I should have known I would end up here...
Give me a good book and I'm in heaven. Especially romance, mystery, mayhem, the fantastic and the fey. Give me a laptop and I'm writing any one of these, and not in any particular order.
Trixie Silvertale will be awarding a $75 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Bells and Bombshells (Harper and Moon Investigations)
by Trixie Silvertale
GENRE: Paranormal Cozy Mystery
BLURB: A pattern of murder. A threadbare case. Can our psychic sleuth pick out the guilty before time spools out? Mitzy Moon is finally tying the knot. And she’s loving the whole town’s excitement for their upcoming big day. But when their tailor is found buttons up behind a jazz lounge, the almost-newlyweds will have to hem in a murderer before their dreams rip apart at the seams. Knowing they’ll get no help from the new sheriff in town, the couple embarks on a tightly woven undercover assignment. But Mitzy fails to heed ominous warnings from her mentor, Ghost-ma, and her entitled feline. When another body drops, she could be the next target erased by the mounting powers in the darkness…
Can Mitzy and Erick unravel the twisted clues, or will their wedding be eclipsed by a funeral? Bells and Bombshells is the first book in a hilarious new paranormal cozy mystery series, Harper and Moon Investigations. If you like snarky heroines, supernatural intrigue, and a dash of romance, then you’ll love Trixie Silvertale’s wedded whodunit. Buy Bells and Bombshells to stitch up a killer today!
Excerpt One:
Dear Diary, in less than a week I’ll be married! I feel like the luckiest girl in the world. Sheriff Erick Harper is the kindest, handsomest man in all the land.
“Oh, Mitzy! You’re such a hoot!”
The ghost of my not as dearly departed as everyone thinks grandmother pops into the visual spectrum directly above my bed.
“Grams! Get out of my head! How many times do I have to tell you, thought-dropping is against the rules? If these lips —”
“Spare me the lecture, sweetie. It’s the only way I can get your attention lately. For weeks, you’ve been acting like a girl trapped in a, what do you call it, Rom-Com?”
The ethereal specter crosses her bejeweled arms over her burgundy silk-and-tulle Marchesa burial gown.
“Don’t play innocent with me, Myrtle Isadora. I was in my safe space. Snuggled under the comforter of my cozy bed, enjoying my own personal thoughts. No invitation was extended.”
“Reow.” Can confirm.
“See, even Pyewacket agrees with me.”
It’s not as though my half wild tan caracal can actually speak, but the longer I live in Pin Cherry Harbor the more I understand the subtle variations of his intonations.
The glowing apparition scoffs.
“You know I don’t approve of you two ganging up on me. I simply came in to see if you needed help selecting the right outfit for this morning’s breakfast.”
“Shoot! Shoot! Shoot!”
I fling my legs toward the floor and attempt to leap out of bed. Bad idea. If you know me, you know what happens next. If you’re new in town, let me cut to the chase. My legs do not spring clear of the bedding, and I tumble into a puzzle of reindeer onesie pajamas and mortification on the floor beneath.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
USA TODAY Bestselling author Trixie Silvertale grew up reading an endless supply of Lilian Jackson Braun, Hardy Boys, and Nancy Drew novels. She loves the amateur sleuths in cozy mysteries and obsesses about all things paranormal. Those two passions unite in her Harper and Moon Investigations series, and she’s thrilled to write them and share them with you.
LINKS:
~~~~~~~~~~~~~GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE
Trixie’s Website: http://trixiesilvertale.com
Amazon Author Page NEW for 2023: https://www.amazon.com/author/trixiesilvertale
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Alexa Sullivan will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Ro Baird can’t cast a spell without setting her own pants on fire—until she kisses her hot new boss, Alex. Suddenly, she’s able to access her magic…sort of…and she now has a familiar, who may be more trouble than she is helpful.
Alex Kouris happens to be a soul-stealing demigod of the Underworld. He claims he’s trying to leave the life, but can she really trust a man whose magical talents are manipulation and charm? When Alex enlists a shady ex to help him, Ro must risk her heart and her life to save him and humanity from Hades’s evil scheme.
Can she harness her true power to set Alex and herself free?
Read an Excerpt
I turned from side to side in front of the mirror, examining my half French braid. My dark-brown hair wound across the top of my head, like a crown. I tucked the end under the rest of my hair and twisted it into a side ponytail, tying it off with a clear elastic.
“Pretty.” Tabitha stood in my bathroom doorway. With her flat tone of voice, she might as well have been describing broccoli or glue.
