Wednesday, October 30, 2019

Blog Tour: SHADOWS by Kristen Proby

Shadows - BT banner.jpg


“Shadows had it all—a chilling villain, witches, spells, and a captivating romance!” - Jennifer Probst, New York Times bestselling author


Shadows, an all-new spine-tingling paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby, is available now!

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I am never alone. Not even when I am alone.
I see the unquiet dead, the souls that wander through the French Quarter.
They can’t move on, and I can’t stop seeing them.
I wear malachite for protection, and I control what I let in. It’s the only way to stay sane. Everything changes the day Cassian Winslow joins my ghost walking tour and knocks my world off its axis with green eyes the color of the stone around my neck.
An unspeakable evil is loose in New Orleans, taking young women and leaving a bloodbath in his wake. More shadows lurking for me. More unhappy dead. There might be a way to stop it.
Open myself up to Cassian.
If I do, it could spell his death.
But if I don’t, it’s mine.


Shadows - AN.jpg



Download your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Shadows
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/31JzfUA

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lErqQk

Shadows Teaser 1.jpg

Excerpt


“As I was about to walk down the street, I turned, and there was a shadow on the sidewalk. Just standing there. I’ve never seen her before.”

“Her?”

“Yeah, she was about my height. Very feminine.”

“Did she say anything?”

“Not that I heard. It just threw me because you know how careful I am about my route. I don’t like surprises, especially not like this. It’s creepy as hell. And, yes, I know I should be used to it by now, but—”

“It’s creepy, like you said.” She leans on the counter and bites her lip, thinking. “It probably means that someone recently died there.”

“I know that.”

“And now it’s a new spirit on your tour. Too bad she didn’t say anything. If she did, you could add it to your show. Could be fun. ‘Lucy was killed in this building three days ago, and her spirit now wanders the sidewalk in front of her former home.’”

“Talk about creepy.”

I sigh and run my fingers through my hair. “Did you sweep this area recently?”

“Is the floor dirty?”

I look at her as if she’s being obtuse on purpose. “You know what I mean.”

“It’s been about a week.”

“You need to do it again.”

Millie frowns, looking around the space. Her shields are as strong as mine, maybe stronger because she doesn’t just see the dead, she feels them, and that’s much more dangerous.

She fiddles with the amethyst around her neck.

“What do you see?”

I narrow my eyes. “I shouldn’t tell you.”

“I don’t want to look, Bri. I dropped my guard for just a second earlier and was slammed with the pervy thoughts of a nineteen-year-old college kid who couldn’t take his eyes off my ass. So, just tell me. Is it the little girl again?”

“Yeah. And she brought a friend.” I reach over to take my sister’s hand. “Don’t drop your shields anymore, Mill. Not for a minute. Ever. I know we live and work here in the Quarter because it’s where we make our living, but it could really hurt us.”

“I know.”

“I couldn’t bear it if I lost you, too.”






About Kristen Proby
Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.

During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.


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Tuesday, October 29, 2019

Review: Stud Muffin by Jiffy Kate

Stud Muffin Stud Muffin by Jiffy Kate
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I think this one is my favorite in the Smartypants universe so far! Tempest might be my favorite character out of all of the books, and that is saying alot because all of the female leads are pretty amazing. I immediately wanted to be friends with her. I also loved Cage, he was the perfect offset to her impulsive nature and the chaos in her live. I loved them as a couple from the beginning.

As the synopsis mentions, Tempest walks in on her husband, the man she's given 12 years of her life to, with a woman she can't stand. This breaks something in Tempest, who is typically mild tempered and well liked. She starts down a path of vengeance and gets herself in trouble with the law one to many times. All of her friends side with her dog of an ex, and her family while on her side doesn't do much to support her other than pray for them to get back together. As her divorce is finalized, Tempest realizes she has to get her head on straight, quit causing trouble in town, and let go once and for all. She's hoping that her court appointed anger management classes can help. As she begins to put the pieces of her life back together, she runs in to Cage, a UFC fighter who is looking for purpose after a career ending injury. Cage is friends with our favorite strip club owner Hank, who gives him a place to stay and a job working at the club until he figures out what his next move is. Cage and Tempest become quick friends, and as part of her anger management he begins teaching her kickboxing and Tai Chi as stress relief. It also gives him the idea to perhaps start an MMA studio in town.

