Monday, December 16, 2019

Feather book Tour. Plus my Review


Feather
Olivia Wildenstein
Publication date: January 16th 2020
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
It was supposed to be a quick mission. The only thing quick about it was how rapidly I failed.
With only a month left to earn her missing feathers, nineteen-year-old Leigh embarks on a trip to Paris to meet her newest project, twenty-five-year-old Jarod Adler, leader of the Parisian Mafia and the worst kind of sinner . . . a Triple.
If Leigh can get Jarod to accomplish a single act of kindness, she stands to win 100 feathers, more than enough to complete her wings and ascend to Elysium, the land of angels.
What she doesn’t count on is Jarod’s dark charm costing her feathers.
She’s dead set on saving him, and he’s dead set on destroying her.
Until he realizes destroying her wings is also destroying her heart.
A heart he longs to hear beat only for him.
A modern ROMEO & JULIET retelling featuring an epic sinner and the angel who’ll stop at nothing to save him. Perfect for fans of NALINI SINGH and BECCA FITZPATRICK.

My Review
4/5


So leigh meets Asher and decides that she wants to try and finish getting her feathers to make it possible to be his consort. She wants to make change. Her "friend" eve suggest Jared a triple to help her earn enough feathers to ascend. At first it does not go well. But then she is able to crack his facade.
I definitely liked the way the angel world is set up. It's different from what I read. I liked leigh and celeste. I think leigh was a very relatable character, which isnt always the case. Celeste was like a little sister you wanted to be around all the time. Asher definitely developed into a decent character, I was kinda suprised lol. I loved how Jared and Leigh's relationship went, how he was hurt but let her in and loved her. It was so well written that I didnt even know how everything was going to be resolved until it was. That doesnt happen very often.

I'm so torn with my review and rating. I rate the beginning/middle part is 4 stars the ending idk maybe 1 star. I get that its supposed to be a romeo juliet type story, but it just felt like it ended like it did for the world to stay open for more stories. Its frustrating and sad and made an otherwise good reading experience (read thr whole book in 1 sitting) soured. I wont read anymore in this series if it comes out.


Author Bio:
USA TODAY bestselling author Olivia Wildenstein grew up in New York City, the daughter of a French father with a great sense of humor, and a Swedish mother whom she speaks to at least three times a day. She chose Brown University to complete her undergraduate studies and earned a bachelor’s in comparative literature. After designing jewelry for a few years, Wildenstein traded in her tools for a laptop computer and a very comfortable chair. This line of work made more sense, considering her college degree

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Saturday, December 14, 2019

Book Blitz and Giveaway for Off the Record


Off the Record
Skye McDonald
(Anti-Belle, #2)
Publication date: December 10th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Not even Nashville’s summer heat can match the sizzle of first love.
Nick Field’s motto is “live free.” The huge promotion at work is great, but producing a pop star’s debut album isn’t going to change his life or anything. There’s always room for unwinding and having fun.
Mel Thomas works 24/7 as the media manager to America’s newest heartthrob. Building his image and writing her career make-or-break article are the stories of the summer. There’s no room to go off script.
Ten years ago, Nick and Mel were high school sweethearts. Reunited by chance, what should’ve been ancient history reignites into a passionate present. Too bad there’s no future in it.
EXCERPT:
[Nick]
Jesse looked around. “Where’s Melody?”
Melody. The name tickled the hair on my neck and made me forget every single name I’d just committed to memory.
Peter said, “I think she was talking to the receptionist.” He jogged to the hallway calling, “Hey, Miss Twitter! You’re wanted in the lounge.”
I scratched my neck to make the tingling stop. “Did you say Melody?” Shut up. There’s no way it’s her. Focus.
“Yeah. She’s a hell of a writer and the best damn girl- friend a guy like me could ask for.” Jesse shrugged like we shared a joke.
The tingling started to close my throat. “Writer?”
But Peter reappeared, and the woman who followed him in confirmed every ounce of adrenaline coursing through my system. My pulse beat in my ears and muted the scene as her ocean-blue eyes landed on me.
Suddenly I was eighteen again, rocked by nostalgia and memories that had been locked away for a decade.
I saw the shock in her gaze, but she rearranged her expression to a placid mask fast. Her cool stare under those black—Black??—bangs made me hold my tongue and remember where we were.
His girlfriend. Jesus, I didn’t see this coming.
“Hi.”Her soft greeting turned my mouth to dust. I wondered if it was her hand or mine that was so cold when I reached to clasp her outstretched palm. I’m not sure if I spoke, but after a beat she withdrew.
Easy, man. Calm down. Jesse’s debut album is why you’re here. Don’t make a scene. I turned to Jesse. “Should we get started?”
He grinned. “Let’s do it.”
While he met the band and started rehearsing, I dropped into my chair behind the sound board and rolled my shoulders. The album is all that matters. All. That. Matters.



Author Bio:
Skye spent a lot of her adolescence dreaming about living in a hip, urban town full of adventures that occurred outside of the local mall. (Hers was Rivergate, in case you know Nashville well!) Now that she’s been living away from Nashville for years, the once sleepy Southern city has become just that place, and she returns to visit whenever she can. Her seven-novel-and-growing Anti-Belle series is centered in her hometown, partly as a homage and partly because these days Nashville is too hip to ignore.
In the real world, Skye is an English teacher in Brooklyn, New York, and has lived there long enough to consider herself a true New Yorker—even though she proudly cheers for the Tennessee Vols (her alma mater) and loves being a GRITS (Girl Raised in the South).

Skye's philosophy is to live with your heart and mind open. She believes in the beauty of this world and seeks adventure and joy as a daily practice. If "Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans," as John Lennon said, then she'd rather leave the schedule open and let life happen.

