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Thursday, May 31, 2018

New Release with $25 Giveaway: It's All About the Duke by Amelia Grey

It's All About the Duke
IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DUKE
New York Times Bestselling Author
Amelia Grey
Series: The Rakes of St. James Book 3
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: May 29, 2018
He could be a rake if he means only to steal a kiss but steals your heart as well.
Nearing thirty, the Duke of Rathburne is finally ready to make amends for the wager that caused him and his best friends such scandal, but taking on a ward who needs a husband is a feat he’s not sure he can manage. The last he saw of Miss Marlena Fast, she was a spirited little ruffian, not the sort of bride most bachelors on the marriage mart sought. But one glance at the lovely lady she has become is enough to convince him otherwise…
Orphaned young and shuffled from family to family, Marlena counts on her fierce independence and quick wits to keep herself content. Being the responsibility of a notoriously wicked duke who upended so many lives is an unexpected challenge when she realizes he arouses her decidedly feminine desire. Marlena must be careful. She has her own scandalous secret to protect. If he finds out, will it shatter her chances of a happily-ever-after with the notorious rake?

Purchase Links

Book Excerpt

Marlena felt the duke’s fingers touching her bare skin. She couldn’t have been more surprised, more intrigued, more fully engaged if his lips had actually been on hers instead of his warm touch under her chin. He wasn’t looking at her face but on his task at her throat.
She should have been frightened but it wasn’t fear she felt. It was something else.
Something far more worrisome.
It was attraction.
Inexplicable sensations stirred restlessly inside her. She didn’t know exactly what was happening. He wasn’t choking her, but she couldn’t breathe. He wasn’t hurting her, but she trembled. She wasn’t in pain, yet she had the most intense yearning and urgency inside herself for something she couldn’t describe.
“What are you doing?” she whispered, unable to look up at him.
“Kissing you deeply, madly, and thoroughly,” he mumbled and continued with his undertaking.
“What?” Her gaze flew up to his face.
He smiled down so innocently at her that for a spark of a second she thought he might be serious.
“That’s ridiculous,” she said, reclaiming her good sense. “How can you say something like that? It’s so outrageously untrue. You’re doing no such thing and you know it. You aren’t kissing me. You’re untying the knot in my ribbon which is highly inappropriate.”
He centered his attention on his job at hand again. “If you knew what I was doing then why did you ask?”
She didn’t know. How could she think properly when the duke was this close to her? The tips of his fingers touching her. She had to say something.

Book Tour Schedule

Join our upcoming book tour from June 1 - 21, 2018.
Save the date! Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the It's All About the Duke Book Page at Book Unleashed.
It's All About the Duke Tour Graphic

About Amelia Grey

Amelia Grey
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen. She's been a devoted reader of love stories ever since.
Amelia has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.
With more than thirty books published, she is a two-time winner of the prestigious Booksellers Best Award. She's also won the Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill Awards. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the Maggie Award. Amelia's books have been published in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and Japan.
Several of her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.
Official website: http://www.AmeliaGrey.com

Giveaway

WIN ONE OF TWO $25 GIFT CARDS
It's All About the Duke Giveaway Graphic
Prizes up for grabs:
2 x $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Cards
Contest runs from April 26 - June 21, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Friday, May 25, 2018

New Release with $25 Giveaway: Venomous Hunger by Mary Auclair

Venomous Hunger
VENOMOUS HUNGER
Mary Auclair
Series: Eok Warriors Book 2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Romance
Publisher: Eclipse Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018
His lust devours their worlds. Her love will free them both.
After being left for dead by her people, Aliena wakes up under the care of alien pirates. She escapes, only to be captured by a creature straight from her darkest nightmares, bent on the destruction of everything she holds dear.
An Eok warrior turned pirate, Kamal is one to be reckoned with. He is on a mission for the Eok nation, and his only goal is to find and save the humans before he can return to his life, a life he excels at. He has no intention to allow a headstrong human female to get in his way.
As Aliena embarks on a mission to rescue her uncle from Minister Knut’s clutches, Kamal is at a crossroads. If he chooses help the human, the price might well be his own life.
When the Mating Venom unleashes its torment, Kamal has to decide. Will he change his ways and claim Aliena’s heart, or is the life of an outlaw too hard to leave behind?
Publisher’s Note: This steamy, thrilling sci-fi romance is the second in the Eok Warriors series, however it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Book Excerpt

