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SPOTLIGHT AND GIVEAWAY: Wild at Heart by Stacy Gold

5/18/2022

They each hit the trail solo in search of themselves…

Overworked entrepreneur Jules Martinez is sick and tired of men leaving her for their exes. Determined to wipe the giant, scarlet R for rebound off her forehead, she kicks off a yearlong vow of celibacy with five, blissful weeks backpacking her favorite trails through Washington State. Solo.

Out-of-work financial analyst Evan Davenport hasn’t been happy since camping in Scouts as a kid—before his wealthy parents and now ex-fiancé made all his major life decisions. Hoping to find joy and purpose, he buys all the latest ultralight

backpacking gear, flies to Washington, and sets off alone on a weeklong speed hike through the wilderness.

Mother Nature has other plans, though, and keeps shoving Evan and Jules in each other’s paths. Usually naked. When sparks fly, can they find what they’re looking for in life together instead of apart?

- SNEAK PEEK -

“I’m so jealous, Jules.” Bryn perched on the end of one of the beds in our hotel room at
Cascade Locks, watching me pack gear. The thin, gray light of pre-dawn filtered through a crack in gold curtains that’d seen better days.

I tucked a bag of snacks and my rain jacket into the top of my backpack, cinched the
drawcord, and buckled the lid with a solid click. “Of what, twelve guys dumping me for their exes in a row? I’m sure we could arrange that for you too. If you ever really start dating again.”

“Ha. Funny.” She toed my calf. “You’re taking five weeks off to go backpacking solo.

Who cares why?”

Tingles of excitement zoomed around in my chest and I flashed her a grin. “Yeah.
Dealing with zero assholes and zero clients for more than a month does sound pretty heavenly, doesn’t it?”

She grinned back. “Like I said, totally jealous. At least of your trip.” Her expression went serious. “I still can’t believe the next guy you date is gonna be unlucky number thirteen, though.”

“Yeah. I’ve thought about that. Probably too much. Definitely enough to jinx the next one for sure. So, I’m swearing off men for at least a year to restart the count.” I hesitated, the excitement buzz fading. “A year is enough time to consider it a clean dating slate, right?”

“Wait. You mean you’re swearing off dating, or swearing off sex too?”

“Yes. Both. All of it.” The last eight years had been nothing but suckage on the relationship front. It’d probably take more than a year to fix my shit. But nothing would change if I didn’t change something.

Bryn eyes widened. “You’re serious.”

“Dead.” Bending, I tugged the rough nylon laces of my left boot. The well-worn leather
snugged around my foot. “I’m never gonna figure out anything buried in too much work plus too many bad dates.”

“When did you decide this?”

“Last night.” I shouldered my pack and adjusted the straps until the familiar weight settled on the tops of my hipbones. “What I’ve been doing isn’t working. It’s time to take a big step back and focus on myself for longer than just a few weeks.”

“I guess that’s one way to break the pattern.” Bryn opened the door and we stepped outside into early morning stillness. “And yes, a year is definitely long enough to clean your dating slate.”

Fog tendrils drifted from the Columbia River across the half-empty parking lot. The air
hung thick with moisture and cedar and the sweet mustiness of damp soil. The best smell in the world after too many days breathing city fumes.

“I sure as hell hope so. If not, at least maybe I can figure out what to do about my business. I can’t keep working this much.”

We strolled across the lot side-by-side, the chill air nipping my skin through my nylon
hiking pants and shirt, waking me up. The sky glowed marigold behind the inky silhouettes of
the mountains.

“You’ll come up with a plan. You always do.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.” We crossed the empty highway, walked a few
hundred yards and turned off. Gravel crunched under our soles. “And thanks for driving me down here from Seattle. And picking me up at the other end.”

“Of course. That’s what best friends are for.” She wrapped a hand around my arm and
leaned in, hugging one of my few body parts not covered by my backpack. “Though I still wish I was going with you. I could use a break from assholes and clients, too.”

The first golden rays of sunlight slanted through the tree branches, lighting the dirt road ahead. “We’ll have to plan a girlfriends’ trip once I get back.”

