Wednesday, February 28, 2018

#Excerpt: ANGELBOUND: DUTY BOUND by Christina Bauer


Duty Bound
Christina Bauer
(Angelbound Origins 0.5)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: February 27th 2018
Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance

An Angelbound Prequel Novella by Christina Bauer
As the High Prince of the demon-fighting thrax, Lincoln knows he must marry for political gain. Not that he minds. For all of his eighteen years, Lincoln’s been bound to his duty. Fighting demons is his life, and he’s never given romance a second thought. Instead, the High Prince lives for the days when he leaves his hidden realm to fight demons on Earth.
Then, everything changes.
Lincoln and his nobles become forced to visit Purgatory, the home of quasi-demons (who are mostly human with a bit of demonic DNA). Here Lincoln spies Myla Lewis, a lady warrior who enflames his heart, ignites his interest, and inspires his respect. Trouble is, Myla’s also a quasi. By thrax law, Lincoln must kill anything demonic—not date them. For the first time in his life, Lincoln wonders if he’ll follow his duty…or heed the demands of his heart.


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READ CHAPTER 1:
I am Lincoln Vidar Osric Aquilus, High Prince of the Thrax. My people are renowned as the greatest demon hunters across Heaven, Hell, Earth, Purgatory, and the Dark Lands. At eighteen years old, I’ve killed precisely one thousand four hundred and thirty-seven demons in hand-to-hand combat, more than any other thrax in history. All of which leads to a single inescapable conclusion.
I can make it through this breakfast with my mother.
At least, I think I can.
“You haven’t touched your eggs, my son.” Mother spears a strawberry off her plate. After many years of maternal encounters, I’ve learned to keep my mouth closed in situations like this one. Mother will bring up her true concerns when she’s good and ready.
In reply, I merely maintain her stare. We’ve an odd relationship, but a close one. We’re both natural schemers, so neither wants to pass up a test of intelligence and charm.
“Perhaps you dislike formal breakfasts,” says Mother as she gestures to my tunic.
“I’m fine with wearing royal garb to meals. Rest assured, all my Batman costumes are safely packed away.” As a child, I fought hard to dress as a human superhero. Unlike demon killing, that was one battle I ultimately lost.
“So you say.” A small smile rounds Mother’s mouth. “Those tunics hide quite a lot.”
“True. I’ve a Bohemian Rhapsody T-shirt on under this thing.”
“I have no idea what that is, but I’m pleased to see you turned out so well.”
This morning, I’m dressed in a velvet tunic, leather pants, and tall boots. Meanwhile, Mother looks regal and lethal in her black velvet gown. She has porcelain skin, delicate features, and an all-knowing glare that reduces hardened warriors to mush.
Needless to say, I’m pleased that her glare has softened. I must remember to work Batman into our conversations more often.
For a few minutes, Mother and I continue our breakfast in silence. It would be pleasant, except for the setting. Our new feasting hall is located in Purgatory.
Yes, Purgatory.
This place combines the worst of a rundown human suburb with the best of a rotting Dumpster. The sky is constantly cloudy with two types of weather: rainy and about to rain. It’s part of the magic of this realm that the weather is always dreary. Plus, the sky never reveals the sun or moon, and even if it did, those celestial bodies follow different patterns than they do in other realms.
Closing my eyes, I let my thoughts return to the glittering caverns of my homeland. As a rule, thrax live underground on Earth in the realm of Antrum. For some reason, the oracle angel, Verus, has demanded the royal family—and our noble entourage—move to Purgatory for a short period of time. This wasn’t a popular idea, but the oracle’s word is law, so we arrived here three months ago. Until Verus sets us loose, our days will be spent in tents and wooden halls like this one.
I scan the empty benches around me and sigh. It’s hard being separated from the bulk of my people. Quiet breakfasts like this only make things worse. Usually our feasting hall is packed with thrax sharing breakfast at communal tables. However, today Mother insisted on having a family-only morning meal, which in this case translates into me, Mother, and a half-dozen terrified workers. Father should get here any minute now. I can only hope he arrives before Mother’s temper returns.
As if in reply to my thoughts, Mother spears another wilted strawberry with a vengeance. Looks like her temper will resurface before Father does. Bugger.
“You never answered my question,” says Mother. “You haven’t touched your food.” She spears a grape with such force the entire table wobbles.
“Careful there,” I say. “You’ll bring down the roof down.”
“One perk of being queen. I can bring down roofs and no one says a thing.”
At those words, the half-dozen servants in the room visibly shiver.
There’s no question about the general topic of Mother’s angst, either. It’s always the same issue: the House of Acca. That tribe is the largest and most troublesome of all thrax.
At this point, problems with Acca could fall into one of two categories.
One, Mother might be worried about my impending marriage contract with Acca’s most eligible noblewoman, Lady Adair. If Mother thinks there are problems on that front, she would be sorely mistaken. It’s a business arrangement, nothing more. I’d regret that, but I’m a prince. I always knew I’d never marry for love.
Two—and far more worrisome—would be if Mother discovered my ongoing scheme against Aldred, the dreaded Earl of Acca himself. I’ve many issues with the Earl, but my largest is how Aldred keeps leading his warriors into ill-planned demon attacks on the Earth’s surface. Thanks to the Earl of Acca, hundreds of good thrax meet bad ends every week. I meet with the families of the fallen, trying to provide comfort as their worlds fall apart. So many tears and ruined lives…and all so the Earl can prove his so-called prowess in battle.
It’s outrageous.
Even worse, my parents have forbidden me from doing anything to stop Aldred’s bloodshed. Per some ancient treaty, if I interfere with Aldred’s rights to lead his troops, then the Earl has the unmitigated right to execute me on the spot.
And as every royal knows, execution threats and breakfast do not mix well.