I really loved the way Cage and Tempest became friends, and then it became something more. He was more supportive of her than anyone else she knew. I mean a little crazy is to be expected after walking in on your spouse with another woman, right? Especially with all the shenanigans they pull after the divorce. There is some great advice in this book about sticking up for yourself, love, and trusting yourself. I really loved it.

This is my first Jiffy Kate book, but I'll be checking out more. I really enjoyed the writing.

I would also have appreciated some of those muffin recipes because they all sounded amazing, who's with me?


I was provided and ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This came out today, October 29, 2019 and is available everywhere.



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Release Blitz: Stud Muffin by Jiffy Kate

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It’s hard to get revenge without getting a rap sheet.



Stud Muffin, an all-new friends-to-lovers standalone romance from Jiffy Kate, is available now!


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After Tempest Cassidy walks in on her husband banging her high school nemesis, her whole world gets turned upside down. She goes from being known as the Duchess of Muffins to the town crazy. Her new MO: revenge. Eventually, Tempest grows weary being arrested. Yet what choice does she have? If she’s not angry, then she’s simply . . . sad.

Just as she decides to get her life back on track, in walks Cage Erickson, the new bouncer at the local strip club. He’s scary-handsome and the polar opposite of her ex. She’s attracted to him, but she’s not looking for a rebound. He’s attracted to her, but he’s not looking for a serious relationship. So, they agree to be friends.

But when lines get blurred in the friend zone, will they both get burned? Or will it be a TKO?


'Stud Muffin' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#2 in the Donner Bakery series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Copy of DB02-LIVE



Download your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/StudMuffin
Kobo: Coming Soon!
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2kkIo6o
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2khZoKt
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2m25z5P


About Jiffy Kate
Jiffy Kate is the joint pen name for Jiff Simpson and Jenny Kate Altman. They’re co-writing besties who share a brain. They also share a love of cute boys, stiff drinks, and fun times.
Together, they’ve written over twenty stories. Their first published book, Finding Focus, was released in November 2015. Since then, they’ve continued to write what they know–southern settings full of swoony heroes and strong heroines.

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Release Blitz: Shadows by Kristen Proby

Shadows - RB banner


"Gripping, unique, and just enough scary to make you jump when you hear a loud noise--Shadows is the perfect blend of paranormal and contemporary romance!" -- Rachel Van Dyken, #1 New York Times bestselling author



Shadows, an all-new chilling and must read paranormal romance from New York Times bestselling author Kristen Proby, is available now!


Shadows AMAZON

I am never alone. Not even when I am alone.

I see the unquiet dead, the souls that wander through the French Quarter.
They can’t move on, and I can’t stop seeing them.

I wear malachite for protection, and I control what I let in. It’s the only way to stay sane. Everything changes the day Cassian Winslow joins my ghost walking tour and knocks my world off its axis with green eyes the color of the stone around my neck.

An unspeakable evil is loose in New Orleans, taking young women and leaving a bloodbath in his wake. More shadows lurking for me. More unhappy dead. There might be a way to stop it.

Open myself up to Cassian.

If I do, it could spell his death.

But if I don’t, it’s mine.


Shadows - AN

Download your copy today!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Shadows
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/31JzfUA

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lErqQk

Shadows Teaser 2

About Kristen Proby
Kristen was born and raised in a small resort town in her beloved Montana. In her mid-twenties, she decided to stretch her wings and move to the Pacific Northwest, where she made her home for more than a dozen years.

During that time, Kristen wrote many romance novels and joined organizations such as RWA and other small writing groups. She spent countless hours in workshops, and more mornings than she can count up before the dawn so she could write before going to work. She submitted many manuscripts to agents and editors alike, but was always told no. In the summer of 2012, the self-publishing scene was new and thriving, and Kristen had one goal: to publish just one book. It was something she longed to cross off of her bucket list.

Not only did she publish one book, she’s since published close to thirty titles, many of which have hit the USA Today, New York Times and Wall Street Journal Bestsellers lists. She continues to self publish, best known for her With Me In Seattle and Boudreaux series, and is also proud to work with William Morrow, a division of HarperCollins, with the Fusion Series.

Kristen and her husband, John, make their home in her hometown of Whitefish, Montana with their two pugs and two cats.


Connect with Kristen



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Sunday, October 27, 2019

Review: The Furies by Katie Lowe

The Furies The Furies by Katie Lowe
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I was provided an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.  This book was published on October 8, 2019.

