Dare to Love a Spy by Debra Elizabeth (spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

Dare to Love a Spy

by Debra Elizabeth

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GENRE: Regency Romance

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BLURB:


Miss Hannah Richardson is enjoying a Season in London. She's not looking for a husband, at least not this Season. She wants to enjoy herself before settling down to married life. All that changes, however, when she sees the Duke of Wetherby. He's tall, dark and impossibly handsome and someone Hannah wants to get to know better.

Camden Darkin, the Duke of Wetherby, is not fond of attending soirees, dinners or balls, but his latest mission for the Crown demands he mingle with the ton. He has vowed never to marry because of his dangerous work and the constant bevy of beauties anxious mothers throw into his path is not tempting him in the least. That is, until he meets Hannah Richardson, a young woman unlike any other he's ever met. Can he learn to love or will his hardened heart rob him of the very thing he needs the most.

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EXCERPT

Camden Darkin stared at the pile of papers spread out on his large oak desk—Parliamentary papers, receipts, invoices, invitations—the list went on and on. He ran his hand through his dark hair, frustration etched on his handsome face. This was not the life he had envisioned for himself. He was a soldier and a spy, not a duke. The untimely death of his older brother, Alexander, had cast him into a position that he was not comfortable with and woefully unprepared for. He had not been the one sitting at Father’s knee, learning all the intricacies of running a successful dukedom. Alexander had excelled at it, and Camden had made a practice of skipping lessons, although his father had tried to engage him in the details. His brother had been the heir and the next Duke of Wetherby. Camden was used to blending into the background, using his perceptiveness to root out conspiracies against the Crown. That was what he was good at and that was the only thing he wanted to do. Unfortunately, life had had other plans for him, and try as he might, he could not think of any way to change that.

With Alexander’s sudden death eighteen months ago, Camden was now responsible for his sixteen-year-old sister, his thirteen-year-old brother who was currently away at Eton, and his mother, Katherine, the Duchess of Wetherby, at least until he married. That was another point of contention. Marriage was for other people, not him. It was the problem that plagued him most these days. He didn’t want to marry, especially after enduring the aftermath of Henry’s horrific death. His friend had died on his watch. He was responsible for the lives of the spies under his command. What kind of spymaster was he if he could let this happen? Henry’s wife was devastated, and Camden did not want to subject any woman to that late-night knock on the door. Witnessing Lady Sunderland’s distress at losing her husband was enough to strengthen his resolve never to marry.
 
He had made up his mind to hold steadfast to his decision. The dukedom would pass to his brother, William, and Camden would make sure he was well schooled in the running of it.

He was drowning under the burdens and responsibilities of so many lives—his mother, his sister, his brother, his tenants—it was enough to keep him awake long into the night. Adding to this stress was his work for the Crown, and Camden had no time to dwell on anything or anyone.

Except.
 
Maybe.

Miss Hannah Richardson.




Dare to Love a Spy will be $0.99 during the tour.


Amazon link

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Debra Elizabeth is the romance pen name for fantasy author Debra L. Martin. She has been writing stories since her teens and decided to finally publish her romance stories under a pen name so as not to confuse her fantasy fans. She publishes epic and urban fantasy under her true name with her co-author and brother, David W. Small. A full list of all of her books can be found at her blog, Two Ends of the Pen.



Website
Facebook
Twitter

Amazon Author Page

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GIVEAWAY


a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here


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My review:

3.75 out of 5 stars

Dare to Love a Spy by Debra Elizabeth is part of the ‘Age of Innocence’ series. The story centers around Camden Darkin, the Duke of Wetherby, as he is trying to discover who is killing his agents, and Hannah Richardson, a somewhat headstrong young miss enjoying her first Season, thanks to her aunt and uncle. The two main characters continue to cross paths under suspicious circumstances but their undeniable attraction builds and threatens to disrupt not only Camden’s investigation but also his peace of mind. Unfortunately, the danger increases as well, and their romance may have to end before it can even begin.

