Book Blitz

Zorak

 


Lunar Uprising Book One

Sci-fi Romance

Published: March 2021

Publisher: Anything-but-Ordinary Books



FREE on Kindle Unlimited!!

Passionate Sci-Fi with a touch of danger and a whole lot of sass.

When Cat’s father is kidnapped by her alien boss she turns to Zorak, one of the mysterious lunar raiders “cultivated” by the aliens to protect Earth. Cat isn’t sure she can trust Zorak, but she has nowhere else to turn. Lunar raiders are ruthless hybrids created for war, so why does Zorak make her feel safe? She has never been so intensely attracted to anyone before and has a hard time believing her feelings are real. They’re surrounded by conflict and deceit, and Cat’s father isn’t the only one in danger. If they can’t learn the truth about the aliens, the entire human race could be enslaved.



Excerpt

His gaze moved over her face, his expression gradually darkening. “What happened to your cheek?”

She raised her hand to the side of her face as resentment rippled through her being. The throbbing in her cheek had subsided, but the memory was still crystal clear. “I didn’t realize he bruised me.”

The mark is faint. Most will not notice. Why did Erot strike you?”

Embarrassed by his persistence, she shrugged. “He didn’t like something I said.”

Zorak rose and stalked toward her, his movements slow and purposeful. His features hardened while complex emotions ignited his gaze. “How often does he lay his hands on you?”

The possessive edge in his deep voice sent a shiver down Cat’s spine. She’d felt unsafe for so long that she welcomed his protection, but she had no interest in being owned by anyone. “He had never hurt me before, but his disapproval is escalating.”

Because you refuse to be his spy? Or are their other reasons for the escalation?”

I’m not sure.” She gazed up at him, way up. Why didn’t he go sit back down? “There are definitely fractures within Pylorian society. Unfortunately, I don’t know what they’re about or who falls on which side of the conflict.”

Without warning he wrapped his hands around her upper arms and drew her to her feet. Cat gasped, surprise widening her eyes. He didn’t pull her closer, nor did he release her. He just stood there holding her in place as his gaze searched hers.

Why force you to spy for him?” It wasn’t an accusation, just damn close. “Why not recruit someone else?”

Erot doesn’t like being challenged,” she told him, annoyed by his attitude. “He’s used to people following his orders without hesitation or complaint. He enjoys the power he has over me.”

Zorak raised one of his hands and lightly brushed her cheek with the knuckle of his index finger. “He will regret harming my female.”

I’m more concerned about—wait. What did you say?”

Pushing his fingers into her hair, he caressed her jaw with his thumb as he stared deep into her eyes. “Vosic told you we have begun to sense our mates. You, Catriona, are mine.”


About The Author


Cyndi has written about rock stars, vampires, and cat shifters, but she’s currently focused on outer space. Her stories are fun, fast-paced, and seriously hot. Her books have made the USA Today Top 100, and frequently land on Amazon Best Seller lists. She is currently working on the Lunar Uprising, an all new series set in the near future.


Contact Links

Website

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Promo Link


Purchase Link

Amazon

 

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Book Blitz

Warlocks of the Black Oak by Marie-Claude Bourque

Warlocks of the Black Oak: Books 4-6
Marie-Claude Bourque
(The Order of the Black Oak – Collection #2)
Publication date: April 8th 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy

Meet the Warlocks of the Black Oak: a powerful order of modern-day sorcerers fighting evil to protect the ones they love.
Three urban fantasy romance now together in this second installment in the Order of the Black Oak – Collection

“Bourque develops a world of mages and sorceresses unlike any other.“ — Night Owl Reviews

Book 4: AN ARCHMAGE’S DESTINY: A Slow-Burn Urban Fantasy Romance:
A steadfast attorney must convince a daredevil modern archmage to return to the folds of his powerful warlocks family or apply the devastating consequences herself.

Book 5: A SPELLBINDER’S DENIAL: A Slow-Burn Urban Fantasy Romance:
A savvy banshee teams up with a guilt-ridden billionaire warlock in order to protect her adopted baby girl from cursed vampires after the child’s blood.

Book 6: A NECROMANCER’S LOVE: A Slow-Burn Urban Fantasy Romance:
A life-loving blogger seeks the help of a lethal Seattle necromancer in order to locate her missing teenaged brother.

★★★★★ Fantastic series of action, magic and awesome romance. You will fall in love with the characters and feel you are right with them.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

EXCERPT:

Seattle, Washington

November, Present Day

Bryce Jackson slid her damp palms on the wool fabric of her pantsuit and hoisted herself from her stool in the Singing Kraken Tavern.

