by Angela Smith | May 18, 2016 | Guests
Toward the Sound of Chaos By Carmen Jenner
Pages
Published: May 18, 2016
Published by: Carmen Jenner
Blurb:
Jake Tucker is broken. At twenty-two, he went into the Marine Corps a naïve, troubled youth. Nine years and four tours later, Jake finds himself back on US soil, though his mind remains firmly planted in the sands of Afghanistan with the men he left behind.
Wounded, chewed up and spat out by war, Jake has only his dog, Nuke, PTSD, and survivor’s guilt to keep him company. He’s lived every day for nine years wondering when it will be his last, but there’s little comfort in the fact that he’s still standing when his platoon isn’t.
Ellie Mason doesn’t have time for broken. She’s too busy trying to put food on the table. And keeping up with the demands of her autistic son, Spencer, is sometimes like fighting behind enemy lines. As if navigating the minefields of single parenthood isn’t enough, Ellie finds herself drawn to the quiet Marine who’s just as lonely as she is. But she’s loved damaged men before, and it left her wounded.
Set against the picturesque backdrop of Fairhope, Alabama, Ellie and Jake find themselves running toward the sound of chaos.
Love is war.
Only the strong survive, and surrender is inevitable.
Purchase Links:
Amazon US : AU : CA : UK
Meet Carmen Jenner~
Carmen Jenner is a thirty-something, USA TODAY and international bestselling author of the Sugartown, Savage Saints, and Taint series.
Her dark romance, KICK (Savage Saints MC #1), won Best Dark Romance Read in the Reader’s Choice Awards at RWDU 2015.
A tattoo enthusiast, hardcore MAC addict and zombie fangirl, Carmen lives on the sunny north coast of New South Wales, Australia, where she spends her time indoors wrangling her two wildling children, a dog named Pikelet, and her very own man-child.
A romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first … because what’s a happily ever after without a little torture?
Connect with Carmen~
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by Angela Smith | May 17, 2016 | Guests
The Guardian’s Wildchild by Feather Stone
277 Pages
Release Date: September, 2011
Publisher: Omnific Publishing
Blurb:
Caught in a reckless attempt to stop Dark forces, Sidney Davenport, a young, rule breaking, spirited member of the secret paranormal community of Guardians, finds herself imprisoned on a naval ship and slated for execution. Her struggle with the unfamiliar emotions of fear and anger becomes even more complicated when she can no longer fight her attraction to the very man who has orders to perform her execution.
Captain Sam Waterhouse, a meticulous naval captain who’s suspected of treason, teeters on a precipice between Darkness and Light. When he receives an unusual prisoner, a paranormal journey begins to unravel his disciplined life. All the while, humanity is unknowingly at great risk when two Dark forces team up to acquire control of an elusive power.
Sidney and Sam attempt to quiet their powerful feelings for each other, only to discover they can save each other, and in doing so, they might even save the world. Through stunning imagery, an intricate and adventurous plot, and a strong cast of characters, Feather Stone gives readers a fascinating glimpse into the future-a future that is chilling, yet full of hope.
Sam, walking on the edge, ready to dance with the devil if that what it takes to get his son’s back.
Excerpt:
Behind a massive desk, the captain sat stiffly in his chair. He glanced at Sidney, then gave an almost imperceptible nod to his lieutenant. His gaze shifted to Captain Butchart. A tense silence followed. It stirred Sidney’s reserves. She noticed Butchart’s breathing became shallow and his hand gripping her arm was sweating.
Neither Butchart nor Waterhouse spoke the usual words of greeting. The silence troubled Sidney. Finally, Waterhouse rose from his chair. “At ease,” he ordered. His voice was crisp and deep. “Frank, it looks like you’ve been rather busy.” He eyed Sidney’s tangled hair, filthy clothes, and bare feet. “Who or what have you delivered to the Nonnah?”
“Nothing you’ll have to be bothered with for long. She’s to be executed this evening. The details are on this file.” Butchart pulled out a memory rod from his tunic and tossed it onto the desk. “I’ll remain on board until after her execution.”
Waterhouse walked up to Butchart and smiled. “You want to watch, Frank? You’re short of blood on the naval base?”
Butchart snorted. “This is a special case. She’s quite dangerous.”
Waterhouse raised his eyebrows. “Is that so?”
Sidney sensed that under the military fiber of their equal rank something wanted to be unleashed. She felt it in Butchart’s tightening grip and saw it in Waterhouse’s dark eyes.
But she felt a warmth in him even though he held his mouth in a firm expression of cold indifference. While every cell of the ship’s captain screamed authority, she felt the word “safe” when she looked at him. And there was something more behind those eyes, something that reminded her of Greystone. But she had no energy to inspect his aura, was no longer able to focus for more than a few seconds at a time. The room’s floor swayed, and her mind began to drift. More and more, an adversary more lethal than Butchart took hold of her body.
Reviews:
“This book was very fast-paced and fun to read. The characters, especially Sam and Sidney, will remain memorable even after the reader closes the book. This book is recommended to young adults/adults.” ~ COMMON SENSE, AMAZON
“This such a sweet story, Stone does a fantastic job of enrapturing the reader into the world of Sidney, Sam and the Guardians. This book is full of love, fire, spirit and heart.” ~ LATOYA
“I was quite shocked with the vast array of character types in this novel. They were all well developed, letting you know who they really were, and meshed together into a group of people who definitely kept you on your toes. You get to know these characters so well that you feel like you’ve met them and that you’ve journeyed with them. You really feel for, and with, these wonderful people.” ~ PURE JONEL
Meet Feather Stone~
I remember the last day of high school. I had written my very last exam and said, “Thank God I don’t have to write any more exams.”
In truth, I’ve been tested every day of my life, in so many ways. Sometimes I still write exams, sometimes life tests my courage and endurance. That’s how it goes when you don’t want to spend your life sitting on the sidelines.
During my career as a paramedic I came face to face with scenes most people would rather not think about. Having experienced life in the most deadly and gut wrenching events, and work with the police service, I have the fodder for creating intense novels.
My passion is to take readers to a place they’ve never been before.
I’ve studied French, Japanese, Spanish and a bit of Cree and Ukrainian. I play the piano, accordion and guitar. I love to paint (oils and watercolours), knit, garden, hike, canoe, read and, most of all, I love my animals (currently two shelties, Sammy & Jade; and two cats, Leo and Smokey). I’ve raced snowmobiles and snowmobile in the Rockies in Canada and USA. My husband and I have survived a few terrifying experiences while travelling almost everywhere on this beautiful planet.
The paranormal has followed me since childhood. My journey has led me to incredible experiences during meditation, shamanic exercises, Reiki practice, and … a relationship with a variety of spirit guides. I manage to keep my feet firmly planted on the ground through loving my wonderful husband, my animals, and being with special friends.
Blessings to you. Blessings to this incredible planet.
Connect with Feather~
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by Angela Smith | May 16, 2016 | Guests
SEAL For Her Protection by Paige Tyler
SEALs of Coronado
106 Pages
Published: April 12, 2016
Published by: Paige Tyler
Blurb:
He saved her from the danger once before. Can he save her again, this time from danger he doesn’t even see coming?
When investigative journalist Hayley Garner is kidnapped by terrorists, she’s sure they’re going to kill her. But in sweeps handsome Navy SEAL Chasen Ward to rescue her. After getting her to safety, he disappears into the night before she can even thank him.
Weeks later, while covering a story on the local navy base, Hayley runs into Chasen again. Even though she didn’t see his face that night he rescued her, she can’t forget his beautiful blue eyes.
