Spotlight: Excerpt from Make My Heart Malt by Gia Stevens

 

Ten years is a long time to be infatuated with your former best friend, especially when she’s dating your brother. So, when a wedding invitation with his name embossed on the front comes in the mail, it feels like a fastball to the heart. But when I discover my unrequited crush isn’t the blushing bride, all bets are off because I’m ready to take my shot and this time, I’m playing for keeps. Readers who enjoy hate-to-lovers and unrequited romances will consume Make My Heart Malt by Gia Stevens, a standalone sports romance.
 

Buy Now At Your Favorite Retailers!
 
Amazon →  https://geni.us/MMHM_Amazon
Apple Books → https://geni.us/MMHM_AppleBooks 
Kobo → https://geni.us/MMHM_Kobo
Barnes & Noble → https://geni.us/MMHM_Nook
Google Play → https://geni.us/MMHMGooglePlay

A sizzling hate to lovers, unrequited crush, standalone sports romance by romantic comedy author Gia Stevens…
Dessa should have been mine... until my brother kissed her first.
Ten years is a long time to be infatuated with your former best friend, especially when she’s dating your brother. So, when I receive a wedding invitation with his name embossed on the front, it feels like a fastball to the heart. But it turns out, my unrequited crush isn’t the blushing bride after all.
Now’s my only chance to make amends for my past mistakes and give her the kiss I’ve desperately been holding onto. Unfortunately, she thwarts my efforts with each drink she throws at me.
When we find ourselves locked in a storage room, we’re forced to hash out the real reason I left town—and it wasn’t for baseball. Turns out, there’s a fine line between anger and passion and it doesn’t take long for her to scream my name.
Even after hitting third base, she still hates me. However, I’m determined to prove I’m not the man who ghosted her all those years ago. This time I’m not walking away.
My last game ended in a devastating miss—costing us the world championship, but this is one game I refuse to lose.
Because when it comes to Dessa… I’m playing for keeps.
 
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Excerpt
Copyright 2024, Gia Stevens
 
He lifts the glass to eye level, inspecting the drink. “So, what’s this one called?” He takes a sip.
My tongue peeks out, wetting my lips. “Sex on the Couch.”
He chokes on the drink. A small giggle escapes me as I pass him a napkin.
“There’s a little hint of sweetness that caught me off guard.” He holds his thumb and index finger in front of him centimeters apart.
“It’s the agave nectar.” I busy myself with making another drink before he can finish the last one. I roll the rim of the glass in pink sugar. Once it’s finished, I slide it across the counter.
“What’s this one?”
“This one is called Asshole.”
He squints at the pink liquid. “I don’t get it.”
I bite my lips together to hide my laughter. “You slide your tongue around the rim and then toss it back.”
His gaze jerks to mine. A slow smile plays on his lips. “Got it.”
A hint of desire dances in his irises. Either that, or the alcohol is causing me to hallucinate. His tongue peeks out as he swipes it around the edge of the glass. With hooded eyes he wraps his lips around the rim, watching me the entire time before tipping back the shot glass. His Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he swallows. Why’s it so hot? I tug at the collar of my sweatshirt. When did it get so tight? I should hate him, not want to jump over the counter and ride his face like a jockey at the Kentucky Derby. I pour the rest from the shaker in a glass and swallow the last gulp. It’s a desperate attempt to bring my body temperature back to normal, which I’m almost positive is caused by the dirty thoughts playing through my head. Either way, I need a distraction from Garrett. Or myself.
Vodka. Vodka is a good distraction. With the bottle in hand, I pour two shots into a shaker to make a new drink. Garrett's eyes are on me the entire time from the other side of the counter. My heart races as he tracks my every move. When it’s finished, I slide it over to him. He studies the glass, then lifts his gaze to mine.
“Are you trying to get me drunk?”
“You’re a lot more manageable when you’re passed out.”
He barks out a laugh, then swallows the pink liquid, and I do the same.
After he’s finished, his tongue runs over his bottom lip, and I can’t help shifting my weight, rubbing my thighs together.
“What’s that one called?” he asks.
“Get Me Naked,” I whisper softly.
His normally green irises darken to a hunter green, almost black, and his nostrils flare. I can only imagine he’s having the same thoughts as I am. It looks like he wants to jump over the counter and maul me like a ravenous grizzly bear.
“Say the words, Dessa. Don’t mask them behind drink names.”
Is he reading my thoughts? The glass slips out of my hand and shatters on the linoleum floor. Shards of glass scatter across the floor.
“Shit.” I bend down and grab the large pieces, placing them in my palm.
The stool scrapes across the wood floor as Garrett races around the end of the island to help. He holds out his hand for me to put what I’ve collected in his palm. While he throws the pieces into the trash, I get the broom from the tall storage pantry and sweep the rest. When I’m finished, I return the broom to the closet and close the door. I whirl around and immediately collide with Garrett’s very strong and muscular chest.
“I’m sorry.” My words are barely a whisper as my fingers brush over the cotton fabric covering his pecs. Without saying anything, his fingers rest on my waist as he leans around me to throw a piece of glass into the garbage. When he returns to his full height, he doesn’t move. His gaze wanders from my eyes to my mouth. I part my lips, wetting the bottom one with my tongue. He inches closer, his grip on me growing tighter. My breathing grows shallow. There’s so much electricity flowing between us it could power the entire state. His fingers flex on my waist.
“Garrett,” his name is a cross between a whisper and a plea.
His hand reaches up and cups my cheek as my chest heaves with every passing second. Then his mouth crashes onto mine in a fervent, desperate kiss. With a hand on my hip, he spins me around and without breaking the seal of his lips on mine, he lifts me onto the counter with no effort. My knees instinctively spread to allow room for his body to nestle in between.
He pulls away and runs the tip of his nose over mine. “Tell me you want this.”
 
