Fading Light (Shadow Born Series #2) by Angela Dennis!!

 

Title:  Fading Light

Series:  Shadow Born #2

Author:    Angela Dennis

Published:  September 23rd, 2014

Publisher:  Samhain Publishing

Word Count:  72,000

Genre:  Urban Fantasy

Content Warning:  Sexual Material and Violence

Recommended Age:  18+

 

Synopsis:

Everyone has a breaking point.

Her hundred-year penance lifted, Shadow Bearer Brenna Baudouin returns to the Earthly plane with her partner, Gray Warlow, to keep the peace between humans and supernatural creatures—and to prevent another apocalyptic war from happening.

The attraction between them is nearing a critical point, but their checkered history has left Brenna unable to trust either her heart or her instincts.

It’s chaotic business as usual until humans begin turning to statues of dust. There is no explanation, no sign of magical foul play or a biological toxin. The humans are convinced it’s the work of a deviant supernatural faction, twisting the knife in the already tense relationship between their species. Brenna and Gray agree—the deaths have a former comrade-turned-rogue stamped all over them.

In a race against time, they enlist the help of both friend and foe to save the human race and stop the impending civil war. Along the way, they are forced to come to terms with their past and decide, once and for all, whether they will come together or fall apart.

Warning: Contains a heroine who knows her weapons but not her own heart, an outbreak of supernatural proportions, copious bloodletting, and a race to save an endangered species—humans. All tied up in a tight bow of sexual tension.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Goodreads

 

Excerpt:

Darkness embraced Brenna like a thick wool blanket. It wrapped around her, blocking the dim lamplight as she walked toward the seedy bar. Glass residue from the riots crunched beneath her leather boots. Mixed with snow, the bits of broken beer bottles and smashed windows glittered like an army of broken icicles. She breathed deeply, inhaling the cool night air. It smelled of sour beer and clove cigarettes and left a bitter taste on her tongue.

 

Shadows embraced the sides of the stone structure that housed the Dirty Ruby, one of the few multi-species bars in Denver proper. They stalked across the snow and mixed with the night to merge into a black mass. From its midst stepped a man. Well over six feet, he moved with grace in contrast to his size. The moonlight played across his face, highlighting his chiseled features.
 

Brenna’s pulse quickened and she took an involuntary step forward. Self-conscious, she ran a hand through her copper curls, freeing them from the careless bun. The thick strands streamed down her back like fire as she moved, her breath coming in quick harsh bursts. She slipped off her black leather duster and draped it across her arm. Without it the tight black corset left her taut belly and back exposed, but she didn’t feel the cold. She never did around Gray.
 

“Four demons. Thirty humans. Keep the casualties to a minimum.” Brenna brushed past him, tossing him her coat. “I’ll bring them out. You send them back to hell.”
 

“Hell?” Gray grinned. His teeth gleamed in the moonlight. “You speak human now?”
 

She shrugged. “When in Rome.”
 

Her back to him, she turned toward the freshly white-washed door. But before she could move, he had her shoulder in a vise grip. His fingers twined in the hair at the base of her skull. His breath hot against her cheek. “I know your other partners let you boss them around.” He turned her to face him. “I’m not them.”
 

He stepped forward, forcing her back. They moved in an awkward dance until her ass hit the stone wall. Trapped, she stared at him, wary. A shadow fell across his face hiding all but his piercing violet eyes.
 

“We enter together. Once they’re dead, we leave.” He stepped back, loosening his hold.
 

“The humans—”
 

“Won’t remember a thing.” He crushed his lips to hers even as he slid the duster across her shoulders. “And I’m not your coat rack.” Releasing her, he stepped back.
 

Brenna rubbed the back of her hand against her bruised lips. Gray would be the death of her.
 

If she didn’t kill him first.

  

About the Author:

Angela Dennis lives outside Cincinnati, Ohio with her husband, son and a sheltie with a hero complex. When she is not at her computer crafting stories, she can be found feeding her coffee addiction, playing peek-a-boo, or teaching her son about the great adventures found only in books.

Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads | Website | Blog

 

 

Giveaway Details:

There is a tour wide giveaway. Prizes include the following:

• $25 Amazon Gift Card & eBook copy of Fading Light (1 winner)

Giveaway is International.

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Release Day Blitz for Two Breaths Too Late by Rochelle Maya Callen!!

Two Breaths Too Late
by 
Rochelle Maya Callen
9.30.14
Young Adult

After years of secrets and bruises, Ellie Walker takes her own life only weeks before her high school graduation. She expected to be free, but instead is forced to face the brokenness she has left behind. 

This story isn't about happily-ever-afters. 

It is about the millions of terrible and beautiful moments that make up a life and the hope that lives in even the darkest of places. 

A Message from the Author:

EXCERPT:

Death,

I let you take me. I handed you a rope, a chair, and a hollow shell of a girl forgetting that I didn't have to be hollow at all.

I press my forehead against the glass. The feeling rakes through me. There is no relief or freedom here, in this in-between, in this limbo. This is not the sanctuary I wanted.

Hope can't be a hollow wish or dream. It needs to be filled, levied, brimming over with intention and action and belief and reaching, reaching, reaching, stretching until your muscles ache because you want it that damn much, and you won't stop reaching until you hold it.

Until it is yours.

I let go too soon.

Contribute Now!

About the Author:

ROCHELLE MAYA CALLEN is a bestselling YA author. Her first novel became a #1 Hot New Release on Amazon in 2013 within 24 hours of its debut. She has pet llamas in Ecuador, built homes in Mexico, played with orphans in Argentina and has spoken the words of Mother Teresa in front of 27,000 people at Reliant Stadium. She has been a speaker to young people since she was a teenager and has been a behavioral coach for 10 years. She lives with her husband and young daughter near Washington, D.C. Her personal experiences of loss and strength inspired her novel, TWO BREATHS TOO LATE and the #HoldOn2Hope suicide prevention project.

FIND ME ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER.
Follow the HoldOn2Hope project.
www.RochelleMayaCallen.com
www.HoldOn2Hope.org

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Release Day Blitz for The Daring Assignment by Victoria Bright!!

I didn’t mean to hurt anyone, especially him… 

I was living the dream. I had a great career as a romance author, a successful boyfriend, and am the daughter to a New York power couple. With my standing, my family groomed me to be perfect. Despite having it all, something was missing in my life. 

In an attempt to break away from my privileged, suffocating life, I was in pursuit of finding my own path to happiness. After my literary agent gave me a risky writing assignment, I set out to write a best-seller that took me completely out of my comfort zone and into the arms of another man. He was only supposed to be a research toy, falling in love wasn’t a part of the plan. 

As I become tangled into a huge web of lies, I quickly find out that I have a life changing decision to make. Do I choose to continue living a life of comfort, stability, and misery or do I take a chance on the unknown to preserve my happiness?

Victoria Bright is from a small town in North Carolina and currently resides in Greenville, South Carolina. She has been writing since she was in the eighth grade, starting with small short stories. As her classmates began showing interest in her work, she began to write longer stories, filling multiple spiral notebooks with her thoughts. During her freshman year in high school, her English teacher encouraged her to enter a writing contest in which she won local, region and state levels. She has entered many writing contests since and have won a few. Figuring out she had a passion to share stories with anyone who would listen, she set out to write her first book Love Unbroken.

Victoria is very versatile in the genre of books she likes to read. Her book choice mostly varies on her mood, but she is particularly interested in crime stories, romance, teen fiction, sci-fi, and is now venturing a little in paranormal fiction. As for her own writing, she doesn't really put it into a category or genre. She just writes whatever is on her mind and lets it create itself!

Her favorite quote: "I'm just a loon with access to a keyboard, a pen, and a 5-star notebook. Writing is my escape...so run away with me!"

Hosted By:

Release Day Blitz for Learning to Trust by Cynthia P. O'Neill!!

