Spotlight: Assassin of Truths by Brenda Drake

The gateways linking the great libraries of the world don’t require a library card, but they do harbor incredible dangers.

And it’s not your normal bump-in-the- night kind. The threats Gia Kearns faces are the kind with sharp teeth and knifelike claws. The kind that include an evil wizard hell-bent on taking her down.

Gia can end his devious plan, but only if she recovers seven keys hidden throughout the world’s most beautiful libraries. And then figures out exactly what to do with them.

The last thing she needs is a distraction in the form of falling in love. But when an impossible evil is unleashed, love might be the only thing left to help Gia save the world.

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About the Author

Brenda Drake grew up the youngest of three children, an Air Force brat, and the continual new kid at school. Her fondest memories growing up is of her eccentric, Irish grandmother's animated tales, which gave her a strong love for storytelling. With kids of all ages populating Brenda's world, it was only fitting that she would choose to write stories with a bend toward the fantastical for both younger readers and the young at heart. And because she married her prince charming, there's always a romance warming the pages. Her favorite books are The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis, Kings Row by Henry Bellamann, and Anna and the French Kiss by Stephanie Perkins. When she's not writing, she hosts workshops and contests for writers such as Pitch Wars and Pitch Madness on her blog, and holds Twitter pitch parties on the hashtag, #PitMad. In her free time, Brenda enjoys hanging out with her family, haunting libraries, bookstores, and coffee shops, or just reading someplace quiet and not at all exotic (much to her disappointment).

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Double Cover: Loyalty and Disgrace by Bethany-Kris

LOYALTY

John + Siena, #1 by Bethany-Kris Publication Date: March 5, 2018 Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

Cover Design: Mignon Mykel at Oh So Novel Designs

Fresh out of prison after serving a three-year sentence, Johnathan Marcello wants to get back to normal business as a mafia capo. The rules set out for him are clear—keep out of trouble, maintain a low profile, and stay stable. But stability is a delicate balance for a man like John, and shaky ground is only a single step away.

A chance encounter with a blue-eyed woman might just change his whole world.

Siena Calabrese’s life revolves around cooking numbers, and scrubbing books clean. After all, a girl is only useful to men in the mafia, if she isn’t totally useless. As long as she does what they want, then she can maintain the illusion of freedom. But illusions are only delusions in the grand scheme of her life, and reality is far more dangerous.

A man with secrets might just be the one thing she didn’t know she needed.

In this life, family is everything. Or, that’s how it should be.

Distrust. Love. Betrayal. Loyalty.

Mix it all together, and it makes for a volatile city.

A war is coming.

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EXCERPT: Loyalty, John + Siena #1

Johnathan’s eyes widened, and Siena grinned at the sight. Surprise looked good on the man. His confident smile earlier had sharpened his strong jaw and chiseled cheekbones, and made her think, I bet he could kill a woman with that smile. Stop her heart with a look, and restart it with a wink.

The surprise, though?

That took his sexiness, and turned it almost boyish in a blink.

“You didn’t know who I was?” Siena asked.

“Marcellos don’t tend to … mix a lot of business with the Calabrese family.” Johnathan’s confident grin took over once more, and his gaze traveled over her form. “You must be Matteo’s daughter.”

“One of a few,” she replied.

Johnathan cocked a brow. “I only know the Calabrese boss to have one.”

“The three illegitimate ones don’t get much recognition in the family.”

Across from her on the bus, Johnathan cleared his throat.

“Ah, I see,” he said.

So was the way of their life.

Nobody ever said being a principessa della mafia was an easy thing. In fact, it was one of the most suffocating things to be. All the rules and expectations that never ended. Having a Cosa Nostra boss for a father—and high ranking brothers—left a young woman like Siena under their control and demands.

She was used to it, now.

Twenty-five years dealing with it all had done that to her.

“Kind of strange to see a Capo driving on a city bus,” Siena said.

“And what do you know about Capos, donna?”

The way he called her woman, and his hazel gaze drifted down over her jean-clad legs left a heavy feeling thumping in her throat. Siena was used to men staring—a byproduct of having taken after her exceptionally beautiful, but cold, mother. She wasn’t, however, used to a man like Johnathan doing it.

A man connected to the mafia. One that might face punishment from her father or brothers for disrespecting their family name in such as way by treating one of their women in any way that wasn’t honest and pure.

Like she was some angel.

Or a saint.

Siena was none of those things.

She quite liked the way Johnathan was looking at her.

