More Than Crave You by Shayla Black…Promo Tour Stop

 

I’m Evan Cook—billionaire tech entrepreneur and widower. Professionally, I’ve got it all. But since my wife died, my personal life has fallen apart. Remarrying seems like the obvious answer, so I place an ad. I’m not asking for much. The ideal woman only needs to be smart, organized, pretty, and helpful—both in and out of bed—without expecting romance. I never thought to look right in front of me…but it turns out that Nia Wright, my sexy, sassy assistant, just might be the perfect candidate.

After an unexpectedly hot night together, I’m ready to stop interviewing strangers and simply marry her. On paper, she ticks every box on my list. Best of all, she’s far too sensible to fall for me. I didn’t see the flaw in my logic until it was far too late. I never thought I’d lose my heart for the first time. And I definitely never imagined that she could consume me until I more than crave her. But she’s harboring a secret that could tear us apart—just as I’m finally putting myself together.

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I charge down the hall toward what might be the stupidest mistake of my life.
I move through the sea of bodies, shrugging past the Latina dancer, a few of the French maids, then bump into my assistant’s handsy dance partner. I stare him down. He looks at me blankly. One thing I realize instantly? My gaydar is absolutely silent. He’s every bit as straight as I am.
As he hovers protectively around Nia’s dressing room, I snarl and shoulder my way past him.
He grabs my arm. “Where do you think you’re going?”
“To see Nia. Let go.”
His eyes narrow. “Is she expecting you?”
No. In fact, I’m about to shock the hell out of her. I don’t know if I’ll be unwelcome, but I’m going to test Bas’s theory that she wants me. If he’s right…this could get messy really fast.
I shake him off, barrel inside the room, and shut the door. Behind me, I immediately hear the asshole jimmying the knob. I throw my weight against the portal to keep him out and lock it behind me.
Nia whirls to the sound of my intrusion, dressed in an inch of stage makeup, a silky white robe—and nothing else.
The moment she recognizes me, her mouth drops open. Shock spreads across her face. “E-Evan?”
“Nia.” I can’t find more words. I can’t do anything except stare and put one foot in front of the other. I certainly can’t defuse the anger and possessiveness I know I have no right to feel.
“What are you doing here?”
“That’s my question for you,” I growl. “Why the fuck are you taking your clothes off for strangers?”
She rears back and blinks at me. I don’t think she’s ever heard me curse. I keep the office professional, totally aboveboard. But I can’t manage decorum now when she’s breathing hard and her nipples are poking her thin robe.
She raises her chin and glares at me. Everything about her demeanor is like waving a red cape in front of a bull.
“It’s burlesque, not stripping,” she snaps. “I don’t do this for money. I do it because I enjoy dancing.”
“Yeah? You enjoy that asshole’s hands all over you, too?” Even though the logical side of my brain tells me I’m way out of line, I point at the door behind me and stalk closer to her. “You enjoy sex standing up with him?”
Her nostrils flare. Her mouth presses into a firm line. “Last time I checked, boss, I don’t have to justify my personal life to you.”
The fact she’s right only pisses me off more. “You do when your behavior reflects badly on Stratus Solutions.”
She shoots me a quelling glare. “You’ll have to do better than that. No one in the audience knows who I am. I never take off my mask and I never use my real name. Nothing I do on stage can taint your reputation.” Arms crossed over her chest, she saunters closer. “Why don’t you be honest and tell me what’s really bothering you? I know you’re not this mad simply because I was dressed a little risqué and gyrated on stage with Kyle?”
I debate the wisdom of blurting the truth. The rational part of my brain tells me to shut up, leave, and act on Monday like nothing happened tonight. Every other part of me knows that ship has sailed. My cock is especially eager to lay my cards on the table, grab Nia in my arms…and not worry about what happens next.
“You’re right. I’m mad because I think you’ve fucked him.”
She jerks as if I’ve slapped her. “Not that it’s any of your business, but we haven’t been together in almost two years. Thanks for letting me know you think I’m a whore.”
Hearing I was right royally pisses me off. Having her put words in my mouth kills what’s left of my patience, stripping away anything resembling professional civility.
I try not to squeeze her arms as I drag her close. “I never said that. Or thought it. I’m telling you that I can’t stand knowing he’s touched you. I don’t like the fact you still have anything to do with him. I don’t even understand why I’m here yelling and angry. I’m just…”
How the hell do I put the storm raging inside me into words? No clue, but I need to get it all out somehow or I’m going to explode.
“Jealous?” Soft surprise crosses her face.
Something about her confusion rips the confession from me. “Yes.”
“Because you…want me?”
I grit my teeth and try again to think through the wisdom of spilling all this to her. But I can’t keep it in. The softness of warm silk and hot woman under my palms almost undoes me. “Yes. I know I shouldn’t. I’ve spent forty-eight hours telling myself what I’m feeling is ridiculous and I can’t allow this—whatever it is—into our perfectly comfortable, efficient working relationship. But I can’t turn it off. I can’t fight it. I can’t pretend it doesn’t exist.”
“Is that what you’d rather do? Bury your head in the sand and not feel it?” She looks hurt.
Her expression makes me feel like an asshole. Nia always asks insightful questions. Why should now be different?
I shake my head. “For the first time in months—maybe years—I feel alive.”
Nia stares at me in silence, her gaze fused to mine. I swear I see a hundred thoughts whip through her head. For once, I can’t read a single one.
“Say something.” If she doesn’t soon, I don’t know what I’ll do. I don’t even know if I can be responsible for what happens next.
“Have you been drinking?”
“Not enough to drown out how much I want you.”
“In spite of your opinion about my sexual past? And what about our working relationship?”
She’s not wrong, but they’re barbed questions. I have to maneuver around them carefully. “Nothing matters to me except touching you right now.”
Before Nia can chew on my answer and remember all the reasons she should say no, I pull her against me. She gasps. The instant her soft body makes contact with my hard, aching cock, I groan and hold her tighter, cupping her face and lowering my mouth to her parted lips.

 

Books In More Than Words Series

More Than Want You, Book 1

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More Than Need You, Book 2

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More Than Love You, Book 3

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Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

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Release Day Blitz…..The Brightest Stars by Anna Todd

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The Brightest Stars, a beautiful and gripping novel from New York Times and #1 internationally bestselling author Anna Todd, is LIVE!

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International bestselling author Anna Todd returns with a gripping novel about a young woman’s journey towards love, and the obstacles life throws up at every turn.

Karina knows the harsh realities of military life. And like anyone who has grown up around an army base, she knows the background noise that follows a soldier home from war. That’s why she’s forging her own quiet life in her own little house. But she hasn’t turned her back on her family. She’s the glue that holds them together–when her father is deployed, when her brother, Austin, has another brush with the law.

Karina knows that she has to look after herself, that she can’t always fix what’s broken. But when Austin’s behavior worsens and her father’s reactions grow more extreme, Karina feels her own edges beginning to fray. That’s when she meets him–a closed book she’s desperate to open.

