Book Blitz and Giveaway: A Bite at the Cherry (Blackburn Academy Book 1) by Rita Stradling

Title: A Bite at the Cherry
Series: Blackburn Academy Book 1
Author: Rita Stradling
Publication Date: July 1st 2019
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

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Three things about Justin Roberts:

1. He’s a bully.

2. Our relationship is toxic.

3. He’s the only one who knows my secret.

A year ago, I woke in the morgue with a note in my hand telling me that I’m a vampire. I need blood or I’ll start killing people. Lucky for me, Justin has been sneaking into my bedroom and feeding me blood for a year, and the only price I have to pay for it is putting up with his cruel snipes and my unwanted feelings for him.

I just can’t figure out why he keeps coming back.

But all that changes when I’m offered a full-ride scholarship to Justin’s mysterious school, the elite Blackburn Academy, where I might finally learn about vampires. About myself. All I have to do is pass the grueling entrance trials, and the scholarship will be mine. Problem is, Justin doesn’t want me anywhere near his elite school and rich friends. He’s vowed to sabotage me.

Justin may have been feeding me blood for a year, but he doesn’t know who he’s up against.

But, Blackburn Academy is more than it seems. I’ll be facing more than what Justin Roberts alone can dish out.

Will competing in the trials be the new beginning I’m hoping for, or will it end my undead existence?

This is a full length 80,000 word novel. Recommended for 16+.

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EXCERPT:

When Justin’s hands went to my hips and guided me to straddle his lap, I climbed onto him, sitting on his knees. In this position, my sundress exposed most of my legs, and I situated the light-blue material, so it at least covered my underwear. Just as I thought about how exposed I felt, my dress strap slid over my shoulder, and I didn’t want to pull it up. My breaths came heavier as my gaze slid down to Justin’s lips and then up to his eyes.

The glint of mischief in Justin’s eyes changed into something softer for a moment, but the tender look vanished as quickly as it came.

“I drank from you twice yesterday morning.” Reaching up to his shoulders, I leaned in and whispered, “Am I supposed to bite you again, or is this just a rehearsal?”

“I told you . . .” His eyes blazed into mine and hands slid over the material on my hips, wrapping around my back, “I want to talk to you.”

“Like this?” The last thing I wanted to do was talk. My whole body thrummed to close the distance and press into him. I yearned to taste his mouth for the first time and finally know what his lips felt like.

He nodded. “January, I’m going to ask you — beg you — to turn down the Roberts Foundation Scholarship.”

“Damn it, Justin! You are so manipulative.” The asshole had me panting on his lap, even though I knew better, and just so he could tell me not to accept the scholarship?

I began to crawl away when his hands squeezed on my hips.

“January, please just stay here and talk to me. I’m not trying to piss you off or manipulate you. I’m trying to help you — to protect you from . . .” he made an exasperated sound that was so genuine, I froze and settled back onto his legs.

“Protect me from what? Because from where I’m sitting it really seems like you just don’t want your housekeeper’s granddaughter at your fancy academy, just like you don’t want your friends to know I exist.” When he didn’t answer right away, I asked, “Why do you care if they give the scholarship to me or someone else? What difference does it make to you?”

“It makes a huge difference.”

“Okay.” I drew out the word. “Why?”

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Rita Stradling is a USA Today Bestselling Author with an all consuming addiction to popcorn. The struggle is real, and it's also crunchy, buttery and often salty.

She also writes YA, NA and Adult romances about flawed people who find their perfect together (often these people are dragon-shifters, werewolves or have magical powers).

Rita believes in soulmates, happy endings and that love can overcome any obstacle.

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