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Check out these featured authors making their way around the blog scene!
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Title: Harmless
Series: Pier 70 #4 Author: Nicole Edwards Genre: Adult, MM Romance Published: March 28, 2017 
      Fourteen months ago August “CAN I BUY you another drink?” Roan Gregory hoped he wasn’t sporting his who me look when he cast a quick glance up and to the left, startled by the offer from… Well. Okay. Not what he’d expected. Standing before him was the sexy guy who’d been checking Roan out since he walked in the door. Discreetly, sure. But Roan’s attention had been unfocused at best. He’d noticed. And yes, this was the same guy Roan had fought hard not to sneak a peek at for the past hour. The guy was totally his type back when he’d had a type. At least in the physical sense. Blond hair, blue eyes, long and lean, with the perfect balance of muscles tossed in. But that was the key. Roan didn’t have a type anymore. He was more interested in ignoring men for the duration. Sexy Guy nodded toward the empty beer bottle in front of Roan. “Another?” As though the guy wasn’t possibly talking to him, Roan continued to stare. Only this time, he was captivated by the seductive smirk on Sexy Guy’s smooth lips. Nice lips. Full, perfect … lips. Obliterating the thought from his sex-starved brain, Roan dropped his gaze down to his beer. Yep, definitely empty. He must’ve drained it when he’d been lost in his own damn thoughts. Unfortunately—no matter what his little head was telling him—he wasn’t interested in company, sexy or otherwise, so he wanted Sexy Guy to go sit back down at the table by the wall where he’d come from. “I’m good.” Shaking his head, Roan avoided the man’s eyes, hoping he would take the hint. “I figured if you’re gonna drown your sorrows, probably should do it right.” If Sexy Guy only knew. Lifting his gaze once more, Roan met the determined steel-blue eyes still studying him. He bit back a retort. Didn’t the guy understand that he wanted to be alone? Seriously, what did he need to do? Hold up a sign that said, Personal Pity Party, No Company Wanted? What the…? Clearly Roan needed to improve his turn-down skills. Sexy Guy surely mistook his I’m good for sure, sit down and join me because, of course, Sexy Guy was now sitting at his table. And he hadn’t bothered to ask. “I promise, I’m harmless.” To reiterate his point, Sexy Guy held up his hands in surrender. Big hands. Nice hands. Perfect hands. Son of a bitch. Now that Roan thought about it, the guy didn’t look harmless. He looked like … well, hell, he looked like temptation. Good thing he’d cut temptation from his diet long ago. Leaning back, Roan tried to appear casual, not wanting to show that he was taken aback by the guy’s forwardness. He also didn’t want the incredibly handsome blond to see that Roan was discreetly attempting to check him out. Mainly, the way that snug charcoal-gray T-shirt stretched across his impressive chest and the way the corded muscles in his neck shifted inconspicuously when he lifted his arm. How discreet he was actually being was anyone’s guess since there was only about three feet between them. Not only was he at least an eleven, Sexy Guy also looked familiar. Eerily so. Only Roan couldn’t place him. Roan shrugged off the thought and continued to stare the guy down. For the past half hour, Roan had been nursing a beer while pretending to watch the baseball game playing on the television closest to him. He wasn’t really paying attention at all because his brain was inundated with how shitty he’d allowed his life to become. In fact, he’d been paying so little attention he had noticed that the handsome man now sitting across from him had been staring his way every so often. After the guy signaled the waitress for two more beers, he turned back to Roan. Bold move considering Roan had already told him he wasn’t interested. Or that had been his meaning anyway. “Colton Seguine,” Sexy Guy said smoothly as he held out his hand. Roan detected an accent, but he couldn’t quite place it. Canadian, maybe? “Not interested,” Roan grumbled, ignoring the introduction, hoping the guy would get it through his thick skull that Roan wasn’t… Wait. Did he say…? The name registered and Roan’s gaze slammed directly into the big guy. Wavy blond hair, a thin scar running through one of his thick eyebrows, pale blue eyes with the perfect balance of gray running through them, a slightly crooked nose, and a jaw that looked as though it had been carved from stone, not to mention sharp cheekbones and those lips… Holy shit. The harmless temptation sitting across from him was none other than a fucking hockey player. Harmless. Right. “You’re Colton Seguine,” Roan muttered, feeling stupid. The guy’s lopsided smirk transformed his face from sexy to … hot as fuck. “That’s what they tell me, but everyone calls me Seg. Unfortunately, I don’t recognize you, so…” Roan held out his hand seeing that Seg’s was resting on the table as though waiting for this moment. “Roan Gregory.” “Nice