Thursday, February 28, 2019

Blog Tour: First Time Player by Poppy Parkes (Contemporary Romance, Second Chances)



Title: First Time Player 
Author: Poppy Parkes 
Genre: Contemporary Second Chance Romance 
Release Date: December 22, 2018 



It’s their first time — in more ways than one. But will that be enough to make their second chance at love last?
Ana has worked hard — and endured a lot of b.s. — to establish herself as owner of the best damn video game store in town (if she does say so herself). She’s at the top of her game, nerd pun intended, but she can’t help longing for love. At the same time, she can’t decide if true love really exists, thanks to all the basement-dwelling, toxic, doxxing men she’s had to handle in her line of work. Then she runs into Wes, her secret high school crush, at a gaming con. The sweet desire she felt for him as a teen has transformed into an overwhelming, magnetizing attraction, and Ana doesn’t know if she should resist it or abandon herself to it. But Wes has his own secrets, and his own doubts. If Ana breaks all her rules and gives into her hunger for him, will he meet her there or break her heart? First Time Player is a sweet and sassy second chance instalove nerd romance from the author of The Light Between Us books and will be sure to please fans of quick ’n’ dirty love stories.





CHAPTER 7
WES
“And you, Wes — what do you want to do with me?” Her words were heavy with a bold and unabashed hunger. And yet they held a barely perceptible tremble of vulnerability that made Wes want to cradle her body close, not to blend their flesh into one — although he certainly wanted that, too — but to protect this woman whose brisk exterior only served to shield the sensitive soul it housed.
Some ancient instinct deep within him rose, wanting to be not only her lover but also her defender. I wondered if she would allow me to be either, or if she only wanted me for the night.
He thought about how, over the course of his life to this point, he’d lucked out on love even while he’d done so well in nearly every other endeavor he put his hand to. But for some reason, he seemed to attract women that only wanted what they saw without attending to his heart. They wanted his body, but for one night or two.
Wes wanted more. He wanted a woman who would let him pursue her, romance her, win her hand. He wanted a woman who would fall back in love with him, with his heart and mind. A woman to share life with.
He knew exactly what he wanted, and what most women offered him? That was exactly the opposite of his desires, and he never said yes to that which was not right for him.
So he’d retained his principles — and also his virginity.
Wes swallowed hard. He wondered if he, inexperienced as he was, could give Ana what her dark eyes were asking him for. And at the same time, everything in him longed to try.
He didn’t know if she wanted him for this night or a string of nights or for forever. She probably didn’t know herself.
But for some reason, with her, he didn’t care. Unlike every other woman who’d wanted him, he didn’t give a shit about how long Ana wanted him for. He would take anything and everything she was willing to give him.
Because this connection, this pull to each other that they both clearly felt — and had been feeling for a long time? He couldn’t walk away from it. He wouldn’t.
He looked at their fingers twisting together, and then at Ana’s eyes, where need and doubt swirled together.
“I want to be as close to you as you’ll allow,” he said, voice husky with his own hunger. “I’ll sit on a bench outside and hold your hand and watch the moon rise and set, or I’ll take you back to my hotel room and make love to you all night. I’ll do anything for you, and with you, Ana. What do you want?”
The worry washed from her eyes, and her full lips turned up at the corners. “I want you to kiss me. Now.”
Wes grinned. “I was hoping you might say that.”
He slid his hands around her waist, fingertips digging into those delicious curves, pulling her to him so that their hips pressed together. She reached up to Wes, clutching his collar and tugging his head down to hers. He hesitated a moment, teasing, lips a breath away, exhalations hot against each other’s faces. And then he tasted her, plying her mouth with his own.
The kiss was soft and hard at the same time, and she tasted like sweet fire and cinnamon. Wes pulled back to press his lips at the corners of her mouth, then crushed back into her full on. She gave a little sigh and yanked on his collar, opening her mouth and teasing his tongue with hers.
He could feel himself growing hard, ready, and he ground his pelvis against hers. She must have felt his arousal, because she grabbed a handful of his ass, drawing his hips into her even more.
Without warning she released him and stepped back, leaving Wes gasping and blinking in shock. The sudden space between them felt cold, drafty, and he longed to return to the heat of their embrace.
“Is everything okay?” he managed, struggling to get his body under control.
A flirty smile flickered across her face. Ana reached out a single hand without stepping closer, taking his.
“More than okay.” Tossing him a last searing glance over her shoulder, she headed for the door of the con bar, leading him by the hand. He followed, eager and willing to submit to her control.
Wes let her lead him through the venue’s foyer and to the main entrance. Here she paused, winding herself around him and flicked her tongue over his lips before diving in for a bottomless kiss that practically made him see stars.
It felt like the kiss lasted a moment, or forever. When she pulled away, she said, voice guttural. “I want you, Wes. Tonight. Take me to your hotel.”
He closed the space between them, cupping her face in his palms and planting blossoming kisses across her cheeks.
And then it was his turn to lead her, fingers entwined, his low belly pulsing with primal desire, ready to let Ana make him hers.