“I won’t let anything happen to any of you.” Kamal’s eyes glittered and his grin faded. “That I vow to you.”
His face lost all humor and she was pinned by the intensity of his stare. Her eyes wandered over his exotic, hard features, and she was once again entranced by the pattern of tiny bumps on his skin.
Hesitantly, like she was afraid he wouldn’t allow it, she reached for his cheek. His skin was hot under her fingertips but also smooth, the texture thicker than a human’s, but warm and pleasant. Her fingertips slid along his jaw with its myriad of tiny bumps, their formation so close and forming swirls so intricate, it was almost like a tattoo.
Kamal’s eyes gleamed and his body was unmoving. He was watching her in silence, allowing her to touch and explore.
“What are those?” Aliena asked.
“An Eok earns his warrior status by marking his body. I only stopped to spare my father’s record.”
Understanding came, fast and shocking. Those patterns, intricate and wonderful, were created by blood and blade, through an amount of pain she could not even comprehend. She pulled her hand away but Kamal caught her wrist.
“Such fragility.” He examined her hand under the moonlight. “Such beauty.”
“Let me go.”
Aliena pulled but her hand was a prisoner. Kamal’s eyes locked with hers, and he tugged her closer, forcing her hand to flatten against his cheek again.
“An Eok warrior learns to master pain.” He turned his head slightly and a kiss landed just at the base of her wrist, creating an electric current of arousal down her entire body. “One has to master pain if one wants to conquer pleasure, wouldn’t you agree?”
“I wouldn’t know,” she forced herself to answer, even though her throat was closed and her heart beat like a crazed animal between her ribs. “Pain isn’t one of my pastimes.”
Kamal’s lips stretched in a predatory grin, exposing his fangs, and a hand closed on the small of her back, pulling her closer into his male heat. His breath caressed her lips, his eyes imprisoning her like a blanket of lead.
His mouth closed on hers with purpose. It laid waste to everything she thought she knew, to everything she ever thought she wanted. This kiss was a claim, a brand on her very soul.
Kamal took possession of her mouth, his tongue sliding in and out, rubbing over hers, filling it with his taste, his scent. Her tongue answered, responding automatically. She slid it over the sharp tips of his fangs and a tangy taste tickled her taste buds. A rush of adrenaline and heat spread inside her body and she moaned into his mouth.
Kamal’s hands slid to her ass and he pressed her against his erection, hard and large under his pants. One hand slid to her front, cupping her small breast through the heavy layer of clothing. Unable to resist the sudden surge of lust, Aliena’s hand ran down Kamal’s perfectly muscled chest, then lower, along the flat of his stomach.
She held his erection, squeezing lightly.
Kamal broke the kiss, and locked gazes with her.

Tour Schedule

Upcoming Book Tour from May 30 - June 12, 2018!
Save the date! We will have a Book Tour on Venomous Hunger starting May 30! Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews and other extras about the book! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Venomous Hunger Book Page at Book Unleashed.
Venomous Hunger Tour Graphic

About Mary Auclair

Mary Auclair
Mary grew up in the quiet peace of a small rural village in the heart of Quebec, Canada.
She spent her childhood chasing butterflies and catching frogs, playing in the mud and generally being as unladylike as she could. Her love of science led her to complete a mechanical engineering degree at the Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal, where she met the love of her life.
Years later, as she enjoyed the role of full time mom to her two wonderful children, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.
She now write as much as her busy schedule allows to bring to life her inner world, filled with exotic planets, mysterious creatures and off course, hot, alpha heroes and the women who melt their hearts.
When she's not writing, she can be found in the garden, walking her dogs or playing with fire in her kitchen as a part time hit-or-miss chef.
She loves to hear from her readers, so don't be shy and drop her a line!
Official website: https://www.maryauclair.com
Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD
Venomous Hunger Giveaway Graphic
Contest runs from May 15 - June 12, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Wednesday, May 23, 2018

New Release with $50 Giveaway: Dangerous by Tory Richards

Dangerous Tour Graphic
DANGEROUS
Tory Richards
Dangerous
Series: Nomad Outlaws Trilogy Book 2
Genre: MC Romance
Publication Date: May 21, 2018
He calls no place home, and no woman owns his heart...until her!
Jace is a nomad.
An outlaw biker who likes to work alone.
Too sexy for his own good.
A killer when he needs to be.
Dangerous.
He calls no place home, and no woman owns his heart.
Until her.
Luna.
No cliffhangers!
(Jace was first introduced in His Possession. He also appeared in Ruthless)

