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USA Today Bestselling Romance Author Regan Black is celebrating her new book MELODY’S SIX (Athena Project Book 5) by giving away amazing prizes to 3 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

A pretend marriage for a mission is easy… until fake kisses become all too real.

As a Special Forces soldier, Dean Turner gave everything he had to the missions and his teams. When Hank Patterson recruits him into the Athena Project, Dean throws himself into the private protection service with that same focus. After all, there’s no one waiting for him at home since his ex-wife betrayed him on every level.

Dean knows marriage is not for him. He’s better off alone. Functions best that way.

Except when it comes to his Athena Project partner, Melody Boyd. This former CIA agent is professional, talented, and as dedicated to helping others as Dean. He’s tamped down his burning attraction to her from day one—always putting their missions first.

But when a former enemy targets Mel, Dean makes her the priority. He’ll do whatever it takes to keep her safe. Even becoming her undercover husband.

If you crave sexy, adrenaline-fueled romantic suspense, you’ll love Melody’s Six by USA Today bestseller Regan Black!

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Excerpt from Melody’s Six

Dean felt more pressure with every step. He couldn’t get enough air into his lungs. He’d do anything for this job. Do anything for Mel. Take a bullet? Sure thing. Save her from a spider or snake? He’d handle it.

Be the husband for a week among strangers?

No way. He rubbed his sternum. Couldn’t do it. Too much baggage. He’d failed marriage for real. That entire fiasco had wiped him out. Financially and emotionally. He had nothing good to draw on for this op. Mel needed a reliable partner for this. He had to drag himself back in there and tell Beck to make a change.

Admitting his limits would suck, but it was better than letting down Mel.

Hank Patterson had offered him a fresh start, a chance to do valuable, positive work after his military career came to its natural end. He hadn’t expected the unique Athena Project opportunity, but he’d jumped on it. And until today, he’d loved every minute with the team as well as his partner.

“Hey, Dean! Wait up.” Mel’s cheerfulness baffled him. He’d been a jerk downstairs. Why was she pretending everything was fine?

He forced himself to stop running away. Embarrassing to admit that’s what he was doing. Turning back, he realized things were about to get worse. She wasn’t alone.

Meet USA Today Bestselling Author Regan Black

Regan Black, a USA Today bestselling author, writes award-winning, action-packed romantic novels featuring kick-butt heroines and the sexy heroes who fall in love with them. She and her husband currently share their empty nest with two arrogant cats in the South Carolina Lowcountry where the rich blend of legend, romance, and history fuels her imagination.

Interview with Regan Black

Q: What is your favorite trope to write and why?

RB: Reunion romance and friends-to-lovers stories are my favorite tropes to write. Mainly because I believe in the power of second chances and overcoming past heartache or challenging circumstances. Melody’s Six is a friends-to-lovers book as working partners, Dean and Melody, go undercover as newlyweds to provide protection to a film location scouting party.

Q: Tell us about your hero. What motivates him?

RB: Dean Turner is a former special operations soldier adjusting to life with a civilian protection service. He’s motivated by his passion for the work and the new team. He’s a protector to the core and willing to be bold and sacrifice for his partner and the success of their assignments.

Q: What was the highlight of writing this book?

RB: Truly the highlight with Melody’s Six was the connection with the other authors on the Athena Project team. Elle James, Desiree Holt, Delilah Devlin, Reina Torres, and Jen Talty are fabulous, talented authors and it’s a pleasure working with them. Sometimes writing feels like a solitary road, so collaborative projects like this are extra special. Although each of our books is a standalone read, we all had each other to brainstorm with along the way, which brings a fresh joy to my writing process.

Q: How many bookshelves are in your house?

RB: Not enough! LOL We are a family of readers. Even with the kids out on their own now and fifteen dedicated bookshelves of varying sizes, it feels like I’m always searching for more places to squeeze in another keeper.

Q: What was your dream job as a kid?

RB: As a kid I dreamed of all kinds of careers. Real estate, marine biologist, flight attendant to name a few. In reality I’ve been a waitress, executive assistant, a floral designer, and entrepreneur. The best is being an author and exploring all those career options through research.

Q: Any advice for new writers?

RB: When you’re starting out, I believe it’s vital to explore what you love to write, to really follow what fuels you in your writing time. That’s how I found my voice and the stories I love to tell. Beyond that, avoid comparison syndrome. Give yourself permission to write that messy first draft and remember that every book you fell in love with as a reader went through an ugly duckling draft stage, too.

Q: Where can our readers find you on social media? 

RB: It’s a blast connecting with readers on Facebook at my author page or in my reader group. I’m also on Instagram regularly (probably scrolling through puppy videos), and readers can follow me on BookBub, Pinterest, or Amazon.

Facebook Author Page
Facebook Reader Group
Instagram
BookBub
Pinterest
Amazon

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Morning or Night? Morning
City or Country? Country
Print or Ebook? Ebook
Summer or Winter? Winter

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Have you read MELODY’S SIX by Regan Black? Tell us your thoughts in the comments below.

Like this post? Check out SCANDALOUS LITTLE OBSESSION by Rachael Brownell.

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Romance Author David Burnett is celebrating his book HOUSE BESIDE THE RIVER by giving away an amazing prize to 1 lucky winner! Click here to enter!

A coming-of-age novel with a strong heroine, a sweet love story, and the eternal struggle between good and evil

Running from vile rumors and merciless ridicule, thirteen-year-old Nicole Beaumont flees her home in Parsons Valley, Georgia. She leaves Chris behind, the boy who had been her best-friend-for-life, her soul mate, the one with whom she was supposed to spend her life, and she takes refuge at a boarding school in rural Pennsylvania.

In the farming community in which she lived, almost any transgression could be tolerated, excused, or overlooked. Any transgression, save one that smacked of sex, and, according to rumor, that was exactly what she and Chris had done while lying on the bank of Parsons Pond. It was a lie, the worst part at any rate, but Chris̶ ̶ refused to deny the rumor. Never again, Nicole vows, will she trust another person as she had trusted Chris.

Such vows can be difficult to keep, but Nicole perseveres.

Then, she meets Richard. He seems different from the others. Accepting Nicole as she is. He keeps her secrets. When others doubt her, he stands in her defense. Nevertheless, even as they fall in love, the full story of what happened at Parsons Pond remains off-limits to him, and her memories of Chris, which tempt her, tugging her into the past, threaten to betray her,

Chris re-enters her life in a most unexpected way, and Nicole finds herself emmeshed in a deadly game that pits Chris, the boy she once loved, against Richard, the man who loves her, now, a game from which only one will emerge unscathed. Nicole faces an impossible decision. Which will she choose? Who will live?

House Beside the River is a romantic, true-to-life coming-of-age novel featuring a violent culture, a strong woman, and a sweet ending. Buy House Beside the River today!

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Excerpt from House Beside The River

The real estate agent stepped aside, holding open the door and allowing me to pass through ahead of him. “This way, Ms. Beaumont.”

“Thank you.”

I had twice suggested he call me Nicole, but he seemed reluctant to do that, so, rather than accrue a third strike, I simply smiled at him as I stepped from the screened porch onto an enormous deck overlooking the river. I walked to the rail and my eyes traced the river’s route as it wound through lush fields of golden hay and corn, fields that stretched far into the distance, ending only at a faraway tree line. The river looped around the house on three sides, reminding me of a snake slithering across the grass in Daddy’s back yard, one that had lost its head when I had attacked it with a shovel. That had been years ago now, the August of my thirteenth birthday.

A month before my world had tumbled in.

I frowned as I dismissed the memory, and I absently rubbed my thumb across the silver disk hanging from a chain around my neck. The medal bore the image of Saint Jude, both my patron saint and the patron of lost causes, a coincidence about which my older brother had often teased me as a child, insisting Jude was quite appropriately my patron because, as a little sister, I was definitely a lost cause.

I rolled my eyes. Brothers.

I glanced down, noticing for the first time the low wall that surrounded the deck in place of the simple set of open rails the contractors commonly installed. The agent seemed to notice, and he cleared his throat to capture my attention.

“The owner’s wife put in the wall. It hid her from boaters on the river when she sunbathed in the altogether.”

He smirked, but I shook my head, not understanding the reference.

“She would sunbathe in the buff…Sans clothes? Naked?” He seemed to want a reaction, and his eyes remained fixed on my face as he tried one term after another.