to meet you, Roan Gregory.” Yes, it was. Seg’s hand was strong, his grip firm. And holy fuck. This was Colton Seguine. Seg. Roan briefly forgot all of his problems as he stared at the defenseman for the Austin Arrows hockey team. He knew the man was big—he’d read his stats a few dozen times—but up close and personal, he was ginormous. Six foot four, two-twenty, if Roan remembered correctly. The waitress interrupted their staring contest when she delivered their beers, and for a few seconds, Roan was caught up in those smoky blue eyes, unable to look away. It no longer mattered that he’d been wallowing in self-pity, trying to get over the fact that nearly four months ago he’d professed his love for his best friend. He no longer felt the chest-constricting pain that had engulfed him as soon as he realized Cam had fallen in love with someone and they were incredibly happy. The pain hadn’t come from the fact that Cam and Gannon were happy. As far as he was concerned, that was a good thing. It came from the fact that Roan had been insecure enough to think he would lose his friendship with the most important person in his life. Only right now, the fact that he’d blurted out that he loved his best friend seemed unimportant—not to mention, completely untrue. Nope. None of it mattered because his brain was misfiring; the only thing he could think about was sex. Sex with this incredibly sexy hockey player. Dirty, rough, highly-erotic sex. And wasn’t that a kick in the nuts? Roan wasn’t the sort to succumb to insta-lust. It usually took him some time to warm up to a guy. A hell of a lot longer than a brief introduction anyway. Roan took a long pull on his beer, breaking the eye contact. This was insane. Why the hell would this guy even be over here? It wasn’t like he was… Nah. No way was this guy gay. Plus, if he was—which he wasn’t—there was no way Seg would know Roan was gay. Seriously. How would he know? They weren’t in a gay bar. And it wasn’t like Roan was wearing his I’m out and proud T-shirt today. The thought had Roan staring at Seg thoughtfully. Did he know Roan was gay? Was it something he broadcasted without realizing it? After glancing around the room cautiously, Seg leaned in and lowered his voice. “What do you say after this beer, I take you back to my place and we have a drink there?” Okay, so maybe along with some finely tuned gaydar, Seg was gay. Not openly, obviously, since Roan distinctly remembered a recent article about Seg and some model chick he’d been dating as of late. Yes, in case there was any confusion, Roan was a fan of the Austin Arrows. Huge fan. Maybe Seg was bisexual? Roan let that thought roll around for a few seconds. He didn’t do bisexual. He had absolutely no intention of being with some guy who would wake up the next morning, crying and whining because he was so fucking confused about his life. Pussy or dick, it wasn’t that hard to figure out which you preferred. Not to mention, Roan didn’t need that shit on top of everything else he was dealing with. Leaning closer, mirroring Seg’s posture, Roan shook his head. “I’m pretty sure”—he tilted his head toward the waitress—“she’s more your type.” Seg leaned even closer. “I’m pretty sure … you’re dead wrong.” Roan sat up straight, taking another pull on his beer as he studied this man. Here was a guy Roan had watched play for years. A guy who was as masculine as they came. A guy who was now sitting here, in this sports bar, coming on to him. He was coming on to him, right? Roan had been out of the game a long time; maybe he was imagining it. He instantly thought about Cam. About how Roan had damn near fucked up their friendship because of his momentary lapse in judgement. His stupid freak out had nearly cost him the most important person in his life. Then he thought about his sister and her fucking drug problem. And his father, who was beside himself on how to help her. His stepmother, who had threatened to leave his father if they didn’t find a way to get Cassie some help. A fucking mess was what his life had been reduced to. No way should Roan add fucking a hockey player to that long list of screwed-up bullshit. Clearly Seg sensed Roan was considering the idea. “One night. No strings.” Nope, no mistaking that come-on. Roan considered it. No-strings sex. Was there even such a thing? Roan adjusted his position, trying not to give the idea the merit it deserved, but unable to help himself. A one-night stand with a hot hockey player. Who could really say no to that? More importantly, who would? His world was crumbling down around him, and this guy was offering him an opportunity to forget about it for a little while. An opportunity he’d be stupid to pass up. “One night?” Roan confirmed. Seg nodded. “Tomorrow we pretend this never happened?” Another nod. Downing what was left of his beer, Roan reached for his wallet, pulled out a couple of twenties, and slapped them on the table before getting to his feet. “I’ll follow you,” he told Seg. The grin on Seg’s face made Roan’s dick jump to life. Oh, yeah. This was definitely a good decision.               