Title: Learning to Trust

Author: Cynthia P. O'Neill

Genre: Contemporary Erotic 
Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

Learning to Trust Blurb:

When Garrett Andrews finds something that catches his eye, he goes after it, letting nothing stand in the way of what he wants to possess...

The first woman to arouse his heart could be the one person who helps him to finally open up and feel again.

Laurel Hart was a swimming champion until a frightful event and unknown health issues derailed her career…

With a recent degree from MIT in Bio-Medical Engineering and an offer to join one of the leading innovators of medical equipment in the world, she plans on making a new life for herself; letting nightmares from her past stay in the past, or so she thinks.  

Once Garrett finds out about Laurel’s past, all rules in regards to "relationships" are changed, because one false move could drive her away. He attempts to calm her nightmares and gain her trust so he can show her who he really is and the relationship he desires from her.

Will they be able to overcome the damage their hearts have encountered?  Can they find happiness? Can they trust their minds or will life throw each of them another curveball?

Only time will tell if they can…

learn to trust…

I grew up in a small town in South Florida called Clewiston and moved to Central Florida to attend college.  I married my friend, love, and soul mate and still reside in the area with our amazing son, and a feisty, four-legged little doggie boy.  

In my books, I draw on my background in healthcare, business, and science, along with my husband’s engineering and wireless technology knowledge. 

I currently write on all levels of Romance.   The Learning Series is for those who like a little more steam with their books, falling into the categories of Contemporary and verging on Erotica, with a hint of Suspense.  The Remembrance Series encompasses Young Adult, with a touch of Paranormal activity and a hint of Historical romance. A new contemporary romance series is underway, called Need.  It will be different than the others, because each book will focus on a new couple, while the other characters will still have a large presence throughout the series.

I try to make my writing very personal and close to her heart. Regular life is the inspiration for my books, but I'm only limited by imagination taking ideas to new heights, opening up possibilities that would normally not exist. 

On a more personal note...I love to cook and create in the kitchen and on the bbq grill.  I sometimes lose myself in a song at the piano.  I often sing with my son while we are driving or making dinner together.  I enjoy crafts (flower arranging, making wreaths, painting pottery, needle point and drawing in pencil and charcoals).   My music tastes are eclectic at best, ranging from classical piano to hard rock/heavy metal.  It all depends on the song, group, and if it has a good beat or is a soulful ballad. 

To learn more about me, feel free to check me out at www.cynthiaponeill.com.

Cynthia P. O’Neill Links:

Website

Facebook

Twitter   or @cynthiaponeill

Blogspot

Pinterest

Goodreads

Amazon

Learning to Trust Buy Links:

Amazon

He pulled his phone from his pants pocket, typed some words rather quickly, and then returned it to his pocket. 

“What are you doing?” I wondered aloud. I sincerely hoped that wasn’t about me.

“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.  Just had a thought that I’d like to run by someone and wanted to jot it down before I lost it.”

”Just so you know, I don’t like it when people are secretive around me.  It makes me nervous and I tend to push people away.”  I don’t know why I was being so upfront with him, but, this phone messaging had me on edge.  I can’t stand secrets.

He walked towards me with a wry smile and backed me slowly against the wall.  He leaned into me, tracing his nose up my neck, and I heard the closet door close.  “I like that you’re feisty, Laurel, makes life more interesting.”  His hands came to rest on the wall along each side of my head, caging me in, as he continued to trace his nose up to my face, across my chin, and down the other side of my neck.  His tone in his voice became sultry. “Do you still trust me?”

The electricity between us hung heavy in the air.  It was so palpable you could taste it. My skin was on fire from his touch.  Every synapse of every nerve ending was firing off rapidly and my breathing continued to accelerate.  Something felt dark and dangerous about Garrett, but at the same time, I’d never desired anyone more.  No one had ever managed to elicit the kind of reactions he was driving from my body. 

He leaned in closer, his body molding up against mine. “Are you going to answer me?” he whispered in my ear, his voice becoming a little more commanding.

  My eyes closed, trying to make sense of what I was feeling.  Just his voice and soft touch made my head spin; I was thankful that I had the wall to lean into for support.  I finally found the strength to answer. “Yes,” I murmured.

