Category Archives: Excerpt

BLOG TOUR – From The Embers by Aly Martinez

I may have carried her out of that fire, but the truth was, Bree saved me.

From The Embers, an all-new not-to-be-missed, standalone catastrophic romance from USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez is available now!

In the aftermath of tragedy, it’s strange the things you remember.
The deafening boom as the house exploded.
The paralyzing fear as I searched for my wife.
The blinding smoke burning my eyes as I carried her out.

But carved into my soul for the rest of my days would be the earth-shattering realization that the woman in my arms wasn’t my wife.

Bree and I were the only survivors—not that either of us were truly living after that night. As a single dad with nowhere else to go, I moved into her guest house. And somehow, through the guilt and grief, we forged an unlikely team.

It took years, but I watched the gradual return of her smile—slow and life-altering.
The two of us could sit outside for hours, talking about nothing, and it filled the massive hole in my chest with new life.

I may have carried her out of that fire, but the truth was, Bree saved me.

As we healed, the secrets and lies of the past smoldered in the ashes, threatening to ignite again.

Our love was born from the embers, and together we would go up in flames.

Be consumed by the fire, today!
Exclusively on Kindle Unlimited.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/30yRfTv
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/fromtheembers

Add FROM THE EMBERS to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2ZwA5Fs

Excerpt

Using my arm to block my face, I carried her lifeless body to the door. The knob seared my palm as I yanked it open, but the pain didn’t even register through the adrenaline. The sound of my feet pounding down the driveway echoed in my ears as the fire crackled behind me. Our closest neighbor was over half a mile away, but there was no way they hadn’t heard the explosion. The fire department would be there soon.
Once I got Jessica safe, I’d go back for Bree. They’d find Rob. Everyone would be okay.
“Eason,” she croaked in my arms.
My feet were still moving as I sprinted away, but time stopped as her voice permeated my senses.
It wasn’t possible.
She was covered in soot, and my eyes were caked with ash and what I would later learn to be blood, but I could still make out the large flowers on her yellow—
“Uh, no. It’s my dress that your wife borrowed and I had to do an entire Tom Cruise Mission Impossible thing to get it back last week.”
Oh, God.
I kept running until the wind changed direction, clearing the smoke. With my heart in my throat, I prayed that my still ringing ears had deceived me. I set her down and used the inside of my shirt to clear my face.
“Eason,” she croaked.
But once again, she wasn’t my wife.
“Oh, God,” I breathed, watching as she rose on unsteady legs. Tears carved twin riverbeds through the ash on her cheeks.
“What happened?” Bree asked, her green eyes focused on the blazing inferno behind me.
Acrid guilt devoured me. “I…”
I saved the wrong woman.
I left the mother of my child in a burning building.
My final broken promise to the woman I’d vowed forever to was, “I’ll be right back.”
Bile crawled up my throat. “I don’t know.”
I glanced back at the house, the heat of the roaring fire scorching me even from yards away. Overwhelming grief hit me as I realized there was no way I could get back through those flames.
Oh, God. Jessica.
In the middle of tragedy, it’s strange the things that become engrained into your memories. Years later, I wouldn’t be able to tell you how long it took the firetrucks to get there. I couldn’t tell you what time it was or what I had been wearing. But I would never be able to forget the absolute devastation on Bree’s face when she realized we were the only two standing outside the burning house.
“Where’s Rob?” she rasped, her voice sounding like it had traveled over a mile of gravel before exiting her throat. “And Jessica. Where are they?” She took an urgent stride toward me.
“I tried…” I doubled over into a fit of coughing. It was probably for the best. There was no way I could have finished that thought.

About the Author

Originally from Savannah, Georgia, USA Today bestselling author Aly Martinez now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four young children.
Never one to take herself too seriously, she enjoys cheap wine, mystery leggings, and olives. It should be known, however, that she hates pizza and ice cream, almost as much as writing her bio in the third person.
She passes what little free time she has reading anything and everything she can get her hands on, preferably with a super-sized tumbler of wine by her side.

Connect with Aly
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2RvbjCA
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2DUCq1Z
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2We92eT
BookBub: http://bit.ly/2V32S4B
GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2UKGUOM
Facebook Reader Group: http://bit.ly/2DEpPAh
Instagram: http://bit.ly/2DUgzrJ
Website: https://alymartinez.com/

Stay up to date with Aly by joining her mailing list today:
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BLOG TOUR – Runaway Train by Lee Matthew Goldberg

May 3

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

We are thrilled to be sharing RUNAWAY TRAIN by Lee Matthew Goldberg with you today!

RunAway Train is a heartfelt, laugh-out-loud YA and we can’t wait for you to read it!

GoodReads ~ Amazon

Synopsis:

They told me I was an out-of-control train about to crash…

Everything changed when the police officer knocked on the door to tell me – a 16-year-old – that my older sister Kristen had died of a brain aneurysm. Cue the start of my parents neglecting me and my whole life spiraling out of control.

I decided now was the perfect time to skip town. It’s the early 90’s, Kurt Cobain runs the grunge music scene and I just experienced some serious trauma. What’s a girl supposed to do? I didn’t want to end up like Kristen, so I grabbed my bucket list, turned up my mixtape of the greatest 90’s hits and fled L.A.. The goal was to end up at Kurt Cobain’s house in Seattle, but I never could have guessed what would happen along the way.

At turns heartbreaking, inspiring, and laugh out loud funny, Runaway Train is a wild journey of a bygone era and a portrait of a one-of-a-kind teenage girl trying to find herself again the only way she knows how.

Endorsements:

“Realistic and shocking, hopeful and satisfying, Runaway Train will keep readers turning the page.” — USA Today Bestselling Author Rebecca Forster

“It’s an incredibly challenging task for an author to utilize a darkly comedic tone without coming across as disingenuous—but Goldberg executes it here with expert precision. Brimming over with the visceral atmosphere of the early 90s grunge era, RUNAWAY TRAIN is a must-read for those willing to buckle up for the ride.”

—Peter Malone Elliott (Director of Operations, Book Pipeline)

“An engaging ’90s pastiche with an earnest heart beating at its center.” — Kirkus Reviews

“In Runaway Train, Nico takes the leap every teenager dreams of taking, but it’s a leap few writers have handled as well as Goldberg. He pulls apart the teen puzzle of feeling both adrift and intentional in the same moment and reminds us that finding a way to be heard is the only way anybody finds themselves.” — Rick Polito, Off Trail

“Goldberg’s atmospheric RUNAWAY TRAIN will take you back to the Nineties faster than a Pearl Jam track and a lace choker.” —Alisha Sevigny, author of SUMMER CONSTELLATIONS and THE SECRET OF THE SANDS series.

“All fans of ’90s alternative, no matter their generation, will find something to love in this book. A story of a young, drifting woman, who has lost her older sister abruptly and decides, as her family crumbles, to run away, Runaway Train presents an adventure, an escape fantasy, and the possibilities of life when you’re young and on the margins. This book is a delight for readers of all ages.” –Alex DiFrancesco, author of All City and Transmutation: Stories

Check out the Spotify Playlist for RunAway Train!

Spotify link

And then headover and enter the GIVEAWAY for 1 of 3 paperback copies!

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Excerpt:

I’m still high after leaving Winter’s house and decide to just drive around and around as the sun sets beyond the hills coating the sky orange and purple. I adjust the rearview mirror to apply my MAC Viva Glam Taupe Lipstick with brown lip liner and take a moment to assess myself. My hair has been dyed so many colors it appears clumpy and lifeless. The baby fat has finally fled from my cheeks, but my chin still looks weak (thanks Mom), unlike Dad or Kristen’s strong jaw. My smile makes me resemble a chipmunk, and no one would ever call me beautiful, pretty maybe if I spend hours doing my makeup, but most likely, simply cute. Again, like a chipmunk.

I hit play on my mixtape and “Runaway Train” blasts. I roll up the windows so I can sing it loud without feeling embarrassed, belting the chorus that coincides with my upcoming journey, my flight to nowhere and everywhere at the same time. I’ve got the courage to run away now, but what would happen once I come down from my high? I’ll likely curl up in bed to the sounds of In Utero, solely on my Walkman since Mom had freakin’ broken my stereo.

