Chapter Reveal: Raphael by Tillie Cole – A Deadly Virtues Novel

 

 

 

 

 

They are the Fallen. A brotherhood of murderers whose nature compels them to kill. But guided by their leader, Gabriel, the Fallen have learned to use their urges to rid the world of those it is better off without.

For Raphael, sex and death are intertwined. Where there is one, there must be the other. He is a lust killer, luring his victims with the face of an angel and a body built for sin.

And Raphael lives to sin.

His newest mission takes him into the sadistic underworld of Boston’s secret sex clubs, and puts him face to face with his greatest fantasy made flesh.

Maria is everything he’s ever dreamed of, the kill he’s always longed for. She’s not his target. And he knows he must resist. But the temptation is too strong…

Yet Raphael is not the only one with a mission. Maria is not quite what she seems. And as her secrets and Raphael’s unravel, Maria begins to question everything she thought she knew—about evil, about the place she calls home, and about the beautiful sinner she was sent to destroy.

Dark Contemporary Romance. Contains sexual situations, violence, sensitive and taboo subjects, offensive language and topics some may find triggering. Recommended for age 18 years and up.

 

The Fallen: Genesis a prequel novella in The Deadly Virtues Series and MUST be read before RAPHAEL (DV: book one).

 

 

 

 

The sound of Gabriel’s Gregorian chant music drifted up the Tomb’s steep, winding stairs. Raphael ran his fingertips along the gray stone walls. They were damp underneath his skin, slick with the stagnant water that trickled in from the overflowing lake outside. Forest-green moss crept in through cracks and fractures in the brick, betraying the manor’s age.

With every step he descended into the candlelit darkness, Raphael’s heart began to thunder into a heady velocity. The string that forever sat on his right index finger was so tight he could feel his pulse throbbing in the very tip. He focused on the rhythm of the beat, on the tightness of the string wrapped around and around and around his flesh. A fire of pleasure broke out in his chest and surged through his veins at the tightness, the suffocation, the hedonistic asphyxiation of the digit. It was a denial of blood, of the life his finger needed to survive, to thrive—to exist. Raphael’s lip kicked up in a smirk. He knew the tip of his finger would be blue, starved of the sustenance it needed to function. He hissed out in pleasure when the fire that vision ignited darted straight to his cock. Raphael didn’t care if his brothers heard him moan out loud. They would be caught in their own heads, their own excitement of possibly getting the kill, to care—they never cared.

Raphael felt Michael breathing heavily behind him, affirming his point. He knew Michael would be stroking the vial of blood around his neck while almost coming in his leather pants at the thought of sinking his sharp teeth into a vein and sucking down the blood. Gabriel told them Michael had something called hematolagnia. He had a word for what he claimed “ailed” all of them.

Nothing ailed them.

Gabriel just didn’t understand the way the six of them were, the way they had to be. The six of the Fallen who were nothing like Gabriel. They liked to kill. Needed to as much as they needed to breathe. It wasn’t abnormal to them. Blood and flesh and cries of pain inflicted by their hands didn’t bring repulsion, only satisfaction.

It was simply who they were.

Out of all the brothers, Raphael was closest to Michael. But right now, each of the brothers was completely alone. The Revelation ceremony brought out the utmost selfishness in them.

The chance to bring death consumed them.

Controlled them.

And Raphael wouldn’t have it any other way.

Raphael’s cock grew hard in his jeans at just the thought of taking someone’s last breath. He pushed the heel of his hand against his crotch as the blood rushed to it, but the burst of painful pleasure that spiraled up his spine only made him groan louder. The rubber cage he always wore around his dick constricted his flesh and began to strain, biting into him as the rubber rebelled against his hardening. The BDSM contraption was designed to bring pain. And it was successful; pain it brought. But Raphael didn’t see pain as a punishment. He lived for pain. The more agony he felt, the more pleasure he felt. He basked in the throttling of his penis, relished the choking of his erection as it tried to break free of the rubber constraints.

Raphael lost his footing, his back slamming into the wet wall. He barely even noticed his shirt growing damp as his eyes closed. All Raphael could focus on was the cage’s incessant strangling. His hands curled into fists as the addictive fire ravaged his body.

Flashes of his ultimate fantasy poured into his mind, fueling his ecstasy. He was powerless. He couldn’t stop them if he tried. But why would he? It was what inspired him to get out of bed each day, birthed every single breath his lungs inhaled. What he had waited years for, and would wait a lifetime more to capture. Raphael’s breathing became deep and labored as he imagined the scene—the king-sized bed, the red rose petals thrown on the pure white Egyptian cotton comforter. And her, the one, sprawled out for him on her back, naked, a temptation made true. Her cheeks would be flushed, and her lips would be cherry red. Her skin would be so soft, no blemish in sight, eyes bright and fixed on Raphael, piercing his gaze with nothing but adoration. She would be his, and he would be hers. There would be nobody else for either of them. She would be his one possession that he would have for all of his days.

