Monday, August 31, 2020

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with M.C. Solaris for "Calypso’s Heart (Orion’s Order, #1)"

Calypso’s Heart
(Orion’s Order #1)
by M.C. Solaris
Publication date: May 15th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
If you enjoy Psy-Changeling and Black Dagger Brotherhood, this new series is right up your alley! 
Sexy shifters. Hot vampires. Intriguing immortals. Strong heroine. Sizzling romance. Page-turning plot full of emotion and excitement. Modern and fresh take on fated mates. 
Caly 
Do you dream of ridiculously hot men? Okay, maybe you do. (And yes, I’m well aware I should lay off the romance books before bed.) But do you actually ever meet those men you dream about in real life? I didn’t think so. That’s probably a good thing though because I have… And these men from my dreams have done nothing but pull the rug of reality out from under me… which was how I fell and ended up in a world that I thought only existed in romance books. 
My name is Caly (AKA Callie) and I’m just an ordinary single woman living the LA dream… paycheck to paycheck. Except whose dream is it? I’m not really sure… but it’s not my dream. Especially because I have really weird dreams… like really weird. Then again, everyone has weird dreams, right? 
Blake 
I am an alpha wolf shifter and leader of Orion’s Order, a pack of… well, not wolves. We’re an unconventional pack of highly skilled specian hunters that do one thing: hunt the evil in our world. And we were hired by SILE (Species Investigative Law Enforcement) to hunt a bloodthirsty criminal who is infamously untraceable. That was until an irresistible female brought an unexpected twist to our hunt and set things in motion… a motion that has left my pack and our world forever changed. 
Welcome to The Order and a secret world of magic and mystery, where a pack of unlikely friends find love and fight against an ancient evil force. 
Devour this addictive series at your own risk…
+ Happily Ever After
+ Steamy Paranormal Shifter Romance
+ Multiple POV
+ Mature Content 
——————————————— 
CALYPSO’S HEART is an adult paranormal wolf shifter romance. If you like swoon-worthy males, heroines with feminine strength, an engaging plot, satisfying relationships, steamy love stories, happy ever afters, and getting sucked into a supernatural story, then you’ll want to immerse yourself in the world of species!
You’ll feel right at home if you’re a JR Ward, Nalini Singh, and Dannika Dark fan. 
——————————————— 
~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with M.C. Solaris ~ 

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

There wasn’t one thing or event in particular that inspired the storyline. In fact, I wasn’t even planning on ever being an author, let alone publishing paranormal romance. Sure, I’m an avid reader of PNR and love love love it but it wasn’t in the realm of my conscious mind to write PNR. Until one day (during the January 2019 super blood moon eclipse), I literally woke up and began writing bios for my imaginary friends (AKA the characters that were suddenly in my head introducing themselves and sharing their world with me). And as soon as I started writing, I couldn’t stop. There was no plot planning or storyline strategizing. Instead, the words and scenes were in my mind, playing out like a movie and I just wrote down the stories I saw. This is how Calypso’s Heart was written. And this is also how Book 2 (Rhyker’s Key) and Book 3 (title not yet revealed) were written.

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

What a great and interesting question! Yes, definitely. I will share one in particular. :) In a sense, I believe (and was pleasantly surprised, as I was writing the story that played out in my mind) Calypso’s Heart highlights and modernizes elements of a story that has been circulating in human storytelling for ages. I don’t want to give away any spoilers but I will say that story is known as the "Bluebeard" French folktale. I was first introduced to this story in Women who Run with the Wolves: Myths and Stories of the Wild Woman Archetype by Clarissa Pinkola Estés.

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

I would say that overall there are some characters and events that are definitely inspired by things in the real world, including similar characteristics, tendencies, experiences, etc. However, one of the characters in particular, Starr, does share quite a bit in common with my sister and best friend, Marchesa. They aren’t the same person in my mind and they don’t share everything in common but certainly the strong similarities between them exist. Not only is Starr’s physical characteristics based on my sister but they are also both fiery and independent alpha females that are unapologetically blazing their own way through the world. My sister is most definitely aware of this and we often joke about it all the time—to the point where I often call her Starr-chesa whenever she says or does something that I feel is just “so Starr.”