Purchase Links

Dangerous Teaser

Excerpt

"You don't belong here." There was no fucking way I was going to watch a repeat performance of her getting off on Puck's leg.
"What?" she half-laughed, half-gasped.
"You heard me," I growled. "You don't know what you're doing, messing around with these men. They aren't known for saying no to something they want."
She huffed out a laugh. "What are you talking about?" Her tone revealed that she really had no idea. "We were only going to dance."
Her innocence only made me angrier. "Yeah, I saw your first fucking dance with Puck. You think a man gives you an orgasm and he's not looking to get inside your pussy?"
She gasped sharply. "I don’t know, Jace. You tell me. I watched you give that woman an orgasm, is her pussy next?"
It wasn't often someone dared to use my own words against me. I had to give Luna credit for not backing down and acting like the proverbial damsel in distress. She was standing her ground, and she wasn’t afraid to say it like it was. It was dark, but thanks to the dim light over the door, I could make out her expression, which was growing angrier by the second. It almost made me smile.
"You forget I got off, too," I said crudely.
Silence followed, and I wondered what she was thinking. It didn't take her long to find her voice.
"Right. Then I'd better go back inside and take care of that." She went to grab for the door knob.
"The hell you will," I snarled, reaching for her. I pulled her away from the door, gripping her roughly around her upper arm.
She pulled away with a cry of anger. "What is your problem, Jace? Why should it bother you what I do with another man? It didn't bother me while you and that woman were humping each other's brains out."
I thought about the telling look she’d had on her face when she'd been watching me with CC, the disappointment and the hurt I’d seen. I'd got off a lot of times letting a woman grind against my dick, but that moment tonight hadn't been my proudest, because I'd done it with something else in mind. I'd purposely set out to hurt Luna and teach her a lesson, that attraction for men like me meant one thing and one thing only. I called her bullshit.
"Liar!" I whispered sharply down into her face. For a minute we just stood staring at each other in the darkness, listening to the sound of each other's breaths. I swear I saw the glistening of tears fill her eyes. "We're not good men, Luna. You come on to one of these men, let him expect something more, and he'll take it, whether you want to give it up or not. That's their fucking world. If that had been me you were rubbing up on, I would have taken you out back and fucked you up against the wall."

Other Books by Tory Richards

Be sure to also check out Book 1 of the Nomad Outlaws Trilogy series.
Ruthless
Ruthless
Four years ago Rebel claimed Ginger to keep them both alive, and then she disappeared. Bike Week at Daytona Beach brings them back together. He's a dangerous nomad. A ruthless killer. But he's her addiction, and she's his. Can they keep the past where it belongs and move forward, or is it too late?
"Lots of excitement, a good deal of HOT steamy sex, a happy ending, and a sequel to look forward to! What more could a die hard fan ask for?"
- Margaret S., Amazon.com Reviewer

About Tory Richards

Tory Richards
Tory Richards is a fun-loving grandma who writes smut with a plot. Born in 1955 in the small town of Milo, Maine, she's lived most of her life in Florida, where she went to school, married, and raised her daughter. For many years life got in the way of her dreams.
Penning stories by hand at ten, and then on manual typewriter at the age of thirteen, Tory was a closet writer until the encouragement of her family prompted her into submitting to a publisher. She's been published since 2005, and has since retired from Disney to focus on family, friends, travel and writing.
Social media links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD
Dangerous Giveaway Graphic
Contest runs from May 21 - 27, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Saturday, May 19, 2018

Pre-Order with $25 Giveaway: Untamed Hearts by Colleen O'Connell

Untamed Hearts Tour Graphic
UNTAMED HEARTS
Colleen O'Connell
Untamed Hearts
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: June 4, 2018
Two destinations lead to one destiny
Fleeing her wavering feelings for her fiancé, Taryn Ashford boards a westbound train to visit relatives. Her journey awakens unbridled passion with the dangerously handsome, Jared King. When Jared is accused of murder, she is faced with providing him an alibi at the risk of her own reputation. Did he use her to save himself or can she trust her heart – and him - to discover the truth? A truth they must work together to reveal.
Gunman, shooter, the brand is Jared King’s life. His skill with a gun creates an existence forever searching – searching every face for the bounty hunter in constant pursuit, for the settled life he is certain he will never find and for one woman’s love. Taryn Ashford, jeopardizes his need to remain emotionally detached. She represents the happiness denied him, but if he pursues her, will he risk both their lives?

Upcoming Book Tour

Join our upcoming book tour from June 12 - 25, 2018.
Save the date! Join us and visit our tour stops daily as we share more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and and other extras about the book! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Untamed Hearts Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Colleen O'Connell

Colleen O'Connell
Colleen has been an avid reader her entire life and has a particular love of the historical romance genre. Having enjoyed reading romances early on, she began writing them herself when she wanted the stories to take a different turn and determined the only way to achieve it was to craft her own. She currently lives in Northern Kentucky and has a background in Human Resource Management.

