Temptation
-- EXCERPT: “Gabe hated smoking.” The voice came from her left, encroaching on the tiniest little bit of peace Rachel had had in days. She knew who she would find when she opened her eyes. He was the other reason she was outside. He and his friends had been in the restaurant, in their usual front-side booth for almost two hours, and the entire time she’d felt watched. She hadn’t been able to decide whether it was Nicolas or Blake who was staring at her. Maybe it was both of them. Shiny Guy had found every excuse he could to approach the bar, even asking her if she happened to be in charge of reservations. She’d barely kept from laughing in his face. The idea of managing the busy restaurant’s events on top of everything else nearly made her head explode. Rachel opened her eyes and raised her head without adjusting her posture and took another drag from her cigarette blowing the smoke in his direction before she said, “Oh, so we’re talking about how you knew my husband now?” He ducked his head and sat down on the nearest bench, about ten feet away. Good. He should keep his distance. “I never wanted to put you on the spot. I’m sure it can be a difficult subject.” Rachel narrowed her eyes at him. “Or you didn’t want to be held accountable for not being there when he was sick. Or after.” Nicolas sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees, his palms open. “We went down two different paths. I stayed here. Stayed with the church. Gabe . . .” Nicolas trailed off as if he expected Rachel to fill in the blanks as to what it was that Gabe had done. What he’d studied, the profession he’d chosen, the beliefs he’d adopted after he’d left evangelicalism behind. Rachel didn’t give him anything, and eventually Nicolas said, “Well, he moved on.” Rachel snorted. “And left us all behind.” “Is that how you see it?” Nicolas asked. “It’s not really any of your business, actually.” She ducked down and grabbed her tomato juice before her stomach caved in on itself. “Was there something you needed?” Nicolas cocked his head to the side and clasped his fingers. “I’m not a threat, Rachel.” She knew her skepticism shone across her face, as bright as a lighthouse beacon warning sailors of cliffs, but she couldn’t help it. Everything about this man spelled trouble. Maybe he wasn’t aware of it. He definitely didn’t understand how broken she was. Or of the way she longed to use him and discard him. It was dark and lurid, the pull she felt toward him, and something Rachel would never give in to. There was no pretending her husband was back, not even for a second, even if the temptation had kept her awake more than one night this week. “Our children are friends. You’re volunteering at the church. I’m a regular customer of yours. We could be friends.” “I’m thankful that Oscar has a friend like Asher,” she said, watching as triumph lit his eyes. She allowed herself a twitch of a smile before she slammed the door on that. “But I don’t have time to indulge your guilt for not being a better friend to Gabe while he was here. If you’ll excuse me.” Rachel snubbed the cigarette out on the ground and stood to flee. Only Nicolas was by her side before she could take her second step, his fingers closing on her elbow—not with any force, but enough of a touch to stop her in her tracks. Enough for her to feel the heat of him. Enough for the potential energy to crackle between them like lightning. Time stood still even as Rachel could feel the Earth rotate around them. Rachel could predict the ecstasy of his hands on her body, the taste of sweat on his skin as she licked up his neck. The tangy flavor of herself on his lips as he kissed her. The press of his fingertips into her hips as he positioned her in his lap and the delicious completion as his cock slid inside her. The heat of it could burn her alive if the guilt didn’t get to her first. When she could move again, Rachel met Nicolas’s eyes and recognized the yearning. The desire. And the guilt. All there, a reflection of everything she’d just imagined, sparking in the way he was looking at her. “Rachel, I—” But Rachel couldn’t stay to hear anymore. She shook off his hold and stepped out of his reach. “I can’t,” she said and fled back inside before she could do something stupid like beg a married man to kiss her.
