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Saturday, August 26, 2017

Exclusive Content Ebb and Flow by: Andrew Grey


Title: Ebb and Flow
Author: Andrew Grey
Series: Love’s Charter (Book 2)
Genre:  M/M Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Dreamspinner Press 
Release Date: Aug 18 2017
Edition/Formats Available In: eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
To achieve happiness, they’ll have to find the courage to be their own men.
As first mate on a charter fishing boat, Billy Ray meets a lot of people, but not one of them has made him as uncomfortable as Skippy—because he’s drawn to Skippy as surely as the moon pulls the tides, and he’s almost as powerless to resist. Billy Ray has spent his life denying who he is to avoid the wrath of his religious father, and he can’t allow anyone to see through his carefully built façade.
Skippy is only in town on business and will have to return to Boston once he’s through. But he doesn’t count on Billy Ray capturing his attention and touching his heart. After all, his father has certain expectations, and one of them is not him staying in Florida.
Billy Ray doesn’t realize just how much he and Skippy have in common, though. They’re both living to please their fathers instead of following their own dreams—a fact that becomes painfully obvious when they get to know each other and realize how much joy they’ve denied themselves. While they can’t change the past, they can begin a future together and make up for lost time—as long as they’re willing to face the consequences of charting their own course.

Sunday, August 20, 2017

Just Off the Path by: Weston Sullivan


For the month of August Fire Quill Publishing is launching their campaign for upcoming novel Just off the Path, written by Weston Sullivan. This fairy-tale retelling of the classic Grimm brother’s tale: Hansel and Gretel, will keep you on the edge of your seat. It’s dark, it’s twisted and it’s all the famous fairy characters sketched in a way that you wouldn’t see coming.
Fire Quill Publishing have taken this one a step further. It’s a deal of a lifetime and one that you surely shouldn’t miss.


They are running a giveaway for more shares. 
So all these pictures you can share via your social media and you might stand a chance to win an iPad. It’s not the first time they are doing this. They have recently given an iPad away with one of their other facebook release day parties and is doing it with future facebook parties too. So, if you like to win something other than books or giveaway cards, go have a look what they are doing and become part of their campaigns. 

JUST FOLLOW THE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW

Friday, August 11, 2017

Olivia's Promise by: Diane Merrill Wigginton w/ Giveaway


Title: Olivia’s Promise  
Author: Diane Merrill Wigginton
Series: Jeweled Dagger Series (Book 3) (Part of The Benjamin Franklin Award Winning Series)
Genre: Historical Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Jeweled Dagger Publishing
Release Date: Aug 4 2017
Edition/Format: 1st Edition/Formats ~ eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
 The year is 1804. Lady Olivia Sophia Allen Townsend has just turned 20 years old, beautiful and considered by some in polite society far too eccentric for her own good. When Olivia was younger, she was very open about her gift of being able to see spirits, but the shunning by her peers has caused her to turn her back on those who need her the most - spirits caught between two worlds. That is until her best friend Lilly Collins comes to her in the middle of the night and asks for her help. Lilly can’t remember what happened to her so finds herself in need of Olivia’s unique gifts.
Olivia’s younger sister, Coco, is also gifted with a unique set of skills - she can touch someone and know things about them that they would sometimes prefer to keep hidden. Together, the sisters set off on a sea voyage, from Ireland to America, intent on solving the mystery of Lilly’s untimely death.
Brody and Quinton Beaumont, fine-looking, eligible, southern American gentlemen, and heirs to a successful cotton empire, are twins hiding a deep dark secret. Their mother, Annabelle Beaumont, died eight years earlier on the night of their annual birthday winter ball, yet she continues to rule over their plantation home with an iron fist.

Olivia, drawn to no man, feels suddenly akin to Brody Beaumont, but she must figure out if she can trust him, and if he or his brother had anything to do with Lilly’s death.