Raphael knew his pupils were dilated beneath his closed lids—oddly colored golden-brown eyes that set him apart from everyone else. His greatest tool, eyes that lured in his victims—meaningless women he would chase for a while, seducing, enticing, making them enamored with everything he pretended to be . . . before he pillaged their lives, fucking them hard as death collected their souls, releasing into their dying bodies as he consumed their final heartbeat and breath with his unyielding hands.

Raphael’s eyes snapped open when he heard the church bell echo around the stone basement—Gabriel’s signal to robe for Revelation. As he descended the final steps, the tight rubber cage around his cock caused pre-cum to leak into his jeans. He lived for the sexual strangulation. He needed it as much as he needed to breathe.

Raphael realized he was late. He raced through the wide wooden door of the Tomb. His brothers were already in robes, the heavy hoods covering their heads as they silently awaited his arrival.

 

Tillie Cole hails from a small town in the North-East of England. She grew up on a farm with her English mother, Scottish father and older sister and a multitude of rescue animals. As soon as she could, Tillie left her rural roots for the bright lights of the big city.

After graduating from Newcastle University with a BA Hons in Religious Studies, Tillie followed her Professional Rugby player husband around the world for a decade, becoming a teacher in between and thoroughly enjoyed teaching High School students Social Studies before putting pen to paper, and finishing her first novel.

Tillie has now settled in Austin, Texas, where she is finally able to sit down and write, throwing herself into fantasy worlds and the fabulous minds of her characters.

Tillie is both an independent and traditionally published author, and writes many genres including: Contemporary Romance, Dark Romance, Young Adult and New Adult novels.

When she is not writing, Tillie enjoys nothing more than curling up on her couch watching movies, drinking far too much coffee, while convincing herself that she really doesn’t need that extra square of chocolate.

Author Links

 

 

 

 

New Release + Release Blitz + Excerpt: Luca’s Lessons by Deana Birch and Amelia Foster

Luca's Lessons (1)

Title: Luca’s Lessons

By: Deana Birch and Amelia Foster

Release Date: June 4, 2019

Publisher: Totally Bound Publishing

Genre: Adult Erotic Romance

Blurb:

An Italian Dom guides a Swiss banker through the world of BDSM and she threatens his most important rule.

Sparked by curiosity and drawn by need, Swiss banker Claire asks Italian businessman Luca to introduce her to the D/s lifestyle. He agrees, as long as she abides by his number one rule of not falling in love. The two then embark on a slow, complete and realistic path of liberating Claire’s true submissive nature.

But as their lessons progress, blurred lines morph into a child’s scribbled drawing when feelings creep into their playtime. And with new emotions bubbling under the surface, Luca questions Claire’s hard no. She calls “red” and walks away, leaving the Dom sure he’s lost the one sub who finally saw his true desire to be cared for.

Now, certain she’s broken his only rule and torn by thoughts of betraying her dead husband, Claire must decide between exploring the love she’s found or locking away her heart with the ghosts of her past.

Scene Excerpt:

Luca

Four.

Five.

Si-

The joints on the wooden door of Luca’s suite squeaked open and Claire slipped in. She pressed her lips tightly together. In her Burberry overcoat, black heels and with her hair in a well-groomed ponytail, she was impeccable.

“There was traffic.”

At least she’d acknowledged her tardiness. And in the six minutes she’d kept him waiting, he’d concocted the most perfect first lesson around her self-inflicted theme.

Luca tapped his fingers on the armrest of the leather sofa and grinned. ”Last chance to back out, Ms. Favre.”

Her eyes widened at the name. “No, Mr. Bernardi. I’m ready to learn.”

Was that her attempt at sass? Tsk. Tsk.

“Sir,” he corrected with sternness. “In this room and wherever else I take you during your training, you will call me Sir.”

“Yes, Sir.” Her hands twisted just below the cinched belt of the taupe overcoat.

The desire to address her fidgeting was overpowered by the fact that she’d called him ‘Sir’ for the first time. His chest swelled. Had he known he’d been addicted to the sound of that word from her mouth, he would have sought her out sooner. But just as she’d helped him with the purchase of the club, this arrangement was serious. She wanted to train, was willing to devote herself to him. He had a responsibility to do it right.

Luca continued, “Good girl. And from here on out, when I want your eyes, I will ask for them. Do you understand,sotto?” Sotto? Surely, he’d meant ‘sub’. Had she endeared him so much that it warranted an Italian nickname?

Her gaze dropped to the floor and she said, “Yes, Sir.”

He needed to return to the basics. Formalities would bring him peace. “Brava. Claire, what do you say to me when I approach a limit and you think you need me to stop?”

“Yellow, Sir.”

“Yes.” Good. This was all good. “And what do you say to me when I’ve gone too far, and you absolutely need me to stop?”

“Red, Sir.”

Even better.

“Correct. I’m putting all my trust in you to use these words whenever you need to. All my trust. You hold the power. Can I trust you, sotto?”

She swallowed and licked her lips. Her surrender was enchanting. “Yes, Sir.”

