Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Devil's Necromancer (Hellbound #1) by Alexa Piper (Adult LGBTQ+ Urban Fantasy)

 

The Devil’s Necromancer
Alexa Piper
(Hellbound, #1)
Published by: Changeling Press
Publication date: October 8th 2021
Genres: Adult, LGBTQ+, Urban Fantasy

Lionel, a necromancer and consultant for the Brunswick Police Department, wants nothing to do with immortals. Specifically, he wants nothing to do with Lucifer, who shows up on his doorstep one day with a ridiculous proposal. Lucifer, also known as the Devil, wants Lionel to be his pretend boyfriend. Except the pretend part is something the Devil doesn’t really seem to care for.

Lucifer has read enough romance novels to know that a good dose of forced proximity might be just the thing to get the stubborn necromancer he desires into his bed. The Devil’s plans are soon complicated when Lionel proves more uncooperative and oblivious to love than Lucifer could ever anticipate.

While the Devil wants to claim Lionel, all Lionel wants is to get away from Lucifer. Meanwhile, magic users are being murdered in the city. Lionel cannot escape the implications of those murders for long, and the case soon takes a different turn. Will Lionel be able to escape the Devil’s thrall, or will the necromancer fall for the immortal seducer?

Publisher’s Note: The Devil’s Necromancer contains scenes involving dubious consent that some readers may find offensive.

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EXCERPT:

It was past midnight, and the stars that looked like sprinkles of white chocolate in the velvety dark night sky were overshadowed by the city lights and the waxing moon. I lay on the embankment, North Bridge’s metal frame rising just to my right and further hiding the chocolate sprinkle stars. My feet were wet, but I didn’t mind, not the embankment or the wet feet or the stars melting away in the light and the artificial structures around me. The zombie was oozing all over me from its — his — caved-in skull, and I did mind that. Zombie ooze was a bitch to get out of clothes, even if I’d given up on wearing colors years ago. Black simply was the safest bet for a necromancer.

Zombies reeked when they weren’t really fresh, and this one was ripe — fish-market-in-the-summer-heat-three-days-after-closing ripe. I looked up and considered my life choices, all of which had led me here.

“Do you need CPR?” someone said. It was a warm, manly voice, and I was reasonably sure it could make chocolate melt, star-shaped or otherwise.

I stuffed my self-pity away and turned my head to get a better look at the speaker. He was as handsome as a devil, with skin that looked like marble in the glow of the city at night. His hair shimmered liquid black, but it might have been some shade of brown in proper lighting. It went well past his ears and looked styled with care to get that messy, I just got up out of bed after a night of hard fucking look.

“Why the fuck would I need CPR?” I asked. My voice didn’t sound like I’d just considered crying a moment ago, and I was proud of that.

The guy shrugged. “It’s hard to tell with humans. Your kind is so accident prone, and you seem to be having trouble breathing. Or maybe you hit your head? Do you remember how you got here?”

Did he fucking think I was suffering from amnesia or a head injury or something? “I’m having trouble breathing because I have a fucking dead zombie on my chest, asshat,” I said. In my considered necromantic opinion, I was being perfectly polite, even though I couldn’t be sure what kind of creature the guy was. I’d given him a quick glance with my mage sight, and human he was not.

Jeez, I hated gods and otherworldly beings.

“All zombies are dead,” Mr. Sexy said. “It’s a prerequisite. This one seems to have had its brainstem properly destroyed, however.”

“Oh, smarty-pants, thanks a bunch for the lecture. The basics of necromancy have ever escaped me, even after I raised my very first corpse thirteen fucking years ago.” It had been a blackbird that had died when he crashed into a window at my school. I had cradled the poor thing in my hands as it breathed its last, had cried, and that had triggered my necromancer power. Pretty boy did not need to know that. Every other person I’d ever told had made fun of me for it.

“You could have suffered a head injury with amnesia. How am I supposed to know what you know?” He walked toward me. His movements were silent, cat-like, and more elegant than was right. Even despite the zombie oozing out on me, my cock couldn’t quite ignore him. Seriously, though, what was up with his fixation on first aid and amnesia?

He grabbed the zombie by the legs and pulled the dead-dead corpse off me. “Oh. You caved in its skull with a rock,” he said when he saw the murder weapon in question, the goo glistening on its stony surface. Well, it wasn’t really a murder weapon, seeing as how the zombie had been dead, but details. “How traditional.” He held out a hand to me, and I took it and let him pull me back to my feet. “I’m Lucy, by the way. Short for Lucifer, but I prefer Lucy. As in Lucy Westenra, the woman who almost single-handedly turned Dracula into the first reverse harem romance novel ever before she made the wise decision to claim immortality instead. She was such an underrated character, and I really don’t know why people don’t like her more.”

I dusted myself off. Didn’t help with the wet feet or the zombie ooze, which I really only distributed, like soft butter on hot toast. The shirt I was wearing was ruined. Good thing I had a dozen other plain black shirts just like it back home. “Maybe because she fucking ate children.”

He shrugged. “Well, everyone has a craving now and then. No one judges women’s monthly chocolate cravings, and I don’t see how that was so much worse.”

My brain caught up with the conversation. Lucifer? The Lucifer? The fucking Morning Star, seducer of stuffy virgins and lover of apples? I looked at him. Up at him. Asshole was tall and handsome, the kind of guy I could only ever talk to with about three drinks in me. “You’re the Devil? Satan? Beelzebub?”