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Ah, this is such a tough question because I can’t just pick one! ;) I am inspired by so many authors and so many things, including life experiences and lessons that either I or others experience. But I absolutely wish to start off by sharing that the first romance novel I read was the Three Sisters Trilogy by Nora Roberts. I fell in love with the genre and Nora Roberts so much that I proceeded to consume as many of her books as I could while still (somewhat) living a life. ;) Her books really were the bridge that opened me up to new authors that I love and inspire me, like J.R. Ward, Nalini Singh, and Dannika Dark. And of course, I must give a big shout out to all of the fantasy books/authors I’ve ever read, especially when growing up. Nancy Drew, J.K. Rowling, J.R.R. Tolkien comes to mind but I know there are so many other authors and stories I’m forgetting but that doesn't make them any less impactful or meaningful to my journey as both a reader and a writer.

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?

Throwing me another toughy, eh? ;) I feel compelled to share that I’m one of those indecisive people who may or may not have a mini panic attack trying to decide what to order off of a menu because there are too many choices and too many things that sound good. Starbucks seems to come to mind… And even after standing in line for a questionably long time while solely staring at their ridiculously long list of drink choices (let’s not even get to their food offerings), I still feel almost paralyzed by the sheer amount of choices by the time I walk up to the counter… which is how I usually end up just ordering the same thing.

Okay, so that was a long tangent about which characters I would invite over for game night, what we would play, and what I would serve. But I think you’ll understand why this question may be putting me in a mini panic attack and having some PTSD memories of my Starbucks trips flash through my mind. ;) There are simply too many characters, too many lovely foods, and too many awesome games to choose. And now I’m thinking that I would need to have many dinner parties in order to spend time with all the characters... which has my majorly introverted self going into a slight tizzy at the prospect of so many parties. ;)

Okay, I digress… again. Overall, I think my first dinner party would be with “the crew” — AKA the characters in Calypso’s Heart who include the males of Orion’s Order (a pack of skilled and sexy as hell hunters that each have a piece of my heart), Caly, Aleia, Keena, Starr, and Riordan. And as far as cooking goes, well, I would leave that up to Meri, the cooking queen and castellan in Calypso’s Heart (especially because I’m a terrible cook and whenever I’m in the kitchen, my partner often jokes, “Whatcha burning for dinner tonight, babe?” lol). And as far as the game goes, I would leave that up to Rhyland and Rhyker, the playful, twin jaguar shifters of Orion’s Order who love to indulge in their feline nature with pranks and games.

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

E-books? No way can you have too many! Fill my e-library up to infinity and beyond. :) Same goes for audiobooks too. But I think my currently overflowing, makeshift dresser doubling as a bookshelf collecting embarrassing amounts of dust agrees with me when I say that I may be close to hitting my limit of the amount of physical books my quaint apartment can hold at the moment (you know, without being on the next episode of Hoarding: Buried Alive on TLC).
“It has the elements you need – love, pain, heartache, action, revenge, some light comedy, etc. I thought the sex scenes were SPOT ON! Like damn those were great. I really felt immersed in it at times and I felt transported into the story.” ★★★★★ 
“The descriptions and imagery are on point. It’s easy to picture the characters and scenes. I like the multiple POV shifts to better understand and immerse myself in the character’s mind. The sex scenes are steamy and kept me turning the pages.” ★★★★★ 
“…if you are looking for a book that punches you in your face, right out the gate, with unrealistic action, tasteless sex scenes, and emotional turmoil, this won’t be it. Go watch Shameless instead. But if you are looking for something that unfolds at a pace that gives you time to decipher the characters, setting, and complexities of the story that is to come, then this is for you…” ★★★★★ 
“…at one point in the book, a group of characters are all introduced in a short amount of time. While this might not be standard protocol for fictional stories, it’s realistic. Trust that it was done with purposeful intent. Without giving away too much about the story, you get to learn about a pack of males in their environment, doing what males do…” ★★★★★

Author Bio:
M.C. Solaris’s life took an unexpected turn during the super blood moon eclipse on January 20, 2019. She woke up and began writing bios for her imaginary friends that she met that day. As soon as the pen hit the paper (or fingertips to the iPhone), she couldn’t stop. It was kind of like one of those fire hydrants, spewing copious amounts of water all over the place. The characters and their stories just flowed out of her. She is honored to be the scribe, getting to share her friends’ stories. You can read all about her gifted friends in the Orion’s Order series (Book 1 is Calypso’s Heart). 
On a personal note, M.C. Solaris is actually the pseudonym of Marina Schroeder, women’s health enthusiast and lover of all things paranormal romance (PNR) and happily ever after (HEA). When she is not curled up on the sofa with her partner’s oversized hoodie, a PNR novel, peppermint tea, and one of her three cats, you will find her either at the ocean with her toes in the sand or in a forest hugging a tree. Well truthfully? There is one more place you might find her: trolling the aisles of Whole Foods for a satisfying combination of salty and sweet while hiding in her partner’s hoodie… like any proper PNR-writing introvert. 
Want to get the latest scoop, sneak peeks, and short shares all about her imaginary friends? Go to www.mcsolaris.com and sign up for the newsletter.

