Thursday, January 31, 2019

Book Tour and Giveaway: Beyond the Shadows by Loree Lough

Beyond the Shadows
by
Loree Lough

Genre:
Romantic Suspense
Elice Glasser is a widow with three young children to raise. Cabot Murray is an ex-cop who returns home to Freeland, Maryland, to deal with the pain of his own tragic loss: the death of his wife and daughter in a fiery explosion intended for him.

Grieving, their sorrow brings them together, and a friendship develops that leads then to explore the possibility of finding love again. But vengeful enemies and jealous rivals are determined to destroy the peace and happiness that Elice and Cabot have found in each other’s arms. Why are their rivals so intent on keeping Elice and Cabot apart? Loree Lough's latest suspenseful romance is a page-turner!

At last count, best-selling author Loree Lough had 115 award-winning books (nearly 9,000,000 copies in circulation and 7 titles that earned book-to-movie options), 68 short stories, and 2,500+ articles in print.

An oft-invited guest of writers' organizations, colleges and universities, corporate and government agencies in the U.S. and abroad, Loree loves sharing learned-the-hard-way lessons about the craft and the industry.

Once upon a time, Loree (literally) sang for her supper, performing alone and "opening" for the likes of Tom Jones, Dottie West, The Gatlin Brothers, and more. Though she refuses to share the actual year when she traded her Yamaha 6-string for a wedding ring, she IS willing to admit that, every now and then, she blows the dust off her six-string to croon a tune or two. But mostly, she just writes (and writes).

Loree and her husband split their time between a home in the Baltimore suburbs and a cabin in the Allegheny Mountains, where she continues to hone her "identify the critter tracks" skills. Her favorite pastime? Spending long, leisurely hours with her grandchildren...all seven of them!

Win a $20 Amazon gift card, a $10 Amazon, an ebook of Beyond the Shadows by Loree Lough, or an ebook of 50 hours by Loree Lough.

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!

Book Tour and Giveaway: The Seidr Cycle by Angela B. Chrysler

Dolor and Shadow
The Seidr Cycle Book 1
by
Angela B. Chrysler

Genre:
High Epic Fantasy
A great power has awakened within Princess Kallan.

To keep the princess hidden, she is taken to Alfheim; her abilities suppressed and her memory erased.

Years later, Kallan inherits her father’s war, and vows revenge on the one man she believes is responsible: Rune, King of Gunir. But soon, a twist of fate puts Kallan in protection of the man she has sworn to kill, and Rune in possession of powers he does not understand.

Lost in the world of Men, the two must form an unlikely alliance to make their way home and solve the mystery of their past - and of the Shadow that hunts them both.

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Book Trailer:
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Praise for Dolor and Shadow:
"...a sweeping, epic novel... highly recommend it to all fantasy lovers." - Erin S. Riley, author of Odin's Shadow

"Angela B. Chrysler has brought world building to breathtaking heights with ‘Dolor and Shadow’" - Jay Norry, Amazon Review

"This is book one in a set that has the potential to become timeless" - Timothy Bateson, Amazon Review
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Fire and Lies
The Seidr Cycle Book 2
War rips across the land of Alfheim.

As the Fae gods draw near, Queen Kallan’s strength is tested.

She follows King Rune, but the Shadow Beast caged within Rune’s body is writhing in hunger. Kallan’s newest companion, Bergen - the legendary Berserk - is determined to end the conflict in her life.

As the three come together, the truth buried in the past resurfaces. Now, Kallan must master a dormant power... or watch her kingdom fall to the Fae, who will stop at nothing to keep their lies.

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Book Trailer:
Angela B. Chrysler is a writer, logician, philosopher, and die-hard nerd who studies theology, historical linguistics, music composition, and medieval European history in New York with a dry sense of humor and an unusual sense of sarcasm. She lives in a garden with her family and cats.