“Lu-cy,” he said, slowing down as if he was reconsidering the brain damage thing. Even his eyebrows were perfect, which I only noticed because he pulled one of those up, something most people couldn’t do in real life. He could. And he looked hot doing it. Hotter.

Author Bio:

Alexa Piper writes steamy romance that ranges from light to dark, from straight to queer. She’s also a coffee addict. Alexa loves writing stories that make her readers laugh and fall in love with the characters in them.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Timeless (A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance) by Kaylene Winter (Adult Contemporary Romance)

 

Timeless
Kaylene Winter
(A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance)
Publication date: September 29th 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

I vowed nothing would keep us apart…
Fiona Reynolds is my other half.
It’s been that way from the day I was born.
I’ve dedicated my life to keep my promise.
Fate just laughs in our face.
She’s always out of reach, this time for good.
I’ll do anything to prove she’s my destiny.
If only she’d trust me one more time.

After what I’ve done, how can I deserve him?
Zane Rocks is my everything.
There’s no one I love or trust more than him.
It wasn’t his fault when he left me.
I always knew he’d find his way back.
Fear overwhelmed me, and I broke his heart.
Will most celebrated musician on the planet.
Really give me another chance?

When a rash decision changes their lives forever, hope for their future is all but shattered.
Stakes are high.
But Zane’s determined to prove a love this pure is timeless.

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Excerpt

I’m doing everything in my power not to let him affect me. When the truth is I want things from him I won’t ever have again. 

Won’t let myself have again.

Because I know what it’s like to really lose him. 

Now that we’re in each other’s lives again, it’s got to be enough.

I can’t risk… 

Zane cups my cheek with his hand and uses his finger to tilt my head up. Our eyes meet. Just like that, I’m a goner. I’m caught in the eye of a fifty-foot wave. Or, a barrel plummeting over a waterfall. Either way, the sheer rush of emotion threatens to pull me under. 

Yet, somehow in this moment, I’m also at peace. Everything I’ve suppressed for years bubbles up to the surface. 

It’s clear. So clear.

I may not deserve him, but Zane is mine. 

Body and soul.

He’s always been mine.

I’ve always been his.

No. We’ve always been each other’s.

From the day and hour he was born.

Author Bio:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990's, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: The Soul of Love (The Soul of Love, #1) by E.X. Alexander (Adult Paranormal Romance)

 

The Soul of Love
E.X. Alexander
(The Soul of Love, #1)
Publication date: August 31st 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

For generations, the Greek gods have been at war with each other; fighting to sit on the throne of Mt. Olympus.
Eros, the god of love and the most powerful of the ancients, has been waging his own secret war. For eons, he has been looking for his lost soul mate, Psyche; her return marks the beginning of the end of the reign of the Olympians, and the restoration to power by the primordial gods. But she has been reborn as a mortal, with no memory of him.

Psyche holds the key to the throne of Mt. Olympus. With her and Eros’ enemies coming out of the shadows to stop them, it is a race against time. If she cannot reunite her soul with Eros, her powers, memories, and the lives of the gods and mortals alike will be forever lost.

Content Warning: This book contains some scenes with mild violence, sexual situations, and references to suicide.

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EXCERPT:

She lay still in his arms, allowing the heat from his body to lull her back into a semi-relaxed state. When he made no move to resume the intimacy of their wedding night, she turned slightly toward him.

Burying his head in her hair, he breathed in her scent as if committing it to memory. “I will leave you alone if that is your wish. We can wait until you are ready to consummate our marriage.” Feeling a heavy sorrow at the thought of leaving her, he nonetheless did not want to cause her any more turmoil. He would wait, even as it threatened to dim the joy he felt at finally having her back in his life.

He pressed a kiss against her temple and released her. As he turned away and made his way out of the bed, Psyche was gripped with fear at the thought of him leaving her. It was so strong it overwhelmed her with a desire to keep him by her side in spite of her reservations.

Not understanding her reaction to his departure, she cried out, “Wait!” Reaching out to stop him, she was shocked to discover what her hand was gripping. “You have wings,” she said in startled amazement.

Eros stopped and shuddered at the touch of her hand on his wing. It was the first touch she initiated between them of her own volition, and it devastated him. Holding still, for he did not trust himself, he waited to see what she would do.

Psyche was too stunned to do anything but hold on to his wing for several moments. When he did nothing to repudiate her touch, she slowly slid her hand down his wing, marveling at the soft texture and heat. Repeating the caress, she inched closer and brought her other hand to press against his other wing. Feeling emboldened by his continued silence, she pressed against his back and continued to stroke his wings.

Then Psyche laid her cheek against the center of his shoulder blades, where his wings grew out of his back. She continued her slow caress. The feel of his wings seemed strangely familiar, as if she had run her hands over them hundreds of times. Frowning, she tried to remember, the memory teasing along the edges of her mind, but no matter how hard she tried, the knowledge danced away from her. Before she could chase the phantom memory, she was distracted by the hiss of pleasure that her new husband released at her touch.

Eros could barely restrain himself from turning around and pinning her to the bed as lust consumed him. The feel of her bare breasts pressed against his lower back sent shards of pleasure directly to his groin, where he tightened painfully as she continued to pet him. But it was her breath teasing the sensitive nerve endings of where his wings emerged from his back that was his undoing. When she started to nuzzle him, Eros knew he had to warn her before he lost total control. “Psyche, make your choice now. I only have so much control, and I have waited so long for you that I cannot continue to let you touch me without taking you. So choose, do I stay or do I go?”

