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.


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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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New Release ~ Escape You ~ by ~ Diana A. Hicks

One night changes everything…
Escape You by Diana A. Hicks is now live!
#secretbaby #mafiaromance #kindleunlimited

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2EPC5yl
Universal — getbook.at/EscapeYouDH
FREE with Kindle Unlimited

One night changes everything…

ATF agent Tyler Cole finally gets the break he’s been waiting for— a big NYC mob case. He just never expected for things to get this complicated.

Before he went undercover he spends an unforgettable night with a mysterious woman.
When they meet again, she’s his prime suspect, pregnant with his baby and about to be married.

Tyler should be trying to put Mia and her crew behind bars— but his desire is blurring the lines between right and wrong.

Mafia boss Mia Torelli learned the hard way that things aren’t always what they seem. She never planned on having a one night stand… with the enemy.

No names. No rules. No regrets.
Her passion filled night with a stranger raised the stakes in a very dangerous game.

Determined to make sure her Family survives the devastating loss of their boss, she must prove herself when she steps up as the new leader.

Mia must protect her secret at all costs, but an underground faction has other plans for her… and Tyler.

Note: This is a steamy romance with explicit sensual scenes, happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Can be read as a standalone.

Don’t miss out on this suspenseful and seductive series!

Unravel You, Book 1 (Derek and Valentina) – OUT NOW! https://amzn.to/2Kj35Jn
Provoke You, Book 2 (Matt and Ela) – OUT NOW! https://amzn.to/2rnkutX


EXCERPT

Allie offered me a warm smile until her gaze moved from mine to someone behind me. Then she beamed as if she’d just had the come of her life. I glanced over my shoulder and saw him. Or did I? I looked again. Shit. I did a double take on a stranger. I covered the side of my face and concentrated on my drink. Honestly, I’d been dealing with man-children all week. I didn’t need this at my oasis too.

In my peripheral vision, long fingers braced the edge of the counter. A voice something like warm honey ordered a bourbon neat. Had I seen that face right? I had a feeling I knew him, but at the same time I was sure he wasn’t from around here. I knew everyone in town. A guy like that stood out. Allie poured his drink, biting her bottom lip, which looked very creepy because she couldn’t stop smiling.

“Thank you.” The guy sat and took a long swig of his drink. He raked a hand through his hair. A few dark tresses rebelled and fell back on his cheek.

“As much as I hate to say this”—Allie leaned on the bar—“it’s last call.”

I’d seen that look on her face many times. She was taking this guy home. A part of me wished I could do the same. But my old life, my freedom, all that was gone. Or it needed to be gone. As Uncle Mickey used to say, love would get you killed. In the end, greed got him killed, but I still thought there was truth in his words. Not that I was planning on falling for this guy who I’d seen a total of two seconds. Thing was, I couldn’t fall for anyone at all, or they’d end up dead, like Mom.

I knew being the lady boss would take some adjusting. Backing down wasn’t an option for me. If that meant I couldn’t take a gorgeous guy home with me, so be it. I could be like Queen Elizabeth I and swear off men. Sipping my drink, I settled in my barstool to watch Allie flirt and work her thing on this guy.

“No problem. I’ll cash out.” He stood and dug into the front pocket of his dark pants. Dark dress shirt, dark hair, dark stubble on a chiseled jaw, and steel blue eyes. Dammit, why did I look?

Don’t smile.

He smiled at me — all straight, white teeth, and full lips. “Would you put her drink on my tab?”

“No, thanks. I can pay for my own alcohol.”

He put up his hands and flashed me a grin. “Okay, no drinks.”

His gaze met mine, and I pulled another newbie mistake. I looked. I tried not to, but my eyes dropped to the pecs showing just above the first button of his shirt.

Allie placed a couple of dirty glasses in the dishwasher behind the bar, then took off her apron. She poured me another cocktail and winked.

His deep voice boomed a barstool away as he leaned toward Allie. “How come she gets another drink and I don’t?”

“She works here, honey.” Allie surveyed his face. After several beats, she shook her head and served him another bourbon. “On the house.”

She stalked around the counter and hugged me. “I’m taking one for the team today. He’s all yours. Don’t ever say I don’t get you shit.”

I barked out a laugh. “I’m good. I was gonna go home anyway.”

“You have the key.” She raised an eyebrow and pressed her lips to my ear. “Lock the door behind you.”

“That wasn’t the point for giving me access,” I called after her.

“It is tonight.” With a quick wave and sigh directed at the stranger, who looked as confused as I was, she went out the front door.

