Book Blitz: Stateless by Meli Raine

Stateless
Meli Raine
(Stateless, #1)
Publication date: October 15th 2019
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

When you’re born without a trace, no one knows you’re a weapon.

I lie for her.

I hunt for her.

I kill for her.

And above all, I betray my mission for her.

She doesn’t know why. She doesn’t care why.

I do.

Treason comes in many forms.

Love is one of them.

Our training taught me to be a sociopath. A machine. A pawn. Nothing more than a tool for a larger goal, without attachments or feelings.

Our teachers forgot one important detail:

Pawns shouldn’t have hearts.

Yet we do.

It turns out our emotions are our greatest weapon.

And I know exactly where mine are aimed.

The Stateless Series also includes:

Traceless (releasing 11.19.19)

Fateless (release date TBA)

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

Audiobook narrated by Joe Arden and Andi Arndt!

Audible (preorder now!)

Amazon audio (preorder now!)

EXCERPT:

I do not sleep.

Kina does, though, and that matters more.

Sleep is a luxury when we are in Woods. She knows it. I know I should catch an hour or two, especially with my five-night punishment and determination to go for six, but I can’t.

What did I just say?

What did I just do?

Kina has the dreams. I have the dreams. I’ve never told anyone else anything that wasn’t one hundred per-cent part of The Mission.

To confess emotion, to confess my own dreams that do not fit The Mission, could be punished by death.

Or worse. What if I really am so weak? Emotion is shameful. It’s disgusting.

We fail every time we feel.

She knows this. I know this.

And yet we both spoke. Shared.

Confided.

Why?

What does this mean?

With her sleeping beside me, I let my mind wander, giving in to the luxury of imagination. For years, the dream has been the same.

A burning wood fire.

A screaming boy.

A woman with long hair being shot.

A man with a shaved head and blue eyes like mine beaten by another man with a log.

And me with my bow and arrow. My hands are tiny, the skin around the knuckles dimpled. I’ve worked with the four-year-olds here at the compound. I know what young hands look like.

Why would I dream like that?

 

Author Bio:

Meli Raine writes romantic suspense with hot bikers, intense undercover DEA agents, bad boys turned good, and Special Ops heroes — and the women who love them. Meli rode her first motorcycle when she was five years old, but she played in the ocean long before that. She lives in New England with her family.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Bookbub / Instagram / Newsletter

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Book Blitz: One More Song by C.M. Seabrook

One More Song
C.M. Seabrook
Publication date: October 10th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

My band, Absinthe, is sent to the middle of nowhere to get our shit together.

It’s time to keep my cock in my pants, my head on straight, and to stay out of trouble.

Hard to do when the landlord is Ember Skye.

Long brown hair, eyes flecked with gold.

One look and she has me, heart and soul.

Fire burns.

But when I’m with this girl?

There’s a heat I’ve never known before.

She’s a single mom carrying it all on her own with an ex on her heels.

I want to help, be the man she needs.

I’m all wrong for her.

She knows it and I know it.

But people change.

Or do they?

I’ve run out of second chances.

But we’re Ember & Ash.

It’s time to fan this flame.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“You can’t stay here,” I say, my voice shaky, because I know there’s no way I’ll be able to afford the reimbursement. I already spent a small chunk of the money Maryll gave me on this month’s bills.

With his back to me, his fingers expertly dancing over the keys as he plays the scales. I try not to notice the way his muscles bunch and tense under the fabric of his t-shirt.

“When was the last time you had this tuned?”

“I…uh…I don’t know.” I shake my head, knowing he’s trying to distract me. “Look. I’m sorry for the inconvenience, but I’m sure you can find somewhere else to go.” Even as I say the words, I can hear the lack of conviction in them. I need the money.

The music stops, and he turns, straddling the piano bench. And when those gray eyes are on me again, my body betrays me, and I can feel the flush rising to my cheeks.

I try to fight it, the attraction, the heat, the pull, but it’s impossible. And I wonder if he feels it too, or if he has this effect on every woman. I have a feeling it’s the latter because I can’t read anything in those stormy eyes.

