Archive for the ‘Excerpt’ Category

Lincoln By Alisa Jean ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 19, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Romance
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From rivalries to secret glances across the rink,

dive into a story filled with passion, ice, and a little bit of chaos.

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Lincoln

A Los Angeles Quakes Hockey Series Book 1

by Alisa Jean

Genre: Sports Hockey Romance

L.A. Quakes’ fans
stomped their feet to cheers of “Caveman!” when I made incredible saves in the
crease, leading the team to two Stanley Cup victories. I thought I could go on
forever, but at thirty-six, the clock’s counting down even for Lincoln Cavanaugh.
Social media and fan sites are filled with rumors of me being traded. Or worse.
My future looks as uncertain as a loose puck on the ice.
My fate rests in the hands of Catherine Bishop, daughter of the team’s owner
and a power to be reckoned with. And what fine hands they are, along with
everything else about her. A chance encounter leads to sparks between us, but
is falling in love with this incredible woman worth the risk?
Because with her by my side, I’m once again an unstoppable force between the
pipes, and victories pile up like never before. However, our love is a ticking
time bomb because Catherine has dreams of making history as the first female
and person of color to own an NHL team. Sleeping with a player would make that
all go up in smoke. I fear when the truth comes out, it will be the final
buzzer for us.

 

Lincoln:

 

Hockey Romance
Forbidden Love
Dating the Boss’s Daughter
Sneaking Around
Aging Goalie
Dating Her Secret Crush
He Rescues Her
Future Boss

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I take his tiny gloved hand in my large one and start skating to where the Tremblers are standing in lines in front of the coaches. My friends are right behind me when we stop next to the staff, and I give the boy a gentle push. “Go get back in formation.”

Coach Greer holds out a hand, which I shake. “Thanks for doing this, it means the world to the kids.”

“It’s our pleasure.” My teammates nod along in agreement.

Greer introduces us to the tiny players and as I gaze over the group, I’m happy to see a lot of girls. This isn’t always the case at this age, so I’m glad their numbers are growing. Usually, they’d rather be figure skating. We’re about to break into groups for drills when I hear another pair of skates hit the ice. Turning, I’m stunned to see Catherine gliding toward us.

I spin and whisper-shout, “Who the hell invited her?” while glaring at my friends.

“Um,” Ribi raises a hand. “I thought since she was interested, she could tag along.”

My lips thin into a frown. All three of them bust out laughing. Oh shit, this is a setup.

“Hey. Sorry, I’m late. Traffic coming over the hill was murder.” She murmurs to us, then smiles and gives a wave at the kids. “Hi everyone, I think I missed the intros. I’m Catherine Bishop. My father, Robert Bishop, is the owner of the Los Angeles Quakes. I’m not the best hockey player, so I hope you’ll teach me.”

Which is bullshit. I know she played in college. They weren’t champs or anything, but she knows her way around the ice. I smile, knowing she’s fibbing for the kids’ sake.

And she’s adorable. She threaded her ponytail through the back of her Quakes’ baseball cap. Her hair swishes back and forth every time she moves. She must have gotten the memo, because she’s dressed identically to us, from hockey skates, black snow pants, and a Quakes’ sweater, though hers isn’t numbered. It’s a blank. The hockey gloves swallow her hands, but she holds her stick like she knows how to use it.

Since the introductions are finished, the kids break into groups for drills and my teammates spread out to help. The time flies and my cheeks hurt from the constant smiling.

Then Sonny yells over in that commanding captain’s voice, “Caveman, little help in the right circle.” I snap to it, instinctively following his orders because, on the ice, he’s the leader. We all follow and would do anything for him. Then I realize he’s sending me over to Catherine, who is having trouble teaching a little girl how to skate backward. Ribi and Bri are both closer, so his master plan isn’t exactly subtle. If there weren’t kids around, I’d tell him where to shove it, but we’re here for them, so I skate over to help.

“There seems to be a bit of a balance problem over here.”

“I’m a good skater,” Catherine states. “But apparently not the best instructor.”

“No worries,” I crouch in front of the little skater. “What’s your name?”

“Lacey.”

“Nice to meet you, Lacey. Can I show you something?”

She nods her head frantically, and my smile turns into a grin. I stand and hold my stick across my body and lower it to her height. “Grab on with both hands.” She does. Next, I bend my knees a little and lean a tiny bit forward at my waist. “Okay, copy me.” Lacey does, and I start skating forward. She’s pushed along with her grip on my stick. “Good. Keep moving your skates. Excellent. Now take one hand off.” Her balance wobbles, but she recovers. “Great job. Now, without losing your position, I want you to let go and keep skating.”

She looks a little nervous but follows through. She remains upright and skates backward.

“Awesome, Lacey. Look at you go.”

“I’m doing it! I’ve got this.” Her voice filled with pride and smiles.

“Yes, you do. Keep going.” I encourage her and step to the side, watching her skate away.

Catherine skates over. “You’re pretty amazing yourself. It’s like you have this magical touch. I spent almost twenty minutes with Lacey and got nowhere. You skate by and in less than a minute, she can skate backward on her own.”

Before I can reply, I’m slammed from behind, cut off at the knees. I fall forward into Catherine and we both go down. A little boy does a victory circle around us before skating off. I hear my friends laughing, those fuckers. I’ve got to be crushing her, so I move my weight to my arms and look down. “Are you all right? Did you hit your head?” We aren’t wearing helmets. I don’t want her to move if she’s hurt. It’s when I’m staring at her I realize how incredible she feels beneath me, all soft and curvy. I need to banish those thoughts before my cock gets ideas. There’s no way she wouldn’t notice in this position.

“I think I’m good.”

“Okay, let’s take it slow.” I get to my feet and hold out a hand, pulling her up. She’s standing close, so it’s easy to touch the back of her head. “Any pain or tenderness?”

“N-no, I-I’m fine.”

I stare into her eyes. They’re an amazing combination of brown and green. This woman. There’s so much more to her than anyone knows. Screw it. I’m going for it.

“Catherine,” I whisper.

“Y-yes?”

I lean a little closer, our noses almost touching. “Have dinner with me? Sunday.” This close, I can see her eyes dilate with my question. She’s attracted to me. “Come on, say yes.”

“It’s a bad idea,” she whispers back.

“Probably, but let’s do it anyway,” I smirk because I can’t help myself.

“Okay.”

“Okay.” I smile and skate backward, away from her. This is either the best decision ever or the worst mistake of my life.