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Digging in the Stars
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo -- TEASERS: “Please remain seated as we begin our descent into Thror. Welcome, and enjoy your stay.” * * * Carter had been so close to her goal. She saw that crack with her own eyes, a portal into a lost ancient world, chambers filed with carvings, images that had never been recorded or reproduced. The greatest discovery of this or any other century, waiting less than twenty feet away. Waiting for her. And Conrad had been there first. The moment she thought it, she felt guilty. She was allowing herself to get carried away by archaeological fervor, mentally competing with Conrad, when he might have paid a terrible price for his discovery. 
GIVEAWAY!
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We invite you to William R. Leibowitz's MIRACLE MAN Blog Tour! Miracle Man is awarded PUYB Top Thriller Pick and is having a fantastic giveaway with 10 ways to win! Leave a comment at the bottom of this blog, fill out the Rafflecopter form below and you could win one autographed copy of Miracle Man, one of 5 e-copies or one of 4 pens! Winners will be announced on May 31. Only 18 years of age or older may enter. Good luck!
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Title: MIRACLE MAN
Author: William Leibowitz Publisher: Manifesto Media Group Pages: 385 Genre: Thriller
REVERED REVILED REMARKABLE
The victim of an unspeakable crime, an infant rises to become a new type of superhero. Unlike any that have come before him, he is not a fanciful creation of animators, he is real.
So begins the saga of Robert James Austin, the greatest genius in human history. But where did his extraordinary intelligence come from?
As agents of corporate greed vie with rabid anti-Western radicals to destroy him, an obsessive government leader launches a bizarre covert mission to exploit his intellect. Yet Austin’s greatest fear is not of this world.
Aided by two exceptional women, one of whom will become his unlikely lover, Austin struggles against abandonment and betrayal. But the forces that oppose him are more powerful than even he can understand.
Miracle Man was named by Amazon as one of the Top 100 Novels of 2015, an Amazon Top 10 thriller, an Amazon bestseller and an Amazon NY Times bestseller.
FOR MORE INFORMATION:Amazon | Barnes & Noble
Book Excerpt:
A tall figure wearing a black-hooded slicker walked quickly through the night carrying a large garbage bag. His pale face was wet with rain. He had picked a deserted part of town. Old warehouse buildings were being gutted so they could be converted into apartments for non-existent buyers. There were no stores, no restaurants and no people.
“Who’d wanna live in this shit place?” he muttered to himself. Even the nice neighborhoods of this dismal city had more “For Sale” signs than you could count.
He was disgusted with himself and disgusted with her, but they were too young to be burdened. Life was already hard enough. He shook his head incredulously. She had been so damn sexy, funny, full of life. Why the hell couldn’t she leave well enough alone? She should have had some control.
He wanted to scream-out down the ugly street, “It’s her fucking fault that I’m in the rain in this crap neighborhood trying to evade the police.”
But he knew he hadn’t tried to slow her down either. He kept giving her the drugs and she kept getting kinkier and kinkier and more dependent on him and that’s how he liked it. She was adventurous and creative beyond her years. Freaky and bizarre. He had been enthralled, amazed. The higher she got, the wilder she was. Nothing was out of bounds. Everything was in the game.
And so, they went farther and farther out there. Together. With the help of the chemicals. They were co-conspirators, co-sponsors of their mutual dissipation. How far they had traveled without ever leaving their cruddy little city. They were so far ahead of all the other kids.
He squinted, and his mind reeled. He tried to remember in what month of their senior year in high school the drugs became more important to her than he was. And in what month did her face start looking so tired, her complexion prefacing the ravages to follow, her breath becoming foul as her teeth and gums deteriorated. And in what month did her need for the drugs outstrip his and her cash resources.