GIVEAWAY! Royally Drained
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo -- EXCERPT: I had a suspicion that my magic faded with age, like estrogen, draining youth and power from my body, turning me into an old crone soaked in wine, and leaving me with an excessive amount of bitter baggage. At least, that was how I felt at thirty-one, past my prime. I’d stupidly wasted my youth on a man who put off marrying me for so long, only to dump me at the altar and banish me from his life and his kingdom, all in a matter of minutes. I groaned, settling down onto a tree stump caked with a questionable fungus. The drizzle of rain dissolved into a mist, wrapping around me in a blanket of wet gloom and matching my mood. Anger bubbled inside me like a cauldron of witch’s brew, ready to explode and destroy its next victim. Could this be early menopause? I thought with a sudden pang of panic. “Ahem,” I cleared my throat and shook the thought from my head, determined to focus on something I’d not tried yet—the darker creatures of the forest. My spells usually involved singing birds, cuddly bunnies, and doe-eyed deer. But there was one time, a while back, I’d accidentally summoned a rabid alligator. Of course, I’d hidden up in a tree until he left, but I always wondered if my charms could be used for more than sweet, princessy qualities, as my ex used to put it. You know, those things I’d lost when I became a worthless humanish bag of bones. “Fa-la-la-la, rawr, la-la-la,” I tried, bellowing out the lowest spooky tone I could. But nothing happened. “I said, fa-la-la-la, rawr, la-la-la!” I screamed into the clearing, but only the windswept leaves echoed back. I scuffed my boot into the dirt, kicking a pebble across the way before taking a deep breath and trying again. “La-la-la, rawr, la-la-la.” My voice rang out as it had years ago when my magic was strong and powerful enough to command an army of squirrels, nibbling the ankles of all my enemies. A blanket of clouds thickened overhead, forming a sinister chill in the air. The hair on the back of my neck prickled. I had a feeling I wasn’t alone anymore. “La-la-la, rawr, la-la-la,” I sang again, louder. Footsteps, much heavier than a bunny’s, pattered behind me. I stood up and threw my hands in the air, still singing and ignoring the feeling of someone watching me. I twirled, singing in harmony with the wind in the trees, the drizzle of rain, and the low hum of the clouds growing overhead. My senses awakened to the natural life around me, and for the first time in a year, I felt whole again. I spun around the clearing, singing my heart out and skipping through the mud until—as my luck would have it—a man, not a beastly creature under my command, walked into my life. “You rang,” said a deep voice behind me. I turned to see a tall, dark figure stepping out of the shadows. His mouth curled, as if on the edge of laughter, displaying a glimpse of two deadly sharp fangs. “Holy shit. I summoned a vampire.” I stood frozen, unable to look away.
GIVEAWAY! Today is my stop on the blog tour for Girl with Secrets by Carol Rivers, a wartime saga set in London. Girl with Secrets A coming of age war story and family saga full of romance, mystery and danger in London’s East End. From the Sunday Times and ebook bestselling author of the Lizzie Flowers series and A Wartime Christmas comes a gripping NEW coming-of-age saga about love, loyalties and secrets. IN THE TURMOIL OF WAR, CAN SHE KEEP HER FAMILY TOGETHER? 'Surely one of the best saga writers of her time' – Rosie Clarke 1938, East London. Nine year old Daisy Purbright is a country girl at heart and together with beloved brother Bobby, they’ve enjoyed the endless freedoms of rural England. But when her father gambles the family’s fortunes on a speculative investment in London’s docklands, Daisy and her family are swept up into the intrigue, danger and excitement.Desperately the Purbrights attempt to settle to a new life in the East End, but the whisperings of war grow louder. Then, one late afternoon in September 1940, Adolf Hitler conducts a paralysing bombardment on London and war tightens its grip. Life changes dramatically and closely guarded secrets threaten the Purbrights’ happiness. Can Daisy and her family survive one of the most fateful events of the 20th century? Perfect for fans of Nadine Dorries, Pam Howes, Rosie Clarke and Dilly Court. Purchase Links UK / US GUEST POST BY CAROL RIVERS Hello, I’m Carol Rivers and my new book is called Girl with Secrets From the very start of this book, I wanted to pull you into the story and grab your emotions. Daisy Purbright is a nine-year-old country girl, (above right) who finds herself at the mercy of the Luftwaffe when her father relocates his business to the heart of London’s East End. I wanted to tell a story that was common to many children in wartime. Heartbreak and strength, love and loss, taking responsibility way before your time. I found Daisy’s journey compelling as I wrote and researched. I knew it would be a captivating and enthralling historical saga because I was captivated. So much so, that I know I need to write the next book in order to see what happens to Daisy and her devoted family as they try to come to terms with all that war means. I hope, after reading Girl with Secrets, you will agree with me! Much love as always, Carol x Author Bio Mum and Dad were both East Enders who were born on the famous or should I say the then infamous Isle of Dogs. Their family were immigrants who travelled to the UK from Ireland and France, while others emigrated to America. As a child I would listen to the adults spinning their colourful stories, as my cousins and I drank pop under the table. I know the seeds of all my stories come from those far off times that feel like only yesterday. So I would like to say a big heartfelt thank you to all my family and ancestors wherever you are now ... UK, Ireland, France or America, as you've handed down to me the magic and love of story telling. Thank you for reading the post! Let's all wish Carol's book lots of success!