I plucked a beaded fringe earring off the counter and slipped it through the hole in my right earlobe.
Lenti, who sat on the counter, trilled and swiped the earring with her paw.
“Nope.” I jerked my head away. “I got these at a craft fair, and you’re not destroying them.”
“What’s that?”
“Never mind.” Should’ve known this was going to happen. Gritting my teeth, I removed the earring and tucked it into a drawer. I tugged the neckline of my clingy black dress a little lower, then turned to Tabitha. “Is it too much? Should I wear my strappy sandals or my ankle boots?”
She crossed her arms. “Explain to me how this happened. You were supposed to talk to him, not go out with him.”
About the Author:
Alexa Sullivan writes humorous, contemporary paranormal romance. She imagines a world where the mundane meets magic — and where vampires, werewolves and witches have normal jobs. Oh, and there are cats, too. She sets all her books in the beautiful state of Oregon. When not writing, she can be found walking her cat on a leash, hanging out with her husband, and watching far too much Bravo reality TV.
Erica Ridley will be awarding a Winner’s choice ebook or paperback copies of the first TWO books in the Wicked Dukes Club series (ebooks international) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Taming the Rake by Erica Ridley
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
GENRE: Historical Romance
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BLURB:
Enjoy a fiery, passionate enemies-to-lovers revenge romance from a New York Times bestselling author!
All her life, Miss Gladys Bell was a wallflower whose parents despaired of her ever attracting a suitor. Then she met the man of her dreams, who said she was the woman of his. One passionate night later, Gladys awaits a marriage proposal that never comes. Reuben Medford, the ton’s most notorious rake, doesn’t even remember her name.
Thanks to his cold-hearted callousness, Gladys lost her reputation, her dowry, and her chance at love. But now she’s back, and bent on revenge. He’s trifled with the wrong woman: This wallflower has thorns. Once Gladys holds that damnable rake’s arrogant, fickle heart in her hands… She’ll crush it, just as he did to her.
This time, he’ll remember her name.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
Gladys’s breath caught at the sight of the handsomest man she’d ever seen and her mouth fell open. Good God, was he real? His radiance eclipsed the many chandeliers sparkling overhead. Gladys took an involuntary step forward, away from the infernal wall, in her eagerness for a closer look. Her heart sang.
Impeccable evening wear, trim shoulders and hips, decidedly untrimmed golden hair tumbling carelessly across his forehead. White, with slightly flushed cheeks. Tall, but not gangly. Fit, but not hulking. Clearly moneyed, but not vulgar. Elegant, but… approachable, damn it. He flashed a roguish smile that said, I’d be delighted to show you a good time.
His sensual brown eyes met hers and time froze to a stop. It was love at first sight. Gladys was wholly, irrevocably, smitten.
Wait—his eyes didn’t meet hers. They skated over the wall exactly where she stood, but neither paused nor flickered in interest… or even acknowledgment of her presence. She was as invisible to him as she was to every other unmarried bachelor.
Her spirits crumpled. Complete obliviousness to her existence was exactly the reception Gladys had always garnered, and therefore it should neither surprise nor hurt her.
Somehow, it always did anyway.
One of the other wallflowers caught Gladys staring in longing and jerked her arm back toward the wall.
“Yes, that’s the finest man in England,” the girl hissed. “No, he is not interested in you. Or any of us.”
“Who is he?” Gladys whispered back, unable to tear her eyes away.
“Reuben Medford,” answered one of the other wallflowers. Her eyes widened at the blank expression on Gladys’s face. “You’ve never heard of Reuben Medford?”
Gladys didn’t want to admit that the only balls she’d ever attended were here at this public festival—and that she’d never met any man, Mr. Medford or otherwise. “I haven’t had the pleasure… yet.”
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Erica Ridley is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of witty, feel-good historical romance novels, including THE DUKE HEIST, starring the Wild Wynchesters. Why seduce a duke the normal way, when you can accidentally kidnap one in an elaborately planned heist?
In the 12 Dukes of Christmas series, enjoy witty, heartwarming Regency romps nestled in a picturesque snow-covered village. After all, nothing heats up a winter night quite like finding oneself in the arms of a duke!
Two popular series, the Dukes of War and Rogues to Riches, feature roguish peers and dashing war heroes who find love amongst the splendor and madness of Regency England.
When not reading or writing romances, Erica can be found eating couscous in Morocco, zip-lining through rainforests in Central America, or getting hopelessly lost in the middle of Budapest.