In 2014, Ms. Chrysler founded Brain to Books and the virtual trade show, Brain to Books Cyber Convention. A passionate gardener and incurable cat lover, Ms. Chrysler spends her days drinking coffee and writing beside a volume of Edgar Allan Poe who strongly influences her style to this day. When Ms. Chrysler is not writing, she enables her addictions to all things nerdy, and reads everything she can get her hands on no matter the genre. Occasionally, she finds time to mother her three children and debate with her life-long friend who she eventually married. Her writing is often compared to Tad Williams. Her influences are Edgar Allan Poe, The Phantom of the Opera, and Frankenstein.

Angela also loves writing, cats, reading, knitting, gardening, Tai Chi, Yoga, meditation, coffee, BBC, baking, cooking, dancing, singing, anime, and smiling.

Win a $20 Amazon gift card or a signed copy of Dolor and Shadow by Angela B. Chrysler.

Follow the tour HERE for exclusive content and a giveaway!

Wednesday, January 30, 2019

Blurb Blitz and Giveaway - The Mistress of Desire & The Orchid Lover Book II The Quest: One Love in a Lifetime by J.A. Jackson

Welcome to my stop on the blurb blitz for the romantic suspense novel The Mistress of Desire & The Orchid Lover Book II The Quest: One Love in a Lifetime by J.A. Jackson. This blurb blitz was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt for you. There's also a tour wide giveaway at the bottom of this post. Check out the list of other participating blogs here for more excerpts. Enjoy!
Title: The Mistress of Desire & The Orchid Lover Book II The Quest: One Love in a Lifetime
Author: J.A. Jackson
Genre: Suspense, Romance
Release Date: October 12, 2018
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Neither Tiara Blake or Delmar Devereaux has a past to be proud of. With a joint history packed with dishonesty, blackmail—and a juicy, torrid love affair—the pair didn’t expect their paths would cross again.

Can a quest to break an ancient curse give two former lovers a second chance?

After a torrid love affair, shady businessman Delmar Devereaux disappeared from Tiara Blake’s life, leaving her to raise their twin sons on her own. So, when he shows up unannounced one day, her first instinct is to kick him to the curb.

But Delmar has discovered a centuries-old curse placed on the pair by their ancestors—and he needs Tiara’s help to break it. Ending the curse means they will have to learn to trust each other, which won’t be easy when their explosive secrets are revealed.

Once again torn between lust and duty, can Delmar and Tiara discover the true meaning of love in order to break the curse before it’s too late? Or will their complicated past doom them forever?

Join Delmar and Tiara in Book II of the Mistress of Desire and the Orchid Lover on their sensually sizzling action-packed adventure!


**Only 99 cents!**

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Excerpt:
Delmar’s voice was sad and serious. “I come to ask the three of you for your help. I have nowhere else to turn. The courts won’t help me. The legal system is useless,” his words tumbled out. “You see, for it was I, who started my problem in the first place, and well the courts won’t even hear my case,” he sighed heavily.

Glenda sighed. “This sounds serious if you can’t use your money to persuade the courts.”

“It is serious,” Delmar assured them. “Let me go back to the beginning. Perhaps you were aware of my case in court almost a year ago, concerning the twin sons, that Tiara Blake, had?”

“Yes, of course, it was all over the news,” Consuelo stated, in an excited Spanish accent.

“Yeah, I heard all about it too,” Nona said glumly. “The DNA found you were not the father and those tests are normally 100% accurate.”

“Yes, they are supposed to be. But there are ways around them,” Delmar paused. “You see a root worker, a spell caster. She assured me, that she could cast a spell that would exclude me as the father of the twins.”

Glenda interrupted. “Yes, but everyone knows that DNA is 100 percent foolproof and it doesn't lie. No spellcaster or root worker can mess with biological DNA.”

“Glenda is right,” Nona stated. “DNA tests are considered infallible – they are the gold standard in court.”
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About the Author:
J.A. Jackson is the pseudonym for an author, who loves to write deliciously sultry adult romantic, suspenseful, entertaining novels with a unique twist. She lives in an enchanted little house she calls home in the Northern California foothills.

