Category Archives: Boost

RELEASE BOOST – Inked Persuasion (Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins #1) by Carrie Ann Ryan

Feb 12

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Title: Inked Persuasion
Series: Montgomery Ink: Fort Collins #1
Author: Carrie Ann Ryan
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: February 9, 2021
BLURB
The Montgomery Ink saga from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan continues with a steamy new series.
Years ago, Annabelle Montgomery married not for love but for a promise of hope. When she lost him weeks later, she told herself she never needed those sentiments again. Only when she discovers years later that her new neighbor is her late husband’s brother, Annabelle finds she can’t quite shake the emotions she’s long since buried.
Jacob Queen vowed he’d never set eyes on Annabelle again. When they’re forced into each other’s lives once more, they realize that no matter how far they run, no distance can keep them apart forever. More than ghosts lay between them, and when they finally give in to temptation, walking away whole may no longer be an option.

PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY
ALSO AVAILABLE
AMAZON AUDIO / AUDIBLE
PAPERBACK / HARDBACK
COMING SOON
Releasing July 20
AMAZON
B&N
PAPERBACK
Releasing October 26
AMAZON 
B&N
PAPERBACK
AUTHOR BIO
Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance.
Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and
Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.
AUTHOR LINKS

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RELEASE BOOST – The Edge of Happiness (Edge #1) by Kristin Turnage

Feb 10

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Title: The Edge of Happiness
Series: Edge #1
Author: Kristin Turnage
Genre: Slow Burn Small Town Romance
Release Date: February 5, 2021
BLURB
Cassie Davis is the girl you’d look over in a crowd. She isn’t the life of the party, she’s the DD. The responsible one, the reliable one, the one you can count on. That’s who she is. 
When her best friend dies a tragic death on her watch, her life starts to fall apart. The guilt and shame take their toll. Therapists aren’t helping and her dad’s out of options. That’s until her estranged Uncle calls out of the blue, giving her dad the idea of sending her to his small NC hometown for the summer. 
Her goal is to fix herself, to find her happiness somewhere amidst the chaos. But, she’s not ready for the smooth talking, gorgeous guy that gets injected into her life. Staying away from him would be best, but when he speaks to her, she feels her hope inside come alive. When he touches her, her world that’s full of chaos and confusion, freezes. 
Ryan’s someone that’s never struggled in the looks department. His wounds are deep and he’s not looking for someone to mend them. After his long-time girlfriend cheated on him and ended up pregnant, Ryan doesn’t want to get tied down ever again. He wants to live out his life, working on his family’s farm, and that’s it. 
Parties and unattached sex are his new norm, trying to find happiness wherever he can. That’s until her eyes make him feel stupid things in his chest. Ryan doesn’t want to give himself to anyone again, but when she smiles, his world lights up. 
When they’re both on the edge of happiness, will they risk it all for each other?
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS
GOOGLE PLAY
EXCERPT
I let them fade away into the background as my eyes travel around, shamelessly looking around for him. I breathe a sigh of relief when my eyes find him sitting at another table talking to his friends. I wasn’t expecting to meet a guy like him on my first day here. I wasn’t expecting anyone like him at all. 
My body goes from ice cold to super-hot in a split second, like a rollercoaster. He is relaxing and having an in-depth conversation with whoever is sitting in front of him. His eyes look around in a break in the conversation, taking in his surroundings. He looks over my way and then back. Then he stops and his eyes slide back to mine. I can’t breathe. His stare is holding me in my place. I can’t even think. I just stare back at him like a dazed animal. Slowly his mouth begins to move again, carrying on the conversation like he wasn’t trapped in a staring contest with me. Never taking his eyes off of me, never blinking. His stare is controlled and also purposeful. My body heat rises so high, I know my cheeks are flaming red at this point. 
I watch as the person across from him speaks, but he still hasn’t taken his eyes off me. I need to look away, but I can’t. Wait… Am I flirting? Yes. No. Maybe? I try to swallow the rock in my throat. 
Then his lips pull up into a grin that brings a shiver over my body. It’s not a flirty smile, it’s pleasant, welcoming, and it has my head spinning.
AUTHOR BIO
Kristin Turnage is an indie author that lives close to the beach in Florida with her husband, two daughters, and two cats. She has been writing for eight years and has been chasing her dream of becoming a published author for a long time. The Edge of Happiness from The Edge Series is her first published work and has turned her dream into a reality. She is excited that you are all taking this journey alongside of her.
AUTHOR LINKS
FACEBOOK GROUP
INSTAGRAM
WEBSITE

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RELEASE BOOST – Tyro (Alien Adoption Agency : a Stargazer Alien Series) by Tasha Black

Feb 9

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Tyro by Tasha Black is now live!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2KMQf9X
Universal — getbook.at/TyroTB
Apple — http://apple.co/2YbcUj4
Nook — http://bit.ly/3sTDADl
Kobo — http://bit.ly/36afxGz
Google — http://bit.ly/2MoftvO

Phoebe has nothing but her secrets. Her alien protector is determined to lay them bare.

