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New Release & Review ~ The Great Witches Baking Show ~ by ~ Nancy Warren


BRAND NEW paranormal culinary cozy mystery!
The Great Witches Baking Show by Nancy Warren is available now!
Amazon — https://amzn.to/2DEFqja
Universal — getbook.at/TGWBS
99c // FREE with Kindle Unlimited

NEW RELEASE GIVEAWAY — ENTER NOW!
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorNancyWarren

A baker with secrets
Witches in trouble
The cameras are rolling
Ready, set, die.Poppy Wilkinson is thrilled to be chosen as a contestant on The Great British Baking Contest. As an American with English roots, winning the crown as Britain’s Best Baker would open doors she’s dreamed of. In more ways than one. Appearing on the reality show is her chance to get into Broomewode Hall and uncover the secrets of her past.

But strange things are happening on the show’s set: accusations of sabotage, a black cat that shadows Poppy, suspiciously unsociable residents at Broomewode Hall—and the judges can be real witches.

There are murmurs that Broomewode is an energy vortex. It certainly makes Poppy see and do things that aren’t exactly normal, and seems to draw interesting characters to the neighborhood.

When a fellow contestant dies in mysterious circumstances, Poppy has more to worry about than burned pies and cakes that won’t rise. There’s a murderer on the loose and it’s up to Poppy and her new friends to solve the crime before it becomes a real show-stopper.

From USA Today Bestselling Author Nancy Warren, this delicious series of cozy paranormal mysteries will have you guessing until the end. Includes recipes.

TBRreview

I haven’t watched The British Bakeoff or whatever it’s called – I know, why haven’t I yet. I just haven’t. Sadly, I’m more mystery, true crime show watcher more than a cooking show person.

Which is where this cozy mystery series start came in! Poppy is a contestant in the show, who is very nervous about everything that is happening, being on TV and trying to win this show so that she can investigate things in her past that she doesn’t know.

I really like Poppy. Her character is sweet and genuine and just truly likable. I definitely can’t wait to read more from this series and this author in general.

5 stars!

About the Author:

Nancy’s a USA today bestselling author of more than 60 novels. Nancy’s originally from Vancouver, Canada but she tends to wander. She currently lives in an 18th century house in Bath, England where she loves to pretend she’s Jane Austen, or at least a character in a Jane Austen novel. When she’s not writing, she’s hiking, skiing, traveling or sipping wine. She’s appeared on the front page of the New York Times (when her book, Speed Dating launched Harlequin’s NASCAR series), has been a clue in a crossword puzzle (National Post, Canada) and she’s been a finalist for the RITA award three times, honored by Romantic Times Magazine and often shares her love of writing in her popular workshops.

Connect with Nancy!

Website — nancywarren.net
Newsletter — http://eepurl.com/gE-Sn1
Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/Nancy-Warren-35585383469/
Bookbub — https://www.bookbub.com/authors/nancy-warren
Twitter — https://twitter.com/nancywarren1

New Release & Review ~ The Blind Date Diaries ~ by ~ Brenda St John Brown

 

 

Title: The Blind Date Diaries
Author: Brenda St John Brown

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: January 15, 2020

Blurb

Dating?
Lower than a bikini wax on my list of priorities.

Blind
dating? Let’s just say I’d rather have a Brazilian – and not the
hot soccer-player variety.

So the fact
I’ve agreed to do a blind-date feature for Pink, the magazine I
work for, and write it all up Bridget Jones style means one thing – Pink is
in dire straits and this is my best shot at saving my job.

Make that
my only shot because date number one is with Jack Reese – the son of the
publisher of Pink – and he dislikes me as much as I dislike
him.

Or at least
I thought he did.

 

