This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Liza Malloy will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
College students Nate and Olivia are a perfect match on the courts—and in the sheets. Everywhere else, they’re polar opposites and sworn enemies. But as the chemistry builds, a figure from Olivia’s past unexpectedly pops back into her life and the couple realizes they have more in common than they thought. Are these star-crossed lovers doomed to repeat their parents’ mistakes, or can they build a life together once the final set is played?
This book is a standalone, steamy, new adult/college, sports romance, 77k words. Tropes include enemies to lovers, he falls first, and billionaire.
Read an Excerpt
“You know, some people like to give others the benefit of the doubt and get to know them before assuming the worst.”
Olivia snatched the cherry from the shake that I’d set on the edge of my plate. “Some of us prefer to avoid disappointment. I’ll keep my assumptions until people prove me wrong.”
At least she was honest, I thought, oddly envious of the cherry stem as she pressed her tongue against it. “Challenge accepted.”
We left the diner, but the drive home was far too short.
“Thank you for the ride,” she said, already clutching her racket and duffel bag before I even slowed to a complete stop in front of her apartment.
“And for the excellent meal, right?” I added.
She stared dryly. “I’ll thank you for the food when you thank me for not pressing charges on the whole kidnapping front.”
I bit back a smile. Even pissed off, Olivia was captivating. “This was fun. Why haven’t we hung out before?”
“Because we have nothing in common.”
“Not true. There’s tennis, lame business majors, and douchebag fathers.”
Olivia gazed back at me and for the briefest of moments, I thought she would say something meaningful, but instead she just shook her head, dismissing whatever idea had crossed her intriguing mind.
“You can’t possibly want to spend more time with me. I’ve been a total bitch to you all afternoon.”
I wasn’t about to deny that last part, so instead I pushed my luck with a bad joke. “We could move into the back seat and you could make it up to me,” I said, wiggling my eyebrows seductively.
I’d hoped for a snarky comeback, but instead she just rolled her eyes and chuckled. “I’ll see you at practice,” she mumbled, climbing out of the car.
About the Author:
Liza Malloy writes contemporary romance and women’s fiction. She’s a sucker for alpha males, bad boys, dimples, and muscles, and she can’t resist a man in uniform. Liza loves creating worlds where her heroine discovers her own strength and finds her Happily Ever After. When Liza isn’t reading or writing torrid love stories, she’s a practicing attorney. Her other passions include gummy bears, jelly beans, and the occasional marathon. She lives in the Midwest with her four daughters and her own Prince Charming.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Victoria Saccenti will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
One woman holds the key to his destiny—and his people’s salvation. Hagen drags himself to the gates of Hell, body and soul shredded by the bloodlust that consumes all the unmated of his kind. Awaiting the painful atonement that will buy him ten more years to find his eternal mate—or face oblivion. But Hades himself kicks him out with the bloodlust still prowling, unsatisfied, in his veins.
Bargained away by her parents to Master O, a mysterious, cruel wizard, Faiza serves in his household, keeping her small magic a secret, plagued by wild, confusing visions of a strange, suffering man. Then the master brings home a wounded Titanian warrior whose touch sends ice, fire, and desire racing through her body.
When she learns Master O plans to use Hagen as a weapon to conquer all races, she devises a desperate plan to free him—a plan that opens a portal to a world she’s never known. And a destiny entwined with danger that could destroy them all.
Read an Excerpt
The towering pair of boulders stood as gatekeepers and markers of the way. A steep path snaked between them until farther down the hill, the road disappeared in thick fog. Leaning on the closest rock, Hagen steadied himself to catch his breath, then pushed on.
Bloodlust crippled his Titanian vision. Still, he stumbled, rolled, and crawled over jagged rocks and gnarled roots with single-minded determination to reach his appointed meeting place, the cavern at the base of the Shivaliks, and the sole entrance to Hades’s domain on the earthly plane. A perverse satisfaction filled him each time he scraped and sliced his exposed skin, as this was only a precursor to the punishment he deserved. If he could shred his flesh to strips in anticipation as he had done with his clothes, so much the better.
Hagen advanced through the haze, seeking the deity’s promised signal. Images of his frenzy during the last skirmish prodded him. He strained past gore-filled images, and the effort paid off. There, deep within the haze, a faint red light marked the spot. Alecto had not forgotten. A hitched breath escaped his lungs as he stood and trod on a more secure step.
