by Alathia Paris Morgan
Tuesday, April 17, 2018
Without Warning by Desiree Holt
When you don’t know how the story will end . . .
After years of hard work honing his craft, Blake Edwards is now an international bestselling author. But one thing he never imagined was that his fictional world would become all too real. When a stalker turns Blake’s latest book tour into a treacherous and nearly deadly trap, it’s time for Blake to hire protection. But the body assigned to keep an eye on him is someone he never wants out of his sight . . .
As a bodyguard for Vigilance, the private security agency in Blake’s hometown of Arrowhead Bay, Samantha Quenel has found the perfect outlet for her military experience. But her latest client is also a former high school flame, which might explain her willingness to protect Blake at all costs—even if that means staying in the same room with him, on the same bed, under the same torrid sheets . . .
Excerpt:
I know what you did.
Blake Morgan stared at the piece of paper in his hand, pulse accelerating, a tiny finger of ice slithering down his spine. Again. Someone had left it again. A message with the same words.
Goddamnit!
He looked around to see if he could spot whoever this was, the familiar fear gripping him, his stomach knotting. But he knew he’d see nothing. He never did. Whoever this was moved like a ghost, silent and unseen, leaving his taunting messages. If he wanted to keep Blake on edge, he was doing a damn good job of it. In a fit of anger, Blake crumpled the paper and stuck it in the drink holder of the car. He wasn’t going to let some unknown asshole frighten him. He’d faced worse than this.
He’d found the damn stupid note stuck under his windshield wiper when he went to get his car from the hotel parking garage. Anyone could have done it. Who paid attention to cars in a parking garage, anyway? And why would they? But Jesus. How the hell had someone known which car was his? It was a rental, for crap’s sake.
Wait! Were those footsteps? Was someone running toward him? Away from him? A car door slammed somewhere and an engine turned over. He looked around, wondering if he’d see someone hiding in the shadows, every nerve on high alert.
Okay, get your shit together. You aren’t a character in one of your books.
Anyway, whoever was doing this wouldn’t be quite so obvious. He—or she—would be careful and silent. He closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Calm, he told himself. People were waiting for him. His readers. He couldn’t freak out on them.
Crap. Double crap.
Who in the fucking hell was doing this? Who could he have pissed off so much they’d do something like this? A reader he’d offended? Reviewer? Blogger? Not anyone he’d been dating, for sure. He was so busy these days that dates weren’t even on the horizon.
So really. These messages. What the fuck?
He’d blown off the first note as a prank, a harmless joke, although he didn’t think it was very funny. Or maybe even a case of mistaken identity.
Just the one sentence on a plain sheet of paper, typed on someone’s computer.
I know what you did.
He had no idea who it was from. There was no signature, no return address. The postmark was Boston, but he was pretty sure none of the people he knew in that city would be sending him a message like this. He had a lot of readers from that area, but he never gave out his address or phone number. And nothing had been coming in to his public email.
So how the fuck did whoever this was know where he was staying?
Maybe they’d followed him to the hotel, a thought that brought another attack of the creeping chills.
I know what you did.
His agent had made light of it. “The price of fame,” Henry had joked. “It brings the weirdos out of the woodwork. This is your third best seller so you’ve got a lot more eyes focused on you. You’ve had nutty stuff like this happen before. Okay, maybe not quite like this. But eventually, when you don’t make a big deal about it in the media, they give up and move on to someone else. Whoever this is will get tired of the game and disappear.”
But that hadn’t happened. The notes kept coming, showing up in different cities wherever he was signing. Different hotels and venues. Someone was tracking his tour. Not just the cities but also the facilities—bookstores, event centers, wherever.
The police weren’t much help. They were courteous, but the events all happened in different cities, so nobody really had jurisdiction. And, as one overly polite detective told him, he didn’t think this was a case for the FBI.
I know what you did.
I know what you did.
