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Check out these featured authors making their way around the blog scene!
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Crying, Learning, and Laughing Book Tour              Author: Tamika M. Murray

8/28/2020

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CRYING, LEARNING, AND LAUGHING: WHY STUDENTS VISIT A TEEN CENTER
Tamika M. Murray
Nonfiction Social Work


The struggle is real, but the help is sincere for adolescent students In Crying, Learning, and Laughing: Why Students Visit the Teen Center. The author recounts the stressful, but the often fun position as a case manager in a Teen Center. Students’ daily interactions in a School-Based Youth Services Program add color to the murky topics of teen dating violence, child abuse, and mental health issues. The unexpected crises don’t hinder the adolescents’ high energy, but it brings insight for the curious reader. Interesting and helpful, Crying, Learning, and Laughing explore the often chaotic life of teens and how social workers in schools shine a light during dark times.

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Amazon → https://www.amazon.com/Tamika-M-Murray/e/B08DFCCMWJ/ref=dp_byline_cont_book_1




Waking up at 6:00 AM never came easy for me. I loathed the process as a student and
resented it as an employee. But if you agree to abide by a company’s rules, then sucking it up becomes the norm. Living with an underactive thyroid didn’t help my body’s craving for sleeping in late.

I’d roll out of bed and move with the pace of a sleep-deprived zombie. Performing the morning ritual of selecting an outfit required too much effort, so I did it the night before.

After the usual bathroom activities, my three kitties needed their breakfast. I also made sure the trapped, spayed, and neutered feral kitties got some sustenance too.

On a good day, my skinny butt was out the door by 7:00.

But if my slow energy couldn’t push me forward, 7:15 sparked a rushed commute.

The comedic stylings of the Tom Joyner Morning Show gave me life through Shaun King news, R&B music, and Chris Paul and Huggy Lowdown humor.

Many days I arrived with just enough time to turn on the computers, unlock the cabinets, sign into the necessary portals, and review my schedule before that first knock on the door at 7:54-ish.

On a quiet day, the mental health clinician, part-time case manager, intern, and I could speak with the students while listening to music or playing Uno. If the Universe was
cranky, endless tears and loud talking teens in need of a private chat greeted us.

Life at the Teen Center followed the school’s periods, but no two days ran the same. If your school, city, or state doesn’t offer an in-school program of this kind, then your
kids are missing out.











Tamika M. Murray, better known as Mika, was born in the urban, seaside town of Atlantic City, New Jersey. Mika is a certified social worker, owner of Celestial Publishing LLC, freelance writer and soon to be author. She graduated from Stockton University with a Bachelor of Arts in Literature and a Bachelor of Science in Social Work. Since then, her writing has appeared in over 50 online publications through ghostwriting. Mika’s helped over 200 children and adolescents during her career as an Adjunct English Instructor and Case Manager.

She plans to raise awareness about School-Based Youth Services Programs (Teen Centers) and why they are a necessity in all schools through the release of her book Crying, Learning, and Laughing: Why Students Visit the Teen Center, releasing on September 1, 2020.

She currently resides in Southern, New Jersey, with her boyfriend and three rambunctious kitties.

WEBSITE & SOCIAL LINKS:

Website Address: www.mikamurray.com
Twitter Address: https://twitter.com/CelestialScr81



http://www.pumpupyourbook.com
 
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Reign of Pride Book Tour   Author: A.G. Kirkham

8/28/2020

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Reign of Pride 
Dark Reign Book 1 
by A.G. Kirkham 
Genre: Contemporary Mafia Romance 


Nero was born and raised to take over "La Famiglia". It is his destiny. Along with this power comes traditions, one being marrying a dutiful wife to have dutiful babies and raise them to respect the ways of the family. It is a severe handicap to fall in love. Enemies take those you love and use them to their advantage. Can Nero resist the youth and charm of Felicia or will she be the downfall of his destiny? Can he lose all he desires by letting his heart rule instead of his head? 

Felicia always knew that she would be promised in marriage, but was assured by her father that her future husband would be a man that she could fall in love with and would love her in return. Instead, when an attack hits the school, Felicia grabs her friend's hand and they run for their lives. Her quick thinking saved them both and her reward, Nero. Felicia understands tradition and the ways of the Famiglia but was not prepared to marry the next Capo. How does she make a man made of ice fall in love with her? 

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Book Trailer
https://youtu.be/lOyva10IlO0





I was born in a small town in Italy. My parents are loving people; and true traditionalists. I grew up being a chatterbox of a child and evolved into a quiet and shy teenager. I was definitely not the life of the party. As a matter of fact, I never wanted to go to any high school dances or any activities the school offered. I was good with being alone. I had to grow into my own and I eventually became the fun loving, open-minded and creative person I am now. I love the ‘me’ I have become and I am grateful that this is where I have landed. 

