Book Reviews / Favorite Books I've Read: May 2018

Thursday, 31 May 2018

Release Blitz & Giveaway! - The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami

THE GIRL WHO KNEW DA VINCI

Belle Ami

Series: Out of Time Series Book 1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Thriller
Publisher: Tema N Merback
Publication Date: May 31, 2018

What she knows could kill her.

In the spirit of The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown and Shadows of the Stone Benders by K. Patrick Donoghue, The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci by Belle Ami unravels an unforgettable mystery.

Three destinies, one remarkable painting.

Will her visions lead her to the truth?

Art historian Angela Renatus is haunted by dreams of Leonardo da Vinci and a mysterious painting of Giuliano Medici and his mistress Fioretta Gorini. A painting that, as far as the world knows, doesn’t exist. Compelled by her visions, Angela is determined to find out the truth.

When Angela is contacted by art detective, Alex Caine, she’s shocked to learn that he too is seeking the same painting. Alex’s client, a wealthy German financier, is determined to clear the name of his late uncle, Gerard Jaeger, an art historian, who went missing in Florence, during World War II. In letters written before his disappearance, the historian describes his love affair with a beautiful young Italian woman named Sophia Caro, and the discovery of an extraordinary painting by the great master himself—a painting depicting Giuliano and Fioretta.

Alex and Angela journey to Florence in search of the priceless treasure. Is it a lost da Vinci, potentially worth hundreds of millions of dollars, or a wild goose-chase that will only lead to a dead end? But someone else is searching for the illusive painting—Alberto Scordato is a powerful man in the art world and a sociopath who will stop at nothing to get what he wants, even murder. Scordato knows something about Angela that even she doesn’t know, something that could threaten both Angela and Alex’s lives, forcing them into the crosshairs of fate.

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Purchase Links

Available on Amazon.com

Book Tour Schedule

Upcoming Book Tour from June 5 - 25, 2018.

Join us and visit each tour stop daily! Discover features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more. To check the latest tour schedule, visit the The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Belle Ami

Belle Ami writes intriguing romantic/suspense/thrillers with a teaspoon of sex. A self-confessed news junky she loves to create cutting-edge stories about politics, espionage, and redemptive love.

She is a Kathryn McBride scholar of Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania. Writing, cooking, spinning, hiking, boxing, and skiing are her passions.

She is the author of The Only One series, The One (#1), and The One & More (#2). Her third in the series titled One More Time is Not Enough, was published July 13th, 2016. She was honored to be included in the RWA LARA Christmas Anthology Holiday Ever After featuring her short story The Christmas Encounter. Her next series entitled The Tip of the Spear begins with Escape, published January 10, 2017. The sequel to Escape, entitled Vengeance was published September 12, 2017.

The Girl Who Knew da Vinci is her latest release. It’s an intriguing romance/paranormal/thriller. She is currently working on book three of The Tip of the Spear Series, titled Ransom.

She lives in Southern California with her husband, two children, a horse named Cindy Crawford, and her brilliant Chihuahua, Giorgio Armani.

Official website: http://www.belleamiauthor.com

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Linked-In | Instagram

Giveaway

WIN $25 GIFT CARD AND MORE

Prizes up for grabs:

$25 Amazon Gift Card
Three (3) The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci (Paperback - US/Canada Only)
Three (3) The Girl Who Knew Da Vinci (eBook - International)

Contest runs from May 31 - June 25, 2018.

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Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Tuesday, 29 May 2018

Release Blitz & Giveaway! - It's All About the Duke (The Rakes of St. James Book 3) by Amelia Grey

IT'S ALL ABOUT THE DUKE

New York Times Bestselling Author
Amelia Grey

Series: The Rakes of St. James Book 3
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: May 29, 2018

He could be a rake if he means only to steal a kiss but steals your heart as well.

