Category: Contemporary fiction

Action/Suspense And Romance? Check Out the New Release Blitz for Hitting Black Ice (Heart and Haven #1) by Heloise West (excerpt and giveaway)

Title: Hitting Black Ice

Series: Heart and Haven, Book One

Author: Heloise West

Publisher: NineStar Press

Release Date: August 19. 2019

Heat Level: 3 – Some Sex

Pairing: Male/Male

Length: 75100

Genre: Contemporary, LGBT, FBI, double agents, action/suspense, medical profession, contemporary, action, suspense, theft, gay

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Synopsis

Shawn is on the run from the law and love, to protect himself and anyone else involved. Until he meets Hunter, and he no longer wants to run.

ER physician’s assistant Hunter guards his heart carefully, but that doesn’t stop him from falling for the temp front desk clerk. He keeps his distance from relationships for a good reason but just can’t help himself when it comes to Shawn.

Forced into a hostage situation, buried passions explode in the aftermath, and sex in the supply closet brings both their hearts back to life. But as they explore their relationship, the past catches up with Shawn.

FBI agent Nick Truman has finally found his man, and when Shawn escapes, he focuses his attention on Hunter. Will Shawn sacrifice himself to save Hunter from the man who framed him for murder?

Excerpt

Hitting Black Ice
Heloise West © 2019
All Rights Reserved

Hunter had a crush, a big one.

In the cafeteria late one night on his break at the hospital, he sipped at a coffee and focused on Shawn, the night desk clerk for the ER, sitting a few tables over. With long black hair tied back neatly and eyes of faded denim blue, Shawn had a lean body, his face long and bony. Tonight, he wore a brown turtleneck under a white-and-green-striped button-down. The rolled sleeves revealed muscled forearms dusted with golden hair, as mismatched to the dyed black hair as his pale eyebrows and lashes. A silver skull ring and silver studs in his ears appeared at odds with the lanyard and dangling ID card.

Hunter drank more coffee, barely tasting it. He’d tried to talk himself out of it, but he couldn’t squirm away from the attraction. When he’d walked past the registration desk to the water cooler—again—or hung out there a moment too long with an empty clipboard in his hands, he caught those tiny flicks of interest in Shawn’s eyes. Hunter must have given away his interest, because the nurses smirked at his pretended obliviousness.

He bent to the not-very-engrossing crossword in the newspaper, imagining what tattoo might lie beneath Shawn’s cool demeanor. Maybe gargoyle wings across a broad and muscled back, or a snake wrapped around his thigh. Something more esoteric—a phrase in Latin, like Hunter’s own primum non nocere, or a bit of wisdom in Chinese characters. Or an old-school Aerosmith tat? Hunter glanced up from filling in the little squares with black ink blocks. He could have sworn Shawn hurriedly dropped his attention down to the paperback in his hands. He turned the page and shot a second glance at Hunter. Gazes locked and jumped away.

Shit!

Heat rushed through Hunter all at once and climbed up to his face. Too aware of the black-haired man with biceps to die for and long legs to—well, never mind. Taking a boner back to the ER was not a good idea.

He had touched those biceps once when he gave Shawn a flu shot back in the fall. Shawn had taken the needle without a flinch.

Shawn stood with his tray in hand and walked toward the trash container behind Hunter. The back of his neck prickled as if Shawn breathed on the little hairs there. Hunter picked up his coffee cup once more but tasted only the dregs.

Good thing he’d decided to become a physician’s assistant and not an actor. He didn’t talk to Shawn unless he had to, the worst giveaway of all. No shy bones in his body, yet he feared conversation led to more conversation, to flirting, and the next thing he knew, they’d be going on a date, Hunter falling head over heels, and then the asshole—

Stop. You know how the story ends.

Behind him, Shawn cleared his throat. Hunter didn’t turn around. Shawn returned to his seat, picked up the paperback, and slumped down into the chair with a scowl.

Marisa slipped into the seat across the table from Hunter, and he smiled.

“I’m onto you,” she whispered.

“Uh-huh.” Hunter moved his body slightly so he could still see Shawn around her.

“You’ve been taking late lunch for three weeks now. I know why—or who.” She smiled, a small Hispanic woman with curly chestnut hair framing her heart-shaped face and hazel eyes. If Hunter weren’t himself, and she weren’t married, he thought he’d be with her. Her lips always gleamed with gloss, and her eyes snapped with fire when she got pissy. He loved it, most days, even when she aimed for him.