“No,” he finally says, his words absolute, like he’s used to getting what he wants. “I like it here.” Those gorgeous lips of his twitch up slightly. “I was worried that this place would be boring. But this could be fun.”

I scoff. “Fun?” That’s one word for it. Millie would find this entire situation hilarious. But I’m not Millie with her heart-on-her-sleeve attitude. I’m Ember – a woman who always has responsibilities.

And as I look into Ash’s eyes, I realize I don’t have a choice.

“Yeah, fun,” he says with a dare in his voice and a promise in his eyes.

A promise.

My track record with promises is fifty-fifty. And right now, I can’t handle another thing in my life breaking.

I have no choice but to try and make this work. Not just for me. But for Cadence.

 

Author Bio:

Amazon bestselling author C.M. Seabrook writes hot, steamy romances with possessive bad boys and the passionate, fiery women who love them. Swoonworthy romances from the heart!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Cover Reveal: Kingdom of Crowns and Glory Double Box Set

Kingdom of Crowns and Glory
(Kingdom of Darkness and Light, #1)
Publication date: December 18th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, New Adult

Fairytale heroes, but not as you remember them…

The age old tale of Good versus Evil comes to life in this epic boxset featuring only the heroes from your favorite fairytales.

Will light triumph over dark? Will the heroes beat the villains?

Be part of the battle and explore your favourite fairytales from different perspectives, in this one of a kind split fairytale anthology retelling collection.

This set by USA Today and Amazon Best Selling authors is like nothing you have never read before.

Paired up with The Kingdom of Villains and Vengeance boxset, you can now read the story from the perspective of both the heroes and villains. Come on a magical journey to see if good does always triumph over evil.

Stories included are:

The Little Mermaid Vs The Sea Witch

Snow White Vs The Evil Queen

Sleeping Beauty Vs Witch

Robin Hood Vs Sheriff

Alice Vs Queen of Hearts

Princess Vs Rumpelstiltskin

Peter Pan Vs Hook

Little Red Vs Wolf

Goodreads / Amazon

Kingdom of Villains and Vengeance
(Kingdom of Darkness and Light, #2)
Publication date: December 18th 2019
Genres: Fairy Tales, Fantasy, New Adult

Fairytale villains, but not as you remember them…

The age old tale of Good versus Evil comes to life in this epic boxset featuring only the evil doers from your favorite fairytales.

Will light triumph over dark? Will the heroes beat the villains?

Be part of the battle and explore your favourite fairytales from different perspectives, in this one of a kind split fairytale anthology retelling collection.

This set by USA Today and Amazon Best Selling authors is like nothing you have never read before.

Paired up with The Kingdom of Crowns and Glory boxset, you can now read the story from the perspective of both the heroes and villains. Come on a magical journey to see if good does always triumph over evil.

Stories included are:

The Sea Witch VsThe Little Mermaid

The Evil Queen VsSnow White

Witch Vs Sleeping Beauty

Sheriff Vs Robin Hood

Queen of Hearts Vs Alice

Rumpelstiltskin Vs Princess

Hook V’s Peter Pan

Wolf Vs Little Red

Goodreads / Amazon

 

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Cover Reveal: Rhodes by Christina Bauer

Rhodes
Christina Bauer
(Angelbound Offspring #4)
Published by: Monster House Books
Publication date: December 17th 2019
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal, Young Adult

As dragon shifters, Rhodes and Zinnia should never have fallen in love. Why? Zin’s a princess while Rhodes is only the hired help. If the pair remain in the dragon realm, then age-old prejudices might tear them apart. But returning to Earth isn’t any better. In the human world, Rhodes and Zin are a musical sensation … and fame’s an even bigger relationship killer. Bottom line? Rhodes has huge decisions to make, both for himself and Zin.

Unfortunately, it isn’t clear what path—if any—will end with Rhodes and his love having a future together.