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Friday, December 13, 2019

The Last Atlantian Book Blitz


The Last Atlantian
Mikki Noble
Publication date: December 13th 2019
Genres: Mythology, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Spencer did not plan to work on her birthday. She didn’t plan a lot of things, but they happened anyway. Like, when she touched a guy and he turned into a gold statue, or when some stranger appeared to tell her she was in danger. She didn’t plan to see her life forever changed by one simple act, and it still happened anyway.
What Spencer doesn’t know is why. Why is all this happening to her? Why does she have the power to turn people into gold all of a sudden. Who is she really?
And why is this cute guy calling her the last Atlantian?
Are you a book blogger?
Sign up for the blog tour here!
EXCERPT:
Steamy fog sprayed from the espresso machine as Spencer slammed the lever all the way down. She shouldn’t have had to work, today of all days. But the universe obviously hated her and it was punishing her.
That was the only explanation.
“Stop moping,” her best friend Cia said, shoving a tray of mugs beside the gurgling coffee machine. “Your boyfriend’s here.”
Spencer groaned and rolled her eyes. She tried not to be angry with her friend but refused to look at her. It was all right to be upset, but not good to show it. Although, technically her shift hadn’t even started yet, but Cia’s cute friend just had to have a latte and couldn’t wait, so Cia let him in, without asking Spencer first.
This left just enough time for him to show up and squeeze his skinny frame through the doors, according to Cia. Spencer would bet that Cia held the door open and even waved him over.
Not my boyfriend,” Spencer told her through gritted teeth.
“But does he know that?” Cia asked, smirking in that annoying way she did. One side of her mouth turned up and her brown eyes went dark, almost black.
Spencer looked around the machine to see she was right. Josh, she thought his name was, stood at the counter taking off his gloves, eyes finding hers instantly. A smile lit up his face, although his cheeks had a slight color from the cooler December air. Spencer only nodded and went back to finishing up the latte order.
Josh was kind of cute, light eyes, strong chin. Although he had to be in his mid-twenties and he was just a touch creepy. He was in here every day and he stared when he thought she wasn’t looking. He would sip at his coffee and she’d feel his grey eyes on her. And he’d always be toying with this pretty blue pendant he wore on a black rope around his neck. Spencer only caught a glimpse of it one time, because he kept it hidden under his shirt or in his hand most of the time, but it was pretty. Some pitchfork looking thing.
“She will be right with you, Jeremy. She’s just finishing up an order.”
Jeremy, that was his name. Right. She never remembered his name.
Yeah, an order that I shouldn’t have to make for another… Spencer’s eyes went to the little clock on the wall in the back. Half an hour.
Spencer just wished that this guy would let someone else serve him, but no. If she was on shift, he would wait for her.
Why did she have to work today? At least, no one told him it was her birthday today. For some reason, she didn’t want him to know.
As luck would have it, the next words Cia uttered were, “She’s grumpy because she had to work on her birthday.” Spencer noticed that Cia leaned in close to him and pretended to whisper, even though Spencer heard her quite clearly.
Mainly because there were four people in the shop and only one person actually working.
“On her birthday? That’s too bad.” Jeremy smiled from ear to ear, running his thin fingers through his thick, black hair.
Yeah, and I thought I was lucky enough to have the day off school today. Then Cia’s parents had to call and shatter that hope.
Spencer decided she might as well get this part of her day over with so she could celebrate her day, tossed a lid on the latte, called out for Cia’s friend and then made her way over to Jeremy.
She offered him a smile, but it was robotic at best. Normally, she dismissed Jeremy’s actions as a bored guy with nothing better to do, but today, she didn’t feel like dealing with him. She just wanted to go out and hang out with her friends, do fun stuff. After all, she was seventeen today. But when her parents wouldn’t help her get a car, she decided that she’d get the thing herself. Fast forward to today, and she was stuck working.
“Hi, what can I get for you?” she asked, finger hovering over the computer screen, taking in the scent of his cologne. It wasn’t terrible, but it was too much, too powerful. It almost made her gag.
“No polite chitchat today?” he questioned, still smirking.
Spencer shuffled uncomfortably. The way he was looking at her made her insides crawl. Couldn’t her best friend in the whole world see how uncomfortable this guy made her? “Bad day. Would you like the usual?”
“Plain black. Straight cup of joe.”
“Anything else?”
His smile faltered a bit, but he still aimed his grey eyes at her and he was leaning over the counter so he could be closer to her. Seriously, Cia should see something is wrong here. Thanks for nothing, Cia. “I don’t suppose you’d give me your number.”
A loud bang from behind Spencer made her jump. Cia called out, “Sorry.”
Spencer used the opportunity to sneak away and grab Jeremy/Josh’s coffee order. On the off chance that he’d forget what he asked and she’d be home free by the time she slinked back over to the counter to bring him his coffee.
Spencer poured, noticing her hand was shaking. Normally she didn’t let it get to her but today seemed different. She couldn’t say why, but he seemed to crawl deeper under her skin today. She shivered and prayed it was almost time to open the shop. With people impatiently waiting on their caffeine fix, she didn’t have time to talk to him and Spencer liked it that way.
She stalled as long as she could. When Cia came out from the back with a stack of to-go cups, Spencer turned and gave the guy his coffee. He held out a twenty and she took it silently, hoping they didn’t have to talk anymore.
But then Cia went back to the back of the shop.
Spencer gave the guy a strained smile as she reached over to give him his change. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her closer to him. “You should give me your number, Spencer. We’ve been dancing in circles for too long,” he whispered.
Spencer’s heartrate changed, sped up. She felt herself begin to sweat and shallow breaths were the only ones to reach her lungs. He was so close she could see his pupils dilate.
She tried to jerk her arm free, but he refused to let go.
“Just give me your number, Spencer. No need to play shy.”
Spencer shook her head and grabbed his hand to remove it.
It all happened so quickly, she could have blinked and missed the entire moment. Josh… or Jeremy… or whatever his name was, stood before her, a six-foot solid gold statue. The grey eyes that had just dilated in need for her and creeped her out, were now cold, metal and unseeing. A gasp slipped from her throat. She wanted to scream or cry. She wasn’t sure which.
The hand gripping her arm hurt and that’s where she decided to focus. It took her a few tries to twist her wrist from his grasp, but as soon as she shook loose and jumped back, Cia came back to the front of the shop.
She squealed and dropped the handful of coffee bags she’d been holding. “What the heck happened here? I run to the back for supplies and suddenly there’s a gold statue at the counter.” She stared at the statue, not looking over and seeing the terror on her best friend’s face.
Spencer couldn’t speak. She couldn’t open her mouth to form words. Her brain wouldn’t even form any words. If it was, it wasn’t relaying the message to her mouth.
Finally, Cia turned to Spencer and must have noticed the horror on her face. She took a step closer, kicking at one of the coffee bags. Spencer watched it slide along the tile until it hit the baseboard and bounce less than a centimeter. She backed away from Cia, for her own good. It was too risky and Spencer didn’t want to be touched. She didn’t understand what had happened and there was no way she’d risk hurting her best friend.
“What’s wrong? Are you okay?”
Spencer shook her head and shrugged. “I… I-I think I did that to him.” Spencer pointed, but she couldn’t quite look at the guy… the statue. “He… grabbed me and… I don’t know.”
“Him?” Cia’s eyes went from the statue to her friend and back. “Is that… That’s Jeremy?” She squinted at the statue and then it seemed like she was finally starting to understand. “He grabbed you?”
Spencer nodded, unable to continue speaking. Tears filled her eyes, causing her vision to blur.
“Good thing we haven’t opened yet,” Cia muttered. “Hey, do you think maybe we could melt him down and sell him?”


Author Bio:
As far back as she can remember, Mikki was creating characters and stories in her head. It wasn’t until fate brushed the tip of its wings over her eyes that she began to see that writing was what she was born to do. She loves animals, reading, everything supernatural related, and enjoys spending her free time on social media whenever she can.