Psyche stilled at his words. Faced with the power to control even a small part of her destiny gave her courage. Feeling that something fragile and precious would be lost if she allowed him to leave this night, she made her decision. “Stay.”

Author Bio:

E.X. Alexander is a romance author who loves to tell a good romance story: the hotter, the better. A proud Greek American (no My Big Fat Greek Wedding jokes or she'll be forced to pull out the Windex ;) who loves to spend time with her family and friends. There is no better way to relax than to curl up with a steamy romance novel with purr babies under a blanket. Okay, a spa day would be a close second. If she is not reading or writing she can usually be found in her car listening to heavy metal and rock music in pursuit of her two favorite fruits: coffee and chocolate. (Yes, they are fruits.)

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Demon Huntress: Love Me to Hell and Back by Elizabeth Mason (Adult Paranormal Romance)

 

Demon Huntress: Love Me To Hell And Back
Elizabeth Mason
Publication date: September 18th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

A search for a cure. A journey fraught with danger. A fateful bond.

Determined demon-hunter, Maeve, must risk everything to obtain The Book of Raziel—a font of spells, divine magic, and ethereal knowledge—to cure her work partner of a deadly supernatural virus. And though she isn’t surprised to discover that the book is in the Garden of Eden, she is surprised to learn that the garden is situated in Hell!

Now Maeve faces her biggest challenge: fighting her inner demons¬, or be lost to the wanderlust of Hell forever.

Broken and reclusive, Ezra Virunas has one goal—kill the demon who stole the Sacred Seals, and, in return, he would regain his freedom. Never mind that Ezra has to use Maeve’s soul as bait to close the case, Ezra knows just how deceitful women can be, and he is convinced Maeve is no different. But he is mistaken, and despite fighting against it, her pure heart soon becomes a light to his darkened past.

As Maeve and Ezra’s bond deepens, so too does the danger awaiting them. Will they emerge from Hell unscathed?

Love Me To Hell And Back is a haunting tale of self-reflection and forgiveness.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

(Maeve)

“According to an ancient scroll discovered a few hundred years ago, there will come a human with god-like powers— an Eda.”

I yawned. “Excuse me,” I muttered. “How does a human become an Eda?”

“We only know what the scroll tells us, and according to the scroll, when the sacrifice is made, the Eda is born.”

He paused a moment and stared at me, seemingly deep in thought. Finally, slowly shaking his head, he spoke again. “This world is full of mysteries.”

Leaning back, I crossed my arms over my chest. “What were you thinking?”

“When?”

“Just now.”

“I only hope this prophesied Eda is good. If you give a human ‘God-like’ powers,” he shook his head, “Well, let’s just say, I’ve never met a man who used power for good.”

I scoffed at him. “What makes you think it’ll be a man?”

He laughed as if what I had said was a joke. It was far from a joke. “Because women are too selfish to sacrifice themselves for someone else.” I heard the pure distrust he had for women in each word he spoke. It made my heart hurt.

We stayed quiet, staring at each other. I moved my eyes over his face. His eyes were sad, his lips turned down, and his jaw muscles were tense.

“Maybe you’re right,” I said. Ezra lowered his brows, looking at me curiously. “But I’m pretty sure you’re wrong.”

Ezra folded his arms over his chest. “You disagree?”

I shrugged my shoulders. “I don’t know, Ezra. I have faith in mankind. After all, you and I are going to Hell without greedy intentions.”

He made a steeple with his hands and touched his lips. I tilted my head, unsure again what he was thinking. “Are you sure about that?” he asked.

I shifted in my seat, unsure where this conversation was going. “What do you mean?”

He leaned forward, and a few gold strands fell over his strong cheekbones. “I sense a bit of regret in you.”

I jerked my head back as I was caught off guard. I didn’t think he’d say that. “Regret?”

“You’re going to Hell to save a friend.” I nodded. “Or are you going to Hell to ease your guilt?”

I narrowed my eyes, glaring at him. Yup, I totally wasn’t expecting that. “And what guilt do I have, Ezra?”

His lips turned up into a cocky smile. “You tell me.”

Was he right?

Sure, I regret not listening to Emerich when he said not to go on this last hunt, but who would go to Hell just to ease their guilt? That’s a bit excessive. But I do believe someone would go to Hell to save a friend.

Right?

I held up a hand to ward off the truth behind his words. “You don’t know me, Ezra. Not well enough to judge me like that, anyway.”

“You’re a strong fighter and damned skilled at throwing knives, but that isn’t enough to survive Hell.” What was he saying? I’m a trained jinn hunter. “I fear you’re weak here.” He pointed to his right temple. “That can make you weak here.” He brought his finger to his heart.

I stood up and pushed a pile of boxes at him. “If I’m so damn weak, then find someone else.” I was tired of everybody pointing at my weakness, telling me to hold back. Damn it. I need people to point out my strengths!

He caught the boxes before they slid off the table. Then, lightning-fast, he was on his feet and in front of me.

I formed fists and turned my head away from his prying eyes. I was breathing heavily, my chest rising and falling to the fast rhythm of my heartbeat. Ezra was close— too close. He had a clean, dangerous scent. I felt my knees tremble as his body heat seeped into me, and when he placed his finger under my chin, the shared heat and sensation thrilled me.

