zaterdag 10 juni 2023

Book Blitz ~ The Lake House by Bella Emy #Giveaway

The Lake House
Bella Emy
Publication date: June 9th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From USA Today Bestselling Author Bella Emy comes a new heart-wrenching story of heartbreak, loss, and finding love once again.

Giuliana

Happily ever after.
That’s what I thought I found.
But the clock struck twelve before I even knew it, leaving me in nothing but rags and tears.
Silver Mist has always been the one place to bring me comfort and serenity.
But on an unexpected summer day, Declan Bell walks on in and changes my perspective of love forever.
Am I ready to say goodbye to my past and welcome a new beginning?
Starting over is never easy, and I’m not sure I can do it without getting hurt again.

Declan

Happily ever… what?
I thought true love didn’t exist, thanks to my ex-wife.
She cheated and walked out, leaving me alone to raise our daughter.
My baby girl made my life complete.
I was fine and things were going well.
I couldn’t complain.
That was all until Giuliana Bianchi, the girl I had fallen in love with from way back when, came marching back into town.
I realized I didn’t know real love and how much more complete my life could be until I saw her beautiful smiling face.
But is she ready to jump back into a relationship after everything she’s been through?
Starting over is never easy, but if we can find a way to be together, I feel like it could be.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo


Author Bio:

Bella Emy is a USA Today Bestselling Author.

***To stay up to date with all things Bella, including all exclusive content, make sure you sign up for her newsletter here: http://bit.ly/BellaNL

She loves all books, but her favorite genre to read, as well as write, is romance. Bella loves creating heartbreaking stories that will deeply touch her readers, but in the end, a good HEA is usually the turnout.

Whenever Bella is not typing away on her computer with a nice hot cup of coffee, she loves spending time with her family and friends. Her favorite places to go are the movies, the beach, or just on a good plain old road trip. Some of her must haves are coffee, chocolate, pizza, music, & movies.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Bookbub / TikTok / Pinterest


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vrijdag 9 juni 2023

Cover Reveal ~ Midnight Rapture by Anya Summers

Midnight Rapture
Anya Summers
(Dungeon Singles Night, #12)
Publication date: June 27th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Rescued by a hot, kilt-wearing Scot…

Freya’s on the run from her abusive ex-boyfriend. She’s exhausted and terrified, but if she stops, she knows he’ll find her – and their infant daughter – and make her pay. Desperation drives her to do something she shouldn’t, that she knows is fundamentally wrong…

… and sure enough, she gets caught red-handed. All she can do is beg for mercy.

When Jasper catches the gorgeous new maid with her hand in his wallet, his first instinct is to call the police. But Freya’s tearful plea strikes a chord deep within him, and instead he finds himself offering her the protection of his name and family.

Their union is meant to be on paper only but Jasper soon finds himself enthralled by his new bride. He starts a campaign to seduce her into his bed, never expecting her to wiggle her way into his heart.

And when her past threatens her very existence, he will stop at nothing to keep her safe.

Fall headlong into this steamy, fake relationship, stand-alone romance between a fierce Scottish businessman and a single mother as they navigate the road of love with all its pitfalls.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order


Author Bio:

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Anya grew up listening to Cardinals baseball and reading anything she could get her hands on. She remembers her mother saying if only she would read the right type of books instead binging her way through the romance aisles at the bookstore, she’d have been a doctor. While Anya never did get that doctorate, she graduated cum laude from the University of Missouri-St. Louis with an M.A. in History.

Anya is a bestselling and award-winning author published in multiple fiction genres. She also writes urban fantasy, paranormal romance, and contemporary romance under the name Maggie Mae Gallagher. A total geek at her core, when she is not writing, she adores attending the latest comic con or spending time with her family. She currently lives in the Midwest with her two furry felines.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Amazon / Bookbub / Newsletter



Book Blitz ~ The Sorceress Transcendent by Casey Blair #Giveaway

The Sorceress Transcendent
Casey Blair
Publication date: June 6th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Once mortal enemies on the battlefield, what can they become supporting each other instead?
When Varius, the greatest general of the Aurelian Empire, is forced to flee his homeland, there’s only one person he can turn to.