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Thursday, December 12, 2019

The Last Virgin In Texas Book Blitz. Check out the Excerpt and giveaway


The Last Virgin in Texas
Jennifer Woodhull
Publication date: December 9th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance
Her first time. Their second chance. 
When Hollywood heartthrob Tucker returns to their hometown, can Gretchen resist her first love?
GRETCHEN
I did the right thing. I waited. I wanted it to be special.
He was my first love. Our first time was going to be everything I had dreamed it would be.
And it was…until we were interrupted.
When our magical night turned into an awkward nightmare, little did I know it would be the last time I saw him. He bailed. Walked away. Leaving me alone with the shattered pieces of my broken heart.
But that was then. This is now.
He’s back. A megasuperstar. A Hollywood heartthrob with a desperate fan base of sexy women that won’t leave him alone.
But he wants me. Still. After all these years.
I can’t possibly cave to my feelings, desires, and my hopeful heart.
He broke it once. He’ll do it again.
TUCKER
We waited. It felt like forever, but I didn’t care. I would’ve done anything for her.
But I screwed up. When it all went south, I fled, leaving her, alone. Broken hearted.
And she wasn’t the only one.
But that was then. This is now.
I may be an actor, but none of this is for show. I want her, and only her.
I’ll do whatever it takes.
She may be the last virgin in Texas, but to me, she’s so much more.
I want her in my arms, and in my heart. Forever.
This time, I’m not giving up.
EXCERPT:
Chapter 1
Gretchen
“Aunt Sophia would stroke out if she saw you in that getup.”
My cousin and best friend, Maisie, circles me. She crosses her arms over her chest, and strokes her chin with her thumb and forefinger, her nose turned up as she appraises me. “Damn you look hot, cuz.”
“Thanks,” I eke out. “You’re sure it’s not too much?”
“Too much? Too little, maybes” she scoffs. “Seriously, Gretch, you look good enough to eat.”
I blush wildly. “I’m changing.” I try bolting for the bathroom, but she grabs my arm.
“You’re not changing. Jesus Christ, it’s just a dress.” She rolls her eyes. “I mean, it doesn’t look like that on me, but God gave me all the height and you all the tits in this family, unfortunately.” She blows out a wistful sigh as she stares at my boobs.
I can’t help but laugh. She’s right. The five-foot-two on my driver’s license is a lie by an inch at least. Maybe two. Maisie is two years older than me, but it wouldn’t matter if she weren’t. She’s five-nine and slim, with high cheekbones and honey-colored waves. Her eyes are big and blue. She’s gorgeous.
I haven’t gotten any taller since I was sixteen. Still, in the years since my height topped out, my boobs have continued to grow. I’d love perky little B-cups like hers. Instead, I have to wear granny bras or underwires that dig into my ribs all day. But, it’s like Mama says, I suppose. “We all have our burdens to bear.
“I’m nervous.” I chew on my bottom lip, giving myself one last look in the mirror.
“Of course, you’re nervous!” She shakes her head. “Who in their right mind isn’t nervous when they know they’re about to pop their cherry?”
“You make it all sound so romantic.” I roll my eyes.
“Yeah, yeah, yeah! I’m sure it will all be rose petals and soft music and stars in Tucker’s eyes. You’ll prob’ly be the first woman in history that doesn’t hurt like a motherfucker or bleed like a stuck pig, too.”
She laughs.
I don’t.
“Maybe I shouldn’t go through with it.” I flop down on the end of her bed, letting my hands fall to my sides as I hang my head.
“You’re going through with it. Damn, Gretchen, you can’t stay a virgin forever. It’s fuckin’ weird. You’re gonna end up one of those girls nobody wants to bang cause you’re too old to still be a virgin and guys think there’s something wrong with you.” She grabs my wrist and pulls me to my feet. “So get your ass up, go meet Tucker and do the dirty, girlie!”
“You are so comforting, have I ever told you that? I mean seriously, you should be a therapist or some shit.” I look up at her.
“I know. I should totally counsel people on how to fix their fucked-up lives. I’d rock at that.” She smirks and puts her palm on my shoulder, rubbing slightly. “Seriously, though…it’s gonna hurt. For like a minute, you’re gonna think it was the biggest mistake of your life, but then after that? Like, right after that?” She looks skyward and grins. “Holy shit that’s when things get good.”
She folds her long arms around me and draws me against her chest. “Besides, Tucker is one of the hottest guys I ever knew in my life. There’s no way he won’t make it fun.”
She kisses the top of my head with a smack, then swats me on the ass. “So, go! Get! I’ll see you on the other side when you’re finally a woman.” She winks as I grab my purse.
“Thanks.” I give her a nervous smile as I leave. “I’ll report back after. Love ya, cuz.”
I walk the half mile from the house my cousin shares with my Aunt Helen and Uncle Frank, to Jared Berringer’s house. He and Tucker have been best friends their whole lives. Since he lives reasonably close to Maisie, I meet Tucker there. Besides, I didn’t want Tucker to pick me up at my place because Mama would still be home now. That would cause all kinds of problems.
First off, if she saw me in this sundress, she’d have a fit, so I’d have had to wear a long-sleeved blouse and ankle-length skirt. Second of all, if she saw that it was Tucker Kane I’ve been going out with, she’d have an even bigger fit. Mama doesn’t like boys for a start and certainly doesn’t like any that don’t go to First Holiness Baptist Church. Tucker’s family only goes to church on Christmas and Easter, and even then, they’re Presbyterians. They may as well worship Satan as far as Mama is concerned.
“Hey there, Gretch-en.” Jared leans against the open doorframe with one muscular forearm. “Don’t you look prettier than a perfume ad?”
“Hey, Jared,” I reply, crossing my arms over my chest as he scans my body up and down, making me feel exposed and nervous. “Tucker here?”
“Yeah, come on in,” he sweeps his hand beside him and closes the door behind me when I walk in. I can feel his eyes boring into my ass, something I suspect he’s thought about doing with his dick, as I walk past a small, round table in the middle of the foyer whose only purpose seems to be to hold a vase full of flowers.
Aunt Helen’s place is nice. It’s big—four bedrooms—so my cousin has her own room, plus Aunt Helen and Uncle Frank’s room, a guest room, and Uncle Frank’s office. On the half-mile walk from Aunt Helen’s to the Berringer house, the houses get nicer, and bigger, on every block.
Jared’s family has a front hall, five bedrooms, four bathrooms, a den and a pool. I’ve heard talk they’re millionaires, but I don’t know if that’s true or not. Tucker’s parents have a small farm just outside of town, so he spends a lot of time hanging out at Jared’s place since it’s close to everything in town.
“Hey Tuck,” Jared calls as we walk down the stairs into the den. “Your girl’s here. She looks hot as shit, too.” I turn to flip him off and he smirks as he replies. “You couldn’t handle it, sweetheart.”
When I get down to the den, Tucker’s sitting on the sofa and his head whips around toward me. “Hey,” he says, standing.
He smiles as he looks me up and down. “You look great, Gretchen.” He steps forward and takes my hand, pulling me to him. “Really great,” he leans down to sweep a kiss across my lips.
I feel my cheeks grow hot, and feel something else in my belly, too. We’ve been dating for about six months, but we’ve known each other most all our lives, in a way. Tucker was a year ahead of me in school. When I graduated, he was there to see some guys from the football team walk, and we ran into each other. We started talking, and it surprised me when he asked me out.
Now, just because I haven’t had sex, full sex, I mean, doesn’t mean I’m exactly innocent, either. I had boyfriends in high school, even though I had to sneak out to see them behind Mama’s back. There were plenty of make-out sessions in hay barns, and finger bangs in the back of cars. I give a pretty damn spectacular blowjob, if Tucker is to be believed. He’s even gone down on me a few times. I was nervous as hell about it at first, but once he got started, I liked it. I liked it a lot.
Tonight’s different, though. Tonight, we’re going out to a nice dinner up in Victoria, then, once Mama leaves for bingo, we’re going back to my house for sex. Real, full, grown-up, dick-in-vagina sex! I’m excited, and terrified, and not entirely sure I won’t screw it up. Or be terrible at it. Or hate it. Or all of the above, maybe. It’s time, though. Not because I’m still a virgin at almost nineteen years old, and not because Maisie says I need my v-card punched, but because Tucker and I are serious. I mean, we’ve never said the words, but I know what’s between us is real.
“You ready to go?” He asks, one arm still tucked around my back.
“Uh-huh. You?”
“Yeah, let’s get outta here.” His lips curl up at one side and the sweet, sexy smirk makes my stomach do flips
Hell, yeah. Let’s get to the good stuff.


Author Bio:
Jennifer Woodhull is based in the Southern United States, spending time in her second home of England, and traveling as often as she can. Her love of travel permeates her work, and her characters often find themselves exploring new and foreign surroundings.
A keen observer of human behavior, Jennifer often draws inspiration from something as simple as a fleeting connection, or the glimpse of a unique trait or characteristic. Her favorite place to write is on airplanes.
"The drone of the engine, the scores of people, all traveling to something or from something, and being disconnected from digital distractions are a combination that provide the perfect place to write," she says. "If you see a woman in seat 9F who is balancing her Macbook on her lap because it's time to close your tray table, please have patience. I'm just trying to finish one more sentence."

