Monday, February 25, 2019

THE WOMAN AMERICA LOVES A LATTE


Don't miss the Rafflecopter at the end of the post!


The Woman America Loves a Latte
by
Holly Tierney-Bedord

Genre: Women's Fiction 

From the best-selling author of Sweet Hollow Women comes a quirky new
thriller for fans of Megan Abbott, Liane Moriarty, and Carl Hiaasen.


Veloura has never stood a chance. Raised by a junkie and orphaned as a teen,
she's settled for a life of low expectations. She spends her days
sprucing up the shack of a has-been bull rider and washing hair down
at the local salon. But when it turns out her fiancé doesn't have
her best interests at heart, she's forced to come up with a new plan for herself.

An opportunity to be the spokesperson for a coffee chain means a bright
future could be hers, if only she can stay ahead of her dark past.



Read an Excerpt

“Suzie,” Vee was saying, “my life is finally coming together. Can you believe I’ve got a wedding to plan?”

Suzie wrapped her finger through the phone cord in her kitchen a couple of times. Her two-year-old daughter Britney was sick with the flu, down for a nap, so she’d taken personal days from both her jobs. Unfortunately, she still had to pay the daycare center, but it was nice to be home on a Monday.

“No, Vee, I can’t believe it. Have you totally given up on that guy who works at RadioShack?”

“God, yes, I’ve totally given up on him.”

“What about the guy at the frozen yogurt place? Or maybe just try being single for a while.”

“I can’t be single. Where would I live? Back in some rooming house with twenty other people?”

“I thought you liked New Horizons?”

“It was a halfway house, Suzie, which would have been okay, but when you’re the only person not recovering from an addiction, everyone gives you the coldest shoulder.”

“I guess you could stay here with us,” Suzie said. She held her breath, hoping Vee would say no.

“No, no. Don’t be crazy. I’ve got everything with Thunder. He’s a man. He owns his own home.”

“I hope you’re not marrying him for his dinky little house.”

“Gimme a break. I’m not that materialistic. I would never marry some guy for his house,” said Vee.
“I’m just trying to tell you that, unlike every other guy I’ve ever dated, he’s an honest-to-goodness adult with things like a bad back and real pots and pans. I need this kind of stability and support. Doesn’t everyone deserve that?”

“Yes, but I thought you said he stays out all night? How does that feel stable to you?”

“I think you get that with all guys, at least early on before they’re fully committed.”

“No, Vee, not all men are like that,” said Suzie.

“Anyway,” said Vee. “Let’s focus on the positive. Like how fast Thunder’s trying to make it all happen.”

“Really?” said Suzie. She was still doubtful whether Vee and Thunder were even engaged or if this was some kind of massive misunderstanding on the part of her friend.

“Really!” said Vee. “I asked him about an engagement ring on Monday—the day after he proposed, you know, wondering when we might want to go to the mall and try some on, and just like that, he disappeared. Left the house. Drove away. I was like, ‘Hey! Where’d he go?’ I thought maybe he was going to bail on me! But then later that same day he showed back up and gave me a ring! Can you believe it?”

“Barely,” said Suzie.

“I can’t believe you haven’t seen it yet. I’ve had it a whole week. It’s a little loose, but I figure I can wear it on my middle finger instead.”

“You could get it resized, you know,” said Suzie.

“Yeah, that costs money. So, on Tuesday I told Thunder I want to go dress shopping with you. And guess what?”

“He presented you with your wedding dress,” Suzie guessed. She lit a cigarette—one of her few guilty pleasures—and blew the smoke out the open window so it wouldn’t drift back to Britney’s room.

“Close,” said Vee, “and I’m going to ignore the sarcasm in your voice.”

“Okay, I give up. What happened next?” asked Suzie, feeling a little guilty that she wasn’t even faking being enthusiastic about any of this.




Holly Tierney-Bedord is the author of several novels and novellas including
Sweet Hollow Women, The Woman America Loves a Latte, The Port Elspeth Jewelry Making Club, and Surviving Valencia. She's also an artist and
miniaturist, creator of the mid-century dollhouse restoration blog
http://flipthisminihouse.com, and the author of several non-fiction books
about creating miniatures. She lives in Madison, Wisconsin.




Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!



Friday, February 22, 2019

THE LITTLE TEA SHOP ON MAIN


Jodi Thomas has woven a beautiful story of enduring friendship in THE LITTLE TEA SHOP ON MAIN. As with her other stories, she takes separate-but-related threads and creates a poignant tale that reminds readers of the good things in life. 