About Gia Stevens

Gia Stevens resides in Northern Minnesota with her husband and cat. She lives for the warm, sunny days of summer and dreads the bitter cold of winter. A romantic comedy junkie at heart, she knew she wanted her own stories to encompass those same warm and fuzzy feelings.
When she’s not busy writing your next book boyfriend, Gia can be found binge watching TV shows that aired five years ago, taking pictures of her cat, or curled up with a steamy romance novel.
 
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This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR
 

Release Week Blitz: Doctor Clause by C. A. King

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Doctors of Eastport General is a Contemporary Romance series. Get ready for all the naughty nurses, dirty doctors, and patient shenanigans that take place in Eastport General.
A doctor with a name crisis.
A mother with a child stuck in a hospital ward.
A way to raise money for kids for the holiday season.
A calendar in need of a December doctor

Leeona isn’t taking no for an answer. Her charity calendar needs one more hot doctor to agree to model, and quickly. Stephen Clause is smart and sexy—basically everything she’s looking for. She’ll do anything to convince him to sign on to the project.

Stephen has no interest in being Dr. December. There are already enough issues in his life stemming from the last name Clause without adding something else to the pile. The problem is, the feisty woman asking for a favour doesn’t know when to give up.

The comment was meant as a joke and perhaps to embarrass her just enough to give up the ghost. He never expected her to agree to fulfill his entire naughty wish list in exchange for volunteering to pose as her sexy Santa.

Stay Connected:
Join The Doctors Lounge: 
 
 Series Collection: Doctors of Eastport General Season 3
Authors: CA King ~ Mel Walker ~ E.M. Shue ~ Amy Stephens ~ S.L. Sterling ~ Tracy Broemmer ~ TL Mayhew

Releases:  October 21, 2024 - November 2, 2024
Collection Genre: Contemporary Romance
Cover Designer: Thunderstruck Cover Design
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/3HkyjfY
Bookbub: https://bit.ly/3ZyHu7d
 

Release Week #2 - Coming Soon:
E.M. Shue – Doctor Do-Over -https://mybook.to/DrDoOver_EMShue
Amy Stephens – Doctor Grinch - http://books2read.com/doctorgrinch 
S.L. Sterling – Doctor Frost - https://geni.us/DoctorFrost 
Tracy Broemmer – Doctor Holliday - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCV14MKD
TL Mayhew – Doctor Jingle Bells – https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DFGCX8ZF
 
Check out Seasons 1 & 2 Today:
Check the books out here: https://geni.us/DEGEbook
 

New Cover Reveal: Grieving Graves by M. H. B

Grieving Graves
M.H.B.
Publication date: October 17th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

One grave.
Two futures.
Almost three years of grief.
Four beating hearts healing from pain.
Five lives forever tied.

I never thought this would be my life.

And falling for my boss, Damon Dreygon, was never part of the plan.

I was meant to seek from him what my boyfriend, Harvey Stark, refused to give me—someone to kiss me, someone to touch me and maybe even someone to heal my wounds.

Instead in Damon, I found a mentor. I found an enigmatic dark prince. Most importantly, I found my voice coupled with my own strength.

This was never supposed to hurt Harvey.
Damon and I were never meant to be together.

With each choice, an entirely different future greets me, yet a few things remain the same: we’ve all known pain, we’re all in need of healing and we’ve all hurt each other in different ways.

All I wanted was for this melancholy to disappear so that I could find peace.

But peace is hard to reach when you’re too busy chasing secrets.

Secrets I wish would’ve stayed buried.
Secrets that meddle with my dreams.
Secrets I’ll be taking to the grave . . .