Writing is my release and I have escaped in my imagination to some incredible places meeting the most awesome characters. I also wanted to be a rock star but anyone who has ever heard me sing kindly convinced me that I do not have any talent. (In other words, I suck at it.) 

Although I have been writing since I was in grade school, and I am a hopeless romantic. 

Why I write romance? I thrive on two individuals connecting in mind, body and soul. The understanding of wants and needs and placing them as a priority and not out of fear of losing them or because you feel you need to concede; you do it because it feels easy and right in your own heart. 

My other passion is cooking! I enjoy making meals for my family and friends and bantering around the table. I have colourful people in my life and they all add to my rainbow. I love music! I like it all, depending on my mood. 

And lastly, I love to travel. I want to enjoy all that life has to offer. I want to meet people, learn from them and create the most fantastic, sexy love stories. If I can do this overlooking the ocean and feeling the breeze wash over me then I have my heaven on earth. 

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The Future Mrs. Brightside Book Tour                  Author: Fiona J.R. Titchenell

8/28/2020

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The Future Mrs. Brightside 
by Fiona J.R. Titchenell 
Genre: Women's Fiction 


After a year of making beautiful music together, Chloe Hatherly thinks she’s more than ready to make the age-old promise to her bandmate, Jon. In sickness and in health, for better or worse. When the sudden death of Jon’s father forces the couple to postpone their wedding in favor of a funeral, however, their relationship veers rapidly off course from the ever after they’d both envisioned. Now living in her intended father-in-law’s memory-steeped house and acting as round-the-clock caregiver for her fiancé’s worsening depression, Chloe finds herself afflicted with a songwriter’s block for which she’s only ever known one cure: leaving and writing a killer breakup song. Unlike the subjects of her past lyrical rants, Chloe can’t picture her life without Jon in it, and she begins to wonder if there’s a way to save the music she loves while keeping the vows she never had the chance to make — or if she and Jon have already been irrevocably parted by death, albeit not their own.

The Future Mrs. Brightside is an uncomfortably honest, sometimes hilarious, fiercely romantic prose ballad to the hideous beauty of love in good times and bad. 

Goodreads * Amazon





FIONA J.R. TITCHENELL is an author of young adult, sci-fi, and horror fiction, including Pinnacle City: A Superhero Noir, The Prospero Chronicles, and the Summer 2018 Feminist Book of the Month, Out of the Pocket. The Future Mrs. Brightside is her first foray into contemporary women’s fiction. She graduated with a B.A. in English from Cal State University Los Angeles in 2009 at the age of twenty. She currently lives in San Gabriel, California, with her husband and fellow author, Matt Carter, and has also published under the initials F.J.R. Titchenell. Find out more about her and her books at http://www.fjrtitchenell.weebly.com. 

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Rush of Love Release Blitz                                   Author: Nicole Ann Nielsen

