Tag Archives: new adult

On the Run (Flame Kissed #2) by Charity West (@Writer_Charity)

ABOUT THE BOOK

With blood-stained hands and a guilty conscience, Raylyn Beechum sets off for parts unknown, on the run from a crime she had to commit in order to save herself. When her car breaks down in the parking lot of a fire station in a small town, her plan is simple: get the car fixed and hit the road as fast as possible. Then Mr. Tall-Dark-and-Yummy saunters over with his bare chest and uniform pants, water dripping off his pecs, and all Raylyn can think is hot damn!

Oliver Gonzalez has always had a hero complex, and a damsel in distress is right up his alley. All of his protective instincts come out when he sees the blood on Raylyn’s hands and the scared look in her eyes. He might not know her story, but he knows he wants to take care of her. Getting her to trust him is easier than he’d thought possible, but he wants more than trust for him to keep her safe. He wants her to trust him with her heart.

BUY LINKS

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Evernight Publishing

*****

EXCERPT

The hands gripping the steering wheel didn’t look like mine. The skin on the knuckles was bruised and broken. Dried blood was embedded in my cuticles. I’d washed my hands, but apparently not well enough. I’d burned the clothes I’d been wearing, along with the knife I’d used. Some might say that made me guilty, and maybe it did, but I’d learned long ago that the police were of no help. Not where I came from. No matter how many times the scene replayed in my mind, I couldn’t stifle the sobs welling in my throat. I’d taken a life, killed a man. No, not a man. A monster.

My heart crashed against my ribs, and my fingers curled tighter around the steering wheel. For years I’d suffered, but I’d had no idea just how far the madness went. If I’d had a clue as to what the man was capable of, I’d have acted sooner. Maybe so many lives wouldn’t have been lost, if I’d found my courage before now. The world should thank me, but I was certain if anyone knew what I’d done, the police would arrest me, and I’d spend the rest of my life in jail. Life wasn’t fair sometimes.

I blew out a breath and tried to redirect my thoughts. Puppies. Bunnies. Fields of flowers. Anything pleasant that could wash away the bad memories. I was starting over, creating a new life. Thanks to Miguel back home, I had everything I needed. I’d planned my escape weeks ago, but it just hadn’t happened quite the way I’d pictured. My new life was going to be fantastic and full of all the things I never had before. I was going to get a job, have a nice place to live, and I was going to get a boyfriend. Not necessarily in that order. I’d covered my tracks pretty well and felt I was safe, as long as I didn’t use my real name.

My car was almost out of gas as I entered a small North Carolina town a little after six in the morning. I’d been on the road for a few hours, and my best bet would be to keep driving until I couldn’t stay awake anymore. I crept through the quiet streets of a town that reminded me of Mayberry, and as I neared a fire station on the corner, my car began to shimmy and sputter. I’d barely pulled into the parking lot before my car coasted to a stop, the engine completely silent. I banged my hands on the steering wheel and uttered a slew of curses. The gas gage mocked me as the needle rested on E.

My gaze lifted and my jaw dropped a little. The fire truck was pulled part of the way out of the bay, and shirtless, sexy hunks were washing it. That was one sure way to make me forget my problems for a little while. One of them stopped to stare, removing his sunglasses and propping them on top of his head. His dusky skin glistened with sweat in the summer heat and I felt my cheeks flush.

Mr. Sexy made his way over to me and my heart raced for a new reason. It wasn’t like I hadn’t been around hot guys before. Just not this hot. He tapped on my window and I rolled it down. He bent and placed his folded arms on the windowsill. His blue gaze was warm as it scanned me. It was several minutes before he said anything.

“Want to pop your hood?” he asked.

“I ran out of gas. If you can tell me where the closest gas station is, I can go fill up a can and I’ll get out of your way.”

His lips twitched with amusement. “Sweetheart, this car isn’t going anywhere, even if you put gas in it. That wasn’t just an ‘I’m out of gas’ rattle. It was a death rattle.”

“Death rattle?”

His gaze focused on my hands and I wanted to hide them. I swallowed hard, wondering what kind of questions he would ask, or if he’d only call the police. My hands tightened on the wheel again and I wished I could throw the car into reverse and get the hell out of town. I didn’t need trouble, and this guy could turn my world upside down, and not in a good way.

“Why don’t you come inside and we’ll get those hands cleaned up a bit?”

“I don’t want any trouble.” I couldn’t hide the tremor in my voice. Had I made my escape only to be turned in by a good Samaritan now?