She leaned toward him. “Shawn, right?” Her eyes took on a warning snap now and dared him to contradict her.

“I don’t even know if he’s gay.” Which wasn’t true, but he knew better than to deny it to her face.

She sipped at her coffee with her gaze on him. Her mouth left lipstick smiles on the rim of the cup. “There’s something different about this one. And he’s lovely to look at.”

“Lovely.” Hunter snorted. Dead sexy Shawn. Hunter spied him out at the clubs twice now but avoided him there too. Shawn undulated like liquid fire across the dance floor.

“Talk to him, honey.”

“Please. Don’t.” He must have spoken louder than he meant to. Shawn glanced at them and away again.

“You’re letting Jerry’s death run your life.”

Hunter slapped the magazine down. “I’m too sober for this conversation.”

“It’s like he’s locked your heart away.”

Mindful of the potential audience, he lowered his voice. “You’re jumping way ahead here.”

She shook her head. “I know you. You have so much love to give, and I hate to see you suffer.”

Her probing questions about Hunter’s past, family, present situation were all familiar ground. Friendship he could manage; he recognized it when it was offered to him. He’d been out since he was nine. Always been out was what he told people. She was one of the few friends to whom he could confide nearly everything. Jerry’s addictions had killed him, but his family and friends blamed Hunter, and on a deeper emotional level, he blamed himself too. Marisa knew this, and it worried her. She wanted him to find love and move on, be part of a couple. She knew, but she didn’t understand.

He wasn’t abstinent now, not at twenty-five, and never got involved with anyone beyond one- and two-night stands. Hunter didn’t want to take responsibility for another heart.

When the tide of emotion and memory washed through him and left him able to speak again, he said, “I’m not suffering here.” He kept much of the darkness at bay with whiskey and anonymous sex. Who needed Prozac with a warm, muscled body in the bed?

“Stagnating,” Marisa said.

“Maintaining.” It had been a far prettier day in May, eight months ago now, when he walked out of the ER at Boston General to Jerry waiting for him in the parking lot with a gun.

“Ask him out on a date. An old-fashioned date where, at the end of the night, you kiss him good night.”

“No!”

“Don’t get angry.” She patted his hand.

He whipped it away. “Too late.”

Marisa sighed. “I’ll make it up to you. Toni, Anna, and I are going to Twisters tonight. I’ll buy you a drink.”

Hunter gathered up his tray. He liked the ER crowd. They always had fun when they got together in off-work hours, and he agreed to meet her at Twisters before hitting the clubs.

When his shift was over early in the morning, he drove back to his apartment and crawled into bed as the day glowed behind the blackout curtains. The end of the week had left him exhausted, and his sleep was blessedly dreamless.

Purchase

NineStar Press | Amazon | Smashwords | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Meet the Author

Heloise West, when not hunched over the keyboard plotting love and mayhem, dreams about moving to a villa in Tuscany. She loves history, mysteries, and romance. She travels and gardens with her partner of fifteen years, and their home overflows with books, cats, art, and red wine. Find Heloise on Facebook

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Love Contemporary Romance? Check Out the Retro Review Tour for CID by S. L. Danielson

RETRO REVIEW TOUR

Book Title: CID

Author: S. L. Danielson

Publisher: Self-Published

Cover Artist: Bee Javier

Release Date: August 1, 2018

Genre/s:  Contemporary M/M Romance

Trope/s:  Friends to lovers, abuse recovery

Themes: Coming out, forgiveness

Heat Rating:  4 flames     

Length: 50 236 words/209 pages

It is a standalone story.

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Blurb

Ask 26-year-old artist Cid Walker how he’s feeling and you’ll likely get a snarl, or a glare, but not a real answer. Cid’s soul is so damaged from a brutal and savage ex-fiancé that trusting anyone is out of the question.

Two classmates try to get his attention; Barry and Kellen. Barry is only 18 and a very naïve, sweet boy-next-door type who is young, needy, and anxious to get involved with the mysterious artist. He wants to be with Cid more than anything, but his efforts fail.

Kellen, all of 22, is as snarky as Cid is at first, but soon manages to get across to him. Kellen understands why Cid is acting out because Kellen is also keeping his soul and psyche intact with mere Band-Aids after being attacked a few years ago.