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Alisa Jean is the
pseudonym for award-winning authors Marla A. White and C J Bahr. They first
teamed up over thirty years ago over a bottle of Zima (don’t ask) while
polishing their gear for a horse show. They’ve since moved on to better
beverages and writing novels. Separately, Marla prefers to murder characters in
the usual way, while C J uses paranormal means. The long-time best friends
joined together as a writing team through their mutual love of hockey. Wonder
twin powers activated! Their hockey romances examine flawed characters with
heart, humor, and sexy sizzle.

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Some Like It Hott By Serena Bell ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 19, 2025 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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Some Like It Hott

by Serena Bell

 

(Hott Springs Eternal, #3)
Publication date: January 14th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

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She’s nothing he wants. And everything he needs.

Preston: I’m Mr. Serious, the guy they call “all work and no play.” So of course my grandfather’s sadistic will has put me in charge of fun at the family’s wedding resort. I have just a few weeks to come up with an all-ages activities program for the resort’s guests—or lose my family’s land forever. Meanwhile, the clock’s ticking at my finance firm, where I’m up for a huge promotion—if I can prove I’m a team player.

Worse, I have to work with the reigning queen of fun, Natalie Archer. If there’s a party, Natalie’s there, and she’s the one dancing on the tables. She doesn’t think much of my suits, ties, cufflinks, and spreadsheets, and I don’t think much of her fun-first–safety-last attitude. But for some reason, I can’t stop thinking about her gorgeous curves, wild curly hair, or sparkling smile. I’m a man who values self-control—and I’m running low.

Natalie launches Operation Fun to help me loosen up and win the promotion I’ve been chasing. Now we’re spending days and nights together—and learning that some activities are a lot of fun for both of us. But as our deadline approaches and our collaboration heats up, Natalie and I find ourselves asking a big question: Opposites may attract, but can they live happily ever after?

A spicy, grumpy-sunshine, fish-out-of-water, billionaire, opposites attract, workplace relationship standalone romantic comedy set in the beloved small town of Rush Creek.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

By the time I start my new job a week after my coffee-shop encounter with Lloyd and Susie, I’m starting to feel more optimistic about things. My new boss, Hanna, hooked me up with a swanky room in the Hott Springs Eternal lodge; I’ve deleted all Lloyd’s emails, texts, and photos; and I’ve pawned all the jewelry he gave me.

I’m not sleeping great, and I’m still a little weepy…but you can’t have it all.

I poke my head into Hanna’s office and say, “Hey!”

“Oh, hi, Natalie. Come in.”

I can tell right away that something’s off. She doesn’t sound as brimming with enthusiasm as she did when she called to let me know I had the job or when we talked about my lodging. But I tell myself it’s nothing to do with me—probably a bridezilla situation from earlier in the morning—and step inside.

“Good to see you.” She waves me into a chair across from her. “I have some paperwork for you to fill out, but first I wanted to have a word with you.”

She rearranges a stack of papers, and I realize she’s nervous. Which means the “something off” I observed when I first walked in? Probably does have to do with me.

Shit. “Everything okay?”

I don’t know what I’ll do if this job falls through. Things are over with Lloyd, and it’s a huge understatement to say my parents aren’t my first choice of roommates. Or maybe it’s more accurate to say that the idea of asking them for any kind of favor makes me feel like throwing up. Which is why I have to save the money to go back to school.

And even if my housing situation weren’t at stake, I want this job. Yeah, it’s not on the long-term Get Serious path, but it’s totally up my alley. I love people and I love, well, fun—and this is a job where I get to make sure people have fun. Nothing else I’ve applied for sounds like something I want to do.

“I have so many great ideas for how to make Hott Springs Eternal a true destination!” I blurt out, sounding like a bad cover letter—as if that’s going to keep her from delivering whatever bad news is on the tip of her tongue.

She winces, and…I do, too. She looks away, and shit. Shit shit shit.

“It’s complicated,” she says, still not making eye contact. “Nothing to panic about, but there’s a—twist.”

“A twist,” I repeat. That doesn’t sound good.

“I’m really sorry about this bait and switch, but my hands are totally tied. I know I hired you to be the sole person in this position, but, well…God, how do I explain this?”

She’s not making any sense, and apparently my face betrays my confusion and worry because she says, “Wait, let me start from the beginning.”

But just then, her eyes leave my face and fix on something behind me. “Oh, hey,” she says.

I turn to see a man standing in the office door, towing a rolling suitcase behind him. He’s tall and broad-chested, wearing a gorgeous gray linen suit whose expensive tailoring flaunts the strength in his shoulders and biceps. His brown-and-burgundy power tie is cinched up tight against his strong, tanned throat. A half day of dark stubble coats his iron jaw, his cheekbones were carved from stone, and he’s scowling like he just found out his bespoke-suit maker has gone out of business.

My mouth goes dry, and my thighs get hot.

I may have read a little too much “You liked Fifty Shades? Try this!” romance at a formative age.

My eyes go to his hands.

No ring.

Yes, I checked. The universe has spontaneously served me up a Hot Man in a Suit. I challenge any single, straight woman with a pulse not to try to figure out if this guy’s married.

Although it’s pointless.

Because things never work out between men like him and women like me. They’re all business, and I’m a party. They take themselves and everything else seriously, and I’m still trying to figure out what I want to be when I grow up.

But it doesn’t stop me from having to wipe imaginary drool from both corners of my mouth.

It might be the stern look and the crease between his dark eyebrows. The set of his jaw or the harsh twist of his lush mouth.

Whatever it is, I have to force my eyes away from him and back to my boss’s face.

Which is pained.

Whatever the bad news is, it involves this man. And that makes sense because no matter what happens next, I already know he’s bad news for me.

“Preston,” Hanna says, “this is Natalie Archer. I’ve, er, hired her to be Hott Springs Eternal’s activities coordinator.”

His scowl deepens, making my heart beat faster, out of both fear and lust.

“That’s unfortunate,” he says.

Yikes.

Nice to meet you, too, Preston.

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About Author Serena Bell:

USA Today bestselling author Serena Bell writes contemporary romance with heat, heart, and humor. A former journalist, Serena has always believed that everyone has an amazing story to tell if you listen carefully, and you can often find her scribbling in her tiny garret office, mainlining chocolate and bringing to life the tales in her head.

Serena’s books have earned many honors, including an RT Reviewers’ Choice Award, Apple Books Best Book of the Month, and Amazon Best Book of the Year for Romance.