“The boaters could not see her behind the wall,” he explained as if speaking to a child, “and…”

“And a sniper would have no line of sight.” I nodded approvingly.

The agent hesitated, then he forced a chuckle, deciding to treat my comment as a joke.

“That, too…that, too, I suppose.”

Ed Woodman, the agent, pulled a handkerchief from his pocket and mopped his forehead. He was the owner’s agent, and showing me the house was not his responsibility, but his client had insisted he tag along. Marie Stevens, who represented me, was here, too.

Marie had told me Ed avoided showing houses in the middle of the day, especially during high summer. The temperature hovered just above ninety, and I felt certain he wanted me to hurry.

Then too, after scarfing two sandwiches at the Country Deli for lunch, Ed had looked at the display case longingly as we had left the restaurant. He had patted his ample belly.

“One more wouldn’t hurt,” he’d said as he paused by the door.

Marie had raised one eyebrow, and Ed had scowled.

“I wear the same size trousers I wore a decade ago.” That his stomach lapped over his belt seemed to faze him not at all.

I chuckled. As soon as he locked up after what he hoped would be a short tour of the house, Ed’s T-bird would be speeding along the highway, making a beeline for the deli.

Ed regarded me and shook his head, obviously thinking he was on a fool’s errand.

I had heard it before. I was single and not yet thirty years old. No way I could afford a house such as this one. One agent even had implied I must have a sugar daddy, a man who would pay my expenses in return for, well…sugar, as a Southerner might say.

Meet David Burnett

We live near Charleston, South Carolina, and six of my books are set in Charleston. I’ve always enjoyed the Carolina beaches. I now have the opportunity to walk on the beach almost every day and to photography the ocean, the sea birds, and the marshes that I love.

I love photography, and I have photographed subjects as varied as prehistoric ruins on the islands of Scotland, star trails, sea gulls, and a Native American powwow. My wife and I have traveled widely in the United States and the United Kingdom. During trips to Scotland, we visited Crathes Castle, the ancestral home of the Burnett family near Aberdeen, and Kismul Castle on Barra, the home of my McNeil ancestors.

I went to school for much longer than I want to admit, and I have degrees in psychology and education. In an “earlier life” I was director of research for our state’s education department.

For more information about my other books or to join my mailing list go to www.BurnettsBooks.com, or like my Amazon author page.

Interview with David Burnett

Q: Hi, David. Tell us about your publishing journey. Did you always want to be an author?

DB: Although I flirted with a journalism major when I was in college, my route was not traditional. I actually came to writing rather late. I have a doctorate in educational research (statistics) and I was director of the Office of Research at out State Department of Education.

On several occasions I had begun to write, but I had no idea how to proceed. Two or three hundred pages seemed like so much material! Absolutely overwhelming!

Then, I came across a book claiming it would guide me toward completing a first draft in ninety days. The author’s system called for thirty days of preparation and two months of daily writing. Sixty thousand words in two months is only a thousand words a day, not an overwhelming number! That I could do, and I did.

Q: What is your book about?

DB: In the final chapter of House Beside the River, as she looks back over her life to that point, Nicole (our heroine) ponders how our decisions, even small decisions, those we may consider trivial, affect our lives:

Had the afternoon Chris and I spent playing in the woods and splashing in the pond set in motion the ruin of so many lives? That one decision of mine …to dive from the limb of the Great Oak? Does the course of one’s life truly hinge on a single decision made on the spur of a single moment? … We never truly know all the events that conspire to produce an outcome, nor can we know the ultimate effect of a different decision. Then, too, perhaps, as some believe, there is a divine plan for our lives. Perhaps our specific decisions matter very little, and our lives simply are what they are. It’s a mystery.

Q: How many books have you published, and which is your favorite?

DB: House Beside the River is my eleventh book. In one sense, my most recent book is always my favorite!

Other than that, I would point to three favorites: To Fall in Love Again, which traces the relationship between a middle-aged couple, both of whom have lost a spouse, Just Three Dates, a romcom in which two mothers play matchmaker, entrapping their children in promises to go out together three times, in exchange for the mothers’ promises to stay out of their lives in the future, and The Handfasting, which concerns a young couple who came together, again, after a decade apart.

Q: How many bookshelves are in your house?

DB: Our house is relatively small. Two bookshelves are located in my office and one in the guest bedroom. Then, there are the three shelves in a cabinet in the kitchen. And then, there is my Kindle. The bookshelves contain “reference books: travel, religious, The Complete Calvin and Hobbes (Remember that cartoon strip about a little boy and his tiger?), images of Greek icons, and old textbooks. And then there is my Kindle…

Q: Your ideal writing space is?

DB: Originally, I wrote at Starbucks. On the Carolina coast, though, the weather can be warm eight months out of twelve, and my most favorite writing spot is the pier at Folly Beach, near our home. The crash of the surf, the soft ocean breeze, and the cries of the seagulls as they soar overhead provide the perfect setting for me sit with my Surface notebook and a latte and write away.

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Coffee in the morning, tea at night

Coke or Pepsi? Coke. Always Coke. Only Coke. Nothing but Coke.

Book or Movie? When I enjoy a story, I want to extend the enjoyment, to draw out the pleasure rather than compress it into a single ninety-minute period. For the same reason, I’ve been known to stop reading the book that “cannot be put down” so I can re-live the story overnight, speculate concerning what might happen next, and continue the next day. For the same reason, I seldom binge-watch a series on television.

Print or Ebook? I read about Kindle in the New York Times when the readers first were available. My wife gave me one for Christmas and I’ve never looked back. Why lug two books, or three (maybe four), on vacation or to the coffee shop when I can take a library? My Kindle Fire is known as “David’s Fifth Kindle,” when I’m downloading from Amazon.

Summer or Winter? Without a doubt. I have confidence I can cool off when it gets hot. I’m not as certain I can get warm when it is cold. Besides, I live near the beach, and although I go walking even in December and January, it is pleasanter wading in the ocean with the summer sun shining down.

Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack? In the low country of South Carolina, ghosts are real, and even the shack may surprise you. When in doubt, choose the mansion.

Readers, you can follow David Burnett at:

Facebook
Amazon Author Page
Website
GoodReads Author Page

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Have you read HOUSE BESIDE THE RIVER? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Like this post? You might also enjoy THE MEMORY OF LOVE by Sophie Bartow.

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International Bestselling Romance Author Rachael Brownell is celebrating her new book SCANDLAOUS LITTLE OBSESSION (Lake State University Book 5) by giving away amazing prizes to 3 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

I’m the youngest but that doesn’t mean I’m naive. That I can’t take care of myself.
Or go after what I want.

Which is exactly what I plan to do, no matter how many times my brother tries to stand in my way. This is my life, not his. He may be afraid to let me go, but I’m not scared of spreading my wings and flying.

Of rising from the ashes.

I’m tired of mourning. I’m tired of being treated as fragile. And I’m ready to start living my life again.

First thing on my list… sex.

So what if it’s my first time? Who cares if it’s supposed to be special?

I’m not looking for a relationship, I just want to lose my virginity.

I’ve even set my sights on the person I want to give it to.

His messy hair falls in his honey brown eyes, making me weak in the knees. His touch lights a fire inside me I didn’t know existed and I find myself begging to get burned. Best of all, he says he likes to fix broken things.

I’m still a little broken, and I have a few ideas how he can fix me.

The only problem… my brother forbade him to come near me.

It’s a good thing sneaking around is hot.

Scandalous Little Obsession is the fifth book in the Lake State University Series. The LSU series can be read in any order as each book is a complete story without cliffhangers.

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Excerpt from Scandalous Little Obsession:

It was like a game of cat and mouse.

I was hunting her.

She was all I could focus on. All I could see.

All I wanted to see.

Not a big deal, right?

Wrong. So very wrong.

Because if I had been paying attention, I would have seen him approach. Would have felt the hostility radiating off him in waves. Seen the look on his face and would have known to run.

But nope. That wasn’t my luck.

Instead, I was hauled away by the back of my shirt into the bathroom. Thrown against the wall. And Max was in my face, growling at me.

“Keep your eyes off my sister.” His voice is low, deep, and his eyes are wild as he takes me in.

“Your sister?” I’m not playing dumb. I honestly have no idea who his sister is unless… fuck. “Evie’s your sister.”

It’s a statement, not a question. Realization smacks me across the face when his grip on the front of my shirt tightens. There’s a knock at the door but Max doesn’t move to answer it and I’m in no position to.