A powerful sorceress and once his most deadly enemy, Theira is the only combatant who’s ever escaped the war between their peoples. But with the memories of how they kept each other going from opposite sides of a battlefield, when a bleeding Varius knocks on her door, she lets him in, even knowing what will follow.

Theira may have gotten away, but as long as the war goes on, she’ll never really be free. Now with both their peoples actively hunting them, the two most dangerous fighters in a never-ending war will have to join forces to do the impossible: end it once and for all, on their terms.

And if they can dare to dream boldly enough, maybe find happiness for themselves, too.

The Sorceress Transcendent is a stand-alone enemies-to-lovers epic fantasy romance novella about badasses who enjoy a cozy cup of tea after a long day wreaking epic destruction, because why choose? This story is for everyone who knows what’s coming when your former mortal enemy and best rival knocks on the door in the middle of the night and says, “I had nowhere else to go.”

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

“I was beginning to wonder,” Theira said, cool amusement in her voice, “if you thought that this time for sure you would be able to simply stare me into submission.”

It was the sound of her voice after all this time more than even the vision of her alive and well and free and gorgeous that almost undid him. His knees tried to buckle, and Varius caught himself.

Theira tracked the movement, and the thorny vines withdrew abruptly. She never missed anything, even if she didn’t speak. How long had he stood at the door like a dumbass?

And now she also knew he was at her mercy, that he had no hidden strategy she needed to counter, that she could kill him at any time without worry. A first, for them. Varius might have been ashamed if he hadn’t suspected she was nonplussed.

He stared at this sorceress, his once-best enemy, who waited with endless patience for him to get to the godscursed point. He sucked in a breath to greet her politely and make his case, to explain and formally request her forbearance, but what made it out was:

“I had nowhere else to go.”

The words dropped into the night like a stone in a pool.

Theira’s deeply expressive eyes flickered, knowing.

Unimaginable, that his life had somehow come to this.

But the empire he had given his life and body and soul to had betrayed him—betrayed them all. No one there could protect him or anyone else any longer.

Varius had spent almost his whole life at war, and now it was only an enemy he could turn to.

Theira held his gaze for a long moment and then said, “You’d better come in.”

Author Bio:

Casey Blair writes adventurous fantasy novels for all ages, and her serial fantasy Tea Princess Chronicles is available online for free. After graduating from Vassar College, her own adventures have included teaching English in rural Japan, attending the Viable Paradise residential science fiction and fantasy writing workshop, and working as an indie bookseller. She now lives in the Pacific Northwest and can be found dancing spontaneously, exploring forests around the world, or trapped under a cat. For more information visit her website caseyblair.com or follow her on Twitter @CaseyLBlair.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter


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donderdag 8 juni 2023

Book Blitz ~ Prophecy of Gods and Crows by C.D. Britt #Giveaway

Prophecy of Gods and Crows
C.D. Britt
(Clan of Shadows, #1)
Publication date: June 6th 2023
Genres: Adult, Dystopian, Paranormal, Romance

Welcome to Hell’s Half Acre.

Bryndis Kenneally is an anomaly, which is saying something when you live in a place called Hell.

Despite being born into a family of healers, she is unable to follow in their footsteps since disturbing visions overwhelm her with almost every human touch.

With few allies at her back, she keeps her head down… until she starts to see a man made of shadows, and a crow begins to track her every move.

Now, she can no longer pretend to be a normal woman among a town looking for witches to burn.

That is until a freak sandstorm brings more than she bargained for… and quite possibly her salvation.

Book one in the Clan of Shadows series, a dystopian paranormal romance series.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Bryndis Kenneally had just slipped between the cool sheets of her bed as night relinquished its hold on the small desert town. The sun was just beginning its trek across the sky as it broke over the horizon, but the familiarity of another day ended when the warning horns rang instead of the typical church bells that announced the beginning of morning service.