Poppy Parkes is the author of sweet and hot love stories, including THE LIGHT BETWEEN US and FINDING ME AND YOU. Poppy writes, paints, and dreams in Montana, where she raises her two boys. She is in love with luscious color, moon-gazing, and dancing wild. And coffee. And wine. And chocolate. You know how it is.



Wednesday, February 27, 2019

Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Demon King's Destiny (Fate of Imperium Series #3) by C.A. Worley (Adult Paranormal Romance)


The Demon King’s Destiny
C.A. Worley
(Fate of Imperium Series, #3)
Publication date: February 25th 2019
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance
When Marrok, the Demon King of Sundari, meets his fated mate in the dreamworld, he ignores the pull of the saatus bond. He has no desire to make a life with the female, not with his past being what it is. Unable to deny the bond for long, Marrok accepts his demon spirit’s need for its mate. He plans to use their connection to prevent him from turning rogue, while keeping his heart safely buried in the past.
Since the age of six, Evelyn has been dreaming of the Demon King. When she starts having visions of his past, old betrayals are brought to light, including an ancient brotherhood who has been working against the pair for decades. Knowing Marrok may never love her in the way she loves him, Evelyn chooses to fight for their future anyway. She’ll protect everyone she loves from the insidious group—or die trying.
***The Demon King’s Destiny is the third book in the Fate of Imperium Series. Each book is the story of a different king and his fated mate. While the three books do not have to be read in order, it is highly recommended.
Only 99¢ for a limited time!
EXCERPT:
Evelyn felt the change before she opened her eyes. Her stance widened and her hands flexed with her magics.
No calm breeze brushed across the clearing. Tonight, a blistering wind struck her form, its howling whistle bounced irritatingly off her eardrums.
Instead of soft blues and purples, the moon was giving off shades of red and orange. Flames crackled and licked the trees of the forest, but nothing was burning. The dreamworld, or something in it, was irritated.
Slowly, she rotated, seeking information, waiting for the elements to speak. They buzzed, drawing her attention to one of the paths connecting the clearing to the woods.
The fire split into columns on either side of the trail and a form emerged from within the inferno. Tall, with broad shoulders and a lean trunk, the male stalked forward.
Blackened eyes locked on hers, so intense she felt them in her core. Long, predatory strides moved him directly in her path. Without thought, Evelyn opened the barrier and he stepped into the clearing.
The wind screamed and the only other sound she could hear was the boom of her thundering heart. He advanced swiftly, everything about his approach screamed he was a man possessed. His intent couldn’t be clearer.
In two second she was in his arms, his mouth slamming into hers. This first kiss—the first she’d ever experienced—was hard and unyielding. It was nothing like she had imagined, and almost more than she was prepared to receive. This wasn’t the kiss of a lover. It was a punishment.
Evelyn gasped and Marrok took advantage of her parted lips, driving his tongue into her mouth. Her fingers clenched the fabric on his shoulders as she trembled in his embrace, struggling to stay on her feet.
Her veins throbbed, her heated blood reaching a rapid boil. His arms tightened and she knew he’d never let her fall.
Evelyn felt him everywhere. His powers slid up and down her skin, caressing, inciting. Their shared breaths depleted her of oxygen and tiny pinpoints of light burst from behind her eyelids.
The high-pitched winds built into a crescendo and the blazes roared. Higher and higher until the dreamworld exploded with a blinding radiance, bathing their bodies in the white of their magics before returning once more to muted colors and a calm breeze. The forest was once again covered in purple and blue moonbeams.
The world settled, along with Marrok’s spirit. He’d been on the verge of something terrible. He’d gotten worse every day without his saatus. Another two years without her was out of the question.
Feeling once more in control of himself, he slowed the kiss, bringing a hand up to palm the back of her head. His lips drifted to the corner of her mouth, then to her temple, before dropping to her ear.
“Never again, moj draga,” he warned, biting her earlobe.
She shivered. “P-pardon?”
“You’ll never again wait so long to summon me.” He failed to mention his own unsuccessful attempts to enter her world.