Goodreads / Amazon

Author Bio:

M . H . B . graduated law from a Canadian University. She loves spending time with her partner and her dog. She has a passion for animals and loves the simple things in life: chocolate, music, books, sunny days, and overall wellness. When she is not writing, her mind is in another world with a book in hand.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

—

Release Blitz: Excerpt from Rose Moon by Heidi Adams

 

 
On the outside, Karter appears to have the perfect life, but no one knows about the debilitating episodes that invade his mind and body. The only place he’s ever felt at ease is at his grandfather’s house, where he meets the mysterious Ella. As Karter and Ella get to know one another, they find themselves connected on a deeper level that neither understands. Readers who enjoy forbidden romances will devour Rose Moon by Heidi Adams, a steamy paranormal romantasy.
 

What secrets do we keep to protect the one we love? What lies do we tell, and what are we willing to sacrifice?
 
Karter Quint has the perfect life: star athlete, gifted pianist, straight A-student, handsome and charismatic, he seems fated for success. What nobody knows is that he has battled debilitating episodes during which a strange force invades his mind and body. The only place where Karter truly feels at ease is at his grandfather’s house on the water in Cliff Island, Maine. There, he meets a mysterious girl named Ella and has an instant obsession. He learns that she is a Meridian, or mermaid. Karter and Ella find themselves connected on a higher level—a level that neither understands.
 
They begin a heated and intense romance constrained by their limiting circumstances. However, loving Ella comes at a cost. Karter must take extreme measures of secrecy to protect her, straining relationships with his family and friends well into his adult life.
 
Rose Moon is an emotional and epic love story, and the first in a paranormal romance series, that will keep you guessing until the very end.
 
Add to Goodreads Here!

Buy Now or Read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!
 
 
Excerpt
Copyright 2024, Heidi Adams
 
I wake up with a slight gasp. With my head still on my pillow, I look around my room, with a sensation of being watched. Yet there’s nothing unusual. I listen, but there are no sounds outside of the ordinary. Then I feel it. The pull from my center again, just like last night. 
This pulling sensation guides me out of bed and moves me to the hall, past Poppy Joe’s room, down the stairs, and to the back door. It’s coming from outside.
I slowly open the door and step onto the porch. The moon is full, and the bay is glimmering. The pull beckons me down the hill, where the grass is cool on my feet. On the dock, it’s even colder and eerily quiet. A shiver runs down my spine and arms, and the hair raises on the back of my neck. This strange force leads me to the edge of the dock, and I slowly sit down.
The water starts to glow a yellowy green as wet skin on a beautiful body emerges.
 My heart races with fear, and I have the urge to run, but then a calming feeling hits me. My jaw opens, my heart pounds in my ears, and I haven’t moved a muscle.
It’s Ella.
We lock eyes for what seems like an eternity.
“I was hoping I would see you again. I am not going to hurt you,” she finally says.
I try to form a word, but nothing comes out.
“Can I sit there next to you?”
I nod. My eyes are wide, and I don’t think I’ve blinked since she appeared.
She pulls herself out of the water and fixates on me. Her cheekbones are high, accenting her large, upturned eyes. Her lips are full and rosy. Our faces are inches apart. She slowly reaches towards my face and gently drags her fingers over my forehead, down my temple and cheek, ending at my jawline.
I force myself to breathe. I’ve seen these eyes before. The green is gleaming within them, and they’re picking up a reflection. My gaze shifts from her face down her body… Instead of legs, she has a…tail, greenish in color, but I can’t tell because of the soft light radiating through it. Her tail is glowing. She’s a…mermaid.
 My heart races in fear again. She grips my shoulder, and intense peace radiates through me. I’m pulled into those mesmerizing eyes, like I’m part of her and have known her my whole life. I still haven’t spoken.
“I have wanted to meet you for a long time,” she says.
Her smile is warm and natural. My initial shock is starting to wear off. She’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen.
“You're…uh…um…glowing,” I finally say.
She laughs. Beads of water drip off her long blonde hair.
“Glad you noticed. I wanted you to see me for the first time in the dark.”
“Uh-huh,” is all I can say.
“Do you want to see me again?”
“Yes,” I whisper.
“Can you meet me out here tomorrow after midnight?”
“Yes.”
She takes my hand in hers. My breath catches.
“How do you feel?” she whispers as she leans in closer.
“Like this isn’t real.”
“Good,” she says as she traces my face again.
Her touch sends a wave of energy through me. “Until tomorrow.”
Then she slips back into the water and disappears.
It takes me a few minutes, but I slowly stand up and look around. The world is asleep, but I am wide awake.

 
About Heidi Adams

Hi! My name is Heidi Adams, and I write wherever my characters guide me, which is mostly romance! A little paranormal/fantasy, a little contemporary, sometimes even a little dark. My characters take me on journeys that push me to the edge of my emotions with toe-curling passion, heart-pounding suspense that will leave you on the edge of your seat, and a ride full of twists and turns...but passion and love are always the driving force behind my characters and the heart of their stories. I love LOVE! And when I write, I escape into a world that love conquers all, even in the darkest of hours.
 
