BOOK BLITZ for "The Best Man (From Connemara With Love, #1)" by Alex Kelly

The Best Man
by Alex Kelly
(From Connemara With Love, #1)
Publication date: Nov 12th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

I always turn up at just the wrong moment. I never know how to make the most of a situation; I don’t know the right thing to say, or when I should come or go.
Let’s just say I have really shit timing.
I’m not a smart guy. I don’t have great ideas.
I’m practical, a hard worker; someone who lives for his family, and for the air that she breathes.
It’s just a shame that the “she” in question never knew this. It’s a shame that I waited all these years to make my move. It’s useless to tell you, readers, that it was already too late; that I’d screwed everything up, once again. And, this time, my mistakes forced her to come home.
Except she didn’t want to stay.
And now she hates me – or maybe she doesn’t. I still haven’t worked out what’s going on between us, but like I said, I’m not the sharpest tool in the box. And even though this could be my last chance, I’m not going to be the one to ask her to stay. Not even if she turns out to be the one I’ve always waited for.
Because she doesn’t belong in this place.
And she doesn’t belong in my life.
My name is Alex Brennan, and this is my story: of how I realised I’d lost the most important person in my life, before I even had her.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

I walk behind her wordlessly, until we get to the door of her building. I’m a gentleman, and she knows it. I’ve always walked her to her door – something her brothers have always taken the piss out of me for – because I want to be sure that she gets home okay, and that nothing happens to her. I don’t do it now because of everything that’s just happened; I’ve always done it, and I always will. I’m not ashamed of that. If there’s one thing my mother taught me, it’s that I should never be ashamed of who I am and what I feel, and I’m not going to start feeling shameful tonight. So I walk up to the top floor with her without being asked why. Once we get to her front door, Ellie sticks her key into the lock and opens it, then stands, unmoving, with her forehead against the wood, trying to work out what should happen next.

“Don’t ask me,” I say, helping her.

Ellie turns slowly to face me.

“Now’s not the right moment,” I say, because it’s true. Even though the only thing I want right now is to push her inside, lock us into her apartment, and make love to her until we can’t walk anymore.

She smiles and nods; she knows this is for the best, too. I step closer to her and stroke her face, before gently pressing my lips to hers. Then I say it, because I can feel her fear pulsing into my chest.

“I’ll never ask you, Ellie.”

I’m an idiot, but I carry on anyway, because I love her more than I love the idea of the two of us together.

“I’ll never ask you to come back.”

I let go of her face and take a few steps back.

“Why not?”

“You know why,” I say; and from the way her eyes grow wide, I realise that she already knew my answer all along.

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Michelle Hercules always knew creative arts were her calling but not in a million years did she think she would write a novel. With a background in fashion design she thought she would follow that path. But one day, out of the blue, she had an idea for a book. One page turned into ten pages, ten pages turned into a hundred, and before she knew, her first book, The Prophecy of Arcadia, was born.

Michelle Hercules resides in The Netherlands with her husband and daughter. She is currently working on the Legends of Gattica series.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BOOK BLITZ for "The Hero I Need" by Nicole Snow

The Hero I Need
by Nicole Snow
Publication date: January 22nd, 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Thriller

Wall Street Journal bestselling author Nicole Snow returns with a hilariously intense small-town love story where two star-crossed hearts and one snarly tiger ignite a romance up-roar.

He knew I was trouble the instant I showed up with a stolen Bengal tiger.
But Grady McKnight didn’t flinch like a sane person—he took us in.
Bruce the tiger found shelter. I met a hero grump. And Grady got a hot mess.
Namely, me.
Born-to-sizzle single dads and rogue zoologists don’t play nice.

So freaking what if I said I’m his nanny?
We needed a story when his two sweet daughters barged in.
Hiding a contraband tiger isn’t easy.
Neither is pretending he isn’t sending my pulse to pitter-patter heaven.

Cupid, you sneaky little nugget.
There’s only room for one hulking, growly, mesmerizing beast in my life.
I don’t belong at warm family dinners, or in the fortress of his arms.
Saving Bruce is my mission—not falling in love.

This won’t end well.
The longer I stay, the more he grins.
Walls come crashing down.
And my heart becomes willing prey for his carnivorous eyes.
I must resist Grady flipping McKnight.
Even if a scared, aching part of me knows I’m already his.
Even if I know he’s the hero I need…

Full-length romance thriller with the growliest Happily Ever After. It’s claws and effect when a wounded single dad saves a firestarter—along with her tiger, his girls, and his own beat-up heart.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Car trouble?” a deep voice booms behind me.