Another knock, this time louder, and it’s accompanied by a voice. “Max, let the poor kid go. He wasn’t doing anything.”

“He. Was. Looking. At. My. Sister.”

“And I’m sleeping with your sister.” Max’s head whips around, his eyes locking on the door as he growls, cursing under his breath. “Open the damn door, Max.”

Releasing me, Max walks over and unlocks the handle, the door opening before he can step back.

If I thought Max towering over me was scary, this guy has him beat. Max has at least five inches on me, twenty pounds of muscle. This guy is huge compared to him. At least an inch taller, with broader shoulders, and bigger muscles.

And now I’m trapped in this tiny ass bathroom that smell like piss with both of them.

All because I looked at a girl. The wrong girl.

Meet Rachael Brownell

Rachael Brownell is an Award-winning and International bestselling author of contemporary, New Adult, and YA romance.

She lives in Michigan with her husband, son, snuggly dog, and hateful cat. Moonlighting as a bartender a few days a week (her excuse to get out of the house and socialize) and writes full time. She published her first novel in 2013 and since she’s released more than 30 additional titles.

Rachael writes all kinds of romance – dark, sexy, sweet. She started her career writing young-adult romance and as she matured, so did her characters and her writing. These days, Rachael writes steamy, new adult romance. Her favorite tropes to write are small-town and friends to lovers.

When she’s not hiding in her office, writing her next novel, you can find her hanging out with her family, watching her son play baseball, or running on the treadmill at the gym (though she skips more days than she goes).

Interview with Rachael Brownell

Q: Hi Rachael. Tell us a little more about yourself please.

RB: I’m secretly a bit of a deadline junkie. I love them. I actually find myself more productive when I’m on a deadline. It’s probably because I enjoy the pressure, checking things off my to-do list, and the sense of accomplishment that comes with meeting the deadline. Or maybe it’s because I’m a planner through and through. I have my publishing schedule mapped out for the next three years.

Q: Wow, that’s impressive. Tell us about your publishing journey. Did you always want to be an author?

RB: I wrote my first book when I was sixteen and it was awful. If anyone had ever gotten their hands on the original manuscript I would have been embarrassed. So, in a way, yes, I always wanted to be an author. I’ve been jotting ideas down on scraps of paper and napkins most of my life. In the beginning, I tried to turn those ideas and one-liners into poetry or song lyrics. Then in college, I focused on more technical writing for papers and research projects. I sort of gave up on writing for fun for a while. Started my career, a family, etc.

When my son started school, I found the original draft of my first novel tucked away in a closet while cleaning, spent the day reading (and cringing), and my love for the written word was renewed. I rewrote that book, submitted it to publishing companies (I had no idea self-publishing even existed at that point as it was still new). It was picked up and published in December of 2013. I’d love to say the rest is history, especially having published more than 40 novels now, but it’s been a rocky journey for sure.

I left my publishing company after two books, have been self-publishing ever since, making mistake and learning along the way. I’m definitely living my dream these days and considering I have my publishing schedule set up through 2025, I’d say I have no intentions of giving up anytime soon.

Q: What an amazing journey. That’s a lot of books! What is your favorite trope to write and why?

RB: I love to write second chance romances. No relationship is perfect and relationships often fail for stupid reasons – misunderstandings, miscommunications, etc. Giving people a second chance to connect, to rediscover a love that is just beneath the surface, gives me hope that love can actually conquer all. The right kind of love anyway.

Q: Why did you choose your setting?

RB: Scandalous Little Obsession is the fifth book in my Lake State University series. LSU is a fictional college I’ve based off of my alma matter, Grand Valley State University in Allendale, Michigan. My college experience was amazing. From the people I met, to the friends I made, to the professors and campus life. I’ve been wanting to write a college romance series for a while and creating LSU based on GVSU allowed me to visualize everything as I was writing it. It was easier to describe the settings in a way in which readers felt like they were right there with the characters.

Q: What was the highlight of writing this book?

RB: I don’t want to spoil anything for readers but… Evie’s older brother Max is incredibly overprotective. He tries to control the narrative of Evie’s life to keep her safe. And there comes a point in the book where Evie’s had enough. It’s one of my favorite scenes in the entire series so far. Evie punches Max. And the irony of it all is that Max is the one that taught her how to throw a punch. I was laughing the entire time I wrote the scene.

Q: You mentioned you published 40 books. Which is your favorite?

RB: Scandalous Little Obsession is number 41 (I think). As far as a favorite… that’s like picking a favorite child. Which is why I only have one. If I was forced to choose, I’d probably pick Worth The Fight or A Moment Too Late. The couples from those two stories scream #relationshipgoals!

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Coke or Pepsi? DIET coke
Book or Movie? Book
Morning or Night? Morning
Shower or Bath? Bath
City or Country? Depends on my mood. Both have appeals for me.
Print or Ebook? Give me the paperback! (and please sign it)
Spiders or Snakes? No thank you. I’ll pass on both.
Summer or Winter? Fall. Mother Nature is not kind to us Michiganders. Summer is scorching, winter is frigid.
Early or Late? Early
Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack? Haunted mansion but only if you don’t leave me there alone.

Enter To Win Amazing Prizes From Author Rachael Brownell
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Did you get your copy of SCANDALOUS LITTLE OBSESSION by Rachael Brownell? Tell us your thoughts in comments.

Like this post? Check out THE MEMORY OF LOVE by Sophie Bartow.

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Romance Author Peggy Jaeger is celebrating her book THE SHERIFF AND THE PSYCHIC (Welcome To Renewal Book 1) by giving away amazing prizes to 10 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

Police Psychic Silvestra Coeltrain comes to Renewal, OK to visit with old friends and to heal. After a year in which she was tested physically, mentally, and psychically, all she wants to do is sleep, fish, and bask in the tranquility of the sleepy town.

Sheriff Caleb Blackbear doesn’t understand the feelings he’s quickly developing for Renewal’s newest visitor. She responds to his kisses with a passion that equals his own. But she’s an enigma, filled with secrets and evasions, and he’s an impatient man.

When several of the local ranches begin losing cattle to a mysterious illness, it’s Silvestra who claims the animals are being methodically targeted and killed. As Cal’s investigation zeros in on who and what could be slaying the animals, the murder of a prominent rancher’s daughter – and Cal’s former lover – complicates things. With Silvestra’s life now in danger, Cal is determined to keep her safe.

But can he?

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Excerpt From The Sheriff And The Psychic

“Want to dance?” Rising, he put his hand out for hers.

To Silvestra it didn’t sound like a question, more a command. Especially when he stood waiting for her.

As Cal led her to the dance floor, she noticed the questioning stares and whispers behind hands as they made their way out to the middle, joining the other couples ready for a night’s fun.

“I think I should warn you I’m not very good at this,” she confessed when he took her in his arms.

The corner of his full mouth twitched upward. “Just follow me. It’s easy after you go around a few times.”

Shy tried to concentrate on his explanations, the direction his feet were taking, but acknowledged with regret, that she had more difficulty than usual. Being in arms that were as strong as steel traps, but she knew could be as gentle and soft as a feather, made focusing a hard task. When they should have been watching his feet, her eyes were drawn to where their hands were joined. The small hairs peeking out from under the plaid cuff, the length of his fingers, straight and taut against hers, took her breath away.

Cal maneuvered around the floor, keeping time with the music, quietly instructing her what to do with each turn. Soon Shy found herself enjoying the dance – and more- enraptured by the man holding her.

Shy’s head whirled. Touching him, being touched, made her mad with longing. She found herself imagining just what it would feel like to have those long, powerful fingers massaging her naked flesh.

Stop it. This can’t be and you know it, so just stop your fantasizing right this instant.

Regret competed with the longing, one emotion proving stronger than the other.

The beat of the music quickened as did the dancer’s steps. Silvestra heard herself laugh as Cal swirled her around the floor. In one move, he effortlessly twirled her to the right with a flick of his wrist at her waist. She felt as if her flesh had been seared and branded.

Spinning back into his arms, Silvestra stopped short, her body slamming hard into Cal’s chest. Instinctively, her hands came up, bracing, on top of his shirt. She could feel his heart hammering, felt the shifting of his rib cage with each breath. She sensed the pulsing of her own blood when his hands came up to enclose her wrists. Head tilting, she found raven-colored eyes burning and bright with an urgent need equaling her own.  Insides quaking, she tried desperately to quell the passion surging within. But gazing into those dark mirrors, the small glimmers shifting within them, burning into hers, Silvestra had no will to silence them.