Welcome to The Order! 

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Sunday, August 30, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ for "Pour Decisions (Girl Power Collection)" by Denise Wells


Pour Decisions
(Girl Power Collection)
by Denise Wells
Published: August 31, 2020



SUMMARY:

I’ve been preparing for this day for years. The biggest wine competition of my career. 
And I plan to win.

My wine? Sublime.
My presentation? On point.
My outfit? Hand-picked by my fabulous BFF with fantastic fashion sense.

Nothing has been left to chance—I’m ready to crush my competition. No pun intended.

The thing is, that judge over there? 
I’m pretty sure he’s the stranger whose bed I crawled out of this morning.

Amazon / Goodreads

____________________

The Girl Power Collection is a celebration of feminism in an unprecedented manner 
and will serve as an inspiration for millions of readers across the globe.

Over the years, men that have made landmark achievements in different facets of life 

have often been celebrated with very little stories about bad ass women 
that have excelled in their respective positions. 
While there are some works that highlight the fantastic achievements 
of women in powerful positions, 
there is no particular project exclusively dedicated 
to celebrating the “girl power.”

The compilation contains short stories with the theme of Girl Power in whichever way the author defines it for herself and her readers. The 33 romance stories are narrated in a diverse yet entertaining and inspiring way and will be released in regular intervals throughout 2020.

Friday, August 28, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ for "Killing Me Softly (Girl Power Collection)" by Krissy V


Killing Me Softly
(Girl Power Collection)
by Krissy V
Published: August 27th, 2020


A strong, kickass woman who kills men for a living. Can she find love?
Holly Sinclair is part of an elite group of women who work for a secret, confidential section of the government. She’s an assassin - the black widow of her troupe.

She has killed eleven people before they even realized they were dead. She can get into someone’s life and out again without being detected.

When her next mark has been given to her, she feels that this is different but she doesn’t know why. Owen Castle is a good looking alpha - she’s met lots of alpha men like him. She’s killed them before. They fall harder but she’s never failed yet. She doesn’t intend to fail now.

What is it that sets him apart from her other marks? Probably because she’s HIS target as well.
These two professionals are attracted to each other, but does it mean anything when they have to kill each other?

Can love win through? What happens if they manage to stay alive? The government will be looking for them. Can they live their lives on the run?



The “Girl Power Collection” is a celebration of feminism in an unprecedented manner and will serve as an inspiration for millions of readers across the globe.

Over the years, men that have made landmark achievements in different facets of life have often been celebrated with very little stories about bad ass women that have excelled in their respective positions. While there are some works that highlight the fantastic achievements of women in powerful positions, there is no particular project exclusively dedicated to celebrating the “girl power.”

The compilation contains short stories with the theme of Girl Power in whichever way the author defines it for herself and her readers. The 33 romance stories are narrated in a diverse yet entertaining and inspiring way and will be released in regular intervals throughout 2020.


Thursday, August 27, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ for "Miss Apprehended (The Coletrain Twins, #1)" by Miranda Elaine & Amie Knight

MA - RB banner

Miss Apprehended
(#1 in The Coletrain Twins series)
the all-new fun and steamy rom com 
from Amie Knight and Miranda Elaine 
is available now!

MISS A


I’ve got ninety-nine problems and all of them begin and end with the Coletrain twins.
Especially Millie Coletrain.
I don’t know whether to kiss her or spank her.
Either way, she’s mine.

Warning: This is an erotic novella with laugh-out-loud ridiculousness, insta-love, a smart-mouthed heroine, and an over-the-top alpha bail bondsman.

**Miss Apprehended and Miss Understood were previously published under the titles Jail House Rock and Wild Thing by Liberty Laine, but have been updated for re-release.