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Book blitz and Giveaway for Hawk


Hawk
Heidi McLaughlin
(The Boys of Summer #2)
Publication date: December 10th 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Sports
It’s another season of Renegade baseball and, as they say, the boys are back in town. All except for all-star pitcher, Hawk Sinclair, who has returned to his hometown and back to the ranch he grew up on to rehab after shoulder surgery.
Real estate agent, Bellamy Patrick, feels like she’s failing at being a single mom. Her son is having a hard time fitting in and she’s hoping that playing baseball will be the answer. When he doesn’t make the team, she’s willing to do anything to help him… except that! And that’s exactly what the little league coach expects.
When Hawk’s asked to coach a team of misfit kids, he balks…until he sees how the program is run and how boys are left out. That’s when he knows he has no choice but to do the right thing and turn these boys into the players he knows they can be.
EXCERPT:
I finally give up on the overgrown weeds and head into my house to clean up and make dinner. The options are limited and the longer I stand in my kitchen with the refrigerator door open, the more I realize that I need to spend some serious time walking the aisles of the grocery store to restock everything.
“Dinner out it is,” I say to myself. I think tonight calls for pizza. Downtown has a great place called The Depot. It’s family friendly and Chase loves their pizza because it’s not heavy on the sauce. I prefer their white pizza with pesto, chicken and broccoli, which I know Chase won’t touch. The Depot always has an arcade, all you can eat soft serve, and a great salad bar. It’s the perfect way to end the night.
When I hear Chase in the garage, I open the door and greet him. He’s still smiling and it’s the best sight ever. “Good day?”
“Great day,” he replies as he comes into the kitchen. He sets his glove down on the table and sighs happily. “I made friends today.”
“You certainly did, bud. Why don’t you go wash up and we’ll go out for pizza?” He nods in agreement and takes off down the hall. I will never understand why life has to be so hard. The boys he was with earlier are in his class, in our neighborhood. They see each other every day in school and on the playground. But, it’s people like Brett Larsen who put this divide between the kids and the adults, who makes it seem like if you don’t follow his path, you don’t belong.
want to belong.
I want my son to belong.
I’m ready to go when Chase comes out of the bedroom with clean clothes on. The dirt smudges on his face were cute, but I’m happy he washed them off. All the way into town, he prattles on about Hawk and how cool he is and how he can’t wait to see him again tomorrow. Technically, I could see him to tomorrow too, or at least talk to him if I find out the asking price on the land. Surprisingly, the thought of speaking to him elates me, and I know it’s because I want to thank him for spending time with my son.
Once we’re parked, Chase is leading the way into the restaurant. He tells the hostess that we need a table for two and follows behind her to our seats. The confidence he’s showing is new, and I like it a lot.
“Hey, Mr. Sinclair!” Chase yells out as we’re making our way to our table. My steps falter as Hawk’s eyes meet mine. He smiles and my lady bits jump for freaking joy. I try to smile back, but by the look on his face, I guess I must be more grimacing than smiling because he looks embarrassed.
“Hi, Chase. It’s good to see you again.”
“This is my mom,” my son says, pointing toward me.
“Chase, I met Mr. Sinclair this morning. He was riding a horse.” He was riding a horse . . . What the hell is wrong with me? Did I suddenly turn into Baby from Dirty Dancing with her whole, “I carried a watermelon” line?


Author Bio:
Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.
Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband, two daughters, and their three dogs.
In 2012, Heidi turned her passion for reading into a full-fledged literary career, writing over twenty novels, including the acclaimed Forever My Girl.
When writing isn't occupying her time, you can find her sitting courtside at either of her daughters' basketball games.
Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Rothe, and opened in theaters on January 19, 2018, and is now available on DVD & Digital.

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Wednesday, December 11, 2019

Book Blitz for The Enforcer


The Enforcer
Abigail Owen
(Fire’s Edge #3)
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: December 9th 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
Death comes for everyone.
Even Drake Chandali. The aging process that twists all unmated dragon shifters’ bodies into something useless has taken hold of his body centuries early. A mate could have reversed the process, but now it’s too late. To protect his team of enforcers, he leaves, and comes face to face with the woman he’d thought was human when he saved her from a fire months before.
Except she’s not human. She’s a mate.
Camilla Carrillo almost lost her family to wildfire. To discover she’s fated to mate a creature made of flame and rage, and become one herself, should be terrifying. But somehow a rightness settles inside her, especially when she’s around the glowering red dragon shifter who wants nothing to do with her.
When Drake learns Cami bears his mark—the same mark as the High King—he refuses to believe she’s meant to be his. It’s too late. How could he turn Cami only to take her with him to the grave? At the same time, he can’t walk away. Hiding her from the corrupt, rotting High King might be the last honorable thing Drake ever does with the little time he has left.
Free Prequel Short Story

Get an early start on the series with a prequel short story to the Fire’s Edge series. “The Mate” will be available for FREE via all retailers.
OR… Join Abigail’s newsletter to get a copy now. http://eepurl.com/Lw2XH
EXCERPT:
With a combination of glares, dirty looks, and curiosity filled glances, mostly from the women, they dispersed, walking away to disappear down various human-sized corridors that all met in this place.
Except Cami didn’t get the memo to leave. Drake’s voice, the familiarity of those deep, rough tones, and something else, some strange awareness, drove her feet forward into his path.
The second his gaze landed on her, Drake stilled, though his expression gave nothing away.
“Shit,” he muttered.
“Camilla?” Rune asked beside him, a million questions in his tone.
Only she didn’t look at him. Instead she stared at Drake, scrunching up her eyes like viewing at him out of focus might help.
He remained still and silent while she studied him.
A harshly handsome face stared back at her—a slash of cheekbones, strong jaw shadowed in dark stubble, jet black hair, though instead of the warmth of dark eyes she would have expected, his were an unusual, intense reddish-brown shade.
Red dragon, a vague part of her mind identified. You could always tell by the eyes.
But, while Drake’s dark glower should’ve had her heading in the other direction—that bite sharper with him, darker—fear was not what she felt. What she felt was…almost like gratitude. Trust.
A warm little sun spot somewhere in the region of her heart and a voice inside that whispered. Only she couldn’t catch the words.
A brightening around her told her that the internal glow at the center of her chest had taken on a life of its own. The way his gaze dropped then narrowed told her she wasn’t wrong. Sparks would follow any minute now, but she didn’t care, for once.
She needed to know first. “Have we—”
Suddenly, Drake pitched forward, one hand to his knees, his breathing turning harsh and erratic.
Alarm pierced that warm familiarity. “Are you okay?”
She bent over and instinctively put a hand on his back in a gesture meant to comfort. Immediately he tensed, his muscles going so rigid under her palm that she jerked her hand away.
Only he didn’t snap at her, or straighten, or make a sound of any sort. Instead, the man fell to the floor in a tangled heap of limbs, convulsing for several agonizingly long seconds, before he stopped, laying so still that almost scared her more.


Author Bio:
Multi-award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, loves plots that move hot and fast, feisty heroines with sass, alpha heroes with heart, a dash of snark, and oodles of sexy shifters! Other titles include wife, mother, Star Wars geek, ex-competitive skydiver, spreadsheet lover, Dr. Seuss quoter, eMBA, organizational guru, Texan, Aggie, and chocoholic.
Abigail grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.
Abigail currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero (who she totally married!) and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

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Book Blitz for Secret Admirer's Christmas Wish #2 Plus a giveaway


