Blog Tour: Obsession by Lisa Beth Darling - Excerpt & Giveaway

Obsession

Lisa Beth Darling

Romantic Thriller

Available at Amazon * B&N

Helen Makris tried to make a new life for herself in Tarrytown, Maine where she expected to quietly live out the rest of her days pursuing her passion of photography. She never expected to attract the attentions of Colonel Kevin Smith or those of The Shaw Street Strangler a serial killer hunting the young women of the picturesque New England village.

Two Second-Chance lovers both with painful pasts, Helen and Kevin grow closer as the bodies pile up until suspicion forms around Helen's new lover and his noticeable absences from town. As The Strangler zeroes in on Helen Kevin is determined not only to prove his innocence but to keep her from becoming The Shaw Street Stranger's next victim.

Come along for a spine tingling ride that descends deep into the diseased mind of a serial killer. This chilling suspenseful thriller will have you on the edge of your seat to the very last word.

Excerpt

At first, Helen balks at his touch.  Looking down at his strong hands, she sees them covered in blood and lets out a groan.  Then, before her bewildered eyes the blood fades away, soaks into his skin, and disappears.  She needs him now, needs him near, needs his strength and soon leans against him for support.  Support he offers with willing gratitude.  "S-s-sou-" she takes a deep breath and lets it out quickly forcing out the word as well, "Souvenirs," the slight tremble turns to a wracking shake as it shoots from her whirling head to her toes.  "Do you think he…takes…souvenirs?"

"What kind of souvenirs, sweetheart?"  Kevin gently sits her down, pulls the crocheted blanket from the back of the sectional and wraps it around her slender shoulders before taking a seat next to her. Brushing the hair away from her worried ashen face his heart sinks in his broad chest.  Taking up her hands in his he waits for her to collect her thoughts and answer him. 

Things are missing, lots of things are missing lately now that she's thinking about it.  She's blamed her aging mind and her own stupidity along with the washing machine but, "My glasses?  They were right there," she holds both hands out to the book on the coffee table, "I was reading the book, I was tired, I put it down, I put my glasses on top of it, and I went to bed.  I know I did.  In the morning they were gone."

Sheriff Natick opens his notebook as he takes a seat in the rocking chair by the fire but diagonally across from Helen.  "Anything else missing Mrs. Makris?"

Helen looks over at Kevin, leans in and whispers, "A pair of my panties…and the bra.  Would he take those?"

"Lingerie," Kevin says in a voice loud for everyone to hear, "panties and bra."  He watches Natick write it down before looking at her.  "Yes, he would definitely take those.  What else?"

"I think maybe some candles are missing and, well, the sash of my robe went missing."  They are all such small insignificant things.  Why would she think anyone was stealing them before now?  One thing wasn't quite so small or insignificant and the fact that she'd misplaced it upset her.  "My necklace," she looks over to Rafe, "the diamond and ruby one your father gave me for our twentieth wedding anniversary," she catches Anderson's gaze, "I went looking for it a few days ago and it's not in my jewelry box.  I thought it was just me."

Across the room Rafe let out a growling groan, "Anything else, mom?"

"Cologne," Helen whispers and holds Kevin's hands tighter, "sometimes I think, sometimes I smell, musk but it’s cheap not like your father wore, not really.  The smoke?"  Her eyes roll over to Kevin, their usual sparkle extinguished.  "It's not wood, is it?  It's pipe tobacco."

About the Author

I'm 47 years-old and I've been married to wonderful and talented husband, Roy, for the last 27 years. Together we've raised two beautiful daughters to adulthood right here in my hometown of New London, CT.

Through my full-length novels and series I strive to bring conflict, passion, love, and suspense to unique couples--how about a Greek God and a Fey, a retiring military man and an aging widowed hippie, a famous writer/director and a lonely hitch-hiker, or a b-grade actor and a very lucky first-time author? Since I'm never one to shy away from the less pleasant things in life, indeed I believe that it is in the Darkness where Character is created, determined, and defined, my heroes and heroines have their love tested by demons from within and without.

