Interview with Elizabeth Mason, DEMON HUNTRESS

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

I consider my book a paranormal romance, but it can also be considered an urban fantasy. In Demon Huntress, there are two protagonists: Ezra and Maeve. They are an unlikely duo who team up for a similar goal. While writing Demon Huntress, it was important to me to build a unique premise with a strong element of surprise and a great amount suspense.

 

Demon Huntress will be part of a series, and each book will follow Ezra and Maeve as they navigate elements of the afterlife, apocalyptic events, and uncover mysteries of Heaven and Hell.

 

Do you have a favorite character?

“What consumes your mind controls your life.” – Bones. Bones is my favorite character. He is unique, mysterious, and funny. My story would be too serious and too dark without a witty character like Bones to lighten the mood.

 

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers?

Yes, and I signed with a traditional publisher.

 

How long before you got your offer of representation/your first contract? Was it for your first novel?

I queried for a few months before I got my first full request, and a few days later, the publisher wanted to represent me.

 

What factors influenced your decision to go with a particular agent or publisher?

I signed with my current publisher, Darkstroke Books, for several reasons. They matched my niche, I liked their covers, and they genuinely cared about my writing.

 

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

I was somewhat involved. I got to choose the basis of the cover, but the finer details were left to the publisher. I would have appreciated a bit more involvement, but they understand the market better than I do.

 

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?

I am not involved in a critique group, but I do work one-on-one with a mentor. She is an experienced author and guides me through my writing process. Most importantly, she keeps me on a strict timeline.

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

I’m very strict with my writing routine. When my two sons are at school, I write for three or more hours each weekday. Also, I can’t listen to music while I write, it’s too distracting, but oddly enough, I leave the morning news on to fill the silence. If it’s too quiet, I’m distracted by outside noise. It’s my perfect balance. Oh, and I can’t work unless the house is tidied up.

 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you?

I didn’t outline my first book, and I would have saved hundreds of hours if I had. Now, I map out my story in chronological order as well as interview my characters. The development stage takes more time, but the overall process is much faster and organized. However, I try not to get excessively detailed with my planning, mapping, or outline. I still want my characters to tell the story; not me.

 

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

Absolutely, I hired a copy editor before querying, and my publisher did a round of edits before publishing.  

Demon Huntress: Love Me To Hell And Back
Elizabeth Mason
Publication date: September 18th 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

A search for a cure. A journey fraught with danger. A fateful bond.

Determined demon-hunter, Maeve, must risk everything to obtain The Book of Raziel—a font of spells, divine magic, and ethereal knowledge—to cure her work partner of a deadly supernatural virus. And though she isn’t surprised to discover that the book is in the Garden of Eden, she is surprised to learn that the garden is situated in Hell!

Now Maeve faces her biggest challenge: fighting her inner demons¬, or be lost to the wanderlust of Hell forever.

Broken and reclusive, Ezra Virunas has one goal—kill the demon who stole the Sacred Seals, and, in return, he would regain his freedom. Never mind that Ezra has to use Maeve’s soul as bait to close the case, Ezra knows just how deceitful women can be, and he is convinced Maeve is no different. But he is mistaken, and despite fighting against it, her pure heart soon becomes a light to his darkened past.

As Maeve and Ezra’s bond deepens, so too does the danger awaiting them. Will they emerge from Hell unscathed?

Love Me To Hell And Back is a haunting tale of self-reflection and forgiveness.

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Elizabeth is a Cali girl who should enjoy the California sun more than she does. She’s content being indoors writing and creating spooky stories with strong leading women and bad boy leading men. With a degree in psychology, Elizabeth is drawn to the complexities of human behavior. The diversity of personalities, interactions, emotions, and relationships reflect in her writing.

When Elizabeth isn’t busy typing away, she enjoys time with her husband, two boys, and her two Weimaraner pups. And thanks to her love for lattes, she enjoys reading paranormal romance late into the night. Her husband and her two boys inspired her to never give up, and thanks to them, she’s proud to announce her debut novel: Love Me To Hell And Back. A haunting tale of self-reflection and forgiveness, even in the darkness of Hell.