Pushing her drink away with resolve, she eyed him again.

That’s it. No more waiting.

She was here to do one job. Better get it done fast.

For half an hour already, she’d been observing him while aimlessly twirling the straw in the lowball glass of her diet soda. Not once did she break her focus.

She had watched him order his beer. Then, she’d studied his reflection in the faded mirror behind the bar while he exchanged casual banter with the bartender serving him.

He had flirted with at least three women dropping on him. First, she saw the whisper in the blonde’s ear. The girl, a tall beauty covered in swirling tattoos, had laughed before kissing him on the mouth.

Minutes after, he’d swapped phone numbers with a gorgeous black woman in regal yellow silk. Then, there was the small purple-haired girl, who had playfully tousled the dark curls from his forehead, before jumping to straddle his lap as he’d let his fingers trail lazily on her naked thigh.

Without question, he was hot.

The bar was full of millennials. Seattle hipsters with beards, expensive tattoos, upscale hiking garbs, glittery dresses matched with combat boots, and the occasional 12th man football paraphernalia.

Despite the variety bordering on outrageous, he managed to stand out from the crowd.

Not at all trendy but bad boy classic.

Basic jeans, black-t-shirt, and motorcycle leather jacket. The hair, which he raked back a few times, a little too long. Lips curled with both amusement and lust at the gaggle of women crowding him.

No doubt sex radiated from him.

And power.

Author Bio:

Marie-Claude Bourque is a Seattle-based author of gothic paranormal romance and the winner of the American Title V award with her first novel ANCIENT WHISPERS.

Her writing features modern-day fantasy skillfully weaved into infinitely romantic supernatural stories between smart strong women and complex passionate heroes.

Happily Ever After always absolutely guaranteed!

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Uncategorized

Burnout


 

🔥🔥 𝐇𝐎𝐓 𝐍𝐄𝐖 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄 🔥🔥


Burnout (Full Throttle Book 3) by Elizabeth Knox & Erin Trejo is LIVE! 

Cover Designer: Clarise Tan

Photographer: Reggie Deanching  

Cover Model:Kevin Walsh


𝙄 𝙨𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙡𝙙𝙣𝙩 𝙝𝙖𝙫𝙚 𝙘𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙝𝙞𝙢 . . . 𝙗𝙪𝙩 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙


Winnie


I called him in my darkest hour, the man who crushed my heart, and the man who still holds onto it. 


I had two choices: call the cops, or call him . . . but there wasn’t much of a choice. He’d be the one to get to the bottom of this, and if I wanted any of what I lost back, he’d be the one to rip it from whoever stole it. 


Ascher


Winnie called me up when her shop got vandalized and her life’s savings was stolen from her. She knew the police wouldn’t have anything to go on, so she called the one man who’d be able to find the people who did this to her. 


I promised her I’d find whoever did it, that I’d make them pay, but the more time I spend around her the more I want her again. I already screwed shit up between us in the past, but I’m left asking myself this: can we bury the hatchet? 


I don’t know if we can, but damn I sure as fuck hope we can try. I miss her more than I care to admit. 


Grab it here: https://amzn.to/2NDpwOw

Cover Reveal

Merciful Vows by Vanessa Luisa




Title: Merciful Vows
Series: The Giannotti World #1
Author: Vanessa Luisa
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Cover Design: Tash, Outlined with Love Designs
Release Date: May 25, 2021


BLURB

It’s impossible to shield your heart from a man who knows you so well. A man who is your husband. The father of your children. The love of your life. A man like Giulio Giannotti.

I thought we would last forever…but we won’t. Not when he doesn’t believe our abducted child is still alive. Not if I continue to lose myself in this chaotic hope. Not until our daughter is found.

It scares me…the stark reality of how cruel life can be to us, how twisted secrets turn to sacrifice and how there’s always someone in the misty shadows lurking…watching.

Tonight marks six months since we lost it all. It should bind Giulio and me closer together, yet the moment his hot gaze lands on mine, it’s all over. The pact I made with myself to reserve all my nerves shatters into a million pieces as those eyes burn straight through me.

They’re heavenly fire. And it’s as if he can see me. All of me…

If this is supposed to be the end of us, then why does it feel like it’s only just the beginning?

Merciful Vows is a bittersweet second chance romantic suspense standalone and the first book in the emotionally gripping interconnected world set in Seattle: ‘The Giannotti World’.