This romantic suspense tale is set in historical England and provides a glimpse of the network in place to keep the Crown safe, contrasted with the glittery world of the aristocrats as they maneuver to ensure their succession. The hint of danger provides an exciting element to the story and it is fun to see the dual roles many of the characters play, although it would have been nice to see more of their background in the network. I wish there was a bit more depth to the hero and heroine as I didn’t feel a strong connection to them, and wasn’t sure I was convinced of their suitability, although I did enjoy watching the heat build between them. She seems a little too naïve and sheltered to match his worldliness and knowledge, and her inability to keep her curiosity in check would seem to be a terrible liability. This story provides cameo appearances by characters who starred earlier in the series, but it stands alone just fine. I think this is an entertaining light read that will be enjoyed by fans of historical romance who like a hint of danger in their stories.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review

Sell More Books with Less Social Media by Chris Syme (spotlight)

(I originally posted this on my editor's blog, so my apologies for the repetition to those of you who get notices from both blogs!)




I was intrigued by the opportunity to read and review a book called Sell More Books With Less Social Media: Spend less time marketing and more time writing by Chris Syme. I am very aware of the onus on authors to distinguish themselves in a morass of material that is getting more and more crowded every day, and, as a very busy editor and reviewer, I see the issue from both sides. Personally, I have steadfastly refused to join Facebook, both because I am a very private person AND because I love to enter contests and read blurbs and reviews (and jokes and recipes and…) and I suspect I would never get anything else done.
One of the multiple things on my to-do list is to write a review for this title, but I give it high marks for practical and straightforward advice, and with its fantastic pre-order price of $.99, I think that it would be a mistake not to add it to one’s library. Unfortunately, time is running out quickly, so take advantage of the great price!

(I will have my full review up soon, but am dealing with some personal challenges, so I am a bit behind. I can't stress enough how valuable I think this info is to authors at all stages of the journey and what a great bargain the advice is at this price, particularly with the online tools also being offered).

Wired Series by Sabrina York (spotlight and GIVEAWAY) ADULT titles

Wired Series

Book 1: Adam’s Obsession 

Book 2: Tristan’s Temptation

Book 3: Making Over Maris

 by Sabrina York
ADULT titles

Scroll down to enter the Wired Series Tiara Giveaway!

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When brothers Tristan and Adam started a tech company with their college friend Jack, they made one firm, unbreakable rule: thou shalt not fish in the company pond.

What a pity all three men find themselves entangled with women they cannot resist!

READ MORE! 

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Adam’s Obsession by Sabrina York:
2013 Passionate Plume Finalist

Hopelessly shy and utterly repressed, Katherine Hart slakes her taboo desires online, where the anonymity allows her to indulge without embarrassment. Her virtual lover, Savage, is willing to meet her every need, especially once he discovers her naughty little secret—more than anything, she craves a masterful man. Fortunately, Savage is just that. And then some.

When Adam Trillo—aka Savage—discovers the shameless, erotic woman he’s been tangling with online is actually his demure coworker, he’s determined to seduce her in real life. He longs to release the wild Kat he knows lurks just below the surface. With a relentless mix of domination and persuasive charm, he draws her into his web until she’s helpless to deny their mutual passion.

Particularly when she’s tied to his bed.

Release Date November 3rd

Read an Excerpt
Amazon Buy Link

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Tristan's Temptation by Sabrina York:

The red-hot sequel to Adam’s Obsession.

Tristan Trillo has one steadfast rule—thou shalt not fish in the company pond. That puts his executive assistant Shannon Weiss firmly out of reach. He tells himself the secret steamy computer simulations he creates—ones featuring a seductress with more than a passing resemblance to Shannon—are enough. But watching the virtual Shannon get spanked or tied up, taken from behind or while down on her knees, just makes him want the real Shannon more.

When Shannon discovers the depth of Tristan’s desire, she vows to seduce him in real life, his rule be damned. After a blazing, illicit tryst in Tristan’s office, he insists they can never do it again. So Shannon, ever the obedient assistant, makes certain the next time she seduces him, they do something completely different.