As the haze dissipated, the cavern’s hungry mouth gaped before him. Healing and deliverance acquired through pain would soon be his. As he inched closer to the wavering light, he removed the last remaining strips of clothing. The offering had to be bare and unadulterated. Nothing but skin would satisfy the Fury, purify his spirit, and postpone the horror of termination for another ten years—a mere blip in the lifespan of a Titanian.
About the Author:
Award-winning, multi-genre author Victoria Saccenti writes romantic women’s fiction, contemporary romance, and paranormal romance. Not one for heart and flower stories, she explores the edgy twists and turns of human interaction, the many facets of love, and all possible happy endings. After thirty years of traveling the world, she’s settled in Central Florida. She splits her busy schedule between family and her active muse at Essence Publishing. However, if she could convince her husband to sell their home, she would pack up her computer and move to Scotland, a land she adores. On a side note, in one form or another, Scotland appears in most of her stories.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Darren E. Watling will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
The earth's epilogue was a forgone conclusion.
Our World selects seven of the best human beings that man, woman, and other could put their faith in, to ensure human existence, each displaying traits of a master in his/hers/its field.
However, not all traits are in the best interest of humankind.
Out of this World places seven hospital patients on a Plan B shuttle. Life was difficult on Earth. A new planet presents new problems. The ex-Fruit and Nut Friendly Psychiatric Hospital patients are up for the challenge.
Into the Other World—The Twist. Not only a mid-1900s dance, it is also associated with a lemon, a warped shape, a frame of mind, a warped frame of mind, a face you pull from sucking lemons and an end of story, unexpected finish, not to be given away, glancing at the back cover.
Read an Excerpt
“Panicked, Venus had no idea where to go from there. She began to run down the almost deserted street. Her thoughts were a collective mess. The torture of the woman, Paul Elkato, FILTH, and the APC filled her less-than-settled mind. She ran, turning in only one direction, checking behind her the whole time. She had now lost her sense of direction. Venus was extremely hot from the unintended, fast-paced getaway, and she felt as if a huge cloud had covered her entirety. She was out of oxygen, and it seemed the whole universe was spinning in the opposite direction. Dis-orientated, she kept moving. Realising the gravity of the matter, she knew she had to seek refuge and hide from Paul and FILTH. Investigating her surroundings, she noticed a large sign. With limited options, Venus reluctantly entered the establishment.
“Hello, and welcome to The Fruit and Nut Friendly Psychiatric Hospital,” came the receptionist’s opening dialogue.
Venus, wishing to keep her new secret, declared she was a nymphomaniac and needed help. The bi-sexual receptionist was more than willing to admit her into the system. Venus would only stay a short time before the doors to freedom were unintentionally opened.”
About the Author:
Born Darren Edward Watling, Subiaco, Western Australia, 1966. Darren excelled in English, maintaining ‘A’s, throughout his schooling and wrote a play, ‘Laughing Gas’, for his school at the age of 10. Credited with one small, published article, Darren found inspiration and reward, arriving at his latest piece, ‘Last Chance’.
He completed an apprenticeship, as a fitter, at Princess Margaret Hospital, while continuing his passion for short story writing.
Traveling Australia for three years on a private bus gave Darren a beginning to the experiences and continued, humorous outlook he has on life.
Darren approached his mother Jill Stubbs Mills and asked for her blessing to take her short story, ‘Deception’, and rewrite it into a novel. (The feedback from her publisher about her story was exceptional). Jill agreed to her son’s request. Sadly, Jill now suffers with dementia, but, keeps her sense of humour.
Various forms of employment, including a movie extra, a welder on a crocodile farm, a drummer for a touring band and currently a roof plumber, gave Darren considerable ‘fuel’, for a fired up, comedic novel.
Darren has had several passions over the past 56 years while walking this Earth. Drums, Karate, tennis and continuing today- comedic writing.
It's a Book Tour for Kim Pierce's book, My Dead True Love. This is an original book and you'll want to keep reading. There are also prizes to be won. Like? A randomly drawn winner will receive a $50 Amazon/BN GC. How cool is that? Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour! You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2022/09/nbtm-my-dead-true-love-by-kim-pierce.html
My Dead True Love by Kim Pierce
When a newspaper reporter’s fiancé dies abruptly, she questions how he could just cease to be.