Phoebe arrives on the moon of Clotho with a trunk full of secrets and an imagination filled with preconceived notions about life on the frontier. She’s more than ready to scrap and fight for her own piece of farmland, and a future for the little one she is adopting. When her new land turns out to be underwater, and the baby shows up in the strapping arms of an Invicta dragon-guard, Phoebe doubles down on her promise to herself to live free, or die trying.

Tyro never asked to be made guardian to a baby. But little Atlas has his heart, and he is shocked to find that the baby’s adopted mother has his soul. His inner dragon roars triumphant, but his human side must fight to win her over. If only the headstrong little Terran would slow down long enough to let him claim her before mad desire pushes his restraint to the limit.

When the farm is threatened, the two must work together to protect Atlas’s future. But then Phoebe’s past comes back to find her, and she has a decision to make that could derail even the best laid plans. Tyro is willing to bet the farm on their future together. Will Phoebe run, or will she decide to land herself an alien?

If you like strong women, hunky aliens, wild adventures, steamy sensual scenes, and happily-ever-afters, then you’ll love the world of Stargazer!

Alien Adoption Agency is a Stargazer Alien Series – read them all:
-Noxx
-Kade
-Tyro


About the Author:

Tasha Black is a USA Today bestselling author of Paranormal, SciFi & Fantasy romance. She lives in a big old Victorian in a tiny college town. She loves reading anything she can get her hands on, making up stories, and sipping pumpkin spice lattes.

Claim your FREE Tasha Black Starter Library at www.TashaBlack.com

Connect with Tasha:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RomanceWithBite
Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/RomanceWithBite

Bookbub: http://bit.ly/3n3sGXw
Instagram: https://bit.ly/2XcuGlB
Amazon: https://amzn.to/394P2CN

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RELEASE BOOST – In Flames (Phoenix: A Lextal Chronicle) by Elise Faber

Jan 29

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In Flames by Elise Faber is available now!


Amazon — https://amzn.to/3hf13JB
Universal — getbook.at/InFlames
Apple — http://apple.co/2KkMFnn
Nook — http://bit.ly/34DOrH3
Kobo — http://bit.ly/3mGUwJ0
Google — http://bit.ly/3pgOLmV

Healer Suz was known for her cool head, steady presence, and impeccable composure under pressure—a pressure that included magical attacks against her people, the Rengalla, and her on the front lines, healing any injuries they sustained.

But her position at the Colony was more than that.

If someone twisted their ankle, she repaired the tendons and ligaments.
If a baby was being born, she was there, welcoming them into the world.
If an idiot soldier got hurt doing idiot soldier things, she yelled at them . . . then healed whatever injury had brought them her way.

She took care of people. The need was ingrained in her heart and soul.

Along with . . . loneliness.

She wanted someone of her own she could take care of.

The trouble was she wanted a particular someone.

And Graham hadn’t ever bothered to give her the time of day.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys.

She lives in Northern California. Connect with her in her Facebook group, the Fabinators or email her at elisefaberauthor@gmail.com.


Connect with Elise!

Website: https://www.elisefaber.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisefaberauthor/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fabinators
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elisefaber
Twitter: https://twitter.com/faberelise
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bdnmEj
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2Ilspyd

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RELEASE BOOST – The Hot Mess and the Heartthrob (Bro Code #4) by Pippa Grant