Nearing thirty, the Duke of Rathburne is finally ready to make amends for the wager that caused him and his best friends such scandal, but taking on a ward who needs a husband is a feat he’s not sure he can manage. The last he saw of Miss Marlena Fast, she was a spirited little ruffian, not the sort of bride most bachelors on the marriage mart sought. But one glance at the lovely lady she has become is enough to convince him otherwise…

Orphaned young and shuffled from family to family, Marlena counts on her fierce independence and quick wits to keep herself content. Being the responsibility of a notoriously wicked duke who upended so many lives is an unexpected challenge when she realizes he arouses her decidedly feminine desire. Marlena must be careful. She has her own scandalous secret to protect. If he finds out, will it shatter her chances of a happily-ever-after with the notorious rake?

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Purchase Links

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Book Excerpt

Marlena felt the duke’s fingers touching her bare skin. She couldn’t have been more surprised, more intrigued, more fully engaged if his lips had actually been on hers instead of his warm touch under her chin. He wasn’t looking at her face but on his task at her throat.

She should have been frightened but it wasn’t fear she felt. It was something else.

Something far more worrisome.

It was attraction.

Inexplicable sensations stirred restlessly inside her. She didn’t know exactly what was happening. He wasn’t choking her, but she couldn’t breathe. He wasn’t hurting her, but she trembled. She wasn’t in pain, yet she had the most intense yearning and urgency inside herself for something she couldn’t describe.

“What are you doing?” she whispered, unable to look up at him.

“Kissing you deeply, madly, and thoroughly,” he mumbled and continued with his undertaking.

“What?” Her gaze flew up to his face.

He smiled down so innocently at her that for a spark of a second she thought he might be serious.

“That’s ridiculous,” she said, reclaiming her good sense. “How can you say something like that? It’s so outrageously untrue. You’re doing no such thing and you know it. You aren’t kissing me. You’re untying the knot in my ribbon which is highly inappropriate.”

He centered his attention on his job at hand again. “If you knew what I was doing then why did you ask?”

She didn’t know. How could she think properly when the duke was this close to her? The tips of his fingers touching her. She had to say something.

Book Tour Schedule

Join our upcoming book tour from June 1 - 21, 2018.

Save the date! Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and more! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the It's All About the Duke Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Amelia Grey

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen. She's been a devoted reader of love stories ever since.

Amelia has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.

With more than thirty books published, she is a two-time winner of the prestigious Booksellers Best Award. She's also won the Aspen Gold, and the Golden Quill Awards. Writing as Gloria Dale Skinner, she won the coveted Romantic Times Award for Love and Laughter and the Maggie Award. Amelia's books have been published in Europe, Indonesia, Turkey, Russia, and Japan.

Several of her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.

Amelia's Email: ameliagreyauthor@gmail.com

Official website: http://www.AmeliaGrey.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmeliaGreyBooks

Giveaway

WIN ONE OF TWO $25 GIFT CARDS

Prizes up for grabs:

2 x $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Cards

Contest runs from April 26 - June 21, 2018.

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Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Friday, 25 May 2018

Release Blitz & Giveaway! - Venomous Hunger by Mary Auclair

VENOMOUS HUNGER

Mary Auclair

Series: Eok Warriors Book 2
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Romance
Publisher: Eclipse Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018

His lust devours their worlds. Her love will free them both.

After being left for dead by her people, Aliena wakes up under the care of alien pirates. She escapes, only to be captured by a creature straight from her darkest nightmares, bent on the destruction of everything she holds dear.

An Eok warrior turned pirate, Kamal is one to be reckoned with. He is on a mission for the Eok nation, and his only goal is to find and save the humans before he can return to his life, a life he excels at. He has no intention to allow a headstrong human female to get in his way.

As Aliena embarks on a mission to rescue her uncle from Minister Knut’s clutches, Kamal is at a crossroads. If he chooses help the human, the price might well be his own life.

When the Mating Venom unleashes its torment, Kamal has to decide. Will he change his ways and claim Aliena’s heart, or is the life of an outlaw too hard to leave behind?