He gently turned my head, but I kept my eyes down. “Maeve,” he whispered, getting me to look at him. I allowed my eyes to wander, taking in his beauty. His sheer maleness overwhelmed me, and every instinct I had said he was different. I couldn’t put my finger on it. Still, there was something about him that was…. contrasting. I couldn’t quite figure him out. It was a feeling of lust mixed with a feeling of fear. Like a jinn, he was beautiful yet scary. There was something dangerous simmering under his cool façade. I wasn’t sure what it was, but I was captivated by that mysterious side of him. His eyes penetrated mine as if he were seeing into my soul. “I don’t want someone else,” he said.

Author Bio:

Elizabeth is a Cali girl who should enjoy the California sun more than she does. She’s content being indoors writing and creating spooky stories with strong leading women and bad boy leading men. With a degree in psychology, Elizabeth is drawn to the complexities of human behavior. The diversity of personalities, interactions, emotions, and relationships reflect in her writing.

When Elizabeth isn’t busy typing away, she enjoys time with her husband, two boys, and her two Weimaraner pups. And thanks to her love for lattes, she enjoys reading paranormal romance late into the night. Her husband and her two boys inspired her to never give up, and thanks to them, she’s proud to announce her debut novel: Love Me To Hell And Back. A haunting tale of self-reflection and forgiveness, even in the darkness of Hell.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: You're so Vain: A Royal Haters to Lovers Romance by Whitney Dineen (Adult Comedy Romance)

 

You’re So Vain: A Royal Haters to Lovers Romance
Whitney Dineen
Publication date: September 12th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Family drama is something Lutéce Choate struggles to avoid. With a mother who’s an award-winning country western song writer, an aunt who’s a Country Music Hall of Famer, and a brother who’s a rock star, it hasn’t exactly been a low-key kind of life, and she’s ready for a break.

Then Lu’s younger sister, Claire, goes off and gets engaged to a prince from Malquar, bringing the dreaded spotlight back to shine on their family once again. Lu wants to go to the engagement party about as much as she wants to yodel the Star Spangled Banner at the Grand Ole Opry with her crazy relatives. Alas, not going, doesn’t appear to be an option.

Alistair George Henry Bere Hale is not the heir, but the spare. Without the weight of the Crown in his future, he’s managed to live the carefree life of a man about town. That is until his younger brother gets engaged before him and their mother starts pressuring him to settle down.

Alistair represents everything that Lutéce has come to despise–he’s a rich, playboy, partier, who’s always in the spotlight… But Alistair doesn’t feel the same about Lu. In fact, he’s quite drawn to his brother’s future sister-in-law, prickles and all.

When Lu and Alistair’s mothers witness the sparks between their children, they start to make plans of their own. Will Lu relax her prejudices long enough to get to know Alistair?

Find out in the fabulously funny fourth book in the Seven Bride’s for Seven Mothers Series.

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—

EXCERPT:

Slipping my phone into my purse, I give myself one last look in the entryway mirror. Ben’s profile says he’s five-ten, which I know means five-eight. As I’m five-ten, I’m wearing flats so as not to make him uncomfortable.

While driving over Laurel Canyon Boulevard to meet my date at Chow’s—the latest West Side hotspot—I think about how online dating is really performed in code. Men lie about their height, their weight, and their net worth. Women lie about their age, their desire to start a family (men don’t want to hear the word “baby” come up until they’ve been married for five years), and how many boyfriends they’ve had.

Men want a young woman with minimal baggage and no obvious desire to procreate. Women want a guy who isn’t always looking for a better option. I almost turn my car around in the next driveway.

Instead, I flip on the sound system to distract myself from thoughts of bailing on tonight. My favorite Spotify playlist blasts vintage Enya through the speakers, causing my throat to fill with so much emotion I feel like I’ve just swallowed a bowling ball.

I love Enya and her ethereal melodies about memories from past lives where she was a princess and love spanned multiple incarnations. Thank God for playlists. I’ve already burned through five Shepherd Moons CDs.

By the time I pull up to the valet at Chow’s, I’m full-on bawling—damn these hormone shots! Oh, Enya, I long for the love you sing of! I can’t have always been the social pariah I am in this lifetime. Someone had to have loved me somewhere down the line.

“Ma’am, I’m going to need you to step out of the car.” Am I being arrested?

I look up and am jolted back to the present by a surfer-looking dude in a valet uniform. With a sigh worthy of a Disney Princess, I put my car in park and get out. Then I take my ticket and make my way to the front door.

Weaving through what can only be described as a throng of fashionable people—the extremes Angelinos will go to be seen at the latest, hippest, coolest place is legendary—I finally make my way inside and up to the hostesses stand. “Hi there, I’m meeting Benedict Solomon.”

The Baywatch babe wannabe looks up from her reservation book and excitedly declares, “Are you Bennie’s mom?” I’m either totally delusional about how old I look, or this girl is a cow.

“His grandmother, actually,” I tell her with a smirk. Then I raise my left eyebrow with my most intense I’m-gonna-shiv-you-in-a-dark-alley-if-you-don’t-take-me-to-my-date-right-now look. She takes the hint and leads the way.

Bennie is waiting at a table by the window. From a distance, he looks a lot younger than his JDate profile pic. A lot younger. Like twelve.

The hostess says, “Bennie, your grandmother is here. Remember, order whatever you want, and Jocko will comp the bill.”

