Category: Shifters, Weres

A Paul B Review: A Good Deed Done by Pelaam

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

A Good Deed Done coverWhen Conner saves a wolf from a rabbit trap, he doesn’t realize that it would lead to finding the partner in life that he needs.

Connor is a simple farmer content to raise enough food and animals to subsist. Since his mother’s passing, his is a somewhat lonely existence on his family farm. Despite the efforts of some of the townsfolk, Connor has not found any person who interests him as a life mate.

Ciaran is Faoladlh, the local name for werewolves. Still under the mating age, Ciaran is running around in his wolf form when he becomes ensnared in a trap. He is rescued by this simple farmer whom he recognizes as his mate. After being freed from the trap and given something to eat, the wolf runs off into the woods.

Two years pass since that fateful encounter. Connor always wonders what has happened to his wolf as he grows to call him. Leaving food occasionally in the clearing near where he found the wolf, he assumes that the wolf is doing well as the food has always disappeared when he comes back to check.

One day, after refusing to be bought out by a rich neighboring farmer, he finds a couple of his cows missing. He tracks them down to the man who offered to buy his farm. Knowing that the local authorities would take the rich farmer’s word over his, he decides to head back home.

Cutting through the forest, Connor is enveloped in a mist and comes across a small cottage. There he finds a family which includes the human form of Ciaran. There he learns of the existence of the Faoladlh and the meaning of mates. Wondering why Ciaran had not contacted him before that day, they explain the Ciaran was too young to take a mate but has since come of age. Knowing that Connor needs to return to his farm, they make plans to return with his mate and state that if he should ever need help, he should go to the woods and call for help.

As Connor and Ciaran settle into life, they must deal with the unscrupulous neighbor who will stop at nothing to obtain Connor’s farm. With the help of Ciaran and his family, they must find a way to finally stop the neighbor before Connor loses what is most precious to him.

I thought the author’s take on werewolves was unique. It seemed like they lived in an almost Brigadoon like existence. They will come out of the mist when or if necessary. The longing that Connor has for the unknown man in his dreams brings about the mate longing that is typical most shifter stories. Having only met Ciaran’s wolf form, he has no idea who this man is until they meet two years later in the wolf cabin. This short story satisfied on almost all levels for a shifter story.

The cover art by Michelle Cary draws you into the story. In the foreground, you have the dark haired Connor. In the background, you have a wolf howling on a hill with a ghostly image of Ciaran in his human form. The only quibble I have with it is that the clothing seems to be a bit modern for what I think the times in which the story is set but I could be wrong. Otherwise it is a top notch cover.

Sales Links:   MLR Press –  All Romance (ARe) – Amazon Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 46 pages
Published March 6th 2015 by ManLove Romance Press
ASINB00UDHONOY
edition languageEnglish

A MelanieM Review: Dead Blind: Jack of Spades #2 (PF 2015: Altered States) by Lee Brazil

Rating: 4.75 stars out of 5

Dead Blind coverIn the two months since Dr. Sabine Brusilov and his ghostly lover Bart discovered the curious brass circlet while investigating a haunting in an apartment building, Sabine focused on recovering from his accident. Now, his health restored, his mind returns to the mystery of the circlet. Even a commission to appear on a television show can’t distract him from its allure.

After nearly two centuries of resistance, it takes an exorcism for Bart to come to terms with being a ghost…and learning that everything in the other realm isn’t quite the way he had figured. As he grows more comfortable in the spirit plane, his abilities on the earthly plane evolve. Even though he feels the circlet’s evil, he can’t help but connect his growing strength with it.

Life and death are two sides of the same coin, but the circlet blurs lines for both man and ghost.

In Dead Blind (Jack of Spades #2), Lee Brazil takes his plot and gives it a dark, maze-like quality that adds another level of trepidation and suspense to a tale already overflowing with it.  For me, this story is where I start to connect with Sabine whose personality and cavalier treatment of Bart sort of pushed me away in the first installment.