At just twenty, Kael is a handsome, brooding soldier struggling with the aftermath of two tours in Afghanistan. He’s emotionally damaged and closed off. Quiet doesn’t begin to describe him. But as Karina gets used to his stable presence, she finds it hard to ignore the way he makes her feel. In their time together, she finds the stillness she has always wanted and never found. She lets down her guard. And she lets herself fill in the blanks about this mysterious man.

But illusions quickly made are quickly shattered. That’s when Karina has to find her own courage–to untangle the truth from the lies, and decide what she’s going to do about it.

A riveting story about love and lies, THE BRIGHTEST STARS will stay with you long after the last page has been turned.

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Download your copy today

iBooks: https://apple.co/2zu98b1

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2KA7xBB

Nook: http://bit.ly/2QCJzcj

Audible: https://amzn.to/2JRRQFz

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/TheBrightestStars

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2JWAAlP

Barnes and Noble Paperback: http://bit.ly/2zyfdU9

Add to GoodReads: https://bit.ly/2JWokC4

Win a Day With Anna!

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Anna is celebrating the special edition paperback of THE BRIGHTEST STARS sold exclusively at Target Stores with a Golden Ticket Sweepstakes!

Two (2) Winners will each receive:

  • Three (3) days and two (2) nights hotel accommodations in Los Angeles, CA

  • One (1) round trip ticket to Los Angeles, CA for Winner and one (1) guest.

  • Ground transportation to and from the airport and hotel in Los Angeles, CA.

  • A fun-filled activity with Anna Todd

  • One (1) copy of each of the After book series, The Brightest Stars and Nothing More/Nothing Less signed by Anna Todd

For more information on how to enter, visit: http://www.annatodd.com/contest-rules/

About Anna:

Anna  Todd  is the  New York Times  and #1 internationally bestselling author of the After series. An avid reader, Anna began writing stories on her phone on Wattpad, the reading and writing multi platform for original stories, with  After  becoming the most read series on the platform with over 1.5 billion reads. The print edition published in 2014. AFTER has been published in over 30 languages, with more than 10 million copies sold worldwide, and is a #1 bestseller in Italy, Germany, France and Spain.

The film adaptation of AFTER, which Anna is co-producing, is set to be released in early 2019. Anna  and her husband currently live in Los Angeles.

Find her at AnnaTodd.com, on Twitter at @imaginator1d, on Instagram at @imaginator1d, and on Wattpad as Imaginator1D.

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Connect with Anna:

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/authorannatodd/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/imaginator1d

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imaginator1d/

Website: http://www.annatodd.com

Stay up to date with Anna by signing up for her mailing list here:

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Cover Reveal…I Bet You by Ilsa Madden-Mills

Title: I BET You
Author: Ilsa Madden-Mills
Genre: New Adult Romance (Standalone)
Release Date: October 29, 2018
Photography: Wander Aguiar
Model: Steven
Cover Design: Shanoff Formats
Wall Street Journal bestselling author Ilsa Madden-Mills returns with an all-new swoon-fest of a novel about what happens when you look beyond labels and take a chance on love. 
Sexy Athlete: I bet you…
Penelope Graham: Burn in hell, quarterback. 
The late night text is random but Penelope knows exactly who “Sexy Athlete” is. And why she shouldn’t take his wager.
Ryker Voss.
Football star.
Walks on water and God’s gift to women.
Just ask him. 
His bet? He promises Penelope he’ll win her the heart of the nerdy guy she’s been crushing on. His plan—good old-fashioned jealousy. Once her crush sees her kissing Ryker, he’ll realize what he’s missing. Sounds legit, right? The only question is…why is Ryker being so nice to her?
Penelope Graham.
Virgin.
Lover of sparkly vampires and calculus.
His mortal enemy.
Penelope knows she shouldn’t trust a jock, but what’s a girl to do when she needs a date to Homecoming? And Ryker’s keeping a secret, another bet, one that could destroy Penelope’s heart forever.
Will the quarterback score the good girl or will his secret mean everyone loses at this game of love?
Find out in this all-new standalone novel…
Sign up for a text alert on your phone from Ilsa when I BET YOU goes live. 
Only 4 texts a year, max. Text ROMANCE to 21000 to sign up
Wall Street Journal best-selling author Ilsa Madden-Mills writes about strong heroines and sexy alpha males that sometimes you just want to slap. She’s best known for her angsty and funny New Adult college romances. 
A former high school English teacher, she adores all things Pride and Prejudice; Mr. Darcy is her ultimate hero. 
She’s also addicted to frothy coffee beverages, Vampire Dairies, and any book featuring unicorns and sword-wielding females. 
Sign up for her newsletter and automatically receive a FREE novella! 

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Tuesday Teaser…Austin by Jeannine Colette & Lauren Runow

Check out this gorgeous teaser for AUSTIN: A Sexton Brothers Novel by Jeannine Colette and Lauren Runow! AUSTIN will hit your kindle on September 20, 2018! Don’t forget to add it to your TBR and pre-order your copy now!

Title: Austin: A Sexton Brothers Novel
Age Group: Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Date: September 20, 2018
Book Description
Jalynn
I’m the girl who’s always picking up the pieces of other people’s mistakes.
Until tonight.
I accidentally cause one false start, and now I’m being pulled into a guy’s car—who everyone only knows as Falcon—before an illegal street race.
He may not want anyone to truly know who he is, but he’s met his match.
Game on, Falcon.
Austin
People know I run these races.
They know not to mess with me, or my car.
When the identity of the girl who causes a false start is revealed, I have to make an example of her.
Letting her see who I am was never the plan.
Neither was running into her the next day as my brother’s new assistant.
She said she wanted nothing to do with me, but when I yank her into a janitor’s closet, making sure she keeps my secret is the last thing on my mind.
She may want more than my secrets, but my racing may be the last thing I try to hide.

 

 About the Authors:

 


Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn’t writing, you’ll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

You can also stay in touch through the social media links below.

Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/laurenjrunow

Instagram at https://instagram.com/Lauren_Runow/

BookBub at https://www.bookbub.com/authors/laure…

Twitter at https://twitter.com/LaurenRunow

Join her reader group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/16285…

or sign up for her newsletter at http://eepurl.com/btD6j9

Jeannine Colette is the author of the Abandon Collection – a series of stand-alone novels featuring dynamic heroines who have to abandon their reality in order to discover themselves . . . and love along the way. Each book features a new couple, exciting new city and a rose of a different color.

A graduate of Wagner College and the New York Film Academy, Jeannine went on to become a Segment Producer for television shows on CBS and NBC. She left the television industry to focus on her children and pursue a full-time writing career. She lives in New York with her husband, the three tiny people she adores more than life itself, and a rescue pup named Wrigley.

Jeannine and her family are active supporters of The March of Dimes and Strivright The Auditory-Oral School of New York.
http://jeanninecolette.com/

Got it Bad by Christi Barth…Release Day Event

Today we have the release day blitz of GOT IT BAD! Check out the sexy new release and be sure to grab your copy today!