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Excerpt
“Ang is going to be Pink’s own Bachelorette?” Erin’s tone is snarky, and I dig my fingernails into
my palm to keep myself from snapping back at her. Just because I’m curvy
doesn’t mean I couldn’t be a Bachelorette.
“Without the roses. Because
that’s dumb, man. I don’t care what anyone says,” says Patrick, with an
exaggerated eye roll.
Everyone laughs and I shoot
Patrick a grateful look. I owe him big time for jumping on board with this and
keeping any doubts he’s had to himself. “The introductory spread is going in
the print edition, we’ve got banner ads for the website, and Patrick’s also put
together a set of social media banners. We’ll need to really build buzz about
this before we run the first blind date story next week.”
“What if no one responds?”
asks Mike. “You’re relying on nominations, right? What if there aren’t any?”
“Oh, come on. As if.”
Melissa side-eyes Mike and everyone laughs.
I laugh, too, but the truth
is, Mike just hit on my biggest fear related to this whole thing. Not the dates
themselves because if I can get through lunch with my boss, I can get through a
blind date. But what if no one wants to participate? What if no one wants to go
out with me?
And I know it’s not about me at all in the broad scheme of things.
But in the details, it is. I’m the datee in this thing and I’m no Helen of
Troy. I mean, I’m not ugly, just…average. Average height. Average looks. On the
plus side, I have great cheekbones. On the minus side, I’m carrying at least
twenty extra pounds because I don’t exercise enough. My other older brother,
Will, always says I have the body of a supermodel hidden in me somewhere, but
Will’s a personal trainer and he gets paid to say things like that.
Erin’s voice snaps me out of
my reverie. “We need a plant.”
“A plant?” A shrub, maybe a
rhododendron? “For what?”
“Not that kind. I mean a
pre-determined winner for date one,” says Erin. “So in case no one comes
forward, we can fudge it and have someone to kick this off.”
Before I can respond, a
voice rings out from the back of the room and all heads turn towards Jack
Reese, who’s somehow slipped in the back when no one was watching. “I’ll do
it.”
My heart leaps to my throat.
Jack’s gaze is cool and detached, although his eyes rake over me like he’s
picturing my gray skirt pushed up around my waist and now I can’t help
imagining that, too. I glance down at my fingers twisting the pen in my hand
and when I glance back up at Jack, I see a trace of a smirk on his lips. Like
he knows he’s had an effect on me and he’s ticking off some mental scorecard.
“Uh, yeah?” My words are no
better than a stutter. “I mean, that could work, right?”
“Unless you have a better
suggestion?” Erin’s tone makes it clear what she thinks the likelihood of this
is.
All eyes turn towards me. I
could admit right now that the whole Jack thing has already been arranged, but
it occurs to me that it probably looks better for Jack to offer, so I say,
“Nope. Jack, that makes you bachelor number one. As long as you’re up for it?”
“Oh, I’m up for it.” Jack wriggles his eyebrows and Erin giggles.
TBRreview

Angeline and Jack’s story was so good! Definitely should have gone to bed earlier than I did.

I like that Jack and Angeline were both so anxious and worried about how they felt that they were constantly rubbing each other the wrong way. And it made for hilarity to ensue. They aren’t friends, not coworkers but Ang’s boss is Jack’s mom. So they are aware of each other.

Ang is working on a story for the magazine Pink where she goes on blind dates – think like The Bachelorette ish(I think, I’ve never actually watched it) with Bridget Jones Diary mixed in.

A feel good, funny read when you need a laugh.

4 stars!

Author Bio
Brenda is a displaced New Yorker living in the English
countryside. She’s lived in the UK long enough to gain dual citizenship, but
still doesn’t understand Celsius. However, she has learned the appropriate use
of the word “pants”. And how to order a proper bacon bap/barm/buttie. Because,
well, bacon.
Brenda writes contemporary romance to make you giggle and
swoon. When she’s not writing, she enjoys hiking, running and reading. In
theory, she also enjoys cooking, but it’s more that she enjoys eating and, try
as she might, she can’t live on Doritos alone.
For more information or to connect with Brenda visit http://brendastjohnbrown.com
Author Links
TWITTER
FACEBOOK
INSTAGRAM

 

Book Blitz ~ Fateless ~ by ~ Meli Raine

 

 

Title: Fateless
Series: The Stateless Series #3
Author: Meli Raine
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: December 26, 2019
Blurb
The future isn’t real.
The past isn’t real, either.
Only the present is, solid and full, flying at our faces, our bodies, our
hearts and souls at breakneck speed as we work to take it all in.
As we work to protect others.
And, finally – ourselves.
We’ve started to break the bonds of Stateless, a system as rotten as the
one it seeks to destroy. But systems are organisms with one brutal goal: to
survive, whatever it takes.
Kina has to do the unfathomable to save a different system, one she
created out of empathy and love for children we rescued from the only home they
know.
She’ll use her mind, her body, her spirit — and her ultimate weapons:
love, and —
Me.
Fateless is the final book in USA Today bestselling
author Meli Raine’s newest trilogy.
The Stateless Trilogy also includes:
Stateless
Traceless