8/28/2020

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Title: Rush of Love
Author: Nicole Ann Nielsen
Genre: Small Town Romance
Editor: Candice Royer
Publication Date: August 27th, 2020
Hosted by: Lady Amber’s PR
Blurb:
A suspenseful second chance romance with an age gap that will melt your Kindle and keep you on the edge of your seat!
She’s chasing her dreams. He’s reeling from betrayal.
While home on vacation, Jo Lawson babysits the children of a family friend, Kurt Wheeler. Despite the seventeen-year age gap between them, Jo and Kurt soon succumb to the temptation of their mutual attraction.
What was meant to be a summer fling turned into a long-distance relationship … until he abruptly ends it.
Years later, Jo decides it’s time to go home after a stalker turns vicious. With danger hot on her heels, she’s forced to confront the town’s sheriff — the man who broke her heart. As Kurt uncovers long-buried secrets, he must adjust to having Jo back in town while figuring a plan to keep her safe.
It soon becomes clear the chemistry from their past burns as fiercely as ever, but the numbers are stacked against them.
Will they beat the odds this time?
Book Links:
Right Side of Love | Murmur of Love
Echo of Love | Rush of Love
Nicole Ann Nielsen believes in romance, in love, and everyone deserves a happy ever after. And that is what she writes -- Contemporary Romance, with a dash of spice and a hint of suspense.
Nicole lives in scenic Cape Town, South Africa, and shares her space with her husband, two dogs, and a lone cat, her son and daughter having long flown the parental coop.
She is an avid reader, enjoys Pilates, inhales coffee, and loves dreaming about her next novel.
Author Links:
Newsletter | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST 
BOOKBUB | GOODREADS | AMAZON | WEBSITE | BLOG
Book Links:
Right Side of Love | Murmur of Love
Echo of Love | Rush of Love
“Hey,” she greeted, smiling.
Seeing her pretty face come to life on the small screen kicked up Kurt’s pulse rate. And stirred his dick. But then, he’d been walking with a semi-hard-on all weekend. He’d managed — just — to not give in to the temptation and take himself in hand.
He cleared his throat. “Josephine.” Nope. His voice was still all croaky.
“You okay?”
“Yeah.”
 â€œBoys okay?”
“Yeah.” Oh, way to go, Kurt. Reduced to blubbering one-word answers.
 â€œOkay then, what’s up with you?” Jo moved position, and Kurt saw the iron post behind her. She was in bed. Like him.
What’s up? “My dick,” he blurted, viewing the bulge pushing against his pajama pants.
She blinked. “Oh.”
“Oh? That’s all you gotta say? Oh. Since you walked into my office seven weeks ago, it’s had a mind of its own. And then I did that fool thing of hauling you out of … Polly and kissing you. And then … then Friday … Friday, I truly lost my mind, and now my dick’s had a taste of your pussy again, and it wants more. Dammit, Josephine, stop laughing,” Kurt ground out.
He was staring at her ceiling, strips of wood lying atop support beams, while the sound of her giggles filled his ears. It was a beautiful sound, and a reluctant smile stirred his lips.
“Jo? Honey?”
Her face filled his screen again. Big brown eyes were shining bright, and she was swiping a hand across a bright pink cheek. “Should I apologize, Sheriff?”
“Never.” He loved her just the way she was.   
“Hauling me out of Polly was … hot.”
“So I’ve been told,” he admitted.
She chuckled. “Have you watched the video?”
“Yeah.” Just five minutes ago. Hence the call. He cleared his throat. “I need to apologize to you. You deserve more than ‘a haul out the car and kiss senseless on the side of the road’ behavior from me. I wasn’t think—”    
“It was real, Kurt,” Jo cut in. “That kiss was real. Just like Friday was real. And both were hot. Don’t apologize for being authentic with me.” Exhaling sharply, she added, “I’m suffering from the same malady that’s afflicting you. Except” — she grinned — “mine’s … internal.”
He swallowed. Hard. “This … between us? Are we going there again? Are you prepared to give me a second chance?”
The prolonged silence was killing him, and he stared into his screen, into her beautiful eyes as she looked at him, wishing he could cup her face and feel her soft skin and will the answer he wanted from her sweet lips.
And then, “Yes. Yes, I am.”          
Kurt let out the breath he’d been holding, and his heart stuttered to life again. “We’ll talk when you’re back from California,” he promised.
A bright smile bloomed across her face. “We’ll talk.” This was quickly followed by a frown. “About California. Seriously, Kurt, did you have to sic bodyguards on me?” 
“Jo, your concealed license is not valid in California, and I don’t like you being unarmed, so yes, until I’m around to protect your ass and Branson is caught, you will have bodyguards on you. It falls under the contract protecting your entire family.”
Jo muttered something under her breath.
“Sorry?” He wanted her to repeat what he’d thought he’d heard her say.
 She looked him in the eye. “I love it when you go all sheriff-y on me.”
“Josephine,” he growled at the blatant lie.
She huffed. “Oh, okay. I said … you’ve gone and made me all … heated, Sheriff. So. Not. Fair. You’re hundreds of miles away,” she whined.
Join the club, baby. Kurt chuckled. “Oh, it’s very fair, Josephine. I’ll see you when you get back on Wednesday.”  
“Till Wednesday, Sheriff Wheeler. Sweet dreams,” she added with a wicked smile stretching from ear to ear. She blew him a kiss and disconnected before Kurt could reply.
“Sweet dreams, baby. Love you,” he whispered to the blank screen, catching the kiss, placing his fist over his heart.
Kurt lay back smiling. And opened the app to view That Kiss again.
But his smile had faded by the time the video ended.
He’d mauled Jo, on the side of a public road. And left her.
He’d slaked his lust, taking her, roughly, in a kitchen. And left.
After toying with her for years, he’d left her, without a backward glance.
He’d not ever done right by her.
How was he going to make it up to her?
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To The Bone Book Blitz    Author: J.R. Johansson

8/27/2020

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To The Bone
J.R. Johansson
Publication date: August 25th 2020
Genres: New Adult, Thriller, Young Adult

