CONVINCING YOU

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. J.M. Adele will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

In addition, the author has put this book on sale for 99 cents through the 25th and all royalties will go toward Australian bushfire appeal.

We were connected in more ways than one—I knew it when we met.

What I didn’t know was how close he would bring me to death.

And that death would be a blessing.

Andrea has always been able to tap into messages from somewhere beyond. When she meets Ben, an unrelenting force draws them together. But it’s going to take some convincing to help Ben realise their potential. Ben never thought his friend’s little sister would be anything more than a nuisance. He was wrong. She’d always been so much more. And now, their bond could be severed and her pulse silenced forever.



*Recommended for readers 18+ due to mature content.*

Read an Excerpt

A cracker loaded with brie and quince paste was passed in front of my face as Lee handed it to Ronnie.

Brie. Sweet, sweet, unpasteurised, soft, bacteria-ridden cheese. Oh, how I’ve missed you. I licked my lips, sucking in the smell as my nose followed the delicacy.

“Are you sniffing my food?” Wrinkles carved grooves into Ronnie’s cheeks.

“It has been nine months. Nine. Months. Yes, I’m sniffing the brie. I miss it.” My statement came out as a whimper.

Ronnie took a small bite before asking, “Can you still have soft cheese if you’re breastfeeding?”

“I don’t think so,” Lee answered, scrubbing the back of his freckled neck.

I arched my sore back. “What? Of course I can. Don’t tell me that.”

Ben wrapped his fingers around my ponytail and stroked its length. “I dunno. I think it might be too risky for the baby.”

I twisted to look at him. “Bullshit. You’re wrong.” I searched his serious expression for any hint of a joke. A twitch in the corner of his mouth. A change in his eyes. Nothing. He was stone-cold sober. “Don’t tell me I can’t eat the cheese. I want the cheese. Babe, you know I can’t do without the cheese.”

Ronnie rested her forearms on the table and leaned forward, her gaze glued to mine. “I read an article last week about this woman who did all the right things during the pregnancy and as soon as the baby was born, she gorged on all the cheese. Brie, camembert, blue vein—she went to town. She fed the baby a couple of hours later. The poor thing ended up in hospital with a nasty infection.”

“Are you shitting me?” I dropped my chin, mouth agape. If this was a joke, she was no longer my friend.

“Yes. Yes, Andy, we’re shitting you.” She leaned back with a huge grin on her face as Lee and Ben sniggered. “It’s way too easy.”

“I hate you.”

“Not true.”

Ben tried to tuck me under his arm. I pouted and inched away. “You’re so mean to me in my vulnerable state. You know it’s my due date and I’m still fecking preggers.”

“He’ll be here soon. He’s just way too comfortable inside there.” Ben nuzzled my neck, whispering in my ear, “I don’t blame him. I wanna be inside you right now.”

I wriggled in my seat as a choking noise came from across the table. “Jesus, I heard that.” Ronnie scrubbed her hands over her ears, masses of dark curls bouncing as she did.

I didn’t give a shit that she’d heard what Ben said. I loved that he still found me desirable despite the fact that I’d swelled to twice my normal size and couldn’t see my toes, let alone touch them.

The loud clap of Lee’s hands made me jump. “Who wants prawns? Not you, Andy. I did a rolled turkey roast for you. Sorry.”

Prawns. Another thing I couldn’t eat. Yet. After this kid was out, I was going to fill myself with all the pre-prepped salad, shellfish, soft cheese, and wine I could get my hands on.

Lee dragged his chair back as Ronnie jumped to help him.

I rested a hand on Ben’s thigh. The delicious smell of our early Christmas dinner wafted from the kitchen. “Do you mind if we exchange gifts first? I can’t wait. We might have to run off to hospital at any moment.”

“You can’t hold off for another half an hour?”

“Nope.”

Ben pushed his chair back.

“Babe, can you grab the presents for me please?”

“Already on it.”

He was the best.

Lee stood behind Ronnie with his arms around her teeny tiny waist, one palm spread over her stomach. They presented such a contrast. Her with sultry, dark features and caramel skin, and Lee with freckles and auburn locks. He was only just taller than her. She and Ben were eye to eye, but he was twice her girth, although they were both solid muscle. All three of my dinner companions could’ve done a Nike ad, while I was the Oompa Loompa in the background.

Not for much longer hey, baby boy?

Our hosts watched me from the kitchen. Something silently passed between them, evident from the way they held each other.

“Are you coming over here, or are you going to make me get up?” I raised a brow.

They returned to their seats with matching smirks.

