Chapter Reveal ~ Neighbor Dearest ~ by ~ Penelope Ward

NEIGHBOR DEAREST

(A standalone)

Release date: 8/15/2016

A Contemporary Romance Novel

New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling Author Penelope Ward

***

NEIGHBOR DEAREST
CHAPTER ONE

SUPERSONIC HEARING

Penelope Ward

My little sister is such a drama queen. Literally. Jade is an actress on Broadway.

She clapped her hands together, applauding the students who’d just bravely put themselves out there to try out for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. “You all did such a great job today! Tomorrow we cast the roles and start our first rehearsal. This is gonna be epic!”

Jade had come out to the Bay Area to visit our family for the week and offered to volunteer at the youth center where I worked. Since there wasn’t enough time to produce an entire play, Jade decided to direct the kids in one key scene from the musical that would be performed later in the week.

I loved my job as director of the arts at the Mission Youth Center. It was just about the only thing going right in my life. The only downside was the fact that these walls were haunted by memories of my ex, Elec, who used to be a youth counselor here. That was how we met. He’d loved his job, too, until he quit so that he could move to New York after we broke up. He moved to be with her. I shook my head to shoo away thoughts of him and Greta.

Jade grabbed her purse. “I need to go back to your place to use the bathroom and have a quick bite.”

I’d just moved into a new apartment that was only a few blocks away from my job. The lease had finally run out on the place I’d been renting with Elec across town. Even though my ex sent me his half of the rent for the remainder of our lease after he’d moved out, I couldn’t wait to vacate that place; every corner of it reminded me of him and of the miserable months that followed our break up.

My place was right in the south central section of the Mission District. I loved the culture in my new neighborhood. Produce bins and a variety of cafes lined the streets. It was also a mecca for Latin culture, which was great, except for the fact that it reminded me of Elec, who was half Ecuadorian. Little reminders of the guy who broke my heart were everywhere.

Jade and I strolled down the sidewalk, stopping at a fruit stand so that she could buy some papayas for an afternoon smoothie she planned to make back at my apartment. We also ended up getting two coffees to go.

I bent back the opening on my coffee lid as we walked. “So, little sis, I never thought we would be in the same predicament at the same time.”

Jade had recently been dumped by her musician boyfriend.

“Yes. But the difference is, I feel like I have way more distractions in my life than you do. It’s not that I don’t think about Justin. It’s not that I don’t get sad, but my performances keep me so busy that it’s almost like I don’t have time to wallow in it, you know?”

“I told you I’ve been doing these phone therapy sessions, right?”

Jade took a sip then shook her head. “No.”

“Yeah. I found this psychologist who specializes in trauma from failed relationships, but she’s in Canada. Anyway, we do phone sessions one night a week.”

“Is it helping?”

“It always helps to talk things out.”

“Yeah. But no offense, you don’t seem any better for it. Anyway, you can talk things out with Claire or me. You don’t need to pay big bucks to talk to a stranger.”

“Nighttime is really my only time to talk to anyone. You’re performing at night, and Claire is too wrapped up in being a blissful newlywed. Besides, she’s never had her heart broken. She listens, but she doesn’t get it.”

Our older sister, Claire, married her high school sweetheart. Even though the three of us were close growing up in nearby Sausalito, I’d always felt more comfortable opening up to Jade.

When we arrived at my building, my sister stopped to sit on one of the benches in the corner of the fenced-in courtyard. “Let’s sit for a bit, finish our coffees.” Her gaze wandered across the grass to my shirtless neighbor. “Okay…who’s the hottie in the beanie defacing the property?”

“What is it with you and beanies?”

“Justin used to wear one. That’s why I love them. Isn’t that sad?”

“That is sad.”

“This from the girl who still sleeps in her ex’s shirt.”

“It’s comfortable. It has nothing to do with Elec,” I lied. It was the one thing I allowed myself from him. It made me sad, but I wore it anyway.

“So…who is that guy?”

I didn’t know my neighbor’s name, but I’d see him once in a while doing spray paint art along the wrap-around concrete wall that surrounded the property. It served as a vast canvas. His spray painting was true art, definitely not what would be considered simple graffiti. It was an elaborate mix of celestial and geographical images. This guy just kept adding different artwork to the wall gradually. It was a work in progress. I could only assume he planned to paint the entire circumference of the property, as much as the wall space would allow.

“He lives in the building, next door to me, actually.”

“What is he doing? They allow him to do that here?”

“I don’t know. The first time I saw him out here, I thought he was vandalizing the property. But no one seems to care or stop him. Every day, he adds to the mural. It’s actually quite beautiful. But it doesn’t match his personality.”

Jade blew on her coffee. “What do you mean?”

“He’s not very nice.”

“You’ve talked to him?”

“No. He’s just not friendly. I’ve tried to make eye contact, but he walks right by me. He has these two big dogs, and they’re pretty mean. They bark all of the time. He walks them every morning.”

“Maybe he’s like a savant. You know, really good with art. Or maybe he’s a genius but with limited social skills. What do they call that…Asperger’s?”

