Monthly Archives: June 2016
The Dark Cycle #reveiw #bewitching
Darkness Brutal
The Dark Cycle
Book One
Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Skyscape
Date of Publication: July 1st, 2015
ISBN: 978-1477830796
ASIN: B00S6Z3S82
Number of pages: 422
Word Count: 120,000
Cover Artist: Cliff Neilson
Book Description:
Aidan O’Linn’s childhood ended the night he saw a demon kill his mother and mark his sister, Ava, with Darkness. Since then, every three years the demons have returned to try to claim her. Living in the gritty, forgotten corners of Los Angeles, Aidan has managed to protect his sister, but he knows that even his powers to fight demons and speak dead languages won’t keep her safe for much longer.
In desperation, Aidan seeks out the help of Sid, the enigmatic leader of a group of teens who run LA Paranormal, an Internet reality show that fights demons and ghosts. In their company, Aidan believes he’s finally found a haven for Ava. But when he meets Kara, a broken girl who can spin a hypnotic web of passionate energy, he awakens powers he didn’t know he had―and unleashes a new era of war between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness.
With the fate of humanity in his hands, can Aidan keep the Darkness at bay and accept his brilliant, terrifying destiny?
Amazon Listen to an Audio Sample
Excerpt:
I let the pulse of the music coat me and mute my surroundings. A mass of people crowd the dance floor of the club, and I sit on an abandoned couch in the corner. The lights beat at the air in blues and greens, and bodies twist and merge to the thunder. I lean back, close my eyes, and try to get lost in it, the smells and sounds of people and their collective high.
Something moves next to me. I look over to find a girl sprawled on the seat beside me, trying to catch her breath. She’s not dressed in the usual club gear, more like a girl who got lost on her way to a beach party: Hurley T-shirt, jean skirt, and red Converse. Her cheeks are flushed pink; her throat and forehead glitter with sweat. She glances at me like she didn’t know I was there. She licks her upper lip, her eyes not leaving mine. Then she says something I can’t hear.
I point to my ear and shake my head.
She smiles and laughs, lighting up the space around her. She rests her hand on my arm, like we’re friends and I just told her the most hilarious joke, and then she gets up and disappears into the mass of bodies again.
My arm tingles, my body reacting to the moment of contact in a sudden and disconcerting way. I think I’ve had my fill of watching people indulge their baser instincts. I need to get out of here.
The beat of the music speeds up, vibrating faster as I move through the crowd. I try not to touch anyone, which is nearly impossible. All the emotions and appetites are overwhelming, as if the rising rhythm of the music makes their yearnings rise, too. Lust buzzes in the air. A hunger stirs in me, a gaping hole, needing to be filled. With touch.
The touch of female fingers. A hand on my arm, taking my wrist, pulling me into the fray, into the pressing bodies. And I don’t try to escape. I let her take me.
Because I’m tired.
Because I’m a dumbass.
A girl moves in front of me—not the Hurley girl, not the one I was hoping for. She presses closer, so close I can almost taste the salty perspiration on her skin. She has thin, birdlike shoulders, a swan neck, a heart-shaped face, and black hair, long and tangled, turning blue and green with the light. Her hands slide up my chest. She wraps her arms around my neck and tilts her head to look up at me.
Her lips are full and painted dark purple. There’s a dimple in her left cheek that gets deeper with her growing smile. And her eyes . . .
Fog fills my head for a second, interrupting my thoughts.
“Hi,” she mouths, calling attention to her lips again.
And then she’s rising up on her toes, pulling me down to her, twisting her fingers in my hair, her lips smashing against mine.
My body buzzes from her touch, and my hands react, drawing her into me. I drink her in. She tastes like the air around me, hunger and urgency, and—
Green apple Jolly Ranchers?
I grip her sides, her ribs so delicate beneath my fingers. The sweet tang of her teases me, the hunger becoming a monster deep inside. I have to press her closer, tighter, try to feed it, as I feel the fire of her need link with mine.
She pulls back a little and looks at me with wide eyes, like she’s shocked. That’s when I see the mark, a glowing, blue-inked line of what looks like Chinese symbols, trailing down the nape of her neck to her shoulder blade. Symbols that I’m suddenly sure mean: touch this girl at your own risk.
It’s the only thing I see for a second: Beware. Beware.
Until her energy reaches for me, wispy tendrils of blue light wrapping their way around my wrists and snaking up my chest.
I jerk away, into the guy behind me, stepping on his girlfriend’s toes. I get shoved— thankfully farther from the hypnotic girl—through a space in the crowd, saying a hundred excuse-me’s even though I know no one can hear them. I find my way out of the press of bodies to the edge of the room again where it’s safe.
It’s time to leave. I should’ve left an hour ago.
Darkness Fair
The Dark Cycle
Book Two
Rachel A. Marks
Genre: YA Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Skyscape
Date of Publication: 2/1/16
ISBN: 978-1503950290
ASIN: B00YDJKE00
Number of pages: 335
Cover Artist: Cliff Neilson
Book Description:
Against the backdrop of an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the forces of Darkness, Aidan struggles to control the newly awakened powers that seem to be his only hope for rescuing Ava, his little sister, trapped somewhere beyond the Veil. As he gravitates to Kara, the beguiling and dangerously unstable girl who helped him realize his abilities, a terrible mistake of fate is revealed that points him back toward Rebecca, whose role is becoming more critical to the battle. And no matter what his heart wants, it might be too late to stop the pieces already in motion.