RECIPE FOR PASSIONBig Boys Do It Better, #1 by L. Moone Publication Date: April 19, 2021 Genres / Tropes: Adult, Contemporary, Husky Hero, Body Positive, Plus-sized Hero, Steamy, Romance Amazon: https://amzn.to/393rWNL iTunes: http://apple.co/3154XOa B&N: http://bit.ly/3cVk6Hi Kobo: http://bit.ly/3rfWKBrSYNOPSISA man who makes food like this… has got to be great in bed. Sarah: I’ve landed the job of a lifetime: to write a profile about the Heartthrob Chef himself, Byron Ainsworth. Too bad he’s a slime ball in person. No, the real hero on the set of Decadent Desserts is Ethan, Byron’s deliciously cuddly sous-chef, and I’m making it my mission to spend my time at the studio mostly with him. Let’s call it background research. As I enjoy more of Ethan’s company and my article begins to take shape, I realize two things: I need to tell Ethan how I feel about him before it’s too late. And something feels wrong about Byron. I just don’t know what it is yet. Ethan: The moment Sarah walked onto the set, she didn’t just steal a piece of my heart, she took the whole thing. But she’s not here for me, she’s here to interview Byron. I might be the better chef behind closed doors, but he’s the star of the show, whereas I’m a nobody. Still, Sarah’s presence infects me like a sickness. She leaves me obsessed and full of yearning, but I know she deserves so much better than me. Every minute spent with her sucks me deeper into delight and despair, and yet I continue to seek her out. Maybe, just maybe, I can use my talents in the kitchen to woo her? Because if I let her slip away, I know I’ll regret it forever. Recipe for Passion is a steamy body-positive romance featuring an adorable teddy bear of a plus-sized hero and a strong-minded heroine who loves him exactly for who he is. ABOUT L. MOONERealistic characters, pure emotions, true passion. Everything I write is about the characters: how they interact, what’s going on in their heads, how the passionate relationship develops and affects them. I don’t believe in keeping things hidden, or dressing them up just for show. Some of my characters are potty-mouths, most of them are less than perfect (yes, even physically). I aim to write a happy ending for all of them, without keeping anything behind closed doors. Website • Facebook • Twitter • From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee comes the steamy first novel in her new adrenaline-fueled Richter series. As an employee of MacBain Security and Solutions, Claire Kelly can certainly hold her own. Armed with an impressive set of covert skills, she’s more than prepared to tackle any job that comes her way…except one involving Cooper Lockman. Cooper and Claire used to work together before his feelings for her sent him packing to Europe for six long years. But now he’s back and determined to ignore the still-smoldering heat that lingers between them. Their current mission: go undercover together at a California high school to root out the mastermind behind a prostitution ring targeting young girls. The closer they get to the truth and the closer they get to each other, however, the deadlier their task becomes. As Claire and Cooper risk their lives to bring down their target, will their hearts be the final casualties? My thoughts:
This is my first book by Catherine Bybee and I was really impressed by how immersive, even addictive her writing is. I kept reading until the small hours and couldn't put the book down until the mystery was solved and everyone was safe (the final part was absolutely nailbiting in the best action movie tradition!). In case you get the same strange feeling of being given the backstory on the go, while Changing Rules is the first book in Catherine Bybee's Richter series, Claire's mentor Sasha, Claire's boss Neil (the owner of MacBain Security and Solutions) and his family- they appeared in Catherine's previous books. It didn't spoil my enjoyment of Changing Rules. 