Angelbound Offspring

  1. Maxon

    2. Portia

    3. Zinnia

    4. Rhodes (December 2019)

    5. Kaps (Summer 2020)

    6. Huntress (Summer 2021)

Don’t Miss These Series From Christina Bauer

– Fairy Tales of the Magicorum, a series of modern fairy tales with sass, action, and romance

– Beholder, where a medieval farm girl discovers necromancy and true love

– Dimension Drift, a dystopian adventure with science, snark, and hot aliens

Pixieland Diaries, about a sassy pixie Calla who falls for Dare, an icy elf prince

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

 

Author Bio:

Christina Bauer thinks that fantasy books are like bacon: they just make life better. All of which is why she writes romance novels that feature demons, dragons, wizards, witches, elves, elementals, and a bunch of random stuff that she brainstorms while riding the Boston T. Oh, and she includes lots of humor and kick-ass chicks, too.

Christina graduated from Syracuse University’s Newhouse School with BA’s in English along with Television, Radio, and Film Production. She lives in Newton, MA with her husband, son, and semi-insane golden retriever, Ruby.

Be the first to know about new releases from Christina by signing up for her newsletter: http://tinyurl.com/CBupdates

Blog / Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / LinkedIn

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Book Blitz: Drowning Lessons by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds

Drowning Lessons
Neuburger Reynolds
(Red Frog Beach Mystery #1)
Publication date: May 21st 2019
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

You are cordially invited to a destination wedding to die for…

“My rating for Drowning Lessons by Rachel Neuburger Reynolds is five stars. I loved the setting, the mystery is top-notch, the characters are very realistic, yet humorous, and the plot moved well. This series is one that I will be watching.”

~Baroness’ Book Trove

“There are so many fine things about this novel that it’s difficult to enumerate them all. The characters are beautifully drawn; the dialogue sparkles; the setting is vividly rendered…This is sure to delight followers and fans of mystery novels !!”

~Kelly/Reviewer NetGalley

Welcome to Bocas del Toro, a remote chain of islands off the Caribbean coast of Panama. Five days of glorious sun and lush rainforest await the forty guests celebrating Bridezilla Olivia’s dream wedding—but will a murder sink the catered affair? Before anyone’s got time to start working on a tan, an unfortunate snorkeling accident eliminates a member of the wedding party. Maid of honor Lexie Marino smells trouble, and is thrust into the responsibility of investigating, needing to solve the case before her bestie’s trip down the aisle gets tropically derailed. The show must go on.

Lexie’s a little too tall, a little too awkward, and a little too brokenhearted, but she’s determined to nail the real killer. Can this unlikely sleuth stay afloat as she’s hit by wave after wave of wildly entertaining characters, including an alpha bride, surfing detectives, and a high school flame long forgotten? You’ll find yourself laughing until the very end of Drowning Lessons, a debut cozy mystery that makes the perfect beach read. Rub in some coconut oil, dangle your feet in the crystal-blue waters of Starfish Beach, and sip a cool drink as Lexie discovers the deductive superpowers she never knew she had. Let the party begin!

“This story is much more than a cozy mystery. It is a dramedy where literally everything that can go wrong does. Twists, turns, craziness, and good old mayhem fill these pages all on an idyllic chain of islands . . . This was a fun book to read and a great start for this series.”

~Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book

“Drowning Lessons is filled with humor from beginning to end, not to mention several twists along the way. It’s the perfect beach read.”

~Socrates’ Book Reviews

“Great debut for this new series: a compelling plot, a spectacular setting, and bizarre characters, nothing is missing.”

~LibriAmoriMiei

This is the first book of five in the Red Frog Beach Mystery Series. The Wipeout Affair, Book 2, will be released on October 17, 2019. For information and updates please visit RachelNeuburger.com

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Is he okay?” I asked.

“No, he’s dead,” Lloyd said to me. “Know what I mean?”

Lloyd looked me directly in the eye and a chill ran down my spine, which was half to do with Nico and half to do with Lloyd’s preternaturally blue eyes. Match those peepers with his black hair and 6’4” lithe body, and he was every bit of a vampire who just happened to have a tan.