Dogged by unbidden thoughts, odd coincidences and unexplained phenomena, Ann Stewart becomes obsessed with finding out what really happens after we die and whether her beloved Gregory is still out there. She finds her answer, which takes her and a close-knit coterie of women to the edge of the cosmos—and the core of their own hearts.
Based on a true story.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Now for an Excerpt:
“It was definitely Gregory,” Connie declared, forcing herself to return to the vision. “As clear as if he were standing next to me. Smiling.”
“If you saw him”—and I still wasn’t believing—“did he see you? Did he see me?”
It made no sense, but I had to know more.
“I don’t know. I tried to un-see him. I really did,” she said, turning to me, something akin to terror twisting her face. “This ‘seeing’ is a part of me that triggers so much shame—and reactivates the trauma. Like shell shock.” Red mottling crept up Connie’s neck and onto her cheeks.
She saw him. The words slid off my brain as if she were speaking in tongues. What did that mean?
“Could it have been your imagination?” I offered wanly, not wanting that to be the case.
“Yes, I suppose it could.”
Neither of us believed it.
I waited.
“What would it mean for you to ‘see’ him?” I pressed.
Tell me. Even if it makes no sense.
“That there’s something wrong with me,” came her acrid reply. “Deeply, terribly wrong. At least that’s what my father would say. And a lot of other people who make judgments about what I can do.” She slammed the car into park a little too aggressively.
“There’s nothing wrong with you,” I said, getting out of the car.
Connie shut down.
“I need to go home for a while,” she said.
Tell. Me. More.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the Author:
Kim Pierce is a former Dallas Morning News writer and editor who completed the Writer’s Path fiction program at Southern Methodist University. My Dead True Love is her first novel, inspired by events surrounding the death of her fiancé in 1998. She lives in Dallas, Texas, with her partner and three cats.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Deborah A. Bailey will be awarding a $30 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Book two of the Family Pride Paranormal Romance Series
After claiming Zora Mason as his mate, and fighting off a threat to the MacKinnon pride, Mac is more than ready to get back to managing his coffee bar and settling into mated bliss. But just when it looks like things are quieting down, Mac and Zora find more challenges ahead.
Plans for Zora and Mac’s official introduction to the pride, and the opening of the new coffee bar may be derailed when, gripped by a mysterious blood fever lingering after the leadership challenge, Mac is driven to the edge of his endurance as he fights to keep his inner lion under control.
Juggling her responsibilities in the business and her position as the mate of the pride leader becomes even more challenging when Zora is forced to confront her fear that Mac is changing into someone she doesn’t recognize.
As the fever pushes Mac to the edge, the revelation of an old, painful family secret proves to be the key to saving Mac’s life. Zora and Mac come up with a plan to end the threat of the fever forever, but that same plan may destroy them both.
Is their love strong enough to defeat the blood fever, so they can live happily ever after as mates?
Read an Excerpt
She heard it. Scratching. Where was it coming from? She froze as she realized it was at the front door. Scratching accompanied by a low growl.
Fear bubbled up from the pit of her stomach. Holding her breath, as though whatever it was could hear her, she set the carafe down on the counter. What was out there? Only one way to find out.
Tiptoeing across the floor, she made her way to the window next to the door. Even though her hand was shaking, she managed to move the curtain just enough so she could peer out. She saw their cars, and nothing else. Unfortunately, her view didn't allow her to see if anyone was directly in front of the door.
More scratching, this time like a claw was dragging across the wood. She went to the door but stopped with her hand poised over the knob.
"Mac?" Her voice was little more than a croak. By now her heart was thundering in her chest, as adrenalin flooded her, preparing her to run if she had to.
Another growl, then the sound of something or someone falling against the gravel.
She couldn't stand there wondering what was going on outside. She had to find out. Zora turned the knob and opened the door just enough to see who was on the other side.
"Mac!" She flung the door open with such force that it swung back and banged against the wall.
He fell into the doorway and hit the floor. Dragging himself, he reached out to her, his fingers bloody. "Zora…help me…"
She dropped to her knees and pulled, trying to help him get traction to cross the threshold and into the house. But he didn't have the strength to help her.