ALL of my works are intended for a Mature Audience Only this includes most of my non-fiction books. They are intended for those who like their reading on the dark and gritty side. They are not intended for the faint of heart or those who enjoy a sweet read.

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website:
http://www.moonsmusings.com

Blog:
http://lbdarling.wordpress.com 

Facebook:
http://facebook.com/lbdarling 

Twitter:
lb_darling 

Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1577311.Lisa_Beth_Darling

Giveaway!

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Cover Reveal: The Shadow Prince by Stacey O'Neale - Giveaway

This prequel novella will be FREE and available on Goodreads, Amazon, and Barnes & Noble on March 25, 2014!

Every sacrifice has consequences.

Sixteen-year-old Rowan has spent most of his life living among the mortals—learning to control the element of fire, impatiently awaiting the day his vengeful mother, Queen Prisma, will abdicate her throne. When he finally returns to Avalon for his coronation, his mother insists he must first prove his loyalty to the court by completing a secret mission:

Kill Kalin, the half-human, half-elemental daughter of the air court king.

Willing to do anything to remove his mother from power, he agrees to sacrifice the halfling. He returns to the mortal world with his best friend, Marcus, determined to kill the princess. But as he devises a plan, he starts to question whether or not he's capable of completing such a heinous task. And what price he will pay if he refuses?

Mortal Enchantment (Book 1)

ebook, 262 pages

Expected publication: May 20th 2014 by Phoenix Reign Publishing

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Stacey O'Neale started her career in publishing as a blogger turned publicist for two successful small publishers. She loves to write stories with swoony paranormal heroes, snarky heroines, and lots of kissing.

When she's not writing, she loves blogging and fangirling about books on twitter. Occasionally, she leaves her computer to go outside.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest

Release Blast: The Boyfriend List by Renee Novelle - Excerpt

The Boyfriend List

Renee Novelle

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Goodreads

The Boyfriend List follows twenty-year-old Reagan in her quest for the perfect relationship after a somewhat tragic spring break breakup leaves her disillusioned about love... again.

Reagan had always prided herself on making levelheaded, practical, analytical decisions about everything. Everything, that is, except where guys are concerned. Which was proven to her, once again, when her “boyfriend” opts to take another girl on their oh-so-romantic trip to his lake house. In order to prevent future heartbreak, she creates a checklist of all the qualities she wants in a man, and vows not to give her heart away again until she can determine if they fit every last criteria.

After scouring campus with her two best friends in her tricky journey, her detective work returns a pile of unworthy rejects, and it seems as though her choices are narrowed down to only two options: the hot stranger who’s inspired her new project, and her best guy friend Ian, who she’s always kept at bay due to his perceived playboy reputation.

Reagan gets more than she bargained for with her new set of rules, however, and is surprised to find that love, and the perfect boyfriend, may have been within reach the entire time. But will Ian’s reputation ruin his chances to prove his worth? And can Reagan let go of her insecurities long enough to even give him a chance?

The Boyfriend List is a light, New Adult romance about friendship, trust, and learning to let go in order to embrace what real love can offer.

Excerpt

Maybe she needed to get some fresh air, she decided. Go for a walk, clear her head. Anything to distract her focus from her thoughts and reset her mind back on her paper.

Decision made. She shut down her computer, set aside her books and wrapped her long hair into a somewhat sloppy bun on the top of her head. Reagan had contemplated a light sweatshirt to ward off the last cold brisk of winter that clung to the night air in stubborn resignation, then decided against it. But before she’d even left her bedroom, she turned back and yanked it off her bed after all. Apparently she was having a hard time making up her mind about everything that night.

Zipping it halfway up her torso, just below her breasts, she crept quietly out the front door and turned to lock it behind her. A quick breeze whipped its way around the corner and down the corridor, and as a shiver worked its way up her spine, she was thankful she’d listened to her intuition. Maybe she should do that more often.