Carlos and Lloyd brought Nico down to a cabin, while one of the deck crew called ahead to Bocas Town Marina to say that we’d need an ambulance to drive us less than half a mile to the hospital.

“I suppose we should tell Walter,” Lloyd dryly said, clinically looking over the body. “I’m not this kind of doctor, I suppose, but I’d say massive coronary. Drowning?” He tenderly touched Nico’s face. “Good night, dear friend.”

We abstained from speech, as drunken revelers stomped around above us. Carlos paced and let us know that we’d need to give the ambulance driver cash when we arrived, as soon as someone could find him. The driver also had a cab that went to Bluff Beach and back, where sometimes he’d spend the day if business was slow. It was unclear whether the vehicle was technically an ambulance at all.

“Of course it is,” Carlos said with a bad poker face.

“Lexie,” I heard Olivia sing from the top of the stairs. “We need you! Migs has a very particular concept for this photo—”

“Can you come down here, Olivia?” I meekly asked.

“Migs has a concept for disembarking very artfully, taking photos while,” she continued, walking into the room and laying eyes upon the corpse. “This is not happening. God damn, this is not happening. What happened? Is he okay?”

Lloyd lit a cigarette.

Of course he did.

“I’m not that kind of doctor,” he said for the second time, stopping when Walter walked into the room.

Walter appeared not to believe what he saw; his dear friend laying still on the bed.

Olivia looked wildly around the room.

The boat docked at the key side and I heard footsteps as our partygoers disembarked above us. Carlos had his crew tempting people away from the ship, making the masses forget that they hadn’t moved on to a second snorkeling spot.

Walter sat silent, head in his hands, elbows on his knees. Olivia, Carlos, and Lloyd heatedly discussed what would happen next. The room went silent when the next thing that Olivia said was, “Let’s keep this quiet until we know what happened. I want to have all the information before we tell the guests.”

Oh no. She’s up to something.

When the group started talking again, Lloyd nodded and motioned towards Carlos and said, “Just let the captain there tell them there was an unfortunate snorkeling incident. I get it, Olivia. Ducks in a row and all that.”

“I’m not saying snorkeling incident,” Carlos chided. “I’ve got insurance to worry about. Unfortunate snorkeling incident? What’s wrong with you?”

“You want a list?” Lloyd calmly asked.

How could you fault a man for being crazy when he so casually owned it?

Did they have a point? I suppose that it might have been wise to wait until it was clear what had happened. Lloyd looked at her, in what I can only describe as clinical bemusement, and gifted her with enough rope to hang herself. He abruptly offered to remove himself from the boat and treat the remaining guests to a late afternoon cocktail at the Pickled Parrot, five minutes across the bay on Isla Carenero.

Walter made a b-line for the bathroom, hand clasped over his mouth.

Lloyd ran his hand through his thick dark hair as he put his sunglasses on, lighting another cigarette, smirking at everyone remaining through his dark lenses.

He handed me a wad of cash for whatever corrupt local might need it and left, turning back to cynically say to Olivia, “I’m so very sorry for your loss.”


Author Bio:

Rachel Neuburger Reynolds is the author of The Red Frog Beach Mystery Series. As a playwright, her plays have had been produced in London, Edinburgh, and New York. After 25-years in New York City, she now resides with her husband between London and St Leonards-on-Sea in England. For news about Rachel and the upcoming Red Frog Beach Mysteries, check her out at RachelNeuburger.com.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Book Blitz: Shadow Weaver by Debbie Cassidy

Shadow Weaver
Debbie Cassidy
(The Nightwatch Academy, #2)
Publication date: October 10th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy

They say, there’s no rest for the wicked. In that case I must be pure evil.

When Hyde said the cadets would be getting Fast Tracked, he wasn’t joking.

It’s hard staying on top of the shadow cadet duties, but I’m not one to shy from a challenge. However, just when I think I’ve got a hold on my abilities and found my niche at the Academy, the principal throws a curveball my way.