PRE-ORDER LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU





EXCERPT

The wall raised between us fortifies, rendering us incapable of comprehending who we really are at this second. This is not us. This hatred towards each other is not us. I don’t know what we are…but I can’t be this. Not for our kids. Not for our hearts. No. In the same breath, Giulio gently cups my face and draws me to his chest. He’s forced to bear witness to the way I crumble at his touch. How lost I get in his smell. How much I miss him. How intimately tender this moment truly is.
Giulio knows me.
His arms that carry the weight of the world wrap around my waist in a tight embrace. When sobs ripple through me, one of his hands slides up to the back of my head, weaving through my hair, and he holds me even closer. It’s here where my fingers clutch his shoulder blades over his cashmere sweater.
Right now, we cannot be any more connected.
I need this embrace.
Just for a moment. Just until my trembling soul stills.
“It’s okay. I’ve got you,” his hot murmur promises. “I’ve got you.”
It’s been so long that I’ve almost forgotten the feeling. Almost. The warmth that spreads across my body is a reminder of everything that is Giulio Giannotti. He knows and owns every single part of me. My heart. My mind. My body. My soul. He has since I was twenty-one and will continue to do so until I leave this earth.
That’s the truth I hide myself from.
The fact that I can’t control how I feel, even after all the substance we’re missing in our lives, scares me. I’m scared of giving him that piece of me again and losing even more. I’m scared of confusing our children with the back and forth. I fear redemption. I fear a second chance. And equally so, I fear hope will fail me.
At the same time, this is Giulio.
My husband.
My best friend.
My everything.
This is the man I vowed I would do anything for. The man I would still die for.
It will always be him.
Even through the hollowing pain, my heart still beats wildly every time he enters the room. He should despise me. I should despise him. We should disregard how the other feels.
But we can’t…






AUTHOR BIO


Vanessa Luisa is a contemporary romance author. She resides in Melbourne, Australia, with her army of current reads, sassy cat and Tom Hardy…the latter is purely all in her mind, but shh don’t tell her!

Vanessa adores all things from the Golden Age of Hollywood, Seinfeld and believes tea is a writing essential. Her love of reading and writing have always been with her, and while she has a background in certified personal styling, nowadays Vanessa is turning her dream of being an author into reality.

She loves writing swoon-worthy, emotionally gripping stories with passionate alphas and strong-willed women. When she isn’t writing, Vanessa is busy running her own business and spending time with loved ones.


AUTHOR LINKS

Release Blitz

Worth a Shot by Gail Haris




Title: Worth a Shot
Series: K.O. Romance #1
Author: Gail Haris
Genre: Romantic Comedy with
Elements of Suspense
Cover Design: Sarah Paige, 
Opium House Creatives
Re-release Date: April 8, 2021


BLURB

One simple run-in got me more than I bargained for…and now I can’t go back. It might be dangerous, but it might just be worth a shot.

Victoria Angel…

It was just a cup of coffee…that’s all I was after.
Some much-needed caffeine to get me through wedding dress shopping. That’s it. But I guess the universe had other plans. How do I go from getting coffee to waking up in the hospital after being involved in a drive-by?
And how does my mysterious hero go from taking a bullet for me to getting arrested and put in prison?
His last name is Goodman, but according to the police, he’s not at all a good man. However, it feels as though fate brought us together. The police don’t agree…and my fiancé definitely doesn’t either.

Tristan Goodman…

She thinks I’m her hero, which couldn’t be further from the truth. Because of the business that I’m in and the people I surround myself with, there’s always a target on my back, and anyone associated with me is in the line of fire, including the quirky yet gorgeous Victoria Angel.
I’ve brought nothing but danger to her life the minute she bumped into me in that coffee shop. I know she’s not mine, but that certainly doesn’t stop me from going after what I want. And what I want is an angel.
She’d be wise to end all contact with me, exactly like her fiancé wishes, but I can’t leave her alone…especially after I have a taste of heaven.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO


She was born and raised in a small town in Southeast Missouri. After graduating with a degree in Mass Communications, Gail married her high school sweetheart and moved back to her hometown. 

She’s been on many adventures traveling across America and Europe. But her favorite adventures are the ones where she gets lost in a book. 

Her love for reading and traveling led her to attend book conventions. Those conventions gave her the encouragement she needed to combine her passion for creativity and storytelling. Using coffee and her imagination, she loves writing contemporary romances that blend laughter and true love out of every day chaos. She writes in a variety of genres including, romantic comedy, romantic suspense, and new adult/ coming of age romance. 

She debuted her first novel Worth a Shot, a steamy romantic comedy with a twist of suspense, in January 2020. Gail has hit the ground running and writing since. In her first year as a published author, she also released a new adult romantic suspense series – The Randalls, a three book series that follows the struggles of the Randall siblings. She also joined other author worlds such as: Corinne Michaels’ Salvation Society, K. Bromberg’s Every Day Heroes, and Vi Keeland and Penelope Ward’s Cocky Hero Club. 