They stayed this way, rooted, each oblivious to the rest of the crowd surrounding them.

Time didn’t move.

Eventually, Cal took a deep breath, his gaze never turning from Silvestra’s face. “Not bad. I thought you said you didn’t dance well.”

Shy shook her head.

“I don’t,” she said, breathless. “You’re a remarkable teacher, Sheriff.”

Cal’s lips twitched again, a gesture she found herself coming to expect from him.  A hidden mirth, rarely shown, but one, Silvestra knew, he felt comfortable displaying to her.

“Want to go another round, or would you prefer to sit this one out?”

The desire to stay exactly where they were weighed heavily. When Shy glanced around and discovered they were the sole occupants of the dance floor, a deep flush flew up her cheeks.

“I think I’d like to have that lemonade now,” she said.

He nodded and silently led her back to the table, empty now, as Jake and Mabel made the rounds of their friends.

Meet Author Peggy Jaeger

Peggy Jaeger is a contemporary romance writer who writes Romantic Comedies about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. If she can make you cry on one page and bring you out of tears rolling with laughter the next, she’s done her job as a writer.

Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, she brings all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she’s created the families she wanted as that lonely child.

When she’s not writing Peggy is usually painting, crafting, scrapbooking or decoupaging old steamer trunks she finds at rummage stores and garage sales.
As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go “What??!”

Interview With Peggy Jaeger

Q: Hi, Peggy! Tell us about your heroine. What inspired her quirks and struggles?

PJ: Silvestra Coeltrain has had some life! Born a psychic, she’s always skimmed the line of wanting to do good for others and keeping her gift a secret. People haven’t believed she can “see” things and because of this she’s developed trust issues. Plagued by panic attacks as a child, she learned to finally accept her gift with the help of her supportive parents and her psychiatrist.

 A year ago, a terrible personal tragedy occurred while she was helping the police solve a missing child case. In a single instant her life was destroyed and she fell apart emotionally, physically, and psychically. She’s come to Renewal ,Ok, to visit and heal and she’s staying with old friend’s of her parents.

Silvestra, whose name means from the forest, is also a YA writer of some renown. Her pen name is SG Coeltrain and she writes a teenage mystery series ala Nancy Drew, set in the present day. Writing, escaping into a fictional world where the heroine is powerful, smart, and logical, was one of the ways she was able to keep grounded while growing up.

She plays the piano, speaks Italian fluently, and is extremely loyal.

I was inspired by Silvestra when I read an article, in of all places, the National Enquirer about a child who was reportedly able to see the future. Now since this was the NE, I took the story with a grain of salt and large helping of skepticism. But it got me to thinking about the WHAT IF’s… what if a child really did have the ability to see the future or predict future events; how would that child function? Would people believe her? Would she be shunned or considered a saint? And most importantly, how did she cope, emotionally, with the bad stuff? After putting myself in that child’s shoes, Silvestra Geo Coeltrain popped into life.

Q: That’s an awesome source of inspiration! What were some challenges while writing this book? I imagine there were some given the topic.

PJ: First and foremost I had to learn the different fields of parapsychology. Psychic is a catchphrase for so many different things a mind can do. There are precognitives, mediums, touch psychics, sensory ones. The list is long. If you’ve ever read any of Kay Hooper’s Bishop books you know what I mean.

Next, I knew nothing about the Western part of this country. I know: I am such a city girl and East Coast gal at heart. I trolled the internet and read a few travelogues about Oklahoma and cattle ranching.

Luckily, I was nurse before I wrote professionally, so the medical stuff that’s in the book concerning the deaths of the cattle – I knew about beforehand. I just needed to brush up on a little anatomy before writing how the cows…died.

Q: That’s so awesome. How many books have you published and which is your favorite? I sense you write a lot.

PJ: Traditionally: 22. Independently: 10. And asking that question is like trying to figure out who your favorite child is!! Hee hee. I will tell you that two of my books have special places in my heart for different reasons. In FIRST IMPRESSIONS, the hero, Pat Cleary, came to me first – instead of my heroine – fully formed and with all the quirks, angsts, and sexiness he embodies. I love that. Then, in DIRTY DAMSELS, the plot line, the characters, the emotional arc came to me in its entiret,y on a car ride from New York back home to New Hampshire. In those 4 hours I had the book completely mapped out in my head like a movie. I just needed to get it all down on the page once I got home!

Q: Favorite book when you were a kid?

PJ: And still my favorite book to this day: THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD. I truly feel this is the best book ever written about self actualization and achieving what you want to achieve in life. That little engine thought he could get over that mountain, told himself he could, believed it, and VIOLA! He made it. Wouldn’t life be better for all of us if we believed in our capabilities instead of doubting them all the time?

Q: What is your favorite food?

PJ: Lobster macaroni and cheese. It’s my one indulgence whenever I need to celebrate something! Rich, gooey, tangy. It’s the ultimate taste bud carnival for me and sosososos satisfying! But wickedly decadent, too.

Q: Your ideal writing space is?

PJ: My current office. I live in a four story house- the top is the attic. I have a room in there that is just mine. It has a window that overlooks the back of my wooded property and I get to watch the seasons change, the birds come and go, and the woodland animals frolic all day long. It’s very soothing and when I take a breather and look up from my laptop I am never disappointed in what I see out that window! I am surrounded by the books of my trade and craft so I always have easy reference, and next to my laptop is an AURA photo displayer my daughter gave me for Mother’s day last year, so I can see pictures of my grandson all day long.

This Or That Questions:

Coke or Pepsi? PEPSI, every time!
Book or Movie? Book, always!
Morning or Night? I’m a morning girl.
Print or Ebook? Print. So much easier to read.
Early or Late? Early. I get panic attacks if I’m late to an appointment.
Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack? I love to be scared!!!

Readers, you can follow Peggy Jaeger around the web at:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
BookBub
YouTube
Instagram
Pintrest
LinkedIn
Amazon Author Page
Authors database
Triberr

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Did you get your copy of THE SHERIFF AND THE PSYCHIC by Peggy Jaeger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Like this post? You might also enjoy THE MEMORY OF LOVE by Sophie Bartow.

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Romance author AJ Renee is celebrating the release of her new book, BOLD (Alumbra Pack Book 2), by giving away an amazing prize to 3 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

True mates should be protected at all costs, even when their past comes barging back in.

Joel was content in helping his alpha and cousin with pack matters. Protect witches, hunt down pack family members, attend a long pack weekend put on by the alpha’s mate? Check, check, and check.

Laying eyes on his true mate wasn’t what he expected, but it’s the best thing he could have hoped for. When she begins ghosting him, he’s forced to dig deep for patience.

Lea was a survivor. At least that was what the psychologist she saw told her. Getting past the horrors her life had become was one thing. Meeting her true mate and feeling worthy of their fated destiny was another.

As if navigating the waters of a true mate weren’t hard enough, she runs into the man who set off the horrid chain of events that ruined her life.

Can she accept he’s unlike the men of her past, or will their open wounds be the death of them?

Get Your Copy Here

Excerpt From ‘BOLD’

Her heart raced with a mix of excitement and fear. Finding Joel was the last thing she had expected or wanted. Joining the Alumbra Pack had been a tactic to not only avoid returning to her family but to protect herself from wheels that had been set in motion.

It was absurd she would even consider rejecting her mate now that she’d found him. As a pup, she’d dreamed of the concept of a true mate. It was the same dream that had caused the big fight with her parents. Needing air from their plans, she’d run out and had been scooped up by the men who would ruin her.

Lea flipped off the light and slid under the covers.

Suzette would find her way easily enough through the darkened cabin and know Lea wasn’t up for more of the conversation. Of the three of them, Suzette was the least vocal, and Lea was grateful for it right then.

She woke in the early morning to Suzette’s light snores. Listening carefully, she heard only some rustling in the main cabin, where she assumed, by Katia’s excited chatter, Claudia was moving about. Memories of the night before had a smile tipping Lea’s lips until she recalled the moment her eyes had met Joel’s.

Mate! Let’s go to mate! her wolf demanded, doing an excited circle and lifting her tail high in the air.

She tensed at the overwhelming pull to him, and her bladder lurched, reminding her it needed to be emptied. She debated shifting and doing her business yards away from the cabin but knew she couldn’t trust her wolf’s incessant chatter to go to Joel.