Publisher’s Note: This steamy, thrilling sci-fi romance is the second in the Eok Warriors series, however it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

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Purchase Links

Now available on Amazon.com

Book Excerpt

“I won’t let anything happen to any of you.” Kamal’s eyes glittered and his grin faded. “That I vow to you.”

His face lost all humor and she was pinned by the intensity of his stare. Her eyes wandered over his exotic, hard features, and she was once again entranced by the pattern of tiny bumps on his skin.

Hesitantly, like she was afraid he wouldn’t allow it, she reached for his cheek. His skin was hot under her fingertips but also smooth, the texture thicker than a human’s, but warm and pleasant. Her fingertips slid along his jaw with its myriad of tiny bumps, their formation so close and forming swirls so intricate, it was almost like a tattoo.

Kamal’s eyes gleamed and his body was unmoving. He was watching her in silence, allowing her to touch and explore.

“What are those?” Aliena asked.

“An Eok earns his warrior status by marking his body. I only stopped to spare my father’s record.”

Understanding came, fast and shocking. Those patterns, intricate and wonderful, were created by blood and blade, through an amount of pain she could not even comprehend. She pulled her hand away but Kamal caught her wrist.

“Such fragility.” He examined her hand under the moonlight. “Such beauty.”

“Let me go.”

Aliena pulled but her hand was a prisoner. Kamal’s eyes locked with hers, and he tugged her closer, forcing her hand to flatten against his cheek again.

“An Eok warrior learns to master pain.” He turned his head slightly and a kiss landed just at the base of her wrist, creating an electric current of arousal down her entire body. “One has to master pain if one wants to conquer pleasure, wouldn’t you agree?”

“I wouldn’t know,” she forced herself to answer, even though her throat was closed and her heart beat like a crazed animal between her ribs. “Pain isn’t one of my pastimes.”

Kamal’s lips stretched in a predatory grin, exposing his fangs, and a hand closed on the small of her back, pulling her closer into his male heat. His breath caressed her lips, his eyes imprisoning her like a blanket of lead.

His mouth closed on hers with purpose. It laid waste to everything she thought she knew, to everything she ever thought she wanted. This kiss was a claim, a brand on her very soul.

Kamal took possession of her mouth, his tongue sliding in and out, rubbing over hers, filling it with his taste, his scent. Her tongue answered, responding automatically. She slid it over the sharp tips of his fangs and a tangy taste tickled her taste buds. A rush of adrenaline and heat spread inside her body and she moaned into his mouth.

Kamal’s hands slid to her ass and he pressed her against his erection, hard and large under his pants. One hand slid to her front, cupping her small breast through the heavy layer of clothing. Unable to resist the sudden surge of lust, Aliena’s hand ran down Kamal’s perfectly muscled chest, then lower, along the flat of his stomach.

She held his erection, squeezing lightly.

Kamal broke the kiss, and locked gazes with her.

Tour Schedule

Upcoming Book Tour from May 30 - June 12, 2018!

Save the date! We will have a Book Tour on Venomous Hunger starting May 30! Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews and other extras about the book! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Venomous Hunger Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Mary Auclair

Mary grew up in the quiet peace of a small rural village in the heart of Quebec, Canada.

She spent her childhood chasing butterflies and catching frogs, playing in the mud and generally being as unladylike as she could. Her love of science led her to complete a mechanical engineering degree at the Ecole Polytechnique of Montreal, where she met the love of her life.

Years later, as she enjoyed the role of full time mom to her two wonderful children, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

She now write as much as her busy schedule allows to bring to life her inner world, filled with exotic planets, mysterious creatures and off course, hot, alpha heroes and the women who melt their hearts.

When she's not writing, she can be found in the garden, walking her dogs or playing with fire in her kitchen as a part time hit-or-miss chef.

She loves to hear from her readers, so don't be shy and drop her a line!

Official website: https://www.maryauclair.com

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

Contest runs from May 15 - June 12, 2018.

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Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Monday, 21 May 2018

Release Blitz & Giveaway! Dangerous by Tory Richards

DANGEROUS

Tory Richards

Series: Nomad Outlaws Trilogy Book 2
Genre: MC Romance
Publication Date: May 21, 2018

He calls no place home, and no woman owns his heart...until her!

Jace is a nomad.
An outlaw biker who likes to work alone.
Too sexy for his own good.
A killer when he needs to be.
Dangerous.
He calls no place home, and no woman owns his heart.
Until her.
Luna.

No cliffhangers!
(Jace was first introduced in His Possession. He also appeared in Ruthless)

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Purchase Links

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Smashwords

Excerpt

"You don't belong here." There was no fucking way I was going to watch a repeat performance of her getting off on Puck's leg.

"What?" she half-laughed, half-gasped.

"You heard me," I growled. "You don't know what you're doing, messing around with these men. They aren't known for saying no to something they want."

She huffed out a laugh. "What are you talking about?" Her tone revealed that she really had no idea. "We were only going to dance."

Her innocence only made me angrier. "Yeah, I saw your first fucking dance with Puck. You think a man gives you an orgasm and he's not looking to get inside your pussy?"

She gasped sharply. "I don’t know, Jace. You tell me. I watched you give that woman an orgasm, is her pussy next?"

It wasn't often someone dared to use my own words against me. I had to give Luna credit for not backing down and acting like the proverbial damsel in distress. She was standing her ground, and she wasn’t afraid to say it like it was. It was dark, but thanks to the dim light over the door, I could make out her expression, which was growing angrier by the second. It almost made me smile.

"You forget I got off, too," I said crudely.

Silence followed, and I wondered what she was thinking. It didn't take her long to find her voice.

"Right. Then I'd better go back inside and take care of that." She went to grab for the door knob.

"The hell you will," I snarled, reaching for her. I pulled her away from the door, gripping her roughly around her upper arm.

She pulled away with a cry of anger. "What is your problem, Jace? Why should it bother you what I do with another man? It didn't bother me while you and that woman were humping each other's brains out."

I thought about the telling look she’d had on her face when she'd been watching me with CC, the disappointment and the hurt I’d seen. I'd got off a lot of times letting a woman grind against my dick, but that moment tonight hadn't been my proudest, because I'd done it with something else in mind. I'd purposely set out to hurt Luna and teach her a lesson, that attraction for men like me meant one thing and one thing only. I called her bullshit.

"Liar!" I whispered sharply down into her face. For a minute we just stood staring at each other in the darkness, listening to the sound of each other's breaths. I swear I saw the glistening of tears fill her eyes. "We're not good men, Luna. You come on to one of these men, let him expect something more, and he'll take it, whether you want to give it up or not. That's their fucking world. If that had been me you were rubbing up on, I would have taken you out back and fucked you up against the wall."

Other Books by Tory Richards

Be sure to also check out Book 1 of the Nomad Outlaws Trilogy series.

Ruthless

Four years ago Rebel claimed Ginger to keep them both alive, and then she disappeared. Bike Week at Daytona Beach brings them back together. He's a dangerous nomad. A ruthless killer. But he's her addiction, and she's his. Can they keep the past where it belongs and move forward, or is it too late?

Buy Link: Available on Amazon.com

"Lots of excitement, a good deal of HOT steamy sex, a happy ending, and a sequel to look forward to! What more could a die hard fan ask for?"
- Margaret S., Amazon.com Reviewer

About Tory Richards

Tory Richards is a fun-loving grandma who writes smut with a plot. Born in 1955 in the small town of Milo, Maine, she's lived most of her life in Florida, where she went to school, married, and raised her daughter. For many years life got in the way of her dreams.

Penning stories by hand at ten, and then on manual typewriter at the age of thirteen, Tory was a closet writer until the encouragement of her family prompted her into submitting to a publisher. She's been published since 2005, and has since retired from Disney to focus on family, friends, travel and writing.

Website: http://www.toryrichards.com

Social media links: Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $50 AMAZON GIFT CARD

Contest runs from May 21 - 27, 2018.

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Friday, 18 May 2018

Pre-Order Blitz & Giveaway! - Untamed Hearts by Colleen O'Connell

UNTAMED HEARTS

Colleen O'Connell

Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press
Publication Date: June 4, 2018

Two destinations lead to one destiny

Fleeing her wavering feelings for her fiancé, Taryn Ashford boards a westbound train to visit relatives. Her journey awakens unbridled passion with the dangerously handsome, Jared King. When Jared is accused of murder, she is faced with providing him an alibi at the risk of her own reputation. Did he use her to save himself or can she trust her heart – and him - to discover the truth? A truth they must work together to reveal.

Gunman, shooter, the brand is Jared King’s life. His skill with a gun creates an existence forever searching – searching every face for the bounty hunter in constant pursuit, for the settled life he is certain he will never find and for one woman’s love. Taryn Ashford jeopardizes his need to remain emotionally detached. She represents the happiness denied him, but if he pursues her, will he risk both their lives?

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Pre-Order Links

Reserve your copy today on Amazon.com

Upcoming Book Tour

Join our upcoming book tour from June 12 - 25, 2018.

Save the date! Join us and visit our tour stops daily as we share more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews, fun facts and and other extras about the book! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Untamed Hearts Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Colleen O'Connell

Colleen has been an avid reader her entire life and has a particular love of the historical romance genre. Having enjoyed reading romances early on, she began writing them herself when she wanted the stories to take a different turn and determined the only way to achieve it was to craft her own. She currently lives in Northern Kentucky and has a background in Human Resource Management.

Website: https://www.colleenoconnell.org

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colleen.oconnell.313371

Giveaway

WIN $25 GIFT CARD AND MORE

Prizes up for grabs:

1) $25 Amazon Gift Card
2) Bookmark of Untamed Hearts

Contest runs from May 17 - June 25, 2018.

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Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Thursday, 17 May 2018

Promo Blitz - Last Night With The Duke by Amelia Grey

LAST NIGHT WITH THE DUKE

New York Times Bestselling Author Amelia Grey

Series: The Rakes of St. James Book 1
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: St. Martin's Press
Publication Date: March 7, 2018

Could finding love be his greatest scandal of all?

The Duke of Griffin has never lived down his reputation as one of the Rakes of St. James. Now rumors are swirling around London that his twin sisters may bear the brunt of his past follies. Hiring a competent chaperone is the only thing Griffin has on his mind--until he meets the lovely and intriguing Miss Esmeralda Swift. In ways he could never have expected, she arouses more than just his curiosity.

Esmeralda Swift considered herself too sensible to ever fall for a scoundrel, but that was before she met the irresistibly seductive Duke of Griffin. His employment offer proves too tempting for her to resist. She can’t afford to be distracted by his devilish charms because the stakes are so high for his sisters’ debut Season. . .unless one of London’s most notorious rakes has had a change of heart and is ready to make Esmeralda his bride in Last Night with the Duke, the first novel in the brand-new Regency Rakes of St. James series by New York Times bestselling author Amelia Grey.

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"An enchanting and lovely start to a new series."

- The Reading Wench

"A fast-paced enjoyable romance with strong lead characters and a delightful, intriguing plot, Last Night With A Duke is a fun, engaging historical romance."

- Okie Dreams Book Reviews

"Grey charms readers with the first in her Rakes of St. James series, a tale filled with romance, fun and enchantment. A quick, charming read from a shining voice of the genre."

- RT Book Reviews

Purchase Links

SPECIAL MAY PROMO!

Get Last Night with the Duke for only $1.99. Offer ends May 31.

Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google | iBooks | Kobo

Excerpt

The time had come. No more delays were afforded Esmeralda. She had to face Griffin. Inhaling a deep breath, she met his steady gaze. There was no anger, no disappointment. He didn’t even look perplexed. He looked determined.

Very determined.

Frustration etched his handsome features as Griffin quietly said, “I wanted to be angry with you but...”

“But?”

“When I saw you standing in in the shadows, all I could think was, dear God, I want to kiss her. To hell with my honor, to hell with what was right and proper. To hell with what was best for you. I just wanted to kiss you.”

Other Books by Amelia Grey

It’s never a good thing when a young rake’s wicked ways come back to haunt him. Just the Duke of Griffin, the Duke of Hawksthorn, and the Duke of Rathbourne. The trio made an ill-fated wager four years ago that they are still trying to live down. But there is little hope of accomplishing that since an anonymous writer of a weekly scandal sheet keeps the fiasco very much alive. And, rumor has it some members of Society are determined to go to great lengths to make sure the chickens have come home to roost for the three dukes notoriously known as The Rakes of St. James.

BOOK ONE

BOOK TWO

BOOK THREE

About Amelia Grey

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Amelia Grey read her first romance book when she was thirteen. She's been a devoted reader of love stories ever since.

Amelia has been happily married to her high school sweetheart for over thirty-five years and she lives on the beautiful gulf coast of Northwest Florida.

Several of her books have been featured in Doubleday and Rhapsody Book Clubs.

Amelia can be reached at ameliagreyauthor@gmail.com

Website: http://www.AmeliaGrey.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AmeliaGreyBooks

Giveaway

WIN ONE OF TWO $25 GIFT CARDS

Prizes up for grabs:

Two (2) $25 Amazon or Barnes & Noble Gift Cards

Contest runs from May 16 - 22, 2018.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In partnership with

Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Wednesday, 16 May 2018

Pre-Order Blitz & Giveaway! Venomous Hunger by Mary Auclair

VENOMOUS HUNGER

Mary Auclair

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Science Fiction Romance
Publisher: Eclipse Press
Publication Date: May 25, 2018

His lust devours their worlds.
Her love will free them both.

As Aliena embarks on a mission to rescue her uncle from Minister Knut’s clutches, Kamal is at a crossroads. If he chooses help the human, the price might well be his own life.

When the Mating Venom unleashes its torment, Kamal has to decide. Will he change his ways and claim Aliena’s heart, or is the life of an outlaw too hard to leave behind?

Publisher’s Note: This steamy, thrilling sci-fi romance is the second in the Eok Warriors series, however it can be read and enjoyed as a standalone.

Pre-Order Links

Reserve your copy today on Amazon.com

Upcoming Book Tour

Join our upcoming book tour from May 30 - June 12, 2018!

Save the date! We will have a Book Tour on Venomous Hunger starting from May 30! Join us and visit each tour stop daily and discover more features, excerpts, reviews, interviews and other extras about the book! To check the latest tour schedule, visit the Venomous Hunger Book Page at Book Unleashed.

About Mary Auclair

Mary grew up in the quiet peace of a small rural village in the heart of Quebec, Canada.

Years later, as she enjoyed the role of full time mom to her two wonderful children, she decided to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

When she's not writing, she can be found in the garden, walking her dogs or playing with fire in her kitchen as a part time hit-or-miss chef.

She loves to hear from her readers, so don't be shy and drop her a line!

Official website: https://www.maryauclair.com

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest | Amazon Author Page

Giveaway

WIN $25 AMAZON GIFT CARD

Contest runs from May 15 - June 12, 2018.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

In partnership with

Book Unleashed Blog Tours

Monday, 7 May 2018

Release Blitz & Giveaway! - The Narrow Path by Kris Laubscher

THE NARROW PATH

Kris Laubscher

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Publisher: Wild Rose Publishing
Publication Date: April 9, 2018

Second chance romance that will leave you believing in the power of love.

Still mourning the sudden loss of her husband, a tearful Rebecca boards a plane to Rome. As gut-wrenching as it is to travel alone, she is determined to have the dream vacation she and her husband planned before his death. She doesn't expect to meet a sexy widower from New York.

Harrison Sterling was born with a silver spoon and a trust fund and has never known love that wasn't dependent upon his last name and material things. When Rebecca voices her aversion to people of wealth, he hides his background. But he can’t hide his attraction to the widow from Philadelphia.

Can these two broken hearts mend themselves and find a new path forward together or will their differences keep them apart?

Add to Goodreads

" A heartwarming, moving story about overcoming grief and finding love again"

- Maria, Amazon Reviewer

" An inspiring, romantic tale of living through tragedy and finding your best life"

- krlin, Amazon Reviewer

Purchase Links

Amazon (Print) | Amazon (Kindle) | The Wild Rose Press

Excerpt

Rebecca clenched her fists, her nails biting into her skin. She narrowed her eyes out the car window into the bright blue sky as exit signs flew by. Could she find the sweet spot on the window where one punch would shatter it? She’d seen it on Oprah and suddenly that useless information filled her every thought. The world had been so cruel—taking away the man she loved and leaving her with two daughters to raise alone. Ever-present magma bubbled under the calm demeanor she presented to the world.

Rebecca snorted, folded her arms into her chest and curled herself into a tight ball to hug the door. Her mother pushed her into this car, and she would have to pull her out.

When the car passed under the sign for the airport, Rebecca blinked away a tear, shook her head and sighed.

Her mother stopped the car at the Departures curb and reached out to take Rebecca’s arm. A sad smile tugged at her lips. “Are you sure you want to go?”

“Yes, Mom.” Rebecca turned to her mother and rolled her eyes like a spiteful teenager. “We’ve been over this before. It’s time I start moving on, and going to Rome is the first step.”

Her mother’s wrinkled hand squeezed her arm tighter. “It will do you good to get away. You’ve been looking forward to this trip for your whole life. You put pictures of Italy on the walls of your bedroom. You begged me to take you.”

Rebecca pulled her arm from her mother’s grasp and reached for the door handle. “It’s just so hard to accept that I am going alone. I was never supposed to be going alone.”

Her mother latched her hands onto the doorframe and pulled her aging body out of the car. She walked around the front and stood next to the passenger door. Rebecca remained motionless. Her throat was raw and her body vacant. How did I get here? She belonged at home with her husband, tangled in their bedsheets, listening to the girls making breakfast downstairs.

After a few moments, Rebecca unlatched the seatbelt, planted her feet on the pavement and drove her heels into the ground. As she rose, her mother’s flowing white hair filled Rebecca’s field of vision. Her mother’s hands gripped Rebecca’s shoulders. “Jack would have wanted you to go.” She stared Rebecca in the eyes.

Rebecca glared back with pursed lips. Her mother couldn’t know what Jack wanted her to do. She wasn’t sure of it herself and she’d been married to him for fifteen years.

Her mother pulled her into a hug—but not the way she used to hug her. The hugs had once filled her with love and warmth, but now she hugged her the same way everyone else did—like she was glass. Like, if they hugged her too hard, she might break. Since suddenly losing Jack three years ago, nothing felt the same. Hugs felt distant. Colors faded...

About Kris Laubscher

Raised in Northern California, I now live outside Philadelphia with my husband and three kids. I spend my days working as a part-time paralegal and part-time tax collector and spend my nights working on my next novel.

Official website: http://krislaubscher.com

Social Media Links: Facebook | Twitter

Giveaway

WIN $15 AMAZON GIFT CARD

Contest runs from May 7 - 13, 2018.

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Wednesday, 2 May 2018

Release Blitz - Radio Rose by Stephanie Berget

RADIO ROSE

Stephanie Berget

Genre: Contemporary, Western Romance
Publisher: Malheur Butte Publishing
Publication Date: March 29, 2018

Radio Rose knows martians aren't real, but she's not sure about the cowboy.

Radio Rose knows Martians aren’t real.

But as a DJ on a late night talk show about Aliens, she’d never admit to being a non-believer. Talking to crazies all night isn’t the perfect job for most people, but she’s happy with her solitary life. Until a middle of the night car crash and a blow to the head has her mistaking a reclusive rodeo cowboy for a real life extra-terrestrial.

Adam Cameron escaped from his narcissistic grandfather and Tullyville, Colorado the day he turned 18. Now, ten years later, he's forced to return -- dragged into a battle over his grandfather's fortune and fighting for the future of a town he wanted to forget.

Rose and Adam are both lousy at relationships, but when his problems are too big to handle on his own, she feels compelled to help. Now in a town filled with new found friends, Rose has to decide if she’s willing to trust the loner.

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"The opening chapter of this book had me laughing out loud. From there, things just got better! This was one of those books with loveable characters and a connection that makes you feel like you are right there living life with them"

- Karen @ TingsMom

"Characters Make the Story!!! Well written, good character development, and wonderful ending."

- S Rose, Amazon Reviewer

Purchase Links

Available on Amazon.com

Excerpt

“I'm Adam Cameron. I was there when you wrecked your car last night, and I brought you into the hospital. I wanted to come by and see how you were doing.”

Her eyes didn’t blink, and she didn’t move.

“Do you remember anything?”

“Not much.” She peeked at him from under her lashes then her eyes widened, and she gasped. “But I remember you. You’re one of them.” She pulled the sheet up to her eyes and peered out at him. “No, that can’t be right, because there aren't any of them are there?”

The nurse had told him the diagnosis was a concussion, but this sounded more like full on, raging paranoia.

For the first time Adam really looked at her. There were dark smudges under her coffee brown eyes. Even her olive skin was pale. A large purple lump stood out on her forehead, partly hidden behind her glossy, black bangs.

“Wait, why were you there?” Rose’s voice was a hoarse whisper. She lowered the sheet an inch.

“My rental car broke down, and I was stranded on the side of the road. I couldn't get any cell reception to call a tow truck. I tried to flag you down to see if I could get a ride.”

Incomprehension faded from her eyes as understanding moved in. “It was just you.” Rose released a sigh as understanding dawned on her face. “I remember now, and it was just you.”

“Yes, I . . .”

A blush warmed her face as she cut him off with a slight wave of her hand. “You stepped out into the road and waved your arms. You were dressed in black.”

“Yeah, that was me,” he said, his attention drawn to her pretty pink cheeks.

“And?”

His eyes snapped up to meet hers. “I thought you’d see me sooner. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for you to get hurt.”

“You scared the bejeezus out of me. I don't know when I've ever been so petrified. What an idiot.”

“Hey, I said I was sorry,” Adam took a step back and reminded himself she was hurt. People in pain sometimes said things they didn’t mean. Before he could apologize again, she spoke.

“I'm not calling you an idiot. Although one of the first things we learned in kindergarten was to wear light colors after dark.” She paused for a minute, closed her eyes and massaged her temples with her fingertips.

“I'm calling myself an idiot for believing the crazies I talk to all night. I must have hit my head pretty hard, because when I came to, I thought you were an alien. Wow, every awful thing I've heard on my show came rushing back to me.” She raised her eyes to meet his as she dropped her hands to her lap. “Like I said, what an idiot.”

“What show?” he asked.

“I’m Radio Rose. I host a late night talk show. Most of my programs are on alien abductions.”

About Stephanie Berget

Stephanie Berget was born loving horses, a ranch kid trapped in a city girl’s body. It took her twelve years to convince her parents she needed a horse of her own. She developed a lifelong love of rodeo when she married her own, hot cowboy. She and the Bronc Rider traveled throughout the Northwest while she ran barrels and her cowboy rode bucking horses. She started writing to put a realistic view of rodeo and ranching into western romance. Stephanie and her husband live on a farm located along the Oregon/Idaho border. They raise hay, horses and cattle, with the help of Dizzy Dottie, the Border Collie and Cisco, barrel and team roping horse extraordinaire.

Stephanie is delighted to hear from readers. Reach her at http://www.stephanieberget.com

Official website: http://www.stephanieberget.com

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