When Gail isn’t day dreaming in front of her computer, she’s busy raising her two daughters with her husband, who has the patience of a saint. She loves traveling with her family, binge watching television series with her husband, singing Disney songs with her daughters, and having huge family and friends get-togethers that involve lots of food and usually a cake. 

She hopes by following her own dream of becoming an author, she can set an example to her daughters that dreams can become a reality. Maybe she can encourage you, too. 

Never stop believing in love, dreams, and yourself. And coffee…don’t give up on coffee and books.



Release Blitz

Scarred Empire by Bri Blackwood




Title: Scarred Empire
Series: Broken Cross #2
Author: Bri Blackwood
Genre: Billionaire Dark Romance
Release Date: April 8, 2021


BLURB

She is scarred.

When I stormed into her life, it was supposed to be temporary.
Anais was supposed to be like the rest,
Then I became addicted.
My past caught up with me and she walked out before I could make her mine.
Tragedy strikes and I have no choice but to bring her back into my world.
In order to protect her, I convince her to wear my ring.
But I fear even I can’t protect her from the turmoil we’re about to face.

Scarred Empire is the second in an enemies to lovers billionaire trilogy. Themes in this dark and sexy series may not be suitable for all readers. Anais and Damien’s story concludes in Steel Empire.





PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited





EXCERPT

Panic.
Silence.
Fear.
That was all I could hear and feel as I was carried somewhere. I struggled against my captor. My hands were restrained but that didn’t mean I couldn’t make his life difficult. I kicked my legs and moved my body as much as I could. Tears streamed down my cheeks, but they were absorbed by the cloth that covered my face.
I heard something click to my right and I held my breath, wondering if someone had cocked a gun. I briefly wondered how long it would take for me to feel the piercing pain that my father endured just before he ended up in a pool of his own blood. But nothing followed the sound. I shook my head and felt the cloth that was covering a portion of my face loosen. A few more shakes and I was able to get the fabric below my eyes and I squinted. The blinding light directly over me was disorienting, but for as bright as it was, it did little to light the entire room. It took a moment for my eyes to adjust, but I didn’t know where the hell I was.
Where is my father? Dread filled my heart as I thought back to the scene that unfolded in front of me. The memory of seeing his lifeless form just before I was kidnapped made my body turn cold. My lips trembled and my teeth chattered as fresh tears burst from my eyes. I shivered, but when I tried to bring my hand forward, I couldn’t. My hands were tied with what felt like some type of plastic. I looked behind me and found that a zip tie held my hands together.
Fuck. My mind raced because I knew I had to get out of this. Nobody was coming to rescue me and I would have to do this myself. I took a few breaths, calming myself enough to stop the shivers. Now, Anais, what are you going to do? I knew there was no way to break out of this without hurting myself. How can I free myself? Is there a tool I can use to rip these cable ties open? I took another steadying breath and steeled myself before I examined my surroundings.
This room was foreign to me and had barely anything in it. There was a brown sofa, an outdated television sitting on a tiny stand, and I was sitting in a brown chair that had seen better days. I spotted a single closed door, but no windows or any signs that anyone actually lived or worked here.
Panic once again rose in my throat as the events of the last couple of hours flooded my brain. My heart thumped harder in my chest, and I knew that if I didn’t get myself back under control, fear would take over again.
I couldn’t allow that to happen because I had to get out of here. I took a deep breath and wondered if I could yell for help. Maybe my kidnappers were gone, and someone would hear me. It wasn’t the best plan, but it was all I had. I took a deep breath and started screaming. I prayed that it wasn’t for naught and that my screams wouldn’t do anything but steal my voice.
“Help! Help! Help! Is someone there? Help me!”
“Would you shut up!” a deep voice from the corner of the room yelled.
I flinched and my mouth snapped shut. Fear returned tenfold. My heart sped up, beating a rapid drumbeat in my chest. I wasn’t alone.






ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






COMING SOON


Releasing May 6

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






AUTHOR BIO


Bri loves a good romance, especially ones that involve a hot anti-hero. That is why she likes to turn the dial up a notch with her own writing. Her Broken Cross series is her debut dark romance series.

She spends most of her time hanging out with her family, plotting her next novel, or reading books by other romance authors.


AUTHOR LINKS
Excerpt Reveal

Not Pretending Anymore by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland




Title: Not Pretending Anymore
Authors: Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 12, 2021



Excited about Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland’s upcoming release, Not Pretending Anymore?

Check out this SNEAK PEEK of CHAPTER 1!