Without knowing the sacrifices that will be required of them, Aidan and his motley crew of friends—each with their own role to play—must face the demon threat head-on. They’re the only ones keeping the growing army of Darkness at bay, and if they fail, the future of humanity could be lost.
Amazon Listen to an Audio Sample
About the Author:
Rachel A. Marks is an award-winning author and professional artist, a SoCal girl, cancer survivor, a surfer and dirt-bike rider, chocolate lover and keeper of faerie secrets. She was voted: Most Likely to Survive the Zombie Apocalypse, but hopes she’ll never have to test the theory. Her debut series The Dark Cycle, described as Dickens’ Oliver Twist meets TV’s Supernatural, is now out through Skyscape, beginning with DARKNESS BRUTAL.
Website: http://www.rachelannemarks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RachelAnneMarks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4094113.Rachel_A_Marks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/rachelannemarks
$20 Amazon giftcard and chosen paperback or audio in the series
Defined by Deceit by A. E. Via
Defined By Deceit
A.E. Via
Genre: Gay contemporary romance
Publisher: All Romance eBooks
Date of Publication: June 1, 2016
ISBN: 978-1-943576-91-3
Number of pages: 289
Word Count: 77000
Cover Artist: Erin Dameron Hill
Book Description:
He tried to drown his demons, only to find they could swim.
Life isn’t always fair. Llewellyn Gardner knows that first hand. He was on the fast track—college dreams, a boyfriend—until one night of extreme passion changed everything. Eight years later and out of prison, he still lives with the aftershocks of that night. Everywhere he turns there’s another reminder of crime people insist he committed, so he runs away to a new town to start over.
For Shane Smith, Jr., owner of Smith Construction, there’s something about the gorgeous, misunderstood man with the overly expressive eyes and dark past. Shane sees the good in Llewellyn— it’s why he hired him—and he isn’t going to let the man cut himself off from the world.
Llewellyn isn’t sure what to think about Shane. After years of protecting himself from being tricked twice, he’s worried. What will happen if Shane doesn’t believe the truth about his past?
Excerpt:
“Llew, don’t break anything!” Moss half-yelled, half-laughed while his boyfriend chased him around his parents’ mansion-sized home.
“Your ass is mine when I catch you… literally!” Llewellyn yelled as he rounded the large kitchen island. His boyfriend was his best friend as well as his lover. In the small town of Emporia, Virginia, they were likely the only gay students in their high school. That anyone knew about. A kid that moved there from Los Angeles a few years back was gay and unashamed of it. He was colorful and flamboyant because he felt free to be himself. The community had been so cruel to him and his family, that they were run out of town so fast Llew didn’t remember the pretty boy’s name. He did remember being envious, though.
It was by sheer accident that Llew and Moss discovered each other’s sexual orientation in the first place. They were football teammates and both attended a party hosted by one of the cheerleaders during their freshman year. Rosie Jameson’s parents were traveling salespeople who left her and her twin sister home alone every couple of weeks. So that meant at least twice a month the teenagers had something fun to do in their dreary-filled-with-retirees town. Llew and Moss got shit-faced drunk, and ended up alone in Rosie’s father’s den watching WWF Smack Down. Moss couldn’t hide his hard-on while watching the oily, ridiculously hot, and ripped wrestlers writhing and rolling all over each other in the small wrestling ring. When Moss looked horrified that Llew had busted him and was ready to bolt, Llew smirked at him, and pulled up the hem of his long hoodie, exposing his own erection. The conversation they had that night changed their lives. They didn’t immediately fall in love, but things progressed fairly quick
ly from that point.
They were so young back then; they just wanted to be friends. They needed someone to talk with openly, a friend they could drop the mask with. The mask they had to wear twenty-four-seven with everyone else.
When Llew got pneumonia in their sophomore year, neither his mom nor dad could afford to take time away from work to stay home with him all day. Moss was there every day before and after school, taking care of him the same way a significant other would. Llew knew then that things had changed between them. He suddenly saw Moss’ blond shaggy hair as sexy instead of messy. He’d noticed that his friend’s once scrawny frame had benefited from their hours in the weight room after school. Now his best friend was seventeen years old, with fashionably tousled hair, bright blue eyes, and a tightly packed body.
“Stop chasing me, I’m tired.” Moss rounded the corner of the media room, and hurdled over the couch in the formal living room like the track star he was.
“Then stop running,” Llew huffed back, quickly closing the distance when Moss slowed down. Llew tackled his boyfriend onto the plush carpet, pinning him beneath his much larger body. He gripped both Moss’ wrists together above his head, and used his other hand to push back the long bangs that had fallen over those blue eyes. He loved Moss so much. They’d been inseparable from the moment they met six years ago. Seamlessly transitioning from friends to lovers, now all they talked about—well, Llew talked about—was leaving for college where he could love on Moss freely.
When they first moved to Emporia, Llew’s father owned a small landscaping business and was contracted to service the mayor’s property. Llew was ticked off he had to help his father every summer. Kids would tease him when they looked out their windows or rode by on their bikes on their way to the YMCA pool. While he hauled away overflowing bags of cut grass, Moss had come out of his mansion and started shooting baskets at the hoop in his immaculately paved driveway, but not before giving Llew a bottle of water and extending him an invite to play along. Although Moss was wealthy, the son of the mayor and sixth generation heir to the McGregor Empire, he never looked down on the working class like his parents did.