 I awoke with a start to find Coco gone. Panicked, I leapt from the bed, ran to her room and found it empty. “Margot, where are you, woman?” I shouted, the sound of my own voice reverberated off the walls. The rooms were empty.
 Quickly dressing in a Grecian-inspired, muslin white gown with tiny pink rosebuds embroidered around the neckline and hem, I picked up a soft pink shawl to keep my arms warm and left the room. Half way down the stairs, I could hear loud laughter coming from the sunroom. One voice in particular was very familiar — my father’s.
His booming laughter quickened my steps and, as I rounded the corner, I hesitated a moment. I was not sure of the reception I would receive. Composing myself before stepping through the doorway, I decided the doting daughter would be my best move in this situation. I rushed through the door and immediately came face to face with Father.
Throwing myself into his arms, I greeted him as if I hadn’t seen him in months, which I hadn’t. “Oh father, you finally arrived. I have missed you so,” I cried, planting kisses on both his cheeks. Then turning to my mother, I made a dramatic show of throwing my arms around her as well. “And Mother, it has been an eternity. How was your trip? Uneventful I hope,” I rambled, embracing her and kissing both of her cheeks. “Coco was just saying last night, how she hoped you would receive our message in time to attend the Beaumont’s annual party, and here you are!”
“Yes, here we are,” Mother repeated, in a tone that let me know she wasn’t for one minute buying what I was selling.
“How fortuitous,” I stated gleefully, feeling like a trapped animal.
“Yes, how fortuitous, indeed,” Father mimicked, with a death stare that made my insides turn liquid. A nervous laugh bubbled up from somewhere inside escaping my lips, while I turned three shades of red. “I can only assume that everyone has introduced themselves.”
“Yes, and I have already made arrangements for your parents to stay in the same wing of the house as you and your sister,” Harrison said, gesturing towards the table. “Perhaps we can all sit down and enjoy a lovely breakfast together.”
“Yes, thank you, Mr. Beaumont, that would be most hospitable of you, considering my daughters have already intruded upon your generosity,” Mother stated, taking ahold of my arm, escorting me to the table, while Father flanked me on the other side, like a pair of armed guards escorting a prisoner.
 My eyes wandered over to Coco in hopes that she would help me in some way. But she suddenly found something interesting to stare at in her lap. Coward!
 “We haven’t decided to stay,” Father informed me, then cleared his throat. “I’ve sent Captain Bellamy home to unload his cargo. So it seems that you and your sister will be traveling back with us.”
“If you will allow me to say, sir, Olivia is a tough negotiator. I believe I may have lost money on our deal,” Brody interjected, seeing the stricken look in my eyes.
“You don’t say!” Father turned to give Brody the full measure of his scrutiny.
 “Why, yes. She wouldn’t budge from the amount she was willing to pay. I tried everything, but Olivia didn’t blink. She was very convincing when she stood up and thanked me for my time,” Brody laughed and shook his head. “I believe she would have actually walked away. In the end, I was the one who blinked.”
“You don’t say,” Mother mused, looking at me with fresh eyes.
“Your daughter truly is a shrewd negotiator, Lady Townsend,” Brody replied, never averting his eyes, even when I blushed and looked away.
I smiled to myself, taking the seat next to Coco, who finally decided to look up at me. The little turn coat!
“You didn’t give the farm away, did you, boy?” Harrison choked on his coffee, sputtering and coughing into his white linen napkin.
“No Father, I did not give the farm away. I simply did as I was taught. I made up the difference on the next deal I made,” Brody assured him, before giving me a wry smile and a wink.
This caused Coco to giggle into her napkin, then cover it up with a cough, while reaching for her cup of tea. “Something in my throat…”
“I would expect nothing less of Olivia,” Father stated with pride. “I taught her to play poker when she was only six. Take my word on this one, she is very good at a bluff.”
Brody gave a hearty laugh. “Believe me, I know.”