Add in a stalker that won’t take ‘no’ for an answer and you have Cid’s life at the moment. Who can get through his broken heart?

Buy Links

Amazon US  |  Amazon UK

Universal Link  |   Smashwords

About the Author 

Why was I drawn to this genre? Why do I write it and who do I write it for? What’s my goal in writing?
I used to write het stories solely, until I was about 16 and met the first gay boy I ever knew. I was smitten with him, but more I wanted him and others like him to have a voice, to be seen, and to be heard that they are normal just like everybody else. They love, cry, exalt, cheer, live lives of triumph and sadness just like everybody else.
By my teens gay storylines had taken over completely but the genre was still very taboo.
Annie Proulx and her work Brokeback Mountain in the early 2000’s really broke me free. By then, I’d been writing nearly 2 decades and was thrilled when I saw that it actually got some notice.
The genre exploded, and I was right there with it. In 2006 I published my first book.
My audience is mainly straight woman, gay men, and anyone else over 18 who enjoys a good story between two teens/young adults/adults falling in love. I don’t have insta-romance or bdsm, or anything like that, but I tell a good story from my heart that I hope the reader will enjoy.

Social Media Links

Blog/Website  |  Twitter: @sl_danielson  |  Pinterest

Follow the tour and check out the other blog posts and reviews here

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Don’t Miss the Release Blitz and Giveaway for Love Or The NFL by Terry O’Reilly (excerpt)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books | Universal Link
 
Length: 48,596 words
 
Publisher: JMS Books
 
Blurb
 

Gymnast Frank Bethune arrives on campus already enamored with the star tight end, Bill Billingsly. Although the chances of them meeting are slim, fate draws them together, and their friendship turns to love.


Ever since childhood, Bill has dreamed of playing professional football. Though high risk to his potential career, Bill would seek out clandestine encounters with other guys when and where he could, but the first time he spots Frank, Bill knows he is someone special, someone he could possibly share a life with. If he’s drafted, will Bill and Frank be able to continue their closeted relationship, running the risk of discovery? Or will they have to part company for the sake of Bill living out his dream?


Bill knows he’ll need to use all his considerable skills learned on the field to score the life he wants off of it, too. Either way, is happiness even possible when it’s the NFL vs. love?

 
Excerpt



“I better get going,” Bill finally said. “I have an early class tomorrow and practice in the afternoon.”


They got up. “Frodo … I mean Frank, could I talk to you for a minute?” Bill said goodnight to Mark, and he and Frank went outside. They walked a ways down one of the sidewalks that wound around the dorms. Bill was quiet for some time, then without looking at Frank said, “I’m really sorry about the other night.”


“It’s okay,” Frank replied. “Like I said upstairs, it’s cool. I didn’t say anything to anyone.”


Bill turned to Frank. “I really appreciate that, you have no idea how much.”


“I think I kinda do,” Frank said, thinking of his minister father.


Bill walked to a nearby bench and sat down. He indicated Frank should sit as well.


After a few seconds, Bill said, “It’s really tough being a football player and … gay. Things are changing but not really in the world of sports. Oh, they give some lip service to being accepting, but the reality is if you’re gay — you’re through. Especially baseball and football — the bastions of macho.”


Bill paused for a moment then added, “So, you see how really grateful I am that you’re okay with keeping my secret. I’ve got a chance to go pro, but not if I’m outed.”


“Aren’t you afraid Dennis will talk?”


“Yes. But I have to trust him. He says he won’t. But you never know.”


“Then why take that chance?” Frank asked, his affection for Bill igniting concern for the man.


Bill shook his head. “I know. That part of me is the dumb jock.”


Then he looked intently at Frank. “Gay guys have needs, too, and sometimes they let their dicks do the thinking, just like you straight guys.”


Frank wanted to tell Bill right there why he understood what the man was going through, but he hesitated, and Bill went on.


“So, I took a chance. Dennis isn’t out either. At least he tells me he isn’t. So I think I can depend on him. I hope I can anyway. We’ve been doing this for a couple years now, and he’s kept it a secret. Maybe someday I’ll be able to just be myself, but for now I can’t. I’m so glad you understand. Look, I better say good night. It’s getting late.” Bill stood up.


Frank stood, too. “Can I ask you something?”