“I’m holding you to that.” Her warm hand tightened on my biceps. “Maybe we can convince Aly to come with us for once.”

I snorted. “We’ll get Aly on a backpacking trip when pigs fly. But I’m all for trying.”

A handful of parked cars and a dark brown trailhead kiosk appeared, marking the southern end of the Pacific Crest Trail through Washington. And my starting point. And the start of five weeks of solitary bliss in one of my favorite places in the whole world.

Bryn pulled out her phone. “Hey. Let me grab a shot of you in front of the sign, to commemorate the moment.”

“Okay.” I took a few steps back.

“Say, single life.”

I popped a hip and smiled for the camera. “Single life.”

“Perfect.” She slipped her phone into her pocket. “I love you, girlfriend. Stay safe out there and call me whenever you hit civilization.”

“I will.” My throat tightened. “I love you, too.”

I was totally looking forward to hiking solo. To enjoying time alone and figuring out my
craptacular situation with no distractions. But, for a second, I couldn’t help wondering if I should’ve taken Bryn up on her offer to hike this first section with me. Deep down I knew it would be a distraction, though. I needed alone time, in the woods, to find my center and do a serious assessment of my life. Especially my love life. Because I kept picking the same kind of winner, over and over, and I was done losing.

“See you in a couple weeks.” With a wave, I pivoted on my heel and stepped into the emerald glow of the Pacific Northwest rainforest. Happy with my choices. And looking forward to not having to do anything, at any set time, for anyone other than me.

- GIVEAWAY -

Prize One:

Prize Two:

To ENTER you must comment below:

1. Why do you want to read Wild at Heart?
2. Have you read Stacy Gold before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Romance Reader
Free book: Molly

5 Comments

SPOTLIGHT and GIVEAWAY: Void Of Course by Carole Ann Moleti

5/17/2022

5 Comments

Taina Aponte, the sole survivor of an arson fire that killed her family, was taken to safety in Puerto Rico by her grandmother to escape the wholesale destruction of The Bronx. Thirty years later the witch, still haunted by her memories, is back in the hood.

She's inexperienced in urban magick and ill-prepared to battle the roving gangs of dhampirs and werewolves that that set The Bronx aflame and wrested control from the police. But time is running out to find those who set the fire—and why.

Taina's search for the murderers uncovers a vast werewolf/dhampir conspiracy--and an alliance of

fae to aid in her quest for justice. But needs more than the elderly santera who teaches her mysterious Santeria rituals.

She enters into an uneasy alliance with Arnaldo Arroyo, a reformed addict turned community activist who schools her his own special mix of sex magick and brujería.

The truths she uncovers shake her faith in everything and everyone she ever knew. Will she give up and run? Or will she accept the mandate of the orishas, restore the balance between good and evil--and take back the neighborhood?

- SNEAK PEEK -

A creature, waist high to Taina, with a Cheshire-Cat grin, a British accent, two iridescent blue wings, and a squat, leaf-green body materialized. His choice bits were barely concealed by a brown rag.

“What the fuck! A fairy in this human wasteland?”

Like a true New Yorker, he ignored the duplicate expletive. “Allow me to introduce myself. Bridge Rat, minion to Hawk Claw, Fairy King of New Yorke at your service, Lady Taina. I am in charge of this sector of The Bronx. My liege lord shall arrive in a moment.”

He bowed, and his arm gestured like he was sweeping the sidewalk. “I daresay the foul language you’ve acquired in such a short time bodes well for your ability to rise to your duties.”

Tonight couldn’t get weirder. First, she’d broken some punk’s nose. Now she’d dropped the F-bomb on a fairy. Twice. She didn’t give a shit about either transgression.

“Knock it off. The only court around here is on 161st Street and the Grand Concourse. This isn’t Camelot, and I’m not a lady. I’m a woman and don’t rise to do anyone’s duty.”
The fairy rustled his wings. Magick tingled along Taina’s spine and soothed the angst roiling in her gut since she’d gotten off the plane and into that fetid yellow cab at Kennedy airport two weeks ago.