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Spotlight: Excerpt from Bound by the Goddess by Selina Bevan

 

A witch, three mysterious men, and a Soul Bond from The Morrigan herself. Their intensifying bond destabilises her magic, threatening to expose the hidden world of magic. Can they control their magic and passion before they make the front page of the tabloids? If you love destined lovers and paranormal romance, then you’ll devour Bound by the Goddess by Selina Bevan, an opposites attract, bad boy hero, fated love, why choose romance with no crossing swords.
 
 

Buy Now or Read in Kindle Unlimited!
Add to Goodreads Here!
  
When the Goddess of War and Witchcraft decides to play matchmaker, you know things are gonna get messy.
I was used to my fire magic causing trouble, but three mysterious strangers ignited something in me I’d never felt before. An eternal Soul Bond gifted by the Morrigan herself, tying me to Knox, Finlay and Rhydian forever.
As witches, keeping magic hidden from humans is key. But there’s nothing subtle about these three men, or the way they make me feel. Soon our passion and powers are spiralling out of control.
We have to master the depth of the Bond before we lose each other... or end up on the front page of the tabloids. ’Cause one thing’s for sure — when the Morrigan wants to stir up chaos, she doesn’t do it by half measures.
This witch has her work cut out for her. But with three irresistible heroes by my side? Bring on the madness.
 

Excerpt
Copyright 2024 Selina Bevan
 
I couldn’t miss the way they clamoured to be near her. Knox’s spacial awareness had totally evaporated at the bar. Had I not been my typical paranoid self, he would have driven Edin to orgasm with an audience and regretted it when it backfired on him.
If I lost control like that, it would get me and them killed.
Maybe if I maintained my distance, I wouldn’t get lost in the desperate need to touch her.
Finlay slid a palm beneath her shirt, making her shiver and her head loll back to bare the delicate line of her throat.
Ripe for the biting. Marking. Claiming.
I jerked my gaze away, stomach twisting. Fucking stupid, to let it get to me. I’d seen them with plenty of women over the years. This shouldn’t have been any different.
But watching them touch Edin, tasting her gasps and swallowing her sighs... it gutted me in ways I couldn’t explain. Couldn’t reason.
“Rhydian...” A husky rasp, full of too much sin for my blackened soul to hear.
My head snapped up. Edin watched me from beneath lowered lashes, amber eyes glowing in the dim light. Seeing right through me, down to the howling beast rattling its cage.
Knox lifted his head from her neck, teeth flashing white against kiss-swollen lips. “What’s wrong, Rhyd? Too scared for a taste?”
I should walk away. Retreat to the chilly isolation that kept me sharp. Focused. Sane.
But my feet might as well have been welded to the floor. Trapped by the heated promise in Edin’s eyes, the sway of her body as Finlay thumbed circles into the skin above her hip.
Knox smirked, his gaze flitting between me and Edin. “Fair warning,” he stage-whispered to her, “he’s the grumpy one.” He jerked his chin toward me. 
She glanced my way, eyes dancing with mirth, but also concern. “I’m sure I can win him over.”
“You might be waiting a while. He rarely cracks a smile.” Knox heaved a dramatic sigh. “Alas, we bear the burden bravely.”
“Left to your own devices, you’d have burned down the city or started a war by now.” The words slipped out before I could catch them.
Edin laughed again, the sound sliding under my skin as she cocked her head, studying me. I felt pinned in place by her gaze, netted by invisible strings.
Knox blinked in surprise, glancing between us before his grin turned sharper. Plotting, no doubt. I shouldn’t have encouraged him.
“Hidden depths.” Edin’s smile eased the tense lines around her mouth, travelling all the way to her eyes. No longer braced for attack but leaning into Knox’s side, at home in a way I hadn’t expected. “A grumpy exterior masking a secret softie.”
“Soft is one thing he’s not.” Knox slid a sly glance my way. “Isn’t that right, Rhyd?”

 
About Selina Bevan

Selina Bevan is a British paranormal romance author who writes delicious heroes and captivating worlds, delving deep into the magic and love, with witches, deities, and a spectrum of supernatural beings finding their soulmates in the most unexpected places. She is a chai tea addict who loves a good gig and finding new alt-rock music when mindlessly scrolling Instagram at night. Selina writes MF and RH/Why Choose romances with strong-willed but flawed British heroines. Also writing as Morgana Bevan.
 
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Review: Alpha Instinct by Katie Reus

Author: Katei Reus
Publisher: KR Press, LLC
Publication Date: February 2012, updated 2023

 Ana Cordona has been a strong leader for the lupine shifters who survived after all the males and most of the females in her pack were mysteriously poisoned. As tough as she is, with no Alpha male, the pack is vulnerable to the devious shifter Sean Taggart, who wants to claim both their ranch and Ana as his own. When Connor Armstrong comes back into her life, promising protection, it's almost enough to make Ana forget how he walked out on her before--and reluctantly accept his offer to mate. The minute Connor sees Ana again, it reawakens a raw hunger. He must have her for his bondmate--his wolf cries out for it. But his human side knows he must proceed with caution because of their complicated past. If he is to truly have her body and soul, he must go beyond his burning desire and win back her heart. Whatever it takes, he is determined not to leave her side again. But Taggart and his rival pack are not their only enemies. A human element in town is targeting shifters. Their plan not only threatens Ana and Connor's future, but the lives of the entire pack...

