(Masonry, Magic, and Love, #1)
Publication date: March 4th 2022
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
No Steam! No Spice! Gargoyles are immovable statues of stone. Lifeless, the librarian thought, until one of them takes flight to save her from an untimely demise.
A kindhearted but lonely librarian. Nancy is drowning under the weight of an abusive boyfriend, failing grades, and looming unemployment. While at work, she confides her deepest, darkest secrets to the gargoyle perched near her desk. But she’s unprepared when the strange stone statue comes to life.
A gentle gargoyle born under a curse. Treyton can’t believe it. In the past century that he’s been guarding the beloved Victorian library he calls home, the lonesome man never had anyone notice him until now. And he’s enchanted by the beautiful woman yearning for true love under his watchful gaze. But the witch who gave him life wants him back. And she’s willing to kill anyone who stands in her way.
As his vile witch plots against them, will Nancy and Treyton be torn apart forever, or can they overcome the evil threatening their love — and their lives?
They were bloodcurdling, gut-wrenching howls filled with nothing but pain. It was unlike anything Nancy had ever heard before.
Gasping for breath, Nancy’s eyes flew open. She pitched forward and peered around her with bleary eyes, trying to figure out which of her neighbors must have been shrieking … but instead of her ceiling and her warm blankets, she found herself lying in a heap on the side of a dirt road.
Above her, gray clouds swirled through the frigid night. Snowflakes drifted down and clung to her lashes and her hair.
Why was she outside? The last thing she remembered was diving into bed after Diana left.
Panic filled her as she rolled clumsily onto her arms and knees, finding her legs twisted and tangled in endless yards of fabric. It was only when she managed to drag herself to her feet by gripping a lantern-lit street post that she realized she was no longer in her Wonder Woman pajamas. She was dressed in a long-sleeved frock that swirled around her ankles. She grabbed at the thick fabric, tugging and pulling at it, until she realized that she was wearing some sort of antiquated dress and a petticoat.
“I must be dreaming,” Nancy whimpered, but she was hardly able to hear herself over the screams still echoing around her.
Her chest heaving, Nancy stumbled down the dirt road. She had to find someone, anyone, to tell her where she was and what was going on. This place was unrecognizable to her. There were only ten houses on this small road, as well as a building Nancy assumed was some sort of general store. There was also something almost familiar about the budding town, though Nancy could not put her finger on what it was—especially when she realized that flames licked up toward the sky from most of the buildings. Heat emanated from them, battling with the wintry chill of the air.
Nancy froze. She could only stare as the townspeople ran around wildly and begged for help. Suddenly, men on horses charged through the village, some swinging swords and guns while others aimed flaming arrows at people and homes.
“The outsiders are attacking!” someone screamed before getting cut down before Nancy’s very eyes.
“No … no!” shrieked Nancy. “Wake up, please! I don’t want to be here anymore!”
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About Author Gayle Katz:
Daring Women. Dangerous Worlds.
Gayle is a fan of zombies, sci-fi fantasy romance, and psychological horror—though not necessarily in that order. She writes the kinds of books she wants to read but often can’t find. Hoping to scare you, make you swoon, and root for her characters, her love of kick-butt heroines and sassy snark shines through in her work.
Born and raised outside of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Gayle lives with her husband and they are currently working on their own happily ever after.
Bound by blood, Marked by
rebellion, Destined for a love that could save or destroy
them.
A forbidden
bond. A crumbling city. A choice that could change everything.
Serenity
Becoming an Elite—a blood donor for the Vampyr—was never part of the plan. But
with my family’s lives on the line, I had no choice but to step out of hiding
and into a world I barely understand. My rare blood has made me a target, and
now, I’m bound to Kane—the ruthless, untouchable head of the Vampyr Council.
The rebels want to use me. My family depends on me. And Kane… he’s the only one
who can keep me alive—but trusting him? That might be the most dangerous gamble
of all.
Kane
I never wanted an Elite. I certainly didn’t need one—especially not Serenity.
She’s everything I’ve avoided: human, stubborn, and a complication I can’t
afford. But from the moment I met her, she turned my world upside down.
Her blood sustains me, but it’s her spirit that leaves me hungry for more. As
rebellion threatens to tear the city apart, my focus should be on holding
everything together—not on the one woman who’s become my greatest weakness.
She’s more than just a distraction. She’s a risk. One I shouldn’t take.
But I can’t let her go. And if I’m not careful, she might destroy me—or save us
all.
In a world
where blood is currency and love is forbidden, Bound is a
spellbinding tale of passion, betrayal, and a bond that could shatter a city—or
bring it to its knees.
Fans of
dstopyian fantasy, forbidden romance, and slow-burn tension will devour Bound,
the first book in The Elite Series.
Every person, regardless of age or hatred for their kind, yearned to be selected. Deep down, they craved the privileges of being an Elite—the ones who willingly offered themselves to the vampyrs. But not her.
Serenity had no such desires; she refused to be a meal for anyone, no matter how tempting the rewards seemed. Yet, her personal feelings were irrelevant now. This program was her last hope, and if it didn’t work, she dreaded turning to Jax for help—something she desperately wanted to avoid.