He stood and opened the car door, reaching in to gently take my hand. I slid out of the car and tipped my head back to look up at him. He towered over me, making me feel small and helpless, which I hated. I was anything but helpless. He studied my hands before leading me into the fire station. One of the guys looked our way and Mr. Sexy motioned for him to follow us. Inside, I shivered at the air conditioning as he led me down a long hall to a large, open room with sofas and a kitchen area.

“Have a seat,” he said, pulling out a barstool.

I eased onto the stool, my feet dangling above the floor.

“My name’s Oliver Gonzalez, and this,” he said, motioning to the other guy, “is Jared Waylon. I’m a fireman and he’s a paramedic. Will you let him check out your hands?”

I nodded hesitantly.

Jared grasped my hands and studied them a moment before looking into my eyes. I could see the questions there, but I wasn’t saying a damn word. After a moment, he began cleaning my hands, which stung like a bitch. He even scrubbed around my nails until my hands were blood-free. He doctored my knuckles and bandaged the worst of it.

“I’m not going to ask how you got these, but if you’re in trouble, I wish you’d tell one of us.”

I trembled.

Mr. Sexy—no, Oliver—placed his hand on my shoulder. “Easy. No one here is going to hurt you. We want to help.”

“We’re going to call a tow for your car,” Jared said. “One of the firemen here has family who own a garage. They’ll give you a good deal. Then we can discuss your options for a place to stay.”

“I don’t have much money.” I hated admitting my lack of funds. “Maybe they’d let me do some work for the repairs and a place to stay?”

Oliver squeezed my shoulder. “Let’s get your car taken care of first. Anything you need out of it?”

“My purse and the bag in the backseat.”

“I’ll get them,” Jared offered. “I’ll have Kaycee call the garage and get a tow truck sent.”

“Kaycee?” I asked.

“Our admin,” Oliver said. “She’s also married to one of the guys on my team.”

“Why are you helping me?”

Kindness shone in Oliver’s eyes as he gazed into mine. “Because I think you need a friend right now. Maybe, when you feel like you can trust me, you’ll tell me about the blood on your hands and what the hell happened to you. Until then, just tell me one thing. Do we need to hide you from the police?”

*****

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charity West is a young adult/new adult romance author who has always had her head in the clouds. She had her first crush when she was four, and it lasted for six years. Then she quickly fell head over heels for another boy, until she had to move away and leave him behind. Jumping from one boy to another, she finally found a keeper when she was twenty, and she’s been married to him ever since.

By the time Charity was twelve, she was sneaking her mother’s Harlequin romances and reading them in secret when she was supposed to be asleep. Teased throughout middle school and high school for the bodice ripper covers on the books she openly read in class, she knew that one day she wanted to write her own happily-ever-afters.

Charity’s Website http://charitywest.webs.com/

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/CharityWestAuthor/

Twitter https://twitter.com/Writer_Charity

Newsletter http://eepurl.com/bWP9oT

Free Spirit by Andi Bremner (@BremnerAndi)

Free SpiritBlurb:

How much of your heart would you give if you knew how short life could be?

Juliette Reynolds knows that life is a precious gift that could be snatched away at any moment. A survivor of childhood leukemia she lives her life seeking fun, adventure and love at every turn making no commitments and never settling in one place for too long in her quest to experience life to the fullest. Her latest adventure has bought her to Myrtle Beach where she meets Noah Daniels.  Having lost his wife in a freak boating accident three years ago Noah also knows how quickly life can be sucked away.

But Juliette, with her zest for life and eternal optimism, is determined to wake Noah up and bring him back into the world of the living.  That is, until it seems like living is what she might not get to do.

Buy links: Evernight Publishing | Amazon UK | Amazon US

*****

Excerpt:

“I’m going to be completely honest with you, Juliette,” Noah told her as soon as they were back in his pickup truck. “I don’t want to take you back yet. I want to take you home. Home to my house.”

She beamed at him. “I’d like that.”

He frowned. “Do you understand what I am saying? That I want to take you home and I want to take you to bed.”

“I know. I want to go to bed. With you.”

He growled and started the truck up. Before he pulled out from the curb though he looked over at her, wanting to make it clear, needing her to know before … so that she didn’t have any false expectations of what this was and of what to expect.

“I want to take you home, Jules…”

“Juliette,” she interrupted quietly. “I prefer Juliette.”

He nodded before continuing. “I want to take you home and I want to take you to bed and I want to fuck you. I want to fuck you hard. But … and I need you to know this, I need you to understand—I don’t want anything more. I don’t want a relationship, I don’t want you to move in, I don’t want this to be anything more than what it is. I’m not looking for anything more.”