Evelyn, still reeling from his arduous assault, took a moment to process. He was upset she hadn’t pulled him into her dreams. She smiled against his chest, then tipped her head back.
“Missed me, did you?”
“Don’t tease.”
“I’m not. I just wanted to hear you say it.”
“I don’t know you well enough to miss you. But I never imagined, little mate, once I’d confirmed for you that you were my saatus, you’d wait so long.”
Evelyn attempted to free herself from his arms. He didn’t budge and she glared up at him. “And I didn’t think, once you confirmed for me that I was your saatus, you’d do absolutely nothing to find me.”
He let go and she felt oddly bereft when he put space between them.
“So you didn’t call for me out of some sort of revenge?” he snapped, trying to let go of the last of his frustration.
“What? Of course not. And what makes you think I didn’t call for you?”
A muscle in his jaw ticked. He glared at his gorgeous mate, who had physically matured greatly in these last two years. Evelyn would be twenty-one by the next solstice, which meant she’d reached full physical maturity during their time apart.
Her cheekbones were more pronounced, giving off a regal countenance. Her small nose pointed to two full, pouty lips, still swollen from their shared passion.
Her breasts were larger, rounder, making her waist appear tiny. Maybe it was tiny. He was having trouble concentrating, caught between spanking her arse and kissing her senseless again.
“I think you didn’t call for me because I haven’t seen you in almost two and a half years, Evelyn.”
A thrill shot through her. Marrok really was upset about being away from her. He must have missed her greatly. “I’ll remind you I have no idea how you come to me in my dreams. Besides, I thought demons could break into the dreams of others, if they chose.”
His arms crossed, not liking the reminder. He, too, had tried everything he knew of to enter her dreamworld. For more than two years he’d desperately hunted her in his sleep, needing the touch of her skin to sooth his mind. With every attempt, he came up against a barrier he could not breach.
He’d come close to riding on Gwydion to retrieve her. When he’d last left, she’d been battered and bruised. He wanted to know of her health, to look upon her with his own eyes. The dreamworld was the only safe place to do so.
Several more attempts had been made by the rogues to breach the walls of the Terenuskit Fortress, the building he called home. Only the constant fighting kept him away from his mate. It reinforced the fact she would not be safe in Sundari.
Marrok was the strongest of his species. It was too risky for him to travel to the Westland and leave his people vulnerable. Or, worse, risk rogue demons following him. He was loath to bring her to the Southland. What was he to do? He felt like he was fighting on every front of his existence.
Evelyn licked her lips and he fixated on the reddened skin. He hadn’t intended to be so rough and he certainly hadn’t expected her to return with equal fervor. His trousers had grown uncomfortably tight, a direct result of her enthusiasm.
“If it means anything,” she said, “I did try reaching out to you. I’ve tried every night since. I was afraid you wouldn’t come for me so I tried to pull you here. I thought … I was afraid something had happened to you. They cut you.” Her voice whispered the last part sadly.
Marrok’s face softened. His mate had worried he’d been harmed. He reached for her and she didn’t resist his embrace.
Resting his chin atop her head, he told her, “I tried, as well. Dreamwalking is tricky business and, obviously, I was just as unsuccessful.”
“Why didn’t you come for me? To Gwydion?”
“My kingdom is not a safe place to be. I’m not inclined to endanger you.”
“Then don’t bring me to Sundari. You can still come to see me, to visit, maybe speak to my father?” she added hopefully.
Marrok exhaled. “Walk with me.”
He spoke with no emotion and Evelyn’s heart plummeted. He wasn’t going to come for her.



Author Bio:
C.A. Worley is the alter-ego of Romance Author Cass Alexander. Where Cass tends to focus on humor in her publications, C.A. loves to write fantasy. She chose to write under the two different monikers so as to not confuse (or tick off) her readers.
C.A. currently resides in the Midwest, but was born and raised in the South. She spends her days working from home and her evenings are spent shuttling her kids to and fro. Her dinners are subpar, but she makes a mean dessert.
When she's tired of living her sons' travel sports schedules, C.A. enjoys a glass (or four) of wine. She needs the liquid courage to click the publish button for her fantasy romance novels.
Her motto is, "Be Brave," and she tries to live it every day. It takes a healthy dose of courage to get through this thing we call life. 