When not writing, Serena loves to spend time with her college-sweetheart husband and two hilarious kiddos—all of whom are incredibly tolerant not just of Serena’s imaginary friends but also of how often she changes her hobbies and how passionately she embraces the new ones. These days, it’s stand-up paddle boarding, board-gaming, meditation, and long walks with good friends.

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Daring Destiny By Kaylene Winter ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 18, 2025 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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2

Daring Destiny

by Kaylene Winter

 

(Charming Irish, #2)
Publication date: January 13th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Daring Destiny is a sweltering saga of billionaire intrigue, opposites-attract, slow-burn, friends-to-lovers with an unexpected life-changing twist.

Before I founded my AI tech company, I spent my high school years silently pining over Astrid Gustafsson, the unattainable ice-blonde beauty. Fast forward a decade and I’m shocked when she asks to collaborate on a secret project. The opportunity is too enticing to pass up.

Our newfound friendship quickly ignites into a wildfire of desire, and my passion for Astrid intensifies, leaving me eager to risk everything for our future. The challenge is, relentless demands of my high-stakes empire threaten to smother the flames of our burgeoning romance.

When fate dramatically intervenes, will a life-changing twist dare us to embrace our destiny?

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~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

“So…” she says quietly. “Can we talk?”

“Yeah.” I brace myself for what’s coming next.

The end. This is probably the last time I’ll ever see Astrid. My heart is breaking into a million pieces and I’m not sure how to stop her from…

Without thinking, I reach out and take her hand, comforted by how natural it feels. She doesn’t pull away, just flicks her eyes up to me and blinks rapidly. As if she’s trying to stop from crying. My heart thunders in my chest. She moves in closer.

Thu-thump.

Suddenly, her lips are on mine.

In the beginning, it’s a soft kiss. Tentative, as if she’s testing the waters. Then, it quickly deepens and I find myself pulling her flush against my chest. Instinctively, my arms wrap around her as I lose myself in the moment. She tastes like peaches and heaven.

When our lips finally part, our foreheads remain pressed together as we try to catch our breath.

“I didn’t mean to…” She clutches at my waist.

“Neither did I,” I mutter, though it’s a lie. If I could kiss Astrid forever, I would.

I planned to.

We stand there for a moment, holding each other. Neither of us willing to let go. The air between us is charged. Electric.

She gazes up at me, her eyes soft but guarded. “Thank you.”

“For what?” I’m genuinely confused.

“For being here tonight. I truly didn’t think you’d come” She takes in a huge breath and lets it out, like she’s nervous.

Considering the situation, I’m unsure how to respond. “Why wouldn’t I be here? It was important to you. To us.”

She smiles wistfully and tilts her head. “Brennan.”

“I… Uh…” I don’t know how to respond.

Astrid shoots me a look as if to say, shut the fuck up.

So, I don’t bother finishing the sentence. It’s pointless to bullshit her. I’m not capable of giving her what she needs and we both know it.

I’m utter crap at relationships. I don’t know how to nurture them. Prioritize them. Communicate properly. I never have. Probably never will.

Astrid should have been different. She’s everything I ever dreamed about. My ultimate fantasy. And I had her. Until I fucked up.

Ruined us.

Astrid sucks in a breath. “So…turns out I’m pregnant.”

Wait, what?

Reality crashes down, unforgiving. Like a hundred million buckets of ice water.

If I can’t manage a romantic relationship with someone as perfect as Astrid…

How in the fuck can I be a good father?

Reality crashes down, unforgiving. Like a hundred million buckets of ice water.

If I can’t manage a romantic relationship with someone as perfect as Astrid…

How in the fuck can I be a good father?

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About Author Kaylene Winter:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

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My Heart’s Desire By Heather Alexander ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 17, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , ,
5

 

My Heart’s Desire

by Heather Alexander

 

(The Kincaid Brothers Series, #2)
Publication date: January 13th 2025
Genres: Adult, Romance, Time-Travel

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When her best friend’s name appears on a tombstone dated 1883, the only way for Amber Harrison to save her is to travel through a mysterious time portal to the Old West—

Destiny drops her in 1883 Montana at the feet of Josh Kincaid—a sexy, time-traveling deputy with plans of his own. Attraction stirs between Amber and Josh, and soon their flirtatious friendship blossoms into a fiery romance. Teaming up, they devise a rescue, but time isn’t their only enemy. An escaped convict, seeking his revenge on the Kincaids, interferes with their plans. In order to keep their future on its true course, they must stop their adversary’s plan from coming to fruition. Can they beat time and return to their rightful place, or will they be stranded in 1883 forever?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

“Don’t move,” a deep, masculine voice commanded.
Amber froze. The hair on the back of her neck stood up. Waves of fear poured down her spine.

“Hands where I can see them,” the voice continued.

Amber thrust her hands straight up into the air. Her stomach burned, fear roiling in its depths. If she didn’t have an ulcer when this over, it would be a miracle. She closed her eyes for a second, hoping the voice belonged to Wyatt. Because if it wasn’t him, or she was in the wrong year, surely, she was dead. Trespassing was against the law even in this backward time. Great, and she didn’t think it was possible for her anxiety level to climb any higher.

“Turn around…slowly.”

The initial signs of an oncoming panic attack banged at the door to her senses. Her heart pounded, her chest tightened, and her head spun like she’d just come off the tilt-a-whirl at the amusement park. But she did as she was told and inched herself around, one baby step at a time.

If anything confirmed her trip back in time one hundred and forty years, this was it. The cowboy standing before her was tall, over six feet, and clad in what she expected to see a man from the 1880s to be dressed in. He wore an unbuttoned vest over a linen shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. His pants were super snug, and his dusty cowboy boots covered his legs from the knees down. The empty holster sat low over his right hip, and the silver spurs at his heels clanked as he moved toward her.

“W-Wyatt?” She swallowed nervously, lowering her hands. “D-don’t shoot!”

Dark blond brows shot up when she said his name, but he waved the gun and took another step toward her.

“I didn’t say you could lower your hands.”

Oh, shit!

She thrust her hands up again. “You…you are Wyatt, aren’t you? Wyatt Kincaid. Please tell me you are. Otherwise, I’m seriously screwed…in more ways than you could possibly imagine.”

Mesmerizing green eyes widened, and then his gaze swept over her from head to toe but remained on her feet. “I’d recognize twenty-first century sneakers anywhere.”

He tipped his chin toward her footwear, but his gun remained aimed at her.