With an evil circlet in his possession, Sabine’s control over his emotions, thoughts and actions become compromised.  And it’s his struggle to remain himself that really draws the reader onto his side and let’s us empathize with this complicated man.  Bart too is growing in substance…literally.  While the reasons he is becoming stronger are still somewhat nebulous, the fact that Bart abilities have grown now allow him to have avenues for his thoughts and emotions not possible before.  He can travel and move things, for good or bad.  But it’s his growing concern for Sabine that pulls us into their relationship and gives us a better feel for their couple dynamics which is undergoing  drastic changes even as they are.

But back to that evil circlet.  Lee Brazil does a fabulous job of bringing that object’s menace to life on the page. Through the vivid imagery of Brazil’s descriptions, t he circlet emanates such malevolence, that the  dreams and actions it’s pulling out of Sabine will bring chills as you read.  Yes, this story is getting marvelously darker, more convoluted and scary.  And I couldn’t be happier.

If you love your romance stories with a touch of horror, if you listen for those things that go bump in the night, than this installment has just the right amount of shivers to make you downright  gleeful.  But be warned, none of these are stand alone stories.  They must be read in the order they were written and often contain cliffhangers just as serialized stories should.

But don’t take my word for it.  Pick them all up and get started today.  Each is a truly delicious morsel of romance and fear, addicting and downright delectable.  Happy Reading.

Cover art by Laura Harner.  I like the overall design but am still missing a supernatural element.  It just seems too light and fluffy for the content.

Sales Links:   All Romance (ARe)       Amazon         Buy It Here

Book Details:

Kindle Edition, 54 pages
Published April 14th 2015 by Lime Time Press
ASINB00W5HNFYE
edition languageEnglish\

About Pulp Friction 2015
Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

The Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States Collection.
Four authors.
Four Series.
Twenty books.
One supernatural finale.

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.
Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.
Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:

Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil

 

The Weather Is Lovely, The Gardens Are Calling and This Week At Scattered Thoughts and Rogue Words

Gardening_Tools_Clip_Art

After a wonderful lunch with some of my DC Metro M/M group friends yesterday at The Daily Grill in Bethesda (and getting my first sunburn of the season on my arms), it’s time to concentrate on the yard today before the rains head back in tomorrow. So it’s short and sweet today.

 

Our schedule this week is as follows:

Hawaiian Trunks coverBloodandGhostsFSEven the Innocent coverjust a bit twisted cover

Sunday, April 19:

  • Weekly Schedule

Monday, April 20:

  • When The Band Came To Town by H. Lewis-Foster Tour and Giveaway
  • Book Spotlight: R.E. Nelson Guest Blogs on Vietnam and Palace Dog (contest)
  • Death by Deceit by A.E/ Via Book tour and giveaway
  • A Stella Review: Even The Innocent by D.W. Marchwell
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Food for Thought by Amy Lane

Tuesday, April 21:

  • Back to the Past with Charlie Cochrane’s Lessons for Suspicious Minds Tour and contest
  • In Memory of Us by Ana J. Phoenix. Book Blast and giveaway
  • Blood and Ghosts Tour from Shira Anthony – Guest Blog on Time Travel and giveaway
  • A Mika Review: Hoarfrost by Jordan L. Hawk
  • A BJ Review: Burn the Sky by Jaye McKenna

Wednesday, April 22:

  • 2 Author 2 Book Spotlight with Lee Brazil and Havan Fellows (tour and contest)
  • A Mika Review: Breaking the Habit by J. P. Bowie
  • A MelanieM Review: Heart of Clay by Lee Brazil
  • A Stella Review: A Boy Called Cin by Cecil Wilde

Thursday, April 23:

  • Kate Fierro ‘Love Starved‘ Tour and Giveaway
  • Riptide: Down by Ally Blue Tour and Contest
  • A MelanieM review: Hawaiian Trunks by Caraway Carter
  • A Barb the Zany Old Lady Review: Max And the Prince by RJ Scott
  • A MelanieM Review: Chance At Trust by Havan Fellows

Friday, April 24:

  • RJ Scott Tour:Guarding Morgan Release in French, Italian and in an Audio book.
  • Vanessa L. Sims: Mercenary Series Tour and  giveaway
  • In the Spotlight:Jordan Hawk’s Hoarfrost Guest Blog and Giveaway
  • A Mika Review:  Scarred Souls by T. T. Kove
  • A BJ Review: Just a Bit Twisted (Straight Guys #1) by Alessandra Hazard

Saturday, April 25:

  • Craving Stains by Alina Popescu Excerpt Tour and Giveaway
  • An Aurora YA Review: And The Children Shall Lead (Children of the Knight #4) by Michael J. Bowler

 

Max and the PrinceHeart-of-Clay-400x600AJP_in memory of us_coverinChanceatTrust400x600

 

 

 

 

 

A MelanieM Review: Diamonds & Dust: Ace of Diamonds One by Laura Harner

(PF 2015: Altered States Book 4)

Rating: 5 stars out of 5

Diamonds & Dust coverAfter the traumatic events that left Jamal ‘Jet’ Gorman’s  the de facto Alpha of his pack, the time has come for Jet to take up the responsibilities and problems of a job he never wanted or thought would be his. There are rumblings of others who would fight him to the death for the position, and others maneuvering behind the scenes to make sure that Jet’s time as Alpha is a short one.  Jet isn’t certain that’s not a fitting way to exit this world…even if it puts the werewolves he’s sworn to protect in the hands of a ruthless killer. A trip to the bayou with the ancient and enigmatic new vampire in town changes everything—in ways Jet would never have predicted. Now his new mission is safeguarding his late partner’s secret.

Nicolino Sanzio da Urbino—Nico to his friends, if he had any—has been undead for centuries, and given the betrayals in his own past, it shouldn’t surprise him the depths some will go to in order to seize a power to which they have no claim. After leaving his position with the Vampire Council behind, Nico’s new job with the Odd Squad provides more flexibility and challenges. It also comes with a lot more latitude when meting out justice, so when he discovers a plot to rid the local pack of their second Alpha in as many months, Nico decides it’s time to go hunting. That is until he meets Jet and everything gets…personal.

With hearts as hard as diamonds, neither man is seeking the odd connection that seems to flow between them—but the winds of change blowing through the Crescent City seem to have everyone on edge—and not all challenges are as simple as they seem. With more and more monsters coming out of the closet, only time will tell if these two survive long enough to play the hand they’ve been dealt—before they become dust in the wind.

I know, I know, I say this with each story, but Diamonds & Dust by Laura Harner may be my favorite. At least until the 2nd books in the next round pop up.  I love Jet and the events that have already occurred at the beginning of this story shocked me!  No way did I see that coming.  And it left me a little heartbroken over Jet’s loss.

Then I met Nico.   Heartbreak gone.

In fact I couldn’t even remember that much about Russ (Russ, right?) because Nico’s first, second, and third impressions are strong, charismatic, and absolutely addicting.  He is everything that Jet (and the reader) needs. And the same holds true for Nico.  Jet is that one being he has been waiting for.  They are each other’s yin to the yang, the magnets that cling instead of repel.   Their push me/pull you meeting and beginnings of a relationship hooked me in throughly. And when that is framed by a storyline full of vicious assaults, deep plotting by everyone around, evil doers on the loose, and tons of hot sex, well, you have the setup for a memorable and yes, haunting series.

Harner’s writing style is concise, her prose tight and expressive, and the storyline is propelled along at break neck speed.  You will want to slow it down to savor certain lines or situations but the cast and plot won’t let you tarry.  It hurls you along until you reach the….argh….cliffhanger.   Yes,  yet another ending that leaves you hanging.  But that’s what serialized stories do best.  Leave you hanging and wanting more.

This Pulp Friction series, PF 2015 Altered States, is “guaraunteeeed” (try saying it in the late Justin Wilson’s voice) to make you a little crazy.  No one is safe, lots of people are going to die (and just maybe come back), with plots that are as hard to tie down as a will o the wisp!  And I love every word and exclamation point of it.  These stories are as addicting and satisfying as a New Orleans beignet!