Secret Admirer’s Christmas Wish #2
Dariel Raye
Publication date: November 10th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
When a former ugly duckling and the former class heart-throb come together as adults, they find out they have more in common than they realized.
Glenda Shaw knows firsthand what it’s like to be an ugly duckling, and now, she is roped into helping to organize her tenth-year class reunion. The speaker this year is none other than Hunter Teegs, the object of her dreams since their sophomore year in high school. She’s a dedicated social worker with a heart the size of Texas, but her hectic schedule doesn’t allow much time for dating or entertainment.
Hunter Teegs is a self-made financial powerhouse with a boatload of charisma and a winning sense of humor. He’s also a notorious womanizer and heartbreaker. He has no interest in settling down any time soon, if ever. To make matters worse, he has recently noticed details from his childhood that cause him to question everyone and everything he’s come to believe.
When Glenda and Hunter are brought together again, fireworks nearly knock both of them off their feet, and not necessarily in a good way. Glenda knows more than one secret about Hunter, and sharing the most crucial one could mean the end of their relationship before it even gets started.
EXCERPT:
Glenda froze. Hunter Teegs? She’d seen the number and deleted the accompanying voice mail messages before even listening to them, assuming the calls were from telemarketers or scammers. She never thought she would ever hear from this man again after high school, and she couldn’t figure out why she’d answered this time, but a jolt of excitement made her light-headed when she heard his name. Her voice was lost. Her face flushed. She swallowed and tried to get a word out, “Umm. Yes?”
“I’m calling about the high school reunion.”
She bit at her lip. She had received a text message about this, too, but she didn’t know it had been from him. “Reunion?”
“Yes, and considering you were Class Treasurer, it is expected that you will attend.”
“It is?” She couldn’t keep the sarcasm out of her tone.
“Yes. I also would like you to help with arrangements and setting up the ballroom.” He was either completely oblivious to her tone, or he simply chose to ignore it.
Glenda pressed her hand to her chest. “I have a job, and I can’t imagine why attending a class reunion would be a requirement or an expectation for that matter.”
Silence.
“Well, this will be over the weekends. Do you work Monday through Friday?”
“Why?” Where was this coming from? It wasn’t like her to be rude or snarky. She didn’t think she was angry with him for being oblivious to her crush on him all those years ago, but maybe she was in denial. She couldn’t seem to stop herself.
He sighed. “Well, mainly because we only have a few months before the reunion, and if you don’t work weekends, we could—”
Glenda’s eyes narrowed and she interrupted him before she caught herself – another rude behavior she never practiced. “So, at last minute’s notice, you want me to give up all of my weekends for this?”
Silence.
“I tried several times to get a hold of you. Two weeks back in fact. I called, left messages, and even texted you a couple of times.”
“I don’t answer calls from unfamiliar numbers, and I’m not sure.” Yes, she had gotten the message at least 2 weeks ago, and she had seen the same number a few more times, but she never would have imagined it was Hunter.
“What are you not sure about?” he replied with sarcasm in his tone, nearly matching hers.
“About having time for this.”
“So, you aren’t up to it?”
Glenda’s eyes rounded. “I never said that.” She knew it was childish, her inability to ignore a dare, but she’d hated being dared to do anything, and his loaded question was clearly a challenge. She’d made her own way in life so far and no one could stop her and damn if someone was going to accuse her of…
“So, maybe you can meet me somewhere and we can see if we can work something out.”
Meet him? In person? Glenda halted. Her memory came alive with his image standing in the school hallway by his locker.
Tall, with broad shoulders even at 17 years old. Medium brown hair and dove gray eyes. A smile that made her toes curl in her shoes. What would he look like now? For years, she had fantasized about running into him, having coffee, chatting, getting to know him better, and now it hardly seemed real.
“So, are you available? I promise not to take up any more of your time than we need to get this reunion planned.”


Author Bio:
Dariel Raye is an animal lover, animal rights activist, a musician, therapist, and an award-winning, USA Today, and International bestselling author of powerful paranormal romance and dark urban fantasy with IR/MC (Interracial/Multi-cultural) alpha male heroes to die for, and strong heroines with hearts worth winning.
She is a classically trained mezzo-soprano and pianist who started singing with perfect pitch before she could walk, then fell in love with books and started reciting stories at the age of 3. Dariel plays over 11 musical instruments, including piano, organ, brass, and percussion.
Her stories tell of shifters, vamps, angels, demons, and fey (the Vodouin variety). Dariel is currently writing two series: "Dark Sentinels" (wolf shifters), and "Orlosian Warriors" (Vampire-like Nephilim).
For more about Dariel, follow her 'Musings' blog or visit her website. She also publishes a VIP Readers' Club newsletter. If you enjoyed one or more of her books, please post a review on review sites, and of course, click the follow button on Amazon to receive notifications about new releases. Join her VIP book club for updates, insider information, and access to early review copies of her books: https://darielraye.com/VIPbookclub/

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Tuesday, December 10, 2019

Instacrush Book Bltz


Instacrush
Kate Meader
(Rookie Rebels #2)
Publication date: December 10th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports
Theo Kershaw is the luckiest guy alive.
Roaring back from a life-threatening injury, he has the world at his skates as defenseman for his new team, the Chicago Rebels. Everyone adores his big personality, his on-ice talent, and his killer smile. Everyone but his prickly neighbor – or so he thinks. One chilly Christmas Eve, Theo will learn that maybe the girl next door isn’t such a hater after all …
Elle Butler is the most embarrassing person on the planet. 
How else can the ex-military-now-bartender explain her crush on the hot jock who lives across the hall? True, he has gorgeous green eyes and perfect cheekbones, but the filter between his brain and too-sexy mouth is permanently malfunctioning. Yet she can’t stop checking out his Instagram antics or sneaking looks at him when he’s in her bar. So. Mortifying. Running from a past filled with damning secrets, Elle’s determined that this guilty pleasure remains buried in her deepest fantasies.
Because she couldn’t possibly indulge with the Theo Kershaw or make a mistake that draws attention to her under-the-radar life. And she especially couldn’t be a mom to a pro-athlete’s baby … could she?
EXCERPT:
“Yes, I’ve seen those billboards for your underwear.”
“Fender bender when you did, right?”
“Oh, I have epic self-control. But seeing them made me realize that you’re a bit too pretty. I kind of like ’em rougher.” She placed a finger under his chin and tilted it for inspection. “You ever get into a fight? And I don’t mean those phony ballets you perform on the ice for your fan base.”
“I’m more a lover than a fighter.”
She scoffed, reluctantly withdrawing her touch. “Thought as much. Wouldn’t want to risk getting that perfect nose broken.”
He didn’t take offense. She wondered what in the world would ever bother The Theo Kershaw.
“So we’ve established I’m not manly enough for you. Any other comments?”
“Oh, I’d never be one to criticize.”
He waved a hand. “Help me out, Elle-oh-Elle. Give me some pointers on how to win a real woman such as yourself.”
She thought about it for a moment, her blood fizzing with the fun of sparring with him. “You’d need to be a completely different person. But don’t fret, your current vapid personality is probably cleaning up so don’t change a thing, ’kay?”
He didn’t look put out, probably because her jab carried no heat. They both knew she wouldn’t be talking to him like this if she really believed he was dumb and vain.
“Yeah, good thing I’m doing okay. It’s just you’re here and I’m here …” The implication being that only proximity would force him to lower his standards.
She patted his chest and suppressed a groan at how hard it felt under her fingertips. “I know you can’t help yourself. You’ve got a penis that seeks out the nearest vagina like a diving rod. It’s really not your fault.”
“True. I can’t be held accountable for my incorrigible flirting.”
He grinned and she grinned back, and that fizz in her veins bubbled bright. He’d figured out her game, matched her quip for quip. They understood each other and now they were … friends?
How odd.
And surprisingly sweet.
Theo Kershaw was smarter than he looked. Confusion must have registered on her face because he seemed to be closer, more present. A rush of awareness overtook her, not just of him, but of them and the sparking connection being formed in this sizzling moment, more powerful than mere sexual attraction.


Author Bio:
Originally from Ireland, USA Today bestselling author Kate Meader cut her romance reader teeth on Maeve Binchy and Jilly Cooper novels, with some Harlequins thrown in for variety. Give her tales about brooding mill owners, oversexed equestrians, and men who can rock an apron, a fire hose, or a hockey stick, and she's there. Now based in Chicago, she writes sexy contemporary romance with alpha heroes and strong heroines who can match their men quip for quip.