Relief surged through her, and she sagged a little. This must be Emma’s husband. Now she understood what compelled her best friend to return to a previous century. Emma, you got yourself one fine husband. Out of all the details Emma revealed about Wyatt last year, Amber didn’t recall anything about him having such compelling green eyes. It was difficult to look away, not that she wanted to, she had to. This was her best friend’s husband.

Chalk it up to her time-travel muddled mind.

He took a step toward her and tilted his head to study her. “I’m guessing you’re…Amber?”

“Uh-huh. That’s right.” She nodded, still a little stunned. “Where’s Emma? I need to see her.”

His scowl quickly turned into a smile, and he holstered his gun. “Wow, the famous Amber Harrison in the flesh.”

He recognized her! Inside, she jumped up and down with excitement. “You know me? Wait, I don’t know how that’s possible. We’ve never met.”

“I recognize you from a photo Emma brought back with her last year…but you’re mistaken about who I am.”

She retreated a step. “If…if you’re not Wyatt Kincaid, then who are you?”

His smile widened, and he extended his hand. “Hi, I’m Josh. Wyatt and James’s brother.”

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About Author Heather Alexander:

Heather Alexander writes time-travel, contemporary, and historical romance.

Heather began writing as a child, inspired by her mom who loved to write fiction and poetry. Putting pen to paper—or rather fingers to keyboard—she began writing in the genres she loves. When she’s not writing, Heather enjoys spending time with her family, sipping Earl Grey tea while cozying up with a great book, and traveling. She is currently working on her next book.

Follow Heather on Instagram, Facebook, and Threads @booksbyha. Join her on GoodReads and BookBub.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X / Bookbub

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

A Curse Of Thorns And Slumber By Marie-Helene LeBeault ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: January 16, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Romance
Tags: , ,
7

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One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal
darkness.

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A Curse of Thorns and Slumber: 

A Sleeping Beauty Retelling

Legends Reborn Book 2

by Marie-Hélène Lebeault

Genre: Clean Romantasy Fairytale Retelling

A cursed prince. A dangerous dream world. A girl who
holds the key to their salvation.

One kiss could awaken a kingdom… or doom it to eternal
darkness.

When a reluctant thief with the power to control thorns is
forced to break an ancient curse, she must risk entering the dangerous
Dreamplane to save a cursed prince—but some magic comes with a price too deadly
to pay.

In the kingdom of Solstraea, where the skies are gray and
thorns rule the land, a centuries-old curse has imprisoned Prince Kael in an
eternal sleep. Only one person can break the spell—Liora Thornhand, a thief
with a rare, dangerous gift she never wanted.

Captured and offered a deal she cannot refuse, Liora must
venture into the deadly Dreamplane to find Kael’s heart, hidden deep within a
magical rose. But as she battles nightmare creatures and faces her own dark
past, she learns that waking the prince might cost her more than just her
freedom—it might cost her life.

In a world filled with twisted thorns, cursed roses, and
dangerous shadows, Liora will have to decide: will she risk everything to save
a kingdom she doesn’t belong to, or will she let it fall into eternal darkness?

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid
Kemmerer, “A Curse of Thorns and Slumber” is a spellbinding mix
of dark fantasy, romance, and a daring quest through a world where magic is as
treacherous as it is beautiful.

A Curse of Thorns and Slumber is the second book in
the Legends Reborn series. It is a no-spice fantasy romance
adventure. Books can be read in any order.


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Liora wound her way through the maze, her eyes darting warily over the roses as she passed. The thorns seemed to move, ever so slightly, as if they were alive, reaching toward her. She kept her distance, but the path ahead offered no clear direction, and she had no idea how long she had been walking.

Time, like everything else here, felt strange.

After what felt like hours, the thorny walls finally opened up into a wide clearing. At the center stood a towering rose bush, larger than any Liora had seen. Its twisted branches arched high into the sky, and nestled deep within the tangle of vines was a single glowing rose.

Her heart skipped a beat. That must be it.

But before she could take a step forward, something stirred at the base of the rose bush.

A figure, half-hidden in the shadows, stood slowly. He was tall, with dark hair falling just below his chin, dressed in clothes that looked like they belonged to another time—worn, faded, but finely made. His eyes, however, were the most striking—icy blue, with a depth that made Liora’s breath catch for a moment.

She recognized him immediately. Prince Kael.

But there was something wrong. He looked… distant. His eyes were sharp, but they seemed to look through her, not at her.

“You,” he said, his voice low and cold. “Who are you?”

Liora froze. She had been prepared for hostility, but something about the way he looked at her unsettled her. She straightened, forcing a smirk. “A thief, apparently. The mages sent me to break your curse.”

Kael’s expression hardened. He stepped forward, his gaze narrowing. “Another one,” he muttered, half to himself. “How many more are they going to send before they realize it’s useless?”

Liora crossed her arms. “So, I’m not the first. Good to know.”

Kael didn’t answer. He looked her over, his eyes flicking to the pouch at her side where she still kept the stolen jewels—though they felt utterly useless here. “Why should I believe you?”

“I don’t care if you do,” Liora shot back, her patience already thinning. “I’m not here for you, anyway. I’m here for the rose.”

At this, Kael’s eyes darkened, a flicker of something unreadable passing over his face. “The rose,” he repeated, his voice softer now, almost bitter. “Of course.”

Liora took a step toward the rose bush, but Kael moved suddenly, blocking her path. His eyes were sharper now, more focused. “You think it’s that simple?” he asked, his voice low. “That you can just come here and take it?”

She frowned, her pulse quickening. “Isn’t that the idea?”

Kael’s lips curled into a humorless smile. “It’s never that simple.”

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A Curse of Snow and Ash: 

A Snow White Retelling

Legends Reborn Book 1

She holds the power of fire and ice—now, she must decide
which one will rule.

Valira, the forgotten princess of the Ash Court, has lived
her life hidden from both her past and her dangerous magic. When she is thrust
into a world of ice and fire, hunted by two rival courts, she must unlock her
powers to stop a war—and perhaps find herself along the way.

In a world where fire and ice have been at war for
centuries, Valira, an exiled princess with no memory of her past, is hunted for
the power she doesn’t understand. Born from a forbidden union between the
Courts of Snow and Ash, Valira wields both fire and ice, a magic that could
save or destroy the realm.

When a cold-hearted assassin from the Snow Court, Prince
Caelan, is sent to kill her, their fates become entwined. As they race against
time to uncover the truth about her origins and the curse that threatens the
kingdoms, Valira must learn to control her volatile powers before the war
consumes them both.