Juliette nodded. “I understand completely.”

He narrowed his eyes. “You do?”

“No commitment,” she said. “I get it. I don’t want that either, although I do like the idea of you fucking me hard.”

Noah growled again, his eyes roaming over her face taking in every exquisite detail. Where the hell had this girl come from? She was perfect. Perfect for him. Sexy, gorgeous, oozing a zest for life that was severely missing from his and a commitment-phobic as well. Well, not so much a commitment phobic but more an avoider … like him. It was like Providence had bought her to him.

Noah drove the short distance to his house his mind fixed on nothing else but Juliette. When they arrived at his house he ran around to open her door watching her face as she took in the small, single story bungalow he called home.

“This is so cute,” she cried, following him up the path. “I love it.”

“Of course you do,” he said, fumbling with his keys and unlocking the door. Immediately Loop, his dog, flew at them, covering Noah with licks and racing around like a loony in her excitement to have him own. Then she turned her attention on Juliette, doing the same for her.

“Is this your guard dog?” Juliette laughed, ruffling the hair on the back of Loop’s head. “She is useless but oh so cute!”

“Loopsy,” Noah growled. “Get down.”

Juliette crouched down and scratched Loop’s belly as she laughed. “She is so cute! Hello, Loopsy, my name’s Juliette. I guess they call you Loopsy because you are a bit crazy?”

Noah scowled. “She’s completely crazy. I tried to train her, but she’s too nuts.”

“Well you know what,” Juliette laughed, speaking to the dog, “I’ve been called crazy before, too. I think it’s just that we’re misunderstood though. Don’t you think, Loops?”

Noah shook his head, feeling strangely jealous that Juliette was lavishing her attention on his crazy cocker spaniel when he wanted all her attention on him. Grabbing her hand, he pulled her to her feet, ignoring the surprised look on her face.

“I should offer you a drink or something,” he said, his eyes roaming over her face, “but really I just want to take that sexy as all hell dress off.”

Juliette’s pupils dilated, and the dog, it seemed, was completely forgotten. “I had enough to eat and drink tonight. At the restaurant.”

Noah drew her towards him, planting his mouth firmly and possessively against hers. He didn’t bother going gently this time, didn’t bother easing her into the kiss. Instead he unleashed everything he had, every feeling he had as he let his mouth slant over hers, as he forced her lips apart and thrust his tongue deep within her mouth, tasting and savoring her.

Dragging her with him he pulled her further into his house, through the living room and down the short corridor to his bedroom. He’d already closed the curtains earlier and left a low bedside lamp on, which now cast the room in a pale yellow light. Pausing, he glanced at the rumpled bedding wishing he’d made the bed that morning. Not that it mattered, he planned on messing it up very soon.

“Take your dress off, Juliette,” he commanded, against her mouth, “please.”

“I like your manners,” she told him as she pulled back, tugging at the tie around her neck. “You’re such a gentleman.”

“You won’t think I’m such a gentleman,” he grumbled, watching as she slid the dress ever so softly off her shoulders and let it fall unheeded to the floor, “when I’m fucking you senseless and making you scream.”

Her mouth fell open, and her eyes, those pools of sea green, went wide. Noah felt another possessive, almost caveman like grumble building in his chest.

Dropping his eyes, he let his gaze run over her body, pausing at that odd scar a moment before dipping further, moving over her breasts, down her smooth, flat stomach, over the curve of her hips and lingering on the pale blue, lacy panties that covered her center.

“Take everything off.”

Her mouth twitched. “Have you forgotten your manners already?”

His pulled his eyes up to meet hers, swallowing over the thickening in his throat. “Please.”

Juliette grinned, reaching around to unclasp her bra, drawing it slowly down her arms before discarding it on the floor with her dress. She was just about to reach for her panties when Noah lunged at her, his mouth clamping down on hers as he pulled her against him, crushing her against him. Juliette made a small sound of surprise, but that was quickly stifled by his mouth on hers. Stumbling, he led her back to the bed where they fell, his mouth barely breaking its assault on hers as his hands ran the length of her body, cupping and caressing her breasts, pinching the peaks until they stood as hard nubs and Juliette cried out in his mouth.

Her hand slid beneath his shirt, tugging it from the waistband. He pulled back at her insistence and pulled it over his head, throwing it somewhere in the room before he lowered his head back down to hers, relishing in the feel of her soft breasts against his hard chest, the differences between them. How smooth and soft she was against his hardness, how cool her skin was to touch whilst his felt almost feverish. It was almost as if the differences between them made them perfect for one another.