"Baby what happened?" She was on her knees now, grasping him by the shoulders. "Mac!"
He fell over on his back and she saw the scratches across his chest, and a long bloody gash along his thigh. What had happened out there? His body was covered in dirt and sweat.
About the Author:
Deborah A Bailey's Romantic Fantasy, Paranormal & Science Fiction Romance novels include suspense, a bit of mystery and a lot of romantic heat.
Her short stories have won awards from the Philadelphia Writers' Conference and have been published in US1 Magazine and the Sun and are included in, Electric Dreams: Seven Futuristic Tales. She's the author of non-fiction books, and articles for various online publications.
Visit her website for more information and subscribe to the newsletter so you'll be the first to find out about giveaways, book launches and sneak peeks.
This post is par of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Petie McCarty will be awarding an Autographed paperback copy of Cinderella Busted (US only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on a tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
She could almost hear the fish laughing at her . . .
Cody Ryan’s father never missed fishing the annual Loon Lake tournament until his unexpected passing. So this year, Cody packs up her how-to fishing videos and her dad’s old johnboat and gives him one final entry.
Gage Connor needs some R&R away from his coast guard deployment catching drug smugglers along the Louisiana coast, so he borrows a bass boat from his buddy and heads to Loon, Alabama to do some fishing.
When Gage and Cody meet at Loon Lake, their attraction is immediate and intense—until the two discover there is only one boat slip left on the lake and they both need it, and there’s only one vacant hotel room left in Loon and they both want it. Thus, their competition begins. Both vow to keep their distance from the other to fight the temptation, but fate has other plans. The tournament pairing party picks the two-man teams and chooses Gage as Cody’s partner.
For two days.
Alone on a boat.
Working as a team.
Good things come to those who bait . . .
Read an Excerpt
Feeling the hotel room being yanked out from underneath her, Cody lost her grip on her temper. “I don’t care. I arrived here first.” She wheeled on Velma. “Tell him.”
Velma had a hard time meeting the man’s glittering green eyes, and Cody feared the worst. “Velma, you have to go with the first person who arrived here, and that was me.”
Velma visibly wavered, and her gaze bounced between Cody, Mr. Never-Had-Any-Patience, and her twin, who looked ready to burst into tears.
“It’s not your fault, Sister.” She patted Delma’s hand. “You didn’t know we were upstairs. I’ll handle this.”
Velma faced her two potential guests and announced, “We’ll flip for it.”
Delma immediately beamed.
“What?” Cody cried.
“Fine by me,” the stranger snapped and crossed his arms on his oversized and quite muscular pecs. Not that Cody was staring.
Velma reached into her apron pocket and drew out a silver dollar. She smiled at Cody. “Since you were here first, you can call it, and you can have heads if you want. I always liked heads in a coin toss, and I always got lucky calling heads.” Her eyes twinkled at Cody.
“Fine. Heads it is,” Cody said.
The coin flipped high in the air. Velma deftly caught it with her right hand and smacked the coin on top of her left. “Heads it is,” she proclaimed.
Cody blew out a sigh of relief.
“Hey, wait a minute,” the stranger complained.
“See for yourself.” Velma angled her hand for him to snatch a glimpse and then chucked the coin back into her pocket.
Cody stared him right in the eye. “I win.”
He eased closer—almost nose to nose—and she reconsidered her idea to gloat. His emerald eyes darkened, turned almost black, and locked onto hers. She could hear and feel each breath he took, because she held hers. Waiting.
“Share it with me.”
His gaze never wavered. She could feel it, almost like a caress.
“I promise I won’t touch you . . . if you don’t want me to.” The latter implied he wanted exactly the opposite.
About the Author:
Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and her cozy-mystery-with-romantic-suspense series, the Mystery Angel Romances.
Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in No Angels for Christmas.
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
An epic journey of adventure, heroism, and self-exploration through the eyes of a teenage boy named Siba.
Siba’s life takes an exciting turn when his pet parrot takes him to a magical forest. He explores the mysterious forest-dwellers and the precious ancient wisdoms of the fantasy world when a sudden tragedy jeopardizes life on earth. To save the world, he must embark on a legendary journey to the Pole Star.
Siba encounters many mythical creatures and numerous thrilling challenges that jolt him to his core. They leave burning questions in his mind about the world and his own existence. He must dive into the dark labyrinths of his mind, for the last hope of saving humanity seems to be hidden there.