 

VIEW ON BOOKBUB
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ALSO AVAILABLE IN AUDIO
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Excerpt
“Traitor?”
Foster says the word with laughter.
“That’s
what someone who gives information to the enemy is called, right? You don’t
have a different word for it in mass society, do you?”
A head
shake is all she gets from him until he frowns deeply, standing quickly as
someone emerges from the trees behind me.
“Lindsay?”
he says disbelievingly. I turn to see his wife, the president’s daughter,
standing in the shadows, flanked by two guys in black.
“Hi.” Her
hand moves in a curt wave, mouth smiling without showing teeth. She looks like
she’s ready for a fight, eyes on her husband, who approaches her with quick
steps and what appears to be a flashpoint temper.
“What the
hell are you doing here?” he hisses as he pulls her away from us, the security
guys moving away to give them privacy, but scanning the area closely.
“Emma’s
with Jane,” she says, heading him off before the obvious interrogation. “But I
realized something.” She looks at Kina openly.
“What?” he
snaps.
“Her. She’s
the key to it all.” One finger aims straight at Kina, who turns.
“Me?”
“Yes. You.
I have an idea for how you can bring it all down.”
Also Available
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
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GOOGLE PLAY / PAPERBACK / AUDIO
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY / PAPERBACK / AUDIO
Author Bio

 

Meli Raine
writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad
boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. Meli
rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the
ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.
Author Links

 

Cover Reveals ~ Tailor Made & Tailor Fit ~ by ~ Tasha Lewis

Titles: Tailor Made and Tailor Fit 
Series: Find Your Fit
Author: Tasha Lewis
Genre: Sweet Contemporary NA Romance
Tailor Made Release: November 12, 2018
Tailor Fit Release: November 4, 2019
Cover Designer: A Novel Idea
 

 

 

 

 

I don’t just work at Tailor Made; I am tailor made.
 
The dating site where women can design their dream date fits my life perfectly: all the perks of dating without the commitment. Between school, two jobs and raising my sister, I don’t have time for relationships, nor the demands that come with them.
 
Then a client books me for a night out and I know, one night with Rayleigh will never be enough. What’s supposed to be a simple date, just a job, flips my world upside down.
 
Sometimes the perfect fit comes along when you least expect it.
 
Tailor Made is a standalone sweet contemporary romance, written in dual POV.
 
 
 
 
Are we really destined to last or does fate have another plan in hand?
 
My world came to a screeching halt the day I met Claire. I don’t bother to keep my distance because she would never fall for a guy like me, and you know what they say, once an addict, always an addict. Even though I’ve kicked the habit, I’m quickly addicted to her. However, it all comes to a crashing halt as her lies start to unravel and the truth is finally revealed. Will we be able to move past them or will I once again have to start a new life?
 
Destined to live a short and simple life, I tend to stick to myself until I run into Remy. For once, fate’s on my side and before I know it, I’m in too deep with secrets I can’t reveal. If Remy knew the truth, he would leave. They always leave.
 
Will I lose the only man to love me as everything starts to unravel? Or will we find that we were made to last?
 
 
 
 

HOSTED BY:

 

New Release & Review ~ The Fight for Forever ~ by ~ Meghan March

The Fight for Forever Release day Blitz/Blog Tour Collateral

January 14, 2020



About The Fight for Forever:

New York Times bestselling author Meghan March concludes the Legend Trilogy.

You can only keep what you can protect.

That’s all I’ve ever known. It’s the way I’ve lived my life.

Now, everything I never knew I needed is at risk, and I’m not letting anyone take it from me.

I won’t let anyone take her from me.

They say love is a battlefield, so I’m ready for war.

This time, it’s the fight for forever.

The Fight for Forever is the third book in the Legend Trilogy and should be read after The Fall of Legend and House of Scarlett

Add to your Goodreads TBR:

http://bit.ly/TheFightforForeverGR

Where to buy:

http://meghanmarch.com/the-fight-for-forever

Amazon: 
mybook.to/MMFight

Apple Books: 
http://bit.ly/AppleTheFightforForever

B&N: 
http://bit.ly/MMTheFightforForeverNook

Kobo: 
http://bit.ly/TheFightforForeverKobo

Google Play: 
http://bit.ly/37qt22M

As soon as I was lucky enough to get this ARC, I was into this book! I couldn’t wait for the conclusion of Scarlett and Legend’s story. And I was NOT disappointed!