Jan 21

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Title: The Hot Mess and the Heartthrob
Series: Bro Code #4
Author: Pippa Grant
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: January 7, 2021
BLURB
You don’t know me, but you do know me. I’m your neighborhood hot mess single mom, doing my best to keep my head above water while running my little slice of heaven and keeping my youngest from shoving marbles up his nose, which is exactly what he’s doing the first time Levi Wilson, pop star god, world’s sexiest man, and my all-time number one celebrity obsession, walks into my bookstore. 
Related: I’m writing this from beyond the grave, because I’ve died of mortification and am now residing in an alternate universe. 
I have to be. 
Because Levi Wilson came back. 
And we had a moment. 
Like, a moment moment. The kind that makes me remember that adult pleasure isn’t all about hoping the lock holds in the bathroom so your kids don’t interrupt on the rare occasion you feel like taking an extra-long mommy-time shower. 
So when he proposes a no-strings fling? 
Count. Me. In. 
Thrill of a lifetime, right? 
Surely, nothing will go wrong… 
The Hot Mess and the Heartthrob is a rockin’ fun, sexy romantic comedy featuring a celebrity panty-melter who doesn’t know what he’s been missing, a sassy single mom hanging on by a string, three adorable children who would never burst in on a woman when she’s on a toilet (ha!), and shameless ovary-busting moments between a guy who never thought he’d be a dad and a family who thought they got along just fine without him. It stands alone and comes complete with a happily-ever-after (though you’d never go wrong to read the other Bro Code series books first).
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
EXCERPT
One day. I would like to go one single day without someone in my orbit making a poor life decision. 
“Stop squirming,” I order my four-year-old son, who should be at preschool, but who’s been banished for the week because of lice. 
Yep. 
Lice. 
Heaven forbid we have one issue at a time. 
Adding to my list of issues? Being that mom who can’t get her shit together while Levi Flipping Wilson is watching. And not only watching, but actively engaging in trying to help. “Hey, bud, I bet I can hold still longer than you can. Wanna see?” 
I know my agenda on any given day will include interruption for something my children do that I never would’ve expected in a million years, but that’s a lot easier to deal with when I don’t have an audience. 
Especially an audience made up of one famous man whose songs get me through the day—and night—when I don’t have enough free focus to read or listen to an audiobook, and who keeps stealing glances at me like he’s trying to figure out what kind of rabid creature I am. Normally, customers aren’t allowed back in the stockroom with me, which is where I dragged Hudson when I realized what he’d done to his nose, but leaving Levi out there with the customers who’d figured out who he was seemed like a bad idea. 
Especially when his date skewered me with a look that clearly said get him out of here or I’ll burn this place down. 
It’s a bookstore. 
Highly flammable. 
Not taking chances. 
Especially if there was a reason they were looking at maternity and early childhood development books. His date doesn’t look pregnant, but god knows that’s when pregnancy is hardest. 
Hudson finally stills, and I manage to smear a little more Vaseline gently around his nostril. “How did you get a marble in your nose?” 
“I pushed hard.” He beams. “I gots stars in there too.” 
I squeeze my eyes shut and count to two, because I know if I get as high as three, he’ll find a way to suck the marbles deeper into his sinus cavities, and I don’t know how a doctor will get that out without having to cut his nose open, and oh my god, he’s four and he’s about to be disfigured for life because I thought he’d actually sit still and listen to Yasmin reading books for neighborhood storytime while I re-stocked a few shelves. 
“How many stars?” I inquire through clenched teeth. 
“Four. Or maybe seven. Or maybe one. I forgets.” 
“You are so lucky you’re cute.” 
“Do you have a vacuum?” Levi asks. 
I twist my head to gape at him. 
He shoots a help? look at his date, then shrugs at me. “If he won’t blow it out, maybe you can suck it out. Like with one of those sucky tools the dentist uses.” 
“That’s…possibly not a terrible idea.” 
“Happens on occasion.” He grins, which makes my heart basically stop because he’s stupidly gorgeous. 
I could stare at him all day, but I have a preschooler with marbles up his nose to attend to. 
“Mama,” Hudson says, “look.” 
He scrunches his nose, which makes his nostrils swell, closes his mouth, and blows, and one shoots out and lands on Levi’s shoe. 
My son has just snotted my favorite musician’s Italian leather loafers. 
“I win! I holded still!” He breaks into his preschool dance routine, but the poor kid got his moves from me, which means to a casual observer, he probably looks like he’s having a seizure while choking on a piece of gum and tripping over barbed wire. 
Levi Wilson, however, is not fazed. He squats down to Hudson’s level. “Rematch.”
ALSO AVAILABLE
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
AUDIBLE / AMAZON AUDIO
APPLE BOOKS / PAPERBACK
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
AUDIBLE / AMAZON AUDIO
APPLE BOOKS / PAPERBACK
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
ALSO AVAILABLE
AUDIBLE / AMAZON AUDIO
APPLE BOOKS / PAPERBACK
AUTHOR BIO
Pippa Grant is a USA Today Bestselling author who writes romantic comedies that will make tears run down your leg. When she’s not reading, writing or sleeping, she’s being crowned employee of the month as a stay-at-home mom and housewife trying to prepare her adorable demon spawn to be productive members of society, all the while fantasizing about long walks on the beach with hot chocolate chip cookies.

