Wednesday, April 22, 2020

COVER REVEAL for "Experimental Marine Biology (Chemistry Lessons, #5)" by Susannah Nix


COVER REVEAL: Wednesday, April 22, 2020
Book Title: Experimental Marine Biology
Series: Chemistry Lessons #5
Author: Susannah Nix
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Cover Design: Ebook Launch
Release Date: June 15, 2020

 SUMMARY
“Just friends” is all Brooke and Dylan have ever been. (Except for that one night in high school, but they don’t talk about that.) Growing up, he was her protector. Her confidante. The one guy she could always trust.

Now she’s a marine biologist working toward her PhD in California, and he’s an underwear model in New York. Dylan’s only in town for a few days, crashing on Brooke’s couch and repaying the favor by acting as her date to a friend’s wedding.

It was totally an accident she saw him naked.

After that, “just friends” goes out the window in favor of friends with benefits.

It’s all going great… until it isn’t.

​Dylan’s got a ticket back to New York at the end of the week, and Brooke may have accidentally broken his heart. Can they navigate these uncharted relationship waters? Or has she tanked her oldest friendship?



PRE-ORDER LINKS
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2XD5SEX

ALSO AVAILABLE IN THE CHEMISTRY LESSONS SERIES:
Remedial Rocket Science
Google Play: https://bit.ly/2VuZT2h

Intermediate Thermodynamics 
**(Currently FREE this week only!)**
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3a8s9x3

Advanced Physical Chemistry
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3cxu0gz

Applied Electromagnetism
Google Play: https://bit.ly/34EE2JJ


AUTHOR BIO


Susannah Nix is a RITA® Award-winning author of contemporary romance who lives in Texas with her husband, two ornery cats, and a flatulent pit bull. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, cooking, knitting, watching stupid amounts of television, and getting distracted by Tumblr. She is also a powerlifter who can deadlift as much as Captain America weighs.

AUTHOR LINKS

COVER REVEAL for "A Touch of Malice (Hades & Persephone, #3)" by Scarlett St. Clair

A Touch of Malice
(Hades & Persephone, #3)
by Scarlett St. Clair

Publication date: April 2021
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Mythology, Romance

Persephone and Hades are engaged. In retaliation, Demeter summons a snowstorm that cripples New Greece, and refuses to lift the blizzard unless her daughter calls off her engagement. 
When the Olympians intervene, Persephone finds her future in the hands of ancient gods, and they are divided. Do they allow Persephone to marry Hades and go to war with Demeter or prohibit their union and take up arms against the God of the Dead? 
Nothing is certain but the promise of war.


Author Bio: 
Scarlett St. Clair lives in Oklahoma with her husband. She has a Master's degree in Library Science and Information Studies and spends a lot of time researching reincarnation, unsolved murders and Greek mythology-all of which made it into her debut novel, When Stars Come Out. 

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Tuesday, April 21, 2020

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Janet Elizabeth Henderson for "Rich (Benson Security, #5)"

Rich
(Benson Security, #5)
by Janet Elizabeth Henderson
Publication date: April 23rd, 2020
Genres: Adult, Thriller
Rachel Ford-Talbot has nothing to do with her family or their pharmaceutical business. And she likes it that way. As one of four partners who own an internationally renowned security business, Rachel prefers to leave her past, with all its secrets, deeply buried. 
But when a series of thefts reveal that the family business is being targeted for industrial espionage, her father begs Rachel to investigate. His illness makes it hard for her to refuse, but Rachel wonders if he truly understands what he’s unleashing on his company. Because she isn’t the same bright-eyed graduate that walked through their doors years earlier. Now, she’s strong, powerful, and somewhat terrifying. A woman who doesn’t suffer fools lightly and who is afraid of nothing. 
She also isn’t alone. 
This time, she has the might and expertise of Benson Security at her back. And an ex-CIA agent at her side—because Michael “Harvard” Carter has appointed himself her bodyguard for the duration. Even though Rachel doesn’t need, or want, the annoyingly sexy man’s help. But while the world sees a first-class bitch when they look at her, Michael sees only someone who intrigues him. Which makes him the biggest threat of all. 
***This is a standalone novel. You don’t have to have read any of my other books to enjoy it.***

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Janet Elizabeth Henderson ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

I wish I knew! 😊 Ideas come at me from different directions, but in this case, I think the main inspiration was the characters themselves. The heroine is a difficult woman. She’s bitchy, sarcastic, snobbish and very entertaining. She also has a soft side that she refuses to acknowledge in any way. I wanted to show why the hero loves her, why her family adore her, and how that inner strength of hers helps her cope with the aftermath of trauma. 