The attraction is immediate and intense, and Hayley finds herself falling into a fiery romance with the hunky hero out of her dreams. Guys like this aren’t supposed to really exist, but Chasen does, and damn is he hot.
But ever since she got back home, Hayley has had the feeling someone’s been watching her. Is it post-traumatic stress or does she have a reason to be afraid? Good thing she has a Navy SEAL to protect her.
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
She’d thought he’d be easy to find, but the place was SEAL hunk central, with an awful lot of the fit, attractive guys in attendance. While quite a few of them flashed charming grins in her direction, none of them had those unforgettable blue eyes she’d spent the past four weeks seeing in her dreams.
Her earlier assessment had been right. This was hopeless.
Sighing, Hayley turned to go in search of Brad instead and almost smacked right into the broad, muscular chest of a guy in blue camo. She stared at his uniform up close, absently wondering why the Navy wore blue camouflage. It wasn’t like they were ever going to be in a blue jungle. She glanced at the rank on his collar—noting the three chevrons of a petty officer first class—then the name tag sewn on the right hand side of his chest, noting his name—it said WARD—before lifting her head to apologize for practically mowing him down. But when her gaze met his, all she could do was stare. There couldn’t be two men on the planet with eyes that blue. She’d found the SEAL who’d saved her life.
“It’s you,” she breathed.
Okay, that definitely wasn’t the most intelligent thing she’d ever said out loud. But the SEAL smiled anyway, flashing the cutest pair of dimples her way. Hayley’s breath hitched. She’d tried to picture what he looked like ever since that night, alternating between Chris Hemsworth and Henry Cavill and finally settling on a combination of the two. She hadn’t even been close. Petty Officer Ward was even more gorgeous than she imagined. Taller than she was by nearly a foot, he had broad shoulders, dark hair, and a square jaw to go along with those mesmerizing eyes. Now, this was what a superhero should look like.
“It is,” he said. “I’m glad to see you’re doing well, Ms. Garner.”
She’d been so caught up in the memory of the captivating blue of his eyes she’d completely forgotten how sexy his voice was. The deep, rich tones caressed her, making her feel warm all over. Just like they had that night in Africa. Wow, this guy was pure sexy, wrapped in blue camo. She had a crazy urge to ask him to say something else—anything else—so she could hear that voice again.
“Call me Hayley, please,” she finally managed.
She offered him her hand, pulse skipping when he took it. Wow, he had really big hands. A little part of her mind whispered something about the significance of that, but she ignored it. Instead, she focused on the overall sense of strength seeming to pour off him in waves. Being this close to him and getting a chance to take in how tall and muscular he was reminded her of the way he’d picked her up and carried her so effortlessly that night—all while using a weapon.
Hayley had never thought of herself as the kind of woman who wanted to be swept off her feet by a guy, but right now she was thinking this man could carry her anywhere he wanted to.
Damn, this guy was seriously messing with her calm, cool journalist exterior.
“Chasen Ward,” he said.
Chasen. Unusual, but it fit him. Gorgeous name for a gorgeous guy. She wondered if the guy realized the kind of effect he likely had on every woman on the planet, especially the one standing right in front of him. Probably not, she guessed. Guys were usually clueless about that kind of stuff.
“How did things go over there?” she asked. “After you got me out, I mean.”
She cringed as soon as the words were out. Guess he hadn’t messed with her journalist mojo as much as she’d thought. Crap, now he’d think she was looking for a scoop. Nothing turned people off more than a nosy reporter.
But he merely nodded. The shade from the brim on his hat accentuated his chiseled features as he moved, making them seem even more angular.
“They went well,” he said. “My Team and I got back a few days ago as a matter of fact.”
Her inner Barbara Walters wanted to ask what else they’d done over there, but before she could decide if that was a good idea or not, two other Navy guys in blue camouflage sauntered over. Both petty officers second class, they were tall, well-built, and good looking.
“Hey, I know you,” the younger of the two men said with a trace of a Southern accent. Blond with brown eyes, he had that casual Channing Tatum-thing going on. “Though I hope you don’t mind me saying, you look a lot better now than you did the last time we saw you.”
Hayley frowned in confusion at the two men, sure she would have remembered if she’d met them before.
Chasen chuckled. “This is Dalton Jennings and Nash Cantrell. They were with me when we rescued you that night. You’ll have to forgive Dalton for being clueless. He’s taken several classes on how to be charming, but unfortunately, he keeps failing them.”
She laughed and shook hands with both men. Dalton looked so chagrined, she couldn’t help but take pity on him. “Don’t worry about it, Dalton. I’m well aware of how much of a mess I looked that night. Thanks for being there with Chasen and the rest of your Team.”
The SEAL visibly relaxed, giving her another grin. “No problem. Just doing our job, ma’am.”
Dalton might have failed out of charm school—according to Chasen at least—but there wasn’t a woman alive who wouldn’t swoon over that Southern drawl.
“I know it was hard to tell with all the gear we had on,” Dalton continued. “But I was the one doing this.”
Dark eyes suddenly intense, he struck an action hero pose, arms lifted as if he were holding an imaginary machine gun. On either side of him, Chasen and Nash snorted in unison.
“You mean you were the one nearly running into every wall around you because the batteries in your NVGs were dying.” Nash pointed out drily, his dark eyes filled with amusement.
Dalton considered that a moment, then dropped the pose and shrugged. “That might have been me.”
Hayley laughed, unable to help herself. They were both funny—and seriously cute—but she had to admit she was glad when they took off a little while later, leaving her alone with Chasen.
“How is your ankle feeling?” he asked as his buddies walked off toward the pavilion.
“Much better, thanks,” she said.
He looked down pointedly at her foot where it peeked out from under her long skirt. She’d tried not to make it obvious, but she’d been standing with all her weight on her good foot so she could give the injured one a rest. Chasen lifted a brow as if he saw through the little white lie.
Hayley gave him a sheepish look. “Okay, you caught me. It still hurts a little. But it really is much better. Thanks to you.”
“How’s that?”
“If you hadn’t gotten there in time, a messed-up ankle would have been the least of my worries. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for saving my life.”
That playful grin returned. “I’m more than ready to call it even if you consider going out to dinner with me.”
If Chasen were any other guy, Hayley might consider making him work a little harder for a date. But she’d been more than ready to go out with him since he’d loaded her on that helicopter over in Africa. Heck, there’d been a time or two when she’d woken up from an especially nice dream involving the Navy SEAL when she was ready to do a lot more than date the guy. Rip off his uniform and roll around on the floor with him being one thing that came to mind.
“Dinner sounds great,” she said, quite proud of her ability to maintain her composure.
“Friday night work for you?”
“Perfect.”
Hayley entered her number in his phone while he did the same with hers, then she gave him her address.
“I’ll see you at 1830 hours,” he said, then chuckled. “I mean, six-thirty.”
“I can’t wait,” she said, and meant it.
Touching his fingers to the brim of his hat in a casual salute, Chasen gave her another smile then strode off. Hayley let out a sigh as she watched him go. Damn, he made that blue camouflage uniform look good.
Meet Paige Tyler~
Paige Tyler is a NYT & USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic fiction. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog).
aige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kickbutt heroines who fall in love with them.
Connect with Paige ~
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by Angela Smith | May 15, 2016 | Guests
True Surrender by Tracey Cramer-Kelly
272 Pages
Published: November 27, 2013
Published by: Tracey Cramer-Kelly
Blurb:
When Major Aaron Bricewick is rescued from Afghanistan terrorists, he thinks the worst is over. But his personal journey is just beginning…
The first surprise is the amputation of his leg.