His lips began to nibble on my left earlobe. “Yes, you’ll answer, or yes, you trust me?”

“Yes, I trust you.”

His hand began to caress my face as his lips continued their assault on my earlobe and neck.  “Do you have any idea how breathtakingly beautiful you are tonight?  You’re driving me crazy.”

My head began to spin as his lips moved up across the side of my cheek to my chin at an achingly slow pace.  At the same time, his right hand started to travel down my neck, where his fingers traced the low neckline of my dress. 

My heart raced as the palm of his hand brushed gently across one of my breasts.  I was surprised by how heavy my breasts felt.  I could feel my nipples harden, straining against the fabric of my bra.  Soon his lips were pressed hard on my mouth, tugging at my bottom lip.  “Ahh,” I moaned as his tongue plunged deeply into my mouth, sending my mind scattering to the heated overload of sensation my body was feeling.  Our mouths began to move in perfect unison with one another.

            My conscience screamed at me. Tell him to slow down.  You know this is moving too quickly.  What are you thinking?!

            I tried to move away, ever so slightly put some distance between our bodies, but his hips pressed harder, grinding into mine.  His erection felt huge, bulging out hard from his slacks and pressing up against my belly.  I couldn’t believe how much this man wanted me and was surprised that my body was responding with unheeded desire for him.

            Garrett finally pulled back long enough for us to take in deprived lungs full of air.  After a few more breaths, I asked, in a rather shaky and exhaustive tone, “Can we please slow things down a bit?” 

            Both of his hands rose up the wall to rest on either side of my head.  He took a few more deep breaths and kissed me chastely on the lips before resting his forehead against mine.

            “My apologies, Laurel, I don’t know what came over me.  There’s something about you that makes my body respond so intensely.  I’m like an alcoholic drawn to your intoxicating beauty and scent; I just can’t seem to get enough.  I’ve never had this kind of reaction to anyone before.”  He paused for a moment, taking in a deep breath to clear his mind. “I agree, though, we need to take things slower.”

He lifted one of my hands towards his lips and kissed it gently before placing it atop his shoulder.  He repeated the same thing with my other hand, indicating he wanted me encircling his shoulders.  Then he cupped my face with his own hands and leaned in for a gentle kiss.

The tenderness of this new kiss made me feel more secure in his arms.  We continued this way for what seemed like an eternity, until I heard the door open and Hannah walk in calling, “Laurel?  Are you here?”

We both pulled away from the wall.  He had a quizzical look on his face, as if he’d forgotten we were in the closet in my dorm room. “Roommate?” he whispered. 

I nodded in response. What are we supposed to do now? Wait her out?

We waited to hear what she was doing.  As soon as we thought the coast was clear, we tried leaving the closet, only to find her standing there with her arms crossed and smiling up a storm, knowing she’d caught us.

She didn’t wait for an introduction, but stuck out her hand to Garrett. “Hi, Handsome, I’m Hannah, Laurel’s roommate.  And you are?”

Review for Second Chance Hearts by Heather Lire!!

 

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Second Chance Hearts 

SERIES – Holiday Vermont 

AUTHOR – Heather Lire 

GENRE – Contemporary 

PUBLICATION DATE – August 1, 2014 

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) – 148 pages 

PUBLISHER – Desert Breeze Publishing

   

BOOK SYNOPSIS

Jessica Chase has always done what's expected of her, including betray the love of her life. But that has never earned her the love of her parents. She's decided to throw off their superficial values and actually contribute to society.

Case Sanderson should be happy; he has his three year old daughter, even though the women he was about to marry turned against him in the paternity suit. But, until he learns to forgive her he can't seem to put himself back on the market.

Case and Jessica must come together to help a refugee in the battered women's underground. And they have been given the perfect opportunity at a second chance to heal their broken hearts and find love.

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK BARNES & NOBLES NOOK – ITUNES – GOODREADS – SHELFARI

 

THE REVIEW

My only complaint about this book, is that I wanted it to be longer!!