The mayor and his wife weren’t bad people; they were wonderful to the townspeople. In spite of that, they always felt that their son could do better than the company he chose to keep. After Llew’s parents died last year in a car accident, they took pity and stopped giving him and his older brother dirty looks. His now twenty-six-year-old brother was his only living relative and had moved back home to take over their father’s business and make sure Llew graduated.
“You get sexier every day, babe.” Llew ground his stiffening cock into the hard thigh beneath him. “What time are your parents coming home?”
Moss opened his eyes. The usually bright blue irises were the color of the sky before a thunderstorm, dark and smoldering with lust. “Mmm. In about an hour.”
“Damn. I could fuck you so hard right now.” Llew spread his legs wider, and drove down hard, pulling a strained moan from his boyfriend.
“Would you throw me around first? Slam me against the wall and take it has hard and fast as you wanted?” Moss moaned, his hips rising up to meet Llew’s punishing thrusts.
“Ahhh, God. Hell yeah, I would. You’re such a fuckin’ pain slut, babe.” Llew groaned, pulling hard on Moss’ hair. His guy was into hardcore fucking, and Llew couldn’t deny that he loved that shit, too. It was smoking hot. Moss would scream his name, bite, and scratch him while he pounded his tight ass. No matter how hard he fucked him, Moss would beg for more. He loved being tied down, gagged, and even slapped a little. Llew had almost twenty pounds on his track star, so he was careful with him, but oh, how he got a head rush from controlling him. They were limited to backseat fucks most of the time, but every now and then Moss’ parents would be out late at a charity dinner, or some official function, and they’d have well into the night to explore their ever growing need.
“I would love for you to be bad right now, Llew, but you gotta go. I don’t feel like hearing my parents’ shit.”
“Damn. How come they think I’m not a good enough friend for you?” Llew sat up, turning his back to his boyfriend. He pushed his hand through his thick, brown hair. “I’m the fuckin’ star running back on the football team, and I have the eighth-highest GPA in our class. Goddamn. You think they’re setting the bar a tad high on who’s worthy to hang around you?”
Moss rose to his knees and draped his long arms around Llew’s neck. He kissed him softly behind his ear, whispering in that voice that always calmed him. “Soon we’ll be away at college. I’ve already gotten into UCLA, and I know your acceptance letter is coming any day now. The scout couldn’t say enough good things about you, right?”
Llew just slightly nodded his head.
“Okay, then. We’ll be together. No one will give us a second look if we’re holding hands there. Or kissing. Or touching.” Moss punctuated each statement with a kiss to Llew’s neck.
“What if your dad finds out we’re seeing each other while you’re in school? What if he stops paying your tuition, or rent, or some shit? Would you like… stop seeing me?”
“Stop worrying. Damn. You’re driving me crazy with all these questions.” Moss stood abruptly, walking further into the media room, fixing the pillows they’d knocked off the couch during their roughhousing. Eliminating any trace that Llew had been there.
Moss had begun to insist that Llew not be around when his parents were home, anymore. Said it was easier for him. How? Llew had no idea. As far as anyone was concerned, they were friends. Just like so many other kids at school.
“Hey. Alright, I’m sorry. You’re right. Being together is all that matters. We’ll always be together.” Llew cupped Moss’ cheek, tilting his head up to look at him. He didn’t comment on the look he saw in his guy’s eyes, but he noted something was off. He’s probably stressed with exams and everything coming up. He didn’t have time to think about it any longer, since the front door beeped to indicate someone was coming in.
Moss pushed him away, almost causing him to fall over the low coffee table in front of the couch. “Shit, babe, calm—”
“Don’t fuckin’ call me that. Are you crazy? Hurry up! Get your stuff,” Moss whispered harshly, his eyes wide and terrified. It wasn’t like they were in there getting high or something.
Llew shouldn’t have let Moss’ words bother him, but they did. You would’ve thought he was on the Feds’ most wanted list the way his boyfriend was acting. He yanked his backpack off the floor and slung it over his shoulder. When he got to the marble foyer, he tried to ignore the disdainful look Moss’ father threw him.
“Good evening, Mayor McGregor, Mrs. McGregor, how are you?” Llew said in his most polite voice.
“Oh. Hello, Llewellyn. I’m just fine, thank you. If you’ll excuse me,” Mrs. McGregor said, on her way past him. She never wasted time on pleasantries with him.
“What are you boys up to at this late hour?” Mayor McGregor stood eyeing them cautiously, one hand in the pocket of his dress pants, the other leaning on the mahogany foyer table.
Llew looked at his watch. It’s not even seven o’clock. “Um, I just stopped by to give Moss his AP History notes back. He loaned them to me—”
“Why don’t you have your own notes, Mr. Gardner?” Mayor McGregor said, standing taller and removing his suit jacket, his face tight and impassive.
“Father. Remember I told you—”
“Mr. Gardner can speak for himself.” Moss’ dad cut him off.
Llew looked back at his friend and saw how he hung his head at his father’s tone. “A couple guys on by brother’s crew caught the flu, so I missed my last two classes on Monday to help out at the business.”
“I see,” Mayor McGregor said casually. “Why don’t you two step into my office for a quick chat?”
“Father, Llew’s brother is waiting for him.”