The second is the woman he left behind, now a widow with a 4-year-old son – and his new prosthetist (artificial limb maker).
He vows that losing his leg won’t derail his career. But maintaining his outward appearance as a got-it-together officer becomes increasingly difficult as he faces one personal demon after another – and sees his career aspirations slipping away. And though he has no intention of expanding his life to include a woman, his heart has other ideas – and he finds himself questioning the very foundation of his personal beliefs.
When violence – and unexpected redemption – touch his life again, Aaron must make a stand. Which will he choose: duty or love?
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
His bed was empty.
Impossible, she thought.
And then she saw him: motionless on the floor, a dark stain spreading underneath his body. A stain that she recognized instantly.
Blood.
Oh my God, the terrorists found him!
This first irrational thought was immediately followed by a more trained response. She assessed the situation in the few moments it took her to cross the room. She hit the button on the intercom system, identified herself and requested help.
She dropped to her knees next to Aaron. She spoke as she ran her hands across the back of his neck. “Aaron! Can you hear me?” As soon as she was certain he had no neck or spinal injury, she shook him gently. “Aaron, it’s Holly. Talk to me, Aaron.”
His arms snapped up, flailing for a moment before his good hand clamped onto her wrist—hard. His eyes were wide open, and in them she saw terror…confusion… pain…
They engaged in a macabre tug-of war as Holly stated repeatedly, “Aaron, it’s me—Holly. You’re okay. Take it easy.”
After what seemed like a long time, she saw recognition seep into his eyes. But then he shut them tight, and his body went limp. He released her wrists and dropped his hands over his face. “Go away,” he whispered, his chest heaving.
“I can’t do that, Aaron.”
“You shouldn’t see me,” he said. “Not like this.”
Unexpected tears stung her eyes.
“This isn’t who I am,” he rasped.
“You asked me to leave once already,” she said. “And I honored that request. Maybe I shouldn’t have. So please…”
She locked her eyes onto his, which were open again. Surely he could see that she was close to tears, but she didn’t care. “Don’t ask me to walk away again.”
Meet Tracey Cramer-Kelly~
I primarily write about wounded veterans, biker chicks, and famous people with secrets to hide. My writing draws from my experience as an Army Reserve paramedic as well as over 20 years of being a “biker chick” myself.
In addition to fiction, I also try to keep one toe in the music world, contributing vocals to several albums as well as releasing my own covers. I have even been known to produce a video or two! When I’m not writing or running the family motorcycle accessories business, I enjoy hanging out with my husband and kids, especially in the great outdoors.
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by Angela Smith | May 14, 2016 | Guests
The Rogue’s Prize by by Katherine Bone
The Nelson’s Tea Series; Book 2
256 Pages
Published: December 16, 2014
Published by: EsKape Press Publishing
Blurb:
An unlikely alliance earns Henry the ultimate prize…
Captain
Henry Guffald is no ordinary sea captain. A member of Nelson’s Tea, he’s been
ordered to rescue a comrade captured in Spain. The rescue is Henry’s last chance
to prove his loyalty to Admiral Nelson. Not so easy a task when the job entails
joining forces with a female pirate.
Lady
Adele Seaton would no sooner give up the call to rove than marry, contrary to
her father’s wishes. When news arrives that her brother has been captured in
Spain, Adele quickly develops a plan to rescue him and sets sail to intercept
the first royal navy ship she encounters. A brilliant tactician, she doesn’t
count on meeting her match in a navy captain bound and determined to outwit her
at every turn. Can a pirate be tamed?
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
“Captain! Captain!”
Henry spun on his heel at the frantic sound of his first mate’s voice. Lieutenant Lucas Winters rushed toward him, sword drawn, his hat askew, eyebrows fretfully knit together, his mouth set in a scowl. It was the same expression the man had worn when he’d forewarned the Dragon was being boarded by pirates. What the deuce was happening now?
Hair rose on the back of Henry’s neck. “Mr. Winters, what has you in such a state?”
Winters’ face turned ashen, and his eyes lit with feral purpose. “There’s a problem below, sir.”
“What kind of problem?” Dreading the answer, Henry drew his own sword.
“We’ve a breach, sir. Several of the prisoners have escaped.”
“Escaped?” he bellowed. His blood began to boil. “Out of an iron cage? How is that possible?”
“I don’t know, sir.”
“I gave strict orders the prisoners were not to be left unguarded.”
Enraged by the incompetence of his men, Henry followed Winters down the gangway to the next deck, hurrying as fast as his laborious gait allowed. Damn the useless appendage!
“Where are the guards?” His gaze traveled the length of the deck, finding it empty. “When I said not to let those pirates out of your sight, I meant it.”
“Your orders were carried out to the letter, sir. Still, this development—”
“What development?” he spat.
“This one.”
This strange, new voice knotted Henry’s gut. He stiffened.
Winters looked to Henry’s right. Taking his lead, Henry turned with his sword drawn, prepared for whatever fight would soon befall him. He heard a ping of clanging steel and felt a powerful weight thrust against his sword. He shifted back then stepped forward, lunging as the two blades chinked together, slicing the distance between captain and foe, creating sparks that fired, faded, and then sparked anew.
His opponent moved with lithe grace, whipping his cloak about him and then retreated just as Henry had gotten another foothold. Lurching forward, Henry challenged each lunge more aggressively than the last, taking note of his adversary’s skill. Tall and lean, the masked pirate thrust a gleaming weapon close to Henry’s shoulder then took a step near his side as he skirted around a wooden cask.
Sidestepping another advance, Henry moved forward, dipping low, using his good leg to support his retaliation. Yet again, his efforts were challenged with an agility that surprised him. Changing tactic, he spun on his good heel and brought his sword down in a thunderous swoop, carving wood as his quick-footed enemy dodged his thrusts with uncanny agility.
There was an odd familiarity about the way his opponent fought, a methodic grace he’d practiced with only one other. But that was impossible because that man was in Spain, waiting on the ransom Henry still had to acquire. Yet, the swift turn of his attacker’s wrist, the flexible maneuver of the arm, and the parry behind an arched back illustrated Garrick Seaton’s trademark thrust.
Another well-aimed lob ricocheted off of Henry’s blade, redirecting his thoughts, sparking the twilight with brilliant light. Alarmed, Henry doubled back, retreating toward the Dragon’s rails. His enemy marched toward him. Lightning flashed, momentarily blinding them. Henry took advantage, quickly taking the upper hand, settling his blade against his opponent’s breast bones.
“Tell your men to stand down.”
The pirate moved toward him, baiting him to slide the blade home. Was defeat so horrible a cost that death was a better option? Henry drew back his sword slightly so as not to draw blood. He didn’t want to kill the man, only glean what he could about the Black Belle, who captained it, and where it hailed from. Though he already suspected the truth. He also wanted to know how the vermin had escaped his brig.
His attacker moved menacingly forward again.
“Stay where you are, or I will be forced to drop you where you stand.”
“Surrender is not an option, Captain.”
Meet Katherine Bone~
I’m addicted to history and romance! Raised an Army brat, I had the great fortune to marry an officer and travel the world. After raising four children and putting down roots, the muse came calling with abandon, complete with swashbuckling adventure and mayhem.
And so, dear reader, it’s my greatest hope that my stories resonate with you and offer an escape you will always remember. For it’s never too late to turn pirate, eh?
If you’d like to follow my adventures on the literary seas, come aboard and sign up for my Rogues, Rebels & Rakes Newsletter.