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RELEASE BOOST – The Cowboy and His Valentine (Rock Springs Texas #7) by Kaci Rose

Jan 19

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Title: The Cowboy and His Valentine
Series: Rock Springs Texas #7
Author: Kaci Rose
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: January 14, 2021
BLURB
Love is in the air, and Cupid’s arrows are flying in Rock Springs, Texas! 
Maggie 
As a newcomer to Rock Springs, I’m eager to move out from under the thumb of my conservative parents and discover who I am. Helping my sister out at the town’s annual Sweetheart Dance seems a great place to start. I don’t believe the silly legend about soulmates finding each other at the event… until I meet Nick. He’s even more delicious than the BBQ he cooks, but the intense heat he brings doesn’t stop at the kitchen door. Unsure if I’m ready to be struck by Cupid’s Arrow, I pull back. Candy and flowers will have to wait. I need to discover who I am first. 
Nick 
Between the work I do at the restaurant and my family’s ranch, my life is a busy whirlwind. But everything slowed to crystal clear clarity the second I locked eyes with Maggie. Rock Spring legend states the person you attend your first Sweetheart Dance with is your soulmate, and I believe that with my whole heart. Now, I’m determined to walk under that balloon arch with her on my arm. I see her hesitating at the sizzling chemistry between us. Can I win her over in time to call her my Valentine? 
Come meet the small town of Rock Springs Texas with a family that has your back, a town that knows your business, and men who love with everything they have.
This is a Steamy, Small Town, Valentine’s Day Cowboy Romance. No Cliffhangers.
This is Book 7 in the Rock Springs Texas Series.
As always there is a satisfying Happy Ever After.
If you love steamy Valentine’s Day romances with insta love, hot love scenes, small towns, and cowboys, then this one is for you. 
PURCHASE LINKS
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
All free in Kindle Unlimited
AUTHOR BIO
Kaci Rose runs on coffee, chocolate, and Oreos. She writes the type of romance books she wants to read. 
Kaci loves her book boyfriends with tattoos, muscles, beards, and a little dirty.
AUTHOR LINKS

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RELEASE BOOST – Charging by Elise Faber

Jan 1

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Charging by Elise Faber is now live!

Amazon — https://amzn.to/3g8oP9K
Universal — getbook.at/ChargingEF
Apple — https://apple.co/2VAOdLM
Nook — https://bit.ly/3gnExOx
Kobo — https://bit.ly/2VAKAWl
Google — https://bit.ly/37ueSPO


Once upon a time she’d been an intern.
Once upon a time he’d been a rookie.

Then he’d broken her heart. Well, not just broken it. He’d torn it to shreds. Shattered it. Freaking nuked it.

But now Charlotte was older. Leaner. Meaner. Okay, so the last wasn’t really true, but she’d certainly spent the eight years since her fling with one Logan Walker—star defenseman and that former rookie—building fortified walls around her heart at the same rate she built her career.

She was great at building. Great at winning. So much so that she’d become the new GM for the Gold—a GM who was quite possibly going insane because she’d decided to bring Logan to the team. Her heart aside, the team needed his skills to win, needed him to plug a hole in the roster.

What she didn’t need?

Logan deciding that the hole he wanted to plug was the one he’d created in her heart all those years before.

About the Author:

USA Today bestselling author, Elise Faber, loves chocolate, Star Wars, Harry Potter, and hockey (the order depending on the day and how well her team—the Sharks!—are playing). She and her husband also play as much hockey as they can squeeze into their schedules, so much so that their typical date night is spent on the ice. Elise changes her hair color more often than some people change their socks, loves sparkly things, and is the mom to two exuberant boys.

She lives in Northern California. Connect with her in her Facebook group, the Fabinators or email her at elisefaberauthor@gmail.com.
Connect with Elise!