Looking up at the clock, its hands slowly ticked as she waited for the nurse to arrive and begin the process that would, hopefully, improve her and her family’s lives.
Sighing deeply to calm her rising nerves, Serenity’s eyes wandered around the office, taking in the sterile and impersonal atmosphere. Four white walls encased a stark, bare office containing only the essentials: a simple desk, a utilitarian chair, a computer, a printer, and a cold, metal filing cabinet. There were no pictures or decorations. It was as if they intentionally designed it to be unwelcoming, discouraging any sense of comfort or happiness.
Honestly, it didn’t make any sense. One would think they would try to create a more inviting space to welcome potential Elites. The environment’s lack of warmth and care showed her what she was truly signing up for and how she’d be treated as soon as her application was approved.
And they would approve it. She did not doubt that.
Serenity had the type of blood that the vampyr wanted… and craved. At least, that was what her father told her. Only those with the rarest of blood types were selected as Elites.
Anyone whose blood type was A or B was automatically entered into the system as a donor, regardless of whether they were positive or negative. O positives were rarely chosen, and O negatives had better chances only if specifically requested. AB positives, the rarest of the rare type, were treated like gold and were consistently selected as Elites, typically matched with the wealthiest of the vampyrs. This made Serenity think despite their claims, money still talked within their society. AB negatives were a myth, according to the locals. Still, they were believed to represent a divine gift in vampiric lore, ‘ambrosia,’ so treasured that only the upper echelons in vampyr society knew of their existence.
As an AB negative, her blood was revered as the most delectable drink. She almost felt violated knowing that such an intimate part of her was seen as a commodity, something to be consumed with primal delight. It wasn’t just about her, though.
The Elite program was supposed to bring balance and peace between the two races, a part of the treaty the humans and vampyrs signed before she was born. But it seemed the vampyrs ruled their lives, despite humans sitting on the city’s governing Council. All the rules seemed to cater to the vampyrs survival, not humanity’s. It was infuriating.
When the office door opened, Serenity turned in her chair to see a petite woman in black scrubs walking through. The woman had caramel-colored skin and dark eyes. A laminated card clipped to her shirt read “Shelia” in bold capital letters.
“Can I have your name, please?” the nurse asked, sitting on the other side of the desk and placing a clipboard with an application next to the computer.
Such a simple question, but for Serenity, it was surrendering to the inevitable. Call it an innate feeling, but she had always known she would end up here signing up to be an Elite.
She couldn’t explain how, but a small part of her, deep inside, suspected it had to do with the rarity of her blood type. As if it had always known this would be her fate. But it was only a feeling and possibly the wariness of her situation.
Either way, she was here now. Taking a deep breath, she reluctantly spoke her name aloud. “Serenity.”
The words felt like a prison sentence once they left her mouth. Every inch of her screamed for her to get up and run away. They only had her first name. There was still the possibility of escape. She could get on the bus and go back home, where it was safe.
But she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to save her family. This was her choice, her sacrifice.
Her mother couldn’t become an Elite because of her sickness, and her sister was too young and sick, so it had to be her. They needed medicine, and this was the only way they could afford it.
Shelia’s kind smile and soothing voice washed over her, easing the tension in her shoulders. “What is your full name, honey? You don’t have to be nervous. You may not even get approved. This is just the application stage,” she assured her.
She was right; this was just the application process. She hadn’t even given a blood sample yet.
If Serenity was being honest with herself, she couldn’t deny the fear that gripped her. The thought of encountering a vampyr had always terrified her. She had hoped never to face one, but now, everything was about to change. She was preparing to leave behind everything she knew.
But she pushed those thoughts aside for the moment. She needed to focus on getting through this, or else her instincts would take over, and she would flee. Steeling herself with a deep breath, she forced the words out. “Serenity R. Wright.”
Shelia punched her name into the machine, attempting to assess her medical history. Her father had burned and erased every document that could identify her blood type a long time ago, insisting it was to keep her safe from them.
As Shelia stared intently at the screen, Serenity knew she was seeing the bare minimum of information. Her father had been thorough in keeping her out of the system. She had been homeschooled, never left the human districts, and always kept a low profile.
The scent of her mother’s homemade herbal concoction lingered on every piece of clothing she wore. The blend of lemon tea tree oil, activated charcoal, rosemary, and vanilla was meant to hide her natural scent.
Since she was young, she’d relied on it to cover up her unique scent. Her mother would create soap and shampoo for her to use and a specialized spray for when she ventured out into public. She always carried a small bottle of vinegar with her, a precaution in case she encountered any vampyrs.
She also wore a light brown cloak whenever she went out. But her mother believed her father’s true intentions were to hide her curly hair and honey-brown eyes, fearing they would attract unwanted attention. She never left without her cloak whenever she traveled, especially outside their district.
Except for today. She felt vulnerable without it but wouldn’t need it after this.
Shelia glanced up from the computer with curiosity evident in her eyes. “The only record we have of you in the system is your birth date. Have you never had a physical?”
It didn’t surprise Serenity that the woman was curious. If she were in her shoes, she would feel the same way. Her answer was simple: “My father was a doctor. He handled all my physicals and medical records.”