This book is out now so hopefully some of my issues with this book may be related to the fact that it was an ARC and hopefully were corrected with editing. I didn't love the writing style of this. It felt choppy and disjointed. For example, the two main characters would be talking about looking at something while standing then in the next sentence they would be sitting on a bed in another room. There would be no mention of them moving or sitting down. Another example, two characters would be walking up the street, one was wandering aimlessly and the other was going to her boyfriends, they begin talking there is no mention of a party in their dialogue yet one character asks if the other is going to said party. I had to reread passages to see if I missed something. This really threw the pacing off for me because you had to infer a lot of information that wasn't on the page. Having read an ARC that is several months out from publication it may be the case that those continuity issues have been corrected in the final publication. It could just be the type of prose this writer uses, which is not my preferred style. I've read a few other books this year that have this style and it seems to be a newer type of prose that some will really enjoy. So take that with a grain of salt.

I was actually really looking forward to this book. Unfortunately, it just didn’t deliver for me. The description gave me vibes of the movie The Craft (which I love) where four girls somewhat on the outskirts of society form a kind of a feminist coven to seek revenge on those who have wronged them. While that's kind of what happens, this book fell really short for me. There is a lot glorified of drug and alcohol use as an escape for dealing with problems. As a book being marketed to young women, I have a big problem with the amount of drug and alcohol use in this book, emotional and physical abuse, and lack of adult supervision in this book. These girls are left to their own devices to solve some pretty serious issues. Any challenge to their poor decision making amongst their group or from outside is met with “F you” as a response. Their decisions to take matters into their own hands are guided by the occult and mythology of The Furies, which they learn about in their posh, unconventional private school. I wish the mythology and occult had been flushed out a bit more. The magical element was lacking for me; again it was left for the reader to imagine. I personally would have like a bit more information on the page, but again that's my preference.

I think this was a case of a book that turned out to be not what I was expecting. I wanted more mythology and magic/occult. I wanted the one or all of the girls to learn and grow and be empowered by their difficult situations. While Robin is the dark and troubled ring leader who you expect to stay dark and troubled, I kind of expected Violet to turn out to be the light heroine who comes into her own despite all of the bad things in her life. Instead she is just as unlikeable as Robin, and never develops into an empowered young woman. She is gullible, naïve, and co-dependent. She is so obsessed with being liked by Robin and the group she will do anything Robin says. It just didn’t work for me.

If you like toxic friendships and dark characters arcs, I’d say give this a go. Just beware that there are a lot of potential triggers in this book. The fantastical element in this book didn’t deliver, but the thriller element kept me invested enough to finish. You keep reading because you want to know what crazy thing the girls are going to do next. This also starts with a dead girl, and you keep reading to find out what really happened and how it all comes together.


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Saturday, October 26, 2019

Review: A Hero Born by Jin Yong

A Hero Born (Legends of the Condor Heroes, #1) A Hero Born by Jin Yong
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for sending me an ARC of this book. I'm really glad I had a print version to go along with the audiobook. The list of characters at the beginning was invaluable. There are so many characters and it was at times hard to keep them straight, especially as I'm not overly familiar with the naming conventions and several of the characters had multiple names. There were also large groups of people throughout the book that traveled together and being able to reference the list of characters from time to time was very helpful.

This book made me wish I knew more about Kung Fu. The moves and different styles were mentioned throughout as there is a heavy focus on the practice and how martial families are formed. As I mentioned above there are alot of characters, which leads to alot going on in this book. This causes the pace to be a bit slow, hence the reason I opted for the audiobook. At the center of the story we have two families that were very close. They’ve decided that their children will marry if one of them has a daughter and one has a son, or if they both have sons they will be sworn “brothers”. When they are both killed in a fight and their pregnant wives are separated, a Taoist monk and a group of Kung Fu masters known as the Seven Freaks of the South both swear to defend the children. We mainly follow the child who trains with the Seven Freaks, but the other child appears later in the book. I didn't really get the fantasy aspect of this book; there is a ton of action and fighting as well as the rich history of the Mongolians and Chinese. I think the fantasy part was lost on me due to my familiarity with the content, i still enjoyed it though. There are some wonderful messages about inner strength, honor, and family bonds whether chosen or by blood.