Seventeen-year-old Harley Martin has been obsessed with Paris for years. Between her passion for studying architecture and wanting to spend time with her cousin, Gretchen, there’s nowhere on Earth that she’d rather go. So when Harley’s parents feel guilty enough about their constant fighting to offer to send Harley to visit her cousin, Gretchen, she doesn’t hesitate.
But Gretchen and Harley have both changed in the years they’ve been apart. In an effort to rekindle their friendship, Harley agrees to Gretchen’s suggested activity, even though it’s outside her comfort zone: a tour with Gretchen and her friends through the off-limits section of the Paris Catacombs. Miles and miles of tunnels deep under the city, filled with the remains of more than six million people.
When a cave-in kills their guide and leaves the group injured, terrified, and lost with limited supplies, they must search for a way out from the endless maze beneath the city of light. But surrounded by shadows, it’s hard to tell friends from enemies. Harley doesn’t know if she can trust anyone, including her own cousin. If they ever want to get back to the surface, they’ll have to fight for everything they hold dear–for their sanity, their humanity, their very lives–in a place that only embraces death.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound

--

EXCERPT:

“Harley has skills.” Gretchen finally gives up on her phone and puts it on the table. “She can look at any building and tell you what period of style influenced it. Tell me when that wouldn’t come in handy.”

I shoot her a mock glare. “I can also tell which beam I should knock down to collapse a building on top of you.”

“Ooh, à la Wicked Witch of the West?” Henri laughs at the dismay on Gretchen’s face.

“East, dummy,” Liv says. “West is her sister that goes after Dorothy.”

I check my watch and realize it’s already past nine o’clock. It takes me almost thirty seconds to do the same math as yesterday to figure out what time it is back home.

Jet lag might not have hit me as hard as I expected, but my brain is definitely dragging a bit today.

Gretchen interrupts my thoughts. “You hear that, Harley?”

I turn to look at her, realizing I missed a significant chunk of conversation in that thirty seconds.

“Sorry.” I shake my head.

“Paolo set us up with Roland Lambert, one of the most prominent local cataphiles, to give us our tour tonight.”

“What’s a cataphile?” I ask.

Anders is the one who answers me. His Finnish accent is strong and I have to listen close to understand. “It’s what they call the people who are obsessed with the Catacombs. They like to go down and explore them.”

“Oh, cool. He sounds like he’ll be perfect.” A thrill of fear and excitement shoots through me. Now that I think about it, I remember cataphiles being mentioned a few times in that Catacombs documentary.

“I heard this creepy story once.” Paolo leans across the table like he’s telling us the most important thing ever. “The guy who was in charge of finding a way to get all the bones into the Catacombs, they say his spirit is still down there, that the owners of the bones he moved won’t let him leave.”

James groans. “Of course he is.”

Maud releases an uncomfortable giggle and swats Paolo on the shoulder. “Come on, ghosts?”

“There are a million stories like that.” Henri leans back, putting his hands behind his head. “I saw this video online from a university student who was recording down there. It’s super creepy. It doesn’t show what he saw, but he looks terrified and drops the camera. The last thing it recorded was his feet running away from whatever he saw. I guess someone found his camera later, but he never came out.”

An involuntary shiver slides down my spine, but when Gretchen starts laughing it fades away.

She holds her fork in front of her, pretending it’s a microphone, and does her best announcer voice. “No idiots were harmed in the making of this film.”

Author Bio:

J.R. JOHANSSON is the author of the Night Walkers Series (INSOMNIA, PARANOIA and MANIA) as well as standalone novels, CUT ME FREE and THE ROW. Her books have been published in over a dozen languages and more than twenty countries worldwide. She is the creator and host of the Riveting Reads podcast and the AuthorGamerGirl channel on Twitch. She has a B.S. degree in public relations and a background in marketing. She credits her abnormal psychology minor with inspiring many of her characters. She lives in a valley where the sun shines 300+ days per year with her hot tub named Valentino. Visit her online at www.jrjohansson.com.

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#Surviving40 Book Blitz    Author: Karen Anne

8/27/2020

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#Surviving40
Karen Anne
Publication date: August 25th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Piper Quinn was more than ready to turn forty. So ready she began planning her Parisian celebration at thirty-five. That is until her life fell apart at thirty-nine. Left staring at divorce papers, Piper instantly regrets signing that pre-nup. How was she to know her husband would turn her in for a younger model?

After “accidentally” setting her Manhattan apartment on fire, Piper finds herself not only newly divorced, but newly homeless. Forced to move back home with her parents and take a job she doesn’t want, she soon discovers the gossip train in town moves faster than the subway system in New York—and she’s the hottest topic to leave the station. If matters weren’t bad enough, life in rural Connecticut seems downright claustrophobic when her sixteen year old daughter stops talking to her.