“No. He communicates just fine. I’ve seen him yelling at a few people. I’m pretty sure he doesn’t have that. This guy is just not friendly. He doesn’t have Asperger’s. He’s just an ass.”

Jade chuckled. “I think you should totally stop by his place with some warm muffins wrapped up in a basket. It’s the neighborly thing to do. Maybe he’ll loosen up…or loosen you up.”

“Muffins, huh? What’s that code for?”

“Muff…muffins. Same thing. If I lived here, I’d be all over that. But I don’t live here. You do. And you totally need a distraction. I say…he’s it.”

I admired the guy’s broad shoulders and tanned muscular back as his arm moved the spray can up and down. “God, doesn’t he remind you of Elec, though? Arm tattoo…dark hair. Artistic. Basically, that’s the last type of guy I’m going for at this point.”

“So, if someone looks like or seems similar to Elec, then they’re automatically disqualified? They’re destined to do the same thing Elec did? Is that how you think? That’s just stupid rationale.”

“Maybe that’s fucked-up. But the last thing I want is to be with someone who reminds me of him in the least.”

“Well, that’s a shame, because Elec was freaking hot, and this guy…is even hotter.”

“Can you remind me why we’re discussing this? The dude doesn’t even say hello to me. He’s not signing up to be on this delusional version of The Bachelorette. He’s not interested.”

Neighbor Dearest suddenly wiped the sweat from his forehead, took off the mask covering his nose and mouth, and dumped the spray cans into a black drawstring sack. He slung it over his shoulder and just when I thought he was going to walk away and out of the courtyard, he began to walk in our direction. Jade straightened in her seat, and I hated that my pulse raced a bit.

His eyes were focused on me. I wouldn’t call it an angry stare, but he wasn’t smiling. The sunlight beamed directly into his blue eyes, which glowed and really stood out against his tan skin. Jade was right; this guy was truly gorgeous.

“Blueberry are my favorite,” he said.

“What?”

“Muffins.”

“Oh.”

Jade snorted but stayed silent, letting me take the brunt of this humiliation.

“And I’m not anti-social or a savant. I’m just a good old-fashioned prick…with supersonic hearing.”

He smirked and walked away before I could say anything.

When he was safely out of earshot—for real this time—Jade sighed. “Angry guys are the best in bed.”

“You just can’t stop yourself, can you? Haven’t you done enough damage? I’ve always told you that you’re loud when you think you’re whispering. Now there’s proof…at my expense.”

“You’ll be thanking me later when you’re screaming out in orgasm as the angry artist is Van Goh-ing down on you.”

“You’re crazy.”

“That’s why you love me.”

“It is.”

★★★★

We hope you enjoyed this extended preview!

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Blurb

A STANDALONE NOVEL that does NOT need to be read in conjunction with any other book.

From New York Times bestselling author, Penelope Ward, comes a friends-to-lovers story with sexy new characters.

After getting dumped, the last thing I needed was to move next door to someone who reminded me of my ex-boyfriend, Elec.

Damien was a hotter version of my ex.

The neighbor I’d dubbed “Angry Artist” also had two massive dogs that kept me up with their barking.

He wanted nothing to do with me. Or so I thought until one night I heard laughter coming through an apparent hole in my bedroom wall.

Damien had been listening to all of my phone sessions with my therapist.

The sexy artist next door now knew all of my deepest secrets and insecurities.

We got to talking.

He set me straight with tips to get over my breakup.

He became a good friend, but Damien made it clear that he couldn’t be anything more.

Problem was, I was falling hard for him anyway. And as much as he pushed me away, I knew he felt the same…because his heartbeat didn’t lie.

I thought my heart had been broken by Elec, but it was alive and beating harder than ever for Damien.

I just hoped he wouldn’t shatter it for good.

Author’s note – Neighbor Dearest is a full-length standalone novel. Due to strong language and sexual content, this book is not intended for readers under the age of 18.

Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling author. She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor, before switching to a more family-friendly career. She is the proud mother of a beautiful 11-year-old girl with autism and a 9-year-old boy. Penelope and her family reside in Rhode Island.

Connect with Penelope Ward:

Additional Books by Penelope Ward

RoomHate:

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Stuck-Up Suit: (co-written with Vi Keeland)

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Cocky Bastard: (co-written with Vi Keeland)

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Sins of Sevin:

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Stepbrother Dearest:

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Jake Undone (Jake #1):

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My Skylar

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Jake Understood (Jake #2):

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Gemini:

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Blog Tour & Review ~ Man of Honor ~ by ~ Sarah O’Rourke

Title: Man of Honor

Series: Passion in Paradise

Author: Sarah O’Rourke

Genre: Erotic Romantic Comedy

Published: July 25, 2016

Sheriff Zeke Monroe loves one woman…Honor McKinnon. He is willing to stake his entire future on protecting her…no matter what the cost.

Honor McKinnon knows she is broken. Her body and soul had been shattered by a violent attack years ago, and no one…not her sisters or anyone else in the tiny town of Paradise, especially the Sheriff…can change that. Rather than dealing with her wounds, she chooses to protect herself from any further damage, even if that means that she avoids the one chance at love. But Zeke is determined to break down Honor’s walls…and to find the persons responsible for hurting her and make them suffer.