As always, I’m not going to give a spoiler because I don’t play that way. You MUST read the other 2 books in the trilogy first. Nothing will make sense, you won’t know the story and all 3 books are out now. BINGE!!

I personally love how each of Meghan’s books feature a previous story’s character. They aren’t a prominent feature but they do make appearances. It allows for us to get a visit from some of our favorite Meghan March characters of recent past.

5 stars!



About the author:

Making the jump from corporate lawyer to romance author was a leap of faith that New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Meghan March will never regret. With over thirty titles published, she has sold millions of books in nearly a dozen languages to fellow romance-lovers around the world. A nomad at heart, she can currently be found in the woods of the Pacific Northwest, living her happily ever after with her real-life alpha hero.

Sign up for Meghan’s newsletter and receive exclusive content that she saves for her subscribers:
 http://meghanmarch.com/subscribe

To get the inside scoop on a daily basis, search Meghan March’s Runaway Readers on Facebook and join the fun!

FACEBOOK | 
WEBSITE | 
INSTAGRAM | 
AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE | 
TWITTER | 
BOOKBUB

New Release ~ Baiting Him ~ by ~ Aurora Rose Reynolds

 

 

Title: Baiting Him

Series: How to Catch an Alpha #2

Author: Aurora Rose Reynolds

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: January 14, 2020

 

Blurb
Chrissie doesn’t
have time for guys, hot or otherwise; most days, she barely has time to sleep.
With a thriving bakery that demands her attention and plenty of proof that
relationships aren’t worth the trouble, she’s content to go it alone. Too bad
she’s unwittingly baited Mr. Tall, Dark, and Way Too Gorgeous—and he’s just
waiting for a chance to bite.
Gaston is used to
getting what he wants, but he also knows nothing good ever comes easy. From the
moment he meets Chrissie, he realizes that this woman who makes him laugh,
smells like cupcakes, and looks like a tasty snack is going to be his greatest
challenge. And if he’s lucky, she’ll be his biggest reward.
But someone else
wants to catch Gaston at all costs—even if it means endangering the lives of
the people he loves. Somehow Gaston must thwart danger and convince Chrissie
that he’s the perfect catch.

 

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE

 

Also Available
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
AUDIO / PAPERBACK
Coming Soon

 

Releasing June 16

 

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

 

Author Bio
Aurora Rose
Reynolds is a New York Times, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling
author whose wildly popular series include Until, Until Him, Until Her,
Underground Kings and Shooting Stars.
Her writing
career started in an attempt to get the outrageously alpha men who resided in
her head to leave her alone and has blossomed into an opportunity to share her
stories with readers all over the world.
Author Links

 

Cover Reveal ~ Heart of Darkness ~ by ~ Claire Marta

Title: Heart of Darkness
Series: An Immortals of the Damned Novel
Author: Claire Marta
Genre: Dark Paranormal Romance
Release Date: February 14, 2020
Cover Design: OPIUM House Creatives

 

Prince of Darkness.
Monster.
Villain.
Damned by love.
Fuelled by vengeance.
For centuries, my loss and hunger have consumed me.
One soul, one flickering human light, and my obsession with what I lost is once more unleashed.
There are those who want to take from me what is rightfully mine, but I’m no longer bound by time. She’ll always be my one and only, and anyone who interferes will find no mercy here.
 
*This book contains trigger warnings for its dark content. It is intended for a mature audience of 18+

 

A native Brit, I live in Italy with my husband and daughter. When I am not writing and drinking copious amounts of tea, I enjoys taking photos of my adoptive country, trying to stay fit with running, reading amazing books and being a stay at home mother.


 HOSTED BY:

 

New Release ~ The Bishop ~ by ~ Skye Warren

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Skye Warren with you today! THE BISHOP is part of her Tanglewood series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now. 

 

Purchase your copy of THE BISHOP today!

Amazon US    |    Amazon UK   |   Amazon CA   |   Amazon AU

 

About THE BISHOP: 

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Skye Warren comes the next installment in her Tanglewood series.

A million dollar chess piece goes missing hours before the auction.

Anders Sorenson will do anything to get it back. His family name and fortune rests on finding two inches of medieval ivory. Instead he finds an injured woman with terrible secrets.

He isn’t letting her go until she helps him find the piece. But there’s more at stake in this strategic game of lust and danger. When she confesses everything, he might lose more than his future. He might lose his heart.