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 Born in Riverside, California in 1963, my family and I moved to San Diego when I was nearly 8. I had a very rich life growing up, with my brother, David and best friend Gigi, for company. I was married to my current husband, David in 1998 and we moved to Herald, California in 2001. We have a blended family of 6 kids and enjoy the rural life on our 5 1/2 acre ranch, 45 minutes south of Sacramento. I love writing and creating stories that are different and intriguing. I like to give my readers a little something unexpected. I have always wanted to be a published author, but the timing never seemed right. Raising a family and working full time always took precedence. Shortly after I turned 50 I decided that it would never be the right time, and determined that I needed to live my truth and follow my dreams. So I began writing on a whim, and loved everything about it. My first book is out, and the second one is at the publishers, scheduled to be released, April 4, 2017. I am currently working on book 3 of my series, slated to release the first week in August, 2017. I am very excited about the future, and thrilled to be writing. I count my blessings every day because I know how truly lucky I am. Life is good.







Facebook Page/Book Page Angelina’s Secret 
Twitter  @Dianesunny
Website/Publisher Jeweled Dagger Publishing 




Friday, August 4, 2017

Isabella's Heart by: Diane Merrill Wigginton w/ Creative Post & Giveaway


Title: Isabella’s Heart  
Author: Diane Merrill Wigginton
Series: Jeweled Dagger Series (Book 2) (The Benjamin Franklin Award Winning Series)
Genre: Historical Romance/Suspense
Publisher: Jeweled Dagger Publishing
Release Date: April 4 2017
Edition/Format: 2nd Edition/Formats ~ eBook & Print
Blurb/Synopsis:
In this follow-up, to Wigginton’s (Angelina’s Secret), the focus is on Isabella Deveraux, the daughter of Lady Angelina Marguerite Amelia Deveraux, the heroine of the first book.







As the story begins, Isabella experiences a disturbing dream about her twin brother, Charlie, on the eve of her 19th birthday. We quickly learn that Isabella has a sixth sense, just like her mother’s, and when she dreams about Charlie’s abduction in London, it’s more than a simple nightmare. She sets off immediately to London, setting into motion events that require her to reunite with her grandparents and eventually her parents, from whom she has been estranged from for years. Complicating matters further, Isabella’s grandfather hires an Irish mercenary to help her locate and rescue her brother and his two school mates. Forced to prove her worth to the mercenary Captain, she is placed in a compromising position and in doing so must open herself up to other emotions that she is not be yet ready for. The Captain is a handsome but brooding man, with a brutish disposition, who is willing to save the lives of three privileged young men, for the right price. Aiden Townsend decides that the best way to avoid suspicion as they travel the Irish country side in search of the abducted men is to pretend to be lovers. Despite Isabella’s grave concern for her reputation, she grudgingly gives her consent to the arrangement and romantic chaos ensues. The romantic tension between Isabella and Aiden intensifies as the search for Charlie also ramps up. During this fast-paced, action-packed tale, readers are treated to many rich historical details about political unrest in Ireland, lending credence to the story’s setting. It is a fun, action packed read with just the right amount of sexual tension to keep even the most seasoned romance reader engaged.


