Title: The Commoner and the Correspondent

Series: Royal Agents of MI6 #3

Author: Heather Slade

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Release Date: October 21, 2021

BLURB

What could be sexier than British-accented spy?

Put him in a tuxedo and hand him a brandy.

A commoner buried in his work.
A correspondent in over her head.
Fiery and furious, they dig deep into the throes of passion.

THE COMMONER

Reporters need to back off. I’ve got a job to do. Being overworked, overwhelmed, and underappreciated, the last thing this M15 agent needs is a sexy and incredibly persuasive journalist knocking me off my game. But the terror in her eyes tells me she needs me—in more ways than one.

THE CORRESPONDENT

The byline of a lifetime. Every reporter wants to unearth the biggest news story to hit the globe. And I’m close—so close. But when a body is left on my floor with a note, “You’re next!” I know I’m in over my head. Can this correspondent let down her guard and let the commoner take over?

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EXCERPT

It was too chilly for a walk, but I needed the fresh air to catch my breath and attempt to clear my mind.

What in the name of God had happened in the last hour? One minute Pinch and I were arguing about his refusal to show me photos of who I now knew was Tommy Sholes, and the next, he’d looked as though he wanted to kiss me.

I stopped under a tree and covered my face with my hands. I had to be losing my mind. There was no other explanation for it.

When I’d run away from his kiss last night, I was steadfast in knowing I was doing the right thing. I owed Darrow that much, without, at the very minimum, talking to her about it. Since Darrow was evidently unreachable at the moment, I had no intention of coming within arm’s reach of Pinch again. But, God, I wanted to know how his lips would feel, his tongue dancing with mine, his naked body beside me.

“Good God,” I groaned. It wasn’t as though I was still a girl in secondary school. I was a grown woman—an adult—who knew better than to poach my best friend’s man.

I heard the front door close and saw the man himself walking toward me. It was a sight I could linger over for hours.

I wondered if he’d ever played football; he was certainly athletic-enough looking to have. His physique lent itself to him being a target man, but that wasn’t all that made my mouth water. His self-assurance added exponentially to his allure. And those eyes. I could get lost in them for days.

“You look as though you’re fixing to eat me alive, Ezzie.”

I felt my cheeks flush. “In a manner of speaking.”

The last thing anyone would accuse me of, would be a prude. In fact, it was quite the opposite. Among my group of friends at university, raunchy jokes were known to be my forte. However, when I was around Pinch, I found myself blushing as much as a twenty-nine-year-old virgin. Which I wasn’t. What was it about him that made me want to behave? I shuddered at the word.

“Esland?”

I rolled my shoulders. “Um, did you reach Z or George or whomever was trying to reach you?”

“I did, and they’re on their way here. Do you want to tell me what else is going on with you?”

“Let’s see…Someone was killed in my flat. Someone who believed my parents’ death was no accident. On top of that, whoever killed him threatened to kill me too. I’m in the bloody Cotswolds where I have to ask permission to go outside, and if all of that isn’t bad enough, I spent the morning wishing I could kiss my best friend’s boyfriend.”

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AUTHOR BIO

Heather Slade gave herself the gift of writing a book for her own birthday one year. Thirty-plus books later (and counting), she’s hit a couple of best-seller lists and has had the time of her life. For Slade, the joy is in the writing, but nothing makes her happier than hearing from a reader who tells her that she’s made her laugh or cry or gasp or hold her breath or stay up all night because she can’t put one of her books down.

The women she writes are self-confident, strong, with wills of their own, and hearts as big as the Colorado sky. The men are sublimely sexy, seductive alphas who rise to the challenge of capturing the sweet soul of a woman whose heart they’ll hold in the palm of their hand forever. Add in a couple of neck-snapping twists and turns, a page-turning mystery, and a swoon-worthy HEA, and you’ll be holding one of Slade’s books in your hands.

She loves to hear from her readers. You can contact contact her at heather@heatherslade.com

To keep up with Slade’s latest news and releases, please visit her website at http://www.heatherslade.com or click the link below to sign up for her newsletter.

