Spotlight: Catch Him If You Can by Jennifer Shirk

In Jennifer Shirk’s newest installment in her Accidentally Yours series, town widower Wade Roberts is being bombarded by Cape Harmony's matchmaking mamas. His only way to stop them: pretend to be in a relationship with his sister's best friend, Arden Pearson. But when what started as an act begins to shift into something more, it might take a village to convince Wade that Arden’s his perfect match.

About the Book

Veterinarian Wade Roberts is done with love. But try convincing the elderly folk of Cape Harmony who are determined to play matchmaker. Now the young single women in town are bombarding him with baked goods and love notes, and being “taken” is the only way to stop the meddling grannies—which is why he needs a fake fiancée. Fast.

Arden Pearson loves planning weddings. Other people's weddings, that is. After her own engagement ended in disaster, she prefers to live vicariously through her work. But when she needs to persuade a big client that she’s capable of planning the celebrity wedding of the year, she’s willing to go as far as pretending to be engaged herself to her best friend’s older brother.

Soon their ruse has everyone in town believing they make the perfect couple—including Arden. She’s always been nothing more than a kid sister to Wade, and it might take a village to convince him otherwise...

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Excerpt

Copyright© 2018 Catch Him If You Can

Wade stood in line at the Drip N Sip, about seven people back, mentally warming up to let good old matchmaking Judy Tavish have an earful. What a friggin’ exhausting morning he’d had at work on Saturday, combating the flirting, the date requests, and the come-ons. Becky was right. His office had served more like a singles bar than a veterinary clinic. Well, no more. He was done with that, but mostly he was done with the meddling gray-haired coffee barista, looking over at him now and shooting him that wide, cheery-assed smile of hers.

“Oh, hello, Wade!” Judy waved, all sunny and good-natured, which ironically had the direct opposite effect on his already foul mood. He gritted his teeth and didn’t wave back.

“And what animal peed on your parade?” a feminine voice asked beside him.

He glanced to his right. Arden Pearson stood next to him with arms folded and an amused grin on her glistening pink-glossed lips. Arden was his sister’s best friend and all-around town sass-mouth—at least to him. He’d known her since high school when she had braces and blond hair down to her butt. Her mouth was still as sassy—maybe more so—but the braces were gone and her straight hair was cut shoulder length in a mature, professional style now. He’d always thought she was a cute girl back then, but as an adult, she was pretty damn stunning—when she wasn’t ribbing him. She had moved back to Cape Harmony about five years ago to open up her wedding planning business. Wade rarely ran into her in town unless she was with Kinsley, which made this day all the more agitating.

He turned away. “Right now, I’d actually welcome being peed on,” he muttered.

She made a tsk tsk sound. “Wow, you are having a bad day. Well, join the club.”

“Join the club?” Wade turned back to her and blinked. Damn, she had the prettiest eyes. The most unique kind of blue he’d ever seen. He immediately looked away. “Are you being bombarded at work and at home by hordes of single marriage-minded women?”

“Well, no— Wait.” She laughed. “Hold on. Are you?”

“Yes. And it’s all Judy Tavish’s fault,” he said, jerking his thumb in Judy’s direction. “She’s taken it upon herself to become my own personal walking, talking Tinder account.”

“Hmm…” Arden’s delicate brows drew together. “So, does this mean you want to book me ahead of schedule for a discount, or do you want to wait until the actual wedding proposal?” she said with a chuckle.

“I knew you wouldn’t see the seriousness in the situation.”

“You’re right. I don’t.” She shrugged. “I mean, so what if Judy thought you should get out and have some fun and gave your number to a few nice women. Oh, boo-hoo.”

He looked her dead in the eye. “Twenty-six women, Arden. Twenty-six. Not including the crowd that showed up at the clinic on Saturday with their fake sick pets. And did you know that when I got home from work there were brownies and half a baked chicken left on my doorstep.”

Arden whistled. “Damn. Remind me to use Judy when I’m looking for a date. Or need a snack.”

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About Jennifer Shirk

Jennifer Shirk is a USA Today bestselling and award-winning author of sweet (and sometimes even funny) romances for Montlake Romance and Entangled Publishing. Her novel, FIANCE BY FATE—a 2015 Readers' Crown Finalist—became an Amazon #1 best seller for Series Romance. And recently, Wrong Brother, Right Match, WON the Sweet Traditional category of the 2017 Golden Quill Contest and became a #1 Amazon bestseller for Holiday Romance.