1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
My love of ghost stories drew me to my genre choice. Growing up in North Carolina, I heard many tales of haunted plantation homes that were based on true events. These stories captivated me and made me want to delve deeper into this genre.
In “Hacienda Moon,” I explore the supernatural events and mysterious circumstances surrounding the Spanish warship known as the Fortuna. The Fortuna was lost to the sea in September 1748 off the coast of Brunswick town, North Carolina, inspiring the haunted story behind the book.
2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle or last child and how does this shape your view of the world?
As a middle child, I’ve learned the importance of being diplomatic and understanding. Growing up between two siblings has taught me to be patient and open-minded when it comes to differing opinions, while balance and compromise are key to finding a successful resolution. Being a middle child has shaped my view of the world to be both empathetic and independent. It has provided me with a valuable perspective on life, teaching me the importance of communication and compromise.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
I love writing at my glass desk as it provides me with a serene and inspiring atmosphere. The clear blue glass of the desk creates a calming energy that helps me to stay focused and dedicated to my craft. I like having a quiet and dedicated space away from any distractions, where I can get lost in the creative process.
4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
Killing off a character is always a difficult decision, but an important part of the writing process. I think about the themes I’m exploring and how the death or removal of a character serves the story as a whole. Afterward, I honor their memory and the impact they’ve had on the narrative by writing a tribute or memorializing them in some way.
5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
If I could meet any author, it would be Stephen King. The one burning question I would ask him would be, “What inspired you to write your horror classics and what advice can you give aspiring authors in this genre?” I would also be curious to know how Stephen King has stayed so prolific throughout his career and what techniques and habits have helped him become so successful. Additionally, I’d ask for his advice on staying creative and motivated when writing, as well as his thoughts on the best approach to marketing a novel for a greater chance of success. He’s one of the greats for a reason. Therefore, his advice would be invaluable.
6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
Something not many people know about me is that I am a big astronomy enthusiast. I love learning about the mysteries and beauty of the universe and have spent many nights stargazing and marveling at the night sky.
7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack?
If I were stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack, I would include a knife, a waterproof tarp, and a flint stone for starting fires. These three items are essential for survival in such a situation, and I trust them to keep me safe and warm.
8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be? If I could have one superpower, it would be the ability to teleport. Having the ability to instantly travel anywhere in the world would allow me to explore new places and cultures and even help me save time and energy.
9. Favorite snack? Oats N’ Honey Granola Bars! So yummy!
10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
Sure, I understand the importance of driving safely and following the speed limit. But, I also know when and how to get where I’m going as quickly as possible.
Thanks so much for hosting me at your gorgeous blog today!
BLURB:
Tandie Harrison is a police medium struggling to pick up the pieces of her life after a devastating divorce that left her without her precious daughter and her psychic visions. With a heavy heart, she escapes the hustle and bustle of New York City and moves into the alluring plantation house, Chelby Rose. Here, she meets Eric, the home’s charismatic caretaker. Despite the ghostly warnings, Tandie finds herself drawn to him, and as their affair intensifies, so does the centuries-old curse haunting them both.
Suddenly, Tandie finds herself at the center of a dark and dangerous web full of deceit and intrigue. As fear begins to consume her, she must find the courage to face the demons of her past if she is to have any chance at a future. Hacienda Moon is a captivating story full of suspense and romance that will ensnare you from start to finish.
Note to readers and bookclubs:
This is the expanded and revamped edition of the Hacienda Moon that was originally published in 2012. Please be sure to add this version to your to-read list as this edition contains more gothic suspense, intrigue, and of course romance.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Excerpt:
The results of Eric’s handyman skills were beautiful. The final perk was the light rose-colored exterior paint, a shade considered original to the house. Eric didn’t say a word about my upgraded paintbrushes. He was too busy making sure I didn’t catch him watching me as I bent over to paint the lowest boards on the house. However, I turned around at the perfect moment on paint day and caught him staring. His face flushed so badly, I couldn’t resist doing something to celebrate my small victory.
“Wow, it’s so hot out here today.” I stretched my arms, lifting my tee-shirt up until my belly button was exposed, basking in the warmth of the late summer sun. Eric’s mouth fell open. Success! That move totally stole Mr. Intense’s attention. Tucking my lips, I made a move toward an even more creative tease, bending over to pick up one of the three paint brushes I’d dropped.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“What does it look like? I dropped my paintbrushes.” I shrugged and waved the brush between us. “Did I not use the proper technique for bending over and picking it up?”
