#Excerpt: THE LAST ONE by A.S. Kelly

The Last One
A.S. Kelly
Publication date: July 25th 2022
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Anya O’Donnell, and I’d like to declare myself guilty beyond all reasonable doubt.
Guilty of what, you ask?
Well, for starters, I’m guilty of lying to everyone for years; of pretending when I should have been showing them all who I really was, what I really wanted. I’m guilty of pushing away the only person who wanted to stay, convinced that, one day, he’d have left, anyway.
I told him we were a mistake.
I told him I was better off without him.
I told him that I didn’t love him.
And now I miss him. I miss his cups of tea and his stupid cheese crackers. I miss his clothes, strewn about the house. I miss the way he would watch me sleep. I miss his arms, holding me tightly each night, making me feel at home.
But now we’re both alone. And I’m scared.
I’m scared that he believed everything I told him; that he has no intention of coming back.

Allow me to introduce myself.
My name is Owen McKenna, and I’m furious.
Why, you ask?
Well, because I decided to follow my heart and not my head. Because I didn’t listen to my friends or to their far-fetched theories. Because I left anyway – even when everyone was telling me to stay.
And now she doesn’t want me back. But I want her, desperately.
She’s the woman I’ve been waiting for. She’s incredibly sexy, and can make you laugh, even when you least want to. She’s never let anyone in, apart from me; and when she crumbles into my arms, it makes me feel like the only guy in the world.
But I ruined everything.
I let the L-word slip, and she panicked.
She told me things she didn’t even think – I know that. I know her.
I know that she’s scared, that she doesn’t want to take this risk. But I do. I’m ready.
I’m her exception.
I just need to make her see that, too.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Ms. O’Donnell.”
“What?”
“My surname. O’Donnell.”
“Mine is…”
“I didn’t ask. I’m telling you mine. You can call me Ms. O’Donnell.”
“Are you serious?”
“Good morning, Ms. O’Donnell. Or good evening, depending on the circumstance.”
“Can I wish you goodnight, too?”
“You’re not helping yourself.”
I laugh. I like winding her up – mainly because she doesn’t flinch.
“Are you telling me I can’t even say your name?”
“Only friends use my name.”
“And I’m not a friend?”
“No.”
“And I’ll never become a friend?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’ve seen me naked. And usually, friends don’t see each other naked.”
“Is that one of your rules?”
“It’s just become one.”
“A special rule for me?”
“Don’t flatter yourself. You’re not even my type.”
“What is your type?”
“That’s something I don’t share with strangers or acquaintances. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have work waiting for me.”
She slowly walks to the entrance, under my watchful gaze. I can’t help but fixate on the slinky, sensual movement of her hips.
“Ms. O’Donnell?” I call. She stops and looks around at me again.
“I hope you have a great day.”
“I thought it would be. Now I’m not so sure.”

Author Bio:

A. S. Kelly writes Rom-Com, Romantic Fiction and Family Saga.
Avid reader, hopeless romantic, lover of yoga, knitting and home baking.
She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.

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#Excerpt: LOVE BLOOMS IN MORNING STAR by Charlotte Hubbard

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

As Jo Fussner keeps the Marketplace humming, her heart dances with a joyous secret. Jo and Michael Wengerd, a shy nursery owner from a nearby town, have fallen hopelessly in love. When Michael buys a courting buggy, Jo is sure a proposal will follow. But she’ll have to work hard to gain her mother’s approval—because the widowed Drusilla Fussner is convinced that marriage will bring her daughter nothing but heartache.

To win Jo’s hand, Michael enlists his father’s help in convincing Drusilla to give the marriage her blessing—and perhaps even open her heart to new happiness of her own. . . . But just as Jo and Michael’s hope for their future grows, an even bigger obstacle looms. The Amish elders vote to forbid any maidel from working once she marries. Now Jo must choose between the beloved store she’s put her heart into, and the man she can’t live without. Conflicted, Jo will have to trust that anything is possible when true faith guides the way.