The memory of her father hung heavy in the air. He had been training her to be a nurse to help her mother and sister with their medical needs. But his life was cut short by a sudden heart attack during one of his routine trips into the city for more medicine.
With his absence, Serenity felt a part of herself missing; however, her family relied on her strength.
“He didn’t update your records.” Shelia glanced back at the screen and asked, “What was his name?”
“Dr. Richard J. Wright.” She wouldn’t find him in the system. He never officially returned to practicing as a doctor after the war. He only worked as an informal doctor for their neighbors and friends.
The nurse’s brows scrunched in concentration as she surveyed her computer screen. “I can’t find him in the system, and your records have not been updated. We’ll need to do a physical today and draw blood to get your blood type for your application. Let me see if we can squeeze you in with Dr. Bradford.”
Serenity anticipated this; she had mentally prepared for this precise moment. But even with all her preparation, she couldn’t shake the waves of anxiety that threatened to engulf her. Soon, they would know her secret, and she would be in danger. But her family would be saved, reaping the benefits of her becoming an Elite.
She despised the crushing weight of her family’s future on her shoulders; the pressure was almost suffocating. Her palms were slick with sweat, and her chest tightened as she struggled to hold back a sob.
Needing to gather herself, she inhaled deeply and closed her eyes, seeking respite from the tension. Her mind raced with conflicting thoughts, and she was torn between the responsibility she bore and the fear of what lay ahead.
It was a delicate balancing act; her determination to be strong for her family clashing with the nagging doubt and uncertainty gnawing at her resolve. She knew she had to be here, but that didn’t make it any easier. The emotional turmoil within her was like a storm raging beneath a calm exterior.
With a quiet yet determined resolve, Serenity opened her eyes, squared her shoulders, and braced herself for whatever lay beyond those cold, impersonal walls. She couldn’t let anxiety derail her; her family depended on her strength.
“Don’t worry, honey.” The sympathy in Shelia’s eyes didn’t help her worry. “The physical exam is painless, and the blood drawing is quick and painless.”
But it wasn’t the exam that made Serenity anxious. She was uncertain what would happen once her application was submitted, and there was no turning back.
Shelia typed a few more notes on her computer.
“Alright. I was able to squeeze you with Dr. Bradford. She is wonderful. This way.”
Shelia stood, grabbing a piece of paper from the printer before moving towards the door. Serenity stood to follow when suddenly Shelia stopped and turned back to her.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Shelia asked with a seriousness that almost made Serenity want to run. “Once we walk out the door, there is no turning back. Your name will be filed into the system forever.”
Even if she wasn’t approved by some chance of fate, her name would still be recorded in their databases, making her a potential target in a future blood drought—which meant that if they ever ran out of human recruits, they could call upon her. It was one of the risks she took by even walking into the clinic, but it was her only choice.
“I understand your concern, and thank you for it, but I have to do this.”
Shelia nodded slightly and opened the door. Her eyes, wide with uncertainty, met Serenity’s briefly before she led them into the hallway, closing the door behind them.
Serenity was happy to know that at least one of the nurses here cared about the humans who signed up and ensured this was their choice. This gave her some hope that this whole process wouldn’t be as dreadful as she thought.
Taking a deep breath, she steeled herself and followed Shelia into the hallway, heart pounding as she contemplated what lay ahead.
.
Charley Black is
an up-and-coming writer and author who has been creating stories since she was
twelve years old. Her early short stories dabbled in different genres, but her
passion for romance novels — paranormal romance in particular — always shone through.
Charley currently resides in Rhode Island, with her family and works at a local
university.
Welcome to my stop in the virtual book tour for Finding His Wyoming Sweetheart organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.
Author Virginia McCullough will be awarding 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.
Finding His Wyoming Sweetheart
By Virginia McCullough
Genre: Sweet Western Romance
Synopsis
When it comes to his seven-year-old son, new lodge owner Mack Fisher has a lot to make up for. Fortunately, the small Wyoming town of Adelaide Creek provides the perfect fresh start—that is, if he can avoid the distraction of Erin Hunnicutt’s warm brown eyes. The free-spirited musician has a way of bringing out the best in everyone—especially Mack. When they’re thrown together unexpectedly to help their town, sparks fly and a dangerous secret is uncovered. But searching for the answers only leads them to fall deeper for one another…and starts Mack wondering if there’s room for one more in his new family.
~~~~~
Enjoy this peek inside:
Mack lowered his phone and wrapped Erin in a tight hug. “We did this together, along with your four-legged pal, Neptune.”
Neptune was standing next to Erin, as if waiting to be given a job. Erin stood on tiptoes, and put her hands on the side of Mack’s face and gave him a quick kiss.
Even in the dark his smile lit up his face. Then it disappeared when his phone buzzed.
“A text from Jeff?”
Mack nodded. “They plan to come in close to the gate, but without lights. They’ll cut the fence and walk in. They want these guys to stay calm.” Mack quickly keyed a response. “I reminded Jeff that these thieves are still teenagers.”