“Ah, I beg to differ, my lady.” Bridge Rat turned his eyes skyward.

A majestic ruddy hawk glided to a landing on top of Ritual Rock. Another fae-induced shiver crawled down Taina’s back like a spider.

The haughty fairy king coalesced out of a rusty dust spiral. Red hair hung in wavy tendrils over his shoulders, obscuring much of a bare chest. Pointed ears, adorned with cuffs, spikes, and jeweled earrings, wiggled. A lime-green cape swept the gum-stained asphalt as he flitted toward her, bare, six-toed feet hovering only inches above the ground, maroon and ochre wings beating like a translucent heart.

Bridge Rat announced him. “Hawk Claw, King of The Fairydom of New Yorke.”

Hawk Claw alighted, swept the cape over one shoulder, and bowed. “Hail and welcome, White Witch. Long have we awaited your return.”

Yes, this night could get even weirder. “I think you must be confusing me with someone else. I’m brown and barely a witch at all.”

“On the contrary, Lady Taina. You are just beginning to realize your powers. We trust that Sir Arnaldo will be at your side during the impending battle.”

She suppressed a giggle at that image. “I’m just trying to get to the bottom of a mystery, then get my bottom out of the Fairydom of New Yorke.”

The fairies in PR were more like fireflies, quiet, silly, tricky. Of course, everything in The Bronx mutated to the most extreme degree possible.

“Fear not, it has been foreseen and will occur.” Hawk Claw pronounced, expressionless, like one who hasn’t had good news in a long time. “Bridge Rat will summon me and the others when the time comes.” He fluttered his wings, rose into the air, and transformed back into a majestic bird as he flew west over Ritual Rock toward the Manhattan skyline.

- GIVEAWAY -

Prize One:

Prize Two:

To ENTER comment below:

1. What did you like about the sneak peek from Void Of Course?
2. Have you read Carole Ann Moleti before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Vanessa
Free book: Linda

5 Comments

SPOTLIGHT AND GIVEAWAY: The Girl Who Jumped by Matilda Swinney

5/11/2022

5 Comments

A lifetime of failed relationships. One huge risk. One sexy dominating man. What could go wrong?

Based on true events:

After a lifetime of frogs, Tilly sets out to find her own Prince Charming. But there's a catch. She wants her Prince Charming to be the ultimate dominating man.

Not sure if this is possible, she follows her best friends' advice and ditches conventional dating sites for a steamy sex dating website. However, Tilly quickly realises reality is not like the fairy tales. As she battles with her inner feminist will she ever get used to his rules? And more importantly, what is he hiding?

Perfect for fans of steamy romantic comedies, age gaps, the miscommunication trope and elements of BDSM. Prepare to embrace your deepest desires, fall in love with the ultimate dominating guy and learn to listen to your heart along the way.

The Girl Who Jumped is a hilarious, heart-warming and surprisingly moving story of a young woman pulling herself out of her comfort zone to get the life (and sex!) she's always wanted.

- SNEAK PEEK -

I had an eighty percent chance of being murdered. Mum would have a heart attack if she knew. I’d called Amelia yesterday to warn her. She’d sounded calm on the phone, if a little proud. We’d agreed she’d raise the alarm if she’d not heard from me by nine a.m. tomorrow.

Before I could start imagining my funeral, my phone vibrated in my hand: Are you on time? You may answer yes or no. I closed my eyes briefly and stopped walking but a crowd of people spilling out of the Underground, propelled me forwards. I came to the side, out of the way. I put my hand on the cold metal railings overlooking the park and breathed out shakily. I texted back, Yes.

My phone vibrated instantly, Is your heart beating quicker? I gulped. It was. The tension over the last few hours had built to a fever pitch. I was having a tough time keeping calm. I replied, Yes. It was a blunt response but he liked it that way. The deal was no initiation of conversation or long-winded replies. He had a lot of rules.