He stopped walking and raised his hooded head to the sky so that the rain would pelt him full-on in the face. He was hoping that somehow this would make him feel absolved. It didn’t. He shuddered as he clutched the shiny black bag, the increasingly cold wet wind blowing hard against him. He didn’t even want to try to figure out how many guys she had sex with for the drugs.
The puddle-ridden deserted street had three large dumpsters on it. One was almost empty. It seemed huge and metallic and didn’t appeal to him. The second was two-thirds full. He peered into it, but was repulsed by the odor, and he was pretty sure he saw the quick moving figures of rodents foraging in the mess. The third was piled above the brim with construction debris.
Holding the plastic bag, he climbed up on the rusty lip of the third dumpster. Stretching forward, he placed the bag on top of some large garbage bags which were just a few feet inside of the dumpster’s rim. As he climbed down, his body looked bent and crooked and his face was ashen. Tears streamed down his cheeks and bounced off his hands. He barely could annunciate, “Please forgive me,” as he shuffled away, head bowed and snot dripping from his nose.
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About the Author
William Leibowitz has been practicing entertainment/media law in New York City for a number of years. He has represented numerous renowned creative people and many leading intellectual property companies. William has a Bachelor of Science degree from New York University (magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa) and a law degree from Columbia University. He lives in the village of Quogue, New York with his wife, Alexandria, and dog, George.
William wrote Miracle Man because of its humanistic and spiritual messages and because he feels that in our current times--when meritless celebrity has eclipsed accomplishment and the only heroes are those based on comic books, the world needs a real hero--and that, of course, is Robert James Austin, the protagonist in Miracle Man.
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Contemporary Romance
Date Published: February 27th There are moments in time that stand out more than others: your first kiss, a special birthday party, seeing your baby for the first time, an intimate conversation, a first date, even something as little as sitting around a dining room table with friends. This is the story of the moments that stood out after I first laid eyes on Noah Gish. ~ Claire Sawyer The city, it used to be a place I loved and missed with an ache in my gut. It was home. The place where I grew up, where I had fun, where I had my friends, where life was as good as I knew it to be. Then I was shipped off to a place that begins the story of how I fell in love, just to screw everything up. ~ Noah Gish BUY HERE EXCERPT
That thought is halted the minute she walks in. Long, soft waves of brown swish inside the doorway. Below that hair is a petite, very petite, package full of curves. flawless ass wrapped in some tight jeans, tiny waist, full breasts seen at a side profile, outlined in a gray V-neck shirt. Those soft globes peeking out as she inhales. The ideal hourglass figure. I haven’t even seen her face and I’m already picturing what I would do to her. I want to feel her skin. I can imagine how silky it would feel, how soft and conforming to my grip. How it would feel under my lips. Taste on my tongue. I want to lick her back. Every curve of … Again my thoughts come to a halt. My erection stops mid-growth. Her face. Those eyes. My heart stops. It literally. Fucking. Stops. I don’t even think I breathe. I’m not a fan of clichés, but from my reactions—my stopped breath, my stopped heart, the jaw dropping, eyes devouring, not to mention sexual thoughts paused … and now my heart is beating like I just ran a marathon, quick breathes, heart attack approaching. If I believed in it, I think I am experiencing love at first sight. And from the looks of her—paused mid-step, eyes locked on mine, rapid breathing, mouth parted, now trying not to look at me—I would say she is experiencing the same dubious phenomena. Her face, if it had to be described in one word, it would be angelic. Her skin is impeccably fair, with a pretty blush to her cheeks. Her eyes are big and doe-like, so sweet, innocent, and the most beautiful shade of blue I have ever seen. They are fanned by the thickest lashes, and the arch of her brow just begs to be outlined by a finger. Her lips are the closest to natural red I have ever seen on a girl. And I know it’s not makeup; there isn’t a stitch of it on her pretty fresh face. Her nose … I want to press a kiss to that little nose. What the hell am I saying? One look at this girl, and I am a puddle of mush. 
Literature is my passion. I like to challenge myself and grow in my writings. I have many unfinished books and some that have been published under a different name.