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Starlight P.S. Malcolm Book Blitz


Starlight
P.S. Malcolm
(Starlight Chronicles)
Published by: Parliament House
Publication date: December 10th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult
A treaty upholds the peaceful lands of Ersarence— who have suffered from the spilt blood of their humble goddess, Titania, which stains the hands of the ruthless Urenphians.
Julian Rancewood— a small town delivery boy— wishes he could afford to save his dying mother. He never imagined a larger life for himself until he meets Adrina Hesfetter, the village seamstress’s daughter.
After striking a deal with the elusive King’s advisor and joining the royal army, he finds himself helping to search for a missing, unknown heir. Against all odds, Adrina and Julian soon meet again within the palace walls.
When Julian discovers Adrina’s fire magic— an impossibility among non-royals— they uncover a scandalous secret that will cause whispers of a Urenphian rebellion to travel through the kingdom. A thirst for revenge and a passionate romance causes the two villagers to set the events in motion which will bring down the entire Starlight Kingdom.
A Starlight Chronicles Novella.
EXCERPT:
He stepped forward, and my heart skipped a beat. His eyes studied mine for a moment, before he gently lifted a hand to trace my cheek. I could barely breathe. “I will never leave you,” he said simply. The look in his eyes was so certain.
He leaned closer, and I reached up to wrap my hand around his, where he held my cheek. I let my eyes fall closed as his lips brushed mine.
I melted against him.
The first kiss was soft— the next firm, and in two short steps I was backed against the wooden door to his room. I leaned into him as our mouths moved in unison— his hand lifted from my cheek to intertwine with mine, and his other hand moved to cup my waist. Without thinking, I gripped the neck of his tunic and the cord began to unravel.
When we finally stopped, I was breathing heavily, feeling dazed and light. I could see his chest partially, with the cord half undone, and felt myself flushing red.
He traced the outline of my face again with his hand. “I will do whatever it takes to get you what is rightfully yours, Adrina,” he promised. “You will never lose me— not to anyone.”
It took me a moment to break the spell that had come over us.
“About that . . .” I breathed, still staring at him. “I don’t know if this is the right thing to be doing.”
He slowly stepped back from me.
“What do you mean?” he asked, as began to retie the cord of his tunic.
“I mean . . . it is the king and queen who did wrong by me. Not Annaliese. She doesn’t deserve to die because of their actions.”
“Annaliese will become Queen,” Julian replied firmly, “Unless we take her out.”


Author Bio:
P.S.Malcolm (Pagan) grew up in Proserpine, Queensland-- a small, Australian country town on the edge of the Great Barrier Reef. She was a storyteller from a young age and spent years perfecting her craft.
For two years, she juggled waitressing in tourist filled coffee shops while undertaking two degrees in Creative Writing online. She has always had an interest in writing, but never saw herself working in the industry until she made the choice to self-publish her debut novel, STUCK ON VACATION WITH RYAN RUPERT. Realizing that she loved the process of publishing her book, she pursued an internship at a publishing house and snagged a spot as Pen Name Publishing's Marketing Assistant.
In between interning and writing, Pagan opened her first business working as a freelance Marketing Strategist for Paperback Kingdom-- which helps indie authors with all aspects of their author careers.
Pagan also enjoys reading-- particularly fantasy and paranormal-- and is a passionate blogger. She reviews books that she has read on her personal website, and indie books on her business blog. Some of her favourite and most influential authors include Amanda Gernentz Hanson, A.G. Howard, Marissa Meyer and Michele Jaffe. She is a cat enthusiast, tea lover, and floral fanatic.
Her newest book, LANTERNS IN THE SKY, is set to be released by The Parliament House Publishing in Spring 2019.

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Monday, December 9, 2019

Grand Finale Book Blitz for In Love by Christmas

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops
you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Note from the Author

Welcome to my blog tour with Prism!

I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of my new book, In Love by Christmas, in my City by the Bay Stories with Harlequin Heartwarming. In Love by Christmas is a sweet contemporary romance that brings together wedding dress designer, Josie Beck, and CEO, Theo Taylor. . .

Hallie Reads - Review

"Romantic and fun, their story—In Love By Christmas, the latest in Cari Lynn Webb’s City By the Bay Stories—is a heartwarming holiday read. I enjoyed it and think you will, too, if you cannot resist Christmas and romance."

Pause for Tales - Review

"This was a very sweet and hard earned romance for the Christmas season. . . . I enjoyed watching these two get to know each other, he was so gruff and serious and Josie was so tenderhearted. He certainly acted a fool sometimes and Josie definitely shed some tears. But the end was most romantic and satisfying for this endearing Christmas read."

Remembrancy - Review

"In Love by Christmas is a sweet and clean holiday read that encompasses some of the highlights of holidays such as traditions and fond memories of the people no longer with us and the challenges of family."


"I was so excited to come back to the City by the Bay series. And having it be a Christmas book was an added bonus, for sure! . . . I was engrossed in the drama of the family's antics and was determined to see Josie rise above it all and be a success. And I was looking forward to the entire Taylor family learning how to listen to others and not always think of themselves. Some good life lessons for that family."


"I loved Josie and her love for helping others no matter what. Watching them making all these memories together was cute. Josie's friends were some of my favorites. It was a great sweet Christmas romance."

Jypsylynn - Review

"In Love By Christmas is a charming holiday read. . . . This story is a great example of positive change and healing hearts, all in the Christmas season. In Love By Christmas is a clean story with holiday hijinks, and I recommend for a light fun read."


"This is the first time that I've read any of Cari Lynn Webb's books and I thoroughly enjoyed this story. She has given readers a great storyline centered around these two people whose past hurts have influenced their present. . . . There are also several other realistic characters, quirks and all, who flavor this story and help make it such a heartwarming, but realistic, holiday read!"

momfluenster - Excerpt

“What happened?”

“Our styles were too different.” Much like Theo and her. Worlds apart. Except right now, she felt... “My style was better suited for charity than boardrooms and partner lunches.”

“Are you always so honest?” he asked.

No. If she was honest, she’d give him his grandmother’s gown. But she’d promised Adriana. If she was honest, she’d admit she wanted to move even closer and dare to test that attraction she felt whenever she was around him. “Pretending to be what you aren’t can be exhausting.”

A shadow of a smile passed over his face. “Then, tell me, who is Josie Beck?”


"It is perfect for readers who enjoy a sweet, clean and heartwarming romance. Especially, for those who love stories set during the best time of the year – Christmas."


"Oh how I love a feel-good Christmas story! Especially when it centers on an unlikely pair that shows so much growth the story bursts at the seams. . . . I ultimately became engaged and charmed. With Christmas, weddings, and romance swirling in the air, this sweet romance warmed my heart."


"Of course, the best moments are at the end of the story - that is where you see Ms Webb shine as she gives you every reason to trust in the story being told. . . . I love reading stories about people who have the grit and the will to right their own stars, to live a life built on their own terms and to find a way towards a future they believe in despite the obstacles standing in their way. This is one of those stories and it was brilliantly told."


A crease dented the skin between her eyebrows. The pain on her face, like she’d stared into a bad memory, splintered through Theo, fragmenting his thoughts. He reached toward her, wanting to comfort her. She turned away, opened her door. His fingers brushed against the seat, supporting nothing more than the air.

She’d climbed out of the car.

Theo met Josie on the sidewalk and escorted her to the hotel. Just as he recognized shifting market trends and fading social fads, he knew that for Josie this visit was bigger than a gingerbread-house display. More important to her than a simple gingerbread kit. That kept him at her side.

Yet his sudden urge to protect her—that kept him within hand-holding distance.

EmpowerMoms - Review

"Overall this was a sweet holiday story that I enjoyed reading! Letting go of the past, forgiveness and love were all a big part of this story."


"In Love by Christmas is a touching story of two wounded souls coming to grips with the reality of their pasts vs. the idealistic dreams they’ve clung to for so long – while also embracing the parts of those pasts that have made them stronger today. . . . once we get into the real heart of the story the pace picks up and nicely held my attention for the remainder. A sweet read for this holiday season – and beyond!"