The back of my head smacks the steering wheel in my rush to get up. Ow.

Pressing a hand against the stinging pain, I stand up, close my eyes, and say a quick prayer in my head.

The gruff voice isn’t Niles or Priscilla Foss’, but only God knows who they’d send after me if they’ve figured out Bruce the tiger is gone.

“Lady? You okay?” the stranger thunders again, this time closer.

“Yes! Never better,” I strangle out. Not easily with my heart pounding in my throat.

“Funny kind of better,” the voice growls to my back. “Looks more like you could use a hand.”

Hoping it’ll help, I gather my hair in one hand and lift it off the back of my neck, which is slicked with sweat in the humid night air, and finally turn around.

Holy Ohio.

I have to release my hair in order to tilt my head back far enough to see more than a massive chest covered with a black t-shirt sporting a picture of a purple bob cat. Mouth open. Teeth showing.

And it turns out that slab of a chest is attached to a mountain with arms and legs.

He’s tall, dark, shredded, and deliriously handsome.

I won’t call him muscular because it would be an injustice. Like calling Samson a bodybuilder.

This man looks like he could hoist Bruce over his head without breaking a sweat.

Moving my eyes up over shoulders that’d make Atlas seethe with jealously and a thick neck worthy of a bull, my gaze lands on a face. An amused one, with deep manly lines around flinty hazel-dark eyes.

This looks like a face that’s used to smiling, even if he’s rocking that scary-hot vibe like he invented it.

Only, right now, there’s a smirk carved on his chiseled face that says he might be insane enough to try lifting a full-grown tiger as a feat of strength.

Oh, crap.

Bruce!

If there’s one thing I can’t do—besides let this guy climb inside my head and eat crackers nice and slow—is let him catch on to the fact that I’m hauling around some very illegal cargo, and it’s alive.

“What kind of trouble are you having?” he asks, his eyes twinkling in the dim light.

At the moment, breathing.

Next up, peeling my eyes off him and finding the willpower to mutter more than a squeak in reply.

His jaw is square, his nose straight, his hair short, but not too short. And his mouth, that smile, it’s—

It’s officially too much to handle.

I huff out a loud breath to stop a heavenly fantasy from forming and get my thoughts back to hell. Because that’s where I’m actually at right now, blundering around an isolated parking lot in the middle of the night with a strange man and a not-so-well concealed monster in my trailer.

Fun times.

Author Bio:

Nicole Snow is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today bestselling author. She found her love of writing by hashing out love scenes on lunch breaks and plotting her great escape from boardrooms. Her work roared onto the indie romance scene in 2014 with her Grizzlies MC series.

Since then Snow aims for the very best in growly, heart-of-gold alpha heroes, unbelievable suspense, and swoon storms aplenty. With over a million books sold, she lives for the joy of making two people fight with every bit of their soul for a Happily Ever After.

Current fan favorites include her Enguard Protectors series, accidental love novels, plus long beloved MC romance thrillers like the Grizzlies and Deadly Pistols.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BLOG TOUR & BOOK REVIEW for "Gimme S'more (Hot Cakes, #6)" by Erin Nicholas

Is there a sweeter spot in his life for the woman who's always had his back — and possibly even his heart?

Gimme S'more

an all-new sweet and sexy opposites-attract standalone 

in the Hot Cakes romantic comedy series

by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas is now available!

A friends-to-lovers romance that will make you melt.

Oliver’s a dreamer who is always ready for the next big adventure.
Piper’s the steady one who keeps his feet on the ground.

He’s wildly successful, thanks to her always being there to catch him when he leaps before he looks. But she wants more. While he’s as clueless as ever.

So she just gave her two weeks notice.

Ollie doesn’t know how he’ll survive without Piper. So for the next two weeks, he’ll be sticking to her like the marshmallows on the s’mores she loves so much.

But does he want her as his assistant... or is there a sweeter spot in his life for the woman who's always had his back — and possibly even his heart?

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3mliE3p

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/gimmesmore

Apple Books: http://apple.co/3nnhSnT

Nook: http://bit.ly/3mvUPX3

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2WiTO9X

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2Wg2SMS

Add GIMME S'MORE to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3mnJrfE

~ BOOK REVIEW for Gimme S'more ~

****(4) out of 5 

And freaking FINALLY we have Ollie and Piper's book!  Since it was quite obvious right from the beginning that these two were perfect for one another, and that they truly cared about each other — whether or not one or the other of them was ready to admit it — it seemed to take forever to get to their story!  It was definitely well worth the wait.  Much like the last couple of books in the series, this tale was not at all what I had expected it to be.  But it nonetheless perfection.  