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Three Little Words by Madison Park

October 13, 2021October 12, 2021 Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Title: Three Little Words

Author: Madison Park

Genre: Young Adult

Release Date: October 13, 2021

BLURB

While my crew at West End Prep is comprised of the ridiculously attractive and wealthy, I stand apart as filthy freaking rich.

My name is Preston Castillo, and I’m the leader of the West End Prep’s Elite. With senior year about to begin, my friends and I are looking forward to doing what we do best.

Partying.

Getting girls.

Spending boatloads of cash.

I get what I want when I want it. No questions asked. Sure, I’ve been known to be cold. Heartless. Cruel. But lately, Aubrey has managed to break through my icy facade. She’s one of the few girls in my inner circle, and has been one of my closest friends since we were playdoh partners in crime in daycare.

Over the summer, we had a great time jet-setting off to Paris. But it was there I realized she wants to be more than friends. Knowing what’s at risk, I’m not ready to make a decision like this. But when fate steps in to deliver a cruel surprise, I’m left fearing there won’t be enough time to show her how much she truly means to me.

Will I whisper those three little words she wants to hear? Or will I break her heart and mine?

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EXCERPT

I survived the first week of school. I hitched a ride with Lawrence and Victoria every day. Mark headed to school by himself every morning and avoided me like the plague at home and in school. I still don’t know what’s really eating at him, but my twin superpowers tell me that he’s pissed off at my dad more than he misses him. I hear footsteps pass by my bedroom door and shout.

“Hey.”

“No,” Mark responds.

“Please?” I plead.

The doorknob turns and Mark is standing in the doorway with his shoulder resting against the doorframe.

“What?” he growls.

“I’m sorry.”

He crosses his arms against his chest, purses his lips and raises an eyebrow at me.

“Apology accepted.” He says giving me a wink. “I’m heading out. We’ll talk later, okay?”

I nod. He turns and walks out of the bedroom toward his room. My cell phone rings, and I grab it then lay on my bed.

“Hello.” I greet, placing the call on speakerphone.

“Hey, Bree, are you meeting us for brunch?” Addie asks.

“Oh, hey, Addie, yes. Where are we meeting?”

“Victoria said we’re meeting at The Blueridge Grill.”

“Got it. What time?”

“Eleven.”

“I only have an hour to get ready.”

“Tiffany insists that you dress to impress. There are always some cuties hanging out there.”

I huff and shake my head. Addie is talking about married men with wives and their children. Addie, real name Addison, is my dazzling redheaded bestie, with sky blue eyes that light up the night sky. She’s never dated a guy in our high school and only lusts after married men. She’s an old soul and loves eighties music. She refuses to let me give myself to just any guy at West End Prep. Yes. I’m a virgin. Our conversations over the phone at night are about setting up a website to sell my virginity to the highest bidder. She’s definitely not all together, but she’s a really smart businessperson. She has men lined up for me. I’m not thrilled about her moral convictions, but she wouldn’t hurt a fly.

“It’s brunch, Addie and, um, that’s your territory. Addie?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we talk for a minute, you know, like on a serious note?”

“Sure. What’s wrong?”

“You know I’m here for you if you ever need me, right? I mean, I get really nervous when you talk about all these men you’ve been with. I’m scared for you. I worry.”

“You don’t have to worry. If my mother doesn’t worry, why should you?”

“That’s just it, Addie, your mother’s not doing her job. I want to be there for you, but I just don’t know how. I’m really afraid someone’s wife is going to hurt you.”

“I’ve had to fight off my mother’s boyfriends for years. Don’t worry so much, okay?”

“No, it’s not okay. I don’t want you to get hurt. Promise me you’ll stop dating older men and at least try to date some guys your own age.”

“Where is this coming from? Are you jealous?”

“Addie, don’t,” I clip. “Don’t do that. We’re friends and I love you.”

“Well, then I’m lucky someone loves me. Just look cute, okay? Try it. You might like it,” she insists.

Her voice cracks and my heart breaks. I change the subject to avoid hurting her feelings any more than I probably already have.

“Me? I always look impeccably cute, but you, I’m worried about you, you know that, right?”

Addie chuckles nervously.

“Yes, I know, but I’m smart, Bree. No-strings attached, gifts and money and I don’t have to give my heart to anyone. Can’t beat that.”