She resides in a beach resort in NJ, so when she's not writing or working on her tan, she's taking care of her most treasured possessions: her husband, daughter and puppy (Sox).

Check out her website for News and Links: www.jennifershirk.com

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Spotlight: Angel Blue: Episode One by Jennifer Silverwood

Angel Blue: Episode One
Jennifer Silverwood
(Seven Deadly Sins, #1)
Publication date: August 17th 2018
Genres: Adult, Urban Fantasy

All Eanna wants is to forget the night she lost everything, but fate has other plans. A lifetime ago, the cursed burned her home and everyone she loved. Now, she’s haunted by a dangerous legacy.

Her guardian, Etlu, is determined to make Eanna into a queen, even if it means sacrificing his happiness. He pursues her into a human bar, but he’s too late to save her from herself.

Wil and his sister, Isabol, have been searching for the chosen princess. Wil finds more than he bargained for in Eanna, especially once her powerful guardian shows up. There can only be one outcome when chosen and cursed collide: a world bathed in fire and blood.

(Angel Blue is a serialized adult urban fantasy novel consisting of three episodes. This is season one of the Seven Deadly Sins series.)

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—

A GAME OF HOUSES

For ten generations our people have been called the Chosen.

The first chosen were like gods to humans. We were the rulers, and kings among men. The world changed after what man called the Dark Ages. Power was shifting. Once we were leaders among the humans, heroes of old and men of renown, a vast sprinkling among the stars that I love. The world it seemed, was our own, to watch over and do with as we pleased.

We are a dwindling race now. Unlike the cursed, we are unable to blend in with the humans any longer, and for the past three centuries have remained in hiding. We live by the old ways and survive. Here, in the isolated northern forests of the new world, we thrive. Much has changed since then. Eleven hundred human years later, I still feel the pain of that night that changed the course of my destiny forever.

The Last Seven Houses

KURGAL – House of the Mountain
Led by NINURTA – Lord Who Completes the Foundation

The Kurgal live deep in the Himalayas. Here they are still revered by neighboring humans who make effort to protect them. The chosen keep the outside world from coming in. Etlu brought Eanna here a century after fleeing the Carpathian Mountains. It was a place familiar to them both with its impossible peaks but far more dangerous and foreign. Ninurta taught Eanna how to inflict pain and then heal it, he taught her self-control for her rage. Etlu meanwhile learned all he could of the cursed movements in the countryside. He built allies and led their armies for a time to prevent the giant beasts from destroying human villages. He began to realize that his House did not have far-reaching enough abilities of control and began to grow discontent even more with the Sarrum.

SHIIMTI – House Where the Wind of Life is Breathed in
Led by NINLIL – Lady of Airspace

The Shiimti, live deep in the jungles of India. There they still live, where they began a lost civilization man has yet to unravel. Their palace holds many of India’s treasures and clues that might possibly be directed back toward the chosen. Here Etlu and Eanna come to visit after they leave the Kurgal, to find a far larger House. Yet even more secretive. The only reason they are allowed inside is that both are considered pure blooded, but Ninlil sees secrets in Eanna’s heart. She is the first to have any inkling of just who Eanna is.

Among the Shiimti, women rule over the men, and there are three layers to every member. The first, is the outer persona they show strangers, welcoming but aloof and cool. The second, to those in the inner circle, the secrets deemed worthy to share. The third is kept guarded above all else, the soul. Shiimti is the only House that believes they all lay claim to their own souls. Because they face the present darkness every day in their jungles.

EBABBAR – House of the Rising Sun
Led by NINGISHZIDDA – Lord of the Artifact of Life

It lies hidden in a small oasis within Iran, where Sumer, the society the Watchers created, began. It is an underground city mostly, beginning from the base of a lost Ziggurat. The underground world is actually a paradise and a world of beauty. It is here that the Ebabbar keep most of the old relics and scrolls. It is the best defended and considered a safe haven by others of their society.