He gave me a dimpled grin and moved closer to where I stood beside the house. Glancing down at the brushes beside my feet, he said, “They do look somewhat dirty. You sure you can handle that task? You strike me as somewhat of a nice girl. With that much paint and dirt all in the heads, you have to get a little rough with cleaning them.” His gaze bore into mine, smoldering me under a hazel brown sugary-colored look this time.
I held his gaze. “Oh, believe me. I have plenty of ways to clean dirty things.”
There was about a foot of space between us now. “Is that right?”
“Oh yeah,” I answered, hoping that the pulse line on my neck didn’t show the way my heart thumped inside my chest.
His gaze drifted from my eyes down to my lips and finally ended at my left shoulder. “Then why don’t you start by cleaning that big red spider off your shoulder?” An amused smile spread across his lips, but a scream shrilled out of mine.
Eric slammed his hands over his ears. “Damn it, Tandie.”
Adrenaline spiked through me. He might as well have said my breasts were hanging out. He would’ve gotten less of a response than he did with the spider statement. “Get it off me! Do you see it? Is it still there? Get it!” I shrieked, jumping around and spinning in half circles.
“I won’t help you until you stop trying to burst my eardrums,” he said, still half-way smiling. He came over and put his arms around me, pulling me into his embrace. “Calm down, Tandie. It’s gone, all right?”
Vowing to never tease Eric ever again, I waited for my breathing to normalize and for my trembling limbs to steady as I was pressed against Eric’s chest.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Meet your word sculptress…
Author of the #1 Amazon International bestselling novels, the Prelude and the Lost Immortals Saga, KaSonndra is also a mother, designer, reader, gardener, home renovator, and a slayer of undead Egyptian mummies in Tomb Raider. She believes in karma, coffee, and seriously wishes that the producers of Xena would bring her favorite show back.
KaSonndra was born in the race-car city of Charlotte, NC, and now lives in the City of Alchemy and Medicine, NC, when she’s not hanging out in Bardonia (Lost Immortals Saga setting). Most of her characters are based on people that she has met throughout her travels and adventures.
People tend to stop and start conversations with KaSonndra as if she has known them her entire life. Does this freak her out? Not really. Her mom says that one day she’ll get kidnapped by one of these folks. KaSonndra’s response? She told her mom that if it weren’t for these lovely people, then she wouldn’t be able to create such fabulously romantic stories!
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will award a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
FranÇoise-AthÉnaÏs de Rochechouart de Mortemart had to have Louis, King of France, but his other mistresses stood in the way. Then she meets the very helpful sorceress and AthÉnaÏs gets her wish. But soon Louis hears tales of witchcraft and poison, a conspiracy spreading through his court—like the beasts in the Versailles menagerie, courtesans are clawing their way to his favor, and his bed. He orders Lieutenant General of Police Gabriel-Nicolas de la Reynie to investigate. Mysterious deaths mount while La Reynie presses on, hauling in witches, charlatans, and the nobility alike. Grimy fingers point to AthÉnaÏs, the King’s mistress, with whispers of a black mass celebrated over her naked body. Then La Reynie discovers a plot to kill her.
Read an Excerpt
They were about to alight when Athénaïs shrank back into the shadowed corner of the coach. “Look—could that be?” A man built with the broad shoulders and determination of a bull walked briskly past them towards the first coach in line.
Her maid gasped, but quickly squeezed Athénaïs’ hand. “I told you, madame, tout Paris consults the famous La Voisin. Come along, now.” In a rustle of brown silk, the laughing mademoiselle got out of the coach, followed by the wary Athénaïs.
They were greeted at the door by a girl of about fifteen, her frowzy hair peeking out of her lace-edged cap. “Bon soir, mesdames,” she curtseyed. “Please come into the parlor.” Light from a chandelier and a few candles pierced the shadows, reflected in a crystal ball on the tea table near the settee. Next to the crystal ball was a deck of tarot cards lying on a square of purple silk. “Please be seated,” the girl announced. “I will fetch my mother.”
“Isn’t this exciting,” whispered Mlle Claude as she looked around the room.
Athénaïs stared at the murky crystal ball. “How can anyone see anything in there?”
“Only someone with my gifts can see the future,” boomed a woman’s voice behind them.