Can he solve the mysteries of the mystical world and his inner world? Can he complete his journey to the Pole Star and save the world?
A perfect blend of fantasy, mysticism, and spirituality that explores the answer to the eternal question – Who Am I?
Read an Excerpt
After hiding Celine, as Siba moved out of the crack, he saw the dragons were attacking his friends. They swooped and snatched the snow leopards with their steel-like claws. Streams of fire turned the ice into clouds of steam. Watching the snow leopards slaughtered and torn into pieces, Siba ran toward them to help. As he reached there, one dragon blocked his way and spewed fire at him. Siba ducked. The stream of fire hit the black armor but didn’t burn it. Siba was surprised to find himself unscathed. He remembered the armor was made from the dragon’s skin.
He got up at once and climbed the glacier. But his leather slippers slipped on the molten ice, and he fell inside a shallow crevasse. He felt a sharp pain in his right arm. He looked at it. His arm was injured and bleeding. He took his feathers out but couldn’t flutter with his right arm. He struggled with one hand but couldn’t balance to fly out of the hole.
After a long struggle and several attempts, Siba emerged out of the crevasse. But by that time, the dragons had already left, and their dance of death was over. Many snow leopards died. Many more were injured. Ajax emerged from one crevasse with one leg badly injured.
Musa shouted, “They are gone.” Several other snow leopards emerged out of the glacier from all directions. Holding his bleeding arm, Siba arrived there in tears.
About the Author:B. Singh grew up in a small city, Chandigarh, located near the foothills of the mighty Himalayas in northwest India. Since his childhood, he has always had an inquisitive mindset. He doesn’t settle for the pre-existing answers if they don’t make sense to him. Instead, he explores, experiments, and finds the answer himself. He has traveled across India from north to south not only for his education but also to explore different cultures and values. To continue his journey of exploration, he moved from India to Canada. After graduating from the University of Windsor, Canada, he conceived the idea of compiling his learnings in the form of a spiritual fantasy book. This well-crafted and awe-inspiring adventurous journey into a fantasy world is full of chiseled gems of wisdom that will enrich the lives of every human being on earth.
Today I'm featuring His Untamable Wickedness by AP von K'Ory. You'll want to check it out. Looks steamy. Plus, there are prizes. Like? A P von K'Ory will be awarding a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2022/10/vbt-his-untameable-wickedness-by-p-von.html
LEO
A three-letter word made me a murderess at the age of eight years. But having experienced the curses of that word, I was done with men as I grew up. All men. Except to outplay them in the New York financial arena. Then Crowned Sex enthroned in gorgeous velvet charm and lustful gallantry storms into my life. Spewing volcanic lava on my monumental arctic ice block. With the unapologetic fierceness of a savage god. Wearing crackling thunderbolts straight from the god Zeus. Explosive has nothing on it.
Adrian isn't hot, he's fucking hellish. He embarks on melting my ice block at the speed of lightning. But I was done with men. I was done with sex. For ever. I. Was.
ADRIAN
I scented her darkness from the moment I was told about her. The sight of her sealed my decision. She was the woman created for my own darkness. I set off to protect her even from herself. Protect her to claim.
Fuse her darkness with my own. For. Myself. I'd fended women off me with bazookas when I was done but they weren't. I wasn't prepared for the battle I soon fought. Not only with her but also with her family. And New York's billionaire gangsters who own entourages of corrupt cops and politicians. With every battle I won, she started new darker wars around me. You ate or you were eaten. Not even starving was an option.
NOTE: Although the blurb is in the first person, the story of Leo and Adrian is written in the third person. This story contains adult material including explicit sex and violence. You've been warned.
Private, horse-rider addict, great listener. Well, while we’re at it, how about gym-shy? Without my bestie, I’d visit those muscle-toning Meccas about once a month or so.
Cast your book. Tell us who would play the main characters in a movie and why.
For Leo, I’d love to have Saoirse Ronan (hair darkened and not bone straight), because Ms Ronan has that “special something” that Leo has. A complicated strength that’s at the same time fragile until provoked to come demolishing like the wrath of God. The aloof femininity that silently dares you, challenges you to try it for size and see if you can cope.