Even though he has always known how fantastic Piper is, there is still so much more about her than Ollie even realizes.  His eyes are very quickly opened in any number of ways in her regard.  While he is afraid that she can do much better than him, and doesn't think that he is in love with her, he is most definitely wrong on both counts.  Watching him come to realize that is a delight to see.  

Piper, however, has known for quite some time she's in love with Ollie, and she's well aware of his brilliance and imagination.  But she never let herself, mostly due to the parameters of her job, to view him as someone who didn't need reigning in.  Once she allows him to fully be himself, and gives herself permission to be okay with it, that's when she really comes to know how amazing he truly is.  

It's just like going home again to see many of the characters from prior books, both primary and secondary.  All of them are delightful, each in their own unique way.  It's great to see this couple finally see the culmination of their long simmering attraction, but it is also sad to bid farewell to this amazing group of people.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Social Butterfly PR, 

and have willingly provided an honest review

Excerpt:

The guys were going to kill him.
Ollie scrubbed a hand over his face.
They wouldn’t be surprised, of course. But they were going to be pissed.
They’d all known that Piper quitting was a risk and that one day she’d probably wise-up and lose her patience and that would be it.
They’d also all known that when it happened there was a 90 percent chance it would be because of Ollie.
The other 10 percent chance was that it would be because of Ollie and Dax together.
And now it had finally happened.
If it came down to choosing between him and Piper, he wasn’t sure he wanted to know how that debate would end up. Or how short the discussion would be before they decided they wanted and needed her more.
That was only one of the reasons he hadn’t told them yet.
The other was because he was still processing the part where she’d said she loved him.
What was he supposed to do with that?
She wasn’t just supposed to say that out loud right to him, was she? He had not been expecting that. The guys and their girlfriends had insinuated for a while now that Piper might have a crush on him but no, he hadn’t expected her to ever say anything herself.
It was a might have. A crush. Okay, they were adults and maybe adults didn’t have crushes exactly, but everything anyone had said suggested that it was just that Piper thought he was interesting at times and that she didn’t hate spending time with him.
But a crush wasn’t love. For fuck’s sake.
And it had to be Piper?
Piper Barry was amazing. She was gorgeous. She was smart. She was capable. She could do anything. She was funny and sweet and sassy and tough.
She was intimidating as hell.
What was he supposed to do with her now?
What was he supposed to do without her now?
Well, the solution seemed pretty obvious. She’d basically given him the answer herself—I can’t be in love with you and work for you. And the only one of those two things I can change is the working for you part.
So he needed to get her to not be in love with him anymore. Then she’d come back to work and all would be fine.
Now he just had to get her to realize she could do a hell of a lot better than him.
Of course, he’d been a pain in her ass for five years now. If that didn’t do it, he wasn’t sure what would.

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.

Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin

Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF

Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3a3rnm4

Instagram: http://bit.ly/36NqV9y

Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo

Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list:

http://bit.ly/38a5Fv5

BOOK REVIEW for "Knight's Absolution (Knights of Hell, #5)" by Sherilee Gray

 

Knight's Absolution

(Knights of Hell, #5)

by Sherilee Gray

Loyal and deadly, Gunner has fought tirelessly alongside his brothers in the war between Heaven and Hell for the one reward he craves: a beloved mate of his own. But darkness snatched her away. Now she haunts his dreams, and his longing for a female lost to him forever is tormenting him to the edge of sanity.

Luna risked everything to help the brutal warrior who should be her enemy — and lost. Now trapped in a cell and punished relentlessly for her betrayal, her wish for death is bested only by an intense desire for the man she cannot have. When he finds and rescues her, it awakens a part of her she never knew existed.

But the monster who held her captive will stop at nothing to get Luna and her powers back, and those she loves most are in terrible danger...

~ BOOK REVIEW for Knight's Absolution ~

****(4) out of 5 

For months, Gunner wakes every day with screams of agony echoing through his dreams, with no idea why.  It isn't until later that he learns it is Luna whose pain he has been feeling.  She isn't dead as he had feared, just trapped and hidden in every way possible.  Amazingly, he finally makes his way to her, only to find her mostly dead.  He slowly nurses her back to health, but they face many challenges ahead of them.  Not the least of which is having to wade through all the luggage from her horrific past.  Their lack of communication and mutual feelings of unworthiness don't help matters any either.  Just as they finally seem to be forging a meaningful relationship, Luna is stolen from Gunner again, with no clue where she's been taken.  Luckily, although there is some angst to wade through, she isn't in quite as much danger as feared. 