The only reason for the city guards to sound the horns was one that made her heart pound as her skin grew clammy. Running to her window, she tripped over her bed sheet, catching herself on the sill and earning a splinter in her palm for it. Her concern was not about the small pain, but about what was happening on a much larger scale down on the street below. Something that rarely happened in their small town, and the last time it had, she’d lost her entire world.

The stifling heat radiating from her window did nothing to stop the chills moving along her skin as she took in what the horns meant.

The gate was opening.

Looking through the dirty window, sand having accumulated along the panes, she watched as the last true member of her family, her cousin Jace, stepped out of the church doors.

Just as her father had done ten years ago.

Her mind moving back and forth between two very different times in her life, she watched Jace, the town doctor, donning the same gear her father had to make the same trek.

The exact same type of mask her father had worn ten years ago on his final journey past the gate slipped over a different face. In a tribute to their god, the leather bull mask was adorned with brass horns that glinted in the sun and one glass eye blacked out in tribute.

That same mask now covered the face of the man who was the last of her family.

Her throat tightened as the same brown hood went up over his blond hair, taking all that identified Jace from the rest away as he became a symbol of the end of Bryn’s world.

Identical to what her father had once worn and died in.

The town scrios, the leader of the Church of Baleros, stepped up next to her cousin and nodded as he affixed his own mask, before pulling the hood of his brown cloak up to cover his salt-and-pepper hair.

The two vastly different-looking men were now indistinguishable from each other after having donned the religious regalia.

Uniformity was the town’s unofficial motto.


Author Bio:

C.D. Britt began her writing journey when her husband told her she needed to use her excessive imagination to write stories as opposed to creating a daily narrative for him. Ever since she penned her first words, life has been a lot more peaceful for him.

She currently resides in Texas where she has yet to adapt to the heat. Her husband thrives in it, so unfortunately they will not be relocating to colder climates anytime soon.

Their two young children would honestly complain either way.

When she is not in her writing cave (hiding from the sun), she enjoys ignoring the world as much as her children will allow with a good book, music, and vast amounts of coffee (until it’s time for wine).

C.D. Britt is the author of Shadows and Vines and the upcoming book, Sirens and Leviathans.

Both books are part of the Reign of Goddesses series.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Pinterest


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woensdag 7 juni 2023

Cover Reveal ~ Requiem For Love Duet by Claudia Burgoa

REQUIM FOR LOVE DUET

Claudia Burgoa

 

From USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes an achingly poignant tale—an exquisite Why Choose? An MMF polyamorous romance told partially in epistolary-style that promises a rollercoaster of emotions, bringing together love, loss, and the unabating pull of the past. 

This wasn’t the typical boy meets girl story. In our case, it was extraordinary: a boy met a girl and another boy. And he fell madly in love with both. Greyson was a gifted musician whose songs soothed even the most shattered souls. Aerin was a ballerina, exuding an elegance that could steal your breath away. They weren’t just my loves. They were my reason to breathe—my world.   Until a tragedy broke us into a thousand pieces.   Now, years later, I'm left haunted by Greyson's melodies and the fragmented echoes of our shared past. Just as I’m learning to breathe again, our history is flung into the public eye. An agonizingly intimate memoir has surfaced, putting our past on full display. I find myself drawn to Greyson, desperate to shield him from reminders of her.   As we navigate the stinging wounds of our history, we’re on a mission to find the person who ripped the bandages of our past.   Is there a chance this could lead us to something more—a way to fill the void left by her absence? Because finding her is impossible... isn’t it?   

Reminders of Her is the enthralling first book in the Requiem for Love duet. Prepare yourself for a breathtaking, slow-burn romance that culminates in a heart-stopping cliffhanger. This novel will leave you gasping, aching, and craving for more.   

Pre-Order Links:   

REMINDERS OF HER 
Amazon: https://geni.us/RoHAmazon 
Apple: https://geni.us/RoHApple 
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/reminders-of-her-claudia-burgoa/1143402384? ean=2940160863924 
Kobo: https://bit.ly/RoHKobo 
Google Play: https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/reminders-of-her/? fbclid=IwAR1QY5Lt35CWgt2oy5a48CeIexiw_osa73fGK0lyhF-e4JEvVQY9waV8mIw#   

THE SYMPHONY OF US 
Amazon: https://geni.us/TSoUAmazon 
Apple: https://geni.us/TSoUApple 
B&N: https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/the-symphony-of-us/# 
Kobo: https://bit.ly/TSoUKobo 
Google Play: https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/the-symphony-of-us/#  

   

    Meet Claudia Burgoa: 

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs. When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watch shows or movies with her equally geeky husband.   