I arrive home during Mazzy Star’s luscious and mournful “Fade Into You.” When I walk through the front door, Mom and Dad are waiting on opposite couches. Dad clears his throat.

“Park it, Scrap,” he says, a nickname that used to be endearing when I was little, but now indicates how little he’s involved in my life. I’m just a scrap to him, leftovers on a plate.

Dad has a sweep of silver hair that might have been called dashing like a movie star, but his tired, weighed-down eyes keep him ordinary. Winter once said that from far away he looks like Richard Gere in Pretty Woman and that she’d “do him.” I responded by punching her in her big boob.

Mom gives a shy wave, as if we’re old friends reuniting. I don’t even bother to check if I give off a weed odor. Screw ‘emboth.

“I know about your mother and Mr. Ferguson,” Dad says. He doesn’t sigh like I expect him to; he explains their tryst like he’s rattling off what we’re having for dinner. “I have been seeing someone else as well. Annette.”

I scrunch my face up. “Annette?” I picture some over-sexed French lady sharing my father’s office cot after a boink session and feeding him escargot.

“Your mother and I are getting a divorce.”

An image of Jeremy sashays into my thoughts, hands on hips, and an “I told ya so” pouring from his lips over and over. When I look at Mom, she gives a sobering nod.

“This is for the best, Nico,” she says, and tries to grab my hand but I whip it away.

“I’ll be staying with Annette at her place in Los Feliz,” Dad continues. “You won’t have to move.”

“What if I don’t want to live with her,” I say, pointing at my mother like she’s a defendant in a courtroom. That woman!

Mom chews on her lip. “Nico, we don’t want to uproot you. And your father needs time to settle in.”

“I don’t wanna live with him either.”

Finally, the two of them glance at each other, former opponents aligned against a new adversary.

“I’m gonna stay with Winter,” I shout. “Her mom already said it’s okay. They have an extra room.”

“That’s a big imposition,” Dad barks, smoothing down his tie as if we’re in a goddamn business meeting.

“I’ll help around their house. Edina’s practically begged me. And this isn’t working out so we’ll try it.”

I stand up like I’m the parent who already made the decision. The allies glance at each other again, neither willing to put up too much of a fight for me.

“O-kay,” they both say in eerie harmony.

“I just need to pack,” I say. “I’ll be out of your hair tonight.”

“Nico, there’s no rush,” my mom says. She stands up but just teeters in place, afraid to make a move.

I’m holding back tears, refusing to be emotional in front of them. I tell myself to be cold like Dad, a robot in flannel.

“Why waste any more time,” I say, flapping my arms. “Like, we waste so much time all the time, ya-know? And then one day…”

I mime the action of dropping dead and watch their faces scrunch up in response.

“So, it’s been fun parental units. I’ll call you in a few days when I’m settled too.”

I spin around to head up the stairs. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see Mom try to come after me, but Dad raises his palm to hold her back. Am I not even worth an argument? I guess fucking not.

I dash into my room, get out a duffel bag, and throw in everything I think I’d need. My yellow Sports Walkman and a shit ton of batteries. A dozen different band T-shirts and four practically identical flannels, a few various chokers, an off the shoulder leotard, two straight fit jeans, and two jeans shorts that I made by cutting up old pairs, some glitter nail polish, a couple of baby doll dresses, a Jansport backpack, some joints, my fake ID where my name is Sasha Lioni and I go to USC, a bag of makeup and hair dye, a Nirvana poster that I’d tape up in my car, and finally a picture of Kristen and I, nine and ten years old at camp on a trip up to Big Sur, the sun a bright melon ball making us squint, our arms around one another, smiles filled with braces, still innocent and unexposed to any tragedies.

On my way down, Dad meets me at the bottom of the stairs. He has his gas card in his hand.

“Use it as much as you need,” he says, tucking it in my jeans pocket. He gives me a pat on the shoulder. I can hear my mother sniffling in the kitchen. I keep my eyes trained to the floor and duck out of there, tossing the duffel bag in the passenger’s seat and roaring off into the night.

Meet the Author:

Lee Matthew Goldberg is the author of the novels THE ANCESTOR, THE MENTOR, THE DESIRE CARD and SLOW DOWN. He has been published in multiple languages and nominated for the Prix du Polar. His first YA series RUNAWAY TRAIN is forthcoming in 2021 along with a sci-fi novel ORANGE CITY. After graduating with an MFA from the New School, his writing has also appeared in The Millions, Vol. 1 Brooklyn, LitReactor, Monkeybicycle, Fiction Writers Review, Cagibi, Necessary Fiction, the anthology Dirty Boulevard, The Montreal Review, The Adirondack Review, The New Plains Review, Underwood Press and others. He is the editor-in-chief and co-founder of Fringe, dedicated to publishing fiction that’s outside-of-the-box. His pilots and screenplays have been finalists in Script Pipeline, Book Pipeline, Stage 32, We Screenplay, the New York Screenplay, Screencraft, and the Hollywood Screenplay contests. He is the co-curator of The Guerrilla Lit Reading Series and lives in New York City. Follow him at LeeMatthewGoldberg.com

Connect with Lee:

WEBSITE ~ INSTAGRAM ~ TWITTER ~ FACEBOOK ~ GOODREADS

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RELEASE WEEK BLITZ – An Officer and a Fortune (The Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune) by Nina Crespo

May 1

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Nina Crespo is joining us for the release week blitz of her contemporary romance, An Officer and a Fortune! Check it out and be sure to get your copy today!

Title: An Officer and a Fortune

Series: The Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune

Author: Nina Crespo

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About An Officer and a Fortune:

His homecoming was temporary. Until he met the woman who changed everything.

Captain Collin Waldon is on leave from the military, tending to his ailing father in his final days. Knowing his stay in Rambling Rose will be short, Collin is not looking for romantic entanglements—especially not with Nicole Fortune, the beautiful, free-spirited executive chef of Roja Restaurant in the struggling Hotel Fortune. Yet these two unlikely lovers seem perfect for each other, until Collin’s reassignment threatens their newfound bliss…

From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.

Get Your Copy Today:

Amazon | Apple | B&N | Kobo | Google

Excerpt:

In An Officer and a Fortune, Nicole is a chef and Collin is a soldier who shares her passion for cooking. They have a slight obsession with Lemon Rosemary Chicken. Has reading a scene in a book where food is involved ever made you hungry?

***

A knock on the doorjamb drew Nicole’s attention.

Lesly stood in the doorway. “Sorry to bother you, but there’s a Collin Waldon in the dining room. He wants to order something that’s not on the menu—lemon rosemary chicken and pasta?” Lesly gave her quizzical look. “He said you’d understand.”

He showed up. Barely suppressed excitement waved through Nicole. She hit Send on the website form. “I do. I’ll take care of it.” Cooking for Collin and talking to him again was exactly what she needed to get her mind off the competition.

In the kitchen, she gathered the ingredients for the dish and got to work. As she prepared the recipe, mindfulness plus a dash of perfectionism blended with her skill. Peacefulness settled inside her as she moved through the tasks.

Cooking had always been her bliss. The only thing that topped it was witnessing the satisfaction of someone enjoying the first bite of something she’d made. Would her meal rate a smile of satisfaction from Collin when he tasted it?

She worked a little faster, eager to find out…

In case you’re interested, here’s a simple rosemary chicken recipe:

https://littlespicejar.com/easy-lemon-rosemary-chicken/

Catch up on the Series:

The Fortunes of Texas: The Hotel Fortune

Book 1: Her Texas New Year’s Wish by Michelle Major

Book 2: Their Second-Time Valentine by Helen Lacey

Book 3: An Unexpected Father by Marie Ferrarella

Book 4: Runaway Groom by Lynne Marshall

Book 5: An Officer and a Fortune by Nina Crespo

Book 6: Cowboy in Disguise by Allison Leigh

About Nina Crespo:

Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions — the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.

Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.

Let Nina’s sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.

Stay connected with Nina on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest or through her newsletter.