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

Add THE BISHOP to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of THE BISHOP today!

Amazon US    |    Amazon UK   |   Amazon CA   |   Amazon AU

Excerpt: 

“Nice turnout.”

Tanglewood high society came out in full force to be seen as a serious contender at the auction benefiting migrant children. Tinkling laughter shimmers in the air. Men and women mingle. It emphasizes how still the two of us stand, how serious.

“Are you sure you want to sell it?” Damon asks, thought the chess piece has already been appraised and announced. It’s already pictured in high-gloss photography in the auction program.

“Of course.”

The Den is part social club, part underground hub for illicit activity. Countless paintings and priceless sports memorabilia have been sold between these walls. There was even a noteworthy auction involving the virginity of a woman. The bloodied history of this chess piece fits right in.

Damon frowns. “It’s a family heirloom. If you need money—”

Christ. Damon Scott is one of the few men I consider a friend. I can’t bear the thought of him offering me a loan. Or worse—a gift. I don’t need the goddamn money, but it’s easier if he thinks I do. “With the old man gone, there’s no family left. So there’s no reason to keep it.”

A whistle. “That’s cold, even coming from you.”

I have something of a reputation. In an emergency room, being calm and controlled is an asset. In the regular world people look at me like I’m a monster. Well, maybe I am. The old man thought so. He never understood that a blue flame burns the hottest. “Is it wrong to care about the money?”

“Everyone cares about the money, Anders. That’s the one human constant. Anyone who says otherwise is either lying or drinking their own goddamn Kool-Aid.”

He walks away, leaving me to study the dark swaths alone. Maybe the painting is about money, then. I’d rather be on call tonight, or at least buried in a stack of books, but I have to see this through. All the way to the bitter end.

BOOK TRAILER

REVIEW QUOTES FOR SKYE’S NOVELS: 

“Wickedly brilliant, dark and addictive!” – Jodi Ellen Malpas, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“Sinfully sexy and darkly beautiful, The Pawn will play games with your heart and leave you craving more!” – Laura Kaye, New York Times bestselling author

“Smart, dark, deeply sensual read with characters I fell in love with from the minute they walked onto the page!” – Carly Phillips, New York Times bestselling author

…

 

 

 

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

 

Skye Warren is the New York Times bestselling author of dangerous romance. Her books have sold over one million copies. She makes her home in Texas with her loving family, sweet dogs, and evil cat.

 

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads  |  Instagram  | Newsletter

New Release ~ Bourbon Love Notes ~ by ~ Shari J. Ryan

 

 

Title: Bourbon Love Notes
Series: Barrel House #1
Author: Shari J. Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 13, 2020

 

Blurb
In a split second, life can steal a last breath … and
derail all future plans.
While flying home after a phone call that left me
heartbroken, a row to myself would have been ideal. Instead, I was unknowingly
sitting shoulder to shoulder with a strikingly attractive single dad and
ex-Marine. I could have pretended not to notice the man, but there was
something familiar about him.
It didn’t take long before I pieced together where I knew
him from or why he was back in my life.
With chaos holding me hostage, I wanted to hide but couldn’t
avoid Brett Pearson, our old family friend, and my teenage crush, because he
kindly offered to help out with my family’s business—The Barrel House.
Handling my father’s distillery would be a distraction from
my brutal reality. Except, I never paid close attention to the art of making
bourbon, unlike Brett, who was full of bourbon knowledge. He offered to teach
me a thing or two, but all I could focus on was the way his lips moved when he
spoke to me.
I needed to grieve, and my head was in the wrong place at
the wrong time, but my heart was splitting at the seams.
Bourbon was spilled, drinks were shared, but could passion
ignite from a dying last wish?

 

 
 
Purchase Links
 
$3.99 for a limited time!
 