They turned their attention back to the corral, where the light from the headlights shone on a guy coming out of the barn. A horse by the fence hurried past him and out of sight under the shelter of the barn roof.
“Hurry, Jeff, hurry,” Mack muttered. Erin noted every move the men made. No matter how wrong and horrible the actions, the four thieves, whoever they were, had been taking care of the horses in their crude stable.
She kept her eyes on the scene below, conscious of Mack standing sitting beside her. She could feel the intense energy passing between them. She ran his words through her mind again. “Uh, Mack?”
“What is it?”
“In case I don’t get a chance to tell you later, I’m falling in love with you, too.” Erin smiled. There. She’d said the words out loud. No regrets.
~~~~~
About Author Virginia McCullough:
.
Award winning author, Virginia McCullough writes romance for the Harlequin Heartwarming line, and FINDING HIS WYOMING SWEETHEART is Book 4 of her Adelaide Creek series. She also writes women’s fiction and nonfiction on a variety of topics. Virginia’s characters could be your family, friends, or neighbors, and all her stories offer hope, healing, and plenty of second chances. Drawn to water, she almost always sets her stories on a body of water, from oceans, lakes, rivers, and the winding Adelaide Creek.
A ghostwriter, book doctor/editor, coach, and experienced workshop presenter, Virginia is a wanderer, but currently lives in Northeastern Wisconsin. When she’s not writing, she’s walking on trails near her home or in some faraway place. She reads, streams series, hangs out with other writers, and daydreams about her next adventure.
Genre: LGBTQ M/M Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
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Love is magical. Let it POOF into your life.
.
Hey there, it’s your favorite lovable P.O.O.F agent, Nozzag! Buckle up because
I’ve got a wild tale for you. Their meeting? Total “oops, my bad” moment, if
you catch my drift. Let’s just say, I may have given fate a little nudge! But
don’t fret, Tiki and Amalesh are in for a fabulously happy ending. *winks*
Thikoz aka Tiki – a Dragonkin, Sassy Dragon Esthetician, who is dominant and
longs to find his mate.
Tiki has countless fantasies about what his ideal partner would be like. He can
only hope that when he finally encounters his mate, they’ll be eager to delve
into the numerous interests on his Must Try Before I Die list.
Amalesh – a Vampire, Rare Blood Procurer, reclusive introvert, who simply
wishes to be left alone with his collection.
When Amalesh is thrown into Tiki’s path, almost literally, he realizes that the
world he has observed from a distance is far more enjoyable as an active
participant. It only takes a few hundred years and an energetic, dominant
dragonkin to uncover that little truth.
P.O.O.F. Please! is set in the world of Bloodlines of Fate. Twilight
Temptations are instalove, high heat, low angst stories that feature
various creatures and a guaranteed HEA.
Twilight Temptations is a continuous series and while each story can be read
alone it is best to read them in order.
Within the shimmering guise of a mortal walks D.G.
Carothers, a dragon of cunning intellect. A weaver of LGBTQIA Romance and Urban
Fantasy tales, this enigmatic being revels in crafting narratives that dance
between realms.
D.G. stands resolute in their commitment to unfurling tales unfettered by
constraints. For in their eyes, love transcends all boundaries, a truth woven
into the very fabric of their creations.
Harleigh Sinclair and the Kingdom of the Bristol Skull
by Tamara Grantham
(The Harleigh Sinclair, #4)
Publication date: February 4th 2025
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
An Egyptian ankh. An Inuit mask. A Skinwalker’s scythe.
Three Neotact artifacts have been found. Only the shield and sword remain.
My name is Harleigh Sinclair. I have a gift to find lost artifacts, though there are some who call it a curse…
When I discover a riddle etched inside a goldstone skull, it may be the clue I need to discover not only the Viking shield, but the famed sword of King Arthur, Excalibur.
After my father was attacked by a Blood Raider over a decade ago, and his sword stolen, my life’s mission has been to find his attacker and bring justice to our family. But before I can find the attacker, I must first discover the original four artifacts before the Blood Raiders obtain them first.
With the aid of the insufferable and dangerously handsome Jagg Ransom, plus my sister and a team of handpicked experts, we follow the riddle’s clues. Our search leads us from a Viking museum in Norway, to underground crypts in Bristol, England, and finally to a forest haunted by a legendary hellhound. But we’re not alone.
The Blood Raiders have gotten desperate. And they’ve been following us. If we don’t find the shield first, they’ll attain more power than we can comprehend, and not only will we fail, but we’ll be doomed to die at their hands.
I stepped into the office of Darius Greyson—my boss, my once savior. Some would call him my captor. Thunder rumbled as I looked through the vast windows ringing the room. Usually, the view from the fifty-seventh floor displayed an impressive panorama of the San Antonio skyline. Tonight, only a few pinpricks of light managed to punch through the storm clouds.
Muted pendant lights flickered as another peal of thunder shook the room. My footsteps echoed over the expansive marble floor, and my heart gave a sudden lurch when I approached the glass display cases sitting atop polished onyx pedestals.
Nothing but velvet cushions remained where the artifacts had once been displayed.
The Egyptian ankh. The mask of Kushtaka. The scythe. Where were they?