Poor Tristan is a man trapped between his steadfast rule and a burning passion. A rock, if you will, and a very hard place.

Release Date November 17th
Read an Excerpt 
Amazon Buy Link

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Making Over Maris by Sabrina York

When über-nerd Jack asks Sara to make him more attractive to women, she can’t say no–even though it’s an impossible task. He’s shaggy and doughy and hopelessly inappropriate. He has no style or emotional intelligence but he’s a good person. And a great friend. What Sara never expects? Beneath all that fur and geekiness is a steamy hunk just waiting to emerge.

Jack takes Sara’s regimen very seriously, working out and losing weight until he feels like a new man. He even complies with her command to shave his beard–because Jack didn’t ask Sara to make him over so he would be attractive to other women. He only wants to be attractive to her. They go on a series of fake dates, each hotter and more sinful than the last. It’s not long before Sara discovers Jack’s secret desire to be dominated and what began as an arrangement becomes something amazing–something that could be real.

Release Date December 1st

Read an Excerpt
Amazon Buy Link 

ENTER TO WIN ONE OF THREE TIARAS IN THE WIRED SERIES GIVEAWAY!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

A Killer's Grace by Ronald Chapman (Spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

A Killer’s Grace

by Ronald Chapman

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GENRE: Suspense

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BLURB:

From the high desert of New Mexico comes a tale of mystery, murder and redemption. When journalist Kevin Pitcairn receives a disturbing letter from a serial killer, he is drawn into a compelling journey with profound psychological and spiritual implications, not just for the murderer, but for himself and society as a whole. As he tries to investigate and then tell the story, he finds himself battling his own inner demons and sordid history. Events conspire to propel an isolated matter to a national stage and audiences that are increasingly hostile. Forced to explore the roots of human psychology and sanity, Pitcairn must navigate moral and philosophical realms. What is the nature of evil? What powers of choice do humans actually possess? How may we be redeemed? And in the end, how do we reconcile with ourselves?


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EXCERPT


“You were up even earlier than usual, Cito,” she whispered with the Spanish lilt so common to New Mexican Hispanics. “The nightmare again?” she asked.

The irony of the nickname was not lost on him. Kevincito, Cito for short. Little Kevin. Pitcairn shook his head in response. “No, it was the letter. My instincts tell me to check it out. It’s a great story but I don’t really know what Davidson wants. And for reasons I can’t explain, I’m reticent.”

Maria Elena’s eyes blazed in response. “Why are you interested in that bastard at all? He deserves what he’s going to get!” To emphasize the point, she mimicked his impending execution with a full body spasm simulating the electricity coursing through him. Her glare locked onto his eyes before she spun on her heels to flip the eggs and stir the carne adovada.

Her infrequent bouts of steeliness always threw him off balance. He had learned to use the instant of quiet that followed to think before proceeding, and to swallow his tendency to react. It was simply a part of her capricious emotions.

“Emmy,” he began with her nickname, a playful variation on her initials, “if what Davidson writes is true, he’s not an evil man. And that’s a story that needs to be told.”

Amazon buy link




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AUTHOR Bio and Links:


Ronald Chapman is owner of an international speaking and consulting company, Magnetic North LLC. In addition to international accreditation as a speaker and national awards for radio commentary, he is the author of two novels, My Name is Wonder (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016) and A Killer's Grace (Terra Nova Publishing, 2016 and 2012), two works of non-fiction, Seeing True: Ninety Contemplations in Ninety Days (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2008) and What a Wonderful World: Seeing Through New Eyes (Page Free Publishing, 2004) and the producer of three audio sets, Seeing True: The Way of Spirit (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2016, 2005), Breathing, Releasing and Breaking Through: Practices for Seeing True (Ozark Mountain Publishing, 2015), and Seeing True – The Way of Success in Leadership (Magnetic North Audio, 2005). Ron provides a wide array of social media content at www.SeeingTrue.com, content for people in substance abuse recovery at www.ProgressiveRecovery.org, and other content from his master site, www.RonaldChapman.com. He holds a Masters in Social Welfare from The University at Albany (New York.) Prior to his relocation to Atlanta, Georgia in 2008, he was a long-time resident of Albuquerque, New Mexico.