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

This book is about survival and hope. It’s about choosing to love people who allow you to be yourself. 

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

Goodness no! Once you read Rachel, you’ll know what I mean!! 😊
  
4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

Christine Feehan and Nalini Singh have had a big influence on my writing. They both know how to tell a story, they’re great at building well-rounded characters and Nalini, especially, can write the most beautiful sentences. I want to be them when I grow up!

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?

I wouldn’t mind playing strip poker with Dash Sinclair from Elizabeth’s Wolf by Laura Leigh, Hawk from Nalini Singh’s Psy/Changeling books, and Zacharias De La Cruz from Dark Predator by Christine Feehan. 😊 As for food…since both Hawk and Dash are shifters, there’s need to be meat. Possibly BBQ. 
  
6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Never!

Author Bio:
Janet is a Scot who moved to New Zealand fifteen years ago. Among other things, she’s been an artist, a teacher, a security guard at a castle, a magazine editor, and a cleaner in a drop in center for drug addicts (NOT the best job!). She now writes full-time and is working on her 19th book. Her books have won several awards, including the Daphne du Maurier award for excellence in mystery and suspense. When she isn’t living in her head, she raises two kids, one husband, and several random animals. She survives on chocolate and caffeine. 

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Saturday, April 18, 2020

RELEASE BLITZ for "Storm of Fury (Storm Warden Chronicles, #3)" by Jessica Gunn


Storm of Fury
(Storm Warden Chronicles, #3)
by Jessica Gunn
Published: April 16, 2020

SUMMARY:

My name is Vera Varrone. Not that long ago, I won a dragon’s egg in a poker game 
and when that egg hatched, everything about my life changed.

Last night, I traveled to the fae weave to rescue my family and the missing dragon hatchlings from the clutches of the Winter Court. Instead of succeeding in that plan, 
I unwillingly unleashed a monstrosity of the Old Gods on all the mortal weaves.

I don’t know if my family is alive. I don’t know what happened to the dragon hatchlings. All I know is that the person who rescued me is the person whose image I was created in. The doppelgänger secret is out. And although I am the Warden of the Storm, it's about the only thing I know for sure anymore. What's worse is neither me, nor the Lair, 
nor the rest of the weaves has time to figure it out.

All we can do now is hope to act before it's too late. Before Keir succeeds with his plan 
and the Old Gods win. Before it's all lost for good.



About the Author


Jessica Gunn is a New Adult author and avid science-fiction and fantasy fan. 
Her favorite stories are those that transport the reader to other, more exciting worlds. 
When not working or writing, she can be found binge-watching Firefly and Stargate, 
or feeding her fascination of the ancient world’s many mysteries.


Click here to read my 4-Star REVIEW of 
"Spark of Lightning (Storm Warden Chronicles, #1),"
and here for my 3-Star REVIEW of
"Strike of Magic (Storm Warden Chronicles, #0.5)."

Friday, April 17, 2020

BOOK REVIEW for "Bench Player (Charleston Thrashers, #2)" by Julianna Keyes


 Bench Player
(Charleston Thrashers, #2)
by Julianna Keyes

ALLISON

As Public Relations Manager for the Charleston Thrashers, 
I’m responsible for protecting the team’s reputation. 
But after our right fielder gets sent to prison and we lose the World Series, 
my own reputation takes a huge hit. There’s only one way I can save my job: 
by revamping Connor Whitman’s tarnished ex-con image. 
Keeping my eye on the ball isn’t a problem 
until I discover what’s underneath his unkempt exterior — 
a man who’s unexpectedly vulnerable and distractingly sexy. 
Now, my professionalism is sailing far into foul territory.

CONNOR

I’ve served my time, and now I’m determined to reclaim my spot in the Thrashers’ outfield. Unfortunately, the new General Manager doesn’t want an aging ex-con on the roster, 
so I have no choice but to go along with Allison’s annoying scheme. 
Her bossiness drives me crazy — 
but so do her legs and her hair and her all-too-rare smiles. 
I can’t afford to fall for anyone when my focus needs to be on baseball, 
but love is a game I’ve never played before, 
and for the first time ever, I’m out of my league.


~ BOOK REVIEW for Bench Player ~

****(4) out of 5 Stars

Sequels aren't necessarily my thing, and neither is sports; but that being said, I found myself really enjoying this book!  As with the preceding Charleston Thrashers story, this one also focuses almost exclusively on relationships among the characters, although in a somewhat different way than I had anticipated.  