24 year old Claire Kelly gets a new undercover assignment. The case deals with a human trafficking ring which recruits vulnerable girls from a high school. Neil's daughter Emma goes to a private school nearby and it appears that the traffickers have been targeting students from both schools. The police department has their own undercover agents involved in this case and it ispossible that the agent/s have gone rogue. Claire and Jax, her best friend from their school days at Richter school, are sent to the schools with a double (triple? ) task- identify potential victims, identify the traffickers and their accomplices and flush out the rogue agent. I think you can already see how exciting this mystery/ suspense is. They are not alone. Claire is paired with Cooper Lockman, who has recently come back from the London office of MacBain Security and Solutions. Claire and Cooper have known each other since she was eighteen and was rescued from the shady happenings at Richter. While there is undeniable chemistry between Claire and Cooper and their relationship develops gradually during the case, Catherine Bybee manages to strike a great balance between the focus on the investigation and the romance elements. The protagonists are both strong, decisive, independent and caring in equal parts-no wonder sparks fly when these two friends decide to take their relationship to the new level. I'm just going to say it again-nothing beats good old friends-to-lovers trope! I really enjoyed Changing Rules and would love to read the continuation of the series. Whether you are a fan of Catherine Bybee, like a strong female lead or are just curious about the romantic suspense genre, I can definitely recommend this one. Thankyou to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources for inviting me to participate in the blog tour for Kirsty Ferguson's new book Who Do You Trust? Who Do You Trust? A perfect sunny day, a family celebration, a heart-stopping hour that changes everything... Dana has all she ever wanted – a husband she loves, her four-year-old daughter Kelsey who is the apple of her eye, and another baby on the way to complete her perfect family. But then the worst fear that Dana has, comes true, and everything she thought she knew, she now starts to doubt. As her world comes crashing around her, who can Dana trust? Her husband Logan who seems to be getting worryingly close to Dana’s best friend Pippa? Her new friend Melanie who has a sinister habit of turning up in the strangest places? Her parents and her sister, who Dana knows are keeping a terrible secret from her? Matt, who says he’s Dana’s friend, but sometimes she’s not so sure? Or will Dana discover that it’s a dangerous mistake to trust anyone… Join Kirsty Ferguson on this heart-stopping, plot-twisting, roller coaster read, perfect for fans of Shari Lapena and Adele Parks. Purchase Link - https://amzn.to/3ojpSH4 My thoughts: This isn't going to be an easy review to write without spolilers. If you've read the book, you must have noticed how carefully the blurb was worded to avoid giving away the most important content point. Kirsty Ferguson is well-known for her gripping domestic noirs and dark topics. The premise in her newest bok is intriguing: who can you trust after a tragedy strikes and you both desperately need your family support and feel they are at least partially responsible for it? Dana O'Connor is expecting her second child. Her husband Logan, her four-year-old daughter Kelsey and she are invited to a barbeque at her parents house. Her mother would like Dana and her younger sister Alesha try to mend their relationship, practically broken for good after Alesha said some very hurtful things to Dana three months before. We begin to see that Dana's life might not be as perfect as it seems at first glance. Then unimaginable tragedy happens and devastated Dana needs time and space to make sense of it and accept it. Twists keep coming right, left and center. First we find out what exactly was said three months before to ruin Dana and Alesha's sisterly bond. Then new people, Melanie and Matt, appear