The writing takes some getting used to, but I expect that is because it was translated. I often find that is the case with books first written in another language.  This kind of reads like watching and old kung fu movie where you lose a bit in translation but you still get the gist of the story.  I still really enjoyed it, and didn't mind that sometimes the dialogue was clunky or the actions of the characters seemed silly. There is not a ton of character development in the book. The characters are just taken at face value. We do see Guo Jing develop some, but his personality and actions don’t change much throughout. That is the case for most of the characters, they don’t change much throughout. They are driven by honor and duty. I did find this very entertaining and I'm looking forward to the next two installments. This ends on quite the cliffhanger so be warned.

This book was published originally in 1957, but it was finally translated and published in the US in September 2019.  The remaining 3 volumes are set to release in 2020-2021. 


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Friday, October 25, 2019

Blog Tour: Code of Conduct by April White

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“Sharp writing, layered characters, and wonderful tension flow through this book, along with a super-swoon-worthy hero and a kick ass heroine I just love.” -- Elizabeth Hunter, USA Today bestselling author.


Code of Conduct, the first in the romantic suspense Cipher Security series of standalones, from April White is available now!


20190718_CS01_Code of Conduct_White_KDP_FINAL

There are three things you need to know about Shane P.I.
1) P.I. is not her last name, it's her job title,
2) Her specialty is catching cheaters, and
3) She's a superhuman - kind of.
Gabriel is a security expert for Cipher Security, and a former UN Peacekeeper with a fierce protective streak that finds its focus on the beautiful P.I.
Their attraction is like an elephant in a room full of breakable things, and figuring out how to trust each other with their hearts, and maybe their lives, is the most fragile thing of all.

'Code of Conduct' is a full-length romantic suspense novel, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Cipher Security series, Knitting in the City World, Penny Reid Universe.

CS01-LIVE


Download your copy today!
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2m0Tjm3
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2lZklKt

 If you are interested in reading my review you can find it here.

Excerpt

I pulled up the audio version of the newest Iron Druid book, turned my phone on speaker, and when the tub was full, I sank into the hot water with a sigh. Luke Daniels could read a shampoo bottle and I’d listen, but my mind kept drifting off of Atticus’ and Oberon’s adventures, and was instead hopping from rock to rock in the garden of ADDATA, the Quimbys, and Gabriel. I wasn’t even annoyed when the phone rang and interrupted the story, because I knew I’d have to go back to the beginning of the chapter anyway.

It was on its fourth ring when I finally dried off my hand and reached to answer it, so I hit the speaker button just as I looked at the screen.

Gabriel’s name startled me so much I didn’t say anything – I just sat up in the tub and stared at the phone.

“Please say you’re not in the bath.” Gabriel’s voice was quiet, deep, and had a note of pleading in it.

“What do you want, Gabriel?” I moved again, and the water sloshed around me. I knew he could hear it because he groaned softly.

“Where to begin.” It was almost a whisper, and the words sent a shiver through me. He cleared his throat and continued in his normal, beautiful voice. “We had a call from Quimby. He said he’d found you and wondered what we were going to do about it.” I didn’t say anything, and the silence lasted two long heartbeats. “Are you okay?” he finally asked, quietly.

“He saw me turn from Bryn Mawr onto Sheridan. I lost him in the alleys.”

Gabriel exhaled. “Good.”

“Aren’t you supposed to be finding his money? Or his wife? Or something else he misplaced?”

“Do you have his money or his wife?” he asked

“No.”

“Okay.”

“Okay? What exactly do you want from me, Gabriel?” I sat forward and the water sloshed again. I traced the ripples with my fingers as I heard his sigh.

“I don’t know. I just know that every time you move, I hear the water in your bath, and I imagine …” He exhaled sharply. “Be careful, darling. I don’t trust Quimby not to try to hurt you if he can. Don’t let him catch you.”

“You haven’t caught me yet, and you’re far more resourceful than that little man.”

He chuckled softly. “Yet.” He hung up the phone without saying goodbye, and Luke Daniels’ voice returned, continuing the story as I sank down in the water and let its heat lap over the chills on my skin.

About April White

April White has been a film producer, private investigator, bouncer, teacher and screenwriter. She has climbed in the Himalayas, survived a shipwreck, and lived on a gold mine in the Yukon. She and her husband share their home in Southern California with two extraordinary boys and a lifetime collection of books.
Her first novel, Marking Time is the 2016 winner of the Library Journal Indie E-Book Award for YA Literature, and all five books in the Immortal Descendants series are on the Amazon Top 100 lists in Time Travel Romance and Historical Fantasy.