Staring at my date, I announce, “I think there’s been a mistake.”

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling author Whitney Dineen is a rock star in her own head. While delusional about her singing abilities, there’s been a plethora of validation that she’s a fairly decent author (AMAZING!!!). After winning many writing awards and selling nearly a kabillion books (math may not be her forte, either), she’s decided to let the voices in her head say whatever they want (sorry, Mom). She also won a fourth-place ribbon in a fifth-grade swim meet in backstroke. So, there’s that.

Whitney loves to play with her kids (a.k.a. dazzle them with her amazing flossing abilities), bake stuff, eat stuff, and write books for people who "get" her. She thinks french fries are the perfect food and Mrs. Roper is her spirit animal.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Compelling Urges by Ariella Talix (Adult Romance Suspense)

 

Compelling Urges
Ariella Talix
Publication date: September 1st, 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Successful business owner Ivy Chambers has no reason to doubt her love for her brilliant financier boyfriend Bodhi Monaghan—right up until the moment he disappears into the night.

Crushed and abandoned, she falls into the arms of Bodhi’s handsome best friend and surfing buddy Cooper Houston—who is more than happy to keep her warm at night.

A year later, Bodhi returns unexpectedly. He’s shocked to find Ivy and Cooper engaged, and he can’t handle it.

Will Bodhi, Cooper, or Ivy come out on top (or middle…or bottom)?

How far will they be compelled by their urges?

If you’ve read Ariella Talix’s #1 bestselling book Just Curious, you’ll be happy to hear a bit more about Willa, Jackson, and Casey again in this book. Reading their story first isn’t crucial for your enjoyment of this one.

Suitable for adult readers only. (Psst! There’s a lot of sex and some naughty language). *Warning* possible triggers due to sensitive topics.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

Author Bio:

Ariella Talix is the nom de plume of a bestselling author who lives in America's Heartland.
Her goal is to preserve the dignity of family members who would rather not be associated publicly with a woman who writes such scandalous and stimulating novels. She's not going to stop writing them though.

She loves her family, pets, great books, not-so-great books that still entertain, and art.

Born and raised near the beaches of southern California, Ariella Talix traveled the world extensively and then found her true home in the Midwest. She has a second-degree black belt in Karate and has been a professional artist for many years. Her work is displayed in countries all over the world.

A sudden brainstorm prompted the first of her novels, Make Believe, and since then the ideas just keep tumbling out like an avalanche.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Sanctioned (A Salvation Society Novel) by Michelle Cornish (Adult, Romance, Suspense)

 

Sanctioned
Michelle Cornish
(A Salvation Society Novel)
Publication date: February 7th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Sometimes love happens when you’re running for your life . . .

Carolina Borden isn’t interested in being tied to a man. She’s worked hard to build a life for herself, and her dream career as a fertility counsellor is all she needs.

Retired Delta Force Operator Duncan Kade just wants to start over somewhere he isn’t a danger to anyone. But danger follows him . . . everywhere.

When faced with a deadly cartel, Carolina and Duncan must rely on each other to save themselves from the pasts they’ve each tried so hard to hide.

Falling in love wasn’t part of their plan . . . It wasn’t sanctioned.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

DUNCAN

Why am I so bloody nervous? I’m a trained hostage negotiator for Christ’s sake. I’ve talked people through some of the most stressful situations there are. “You’ve got this,” I say to myself and take a deep breath before getting out of my modern black Dodge Charger. I can’t mess this up. I need to get working again.

Natalie is rounding the corner as I enter Cole Security Forces. As the office manager, I had my initial interview with her, and she’s the one I’ve had the most contact with since. I give her a little wave.

“I’ll be right back,” she says, passing by me with a file in her hand. When she returns, the file is gone and she tells me I’ll be meeting with Carolina Borden in her office. “Carolina is on loan to us for your assessment.” She doesn’t say from where. Even though Natalie told me the next stage of the hiring process was a psychological assessment, the words put me on edge. My stomach swirls with nerves.

“Sparkles!” someone yells as we pass an office. It sounded like Mark. I’ve only met him once, but I’d recognize his voice anywhere.

Natalie turns to me. “Sorry. The boss needs me,” she says. “My office is the next one. Carolina is waiting there for you.”

“Thanks, Natalie.” I continue to her office. When I get there, I raise my hand to knock, but pause, enjoying the view.

Carolina is nothing like I imagined. She looks at her phone, completely unaware I’m watching her. I should probably knock but pause to enjoy the view a little longer instead. Her long black hair is pulled up and I find myself wondering what it looks like when it’s not tied up.

I clear my throat and she looks at me with the most beautiful dark eyes I’ve ever seen. I introduce myself and offer her my hand. She stands to greet me.

“Nice to meet you, Duncan,” she says, and I detect a subtle Spanish accent that cuts straight to my heart. Keep it together, Duncan. You’re a professional. Here for the job, that’s it. I let out a quick breath to remind myself I need to stay at the top of my game if I’m going to pass this assessment. Getting this job will be a major step in moving on with my life. No one can know what happened in Cartagena.

Carolina starts the assessment by asking if I know what it’s all about. Natalie mentioned what happened with a couple former employees and I know they want to make sure I’m not going to lose it like those two. Delta Force was no walk in the park. I’ve seen a lot of shit and lost a lot of friends. Post Traumatic Stress Disorder is all too common in the military.