CHAPTER ONE

Molly

“So, what do you do for a living?”
The woman drummed her fingers on her thigh. “I’m a musician.”
I glanced down at the renter’s application in my hand. Lyric Chords was the name listed at the top.
I bit my tongue and tried to keep an open mind. This was the twelfth woman I’d interviewed as a prospective roommate. Just because she had a few safety pins in her eyebrow and what looked like a dog collar around her neck didn’t mean I should rule her out.
“Oh. That’s nice. Are you a singer?”
Lyric shook her head. “Drummer. Do you know the dimensions of the bedroom I’ll be sleeping in? I have two sets of drums I need to fit.”
“Umm… I think it’s fourteen by fourteen. But you don’t practice at home, right? I wrote in my ad that I’m looking for a quiet roommate because I work nights.”
“I do. But no worries. I’ll practice in my room.”
My bedroom and my potential roommate’s bedroom shared a wall, so that was the end of interview number twelve. I sighed and forced a smile. “Thank you for coming. I have a few other people left to meet with before I decide. I’ll let you know.”
“Great.” The woman stood. “Also, I know your ad said two months’ rent up front, but I’m running a little short right now. Would one be okay?”
I smiled. “Sure, no problem.” Since you’re not going to be living here.
After Drummergirl, I interviewed two more candidates. One wanted her boyfriend to move into the room with her, even though my ad had specified I was only looking for a single. And the other arrived twenty minutes late, reeked of alcohol, and slurred her words…at three thirty in the afternoon.
Why in the hell was it so difficult to find a roommate in a city of almost three-million people? I needed my last interview of the day to be a miracle, or I was going to have to shell out money for another ad and start the entire process all over. And I definitely didn’t have the time or the funds for that. Rent was due in two weeks. If I got stuck paying the full amount on this place myself again, I’d be eating cat food for a month.
When my last appointment knocked right on time, I took a deep breath, looked up at the ceiling, and asked the big guy in the sky for a little assistance.
Opening the door, I blinked a few times.
Uhhh. I think you answered the wrong prayer, God.
A man stood in my hallway—and not just any man, an absolutely gorgeous one with a perfect, straight nose, cheekbones to die for, a masculine, square jaw, full lips, tanned skin, and the sexiest chocolate brown, almond-shaped eyes I’d ever seen in my life.
“Uh. Can I help you?”
He flashed a killer smile, one that I immediately suspected had made countless women remove their panties.
“Hi. I have a four-thirty appointment with Molly Corrigan.”
“You do?” I had the last application in my hand and looked down at the name on the top. “I don’t think so. My appointment is with a D. Tate?”
He extended a hand. “That’s me. Declan Tate.”
“But…you’re…not a woman.”
He smiled again. “You’re correct. Very observant. I am most definitely not a woman. But my last roommate told me I should’ve been because I use moisturizer at night and cried at the end of Marley and Me. And if I’m being honest, I also got a little watery at the end of Toy Story, so maybe I’m a bit of a wuss. Either way, I think you should consider those my positive feminine qualities.”
I was thoroughly confused. “Umm… I’m sorry. You must’ve missed that my ad said female only.”
“Actually, I didn’t. But if you’ll give me just five minutes, I think I can convince you I would be a better roommate than a woman.”
I chuckled. “Let me get this straight… You hid your first name—what did you say it was again?”
“Declan.”
“Right. Declan. Anyway, you applied to an ad for a female roommate, intentionally deceiving the person who is going to decide if you get the room by leaving your first name off. And your strategy is to convince me I don’t really know what I want in less than five minutes? Do I have that right?”
He flashed that boyish charm again. “You sure do.”
I debated how to handle the situation. On one hand, he was going to waste my time, and I had done enough of that today. But on the other, my curiosity was definitely piqued. Something about his grin told me this could be amusing. Screw it. I had nothing better to do anyway.
I opened the door wider and stepped aside, holding my hand out for him to enter. “I’m setting the timer on my phone, and I’m getting a glass of wine before you start. I like a drink while I’m being entertained.”
Declan smirked and strolled into my apartment.
I motioned to the couch. “Have a seat. I’ll just be a minute.”
When I got to the kitchen, he called after me, “Hey, Mollz?”
I turned back. “Yes?”
“How about you make that two glasses of wine?”
I chuckled. “Sure. Why not, Decs.”
I poured a couple of glasses of pinot grigio and returned to the living room.
“Here you go. Hope you like white.”
“You see? We’re perfect together already. I prefer white over red.”
I brought my wine to my lips. “Yes, perfect. A match made in heaven. I think we might even be soul mates.”
Declan showed me his pearly whites once again. He really did have a great smile, nice teeth, too. Too bad he also had a penis. I knocked back half the contents of my glass and placed it on the coffee table. Picking up my cell, I swiped to the timer app and set it for five minutes.
I showed him the screen. “You ready?”
“I’m always ready.”
I pressed start, placed the phone face up on the coffee table between us, and folded my hands. “Go.”
“Okay. Well…what’s your favorite color?”
“My favorite color?”
Declan pointed to the timer. “Time’s a ticking, Molly. I’m going to need you to not repeat questions.”
I laughed. “Fine. My favorite color is pink.”
Declan reached into one of his pant pockets and pulled out a set of keys. The keychain had a bunch of pink beads with white letters between each one. The letters spelled out his name. “Mine too.”
I arched a brow. “Did you make that yourself?”
“No. My niece, Arianna, made it for me.”
“So how do I know that isn’t just Arianna’s favorite color?”
“Good point. Let’s move on. Your ad said you work nights.”
“That’s right. I’m a nurse. I work the night shift on the maternity ward.”
“So you sleep during the day, then?”
“I get off at seven, and I try to get to sleep as soon as I get home.”
He held his hand to his chest. “I work days. I leave for the gym by six and usually don’t get home until after seven at night. So the apartment will be quiet when you need it to be.”