Website: https://www.elisefaber.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elisefaberauthor/
Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fabinators
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/elisefaber
Twitter: https://twitter.com/faberelise
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bdnmEj
Bookbub: http://bit.ly/2Ilspyd

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RELEASE BOOST – Mail-Order Brides for Christmas ~ Jingle Bells & Wedding Vows

Nov 20

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Title: Mail-Order Brides for Christmas
Authors: Fiona Davenport, Frankie Love, 
Hope Ford, Kelli Callahan, S.E. Law & Tracy Lorraine
Genre: Steamy Mail Order Bride Romance
Release Date: November 17, 2020
BLURB
The Mistletoe Brothers are ready to save Snow Valley … even if it means marrying complete strangers. 
The six women who arrive in this mountainside town all have very different reasons for agreeing to an arranged marriage. And none of them quite know what to make of the six ruggedly handsome brothers who greet them. 
But they do know this: there’s no turning back. 
It’s Christmas, the season for miracles … but is it also the season for falling in love? 
Join six of your favorite romance authors this holiday as they show you around the most romantic town you’ve ever visited. It’s got an ice-skating rink where you can hold hands, hot cocoa to sip by the fire, and plenty of mistletoe that you can kiss under. This collection of all new stories are filled with high heat…because with six brothers, there are plenty of packages to unwrap.
PURCHASE LINKS
Only 99c!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

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RELEASE BOOST – Dog Tags: A Romance Anthology

Nov 13

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Dog Tags: A romance anthology featuring military and canine heroes. n o w l i v e

Amazon — https://amzn.to/2SEm98E
Universal — getbook.at/DogTagsAntho
Apple — https://apple.co/3iEq00m
Nook — https://bit.ly/30G5ciA
Kobo — https://bit.ly/3jGk0FF

Dog Tags is a powerful collection of stories about the men and women who sacrifice their lives—mind, body, and soul—fighting to defend our country, and the extraordinary dogs that help them heal.

Not all injuries are visible to the naked eye and sometimes it takes a furry friend to mend what’s been broken.

From love at first sight to long lost lovers reunited, these twelve military romance novellas range from ready, aim…to fire!

Love is worth fighting for, and so is helping our courageous, wounded warriors find their way back home.

We are proud to provide support to K9s For Warriors’ mission to end veteran suicide and give a new “leash” on life to rescue dogs and military heroes.

Contributing Authors:
Anna Blakely, Amy Briggs, Samantha A Cole, KaLyn Cooper, Carey Decevito, Elle James, Cat Johnson, Kate Kinsley, DD Lorenzo, Kat Mizera, Jen Talty, BT Urruela

Cover Design: Cover Me Darling
Photography: Furious Fotog
Model: Randy Richards

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RELEASE BOOST – Blood and Wine by Margot Scott