She spent over ten years working in the non-profit sector where she wrote grants, press releases and contributed many stories to their newsletter. She was their Newsletter editor for over ten years. She loves growing roses, a good pot of hot tea, chocolate, magical stories, suspense stories, ghost stories, and reading Jane Austen again and again in her past time.

Website * Amazon * Facebook * Goodreads * Twitter
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Other Books by J.A. Jackson:
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Giveaway:
J. A. Jackson will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter after the tour. Be sure to leave a comment at a different blog participating in the blitz each day to increase your chance of winning. You can find a list of participating blogs here. Good luck!

Book Blast and Giveaway: Tailwinds Past Florence by Doug Walsh

Welcome to my stop on the book blast for Tailwinds Past Florence by Doug Walsh. This book blast was organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. On my stop, I have an excerpt for you. There's also a tour wide giveaway at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the other stops on the blast here for more excerpts. Enjoy!
Title: Tailwinds Past Florence
Author: Doug Walsh
Genre: Contemporary Romance
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Their love spans centuries. Will it survive a journey around the world?

After getting blacklisted from the venture capital industry, twenty-nine-year-old Edward Vaughan will do anything to avoid telling his wife what happened. Even if it means agreeing to her dream of bicycling around the world. Kara, tired of being married to a workaholic, was readying for a divorce. Now, she’s packing bags of a different kind. Together, they pedal away from Seattle, headed east on the open road across America, Europe, and beyond.

Theirs is a decision that reverberates across centuries, shattering a continuum that bound their souls throughout time, and traps Edward in a battle with a past life over an eternal love.

As the miles roll by, and the couple's sordid secrets begin to surface, the couple encounters several men plucked from history, each one a vessel of Edward’s soul in a prior life. Of them, a 19th century art dealer proves dangerous, believing Kara is his ticket back to the past.

Tailwinds Past Florence is a contemporary love story with a magical twist, landing readers in the saddle of a global bicycle adventure.

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Excerpt:
Kara clutched her chest as her breathing returned to normal. It was one thing not to know why he wasn’t at work, it was another for him to be hiding behind the door. What the hell, Edward. She bent to pick up her dropped keys. “You’re home.” It came out more statement than question.

“Long story. Why didn’t you cover your eyes?”

She raised her hands in answer. They held a gym bag, purse, keys, and an envelope she’d somehow forgotten about in the commotion. “You didn’t give me any time,” she said. Then, noticing the map—her map—and the champagne, asked, “What’s all this?”

“This,” he said, grinning like a schoolboy about to receive his first kiss, “is a change of plans.”

Her mouth fell open as she processed what she was hearing. Kara spent months asking him to take time off, hoping he’d see how important the trip was to her, practically begging. She tore the map down after the holidays, after diplomatic overtures had failed. She’d been holding a bomb ever since, delaying the inevitable. Now, with her self-imposed deadline having come and gone, he wanted to do it.

Today? You’ve got to be kidding me, she thought, clutching the envelope, dumbstruck.

“I thought you’d be excited.” His smile drooped.

“I … I am,” she stammered. “I think. You have to admit, it’s a lot to swallow.”

“You still want to go, right?”

Did she? It’d be an incredible adventure, a badge she’d wear the rest of her life. But, to Kara, cycling around the world was a means to an end. Her gaze drifted to the map, the promise held within its Sharpie itinerary. The promise of change, of resurrecting the man she married, her best friend and lover. For three years, it’d be just the two of them, reforging their bond against the anvil of the open road. And if her plan didn’t succeed, if he returned to his workaholic ways when it was over, she’d at least know she tried.
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About the Author:
Doug Walsh made his fiction debut with Tailwinds Past Florence, a road-tripping love story with a magical twist, inspired by the two years he spent cycling the world. The novel was a prizewinner in the PNWA Literary Contest. He's also authored One Lousy Pirate, a travel memoir, and over one hundred officially-licensed video game strategy guides. Travel guides to fictitious places, as he likes to call them. Originally from New Jersey, he now lives and plays in the mountains of western Washington.