“Take off your coat and dress and hang them in the closet. Put your shoes in there as well.” He stood and rolled his white sleeves. “When I walk into this room, you will already be here. You will kneel next to the bed and your eyes will remain on the ground. Show me how I will find you, sotto.” The Italian word for ‘bottom’ slipped off his tongue yet again before his mind could stop it. Apparently, the nickname was hers now.

In her assigned—and beyond pleasing—white lace bra and matching panties, Claire obeyed. Luca brought a hand to his cheek and rubbed his soft beard in circles. He smiled.

There she was, the beautiful, smart and successful Claire Favre, below him. He’d been right all those weeks ago when he’d seen her picture in the magazine. She was even more stunning on her knees.

“I read your email. Every word.” More than once. He might just do the same every night before bed for the rest of…her training. The rest of her training.

“Your limits are impressive and, I must admit, inspiring. I had a delectable first lesson planned for you.”

Her face pinched. Good. She’d caught the past tense.

He continued, “But it seems you had other plans. You thought I should wait.”

Luca stepped around his sub, trailing a finger on her bare shoulder as he went. Goosebumps peaked to life along her upper back.

“It is a pity, this foul habit of not being on time, making people wait.” He drew his hand back, but Claire stayed still. ”I do wonder why you would think your time is more important than mine. And now, my plans have been changed. Quite inconvenient.” He clicked his tongue.

Luca leaned down and took in her lovely light scent. In her ear, he whispered, “And I am quite disappointed. I’d been imagining for weeks the look on your face when I make you come the first time.”

She flinched, and Luca stood back up.

“Oh yes, sotto. Many weeks.” He sighed dramatically and crossed his arms. “But you decided to make me wait. You see all the power you hold?”

She stared at the ground and her chest stuttered on her inhale.

“I asked you a question. But today seems to be a day of firsts—the first lesson for you and the first time a sub has dared to be late for a first meeting with me. So, I shall commit another virgin act and repeat myself. Don’t get used to it.” He slowed his speech. “Do you see how your actions—your decisions—hold power?” He walked back in front of her.

“Yes,” she said in a meek voice.

“Eyes!”

Her blue beauties snapped up.

He corrected, “Yes, Sir.”

“Yes, Sir,” she said with more strength.

Better. “You may return your gaze to the floor.” Luca checked his watch. He had only intended on spending an hour in the scene then however long she needed in aftercare. It was her first day. He reminded himself to be gentle. No ropes.

“I am a strong believer that the punishment should fit the crime. So yours should, too. You shall wait.”

Luca’s dress shoes scuffed over to the end of the large four-poster bed.

“Stand.”

Claire did as she was told, keeping her eyes down. She was doing well. Very well.

“Lie down on your stomach in the middle of the bed and spread your legs. Put your arms overhead and cross your wrists.”

Again, his new sub followed his orders. He checked his watch and stood silent for three minutes.

When the needle ticked the final second, he sat down on the side of the bed.

“Close your eyes, sotto.” A rasp had taken over his stronger commanding voice and he reached to the curve at the base of her spine. He trailed his fingers along an aimless path on her soft, creamy skin.

His discovery continued, sometimes brushing over the hem of her underwear, but mostly central to the little dip in her back.

“Did you learn, in all your reading, that your orgasms now belong to me?”

“Yes, Sir.” Her faint voice matched the quiet energy of the room.

Brava. You understand that there will be none without my express permission for the duration of our time together.”

“Yes, Sir.”

He ventured his fingers south and ran them up and down the outline of her white lace. The hint of heat between her legs called to his depths.

“This color is perfect for you, Cara. Always wear white unless I tell you otherwise.”

Claire wet her lips and said a breathy, “Yes, Sir.”

He touched her inner thigh and she whimpered. “Do you like my touch?”

“Yes, Sir.”

“Good.”

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Where to find Luca’s Lessons:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WbnyDl

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/luca-s-lessons

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Deana_Birch_Luca_s_Lessons?id=uGOTDwAAQBAJ

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lucas-lessons-deana-birch/1131290100?ean=9781786864710

Totally Bound: https://www.totallybound.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=70650

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45027479-luca-s-lessons?from_search=true

New Release + Release Blitz: Hooked by Joanne Schwehm

Title: Hooked
Series: Prescott Series #5
Author: Joanne Schwehm
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Release Date: June 4, 2019
Blurb

I love my life. As owner and chef at one of the hottest restaurants, I know how to keep things sizzling in and out of the kitchen. What more could I ask for? But I’ll tell you what I didn’t ask for… a klutzy, curly-haired woman slamming into me with a unicorn cake. Yes, you read that right—a damn cake decorated to look like the mythical creature bathed in every color of the rainbow.

What could be worse, right? I’ll tell you. My brother hired her to be my pastry chef. You’d think that would be my biggest problem, but that was just the tip of the iceberg.

Aside from her being one of the clumsiest women I’ve ever met, she turns me on like no other woman has. She tastes sweeter than anything she creates, and we make a great team in and out of the bedroom… I mean kitchen.