Note: A Killer’s Grace is one of two novels by Chapman being released simultaneously by Terra Nova Publishing, the other being My Name is Wonder. The publisher commented, ““It is remarkable that these two books can be so very different but somehow speak to the same messages.”


LINKS

Goodreads
Website for other information from the author.
Link for ongoing social media content including blogs, v-logs, graphical materials, etc.
Link for materials relevant to those in recovery from substance abuse.
Facebook


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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway


The tour dates can be found here


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My review:

4 out of 5 stars

A Killer’s Grace by Ronald Chapman is an introspective and philosophical look at the thorny issues of guilt and responsibility for one’s actions. Catalyzed by a letter from a convicted serial killer, journalist Kevin Pitcairn starts a controversial investigation that leads him to question the precepts of his life and forces him to face his own demons as well as stir up painful issues for those around him. His perseverance and drive force him to make sometimes unwelcome discoveries and changes his worldview forever.

This book was a bundle of contradictions for me. It started off relatively slowly, albeit punctuated by vivid imagery celebrating the wild beauty of the deserts and canyons of the American southwest. I felt removed from Pitcairn’s struggles at first, despite my appreciation for his canine companions and my vicarious enjoyment of the savory dishes he consumed. The more I followed this tenacious man on his journey, and saw how others responded to him, while learning about his past and the torments he struggles with, the more I became invested in his search. 

There were periods that were a little ponderous for me, but I appreciated the focus on the ripple effect of our actions, and thought that the message of ‘violence begets violence’ is sadly very apropos for today’s society. I love the quote from Maya Angelou, “You did then what you knew how to do, and when you knew better you did better.” and think it gives a great overview of life. 

There are definitely religious overtones to the story, despite the hero’s decided agnosticism, but his discovery of the components of grace support the concept of a higher power. I think this was an excellent tale of the importance of atonement and forgiveness in a story that parallels the phenomenon of flash flooding briefly touched upon, i.e. a quiet and unassuming journey that starts slowly and suddenly takes off like a juggernaut and sweeps away masses of preconceptions and changes the landscape of belief. I'm not sure I agree with the categorization of suspense for the genre but this is definitely a thought-provoking story of self-discovery and the search for grace.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review

The Black Werewolves Box Set: The Dark Ones, The 24hourlies & Chased by Gaja J. Kos (VBB, excerpt, and GIVEAWAY) GFT

The Black Werewolves Box Set

by Gaja J. Kos

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GENRE: Urban Fantasy / Paranormal Romance

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BLURB:

Enter the world where myth becomes reality, where long forgotten gods walk the earth, and where love forms bonds that cannot be broken even in the raging winds of battle.

Box set contains: The Dark Ones, The 24hourlies, Chased (novella)

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EXCERPT


Rose felt his muscles flex in graceful movement as he sprinted towards the courtyard that lay just beyond the alley. As soon as they left the narrowness of the walls, he leaped into the air and extended his wings, each bat taking them higher, until she could see the length of her street coming into full view below them. The simargl used the wind currents, leisurely taking her in a semi-circle around her neighborhood, before rising higher, his fur and his feathers shimmering in the unimpeded rays of sunlight.

The wind brushed against her skin as they gained speed; it would have been painful for a human, their less protected skin exposed to the elements like this, however, she welcomed the coolness it brought, knowing she still had the luxury of doing a half-shift at any time, should the strokes of fresh air become too aggressive for the tough, but nonetheless more sensitive human form.

The green landscape of Slovenia lay outstretched below them as the simargl kept a steady course, leaving the concrete circle of Ljubljana in the distance and taking them further southeast.