EKUR – House Which is Like a Mountain
Led by NINHURSAG – Lady of the Mountainhead

The Ekur are the most numerous of the Houses. They are also the proudest, for most lesser come from this house, and serve the “pure-blooded” chosen. To the Ekur, to serve is the greatest honor. Most of the soldiers and weaponsmiths also come from this House. Ninhursag, their Lady, is a proud warrior herself, and of extremely high stature, eight feet in height. Their base of operation is in Siberia and extends far into the north in lands that man deemed inhabitable.

EMEURANNA – House of ANU’s Hero
Led by The Sarrum

The Emeuranna are led by the Sarrum himself, and his people. This is the only surviving chosen castle in the Carpathian Mountains, sheltered far from the outside world. The old ways are kept mostly intact here, as is custom for the High Lord’s seat. Here the Council of Seven makes overall decisions for the rest of the chosen. They now have the best defense against the cursed.

ERESH – The Scented House
Led by NINIGIKU- Lord Bright Eyed

One of the last new world Houses left in power, hidden deep in the Amazon rainforest, and source of the legends of El Dorado. The richest of all the Houses by far. They are bronze-skinned and every one of them black-eyed. They have not intermarried with the humans hardly at all, there is no need. Unique to all other houses save the rumored lost eighth House, their memories are shared collectively if they desire, their movements always calculated. Any time they intermarry with other Houses it is a very chess-like move, to bring back strength to their kind. While staying among them, Eanna learns she is closely related to them.

GISNU – House Causing Light
Led by NINMULMULLA – Lady of Many Stars

The Gisnu were the first of the thirteen houses to journey across the lands to the ever growing and developing new world. They were also the first beings to settle there, after the Native Americans. Once based in the Northlands among the Vikings, the Gisnu set up their home in the north of what is now Canada. It is here that they have remained, and for a thousand years protected the forests, and peoples around them as best they could. They are more advanced than any of the other Houses, keeping themselves updated with the latest technology.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Silverwood was raised deep in the heart of Texas and has been spinning yarns a mile high since childhood. In her spare time, she reads and writes and tries to sustain her wanderlust, whether it's the Carpathian Mountains in Transylvania, the highlands of Ecuador, or a road trip to the next town. Always on the lookout for her next adventure, in print or reality, she dreams of one day proving to the masses that everything really is better in Texas. She is the author of three series--Heaven's Edge, Wylder Tales and the Borderlands Saga--and the stand-alone titles Stay and She Walks in Moonlight. She plans to release her first serialized Urban Fantasy, Angel Blue in August 2018.

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Cover Reveal: Still Breathing by E.A. Fournier

Women’s Fiction

Date Published:  November 17, 2018

Designer: Damonza

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Newly widowed and on the threshold of seventy, Lizzie Warton questions the value of her remaining years. Uncharacteristically, she decides for the first time in her life to do what she wants, instead of what everyone expects.

Against the wishes of family and friends, she sets out for Africa to work at a Ugandan middle school. When she lands at night in the Entebbe airport, her hosts are not there to meet her. Near panic, she hires a local taxi. The driver drugs her, steals everything, and dumps her limp body in a slum. Waking in the dark, she feels someone tugging off her shoes.

Without money, a passport, clothes, or medications, Lizzie is forced to start over and find a way to survive. Soon she learns that nothing in Africa is as it appears. The grind of daily life in the third-world is beyond anything Lizzie imagined. Nevertheless, encouraged by budding friendships in surprising places, and against every sensible instinct she’s ever developed, Lizzie’s own personal search for meaning becomes the grand adventure of a lifetime.

Excerpt

      “Hey, muzungu! Over here!”

“Lady, best prices in Owino!”

 “I have jeans. You want jeans? New styles from America!”

“Hey! Pretty white lady! Over here!”

 “Best quality! Best prices! Today, only for you, muzungu!”

“I have a new shipment! Come and see!”

“Muzungu! Lady, what you need?”

Lizzie was sick of the accented voices shouting at her. She had yet to see another white woman in the claustrophobic market. Warned in advance, she had ignored the hands on her arms, the fingers trailing across her fingers, even the nudges to move her toward their shops, but she was fed up with the vendors’ constant calls aimed at her. Still, she doggedly maintained her wooden smile, even though she was gritting her teeth behind it.