Author Bio:
Christina Bauer knows how to tell stories about kick-ass women. In her best selling Angelbound series, the heroine is a part-demon girl who loves to fight in Purgatory’s Arena and falls in love with a part-angel prince. This young adult best seller has driven more than 500,000 ebook downloads and 9,000 reviews on Goodreads and retailers.
Bauer has also told the story of the Women’s March on Washington by leading PR efforts for the Massachusetts Chapter. Her pre-event press release—the only one sent out on a major wire service—resulted in more than 19,000 global impressions and redistribution by over 350 different media entities including the Associated Press.
Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

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Tuesday, February 27, 2018

#Review: THE MARQUIS AND I by Ella Quinn



  3 of 5 stars

I've read the other books in this series and enjoy Ms. Quinn's writing. I was looking forward to reading this book. Unfortunately, I didn't enjoy this one as much as the previous books. This book can be read as a stand alone, but it does help to identify some of the other characters in the book if you've read the others in the series.

Lady Charlotte Carpenter is a victim of kidnapping and Constantine, Marquis of Kenilworth, happens to be in the right place at the right time to follow the thugs and rescue Charlotte. That was a great way to open the book. Charlotte is a spirited young woman, but her naive attitude of keeping a mistress, immediately discounts Constantine as a potential husband even though they have been seen together in the early morning hours and are compromised. They have no choice but to marry. This is the premise of the book--can Charlotte change her mind about Constantine and can Constantine change his ways as well to win Charlotte's heart. I really liked Constantine, but I found Charlotte a bit annoying.

I did read the book to the end and I think fans of Miss Quinn and regency romances will certainly enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.




BLURB:

Trouble is no match for a lady of the extended Worthington family—except when it comes in the form of a most irresistible gentleman . . .

Lady Charlotte Carpenter’s brother-in-law has put an infamous brothel owner out of business—yet it is Charlotte who suffers the consequences. Abducted by thugs and held at an inn, she is plotting her escape when she’s suddenly rescued by a dashing gentleman. Only afterward does she realize she’s seen him before—with two courtesans! Unwilling to tarry with such a man, Charlotte makes her second escape. But it is too late to repair her reputation . . .

A known gossip has spied Charlotte’s movements, and his report is speeding through the rumor mill. Soon, everyone knows that Charlotte spent the night with Constantine, Marquis of Kenilworth. And everyone agrees the only answer is marriage—including Constantine himself, his overjoyed mother—and his mistress! But Charlotte’s abductors aren’t finished with her yet. Now Constantine will do anything to protect the spirited woman he loves and win her heart . . .