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#Review: INDECENT by Darcy Burke

 

  4 of 5 stars

Bennet St. James, the Viscount Glastonbury, is in deep financial trouble thanks to his father gambling away the estate's future. He needs to marry an heiress and fast before he loses everything. He plans a desperate kidnapping plot, but when things go sideways, he's left with an even bigger mess. Miss Prudence Lancaster is kidnapped out of her bed instead of the heiress and when she finds out who's behind the plot, she must do everything she can to escape. With a horrific thunderstorm raging outside, Prudence is stuck at an out of the way inn with the viscount. Can she reconcile her growing feelings for Bennet while being furious for the situation he's landed them both in?

This was another enjoyable story from Ms. Burke. I could understand Bennet's desperation trying to save his family from destitution, but he soon realizes how wrong he was to hatch the kidnapping plot in the first place especially as he gets to know Pru better. He realizes there's so much more to her than her quiet and reserve personality, but she's a penniless companion and he cannot marry her even if he wanted to, besides the fact that he's hiding a devastating family secret. I really liked Pru. She was a strong woman who had been dealt some serious blows in her young life, but she carries on with her head held high. I loved the plot twist as Pru finds out who she really is. This couple had a rocky path to their HEA, but love does triumph in the end. Can't wait to read Ada's story.

I voluntarily read the advanced reader copy and all opinions are my own.

#New Release: MIDLIFE SHIFTER UNEXPECTED by Melle Amade

Midlife Shifter Unexpected
Melle Amade
(Cougar Creek Coven, #2)
Publication date: January 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Women’s Fiction

My new BFF is a witch and apparently, I’m a member of a witch’s coven. Only, I’m not a witch. Word is, I’m a wolf shifter. When I said I wanted to start over again, this wasn’t exactly what I had in mind.

Being a shifter isn’t the worst thing I could imagine. It’s taken care of all the hot flashes. My body temperature now runs constantly high. I like it. Snow? Who cares? I don’t need no stinking coat anymore.

I can smell like ten times better than even when I was pregnant, and as for my vision? Glasses are SO last year. I won’t be needing those anytime soon.

But man, what about the actual shifting? That hurts like nobody’s business. They say I’ll get used to it, but they don’t know how much it hurts, because I’m the only shifter for miles around. “They” are the coven that has accepted me and given me a new family.

The threat from the cemetery is very real and the dead aren’t sleeping quietly. Our coven is the frontline on keeping the dead in their graves and for some reason, they think because I’m a wolf I should have some superpower against the dead. But I don’t.

What I have is an amazing BFF just as powerful and middle-aged as me and I know together we can face anything. At least I think we can. We survived the first half of our lives.

How hard can the second magic half be?

______________________________________________
A hot new series celebrating midlife, friendship, and older women who crave adventure by Melle Amade. Perfect for fans of K.F. Breene, Shannon Mayer, Jana DeLeon, Darynda Jones, Robin Peterman, Elizabeth Hunter and Denise Grover Swank.

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Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling Author. Farm Girl. Marketing Director.

Since I was eight, I have been writing stories that capture the adventures in my head and the characters strong enough and flawed enough to have them. When I look at an empty field, I see a formidable citadel. When I meet a vulnerable old man, I greet an emeritus warrior. When I walk through city streets, I feel dimensions hiding around every turn. It has been my lifelong passion to explore these worlds that reveal the pain of loneliness, the joy or self-actualization, and the hope of magic.

I grew up in a place called Potter Valley where the Milky Way is held aloft by a circle of mountains and the central business district consists of a bait store and a saloon. At 19 I moved alone to London and spent the next ten years exploring the world, even becoming an Australian citizen, before I returned to California and found a new home in Los Angeles. My world revolves around my two wee children, storytelling, and my love of travel.

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#SALE .99 THE LADY AND THE SPY by Debra Elizabeth

 

Viscount Alesbury, a seasoned spy for the Crown, wants to scale back his missions after his current assignment is complete. It was time he looked for a wife and he knew just the young lady he wanted to be his viscountess, Miss Violet Bainbridge, the sister of London’s spymaster.

 

Miss Violet Bainbridge was excited to come to London for her Season and attend teas, musicales, dinners and balls. She had met Lord Alesbury last fall, but has not seen him since. Her heart flutters when she thinks about the handsome lord. Will he be in London for the Season and, more importantly, does he crave her company as she does his?

 

Can these two reconnect or are there unseen forces working to keep them apart?