I started walking again but stopped to look up at the sun shining through the thick canopy of trees above me. The day was cold and sunny. I should be glad to be alive. The next few hours were entirely of my own making. I’d visualised what I was about to do for months, dreamed about it for years and masturbated myself to sleep thinking about it. It was supposed to be fun.

I checked my phone. I had another message: You will check in first, as you want to get ready. I replied, Yes. He answered, Do you know where to go? I rolled my eyes and texted, Yes. Of course I knew where to go. How old was he? That’s why phones existed. I’d already checked the hotel’s location this morning. It was exactly two minutes from the Underground. I typed the postcode of the hotel into the map app, just to be sure, and followed the directions out of the park and across the main road.

One minute later, I stood in front of The World’s Tallest Hotel. Ivy clambered all the way up it. I looked down at my old blue suitcase and leggings. I was massively under-dressed. There was no point backing out now, though. It was now or never.

As I pushed open the heavy glass doors, a man waiting inside in a top hat and tails bowed deeply.

“Ma’am.”

I looked behind me in confusion.

“Ma’am?”

He meant me. I didn’t realise they welcomed everyone so nicely. I wasn’t rich or a celebrity.

“Hello, thank you.” I whispered, wishing my Yorkshire accent wasn’t so strong. “I’d like to check in please.”

“Yes, just this way, ma’am.”

- GIVEAWAY -

Prize One

Prize Two (ebook)

Prize Three

To ENTER you must comment below:

1. What did you like best about the sneak peek of The Girl Who Jumped?
2. Have you read Matilda Swinney before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNER:
Gift Card: Claire M.
Ecopy of The Girl Who Jumped: Shante
Prize list book: Eva

5 Comments

GIVEAWAY: Promises to Keep by Katherine Grey

5/5/2022

8 Comments

Sometimes a leap of faith can cost you everything…

An empath who feels only the negative emotions of others, Ava Tiernan has lived a life of self-imposed isolation. Circumstances force her to put her trust in Vincent Everett, the leader of Echo Company, a special ops unit. But when she needs his help the most, he doesn’t believe her and leaves her alone and defenseless against a man determined to exploit her.

After a mission goes sideways, leaving one of his men seriously injured, Captain Vincent Everett has one goal: find out who set up his team and why.

When he discovers Ava is the reason his team was ambushed and has been kidnapped by a rogue government agent, he risks everything to save her.

Now he has one chance to make things right for his team, one chance to keep Ava safe, and one last chance to prove he’ll never let her down.

Genre: Suspense, Paranormal, Sweet romance

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 4/5 - Highly Recommended Read!

Heat: 2/5 - flirty

- REVIEW -

I love romantic suspense so I really wanted to read Promises to Keep. Ava is an empath that feels negative emotions. Vincent is the leader of Echo Company. All hell breaks loose and Vincent must use all his skill to save her.

From Columbia to Maryland, this book keeps the plot moving with lots of action. The romance between Ava and Vincent makes a nice round story line. Ava is used to protecting herself from people but she’s having a hard time keeping Vincent at a distance. That little paranormal addition really makes for an interesting story. I don't mind sweet romance. I liked their romance but it is a little stiff. I think because there are just so many characters to follow. I wish the romance and action had been balanced better. Ava is a great character. She’s vulnerable but also smart. She is in a tough spot and she’s doing the best she can to stay alive.

This first book in this series is called Honor Bound. That is a must read, five-star story. Promises to Keep is the second book and I really enjoyed it. I think it is a nice addition to the series.

- GIVEAWAY -

Prize One

Prize Two - ebook

Prize Three

To ENTER comment below:

1. Why do you want to read Promises to Keep? (Besides how good it sounds)
2. Have you read Katherine Grey before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Molly
Ebook of Promises to Keep: Barbara
Prize list book: Laura D.

8 Comments

GIVEAWAY: Mr. Not So Heroic by James Cox

5/2/2022

6 Comments

Marriage or cannibals?

It’s a hard choice but one Amena must make. After their documentary crew is taken hostage in Africa by a rare tribe, she’s stuck in a precarious position. Marry their sexy tour guide or possibly be cooked and eaten.