My body jerked when I glanced around the bar. We were alone. How’d that happen? I had to get out of here. The last thing I needed was a new friend. New friends came with a bunch of complications. I had plenty of those. I had a crew to run, and no time for beautiful strangers.

“I have to walk you out.” I gestured for him to leave the bar.

“You’re not even going to ask my name?” He stood, and his tall frame oozed confidence and something else I recognized as danger.

“Nope.”

“What’s your name?”

I shook my head. On a normal day, I’d give him my name, flirt, or maybe I’d check to see if that chest was as muscled as it looked. But my life was on south of normal these days. Think Queen Elizabeth I.

“Okay. No names.” He glared at the front door, then turned his attention to me. “I had a rough day, week, if I’m being honest. Would you mind if I finished my bourbon?”

I glanced back at the bar. We both had fresh drinks. “I suppose that’s harmless enough.”

“Thanks.”

We sat in silence, sipping from our glasses. My gaze darted over to him every time he moved, when his finger tapped on the counter, when he licked his lips, when his legs slid down the stool until his feet were fully planted on the wooden floor.

“What happened to you? Female problems or work stuff?”

He shifted toward me, and I did the same. “So talking about work problems is safe, but not names.”

“Something like that.” I should have left ten minutes ago.

“Work stuff. I got passed over for a job I wanted.” He shrugged as if it didn’t sting anymore, though the gloom that lingered in his blue eyes said otherwise. That was something I could relate to. Someone literally had to die for me to get the job I wanted.

“And you?” he asked.

“What about me?”

“The way you’re clinging to that drink suggests you also had a hell of a day. Week?”

I raised my hand. “Week.”

He offered me a kind smile. “Want to talk about it?”

I did my best not to melt off my seat. “I got the job I wanted last week. But my subordinates seem to be on a mission to see me fail.” I attempted a smirk, but it quickly turned into a frown. That was the crux of it. My own people, my family, wanted to see me fail. Or rather, they wanted to see me not try at all.

“I’m sorry to hear that. People can be assholes sometimes.”

“I say cheers to that.” I tapped his glass with mine, and we both drank.

My gut told me this was a bad idea. Not listening to my gut was also a bad idea. I braced my hands on the bar and pushed myself off the stool. He watched me with expectant eyes, as if he wanted me to leave.

I went for honesty. “Bad timing.”

He nodded, sucking air through his teeth. “Same. Otherwise, I would beg you to stay.”

The electric shock his words infused through my body set me right. I walked backward several steps, and he advanced a single one. Technically, I was walking him out, but his slow gait felt more as if he were chasing me out the door.

About the Author:

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance and science fiction. Her latest release LOVE OVER LATTES, Book 1 in her Desert Monsoon Series, recently hit the Amazon #1 Best Seller list in a category!

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta, and loves spending time with her two children and husband.

Connect with Diana!

Facebook — https://www.facebook.com/DianaHicksAuthor/
Instagram — https://www.instagram.com/DianaHicksauthor/
Website — https://dianahicksbooks.com/
Facebook Group — https://www.facebook.com/groups/DianaSexyReaders/
Bookbub — https://www.bookbub.com/profile/diana-a-hicks

Book Tour ~ Boots ~ by ~ Jessie Cooke

Title: Boots
Series: Phoenix Skulls MC
Author: Jessie Cooke
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: January 13, 2020

 

 
Loyalty is everything.
Neglected at home, bullied in school, Matteo “Boots” Romano had to learn too young how to take care of himself.
 
Raised in a 1% MC by a father who thought of her as little more than a commodity, Celeste Hall spent her young life plotting her escape.
 
Whether it was fate that brought them together that night, or Matteo’s resolve to see the mysterious, beautiful Celeste one more time before he left New York, neither of them might ever know. But when the two teenagers literally collide in the night, they set in motion a series of events that will take them across the United States and even into Mexico as Celeste runs from her past, her present, and an uncertain future…and Boots searches for a place where he might finally feel like he truly belongs.
 
Just as Boots starts to fall in love with the feisty young woman with eyes the color of the sea, he is forced to learn a hard truth, that loyalty might just be no more than a word in the dictionary.
 
Celeste will spend the better part of the next decade on the run, moving from one dangerous situation to the next, while Boots forges a path toward success. When he ultimately takes a fork in the road that leads him to the Westside Skulls clubhouse, he’ll finally discover the place he’s been searching for, the place where he belongs. From Westside in Fresno to the newest chapter of the Skulls in Phoenix, Boots will once again begin to carve out his own future…one that will suddenly be threatened by a web of lies, a brutal murder and the kidnapping of a young boy.
When it looks like Boots might have committed these heinous acts, will the Skulls turn their backs on one of their own? Or will they pull together and prove to Boots and the rest of the world that the U.S. Marine’s aren’t the only brotherhood who refuse to leave a man behind?