A blast from her past is the spark Piper needs to reignite her life. Owen Clarke, an old high school flame has the ability to turn back time making Piper feel sixteen again. The instant chemistry between them gives Piper hope of redeeming her second act. There’s only one teeny, tiny three foot problem: Owen’s daughter is in Piper’s Kindergarten class. With temptation lurking in every corner, Piper needs to put her emotions—and hormones— in check.

No one said getting older was easy, but turning forty just became a game of survival.

Goodreads / Amazon

--

EXCERPT:

#SurvivalTip: It’s not stalking if you show your face.

I was a glutton for punishment. No doubt in my mind I was in over my head and needed professional help. I had driven to the yoga studio in the next town where Avery taught. Now, I sat in my car, engine still running, willing myself to get the hell out. I watched her through the window. She was in a hot pink sports bra and soft grey leggings. Her hair was in its signature ponytail. There was a bounce in her step as she walked around the empty space of the studio pouring oil into the diffusers. She was in her zen arena, and I had no rational way of explaining my motive other than this woman had Owen and walked away. Why? There had to be something twisted inside her. Some narcissism or schizophrenia that would compel her to leave a man who was pretty close to perfect.

Convinced I had boarded the train to crazy town, I knew I had to get out of here before she saw me. A rap on my window caused me to jump and let out a yelp. I turned to my left, horrified to see Holly standing outside my car door. I lowered my window. “Oh my God! I thought that was you! What are you doing here?” She was practically bouncing.

“Um, Avery had invited me a few times, but my stomach is a little funky… bad sushi… so I think I’m going to head out.”

“Nonsense. Yoga is great for the digestive system. Come on, you’re going to freak over this class. Avery is amazing. You’ll love her.”
I doubted it, but could see no way out, so with a heavy heart, I cut my engine and followed Holly into the studio.

“Avery! Look who I found outside!” Holly grabbed my arm as if I might run away if she didn’t hold on to me. I didn’t blame her. There was a good chance I would flee at the first opportunity. Like a cat in an alley, scouring out the corners, looking for a place to hide, I was in full blown feral mode. If Avery came too close, there was a good chance I’d scratch her.

Avery was overjoyed to see me, her mouth agape as she waved her arms. It was exactly how a cult leader would look if they were trying to lull me into a false sense of security. Her eyes were the size of saucers as she ran over to me, and her beautiful features suddenly held an alien quality to them.

“No way!” She pulled me into a deep hug. Damn this chick was solid. She was smaller than me, and it freaked me out, because I was pretty sure she could kick my ass. “I can’t believe you came! This is amazing. I’m telling you, after tonight, you will be hooked, right, Holly?”

“She’s so right. I swear if I miss a session, my body is quick to let me know—total withdrawal. I need this every week.”

“Have you taken yoga before, Ms. Quinn?”

“You can call me Piper.” It was clear they were all on a first name basis, and I didn’t want to be the old lady rigid in formality. I sized up Avery, trying to decipher how old she was. Owen was my year in school so we were the same age, but this woman, with her flawless skin that had never seen the sun without being protected in SPF 50, was still soaking in the glory of a body that was barely three decades old. “Not really. A few times here or there, but nothing too advanced. I’m not very flexible,” I admitted.

“Well, flexibility comes with practice, and that’s what this is. I don’t see it as exercise so much as a way of life.” Damn she was serious. “I need water every day. I need food, I need sleep. I also need yoga.”
I currently needed a plastic bag to vomit in. This chick was too poster perfect, and the more she spoke, the more inadequate I became.
Avery glanced at her watch. “Oh! Showtime! Let’s find a spot on the floor and settle in.”

There were at least ten other women in the room, and so I walked toward the back, but Holly grabbed my arm and told me to sit next to her. She unfurled her yoga mat, and that’s when I realized I hadn’t brought one.
“I don’t have a mat.” The words were low, and I imagined I sounded like one of my students saying they didn’t have a crayon to color the picture. I didn’t have a mat because I didn’t expect to actually enter the studio. I put on leggings and a tank top like it was a costume, the intention to workout wasn’t real. It was cosplay, nothing more.

“Avery has extra.” Holly jogged over to the corner and pulled a grey mat from the box. She laid it out in front of me, revealing the turquoise lotus flower that was printed in the center. I thanked Holly and sat on the lotus flower, copying Avery, who was now seated on the floor.

“Welcome back everyone.” Avery’s voice was silky smooth.
She’d be great as a phone sex operator. Hell, I’d pay a dollar a minute to see what she had to say. I could only imagine the lewd comments that voice had whispered into Owen’s attentive ears over the years. The hair on the back of my neck bristled at the thought.