Ben slid in beside me, placing down an envelope and a box wrapped with multi-coloured braided ribbons and topped with a pretty bow.

“Thanks.” I handed the envelope to Ronnie. “Merry Christmas!”

Lee had given Ronnie tickets to Sydney for her birthday two weeks ago. They were going before uni started back in March. As soon as I found out what he’d planned, I’d known what I wanted to give her for Christmas.

A smile tilted her mouth at one corner as her eyes flitted around the table. She ducked her chin and used her knife to open the present. Slipping out a piece of paper, her eyebrows scrunched before popping high. “A private ghost tour of Sydney.” Her shoulders kissed her earlobes. “I’m shitting myself. Thanks.”

“All the oldest buildings are haunted, but you already know that. I figured you could kill two birds with one stone. Face down your fear of spirits and get an inside view of some beautiful old buildings.”

“You’ll be with me. I’ll protect you, babe.” Lee kissed her cheek and she responded with a roll of her eyes.

He knew damn well she didn’t need protection. They were cute together. It was nice to see them both happy after the fucked-up shit that had gone down earlier in the year. She’d nearly died trying to save her friend from an underground sex cult. Nothing would ever clear those images from their heads, but they could create new memories—happy Polaroid moments, shining light into the darkest corners of their minds. Not that ghosts would provide particularly happy snaps necessarily, but Ronnie could handle anything that was thrown at her now. She was a badass.

“Your turn.” Ben pushed the box across the table to his mate.

“Did you wrap this?” Lee tried to hide a smirk.

“That’s all my handiwork, mofo. You know I’m good with plaits.”

My eye twitched as Lee fiddled with the ribbons, trying to delicately untie the bow. “Just rip it.”

“You sure?”

“Yes! Jesus.” I almost dragged my hands down my face.

He yanked at the paper, tossing bits on the table. “Do you know what you’re gonna call Benny junior?”

“Sebastian.” I answered without thinking.

“Hell, no.” Ben frowned.

“Why not?” I thought we’d discussed this already, but maybe that had all been in my head.

His blue eyes pierced mine. “Sebastians don’t play rugby.”

I wracked my brain trying to remember if there’d been any players named Sebastian. Surely there were. I shook my head. “What if he doesn’t wanna play?”

Ben paused, his Adam’s apple bobbing as he blinked at me.

“Are you going to make him?” I asked.

“No?” It sounded like a question.

I took it as a definitive answer, rubbing my belly. “I’m relieved to hear it.”

“Is Stewart gonna make him play league?” Ben narrowed his eyes.

“Not if he knows what’s good for him.” My brother wouldn’t dare. I’d slap him if he tried to influence my child in any way.

He scoffed. “He has never known what’s good for him. I still can’t believe they let him into the police force.”

I couldn’t get over that one myself.

“Why Sebastian?” Ben frowned.

“I don’t know. I just have a feeling.” The moniker had been rolling around in my thoughts more and more lately. There was something attached to it, tangled strings that needed unknotting. Unfinished business. I’d never known anyone with that name, but it wouldn’t leave me alone. Our son had to be called Sebastian—I knew that much. I just didn’t know why. “It’ll grow on you. Trust me on this one, okay?”

Ben pushed a breath through flared nostrils. “Do I get to pick the middle name?”

“Absolutely ... as long as it’s Ben.” I smiled with all my pearly whites on show.

About the Author:

J. M. Adele, Author

Author of smart, sexy characters, J.M. Adele loves to flit between the dark and light sides of romance. Somewhere along the way an almost constant procession of imaginary characters settled into her thoughts and she picked up a pen to share their stories.

She lives in Queensland with her three greatest loves, her children. When she’s not writing or being a mum, you might find her hiking up a mountain, singing in the car when nobody is looking, or curled up with a good book.

Author Links:

Website - https://www.jmadele.org/

Newsletter - https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/g1p2t7

Reader Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/JMsGemsters/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/authorjmadele

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/j.m.adele/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/JMAdeleBooks

Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com.au/jmadele/pins/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/JMAdele

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-m-adele

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14553832.J_M_Adele

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/J-M-Adele/e/B0174OOYJC

Buy Links

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/49457085-convincing-you

Universal Link - https://books2read.com/u/b6k6K0

Amazon - (Preorder) https://www.amazon.com/dp/B082WFS6KJ/




a Rafflecopter giveaway

REMNANTS--A PSYCHOLOGICAL THRILLER BY CAROLYN ARNOLD

Remnants

by Carolyn Arnold

GENRE: Mystery

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION: 

Carolyn Arnold also will be awarding a paperback copy of VIOLATED by Carolyn Arnold to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

REMNANTS Blurb:

FBI agent and profiler Brandon Fisher and his team are called to Savannah, Georgia, when body parts belonging to three separate victims are recovered from the Little Ogeechee River. As the case takes one dark turn after another, Brandon finds himself embroiled in a creepy psychological nightmare.