“Well?” Johnathan asked. “What do you know about the business, huh?”

A lot.

More than he probably thought she did.

Siena simply said, “Do you think I shouldn’t know who is who when it comes to the Three Families in New York? Wouldn’t that be a little dumb of me, considering who my father is and all?”

“Fair enough.”

She mentally patted herself on the back for dodging that bullet. After all, one who dealt in the business did not discuss the business.

It was a rule.

Siena’s father repeated it to her a little more often than he did to everyone else. She figured that was because she was a woman, and no made man in the mafia wanted other Mafiosi to know a woman was handling business.

Especially … numbers.

“Isn’t it always black cars, and ten under the speed limit for Capos?” Siena asked.

“For some, maybe.” Johnathan chuckled. “My car is still in shipping somewhere between the Rust Belt and here.”

“But is it black?” she asked.

Johnathan smirked. “Possibly.”

“And do you drive ten under the limit?”

“Possibly.”

“I knew it,” Siena said, winking. “So, for now you’re slumming it on a bus, then?”

“I don’t mind the bus. I get to be around people without actually engaging with people.”

Siena lifted a single eyebrow. “Is that a shot at me—I shouldn’t be engaging you, or something?”

Johnathan’s grin deepened, and he looked her over once more. “Nah, I don’t mind engaging you, Siena.”

“It’s just a shame my last name is Calabrese, huh?”

He waved a hand, and said, “It is what it is.”

DISGRACE

John + Siena, #2 by Bethany-Kris Publication Date: APRIL 2018 Genres: Adult, Romantic Suspense, Organized Crime. Erotic Romance

Cover Design: Mignon Mykel at Oh So Novel Designs

DISGRACE BLURB COMING SOON!

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ABOUT BETHANY-KRIS

Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover of much, and mother to four young sons, one cat, and two dogs. A small town in Eastern Canada where she was born and raised is where she has always called home. With her boys under her feet, snuggling cat, barking dogs, and a hubby calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something … when she can find the time.
To keep up-to-date with new releases from Bethany-Kris, sign up to her New Release Newsletter here: http://eepurl.com/bf9lzD

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Spotlight: Dare to Breathe by S.B. Alexander

Dare to Breathe

The Maxwell Series by S.B. Alexander Publication Date: February 6, 2018 Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Read for FREE in KindleUnlimited: Amazon

Eternal love is worth waiting for. Since Lacey Robinson trekked off to college four years ago, Kade Maxwell has worried non-stop that her blackouts and panic attacks would destroy her independence. But with her graduation on the horizon, he begins to relax, knowing she'll soon be back in his arms. He's excited to do the one thing he's been longing to do-propose. But when he surprises her the day before graduation, he may be walking away instead. Lacey was practically born with a baseball in one hand and a mitt on the other. The only time she hasn't played was after the death of her mom and sister. The uphill climb to get back to pitching was painful, and if it weren't for Kade, she might not have made it. Now, a major league team is interested in her, but she knows that her sexy bad boy wants to get married. Fate is throwing curveballs at Kade and Lacey. Will they be brave enough to swing for love's homerun? This is the final installment of Kade and Lacey's story. It's highly recommended that Dare to Kiss and Dare to Dream be read before reading Dare to Breathe. Intended for audiences 18+ Strong language and sexual content.

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Dare to Kiss (#1) | Dare to Dream (#2) | Dare to Love (#3) | Dare to Dance (#4)

About S.B. Alexander

S.B. Alexander is a bestselling romance author. Her books are filled with stories that tug at your heart, and are filled with romance, drama, action and suspense. As much as she loves to write, she also loves to read. Some of her favorite authors growing up were Stephen King and Edgar Allen Poe. She stills enjoy reading Stephen King. In fact, she loves most genres, although in the past three years she has gravitated toward the romance genre, which is when she started her journey to write her first book. Her motto: write what you love to read.

Aside from writing, she's a huge sports fan, in particular, baseball. Since she hails from New England, she is a diehard Red Sox fan. She's also a navy veteran and former math teacher, loves white powdered donuts, and handbags. Her husband calls her the bag lady. When she's not writing, she enjoys playing golf and hanging out with friends and family.

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Spotlight: Fanny Newcomb and the Irish Channel Ripper by Ana Brazil

Gilded Age New Orleans is overrun with prostitutes, pornographers, and a malicious Jack the Ripper copycat. As threatening letters to newspaper editors proclaim, no woman is safe from his blade.