Startled, both ladies turned to see La Voisin in the doorway. Although short and plump, she radiated authority in her magnificent sea-green velvet dress and crimson velvet cloak embroidered with hundreds of double-headed, wingspread eagles. Even her slippers were stitched with gold thread in the same motif. What stunned Athénaïs were the woman’s eyes: black as night, so piercing as to invade one’s soul.
About the Author:
Judy Willmore is a former journalist, then private investigator, and now a psychotherapist who practices in Albuquerque, New Mexico. Her historical mystery The Menagerie was published in 2021 by Artemesia Press, and she is now working on a sequel.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Sheila Kell will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
When trusting the wrong person can be deadly.
From Romantic Suspense BEST-SELLING and AWARD-WINNING Author • What happens when a former FBI analyst quits her job to become a PI and ends up partnering with the man who left her fourteen years earlier? In Sheila Kell’s riveting novel of secrets, deceit, and romance, two people rush to find a killer while reckoning with their growing attraction.
Cassie McKay was tired of being passed over as a FBI field agent. She quits her job as a FBI analyst, moved back home with her mother, and takes a job as a PI. Only she hadn’t expected her partner to be the one man who’d left her years before.
Jack “JD” Walker had done a lot wrong in his life, but he hadn’t killed the mother of his child as the police believed, nor had he expected the only women he’d ever loved to come to his rescue. The two work diligently to prove JD’s innocence while someone is determined to make JD pay.
Deadly Betrayal is the first book in the Coastal Investigations series. If you enjoy a thrilling, edge-of-your-seat read, you’ll love this installment of Sheila Kell’s new romantic suspense series.
Read an Excerpt
“Well, it’s late. I’m going to get some sleep,” Cassie said.
Sleep? What? He planned to seduce her, and here she was kicking him out before he even had the chance. So, he did the only thing he could. He stood and strode toward his room. “Goodnight, my sweet Cassie.” He left the double doors separating their rooms open.
He listened to her shower, wishing he could jump in there with her and soap her body down. Thoughts whizzed through JD’s head as he clenched his eyes shut: 60.2 average passes per game, 328.2 average passing yards, second in the season, twelve weeks in. 52.9 average—he looked down. His erection still hadn’t subsided.
When she climbed into bed, he couldn’t take it anymore. He walked to the door separating their rooms and asked, “Are you coming to my bed, or am I coming to yours?”
About the Author:
Sheila Kell writes about the romantic men who leave women’s hearts pounding with a happily ever after built on memorable, adrenaline-pumping stories. Or, (since her editor tries to cut down on her long-windedness) simply “Smokin’ Hot Romance & Intrigue.” Her debut novel, His Desire (HIS Series #1), launched as an Amazon #1 romantic suspense bestseller and Top 100 overall, later winning the Readers’ Favorite award for best romantic suspense novel.
As a Southern girl who traveled the world with the United States Air Force, she remembers all the embarrassing moments of her fellow veterans to include in her books and laughs every time she does it. Having left behind her days as a College President, she can usually be found nestled in the Mississippi woods, where she lives with her cats and all the strays that magically find her front door. When she isn’t writing, you can find Sheila with her nose in a good book, dealing with the woodland critters who enjoy her back patio, or wishing she had a genie to do her bidding.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kirsten Weiss will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Midlife Magic and Murder… and a Dog Named Dog.
When Riga Hayworth finds her new client dead, she smells a setup of metaphysical proportions. Now, to find a killer, Riga must travel from San Francisco to the underworld of Greek mythology… and make it back alive.
Donovan, Vinnie, Pen and Brigitte – the story that started it all. The Metaphysical Detective is the prequel to the Riga Hayworth series. If you like Gen-X, no-nonsense heroines and supernatural with your mystery, you’ll love The Metaphysical Detective.
Buy this quirky paranormal women’s fiction and explore the magical world of Riga Hayworth today!
Read an Excerpt
It was nearly five o’clock, still light out, and Riga figured she had time for a quick drink before dark. She grabbed her suede jacket off the office’s lopsided coat rack and ducked past her neighbor’s martial arts studio.
Thuds and masculine grunts drifted through its frosted glass door. She’d missed old Mr. Chen’s last two classes and knew he’d be coming after her soon, demanding explanations.
Riga trotted down the stairs to the ground level. The first floor had been leased to a billiard parlor – her default social life. It served beer and cheap, airline-grade wine. She’d taken to keeping her own bottles behind the bar in self-defense.