I explain that I’ve seen a therapist in the past and believe my symptoms have completely resolved. I keep the reason for the PTSD general. There’s no way I’m telling her it was because of what happened in Cartagena.

“All right,” she says and puts on a pair of dark-rimmed glasses. When she looks up from her notepad, I get a strong sexy librarian vibe. What’s wrong with me? I need to focus if I’m going to pass this assessment. “Let’s get started,” she says.

I fold my hands in front of me and hang on her every word. My answers are short and to the point. I keep her talking as long as possible so I can enjoy that sultry accent.

When she finishes the verbal assessment, she hands me a two-page self-assessment and asks me to fill it out. She offers me her pen and I grab it close enough to her hand that I skim one of her fingers as I take it. The pen is warm from her touch and I let the heat soak into my hand as I write. Get a grip, Duncan, get a grip.

Author Bio:

Michelle Cornish is a recovering CPA with a passion for stories. Writing mostly romance and women's fiction with strong female heroines, Michelle's books often include nods to her former life as a CPA. When Michelle’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her two boys and husband in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Crimson Soul (The Crimson Demon, #3) by Lyra Winters (Adult Paranormal Romance, Reverse Harem)

 

Crimson Soul
Lyra Winters
(The Crimson Demon, #3)
Publication date: August 26th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Reverse Harem, Romance

Lilith Whitlock was destined for a Hell of a lot more than she bargained for. Her being The Crimson Demon entailed immense power, and the longer it took her to figure out exactly what that meant, the more danger she was in.

The enemies she’d faced until now were pawns. With a puppet master pulling the strings, a malicious threat loomed over her, and there was nothing her four supernatural men could do to stop it.

Once her true nature was exposed, she was taken to Heaven and locked away. Lilith was a weapon stronger than anything in all the realms, but with her magic sealed, she was at the mercy of the angel that ended her life a millennium and a half ago.

What they didn’t realize was that Lilith was no one’s weapon. She was her own being, and she would slaughter anyone standing in between her and the men she loved.

As soon as she gained access to her powers again.

Crimson Soul is book three of three in the Crimson Demon Trilogy. It is a paranormal why-choose romance centered around three vampires and one demon. It contains mature subject matter that might not be suitable for all readers and ends in a happily ever after.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

My fangs sunk into the tough flesh of his throat.

A hiss of pain passed through him, but he didn’t try to stop me. My fingers dug into his shoulders as I sucked deep pulls of blood from him. I wasn’t gentle. In fact, I was rough with him as I drank from his celestial veins.

Sugary sweet blood rolled over my tongue. I moaned in delight as the hunger pain in my stomach and throat all but disappeared. The raw brutality of his power seeped into me, and my injuries were healing from the magic that flowed in his blood. I drew more and more into my mouth and gulped it greedily like I’d never have enough.

I’d never gone without blood for as long as I had, and my vampire instincts were in overdrive as logic took the backseat. My knees dug into the cold floor on either side of his waist, where I straddled him.

I was nowhere near as strong as he was in my condition, and he could easily push me off. But he didn’t. His hands trailed up my waist, pushing under the fabric of my shirt until his fingers hit my bare skin and a groan of pleasure escaped him.

My focus was only on feeding off him to sate the hunger until his fingers dipped into my skin so hard it hurt and he pulled me down as his hips bucked up against me. I felt the bulge of his arousal between my thighs, and it was like ice cold water was dropped on me.

Yanking my fangs out of him, I reared back. His grip tightened further, and bruising spread from each finger holding my hips in place. His long, silver hair was feathered back as his eyes glazed over in a lustful haze.

Author Bio:

Lyra Winters is a twenty-something Kentucky woman who adores the book world. When she's not typing away on her laptop or daydreaming book ideas, Lyra is occupying her time taking care of her two spunky daughters and dreamy husband. She's addicted to Coca-Cola, 2000s rap music, and bubble baths. Her dream is to write love stories that touch the reader's hearts.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Elite Starfighter (Starfighter Training Academy, #3) by Grace Goodwin (Adult, Romance, Science Fiction)

 

Elite Starfighter
Grace Goodwin
(Starfighter Training Academy, #3)
Publication date: August 17th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Romance, Science Fiction

Two friends have disappeared playing Starfighter Training Academy. No one cares because it’s just a game. Right?

I know something is wrong. Messed up. Completely off. And no one is paying attention.

My BFFs went missing after beating the hottest new multi-player game on the planet, Starfighter Training Academy. They won. They celebrated. They vanished. So what’s the girl left behind supposed to do?

Beat the damn game, that’s what. Find out the truth, even if that includes being recruited to fight in an alien war, lusting after the hottest alien I’ve ever seen, and marching into a battle there’s little chance of winning.

I will find my friends. I will learn what the heck is going on. And I will kiss the alien hunk I’ve been staring at for weeks.

Watch me.

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—

EXCERPT:

LILY:

I had steered clear of men. In all honesty, foraging around for a penis to take my virginity hadn’t seemed worth the effort when a discreet, electronic toy gave me perfectly acceptable orgasms with none of the drama. After one disastrous dating montage in college, I had learned to ignore men. All men, except digital versions who couldn’t break my heart.

Standing here was wrong. Big mistake. Darius of Velerion had become flesh and blood and he had heartbreak written all over him in bold, capital letters.

Not that my body was listening to a hint of common sense. My nipples hardened into aching pebbles. My core was tight and pulsing and so very empty. I wanted him to pound into me like a beast.