MA - AN

Download your copy today!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2QjNLyO
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MissApprehend
Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3aLIXvG
Add MISS APPREHENDED to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3g8rVK5

~ BOOK REVIEW for Miss Apprehended ~

***(3) out of 5 stars!

Millie showcases her 110% personality immediately as this story begins, and Jake does not disappoint on his end either!  Jake is supposed to be pursuing Tillie Coletrain on some outstanding warrants having to do with a few bounced checks and a missed court date.  But somehow, even though this is set in a small town where everyone apparently knows each other, Jake misses the fact that Tillie has a twin.  He does have the excuse of being fairly new to town, but it's still kind of a hard leap that he'd be pursuing a suspect for a week and not learn this about her.  Anyway. 

Talk about insta-love!  Even though Jake very quickly discovers that Millie is telling the truth about not being Tillie, by then he is already hooked.  Despite all of the bickering they do, and Millie's rather bizarre antics at times, he realizes early on that she's special; also, he thinks that he can use her to get to Tillie.  That premise actually ends up being fairly accurate, due to a mix-up by the girls in the secret code system they have been using since they were little.  But by the time Tillie makes an appearance, Jake is so enamored of Millie that he can't break her heart by taking in her sister.  (Instead, he tasks someone else with doing it, but that is an entirely different story; literally, it's the next book in this series!).

Overall, this is an entertaining, sizzling, love story with a little bit of plot and quite a bit of heart.  Definitely a fair bet for a fun and enjoyable read.  

I received a free eBook copy of this title from Social Butterfly PR, 
and have willingly provided an honest review.

Meet the Authors

MirandaElaine

About Miranda
Miranda is a loving wife and barely surviving mother of three occasionally good kids. Her hobbies include lying to herself about the calories in donuts and banana pudding, as well as running out of excuses when procrastinating. She's been an avid reader since she was a young girl. Whether she's by the pool, curled up in bed, or hiding in the closet, as long as she has a book in her hands she’s happy.

Connect with Miranda
Facebook: https://bit.ly/3f0ixa6
Twitter: https://bit.ly/3g0KOyl
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2OTH1an
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2r6CGEi
Amazon: https://amzn.to/337VRT5
Stay up to date with Miranda by joining her mailing list here: http://eepurl.com/dtnc1P
Website: https://www.authormirandaelaine.com

AmieKnight

About Amie

Amie Knight has been a reader for as long as she could remember and a romance lover since she could get her hands on her momma's books. A dedicated wife and mother with a love of music and makeup, she won’t ever be seen leaving the house without her eyebrows and eyelashes done just right. When she isn't reading and writing, you can catch her jamming out in the car with her two kids to '90s R&B, country, and showtunes. Amie draws inspiration from her childhood in Columbia, South Carolina, and can't imagine living anywhere other than the South.

Connect with Amie
Facebook: https://bit.ly/2UtTe85
Twitter: https://bit.ly/33HQ8l0
Instagram: https://bit.ly/3aekE8H
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/39aPvkZ
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IOzy8z
Join Amie’s reader group: https://bit.ly/2Jg0xL7
Stay up to date with Amie by joining her mailing list: https://bit.ly/3dltdjQ
Website: https://www.authoramieknight.com

Wednesday, August 26, 2020

BOOK REVIEW for "Prima (Vanguards, #6)" by Annie Nicholas


Prima
(Vanguards, #6)
by Annie Nicholas
Re-released: August 24th, 2020

Sugar’s choice. As a human, she’s survived falling in love with a powerful vampire, a wolf pack takeover of her city, and even a werewolf attack on her home. The last one left her broken though.

Paralyzed on the left side, Sugar fights for her independence in her day-to-day life. Her worst injury, the scars on her soul, has her pushing everyone away. Especially her vampire lover, Daedalus. How could he still love her when she is just a shadow of herself? She has always refused offers to become vampire or shifter, and to everyone’s dismay, 

her disabilities haven’t changed her mind.

It’s her choice.

Then the vampire council sends an emissary to Daedalus that changes everything. His clan brother, another Nosferatu, hands him an ultimatum. Return to his post as Prime or he’ll kill Sugar and her shifter friends. Daedalus has brought enough trouble into Sugar’s life. He won’t be responsible for more violence, so he agrees to leave Chicago.