Connect with Katherine~
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by Angela Smith | May 13, 2016 | Guests
Tangled Up In You by A.L. Vincent
Fleur de Lis Series; Book 1
258 Pages
Release Date: October 27, 2015
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Blurb:
Emily Breaux’s abusive, alcoholic husband keeps drinking away her dreams…
When he cleans out their bank account once too often, Emily packs her meager belongings and returns to her hometown of Bon Chance, Louisiana. Surrounded by the love and support of a group of old friends—collectively known as The Boonies—she’s determined to change her life and open her own catering company.
Contractor Noah Devereaux wants to help Emily rebuild more than just her family home…
Noah is an Iraq war veteran and fighting his own battle with PTSD, and he feels he has little to offer anyone. His nightmares and panic attacks leave him exhausted and on edge, yet he can’t help but find solace in Emily’s quiet presence.
Everyone has dreams, but it takes more than a wish to make them come true…
Emily struggles night and day to scrape together the money to start her business, but this doesn’t stop her friendship with Noah from blooming into something much more. He’s always there to cheer her on, and she’s his bit of tranquility for untangling his troubled mind.
It turns out starting over isn’t easy. Was coming back to Bon Chance a horrible mistake, a sign of failing to make it in the larger world?
But all her friends have returned as well, so maybe—just maybe—having the courage to go back to the beginning will prove the ingredients for a life of love and happiness have been waiting here all along…
Purchase Links:
*Available in Kindle Unlimited
Meet A.L. Vincent ~
A.L. Vincent is a teacher/writer who lives in the heart of Cajun Country. Born in Oklahoma, A.L. became fascinated with South Louisiana after reading Interview With the Vampire. Finally, she became a Cajun transplant in 2001. When not getting lost in a storyline, A.L. can be found cooking or enjoying live local music. A.L. has one son, and a furball of a dog aptly named Furby.
Connect with A.L.~
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by Angela Smith | May 11, 2016 | Guests
Dangerous Secrets by Abbie Zanders
Callaghan Brothers Series, Book 1
356 Pages
Published: November 20, 2014
Published by: Abbie Zanders
Blurb:
Two secret pasts… one passionate love story.
Taryn Malone is stranded, broke, and desperate for help. But even if the sexy bartender she’s been eyeing offers her a job for the evening… even if he seduces her with his impossibly intense blue eyes… even if every fiber of her heart tells her to stay with him… she can’t.
Because Taryn Malone doesn’t exist.
Jake Callaghan has been running the family’s Irish pub for years now. When he sees Taryn standing out alone in the rain, he does what he’s been trained to do as a SEAL – he rescues her. It has nothing to do with her full, firm curves, or her loose, golden-blonde hair, or the way she brushes against him that sends lightning bolts through his body. It’s just the right thing to do.
Really.
But both Taryn and Jake are hiding secrets from each other. Dangerous secrets. And neither one of them knows just how dangerous it can be to fall in love…
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
Taryn felt instantly at home in the Pub. She’d spent most of the last eight years working in one just like it. Unofficially, of course, but no one ever questioned it and that kind of thing had never really mattered to Charlie.
It gave her an idea.
It took some effort to get to the bar, but not all of it was unpleasant. With the level of noise and density of the ebullient crowd, Taryn quickly discovered the most effective method for making forward progress was a well-placed hand in a strategic location. By the time the men turned to see who had taken such liberties, Taryn had disappeared once again.
It was the younger guy who spotted her first. A brief raise of his eyebrows and a flickering glance toward the window was followed by a dazzling smile. “So she is courageous as well as beautiful,” he said, handing two filled mugs to the man on her right. “What’s your pleasure?”
Taryn returned his smile with one equally devastating. It was a skill she had mastered years earlier. She also let her eyes linger on his lips just a second longer than necessary as she ran her tongue lightly across her lip. Ian’s eyes flashed. Gotcha.
God bless the male sex, they were so easily baited. “You’re very busy tonight.”
“Yeah,” he agreed, leaning against the bar as if there weren’t two dozen people around her vying for his attention. “A little.”
“Looks like you could use another bartender.”
Ian’s grin widened. “You offering?”
“Oi, Ian,” called Jake. “What the – ” Jake stopped when he saw who had captured his brother’s undivided attention.
“She says she can help out behind the bar,” Ian informed him with a grin.
“Is that right?” Jake walked over, gathering a few orders along the way. “You tend?”
She nodded, her smile fading a little. This was the man who had pinned her with his gaze through the window. He was much bigger close-up. Definitely related to the younger guy, but infinitely more intense. Harder. She suppressed a shiver. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea after all.
* * *
The closer Jake got to her, the stranger he felt. He likened it to an electrical current flowing through his body, which, unfortunately, he had experienced. Comparatively speaking, this instance was much more pleasant.
Who had eyes like that? Layered, like a custom paint job. If he had to guess, he’d say her eyes were purplish with a couple of clear coats of smoky gray on top, the exact hue of the sky moments before a summer thunderstorm. It had to be a trick of the lights, though, because no one could actually have eyes like that. Thankfully, there was no trace of the haunted look he’d seen earlier, making him think he might have imagined it.
“What was that last order?” he asked, locking his blue gaze with hers.
“Excuse me?”
“The last order I took. What was it?” He fixed her with a level gaze.
“Oh, come on, Jake,” began Ian, but Jake ignored him.
The woman took a breath. He knew, because his eyes were drawn to the subtle rise and fall of the nicely-endowed chest peeking through that jacket.
“Two pints of Killian, one Irish coffee, a Baileys and cream no ice, and two fingers of Grey Goose with a splash of lime.”
The corners of Jake’s mouth twitched. “What’s the secret to pulling a good draft?”
She appeared to consider his question for a moment, then leaned forward. Jake mimicked the movement, putting his ear within inches of her lips. Even with all the noise, Jake had no trouble hearing her low, quiet-toned answer. “Giving it just the right amount of head.”
The twitch became a full-fledged grin.
It was a crazy idea. Jake didn’t tolerate just anybody behind his bar. But he was desperate. Plus, for some strange reason, he liked the idea of having her back with him instead of out in the rowdy crowd. Quite a few of the men were already looking at her as if she was a tasty snack. He rationalized the impulse by telling himself he wasn’t doing it for her or even him, for that matter; having someone like that behind the bar was simply good for business.
“Right,” he said. “You’re hired. Get your ass back here.”
The smile she gave him lit up the entire room, but it quickly faded when she tried to move. He understood the problem immediately: to get where he was, she would have to cross the length of the long bar and around the other end, which, given the current mob, would take about half an hour. She looked at him helplessly.
“Oi, Big John!” Jake barked. “A little help for my new barmaid, please.”
A huge, bearded man shifted next to her; plate-sized hands circled her waist and she was suddenly suspended over the bar. A host of cheers and catcalls went up in the immediate vicinity as Jake grabbed her out of the air and brought her down on the other side.
Jake was stricken by yet another strange sensation as his hands closed around her waist. It was like hitting the sweet spot on a baseball bat, or releasing the perfect three-point shot, knowing it was going to be a total swish without even having to look. And his thumbs didn’t skim the underside of her breasts. They didn’t. Because if they did, he’d have to think about how full and firm they were against his fingers, and that would be bad…
Meet Abbie Zanders~
Abbie Zanders was born and raised in Northeastern Pennsylvania, USA. With degrees in Computer Science and Mathematics, she has worked for more than twenty-five years as a software engineer, designing and writing financial applications, though she has also held second jobs as a deli clerk, pub waitress, restaurant baker, and secretary. She has been crafting stories since elementary school, though she has only recently decided to start sharing them with others. She is a very busy wife, mother of three teenagers (including a set of identical twins). Besides being an avid reader and writer, she also loves animals (especially big dogs), classic muscle cars, and 80’s hair bands.