Buy Links:

Barnes & Noble http://bit.ly/2rI8cKu





~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:

He pulled her into his arms, slightly surprised that she came willingly.

“Charlotte.” She tilted her head, deepening their kiss. If only they could do this all night, but he had to make sure she was not simply overcome by her first experience with lust. He drew back, and wanted to preen when her lips followed. “I think we worked well together today.”

“I agree.” she said, her voice low, seductive. “We seldom disagreed at all.”

Damn. When had she turned from an innocent into a siren? She slid her arms around his neck, pressing her lush breasts against his chest for the first time. His breath hitched and his cock swelled.

This was even more of a statement than she had made earlier when she’d kissed him. He bent his head again, touching his lips to hers. Perhaps talking could wait for a while. Her mouth opened, and he took full advantage, tasting her, drinking as if he’d been stranded in a desert. A soft moan escaped her lips and her tongue touched his, tentatively at first as she learned how to take control, then with more confidence as if she wanted everything he could give her.

She felt so good, so soft and lovely. Slowly, so as not to frighten her, Con cupped one of Charlotte’s breasts and feathered her nipple with his thumb. Tilting her head, once again she deepened the kiss and pressed her body tighter against him. This time, he moved his hand to her bottom, pulling it against him. Her fingers tangled with the hair at the nape of his neck, scraping his skull.

Was this her way of telling him she would marry him? Or was it the danger they’d been in while rescuing Miss Cloverly making itself known? He damn well better find out before this went too far.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Bestselling author Ella Quinn’s studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, were her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them.

After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat cruising the Caribbean and North America. Europe is next!

She loves having readers connect with her.







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Monday, February 26, 2018

#Review: LADY GONE WICKED by Elizabeth Bright


4 of 5 stars

Miss Adelaide Bursnell has a big problem. She was sent away to France in shame to give birth to her child, fathered by Nicholas Eastwood. A torrid love affair with the soldier/spy left Adelaide with child and alone, but everyone thinks she died in childbirth. Nick never received her letter telling him of her condition and he believed her dead as well until he meets her outside his family home, a family who sent him away when he was 12 years old for pushing his twin brother and heir out of a tree. Nick has resented his family ever since so seeing Adelaide again shocks him to his core. Nick is on the verge of having a title bestowed upon him if he can stay scandal-free for a fortnight. That could be in jeopardy if his previous affair with Adelaide is revealed. Complicating everything is that his brother, Nate, is engaged to Adelaide's sister Alice.

This was an thoroughly engaging story of twins in love with twins, difficult family dynamics and the hurt and resentment of a child wrongly accused of trying to kill his brother. Ms. Bright does a fantastic job of getting inside each character's head and revealing their most painful secrets. Nick, a war hero and accomplished spy in service to the crown cannot let go of the hurt and resentment he feels for his father for the way he was treated. Adelaide believes she is wicked especially when her feelings of lust/love for Nick pops up at the most inconvenient time. Would Adelaide ever rein in her feelings for Nick and marry a good and decent man or would she fall victim again to Nick's charms? Never knowing what happened to Adelaide has sent Nick's ordered life into a tailspin. Would he jeopardize a chance at a title to reclaim the woman he's never been able to forget? I couldn't read fast enough to find out what happens to these two. Fans of Regency romance will definitely enjoy this one.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

#Excerpt: THE HISTORY OF HILARY HAMBRUSHINA by Marnie Lamb


The History of Hilary Hambrushina
Marnie Lamb
Publication date: May 31st 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Hilary has one goal for her first year in junior high: to become popular. But her plans are turned upside down when her best friend leaves for the summer and a quirky girl named Kallie moves in next door. Kallie paints constellations on her ceiling, sleeps in a hammock, and enacts fantastical plays in front of cute boys on the beach. Yet despite Kallie’s lack of interest in being -cool, – Hilary and Kallie find themselves becoming friends.
That summer friendship, however, is put to the test when school begins, reigniting Hilary’s obsession with climbing the social ladder. As Hilary discovers the dark side to popularity, she must decide who she wants to be before she loses everything.