Blake Morgan stared at the piece of paper in his hand, pulse accelerating, a tiny finger of ice slithering down his spine. Again. Someone had left it again. A message with the same words.
Goddamnit!
He looked around to see if he could spot whoever this was, the familiar fear gripping him, his stomach knotting. But he knew he’d see nothing. He never did. Whoever this was moved like a ghost, silent and unseen, leaving his taunting messages. If he wanted to keep Blake on edge, he was doing a damn good job of it. In a fit of anger, Blake crumpled the paper and stuck it in the drink holder of the car. He wasn’t going to let some unknown asshole frighten him. He’d faced worse than this.
He’d found the damn stupid note stuck under his windshield wiper when he went to get his car from the hotel parking garage. Anyone could have done it. Who paid attention to cars in a parking garage, anyway? And why would they? But Jesus. How the hell had someone known which car was his? It was a rental, for crap’s sake.
Wait! Were those footsteps? Was someone running toward him? Away from him? A car door slammed somewhere and an engine turned over. He looked around, wondering if he’d see someone hiding in the shadows, every nerve on high alert.
Okay, get your shit together. You aren’t a character in one of your books.
Anyway, whoever was doing this wouldn’t be quite so obvious. He—or she—would be careful and silent. He closed his eyes, drew in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Calm, he told himself. People were waiting for him. His readers. He couldn’t freak out on them.
Crap. Double crap.
Who in the fucking hell was doing this? Who could he have pissed off so much they’d do something like this? A reader he’d offended? Reviewer? Blogger? Not anyone he’d been dating, for sure. He was so busy these days that dates weren’t even on the horizon.
So really. These messages. What the fuck?
He’d blown off the first note as a prank, a harmless joke, although he didn’t think it was very funny. Or maybe even a case of mistaken identity.
Just the one sentence on a plain sheet of paper, typed on someone’s computer.
I know what you did.
He had no idea who it was from. There was no signature, no return address. The postmark was Boston, but he was pretty sure none of the people he knew in that city would be sending him a message like this. He had a lot of readers from that area, but he never gave out his address or phone number. And nothing had been coming in to his public email.
So how the fuck did whoever this was know where he was staying?
Maybe they’d followed him to the hotel, a thought that brought another attack of the creeping chills.
I know what you did.
His agent had made light of it. “The price of fame,” Henry had joked. “It brings the weirdos out of the woodwork. This is your third best seller so you’ve got a lot more eyes focused on you. You’ve had nutty stuff like this happen before. Okay, maybe not quite like this. But eventually, when you don’t make a big deal about it in the media, they give up and move on to someone else. Whoever this is will get tired of the game and disappear.”
But that hadn’t happened. The notes kept coming, showing up in different cities wherever he was signing. Different hotels and venues. Someone was tracking his tour. Not just the cities but also the facilities—bookstores, event centers, wherever.
The police weren’t much help. They were courteous, but the events all happened in different cities, so nobody really had jurisdiction. And, as one overly polite detective told him, he didn’t think this was a case for the FBI.
I know what you did.
Buy Links:
https://www.amazon.com/Without-Warning-Vigilance-Desiree-Holt-ebook/dp/B0738J85VB/
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/without-warning/id1252335605?mt=11
https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781516103683&c=books
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/without-warning-14
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/without-warning-desiree-holt/1126641691?ean=9781516103683
Author Bio:
She is three times a finalist for an EPIC E-Book Award (and a winner in 2014), a nominee for a Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award, winner of the first 5 Heart Sweetheart of the Year Award at The Romance Studio as well as twice a CAPA Award winner for best BDSM book of the year, a USA Today Bestselling author and winner of the Holt Medallion for Excellence in Romance Literature.
She has been featured on CBS Sunday Morning and in The Village Voice, The Daily Beast, USA Today, The (London) Daily Mail, The New Delhi Times, The Huffington Post and numerous other national and international publications. She is also the Authors After Dark 2014 Author of the Year.