“You have your own money. You don’t need anything from those married men.”

“I need peace of mind. I don’t get it at home, Bree. I’m ignored by my mother and chased by her boyfriends.” There is silence on the other end of the phone. I can hear her exhale and that’s my cue to stop talking. “Are you coming or not?”

“I’ll be there.” I end the call and throw my cell phone on the bed.

Now…to find something to wear is another story. I rummage through my closet, placing my fingers along each velvet hanger trying to find something to wear. I place my finger on a short, red maxi dress. Grabbing it, I place it on the hook on the back of my bedroom door. I smile for a moment and remember the red bathing suit I wore at the beach in Paris.

My toes were nestled in the warm sand as tiny pebbles slid in between them. Pres was in the water with the guys horsing around, making a fool out of himself. He jumped on Lawrence’s back, then lifted his hand in the air and waved at me. I give him a half smile and he jumped off Lawrence’s back and ran toward me.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asks.
“Yeah. Are you having fun?”
His lips curved into a warm smile, then he scanned my body with his eyes.
“What are you doing?” I asked incredulously.
“I like red. It’s my favorite color, especially when it’s wrapped around your body.”
“Oh really?” I said flirtatiously. He leaned in, then grabbed me by the waist, lifted me up into his arms and ran toward the water. “Pres, no!” I screamed wrapping my legs around his waist. “Please…” I begged. He stopped right at the edge of the water.
“If I let you go, will you get in the water with me?”
My eyes grew wide. He placed me down and glanced up at me. He knew I was about to run like hell. My instincts kicked in and I turned and ran away. He chased after me and I laughed until he grabbed me by the waist again, lifted me and tossed me into the water with him. We laughed like we did when we used to play hide and seek in Central Park West.

My pulse races just thinking about him. I sit on the edge of my bed for a moment remembering our time together. Now, it’s back to basics, just friends, part of the crew, even though, it’s not what I want. He has an agenda this year and I’m not part of it. He didn’t even message me once when we got back from Paris. I was just Bree to him again and I guess that’s all I’ll ever be.

AUTHOR BIO

Madison Park is enjoying the second part of her life! She loves writing romance books and is passionate about all things love related. Madison lives in Putnam County, New York with her youngest son. When she’s not writing, you’ll find Madison shopping for shoes and makeup! The addiction is real. Makeup is a must and pink lip gloss is her favorite! She never leaves home without it. You can find Madison on Facebook. She loves to interact with her readers so please reach out to her. She’s currently making an Instagram, Goodreads and Twitter account. Stay tuned for more from Madison Park Books, Romance Author. Madison Park, Writing Stories from The Heart.

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Dual Threat Love by Lola Noire

October 13, 2021October 11, 2021 Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

BLOG TOUR

Book Title: Dual Threat Love

Author: Lola Noire

Publisher: Jessica Watkins Presents

Release Date: September 15, 2021

Genre: Contemporary M/M Romance

Length: 53 000 words

Heat Rating: 4 flames

It is book 1 of 2 and ends on a cliffhanger.

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Will Patrick, now a Superstar NFL Quarterback, be willing to give Ace a second chance? Or will old pain and Patrick’s high-profile personality stand in the way?

Blurb

Ace, the Billionaire Heir and Patrick, the Help’s son, met when they were sixteen and thirteen years old, respectively. What started as childhood friendship forever altered their lives for better and for worse. Faced with misunderstanding and miscommunication, they went their separate ways hurt and heartbroken.

Years later, they met again. This time, the Billionaire CEO is determined to win his best friend and the love of his life, Patrick, back.

While Ace is determined to rekindle this love, will Patrick, now a Superstar NFL Quarterback, be willing to give Ace a second chance? Or will old pain and Patrick’s high-profile personality stand in the way?

Whether together or apart, both men will fight to the bitter end for their version of happily ever after.

Excerpt from the Prologue

Ace

Patrick and I met years ago during a summer vacation at my family’s villa on Highland Beach in Boca Raton. Patrick was 13 years old and I was 16 at the time. As usual, my parents had been fighting. My mother was miserable in our home on Long Island, so she decided to take a trip to Florida to get away from my father and his latest mistress. I could have stayed in New York and hung out with my friends or I could have traveled to any place in the world of my choosing. However, I decided to accompany my mother. Blame it on the soft spot I had for that frail-looking, pill-popping, pale lady.