I nodded. “Okay. I’ll give you that that would make you a good roommate. But most people work days, so it’s not really something that makes you too special.”
“Do you cook?” he said.
“Does macaroni and cheese count?”
“I grew up in a multigenerational Italian home. My nonna taught me how to make sauce from scratch.”
“So you’re going to cook for me?”
“If that’s what it takes to get this apartment, yes.”
“As tempting as that might be, there’s an Italian restaurant around the corner that makes great food. Funny enough, it’s called Nonna’s Place, and an actual nonna makes most of my meals. Not a knockoff.”
Declan took an exaggerated breath and blew it out. He glanced at the cell on the table. “Three minutes and thirty-eight seconds. I can see you’re not going to make this easy. How about you tell me why you can’t have a male roommate so I can address that head-on. Is it because of the toilet-seat thing? Because I have four older sisters, so I’m appropriately trained. When I was eight, I made the mistake of leaving it up once, and my sister sat down where I’d accidentally left a little pee. She dunked my head in the toilet bowl before she flushed. That was the last time I left the seat up.” He held up three fingers. “Scout’s honor. It won’t be an issue.”
I smiled. “It’s not because of the toilet thing.”
“Alright. So why don’t you want a male roommate, then?”
I’d actually never given much thought to why my roommate had to be female. It just seemed natural to have another woman sharing the apartment. “Well…I don’t really have a specific reason. I would just be more comfortable living with another woman. For example, I sleep in a T-shirt and underwear. When I get up to start the coffee, I don’t get dressed. It would be weird to do that in front of a man.”
“Why?”
“Why would it be weird to walk around with my ass cheeks on display in front of a man and not a woman?”
“Yes.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. It just would. I guess because the women I’ve lived with aren’t attracted to other women, so it doesn’t feel sexual in any way.”
“Ah. Now we’re getting to the crux of your issue. So you’re afraid of some sexual tension going on between you and me? Is it because I’m so handsome?”
“What? No! And aren’t you full of yourself, assuming I think you’re handsome, and I’m worried I won’t be able to control myself.”
“Just keeping it real, Mollz. You’re only giving me five minutes, so I’m trying to get to the heart of the reason.”
“I guess I just don’t want to feel like I have to cover up to come out of my bedroom. When I dry my hair, I wear a towel or a bra and underwear—that type of thing.”
“Would you feel you had to cover up if I told you I was gay?”
That question gave me pause. Would I? I wasn’t sure. “Are you?”
“Fuck, no. I was just trying to pinpoint your issue. Is it the fact that I’m a man, or the fact that I might admire your ass if it were on display? Sounds like it’s the latter. So let me put your mind at ease: I won’t.”
I felt oddly offended. “What’s wrong with my ass?”
He chuckled. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t looked. You know why?”
“Why?”
“Because I’m in love with someone else.”
As insane as it was, I felt a pang of jealousy. “Oh. Well, why aren’t you moving in with her?”
“Because she doesn’t return the feelings…yet. So basically, if your concern about having a guy for a roommate is that he’s going to be checking you out, you have nothing to worry about with me. I’m a one-woman man. If you want, I can give you the numbers of some of my exes for references. I’m no cheater.”
Hmmm… “I don’t know…”
Declan looked down at the clock. Thirty-one seconds were left. “We’re running out of time, so we need to speed things up. How about if I just give you the facts you need to know?”
“That would be good.”
“I’m twenty-eight years old. I make six figures. My credit score is eight hundred and ten, and I have references from previous landlords. I’m neat and clean up after myself. I’m not home a lot, but when I am, I’m pretty quiet. I’m also damn good with a hammer.” He glanced around my apartment and pointed at a hole I’d accidentally made in the wall when I flung the closet door open too hard. “I can spackle that and put on a door stopper so it won’t happen again.” He pointed to the kitchen. “And those cabinets are pretty tall. I’m six foot one. No more having to stand on a chair to reach something on the top shelf. And—”
The timer on the stopwatch buzzed.
“Can I just say one last thing?”
“Sure. Why not?”
“I’ll share my Hulu and Netflix passwords. I have the premium Hulu account.”
I laughed. “Well, those are some pretty enticing qualities for a roommate.”
He smiled. “So I’m in?”
I sighed. “I’m sorry. While I appreciate your tenacity, unfortunately, you’re not. Though I interviewed fourteen other people today, and I have to say, you do seem like you’ll make some other lucky person a fantastic roomie.”
Declan frowned, but nodded. “I figured it was worth a shot. This is a great building, and I work right around the corner. It’s hard to find an apartment where it’s only a six-month commitment.”
“My lease is up then, and I haven’t decided if I’m going to extend or not.”
“See? That’s another reason I’d be perfect. I’m only in town for six more months.”
“I’m sorry. This is definitely a case of it’s me and not you.”
He picked up his wine and guzzled it down before standing and extending his hand. “I appreciate you giving me your time. And thanks for the pinot.”
We shook. “It was nice to meet you, Declan.”
After I walked him out, I shut the door and leaned back against it. What a shame; he really seemed like a nice guy and the best candidate I’d met by a mile. I was just about to go wallow in another glass of alcohol when there was a knock at my door. Checking the peephole before opening, I found Declan standing there.
“I forgot something important,” he said.
“Oh? What’s that?”
He took out his wallet and produced a photo of a nun. “This is my sister Catherine, and it’s not a costume from Halloween. She’s a legit nun. How bad can a person be if his sister is a nun?”
I laughed. “Is this the sister who dunked your head in the toilet?”
He grinned. “It is, actually.”
“Well, I’m not sure there’s a direct correlation between your sister deciding to dedicate her life to the church and you being a good person. Though, even if I take your word for it, it still doesn’t change my answer.”
Declan’s shoulders drooped. “Had to try. She tells me her being a nun won’t get me into heaven. Thought maybe it was good for something.”
“Goodbye, Declan.”
“Later, Mollz.”