He’s already killed for her once…and is willing to do it again if it means she’ll know safety and happiness.

What happens when Zeke refuses to allow Honor to ignore her past? Will Zeke’s love be passionate enough to break down her barriers? And can Zeke save Honor when her life is in danger once again?

Join Sarah O’Rourke in this epic culmination of the Men of the McKinnon Sisters stories…and find out how the Passion in Paradise series is always scorching hot! Standalone, romantica suspense.

“WOW!!! This made me an emotional wreck.” ~MsMe28

“This is a beautiful story of love, loss and moving forward. I would recommend this book and all books in this series!” ~Sassy Southern Book Blog

“OMG WOW!! I have been hooked on this duo as writers for a while but with this book they absolutely outdid themselves.” ~Book Happiness

Man of Honor – Excerpt

“Not necessarily, but I wouldn’t mind,” Zeke replied truthfully. “Honor, darlin, you’re a gorgeous woman.”

“Not without my clothes,” she mumbled, bending her head to stare at her clenched fists. “Ugly,” she muttered. “I’m ugly.”

Tensing, Zeke’s jaw clenched. “I don’t know why the hell you’re saying that, but there’s not a single ugly thing about you. Not when you’re naked. Not when you’re tryin’ to bring yourself to release. Not ever, Honor Grace. You do not ever have to be ashamed of your body.”

Honor slowly lifted her mortified gaze to him. “You’ve never seen me without my clothes, Zeke. There are scars. So many scars. They’re raised and bumpy. Some are red and raw. It’s disgusting, Ezekiel.”

“Bullshit. Every single one of those marks remind me of one thing, Honor. One,” he growled, holding up a finger between them. “You lived. You survived. When all the odds were stacked against you, you defied modern medicine and every one of those damned doctors predictions, and you lived. And all those scars will ever do is remind me of how lucky I am to still have you. Don’t you ever tell me you’re ugly because you’re the most beautiful thing in my world. You wanna be scared to share your body with me because of what happened to you? I get that. I can accept that. But worrying about some marks on your flesh? I love you, baby, but that’s insane.”

Honor stared at him a long time, gauging his sincerity. “It doesn’t feel silly,” she finally grumbled.

“You need to reassess your feelings then because I assure you, it’s one of the silliest concerns you ever had. Christ, baby, how long have you been agonizing of a worry as pointless as your scars?” he asked, shoving a frustrated hand through his dark hair. “I could have put these fears to rest ages ago, Honor, if I’d known about it.”

“It’s hard to talk about,” she revealed in a low voice as her head twisted to look at him.

“Yeah? Is feeling like shit alone better than talking it over together with me?” he returned calmly, reaching up to tenderly tuck her hair behind one ear. “Baby, you gotta start getting this. When you hurt, I hurt. When you suffer, I suffer right along with you. Don’t make either one of us feel that way needlessly, Kitten. Just talk to me. I know you have scars. You’ve got them on your body, and you’ve got them on your soul. I’ve sat by your hospital bed too many times to count and watched you while you did your damnedest to heal them both. Those wounds are not new information to me and they don’t change shit. I still love you, and I don’t allow those scars to do anything other than remind me to treasure every day I have with you. Okay?”

Honor’s eyes were soft as they locked with Zeke’s. “You really do love me a lot, don’t you?” she asked in a small voice.

“So much that I ache with it, Honor.”

Holy cow! This book! This series! I guarantee this review cannot do this book justice! So much happens in this book! You’re heartbroken, pissed, laughing and in love. Honor has lived through hell. Way more than what one person should EVER have to go through. And Zeke. All through it Zeke has been there, supporting, loving, and protecting Honor. It’s almost overwhelming just reading all he’s willing to do and has done for her.

And her aunt Orla? Holy cow is that woman hysterical!

5 Stars!

Sarah O’Rourke is the alter ego of two best friends who have taken their passion for romantic fiction and erotica to the publishing world. Born and raised in the southern United States, one lives near Louisville, KY, while the other resides in Atlanta, Georgia. Neither is ever very far from a tall glass of sweet iced tea, their dog-eared copies of Gone With the Wind, or their Steel Magnolias DVDs!

Formerly an accountant and a chemist, they are now overworked, stay-at-home moms who adore their children, their husbands…and writing about love in every way possible!

HOSTED BY:

Blog Tour & Review ~ A Moment of Truth ~ by ~ Q.T. Ruby

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**Limited New Release Bonus Set**

She’s out of her rut, out of her sweatpants, and out on the town.

Claire Parelli has been liberated!

Back to living it up in the Big Apple with her best friends, Claire embarks upon her dream career during the day, and steams up her nights with Daniel Chase, a.k.a. Mr. Beautiful, Hollywood’s hottest leading man. Life is simply perfect.

But for how long?