It's been a long time since I have read a shifter romance.  Alpha Instinct is an older one that came up on my Hoopla suggested reads recently,  It was lightly edited and update last year.  Ana and her pack have been surviving without an alpha but since her pack was devastated due to a mass poisoning, she knows she needs one to survive.  Connor has made a strong pack and comes back to help Ana and offer her pack protection.

For the most part, I enjoyed this one.  It is a bit darker than I was expecting. The romance was enjoyable. Although, I think that some of the conflict between Ana and Connor could have been cleared up very early on with just a conversation.  There is a lot going on here with many side stories and I kind of felt like I was missing some back story. I do have to say thought, for a pack that knows it is in danger, they do not do a great job with security.  One of the threats was eliminated very quickly and the other one was extremely obvious.  I wish there was a little bit more mystery there.  It's worth a read so give it a shot.

Release Blitz: Excerpt from Make My Heart Malt by Gia Stevens

 

Ten years is a long time to be infatuated with your former best friend, especially when she’s dating your brother. So, when a wedding invitation with his name embossed on the front comes in the mail, it feels like a fastball to the heart. But when I discover my unrequited crush isn’t the blushing bride, all bets are off because I’m ready to take my shot and this time, I’m playing for keeps. Readers who enjoy hate-to-lovers and unrequited romances will consume Make My Heart Malt by Gia Stevens, a standalone sports romance.
 

A sizzling hate to lovers, unrequited crush, standalone sports romance by romantic comedy author Gia Stevens…

Dessa should have been mine... until my brother kissed her first.

Ten years is a long time to be infatuated with your former best friend, especially when she’s dating your brother. So, when I receive a wedding invitation with his name embossed on the front, it feels like a fastball to the heart. But it turns out, my unrequited crush isn’t the blushing bride after all.

Now’s my only chance to make amends for my past mistakes and give her the kiss I’ve desperately been holding onto. Unfortunately, she thwarts my efforts with each drink she throws at me.

When we find ourselves locked in a storage room, we’re forced to hash out the real reason I left town—and it wasn’t for baseball. Turns out, there’s a fine line between anger and passion and it doesn’t take long for her to scream my name.

Even after hitting third base, she still hates me. However, I’m determi

My last game ended in a devastating miss—costing us the world championship, but this is one game I refuse to lose.
Because when it comes to Dessa… I’m playing for keeps.
 
Add to Goodreads Here!
 
Buy Now At Your Favorite Retailers!
 
Amazon →  https://geni.us/MMHM_Amazon
Apple Books → https://geni.us/MMHM_AppleBooks 
Kobo → https://geni.us/MMHM_Kobo
Barnes & Noble → https://geni.us/MMHM_Nook
Google Play → https://geni.us/MMHMGooglePlay
 
Excerpt
Copyright 2024, Gia Stevens
 
He links his fingers behind his head. “I didn’t want her. I wanted you. So fucking bad. You were supposed to be with me. Because,” his hands drop to his sides as if he’s holding lead weights, “I had feelings for you for so long. And you—”
“What?” I step closer to him, preparing for a fight. “What did I do?”
He blows out a breath. “Left with Tony.”
“Because you blew me off! All night I was giving you signs. Touching you. Moving closer. And you ignored all of them.”
“Those were signs? We’d always been like that.”
“Exactly! I wanted to kiss you. I was so excited when you invited me to the lake because I wanted alone time with you. And you blew me off like you didn’t want me!”
He steps closer so we’re toe-to-toe. “I wanted to kiss you so bad that night. It was eating me up inside.”
I bump my chest against his, getting in his face. “And I wanted you to kiss me!”
His nostrils flare as my jaw clenches. Seconds tick by as we stare at each other. My chest rises in time with his. Like a vacuum all the air is sucked from my lungs, and I can’t breathe. After years of built-up tension, a fireball of heat and passion bursts through me. I’m surprised I don’t spontaneously combust. There’s only one thing that can extinguish the flame. I clasp his face between my palms and smash my mouth to his. The brim of his cap stabs me in the forehead, but it’s the least of my concerns. I inch closer to him until the front of his cap pushes off his head. Hops and mint linger on his lips. I’m already addicted. His arm wraps around my waist, desperately clinging to me like if he lets go, he’ll lose me again. All my thoughts are consumed by Garrett. Kissing him. Him kissing me. Having our bodies flush. It’s dizzying.
I jerk away. My chest heaves as I work to collect my breath. His eyelids rise to half-mast. His normally green irises are almost black with desire.
“Fuck,” he whispers.
“Double fuck,” I murmur.