My hand went to the Glock holstered at my side. Questions swam through my head. After last month’s security breach, perhaps Greyson had moved the artifacts? I tried not to ponder the less pleasant theories.
“Greyson?” I focused on the marble and gold desk near the windows. His chair was turned away from me, and I couldn’t be sure who was sitting there.
“Greyson, is that you?” I addressed the chair, unsure of who might answer. He’d asked to meet at eleven p.m. sharp—not an unusual hour for him. But in the many years I’d been his employee, he’d never failed to meet.
I took another step forward when the chair spun around. Shock stunned me. King Khamron sat in Greyson’s chair. His dark skin blended with the night sky beyond the windows, and his expression, while congenial, held a look of warning. I’d only ever seen Greyson sitting in the chair. Seeing King sitting there unnerved me.
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About Author Tamara Grantham:
Tamara Grantham is the author of more than twenty books and novellas, including the Olive Kennedy: Fairy World MD series, the Harliegh Sinclair, urban fantasy series, and the Twisted Ever After trilogy. Dreamthief, the first book of her Fairy World MD series, is a #1 bestseller on Amazon with over 1,300 five-star reviews.
Her numerous awards include: two first place Rone awards, first place in Foreword Reviews Book of the Year awards, a first-place Praiseworthy award, and first place in the WriterCon awards.
Tamara holds a bachelor’s degree in English from Lamar University. She has been a featured speaker at multiple writing conferences, and she has been a panelist at comic cons across the country speaking on the topic of female leads.
Born and raised in Texas, Tamara now lives with her husband and five children in Wichita, Kansas. She rarely has any free time, but when the stars align and she gets a moment to relax, she enjoys reading fantasy novels, taking nature walks, and watching every Star Wars or Star Trek movie ever made.
What would you do to free the love of your life from
prison?
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Not For the Faint of Heart
Madcap Adventures Book 1
by Rene Vecka
Genre: Epic Fantasy Mystery Romance Adventure
What would you do to free the love of your life from prison?
Magic and mayhem meet mystery and humor in a four-way rumble. Romance gets a
few licks in as well. Set in a post-Ragnarok world with dual protagonists. If
you loved the Dresden Files, you’ll love Madcap Adventures.
As Rory proposes to Ingefær, the Shrine they’re visiting is set ablaze. Ingefær
is jailed and threatened with hanging. Rory investigates, but is hounded at
every step by soldiers. While Ingefær searches for ways to defeat the jail’s
magic wards, the Shrine’s healer vanishes in a puff of smoke.
Will the couple get the chance to solve the Shrine fire mystery before the law
postpones their nuptials forever?
Kirkus Reviews: …In Vecka’s fantasy novel, lovers are torn apart
by a false accusation and must prove one’s innocence before a rigged
trial…Vecka creates compelling difficulties and character challenges that
help drive the fast-paced plot and add to the already exciting mystery
narrative…A fun and entertaining fantasy that will keep readers guessing.
The alvae sergeant guided me to one of two green cushioned chairs, hands still tied. I sat.
Smergasil placed a cheek on the corner of his desk while the sergeant came around to sit behind it. Parchment was brought forth, and the sergeant found a quill.
The green-skinned lieutenant spoke in Realm’s Tongue. “What is your name?”
“Ingefær vod Renku.”
“Place of residence?”
That proved difficult. I hadn’t lived in one place for almost a year. Rory and I, once we were married, planned to call Slangeh Buktah home—well, his parents’ farm some three days’ ride north of the human city.
“Place of residence? Why is this difficult for you?”
“Rory and I intend to live near Slangeh Buktah. But right now, we are without a home. My last fixed residences were Rohd Mina and Hjulstadt. I guarded a supply wagon that traveled between those two cities.”
“How long ago?”
“A year.”
Smergasil narrowed his eyes. “That is quite a long time to be without a home.”
I shrugged. “We traveled. All over the Realm.”
And had we. From Hjulstadt to Asken de Gulles to Himmel Drakken to Soolv Spyda, then north across the Dreki Mountains in the heart of winter to Kral Fal Is, Kobber Unter Smuss, and Kral Bar Aggen. I smiled, “I’ve been to Is Vann.”
Smergasil pshaw’d. “Lying exacerbates your circumstances.”
How much worse could it get? I lifted my chin high. “I don’t lie. You’ll see. Rory will tell you the same thing.”
That took a little green off his face.
Smergasil pointed. “Search her.”
Uh-oh. Two males pawing me. I didn’t like the sound of that. Good thing Rory wasn’t here.
The lieutenant’s lips curled into a thin, cruel smile. “Resisting an officer in the line of duty is punishable by up to ten years in the swamps. If the officer is wounded in the process, the death penalty may be invoked.”
My breathing quickened. Without my hands, I couldn’t cast a spell.
The sergeant worked quickly, yet efficiently. The knife in my boot was the first item. Then he unbuttoned my green tunic and pulled free my mage belt, setting it on the lieutenant’s desk. I must say, he had patted me down with care and consideration.
Smergasil took the mage belt and opened the pouches. When he came to the sawdust—an ingredient in summoning a fireball—he looked up at me and smiled.