Claire knows all too well that fairy tales just don’t exist, even if she does have Fairy Slutmothers on her side. Real-life comes with real problems that don’t simply vanish with a quick flick of the wand. So this time around Claire discovers that it isn’t just a matter of trust—it’ll be a moment of truth.

Bridget makes a mini-show of sliding her coat off her shoulders, and there is no shortage of jaws dropping, watching her. She’s extraordinarily sexy, she’s fun, and she owns it. It’s inspiring, really. If only she could bottle it, she’d be filthy rich. Camille does the same, but more in the I’m-going-to-kick-your-ass way. She’s fierce and strong, but every bit feminine. They hand their coats to the coat check attendant, and I stand there, clutching mine closed. Camille and Bridget wait for me, but I’m feeling naked. Exposed. I can’t possibly take it off!

“Come on, Claire,” Bridget says, nudging me.

I start to move into the crowd with her.

“Coat, Claire,” Bridget says, pointing at the coat check and rolling her eyes.

“I can’t. I’m naked.”

“You’re not naked. Take off your coat.” Bridget’s hands are on her hips.

I frown at her and shake my head, but she comes at the buttons, undoing them for me. I try to swat her hands away, but then Camille starts tugging at the coat, too.

“No. No, no, no, no, no,” I mumble, but I’m losing this fight. They’re giggling now. Hell, we’re all giggling. The next thing I know, Bridget’s handing over my coat to the attendant, and I’m living the nightmare of being naked in public. I want to cover up, but my two hands won’t get me far. “You two suck.”

“You’re fine,” Bridget says, swatting my ass. “And it’s not like the whole bar just saw us wrestle the coat off you . . . oh wait, yes they did.” She laughs.

I LOVED this book! After book 1, I NEEDED more! So much so that instead of cleaning my apartment, I was reading. So now it’s almost midnight on Sunday/Monday and I have a filthy living room that needs vacuuming. And I don’t regret it for a second!
I love Dan and Claire and their romance. And Claire’s crazy friends and Dan’s friends. They’re all just such a fun group!
I wish there was more because I love these characters but everyone’s story is wrapped up so you don’t have unanswered questions.

5 stars!

Ruby’s thoughts are everywhere. To harness the madness, she gave her loudest characters a playground to frolic in. Q.T. Ruby invites you to come play too!

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Release Blitz ~ Interference ~ by ~ Mignon Mykel

Interference

by Mignon Mykel
Prescott Family #1
Publication Date: August 8, 2016
Genres: Adult, Contemporary Romance

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Synopsis: Hockey’s most eligible bachelor must run interference to get the one girl he can’t have.

Sydney:
I’d never even heard of Caleb Prescott, God’s gift to hockey. Who watches hockey anyways? Not me, I’m too busy with college and work. My part-time just for fun job has now asked me to recruit this player for a new dating show. Sounds easy enough. . .until he insists I become part of the show.

Caleb:
I only agreed to compete on the dating show to get closer to Sydney—the redhead pixie I’d do anything to see again. But unlike the women competing for my affection, or the puck bunnies desperate for my attention, Sydney isn’t impressed by my hockey skills. I never miss a shot, I don’t care if she calls interference, I’ll do anything to win her heart.

EXCERPT

Caleb

As she was about to rush into explaining when I would board the cruise-liner, as if I had agreed to it, I held up my hand. “Miss Meadows.” God that sounded too formal for a woman like her. “Sydney,” I tried again, definitely preferring the taste of it on my tongue. “How about we meet over coffee or something tomorrow? Ten?”

Her eyes widened slightly, just briefly, before she nodded with a fixed smile in place. “Of course. Yes, that will give you more time to let it sink in. So long as you agree to—”

I cut her off with a grin. While yes, this show was against everything I had ever thought for myself, I had a feeling that sitting with Sydney and talking to her about the show, as if I were agreeing to it, would be the only time I’d see this gorgeous redhead again. I didn’t quite know what was drawing me to this short pixie of a woman, but I definitely wanted to see her again. Tomorrow I’d have no time constraints and she could talk all she wanted.

But before I realized the words were out of my mouth though, I said, “I’ll do it,” agreeing to her pitch.

Shit. Fuck.

The smile filling her face wasn’t one I was about to take away, and her amber eyes danced, lightening just slightly to bring out fiery red specks. “We can discuss contestants tomorrow then. Wonderful. Oh, great!”

I had to swallow a chuckle at her obvious excitement. We agreed on a place to meet and I watched her leave out of the corner of my eye while heading toward the ice.

Like I said, I liked her ass.

**DON’T MISS WHERE IT ALL STARTED…FROM THE BEGINNING, BOOK #0.5 IN THE PRESCOTT SERIES!**

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Synopsis: Before the Prescott name became big in the hockey world, there was just Noah Prescott, fighting for a spot on an NHL roster. Never did he imagine a simple note from a shy fan would speed up his world.

Ryleigh Scott had an issue talking to men, but she knew she couldn’t pass up the opportunity to talk to Noah — potentially negative labels, be damned. Never did she imagine a simple note would start what could only be described as the beginning of the rest of her life.

This is Noah and Ryleigh — before the NHL contract, before the kids, before going back home.