Buy links for book:

Amazon
iTunes
Nook
Kobo


The set is available at a special price of $.99 for a limited time only

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:



Gaja J. Kos is the international bestselling author of the urban fantasy series BLACK WEREWOLVES and the erotic paranormal romance novellas DROWNED. She is also a bilingual poet with 12 published poetry collections.



Gaja resides in Celje, Slovenia, with her husband and two Chinese Crested dogs.





Other links:

Webpage
Facebook
Twitter

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GIVEAWAY

a Rafflecopter giveaway  


The tour dates can be found here

Curse on the Land by Faith Hunter (spotlight, excerpt, review, and GIVEAWAY) LTP

CURSE ON THE LAND

by 

Faith Hunter

Blurb: Before Nell Ingram met skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, she had no one to rely on, finding strength only in her arcane connection to the dark woods around her. But now she has friends in the newly formed PsyLED team to keep her grounded — even if being part of the agency responsible for policing paranormals comes with dangers of its own…

After training at the PsyLED academy, Nell returns home to her woods to find the land feeling sick and restless. And that sickness is spreading. With the help of her team, under the leadership of agent Rick LaFleur, Nell tries to determine the cause. But nothing can prepare them for the evil that awaits: an entity that feeds on death itself. And it wants more….


EXCERPT

Occam said, “Nell? What? What’s happening?”

“I think . . .” I turned and jogged to my right, to the baby car seat we had seen on the way in. “There’s a baby,” I whispered. “I didn’t feel it on my scan. Maybe because it’s in a car seat on a heavy rubberized frame.”

“Don’t touch it, Nell. Do not touch it. The baby will be contaminated.”

“I know.” But that might not matter. I dropped to a squat at the baby’s car seat, both knees up, off the ground, touching the dirt and grass with only my rubberized field boots. The little girl was dressed in pink, and she smelled of dirty diaper and sour milk and tears. She was sunburned, dark- haired, with green-brown eyes. My bloodlust withered and died at the sight of the child. I managed a deep, filling breath and blew it out.

The baby saw me and started squalling. “Can’t leave now. She’s thirsty. Hungry. Needs changing.” I looked around and saw a box of diapers and plastic-bottled formula, and everything I needed. “I can’t leave her here alone. And I can’t take her with me to contaminate the others. So it looks like I’m staying.”

“Stop, Nell. Don’t do this.”


CURSE ON THE LAND (Nell Ingram #2) | Faith Hunter | Roc Mass Market Paperback | $7.99 | 352 pages | November 1, 2016 | ISBN: 9780451473325 | Goodreads link


Purchase links:
Amazon:
Barnes & Noble
Books-A-Million
Google Play
iBooks
Kobo


About Faith Hunter:

Faith Hunter, fantasy writer, was born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. She writes three Urban Fantasy series: the Skinwalker series, featuring Jane Yellowrock, a Cherokee skinwalker who hunts rogue vampires. The Soulwood series, featuring earth magic user Nell Ingram. And the Rogue Mage novels, a dark, urban, post-apocalyptic, fantasy series featuring Thorn St. Croix, a stone mage. (There is a role playing game based on the series, ROGUE MAGE.)


Under the pen name Gwen Hunter, she writes action-adventure, mysteries, and thrillers. As Faith and Gwen, she has 30+ books in print in 29 countries.


Hunter writes full-time, tries to keep house, and is a workaholic with a passion for travel, jewelry making, white-water kayaking, and writing. She and her husband love to RV, traveling with their rescued Pomeranians to whitewater rivers all over the Southeast.


Find Faith online at her website, her blog, on Twitter, Facebook, and Goodreads.




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GIVEAWAY

There is a tour-wide giveaway for 5 copies of CURSE ON THE LAND, 2 sets of the Soulwood novels (BLOOD OF THE EARTH & CURSE ON THE LAND), and a $25 gift card to Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Giveaway runs October 17th to November 12th.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


Follow the tour at this link

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My review:

4 out of 5 stars

Curse on the Land by Faith Hunter is the second book in the ‘Soulwood’ series, and continues the saga of Nell Ingram’s journey as she becomes a vital part of the PsyLED (Psychometry Law Enforcement Division of Homeland Security) team. Finding a way to apply everything she has been taught in ‘Spook School’ while dealing with her personal issues such as the inimical being infecting her land, and trying to pass her probationary period has Nell reassessing her life and her approach to it. Using advanced technology to evaluate the particles named psysitopes, the team discovers that the new equipment and knowledge Nell has brought is going to get quite a workout because an epidemic of cases is rapidly spreading and the team is about to be handicapped by the upcoming full moon.

