Archive for the ‘New Adult’ Category

The Life Wish by Linda Kage ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: October 9, 2024 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways, New Adult
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The Life Wish

by Linda Kage

 

(The Seven, #3)
Publication date: October 3rd 2024
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

What if you fall in love with a ghost?

After four shots of cinnamon schnapps and something called heaven in a cup, Raina Bollen finally feels brave enough to meet her crush, star quarterback Foster Union.

Except her rideshare is involved in a car accident on the way there. Now she’s stuck in a coma, and her soul gets severed from her body, only to tether itself to none other than Foster himself.

Foster never wanted some random spirit to suddenly start riding shotgun in his life, but it doesn’t take long for Raina’s bubbly infectious personality to win him over. She’s just the breath of fresh air he craves because he’s been in need of some serious living himself.

Now if he could only figure out how to help her live in return.

Goodreads / Amazon / Bookbub / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“This is bad. This is bad. This is really, really bad,” she chanted to herself, freaking out as she shook her hands and glanced around my room as if she’d just found herself in a dungeon. “He couldn’t see me. Why couldn’t he see me?” Focusing on me, she demanded. “Can you still see me?”

“Yes.” I nodded. “I can see you. And hear you.”

“Well, what does that mean?” she cried.

“I…” I lifted my hands to look at this objectively. “I’m not completely sure. But I’m guessing that either you’re a figment of my imagination, and I’m hallucinating right now, or—”

When I paused at the second option, she stepped closer. “Or what?”

“Or…” I blew out a breath and couldn’t believe I was going to even suggest this before I just blurted, “Maybe you’re a ghost.”

“A ghost?” She blinked at me once, then blurted out a laugh before stopping abruptly to scowl. “No. No!” Shaking her head, she began to pace the room. “I don’t like that option. Being a ghost would mean I’m dead. And I’m not dead.”

“Are you sure?” I asked hesitantly.

Halting abruptly, she swerved around to send me a harsh scowl. “I think I would know if I was dead!”

“You’d think you’d know your own name, too,” I countered with a cringe.

She gasped, insulted, and then narrowed her eyes. “Okay. Alright. Fair point. But if I was dead, could I do this?”

Spotting my wallet and keys sitting on top of my dresser, she tried to sweep them off with a swing of her hand.

Except she missed.

“What the hell?” Blinking in confusion, she tried again, but her hand went straight through the items.

Easing forward, I pointed out a single finger and nudged the keys, making them scrape across the top of the dresser.

“Oh, dear God,” she breathed, turning to send me a horrified grimace. “Am I dead?”

“I don’t know,” I told her honestly. “But I’ve never been able to see ghosts before, and I’m positive I’ve been in the presence of a few.”

“Then I’m not dead,” she answered astutely and tried to grab my arm to prove it, only to cause a cool, misting sensation to coat my flesh when her fingers went right through me. “Ugh!”

I glanced down at the spot she’d tried to touch and then back up again. “I’m going to go out on a limb and say you’re not exactly alive either.”

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About Author Linda Kage:

Linda writes romance fiction from YA to adult, contemporary to fantasy. Most Kage stories lean more toward the lighter, sillier side with a couple meaningful moments thrown in. Focuses more on entertainment value and emotional impact.
Published since 2010. Went through a 2-year writing correspondence class in children’s literature from The Institute of Children’s Literature. Then graduated with a Bachelors in Arts, English with an emphasis in creative fiction writing from Pittsburg State University.

Now she lives with hubby, two daughters, cat Holly, and nine cuckoo clocks in southeast Kansas, USA. Farm girl. Parents were dairy farmers. Was youngest of eight. Big family. Day job as a cataloging library assistant.

Harry Potter House Gryffindor, Patronus White Stallion, character match Hagrid. Supernatural Team Dean. Game of Thrones Team Jon Snow and Tyrion Lannister. The Walking Dead Team Daryl. Outlander Team Jamie Fraser. Teen Wolf Team Stiles. Avenger Team Thor…or Hulk (can’t decide). Justice League Team Flash. Arrow Team Stephen Amell. Stranger Things obsessed. Heard Laurel, not Yanny.

Started out reading with the Baby-Sitters Club. Then moved to Sandra Brown, Linda Howard, Julie Garwood, and LaVyrle Spencer in high school. Now all over the place with her romance reading tastes.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram

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Daughter Of The Lost by Kay Stephens ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: July 28, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, New Adult, Romance
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Daughter of the Lost is a roller-coaster journey of self-exploration and finding family-even

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among your mortal enemies.

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Daughter of the Lost

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The Porn Star’s Daughter Book 2

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by Kay Stephens

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Genre: New Adult College Romance

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When the freshman party ends, the sophomore hangover hits.

Trinity Tachel has no use for society’s rules. Not after the New Orleans
police failed to investigate the murder of her sex-worker mother. Not
after she was abandoned to the Louisiana foster care system as a
child. And certainly not after fighting through freshman year to
prove herself worthy of a spot at the prestigious Filton University.

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Trinity is overjoyed when she’s invited to spend the summer in the Los
Angeles mansion of retired porn star Missy Mariola. Escape the daily
struggle to survive as a New Orleans college student? Yes please.
Shock proper society by openly embracing an adult film star? Even
better.

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But when Trinity returns to New Orleans for her sophomore year, she’s an
unrecognizable version of herself.

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Missy Mariola has taken over Trinity’s life. Missy doesn’t want Trinity to
work, makes all the rules-and even chooses Trinity’s housemates.
Trinity finds herself living with people she despises, including a
hot New Orleans cop who has a frustrating habit of showing up during
her worst moments.

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Trinity has to decide if she wants to remain the abandoned child of her past
or embrace a future with people who love her.

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Daughter of the Lost is a roller-coaster journey of
self-exploration and finding family-even among your mortal enemies.

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Amazon
* Bookbub
* Goodreads

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No, it’s not time yet.”

Trinity batted at the finger incessantly poking her shoulder and pulled a pillow over her head to

block out the blare of the alarm clock. And, for just a moment, she escaped. She slipped back

into a world of sleep so seductive she would have willingly traded her remaining days to let it hold

her for eternity.

But Tali was relentless. She wedged both of her hands under Trinity and rolled her limp body to

the edge of the bed.

“This isn’t New Orleans,” she said. “It’s going to take us two hours just to get to the airport.”

“Then I’m dropping out of school.” Trinity yawned and pulled her pillow tighter over her ears.

“Fuck it,” Tali whispered. “Me too. We’ll stay here and start our own business.”