Desperate to know who murdered her favorite student, ambitious typewriting teacher Fanny Newcomb launches into a hunt for the self-proclaimed Irish Channel Ripper.

Fanny quickly enlists her well-connected employers—Principal Sylvia Giddings and her sister Dr. Olive—to help, and the women forge through saloons, cemeteries, slums, and houses of prostitution in their pursuit.

Fanny’s good intentions quickly infuriate her longtime beau Lawrence Decatur, while her reckless persistence confounds the talented police detective Daniel Crenshaw. Reluctantly, Lawrence and Daniel also lend their investigative talents to Fanny’s investigation.

As the murderer sets a date for his next heinous crime, can Fanny Newcomb and her crew stop the Irish Channel Ripper before he kills again?

Excerpt

THE SULTRY FRIDAY evening had enticed the inhabitants of the Irish Channel out of doors, and young Liam gamely maneuvered between men, women, donkeys, and dogs as he led Fanny and Olive through the soft darkness. Fanny had never been in this direction from Wisdom Hall, and quickly inventoried the new landscape: the battered old mansions that were as large and imposing as Wisdom Hall; the tall brick warehouses that were built almost into the streets; the slight shotgun houses that seemed to sink into the soft soil; and…was that a church steeple?

After five blocks and one near-miss with a pair of drunken roughs, Liam pointed toward a swelling of gaslight coming from between two saloons. “There!”

As Liam led the women forward, Fanny saw dozens of men and women crowded together, staring into the dimly lit space between the saloons. Just beyond the crowd, the doors and windows of both saloons were pinned open to the warm evening. Lights bounced from lamp to mirror in the saloons, illuminating tables of card players, drinkers, and the women who entertained them.

Conner’s Court, New Orleans, America ~ Irish Only was painted in broad strokes on a wall. Even from the calmness of her father’s downtown law office, Fanny had heard about Conner’s Court, a well-known enclave of New Orleans’ depravity. Could it really be as evil as it was reputed to be?

Liam grabbed Olive’s arm and plowed through a hole in the crowd. Fanny followed, but Olive turned and commanded, “Not you; this is doctor’s work.”

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About the Author

A native of California, Ana Brazil lived in the south for many years. She earned her MA in American history from Florida State University and traveled her way through Mississippi as an architectural historian. Ana loves fried mullet, Greek Revival colonnades, and Miss Welty’s garden. She has a weakness for almost all things New Orleans. (Although she’s not sure just how it happened…but she favors bluegrass over jazz.)

The Fanny Newcomb stories celebrate the tenacity, intelligence, and wisdom of the dozens of courageous and outrageous southern women that Ana is proud to call friends.

Although Ana, her husband, and their dog Traveller live in the beautiful Oakland foothills, she is forever drawn to the lush mystique of New Orleans, where Fanny Newcomb and her friends are ever prepared to seek a certain justice.

For more information, please visit Ana Brazil’s website and blog. You can also find her on FacebookPinterest and Goodreads.

Spotlight: See Her Run by A.K Leigh



See Her Run
by A.K. Leigh
Genre: NA Romantic Suspense
Release Date: January 23rd 2018

Summary:


See Her Run blends elements of romance, suspense, and psychological thriller in an exploration of life after severe trauma.
Diana King arrives in Smithfield, North Carolina as part of her witness protection relocation. After six months of running from her crime boss ex-husband, she is looking forward to starting over in the quaint country town.
Jonathan Smith has no time for love. Not after the devastating relationships he has experienced. He prefers to focus on his Mixed Martial Arts business, his family farm, and the management of the town he owns.
That is, until he meets the mysterious newcomer. Something stirs in him; something familiar that remains elusive. This only serves to increase his curiosity – and attraction.
Though he is unaware of the important connection he has to her past, Diana realises immediately. Prevented from divulging the information, she struggles between the growing feelings she has for Jonathan and the freedom she fought so hard to obtain.
But, when secrets are exposed, and the past comes looking, will Diana and Jonathan’s new-found love survive? Or will they pay for it with their lives? 
In the end . . . you can run from everything except your past.