A few days into our vacation, the grand villa felt more like a four-by-four shoebox. I was bored out of my mind and on the verge of losing my shit. Taking pity on me, Ms. June, the housekeeper and Patrick’s mother, told my mother that her second son, Patrick, her baby boy, as she fondly called him, who was around my age, was also home doing nothing for that summer.

“If that’s okay with you, Mrs. De’Rochard, I can bring him with me to work so that Ace can have someone around his age to talk to,” she suggested.

“That would be lovely if you could, Ms. June,” Mother replied without any hesitation.

“Pat is a good boy, so they should get along.”

“I hope they do. Again, thank you for your thoughtfulness.”

While Mother and Ms. June readily made plans for Patrick and me, I was a bit apprehensive. It wasn’t that I was scared or did not want to meet Ms. June’s son. The truth was I’d had limited contact with Black kids in my young life and I had no idea what to expect. It wasn’t like I didn’t know anything about Black people. I lived in New York City, for crying out loud. However, my inner circle had consisted of only a few selected friends from similar social, economic, and racial backgrounds as me, strategically handpicked by my parents since I was very young.

As the sole heir to the multi-billion-dollar De’Rochard Empire, I had learned early on to be cautious of the constant danger that lurked around me. The risks of being approached by individuals with ulterior motives, being kidnapped, or worse yet, being murdered by someone who had a vendetta against my family were ever-present.”

I was only five years old when my nanny of three years had conspired to kidnap me in exchange for $10 million in ransom. It took the FBI and my parents’ private security team less than 2 hours to locate us in Buffalo, New York and whisk me to safety. Leonora and her boyfriend, the apparent mastermind of the scheme, were arrested. Unfortunately, they did not live long enough to face a judge. My father had made sure to make an example of them just in case someone else might have had a similar idea. Father had been the only judge and jury of that case. The Crusader Disciples had acted as the executioners. My own personal security team was assigned to me soon after, which consisted of no less than three guards and they’d been with me ever since.

To say the least, I was anxious about meeting Patrick. All day I kept thinking that I should lay off the news as the media often portrayed young Black men living in the inner cities as less than favorable. My father’s views on Black men were also not the prettiest, to put it lightly. So, sue me if I had never dealt with any Black people except for some of the help. The night before Ms. June brought Patrick with her, I got really edgy as endless “what-ifs” ran through my mind. I finally fell asleep in the early morning hours only to be plagued by dreams of different adverse outcomes of meeting Patrick.

“Hi, I’m Patrick,” said the small boy standing next to Ms. June by the theater room’s door in a soft and sultry timbre.

I looked up to the most beautiful brownish-hazel eyes that I had ever seen that were covered with unbelievable long lashes.

“Ace… I’m Ace,” I replied a few seconds too late, not realizing that I was staring. I quickly reached for his extended hand that felt so small in mine as I held it a bit longer than I should have.

“You boys, have fun!” Ms. June shouted as she went about her business.

Pat did not pull his hand from mine. Instead, he glanced at our hands with a raised brow. I quickly let go and said the first damn thing that came to mind.

“So, you and me the whole summer, hmm?”

“Looks like it.”

Our eyes met. He smiled, and all of my nervousness was forgotten. What a smile he had! His plump, pink lips covered a mouth with perfect white teeth. His eyes were full of mischief that was made more noticeable by his smile. I marveled at his beauty. His dark chocolate complexion seemed to radiate under the hot Floridian sun. I found myself staring at him too many times during that summer. I didn’t know why, but I could not wait to see him walk back through the door the next day each time he would go home.

Soon, I felt comfortable enough around him to be myself and talk about anything. We would talk for hours and never get bored. We talked about our respective lives. Unlike other people, Pat, the short name I soon began to call him, never asked me about my fortune. He only asked about New York City since he had never been there before; and he expressed a desire to see Central Park. I told him about my friends, school, and some of the countries I’d visited. Like typical teenage boys, we talked about girls and celebrity crushes.