Connect with Nina:

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RELEASE BLITZ – Off to the Races by Elsie Silver

Apr 29

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

I’m the new racehorse trainer at Gold Rush Ranch and I’ve got three months to turn a problem stallion into a winner. Working with horses is easy, but contending with Vaughn Harding, my moody new boss, is a whole other story. He can’t decide if he hates me or wants me—not that it matters, I swore off men like him years ago. Readers who enjoy Melanie Harlow and Kelly Elliott will love this slow burn, enemies to lovers, contemporary romance.

Blurb

He can’t decide if he hates me or wants me.

Vaughn Harding is my new boss. Getting close to him would be career suicide for a female racehorse trainer, and plain old gossip fuel in this small town. I get a kick out of our verbal sparring, but I swore off his type years ago.

And I’ve got plans.

I’m the new trainer at Gold Rush Ranch and I’ve just been handed a problem horse that I promised to make a winner. I want to put down roots, and I’m not about to let a man distract me. No matter how electric it feels when we lock eyes, or how my body ignites when we touch.

Vaughn’s a vivid reminder of every guy I grew up around. Handsome, rich, entitled–a total media darling. But there’s a sadness in him that I can’t seem to turn my back on. A sensitive side hidden beneath brooding good looks.

The last thing I need is a broken man to put back together, and the last thing he needs is more scandal.

Teasing him for kicks is one thing, but handing over my heart?

I should have known better.

Add to Goodreads Here!

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Excerpt

Walking in to see and hear Billie sobbing into the horse’s shoulder had been an absolute gut-punch. Hank had told me she wasn’t in good shape. But he failed to mention the part where she was absolutely falling apart. Seeing someone as strong as Billie break down and cry her apology to a horse, for something I am ultimately responsible for, almost brought me to my fucking knees.

The guilt. The ache in my chest at the raw pain in her voice. I’d known she was more sensitive than she let on. But this. This scene could crack my chest right open and leave my heart beating right at her feet.

Yeah, this hurts.

She hiccups in my arms, head nestled towards my shoulder, arms resting low around my ribs. And I’m holding her as firmly as I can without hurting her, trying to absorb all her anguish. Letting it seep into me. I’m the one who deserves the blame. Her sobs slow as I run one palm over her messy chestnut hair. I glance behind her at DD. He looks tired, closing his eyes and dozing now. Like he was just waiting for someone else to get here and take care of her.

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

About the Elsie Silver

Canadian author who loves book boyfriends and the sassy heroines who bring them to their knees. Connoisseur of charged looks and lingering touches. Fan of witty banter. Horse girl through and through. Fully convinced that it’s always wine o’clock somewhere.

Facebook → https://www.facebook.com/authorelsiesilver

Instagram → https://www.instagram.com/authorelsiesilver/

Pinterest → https://www.pinterest.ca/authorelsiesilver/

Goodreads → https://bit.ly/3cyFAe4

Newsletter →https://bit.ly/3qc2Emn

Amazon → https://amzn.to/3u5SOERWebsite → https://www.elsiesilver.com

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RELEASE BOOST – Landon by Cora Brent

Apr 28

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: Landon

Author: Cora Brent

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 22, 2021

BLURB

Autumn

It’s not that I’m hiding out in this hard luck little town.

Not exactly.

But I’m twenty-six years old, I’ve had one boyfriend, and he ditched me for my sister.

So I might be a little cynical.

Then again, perhaps a high school math teacher shouldn’t expect romance.

I’d be better off sticking to the good things in life, such as my job at Emblem High, my amazing circle of friends, and my vintage record collection.

I shouldn’t waste time beating myself up over past choices or crying over the people who betrayed me.

And I definitely shouldn’t obsess over the washboard abs belonging to the guy who just moved in down the hall.

There’s no denying Landon Gentry is hot.

He is also crude, sarcastic, messy and downright exasperating.

And he used to be my student.

Yeah, my new roommate might be the last guy I should be thinking about.

If only he didn’t turn out to be so much more than I ever imagined…

Landon

The football scholarship was my ticket out of town and I never planned to come back.

However, blowing out my knee in the last game of the season spelled the end of my college days.

Still, I wouldn’t have returned if not for my little brother.

He’s lost his way since I left.

And I’m the only one who cares enough to help him find it again.

Between working two jobs and trying to steer my brother back in line I’ve got enough to focus on.

I don’t need to get distracted by a quirky schoolteacher with a great body.

But Autumn’s more than just some sexy girl who rents a house with me.

She’s gorgeous and brilliant and clueless about the fact that she’s been my fantasy for years.

Seeing her right in front of me every day is just too tempting to pass up.

Even if giving in might mean disaster for us both…

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

$2.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

EXCERPT

“So….” she says and then lets the word just kind of hang there.

I’m not sure how to respond so I just wait for her to continue. There’s a plain black and white wall clock above the couch and the secondhand ticks loudly.

Tick.

This is officially awkward.

“So…what?” I ask her.

She can’t decide what to do with her hands. They now move behind her back. She breathes in. She breathes out. “Now that you’re here, Landon, I think it’s time we had a talk.”

I haven’t a clue which direction she’s going with this. Maybe Nesto was right and this is about to veer someplace exciting. “What do you want to talk about, Autumn?”

She appears startled by the fact that I’m using her name. I don’t know why. She’s the one who told me to stop calling her Ms. Katsaros.

She takes a breath and clears her throat. She fidgets. My eyes wander. Thanks to those shorts I can see more of her legs than I’m used to seeing. They are way above average, her legs. And they’d look pretty fucking fantastic wrapped around my waist. It wouldn’t take much for me to forget my promise to maintain a sex free environment. I’m already hard.

Autumn bites her lip. “I just feel like we should clear the air about that incident on your last day at Emblem High.”

“That’s what you want to talk about?”

“Yes. I know it was over two years ago but I just want you to know that I’ve never mentioned it to anyone and now that we’re roommates I wouldn’t want you to feel embarrassed.”

“You mean because you saw my dick?”

She blinks. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“How else would you put it?”

“That I mistakenly walked in on you having a, well, a private moment.”

“Okay.” I shrug my shoulders. “I forgive you.”

Annoyance flashes in her eyes. “I wasn’t apologizing, Landon. You were in a place you shouldn’t have been and doing something you shouldn’t have been doing.”

At this point I don’t know what she wants to hear. “In that case, I’m sorry you saw my dick.”

“Just so we’re clear, I didn’t want to see your dick.

“Well, I didn’t intend to show you my dick.”

“Okay, well, that’s good. We’re on the same page. This is not an issue and we don’t need to talk about it.”

“Then why did you bring it up?”

“I just…never mind. It’s not a thing and it’s over and it’s in the past and it doesn’t need to become a thing.”

I’m honestly confused. “What’s not a thing? My dick?”

“Yes. No!” She’s flustered and has to breathe in and out again before continuing. “Look, the dynamic between us is very different now. I am not your teacher. You are not my student. What’s done is done. I don’t feel uncomfortable and you don’t either. So we can just move forward and have a pleasant association from now on.”

Her face has become all red. During her speech she started pacing around like she does when she’s lecturing in her classroom. She also talked very fast, as if she’s rehearsed what to say.

“Are you always like this?” I ask her.

She frowns. “Like what?”

“Like all jumpy and half hysterical over nothing.”

“I’m not hysterical. I am simply attempting to engage in some open and honest dialogue.”

“Seems like a waste of time to me.”

“That’s an immature attitude.”

“If you say so.”

She’s getting flustered again. “You’ll change your mind when you’ve lived a few more years.”

I laugh. “Yeah, you’re practically ready for retirement. What are you, twenty five?”

Her chin tilts up. “I’ll be twenty seven next month.”

I let out a low whistle. “Old enough to be my mother.”

She narrows her eyes. “Look, just clean up after yourself and don’t eat my cookie dough ice cream and we’ll get along great. Can you do that?”

“I think so.”

“Wonderful. I’ll leave you alone to get unpacked. Kitchen is that way. Washer and dryer are in that closet behind you. I’m sure you can figure the rest out yourself.”

She turns, marches to the opposite side of the living room and disappears down a hallway. A second later I hear a door shut.