Giveaway

WIN $25 GIFT CARD AND MORE
Untamed Hearts Giveaway Graphic
Prizes up for grabs:
1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
2) Bookmark of Untamed Hearts
Contest runs from May 17 - June 25, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Friday, May 18, 2018

$1.99 Book Promo with $25 Giveaway: Last Night with the Duke by Amelia Grey

Last Night with the Duke Tour Graphic
LAST NIGHT WITH THE DUKE
New York Times Bestselling Author Amelia Grey
Last Night with the Duke
Series: The Rakes of St. James Book 1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: March 7, 2018
Could finding love be his greatest scandal of all?
The Duke of Griffin has never lived down his reputation as one of the Rakes of St. James. Now rumors are swirling around London that his twin sisters may bear the brunt of his past follies. Hiring a competent chaperone is the only thing Griffin has on his mind--until he meets the lovely and intriguing Miss Esmeralda Swift. In ways he could never have expected, she arouses more than just his curiosity.
Esmeralda Swift considered herself too sensible to ever fall for a scoundrel, but that was before she met the irresistibly seductive Duke of Griffin. His employment offer proves too tempting for her to resist. She can’t afford to be distracted by his devilish charms because the stakes are so high for his sisters’ debut Season. . .unless one of London’s most notorious rakes has had a change of heart and is ready to make Esmeralda his bride in Last Night with the Duke, the first novel in the brand-new Regency Rakes of St. James series by New York Times bestselling author Amelia Grey.
"An enchanting and lovely start to a new series."
- The Reading Wench
"A fast-paced enjoyable romance with strong lead characters and a delightful, intriguing plot, Last Night With A Duke is a fun, engaging historical romance."
- Okie Dreams Book Reviews
"Grey charms readers with the first in her Rakes of St. James series, a tale filled with romance, fun and enchantment. A quick, charming read from a shining voice of the genre."
- RT Book Reviews

Purchase Links

SPECIAL MAY PROMO!
Get Last Night with the Duke for only $1.99. Offer ends May 31.

Excerpt

The time had come. No more delays were afforded Esmeralda. She had to face Griffin. Inhaling a deep breath, she met his steady gaze. There was no anger, no disappointment. He didn’t even look perplexed. He looked determined.
Very determined.
Frustration etched his handsome features as Griffin quietly said, “I wanted to be angry with you but...”
“But?”
“When I saw you standing in in the shadows, all I could think was, dear God, I want to kiss her. To hell with my honor, to hell with what was right and proper. To hell with what was best for you. I just wanted to kiss you.”

Other Books by Amelia Grey

It’s never a good thing when a young rake’s wicked ways come back to haunt him. Just the Duke of Griffin, the Duke of Hawksthorn, and the Duke of Rathbourne. The trio made an ill-fated wager four years ago that they are still trying to live down. But there is little hope of accomplishing that since an anonymous writer of a weekly scandal sheet keeps the fiasco very much alive. And, rumor has it some members of Society are determined to go to great lengths to make sure the chickens have come home to roost for the three dukes notoriously known as The Rakes of St. James.
Last Night with the Duke
BOOK ONE
To the Duke with Love
BOOK TWO
It's All About the Duke
BOOK THREE

About Amelia Grey

Amelia Grey
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen. She's been a devoted reader of love stories ever since.
Amelia has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.
With more than thirty books published, she is a two-time winner of the prestigious Booksellers Best Award. She's also won the Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill Awards. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the Maggie Award. Amelia's books have been published in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and Japan.
Several of her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.
Amelia can be reached at ameliagreyauthor@gmail.com

Giveaway

WIN ONE OF TWO $25 GIFT CARDS
Last Night with the Duke Giveaway Graphic
Prizes up for grabs:
Two (2) $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Cards
Contest runs from May 16 - 22, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Thursday, May 17, 2018

Pre-Order with $25 Giveaway: Venomous Hunger by Mary Auclair

Venomous Hunger Tour Graphic
VENOMOUS HUNGER
Mary Auclair
Venomous Hunger
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Romance
Publisher: Eclipse Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018
His lust devours their worlds.
Her love will free them both.
After being left for dead by her people, Aliena wakes up under the care of alien pirates. She escapes, only to be captured by a creature straight from her darkest nightmares, bent on the destruction of everything she holds dear.
An Eok warrior turned pirate, Kamal is one to be reckoned with. He is on a mission for the Eok nation, and his only goal is to find and save the humans before he can return to his life, a life he excels at. He has no intention to allow a headstrong human female to get in his way.
As Aliena embarks on a mission to rescue her uncle from Minister Knut’s clutches, Kamal is at a crossroads. If he chooses help the human, the price might well be his own life.
When the Mating Venom unleashes its torment, Kamal has to decide. Will he change his ways and claim Aliena’s heart, or is the life of an outlaw too hard to leave behind?
Publisher’s Note: This steamy, thrilling sci-fi romance is the second in the Eok Warriors series, however it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Upcoming Book Tour