Her hands were running over him, over the hard planes and angles of his body, her fingers tracing the sharpened contours. He felt massive, looming over her, and carefully rested his body weight on his arms even as he wanted to get closer.

Lowering his head, he closed his mouth over a breast, sucking her nipple deep as she arched against him. His hand squeezed and pinched her nipple, and Juliette pressed her hands into his hair, urging him closer as the sounds continued to escape her. God, he loved those sounds she made. It was like angels singing or the sweetest concerto he had had ever heard.

He switched, turning his attention to her other breast, as he ran another hand over her flat belly and wrapped her hip, jerking her against him, lifting her butt from the bed. Then he kissed lower, his tongue running over her skin, licking and then dipping into her belly button.

“Noah,” she murmured beneath him, tugging at his head. “Oh God.”

“Hmmn?” he whispered against her skin as his mouth skimmed the top of her panties,  which were so fine and lacy that they left nothing to the imagination. Not that Noah had to imagine what she looked like. The image of her, naked and dripping wet that morning, had been seared into his mind, into his heart. She was bare, shaved or waxed, he didn’t know, but she was bare. When he tugged at her panties she dug her heels into the bed and lifted her hips allowing him to slide them down her thighs and throw them away.

“Noah,” she whimpered beneath him, shivering a little.

Raising his head, he looked at her, drawing her deep into his memory bank and imprinting her there. Head back, lost in the pillows, eyes closed, swollen lips open and panting, breasts heaving, nipples hardened, legs spread for him, pussy arching up to meet him.

Noah growled, a low rumble in his chest as he ran a hand lightly over her center. She was wet already, and he sucked in a breath. God, could this girl be any more perfect?

Sliding one finger along her folds he dipped a finger inside watching as her mouth fell open and she arched off the bed, legs opening to give him further access. Gently, he pressed a thumb to her nub, circling ever so slowly as she began to writhe and grab at him, murmuring his name. His chest constricted at the marvelous sight unfolding before him, and when he dipped his head to taste her little bit of heaven, he thought he’d come undone.

“Noah,” she whimpered louder now. “Noah…”

“Yeah, baby. I want you to come. I want to watch you come for me.”

Her legs were trembling, her thighs clamping around his head as she arched against him, using her hands to press him further closer, searching for her release. He kept his eyes open, watching her, loving the way her orgasm built, loving how she lost herself in him, in his touch, in his mouth.

*****

Andi

Andi Bremner is a romance writer who is lucky enough to live by the beautiful Indian Ocean in Western Australia with her husband and three children.

Andi grew up with her nose in a book and her head in the clouds.  Her favourite books were the ones that transported her away to another world full of dashing heroes and damsels in distress set in faraway time periods. Romance, and in particular, complicated romances soon became her favourite novels to read and write and she now writes angst ridden tales of first love with some steamy interludes thrown in as well.
On the weekends Andi can be found ferrying her children to their various after school activities or hiking and camping in the stunning Australian outdoors.

Drummer Girl is the first story in the Moonstone Series. Trinity (Book 1) was published on 1 April 2016.  Stay tuned for Book 3 coming soon.

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Out Now—Two of Clubs by J.A. Armitage (@armitagebooks) #NA #newrelease #fantasy

Blurb

Fifty-two weeks, four royal families, one war. Week one – January 1st – January 7th Rose (The Two of Clubs) is the youngest of all the Royals of Vanatus, and she has a lot to prove. Born a princess, but with the heart of a warrior, she struggles to keep her two lives separate. By day, a perfect princess, but in the dark of night, she slips out to practice being all she ever wanted to be, a warrior like her brothers. When a dragon kidnaps some children from the royal castle, she must act quickly, but the snap decision sets off a chain of events that lead to the first war in the history of Vanatus, spelling disaster for both her and her family. Follow the lives and loves of the fifty-two members of The Houses of Club, Heart, Diamond and Spade in real time as they struggle to maintain peace in the world of Vanatus. This is a New Adult fantasy series set over the course of one whole year. This particular book is the first in the series and is set over the first week from New Year’s Day to 7th January from the eyes of Rose Club. Each book in the series will be shown through the eyes of a different character, all within the world of Vanatus. Each book can be read as a standalone book (no cliffhangers), but the overall arc of the war will play in the background throughout. This is New Adult so there will be some swearing, mild violence, and sexual references.