“Desiree Holt is the most amazing erotica author of our time and each story is more fulfilling then the last.” (Romance Junkies)
Learn more about her and read her novels here:
www.desireeholt.com
www.desiremeonly.com
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Twitter @desireeholt
Pinterest: desiree02holt
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Sunday, April 15, 2018
Friday, April 13, 2018
A BABY FOR THE VIKING WOLF by Gwen Knight
With great passion comes great responsibility...
Lucy Tullet's entire world has imploded, thanks to the two soft pink lines staring back at her. As a professional party-girl, she never considered settling down and having kids. Until she meets the blood wolf—a renowned Viking vampire hunter with a mysterious past—and spends the night in his arms. Now, thanks to him, everything has changed. Not only are there vampires running amok in town, hunting Lucy and her unborn child, but the blood wolf has staked his claim, determined to both protect her and take her as his mate.
(Available on Kindle Unlimited)
"Lucy," he repeated as he studied my face. "A lovely name for a lovely woman."I cleared my throat and stepped back, putting space between us. "Are you here as a bachelor then?"Bemusement tugged on his mouth. "I'm flattered. But no."
"So, if you aren't here as a bachelor, and you're not part of the European pack…" I let my sentence dangle with the hope that he'd answer my unspoken question. What other reason could there be for his presence? Unless…understanding dawned. "Are you here to bid on one of the bachelors?"
Surprise widened his dark eyes, and he choked back a laugh. "Uh, no. While I'm sure they're fine men, they're not the one I'm interested in."
Heat spread through my cheeks.
"Um. We'll just…be elsewhere," Bailey said. "Like, over there. Yeah, over there works."
"What?" Evelyn asked.
"Come on, dummy." Bailey grabbed Evelyn's arm and wrenched her toward the bar.
The blush spread down the back of my neck. Within five minutes, the entire pack would hear about this. Those two women were the absolute worse sort. Gossip was like air to them.
"So." I shot him another look, my tongue suddenly heavy in my mouth.
This was ridiculous. I wasn't the sort who gummed up in front of a man. I was the sort who took initiative, who dragged them out onto the dance floor for a good time, who used them, then ditched them the next morning. Yet, here I stood, nervously fiddling with my glass, my mouth drier than the desert. All because Mr. Europe was hotter than hell itself.
I cleared my throat and tried again. "What are you here for then?"
His brows furrowed. "I came to see someone. But they didn't show."
A woman someone? I wanted to ask. Except, the words died in my throat. "And you're really not part of the European pack?"
"No." He chuckled, the expression lighting up his face. I loved the sound of it, deep but gentle, as though he laughed a lot. "In fact, I only arrived in America this afternoon."
My lips parted. "Wow. You even managed to score a sweet tux, too. Impressive."
He bowed his head. "I aim to please."
"Did you come to America to meet this friend of yours?"
"I did. Guess that won't be happening tonight, though."
"And this friend…" Just ask! "A female friend?"
His smile broadened, flashing a pair of dimples. "No. Just an old friend. But he's not here, and you are. So, I call that a win."
I ducked my head, the bunnies in my stomach launching into full-blown butterflies. Damn it, stop playing coy! Reagan often called me a man-eater. Time to put up or shut up.
"Well then." I handed my empty glass to the next server who strode by and grabbed two fresh drinks, handing him one. "If you're not from the European pack, then I offer you my sincerest apology for the way I spoke to you earlier."
"That so?" His mouth ticked upward. "I'm honored. I get the impression you don't apologize often."
"I'm not often wrong," I said with a playful wink.
"Ah, beauty and brains, then?" Before I could respond, he plowed onward. "I take it you're here to bid on one of these fine gentlemen tonight?"
"Yup." Not that I wanted to anymore. The only devilishly handsome werewolf I wanted to play with was the one standing in front of me. "You sure you're not supposed to be up there?"
"Do you want me to be?"