Here’s what Remnants is about:

All that remains are whispers of the past…

When multiple body parts are recovered from the Little Ogeechee River in Savannah, Georgia, local law enforcement calls in FBI agent and profiler Brandon Fisher and his team to investigate. But with the remains pointing to three separate victims, this isn’t proving to be an open-and-shut case.

With no quick means of identifying the victims, building a profile of this serial killer is proving more challenging than usual. How is the killer picking these victims? Why are their limbs being severed and bodies mutilated? And what is it about them that is triggering this killer to murder?

The questions compound as the body count continues to rise, and when a torso painted blue and missing its heart is found, the case takes an even darker turn. But this is only the beginning, and these new leads draw the FBI into a creepy psychological nightmare. One thing is clear, though: the killing isn’t going to stop until they figure it all out. And they are running out of time…

The Brandon Fisher FBI series is a perfect fit for you if serial killers and the FBI fascinate you, if you like getting inside the minds of killers, love being creeped out, sleeping with your eyes open, and feeling like you’re involved in murder investigations. If this speaks to you, then join FBI agent and profiler Brandon Fisher and his team with the Behavioral Analysis Unit in their hunt for serial killers.

This is the perfect book series for fans of Criminal Minds, NCIS, Silence of the Lambs, Seven, Dexter, Luther, and True Crime.

Read in any order or follow the series from the beginning.

Excerpt One:

REMNANTS Excerpt:

My senses were busy taking in the crime scene: marshland, relative seclusion, an arm and leg discovered last week, an arm yesterday. Aside from the human remains that had been found here, the property had a serene feeling to it, a sense of peace. There was a tangible quality to the air, though—or maybe it was the presence of law enforcement and crime scene investigators—that made it impossible to deny that death had touched the place.

“What else can you tell us about the limbs that were recovered?” Paige asked.

The lieutenant cleared his throat. “Well, both arms didn’t have hands, and the leg didn’t have a foot. We found incision marks indicating the hands and foot had been intentionally cut off.”

“Our killer could have taken them for trophies or to make identification impossible,” I suggested.

Pike gave a small nod and continued. “And while we know the hands and foot were removed, it’s not as clear how the appendages separated from the torso. It would be something we’d need the medical examiner to clarify.”

Jack’s brow furrowed, and I could tell his mind was racing through the possibilities.

“But,” Pike continued, “all the limbs have one thing in common: muscle tissue remained, even though the skin had been removed.”

“It is possible that the skin was also taken as a trophy,” Zach speculated.

“We could be looking for a hunter or a sexual sadist,” Jack said.

Hunters were typically identified by the type of weapon they used—a hunting knife, rifle, or crossbow, for example—and they tended to dispose of their victims’ bodies in remote, isolated areas. A sexual sadist, on the other hand, got off on the torture and pain. But we’d need to gather more facts before we could build any sort of profile on our unsub. Even knowing more about the victims themselves would help. Was the killer choosing people he or she was acquainted with? Were the victims of a certain gender, age group, occupation? The list went on and on. From there, we could more easily speculate on our killer’s motive and what they had to gain.

Carolyn Arnold, Author

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

CAROLYN ARNOLD is an international best-selling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series—Detective Madison Knight, Brandon Fisher FBI, McKinley Mysteries, and Matthew Connor Adventures—and has written nearly thirty books. Her genre diversity offers her readers everything from cozy to hard-boiled mysteries, and thrillers to action adventures.

Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark: POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Carolyn was born in a small town and enjoys spending time outdoors, but she also loves the lights of a big city. Grounded by her roots and lifted by her dreams, her overactive imagination insists that she tell her stories. Her intention is to touch the hearts of millions with her books, to entertain, inspire, and empower.

She currently lives just west of Toronto with her husband and beagle and is a member of Crime Writers of Canada.

Connect with CAROLYN ARNOLD Online:

Website - http://carolynarnold.net/

Twitter - https://twitter.com/Carolyn_Arnold

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/AuthorCarolynArnold

And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Meet today’s guest, Carolyn Arnold. She is an international bestselling and award-winning author, as well as a speaker, teacher, and inspirational mentor. She has four continuing fiction series and has written nearly thirty books. Both her female detective and FBI profiler series have been praised by those in law enforcement as being accurate and entertaining, leading her to adopt the trademark, POLICE PROCEDURALS RESPECTED BY LAW ENFORCEMENT™.