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LR73PZV

Read for FREE with KindleUnlimited

 

 

#Excerpt: LIGHTNING CRASHES by Maria Holt

Lightning Crashes
Marla Holt
Publication date: January 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The Tower Card: Upheaval, Crumbling Foundations, Chaos, Awakening
The Sun Card: Enlightenment, Joy, Success, Vitality

Rachel Ferrer fled the church when she was eighteen, burying her trauma to chase her dreams, only to have them thwarted when her husband died shortly after their son was born. Now she and her tarot-reading roommate do their best to get by.

Nicolas Rivera should be happy. He answered his call to the ministry and has held a position in the church he grew up in for more than a decade. He’s married and he loves his kids, but something in him has shifted and the life he thought he wanted doesn’t feel like it fits anymore. When his childhood best friend’s widow reappears in his life, Nicolas tells himself that his desire to be near Rachel is altruistic.

Until it isn’t.

Rachel and Nicolas have been on the periphery of each other’s lives for years, but when their worlds collide, attraction sparks, lightning crashes and the walls they have been hiding behind begin to crumble.

Lightning Crashes is an exvangelical romance that examines what happens when we build our lives on faulty foundations and what can happen when we leave that behind and step into the sun. Follow Rachel and Nicolas down the path of temptation, through their yearning slow-burn, and into their happily ever after.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo / Google Play

—

EXCERPT:

Rachel lifted the quilt covering Nicolas and slipped beneath it. He made as much room for her as he could, but his legs were already hanging over the far arm, his back pressed against the cushions.

Rachel didn’t need much room as she snuggled into his side, tucking the quilt back around them. “It’s freezing in here,” she said, her voice husky and low, her breath feathering against his neck.

“You need to check your insulation,” he said. “And probably get new windows.”

“I’ll get right on that,” she said in a voice that implied the opposite.

She shivered, and Nicolas allowed himself the indulgence of pulling her closer against him. In the name of keeping her warm. “What are you doing up?”

Rachel’s hand found his waist under the blanket, her fingers icy against his bare skin, but he didn’t dare flinch, lest he scared her off. “I wanted to see if you showed up. I didn’t mean to fall asleep.”

“It’s good you got some rest.”

“More like I sobbed myself to sleep in Naomi’s bed, but yeah, sleep was good. How are you?”

He sighed, at a loss for words to describe how he was feeling. His face ached, his body felt drawn, like he’d worked out too hard without enough food afterward. Nicolas couldn’t remember the last time he’d eaten. He wasn’t even sure he had a digestive tract anymore. Who had room for food when they were filled with heartbreak and betrayal? Was it possible to be yawning open with emptiness and full of dread and darkness all at the same time? It felt like the same thing, and yet entirely different.

Rachel’s hand was playing over his torso in a way that she probably didn’t even realize she was doing, but in a way that was distracting, allowing temptation to edge in on the periphery.

Author Bio:

Marla Holt believes in second chances, romance, and the radical notion that everyone deserves a happily every after. She's living her own fairy tale, writing contemporary romance novels in her Kansas farmhouse with her husband, three boys, three cats, and flock of imaginary sheep. Follow her at marlaholt.com or on Instagram as @marlaholtauthor

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Interview with Sophie Stevens, ONE SPRING BREAK

Can you give us a brief overview of your latest book? Is it part of a series?

One Spring Break is book three in the Wimberley University Series, but it’s a stand-alone book. You don’t have to read the first two to be able to dive into this one. This novel is a light-hearted, fluffy, contemporary new adult romance about two people falling in love while searching for a lost pet.

 

If you used a graphic designer/publisher’s designer, how involved were you during the creative process for your cover?

 I’m a huge fan of https://thebookcoverdesigner.com/. If you’re looking for a professional cover with different price points, this is a great site to visit. Wading through all the content can be daunting, but I’ve purchased several covers from different artists on the site and have never been disappointed. Most of the artists are even willing to tweak things like hair color or fonts for free. I have worked with graphic designers as well, but I find it much more convenient and less expensive to purchase ready-made covers.

 

Do you belong to a critique group? Have they helped improve your writing?

Major shout out to Critique Circle. https://new.critiquecircle.com/landing It doesn’t matter if you’re an experienced author or a novice, this is the place to hone your craft. I can’t even begin to tell you how much I’ve learned by submitting my stories to this site, from grammar to story structure. If you’ve never visited this site, it works on a point system. You critique other writers’ chapters or short stories and earn points that you then use to post your own stories for critique. I have made life-long friends on that site and without it, I’d never have had the courage to self-publish my stories.

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence?