“It’s Riga HAYworth!” the owner, Takako, shouted as Riga swung through the door. Takako bustled past, flipping her glossy black hair over one shoulder and nodding toward the bar. “Good to see you, hon. Your friend’s at the bar.”
Processing that, Riga peered toward past the pool tables. Cones of light illuminated the green felt and clacking balls, but the bar, far to the back, lay in shadow. She didn’t have friends.
Realizing she was blocking the entry, she willed her legs to move. Riga sensed a pair of bikers stopping play, watching covetously as she passed. She ignored them, used to the looks. She was the ultimate cosmic joke. Riga Hayworth was a near twin to Rita, the forties screen goddess, curves and all.
She neared the bar, and the dim figures resolved into three people: a dark-haired man in an expensive business suit and bracketed by two willowy blondes in silver miniskirts. The blondes twined around him, their hands roving across his broad shoulders. An image flashed into Riga’s mind of the blondes as faceless automatons. She shuddered and carefully did not look at them.
About the Author:
Kirsten Weiss conjures up action-packed witch mysteries based on contemporary and historical magical practices. Her witchy heroines aren’t perfect (and neither are their familiars), but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed.
Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. She is best known for her Doyle Witch and Riga Hayworth paranormal mystery books. Are you ready to be enchanted? Just turn the page and… voila!
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Victoria Saccenti will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
One woman holds the key to his destiny—and his people’s salvation. Hagen drags himself to the gates of Hell, body and soul shredded by the bloodlust that consumes all the unmated of his kind. Awaiting the painful atonement that will buy him ten more years to find his eternal mate—or face oblivion. But Hades himself kicks him out with the bloodlust still prowling, unsatisfied, in his veins.
Bargained away by her parents to Master O, a mysterious, cruel wizard, Faiza serves in his household, keeping her small magic a secret, plagued by wild, confusing visions of a strange, suffering man. Then the master brings home a wounded Titanian warrior whose touch sends ice, fire, and desire racing through her body.
When she learns Master O plans to use Hagen as a weapon to conquer all races, she devises a desperate plan to free him—a plan that opens a portal to a world she’s never known. And a destiny entwined with danger that could destroy them all.
Read an Excerpt
The towering pair of boulders stood as gatekeepers and markers of the way. A steep path snaked between them until farther down the hill, the road disappeared in thick fog. Leaning on the closest rock, Hagen steadied himself to catch his breath, then pushed on.
Bloodlust crippled his Titanian vision. Still, he stumbled, rolled, and crawled over jagged rocks and gnarled roots with single-minded determination to reach his appointed meeting place, the cavern at the base of the Shivaliks, and the sole entrance to Hades’s domain on the earthly plane. A perverse satisfaction filled him each time he scraped and sliced his exposed skin, as this was only a precursor to the punishment he deserved. If he could shred his flesh to strips in anticipation as he had done with his clothes, so much the better.
Hagen advanced through the haze, seeking the deity’s promised signal. Images of his frenzy during the last skirmish prodded him. He strained past gore-filled images, and the effort paid off. There, deep within the haze, a faint red light marked the spot. Alecto had not forgotten. A hitched breath escaped his lungs as he stood and trod on a more secure step.
As the haze dissipated, the cavern’s hungry mouth gaped before him. Healing and deliverance acquired through pain would soon be his. As he inched closer to the wavering light, he removed the last remaining strips of clothing. The offering had to be bare and unadulterated. Nothing but skin would satisfy the Fury, purify his spirit, and postpone the horror of termination for another ten years—a mere blip in the lifespan of a Titanian.
About the Author:
Award-winning, multi-genre author Victoria Saccenti writes romantic women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. Not one for heart and flower stories, she explores the edgy twists and turns of human interaction, the many facets of love, and all possible happy endings. After thirty years of traveling the world, she’s settled in Central Florida. She splits her busy schedule between family and her active muse at Essence Publishing. However, if she could convince her husband to sell their home, she would pack up her computer and move to Scotland, a land she adores. On a side note, in one form or another, Scotland appears in most of her stories.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Liza Malloy will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
College students Nate and Olivia are a perfect match on the courts—and in the sheets. Everywhere else, they’re polar opposites and sworn enemies. But as the chemistry builds, a figure from Olivia’s past unexpectedly pops back into her life and the couple realizes they have more in common than they thought. Are these star-crossed lovers doomed to repeat their parents’ mistakes, or can they build a life together once the final set is played?
This book is a standalone, steamy, new adult/college, sports romance, 77k words. Tropes include enemies to lovers, he falls first, and billionaire.