Suddenly I’m drowning in painful revelations and more tasks. The one person I want to run to turns his back on me, and comfort comes from an unexpected source.

But the equilibrium is short lived because the silence of the mist is about to be shattered, and when it does, no one is safe.

It’s our job to protect the Academy grounds, but when danger rides the sky, who in the hell is going to save us?

The Vampire Academy meets Game of Thrones in this kick-ass, supernatural academy, Urban Fantasy with a slow burn Why Choose Romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

 

Author Bio:

Debbie Cassidy lives in England, Bedfordshire, with her three kids and very supportive husband. Coffee and chocolate biscuits are her writing fuels of choice, and she is still working on getting that perfect tower of solitude built in her back garden. Obsessed with building new worlds and reading about them, she spends her spare time daydreaming and conversing with the characters in her head – in a totally non psychotic way of course. She writes Urban Fantasy, Fantasy and Reverse Harem Fantasy. All her books contain plenty of action, romance and twisty plots.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Book Blitz: To Wake the Dead by Sarah Lampkin

To Wake the Dead
Sarah Lampkin
(Dead Dreamer #2)
Publication date: October 8th 2019
Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Brenna Whit teeters the line between the living and the dead. Now that she’s back for her sophomore year at Nephesburg College, she’s determined to focus on the waking world. But when her own soul is trying to kill her and a new Dead Dreamer is fighting for power, Brenna is dragged back into the world of the dead.

The Gatekeepers are doing everything they can to restore the power they once held over the town of Nephesburg. With a mysterious set of twins arriving in town to help them prepare, Brenna must decide what’s important: continuing to hide her secret or reveal herself and fight for what she believes is right. The decision could end up leading to a permanent death for Brenna so she must choose wisely.

Classes have begun…

The battlefield is set…

Let the fight for the Fade begin.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

”Who wrote the laws saying that doorways must be sealed? Who told you to create another one of you?”

“The church.”

“Why?” He was silent. For once, he had no answer. He merely stared at me, not blinking or unwavering as his eyes locked on mine. I thought I had him; nowhere in the Bible did it say to interfere with the dead or the other side. In fact, the Scripture scorned it. If I remembered correctly, that would border on witchcraft and necromancy, which was forbidden. So, if Wilson were the type to follow the Bible no matter what, then these questions just pushed his logic out the window. Even if the church said he had to do those things, who was to say they were right?”


Author Bio:

A native of Richmond, Virginia, Sarah Lampkin is a 2015 graduate from Lynchburg College [University of Lynchburg] with a master’s degree in English. Since graduation, Sarah now lives in Northern Virginia working in the IT field as a Technical Writer while continuing her research for her graduate school thesis. When she isn’t working, Sarah continues her Celtic mythology research and Gaelic studies, while working on the Dead Dreamer series.

Although she currently lives in Northern Virginia, Sarah frequently travels back home to Richmond to visit family, friends, and her godchildren. During the winter months, she is in Richmond more frequently to spend time in the woods hunting and contemplating the meaning of life. She doesn’t always succeed in both endeavors, but the music of nature is worth it for peace of mind. In her free time, she likes to play RPG video games, and preparing for hunting season.

Her work mainly focuses on Celtic themes, mixed with elements from the spiritual world. And her characters always have a flair of attitude and sarcasm because writing damsels in distress is something she just can’t do.

She currently writes for The Parliament House and is seeking a literary agent.

Website / Facebook / Goodreads / Instagram / Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Book Blitz: Tesoro by Nicole Banks

Tesoro
Nicole Banks
Publication date: June 1st 2018
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Tommy worked hard to establish a life outside of his father’s legacy. Son to the infamous Delucia family, he’s the heir to a throne he doesn’t want. As loyalties keep pulling him back in, he struggles to obtain a clean break. Becoming a new man is just out of arm’s reach.

Naila is a sassy, headstrong entrepreneur with businesses in the Delucia territory. A chance meeting between the two has Tommy questioning everything about his life and what his future holds.