This is Noah and Ryleigh from the beginning.

ABOUT MIGNON MYKEL

Mignon is a twenty-something (…getting awfully close to thirty-something) who resides in Wisconsin. An avid reader since her preschool days, she ‘blames’ her mother for teaching her to read during that all-important time during a forming brain. Some of her earlier memories of reading include her mother buying her a book at the mall — and finishing the book before they even returned home.

Writing happened soon after the reading started. Her first writing piece can be found in a box of other important papers from growing up. It’s about an apple who was her friend, but she had to eat.

The first series Mignon started to write was about a close family of one brother and his three younger sisters. She started writing this family and their friends in 2005, but as soon as the Prescott family took over her mind, the Ashbys fell silent. Maybe someday we’ll all hear from the Ashbys, but those Prescotts…. The Prescotts are excited to have their stories told.

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Blog Tour & Review ~ Little Temptations ~ by ~ Madison Street

Author Note: This can be read as a stand alone; however, it is recommended to read prior novels first.

I’m an asshole; I know it, and I’ve never pretended to be anything else. I have a crazy flip switch temper but it made me the man I am today. I’m at the top of my game, a fighter with a reputation of a battler in the ring and an alpha in the bedroom.

I don’t have to chase women; they chase me. When I’m done with them, they’re left craving more. I’ve never needed more – never wanted more.

Until…her.

I’ve never wanted anyone so badly before, but my attraction to her could kill her.

Is the temptation worth the risk?

****Warning: This book contains strong sexual content, violence, and foul language. Intended for ages 18 and over. *****

Amazon US I Amazon UK

The warm rays of the bright sun shine through the window as the morning draws near. The light hits my eyes, causing them to open slowly as my body wakes steadily. Blurred vision greets me as my grogginess from lack of sleep settles in. Rubbing my eyes awake, I open them, taking in my surroundings.

Remembering the events of the night before, I recall that I’m in Harley’s room. Her briefcase is nestled on the desk, her jewelry is displayed on the nightstand, and her robe is neatly folded next to the bed.

My head turns to face her and I see she’s still asleep, in the same position she was in last night. Twisting my body to face her back, I inch closer to her as she sleeps, desperately trying to not wake her up. My eyes roam, watching the gorgeous brunette sleep next to me. Her long dark hair lays across her shoulder and along the pillow. As I inch forward, a hint of coconut shampoo fills my nostrils.

Fighting the urge to touch her, my eyes study her face. A few beauty marks on her cheek coincidently form a triangle, causing a smile to form on my lips. Inching slowly, desperate to feel her skin on my fingertips, my hand moves closer to her bare shoulder. The tips of my fingers graze her soft skin as tingles electrify me from just the tiniest touch. With caution, my hand trails down her shoulder toward her arm in a sensual fashion. Memorizing every inch, every iota of her skin, I relish in this brief moment.

Just as I bend my head to press a soft kiss on her shoulder, the alarm buzzes, startling me as my hand retreats away from her body and under the covers. She groans awake while reaching over toward the nightstand to shut it off and rubbing her eyes.

I yawn, pretending I’m just waking up as well, and do a pretend stretch just to be on the safe side.

Taylor and Harley’s story is surprising. That’s the best word I can think of to describe it. Taylor is an MMA fighter who is a sore loser one night and ends up in jail. Enter Harley, his best friend’s lawyer coworker, sent to bail him out. They’ve met before but I won’t tell you where. Just suffice it to say that Harley doesn’t have the highest regard for Taylor.

Harley is a great attorney, smart and dedicated and doesn’t need some oversexed, obnoxious fighter taking up her time. Until they both need each other…

A great story where so much happens! There’s a little something for every type of reader.

4.5 stars!

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Madison Street was born in New York City and was raised in the Bronx, where she resided until she was 17 years old. After 9/11, Madison joined the United States Navy to serve her country.

During the deployments, Madison constantly wrote short stories and she discovered her passion for writing. You will find Madison always on the computer, whether she’s on Facebook, designing websites, messing with Photoshop, or writing for her blog.

Book Tour ~ Bending Bethany ~ by ~ Aria Cole

Bending Bethany by Aria Cole is a whirlwind week of syrupy sweetness with the nerdy girl next door and the MVP soccer star she can’t quite shake. Be prepared to be wooed all over again!

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Blurb

When Bethany Howard meets international soccer star Jenson Abbot at a bar one night she never expects it will change her life forever. University classes and late nights spent studying fill her hours, but Jenson is determined to show her what she’s been missing. She thinks it’s only a one night stand, but Bethany is anything but a fling to Jenson. He’s been waiting for someone to make him feel the way she does, her sharp tongue and delicious curves undoing him from the beginning.

Jenson is hellbent on proving he is the man for her, the only man that can make her eyes light up when she laughs and her body sing beneath his hands. But can Jenson convince Bethany that there’s more to him than meets the eye? Or will his flirty grin and dogged persistence put her off men forever? Jenson is determined to find out, because he’s got one last play tucked in his pocket, The Panty Play.