Read an Excerpt
“You know, some people like to give others the benefit of the doubt and get to know them before assuming the worst.”
Olivia snatched the cherry from the shake that I’d set on the edge of my plate. “Some of us prefer to avoid disappointment. I’ll keep my assumptions until people prove me wrong.”
At least she was honest, I thought, oddly envious of the cherry stem as she pressed her tongue against it. “Challenge accepted.”
We left the diner, but the drive home was far too short.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said, already clutching her racket and duffel bag before I even slowed to a complete stop in front of her apartment.
“And for the excellent meal, right?” I added.
She stared dryly. “I’ll thank you for the food when you thank me for not pressing charges on the whole kidnapping front.”
I bit back a smile. Even pissed off, Olivia was captivating. “This was fun. Why haven’t we hung out before?”
“Because we have nothing in common.”
“Not true. There’s tennis, lame business majors, and douchebag fathers.”
Olivia gazed back at me and for the briefest of moments, I thought she would say something meaningful, but instead she just shook her head, dismissing whatever idea had crossed her intriguing mind.
“You can’t possibly want to spend more time with me. I’ve been a total bitch to you all afternoon.”
I wasn’t about to deny that last part, so instead I pushed my luck with a bad joke. “We could move into the back seat and you could make it up to me,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows seductively.
I’d hoped for a snarky comeback, but instead she just rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I’ll see you at practice,” she mumbled, climbing out of the car.
About the Author:
Liza Malloy writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She’s a sucker for alpha males, bad boys, dimples, and muscles, and she can’t resist a man in uniform. Liza loves creating worlds where her heroine discovers her own strength and finds her Happily Ever After. When Liza isn’t reading or writing torrid love stories, she’s a practicing attorney. Her other passions include gummy bears, jelly beans, and the occasional marathon. She lives in the Midwest with her four daughters and her own Prince Charming.
Lauren Sevier and A. Smith will be awarding a $10 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.
Author Interview
1. How did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
We sort of fell into this genre by accident. The first novel in this series, Guns & Smoke, started as a short story on a girls night. We both enjoy westerns and thought it would be fun to play into some of the tropes, but it molded and changed into the dystopian/western romance it is today. It blossomed from a single scene into a four-book series. Leather & Lace in particular was written as the direct sequel to the first novel. We had a lot of plotlines to continue and add as we build The Fool’s Adventure world.
2. Writers write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a firstborn, middle or last child, and how does this shape your view of the world?
Abbie: I am the last child in my family. I have a unique perspective because my older siblings are five and seven years older than me, so a lot of times, I felt like an only child. I think that plays out in my characters, because I feel I’m responsible for taking care of the people that I love and making sure everyone is safe and happy.
Lauren: I’m the middle child… AKA: Chaos gremlin. I think being the middle child can feel a lot like you go unheard, or your voice doesn’t matter. So sometimes you have to scream, act out, cause a fuss, just to get a little attention… and usually, it ends up being negative attention. I think as I’ve grown and matured, realizing how I felt like I was shouting into a void at times… it’s made me a much better listener and very intuitive. So I pay a lot of attention to details. The things people say, and the things they don’t.
3. Where is your favorite place to write?
Abbie: I enjoy writing in my office at my standup desk while I’m walking. There’s something really great about the endorphins that come while one is being both physically and mentally active.
Lauren: Ha! I’m not that healthy. Or that blessed with time. I have a wild and wonderful four-year-old boy who keeps me on my toes. So, I write whenever, wherever, and for however long I can. I like to take my bluetooth keyboard and write on my phone while I’m in the carpool line to pick him up from school. In my office when I have free time. Or lazing in bed, all by myself, in the blissful silence.
4. How do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
Abbie: NOOOO! Let me keeps them all. *wraps them in bubblewrap* I do acknowledge at times there is a necessity to kill my darlings, but I usually wait until the most impactful time and make sure that their death(s) impact those left behind.
Lauren: I try to kill them all. And Abbie threatens to disown me. Her bubblewrap is strong people. Please be glad she’s got a chokehold on me or you would all be sobbing into the pages as we speak. LOL!
5. You are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning question you must ask them?
Abbie: Sarah J Maas. Give me the Nesta/Cassian/Azriel scene your publishers made you cut!
Lauren: Leigh Bardugo. Can you make Kaz Brekker real for me please? (No, seriously, I love Kaz Brekker. He’s maybe my favorite sociopathic evil genius of all time.)