Avery folded her legs in front of her in a way I referred to in kindergarten as “pretzel style” and took a few deep breaths. Her eyes were closed, and I soon became aware that everyone around me had also closed their eyes, trusting Avery’s voice to take them on this meditative journey. That was asking a lot of me, but not about to be caught staring at her, I closed my eyes and tried my best to breathe in a way that was not natural at all.

The breathing lasted a long time, and although I was supposed to be letting my thoughts melt away and empty my mind of heaviness, I was too busy burying myself in clutter as I tacked up insecurity after insecurity. The anxiety reached new heights when we were actually expected to transition from breathing to different animal poses. I didn’t know I’d have to be a cat, cow, cobra, and dog all in one flow. We were moving from downward dog to plank to cobra when Avery tilted her head, got up, and walked over to me. Crap. I was doing something wrong.

“Come back up to downward facing dog.” I did as she instructed and was surprised when she came behind me and held my hips. “Okay, you want to open up your hips more, spread your legs a bit wider, and really fall back into this stretch.” She kept one hand on my left hip, her right hand rested gently on my back. I hoped I wasn’t sweaty.

“Your goal is to have your heels touch the ground. It won’t happen right away.” She got beside me, mimicking the proper pose. My hamstrings were burning, which caused my legs to tremble. The blood rushed to my head; I raised my gaze and caught what we looked like in the mirror. It was a bad decision. The mirror only exposed how I felt— disoriented and in physical pain, while Avery bent over beside me, modeling the pose with ease.

“You want your body to become an upside down V. See?” I nodded and prayed she’d move on to another victim. The gods must have shown pity on me because she bounced back up and went to the front to show us the next pose.


Author Bio:

Karen Anne was writing before she could read. As a toddler, she sat with a book in her hands and made up the stories, eager for the day when she'd find out if it all truly ended in happily ever after. Karen still determines the destiny of other people's lives, but this time, the characters are her own.

She is a Contemporary Romance author who lives in New York.
Coffee drinker by day, wine enthusiast by night, she loves cats and deeply misses 90's grunge.

Goodreads / Facebook


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The Wrong Cowboy Blog Tour                            Author: Megan Ryder

8/27/2020

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Title: The Wrong Cowboy (Granite Junction Book 1) Author: Megan Ryder Genre: Contemporary Romance, Western, Cowboy Romance Release Date: August 26, 2020 Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

Graduate from college? Check. Land a school counselor job? Check. Seduce her forever crush? Epic fail! The sexy rancher is clearly not interested in long-term. In fact, he’s not interested, period. But Emma is determined to change his mind until his cousin, Gabe Buchanan, puts a definite crimp in her perfect plans. Gabe has come to help his cousin with work around the ranch while struggling to unravel his next book plot. The last thing the he expected was to find literary inspiration in the curvaceous cowgirl pining over his cousin. Determined to prove he is the right match for her, he devises a plan to win Emma’s heart. As much as Emma wants her childhood crush to finally take notice, she can’t help but be intrigued by sizzling hot and funny Gabe. When he asks her out, she can’t say no. Besides, it’s just a friendly dinner. No big deal. Yet when the lines between casual and interested blur, neither can deny the chemistry between them. Can Gabe fill every box on Emma’s checklist and give her what she needs the most? His heart and a future together?

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO |

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“He’s a handsome devil, isn’t he?” A low voice drawled from the back end of the car and she yanked her hand away as if it’d been scorched. She scowled at Gabe, who leaned against the bed of her truck, one ankle crossed in front of the other, arms folded across his chest as he smirked at her. Cam must have put him to work today, since it appeared he had just showered. His sandy brown hair was damp where it curled around the nape of his neck and up under his hat. His plaid shirt was clean, his jeans, worn and comfortable-looking, frayed along the seams, as if they were old. And damned if he didn’t look even better than he had in his fancy, city clothes that morning. She folded her arms and glared. “I thought all cars are women. Temperamental and something to be taken care of.” He pushed off the end of the truck and sauntered toward her. “That’s a very old-fashioned view of women, Emma. First off, women don’t need to be taken care of. My momma taught me that they can handle most anything thrown at them, possibly better than men, and I listen to my momma. Second, I believe in equality. A car can be male or female, and trust me. This beast is all male.” She sucked in a breath and narrowed her gaze. He was going to school her on feminism? “I don’t need a lecture on women’s rights, Gabe Buchanan. Because this car is tough, it must be male?” Gabe’s smile never wavered. He leaned forward as if imparting a secret, his breath teasing her ear. She shivered. “Nope. I checked under the chassis. He’s male.” He stepped back, his laughter ringing out around them. Her eyes widened and she was about to give him a blistering reply when she paused, realized he was teasing her. She relaxed and laughed with him. “Do you take anything seriously? He cocked his head, considering her words for a moment. “My momma, because she scares me. The IRS, for the same reason. God, because I’m hedging my bets there. And my family. Other than that, probably not.” She shook her head and turned to the cab of her truck. “I don’t think I’d better take anything you say seriously.” He rested a hand on the frame of the truck, right above her head. “You want to go for a spin? He handles real nice. If you’re good, I might even let you drive him.” “And how do you define nice?” She tensed, waiting for a smarmy come-on. He must have correctly interpreted her body language because he straightened and his tone, when he spoke, was serious for once. “It’s simple. Kind words, respect, maybe a little flirting. Nothing else. Anyone who asks for anything else is an asshole.”