Gunner and Luna's tale is main plotline of this book, but it is far from the only one.  There are other couples and individuals who are revealed in brief snippets of story that hint at much to come in the future.  And, of course, there are glimpses of couples who featured predominantly in prior volumes.  Apparently, there is one last volume to be had in the series, and I for one can hardly wait for the culmination of all these tales; I'm hopeful that it wraps up many of the outstanding plot points, and in a way that is more uplifting than has been much of the overarching storyline here.

I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.

BOOK REVIEW for "Foreplayer (Rookie Rebels, #4)" by Kate Meader

Foreplayer
(Rookie Rebels, #4)

by Kate Meader

Publication date: Dec 29th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The next Rookie Rebels novel

Featuring Mia Wallace, Vadim Petrov’s sister!

She’s all grown up and ready to play . . .

She’s got game everywhere but the bedroom. Enter the player who knows exactly how to grade her curves . . .

After a very public breakup and a viral post that declares him the villain, power forward Cal Foreman is taking a timeout from women and relationships to focus on hockey. When Chicago Rebels captain and old friend, Vadim Petrov, “volunteers” him to help train Vadim’s sister Mia, Cal figures he can do a favor for a pal and get ready for the season with his new team. But the imperious Russian would slice a skate blade through Cal’s internal organs if he knew what lessons Mia really wants.

Yeah, not that kind of stickhandling.

Hockey phenom and Olympics hopeful Mia Wallace needs help seducing the man of her dreams. That man is most definitely not Cal Foreman: notorious playboy, thorn in her side, and her brother’s bestie. But surely a guy with his reputed skill set has a few tips on how she can nail her target — which makes him the perfect foreplayer.

Cal knows Mia sees him as merely the warm-up act in her grand plan to win another man, but as they spend more time together, he wonders if that’s enough.

If they could be more.

And if he could convince her he’s worthy of the starting line-up... in her heart?

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks / Kobo

~ BOOK REVIEW for Foreplayer ~

****(4) out of 5 

It is a little odd at first glance that Mia would choose Cal to help her figure out what men like.  Just prior to this they have some, um, interesting exchanges, in which they don't exactly come across as each other's biggest fan.  Mia especially does not seem all that impressed with Cal, for... reasons.

It does help that this is a dual point-of-view book, so we are privy to the inner dialogue of both main characters.  While neither appears all that interested in the other, or even wants to admit it to themselves for quite some time, the fact is that they are quite attracted to each other from pretty much the beginning of their interactions.  

Both Mia and Cal have quite a bit of emotional baggage that they bring to the table, not to mention outside influences affecting their perceptions of and reactions to things.  But luckily they are at least able to set aside those things and work together.  Their training sessions really help each other to perfect their game in preparation for the competitive events they both face.  Not to mention that they soon become fast friends.  Things just seem to progress naturally as they come to realize that the other person just gets them in ways that no one ever really has before.  Their evolving relationship is a joy to watch.

As an added bonus, as with all the books in this standalone series, we are treated to glimpses of other Rebels members, past and present.  And there are some new people who've been added into the mix as well.  I was entirely suspicious of Tara's motivations throughout the entire book, but she did appear to end up being a legitimate friend to Mia.  And Reid Durand comes across as a jerk, but he's always been nice to Mia, and actually ends up being quite supportive of Cal.  Additionally, there are several canine characters throughout the book who I just adored.

Overall, a very fun and entertaining romantic comedy read with a well-deserved happily-ever-after.  I hope the author continues to share with us stories of the other team members for quite awhile to come.  

I received a free eBook copy of this title from the author, 

and have willingly provided an honest review.

—

EXCERPT:

With a stony glare, he headed to the kitchen and removed a bottle of water from the fridge. “I don’t drink the devil’s bubbles.”

The devil’s bubbles. Cute. “You should use a water filter instead of these one-shot deals,” she said. “It’s terrible for the environment.” She unscrewed the cap because she was a hypocrite and her throat was bone dry.

He took the water from her after she’d downed a quarter of it and put it to his lips.

And drank.

She watched, mesmerized. Her lips had been there, right there, and he was … treating her like one of the guys. This boded well for their upcoming buddy chat.

“I need advice.”

He passed the bottle back to her and headed out to the living room. “Okay. Come sit.” He patted the seat beside him. She could sit where his hand had touched and it would be like her … no. What was wrong with her?

Surely she wasn’t attracted to Cal Foreman. While she could see the appeal—the man had a rough and ready sexual charisma and Tara had talked him up in the sex department—he was not her type at all. Not that she had a recognizable type but she knew it wasn’t this.

She took a seat one cushion over and placed the bottle on a Quebec Royals coaster on the coffee table.