My passions include the arts: music, photography, writing, dance, painting, films, architecture—anything that is creation. There is not much I don't like; and if I don't like it, I at least appreciate the process it took place to create it. This is something incorporated in all my books. In my spare time, I enjoy being out in nature, travelling, spending time with family, and reading. I read everything, from contemporary to paranormal, and history to science. Learning is something very important to me. Contact Information Website: katharinealexander.net Facebook: www.facebook.com/KatAlexanderauthor Twitter: https://twitter.com/katharinealex Blog: katharinealexander.net Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16126747.Kat_Alexander   About the Book Title: K My Name is Kendra Author: Kamichi Jackson Genre: Young Adult Fifteen-year-old Kendra James' life begins to spiral out of control with the return of her long-lost runaway sister Meisha, and the visit of a young celebrity uncle with questionable intentions. Things take a particular turn for the worse when that uncle exploits Kendra's loneliness and untreated depression and makes a move on her that sends her world into a tailspin from which she's not sure she'll ever recover. Will she survive this tragedy...or will she hit rock-bottom before anyone even notices? CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE Author Bio In addition to K My Name Is Kendra, Kamichi Jackson is the author of an eBook entitled Where Present Meets Past (originally available as part of the now-defunct Amazon Shorts Program), the middle reader book You're Too Much, Reggie Brown, a forthcoming adult novel entitled The Brownstone, two unproduced screenplays, and several short stories. KJ has made numerous appearances in support of her work, among them the Baltimore Book Festival. When not writing, Kamichi is likely off somewhere singing karaoke. The South Norwalk, Connecticut native currently resides in Northern Virginia with family. Links EXCERPT
Trip to the Principal’s Office “Tell me what’s happening at home, Miss James,” says Principal Moore. I fidget in my chair for a few seconds, and then I shrug my shoulders, like I don’t have anything to lose by telling him what’s up. “My father walked out on our family the other night because he and my mother had a huge fight about my older sister wanting to come back into our family after being gone for ten years. She ran away when she was fifteen—I don’t know why because no one will tell me—and up until a few days ago, we didn’t even know she was still alive. Mama wants her back and Daddy doesn’t, so he left,” I say, almost all in one breath. “That’s a lot to deal with,” he says gently. “Truth be told, if I was your age and I came to school with all that on my mind, I’d probably have felt like running away to be by myself for a while too. The thing is, there are consequences to almost everything we do, even if we are under duress when we do them. Now, in most cases, what you did warrants an immediate suspension. Do you think you deserve to be suspended?” “No, I don’t,” I say, shaking my head. “Why not?” “Because I’m a good student. I never get into trouble. I made a stupid mistake because I was—I was under duress, like you just said.” “Then what do you think you deserve?” he asks, sitting back in his chair. I’m thinking, is he serious? I get to pick my own punishment? I wonder what his angle is. I can’t tell yet. “Clinic,” I suggest after a few moments. Clinic is what our school now calls Detention. Why, I don’t know. I guess they think spending time after school with a roomful of students you’re not allowed to talk to and a teacher who is mad that they have to be there to sit with you is somehow supposed to heal a student in trouble. “One week,” he says, but to me he looks like he’s willing to negotiate. “Three days,” I say. “Max.” Principal Moore stares me down for a minute and I wonder if maybe I read him wrong, but then he throws his head back and lets out a big booming laugh. “I like her,” he says to Aris, then turns back to me. “Three days, starting tomorrow. And I’ve already spoken to Miss Wilson about you spending them with her. I read your file, Miss James. I’ve seen your transcripts. You’re a very good student, but you’re an even better writer. Gifted, with the potential to be brilliant, even at your young age. I want you to use this time in Clinic to be productive. Take all this negativity and spin it into something positive. Writing under Miss Wilson’s guidance is a good start. How does that sound?” “I can do that,” I smile. “Good. We’re done here then.” 