As circumstances keep putting them in each other’s paths, the two can’t deny the building chemistry between them. As passions ignite, so does the tension surrounding the Delucia family, catching them both in the crosshairs of an all-out war.

When the dust settles, there’s only one question remaining: how deep are they willing to go?

Goodreads / Amazon

SNEAK PEEKS:

“Tesoro,” he praised, “women were meant to be wild, messy, and fierce. If your man can’t handle the wild woman you are…” He kissed her cheek and brought his lips towards her ear. “You deserve better,” he whispered. “You deserve a man who’s going to light your soul on fire and enhance your wild spirit. You’re too beautiful to be tamed and that’s exactly what he’ll do to you.”

He stepped back, handing her the cupcake. “Women should be able to enjoy their cake any way they want to.” He winked at her and headed for the exit.

“Tesoro,” He crooned. He reached his hands up to touch her but thought better of it. Instead, he placed both hands on either side of her head, effectively caging her in.

Tommy dipped his head so he was eye level with her. “Since you seem so certain that this will be a business-only relationship.” His lips turned up into a carnal grin, and Naila’s knees almost buckled. “I should tell you, our bickering is turning into my personal favorite type of foreplay.”

 

Author Bio:

Creatively living through music, writing and yoga.

I love the arts and how they move you and make you feel.

Reading has always been a great love of mine right after my love of music. Each song written is a story waiting to be told. Which, along with my over active imagination fueled my desire to write about the chaos that goes on in my head.

I love stringing words together. I love making people get lost in a story and connecting with fictional characters that remind them of someone they know.

I published my first book Shattered in 2013. It’s the first installment in the Shattered Hearts Series.

Shattered started out as an assignment for a college course I took at John Jay College of Criminal Justice. After I graduated college I went through my old papers and reconnected with the story morphing into so much more then what I wrote in my college course.

Now you can find me doing yoga, listening to music and working on getting out all the stories in my head, including dabbling in poetry. (Which I’ve always had a secret love affair with).

Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Goodreads / Instagram

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Book Blitz: The Sister Series by Tara hart

S is for Sister
Tara Hart
(The Sister Series, #1)
Publication date: October 8th 2019
Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

You have no idea what it’s like to be a twin–her twin.

I’m constantly reminded of how much we look-a-like, how we sound the same, how inseparable we are.

It’s true that I can feel my sisters pain, just as I can sense her happiness and feel her despair.

It’s this unyielding connection between her and me.

But it’s more than mere looks or feelings that we have in common.

It’s the people we attract.

Girlfriends, boyfriends…husbands.

Sometimes we share more than we ever intended–sometimes we share a life.

No matter how hard I try to break free, it’s this magnetic pull that keeps drawing me back in.

Harder, stronger, closer.

Twins are joined by a force that I can’t quite explain.

Between twins, there are no boundaries.

What’s mine is hers and what’s hers is mine.

And once that line is crossed, there’s no turning back.

The complete trilogy:

Goodreads / Amazon

S IS FOR SISTER EXCERPT:

I can feel his eyes traveling up and down my body as I turn and walk out of the room.

As I make my way to the kitchen I can hear Mom isn’t far behind, her heels clicking against the hardwood floors.

She swoops in like a hawk. “What’s going on, Savannah?” she whispers, her face just inches from my own.

I avert my gaze. “What do you mean?”

“In there.” She raises her hands in the air as if indicating the room around us. “You and Jared.”

I’m usually an expert at hiding my feelings, but when it comes to my mother, she can read me like a book.

“What are you talking about?” I keep my voice low.

She screws up her face, slight wrinkles settling in the corners of her harshly narrowed eyes. “You’ve barely been able to string a sentence together and he can’t stop looking at you.”

I shrug my shoulders. “Who?”

She scoffs. “Don’t play coy with me.” Her hands come to rest on her hips as she readies herself to give me a lecture.

It’s a stance I haven’t seen in years. It used to frighten me when I was younger, my mother being much stricter than my father. Her expectations always high and somehow I still feel she’s not proud of me.