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Excerpt
Copyright 2019 –
Shari J. Ryan
 
How can Dad be
thinking about so much when he doesn’t know if there will be a tomorrow? I
can’t believe he already hired someone to run the business. I can’t pretend
like I ever had intentions of taking over the shop, even knowing Dad wouldn’t
be able to run it forever, but the thought hadn’t crossed my mind because Dad
is supposed to live well past his retirement age. Nothing has gone as I have
planned since I graduated college, and while I have traveled along with the
bumps in the road, everything feels like it’s crashing down on me now. 
Maybe I have no
business being in The Barrel House, pretending like I know everything there is
to know about running a bourbon distillery. 
“Melody!” It’s
Brett. He’s calling after me. Doesn’t he know when a woman runs out a door,
it’s probably best not to follow her?
I turn back toward
the firehouse, watching him walk toward me. My instinct forces me to take a
step back, which causes me to trip off the curb. I catch myself on a car,
thankfully, but the car’s alarm beeps at me just to add an extra dose of
humiliation to this moment.
My heart is in my
throat, or maybe it’s my stomach. My head is spinning and … why did he have
to come after me?
“I need to get back
home. I should be with my dad,” I tell him, looking both ways to make sure I
don’t get creamed by a car on top of it all. The coast is clear and I cross the
street, finding my way to Mom’s car. 
“Wait up for a
second,” Brett continues, following me across the street. He places his hand on
the door, preventing me from opening it and jumping inside. “Your dad wanted a
bottle,” he says, handing me the bottle of Red Apple that Dad did, in fact,
request. 
“How did you—” 
“He called to warn
me that you were on your way down, flustered, upset, trying to be a hero, and
you’d most likely forget that he requested a bottle of Red Apple.” Brett laughs
sweetly, smiling benevolently. “I’m not trying to take over your family
business, despite what you might be thinking. My dad has been a barrel supplier
for your dad since before either of us were born. I was just asked to come help
you guys out.” 
“I know.” In truth,
I don’t understand much of anything now. I’ve been going a mile a minute since
I got that letter yesterday. I’ve been awake since five this morning, and I’m
exhausted. “Thank you for coming to help,” I offer sincerely, wishing he would
move his hand from my door. 
“I’m sorry for what
you’re going through. I wouldn’t wish this on anyone.” The look in Brett’s eyes
triggers more pain in my stomach. I’m losing my dad. 
“I don’t know what
else to do right now other than help him, and being in his shop feels like the
only way I can help,” I explain. 
The backs of my eyes
burn. I’m supposed to be the strong one, but I’m falling apart. I stare up to
the sky, waning away the threatening tears. Keep it together, Melody. My
body doesn’t respond to my command. Tears trickle, one by one and I gasp for
air as my lungs feel like they are deflating. I place my hands over my face,
embarrassed to be crying in front of Brett Pearson of all people, but the pain
has been building, and though I let a few tears escape this morning at the
airport, it clearly wasn’t enough. “I’m sorry,” I mutter. 
Arms envelop me and
my head falls against his firm chest. His embrace is tight and though I don’t know
the adult version of Brett well enough to feel comfort from a hug, the squeeze
is alleviating some of the pressure in my chest. 
The rate of my
breaths slow and I’m able to stop the tears from falling. Brett must notice
that I’ve calmed down because his arms release from around me and he takes a
step back. I don’t know what else to say or do aside from searching his
worry-filled eyes as if I’d find the answer there. 
He presses the pad
of his thumb beneath my eye and sweeps away a remaining tear. “Take some time
to process it all,” Brett says, sounding wise beyond his years. “I don’t know
how long you’ve known about your Dad becoming sick again, but I doubt there’s
any length of time that’s long enough to accept or adjust to that kind of news.”
“I’m going to—” I
point to the car.
Brett backs away,
slipping his hands into his back pockets. I close myself into the car, rest my
head back, and close my eyes for a minute before starting the engine. 
A knock on the
window startles my eyes to reopen. Brett is standing outside of the car holding
up the bottle of Red Apple. I roll the window down and retrieve the bottle.
“Thank you,” I tell him. “For everything.” 
Coming Soon
Releasing April 2
$3.99 for a limited time!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Author Bio
Shari J. Ryan is
an International Bestselling Author of Contemporary Romance and Women’s
Fiction. 
She lives in
Massachusetts with her husband and two young sons.  Shari started her career as a graphic artist
and freelance writer, then found her passion for writing books back in 2011.
She has been slaying words and creating imaginary friends ever since.
With over 125k
books sold, Shari’s books have hit Amazon’s Top 100 bestseller list, Barnes
& Noble’s Top 10, and iBooks at #1.
Some of Shari’s bestselling books include Last Words, The Other Blue
Sky, A Heart of Time, and Man Flu from the Man Cave Collection.
Author Links

 

Pre-Order Blitz ~ Wicked Warden ~ by ~ Lynn Burke

Title: Wicked Warden
Series: Vicious Vipers 1
Author: Lynn Burke
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: January 14, 2020
He’s the only man my father can trust when the cartel attempts to take us out. A vicious motorcycle gang member, he’s deadly with his fists and firearms.
 