Zoe, Shannon, and Emily meet at Zoe’s first tea party two weeks before they enter kindergarten. The three have very different personalities and plan different careers. Through the years, they continue their friendship ritual that takes them from childhood to mature young women. They have pledged to remain best friends for life even though their lives take different paths.

This vow sustains them through good times and bad. Don't we all long for the enduring friendship they forged? I think this type of relationship is more common among those who grow up in one place, as these three did. This story reminded me I’m grateful for my friend, Iris, with whom I’ve remained good friends throughout my adult life.

Ms Thomas is an expert at creating multi-layer stories. THE LITTLE TEA SHOP ON MAIN is no exception. She does, however, take readers on a slightly different journey in this contemporary novel. I’ve been a fan of her books since her first historical novel in 1988. She has never disappointed me! 

I highly recommend THE LITTLE TEA SHOP ON MAIN. You can preorder it now on Amazon at https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07FXN2F4R/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ol-BCb9G0DAWE



Jodi Thomas


About the Author

             A fifth generation Texan who taught family living, Jodi Thomas chooses to set the majority of her novels in her home state, where her grandmother was born in a covered wagon.   A former teacher, Thomas traces the beginning of her storytelling career to the days when her twin sisters were young and impressionable. 
The stories Thomas has committed to paper have earned her an impressive list of distinguished awards and made her a USA Today and New York Times bestselling author. She has won the Romance Writers of America RITA three times and has been inducted into the RWA Hall of Fame.
With a degree in Family Studies, Thomas is a marriage and family counselor by education, a background that enables her to write about family dynamics.  Honored in 2002 as a Distinguished Alumni by Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Thomas enjoys interacting with students on the West Texas A&M University campus in Canyon, where she currently serves as Writer In Residence.
Commenting on her contribution to the arts, Thomas said, "When I was teaching classes full time, I thought I was making the world a better place. Now I think of a teacher, or nurse, or mother settling back and relaxing with one of my books. I want to take her away on an adventure that will entertain her. Maybe, in a small way, I’m still making the world a better place."

Wednesday, February 20, 2019

BRIGHTON COVE SERIES SALE!


Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of the post.



Everything About You
Brighton Cove Series Book 1
by
Jamie Salisbury
Genre:  Contemporary Romance 

Audrey Cooper has good memories Brighton Cove, Maine. She just hopes the
quiet, coastal village holds enough of them to silence the echoes of
the living hell she endured as a captive in the Middle East. Her
career as a journalist is over, but maybe—someday—she can
convince her terrified muse to come out of hiding.


As she renovates the farmhouse she inherited from her grandparents, with
her cat as her sole companion, she learns to live with the
loneliness…until the day a handsome stranger with dark, haunted
eyes helps her change a flat tire.


As an artist, widower Lincoln Stewart has an eye for detail, and there’s
no missing that unmistakable spark of connection. In Audrey’s
company, two years of grief ease into bittersweet memory, and he
finds himself envisioning a future as colorful as his paintings. A
future with Audrey.

Through violent thunderstorms and terrifying flashbacks, Audrey and Linc
discover their broken pieces fit perfectly—in and out of the
bedroom. But in the shadows, a very real threat lurks. Someone who’ll
stop at nothing to burn their rediscovered dreams to the ground.



EVERYTHING ABOUT YOU  Excerpt

Having stocked up on groceries and other essential items, I began the trip to my new home a few miles outside town. I hadn’t gone far when I realized by the thudding and the way the SUV was handling that I had a flat tire. Brand-new vehicle. Great.

I pulled off to the side of the road and got out to assess the damage. The tire was most definitely flat—probably from a nail near the house. I would need to speak with the contractor about cleaning up the area directly around the house and remember not to park too close to the site. Lucky for me, I’d stowed the shopping bags in the backseat. Getting the spare tire out of the wheel well should be a cinch. I turned on the hazard lights and popped the back hatch.

A few minutes later, I had the jack in place and was struggling to loosen the tire bolts. They were on tight, as they should be, but it made it harder for an average woman to change the tire. There had to be an easier way. This was too much like work.

I was standing up after having taken off the last bolt when a white SUV pulled in behind me with a man inside. Help was here. He walked up, and the first thing I noticed was his dark eyes. They were the most beautiful shade of brown I’d ever seen on a man. Scorching. Then he put on a pair of sunglasses. Still, he was handsome, with his matching dark brown, shoulder-length hair, peppered with gray. He was tall and lanky and appeared quite buff. Judging by the tan he was sporting, he might work outdoors.

“Need some help?” he asked in a gravelly voice.

“Yes, please.” I nodded, not knowing if I could speak coherently if he asked me anything more. My heart was in my throat, and gooseflesh covered me. How could I be so instantly attracted to someone?