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Thursday, October 24, 2019

Blog Tour: Kiss Me Again by Emma Hart

KMA-BANNER-LIVE


WANTED: ROOMMATE. Must be tidy, polite, and absolutely not my brother’s hot as sin best friend.


Kiss Me Again, an all-new hilarious brother’s best friend standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is available now!


KISSMEAGAIN

I have no idea why I said yes.

Maybe I’d had one too many wines. Maybe I’d done it accidentally. Maybe I’d been sleep-texting.
One thing I know for sure is this: I absolutely do not want Ethan Hawkins in my apartment, up in my business, taking over my space.

Yet he’s here. Moving his stuff into my spare bedroom. Sending a wave of panty-melting, musky man-scent my way every time he walks past me.

Here’s the thing.

We don’t get along—at all. We never have, and I don’t think we’re going to start now that we’re under one roof.

There’s also that little issue where I’m kinda, sorta, totally in love with him…
Uh-oh.

KMA-LIVE1

Download your copy today!
Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2lxXghO

Check out my review here.

Excerpt

I shoved the front door open and set my gaze on Ethan on the sofa. “If you’re going to lie to me about living here, we’re going to have to set some hard and fast rules. The first one: the stinky, spiky pig lives in your bedroom.”

He peered over at me, one hand in a bag of cheese Doritos and the other tickling the hedgehog who was now lying on his chest.

It was quite the sight.

“How do you know he stinks?” he asked, licking his fingers and cradling the animal before he put the chip packet on the coffee table.

“I Googled. They need cleaning every day. I’m not doing it, and neither am I living in a smell of tiny animal who should be wild.”

“He’s a pygmy hedgehog. He’s bred to be domesticated.”

“His spiky bits could be made out of solid gold and I wouldn’t give a shit.” I put my purse on the island and looked at him. “You can send me Google links to them if it pleases His Highness, but my stance won’t change. That animal is not living in my living room, and I’d rather you didn’t snuggle with him on the sofa.”

“It’s ironic,” Ethan mused. “I have a hedgehog on my chest, and you’re still the prickliest thing in this apartment.”

“If I wasn’t staunchly against animal cruelty, I’d throw a saucepan at you.”

“You can still hit me over the head with it.”

“I was talking about you, not the hedgehog, you pig.”

“May I say that you are an absolute fucking delight, Ava. I can’t imagine why you’re still single.”

“Probably the same reason you are. The asshole gene is strong as fuck and not all that attractive.”


About Emma Hart
Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages.
​
She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.
​
Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.
​
Yes, really. She's that sarcastic.

EmmaHart

Connect with Emma
Stay up to date with Emma by joining her mailing list: https://www.emmahart.org/newsletter







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Blog Tour: Love in Due Time by L.B. Dunbar

GVL01-BANNER-BT-SBPR


Love in Due Time, an all-new second chance romantic comedy from L.B. Dunbar is available now!


20190718_GVL01_Love in Due Time_Dunbar_KDP_FINAL

Naomi Winters will be forty—soon-ish—and she’s only been with one man. One night. One time. Long ago. She believes everything happens for a reason, and the universe spoke about Nathan Ryder.

Nathan Ryder isn’t the same man who hightailed his bike out of Green Valley eighteen years ago. As a rule breaker, women are one area he acts a fool. Case in point…the local librarian. He can’t get a read on her, but she’s one risk he’s willing to take. Again.

What do an eccentric librarian and a sexy silver biker have in common? More than you think.
The due date on their love might not be expired after all.

'Love in Due Time' is a full-length, contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Green Valley Library series.

Copy of GVL01-LIVE


Download your copy today!
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2m2Wytn
Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2ku1o2d
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2kwPLr8

Check out my review here.

Excerpt

“Naomi?” My hands cover her shoulders, holding her steady.

“This is all my fault.” Her eyes widen, the widest I’ve ever seen. Panic fills them.

“What do you mean?”

“I … I can’t believe this happened again.” Her hands come to my chest, and she gently pushes at me. “You have to get out of here.”

“What?” My brows pinch at the harsh tone.

“You need to go. I can’t be near you.” Her voice struggles to stay level.

Ouch. That stings a little.

“Why?” I take one step back under the force of her hands.

“I can’t be around you. This can’t happen.”

“Lady, what are you talking about?” My voice roughens.

“Bad things always happen after I’m with you.”