“Sir, I know you’re extremely busy. I didn’t mean to infringe on your family’s time.”
Both of them were trying to avoid any type of chat, conversation, pow-wow, or anything else with Moss’ father. He was intolerant to say the least; but whatever he wanted to discuss with them wasn’t going to be fun.
“I’ll be brief.” His tone and his expression said that it wasn’t an option.
Moss sat ramrod straight in one of the two wingback chairs facing his father’s large desk. Llew placed his backpack on the floor and gingerly sat in the other chair. He wasn’t slouching, but he wasn’t about to sit at attention like he was in front of the President of the United States, either. Although the design of Mayor McGregor’s office could fool you into thinking you were; it was even oval-shaped. The American flag stood tall behind him, just in front of the royal blue curtains flanking the window. The wall was adorned with degrees from UCLA and Harvard. Expensive-framed pictures of Mayor McGregor with influential politicians were mounted on the adjacent wall, and sat on three large bookcases. Llew’s head whipped around from the massive thirty- by-twenty-inch framed family painting when Mayor McGregor cleared his throat.
“How’s the business going for your brother, Llewellyn?”
Llew looked to his boyfriend, but of course, his head was tucked low, not meeting his father’s eyes. Well, this pompous bastard didn’t intimidate Llew. His father had instilled good moral values in him and his brother before his death. Llew had no reason to hang his head.
“Business is doing well, sir. Leslie’s even picked up some commercial properties in Colonial Heights. He’s had to hire a third crew to cover the demand,” Llew said proudly. His brother had really done well with his father’s legacy.
“Are you going to be joining his crew after you graduate in a couple months?” Mayor McGregor inquired casually. He had dismissed Llew’s proud statement, continuing to follow his own agenda, without bothering to look at Llew as he shuffled some papers around on his executive-style desk.
“Yes, sir. I’m going to work for him like I do every summer. Then I’ll be leaving for college in the fall,” Llew said, trying unsuccessfully to meet Moss’ eyes.
Mayor McGregor’s bushy eyebrows shot up, almost to his hairline. “Oh, really. Ahh, yes. You probably got an athletic scholarship.”
“Yes, sir, I did.”
“What school have you chosen?”
“I haven’t yet, sir. I’m still waiting to hear back from my first choice.”
Moss finally turned his head towards him, eyes begging. What the hell? Llew looked tiredly at his boyfriend, knowing that he was pleading with Llew not to mention the possibility of him attending UCLA. Honestly, though, how was that going to be a secret any longer, once he was accepted? Word traveled quickly in their parts. No doubt, his big brother would be bragging all over town, too. It had been his parents’ dream for both of their sons to go to college. Unfortunately, Leslie had to leave during his second year in graduate school to bury his parents and take care of Llew.
“And your first choice?” he asked impatiently.
Llew and Moss continued to watch each other. Moss’ brows scrunched together with annoyance. Fuck that. Llew was pissed now. True, they were both in the closet; because it just wasn’t worth the trouble to come out in their town. He hated when Moss made him feel like he wasn’t even worthy of being his friend. Why couldn’t they go to the same school? UCLA was ranked number twenty-three in the nation’s top universities. It took more than just the ability to catch a football to get in. Moss should be proud of him, not only as his boyfriend, but as his best friend.
“Virginia Tech, sir.”
“Mmm. They have a good athletic program. You should fit right in, Mr. Gardner.”
Llew’s jaw was clamped shut so tight, it ached. He released a calm breath before adding, “They have a top-ranked engineering program, sir; since I also have an academic scholarship.” Llew held back his grin at the faint redness that was creeping over the mayor’s pristine white collar. Llew had already been accepted to Virginia Tech, but he couldn’t stand the thought of being twenty-four hundred miles away from his boyfriend.
If his father were here, he’d tell Mayor McGregor exactly what he thought of his son’s athletic and his academic accomplishments. He wouldn’t let anyone talk down to him. He wanted to do his father proud, but he loved Moss, he’d do anything for him. They only had to endure this bullshit a little while longer.
“You know Moss will be attending the family alma mater, UCLA, to carry on the McGregor tradition. You boys have been inseparable since middle school and I’ve tolerated it because it—”
“I’m sorry, sir. Tolerated it?” Llew interjected, his anger quickly bubbling to the surface.
Mayor McGregor sat forward, his hand tightly gripping the polished surface of his desk. “Yes, tolerated it. Boys will be boys. Now it’s time for Moss to grow up and be a man, leaving childish things behind. He has a duty and obligation to his family’s name.”
Llew didn’t know why he looked at Moss then, but he did. How could he sit there and allow his father to degrade someone he loved like that? Did Moss consider him to be a “childish thing” in his life?
“I understand, sir. I best be getting home now, my brother and I have plans,” Llew said as respectfully as he could muster, already standing and slinging his book bag over his shoulder. They had nothing more to discuss.
This book was heart felt! You felt everything from the characters and nothing was held back. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and would recommend it to anyone. There was spelling mistakes that needed clearing up but it didn’t take away from the over-all message the author was portraying. Llewellyn is by far one of my favorite characters I’ve ever read about. The fact he maintained himself through his adversity makes him an icon and pushes through all boundaries or stigmas on today. Based on content this is for 18+ audiences. I am an independent reviewer for Romance Authors That Rock and am giving this book 4.5 Hearts.