For Adrian, well, as I keep reminding myself, he’s already on the cover of the first book, complete with the ferocious wickedness, Etonian mannerisms and Oxford accent. Until Leo brings out the demon beast in him that sheds the mannerisms but maintains the accent. But, as per request, a couple of pix, including one of what he looks like in a black velvet bathrobe morning, noon or night. Those yellow-gold Egyptian god eyes brook no argument.
What’s your favorite love scene from a movie?
All my favourite love scenes haven’t been turned into movies yet, and I haven’t seen a love scene in a movie that I’d declare a favourite.
What’s your wildest fantasy?
A gorgeous specimen of masculinity who takes forever to get me volcanic with his body, hands, gaze, voice and words that taunt me till I’m ready to murder to have him inside me, but too weak to even kneel for him. Then he eventually loves me like I’m sacred, before finally taking me like he just crawled out of his cave.
If you were to lose one of your senses, which would you rather lose and why?
My demonic taste buds. I’d finally be freed of my dark cravings for Belgian pralines! Especially like right now when every chocolatiers of the entire continent seem all out to get me with their Festive Season creations and mouth-watering packaging!
What is the naughtiest thing you did as a kid?
Honestly? Oh, wow, this is something I’ve only ever confessed to my husband. But… as curious a kid as I was, I routinely sneaked that makeup mirror (you know, the hand-held variety with one side magnifying?), locked my door and took a fine good look at myself, parting the folds. Have I said this was on a regularly basis? Well, I once wanted to be a gynaecologist.
Quickies: Boxers or Briefs?
(I take it we’re still talking about me?) The way my husband looked in them got me addicted to how his boxer briefs encased those crown jewels.
Top or Bottom?
Oh, wow. Give me the moods and I’ll tell you which is when.
Pajamas or nude?
Pajama bottoms, please. I love searching for my eggs all year round. (Pssst, we honestly call them eggs in German!) Meanwhile I’ll be wearing the tops, most likely unbuttoned but the shirttails (pajamatails?) tied around my waist.
Hairy chests or smooth?
My naked feminine chest loves the feel of a man’s chest on them, not a boy’s.
AP von K’Ory writes the kind of books she herself would like to read and is passionate about, whether romance, psychological thriller or nonfiction. She is the winner of six awards from four continents, the last one being the Achievers Award for Writer of the Year 2013 in the Netherlands. The Selmere Integration Prize was awarded her in 2014 for her engagement in helping African Women in the Diaspora cope with a variety of domestic and social problems. The Proposal, a short story, won the Cook Communications first prize in 2010 and is published in an American anthology Africa 2012. In 2012, she won the Karl Ziegler Prize for her commitment to bring African culture to Western society in various papers, theses, and lectures. Again in 2012, her book Bound to Tradition: The Dream was nominated for the 2012 Caine Prize by the Author-me Group, Sanford, and in 2013 she was shortlisted for the Commonwealth Writers Prize.
Von K'Ory is married to an aristocrat and politician of Franco-German descent, has a large extended family. She lectures Economics and Sociology in Austria, Germany and Switzerland. She’s migratory and – weather willing – lives in Germany, France, Cyprus, and Greece.
It would be lovely if you could Like the book page and read the latest interviews and news about Shana and Roman on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/Goshanaliterotic
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Emma -- I’m a coward. I know it. Being with Josh is nothing but one long nightmare, and I need to leave him, but I can’t escape. He’ll hunt me down, and I’ll pay. I’ve survived for the sake of our son, Cody, but for how much longer can I hold out? I’m not afraid to admit I need help, but do I dare reach out to someone? Moving to a new town might give me the opportunity. I just need to find the courage to run.
Axe -- As an alpha wolf shifter, I’ve lived a long time. I have my brothers in the Devoted Guardians MC, and the townspeople of Wolf Creek. What I don’t have is a mate and family of my own. So I give back where I can. I accept an assignment to mentor a kid who needed a Big Wolf. Instead I find the family I’ve always wanted. Emma is my mate. My wolf knows it. But she’s in trouble. Before I can claim her, I need to get her away from the abusive human she’s with. Then I’ll tackle the biggest issue of all -- Emma has no idea shifters exist.
WARNING: This is a Devoted Guardians MC novella and contains adult scenes that may trigger some readers. Guaranteed happily-ever-after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. For audiences 18+.