Buy links

http://amzn.to/2e5gHKH

https://www.books2read.com/u/bOrJD9

Excerpt

The Hearts, Diamonds, and Spades were supposed to be kept to the nicer parts of the castle. No one was supposed to see the kitchens. Not that I suspected the sleeping Heart girl currently wrapped around my elder brother actually cared what the state of the kitchen was. Still, our father, the King, would be upset that someone from one of the other clans had seen that we weren’t the perfect royal family we proclaimed to be and that we did, in fact, have messy kitchens – very messy this morning. Who would get the blame for this? Not Tarragon, that’s for sure. Tarragon was only the Four of Clubs, but he was one of Father’s favourites. I, on the other hand, was the lowliest of all. As the Two of Clubs, I ranked only slightly higher than the mice that sometimes frequented the kitchen despite the hard work of Fluff, the palace cat.  And it was I who would get the blame for this.

I glanced at the Heart woman. Usually, you could tell a Heart from the clothes they wore, the most ridiculous ‘high fashion’ which usually consisted of a lot of lace, tulle, feathers and leather, but as I couldn’t see the rest of her, I guessed that she was completely naked under the heap of coats. She was unmistakably a Heart, though. Even with a lack of clothes, I could tell. Red hair fell in waves down the flawless porcelain skin on her naked back. She looked perfect and sensuous in every way, another rather annoying trait of The Hearts. They just didn’t have bad hair days!

“Oy,” I whispered to my wayward brother. The drill-like snoring turned into a grunt so I stuck a toe in his side.

“Wha…? Oh, it’s you!” He actually closed his eyes again, pretending to fall right back asleep. He was in for a shock if he thought I was going to leave him here.

“Will you get her out of here, please? I have to clean the kitchen to get it ready for the cooks.” I might have been the lowest member of the family, but I’d developed into someone my mother described as ‘a wilful child’ and my father called ‘a pain in the ass’. Tarragon knew he had no chance of being left alone with his new plaything.

“What time is it?” He opened his eyes again. His chin was damp with dribble, and he had streamers still weaved through his hair like a multicoloured wig. I couldn’t resist giving him an eye roll.

“It doesn’t matter what time it is. If father catches you with her, there will be hell to pay, and I don’t want to be involved. Why did you bring her down here anyway? She could be a spy.” Unlikely, as she’d actually been invited to the castle along with the rest of her family. And unless The Hearts had a secret desire to learn how much kitchen cleaner we used (not a lot it seemed), then the chances of her being sent down here to spy were slim. Still, Tarragon didn’t need to know that.

“Why do you think I brought her down here? Can you not see her? She’s gorgeous.”

I scowled. His complete disregard for the rules irritated me. It didn’t matter how beautiful the woman was, she was still a Heart and therefore completely untrustworthy. If her father caught them together, well, it didn’t bear thinking about.

“She’s a Heart!” I stated the obvious, knowing that Tarragon was fully aware that she was a Heart, and that was more than likely the reason he’d bedded her in the first place.

“Isn’t this whole party thing to get the clans together so we can cooperate and live in a peaceful land? This is why we all come together at this time of year.” He gave that leisurely grin that women of all races seemed to fall for. It wasn’t going to work on me, though. I was mad!

“Yes, but I don’t think that you are supposed to come together quite so literally!”

“Or quite so many times,” grinned Tarragon.

Author Bio

Born in a small town, J.Armitage longed for adventure and travel.
Age 20 she moved to Dublin, then to San Diego, then Sydney and back to California where she did a brief stint working at Universal Studios being a minder to Sponge Bob.

Once back in Britain she got married, had babies and decided to write about the adventure she was now missing out on. She works full time, is a mum to three kids and has had a surrogate baby.

She has skydived twice (and survived), climbed Kilimanjaro and hiked to the bottom of the Grand Canyon. She has also worked as a professional clown and banana picker amongst other jobs.

Somehow she finds time to write.

Reviews for J.A.Armitage’s work.
Endless Winter is a unique story that takes place in a beautiful world. J.A. Armitage’s writing is lyrical and almost poetic. Janelle Fila for Readers’ Favorite

I devoured this book like a rich box of chocolates. Sara C Roethle

If you’d like to get my books for free, sign up to my mailing list here http://www.subscribepage.com/v7o8k4

 

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The idea behind Two of Clubs

There are fifty two weeks in the year and the same number of cards in a deck. I thought it would be crazy to write one book for every week of the year. Each one is a different character, named after a playing card, living in the same world and through the same war that plagues the fictional world of Vanatus. Each chapter is a day. Eventually, I hope to have 52 books released comprising of 365 chapters so you can read a chapter a day for the whole year 🙂

I don’t think anything like this has ever been done before. If 52 books sounds daunting, each book is a separate story and has an ending. They are standalones, if you will, but with the arc of the war playing in the background throughout.