“Sure. Shoot.”


“Why do you call me Frodo?”


“Aw, geez. I hope my calling you that doesn’t make you feel bad, because I sure don’t mean it to.”


“No, it’s okay. I’m just curious. I actually kinda like it.”


Bill smiled. “Well, I’m a literature major, emphasis on British writers. Tolkien is my favorite. Ever read his stuff?”


“Yeah, I have. The books are a little tough to get through though. The movies were easier to understand.”


Bill nodded. “Well, I’m not sure J.R.R. would be pleased with the films, but they did make a lot of people read his books who might not have. Anyway, you know about Frodo then?”


“Sure — hobbit and main character of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.”


“Hero of The Lord of the Rings, and my favorite character of all time — so brave, so vulnerable. When I saw you, I thought of him.”


“Why?”


“Well, and please don’t take offense, your size and …”


“My furry feet? Hobbits have furry feet.”


“Do you have furry feet?” Bill asked, smile widening.


“Not really. Don’t have much fur anywhere actually.”


“Okay, so no furry feet, but there’s just something about you that makes me think, Frodo. I hope you don’t mind.”


Frank smiled. “No, I don’t mind at all.”


Just then the Burton Bell Tower clock chimed one.


“I’ve enjoyed being with you. It’s great to have someone I can be honest with. I hate to say it, but I really have to go,” Bill said.


Frank nodded.


“Good night then. See you at our next rehearsal, Frank.”


“You can call me Frodo if you want.”


“You got it, Frodo. Uh –” Bill looked around to make sure they were alone. “Would you mind if I gave you a hug?”


Frank nearly leapt into Bill’s arms. “No, that’d be okay with me,” he said, his heart jolting into high gear.


Bill walked back into the shadows and opened his arms. Frank stepped into them, his head nestled in the groove between Bill’s firm chest muscles. He could feel the swell of Bill’s cock press against his belly. Frank felt his dick hardening, but somehow he didn’t care. If that gave away his feelings for Bill, so be it.


They stood for a few seconds, then broke apart. Bill looked down into Frank’s eyes. For a moment, it looked to Frank like Bill might bend down and kiss him. He hoped so. But Bill merely said, “Good night, Frodo,” in a tone that was almost tender.


“Good night, Strider,” Frank said, using the name of Frodo’s protector from the Tolkien novels.


Bill shook his head slowly, smiling deeply. “Frodo, I think we’re gonna become very good friends.”


Bill walked away. Frank watched him go. Frodo’s heart was humming as he watched Strider disappear into the darkness.

 
Author Bio



Since retiring, Terry spends his time writing, working with animal rescue groups, walking his four dogs, and riding/showing his champion Quarter Horse. He also finds time to read and travel.


His interest in Native American culture stems from the fact that in tracing his heritage, he found his great grandfather was an Illini.

 
 

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An Alisa Review: Anticipating Temptation (Anticipation #3) by Silvia Violet

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Marty doesn’t want to need a Daddy, but he’s still anticipating temptation…

Marty’s new boss pushes all his buttons. He’s confident, capable, and he expects to get his way.

But Marty’s past experience has made him wary of dominant men and determined to establish his independence. Even if deep down he knows Rob will treat him right, he can’t put his new job at risk. Everyone knows sleeping with your boss is a terrible idea.

Rob is the CEO of a company he built himself. He’s wealthy and successful, but he’s also lonely.

While he’d never admit it, he longs for a place to call home and a man to love.

Before he met Marty, Rob never felt such a protective urge toward anyone. When he hires Marty to be the housekeeper for his new ranch, Rob doesn’t just want Marty to work for him. He wants to be Marty’s Daddy. Rob is a man who always goes after what he wants, even if he has to break some rules.

This was so sweet.  Marty and Rob click from the beginning it’s the logistics and technicalities that throw everything for a loop.

I was glad that Marty was able to finally find the happiness and care he has always wanted after everything that he has had to deal with.  Rob knows what he wants but has to be strong enough to let everyone know.  I love how sweet and protective Rob was from their very first meeting and you could just see how Marty brought the Daddy in him out.  Marty just flourished under the attention and all the care that Rob gave him.

This story just pulled me in and kept me engaged the whole time.  This has been a very nice series and I enjoy each new couple and love that we get to see the previous couples too.