“I see you’ve done the hard part. I’ll pull this tire off and get you back on the road in a few minutes.”

I nodded again.

I watched him as he pulled off the flat and looked it over before grabbing the spare from the back. He had to be at least six foot three, and he even walked sexy.

“Looks like you ran over a nail. Need to stay out of construction sites.”

He bent over and picked up one of the lug nuts. The view of his tight ass in those formfitting jeans was heaven. I wondered if he was married. I hadn’t noticed a wedding ring. Hell, that didn’t mean a thing these days.

A few minutes later, he was finished and everything was stowed back in my vehicle.

He straightened and dusted off his hands before he held one out to me. “I’m Linc, by the way. If you need someone to fix your flat, go see Dwight. Tell him I sent you, and he’ll make sure to get it repaired quickly.”

“Thank you, Linc. I’m Audrey,” I replied, shaking his hand and hoping I wouldn’t tie my tongue in knots. “What do I owe you?”

“Not a thing.” He grinned. Perfect smile. Perfect man. “You have a nice rest of your day, and remember what I said. Stay away from those construction sites.”

“I’ll try. Thank you again.”

“My pleasure, Audrey.”

I watched that fine ass as he walked back to his SUV. Damn, I certainly hoped he lived nearby. If he was any indication of what the men looked like around here, I didn’t see myself leaving any time soon.

**only .99 cents!!**




P.S. I Love You
Brighton Cove Series Book 2

First love is always better the second time around.
Basil Manning is happy with his life now that he's given up on love. He has
everything he needs...the houses he's building, the mansion he's
renovating, and his Bernese Mountain Dog, Crash. In spite of his
mother's insistent attempts to see him married, Basil plans on
staying a bachelor. That is, until he finds himself face-to-face with
the woman who once broke his heart.


Healing from a long-term relationship that turned abusive, Meg Cooper has
flung herself into running her eclectic shop, The Pink Moose. She
can't afford complications, and the too-hot-for-his-own-good Basil
Manning, her one time almost fiancé, is definitely a complication.
But that irresistible pull between them isn't over...not by a long
shot. If she's not careful, she'll break both their hearts...again.


**only .99 cents!!**




Start Me Up
Brighton Cove Series Book 3

Jagger Cooper never wanted to live in Brighton Cove. Having given up a
prestigious job with a U.S. senator, he merely intended to use it as
a place to lick his wounds and recharge his batteries as he decided
what came next in his life. The choices were many.

Tyler Channing, war widow and mother to a teenage son never thought of
allowing a man in her life again. Not until her son was grown. She
owed her late husband that much.

That is until that fateful day when he swaggered into her life.

**only .99 cents!!**




Jamie Salisbury, Author

Writing romance stories with passion and sass, Jamie Salisbury has seen
several of her books soar to #1 on Amazon. Her novella, Tudor Rubato
was a finalist in the 2012 RONE awards. The cover won for Best
Contemporary Cover. In 2014, her novel, Life and Lies was nominated
for a RONE in the Erotica category.


Her books are self published.


Music, traveling the globe and history are among her passions when not
writing. Her previous career in public relations in and around the
entertainment field has afforded her with a treasure trove of endless
story ideas.





Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive content and a giveaway!






Monday, February 18, 2019

INTERVIEW WITH RACHEL BRIMBLE!



A Rebel at Pennington's
by Rachel Brimble


GENRE: Historical romance/saga

Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway!

Blurb

1911 Bath. Banished from her ancestral home, passionate suffrage campaigner, Esther Stanbury works as a window dresser in Pennington's Department Store. She has hopes and dreams for women's progression and will do anything to help secure the vote.

Owner of the prestigious Phoenix Hotel, Lawrence Culford has what most would view as a successful life. But Lawrence is harbouring shame, resentment and an anger that threatens his future happiness.

When Esther and Lawrence meet their mutual understanding of life's challenges unites them and they are drawn to the possibility of a life of love that neither thought existed.

With the Coronation of King-Emperor George V looming, the atmosphere in Bath is building to fever pitch, as is the suffragists' determination to secure the vote.

Will Esther's rebellious nature lead her to ruin or can they overcome their pasts and look to build a future together?





Excerpt

His beautiful daughter beamed as she held the cricket set aloft, Nathanial standing tall and proud beside her. ‘Daddy bought me the cricket set.’

Miss Stanbury looked from Rose and Nathanial to Lawrence and back again, her face lighting with a smile. ‘Well, look at that. I’m so glad your father saw sense in the end.’ She met Lawrence’s gaze over their heads, her eyes glittering with victory. ‘That’s wonderful.’