I taught him how to play chess, poker, and countless games on my PlayStation3. He was a quick learner, and it did not take him long to start beating me at the games I had taught him. He eagerly reciprocated my lessons by showing me how to play dominos and lidos. Unlike me, Patrick was into sports. He played both basketball and football. He’d managed to get me play a few games even though that wasn’t my thing. It didn’t matter what we were playing because for that summer, as long as I was playing with Pat, I was happy. Also, we both were excellent swimmers so we spent countless hours at the beach or the heated indoor pool trying to outdo each other. I liked our swimming sessions the most because I could steal glances at his body without any restriction. I particularly liked the tingling sensation in my stomach whenever our bodies touched while we wrestled around.

Patrick was obsessed with the X-Men series. I quickly learned that Wolverine was his absolute favorite character. He could not wait for X-Men Origins: Wolverine to come out the following summer. He shared that his older brother, Lamar, whom he seemed to idolize, had gotten mixed up with a gang and was now serving a three-year prison sentence for possession of narcotics with the intent to sell in a school zone. I noticed the sadness in his eyes when he talked about his brother, and it broke my heart to see how much he was hurting.

About the Author

Born in Haiti and bred in Brooklyn, NY, Lola Noire is a passionate fan of all things sports and has a love-hate relationship with traveling. Lola is an alumna of Niagara University, John Jay College, and National University of Ireland, Galway.

Lola Noire is the author of the debut novel, Dual Threat Love, an interracial M/M sports story.

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The Bonds of Family by Christie Gordon

October 13, 2021October 11, 2021 Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Blog Tour, Excerpt & Giveaway: The Bonds of Family By Christie Gordon

In Life and Blood, Book 3 (finale)

Are the ties between bonded vampires stronger than blood?

Julian, taken at birth from a Louisiana hospital and forced into a vampire coven, is forbidden by those who’ve freed him from seeking out his still-human twin brother. Julian’s new to the rules and regulations of the Templar and isn’t one to follow orders. But going against the rules also means betraying and deceiving his One, his bonded mate and could bring death or imprisonment to himself and those he loves.

Sebastian has finally found his mate after 1,500 years and the threat of Julian’s old coven is behind them. Now, he settles into a normal life with Julian, attempting to raise a human, preteen son, a child that Julian unwittingly stole as an infant from a Russian orphanage.

As Julian plots behind Sebastian’s back, he threatens the special bond they share, but his obsession with his twin won’t be denied. In order to have his mate and his twin, he must risk it all.

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Excerpt:

“You know I have to find out.” Julian’s heart pounded in his chest as if it would break free. There was no way anyone could keep him from finding out if his family was indeed here. He scanned the room, wearing only his jeans, at the leather couch and contemporary furnishings of their family room, at Sebastian’s beloved gold and red, Romanian icons hanging from the walls.

With an audible exhale, Sebastian shut his eyes tight and pinched the bridge of his nose, his black hair falling in waves to his shoulders over his black, button-down shirt, his bottom half still bare after their lovemaking. “Let this wait until tomorrow.” He breathed deeply and looked at Julian with black, almond-shaped eyes. “Tomorrow we will meet with my father. You can bring it to his attention.”

Julian stared at Sebastian. Would they let me see them? What would I do if they said no? He opened his mouth to speak but clamped it shut.

Sebastian stepped to Julian, then took his hand in his and kissed his cheek, sliding his long, chestnut-colored hair to the side. “We’ve had a very busy day today. Let us go to bed and deal with this in the morning.”

He nodded his head. The haze of possibility threatened to overwhelm him. “You’re right.” As he strolled with Sebastian into the hallway, he stopped at Nikolai’s door, opened it, and peeked inside. Nikolai was still here. He released a long exhale.

Nikolai lay fast asleep in a mission-style bed with a tan comforter drawn up to his chin. The crescent moon shining outside an open window above the bed gave the twelve-year-old boy a blue glow to his blond hair.

“Come on.” Sebastian tugged at Julian’s hand.

“We almost lost him.” Momentary panic pricked his heart. The memory of the fight with Caesar in the cave came rushing forward. He shut it away. Caesar was dead and they were safe now.

“And I almost lost both of you.” As Sebastian wrapped his arms around Julian’s shoulders from behind, he whispered into his ear, “It’s over now. Come to bed.”