“Is this about your tryout?” he asked.

“No.”

“Vadim?”

“Why would it be about Vadim?”

He squinted at her, obviously annoyed she was skirting the main event. “I assume he’s being his usual big dick brotherly self, so you’re here to learn how to handle him. Or vent about him.”

“No. I mean, yes, he’s being his usual big dick brotherly self but that’s not why I’m here.” Ah hell, here goes. “I like someone, and I need advice about it.”

He inhaled a deep, give-me-strength breath. “Mia, I’m flattered but—”

“For the love of Gretzky, not you, Foreman.”

His brow darkened. “Is it someone on the Rebels roster? Because Vadim won’t like that.”

“God, no. Hockey players, ugh!”

“Present company excepted.”

She shook her head vehemently. “Present company most definitely not excepted. You and your ilk are so not what I’m interested in.”

He grinned and leaned back as if … oh, God … he was presenting all the action below the waist area. He actually liked her diss of his species. Probably saw it as a challenge.

“What’s so funny?”

“I love how you act like being with a jock is so beneath you. You’re a jock, Mia. You’re one of us.” He waved casually between them.

“Okay, but that’s only because I like sports and I’m excellent at my chosen one. However, I don’t have that jock brain cell that you all share and pass like a puck to each other on the ice.”

“I suspect I’m not smart enough to completely understand that, but did you just call me dumb?”

“If the skate fits.”

That made him laugh. It was a nice, warm, wrap-her-up-in-a-sweater laugh and she almost felt bad for calling him stupid because he wasn’t stupid. Not at all. Apparently he read books as big as toasters. But like his hockey brethren, he did have a one-track mind which is what she needed to groove into right this minute.

“So, how can I and the jock brain cell I’m currently renting from the cell pool be of service, Mia?”

“I like someone.”

His brow furrowed again. “Right, you said, but not a player. Because players, dummies, yes?”

She rolled her eyes. “Yes. This guy is kind of, uh, sophisticated, I suppose. And experienced. More experienced than me. I want to know what guys like.”

At which point dumber than a box of pucks Cal Foreman burst out laughing.

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.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

FREE BOOK: "Hoops Holiday" by Kennedy Ryan

 ✮ ✮ ✮ HOLIDAY FREEBIE ✮ ✮ ✮

Looking for the perfect holiday read? This one is a slam dunk. ;) 

Hoops Holiday,

a Hoops Series Novella

from USA Today bestselling author Kennedy Ryan,

is FREE for a limited time only!

Don’t miss out! Grab your FREE copy today! 

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2S1Q20Q

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HoopsHoliday

A jock, a journalist and a second chance...

MacKenzie Decker was a question Avery never got to ask, much less answer.

They met when she was a young reporter fueled by ambition, and the ink on Deck's first NBA contract was barely dry. Years later, they've climbed so high and lost so much, but one thing hasn't changed. The attraction that simmered between them in a locker room before is still there. With success like theirs, everything has been possible... except them.

That was then.

But what about now?

*Hoops Holiday Collection consists of FULL-COURT PRESS, a HOOPS novella originally published in the TEAM PLAYER Anthology. It has been expanded with all-new, never-before-published content & epilogue.

BOOK BLITZ for "The Christmas Spirit" by Alexandrea Weis

The Christmas Spirit
by Alexandrea Weis
Published by: Rosewind Books
Publication date: October 27th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

“Ghostly occurrences and ancient folklore make this feel like a modern, romantic twist on A Christmas Carol.” ~Library Journal

SOMETIMES IT TAKES ONE BROKEN HEART TO HEAL ANOTHER.

Courtney Winston is a writer on a deadline. Eager to finish her book and get over a recent break-up, she ditches Christmas with her family and retreats to a secluded cabin in the mountains.

Appliances rarely work, and cell service is spotty, but Courtney senses there is more to her rustic rental—something dark and haunting.

Then Peter, the attractive Stone Mountain Lodge owner, and a meddling cook, Mrs. Finn, keep coming around, shattering her peace and offering advice on how to fix her heavy heart.

Courtney grows closer to Peter, but Mrs. Finn warns her of his troubled past. Undaunted, Courtney sets out to win him over. But being with the brooding stranger may end up costing her more than she ever imagined.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Peter collected the chopped wood and set it on top of the pile against the house. Then he went around a corner, still not looking at her.

She waited on the step, refusing to go after him, but not mad enough to head inside and get out of the cold.

When he returned, he had three more heavy logs in his arms. Peter dumped them by the stump, keeping his eyes on the wood.

