, 2016
Blurb
Alivia Monaghan had it all: a successful business, happy children, and her husband Jax Monaghan, the love of her life. Until the day Jax made a choice that altered their lives and crushed Alivia harder than a quarterback sack.
Football hero Jax Monaghan hadn’t had it easy in life. Despite his thriving football career he always destroyed everything beautiful he’s ever had. That was until he met his wife, Alivia, who had taught him what love and family was all about. But when he watches his wife fall apart due to his decisions, he’s reminded just what he is capable of – and he makes what he thinks is the ultimate sacrifice. Walking away. When Jax returns home in order to be closer to his children, he can’t help but want to be closer with Alivia again as well. But the brutal reality of his choices keep knocking him back to the starting line. As the past threatens them further apart, Jax and Alivia are forced to line up together and play for the same team. Had their entire marriage been a trick play? Or was it simply just a false start into their happily ever after?
Excerpt
What they had done felt better than any sexually charged daydream he had formulated in his head over the course of the past year. He had looked forward to taking it slow, steady and savoring every part of her again, but she had been too ambitious. Too ready. And he wanted more. Immediately gaining consciousness after their first mind-blowing round, they had taken advantage of the large bathtub well into the early morning hours. Quietly laughing to himself, he thought about the mess they had made in the bathroom before both of them finally collapsed into bed. She was worn out, no doubt, which was fine by him because he didn’t want to move. He didn’t want to have to be forced to let her out of his arms. Not yet. The thought that things could be different and that he could actually make her happy again, to protect her and shield her, had his mind running laps all morning. Was it possible that she would let him back into her life? He had taken a huge risk when he had left, pushing her away her away like he had, almost losing her completely.
Liv’s eyelashes fluttered open lightly, and she greeted him with a lazy smile, a smile that he was proud that he had put back onto her beautiful face again. “Hey you.” She looked up at him, stretching before curling back into his side, her voice husky. “Hey yourself,” he winked. Running his fingers through her hair, they laid in comfortable silence, and he wondered if she was replaying the last twenty-four hours inside her head just as he was. “I guess we have to head back to reality, huh?” she whispered against his skin, goosebumps spreading across his body. “Yeah,” he resigned, wondering exactly what that reality held for them now. “But we get to see the munchkins,” he added, smiling at the thought of the girls. “I miss them so much.” She looked up at him and he hoped like hell that reality held with it the possibility of waking up every morning with her again, just like this. After several close, but unsuccessful attempts at convincing Liv for another go around in the shower before they checked out, Jax refused to give her a towel when she stepped out of the shower until she promised to finish what they had started when they got home. She had been quiet while packing their bags, a reminder not to rush her. The sex had been hard and fast, but he needed to take things with her slow and easy. Still unable to shake the small pang of fear that last night had been an isolated breakthrough; that they had finally succumbed to the sexual tension that had been suffocating both of them, but that she had no intentions of letting him back into her life. That his words had finally resonated with her that he, in fact, had nearly destroyed her. Pushing the unproductive thought aside, he carried their bags down to the lobby before grabbing them both a much needed coffee before reluctantly handing in their room keys to paradise. Pulling onto the freeway towards home, he instinctively reached for her hand, and this time she took it. Running his thumb over her knuckles, he couldn’t have imagined two days ago, when she couldn’t get far enough away from him inside the car, that now, heading home, to their home, he was holding her.
Author Bio
Julianna Marley is fairly certain that she was born on the wrong side of the Mason-Dixon line. She’s in constant search of warmth, sunshine and water. When not writing about all the places she yearns to be, she can be found enjoying obnoxious amounts of coffee and getting bossed around by a four year-old. Julianna loves romance, humor and football.
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