He stared at her, his smile fixed and his heart pounding with frustration. Did the woman not see how condescending she sounded? ‘Wonderful or not. I thought it important you knew I am not the tyrant you clearly consider me.’ Dragging his gaze from hers, Lawrence looked at his children. ‘Come, Rose. Nathanial. Let’s leave the nice lady to her work.’ He took their hands before looking at Esther once more. ‘It was…interesting meeting you.’

Her gaze shadowed as she glared, her smile too bright to be sincere. ‘I hardly thought you a tyrant, Mr Culford.’

‘Good, then the matter is settled.’

He turned towards the department exit and didn’t look back…regardless of the almost overwhelming urge to do so.

The woman had infuriated him, bewildered him and left him feeling she’d ended the conversation on her terms once again. Damnation!


Interview with the Author

Please tell us about growing up. Siblings? Locale?

I grew up in the maritime city of Bristol, England with my parents and older brother. I loved Bristol and my family and my husband’s family still live there – I have fond memories of walking by the harbour in the city centre and going to the pantomime in the famous Hippodrome theatre. I lived there from birth to age 27 when I moved to a small market town near Bath where I still live with my husband, our two daughters and mad chocolate Labrador, Tyler.

The Family Brimble


Were you the shy kid or the tomboy?

I was most definitely a tomboy – our street was full of boy playmates rather than girls so I didn’t have much choice. It was a case of dog eat dog! I met my husband in 1993 and we married five years later. We’re still very happily married, and our daughters are our pride and joy. The eldest is currently studying policing in the seaside town of Plymouth and the youngest is studying musical theatre in the prestigious Italia Conti Academy in London. I’m a very happy mummy! My family are everything to me.

When you’re not writing, what’s your favorite way to relax and recharge?

My next obsession to writing is knitting – I am literally obsessed! My mum was an avid knitter and taught me when I was young but I lost interest and didn’t pick up knitting needles again until I was in my thirties. For the last twelve years, I’ve never stopped and these days my favourite way to relax is with my knitting in front of the TV catching up with as many crime dramas, British Royal Family documentaries and period dramas as I can. Bliss!

How long have you been writing?

I started writing when my youngest daughter started school full-time in 2005. My first book was published by The Wild Rose Press in 2007 and I’ve had at least one book published every year since. I was ecstatic when Harlequin accepted Finding Justice in 2012. I went on to write a total of eight books for Harlequin (the Templeton Cove Stories). I have also written four Victorian novels for eKensington and in January 2018, I signed a four-book contract with Aria Fiction for my Pennington’s Department Store series – all my books can be read stand-alone 

Where do you prefer to write? Do you need quiet, music, solitude?

I am lucky enough to have my own home office which I love – when I’m writing I need silence, but if I’m working on blog posts, interviews or social media, I have a UK radio station (Magic FM) constantly playing through my laptop. It’s mostly 80s music which I love! I am always on my laptop, but often have a pen and paper handy for ideas and work in progress changes that pop into my mind throughout the day.

Are you a plotter or a pantser?

Most definitely a plotter! I start each book trawling the internet for pics of my hero, heroine and villain (if I have one). I then complete character sketches for each which usually gives me their goals, motivations and conflicts. Then it’s onto a chapter plan and a 3-4 page synopsis.
I always give myself permission to ‘write a crappy first draft’ from beginning to end. The hard part comes in the following drafts!

Tell us about your writing schedule. Do you set goals? Do you write daily?

These days, I write full-time so I work 8.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday with lunch and couple of dog walks in between. I am happy if I’ve written 2,000 words a day along with a blog post or interview. That’s a productive day! I try my best not to work in the evenings and at the weekends…but if I have a deadline looming then I am back in my office for a couple of hours on Saturdays and Sundays, too. I love my job!

Tell us something about yourself that might surprise readers.

My family and I were rescued by helicopter during the 2010 French floods – it was the most terrifying time of my life as I was so afraid for the kids. We were trapped on the clubhouse roof of a holiday park for 12 hours before we were rescued. The pictures don’t tell the true horror of that night and day…

Waiting on top of clubhouse for rescue 

What advice would you give to unpublished authors?

See above! Give yourself permission to write a crappy first draft – once I adopted this mindset, my productivity soared, and I never looked back. Full pages can be edited, blank pages can’t. Simple.

What has helped you in your writing career?

My critique partners, for sure – I’ve worked with three wonderful partners for years now and I’d be lost without their valuable feedback during the first draft stage of my books. I think it’s imperative writers have someone else look at their work as they are going through the process.
The other thing that has helped me is planning! I set aside some time every Friday to plan next week’s work, social media posts and day-to-day things that need to be done. This keeps me focused and on track with my weekly goals.