Join our upcoming book tour from May 30 - June 12, 2018!
Save the date! We will have a Book Tour on Venomous Hunger starting from May 30! Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews and other extras about the book! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Venomous Hunger Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Mary Auclair

Mary Auclair
Mary grew up in the quiet peace of a small rural village in the heart of Quebec, Canada.
She spent her childhood chasing butterflies and catching frogs, playing in the mud and generally being as unladylike as she could. Her love of science led her to complete a mechanical engineering degree at the Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal, where she met the love of her life.
Years later, as she enjoyed the role of full time mom to her two wonderful children, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.
She now write as much as her busy schedule allows to bring to life her inner world, filled with exotic planets, mysterious creatures and off course, hot, alpha heroes and the women who melt their hearts.
When she's not writing, she can be found in the garden, walking her dogs or playing with fire in her kitchen as a part time hit-or-miss chef.
She loves to hear from her readers, so don't be shy and drop her a line!
Official website: https://www.maryauclair.com
Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD
Venomous Hunger Giveaway Graphic
Contest runs from May 15 - June 12, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Wednesday, May 9, 2018

New Release with $15 Giveaway: The Narrow Path by Kris Laubscher

The Narrow Path Tour Graphic
THE NARROW PATH
Kris Laubscher
The Narrow Path
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Wild Rose Publishing
Publication Date: April 9, 2018
Second chance romance that will leave you believing in the power of love.
Still mourning the sudden loss of her husband, a tearful Rebecca boards a plane to Rome. As gut-wrenching as it is to travel alone, she is determined to have the dream vacation she and her husband planned before his death. She doesn't expect to meet a sexy widower from New York. Harrison Sterling was born with a silver spoon and a trust fund and has never known love that wasn't dependent upon his last name and material things. When Rebecca voices her aversion to people of wealth, he hides his background. But he can’t hide his attraction to the widow from Philadelphia. Can these two broken hearts mend themselves and find a new path forward together or will their differences keep them apart?
" A heartwarming, moving story about overcoming grief and finding love again"
- Maria, Amazon Reviewer
" An inspiring, romantic tale of living through tragedy and finding your best life"
- krlin, Amazon Reviewer

Excerpt

Rebecca clenched her fists, her nails biting into her skin. She narrowed her eyes out the car window into the bright blue sky as exit signs flew by. Could she find the sweet spot on the window where one punch would shatter it? She’d seen it on Oprah and suddenly that useless information filled her every thought. The world had been so cruel—taking away the man she loved and leaving her with two daughters to raise alone. Ever-present magma bubbled under the calm demeanor she presented to the world.
Rebecca snorted, folded her arms into her chest and curled herself into a tight ball to hug the door. Her mother pushed her into this car, and she would have to pull her out.
When the car passed under the sign for the airport, Rebecca blinked away a tear, shook her head and sighed.
Her mother stopped the car at the Departures curb and reached out to take Rebecca’s arm. A sad smile tugged at her lips. “Are you sure you want to go?”
“Yes, Mom.” Rebecca turned to her mother and rolled her eyes like a spiteful teenager. “We’ve been over this before. It’s time I start moving on, and going to Rome is the first step.”
Her mother’s wrinkled hand squeezed her arm tighter. “It will do you good to get away. You’ve been looking forward to this trip for your whole life. You put pictures of Italy on the walls of your bedroom. You begged me to take you.”
Rebecca pulled her arm from her mother’s grasp and reached for the door handle. “It’s just so hard to accept that I am going alone. I was never supposed to be going alone.”
Her mother latched her hands onto the doorframe and pulled her aging body out of the car. She walked around the front and stood next to the passenger door. Rebecca remained motionless. Her throat was raw and her body vacant. How did I get here? She belonged at home with her husband, tangled in their bedsheets, listening to the girls making breakfast downstairs.
After a few moments, Rebecca unlatched the seatbelt, planted her feet on the pavement and drove her heels into the ground. As she rose, her mother’s flowing white hair filled Rebecca’s field of vision. Her mother’s hands gripped Rebecca’s shoulders. “Jack would have wanted you to go.” She stared Rebecca in the eyes.
Rebecca glared back with pursed lips. Her mother couldn’t know what Jack wanted her to do. She wasn’t sure of it herself and she’d been married to him for fifteen years.
Her mother pulled her into a hug—but not the way she used to hug her. The hugs had once filled her with love and warmth, but now she hugged her the same way everyone else did—like she was glass. Like, if they hugged her too hard, she might break. Since suddenly losing Jack three years ago, nothing felt the same. Hugs felt distant. Colors faded...