“Lily, talk to me.”

The air left my body in a woosh and I licked my lips, my tongue brushing the tip of his finger. He stared at my lips, taking the opportunity to slowly stroke my damp bottom lip with his thumb. I lifted my hand to his chest and settled it above his heart. “I don’t want to talk.”

His turn to stop breathing.

My words were honest. The absolute truth. I didn’t want to talk. I didn’t want to lay my soul bare or ask him for anything. I sure as hell didn’t want to tell him the only knob I’d ever handled had been battery powered. Playing by the rules had done nothing but earned me a lonely, dead-end job I was tired of reading about adventures and never having one of my own.

Darius, tall, dark, sexy Darius was standing in front of me looking at me like he wanted to rip my clothes off. I was on another planet.

I could be brave and sexy and wild. Powerful. Fearless. Important. Adored.

Could I not?

If I were so brave and sexy and wild, why did my heart threaten to pound its way out from behind my ribcage? Why did I feel like I was about to faint? My body drifted and swayed like whispers and smoke, the only thing anchoring me to reality the heat of Darius’s thumb on my lip.

I watched as he lowered his head slowly, his gaze moving at the last moment from my eyes to my lips. So, so close. The heat of his breath was like fire in my throat as I breathed him in…

Author Bio:

Grace Goodwin is a USA Today and international bestselling author of Sci-Fi and Paranormal romance with nearly one million books sold. Grace's titles are available worldwide in multiple languages in ebook, print and audio formats. Two best friends, one left-brained, the other right-brained, make up the award-winning writing duo that is Grace Goodwin. They are both mothers, escape room enthusiasts, avid readers and intrepid defenders of their preferred beverages. (There may or may not be an ongoing tea vs. coffee war occurring during their daily communications.) Grace loves to hear from readers.

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Book Blitz & Giveaway: Photo Bombed (Bianca Wallace Mysteries, #1) by Darla White (Adult Cozy Mystery Romance)

 

Photo Bombed
Daria White
(Bianca Wallace Mysteries, #1)
Publication date: May 25th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery, Romance

When a corpse crashes the party, Bianca is on the case.

Bianca Wallace is a work from home mom raising her teenage daughter as a single parent. She’s determined to stand on her own two feet in Edenville, Texas after her bitter divorce. When the town’s wedding of the year stars her friend as the bride, Bianca can’t wait to celebrate the nuptials. Neither she nor the guests expect a corpse! When the police suspect the bride, Bianca’s determined to prove her friend’s innocence.

Lamar Sims, the new police detective in Edenville, is investigating the murder case. Bianca’s “interference” is not helping, but she won’t stop when her friend’s freedom is on the line. He makes it clear he wants her to let the police do their job, so she has to find ways around him.

No one in Edenville is safe until the killer is behind bars. Bianca won’t let Detective Sims dismiss her hunches. They may have to work together before another dead body shows up.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

“Bianca!” Nicole shrieked.

Bianca embraced her friend. “You look amazing!”

Nicole planted her hands on her slim hips. Her sundress flowed to her knees and flattered her waist. Long blonde hair, five seven, and flawless ivory skin. Her blue eyes shined. The woman could have been a model if she wanted to, but found her passion as a beauty blogger. “Thank you. Come on in.”

Looping her arm with hers, Bianca walked with Nicole to the kitchen after setting her gift on the designated table. When they entered the kitchen, Bianca spotted Judy.

“Bianca! Welcome.” Her red hair shined as always.

“Let me help you, Judy. I can’t just stand around and let you do all of this for me.” Nicole stood in front of a plate of ham and grabbed the butcher knife from Priscilla’s, Chad’s mother, kitchen set.

“Nicole.” Judy sighed. “You’re the bride. You should be mingling with your guests.”

“There will be plenty of time for that.” Nicole nudged her shoulder and sliced the meat onto a serving tray.

Bianca made herself comfortable on a bar stool. “Having fun so far? You seem more relaxed now.” That was a good sign.

Nicole beamed. “I am. I can’t believe the wedding is next weekend.” She exhaled. “I’m so nervous.”

“Not about marrying Chad, I hope,” Judy said as she tossed the salad.

“Can I help?” Bianca stood.

Judy pointed for her to sit down. “No, I won’t have the both of you helping. Nicole’s the bride so she can get away with it.”

Bianca returned to her seat and folded her hands in her lap. She figured Judy was in her zone so she wouldn’t offer again to help her in the kitchen. “Everything looks amazing.”

Judy touched a hand to Nicole’s shoulder. “I can’t tell you what it means to me that you asked us to cater your wedding. Thank you.”

Nicole smiled. “Are you kidding? I wouldn’t have anyone else cooking for me.”

Bianca’s heart warmed at the friendly exchange. With Nicole marrying into the high society Davis family, she could have chosen top-notch caterers to serve her reception meal. Yet, she’d chosen Edenville’s best. There was no one better than Judy, who could cook and bake along with her husband, Richard.

“I do have a question for you my friend.” Nicole directed her attention to Bianca.

“What?” Bianca asked.

“I think you could get along with at least one of Chad’s—”

Bianca held up a hand to stop her. “Before you start setting me up with all of the groomsmen, I’ll pass.”

“Oh, Bianca. Really?” Nicole huffed.

“I’ll let you know if I change my mind.” Bianca winked at her.