Excerpt:

Jo was soon pulled out of the ceremonial spell the bishop wove with his words, however, meeting Michael’s gaze again. It had been such a blessing when she’d spotted him earlier this morning, striding toward her. As he’d done in her fondest dreams over the winter, he’d held out his hands and she’d grabbed them as though she’d never let them go.

“I have a surprise for you, Josie-girl,” he’d whispered. “Right after the wedding, you’ll see it.”

Josie-girl. The sound of Michael’s unique endearment had made her eager heart turn somersaults. How was she supposed to pay attention to the wedding ceremony while she wondered about the surprise he’d promised?

But one thing Jo knew, as surely as she could bake cinnamon rolls: Michael had returned to Morning Star loving her even more than when Mamm had sent him and his dat away at Christmas. Michael and Nelson weren’t renting the Fussners’ dawdi haus anymore, but the Wengerds were back in her life, and they intended to move forward with the plans they’d made during her visit to their home in Queen City last December.

Life simply didn’t get any more exciting than that.

About the Author:

In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 60 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera.

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#Review: A DUCHESS BY MIDNIGHT by Charis Michaels

 

 3 of 5 stars

When I read the blurb for this book, I thought it had so much potential. Who doesn't love a mean girl turned good? Unfortunately, the book opens with Miss Drewsmina “Drew” Trelayne already the "good" girl. She's a spinster who now tries to help other "ugly duckling" type of girls be prepared for a Season in London. We only hear about all her "bad" behavior through lessons she teaches the duke's nieces. I wasn't all that enamored with Drew especially in the very first scene with Ian Clayblack, the Duke of Lachlan, when she gossips about him, not knowing who she was talking to. Ian was gruff and disagreeable through much of the book and he has a host of his own issues to work through. Previous trouble with his tenants turned into the worst possible situation and he's been isolating himself at his ducal estate for the past 3 years. The chemistry between Drew and Ian is almost non-existent, but the sex scenes were well done. I did love the "bird watching" scene.

The only redeeming character in the story was Imogene. Now, that was a mean girl! She does some pretty nasty things to Drew and Ian including orchestrating the discovery of them in a passionate embrace. I would have liked her to apologize for some of her antics, but she doesn't seem to have any regrets. The whole storyline of T.O.E. could have been expanded more so we could understand the true depth of the girl's ill-treatment. The mother was a piece of work and I didn't like her very much. There was also a creepy store owner at the end of the story that made no sense and added nothing to the story so I don't know why that scene was included.

If Ms. Michaels decides to give Imogene her own story, that is one I'd like to read. Otherwise, I doubt I read any more by this author.

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

#Review: THE RAKE'S DAUGHTER by Anne Gracie

 

 4 of 5 stars

Leo, the new Earl of Salcott, returns home from a grand adventure on the continent to find that he's been named the guardian of Miss Clarissa Studley, the daughter of one of his father's friends. He has no idea why he's been named guardian, and he plans to marry you off as soon as possible. Except there's a problem. Clarissa arrived in London with her half-sister Izzy who she refuses to be parted from. Leo refuses to let Izzy be presented to the ton with Clarissa because of her illegitimate birth, but he's no match for the Studley sisters as they go behind his back and forge their own way into Society. Leo is appalled, but he can't stop thinking about Izzy and her irresistible boldness and beauty, but how can he fall for the young woman when her circumstances make her off-limits to him?

This was an interesting book about the unshakeable love between two sisters who refuse to be parted from each other. Their devotion and cleverness in getting around Leo's ultimatums were well done. The secondary characters--Leo's valet Mateo and his aunt Lady Scattergood--added some light-hearted levity to the story and were quite enjoyable. I wasn't so enamored with Leo though. He ran so hot and cold toward Izzy throughout the book and bungled so many things that I found it hard to forgive him as easily as Izzy did. Although he wasn't my favorite hero, I was glad when he finally confessed his feelings for Izzy and they got their HEA. I'm looking forward to the next book and hope it's Clarrisa's story.