I stiffen, straightening to my full height. My arms cross and I glare down at her. Saying such a thing is just downright mean. Her head shakes as her fingers curl along the open edges of my work jacket. Suddenly, I feel like she’s tugging me to her instead of pressing me away.

What the …

“When I’m with you, something happens. Something bad.” Her breath catches. “Because we kissed, the library is closing.”

I stare at her. She can’t be serious, but I see the hysteria in her eyes, like a rabid, trapped animal. She actually believes what she says.

“Well, we didn’t kiss,” I remind her, my tone stern and condescending. “I kissed you, remember? And you didn’t kiss me back, so I don’t think it counts.”

She glares up at me, her fingers still gripping my open jacket. Her shoulders fall, her head lowers, and it’s as if I can visibly see her relax, like water cascading down a building, washing over her.

Exhale. Settle.

Exhale. Calm.

“I didn’t kiss you back?” she questions and then her head pops up again. She nearly shrieks with the hesitant realization. Commence inhaling, like she’s winding up again. Full steam ahead.

“I didn’t kiss you back,” she repeats, her excitement growing. Another exaggerated inhale.

“I didn’t kiss you back!” Now, she’s just downright gloating, and the engine’s ready to blow.

“You don’t have to sound so pleased,” I murmur. I glance up and notice Mrs. MacIntyre watching us through the window of the librarian’s office behind the check-out counter. Her eyes narrow and I’m certain we’re making too much noise for her liking.

“I … I’m so relieved,” Naomi admits, her head falling forward, her fingers loosening on my jacket. Then her face turns up again. Her lids lift, slow and lazy. Her mouth curls in sweet relief, and she pulls herself up on her toes by the open edge of my jacket and does the damnedest thing. She kisses me.






About L.B. Dunbar
L.B. Dunbar loves the sweeter things in life: cookies, Coca-Cola, and romance. Her reading journey began with a deep love of fairy tales, medieval knights, Regency debauchery, and alpha males. She loves a deep belly laugh and a strong hug. Occasionally, she has the energy of a Jack Russell terrier. Accused—yes, that’s the correct word—of having an overactive imagination, to her benefit, such an imagination works well. Author of over two dozen novels, she’s created sweet, small town worlds; rock star mayhem; MMA chaos; sexy rom-coms for the over 40; and intrigue on an island of redemption. In addition, she is earning a title as the “myth and legend lady” for her modernizations of mythology as elda lore. Her other duties in life include mother to four children and wife to the one and only.

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Wednesday, October 23, 2019

Blog Tour: Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott

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"Happy Trail was a feel good, funny and heartwarming adventure with the usual Daisy Prescott charm.."-- T. Gephart, USA Today bestselling author


Happy Trail, an all-new opposites attract standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is available now!


20190718_GVPR01_Happy Trail_Prescott_KDP_FINAL

A man of few words, Ranger Jay Daniels values the calm, quiet solitude of the Great Smoky Mountains. Never quite fitting in with either side of his family, he prefers the company of birds and trees to people.

Yeah, he’d most definitely prefer a bird—any bird, any bird at all, take a vulture for instance—to the human-tornado hybrid that just blew onto his peaceful stretch of the Appalachian Trail.

The path of true love never has run smooth for Olive Perry. After getting dumped and promptly abandoned in the middle of her multi-month hike, Olive swears off men. Determined to finish the long trek by herself, she doesn’t need a prince—or broody and taciturn ranger—to save her
.
Yet, when an early snowstorm threatens the mountains, and Ranger Daniels is charged with getting hikers to safety, that includes hot-tempered Olive Perry. Snowed in and forced to share an abandoned cabin, can Olive’s heated intensity melt Jay’s cool reserve?

And if so, will this happy trail lead to true love? Or will their time together be just another bump in the road?

'Happy Trail' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Park Ranger series.

DP-HT-available1

Download today!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HappyTrail
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2jXnfPc
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2kwOTmm

Check out my review here.

Excerpt

“Can we drop the pretense of not being trapped on the wrong side of the fence with whatever bloodthirsty beast is making such a sound?” I squint into the distance, hoping narrowing my eyes will give me super strength vision.

It doesn’t. I step behind Ranger Daniels for protection.

“What are you doing?” He twists his neck to look down at me.

“Hiding. I believe you took an oath to protect and serve.”

“Pfft. You’re confusing me with a police officer. I’m here to engage, educate, and empower.” He moves so he’s beside me.

“You carry a gun, don’t you?”