This new threat smacks some sense into Sugar. She’s going to lose Daedalus if she doesn’t take control of her destiny. So, she insists on accompanying him to his vampire nest. A place filled with danger and where she is prey. Can Sugar protect Daedalus’ back, especially precariously balanced with a cane, from the intrigue surrounding him on his arrival home?

THIS IS A RE-RELEASED VERSION OF THE VANGUARDS SERIES FINALE!

~ BOOK REVIEW for Prima ~

****(4) out of 5 stars!

This volume focuses once again on Sugar and Daedalus, bringing us back to where everything began for the Vanguard clan.  But, while we do get to see a little of each of them, this volume focuses almost exclusively on the vampires.  Having been tasked with getting his wayward nest under control, Daedalus has no choice except to return to Pal Robi and set things right.  He fully intends to leave Sugar behind at home, seeing as he is not only just a human, but also a somewhat frail and broken one.  However, she has entirely different ideas, only realizing when she is afraid that she might lose him - one way or another - how much he truly means to her.  Sugar pulls on reserves of strength that no one guesses she had in order to confront her dangerous reality.  Of course, the fact that she's been so despondent since her injuries that she doesn't care whether she lives or dies, that may also have something to do with it.  Things do not go as planned, from little problems to big issues.  But eventually they do lead to a resolution that ends up being a happy one for the couple, once they get past their own personal issues as well.  And in the end, not only do they get their own happily ever after, but Sugar really comes into her own as Prima.  I will definitely miss this fun group of shifters, now that their stories have come to an end.
I received an eBook copy of this title from the author,
and have willingly provided an honest review.

About the Author:



Annie Nicholas hibernates in the rural, green mountains of Vermont where she dreams of different worlds, heroes, and heroines. When spring arrives the stories pour from her, in hopes to share them with the masses one day.

Mother, daughter, wife are some of the hats she happily wears while trudging after her cubs through the hills and dales. The four seasons an inspiration and muse.

Saturday, August 22, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ for "Help Desk Heat (Girl Power Collection)" by Rachel Radner


Help Desk Heat
(Girl Power Collection)
by Rachel Radner
Published: August 20, 2020


Two rivals fighting over an office promotion are pushed to the limit in this enemies to lovers romance.

Annie’s been stuck on the first floor for three years. As the only female on the help desk team, she works extra hard to compensate for what she believes to be her natural disadvantage. Every day, she walks into a boys’ club—and every day, she keeps to herself while her other male coworkers constantly question her ability.

Nobody bugs her more than John. He’s the one who trained Annie when she first got to the company, and he never lets her forget it.

When Annie discovers an opening in the networking team on the third floor, she jumps at the chance to leave this crew behind.

But John’s gunning for the promotion, too—and he’ll do anything to get what he wants. Including sabotaging her studying sessions by joining her at lunch and texting her at night.

John says he's only trying to make the peace, but Annie isn’t buying it. And, this time, she isn’t going to let him win. Even if her growing attraction toward the man starts to melt her resolve.

The heat is on.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR


Rachel Radner has been writing since first grade when her teacher handed her a journal and instructed her to write about her day. Since then, she’s continued journalling, though she spends most of her time writing fictional romances.

What inspires her the most? Well, Rachel simply writes the books that she really wants to read.

Rachel lives in Los Angeles, CA with her husband and two Golden Retrievers.

____________________

The Girl Power Collection is a celebration of feminism in an unprecedented manner 
and will serve as an inspiration for millions of readers across the globe.

Over the years, men that have made landmark achievements in different facets of life 

have often been celebrated with very little stories about bad ass women 
that have excelled in their respective positions. 
While there are some works that highlight the fantastic achievements 
of women in powerful positions, 
there is no particular project exclusively dedicated 
to celebrating the “girl power.”

The compilation contains short stories with the theme of Girl Power in whichever way the author defines it for herself and her readers. The 33 romance stories are narrated in a diverse yet entertaining and inspiring way and will be released in regular intervals throughout 2020.

Thursday, August 20, 2020

BOOK REVIEW for "The Blood King (Inferno Rising, #2)" by Abigail Owen


The Blood King
(Inferno Rising, #2)
by Abigail Owen

Ruthless dragon king Ladon Ormarr must keep his throne at all costs. And now, with war on the horizon, he’ll need a miracle. Luckily, the fates have dropped Skylar Amon right into his lap.

Except he may have met his match.

The feisty Amon sister has no fear — of him or any other dragon shifter — is brash, doesn’t stick to protocols, and regularly offends his warriors and advisers.