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

#Review: A REMARKABLE ROGUE by Anna Harrington

 

 4 of 5 stars

Captain Nathaniel Reed has been tasked with finding out the identity of Scepter, an evil mastermind bent on bringing down the Crown, and his biggest lead is Lady Sydney Rowland, the beautiful widow who keeps everyone at a distance. She's a means to an end, but Nate doesn't count on his attraction to her. Is she an innocent pawn in the mastermind's plan or is she heavily involved in the scheme? Nate must keep his feelings in check in order to learn the truth, but the more time he spends with Sydney, the more confused he becomes. Can he figure out the puzzle before another tragedy befalls the Crown?

This was a very enjoyable story. I instantly liked Nate. He was so honorable even though he had every reason to be bitter about his circumstances in life. It took a while for me to warm up to Sydney, but her reasons for her involvement in the blackmail scheme were revealed, she become much more sympathetic. I loved the interaction between Nate and Sydney as they tried to ignore their growing attraction to each other. With many twists and turns in the way, they finally do achieve their HEA. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

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

#Excerpt: GILDED BUTTERFLY by Leslie O'Sullivan

Gilded Butterfly
Leslie O’Sullivan
(Rockin’ Fairy Tales, #2)
Publication date: July 30th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Gilded Butterfly is the second book in the Rockin’ Fairy Tales adult romantasy series by Leslie O’Sullivan. King Midas and the Golden Touch meets King Lear in a slow-burn, friends to lovers, romance set against the backdrop of a fictional Hollywood music scene.

Chorda Lear is a mega-hot pop artist, Internet influencer, and Irish witch who’s poised to inherit a magical family legacy, the Golden Guitar. She’s the fan favorite on a wildly popular reality television show, “Kickin’ It With Midas,” a trendy chronicle of three Hollywood influencer sisters and their aging rock star father, Midas Lear.

Adair Holliday, a Hollywood producer wunderkind, is slated to step up as showrunner of the Lear’s lucrative TV franchise. He must constantly temper his skepticism over best friend, Chorda’s, practice of magic, but his biggest challenge is denying romantic feelings for her.

When Chorda goes disastrously off-script during the live broadcast of the season finale, Lear banishes her from the show and his life. Adair follows his friend into exile with a plan to reconcile father and daughter. Away from the pressures of Hollywood, a steamy encounter under a waxing moon, deepens friendship into romance. Now, the two must reverse Midas’ edict to save both their professional futures and new-found love.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

This book is in the world of Rockin’ Fairy Tales with some character carryover from Pink Guitars and Falling Stars, Book 1, but it does work as a standalone.

Windshields are a dark destiny for butterflies. As I wind up the drive to Midas Lear’s Waterfall Palace in the Hollywood Hills, my windshield becomes one such destiny for a vibrant blue butterfly. The poor critter traveled to Hollywood in search of fame and fortune with plans to name its cover band Wing Spread.

The driver’s side glass of my deep blue, Tesla model 3 had other plans. In a single fatal moment, the band, Wing Spread became Smush, which sounds more like a pop-up night club than a cover band. In Hollywood, it’s all about the name.

I pull as far off the road in front of the mansion as the narrow drive allows. There are those who would mock me for bemoaning the death of a bug. In my humble opinion, sadness should be mandated when something lovely is destroyed. I, Adair Holliday, am to blame for a drop of beauty gone from the world.

I retrieve an index card from the leather messenger bag my half-brother, Desmond, gave me last month on my thirtieth birthday with the directive: “Time to upgrade from your folksy backpack look, Adair.”

Across the road, I pick my way down a steep bank landscaped as a butterfly garden to the shore of a narrow stream fed by cascading water features of the mansion. It’s ironic the intentional flora attracts winged beauties only to threaten death via windshields and waterfalls.