In the Shadows: Paranormal & Urban Fantasy Boxed Setby Various Authors Publication Date: March 27, 2017 Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Anthology
BUY:Amazon: http://amzn.to/2nqdY18 B&N: http://bit.ly/2lnCq3X Kobo: http://bit.ly/2mUI2j9 iBooks: http://apple.co/2lZnPb
SYNOPSIS:Quench your thirst and satisfy your cravings with this enticing collection of 12 paranormal stories written by the hottest USA Today, and Bestselling authors. From wolves, and demons, to big cats, alpha males and vampire tales, you’ll be sure to find something you love because there is always something lurking… In the Shadows… This set includes these fantastic stories by your favorite authors: Night Falls (Racinitine Pack 1) by Nicole Morgan When Kinzey gets too close to Paul’s secrets, he is faced with making a choice that could not only change his world, but the only life his pack has ever known. The Guardian (Mended Souls Book 1) by Jacquie Biggar Can two lost souls stop a crazed madman before he strikes again? Araya’s Addiction by Jocelyn Dex When an Incubus wakes up naked, collared, and locked in a cell, he knows thinking with his dick has finally gotten him into trouble. Kassandra’s Wolf (Book 3 of The Dragon Ruby Series) by Leilani Love She drugged him. Waking up hard and alone, all Damien could think about was teaching Kassandra the errors of her ways. Wolf’s Soul by Tierney O’Malley All he wanted was her sword, but she gave him her heart--whole-souled. Alix (The Coven’s Grove Chronicles Book 1) by Virginia Hunter Building friendships isn’t easy...building a coven is even harder. Join Alix in a race for survival and her discovery that love and magic aren’t that far apart. Asura Night by Fionn Jameson Monsters exist. But so do demon hunters, and they’re not giving up the fight easily. When the Clock Strikes (Paranormal Personnel Saga 0.5) by Joanna Mazurkiewicz Thoughts about Julia had corrupted my mind to the point that I couldn’t function. Alexander’s Blood Bride (Vampires of London Book 1) by Lorelei Moone Alexander has waited centuries to meet a woman like Cat. The catch: she's a mortal with blood is so tempting that every vampire in London will want to claim her. The Dryad’s Pawprint (Paranormal Council #1) by Laura Greenwood He'll give up his happiness to help his people--but can he give up his soulmate? After Moonlight by Cate Farren Can two souls survive a world where only werewolves remain? The Blood Empire: Episode One A Vampire Dark Fantasy Novel (Prequel to The Blood Rite Saga Book 1) by Dylan Keefer Master and servant, vampire and human; their lives couldn’t be any different. Their illicit affair could cost them their lives.
Working Stiff: Casimir
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-- EXCERPT: Casimir bounced the back of his head softly against the door in time with his thoughts. She. Was. Married. It did not matter if Rox would be under his roof for a day or two. It did not matter that sometimes a ghost of other circumstances had flitted through the house and through Casimir’s mind, a ghost that looked suspiciously like her sumptuous dark hair spread on his pillows or her plush body sprawled on his sheets. She. Was. Married. Perhaps his attraction for her was merely for forbidden fruit, he consoled himself. If he’d had a chance with her, perhaps he wouldn’t feel so strongly. It was probably an illusion. Perhaps she wouldn’t walk through his dreams, handing him contracts and then looking up through dark eyelashes with her hazel eyes that reminded him of pale caramels from home before she melted into his arms. She would only be at his home for a day or two. Casimir would survive a day or two of her walking around his house, drinking coffee with him in the morning or maybe a cocktail after work, perhaps watching a little late-night television on the deep couches in the media room before they retired, or perhaps, finally, she might steal into his bedroom near midnight-- She. Was. Married. He rubbed the back of his skull. That last bonk had smarted a bit.
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Rogue in Love: Thea and Lex
-- EXCERPT: She paused in front of the door, fist raised and ready to knock, when a thought occurred to her. Lex had mentioned he’d seen Abbott earlier, and all of Blackwater knew damned well that on a Saturday night there was only one place to find Abbot and that was at Blackies. “Shit,” she whispered fiercely as she backed away from the door. If it had been any other bar, she wouldn’t have given a damn, but Blackies? Known for its cheap hookers and cheap booze, it was the one bar not one respectable Blackwater resident would ever show their face. Sure, Blackwater was full of hoodlums and fools, but even most of them steered clear of Blackies. Turning away from the door, Thea made her way to the kitchen. She yanked open cabinets, rifling through them until she found an old bottle of whiskey. Hunting high and low for shot glasses, she came up empty. With an annoyed growl, Thea plopped down at the table and opened the bottle. “Fuck it.” A long swig later and Thea found herself sputtering and coughing up a damned lung. Wheezing, Thea thumped her chest until she was able to breathe again. “Shit, that always looked easier in movies.” Wiping her watering eyes, she lifted the bottle again, and this time she took a careful sip; the liquid formed a burning trail down her throat and pooled in her belly. What the hell was Lex doing at Blackies? If all he wanted was liquor, then he could have ended up at any other bar, why had it been that one? Braving another gulp, Thea closed her eyes and tried to imagine Lex picking up another woman. The thought seared her blood more than the liquor ever could. Feeling foolish for one, drinking alone, and two, not having the guts to ask Lex the question himself, Thea bounded up, liquor bottle in hand, and stomped down the hallway. This time, without hesitation, she burst into the bathroom only to see Lex, all naked, tatted, two-hundred and some pounds of him covered in soap with her little pink razor between his fingers, eyeing it as if it were a snake seconds from striking. Thea couldn’t help but stand frozen in place, viewing him through the see through shower curtain. His tanned and toned ass flexed as he turned, confusion marring his now clean, but still hairy face. Lifting the razor, he asked, “What the fuck am I supposed to do with this?”