Title: GOT IT BAD

Author: Christi Barth

Genre: Contemporary Romance

 

About GOT IT BAD:

Kellan Maguire’s on the run from the mob, living a secret life. The only bright spot is his U.S. Marshal handler. Yeah, he wants to handle her….a lot. And in spite of all the rules it would break, Federal Marshal Delaney Evans secretly fears she’d risk everything for one night with Kellan. Even though Delaney’s career, her entire world, could implode if she admits how important he is to her. And all that is before the biggest complication of all hits…

Get Your Copy Today!

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Exclusive Excerpt:

“I know that you may have been on dates since you met me. But none of them distracted you from whatever’s simmering between us. You want to turn back the clock to the day I asked you out and follow through on it.”

“I don’t.” Her words were the verbal equivalent of a foot stamp. Then, softer, as if she didn’t mean to speak it out loud at all, Delaney said, “We can’t.”

In response, Kellan framed her face with his hands, tilted her head back more, and kissed her.

Not the light, polite, introduction kiss they’d shared the first time. Delaney had obviously pushed him past that step. Kellan kissed as if he needed her to know just how badly he wanted her. His lips worked across her mouth, moving and kneading. Kellan nipped at her wide bottom lip. It felt like punishment for her making him wait so long

It also felt like a reward for waiting so long, and she rewarded him with a tiny moan.

Delaney’s hands fisted in his thick hair, pulling and tugging. It undoubtedly showed him the insta-heat burning her up inside as much as the way her leg wrapped around his calf.

She wanted more.

His tongue teased at the seam of her lips, and Delaney opened for him like they’d already done this dance a hundred times. She tasted the sweetness lingering from his drink. Desire rocketed through her, turning her nerves to lava. From the way his penis had hardened to pure steel against her belly, Kellan felt the same.

He streaked the backs of his knuckles down the undersides of her raised arms. Kept going to just lightly brush them along the sides of her breasts, her ribs, the flare of her hips to finally land on the curve of her ass.

Kellan dug his fingers in and lifted. Just high enough to press her center against his penis. Instantly, she got on board with the position, rocking against him even as her tongue twined and teased.

It was impossible to stop the little, breathy moans that kept escaping from her. It was impossible not to undulate against his rock hard abs and dig her fingers into the sculpted muscles of his back. Kissing Kellan wasn’t foreplay. It was a sex act all by itself. Utterly satisfying even as it drove her hunger up immeasurably.

And while Delaney would’ve sworn it was impossible, he was a million times better in reality than all the ways she’d fantasized being with him over the past months. Kellan ripped his mouth away to burn a trail of kisses down the side of her neck.

A semi rolled by, and the driver honked for a long time. It had been easy to ignore the white noise of the cars passing, but the horn broke through to Delaney. It reminded her they were on the edge of a green-scummed pond, across from a strip mall. The world could see them making out. And they’d already shot way past a reasonable stopping point.

So she unwound her leg and put her foot back down on the ground. Kellan seemed to get the signal. He dialed back the intensity on his kisses and rained them up the side of her face, down her nose, to end with a light peck on her mouth before easing back. Then he moved his hands to her shoulders.

It took a moment for her eyes to re-open. When they did, it took another moment before Delaney fully focused on him.

“Not only can we kiss,” Kellan said with enough authority to make her realize he wouldn’t allow her to pretend this hadn’t happened. To pretend that she hadn’t just climbed him like a tree and responded with a fervor that matched his own. “We’re absolutely doing it again.”

 

 

 

About the Author:

USA TODAY bestselling author Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance, including the Naked Men and Aisle Bound series.

Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.

 

Connect with Christi:

Website | Blog | Pinterest | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon Author Page | Facebook | Instagram

 

Enter Christi’s Giveaway:

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More Than Crave You by Shayla Black…Release Day Event

 

I’m beyond excited of the release for MORE THAN CRAVE YOU (More Than Words, Book 4)! I can’t wait to bring you to read the newest installment in my More Than Words series. I also hope to see you at my upcoming release party in the Book Beauties!

~ Shayla Black

I’m Evan Cook—billionaire tech entrepreneur and widower. Professionally, I’ve got it all. But since my wife died, my personal life has fallen apart. Remarrying seems like the obvious answer, so I place an ad. I’m not asking for much. The ideal woman only needs to be smart, organized, pretty, and helpful—both in and out of bed—without expecting romance. I never thought to look right in front of me…but it turns out that Nia Wright, my sexy, sassy assistant, just might be the perfect candidate.

After an unexpectedly hot night together, I’m ready to stop interviewing strangers and simply marry her. On paper, she ticks every box on my list. Best of all, she’s far too sensible to fall for me. I didn’t see the flaw in my logic until it was far too late. I never thought I’d lose my heart for the first time. And I definitely never imagined that she could consume me until I more than crave her. But she’s harboring a secret that could tear us apart—just as I’m finally putting myself together.

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Books In More Than Words Series

More Than Want You, Book 1

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More Than Need You, Book 2

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More Than Love You, Book 3

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Shayla Black is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of more than sixty novels. For nearly twenty years, she’s written contemporary, erotic, paranormal, and historical romances via traditional, independent, foreign, and audio publishers. Her books have sold millions of copies and been published in a dozen languages.

Raised an only child, Shayla occupied herself with lots of daydreaming, much to the chagrin of her teachers. In college, she found her love for reading and realized that she could have a career publishing the stories spinning in her imagination. Though she graduated with a degree in Marketing/Advertising and embarked on a stint in corporate America to pay the bills, her heart has always been with her characters. She’s thrilled that she’s been living her dream as a full-time author for the past eight years.

Shayla currently lives in North Texas with her wonderfully supportive husband, her teenage daughter, and two spoiled tabbies. In her “free” time, she enjoys reality TV, reading, and listening to an eclectic blend of music.

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1,001 Dark Nights Bundle Release Day Event

 

We are absolutely thrilled to bring you the newest 1001 Dark Nights bundle! Introducing Discovery Authors Adriana Locke and Stacey Kennedy, the Bundle contains 5 novellas, including novellas from New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Lara Adrian, Laurelin Paige, and Kendall Ryan! Grab your copy of this incredible bundle today!

 

About 1001 Dark Nights Bundle:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors Lara Adrian, Laurelin Paige, Kendall Ryan, and introducing Adriana Locke and Stacey Kennedy.

Five Dark Tales. Five Sensual Stories. Five Page Turners.

MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED: A Midnight Breed Novella by Lara Adrian
Return to New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Lara Adrian’s “addictively readable” (Chicago Tribune) Midnight Breed vampire romance series with a pulse-pounding novella of paranormal seduction and dangerous thrills, where an icy immortal beauty and a lethal Gen One Hunter must confront a powerful enemy while struggling to deny the irresistible calling of their blood.

DIRTY FILTHY FIX: A Fixed Trilogy Novella by Laurelin Paige
I like sex. Kinky sex. The kinkier the better. Every day, it’s all I think about as I serve coffee and hand out business agendas to men who have no idea I’m not the prim, proper girl they think I am. With a day job as the secretary to one of New York’s most powerful men, Hudson Pierce, I have to keep my double life quiet. As long as I do, it’s not a problem. Enter: Nathan Sinclair. Tall, dark and handsome doesn’t come close to describing how hot he is. And that’s with his clothes on.