When Jessica Chase decides to take full control of her life, all she can taste is freedom.  Leaving her father's law firm behind her, she takes a job as an attorney for a battered women's shelter.  What she doesn't expect is how helping her current client will change her own life.

Case Sanderson really wants to be happy.  He's got everything; his beautiful daughter Kayle, a very successful business, his family, but the one thing missing is a woman.  One woman in particular.  He believes he's over her, but realizes how wrong he is when she shows up on his doorstep, looking for her client.  

I read this book in one day... hence why I wanted more of it!  After reading about the other characters in the book... I may be buying the other books in the series.  I honestly loved them all!!

After spending some needed time talking and clearing out some much needed air, Jess and Case decide to get back together.  They know they changed after everything that happened between them, but now Case wants to know her as she is now.  He won't allow her to walk out of his life again without a fight this time.  

One thing I really loved in this book was Case's family.  They are such a blessing when you compare them to Jess's family.  They support each other, where Jess's family constantly put her down.  She's found a kindred spirit in her brother, but her parents and sister are a lost cause.  She's insecure about ever being good enough for Case and his family, but she soon gets over those fears.  He loves her completely, and only wants her to be with him and Kayle.

I loved this book, and can not wait to read Justin's story now!! 

EXCERPT

Jessica closed the flap of a box and stood, rubbing the small of her back with the knuckles of her right hand. With this box her office was officially all packed up. All of her cases had been reassigned to other attorneys, and she was ready for the next phase of her life. A phase she was in complete control of. "What in the hell is this?" A voice thundered from her door. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She'd been hoping to be out of the office before he returned. She'd timed her resignation for when he took his month-long vacation every year, so she wouldn't have to have this confrontation. She'd wanted to be gone before he came back. With two other senior partners she'd been hoping HR didn't inform him. She turned and faced the man who had helped to destroy her dreams.. "What does it look like I'm doing?" She caught the flash of anger and surprise in his eyes before he narrowed them. In twenty-eight years she'd never once talked back to him. She'd always done exactly what he'd told her, never bucking under his or her mother's plans for her. "It looks like someone throwing a fit because she didn't get her way." She wasn't throwing a fit. She was throwing away a life, a life that was all but destroying her. "No, I'm not throwing a fit. I'm taking charge of my life. I'm no longer going to do what you and mother want me to, to suit your plans. I'm living it for me." She didn't need or want to hear what she knew would be a tirade on her responsibility to him, to her mother, and to the family. Jessica put on her coat and picked up the box. Ignoring the sputtering and yelling coming from her father she walked out the door of the office she'd never wanted or deserved. Just because her great grandfather had started the law firm didn't mean she shouldn't have had to prove herself before making junior partner. She guessed she had proved herself years ago when she'd had to let the best thing to ever happen to her walk out the door because of a case. She'd put it aside, because there was nothing she could do about it. She'd seen the anger and hatred in his eyes when Case had walked into her office that day. It hadn't mattered her heart was in pieces on the floor to anyone in the room, as she'd watched the man she'd been planning on spending the rest of her life with and the daughter she'd never get to have, walk out the door. She'd gone home, opened a bottle of wine, and cried deep gut-wrenching tears. Three days later she walked into the Cobble Hill women's shelter and volunteered her services. If she couldn't have Case in her life, she could do something that was important to him and his family. It was a move that had changed everything for her. Effective today, she was now the family attorney in residence. For once she was going to be doing something good with the degree she'd gotten because of parental pressure.

AUTHOR BIO

Heather has traveled all over the world, speaks several languages, collects romance books like they're going out of style, and has multiple book boyfriends. Ok, she hasn't been all over the world, except in her mind. She does however speak multiple languages and collect romance books. Her long-suffering husband and sons roll their eyes at all her book boyfriends. When she's not busy on her next novel she can be found at one of her sons many sporting events or on twitter talking about what else, romance books. She loves to hear what you think about her stories so please drop her a note.