But just as Reagan turned to go down the stairs and head out on her walk, she was met – nearly head on – by an unexpected sight. Ian stood before her, mildly drunk but mostly sober, looking as surprised to see her as she was to see him. It was clear he’d been out for a night of fun, though she’d seen him far worse on more occasions than she could count on both hands. But it was also just as clear that, once again, he’d come home alone. She couldn’t help the little smirk of satisfaction that turned up at the corners of her mouth on that discovery, though internally she chastised herself at the thought.

“And just where do you think you’re going?” His voice danced over the words with dramatic flair, an indicative side effect of his inebriated condition.

It took her a minute to find her voice. “I need a break.” She finally explained, “This essay’s killing me and I want to clear my head.”

 “Nice jacket.” He flicked the toggle of her zipper, and Reagan felt it flutter in her core. “Want some company?”

The flutter was moving faster at the suggestion. His eyes had grown dark, almost as dark as the night sky, and she thought she saw something in them that begged her to say yes. Suddenly, she wasn’t so sure she needed her sweatshirt any longer, since the temperature seemed to have risen up all around her, working a pink tint into her cheeks. She was glad it was so dark out, hopefully he couldn’t tell this time. “Aren’t you just getting in though? You’re probably tired...right?”

Please say yes, please say yes, please say yes... she chanted in her head. The truth was she very much would’ve loved his company, maybe a little too much, but she wasn’t certain she trusted herself around him yet...alone...in the middle of the night. There were too many possibilities, too many temptations that her imagination could come up with. If she acted on any one of them, and was wrong in her assumption, well the let down could be brutal at best.

“Tired? Me?” He shook his head and made a face at the suggestion. “The party was just getting boring. Too many of the same people, not worth the time.” Was he implying that she was worth his time then? Reagan certainly hoped so, considering how long they’d been friends. But she couldn’t help wondering if there was something more behind the words. “So what do you say? Can I walk with you?” And as he tilted his head in that subtle way that only Ian could, a dimple working it’s way into the corner of his cheek, she felt her breath rush out of her lungs.

He’d put the ball back in her court again. Damn him! There’d be no getting around it this time, she’d have to give him a definitive answer. And quickly.Reagan knew she should say no. There was something inside, warning her that it wasn’t a good idea. As though accepting his innocent invitation would somehow change things. Alter their relationship and shift their energies toward one another in a way that could never be put back again. But, when she really thought about it, hadn’t they kind of done that already?

And yet everything inside of her wanted to scream yes, and keep the momentum of what they’d started earlier in the day moving forward. It wanted to let him take her hand in his, entwine her fingers around his, as though it was the most natural thing in the world for them to be doing. All she could manage though was a simple nod, stiffened by the breath she held tightly in her chest. It was almost as though she was afraid to acknowledge what she wholeheartedly wanted, even to herself, because doing so would only leave her open and vulnerable to a future of regrets and failures.

Purchase Links

Amazon US * Amazon UK * Amazon CA * Smashwords * Barnes & Noble

Teasers

About Renee

Formerly a freelance journalist, Novelle has found placement of her pieces in both online and print publications since 2008. Additionally, she has written multiple screenplays, and contributed her writing to many non-profit and for profit organizations. She has launched several blogs over the years, which garnered international attention.

In 2013, Novelle returned to her first love – fiction. Writing under the names Renee Novelle and R.S. Novelle, she has a publication schedule that includes Psychological Thrillers, Suspense, Paranormal Fiction, Contemporary Women’s fiction, Chick Lit, and New Adult.

Though she received her Bachelor’s of Science in Communication, summa cum laude, she considers herself a constant student of the written word. She’s an avid reader, an enthusiastic quote poster, and rarely takes “no” as a final answer. She has an unhealthy obsession for theater, dance, music and art, and strongly believes that wine is simultaneously the beginning of, and resolution to, all of life’s problems. She believes in following dreams, and that in the end, you always end up where you’re meant to be.