Today, she answers a few questions for us and gives us insight into her life as a mystery author.

When you first begin writing a new book, is your main focus on the characters or the plot?

I’d have to say it’s really a blend of both. I approach writing a book without an outline and with merely an idea of the storyline. Oftentimes, I don’t even know the identity of the killer until my characters work through the investigation. Both the characters and the plot are strengthened through the editing process.

Why do you write within your chosen genre?

I love the logical progression and intrigue that goes with the mystery genre. The fact that I love to read mysteries and watch crime dramas has also made writing in the genre only a matter of time.

How much research goes into your fiction writing? What is your approach?

As an author of police and FBI procedurals, a lot of research goes into each of my books. I need to know how real life police or FBI would handle situations, have an understanding of forensics and weapons, as well as a grasp of the human aspect—the interaction between departments of law enforcement and within a department.

I’m grateful to have contacts from law enforcement who are generous in sharing their wisdom and experience with me.

Is there a time of day or night when you're most creative?

It used to always be the morning, but that’s not always the case anymore.

Describe your writing environment. (Do you prefer noise or silence? Is your work area messy or neat? What do you see when you look around you?)

Oh, I love working in my office for the most part, but sometimes during the summer, I’ll take my laptop outside and write on my patio.

I prefer just above tomb silent and my work area is somewhat messy with papers everywhere… (bows head in embarrassment).

You can connect with Carolyn online via her website, Twitter, and Facebook. And don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter for up-to-date information on release and special offers at http://carolynarnold.net/newsletters.

Carolyn’s latest book—Remnants from her Brandon Fisher FBI series—hit retailers April 11, 2017. You can pick up a copy from your favorite retailer in e-book, paperback, or hardcover formats. It’s available wherever books are sold, including the following:

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Apple iBooks

Kobo

Google

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Carolyn Arnold also will be awarding a paperback copy of VIOLATED by Carolyn Arnold to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RIDING HIGH BY STACY FINZ

GENRE: Contemporary Romance



RIDING HIGH Blurb:

When it's time to get back in the saddle again, there's no better place than the picturesque mountain town of Nugget, California . . .

A financial whiz with her own advice show, Gia Treadwell is passionate about helping people maximize their potential. But when her boyfriend--make that ex-boyfriend--steals millions with an epic Ponzi scheme, Gia is promptly run out of town. It's the perfect opportunity to revisit an old dream--one that apparently involves naked cowboys . . .

Flynn Barlow didn't expect anyone to walk in on him showering at the empty ranch where his family's cattle have always grazed. Even more surprising, the new ranch owner plans to turn it into a residential training program for women who need a hand up. A smart, gorgeous woman with a worthy cause? In Flynn's experience, if it seems too good to be true, it usually is.

Sharing the ranch doesn't mean Flynn and Gia have to get along, but riding together isn't the problem. It's the scorching chemistry they can't ignore. And if they figure out a way to add trust to the mix, they'll soon be sharing more than just a ranch . . .

RIDING HIGH Excerpt:

Unconcerned that she had a firearm aimed at his center mass, he gave her a brazen once-over. Then he motioned his head at the gun. “I don’t think it’s loaded, but you should never point a weapon at someone unless you mean to shoot him.”

“I’ll shoot you.” It was a bluff. If push came to shove, Gia didn’t think she could pull the trigger.

Again, he eyed the rifle with indifference. “Yeah, I don’t think so. Otherwise you would’ve removed the safety.”

“Give me your pistol,” she said. He looked confused. “The one in the bathroom.”

“I don’t have it.” He held out both his hands. “Feel free to pat me down.”

She wasn’t getting anywhere near him. “Back up real slow.”

He glanced behind his shoulder. “Where we going?”

“Into the bedroom.”

“Yeah? Sounds good.” He flicked his gaze over her, eyeing her from head to toe. The guy thought he was a real comedian. “Why don’t you let me—”

“Not now.” She needed to concentrate and was reevaluating the bedroom idea. But that was where her cell phone was. Gia hadn’t seen a landline since she’d gotten here. She lifted the rifle so that the muzzle was pointed directly at his chest.

He rolled his eyes but mercifully kept quiet. They made it to the master suite without incident and with one hand Gia held the rifle against her shoulder, using the other one to search her purse for the phone.

Eureka! She punched 9-1-1 with her index finger, put the phone on speaker, and dropped it on the bed so she could resume holding the rifle with both hands.