About the Author:
A.E. Via is a best-selling author in the beautiful LGBTQ erotic genre. She’d been reading gay romance exclusively for over ten years before she decided to submit one of her own stories for publication. Her writing embodies everything from spicy to scandalous. Her novels often include intriguing edges and twists that take readers to new, thought-provoking depths. When she’s not clicking away at her laptop, A.E. devotes herself to her family—a husband and four children.
Although she’s still a fairly new author, she has plenty more to come.
For more information on other books by A.E., visit her website:
https://www.facebook.com/aeviaauthor
https://twitter.com/AuthorAEVia
3 ecopies of an ARe Out For You book
A Perilous Question by Barry Finlay
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A Perilous Question by Barry Finlay Genre: Thriller Synopsis: Harmless as it may seem, Marcie realizes that this question posed to the wrong person could spell disaster for the girl and her friend. Her fears prove to be well founded. When she inadvertently discovers the girls are victims of an international human trafficking ring in, of all places, her home state of Florida, her attempts to help quickly spiral out of control with deadly consequences. Meanwhile, her much cherished independence is being challenged by a good looking FBI agent who is working the case.
Perilous Question is the first book I have read written by Barry Finlay, but I must confess that now that I did and totally loved it, I am so going to take a look at his other books. Mystery thriller is not always my thing if not written correctly. Nevertheless, this is not the case with this book. Since the very first page I was captivated by the story. I had no idea who was the girl I was reading about or why did she want to escape so desperately but for some reason I wanted to know so badly who was the girl and what was happening to her. I have to hand it to Mr. Finlay, he knows how to create an atmosphere filled with mystery, enough to ignite the curiosity and detective soul of the reader, and hints of what might be a future romance with our independent, brave, and divorced Marcie and our handsome FBI agent. Our hero and heroines sure got much more than what they bargain for when they enter a world of human trafficking, international sex trade and abduction at the heart of a philanthropic organization in Tanzania. In fact, things don’t look good for Marcie since she provides finding for the girl’s dormitory involved in such crimes. Nevertheless, she will stop at nothing to find protect the girls and, along, with the FBI unravel the truth behind this philanthropic organization and its ties with human traffickers. Book trailer: About the book: About the author: Barry has been named to the Authors Show’s list of 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading and he is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for his philanthropic work in Africa. Barry lives in Ottawa, Canada with his wife Evelyn. |
Infinite Time by HJ Lawson
Save the girl.
Save the day.
Save yourself.
The mission sounds easy enough, but it is anything but easy for Parker Jenkins. Yesterday, ordinary, poverty-stricken Parker was an ordinary high school kid, getting bullied relentlessly and trying to get by. Today, he’s a time traveler with gifted powers expected to carry out the extraordinary. Teaming up with another time traveler, Scarlet, they must save an innocent girl on the run before the villains kill them all. If they don’t, their present-day selves will die. But can the ordinary perform the extraordinary?
Contact Information
Website: www.hjlawson.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HJLawson1/
Twitter: @hjlawson1
Check out HJ Lawson’s novel Anonymous on Kindle Scout:
https://kindlescout.amazon.com/p/OV38P5DYHJ79
Purchase Links
Dark Dreams and Decadent desires by Dawn Madena Rueff
Author: Dawn Madena Rueff
Genre: Adult, Erotic Poetry
Published: June 21, 2016
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“Dark Dreams and Decadent Desires” is a journey of the seduction of the mind. An exploration of how sensual intelligence rules the body and perception. How what may be considered unthinkable becomes irresistible. It’s a journey for the brave, the adventurous, for the wanton and the tempting. Ride with Me, and see where the journey takes you. |
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Hello, My darlings! I shall introduce Myself. I am Dawn Madena. I am a ProDomme, and a switch. I have been in the lifestyle for 12 years and have learned a lot of lessons along the way. I am now pursuing writing and wish to bring My experiences to a community who is seeking answers and insight. This is what I hope to accomplish with My writing. To educate and promote understanding, as well as safety. Also, I want to help women realize their sensuality. I feel women crave to know they are worth the chase. To feel beautiful and comfortable in their own skin. This is what I hope to promote in women. Beauty, strength and intellectual sensuality. |
Born To Sin By A.L. Simpson
Title: Born to Sin
Series: Born Series
Author: A.L. Simpson
On Sale for 99c at all Amazon Outlets
June 20-26
Amazon Universal
HAMISH
I was born to an alcoholic mother and alcoholic, drug dealing father. Not a good start to life for a young boy. I was born to sin.
I’ve lied, cheated, assaulted, been an adulterer and stolen. It’s how one survives the ‘hood’. I have a reputation for being the ‘bad boy’, the fuck ’em and leave ’em type. I have never spent the night with a woman and I have never brought a woman home. We ‘play’ at her place and as soon as I’m done, I leave.
After fleeing my home at the age of thirteen and living on the streets – an option I found better than being with my parents, my life is turned around by an elderly lady.
I educate myself, become an award winning chef and return to the ‘hood where I rent an apartment. I love and care about no-one and nothing except my Harley Motorcycle. It’s here I met Jonesy and he takes my life in a whole new direction. Along with Wade, a fellow chef and the only person I can trust, the pair teach me how to love. Not only myself, but others.
BLOSSOM
I’m a wealthy Restaurateur thanks to an inheritance I received when my father passed.
I live in a penthouse apartment in the ‘rich’ part of the city.