You can find out more about her books and connect with her here

Website: www.RSNovelle.com

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/RSNovelle

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/RS_Novelle

Release Blitz: The Making of Nebraska Brown by Louise Caiola

 

New Release

Book Info ~
The Making of Nebraska Brown
Author: Louise Caiola

Genre: New Adult Mystery, Literary Fiction, Contemporary
Audience:  YA to Adult
Formats: eBook and Paperback
Publisher: Immortal Ink Publishing
Cover By: Rebecca Hamilton
Editor: Rebecca Hamilton & Rudy Kraul
Pages: 318
ISBN-10: 1938750772
ISBN-13: 9781938750779
ASIN:
Date Published: Feb. 6, 2014


Blurb ~
The last thing eighteen-year-old Ann Leigh remembers is running from her boyfriend in a thick Nebraska cornfield. This morning she’s staring down a cool Italian sunrise, an entire continent from the life she once knew. The events of the eighteen months in between have inexplicably gone missing from her memory.
All at once she’s living with Tommy, an attractive, young foreigner asking for her continued love. Though he’s vaguely familiar, she recalls a boy named Shane in America who she reluctantly agreed to marry. Juggling a new world while her old one is still M.I.A is difficult enough without the terrifying movie scenes spinning a dizzy loop in her mind: glimpses of a devastating house fire, a romance gone wrong, an unplanned pregnancy, and a fractured family – each claiming to be part of who she once was – a girl and a past somehow discarded.
Ann Leigh must collect the pieces of herself to become whole again, but she doesn’t know who to trust especially when Tommy’s lies become too obvious to ignore. And above all, her heart aches to discover what became of the child she may or may not have given birth to.
The Making of Nebraska Brown tells the story of one girl’s coming apart from the inside and the great lengths she’ll go to reclaim herself and find her way home.

Book Links ~

Barnes and Noble / Kobo /Amazon

 

Excerpt ~

“Where am I, exactly? I mean . . . what is this place?”

He smiled. “The Palace of Portici.”

“A palace?” I squinted, then flipped the hair off of my face. I was Ann Leigh, wasn’t I? Ann Leigh, strawberry blonde, five-foot-four, dreadfully allergic to cats. I grabbed the ends of my hair again and looked down at it. It wasn’t yellow-red at all but more like brown butter pecan. My head hummed. Martino was still grinning, as if he was more amused by me now that he was sure I wasn’t dead.

He spoke again. “Orto Botanico.” “Botanical garden?”

“Si, yes. Ana, ora andiamo? La Pasticceria Tartoni?”

“Yes. We’ll go to the pastry shop now.” And I went with him. Even though, for all I knew, he could have been one of those freaks who got his jollies from attacking innocent young girls. But then, for all I knew, I wasn’t an innocent young girl.

The sky in Campania, Italy, looked familiar; the clouds were funny cotton ball shapes that could be giant sheep— pecore? If I were Ann Leigh from Nebraska, then how did I know those clouds, those words?

 

About The Author ~

As a young girl who spent her allowance on Nancy Drew mysteries, Louise realized that one day, she might have a story of her own to tell. Maybe even more than one story. After years focused on raising her children she eventually reconnected with her passion for creative writing. She soon began to craft a large collection of short stories which were published in the inspirational online magazine, Faithhopeandfiction.com. Shortly thereafter, she authored her first novel, Wishless, a contemporary YA, released in 2011.
Louise devotes a portion of each day to honing her skills. She has several other novels currently in various stages of development. A confirmed bibliophile, Louise enjoys reading outdoors on a warm spring day and watching her pup chase leaves on a breeze. She looks forward to meeting others who share her love of the written word and invites you to visit her blog, her website and follow her on Twitter and Facebook

Media Links ~

Website / Blog / Twitter / Twitter 2 / Facebook / Goodreads

Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop!

Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop

Featuring Young Adult & Clean Adult Romance

February 8th to 14th

Cohosted by Rachael Anderson

Welcome to my stop in the Romance is in the Air Giveaway Hop! Romance is my favorite genre by far. Rather than choose for you, I decided to let one lucky winner pick their own book(s). After entering my $15.00 Amazon gift card giveaway, be sure to hop to all of the other stops for more great giveaways!