“9-1-1, what’s your emergency?”

Gia would’ve sworn she saw her captive snicker. She promptly ignored him and told the operator her situation. The cavalry was on its way, thank goodness.

“You think I could put my shirt on before the cops get here?”

Stacy Finz, Author

Stacy Finz is an award-winning reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle. After more than twenty years covering notorious serial killers, naked-tractor-driving farmers, fanatical foodies, aging rock stars and weird Western towns, she figured she finally had enough material to launch a career writing fiction. In 2012 she won the Daphne du Maurier Award for unpublished single-title mystery/suspense. She lives in Berkeley, California with her husband.

http://www.stacyfinz.com/
https://twitter.com/sfinz
https://www.facebook.com/stacy.finz

Buy links:
Buying options at: http://www.kensingtonbooks.com/book.aspx/34056




GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Stacy will be awarding a digital copy of Riding High to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

ROMANTIC SUSPENSE - SINS THAT HAUNT BY LUCY FARAGO

Sins That Haunt

by Lucy Farago

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

GENRE: Romantic Suspense

Lucy will be awarding a digital copy of Sins that Haunt to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

SINS THAT HAUNT Blurb:

The glitz and glamour of Las Vegas hide a multitude of sins. And in Lucy Farago’s show-stopping series, a lawyer and an FBI agent take a walk on the seedy side, where greed breeds a deadly desperation...

Civil attorney Shannon Joyce walks the line of law and order, but she learned from day one how to put up a good front—thanks to her con man father. Thirteen years ago, she left the east coast and her life of crime behind. Her high school sweetheart, Noah, was collateral damage, but some things can’t be helped. But now there’s no escape when her past comes roaring down the Strip—in the oh-so-tempting form of the man she left behind...

Special Agent Noah Monroe has Shannon exactly where he wants her—in the back of his car in handcuffs. Her grifter father has been murdered, and the FBI needs Shannon to

keep one of his scams in play to bag the big bad guy who was financing him. Once again a pawn in someone’s else game, Shannon will have to trust her instincts to survive both the peril threatening her—and the passion Noah reignites…

SINS THAT HAUNT Excerpt:

They eventually stopped at the last place she’d expected. The airport. Noah got out of the car and got in the backseat with her.

“What’s going on?” She should be sitting in an interrogation room, not visitors’ parking at the airport. “Is my father really dead?”

May God have mercy on her soul, but she hoped so.

Noah nodded once.

“How did he die?”

He lifted a dark eyebrow.

“Cut it out. You know damn well I didn’t kill him.” She didn’t lie, not anymore. “Am I glad he’s gone to a far worse place?” She shrugged. He’d not only screwed up her life but countless others’. His victims were in the thousands, if not more. “But when I left him, he was alive.” Not very happy but alive.

“When would that be?” he asked.

She considered telling him to go take a swim in shark-infested waters, then thought better of it. She had nothing to hide. “Two days ago.”

“What did the two of you discuss?”

“The weather,” she said. Jerk. No way would she admit to her father extorting money from her. Thirteen years ago she’d have told Noah everything. Thirteen years ago he hadn’t been a special agent assigned to a task force that could put her behind bars.

“Shannon, even if you and I didn’t know you hated the guy, the only time he ever talked to you was to coerce you into one of his schemes. So what was it this time?”

Buy links:

Amazonkindle: http://www.amazon.com/s/?field-keywords=9781616508210  

Apple: http://itunes.apple.com/us/book/isbn9781616508210   

Google: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9781616508210&c=books  

Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/search/search.html?q=9781616508210  

Nook: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/9781616508210

Lucy Farago, Author

Lucy Farago knows there is nothing like a happy sigh at the end of a good book. With the encouragement of her loving husband, she wrote her first manuscript. An unpublished historical, it sits in a file on her computer, there to remind her how much fun she had learning the craft and becoming part of an industry whose books make you believe anything is possible. A big fan of Agatha Christie, she set out to write her first romantic suspense novel. Thrilled to be a published author, Lucy also teaches yoga, enjoys cooking, and saying what other people are thinking. In her fantasy world, her beautiful Siberian husky, Loki, doesn’t shed and her three kids clean up after themselves. Alas, that fantasy will never see fruition.

http://www.lucyfarago.com/

https://twitter.com/lucyfarago

https://www.facebook.com/LucyFarago2015?fref=ts

Lucy will be awarding a digital copy of Sins that Haunt to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

DOS ANGELES -- BY EMMY AWARD NOMINEE MICHAEL O'HARA

DOS ANGELES

by Michael O'Hara

GENRE:

Mystery

DOS ANGELES Blurb:

Dos Angeles, the first in a franchise of mysteries featuring Paco Moran, puts the multicultural thirty-something ex-LAPD homicide detective turned reluctant private eye on the trail of a beautiful young Latina on the run with ten million dollars in cash. Half Anglo and half Mexican, Moran is a transitional character equally at home working in Beverly Hills or blue collar Boyle Heights, the tough East Los Angeles neighborhood where he was raised by a single mom. In his debut case Paco quickly learns he will be the fall guy if he doesn't track down the young immigrant who allegedly stole a small fortune from a sleazy Hollywood producer secretly laundering money for a notorious drug cartel. Paco's frantic search takes him on a roller-coaster ride through a shadowy place he calls Dos Angeles a city within the city and a virtual country unto itself.

DOS ANGELES Excerpt:

Then, the day before the Pirellis were due home, something unexpected came up that needed her immediate attention. On hearing what she thought was the sound of a toilet running she first checked downstairs before heading up to the master suite. Inside the gaudy all gold and marble bathroom she discovered a puddle of water seeping out from inside the extra-long double vanity. Opening the main cabinet doors she saw one of the stainless steel hoses was leaking badly. She tried to tighten the connection but it had no effect. Afraid she might make matters worse, she turned off the valve and hurried downstairs to call a plumber on the approved contact list.

A half hour later Sid Kantor showed up and Maria was immediately intimidated by his off-putting physical presence. Short and obesely overweight with a large shaved head, a Quaker-like beard, and dull, hooded eyes, Kantor reminded her of El Malvado, a cartoon villain that used to terrify her as a little girl in Oaxaca. Because of that and his gruff, unfriendly manner, she quickly sensed he was one of those aggressive white foreigners who only saw Mexicans as workers, never as equals.

Not about to give him the satisfaction of staring at her shapely bottom on the way up the steep winding staircase, she politely stepped aside and gestured for him to lead the way. By the time they reached the second floor landing he was grunting and panting so much she feared he might have a heart attack.

“Are you okay, sir?” she asked with genuine concern.

“Ya, ya,” he muttered, wiping his brow with his shirt sleeve. “It’s dis damn heat.”

Minutes later Maria stood by patiently as Kantor awkwardly maneuvered his way under the sink to remove and replace the faulty hose. When he finally finished he turned the water back on to test it.

“Dat should do it,” he said in a heavily accented, non-American voice. “Let run five minutes to make sure.”

After struggling to get back up on his feet Kantor gestured with the flashlight he’d been using, illuminating the inside of the cabinet.

“You know what behind dere?” he asked, focusing the light on a small pocket door under the sink.

“Behind where?” Maria was confused.

“Dere, dere!” he growled, swirling the light around to emphasize what he was talking about

“I don’t know,” she shrugged.

“Strange. Hah?” He pointed the flashlight at the door again. “Must be something back dere.”

Since Kantor was obviously way too big to crawl through himself, Maria volunteered to take a look while he was still there.

“No time,” he said, tapping on his watch. “Late for next appointment.”

He handed her a business card. “You call if any more problems.”

She promised she would and saw him out.

After he left, she decided to return upstairs to check behind the cabinet to make sure there were no hidden pipes that could be leaking. When she slid open the mystery door, she was startled to discover a secret room. “Dios mío!” she whispered.

Michael O'Hara, Author,
Producer, and Journalist

Emmy nominee Michael O’Hara-- who has written and produced some of the highest-rated television movies and miniseries in recent memory – is adding author to his resume with the August, 2015 the publication of his first novel,  Dos Angeles.

The book, featuring a bilingual and bicultural private eye named Paco Moran, centers around Moran’s desperate search for a beautiful young Latina immigrant who stole ten million dollars from the mob. In a pre-publication review American Book Award winner Peter Quinn said: Paco Moran’s debut in Michael O'Hara's DOS ANGELES is fast-paced, finely crafted, and full of surprises. It's noir fiction for the 21st century, a helluva ride from the first page to last. Here's hoping O'Hara brings Paco back very soon. I can't wait!

A former award-winning journalist and NBC Vice President of Media Relations, O’Hara made an auspicious debut as a writer/producer with “Those She Left Behind,” a critically acclaimed family drama that continues to be the highest-rated TV movie (25.1/38 share) on any network in over twenty years. It starred Gary Cole and Colleen Dewhurst (who won an Emmy Award for her performance). That success was followed by the widely praised NBC movie “She Said No” which won an American Women in Radio & Television Award for Best Television Dramatic Special.