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Tuesday, February 26, 2019

Release Blitz: Blaire's World Series by Skye Callahan, Ally Vance, Kirsty Dallas, Anna Edwards, Nikita Slater & Measha Stone (Dark Romance)

Series: Blaire's World
Authors: Skye Callahan, Ally Vance, Kirsty Dallas, Anna Edwards, Nikita Slater, and Measha Stone
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2019 Cover Design: Amy Queau from QDesign

6 authors. 1 theme. Dark romance. Affiliated with top 100 & international Amazon bestselling author, Anita Gray. BLAIRE'S WORLD is a spin-off series of 6 Dark Romance titles, written by a collection of USA Today and Amazon Bestselling authors, deriving from Anita Gray’s Top 20 Amazon Bestselling, The Dark Romance Series. Each story is a standalone within the series, following the journey of a character from Blaire's world, so expect to see some old faces—and some new ones. Each title in BLAIRE’S WORLD stands alone in the series and can be read in any order. All titles will be available in Kindle Unlimited.

Seven years. Six hits. A hundred secrets. Syndicate leaders blackmailed. Wives and children set up to take the fall. A spy among the most dangerous of men. Sometimes seductress. Sometimes assassin. I'm the girl at the party everyone looks at, but no one remembers. I was trained to be ruthless, stripped of emotion and empathy, and yet something inside me, something logic and reason will never touch, yearns to be more than the beautiful facade crafted by my master. I want some part of the fantasy to be real. A touch. A kiss. A glance just for me. But none of it’s ever for me because there is no me. I am olvidado. Forgotten. Until I meet the one man who refuses to forget me.

For four years, I was hidden from everyone and everything I knew. I became a toy; a slave to be played with on a whim. He locked me away, robbed me of light, and forced me to live in the darkness.
He used me, abused me, and left me shattered. My screams went unheard, my tears went unseen, and my pleas went unanswered. When the chance to escape presented itself, I fled. All I wanted was my freedom. All I wanted was to see the light once again. But when your name means Light, it makes the monsters want to keep you in the Dark.

Sold.Tortured.Abused
My name is…well, to tell you the truth I’m not so sure anymore. To my master I’m known only as ‘beauty’, a word that inspires magnificence, however in my mind it only imparts feelings of horror and helplessness. Stolen at just fifteen-years-old, I’ve been held hostage for three years now, my body no longer my own, my mind twisted into something I no longer recognize. Then came Hart, dangerously handsome, and frighteningly male. Instead of fearing this curious man like I should, I do something I never thought I’d do again, I trust him. And when he whispers my name, “Beauty”, it’s with such soul shattering tenderness it brings new meaning to the word. I more than trust him…I’m infatuated with him. We are the same, you see, our monsters match and our thirst for revenge is as sweet as it is deadly. 
My story isn’t pretty, but my vengeance is sublime.

My name is Oliver. I was a guard to Maksim Markov; king of the Russian underworld in Europe.
I’ve seen things that would turn a cast iron stomach. I’ve stood by idly and watched endless acts of depravity. I’ve created hell on Earth in exchange for fortune. I’ve maimed, tortured, taken, and I’ve killed. My mind is dark, my inclinations perverse, and my soul is black. There’s no salvation for me—until Amaya enters my life; a raven-haired beauty with blue eyes that sparkle like sapphires. She’s the epitome of what my life isn’t. I’m not worthy of her, and she certainly deserves better than me, but that’s never stopped me before. When I want something, I take it, and right now, I want her—and I won’t let anything or anyone prevent me from making her mine.