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Giveaway:
Doug Walsh will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter after the tour. Be sure to leave a comment at a different blog stop each day to increase your chance of winning. You can find a list of participating blogs here.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Tuesday, January 29, 2019

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus

Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for the YA mystery novel Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus. This blog tour was organized by Rockstar Book Tours. On my stop, I have my review for you to read. There's also a tour wide giveaway at the bottom of this post. Be sure to check out the other blogs participating in this tour by clicking here. Enjoy!
Title: TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET
Author: Karen M. McManus
Genre: Mystery, Contemporary, Young Adult
Publication Date: January 8, 2019
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Formats: Hardcover, eBook, Audiobook
Pages: 336
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Echo Ridge is small-town America. Ellery's never been there, but she's heard all about it. Her aunt went missing there at age seventeen. And only five years ago, a homecoming queen put the town on the map when she was killed. Now Ellery has to move there to live with a grandmother she barely knows.

The town is picture-perfect, but it's hiding secrets. And before school even begins for Ellery, someone's declared open season on homecoming, promising to make it as dangerous as it was five years ago. Then, almost as if to prove it, another girl goes missing.

Ellery knows all about secrets. Her mother has them; her grandmother does too. And the longer she's in Echo Ridge, the clearer it becomes that everyone there is hiding something. The thing is, secrets are dangerous--and most people aren't good at keeping them. Which is why in Echo Ridge, it's safest to keep your secrets to yourself.

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My Review:
When I read about Karen M. McManus' new book Two Can Keep a Secret, I added it to the top of my to read list. I loved her previous book One of Us is Lying, so I figured her new book would be just as good. Luckily, Ms. McManus did not let me down.

The synopsis of Two Can Keep a Secret really drew me in. I enjoyed they mystery behind who had killed the first homecoming queen, Lacey, and who was responsible for the current missing homecoming queen nominee as well as the mystery surrounding Ellery's and Ezra's aunt Sarah. Every time I thought I had figured out who the culprit was, another spanner was thrown into the works, and I would suspect someone else. This book definitely kept me guessing throughout, and I was wrong about who was responsible. The plot twist are great, and I can't say that I ever saw any of the plot twists coming.

The pacing starts out slow up until Chapter 14, and I found myself wondering if I had made a mistake  with reading Two Can Keep a Secret. Once I got to Chapter 14, the pacing picked up, and I found myself fully immersed in what was happening. Not once did the pacing become too slow again. I couldn't wait to find out what would happen next.

The characters in Two Can Keep a Secret were all believable and fully fleshed out although I would have liked to know more about Sarah. There was some closure to Sarah's disappearance, but I felt like more information would have been nice. My favorite characters were Malcolm, Ellery, and Katrin. I loved watching Malcolm's and Ellery's relationship bloom. There was just something about Kartin that I really liked. I also liked the character of Brooke.

Trigger warnings for Two Can Keep a Secret include some underage drinking, profanities, some sexual innuendos, violence, attempted murder, and murder.

Overall, Two Can Keep a Secret isn't as good as One of Us Is Lying by Karen M. McManus. However, it's still a great read. It has some great plot twists and well written characters. I would definitely recommend Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus to those aged 16+ who love a good mystery.
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(A special thank you to Delacorte Press for providing me with a hardback of  Two Can Keep a Secret by Karen M. McManus in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.)
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About the Author:
As a kid I used to write books when I was supposed to be playing outside, and not much has changed. I'm a marketing and communications professional who also writes Young Adult contemporary and fantasy fiction in Cambridge, MA.

When not writing or working I love to travel, and along with my nine-year old son I've ridden horses in Colombia and bicycles through Paris. A member of SCBWI, I hold a bachelor’s degree in English from the College of the Holy Cross and a master’s degree in Journalism from Northeastern University. Which I have never, ever used professionally.

