Spotlight: The Travelers by K.L. Kranes

Genre: YA Fantasy
Release Date: October 2nd 2016
Sanguaro Books

About the Book

Dagny lives a dangerous life. Pursued by an unknown enemy, Dagny and her family are always on the run and must use magic to stay hidden and safe. When Dagny meets Marc, everything changes. For the first time, she can imagine a future that doesn't involve constantly changing her life. Despite the risk, Dagny vows to stop running. But as their enemies start closing in, Dagny wonders if she can ever really live a normal life and if she can actually trust Marc. 

This fast-paced debut novel by K.L. Kranes merges fantasy and romance and takes the reader on an exciting magical adventure.

Excerpt

Dagny

My fingers shook violently as I dragged them across the smooth, cool surface of the metal coffin. It was pitch black inside the eight-foot cell and there was no way for me to tell if my sight had returned. I had been through this before but my new heartbeat still quickened with fear every time. In darkness and confinement, rational thought did not always prevail.

Suddenly, a spasm raced through my right leg. The sensation was more intense than I ever remembered feeling. That wasn’t saying much. I forgot a lot of things. The power to magically move your soul to another person’s body was not as exciting as it sounded. It had consequences. For me, one of those was memory loss.

To fit my soul into this new body, I had to chip away little pieces of myself and let them fall into oblivion. Every time I ‘Traveled’, I lost more and more of myself. I was just a bunch of broken pieces inside the shell of a body. I didn’t even know what it meant to be me anymore. When my limbs began to wiggle, I knew I’d finally whittled away just enough to resemble a real person.

A jarring crack of a metal door thrown open announced one of my siblings was free.

“Where’s Dagny?” my brother asked, with a grunt.

“This is unacceptable. Look at this. I’m ugly,” my sister barked, ignoring my brother’s question.

Hiding in my cold, dark container, I felt as if millions of wires were attached to my body. With every word spoken, another wire jerked and compelled me to leave my cell. But I wasn’t ready yet.

When I ‘Traveled’, which is what we call it when we move from one body to the next, I felt free, at least for a little while. My soul floated above the earth. I had no weight, no burdens. I didn’t have eyes in that state of being. But my mystical vision saw all the auras on earth.

Beneath me millions of colored lights pulsed in the darkness. My parents called it flying on the wings of the raven because the raven ushered souls across realms. We Traveled by summoning its power. This was the first part of the transition. It was beautiful. It was peaceful. It was fleeting. Then came the second part, my parents called that the landing, which was a nice way of describing it. It was more like crashing. I crashed down into someone else’s dead body and had to force my way through the flesh and into the marrow. I can’t lie. That part hurt.

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About the Author

K.L. Kranes lives in the Washington, DC metro area with her husband, daughter and their adorable dog. She graduated from Virginia Tech with a degree in Communications. K.L. moved to New York City after college and worked in public relations before returning to her true passions of writing and editing. She currently works as a freelance writer and editor. In her spare time, she enjoys hanging out with her family and trying out new potential hobbies. Her latest endeavors include driving her dog crazy as she learns the guitar and making a fool of herself as a novice swing dancer.

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Spotlight: Hazel Darling by Annie Rose Welch

About the Book

A pinch of a sordid past.

A dash of vices. 

A heaping handful of sisters. 

A bit of faith.

And a lot of baking. 

Stir it all together somewhere new, somewhere like Carmel, California. 

Hazel Little Darling is hoping this is a recipe for a new start. Hazel is banking on a life full of flour, sugar, butter, and fairy tales to make all her dreams come true. A life far removed from the one she had been living—a life of secrets with her infamous gang of sisters. She swears off excess food, drinks, pills, and, boys, all in hopes of living the “good life.” 

California brings the mysterious Tobias Jameson, who seems to materialize in the still of the night. Their fated rendezvous under the stars is a short one, leaving Hazel to draw her own conclusions about what exactly transpired between two passing souls. After their meeting, Hazel’s sure that she’ll never again see the handsome man who seemed to understand her without truly knowing her. Tobias has other plans, though, and he fights for a place in Hazel’s life— something Hazel has never experienced before and that makes her trust him even less. So when Hazel’s history is brought to light, she’s not sure whether her past will steal her happily ever after, or become the foundation of her life’s greatest recipe. 

Her sweetest remedy, or nothing but a bitter goodbye.

Excerpt

Tobias studied Hazel’s eyes for a moment, but not even the fire of his gaze could penetrate Hazel’s stone wall. Years of masking her feelings had made her unreadable.
As the evening sun revolved into the depths of the sky, an outpouring of stars twinkled in the twilight’s den, over an ocean that had a pulse livelier than the two hearts that beat before it, Tobias pulled Hazel closer, putting his warm lips to hers, as if seeking answers by a deeper means, a means where words have no meaning.
A kiss cannot tell a lie.