Enemies lurk in every shadow, and trust is as fragile as
ice. But amid the chaos, a dangerous bond forms between Valira and Caelan—one
that could melt the coldest hearts or spark a fire that consumes them both.

Perfect for fans of Sarah J. Maas and Brigid Kemmerer, A
Curse of Snow and Ash is a breathtaking blend of elemental magic, fierce
romance, and high-stakes fantasy.

A Curse of Snow of Ash is the first book in the Legends Reborn series. It is a
no-spice fantasy romance adventure.

Amazon *
B&N * Google * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Valira’s eyes snapped open, stinging with the frigid air. She could feel the sharp bite of the cold against her skin, but she didn’t flinch. The snow beneath her had already started to melt from the heat of her body, leaving a damp spot on her clothes. Glimpses of a steel-colored sky peeked through heavy clouds, casting a dreary light on the snowy landscape. With a shiver, she sat up and brushed off frost from her hair, revealing strands as white as the ground beneath her. Something was off about this morning, and Valira couldn’t shake the feeling of unease that settled in her gut.

 

Sinking deeper into the snow, Valira struggled to move her numbed fingers. She couldn’t feel the cold, but she knew it was there, biting at her skin. Despite the frozen world around her, a simmering heat pulsed in her chest. It was the only thing keeping her going.

 

As she stood up and took in her surroundings, she saw the trees were stripped bare of leaves, their branches coated in a layer of ice. The air smelled of snow, crisp and clean, like freshly washed laundry. How had she ended up here? She couldn’t remember anything before a sharp pain and the feeling of falling.

 

But as she walked forward, she noticed something strange: her feet left no footprints in the snow. She blinked and tried to clear the fog in her mind. With each step, her heartbeat remained steady, almost unnaturally so. The silence of the forest seemed to stretch on forever.

 

Until a sudden sound shattered it – a distant howl that sent shivers down Valira’s spine.

 

A small crack echoed through the stillness of the forest, causing Valira to freeze in her tracks. She immediately became alert, her senses sharpening as she scanned the area for any signs of danger. And then, she saw him – a figure cloaked in dark fur, standing at the edge of the clearing with an air of silent menace.

 

His eyes were a piercing icy blue, cold and calculating as they locked onto hers. As he stepped forward, his hand rested on the hilt of a long, silver blade. Valira’s heart raced, fear gripping at her chest. She didn’t know who this stranger was or what he wanted, but she knew he was not here to help her.

 

With trepidation, Valira raised her hand and felt a warmth spreading through her chest, traveling down her arm and into her fingers. The snow at her feet melted in a perfect circle, steam rising from the ground. She was both amazed and terrified by this unfamiliar power coursing through her veins.

The man hesitated for a moment, his grip on his sword loosening as he looked down at the melting snow with surprise. He spoke in a low, measured voice. “You shouldn’t be here.”

 

Valira’s heart pounded in her ears as she responded defiantly, “Neither should you.”

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Awakening from the Shadows: Healing Through A Curse of Thorns and Slumber

By Marie-Hélène Lebeault

When I began writing A Curse of Thorns and Slumber, I didn’t realize how much of myself I’d find in Liora Thornhand. On the surface, she’s a thief—clever, resourceful, and unafraid to take risks. But beneath her sharp edges, she’s someone who feels trapped by the weight of her past and the curse that defines her.

What I didn’t realize at the time was how much Liora’s journey mirrored my own.

Living in Functional Freeze

Before writing this book, I was in a place I now know as functional freeze. Life felt overwhelming—new challenges, old traumas, and the constant pressure of being my family’s sole support. I didn’t feel like I could stop, even when I was burnt out. So I did what many of us do: I kept going. I handled everything that needed to be done, but inside, I felt stuck.

Writing Liora made me confront that feeling. She’s spent years surviving but not living, using her wit and defiance to mask the fear and pain she’s never been able to fully process. Her journey isn’t just about breaking a magical curse—it’s about breaking free from the fear that keeps her running.

The Thorns Around Us

In the story, Kael’s curse binds him to the Shadowthorn, a monstrous force that transforms him every night. Liora’s curse is more subtle, but just as cruel: the mark that brands her as dangerous and keeps her apart from the world.

For me, the thorns represented everything that held me back: burnout, fear of failure, the need to keep going no matter the cost. Writing this story helped me see that the thorns around us aren’t always visible, but they’re no less real. They trap us, suffocate us, and keep us from moving forward.

But Liora’s story reminded me that thorns can be cut away. That we can face them, one by one, and find a way through.

The Power of Connection

One of the most healing parts of writing this book was exploring Liora and Kael’s relationship. At first, they’re like two broken pieces that don’t fit—but as they learn to trust each other, they begin to heal.

Kael doesn’t save Liora, and Liora doesn’t save Kael. They stand beside each other, showing that even when we feel trapped by our circumstances, we don’t have to face them alone.

For me, that was a powerful reminder: that it’s okay to lean on others, to let someone see the cracks in your armor. Sometimes, the people we let in are the ones who help us find our way out.

For Anyone Who Feels Stuck

If you’ve ever felt like you’re just surviving—caught in the grind of responsibility, fear, or exhaustion—I hope Liora and Kael’s story speaks to you.

Healing doesn’t happen overnight. It’s messy and painful and full of doubt. But even when it feels impossible, there’s always a way forward.

This story reminded me that no matter how thick the thorns may seem, they don’t have to define us. We can break free. We can find light.

And we can wake up.

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Marie-Hélène is a Canadian author. She writes young adult
quest and adventure stories rooted in fantasy, magic, and time travel. With
important coming-of-age lessons at the core of her writing, children and young
adults alike will revel in the fantastical journeys of her characters. When not
immersed in magic and mystery, you’ll find Marie-Hélène hiking, cycling, or
lying on the beach with a good book.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram *
Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Sensible Shoes By Cindy Causey ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 16, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Welcome to my stop in the virtual book tour for Sensible Shoes organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Cindy Causey will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Sensible Shoes

by Cindy Causey

Genre: Women’s Fiction

Synopsis

At her fiftieth birthday party, Tess Thomason, a plain-Jane, divorced mother and decidedly unprepared women’s newspaper columnist, is blindsided by her well-meaning family with a stack of gift cards she interprets as meaning she’s fat, frumpy, and wrinkled. Facing a lonely future and failing career, Tess embarks on a journey of self-discovery, taking her readers along for the ride. But her resolve is nearly derailed by a hilarious season of family chaos that includes a surprise pregnancy, rushed wedding, and unexpected houseguests. In the midst of it all, Tess is drawn into a confusing new relationship with a man who is impossibly perfect for her. But if she can keep herself, her family, and her willpower firmly seated on the crazy roller coaster of her life, maybe Tess will find her own self-worth and a new love in the bargain.