Is there really a good option here?

Besides, Peter isn’t so annoying and he says it’s all for show. Now, they just have to keep up the act until rescue arrives. That’s easier said than done—the man’s sex appeal is as big as the bulge in his pants.

Genre: Romance, Erotic, Contemporary

TBR Reviewer: Bella Star

Rating: 5/5 stars - A Must Read

Heat: 5/5 - Orgasmic

- REVIEW -

Amena is the leader on a documentary in Africa. It all goes to hell when they’re attacked. They find the elusive tribe as they flee. However, they don’t believe in single women. She’s stuck with a choice: Marry the sarcastic tour guide Peter or a tribesman.

I love how tough and annoyed Amena is. She’s not one to be a helpless woman but she’s stuck in a terrible predicament. She agrees to marry Peter but technically it’s not a real marriage. They’re just trying to survive in the tribe until they can find a way out. However, spending all that time together has them bonding. Intimately. The sex scenes were smoking hot. Wow. Hello, ice cold shower. There’s also some action that really kept the pace going.

For a short story, Mr. Not So Heroic, is a fun and steamy read!

- Giveaway -

Prize One

Prize Two (ebook)

Prize Three

To ENTER comment below:

1. Why do you want to read Mr. Not So Heroic?
2. Have you read James Cox before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Maggie
Ebook of Mr. Not So Heroic: Ana
Prize list book: Leeann

6 Comments

SPOTLIGHT AND GIVEAWAY: Wild at Heart by Stacy Gold

- SNEAK PEEK -

- GIVEAWAY -

To ENTER you must comment below:1. Why do you want to read Wild at Heart?2. Have you read Stacy Gold before?For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:Gift card: Romance Reader​Free book: Molly

SPOTLIGHT and GIVEAWAY: Void Of Course by Carole Ann Moleti

- SNEAK PEEK -

- GIVEAWAY -

To ENTER comment below:1. What did you like about the sneak peek from Void Of Course?2. Have you read Carole Ann Moleti before?For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:Gift card: Vanessa​Free book: Linda

SPOTLIGHT AND GIVEAWAY: The Girl Who Jumped by Matilda Swinney

- SNEAK PEEK -

- GIVEAWAY -

To ENTER you must comment below:1. What did you like best about the sneak peek of The Girl Who Jumped?2. Have you read Matilda Swinney before?​For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNER:Gift Card: Claire M.Ecopy of The Girl Who Jumped: Shante​Prize list book: Eva

GIVEAWAY: Promises to Keep by Katherine Grey

- REVIEW -

- GIVEAWAY -

WINNERS:Gift card: MollyEbook of Promises to Keep: Barbara​Prize list book: Laura D.

GIVEAWAY: Mr. Not So Heroic by James Cox

- Giveaway -

To ENTER comment below:1. Why do you want to read Mr. Not So Heroic?​2. Have you read James Cox before?​For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:Gift card: MaggieEbook of Mr. Not So Heroic: Ana​Prize list book: Leeann

Categories

Archives

To ENTER you must comment below:

1. Why do you want to read Wild at Heart?
2. Have you read Stacy Gold before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Romance Reader
Free book: Molly

To ENTER comment below:

1. What did you like about the sneak peek from Void Of Course?
2. Have you read Carole Ann Moleti before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Vanessa
Free book: Linda

To ENTER you must comment below:

1. What did you like best about the sneak peek of The Girl Who Jumped?
2. Have you read Matilda Swinney before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNER:
Gift Card: Claire M.
Ecopy of The Girl Who Jumped: Shante
Prize list book: Eva

WINNERS:
Gift card: Molly
Ebook of Promises to Keep: Barbara
Prize list book: Laura D.

To ENTER comment below:

1. Why do you want to read Mr. Not So Heroic?
2. Have you read James Cox before?

For extra entries share this post using the Facebook and Twitter buttons below. Good luck!

WINNERS:
Gift card: Maggie
Ebook of Mr. Not So Heroic: Ana
Prize list book: Leeann