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Cover Reveal: Flawed Perfection by Cassandra Giovanni

Flawed Perfection

Beautifully Flawed, #1

Cassandra Giovanni

New Adult Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Show N'ot Tell Publishing

Cover Designer: Gio Design Studios

Release Date: March 7, 2014

Bobby Beckerson was the American All-Star hockey player--he was the spitting image of perfection to his family. Goofy, sweet and undeniably gorgeous, he had everything but the one girl he wanted: River Ahlers.

River Ahlers is successful in everything but love. She's been in love with Adam Beckerson since they were kids. Worst of all she's stuck right in the middle of the brother's dueling over everything and anything, and she doesn't even know she's the ultimate prize.

Adam Beckerson was a boy with a guitar, a smile that sunk girl's hearts and a stone wall around his own. He was anything but perfect, and no matter how hard he tried he was nothing compared to Bobby. Sweet, damaged, with boyish good-looks, nobody thought Adam loved anyone but himself.

Bobby loved River, River loved Adam and Adam only loved himself--or so everyone thought. Then one night everything changes, and as it threatens to destroy everyone involved a tragedy strikes that will break them all...

About The Author

Cassandra doesn't remember a time when she wasn't writing. In fact, the first time she was published was when she was seven years old and won a contest to be published in an American Girl Doll novel. Since then Cassandra has written more novels than she can count and put just as many in the circular bin. Her personal goal with her writing is to show the reader the character's stories through their dialogue and actions instead of just telling the reader what is happening. In 2012 she became a published Young Adult author, releasing In Between Seasons (The Fall, #1) and the Amazon bestselling thriller, Walking in the Shadows. In 2013 she branched out by using her artistic illustrating talents to publish her first Children's novel, The Adventures of Skippy Von Flippy: Tales of Friendship (Skippy Tales, #1). Cassandra released her first New Adult novel, Love Exactly, which became an Amazon Bestseller overnight in June of 2013. She's currently working on her new New Adult Contemporary Romance, Beautifully Flawed. The first novel in the series, 

Flawed Perfection is scheduled to be published on March 7, 2014.

Besides being a writer, Cassandra is a professional photographer known for her automotive, nature and architectural shots. She is the owner of Gio Design Studios Photography and Gio Design Studios Publication Marketing . She is currently studying to receive a degree in Marketing. Cassandra is happily married to the man of her dreams and they live in the rolling hills of New England with the other loves of her life their dogs, Bubski and Kanga.

Cassandra can be found on:

Facebook ~ Goodreads ~ @cgiovanniauthor

Cover Reveal: Knight Assassin by Rima Jean

Today Rima Jena and Entangled Teen are revealing the cover for KNIGHT ASSASSIN, releasing in March 4,2014! Check out the gorgeous cover, exclusive excerpt, and enter to win an eARC!

On to the reveal!

About the Book

Title: KNIGHT ASSASSIN

Author: Rima Jean

Publisher: Entangled Teen

Pub. Date: March 4, 2014

Pages: 216

Find it: Goodreads, Amazon, Barnes & Noble

Seventeen-year-old Zayn has special powers she cannot control—powers that others fear and covet. Powers that cause the Templar Knights to burn Zayn’s mother at the stake for witchcraft. When a mysterious stranger tempts Zayn to become the first female member of the heretical Assassins, the chance to seek her revenge lures her in. She trains to harness her supernatural strength and agility, and then enters the King of Jerusalem's court in disguise with the assignment to assassinate Guy de Molay, her mother’s condemner. But once there, she discovers Earic Goodwin, the childhood friend who still holds her heart, among the knights—and his ocean-blue eyes don’t miss a thing. Will vengeance be worth the life of the one love she has left?

Exclusive Excerpt!

Earic emerged from behind a rosebush, his eyes glistening at her. He looked misplaced, this broad-shouldered monk-warrior, wandering amid the blooms of an Eastern garden. Even at night, the reds and golds and pinks were vivid and breathtaking. “Is Marguerite well?” he asked immediately, his brow creased with concern.