“Sex shop?” Trinity asked.

“Sex shop.” Tali grabbed Trinity’s hand and held it up in a blind show of unity before dropping it

to the mattress.

They had started the summer in separate rooms, rooms so far apart it felt as if they were still

living in different zip codes—distant and lonely and better at following each other’s lives via

social media than actual human interaction.

And Trinity had missed her. Though they were temporarily residing at the same address, eating the

same food, and driving the same car, she missed the days of living their lives together out of

Tali’s cozy dorm room at Richardson Hall—Tali tangled up in James, Trinity trying to peel

herself off Seth’s sweaty body. Waking up to Tali’s beautiful smile every morning. Hugging her

tight every night. Together in their freshman-year sanctuary, they knew no matter what they had

to face that day, they could come home to their safe space—their stability no outside force could

crack. Apart in Tali’s massive LA home, it felt like their floor had fallen out.

And Tali had missed Trinity too. By June, they had started making excuses to sneak into each

other’s rooms. Trinity’s room was too hot. Tali’s was too cold. Tali’s room was too close to the

noise of the busy city streets. Trinity’s room had sheets that were too fucking expensive to sleep

  1. By July, they had given up the excuses and just moved into the one room. And it felt like a

sleepover that would never end, Trinity’s best friend next to her, passing a bottle of wine back and

forth over stories of their freshman year at Filton University. Their school work, their boys, the

battles they had fought together. Going back to school now felt like tainting the memories they

had already created. It was far better to start over in LA.

 

The door to their room burst open, and a harsh light from the hallway spilled onto the bed. The

curvy outline of a silk robe and high heels was the only shadow cutting through the glare.

“Did I just hear my girls aren’t leaving me?” a voice cried into the room, startling them both from

their last moments of sleep.

“Jesus, Missy,” Tali said. “Did you just creep outside our room all night? Don’t you ever sleep,

woman?”

“You can call me Mom, Tali. I didn’t shove Trinity out of my vagina, and even she calls me

Mom.”

Tali turned her back to the open door and stole Trinity’s pillow before slamming it down on her

own head.

“You’re grossing everyone out, Missy. Can you at least put more clothes on before you start

talking about your pussy today?”

“Absolutely not. You know how much I hate clothes.” Missy ran across the room and jumped into

bed between the girls, wrapping her arms around their heavy shoulders and pulling them close.

Trinity breathed into Missy’s hair and took in the lingering scent of high-end perfume mixed with

higher-end liquor she had surely been sipping all night in preparation for the morning. She

smelled like home now, fleeting though it might have been.

“Good morning, Mama,” Trinity whispered, smiling into Missy’s neck.

“No, this isn’t a good morning, love.” Missy ran a hand over Trinity’s dark hair and down to her

cheek. “This is the best morning. My girls are staying in LA and opening up . . . what did you

say? A sex shop? My beautiful, genius girls. You can do anything, but you choose to stay here

to get into the family business. We’ll have to get started immediately.”

She pulled her phone out of her robe pocket and started punching out a text to her assistant as

she read aloud.

“Make sure to rush order the molds we had made of my vagina. My girls are dropping out of

school to start a sex shop.”

She finished typing, reached a finger high in the air, and slowly brought it down toward the send

button before Tali grabbed the phone and threw it across the room.

“Fine.” Tali grunted as she dragged her legs to the side of the bed. “We’ll go back to school. But

when we both end up hospitalized from sleep deprivation, you’re the one that’s going to have

to come get us. You.” She pointed a sleepy finger at Missy.

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**FREEBIE ALERT!**

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Get book 1, The Porn Star’s Daughter FREE July 22-26!!

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Find it on Amazon

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Question: When did you begin writing and what inspires you to continue?

Kay Stephens: I began writing romance in 2015 as a creative outlet during a messy

divorce. And my first book was as ridiculous as the failed marriage—no character

development, no plot line, no underlying message. But it was incredibly fulfilling to

realize I had used my energy to create something rather than devolve into negative

emotions.

 

My romance writing improved significantly with two other, simultaneous life changes.

Following my divorce, I lived my own romance stories that continue on today with my

current (amazing) husband! However, my boss took the divorce as an opportunity to

both slut shame and sexually harass me, both in the office and in my home. It was life

changing to see how some important people in your life can raise you up and give you

space to become the best version of yourself, while others can work tirelessly to destroy

you. And it was in that life disparity that I found a message that continues to motivate

me—growing through the positive people into your life while combating the destructive

people (and learning to distinguish between the two).

 

Question: Who would you say is the ideal reader for Daughter of the Lost?

Stephens: The ideal reader loves love, has faced bullying, and finds strength reading

about how other people have combated bullying. They not only accept others’

differences, they accept and embrace their own differences too.

 

Question: How do you respond to the negative stigmas associated with reading

romance (shame, embarrassment, guilt…)? Do you feel that the genre is growing and

changing to adapt to modern times?

 

Stephens: If I could wave a wand and erase the negative stigmas associated with

reading romance, I would be the wand-wavingest girl on the streets. However, since I

cannot, I try to appreciate the stigmas for two reasons. First, these stigmas are such an

efficient way to identify people to avoid, because it takes a really broken person to

stigmatize an activity that makes people happy and has no negative impact on the

world. Second, these stigmas create such a strong reading community. Romance

readers are an amazing, supportive group in part because they continue bonding over

what they love despite outside condemnation.

 

I feel the romance genre mirrors societal norms and continues to adapt to modern

times, specifically in relation to misogyny and other forms of bigotry. Like society, the

romance genre is far from perfect, but we are seeing movement toward stronger female

characters and more representation in modern romance novels than those written in

prior decades. Readers now seem to be rejecting authors that refuse to evolve—just

another example of a strong, supportive community!

 

Question: Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

Stephens: I have one quirky writing habit that I always hoped no one would ask about.

Even during the hottest days of the summer, I must wear my favorite writing sweatshirt.

It’s hot pink, three sizes too big, and rocks the Circus Circus logo across the chest. Yes,

the Vegas casino that looks like the set of a 1980s gameshow. But I’m always cold, I

refuse to be uncomfortable, and if I’m being completely honest with myself…I love

Circus Circus. So it’s a win for everyone except my husband who would probably burn it

if he didn’t think it would lead to certain divorce.

 

Question: Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

Stephens: “It actually doesn’t take much to be considered a difficult woman. That’s why there are

so many of us.” – Jane Goodall

I have been considered a difficult woman since birth. But now that I’m writing romance

novels about the sex-work industry from my cozy little nook in the US Bible Belt, my

difficulty scores are measuring off the charts. It’s nice to remember I’m in good and

plentiful company.