“It’s a marriage, Savannah,” she starts. “You don’t mess with your sister’s marriage.”

Mom has been cheated on by husband number two and three, so I know she’s speaking from a deeply personal place. Her instincts in this instance are misplaced, nothing is happening between Jared and I. It’s all imaginary, on my part anyway.

“Nothing’s happening.” I meet her eyes, challenging her to question my intentions once more.

Before she can speak again, Selina saunters into the room. She has no idea what she’s walked in on and she doesn’t care to know.

“I’ll help you with dessert, Mom.” She dumps some dirty plates on the counter as she veers for the cake box. “Let’s see if Savvy did any good with her cake selection.”

She lifts the lid of the box and smiles wide. “Chocolate mud cake. Savannah you shouldn’t have.”

It’s her favorite, but that’s not the reason I bought it. It’s also George’s favorite, which Selina wouldn’t know because she doesn’t care about the small details.

I look to my mother who is standing over the kitchen sink, clasping the edge of the counter, her knuckles white from holding on so tight. She can’t bear to look at me. Her mind is made up like she’s certain something is happening between Jared and me, no matter what I say, I can’t convince her otherwise.

I turn on my heel, making my way back into the dining room where Jared sits alone. I want to turn right back around and walk out, but that would be way too obvious.

I take my seat and brace myself for the most awkward conversation of my life.

“Where’s George?” I ask.

“He’s gone to the bathroom.”

I nod as if I give a shit where George has gone, which I don’t.

“So, you’re really seeing someone?” he asks.

“It’s early days.”

“Who is he?” he asks, glaring at me from the other side of the table.

“Someone I’ve known for a while,” I say. The lies slide off my tongue easier than they should. Making up a fictitious relationship is something I never thought I’d do, but here I am, spinning lies to cover my own insecurities.

“Did you meet him through work?” Jared shoves his plate away and rests his elbows on the table, waiting, his fist supporting his chin.

“Yes,” I answer softly. Making it up as I go, or is he making it up? I can’t tell, I’m too busy squirming in my seat.

“Is it serious?” His tone is rough and throaty, and it surprises me.

I don’t know why, but the weight of our relationship seems to be resting on my answer. This will shape how he feels about me, and for some ungodly reason, that matters to me.

“No,” I say, my gaze meeting his. “It’s not serious…yet.”

I feel the tension break as Mom and Selina walk back in the room with George in tow. Mom is carrying the cake that I bought, now dressed with too many candles to count. She places the cake in the center of the table and we start a chorus of happy birthday while George smiles widely.

He waits for the song to finish before blowing out the candles. It takes him three attempts to extinguish the fire atop the cake. Grey smoke billowing around us.

Through the smoke, I can see Jared’s face. He hasn’t taken his eyes off of me once.

 

Author Bio:

Tara Hart writes romance stories for those searching for their happily ever after. Her upcoming releases include No Angel – a new adult novel and Lost & Bound – a stand-alone read that teeters on dark romance.

Tara was born and raised in Australia. She currently spends her time travelling around Asia finding inspiration for her next story.

Tara loves to connect with readers, writers and bloggers. A complete introvert by nature, once she likes you– she will be your friend for life.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Instagram

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1

 

Cover Reveal: The Escape Artist by Kitty Thomas

The Escape Artist
Kitty Thomas
Publication date: January 14th 2020
Genres: Erotica, Romance

Claire was held captive for 43 days by a man who did unspeakable things to her.

Three years after her escape, she gets her revenge. The only problem is, she’s got the wrong man.

God help her if he escapes.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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

 

Author Bio:

KITTY THOMAS writes dark stories that play with power and have unconventional HEAs. She began publishing in early 2010 with her bestselling COMFORT FOOD and is considered one of the original authors of the dark romance subgenre.

To find out FIRST when a new book comes out, subscribe to Kitty’s New Release List: KITTYTHOMAS.COM

Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Book and Main Bites

 

GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

XBTBanner1