AUTHOR FOLLOW LINKS

AMAZON AUTHOR PAGE – WEBSITE / BLOG – FACEBOOK – TWITTER GOOGLE+ - PINTEREST – TUMBLR – BLOGLOVIN GOODREADS – SHELFARI – OTHERS – NEWSLETTER

 

GIVEAWAY PRIZES

Tour Giveaway - a complete set of the series plus Holiday goodies.

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OTHER BOOKS IN THE SERIES

Second Chance At Forever (Book #1) - Second Chance At Happiness (Book #2) A Holiday Christmas (Book #2.5) - Second Chance At Passion (Book #3)

This tour has been organized by

Cover Reveal for Until I Die Again by Gary A. Caruso!!

Title: Until I Die Again

Author: Gary Caruso 

Genre: Dark YA, Romantic Thriller 15+
Hosted by: Lady Amber's Tours

Blurb: In Until I Die Again, the highly anticipated sequel to Our Souls to Keep, Wake is alone in Hell, comforted and tormented by the memory of Annemarie. As session after session of torture on Bethany's table moves Wake closer to surrendering the last remaining fragments of his humanity, he receives information from an unlikely source. Nevin tells him that Annemarie's son Jacob is still in danger.

After discovering the true nature of Lucifer's plan for Jacob, Wake is determined to do the impossible—escape the Gates of Hell! He soon finds out that this unlikely task isn’t his greatest challenge. Wake learns the true meaning of self-sacrifice and the ultimate consequence of death as he searches for a way to break his contract with Satan. With an all-out war between Heaven and Hell in the near future, and the destiny of humanity at stake, Wake must decide who to trust as he battles to save a young boy from the powerful forces of Hell.

Gary Caruso lives in northern Virginia with his wife Jill, but their favorite place is in Ohio with their three beautiful grandchildren. Although Gary is exhilarated when he sits down to write, teaching middle school science is his first love. He’s passionate about empowering students to make thoughtful decisions and positive choices in life. Gary enjoys reading, especially fiction that blurs the line between what’s real and what’s fantasy. He never imagined becoming a writer until an ordinary car ride on a spring day jolted an unlikely thought into his head. Gary’s early experience writing is a reminder that no matter how intimidating the challenge, action and determination are the foundations for fulfilling any dream. Gary has an insatiable love for writing, a blessing he’s excited to share with his readers.

Links:

WEBSITE

FACEBOOK

FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE

How much agony can a man endure before he surrenders every precious thought of the woman he holds most dear? I’ve lost count of the successive days of torture. Time after time, long, flat strips of glowing hot iron are pressed onto my exposed arms and legs. They sear away the flesh, layer by layer, almost to the bone, and the pungent smell of charring meat and the crackling of curling skin dominate my senses. I struggle to keep a lucid image of Annemarie’s beautiful smile in mind and remember the gentle touch of her soft fingertips as they glide across the coarse skin of my cheek. It’s the only string of goodness that remains from my vanishing humanity, but the torment of every exposed nerve scratches at my soul, seeking to push me beyond the edges of insanity.

Like a vise clamped on a piece of wood, my teeth clench into my lower lip until they eventually pierce through. I’m repulsed by the sour, metallic taste of my demon blood, but the pain refocuses my determination and keeps me from begging for mercy. The pain will stop if I surrender what remains of my broken humanity. As another bolt of pain tears at my body, I tighten my jaw again. I can’t crumble on Bethany’s table. I refuse to give her the pleasure.

Review for Night Magic by Susan Squires!!

 

BOOK INFORMATION

TITLE – Night Magic

SERIES – Magic Series

AUTHOR – Susan Squires

GENRE – Contemporary Paranormal Romance

PUBLICATION DATE – September 8, 2014

LENGTH (Pages/# Words) - 374 pages, 110,000 words (including excerpt from next book) PUBLISHER – Susan Squires

COVER ARTIST – Rebecca Poole - Dreams2Media

 

   

BOOK SYNOPSIS

DESTINY ISN’T CALLING. Kemble Tremaine is thirty-seven. He knows he’ll never get magic like the rest of his family. The Merlin gene has passed him by. No true love, no magic power to help the family in their fight against the descendants of Morgan Le Fay. Since it doesn’t matter who he marries, he asks his sister’s best friend, Jane. At least he’ll be rescuing her from a horrible home life.