Prologue – Present Day
Boots signed for his belongings and walked out of the jail, squinting at the hot Phoenix sun as soon as he stepped outside. Once his eyes adjusted, he saw his long-haired, tattooed friend, Finn McGregor, leaning into his Harley and watching him. Finn was called “Snake” by most of the guys, and he also went by VP since he had been patched over as vice president of the Phoenix Skulls. But to Boots, at least one to one, he was just his crazy, Irish friend. They’d been through a lot together in the short year they’d known each other, and Finn’s green eyes were some of the most expressive ones that Boots had ever seen. But for the first time since he met the young, friendly Irishman, he was afraid to look into them. It had been one hell of a few weeks…the worst in Boots’ life, and that was saying a lot.
He finally stepped down toward the parking lot, reaching Snake in a few steps. Snake put his hand out and the two men clasped fists and brought it in for a quick hug. When Boots pulled back Snake said, “How bad was it?”
Boots didn’t want to talk about it, and the bruises on his face and knuckles should tell his friend all he really needed to know. If he wanted more of the story, he’d have to see the binder holding Boots’ ribs together and the spaces way in the back where there used to be teeth, before the side of his face made contact with a massive fist. None of that was the worst part, though. The worst scars Boots would carry inside of him, the way he had with everything else his entire life. “Not too,” he said. “But if anyone knows what it’s like in there, it’s you.”
Snake grinned. “Hey, I haven’t been locked up in over a year.”
Boots smiled. “Some kind of record, huh?” Boots had a rough life, but as an adult he’d avoided jail, until now. “Where’s my bike?”
“Prince is on his way to pick you up in the van. I just didn’t want to leave you waiting out here by yourself.” That made sense considering that he was the pariah of the community these days; even in the parking lot of the busiest jail in Maricopa County it surprised Boots that some of the “community” weren’t waiting for him with pitchforks and torches. What interested him the most about Snake’s “answer” to his question was that the Irishman avoided telling him where his bike had ended up.
“Okay, thanks. But where’s my bike?”
Snake grimaced and said, “What’s left of it is at the shop.”
“Fuck.” The sound of the Phoenix Skulls van pulling into the lot sent a jolt of relief through Boots’ body. He was never one to back down from a fight, but as of late he’d had more than his fair share. Just then all he wanted was to be in his own trailer, in his own shower and his own clothes and his own bed. Three weeks in county jail had been a special kind of hell…
“Dax Marshall’s old lady is here.”
Boots took his eyes off the van as Prince parked it alongside them, and looked back at Snake. “Jace asked her to come?”
Snake nodded. “He said he didn’t trust anyone else to defend you.”
Boots sighed. “You think that means he believes me?”
Snake, always the peacemaker, nodded enthusiastically. “Of course he believes you. Brother, we all know you and we know there’s no fucking way you’d ever…you know, do that.”
Snake couldn’t even bring himself to say it…what Boots was being charged with. Boots didn’t blame him; the words were ugly, the accusation even uglier. “Hey, man, we better get a move on,” Prince said. “There’s a group of about a dozen people out front with signs and bullhorns and shit. I’d lie down in back if I were you as we go by.”
Fuck. Boots wished he would wake up from this nightmare and find out that it was all just that…a horrible dream. He wished so many things, the least of which was that he’d never laid eyes on Celeste Hall…or Sadie Gray…whatever the fuck she was calling herself these days. Maybe then, he wouldn’t be a walking target, persona non grata in the first place in his life that had ever really felt like home.
“There he is!” Before Boots could even react to the loud voices, Snake and Prince had their hands on him, pushing him into the van. His first impulse was to stand his ground, and fight, no matter how tired or outnumbered he was. But there was still a part of his brain working rationally, and he knew they were right and he had to get the fuck out of there before things exploded and he ended up right back inside the cement building that loomed behind him.
He was practically shoved into the van by his brothers, and the door was slammed shut, but not before he heard the ugly accusations being hurled in his direction. He’d heard it all before he was locked up, and again while he was inside for three weeks, awaiting his bail hearing…but it never got easier. Hearing it still made him sick to his stomach and although he knew it wasn’t true, it still made him loathe himself.
Prince jumped into the driver’s seat and Boots sat on the floor of the van with his back up against the side. He covered his ears with his hands and they were a mile away in sixty seconds, but Boots didn’t uncover his ears. Even over the noise of the van’s V-8 engine and the stereo that Prince had cranked out, he could hear it…the ugly, hateful word they’d labeled him with…the word that had not only taken up residence in his head but seeped into his soul. For a few seconds he believed that he just couldn’t take it any longer. He had to make it stop. He pulled his head forward, and then slammed it back into the side of the van, and it worked for one blessed second. But then they started again…slowly, and in a whisper. Before long the single voice turned into a collection of voices, voices he recognized. They were the voices of his community, the voices of his brothers and sisters in the club, his new family. They were the voices of the very people who taught him the true meaning of love and respect and family. They were the ones that spoke up for him when he was first accused, the ones who professed to always have his back. But Boots had seen the change in them all…he’d watched as the doubt had seeped into their eyes. And now their voices were in his head, and collectively they were whispering one horrific word. In the past three weeks he’d even considered taking his own life, before someone else did. The only thing stopping him was his fear that when he was dead and gone, that one word would define him forever…maybe it would even be etched into his gravestone. One word, one lie he feared everyone else believed…