I removed my coat as well and wiped my forehead with the sleeve, before depositing the coat on a pile of ropes. Noticing that the rowdy crowd of men had suddenly gone silent, I looked up to see what had caused it. That’s when I came face to face with the unsmiling, yet ever handsome, brooding Captain Townsend.
“How about we engage in a real dual, my dear?” the captain challenged, his voice seductively deceiving as he broke the tension between us by giving me a half smile. His blue eyes seemed to spark like the sky during a thunderstorm, causing my breath to catch.
Dumbfounded for a moment, as my mind scurried to assimilate and assess the situation, I asked for the only thing that came to mind, “May I please have a drink of water first?” I queried, locking eyes with him.
“Since you asked so nicely,” Captain Townsend said, with a sardonic smile. “Rogers, fetch Lady Isabella some water,” he bellowed in my face while maintaining direct eye contact.
Mr. Rogers ran to do the captain’s bidding, bringing me a ladle full of fresh water. He handed it to me, and I gratefully sipped it slowly trying to buy time.
Realizing what his friend had in mind, Caleb stepped forward. “Aiden, I must protest. What you are proposing is wrong,” he said sternly, as the casual exhibition turned serious and the crew of rugged mercenaries looked on in disbelief.
“Anyone can have a leisurely game of back and forth exchanges for fun or even show, but your enemy is not going to follow the rules, nor will they give you a chance to catch your breath between bouts,” the captain said, putting his hand up to stem the flow of any further protests from Caleb.
Turning his back on Caleb so he could focus his full attention back to me, Townsend continued to speak, but this time he was playing to the crowd, who had gathered for the show. “Although you and my first mate here seem to know your way around a rapier, we are going in with swords, Lady Isabella. Of course, if you would prefer not to continue because you are too tired. . .” Townsend began, leaving the question open ended as he gave me a patronizing smile.
Then turning his back to me, Townsend faced his crowd, as they began to jeer and yell loudly. Paralyzed by indecision, and the dangerous glint I witnessed in Townsend’s eyes, I chewed on my bottom lip, still trying to think clearly.
Turning about in a circle, while shrugging his shoulders, the captain truly was a showman, as he expertly worked the crowd of men up into a frenzy. As if to say the show was over, the captain looked at me and smirked, then shrugged his shoulders as he turned his back to me again.
“Well, lads, I do not think the lady is truly up to the challenge. I would suggest you all return to work.”
Some light laughter erupted as the men slapped the captain and first mate on the shoulder and turned to resume their duties. I picked up the two sabers and weighed them both in my hands, then choosing the one in my left hand, I threw the other at the captain’s feet. The blade landed with a loud clank and skidded to a halt against his shiny leather boots.
Turning around, Captain Townsend’s jovial smile quickly faded as he noticed the sword in my hand. Then slowly looking down, he scoffed, and bent down to retrieve the sword at his feet.
“It seems I was wrong, lads,” Townsend announced loudly between clenched teeth. “It would seem the Lady has a backbone after all.”
The thought flashed through my mind that these blades had very sharp edges and were void of guarded tips for safety purposes. I quickly pushed the thought from my mind and remembered that I truly had a reason for being here — my brother — and I would never turn tail and run from anyone, especially someone as smug and self-righteous as Captain Aiden Townsend.
We walked in a circle like two wild beasts at the ready, each taking the measure of the other. The tension was thick as everyone on deck fell silent again. Caleb again tried to protest, but Captain Townsend gave him a look that silenced him at once.
I felt like I vibrated with the silent tension that existed on deck as I prepared my strategy. I made the first move while Townsend still looked at Caleb. Thrusting my sword, I caught the captain off guard by cutting the button from his woolen coat.
Lifting his eyebrows in a manner that could have suggested either a question or a challenge, Townsend licked his lips and gave me a smile. It was not a pleasant smile, in fact it wasn’t a smile at all, but a grimace meant to warn me of the impending danger ahead.
The crew suddenly went crazy. They shouted and jeered again as I heard money called out and odds exchanged. The captain lunged forward, and I deflected the attack with my sword, easily stepping to the side and swinging. We exchanged thrusts and parried back and forth, moving around in our tight little circle for several minutes. I refused to back down or give an inch as he pressed his advantage of height and strength, pushing me back against the masthead.
I sidestepped him as he swung his sword, and then pulled up short at the same time as I ducked. I figured it was his way of giving me a warning. But I didn’t need a warning because I was playing for all the marbles in my brother Charlie’s bag.