Complete silence! I can’t write unless my office is tomb-still. Any noise can break me out of my creative headspace, so I’m even known to wear earplugs if the kids are being loud.

 

Did you hire an editor to review your manuscript before publishing?

Red Adept Editing and Joy Editing are both my go-to editors. They are professional and affordable, and I can’t say enough good things about them. They’ll make sure your manuscript is up to industry standards before you send them out into the world. No worries about embarrassing typos or incorrect grammar.

https://www.joyediting.com/

https://redadeptediting.com/

 

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey?

Not every book you write is going to be a five-star masterpiece and that’s okay. Some readers are going to adore your books, others are going to dislike them, and that’s okay too. Listen to your criticizers and take their feedback to heart to improve your future books, but don’t let their comments dishearten you. Almost every best-selling author has a few duds in their backlist. It takes a thick skin to be an author, but keep writing and, above all, have fun!

 

What advice would you give a new author just entering into the self-publishing arena?

Keep writing new books. A lot of authors write a book, release it, and sit back and wait for readers to flock to their debut. Sometimes it happens, but so many books are getting released every day, it’s easy to get lost in the crowd. You can set yourself apart by writing more books. The more novels under your name, the higher your chance of discoverability by readers. Once you have a few books in circulation, it’s easier to build a loyal readership and engage with your audience. Don’t give up if your first book doesn’t take off, just keep writing.

 

Besides writing, do you have any other passions?

I’m a perfumist. I have an organ of about a thousand aroma molecules and naturals, and I can spend weeks formulating new perfumes just for fun. I also love making all-natural Victorian perfume recreations. Nineteenth century women smelled much different than modern women!

 

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Cats. Chocolate or vanilla? Chocolate. Coffee or Tea? Coffee. Talk or Text? Talk. Day or Night? Day (I love night but I’m most productive during the day.)

 

What’s next for you?

 I’m delving into Kindle Vella. Depth of Field is a macabre young adult contemporary romance that I’m submitting to the new amazon serialized story platform. It’s a fluffy novel about a high school girl working at a family-owned mortuary. I’m also submitting an urban fantasy, A Summoner in London, that revolves around a perfumist who can also summon jinn (genies.)  Unfortunately for her, the jinn want to kill her. Hop on over to Kindle Vella and take a peek.

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/product/B09NS2HKQS/episodeList 

https://www.amazon.com/kindle-vella/product/B09NL999B8/episodeList

 

One Spring Break
Sophie Stevens
Publication date: January 10th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Flat-ass. Chubby cheeks. Whore.

Pre-med student, Rosie Magee, has been called every slur imaginable by her obnoxious roommate, a foul-tempered fellow who drops food on the floor and poops wherever he pleases. If the insult thrower didn’t have scarlet feathers and a beak capable of shearing fingers, she’d happily kick him out. But her roommate, a macaw named Baby, belongs to her snotty sister Maria, and according to their mother, if the siblings want room and board, they’re stuck together until graduation. After scrimping and saving, Rosie has finally tucked away enough money to escape from her boyfriend-stealing sister and her evil, yellow-eyed minion for one spring break.

Wholesome. Good guy. Boy next door.

Engineering student, Erik Snider, never believed good guys finish last until his girlfriend has a one-night-stand with a local thespian, Tulsa Lester. She wants to reconcile, but Erik can’t forgive a betrayal so deep. When he learns she’s moved on while he’s still mourning their relationship, his roommate hatches a plan for revenge—ask out the prettiest girl on campus, Maria Magee, and take her to the spring formal his ex will be attending. Though not the vengeful type, Erik is desperate enough to agree in hopes a date with a gorgeous girl will help him heal, but pretty girls have agendas of their own. If he wants an evening with Maria, he’ll have to take care of her demanding macaw for one spring break.

When Baby escapes Erik’s care, Rosie ditches her vacation to help him find her sister’s macaw. As they fight off parrot hungry hawks and navigate trees with flimsy branches, they form a bond that might just verge on love. But nothing comes easily for Rosie. With a man-stealing sister who lives to torment her, and a best friend Tulsa who tore apart Erik’s relationship, happily-ever-after will be anything but smooth sailing.

One spring break brought them together.

An insolent bird…

A hateful sister…

A best friend with secrets…

Will tear them apart.

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Author Bio:

Author of contemporary romance, young adult and urban fantasy.