AUTHOR BIO

Cora Brent was born in a cold climate and escaped as soon as it was legally possible. Now, she lives in the desert with her husband, two kids and a prickly pear cactus she
has affectionately named ‘Spot’. Cora’s closet is filled with boxes of unfinished stories that date back her 1980’s childhood and all her life she has dreamed of being an author. Amazingly, she is now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of contemporary romance and begs not to be awakened
from this dream.

AUTHOR LINKS

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RELEASE BLITZ – Hidden Dragon (Treasure of Paragon #7) by Genevieve Jack

Apr 27

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Congratulations to Genevieve Jack, HIDDEN DRAGON the 7th book in her Treasure of Paragon series is now live!

GET YOUR COPY TODAY!

GoodReads ~ Kindle ~ Barnes&Noble ~ AppleBooks ~ Kobo ~ GooglePlay

Synopsis:

No one ever promised forever would be easy.

Dianthe’s second sight has always been both a blessing and a curse. She can’t control her visions, yet they’re unerringly accurate… until an erroneous prophecy results in the destruction of her homeland. The revelation crushes her spirit and endangers her role as an officer in the rebellion to take back the kingdom of Paragon.

Sylas, dragon shifter and exiled prince, is the leader of the rebellion, but he can no longer rely on his mate Dianthe’s psychic powers. His inner dragon is secretly pleased to relegate her to the sidelines. Even if his decision temporarily drives her away, he’d rather have her angry than dead or worse.

When changing circumstances accelerate the rebellion’s plans, Dianthe’s fairy roots make her the only one who can perform a dangerous and necessary task. Her need to prove herself soon collides with Sylas’s desire to protect her and strains their connection to the breaking point. Dragon mating bonds are eternal, but if Dianthe and Sylas don’t find a way back to each other, not only will their marriage fail, their mission to reclaim Paragon will as well.

THE TREASURE OF PARAGON SERIES

The Dragon of New Orleans

Windy City Dragon

Manhattan Dragon

The Dragon of Sedona

The Dragon of Cecil Court

Highland Dragon

Hidden Dragon

The Dragons of Paragon (coming soon)

The Last Dragon (coming soon)

Excerpt:

He joined her at the kitchen table and dipped his finger into the batter inside the powder-blue bowl she worked over. He stole a taste. “Mmmm. You’re making crizzle rolls. My favorite.”

“Sylas!” Dianthe smacked his shoulder. “That’s for the party tonight. You don’t want to show up at Elder Tree empty-handed, do you?”

“They won’t miss a mouthful.” He smacked his lips. “There’s something different.”

“I added a little lemon and fever fruit. Trader’s spice.”

He scooped up another dollop and popped it in his mouth. “Yes, the trader’s spice makes it,” he mumbled around his finger.

“Goddess have you, Sylas, I’m serious! Get your hands out of my bowl.” She turned the full weight of her heavily annoyed stare on him.

He took it as a challenge. “Hmm. If I can’t have the batter, what can I do to keep my mouth busy?” Reaching for her, he traced along the skin of her shoulder with the back of his nails.

She lowered her chin and stared up at him through impossibly thick lashes. “If I hadn’t known what I was getting into mating a dragon, I’d tell you to go suck an egg.” Wings fluttering, she allowed the spoon to clink against the side of the bowl. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “Lucky for you, I knew exactly what I was getting into mating a dragon, and I have far better uses for that naughty mouth.”

A deep, vibrating purr rumbled in his chest when her mouth met his, her full lips tasting of crizzle batter and the remains of her smile. He hoisted her up his body, felt her legs wrap around his hips. The world melted away. All his responsibilities, the horrors he’d seen over his years leading the rebellion, all of it retreated to the back of his mind and pure joy filled his heart. Goddess, he wanted her. Wanted to bury himself in her for days. Wanted to taste every inch of her.

He pushed the bowl aside and lowered his mate to the table, reaching for the buttons of her dress.

“Sylas, stop. Wait.” Dianthe’s lashes fluttered.

Sylas froze. Her eyes rolled back in the way they did when she was seized by a vision; her stomach tensed rigidly. A tremble rattled her body. He supported her with his arms as the magic rolled through her.

“What is it? What do you see?”

Her eyes widened in terror, her entire body quaking under him.

He held her tighter. “I’ve got you. I’ve got you. Tell me what you’ve seen.”

“Everfield… on fire. The Obsidian Guard is coming.”

Meet The Author:

USA Today bestselling and multi-award winning author Genevieve Jack writes wild, witty, and wicked-hot paranormal romance and fantasy. Coffee and wine are her biofuel. The love lives of witches, shifters, and vampires are her favorite topic of conversation. She harbors a passion for old cemeteries and ghost tours thanks to her years attending a high school rumored to be haunted. Her perfect day involves a heaping dose of nature and a dog.

Connect with Genevieve:

WEBSITE ~ INSTAGRAM ~ FACEBOOK ~ BOOKBUB ~ GOODREADS ~ AMAZON

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BLOG TOUR – Otterly Irresistible (Boys of the Bayou Gone Wild) by Erin Nicholas

Apr 26

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

A hot, grumpy wildlife vet . . . and otters. You’re welcome.

Otterly Irresistible, an all new opposites attract, small town romance by New York Times bestselling author Erin Nicholas, is available now!

Broody wildlife veterinarian Griffin Foster is done. Done trying to save the world. Done getting attached. He’s been fired twice for standing his ground and now he’s going to be content–by God–in small-town Louisiana, in a small veterinary practice, where there will only be small problems.

Quiet and boring, though? Um, no. He’s been adopted by a loud, crazy Cajun family with a tiny petting zoo for him to care for. Hey, it’s not endangered tigers at a nationally renowned zoo, but a family of otters–and all the gumbo he can eat–isn’t a bad deal.

Until she shows up. Again.

The sunny, gorgeous optimist who stole his heart–and his favorite shirt–two months ago. Who clearly hasn’t heard the word “no” enough in her life. And who is the first woman to put even a tiny crack in his don’t-get-attached wall.

Charlotte “Charlie” Landry is the new marketing consultant for the family swamp-boat tour company and petting zoo. It might not have been her plan, but she is all in, ready to grow the business. Whether the hot, grumpy vet likes it or not.

He doesn’t.

Worse, sparring with his unforgettable one-night stand is more fun than he’s had in a long time.

But watching wears-designer-dresses Charlie find her dream job amongst a bunch of goats, alpacas, and otters is a surprise.

And her helping him find his passion again is…well, irresistible.

Dammit.

Get your grumpy hero on today:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3e7KfDs
Apple Books: https://apple.co/3aaZ2Mm
Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/otterlyirresistible
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Kobo: https://bit.ly/32eESMY
Google Play: https://bit.ly/3ablaWL

Add OTTERLY IRRESISTIBLE to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3wNGZW6

Excerpt

He lifted a brow. “Are you going to actually be helpful now or not?”

She loved every single thing about this petting zoo.

“Oh, I’m not going anywhere,” she told him. “I’m definitely going to help.”

He sighed.

Feeling suddenly lighter and happier than she had in a long time—and that was saying something as she was generally light and happy, not to mention on her way to Paris soon—Charlie turned back to the animals.

“Okay, now that we know each other better, how about you all be sweet and head back to the barn?”

Not one animal even looked at her.

“Hey, Stan?” she called to the big goat. “You’re clearly a leader. How about you show me that you can do some good with all that staunch determination and lead everyone back to the barn?”

“You can’t be serious,” the guy said. “Talking to them isn’t going to work.”

“Talking is what I do.”

“No kidding.”

She just lifted a brow. “So what should I do instead?”

Maybe he could give her an opening for charming him into putting that very nice, smirky, sarcastic mouth against hers and…

“Nudge ’em,” he said simply.

Now she blinked at him. “What?”

“Nudge them,” he said again.

“Just… nudge them? As in, push them?” She narrowed her eyes. Were they talking about goats? Or were they maybe talking about grumpy farmers who needed more than a subtle flirtation to make a move?

“Sometimes that’s all they need.”

Okay then. She was going to keep that in mind.

“So…” He nodded toward the goats.

She blew out a breath. Okay, so for right now, they were talking about goats.