Skylar also has no intention of sticking around. She doesn't believe in the whole destined mates thing and believes all dragon kings to be dangerous. But if it means taking out the High King who murdered her parents, she'll put up with Ladon... temporarily.

But the fates have other plans. And when Skylar disappears in the middle of a battle, Ladon will burn down the world to find her.
 

~ BOOK REVIEW for The Blood King ~

****(4) out of 5 stars!

Less diversity in the shifter world we see in this second volume of the Inferno Rising series.  This one deals almost exclusively with dragons, although there are a handful of phoenixes and some werewolves thrown in for good measure.  

Many of the peripheral characters from the first book are back.  We learn much more of the back story for several key players here.  Kasia and Skylar in particular, but much about Ladon, as well as Brand, and others also.  Several new figures are added into the mix, some of whom seem destined to have a bigger role to play in the future.  Maul is still by far my favorite character though!

Ladon once again tries to walk a fine line between playing the hardass and being a good guy.  It would seem a very hard thing to do, but he pulls it off remarkably well.  He wants to protect Skylar and allow her the freedom that she deserves, but for a variety of reasons he is compelled to mate her very soon after their initial meeting.  She is not a big fan of dragons in general, and not especially interested in furthering their cause.  But it does happen to align with her own of protecting her family.  So after a little convincing, she gives in and agrees to mate him, hopeful that she won't kill him in the process.  

Of course, the fact that he is extremely taken with Skylar doesn't hurt his cause any!  She is incredibly attracted to Ladon as well, which makes doing what she feels is her duty that much more bearable; well, okay, actually enjoyable.  LOL!  That these two are fated mates is fairly obvious to just about everyone -- except for them! -- from the moment they first meet.  But both are so closed off and guarded, and so much else is going on around them, that it takes quite some time, and some scary experiences, for them to truly bond.  Luckily, however, they do so; and thus are they able to help save one another at times.  

This book was by and large a huge downer, as this merry little band of misfits tries to take on a much older, wiser, stronger, and more desperate foe.  Not much seems to go their way very often.  But there are some good times to be had in the midst of all the chaos and despair.  And luckily Ladon and Skylar are eventually able to admit their feelings for one another and experience their own sweet measure of joy.  

I definitely look forward to reading the remainder of the books in this series to see what becomes of the other sisters, and if they ever defeat the bad guy.  

I received an eBook copy of this title from Entangled Publishing via NetGalley,
and have willingly provided an honest review.


Author Bio:

Image may contain: 1 person, smiling, outdoor

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

Monday, August 17, 2020

BOOK BLITZ for "A Haunted Love" by Dakota Star

A Haunted Love
by Dakota Star
Publication date: August 14th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Ash detests Halloween. Three years ago, her husband’s death during the same week left her scarred. Now, all she desires is a simple, ordered life in the small town of Humble, Connecticut and time with the cutest boy ever – her nephew. That becomes impossible when her sister brings a handsome soldier, Cole, to her door. From the moment they meet, Ash has a hard time ignoring his good looks and those intense gray eyes that have seen enough war and heartbreak to fill a lifetime. What starts as a mutual attraction and a romp in bed leads Ash to face her demons. War has left Cole with more than just physical scars as well. But does serendipity, a ghost, or something sinister have other plans for them? When someone starts stalking Ash, Halloween turns to horror. Does Cole have what it takes to incinerate Ash’s doubts and keep her safe?

Excerpt:

“Do you mind if I stay and finish my coffee out here?” Cole asked.
Was this another significant decision in her life?
She could go on the way she had been for the past three years and ask for her privacy or admit to herself she was curious about and attracted to Cole. If she let him stay, it meant that she wanted to explore what might be between them.
Was she ready to move on and think about a date? If she allowed him to stay, this had the makings of more than an accidental meeting.
She decided she was overthinking. “Sure. Rambo appreciates your company.”
“And you?”
“I can tolerate it.”
He grinned at her snark. “How was the rest of your day after we met at the beach?”
“Rather boring. I did some grocery shopping and took Rambo to the dog park. You?”
“I went to the gym and explored a little bit. There are some excellent parks and hiking trails not too far away. Do you hike?”
Memories flashed before her eyes before she answered. “I used to hike often when my husband was alive. Rambo was just a puppy and even crazier than he is now. Not so much lately.”
“Do you think you’d want to? I love to hike and learn more about the area but could use a guide.”
“Maybe.” She didn’t want to make a commitment she couldn’t keep.
“This is the perfect time of year with the foliage and the cooler temps,” he pressed. “You should take at least one trek in the woods.”