At one point, a vendor called out a question in Luganda and someone else answered it. Lizzie was sure it had something to do with her. Laughter broke out and other voices chimed in with more quips. Grinning faces nodded at her as she walked away.

Lizzie shot a questioning look at Mrs. Birungi, who rolled her eyes, even though a smile tugged at her mouth. “It is nothing - just vendor talk. Ignore it. We need to go over that way.” Birungi pointed to a split in the congested path ahead, and steered them to the right.

Afiya pulled abreast of Lizzie a little later as they bobbed through a brief open place in the moving crowd. “They said they not sure if you are white or Ugandan.”

“What?”

“It was joke. Our people always make jokes.”

“How was it a joke?”

“Somebody said you half Ugandan.” The girl suppressed a grin.

“I don’t get it.”

“They said you have white top but Ugandan bottom.” Afiya smiled broadly as she said the line.

Lizzie looked back at her, puzzled.

“This kind bottom.” Afiya patted her own rump. “Word means both things. They admired your…bottom.” Afiya couldn’t help but giggle as she repeated the word.

Lizzie understood and sighed. “Well, I guess that’s not the worst thing I’ve ever heard.” In her mind, a little appreciative thought blossomed at still being noticed in that way, at all. She hastily chided herself and kept walking, but her hips now swayed a tiny bit more, nevertheless.

About the Author

Originally from South Minneapolis, Gene Fournier earned a BA in Philosophy & Literature from St. Louis University followed by a Masters in Film from USC. Gene is a member of the Writers Guild of America west (WGA) and worked as a screenwriter and editor in Hollywood, but sadly, he never got that big break.

Seeking a return to his roots after twelve years in California, he accepted a Director of Media position with a multinational company headquartered in the Midwest. For thirty years he wrote, directed, edited and distributed corporate video programs around the world, managed live presentations, and orchestrated the creative elements for national and international meetings.

Retired now, with his seven children grown, and a dozen grandchildren to distract him, Gene is finally able to write down the stories he’s been carrying in his head all these years.

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Spotlight: Opportunity by Kennedy Layne

USA Today Bestselling Author Kennedy Layne brings you the thrilling conclusion to the Office Roulette trilogy…

Gareth Nicollet had been born into wealth, but he’d learned at an early age that money wasn’t everything it was cracked up to be. Regrettably, he’d made a meaningful choice early on in his life that now threatened his future with the woman he loved.

Cynthia Ellsworth valued many things, but trust and loyalty were at the top of her list.  She’d always known the man who shared her bed had secrets, but she never thought in a million years that he had the ability to destroy her career and her heart with a single blow.

Someone once said that greed was balanced by fear, but that wasn’t entirely true when there was nothing left to lose.  Unfortunately, Gareth’s secret is the very reason the roulette wheel is spinning and Cynthia’s life hangs in the balance.

Excerpt

Cynthia sucked in a breath when Gareth slid his fingers under the waistband of her lace panties. His fixed gaze at her eyes’ opaque reflection in the windowpane never wavered from hers, which told her that he intended to watch every single expression of euphoria that crossed her features.

They both liked to play games in the bedroom, although relishing in each other’s pleasure had never been done quite so publicly.

She wasn’t worried at the off chance someone was watching.

They were too high up for the traffic below to make out what anyone was doing behind the glass panels. Yet his comment about binoculars and telescopes had certainly added an exciting edge of intrigue to their evening.

“You do like playing with fire, don’t you?” Gareth murmured, wrapping an arm underneath her breast to pull her tighter against his chest. “Spread your legs, Cyn. Let’s see who wins this duel.”

She loved a challenge, but he always managed to up the ante by that last all in chip count.

“And if I win?”

Gareth barely grazed his middle finger over her clit, but it was enough to awaken every single nerve in her entire body. She didn’t spread her legs for him as much in obedience as she did out of instinct. Her knees had almost buckled at the first simple caress. She didn’t doubt there was more to come that would have her begging for her release.

“You won’t,” Gareth replied with total confidence. “You’re soaked, Cyn. And we haven’t even begun to explore your depths.”