After slipping on sandals, she moved along the path toward where the bathrooms and showers were located. She managed to do her business and return to the cabin before any other wolves stirred.

“Is anyone else awake?” Suzette asked, her sleepy voice startling Lea.

Lea rubbed her chest over her heart, hoping to soothe the overworked muscle. “Geez!”

“Sorry.”

“I heard Katia in the kitchen, so either Claudia is awake or both her and her mate.”

Suzette sat up and ran her hands through her hair. “Are we hiding in here all day? I mean, I’m cool with it if it’s what you need.”

Guilt filled her. “You can join the others, Suz. I don’t expect you to babysit me all day, and I know how much fun you had setting up the obstacle course with Dalton—”

“Eh,” she said, waving Lea’s words away. “I’m sure there will be other barbecues. Rose had way too much fun planning this weekend.”

Lea slipped off her sandals, crawled under her covers, and turned onto her side to face her friend. “If you change your mind, go. Don’t stay here on account of me.”

“What if we ran back?”

Lea shook her head. “There’s no way I’d have the stamina. I’ve only shifted once or twice in like five years. This weekend, I was supposed to let her free.”

“So let her free.”

“You make it sound so easy.”

Suzette chuckled. “Because it is.”

Lea shook her head. “Not now. Not with him here. She’d run right to him, and I don’t want that.”

“Don’t want or aren’t ready?”

“No one was at the bathroom, if you want to go before people wake up,” she said, ignoring her friend’s question.

Going to Joel or not wasn’t an easy decision. She had a past. Ignoring the life that had been thrust upon her the last five years, she’d hidden some major points of her life from her friends, and one could ruin her life. If she allowed herself to give into the urge to claim Joel only to lose him later, she’d never survive.

Meet Author AJ Renee

AJ Renee is a military wife and mother of three. She graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Master of Science in Criminal Justice and a Bachelor of Science in Psychology.

She loves to read and write steamy romance with a happily ever after. When not working, you can find her playing World of Warcraft, board games, or outdoors for a run or hike.

Interview with AJ Renee

Q: Hi, AJ. Can you tell us more about yourself?

AJR: I’m Puerto Rican and because of my Army father I was born in Colorado. I’ve moved around all my life and continued when I married my husband who is in the Air Force.

Q: Tell us more about your book, Bold.

AJR: Bold is the second in this series, but Joel made his debut in my Broderick Coven series. Joel stepped up previously to help his now friend when she was rescued from a group of sex trafficking werewolves. When he returns from a mission he sees his mate at a pack event. The problem is she is a woman who’s also been rescued. She’s not ready to trust men let alone accept her true mate. This book follows the dance between them as he tries to prove he is unlike the men who hurt her.

Q: Tell us about your heroine. What inspired her quirks and struggles?

AJR: Lea is bold, loyal, and has daddy issues. Now that she’s got her freedom back, she has choices to make. As the story progresses, we get to watch Lea find her voice and strength regarding not only Joel but the life she’s now reclaimed from those who hurt her.

Q: Tell us about your hero. What motivates him?

AJR: Joel is loyal, kind, and protective. After years of searching for his mate, he’s shocked to find her among the new group of rescued wolves. He struggles with the fact he’d not been there to protect his mate. Holding back his wolf’s need to claim Lea when she’s gone through so much and giving her the time to see his true self becomes his mission.

Q: What were some challenges while writing this book?

AJR: Human sex trafficking is a really tough issue and finding a way to drop it in gently without making the story a political statement or a trigger for readers who may be survivors of abuse was a delicate balance.

Q: What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your book?

AJR: I’d love for people to be reminded that we have the power to heal on our own terms. No matter the state of our mental health we get to set boundaries.

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Tea
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Book or Movie? Both
Morning or Night? Night
Shower or Bath? Both
City or Country? In the middle
Print or Ebook? Ebook for weight and ease of travel, print for smell and touch.
Spiders or Snakes? Neither
Summer or Winter? Summer
Early or Late? Late
Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack? Haunted Mansion

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Did you get your copy of BOLD by AJ Renee? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Like this post? You might also enjoy LOVE AND TEQUILA MAKE HER CRAZY by Brittanee Nicole

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Romantic Mystery Author Sophie Bartow is celebrating her book THE MEMORY OF LOVE (A Swan Harbor Story) by giving away amazing prizes to 5 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

Free For A Limited Time! Get Your Copy Here

Excerpt from The Memory Of Love

Sadie ran her hand up and over Gray’s taut behind and peeked at his colors. They were there, and as bright as always. Would that be the case later…or tomorrow? Or, more to the point, would she be able to see them?

“Come here, Legs.” Gray tucked her safely against his chest, “Talk to me.”

She snuggled in a little closer, tangling her bare legs with his rougher ones. “I touch your butt, and you want to talk?”

“It wasn’t why you touched my ass,” Gray retorted.

“How do you know?”

Gray leaned back, enough that she could see the tenderness in his blue eyes in the low morning light. “Because I know you.”

It was hard for her not to get lost in the love she saw looking back at her. Harder still for her not to use whatever means necessary to prevent him from asking questions.

“You think so?”

“Sadie,” Gray dropped a light kiss on her lips, “what am I missing?”

“Nothing.”

“Right.”

He rubbed his chin against her head for several minutes. While she wanted to think he’d let it go, she knew he wouldn’t. He’d keep on until she told him…everything. When that happened, her hope was the issue would be moot. It was just, if you were dealing with emotions, sometimes it was difficult to be logical.

“What’s on your agenda after your appointment?” Gray asked, taking the conversation in a different direction.

“I know what you’re doing.”

“Think so?”

“Yes.” Sadie pressed her bare body against Gray’s, pleased to know that while her husband may be acting nonchalant, certain parts of him were very aware of her. “But I’ll tell you, anyway.”

“Who’s covering the clinic while Emma and Killian are away?”

“Doctor Thatcher. And Maggie said she’d go in early to feed Emma’s cats.”

“Your hair appointment is at 9:00 a.m.?”

“Yes.”

“Have you heard any more from your cousin?”

“Since last night? No, maybe I should…”

Gray pushed on her lower back when she started to get up, causing her hips to roll against his. “What’s your hurry?”

“I thought…”

“You thought you’d get away without answering my questions, didn’t you?”

Meet Author Sophie Bartow

Sophie is a married, mother of four who has spent the last 30+ years as a Speech/Language Pathologist working with adult post-stroke patients. Now that her youngest are in college, she’s set out on a new journey. She lives in Florida with her husband, 1 cat and 1 dog. When she’s not writing, she loves reading, taking long walks, and watching T.V. You can contact her via her website. https://SophieBartow.com

Interview with Sophie Bartow

Q: Hi, Sophie. Tell us about your publishing journey. Did you always want to be an author?

SB: I’ve always had an active imagination, but never considered writing professionally. In 2015, I tried my hand at writing fanfiction and loved it. After practicing for a few years, I parlayed that into my small town romantic suspense series. My first book was published in March 2020. I have 13 books out. The Memory of Love is Book One in The Mountain View Lodge Trilogy – Book Three – The Forgiveness of Love is out 4/18/2022.

Q: What drew you to your book’s genre? Why that story?

SB: You read and write what you love. I’ve always been a huge fan of romance and/or medical mysteries. When I set out to write, it was only fitting that I combine several of my favorites. Small town stories, as I love interconnected books/characters – and combine that with romance and mystery. As for my ‘story telling’ – I am a pantser. When I try to say X is going to happen, my muse makes sure Y happens. Strangely enough, as I wrote the first book in my series – the story evolved in my head. The Memory of Love is Book 9. But the story was too big for one book. While Memory can stand alone, it’s a bigger picture.

Q: If your book was made into a movie, who would star in it?

SB: I actually create Pinterest character and storyboards for my books. However, in my head – Gray Hunter is played by Jamie Dornan, Sadie Hunter – Meghan Ory, Dylan Prince – Josh Dallas and Captain Jack – Sean Connery.

Q: Do you listen to music while writing? Share your Spotify list with us!

SB: I do! I always create a spotify list for each book. And each couple have their own song. Sadie and Gray’s song is ‘Save the Last Dance for My’ by Michael Buble.

Q: Name a few of your favorite authors or books.

SB: I love Nora Roberts, Shannon McKenna, Maya Banks, Janet Evanovich, Lisa Jackson, Kathy Reichs, Patricia Cornwell. I really want to be Nora when I grow up. LOL

Q: What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your book?