I stared at the message on my phone and scanned the area again. I’d agreed to meet my new Little Wolf at the park. The agency said the mom seemed nervous, and I could understand. Having a strange man meet with you and your kid had to be frightening. Even though the agency vetted everyone, I admired the woman for being cautious.
Just to be safe, I messaged the program director. She could send the mom a picture of me and let her know I was nearby. I’d had more than one mom freak out when I got close to their kid. Didn’t matter I was an alpha wolf. Our special town didn’t have one pack. It had many. Only certain wolves, like me and a few others, could handle being around other alphas without feeling the need to fight for dominance. Which was why not just any shifter would be permitted to move here. Each alpha had to pass a series of tests and interviews.
I finally spotted a kid who matched the picture the agency sent. Cody Carter. He looked small for his age. Most eight-year-old shifters were much bigger. Even if it looked like he wouldn’t officially be eight for another week, he still shouldn’t look so scrawny. Even rabbit shifters and deer weren’t as fragile in appearance as this kid.
Approaching the swings, I stopped a few feet away. From the corner of my eye, I saw a pretty blonde pop up from a nearby bench, her tense posture alerting me to the fact this had to be her son. She hadn’t so much as twitched until I approached the boy.
“You Cody?” I asked.
“Yes, sir.”
I smiled, liking how polite he was. His mother must have raised him right. “My name is Alexander, but everyone calls me Axe. I’m with the Big Wolf Little Wolf program.”
Cody’s eyes went wide. “Really?”
I nodded. “Yep. I thought we could get to know each other a bit today, and maybe set up our next visit.”
The swing stopped, and Cody shifted on the seat. He cast a furtive glance at his mother before focusing on me again. I wondered about that quick look but maintained eye contact with the kid. Until the breeze shifted. Every muscle in my body locked up tight, and my eyes shifted to that of my wolf. I felt a rumbling growl build inside me as the sweetest scent filled my nose. My mouth watered and my fangs ached. What the fuck? I’d never had such a reaction to a simple scent before.
The sound of dry grass crunching drew my attention to Cody’s mom. And that’s when I realized how truly fucked I was -- because the tantalizing smell was coming from Emma Carter. I breathed in deeper and realized something was seriously wrong. These two didn’t have a drop of shifter blood in them. In fact, they were one hundred percent human. What the hell were they doing in Wolf Creek?
She tugged at her sleeves and crossed her arms, then dropped them to her sides again. The way she shifted from foot to foot told me her fight-or-flight response was kicking in. She might not realize I was a predator, but something inside her could feel it. Didn’t matter, I wouldn’t hurt her. I’d sooner cut off my paw.
The woman jolted and pulled her phone from her pocket. The way her face relaxed told me it was likely the text from the program director. Better later than never, but the timing sucked. I should have held back and not approached for another minute or two, given them time to reach out to her. Perhaps she wouldn’t have been as frightened.
She turned her face away, and it felt like someone had punched me in the gut. Even though she’d done her best to hide it, I could see the bruising under her makeup. Some asshole had dared put their hands on her? I’d slaughter them!
The intensity of my feelings startled me, and I nearly took a step back. Sure, I hated the thought of anyone abusing a woman or kid, but not once had I reacted like this. Something seemed different about these two, and I wasn’t entirely certain what it was. If this were a fairy tale, I’d say I’d just found my mate. Except fated mates didn’t really exist. This town was proof enough. Shifters paired up much the same as humans did, with the caveat that it would be forever. We didn’t believe in divorce, which meant we entered relationships with a shit ton of caution. And yet… every breath I took pulled in more of her scent, and the longer I looked at the bruising on her skin, the angrier I became. No, anger didn’t encompass the emotion. Rage. Pure hatred for whoever had touched her.
My gums ached and saliva pooled in my mouth. My beast wanted to sink his teeth into the person responsible and rend him limb from limb. I decided it had to be a “he.” Even our most volatile female wouldn’t have done this, and a human woman wouldn’t have done so much damage. Otherwise, I felt certain Emma would have been able to dodge the blow or run away.
I took a deep breath. Then another. Slowly, I calmed the wolf inside me before he decided to come all the way out. The last thing I needed to do was scare either of them. Something told me neither of these two knew about shifters. I forced myself to smile and wave at Emma.