EXCERPT:
I put on a sweatband and sneakers and brought down a water bottle. My plan was to pedal non-stop for an hour. I figured I could do it, since I was used to riding my own bike, and how different could this bike be? I should lose at least one pound that way, I told myself. So if I use the bike every day, in fifteen days I’ll have lost the weight I want to lose.
I stepped over boxes and piles of books to reach the bike, which sat in a dark corner. This corner had a musty smell, like an old church that hadn’t been dusted since Queen Victoria was my age. A fake raccoon-fur hat someone had given my dad as a joke hung on the wall nearby.
The bike seat was too high for me, but I couldn’t move it because it was screwed in place. Gripping the handlebars for support, I tried to heave my leg over the seat several times without success. I was becoming angry and sweaty, so I started breathing deeply, like I was having a baby, to calm myself down. “Hoo hoo hoo.”
“Hilary!” shouted my mom. “Why are you making monkey noises?”
I froze. I knew that if I said, “It’s nothing,” she’d come down, and I didn’t want her to think I needed help getting on a stationary bicycle. So I called, “I’m just playing a game.”
I managed to lift myself on to the bike. I had to stretch to reach the pedals, but I finally did and started pumping. It was O.K. at first, but soon, my muscles felt like some psycho was using them as rubber bands. And some people actually do this for fun! What’s wrong with them, I thought. I reached for the water bottle and tried to squirt some water in my mouth. Nothing but air came out. I’d forgotten to fill the bottle! I threw it away and continued to pump furiously. Objects on the wall began rattling, and I was making so many strange noises my mother must have thought a whole pack of monkeys was performing a conga line in the basement. I began to have visions of monkeys in spangly pink bikinis
kicking up their heels (did monkeys have heels, I wondered) on stage at the Princess of Wales Theatre.
Suddenly my sweatband fell over my eyes. I didn’t stop to fix it, though. You’re going to pump for the full hour, not for fifty-nine minutes, I ordered myself. Instead, I tried nodding vigorously to get the sweatband to fall under my chin. It fell over my nose and I couldn’t breathe. Then something dark and furry leapt on my head, covering my eyes and tickling my face like a bunch of feathers. I screamed, batting at the thing with one hand and pumping frantically, as if I could escape that way. I soon realized it was only my dad’s hat, but I still couldn’t get it off. Finally I stumbled off the bike and yanked the hat’s tail away from my eyes.
I had no energy left to remove the hat, so I left it on and trudged upstairs. I passed my mom, who took one look at me and started to snicker. Ignoring her, I went into the kitchen to check the clock. I’d been on the bike five minutes.
So that was the end of my experiment with exercising.


Author Bio:
A Journey Prize nominee, Marnie Lamb earned a master’s degree in creative writing from the University of Windsor. Her short stories have appeared in various Canadian literary journals.
Her first novel, a YA book named The History of Hilary Hambrushina, is forthcoming from Iguana Books. When she is not writing fiction or running her freelance editing business, she can be found cooking recipes with eggplant or scouting out colourful fashions at the One of a Kind Show.


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Friday, February 23, 2018

Interview with Yumoyori W Wilson, DARK WISH


Do you have a favorite character?
Hmm, that’s kinda of hard. If I’m allowed to be bias, then Makoto is probably my favorite character I’ve written since she’s just innocent and full of life. If it was for another series, I would say Willa from Trickery- Curse of the Gods Series cause she’s clumsy and the type who doesn’t take bullshit.

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?
I went straight into self publishing. I actually never thought I’d become an author. I was informed by an author I used to look up to and I took a chance. In the end, I wrote my book, found an editor who could edit it within the month time frame and I had some of my author friends help me and viola, my first book Dark Wish was born.

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?
My first contract was for an audio of my first novel, Dark Wish. Two agencies approached me and I ended up going with the company that would give me an agent to get the best offer for me. It was an awesome experience and now I’m in the final stages of my first audiobook being launched.

Are you currently under a traditional publishing contract for future books or do you have manuscripts that you will self-publish? Are you doing both?
I’m on the self publish train, so I do everything by myself. Write the entire Manuscript, choose the stocks for my covers, advertising and scheduling. I have an editor, four cover artists and an awesome beta/arc team who are pretty amazing.