SB: When someone reads one of my books, I want them to be able to ‘see’ the characters and feel like Swan Harbor is someplace they’d love to visit. I love it when I hear that people started reading and didn’t want to stop.

This Or That Questions

Coke or Pepsi?  My morning caffeine is a Coke Zero
Morning or Night? I’m a night owl and have always been.
Shower or Bath? Showers. I have a hard time sitting still.
City or Country? City
Print or Ebook? I like holding a book in my hands. BUT the environment, so I’m trying to go Ebooks.
Summer or Winter? – Summer! I live in S. Florida, so it’s summer all year.

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Have you read THE MEMORY OF LOVE by Sophie Bartow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Like this post? You might also enjoy ONLY A FLING by Delancey Stewart.

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USA Today Bestselling Author Delancey Stewart is celebrating the release of her book, ONLY A FLING (Kasper Ridge Book 1), by giving away amazing prizes to 6 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

My new boss is a former fighter pilot — and it should be illegal to be that hot. But this city-boy condo builder doesn’t know the first thing about construction in a place like Kasper Ridge.

Will hired me to oversee the renovation at the old Kasper Ridge Resort – a job that will make my company and guarantee that Papa can live comfortably to a very old age. I just need to keep my eyes on the prize.

And the prize is not Will Cruz’s ocean blue eyes or those rock-hard abs. Besides, all those muscles and that killer smile are temporary. I’ve lived in the mountains long enough to know that slick city boys don’t stick around for the long run.

So I tell myself the things I need to hear to stay strong, hold firm, maintain my distance.

Until Will kisses me one night and I forget pretty much everything I’d been telling myself about protecting my heart.

I know it’s only a fling, but what if there’s a chance Will Cruz is the one? What if I give him my heart, and he doesn’t stay?

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Excerpt from Only A Fling

I watched Lucy Dale climb into the cab of her big white truck as my head tried to wrap itself around the conversation we’d just had. This woman was a walking set of contradictions, and I was slowly coming to terms with the surprise I’d felt as she’d revealed each one. The first one, of course, had been her actual physical presence. I’d called Lucy Dale of Kasper Ridge Construction expecting someone like Markie back at my dad’s company. Maybe a little rougher around the edges, since this wasn’t Southern California. Maybe someone rugged and tough. A touch of flannel here and there, maybe a pair of boots. Maybe a pit bull.

It wasn’t my style to judge a book by its cover, but Lucy Dale had a hot, tight little cover I just hadn’t been prepared for. I hoped I hadn’t let it show.

Who expected a construction foreman to turn up in high heels that made her curvy legs look three thousand miles long, and a dress? Her dark hair had been pulled back into a high ponytail, and it had taken every ounce of self-control to keep my mind from wandering into fantasies where I pulled that rubber band out and watched as the waves fell down her back and shoulders. Or wrapped that ponytail around my fist and backed her into a wall.

Couple the sheer attractiveness of the woman with the ferocious take-no-prisoners attitude beneath it, and… well, shit.

“How’d the interview with the forewoman end up going?” Ghost asked, striding back into the bar where I’d returned to do my best to make some notes on Lucy’s proposal. He was smirking, which told me he knew exactly how it had gone.

“About like that. Too hot for the job, probably.”

Ghost slid into the chair across from me, his dark eyes on my face. “She was hot. And I’m definitely not trying to hire a fuck buddy for you to play with all summer, man.” One hand came up to rub at his chin, which sported the scruff most guys let grow once they’d left the restrictions of active duty behind. “But she’s also the best up here, according to everyone I’ve talked to.”

“According to her too,” I pointed out.

Ghost smiled at that. “So she’s a little cocky. You’ll get along great.”

“If by a little, you mean she pretty much told me I’d be a moron not to hire her and tried to make it clear she thought I had no idea what I’d be doing up here.” A hot little zing ran through me, remembering the way she’d cut down her competitors in that matter-of-fact way. It took some balls, and it also led me to believe she probably had the ability and track record to back it up.

“You talking to a few more today?”

I nodded, my mind already settling pretty firmly on Lucy Dale as the only real contender, despite my dislike of her condescending attitude. “I’ll see who else there is. Having her around could be distracting. Plus, she thinks she knows more than me.”

“She probably does. I’m guessing she was learning about high altitude construction when you were still building Lego jets and planning to be called Maverick.”

“Can we let that go?”

“Probably not.”

Meet Delancey Stewart

I’m USA Today Bestselling author Delancey Stewart. My contemporary romances run the gamut of settings and setups, but they always deliver humor, heart and heat. It’s a guarantee.

I write from my home in Denver, CO, where I manage a household full of boys and men. Okay, only one man. The hubs. But two boys. I mean, three if you count the hubs. (You see why I do words and not numbers. I was told there’d be no math in this bio. Someone lied.)

I grew up in California and have had more jobs than anyone on earth (personal trainer, pharmaceutical rep, copywriter, tech writer, marketing director, wine seller, elementary school teacher… I’m not kidding. The list. It goes on.) But the one I love the most is writing, in part because I get to meet people who love books and stories as much as I do! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch to say hello, and don’t forget to join my newsletter!

Get a free story from me by joining my weekly email here: 

Find me at my website here

Interview with Delancey Stewart

Q: Hi, Delancey. Tell us about your publishing journey, did you always want to be an author?

DS: I did! I read every book in the library as a kid, majored in English, and have always worked as a copywriter and editor. But I didn’t have a story idea until I started editing romance for a small publisher. That was when a lightbulb flickered to life and it’s never switched off!

Q: Why did you choose your setting?

DS: I love writing small towns and big friend groups around the theme of “found family.” My own family has just moved to Colorado, and I wanted to write about my gorgeous new home state.

Q: Is any part of your story or the characters based on personal experience?

DS: I think every story is based on personal experience. This is my 25^th (26^th? 27^th?) book, and every single one of them draws something from my real life, whether it’s something funny my husband and I have been joking about, or a character quirk I’ve noticed in someone I know…

Q: What were some challenges while writing this book?

DS: They were many, actually. This is the first new series I’ve launched in a couple years, and beyond all the difficulties we’ve all faced through these last two years, I also lost my dad. It was just a very different process, writing this book. Plus, it’s the first I’ve written in a new house, in a new office… and the physical setting makes a big difference to me when I’m writing.

Q: Do you listen to music while writing? Share your Spotify list with us!

DS: NO… I used to be a dancer and I cannot listen to music of any kind without moving. And that makes it hard to write. My brain detours from words to choreography, and I get very little done! If I need focus, I’ll switch on brain.fm.

Q: What is your favorite part of being a published author?

DS: I’ve been part of “romancelandia” for almost a decade now, and the very best thing about this world is the people you meet. This is the most giving and sharing professional community I’ve ever been a part of, and I’ve made friendships in this world that I know will last a lifetime.

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Coffee
Coke or Pepsi? Diet Coke
Morning or Night? Morning!
Shower or Bath? Shower
Spiders or Snakes? NO
Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack? Haunted Mansion

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USA Today Bestselling Author MJ Fields is celebrating the release of her book, No Mercy (Mercy West Book 1), by giving away an amazing prize to 1 lucky winner! Click here to enter!

Jersey Shore’s most villainous anti-hero is brought to his knees in this raw and gritty romantic standalone novel by USA Today bestselling author MJ Fields

“They may see a villain, but I see a hero who was broken and will rise again.”

Like a storm, Marcello Effisto tore through most of his life, wreaking havoc on those who opposed him … unapologetically.

When faced with keeping a promise to a dying man, to care for the person who tortured his soul, he is forced to go to the cross.

Will he allow the wreckage that caused his heart to grow cold keep him on his knees, or will he rise up and allow himself to love again?

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Excerpt from No Mercy

When I open the door, I see her retreating. “Where do you think you’re going?”

She stops, and only then do I notice how she’s dressed.

Sneakers, leggings, a tee-shirt, and a ball cap is a far cry from what I was accustomed to when I arranged an evening, but I have been out of the game for three months now.

The fact she has blonde hair and blue eyes, is tall, with extra curves and plump lips, the all-American girl type that I recently decided was “my type” … she is in fact, as per my request. But she’s not dressed as I requested. The look on her face tells me that she knows this and I’m making her feel uncomfortable, possibly even insecure.

Insecurity could act like a sponge, sucking up all that sweet heat between her sexy legs and taking more time to ready than I’m hoping for.

I curl my finger to her. “Get back here, blondie.”