“Sometimes. Do you see a holster now?”

I scan his hips and shake my head, allowing my eyes to linger on the tight fit of his uniform pants over his strong thighs and the thick belt at his narrow waist. Ranger Daniels is packing heat, but not of the pistol variety.

Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

A distinct braying reaches my ears.

“Is that a donkey?” I tip my head.

“What would a donkey be doing up here? Makes no sense.”

“Ask him. Or her.” I point at the gray beast moving toward us. “I’m a city girl, but I’m pretty sure that’s an ass.”

“Well, I’ll be damned.” Jay removes his hat.

Maybe he plans to shoo away our attacker with it?

The gray form ambles toward us, letting out a loud bray and revealing large teeth.

“Should we be worried?” I’m standing behind Jay again.

“About a donkey? They’re mostly docile. He’s probably just curious.” Shifting his attention forward, he addresses our new friend. “Hey there. Where’d you come from?”

The donkey halts.

“See? He’s fine. Probably thinks we’re bringing treats.”

“And what will he do when he realizes we’re showing up to his house empty-handed?” I’m half mocking. In my world, not bringing a hostess gift is an unthinkable breach of etiquette. I have no idea about the social decorum for equines.

“Let’s go.” Jay encourages me forward with a sweep of his hat.

We take several steps and the donkey does the same without breaking eye contact, like we’re about to duel. There’s definitely a challenge, a mild threat in the eyes of our new foe.

“Should we slowly retreat to the fence?” I whisper at Jay’s back.

“Nah, we’re fine.”

“Maybe he’s a guard donkey.” I slide a glance over my shoulder toward safety. We’re a dozen or so yards away, but it isn’t too late to make a quick escape.

Jay’s eyes meet mine. “You know guard donkeys aren’t a thing.”

“I’m a stranger in a strange land—anything’s possible.” I wait until he faces forward to stick my tongue out at him.

He’s shaking his head and clearly not paying attention to me anymore as he stomps across the squishy field.

Left with no choice, I follow after him.

My boot slips in the mud, or donkey poop—it’s impossible to tell the difference. I squawk and flail my arms as I tumble forward in an awkward motion resembling the mating dance of an emu.

The donkey’s ears prick up before flattening against his head.

“Uh oh,” I murmur as I straighten up.

“It’s fine,” Jay says for the dozenth time.

Only he’s wrong.


About Daisy Prescott
Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

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Blog Tour: Sticking to the Script by Stella Weaver

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Sticking to the Script, an all-new standalone in the romantic comedy Cipher Office series, from Stella Weaver is available now!


20180715_CO01_Sticking to the Script_Weaver_KDP_FINAL

Steven Thompson had a bad year. A string of mean, kinky (the alarming kind, not the good kind), and crazy dating debacles combined with a boss who appears to be experiencing male-prenatal-psychosis means Steven’s stress levels are high. They’re so high, he’s decided to quit dating and focus instead solely on his job.

Until he meets Dr. Ken Miles.

Doctor Ken Miles is having a fantastic year. His hard work is paying off in a big way . . . professionally. But his social life? Not so much.
Until he meets Steven Thompson.

Steven isn’t so sure about Dr. Miles, but Ken is one hundred percent certain about Mr. Thompson. And even though both men know full well that the key to getting what you want out of life is hard work, they can’t seem to make them—together—work.
Will they ever get on the same page? Or just keep sticking to the same old script?

'Sticking to the Script' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#2 in the Cipher Office series, Knitting in the City World, Penny Reid Book Universe.

Copy of CO02-LIVE

Download your copy today or read FREE in Kindle Unlimited!
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2k11L3Z

Check out my review here.

Excerpt


“He asked you to a movie?” She blinked, nonplussed.

“Who are we talking about?” Nico asked, leaning around Elizabeth to look at me. His green eyes held a mischievous twinkle, no doubt eager to hear a new chapter of farce and lunacy in Steven’s Big Book of Dating Disasters.

“Ken Miles,” I replied.


Nico’s twinkle and dimple disappeared. Whether Elizabeth disliked Ken or not, I was sure Nico loathed the man. I couldn’t blame him; it was his prerogative to hate men who used to lust after his wife. He arched one raven eyebrow and asked, “How’d that come about?”

“Yeah,” Elizabeth said. “How, Steven?” Her tone was curious, but I thought I detected a little tinge of disapproval that I didn’t like.