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?
I simply had an idea and with encouragement from my author friends, I decided to take a chance at it. I had no experience and hadn’t written since grade 10, but my friend at the time said I had potential and I took the change to try it. I honestly had nothing to lose.

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?
I chose everything from the cover stock down to the cover scheme and everything. I’m a very picky person and if I’m going to have my name on something, I want it to be something I MYSELF would buy. So, I was pretty detailed with my requirements and even do a few sketches for placement etc

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?
I have a BETA group who go hard core on each book I write. They help me make sure there no plot hole bunnies lurking around and that my books are close to perfect.

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?
I have to listen to music for anything, so music is a MUST if I want to get anything done. Silence just bothers me and I can’t think properly without some type of sound or game in the background.

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?
Yes, I outline the basics. I don’t go into crazy detail just simple bullets with what has to happen in the book. Once I know the general topic of the chapter, I let my fingers do the typing and let the words flow.

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?
Chocolate
Coffee (is life)
Hmmm I love texting unless I’m having a conversation with close friends and have the time to talk.
I’m a Night Owl thanks to being a night nurse, but I’d personally love to switch my work hours to day
DOGS 100%



Dark Wish
Yumoyori Wilson
Publication date: September 8th 2017
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

What do you get when you add free and dumb?

FREEDOM

My name is Makoto Heart and I’ve always wished for a chance at freedom. Every day, I prayed before the Starlight gods, asking for their divine assistance in accomplishing such a difficult task.
Being an experiment for as long as I can remember, my hopes of obtaining freedom have diminished, drastically. The disappointment haunted me, as myself and my spirits struggled to survive. I had no hope left, believing my final plea fell upon deaf ears, yet again.
But what happens when my prayers are finally answered? I’m thrust into fulfilling a destiny, with the help of six star knights. Suddenly, I am no longer experiment 555, but the stolen princess of Heila.
Freedom, how you have teased my troubled soul. May the Starlight gods guide me and my knights, on this path towards the unknown.
~In Stars We Trust~
Dark Wish is an extraordinary new paranormal reverse harem series.
Recommended for 18+ audience, containing mature sexual content and strong language.

Author Bio:
Yumoyori Wilson is from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to sleep and write her days away. She works at night as a registered nurse. She has a little addiction to bubble tea and coffee but loves to workout. She has big plans for the writing world and can't wait to share them with everyone.




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Wednesday, February 21, 2018

1776 American Revolution: A WORLD TURNED UPSIDE DOWN, 12-part Serial




Thirteen colonies. Twelve months. One nation.

In collaboration with The Associated Press, Serial Box presents our first nonfiction series, 1776: The World Turned Upside Down, a 12-part month-by-month immersive account of ordinary colonists during America’s first year.


They were farmers and accountants, high-school dropouts and part-time soldiers, successful merchants and failed corset makers. Yet together they stood together and fought the greatest empire the world had ever known, all for a brand-new idea: America.

A month-by-month immersive historical account of the Revolution in its first year, this series of twelve installments is unique in its focus on the lives of ordinary colonists and the more personal stories of now famous figures. Through informal and playful storytelling about the events in each month, the series explores the roots of America’s successes and many struggles.

We see the beginnings of regional disputes and differences, institutional inequality and oppression, the tension between cultural heritage versus assimilation, and the struggle between states’ rights and federal government, all through the eyes of colonists and militiamen.

The audio series is narrated by Robin Miles with a variety of guest voices including Hamilton star Chris Jackson as George Washington. Installments are being released in synchronized ebook and audio monthly installments from Serial Box throughout 2018.

Episode 1: January release
"We must all hang together, or most assuredly we shall all hang separately."
–  Benjamin Franklin

Setting The Scene
January 1: Four British warships fired on Norfolk, Virginia
 
Subscribe here for monthly installments:

About Serial Box:
This is Serial Box's first nonfiction project. If you have any interest in seeing early episodes for potential coverage, or in speaking with a representative from Serial Box or The Associated Press, please let me know. 