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Altercation
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo You can also grab book 2 – Holding – that is OUT NOW! -- EXCERPT: I moved to stand where she’d be able to see me, not really caring if I was blocking the view for some other person waiting. I widened my stance and with my arms crossed over my chest, I kept my eyes trained as far back as I could see. My gaze shifted over the different travelers coming in; the only person I wanted to see was a brunette with crazy colored eyes. And then I saw her. The feeling that overtook me was like a drowning man getting his first breath of air. A starving man getting a fucking full-course meal. She didn’t see me yet, but she would in time. There were maybe eighty people between us and she was nearing. Her hair was braided over her shoulder, wisps of hair falling out and framing her face. She was wearing leggings and those damned boots of hers, but I was surprised to see her shirt was the girly type, long with cuts up the sides, nearly to her waist, and lacy sleeves that played peek-a-boo with the colors adorning her arm. She didn’t carry a bag, just her phone in one hand. I licked my bottom lip before biting it gently, trying to stop the smile from spreading on my face. Didn’t want to look like a complete moron. Forty feet. Her gaze was down at the floor, no doubt watching where she was walking. It didn’t surprise me she was careful like that. Thirty feet. Look up, Asher…Look up. Twenty feet. Her face lifted and, like a magnet, her eyes locked on mine instantly. And the smile on her face? God damn. There was no sense stopping my full-ass smile now, not with the one she just shot my way. If you would have told me, four months ago, I would be the most celibate man in the history of earth, all for the glimpses of smiles from that girl there with more secrets behind her eyes than I could ever hope to uncover, I probably would have laughed in your face. Four months ago, I was gearing up for my rookie season in South Carolina. Four months ago, I was a kid with a big name, going to a team that had nothing to do with said big name. Four months ago, it was rumored I would be the new hot shot in town. Nico certainly didn’t fail to show me the gossip sites, seemingly run by a bunch of puck bunnies. But four months ago, I walked into Starbucks for a goodbye coffee with my sister, and met the girl with secrets. And four months ago, I became addicted without so much as a taste. Now that I’ve had that taste? Shit, I couldn’t wait for more.
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We invite you to Bruce Forciea's ALAN 2 Blog Tour! Please leave a comment to let Bruce know you stopped by!
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Title: ALAN 2
Author: Bruce Forciea Publisher: Open Books Pages: 278 Genre: Cyber-Thriller
A brilliant artificial intelligence (AI) scientist, Dr. Alan Boyd, develops a new program that integrates part of his brain with a computer’s operating system. The program, Alan 2, can anticipate a user’s needs and automatically perform many tasks. A large software company, International Microsystems (IM) desperately wants the program and tempts Dr. Boyd with huge sums of money, but when Dr. Boyd refuses their offer, IM sabotages his job, leaving him in a difficult financial situation.
Dr. Boyd turns to Alan 2 for an answer to his financial problems, and Alan 2 develops plan Alpha, which is a cyber robin hood scheme to rob from rich corporations via a credit card scam.
Alan and his girlfriend Kaitlin travel to Mexico where they live the good life funded by plan Alpha, but the FBI cybercrime division has discovered part of Alan 2’s cyber escapades, and two agents, Rachel and Stu, trace the crime through the TOR network and Bitcoin.
Alan 2 discovers the FBI is on to them and advises Alan and Kaitlin to change locations. A dramatic chase ensues taking them to St. Thomas, a cruise ship bound for Spain, and finally to Morocco.
Will they escape detection? They will if Alan 2's Plan Beta can be implemented in time. Or is 'Plan B' something altogether different than it appears to be, something wholly sinister that will affect the entire population of the world?