THE BED MATE: A Room Mate Novella by Kendall Ryan
I might be a typical guy, but these last few years, my love life’s been anything but. From crazy ex-girlfriends to one-night stands who are stage-five clingers, my relationships go bad faster than the milk in your fridge. The only constant has been my best friend Maggie.

Fresh off a bad breakup of her own, I invite Maggie to my guys’ skiing weekend knowing she needs an escape from reality. But then something funny starts to happen. I start noticing things about her that I never noticed before. But am I ready to screw up the best relationship I’ve ever had for a shot at something more?

LUCKY NUMBER ELEVEN by Adriana Locke
I’ve always been the person that does whatever someone tells me I can’t. Can’t graduate with a four-point-oh? Check. Can’t win a modeling contract without trying? Did it. Check. Can’t make it in the pro football league? Triple check with an MVP Award on top. When my best friend told me to stay away from his little sister, Layla, it didn’t sound like a challenge. Then again, I’d never seen her before. He obviously wasn’t thinking about who he was talking to if he believed I could ignore her. I obviously wasn’t thinking of him at all when I fell in love with her either.

HEARTBREAKER: Filthy Dirty Love Book 1 by Stacey Kennedy
Veteran cop, Maddox Hunt, is all about the job. Sure, there are women—lots of women, truth be told—but there’s no one special. Until a one-night stand from his past, rookie Joss O’Neil is assigned to his division. Suddenly, all he can think about is her. Fresh out of field training, Joss has thrown herself into her job, determined to kick-start her career. And while police work has its thrills, her gorgeous new boss is what really gets her pulse pounding. Too bad he’s nothing but a distraction. Especially since he’s as devastatingly handsome as she remembers.

Every Dark Nights tale is breathtakingly sexy and magically romantic.

Experience the 1001 Dark Nights Bundle Here…

Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CAN | Amazon AU

 

 

 

 

About the 1001 Dark Nights Bundle Authors:

Lara Adrian is the New York Times, USA Today and #1 internationally bestselling author of the Midnight Breed vampire romance series and seven award-winning, historical romances, previously released under the pen name Tina St. John.

Lara’s Midnight Breed series is available in hardcover, mass market paperback and e-book through Random House, and in limited edition through Doubleday Book Club, Rhapsody Book Club, Book of The Month, and the Science Fiction Book Club. Unabridged audio editions are available through Tantor Media, Random House Audio, Amazon, iTunes, etc. Lara’s new releases regularly appear on all of the key bestseller lists including the New York Times, USA Today, Publishers Weekly, Indiebound, Amazon.com, Barnes & Noble, etc. There are more than 2 million copies of the Midnight Breed novels in print in the United States.

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Laurelin Paige is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Fixed Trilogy. She’s a sucker for a good romance and gets giddy anytime there’s kissing, much to the embarrassment of her three daughters. Her husband doesn’t seem to complain, however. When she isn’t reading or writing sexy stories, she’s probably singing, watching Game of Thrones and the Walking Dead, or dreaming of Michael Fassbender. She’s also a proud member of Mensa International though she doesn’t do anything with the organization except use it as material for her bio.

 

 

Website | Facebook | Twitter

 

 

A New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of more than two dozen titles, Kendall Ryan has sold over 1.5 million books and her books have been translated into several languages in countries around the world. She’s a traditionally published author with Simon & Schuster and Harper Collins UK, as well as an independently published author. Since she first began self-publishing in 2012, she’s appeared at #1 on Barnes & Noble and iBooks charts around the world. Her books have also appeared on the New York Times and USA Today bestseller lists more than three dozen times. Ryan has been featured in such publications as USA Today, Newsweek, and InTouch Magazine.

 

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USA Today and Amazon Top 10 bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, four sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.

 

 

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USA Today bestselling author Stacey Kennedy has written more than thirty romances, including titles in her wildly hot Club Sin, Dirty Little Secrets, and Filthy Dirty Love series. Her books are about real people with real-life problems, searching for that special thing we call love…in a very sexy way. When she’s not burning up the pages and setting e-readers ablaze, she’s living her happily ever after with her husband and two young children in southwestern Ontario. She’s a firm believer that wine, chocolate, and sinfully sexy books can cure all of life’s problems.

 

 

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Wound Tight by Lorelei James…Excerpt Tour Stop

 

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lorelei James, comes WOUND TIGHT, a new crossover novella in her Rough Riders/Blacktop Cowboys® Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today!

 

About WOUND TIGHT:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lorelei James comes a crossover story in her Rough Riders/Blacktop Cowboys® series…

A May-December romance hotter than the 4th of July…

Bull rider Justin Donohue spent his youth hell-bent on winning world championships. After hitting the big 4-0, Justin takes a job at the Grade A Ranch and Rodeo School, where he immediately locks horns (and lips) with the sexy, sassy Callie—a 22-year-old cowgirl set on seducing him. Discovering their age difference doesn’t deter Callie; neither does Justin’s warning that she deserves more than a busted-up former rodeo cowboy.

From the moment Callie Morgan encounters the hot-as-fire new ranch hand, she knows his gruff manner is an attempt to mask his attraction to her. But she’s never backed down from a challenge, especially not when Justin’s actions speak louder than his denials. Callie doesn’t give a damn that he’s older than her or what others might think of their relationship. The uptight cowboy needs to relax and she’ll do whatever it takes to loosen him up, proving there are no age restrictions when it comes to lust…or to falling in love.

 

Excerpt:

Callie lowered her head to hide her eyes. She loved these women. They supported her in ways even her family hadn’t. Ever since the first time she’d cut her doll’s hair and pilfered her mom’s makeup, Callie had dreamed of working in a salon. It’d taken her longer to get to this point than she’d planned, but now that goal was finally within reach.

Loud clapping alerted them to the presence of Barb—aka the Barbarian—the front end manager. “Foxes. Listen up. Men’s night means we’ll be busy early, so I wanna see your asses on the bar dancing every thirty minutes. If your section is slow…you know the drill. Three-minute solo dance. Any questions?”

No one spoke.

Barb scrutinized each of the seven servers all dolled up…and then Callie. She lifted an eyebrow. “You’re on in ten minutes, Calamity. Get your makeup finished and your hair did and quit helping everyone else.”

“Yes, ma’am.” She twisted the ponytail holder around Vivi’s thick hair and pulled it tightly, fanning it out. “Done. Now move your ass so I can get ready.”

Vivi kissed her cheek and whispered “Thanks” as she passed by.

With no time to do pigtail braids, Callie fluffed up her honey-brown/reddish gold hair—a custom dye she’d formulated herself—with a shit ton of hairspray. She totally rocked the trailer park beauty queen style tonight. She finished her face in seven minutes with time left to dust shimmering powder on her chest, arms, and legs.

Callie remained behind the bar for the first two hours of her shift since she was a fast pour bartender and happy hour was always crazy.

During the first lull, something compelled her to glance at the entrance.

Her heart thundered when she saw the hot new ranch hand she’d spied on at Grade A.