Charlie approached the smallest of the animals. He—or she—looked up at her. “Hello, I’m Charlotte. Would you please accompany me across the street back to your barn?” She heard the man’s snort even from a distance. That made her smile even though she was still stuck with the problem of herding goats.

The goat, of course, didn’t move a step.

“I would very much enjoy it if you would grant me the pleasure of your company across the street at your barn,” she told the goat.

This time the goat didn’t even lift his head.

Charlie propped a hand on her hip. “I don’t feel that we know each other well enough for me to actually put my hands on your body, so it really would be easier if you would just head in the general direction of your barn.”

“For fuck’s sake.” Suddenly the man was back beside her.

He bent and lifted the goat, and Charlie couldn’t help but think this had worked out very well.
She hadn’t had to touch the goats, but she hadn’t been entirely unhelpful to him.

Okay, that wasn’t true. She had been completely unhelpful to him. But she hadn’t left him out
here with the goats alone.

The man pivoted and pressed the goat to her chest. Instinctively her arms went up and around it. He let go.

And just like that, she had her arms full of goat.

Charlie gasped, partially in surprise and partially because it only took her a millisecond to think about the fact that she now had a barnyard animal up against her Alex Perry cocktail dress.

“You have to be kidding,” she said to the man.

“When nudging doesn’t work, sometimes you have to get hands-on.”

Charlie blew out a breath. She was tucking that away in her idea of how to handle him too. But she was preoccupied at the moment.

And not so sure she wanted to kiss him after all.

No, that wasn’t true. She still wanted to kiss him. Especially now that he was standing closer.

Even if she had to kiss him over the back of a goat.

Which probably meant she really wanted to kiss him.

BLP REVIEW – Tracy

Every time I take a trip to Autre, Louisiana I fall more in love with the crazy Cajun family that lives there – and even though Griffin Foster was not ‘technically’ a Landry, he’s been adopted by them and is now considered one of their own.

Griffin was a real grump, but when we found out about his past experiences in the career he loves and why he ended up working with Tori as one of the local wildlife vet, you got why he was better with animals that he was with people. Lordy, his interactions with the otters in particular, but the petting zoo animals in general, had me chuckling and gave us a little insight into what was going through his head when it came to Charlotte.

Charoltte ‘Charlie’ Landry wasn’t used to hearing the word no… and when you experienced what a whirlwind she was when it came to her ideas and and you saw how easily friends and family got caught up in her plans, it was easy to see why she got away with getting her own way for so long… she was so easy to like and get on with. Her reasons for being back in Louisiana when she should have been miles away working made me want to high five her!!! 🙂

The connection between these two was there from their first meeting – and how funny, as well as hot, that was!! They just worked and even though Griffin wasn’t looking for a relationship and Charlie was trying to work out what was next in her professional life, I liked that they both brought out the best in the other and made each other want to be more.

This story was packed with the things I come to expect and love about an Erin Nicholas book… There were laughs, humour, love, sense of family and belonging, loyalty, chemistry and heat and when this pair got together the sexy times were red hot (and amusing at times!). We caught up with some of the other couples and family members and I’m so looking forward to finding out what’s going on with Fletcher… thankfully he’s up next in the series!

This was a fabulous start to this next chapter in the BotB story arc and I cannot wait to see what happens next.

5 wild, otterly deserved stars!!!!

About Erin Nicholas

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Erin Nicholas has been writing romances almost as long as she’s been reading them. To date, she’s written over thirty sexy, contemporary novels that have been described as “toe-curling,” “enchanting,” “steamy,” and “fun.” She adores reluctant heroes, imperfect heroines, and happily ever afters.
Erin lives in the Midwest, where she enjoys spending time with her husband (who only wants to read the sex scenes in her books), her kids (who will never read the sex scenes in her books), and her family and friends (who claim to be “shocked” by the sex scenes in her books).

Connect with Erin
Website: http://bit.ly/2NkB2uF
Facebook: http://bit.ly/2tdTM8e
Twitter: http://bit.ly/2QLd1Pr
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Website: http://bit.ly/2FM3Doo
Stay up to date with Erin Nicholas by joining her mailing list:
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BLOG TOUR – Designer Assassin (Heels, Rhymes & Nursery Crimes) by Maria Vickers

Apr 26

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

DESIGNER ASSASSIN

SERIES: HEELS, RHYMES & NURSERY CRIMES

AUTHOR: MARIA VICKERS

GENRE: SUSPENSE, ROMANCE, SECOND-CHANCE

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 12, 2021

AVAILABLE ON AMAZON AND IN KU!

https://bookgoodies.com/a/B08TFF9YNC

Mistress Black Sheep, bring your tools,

Point your muzzle, for the world you’ll fool.

Keep your hands steady and watch your back.

Gather your sins using that deceitful tact.

Sew your stitches with your deadly sight—a show in the day, a contract with the night.

Holly Honey is one of the leading fashion designers in the world, but what no one knows is she has a side job and is anything but sweet. Her sharp eyes can take out her targets from a distance. Threading a needle is easy for her…no matter the tool. She has never questioned her jobs, until now when a familiar face appears on the other side of her scope. Why would anyone want Elijah gone? He’s probably the least dangerous person on the planet. Now, she has to save him and safeguard her heart at the same time. If anyone can design the perfect scheme, she can.

Welcome to Nursery Crimes, where tales are twisted and happily ever afters are not always guaranteed.

99 CENTS ON AMAZON

FREE IN KU

https://bookgoodies.com/a/B08TFF9YNC

ADD TO YOUR GOODREADS:

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56975880-designer-assassin

Twenty years ago, I was a different person. No, there was no tragic backstory. I still had both parents whom I couldn’t care less about, still had a little sister whom I loved and adored, and like all teenage girls, I’d had my heart broken a million times. There was no one thing that made me who I am. Or maybe there was?

At eleven, I’d been obsessed by our next-door neighbor. He lived in a grand house alone, in a neighborhood where that wasn’t done. Families, most of whom lived there for the prestige and bragging rights, surrounded him. It was a pretentious place just outside of Savannah, Georgia. Lawyers, doctors, heads of companies, old and new money all wanted the right to buy a house in that neighborhood. He was the oddball in a sea of weirdness.

Even as a young girl, I loved drawing. Bright and vibrant colors always made it into my drawings, and according to my parents, I was a little too colorful for them. They tried to tone me down. I’d rather wear a neon pink tutu than my school uniform any day of the week. Light dull blue with drab khaki and brown loafers ruled me five days a week, but the moment I got home, I was running up to my room, already untucking my shirt to change into something more me. They couldn’t make me gray or tan or whatever fucking color they were trying for. I was a rainbow of colors and would not be silenced.

My sister, Madison, wanted to please my parents and did everything they asked until she found out the world was bigger than our house. College awakened her.

Maybe that was why the neighbor caught my attention. Like me, he was different and didn’t fit into the societal norm for that neighborhood. He never had anyone come to visit, he remained a loner, and he did all of his own yard work, which properly scandalized my parents, who paid a premium for one of the best lawns on our street. Considering my father was the CEO of a Fortune 500 company and my mother was one of the most sought-after neurosurgeons, they could afford it.

I would peer through a hole in the fence that was hidden by some ivy and watch him. Sometimes, he would set up a target, walk away from it, turn around, and shoot. At the time, I wasn’t sure when or where he got the gun. It also had this long thing at the end and hardly ever made a sound. Of course, I never told my parents. No, I marched over to the neighbor’s house and demanded he teach me how to shoot. It took a little convincing, including blackmailing him with what I’d seen, but he eventually gave in. Honestly, I think he was just tired of me showing up at his house and making a fuss.

Later, I learned he was trying to keep a low profile, and he was an assassin. He’d picked the worst neighborhood for keeping a low profile, and I told him so. Laughing, he informed me he inherited the house from his grandfather.

He became my best friend. Maybe, at one point, I might have had a small crush on him, but it didn’t last long. In some ways, he was more of a father to me than mine since my parents could hardly be bothered, and my nanny would rather gossip on the phone than watch me when my parents weren’t around. She was just there to collect a paycheck, same as the maid.