“Good morning,” she said, unable to stand the silent treatment any longer.

He ignored her and set one of the logs on the stump. He lifted his ax, centering the blade over the wood.

The ax came down, perfectly splitting the log in two. He worked methodically as he retrieved one of the halved pieces.

Another thunk cleaved the wood into smaller portions.

“Are you still mad about me beating you?”

He collected the pieces and brought them to her woodpile, keeping quiet.

She folded her arms, growing annoyed.

“I didn’t do anything to you that isn’t done a hundred times a day in any hockey rink across the country.”

He picked up another log and set it on the stump.

The heat in her cheeks rose. “Was leaving me in those woods your way of getting even? Well then, congratulations. One cheap shot deserved another.”

He lifted his ax and ran his hand up and down the handle. “I didn’t leave you. I made sure you could follow me back.”

“Am I supposed to be grateful to you for scaring me to death?”

He poised the ax blade above the log. “You’re not dead. Not even close.”

A loud crack reverberated as the ax drove into the wood.

A slither of satisfaction coiled through her when the blade got stuck halfway through the log.

With one arm, he picked up the ax and slammed the jammed log against the stump, but the stubborn log held on. Peter’s cheeks reddened as he raised the ax again and kicked at the determined chunk of wood.

“You need to sharpen your ax,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone.

He finally looked up at her. “What would you know about chopping wood?”

She smirked. “I know a dull tool when I see one.”

Her point made, Courtney turned back into the cabin, leaving him to stew.

But the moment she shut the door, it flew open. He stood in the doorway, the vexation in his eyes mirrored the knots in her stomach.

He put his hands on the doorframe, digging his nails into the wood. “I’m not mad about the game. I’m not a child.”

She pulled her robe closer. “Then why are you acting like one?”

The harsh lines in his brow softened. “I should never have come to you. I should have stayed away and left you alone in this cabin.”

Her first reaction was to balk at his confession, but then the meaning behind his words sank in, hitting her harder than any blow from his ax.

“Is that why you ran off the other day? Because you regretted knowing me?”

“I could never regret that. You have been a shining light in my very dark world.”

Author Bio:

Alexandrea Weis, RN-CS, PhD, is a multi-award-winning author, screenwriter, advanced practice registered nurse, and historian who was born and raised in the French Quarter of New Orleans. Having grown up in the motion picture industry as the daughter of a director, she learned to tell stories from a different perspective. Infusing the rich tapestry of her hometown into her novels, she believes that creating vivid characters makes a story moving and memorable.

Weis writes romance, mystery, suspense, thrillers, supernatural, and young adult fiction and has sold approximately one million books. She lives with her husband and pets in New Orleans where she is a permitted/certified wildlife rehabber with the Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries and rescues orphaned and injured animals.

She is a member of both the International Thriller Writers Association and the Horror Writers Association. www.AlexandreaWeis.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BOOK BLITZ for "Frosting Her Christmas Cookies" by Alina Jacobs

Frosting Her Christmas Cookies
by Alina Jacobs
Publication date: November 17th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Holiday, Romance

Dear Santa, I do not want a Frost brother for Christmas.

In fact I do not want anything for Christmas—no annoying Christmas carols, no holiday family drama, and no last-minute presents.

And I certainly don’t want to be a bachelorette in The Great Christmas Bake-Off. Yes in the spirit of holiday commercialism, the bake-off is also a date-off and Jonathan Frost is the prize.

I should be hiding away with wine and snacks while waiting for Christmas to end. Instead I’m wearing a reindeer mascot costume and pretending I’m oh-so-excited to meet New York City’s most eligible billionaire bachelor!!! Just look at those blue eyes and six-foot-five tall frame!!! Don’t you want to take him home for the holidays?!?!!

Barf.

Unlike the other bachelorettes, I refused to debase myself and stroke some billionaire’s ego.

Instead, I threw a candy-cane dildo at his stupidly handsome face.

Then I laughed when he yelled at me.

Of course Jonathan couldn’t take the hint. He came around offering to put a little frosting on my Christmas cookies.

I attempted to shank him with a spatula.

He got offended and said that as a judge on The Great Christmas Bake-Off, he was just trying to help.

Sure…

Not that I’m looking for holiday romance.

Christmas is already a stressful time of the year without adding a billionaire in the mix.

Between dodging bake-off sabotaging cousins, applying for a long-shot prestigious museum internship, and trying to survive being broke in Manhattan, I’m up to my black lipstick in my own special nightmare before Christmas.

And it’s making me wound tighter than a nutcracker.

So when Jonathan offers to put some frosting on my cookies—and a few other ornament shaped parts—his washboard abs and sexy smirk start to seem like the perfect stress relief.