Warning: Bending Bethany is a whirlwind week of syrupy sweetness with the nerdy girl next door and the MVP soccer star she can’t quite shake. Be prepared to be wooed all over again!

Excerpt

I woke the next morning with a faint pounding in the back of my head. Scrubbing at my face, I glanced down to find myself twisted in the sheets. I sighed and stretched, feeling sore in a wide, new array of places. As my fingers traced circles in the softness of the fabric, the fog lifted and my less than moral actions from last night combusted in my memory. I slowly turned to see the handsome stranger from last night soundly asleep beside me. Well, at least I didn’t have rose-tinted glasses. The man was definitely what my sister, Taylor, would call “fine.” He had a perfectly chiseled face, muscles that were rock hard and well sculpted, and big hands. And I knew their size matched up with another large member on his divine body…

I tore the sheet off me and sat up in bed, startled to find I was wearing nothing but my birthday suit. Here I was in all my naked glory. I looked around for my clothing. To my horror, I saw my dress was on the floor in multiple pieces. Jenson had apparently shredded it. In a frantic panic, I found a large New England Red Bulls jersey and tossed it over my head. I couldn’t wear just this jersey, even though it was longer than that flimsy fabric I was wearing last night.

I needed to get out of there. I quickly went to the bathroom to make sure I didn’t look like a morning after nightmare. I found a new toothbrush tucked in a drawer.

I finished my teeth and ran a brush through my hair, thinking it looked especially wild this morning. I grabbed a lock and pulled it across my nose, taking a whiff and expecting to find the scent of stale cigarette smoke.

Instead, I was hit with a wave of heady arousal.

Notes of leather and spice filled my nostrils. Ice-blue eyes. A reckless mop of dark hair.

Oh God.

“What did I do?” I squeaked before tracing my lips with my fingertips, feeling slightly bruised from too much kissing. I didn’t think I’d had that much to drink, but apparently the shots and the music and everything about him had gone to my head. Snapshots of last night flooded me. I didn’t do things like this, impersonal sex was never on my agenda, what was I thinking?

“Shit.”

I ran out of there like a bat out of hell, with nothing on but a soccer jersey.

Damn. Shit. Fuck.

I love these quick, insta-love, uber sweet, stories!

Bethany is, by her words, a nerd. She’s happier studying for her classes and papers than partying like her older sister. Until one night her sister convinces her to go out. And there is where she meets Jenson.

Jenson is out at a bar, just relaxing after a long day when he sees Bethany. And HAS to talk to her. Jenson knows that Bethany isn’t like any girl he’s met before and likes his “anonymity” that he has because Bethany doesn’t know of his fame.

5 stars!

Aria Cole is a thirty-something housewife who once felt bad for reading dirty books late at night, until she decided to write her own. Possessive alpha men and the sassy heroines who love them are common, along with a healthy dose of irresistible insta-love and happily ever afters so sweet your teeth may ache.

Aria’s new release BLACK is the first in her modern fairy tale series. For a safe, off-the-charts HOT, and always HEA story that doesn’t take a lifetime to read, get lost in an Aria Cole book!

Stalk Her: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Blog Tour ~ Cursed ~ by ~ Nykki Mills

CURSED by Nykki Mills

The line between sanity and sobriety can quickly fade when you can talk to the dead…

Gina Flinn is no stranger to the dark side. She’s been walking the tightrope with death for years. Plagued with abnormal abilities ranging from picking up old memories to reading auras, Gina found herself in a downward spiral into drugs and alcohol.

She’s been clean and sober for a year now, but when she starts seeing the pesky ghost of the old lady down the street, things start to unravel. It’s a minor annoyance until a ghost of a woman in red shows up and starts tormenting Gina with visions of a violent past

Seeing a side of death that no one should leads Gina straight into Ben Peterson’s path…

In an attempt reunite the old lady with her beloved cat, Gina runs into Ben, who is eager to help her. But no one can help her—the woman in red is relentless, which forces Gina to turn back to the comfort of intoxication. She blacks out and wakes up in bed with Ben, only to find herself on the wrong side of the law.

Gina got into a fight with one of her classmates during her blackout, and now the girl is missing…

Gina is the number one suspect, and with her history of substance abuse and erratic behavior, everyone is sure she’s guilty. She knows she’s innocent and it all leads back to the woman in red.

But with the police breathing down her neck, and Ben the only person willing to believe her story, Gina must find a way to prove her innocence or finally accept that maybe she really is…

CURSED.

✰✰✰FREE on Kindle
Unlimited✰✰✰

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I watched them until they disappeared into thin air. That cat must have been the only

thing she truly loved in this world. For once in my life, I helped someone. The weightless feeling

was fleeting and foreign, but good. A small sense of relief settled across me only seconds before

a cold breeze washed over me. The hair on the back of my neck stood at attention, and I knew I

wasn’t alone anymore.

“Help me.” The soft plea came from behind me. Something felt off. Unease slivered up

my spine and sent a shiver through my entire body. I spun around. A woman was standing so

close, we were almost nose to nose. My hand instinctively shot up to my mouth, and I stumbled

back. She was very, very dead. Her face was a mangled, bloody mess, and the tattered long red

dress she wore placed her somewhere in the 1800s. She opened her mouth, revealing jagged and

broken teeth.