***

“So…how’s the roommate search going?” Emma poured a cup of coffee and sat down at the small table in our break room.
I sighed. “Why is it so hard to find a normal person these days? I’ve interviewed more than a dozen people, and not one suitable candidate.”
“Did you post an ad on the employee bulletin board, like I suggested?”
I shook my head. “I don’t want another nurse or tech. It makes it weird at work if things don’t work out.”
“Maybe Dr. Dandy will apply.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “I heard he’s sleeping on Dr. Cohen’s couch until he finds a place.”
That information certainly perked me up. “Really? Will and whatshername broke up?”
“Yup. Lisa in X-ray told me Dr. Cohen told her he’s staying with him. Apparently he and the wannabe actress are finito.”
“Wow.”
Emma smiled. “Yup. And fair warning, my friend… I’m allowing a ten-day grace period for him to grieve the end of a year-long relationship. But after that, I’m going to be up your butt making sure you let the man know you’re interested. He’s not going to be on the market for long, and you missed your opportunity last time he was single. You can’t keep pining for the guy.”
Of course she was right. And while I felt elated that Will was back on the market, the thought of coming clean to him about my feelings made me want to throw up. Will Daniels—or as Emma called him, Dr. Dandy, because of his last name and uncanny resemblance to a male model named David Gandy—and I had been good friends for four years now. We’d started on the very same day at the hospital and had gone through orientation together. I’d had a boyfriend back then, and he’d been seeing a girl from med school at the time, so even though I’d always thought he was insanely handsome, things didn’t bloom until two years ago. And most of the time since then, he’d been seeing one woman or another. Emma was right that the man never seemed to stay single for long.
“He’s going to be at happy hour this Friday night,” I said. “A few of the crew from CCU are meeting up over at McBride’s. I’m curious to hear what he says about the breakup.”
“Does he know you’re looking for a roommate?”
“I don’t think so.”
“Well, he needs a place to sleep, and you need a roomie.” Emma shrugged. “Timing is everything. Maybe it’s fate and he’ll move in and take care of two of your needs.”
“I think your imagination might be getting ahead of itself. Why don’t we start by seeing if things are really over with him and whatshername? They’ve split up a few times, but he always winds up going back.”
“Okay. But I have a good feeling about you two.”
“Could you possibly have a good feeling about me finding a roommate instead? I just had to pay for another damn ad.”
Emma shook her head. “I can’t believe you didn’t find one decent candidate.”
Remembering my last interview, I said, “Actually there was one who would’ve been perfect—great credit score, neat, cooks, leaves early in the morning, and works long days.”
“So why didn’t you take her?”
“Because she was a he.”