I hope you enjoy 🙂

Here are the links to Two of Clubs, plus some of the following books which are available on pre-order

Two of Clubs: http://amzn.to/2e5gHKH

Three of Clubs: http://amzn.to/2ejXAJx

Four of Clubs: http://amzn.to/2ejVrSt

Five of Clubs: http://amzn.to/2f4z5D7

Entranced (Electric Desert Nights #1) by @JewelQuinlan #99cents #ShortStory #NewRelease

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Blurb:

When vampire, Wade, is told by a psychic that he’s going to meet his soulmate at Electric Daisy Carnival in Las Vegas, he thinks it’s a load of crap. It’s where paranormal beings go every year to feed on human partygoers. But Wade’s curiosity won’t stop plaguing him while he’s there with his friends. When a near fatal accident thrusts him together with beautiful Yesenia, a human, both their eyes are opened to the mystical connection between them.

Where you can buy it:

Amazon  |  Nook  |  All Romance eBooks

Add it to your shelf on Goodreads

*****

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Enjoy this excerpt:

“Hey, Scarlett, you want to know why Wade’s scrutinizing every chick that passes?”

Scarlett perked up. “Why?”

Wade frowned at the incubus’s teasing tone. “What? I’m hungry.”

An amused smile spread across Somer’s handsome face. “Wade’s soulmate is supposed to be here tonight. Come on, Wade. You don’t really believe what that hag in Miami said, do you?”

“What hag?” Scarlett looked back and forth at the two of them.

Wade stuck his hands in his jean pockets and kicked at some litter on the ground. “No.”

It had been a mistake to pop into the psychic’s shop while he’d been with Somer at Ultra Music Festival in Miami. But, at the time, he’d been a little drunk and high himself because he’d fed on the blood of several people who’d been under the influence. Getting his fortune read had seemed like a bit of random fun. But when he’d sat down with the woman at her velvet-covered table and spread the colorful tarot cards out before her, her eyes and tone had pierced him with their gravity.

The candles in the sconces on the wall behind her had made her head seem like it was a floating oracle—probably because he’d been high—and it had mesmerized him. “You are going to have an unusually long life,” she’d said glancing at his palm. “And you will have no lack of good health.”

Somer, sitting next to him, had started sniggering at that point.

Then she looked at the cards on the table. “You’ve had a happy life so far, but you want more,” she said. “A while ago, something inside you led you to seek an unusual path. But this path is not as wonderful as you expected it to be. Something is missing.” Her long bony fingers had stroked at the images on the cards as though she were receiving messages by touching them.

Somer’s sniggering increased in volume, and the psychic had pinned him with her large milky eyes. In a low voice she’d asked him to wait outside because he was disrupting the flow of energy. He’d left without protest, and the psychic had proceeded with Wade’s reading. That’s when she’d gone into greater detail about his current life and his future. She’d commented on his constant travel, his small circle of tight-knit friends, and the loneliness he felt now. He hadn’t said a word to confirm or deny anything, but she’d been right. Vampires tended not to stay in any one place too long. And paranormal creatures tended to be loners, which meant it was difficult to make friends. At the time, Wade had been dwelling on the fact that the last remnants of his human life were fading away. The remainder of his human friends and relatives had died at the beginning of the year, and he no longer had anyone to look in on.

It wasn’t something he ever talked about, so having a stranger home in on his deepest feelings had made them even more real and depressing.

The psychic had swept away the first batch of cards and laid more down. She smiled as she gestured to a cluster of three with yellow backgrounds and pictures involving smiling people holding cups. “Things are going to change for the better. Happiness is on its way.”

He’d perked up at that and hope had streaked through him. He hadn’t realized how much he’d needed it until that moment, however ridiculous the whole thing was.

She flipped another card over. “You’re going to meet your soulmate.” She flipped two more cards over. “Yes. In June, at a place you’ve been before. There will be a lot of people there.”

There was only one place that could be. Here, at the twentieth anniversary of EDC. The reading had ended after that, and a stunned Wade had walked out and told Somer everything. Big mistake. He would never hear the end of it.

He knew the whole psychic thing was a bunch of bullshit. They were notorious liars. It was just that that damn jag of hope had taken root inside him. As the days had passed, curiosity had sprouted from it, one that demanded to be satisfied. And now he couldn’t stop himself from looking at all the girls the way he was. Would he know it was her on sight?