We first met Connor at the end of Team Player when he finally deigns to meet with his best friend Ty who is having girl troubles.  Prior to that, he'd kept himself completely shut off from the outside world and his former life while in prison.  Even then he kind of comes across as a jerk, and that impression doesn't improve much for the first few chapters here.  Eventually, however, we get to know the real Connor and along the way start rooting for him.  

Allison is another character that we got to know fairly well in the prior book, but she really opens up to us here, showing more of her true self.  Instead of the all-business (and rather scary) woman that Connor has always know and the reader has come to expect, she comes across much deeper and more nuanced.  The fact that she even hooks up with Connor seems to come as much of a surprise to her as it does to him (and us).  I absolutely adored her relationship with Biff and all of their scenes, and I wish there had been more of them.  

I was expecting a lot more interaction between Connor and Ty.  It seemed rather odd to me that they really only interact for brief moments at the front and end of the book.  It was, however, interesting to see how Connor's relationship with the other players developed.

There was quite a bit of discussion about baseball topics, from positions and training to
politics and contracts.  But once again, this functions as backdrop and setting for the story, not the overall theme.  

Connor and Allison just naturally fall into an easy relationship with one another that is so enjoyable to witness develop.  Of course, there is drama and angst that occurs, mostly form outside sources, but also somewhat between these two.  Ultimately they do come through for each other when it matters most, and manage to get their happily-ever-after.  And it seems pretty likely that -- much like Connor's second chance at baseball -- they will truly appreciate it and make the most of it.  


I received a free eBook copy of this title from NetGalley, 
and have willingly provided and honest review.

#BenchPlayer

Thursday, April 16, 2020

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Kirsten Fullmer for "Love on the Line (Women at Work, #1)"

Love on the Line
(Women at Work #1)
by Kirsten Fullmer
Publication date: June 14th, 2017
Genres: Coming of Age, New Adult, Romance, Young Adult
Andrea is an ordinary girl in an extraordinary situation.
She left her comfortable home and family to take a job building a pipeline with her estranged grandpa, Buck. She’s curious about his job, and why her mother dislikes the man. She didn’t expect to uncover buried family secrets, or for the job to be so difficult. 
Rooster isn’t a bad guy. He respects women; he was raised by one of the best. But that new girl on the job is too small and feminine. She’s a distraction, plain and simple, and she doesn’t belong on a pipeline. This job is his chance to impress Buck Brennan, a pipeline legend, and no girly greenhorn is going to ruin it for him. 
Will Andrea prove herself to her grandfather and forge a relationship with the old man, or will continuous disagreements and unexpected sexual tension between Andrea and Rooster derail their hard work?

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Kirsten Fullmer ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

Love on the Line is about a girl who takes a job building a pipeline in the mountains with her grandfather. Even though this book is different than my usual genre, (sweet, small town, cozy mystery, romance) I was inspired by my own daughter who, at the age of nineteen, took a job pipelining with my husband for a summer. It was heart wrenching and hilarious to watch the two of them, and I had to write about it.
 
2) Are there any hidden (or not so hidden) themes in the book that you hope readers will discover?

This book is full of hidden themes such as resilience, modern day adventure, finding your inner strength, and resolving family issues. It’s also about making choices because they feel right for you, even though they may not be what other people would choose.

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

All of the characters in this book are based on real people. For example, Nick is based on two of my daughter’s pipeline friends who died while she worked with them; one from ALS, and the other from a four-wheeler accident. Andrea is based on my daughter and Grandpa Buck is an older, more mellow version of my husband. 

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

As a young woman I loved the book Tisha, by Robert Specht, and Mrs. Mike by Benedict and Nancy Freedman. Both books feature young women, girls by today’s standards, who took opportunities offered to them to travel and try new things. I loved seeing the strength within women, even at an early age.  I read the entire Anne of Green Gables series, by L. M. Montgomery, in sixth grade and loved them as well. All those authors inspired me to write about what lies within a woman’s heart.

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?

I’d be very interested to spend an evening with Cannie Shapiro from Jennifer Wiener’s Good in Bed. She has a dry wit I love. I’d also invite Lady Whistledown from Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, and Marilla from Anne of Green Gables. I’d serve fancy finger foods (that I didn’t make) and plenty of wine. We’d play five card stud, but I’d be good at it. The chatter and banter would be memorable, I’m sure.
 
6) Do you feel that you can ever have too many books?