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KAY STEPHENS is a lawyer
turned romance novelist, divorcée turned member of the illustrious
third-wives club, and party girl turned . . . uncomfortably old party
lady. Kay spent her early days living throughout the world, from
Boston to Barcelona to New Orleans, before finally settling down in
Tulsa, Oklahoma. She has the extraordinary privilege to write every
day due only to the loving support of her wild-ass husband and four
crazy teenagers. She has written for Your Tango and been featured in
Bustle and Female First among others.

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Kay’s debut novel, The Porn Star’s Daughter, is a steamy, laugh-out-loud
story about self-acceptance and sexual empowerment. Kay writes for
the people who like to shame the slut shamers, who wear their
too-tight skirts with pride, and who laugh at society’s
ever-conflicting expectations of them.

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Website
* Facebook
* Instagram
* Bookbub
* Amazon
* Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a 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.

The Maker Of Worlds by David Litwack ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: June 19, 2024 in Excerpt, giveaways, New Adult, YA Fantasy
Tags: , , ,
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The Maker of Worlds

by David Litwack

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Publication date: May 22nd 2024
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult, Young Adult

If you had the chance to remake the world, what kind of world would you choose?

When tragedy strikes Lucas Mack’s young life, he desperately yearns to escape its sorrow, and takes an improbable leap through the mythical maelstrom. Rather than splashing down on the far side like his neighbors, he’s transported to a magical realm where he has the power to redefine not only who he is, but the world in which he resides.

As he stumbles about trying to find his way, he meets Mia, an equally troubled fellow pilgrim. With the help of a mystical guide and an aging wizard, they navigate the enchanted land while learning to control their newfound powers. Yet this realm is more complex than they expected, with seasoned sorcerers who’ve been corrupted by the sinister side of magic.

Limited by natural law and seduced by magic’s power, they are tested as never before. Will the gift of magic bring renewed hope or drive them to the edge of the void?

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

In the light of pre-dawn, and in my half-awake state, no difference struck me at first, other than the chill waters deeper than expected, soaking the rolls of my trousers. Out of the mist on either side, giant evergreens loomed graceful as usual, rising until their tops blurred. The view so distracted me that several heartbeats passed before I realized the change.

Perhaps I was still sleeping in my bed, for where the channel to the west lake should have been, a broad flood plain spread. The water had washed over the banks and crept inland for a hundred paces, leaving the trees the only witness to what once had been dry land.

Beyond the trees, nothing.

Nowhere a dock or a mooring, not so much as a hint of early morning smoke rising from a chimney. Nowhere the cottages of Queen’s Hill. Nowhere houses at all. As I gaped, the edges of branches shimmered as if undecided whether to remain intangible or become real. In a panic, I realized the folly of this quest. Better to return to a safer, albeit gloomier life, to go back through the portal at once.

Behind me, the maelstrom still swirled, a fleeting comfort as it had started to recede. While I stared at the last link to my old world, the orb diminished, shrunk to a size I could cover with my hand, and then to that of the tip of my thumb. Before I sloshed more than two steps closer, it winked out.

Now, to the north and the south, nothing showed but water. I stumbled to shore, my movements causing the slightest wake in the surface, which lay so still I could make out my astonished features in the reflection.

I’d spent much of my young life with Addy, like a mate sailing across a forever lake. She’d been with me through calm and storm. I’d yearned to find renewed hope on this side of the gateway and return home to a new life, yet now the gateway, like Addy, had vanished.

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About Author David Litwack:

The urge to write first struck at age sixteen when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the wild night when lightning flashed at sunset followed by the northern lights rippling after dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter’s editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic.

Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue a career, in the process — and without prior plan — becoming a well-known entrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned.

David now lives in the Great Northwest. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

 

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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.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ Refuge From The World by Kim McMahill

Posted: May 10, 2024 in Dystopian, Excerpt, giveaways, New Adult, YA
Tags: , , ,
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Refuge from the World

by Kim McMahill

 

(The Beartooth Chronicles, #1)
Publication date: March 19th 2024
Genres: Dystopian, New Adult, Young Adult

Ashley McPhee arrived in Beartooth with her mom, Sara, when she was three years old. Ever since Ash can remember, life has been simple and peaceful. She enjoyed a carefree childhood, tending honey bees with her mom and spending time with her best friend, Caleb Solomon. But, life in their idyllic mountaintop community is changing.

After learning of the government’s plan to use a geoengineering process to cool the planet, Ash and Caleb realize they need to step up and take an active role in the community. Along with fear for how the process might impact their food supply, Ash learns her mom’s health is failing.

Sara doesn’t want Ash to face an uncertain future alone and nudges her and Caleb into marriage. Even though they have known each other most of their lives, Ash and Caleb’s relationship has changed drastically in a short period of time. They embrace the challenges of learning about each other, dealing with tragedy and grief, protecting their community from deadly predators and ruthless neighbors, and experiencing epic adventures, while trying to find solutions to a rapidly changing environment and deteriorating world.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Ash fell into step next to Caleb without talking. They had known each other for so long that they could be together without saying a word, and it didn’t feel awkward. When they reached the lake, they sat down on one of the large boulders scattered around the shore and stared out at the water.

“The lake level goes down a little more each year,” Caleb said.

“I’ve noticed. It used to be up to that cluster of rocks over there when we would go fishing when we were younger.”

“Rain isn’t enough to keep it full. The last time I remember seeing snow up here was when I was seven, and it didn’t stick around. Seems kind of ironic that so much of the planet is flooded, yet many worry about having enough fresh water to drink and to irrigate crops.”

“Why did we stop fishing?” Ash asked.

“I didn’t stop fishing. I still go fishing at least once a week. When you started taking a more active role in the beekeeping and tree nursery, you were available less and less. I go first thing in the morning, and that’s when you and your mom do most of your work.”

“I miss going fishing with you. I’ll see if Mom cares if we change around the schedule a bit unless you don’t want me tagging along like I did when I was younger.”

“I miss it too. I would love for you to tag along even though you always out-fished me.”

He put his arm around her and pulled her close. Ash laid her head on his shoulder and stared out at the lake. They sat like this sometimes, not as much as they used to, and she missed this too. She loved the feel of his arm around her and the warmth of his body next to hers, but never read too much into the gesture. Today, especially, she was in no hurry to break the connection.

“Are you going to the community meeting tonight?” he asked, finally breaking the silence.