Being pampered and spoiled all my life has turned me into a woman who sees something she wants and, like a dog with a bone, I won’t let go until it’s mine. I’m a winner. I ALWAYS win.
I don’t have relationships with men. One night stands suit me just fine. I can’t trust it’s me they want and not my money.
I meet Hamish by chance when I’m on the hunt for a new Head Chef. He treats me like I’m not worth a second thought. I’ve never been treated this way and I decide at that moment, I will make Hamish mine.
Hamish has no interest in the pampered Blossom but for some reason she gets under his skin.
Then, something happens that makes him realize, he has fallen in love. Will it be too late? Will tragedy strike before he can hold her in his arms and confess his true feelings?
“Shit, that was good.” Caroline sighs as I pull out of her and roll over. “Can we go out? Will you stay the night?”
“Nope. Gotta work.” I slide off the bed and pad to the bathroom across the hall. It’s as bad as the rest of Caroline’s apartment. Broken and cracked tiles, years of filth discoloring the grout, the bathtub so stained I wouldn’t even think to lower my ass onto the grime. Peeling paint like the other rooms, torn vinyl on the floors. Not unlike my place two blocks away. Well, I at least keep my place clean.
Most of the apartment blocks in the ’hood are run down, squalid hovels. The apartments haven’t seen maintenance in years because, unless you live in the ’hood, you don’t come here. Crimes are committed every hour, screaming, gun shots, rats in the filth ridden streets. It’s all a common sight to us natives of the area. It’s why I want to get out of here. Why I’m desperate to live somewhere decent with decent people. I’ve tried to rent in an area closer to work. A nice ‘burb close to the city. The realtors take one look at my references, note where I’ve been living and tell me the place is taken. It doesn’t matter that I clean up nice before I go and see them. It doesn’t matter that I’ve managed to get myself an education and have been working as a chef at a prestigious city restaurant. Nope, once a ’hood boy, always a ’hood boy as far as they’re concerned. It is impossible to rid myself of the stigma. Once I would have worn it as a badge of honor, now I want something better.
I dispose of the condom and return to the bedroom.
Caroline is stretched out on the bed like a contented cat. Fuck, she’s got a gorgeous body.
“Why won’t you stay? Even when you don’t have to work, you won’t stay.”
I hate the whining that has been happening lately. “Babe, I’ve told you. I don’t stay anywhere except my own bed in my own apartment. Alone.”
She leans up on her elbow. “We’ve been going out for almost a month and all you’ve done is text me and order me to meet you here so you can make love to me.”
I raise my hands in front of my still naked body. My dick is now flaccid, soft. Totally turned off with her whining. “How long have you lived in this neighborhood?” I watch her frown while she wonders why I’ve asked a question I already know the answer to.
“Nine years.”
“You know my reputation?”
She lowers her eyes. “Yes.”
“And?”
“You fuck ’em and leave ’em.”
“So, why do you ask if I’m staying the night?”
I have always loved to write and have a vivid and overactive imagination.
In my spare time, when I’m not writing, I love to walk, read and shop.
I believe no mountain is too hard to climb, no river is too wide to span and no journey is too difficult to complete. I follow my dreams and I urge and encourage others to do the same.
With a positive attitude, the impossible can become possible.
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Between the Bleeding Willows
Demon Hunters Series
Book One
D.A. Roach
Genre: YA Paranormal/Fantasy
Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Date of Publication: March 8, 2016
ISBN: 1680585274
ASIN: B01C4VVPII
Number of pages: 282
Word Count: about 64,000
Cover Artist: Deranged Doctor Design
Book Description:
At eighteen years old, Cassidy has suffered more loss than most…
At the end of her senior year, her boyfriend, Jace Peters, was killed in a car accident, and her grandmother died only weeks later of a heart attack. Emotionally lost, Cassidy desperately searches for an heirloom her boyfriend was wearing in the crash—her mother’s gold ring. But during her search, Cassidy discovers more than her ring.
She finds a gate to the Demon Realm….
A battle is brewing, and Killian—head of the Demon hunters—preps his Clan for the approaching conflict. They’ve been working to secure the gate between his realm and the mortal world. But it’s been nearly impossible since Rya—a voracious demon on a quest to expand her power—devoured the soul of his Clan’s necromancer. Now Rya is possessed with the necromancer’s powers and she may break through the gate at any moment.
Apparently Rya isn’t the only one Killian has to worry about…
When Cassidy accidentally crosses into the Demon Realm, Killian can’t understand how a human girl survived the transition. Now he has to find a way to return her to her own world, or risk her being caught in the crossfire, which is a complication he definitely doesn’t need. Once back in the Human Realm, Cassidy readies herself for battle. She signs up for Krav Maga classes, where she meets Tyler Romaitis—a handsome, tenacious, humble guy. He seems almost perfect, but nothing is ever that easy.
And as the balance between good and evil shifts, Cassidy finds herself—and her ring—at the heart of the conflict for the survival of mankind.
Book Trailer: https://youtu.be/gBICLCIVERw
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Excerpt:
I had no idea where the path would lead me, but I told myself I’d be fine as long as I did not veer from it. The insects hiding in the foliage sang their quiet night songs, and fireflies began to twinkle in the shadows, trying to convince me I made the right choice and would be safe. On the contrary, the trees seemed to reach out for me, unashamed of their menacing appearance. I walked carefully to keep my noise down, not wanting to draw attention to myself or scare off the voice I heard.