The man could stop a damn cattle stampede looking like that. Black hat, fitted white western shirt, jeans, boots and the commanding presence that sucked the oxygen from her lungs and probably the air from the entire bar.

It’d been ages since she’d felt that twist of immediate lust.

Was he a player? Would he treat every woman to that panty-melting smile? Or would he act cool and aloof? Like he knew he was all that and he could have his pick of anyone in this bar.

The guy he was with—the other new hired hand—said something and the object of her lust laughed.

Sexy smile and a deep, unselfconscious laugh?

Yes, please. She wanted to feel that laughter against her throat. As she rode him to sweaty, loud orgasmic bliss.

At least four times.

She continued to watch him as he ambled toward the bar, that sexy-as-fuck cowboy saunter speaking volumes about how well he moved.

Well, buddy, I’ve got moves of my own.

He hadn’t noticed her yet and it was high time to change that.

Callie waved to the DJ. Then she hoisted herself onto the bar and did one slow spin around the pole to the whoops and hollers of the men surrounding her as she waited for the music signaling her solo dance to start.

Grab your copy of WOUND TIGHT today!

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Lorelei James’ WOUND TIGHT – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

September 12th

Books n Wine – Review

Catty Jane Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

The Book Reading Gals – Review & Excerpt

September 13th

Canadian Book Addict – Review

Novel Addiction – Review

Southern Vixens Book Obsessions – Review

TaSTy WordGasms – Review & Excerpt

September 14th

Literary Misfit – Review & Excerpt

My Girlfriend’s Couch – Excerpt

Under the Covers Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Written Love Reviews – Excerpt

September 15th

Book Addict – Review & Excerpt

Lynn’s Romance Enthusiasm – Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Wicked Babes Blog Reviews – Review & Excerpt

September 16th

Bookgasms Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Crystal’s Book World – Review & Excerpt

Ginreads – Review & Excerpt

The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt

September 17th

Book Lovers Reviews and Recommendations – Review

Cup of Tea Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Family, Books and Food – Review

Sweet Red Reads – Review & Excerpt

September 18th

Bad boys and bedtime stories book blog – Review

Jax’s Book Magic – Excerpt

Nadine’s Obsessed with Books – Review & Excerpt

Read-Love-Blog – Review & Excerpt

September 19th

Brittany’s Book Blog – Excerpt

Gavinsmommaloves2read – Review & Excerpt

Naughty Book Eden – Review & Excerpt

Rainy Thursdays – Review & Excerpt

September 20th

Books 2 Blog – Review & Excerpt

Kay Daniels Romance – Review & Excerpt

Nerdy Dirty and Flirty – Review & Excerpt

We Do What We Want Book Reviews & More – Review & Excerpt

September 21st

Bookstanista – Excerpt

Kari’s Book Reviews and Revelations – Review & Excerpt

Living In Our Own Story – Review & Excerpt

Vivi’s Messy Kitchen – Review

 

 

 

About Lorelei James:

Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of contemporary erotic western romances set in the modern day Wild West and also contemporary erotic romances. Lorelei’s books have been nominated for and won the Romantic Times Reviewer’s choice Award, as well as the CAPA Award. Lorelei lives in western South Dakota with her family…and a whole closet full of cow girl boots.

From Lorelei: “Why do I have a particular fondness for all things western? Well, I’m a fourth generation South Dakotan, living in the Black Hills, which is chock-full of interesting characters, including cowboys, Indians, ranchers, and bikers. The geographical diversity of the surrounding area showcases mountains, plains, and badlands. Living in and writing about rural settings gives me a unique perspective, especially since I’m not writing historical westerns. Through my fictional world, I can show the ideals and the cowboy way of life are still very much alive.”

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Lawbreaker by Kat and Stone Bastion…Release Day Event

It’s LAWBREAKER Release Day!

We’re so excited to share Kat & Stone Bastion’s LAWBREAKER release news with you!

Be sure to read to the end for details of Lawbreaker Release Celebration Giveaways!

And their latest book comes with an advisory label…

Reader Warning: You’ll need to buckle up and load up on snacks and energy drinks, because this baby clocked in at 112,000 words. But the heartwarming story is filled with adventure, dry humor, quick-witted banter, a touch of mystery, and a hard-earned happily ever after. 🙂

LAWBREAKER Cover

Experience what early reviewers are raving about…
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Heartbreaker on Goodreads

About LAWBREAKER:

Raised on the streets, Shay Morgan yearns for a real family, where love is unconditionally offered—even when trust doesn’t come easy. Before that day arrives, she trespasses and steals in order to provide for the few people who’ve gone out of their way to protect her.

Born to privilege, Ben Bishop loathes his family for the despicable things they’ve done, and not done. He vows to be different, play by the rules, do the right thing. Building a thriving nightclub with those who share his values dominates his world.

One explosive night at his bar, Loading Zone, changes everything. For both of them. Forever.

A dance of opponents commences as they thwart with suspicion, start to trust, then sidestep to protect themselves from a fatal blow. Until they soon wonder if they’ve been fighting for the same side all along.

As they begin to open their hearts, they up the stakes with a one-week pact. She shows him the power in breaking the law. He demonstrates the virtue of following it.

Then a far-reaching crime is suddenly exposed—that his family committed. And for one chance moment, Shay and Ben hold the key to right the wrong, correct the injustice. But at what cost?

Will they be able to return from the other side together? Or will their differences tear them apart?

Flirting with danger…has never been so tempting.

***LAWBREAKER is a standalone, full-length new adult romance told in dual POV. Due to mature themes and adult language, this book is for those 18 and older.***

 

Excerpt:

The rumble of the idling V8 engine vibrated through the truck.

Faint gasoline fumes wafted in through the cranked-down windows, then blew out just as fast on the crosswind.

But none of those distractions fazed Shay.

Her attention had fixed solely on me. “Why do you like me?”

More than like you.”

She didn’t say anything to my clarification. Instead, those expressive green eyes searched mine. Her chest rose with a measured inhale, fell on a slower exhale.

Her slender brows twitched down for a split second. “But why?”

A million reasons came to mind.

But in that moment, one echoed with more force than the rest.

“You live loud…without saying a word. When you’re around, you drown out all the noise. When I’m with you, there is nothing else.”

Silence filled the cab.

We sat on opposite sides. Lap belts held us securely down.

But she flattened her small hand over the worn leather of the bench seat, into the space between us.

I bridged the remaining gap, spread my fingers wide, until my larger pinky touched hers, knuckle to tip.

Long seconds drifted by.

The engine rumbled.

The crosswind blew.

But we didn’t move away from our fragile connection.

We stared at each other…and saw through every defense we’d built. As we inhaled and exhaled, breaths coming faster, shallower, I got the sense that we breathed common air for the very first time.

We’d come from different worlds, but we occupied the same space in that moment. In spite of our differences. Maybe because of them.

But on her next quick breath, her brow furrowed. Her hand twitched away.

Whatever she struggled with had broken through. That spiky armor clamped back around her.

Moment over.

And yet, she still stared at me. Gaze fierce. Jaw set. “When I’m with you, I become someone else. I forget who I am. And I can’t let that happen. You make me believe I can trust again. And that terrifies me.”