But don’t take my word for it.  This is the  end of the first round of stories.  Get in on the beginning.  It really doesn’t matter which series you start with.  Diamonds & Dust: Ace of Diamonds One by Laura Harner is a terrific place to start.  Or go back even further to the Altered States series written by Laura Harner and T. A. Webb, that sets out the universe for the characters and events that happen here.  Do that for a wildly scary and fantastic ride into the supernatural and beyond.  One of my highly recommended reads!

Cover art by Laura Harner.  Loving this group of covers, including this one.

Sales Links:     All Romance (ARe)        Amazon          Buy It Here

Book Details:

ebook
Published April 1st 2015 by Smashwords Edition (first published March 31st 2015)
ISBN13 9781941841082

About Pulp Friction 2015
Lee Brazil ~ Havan Fellows ~ Parker Williams ~ Laura Harner

The Pulp Friction 2015 Altered States Collection.
Four authors.
Four Series.
Twenty books.
One supernatural finale.

Spend a year with the creatures that go bump in the night…fighting for their rights to exist and protecting the innocents of The Big Easy. A diverse group of friends trying to find their place in a world they never had to “fit” into before.
Although each series can stand alone, we believe reading the books in the order they are released will increase your enjoyment.
Round One:
Drawing Dead (Jack of Spades: 1) by Lee Brazil
Blind Stud (King of Hearts: 1) by Havan Fellows
The Devil’s Bedpost (Four of Clubs: 1) by Parker Williams
Diamonds and Dust (Ace of Diamonds: 1) by Laura Harner

Round Two:

Dead Blind (Jack of Spades: 2) by Lee Brazil

Shift Back To the Supernatural with Tina Blenke’s Shifting Cargo (excerpt and giveaway)

shiftingcargo72

Shifting Cargo (Shifting Paradigm world) by  Tina Blenke
Goodreads Link

Release Date: April 1, 2015
Sales Links: eXtasy Books  Amazon

TBRC

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Ramey’s world is shattered when his brother dies suddenly. He tries to go through the motions, day by agonizing day, doing the best that he can at his job, but it’s not enough. Months of depression escalates into alcohol use and drug abuse to numb the pain. For the past year, he’s been dreading meeting with his lawyer and accepting his brother’s death. The pain becomes too much to bear and Ramey is caught with cocaine at work and fired immediately. When he hits rock bottom, he realizes that he’s disrespecting his brother’s memory and checks himself into rehab with the help of an unlikely friend.

Londyn’s life is perfect living as a wolf Shifter in the Pack Lands. He’s been working in the family business and happy living in his cabin in the woods. Londyn has high expectations for the perfect mate to make his life complete.

Can Ramey accept his destiny as a Shifter’s mate? And is his love for the wolf Shifter worth leaving behind the demons and the only world he’s ever known?

Publisher: eXtasy Books
Cover Artist: Latrisha Waters
Pages or Words: 20,765

Categories: Erotica, Fiction, Gay Fiction, M/M Romance, Paranormal, Romance

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

“It pleases me that you want to see my wolf so bad. Have a seat on that fallen log by the fire and watch the master at work.” Ramey took a seat as instructed and watched Londyn prepare for his shift. Londyn removed his clothing piece by maddening piece. It was a slow strip tease set to the music of the forest and Ramey swore all the blood left his body and pooled into his cock. Londyn’s body was absolutely lickable. He had definition in his lean muscles, his chest was smooth and hairless with pale pink nipples that Ramey couldn’t help but drool over. His back and legs had corded muscles and fine blond hair covered his legs and groin. Except for a few old scars, the man didn’t have a mark on him. No blemishes, birthmarks or tattoos and given his age it was odd that he didn’t have at least one. Ramey had never been with a man who didn’t have any ink. And the ass on his boyfriend. He had won the lottery ten times over. He had to sit on his hands to keep from reaching out and when he turned around, he caught Ramey ogling his mate.

“Hey, eyes are up here, sir.”