When we first met, I worried my restaurant wouldn’t survive her. Now I worry that my heart won’t.

I never wanted to fall in love, but sometimes life isn’t all unicorns and rainbows.

Purchase Links
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Available at the following retailers
for a LIMITED TIME only
Also Available
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Author Bio

Joanne is a bestselling independent romance author and has written several contemporary romance novels. She strives to create relatable characters that readers will laugh and fall in love with.



Above all else, she’s a mother and wife and loves spending time with her family. She enjoys meeting new people, traveling, reading, and relaxing on a beach.
When she’s not writing or devouring a great book, Joanne is also an avid sports fan, especially when it comes to the New York Yankees and Dallas Cowboys. She also enjoys playing and watching golf. 
Joanne loves everything about romance—she attributes this to her Italian upbringing. She believes everyone should have romance in their lives and hopes her books bring joy and happiness to readers. Joanne looks forward to sharing more love stories in her future novels. 
A message from Joanne: When that unexpected chance comes, take it. You never know what you could be missing. Xoxo

Author Links

New Release + Release Blitz + Excerpt: SLAY – Rivalry by Laurelin Paige

 

SLAY: RIVALRY (Slay Quartet #1) by Laurelin Paige
Release Date: June 4th

 

AVAILABLE NOW!
Amazon: https://amzn.to/2IigOOT
Amazon International: http://mybook.to/SlayBook1
iBooks: https://apple.co/2u4HpJ3
Kobo: https://laurl.in/slaybook1-kobo
Nook: https://laurl.in/slaybook1-nook
Google Play: https://laurl.in/slaybook1-gp
Paperback: https://amzn.to/2wBGb96

 

JOIN the SLAY ONE: RIVALRY RECOVERY GROUP when you’re done reading!! Enter at your own risk however!! There WILL BE spoilers!!
https://www.facebook.com/groups/slayonerivalryrecoveryroom/

 

 

Add SLAY #1 to Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40611401-slay

 

 

Blurb
Edward Fasbender is a devil.

He’s my father’s business rival, a powerful, vicious man who takes what he wants and bows to no one. I only took the meeting because I was curious. I thought he was going to offer me a job.

But that’s not what he’s after at all. His proposal is much more intriguing, and I see an opportunity. An opportunity to turn the tables and bring down the devil.

I’ve gotten in trouble playing these games before. I know when the risk is too great, when the stakes are too high. I know how to be cold and strong-willed and destructive. I know how to withstand dominant men with arrogant charm and rugged features.

Yet I can’t resist taking on Edward.

And I can’t resist the pull he has on me.

Soon I’m not so sure which side of the battle I’m standing on–if I’m the warrior meant to slay,

Or the one who will be slain.

 

 

Excerpt
Sitting like this, on the arm of the chair, his back straight, we were practically the same height. It occurred to me that this was the closest we’d ever been to having equal footing, and somehow that made me both heady and encouraged.

I reached out to rub the collar of his shirt between my thumb and forefinger, my breath stuttering under the thick weight of apprehension, my mouth watering from how close I was to touching his skin. This close, I could smell the liquor on his breath and the musky scent of his cologne and the fainter scent underneath of pure man.

“Tell me your requests.” Was it my imagination or did his voice suddenly seem darker? Less steady?

“There’s only one.” I leaned in until my lips were near his ear. “I want to add sex to the deal.”

He made a sound low in his throat, half like a laugh, half like a moan. “What, now?”

He turned his face toward mine, and now our mouths were only inches away from touching. I could feel the warmth of his exhale on my skin, sending a trail of goosebumps down my arms.

“Now, sure.” Fuck, I was wet already. “But I meant in the marriage, too.”

His lips danced around mine. “You don’t know what you’re asking for. You want to be humiliated, degraded, and hurt?”

Yes.

Because that was the goal of The Game.

But, also, YES!

Because, in that moment, there was nothing more I could imagine wanting than to be all those things, to be humiliated and degraded and hurt, by him. I wanted it so much I ached. Ached in places I hadn’t known could feel.

I reached my neck forward, pushing my mouth toward his.

Just when I thought the kiss was inevitable, he leaned back. “You couldn’t handle it.”

 

 

About the Author
With millions of books sold worldwide, Laurelin Paige is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author. She is a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however.

When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones or Letterkenny, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

She is represented by Rebecca Friedman.

 

Connect w/Laurelin
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaurelinPaige/
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2knJOrx
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laurelin-paige
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thereallaurelinpaige/
Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/HudsonPierce/
Website: http://www.laurelinpaige.com

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Laurelin’s mailing list:
Newsletter: http://bit.ly/LaurelinNews

 

New Release + Blog Tour + Excerpt: Take the Bride by Carly Phillips

We are beyond excited to be sharing this release from Carly Phillips with you today! TAKE THE BRIDE is part of the Knight Brothers series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. It just went live today! Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. Click here to grab your copy now.