Ever since Megan Ryder discovered Jude Deveraux and Judith McNaught while sneaking around the “forbidden” romance section of the library one day after school, she has been voraciously devouring romance novels of all types. Now a romance author in her own right, Megan pens sexy contemporary novels all about family and hot lovin’ with the boy next door. She lives in Connecticut, spending her days as a technical writer and her spare time divided between her addiction to knitting and reading.

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The Heir Blog Tour    Author: Kj Moullen

8/26/2020

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The Heir
Kj Moullen
(The Spinner Sagas, #2)
Publication date: August 25th 2020
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult

Entrusted with the safe keeping of The Book & the wickedness contained in it, Blaine & Elian embark on a journey filled with unusual creatures & a looming prophecy in the unfamiliar & ancient land of Vestia. First, they have to find their way back to each other, trusting new allies & befriending old foes along the way.

With time running out & the fate of the universe resting squarely upon their shoulders, Blaine & Elian face an unknown enemy who will stop at nothing to unleash the evil soul trapped in The Book. But Elian knows a secret about Blaine’s destiny. Will the secret prophecy divide their pathways, letting doubt & fear sabotage all they have accomplished?

Goodreads / Amazon


Author Bio:

K.J Moullen started her life as an adventurer. Always loving the outdoors, whether it was playing king of the hill with her pet goat in southern California, playing hockey on the frozen lakes of the Kenai peninsula of Alaska or snorkeling and surfing off the shores of Maui. Amongst the breathtaking places she lived her imagination and love for writing knew no limitations allowing for a lifetime of plotlines and characters to be created and written about. She now shares her life’s adventures with her husband and two children in their home in North Texas.

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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EXCERPT
 
 
 The cold night air numbed Blaine’s entire body, waking her from a restless sleep. The fire had since died down to red embers. Mitchell was asleep with his back propped up against a large rock just outside the protection of the rock canopy. The moon was full and bright, casting long shadows across the campsite. An eerie mist clung to the forest floor, bringing an unforgiving dampness to the night. Blaine stood up and looked around. The cold that had awakened her intensified and seemed to touch her very soul—taking her breath away. She could feel a dark energy swirling around her. It pulled at her clothes and tugged on her hair. She tried to pull free from its grip, but her body froze in response.
    The overpowering whispers and taunts of hundreds of screeching voices suppressed the night sounds of the forest. She strained to hear what they were saying but could not understand the words because they were all talking at once. She felt her feet leave the ground. She was lifted into the air, and became suspended in a parallel position. She screamed for Mitchell, but no sound came from her mouth. She began to rise higher when she felt a strong hand grab her right ankle in an attempt to pull her down. She could hear Mitchell’s voice calling her name, but it seemed so far away. A bright light flashed from below her, and she could feel herself falling. Mitchell grabbed her firmly by the waist and pulled once more, causing them both to tumble freely to the ground. Wild-eyed and bewildered, Blaine struggled to gain her senses. The odd mist was retreating, and as the voices trailed off, the words they were saying echoed in Blaine’s ears. “Bringer of Light . . . no more.”

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The Blood King Book Blitz   Author: Abigail Owen

8/26/2020

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The Blood King
Abigail Owen
(Inferno Rising #2)
Published by: Entangled: Amara
Publication date: August 25th 2020
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Ruthless dragon king Ladon Ormarr must keep his throne at all costs. And now, with war on the horizon, he’ll need a miracle. Luckily, the fates have dropped Skylar Amon right into his lap.

Except he may have met his match.

The feisty Amon sister has no fear — of him or any other dragon shifter — is brash, doesn’t stick to protocols, and regularly offends his warriors and advisers.

Skylar also has no intention of sticking around. She doesn’t believe in the whole destined mates thing and believes all dragon kings to be dangerous. But if it means taking out the High King who murdered her parents, she’ll put up with Ladon… temporarily.