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Excerpt: BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE by Giana Darling

Beautiful Nightmare
Giana Darling
(Dark Dream Duet, #2)
Publication date: January 13th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Bianca has finally found her rightful place amid the powerful Constantines. But all is not what it seems in this glittering new world. And Tiernan Morelli refuses to give up her up…

BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE is the final book in the Dark Dream duet by USA Today bestselling author Giana Darling.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

“Stop,” I choked out, panic roaring through me in wild surges.

I started to thrash against him, so hard I clocked him in the mouth with my chin. He started to bleed, but he didn’t let loosen his hold.

“I won’t let you go,” he repeated calmly as he held me like Peleus wrestling the ever-changing form of Thetis, determined to win me and keep me forever. “I won’t.”

“I don’t want you,” I cried out, but there were more tears on my face and a keen edge of desperation in my tone that shook my conviction.

“Such a little liar,” he reprimanded, darkness crossing his face as he pressed his groin harder into my hips, pushing my legs farther apart so he could cant his erection against my panty-covered sex. “Should I show you how badly you lie?”

“No.” I squeezed my eyes shut and turned my face from him.

A part of me wanted it, a large part. For Tiernan to take from me. For him to press me open and pull me apart with the hard drive of his thick cock and the punishing hold of those strong fingers all over my flesh.

But another part was terrified. I didn’t have anything more to give to anyone, but Brandon. How could I trust anyone after a lifetime of being taken from?

I expected him to kiss me then. To take me with the same ruthless savagery he’d taken me on the beach.

Instead, he licked the path of a tear from the edge of my jaw up my cheek before planting a soft kiss at the corner of my closed eye. He smoothed my hair back with a big palm and I could feel his gaze hot on my face.

I didn’t dare open my eyes to see his expression.

I knew, whatever it was, I couldn’t bare it.

This was the side of Tiernan that eviscerated me. Those small glimpses of a warm heart and kind spirit that razed my resolve to the ground.

So, I lay still and sightless as Tiernan kissed me again. Hot, open-mouthed kisses down my cheek to my neck and chest. Each press of his lips to my body melted my resolve. Atom by atom I sank into the floor, into him, pliant and hungry in a different way than I had ever been before.

This wasn’t a flash fire. A burst of lust so intense it burned fast and clean.

This was a slow burn.

A seduction.

And I was helpless against the heat.

Author Bio:

Giana Darling is an USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Top 40 Amazon Best Selling Canadian romance writer who specializes in the taboo and angsty side of love and romance. She currently lives in beautiful British Columbia where she spends time riding on the back of her man's bike, baking pies, and reading snuggled up with her Golden Retriever puppy, Romeo.

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#Excerpt: THORN OF SECRETS by B. Truly

Thorn of Secrets
B. Truly
(My Darkest Secret, #2)
Publication date: January 25th 2022
Genres: Coming of Age, Romance, Young Adult

In love with the same face that haunts me….

The falling leaves of autumn are like the deceit in my family lineage. Closing the door on the infinite cold—winter blossoms into the spring of new beginnings. In the next season of my life, I’m mending the pieces back together. Opening myself up, I even begin to date, which is a big step for me.

After graduating from high school, a shocking development causes me to be on alert. When nothing comes of it, I move forward, wanting desperately to put the past behind me.

About to start college, I bump into someone from my complicated past, and my heart is torn. The dilemma I struggle with: Do I let other people’s opinion define who I am? I must decide if I’ll push through the ridicule and pave my own path. Could the face that’s scorned me be the key to my resolve? I’ll never know if I take the easy way out.

I’ve unlocked my darkest secret only to have it return to torment me. As the thorns of his obsession encompass me, I discover I’m part of a twisted ploy. If I don’t figure a way out of this predicament, then the life I’ve known may cease to exist.

Don’t miss the riveting sequel to Madison’s story that will have you dangling on the edge of your seat.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

—

EXCERPT:

On Thanksgiving Day, the Thibodeaux family gathers—courtesy of my gram’s married name. Aunt Cass, Dari’s mom, and her father Drew are here. So is Uncle Clemens, the eldest, with his wife, and my older cousin, Kenya. Gigi’s oldest daughter, Corine, has made it, too, which is a relief. She has always been the mediator between her two younger, bickering sisters. Aunt Corine’s son, Ryan, accompanies her. Even Gigi’s younger sister and her husband have made the trip.