Will their love finally die in the face of her ultimate betrayal?
Luna… I thought our love would be enough to get us through forever. From the moment we met, our passion, our love, was explosive and consuming. My Andres is my rock, my love, my everything. But sometimes love isn’t enough. Some things are more important. Now I’m doing the one thing I never thought possible. I’m running from the cartel, from my home and from my husband. I’m running for my life. Andres… Luna has been my light in the darkness from the moment I set eyes on her. She is my rock, my comfort, my only love. Her betrayal burns deep. She can’t be allowed to live. The cartel, my family, they won’t sanction it. I will hunt my wife and I will put her down. Though it will kill the last decent thing left in me…

Stolen and locked away. 
My name is Magdalena. I’ve been chasing after a story more dangerous than I realized. And now, they’ve taken me. The Dowidoff family has been the focus of my attention, and now I’m theirs. They’ll keep me locked away until I’m trained, and then they plan to sell me. Highest bidder wins me; the nosey American girl, and Kristoff has been put in charge of my education. I can’t give up hope, even when Kristoff promises there is none. Not for me at least. He’s going to break me. He’s going to teach me. And at the end of it, I will be claimed.

SKYE CALLAHAN
Skye Callahan is a top 25 Romantic Suspense Author on Amazon and her books have hit the top 100 on Amazon, Apple Books, and Barnes & Noble. Named a Rising Star in Romance by iBooks in 2015, author Skye Callahan uses fiction to explore the darker aspects of human nature and the resiliency needed to survive. Prior to pursuing writing full-time, Skye earned M.A. in History and participated in numerous local history projects including a full-length Civil War documentary for PBS. She’s obsessed with penguins and lives in a house full of cats, one dog, a growing collection of Nightwing comics, and a loving husband who keeps her relatively sane.

ALLY VANCE
Ally has been writing since she was a teenager, and studied Professional Writing at college. It has been a long time dream of hers to finally become a published author. She finally achieved this in 2018 with her Bestselling debut book, Flower in the Dark. Ally writes Dark Romance genre, and also poetry, she is willing to expand into other genres if the inspiration takes her. Ally also co-writes with her close friend Michelle Brown under the pen name Ally Michelle. Ally lives in Kent, in the United Kingdom with her husband and stepson.

KIRSTY DALLAS
Kirsty Dallas is an international bestselling and award winning author from the south east corner of Queensland, Australia. Her comedy romance, Decker's Wood, reached Amazons, iBooks and Nooks Best Seller list and was a Goodreads Top 10 Comedy for 2014. Her novels to date also include the highly acclaimed Mercy's Angels Series which tackles the subject of violence against women, and standalone novels Breeze of Life, Violet Addiction, Stupid Love, award winning dystopian fiction When Nothing Is All You've Got and its spin-off, Liberty
Kirsty Dallas' stories are renowned for their raw honesty and engaging characters. Plots that delve into the frightening subjects of abuse, rape, drugs and violence are twisted into the pages of her books, bringing heart stopping action and a roller coaster of emotion. Working with Aussie Director and screen writer, Chris Sun, Kirsty worked as script editor on the horror feature film, Boar. Boar was signed to Universal Pictures Australia and released in 2018.

ANNA EDWARDS
All I am a British author, from the depths of the rural countryside near London. In a previous life, I was an accountant from the age of twenty-one. I still do that on occasions, but most of my life is now spent intermingling writing while looking after my husband, two children and two cats (probably in the inverse order to the one listed!). When I have some spare time, I can also be found writing poetry, baking cakes (and eating them), or behind a camera snapping like a mad paparazzi.
I'm an avid reader who turned to writing to combat my depression and anxiety. I have a love of travelling and like to bring this to my stories to give them the air of reality. I like my heroes hot and hunky with a dirty mouth, my heroines demure but with spunk, and my books full of dramatic suspense.

NIKITA SLATER
Nikita lives on the beautiful Canadian prairies with her twelve-year-old son and two crazy awesome dogs. She has an unholy affinity for books (especially erotic romance), wine, pets and anything chocolate. Despite some of the darker themes in her books (which are pure fun and fantasy), Nikita is a staunch feminist and advocate of equal rights for all races, genders and non-gender specific persons. When she isn’t writing, dreaming about writing or talking about writing, she helps others discover a love of reading and writing through literacy and social work.
For more information on Nik's upcoming book releases, giveaways, WIP's and her insane cupcake addiction check out her Facebook page and join her private Facebook group, Nikita's Underworld.

MEASHA STONE
USA Today Bestselling Author Measha Stone is a lover of all things erotic and fun who writes kinky romantic suspense and dark romance novels. She won the 2018 Golden Flogger award in two categories, Best Advanced BDSM and Best Anthology. She's hit #1 on Amazon in multiple categories in the U.S. and the U.K. When she's not typing away on her computer, she can be found nestled up with a cup of tea and her kindle.'

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