“Yes. I keep getting these unsettling feelings, and I hope to find out if it’s just my imagination or if there is something I should be worried about. First, I find out you’ve been tasked with building weapons, then I had an odd conversation with your dad, found out we’re having an off-cycle community meeting, and all of a sudden Mom is all over me about marrying Tyler Hewitt.”

“What!” Caleb shouted as he scooted away and turned his body to face her. “You’re not seriously considering marrying that old man, are you?”

“No, but apparently, they’ve talked about it. I pointed out to Mom that he’s eleven years younger than she, but eighteen years older than me. In Tyler’s defense, I can only think of a couple of other eligible women between his age and mine.”

“He has no defense. For him to even be thinking about it, is wrong. When he moved here, you were what? Three? Four? Why now?”

“I think Mom is worried about getting old and leaving me alone. I don’t think she’s been feeling well, but I don’t know if it’s anything serious.”

Caleb stood up and paced. Ash watched him, confused by his reaction.

“I don’t plan to marry Tyler or anyone else not of my choosing. But, I’m not sure why you would care anyway since you’ve got eyes on Evelyn.”

“Where’d you hear that?”

“Apparently, her mother has been telling people that you two have been spending time together.”

“That’s not true. She tagged along when I was delivering deer meat the other day to the storehouse, but that was it. I most certainly didn’t ask her to come with me, and all she did was ask me questions about Dillon. Besides, she’s just a girl.”

Ash chuckled. “If people are happy to pawn me off on a man eighteen years older, a mere four years between you and Evelyn is nothing.”

She watched as Caleb retreated to the water’s edge. He picked up a flat stone and skipped it across its glassy surface. Ash walked to his side and stood next to him.

“We’d better get back. The meeting starts in a couple of hours, and I should help Mom with dinner,” Ash said as she turned to leave.

Caleb grabbed her arm and pulled her back until she was facing him. “Let’s hear what they have to say tonight. If there is some reason why everyone needs to get married, you’re marrying me.”

“And, what if there is no need?” she asked softly.

“Well, maybe we should anyway.”

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About Author Kim McMahill:

Kim McMahill started out writing nonfiction, but her passion for adventure, stories of survival against the odds, and speculating about the future of humanity and our planet, soon turned her attention towards fiction. She has published eleven novels, over eighty travel and human-interest articles, and contributed to a travel story anthology. Growing up in a beautiful mountain west community, traveling the world, and enjoying a twenty-year career with the National Park Service, has given her the opportunity to live in amazing places, experience incredible adventures, and witness many changes in our world, all of which have helped shape her stories.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / 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.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ I’ve Watched You Die by Karina Banks

Posted: September 24, 2023 in Fantasy, giveaways, New Adult
Tags: , , ,
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I’ve Watched You Die

by Karina Banks

 

Publication date: September 22nd 2023
Genres: Fantasy, New Adult

A young woman, cursed. A rebellious prince in hiding. A forbidden love that will threaten two worlds…

There are two main things I’ve learned since my life turned upside down. The first is, if you speak of someone’s death before it happens, you’ll be blamed for murder. The second? If the hottest guy you’ve ever seen kisses you, and thanks you for saving his life, don’t argue.

I watched him die, over and over. So many times. The vision is always the same and there is never one damn thing I can do to save him. I don’t know why I can’t dream about normal things, like going to school naked, or spiders. I hate spiders. No, I’m lucky enough to see strangers at the moments of their deaths.

The only thing keeping me sane is knowing the visions aren’t real.

Until the accident. The blood. He dies in my arms.

At least, I thought he did. But now he’s here, telling me I saved his life. Telling me unbelievable stories about monsters and gods and destiny. Promising to protect me.

If none of this is real, why am I afraid of the creatures hunting me? And if I saved his life, why are the nightmares back, stronger than ever? What is this thing lurking inside me, eager to strike?

I don’t know, but I’m freaking out.

I’m afraid what I think is real, isn’t. And what I know is not, just might be.

Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The creature’s eyes dart back and forth between me and Ryker, as if taking its time, contemplating who to kill first. Ryker takes advantage of its hesitation, shoving me away. “Dani, go! Run!” The command is raw and guttural, impossible to ignore.

I take off, running as fast as I can toward the school. Adrenaline rushes through my bloodstream like a bomb went off inside me. There is no thinking. I have tunnel vision. All I see is the grass in front of my feet. The door that leads to sanctuary inside the school building. All I hear is blood pounding inside my skull and the rush of air as it bursts in and out of my lungs. It’s as if I’m breathing fire.

I’m halfway there. He said he’d be right behind me. I can’t hear him. Where is he?

I risk a glance back, over my shoulder. I expected him to follow. When I look behind me, I see he’s still staring the creature down. He has a dagger in one hand and he is slowly circling the monster, waiting for it to strike.

Shit. What is he thinking? Is he trying to buy me time? I don’t need more time. I’m almost there. Worse, that thing huge, easily the size of four large men. Maybe it is, because I count eight legs sticking out of the goo.

I slow to a jog, then stop, turning completely to watch him and the creature pace one another. As Ryker did with me, with each step he’s moving just enough not to incite an immediate attack, but positioning himself for a straight shot away, toward the school’s garden.

No. Oh, God. Shit.

I know how this ends. I just saw it. There are more of them, in the garden. Waiting. An ambush. They are here to kill him. Why? Why? Why?

I sprint toward him, away from the school. Away from safety. I can’t allow him to run for the garden. More of those things are waiting. They’ll gut him. Cut him open. He’ll bleed out, blood soaking the gravel path. Just like my vision. No. No. No.

“Ryker! Run! They’re in the garden! It’s a trap! It’s a trap!”

I scream at him, my legs pumping as fast as I can make them go, faster than any track meet or workout I’ve ever run. A terrified part of me knows it’s not fast enough.

I push my muscles to their limit, trying to reach him in time. I don’t know what I can possibly do to help him against that thing, but two is better than one. It has to be. We’ll run for the woods. Anywhere but that fucking garden. Literally anywhere.

“Dani, no! Get back!”

“The garden! It’s a trap!” I sprint, my gaze dropping to the abandoned high heels shoes on the grass. The four inch points aren’t exactly one of my grandad’s shotguns, but they’re better than nothing. That thing has eyes, doesn’t it?

I’m forty meters away when the creature lunges at Ryker. He is looking at me, yelling at me to run.

My heart stops dead in my chest. I yell out a warning, but it’s too late.

.