She looks down, playing coy? I can work with that, I suppose.

“I promise not to bite.”

She walks toward me and points at the bags outside the door. “I ordered take-out. You hungry?” She looks at me curiously, and I decide I’ve had enough.

Pulling her into my apartment and slamming the door shut with my foot, I reach out and palm the back of her head, bringing her toward me as I say, “Fuck pretending. Let’s do this.” My lips smash against hers, and she gasps, giving me a chance to dip my tongue in for a taste test.

Her hot mouth tastes like heat, wintergreen, and … more.

She presses her hands against my chest, and I groan, surprising myself, because I didn’t expect to miss being touched like this.

I pull back and look down at her. She looks shook.

“It’s a good look, blondie, but you and I both know what’s going down here, so feel free to go off script and just feel it.” Then I reach down and untuck the towel, letting it fall.

I watch her eyes slide down my body, taking me in, and as she swallows hard while she looks at my cock, I take her hand and wrap it around the base of my shaft.

I hiss at her touch. “Cold hands.” I hook my thumbs inside her waistband and press my lips to hers again. “Hot pussy.”

“Oh God,” she whispers when I cup her in my hand.

“Definitely hot.” I lick my lips as I use my thumb to rub over where her clit lies beneath her panties and begin lifting her shirt.

Three sharp knocks on the door, and she jumps back, pulling up her leggings that now encircle her knees.

“Fuck,” I snap.

She fixes her shirt as I grab the towel and wrap it around me.

“Don’t do that. I’ll get rid of whoever it is.” And the only people who have access to this floor is family. Cockblockers.

Hand on her back, I guide her. “Just stand behind the door; I’ll get rid of them.”

When I open the door, I am shocked to see a blonde dressed in red, wearing stilettos, smiling at me as she steps into my space.

Before she crashes her lips against mine, she whispers, “Welcome back. We’ve missed you.”

I can’t help but laugh against them, thinking I have spent way too much money for the service to send two women, as I assume, like she said, a welcome back.

When I pull back and shut the door, I look around for blondie number one, but she’s not where I left her. In fact, I don’t see her at all.

“Love the welcome, but I’m not playing games tonight. I have a guest just down the hall, sleeping off Patron. I’ll take you both at once right here.”

“What?” she asks. By the look on her face, she’s not playing a game.

The fuck? I think as I open the door and see blonde hair streaking around the corner, moving to the elevator bank.

“You okay?” The woman rubs her hand down my back then squeezes my ass.

I look over my shoulder at her. “They send one of you, or two?”

“I assure you, I’m more than enough.”

When realization hits, I run my hand over my face then again see the delivery bags on the ground beside my door. I just accosted the delivery girl.

Meet USA Today Bestselling Author MJ Fields

MJ Fields is a USA Today bestselling author of contemporary and new adult romance novels. She lives in New York with her daughter and smoochie faced Newfie, Theo.

When she’s not locked away in the cave, she enjoys spending time with her family, live music, the theatre, singing off key, dancing to her own beat, listening to audio books, and reading of course.

Interview with MJ Field

Q: Hi, MJ! What is one thing you hope readers will take away from your book?

MJF: Never judge a person on their past or your perception.

Q: Do you listen to music while writing? Share your Spotify list with us!

MJF: I find songs that remind me of my current couple and add them. While getting in my head to write for the day, I play it.

Exile by Taylor Swift and Bon Iver is number one on No Mercy’s playlist.

Q: How many books have you published, and which is your favorite?

MJF: Over 60! I can’t choose a favorite. I love them all for different reasons.

Q: How do you handle writer’s block?

MJF: Thank God, I haven’t dealt with that. It’s very much the opposite. I always have a new idea. It’s whoever screams the loudest that gets my attention.

Q: Any advice for new writers?

MJF: -Pen and head down.
-Do not compare yourself to anyone.
-I’ve heard some bloggers say authors sometimes get pissed, rude, even argumentative when they don’t want to review their book. *Insert mom look that makes you quake in your shoes*
– Stay OUT of the drama and LOVE on your readers. They are your people. 

Q: Your ideal writing space is?

MJF: My office, the couch or occasionally laying on the floor with my dog next to me. I have to switch it up or I get antsy.

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea? Tea
Coke or Pepsi? Coke
Book or Movie? Book
Morning or Night? Night
Shower or Bath? Shower
City or Country? Mood dependant
Print or Ebook? BOTH! One to read and one for my shelf.
Spiders or Snakes? Spiders any day. F*ck snakes.
Summer or Winter? Winter (I’m weird)
Early or Late? On time.
Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack? Un-haunted Shack

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Did you get your copy of NO MERCY by MJ Fields? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Like this post? You might also enjoy Mix And Match by Peggy Jaeger.

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Romance author Peggy Jaeger is celebrating the release of her new book, MIX & MATCH (Heaven’s Matchmaker Book 1), by giving away an amazing prize to ten lucky winners! Click here to enter!

Divorced and lonely, nurse Jasmine Green retains the services of Heaven, NH’s very own successful matchmaker, Olivia Joyner. The bar scene and dating apps give Jasmine hives and Liv’s reputation is stellar. If anyone can help guide her through the quagmire that dating has become, Olivia can.

Architect Donovan Boyd is ready to settle down. He wants the kind of marriage his parents have; long-lasting, filled with love, children, and joy. But even after a year of living and working in Heaven, he’s still considered an outsider by many. Finding the type of woman he’s looking for is hard in the tight-knit community. Retaining Olivia Joyner to help him find his forever love is one of the smartest things he’s done, especially after she sets him up with Jasmine Green.

But the red-haired, green-eyed beauty wants a different kind of marriage from the one Donovan considers ideal.

Can these two strong-willed people learn to compromise so they can both find their happily ever after? Or will their relationship forever be relegated to the friend zone?

Get Your Copy Here

Excerpt from Mix & Match

She turned at the sound of her name, spoken in a deep, soft voice blessed with a charming accent and found herself face to face with the gorgeous guy she’d spotted in her mom’s office. The one Sharmaine had been sucked on to like a tick.

Good Lord, he was even better looking up close and personal than he’d been, seated, and ten feet away from her. Stunning blue eyes, the color of freshly laid Robin’s eggs topped a face with high cut cheeks and a jaw forged from granite. Midnight hair curled around his ears and caressed the nape of his neck. Layered waves fell across his head in a chaos of perfection.

She’d been right about his height. Most men she could stare straight in the eyes due to her own long legs. But she had to tilt her head back a bit to look into this man’s striking ones.

“You are Jasmine, aye?”

Even his voice was gorgeous, the song of Ireland singing through it.

She nodded, her own voice deciding now would be a good time to leave on vacation. And when his smile took a slow stroll from one corner of his full, thick lips to the other, showing perfect, straight white teeth, the tips of her fingertips began to tingle like she’d fallen asleep on them and spent the night with them cuddled beneath the weight of her body.

He-of-the-handsome-face stuck out his hand and declared, “Good. Olivia said to meet you here. Donovan Boyd, but everyone calls me Van. Lovely to meet you.”

Jasmine knew she should shake his hand. It was the polite thing to do, wasn’t it? For some reason, her brain wasn’t sending any signals down her arm to lift it up to his outstretched one.

Donovan, or Van, kept his hand out, his smile in place, and ticked his head to the left a hair. A clap of booming laughter rang out from somewhere behind her and finally propelled the gears in her brain to start turning again.

After a headshake where she actually heard her brains rattle, she extended her hand and slipped it into his.

Warmth, like she’d just stepped into a bubbling hot tub, spread along her fingers, shot across her palm, then jumped all the way up to her neck.  A feeling of familiarity bolted through her. With a shock, she recognized it for what it was – desire. Pure and simple. Something she hadn’t felt in almost forever.

She swallowed, said,  “It’s nice to meet you,” then shook her head again as she slid her hand back.

“Would you like to sit at the bar or would ya prefer a table?” he asked.

At the bar she’d have to sit next to him, shoulder to shoulder. That seemed a bit too intimate right now, especially when the nerves she’d thought to quell had started bounding through her again. Better to be across from him, keep them at a bit of a physical distance.

Van thrust his chin toward the empty table she’d been aiming for, extended his hand and said, “Shall we?” He got points for good manners, that was for sure.

Meet Author Peggy Jaeger

Peggy Jaeger writes contemporary romances and rom coms about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them.