 

Purchase your copy of TAKE THE BRIDE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

About TAKE THE BRIDE:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Carly Phillips comes a new story in her Knight Brothers series…

She used to be his. Now she’s about to marry another man.
Will he let her go … or will he stand up and take the bride?

Ryder Hammond and Sierra Knight were high school sweethearts. Despite him being her brother’s best friend, their relationship burned hot and fast…and ended with heartbreak and regrets.

Years later, she’s at the altar, about to marry another man.

He’s only there for closure, to finally put the past behind him.

But when the preacher asks if anyone has a reason the couple shouldn’t wed, she turns around and her gaze locks on his.

Suddenly he’s out of his seat.

Objecting.

Claiming.

And ultimately stealing the very pissed off bride and taking her to a secluded cabin.

He wants one week to convince her they’re meant to be, to remind her of the fiery passion still burning between them.

When their time together is up, will she walk away and break his heart this time, or will he finally have the woman he’s wanted all along?

**Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you’ll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

 

Add TAKE THE BRIDE to your Goodreads TBR here!

Purchase your copy of TAKE THE BRIDE today!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Excerpt:

Ryder Hammond stared into the eyes of his best friend, who appeared ready to murder him. Next to Sebastian were his two brothers, looking equally furious, and Ryder knew he was in deep shit.

Had he really just objected at Sierra’s wedding?

He began to sweat beneath his suit. But he’d done it, the words had spilled forth, and now he had to dissect why. Ignoring the swearing men beside him, Ryder thought about the moment the big wooden double doors had opened and he’d seen Sierra in her wedding gown.

Her long light brown hair tumbled over her shoulders in perfect curls, her curves showing in her fitted dress, her cleavage just appropriately peeking out from the dipped neckline. Her gorgeous face had glowed as she walked down the aisle to another man.

He’d come today because, as a close family friend, he’d been invited. Because he thought he’d made his peace with the way things had ended between them. And for closure. Once she was married, she’d be lost to him forever. And that was the thought that had run through his head at the moment the priest asked if anyone objected.

He hadn’t planned to open his mouth.

He hadn’t meant to ruin her wedding.

He had intended to watch her be given away to another man and, dammit, be okay with it.

But he wasn’t.

So here they were.

He glanced at her brothers, Sebastian, his closest friend, and Parker, because Ethan had gone after his sister. “I have to talk to her.”

“No f*cking way,” Sebastian said, one palm on his chest, blocking him from moving forward.

“If I knew you’d planned this sh*t, I never would have let you in the door,” said Parker.

Ryder held up both hands. “It wasn’t planned. The words just came out of my mouth. But now that I said them, I need to speak with your sister.” He shoved past the brothers and headed directly for Sierra, who stood talking to the man she was supposed to marry.

His gaze locked with hers but Jason wasn’t having it.

“It’s him.” He pointed, shoving his finger into Ryder’s chest. “It’s always been f*cking him. At every family function, always around.” Jason turned to Sierra. “You wanted him to interrupt the wedding.” He was clearly furious.

BOOK TRAILER

“Carly Phillips is one of my favorite authors for steamy, contemporary romance!” — Jennifer Probst, New York Times Bestselling Author

Curling up with a heart-pounding, sexy, wonderfully crafted Carly Phillips novel is always a treat!” – Kristen Proby, New York Times Bestselling Author

“Read Carly Phillips for a guaranteed hot, sexy, sizzling chemistry, a book full of emotional impact and characters you’ll love.” — Jill Shalvis, New York Times Bestselling Author

“Carly Phillips is synonymous with red-hot romance and passionate love.” Lauren Blakely, #1 NY Times Bestselling Author

“Carly Phillips can take you to romantic places you haven’t yet dreamed of!” Robyn Carr, # 1 NY TimesBestselling Author

“Hot heroes, serious passion and characters with emotional depth.” Bella Andre, NY Times Bestselling Author

“An incredibly sexy contemporary romance that’s impossible to put down!” Rachel Van Dyken #1 NYT Bestselling Author

————————–

About CARLY PHILLIPS:

Carly Phillips is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels, including the Indie published, Dare to Love Series. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers.

Connect With Her:

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Reader Group | Twitter | Bookbub

Cover Reveal and Giveaway: The Heartache Duet by Jay McLean… Heartache and Hope (Book One) & First and Forever (Book Two)

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The Heartache Duet

By Jay McLean

Release Dates: June 28, 2019 and July 12, 2019

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DUET SYNOPSIS:

Ava Diaz needs saving.

She just doesn’t know it yet.

Just like she doesn’t know a thing about the boy

she sits next to on the first day of senior year.

He thinks she’s a brat.

She thinks he’s entitled.

Maybe first impressions don’t always last…

Because Connor Ledger’s about to save her.

He just doesn’t know why.