Nov 4

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Title: Blood and Wine
Author: Margot Scott
Genre: Dark Vampire Romance
Release Date: October 29, 2020
BLURB
A slow-burning descent into darkness and desire… 
Betrayed. Imprisoned. Alone. 
For decades I have suffered as a reluctant blood donor. Caged like an animal and drained of my strength to enrich the Radcliffs and their winery. I’d forsaken all hope of escape—until the winemaker’s daughter returns to the family’s estate. 
A drop of my immortal blood is all it takes to activate her psychic talents. Now we’re connected, and all that remains is convincing her to seek me in the darkness. 
Bribe. Seduce. Deceive. 
To claim she’s too young is an understatement. But a starving man doesn’t have the luxury of waiting for fruit to ripen. I’ve awakened her gifts, and now it’s her turn to replenish me. 
I will have my fill of the winemaker’s daughter. Then I will take revenge on her family. 
Author’s note: Please be aware that this book contains scenes of violence, gore, and rough sexual contact, as well as an age-gap pairing spanning literal centuries. If you find drastically inappropriate older man/younger woman romances squicky, do yourself a favor and skip this book.
PURCHASE LINKS
99c for a limited time!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
EXCERPT
I inhale the perfume of lilacs, and watch the horses grazing among the vines. Then I remind myself that it’s October, and there aren’t any horses on the grounds anymore. 
That’s how I know I’m still dreaming. 
I’ve been a lucid dreamer since I was little, capable of controlling my consciousness at whim while asleep. It’s the one Greyson-like talent I’ve been blessed with, and it’s not even that interesting. 
A burst of laughter calls my attention to a couple drinking champagne on the patio. I approach them. They ask if I’m wearing that to the party, and it’s not until I notice how they’re dressed—her in a silk blue wrap dress with ruffles, and him in a fedora and striped jacket—and the way their silhouettes dissolve slightly into the air around them, that I realize they aren’t just stand-ins manufactured by my dream engine. 
They’re ghosts. My mom tried describing them to me, but it’s one thing to hear about something and another to actually see it with your own eyes. 
Ghosts don’t look the way you might expect, all white-sheeted and billowy. Neither do they resemble rotting corpses. They look like shimmery versions of regular people. A little fuzzy around the edges, maybe, but otherwise normal. 
The clamor of horn-heavy music playing elsewhere on the estate coaxes me to step barefooted into the grass. I make my way toward the sound. Sure enough, there’s a party in full swing in the grand foyer. I peek through the windows at the crowd of ghosts having a grand old time, drinking, laughing, and dancing. 
I stay and watch for a while and listen to the band play, until a man in a waistcoat comes up behind me and asks if I have an invitation. I run into the field, glancing over my shoulder to make sure I’m not being chased. 
A woman in a white dress watches me from a second-story window. I’m not a hundred percent certain, but I’m pretty sure she’s watching me from the room I’m staying in. She’s too far away to note the details of her face, but her hair is long, dark, and straight, like mine. I blink and she’s gone, and her absence unsettles me and sends me galloping further into the grapevines. 
The sky hasn’t changed since I awoke into the dreamscape, giving the vineyard a sense of timelessness. Now that I’m away from the house, I make my way down the rows of vines slowly, skimming my fingers over the leaves. 
This place isn’t so bad without Edward and his awful relatives making me feel unwelcome. It would’ve been even nicer to have come here with my mother; I could’ve listened to her tell her own stories. 
A crow soars overhead and then drops into a cluster of trees. That’s when I spot the man standing with his back to me among the vines. 
“Hello,” I call out, moving a little closer. He turns his blond head slowly, like he’s not sure if he heard me. I call out again, “Hello, sir?” 
When our gazes meet, I stop advancing. His eyes are so blue they’re almost turquoise. I’m already lost in them, and I just got here. He studies me curiously, like he’s never seen a girl in a Blind Melon tee shirt before. 
“Did you say something to me?” he asks. 
“I said hello.” 
The man looks around, like he’s making sure I’m not actually talking to someone behind him. He’s a pretty big guy, fit and brawny. Maybe he’s the ghost of a laborer, I think, though his clean shirt and fair skin would suggest he’s not one for toiling in the sun. I’d guess him to be somewhere in his mid-thirties. I wonder how long it’s been since he passed on, then remind myself he isn’t real. This place looks like the vineyard, but it’s not the vineyard. There’s no reason my mind couldn’t dream up ghosts just as easily as it cooks up impatient servers. 
“How long have you lived here?” I ask. Mom also told me that ghosts sometimes forget they’re dead, and when they do, it’s best not to remind them. Nine times out of ten, whenever there’s an aggressive haunting, it’s because a ghost is confused, or hasn’t yet come to terms with their situation. This man appears lucid enough, and his silhouette is surprisingly crisp, but I figure it’s better to play it safe. 
His lip curls slightly. “I’ve been here much longer than I’d like to be.” 
“Oh. That sucks.” I’m not sure how else to respond. 
Two rows of vines separate us, but even that distance and a coating of golden scruff aren’t enough to mask the fact that he’s handsome. His face is angular without being pointed, his lips full, yet defined. The longer I look at him, the faster my pulse starts to race. Heat floods my face as I force myself to stop gawking at him like some wannabe groupie. 
“I’m just visiting my dad,” I say, hoping he won’t notice the tremor in my voice. The man says nothing. When I allow myself to glance his way again, he’s no longer standing in the same spot. 
He’s right beside me. 
I stagger back a few steps. 
“How did you do that?” A dumb question, considering ghosts don’t have to follow the laws of physics in the real world, let alone the nonexistent rules in my dreams. 
I hold my breath as the man reaches out to touch my cheek. Somehow his eyes are even bluer this close up. 
“How is this possible?” He strokes the sides of my face. 
“Anything’s possible in a dream,” I say. He shakes his head in disbelief, like I’m the ghost in his dreams. 
“This is why he wants you,” he says, and I have no idea what that means. 
“Who wants me?” 
His gaze lifts over my shoulder, in the direction of the house. 
“It’s time to wake up, Mariah.” 
“Why?” And how does he know my name? 
“You have a visitor.” He grasps my shoulders firmly enough to pinch and shakes me. 
I’m jolted awake, for real this time. 
It takes me a second to recall where I am—in bed, in the guestroom, at Red Cliff—and half a second more to realize that I’m not alone.
AUTHOR BIO
Margot Scott likes long nails and short, sexy reads, rainbow sprinkles on vanilla ice cream, and rainy days spent in bed with her furbabies. When she’s not writing forbidden-love stories about bearded older men, you can find her browsing Pinterest for pictures of pink things.
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