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

But first, I needed to think.

If I were to embark on this perilous journey of reawakening and discovery, I needed to consult my sweet muse, to experience the warmth of an old friend, to snuggle into the comfort of the familiar.

I needed a full caf, mocha hazelnut latte, with a double whip….

I leaned back in the chair, sipped on the sweet mocha froth, and sighed aloud.

“It can’t be that bad.” The sound of a rumbling male voice, laced with humor, made me turn to my right and stare at the man seated there, newspaper on the table in front of him.

“I beg your pardon?”

He leaned forward a little, and I could see traces of gray in his temples and laugh lines around his eyes. They were very nice brown eyes.

They went with his very nice face, which was perfectly proportioned and just rugged enough to be interesting. His mouth quirked up a little at one corner as if he were slightly amused.

“Whatever those cards are, they seem to be upsetting you.”

“They’re gift cards.”

“Mmm, don’t you hate those?”

I chuckled. “Not normally, but these are particularly evil.”

“Ah, gift cards for the seven deadly sins. You don’t see those every day.”

The guy was intriguing. A sense of humor. And those eyes.

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About Author Cindy Causey:

Cindy Causey taught herself to type in the 8th grade because she couldn’t write in her diary fast enough in longhand. A degree and career in advertising were the result. A fifteen-year stint as a copy chief at JCPenney Catalog led to the position of Internet Marketing Manager for JCPenney.com.

After 20 years at JCPenney, Cindy retired in December, 2007, and began working full time with her husband Scott in their multi-media production company, Dallas Media Center. They specialized in audio/video production and editing, vintage media transfer to DVD and CD, as well as website design and hosting. Cindy shuttered the company in 2021, three years after Scott passed away.

After her first book, a non-fiction work called Cherish the Gift: a Congregational Guide to Earth Stewardship, was published, Cindy began writing fiction. She found her voice in romance, the stories of the struggles two people endure on the road to happily ever-after. Her debut novel, A Different Drum was published in May 2009 by The Wild Rose Press, followed by A Hot Time in Texas that same year.

In early 2025, her latest novel, Sensible Shoes, a humorous look at a woman struggling with life after 50, was published by The Wild Rose Press. It will be followed in late 2025 by a romantic suspense novel entitled Saving Samantha.

Cindy makes her home in Dallas, Texas. In addition to writing, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her 5 grown children and 4 grandchildren. She would like to see the edges of the entire world from the deck of a cruise ship.

Author Links: Blog / Website / Facebook / Instagram / YouTube / Pinterest

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The Costume Box By Peter Hynes ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 14, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, Poetry
Tags: ,
43

Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for The Costume Box organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Peter Hynes will award a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The Costume Box

by Peter Hynes

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Genre: Poetry

Synopsis

This is the second edition of poetry written by Peter Hynes, after Under the Oak. I hope you enjoy reading these poems, and perhaps I can make you think about things you might not ordinarily think about.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

fame and fortune

 

his voice insinuates itself

to repeat his songs

in your loving ears,

so that wherever you go

you see him in your mind

and hear his love returning yours

as the refrain echoes

in your lonely heart,

making your empty head think,

inspiring the realisation

that for all his supposed success

he’s still not really satisfied

nor immensely happy

 

that’s because he recognises

that fame and fortune

have led to old friends

turning their faces away

when they see him on the street

because they can’t stand to hear

how he’s eclipsed them—

not what he thinks,

but which they believe

in their dreamless,

too-frequently jealous minds,

 

all of them evidently incapable

of comprehending,

or perhaps conveniently forgetting,

the sacrifices he’s had to make

to achieve this level of celebrity,

or that he’s serious when he says

that he’d gladly chuck the lot

if only he could go back

to the days when he was poor,

struggling and sleeping on floors

and have his friends’ love again

 

which I would think

is probably what explains

the sadness which has crept

into so many of the songs

he’s writing nowadays

~~~~~

About Author Peter Hynes:

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Peter Hynes is a Canadian. He began writing poetry many years ago, in high school. His poetry has been published in various anthologies and elsewhere since. This is his first book of poems. He was born in southwestern Ontario. He still lives in the province with his wife and their small menagerie.

 

Website / Instagram / Goodreads / Bookfunnel

Purchase Links: Amazon / B&N / Walmart / Booktopia

~~~~~

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

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Where The Road Ends by Kathryn Beck ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 14, 2025 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
Tags: ,
24

 

Where the Road Ends

by Kathryn Beck

 

 

Publication date: January 13th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction

 

Bartender Mara Sawyer has sixty days to turn her life around. If she can’t, Mara will lose the chance to regain custody of her daughter. Never having envisioned her life as a living, breathing, public service announcement for the Wyoming judicial system, Mara embraces the judge’s harsh rebuke. Finding a steady job will be easy, finishing school will be easy. Eluding the distraction of the new swaggering Texan, Luke Whitten, will be anything but easy.

With all her cards on the table, Luke and Mara build a strong friendship and along the way, she gives herself permission to fall in love again. When Mara’s ex offers up full custody in exchange for betraying Luke, Mara must choose — her daughter’s happiness, or her own.

Goodreads / Amazon / Wild Rose Press

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

New guy held up his finger for the fourth time in an hour.

She swept his plate and silverware into the dirty dishes bucket and pulled the handle to deliver him another beer. “Are you sure you don’t want a shot of something?” She waved at the collection of liquor bottles behind her. “Your something unpleasant is going to get expensive at some point.”

He ran his finger along the grain of the wood, up the condensation of the glass. His hands were large and calloused. Workingman’s hands.

Refusing to bite, or speak apparently, he looked up and smiled.

Twisting around, she grabbed up one of their generic, bar-grade bottles. “You look like a tequila man.”

“A tequila man, huh?” He raised one eyebrow, motioned with his finger for her to pour. “Sure, you want to call that tequila?”

She glanced at the bottle, thought again, and grabbed up a bottle of Sagebrush, her mid-grade agave tequila, and held it up for inspection. “Better?”

“I’m impressed.” He nodded as she was poised to pour.

“So, a man who knows his tequilas. A man not in his element with this weather.” She glanced at his ambiguous touristy ball cap. “You’re from Texas.”