Through informal and playful storytelling about the events in each month of 1776, this series helps us explore the roots of America’s great successes and failures. We see the beginnings of regional disputes and differences, institutional inequality and oppression, the tension between cultural heritage versus assimilation, and the struggle between states rights and federal government through the eyes of colonists and militiamen.

To understand the current divisiveness in America, it is helpful to look closely at the initial uniting of America’s colonies, and how that foundation led us to where we are today. In 1976, using this logic and to mark the bicentennial, the AP commissioned three of its top journalists including the late Sid Moody to write a month by month account of America in 1776. That lively text was made available in book that was given as a holiday gift to AP member media organizations, but it has never been available to the public until now.

The AP is collaborating with Serial Box to significantly update the original text, which is unique in its focus on the lives of ordinary colonists and the more personal stories of now-famed figures, for example Thomas Paine’s failed career as a corset-maker prior to his writing of Common Sense.

“We are very excited to be working with the team at Serial Box on this narrative, which combines the irreverent with the scholarly providing an informative and entertaining view of the most critical year of U.S. history” says Peter Costanzo, Digital Publishing Specialist for the AP “We believe readers will find “1776” reveals what it took to invent America, as it happened, month to month, and will find themselves engaged in the daily lives of those who made it happen.” 

Founded by Molly Barton and Julian Yap, Serial Box brings everything that’s awesome about TV to what people love about books. Every week, read or listen to gripping new episodes, carefully crafted by award-winning and bestselling teams of authors throughout seasons.

Serial Box publishes a highly curated selection of series written by teams of critically acclaimed and bestselling writers. Serials are released through the Serial Box app(s), website, and third party retailers in weekly installments in both ebook and audio formats. Episodes usually take 30 min to read or an hour to listen -- fans can switch seamlessly back and forth between reading and listening -- and each serial runs for a three-month season. Barton comes to Serial Box from Penguin Random House, where she was Global Digital Director in charge of the global ebook and audio businesses, digital product innovation and content strategy. Yap previously served as senior counsel in the Department of Justice, after clerking for the Supreme Court of Texas.

The Associated Press
The Associated Press is the essential global news network, delivering fast, unbiased news from every corner of the world to all media platforms and formats. Founded in 1846, AP today is the most trusted source of independent news and information. On any given day, more than half the world’s population sees news from AP.
      

#Excerpt: SHATTERED DESTINY by Yumoyori Wilson and Tamara White


Shattered Destiny
Yumoyori Wilson & Tamara White
(Reclaiming The Throne, #1)
Publication date: February 15th 2018
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

What if one act of kindness shatters your destiny? One moment that changed your life forever. Would you embrace it or fight with everything you had?
Born to a powerful mother and father, both highly respected in our clan for their magic and strength, I was neither powerful nor respected. I was born a null. Devoid of any of the strength or power of my clan and to make matters worse, my attempted shift into dragon form revealed I’m nothing more than a mere human.
When my mother became ill and my father abandoned us, I became the head of the household. I didn’t mind doing hard labor; actually, I enjoyed knowing I could be of use to my mother by performing the duties she could no longer do.
My life had become the same routine until I decided to step in and help an injured dragon who crossed my path. After healing them, my clan turned on me, taking me to the King to be interrogated. Now, I’m free and on the run – beginning my journey into the unknown.
I am Abigail Fiammetta. I vow to live and reclaim the shattered pieces of my life. Even if I have to kill to do so.

SHATTERED DESTINY is a new REVERSE HAREM, paranormal series. Recommended for 18+ audience, containing mature sexual content, violence and strong language.

EXCERPT:
“If you think I did such a horrible job, why don’t you stop talking the talk and walk the walk? Fight me,” I declared.
I could hear gasps around me, the villagers were clearly shocked by my announcement. Raphael narrowed his eyes at me, giving me a good up and down look. He grinned, sighing dramatically before he took a step forward, his tall frame hovering over me.
I wasn’t going to be intimidated by his height, glaring up at him in defiance as I stood my ground.
“You could get hurt, pretty girl,” he whispered low enough, so only I could heed his warning.
“I don’t care. Sometimes you need to prove your worth to be seen as an ally rather than a burden,” I whispered back.
I tried to ignore the soft fragrance that hit my nose and ignore his handsome face.
I bet all the women swooned over him, and even though I wouldn’t tell him to his face, he was attractive and doing his share of making my body tingle in want.
Maybe it was the weird connection I was trying to ignore—a force begging for us to be closer…to be one? Wait a minute. Did he just call me pretty?
He grinned, and for a second I saw pride flicker through his purple eyes that lingered on my lips before he stepped away.
“Alright. Let’s see what you’re made of, A-B-Gail.”