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EXCERPT:
Bang! Bang! Bang! The flimsy apartment door rattled on its frame with every blow.
“Kaitlin, don’t even think of answering that!” Alan growled through his teeth.
Kaitlin shrugged her shoulders and moved away from the door toward the living room where Alan sat at a table full of electronics gear.
“Dr. Boyd, are you home?” shouted the voice on the other side of the door in an Indian accent. “I want to talk to you. I have a very good offer. Please, Dr. Boyd, it will only take a minute, and I think you will be quite pleased with what we have for you.”
“Go away; leave us alone,” Alan shouted. “I don’t want your offer.”
“But Dr. Boyd, we do pay very well. We are great admirers of your work.”
“I don’t care and I don’t want your money,” said Alan. “Now go away before I call the police.”
“Think about it, Dr. Boyd; I will be in touch.”
“Incessant bastards,” said Alan as his attention turned back to his work. “I’ll cherish the day they leave us alone. Kaitlin, come over here and help me with this injection.”
Alan rolled up the sleeve of his t-shirt while Kaitlin picked up the syringe containing the gadolinium contrast. She pinched an ample section of skin and plunged the syringe into his arm. The needle stung like an angry wasp, causing Alan to grimace.
“Can’t you be gentle? You’ve done enough of these by now to get the hang of it. You shouldn’t jam it in like that!”
Kaitlin rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I think I do pretty well considering I don’t have any medical training,” she said while jerking the syringe out of his arm.
“Okay, okay. Just take your position at the console.”
She sighed, plopped onto a small task chair and rolled over to a makeshift wooden table holding a desktop PC and a large high-definition monitor. She had been through this process countless times before.
Alan entered a large metallic structure in the center of the living room. The box-like structure, made of aluminum, dominated the rectangular room which was devoid of furniture. Its dull silver hue contrasted the blank walls. He closed the door and climbed into a chair that looked like it came from an early Gemini spacecraft. The stiff plastic chair, sandwiched between two large metal discs, afforded a good deal of postural support but little comfort. He sat down and slowly slid his head between the thick metal and plastic arms of a large U-shaped device. There was just enough clearance as he wriggled his head to achieve the perfect position. He pulled down on a large metallic tube suspended above him so that it surrounded his entire head. He positioned the tube so that the rectangular slit lined up with his visual axis, allowing for a line of sight to the monitor located outside of the tube. The small fMRI scanner had taken a good deal of time and money to cobble together, but it was the only way to capture the needed information from his brain.
Alan viewed Kaitlin through a small round Plexiglas window in the door and signaled with a thumbs-up to begin the scan. She waved and entered the start sequence into the keyboard, sat back, slid an unlit cigarette between her lips and picked up a copy of People Magazine. He pushed his head back against the headrest and adjusted the monitor suspended on a boom so he could see the screen. The machine first hummed as it powered up and then made periodic knocking sounds.
Alan focused his attention on the monitor while the scanner began its first sequence. The monitor displayed a series of images designed to evoke emotions. Each image popped onto the screen and persisted for ten seconds before another replaced it. There was a small child holding hands with his father, a mother holding a baby, a couple admiring their child in a crib, and many more. All the images had been chosen to trigger emotional responses, causing changes in blood flow to certain areas of Alan’s brain. An image would appear for a few seconds and then the machine would complete a scan. The process repeated until all one hundred twenty-seven images had been displayed. The entire cycle then repeated two more times with random sequences of the same set of images.
This would be the final scan involving diffusion tensor imaging of Alan’s frontal lobes. Previous scans had involved the study of responses to a variety of topics. In addition to emotions such as sadness, joy, anxiety, and fear, there were cognitive studies that examined Alan’s problem solving techniques as well as his reaction to global events. In all, there were over one hundred fifty scans taken over the past two years.
About the Author
Bruce Forciea is known for taking complex scientific concepts and making them easy to understand through engaging stories and simple explanations. He is an Amazon Best Selling Author and author of several books on healing and biology, along with science fiction thriller novels. His fiction writing draws on a diverse and eclectic background that includes touring and performing with a professional show, designing digital circuits, treating thousands of patients, and teaching. His stories include complex plots with unexpected twists and turns, quirky characters, and a reality very similar to our own. Dr. Forciea lives in Wisconsin and loves writing during the solitude of the long Northern winters.
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