Connect with Abbie~
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by Angela Smith | May 10, 2016 | Guests
Her SEALed Fate by Lori Ryan
Sutton Capital Series; Book 7
217 Pages
Published: September 14, 2015
Published by: Cara Shannon
Blurb:
He thought he left the battlefield behind.
Logan Stone should be happy. More than happy, in fact. He’s Sutton Capital’s newest executive, working side-by-side with Samantha Page, the sexy, brilliant woman of his dreams. He’s no longer overseas in the line of fire fighting for his country and his brothers-in-arms as a Navy SEAL. But Logan is fighting a different kind of battle; one no one realizes he’s in. While he’s focused on managing his PTSD, something much more sinister enters his world and he must battle to save Samantha’s life and their growing love.
With all the heart stopping action and heartwarming romance NY Times bestselling author Lori Ryan has come to be known for, this stand-alone installment to the Sutton Capital Series won’t disappoint romantic suspense readers and fans!
Her SEALed Fate is book seven in the Sutton Capital Series, but it can be read as a stand alone novel.
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
“You know I like you, right?”
Okaaaaay. Not exactly what Logan expected to hear from Chad Thompson, head of Sutton Capital Security and Jack’s best friend and cousin. Logan glanced over at the big man standing next to him and frowned. They’d gotten to know each other over the past few months, since Chad and Zach were friends, but he had no interest in talking about Chad’s feelings. And, Chad hadn’t really struck him as the touchy feely type. The man had been an Army Ranger and he was built like a tank. He didn’t scream big giant teddy-bear.
“Uh, sure.” Logan took a step to the side, inching away from Chad. There was an odd glint to the man’s eyes.
“I’m just saying, I like you,” Chad said and then let his gaze move to where Logan’s had been moments before. Across the room, Sam stood talking to some of the other women who worked at Sutton. “But, it needs to be said, if you mess with Sam, I won’t hesitate to implement a few of the more interesting techniques for dismembering bodies I’ve got tucked away.”
Andrew Weston, Sutton Capital’s Chief Financial Officer, and the third in the trio of best friends who ran Sutton and owned the majority of its shares, sidled up on the other side of Logan. He sipped what looked to be whiskey or bourbon of some kind from a glass.
“Here, here,” he said quietly, raising his glass in a toast.
Logan rolled his eyes. “It’s not that I don’t appreciate the sentiment, gentlemen, and let me assure you, I have no intention of messing with her, but please. Don’t delude yourselves into thinking you can take me. Need I remind you of the fact that you’ve been out of the action for, what, ten years Chad?”
Logan had to admit, the conversation might have turned a tad juvenile after that, with he and Chad throwing insults at one another under their breath. Andrew cheered one side or the other on as the mood seemed to strike him. It didn’t have to be said that Logan had heard the warning and respected it. They loved Sam like a kid sister. Logan might be unreasonably attracted to her, but he was very well aware that his head was in the wrong damn place to be starting anything with a woman. Especially a woman like Sam. One who mattered. Given the fact that he wasn’t even sure he should be walking around civilized people instead of locked up in a hospital somewhere talking about his feelings, he wasn’t relationship material.
Jack joined the men where they stood still debating the training and prowess of the SEALs teams versus that of the Army Rangers. All three men laughed when Jack opened with: “So, Logan, you know I like you right?” as his eyes cut across the room to Sam.
Logan shook his head. “Yeah, yeah. I got it. You’ll kill me in new and interesting ways. We’ve covered it. Chad’s most recent plan includes fileting me from head to toe and Andrew has promised to bring salt to the party.”
“Hey, I said salt and margaritas,” Andrew said with a grin.
Jack laughed. “I thought we’d take you out on the boat, chum the waters, and see if a SEAL could swim faster than a shark.”
Logan had to grin at the creativity of the men who stood laughing around him. He saw Sam glance toward their group and his smile stilled. What the hell. He might as well be honest with these guys and let them know they had nothing to worry about.
“Listen, Samantha Page may very well be one of the sexiest creatures to walk the earth, but I’m not planning on dating her. You guys don’t have to—” And, that’s where he broke off, because he’d just watched Sam’s eyes go wide and round with surprise, as though she’d understood every word he’d said. Every damn word.
“Jack. Would Samantha by any chance happen to read lips?” Logan didn’t take his eyes off Sam as he asked the question, and she seemed to choke on her drink as he asked the question.
Jack could hardly speak and Andrew and Chad seemed to be completely useless as they laughed at his blunder.
“Sure does,” Jack finally said as Logan continued to stare at a now red Sam across the room. “Why do you think she sits in on every negotiation I go to? Real handy trick.”
Of course it is.
Meet Lori Ryan~
Lori Ryan is a NY Times and USA Today bestselling author who writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. She lives with an extremely understanding husband, three wonderful children, and two mostly-behaved dogs in Austin, Texas. It’s a bit of a zoo, but she wouldn’t change a thing.
Lori published her first novel in April of 2013 and has loved every bit of the crazy adventure this career has taken her on since then. She is a hybrid author, publishing both as an indie author and through SilverHart Publishing. She also has a new side hobby of creating coloring books for adults! Lori loves to connect with her readers.
Follow her on Facebook or Twitter or subscribe to her blog. Oh, and if you’ve read Lori’s books and loved them, please consider leaving a review with the retailer of your choice to help other readers find her work as well! It’s a tremendous honor to have her work recommended to others or written up in reviews. Lori promises to do a happy dance around her office every time you write one!
You can join Lori’s newsletter and get a FREE starter pack of her books on her website and follow her on Facebook and on Twitter.
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by Angela Smith | May 9, 2016 | Guests
Wed to a SEAL by Cat Johnson
Hot SEALs Series
180 Pages
Published: April 12, 2016
Published by: Cat Johnson
Blurb:
In his career as a Navy SEAL, Rocky Mangiano has been called a Jersey boy, and a Yankee, and a few other choice names he shouldn’t repeat in mixed company, but never in his life has anyone called him daddy.
If the bundle of joy he finds on the doorstep is any indication, things are about to change and he has no clue what to do about it.
When the baby’s single mother enters the picture things get even more crazy, but given the fringe benefits that come along with the complications of their marriage of convenience, Rocky’s not complaining. Not one little bit.
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
The distant sound of the doorbell ringing filtered out to the deck. Rick leaned forward in his chair and peered through the sliding glass door. “Who the hell could that be? Chris and Brody couldn’t be back in town yet, and everybody else is already here.”
Jon shrugged. “Maybe Darci or Ali asked somebody from work.”
“Or maybe it’s Grant. You said you called him too, right?” Thom reminded Rick.
“Yeah, I did. But he was having trouble getting the wife onboard with the plan.” Rick hoisted his large frame from the chair and stood. “I guess we’ll soon find out.”
“Rick!” Darci’s shout came from inside the house. “Get in here. Now!”
“What the hell is wrong with her?” Rick drew his brows low as he moved to open the door.
Rocky watched Rick go into the house, curious but not enough to get him out of his chair. It seemed the other guys felt the same. Jon and Thom stayed put as well.
“What the hell?” That exclamation from Rick propelled the men into action.
They all stood at once. Jon was the first to get to the door. He stopped dead, blocking Thom and Rocky’s entry and their view.