The path continued some ways before it joined with a clearing dotted with headstones. Blaylock Grove Cemetery. The headstones were in ruins, kicked over by vandals, no longer marking where the dead were buried. Weeds grew around the grave markers, and fallen branches cluttered the ground. What the hell was the deal with this place? There was a bad vibe here.
I crouched next to a headstone and Googled Blaylock Grove Cemetery. Wikipedia said it was a small abandoned cemetery that was known for its ghost sightings and haunted reputation. My arms got goosebumps, but I continued reading through a few sites. Some believed that the spirits were restless and angry because of the disrespect for their final resting place. In the 1950s, it became a place where couples would come to make out. There was also an increase in vandalism, and it was around this time when the burial ground became known as “haunted.” In the early 1900’s a mob boss and his goons were rumored to have dumped their victims’ bodies into the lagoon at the edge of the cemetery. I looked around and saw a clearing in the treeline ahead; the moon shimmered off of what must be
the lagoon. The image gallery showed photos of the grounds in daytime and with infrared film. Looking at the images only made me feel even more unsettled.
“Jace,” the female voice whispered to my right in a seductive tone. I stood frozen in one spot, staring in the direction of the voice, staying as silent and statuelike as I could. In my periphery, I saw a shadowy figure walk across the clearing toward the voice. I couldn’t make out a face so I stood and followed it, hoping for a closer look. In my haste, I snapped a branch beneath my foot.
Crap!
The figure turned toward me. His mouth twisted in a snarl, and his eyes were solid black. Despite these deformities, the face was familiar. My heart and mind warred with each other. Instinct told me to get the hell out of there, but my heart still thrummed for the guy who had captured it four years ago.
Seeing him like this, though…
Jace Peters was a good guy, not evil like the demon before me.
The sound of fast footsteps and cracking branches gained on Jace. I looked to the sound. In the dim moonlight, I could only see a large, dark figure running at full speed. Jace took off and darted between two giant willows at the edge of the cemetery. The dark figure dove at him—and they both vanished before they hit the ground.
What the…?
I grabbed my backpack and ran to the willows, but there was no sign of them. I ducked under the weeping branches and studied the base of the tree, searching for any clue. I grabbed the trunk to steady myself, but quickly retracted my hand when I felt the wet sticky liquid. Using my phone light to illuminate, I found the willow trunk coated in a dark sap. Putting my soiled fingers to my nose, I could not smell a thing. I touched my tongue to it, and tasted the metallic warmth of blood. Shining the light up the tree top showed me the streaks started as high as I could see and ran down to the roots. I walked to the other willow and found it also oozed blood. The leaves and branches were unremarkable; only the trunks were affected.
Trees didn’t bleed, so what was going on here? Maybe this place really was haunted. Had I witnessed two apparitions tonight, one being my dead exboyfriend?
Why was I blaming this on mystical things? I had never believed in ghosts and I always thought those Ghosthunters shows preyed on gullible people. Well, I wasn’t a gullible person, but I sure as hell saw two figures disappear right before my eyes tonight.
I needed to get out of there and get home. After I wiped the blood on the weeds below, I grabbed my backpack. Stepping out from beneath the branches onto the path between the bleeding willows, I began falling…down…down…down…
>This book is first in the Demon Hunter series and ends with a lot of questions. Cassidy is alone in life. She accidentally falls through a gate into the Demon Hunter realm deep in the earth. Humans falling through the gate is impossible, so no one knows what to make of her, especially, Killian. Killian is a Demon Hunter and very attracted to Cassidy. There is a lot of good vs. evil in this story. Demons stealing souls and evil entities trying to overtake the hunters.
>Cassidy’s backstory includes her great love of Jace, her boyfriend whom is killed and taken to the demon realm. The author mentions the fact that Jace was attacked and cut by a demon knife before he died. When Killian is cut during a demon fight, he recuperates at Cassidy’s house and starts humming songs that only Jace used to hum. Jace is very powerful in the demon realm, so wondering if he is possessing Killian is a thought.
>Cassidy and Killian have a connection, but Killian fights the attraction. There aren’t any explicit love scenes, but plenty of tension. Cassidy is attracted to Killian, friends with another hunter and then she meets Tyler. Tyler is not human and seems to help Cassidy, but whether he is good or bad is not really discovered. The many characters are interesting to meet and it seems like the author really develops each secondary character.
>I am a reviewer for Romance Author’s that Rock. This story is appropriate for a young adult (16+) to adult audience. I am giving the story 4 stars. The main relationship between Cassidy and Liam needed to be developed more.
>Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/1673517954?book_show_action=false
>Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/review/RR7X739FH2D12/ref=cm_cr_rdp_perm?ie=UTF8&ASIN=B01C4VVPII
About the Author:
D.A. Roach has been telling stories since she was a young girl in the suburbs of Chicago. In college she met the man of her dreams, her happily ever after, and married him 2 weeks after graduating. They have 3 kids together and a pet cockatiel named Gimli. D.A. did not find a love for books until after college. Her parents were immigrants from Lithuania and found tv and radio easier ways to hear stories so they did not do much reading or encourage it. But once she finished college and D.A. had free time, she discovered how amazing it was to get lost in a story.