in Dana's life, while the old ties and friendships (her husband Logan and her best friend Pippa) seem to fade or transform. The circumstances in which Dana becomes friends with Melanie and later Matt are understandable, but she is the only one who doesn't seem to see that it's too much too soon for them to really have her best interests at heart. The final twist will reveal it all! There is a fairly large cast of characters, but they all have strong links to Dana, who is in the centre of the narration. Dana, in her own words, likes to please people. On several occasions, despite feeling strongly about the issue at hand, she caves in, because it is easier to agree. There is a thin line between persuading somebody to do something and pushing them to do something they aren't ready or willing to do. It is up to the reader to draw their own conclusions whether the people around Dana are lacking understanding of the emotional side of the situation (they are also, tosome extent, dealing with the aftermath of the tragedy), are selfish, unsupportive, or even abusive. Personally, I would have appreciated a bit more depth to the characterization, as the book felt too plot-driven. Altogether, it was a quick read with a very dark cental theme and lots of unexpected twists. I am a fan of domestic thrillers (if you've been following this blog for some time, you know how much I love Shari Lapena) and would like to read another book by this author. Thank you to Rachel from Rachel's Random Resources, NetGalley and Boldwood Books for the ARC provided in exchange for an honest opinion. If you are a kind of person who apprreciates content warnings / trigger warnings, please, highlight the following lines written in white: Content warning: accidental death of a child I am going to be absolutely honest and say that had I been given this content warning, I wouldn't have picked the book ,as this is the topic I tend to avoid. I understand that not everybody likes having content warnings and this way you can miss out on lots of great books, so Itried to do my best to keep my review spoiler free. Author Bio: Kirsty Ferguson is an Australian crime writer whose domestic noir stories centre around strong women and dark topical themes. Kirsty enjoys photography, visiting haunted buildings and spending time with her son. Her first book for Boldwood was Never Ever Tell published in June 2020. Social Media Links – Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkirstyferguson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/kfergusonauthor Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kirstyfergusonauthor/ Newsletter Sign Up Link: https://bit.ly/KirstyFergusonNewsletter Bookbub profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kirsty-ferguson Thank you for reading the post! Have a wonderful Monday and a great new week!
If you woud like to see what other bloggers thought of Kirsty Ferguson's book, here is the full blog tour schedule: The Final Dawn
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GIVEAWAY! Blood
Only 99¢ for a limited time! -- EXCERPT: As the doors slid shut, the space seemed tiny. Elijah dominated the space. Holly felt her pulse picking up speed as he tapped his badge on the pad next to the bank of numbers. The top floor button lit up with the scan of his card and the elevator began the slow ascent to Elijah’s kingdom. Holly looked down at her shoes and did her best not to blush. A moment later, she cleared her throat and raised her head, but he was staring at her intently, so she quickly dropped her gaze again. Dang it, why did she have to be so attracted to him? “So, you still feel it too,” Elijah murmured as he tapped his card on the elevator wall again. The car came to a stop and Holly jerked her head up. What was he doing? “What did you do that for?” It came out a whisper. “We clearly need a minute,” Elijah said, closing the space between them. Holly stuttered and gave up trying to speak as Elijah brushed one long index finger across her lips.