 

“Pedophile.”
    

 

Jessie Cooke writes hot romance novels about tough guys, bad boys, bikers, fighters and lovers and the women of strong character who tame them.

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Book Tour ~ Whatever It Takes ~ by ~ S. Jones

Title: Whatever It Takes 
Author: S. Jones
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 6, 2020

It’s been seven years since Quinn Walker ended our engagement.


I’ve moved on, married his enemy, and started my own family.

Everything was perfect…until it wasn’t. My new life was a lie, and my husband turned out to be a fraud. The man that I married was now a wanted fugitive, and my ex-fiancé was the cop who was intent on making him pay.

He’s convinced that a simple apology and a dimpled smile is enough to fix that broken heart that he tore apart years ago.

I’ll do whatever it takes to keep him at a distance. Yet, all it takes is one kiss, one touch for me to remember how great our love was before he threw it away.

Little does he know that I’m not the young, foolish girl who he left behind. If he thinks he can waltz back into my life like the past never happened, he has another thing coming.

I can accept that fate sent him back to me. Now, I need to assure my foolish heart that this means nothing.

S. Jones is a contemporary romance author from Upstate New York. She has a strong passion for writing and reading stories that will rip your heart out before it’s put back together again.


If she’s not buried in her writing cave, she’s usually reading or planning out her next vacation. She loves to travel to different places and spends all her free with her husband, and two college age children.

When the weather permits, you can find her outside walking her golden retriever, or enjoying a nice cocktail by the pool. She loves cooking and entertaining for her family and friends.

When she’s not holding a glass of wine in one hand and her kindle in the other, she loves to hear from her readers at:
Authorsjoneswrites@gmail.com

 
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Pre-Order Blitz ~ Saving Sara ~ by ~ Kat Mizera

Saving Sara by Kat Mizera releases on January 7th!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/3462sLi Universal — getbook.at/SavingSara Apple — https://apple.co/2O4gyqP Nook — http://bit.ly/2repWiw Kobo — http://bit.ly/2pEYSZC

Best friends to lovers is a risky game…

Pro hockey player Aaron Ferrar has shit luck with women. With one divorce, one psycho, and far too many one-night stands under his belt, he can’t seem to break his bad dating habits. He knows he’s not good enough for his sweet, sexy best friend, so he would never go there, but it’s getting harder and harder to resist her. Veterinary assistant Sara Chandler has floundered since graduating from college. She left both academia and hockey behind, and now she’s a nanny for her best friend while working part-time at a local veterinary clinic until she gets into veterinarian school. She’s always been hot for her hockey-playing best friend, but she’s not in his league and she’s leaving Anchorage soon anyway.
When disaster strikes, Aaron doesn’t hesitate to jump in, but nothing is ever going to be the same for them. He doesn’t know how to help her and neither of them ever do things the easy way.
About the Author: USA Today Bestselling and award-winning author Kat Mizera is a South Florida native. Born in Miami Beach with a healthy dose of wanderlust, she’s called Los Angeles, Long Island, upstate New York, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Atlanta home. She’s never been able to pick which locale is her favorite, but if pressed, she’d probably choose the west coast. A typical PTA mom with a wonderful and supportive husband (Kevin) and two amazing boys (Nick and Max), Kat can usually be found scrapbooking or indulging in her second love (after writing) – traveling. Greece is one of her favorite places in the world. She loves that Athens is a big city with a small-town feel. The food, beaches and culture keep her going back as often as possible. Kat’s been a working freelance writer for nearly 30 years. She sold her first article–a review of a rock concert–for $10 in 1985. Since then she’s been an entertainment journalist, waitress, bartender, legal assistant, food critic, magazine editor, substitute teacher, and sports writer. She also spent some time working at A & M Records in Los Angeles. As you can guess from her Las Vegas Sidewinders series, Kat loves hockey and occasionally writes articles about her favorite team, the Florida Panthers. The rest of the time, she writes novels: sexy, romantic fiction that she hopes makes you as happy as it makes her. There’s something enticing about hockey players and romance… Connect with Kat: Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorkatmizera/ Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lzRBG6 Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorKatMiz Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2li6zRe Website: http://www.katmizera.com