This urban fantasy series has spun off from the remarkable Jane Yellowrock tales and explores different facets of the world through the eyes of a woman whose existence has changed dramatically from a simplistic and self-effacing role to that of protector and proactive problem-solver. I think that the author set the bar so high with Jane’s stories that it is difficult to maintain that intensity in this series, since the framework has to be established.

There are sections that were a little slow for me, particularly with respect to what Nell learned while away at school and the meters that become more and more critical to the case, but these were interspersed with amazing and sometimes disquieting events, both in the world and within Nell herself. I love that there is an evolution within these stories and many of the players become more 3-dimensional, while others demonstrate amazing sentience and provide tendrils to connect to future stories. The felid members of the team definitely provide interesting twists and I was delighted by the cameo appearance by Jane. Although I didn’t enjoy this portion of Nell’s journey as wholeheartedly as I did the first story in the series, it still was an impressive addition to the collection and makes me anxious to continue to accompany Nell on her voyage of self-discovery and find out what other earthshaking changes she can catalyze in the world around her.

A copy of this title was provided to me for review

Contests, giveaways, and musings...

Night Owl Reviews has a Reader Hallowpalooza Scavenger Hunt at this link

Romance Books 4 Us has an October Halloween Ghost contest (ending very soon) at this link

There's a Spooktacular Giveaway Hop at this link

Writerspace.com has tons of contests at this link, and Sunday, Oct. 30, is hosting the Halloween Mash. Register ahead of time at this link.


Don't forget to check my blogposts for the past week, there are several great contests hosted by individual authors still open


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I'm very behind on a myriad of things (including responding to all of you wonderful people who take the time to visit this blog and leave comments and enter the contests) but it's partly because I haven't figured out a way to increase the number of hours in a day, lol.

I had the wonderful opportunity to work with the fascinating folks who put on the InD'Scribe conference that was held locally recently, and when I get my act together (hopefully) I will post about my experiences there, getting to know some of the remarkable authors who have gone the Indie route or who are juggling both worlds. I will share with you a picture of one of my favorite sights...

Dragon courtesy of the effervescent TJ McKay!

My hubby and I are both challenged and blessed to have both his mother (who is 88) and her very good friend (who is 87) in our lives. Together they have a myriad of medical challenges and life has become a whirlwind of doctors' appointments and caregiving tasks which take up much of our time.

There is also a lot of compromise involved, as each lady has very determined opinions of what is and is not acceptable or desirable in life. We have learned to go with the flow and do our best but realize that each of these very remarkable women has her own way of approaching life and it is not up to us to force our dictates, no matter how clearly we see that something should be done otherwise. That doesn't mean that a little judicious tweaking doesn't happen sometimes, it just means that we have learned the phrase, "It is what it is."

Which brings me to my own challenges. I wear several hats...editor, reviewer, proofreader, blogger, tour host...in addition to the personal ones, including gardener and all-around house elf. So, my apologies when things get delayed a bit, I'm juggling as fast as I can, but I do take time to do some things for fun...and that includes chatting with other readers, some of whom are authors or reviewers or have other roles in the publishing industry.

Recently, the gracious folks at Writerspace.com have allowed their chat moderator to start a Friday evening chat. It's at 6 p.m. Pacific and we would love it if more folks start popping in to share what they're reading or what they want to read, and to visit with the authors we are coaxing to join us. Mark your calendars and come by, we'll be happy to show you the ropes!  Link
Once you get to know us, perhaps you'll join us throughout the week as we chat with various featured authors!