Before me, the final brushstrokes of a California sunset reflect off Midas Lear’s Waterfall Palace, three stories of glass framed with stacked stone walls. The president of Golden Pipes Records runs his music empire from this Frank Lloyd Wright’s Falling Water House meets Irish castle.

Spray from the waterfall spilling from the cantilevered stone shelf at the mansion’s base dots the butterfly’s wings. I crouch at the water’s edge to release the creature and its paper ship into the current, a Viking funeral in miniature. The card flips, sending broken blue wings beneath the surface.

A bend in the stream disappears into shadows underneath the peppy blossoms of overhanging purple and pink crepe myrtles. Were I slightly metaphoric, I’d define the waterway as a parallel to the new turn my life is about to take. Maybe the fact I’m figuratively pondering means I possess a drizzle of the poet in my soul. A good showrunner needs such drizzle in the ole creative toolbox.

I’ll leave poetic musings to Midas Lear and his three red-headed daughters. Rubata, Glissanda, and Chorda Lear will be my trio of responsibilities when I step into the executive producer spot on their reality TV show, Kickin’ It With Midas, after we shoot tonight’s season finale. I’m primed to step up my creative splash on the Golden Pipes Network.

I emerge from clusters of crimson columbine and lilac to the roar of an approaching engine. Desmond’s vintage red Ferrari 360 Modena zips around the corner, screeching to a stop inches from my toes.

“Shit, Adair. You nearly ended up on my windshield.”

The timeliness of his comment is not lost on me. I decline to share deets of my Viking butterfly funeral. “Cooling my jets for a sec by the water.”

Des shakes his head. “Cooling your jets? My little brother, crowned prince of outdated idioms and clichés.”

I celebrate and perpetuate the resurrection of sayings I’ve absorbed from the classic and not so classic movies and television programs I adore. More than one person has accused me of time traveling to the present from a black and white 1960s sitcom.

I tap a finger to my chin. “Are colorful phrases ever outdated?”

Rubata, the middle Lear sister, springs through the open pop top of the car. Her dyed cherry-red hair clashes with the Ferrari’s paint. She raises her phone to grab a selfie with a green, white, and red striped bag. “Gelato. I gotta gelata,” she sings and waves a handle bag stamped with the Gelato Buono logo.

I dive to catch the phone she tosses to me.

“Adair, get a shot of me with the gotta gelata and the car.” Rubata holds the bag next to her cheek and puckers her lips. As I snap pictures, she flips her hair and kisses the bag. “Did you get the shot? Wait, switch to video of me singing gotta gelata, gotta gelata.” Through the window, I catch her gold painted toenails dancing across Desmond’s shoulder. “Oooo, Desi, feed me gelata. That’ll look sexxxxy.”

Author Bio:

Leslie O’Sullivan is the author of Rockin' Fairy Tales, an adult romance series of Shakespeare/fairy tale mash ups set against the backdrop of Hollywood’s music scene. Coming soon is her Behind the Scenes contemporary romance series that peeks into the off-camera secrets of a wildly popular television drama. She’s a UCLA Bruin with a BA and MFA from their Department of Theater where she also taught for years on the design faculty. Her tenure in the world of television was as the assistant art director on “It’s Garry Shandling’s Show.” Leslie loves to indulge her fangirl side each year at San Diego Comic Con.

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#Excerpt: RETURN TO WYLDER by Maria Imbalzano

BLURB:

The untimely death of EJ Hampton’s father kills her dream of practicing law with him in her hometown of Wylder. Heartbroken, she now has two weeks to organize the practice for sale. When she meets her father’s millionaire client Dylan Addison, he is demanding and entitled—yet his charisma captivates her.

 

Dylan is under pressure to renovate the Wylder Hotel before his father pulls the plug on his project. He needs EJ’s expertise, but she is bent on returning to her life in San Francisco despite the fireworks between them.