 

***

Heartache and Hope KDP [Final]

Heartache and Hope – Book One

Release Date: June, 2019

First and Forever KDP [final]

First and Forever – Book Two

Release Date: July 12, 2019

cover-reveal-scene

Giveaway

Add the Duet to your TBR: bit.ly/GRJMacHH
$100 Amazon Gift Card Giveaway http://bit.ly/2Qx3OZq

_____________________________________

Author Bio:

4724550Jay McLean is the author of the More Series, including More Than This, More Than Her, More Than Him and More Than Forever. She also has two standalones coming soon titled Where The Road Takes Me, and Combative.
Jay is an avid reader, writer, and most of all, procrastinator. When she’s not doing any of those things, she can be found running after her two little boys, or devouring some tacky reality TV show.
She writes what she loves to read, which are books that can make her laugh, make her smile, make her hurt, and make her feel.

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Goodreads

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Cover Reveal + Pre-Order: Just Love by Prescott Lane

Just Love - CR banner.jpg

Just Love by Prescott Lane

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publishing date: July 9, 2019

Cover Designer: Michele Catalano Creative

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There’s two sides to every love story. The how you fell in love, and the how you fell apart.

This is ours.

The cardinal rule of friendship is you don’t mess with your friend’s sister.

That goes double when she’s his little sister.

It was just supposed to be fun.

She wasn’t supposed to end up being the love of my life.

And I definitely wasn’t supposed to break her heart.

Ainsley is a wedding dress designer. That should’ve been a warning that she’s a hopeless romantic. That should’ve clued me in that she believes love conquers all.

But there are some things that love can’t fix. I’m one of them.

She thinks love is the answer.

But love is the reason I let her go.

A stand-alone, contemporary romance.

Just Love - CR IG.jpg

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2wC3b81

Amazon Worldwide: mybook.to/JustLovePL

Apple Books: https://apple.co/2Qwf8VT

Nook: http://bit.ly/2I9T2Vr

Kobo: Coming Soon

About Prescott:

Prescott Lane is the Amazon best-selling author of Stripped Raw. She’s got seven other books under her belt including: First Position, Perfectly Broken, Quiet Angel, Wrapped in Lace, Layers of Her, The Reason for Me, and The Sex Bucket List. She is originally from Little Rock, Arkansas, and holds a degree in sociology and a MSW from Tulane University. She married her college sweetheart, and they currently live in New Orleans with their two children and two crazy dogs. Prescott started writing at the age of five, and sold her first story about a talking turtle to her father for a quarter. She later turned to writing romance novels because there aren’t enough happily ever afters in real life.

Connect with Prescott:


Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrescottLane1
Twitter: www.twitter.com/prescottlane1
Amazon: http://amzn.to/2lfhlrh
Instagram: instagram.com/prescottlane1
http://www.authorprescottlane.com

Cover Reveal + Pre-Order: Kiss Me Not by Emma Hart

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What do you do when you’re the reigning kissing booth champion but the only person you want to kiss is your best friend’s brother?

Kiss Me Not, an all- new hilarious brother’s best friend standalone romance from New York Times bestselling author Emma Hart is coming August 27th and we have the fresh and fun cover!

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Let me make this clear right here, right now: I, Halley Dawson, do not care that Preston Wright is kissing other women.

Not a lick. Not at all. Nuh-uh-freakin’-uh.

I do care that he’s doing it six feet away from me behind a gaudy velvet curtain—making him my competition in this year’s kissing contest.

Why do I care, you ask? Because I’ve had an unfortunate crush on the insufferable idiot since I was sixteen years old, but I also know it’s never going to happen.

He’s the Creek Falls bachelor to die for, and I’m the Creek Falls racoon lady who puts peanut butter sandwiches out for them every night.

I’m not going to let him break my four-year-long reign—no matter how many times he breaks the rules and slides the curtain across to do the one thing he’s not allowed to:

Kiss me.

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Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2McSpPR

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VZW8QH

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/KissMeNot

Nook: http://bit.ly/2QFpPWh

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2JMUDng

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2XkZiA5

About Emma Hart

Emma Hart is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels and has been translated into several different languages.

She is a mother, wife, lover of wine, Pink Goddess, and valiant rescuer of wild baby hedgehogs.

Emma prides herself on her realistic, snarky smut, with comebacks that would make a PMS-ing teenage girl proud.

Yes, really. She’s that sarcastic.
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Connect with Emma

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/EmmaHartBooks/

BookBub: http://bit.ly/2Dr0atq

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2Dq42ez

Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2EBbZNe

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2D91d3T

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmahartauthor/

Stay up to date with Emma by joining her mailing list: https://www.emmahart.org/newsletter

Website: https://www.emmahart.org/home

Cover Reveal + Excerpt + Giveaway: Superfan by Sarina Bowen

Superfan FOR WEB

Superfan

Brooklyn #3

By Sarina Bowen

Release Date: June 25, 2019

Pre Order: Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Nook

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Blurb:

Sometimes lady luck shakes your hand, and sometimes she smacks your face. Sometimes she does both on the same day.
Three years ago I met the most amazing woman. We were both down on our luck. Then I got that call—the one that tells you to get your buns on a plane to go meet your destiny.
But the girl was left behind. I didn’t have her phone number, and she didn’t know my real name.
While I became a professional hockey player, she became a superstar, with platinum records and legions of fans. And a slick, music producer boyfriend who treated her badly.
But fate wasn’t done with us yet. When Delilah turns up at a hockey game, I can’t resist making contact. The internet swoons when I ask her out on a date.
She might not remember me. But her jerkface ex does. He’ll do anything to keep us apart.
Good thing athletes never give up. This time I’m playing for keeps.