“I’m sorry, it’s just that—”

“Nah, just messing with you. I like your eyes on me.” Londyn’s own blues were dark with heat proving that Londyn was just as turned on as Ramey was by the show. It wasn’t just Londyn’s eyes giving away his arousal either.

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About the author:

Tina is a retired Air Force brat and has lived in several states as well as a handful of countries. She has always had a soft spot for literature and is a voracious reader. When she isn’t writing, she can be found cuddled up with a good book. Though Tina adores a thrilling novel with sappy lovesick heroes, she is terrified of things that go bump in the night. This makes for quite a complicated relationship with zombies, something that she just can’t get enough of.

Find the author at the following:

Facebook 
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tinablenke
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/tinablenke
Ello: tinablenke
eXtasy link: http://www.extasybooks.com/?route=product%2Fauthor&author_id=981
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7257278.Tina_Blenke
Tsu: https://www.tsu.co/TinaBlenke
Wordpress: http://tinablenke.wordpress.com/
Website: http://tinablenke.wix.com/author

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest:  Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: $25 Amazon Gift Card. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Prizes and links provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
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Tour Dates & Stops:

1-Apr

Cate Ashwood

Sinfully Addicted to All Male Romance

8-Apr

Carly’s Book Reviews

BFD Book Blog

15-Apr

Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words

Wicked Faerie’s Tales and Reviews

22-Apr

Up All Night, Read All Day

Hearts on Fire

Love Bytes

29-Apr

The Novel Approach

Velvet Panic

MM Good Book Reviews

6-May

Amanda C. Stone

Vampires, Werewolves, and Fairies, Oh My

Rainbow Gold Reviews

13-May

Divine Magazine

Molly Lolly

My Fiction Nook

20-May

Prism Book Alliance

Inked Rainbow Reads

A BJ Review: The Protector by Cooper West

Rating:  4 stars out of 5

The Protector coverGuardsmen teams comprised of a human Handler and a weredog Protector are rare and highly valued but also feared by some because of their unusual abilities. Protectors always die within a short period of losing their Handler. Except that Alex Taylor didn’t. He’s lived as a widower for three years after his partner’s death. The pairs normal bond in their teens or early-twenties, but Handler Marcus Stephanek, at twenty-six, is well past the age when most have bonded to their Protectors. He’s almost given up hope of ever fulfilling his destiny as a Handler when he meets and bonds with Alex. But Alex is still grieving over his previous Handler and unwilling to let Marcus into his heart. Unexplained murders and strange events seeming to surround Alex, but he doesn’t put two and two together until a friends’ life is on the line. Handler and Protector will need to learn to trust and accept their bond if they are to work together and survive.

Well-written and enjoyable read with a fascinating premise revolving around one of my favorite things… DOGS! The author created a captivating world where Guardmen pairs (Protector dog and Handler) live intertwined lives. The outstanding history behind this AU world was enthralling reading. Early on, I was sure that this would be an easy five star for me. Unfortunately, it lost a bit of ground when it came to building the relationship between Alex and Marcus.

As separate characters in the time before they bonded, I adored both Alex and Marcus. I was rooting so much for them to get together that I could hardly wait for it to happen. When they finally met, the initial bonding was nearly instantaneous and picture perfect—exactly what I’d craved. In the period after the initial bond though, I felt no chemistry between the pair coming through. With so many callous and uncaring actions on both side sprinkled liberally with lots of bickering, the storyline came across as lots of hurt and very little comfort. I wanted to see love grow between them, but I felt as if they were tearing each other apart.

The turnaround between the two men finally came, but by then it felt weak to me, more like an acceptance of their fate and a giving in to their need for one another than the thrilling tale of falling in love I’d hoped for after the initial build up at the beginning. It felt like compromise.

This AU world where dogs and men bonded was beyond awesome. Some well-developed and fun secondary characters added depth as well, but in the end, the MCs love story felt too weak to warrant a five star.

Cover art by Reese Dante who created a lovely cover with a gorgeous representation of the two MCs plus the Protector in his canine form.