About Kris Laubscher

Kris Laubscher
Raised in Northern California, I now live outside Philadelphia with my husband and three kids. I spend my days working as a part-time paralegal and part-time tax collector and spend my nights working on my next novel.
Official website: http://krislaubscher.com
Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway

WIN $15 AMAZON GIFT CARD
The Narrow Path Giveaway Graphic
Contest runs from May 7 - 13, 2018.
In partnership with
Book Unleashed Logo

Friday, May 4, 2018

Book Tour with Excerpt and Giveaway: Don't Look at Me by J.P. Grider

A reverse Beauty and the Beast tale;
because why SHOULDN'T the boy fall in love with the ugly girl?
Don't Look at Me Tour Graphic
DON'T LOOK AT ME
J.P. Grider
Don't Look at Me
Genre: New Adult Romance, Suspense, Folklore
Publisher: Fated Hearts Publishing
Publication Date: March 29, 2018
Haven:
A diligent hand carved this hole in my face.
It stole my confidence, my identity, and ended my short-lived career as a broadcast journalist.
I am now unemployed. Alone. Ugly.
And expected to get over it and move on.
Go on living life as usual—as if the world doesn’t judge the grotesquely unattractive.
Quest:
It’s been three years since I was kicked out of the Army for nearly killing the opposition’s militia commander with my bare hands.
I am now unemployed. Alone. Angry.
And expected to forget the nightmares that hold me hostage and move on.
Go on living life as usual—as if the world doesn’t judge a dishonorably discharged ex-soldier.
Don’t Look at Me is a modern-day Beauty and the Beast tale—reversed and twisted. Because even the ugly need a good story, and even the beautiful are ugly deep down.

Selected Reviews

"This is one of the best contemporary retellings of a fairy tale that I have read, ever..."
- Carrie Griffin
"...A real emotional read with a touch of drama and suspense. Who is behind the vicious attacks on local women? So not just your run of the mill- boy meets girl love story."
- Pauline Anne
"...It is so good, I could not put it down...This book drained me emotionally and left me stunned for a few hours after reading it..."
- Trisha