Nicole paused in her slicing of the ham when her phone rang in her dress pocket. She stared at the screen but didn’t answer.

Author Bio:

Daria has lived in Texas for most of her life. She never liked reading as a kid. In fact, she almost hated it. However, as she grew up that all changed. Though she received her degree in healthcare management, Daria kept her writing as a hobby. She meant it to be private and her own way of expressing herself. It never crossed her mind to publish until she was in college. She took a chance and published. It worked!

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Release Blitz & Giveaway: Huntsman (House of Misfits, #3) by Cambria Hebert (Adult, Contemporary, Retelling, Fairy Tales, Romance)

 

Huntsman
Cambria Hebert
(House of Misfits, #3)
Publication date: August 13th, 2021
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Fairy Tales, Retelling, Romance

Once upon a time…
A boy is sired with poison in his veins. He cannot outrun the venom in his blood, so he escapes from those who put it there. Secreting away his darkest tendencies, he grows to become a friend, brother, bartender…
Huntsman.

A man who becomes exactly what he ran from, a villain of his own making.
A villain who falls in love with the one woman he is told to steer clear of.
Enchanted by a girl with hair as brilliant as the sun and innocence as potent as his corruption.

A girl locked away in a tower and told she will never walk again.
This boy doesn’t want to be the villain in her story. For once, he desires to be a hero.
Regrettably, his past creeps in like thick, winding fog, reaching wickedly for the one he loves the most. A hero is no match for the rotten tree from which he fell.
Once a huntsman, always a huntsman.
Poisoning guaranteed.

**Huntsman is a contemporary romance novel – a modern retelling of the fairy tale Tangled. It is recommended that you read Ivory White (House of Misfits #1) before diving into Huntsman. This book does not have a cliff hanger and has a HEA

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Is that your car?” she exclaimed. Her wheelchair halted in the middle of the sidewalk as she gaped at the vintage black Dodge Charger at the curb.

If most people—okay, literally any people—were to exclaim at my car like that, I’d be tempted to leave tread marks on their forehead as I sped off on the way to not giving a flying fuck.

But Virginia wasn’t any people. She was Neo’s little sister. So I bit back the biting reply to scratch behind my ear. “Well, I know it’s not exactly the cushy SUV Neo probably uses—”

“It’s way better!” Her arms flung up over her head in excitement. As they dropped, she rotated at the waist to find me with sparkling chestnut eyes. “Can I drive?”

It took me a heartbeat to digest the fact she liked the car and then another to realize she just asked to drive. Cheeky.

“Nobody drives my car but me.” I scowled.

Her lashes batted. “But I’m a really good driver.”

A con artist. Just like her brother.

“Don’t listen to her. She just ran over old Mr. Donaldson’s foot last week. The man acted like he was dying for days,” Emogen cracked from near the entrance to the Tower.

“Such a drama queen,” Virginia muttered. “He was wearing shoes.”

My lips curled inward so the scowl I favored so much couldn’t morph into a smile.

“Besides. It’s this clunky thing’s fault.” V patted the side of her wheelchair. “It’s clearly not as superb as this.” Her hands spread wide as if introducing the car.

“You wouldn’t be able to reach the pedals,” I told her on my way past to open up the passenger door.

A sound of horror filled the air. “How dare you discriminate against me because I’m short!”

I couldn’t help it. I smiled. Good thing I was facing inside the car when it happened. Wiping it off my face, I spun back, boots stomping over the uneven pavement as I closed the distance between us.

I didn’t like the way she craned her neck to stare up at me, and before I’d realized it, I’d dropped into a crouch in front of her chair, bringing us to eye level.

A little fissure of surprise flickered in her expression, but it was gone before I could really grasp hold.

Leaning in, I whispered, “I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but… your legs don’t work.”

A delicate, small-fingered hand with yellow-painted nails flew up to cover her mouth. The shock pouring from her eyes made me frown. Had I gone too far?

A prickle of unfamiliar conscience stung the back of my neck, and my tongue started to move in apology before my lips even parted. “V—”

A little giggle bubbled out around the hand pressed against her lips.

My stare whipped up. Her eyes were glimmering, not with upset… but with humor.

More giggles burst out, and her narrow shoulders shook with it. A summer breeze blew down the street, tugging at a long strand of hair that had come loose from the braids she always wore. It wiggled around behind her like it, too, was laughing.

Her hand dropped, revealing a warm smile. “I missed you.”

Pause.

Those words were like a magic wand, the kind so powerful that, with just one flourish, it could put everything to sleep around you. Suddenly, the obnoxious city quieted. The scent of garbage always lingering in the streets disappeared. My fingers curled into my palms, tightening my hands into fists.

Author Bio:

Cambria Hebert is an award winning, bestselling novelist of more than twenty books. She went to college for a bachelor’s degree, couldn’t pick a major, and ended up with a degree in cosmetology. So rest assured her characters will always have good hair.

Besides writing, Cambria loves a caramel latte, staying up late, sleeping in, and watching movies. She considers math human torture and has an irrational fear of chickens (yes, chickens). You can often find her running on the treadmill (she’d rather be eating a donut), painting her toenails (because she bites her fingernails), or walking her chorkie (the real boss of the house).

Cambria has written within the young adult and new adult genres, penning many paranormal and contemporary titles. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense. A few of her most recognized titles are: The Hashtag Series, Text, Torch, and Tattoo.

Cambria Hebert owns and operates Cambria Hebert Books, LLC.

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