 
About Gia Stevens
Gia Stevens resides in Northern Minnesota with her husband and cat. She lives for the warm, sunny days of summer and dreads the bitter cold of winter. A romantic comedy junkie at heart, she knew she wanted her own stories to encompass those same warm and fuzzy feelings.
When she’s not busy writing your next book boyfriend, Gia can be found binge watching TV shows that aired five years ago, taking pictures of her cat, or curled up with a steamy romance novel.
 
Follow: Facebook | TikTok | Instagram | Threads | Reader Group | Goodreads | BookBub | Website | Newsletter | Amazon

This promotional event is brought to you by Indie Pen PR

Spotlight: A Hush at Midnight by Marlene M. Bell

A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT

by Marlene M. Bell

October 7 - November 1, 2024 Virtual Book Tour

Synopsis:

From the award-winning author of the ANNALISSE MYSTERY SERIES.

THE VISIT THAT CHANGES EVERYTHING.

Celebrity chef Laura Harris dwells on the horror of finding her mentor’s body in the groundskeeper’s disheveled bed—pillow and bedding half covering her open eyes—purple bruising around her mouth. A grisly snapshot in time revealing the Texas woman’s last moments during her attack. The elderly matriarch from the small town of Stenburg has left the physical world, and Laura is shattered.

She is catapulted headlong into the pursuit of a casual executioner, one bold enough to come and go from the crime scene with ease, dropping bizarre crumb trails designed to mock the deceased. But Laura herself doesn’t go unnoticed. As she digs deeper, she is followed and bombarded by warnings to leave the state.

When the victim’s attorney informs Laura that she’s to inherit the entire Stenburg fortune, the last act of kindness has made Laura the main person of interest in the investigation.

Message by message, Laura is methodically taunted by someone so deranged and driven they’ll do whatever it takes to dislodge Laura from Texas – permanently.

Book Details:

Genre: Amateur Sleuth/Mystery/Cozy Mystery
Published by: Ewephoric Publishing
Publication Date: October 1, 2024
Number of Pages: 368
ISBN: 979-8-9863409-6-8
Book Links: Amazon | Goodreads

Read an excerpt:

 

 

Author Bio:

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch for her readers, they often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic mysteries and children’s books as characters or subject matter. Marlene is an accomplished artist and photographer who takes pride in entertaining fans on multiple levels of her creativity.

Marlene’s award-winning Annalisse series boasts Best Mystery honors for all installments including these: IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, Global Award Best Mystery, and Chanticleer’s International Mystery and Mayhem shortlist for Copper Waters, the fourth mystery in the series.

She offers her children's picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! written primarily for younger kids based on true events from the Bell’s East Texas sheep ranch. The simple text and illustrations are a touching tribute of belonging and unconditional love between a little girl and her lamb.

Catch Up With Marlene M. Bell:
www.MarleneMBell.com
Goodreads - @dorsetghal
BookBub - @dorsetgalwrites
Instagram - @marlenemysteries
Twitter/X - @ewephoric
Facebook
Facebook - @marlenembell
Amazon Author Page

 

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway!

Click here to view the Tour Schedule

 

 

Win Big! Enter Now for Your Chance to Win!

This is a giveaway hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Marlene M. Bell. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

 

 

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Pre-Order Blitz: Read an Excerpt from Bound by the Goddess by Selina Bevan

 

A witch, three mysterious men, and a Soul Bond from The Morrigan herself. Their intensifying bond destabilises her magic, threatening to expose the hidden world of magic. Can they control their magic and passion before they make the front page of the tabloids? If you love destined lovers and paranormal romance, then you’ll devour Bound by the Goddess by Selina Bevan, an opposites attract, bad boy hero, fated love, why choose romance with no crossing swords.

 When the Goddess of War and Witchcraft decides to play matchmaker, you know things are gonna get messy.
I was used to my fire magic causing trouble, but three mysterious strangers ignited something in me I’d never felt before. An eternal Soul Bond gifted by the Morrigan herself, tying me to Knox, Finlay and Rhydian forever.
As witches, keeping magic hidden from humans is key. But there’s nothing subtle about these three men, or the way they make me feel. Soon our passion and powers are spiralling out of control.
We have to master the depth of the Bond before we lose each other... or end up on the front page of the tabloids. ’Cause one thing’s for sure — when the Morrigan wants to stir up chaos, she doesn’t do it by half measures.
This witch has her work cut out for her. But with three irresistible heroes by my side? Bring on the madness.