“Holy shit. Whose is that?” At Jon’s question, Rocky couldn’t take it any longer.
He edged past the blockage and finally got a look past Jon at what all the cursing was about.
A car seat containing a baby sat in the center of the dining room table. And surrounding the table were three very unhappy looking women.
Darci crossed her arms. “That’s exactly what I’d like to know.”
“Zane’s maybe?” Rick lifted one shoulder. “He was a real dog before he got together with Missy.”
The usually lovely and perfectly composed Sierra Cox, who’d Rocky had never seen up close and personal before, didn’t look as if she was buying it.
“One problem with that theory. Zane doesn’t live here,” Sierra pointed out.
Darci nodded. “But you do, Rick.”
Uh oh. It looked like Rick was in big trouble as both his girlfriend and his sister presented a united front against him.
Rick stood his ground and leveled a gaze at his girlfriend. “The problem with that circumstantial evidence is that before you I lived like a monk. So no, it’s not mine.”
Darci glanced at Sierra. “That is true. He like never dated. Ever.”
Rick scowled. “Thanks, Sis. And might I remind you that you live here too? Maybe this is about you.”
Darci lifted a brow. “I think I’d know if I had a baby, Rick.”
“I didn’t mean you. I’m talking about Chris.”
Rocky watched wide-eyed as Rick threw Chris Cassidy, Darci’s boyfriend, under the bus.
He’d worked with Chris on this last op in Nigeria. He was a good man and all evidence indicated he’d been a good SEAL before he’d retired and joined Jon’s team on GAPS.
Darci visibly paled at her brother’s accusation. Meanwhile the baby, already squirming in the seat, began to wail. The noise only seemed to ramp up the tension in the room.
Rocky didn’t feel right standing by silently. If Chris’s friends and former teammates didn’t defend him, he would. “Hey, now. Let’s not make any assumptions. Chris isn’t here to defend himself.”
No one made a move toward the baby and the screaming went on. It probably went on for less than a minute but it felt like an eternity. A crying baby was one of those sounds that grated on the nerves pretty fast.
Finally Jon’s girlfriend Ali stepped forward. “For goodness sake. If no one is going to pick up the poor child, I will.”
Instinct and training kicked in for Rocky. The enemy wouldn’t think twice about wiring a baby seat to explode.
He took one step forward. “No!”
Almost simultaneously, Jon shouted, “Ali, don’t!”
Rick ran for Sierra and shoved both her and Darci into the kitchen as Thom threw both forearms up to shield his own face.
All of them had to be thinking the same thing.
They’d all been in too many hellholes in the world where US forces would go to investigate a body or help a person, only to be blown to bits when they got close.
Heart pounding, Rocky watched Ali release the buckle and slide her hands beneath the crying baby’s arms.
The whole scene seemed to move in slow motion. She lifted the baby from the car seat before Jon got to her.
Seconds ticked by in the surreal way they do when adrenaline is pounding through the bloodstream during a crisis. But the explosion never came.
Ali frowned at Jon. “What’s wrong with you?”
“Get into the other room.” Jon shoved Ali and the baby toward the kitchen doorway, where Rick had already pushed Sierra and Darci.
Once she was clear of the immediate area, Jon bent low to peer beneath the car seat on the table. Rocky stepped forward to join him.
Sad but true, the innocent-looking baby seat could be wired with explosives. The fact they were standing in Rick’s dining room in Virginia in the good old United States didn’t matter. ISIS was here in America. That was a proven fact.
“What do you think?” Rocky asked Jon.
“Hell if I know.” Jon glanced up to Thom. “Get over here. You have kids. You’re the only one who knows what this thing is supposed to look like.”
Thom stepped forward and bent low too, the three of them squinting at a contraption that looked innocuous enough—to a person who hadn’t spent the last decade of their life searching for threats around every turn and beneath every rock.
Darci peeked past Rick’s bulk as he blocked the women in the kitchen. “You guys are ridiculous.”
Rick scowled. “Darci, be quiet and let us figure out what’s going on.”
“How about you read that note that fell out of the blanket when Ali picked up the baby? Maybe it will give you men folk a clue while us helpless women hide in the kitchen.”
Darci’s statement about a note had Rocky tearing his gaze away from the seat. He searched the area beneath the table. Sure enough a paper was resting on the carpet by Jon’s feet.
Jon bent to pick it up. He lifted a brow and then glanced up. “Rocky?”
“Yeah?”
“It seems this delivery is for you.”
Rocky’s eyes flew wide. “What?”
Thom leaned closer to Jon to inspect the paper. “Yup. Says Rocky right there on it, plain as day. Dude, what have you been doing?”
Meet Cat Johnson~
It all started in first grade when Cat Johnson won the essay contest at Hawthorne Elementary School and got to ride in the Chief of Police’s car in the Memorial Day Parade…and the rest, as they say, is history.
As an adult, Cat generally tries to stay out of police cars and is thrilled to be writing for a living. She has been published under a different name in the Young Adult genre, but released her first romance in 2006.
Today, she is a NY Times & USA Today best-selling, award-winning author of contemporary romance and contracted with Kensington and Samhain Publishing. She’s also sponsored real live bull riding cowboys.
Connect with Cat~
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by Angela Smith | May 8, 2016 | Guests
Embrace the Night by Caridad Pineiro
Take A Chance Series; Book 6
56 Pages
Published: November 11, 2015
Published by: Caridad Pineiro
Blurb:
For the first time in nearly two years he felt normal again . . .
Army brat Zack Taylor had spent his early life going from one place to the next, losing his home and friends with every move until he decided it was just easier to be alone. Despite that, Zack has no hesitation in following in his father’s footsteps and going the ROTC route for college. He has no hesitation in going back for his wounded team members after they are attacked during a mission. His dedication to his men nearly cost him his life when a nearby explosion wounds him and shears off part of his leg. For the last two years, Zack has been rebuilding his life and finding out that being a loner is no fun. Especially not when he’s caught the eye of sexy Samantha Whittaker whose gaze is filled with passion, laughter, and the shadows of pain.
She is fighting hard to ignore the obvious invitation in his determined gaze . . .
Lieutenant Commander Samantha Whittaker is just not interested in getting involved. At least not until she can deal with the wounds left behind by her stint as a prisoner of war. Physically and mentally abused, it has taken her years to find some stability and independence in her life. Giving in to the much younger and enticing Army vet will
challenge that hard won freedom. But Zack’s persistence and caring are wearing her down until she considers that maybe it’s time to embrace all that he can offer, even if it’s only for one night of passion.
Buy Links:
Excerpt:
Chapter 1
Zack Taylor sped across the waves, fighting for balance atop the surfboard. Awkward at first, but gaining stability as he adjusted his legs into a wider stance and bent his knees.
He rode the wave as far as he could and then kicked out, sending the board flying in one direction while he sank into the cool water. As he rose to the surface, the familiar pull of the leash registered on his leg and he swam toward the board so he could climb back on.
Grabbing the rails of the board, he slid across the surface, but thumped one edge with his prosthetic leg as he struggled to get on. The surfboard swayed side-to-side with the sudden imbalance before he steadied it.
A little shaky, but it felt awesome to finally be able to go surfing again.
It almost felt like flying, he thought as he paddled out to wait for another set of waves.
Surfing was one of the few things he’d missed when his family had moved from place to place during his dad’s Army service. He had picked up the sport when his dad had been stationed close to the Delaware beaches and he’d kept surfing any time that their latest deployment had been near the ocean.