Second Chance by Suzi Macdonald (Release Day Blitz) Roane Publishing

HAPPY BOOK BIRTHDAY TO 

SECOND CHANCE!

Second Chance
A Contemporary Romance Novel
By Suzi Macdonald
Release Date: October 17, 2016
Keywords: Contemporary Romance, Second Chances, Reunion, First Love, Decisions, Family

Blurb:  Teige Adams fell for the dazzling Alexandra "Zani" Fairmichael in high school, but Zani was far too sophisticated to fall for a tall, geeky misfit like Teige. Twenty years later, he is a successful photographer with a string of glamorous ex-girlfriends behind him, and Zani has become plain Allie Brown, the mother of demanding teenage twins.

When Teige discovers Allie has separated from her husband and is moving back to their hometown, he is determined to try for a second chance at the girl he never had. But Allie, on the rebound from a difficult marriage, isn’t certain what (or who) she wants. Plus, Teige’s slightly unhinged ex-fiancée and Allie’s soon-to-be-ex-husband have their own ideas about who Teige and Allie should be with. And then there is Katie, who is certain Teige is "The One" for her.

Will Teige finally win Allie’s heart – or is it too late for a second chance?

 

Excerpt:

“I’m sorry I ran away and left you,” I murmured against his chest. His arms felt

so safe and strong and forgiving. He smelled of booze and leather and perfume, and

something salty and bittersweet underneath, like…

Like sweat. And sex.

I pulled back a little so I could see his face but I wasn’t ready to relinquish

those arms yet, no matter what my head was trying to tell me. “Where were you

tonight? Were you out?”

He shook his head. “I’ve been at home. I left Jake at the hotel at about, oh,

five o’clock?”

I didn’t really want to ask, but I couldn’t stop myself. “Alone?”

He hesitated and that told me more than any words. My heart dropped like a

stone.

“With Eva?” I asked hesitantly, not sure how I would feel about that at all.

“No, not Eva.” He tried for a smile. “Someone I was taking pictures of, that’s

all.”

“A job? After being in the pub all afternoon?” Even I wasn’t that credulous.

“More of a favor for a, um, friend.” His eyes were soft but there was something

in them that warned me to leave it at that. Because if I asked he might just tell. And I

honestly wasn’t sure I wanted to know. His arms tightened around me.

“So what are you doing here?”

I felt the chuckle rumble through his chest and some of the tension left his

body. “I just wanted to see you, that’s all.”

“At midnight? When you’ve been drinking?”

“You’re worth the risk.”

What girl could resist? He tilted my head up and kissed me softly. He tasted of

toothpaste with a slightly sour side of old wine. But he was still Teige.

“Do you want to come in for a coffee or something before you go back?”

He shook his head. “I’m OK. I stopped drinking hours ago. Anyway, I don’t

want to upset those excitable girls of yours.” He glanced up to the bedroom window

even though I was sure we were invisible, tucked up as we were in front of the door.

“Listen, I wanted to ask… will you come to the reunion with me on Friday?”

My heart fluttered. “Like–a date?”

He grinned. “Yeah. Like a date.”

I hesitated for a second although I didn’t really need to think about it. I just

wanted to enjoy the look of anticipation on his face. “OK then.”

He nodded slowly as if he had never been in any doubt I would accept. “Call

you tomorrow?”

I nodded. He smiled. And then he was gone.

I watched him climb onto his bike and with a final wave he roared off down the

street, gunning the engine unnecessarily and setting off the neighbor’s yappy dog.

The cloud from his exhaust hung in the air for a few moments, as if he had left

something of himself behind. And I couldn’t help smiling as I closed the door.

PURCHASE LINKS

~~~oOo~~~

GIVEAWAY!

A $20 Amazon gift card

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code.  No purchase necessary, but you must be 18 or older to enter. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter, and announced on the widget. Winner well be notified by emailed and have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. The number of entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Roane Publishing's marketing department.


Note from ELF: It seems, from the AMZ page, that this title may have been released before using an alternate name (Jane Green)