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Excerpt
Copyright 2024 Selina Bevan
 
“What if I told you I could help you with that little problem?”
My brows furrowed as his gaze dropped to my clenched hands. He couldn’t possibly know… then I spotted the ring of yellow around his blue irises.
What did yellow mean?
I’d known this once upon a time…
It doesn’t matter.
I chose to play dumb. “What problem?”
Knox smirked and leaned forward. “Your uncontrollable need to burst into flames, of course.” His voice dropped, his Scottish brogue brushing over nerves that perked right up and sent a shiver down my spine.
And then his words registered.
I stiffened. “I don’t have a—”
“It’s okay, Firefly. We can help you,” the redhead, Finlay, whispered.
I studied them both, Veronica’s words echoing in my ears. They weren’t giving me creepy vibes. If anything, they felt strangely familiar.
Their proximity alone made my power settle down. It purred in my chest for the first time in months.
“How?” The word fell from my lips, almost lost in the noisy bar.
“A kiss,” Knox said as if it were nothing at all.
Surely not.
“I promise it will help.”
“I don’t know you.” My gaze roamed the pair of them, taking in the details I couldn’t make out across the bar.
A playful glint danced in Knox’s blue eyes, matching the confident quirk of his soft, kissable lips. It was at total odds with his friend’s quiet energy. Finlay’s freckles added a touch of boyish charm. He smiled but there was a tension running through him that made him seem uneasy, almost out of place in the bustling bar, as if he belonged in the quiet company of books.
Magic clung to them as it did all witches, only the flavours changed to match our powers, just as our eyes did — Knox’s felt dynamic and shifting, while Finlay’s had a steady, grounding quality.
But the most striking thing? I felt safe.
Both men exuded an oddly comforting energy, like a warm blanket on a cold night. It was as if just their presence soothed the restless flames inside me.
“How do I know your promises mean anything?”
“You don’t.” Knox leaned against the bar, while his soft gaze devoured me. “You just have to trust your gut, Sparky.”
Sparky. Firefly. No one had ever given me a nickname and two strangers felt they could? Even more surprising, I didn’t feel the need to bristle. The attention washed over me,  wrapping me up in a blanket of intimacy I should have wanted to reject. The half-hearted words to do so froze on my tongue.
“Okay,” I said, shocking myself.
 

Giveaway!

LIKE/COMMENT/SHARE the pre-order blitz post on Selina Bevan’s Facebook page to win a paperback copy of Bound by the Goddess!
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About Selina Bevan

Selina Bevan is a British paranormal romance author who writes delicious heroes and captivating worlds, delving deep into the magic and love, with witches, deities, and a spectrum of supernatural beings finding their soulmates in the most unexpected places. She is a chai tea addict who loves a good gig and finding new alt-rock music when mindlessly scrolling Instagram at night. Selina writes MF and RH/Why Choose romances with strong-willed but flawed British heroines. Also writing as Morgana Bevan.
 
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Blog Tour: Excerpt from Soul Love by D. F. Jones

 

From USA Today bestselling author D.F. Jones comes Soul Love, a mesmerizing tale of past lives, time travel, and an unbreakable bond that transcends time itself.

What if a simple dinner invitation could change your life forever?

When Summer Jewel accepts a dinner invitation from her enigmatic new neighbor, her world is turned upside down. Suddenly transported to 1926 Heartsville, she uncovers shocking truths about a past life she never knew existed. This revelation ignites a journey brimming with turbulent emotions and undeniable desires, leaving her questioning everything she thought she knew.

Meanwhile, Rogan Randolph, a dedicated agent of The Order of the Invisible Effect, is tasked with subtly guiding the course of human history. His orderly world is thrown into chaos when a portal to his own past unexpectedly opens, offering him a chance to right a wrong. His mission becomes inextricably linked with Summer's, as she is the very woman he encounters in the future.

Together, Summer and Rogan must navigate the intricate complexities of love and destiny, confronting the mysteries of their intertwined past lives. Their actions ripple through time, challenging the very fabric of reality and altering the course of their journey. True love is never lost, and some connections last forever.

Escape into Soul Love, where destiny and passion weave a captivating narrative that explores the enduring power of love and the intriguing possibilities of fate.

Prepare to be swept off your feet with this spellbinding story of love, loss, and the magic of second chances.

Soul Love is available at Amazon.

Excerpt:

Summer ventured out the side pedestrian door, her gaze drawn to the moving activity. Three men were unloading furniture from the truck, one clearly in charge. As their eyes met, Summer felt a sudden rush of nervousness.

She approached her mailbox, and one of the men raised his hand in greeting. She fumbled with a piece of junk mail. “Moving in?” she called out.

He walked to the end of the driveway. “Hi, I’m Erik, the designer.” Without waiting for her response, he quickly asked, “Have you ever met the owners?”

How odd. “Um. No. Why? Haven’t you?”

“I hoped you might know them. We worked through an attorney who never disclosed their names.” He shrugged. “No harm in asking.”

“I love the house. Is there any chance I could peek inside?” Sure, it was forward of her, but it might be the only way to satisfy her curiosity.

Erik nodded. “This is our last load of furniture, so why not? I love showing off my work.” He reached into his back pocket and pulled out a business card. “I’m posting the project online. I would appreciate it if you’d leave a glowing comment on social media.” His hands tented.