Not wanting to make an issue of anything, I replied with an easy nonchalance. “I ran into him at Buzzy’s. We started talking about Mystery Science Theater 3000—”


“That show’s a riot,” Nico asserted, reaching for his fritter. “The reboot is pretty good, too.”


“That’s what I told DKM.” I took Nico’s lead and grabbed my own heavenly pastry.

“Then, when he found out the movie was playing at the Music Box,” he asked me if I wanted to see it. So, we went.” I shrugged.

“There’s a movie?” Nico asked. “How did I not know this?”


I mumbled around my fritter bite, “You’re not missing much.”


“Stinker, eh?”


“Little bit.” I shrugged again. That had been two, overly casual shrugs in just a few seconds and I worried I was playing it too cool. Elizabeth’s powers of observation surpassed my own. If I wasn’t careful, she’d have me giving her every last detail of the evening.

“So,” she broke in. “Are you thinking this might have been like, you know, a date?” Her brows were drawn together in concern, her words tentative.


I tilted my head in stern exasperation. “Puh-leeze. The man didn’t know who McSteamy was. I got the memo that he’s straight.”

“Who’s McSteamy?” Nico asked.


I pursed my lips together, raised my eyebrows and gestured to Nico. “I rest my case.”

Elizabeth laughed. “I’m sorry, I just didn’t want you getting the wrong idea or anything. He’s”—she looked at her husband in apology—“he’s very good-looking, and I could see how asking you to a movie could get your hopes up.”


“Nah,” I waved dismissively. “I know what’s up. But I think we could hang out,” I volunteered without thinking. I instantly regretted my slip.

“Good luck with that,” Nico said with a laugh.

“We had a good time. He’s kind of funny,” I defended.

“Not possible,” he declared. Nico was a comedian, and a very successful one at that. He knew what was funny and wasn’t about to give the odious Dr. Miles any benefit of the doubt where humor was concerned.

Inexplicable annoyance spurred me to continue. “I think I might make hanging out with him a regular thing.”

“I don’t think a stiff like that knows how to have fun.”


Elizabeth grimaced at her husband’s uncharacteristic snark, then issued me a sympathetic smile. “Well, it will be good for Dr. Ken Miles. He’s not the most colorful person in the city, that’s for sure. Maybe you’ll broaden his horizons.”




About Stella Weaver
Stella Weaver is a reader, writer, sloppy crafter and family-woman. She’s a native of coastal northern California who now lives on the Texas Gulf coast. She’s won the much coveted #1 Mom of the Year Award and has the coffee mug to prove it.

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Tuesday, October 22, 2019

Release Blitz: Happy Trail by Daisy Prescott

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"Happy Trail was a feel good, funny and heartwarming adventure with the usual Daisy Prescott charm.."-- T. Gephart, USA Today bestselling author


Happy Trail, an all-new opposites attract standalone romance from USA Today bestselling author Daisy Prescott, is available now!


20190718_GVPR01_Happy Trail_Prescott_KDP_FINAL

A man of few words, Ranger Jay Daniels values the calm, quiet solitude of the Great Smoky Mountains. Never quite fitting in with either side of his family, he prefers the company of birds and trees to people.

Yeah, he’d most definitely prefer a bird—any bird, any bird at all, take a vulture for instance—to the human-tornado hybrid that just blew onto his peaceful stretch of the Appalachian Trail.
The path of true love never has run smooth for Olive Perry. After getting dumped and promptly abandoned in the middle of her multi-month hike, Olive swears off men. Determined to finish the long trek by herself, she doesn’t need a prince—or broody and taciturn ranger—to save her.
Yet, when an early snowstorm threatens the mountains, and Ranger Daniels is charged with getting hikers to safety, that includes hot-tempered Olive Perry. Snowed in and forced to share an abandoned cabin, can Olive’s heated intensity melt Jay’s cool reserve?

And if so, will this happy trail lead to true love? Or will their time together be just another bump in the road?

'Happy Trail' is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Park Ranger series.

DP-HT-available1

Download today!
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HappyTrail
Google Play: http://bit.ly/2jXnfPc
Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2kwOTmm

About Daisy Prescott
Born and raised in San Diego, Daisy currently lives in a real life Stars Hollow in the Boston suburbs with her husband, their rescue dog, Mulder, and an imaginary house goat. When not writing about herself in the third person, Daisy can be found traveling, gardening, baking, or lost in a good book.

Connect with Daisy

Connect with Smartypants Romance



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