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About the Author

Born and raised in New Orleans, Annie has a habit of shortening her words and telling long stories. She speaks with a southern flair and cooks with it too. At the tender age of twenty- one, she hitched up her wagons (took her first plane ride) and moved out west to the big shake (California). 

Her passion for writing began one sleepless night when she imagined a gorgeous woman and a man with maniacal hair floating above her like lightening bugs falling from the sky. Curious about them, their story, and why they were floating around in her head, she sat down and penned (typed) her first novel, Marigny Street. A dream come true for her, she hasn't stopped writing since. She loves a damn good love story, always has, no matter what the genre. She is particularly moved by imperfect love that in its own unique way is perfect, the notion of love at first sight, soul mates, and things that are generally out of the norm.

When she's not writing she enjoys dabbling in photography and finding new, inspirational music to add to her collection. Deciding on a whim to hitch up those same wagons, Annie currently resides in Texas (where everything is bigger) with her husband, daughter, and their two peculiar dogs, Boudreaux and Tabasco (who, call her crazy, bark with an accent). 

For lagniappe (a little extra), a virtual cup of café au lait and beignets, please visit Annie's: Website | Twitter | Facebook

Spotlight: It Started with a Kiss: Regency Romance Box Set

IT STARTED WITH A KISS... Twelve First In Series From Stars of Regency Historical Romance!  Enjoy dashing dukes, reformed rakes, and scandalous bluestockings in this sweet to sexy boxed set.

MAD FOR LOVE by Elizabeth Essex
Mignon du Blois needs an accomplished thief to steal back her father's statue so he won't be arrested for forgery--too bad the man willing to help her is actually Rory Cathcart, noted art expert.
 
A SCANDALOUS WIFE by Ava Stone
After living separate lives since their rushed wedding, an earl and countess stumble upon each other and begin to see the other in a whole new light.
 
TRIALS OF ARTEMIS by Sue London
An independent bluestocking sneaks into a library to read rare Greek texts and ends up with a husband instead.
 
HER SUDDEN GROOM by Rose Gordon
The overly scientific, always respectable, and socially awkward Alexander Banks has just been informed his name resides on a betrothal agreement right above the name of the worst chit in all of England. With a loophole that allows him to marry another without consequence before the thirtieth anniversary of his birth, he has only four weeks to find another woman and make her his wife.
 
THE ROBBER BRIDE by Jerrica Knight-Catania
Victoria Barclay is determined to make a difference in the world, so she finds a way to rob the rich and donate to the poor. But the Earl of Leyburn, her lifelong friend and neighbor, threatens to expose her in his constant pursuit of the truth. 
 
SHUNNED NO MORE by Christina McKnight
Lady Viola Oberbrook longed for a quiet life in the country, far from London and the society who'd shunned her during her first season. She never expected to come face-to-face with Lord Haversham, the only man who had every right to despise her. 
 
A DANGEROUS INVITATION by Erica Monroe
Struggling to survive in London's dangerous rookeries, Kate Morgan is determined not to give into the temptation of past love Daniel O'Reilly when he returns to win back her heart and prove he's innocent of murder.
 
THE TROUBLE WITH BEING WICKED by Emma Locke
Courtesan Celeste Gray wanted a new life free of the infamy of her notorious past--the last thing she planned on was falling for the stuffy viscount next door, Ashlin Lancester.


HIS IMPASSIONED PROPOSAL by Aileen Fish
Stephen Lumley returns from battle wounded and jaded, only to find his home life had been changed forever. After proposing while drowning his sorrows in liquor, he now has only four months to convince himself and Jane Marwick he is worthy of her, before she's off to London to find a man who is.
 
SCANDALOUS ENDEAVORS by Amanda Mariel
Lady Amelia's willing to create a scandal to stay in her beloved England. A Scottish duke ignites her passion, but will she abandon her endeavor for love?
 
THE LOVE LIST by Deb Marlowe
Miss Brynne Wilmott will do anything to get her name off of the Love List—that wickedly witty register of London’s light skirts.  The Duke of Aldmere will do anything to be left alone.  But his brother is mixed up in the business, so he’ll work with the lady to unravel the mess…until they find that the plot is more twisted and treasonous than anyone suspects…and that the danger and intrigue pale next to the effect they have on each other.
 