“What hag?” Scarlett asked again.

Somer filled her in than smirked and asked, “Do vampires even believe in love?”

Wade glared at him.

“Why wouldn’t they?” Scarlett said, her brown eyes filled with compassion. “Love is amazing. There’s no reason vampires should spend eternity without it. You just haven’t felt it yet, Somer.” Her face lit up as she said, “Someday you’ll see. It’s so powerful and freeing. Nick and I couldn’t imagine ever being apart. Even after all this time, it’s like I can still feel him.” A smile flashed across her pretty face. She was becoming more opaque, the wispy pale traces of her features were filling out and taking on healthy human colors. Her creamy skin was kissed with just a hint of sun, and her brown eyes were kind. Her clothing was the same outfit she’d died in, jean cutoff shorts and a fringed bikini top. She solidified every year on the anniversary of her death.

“So did this soothsayer give you any details at all? Did she describe the woman or tell you how you were going to meet?” Somer persisted.

“Nah, she just said I would meet my soulmate here.” Wade answered Somer’s teasing question for Scarlett’s benefit. Somer had only given her a short synopsis.

“What about a time? Did she give you a time?”

Scarlett shook her head. “You can be a real rascal sometimes, Somer.”

Wade’s fist streaked out in a blur to punch Somer in the gut.

“Oof!” Somer cringed back, hands pressed to his midsection. But the blow failed to wipe the smile off his face.

“No, she didn’t. Besides, if she was right—and I doubt that she is—I don’t have to look for her. She’ll come to me.” Wade shrugged. “Whatever. Let’s head over to Kinetic Field. DJ Momo is coming on soon.”

He turned and began walking, the other two trailing behind him. And, as the last glow of sunlight disappeared, Scarlett completed her shift into solid form.

*****

About the Author:

Restless by nature, Jewel Quinlan is an avid traveler and has visited sixteen countries so far. Lover of ice cream, dark beer, and red wine she tries to stay fit when she’s not typing madly on her computer concocting another romance novel. In her spare time, she likes to do yoga, hike, learn German, and play with her spoiled Chihuahua, Penny.

For more information about Jewel Quinlan

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Prude (Labeled #1) by Jordan S Gray (@JordanStephanie)

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Blurb:

Rebecca Washington is a girl in control. Well, at least when it comes to acing her college classes. The rest of the time, she seems to be at the mercy of everyone else. Like when she’s dumped in front of her peers, hit on right afterwards by a jerk for some stupid bet, and then paired up with the jerk for a lit project.

In order to maintain her perfect GPA, Rebecca will need to give a stellar presentation while ignoring the prying eyes that will be staring at her. When her partner, Derek, starts to ease her fears of public speaking with his laidback attitude, she’s forced to confront her new feelings about him and his charming smile. Rebecca knows falling for a guy who teases her for being a prudish nerd can only end badly, but what if it’s just another thing out of her control?

Purchase links:
All Romance eBooks | Amazon USAmazon CAAmazon UKAmazon AUBookstrandEvernight Publishing

*****

Excerpt:

PrudeDerek grinned. “What do you think about your ex’s girlfriend?”

“Obviously that she’s annoyingly beautiful and, apparently, fun.” The word left a bad taste in her mouth.

“I could say the same about you right now.”

Rebecca felt her face redden even more. She pushed her bangs behind her ear, trying to find something else to stare at other than Derek’s mischievous eyes. Nothing seemed worthy.

“I know we’ve been doing well with the whole friends’ thing,” Derek started.

Rebecca cocked an eyebrow. “What now? Are you going to make fun of me?”

“I wouldn’t dream of it,” he said. “I was just wondering if, as a friend, I’m allowed to ask you to dance.”

She let out a choking laugh. “Here? We’re at a party.”

He gestured to the several groups of people who were dancing. “People dance at parties.”

“I don’t think we should.”

“Because you don’t want to, or because you don’t want to draw attention to yourself?”

“Maybe the latter,” Rebecca mumbled to the ground.

Derek took her hand, pulling her to the center of the living room. At first, their position terrified Rebecca, until she realized it was the most popular dancing spot. In the crowd, she felt shielded from prying eyes, like it was just the two of them.

There’d been times, when Rebecca was home alone and listening to music, where she’d danced. But she had never done so in a public setting or with someone else, and in heels too. She bit her lip nervously as Derek guided her hands around his neck.

“Relax,” he muttered. “It’s just a dance.”