D.A. is a full time mom and wife. When she is not doing domestic things (laundry, bills, etc) she is writing, reading, creating mixed media art, and helping beautify her kids’ school landscape. Oh, and she is ALWAYS listening to music. Her favorite authors include Rebecca Donovan, Richelle Mead, Larissa Ione, Stephanie Meyer, E.L. James, and Sylvia Day. Reading great works from authors like these has motivated D.A. to write her own stories. She hopes to make positive changes in the world with her art and writing.
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
— George Bernard Shaw
WEBSITE: http://daroachbooks.blogspot.com/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/DARoachDA/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/daroach12books
BOOK GORILLA: http://www.bookgorilla.com/author/B00AQNBVH2/daroach
AMAZON AUTHOR PG: http://www.amazon.com/author/daroach
Tour giveaway
1 Amazon Gift card $25
2 signed copies (US only) of Between the Bleeding Willows
Surrender of Trust by Mariel Grey
As an independent reviewer for Romance Authors that Rock, this writer and her heroines get a full five hearts!! A few tastefully written heated passionate moments make it appropriate for young adults as well. The fact that it revolves around horses helps too!!
Purchase Links
Sicario by Kai Tyler
Title: Sicario: A Novel
Series: Worlds’ End #3
Author: Kai Tyler
Genre: Dystopian M/M Romantic Thriller
Published: June 20, 2016
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Sold by his parents and bred in a lab, Lexan Cesare is trained for one purpose—to execute his boss’s orders. In the mafia life, loyalty is everything. Emotions have no place and he never questions the rights or wrongs of the decisions that send him to terminate lives again and again. Until one assignment draws emotions he’s never felt before and makes him question his true allegiance.
When a stranger walks into Enzo Mattia ranch in search of a job, his life is changed irrevocably. He is ripped apart from his family and everything he knows and ends up sold into slavery. He swears to mete revenge on all who have wronged him. First he has to escape from his new owner, Lexan, a man who captivates him and makes him want to act on impulses he’s suppressed for a long time. Impulses that can lead to death. With corrupt lawmakers and deadly cartels, the world is in flux. Loyalties shift at the speed of a bullet and betrayal abounds. In the new world falling in love is just a death wish. This is a full length male/male romantic thriller set on a dystopian earth.
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Copyright 2016 Kai Tyler
Dressed, I headed across to Enzo’s room. He opened the door for me and my mouth dropped open. He looked amazing in a white dress shirt and navy slacks. I’d never seen him in anything other than jeans, chambray or t-shirts. Instead of boots, he wore brown leather brogues.
He stared at me with an odd expression before saying, “You look good,” and turning away.
“Wow,” Gianna said, looking me over. “You scrub up well for a ranch hand.”
She wore a lovely emerald silk dress that was cut off across one shoulder and draped in an asymmetrical style beyond her knees. Strappy diamante sandals and her hair styled in a loose chignon completed the classy outfit.
“He sure does,” Enzo added, still giving me that look that made my heart thud faster.
“And there I was worried you wouldn’t have anything suitable to wear.” She beamed a smile at me, and then turned to her brother, holding up a maroon silk tie. “Come on, Enzo. The tie will go great with your suit. Tell him for me please, Alex.”
“No, I don’t need one. Alex isn’t wearing one and he looks great.” He turned away as if he hadn’t expected the words to come out as awestruck as they did.
My smile blossomed into a full grin. He really liked me in a suit then.
“I don’t need a tie. As you say I’m just the ranch hand.” I winked at Gianna. “But the tie will work well with your suit. Here let me help you.”
I walked over to Gianna and took the tie from her. “You look totally amazing,” I said and pressed a kiss to her cheek.
Then I strode over to where Enzo leaned against the table. “Trust me, you’ll look great.”
“Hmmm,” was all he said, but he let me come close enough to turn the collar of his shirt up.
I was conscious of Gianna behind us so I maintained a reasonable gap between us as I slid the silk around his neck. Each breath I took filled my lungs with his scent—man and spice—that transported me back to the night in the log cabin.
As I looped and knotted the tie, I couldn’t help brushing my fingers against his chin. His breath hitched. A smile played at the corner of my mouth. He’d shaved the skin smooth. I missed the bristles and wanted them rubbing against my skin.
“I can’t find my perfume in my purse,” Gianna called out from behind. “I’m going to pop back to my room and get it.”
My body trembled, knowing I’d be alone with Enzo for a few minutes. I could feel the tension coming off his body too.
As soon as the door closed behind his sister, I couldn’t keep away any longer. I leaned my body against his, making sure he felt the bulge of my erection on his thigh.
“I’ve missed you,” I whispered before brushing my lips on his.
He gripped my low pony tail, angled my head and devoured my mouth.
I groaned long and deep as I sank into him, loving his strength, loving the contact. My hands slid around his back as I gathered him into me so that we were as physically close as we could be with clothes on.
I don’t know what happens to me whenever this man touched me, but I felt as if this was where I should be.
A rattling noise at the door broke us apart when Enzo shoved me away.
| Kai loves writing stories about forbidden men and relentless love, about gangsters with heart, antiheroes who do what they need to do to survive in a crazy world. These men commit to the lives they lead 100%—with heart, body and soul and when they fall in love you can be sure they bring the same level of passionate devotion to the people they love.
Kai’s debut dystopian MM romance novel, Duce, was an All Romance eBooks Top 50 Bestseller when it came out in 2015. Visit http://www.kaityler.com to connect with Kai.
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