Purchase Links

Book Excerpt

(This is not the warm and cheerful Mr. Vescovi)
I drive to the bookstore, wishing I’d see Mr. Vescovi behind the desk, with his silver-white hair, stark against his olive skin. His big smile greeting me in his slightly broken English. “Mia bella, how lovely to see you today.” My heart is heavy with the longing to hear his voice one more time.
Parked out front, my stomach uneasy, the dark store adds to my grief. Undeterred, I step onto the pavement and walk up to the window. Peeking in through the glass door to see if anyone is inside, a cold chill runs up the back of my sundress. The store is dark, lifeless.
I walk to the corner of the building and take a peek through Mr. Vescovi’s display of Little Golden Books mixed in with classic children’s books such as Charlotte’s Web, Where the Wild Things Are, and The Complete Tales of Winnie the Pooh in the large window. A light is on in the back storage room, so I figure someone is probably here after all.
“Hello, hello,” I say in vain, as if anyone can hear me through the glass. Instead, I ball up my fist and knock hard on the window. “Hello. Is someone in there?”
A dark shadow appears in the storage room doorway, so I rap the glass again and wave. “Hello. Hello.”
The tall image with broad shoulders and large torso raises his hand and waves me away.
I find myself suddenly pounding the glass, going from using my knuckles to my whole fist.
I see him, rather than hear him, say something as his hand flies at me in another go-away gesture.
I don’t relent and continue rapping on the glass until the figure moves forward, revealing himself to be even larger than I’d first thought. The dark tee-shirt pulling across his chest exhibits the muscles that help contribute to his size.
“We’re closed,” he shouts loud enough for the man standing on the corner, taking a drag off his cigarette, to look in our direction.
My adrenaline high, I flap a finger toward the door, signaling for him to open it and let me in. Again, he shouts, “We’re closed.”
At this point, a pride of lions couldn’t stop me from entering Mr. Vescovi’s store, so I continue knocking until he finally unlocks the door and pushes it open an inch or two. How generous. “I said, we’re closed.” This is not the warm and cheerful Mr. Vescovi. This man may be tall, handsome, and twenty-something, with eyes the color of a Van Gogh sky and hair as black as midnight, but he is the complete opposite of his gentle-hearted predecessor.
“What do you want?” he growls, his voice is deep, charred from either years of tobacco use or a lifetime of yelling at people.
“I’m Haven Quinn.”
“I don’t care if you’re Angelina Jolie. We’re closed. Indefinitely.”
“But. I’m Haven—”
“Yes. You’ve stated that,” he interrupts.
“Your grandfather named me in his will.”
If I think that piece of information will bring out his warmer side, I am mistaken. Pushing open the door a few more inches, so he can scrutinize me from head to toe, he lets spill his assumption. “You’re a little young for my grandfather, aren’t you?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why else would he leave you a collection worth five hundred and forty thousand dollars?”
“Five hundred and forty thousand!” I blurt childishly. “I think you have the wrong person. Your grandfather left me an Ernest Hemingway book. One.” I doubt it's worth five hundred and forty thousand dollars.
“No,” he sneers. “It’s you. Besides that one book, he also left you my entire collection of signed first edition Ernest Hemingway books. Totaling about five hundred and forty thousand dollars. Those books are the most expensive collection he had,” he continues through gritted teeth and fluttering nostrils. “I hope you were a good lay, and it was worth it for him.”
“You don’t even know me to make that kind of assumption.”
“I know your type, gorgeous. You get by on that long golden hair, those deep brown eyes—” He eyes my body top to bottom again. “—those long lean legs. You expect the world to cater to you, and you don't care what you have to do to get what you want. Including getting old guys off in exchange for their fortunes.”
“Who the hell do you think you are?” My two inch heel grinds the cement step. A stinging warmth of perspiration collides with the salty tears forming on the rim of my burning eyes. Reality hits me in an instant. Forever gone is my kind, old friend, mentor and nurturer who shared my love of books. I fling open the door and hold my hand flat against it so he can't pull it shut. “Your grandfather is probably looking down on you shaking his head in disgust. I don’t need the Hemingway book. I’m just here out of respect for a dear friend.” I turn on my heel and walk away, heartbroken for a man I’ll never have the pleasure of talking with again and maddened by a man I hope never to see again.
Not ten feet from the door, my hopes are already dashed.
“Wait.” Not even a please.
“What?” I say with just as much contempt when I turn around.
“Sorry I was rude, but a half-million dollars is a lot of money.”
He expects me to respond, but I turn back around and take a step toward my car.
“Maybe—” he shouts so I stop walking. “—we can discuss this pathetic stipulation further. When I get back from California.”
Once again, I turn to face him and sigh. “I don’t even know what you’re talking about. I received a phone call from a Mr. Samuel Hart saying that I was to pick up the Green Hills of Africa book that Mr. Vescovi left me. He never mentioned anything about a five hun—”
“Right. Well, there’s a bit more to it. I don’t have time to get into it right now, I gotta be to the airport in an hour, but can we meet in two weeks? I’ll bring a copy of his will.”
“Fine.” Aside from being a regular customer, it doesn’t make sense that Mr. Vescovi would leave me anything, but I can’t just ignore his grandson, rude as he may be.
“Is there somewhere we can meet around here?”
“Oh. We’re confirming plans now?”
“Unless you want me to guess where you’re gonna be.”
Jackass. “I can give you my phone number.”
He holds up his hands. “No pen.”
“Cellphone?”
“Not on me.”
What. An. Ass. “Fine...There’s a diner on route 206 in Branchville. Jumboland.”
The guy snorts. An immature ass.
“So I just need a day and time,” I say.
“Monday the twenty-sixth. 7 p.m.”
“I work in the evenings.”
“Doing what?”
“None of your business.” My voice cracks. Betrayer.
“I can find out on the internet if I really want to.”
“Be my guest.”
“Does noon work?”
“Noon works.” It goes against my nature to leave a discussion without a proper farewell, but that’s exactly what I do when I turn on my heel and leave Quest Vescovi once and for all.