Especially when he offers himself all wrapped up in a bow.

So no, dear Santa, I do not want Jonathan Frost, but I won’t say no to his Christmas package!

Frosting Her Christmas Cookies is a standalone holiday romantic comedy. If you love Christmas baking, hilarious holiday hijinks, and a big thick Christmas stocking, then pick up this full-length, steamy romance novel! There are no cliffhangers but there is a very merry (Christmas!) ever after!

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Drinking alone?”

I stiffened. “I need it after dealing with you,” I said to Jonathan.

“I can’t have you in here ruining the atmosphere,” he said, spinning the barstool around to have me face him. “You’re like roadkill that dragged herself in here.”

“Ah yes, because a billionaire with delusions of adequacy is someone whose opinion I care about,” I shot back.

“I am way more than adequate,” he said, striking a pose. The glow from the expensive fixtures highlighted the slight bruise on his perfect face.

I smirked slightly.

“Like something you see?” Jonathan asked.

“Just that dildo-shaped bruise on your face,” I replied, sipping my drink. “Your company has our first meeting all over its feed. Better than the basic images you have up there now. At least people can laugh at the spit flying out of your mouth when you ran into my candy cane instead of dying from boredom at those images you’re posting.”

“You’re just jealous,” Jonathan retorted, eyes narrowing as he leaned over me. “I have one of the best marketing firms in the city working on my social media push.”

“Guess you can’t buy good taste,” I said, draining my drink.

“Says the woman wearing a reindeer costume,” Jonathan shot back. He reached out and hooked two fingers right at the neckline of the costume, pulling me forward slightly. “At first I thought you were wearing it under duress, but you’re still parading around in it. Like you said, you can’t buy taste.”

“Oh my god! Don’t touch my sister, creep!”

Now Lilith shows up.

Our friend Emma was hovering behind her.

Jonathan jerked his hand back then looked between Lilith and me wildly.

“Holy shit. Of course you’re creepy identical twins.”

Lilith and I glared in unison—or tried to. Lilith was dressed in her standard gothic garb, while I was bedecked for Christmas.

Jonathan turned on his heel to leave then looked over his shoulder at me. “I’d tell you good luck on the competition, but after your little stunt, everyone is going to put you in last place.”

Author Bio:

If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!

Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books...

Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!
http://alinajacobs.com/mailinglist.html

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Josephine Templeton for "The Christmas Mistake"

The Christmas Mistake
by Josephine Templeton
Publication date: December 1st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Dressed in nothing but Christmas lingerie, Carina has a bellhop deliver her in a gift box to her fiance’s hotel room, but the last thing she expects when she is unwrapped is to see a sexy stranger in holiday boxers who looks like he just stepped off a magazine cover – definitely NOT her fiancé! How in the silver bells was she delivered to the wrong room?

As the owner of a small flower shop, Carina’s surrounded by romance on a daily basis. Her workaholic fiancé has been distant for the past several months, so she decides to drive from Baton Rouge to New Orleans to surprise him on Christmas Eve. However, that distance between them has brought loneliness, and the mere thought of the sexy stranger plucks at her mistletoe. When she discovers the reason for her fiance’s lack of attention, will she put him on Santa’s naughty list and take the stranger for a sleigh ride?

Goodreads / Amazon

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Josephine Templeton ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

In 2014, the idea popped in my head … a woman in a gift wrapped box in front of a hotel door. I was working on my Urban Fantasy, so the idea was placed on a back burner.

Every Christmas season would spark more ideas for the story. I wrote a chapter here and there, but it wasn’t until 2017 when I had shoulder surgery did I get the drive to get it done. While recovering, I watched tons of Christmas romances!

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

Just the flavor and style of Louisiana – from New Orleans to Baton Rouge!

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

Maybe unconsciously but not intentionally.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Heather Graham!  I spent many years going to Heather’s Writers for New Orleans retreat. She had many famous writers host workshops from David Morrell (author of Rambo) to little ole me. She is so friendly to everyone and shares her knowledge with all!

5) If you could have any three literary characters over to your place for game night, who would you invite, what would you play, what would you serve, and why?

Jo Marsh from Little Women. I’ve loved this character since I first read the story when I was in my teens.  I relate to her on so many levels – name, spirit, writer, etc.

Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter from Laurell K. Hamilton’s book series because she would keep the game players in-line with her kick-butt self.

Lestat from Anne Rice’s novels, Interview With a Vampire, because he would make the game fun and interesting.

We would have to play Phase Ten, eat pizza and drink wine, beer and for Lestat – blood.