Most definitely. I'd bid every last cent on him. Problem was, from the many hungry glances sliding his way, I wasn't the only one interested. And I wasn't known for sharing. After a moment's consideration, I shook my head. "No, you don't belong up there."
He clutched at his chest. "You wound me, madam!"
"It's for your protection, and everyone else's too. I wouldn't want to have to kill everyone who bid on you just to get what I want."
He stepped closer, his scent overwhelming my senses. "I'm intrigued. What is it you want?"
"You tell me," I murmured, my voice taking on a husky note.
His fingers brushed against mine, teasing, taunting…playing the game. I gave a slow blink and lifted my gaze to his, my mouth curling into a sensuous smile.
"I know what I want," he said.
"Do tell."
Without warning, he cupped the back of my head and brushed his lips against mine. Slowly at first, tasting what I had to offer. Teasing me with the promise of something more. I'd expected him to ravish my mouth, but instead, he took the time to seduce me. Heat spread through my body, and my damn knees buckled. His touch feathered against my bare back, eliciting a shiver unlike anything I'd ever experienced. My whole body attuned to his, and he'd done little more than offer a chaste brush of our lips.
We parted, my chest heaving beneath my dress. His gaze dipped to my plunging neckline, his eyes sparkling at the sight of my flushed skin.
"I have a room upstairs," he rasped.
Hallelujah. Because we sure as hell wouldn't make it back to my place.
"Only if you're interested."
I laughed. "You damn well know I'm interested."
"Now?"
Screw the auction. Gabriel had sent me to smooth over the press, and to donate money to a good cause. Neither of which I'd done. But I'd already won the night as far as I was concerned, without spending a single cent. I could easily donate the money without bidding.
I licked my lips, excitement dancing in my stomach. "Now," I murmured. "Right fucking now."
He flashed me a grin. "A woman after my own heart."
My Viking Wolf
(Available on Kindle Unlimited)
Gwen Knight is a Canadian girl currently living in Jasper, AB. She graduated from the University of Lethbridge with a degree in Archaeology and Geography. Her interests consist of playing in the dirt, designing elaborate snow forts, boating, and archery.
Thursday, April 12, 2018
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Tuesday, April 10, 2018
His To Claim
"I had to constantly remind myself to breathe. Shelly Bell packs a powerful punch with her flawless writing and suspenseful, passionate love story." --- #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Ellen Malpas on At His Merc
Fate brought them together. Family could tear them apart.
Ryder McKay may be a playboy, but he's never been a fool. Not until he met the woman he simply knew as Jane. For one night, he dropped his guard, but in the morning she disappeared---along with a copy of his top secret technology.
When it ends up in the hands of his biggest enemy---his father---Ryder knows without a doubt he's been betrayed. And when he finds Jane again, a year later, he can't decide what's worse---that her mother is marrying his brother, or that he still finds Jane irresistible, despite the fact that she's a liar, a thief, and his father's latest protégé.
Jane Cooper does have a secret, but it's not the one Ryder thinks. As their rekindled passion changes into something deeper, they'll have to work together to untangle a web of lies and corruption that will shatter everything they thought they knew about their pasts. Because Jane's not the only one with a secret---and this secret is getting people killed.
Ryder McKay may be a playboy, but he's never been a fool. Not until he met the woman he simply knew as Jane. For one night, he dropped his guard, but in the morning she disappeared---along with a copy of his top secret technology.
When it ends up in the hands of his biggest enemy---his father---Ryder knows without a doubt he's been betrayed. And when he finds Jane again, a year later, he can't decide what's worse---that her mother is marrying his brother, or that he still finds Jane irresistible, despite the fact that she's a liar, a thief, and his father's latest protégé.
Jane Cooper does have a secret, but it's not the one Ryder thinks. As their rekindled passion changes into something deeper, they'll have to work together to untangle a web of lies and corruption that will shatter everything they thought they knew about their pasts. Because Jane's not the only one with a secret---and this secret is getting people killed.