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Not Today, Cupid by Jennifer Bonds ~ Peek Inside And Giveaway

Posted: May 8, 2023 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways, New Adult
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8

 

Not Today, Cupid

by Jennifer Bonds

 

Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: May 8th 2023
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Notes from Triada Investment Meeting:

As compiled by Scarlett Evans—executive assistant, grad student, and reluctant admirer of CEO Nick Hart’s snacktastic abs

Well, my fellow corporate drones, it’s another less-than-exciting investor meeting with the executives (Loud Talker, Human Buzzword, Master Delegator). And at the front, CEO Nick Hart, the world’s coldest—and ok, unbelievably sexy—tech badass. The man hasn’t smiled in the history of ever, he runs a tight ship filled with miserable employees, and gosh, he just really does not love feedback. Especially from me.

Development updates, acquisition delays, and…holy hell, why does he keep looking at me? I don’t work for him. I work for his brother. Which is good, because otherwise I’d spend every meeting secretly wondering what actually lies beneath that cool, aloof demeanor. Like, is he an uptight geek in the boardroom…and a sexy-assed freak in the bedroom?

He’d better not find out I’m the one stuffing the company suggestion box. What’s so wrong with a Valentine’s Day Social, anyway? But the fact that my notes are less professional and more entertainment is one seriously dangerous game. Because if he ever found out what I really thought of him, there’d be all kinds of sweet, delicious hell to pay…

Each book in the Harts series is STANDALONE:
* Miles and Miles of You
* Not Today, Cupid

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

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

“I’ve gotta admit, I’m dying to know what you just signed up for.”

“That makes two of us.” I shove my burger aside. There’s no way I can eat it now. Not with the prospect of some half-baked project hanging over my head like a guillotine.

Miles smirks. “Drumroll, please.”

I give him the finger, but Beck indulges him, tapping the edge of the table.

“Anonymous says we need a—oh, this is too perfect.” Miles howls as Beck and I stare at him, waiting for the punchline. “A—” He chokes on his laughter and has to take a drink of water before continuing. “A Valentine’s social!”

He’s messing with me.

He has to be. Who would put that in the suggestion box? This is a place of business, not a fucking romper room.

Even if sometimes it’s hard to tell the difference.

“Let me see.” I reach for the laptop, shooting Beck a dark look. They’re both laughing like hyenas now. “Have you two been stuffing the suggestion box?”

“Don’t look at me,” Beck says, shaking his head. “I don’t have time for that kind of petty prank.” He chuckles. “It is pretty ironic, though. You know, since the only thing you hate more than Valentine’s Day is the suggestion box.”

Miles is laughing so hard now it’s a wonder he doesn’t bust a blood vessel.

Asshole.

Could this be his doing, some ass-backward attempt to make me appear likable?

It doesn’t matter. I’m not doing it.

“Pick something else. February fourteenth is the Epos launch. The timing is terrible and four weeks isn’t nearly enough time to put something like this together.”

“Oh, no you don’t.” Miles wags a finger at me. “You already agreed. Besides, that was the last one.”

Fucking hell. Leave it to Miles to pick the one week the damn thing isn’t overflowing.

“No way. It can’t be done.”

“Not with that attitude,” Miles says through peals of laughter. When he finally gets control of himself, he adds, “Relax. If anyone can handle it, it’s you.”

It’s true. I’ve never walked away from a challenge in my life, but what the hell do I know about planning a social? I’m the last person in the world who should plan this event.

On the other hand…

It could be the perfect opportunity to prove I’m not the controlling bastard Scarlett thinks I am.

Arrogant. Uptight. Cold.

Her words chip away at my brain with maddening persistence. I shouldn’t care what she thinks. I know it on a cerebral level, but after last year’s bad press, her ludicrous, ill-informed assessment is infuriating.

Salt on an open fucking wound.

“So?” Beck spears a piece of lettuce with his plastic fork. “Are you going to do it?”

My gaze slides from Miles to Beck and back again. It won’t be easy—I’m already spread thin with the Epos launch—but I’m no quitter. With a little time and a plan of attack, I can do this. And who better to help plan a Valentine’s social than Miles’s snarky, highly organized, whip-smart assistant?

“I’ll do it on one condition.” A slow grin curves my lips. “I want Scarlett to help.”

Author Jennifer Bonds:

Jennifer Bonds is the USA Today bestselling author of sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy alphas, and a whole lot of mischief. She’s a sucker for enemies-to-lovers stories, laugh-out-loud banter, and over-the-top grand gestures. Jennifer lives in Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She’s lucky enough to live with her own real-life hero, two adorable (and sometimes crazy) children, and one rambunctious K9. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, a solid Netflix binge, the Winchester brothers, cupcakes, and all things zombie. Sings off-key.

To connect with Jen—and get a FREE book—visit www.jenniferbonds.com!

You can also find her on TikTok, Instagram, and Facebook @jbondswrites.

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Buck Up, Buttercup by Anna Alkire ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: June 30, 2022 in comedy, Contemporary Romance, giveaways, New Adult
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9

 

Buck Up, Buttercup
by Anna Alkire

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Publication date: June 30th 2022
Genres: Comedy, Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

All’s fair in love and war.
With Randi and Buck, it’s hard to tell the two apart…

An uptight, self-contained college girl, Randi Becker just needed one thing: a room. Somewhere she could study, and keep away from the things that most confuse and frighten her: people.

Unfortunately, the “nice quiet place” she reserved turns out to be a room in the campus’ most raucous house. A place seemingly designed to make studying impossible, made even worse by the other girls’ non-stop drama.

But then Buck, a fun-loving cowboy whom all the ladies love, shows up…and everything gets much worse.

Buck seems to have it all: friends, fun, and a never-ending line of admirers. But what he most desires is a break. So when Buck spots Randi, he figures she’s a perfect decoy: he can play up a “crush” on her that will take him off the market; buy him some breathing room. And if he can tease her a bit, and get under the skin of the uptight busybody? Well, that’s just gravy.

But Buck is about to find more than he bargained for. Randi’s strong-willed, opinionated, difficult—and maybe just what he needs. And Buck isn’t alone. Soon Randi wonders as well…if the world she wanted is really the world she needs. If her future is nothing more than a diploma on the wall. And if the most important thing in her world isn’t a grade, but the cowboy who’s planted his boots firmly in her heart.

Fans of Beth O’Leary’s The Flatshare and Sally Thorne’s The Hating Game will delight at this mix of romantic comedy, contemporary romance, and cultures colliding in a campus town with a western flair. Grab your copy today, and fall in love with Buck Up, Buttercup!

Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

An old pickup, with new shiny green paint, slowed down beside her until it crawled along at her pace. A quick glance sideways revealed black-hat-cowboy-guy grinning down at her.

A jolt of awareness cleared some of the fog from her head. He was more good-looking than she’d remembered, and also incredibly large above her in the truck.

“Good morning, darlin’,” he called down.

“Drive on,” she called out.

“Headed into town? We’ve got room.”

“I’m going to walk.” She wouldn’t get into a car with a single person from that party. She walked forward, not looking at him.

“Hold up, you dropped something,” he said, stopping the truck.

Randi whirled around, scanning the empty ground behind her. Her fingers lost their grip and her bags crashed down, things spilling out onto the gravel road. Her eyes burned.

Buck turned off the truck engine and leaned out the window.

“That’s a lot of gear to haul all the way into town,” he said, cheerfully.

“That was a dirty trick.”

“I just want to talk to you for a minute.”

“Leave me alone please!”

“Listen. Hugh, in the passenger seat, and I are headed in for some breakfast. If you ride with me, this gas guzzler will have a full cab. Darlin’, that’s a load off my conscience.”

Randi’s belly shuddered and her lips quivered. The dam burst. Her hands flew up to cover her eyes and a hiccupped sob exploded out.

“I can’t jump in some stranger’s pickup,” she mumbled through her fingers.

“Hey now,” he said, the amused condescension in his voice aking her glare up at him. “You hold on to that pepper spray if it makes you feel better. Land’s sake, girl, we hauled around passed-out-Sarah last night. You’re practically part of the family. And Hugh here has about twenty sisters, so he’s well-trained.”

The door of the truck opened. She took a step back, pulling up the inside collar of her dress to dab at her face.

Buck’s eyes crinkled at her, a lopsided half-grin on his face. It was probably the way he looked at cows right before he lassoed a rope around their necks, or whatever. But he had helped Sarah. And her.

Her shoulders slumped. Defeated, she was beyond resistance. If they murdered her, at least she might be sitting down.

“All right?” he asked.

She exhaled. “All right, I’ll take a ride to the closest bus stop. Thanks.”

Buck picked up her bags and put them in the back of the truck. She hauled her heavy backpack off her aching shoulders and turned to sling it up, but Buck was already gripping the top and lifting it out of her hands.

“Hi,” said a burly man sitting on the passenger side of the bench seat, a gentle smile on his face. Like she was a crazy person. Which she was. With a deep breath, she hoisted herself up into the cab next to him.

“Sorry about Buck,” the big guy said, glaring at the culprit with one eye squinted. “He’s devious about getting what he wants.”

Buck landed on the seat beside her. “Hugh keeps the standards up. Probably why he’s so grumpy all the time.”

Hugh crossed his arms, leaning into the passenger door. His buzzed blond head and muscular frame brought to mind a late-twenties version of Mr. Clean, minus the jewelry.

“I ain’t grumpy. Just tired of your ugly face.”

Buck chuckled. Randi caught herself staring at him. She wouldn’t call his face ugly, not even anything related to unattractive. More like relentlessly cheerful. And way too confident that he could boss everyone around. She sniffed, annoyed with him enough to stop crying.

The truck rolled forward, bumping on the gravel road. They sat on an old-fashioned bucket-style bench, comfortable for two people, and a squeeze for three. The middle seat offered no belt. A death trap. Because that was the logical conclusion to her week from hell. She braced a hand on the dash to keep from bouncing into the bodies next to her.

Not touching either man, holding her body tense and straight, made her neck ache. And still she knocked knees with Hugh and almost leaned on Buck’s shoulder. Buck’s hand on the manual gear shifter was an inch from her thigh, his fingers brushing the edge of her skirt when he shifted. Short of sitting on Hugh’s lap, there was nowhere for her to go to keep from touching him.

She felt shaky, barely keeping herself together. Every time Buck changed position she noticed it, his muscular arms flexing as he drove. It was like sitting next to a tiger: electrifying, an experience you never forgot, and total madness.

“So,” said Buck, flashing a grin at her. “What’s your rush this morning? You just moved in last night.”

Randi dug a tissue out of her bag. “I can’t live in a party house,” she said, dabbing at her running nose.

“A Waffle House?” said Hugh.

“She said party house, Einstein.” Buck glanced at her. “How’d you end up with a room out there?”

“I was teaching in Argentina and found it online. Paid everything…” She paused, choking up, not sure why she was telling them. “They lied to me.” And she dissolved again, covering her face with the tissue.

What was wrong with her? It was beyond humiliating to be crying like a child in front of these strangers. At least she’d never have to see them again.

“Huh,” said Buck, tapping the steering wheel. “Well, I know Trish isn’t happy about the parties.”

“They got an ugly ticket last June,” said Hugh. “She’s on probation.”

Randi sat up straighter, taking in this information. She managed to stop crying, and dabbed her cheeks clean with the tissue.

Buck rubbed the side of his face. “Is that right?”

“I can’t believe you didn’t know that, Buck. Jesus.”

“I just look like I know everything.”

“Yeah, well, one more ticket and they’re facing jail time. And, of course, there were minors everywhere last night. I turned my back and they slurped down my keg.”

Randi pushed up her glasses. No wonder Trish hadn’t been there during the party. It revealed, even more, how shamelessly Trish had lied to her in the emails they’d exchanged about the house.

The farmland was transforming into residential housing when Buck turned onto a major road.

“That bus stop coming up will be fine,” said Randi, her voice annoyingly shaky.

“No way, darlin’,” said Buck. “You cry in my truck, and I buy you a coffee. Then, I drop you off wherever you want.”

“No, really—”

“Hey,” he said, “I put up with all the tears. So now we’re going to go to this coffee drive-through and get sugary drinks to make ourselves feel better. Otherwise, Hugh over there might start his period.”

“You’re such a jackass,” Hugh said, shaking his head.

 

Author Anna Alkire

Anna Alkire has been a long-term college student, a business owner, and a world traveler. Now “settled”—with a sigh and a cup of decaf—Anna lives in Washington state, where she splits her time between a husband who thinks the North Pole would be a great place to live, chasing her hurricane of a son, learning new handicrafts, and creating worlds full of the kind of romance and fun she most wants to read. Find more about her (and grab a freebie or two) at her website, annaalkire.com.