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Giveaway:
Three winners will receive a finished copy of TWO CAN KEEP A SECRET, US Only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Excerpt and Giveaway: Italian Honeymoon (Lovestruck Billionaires Book 3) by Reina M. Williams

Title: Italian Honeymoon
Series: Lovestruck Billionaires Book 3
Author: Reina M. Williams
Genre: Romance, Contemporary, Clean
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Get whisked away on a sweet, romantic European vacation with the Lovestruck Billionaires! When love strikes, these billionaires must risk their most valuable assets--their hearts.

Julia Ross can't believe her sister is married. They'd promised each other they'd stay single, but now it's just Julia, facing another change in her well-ordered life. And then there's the groom's brother, Romeo, who wants to change even more--he and his family want to compete with her family's restaurants, and entice her to work for them. But nothing about Romeo Bianchi is enticing...until he proposes.

Romeo Bianchi likes to shake things up--on his terms--and a fake wedding to Julia Ross seems like the perfect opportunity to rattle both of their families. But when their pretend marriage causes real problems, the two decide to face them together, until love strikes and Julia runs scared. Then they both have to decide if change is a price they're willing to pay for their happily ever after.
She set her glass on a nearby table and brushed her hands, as if to rid herself of this stuck feeling. She needed to do something. She needed a change.

Maybe it was time to plan starting her own restaurant. But not at this moment. Since she’d already said her congrats and all to the happy couple, she headed upstairs to the bridesmaids’ room, where she and Elissa and Zoe had gotten ready before the ceremony earlier.

When she got to the elevator and pressed the button, Danton’s younger brother, Romeo, sauntered up to her, a drink in hand.

“Jules, leaving the party?” He downed the rest of his drink and set the glass on the floor.

Ugh. No consideration. And only her sister and Elissa’s best friend, Zoe, called her Jules. Where did this guy get off? He and his ruthless family could all rot. She crossed her arms and clenched her jaw. She had to be polite, for Elissa’s sake. At least he wasn’t bad to look at, all lean and athletic looking, but deceptively boyish, with that stupid cute smile and dimple in his left cheek.

So she’d eyed him during the ceremony. Checking out the enemy was all. Romeo’s family seemed to have it in for Dad, and she had no idea why. As usual, Dad was closed-mouth about the situation. She tightened her arms against her chest.

Supposedly, Danton had made them stop the takeover attempts. That didn’t excuse Romeo and his family, especially since now there were rumors that they were planning to scoop up some properties in the area to open rival restaurants.

They boarded the elevator. Romeo gave her that stupid smile and asked her what floor. She pushed the button herself. He shrugged, but didn’t push a button. Oh, great. He was either on the same floor or planning on following her. Well, she knew the head of security here, so he’d better watch himself. The doors closed and they glided up.

Romeo looked at her again. Shoot, he had fine eyes, all bluish-grey, like her favorite storm clouds over the city…and fine pecs, and broad shoulders, and, yes, he was fine. But she wasn’t minding that, not one bit.

Ugh. She better watch herself—more like check her eyesight if she couldn’t see right through Romeo Bianchi.
"This is the sort of story I would happily recommend to my mum or grandma, or even a teenage reader.” ~Long and Short Reviews

I recommend if you’re looking for something lighthearted.”~Kathleen, Amazon review

A wonderful afternoon read with a cuppa and a few iced tea biscuits....” ~Susanne, Meditative Meanderings

All the stories had lovely themes of opening and awakening – whether it is to new possibilities, love, or a new path in life. …for those who enjoy sweet and light-hearted reads these novellas are a perfect fit!” ~Meredith, Austenesque Reviews
Reina M. Williams writes sweet romance with a touch of sass, from Austenesque series to contemporary twists on fairy tales. When she's not writing or spending time with her sons, you're most likely to find her watching a period drama or Disney movie, walking in a park, baking, or reading. A California native, she lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Win a $25 Amazon Gift Card or $25 in PayPal Cash!

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by Rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner may be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, BookBub, Instagram, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. This giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader & Clean Wholesome Romance and is sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.