What do you hope your writing brings to readers?

The theme that runs through many of books, but especially the Pennington’s Department Store series, is ‘female empowerment’. I set out to write books that inspire, empower and bring hope to women to reach for their personal and professional dreams. I’m a true believer that anything is possible and hope my books reflect that and inspire others.



Rachel Brimble, Author

Rachel lives with her husband and their two daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. Since 2007, she has had several novels published by small US presses, eight books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical.

In January 2018, she signed a four-book deal with Aria Fiction for a new Edwardian series set in Bath’s finest department store. The first book, The Mistress of Pennington’s released July 2018 with book two coming February 2019.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America and has thousands of social media followers from all over the world. To sign up for her quarterly and new release newsletter, click here to go to her website: https://rachelbrimble.com/
Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelbrimbleauthor/?hl=en
Amazon Author Page:
https://www.amazon.com/Rachel-Brimble/e/B007829ZRM/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1490948101&sr=8-1
Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1806411.Rachel_Brimble
Bookbub:
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/rachel-brimble




GIVEAWAY

Rachel Brimble will be awarding a $20 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Friday, February 15, 2019

CAN'T LET GO!



This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Chrissy Brown will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner, also an ebook of the second installment of the series Come a Little Closer (tentatively to be released 2/9), to another randomly drawn winner, both via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.


A sweet, yet steamy new adult romance about a girl who's not ready to fall in love and a boy who isn't ready to let her go.



Beau

She is beautiful, probably the most beautiful girl I've ever seen, but she's damaged.

Her a-hole exboyfriend broke her.

I still want her.

I can show her that all men aren't the same

That I'm different.



Mallory

He's everything I need to stay away from, and I try.

I really do, but he's relentless.

So, I give in and let him have me.

All of me.

I should have known better.


Read an Excerpt:


Sitting up, I look around. The room’s the same as yesterday, although I don’t know why I expected it to be different. Tiptoeing to the door, I peek my head out and listen. Silence.

Did he ditch me?

Well, I reason, if I have to do the walk of shame I might as well be clean. If by chance he is in the house somewhere, I don’t want to be caught. I scurry to the bathroom, lock the door, and take a shower.

“Morning!” he shouts when I walk out of the bathroom.

In just a towel.

Busted.

His eyes widen, giving my body a once, no, a twice-over. In two long strides, he closes the gap between us. He sucks in a breath, holds it, then lets it out so slowly. It warms my neck, sending goosebumps down my spine. He cups my face, forcing me to look at him. My heart’s racing. His big brown eyes suck me into an abyss I’m not sure I’m ready for.

“I just can’t get over how pretty you are.”

“Uhh.” I look down my nose, only able to see his chest, he’s so close. But it’s better than his face. If I keep looking at that face, I might just let my towel slip. I can’t let him see me naked. For one, I need to wait, put off having sex a little while longer. Secondly, I’m not sure I could handle the rejection if he didn’t try to do something with my naked body. “Thanks.”

Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MHPGL3V/ref=series_rw_dp_sw



About the Author


Chrissy Brown is a Contemporary Romance and New Adult Romance author. She lives in Central Florida with her husband, twin girls, two dogs, and the neighborhood cat.

She enjoys the simple things in life, like cuddling on the couch watching movies with her family, reading, Netflix, and beach trips. She reads two to three books a week, but favors stories with strong women, true love, and steamy scenes.

When Chrissy is not sitting at her computer, fantasizing about gorgeous country boys, she is teaching third graders how amazing books are...and writing, and math. She has also been an amateur wedding photographer and a CNA (to which she gives kudos but says never again.)


https://chrissybrownauthor.com

https://twitter.com/Thechrissybrown

https://www.facebook.com/chrissybrownauthor

https://www.instagram.com/chrissybrownauthor







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Wednesday, February 13, 2019

CRAZY ON YOU


Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!



Crazy on You
A Love and Harmony Romance #3
by
Crystal B. Bright

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Pub
Date: 2/12/2018



Worse  than a one-hit wonder, Tassia Hogan is a one-line wonder. Infamous
for a memorable, extremely provocative verse, her music career is
going nowhere. Finding a decent man to date has also proven fruitless
. . . they all think she’s as wanton as those lyrics. But now her
label is offering Tassia the chance to shine—with a catch. The
album is duets. Her partner is a Country Western singer. And he’s
just as reluctant to agree as she is.
Hyde Love has been in the music business since he was eleven, 
and he’s becoming more and more disenchanted with it. 
Collaborating on an album seems great in
theory, but Tassia is an R&B singer. Melding their sounds and
personalities will be difficult—though not as tough as keeping
things strictly business. Getting involved with his partner could
prove career-wrecking, yet discovering the real Tassia could be
earth-shattering.