Yeah. I was in trouble.
From underneath my green frock, the sergeant pulled out a coin sack inside a hidden pocket and two folded up parchments I had placed between my frock and chemise. I didn’t think he had felt the paper. Maybe he’d heard it crinkling.
The sergeant rifled through the coin bag. He whistled and said something in Alvaesh.
I had a combined purse of a thousand silver coins, nine hundred of which came in the form of forty-five gold coins, which were rare. Somehow, my wealth made my situation worse.
The lieutenant stared down his nose at me. “That is quite a lot of money for someone who doesn’t have a place to call home.”
“We did very well at Is Vann. And had a bit of luck inside a necromancer’s tomb.” I smiled at his rolled eyes.
He snapped his fingers, and the sergeant handed over the folded-up parchments. Smergasil read the first and his thin lips spread into a wide grin. “A letter of credit for four thousand more silver? Which jarls did you rob?”
“Earned every single coin,” I said, jutting my jaw forward. “Rory’s the best swordsman in the Realm.”
“Hmph.” Smergasil threw the letter of credit toward the sergeant, whose green eyes were as big as marbles. The lieutenant read the second letter, which I knew to be a decree from Foremost Aerica of the Tyrrell Order granting Rory and me the right to pursue criminals wherever the Warriors for Justice had an agreement in place.
Of all the luck. Vanaby wasn’t one of them.
“Rory and I are bounty hunters.”
“Good cover for thieves, don’t you think?” Smergasil threw the parchment at the sergeant and stood. “A forgery. Why did you burn the Shrine?”
I shook my head. “I didn’t.”
“Yet you’re a thaumaturge.”
“Technically, I’m a battle wizard, not a thaumaturge. I can wield both air and fire from the elemental planes by the same name, as well as summon power from the Aether plane, which comes in handy for utilitarian incantations like find or dispel magic.”
He covered a yawn. “No matter. You burned the Shrine. Why?”
“I didn’t.”
The inane conversation devolved from there. I met his unfounded accusations with strident denials. We went round and round for a dozen minutes.
“Lieutenant,” I said. “I can do this all day. The decree before you clearly informs anyone with reading comprehension that Rory and I are on the side of good…the same side as you.”
“Cover.”
Obstinance in the face of facts could only be maintained by a dimwit. I shifted tactics and mimicked his earlier one. I yawned. He peppered questions at me, demanding I confess. I slouched in my chair and pretended to nod off.
I risked a beating for my insolence, but I wasn’t going to argue banalities and innuendo. Not with someone who had already made up their mind.
“Take her to holding,” Smergasil said.
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I’ve been a reader of fantasy and science fiction since I
was ten. Lord of the Rings is still my favorite. I now read Butcher (Dresden)
and Salvatore (Drizzt), as well at Sanderson and others. The Mid Dreki Realm
got its start with a comment with my then fifteen year old son. That kernel
grew into a book, which split into two, and is now a five book series. I
retired at 57 and began the process of becoming a writer. I’ve attended a half
dozen conferences, read numerous books on the art of writing, joined critique
groups, and immersed myself in the craft. I’m a member of Apex, a group founded
by David Farland (Runelord).
I live in the foothills between Colorado Springs and Denver
with my wife. Deer, turkeys, bear, coyotes, and my three children and 2
grandchildren occasionally drop by.
Today I am excited to share the newest, standalone, small-town romance novel from the Women of Boone County Series. Forget Me Not by Julieann Dove is a sweet, heartfelt romance about loss and starting over. Check out the excerpt, enter the giveaway and grab your copy!
Forget Me Not
Women of Boone County #3 | Release Date: January 21, 2025
Sadie Billingsly cannot remember the last time she ate a vegetable, shaved her legs, or slept in a bed. Since the morning she woke up in the hospital and was told her husband was dead, nothing resembled her life. For the last ten months all she’d been able to do was survive the life she’d been dealt. She quit going to her private practice, started lying to her mom, and knew entirely too much about the top ten streaming movies any given day.
Campbell Stone watched from a far as Sadie, his departed best friend’s wife, withdrew from society. He didn’t want to upset her with mentioning she should return to work, but most of all, he didn’t want to hurt her with the truth about the year leading up to the accident that spared her life and took his best friend’s. He knew her amnesia of the events and time prior to the fateful night was necessary to protect her.
Sometimes your life has to fall apart so it can fall into place. The storm that hit Boone County that night in November did more than knock out half the town’s electricity… with the help of a stranger, it shifted Sadie’s mindset about her situation. But time would tell if she was ready to face the truth about her marriage, Campbell Stone, and her part in the night that changed her life.
Enjoy this peek inside:
“You want a Cosmo?” Campbell asked Sadie.
“Actually, I’ll have a cranberry juice, straight up.”
The woman looked up from her pad, questioning her with her eyes.
“Okay,” Campbell said, interrupting the ensuing question from the waitress. “I’ll have a Coors.”
She looked back at Sadie before she left the table.
“So you’re not drinking tonight?”
“Giving it up for Lent.” She folded the tiny cocktail napkin the woman left behind.
“You’re not even Catholic.”
“Yeah, well, that might change, too.”