Author Bio:
Yumoyori Wilson is from Toronto, Ontario. She loves to sleep and write her days away. She works at night as a registered nurse. She has a little addiction to bubble tea and coffee but loves to workout. She has big plans for the writing world and can't wait to share them with everyone.




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#Excerpt: HAVANA BLUES by David Pereda


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. David Pereda will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


The year is 1952 and Ramon Rodriguez’s life as a teenager in fun-loving Havana is filled with typical activities and concerns: girls, education, religion, baseball, parties, and hanging out with friends. The country is enjoying a period of prosperity and happiness--until General Batista stages a coup that topples the government and Ramon’s life is flung into chaos.

In a few short years, the carefree fifties morph into a vicious and repressive dictatorship highlighted by corruption, organized gambling, school closures, student demonstrations, police brutality, and assassinations.

As Ramon experiences the thrills of his first romantic relationship, graduates from school, and struggles to plan for an uncertain future, he is forced to make important decisions that may be dangerous to him, his family, his friends, and his girlfriend – the beautiful Sonia -- and could turn deadly.

Excerpt

My room was on fire. Orange tongues licked the crumbling walls and snaked across the burning floor toward my bed. Thick gray smoke choked me. My ears throbbed with an insistent and reverberating sound.

I couldn’t breathe.

I gasped for air. My palms felt sweaty, and my heart thrashed against my rib cage, as if trying to escape my chest. I opened my eyes. For a moment, I was in a bright and silent void – then I heard my parents arguing in the kitchen.

It was a hot and sunny morning. I had been dreaming of hell again, and the alarm clock was ringing.

I shut it off.

Ever since Brother Santiago had given in Religion class a week ago a vivid and realistic description of hell as punishment for masturbation and having sex with prostitutes, I’d had the same dream over and over. Amid much commotion and speculation, Pacheco, the frail student with a perennially runny nose who sat behind me in class, fainted and had to be carted off to the school infirmary, pale and limp like a noodle in won ton soup. Everyone in class knew Pacheco was an assiduous masturbator – he bragged about it to other students often enough – but his blackout generated great speculation in the school about his frequent visits to brothels. I wondered what kind of nightmares Pacheco was having.

On second thought, I really didn’t want to know. I had enough with my own nightmares of hell.

I stretched lazily in bed. Today was a special day. It was my birthday. I was fifteen years old.

A door slammed somewhere, and once more I was aware of my parents’ angry voices in the kitchen. I likened their arguments to a sort of word symphony, the sound of their voices harmonized so well. My mother’s shrill, piercing sting was a nearly perfect complement to my father’s placating hum.

Though I couldn’t hear them clearly, I guessed what they were arguing about – money. Ever since Papa’s broom-making business started going bad, it seemed money was all they ever talked about.



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About the Author:
David Pereda was born in Havana, Cuba. The award-winning author of seven previous novels, he enjoys crafting political thrillers and edgy mainstream novels with unique characters placed in exotic settings. He has traveled to more than thirty countries and speaks four languages. Before devoting his time solely to writing and teaching, David had a successful international consulting career with global giant Booz Allen Hamilton, where he worked with the governments of Mexico, Venezuela, Peru and Qatar, among others.

A member of MENSA, David earned his MBA from Pepperdine University in California. He earned bachelor degrees in English literature and mathematics at the University of South Florida in Tampa.