But the fates have other plans. And when Skylar disappears in the middle of a battle, Ladon will burn down the world to find her.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Google Play

--

EXCERPT:

Skylar remained where she was on the floor, rubbing at her throat and glaring at the others with those bright, watercolor blue eyes. At least her skin had turned less sallow. Seconds ago, her pallor had him…concerned.

Ladon did his best to push adrenaline, along with the burning need to claim her immediately, down deep in his gut, though it tested the limits of his control. He gave the members of his guard—his closest friends—as well as the advisors who made up his Curia Regis, a sharp nod and waited in silence while they filed out.

Brand sat, too, saying nothing, probably sensing the dangerous edge on which Ladon’s emotions balanced.

“Damage my future mate like that again, and I’ll rip your arms out of their sockets.” The warning slid from Ladon. He couldn’t have held it back even if he wanted to. Not that he wanted to.

Still on the floor, Skylar’s back stiffened. “I’m not your future anything, asshole.”

“Not helping,” Kasia said pointedly, adding a glare at him for effect.

Shit. Where’d his control go? He’d just been telling himself to cool it with the claiming language. Ladon clamped down on more words.

Kasia held out her hands and pulled Skylar to her feet, allowing Ladon a view of Skylar’s face. His body tensed in reaction. Now that he had a chance to study her, he couldn’t deny her beauty. Darker and sharper than her sister, those glacial eyes a striking contrast to her midnight hair, her skin a darker shade than Kasia’s paleness, and those lips…

Kasia focused on her sister, her gaze settling. “I love you, but you got this totally wrong.”

Given her attitude so far, Ladon waited for an immediate rejection, but Skylar didn’t speak for a long beat, searching Kasia’s eyes. “My sources informed me that a rogue dragon kidnapped you and dragged you here to mate you to a king. Brand is the rightful King of the Gold Throne, right? He killed Uther, and apparently at least some gold dragons now bear Brand’s mark on their hands, which makes him king. A king you’re mated to. Am I wrong?”

Kasia sent a smiling glance at Brand. “You got it mostly right, but what you missed was that I didn’t mate the king I was intended to.”

Skylar turned those ice-blue eyes on Ladon. As realization dawned, her lips quirked. “What happened, big boy? Couldn’t close the deal?”

Ladon held her glance with an unaffected stare, hiding his reaction. Why the hell was her insulting him so amusing?

Author Bio:

Award-winning paranormal romance author, Abigail Owen, grew up consuming books and exploring the world through her writing. She attempted to find a practical career related to her favorite pastime by earning a degree in English Rhetoric (Technical Writing). However, she swiftly discovered that writing without imagination is not nearly as fun as writing with it.

No matter the genre, she loves to write witty, feisty heroines, sexy heroes who deserve them, and a cast of lovable characters to surround them (and maybe get their own stories). She currently resides in Austin, Texas, with her own personal hero, her husband, and their two children, who are growing up way too fast.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Pinterest / Bookbub


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She's Obsessed Book Tour    Author: Nick Haskins

8/26/2020

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Picture
In the suburbs of Chicago, Jayceon and Leah were all set to start their new lives together as husband and wife. In Jace, Leah thought she married the perfect man until she accidentally stumbles across his deleted secret that quickly turns her sanity, and their marriage, upside down.
The night before Jayceon marries Leah, he hits the record button on his iPhone when the curvaceous dancer—Jessica Fox—from his bachelor party makes her way back to his hotel suite. Soon after, the nasty recorded mistake comes back to haunt Jace, and the stripper, in the worst way possible.
​The life Leah planned with Jace rapidly spins out of control when she becomes obsessed with the X-rated video, and the girl in it. Leah will do whatever it takes to right her new husbands wrong, even if it means getting rid of Jessica Fox for good . .

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE

EXCERPT
​
"You make me so happy, Jace. I’m grateful to have found a man like you. I love you." 
"Aww, baby, I love you too. And you need always to remember I'm not your dad or any of them fuck-boys out there today." He reached down and kissed her. "Most of all, I'm all yours." Just as the night was approaching perfect, Jayceon decided to speak the untruthful words that are going to eventually rock the very core of their marriage, and Leah's sanity: "Leah, baby, I will never hurt you…"
She held him close, believing their lives together wouldn't be much different from the loving, peaceful husband and wife moment their sharing right now. But, little did Leah or Jace know, everything was about to be turned upside down. ​

Picture
  1. Keep Up With The Author

Author website link nickhaskinsbooks.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/IamNickHaskins  
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamnickhaskins


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