Zayn frowned as he sat beside her on the bench. “She has been better.”

“Her injury—”

“It is healing well. It’s not her leg that ails her so much.” Zayn looked down into her lap. How would she tell him what Marguerite should be telling him herself? This whole situation was terribly uncomfortable. “Lady Melisende has forbidden her from keeping your company.”

He exhaled, looked down as well. “I thought she might.” Zayn tilted her head to look at his profile. His hair was freshly washed and still damp, dark at the roots and shorter than before. Gone was the baby-faced Fair Boy she remembered; the man beside her had a network of scars on his sun-baked face and neck. His palms were like cracked leather, and the scent of sandalwood mingled with the musk of a man. She was surprised to find that it did not repulse her. In fact, it did quite the opposite. She glanced away.

“She never did approve of our friendship,” he said with a sad smile. “I was not good enough for her daughter. And I don’t disagree—I am not good enough for Marguerite.”

“Oh, stop,” Zayn said impatiently. “Just because you were not born into the right family doesn’t mean you cannot be friends.”

Earic looked at Zayn. “I suppose. But Marguerite is something special.”

Her expression softened. “Yes. I agree.” She hesitated for a moment. “She wanted me to tell you that no matter what, your friendship will endure.”

His smile was like a bolt of lightning in the dark. “Of course it will. Just like ours has.”

Zayn focused straight ahead, her blood beginning to hum. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Zayn.” His voice was hoarse with emotion, his hand gently brushing against hers. “I know it’s you. I knew it was you the moment I saw you.”

“Your enemy,” she heard herself say, turning to look at him.

His voice was barely a whisper. “God’s bones! What have you become?”

Emotion clogged her throat, made her voice rasp. “Forget you ever met me, Earic. You must forget. I must kill you otherwise.”

“You can try. You won’t succeed.” He moved his hand up her arm, sending sparks throughout her body. “I had intended to visit Monteferrand soon. I wanted…to find you.”

She shook her head, her breath coming quickly now. “Find me? Why? You are a Templar, have you forgotten? And I…I’m not the girl you remember, not even a shadow of her.”

“I follow no one’s law but my own.” His face was illuminated from within. “As for the girl from Rafaniya… She’s here, I can still see her.” He raised his hand to her mouth and touched her lips with his forefinger.

Her every nerve tingled in response, her brain woozy with realization. Was it possible that he had feelings for her? In the blink of an eye, her hand flashed out, seeking his throat. Before she could grasp him, he’d snagged her wrist in his powerful fist. Her other hand lashed out; he stopped it as well. Her body rose in fury, but he rose with her, twisting her forcefully against him. Locking her within his arms, he lowered his head. “I won’t touch you, Zayn, I swear it. Please, control your strength. I don’t want to hurt you.”

The roar abated; her strength retreated like a falling tide. She gasped and slumped against him. How was he so strong? She was surprised how far up she had to look to meet his gaze. “I don’t understand. How…?”

His lips were inches from hers. “Haven’t you realized it yet, Zayn? You and I…”

His breath mingled with hers, intoxicating her. “What?” she managed to whisper.

Rather than answer, he dipped his head just a fraction and touched her mouth with his. The spark his lips ignited was so very different from the one created by her power. A warmth spread throughout her body, turning her muscles to jelly. She felt completely, utterly human in Fair Boy’s arms, and it was too good to be true…

She pulled away abruptly, horrified. “I have to go. I can’t… You must forget about me, Earic. Or else you put your life in danger.” Before he could reply, she turned and hurried away, breathless with fear.

About Rima:

Rima Jean received a degree in archaeology from the University of Pennsylvania. After a dismal law school experience, she floundered a bit before accepting her calling: storytelling. She resides in Houston with her wonderful husband and two beautiful daughters, where she writes, edits, and dabbles in digital art.

Website/Twitter/Goodreads







Giveaway Details:

1 eARC of KNIGHT ASSASSIN International

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