Actually, I do! I travel with my husband full time in our forty-foot RV, so space is at a minimum. This lifestyle means I’ve had to learn to let go of many material things that I love, including but not limited to kitchen gadgets, lovely dishes, toys and games for the grandkids, and sewing/craft supplies. I enjoy reading very much, but I’ve learned to have faith that I know where to find the books I love. The joy is in the words and the experience, not the physical book. (I tell myself this a lot because it’s hard) I either read on my Kindle (lots of extra storage) or I read books and pass them along to daughters and friends, confident that we’ll meet again in some other place or format. 

Author Bio:
Kirsten is a dreamer with an eye for art and design. She worked in the engineering field, taught college, and consulted free lance. Due to health problems, she retired in 2012 to travel with her husband. They live and work full time in a 40' travel trailer with their little dog Bingo. Besides writing romance novels, she enjoys selling art on Etsy and spoiling their three grandchildren. 
As a writer, Kirsten's goal is to create strong female characters who face challenging, painful, and sometimes comical situations. She believes that the best way to deal with struggle, is through friendship and women helping women. She knows good stories are based on interesting and relatable characters. 

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Thursday, April 9, 2020

FREE BOOK: "Irresistible (Cloverleigh Farms, #1)" by Melanie Harlow


Irresistible
(Cloverleigh Farms, #1)
by Melanie Harlow
is currently FREE on Amazon Kindle
but only thru Saturday, April 11th, 2020!


I’m a full-time single dad to three daughters and CFO at Cloverleigh Farms. I don’t have time to fall in love—I’m too busy trying to run a business, keep the red socks out of the white laundry, and get the damn pillowcases on without owing a dollar to the swear jar.

Sure, Frannie Sawyer is beautiful and sweet, but she’s twenty-seven, the boss’s daughter, and my new part-time nanny—which means she’s completely off-limits. It’s bad enough I can’t stop fantasizing about her, what kind of jerk would I be if I acted on the impulse to kiss her?

(Exactly the kind of jerk you’re thinking.)

Actually, I’m worse than that—because I didn’t stop with a kiss, and now I can’t stay away.  She makes me feel like myself again. She reminds me what it’s like to want something just for me. She’s everything I ever needed, but nothing I ever imagined.

I’m a former Marine. I should have had the strength to resist her from the start.

But I didn’t. And now I have to choose between the life I want and the life she deserves.

Even if it means giving her up.
 

Wednesday, April 8, 2020

FREE BOOKS: the "Power of Twelve" series by Miranda Martin


All 5 books in the
 post-apocalyptic urban fantasy series 
Power of Twelve
by Miranda Martin
will be FREE 
April 8 thru 12, 2020!


It was the end of the world as we knew it.

The Third Trumpet of the Revelation sounded and the world was ruled by the Shadow. Monsters, demons, undead and worse. Humans have retreated into underground bunkers to survive the Apocalypse.

I don’t belong anywhere. I’ve always been the odd girl out. Weird shit has happened around me all my life. You’d think with the world literally gone to hell I’d fit in better but no such luck. I’m still me, still an outcast, and still all alone.

Kicked out of the only home I've ever known, the first thing I do is run into four gorgeous men who call themselves mages. Remember the weird shit always happening? It's a fleeting encounter but I just can't stop thinking about them when I get to my new home in the bunker.

When Fate doesn’t just knock on my door but bursts it open with undead monstrosities, I’m saved by Efram, Rafe, and Nathanial. A Necroseer, a Demon, and an Angel. Yep, told you shit was weird. They help me escape the fall of the Bunker, and vow themselves as my protectors. I’ve got a destiny to fulfill. I’m special. More special than I ever thought. So they say.

It’s hard going from being solitary to having so many people in my life, people I might care about, but then I meet Tynan too.

He’s dominating. Controlling. Arrogant. Powerful.

Attractive, sexy, brooding, an alpha bad boy that makes my heart race.

And a Horseman of the Apocalypse fully under the control of the Shadow. That sucks.

They say I’m the one to save the world. That’s great, but how?

Apocalypse: The Beginning is a slow burn fantasy romance with magic, dragons, demons, angels and one headstrong heroine who has to not only save the world but navigate her way through multiple relationships.

It is Book One of The Power of Twelve, a five-book series. Previously unavailable in Kindle Unlimited and published as Divine Gift.

Tuesday, April 7, 2020

FREE BOOK: "A Mermaid's Kiss" by Katie Holland


A Mermaid's Kiss
(Bay State University, #1)
by Katie Holland
is FREE on Amazon Kindle
April 6th & 7th, 2020!

Kayleigh is starting a new life as the shy college freshman on an athletic scholarship.Tired of being the 'good little virgin girl,' Kayleigh wants to explore more than just books in college.

Major is just your typical rich kid who's used to getting what he wants. Always looking for his next hot hookup, he doesn't expect to be caught up with the new girl on campus.