Keep up with Claudia Burgoa and subscribe to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/NwsletterCB%20%20   
To learn more about Claudia Burgoa & her books, visit here!   

Connect with Claudia Burgoa: 

Hosted By:

Cover Reveal ~ The Flame King's Captive by Lilith Vincent writing as Chloe Chastaine



Title: The Flame King's Captive
A Fated Mates Fantasy Romance
Trilogy: Fire and Desire #1
Author: Lilith Vincent writing as
Chloe Chastaine
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Tropes: Non-shifter Omegaverse/Fated Mates
Cover Design: The Book Brander
Release Date: July 12, 2023


BLURB

He snatched me from the jaws of death for one reason—to be his.

I was a dead king’s sacrificial bride, until his murderer claimed me as his. Zabriel invaded my country of Maledin on the back of a monstrous, fire-breathing dragon and took me prisoner.

The lethal Zabriel towers over me in steel plate armor, and he could easily crush the life out of me—but the Flame King isn’t interested in harming me. Instead, he destroys everyone who has hurt me in a storm of fire and vengeance.

There’s malignant rot deep within my country. My family has vanished along with whole villages of people. As I desperately try to find those who are missing, my body and heart awaken under a powerful and alarming force.

Zabriel sets my soul ablaze every time he growls, “Mine.” He calls me Omega. The rarest. The most vulnerable. The one he craves to possess and protect.

When evil forces in Maledin threaten everyone I know and love, there’s only one person who is strong enough to help me defeat them, and the only place where I’m safe from an ancient foe is in the arms of the Flame King.

Author’s note: The Flame King’s Captive is a slow-burn non-shifter MF omegaverse romance set in a fantasy world of magic and dragonriders. Zabriel is a jealous and possessive Alpha, and Isavelle is a sweet but strong virgin Omega heroine. This is the first book in the Fire and Desire trilogy. It contains steamy content that increases with each subsequent book and ends on a cliffhanger.





PRE-ORDER LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU












AUTHOR BIO

Chloe Chastaine is the fantasy loving alter ego of Lilith Vincent and author of lush novels with OTT obsessed heroes and the strong but sweet heroines who bring them to their knees.


AUTHOR LINKS




Book Blitz ~ Casanova Cowboy by Jamie Schulz #Giveaway

Casanova Cowboy
Jamie Schulz
(The Montana Men Series, #2)
Publication date: June 6th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’s used to the glitzy, big-city life. He hides behind country-boy charm.
Will these total opposites spark unquenchable flames of attraction?

Izabel Silva is wary of men. After escaping an awful relationship and a workplace betrayal, the talented marketer seeks refuge with an old friend in small-town Montana. And though worried she’s falling in with another control-obsessed hunk, she accepts the kindly neighbors’ invitation to stay with them and their flirtatious son.

Zack MacEntier longs to live down his reputation. With his ranch’s bank accounts at rock bottom, the one-time lady’s man isn’t ready to take on a gorgeous and strong-willed Latina. But when his mother volunteers him to show the lovely newcomer around, the loyal cowboy is secretly glad of an excuse to spend more days in the fierce woman’s company.

Taken aback by local prejudice, Izabel’s concerns over Zack’s stubborn protective streak start to fade when he comes rushing to her rescue. And even as the brave rancher fears that he has nothing to offer the beautiful outsider, their growing passion has placed them firmly in danger’s crosshairs…

Can they survive the unexpected threat and claim a scorching love?

Casanova Cowboy is the steamy second book in the Montana Men romantic suspense series. If you like determined women, heroes with hidden depths, and slow-burn chemistry, then you’ll adore Jamie Schulz’s fiery path to happily ever after.