GIVEAWAY! La Famiglia: Dante: Part Two The diRuggiero Mafia Family Saga
-- EXCERPT: Cassie was spectacular as she approached his table. Gone was the frumpy mouse who had begged to pay back her sister’s debt. In her place was a woman in full possession of her beauty, sophisticated and elegant, head held high and shoulders back. Her dress was still more conservative than most women would wear, falling to her ankles, but the filmy chiffon moved around her like fluid, undulating and sinuous, and the sleeves kept fluttering open to permit tantalizing glimpses of her pale, slim arms. He wasn’t the only man whose eyes followed her through the restaurant. But judging by the heated look of appreciation in her eyes when she spotted him, he was the only man she would be spending any time with. He’d make sure of it. Once she was seated, the host disappeared, and Cassie put her menu down. “I don’t speak French,” she whispered, her expression conspiratorial. Dante smiled and leaned across the table. “Neither do I, but I know what’s good here. Do you trust me?” He watched, waiting for her to comprehend that he meant more than just his trusting him about the food. She sucked in a quick, surprised breath, eyes wide for a moment. But then she let it out again, determination replacing the surprise. “Yes,” she said, swallowing. She understood. She agreed. Satisfaction curled, thick and hot, in his belly alongside his hunger– for food, for her– and Dante picked up his menu. “Do you like duck?” he asked. “I don’t know, I’ve never had it,” Cassie admitted. “Well, how adventurous are you?” Dante teased, and she looked up at him through her lashes. If she were a practiced flirt, he would’ve described it as coy, but Cassie wasn’t a practiced flirt. That was why she was so compelling to him. There was no artifice to her interest in him. “With the right person… or the right incentive?” she asked, and he could feel his smile growing, a genuine smile rare for him. “Either. Both.” “Very adventurous, then.” She licked her bottom lip, and he wondered if she’d done it on purpose, trying to tempt him beyond bearing. “Welcome to Toulouse,” the server said, popping the little bubble encapsulating them. Dante bit back a laugh when Cassie jumped at the man’s sudden appearance. “I’m David and I will be your server for the evening. Would you like to hear the specials?” “No, thank you. We’ll both start with the lobster bisque and then have the duck. And bring us a bottle of your best chardonnay,” Dante answered, handing the man both their menus. “Wonderful, sir,” the server said and departed. Dante leaned back in his plush chair and observed Cassie. She was glancing around the restaurant, a look of appreciation on her pretty face, and he couldn’t blame her. Toulouse was as beautiful as its view of downtown Dallas. She studied the other patrons, one by one, and then gasped. “Dante,” she whispered and leaned across the table, granting him an enticing view of cleavage. He could tell she wasn’t wearing a bra and her movement caused her breasts to shift in the most delightful way. “Yes?” He shifted focus from her chest to her face, no less compelling to his libido. “Is that the mayor?” She gestured with a flick of her eyes behind him. Dante turned slightly to see the Mayor of Dallas and his wife enjoying a meal with another couple. “Yes.” He smiled at her wide eyes, pleased to be able to give her this experience. He’d expected to be amused by her excitement, to meet minor celebrities, but he found it charmed him instead. “And behind you is one of the star running backs for the Dallas Cowboys.” Cassie swung her head around so fast he actually worried she might get whiplash.
GIVEAWAY! Title: EXPOSE Series: Eagle Tactical Book One Author: Willow Fox Genre: Contemporary Romance, Suspense, Small Town There was a bounty on my head. I fled with only one thought in mind: survival. I bought a cabin, sight unseen, in the wilderness. It came with quite a few surprises including a handsome stranger next door, Jaxson Monroe. He also happens to be my own personal hero, saving my life. It’s complicated and I don’t want to disappoint him, but he wants to know why I’ve moved here. If I tell him the truth, he will never want to see me again. I’m not the sweet innocent girl he thinks I am. Could I trust a former special forces soldier, or would he betray me? I owed him my life, but did I owe him my heart? EXPOSE is Book One of Eagle Tactical series. EXPOSE ends with a HFN and a guaranteed series HEA. Links Amazon: https://amzn.to/3tyz5gT Print: https://amzn.to/3cPu9xg About the Author
Willow has loved writing since she was in high school (many ages ago). Her small town romances are reflective of living in a small town in rural America. Whether she’s writing romance or sitting outside by the bonfire reading a good book, Willow loves the magic of the written word. She dreams of being swept off her feet and hopes to do that to her readers! Website: https://authorwillowfox.com IG: https://instagram.com/authorwillowfox FB: https://facebook.com/authorwillowfox Newsletter: https://authorwillowfox.com/subscribe/ |
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