 

EJ walks a tightrope trying to balance Dylan’s needs against her own, but doing so is far more complicated when emotions get in the way.

EXCERPT:

 

At a little after noon, I stepped out of Bryce’s office with a to-do list that would have been daunting to the winner of the Type-A workaholic personality contest. “Hi, EJ.” Dylan’s voice echoed down the hall. I turned, and he was heading toward me. Didn’t Carol have control over clients who simply showed up without an appointment? But of course he probably assumed his “big” retainer and prominent position in his father’s company meant he could interrupt my day at a moment’s notice. 

 

“I was in the area and stopped by to see if you were able to fast-track my permits yesterday.” Hope in the form of a smile beamed across his face. 

 

Although he had a somewhat nicer way about him than Ron Briar and was an eleven on a ten-point gorgeousness scale, he was mistaken if he thought his dazzling white grin and flashing blue eyes would seduce me like the women beside him in that business magazine. 

 

While I didn’t mind gazing at that incredibly handsome countenance, I’d have to dash his optimism. “No. Not yet. I spoke to Adam Colton, the permit officer, and he said he’d let me know on Friday whether he’ll issue the permits or make us apply for a variance. I’ll advise you as soon as I hear.” I tried to inject a bit of cheeriness into my voice, but I was drained from the morning’s marathon meeting, not to mention the load of work hovering over me that I’d agreed to take on. 

 

“I was hoping now that you’re here, things would run more smoothly.” 

 

His initial pleasantness morphed into what I heard as criticism, and my blood boiled. I was seconds away from screeching that I’d only arrived yesterday and had a mountain of problems other than just his to deal with. So back off. Instead, I bit my lip, balled my fists, and said through gritted teeth, “Could you give me a moment, please?” Then I turned, went into my office, and closed the door. I gave myself props for not slamming it. 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Maria Imbalzano is an award-winning contemporary author who writes about strong, independent women and the men who fall in love with them. She recently retired from the practice of law, but legal issues have a way of showing up in many of her novels. When not writing, she loves to travel both abroad and in the states.  Maria lives in central New Jersey with her husband--not far from her two daughters and granddaughters. For more information about her books, please visit her website at http://mariaimbalzano.com where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

 

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#Review: IRRESISTIBLE by Darcy Burke

 

 4 of 5 stars

Lord Dougal MacNair, the new Viscount Fallin, agrees to one last mission for the Foreign Office before he returns to Scotland after his brother's death. This mission was different, however, and he soon learns he'll be working with Miss Jessamine Goodfellow and they are to pose as husband and wife to investigate a couple suspected of being French spies. Dougal is not happy as he's always worked alone, but something about Jess draws him to her. Jess is intrigued when the Foreign Office recruits her for her cryptography skills although she's shocked to learn she must pose as Dougal's wife. The more time they spend together, the more she craves his attention. Can these two keep their feelings in check and remain professional in their mission or will their passion ignite and sweep them away?

I really enjoy this series and this book was no exception. Dougal was such an honorable hero, torn between his duty to the Crown and his duty to his family. He never wanted to inherit the title. He'd much prefer his brother still be with them. He's plagued with doubts about his last two missions that had gone badly and is determined to be successful in this last one and find out what happened in the last two. What he doesn't expect is to be so attracted to Jess. I really like Jess. She's smart, capable, and vulnerable, exactly as a new spy should be. Having been opposed to marriage for the past 6 years, she begins to wonder if she's missing out. She tries so hard to remain professional, but her attraction to Dougal grows with each day. The mission is interesting and keeps the story on the lighthearted side. There are graphic sex scenes in the story so beware if you'd prefer your romances to be clean. Ms. Burke has delivered another very enjoyable story and I'm excited to read the next book in the series.