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Excerpt

“Would you like a beer?” the cute bartender asks me.

I glance at the pile of mint leaves on his cutting board and hesitate. “Sure,” I say. But the mint looks so fresh and pretty.

“I could make you something different.”

“Beer is great. A cold…”

“—lager,” he finishes. “No glass, no opener.”

When I look up to flash him a smile, my heart does a little somersault. Those kind eyes are smiling at me, too. “Thank you,” I whisper.

“It’s really no problem.” He turns toward the beer cooler. “You’re an easy customer, trust me.”

But I really meant—thank you for remembering. As he leans down to grab a bottle for me, I find myself admiring the strong muscles in his back. Stop it, I admonish myself. It only gets worse when he turns around and places the bottle in front of me. I’ve never seen hands like his. I didn’t even know wrists could look muscular.

Even so. Ogling him is not why I came here. I pull out my keychain opener and remove the cap from my beer.

He discards it, gives me another pleasant smile and then picks up his paring knife again.

I take a sip, wondering when he’s going to mention my show at the Coconut Club. He was there. I saw him.

He separates some mint leaves from their stems and says nothing.

I last about seventeen seconds. “Well?”

“Well?” He looks up. “Sorry?”

“Jesus lord.” I close my eyes and then open them again. This is not going how I’d hoped it would. “What did you think?

“Of…?” His amazing eyes are studying me.

“Forget I asked.” I take a swig of beer.

“Think about what?” He pushes the cutting board aside, and his smile turns knowing.

“My set at the Coconut Club! I saw you holding up that wall in the back. Don’t lie.”

He tips his head back and lets out a sudden laugh. “I’m so busted. I loved your show, but I didn’t expect you to spot me.”

“You loved it so much you weren’t going to say anything?” The sentence sounds crazy to my own ears. I put down the beer. “You know what? Never mind. I’m just being psycho right now. This town is getting into my head.”

“Listen, girly.” He braces both (muscular!) hands on the bar and looks me right in the eye. “I loved it so much that I don’t even know what to say about it. From that moment at the beginning—when you shut that asshole’s maw? To the part where you made a lady cry.” He shakes his head. “I couldn’t look away. And I never wanted it to end.”

I give him a slow blink, just trying to take that in. It’s so much more than I was even hoping to hear.

“Shit, Delilah. If that set doesn’t win you whatever contract you’re looking for, they don’t even deserve you.”

Something warm and unfamiliar settles into the center of my belly. “That might be the nicest thing anyone ever said to me. Which only means you’re still trying to get my phone number.”

He laughs immediately. “Can’t both things be true? Both my musical assessment and my interest in your evening plans?”

“Because you know so much about music.” I flip my hair and take another sip of beer.

“Look. I don’t know shit about music. But I know plenty about talent.” He leans down on a set of forearms I shouldn’t be noticing. “I know that talent sometimes takes a nap at just the wrong moment, but it never stays asleep for long. I also know that luck matters, too. If they don’t give you what you want, it won’t be your fucking fault.”

“Thank you,” I say quietly.

But he’s not done. “I saw something else valuable the other night. You’re good in the clinch. And that counts for double, I swear to God.”

“The clinch?”

“Yeah. You’re not just good at practice.” He pauses, wrinkling up his interesting nose. “What word would a musician use? Okay—you’re not a rehearsal musician. That stage was like your home. Either that or you fake it really well. That’s going to pay your rent someday, I promise.”

“Wow.” It’s like he looked right into my terrified little soul and found the very thing I needed to hear. Those beautiful eyes of his are practically burning me right now, so I have to look away. “Thank you. Really. I really needed that pep talk.”

I make the mistake of looking up at him again, and, for a split second, I see pure yearning. It’s like our souls vibrate at exactly the same frequency. And I have no idea what to do with that.

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Giveaway

Be the first to read! Three winners (US or Canada) will win early signed paperback copies of Superfan!

Enter here: https://geni.us/SuperfanGiveaway

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 Author Bio:

Sarina BowenSarina Bowen writes steamy, angsty Contemporary Romance and New Adult fiction from the wilds of Vermont.

The Year We Fell Down, Book #1 in The Ivy Years series, began breaking hearts in March 2014. Book #2, The Year We Hid Away, is brand new.

For Harlequin-E, Sarina writes the Gravity series. Coming in From the Cold features an angsty downhill ski racer and one of the most unique plot conflicts in contemporary romance today.

Sarina enjoys skiing, coffee products and a nice glass of wine. She lives with her family, eight chickens and more ski gear and hockey equipment than seems necessary.

She would be honored to connect with you at http://www.sarinabowen.com.