He extended a killer smile that swept all the sharpness away in an instant. “And how would you know that?”

“Simple.” She looked at his hands, at his chest. “We get a lot of oil guys in here. But oil guys in Wyoming are different.”

She nodded at a customer a couple of bar stools down, held her finger up to new guy.

He shot down his tequila and winced, looped his finger as she got back to him. “You realize you’d be laughed out of the Lone Star State with your tequila selection.”

“Maybe, but that means I’m right about the Texas part though.”

He rocked his head from side to side. “Perhaps.”

“Ball cap is a dead giveaway.” She floated her head sideways to indicate the packed bar. “Wyoming boys wear them backward, trying to look cool, or what they think is cool. Texas boys are already confident, wear their caps like grown men should.” She was flirting, but he was a safe sort. The kind just passing through on their way somewhere else. Not like he’d be interested in her anyways. Since the courtroom visit—her sweet and salty explosion of junk food continued, ending last night with an entire key lime pie. Instinctively, she glanced down the counter to Angela. But here new guy sat, had sat. She knew better than to read anything into that.

After three shots, he slowed down, nursing his beer, staring so intently at the coaster, there had to be something unpleasant and deep going on. There was no way one night on her barstool would touch his problems. No matter how many shots he did.

But in an instant, his buzzed ass stared at her with blue eyes, glacier blue, burning straight to her insides. She liked to think she could hold her own looking someone in the eye, but she was the first to look away. She didn’t need anyone trying to analyze her lengthy list of problems.

“Do you have family here?” she asked, trying again. She’d never worked so hard for a conversation. Two nights off diminished her let-me-into-your-world vibes.

“Huh?”

“Mom, brother, sister? What you Texas boys may call kinfolk?”

She didn’t miss the flinch when she said brother. She also didn’t miss his eyes lighting up and the bite at his lip when mentioning a sister. Within ten short seconds he pulled out a photo of not only his sister, but two adorable nephews, in full cowboy attire.

He put his credit card on the bar and returned the pictures to their sleeves. After he signed the receipt, he hitched his hip and jammed his wallet into the back pocket of well-worn, faded-to-soft jeans.

He tipped his cap, looking over the crowd for a minute, and turned his hat around backward, making her laugh. “Does that make me blend better?”

.

 

About Author Kathryn Beck:

Kathryn is a transplanted Canadian who now calls Texas home. She loves writing strong, morally gray women tackling complex relationships and their messy lives. Kathryn enjoys road trips, spa weekend getaways, and spending time with family and friends.

Website / Facebook / Instagram / X

 

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a Rafflecopter giveaway

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~~~~~

Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Passions By Sheritta Bitikofer ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 13, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, New Adult, Romance
Tags: , ,
6

 

Passions

by Sheritta Bitikofer

 

 

Publication date: January 10th 2025
Genres: Adult, New Adult, Paranormal, Romance

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His world was dark until she brought the light…

Chloe Kaspin has two dreams. Find a quiet place to recover from an abusive ex-boyfriend, and to make a living as a writer. The first dream is fulfilled when she inherits her beloved aunt’s cabin in the Georgia mountains. Now the second dream is up to her. Then she finds mysterious notes critiquing her work. Has a dangerous stranger managed to invade her refuge? Or is her cabin as haunted as the townsfolk say it is?

Gavin Caras immigrated from England to Georgia in 1733. While pursuing his dream of being a writer, his entire family is wiped out by a mysterious infection. Only Gavin survives, not only alone, but with a hunger that can only be satisfied by blood. For generations, he’s managed to hide in the basement of the cabin he built. But now his cabin is occupied by a woman who shares at least one of his passions: the world of the written word. Late one night, he finally reveals himself to her, not a ghost, but a man driven by an unholy hunger, a passion he would die to end if he could.

The autumn winds may be chilly but Gavin warms Chloe’s heart. Then children go missing in the nearby town. Has Gavin been lying to Chloe? She’s willing to help him find a way to end his blood-lust, but the cost may be too high. Chloe and Gavin can’t rewrite the past. Can they survive to write a new future together?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Her eyes shifted toward her desk on her way to the kitchen, and her heart jumped against her ribcage as she saw more writing on her notepad.

Another letter. This one was longer.

Chloe was jolted awake once more, just as she had been the day before. The disquieting thought rammed through her sleepy head that the locks hadn’t worked. Without taking the time yet to read the letter, she checked the windows and the doors. Again, there was no sign of forced entry.

Chloe’s eyebrows furrowed as she thought it over. With the locks on the two doors, there was no way the intruder could have broken in, written that note, and then returned the locks to their original positions on their way out. The same went for the windows. How were they getting inside?

She sighed heavily and ran a set of long nails through her dark wavy hair, snagging on a few tangles at the back of her head. There was nothing she could do about it now. Perhaps there was nothing she could do to prevent this from happening time and time again.

Shuffling to her desk, she sat down and read the perfect cursive writing, feeling mixed emotions as her eyes followed the words.

I thought you would never go to sleep. I do not appreciate waiting. Next time, do us both a favor and get to sleep at an earlier time.

Chloe’s jaw dropped. Had they been watching her the whole night? They knew when she was still up writing? A cold chill ran up her spine at the thought of someone spying on her. Wrapping the robe around her chest a little tighter, she continued.

As for your manuscript, I noticed you made the changes I suggested. Excellent work. You have a firm grasp of dialogue composition. Their conversations are believable. But, I do suggest that you avoid writing from the male point of view. This is not meant as an offense to you, but you obviously do not understand the inner workings of the male mind. As a writer, if you narrate strictly from the female’s perspective, you will sound more competent in the genre you have chosen. Nonetheless, your story is coming along just fine. I look forward to reading more. Yours sincerely – G

Chloe was stunned. She leaned against the slatted back of the chair and stared dumbly at the wall.

She didn’t know what to think. Whoever this was had noticed the changes as well as read through the additions she made the day before. Not only that, but they commended her for it and exonerated her dialogue style. She took no offense to their comment about writing from the male point of view. It was difficult and uncomfortable to put herself inside the male brain and try to figure out how their thought process worked. It had always been something of an impossible task, and she took no joy in it.

Deducing from that comment alone, she assumed her mystery correspondent must be a man. Why else would he be so knowledgeable on how the male mind does or does not work?

If she adhered to this instruction, there were many changes she’d have to make to the story. There were several scenes with only her male protagonist present and his thoughts on the female. She’d have to change the whole book to an omnipresent perspective if she wanted to keep those scenes. But wasn’t that pretty much the same thing she was already doing?