I stared back at her, undaunted. “I will never let you forget who you are. Become someone else with me, someone better. Get terrified; we’ll only grow stronger.”

After a long beat, she sucked in a deep breath. Then she pursed her lips and blew it out, nice and slow.

She remained silent. Committed to nothing.

But then I felt her pinky press against mine. Tentative, at first. Then firmer, solid.

She’d spoken, in her own way. And I’d heard loud and clear: I’ll become someone better, I’ll get terrified…just as long as you don’t let me down.

I gusted out a relieved sigh. “Well, hell. No pressure there.”

She didn’t laugh. Her eyes narrowed.

I reached farther and slid my hand over hers. “I won’t let you down.”

Nothing in the world could make me blow this…even though the weight of our world rested on my shoulders.

Including lightening the mood. Now. Before she changes her mind and bolts from your truck.

Exclusive LAWBREAKER Excerpt:

From Ben’s point of view…

The rumble of the idling V8 engine vibrated through the truck.

Faint gasoline fumes wafted in through the cranked-down windows, then blew out just as fast on the crosswind.

But none of those distractions fazed Shay.

Her attention had fixed solely on me. “Why do you like me?”

More than like you.”

She didn’t say anything to my clarification. Instead, those expressive green eyes searched mine. Her chest rose with a measured inhale, fell on a slower exhale.

Her slender brows twitched down for a split second. “But why?”

A million reasons came to mind.

But in that moment, one echoed with more force than the rest.

“You live loud…without saying a word. When you’re around, you drown out all the noise. When I’m with you, there is nothing else.”

Silence filled the cab.

We sat on opposite sides. Lap belts held us securely down.

But she flattened her small hand over the worn leather of the bench seat, into the space between us.

I bridged the remaining gap, spread my fingers wide, until my larger pinky touched hers, knuckle to tip.

Long seconds drifted by.

The engine rumbled.

The crosswind blew.

But we didn’t move away from our fragile connection.

We stared at each other…and saw through every defense we’d built. As we inhaled and exhaled, breaths coming faster, shallower, I got the sense that we breathed common air for the very first time.

We’d come from different worlds, but we occupied the same space in that moment. In spite of our differences. Maybe because of them.

But on her next quick breath, her brow furrowed. Her hand twitched away.

Whatever she struggled with had broken through. That spiky armor clamped back around her.

Moment over.

And yet, she still stared at me. Gaze fierce. Jaw set. “When I’m with you, I become someone else. I forget who I am. And I can’t let that happen. You make me believe I can trust again. And that terrifies me.”

I stared back at her, undaunted. “I will never let you forget who you are. Become someone else with me, someone better. Get terrified; we’ll only grow stronger.”

After a long beat, she sucked in a deep breath. Then she pursed her lips and blew it out, nice and slow.

She remained silent. Committed to nothing.

But then I felt her pinky press against mine. Tentative, at first. Then firmer, solid.

She’d spoken, in her own way. And I’d heard loud and clear: I’ll become someone better, I’ll get terrified…just as long as you don’t let me down.

I gusted out a relieved sigh. “Well, hell. No pressure there.”

She didn’t laugh. Her eyes narrowed.

I reached farther and slid my hand over hers. “I won’t let you down.”

Nothing in the world could make me blow this…even though the weight of our world rested on my shoulders.

Including lightening the mood. Now. Before she changes her mind and bolts from your truck.

 

Read Ben and Shay’s romance for yourself…
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Heartbreaker on Goodreads

LAWBREAKER Cover

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About Kat & Stone Bastion:

Shoe and Boot Photo

Kat Bastion won several awards for her bestselling debut novel Forged in Dreams and Magick.

Kat and Stone Bastion’s bestselling first novel No Weddings and the No Weddings series were named Best of 2014 by multiple romance review blogs.

When not defining love and redemption through scribed words, they enjoy hiking in vivid wildflower deserts and ancient tropical forests.

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Release Day Blitz….Big Stick by R.C. Stephens

 

Big Stick, an all-new standalone Sports Romance by R.C. Stephens is AVAILABLE NOW!

 

 

“A sexy NHL player, a sassy heroine, and a heartfelt romance that kept me engaged from beginning to end!”NYT bestseller Mia Sheridan

Hockey is my life. And it’s a great one. There’s an endless line of women, and I get to hang with my best friend Oli. Everything is perfect until she shows up. Oli’s twin sister, Flynn…hates my guts. I don’t blame her. I’m part of one of the worst nights of her life.

Now she’s next door and seeing her every day is killing me slowly. I wonder if we can ever get back to being friends. The way she looks at me sometimes, well, let’s just say my hockey stick isn’t the only thing that’s feeling hard these days.

But if she finds out the secrets I’m keeping, forgiveness will be the last thing on her mind.

 

Get Your Copy Today!

Amazon – mybook.to/BigStickRC

iBooks- https://apple.co/2NZBMTN

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Add to your TBR – https://bit.ly/2v1ljaC

 

 

About R.C. Stephens

As far back as R.C. Stephens can remember she was a sucker for a good romance. Of course there had to be a prince charming even if he ultimately was a dark knight and there had to be a happy ending.

She watched the movie Dirty Dancing way too many times growing up and Jean Claude Van Damme movies too. Go figure!

After years of saying she would write a book one day, she finally put pen to paper and carved out the plot line for what would eventually become the best selling Twisted Series. Now R.C. is just finishing up her tenth book and can’t seem to stop the stories running through her mind. Visit R.C. on her Facebook page to find out what’s new in her life and what releases she has coming up.

 

Follow R.C. Stephens

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/rc.stephens.8/

Website – http://rcstephens.com/

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Newsletter – http://rcstephens.com/newsletter/

 

Excerpt Reveal…Perversion by T.M. Frazier

PERVERSION EXCEPRT REVEAL.jpg

USA Today bestselling author of the King Series, T.M. Frazier, brings you an all new trilogy with an anti-hero you’re going to love to hate and a ballsy heroine with tricks up her sleeve.

PERVERSION, book one in the all-new Perversion Trilogy is coming September 25th and we have the first sneak peek for you!

PERVERSION FULL REVEAL DAY

Synopsis

Love is supposed to be magical.

Ours is suicidal.

The first time I met Emma Jean Parish,

she conned me into taking her p*ssy.

Her cat.

When she was sixteen,

she manipulated me into giving her

her very first kiss.

At eighteen she gave me everything.

She’s a con artist.

I’m a criminal.

I use her.

She manipulates me.

The attraction between us is explosive.

When it detonates

we could both wind up dead.

PERVERSION IS BOOK ONE IN THE PERVERSION TRILOGY

BOOK TWO: POSSESSION

BOOK THREE: PERMISSION

PERVERSION_PRE_ORDER

Pre-order your copy of PERVERSION today!

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2LAHwpP

iBooks: https://apple.co/2AzVzrm

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/PerversionTMF

Nook: https://goo.gl/6cHFKH

Kobo: https://bit.ly/2JwQaQX

Paperback: https://amzn.to/2LTMTR3

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/perversionGR

Excerpt:

Emma Jean

When I was younger, I fell in love with magic. I learned every card trick there was from library books and unmasking magic TV specials. I used to put on shows for Gabby that included escaping from complicated knots and trick handcuffs. But what’s magic besides a sleight of hand?