TO WALK IN THE SUN by Jane Charles
Hiding from a dangerous man, Tess Crawford thought The Wiggons’ School for Elegant Young Ladies would be the perfect place to disappear…except she didn’t anticipate being drawn to the reclusive Viscount Atwood, who has many secrets of his own. 

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About the Authors

Jane Charles - http://www.janecharlesauthor.com/

Elizabeth Essex - http://www.elizabethessex.com/

Aileen Fish - http://aileenfish.com/

Rose Gordon - http://www.rosegordon.net/

Jerrica Knight-Catania - http://www.jerricasplace.com/

Emma Locke - http://emmalocke.com/

Sue London - https://bysuelondon.com/

Amanda Mariel - http://amandamariel.com/

Deb Marlowe - http://www.debmarlowe.com/

Christina McKnight – http://www.christinamcknight.com

Erica Monroe - http://ericamonroe.com/

Ava Stone - http://www.avastoneauthor.com/

 

Spotlight: Mister Sam Shearon's Creepy Christmas (A Merry Macabre Coloring Book) by Sam Shearon

About the Book

The happiest time of the year is also the creepiest.

Good ol’ Saint Nicholas did not start with reindeer. Every Christmas he would bring along a hairy half-demon, half-goat named Krampus to stalk misbehaving children. The hairy spawn of Satan stuffed them into his bag, chained them up, and dragged them down to Hell for a year of punishment. A warning for anyone who thought of causing mischief. This sure does not seem like the most wonderful time of the year.

Winter has an even darker and richer lore than Halloween. For centuries, people have feared creatures from ancient legends born of this time of year. Tales such as giant hairy monsters who live in the mountains and will snatch you up and eat you were used to ensure children didn't wander off in the snow and become lost.

These were indeed just stories … or were they?

This festive feast of fear contains 40 original hand-drawn and inked illustrations from a variety of traditional beliefs and legends from around the world, including British, North American, Nordic, Icelandic, Austrian, and Germanic folklore. Mister Sam Shearon’s Creepy Christmas features characters such as Krampus, Grýla, Santa Claws, Rabid Rudolph, the Grimace Tree, the Wendigo, the Snow Bear, the Yule Cat, the Abominable Snowman, and many more. Ready for you to bring to colorful life with fearsome festive cheer, each page is also accompanied with a poem—a guide to these creepy creatures from the season of ice and snow!

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About the Author

Mister Sam Shearon, also known as ‘Mister-Sam’ is a British, Liverpool born dark-artist specializing in horror and science-fiction. Sam’s work often includes elements inspired by vintage tales of monsters and madmen, dark futures, post-apocalyptic genres, and classic literature.  Sam is fascinated with Cryptozoology, the search for hidden or unknown, undiscovered animals yet to be recognized and classified by Science. This includes everything from Bigfoot and lake monsters to smaller creatures such as a new species of butterfly.  His artwork can be found on a variety of books and comic covers. Various examples of Sam’s art work can also be found in magazines such as Fortean Times and Paranormal magazine, Heavy Metal magazine, LA Weekly, and a number of British newspapers, most notably the Daily Telegraph. He has also illustrated album artwork and merchandise designs in the rock and metal music industry. Sam studied at the University of Leeds in the College of Art & Design, West Yorkshire, England and received a BA with honors in Visual Communication. Sam was also awarded a post graduate certification in teaching from Huddersfield University. Sam currently resides in Los Angles, hiding from the sun and missing the English rain... People who don't know Sam personally are often perplexed as to why he's so pale white after being out in Los Angeles for the past ten years...

Connect with Sam: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Spotlight: You're the Cream in My Coffee by Jennifer Lamont Leo

About the Book

In 1928, Chicago rocks to the rhythm of the Jazz Age, and Prohibition is in full swing. Small-town girl Marjorie Corrigan, visiting the city for the first time, has sworn that coffee’s the strongest drink that will pass her lips. But her quiet, orderly life turns topsy-turvy when she spots her high school sweetheart–presumed killed in the Great War–alive and well in a train station. Suddenly everything is up for grabs.

Although the stranger insists he’s not who she thinks he is, Marjorie becomes obsessed with finding out the truth. To the dismay of her fiancé and family, she moves to the city and takes a job at a department store so she can spy on him. Meanwhile, the glittering world of her roommate, Dot, begins to look awfully enticing–especially when the object of her obsession seems to be part of that world. Is it really so terrible to bob her hair and shorten her skirt? To visit a speakeasy? Just for a cup of coffee, of course.

But what about her scruples? What about the successful young doctor to whom she’s engaged, who keeps begging her to come back home where she belongs? And what, exactly, is going on at the store’s loading dock so late at night?