“Sure thing.” Summer hated social media but took his card anyway.

She followed him up the painted plank steps through the open door.

An elaborate crystal chandelier hung in the entry. In front of her, the rich mahogany staircase dazzled against a backdrop of blue-green textured walls. A baby grand piano was positioned in the living room corner to the left of a rock fireplace. The art over the mantel looked like a Renoir. She wondered if it was an original or a reproduction.

Then something weird happened. The hair on her neck and arms rose. She had a deja vu feeling as if she had been there before. Trying to shake off the unsettling sensation, she turned in a slow circle and said, “It’s beautiful, better than I even imagined. I love it!”

Erik seemed pleased with her assessment, grinning from ear to ear. “I chose warm, rich colors. I can’t stand the fact that most designers are like sheep. The minimalists’ interior design with white is so overused and blah,” he said with an eye roll. “I updated the lighting fixtures and completely renovated the central kitchen. It’s three stories with the attic and a downstairs complete with a cookery and staff rooms.”

A mover dropped one end of a very expensive-looking bureau. Erik shouted, “Do not scratch the floors or furniture.” Then he glanced apologetically at Summer. “I’ve got to work. I have a deadline with instructions to leave the house by seven o’clock this evening. Feel free to look around.”

Yippee—freedom’s call echoed in her heart, inviting her to explore uninhibited. Summer drifted through the library first. Its walls were lined with ancient, leather-bound books. The scent of old paper and the hushed tales of forgotten lore surrounded her, igniting a thrill only a true book lover could understand and appreciate. Each step was a dance with history as her fingers trailed over the spines, noting the weight in their textured covers.

The library seamlessly gave way to an entertainment room, where contemporary met old-world design, asserting itself with an audacious flair. A large, ultra-high-definition television screen dominated one wall, surrounded by a state-of-the-art sound system. Soft, ambient lighting emanated from cleverly hidden sources, casting a glow that accentuated luxurious furnishings from the plush, angular sofa to the gleaming, geometric coffee table.

The kitchen made a bold statement with its brand-new stainless-steel appliances, rustic oak cabinets, and white and gray marble counters. The walk-in pantry door was ajar, so she peeked inside to find it vast and orderly, a trove of culinary possibilities. She suspected exotic spices and gourmet delights filled the closed shelves and drawers.

Adjacent to this culinary haven, a set of narrow, almost secretive steps curled upward, their very existence a whisper of intrigue. She glanced furtively over her shoulder. Erik was absorbed in positioning the remaining pieces in the living room.

Her pulse quickened with the thrill of undercover exploration. Memories of countless novels she had devoured over the years surged within her—a cascade of adventures, hidden rooms, and undiscovered treasures that had always seemed worlds away were now seemingly within her grasp. With each step into the unknown, her pulse quickened with anticipation, and her mind buzzed. What secrets and mysteries lay hidden in this century-old home?

Summer hustled up the stairs, bypassed the second floor, and continued into the attic. She’d long fantasized about writing a novel in such a superb, renovated space with its black, charcoal walls and a shade darker woodwork, a cozy white sofa with black and gold accent pillows—and how she loved the black lacquer desk. The lighting included several sconces with candle-like bulbs that glimmered warmly. It was a nice touch. She murmured, “Totally jealous of the owners.”

She peered through the horizontally installed cameo windows, the view of which looked directly at her house. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a shimmering swirling blue light materialized on the other side of the room. It formed a doorway of sorts, like beams of a hidden sun trapped within its frame, defying the laws of physics and reality.

What the heck? Summer cautiously approached, each step filled with fear and fascination. She reached out tentatively toward the opening, her hand trembling slightly. Was it a gateway to worlds unseen?

But Erik’s appearance on the top step jolted her back to reality just before her fingers could graze the pulsating energy. As if responding to his intrusion, the portal vanished as quickly as it had appeared, leaving behind a blank wall devoid of any clue to its mysterious existence.

She struggled to process what she had just witnessed. Was the ethereal light a trick of nature? A figment of her imagination? The silence that enveloped the room was heavy with unspoken questions, the air charged with the residue of the inexplicable.

About the author:

 

USA Today Best-Selling Author, #1 International Bestseller, #1 Amazon Bestseller, D. F. Jones began her career as a broadcast consultant at the ABC Affiliate in Nashville, which led her to open an advertising agency. She downsized her agency to care for her parents. Writing is a source of creative expression for D.F. Jones, but it also releases stress. Writing takes her to a place where anything is possible, and fiction takes her to a place made of dreams.

Whether it’s angels and demons, time travel adventures, witches, wizards, or ghosts, her books are action-packed with supernatural and romantic elements.

She’s happily married to the love of her life and best friend. They have two beautiful sons whom she loves and adores more than life itself. She loves to laugh, and her husband keeps her in stitches! She’s a fan of the Tennessee Titans and enjoys working in her flower gardens.

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