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

Interview with Nadia Blair, UNCHAIN MY HEART

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

UNCHAIN MY HEART is book 2 in my Mephisto series. Here’s a bit about it:

What’s a bad girl to do when the world won’t let her be good …

With her thirtieth birthday looming, actress Natasha Bernard wants to reinvent herself as something other than Hollywood’s favorite villainess. When she hears rumors that a tell-all exposé reveals details of her love life with her rockstar ex, she decides to put a stop to it. Even if that means confronting his bandmate, Richard Mac—the man who let the world brand her with a scarlet 'A.'

 

She's his nemesis ... his secret obsession ... and the only woman who can incinerate his life ...

Guitarist Richard Mac is a control freak, whether he’s working on a new album or using his custom leather toys in the bedroom. When “Hurricane” Natasha storms back into his life, he risks everything to claim her. But he can’t risk losing control and letting her guess his darkest secret … that she’s the one woman he’s always wanted and could never have … 

 

Do you have a favorite character? 
Don’t tell Sloan (the hero of book 1) but Richard Mac is secretly my favorite. It isn’t just the long Viking hair (though that helps.) I enjoy his dry sense of humor and the layers to his personality. He’s much quieter than Sloan, but there’s so much going on beneath the surface. He’s the quintessential bad boy—rock guitarist with a wicked reputation and a penchant for kink, but beneath that rough surface he has a brilliant mind and a loyal heart.

 

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? Did the character become the hero/heroine of their own book?  
YES! Readers who read ROCK MY HEART, Mephisto book 1, met Richard Mac, Sloan’s frenemy and bandmate. Mac totally started out as the villain before I realized I had a series on my hands. Let me tell you, I was 100% insane to have Sloan’s ex-wife end up as Mac’s love interest. I can’t tell you how many times I thought my head was gonna explode as I was trying to write the dang story. 

 

Did you try the traditional route to publishing, i.e. querying agents/publishers? 
I did initially try the traditional publishing route. I got some good feedback from a couple of agents before receiving those dreaded rejection letters. I finally decided to indie-publish last year, and I’m so glad I made that decision. I have zero regrets. Indie publishing requires a ton of work. But this way, I have complete control over every aspect of my career. 

 

Do you regularly send out a newsletter? How are you recruiting new subscribers? Do you have a reader magnet?  
I don’t send out newsletters as often as I should. Need to get over that mindset of not wanting to bother people and remind myself that the people who sign up *actually* want to hear from me! I just wrote an adorable bonus chapter featuring Sloan and Maddy (the couple from book 1) as a reader magnet. Readers can sign up here to get that free bonus chapter and hear from me: https://BookHip.com/JNFRWTT

 

What is your writing process? Do you listen to music or do you like silence? 
I pour a cup of coffee, sit at my laptop, and write. I try to aim for at least 1000 words before I take a break. Some days it flows. Some days it doesn’t. Some days my process is analog, with a 3-subject notebook and a pen. Freeing my brain from staring at a screen gives my muse “permission” to write shitty first drafts. I’ve recently been experimenting with voice-to-text apps, such as Otter, but the transcription fidelity isn’t high enough yet for my needs. 

 

Do you outline your story or just go where your muse takes you? 
I wish I was a “plotter.” Alas, I am an unrepentant “pantser.” Often, I’m in the midst of a scene when some new twist happens or some tiny detail becomes plot relevant, and I have one of those “Eureka” moments. It’s fun when it works. And frustrating the other 98% of the time. I’ve gotten better about outlining before I dive into writing the story, with the knowledge that my outline will inevitably be revised along the way as I become better acquainted with my characters.

 

What have you’ve learned during your self-publishing journey? 
Marketing or bust! I cannot overemphasize the importance of understanding marketing, writing to market, and creating a consistent brand message, especially as an indie author. Your book can be the most amazing thing in the English language, but without a marketing push, it’s likely to fall into the depths of the Amazon rankings very quickly. I’ve also learned there are a metric f*ck-ton of people out there marketing themselves as indie publishing “professionals”. Some of them may have the credentials to be worth whatever they’re charging. But it is way too easy to build yourself a fancy website and bill yourself as an “expert” on the internet. In other words, indie authors need to DO THEIR RESEARCH before investing in anything that promises to help them with their career. 