Finally, the last to arrive is my birth mother, Charlotte. Ever since she wouldn’t give me a straight answer about believing me, I’ve been referring to her as Charlotte. She no longer gets the privilege of me calling her Mama. Her arm is laced through her significant other, Regan, and my older sister is by their side. One big happy family—in hindsight.

Grandma Thibodeaux is thrilled to have everyone together. When Cassandra sneers at Charlotte in greeting, an uneasy feeling washes over me. A storm is brewing—its shape forming in Aunt Cass’ eyes. There has been bad karma between them, and I have no clue why their beef started. Dari and I glance at each other quickly, picking up on the tidal waves. For Gigi’s sake, I hope that for this evening, they can let bygones be bygones.

Gigi’s formal dining room has an elegant vibe. Dari and I put in a lot of work cleaning and decorating. The aroma of fried turkey, dressing, and candied yams fills the air. I introduce my daughter to my extended family. Gigi hasn’t shared the specifics of who her father is, and for that, I’m grateful. For now, I’d rather ease into it. I’ve only recently taken the first step with pressing charges.

I put Justice down for a nap, turn on the baby monitor, and take a seat next to Dari. Our mama’s may be at odds, but she’s my best friend. My cousin, Kenya, plops down on my other side.

Everyone begins passing around the food, stuffing their plates. I scan the room, swallowing the mothball in my throat. There are bound to be fireworks. Aunt Cass is still shooting daggers at Charlotte. Dari’s dad, Drew, is oblivious to the tension, or he’s choosing to ignore it. Dari smirks. Kenya eyes them skeptically. Regan hasn’t looked up once since he sat down—he finds the food on his plate more interesting. My other cousin, Ryan, licks his lips at the meal in front of him. Tanya glances over herself, snapping a selfie in her phone.

Typical!

Clearing her throat, Gigi asks, “Who would like to say grace?”

“Clemens can say it,” Charlotte bellows. “He’s the oldest.”

“Very well,” Uncle Clemens replies. “Let’s bow our heads.”

He says a beautiful prayer, and then everyone starts to dig in. For a while, all that can be heard is the clinking of utensils.

Breaking the sound of mouths chewing, Charlotte exhales. “Now is as good a time as any to share my wonderful news.” Everyone’s heads snap to attention. Charlotte lifts her ring finger, revealing her gorgeous diamond engagement ring and announces, “Regan and I got married last week in Las Vegas. It’s official.”

Gigi’s eyes widen. Obviously, this is news to her. Kenya’s jaw drops, and Dari makes a garbled sound. Aunt Cass glowers at Charlotte and Regan. The table grows as quiet as a church in Hades. They have been engaged for months, and I don’t have any ill-will toward Regan. I’m just kind of shocked they still went through with tying the knot with everything going on. Regan will soon have confirmation that Justice is, indeed, his granddaughter.

Their marriage makes Justin and me official stepsiblings. Things between us will be even more complicated. I wonder if Justin knew about the matrimony and felt it was our parents’ place to spring the news.

Finally, Aunt Cass breaks the silence. “Are we supposed to congratulate you?”

Charlotte scrunches her nose. “You’ll never change. Still jealous, holding grudges until your grave.”

Regan’s Adam’s apple bobs. He looks seconds from bolting for the door.

“No, you’ve just always thought you were better than me,” Aunt Cass snaps.

“Your words, not mine.”

“Please, don’t start, you two,” Aunt Corine chastises them.

“Let’s respect our mother’s home,” their older brother, Clemens, chimes in.

Okay, what is this about?

Dari’s eyes dart to mine. I shrug, with nothing to offer. Their rivalry is propelling to the forefront of the evening’s festivities. Tanya places her cell down, now all in the mix with her brow knitted.

“Sorry, Mama. I meant no disrespect toward you,” Aunt Cass apologizes to Gigi.

“You can’t help yourself,” Charlotte sneers.

Aunt Cass’ head jerks backward. “Like you can talk. You’re a backstabbing whore, who cheated with my finance.”

Author Bio:

B. Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old. She is grateful to have accomplished this dream. B. Truly has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She’s addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of suspense and sci-fi. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, sci-fi, dystopian, and paranormal genres.

B. Truly likes to explore conflicted plots of romance with thrilling twists. She also loves creating impossible situations for her characters to grow from and try to overcome.

B. Truly has three wonderful children, and a husband who defines the person that she is today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Houston, Texas.

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