“Help me,” she moaned, cocking her head to the side as she reached out. I stumbled back

further. Something was wrong, very wrong, with this woman. I’d only been seeing dead things

for a day, but this couldn’t be right. My heart slammed against my chest so hard it actually

ached. I couldn’t take my eyes off of her, and my feet seemed to weigh a ton.

“I can’t,” I whispered. I backed up, sliding my feet against the gravel, until I was leaning

against the trailer, trying to fill my lungs with air. This was wrong—different than Mrs. Peterson.

She stepped forward, and the distinct sound of bones snapping pushed me over the edge.

My throat constricted, and I bolted toward the porch. All I could hear was the sound of my heart

pounding. I reached the door and flung it open as something slammed into my back. Mind-

blowing pain radiated down the side of my face, causing my ears to ring. I collapsed to my knees

and clutched my head, screaming. Another wave of pain hit me and shot down my spine. The

world faded around me.

Darkness surrounded me. Something hard slammed into me over and over. I tried to open my eyes. A black shadow stood over me. I gasped and tried to get a better look, but the blood stung too much. I did my best to shield myself from the painful blows. My arm snapped, making an awful sound. I tried to scream but instead choked on more blood.

“Gina!” A hard slap brought me back. Kass kneeled over me with wide eyes. She leaned back and

covered her mouth. Clearly she was more shocked by the slap than me. “I’m so sorry.”

Nykki lives in Montana with her husband and three kids–who may or may not be the boss of her. She is obsessed with ghost stories and virtually anything paranormal. Add in her obsession with YA fiction and this book was born. Sacrificed is the third book she’s written, but the first she’s published. She also has a huge appreciation of humor, and sarcasm is her second language.

She will be releasing her Cursed series in the coming months. The sequel to Sacrificed can be expected next summer. Nykki regularly updates release dates on her blog and author Facebook page!

– AUTHOR LINKS –

Website: https://nykkimills.wordpress.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NYKKIWRITES/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Nykkiwho

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Blog Tour ~ Vision in Faith ~ by ~ Liz Bower

Title: Vision in Faith

Author: Liz Bower

Genre: Romantic Fantasy

Release Date: August 7, 2016

Series: Legends of the North series, Book 3

Cover Designer: Premade Ebook Cover Shop

Editor: Hot Tree Editing

Hairstylist, Vicky Hudson, has lived just outside of Altenchester her whole life. Of course she’s heard of the Altenburys, who hasn’t? They rule the village, own most of it, it’s even named after them. Vicky is on the verge of fulfilling her lifelong dream of opening her own salon. The only obstacle may be James Altenbury. According to his mother, he is the one who has the power to stop Vicky’s dream from becoming a reality.

Her own parents are supportive yet deeply traditional but Vicky has different ideals. Ones that she starts to question when she becomes the victim of strange visions of people and places she doesn’t know. What is behind them and where do they come from?

Afraid to admit what is really going on, she is finally forced to take them seriously when James is attacked once again, only this time by the very monster from one of her visions. It is only then she realises he is much more than just an Altenbury.

Will they finally succumb to the evil that has been preying on the Altenbury family for generations, or can they hold off the evil, and together finally stop the attacks?

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“What can I do to help?”

She stared at him as though he’d just asked her to dye his hair green. Putting Teazle down, he took her hand so she couldn’t fiddle with her bracelet. “Vicky?”

“You want to help?”

He kissed her in answer, just a chaste brush of his lips against hers. “Yes. If you want me to. I can put the shelves up, if you’d like?”

She laughed and he frowned, his eyebrows drawing together. “What’s so funny about that?”

She stopped laughing and tried to look serious. “Do you know how to put shelves up?”

She doubted his manliness? James reached for her, gripping her arse as he whispered in her ear. “You weren’t questioning what my hands were capable of yesterday.” He heard her breath hitch and he smiled.

Other Books in the Series

Vision in Love

Legends of the North

(Book 1)

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Vision in Trust

Legends of the North

(Book 2)

FREE August 7th – 11th

Amazon: US I UK I AU I CA

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Liz has lived in a lot of places but is originally from Lancashire, England, where most of her books are set.She started her writing career with an online course and is studying for a creative writing degree, so it was probably inevitable that she would write a novel.

When not writing, Liz can be found curled up with a cup of coffee and a book or walking her dog.

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Release Blitz ~ Magic & Mayhem Box Set

Magic And Mayhem Cover

The ULTIMATE Fantasy Boxed Set!

22 NY Times, USA Today and International Bestselling Authors

21 full-length novels of magic, mayhem, mystery, adventure and romance.

Yours for an insanely low price.

Get ready to be swept off into lands filled with magic, mystery, action, adventure and even romance with these 21 full-length fantasy novels! With over one-million words packed with witches, dragons, pirates, shape shifters, mercenaries, gods and more, these stories will introduce you to some of the most memorable characters and exotic worlds that exist in fantasy today. No cliffhangers here — each book is either a standalone or first in series and all have satisfying endings.