He followed Sebastian into the doorway of their master bedroom, wrinkling his brow. His family was out there. How long would it take to fall asleep knowing that?

Enter the Giveaway:

To celebrate Christie’s new release, we are giving you the chance to win 1 of 6 your choice of either Book 1 or 2, in the “In Life and Blood” Series!

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About the Author:

Christie Gordon started writing gay and M/M romance fiction after becoming preoccupied with anime and in particular, the boys love and yaoi genres. She’s always had stories in her head and always enjoyed writing, so she took up fiction writing classes at a local community college and published her first book with eXtasy Books back in 2009. Christie likes to write complicated characters with painful pasts that refuse to be ignored until the characters are forced to face them head on. Angst? Yes. Happily ever after? Always. It’s the struggle to get there that counts.

Christie’s day job is in the high-tech industry with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration. She currently lives in the Phoenix, Arizona metro area and enjoyed eight years in the Bay Area of California but grew up in Minnesota. She shares a home with her partner of twelve years, a musician by night and a coder by day, who is currently in three bands, giving her plenty of time to keep writing. She is also a mother of two sons, one currently in college for engineering and the other preparing for nursing college. Her one-eyed, rescue pug is always by her side, snoring the day away.

Connect with Christie: Newsletter: https://christiegordon.com/newsletter/ Facebook Page: https://facebook.com/christiegordonauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/christiegordon YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/ChristieGordonAuthor Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Christie-Gordon/e/B002CLWVCA Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/christie-gordon Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/christiegordonauthor/ Website: https://www.christiegordon.com

Book Tour

Crop Burner

October 13, 2021October 23, 2021 Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

The Tale Of Fearn & The Deamhon

High Fantasy

Date Published: 10/11/2021

Publisher: Global Book Publishing

— Along with awesome power comes the greatest test of will —

Despite his humble farming roots, young Fearn displays incredible powers. Blessed by Dainua to harness the strength of every soul surrounding him, he’s known as an Asinta and could help the kingdom vitally. However, due to dark events that marred the name of those akin, Fearn finds himself distrusted by the superstitious villagers and even his own father, Dair . . . effecting untold sorrow.

To overcome the ancient ills of prejudice will not be easy. Luckily, there’s magic, too, beyond the spatial world — in words. As taught to be a “teller of tales” by Dair, who long has honed the craft, Fearn learns with creativity to also quickly capture minds. When wicked comes to visit, however, one mentor alone will guide the boy — a mentor with a story that has yet to end with due revenge.

Fearn soon shall discover the cost of love and loyalty — of hate and betrayal — and venturing to save his land, he’ll run the risk of losing himself, as deamhons play for keeps.

About the Author

Gavin Black lives with his wife and two boys in Reno, Nevada. Growing up, he spent his formative years in the hospital due to a congenital lung malady. He found an escape in fantasy and science fiction novels, beginning with the books of David Eddings and followed by so many of the greats: Tolkien, Heinlein, and Asimov, among others. He was always drawn to stories with deep character development and that defied readers’ expectations. When not writing, he can be found playing board games with his family and friends, reading, or discussing the varied merits of many a pop culture franchise.

Gavin and his wife, Ann, met at Renovation, the 2014 WorldCon. Together, they enjoy attending numerous conventions – always in cosplay! – including D23, WorldCon, Wizard World, and any others that come within 100 miles of Reno. Gavin’s favorite panels always include learning more about the creation process in any media form. He’s also attended courses by Neil Gaiman and Brandon Sanderson on the ins and outs of writing fantasy.

Before he began writing, Gavin imagined up dozens of worlds and characters, often inspired by the unique folks he met traveling while working as a systems engineer for different gaming companies. Although only a few have found their way into his first novel, he swears he has a never-ending supply for future tales!

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Release Tour

When You Were Mine by Mila Nicks

October 13, 2021October 23, 2021 Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Six years ago, Dylan Turner walked out of Penelope Spark’s life and she never thought she’d see him again, but now he’s back. Could a secret from the past destroy their second chance at love? Fall for this hard-working hottie in When You Mine by Mila Nicks, a Reunited Lovers Romance, the next book in the Blue Collar Romance Series.