The cover art by Amai Designs Continues to follow the same style as the other books and I like the field in the background that’s similar to one on Rob’s farm.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 234 pages

Published: June 26, 2019 by Silvia Violet Books

Edition Language: English

Series: Anticipation #3

Check Out the New Book Release for Heart Strain (Interlocking Fragments #1) by Michelle Notaro and Sammi Cee (excerpt and giveaway)

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Heart Strain

Interlocking Fragments Series, Book 1

Sammi Cee & Michele Notaro

M/M Contemporary Romance

Release Date: 07.22.19

Cover Artist: Soxsational Cover Art

Heart Strain Cover

Blurb:

Holden~

When I get a call that my twin brother’s been shot, I’m in shock as I head back to Baltimore to be with him. Seeing him in a coma is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do; sitting here not knowing whether he’s going to live or die is the worst thing I can imagine. But at least Jameson is with me—he makes it more bearable, and I don’t feel like I’m in this alone. With everything going on, I probably shouldn’t be checking out my brother’s work partner, but I can’t seem to help it. Jameson’s been so sweet and kind and considerate; not to mention he’s so sexy I can’t keep my eyes off him.

Jameson~

My partner getting shot and ending up in a coma brings everything in my world to a screeching halt. He’s not only my partner on the police force, but my best friend and confidant. When I see his twin brother, Holden, sitting in the waiting room, I’m overwhelmed with gratitude that he neither blames me nor pushes me away. Now I’m doing my best to take care of him and support him; if only I’d stop noticing how his emotions reflect in his eyes and wondering how it would feel to touch him.

Will the bonding that takes place during their long bedside vigils become more than they expected? Can they be honest enough with themselves and each other to take it to the next level? And if they do, will Holden be willing to sacrifice the life he loves for the brother he’s kept at arm’s length for almost ten years and the man who could end up being his everything?

Heart Strain is the first book in the Interlocking Fragments series, but is a standalone novel. Each book in the series will feature a different couple, but the couples will show up throughout the whole series. This is a contemporary romance intended for 18+.

Universal Buy Link: mybook.to/HeartStrain

Heart Strain Graphic 1

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Excerpt

Holden~

As soon as the movie ends, I say, “I’m going to start dinner.” I need to get away from him for a minute before he notices what he’s doing to me. Unfortunately, the sexy bastard follows me into the kitchen with Nala trotting behind him.

“What can I do to help?”

I point to a stool. “You can sit down and look pretty while I cook.”

His eyebrows go up a little. “I can’t help?”

“Nope.”

“When did you have time to buy all this stuff?”

“Uh… I woke up early, so I went out this morning before you picked me up.” What I don’t say is that I’ve been having trouble sleeping—no matter how long I run at night or how tired I am—and it seems to be getting worse every night. But that’s not his problem, so I keep it to myself.

He hesitantly sits on the stool and tentatively asks, “Why are you doing all of this?”

Blowing out a breath, I shrug as I get the ingredients out of the fridge. “You’ve been helping me since I got here, and… and I wanted to do something nice as a thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank me.” When I look at him, I can tell he has something else to add, but he doesn’t say whatever’s on his mind, so I just shrug again and get everything ready.

“I made this marinade this morning and the tofu’s been soaking it up all day, so hopefully you’ll still like it even though you like eating animals.”

He laughs out, “Gross.”

I shoot him a grin. “Anyway, I’m gonna do some mashed potatoes and green beans, so hopefully you’ll like at least one thing.”

“Sounds delicious, even the tofu.”

After a minute, I notice him looking a little sad or something, so I finally relent. “Will you stop frowning if I let you help?”

“Yes.” He smiles, just a tad.

“Fine,” I groan. “Help me with the potatoes.”

“Yes!” Jameson grins widely and hops off the stool. “I knew you’d cave.”

I laugh. “Was your plan to sit there looking all sad and pathetic until I did?”

“I was going to start sighing dramatically to add to the effect.”

I elbow him in the side with a chuckle and catch his gaze again. I can feel his warmth radiating off him because he’s standing so close to me. The moment I lick my dry lips, I see his eyes track the movement, and my breath catches. Does he want to kiss me as badly as I want to kiss him? Don’t look at his lips, Holden. Don’t look at them!

I look at his lips. Dammit!

But I catch myself, clear my throat, and force my body to move away from him.