Buy Casanova Cowboy to flirt with trouble today!

* No cliffhangers. Though the stories intertwine in places, each book is a standalone suspenseful, western romance with adult content. The perfect read for fans of strong heroines, broken heroes, cowboys, horses, slow-burning love, and small-town romance!

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

Her mind filled with thoughts, and scents, and images of this man, of Zack. She welcomed the hungry nature of his kiss and the hard strength of his body, and she wanted more.

Without breaking the kiss, she slid her hands down his chisel chest and tugged at the navy material of his T-shirt until it came free from the waistband of his jeans. Greedily, she slipped one hand inside and she groaned at the hard heat that flexed beneath her fingers. Needing to touch him, to see him, Izabel sat back and jerk the rest of his shirt from his jeans. Frantically, she pulled and pushed it upward until Zack lifted his arms and allowed her to haul the shirt over his head.

She couldn’t seem to catch her breath. The masculine beauty she’d unveiled sucked it all from her chest as her eyes took in every work-hardened crest and valley of his well-built body. The breadth of his shoulders, the thick layers of muscle that made them and his brawny arms bulge and flex when he moved. The perfect plane of his pecs and the ridges of his belly. Her nails rasped over the dusting of dark, curling hair on his chest, her fingers following its path as it narrowed into a line that disappeared under his jeans.

“Izabel?”

She looked up, startled by the strangled sound of his voice. His cheeks were flushed as his breath heaved in through parted lips, and his soulful whiskey eyes were hooded and full of passion as he stared back at her.

“You are gorgeous, Zack.”

He smiled, but when she swiveled and got to her feet, apprehension filled his face. “What are you doing?”

Reaching for the closure of her jeans, her mouth curled suggestively as she popped the button and slowly lowered the zipper.

Zack’s lips tipped up at the corners and appreciation washed over his expression.

Once she’d shed the jeans, Izabel crawled back onto his lap, but straddled his legs this time.

“Did you think I was going to leave?” she asked, flicking her nails over his nipples. Her grin grew when he sucked in a breath and his eyelids closed briefly. When they opened, he cupped her butt cheeks in each of his huge hands and drew her against the large bulge in his jeans.

“I thought so, yes.” He ducked his head and his lips found her neck. “I thought you might leave me with this,” he said as he lifted his hips and pressed himself against her core.

She moaned as he nibbled the tender column of her throat, drawing gasps of pleasure from her. When he found a sensitive spot at the base of her neck, a sharp pang of desire shot through her belly. Lust electrified her, zapping along nerve endings and driving her need for him…for Zack.

“What do you want, Izabel?” His voice sounded rough against her skin. “Tell me what you need.”

“You, Zack. I need you,” she gasped. “I want to see you. I want to feel your skin on mine. I want you to make love to me. Right now!” She reached for her blouse and quickly unbuttoned the first two buttons, but frustrated with how long it took, she reached down and yanked it over her head.

Zack’s passion-filled eyes had followed her movement, but now she sat back and watched as his gaze devoured her. From the disarray of her curly hair to her small breasts and down to the plain white bikini underwear she wore, he soaked it all in as his chest rose with each rapid breath. Slowly, almost reverently, he traced the gentle swell of her breasts above the lace edge of her bra with his fingertips. The touch sent a shiver through her body as need pulsed hot and wet between her thighs.

“Oh, God, Zack,” she cried, the ache from his simple touch so acute, she had to grip his shoulders to keep from tumbling to the ground. Her head dropped back onto her neck and she sighed. “What you do to me…”

“Tell me, goddess,” he said with a throaty growl as his hands bracketed her face and pulled her in for another soul-melting kiss.

“You’ve lit a fire inside me,” she said when he let her up for air. “You give me strength when I feel week. You make me feel strong and beautiful and wanted. You make me want…more.”


Author Bio:

Jamie Schulz lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her family, her husband, and their fur babies. Writing has always been a big a part of her life, and she hopes to one day reach the best sellers lists.