“I’m Axe Tremaine. You must be Cody’s mom, Emma. It’s nice to meet the both of you. I was just telling Cody that I’m with Big Wolf Little Wolf.”
Her eyes widened, and her lips parted. “You’re the one they sent? I thought…”
Part of me wanted to be offended, but compared to her tiny stature, I probably seemed like a huge beast. Pretty accurate. Despite the wolf lurking under my skin, I still wouldn’t have done something like beat on someone weaker than me. Whoever had hurt her needed to be taught a lesson. Or possibly buried in the woods after being torn apart. I was leaning toward option two at the moment.
“Guess I’m not what you imagined.”
ABOUT HARLEY WYLDE
Harley Wylde is the International Bestselling Author of the Dixie Reapers MC, Devil's Boneyard MC, and Hades Abyss MC series. When Harley's writing, her motto is the hotter the better -- off-the-charts sex, commanding men, and the women who can't deny them. If you want men who talk dirty, are sexy as hell, and take what they want, then you've come to the right place. She doesn't shy away from the dangers and nastiness in the world, bringing those realities to the pages of her books, but always gives her characters a happily-ever-after and makes sure the bad guys get what they deserve.
Award-winning author Jessica Coulter Smith has been in love with the written word since she was a child writing her first stories in crayon. Today she's a multi-published author of over seventy-five novellas and novels. Romance is an integral part of her world and she firmly believes that love will find you at the right time, even if Mr. Right is literally out of this world.
It's an excerpt tour and you're in for a treat. This week I'm featuring Last Chance Town by Ron Kearse. You'll want to stick around because there are prizes to be won in addition to checking out this book. Like? Ron Kearse will be awarding a $15 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. How cool is that? Want more chances to win? Then follow the tour. You can do that here: https://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2022/11/excerpt-tour-last-chance-town-by-ron.html
Last Chance Town:
Further Adventures Along the Road Without End
by Ron Kearse
In this, the Further Adventures Along the Road Without End, we fast forward from where the story left off in 1983, to Vancouver, BC, in 1988. Warren Givens has completed his second jail sentence four years previous, after which he's vowed to lay low and stay clean so there's no return to "Clown-College," as he calls it.
A chance meeting at a pub one night introduces us to Daryl Kellerman, at first as Givens' one night stand, which quickly develops into a love and live-in relationship between them.
Warren's distant past comes front-and-centre in the form of his birth mother, who lost him to Social Services before he was ten years old, and has been looking for him ever since.
We get to know Warren's past and what's made him the way he is.
This, along with some other drastic life changing occurrences, propel Warren into a life he never thought he would live.
Later, we get to know what life was like living with Givens through Daryl's eyes as he reminisces over the years since their initial meeting.
Last Chance Town is the third book in the Road Without End Trilogy.
Now for an exclusive Excerpt!
We approach the corner of East Hastings and Gore, and I can hear a commotion. We see an animated woman, maybe in her early thirties, screaming and yelling at somebody.
She’s naked. And she screams as she throws something at two police officers, standing on the sidewalk, silently looking at her through dark sunglasses. She has a ratty old comforter in her arms as she walks out to the middle of East Hastings Street and plunks it down on the pavement. Then sits on it--right in the middle of the street!
Daryl smiles and leans in. “It’s never a good idea to mix your drugs.”
I chuckle, but inside I’m thinking, fuck, that could be me.
“You’re fuckin’ losers,” she yells at the uniforms while giving them the old trucker’s salute. “Ya hear? LOSERS! LOOOSERS!”
Then she stops and digs around the comforter like she’s looking for something all the while swearing at the uniforms.
That’s when one of the uniforms walks to the middle of the street near her, but just out of her reach in case she gets violent. He talks into the microphone pinned to his collar, then directs traffic around her. The uniform on the sidewalk never takes his eyes off her as he moves in closer to her.
About the Author:
Ron Kearse had a nomadic upbringing and finds inspiration in traveling, art, friends, reading, and photography. He's written reviews and features for local periodicals, co-hosted radio programs, conducted interviews on-air and in print, and has a colourful and varied resumé. He's hosted art exhibitions of his works and has had his photographs displayed in public showings. He presently lives in Victoria, BC, with his partner, James.