Excerpt
Chapter 1
Tassia Hogan sat in a makeshift director’s chair that reminded her of the chairs on the set of the TV show she had done as a pre-teen called the Ratty Rat’s Fun Crew. Fifteen years later and she still liked to sit in the taut cloth seat with her leg draped across the arm, leaned back against the stretched black fabric. Anything that relaxed her before a show fit the bill right now.

Since she sat backstage with Aaron’s back-up singers and dancers, she felt comfortable with this group. She wore black shorts along with her black leather bra until showtime. Then she would swap the shorts for a matching black leather skirt and heels that would kill her feet as she danced around in them for over an hour on stage. Thankfully, tonight would be the last show on the tour.

The limber dancers all stretched in different corners of the room. Even in a room far away from the main arena area, Tassia heard the crowds all chanting Aaron’s name, which sucked for the opening act on stage at the moment. She could relate. Tassia knew full well that the sold-out arena full of people would have their full, undivided attention on the headliner, Aaron. She just happened to sing a hook on his latest hit song. One day she would gain some respect and have fans of her own. Now that enough time had been put between her and that kids’ show, she could start making a name for herself.

“Oh, s**t.”

Tassia rarely gave her attention to the generally foul-mouthed crew that surrounded her.
Most times the backstage area sounded more like a teenager-filled locker room than a room full of professionals working for one of the highest-paid rappers in the game. When she heard the expletive she didn’t flinch. Like she did at ten years old when she had worked on the show, she swung her leg back and forth. Then she heard her name.

“I can’t believe they still play this show.”

The hairs stood on the back of Tassia’s neck as she dared to bring her attention to the wide-screen TV that hung on the wall. It didn’t take her long to notice the taped opening to Ratty Rat’s Fun Crew where she and five other children danced around a man dressed in a rat costume.

A rat. Why the hell did it have to be a rat of all things?

“Aww, Tassia, you were so cute.” A female dancer put her hand to her chest.

“Yeah, look at those pigtails.” A back-up singer pointed to the screen.

Tassia didn’t need to look. She knew what she looked like. For a year, the show pressed her natural hair using a blow dryer and a hot comb so that she could achieve her straight-hair look. With all the dancing she did on the show, by the end of the day, the sweat that had poured from her reverted her hair back to its naturally wavy pattern.

Thankfully with wigs now, she didn’t worry about her hair, still in its natural state. Pretty soon she would see a stylist to get cornrows in her hair to get ready for her vacation. Fuss-free hair on a drama-free vacation.

Although she fought hard to avoid looking at the screen, her gaze fell on one of her kiddie co-stars. Tassia remembered Hyde Love being shy and quiet.

As though a back-up singer had read her thoughts, the woman said, “I can’t believe that chubby kid turned out to be the biggest star out there.”

She turned to Tassia, who now had to bring her leg down and squeeze them together when that familiar school-girl crush returned. “Did you know he would blow up like he has?”

Tassia shook her head. “We were kids. We didn’t know what would happen in the future.”

Yes, she wouldn’t have known that this man would stab her in the back, not once, but twice. It was too bad because at one time, she completely thought the world of him.





Love Like Crazy
A Love and Harmony Romance #2

A chance to shine . . .

The closest Avery Shields expects to get to the music industry is her
janitor position at Charisma recording studio, and singing secretly
in her local karaoke bar. Working two jobs and studying full-time,
she’s doing all she can to earn her parents’ trust after making
mistakes in high school. But now a gorgeous stranger is filling her
head with dreams of singing professionally—and filling her nights with desire…


Lazarus Kyson’s A&R career took a hit after he was wrongfully accused
of harassment. To restore his reputation, he needs to discover a new
talent. And when he least expects it, there she is: singing while she
cleans the Charisma offices. As stubborn as she is talented, she
refuses to audition. If he wants Avery—her voice and her
heart—he’ll have to open himself up for the first time for a love
too crazy good to let go . . .
* Apple
* B&N
* Google
* Kobo



Crazy in Love
A Love and Harmony Romance #1

Back on top . . .

R&B singer Chantel Evans had it all, until the Princess of Love Ballads
lost everything. First, a very public betrayal by her lover and the
death of her mother lead to a career-ending mental breakdown. Then,
at the same time, her attorney makes off with
all
her hard-earned fortune. The only chance she has of resurrecting her
career is in the recording studio her mother left in her name . .
.