His statement didn’t reassure her at all. Her heart beat faster as she realized that she could feel every inch of him. They were so close. Her head was practically resting on his shoulder, and her body was pressed firmly against his.

The feel of his hands on her waist made her shiver, her crop top inching up slightly as they began to move. Rebecca tried to focus on the beat, but it was really no use. Her fingers clasped together as she mentally reminded herself that playing with Derek’s hair was not a friendly thing to do—even if it looked really soft.

They swayed together, his hands staying rigidly in place. Rebecca wondered what he was thinking about and why he’d decided to dance with her, but it was no use. Derek was likely someone she’d never fully understand.

The song switched to something with a faster pace and erratic rhythm, but Rebecca hardly noticed. Derek moved a hand away from her hip, leaving Rebecca feeling a little colder, until he used it to brush a piece of her fallen bangs behind her ear.

She had no idea how her legs and hips were still moving because, on the inside, Rebecca was totally, completely still. Her eyes fluttered closed as she felt his breath on her neck. Every single one of her nerves were on fire, zapping around in her body like lightening. Rebecca had never felt more alive … or scared.

One of her hands drifted down to Derek’s chest, and she pressed against it. She hoped that he’d know she was trying to get away, but he only pulled her closer to him. Rebecca let out a gasp, clutching his neck and shoulder tightly.

“Are you having fun?” he asked softly.

Rebecca nodded once, unable to muster up anything coherent. Her brain was shutting down, and she wished it was from embarrassment or anger. No, this was something entirely different. So often Rebecca felt like two-halves of her were always in disagreement, but now, every part of her felt the same. She didn’t want him to let go.

*****

About The Author:

Jordan S Gray is a full time mother, college student, and writer. She never did quite grow out of that emo stage, and considers coffee, punk music, and Taylor Swift to be the necessary fuel for her writing. PRUDE is her debut novel, and you can find her on Twitter @JordanStephanie where she procrastinates most of her adult responsibilities and all of her schoolwork.

Social Media Links:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jordanstephaniegray
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JordanStephanie
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32035169-prude

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Fun Facts about Alyse Raines (@alyseraines)

Blog Tour (2)

  1. Six is my fav number. I don’t know why, it just is!
  1. I cried when I met Carrie Ann Ryan. Like, hands shaking, ugly tears, panda eyes crying. And she hugged me. #allthelove
  1. I have a fender strat and a ukulele and can’t play either of them because of a neurological disorder (Chiari I) that makes my hands weak and shaky. Doesn’t stop me from trying, though!
  1. When I told a fellow author friend I’m bisexual, her response was texting me nude pics of her in the bath. Yeah, I made that WTF?!?! face too.
  1. Most of my hair fell out (all over my crown and two big patches on the right side of my head) thanks to my condition, so I shaved my weird-shaped head. Sometimes I wear a wig.
  1. The crown Prince of Norway (Haakon the HAWT) heard me say he was sexy. And he said thanks. And blushed. And I died.
  2. I think redheads are sexy. Men AND women.
  1. But I also have a thing for tall, dark, and inked dudes.
  1. Don’t make me choose between Starbucks coffee and my own iced mint-and-green tea.
  1. My family is my life, and I am blessed to have them.

*****

The Fundamental Theory of UsBlurb:

Andrew Warren’s future was with the Marines, until an IED took his leg and derailed his career. Now he’s flunking Fundamentals, and he enlists the help of his fellow App State freshman and off-campus neighbor, Sawyer Layne. It’s not just the beautiful blonde’s looks that intrigue him, but the hurt in her eyes.

Sawyer spends her days surrounded by numbers and nights with a bottle of vodka to numb the darkness of her past. Guys like sexy, tattooed Andrew are exactly what Sawyer needs to avoid. Look but don’t touch—that’s the rule. If only his eyes weren’t so blue, and his abs not so chiseled….

When Sawyer resists his brand of charm, Andrew uses every devious tactic he knows to pull her from her shell. Falling in love was never part of the plan.

Buy links:

Evernight Publishing | All Romance eBooksBarnes & Noble | Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Smashwords | Kobo

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*****

AR buttonAuthor bio:

Alyse Raines was born in Canada, and now lives in Los Angeles. She writes romance, and her obsessions include books, tea, sandals, turquoise jewelry, nail polish, and online shopping. Her debut NA contemporary romance THE FUNDAMENTAL THEORY OF US is out now from Evernight.

Author links:

Website & Blog: http://alyseraines.blogspot.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alyseraines

Twitter: https://twitter.com/alyseraines

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/alyseraines

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30782158-the-fundamental-theory-of-us