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Excerpt:
Chapter 1

The reflection in the passenger side window irritated her. None of it had been her choice. Not the fake blue-framed glasses—they’ll bring out your eyes—and certainly not the boring, dyed brown bob with no bangs—it’ll help you blend in. Blend in? How did they expect her to do that? Her physical disabilities attracted attention whether she wanted them to or not. The fact she was going to be new in town was another factor swaying the ability for her to blend in to impossible. They’d made the lies sound so easy to speak.
          The driver’s voice distracted her, “Don’t be nervous.”
          She turned and noted the shadow of two-day growth on his chin. It had been a long journey, made longer by the necessity of caution.
          He smiled then shifted his gaze between her and the dusty road as he continued, “This is your chance at a new life. Maybe it’s not the one you wanted, but at least it’ll be yours.”
          Would it? Did he even realize one form of control had been substituted for another? She didn’t voice the question. Nothing would change even if she did. In the seven years since her ordeal had begun, only one person had bothered to ask what she wanted. His face formed in her mind. She concentrated on it, until it became as clear as a new photograph.
          “Diana?”
          The image clouded as she focused back on the driver. “Sorry, what were you saying?”
          “I said, you can have a new life now.”
          Intuition told her what he wanted to hear.
          She tugged on one of the long sleeves of her black shirt and forced a smile. “I know.”
          Before he could respond, she returned her attention to the window. He wouldn’t hassle her if she made it obvious she didn’t want to talk. As she stared out at the passing landscape, her mind recycled long held doubts. She could trust him, couldn’t she? He’d promised, hadn’t he?
          A lump balled at the back of her throat. Broken promises were the reason for this trip. Out of habit she swallowed, and ignored the bitter aftertaste. Unwanted memories came. She forced them away by concentrating on the flat tracts of fertile farmland and intermittent forest. The sight made her frown. Where were the mountains? Wasn’t this part of North Carolina supposed to have mountains?
          Fresh anxiety made her fumble with her fingers. The town they were headed to was small. Or so she’d been told. What would her life be like there? Would the nightmares finally stop? Would she have to keep looking over her shoulder? As the questions multiplied, the space inside the car compressed against her until she couldn’t breathe.
          Without thinking, she reached for the button on the car’s armrest and pressed it to lower the window … She was aware of her mistake in an instant. The breeze assaulted her with its full force and sent a reflexive hiss from her lips. She moved her face as her hand came up to shield the still bumpy scar she could feel across the entire length of her left cheek.
          The driver looked at her, his mouth crumpled in concern, as he asked, “Are you all right?”
          “I’m fine.”
          Avoiding eye contact, she dropped her hand back to her lap.
          “Diana—”
          “Chris, I didn’t mean to fuss. Please, let it go.”
          His low, resigned-sounding exhale told her he would. “All right. Get some rest, we’ll be there soon.”
          She nodded. When she angled her face back to the open window, she took care to hide her cheek. Settled, she thought once more about the promises Chris had made. They were realistic, weren’t they? She tried to convince herself they were, despite the niggle telling her they would come at a price.

About the Author
Sweet romance. Dangerous secrets. Uplifting endings.

A.K. Leigh is an international-selling romance author, identical triplet, amateur love guru, radical self-love advocate, unapologetic romantic, and hot chocolate addict. She uses her post-graduate degree in counselling as well as her COA’s (certificate of achievement) in Forensic Science and Forensic Anthropology to create believable characters and realistic crime elements in her stories. Hernovels are set in either America or Australia – one day, she hopes to write a book with both locations in it! When not writing novels or her blog, she can be found on You Tube, where she has a vlog discussing topics such as: publishing and writing, life as an identical triplet, love/dating/romance/ relationships, the importance of self-love, and trauma healing. She is also active on social media and encourages readers to interact with her on those platforms. She lives in Australia with her three gorgeous children and one grumpy cat.

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Spotlight: Wicked Charm by Amber Hart

Nothing good comes from living in the Devil's swamp.

Willow Bell thinks moving to the Okefenokee area isn't half bad, but nothing prepares her for what awaits in the shadows of the bog.

Girls are showing up dead in the swamp. And she could be next.

Everyone warns Willow to stay away from Beau Cadwell—the bad boy at the top of their suspect list as the serial killer tormenting the small town.

But beneath his wicked, depthless eyes, there's something else that draws Willow to him.

When yet another girl he knew dies, though, Willow questions whether she can trust her instincts…or if they're leading to her own death.

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About the Author

Amber Hart resides on the Florida coastline with family and a plethora of animals she affectionately refers to as her urban farm. When unable to find a book, she can be found writing, daydreaming, or with her toes in the sand. She's the author of several novels for teens and adults, including Wicked Charm, the Before & After series, and the Untamed series. Rep'd by Stacey Donaghy of Donaghy Literary Group.

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