Cover Reveal ~ King of Kings ~ by ~ Betty Shreffler

  KING OF KINGS by Betty Shreffler Release Date: January 24th     Add to Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48578399     Make sure you head to Betty’s author page and enter her Cover Reveal Giveaway! http://www.facebook.com/authorbettyshreffler       Blurb: I told myself I didn’t want her. Didn’t need her. But it was all lies. I craved her touch. Craved the way her sweet red lips took away the pain. Yet I knew I couldn’t have her. Not when my enemies are determined to put a bullet in my back. They believe the way to get to me is through her. Coming for her will be their downfall. As the President of the Kings MC, there’s one thing I’m known for—doing whatever it takes to protect the ones I love. I’ll fight until I have nothing left to give. Until she and my family are safe. I’m not preparing for battle. I’m preparing to end the war. My choices might be the death of me. But if the scars on my body and heart have taught me anything, it’s that love is worth the sacrifice.       About the Author:  Betty Shreffler is a USA Today and International Bestselling Romance Author.  She writes sexy and suspenseful stories with hot alphas and kickass heroines with twists you don’t expect. She also writes beautiful and sexy romances with tough women and their journeys at finding love. Betty is a mix of country, nerdy, sassy, sweet and a whole lot of sense of humor. If she’s not writing or doing book events, you can find her snuggling with her pups watching a movie, enjoying wildlife behind the lens of a camera, hiking in the woods, or sipping wine behind a deliciously steamy book. Connect w/Betty:  Website: https://bettyshreffler.com Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/authorbettyshreffler  Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/AuthorBettyShreffler Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/betty_shreffler Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorbettyshreffler/ Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15195534.Betty_Shreffler Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/betty-shreffler Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Betty-Shreffler/e/B01EK6N4WU Newsletter Signup: https://bettyshreffler.com/subscribe

Cover Reveal ~ Just Getting Started ~ by ~ Kaylee Ryan & Lacey Black




Title: Just Getting Started
Series: Fair Lakes #2
Authors: Kaylee Ryan & Lacey Black
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Design: Perfect Pear Creative Covers
Photo: Sara Eirew
Release Date: February 4, 2020



Blurb

Gabby

My life isn’t exactly going as planned. I’m basically floating up a certain creek without a paddle. Desperately needing a new place to live, I receive an offer I can’t refuse, and you never look a gift horse in the mouth, right? Unless that particular mouth is connected to an uber sexy manwhore that makes me want to punch him in the face and then kiss him until I pass out from lack of oxygen. I must avoid him like the plague.

Chase

Gabby Connor; there is no request too small in my eyes. When I blurt out an offer I know she can’t refuse, I don’t think either one of us realize that our lives are about to change. Something else I didn’t comprehend, how hard it would be to keep my hands off of her, or my mouth, or my… you get the picture. It’s our time, no more hiding or waiting in the wings. I’m pulling out all the stops. I’m tired of being in the friend-zone. It’s time to take what I’ve always wanted.

But nothing is easy for us. Our road is full of twists and turns and a few surprises along the way. When push comes to shove and the cards are thrown on the table, can we navigate a new life, especially when we’re just getting started?







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Free in Kindle Unlimited






Kaylee Ryan


Kaylee Ryan is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author.  When she’s not spinning tales of happily ever after, she’s reading or spending time with family.  Born and raised an Ohio girl, Kaylee resides in Cincinnati with her husband and their son.

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Lacey Black


Lacey Black is a Midwestern girl with a passion for reading and writing. She carries her e-reader with her everywhere she goes so she never misses an opportunity to read a few pages. Always looking for a happily ever after, Lacey is passionate about contemporary romance novels and enjoys it further when you mix in a little suspense. She resides in a small town in Illinois with her husband, two children, and a chocolate lab. Lacey loves shooting guns and should only consume one mixed drink because she’s a lightweight.

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