SPLASHES of Joy - Review

"I like the fact that author Cari Lynn Webb writes clean Heartwarming stories, and especially this one we can read during the Holiday Season. I love these characters, they seem so real, and the story is so realistic, it’s like watching day to day lives of real people. . . . it’s fun and enjoyable entertainment. This is a really great story to read during the Christmas Season!"


"if you love Christmas love stories, then In Love By Christmas needs to be added to your book pile now! . . . I love all of the little details in In Love by Christmas because I could truly see the story playing out. It’s what made me think this…it would make a perfect Hallmark Christmas Movie! Seriously."


"A story of joy and happily ever afters! . . . I recommend this story to anyone looking for a sweet romance revolving around a holiday wedding and the family drama that comes with it. It was fast paced and delightful."

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Wishes weren’t for the serious and dedicated. Wishes weren’t for the experienced and informed like Theo. Wishes never garnered results. Still, he stared at Josie’s hand on his arm and found himself wishing. “Have you ever taken Mimi’s advice about collecting moments?”

“I have.” Josie accepted the bouquet from one of Baylee’s assistants. “Though not nearly enough.”

“Let’s do that now.” Theo waved good-bye to the floral staff and his common sense.

“What?”

“Listen to Mimi.” Theo held open the door for Josie. “Do something we consider a moment. Something we could collect to look back on.”


"In Love by Christmas by Cari Lynn Webb is like I said the perfect Christmas themed book that has a wedding, a reality tv show, and two people reluctantly falling in love with each other. Theo and Josie are the perfect couple. They could work if people didn’t sabotage them. I am giving this book a five rating and recommending it to all the romance readers out there."

onemused - Review

"I would totally watch this if it became a movie and love every Hallmark-ish second of it! The romance is delightful and sweet with only swoony kisses (as a book in the Heartwarming line). There are some great personal moments also as Theo and Josie learn more about themselves in the process as well as loads of cutesy Christmas scenes. This is a really fantastic holiday read that I would highly recommend for fans of Christmas romance."

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

In Love by Christmas
(City by the Bay Stories #5)
By Cari Lynn Webb
Contemporary Romance
Paperback & ebook, 384 Pages
December 1st 2019 by Harlequin Heartwarming

This Christmas, two worlds collide

…under the mistletoe!

All Theo Taylor wants for Christmas is a profitable year-end and a flawless wedding for his sister. Hiring beautiful but unknown designer Josie Beck is a huge risk, especially when the Taylors’ reputation is at stake. Josie is sweet, kind and impossible to resist. But is Josie about to destroy Theo’s perfect wedding plan…or is she the answer to his heart’s secret Christmas wish?

(Affiliate links included.)

Other Books in the Series


About the Author


Cari Lynn Webb lives in South Carolina with her husband, daughters and assorted four-legged family members. She's been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent's 70 year marriage and her parent's marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn't always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers. Visit her at her website.


Tour Giveaway


1 winner will receive a $50 Amazon eGift Card & a stocking filled with The Return of the Blackwell Brothers five-book series, a Christmas ornament and candy (if an international winner, will receive the eGift Card and ebooks of the Return of the Blackwell Brothers series)