O’Hara next wrote and executive produced “Switched at Birth,” the blockbuster NBC miniseries that earned an Emmy nomination as Best Dramatic Special and remains the highest rated (22 rating/33 share) miniseries on network television since its initial telecast over two decades ago. He was also the writer and executive producer of “Murder in the Heartland,” a celebrated ABC miniseries which garnered a Casting Society of America Award and two Emmy nominations. Right after that he created and executive produced the first of 22 “Moment of Truth” movies for NBC, establishing one of the most successful film franchises in TV history.

O’Hara also wrote “She Woke Up Pregnant,” the pilot for ABC’s ‘Crimes of Passion’ franchise. It scored an impressive 13.4 rating and 21 share, making it the highest-rated ABC movie of the year. He went on to write “One Hot Summer Night,” another ‘Crimes of Passion’ thriller that was ABC’s highest-rated Thursday night movie of the season. Other producing credits include two CBS projects: “Twilight Zone – Rod Serling’s Lost Classics” and “A Child’s Wish,” which was filmed in the Oval Office and featured a cameo appearance by then President Bill Clinton. In addition he wrote and executive produced NBC’s “In His Life: The John Lennon Story” and “1st to Die,” a two-part NBC miniseries based on the best-selling novel by James Patterson.

Overall O’Hara has produced four miniseries and 33 Movies of the Week. Besides his Emmy nomination, other honors include: a Christopher Award (“A Child’s Wish”); a Prism Award (“The Accident”); a Humanitas Award nomination (“Heart of a Child”); a National Easter Seal Society Award (“To Walk Again”); an International Health & Medical Film Award (“Heart of a Child”); and the Media Award from The National Council on Problem Gambling (“Playing to Win.”)

www.Michael-ohara.com

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14203330.Michael_O_Hara

https://www.facebook.com/pages/Dos-Angeles/1143487899001779




a Rafflecopter giveaway

LOST CAUSES -- POWER GONE WRONG AND ON THE RUN

LOST CAUSES

by Mia Marshall

Mia Marshall will award a $50 Amazon/BN Gift Card to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. Rafflecopter is at the end of the post.

LOST CAUSES Blurb:

Aidan Brook has spent months living with the horror of what happened when she lost control of her magic. Now she is searching for a way to manage her immense power, but she only hits one dead end after another.

On the run from a council intent on her death, Aidan, the bear shifter Mac, and the rest of her friends find themselves on a desperate chase across deserts and oceans in search of answers. Along the way, they encounter a living myth and a dual magic with secrets of his own—and they learn that the cure may be more deadly than the disease.

To save her own life, Aidan will need to confront the most dangerous foe she’s ever faced…herself.

LOST CAUSES is the fourth book in the award-winning Elements urban fantasy series.

LOST CAUSES Excerpt:

The magic hissed in fear and anger. For a moment it considered attacking, but there wasn’t enough water left to drown her.

Also, it was Sera. I didn’t hurt Sera.

I stumbled backwards as reason slammed into me. I wrenched the threads of magic toward me. They twisted in my core, displeased, but at least I controlled them. It had so nearly been the other way around.

Sera’s movements were hesitant, as if she approached a wild beast, but her eyes were as determined as ever.

“I’m back,” I said. My face was red and my heart pounded like I’d just sprinted a mile, but I’d come back. This time, at least, I’d come back.

Sera studied my face for a long, silent moment. She returned the syringe to the black case and tucked that into one of the kitchenette’s drawers.

Carmichael and Vivian watched me as they would a stranger. A stranger who might try to eat their liver with fava beans and a nice Chianti.

“Really, it’s me. So long as I’m not using the magic, I’m still Aidan. I didn’t slide any further down the sanity slope.”

They looked unconvinced.

“We can’t just use the drug every time.” I attempted logic. “It knocks me out for days, and we can’t afford that.”

“I’m all for knocking you out, but we don’t have enough left to do it whenever you’re an idiot.” That might have been Sera agreeing with me.

I gave her a shaky smile. She slapped my face.

“Hey!” It only stung a little, but allowing her to slap me whenever she thought I was stupid wasn’t a precedent I wanted to set.

BUY Links:

Amazon:

http://www.amazon.com/Mia-Marshall/e/B00DJWDGXE/

B&N:

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22Mia%20Marshall%22

Apple:

https://itunes.apple.com/us/artist/mia-marshall/id541399965

Kobo:

https://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/search?query=Mia%20Marshall

NOTE:  The first book of the series, BROKEN ELEMENTS,  is now FREE!!!