★★★

Excited? We are too!

RELEASING APRIL 12th!






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Please note: There will not be an Amazon ebook pre-order, but it will be available on in Kindle Unlimited on Amazon on release day.



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PENELOPE WARD


Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance. 

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism. 

With over two million books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over twenty novels. Her books have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.



VI KEELAND


Vi Keeland is a #1 New York Times, #1 Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author. With millions of books sold, her titles have appeared in over a hundred Bestseller lists and are currently translated in twenty-five languages. She resides in New York with her husband and their three children where she is living out her own happily ever after with the boy she met at age six.




Release Blitz

WRENCH by ROUX CANTRELL


★✩★ RELEASE BLITZ ★✩★

WRENCH

Series: Book 7 in the Gypsy Kings

By ROUX CANTRELL

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57558373-wrench

Hosted by DS Promotions




AMAZON

US https://www.amazon.com/dp/B091HZMQPY/

UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B091HZMQPY/

AU https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B091HZMQPY/

CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B091HZMQPY/


Available in kindle Unlimited



BLURB:

What kind of life was it when your best quality was pulling the trigger?

Drugs and alcohol have been my companion for so long I’m not sure I can feel anything real anymore.

I saw her again…wanted her… to be real. She’s my dark angel and I’m the devil that’s going to ruin her. Even if I have to drag her down into my hell I’ll have her. I’ll make her whimper, then I’ll make her scream. Frisco is mine. She just doesn’t know it yet.


I saw him again: mysterious, moody and high. I don’t care. I’m not looking to fix anyone. I’m not looking to save anyone, hell I can’t save myself.

I’m just window shopping and he’s pretty to look at. When he brushed past me, I could feel the heat radiating off his body. When he stared down into my eyes, I wanted to drown in them. When he shoved me against the door and kissed me … I remembered he belonged to someone else.

His unique scent still lingers in me…on me …around me … cedar and gunpowder. 

It’s all him…all male …all Wrench

 

About the author:

Lover of Chocolate, martinis, and shoes …

Roux Cantrell resides in a quaint college town on the north shore of New Orleans with her husband and her Hemmingway cat named Monster. 

She loves all things Halloween and throws a hell of an over-the-top party every year.

Her love of writing started in school when an unwilling Roux was forced by an English teacher to read an urban fantasy. She became hooked on books after that.

If your fast enough to catch up with her she is always up for a chat.

“Within every mind there is a place to travel. You just have to be willing to take the trip.”




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Release Blitz

The Sin of Kissing You by Maya Hughes




Title: The Sin of Kissing You
Series: Falling Trilogy #2
Author: Maya Hughes
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: April 8, 2021


BLURB

I don’t deserve her forgiveness, but I can’t stop fighting for it.

Bay ran from me four years ago and I can’t blame her. I broke her heart and my own with one split second mistake.

Now we’re thrown together for four weeks. Training camp after the draft is the final step to cement my pro football careers, but after seeing her again, she’s the only future I want.

If I were a better guy, I’d walk away and let her live her life. Maybe I haven’t learned my lesson yet because I can’t stop thinking about her. And I won’t stop until she knows how much I still love her.

The sins of my past are hard to run from, but I’ll battle every single one, if it means one more chance with her.

The Sin of Kissing You is the second book in the new Fulton U universe sports romance, Falling trilogy.







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






COMING SOON


Releasing May 6

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






AUTHOR BIO

Maya Hughes, that’s me!, can often be found sneaking in another chapter while hiding in the bathroom from her kids! 🙂 I’m a romance writer who loves taking inspiration from everyday life, namely my husband and biggest fan. Inspiration also strikes when I hear a song, meet someone new or daydream while at soccer practice.

I love writing stories that capture the possibilities of the paths less travelled and enjoy experiencing life through my characters’ eyes.

I’m the mom of three little ones, the wife to an amazing husband and also work full time. Some of my favorite things are cupcakes, cinnamon rolls, white wine, laughing until I can’t breathe, traveling with my family and Jeff Goldblum.