 

Is your book(s) in Kindle Unlimited or is it wide? What percentage of royalties does page reads represent if in KU? 
My books are in Kindle Unlimited. Easily 80-90% of my earnings this last year have been KU payouts. I have mad respect for the authors who are finding success by going wide. I’ve heard it’s possible, but incredibly difficult. 

 

What’s next for you? 
I need to dive into Mephisto book 3, which features Micah Donovan, the band’s broody, moody, mysterious drummer … and his plucky paparazzo love interest. 

 

Unchain My Heart
Nadia Blair
(Mephisto, #2)
Publication date: May 10th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

What’s a bad girl to do when the world won’t let her be good …

With her thirtieth birthday looming, actress Natasha Bernard wants to reinvent herself as something other than Hollywood’s favorite villainess. When she hears rumors that a tell-all exposé reveals details of her love life with her rockstar ex, she decides to put a stop to it. Even if that means confronting his bandmate, Richard Mac—the man who let the world brand her with a scarlet ‘A.’

She’s his nemesis … his secret obsession … and the only woman who can incinerate his life …

Guitarist Richard Mac is a control freak, whether he’s working on a new album or using his custom leather toys in the bedroom. When “Hurricane” Natasha storms back into his life, he risks everything to claim her. But he can’t risk losing control and letting her guess his darkest secret … that she’s the one woman he’s always wanted and could never have …

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Nadia Blair writes steamy contemporary romance featuring outrageous bad boys and gutsy girls who give as good as they get. She has a thing for snappy dialog, humorous situations, and swoon-worthy happily-ever-afters.

When she's not having conversations with fictional people, she enjoys summer thunderstorms, top-shelf whiskey, and rockin' out to a classic guitar solo.

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#SALE .99 AGE OF INNOCENCE BOXED SET II by Debra Elizabeth

 

Read for FREE with KindleUnlimited

Enjoy three full-length sweet regency romances in Age of Innocence series.

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09LR8P4DS

 

The Duke’s Forbidden Love, Book 4

Miss Amelia Beckwith should be over the moon with happiness when the Earl of Lincoln proposes. Unfortunately, the handsome earl is not who he appears to be in public.  She is desperate to escape Lincoln’s cruelty and has only one option left to leave the nightmare behind—RUN.

Racing back to his estate during a horrific thunderstorm, James Harlow, the Duke of Warwick, spots a young woman walking along the road when a bolt of lightning startles her. She tumbles down the ravine and lays like a broken doll at the bottom. Warwick rescues her and with the help of his staff nurses her back to health. There’s only one problem—the woman who has captivated his heart has lost her memory and cannot tell him who she is or where she comes from. Can he find out the identity of this delicate beauty before fate steps in and ruins everything he loves?

The Viscount’s Heart for Christmas, Book 5

An innocent young beauty, a seasoned spy and a mystery in the north that rages out of control sending their worlds on a collision course no one could foresee. 

 

Charles Bainbridge, Viscount Edgerton, is the regional spymaster and has no time for a wife. His work for the Home Office is a top priority for him, that is, until he meets Lady Courtney Darkin, the sister of his best friend the Duke of Wetherby. The last time he saw her, she was running wild, her pigtails flying behind her at the duke’s country estate. She wasn’t a little girl anymore and Edgerton felt like a thunder bolt had struck him when he first laid eyes on her. But he wasn’t the only one with an eye on the young beauty.

 

Lady Courtney Darkin is excited to come to London in preparation for her debut Season. There would be teas, musicals, dinners and balls—everything she’s been dreaming about for years. The first time she meets Lord Edgerton, however, her knees go weak. She’s smitten. No man had a right to be so beautiful—like a marble statue come to life. Can Courtney melt the tough exterior Lord Edgerton shows the world and open his heart to love?