Cowboys, ice cream, and reading almost any kind of romance are among her (not so) secret loves. To her, every one of her stories, no matter how dark, must have a happy ending, and she strives to make them impossible to put down until you get there.

She balances her free time between reading her favorite romance authors--in genres ranging from erotica and dark romance to sweet historicals and contemporary romance--and spending time with her family.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Amazon


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dinsdag 6 juni 2023

Book Blitz ~ The Unseelie’s Wallflower by Elisa Rae #Giveaway

The Unseelie’s Wallflower
Elisa Rae
(Courts of Conflict, #1)
Publication date: June 6th 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Greyson hides many things from the Unseelie Court when they invade his estate each autumn for the Wild Hunt. During his required appearance as host, he is surprised to find a human among the glittering fae. She can see him even when he is using his stealth magic, which means only one thing—they are soul mates. Can he protect her amidst the swirl of fae politics and a plot against her life?

Lyra has grown up among the fae. She has been trained to be the perfect servant. Then her master brings her to the Unseelie Court event of the year and demands she demonstrate her skills to nobles. With the promise of freedom as a motivator, she willingly agrees. Then she realizes her master’s true plan thanks to the intimidating fae lord hosting the event. Though why he would be invested in her fate is a mystery.

The Unseelie’s Wallflower is a light, fantasy romance novella about a relationship between an Unseelie and a human woman. It features faes, fated mates, and a romance between a noble and a servant, all played out against a backdrop of the peril, politics, and maneuverings of the Unseelie Court.

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

Greyson

Then I noticed her, the singular human. A female, small even for her species, hid among the ferns at the foot of one of the massive pillars supporting the soaring ceiling. Dressed simply, she watched the crowd with wary attention, burrowing deeper into the plants’ accommodating fronds every time a guest wandered near her hiding place.

Curious, I meandered that way. Slipping around the far side of the pillar, I settled in the deepest shadows of the plant next to her fern and set my back against the stone. She had chosen a good spot for spying. Most of the foot traffic flowed around this central point, but few of the passersby glanced in our direction. They ignored the greenery placed around the walls and bracketing the windows of my entryway.

“Bored with eavesdropping?” she asked.

I glanced over at her. Fronds framed her features as her bright eyes scanned the mingling crowd. She hadn’t turned my way, but somehow, I was certain she spoke to me. Assessing our surroundings, I noted no one else stood close enough to overhear or be the object of her query.

“Are you speaking to me?” I asked.

“Who else?” She flicked a glance over her shoulder. Blue eyes focusing on my face and the softening of her mouth hinted at a smile.

“You see me?” Utter surprise brought a great rush of excitement. No one saw me when I wished to be hidden. Not even my own kind could detect my passing. Yet this slender human, magicless and helpless, not only saw me but didn’t hesitate to speak to me. It meant one thing. My breath caught in my chest. She was my soul mate.

“Of course, I see you.” Her mouth deepened into a suppressed smile while hidden laughter brightened her eyes. “You are a bit hard to miss.”

Author Bio:

A reader of fairytales and folklore, Elisa Rae loves a happy ending. Noblebright characters, dastardly villains, and chemistry between characters delight her. When she isn’t writing, she loves to watch superhero movies and literary dramas.

Elisa Rae is the pen name of Rachel Rossano.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Amazon


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maandag 5 juni 2023

Book Blitz ~ It Had to be You by Tracy Solheim #Giveaway

It Had to be You
Tracy Solheim
Publication date: June 5th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

It’s hard to keep a big secret in a small town . . .

When Paige Hollister discovers her “Mr. Right” already has a “Mrs. Right,” she swears off men forever. Even more humiliating, she suddenly finds herself labeled the other woman and out of the teaching job she loves. So Paige does what every unemployed single woman staring thirty in the face does: She hightails it to the beach. Bad luck like hers is hard to outrun, however. Her getaway is stalled when her car breaks down in a small-town chock full of meddling, nosy residents. The worst of them being the local sheriff—none other than her estranged father.