He smiled, the skin crinkling around his eyes. Then his gaze dipped to her chest. “As much as I appreciate the peek-a-boo view of your nipples, your blouse is misbuttoned.”
Horrified, she slapped her arms over her chest. “What?” She looked down and confirmed he wasn’t joking. Somehow, she’d missed a button, allowing for a huge gap in the fabric, and since she barely filled a B-cup, she hadn’t bothered with a bra. How many others had she inadvertently flashed?
She closed her eyes and sighed. So much for making a good impression. Everyone was probably laughing behind her back. “Fuck me.”
Ryder grabbed her hand and pulled her from the pillar. “Usually I prefer a bit more banter, but I’m game.”
Her eyes flew open as she stumbled forward, slamming into a hard wall of muscle. His arm encircled her waist, helping her regain her balance. She clutched his sweater in her hands. God, he smelled good. “I’m sorry?”
He looked perplexed, one of his eyebrows shooting up while the other remained in place. “You asked me to fuck you.”
“I didn’t,” she said, her protest coming out much weaker than she’d intended.
Damn him. He confused her with that quick-witted tongue of his.
She clenched her thighs together, picturing him putting that tongue to better use. Crap, I shouldn’t be thinking that. What’s wrong with me? “That was me…I mean, I—”
He pressed a finger to her lips, silencing her stammering. “Tell me the truth. Do you or do you not want me to fuck you?”
Was that a trick question? She didn’t think there was a woman in the room who wouldn’t want Ryder in their bed. He removed his finger, giving her the chance to reply. “I…I don’t even know you.”
“What better way to get to know someone than by fucking them?”
The way he said fucking made her hot and needy. “Um…a conversation?”
He chuckled, the sound of it like a caress between her legs. “You want a conversation? How about this?” His arms tightened around her waist and he pulled her closer, letting her feel the full effect of his desire for her against her hip. “If I don’t get my mouth on your pussy within the next five minutes, I’m going to stand on top of the bar and tell everyone you crashed the conference without paying.”
Shelly Bell is the author of the popular Benediction and Forbidden Lovers series. Her book, Blue Blooded, received a Top Pick from Romantic Times Book Reviews and was nominated for an RT Award. At His Mercy, the first in her Forbidden Lovers series, has been nominated for an RT Award in Erotic Romance and received a starred review from Publisher’s Weekly.
When she’s not working her day job, taking care of her family, or writing, you’ll find her reading the latest romance or thriller. Shelly is a member of Romance Writers of America and International Thriller Writers.
Outnumbered by Shay Savage
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I’m not exactly the social type. After spending most of my formative years in prison, I prefer an isolated existence in the wilderness of Canada’s Northwest Territories, making what little cash I need guiding tourists to the best hunting grounds. I have no desire for company; I crave solitude instead, especially during the subarctic winter months, but what am I supposed to do when I come across a woman in distress? I can’t just leave her to die in the cold, and a storm is on the way.
So now we are confined to my secluded cabin, and I quickly realize there’s something not quite right about Seri—or is her name Netti? She switches moods faster than a snowshoe hare changes direction. In fact, I’m starting to think there’s more than one person behind the mystifying woman’s intense, green eyes.
Physically, only two of us are trapped inside the rustic cabin, but I still feel outnumbered.
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Shay Savage is an independent author from Cincinnati, Ohio, where she lives with her family and a variety of household pets. She is an accomplished public speaker and holds the rank of Distinguished Toastmaster from Toastmasters International. Her hobbies include off-roading in her big, yellow Jeep, science fiction in all forms, and soccer. Savage holds a degree in psychology, and she brings a lot of that knowledge into the characters within her stories.
From the author: “It’s my job to make you FEEL. That doesn’t always mean you’ll feel good, but I want my readers to be connected enough to my characters to care.”
Savage’s books many books span a wide variety of topics and sub-genres with deeply flawed characters. From cavemen to addicts to hitmen, you’ll find yourself falling for these seemingly irredeemable characters!
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