Author Bio: 
Dakota Star lives in Connecticut with her husband and two daughters. Both her daughters have finished college and moved away so her dogs, cats, and retired horse now keep her busy. When not outside hiking or horseback riding, she loves to read and travel. 
She has worked as an editor, a freelance writer for local newspapers, and an educator at local environmental non-profits like aquariums and The National Audubon Society. 

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Sunday, August 16, 2020

BOOK BLITZ for "Cursed (The Immortal Heart Academy, #1)" by Magen McMinimy

Cursed
(The Immortal Heart Academy, #1)
by Magen McMinimy

Publication date: August 10th, 2020
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance
The heirs born of a daughter’s treachery will see their true loves demise. 
Kyra has always known where her future was headed… A love that will lead to her death, but one she will gladly embrace and relish, as long as the Fates see fit to allow. As the omniscient daughter of an elite class of warrior, Kyra is ready to welcome all that her lineage has afforded her. Including the love of her best friend. 
Makiah has watched every step he’s ever made, with the eyes of the Underworld posing a constant threat, and the weight of a family curse given life nearly a millennium ago breathing down his neck, he can’t afford to make mistakes. 
Now that the Immortal Heart Academy has reopened and the next generation of guards and warriors are being recruited, Kyra, Makiah and their friends are busy working through the rigorous training, while struggling to find their place among their peers. As spring finds its way to the Middle World, Makiah’s determination begins to falter, after he pushes the one woman he’s always loved further away, and the reality of a lonely existence begins to weigh on him. 
With the help of their friends, Kyra and Makiah will fight against the Underworld, the curse, each other and the outside forces that would threaten to break them all apart.

Excerpt:

“You okay?” he asked, as they found some empty space to spar.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” she snapped, throwing the first blow for him to dodge.
Makiah side-stepped and twirled around Kyra to attempt a leg sweep. She leapt over his long limb and came down with purpose, aiming for his knee. Makiah saw the pain, as her beautiful violet speckled gaze narrowed.
Pulling back, he managed to dodge the worst of the blows. Kyra’s fists flew rapidly, coming after Makiah without any rhythm or strategy, each swing was fueled by anguish. Makiah watched, as he was pushed back further and further away from the others. The lake was drawing nearer, as she continued advancing on him. Knowing he’d soon be going for a swim, he searched for a break in Kyra’s swings. Finding his opening, with little effort he wrapped his fingers around her wrists, pinning one arm against her chest, he swept behind her, restraining her other arm against her side. His thick forearm wrapping around her midsection. The valley of her lower back hit just below his waist. His lids slid shut at the contact, as she flinched, her muscles tightened beneath his hold. He felt their connection immediately, everywhere their bodies touched; small jolts sent shocks of need through his veins. Shaking his head, he drew in a heavy breath, taking her scent deep into his lungs, as he did. He knew what she was feeling, could taste the heat, the pain, and anger. He felt it too and it broke him knowing he was hurting her.
“Stop, Ky,” he ordered through the thick blonde locks that had escaped her ponytail.
He felt her tense once more, before her body gave up the fight. Her muscles relaxed under his hold. Drawing closer, with his lips just a whisper away from her ear, he spoke gentler this time.
“I’m sorry. I’m not trying to hurt you, Kyra… it’s the absolute last thing I would ever want to do.”
Kyra held her pain back, kept the tears that always threatened when she let herself feel what it would be like to lose Makiah. Let her heart feel the pain of never being loved by him.
“Don’t,” she answered quietly, her head falling forward. “I don’t see it anymore,” her voice broke with the admission.
Turning her in his arms he asked, “See what?”
She shook her head, before looking up at him, their eyes locking, as she spoke the words that would shatter her. “Us… turns out you really won’t choose me.”
His jaw ticked, as he clenched his teeth. “I can’t,” he muttered.



Author Bio: 
Magen was born in Northern California, but now resides in the beautiful city of Coeur D'Alene, Idaho with her husband, and miracle baby, Austin. She started writing as a hobby, and is thankful every day she is able to remain home and raise her son while crafting worlds for her readers to get lost in. 

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