Lucky for me, Jameson isn’t a huge awkward nerd like I am, and he ends up talking about the movie while we cook. Before I know it, he has me laughing again.

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Michele is married to an awesome husband that puts up with her and all the characters in her head—and there are many. They live together in Baltimore, Maryland with their two young boys and two crazy dogs. She grew up dancing and swimming and taught dance—ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, & modern—for ten years before her kids came along. Now she stays home to write about the sexy men in her head and does PTA everything—as long as coffee is involved. Two other tattooed moms run the PTA with her, and though she wants to rip her hair out from it, she still loves it.

Michele Notaro Links:

Website: https://notarobooks.com/

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/author.notaro/

IG: https://instagram.com/michelenotaro.author

Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/author/michelenotaro

Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/cseIXT

Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2yBe2RD

My FB Group, Notaro’s Haven: https://www.facebook.com/groups/NotarosHaven/

Reading Past the Realm (Paranormal group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingPastTheRealm/

Michele Notaro Global Links:

Finding My Forever Series: (Contemporary Romance)

Book 1: Everything In Between

Book 2: A Little Bit Broken

Book 3: Left Behind

Book 4: A True Fit

A Finding My Forever Short Story: (Contemporary Romance)

Falling In Time

A Valentine’s Tail

Flash Me Photos: (Contemporary Romance)

Portfolio #1: Love, Never-Ending

The Fate of Love Series: (Contemporary Romance)

Book 1: Always You

Valentine’s Inc. Series: (Contemporary Romance)

Color My Kiss

Luck of the Ship

The Ellwood Chronicles: (Witch Romance)

Prequel: The Witches Seal

Book 1: The Enchanter’s Flame

Book 2: The Enchanter’s Soul

Reclaiming Hope: (Shifter Romance)

Book 1: How We Survive

Book 2: Rescuing His Heart

Book 3: Keeping Them Unseen

Novella: Finding Our Home

Novella: First Moon Festival

The Taoree Trilogy: (Alien MM Fiction)

Book 1: Taoree

Book 2: Independents

Book 3: Dissolution

Malachai Brothers: Beyond the Veil: (Paranormal Investigations- collab with K.M. Neuhold)

Episode 1: Akasha Sanatorium

The Brotherhood of Ormarr: (Dragon Rider Romance collab with Sammi Cee)

Malachite

Audiobooks:

The Enchanter’s Flame

How We Survive

~My YA Books under Bobbie Rayne~

The Crazy Adventures of Cass & Star: (Paranormal YA)

Episode 1: do you think we should’ve glued it first?

The Triumphs of the Everette Brothers: (Contemporary YA)

#1: Genuinely Extraordinary

The Brotherhood of Ormarr: (Dragon Rider Romance collab with Steph Marie)

Eeli

Sammi Cee Log (1)

Sammi Cee was raised in a family of readers. Summer vacations consisted of a good book while sitting lakeside from as far back as she could remember. After growing up and having her own children, her appreciation of how the written word could transport you on an adventure, bring you to tears, or give you hope, took on a whole new meaning.

These days Sammi is watching her children develop into fine young ladies while doing the things she enjoys most: drinking coffee, eating chocolate, and writing her own stories.

Sammi Cee Links:

Facebook Author Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSammiCee/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cee_sammi

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sammi_cee_author/

Amazon Author Page: https://amazon.com/author/sammicee

My FB Group, Sammi Cee’s: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SammisSanctuary/

Prolific Works: https://claims.prolificworks.com/free/aZYLOwCi

Reading Past the Realm (Paranormal group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/ReadingPastTheRealm/

Sammi Cee Global Links:

In You Series

Mixed Up In You

Trusting In You

Ending In You

Slate Mountain Wolf Pack (with Michelle Frost)

Under A Full Moon

Half Moon Above

Stand Alone

Writing Our Love

Kissing Our Loves, Valentine’s Inc #6

Shipping Our Loves, Valentine’s Inc. #8

The Brotherhood of Ormarr: (Dragon Rider Romance collab with Michele Notaro)

Malachite

~My YA Books under Steph Marie~

The Triumphs of the Everette Brothers: (Contemporary YA)

#1: Genuinely Extraordinary

The Brotherhood of Ormarr: (Dragon Rider Romance collab with Bobbie Rayne)

Eeli

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Release Blitz for Thomas Grant Bruso’s Past Sins (excerpt and giveaway)

 

Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | JMS Books | Universal Link
 
Length: 29,389 words
 
Publisher: JMS Books
 
Blurb
 

Officer Jack Ballinger receives a phone call from the chief of police in the early morning hours regarding a dead body at an apartment building in a quiet neighborhood in the small upstate New York town of Black Falls. A female student lies in a pentagram outlined in her own blood, clutching a rosary. Ballinger and his former partner Officer Cory Ryan interview tenants in the building about the girl’s death, but are met with more questions than answers.