Read Now!

From Mila Nicks comes a second chance romance packed with charm, heart, and a swoon worthy happily ever after. When bad boy Dylan Turner walked out of Penelope Spark’s life six years ago, she was convinced she’d never see him again. Now a single mom to her daughter, Tabitha, and the owner of a small candle shop, Penelope looks forward to a stable life without heartbreak. That was before Dylan Turner showed up in Oak Bend like a relic from the past. Even worse? He’s rented the apartment next-door. A few years older and more mature but still with a bad boy edge, Dylan is a firefighter just trying to figure out what he wants in life. Could that be a second chance with Penelope? But there is one minor problem. Penelope has a secret that’s six years in the making. One that might destroy their relationship for good. If they’re meant to be together, they’ll need to come to terms with the past and learn to trust each other again. Is it possible their first love is their forever love? Welcome to Oak Bend where blue-collar hotties work hard and love even harder, especially when it comes to landing their happily ever after.

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Excerpt

“Just like old times,” he said, plopping a baseball hat over my head. He led the way onto the field with the diamond marking, dugout, and bleachers in the distance. None of it had changed; it was exactly like it was when we were in high school. I didn’t object as he put on a catcher’s mitt and offered me a baseball bat. He tossed the baseball up into the air and caught it without his eyes on it. I gave a disbelieving laugh and shook my head side to side. He was so utterly hopeless. “Still the cockiest player on the field,” I muttered. “Isn’t that why you liked me so much?” My eyes narrowed. “You realize you just proved my point, right? Didn’t they use to call you Heavy Hitter for a reason?” He laughed, moving closer. So close he could’ve kissed me if he wanted. “Remember your nickname? Think it started with Ball and ended with Buster?” “Someone has to keep your huge ego in check.” “You were always good at the job,” he said with another husky laugh. He backed away and motioned for me to get in position. “Go on. You’re up to bat, Spark. Time to hit a home run.” “We both know I’m the worst baseball player known to man.” “But you look so dang cute in the hat and wiggling your booty like you do when you go to swing.” He was being bold flirting like that, but then again, I liked it. “Only wish you could be in my jersey again. I liked when you used to wear it.” I stood still for a second, the bat limp in my grasp as nostalgia hit me. “Me too.” We let the confession hang in the air for another second before moving on. He cleared his throat and winded up. I shook out my shoulders and bent my knees, booty out just the way that distracted him. Our eyes met in an intense stare off, his stormy grays connecting with my deep browns. “Ready?” “Been ready.” He held in a laugh as he pitched the ball in my direction. I swung and missed—and swore under my breath. For as crap a player as I was, I was also competitive as hell. I hated to lose. Something Dylan knew and loved about me. My grip tightened on the bat and I demanded he pitch again. The second time I swung harder and sent the ball hurtling into foul territory. No beats were missed as I told him to pitch a third time. He followed instruction and threw the ball at me. A tenacious growl left me when I swung, prompting a laugh out of him, making my heart beat in pride. The ball soared across the field. I kicked off my wedge sandals and split into a fast sprint, moving faster than even I expected. I’d always been a runner, on the girls’ track team during our high school days, faster than a gazelle they used to say. Dylan was fast after me. As I dashed barefoot across the wet grass of the baseball field, he tracked me down like a lion on the hunt. We were both laughing, the melodic carefree sound ringing in the otherwise quiet night air. Inches before he could tag me, I jumped onto home plate with triumphant arms in the air. He caught up a split second after, plucking me off my feet. I squealed as he swept me up into his arms and he spun us around in dizzying circles. My arms slid around his neck into what felt like the most natural position in the world, eyes squeezed shut, head thrown back in laughter.

About Mila Nicks

Mila Nicks is a romance author on a mission to pen entertaining love stories featuring women of color. From the time she was a small girl with crayons and an overactive imagination, she’s had a passion for storytelling. In addition to serving ten years in the United States Air Force, she has received her Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and an MFA in Creative Writing. When she isn’t busy tapping away at her keyboard, you can find her binge-watching her favorite TV shows, daydreaming about her next vacation across the globe, or spending quality time with her spunky pet Chihuahua, Zayden.