When struggling country star Truman Woodley has his recording duet with a
sultry young singer fall flat at Chantel’s studio, Chantel is faced
with a rare second chance—until Truman’s vindictive ex-girlfriend
turns the pair’s sparkling debut into grounds for a custody battle
over their son. But Chantel has discovered more than sweet vocal
harmony with Truman. She’s found something worth fighting for. And
when Truman surprises her with a kiss after a live television
performance, the whole world will find out just what it takes to be
crazy in love . . .
* Apple
* B&N
* Google
* Kobo


Crystal Bright 

Crystal Bright graduated with a B.A. from Old Dominion University with a major in Creative
Writing, a minor in Communications, and an emphasis on Public
Relations. She earned her M.A. from Seton Hill University in Writing
Popular Fiction. She is a member of Romance Writers of America and
Chesapeake Romance Writers.





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Monday, February 11, 2019

INDIGO KNIGHTS SERIES


Don't miss the Rafflecopter giveaway at the end of this post!


Her Thin Blue Lifeline
Indigo Knights Book I
by
A.J. Downey
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Chrissy Franco has every reason to take one hell of a victory lap around the
courtroom. She’s just defended her client to the best of her
ability and what’s more? Her client was actually innocent. Oh,
she’d killed her husband, baseball legend Skip Maguire, alright;
but he’d been about to hit a homerun with Miranda’s head.

His rabid fan base doesn’t agree with the verdict, and they’ve set
their sights on Chrissy as the one to blame. One of them is about to
set into motion a dangerous game when he publishes poor Chrissy’s
address online…


Enter Tony McCormick, a detective with the right kind of attitude and
Chrissy’s sort of ex-boyfriend. When he’s called to Chrissy’s
apartment, he’s prepared for the worst. He’s a homicide detective
after all. When he arrives, it seems that someone might have
forgotten to check to see if Chrissy was still alive… now it’s
everything he can do to find the man who did this and the other
behind it all before it’s really too late.



THIN BLUE LINE EXCERPT:

I heard Tony’s jacket hit the back of the chair he usually hung it on, and those heavy footfalls come my way, his shadow looming over me at the sink. He started to move my hair aside and I turned, whirling on my sneaker and backed up against the counter.

“Don’t… please?”

His blue eyes penetrated mine and he nodded carefully, leaning in none the less to kiss me. My eyes fluttered shut as his mouth moved carefully over mine. I kissed him back, and it was just as magical and as beautiful as the kiss the day before. I blindly set my glass aside on the counter and went to reach for him, but dammit, I’d misjudged and it slipped off the counter’s edge and shattered on the floor.

The crash of breaking glass made me jump and cry out, and I stuffed my hand against my mouth and squeezed my eyes shut. Cringing from my memories.

“It’s okay; it’s totally okay…” he murmured soothingly and smoothed some of my hair out of the way of my face so he could see me. “It’s just water and just glass, I’ve got it… no big deal.” He gently moved me the opposite direction of the mess around the kitchen island and said, “Go grab a stool, sit down.”

I swallowed hard, on the verge of tears, my heart racing, pulse jumping painfully out of the side of my neck, chest crushed as I struggled to breathe normally, in through my nose hold for a few seconds, and out.

The first panic attack had happened in the hospital, Pasquale had recognized it instantly and had helped me through some exercises. I knew what they were now. I am in control. I told myself. Tony went about cleaning up, letting me have some space and by the time he was done, I felt better. Still rattled, but better.

“You alright?” he asked, and I nodded.

I knew in the front of my mind that it didn’t matter, that Tony was the last person who would judge, that any number of medical personnel had seen the scars, but for some irrational reason, Tony was different. He wasn’t someone I wanted to see the ugliness… He just… wasn’t.

He came around to me and I twisted in my seat to face him, looking up at him and biting my bottom lip. He looked like he was going to give me a pep talk but the words died on his lips. He searched my face and stepped in close, between my knees and lowered his face to mine. I closed my eyes, and let him kiss me, kissing him back and sighing out with relief. I wanted so badly to feel something good and Tony’s kiss was like heaven.

His hands smoothed over my hips and up to my ribs and he gathered the hem of my fitted workout tank with his fingers, slipping his hand underneath and putting it against my skin. My desire for him shot through the roof at the same time my anxiety rose. I broke the kiss and pulled back and said breathlessly, “I can’t… my scars.”

He growled low and intense and said, “Baby, you’re gonna be on your back; no way I’m even going to see your scars.”