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About Kennedy Layne

Kennedy Layne is a USA Today bestselling author. She draws inspiration for her military romantic suspense novels in part from her not-so-secret second life as a wife of a retired Marine Master Sergeant. He doubles as her critique partner, beta reader, and military consultant. They live in the Midwest with their teenage son and menagerie of pets. The loyal dogs and mischievous cats appreciate her writing days as much as she does, usually curled up in front of the fireplace. She loves hearing from readers--find out how to connect with her at www.kennedylayne.com.

Cover Reveal: Love Uncovered by Diane Holiday

Love Uncovered

A Love Beyond Danger Novel by Diane Holiday Publication Date: August 21, 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romantic Suspense

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Free-spirited Maddie Cooper never considered settling down—until Scott Fisher. But when the DEA agent left her with a broken heart and no forwarding address, Maddie dug in deeper with her first love: archaeology. Scott suffered a tragic loss while on assignment and gave up on all the things that brought light to his life, including Maddie. She deserves far better than the dark, dangerous world that consumes him. Staying away from her turns out easier said than done as the man he’s chasing leads him to Maddie’s latest work site. Her spitfire attitude and impulsive nature have a habit of getting her into trouble, and her latest stunt places her in grave danger. After a devastating break-in at her artifacts storage facility, Maddie’s shocked when Scott is assigned to the case. As if his reappearance and the burglary aren’t enough, a ruthless developer has moved to town and tries to bribe Maddie to falsify a survey. She’s determined to bring the crooked man down without any help, least of all from her former lover. But with Maddie’s life on the line, Scott must win back the trust of the only woman he’s ever loved in order to save her, before tragedy strikes again.

About Diane Holiday

Diane Holiday is an award-winning author and a 2016 Golden Heart® Award Finalist. She writes romantic suspense with a healthy dose of humor. Her characters will make you laugh, cry, and root for them to the end. If you are sleep deprived because you couldn’t put her book down, then she’s achieved her goal. Diane is married to a retired Navy Captain, who is her go-to for colorful slang and guy-talk. She and her husband live in South Carolina on beautiful Lake Murray. In her spare time, she can be caught reading, boating, or mailing care packages full of homemade goodies to her daughter in California and her son in Maine.

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Cover Reveal: Summer Fling by Tarrah Anders

Summer Fling

by Tarrah Anders Publication Date: September 14, 2018 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Preorder: Amazon

Small towns are perfect for summer vacations and summer flings. The night before tourist season hits their sleepy little town, Emma had an impromptu drunken romp with a guy from a party… only to run into him just a few days later. After her last major heartbreak, Emma swore off dating any of the out of towners. She had never questioned that decision… until Royce arrived in town. At first, she thought he was just like any other tourist during the season, here today, gone tomorrow. However, when proved to her that he was putting down roots, that all changed. Emma can only trust what she knows. Tourists always leave and relationships began with them always have an expiration date. She has to protect her heart, even if she knows that if he goes, he will be taking it with him. Only, Royce insists that he is in it for the long haul wants to build his life with her and in Sweeny. He starts giving her a note per date spelling out a single message— one painstaking word at a time. When all of a sudden the past comes barreling into Sweeny and starts to torment both Emma and Royce.

About Tarrah Anders

Meet Tarrah. She’s a contemporary romancer who is all about the feels, with the twists of sexy mixed in between. She’s been writing since before she can remember. Writing was always a passion, that was kept it under wraps, stayed on the backburner and never vocalized or followed through with my desire to be a writer, until she read a horrible book and thought: ‘I could do better than that!’ She kept her writing romance from her husband for nearly two years, but finally told him because… royalties and taxes. Now, he lovingly helps with ‘research’ and uses him for his amazing Photoshop skills for her covers. She is originally from the San Francisco Bay Area, but living in beautiful San Diego with her own little family while working during the day as a social worker working with the homeless. She is a hardcore San Francisco Giants fan and anything dealing with cupcakes and Zombies. Her writing style is that she tries to keep on earth. She tries her best to not be too unrealistic with her characters, what they do and how they live. She wants her books to be relatable and not to create too many eye rolls, when a character starts calling his love interest baby after knowing her for 5 minutes. She has written and self-published 4 books and one novella. They’re all dual point of view aside from the novella. She is currently working on several pieces but focusing on two mainly. Thematically, the novels are friends to lovers, random hook-ups and office romances mixed with a whole lot of fun in the middle.

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