He’s also the bastard responsible for my mother’s death.
 
I’m the one who’ll make him pay. A too-young, too-innocent woman he lusts after but refuses to touch.
 
He might believe he’s strong enough to withstand my plans for retaliation, but I will bring him to his knees and have my revenge.
 
Even if my heart dies along with his.
“We have to go.” Dad tugged me toward the exit. “Stick to my heels—don’t look at anyone, don’t speak to anyone.”
I nodded dumbly, using my free hand to swipe tears from my cheeks in an attempt to be the strong woman he wanted. If only he’d have offered a quick hug—the thing I always longed for and never received—the fortifying sense of having firm ground to stand upon, to depend upon outside of monetary means.
“The car’s at the end of the alleyway. You’ll get in the back, lay down, and stay down until I say.”
I nodded again, knowing to never argue with Dad’s commands.
One last quick scan of my face and he turned, grasping the exit door’s handle. Dad peeked out head moving left then right. “Stay close,” he whispered, pulling the door open far enough for us to slip through.
I stepped out into the dark after him, my breath loud in my ears as cold bit at my exposed, over-heated skin. Dad’s dress shoes slapped on the sidewalk, my heels clicking as we hurried up the alleyway.
A crowd still stood at the front of the club, but Dad pushed through, people closing back in behind us as we fought to get to the car.
I kept my focus on his tense shoulders rather than scan the crowd for faces I might recognize—my guards, or his men from the compound I’d called home. Every muscle inside me trembled, shaking my limbs. The second we escaped the throng, he headed toward a tan car I didn’t recognize, his head in constant motion as he scanned the immediate area.
Dad grasped the car’s back door handle.
Pop!
“Get in!” he shouted as people began screaming behind us.
He yanked open the door, and I dove in headfirst, my heart in my throat.
Oh fuck, oh fuck, oh fuck…
I curled up on the cloth seat, hugging my knees to my chest, trembling from fear as much as the cold.
Another gunshot sounded, and Dad slammed the door behind me.
Please be okay… I clenched my eyelids shut.
A third shot sounded through the ringing in my ears, and I bit my lip to keep from shrieking, curling even tighter into myself. Tears rolled down my cheeks, and I held my breath … waiting. Needing Dad to be okay. Needing him to get in the car and take me far away from the shit.
The driver door tore open, and a quick peek revealed Dad hopping in.
“Fuck!” He pulled away from the curb like a bat out of hell, tires squealing beneath us, and I clenched my eyes shut again, trying to still my breathing and calm the fuck down. Rather than spew a million questions and distract Dad as he muttered curses and sped down one road after another, I kept quiet except for sniffles when my nose threatened to drip.
Violence came with Dad’s line of business. I’d learned that first hand, and the aftermath of that war had left me without a mother, left my father broken and shut down toward his only living relative—me.
The only daughter.
The only heir to the fortune and empire he’d built from running drugs with a cartel I wished I didn’t know anything about.
“Shaun!” Dad barked. “Get your seat belt on. Now.”
He swerved, and a car sped alongside us as I sat up. Two men sat in the front, neither of which I recognized.
The one in the passenger seat raised a gun.
“Gun!” I shrieked, and Dad slammed on the brakes.
Lower lip between my teeth, I slid out of the shoulder strap and laid back down, curling up as tight as I could.
Dad stomped on the gas again.
Metal scraped—the car shifted.
Dad cursed low and long…
We sped up. He slammed the brakes again enough to tumble me off the seat had I not had the belt across my lap. More speed, more metal screeching—tears and snot mingled on my face, but I couldn’t be bothered to care.
I’d always thought keeping my eyes closed as a child meant no one could see me, that I hid in my own little world. Untouchable. Invincible.
I’d learned the day Mom died, the closing of one’s eyes couldn’t shield one from the horrors in life.
The car suddenly shifted—spun.
I bit my lip, tasting blood as I whimpered.
Sounds of screeching—metal smashing—a loud explosion.
Our car came to a standstill, silence engulfing the air around us.

 

© Lynn Burke 2018
Lynn Burke is a full time mother, voracious gardener, and scribbler of spicy romance stories. A country bumpkin turned Bay Stater, she enjoys her chowdah and Dunkin Donuts when not trying to escape the reality of city life.
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