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The Right Kind Of Unexpected by Rayna York ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: June 20, 2022 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways, New Adult
Tags: , ,
1

The Right Kind of Unexpected
Rayna York
Publication date: June 18th 2022
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Tess hasn’t experienced many kindnesses in her eighteen years. When her boyfriend abandons her at a small-town gas station, it’s just one more crappy event to add to the pile. Without a car, money, or cell phone, her options are limited, and calling her parents isn’t one of them. So when the family that owns the business throws her a lifeline, she grabs hold. Because even the worst situations can have a silver lining, and this one is a town called Jasper Creek, a diner everyone calls Earl’s, and a young mechanic named Colten Reed.

Rayna York’s standalone novel gives readers the small-town romance they crave with enough feels to make the heart sing. It’s the perfect feel-good, summer romance.

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Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

I rush to the bathroom at the side of the building and lock the door behind me. I can’t deal with this anymore. I grip the sides of the pedestal sink and drop my head, breathing deep. In, out, in, out, fighting for calm.

Why? Why did I think this was a good idea?

Three days ago, Dax and I were on our way to a gallery opening when I mentioned I’d never been to Disney World. He said he hadn’t either. I commented on how it would be fun to jump in the car and go. High school graduation was over, my parents were in Europe, I didn’t have any plans for the summer, so the next afternoon we were on the road.

Bad idea.

Horrible.

The worst.

I lift my sunglasses to the top of my head and startle at the red-rimmed, brown-eyed zombie staring back at me. I haven’t had a good night’s sleep since we left, and I forgot to take my makeup off last night, then Dax was in such a hurry this morning.

Maybe our relationship was always a mess. I don’t know. We’ve only been together for six months. In New York, Dax and I got along great. There were parties, restaurants, people, and places to fill our time. Now, without the distractions and being stuck together in mostly confined spaces, I realize we don’t have as much in common as I thought. But it’s more than that. He needs to be right about everything and nags me until I concede to his views. I never noticed him doing that before. There are a lot of things I didn’t notice before.

I use a little soap and water on a paper towel and clean the black smears from around my eyes. It cleans the makeup off perfectly, but the dark circles and puffiness remain. I slide a hair elastic from around my wrist and pull my brown mop of humid-induced frizz into a messy bun.

With a deep sigh, I slide my glasses back over my eyes and push the door open into the bright sunlight. I take in the beautiful field dotted with wildflowers behind the gas station, then close my eyes and lift my face to the sun, disregarding the intensity on my pale skin. I breathe in the fragrant smell of green that only a sweltering heat can produce.

It’s time to put an end to this impromptu adventure. It ceased being fun after the first five hours. And it’s my car, my time, my money. With renewed strength, I turn on my heels, ready to confront Dax and get my car keys back. I’m heading home with or without my soon-to-be-ex-boyfriend. I can drop him off at a bus station if he wants to continue the trip.

I round the corner of the building. Wait, what? Where is it?

I walk to the two ancient gas pumps and turn in a circle, taking in the white building with peeling paint, and everything else in the three-hundred-and-sixty-degree radius, but the car is nowhere in sight. I walk to the other side of the building, thinking he might have parked in a different location while getting something from inside, but the car isn’t there either.

About Author Rayna York:

Rayna York grew up with hippie parents that liked to adventure. Where change was the norm, books were her constant—a way to escape. As an adult, many careers came and went, but writing has always been her passion. Everything I knew to be true is her first published novel.

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Cocktails & Crushes by Katrina Marie ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: April 17, 2022 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways, New Adult
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6

Cocktails & Crushes
Katrina Marie
Publication date: April 14th 2022
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Out of the Ashes will be the best bar in the county. At least that’s what I promised my uncle before he passed away.

With all the changes we’re making, more challenges arise. The crowd seems to get rowdier with every day that passes, and most days I feel like I can’t keep my head above water.

That is until Dylan, the kid I used to babysit, walks in. He’s definitely not a kid anymore. But he might just be what I need to keep the bar running smoothly. Too bad he isn’t staying in town.

Guarding my heart is the least of my problems, but I’m not sure how long I can fight my attraction.

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Goodreads / Amazon

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

No. I shake my head in disbelief. This boy, I mean man, did not just waltz in here like he’s someone and plop himself on one of my barstools. He must be out of his ever-loving mind if he thinks he can come in here and demand an audience with me. I mean seriously, who the hell does he think he is?

I pick up a new rag and continue wiping down the counters, waiting for him to say whatever he’s come to say. I’m not trying to be hostile toward him, but I am trying to tamp down my attraction. It feels wrong to find someone I’ve known since they were a kid so damn hot. But here we are. Lisa is tilting her entire body toward us to see what chaos is undoubtedly about to go down. Soon, I’ll have to check on the diners, but they can wait a bit.

“Aren’t you going to ask me what it is I want?” He lays his forearms across the bar top and leans toward me. I don’t miss the way his arms flex at the movement. He’s definitely not the scrawny kid I used to babysit anymore.

“That depends.” I pause in my cleaning. It’s only lunchtime, but I know once the sun sets, more people will show up. It’s inevitable. They keep this bar growing, though. We’ll be able to double the capacity if Stella can talk me out of my fear of expanding this place. I really hope everything we’ve done has made Uncle Max proud.

“Depends on what?” I catch his smirk before I turn away, making sure the rest of the bar area is ready for this afternoon and evening.

“If it makes you leave faster.” My back is to him so I can’t see his reaction, but the laughter is mocking.

“Probably not. At least, if I get my way.” Now I turn around. He’s been in town less than a day, and he’s acting like he can come in here making demands. I don’t think so.

“Which is what, exactly?” My hands are on my hips and I feel like an adult waiting for their petulant child to tell them what they did wrong.

“Is that problem you had with those guys last night a common occurrence?” He pauses for a few seconds, but doesn’t give me a chance to respond. “Because your bartender, Carlos, told me it’s been getting worse.”

That traitor. If he were here, I’d give him a piece of my mind. “I can handle idiots like those. I’ve spent my entire life in this bar. There’s nothing that will knock me down.”

Dylan leans back, crossing his arms over his chest. The t-shirt tightens and holy hell, he needs to stop doing that. “Really? Because you did get knocked down last night. This place has gotten a lot more traffic since I left. With that kind of growth, you need someone that can handle situations like those.”

I shrug. He has a point, but I don’t want to concede. “We’ve handled it just fine until this point. Is there a reason you’re bringing this up?”

“Yep,” he nods. “I want a job.”

“Seriously?” He has to be kidding. Who knows how long he’ll even be in town? I haven’t seen him in years.

“Please, Angie.” He slides off the barstool and walks around the bar until he’s right in front of me. “I’ll need something to do while I’m here helping my mom.”