It’s a lie.

And lying is what I’m damn good at.

My ability to spin a tall tale or two lead to stealing wallets and conning people into taking stray pets for the thrill of it. Now, I’m using it to earn for Marco. The thrill is there, but it’s muted, hindered, lost under his pile of mounting threats.

The inside of the casino smells like stale cigarettes, spilled beer, and burnt coffee. We’re not supposed to be in here. It’s Bedlam territory. But that’s also why it’s perfect.

It isn’t like anyone would recognize us here.

We’ve made friends with a few of the cocktail waitresses by giving them a small cut, and they don’t ask questions or ring any alarms when they see us working. I’ve also been straightening my hair over the last few years since my crazy curls stand out like a reflector on a dark highway. I’ve dyed it a few shades darker than my normal honey blonde to help blend in.

Tonight is starting off well. Gabby and I are working a con we’ve run a few times before.

Gabby walks away, her long dark hair swooshing behind her. She gives me a nod as she passes me by on the slot machine I’m pretending to play. She’s just faked losing an expensive engagement ring at another slot machine. I watched out of the corner of my eye as she frantically looked around for it, then loudly announced a thousand-dollar reward would be waiting at the casino cage for whoever returned it.

She is flawless. She should be an actress. And in another life, she would be.

But we don’t live in another life.

We live in Lacking and belong to Los Muertos.

Our lives are not our own.

A few people casually look around the area, then return to their machines when they don’t find the ring Gabby was ranting about. They won’t either. Because it’s not there.

Yet.

It’s go time.

I strut over to the area Gabby just left and put a dollar in the machine. While the wheels spin, I pretend to pick up the dime store ring I already have in my hand. By the time the machine dings to tell me I’ve lost my dollar, I’m turning the ring over, inspecting it like I don’t have half a dozen more just like it in my drawer back at the apartment.

“Would you look at that?” I mutter to myself loud enough so others around me can hear.

A man in an Adidas jumpsuit with a potbelly taps me on the shoulder. “I’ll take that. I saw the woman who dropped it. I’ll go return it to her.”

Liar. You just want the reward.

“That’s so nice of you,” I say. I hold it out, about to drop it into his hand when I pull it back. “I bet there’s a reward for something this valuable.” I start to walk around the man. “I’ll take it up to management. Maybe, they know…”

“Here,” the man says, holding up a hundred-dollar bill. “Take this. I’ll take it to her. I just…you know, as I said, I want to make sure it gets back to the right person.”

You’re not even a good liar.

Sometimes, it’s just too freaking easy. And this scam wasn’t even an Emma Jean and Gabby original. We saw it a long time ago in a movie starring Jennifer Love Hewitt. Doesn’t anyone else watch movies?

I shrug and pass him the ring. Plucking the bill from his hand, I tuck it into my bra. “Thanks,” I say before quickly making my way toward the large glass front doors. It’s Thursday. Marco’s money is due in two days, and we’re short this week.

Really short.

I walk slowly and wave goodbye to the valets with a smile on my face. “Any luck, tonight?” One asks me.

“I think so,” I answer with a smile. Once I’m down the sidewalk and out of view, I scramble to the side of the casino where I kick off my heels and change from the sequined dress I’d stolen from a dry-cleaner into a pair of cut-off shorts and my yellow Keds.

Now, all I have to do is wait for Gabby.

I don’t have to wait long.

“Run!” Gabby yells, darting from the doors of the casino with two large men wearing tight black security t-shirts close behind. Running from security is terrifying enough, knowing that we’re running from members of the Bedlam Brotherhood kicks it up a notch.

I grab my backpack and sling it across my shoulders. I move as fast as I can until I’m running right alongside her. We race through the gates, cross the street, narrowly avoiding being hit by two cars. We duck into a hole in a fence and run through one backyard after the other.

“One of those cunt waitresses must have tipped them off!” Gabby says, through shallow breaths. She’s barefoot in a black mini-dress hiked up to her ass to give her long legs room to run. Her long thick hair is wrapped around her face, sticking to her mouth.

We hit the sixth backyard. Without another word, we separate behind a clothesline. We’ve mapped out this escape plan a thousand times, but this is the first time we’ve ever had to use it.

When I make it into the central part of town, to the Los Muertos/Bedlam border, I can no longer hear the shouts of the security guards. I lost them.

Hopefully, Gabby did, too.

I use a tower of stacked-up wooden pallets on the sidewalk like a ladder to scale a concrete wall, then drop down into the alley.

I grow more panic-stricken the longer I wait for Gabby. I bite the inside of my lip, pacing back and forth along the high wall. The Bedlam Brotherhood runs the security at the casino. If they catch her and find out who she is? Or worse? Who her brother is? They’ll… I shake the thought from my mind. She’ll be fine.

She HAS to be fine.

Please be okay, Gabby. Please.

I’m trying to catch my breath and pull myself together when I hear a clink echo through the alley as if someone dropped some spare change, followed by the sound of something heavy dropping to the asphalt.

“Gabby?” I ask into the darkness. Thinking it’s her, relief washes over me like rain on a barren desert.

My only answer is the flickering of a fluorescent light mounted high on the roof’s edge of the adjoining building. And the hiss of what sounds like a cat behind a dumpster.

I walk over and peer around it. “Gabby? Are you hurt? Say something!” I whisper-shout.

Someone moves from within the shadow. “Get out here, Gabby. We’ve got to go before Mar…”

The light flickers again, for just a second. That second is all I need to see that the someone slowly stalking toward me is not Gabby.

It’s a man…twice my size.

“Who are you?” I ask, shuffling backward as the man cloaked in a black leather hood emerges from the shadows. The front of his jacket is open. Underneath, he’s shirtless, covered in a sheen of sweat, and more tattoos than visible skin all the way up the front of his throat. His muscled chest and abs flex with each step he takes. The hood shadows most of his face, but when the lights flicker again, yellow eyes glow from within.

And they’re locked on me.

My ‘save your ass’ mode kicks in.

The man is blocking the only exit. My only other chance of escape is to scale the same wall I used to drop into the alley.

I keep moving backward as he approaches until my back hits the wall. I look left and right for something to use to climb on.

There’s nothing but emptiness.

My stomach sinks, but surrender is not an option.

I swallow hard as the alarm bells scream in my head for me to run. Somewhere. Anywhere.

There’s nowhere to go!

My legs tremble. Fear crawls like a million spiders along the backs of my legs. I push myself further against the wall as if I can squish the feeling away, but it’s useless.

Fear consumes me. Swallows me whole.

He continues toward me. As he gets closer, I realize it’s not just sweat glistening on his skin. There’s something else splattered across the tattoos on his chest and on his stubbled jaw.

It almost looks like wet paint.

My breathing stops when he’s close enough that I can make out the tattoo on the front of his throat.

A bleeding black rose.

The symbol of the Bedlam Brotherhood.