His Cold Blue Command
Indigo Knights Book II

Assistant District Attorney Damien Parnell leads a double life above and beyond
his membership with the Indigo Knights. Driven by dark desires
considered shameful by most, he covets the one thing he can’t allow
himself to have – a real relationship.


Enter Ally Blaylock, an innocent by Yale’s standards. She’s the sweet
and beautiful girl who makes his coffee at the café across the
street from his office. She’s done her best to flirt off and on
with the high powered attorney and he can’t help but be drawn to
her whimsical charm.


When Ally finds her world tipped on its axis, Yale goes against his better
judgment and offers her some unlikely help. He knows better than most
that the road to hell is paved with good intentions, but in this
particular case, could it be the opposite? Could Allison Blaylock be
the start down the road to his salvation?





A Low Blue Flame
Indigo Knights Book III

Lillian Banks’ career took off like a house on fire and she’s on top of
the world. Great job that she loves, moved to a great city, into an
opulent new condo, in one of the world’s premier smart buildings no
less; all she was missing was the kind of romance to set her soul
aflame. She thought she’d found it but instead, found herself burned.


Backdraft knows what it’s like to get burned and not just by fire. His ex,
Torri, did quite the number on him recently by banging one of his
firehouse bros behind his back. He’s sworn off love and dating
altogether for the time being and is happier for it. He just wishes
he could get the time he wasted with that crazy skank back again. 


Out of the ashes, an unlikely friendship is formed. Backdraft and Lilli
could find themselves rising if only they can get past their hurts
and give things a chance. Of course, lasting happiness is no
guarantee, no matter how much they might burn for each other. After
all, sometimes what was doesn’t want to let go. 





His Wild Blue Rose
Indigo Knights Book IV

Alyssa isn’t completely honest when she answers the ad for a roommate
online. True, she needs a place to live, true she’s getting a
divorce, true; he’s a cheating jerk. There’s just a little bit
more to it than that. So when the ad comes across her screen 
Indigo
City beat cop looking to rent out a fully furnished room…
 she
jumps on it, because what could be safer than living with a cop?


Golden isn’t too keen on living with a chick, but after posting online
looking for a roommate, he’s found the pickings are slim. The
softly spoken brunette doesn’t seem like she’s much trouble, plus
she’s got the cash up front, so what the hell? She’ll just have
to get over his bringing home badge bunnies from the 10-13. He’s
got a stressful job, and the best way to blow off steam, in his
estimation, is hot sex. 


It’s a pressure cooker waiting to blow and it turns out the new roomie has
moxie, which gets Golden to thinking, which leads to him feeling.
This is either going to be a really good or a really bad idea. 





Her Pained Blue Silence
Indigo Knights Book V

Everleigh has had a wandering spirit since the day she was born. Her boring,
small town could barely contain her and at the first opportunity, she
fled. It was only natural falling in line with the freedom that MC
life brought to her. The allure of never being told what to do a
strong one. Sadly, she found herself trading one cage for another.
Given the road name Silence, for her shy lack of voice, she's been a
part of a motorcycle gang out of Maryland. A rough and tumble lot
believing in sovereignty, running guns and drugs through Indigo City.


Narcos has been undercover with the outlaw MC, the Knights of Crescentia for
more than a year. In that time, he's seen and heard all sorts of
things, except for Silence's voice. She's the president's Ol' Lady
and probably knows infinitely more than he does as a prospect to the
club. All that is about to change. Narcos is about to be patched in.
Unfortunately, patching in means going to an extreme he'd never
thought he'd be pushed to and Silence is in the crosshairs.


How will he get through this, through to her, and keep them both alive?





A Code Blue Call
Indigo Knights Book VI

It was a dark night of the soul for Angel, the night she appeared like his namesake. He
would have liked to have known her, but she was gone the next
morning. Now, more than a year later, he was doing much better,
continuing his work in Indigo City’s streets as a paramedic,
responding to medical emergencies.

Claire could never forget the medic whose life she saved just by being in the right
place at the right time. Still, it wasn’t enough to rescue her from
her own dark night of the soul and unlike him, she followed through.

Fate had other ideas for the both of them and for whatever reason, their paths crossed
again at exactly the right moment. Both of them were now determined
to not let this second chance pass them by, not like the first…

**Releasing in April!!**



A.J. Downey is a born and raised Seattle, WA native. She finds inspiration
from her surroundings, through the people she meets and likely as a
byproduct of way too much caffeine.


She has lived many places and done many things though mostly through her
own imagination... An avid reader all of her life it's now her turn
to try and give back a little, entertaining as she has been
entertained. She lives in a small apartment in a quiet neighborhood
with a larger than life fiancé and two cats.




Follow the tour HERE
for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!