Les taught me how to aim and shoot a variety of weapons. He also taught me how to use a knife and hand-to-hand combat. The one and only time a boy refused to take no for an answer and grabbed my arm, he got a lesson in manners. Too bad it was at school, and my parents were called. No, it wasn’t Theodore’s fault. He was just teasing me. He didn’t mean anything by it. I was the one who got into trouble because I broke his arm and kneed him in the crotch. I wound up suspended for a week, had to write an apology letter to Theodore, and my parents grounded me. I wrote the letter under duress, and the grounding didn’t bother me because other than Les, I had no friends, and he was gone for two weeks on a “job.” I was sixteen and didn’t care about dates or dances, gossip gave me hives, and I thought most girls were insipid and stupid.

Maria Vickers

From a young age, she has always loved books and even dreamed of being an author when she was younger. Growing up in the Navy, she used to weave tales for her siblings and her friends about anything and everything. And when she wasn’t creating her own stories, she had a book in her hand. They transported her to another world. She hopes that her readers will have the same experience when reading her stories, and that, in some way, they can relate to her characters.

Getting sick changed her life forever, but it also opened doors for her that she thought would always be out of reach.

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/mariavickersbooks/

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https://www.instagram.com/authormariavickers/

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Newsletter:

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Website:

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Join her reader group, Maria’s Love Seekers:

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OTHER BOOKS IN THE NR&NC UNIVERSE

SERIES ONE:

Well, you’re in luck!

Series Two is coming out May 2022

Series Three is coming out October 2022

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BOOK TOUR & GIVEAWAY – Scorched by Darkness (Eternal Mates #18) by Felicity Heaton

Apr 25

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

New York Times best-selling paranormal romance author Felicity Heaton is here today for the book tour of her new paranormal romance release, Scorched by Darkness, the latest release in her popular Eternal Mates world.

There are now eighteen books in this series, but don’t worry, you can dive right on in with Scorched by Darkness, or start at the very beginning with Kissed by a Dark Prince, which is FREE at all retailers right now. Binge-read to your heart’s content!

If you love big worlds packed with detail and every paranormal species imaginable, together with hot alpha heroes and strong heroines bringing them to their knees, then this series is definitely for you. Plus, each book has a happily forever after and there are no cliff-hangers, because there’s nothing worse than a cliff-hanger!

About the Book

Scorched by Darkness (Eternal Mates Paranormal Romance Series Book 18)
by Felicity Heaton

Even for one of the top assassins in Hell like him, Hartt’s latest contract would have been difficult enough, but there’s a complication—a beautiful, flame-haired, and dangerously tempting complication. Not only is the bewitching female a distraction he doesn’t need—she’s the competition.

Mackenzie’s life hasn’t been easy. Held captive by blood mages who murdered her family, forced to spend every day guarding her secret, and now she lands the biggest contract ever—one that would set her assassin’s guild up as one of the best in Hell—and it turns out her client hasn’t only hired her. He’s hired the top guild in Hell too. Worse, the male she’s up against is wickedly alluring, a dark elf warrior who sets her blood on fire, and the heat that sparks between them is in danger of burning her resolve to take him down to ashes.

It’s a race against time and each other to fulfil the contract by taking out one of the most dangerous men in Hell, a vampire with a name befitting of his bloody history, but who will be the one to claim victory—one of them or the King of Death?

Find out in Scorched by Darkness, an enemies-to-lovers fated mates paranormal romance that will set your heart on fire!

Enter the grand tour-wide giveaway to win one of a $75, $50 or $25 Amazon Gift Card at the Scorched by Darkness book page. This giveaway is international and open to everyone, and ends at midnight on May 2nd. Enter now: http://www.felicityheaton.com/scorched-by-darkness-paranormal-romance-novel.php

Fuming wasn’t a strong enough word for how Mackenzie was feeling. Furious? Filled with rage? Liable to detonate at a moment’s notice? That one seemed to convey the fire that burned up her blood and ignited something dangerous inside her as she searched for the male she had spotted.

That fire only blazed hotter as she finally located him on a rooftop overlooking the square, felt his gaze light on her as a shiver that cascaded over her entire body.

And then he was gone.

She clenched her jaw and cursed him as he sprinted across the rooftops, leaping alleys with ease.

Closing in on her mark.

Another bloody assassin!

Worse, he was an elf.

That could only mean one thing—her client had some explaining to do.

She was sure he was the reason the most renowned assassin’s guild in Hell just tossed their hat into the ring and was following her mark.

Mackenzie was swift to move, slipped through the crowd and worked her way back to the raised walkway where she had been when she had first spotted the other assassin. Where the sight of him had completely arrested her, bewitching her as if he was a mage rather than an elf. Her blood chilled at that word. Mage. She shook it off, together with the unsettling effect the elf had on her, and bit out another ripe curse as she checked his position.

The black-haired bastard was above the target now, looming at the edge of the roof, peering down at them and looking for all the world as if he was contemplating leaping on them.

Maybe he was.

Damn him. He was forcing her hand. She hadn’t come here to take down her mark, wasn’t appropriately armed for a kill.

She had come here to follow up a lead, part of her not expecting the vampire to be here tonight. Her plan had been to study him if he was and see what she could learn about him, to gather intelligence she could use to form a plan of attack. She regretted not bringing her arsenal with her now, but she hadn’t known she would have competition.

She was going to have to improvise.

Another, fouler, curse rolled off her tongue as five demons formed a blockade ahead of her. She sprinted right at them, unwilling to let them slow her down, fear a potent motivator as her gaze flicked to the elf again and then to her target as the idiot stopped right below him.

She nimbly leaped, slapped her left hand down on the shoulder of one of the big males and ran up the wall behind him. The demongrunted as she shoved off, growled as he twisted towards her, and she landed and ducked beneath the meaty fist he swung at her.

“Sorry!” she hollered over her shoulder without slowing.

She checked the elf again. Still there. What was he waiting for?

Her focus darted back to the mark.

He wasn’t alone.

The dark-haired male turned towards his companion—a stunningly beautiful woman with long white hair and curves to die for wrapped in cerulean leather.

A phantom made flesh.

The intel Jasynder had gathered for her was right then. The vampire was mated to a phantom. She could understand why the elf was hesitating now. Getting on the wrong side of a phantom was a sure-fire way of getting your soul devoured. It only took one kiss and the elf would be toast. Of course, the terrifying woman could kill Mackenzie just as easily with the same tactic, but phantoms were all female and preferred to turn males into ghosts to either use for procreation or to kill by draining their life essence.

Chances were high that if she and the elf both attacked at the same time, the phantom would target him, leaving Mackenzie open to take down the mark.

Which was going to be easier said than done. This vampire had a bloody reputation, led the fiercest legion of the Preux Chevaliers—an organisation of vampire mercenaries in Hell. Taking him down was going to be hard, and it was going to require some finesse if she didn’t want to die in the process, or before she could deal a fatal blow on him, but it would be worth it.

This contract was a huge deal for her guild.

Judging by the sour look on the elf’s face as he glared down at the couple and then at Mackenzie, it was a big deal for him too.

She glanced back at the mark.

“Shit!” she muttered as she saw they were gone.

She halted at the edge of the raised stone walkway and scanned the crowd with her senses, but there were too many people packed into the square. She couldn’t pick out vampire or phantom among the blur of scents and powers.

Mackenzie huffed and strode down the alley ahead of her, one that ran between the building where the elf still stood and the first building on the side of the square to her right. She exited it on a broader cobbled street and checked in both directions, and then did a quick lap of the demon district.

The thoroughfare was just as busy as the square, filled with demons grouped together in front of the one and two–storey grey stone buildings. Hordes of them had gathered around the tavern to the north of the district, a pale cream stone affair that was a contrast to all the dark grey. It was more elegant too, resembling something from the Victorian era.

“Hey,” she breathed as a big demon noticed her and his dusky horns curled a little, beginning to resemble those of a ram, and his crimson eyes brightened. She skimmed her hands down her burgundy corset to her hips, making sure she had the whole of his attention, and canted her head as she sidled up to him. “Don’t suppose you’ve seen a vampire and a phantom coming this way?”