Open internationally
Ends December 11, 2019

King of Hearts Book Blitz With and excerpt and giveaway


King of Hearts
R.H. Tucker
(Kings of Karmichael, #1)
Publication date: December 5th 2019
Genres: Romance, Young Adult
Derrik Tyler has it all. He’s a world-famous rock star with a legion of adoring fans and has obtained teen idol status. He even has a Hollywood starlet who wants nothing more than to be the only girl in his life. It’s a publicity stunt only his band knows about, but that’s not detracting her from trying to turn their fake relationship into a real one. Yep, he has it all. Except the girl who stole his heart before his life turned into a rock n’ roll rollercoaster.
Zoey Jacobs has been friends with Derrik and the Kings of Karmichael, since before they became the hottest band in the world. She even dated Derrik before he was known as the King of Hearts—the biggest teen heartthrob in the last decade. But that’s all in the past. She’s just a few short months away from graduating high school and moving on to college.
When spring break rolls around, Derrik invites Zoey along for the last leg of the band’s tour. What should be an amazing road trip turns into Derrik’s personal mission to win back his first love. But can two people from different worlds reignite a past relationship, or is a teen icon and a future college freshman too big of a gap to cross?
King of Hearts is the first book in the Kings of Karmichael series. The series is interconnected, but each book can be read as a standalone.
EXCERPT:
~~ ZOEY ~~
The crowd is insane. I knew it would be.
Johnny’s house band plays out the rest of the show, and the lights start to dim as the cameras turn off. Becca and I get up from our seats, with Landon standing up next to us.
“Can you believe this reaction?” Becca asks, laughing.
“Of course I can,” I reply with a giggle of my own. “Becca, you saw them last year just before the tour kicked off. They had that signing at MaxMart where the line circled around the store and down the street.”
“Right.” She nods. “I can’t believe they stayed there four hours past the time they were scheduled.”
“That’s why the King’s Court loves them.” I shrug, laughing again.
“I don’t get it,” Landon remarks. “It’s just Derrik and EJ. I went to school with them since sixth grade.”
I pat his shoulder, staring at him like he’s a lost puppy. “Oh, Landon. It’s okay. You don’t have to be intimidated by the mass of hysterical girls screaming.”
He rolls his eyes with a smirk and is just about to reply when, on cue, the girls start shrieking again. I look and find Maddox and EJ making their way over to sign autographs. Jade and Derrik wait near the curtain that blocks off the backstage area, and Derrik motions over to me.
“Come on.” I tap Becca’s arm, and we head down the stairs. Landon stays at the edge of the aisle before turning around to head up the stairs. “You’re not coming?”
“Naw.” He shakes his head. “I’ll meet you guys in the gift shop. I told my mom I’d get her something.”
“Okay.” I offer him a smile and then head down to the barrier between the stage area and the audience.
“Sorry, you can’t go this way,” a large security guard says, stopping us. He’s at least a foot taller than us, stout, and his brow nearly forms a unibrow, which seems to be stuck in place in a scowl.
“Oh, I know him.” I point to Derrik, who’s now looking at something behind the curtain.
The guard glances back and then stares at me like I’m crazy. “Yeah, sure you do.”
“Derrik,” I call out.
Turning around, he sees the scene and smirks. As he starts jogging over to us, more of the girls off to the side begin shrieking louder than before, and bum-rush Becca and me.
“Hey, it’s cool,” he tells the security guard. “They’re with me.” The guard does a double take, then nods and lets us in. “Head backstage, behind the curtain,” Derrik tells us. “I’ll be right there.” We both nod and head off in the direction he points. I glance back and see all of the fans jumping up and down, and Derrik begins laying on his charm. “Hey, girls. Enjoy the show?”
I can’t comprehend one answer they give as they all scream on top of the other, and Becca starts laughing. Walking back behind the curtain, we find Jade talking on her phone. When she sees us, she waves with a smile.
“No, I seriously don’t want to talk about that again,” she says sternly into her phone. “Yes, I know, but the Kings are where my priority is. Yeah. Thanks.” She hangs up her phone, letting out a sigh and shaking her head. “Sorry.”
I lean over to her and give her a hug. She’s dressed in some of her usual skinny jeans that are ripped, and a purple tank top. “You look amazing, Jade. Everything okay?”
“Thanks,” she replies, giving Becca a hug next. “Yeah, it’s good. It’s just Bret.” She rolls her eyes when she says her boyfriend’s name. “He’s always asking about meeting with new management and stuff.”
Becca rolls her eyes. “Is he still trying to get you to hook his band up with a deal? Tell him to suck on one.”
The insult breaks the tension that Jade seems to be carrying, and we all start laughing. “Maybe I will,” she answers. “How are you guys? I can’t believe I haven’t seen you since before Christmas last year. Now it’s spring break.” She shakes her head in disbelief. “Pretty soon, no more high school.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “You don’t miss it?”
“A little.” She shrugs. “But I wouldn’t give this up for anything. It’s amazing.”
“Hey, sorry,” Derrik says, rushing over and giving me a hug. “Gotta work the crowd, you know?”
“I’m sure Maddox is working it enough for all of us,” Jade jokes. “Peter wants us in the limo in twenty, so I’m gonna head over there.”
“Okay, cool.” Derrik nods. Becca and I give her a hug again, and she heads toward the exit. “So, how’d you guys like the show?”
“It was okay.” I shrug with a smile. “You were a little pitchy.”
Becca laughs. “Yeah. Landon isn’t a fan either.”
“Landon!” Derrik exclaims, raising a finger. “I wasn’t sure who that was, and now that you say the name, I remember. I think I had algebra with him freshman year. You gave him the extra ticket?” he asks me, and I nod. “I would’ve thought your mom would’ve brought you guys.”
“We were talking at lunch, and when I told him, he offered,” I explain. “He got a brand-new Mercedes from his parents as an early graduation-slash-birthday gift.”
“Oh.” A line from overs his brow. “Where is he?”
“Like I said, not a fan.” Becca giggles, and I do my best to hold back one of my own, watching the slight jealous scowl flash over Derrik’s face.
We’ve known each other since middle school. Sophomore year we started dating. Then, when he and the others began home studies before they all decided to take a GED and just focus on the band, we were still going out junior year. When they had to leave last year to start on this world tour they’ve embarked on, I knew it couldn’t keep going. Long-distance relationships never work, especially when someone is a world-famous rock star. Still, we’ve stayed in contact through online and texting. And I do still care about him.
Becca’s face drops. Following her line of vision, as she stares over Derrik’s shoulder, I see Danica Parker walking toward us.
Johnny wasn’t lying during the show that she’s the hottest star on the planet right now. She transformed a silly YouTube sketch comedy show she started in middle school into a nationally televised and streaming series. The first season of her show just ended, and the season finale scored the highest ratings of any primetime show in the last five years. People love her. And it doesn’t hurt that even at seventeen, she comes across as a mature and savvy Hollywood powerhouse. She knows the game and plays it to a T, able to get almost anything she wants. Which includes Derrik.
“Wow, I didn’t know she was keeping you on a leash,” I tease him, whispering over to him.
“Very funny,” he retorts.
“Derrik.” She wraps her arm around his, not even acknowledging Becca and me. “Come on, finish signing autographs, and let’s go. My publicist wants us to make an appearance across town at a super-hot restaurant.”
“Danica, these aren’t fans,” Derrik reprimands her, pulling his arm free from hers.
I glance over at Becca, who scowls at Danica. She looks insulted and jealous, both of which she’s told me—on multiple occasions—I should be feeling with all the rumors and pictures floating around about them.
It’s not like I’ve never been jealous over Danica. Not of her fame, but of this relationship that she wants with Derrik, and she seems so driven to acquire.
I try to push any and all thoughts of jealousy away, though. Derrik and I went out, but he’s not mine anymore. I called it off for a good reason. And now, the Kings are the hottest rock band on the planet. I’m a high school senior, and I’ll be starting college in the fall. We live in completely different worlds. But it’s nice to see him from time to time and see that he hasn’t changed.
“Oh.” Danica gives us both a blank stare. “Awesome, I’d literally kill for a Diet Coke right now.”
“Really?” Becca retorts, smirking. “Literally? You’d literally kill for a Diet Coke?”
“What?” Danica stares at Becca with an unknowing gaze, and I’m doing my best to hold back a laugh. Glancing at Derrik, I discover he’s doing the same.
“They don’t work here either,” Derrik says. “They’re my friends. I invited them.”
Taking us in again, she stares back at Derrik with a look that tells me she isn’t sure if he’s joking or not. Not in a ha-ha kind of way, but with an expression that says that both of them are above the small people now.
“Whatever. Let’s go already.”
“I’m supposed to head back to the hotel.”
“No, I had Debbie talk to Peter. Your band will go back, but we’re going to the restaurant. Hurry up, pumpkin.”
She smiles widely, tapping her finger to Derrik’s nose. Without another glance at Becca or me, she flicks her platinum blonde hair over her shoulder. Spinning on her pink and silver Prada heels—which I hate to admit, are really cute—she walks back down the hallway.
“Sorry about that.”
“Seriously, Derrik?” Becca glares at him. “That girl is a total bitch. Why are you putting on this show?”
I’ve told Becca all about the setup Derrik has with Little Miss Thing. It’s supposed to not only be great for her show but gain even more exposure for the Kings. Like they need any more; they’ve been on multiple magazine covers, daytime talk shows, nighttime talk shows, and YouTube channels with millions of subscribers. The Kings are everywhere. So, I jab a finger in his ribs, giggling.
“Because she’s hot and you’re hot, and two insanely hot teen idols are unstoppable. Right?”
“Stop.” He pushes my hand away, laughing. “I’m not a teen idol.”
“Oh, sorry. Teen icon. That is the name of your album, isn’t it?”
Becca starts laughing, and Derrik continues to blush. “That was all Peter’s idea, you know that. I was happy with calling it Album Number Two. So next week is spring break, right?”
“Yasss!” Becca waves her hands high. “We are going to my aunt’s in Huntington Beach. It’s going to be ah-may-zing!”
Derrik laughs. “I bet. I had a proposition for you, though, Z.”
“Not even twenty-one, and you’re propositioning girls already? Tsk-tsk.” Becca starts giggling, earning one from myself.
“Huntington Beach is amazing, but how about coming out on tour with us for these last few shows?” he asks.
His words stop both of us in our tracks. “Are you serious?”
He nods. “I talked with the rest of the band, and they’re totally cool with it. We all know you, and Jade is hoping you’ll say yes so she’s not the only girl around most of the time.”
He laughs, but I’m still stunned. “I mean … that would be fantastic, but I don’t know if my mom would—”
“I already asked. She said yes.”
“What? Seriously?”
“Yeah. Come on, you know your mom loves me.” He casually throws his arm around my shoulders.
I fight off the feelings I always have to battle with when I’m next to him. Glancing back at Becca, my wide eyes find hers, as she jumps up and down in excitement. “Would you hate me if I ditched the beach next week?”
“Girl!” She pushes my shoulder. “I’d hate you if you don’t go on tour with them. You better send me tons of pics.”
“So?” He leans a little closer.
I see those ocean blue eyes that make every girl in the crowd melt. They’ve always had the same effect on me. And no doubt being around the band would be amazing. Traveling to their last tour stops, hanging out with Jade, and getting to be around Derrik. But I called us off for a reason. Being around him might bring up all those old feelings I still remember. Plus, there are other things in play that he doesn’t know about. Things I probably should’ve told him a long time ago.
“Are you going to make me beg, Z?” He removes his arm from my shoulders, only to stand in front of me. Lowering a few inches, he comes down to my height, so we’re at even eye level. “I haven’t had to beg you since we went to homecoming sophomore year.”
He grins, and it makes me giggle, breaking up my debating thoughts. Finally, finding some semblance of coherency, I return his grin. “On one condition.”
“Anything.”
“You only get me Diet Cokes. Pumpkin.”
“Very funny.”


Author Bio:
RH Tucker writes cute & edgy YA romance. He also lives in Southern California, consumes too much caffeine, eats too much pizza, and firmly believes Rocky Road is the best flavor of ice cream.
You can sign up for my newsletter for previews, excerpts, and short stories at:
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Destiny Fulfilled Laire McKinney Publication date: August 7th 2018 Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance Only love can save them… W...