Finally on top of the golf world, Tanner Gillette is poised to show everyone he’s not just an entitled playboy coasting through tournaments on his pedigree. That is until his life is turned upside down by a little girl who shows up on his doorstep with a birth certificate inexplicably bearing his name. Complicating matters more, the kid isn’t talking. When the stress of caring for a child whose mother is AWOL gives Tanner a bad case of the yips, he’s forced to enlist help from the one person in town who can’t wait to leave.

Sticking around Chances Inlet and her father’s shiny new, über-successful family isn’t on Paige’s to-do list. Especially when she’d prefer to keep her embarrassing incident under wraps. Yet she can’t walk away from the troubled little girl. Or the sexy Australian golfer who just might make her want to take a chance on trusting her heart again.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

EXCERPT:

She snatched up one of the beach-reads she’d brought from home. The well-worn paperback was one of her “comfort” books. Part of a Victorian era romance series featuring a group of wallflowers trying to find love. The familiar words kept swimming on the page, however, before Paige finally slammed it closed.

“There’s more to life than finding a man, sister,” Paige mumbled. Sighing heavily, she smacked her head against the pillows. “Yet another thing Jon ruined for me. Romance novels.”

She was about to reach for the TV remote when a sound from Whitney’s room caught her attention. Flipping back the covers, she listened intently for it to come again.

“It was probably something outside,” she told herself.

Except it wasn’t. Whitney was crying out in her sleep. And it sounded like she was calling for her mother. Paige raced through the bathroom and into the adjoining bedroom. Whitney was tossing and turning as sobs wracked her small body. As sweet as it was to finally hear the girl’s voice, Paige was devastated by her cries.

“Shh.” Paige crawled into the bed, gathering Whitney up beside her. “Shh,” she repeated. “Everything is going to be okay. You’re safe. I’m here.”

Whitney’s gulping sobs eventually subsided. She curled against Paige, remarkably, still fast asleep. Paige rubbed the girl’s back, softly whispering reassurances. She wiped Whitney’s tear-stained cheeks with the sheet. Within minutes, the child was sleeping peacefully.

A noise in the doorway alerted Paige they were not alone. She looked up to see a shadow of a man illuminated by the hallway lights. After resettling Gladys in Whitney’s arms, Paige replaced her own body with a pillow. She waited a moment to make sure Whitney was settled before slipping out into the hallway where Tanner waited.

A shirtless Tanner.

“She okay?” he whispered.

Paige picked a spot beyond his muscled shoulder where she could fix her gaze to avoid openly drooling at the man.

“Mmhmm,” she answered with a nod.

He took a step closer. “Are you okay?”

She wanted to be blasé and mature, but she wasn’t that skilled at playing it cool. The man’s chest was a freaking work of art. And who knew golfers had six-pack abs? Weren’t they supposed to be pot-bellied or some damn thing? It was the trail of dark hair disappearing beneath his flannel joggers that sent her over the edge.

“Could you—” She wiggled her fingers in the direction of his chest. “Could you cover that up, please?”

He looked at her as though she’d just asked him to shoot a hole-in-one on the moon. Then he chuckled sadistically before turning on his heel and padding down the long hallway leading to his bedroom.

“Water.” Paige fanned herself. “I need some water.”

Hurrying to the kitchen, she filled a glass using the dispenser on the refrigerator door. She was gulping down its contents when Tanner reappeared. Thankfully, he was wearing a T-shirt with what looked like German writing on it. A pair of sheepskin moccasins covered his feet.

“I’ve got something stronger in my study,” he said when he walked past, presumably on his way there.

A smarter woman would have returned to her bed and listened for signs Whitney might be having another nightmare.


Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Tracy Solheim writes books with shirtless men on the cover. Some of them are actually best-sellers. The books, not the men. When she's not writing, she's practicing her curling. . . bottles of wine, that is. She's been known to cook dinner but no more than two nights in a row. Most days, she'd rather be reading, which to her is just necessary research. She lives in the suburbs of Atlanta with her husband and a neurotic Labrador retriever. Her two adult children visit but not often enough. (See the note above about cooking.) Check out her romantic suspense series featuring the Men of the Secret Service--shirtless, of course! See what she’s up to at www.tracysolheim.com

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