Chloe groaned and held her head in her hands, propping her elbows on her closed laptop. She hated herself for taking these notes so seriously. The thought that a complete stranger was somehow breaking into her home, just to write these silly critiques, was far from her mind. All she could think about was obeying the suggestions as if his opinion was valid and worth her consideration.

Then it occurred to her that she wasn’t writing for this stranger. She was writing for herself. Why did she have to change her entire story just to accommodate him, of all people? A stranger she had never met and was forcing his way into her home somehow without any trace or reason.

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About Author Sheritta Bitikofer:

An author of paranormal and urban fantasy fiction, Sheritta Bitikofer lives for the deep, engaging stories that enthrall readers from cover to cover. As a wife and fur-mama of eclectic tastes, she can be found roaming Civil War battlefields, perusing the romance section of the bookstore, or relaxing with a plate of chili cheese fries.

Take a look at the books she has available and stay tuned for new releases.

Also visit her official author website at: www.sherittabitikofer.com and her writing blog at www.moonstruckwriting.wordpress.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / X / Blog / Newsletter

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For a list of free eBooks updated daily go HERE

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Tale Of The Seasons’ Weaver By D. Wallace Peach ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: January 11, 2025 in Excerpt, giveaways, YA Fantasy
Tags: , ,
6

 

Tale of the Seasons’ Weaver

by D. Wallace Peach

 

 

Publication date: January 9th 2024
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

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“Already the animals starve. Soon the bonemen will follow, the Moss Folk and woodlings, the watermaids and humans. Then the charmed will fade. And all who will roam a dead world are dead things. Until they too vanish for lack of remembering. Still, Weaver, it is not too late.”

In the frost-kissed cottage where the changing seasons are spun, Erith wears the Weaver’s mantle, a title that tests her mortal, halfling magic. As the equinox looms, her first tapestry nears completion—a breathtaking ode to spring. She journeys to the charmed isle of Innishold to release the beauty of nature’s awakening across the land.

But human hunters have defiled the enchanted forest and slaughtered winter’s white wolves. Enraged by the trespass, the Winter King seizes Erith’s tapestry and locks her within his ice-bound palace. Here, where comfort and warmth are mere glamours, she may weave only winter until every mortal village succumbs to starvation, ice, and the gray wraiths haunting the snow.

With humanity’s fate on a perilous edge, Erith must break free of the king’s grasp and unravel a legacy of secrets. In a charmed court where illusions hold sway, allies matter, foremost among them, the Autumn Prince. Immortal and beguiling, he offers a tantalizing future she has only imagined, one she will never possess—unless she claims her extraordinary power to weave life from the brink of death.

In the lyrical fantasy tradition of Margaret Rogerson and Holly Black, D. Wallace Peach spins a spellbinding tale of magic, resilience, and the transformative potency of tales—a tapestry woven with peril and hope set against the frigid backdrop of an eternal winter.

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

A wicker basket of colorful spools rested at my feet. I picked through the bewitched thread my mother had hand-spun long before my birth. No matter how many seasons passed, the spools unwound and unwound, and I no longer fretted about reaching their ends. There was no end to magic, no end to the seasons, no end to my place on the cusp of two worlds.

A delicate pink caught my eye, a color crafted from the cherry blossoms bordering my garden. I held it against the tapestry, testing its suitability for flowering plum trees and coral bells I’d stitch into the meadows and along the forest’s edge.

“Should you desire my opinion, Erith,” a small voice piped up, “it requires a touch of carnation and a shimmer of sunshine. On the dogwood blossoms as well.”

“I wondered about those.” My gaze rose to my knee-high hospet. He sat cross-legged on the hearthstone in front of our shrinking fire, cracking walnuts with his sharp teeth. The creature blinked at me with eyes as clear as spring water, his waistcoat buttoned, cheeks rosy, and cinnamon hair parted in the middle like a magistrate. Nobbin kept my wood and moss cottage tidy, expecting little beyond customary respect and an occasional outfit when his garments aged past mending.

He also took it upon himself to offer artistic advice since my mother had chosen to join my father in the underworld.

“I might leave them as they are,” I said. “Dogwoods are white.”

Nobbin’s eyebrows tilted up in an expression of devilish skepticism. “Spring’s princess will agree with me. Give it a brush of magic. I know you dabble when I’m otherwise occupied.”

“You spy on me?”

“I’m observant. And I’m charmed.” He flicked his handcloth at the window. “Snow doesn’t glitter like that without your touch, my girl. You added that sparkle to your mother’s tapestry, and it impressed the Winter King.”

“Do you think so?” A blush heated my cheeks. “From what I’ve gathered, he’s not one to dole out compliments.”

“None of them are.” Nobbin held up a nut as if inspecting a precious gem. “Such is the nature of immortals. Add a layer of royalty on top, and we are lucky they don’t dismember anyone or anything tarnishing their crowns.”

“Dismember?” I cringed at the grisly thought and drew my black shawl around my shoulders. “My mother told me the courtiers are kind and cruel in equal measure. Without good reason for either.”

Not one to speak with his mouth full, Nobbin raised a finger and swallowed a morsel of walnut. “Indeed, they’re notoriously whimsical. But you are their weaver, and every artist must begin somewhere. You will earn your place, Erith, though it is no simple task to prove your power and demand respect. Spring is the first tapestry you may claim as your own creation, and it is a glorious start. I have untold faith in you.”

I smiled gratefully and stifled a shudder at the challenge ahead. Despite Nobbin’s trust in me, my confidence wavered like a weathervane on a gusty day. I’d done my best, and it would have to serve. The seasons’ rulers wouldn’t dismember me on a whim. I hoped.

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About Author D. Wallace Peach:

Best-selling author D. Wallace Peach grew up surrounded by her father’s well-loved paperback books. Fantasy was a staple, but it was Tolkien’s The Hobbit that planted the seeds which would grow into a passion for writing.

Peach started writing later in life when years of working in business surrendered to a full-time indulgence in the imaginative world of books. She was instantly hooked.
In addition to fantasy books, Peach’s publishing career includes participation in various anthologies featuring short stories, flash fiction, and poetry. She’s an avid supporter of the arts in her local community, organizing and publishing annual anthologies of Oregon prose, poetry, and photography.
Peach lives in a log cabin amongst the tall evergreens and emerald moss of Oregon’s rainforest with her husband, two owls, a horde of bats, and the occasional family of coyotes.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Myths of the Mirror

 

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