About The Blue Collar Romance Series

Escape to Oak Bend where blue-collar hotties work hard and love even harder. From broody carpenters to sexy electricians, these eight standalones are packed with small town feels, heat, and heartwarming happily ever afters. Enjoy your favorite tropes written by an amazing group of authors: Jaymee Jacobs, Alexa Rivers, Evelyn Sola, Kate Carley, Tracy Broemmer, Mila Nicks, Claire Wilder, and Moni Boyce. Fall head over heels for swoon-worthy book boyfriends who aren’t afraid of a little hard work for that happily ever after.

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Release Blitz

Forever with the Nurse by Allie York

October 13, 2021October 7, 2021 Book Review Virginia Lee Blog

Farah ran away at seventeen to avoid an arranged marriage. Now she’s on her own and wants to stay that way. A sudden illness sends her to the emergency room, and sexy nurse, Remi, doesn’t want to leave her alone. Can the two work through her past to find a future, or will it all fall apart? Readers who love Mazzy King and Alexa Riley will love Forever with the Nurse by Allie York, a nurse, heroine on the run, blue collar romance.

Blurb

I’ve been on my own for years, and I plan on staying alone, until I meet him.

Farah Winters left everything behind at seventeen to avoid being married off to her father’s business partner. She ran and never looked back, living alone ever since. Until a sudden illness leaves her needing help, and a sexy nurse offers his services.

Remi Michaels has worked hard to be at the top of his field as the only male nurse in the emergency room. He’s calm in desperate situations and unphased by trauma, until Farah Winters comes in for emergency surgery. The second he sees her; all bets are off.

Can they sort through her past to find a future or will it all fall apart?

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Excerpt

“I can walk.” Farah crosses her arms, and I can’t help but smile. Her long legs are covered in skintight yoga pants and she’s covered in a pink hoodie with the yoga studio logo on the front. Her cheeks are pinker than they’ve been in days, and her dark waves are loose around her shoulders. She looks amazing. I have to remind myself that being in jeans here doesn’t mean my coworkers need to see me walking around with a hard on. I give Sheila a wink and the older woman rolls her eyes at me. I take over the wheelchair and lean down to whisper in Farah’s ear.
“Hospital policy.” I kiss her ear and watch her shudder.
“It’s stupid.” She pouts, and from my angle, I can see her lower lip sticking out. I want to kiss it, drag it between my teeth.
“Sorry, legs. It is what it is.”
She turns to look at me, eyes narrowed. “Did you just call me legs?”
“I did. I haven’t had the chance to appreciate them until now, and they go on for days,” I tease.
“And now you’ll never see them.” She keeps glaring but I just smile.
“We’ll see about that.” I get her to the sliding doors near where I parked and wait for them to slide open.
“Where’s Vera?” Farah asks when I get to my car and put on the wheelchair brakes.
“I told her I got it.” I shrug and open my trunk, tossing her bag in the back. “When you’re hot and a nurse, little old ladies love to tell you yes.” I open the passenger door, offer her my hand to help her stand, and then help her ease into the seat. Once she’s in, I press the button for the seat warmer, close the door, and take the chair back in. I get in the driver’s side, glance at Farah and put it in drive. “What?” Her eyes are wide, lips parted.
“What is going on? You’re just taking me home?” The confusion is clear on her face.
“No.” I pull out of the parking lot and on to the main road. “I’m taking you to my house. And before you argue, I know what you’re going to say. Your apartment is on the fifth floor, mine is not. You are going to need help for a few days. Vera has to run the studio and can’t help you like I can.”
“You have a job. You work long hours. And the most important part is that I don’t know you!” She takes a deep breath and blows it out.
“Look legs–”
“Don’t call me that. I’ve been made fun of enough for being this tall. I don’t need it from you too.” Farah crosses her arms over her chest.
“I’m not making fun. Your legs are fucking amazing. All of you is.” I get to my road and make the turn.
“Oh,” is all she says. “So, you think I’m hot and you’re kidnapping me?” I can hear the smile in her voice.
“Pretty much.”

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About Allie York

I’m a mom, wife, and dog groomer by day. At night I write contemporary romance. I love funny dog videos, I read naughty books, and drink too much coffee.

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