6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Never!  Books are the gateway to other worlds. They allow escapism from your troubles and worries.  They free your mind and clear your head.

Author Bio:

Josephine Templeton has six published novels that range from historical romance to urban fantasy. She has been to numerous conferences, including Heather Graham’s Writers for New Orleans, as well as a former member of Romance Writers of America.

 

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by:

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Thommy Hutson for "Write Christmas"

Write Christmas
by Thommy Hutson
Published by: Rosewind Books
Publication date: December 1st, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy

“[A] heartwarming fantasy … Christmas enthusiasts will find this hits the spot.” ~Publishers Weekly

A contemporary, holiday fantasy with a new twist on A Christmas Carol and It’s A Wonderful Life.

Abby Nicholson used to love Christmas. Until she didn’t.

After leaving Winter Glen, the small town famous for its Christmas celebration and her family’s greeting card company, Abby is forced to return to the home she left behind when the unexpected passing of her father thrusts the business into her hands.

Turning her back on the magic of the holiday beloved by her father and the town, she decides to sell the business. Signing the paperwork with the very pen her father used to create it, she is shocked to discover her hometown has become a whole new world.

One where Christmas has vanished!

Now stuck in a place devoid of hope, joy, and the spirit of the season, Abby sees family and friends altered in the most terrible of ways.

Determined to set things right, though unsure how, Abby takes out her father’s pen and begins to draw. When she realizes her art is coming to life, she sets out to recreate the holiday and bring back the most wonderful time of the year.

But some are determined to keep an iron grip on the town and will do anything in their power to stop her.

Goodreads / Purchase

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Thommy Hutson ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

--Christmas is my favorite time of the year and has always been such an incredibly important part of my life. The memories I have from growing up and the traditions I continue mean so much. All of that had me wondering what would happen if all of that went away. Not just currently, but forever: the memories, the feelings, the spirit of the season. What would happen if it ceased to exist? Who would I be? Who would those around me become? The answer to that was the story.

2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

--I don’t know that anything is hidden. Themes of love, family, and finding happiness right where you are certainly resonate on the surface. Underneath it all is doing the right thing for yourself doesn’t mean doing it at the expense of others. Finding a way to come together to cherish what you love most, with those you love most, is important, necessary, and something to work toward. 

3) Are any of the characters based on real people you know?

--Not directly, but there are always little pieces of real people—the things they say, do, or how they feel—in my characters. I want the characters to feel like people I know and understand so the reader can get to know and understand them.

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

--I have so many names to answer this question, and they can change every day as different writers come to mind, but right at this moment I’ll say: Ray Bradbury, William Goldman, Charles Dickens, Jean Shepherd, David Levithan, Stephen King, Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings, John Green, Lois Duncan, S.E. Hinton, William Golding, H.G. Wells, and Wes Craven. So, so many!

5) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

--This is a rhetorical question, right? J

Author Bio:

Thommy Hutson is a bestselling, award-winning author, screenwriter, producer, and director.

A graduate of UCLA, he began his career co-writing the story for the Warner Bros. animated hit SCOOBY-DOO IN WHERE’S MY MUMMY? He followed that with co-writing the concept and additional material for CHILL OUT, SCOOBY-DOO!

As an author, Thommy crafted a limited-edition coffee table book detailing the making and legacy of horror icon Wes Craven’s 1984 classic A NIGHTMARE ON ELM STREET. A trade version followed from Permuted Press/Simon & Schuster. His novel, the teen thriller Jinxed, (Vesuvian Books) is the first in a trilogy that has been called “A must-read for classic horror fans … Hutson could easily take on the mantle as the next Lois Duncan.” Hutson was named on the
7 Essential LGBTQ Horror Authors for Your Summer Reading Lists.

Thommy wrote the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries original film, A CHRISTMAS FOR THE BOOKS, which was the highest-rated scripted program the night it premiered. He co-scripted the teen thriller INSTAFAME (Lifetime), wrote a screenplay for an audio holiday project, and is in development on a family feature film. In addition, Thommy produced the critically acclaimed feature THE TROUBLE WITH THE TRUTH, an insightful relationship drama starring Lea Thompson and John Shea. He also produced DREAMWORLD, a quirky, romantic dramedy. He has also worked as a staff writer on a Hulu web series.

A member of the Producers Guild of America, a Saturn and Home Media Magazine award-winner, and an aficionado of holiday films as well as teen movies from the 80s and 90s, Thommy continues to develop unique, compelling, and provocative projects across multiple genres for film, television, publishing, and home entertainment.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram

GIVEAWAY!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted by: