tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-73362075581156206262024-03-13T16:36:43.926-04:00Knightingale ReviewsA book blog built on the love of books. We focus on reviews, cover reveals, release blitzes, and spreading our love of literature.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger231125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-44942861774304483672020-06-16T10:03:00.005-04:002020-06-16T10:12:13.082-04:00The Awakened Duology ReRelease Launch Day Blitz <h4><pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Today we are celebrating the re-release of The Awakened Duology by Sara Elizabeth Santana </span></pre><pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">with brand new covers, available in both ebook and paperback. There is a pre-order bonus still </span></pre><pre style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">available and a giveaway!</span></pre><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6aaqk1EEH8/XujSSGRRB0I/AAAAAAAACZw/PYXEFj8duUMTttxjyZ6vyeQDs15R6gyCwCK4BGAsYHg/s600/INSTAGRAM%2BPOST%2BONE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="361" data-original-width="600" height="301" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W6aaqk1EEH8/XujSSGRRB0I/AAAAAAAACZw/PYXEFj8duUMTttxjyZ6vyeQDs15R6gyCwCK4BGAsYHg/w500-h301/INSTAGRAM%2BPOST%2BONE.jpg" width="500" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div></span></span></h4><h4><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br /></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">About the Series:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Title:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> The Awakened - Book One, The Sanctuary - Book Two<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Author: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sara Elizabeth Santana<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Pub. Date:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> June 16th 2020<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Publisher: </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Sara Elizabeth Santana<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Formats:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> Paperback, eBook<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Awakened Links - </span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53301737-the-awakened"><span style="color: blue;">Goodreads</span></a></span></u>, <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B088DFZG7L/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2"><span style="color: blue;">Amazon</span></a></span></u>, <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-awakened-sara-elizabeth-santana/1124593189?ean=2940164384111"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Nook</span></a></span></u>, <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1517735809"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Apple Books</span></a></span></u>, <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-awakened-7"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Kobo</span></a></span></u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Sanctuary Links - </span></b><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/53301840-the-sanctuary"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Goodreads</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">, <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B087Y43D9C/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i1"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Amazon</span></a></span></u>, Nook, <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://books.apple.com/us/book/id1517811795"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Apple Books</span></a></span></u>, <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-sanctuary-31"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Kobo</span></a></span></u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Awakened Synopsis:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">For Zoey Valentine, the roughest parts of her life are having to go to one of the many self defense classes her dad makes her take and dealing with Ash Matthews.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">That is, until the Z virus hits.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">It wipes out a third of the population in a matter of weeks. If that weren’t frightening enough, the bodies of the victims disappear and suddenly reappear, awakened from their dead state. They're faster, smarter, and they work together to get the one thing they crave - human flesh.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">The United States is in a panic and the government decides to do the unthinkable: bomb every major city across the country overrun with the Awakened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Now Zoey is on the run, with her dad and Ash, desperate to find a place of safety amongst the ruined remains of the country.</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">The Sanctuary Synopsis<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Zoey Valentine is finally safe. Tucked away miles underground in the fortified community of Sanctuary, she no longer has to worry about Awakened - flesh eating zombies - coming after her and her boyfriend, Ash.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">But Sanctuary is different than she had imagined. She may be safe, but she feels trapped, buried in a hole in the ground, waiting for time to pass. Sekhmet, the evil corporation behind the Awakened, is still out there and nothing can stop the nightmares that plague Zoey every night. Sanctuary feels like a ticking time bomb and she's starting to feel suffocated.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Then suddenly, citizens of Sanctuary begin to go missing until their bodies turn up right on their doorstep, mutilated by Awakened. Each one is tagged with a note, a warning, signed by Razi Cylon, the leader of Sekhmet, who Zoey saw die months before.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Sanctuary is in a panic and while Zoey and her friends are ready to fight, the leaders are burying themselves further into hiding. Zoey is angry and helpless, until Razi Cylon threatens something really close to Zoey and all hell breaks loose.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Sekhmet has existed for far too long and Zoey is tired of running and hiding. Razi and the Awakened need to go down, even if she has to take them down one by one.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; color: white; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 10.5pt;">Join Zoey and Ash in the conclusion to The Awakened Duology! And now as an extra bonus - The Survivor, Liam's novella, is available to be read at the end of your copy of The Sanctuary!</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 8pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">About Sara:</span></b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 11.5pt;">Sara is a young adult and new adult fiction writer. She has worked as smoothie artist, Disneyland cast member, restaurant supervisor, photographer, nanny, pizza delivery driver, and barista but writing is what she loves most. She has an obsession with baseball, cupcakes, tattoos and peach green iced teas. She runs her own nerd girl/book review blog, What A Nerd Girl Says. She lives in Southern California with her boyfriend and her two cats, Kaz and Kai. Her debut novel is <i>The Awakened</i>. She was originally published through a small press publication but is now solely self published. Her debut new adult romance, <i>Benched</i>, releases this fall.</span><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: blue; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="https://www.saraelizabethsantana.com/"><span style="color: blue;">Website</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> | <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://twitter.com/sesantanawrites"><span style="color: blue;">Twitter</span></a></span></u> | <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/sesantanawrites"><span style="color: blue;">Facebook</span></a></span></u> | <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.instagram.com/sesantanawrites/"><span style="color: blue;">Instagram</span></a></span></u> | <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.pinterest.com/anerdgirlsays/boards/"><span style="color: blue;">Pinterest</span></a></span></u> | <u><span style="color: blue;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6894193.Sara_Elizabeth_Santana"><span style="color: blue;">Goodreads</span></a></span></u><span style="background: clear; color: white;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">PreOrder Bonus:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">If you have preorder ebook copies of The Awakened or The Sanctuary OR purchase either book or physical copies of either book in the first week of release, you get the preorder bonus! This includes a wristband, a bookmark and a signed bookplate for the book you purchased - and you CAN get both! Submit your receipt at this<u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSce6cyn-M_sIOviF7EJ7J6lE_j0Rl-8DHaGIdwSPp3kHtl1pQ/viewform"><span style="color: #1155cc;"> link here.</span></a></span></u><o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Giveaway Details:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 Winners - Signed Copy of The Awakened.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">2 Winners - Ebook Copy of The Awakened<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">US Only<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;">Rafflecopter:
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<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><br />Rafflecopter link:<o:p></o:p></span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><b><span lang="EN" style="font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"> </span></b></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 400; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0.0001pt;"><u><span lang="EN" style="color: #1155cc; font-family: calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 12pt;"><a href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8952c82040/?"><span style="color: #1155cc;">http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8952c82040/?</span></a></span></u><span lang="EN" style="background: clear; font-size: 10.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></p></h4>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-32094574252868191192020-03-19T23:38:00.001-04:002020-03-19T23:40:36.275-04:00Sailor Twain or The Mermaid in the Hudson by Mark Siegel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13538702-sailor-twain" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: lime;"><img alt="13538702" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1526427669l/13538702.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span></a><br />
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<b>This review was written by: <span style="color: lime;">C</span></b></div>
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<b>Received: <span style="color: lime;">Borrowed from Library</span></b></div>
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<b>Date of Publication: <span style="color: lime;">October 2012</span></b></div>
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<b>Stars: <span style="color: lime;">3.5/5</span></b></div>
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<u><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>Official Summary:</b></span></u></div>
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One hundred years ago. On the foggy Hudson River, a riverboat captain rescues an injured mermaid from the waters of the busiest port in the United States. A wildly popular—and notoriously reclusive—author makes a public debut. A French nobleman seeks a remedy for a curse. As three lives twine together and race to an unexpected collision, the mystery of the Mermaid of the Hudson deepens.</div>
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A mysterious and beguiling love story with elements of Poe, Twain, Hemingway, and Greek mythology, drawn in moody black-and-white charcoal, Sailor Twain is a study in romance, atmosphere, and suspense.</div>
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<u><span style="color: lime; font-size: large;"><b>My Thoughts:</b></span></u></div>
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I don't often delve into the adult graphic novel world. Sure, I'll read more mature audience mangas (<i>Tokyo Ghoul</i>, <i>Devil's Line</i>, etc.) or comics, but I've never sat down and tried to read something other than those previously mentioned visual storytelling styles. My younger sister loves to try out new YA graphic novels, so I decided I'd try perusing my local library's GN collection -- which is where I came across this little gem.<br />
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I'm kind of in a mermaid phase. I guess I'm still trying to find a book that recaptures the magic of Zoraida Cordova's <i>The Vicious Deep</i> trilogy. I haven't found a comparable story yet, but I enjoyed <i>Sailor Twain</i> nonetheless. It was a bit confusing at times, but I'll get to that later.<br />
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The first thing I noticed about the book was the artwork. I didn't exactly find it visually appealing at first, but I thought it definitely had unique interpretations of human anatomy. Just take a look at Lafayette's nose (he's the Frenchman in the white wig):</div>
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<img alt="Image result for Sailor Twain: Or: The Mermaid in the Hudson" height="640" src="https://i.pinimg.com/736x/1a/ec/da/1aecda233dd1f3836b02d37d6880afbc--damsel-in-distress-charcoal-drawings.jpg" width="435" /></div>
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As I read along, I kind of got used to it and really came to appreciate the black and white style and its stylistic details. Thus, I just skirted over the fact that there were some wonky physical characteristics and came to enjoy the odd cartoonesque style.</div>
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The story follows Captain Elijah Twain who is in charge of a steamboat known as the Lorelai on the Hudson River. The boat is owned by Lafayette, a Frenchman who never leaves the river and seems to be hiding a dark secret. He's also searching for his eldest brother whom he believes is alive even though most think otherwise. Elijah appears to have fairly strict morals and runs a tight ship. However, this all changes when he finds a wounded mermaid hanging onto the rails of the boat. He takes her to his cabin and begins to nurse her back to health.</div>
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As the story progresses, Lafayette's behavior becomes more erratic, and he's obsessed with possessing seven loves at one time. Consequently, he's quite the womanizer and doesn't think much of the opposite sex, especially in terms of their mental capacities. (This is 1887, so I'm wasn't really expecting much in terms of men's respect for women, but I know some people like to steer clear of books like that.) Lafayette also becomes very interested in the supernatural and fantastical, specifically mermaids. He studies a particular book whose author has not yet made a public debut -- they're only a name. Lafayette begins a correspondence with this mysterious individual and wants information on how to break a mermaid's curse. Apparently, he's heard a mermaid's song and is fighting the urge to surrender to the ocean.</div>
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Twain becomes more enamored with the mermaid and slowly regains his passion for writing. However, this results in Twain's decreasing interest in visiting his ailing wife. He kind of becomes a douchebag in that regard, but it was an interesting conflict that unfolded within him.</div>
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It's also revealed that the mermaid has ulterior motives, as she's been trapped in the Hudson for centuries, trying to find someone to free her from her imprisonment. Thus, she has had many victims whom she's killed either in order to see if they are "the one" who can free her or simply out of anger/spite.</div>
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The mystery of the mermaid is unraveled as the story progresses, and (<b><u><span style="color: red;">SPOILER ALERT</span></u></b>) it's revealed that the author of Lafayette's favorite book is actually a woman (not really a surprise twist). She does play a part in Lafayette's seven loves, but I'll let you find out that part for yourself.<br />
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Now to the confusing part. It might just be me, but I'm not entirely sure how someone is capable of freeing the mermaid from the river. It seems that the human has to love her, but Twain ends up not being able to. I'm thinking it's because he still loved his wife in some way. Additionally, it's not entirely clear as to how someone breaks the curse that overcomes them when they hear the mermaid's song. It has to do with seven loves, but the true meaning of this riddle still alluded me. Plus, the whole splitting of a person in two by entering the mermaid's domain was a bit perplexing in terms of what each half was -- was one half the body and the other the soul? I'm still not entirely sure.<br />
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Overall, the story was haunting and the lore of the mermaid is spectacular. There also weren't too many dialogue bubbles that convoluted the artwork, which was much appreciated. I truly enjoyed the story, the mystery, and the intrigue that is presented. The story and panels flowed extremely well and my only complaint would be the ambiguity and confusion that arose at certain plot points.<br />
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Lastly, I do want to issue some warnings if there are sensitive readers or if parents aren't sure as to whether or not their young reader should venture into this tale:<br />
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1) There is quite a bit of nudity. As some may assume, the mermaid never wears any garments to cover her upper half, which seems fairly natural. However, if you don't feel comfortable with naked females or you don't want your child to read a story with this type of depiction, do know that it occurs quite often in the book. There are also sexual situations and a brief moment of male nudity.<br />
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2) There are words used within the book that were once used to refer to black individuals but are now considered extremely inappropriate to use in modern society. I believe the author wanted to be accurate with the times in which this story took place in regards to how freed slaves were treated. So this is a fair warning if you're offended by this.<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-63535596523792201762020-03-08T13:14:00.000-04:002020-03-08T13:14:01.099-04:00Release Blitz: Her Secret Master by Samantha Calcott<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/HSMSC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Available now" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: Now" data-pwa-id="pwa-9732E4AB05DC1BE358AD9D08EFA30F4F" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1082" data-pwa-suggestions="Now">Available now</pwa> for a special release price of 99c</b></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/HSMSC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>or FREE on Kindle Unlimited!</b></span></a></div>
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She will not bow.</div>
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Avery Lourdes is a romance writer, specializing in BDSM culture. Once a week she attends a popular, secretive BDSM club. Not to <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="participate" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: take part" data-pwa-id="pwa-758C50392B7B2E3614E194C1801F9779" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2075" data-pwa-suggestions="take part">participate</pwa>, but to gather ideas. She watches the people and the scenes performed, jotting down notes for her next project.</div>
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When famous but problematic actor Geoffrey Underwood <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="begins attending" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: attends" data-pwa-id="pwa-8B8CEEED9061C62B8FE680B80BD634F6" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_712" data-pwa-suggestions="attends">begins attending</pwa> the same club, he immediately sets his sights on the young author. While she's flattered, she has no intention of becoming wife #5, or helping the sexy Dominant divorce wife #4.</div>
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But the attraction grows, and Avery soon finds herself stuck in the middle of a love story riddled with pain, lies, and plenty of pleasure.</div>
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What is one to do when they've accidentally stepped right into one of their own plots?</div>
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One-click this taboo, erotic romance today!</div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBqKwBLOCes/XmC4wmrLfBI/AAAAAAAACnM/wZbTlZPWdgEXGC5XFbC7w8YHMyEaO-GEACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/HSMMine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PBqKwBLOCes/XmC4wmrLfBI/AAAAAAAACnM/wZbTlZPWdgEXGC5XFbC7w8YHMyEaO-GEACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/HSMMine.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;">EXCERPT</span></b>:</div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Avery was grateful for the liquor. Anything to ease the singing of her nerves would be welcome at that</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> point.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">On the other end of the couch, Tommy and Cindy seemed to <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="be heading" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: head" data-pwa-id="pwa-78FE973A6ABF482F366BE7654B8753A9" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1282" data-pwa-suggestions="head">be heading</pwa> off into their own little world. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He had moved closer to her and away from <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Geoffrey" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma before coordinating conjunction when it separates two independent clauses" data-pwa-id="pwa-E8AAAC493B45ECAC4172869B0ED49CE3" data-pwa-rule-id="COORDCONJIC_MISSING-COMMA_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions="Geoffrey,">Geoffrey</pwa> and their voices were low, <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="with the exception of" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: except for" data-pwa-id="pwa-8EA25F841DB5E07AA63DEB3C5C1523BD" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_408" data-pwa-suggestions="except for">with the exception of</pwa> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the occasional giggle from Cindy.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Geoffrey cocked his head at them. “I think my friend quite likes your friend. Good.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And if they hadn’t liked each other?” Avery asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He shrugged. “I would have hoped he would go off on his own and find a suitable sub like a good </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">adult.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And leave you all alone?” She arched an eyebrow as she sipped her drink.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Alone? Not planning on running off again, are we, love?” he asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She shook her head, steeling her resolve. “No. I’m done running away from what I want.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His eyes darkened to a slate color and he said, “Well, thank Heaven for small miracles.” He twirled</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> the cherries around on the stick for a moment and then turned toward her<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word=", effectively" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-98A349E3AA7E07EF3185929C588D5141" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1820" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">, effectively</pwa> shutting out </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">T</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre;">ommy and Cindy. He cocked his finger, telling her silently to come closer.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That single gesture, the come hither look in his eyes, sent her emotions flying in about ten different </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">directions. She did as he asked, their thighs pressed together with little room left between their bodies.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He took the edge of the red stick, which was in the shape of a pitchfork, and tapped it to remove </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">excess soda. He held it out to her and she instinctively knew what he wanted. She closed her lips</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> around one <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="of the cherries" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: cherry" data-pwa-id="pwa-4445B139BCCB55920730EEA7924DE88D" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2173" data-pwa-suggestions="cherry">of the cherries</pwa> and pulled it off slowly, as seductively as she could. He watched her intently, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">not taking his eyes off of her even as he ate the other cherry.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">At that moment, Avery knew <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="she was lost" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-95FB6076AEDFF59593D83190975668A9" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE_TO_ACTIVE" data-pwa-suggestions="I lost her~they lost her~we lost her~it lost her">she was lost</pwa>. He had her under his spell, and <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="nothing short of " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-4EB48B36824ECD6E463456472BF0D679" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_823" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">nothing short of </pwa>a safe </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">word would save her now.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He put his glass down and took hers<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word=" as well" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-E22FBFF15230D4F41ED0FB393FA25536" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_609" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)"> as well</pwa>. His index finger ran through a loose lock of brown hair, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tucking it behind her ear. The finger trailed down her cheekbone to her jaw, to under her <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="chin" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible missing comma" data-pwa-id="pwa-EED5E474BD44A79D70A903A738F91BD2" data-pwa-rule-id="MISSING-COMMA_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions="chin,">chin</pwa> to tilt </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her head up.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Kneel.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That one word <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was spoken" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-A8C046342E22E64A42F8FF6A477E8D90" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">was spoken</pwa> like molten chocolate and confirmed that the dynamics had changed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yes, Sir.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Smoothly, she slid off the couch to kneel on the floor between his legs. She placed her hands behind </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her back and looked down, hoping that he asked about hard and soft limits and safe words soon<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word=", or" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Possible comma splice" data-pwa-id="pwa-05CCFB1FAA21A94884AEC5204FE27106" data-pwa-rule-id="COMMA-SPLICE_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions=". Or">, or</pwa> </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">else she’d <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="be forced" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-86B7731B34AB418260B36B3B3334F2ED" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE" data-pwa-suggestions="">be forced</pwa> to leave him once again, and she didn’t want to do that.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Look at me, pet,” he commanded. She did so, looking straight up into his impossibly beautiful </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eyes. “You are to keep your eyes on me at all times unless I tell you not to.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yes, Sir,” she replied. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Not like that will be difficult: have you seen yourself?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Geoffrey nudged Tommy. “We need our papers. Get the waitress.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The ‘papers’ were the forms they had had to fill out to join the <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="club," data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Remove comma before this essential relative clause" data-pwa-id="pwa-FBDDCBE23A430BAE2A659B356C0E262E" data-pwa-rule-id="GR_33" data-pwa-suggestions="club">club,</pwa> which featured their </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">preferences, their limits, and their safe words. Avery felt relief wash through her at that.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What was that look for, pet?” Geoffrey asked. “Did you think I’d go into this blindly, like a newbie?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You never know, Sir,” she replied.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And what would you have done if I had?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Got up and left you with a severe case of blue balls for the fourth time,” she replied. “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Sir</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It was a terrible habit of hers, goading and pushing her <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Doms" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible spelling error: Doms" data-pwa-id="pwa-E3421C71CF2CE2CB8A66CF737CA6B6CE" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Doma~Dons~Dooms~Domè~Toms">Doms</pwa> to the brink to see what they would do. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She knew she did it to feel more, to get her blood pumping and take her to the edge and over it. Some</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> played right into her hands. Most of them ignored <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="her," data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="It appears that you have an unnecessary comma in a compound predicate. Consider removing it." data-pwa-id="pwa-5DE88ABEEA761EF7269BB7538BC881E1" data-pwa-rule-id="UN_COMMA" data-pwa-suggestions="her">her,</pwa> and thus bored her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Geoffrey didn't disappoint. He reached out and grabbed her by the back of her neck, fingers entwining </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">in her hair below her ponytail holder. His strength surprised her as he pulled her up so she was close to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his face. There was no anger there, only amusement and arousal.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“You’re going to be fun, aren’t you, pet?” he asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I hope so, Sir,” she replied.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He smirked and leaned closer. The first press of his lips on hers surprised her, soft and insistent. Most </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">casual <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="Doms" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Possible spelling error: Doms" data-pwa-id="pwa-D48B55A43C969AD29BD95FF1DD764FB4" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="Doma~Dons~Dooms~Domè~Toms">Doms</pwa> didn’t kiss their <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="spelling" data-pwa-dictionary-word="submissives" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Unknown word: submissives" data-pwa-id="pwa-19CB4D7E001BA2CA6E3131EB2A69AB1F" data-pwa-rule-id="SIMPLE_SPELLING" data-pwa-suggestions="submissive">submissives</pwa>, though Avery had kissed her subs when the roles were </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reversed.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His goatee was soft against her sensitive skin, and his lips were cold and tasted like cherries. The kiss </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was soft and searching at first. Then his hand tightened in her hair and he tilted her head just right. His </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">tongue pressed against the seam of her lips and she opened them to let him in.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His tongue plundered her mouth, licking and moving, twisting around hers and dominating her even </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">there. He pressed harder, and she knew <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="her lips would be bruised" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Passive verbs make your writing less direct. Try to use an active verb instead." data-pwa-id="pwa-E5BE8309B209F7249B30BA9AFD097442" data-pwa-rule-id="PASSIVE_VOICE_TO_ACTIVE" data-pwa-suggestions="it would bruise her lips~they would bruise her lips~I would bruise her lips">her lips would be bruised</pwa> the next day. Not that she minded.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She gasped into the kiss, unused to such an intense level of passion so quickly, melting into his rough </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">but sure touch.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">His other hand trailed down her neck, his fingers tracing over the swells of her breasts, lingering on </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her side, leaving a trail of goosebumps in their wake. His lips pulled away from hers, his teeth nipping at</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> her plush bottom lip.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She watched him intently, feeling like she was high. His eyes had darkened, resembling the ocean during </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a storm, and his lips were dark pink and wet. Without meaning to, she let out a shuddery breath to calm </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">herself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“If that is what you look like after a kiss, I can’t wait to see you after an hour upstairs,” he said.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGJW69CBDp8/XmC5OwgUsSI/AAAAAAAACnU/8OBdPpLBNjM3Eyb6BrX_PZwJfHXGNOUKACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/SamanthaLogo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WGJW69CBDp8/XmC5OwgUsSI/AAAAAAAACnU/8OBdPpLBNjM3Eyb6BrX_PZwJfHXGNOUKACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/SamanthaLogo.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Samantha Calcott is a secret lover of romance when it's done right, and after years of writing horror and paranormal books as USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi, she <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="decided to dip" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: dipped" data-pwa-id="pwa-E3FC35193C25F4C9CE302A4B37B35413" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_682" data-pwa-suggestions="dipped">decided to dip</pwa> her toe into a brand new genre.</div>
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She's a Midwestern girl who spent nearly a decade in the gritty heart of Los Angeles, where sex, drugs, and rock n' roll reign.</div>
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When not writing, she's reading, at a concert, or cooking. She <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="currently " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-F4F1A0B24DB0F33A6DFC0E38DFF53446" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_480" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">currently </pwa>lives in her hometown of Chicago. </div>
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She will never bow.
An age-gap, taboo, BDSM romance from Samantha Calcott
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-90621795689273264652020-02-24T20:20:00.004-05:002020-02-24T20:20:50.091-05:00Cover Reveal: Her Secret Master by Samantha Calcott<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4whGvRbPQiE/XkcO9s5mepI/AAAAAAAACmA/Sgij-UVXzbsfxosXbFJFGgflI29ntXpPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/BookBrushImage-2020-1-14-1-3031.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="804" data-original-width="1600" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4whGvRbPQiE/XkcO9s5mepI/AAAAAAAACmA/Sgij-UVXzbsfxosXbFJFGgflI29ntXpPgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/BookBrushImage-2020-1-14-1-3031.png" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>COVER REVEAL!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><i>She will never bow.</i></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBVdWqkpE1o/XkcPcvFO5CI/AAAAAAAACmI/LI6QxBDm1_QdcCU4a2fXYGNIS4sqCldBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/Her%2BSecret%2BMaster%2BCover%2B%2528Front%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1054" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-gBVdWqkpE1o/XkcPcvFO5CI/AAAAAAAACmI/LI6QxBDm1_QdcCU4a2fXYGNIS4sqCldBwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/Her%2BSecret%2BMaster%2BCover%2B%2528Front%2529.jpg" width="420" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/HSMSC" target="_blank"><b><span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Pre-order now for 99c!</span></b></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i>Cover design by S.L. Perrine of Mayhem Designs</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Avery Lourdes is a romance writer, specializing in BDSM culture. Once a week she attends a popular, secretive BDSM club. Not to <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="participate" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: take part" data-pwa-id="pwa-2EC448C082DA01C9A382A4837F884815" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2075" data-pwa-suggestions="take part">participate</pwa>, but to gather ideas. She watches the people and the scenes performed, jotting down notes for her next project.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">When famous but problematic actor Geoffrey Underwood <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="begins attending" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: attends" data-pwa-id="pwa-7C5AE22DA7FCA54866049A04C914950E" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_712" data-pwa-suggestions="attends">begins attending</pwa> the same club, he immediately sets his sights on the young author.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">While she's flattered, she has no intention of becoming wife #5, or helping the sexy Dominant divorce wife #4. But the attraction grows, and Avery soon finds herself stuck in the middle of a love story riddled with pain, lies, and plenty of pleasure.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">What is one to do when they've accidentally stepped right into one of their own plots?</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqtViAI-ImA/XkcPx5NR41I/AAAAAAAACmQ/XxRvzFbQtGIeWxvxMuNKc3UR28F8QHaFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/HSMPersonal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qqtViAI-ImA/XkcPx5NR41I/AAAAAAAACmQ/XxRvzFbQtGIeWxvxMuNKc3UR28F8QHaFwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/HSMPersonal.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><u>EXCERPT</u></b></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Miss Lourdes, what a coincidence.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh fucking fuck,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> she thought, ignoring the stab of lust in her lower belly. She swirled around on the barstool, her knee brushing against his hip by accident. “Mr. Underwood, this is becoming redundant.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Is it now?” he asked, sipping something from his glass. He was sober, so she hoped it was just a Coke. “I thought it was serendipity.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Great movie,” she said, hoping to deflect him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His smirk widened. “Have you changed your mind about my offer yet?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Not unless you’ve changed your history,” she replied.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He moved his head, brushing a lock of hair from his face. “History doesn't change, but people do, Miss Lourdes. In case you haven’t noticed, I have transformed <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="greatly " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-3611ACCB9A29842E14AADBE7224DA729" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_3001" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">greatly </pwa>in the past few years.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She scoffed. “If you had, you wouldn’t be badgering me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He was so close again. Even closer this time, as his body brushed against her legs. He leaned against the bar on one elbow, his eyes never leaving hers. His gaze captivated her, and like a good Dom, he could have asked her to do nearly anything and she would have obliged.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Tell me, why do you come here if you don’t <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="participate" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: take part" data-pwa-id="pwa-1E65474A073D37D0AFB7B2F2EDD3E0AF" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2075" data-pwa-suggestions="take part">participate</pwa>?” he asked.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Who says I don’t <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="participate" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: take part" data-pwa-id="pwa-44DEACBADD824C05F9C93ED631912220" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2075" data-pwa-suggestions="take part">participate</pwa>?” she asked.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The first night I saw you, you were at the bar and then left. The second, your hair was still perfect. No one <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="participates" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: takes part" data-pwa-id="pwa-21032CFD2D89C7EC0CF121A75C9B4BCE" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2075" data-pwa-suggestions="takes part">participates</pwa> in BDSM and comes out looking picture perfect. And tonight, you have been writing in that damned tablet for the past hour. It doesn’t appear to me that you have any interest in letting your hair down,” he observed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“You <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="have no idea" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: do not understand" data-pwa-id="pwa-FE893C500FCCCB3E62B5382F57B037DF" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1488" data-pwa-suggestions="do not understand">have no idea</pwa> what my interests are, Mr. Underwood,” she said to him. Her poker face was amazing; no one would ever know from her face or her voice that she was struggling not to get up and throw herself at him shamelessly.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I would understand if you were a voyeur,” he said. “But I can assure you, nothing beats <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="participating" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: taking part" data-pwa-id="pwa-66885FC3E1C9A1794A74A9881A300323" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2075" data-pwa-suggestions="taking part">participating</pwa> when you have the proper partner. Or do you already have a Master, and you’re just being polite?”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. I won’t be doing anything with you, Master or no Master.” She moved to stand, expecting him to step back. He did not, and now that she was standing, she was eye-to-eye with him, and nearly chest-to-chest. She could breathe in the subtle scent of his musky cologne, his spicy aftershave, and something sweet just below that. His scent alone was <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="grammar" data-pwa-dictionary-word="intoxicating" data-pwa-heavy="true" data-pwa-hint="Missing comma before coordinating conjunction when it separates two independent clauses" data-pwa-id="pwa-DB81FDF2C7A2200C6C31697F1AC645E3" data-pwa-rule-id="COORDCONJIC_MISSING-COMMA_PWCE" data-pwa-suggestions="intoxicating,">intoxicating</pwa> and she hated herself for being so damn virtuous.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Can you tell me why?” he asked. “I realize you don’t owe me anything, but I am curious.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Did I not lay it out for you the other night?” she asked. “You’re married, and you have the reputation of a Casanova. I<pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="’m not going to" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: will not" data-pwa-id="pwa-FBF668FAC0D438515EA64CBE8EFCB70D" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1664" data-pwa-suggestions=" will not">’m not going to</pwa> be another notch on your belt, Mr. Underwood. And <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="I would appreciate it if you would" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: please" data-pwa-id="pwa-AB397F905A180FFE2438D0C8B6727C5F" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1744" data-pwa-suggestions="please">I would appreciate it if you would</pwa> stop pestering me. <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="The fact that" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: That" data-pwa-id="pwa-0193476886ADA0065C67C79AC452474D" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1574" data-pwa-suggestions="That">The fact that</pwa> you can’t take ‘no’ for an answer tells me all I need to know about you.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With that, she turned on her heel and went to walk away. She had to walk away, or else what remained of her resolve would vanish, and she couldn’t let that happen.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, he grabbed her arm lightly. She turned back to face him questioningly. He tugged her closer, within kissing distance, and she <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="began to feel" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: felt" data-pwa-id="pwa-519F9726B7576ACE8D05DAAF64B26A30" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_931" data-pwa-suggestions="felt">began to feel</pwa> dizzy with want. It was <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="absolutely " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-9884E5D21D2BFC33A0827BA1DF722308" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_2264" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">absolutely </pwa>unfair.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Do you want to know why I refuse to take a ‘no’ from you?” he asked, his voice low in her ear. “It’s because I know your refusal is insincere. If you can look me in the eye right now and tell me that you have absolutely no attraction to me, then I will walk away and never bother you again.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His thumb <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="began to caress" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: caressed" data-pwa-id="pwa-1F85AB34E2EABCE211FFB40D892F0243" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_931" data-pwa-suggestions="caressed">began to caress</pwa> her skin, moving in slow circles as if to relax her. “I can read you like a book, pet. Your resolve is admirable, and if it is true, if you would never submit to me, tell me now. I promise I will leave you alone if you can tell me to my face that you don’t want me to take you upstairs and fuck you to within an inch of your life.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">If he hadn’t been holding onto her, <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="there was a distinct chance that " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-E1145BC6B06E88B5747D7CA4D1C2A7B0" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1620" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">there was a distinct chance that </pwa>Avery would have fallen with the force of heat that washed over her at his words. And he had her, damn him. He knew she wanted him, and had put her in an awkward position: outright lie to his face, or give in to a sin that would surely send her straight to Hell.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I…” She couldn’t finish the sentence, because she <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="had no idea" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: did not understand" data-pwa-id="pwa-12F8B4EF56AB3EDC981AE9EA09BE6D47" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1488" data-pwa-suggestions="did not understand">had no idea</pwa> what she <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="was going to" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: would" data-pwa-id="pwa-ADBD4D3F746702A05AF81890BC72837D" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_1482" data-pwa-suggestions="would">was going to</pwa> say. “I can’t.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Can’t what?” he asked. “Come on, little girl. Use your words. What can’t you do? Tell me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Can’t be around you anymore,” she said, nearly breathless.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: white; text-indent: 0px;">Samantha Calcott is a secret lover of romance when it's done right, and after years of writing under another pen name in the horror and paranormal genres, she </span><pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="decided to dip" data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by using: dipped" data-pwa-id="pwa-A6E5E501A23A304F6427502F6342D251" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_682" data-pwa-suggestions="dipped" style="color: white; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px;">decided to dip</pwa><span style="color: #111111; text-indent: 0px;"> </span><span style="color: white; text-indent: 0px;">her toe into a brand new genre.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She's a Midwestern girl who spent nearly a decade in the gritty heart of Los Angeles, where sex, drugs, and rock n' roll reign. When not writing, she's reading, at a concert, or cooking.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She <pwa class="pwa-mark pwa-mark-done" data-pwa-category="style" data-pwa-dictionary-word="currently " data-pwa-heavy="false" data-pwa-hint="Readability may be enhanced by removing this" data-pwa-id="pwa-55ACF25CD819B97001C972722ABC9D8A" data-pwa-rule-id="READABILITY_480" data-pwa-suggestions="(omit)">currently </pwa>lives in Illinois. She also writes horror and paranormal books as USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-69507032813509806312020-02-16T22:50:00.001-05:002020-02-16T22:59:20.856-05:00This is Kind of an Epic Love Story by Kacen Callender Review<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519195312l/36203673.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6; color: white;"><img alt="36203673" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1519195312l/36203673.jpg" style="border: 0px; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span></a><span style="color: white;">This review was written by: <span style="color: white;">B</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Received: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Borrowed from Library</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Date of Publication: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">October 2018</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white;">Genre: </span><span style="color: white;">YA Contemporary, LGBTQ+ Romance </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Stars: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">3.75/5</span></span><br />
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<b><u><span style="color: white; font-size: large;">Official Synopsis:</span></u></b></div>
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<span style="color: white;">A fresh, charming rom-com perfect for fans of S<i>imon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda</i> and <i>Boy Meets Boy</i> about Nathan Bird, who has sworn off happy endings but is sorely tested when his former best friend, Ollie, moves back to town. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Nathan Bird doesn't believe in happy endings. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Although he's the ultimate film buff and an aspiring screenwriter, Nate's seen the demise of too many relationships to believe that happy endings exist in real life. </span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Playing it safe to avoid a broken heart has been his MO ever since his father died and left his mom to unravel -- but this strategy is not without fault. His best-friend-turned-girlfriend-turned-best-friend-again, Florence, is set on making sure Nate finds someone else. And in a twist that is rom-com-worthy, someone does come along: Oliver James <span style="font-family: inherit;">Hernández</span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">, his childhood best friend</span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">. </span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>My Thoughts:</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="color: yellow; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"><b>I don't really know what's worse: living without love so that you don't get hurt, or getting hurt repeatedly in an attempt to find it. </b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px;">~Nathan Bird </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px;">I have so many conflicting feelings about <i>This is Kind of an Epic Love Story</i>, which is strange because I either really like a book or I don't. There's rarely any middle ground for me. I think there is just so much for me to digest, so let's hope it comes across coherently. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Let's first discuss the positives because starting off on a good note is important when doing anything, right? In a video, Callender expressed the desire to write a story with intersectional representation for younger generations. This was done by creating a heartwarming story about queer people of color. Instead of writing a contemporary that portrayed the marginalization and pain some people of color and LGBTQ+ community members face, Callender purposefully took a different yet immensely satisfying approach in which</span></span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;"> people's sexuality and skin color do not exclude them from having just as epic a love story as anyone else. Everyone deserves happiness and the feeling of being loved, which is exactly what the book demonstrated. I think Callender's approach is so necessary in today's world, and I applaud the author for pinpointing such an important fact that I think can get forgotten through other approaches. (There is obviously nothing wrong with romances that depict the struggles of being a queer person of color falling in love, but I also think there is absolutely nothing wrong with a characters' sexuality and ethnicity not creating controversy or hardship in the story. In the end, there are so many possible experiences that people face, and it is important to allow each and every one to have its own spotlight.)</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Also, it would be a disservice not to mention the epic friend group Callender concocted. Everyone in it is dynamic yet dysfunctional, supportive but realistic with disseminating the truth when it's hard to hear, and boy do they bicker amongst each other. They were the perfect blend of people who realistically went through periods of highs and lows but came together when it mattered. There was the artist, the film buff, the gamer nerd, and the sports jock who still remained humble to his original outcast roots. Together, they formed the friend group I wish I had. They could talk to each other about anything and were willing to provide one another the space necessary to process or speak on their own terms the majority of the time. </span></span><span style="font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px;">I was admittedly particularly interested in the relationship between Nathan and Flo because of the history of their relationship. Revealed at the very beginning (so I promise it's not a spoiler), the two decided to take their friendship and allow it to bloom into a romantic </span><span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">relationship. However, Flo cheated on Nathan and consequently ended their romance because she no longer felt emotions towards him other than those associated with a dear friend. Amazingly, the two were able to keep their previous friend status alive, and Flo is now determined to find Nate love because of how she ruined their relationship in the first place and is currently seeing someone else. I don't know how often couples end things and still retain their best friend status to each other, but I feel like it's not that common. Thus, I sincerely enjoyed seeing how the two rekindled and maintained a genuine friendship against the odds. Was there deliberate unclear communication to keep emotions in the dark and prevailing misunderstandings throughout the course of the entire novel because of Nate and Flo trying to return to what they once were? Absolutely. Their relationship did not automatically become platonic without any repercussions from what Flo did, but experiencing forgiveness did occur alongside an honest effort not to lose a great friendship that meant the world to each of them. I thought it was beyond admirable and enjoyed being able to see the sweet but rocky journey because the two knew it was worth another shot.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I also want to mention that the relationship between Nathan and his sister was so pure and sweet. Despite barely being in the book because she was away at college, his sister was such a kind soul. The two are sibling goals, and they are perfect. Okay?</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px;">Another great aspect about this book's characters, other than a significant portion of the main ones being intersectional, was that the main love interest Oliver James is hard of hearing. Thus, he frequently communicates in ASL when he is not using a phone's texting features to facilitate the flow of the conversation. What's significant about this is that the author doesn't just mention that he signs something but actually describes what the signing looks like. I've rarely read about a deaf character in YA let alone one that tries to educate people on ASL, which we need more of! Thus, I'm ecstatic the author decided to actually take readers through the steps instead of glossing over it all. However, I will admit that it was definitely hard to visualize the movements the author was elaborating on. I wouldn't say that this is Callender's fault, though. My brain just has a hard time trying to process descriptions like that and instead prefers actual visual examples, so the signing went in my brain and then sadly escaped. The author did explain the meanings with the hand movements, though, so do not be frightened away. The only frustration, or really confusion, I felt was when, if I'm not mistaken, Oliver James previously signed and an explanation followed but then that sign came up again without its explanation because I think the reader was expected to remember what previous signings meant, which didn't happen in my case. Thus, I did miss out on some dialogue, especially because I didn't have the time during the school year to read books through in a couple days. Sometimes I read a book over the span of a month and a half because of time restraints, so some things get lost or forgotten in the old noggin. Plus, I'm terrible at retaining things in general, so reiterating the ASL would have helped me out immensely, but I am sure the author had their reasons for writing the way that they did.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">I also think that one of the book's messages was so powerful and one I never actually believed to be true until Callender brought it up: All love stories are epic. A romantic relationship doesn't have to be the most sweeping chain of events in all of history. It can be soft and subtle or loud and bold, and each type is just as precious and deserving of existing as the next. In fact, love in and of itself is epic, so recognizing that the various shapes and forms it can take are all valid if healthy is one idea that I now take away from this book fondly.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Lastly, the ROMANCE. I can't forget about that! The romance was definitely up and down in terms of the characters' feelings and wanting to go through with their relationship, so I was seriously wondering if they would or wouldn't end up together. I was having heart palpitations in those last hundred pages, freaking out about the outcome. I needed something hopeful. When it comes to romances, I don't require a perfect HEA but brownie points for those that do have them! I'm just looking for something that doesn't crush the light from my soul, devouring it into a black hole or decimating it into unrecognizable shards that can't be pieced back together again because the despair overtakes every inch of my body, you know? That's all I ask. Callender had me worried, though, and they certainly knew how to keep me anxiously waiting. That build up! I can't say more about the specifics without major spoilers, but I was not disappointed. In terms of the couple, I was able to some degree appreciate Nathan's trepidation surrounding entering a relationship and his internal struggle. Additionally, Oliver James was precious. I consider him to be what kids on the street are calling a "soft boy" and I adore those characters. He is one of those humans you wish you were friends with. His personality is one that I gravitate towards, and I wish nothing but absolute happiness for him.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px;"><u><b>Now, for what I did not love so much:</b></u></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">First and foremost, what rubbed me the wrong way was the cheating. It was not so much even that the cheating occurred and instead about how the cheating was handled. Unfortunately, people are unfaithful to their significant others, and that's just a reality, so I'm not going to fault an author for including that subject matter. I'm a strong believer in allowing writers to include whatever content they want, whether that includes immoral behavior or not. I'm also not one of those people (at this point at least) who gets upset because bad behavior isn't addressed. I can understand that if unsavory subject matter occurs that it's best if it is challenged, addressed, or shot down. The argument that it can perpetuate those unwanted behaviors or attitudes is valid and even right in some circumstances depending on the reader. However, I also don't think that every wrongdoing has to be argued against because in real life, they don't always get confronted. This is unfortunate, but also the truth, so representing stories that way doesn't irk me in any way whatsoever. I also like to think the average reader is smart enough to know that just because it's in a book doesn't mean it's okay in real life. I find it so patronizing when someone says "This is teaching readers that x, y, and z are okay because they are in the book." Just because unsavory subject matter is a plot point doesn't automatically mean the author condones it or is trying to get readers to follow in their characters' footsteps, and I think this mindset is degrading to the intelligence of readers. Why do we think readers are such blind followers? But I digress... So we know that Nathan was cheated on by Flo and that Flo wants to make up for her infidelity and </span>enter<span style="color: white;"> into another relationship by finding someone for Nathan. (We all want to fix our karma, right?) It's extremely clear to the reader how hurt Nathan is by Flo's inability to remain faithful and tell him how she fell out of love with him. This is something Nathan dwells on quite a bit, exploring the pain of being left behind for someone else, especially when the desire to break up wasn't mutual. There's no doubt that this situation has adversely affected the protagonist, and yet he perpetuates the cycle. Whaaaaat? Someone eventually comes along that Nathan is interested in, but this person is already involved with someone else. Knowing this information, Nathan proceeds to kiss this individual and wants to do it again even though doing so is putting the other person in a position where this is clearly cheating. Why agonize over what Flo did only to do it yourself? SUCH. STUPIDITY. DOES. NOT. COMPUTE. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">But at least he asked to kiss the person another time? That has to count for something? I don't know anymore. But to say that I was frustrated was an understatement. I don't think brushing off the situation on teenage stupidity is going to work, and saying that it was the "heat of the moment" doesn't cut it either. However, the person in the relationship did shoot down the other kiss, repeating that they are trying to make it work with someone else and that wouldn't be right. THANK YOU. Ugh. </span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><span style="color: white;">Another thing about the book that frustrated me was the convenience of one particular situation. (I think from the synopsis of the book that it is pretty clear who I'm talking about, but I don't want to be a spoilery human being, so I will refrain from using names just in case. Thus, please excuse me if this gets confusing because I'm trying to be vague with names.) This person that Nathan is interested in is already in a relationship with someone else, but one can guess from the synopsis that the relationship is doomed from the start. I understand that so many books are based on events that line up conveniently to move the plot forward, which I'm fine with. However, I felt like it got to a point where it felt way too convenient in the sense that it was easy for the person to break it off with their significant other in order to pursue the main character when the time came. I might be getting a bit too nitpicky, but it felt so strategically done that it lacked any depth or emotional repercussions. One could argue that the two were never in love, so it wasn't a decision that left regret or pain. Also, because the book focuses on Nathan, we might not get what the other character was going through after ending things. Perhaps it was even the case that the person was so into Nathan that breaking it off with someone else hurt so little because Nathan was waiting. And yet, I think it was just a lack of attention that led to my frustration</span><span style="color: white;">. In order to make the story work with an obstacle in the way, the obstacle had to be removed, end of story. If I was the reader I was a year ago, I know that I wouldn't have blinked an eye, but I have definitely changed how I look at plots. Everything was too formulaic, which isn't necessarily a flaw, but what was so unsatisfactory was the lack of any noticeable impact on the person who was involved in the breakup. I'm fine with books falling into cliche territory, but at least make me feel something so that the events come across as realistic and not just played out. Personally, the lack of expressiveness damaged the impact of the plot and my desire to swallow the pill I was given.</span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">One of the final elements of <i>This is Kind of an Epic Love Story</i> that lessened my enjoyment of the book was something Flo tried to do again and again. She's clearly moved on from Nathan and wants to maintain a genuine friendship with him, but she also wants him to be friends with her current significant other. (I don't quite remember exactly why or if a reason was given. Perhaps she thought it would be easier if everyone got along?) This sounds great in theory, but let me set this up for you. Nathan and Flo agree that they still want to make their friendship work, and Nathan insists he's over Flo even though it's not the case. Additionally, Flo even suspects Nathan's not being honest about moving on from her and yet proceeds to put him in situations where she purposely makes it so that Nathan has to interact with her new partner. There's nothing wrong with wanting those you love to feel comfortable when in the presence of one another, but her disregard for how Nathan was feeling and then forcing him to make nice with someone he wanted nothing to do with felt off for Flo. Why would she think "Yeah, Nathan doesn't seem to be completely over what we had" but then in the next breath be like "But I should totally have him hang out with me and who I cheated on him with!" These two thoughts do not coincide with one another in the least. For me, it just felt like characters were acting in ways that didn't match with how they were portrayed. Why do they consider themselves to be such great friends when this is how they act? Twice now, characters (Nathan and Flo) have had experiences and revelations but disregard them and act in ways that make it seem like they never even had those experiences or revelations to begin with. Why put Nathan in the line of fire when you know in your heart that something's off? I understand that there is selfishness there and selfishness is part of the human condition, but I couldn't wrap my head around how the characters seemed to note things but then act like they never paid attention to those details later on. In my opinion, there was a lack of cohesion.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="font-size: 14px;">Also, this book talks about sex quite a bit. To be clear, I am not offended by this subject matter. In actuality, I thought it was great how specific conversations took place between this one couple, demonstrating the importance of consent and waiting until both parties are ready. However, there was also what I would call shunning and shaming specific characters for being virgins. At one point, someone lied about having sex because it was such an embarrassment to them that they were juniors in high school and still had their v-card. I think feeling that way in a friend group shows that something is wrong. Flo, in particular, kept bringing up sex and even (jokingly?) offered to get back with Nathan so that he was no longer a virgin. This talk just irked me.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: 14px;"><i><b>"...you're a junior and you're still a virgin," she said with a wince.</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: 14px;"><i><b>I pause. "I'm happy being a virgin."</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: yellow; font-size: 14px;"><i><b>"Oh, please. No one's happy being a virgin."</b></i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif;"><span style="color: white; font-size: 14px;">Excuse me? Why do we have to put people down for whether or not they've had sex? The mentality here is infuriating. It just didn't sit right with me how it makes it seems like there's something inherently wrong when you haven't slept with someone. Discussions like this left a sour taste in my mouth. There's so much slut-shaming out there, and turning the tables to start virgin-shaming doesn't seem appropriate in any context. Everyone should respect the level of intimacy others are comfortable with, and there shouldn't be any type of shaming across the board regardless of who does or doesn't have a v-card.</span></span></div>
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Lastly, so many of the characters were unlikable. I once argued that I don't need likable characters to enjoy a book (at least if it had an interesting enough plot). I'm not so sure anymore. I think unlikable characters can really bring down a reading experience and make it difficult to get through a book. (I know I sound like a hypocrite after what I talked about above regarding letting authors do what they want even when it's not heroic or kind, but I'm annoying that way. I'm really sorry.) To be more clear, Nathan has his issues. Who doesn't? His father's passed away, leaving him behind to grieve and deal with a mother who turned to being overprotective for fear of losing the only child she has left at home; his girlfriend dumped him after kissing someone else; he can't finish a script; and he thinks love is too dangerous a journey to embark on because loss will surely come in one form or another. Life sucks right now. But that doesn't excuse the fact that he treats people so horribly. Once again, we have a case of someone recognizing their actions but going forward in a direction that disregards that conscientiousness. For example, Nathan takes out his frustration on his mom's behavior by verbally ridiculing her. Nathan later says how terrible that was of him, but then proceeds to act the same way time and time again, saying hurtful things he knows will sting her. His mom is not the only person he acts poorly towards. Having a front row seat to this behavior made it difficult to reach that final chapter. At times, Nathan was making those around him miserable. Why recognize a behavior but then act like you never did and continue acting the same way? I suppose this might actually be showing Nathan has a pattern here, meaning him hurting his mother and putting the person he's interested in in a position where it is cheating is actually characteristic of him. Interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">Overall, any romance book is going to have its ups and downs. Authors portraying flawed and realistic characters is a breath of fresh air. However, there are just some instances where the characters act in ways, despite the lessons they've learned, that get slightly infuriating. Like, you know people learn lessons in real life and repeat the same mistakes yet again, but when it happens in books, ya just kinda want to smack your head against a desk because it's not real life and you're a viewer outside of the story looking in and thinking, "The hell is wrong with this kid? Get your shit together man! I've been rooting for you this entire story!"</span><br />
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<span style="color: white;">And why the fudge is this marketed as a rom-com? Where was the com????</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-49983221724737378492020-01-10T20:20:00.001-05:002020-01-10T20:20:18.643-05:00Release Blitz: The Coven Queen by Lily Luchesi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenQueen" target="_blank">Available now on Kindle Unlimited!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenQueen" target="_blank">Read the finale of the #1 bestselling Coven Series!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Become the witch you were born to be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Harley Sinclair has had more than her share of heartbreak, and now she's all alone once again, trying to hold her life together and move on from the tragedies and the losses of both the dead and the living.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, she cannot indulge in grief over heartbreak nor death.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bodies are being found all over London, and then one turns up in the Coven's confines. Someone is hunting witches and wizards, and with the Coven leaderless, they are more vulnerable than ever.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In order to escape the memories haunting her, she agrees to fly to Chicago to find the source of the murders before everyone she knows is killed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Discover the magic, mystery, and mischief in the final installment of the #1 bestselling Coven Series!</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>*** PLUS *** books 1-4 are 99c each!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess" target="_blank">The Coven Princess</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenHeir" target="_blank">The Coven Heir</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenRescue" target="_blank">The Coven Rescue</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenHistory" target="_blank">The Coven History</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EXCERPT</b></span>:</div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The man yanked Harley up from her seat, still keeping the gun on her, and pulled her across the hall, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">kicking open the door where Caelum was being held.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He was being held still by two men, while the one woman held a silver blade to his throat. The third </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">man had a gun pulled on him from the corner of the room. His wrists were bright red, as was the area </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">of his neck where the blade touched. The silver was burning him. They had figured out he was a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shapeshifter.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What are you waiting for? Kill him!” the man holding her commanded.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Everything after seemed to happen in slow motion. The woman dug the tip of the blade into his </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">throat and moved it downward, obviously to stab his heart and kill him. Caelum gasped and closed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">his eyes, absolutely helpless. He looked ready to swoon from the pain.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Harley’s body began to tingle from head to toe as her magic blossomed within her, hot and angry </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">and ready to strike as though it was a living thing.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The man holding her let go abruptly, as her magic burnt him, eyes wide as he stared at her.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She paid him no mind, however. Her eyes, and her heart, were on Caelum.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">!” she cried, and at her word, as though it was a command, her magic seemed to break free, </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">uncontrolled and harsh. The cuffs holding her snapped apart and fell to the ground with multiple </span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">c</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre;">links while her green magic flew out, attacking every single human in the room. As if it were a wave, </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre;">it dispersed, knocking all six humans into the walls. Now not held up by anyone, Caelum fell in a heap </span><br />
<span style="color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre;">to the ground, blood slowly dripping from his wounds.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">No longer shaking and filled with brimming magic, Harley rushed forward, not checking on a single </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">human. She kicked the knife out of the way and felt for a pulse on Caelum. It was there, they hadn’t </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reached his heart yet when her magic had stopped them.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Caelum,” she whispered, feeling her hand tremble as she held her palm over his wounds. “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Plaga </span></span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">reparo</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">,” she cast over and over, until he was no longer leaking blood. Without saying a word, her </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">magic went out on its own once more and shattered the handcuffs so that he was no longer burning. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Gingerly, she took his hands in hers and healed the round burn marks on his wrists.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">People clattered behind her and she leapt up, ready to defend them both if need be. But to her surprise,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> she saw Director Mancini and three other agents from the PID. Judging by the Dark energy, two of those </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">agents were vampires.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What happened here?” Mancini asked, looking around.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“We found the hunters’ lair,” Harley replied. “I will fill you in later; Caelum needs help. He fainted </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">as they were trying to stab him with a silver blade.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Mancini went down by Caelum and said, “I believe he’s simply unconscious now, but we will take </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">him back to the PID and get a Medic to look at him. Are you all right?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yes, sir,” Harley said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“How the Hell did you knock them all out?” one of the other agents asked, nudging one of the hunters </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with her boot.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“I--” She wasn’t sure what to say. To admit that she didn’t have full control of her magic to the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">paranormal police was a bad idea.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Never mind. Are they all alive?” Mancini asked.</span></div>
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<span id="docs-internal-guid-06cd4b0c-7fff-13de-15cc-0bbdca9dccdf" style="color: white;"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Not this one.” The other vampire agent pointed to the woman who had held the knife to Caelum’s</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> throat. “Her skull’s been shattered.”</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0gMFGqXq08/Xg8MOd7xFbI/AAAAAAAAClI/ELazFcJz1iwze8p9jNAlXuvWFCZisxM3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/logo%2Bflat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="894" data-original-width="894" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-T0gMFGqXq08/Xg8MOd7xFbI/AAAAAAAAClI/ELazFcJz1iwze8p9jNAlXuvWFCZisxM3wCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/logo%2Bflat.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-68569178975233812202019-12-27T18:52:00.002-05:002019-12-27T18:53:06.318-05:00Cover Reveal: The Coven Queen by Lily Luchesi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJnWfvP-Olg/Xf_7KalhLNI/AAAAAAAACkA/7GBIs6EE2_oKMu69LRe_aQt7oVKywZDWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/CovenQueenCRBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GJnWfvP-Olg/Xf_7KalhLNI/AAAAAAAACkA/7GBIs6EE2_oKMu69LRe_aQt7oVKywZDWwCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/CovenQueenCRBanner.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenQueen" target="_blank">Available now for pre-order!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Releasing January 10th!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">The final installment in the #1 bestselling Coven Series.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Along with a relaunch of books 1-4!</span></div>
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1000" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dRyhfaN4Hm0/Xf_7ouusvyI/AAAAAAAACkI/CLH9o-bJLbUtnsAXfqc0CNB8mRoZRkFYgCLcBGAsYHQ/s640/CovenQueenLilyCover.jpg" width="400" /></span><span id="goog_182955999"></span><a href="https://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_182956000"></span></div>
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<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Become the witch you were born to be.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Harley Sinclair has had more than her share of heartbreak, and now she's all alone once again, trying to hold her life together and move on from the tragedies and the losses of both the dead and the living.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">However, she cannot indulge in grief over heartbreak nor death.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Bodies are being found all over London, and then one turns up in the Coven's confines. Someone is hunting witches and wizards, and with the Coven leaderless, they are more vulnerable than ever.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">In order to escape the memories haunting her, she agrees to fly to Chicago to find the source of the murders before everyone she knows is killed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color:;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Discover the magic, mystery, and mischief in the final installment of the #1 bestselling Coven Series!</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ2ffVRoetM/Xf_7xDBE6HI/AAAAAAAACkQ/mGW1xryD0xIhjeFnFmJL-58_2IR9DkexACLcBGAsYHQ/s1600/covenseriesbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="315" data-original-width="850" height="236" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WJ2ffVRoetM/Xf_7xDBE6HI/AAAAAAAACkQ/mGW1xryD0xIhjeFnFmJL-58_2IR9DkexACLcBGAsYHQ/s640/covenseriesbanner.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">The ENTIRE series has been redesigned, with covers by yours truly and interiors from <a href="https://www.facebook.com/dreadnotinteriors/" target="_blank">DreadNot Interiors</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>PLUS!!!</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess" target="_blank">Books 1-4 are on SALE for only 99c each! Grab your copies today!</a></span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-26484158564279332162019-08-15T22:30:00.001-04:002019-08-15T22:30:39.537-04:00Cover Reveal: The Coven History by Lily Luchesi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4TJgJAw2iw/XUpjThr17sI/AAAAAAAACfI/oTAvTJvhVyMb_nlOyAUkGppDoVogEzE_ACLcBGAs/s1600/CovenHistoryCRBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V4TJgJAw2iw/XUpjThr17sI/AAAAAAAACfI/oTAvTJvhVyMb_nlOyAUkGppDoVogEzE_ACLcBGAs/s640/CovenHistoryCRBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkPowGUEe_I/XUpjXyRZ18I/AAAAAAAACfM/9_YRKNo055AZ6kQouKHIgMYhy2lyh-enwCLcBGAs/s1600/LILY2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1107" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LkPowGUEe_I/XUpjXyRZ18I/AAAAAAAACfM/9_YRKNo055AZ6kQouKHIgMYhy2lyh-enwCLcBGAs/s640/LILY2.JPG" width="442" /></a></div>
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<b>Cover reveal for the penultimate book in the #1 bestselling <i>Coven Series</i>!</b></div>
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Coming August 27th from USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi</div>
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Published by Vamptasy Publishing</div>
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Cover art by Rue Volley</div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenHistory" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>PRE-ORDER ON KINDLE!</b></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white;">The dead hold the key to saving the King.</span><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white;">When the Coven King falls deathly ill, Harley must search through his history, and the history of everyone she once knew, in order to find the cure.</span><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white;">As a child, Salem Sinclair was never meant to amount to much, until he met a girl named Daphne Fraser. As Light as he was Dark, he fell in love at first sight and would do anything to please her, even if his love makes him a target.</span><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white;">But there is a Darkness growing, and Daphne is at the centre of the conflict. Salem must pick a side and do what is right to save the girl he loves.</span><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white;">Meanwhile, will Harley find out how to cure her father or will the Coven once again lose its leader?</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j12s_3On0cM/XUpj9uBMPBI/AAAAAAAACfY/aEdx_JPs4c49EQeW7M47kwjxv2oUEDXGgCLcBGAs/s1600/CovenHistoryTimeTravel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1126" data-original-width="1600" height="450" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j12s_3On0cM/XUpj9uBMPBI/AAAAAAAACfY/aEdx_JPs4c49EQeW7M47kwjxv2oUEDXGgCLcBGAs/s640/CovenHistoryTimeTravel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>EXCERPT:</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Once the parchment had soaked up all of the blood, it began to gather in the centre. Harley watched, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">with Caelum peering over her shoulder, as a word began to form in vivid red: “Apocynaceae.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Is … is it broken?” Caelum asked. “I don’t even think that’s a word.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“It’s a family of plants. They’re known as dogsbane because they were once used to poison dogs,” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Harley said. “But … if that’s the case, he should wake up in five minutes. The potion can cure any of t</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he plants within that family.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Unless you brewed it wrong,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> her mind taunted her. It did that sometimes, reminded her that she wasn’t </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">as talented or special as others might make her believe. It was one of the many drawbacks of having </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">depression and anxiety.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">I brewed that potion perfectly,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> she said, trying to push the irrational part of her mind back. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Something </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">else is going on if he doesn’t wake.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She moved back and crossed her arms tightly around her middle, almost as if she was trying to </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">subconsciously hug herself and get comfort. Caelum moved closer and put his arms around her, over </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her own. Harley revelled in his comfort, wishing that she didn’t need it so damn often. It had only </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">been two days since they had taken down the organisation known as The Zoo. She had barely had a </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">c</span><span style="font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; text-indent: 18pt; white-space: pre;">hance to breathe.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Madam Maysa, what if…” She couldn’t say it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“If it doesn’t work?” she asked. “Then we have to find out why. It could be something in his past, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">some abnormality within his physiology.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“How the Hell am I supposed to do that?” Harley asked, forgetting her manners.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“There’s a way, but it’s complicated. Mrs. Donahue can show you,” Maysa said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“And how long will it take? How long … how long does he </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">have</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">?” she asked. She could hear the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">desperate edge in her voice and hated it. She hated always being unable to control anything that </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">happened in her life. Sure, she pretended to, but she was always a victim of fate, ever since she was</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> conceived, and she despised it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Five hours, give or take, and this shouldn’t take that long,” the Medic replied. She checked her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">pocket watch. “You have three minutes. I will go and fetch her.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It was obvious that the Medic did not believe that Salem would wake within three minutes any more </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">than Harley did.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Five hours. Salem only had five hours to live. Harley’s stomach roiled and she could feel her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">fingertips going numb from fear and worry. If not for Caelum, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to stand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“We’re going to figure this out,” Caelum said softly. “I promise, I’m not going to let you do this alone.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> We’ll save Salem, you’ll see.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“How are you so bloody optimistic?” she asked, her voice barely a gasp as tears began to gather in her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">eyes.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Because once upon a time, I lived through actual Hell. Optimism and sarcasm are the only defences I</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> have,” he replied. He turned her around to face him and held her face in his hand. “I believe in you, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Princess. You </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">can </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">save him.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The three minutes ticked by, and there was no change in Salem. He was still sweating, feverish, and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">wheezing. Mrs. Donahue entered the sickroom then, looking a bit more put together than she had </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">when she’d initially gotten Harley. She carried a long white candle with peculiar markings along the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">side.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Oh dear,” she muttered, looking at Salem as he lay there. Donahue was in her eighties, she had been </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Salem and Caelum’s teacher when they were children. “Madam Maysa told me you needed to see into </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the past, to see why he can’t be cured by the potion?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Harley nodded.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Then come with me. Both of you. But first you need something of his. A lock of hair will do,” she </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Harley turned toward her father and stepped up to his pillow. “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Praetrunco</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">,” she cast, and a lock of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">shiny ebony hair was severed into the palm of her hand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That done, the two of them followed Donahue down the castle stairs and into the courtyard. Harley </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">noticed that the party had broken up, her brother and his friends were nowhere to be seen.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Harley wasn’t a person who asked a lot of questions. She found that, more often than not, when you </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stayed silent, you got the answers you wanted without ever having to say a word aloud.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">As Donahue led them across the grounds, Harley saw where she was taking them: the Watchtower. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Watchtower was built before the magicians had made this their Coven, and was used during the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">First, Second, and Third Clan Wars to signal for help or exchange information with undercover </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">magicians.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-bd2369a2-7fff-1ede-62b4-f61e065dc556"></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">It was also, apparently, haunted.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-indent: 0px;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Her Coven Series has successfully topped Amazon's Hot New Releases list consecutively.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She is also the editor, curator and contributing author of Vamptasy Publishing's Damsels of Distress anthology, which celebrates strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She was born and raised in in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Arizona. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.</span></span></span></div>
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Facebook:
Cover reveal for the penultimate book in the #1 bestselling Coven Series!
PRE-ORDER ON KINDLE: http://smarturl.it/TheCovenHistory
Coming August 27th from USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi
Published by Vamptasy Publishing
Cover art by Rue Volley
The dead hold the key to saving the King.
When the Coven King falls deathly ill, Harley must search through his history, and the history of everyone she once knew, in order to find the cure.
As a child, Salem Sinclair was never meant to amount to much, until he met a girl named Daphne Fraser. As Light as he was Dark, he fell in love at first sight and would do anything to please her, even if his love makes him a target.
But there is a Darkness growing, and Daphne is at the centre of the conflict. Salem must pick a side and do what is right to save the girl he loves.
Meanwhile, will Harley find out how to cure her father or will the Coven once again lose its leader?
Start the series for only 99c: http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess
Twitter/Instagram (feel free to add hashtags on Insta):
Cover reveal for the penultimate book in the #1 bestselling Coven Series!
PRE-ORDER ON KINDLE http://smarturl.it/TheCovenHistory
Coming August 27 from USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi
Published by Vamptasy Publishing
Cover by Rue Volley
The dead hold the key to saving the King.
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-45515011852380820982019-07-16T22:25:00.003-04:002019-07-16T22:27:11.215-04:00Release Blitz: The Oddmire Book 1: Changeling By William Ritter<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuVK0h4L_9A/XS6FJzj2UnI/AAAAAAAACLw/zZujUlLu154eKdB__Lpqwi8B8rM-eeyCwCLcBGAs/s1600/Ritter_Changeling_jkt_HR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1060" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-PuVK0h4L_9A/XS6FJzj2UnI/AAAAAAAACLw/zZujUlLu154eKdB__Lpqwi8B8rM-eeyCwCLcBGAs/s640/Ritter_Changeling_jkt_HR.jpg" width="420" /></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QEyrG7LZHY/XS6FI7rt9NI/AAAAAAAACLs/vXmB4b6pXbI8JTbAgUpDwycDm601FNO1QCLcBGAs/s1600/Ritter%252C_Will_HR%2B%2528c%2529%2BKatrina%2BSantoro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1143" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--QEyrG7LZHY/XS6FI7rt9NI/AAAAAAAACLs/vXmB4b6pXbI8JTbAgUpDwycDm601FNO1QCLcBGAs/s320/Ritter%252C_Will_HR%2B%2528c%2529%2BKatrina%2BSantoro.jpg" width="228" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">“Funny, exciting, and ultimately epic. Wow. I can’t <i>wait </i>for the next one.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">—Adam Gidwitz, author of the <i>New York Times </i>bestseller <i>A Tale Dark and Grimm<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></span></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The Oddmire </span></i></b></div>
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<b><i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Book 1: Changeling<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></i></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">by William Ritter<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="color: red; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Author of the <i>New York Times </i>Bestselling, <i>Jackaby </i>series<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">“Set in a magical world filled with incredible creatures from folklore,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">this fast-paced fantasy will keep readers turning the pages as they<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">follow the twins through the dark and mysterious woods. Unique<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">characters with complex personalities will give readers insight into the<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">feelings and actions of not only Tinn and Cole and their mother, but<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">the creatures—both good and evil—they encounter on their journey. A<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">captivating series opener.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">—<b><i>Booklist</i>, starred review<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">“A delightful series opener.”<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">—<b><i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">“[A] charming middle grade fantasy...Ritter (the Jackaby series) crafts a well-paced adventure filled with whimsy and peril, in which the bonds of family and love prove stronger than any spell or curse. With memorable characters—especially the irrepressible protagonists, who make a delightful team—and an atmospheric setting, this is a strong series opener.” </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">—<b><i>Publishers Weekly<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"> Critics called William Ritter’s <i>New York Times </i>best-selling YA series Jackaby “[Sherlock] Holmes crossed with Buffy the Vampire Slayer” (<i>The Chicago Tribune</i>). Now Ritter turns the talent which enraptured a devoted YA audience to middle grade, with the first book in an action-packed fantasy adventure series set in the same world as Jackaby: <b>THE ODDMIRE, BOOK 1: CHANGELING (publication date: July 16, 2019; $16.95). </b>This “captivating series opener” (<i>Booklist</i>) introduces two brothers as they follow a curious map into a magical wood, leading them on a journey to discover which one of them is human and which is the changeling. Like Jackaby, <b>THE ODDMIRE </b>features witches, shape-shifters, and other creatures of fairytale and folklore, traditional and original from the mind of William Ritter.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"> Magic is fading from the Wild Wood. To renew it, goblins must perform an ancient ritual involving the rarest of their kind—a newborn changeling. But when the fateful night arrives to trade a human baby for a goblin one, the goblin Kull is briefly distracted from his task of laying the changeling in a human infant’s crib. By the time he turns back, the changeling has already perfectly mimicked the human child. Not knowing which to return to the goblin horde, he leaves both babies behind.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> Tinn and Cole are raised as human twins, neither knowing what secrets may be buried deep inside one of them. When a mysterious message arrives calling the brothers to be heroes and protectors of magic, the boys must leave behind their sleepy town of Endsborough and risk their lives in the Wild Wood to discover who they truly are.</span></div>
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<i style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"> Kirkis Reviews </i><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">calls </span><b style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">THE ODDMIRE, BOOK 1: CHANGELING</b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">, “A delightful series opener.” With a middle grade story just as gripping as his young adult novels, Ritter brings to life a bold new adventure. </span><b style="font-family: Times, "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: medium; text-align: center;">CHANGELING </b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">is just the beginning of a captivating series about monsters, magic, and mayhem. We hope you will share it promintely with your audience this summer!</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">ABOUT THE AUTHOR:<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;"><b> William Ritter </b>is an Oregon author and educator. He is the proud father of the two bravest boys<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">in the Wild Wood, and husband to the indomitable Queen of the Deep Dark.The Oddmireis Ritter’s</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">first series for middle-grade readers. He is also the author of the </span><i style="font-family: times, "times new roman", serif;">New York Times<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></i></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">bestselling,<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">award-winning Jackaby series for young adult readers. Visit him online at<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;">rwillritter.wordpress.com and find him on Twitter: @Willothewords.</span><span class="Apple-converted-space" style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small; text-align: center;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">A VERY LONG TIME AGO, HUMANS AND FAIRIES</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">and elves and dolphins and all of the other intelligent beings of the world got sick of one another—which was understandable, as intelligent beings were all pretty much rubbish in those days. After much arguing, they decided to split up the world and build a sort of magical wall between the two halves. On the human side of the barrier, life would be governed by logic and reason and the laws of nature. It would be an honest world of soil and struggle. The other side would be ruled by forces more ancient than any earthly science, a world of magic and madness and raw potential. Humans called their side the Earth, and</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">1</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">magical beings called their side the Annwyn (all except for the gnomes, who called it Pippin-Gilliewhipple—which is one of many reasons that, to this day, nobody from either side much cares for gnomes).</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">For many centuries, the wall stood—a sort of veil between two worlds, invisible but everywhere. Neither side could see or touch the other, and in time many creatures forgot there was another world at all. This remained the state of things until rogue groups brought their simmer- ing strife to an unruly boil and a new war broke out. As it turned out, intelligent beings were still fairly rubbish if not properly supervised. The resulting battle blasted a great, gaping hole right through the invisible barrier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">When the dust had settled, some felt the hole in the wall should be patched back up, and others felt the barrier should come down entirely. In all the hubbub, nobody noticed as the thing that had been <i>inside </i>the wall—the thing that may have been the very <i>soul </i>of the wall—escaped. Nobody was watching as the thing that had spent countless centuries listening at the cracks and growing hungrier and hungrier slipped past the rubble and across the bloody battlefield. Nobody saw it slide quietly into the forest.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The Thing clutched at shadows as it moved between the trees, drawing the darkness around itself like a rid- ing cloak. It had never known sunlight, or birdsong, or</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">honey-sweet breezes, or even the sound of its own name. If the Thing even had ever had a name, it had never had anyone to speak it.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The Thing whipped past mossy boulders, through tow- ering trees, and over the muggy, murky Oddmire. When it reached the very heart of the Wild Wood, it finally slowed and came to rest. The trees grew more densely there, and the air was still. Even the sound of the birds died away. The shadows here were thick and heavy, and the Thing gathered them up, greedily.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The Thing knew shadows. In that sunless, starless place between worlds, there had been shadows so absolute they had no form. The Thing’s whole world had been a shadow—its whole life had been one great shadow, and within it, the Thing had felt impossibly small. But the shadows in this new place were different. They would do as it bid them. They were powerful, those shadows of stones and boulders and tall pine trees, and the pieces torn from them felt comfortable as they knit together across the Thing’s back. The Thing felt strong. Beneath its swelling cloak of darkness, the Thing began to take on new shapes. Bigger shapes. Terrible shapes. Still, there was one shadow that caught the Thing like a thorn: its own. The creature’s meager slip of a shadow followed it, clung to it, taunted it with its own true, trifling form.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The creature plunged its talons into the forest floor, and for a time, the only sound was the scratching of unseen claws digging into the soil. When the hole was deep enough, the Thing turned its talons in on itself. It tore and it ripped until finally, reverently, it lowered its own severed shadow into the cold earth and buried the humble scrap beneath the dirt. All around it, pools of darkness blossomed as if the entire forest floor were a fresh, clean napkin laid over a seeping ink stain.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The darkness grew.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The Thing drew itself up to its full height, and then it drew itself up a little higher, and higher still. Countless stolen shadows rippled along its cloak like waves of grain shimmering in a breeze. The Thing would be whatever it pleased now. It was never going back.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">The darkness spreading across the forest floor solidified into angry coils and knots as it grew. Wicked thorns burst from its surface. For just a moment, there was silence and the forest was still. And then the darkness began to creep.</span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-14999328168002456842019-07-07T15:33:00.000-04:002019-07-07T17:39:42.155-04:00Celebrate 10 Years of Jane Yellowrock!<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: small;">From the moment Faith Hunter’s Jane Yellowrock series debuted with <i>Skinwalker</i> in July 2009, fans were captivated by the story of shapeshifting skinwalker Jane Yellowrock, who fights vampires, demons, and everything between in the city of New Orleans.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">For a decade, this unforgettable heroine has enthralled readers and critics alike—the <i>New York Times </i>bestselling series is celebrating its 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary this summer!</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: small;">To help honor the 10<sup>th</sup> anniversary of this beloved series, a giveaway is taking place where three winners will receive a set of the entire series, plus an advance copy of the next book, <i>Shattered Bonds</i>, and some special swag. The giveaway will run from July 7th to July 14th. </span></b></div>
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<span class="s2" style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/jane-yellowrock-10th-anniversary-sweepstakes?ref=PRH74C753C96D&aid=24480&linkid=PRH74C753C96D" style="font-size: medium;">https://sweeps.penguinrandomhouse.com/enter/jane-yellowrock-10th-anniversary-sweepstakes?ref=PRH74C753C96D&aid=24480&linkid=PRH74C753C96D</a></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-21987780671360781352019-06-14T14:26:00.002-04:002019-06-14T14:26:39.500-04:00Release Blitz: Paroled From Heaven (Final Paranormal Detectives Novel)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kratj_Ry16E/XPmvxIWCuSI/AAAAAAAACdw/f-iU6O4ydlktaP0dzrWstqRPxl0H1qfBACLcBGAs/s1600/ParoledBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Kratj_Ry16E/XPmvxIWCuSI/AAAAAAAACdw/f-iU6O4ydlktaP0dzrWstqRPxl0H1qfBACLcBGAs/s640/ParoledBanner.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/ParoledBk8" target="_blank">The final Paranormal Detectives novel is available</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/ParoledBk8" target="_blank">99c or FREE on Kindle Unlimited!</a></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15bRtslXEwo/XPmv8RsSbUI/AAAAAAAACd0/CVzdJOuai10rd0TgqKjzlSsNVYKNs1YowCLcBGAs/s1600/lily20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1065" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-15bRtslXEwo/XPmv8RsSbUI/AAAAAAAACd0/CVzdJOuai10rd0TgqKjzlSsNVYKNs1YowCLcBGAs/s640/lily20.jpg" width="426" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Death is not the end.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The Lieutenant of Hell is dead. The vampiric Empire has fallen, and the Paranormal Investigative Division is barely surviving. With no one controlling the demons and humanity left vulnerable, it's about to become a literal Hell on Earth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">But Heaven has a plan. Angels can't step in to fight, and only humans can save humanity. With a little grace, and a lot of power, there's one way to stop the demonic onslaught and impending rise of Lucifer: a temporary parole from Heaven. Who says death is forever?</span><br />
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/PDSeries" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1132" data-original-width="1600" height="452" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6wRUnLaCXHE/XPmwbQWLquI/AAAAAAAACeE/XzYYJvQMx5MvIv9_P2q2Z5ifz6ceqbuQwCLcBGAs/s640/PDSeriesSale.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://smarturl.it/PDSeries" target="_blank">For a limited time, books 1 & 2 are FREE!</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><a href="http://smarturl.it/PDSeries" target="_blank">Books 3-8 are only 99c each!</a></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCDcXejsOa4/XPmw8xr5SiI/AAAAAAAACeQ/qQ8sMl6EbiYvpj_9eSSk9I3Dz8Az5aO0gCLcBGAs/s1600/ParoledRiseOfLucifer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lCDcXejsOa4/XPmw8xr5SiI/AAAAAAAACeQ/qQ8sMl6EbiYvpj_9eSSk9I3Dz8Az5aO0gCLcBGAs/s640/ParoledRiseOfLucifer.jpg" width="640" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><b>TEASER</b></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sean Wireman had fallen asleep at his desk at the Paranormal Investigative Division of the FBI in Chicago. He did that often in the past few months since the deaths of Angelica Mancini (nee Cross) and her husband, Danny Mancini, at the hands of Danny’s great grandson, also named Daniel. Sean figured that Danny’s relations hadn’t been very creative individuals.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">With the vampiric Empire fallen, the PID had greatly diminished. Many people thought the organization was a joke now, something that made Sean’s heart break. Angelica had built the company up in eighteen-eighty-one, and it became a worldwide organization, saving countless lives of both humans and paranormal creatures. He was doing all he could to hold what was left of it together, frequently corresponding with the London branch and its leaders, Mahon Quinn and George Linwood.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Mahon and George were psychic vampires, or Psis, and they were immortal and also immune to the vampiric purge that had happened when Angelica had sacrificed herself to save humanity.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">All vampires were dead now, but Psis weren’t affected because they didn’t drink blood, they fed on life energy to survive.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Angelica was the most selfless person Sean had ever met. To sacrifice not just herself, but the species that she led as the Empress, took more guts than he’d ever have. There was one thing she hadn’t counted on: how poorly the PID would fare without her. Or how poorly he would fare without her.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Sean looked at the photographs he had framed on his desk: one of his old band, Lycancore, before the three other band members had become dinner for the old vampire Emperor; Devon Von Aber, his girlfriend who had died in World War Two, fighting with him and the Resistance to stop the Nazis; him and Angelica, taken at a cemetery where Lycancore had filmed a music video. She had been a vamplet then, her black parasol over her head to protect her from the sun. It had been a semi candid shot: they’d been talking and laughing, God only knew about what. They’d caught the camera being turned toward them at the last minute, and in the photo, you could see Angelica’s long black hair moving as she turned her head, her hand on Sean’s shoulder and his on her leg.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He accepted that she’d never love him how he loved her, and had been content with being her friend and confidant ever since Danny Mancini came into the picture. With both of them being immortal, they were friends for eternity. Sean had never thought about Angelica dying so soon, or dying before him. Her loss was killing him inside, eating away at whatever was good and useful in him.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I miss you, Angie. And I’d do anything to get you back,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> he thought. Her last days on Earth had been wrought with anger and fear and sadness. It had been too long since he’d seen her smile and laugh like she was in the photograph.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The floor began to shake beneath his feet. He leapt off the chair, thinking that it was an earthquake. They were rare in Chicago, but they did happen. But this felt different, and as it didn’t stop, his concern grew. Grabbing his gun from the holster, he ran out the door. He was the only person on this floor, but he could hear screams coming from below. It seemed no one was any wiser about what was happening.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He knew better than to take the elevator, but he wasn’t exactly fast, so taking the stairs to the main floor where the cubicles were took what seemed like an age.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Does anyone know what’s going on?” he asked loudly, to be heard over the din.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“The energy readers are going insane,” one agent called. “It’s coming from somewhere below the building.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">His heart stuttered in his chest. Few people knew that there was a sub-basement to the PID that contained one of the six portals into Hell. If the energy was coming from there, he had a funny feeling they were fucked.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Without saying another word, he ran down the stairs as fast as he could, while the lights began to flicker wildly above him. The closer he got to the first floor, the stronger the stench of smoke and sulfur became.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Coughing, he ran around the building to the secret side entrance that led into the sub-basement. The moment he unlocked the door, he was thrown across the alleyway into the next building, whacking his head.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The door stayed open, the barrier of magic warding weakened, as thick coils of black smoke, so dark it was like looking into the Void, began to pour out in droves.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Demons</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, Sean thought. He sent a message to the Grand Coven to get a few magicians in there, but he wasn’t fooling himself. It was too late to remake the wards. The demons had escaped, and now all of humanity was at risk.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-5efd8c52-7fff-fa98-e73c-8c2a9800596b"></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Like so much fiction had predicted, the demonic Apocalypse had begun.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/339364703390327" target="_blank">Join the release party!</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="color: white; text-align: start;">Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: white; text-align: start;">Her Coven Series has successfully topped Amazon's Hot New Releases list consecutively.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: white; text-align: start;">She is also the editor, curator and contributing author of Vamptasy Publishing's Damsels of Distress anthology, which celebrates strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.</span><br style="box-sizing: border-box; color: white; text-align: start;" /><span style="color: white; text-align: start;">She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: white; text-align: start;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She also writes erotica and BDSM as international bestselling author Samantha Calcott.</span></span><br />
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Facebook Post:
🦇⚔️🦇 New Release 🦇⚔️🦇
From USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Luchesi
http://smarturl.it/ParoledBk8
The final novel in The Paranormal Detectives Series
Books 1 & 2 are FREE: http://smarturl.it/Stake-OutBk1
Death is not the end.
The Lieutenant of Hell is dead. The vampiric Empire has fallen, and the Paranormal Investigative Division is barely surviving. With no one controlling the demons and humanity left vulnerable, it's about to become a literal Hell on Earth.
But Heaven has a plan. Angels can't step in to fight, and only humans can save humanity. With a little grace, and a lot of power, there's one way to stop the demonic onslaught and impending rise of Lucifer: a temporary parole from Heaven. Who says death is forever?
Published by Vamptasy Publishing
Cover art by Rue Volley
Edited by EAL Editing Services
Join the release party: https://www.facebook.com/events/339364703390327
Add the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45754776-paroled-from-heaven
Twitter/Instagram:
🦇⚔️🦇 New Release 🦇⚔️🦇
From USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Luchesi
http://smarturl.it/ParoledBk8
The final novel in The Paranormal Detectives Series
Books 1 & 2 are FREE: http://smarturl.it/Stake-OutBk1
Death is not the end.
</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-32204884565136169832019-06-10T17:08:00.001-04:002019-06-10T17:09:17.982-04:00Press Release: The Saturday Night Ghost Club by Craig Davidson<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<b>THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB</b></div>
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<b>by Craig Davidson</b></div>
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<b><b>*INDIE NEXT PICK FOR JULY 2019*</b></b></div>
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“…[A] well-crafted, whimsical coming-of-age tale….Davidson creates a quirky landscape and colorful characters, resulting in a novel that will entertain readers while providing a nice dose of nostalgia.”</div>
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—<b><i>Publishers Weekly</i></b></div>
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“Through the intensity of his characters’ experiences, Davidson reconnects us to our own memories of growing up.”—<b><i>Kirkus Reviews</i></b></div>
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“…well-timed humor, meaningful drama, and genuine characters....”—<b><i>Booklist</i></b></div>
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“<b>THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB </b>is not only creepy and chills-down-your-spine fun, it’s also incredibly poignant and heartwarming. This is a tender coming-of-age story that isn’t afraid to face the darkness in the world or meditate on the power of memory and the mysteries of the human brain. Craig Davidson is such a nimble storyteller and his latest novel is proof of his remarkable gift.”</div>
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—<b>Edan Lepucki</b>, <b><i>New York Times </i>bestselling author of <i>California</i></b></div>
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“Davidson makes beautifully clear how the ghoulish tales we feared when we were young can’t compare to the blood-bathed teeth we eventually encounter as adults.”</div>
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—<b>Mark Z. Danielewski</b>, <b>bestselling author of <i>House of Leaves</i></b></div>
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“<b>THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB </b>perfectly captures the ache and wonder of growing up. In this trim, accomplished novel, Craig Davidson sheds brilliant light on the ways that scary stories can not only make us shudder, but can also lead us down unexpected paths and foster our most meaningful connections.”</div>
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<b><i>—Matthew Sullivan, author of Midnight at the Bright Ideas Bookstore</i></b></div>
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“A moving, delightful, thrillingly unexpected coming-of-age story about the irresistible collision of childhood’s dark wonders and adulthood’s haunting mysteries.”—<b>Elan Mastai, author of <i>All Our Wrong Today.</i></b></div>
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<b><a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DL21XsYuimM/XP7G1DE6xAI/AAAAAAAACKo/C-yk4ov3QKoD8DUpTrM9IdSZ5GyIdCAtgCLcBGAs/s1600/image002.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="453" data-original-width="294" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DL21XsYuimM/XP7G1DE6xAI/AAAAAAAACKo/C-yk4ov3QKoD8DUpTrM9IdSZ5GyIdCAtgCLcBGAs/s400/image002.png" width="258" /></a></b></div>
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<b>In the vein of </b><i>Stranger Things</i><b> (season 3 premiering July 4) and </b><i>Stand by Me</i><b>, THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB (Penguin Books Original; On Sale: July 9, 2019; 9780143133933) by Canadian novelist Craig Davidson, is a layered, coming-of-age novel poised to establish Davidson as a remarkable literary talent in the U.S.</b></div>
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<b>Set in 1980s Niagara Falls—a seedy, but magical place surrounded by intrigue and lore—THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB centers around Jake Baker and his uncle Calvin, a kind, but eccentric enthusiast of occult artifacts and conspiracy theories. The summer Jake turns twelve, he befriends a pair of siblings new to town, and so Uncle C decides to initiate them all into the “Saturday Night Ghost Club.” As the summer goes on, what begins as a light-hearted project leads to uncovering dark secrets beyond their imagination. With complimentary narratives of Jake as a twelve year old and as a neurosurgeon adult, Davidson explores an intricate dynamic between one’s childhood and adulthood not often written in literature.</b></div>
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<b>At once a suspenseful, gothic story of hauntings real and imagined, and also a poignant portrait on how childhood experiences influence the adults we become. The genre-bending novel is more than meets the eye as Davidson gradually unfurls a twist you will not expect. THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB is the type of book you will think about for weeks after reading—about its emotional weight, its unforgettable characters, and its complex themes interwoven in the narrative, such as the mutability of memory and the power of familial love.</b></div>
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<b>Both heart-warming and heart-wrenching, THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB is a page-turning, relatable novel for all readers.</b></div>
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<span class="s1"><b>ABOUT THE AUTHOR</b></span><b>:</b></div>
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<b>Craig Davidson </b>has published four previous books of literary fiction: <i>Rust and Bone</i>, which was made into a Golden Globe-nominated feature film, <i>The Fighter</i>, <i>Sarah Court</i>, and the Scotiabank Giller Prize-nominated <i>Cataract City</i>. Davidson is a graduate of the Iowa Writers’ Workshop, and his articles and journalism have been published in <i>Esquire, GQ</i>, and <i>The Washington Post</i>, among other places. He lives in Toronto, Canada, with his partner and their child. He also publishes bestselling horror fiction under the pseudonym Nick Cutter.</div>
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<b>THE SATURDAY NIGHT GHOST CLUB</b></div>
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<b><b>By Craig Davidson</b></b></div>
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<b>Penguin Books Original | On Sale: July 9, 2019 | ISBN: 9780143133933 | Price: $16.00</b></div>
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<i>Also available as an ebook</i></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-18570660766873997102019-06-06T12:35:00.001-04:002019-06-06T12:35:40.744-04:00Book Spotlight: Supernova by Faiz Yusuf<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Official Summary</u></span></div>
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Though born as an orphan, Ezra happens to open up a donated present- a guitar and through the help of internet videos, he learns how to play it. He accidentally comes across the Assistant Manager in Universal Music Records. A striking conversation with him leads him to see the potential in Ethan’s words. New York Times hails him as the “next big thing”. Until he realises what can push you up can pull you down with the same force.</div>
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In his own words, Ezra explains, “This story is not about how to achieve your dreams, though I did. This story is also not about how love arrives and leaves at unexpected times, even though it did. And again, this story is also not about how life is not a wish-granting factory and there will be a time you’ll be blamed for mistakes you never made, though I indeed was. This story is about everything that takes place in between those lines- the good, the bad and the worst, and that life will keep moving on no matter what, at a pace, you would mostly have little control over.”</div>
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'Supernova' is a detailed story of how a person gets more than what he wishes for and loses more than he could bear.<br />
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<a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1071103199/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2" target="_blank"><img border="0" data-original-height="473" data-original-width="619" height="305" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-8B_6VB_HExI/XPk__CMQIFI/AAAAAAAACKM/WEZOmeFmKToGLaMjR9xRWiTtKbPSKqEdwCLcBGAs/s400/Poster%2BCreative.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: large;"><u>Advance Review for <i>Supernova</i></u></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">“Ezra is a classic tragic protagonist for the modern era, full of hubris and youthful desire, seeking power, fortune and fickle fame. With little fore-thought he leaves behind life at his orphanage embarking on a rocket for the stars; only mid-flight, does he realise that what awaits him is an all-consuming fireball. Like the ancients, Ezra sees the cosmos as eternal, but he inhabits a modern, uncaring universe in which, as we all know, stars either fizzle or implode spectacularly. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The main character reminds us of the isolation that fame brings. By rising above those dwelling on earth, Ezra cuts himself off from the intimacy, connection and kindness that would give his life meaning, by so doing he makes us question our own goals and desires. Ezra doesn’t realise that stars by their very nature can be looked at but never approached. </span></div>
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By placing his narrator at the end of the events of the book, looking back through time<b>, Yusuf creates for us the experienced guide that we all wish we had to reassure us passing through the stormy emotions of youth.</b>And for those readers still caught in their thrall he offers the reassurance that something better awaits you on the other side.</span></div>
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Ultimately, a world-weary but wiser Ezra is reborn, stronger than ever, giving us hope that even the most tumultuous, violent and seemingly random misfortunes of our lives serve to teach us something important. <b>Yusuf’s third book, somewhat ironically infused with celestial metaphor, attests to his worldliness and a wisdom well beyond his years.</b>”</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">- Elena Jacobson, CEO, Infinity Advisors</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u>Links</u></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: white;">Instagram:</span> </b><a href="https://www.instagram.com/faiz.yusuf/"><span class="s2">https://www.instagram.com/faiz.yusuf/</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;"><b><span style="color: white;">Amazon Author Page: </span></b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Faiz-Yusuf/e/B07SJSMVFB/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0"><span class="s2">https://www.amazon.com/Faiz-Yusuf/e/B07SJSMVFB/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="background-color: black; color: white; font-size: small;"><b>Supernova Amazon <span style="color: white;">Link: </span></b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1071103199/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2"><span class="s2">https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1071103199/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i2</span></a></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-23712080203314381962019-05-31T21:30:00.002-04:002019-05-31T21:30:44.436-04:00Cover Reveal: Paroled From Heaven (Paranormal Detectives #8) by Lily Luchesi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pw5S1FZ7sno/XNpfCpvociI/AAAAAAAACdI/mWX7DGo4J5oO1no7dge3y6Gy8HW4jZYpACLcBGAs/s1600/ParoledCRBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pw5S1FZ7sno/XNpfCpvociI/AAAAAAAACdI/mWX7DGo4J5oO1no7dge3y6Gy8HW4jZYpACLcBGAs/s640/ParoledCRBanner.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">It is the end of an era. <a class="profileLink" data-hovercard-prefer-more-content-show="1" data-hovercard="/ajax/hovercard/page.php?id=1245915568800863&extragetparams=%7B%22__tn__%22%3A%22%2CdK-R-R%22%2C%22eid%22%3A%22ARDBOeFpPUFxqh8YmcXQoe41RjV9cTylZ5QQPazxFE-vANq5abhrUP2SFXeH5wJTSqhIaLntcc53Ran3%22%2C%22fref%22%3A%22mentions%22%7D" href="https://www.facebook.com/paranormaldetectivesseries/?__tn__=K-R&eid=ARDBOeFpPUFxqh8YmcXQoe41RjV9cTylZ5QQPazxFE-vANq5abhrUP2SFXeH5wJTSqhIaLntcc53Ran3&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARDlzxx-KIBbmCjhseKJIS5CoGb_D8qarc3FVR-a7LMkwNf1RcnXBTay-PNgEMPee-6OvednxzXfpFKNEl80lDda0tJfKokQdveE1dqFtGhf1Y1bQUSbrKv49R67pU_JA2THXiQzsvIoiXQZh2aUo5ozii8N6_UDYbX6LMtV8b0xGezIdpFl4c31I0s" style="color: white; cursor: pointer; text-decoration-line: none;">The Paranormal Detectives</a> Series is coming to an end after 4 years and 8 novels. While Lily Luchesi is sad to see them go, she is excited to bring Angelica and Danny's final story to the world.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">Death is not the end.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">The Lieutenant of Hell is dead. The vampiric Empire has fallen, and the Paranormal Investigative Division is barely surviving. With no one controlling the demons and humanity left vulnerable, it's about to become a literal Hell on Earth.</span></div>
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<span style="color: white;">But Heaven has a plan. Angels can't step in to fight, and only humans can save humanity. With a little grace, and a lot of power, there's one way to stop the demonic onslaught and impending rise of Lucifer: a temporary parole from Heaven. Who says death is forever?</span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyXljnf_vK0/XNpfkwJiuuI/AAAAAAAACdY/nhQiKSVgh60uxRkpIYUpTBnu0MAr2x3mwCLcBGAs/s1600/ParoledBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="628" data-original-width="1200" height="334" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-fyXljnf_vK0/XNpfkwJiuuI/AAAAAAAACdY/nhQiKSVgh60uxRkpIYUpTBnu0MAr2x3mwCLcBGAs/s640/ParoledBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/339364703390327" target="_blank">Join the release party!</a></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 6px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: white; font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45754776-paroled-from-heaven" target="_blank">Add the book on Goodreads!</a></span></div>
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Facebook:
🦇⚔️🦇 COVER REVEAL 🦇⚔️🦇
From USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Luchesi
The final novel in The Paranormal Detectives Series
Coming June 14th, 2019
Published by Vamptasy Publishing
Cover art by Rue Volley
Edited by EAL Editing Services
Death is not the end.
The Lieutenant of Hell is dead. The vampiric Empire has fallen, and the Paranormal Investigative Division is barely surviving. With no one controlling the demons and humanity left vulnerable, it's about to become a literal Hell on Earth.
But Heaven has a plan. Angels can't step in to fight, and only humans can save humanity. With a little grace, and a lot of power, there's one way to stop the demonic onslaught and impending rise of Lucifer: a temporary parole from Heaven. Who says death is forever?
Join the release party: https://www.facebook.com/events/339364703390327
Add the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45754776-paroled-from-heaven
Twitter/Instagram:
#CoverReveal from @USATODAY #bestselling author @LilyLuchesi
Death is not the end. Read the final Paranormal Detectives novel on June 14th!
Join the release party: https://www.facebook.com/events/339364703390327
Add the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/45754776-paroled-from-heaven
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-62652815322290421672019-05-10T19:02:00.004-04:002019-05-10T19:03:14.286-04:00Release Blitz: Perfect Disaster by Samantha Calcott<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg1U8qv16DU/XNEhnWplFzI/AAAAAAAACck/rWuVhtUr9Y4lGO9mLcqfc8BSbMaNsM9JgCLcBGAs/s1600/PerfectDisasterBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Pg1U8qv16DU/XNEhnWplFzI/AAAAAAAACck/rWuVhtUr9Y4lGO9mLcqfc8BSbMaNsM9JgCLcBGAs/s640/PerfectDisasterBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcbTuYhOPT0/XNEhrsPQWOI/AAAAAAAACco/ehtzIy2FvjkCEXJl6OgxF252ilhXsvXEQCLcBGAs/s1600/Perfect%2BDisaster%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AcbTuYhOPT0/XNEhrsPQWOI/AAAAAAAACco/ehtzIy2FvjkCEXJl6OgxF252ilhXsvXEQCLcBGAs/s640/Perfect%2BDisaster%2BFront.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC" target="_blank">NOW AVAILABLE ON KINDLE UNLIMITED</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC" target="_blank">OR ONLY 0.99 TO OWN!</a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Andi Roswell never wanted to be a rock star. After being accidentally discovered performing drunken karaoke, the Goth girl's life will never be the same. She's now the frontwoman for the heavy metal band Absolution, and is dating the sexy director Leo Black.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white;">Jack Prince is the singer of the classic Goth band Babybat. When Babybat plays the same music festival as Absolution, he and Andi meet and become unlikely friends.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white;">But their lives aren't destined to run smoothly, and when they both find themselves in emotional distress, they only people they have to turn to are each other.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdTTtoloyI0/XNEiVyQJQ2I/AAAAAAAACc0/ltEoQGJweWwW0QownklwFSGwcxsRe9veACLcBGAs/s1600/PerfectDisasterFanFriendSoulmate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rdTTtoloyI0/XNEiVyQJQ2I/AAAAAAAACc0/ltEoQGJweWwW0QownklwFSGwcxsRe9veACLcBGAs/s640/PerfectDisasterFanFriendSoulmate.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"Oi! Hey, you!" It was deep, lightly accented, and melodic even as it was raised to get her attention.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Andi stopped, turned, and rammed right into the man who'd been calling her with a loud exhalation of </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">breath. Her hands came up to keep her from falling, and she wound up gripping the lapels of a sparkly</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> black suit jacket. Strong hands came to grip her arms as legs tangled up in hers. They remained </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">upright, which was a small miracle.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She was mortified, face bright red. She was unable to even meet the man’s eyes, she was so </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">embarrassed. "I am so, so sorry!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"Quite all right. It's a bit of a madhouse back here."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">That voice. She knew that voice. She lifted her head, in her heels she was as tall as the man so it wasn't </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a far reach to see his face. Stubble with a bit of grey, plush pink lips, cheeks with a few wrinkles from </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">smiling, fair skin with an olive undertone, sparkling black eyes encased in black eyeliner behind designer</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> sunglasses, and slicked back black hair with threads of silver.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jack Prince. She'd nearly knocked over </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jack Prince</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. The air once again left her lungs, but for a good</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> reason </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">this time. The background noise faded away as she was enveloped in ... him. In his eyes, his little </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">amused </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">smile, even his scent. His cologne smelled like musk and bergamot. If he hadn't been holding her </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">upright, she</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> was certain that she would have melted into a little puddle at his feet.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Try as she might to speak, she found herself speechless.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"You all right?" he asked. "I didn't hurt you?"</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"No!" Andi blurted out, far too loudly. "I mean, I'm fine. Did I hurt you?"</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He shook his head. "Not at all." His smile grew, and she felt her stomach flip flop. Slowly, he let her</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> arms go, fingers lingering on her skin just a bit. Likewise, she loosened her death-grip on his lapels. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"I didn't mean to startle you. I wanted to catch you before you ran off. You sing for Absolution. What's </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">your name?"</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She'd been called Andi since she was a toddler. The only people allowed to call her by her full name </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">were strangers and authority figures; she was even listed as ‘Andi’ on the album credits. But for some </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">unknown reason, she said, "Andrea."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"Andrea," he repeated. "I'm Jack. Pleasure to meet you." He held his hand out to her. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She took it, feeling how warm and strong his grip was. "I know," she said, without meaning to. "I'm </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sorry, I meant that I'm a fan of yours. And the band. … I'm just going to stop talking now." Her face </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">was on fire with embarrassment.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"Well, I'm flattered," he said. "You know, initially I was tasked to stop you by my daughter, Dahlia. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">You're her idol." He smiled sweetly. "However, I had an ulterior motive now. I watched your band's </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">show."</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">"You did?" Andi asked, more nervous than ever. She had assumed that the band would be in a hotel or </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">possibly their tour bus until right before their set.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Yeah, Marky and I did, with my daughter. Your music videos don’t do you justice. That was one of</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> the best performances I’ve seen in quite some time. I love the use of synthesizers within your heavy </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">metal structure. Very unique. And </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">you…</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">” His eyes roved over her. “You were living art. I could tell</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> you </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">felt </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the music, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">believed </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">the lyrics. You aren’t a singer, Andrea. You’re a </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">performer</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">. And that is a</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> rare quality these days.” From years of watching his interviews, his voice gained deep inflection on </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">certain words when he was excited or passionate.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Andi was fairly certain that, if this wasn’t a hallucination brought on by passing out from an anxiety </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">attack, she was going to die of pure joy.</span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-b56b381d-7fff-caff-8bcb-0ce0720ffb09"></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Mr. Prince, that’s … that’s high praise, coming from you. I don’t know what to say,” she said, forcing </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">her voice to stay level, for her legs not to shake. To try and remain somewhat professional after making </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">a fool of herself. She was pretty sure she hadn’t blinked since first meeting his obsidian eyes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HR3jcosndI/XNEiagAt08I/AAAAAAAACc4/yLX2JbQDinsHBBfz7-Qmh5u32KxF2CkJQCLcBGAs/s1600/SamanthaBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HR3jcosndI/XNEiagAt08I/AAAAAAAACc4/yLX2JbQDinsHBBfz7-Qmh5u32KxF2CkJQCLcBGAs/s640/SamanthaBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">S</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">amantha Calcott is a secret lover of romance when it's done right, and after years of writing under</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> another pen name in the horror and paranormal genres, she decided to dip her toe into a brand new genre.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She's a Midwestern girl who spent nearly a decade in the gritty heart of Los Angeles, where sex, drugs,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> and rock n' roll reign. When not writing, she's reading, at a concert, or cooking.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She currently lives in Arizona and also writes horror and paranormal books as USA Today bestselling </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">author Lily Luchesi.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-c02d9021-7fff-094b-c541-9074a771cb12"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Find her via her </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/dN2a_M" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">newsletter</span></a><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">, where you can receive a free ebook and get exclusive content monthly.</span><br />
Facebook:
🎤🌟🎤 NEW RELEASE 🎤🌟🎤
From debut author Samantha Calcott
READ NOW FOR 99c! http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC
FREE on Kindle Unlimited!
Published by Hot Ink Press
Cover by Mayhem Designs
Edited by EAL Editing Services
Andi Roswell never wanted to be a rock star. After being accidentally discovered performing drunken karaoke, the Goth girl's life will never be the same. She's now the frontwoman for the heavy metal band Absolution, and is dating the sexy director Leo Black.
Jack Prince is the singer of the classic Goth band Babybat. When Babybat plays the same music festival as Absolution, he and Andi meet and become unlikely friends.
But their lives aren't destined to run smoothly, and when they both find themselves in emotional distress, they only people they have to turn to are each other.
Twitter/Instagram:
🎤🌟🎤 #NEWRELEASE 🎤🌟🎤
From debut #author @CalcottSamantha
READ NOW FOR 99c! http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC
FREE on #KindleUnlimited!
Andi Roswell never wanted to be a rock star. After being accidentally discovered performing karaoke, the Goth girl's life will never be the same</div>
</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-78955363832500163912019-05-03T18:36:00.001-04:002019-05-03T18:36:51.524-04:00Animated Cover: The Girl in Red by Christina Henry<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMrSl8wKJSE/XMzCEIAZUwI/AAAAAAAACIU/Na8xTqoILF4W4PPYWlKU4yWsKUReh8SzgCLcBGAs/s1600/GirlinRed-CoverAnimation.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="1080" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMrSl8wKJSE/XMzCEIAZUwI/AAAAAAAACIU/Na8xTqoILF4W4PPYWlKU4yWsKUReh8SzgCLcBGAs/s640/GirlinRed-CoverAnimation.gif" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><i>From the national bestselling author of </i>Alice<i> comes a postapocalyptic take on the perennial classic "Little Red Riding Hood"...about a woman who isn't as defenseless as she seems.</i> It's not safe for anyone alone in the woods. There are predators that come out at night: critters and coyotes, snakes and wolves. But the woman in the red jacket has no choice. Not since the Crisis came, decimated the population, and sent those who survived fleeing into quarantine camps that serve as breeding grounds for death, destruction, and disease. She is just a woman trying not to get killed in a world that doesn't look anything like the one she grew up in, the one that was perfectly sane and normal and boring until three months ago. There are worse threats in the woods than the things that stalk their prey at night. Sometimes, there are men. Men with dark desires, weak wills, and evil intents. Men in uniform with classified information, deadly secrets, and unforgiving orders. And sometimes, just sometimes, there's something worse than all of the horrible people and vicious beasts combined. Red doesn't like to think of herself as a killer, but she isn't about to let herself get eaten up just because she is a woman alone in the woods...</span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: #990000; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>ABOUT THE BOOK </b></span></span></div>
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<span class="s2"><span style="color: white; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: small;"><b>Christina Henry</b> is the author of <i>Alice</i>, <i>Red Queen</i>, <i>Lost Boy, The Mermaid</i>, and the national bestselling Black Wings series, featuring Agent of Death Madeline Black and her popcorn-loving gargoyle, Beezle. She lives in Chicago and can be found online at <a href="http://christinahenry.net/"><span class="s3">christinahenry.net</span></a> and on Twitter @C_Henry_Author.</span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-39736111812153765602019-04-15T00:29:00.000-04:002019-04-15T00:29:33.898-04:00Cover Reveal: Perfect Disaster by Samantha Calcott<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRMDYUWnR70/XKzyouuyXDI/AAAAAAAACbY/aTJMUG3v-VAvDro_mCokvWB4FSEYbrOJACLcBGAs/s1600/PerfectDisasterCRBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="350" data-original-width="814" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-dRMDYUWnR70/XKzyouuyXDI/AAAAAAAACbY/aTJMUG3v-VAvDro_mCokvWB4FSEYbrOJACLcBGAs/s640/PerfectDisasterCRBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp5xSQ_PTz0/XKzyvG7YubI/AAAAAAAACbc/5WUwmxEyHVA-NklzOaR2QovHBXNMPzrfgCLcBGAs/s1600/Perfect%2BDisaster%2BFront.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1073" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp5xSQ_PTz0/XKzyvG7YubI/AAAAAAAACbc/5WUwmxEyHVA-NklzOaR2QovHBXNMPzrfgCLcBGAs/s640/Perfect%2BDisaster%2BFront.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
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<div style="text-align: center;">
Perfect Disaster is the debut novel for contemporary BDSM romance author Samantha Calcott.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Cover art by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/mayhemandmagic/" target="_blank">Mayhem Designs</a> using stock from Adobe.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>PRE-ORDER NOW FOR 99c!</b></span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Andi Roswell never wanted to be a rock star. After being accidentally discovered performing drunken karaoke, the Goth girl's life will never be the same. She's now the frontwoman for the heavy metal band Absolution, and is dating the sexy director Leo Black.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Jack Prince is the singer of the classic Goth band Babybat. When Babybat plays the same music festival as Absolution, he and Andi meet and become unlikely friends.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
But their lives aren't destined to run smoothly, and when they both find themselves in emotional distress, they only people they have to turn to are each other.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmMcgs_1zRCzpjjY1kvrwMmEMC0PHAHWIxshnamjYkmp_YXA/viewform" target="_blank">Sign up for the release blitz!</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44772227-perfect-disaster" target="_blank">Add the book on Goodreads!</a></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGscr2X-JFo/XKz1S5uRnHI/AAAAAAAACb4/OzMuKZr3KbUVJq5Cdydyn451awcD-8jcQCLcBGAs/s1600/SamanthaBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MGscr2X-JFo/XKz1S5uRnHI/AAAAAAAACb4/OzMuKZr3KbUVJq5Cdydyn451awcD-8jcQCLcBGAs/s640/SamanthaBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Samantha Calcott is a secret lover of romance when it's done right, and after years of writing under </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">another pen name in the horror and paranormal genres, she decided to dip her toe into a brand new </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">genre.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She's a Midwestern girl who spent nearly a decade in the gritty heart of Los Angeles, where sex, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">drugs, and rock n' roll reign. When not writing, she's reading, at a concert, or cooking.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She currently lives in Arizona with three roommates, two cats, and a dog. She also writes horror and </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">paranormal books as USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span id="docs-internal-guid-de40eed5-7fff-76a1-1404-899d0d99bdea" style="color: white;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Find her via her </span><a href="http://eepurl.com/dN2a_M" style="text-decoration-line: none;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">newsletter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, where you can receive a free ebook and get exclusive content monthly.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://facebook.com/samanthacalcottrom">http://facebook.com/samanthacalcottrom</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://twitter.com/CalcottSamantha">http://twitter.com/CalcottSamantha</a></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="white-space: pre-wrap;"><a href="http://instagram.com/samanthacalcott">http://instagram.com/samanthacalcott</a></span><br />
<br />
Facebook (add cover):
🎤🎸🎤 COVER REVEAL 🎤🎸🎤
Perfect Disaster is the debut novel for contemporary BDSM romance author Samantha Calcott.
Cover art by Mayhem Designs using stock from Adobe.
COMING MAY 10th FROM Hot Ink Press!
Pre-order for 99c! http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC
Andi Roswell never wanted to be a rock star. After being accidentally discovered performing drunken karaoke, the Goth girl's life will never be the same. She's now the frontwoman for the heavy metal band Absolution, and is dating the sexy director Leo Black.
Jack Prince is the singer of the classic Goth band Babybat. When Babybat plays the same music festival as Absolution, he and Andi meet and become unlikely friends.
But their lives aren't destined to run smoothly, and when they both find themselves in emotional distress, they only people they have to turn to are each other.
Sign up for the release blitz: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfmMcgs_1zRCzpjjY1kvrwMmEMC0PHAHWIxshnamjYkmp_YXA/viewform
Add the book on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44772227-perfect-disaster?from_search=true
Join the release party: https://www.facebook.com/events/1557958877670561/
Twitter/Instagram (attach cover, add hashtags on IG if desired):
#CoverReveal for @CalcottSamantha 's #debut #RomanceNovel
Life can be a perfect disaster.
Coming May 10th
#PreOrder for #99c: http://smarturl.it/PerfectDisasterSC
Join the release party: https://www.facebook.com/events/1557958877670561/
Sign up for the blitz: https://t.co/Nne83ICnrw
#BDSM #Rockstar #romance #amreadingroma
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-68421837182972810922019-03-23T16:04:00.003-04:002019-03-23T16:04:28.394-04:00Release Blast: The Coven Rescue by Lily Luchesi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za5SNTFzYcw/XI3KSclf9_I/AAAAAAAADXk/TWmZxtgeOfMTdCQDOWZjs7dKRVRvE37rACLcBGAs/s1600/CovenRescueReleaseBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-za5SNTFzYcw/XI3KSclf9_I/AAAAAAAADXk/TWmZxtgeOfMTdCQDOWZjs7dKRVRvE37rACLcBGAs/s640/CovenRescueReleaseBanner.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenRescue" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Continue the #1 bestselling YA series for $2.99</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenRescue" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">or read FREE on Kindle Unlimited!</span></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlOj2fHWCPE/XI3Kcy9q9YI/AAAAAAAADXo/kDasHIjBj2o_5ffM7E9zx5l4Undpa4DCQCLcBGAs/s1600/lily10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rlOj2fHWCPE/XI3Kcy9q9YI/AAAAAAAADXo/kDasHIjBj2o_5ffM7E9zx5l4Undpa4DCQCLcBGAs/s640/lily10.jpg" width="440" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Some rules are made to be broken.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;"></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;">With peace restored in the Coven once again, Harley Sinclair is more than ready to turn twenty, leave her teens behind, and start moving forward from all the heartbreak.</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;">
</span><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
But paranormal law enforcement captures and imprisons her boyfriend, and she will do everything in her power to get him back. Alongside her half brother, her cousin, and her father, Harley's going to test the limits of her powers and fight against the company who controls all paranormal creatures.</div>
</span><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;">
When she uncovers a plot so dark, masquerading under the guise of the Light, she finds that there is even more at stake than one man's freedom. The fate of the Coven is once again left in her hands, and this time she's not sure she can win.</div>
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="768" data-original-width="1366" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F87KBEBCilQ/XI3Kq-3H8OI/AAAAAAAADXw/AtZJefxWV0M7EnumXgZ6_FYvqcsg_aTXQCLcBGAs/s640/CovenSeriesSale.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-large;">Start the series for only 99c for a limited time!</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-tfr9npSuY/XI3N3t8ARCI/AAAAAAAADYA/b0pQBFu6mtQDNjdbbPGR_weV2btj9YLhQCLcBGAs/s1600/CovenRescueBrokenHeart.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1068" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-P-tfr9npSuY/XI3N3t8ARCI/AAAAAAAADYA/b0pQBFu6mtQDNjdbbPGR_weV2btj9YLhQCLcBGAs/s640/CovenRescueBrokenHeart.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">EXCERPT</span></u></b>:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Harley was suddenly feeling closed in, and the air in the room was oppressive. Knowing the signs of sensory overload, she needed air. Skirting around the room and avoiding the dancers, she spotted a little balcony and slipped outside, closing the door behind her. She took a deep breath of the cool night air and closed her eyes.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She was ashamed of herself for acting like a silly little girl. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I told him I didn’t want anything exclusive, I told him I didn’t want to dance. So I have no business being upset.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Then why do I feel like someone punched me in the gut?” she whispered aloud.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The door to the balcony slid open and she jumped, and her mind automatically made her think it was a threat. Magic sparked in her hand until she saw that it was only Caelum and she took a breath.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I saw you leave. Are you okay?” he asked. His golden eyes shone brightly in the darkness.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">She nodded. “You can go back to your guests. I just needed a minute and I’ll be going.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Caelum waved his hand and the curtains on the inside closed, so no one could see them. “I only hosted this party so I could spend time with you in public.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Well, that backfired,” she replied. “But you have plenty of other people lavishing you with attention.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Caelum sighed, running a hand through his hair. “Maybe I haven’t been clear enough, Harley. I don’t want </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">their </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">attention. I want yours, undivided and intense.” He walked closer, and she braced her arms against the wrought iron of the balcony, the cool metal soothing her anxiety as she felt it through the sleeves of her dress.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I’m not going to fight anyone else for your attention,” she said. “I don’t want a public relationship so soon after James, and if you can’t handle that, I’m sorry.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He cocked his head toward the window. “They can all go to Hell for all I care.” His hands covered hers on the iron balcony and he pressed his lips down on hers lightly, just a quick brush that sent shivers down her spine.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I’m not used to feeling this way,” she said, her voice hushed. “Jealous, I mean.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“There’s no need,” Caelum said. “I’m yours. Only yours as long as you’ll have me.”</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He leaned down and kissed her again, and this time she believed him.</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></span></div>
<h1 dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Chapter Four</span></span></h1>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b id="docs-internal-guid-60536905-7fff-df3d-bd8b-18b814e2521b" style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">T</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hat night, Caelum couldn’t sleep. He kept thinking about Harley, how sad and alone she had looked out on the balcony. He hated himself for letting her feel jealous. Initially he </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">had </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">only danced with Kimberly to get some emotion out of Harley, but it had backfired on him. He wanted to ignite her passion, not her sadness.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He got out of bed and went to his living room, where there were pictures of the people he’d loved on the mantle above the fireplace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">One of them was him and Draven, taken by Daphne the night Draven had proposed to him. Draven’s head was on Caelum’s shoulder, his arm draped across the other one. Neither of them were smiling, but they both had stars in their eyes.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Draven, I’m sorry,” he said softly. “I don’t mean to hurt people, but it seems that’s all I’ve ever done. When Nick told me you were gone, I thought I was going to die … again. Being with her, with Harley, is the only time I don’t feel like there’s a knife in my heart. But I seem to be doing everything wrong.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“I probably don’t deserve her, especially not after all the things I did to Salem, but I want her.” He placed his head against the mantle, feeling tears slip down his cheeks. “I don’t want to hurt anymore, Fangs.”</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Fangs was his nickname for his half-vampire fiancé. Only he was allowed to call Draven that, and Draven had always blushed prettily every time he did so.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Caelum knew he wouldn’t be able to sleep that night. It was a sad side-effect he’d had since he was young. When he knew people were disappointed in him in any way, he’d get terrible insomnia. It was because of his perfectionist parents, that he knew, but it had a lasting effect on him.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He dressed and decided to go to the castle library that night and get ready to go and find faeries. At least that sounded like a fun job to do.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The walk wasn’t very long, and it was so quiet he could hear the small critters in the forest nearby, the sound of the wind in the castle battlements. His lynx abilities had always made him able to see, hear, and smell better than an average wizard, and many times they had saved his life.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Nights like this one, they helped calm his nerves. He walked slowly, along the forest edge, and breathed in the clear, crisp night air. There was a noise and he paused, head cocked as he let some of his animal instincts take over.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Faeries and elves talk,</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> he thought. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I wonder if any of the elves would be willing to answer some questions? Unless they remember me. Then they might bite.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">As boys, he, Michael, and Robert Ainsley had terrorised the elves, chasing them and performing practice spells and charms on them. Elves lived for centuries, but perhaps they wouldn’t recognise him. It was worth a try.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lux</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” he cast, sending light ahead of him to light his way. He made sure not to make it be too bright, lest he scare the elves off. Leaves crunched under his feet, and he breathed deeply of the beautiful scent of the forest.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Magicians were most comfortable in nature, which was why so many Covens were in out of the way places like this one in Scotland. He remembered taking a trip to Chicago to visit the Grand Coven there when he was a boy with his parents. He’d hated it. It was all high steel and stone, pollution and violence. Maybe American magicians were different.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">He wandered off the main path, as he knew elves were unlikely to linger where many humans walked. His generated light was just enough to see so he didn’t walk into a tree or trip on a root or fallen branch. Despite the twists and turns he took off the path, he knew he wouldn’t get lost. Shifting into a lynx would help him return back to the Coven without any hassle.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There was a noise up ahead and to his left, so he walked that way. “Hello?” he called. “Anyone there?” </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If it is a bloody deer, I’m going to be mortified.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A giggle. Did elves giggle? He knew faeries did, but if there were any faeries in here, he’d see them sparkling in the near blackness of the forest.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">“Hello?” he called, sterner this time. “I’m not here to hurt you, I just want to know if you’ve seen any faeries lately.” Elves were talkative and helpful, which was why the UK PID often used them as couriers. The problem was, they had to trust you first. If they didn’t, they could play deadly pranks until you succumbed in the forest.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">At least, that was the lore. Caelum had no idea if it was true or not, but tonight was not the night to take any chances.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">The good angel on his shoulder, which sounded quite like Draven, was telling him to turn back. The evil angel, who sounded suspiciously like Michael, was telling him to keep going and see who or what was giggling.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I have seen too many human horror movies to think that this is a good idea, </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">he thought as he continued on, toward the sound.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Scaip</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” a little voice said. It was soft like a child, but had a gravelly edge that set Caelum’s teeth on edge.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">It was a spell, that much he knew, but it was said in Gaelic. While Gaelic spells were an optional class at the castle, he hadn’t taken it. Latin was good enough for him.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">His light spell dispersed at the utterance of the word, and he was left in nearly pitch white darkness. A shiver went down his spine, and he heard leaves rustling as something, or some </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">things</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, moved closer.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Lux</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” he cast again, sending the ball of light high in the sky to illuminate more of his surroundings. When his eyes adjusted to the light, he immediately wished he had stayed in the dark—literally.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">In the trees, on the ground, all around him, were dryadali, the evil imps created by Robert Mor Munro when he subjected elves to Dark magic. Dryadali made whomever locked eyes with them relive a repressed memory, usually one that was frightening or generally unpleasant. When the victim was good and scared, lost in their own mind’s Hell, the dryadali would eat them.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">Caelum swore under his breath and shut his eyes, but that would do him no good if he couldn’t see to fight them off.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Argentum ferrum</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” he cast, sending shards of silver flying in every direction he could. Silver killed most evil creatures, and the evil elves were no exception. The silver hit a few of them, but there were at least eight more waiting to devour him. He needed a better game plan, and he needed one quickly.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ego beatus</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” he cast, a protection spell which helped guard one’s mind from the dryadalis’ magic. He repeated it, feeling his heart beat in his throat.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Crus moventur</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">,” someone cast. </span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;">A grown person, speaking a known hex. It was a male, but that was all Caelum could gleam. He couldn’t see where the man was, or know why he’d hexed him.</span></span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Caelum fell on his back and looked up into the glowing, large red eyes of a dryadalis. </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Oh no</span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, he thought, as the Dark magic consumed his mind.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula.</span><br style="background-color: dark grey; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ffffff; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">Her Coven Series has successfully topped Amazon's Hot New Releases list consecutively.</span><br style="background-color: dark grey; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ffffff; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">She is also the editor, curator and contributing author of Vamptasy Publishing's Damsels of Distress anthology, which celebrates strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.</span><br style="background-color: dark grey; box-sizing: border-box; color: #ffffff; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;" /><span style="background-color: dark grey; color: #ffffff; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Arizona. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.</span></span></span></div>
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💚🌟💚 #NewRelease from USA TODAY #bestselling author Lily Luchesi 💚🌟💚
http://smarturl.it/TheCovenRescue
Some rules are made to be broken.
Read book one for #99c! http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess
#YAFantasy #youngadult #strongwomen #amreading #fantasy
Published by CHBB Publishing
Cover by Rue Volley
Edited by EAL Editing Services
Read book one for 99c for a limited time: http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess
Some rules are made to be broken.
With peace restored in the Coven once again, Harley Sinclair is more than ready to turn twenty, leave her teens behind, and start moving forward from all the heartbreak.
But paranormal law enforcement captures and imprisons her boyfriend, and she will do everything in her power to get him back. Alongside her half brother, her cousin, and her father, Harley's going to test the limits of her powers and fight against the company who controls all paranormal creatures.
When she uncovers a plot so dark, masquerading under the guise of the Light, she finds that there is even more at stake than one man's freedom. The fate of the Coven is once again left in her hands, and this time she's not sure she can win.
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💚🌟💚 #NewRelease from USA TODAY #bestselling author Lily Luchesi 💚🌟💚
http://smarturl.it/TheCovenRescue
Some rules are made to be broken.
Read book one for #99c! http://smarturl.it/TheCovenPrincess
#YAFantasy #youngadult #strongwomen #amreading #fantasy
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Coming March 23rd from USA Today bestselling author Lily Luchesi</div>
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and CHBB Publishing</div>
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The third installment of the #1 international bestselling <i>Coven Series</i></div>
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/TheCovenSeries" target="_blank">Don't forget to check out books 1 & 2 of The Coven Series, available now on Amazon Kindle and free in Kindle Unlimited!</a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-53562447059877092532019-03-12T02:56:00.003-04:002019-03-12T02:56:36.079-04:00Psychonaut Release Day Blog Buzz - March 12<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Psychonaut is the second book in Carmilla Voiez’s Starblood series. It’s a relaunch of the novel by American indie Vamptasy Publishing. The series contains four books and follows the lives of a group of friends: Star, Satori, Freya. Donna, Raven and Ivan, who are young Goths living in Bristol, England.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">In the first book, Starblood, Star breaks up with her lover, Satori, but he is unwilling to let her go. Satori is an adept Chaos magician and decides to cast a spell to keep Star by his side, but because of competing forces Lilith, mother of demons, uses this moment to come to Earth and enter their lives. The result is a tangled web of murder, madness and betrayal.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">The first book can be found at Amazon and other retailers – <a href="http://smarturl.it/Starblood"><span class="s2">http://smarturl.it/Starblood</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Psychonaut takes us beyond the urban lives of these ill-fated Goths and into other worlds full of demons, gods, magic and monsters.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Psychonaut is available from March 12 and can be found at – <a href="http://smarturl.it/PsychonautVoiez"><span class="s2">http://smarturl.it/PsychonautVoiez</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRkM3V8Uxrk/XIdWTrY9l2I/AAAAAAAACG4/sB54HwDEOVMYiHlRjpytr3DB0nTRs5ZPACLcBGAs/s1600/StarbloodPsychonautDatesGN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1410" data-original-width="1444" height="624" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uRkM3V8Uxrk/XIdWTrY9l2I/AAAAAAAACG4/sB54HwDEOVMYiHlRjpytr3DB0nTRs5ZPACLcBGAs/s640/StarbloodPsychonautDatesGN.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><u><b>Summary:</b></u></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Satori is caught between two worlds. There is something he needs in one, but the other keeps drawing him back. However, he is in love and he isn’t going to let a little thing like death get in his way. To reach his goal, he must face unimaginable horrors, not least of which is his true self.<br />
Star’s tortured and broken body awaits Satori, but does she really need him to save her? His rival, a rage-filled young woman, grows more powerful and becomes as twisted as the ribbons in her hair while the demon, Lilith, draws each of them inexorably towards her. Who will survive the coming battle?<br />
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Full of sex and magic, “Psychonaut” is an exploration into the human psyche and the second book in Voiez’s “Starblood” trilogy.<br />
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"Carmilla Voiez is more of a singer than a writer. She tells her compelling story in a hypnotic, distinctive voice that brings her eerie world vividly to life." Graham Masterton<br />
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“Psychonaut is a book of mad impulses, inner vision, sadism, escape and belief. You feel uncomfortable reading it, like Alex strapped to the chair in Clockwork Orange being taught to feel sick at atrocity. Rather than leave us crippled by response, though, Psychonaut bears you through the hurt towards the only paradise we can be assured of...a love past fault.” Jef Withonef, Houston Press.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><b><u><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">The Amazing Author: Carmilla Voiez</span></u></b></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><u><b><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">Excerpt:</span></b></u></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘What do you need me to do?’ Freya asks.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘I need someone to guide me through the planes. I thought Ivan would help me, but I think you probably know more about it than he does,’ Satori answers.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘I doubt it.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘You’ve been up there though.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Freya nods. ‘Yes.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Satori blushes. ‘It was my first trip today. That’s where I was when you rang the doorbell. I’ve found where to start. But I have no clue where to go from here.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘What’s it like?’ she asks.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Huh?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Your sacred space, at least that’s what Ivan calls it. What’s yours like?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Oh, um …’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Haha, you’re embarrassed. What, does it have some huge tower like you’re compensating for something … oh shit, it does doesn’t it?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Satori shuffles in his seat. ‘No. What have you got in yours then?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘A tree,’ Freya says.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘And …’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Just a tree.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘What kind of tree?’ Satori asks.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘A weeping willow,’ she answers.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘How Gothic.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Indeed, tower boy.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘I … okay yes I have a tower.’ He laughs. ‘But I’m not compensating. I like … towers. So your willow tree …’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Yes.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Is it as beautiful as your hair?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘What the fuck, Satori? Where did that come from?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Sorry. I’m just saying …’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘And I’m just saying, forget it. There’s no way that’s ever gonna happen. The people you seduce have a habit of ending up dead.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Satori looks away. His mouth moves as if he’s about to speak, but thinks better of it.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Freya watches the colour rise in his cheeks and feels embarrassed for him, embarrassed and awkward because she rejected him. <i>Maybe he was simply being friendly, paying me a compliment? Did I misunderstand?</i> Something clicks inside her and the awkwardness grows into nervousness, which morphs into anger. <i>Why would he say that? Is sex all he wants from women? Perhaps he looks at me and all he can see is a pretty thing for him to pet? Am I not his equal? Of course I am. What then?</i> Confused, she shakes her head and decides to change the subject. ‘So are we going to try to find your way tonight?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Have you got somewhere else to be?’ he asks.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘No, I’m good.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘All right then,’ Satori says, refilling the glasses. ‘But I haven’t left my … tower yet. Where should we meet?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘I haven’t left my Gothic tree. Shall we follow our paths and think of each other? Maybe our feet will lead us there.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘It’s a better plan than any I’ve come up with,’ Satori says.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Where?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Mum will be home soon. Is … my bedroom okay?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘Well, I don’t actually need to be here, do I?’ Freya asks.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘I thought it might help,’ he says.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘It probably won’t. Not with the mood you’re in tonight,’ she answers.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Satori sighs. ‘I guess so. Ten o’clock then. That gives you an hour to get home and get ready. Will Ivan pick you up or shall I walk you home?’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">‘How many fucking times? I don’t need your protection.’</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">…</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0S68JInrQo/XIdWjmHVogI/AAAAAAAACHA/abDVVzWy5PE6wycvoxz_Fiw941rrNqpRACLcBGAs/s1600/PsychonautTeaser.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" data-original-height="970" data-original-width="970" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-F0S68JInrQo/XIdWjmHVogI/AAAAAAAACHA/abDVVzWy5PE6wycvoxz_Fiw941rrNqpRACLcBGAs/s640/PsychonautTeaser.jpg" width="640" /></span></a></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Psychonaut is a story of redemption. In it the main characters learn their flaws and find ways to rise above them. Star, Satori, Lilith and Donna are all changed in profound and positive ways during the narrative. In this way Psychonaut is an uplifting book, especially after the desperate pain and suffering of Starblood.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Starblood was written during a difficult period of my life. I had given birth to my second daughter and was struggling to bond with her while keeping some sense of my own identity at the same time. In addition the business I had been running (with my then husband) for over a decade was failing, and my marriage was on the rocks.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Star’s struggle to discover who she is, when all the layers of what others want her to be are stripped away, was very much my struggle. I was in a state of depression and suicidal. I honestly believe that writing the Starblood Trilogy helped me answer the questions that haunted me at the time and saved my life (although not my marriage).</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">I was shocked and surprised by the overwhelming positive reception the first three Starblood books received. It is a frequently painful read and more than a little “out there”, that it resonated with others amazes me. What I have realised over the years is that my story is far more common than people would like to admit.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Since writing Starblood I have read work by people like Thomas Ligotti, which has taught me that part of the appeal of Starblood is that many of us never feel as though we fit comfortably in this world. We all flounder about at times trying to find a way to fit in without compromising what makes us who we are. I realise that my instinctive feeling that the world is both cruel and insane is far from uniquely mine.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">On the flip side the message, I hope, that people get from the stories is one of self acceptance. So what if we don’t fit in? We are still important. We have value. Our dreams mean something, and as Lilith says in the first book, “There is no shame in love, only completion.” I hope people can see that Lilith is not only talking about romantic love at this point, but also love and acceptance of self and the multi-faceted, unique and marvellous people we have in our lives.<span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='520' height='466' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dydRXJjBOhM_bgzpl1DU3KACLpN77hnoc50OzE0oEYwzXEb7eMF_Zx_Pd7BNRtyIeWzEiEWe3teIDQmFkf3tQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">The Starblood Series books 1 and 2 are also available as graphic novels with art by Anna Prashkovich.</span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Graphic Novel 1 – Starblood – <a href="http://smarturl.it/sgnebook"><span class="s2">http://smarturl.it/sgnebook</span></a></span></span></div>
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<span class="s1"><span style="font-size: large;">Graphic Novel 2 – Psychonaut – <a href="http://smarturl.it/Psychonaut"><span class="s2">http://smarturl.it/Psychonaut</span></a><span class="Apple-converted-space"> </span></span></span></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-18538715058226966552019-02-08T22:03:00.000-05:002019-02-27T22:24:14.135-05:00Phoenix Unbound (Fallen Empire #1) by Grace Draven<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34817019-phoenix-unbound?ac=1&from_search=true" target="_blank"><img alt="34817019" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1517466848l/34817019.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;" /></a></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This review was written by: C</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Received: ARC from Publisher</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Date of Publication: September 2018</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Rating: 4.5/5</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Official Summary:</b></u></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16;">A woman with power over fire and illusion and an enslaved son of a chieftain battle a corrupt empire in this powerful and deeply emotional romantic fantasy from the <i>USA Today </i>bestselling author of <i>Radiance</i>.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: normal;">Every year, each village is required to send a young woman to the Empire's capital--her fate to be burned alive for the entertainment of the masses. For the last five years, one small village's tithe has been the same woman. Gilene's sacrifice protects all the other young women of her village, and her secret to staying alive lies with the magic only she possesses. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16;">But this year is different. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16;">Azarion, the Empire's most famous gladiator, has somehow seen through her illusion--and is set on blackmailing Gilene into using her abilities to help him escape his life of slavery. And unknown to Gilene, he also wants to reclaim the birthright of his clan.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 16;">To protect her family and village, she will risk everything to return to the Empire--and burn once more.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><u><b>My Thoughts:</b></u></span></div>
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It's not every day that I come across an adult fantasy novel that's capable of taking my breath away. In fact, I wasn't even sure if I was going to enjoy the book at first. I've never read any of Draven's work before, so I was eager to see what was in store for me when this gem arrived at my doorstep. The book's summary seemed interesting enough and the cover is gorgeous. I didn't think I had anything to lose so I figured I'd give it a try.<br />
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The world that Draven created truly drew me in. I have to admit that I am an avid lover of fantasy novels, but I tend to stick to the YA end of that spectrum. I don't know why, but I feel that sometimes adult fantasy novels build magical worlds that can be confusing, especially with their magic systems, fabricated cultures, and complex societies. Some authors just don't do a superb job of easing the reader into unfamiliar lands and things get confusing very quickly, especially when there are a ton of characters or rules of the world to keep track of. Consequently, I was so happy that I was capable of easily diving into the world of Phoenix Unbound! Heck, I was hooked from the first page.<br />
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There are so many interesting cultures and lands to explore. However, I have to admit that this book isn't filled with rainbows and unicorns. There's quite a bit of dark content -- slavery, murder, and rape to name a few. I mean, the entire plot starts off with Gilene leaving her village to be sacrificed yet again for the Empire. She endures it every year and suffers the physical consequences of using her ability to survive and the mental anguish knowing that every other girl won't be saved. They're given to the gladiators to be raped the night before they're burned alive, so there is definitely a heavy atmosphere to this book.<br />
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Aside from Gilene, we have Azarion, the prime gladiator and one of the empress's favorite play things. He's capable of seeing straight through Gilene's magic, and he may know more about her origins than even she does. The two of them must face the odds of standing against the Empire and bring a new era. From this alone you kind of get the gist that there's definitely a romance in this book, and I loved how the author expertly brought the two together. Watching their romance unfold was spectacular, and I loved every second of it. Plus the banter was superb.<br />
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Overall, this book has a bit of everything for everyone -- magic, rebellion, love, and impossible odds -- all great aspects of a plot that culminates into a worthy read.<br />
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<b><u>If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:</u></b><br />
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43401514-dragon-unleashed" target="_blank"><img alt="43401514" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1546191017l/43401514.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;" width="134" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/24473763-radiance" target="_blank"><img alt="24473763" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1422721500l/24473763.jpg" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: start;" width="144" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-64909674362846704822019-01-21T18:07:00.000-05:002019-01-21T18:07:38.247-05:00Greyson Fox by T.L. Travis<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>This review was written by:<span style="color: #d5a6bd;"> C</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Received: <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">Ebook from Author</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Date of Publication: <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">September 2018</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Rating: <span style="color: #d5a6bd;">4/5</span></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>Official Summary:</b></u></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Greyson Fox, the man, the myth, the legend. The highly sought after, self-proclaimed permanent bachelor. Or so the rumor mill goes. Sure, I’ve heard it all – but the one that stung the most was being called a heartless bastard. Love ‘em and leave ‘em, that one in particular I found to be the most humorous since only one man had ever shared my bed more than once, and he’d long since passed away. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">I wasn’t the heartless bastard they all proclaimed me to be, but life had a way of kicking me in the teeth…Repeatedly, so I shut my heart off. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">For years I thrived, building my empire and living by my own rules. Until one day, the walls came crashing down around me. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Potential trigger warning: </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">This book contains brief descriptions of human sex trafficking, as well as two mentions of sexual abuse, including a brief description of oral abuse and an attempted sexual assault. There is some physical abuse by the syndicates hands and a drug overdose so if those are trigger points this may not be the book for you. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #d5a6bd; font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><u><b>My Thoughts:</b></u></span></div>
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I think everyone enjoys watching a romance unfold through the most unlikely of circumstances. You're simply drawn to the seemingly impossible situations, the drama, the twist of events that result in one spectacular miracle -- meeting the one person you feel you're destined for.<br />
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T.L. Travis' most recent publication follows the past and present of Greyson Fox -- a man who once lost it all, gained a precious person in his life, and then lost everything yet again. I appreciate a character's journey when it's filled with challenges -- life's never easy and I think Travis illustrated this perfectly. I also particularly love how Travis' work often delves into a character's history, allowing the reader to experience how it unfolded and get a grasp of who the characters are in the present due to the life they've lived. Thus, it's possible to follow Greyson on his journey through life and witness his growth as a human being. Greyson starts as a loving young man but becomes an individual whose heart has been closed off from truly loving another person in a romantic fashion. He's a fighter who hasn't had a smooth ride through the decades, but he's come out as a stronger person who perseveres through the worst life has to throw at him, until he gets thrown a curve ball he may not be able to dodge.<br />
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I was particularly drawn to the darker aspects of the story and the sad turn of events that Greyson went through in his youth. It was an emotional roller coaster, and I loved watching Greyson make something from his life and soldier on despite all that occurred. You're rooting for him the entire time, perhaps a bit sad that he doesn't value romantic relationships after a devastating loss, but you're also proud that he's made it to where he is.<br />
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Overall, I definitely recommend this book. You can see the hard work and love the author put into the story. And most importantly, you'll be able to witness a journey that you shouldn't pass up.<br />
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<u><b><span style="color: #d5a6bd;">If you enjoyed this book, you may also like:</span></b></u></div>
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/31364092-sebastian" style="background-color: #d5a6bd;" target="_blank"><img alt="31364092" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1470537683l/31364092.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" width="137" /></a> <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40058417-behind-the-lights" style="background-color: #d5a6bd;" target="_blank"><img alt="40058417" height="200" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1525742321l/40058417.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px; text-align: left;" width="137" /></a></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-53705735506611758552019-01-09T14:24:00.002-05:002019-01-09T14:26:38.305-05:00Bruja Born (Brooklyn Brujas #2) by Zoraida Córdova<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/33918887-bruja-born?ac=1&from_search=true" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;" target="_blank"><span style="background-color: #3d85c6;"><img alt="33918887" border="0" src="https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1515714335l/33918887.jpg" style="border: 0px; color: #181818; font-family: lato, "helvetica neue", helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;" /></span></a></div>
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This review was written by: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">C</span></div>
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Received: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">Borrowed from Library</span></div>
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Date of Publication: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">June 2018</span></div>
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Stars: <span style="color: #3d85c6;">4/5</span></div>
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<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;"><u>Official Summary:</u></span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Three sisters. One spell. Countless dead.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Lula Mortiz feels like an outsider. Her sister's newfound Encantrix powers have wounded her in ways that Lula's bruja healing powers can't fix, and she longs for the comfort her family once brought her. Thank the Deos for Maks, her sweet, steady boyfriend who sees the beauty within her and brings light to her life.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: small;">Then a bus crash turns Lula's world upside down. Her classmates are all dead, including Maks. But Lula was born to heal, to fix. She can bring Maks back, even if it means seeking help from her sisters and defying Death herself. But magic that defies the laws of the deos is dangerous. Unpredictable. And when the dust settles, Maks isn't the only one who's been brought back...</span></div>
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<u><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: large;">My Thoughts:</span></u></div>
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Zoraida Córdova has truly been an author whose work I have fallen in love with and cherish. I first stumbled across <i>The Vicious Deep </i>series shortly after the first book was released way back in 2012. I instantly had to get my hands on it once I discovered that it revolved around a teen half-merman. I mean, come on, how much YA fantasy is out there that focuses on that kind of character? Mermaid YA is already a pretty bleak selection, so amazing mermen stories are almost nonexistent. From the first chapter, I couldn't put <i>The Vicious Deep</i> down. I'd never come across a story quite like it. I became enamored with the plot, action, great characters, deep emotion, and pure fun. The world she built was spectacular, and I waited with bated breath for every installment that came out. Honestly, when the final book in the trilogy was published, I was so sad that I would never get to return to this amazing world that Córdova had created. Little did I know...<br />
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I was ecstatic when my younger sister told me that Córdova was coming out with a new fantasy series. I'd been waiting three years since the <i>Vast and Brutal Sea</i> for another fantasy/urban fantasy series from one of my favorite authors. I ate <i>Labyrinth Lost</i> up as soon as I got my library copy! And let me tell you, when they mentioned Tristan (the main character from <i>The Vicious Deep</i> series), I practically lost my shit. I couldn't believe that Córdova had decided to expand her existing universe. I was ecstatic, I was elated -- I just couldn't handle this reveal.<br />
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I was so thrilled with my discovery that I even released a Tweet. And guess what?!! The author commented on it! I have proof:<br />
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<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ywgOZXwrho/W0IiRNnV6LI/AAAAAAAAB_8/WfxJzKT9_ZQ4Ra_mpA1dDE75cpGNCpjxwCLcBGAs/s1600/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-08%2Bat%2B10.39.26%2BAM.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1202" data-original-width="1228" height="391" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2ywgOZXwrho/W0IiRNnV6LI/AAAAAAAAB_8/WfxJzKT9_ZQ4Ra_mpA1dDE75cpGNCpjxwCLcBGAs/s400/Screen%2BShot%2B2018-07-08%2Bat%2B10.39.26%2BAM.png" width="400" /></a></div>
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Look at that reply!!!! I couldn't wait! Two characters from <i>The Vicious Deep</i>!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Can you feel how palpable my excitement is??!!!<br />
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Once I knew that I would be getting more interaction between the bruja and paranormal worlds established in both the <i>Brooklyn Brujas </i>and <i>The Vicious Deep</i> series, <i>Bruja Born</i> couldn't come out fast enough. And I couldn't believe it when my library set it on the shelf a few days before the book was officially released. I snatched that baby up and cracked it open as soon as I got home, and I was able to finish it in just a few days. I was kind of in a reading slump, and this brought me right out of it.<br />
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Before I go any further, I just want to mention that I really enjoyed <i>Labyrinth Lost </i>and the introduction to the world of brujeria and a whole new cast of great characters. However, I didn't love it as much as<i> The Vicious Deep</i> series. Maybe it was just the fact that most of the book took place in an entirely different realm, but regardless, I knew that I would be continuing the series.<br />
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Additionally, each book in the series is from the perspective of a different Mortiz sister and the adventures and trials that they face. <i>Labyrinth Lost</i> focused on Alex (the middle child) and her coming to terms with her magic,<i> Bruja Born</i> focused on Lula (the oldest) and her mistake of breaking a taboo of magic, and I believe the third will focus on Rose (the youngest). Perhaps I also wasn't able to connect with Alex as much as I did with Lula, which may be a reason as to why I enjoyed the second book so much more. Plus, I guess I didn't really like the love triangle.<br />
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In terms of <i>Bruja Born</i>, we follow Lula as she tries to get past what happened to her in Los Lagos and the mental and physical scars that resulted from it. To add salt to the wound, she's been pretty distant from her boyfriend, who decides to break up with her. As her life continues, she's involved in a fatal bus crash that's also carrying the soccer team, and she ends up being the sole survivor. In a desperate attempt to save her ex-boyfriend, Lula cheats death and sets off a chain of events that have dire consequences.<br />
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I think what I enjoy most about this series is the focus on family (both blood and non-blood related) and how far you are willing to go to help, save, or support those whom you love. The Mortiz sisters remind me a bit of my own siblings - we're there for one another through thick and thin, even if one of us does make a not-so-great decision. They're there to love and support one another. Of course, the author doesn't only show the love that family shares, but Córdova also demonstrated the fights that can occur and anger that can arise. She shows all aspects of family -- the good and the bad.<br />
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Aside from the family values, I love the Latina culture that's shown. Books aren't always capable of flawlessly expressing a culture, making it understandable to an outsider, and showing the amazing aspects of it. I enjoyed this part of the book immensely, and I couldn't get enough of it.<br />
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Córdova also has flawed characters, and Lula is far from perfect. Lula is a physically beautiful person. However, scars now mar her face from events that occurred in the previous book. Consequently, she has her sisters charm her face to hide them. I don't want to say she's vain, but it is mentioned that she was once told that beauty is power. Thus, she has to come to terms with the fact that she views this "disfigurement" as ugly even though she is still beautiful. I also found it very touching when her youngest sister was told to transform into the most beautiful person she can imagine, and it was Lula, scars and all.<br />
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I think a significant lesson was self-love. Some books really go into the whole boyfriend breakup and how people don't know how to be their true selves unless they aren't in a relationship, and how people don't need a significant other to find purpose, etc. In Lula's case, she was a bit afraid of being alone and her boyfriend (Maks) left her after being in a relationship for two years. I think that she truly did love him. Why would she complete an illegal spell to save Maks if she didn't love him? I guess what I'm trying to say is that this book did focus on self-love and how you need to love who you are. Yet, you also don't need a significant other to find worth, but that relationships are also good for you (I predict Lula will definitely be marrying that Hunter in the future :) ). Don't mind my rambling, but I appreciate how the author went about self-love and getting past traumatic events in one's life.<br />
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You're might also be wondering who the two characters were from <i>The Vicious Deep</i>. In all honesty, I really hoped at least one of them would be Tristan. After all, it was mentioned in <i>Labyrinth Lost</i> that Lula had dated him and got her heart broken. So, I figured he could potentially enter the story. Plus, Tristan's mother was mentioned several times because Lula's mother went to go and help deliver her new baby. However, Tristan did not make an appearance, which slightly disappointed me, but I will not lose faith, because there will be at least one more book and you never know what could happen. I also don't want to reveal who showed up, because I don't want to spoil too much. Just go read the book and find out for yourself!<br />
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It's a spectacular read and you won't be disappointed!<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-24997409956851972752019-01-01T18:29:00.001-05:002019-01-01T18:30:17.958-05:00Book Birthday: Day of Execution (Paranormal Detectives #7) by Lily Luchesi<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="http://smarturl.it/ExecutionBk7" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The penultimate book in the award-winning series is available now for only 99c for a limited time, and FREE on Kindle Unlimited!</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Blood is not thicker than water.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white;">The Undead are restless, and the Empress feels powerless to heal the rift within the vampiric empire. As tensions rise, Angelica and Danny must hold a crumbling paranormal world together. But a knocking from the portal into Hell makes for a dark distraction. What horrors will the new Lieutenant of the Underworld heap upon them?</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b><u><span style="font-size: x-large;">EXCERPT</span></u></b>:</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Danny was walking through the PID offices, but it wasn’t the PID he knew. Not anymore. Corpses were strewn across the floor, all people he recognized, most of them humans. He went to touch one, an older man with white hair, to see if by chance he was still alive, but he couldn’t. It was then he knew what was happening: he was having a vision.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">But how? When he turned into a vampire, he had knowingly given up his psychic powers and hadn’t had a vision for over twenty years now. Despite his uneasiness, it was like riding a bike as the vision unfolded. He simply followed it to see it to fruition, knowing that he had no control over it now.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It was vivid, much more vivid than his visions used to be, which was saying something. The smell of blood was everywhere, but there was something wrong with it. It was sour, and made him cover his nose and mouth with his jacket so he wouldn’t gag. He’d never smelled it before, but when he saw the needles on a table filled with red liquid so dark it looked black, he knew: it was dead man’s blood.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Deadlier than garlic and more lethal than holy water to a vampire, dead man’s blood could kill a vamp nearly instantly. It had to be from a corpse that was dead for at least twenty-four hours, and the older the blood, the quicker the death of the vampire. Angelica had been testing out a new weapon which fired arrows filled with dead man’s blood and holy water, to better fight against any other possible Undead defectors.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He gave the table with the needles a wide berth, walking further down the hall to the training room. He wanted to stop, to turn and run, at least to wake up. But like any good nightmare, vision of the future or not, he could only keep walking at a steady but slow pace.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He could hear screaming and crying from the other side of the training room door, and his stomach rolled when he realized it was Angelica he heard crying. It didn't sound like she was in pain, exactly. She sounded angry and desperate and … sad?</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He pushed open the door with a shaking hand and saw a bloody corpse pinned to a pile of workout mats, eyes wide in horror. He had no idea who the man was: he was in his sixties with greying hair and wide, hazel eyes. He’d been killed via vampire bite.</span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.8; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Danny turned the corner around the pile of workout mats the corpse lay on and saw another body, this one so far into decomposition that it was unrecognizable save for the fact that it wore male clothing. Angelica sat before it, blood leaking from her eyes, nose, and mouth as she sobbed.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before his eyes he watched as his wife, the woman he loved, began to deteriorate and decay, turning into a skeletal corpse just like the one on the floor.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">He tried to call out to her, to run to her, but he was still and silent.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">From behind him, a voice slithered into his ear. He usually couldn’t hear voices clearly in his visions, they sounded like they were underwater. However, this one was as clear as a bell, and damn familiar, though he couldn’t place it.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span id="docs-internal-guid-15f463eb-7fff-b2e8-85c2-68b4bea76289"></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-variant: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><u><b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">About The Author</span></b></u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; text-indent: 0px;">Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of the Paranormal Detectives Series, published by Vamptasy Publishing. She also has short stories included in multiple bestselling anthologies, and a successful dark erotica retelling of Dracula.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">Her Coven Series has successfully topped Amazon's Hot New Releases list consecutively.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">She is also the editor, curator and contributing author of Vamptasy Publishing's Damsels of Distress anthology, which celebrates strong female characters in horror and paranormal fiction.</span></span></span></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #171717; color: white; font-style: normal; text-indent: 0px; white-space: normal;">She was born in Chicago, Illinois, and now resides in Los Angeles, California. Ever since she was a toddler her mother noticed her tendency for being interested in all things "dark". At two she became infatuated with vampires and ghosts, and that infatuation turned into a lifestyle. She is also an out member of the LGBT+ community. When she's not writing, she's going to rock concerts, getting tattooed, watching the CW, or reading manga. And drinking copious amounts of coffee.</span></span></span></div>
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🦇🦇🦇 NEW RELEASE 🦇🦇🦇
http://smarturl.it/ExecutionBk7
Blood is not thicker than water.
#99c until January 6th!
From USA TODAY bestselling author Lily Luchesi
Blood is not thicker than water.
The Undead are restless, and the Empress feels powerless to heal the rift within the vampiric empire. As tensions rise, Angelica and Danny must hold a crumbling paranormal world together. But a knocking from the portal into Hell makes for a dark distraction. What horrors will the new Lieutenant of the Underworld heap upon them?
Start the series for #FREE today: http://smarturl.it/PDSeries
Published by Vamptasy Publishing
Cover art by Rue Volley
Edited by EAL Editing Services
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🦇🦇🦇 NEW RELEASE 🦇🦇🦇
http://smarturl.it/ExecutionBk7
Blood is not thicker than water.
#99c until January 6th!
From #USAToday #bestselling author @lilyluchesi
#onsale #Sales #vampires #paranormalromance #horrorfans
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7336207558115620626.post-27314405187794505352018-11-15T11:07:00.000-05:002018-11-15T11:07:15.047-05:00Book Birthday: Soul Syndicate by Lily Luchesi and Faith Marlow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLt2PxNGL20/W99dYZFgGsI/AAAAAAAADQs/mZPHpBARadogn8_Y95RfW3XnwX47QAYqwCLcBGAs/s1600/44830466_161630701456525_8173041392390504448_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1102" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-OLt2PxNGL20/W99dYZFgGsI/AAAAAAAADQs/mZPHpBARadogn8_Y95RfW3XnwX47QAYqwCLcBGAs/s640/44830466_161630701456525_8173041392390504448_n.jpg" width="440" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif; font-size: x-large;"><b><i><u><a href="http://smarturl.it/SoulSyndicate" target="_blank">AVAILABLE NOW, FREE VIA KINDLE UNLIMITED!</a></u></i></b></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">A soul is a heavy burden to bear.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There’s a gala celebrating the city and many notable celebrities are attending, including a rock star, a socialite, a baseball player, and an entertainment reporter. Each of them is notable in their own right, and each one holding a secret.</span></span></div>
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When they all get stuck in an elevator together after the gala is over, they think that that is the worst thing that could happen to them...until the doors finally open.
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">It’s a battle for the ultimate prize: their souls and the souls of everyone else on Earth. Can they save the world, or will these disparate individuals kill each other first?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: dark grey; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The world as they knew it has gone, now they have poppies attached to their chests and are facing down soulless friends, family, and strangers, including a crotchety old woman and a former drag queen.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp4n1aHSww4/W8hKxBZuzCI/AAAAAAAADQA/VGAsPUQfGmca-GuYm_gGkjC0MkNZ2rWvgCLcBGAs/s1600/SoulSyndicateNewBanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="351" data-original-width="815" height="274" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Hp4n1aHSww4/W8hKxBZuzCI/AAAAAAAADQA/VGAsPUQfGmca-GuYm_gGkjC0MkNZ2rWvgCLcBGAs/s640/SoulSyndicateNewBanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Excerpt:</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jake and Xander came up behind the women, and Jake then saw what the others were seeing. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Or rather, what the others didn’t see. It was the middle of the day on Saturday, just a week from </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Thanksgiving in downtown Chicago. And yet the street was empty of people.</span></div>
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</span></span></span><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Guys? Why do I feel like I’m about to be in an episode of </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">The Twilight Zone</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">?” he asked, gazing </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">around at the empty street and shops. It didn't seem like any of them had even opened that morning, </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">closed signs hung in every window.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Is there a holiday we forgot about?” Xander asked.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Rachael scoffed. “Places stay open on </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Christmas </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">these days. Trust me; there’s no holiday. But should </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">we check the news? Perhaps something's going on that we missed in the elevator.” She looked at </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lianne. “I’m going to guess you don’t have any news apps on your phone, do you?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Without waiting for an answer, she rummaged in her purse for her smartphone, clicking on the local </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">news’ app. Jake looked over her shoulder as she flicked down, refreshing it. Nothing changed. It </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">stayed with the same report from eleven the previous night, about the gala.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Maybe it’s broken,” Jake said. “Check Twitter.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Thank you, peanut gallery,” Rachael said, clicking on the other app. Jake saw that she followed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">about eight thousand people. Yet there were no updates from anyone since eleven the previous night, </span><br />
<span style="color: white;"><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">central time. “Is it my connection?” She typed out a quick tweet, “</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Hello, is this thing on?</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">” and it </span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">posted immediately. And why was Wifi working but not landlines or text messages?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">She showed the phone’s screen to the other three who just stared.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What could this mean?” Xander asked. “An empty street, no one online except for us, apparently...it </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">doesn’t make sense.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lianne shook her head. “I don’t get it. Let me call someone. See if anyone’s got an answer.” She took </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">out her phone and pressed a few buttons, holding it to her ear. After a few minutes, she hung up. “It </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">went to voicemail. But it’s my mom; she doesn’t always answer.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jake then recalled that he was supposed to be back home last night. His wife must have been worried </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">sick about him. Taking out his phone, he was dismayed to see that there wasn’t a single text or missed </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">call from her. Wasn’t she worried? Or even upset that he pulled an all-nighter while she was home </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">alone with their son? And what about his band? Didn’t they wonder why he hadn’t shown up for </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">rehearsal?</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Anybody hear from anyone?” he asked. “I mean, we’ve all got to have at least one person who would </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">have text messaged us.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Rachael nodded. “My editor. I was supposed to turn in my report by noon, which means he would have </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">been hounding me by nine. But nothing.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Do you know how many notifications I get in an hour?” Lianne asked, preening a bit. “There’s not a</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> single one on here.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Xander grinned ruefully as he said, “In the off-season, she’s the only one who nags me.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Why you little—”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“Cool it with the antagonization,” Rachael said. “Something’s wrong here. Seriously wrong. And we </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">need to figure out what.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lianne scoffed. “We’re not the police. Let them figure it out. I mean, isn’t that what we pay taxes for?”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Jake watched as Rachael cocked her head, a lock of dark hair falling across her forehead. “Huh. And</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> here I never would have expected you to know what your taxes went for or how to pay them.”</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Lianne’s mouth dropped and she was about to retort when Jake gasped. A sudden pain hit him in the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">center of his chest, like there was a little knife inside stabbing its way out. Everyone turned toward him,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> but he couldn’t be bothered with their quizzical glances.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">He unbuttoned his shirt partway, the pain making his hands shake. He gasped as the stabbing sensation </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">increased. Looking down, he saw that there was a spot on his chest, over his heart, that was bulging out,</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> the skin stretched taut around something. Fear mingled with the pain, and he felt his heart begin to beat</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;"> erratically.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.7999999999999998; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: justify; text-indent: 18pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">“What the Hell is that?” Xander asked.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">Something green poked through the skin on Jake’s chest and he screamed as the pain became nearly </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">unbearable. Blood trickled down off of the green stem, staining his skin. But the pain was receding as </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">he watched as the green stem began to...blossom? Like a nature film on fast-forward, a red flower </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">began to grow, budding and blooming until it was a small red poppy, the color matching that of the </span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: white; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 12pt; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre;">blood that had been spilled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lily Luchesi is the USA Today bestselling author of The Paranormal Detectives Series, #1 bestselling Coven Series, and other paranormal tales. You can reach her via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and her newsletter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Faith Marlow is the USA Today bestselling author of the Being Mrs. Dracula series and other horror stories. You can reach her via Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and her newsletter.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Both authors are part of Vamptasy Publishing, an imprint of CHBB Publishing.</span><br />
Twitter/Instagram:
#NEWRELEASE from #USAToday #bestselling authors @LilyLuchesi & @FaithMarlow!
http://smarturl.it/SoulSyndicate
#FREE via #KindleUnlimited!
A soul is a heavy burden to bear.
#Apocalypse #apocalyptic #horror #paranormal #amreading
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NEW RELEASE from USA Today bestselling authors Lily Luchesi & Faith Marlow!
http://smarturl.it/SoulSyndicate
FREE via Kindle Unlimited!
A soul is a heavy burden to bear.
There’s a gala celebrating the city and many notable celebrities are attending, including a rock star, a socialite, a baseball player, and an entertainment reporter. Each of them is notable in their own right, and each one holding a secret.
When they all get stuck in an elevator together after the gala is over, they think that that is the worst thing that could happen to them...until the doors finally open.
It’s a battle for the ultimate prize: their souls and the souls of everyone else on Earth. Can they save the world, or will these disparate individuals kill each other first?
The world as they knew it has gone, now they have poppies attached to their chests and are facing down soulless friends, family, and strangers, including a crotchety old woman and a former drag queen.
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