Amazon: http://miamarshall.com/broken-elements-amazon

Apple: http://miamarshall.com/broken-elements-apple

Kobo: http://miamarshall.com/broken-elements-kobo

Mia Marshall, Author

Mia Marshall is the award-winning author of the Elements urban fantasy series. Before she started writing about imaginary worlds, she worked as a high school teacher, script supervisor, story editor, legal secretary, and day care worker. She has lived all along the US west coast and throughout the UK, where she collected an unnecessary number of degrees in literature, education, and film.

These days, she lives in a small house in the Sierra Nevadas, where she is surrounded by a small but deadly feline army.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/thismiamarshall

Facebook: http://facebook.com/miamarshallwrites

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/Mia_Marshall

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/thismiamarshall

GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER:

Mia Marshall will award a $50 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

MICHELLE SHARP SHARES DREAM HUNTRESS

Dream Huntress

by Michelle Sharp

**Michelle will be awarding $30 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

BLURB:

Detective Jordan Delany has a gift. Through her dreams, she connects with dead victims of violent crimes. Her isolated life as a drug cop is perfect for hiding the freakish visions, until her newest investigation has her posing as a cocktail waitress in a down-and-dirty strip club. When she’s saved from a drunken customer by a handsome stranger, the heated chemistry is exactly why she intends to keep Mr. Arrogant at bay. But learning he’s the new bouncer for the corrupt club she intends to bust just might be the one reason why she can’t.

Tyler McGee suspects a drug ring operating out of the local club is flooding the streets of his hometown with heroin. Determined to get answers, he plays the part of a fallen cop and lands the job of head bouncer. What he discovers is that the club owner isn’t the only deadly obstacle he’s facing. His attraction to an intriguing cocktail waitress with a penchant for danger just might kill him first.

Entangled Publishing: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/dream-huntress/

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dream-huntress-michelle-sharp/1119641083?ean=9781622667413

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Huntress-Dreamseeker-Novel-Michelle/dp/1622667409/ref=la_B00KPNFH0U_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403706194&sr=1-1

DREAM HUNTRESS Excerpt:

“I’m Tyler McGee. Everyone calls me Ty. And as far as the nurses are concerned, I’m your big brother.”

“I don’t have a brother.”

He shrugged and smiled. “You do now.”

She eyed him from top to bottom and back up again, deciding it was most likely the killer smile, rather than the lie, that had gained him access to her room.

His grin grew wider. He looked amused at her thorough inspection.

Why had she studied him as though he was the main course at dinner? Her cheeks flushed hot. “Well, Ty, thanks for everything, but I can manage from here.”

Leaning against a countertop, he folded his arms. “Yeah, you’re in great shape. You plan on jogging home with your head injury or just taking it slow and hitchhiking?”

Ah, yes. Now she remembered. He was truly as handsome as the devil but also as cocky. He’d probably only said about ten sentences before she passed out, but if her memory was coming back accurately, most of them were condescending.

“I’ll call a cab,” she snapped.

He chuckled. “In Titus? Sweetheart, where are you from? It sure isn’t around here.”

He strode to the bed then leaned in close as though he was letting her in on a dangerous secret. “In case you haven’t noticed, Titus isn’t exactly a thriving metropolis. We don’t have taxi service or buses. The closest thing to public transportation is Dan the Scooter Man. He makes a fortune driving people home from the bars. You want his number?”

Michelle Sharp, Author

Michelle Sharp is a romantic suspense author from the Midwest. Although she has a degree in journalism from Southern Illinois University, she finds weaving tales of danger, deception, and love much preferable to reporting the cold, hard facts. Her goal in life? To team resilient, kick-ass heroines with the sexy alpha’s who love them. As most writers probably are, she is an avid reader. Her husband and kids would call it obsessive—but whatever. Her first choice is usually a story with a thrilling combination of danger and love, but any book with a great voice and intriguing story will keep her turning pages well past any reasonable bed-time. Her debut novel will be published with Entangled Ignite in summer of 2014. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and Missouri Romance Writers.

 Links:

Website:  http://www.michellesharpbooks.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/pages/Michelle-Sharp/609022162479401

Twitter: https://twitter.com/MSharpBooks

Entangled Publishing: http://www.entangledpublishing.com/dream-huntress/

Barnes & Noble:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/dream-huntress-michelle-sharp/1119641083?ean=9781622667413

Amazon:  http://www.amazon.com/Dream-Huntress-Dreamseeker-Novel-Michelle/dp/1622667409/ref=la_B00KPNFH0U_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1403706194&sr=1-1

a Rafflecopter giveaway

 Thanks for stopping by!