22 of the hottest fantasy authors have banded together to bring you this incredible boxed set, but it’s only available for a limited time! At this incredibly low price, you’re paying a penny per sixty minutes of spellbinding fiction — a bargain that can’t be beat. Grab this collection today before it’s gone for good!

About the Book

Magic And Mayhem Boxed Set Box Graphic

Magic And Mayhem Boxed Set

by Jasmine Walt

Featuring

Jasmine Walt

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Baine Chronicles Series

Dima Zales & Anna Zaires

New York Times Bestselling Authors of The Mind Dimensions Series

Rebecca Hamilton

USA Today Bestselling Author of The Forever Girl Series

Emily Goodwin

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Contagium Series

Margo Bond Collins

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Legally Undead Series

J.A. Cipriano

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Lillim Callina Chronicles

Rabia Gale

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Broken Fairy Tales Series

D.K. Holmberg

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Cloud Warrior Saga

Thea Atkinson

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Witches of Elantium Series

Emma L. Adams

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Alliance Series

S.C. Green

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Engine Ward Series

A.W. Exley

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Artifact Hunters Series

Jack Conner

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Atomic Sea Series

Gwynn White

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Crown of Blood Series

Lindsey Fairleigh

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Echo Trilogy

Susan Stec

USA Today Bestselling Author of the Grateful Undead Series

K. De Long

USA Today Bestselling Author of the Inkubus Series

Tom Shutt

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Brooding City Series

Erin Hayes

Internationally Bestselling Author of The Harker Trilogy

Calinda B

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Blurred Lines Series

Natasha Larry

Internationally Bestselling Author of the Darwin’s Children Series

Genre

Fantasy

Paranormal Fantasy

Urban Fantasy

Publisher

Blue Bolt Publishing

Publication Date

August 2, 2016

This promotion is brought to you by Pure Textuality PR.

Blog Tour & Review ~ Tell Me A Lie ~ by ~ Tamara Lush

About Tell Me A Lie:

These lovers are living their happy ever after … but is it really forever?

Emma and Caleb’s journey continues in TELL ME A LIE, the sensual new serial novel by Tamara Lush. It’s the third in the series.

***

Caleb and Emma are married, expecting, and madly in love. But one separation may rip it all apart. Will he be coming home again … or is everything she believes a lie?

Emma has her dream wedding to Caleb, in the exotic beauty of a Florida resort and museum. Married to her soulmate, carrying his child, now her only obstacle is persuading him to stop treating her like a fragile vessel. Her pregnancy has elevated her desire for him to a craving, and she lives for their time alone.

Caleb can’t believe his good fortune. Emma is his forever, and she’s going to give him a child. When her doctor informs them the pregnancy is high-risk, he’s even more determined to surround his woman with everything she needs or wants. Finally convincing her to take time off from her bookstore, he can relax a little.

But as head of the family business empire, Caleb must travel to Brazil to supervise the opening of a new building. Torn between duty and love, he allows Emma to convince him to go. And all goes well … until the day he walks out of his hotel and disappears without a trace. What has happened to Caleb?

Get your Copy Today!

TELL ME A LIE:

You must read the other books in the series! They’re both quick reads, so it shouldn’t take long. If you haven’t read them, go back and do that otherwise this review means nothing to you. And if you have, I’m not giving away anything so you have to read the 3rd book 😉

Caleb and Emma are finally living their lives as newlyweds, soon to be parents and still very much in love with each other. Caleb is very busy with the Brazil building and trying to keep Emma from doing too much and Emma is still super busy with all she’s doing, plus being pregnant.

One heck of a cliffhanger and I cannot wait for book 4! I NEED to know what happens. And if you’ve read the book, you know what I’m talking about!

5 stars!

TELL ME A STORY (Free):

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TELL ME A LIE (Free on Kindle Unlimited, 0.99 cents to buy for a limited time):

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About Tamara Lush:

During the day, Tamara Lush writes news as a journalist with The Associated Press. At night, she writes fictional romance tales about complicated, sexy men and the women who love them.

Her first full-length novel, HOT SHADE, was published in September 2015 with Boroughs Publishing Group. INTO THE HEAT is her second full-length novel and it’s also with Boroughs.

TELL ME A STORY is Tamara’s first novella. It’s the first episode of The Story Series, a five-novella serial about a bookstore owner who reads erotica to a billionaire during a literary event in Florida.

When Tamara isn’t reporting, writing or reading, she’s doing yoga, cooking for her Italian husband or chasing her dogs on a beach on Florida’s Gulf Coast. She loves connecting with people on social media.

Links:

WEBSITE: http://www.tamaralush.com

FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/tamaralushwrites

TWITTER: @tamaralush

PINTEREST: http://www.pinterest.com/tamlush

INSTAGRAM: http://www.instagram.com/tamlush

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE: http://amzn.to/1ZzmbKC

GOODREADS AUTHOR PAGE: https://www.goodreads.com/Tamara_Lush