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Follow the book tour from April 23 - May 5, 2018.
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Don't Look at Me Teaser

About J.P. Grider

J.P. Grider
J.P. Grider is a New Adult and Young Adult author who is a sucker for a good love story - whether it's reading one or writing one. And when she's not reading or writing a fairy tale, she's living one.
Official website: https://www.jpgrider.com/
Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

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New Release with $15 Giveaway: Radio Rose by Stephanie Berget

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RADIO ROSE
Stephanie Berget
Radio Rose
Genre: Contemporary, Western Romance
Publisher: Malheur Butte Publishing
Publication Date: March 29, 2018
Radio Rose knows martians aren't real, but she's not sure about the cowboy.
Radio Rose knows Martians aren’t real.
But as a DJ on a late night talk show about Aliens, she’d never admit to being a non-believer. Talking to crazies all night isn’t the perfect job for most people, but she’s happy with her solitary life. Until a middle of the night car crash and a blow to the head has her mistaking a reclusive rodeo cowboy for a real life extra-terrestrial.
Adam Cameron escaped from his narcissistic grandfather and Tullyville, Colorado the day he turned 18. Now, ten years later, he's forced to return -- dragged into a battle over his grandfather's fortune and fighting for the future of a town he wanted to forget.
Rose and Adam are both lousy at relationships, but when his problems are too big to handle on his own, she feels compelled to help. Now in a town filled with new found friends, Rose has to decide if she’s willing to trust the loner.
" The opening chapter of this book had me laughing out loud. From there, things just got better! This was one of those books with loveable characters and a connection that makes you feel like you are right there living life with them "
- Karen @ TingsMom
"Characters Make the Story!!! Well written, good character development, and wonderful ending."
- S Rose, Amazon Reviewer

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Excerpt

“I'm Adam Cameron. I was there when you wrecked your car last night, and I brought you into the hospital. I wanted to come by and see how you were doing.”
Her eyes didn’t blink, and she didn’t move.
“Do you remember anything?”
“Not much.” She peeked at him from under her lashes then her eyes widened, and she gasped. “But I remember you. You’re one of them.” She pulled the sheet up to her eyes and peered out at him. “No, that can’t be right, because there aren't any of them are there?”
The nurse had told him the diagnosis was a concussion, but this sounded more like full on, raging paranoia.
For the first time Adam really looked at her. There were dark smudges under her coffee brown eyes. Even her olive skin was pale. A large purple lump stood out on her forehead, partly hidden behind her glossy, black bangs.
“Wait, why were you there?” Rose’s voice was a hoarse whisper. She lowered the sheet an inch.
“My rental car broke down, and I was stranded on the side of the road. I couldn't get any cell reception to call a tow truck. I tried to flag you down to see if I could get a ride.”
Incomprehension faded from her eyes as understanding moved in. “It was just you.” Rose released a sigh as understanding dawned on her face. “I remember now, and it was just you.”
“Yes, I . . .”
A blush warmed her face as she cut him off with a slight wave of her hand. “You stepped out into the road and waved your arms. You were dressed in black.”
“Yeah, that was me,” he said, his attention drawn to her pretty pink cheeks.
“And?”
His eyes snapped up to meet hers. “I thought you’d see me sooner. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt.”
“You scared the bejeezus out of me. I don't know when I've ever been so petrified. What an idiot.”
“Hey, I said I was sorry,” Adam took a step back and reminded himself she was hurt. People in pain sometimes said things they didn’t mean. Before he could apologize again, she spoke.
“I'm not calling you an idiot. Although one of the first things we learned in kindergarten was to wear light colors after dark.” She paused for a minute, closed her eyes and massaged her temples with her fingertips.
“I'm calling myself an idiot for believing the crazies I talk to all night. I must have hit my head pretty hard, because when I came to, I thought you were an alien. Wow, every awful thing I've heard on my show came rushing back to me.” She raised her eyes to meet his as she dropped her hands to her lap. “Like I said, what an idiot.”
“What show?” he asked.
“I’m Radio Rose. I host a late night talk show. Most of my programs are on alien abductions.”

About Stephanie Berget

Stephanie Berget
Stephanie Berget was born loving horses, a ranch kid trapped in a city girl’s body. It took her twelve years to convince her parents she needed a horse of her own. She developed a lifelong love of rodeo when she married her own, hot cowboy. She and the Bronc Rider traveled throughout the Northwest while she ran barrels and her cowboy rode bucking horses. She started writing to put a realistic view of rodeo and ranching into western romance. Stephanie and her husband live on a farm located along the Oregon/Idaho border. They raise hay, horses and cattle, with the help of Dizzy Dottie, the Border Collie and Cisco, barrel and team roping horse extraordinaire.
Stephanie is delighted to hear from readers. Reach her at http://www.stephanieberget.com
Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $15 AMAZON GIFT CARD AND MORE
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Prizes up for grabs:
1. $15 Amazon Gift Card
2. Three (3) eBook Copies of Radio Rose
Contest runs from May 2 - 8, 2018.
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