The music was certainly bluesy that night. Campbell noticed a man in the corner. He was swaying his head, with a cigarette hanging out of his mouth. His eyes were closed, feeling the music deep in his soul.
“So, how was your first week? Did it all come back to you?” He rested his elbows on the table. It was all he could do not to reach across and pull a stray hair from the middle of her forehead. But then that would lead to touching her cheek. Then that would lead to bending across the table and kissing her. Something she wouldn’t understand.
“Yeah, pretty much. You see one naked ass, you’ve seen them all.”
He let out a laugh. The woman reappeared with their drinks. Sadie’s was bright red and filled a medium glass. His was a longneck. A frosted mug accompanied it.
“So true.” He poured the cold elixir down his throat. It felt as if it were setting off sparks as it crawled down to his stomach. A great end to a busy day. And now to be sitting across the table with Sadie made it the best.
Sadie began to sway in her chair to the song that was playing. Without giving thought to how she’d react, he stood and pulled her out to the small dance floor. He couldn’t take not being able to touch her any longer. They were going to share it with three other couples. Slow-moving couples. Maybe dirty dancers, if the lights were brighter and he could see better.
She fought at first, shaking her head no. But he insisted, pulling her harder. The song was “These Arms of Mine.” The words couldn’t have been more fitting to how he felt for her. He wrapped his arms around her tight and began to sway. Her body felt so good…so perfect next to his.
She went to say something the same time he moved his head to look at her. She ended up at his cheek. Her lips brushed against it. They stopped for a brief second, a half inch of space between their faces. His eyes focused on her lips. The ones he’d watch getting slathered with lip gloss in the break room that day, longing to be the wand in the tube. Slowly, he leaned in and kissed her. It was second nature. He wasn’t sure whether she closed her eyes. It ended quickly.
Like the song. “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” came on next, not allowing for any silence in the dance area. Her eyes didn’t leave his for what seemed a whole chorus of Otis belting out the soulful tune.
She moved her head back to his shoulder, laying her cheek flat against it. His body radiated heat from what just happened…from feeling her breast pressed against his chest. How could he get rid of the extra warmth before she sensed the temperature change?
They remained dancing until the song ended and she pulled away. They went back to the table and sat down without saying a word.
“I’ve got to go to the restroom. I’ll be right back.”
“If you haven’t discovered Julieann Dove’s books, start right now with Coming Home, the first book in her latest series. It’s filled with the complex characters and small-town charm I love.” –Sherryl Woods, New York Times #1 bestselling author of The Sweet Magnolias and Chesapeake Shores series.
Author Julieann Dove
Julieann Dove takes great pleasure in writing about love and all the mess that goes along with it. How else does happily ever after become realized, if not for some type of hardship and journey? When she’s not writing, she loves playing with fabric at her sewing machine, baking new recipes, and playing in the dirt, trying to get things to grow. Julieann loves old movies, and never tires of listening to music—it’s where she finds most of her inspiration for her books.
He’d fight mystic
forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.
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Stone of Hope
Stones of Iona Book 4
by Margaret Izard
Genre: Time Travel, Paranormal Romance
In a twist of
fate, Dominic DeVolt is shown archeologist Moira Joanna White’s beauty through
the Eye of Ra. Trying to save his niece and nephew from evil Fae powers, he’s
sucked into the past and dumped in the middle of her Egyptian archaeology dig.
Moira fears the attractive man who appears at her dig is partnering with her
archnemesis. That is until the bold fighter distracts her with a kiss. His duty
as uncle tugs her heart, but is he only after her precious artifacts?
He’d fight mystic forces to be with her. She sees her future in his love.
“Pierre Lenoir accused Moira of stealing his notes and discovering the tombs using his research, which put her discovery in a long legal battle. He demanded the Egyptian courts turn over the discovery to his team, saying that a lone woman with a meager team of village riffraff could not have discovered such riches.” He took a deep breath. “Tossing the situation into further turmoil, Miss White mysteriously disappeared shortly after the filing. The case remains unsolved, but they credited this finding to her alone.”
“Moira Joanna White. She sure is pretty. Too bad she’s dead.”
Dominic turned toward the exit as Evie spoke. “Wanna see her in real life?”
He stopped and turned to Evie. “What?”
Evie looked at Dominic, then at the Eye of Ra. Ewan stepped toward his sister as Dominic shot his hand out to stop him.
Ewan grabbed her shoulder. “Evie, don’t.” Evie raised her hands. His ears buzzed, and the room filled with an electrified energy. He’d felt something like this on another assignment where he flew a unique craft. The “out of this world” one he couldn’t tell anyone about. The overcharged sensation overwhelmed Dominic in the same way. Evie shifted her hands, and the pupil of the Eye of Ra turned a little then rotated. It spun faster and faster, swirling into a gray mass. As the gray of the center faded, a picture appeared as he stared and the image moved.
Dominic stood transfixed. Before him was a movie of Moira White bent over a sarcophagus, cleaning it with a large brush. Her thick auburn hair caught the torchlight as dust particles flickered around her head. So, it was red. She turned as if someone had called her, making Dominic’s breath escape in a whoosh. Before him was a full-color live version of the photo. The stunning beauty from the past, alive before his eyes.