He lives in artistic Asheville, North Carolina, with his youngest daughter Sophia, where he teaches mathematics and English at the Asheville-Buncombe Community College. He loves sports and is an accomplished competitor in track and show-jumping equestrian events.

http://davidpereda.com
https://www.facebook.com/pages/David-Pereda-Writer/345490998614
https://twitter.com/DavidPeredaAVL

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Havana-Blues-David-Pereda-ebook/dp/B078KLQNL9
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/havana-blues-david-pereda/1127421804

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Tuesday, February 20, 2018

#Review: A DREAM OF REDEMPTION by Bronwen Evans



4 of 5 stars
   
Clary Homeward works as a private secretary to Duchess Marissa Maitland and together they have tried to improve the lives of children in orphanages. When Marissa's younger sister, Lady Helen, wants to lend a hand, it turns out to be a nightmare for Clary. Five years ago, Lady Helen had comforted him and she's been his angel ever since. Now he has to juggle his feelings with his professional duties to Marissa. Too bad, no one told Helen that Clary was off-limits, not only was he not titled, but he has a very dark and sordid past.

I really liked Helen. She had an independent spirit and she was determined to do something with her life besides attending balls and teas. When she volunteered to work at the latest acquired orphanage, her attraction to Clary blossomed even when he resisted her. Does the past really matter when the heart is involved?

There were some dark issues discussed in this book, but Ms. Evans does a good job of not bogging down the story too much with the dreadful conditions of orphaned children. I also enjoyed that fact that Helen was the one pursuing the relationship. It was a nice twist in the story. While this story didn't totally wow me, it did keep my interest until the end. Fans of Regency romances will definitely enjoy this book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review.

#Excerpt: THE UNLIKEABLE DEMON HUNTER: CRAVE by Deborah Wilde



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Deborah is giving away a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


What doesn’t kill you...

seriously messes with your love life.

Nava is happily settling into her new relationship and life is all giddy joy and stolen kisses.

Except when it’s assassins. Talk about a mood killer.

She and Rohan are tracking the unlikely partnership between the Brotherhood and a witch who can bind demons, but every new piece of the puzzle is leaving them with more questions than answers.

And someone doesn’t appreciate them getting close to the truth.

Go figure.

On top of that, a demon known only as Candyman has unleashed a drug that’s harming users in extremely disturbing ways.

After a friend of Nava’s is hurt, she vows to take this demon down. But will life as she knows it survive this mission, or will this be the one time she should have looked before she leapt?

Happily-ever-after: barring death, she’s got a real shot at it.
Excerpt:

“I love home delivery.” Malik lounged in his doorway, eyeing me the way the wolf must have with the three little pigs. His British accent was pure sin.

“I love your arrogance that you didn’t bother moving after I almost killed you.”

He laughed, flashing straight white teeth against his bronze skin. He was still the only being I’d ever met who could pull off a Caesar cut, and was still the stuff of billionaire romance cover fantasies in his soft gray trousers that were artfully tailored to the hard lines of his body and navy shirt, carelessly folded back at the cuffs. “Oh, petal. I’d say I missed you, but I didn’t. Now, unless you brought the more interesting twin?” He peered into the hallway. “No?”

He shut the door, but I stuffed my foot in to block it. Not like he politely stopped trying to close it. “Ow.” I pushed my shoulder into the door to keep my poor bones from breaking. “If you weren’t wondering why I was here, you wouldn’t have let security buzz me up or let my toes cross the wards I’m sure you’ve got strung across this door.”

“Ten seconds.”

“That’s not–”

“Five, four…”

“Demons are being bound.” I rushed my words as he made a buzzing noise.

Malik yanked me inside by my collar and slammed the door.

I wrenched free.

His penthouse apartment hadn’t changed. Still to-die-for sweeping views of the city, a massive glass wine storage unit in the open concept space, and a loft bedroom. He pointed at one of the leather sofas, custom made to hug the curved walls. “Sit and talk.”

About the Author:

A global wanderer, hopeless romantic, and total cynic with a broken edit button, Deborah writes urban fantasy to satisfy her love of smexy romances and tales of chicks who kick ass. 

This award-winning author is all about the happily-ever-after, with a huge dose of hilarity along the way. “It takes a bad girl to fight evil. Go Wilde.”

 

Website: http://www.deborahwilde.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/wildeauthor 


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DeborahWildeAuthor/

Buy Links:

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0784674R3


Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0784674R3

NOTE: This title is discounted for up to 60% until midnight February 26 and the entire series is on sale until then as well.

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