When another body is found in the same apartment building a few hours later, Jack knows something is wrong. As he ciphers through a patchwork of unexplainable clues, the investigation detours when Ryan disappears from the case and cannot be found.


With his future as an officer in question, will Ballinger be able to deal with the truth of these crimes once he discovers everything he thought he knew was a lie?

 
Excerpt
 

I’ve been sitting in the dark for an hour in front of the rain-streaked balcony window on a rattan armchair I found at a yard sale a few months ago.


An old relic is somebody else’s fortune, my mother once told me. It’s got a couple more good years left, I surmise, as I pour three fingers of vodka into a tumbler half filled with melting ice and take a slow sip, chips of broken ice sliding down my throat like shards of glass.


This is the only time I am by myself, a cosmic stillness, to think and rationalize.


Staring out at lines of rain crisscrossing down the sliding glass doors, I see a young dead girl lying in her own blood, clutching a rosary, her face distorted and covered in blood from a deep knife wound.


What does it mean? I wonder, tipping the glass and emptying the vodka in one long pull.


I refill, wishing I had bought two bottles, when a single soft knock at the door rattles me, and I lose my grip on the bottle and glass.


My drink spills across the scattered rug, and the edge of the glass smashes against the armchair at a ninety-degree angle, slivers of glass splintering across the floor.


“Fucking-A.”


There’s another knock, harder, more urgent.


I stand, wiping beads of alcohol off my hand and arm, and turn, staring at the closed door.


The time on the microwave reads 3:36.


Nobody visits this early in the morning. I wait and listen, hoping whoever it is will go away.


Five seconds. Ten. Fifteen.


Then …


Two raps, hard, forceful and demanding to be answered.


I shudder, and my heartbeat rages in my ears.


As if paralyzed, fear traps me in place, and my hands are trembling and clammy and cold.


But I conjure up enough strength to yell, “Hello?”


I hear mumbling, but the words are unclear.


I swallow hard and step over broken glass, walking in the semi darkness to the edge of the mini kitchen, inching closer to the door.


“Hello?” I say again, reaching for my gun on the counter and cocking the hammer.


There is no answer.


I skulk to the edge of the door and lean up against the peephole, straining to glimpse a tall lean shadow stretching across the far wall in the hallway.


Stepping back, I aim the gun at the closed door, hearing my neighbor’s voice in my head.


Tall. Thin. Ghostly.


“Who is it?” I yell.


No answer.


I am buzzed from the booze, my head swimming with unpleasant thoughts. I step towards the door and unlock the chains, my hand hovering on the handle.


I look out through the peephole; the hall is empty.


I aim the gun out in front of me as I turn the bottom lock counterclockwise and pull the door open slightly, the chain link lock still affixed, clattering in place.


Staring out the crack, I don’t see anybody. “Hello?”


But there is no response.


I close the door and step out into the hallway, slowly, cautiously, looking left to right. Right to left, aiming the gun in every direction.


At the far end of the corridor, near the stairwell exit, I see a figure, masked in a dark hoodie, staring out the window to the tenant parking lot below.


“Hello?” I yell.


The figure turns in slow-motion, and I catch a glimpse of his long face in the bright moonlight spilling in from the high window.


The end of the whole dilemma eight months ago resurfaces like a nightmare that won’t stay dead, as I glare into the face of my past sins.

 
Author Bio
 

Thomas Grant Bruso graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 2004 with a Bachelor’s in theatre performance and English writing. He knew at an early age he wanted to be a writer. He has been a voracious reader of genre fiction since he was a kid. His literary inspirations are Dean Koontz, Karin Fossum, Jeffery Deaver, Joyce Carol Oates, and John Connolly. He loves animals, book-reading, writing fiction, and prefers Sudoku to crossword puzzles. He writes book reviews for his hometown newspaper, The Press Republican. He lives in Plattsburgh with his husband, Paul, and their miniature pincher diva, Riley.