Knocking Townsend in the stomach with the hilt of my sword, I stepped to his right and repositioned myself to the ready. The sardonic smirk was back as he lunged at me, taking several heavy swings with his sword, and nearly knocking me over.
We locked swords, and he came in close, growling under his breath. “Do you concede?” he asked, holding tightly to my free hand, keeping me momentarily still.
“No!” I said, as that one word dripped with derision from my lips.
Not giving him a chance to reset, I pushed off from him and swung hard, forcing him back. The surprise I saw in his eyes was gratifying, if only for a split second, before regaining his composure and retaliating in kind. He forced me back as he went on the attack, and I caused several crew members to scramble for safety, as I beat a hasty retreat.
A low animalistic growl escaped my lips as I attacked in frustration. My muscles were beginning to burn in my right arm, and I let my guard down for just a second. That was all it took. The captain’s sword inflicted a nasty gash on my left arm, several inches below the shoulder. A small cry escaped my mouth. Captain Townsend froze in mid swing, and then lowered his weapon. The smugness instantly drained from his face, replaced with concern.
Maria made her way to the deck, drawn by all the commotion and noise. I heard her gasp and I looked at her for a split second, but I didn’t really see her. My mind was already going through the evasive moves I had been taught.
Maria closed her eyes and began to pray, as the entire crew on deck fell silent. Then I remembered the reason I was there, on that deck, in the first place. Looking down at my arm, I could see the cut was deep and the blood had begun to flow from the gash. This was no time to wallow in my pain. Moving my arm to make sure it was still of use to me, I blocked out the pain, and concentrated instead on the moves I intended to make.
I turned my full attention back to the captain and gave him a murderous stare. I felt something snap inside of me. Like the floodgates being opened, all I could see was Townsend. Everything and everyone else faded away. The captain wore the strangest look on his face as I raised my sword above my head and set myself to the ready. Narrowing my eyes at Townsend, I prepared myself to fight, as if it were a matter of life or death. I was fighting for my brother’s life!
“I think it is time for you to concede,” Captain Townsend stammered as he lowered his guard. “Look, your arm is hurt and —” the captain said, pointing at my arm with his free hand.
Cutting him off, I lunged at him, and he deflected my blade, but stumbled backward several steps, while still attempting to reason with me. I refused to hear him out. I was now focused on the task at hand.
“I thought you said you knew how to fight,” I taunted, causing the crew to go crazy again. “Or perhaps you would like to concede?” I jeered.
Aiden lunged and half-heartedly swung his sword, which I easily blocked. Lunging back in turn, I managed to put the captain on the defensive.
Seeing a moment of hesitation from him, I delivered a kick to his lower left leg, throwing him off balance. He grunted and fell to the deck onto one knee.
I circled around behind him as my breath seemed to come in harsh, angry gasps. Giving an extra push with my booted foot in the middle of his back, I managed to knock him down on all fours.
The captain snorted in frustration and pounded a fist into the deck in a show of anger of his own. Then slowly rising to his feet, he looked over his shoulder at me, and I saw something in his eyes besides surprise at my underhanded tactics, it was determination.
Growling somewhere deep in his throat, Captain Aiden Townsend looked like an angry bull preparing to charge. Turning towards me he lunged, slashing with his sword, a move I had anticipated and easily sidestepped, deflecting his emotionally fueled advances.
This caused another loud outburst of laughter from the crew. We circled each other again, both of us taut and on edge as we lunged at one another, simultaneously locking blades. Aiden’s left arm snaked out and grabbed a hold of my waist. Pinning me tightly against his larger frame, our swords rested between us.
“You need to concede, and I will allow you to save face,” Townsend said between clenched teeth. His rage was clearly manifested by his ragged breathing as he leaned in even closer to my face, to emphasize his displeasure.
“Your hubris is astounding, sir, or is it that you are worried that you might be bested by a woman!” I sweetly asked, just before stomping on the instep of his foot with the heel of my boot.
“Ouch!” he yelled. “Why you little —” he began to say, before letting out another growl of displeasure.
I pushed off from him when he was momentarily surprised by my move, and my blade caught the back of his hand, when we came out of the clench. Looking down, he couldn’t believe what he saw. The back of his right hand was bleeding from a two inch gash.