Great. “That means you’ll end up leaving at some point in time. What am I supposed to do when that happens? As you can tell, we are short on staff as it is.”

“I can help train someone to replace me when I know the date I’m leaving.” He leans forward until we’re mere inches apart. His light brown eyes hold so much of that boyish uncertainty from when he was young. “If it helps the decision-making process, I’m not keeping the money for myself.”

What? If not for himself, then who? Maybe he has a girlfriend back home wherever that is. I’m already shaking my head no, when one of my lunch regulars calls my name. “I don’t have time for this right now, Dylan. And I’m not sure what I’d have you do, unless you have experience working in a bar.”

 

Author Katrina Marie

Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, and fur baby. She is a lover of all things geeky and Gryffindor for life. Welcome to Your Life is her debut novel and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it.

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A Warm Rainy Day In Tokyo by Kana Wu ~ Excerpt and Giveaway

Posted: March 9, 2022 in giveaways, New Adult, Romance
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3

A Warm Rainy Day in Tokyo
Kana Wu
Publication date: March 31st 2022
Genres: New Adult, Romance

Bella Bell lives a perfectly ordinary life with a perfectly ordinary office job in suburban California, where she longs to break free from her perfect sister’s shadow. So when Little Bear Café chooses her to train its new franchisee in Tokyo for the summer, she jumps at the chance.

But even a dream come true can get complicated. From the moment she steps on the plane, she annoys her pompous, handsome seatmate, insults her apartment manager, and gets caught up in her new neighbors’ drama. And everywhere she turns, she keeps running into the arrogant stranger from her flight—and she can’t seem to get him out of her head.

Ryo Yamada is at the top of his game: a high-powered job, no shortage of potential girlfriends. But his life is turned upside down when his family asks him to return to Tokyo for good because of his sister’s failing health. And now he finds himself avoiding his childhood friend whose feelings he doesn’t return. And bumping into the irritating, pretty redhead from his flight—who may not be so bad after all. The last thing he expects is to fall in love.

As the new café opening and the end of Bella’s time in Tokyo draw near, Bella and Ryo grow close—until they discover their circumstances may tear them apart. Can they find their way back to each other for good?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble

~~~~~

Enjoy this peek inside:

Bella

“Bella, Bella,” The gorgeous stranger whispered.

I let out a quiet sigh because I loved the way he called my name. His voice was gentle, like rustling leaves on a breezy night. With a smile, I tipped my head toward him. The moon hid behind a thin cloud, but its light was enough for me to see his chiseled jaw, long nose, and full, sexy lips.

“I love your baby blue eyes, Bella Bell,” he whispered again, lowering his face to mine. “Do you love me?”

“Yes,” I whispered back, my heart thundering in my chest as his hazel eyes looked straight at me. Oh my, he is going to kiss me? Yes … yes … Wait, maybe I have to be bolder. Swallowing, I placed my hands on his muscular hips.

“Bella,” he said, caressing my red hair before his hand stopped on the back of my neck and pulled me closer.

I closed my eyes, waiting for his warm kiss to touch mine, but nothing came. Clenching my jaw, I cupped his face with my hands and coaxed it toward me. Oddly, instead of kissing me, he called out, “Bella! Bella! Bella!” At the same moment, I heard loud sounds, like someone banging on the door. What the …

As much as I wanted to ignore the annoying interruption, I opened my eyes to find that the handsome, chiseled-jaw guy had disappeared, and my hands clenched my pillow a few inches in front of my face. It wasn’t real … but who dared to disturb my dream? I couldn’t moan for too long because the banging became louder, followed by my mom’s irritated voice. “Bella, how many times do I have to wake you up?”

Ugh, couldn’t Mom have woken me up a bit later, at least after I got my kiss? I groaned.

Jumping out of my bed, I opened the door to see my mom glaring at me. She was wearing a blue blazer and pencil skirt, ready for work at a local library as the senior librarian. In her late fifties, she looked great. She had fair skin and no wrinkles, and was a bit heavy at almost five feet tall. Her new hairstyle, short with blonde highlights made her look younger. I could see a flicker of jealousy in my dad’s eyes whenever a man glanced at her in awe. How I wished I had inherited her fair skin and would look like her when I was older. However, my older sister got our mom’s looks and I looked more like our dad. But thanks to the height from my dad, I was three inches taller than my mom.

A whiff of jasmine from her perfume hit my nose like the fresh air of spring. But my mom’s eyes and expression were far from gentle: They were more like a brewing storm.

“Bellalina Elizabeth Bell.” Her voice was loud and high when she called my full name—which she did whenever she was super upset. “You aren’t a kid anymore. You are almost twenty-two, for God’s sake. Why can’t you wake up on your own? I can’t believe that I have to wake you up like this in the morning,” she scoffed, and turned her body toward the kitchen. “Wipe your drool and brush your hair before going out.”

The corner of my mouth was damp as I wiped it with the back of my hand. As I followed my mom down to the kitchen, I tied my shoulder-length hair back with the hairband that was always around my wrist.

“That’s your fault,” I grumbled, and sat on the tall chair at the kitchen island where she’d already put a half gallon of orange juice, a box of cereal, breakfast sausages, six boiled eggs, and a pile of toast, jam, and butter. “I found an effective way to wake up without your help, but you complain about that.”

My mom almost rolled her bright blue eyes at me, but she restrained herself. “You set five different alarm clocks to wake you up every day. Five alarms, Bella. You refused to use your phone alarms and bought five metal twin-bell alarm clocks instead. And those are loud enough to wake up the whole neighborhood.”

“But that’s effective,” I protested, helping myself to a glass of orange juice. “You know I’m not a morning person. Then when I found a way that works, you don’t like it.”

“Those damn alarm clocks can wake up the whole neighborhood,” she said slowly as if I didn’t comprehend her words the first time. I widened my eyes, and my mom sighed.

She opened her mouth to say something but was interrupted by Mel’s entrance. Mel was willowy, five-ten with tan skin and freckles on her nose.

 

Author Kana Wu:

Kana Wu, an autodidact author, has loved writing since her childhood. She used to work as an analyst and later an accountant before deciding to be a writer in 2018.

Her debut novel, No Romance Allowed, was published in October 2019, and it received two awards as Finalist in the 2020 International Book Awards and Reader’s Favorite Awards. It was also a winner in the Romance category for the 2020 TCK Publishing Readers’ Choice Awards Contest.

She lives in Southern California with her husband and her two rescued Jindo dogs.

Be the first to know when Kana has a special offer or a new book by checking her website or following her on social media.

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