6. Inquiring minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows. Abbie: I’m double jointed and my bones crack like rice krispies. 🙂
Lauren: Uhhhh… Way to make me work for it. I’m a pretty open book. Good. Bad. Ugly. There’s just no mystery to me. It’s all out there. Ummmm… I’m allergic to strawberries, but I didn’t used to be when I was little so sometimes I wake up crying after dreaming about eating homemade strawberry ice cream??
7. You are stranded on a deserted island with only a backpack for company. What three items are in your survival pack? Abbie: a satellite phone, a life vest. and snacks. Because I am not staying on that deserted island!
Lauren: A lifetime supply of pina coladas, sunscreen, and a secret library full of REALLY good books. I’m on that island for a well-deserved life of relaxation.
8. If you could have one superpower in your existence, what would it be? Abbie: Teleportation. I’ve always wanted to travel the world, but that can get quite expensive. I’d save so much in flights if only I could blink and be somewhere else!
Lauren: Time Manipulation. I need like four more hours in the day so if I could just… accidentally steal a time-turner from the Ministry of Magic or be able to manipulate time… I’d be set.
9. Favorite snack?
Abbie: Chocolate, all of the chocolate!
Lauren: Boiled peanuts or chips and salsa. I’m not a big fan of sweets as a snack.
10. Indy 500 – Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed limit?
Abbie: I usually go enough above the speed limit to avoid a ticket–unless it’s rush hour and I’m on the highway, then all bets are off!
Lauren: I FEEL THE NEED FOR SPEED! Ask Abbie. I live like my life is a nascar race. Or well, I used to in my younger days. Now I have a kiddo and have grown up and learned to live responsibly. Dangit.
Leather & Lace
by Lauren Sevier & A. Smith
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GENRE: Dystopian/Western Romance
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BLURB:
Three years wandering the desert is enough to drive anyone insane, and the limits of Bonnie and Jesse’s minds and hearts will be put to the ultimate test.
A deadly showdown with a murderous outlaw ripped Bonnie away from the relative peace and ragtag family she’d built at the end of Guns & Smoke. In the thrilling next chapter in The Fool’s Adventure series, we finally get the answer to the biggest question: What happened to Bonnie?
After three years of fighting to get her back, literally, Jesse James finds her in the most unlikely of places– New Orleans high society. With the help of his rival-turned-friend Will Ellis, and a sassy staff member, Jesse’s tasked with infiltrating the house of the man he believes was responsible for killing his parents in order to get her back. Jesse’s biggest challenge yet will be learning to fight for Bonnie in a way he never expected before: by fitting in.
Mired in high society politics and scheming, Bonnie is at the epicenter of one of the most ruthless gangs in the world. Years trapped in a gilded cage of wealth and lies has irrevocably changed her from a crass outlaw into a southern debutante. Gone is the dangerous glint in her eyes, replaced with suspicion when the devilishly handsome street fighter named Montana suddenly joins her father’s staff.
Can Jesse remind Bonnie of who she really is in time to keep her from giving her heart and hand away or will he discover that the wild, beautiful outlaw he fell in love with is truly gone?
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Excerpt:
Staring at her now, knowing that I’d desperately fallen for her all over again sent a stark jolt through me. This feeling between us wasn’t some average infatuation. Most people could live a lifetime and never experience the raging, all-consuming need to be close to another person, no matter whether you knew why.
My soul called out, and hers answered.
Everything that I’d lost three years ago was suddenly before me. In the span of a breath, I closed the distance. I clutched her hips, a smile curling over my lips at the little gasp she let out as her back met the steel door and my mouth covered hers. I reached behind her, flicking the lock. Too many times we’d been interrupted. I’d be damned if I let it happen now. Not when she loved me again.
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AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Lauren Sevier and A. Smith are longtime friends and co-authors from southern Louisiana. Guns and Smoke, their first joint publication, began as a “short” story after having too much wine on girl’s night. Nine years later it is now the first novel in a Dystopian/Western Romance series. The duo has plans to publish several series together in the future. A. Smith spends her time with her two rescue dogs and rescue cat surrounding herself with books and Labyrinth paraphernalia. Lauren Sevier collects antique tea cups and tries to stay sane, though as the mother of a toddler she fails brilliantly most days. She also has a growing collection of crowns and tiaras and likes to act silly on Tiktok. Look for more thrilling novels from The Fools Adventure series in the future!