 
 
 

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An Alisa Review: Mad About the Boy by Beth Laycock

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

Something’s waiting for Eli. Somebody’s watching his every move…

Eli is used to looking after himself. Single for longer than he’d care to admit, he doesn’t need a man for more than a hookup, not when he’s got his loyal dog, Zeus, by his side.

But one night changes the course of his life. He meets Dominic, an actual copper and not the stripper he thought his best friend had hired for his birthday. Unfortunately for Eli, after his night out celebrating, a gift awaits him at home—but not a pleasant one.

His birthday may be over, but the threats keep coming. Keep escalating. Keep hurting those close to him. Just how far will the monster behind them go? And how much will Eli lose before he can stop them?

This was a very good and emotional story.  Eli is great person and I loved seeing his dreams come true.  Dominic is absolutely perfect for him because Eli needed someone who wasn’t going to run away when he got scared.

Eli is such I sweetheart and I hated seeing him struggle with someone stalking him and then what happened to the dogs, it was heartbreaking.  Dominic latched onto Eli quickly but it was perfect for the two of them and I loved how Dominic wasn’t going to let Eli go too easily no matter what.

I loved getting to know these characters and the others in the story.  I was glad that even with the issues at the dog rescue they were able to find a way to keep it around and for Eli to live his dream and Dominic will be right by his side while he’s doing it.  Now Eli’s stalker, it was pretty much a surprise though I was starting to suspect near the end based on the stalker’s point of view but man the Eli have a few creepy guys around or those that made you second guess their intentions, I think that was on purpose to make the reader suspect different people but it just made me feel bad for Eli having to deal with it.

The cover art by free to be Creative Co is nice, I love the visual of Eli and Zeus and then the creepy stalker in the background.

Sales Links: Amazon

Book Details:

ebook, 215 pages

Published: July 26, 2019 by Rainbow Romance Press

Edition Language: English

A Lila Audio Review: Cash Plays (Seven of Spades #3) by Cordelia Kingsbridge and Wyatt Baker (Narrator)

Rating: 4 stars out of 5

The Seven of Spades is back with a vengeance—the vigilante serial killer has resumed their murderous crusade, eluding the police at every turn. But a bloodthirsty killer isn’t the only threat facing Sin City. A devious saboteur is wreaking havoc in Las Vegas’s criminal underworld, and the entire city seems to be barreling toward an all-out gang war.As Detective Levi Abrams is pushed ever closer to his breaking point, his control over his dangerous rage slips further every day. His relationship with PI Dominic Russo should be a source of comfort, but Dominic is secretly locked in his own downward spiral, confronting a nightmare he can’t bear to reveal.

Las Vegas is floundering. Levi and Dominic’s bond is cracking along the seams. And the Seven of Spades is still playing to win. How many bad hands can Levi and Dominic survive before it’s game over?

Cash Plays takes place shortly after Trick Roller, and let us see how Levi and Dominic are (or not) dealing with the aftermath of the Seven of Spades latest vigilante stunt.

Their relationship seems solid but with every page it becomes strained and complicated. They get wrapped up in their own insecurities and troubles, giving the reader an inside to their fears and self-doubt.

I still have no idea who the Seven of Spades is but the conclusion others are having has passed my mind too. I don’t think it’s right but I would like to see what happens if it becomes true. It also opens the series to many possibilities and suspects.

This book shows Levi’s and Dominic’s lives as parallel ships. Two different stories united by similar, interrelated events. By the time they realized it, the reader is ready to add them to the hit list for making us wait.

Definitely, a murder mystery worth every single minute of angst and lies involved.

Finally I’m used to the narration by Wyatt Baker. It was easier to follow the conversations and to get into the characters’ minds.

The cover by Garrett Leigh embraces the poker elements of the Seven of Spades, and matches not only the previous covers, but the story’s plot points.

Sales Links: Riptide | Audible | iTunes

Audiobook Details:

Narrator: Wyatt Baker
Length: 9 hours and 39 minutes

Published: July 3, 2019 (Audio Edition) by Riptide Publishing
ASIN: B07TVFKQQZ
Edition Language: English

Series: Seven of Spades
Book #1: Kill Game
Book #2: Trick Roller
Book #1: Cash Plays