Amid a whirlwind of trials and temptations, Marjorie must make a choice. Will the mystery man prove to be the cream in her coffee–the missing ingredient to the life she yearns for? Or will he leave only bitterness in her heart?

Find it online: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

With a passion for all things historical, Jennifer Lamont Leo captures readers’ hearts through stories set in times gone by. She is also a copywriter, editor, and journalist. An Illinois native, she holds a deep affection for Chicago and its rich history. Today she writes from the mountains of northern Idaho, where she shares her home with her husband, two cats, and abundant wildlife.

For more information, please visit Jennifer’s website and blog. You can also follow her on FacebookTwitterPinterest, and Goodreads.

Excerpt: The CEO's Seduction by Diane Alberts

Publication Date: December 12, 2016
Genres: Adult, Entangled: Indulgence, Contemporary Romance

Buy online: Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Book

The last thing Brett Ross wants is to be back in the same old damn small town he grew up in, but his best friend is getting married, so there’s no way he’s skipping yet another visit back home. He knows what he’s getting into, coming back here, but the one thing he didn’t count on was the way Anna Hamilton made him feel the first time he sets eyes on her…and she’s all grown up.

Anna’s always been in love with Brett, even if she’s always been his best friend’s annoying little sister to him. But when he looks at her, she doesn’t see annoyance in his eyes anymore. If anything, she sees a silent calling for her to save him from himself…and she’s just the girl to do it.

All she needs is to find a way to escape her pesky, protective older brothers…

And then the game is on.

Excerpt

Brett cleared his throat. “Lead the way.”

“Follow me,” she said, her voice light and flirty.

As usual.

“Gladly.” Brett stepped aside to let Anna walk past him. She started up the stairs, her hips swinging with every step she took. Looking at the rest of the Hamiltons, he raised a brow. “I’ll catch up with you guys in a few?”

“We’ll be waiting,” Eric said, his jaw tight. “Don’t take too long.”

“Of course not.” Don’t worry. I’ll only take long enough to defile your sister in the upstairs hallway. “We’ll be right back.”

As he followed Anna, his gaze level with her swinging hips, four sets of eyes bored into his back, singeing holes in his favorite suit jacket. Just in case they could see through his skull, he focused on the back of her head. Her blonde curls bounced with each step she took. For some reason, he found himself wondering if her hair was as soft as it seemed, and he almost wanted to find out.

When they reached the top of the steps, she held on to the banister. “Don’t pay attention to them. They still think I’m a little girl who needs protecting.”

She did need protecting. Men were assholes. “Aren’t you?”

“Oh God.” She turned on him, her frown showing him her disappointment even if she didn’t sound mad. “Not you, too?”

“I’m not going to be protecting you, if that’s what you’re asking.” He stopped on the second-to-last step. “But I think you’ll always be someone they need to protect. Kind of goes hand in hand with having four older brothers.”

“Yeah, well, I don’t think they need to worry about you.” She motioned toward him, her cheeks going bright pink. “I mean...it’s you. You’re nothing to worry about.”

He swallowed a laugh at her words. “Are you insinuating I can’t get it up, Twinkletoes? Because I assure you, I’ve had no complaints in that area.”

“Yeah, I know. I’ve heard,” she muttered.

“Wait. What?”

“I mean...” She gestured somewhere in the vicinity of his cock. “What I mean to say is, I’m sure everything is fully functioning down there. Not that I’ve asked around or anything. That would be super creepy. Like, really creepy. It’s not like I talked to your exes, or put up cameras—”

He held up a hand, choking back a loud laugh. “Maybe you should just stop now while you’re ahead. If you tell me you’ve been watching me on surveillance cameras, even I’ll get freaked out, and I do some sketchy shit to close a deal at work sometimes.”

“God, yes. I’ll just stop talking now. Like, forever.”

About the Author

Diane Alberts is a USA TODAY bestselling Contemporary Romance author with Entangled Publishing. Under the name Jen McLaughlin, she also writes New York Times, USA TODAY, and Wall Street Journal bestselling books with Penguin Random House. She was mentioned in Forbes alongside E. L. James as one of the breakout independent authors to dominate the bestselling lists. Diane is represented by Louise Fury at The Bent Agency.

Diane has always been a dreamer with a vivid imagination, but it wasn’t until 2011 that she put her pen where her brain was, and became a published author. Since receiving her first contract offer, she has yet to stop writing. Though she lives in the mountains, she really wishes she was surrounded by a hot, sunny beach with crystal clear water. She lives in Northeast Pennsylvania with her four kids, a husband, a schnauzer mutt, and three cats. Her goal is to write so many fantastic stories that even a non-romance reader will know her name.

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