Sales Links:  Dreamspinner Press      All Romance (ARe)         Amazon       Buy It Here


Book Details:

ebook, 250 pages
Published May 5th 2014 by Dreamspinner Press (first published May 4th 2014)
ISBN 1627984437 (ISBN13: 9781627984430)
edition languageEnglish
url http://www.cooper-west.com/

In the Spotlight: Annabelle Jacobs “The Altered” (excerpt and contest)

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The Altered by Annabelle Jacobs
Goodreads Link

STRW In The Spotlight Header
Release Date: April 9, 2015

STRW Author BookSynopsis

Twenty years ago the UK’s water supply was contaminated with an experimental pathogen, Lycanaeris, causing widespread panic across the nation. Terrorism was suspected but never proven, and when nothing happened–no epidemic, no unexplained illnesses–the whole episode was written off as an elaborate hoax. But Lycanaeris was selective. Only those of a certain age, and with a specific gene in their DNA were infected. Time would reveal the pathogen’s true nature, when those susceptible grew up Altered.

Daniel is one of thousands forced to hide his altered status by living a quiet life. He’s not like the others, though.

Daniel can’t help looking so distinctive or being able to see every altered for what they really are. To those abducting altereds, that skill makes him valuable.

For Jordan, shifting from human to wolf means living under the radar to avoid unwanted attention. Meeting Daniel complicates matters. Daniel’s existence is a threat to Jordan and his friends, but Jordan can’t seem to shake the strange connection between them. When danger threatens, there’s little time for Daniel and Jordan to work out their feelings before lives are at stake.

Pages or Words: 209 pages, 75,000 words

Categories: M/M Romance, Paranormal

STRW Spotlight Book Excerpt

He laughed at the joke Matt was in the middle of telling, chipping in for a bit and teasing him, and then he felt it again, creeping up the back of his spine like icy fingers. Daniel stayed perfectly still, suppressing his body’s natural reaction, and carefully turned to place his empty pint glass on the bar.

He let his gaze wander along to the end of the bar, past the couple he’d spotted earlier, and—

Bloody Hell.

He sucked in a sharp breath before he could stop himself. Usually he got a flash of images, depending on how much they’d been altered—claws, teeth, and fur if they changed fully, but never anything like this. One minute Daniel was looking at a tall dark-haired, really hot man, and in the blink of an eye he’d changed into a huge black wolf, fangs bared in a snarl—clearer than anything he’d seen before.

The image vanished almost as soon as it appeared, and the noise from the bar suddenly jarred Daniel back to his senses.

Fuck.

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Publisher: Annabelle Jacobs
Cover Artist: Natasha Snow

Sales Links:  Amazon US – Amazon UK

STRW Author Bio and Contacts

About Author Annabelle Jacobs:

Annabelle Jacobs lives in the South West of England with her husband, three rowdy children, and two cats.

An avid reader of fantasy herself for many years, Annabelle now spends her days writing her own stories. They’re usually either fantasy or paranormal fiction, because she loves building worlds filled with magical creatures, and creating stories full of action and adventure. Her characters may have a tough time of it—fighting enemies and adversity—but they always find love in the end.

Where to find the author:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ajacobsfiction
Facebook Author Page
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AJacobs_fiction
website: http://www.annabellejacobs.com

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Tour Dates & Stops: April 9, 2015

Parker Williams, Inked Rainbow Reads, Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, Cate Ashwood, Amanda C. Stone, Gaylist Book Reviews, Havan Fellows, Molly Lolly, Fangirl Moments and My Two Cents, Rainbow Gold Reviews, BFD Book Blog, Chris McHart, MM Good Book Reviews, 3 Chicks After Dark, The Hat Party, Lee Brazil, Bayou Book Junkie, Emotion in Motion, Divine Magazine, Carly’s Book Reviews

 

STRW Spotlight Contest Header

Contest: Enter to win a Rafflecopter Prize: Any book from Annabelle’s backlist. Must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Link and prizes provided by the author and Pride Promotions.

Rafflecopter Code:
a Rafflecopter giveaway