I’ve heard stories about Grim. The man in the hood. The executioner for Bedlam. They were all terrifying, but not nearly as terrifying as the reality of coming face to face with the man himself.

“We didn’t do anything,” I blurt. “I mean, we did, but it wasn’t a big deal. I’ll…I’ll give the money back. Just tell your men not to hurt my friend. It was all my idea. Let her go, and you can take me.”

“Who the fuck are you?” he asks. His voice is so thick and deep I feel it more than hear it. Shivers erupt all over my body.

He raises his arm, revealing a long curved blade.

For the first time in my life, I can’t seem to be able to hide my fear with my wit or sarcasm. My throat tightens. I can’t swallow, never mind speak. I’ve lost my words completely, along with my nerve.

The man’s blade drips red onto the pavement from the serrated tip.

Every fear response I didn’t even know I had runs rampant. I’m holding my breath. My muscles tense as if running was still an option. The hairs on my arms and the back of my neck prickle my skin as they stand on end. I raise up to my tip-toes and push back, trying to make myself disappear into the wall.

I glance from the knife back to his chest, then back again. The splatters across his skin?

It’s not fucking paint.

Before I can process what the hell is happening, he switches from slow-stalking mode into hyper-speed, pinning my wrists above my head. His hard, bloodied chest pushes against me, smearing blood across my white tank top, forcing the back of my head to connect roughly with the wall.

“I’ll only ask you this one more time. Who the fuck are you?” His low guttural growl rattles my bones.

His unblinking, angry, golden eyes lock onto mine. Without the fluorescent light, they’re more golden brown than a glowing yellow. As much as I want to, I can’t look away. He could be the last person I ever see.

The thought is just the spike of adrenaline I need.

“Let me go,” I say, finally finding my words. I try and jerk my wrists from his grip with no luck. I’m trapped. My fear and anger rise to the surface, but I shove it back down. Fear won’t get me out of this situation, so it will have to wait for its damned turn.

He digs his rough fingers into my skin. “Answer me. Who the fuck are you?”

The bite of pain only makes me angrier. I throw his question back at him. “Who the fuck are you?”

He glances down at my rapidly rising and falling chest before pinning me with his stare. The corner of his mouth tugs up in a half-smirk.

“So much confidence for someone who’s trembling,” he says with an amused glint shining in his demonic eyes.

I shrug. “Maybe, I’m just not a fan of enclosed spaces,” I say through gritted teeth.

“You didn’t answer me,” he says.

“Why do you have blood all over you?” I answer him with yet another question. “You know, if you were committing some kind of crime back there, you should be more careful. I recommend a bleach bath and death by fire for your clothes the first chance you get. If it’s self-harm, I’m sure there’s a helpline you can call.”

He cocks his head to the side. His nostrils flare. His face is only inches away. I can feel the heat from his body against mine. His cool breath flutters against my neck.

I’ve never been this close to a man before. My trembling grows. My inner thighs shake sending a rippling wave of something very unfamiliar coursing through the center my body. I try and press my legs together to stop it from happening again, but when he uses his knee to wedge my legs apart, caging me in even further, it only grows, uncoiling from within like a slinky being pulled apart at the ends.

I swallow hard as the stubble of his jaw presses against my neck.

“Name,” he demands, his voice raspier than before.

I shut my eyes tight for a beat, trying to gain composure, control, something that will help me as I try and reason my way out of this. “Listen, I didn’t see anything,” I blurt. “That is if you did anything. I’m not going to call the police if that’s what you’re worried about. I wouldn’t anyway, even if I saw something, which I didn’t.”

His brows knit together in a harsh line. “Why?”

His question confuses me.

“Why what?”

“Why wouldn’t you tell the police?”

Because Marco owns them.

“Let’s just say that I haven’t exactly been a model citizen myself tonight. Let’s face it. If the police around here weren’t being paid not to do their jobs, half this town would be locked up.” I take a deep, shaky breath. “Especially people like us.”

He stills. There’s no more talking. Only heavy breathing and a battle of wills. He releases one of my hands. I think he’s reaching for his knife. My blood turns cold. I can feel my face pale as my heart starts beating as faster and faster as if it wants to get in as many as possible before the end.

I’m surprised when he doesn’t go for his knife. Instead, his hand travels slowly down my chest into my cleavage.

“No, don’t!” I say, but it’s too late, he’s already yanked on my locket.

“Please just give it back, and let me go,” I plead. Feeling like it’s my real heart he’s torn from my chest. “It’s the only thing in this world that means anything to me. Besides my best friend, it’s all I have.”

I hate the desperation in my voice, but it’s the truth.

He’s silent for a moment. He raises his arms. I flinch, raising my arms over my face defensively. But when nothing happens, I lower them, just in time to see him push back his hood, revealing his face.

“Why?” I ask, closing my eyes knowing full well that the only time a criminal reveals himself to a witness is right before they take them out.

“Look at me,” he demands, holding my face in his hand.

“No!” I say, shutting my eyes tighter.

“Look at me!” he bellows. He’s on me again. This time, he holds my head in his large rough hands. “Open your fucking eyes so you can see me.”

With no other choice than to get my head squished like a turtle under a car tire, I do as he demands. Opening my eyes, I blink through the haze, and when it clears, I’m met with tousled, medium-length, light brown hair, slicked back on the top, shorn close to head on the sides. His nose is slightly crooked like it’s been broken a few times before. The stubble on his square, defined jaw is a few days over needing a shave. A jagged scar runs through his chin like an angry white lightning bolt.

He’s the most fucking beautifully terrifying man I’ve ever seen.

He’s searching my eyes for something, but I don’t know what.

“Why?” I ask in a whisper.

His hands release mine, but he doesn’t step back. He leans in closer, speaking against my cheek in a rumble of a whisper. The strange feeling from earlier comes back as a zap of electricity bouncing around my insides looking for somewhere to ground.

I’m breathing heavy. Our lips are so close, almost touching. He slides one hand off my face, snaking it around my neck, pulling me closer. He starts to answer in a rumble of a whisper, causing goosebumps to rise on my already prickled skin. “Because I want you to see the face of the man who’s just—”

“Where the fuck are you?” calls Gabby from the other side of the wall. “I lost them!”

The moment, whatever it is, is now broken. The man releases me so suddenly I brace myself against the wall to keep from falling. I turn my head toward her voice.

“Gabby!” I shout back.

My heart is beating out of control. Out of habit, I raise my hand to my chest, seeking familiar comfort.

I look up. The man in the hood is gone.

And so is my locket.

About the Author

T.M. (Tracey Marie) Frazier never dreamed that a single person would ever read a word she wrote when she published her first book. Now, she is a five-time USA Today bestselling author and her books have been translated into numerous languages and published all around the world.

T.M. enjoys writing what she calls sexy‘wrongside of the tracks romance’ with morally corrupt anti-heroes and ballsy heroines.

Her books have been described as raw, dark and gritty. Basically, what that means, is while some authors are great at describing a flower as it blooms, T.M. is better at describing it in the final stages of decay.

She loves meeting her readers, but if you see her at an event please don’t pinch her because she’s not ready to wake up from this amazing dream.

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