Upon meeting, sparks fly, but not in a good way. Kayleigh thinks he's a jerk and Major thinks she's extremely stuck-up. They agree to try to get along so he can teach the girls to surf. Their temporary agreement becomes more permanent when Kayleigh asks for Major's help with something that's very embarrassing for her. The sexual tension starts to rise as they get to know each other. Can they become more than friends or will their individual issues get in their way?

Monday, April 6, 2020

BLOG TOUR & AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Susan Golden for "All That's Hidden (Sugar Shack, #2)"

All That’s Hidden
(Sugar Shack, #2)
by Susan Golden

Publication date: August 12th, 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Pet sitter turned entrepreneur, Jennifer Albright thinks she has it all: an expanding business, a new, blissful marriage to a very sexy husband, a dog named Rupert that people frequently think is a bear, and a parrot named Sugar that Jennifer’s pretty sure is psychic. But her idyllic life begins to unravel when a series of creepy incidents threatens to sabotage the launch of her doggie day care center, and the discovery of a hidden treasure thrusts her into the world of federal agents and international thievery. The chaos soon spills over onto her home life and Jennifer reluctantly begins to suspect that her seemingly perfect, unbelievably supportive husband is hiding something from her. There’s just so much that doesn’t add up. 
Tech-mogul Ryan has found the love of his life in his adorable new bride, Jennifer. But trouble seems to follow her like a basset hound. When one strange twist of events offers Ryan an opportunity he feels he can’t pass up, he unknowingly launches himself down the road of suspicion and mistrust. But he’s got this covered. She doesn’t suspect a thing.

~ AUTHOR INTERVIEW with Susan Golden ~

1) What gave you the inspiration for the storyline?

As this is the second novel in my Sugar Shack series, I was mostly inspired to continue with the characters I had created and had come to view quite fondly. I wanted the characters to grow in their lives, give them some struggles and keep to the inclusion of a mystery/international intrigue subplot. But I also wanted to keep the not-quite-serious vibe going. This story developed rather than struck in a bolt of lightning.

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

Actually, hiding itself is the underlying theme. Throughout the story, lots of emotions, circumstances, intentions and objects are hidden. Each secret has a consequence. Some consequences are good, others not so much. Not every secret is a bad thing, but that doesn’t mean it won’t have a bad consequence.

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

Not really, no. Although the federal agents are certainly an amalgamation of people I have dealt with. I’m a psychologist and I enjoy creating the characters I need, embuing them with flaws, capabilities and quirks. Each one is unique and, in my head, is totally real.  

4) Who has influenced you most as a writer?

I came late to authorship, although I have written in journalistic style for most of my professional career. I never really aspired to be an author. I wrote my first book, Catnapped, largely just to see if I could do it. I never expected it would be long enough or interesting enough to become a novel. I found writing was fun and being retired, I had the luxury of time and not much to do. But there are lots of “rules” for fiction writing that I was completely unaware of. Creating professional works has been a steep learning curve. I found a good editor who taught me a great deal about storywriting.

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?

So, I thought about this for a good while. I took the question to mean fictional characters and Sherlock Holmes came to mind and perhaps the Scarlet Pimpernil, but I’d shudder to think of playing games with Sherlock Holmes and well, the Scarlet Pimpernil is a spy, so… I decided that if I had this one magical opportunity available, I’d much rather have authors than characters. So, here’s my invitee list: Shakespeare, Jane Austen and Eleanor Arnason. We’d play pinochle because I love to play pinochle.  Perhaps the living against the dead. We’d have a big spread of appetizers and finger foods because we are playing cards and I love to cook. It would be an opportunity to test out all those recipes for things I have few occasions to serve. Why my choices for invitees? It’s Shakespeare! I’ve got questions. Jane Austen, let me tell you how far women have come and thank you for plowing your own furrow in the way forward. Then I’d point to Eleanor Arnason and watch these two female authors interact. Ring of Swords inspired me to write a sci-fi romance which still requires an editor’s deft touch, but I’d love to hear what she thinks of the story. I’m not sure how much pinochle we’d get around to, but it would be a night to remember.

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

My husband is the bookaholic. He’s got them stashed all over. I read. I enjoy reading, but I rarely save the books I read. My husband buys hardbacks (non-fiction) and I buy paperbacks (fiction). When I’m done, I donate the ones I’ve read. There’s no great “to-be-read” pile for me except for our library’s once-a-year book sale when I stock up. I don’t think you can ever have read too many books. If you want to save them, that’s up to you. 



Author Bio: 
Retired federal government employee turned accidental author. 


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