Sign up for Sarina’s Mailing List

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter~ Goodreads ~Amazon Author Page

 Superfan FOR WEB

Coming Soon+ 6 Star Review: Winter Flower by Charles Sheehan-Miles

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Winter Flower

By Charles Sheehan-Miles

Release Date: June 22, 2019

Pre Order : Amazon

Goodreads: 

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Synopsis:

From the bestselling author of Just Remember to Breathe and The Last Hour, a shocking and poignant story of a family on the brink of destruction and the transformational events that could bring them back together—or tear them apart.

Every day, Cole Roberts reminds himself that life wasn’t always this bleak. He was once passionately in love with Erin. Sam used to be an artistic and lively kid. They hadn’t always lived in a shabby two-room house in rural Alabama, where he runs a mediocre restaurant in the middle of nowhere.

That was before Brenna disappeared. It was before Cole lost his job and they lost their home.
Every day it gets worse. Erin drinks wine out of the bottle and spends her days with a tormented expression, searching the web for signs of their daughter. Sam hides in his room and rarely speaks. And Cole works himself to a stupor for a paycheck a fraction of the size of his old salary.

Until one day a phone call changes everything.

Winter Flower is at once a tragic tale of the disappearance of a child; struggling with gender identity; of the dark world of sex-trafficking and the transformation and healing of a family. Sheehan-Miles’s longest novel delves into the depths of family life—and how, sometimes, we can heal and find restoration.

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6+star

Michel’s Review

*** 6 Stars ***

*** 2019 Favorite ***



I was so excited when I saw that Charles Sheehan-Miles had a new book coming out.

Charles Sheehan-Miles is one of the best authors I have read. He has an incredible gift of creating characters who the readers immediately embrace as their own. His stories revolve around the family unit with all of the beautiful imperfections and emotional dysfunctions. He captures the reader’s attention with his astute choice of words and vivid descriptions. The reader becomes more than a mere witness to story unraveling, they become an emotional participant.

The story of the Robert’s family is more than losing a child. It’s a journey down the darkest paths while realizing the light isn’t necessarily at the end. The light comes from depending on each other and accepting the things they cannot change. The only thing that matters is their love for one another. It may not fix what’s been broken but it will soothe and strengthen their shattered souls. It will give them courage to move forward one step at a time.

Winter Flower follows each member of the family, switching from past to present. Each member of the family has a different perspective of the past and different way of coping in the present. It all began with the disappearance of their daughter, Brenna. Brenna disappeared on her sixteenth birthday. What should have been a special birthday turned into a horrific nightmare which would destroy their lives. What they didn’t realize was their lives were already on the path of destruction. Brenna’s disappearance was the final blow that tore their world apart. Two years later they are on a very different path trying to survive and rebuild their shattered lives. The only thing they are hanging onto is their tiny thread of hope.

It all begins in a small backward rural town in Alabama. Cole Roberts is working at a Waffle House. He’s struggling to pay the bills and take care of his family after the loss of his daughter. He not only lost his daughter but also his home, his career and six figure salary. His wife has moved from resentment to pure indifference to him. She has chosen the wine bottle to silence her grief. His son Sam has become withdrawn and spends too much time locked away in his room playing computer games. He has become an awkward social recluse and a target for the bullies in his new school. In a sense he has also become a missing child even though he’s physically present. Brenna has been missing for two years and the FBI has moved it to the cold case stack. The only thing they have left is their hope.

Then one day the phone rings with a new lead that finally changes their paths once again. The biggest difference this time is they are walking into the darkness with their eyes wide open. At least they are together with the knowledge they may never find the light. They just need to hang onto each other along the way.

Charles Sheehan-Miles was brutally honest and delivered the harsh realities of this story’s life situations and circumstances. He didn’t sugar coat the ugliness, he made the reader truly feel it. At the same time he instilled hope and clearly illuminated the goodness dwelling below the surface. Although this story had a horrific situation it also had a beautiful message. The resilience of the human soul with the capacity to love, accept, and forgive is what hope truly is.

Winter Flower was more than a novel to be witnessed by the reader. Winter Flower demands the reader become an emotional participant from beginning to end. Long after the last word is read and the book is closed, the reading experience will live on in the heart of the reader.

I highly recommend reading Winter Flower by Charles Sheehan-Miles.

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***ARC generously provided by Author/Publisher for an honest review.***


*** Review by Saucy Southern Readers Blog formerly Smut Book Junkie Reviews ***

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0590-LinkedIn-1Charles Miles has been a soldier, computer programmer, short-order cook and non-profit executive, and is the author of more than a dozen fiction and non-fiction books, including the indie bestsellers Just Remember to Breathe and Republic: A Novel of America’s Future. He is a member of The Authors Guild and the Association of Independent Authors.

Charles and his wife Andrea live and write together in South Hadley, Massachusetts. He can be reached by email at Charles [@] sheehanmiles.net

I write about things I’m passionate about: love, romance, war; addiction, remorse, guilt. I write about the things that terrify me and give me joy. I write about life.

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram |Goodreads | Amazon

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