Family and food play huge roles in Peggy’s stories because she believes there is nothing that holds a family structure together like sharing a meal…or two…or ten. Dotted with humor and characters that are as real as they are loving, Peggy brings all aspects of life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness, and the desire for everyone to find their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents she longed for sisters, brothers and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she has created the families she wanted as that lonely child.

As a lifelong diarist, she caught the blogging bug early on, and you can visit her at peggyjaeger.com where she blogs daily about life, writing, and stuff that makes her go “What??!”

Interview with Peggy Jaeger

Q: Hi, Peggy! Can you tell us a little more about your new book?

PJ: MIX & MATCH is a small town romance set in the fictional town of HEAVEN, NH about a third generation matchmaker who helps people find their happily ever after. In this first book, the hero and heroine, Donovan and Jasmine, are two people who have differing opinions of what constitutes a successful relationship and marriage, but on paper they are a perfect match. They decide to keep themselves in the friendship zone and both seem comfortable with this. But are they? Ultimately this is a story of two people who need to be friends before they can ever commit to a lasting love. The theme of family, trust, and second chances runs through the story.

Q: Describe your main character in three words.

PJ: Jasmine Green is smart, angst-ridden, caring.

Q: Is any part of your story or the characters based on personal experience?

PJ: Jasmine Green is the product of divorced parents and thus has a problem with trusting men. But it goes deeper than that. Her father left the marriage before she was even born so she never knew a life with a man in the house. This left her mother bitter and cold and Jasmine suffered the brunt of her emotional resistance. I based the absentee father on my own experience. My parents married young and both realized they should never have been together just as my mother became pregnant. In the time I was born there was no idea to terminate a pregnancy and even ending a marriage wasn’t that easy. My own father left very early on in my life and I never grew up with him as a role model. Many of Jasmine’s feelings on inadequacy, her people pleasing personality, and her anxiety stem from my own.

Q: What were some challenges while writing this book?

PJ: I began writing this book in the fall of 2020 – at the same time my daughter was due to have her first baby. My usual writing experience is 8-10 hours daily and I managed that most days. But then she went into pre-term labor and my emotional status went out the window. The little guy appeared early and he had some challenges for the first few months. I spent a great deal of time with her and hubby ( they live 5 hours away) and was unable to write for weeks at a time. When all resolved with the little blessing, I was able to get back to it but for the first time in my writing career I missed my deadline for publication! I also care for my elderly, housebound parents, so while everything was going on with baby, I still needed to cook, clear, and care for them.

Q: What is your ideal reading experience?

PJ: If I could have one wish it would be to be stranded on an island (with table service and Wifi!) and be able to read all the books on my tbr pile without having to worry about writing my new book, talking care of anyone but myself, or anything else until I could finish them. Ah….dreams.

This Or That Questions:

Coke or Pepsi? Diet, caffeine free pepsi!
Book or Movie? Book, always.
Morning or Night? Morning. I get up at 2 am ( chronic insomnia) and go to bed at 11 pm.
Print or Ebook? Both.
Summer or Winter? Summer.
Early or Late? Early, always.

Readers, you can follow Peggy Jaeger around the web at:

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter
Goodreads
Bookbub
Youtube
Instagram: Instagram
Pinterest
LinkedIn
Amazon
Authors Database
Triberr

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Did you get your copy of MIX & MATCH by Peggy Jaeger? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Like this post? You might also enjoy BIG BAD BEAST by Grace Goodwin.

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USA Today Bestselling Author Grace Goodwin is celebrating the release of her book, BIG BAD BEAST (Interstellar Brides Program Book 4), by giving away amazing prizes to 4 lucky winners! Click here to enter!

An Atlan Warlord in hiding.
In pain.
In danger of succumbing to a horrible fever.
Only one woman can save him.
One.
All he has to do is find her before he becomes a Big Bad Beast…

Get Your Copy Here:

Excerpt From Big Bad Beast

I scrambled down from the back of the ambulance and moved out of the way so the sexy, bleeding fighter could step up and climb inside. His weight caused the rig to dip. He sat down on the stretcher, his head nearly touching the ceiling, and lifted an arm to inspect his wounds on that side. By my count, there were at least four large gashes that would require stitching. Which meant I got to touch.

I looked from his torso to his face and forgot how to breathe. He was staring at me now, but his eyes didn’t look human. Were they glowing silver?

Frozen like a deer in the headlights, we stared at one another for long seconds. I swayed, suddenly light-headed.

“Breathe, female. I will not allow anyone to harm you.” Even as he bossed me, Wolf looked at me like he wanted to eat me alive and spit out my bones. Truth be told, I wasn’t opposed to the eat me alive part of the scenario, as long as he started in the right place.

Yes, he was sexy. More than that. A god. A warrior. And his huge cock seemed to be reaching for me through his thin shorts. But I was no young virgin. I was a woman. A professional. And I did have my pride. This part of town, reminding people of that fact was important if one wanted to survive.

“I can take care of myself.”

“No, you will not. Not anymore.”

What. The. Hell?

Meet Author Grace Goodwin

Grace Goodwin is a USA Today and international bestselling author of Sci-Fi and Paranormal romance with over a million books sold. Grace’s titles are available worldwide on all retailers, in multiple languages, and in ebook, print, audio and other reading App formats.

Grace is a full-time writer whose earliest movie memories are of Luke Skywalker, Han Solo, and real, working light sabers. (Still waiting for Santa to come through on that one.) Now Grace writes sexy-as-hell sci-fi romance six days a week. In her spare time, she reads, watches campy sci-fi and enjoys spending time with family and friends. No matter where she is, there is always a part of her dreaming up new worlds and exciting characters for her next book.

Interview With Grace Goodwin

Q: Hi Grace. Tell us a little more about yourself.

GG: I have a son and two daughters, two hilarious border collie mixes we got from a rescue, and a backyard full of birds I claim as my own because they come to my birdfeeder. One of my life goals is to have one of my little birds eat out of my hand. How cool would that be? (Yes, I’m a birder.) Also, I’ve been with my DH since I was fifteen. We were high school sweethearts. (Go ahead, throw up in your mouth a little.)

Q: No way, we love a real-life romance. It’s amazing to hear about high school sweethearts that are still together. Tell us about your publishing journey. Did you always want to be an author?

GG: I started writing my first story when I was eleven on lined notebook paper. I always wanted to be a writer. I love, love, love books. If I hadn’t been a writer, I would have gone to medical school. That was my second choice.

Q: We’re glad you chose writing. Tell us about your hero. What motivates him?

GG: My hero spent years fighting in a war to save multiple worlds. He was captured, tortured and managed to escape. Now, his world won’t take him back. He suffers from the Atlan species “Mating Fever”. If he does not find his mate, he will go on a rampage. If he goes home, they will lock him up because he is too close to losing control. His ONLY hope is to hide on Earth long enough to find the one woman who will soothe his raging beast. He is motivated by honor, protective instincts and a relentless spirit. He will NOT give up. Ever.

Q: Favorite book when you were a kid?

GG: Unfair! I have SO many favorites. But…special place in my heart is THE BLUE SWORD by Robin McKinley. Such a powerful adventure for a young girl. I have probably read that book a dozen times. My second favorite was THE POKEY LITTLE PUPPY. (Now we’re going WAY back.)

Q: The Pokey Little Puppy is definitely a classic, haha. How many bookshelves are in your house?

GG: Haha!  Do you expect an honest answer?  Does each individual SHELF count? Or just the bookcase? So…8 Bookcases (6 ft tall each) three drawers full of books and hundreds of ebooks loaded on my GoogleBooks app and my Kindle.

Q: That’s impressive! So how can our readers stalk you on the web?

GG: I check in with my reader group (Sci-Fi Squad) on Facebook about once a week. I also answer questions left on Goodreads. So, if you want to get in touch, please do!  Hugs!

This Or That Questions:

Coffee or Tea?  COFFEE
Coke or Pepsi?  COKE
Morning or Night?  NIGHT!!!!
Shower or Bath? SHOWER
Print or Ebook?  Ebook (My eyes like large print!)
Spiders or Snakes?  SNAKES (Spiders are ewww!)
Haunted Mansion or Un-haunted Shack?  Un-Haunted Shack

Enter To Win Amazing Prizes From Author Grace Goodwin
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Did you get your copy of BIG BAD BEAST by Grace Goodwin? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.

Like this post? You might also enjoy Ask Me Nicely by Dania Voss.

The post New Release: Big Bad Beast by Grace Goodwin appeared first on RomanceDevoured.