As she gave him a full smile, he moved forward, tilting his head. He returned the grin, completing the connection. The picture rotated off-center, and the air traveled around him. The ringing came back to his ears, louder.
A kid’s gasp came from behind as Ewan screamed, “Evie, what’s wrong? What’s happening?”
Dominic turned. Ewan held Evie’s shoulders as she gasped for air and held her hands out to the eye. The wind picked up and swirled around them as the picture inside the eye’s pupil rotated faster.
Evie yelled over the wind, “I can’t control it, Ewan! It’s got a hold of me! I can’t stop it!” The churning wind dragged Evie toward the eye as Ewan grasped her shoulders, trying to push her away. A gust of wind pressed the twins, and they slid fast toward Dominic. When they slammed into him, his reflexes took over, and he grabbed them. He held both teenagers in his arms, trying to push them away from the eye.
Dominic searched for Doug and Kat and found they’d taken cover behind the chariot. Thank God he’s got only two to worry over.
He yelled over the wind, “Doug, keep Kat safe. Stay there.”
Ewan cried out, “Evie, ye have to stop it! Close yer eyes! Shut it off!”
Tears streamed down Evie’s face. “I can’t. I’m frozen!” This can’t be! The eye dragged them toward it. The energized force pulled as Dominic tried to push away. Whatever this was, Dominic feared it was not good.
Dominic yelled over the wind, “Hold on, kids. I’ve got you!” He gathered them both in his arms as he fought to keep them from the eye. The wind hit them with a forceful blow, and all three flew into the Eye of Ra.
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**Don’t miss the other books in the series!**
.
Stone of Love, book 1, Brielle and Colin’s 18th
century Scottish story.
Stone of Fear, Book 2, Marie and John’s
13th century Scottish story.
Stone of Lust, Book 3,
Ainslie and Rannick’s Viking tale.
Thistle in the Mistletoe
featuring a couple in the past from Stone of Love.
Next in the series:
Stone of Doubt, book 5 coming 2025,
Holly and Ivy, a Christmas companion book.
Stone of Faith, book 6.
Stone of Destiny, book 7.
Evergreen
Evermore, a Christmas companion book.
This series leads
into another connected series, Dragons of Tantallon, a
dragon-shapeshifter series revolving around the magic Iona Stones.
Margaret Izard is
an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels.
She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance,
theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great
storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it
movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance
novels in middle school, which combined her passion for romance, drama, and
fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls
for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her
husband and adult triplets and loves to hear from readers.
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.
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.
.
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.
December 30, 2024 – January 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour
Synopsis:
Trust means everything… when danger hits too close to home.
Hunting a never-caught killer, Special Agent Nolan Shea learns of a new victim. But the body on Ava Burke’s land puts her and her young daughter, Rose, in someone’s lethal sights. With a trail of shocking clues pointing to her family’s involvement, Ava starts to question everything she holds dear and is soon desperate to uncover the truth with Nolan. Step after step, they confront their fears. But will finally cornering a murderer out in the wilderness become a trap they can’t escape? From Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith.
Book Details:
Genre: Inspirational Romantic Suspense
Published by: Harlequin Publication Date: January 21, 2025 Number of Pages: 208 ISBN: 9781335980427 (ISBN10: 1335980423)
This book has so many points of interest for me. There’s a cold case. A recent murder that may be tied to that cold case. Suspicions of human trafficking. A possible kidnapping. Secrets. And it all occurs in Michigan and the UP, where I grew up.
Location made it easy for me to visual the scenery, such as roads, buildings and woods. Even though the author didn’t mention specific places I’d been to, I could still feel the atmosphere.
Ava was easy to connect with. A recent widow who moves to what she perceives is a safe place to raise her daughter and put down roots. When she’s in the wrong place at the wrong time it lands her in a murder investigation and maybe in the killers crosshairs. I raised my son alone and totally got her momma bear instincts to protect her daughter so it felt natural for her to become involved in solving the crime.
Enter Special Agent Nolan. I liked him immediately and was thrilled at the instant sparks between him and Ava. Sometimes circumstances, especially dangerous ones, causes the romance to come on fast. I crossed my fingers theirs would last.
And last but certainly not least…… Creed, Nolan’s K9 partner. He’s a character all by himself and I loved him.
I very much enjoyed reading Lethal Wilderness Trap and getting to know all the characters. I also liked trying to figure out who did what and it wasn’t easy. That always engages me more because I want to find out if I was even close to guessing who it was.
Susan Furlong is a new author for me and I went and did some searching on her and her books. She’s written many books in different genres. I spied some in the southern cozy mystery genre that I’d like to try along with her other books.
4 STARS
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About Author Susan Furlong:
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Susan Furlong grew up in North Dakota where she spent long winters at her local library scouring the shelves for mysteries to read. Now, she lives in Illinois with her husband and children and writes mysteries of all types. She has over a dozen published novels and her work has earned a spot in the New York Times list of top crime fiction books of the year. When not writing, she volunteers at her church and spends time hiking and fishing.
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