Even during his tours of duty, he would find a way to surf if a beach was nearby. There was something about the ocean and its vastness with which he identified. Sitting there, in that great aloneness, waiting for just the right wave, suited him.
As an Army brat, he’d been alone for most of his life. Except for family, of course.
It had just been too difficult to make friends and then lose them every time his dad transferred to a different base.
Surfing had gifted him with something else: Patience.
He’d learned it was far better to bide his time to earn a perfect ride then hurry up and wipe out in a bad wave.
When he reached the spot where a few other surfers waited for the next set, he sat up and straddled the board, his legs dangling over the edge. Well, his one leg and three quarters of his left with the durable prosthetic. He floated there, enjoying the warmth of the sun and the wash of the water all around him.
Enjoying life and appreciating just how fragile it could be.
It had taken him a long time to get to this point. To get past the pain and anger at his loss and be thankful that it hadn’t been worse. To be grateful for the path on which he’d been set that had brought him here.
He gazed back toward the shore and to the growing crowd of people on the beach. He could make out his boss and friend Mark Smith and his wife Bridget as Mark hauled the volleyball equipment down to the sand. Following them like baby ducks chasing after their mother were another group of his friends. His work buddy and former Navy Seal Rafe Castillo and his wife Elena. Marine Lieutenant Trevor Mason and Maggie Sullivan, Bridget’s younger sister, visiting again from New York City.
His friends.
It was weird to say that after the many years that he hadn’t had any.
And he knew that chances were that Samantha would be joining them soon.
Lieutenant Commander Samantha Whittaker.
She’d snared his attention the very first time he’d joined Mark and his wife at one of these gatherings and later again at the other parties held by the many veterans who lived along this stretch of the Jersey Shore.
He’d be lying if he said that it had been anything other than a rockin’ hot bod and stunning face that had made him take notice the first time. But it hadn’t taken him long to see past her beauty to the strong and smart woman inside. One who laughed often, but whose gaze was shadowed by pain.
He wondered a lot about what had put the darkness there and what would drive it away.
He also wondered if he’d misread something else in that gaze: Desire.
He thought he’d seen it after the first couple of times that they’d talked. A hesitant half glance and that look that said she maybe wanted more, but was afraid to say so.
Which puzzled him considering the kind of woman she was.
Independent. Determined. Capable.
Ex-Navy, she was now in the Coast Guard and used to dealing with men on all levels.
He’d thought she’d be a little more direct about what she wanted.
But then again, maybe he could be a little more direct as well.
He wanted to get to know her better. Emotionally. Physically.
The latter thought made his gut twist painfully.
He glanced down at lefty and wondered what she would think when she realized. How she would handle the revelation. Would she not care or shy away?
Fuck that, he thought.
Today was going to be a day for firsts.
His first time surfing in two years.
His first time asking a woman out since he’d been wounded.
Maybe even another first if they hit it off.
A man could dream after all, he thought and as the ocean surged beneath him, he flattened onto the board and paddled into the wave.
As he caught it just right, he popped to his feet and flew toward shore, smiling all the way.
Meet Caridad Pineiro~
NY Times and USA Today Bestseller Caridad Pineiro is a Jersey Girl who writes romantic suspense, military romance, contemporary romance, paranormal romance, and vampire suspense.
Caridad loves to travel, cook, and spend time with family & friends. Caridad is the author of nearly 50 novels/novellas. Caridad writes dark and sexy novels and novellas for those who live to love on the edge. Her sweet, but still naughty side, Charity Pineiro, writes contemporary romances packed with emotion and humor.
You can also find her here:
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by Angela Smith | May 7, 2016 | Introspective
Embattled Hearts by JM Madden
Lost & Found Series; Book 1
262 pages
Published: December 13, 2013
Published by: J.M. Madden
Blurb:
John Palmer hasn’t felt like a real man since he was injured during combat in Iraq. Though not content with his new life, he is mostly adapting, just like the other vets at the Lost ‘N’ Found Investigative Service. When Shannon Murphy is hired on as the new office manager, life suddenly gets a lot more interesting. Before long, John finds himself wondering if he could ever be the kind of man Shannon needs.
Shannon Murphy wasn’t really looking for love when she hired on at LNF, but finds herself hopelessly attracted to the sex-on-wheels former Marine, John Palmer. The man is grumpy and nearly impossible to work with, but his brand of masculinity appeals to her on a basic level. Soon Shannon is wondering just what it would take for John to want her the way she wants him.
When an old enemy tries to settle a vendetta against Shannon, John insists on protecting her. He moves into her house, fanning the spark of attraction into a blaze. But the danger continues to escalate. Will the connection that they’ve found survive when they’re thrust into a fight for their lives?
Purchase Links:
Excerpt:
The Texans stood to make their goodbyes, and John pulled his attention back, glancing at his watch. He was eager to leave Duncan’s office and join Shannon for lunch. As often as he could he tried to join her in the break room. Even such casual contact calmed him, and made him appreciate relating to another person. They didn’t talk about anything in particular. For the most part, Shannon carried the conversation, and he was content to just sit and listen. And wonder. It sounded like she had an interesting life, with her animals and her family, and the house she’d moved into last year. Totally different than his own boring day-to-day routine. She didn’t badger him with questions about what had happened to his legs or try to dance around his disability. The only time she hesitated was when she told him she jogged occasionally. He knew by the reaction on her face that his own must have reflected a crushing desire to feel the hot asphalt beneath his pounding feet. Smiling softly, she had left the table, but not before she rested her hand gently on his shoulder. “Believe me,” she told him softly, “you’re probably faster in that chair than I’ll ever be on my feet. Maybe you can join me sometime.”
And, just that easily, she made one of his greatest losses just a bit easier to bear.
He powered out of Duncan’s office. He didn’t care if he was abrupt. They usually shook their heads at him no matter what he did.
Shannon wasn’t at her desk when he rolled by, nor in any of the other offices down the hallway. His heart began to pound as he pulled up to the break room door and looked in the half window. There she was. Laughing and gesturing with her hands to Roger Stottsberry, one of the Night detectives. Roger had been coming in every Friday for Shannon’s lunch since she started the practice. And John didn’t blame him. When not at the agency, it seemed he just sat at home and stared at the walls. There was only so much brainless TV you could watch before you slowly went insane. It was hard to go out in public, both physically and mentally, and these offices had turned into a haven for the men who worked here. Duncan had let them convert one of the empty offices into a multi-purpose room, with a couple of bunks in one corner in case somebody needed to crash. There was also exercise equipment and a TV and game system on the opposite wall to help them relax. The refrigerator was always stocked with easy, microwaveable foods. John found himself occupying that room more and more. As did a lot of the other guys.
Every week the shift teams—Day, Night and Graveyard— got together for some kind of tournament, be it darts or Jeopardy or anything they could think of to be competitive. It built camaraderie between the teams and was a great way to blow off steam. At first they’d tried to separate into whichever branch of the military they’d been discharged from, but because there were so many more Marines than any other branch, it hadn’t always worked out.
He rolled through the break room door and was immediately warmed by Shannon’s broad smile. Any aggravation she felt earlier in the day had apparently faded away. The tension in his own body eased.
“I was just telling Roger about my niece naming one of my kittens Boohini. I had called him Houdini because he kept getting out of wherever I put him, and somehow she changed it around to Boohini.”