CINDERELLA MISSES THE BALL. Jane Butler has loved Kemble since she was twelve years old. She’s well aware he’s not marrying her for love, but she hopes she can make him comfortable.

HAPPINESS IS RELATIVE. Comfort isn’t on the menu for the Tremaines. Kemble’s sister has been having visions of tragedy. The family finds one of Merlin’s precious artifacts, meant to increase the power of those with magic. Morgan and her Clan want it too. They can’t be far behind. Can Kemble and Jane find destiny in the face of danger and even death?

 

BUY & TBR LINKS

AMAZON KINDLE US – AMAZON KINDLE CA – AMAZON KINDLE UK AMAZON PAPERBACK – SMASHWORDS – ITUNES – GOODREADS

 

   

 

 

MY REVIEW

I love books like this!! I love books with magic and good vs. evil!!
 

Kemble is the heir to the throne, so to speak. They call him the Prince of Wales, as he's the one to be taking over the family business. 
 

One problem. The magic gene, sent down for generations from Merlin himself, skipped him. He's the only one in his family who doesn't have magic, and that means there is no woman who is to be destiny.
 

Jane, his sister's best friend, is lonely and overwhelmed. Her mother is a horrible woman who is determined to make Jane as miserable as she is. Kemble attempts to help her, but Jane, being the proud woman she is, declines it. She's humiliated by her mother's actions and the last thing she needs or wants is the Tremaine's, who are like family, to see them.
 

At the same time, the decendants of Morgan Le Fay are looking for the last two talismans of Merlin. She already has two, and Kemble and his family are determined to make sure she doesn't find them. 
 

I so loved this book. I loved Kemble... he was perfect for Jane. He was the rock that she so desperately needed to lean on.

 