He shook his head, and then growled and bared fangs when two other demons looked at her. She pegged one as from the Fifth Realm, and one as from the Second. Demons didn’t exactly like to share, but she needed information, and if a fight broke out, she would make a sharp exit.

“How about you, big guy?” She ran an assessing gaze over the demon from the Second Realm, taking a moment to appreciate allthat muscle jammed into only a pair of tight black leathers, and how his black horns grew as he gave her a leisurely once-over in return. “You seen a vampire and a phantom?”

“Maybe,” he grunted and continued in stilted English, revealing he didn’t get out of Hell much, “What… information… worth?”

“More than you can afford, gorgeous.” She offered a sultry smile because that was all he was getting from her.

He hadn’t seen anything. None of them had. She debated questioning the others and then decided against it. She wasn’t going to find her mark again tonight. By now, he was either holed up in the vampire district to the north of the enormous cavern, or he had used one of the portal pathways and gone back to his stronghold in Hell.

Damn it.

She ogled the demon one last time, shutting out a stray thought that left her reeling—she liked her men a little leaner and a lot meaner.

The elf popped into her head.

She was about to banish him, but paused and frowned as she shrugged. Her mark was gone, but she could still come away from tonight with some valuable intel if she tailed the assassin. It might go some way towards making her feel better.

Mackenzie returned to the square and looked up to her right, at the rooftop. He was gone. She muttered another curse, one that felt like the millionth she had unleashed since noticing the elf.

That sizzle-spark rolled along her spine again and she jerked her head down.

Her gaze collided with pure amethyst across a sea of people, violet that held her fast as a thousand tingles tripped through her.

The elf frowned at her, his sensual lips turning downwards as a disapproving look settled on his handsome face. The black slashes of his eyebrows met hard and he pivoted, breaking the spell he had placed her under. She shook off the lingering effect and glared at his back as he eased through the crowd, heading towards the clock tower at the other end of the square.

Mackenzie gave him a few seconds to build a lead and then followed, keeping her senses trained on him so he couldn’t escape her.

Which of the elves was he? There was only one guild in Hell that employed his kind, and when she had been researching assassin organisations with the intent of forming one of her own, before she had joined a guild instead, two names had come up.

Fuery and Hartt.

Rumour didn’t need to paint an interesting picture of them. Fact had already done it. The two elves were practically famous and as far as she could tell, one was as bad as the other.

As dangerous and deadly as her mark.

Their mark.

Her client had obviously hired him too and she couldn’t really blame him for putting the contract out for tender at several guilds. Not when there was a ridiculously high chance the vampire would kill whoever was sent to take him down.

The elf hit the broad street that cut through the witches’ district. She locked up tight when he suddenly stopped and began to turn his head. She ducked behind a group of shifters, sure he was looking for her. Her heart shot into her throat and pounded there, adrenaline a sweet kick in her veins as she edged forwards and risked peering around the female shifter who was looking down at her as if she were insane.

He was gone. Damn him.

Mackenzie stood and tiptoed, peered over the heads of the crowd and tried to find him. The tightness in her chest evaporated as she spotted him heading along the side of the square and she hurried to catch up with him as he ducked into an alley.

Following an elf with a reputation as dark as the one attributed to the two assassins in his guild into an alley was probably suicide. That thought flickered through her mind, but she paid it no heed. She mounted the steps up onto the stone walkway and pressed her back to the building beside the alley.

Being prepared was worth the risk. She had never seen an assassin from his guild in the flesh, and she wanted to know what she was up against because she doubted her client was going to change his mind about having more than one assassin guild on this job for him.

The elf was her competition, and he was going down.

She needed to be the one to take out the mark. Claiming a trophy of this magnitude would establish her guild as one of the most prestigious in Hell. It would finally get her small band of assassins recognised and would lead to getting bigger and better contracts.

Her guild needed this.

Ever since she had taken over leadership of it a few decades ago, they had struggled to keep their heads above water, let alone establish themselves in the fiercely competitive world of contract killing. It was a miracle this client had approached them and offered this opportunity, and she wouldn’t mess up this chance they had been given.

She had to secure the kill for her guild.

She leaned left and peered into the alley, glared at the elf’s back as he strolled away from her.

Plus, she had a score to settle.

She had lost track of the number of clients who had dumped her guild halfway through a contract because an opening had come up at the one he worked for. Her scowl deepened, mostly because those electric shivers were back as she studied him, sending heat rolling through her.

Damn him.

But there was something arresting about him.

The fluid way he moved, a startling combination of grace and raw sexuality that shouldn’t be possible considering he wore a drab black knee-length tunic over his tight trousers, was drawing more than just her gaze to him. Every female in the alley looked him over after he had passed them and some had the courage to eye him up as he approached.

One even offered herself up to him.

He politely turned her down with a smile and a wave of his hand.

The subtle shift of his body caused the fine material of the tunic to pull taut over his biceps and across his broad shoulders, revealing toned muscles. Apparently, elves had incredible armour that was imbued with magic or something. The black scales resided in twin bracelets and could cover their owner in a handful of seconds if they issued a mental command. Those scales could transform into talons too, and only metal of the same type could cut through it.

She had never seen it in the flesh, but heat sizzled through her as she pictured what he would look like in only skin-tight black armour that revealed everything.

And she meant everything.

Several of the accounts she had read about elf armour, and some of the ones she had been told by women who had witnessed it, had been very clear about that. Every muscle on their body showed, and not just that, but you could tell the size of the package on offer too.

That sizzle became a spark that ignited her blood, had her thoughts going hazy for a moment before she snapped herself back to the world and shut it down.

She blamed the elf for her out-of-control libido and imagination, put it down to his good looks and incredible physique, and the fact it had been far too long since she had taken the time to scratch her itches.

She wouldn’t let herself get distracted by him.

It would be a death sentence.

He was the enemy and he had clocked her in the square, knew they were after the same mark. He was probably aware of her right now and was leading her to her doom. Well, it would be his doom that awaited him at the end of this dance.

Mackenzie tailed him, studying everything he did, learning all she could about him, right down to which foot he favoured as he pivoted and turned down another alley. The more she knew about him, the more likely it was she would survive a fight against him.

And they would come to blows.

She felt that in her gut.

She peeked into the alley. He was still a good fifty feet ahead of her. She slipped into the narrower space, hating the way the two dark stone buildings seemed to close in on her to steal all the light. The strange burn he had ignited in her blood turned to ice and she breathed through it as her chest constricted. She was fine. She focused on the electric lamp mounted on the wall at the end of the alley, using the soft light it emitted to banish the darkness.

The memories.

As the momentary panic passed and her senses came back online, she swore under her breath.

The elf was gone.

“Damn it, Mackenzie,” she muttered and frowned as she hurried forwards. “Losing track of your targets now?”

It wasn’t like her. She prided herself on her skills, on her dedication to her work and how professional she was compared with a lot of other assassins. She had never lost track of a mark and now she had done it twice in one night.

She slowed her pace, catching herself. Rushing headlong after the elf was a foolish move. Whether the male was Hartt or Fuery, he was a merciless killer. Darkness made flesh.

And sharp as a blade too.

The tales of them were legendary. More than one account glorified how quickly they could think on their feet and how intelligent they were. She supposed skills like that came with the territory when you were thousands of years old.

She took a moment to breathe, to focus her mind again. She was quick and clever too.

He wasn’t going to get the jump on her.

She brought her guard up again as she slipped a dagger free of the sheathe at her waist and stretched her senses around her as she exited the alley onto the main street that cut through the heart of the demon district. She palmed the grip of the blade, her pulse picking up as she scoured the area.

Nothing.

Had he teleported back to Hell?

She squeaked as a hand suddenly appeared around her throat and hauled her back against a rock-hard body, and shivered as his deep baritone teased her ear.

“Looking for me?”