That was kind of cute, and he chuckled along with them, before he wheeled around the table to the large Crockpot on the counter. His mouth watered before he even lifted the lid. Shannon’s food was phenomenal. But by the time he got his meatball sandwich made and situated on his lap for the return trip, Shannon had gathered up her things to leave. He almost dropped his plate as she stretched behind herself for a cola, her luscious breasts outlined by the cloth of her peach-colored sweater. Man, she looked nice in that sweater. Dragging his gaze away, he situated himself at the table. She plunked the cola in front of him, threw her stuff away and told the men goodbye.
He watched intently until she disappeared down the hallway, curvy hips swinging.
Roger had his head tilted to one side, and his dark brown eyes were squinted in laughter. “Oh, so it’s that way, huh?”
John picked up his sandwich. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
The former Marine laughed and slapped his leg with his good hand. The molded right hand rested on the table, currently immobile. John admired Roger, because his amputated arm had been replaced with a state-of-the-art prosthetic that was actually wired into the nerves of his arm. It was truly a wonder to watch, because it was so lifelike. Even the skin tone was incredibly close to Roger’s dark walnut color. It was seriously cutting-edge stuff. There were military medical trials going on with paraplegics and quadriplegics using stem cells and spinal implants, but John had chosen not to participate in them. If he’d had a family, maybe it would have been a different story.
Roger had leaned down to try to catch his eye.
“What, damn it?” John shoved his plate away and sat back in his chair, ready to fight. Adrenaline coursed through his veins, disproportionate to the situation.
Roger held up his hands before sitting back in his own chair. “I didn’t mean anything by it. I think Shannon is a great girl. Why do you think I get myself out of bed so early every Friday?”
John narrowed his eyes and tried to breathe deeply. Was Roger interested in her like he was? He could understand some women would be attracted to him. The man wasn’t bad looking, even with the shrapnel scars covering one side of his face and the prosthetic forearm.
And Roger at least had legs.
“I didn’t realize you had a claim on her.”
“I don’t,” John grumbled. That was the whole problem in a nutshell. He had no claim on her. He didn’t even know if he wanted to claim her. Yeah, she turned him on, but what could he offer her? Certainly nothing long-term. What would an active, vibrant woman like her want with a broken man like him?
John tried to think of other things as he finished his sandwich, and ignore the ache in his chest.
Meet JM Madden~
NY Times and USA Today Bestselling author J.M. Madden writes compelling romances between ‘combat modified’ military men and the women who love them. J.M. Madden loves any and all good love stories, most particularly her own. She has two beautiful children and a husband who always keeps her on her toes.
J.M. was a Deputy Sheriff in Ohio for nine years, until hubby moved the clan to Kentucky. When not chasing the family around, she’s at the computer, reading and writing, perfecting her craft. She occasionally takes breaks to feed her animal horde and is trying to control her office-supply addiction, but both tasks are uphill battles. Happily, she is writing full-time and always has several projects in the works. She also dearly loves to hear from readers! So, drop her a line. She’ll respond.
Connect with JM~
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by Angela Smith | May 6, 2016 | Introspective
Till Death Us Do Part by Cristina Slough
358 Pages
Published: December 29, 2015
Published by: Limitless Publishing
Blurb:
The fateful day Mimi Marcus has dreaded begins with a phone call…
The wife of a U.S. Marine, Mimi spent countless nights worried that her husband Joel would fall in the line of duty. He had fought valiantly and served his country with honor. That’s exactly what they tell her when they deliver the news—Joel was taken by the enemy in Afghanistan. Her husband is dead.
In desperate need of closure, Mimi travels to the one place Joel still has ties—The Marcus Ranch in Texas, inherited by his handsome younger brother Austin.
New beginnings are only an illusion…
The closer Mimi grows to the Marcus family, the more she considers it home. But when suspicions of Joel’s past surface, Austin refuses to disclose family secrets—even to his brother’s widow. It’s only by accident she uncovers evidence of Joel’s tainted past. Devastated by his lies and betrayal, she slowly opens up to Austin, and together they unfold layers of pain and grief.
Mimi is sure she’ll never love again, but is Austin the man to prove her wrong? Then the unthinkable happens…
Just as Mimi finds new hope in a future with Austin, Joel returns home from war. Enraged, traumatized, and teetering on the edge of insanity, Joel confesses to a history of deception, revealing yet another secret—this one too terrible to forgive.
In an awful twist of fate, Joel proves marriage vows are made to be honored.
No matter what.
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Excerpt:
She took the palm of her hand and wiped her face. “You don’t mean that.” She paused and looked at him. “Do you?”
“Yes, this is so fucked up Mimi. You don’t belong to me. You belong to him.”
“But…God, Austin, I don’t know what the hell I’m thinking or feeling.”
“I don’t care. The truth is, I got caught up in everything with you. I felt sorry for you; I pitied you.”
“Austin stop,” she cried “You don’t mean that.”
“Mimi, I do. The truth is. You were my final up-yours to my dear brother.”
“You’re lying.”
He took his hands out of his jean pockets and placed them on her sunken shoulders and looked firmly into her eyes. “Yes I do. Everything I told you about loving you was a lie. And this, what we had was nothing but revenge. Joel played it well, the son of a bitch. He even cheated death. Now get your goddam bags packed and get the hell out of my life.”
She jolted back, falling out of his grip.
Austin stood in silence after the hard slap connected across his left check; it caught his lip, making it bleed. She turned on her heel and ran away, her long hair flowing in the breeze behind her.
He stood there for a second, but it seemed like an hour. He walked a little, and then for the first time in his adult life, he cried.
The digital clock read 2 am. He gazed out of the window. The sky was tar-black, the large clouds gathered fast and furiously. Soon, the gentle specs of rain flicked against the window. As it grew heavier, the tarmac on the car-park soon turned into a black river. He saw a man quicken his pace and slip into a beaten old truck. He opened the door, letting the rain fall on him, drenching through his clothes. He moved out into the stormy weather, needing to wash away the hurt that lay inside him.
He remembered having this feeling once before, after the death of his father. It was then that the divide between him and his brother had become even greater. It had torn them apart, ripping them at the seams. Austin had stolen Joel’s father, and now he was taking his wife. He had no control over the first time, but he swore that he wouldn’t let Austin win this time.
Blood pounded in his ears; he was still at war, but this time with himself.
Meet Cristina Slough~
Novelist, movie addict, and animal lover, Cristina Slough is the author of: Till Death Us Do Part, her debut novel.
Cristina has always been a bookworm, rarely seen without a pen and paper in her hand, she loves delving into a literary fictional world of her own.
At the age of 11, her junior school teacher told her mother that she would be wasting her life if she didn’t become an author. Throughout her teenage years and beyond, her parents spurred her on to keep writing. She later began a career in commercial real estate, working in London’s West End, a corporate bubble where she was unable to fuel her passion to write.
It was on her Californian honeymoon in 2012 that the bug to write was becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. After visiting Yosemite National Park she was inspired by the natural beauty of the land that surrounded her. Holding a special place in her heart, Yosemite would later be written into her debut novel.
She finally gave up the ‘big smoke’ when her son, Lucas, was born in October 2013.
When Lucas was a newborn, Cristina was told to sleep when the baby sleeps. She never could. There was a calling inside her to write. After getting to grips with her new role as a mother, she began working a psychological thriller, but she couldn’t fully connect to the characters she created. She ditched the manuscript and started Till Death Us Do Part (Limitless Publishing, 2015).
Cristina is married to Adam, who runs a successful business; together they share their Bedfordshire home with their son, crazy white German Shepherd and three spoiled cats. They can be found trekking through woodlands, or around the many shops Cristina loves to explore. As a family, they love to travel frequently, the United States being a firm favourite.
Connect with Cristina~
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