EXCERPT

Kemble strode around the car without a word, got behind the wheel and slammed the door. His lips were a thin, determined line. Then he seemed to see her for the first time. “Jane, that…that cheek looks really painful.” His face contorted with an angry look. “I should have been over here first thing this morning.” He was angry with himself, of course. “I could have gone to the doctor if I needed to, you know,” she said. He snorted. “You never want anything for yourself, Jane. I’ll take care of that too.” What did he mean by that? The motor purred to life and Kemble put his arm over the back of her seat to turn and look out the rear window as he backed out. His fingers brushed her shoulder. She closed her eyes as the sensation shot up her spine. Did he have to be so careless? As they turned onto Palos Verdes West she glanced over to him. He was fairly vibrating with…nervous tension? Determination? She couldn’t quite figure it out. He surprised her by sliding into the little shopping center behind the Admiral Risty, an old-school, red-booth dinner place with a wide-water view of the Pacific. “Aren’t you going to be late for dinner at home?” “Yes, I am.” He nodded his head convulsively. The man was sweating. “You want to loosen the tie or something?” He really looked like he was about to choke. “No.” He took a big breath and let it out slowly. Then he turned to her. “I have something I want to ask you, Jane. And I don’t want you to say anything until I’m done explaining.” “Uh. Okay.” Jane was getting a very bad feeling about this. It was going to be something about what he wanted to do with her mother. She just knew it. And she wouldn’t be able to accept his largesse, so he’d try to bully her into it. He looked out over the parked cars. “I’m never going to get magic. I talked to Senior and he agrees. We think the gene is recessive in me. I’ve known it for a while.” She started to protest, but he held up a hand. It was shaking a little. That stopped her far more effectively than anything he could have said. He wasn’t the kind of guy to tremble. “So.” He acted as though that settled everything. “So he agrees that I ought to get on with my life. Settle down. And if I’m not waiting for the bolt of lightning, well, then I can marry whomever I want. So I’m asking you.” Jane felt like she’d been struck deaf, dumb and blind by that lightning bolt. Kemble was… asking her to… marry him? After all these years, he’d realized he loved her… “Now don’t say no,” he rushed on. “Just because we’re not in love doesn’t mean this can’t work out. You need a refuge Jane, and if we marry, I can give that to you.” Jane carefully shut her mouth, though that didn’t mean she could breathe. Kemble looked down at his hands, still on the steering wheel. “The family already loves you. And I’ll make sure your mother is taken care of. Enough money cures everything, Jane, and if it’s one thing I have, it’s money.” His eyes were so earnest it might break her heart. He’d given up. So he might as well marry her. Something heavy sat on her chest. He got an anxious look. “So…uh…what do you think?” She hardly trusted herself to speak. “Oh. Wait.” He lifted his hips to get his hand into the pocket of his slacks, and drew out a small square velveteen box. It said the name of the department store at the top of the hill on the bottom. He fumbled with it until he got it right side up and popped it open. A diamond ring gleamed in the rosy light of the setting sun. The setting was simple, just a band with three medium diamonds set in it. They glinted in the afternoon light. “I didn’t think you’d want one of those big diamonds that are always catching on everything. These… these are nice stones though.” He cleared his throat. It was actually just the kind of ring she would want the man she loved to give her. But not like this. She took a breath. “Kemble, you don’t want to marry me.” It took all the courage she had to speak those words. “But I do,” he protested. “You’re perfect. You’re smart. You’re a calming influence on the family, especially the younger ones.” His voice softened. “And marrying me will give you a place, Jane. Let me take care of you.” She couldn’t marry Kemble when he didn’t love her. That would be too selfish. He put the box with the ring on the dashboard and took both her hands in his larger ones. After the shock that went straight to her groin and the points of her breasts, what she noticed was that the warmth, the slight moisture born of his anxiety, enveloped her with his inherent goodness. She felt…maybe not loved, but at least treasured. “I need you, Jane,” he said. “And I think you need me too. Sometimes life just provides solutions we aren’t expecting.” The words were simple, spoken from his heart. He needed her. It was the one ploy that might get her to agree to this. She couldn’t bear how unhappy he’d been lately. Maybe this solution freed him from the razor-sharp pain of wondering if magic would ever happen for him, thinking he’d never be good enough. She wanted to believe that, because suddenly, she wanted to throw all sense and caution off the cliffs at the Breakers and accept him. Married to Kemble Tremaine, just as she’d dreamed since she was fourteen. A real member of the Tremaine family, with a right to make tira misu for their dinner or cut fresh flowers for the table. There was another problem. “What if you find your destined love after we’re married?” “Never going to happen.” He shrugged as though it didn’t matter to him. But in his blue eyes she saw that it did. He wasn’t over mourning his loss yet. But maybe someday he could be. Maybe time would heal his regret. Maybe they could have something together, if not true love, then companionship, respect. That was more than she was like to have any other way. “You have to promise me something, Kemble Tremaine.” “Anything.” He didn’t mean that, of course. He couldn’t give her the one thing she really wanted. And God, he was so close to her, he was overwhelming any sense she had at all. “Promise that if you ever do find the one really meant for you, you’ll tell me. I’ll set you free the next moment with no regrets.” Well, none she wouldn’t have anyway, whether she married him or not. She’d always regret he didn’t love her. His brows drew together sharply. He really hadn’t thought this out, had he? Finally he nodded. “Okay.” He cleared his throat. “Does that mean you will do me the honor of being my wife?” God help her. She nodded.

AUTHOR BIO

NYT Bestselling author Susan Squires published twenty-two novels and novellas with Dorchester Publishing and St. Martin’s Press, as well as self-publishing her new Magic Series. She’s won the Golden Heart and the Holt Medallion, been a finalist in the Rita contest and garnered several Reviewer’s Choice awards from Romantic Times BookReviews. Publisher’s Weekly named Body Electric one of the most influential mass-market books and One with the Shadows a Best Book of Year. She lives at the beach in Southern California with her husband, who is also a writer, and two Belgian Sheepdogs who help her by laying their chins on the keyboardddddddd.

 

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