Book 1: Kissed by a Dark Prince (FREE AT SELECTED RETAILERS!)
Book 2: Claimed by a Demon King
Book 3: Tempted by a Rogue Prince
Book 4: Hunted by a Jaguar
Book 5: Craved by an Alpha
Book 6: Bitten by a Hellcat
Book 7: Taken by a Dragon
Book 8: Marked by an Assassin
Book 9: Possessed by a Dark Warrior
Book 10: Awakened by a Demoness
Book 11: Haunted by the King of Death
Book 12: Turned by a Tiger
Book 13: Tamed by a Tiger
Book 14: Treasured by a Tiger
Book 15: Unchained by a Forbidden Love
Book 16: Avenged by an Angel
Book 17: Seduced by a Demon King
Book 18: Scorched by Darkness

Well, it seems that regardless of how far into a series Ms Heaton lures us she’s still fully capable of catching us unawares and giving us an excellent read – not that that was ever in question!!!

I’ve been looking forward to Hartt’s book for a bit now, though if I’m gonna be honest I’ve not always been his biggest fan…. his actions in Hunted by a Jaguar and reactions to Iolanthe and her mate bugged me and, tbh, his line of thought where this particular lady elf strayed in the first part of Scorched had me wanting to smack him a tad still….. but, as ever, Felicity gave us an engaging and heart hurting story of the dark assassin’s history and I fell arse over teakettle for him after a while..

Mackenzie’s guild is still pretty unknown and she needs to fulfil the latest contact they’ve just picked up to get their name out there…. but going up against one of the best hitmen in the business, she’s gonna have to use everything in her arsenal (pun intended) to win this prize and achieve her goal.

I adored her gutsiness and balls to the wall attitude. That facing off against someone of Hartt’s calibre brought out the best in her and had her determined to prove her worth – while hiding who she really was – made for interesting reading. She’s as competitive as Hartt, if not more so, and that made their interactions spark all the brighter.

Her partner in crime, Syn, was a really intriguing character and I’m pretty sure we saw a future pairing in the making while reading. Time will tell….. 😉

With some big twists and turns and a couple of unexpected WTH moments Scorched by Darkness continued the outstanding rollercoaster of a ride that is the Eternal Mates series and I cannot wait for more from one of my favourite paranormal romance authors.

We caught up with some favourites from earlier in the series and I have to admit, I’d forgotten just how much I floved Rosalind; she is still unapologetically irreverent at times but her attitudes injects humour when things seem bleak and I do so enjoy that about her character!!

Grab yourself a copy of this fabulous, recommended story and settle in for a kickass read.

** note to self….. remember a box of tissues when reading a FH book in future!!!

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If youâ€™re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling London Vampires series. Seven sexy and sinful Greek god brothers can be your new addiction in the Guardians of Hades series. Or how about four hot alpha shifter brothers in her Cougar Creek Mates series? Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

Posted in About the series, Authors & Books, Blurb, Book Tour, Buy Links, Excerpt, Favourites, Giveaway, More in the Series, Must Read, New Releases, Recommended, Reviews

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Tags: #Assassins, #elves, #eternalmates, #Guild, #HarttandMackenzie, #paranormalromance, #PNR, #ScorchedbyDarkness, #scorching, #shifters, #tainted, #vampires, @FelicityHeaton, Favourites

RELEASE BLITZ – Landon by Cora Brent

Apr 22

Posted by Book Loving Pixies

Title: Landon

Author: Cora Brent

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: April 22, 2021

BLURB

Autumn

It’s not that I’m hiding out in this hard luck little town.

Not exactly.

But I’m twenty-six years old, I’ve had one boyfriend, and he ditched me for my sister.

So I might be a little cynical.

Then again, perhaps a high school math teacher shouldn’t expect romance.

I’d be better off sticking to the good things in life, such as my job at Emblem High, my amazing circle of friends, and my vintage record collection.

I shouldn’t waste time beating myself up over past choices or crying over the people who betrayed me.

And I definitely shouldn’t obsess over the washboard abs belonging to the guy who just moved in down the hall.

There’s no denying Landon Gentry is hot.

He is also crude, sarcastic, messy and downright exasperating.

And he used to be my student.

Yeah, my new roommate might be the last guy I should be thinking about.

If only he didn’t turn out to be so much more than I ever imagined…

Landon

The football scholarship was my ticket out of town and I never planned to come back.

However, blowing out my knee in the last game of the season spelled the end of my college days.

Still, I wouldn’t have returned if not for my little brother.

He’s lost his way since I left.

And I’m the only one who cares enough to help him find it again.

Between working two jobs and trying to steer my brother back in line I’ve got enough to focus on.

I don’t need to get distracted by a quirky schoolteacher with a great body.

But Autumn’s more than just some sexy girl who rents a house with me.

She’s gorgeous and brilliant and clueless about the fact that she’s been my fantasy for years.

Seeing her right in front of me every day is just too tempting to pass up.

Even if giving in might mean disaster for us both…

ADD TO GOODREADS

PURCHASE LINKS

$2.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

EXCERPT

“So….” she says and then lets the word just kind of hang there.

I’m not sure how to respond so I just wait for her to continue. There’s a plain black and white wall clock above the couch and the secondhand ticks loudly.

Tick.

This is officially awkward.

“So…what?” I ask her.

She can’t decide what to do with her hands. They now move behind her back. She breathes in. She breathes out. “Now that you’re here, Landon, I think it’s time we had a talk.”

I haven’t a clue which direction she’s going with this. Maybe Nesto was right and this is about to veer someplace exciting. “What do you want to talk about, Autumn?”

She appears startled by the fact that I’m using her name. I don’t know why. She’s the one who told me to stop calling her Ms. Katsaros.

Autumn bites her lip. “I just feel like we should clear the air about that incident on your last day at Emblem High.”

“That’s what you want to talk about?”

“Yes. I know it was over two years ago but I just want you to know that I’ve never mentioned it to anyone and now that we’re roommates I wouldn’t want you to feel embarrassed.”

“You mean because you saw my dick?”

She blinks. “That’s one way of putting it.”

“How else would you put it?”

“That I mistakenly walked in on you having a, well, a private moment.”

“Okay.” I shrug my shoulders. “I forgive you.”

Annoyance flashes in her eyes. “I wasn’t apologizing, Landon. You were in a place you shouldn’t have been and doing something you shouldn’t have been doing.”

At this point I don’t know what she wants to hear. “In that case, I’m sorry you saw my dick.”

“Just so we’re clear, I didn’t want to see your dick.

“Well, I didn’t intend to show you my dick.”

“Okay, well, that’s good. We’re on the same page. This is not an issue and we don’t need to talk about it.”

“Then why did you bring it up?”

“I just…never mind. It’s not a thing and it’s over and it’s in the past and it doesn’t need to become a thing.”

I’m honestly confused. “What’s not a thing? My dick?”

Her face has become all red. During her speech she started pacing around like she does when she’s lecturing in her classroom. She also talked very fast, as if she’s rehearsed what to say.

“Are you always like this?” I ask her.

She frowns. “Like what?”

“Like all jumpy and half hysterical over nothing.”

“I’m not hysterical. I am simply attempting to engage in some open and honest dialogue.”

“Seems like a waste of time to me.”

“That’s an immature attitude.”

“If you say so.”

She’s getting flustered again. “You’ll change your mind when you’ve lived a few more years.”

I laugh. “Yeah, you’re practically ready for retirement. What are you, twenty five?”

Her chin tilts up. “I’ll be twenty seven next month.”

I let out a low whistle. “Old enough to be my mother.”

She narrows her eyes. “Look, just clean up after yourself and don’t eat my cookie dough ice cream and we’ll get along great. Can you do that?”

“I think so.”

“Wonderful. I’ll leave you alone to get unpacked. Kitchen is that way. Washer and dryer are in that closet behind you. I’m sure you can figure the rest out yourself.”

She turns, marches to the opposite side of the living room and disappears down a hallway. A second later I hear a door shut.

AUTHOR BIO

Cora Brent was born in a cold climate and escaped as soon as it was legally possible. Now, she lives in the desert with her husband, two kids and a prickly pear cactus she has affectionately named ‘Spot’. Cora’s closet is filled with boxes of unfinished stories that date back her 1980’s childhood and all her life she has dreamed of being an author. Amazingly, she is now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of contemporary romance and begs not to be awakened from this dream.

AUTHOR LINKS