The Lady and the Spy, Book 6

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?

 

 

 

Interview with Annie Anderson, SPELLS & SLIP-UPS

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

Spells & Slip-ups centers around Wren Bannister, an oddball witch with one big problem… she can’t do magic. After accidentally blowing up a local apothecary, Wren has been sentenced to 10 years of service with the Arcane Bureau of Investigation, only if she can pass selection school. Otherwise, it’s her head on the chopping block.

 

Do you have a favorite character?

That’s like asking a parent if they have a favorite child. I love them all because all of them—to some degree—are me. They are facets of my personality—the good and the bad—and even though there are a ton of dark parts, I like the way my twisted little mind works.

 

Have you ever had a minor character evolve into a major one? Did that change the direction of the novel at all? Did the character become the hero/heroine of their own book?

Of course! Maxima Alcado started out as a tiny blip of a character in the Phoenix Rising series. As soon as she made it onto the page, my readers loved her and that was how the Rogue Ethereal series was born.

 

What factors influenced your decision to self-publish your book(s)?

The freedom. Traditional publish is great, but after being in the military and having people tell you what to do for so long, the thought of handing my work over to someone else, to answer to someone else, to do what someone else wants me to do just grated. Self-publishing allows me the freedom to write what I want, when I want, and how I want. 

 

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

A bit of both. Sometimes I need the music to get me to the right headspace, and sometimes I’m already there, writing up the incident report as it plays out in my head. 

 

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

Again, both. Usually I outline with broad strokes, drilling down on the plot points as necessary, but at about the 50% mark, my characters hijack the train in my head and jump the tracks. 

 

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

Of course. Good editors are gold and can take a manuscript to new heights. I absolutely love my editor and wouldn’t trade her for anything.

 

Is your book available in audio format? Briefly describe how your narrator was chosen?

Spells & Slip-ups will be available in audio but is currently in production. I used the female narrator from previous works, and she referred a friend for the male part. Funnily enough, I combed through narrators, and Cassandra’s stood out because the first line she ever said was “Motherf**cker!” If anyone knows my mouth (I speak fluent sailor with a trucker dialect) you know that is what sold me on her.

 

Do you find it difficult to juggle your time between marketing your current book and writing your next book? Do you try to write everyday or carve out certain times during the week?

No, but I have a fabulous team that keeps me on track when it comes to marketing. I do not write every day, but I do have a writing cycle which allows me plotting time, project spin-up time, and marketing time. Also, I strive to take weekends off. 

 

Some fun facts about you, which do you prefer – dogs or cats? Chocolate or vanilla? Coffee or Tea? Talk or Text? Day or Night?

 

Dogs (I’m allergic to cats)

Chocolate (always) 

Both (but coffee is a must in the morning) 

Both. It depends on if I want to speak or not, or if texting is getting annoying. 

Night. 

Spells and Slip-ups
Annie Anderson
(The Wrong Witch, #1)
Publication date: July 5th 2022
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy

I suck at witchcraft.

Coming from a long line of famous witches, I should be at the top of the heap. Problem is, if there is a spell cast anywhere in my vicinity, I will somehow mess it up. As a probationary agent with the Arcane Bureau of Investigation, I have two choices: I can limp along and maybe pass myself off as a competent agent, or I can fail. Miserably.

Worse news? If I can’t get my act together, I may not only be out of a job, I could also lose my life.

Whose idea was this again?

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

Annie Anderson is a military wife and United States Air Force veteran. Originally from Dallas, Texas, she is a southern girl at heart, but has lived all over the US and abroad. As soon as the military stops moving her family around, she’ll settle on a state, but for now she enjoys being a nomad with her husband, two daughters, an old man of a dog, and a young pup that makes life… interesting.

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