Sale: One More Round by Lauren Helms

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#FallInLoveWithAGamerBoy with this must read romance! Nearly a year since it’s release, ONE MORE ROUND is currently on sale! Grab this fun and flirty read by Lauren Helms for only $.99. Don’t drag those fingers, #oneclick it now as this sale ends in only a few short days!

About the Book

History doesn't have to repeat itself... or does it?

GIA

Life was on track, going great,

And I couldn't have been happier.

But then he walks back in,

The tall, dark, broody blast from my past,

The one that got away,

Or shall I say, the one I pushed away,

Now, he's pushing the boundaries,

Demanding answers,

Ready to bring the past to the present,

For a chance at a future.

SIMON

As a professional gamer,

I'm focused and detailed,

Weighing all of my options.

After she left, I was lost, shattered,

And thought it was game over,

For me, for us.

But when I see her again,

There's more at stake than just a game,

This time, I'm playing for keeps, ready for One More Round.

Excerpt

Copyright @ 2018 Lauren Helms

Against my better judgment, I stand and head for the kitchen under the guise of getting a drink. I open the fridge, surreptitiously trying to get her attention.

I close the door with a bit more force than necessary. Nothing. So, I walk up to the sink next to her and look out the window, too.

God, she smells good.

So damn good.

And she’s absolutely stunning. Her golden hair comes past her shoulders and falls in waves that make me think she’s been at the beach all day, though I know she hasn’t. Her slightly rounded nose and perfect pink lips are precisely how I remember them. But her dark-blue eyes always have a way of rooting out people’s bullshit, which is what I’m certain will happen if she ever looks up at me.

I've done my best to keep a physical distance from her. I don't want to be too close, for fear that I will reach out and touch her, like old times. She was always so close to me when we were kids.

I brush her arm as I lift the pop to my mouth and take a drink. This startles her, but it only takes a second to regain her composure.

"What ya looking at?" I ask, not taking my eyes off the apartment building across the street.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking, I guess," she sighs as she moves the bowl in her hands back under the running water.

"You guess? How do you not know?" I ask, using my same words from earlier, but in a gentler tone.

She looks at me this time, which is what I wanted. "Stop asking me questions if you always hate my answers." She says it with a ghost of a smile.

Acting on its own, my shoulder bumps hers.

We've danced around each other for months. I haven't touched her since that first night we met again as adults. I shook her hand because I was caught off guard. But today, we've touched twice. Where are the walls I've built?

She looks up at me with a hint of something in her eyes that I can't quite figure out. Interest? Need? Maybe longing.

"I'm just kidding, G." I smile at her. Something I haven't done toward her in a very long time. Yeah, that look in her eyes is definitely longing.

She gives me a sad smile before turning to put the bowl on the drying rack. It isn't lost on me that she's hand-washing the dishes instead of letting the dishwasher take care of them.

"I really do want to know what's got you staring out the window."

She eyes me. "Why?"

I give this some thought. Why do I want to know so bad? Why do I care?

"Because I care?" Maybe I shouldn't have asked. Yeah, I can see that was the wrong thing to say when she snorts and tosses an eye roll my way. A laugh escapes her lips but there’s no humor in it.

"Yeah, you care. Since when, Simon? You can't even look me in the eye. You don't care. So, don't waste your breath," she spits out and starts shoving dishes in the dishwasher now, throwing all kinds of temper around with the task.

"Jeesh. Chill, alright? I guess old habits die hard. I can still tell when something is wrong. We do have a history. That won't ever change," I say, defending myself.

At this, she goes rigid. Ah-ha. Either bringing up the fact that we have a history or my telling her to chill—which she hates—has stopped her in her tracks; I'm guessing it’s a little bit of both.

"Just leave me alone, Simon," she mutters.

"Is it your brother? Does he live here in Chicago? Are things better between the two of you or is he still an asshole with problems?" I can't hold it in, I've got to know.

She puts the last cup in the washer and closes the door uncharacteristically slowly. She then wipes her hands on the towel, lays it down, and slowly turns to me.

Murderous.

If looks could kill, I'd be six feet under. She steps a tad closer to me.

"You … do not get to ask about him. You do not get to bring him up. Ever. Do not ever speak about him, or the past, to me or anyone." Her voice is so low it makes my skin prickle.

"Uh, OK." I gulp. This evil clone Gia is scary as shit.

She takes a step back, then turns to leave the kitchen.

Then as her words register, I realize.

"They don't know, do they?"

She stops. Looks over her shoulder at me. Instead of anger, guilt clouds her eyes.

"No," she says, and walks away.

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About the Author

Lauren Helms has forever been an avid reader from the beginning. After starting a book review website, that catapulted her fully into the book world, she knew that something was missing. Lauren decided to take the plunge and write her first novel. While working for a video game strategy guide publisher, she decided to mix what she knew best--video games and romance. She decided to take the plunge and joined NaNoWrimo and a month later, she had her first draft. 

Follow Lauren:  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Newsletter | Amazon | BookBub | Instagram

Spotlight: The Winter of My Love by J L Lora

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Publication Date: March 15, 2019

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Standalone

Spencer Grayson’s structured world is collapsing. The surrogate he hired to carry his and his late wife’s child has gone missing and the wrong woman is inseminated. There weren’t supposed to be loose ends in this transaction, but it’s turning into a zero-sum game he can’t afford to lose.

Artist Winter Alexander has painted a perfect picture for her life. But when a routine procedure results in an accidental pregnancy, the realistic portrait she painted turns surreal. It’s an error she can’t brush away with a tube of titanium-white, no matter how much she might want to. Especially not when the Grayson is determined she become his substitute surrogate.

To Grayson, Winter is an abstract piece, a collection of soulful shapes and swirls he’s hopelessly mesmerized by. One he wouldn’t have envisioned in his life before. Winter finds Grayson controlling at first, but beneath those cold eyes lies a longing, a torch of desire and vulnerability that makes her agree to things she’d never considered.

They embark on a 40-week journey in the name of a child, navigating through a sea of self-doubt, conflicting emotions and rising feelings. When these nine months are over, will Grayson be able to convince Winter to make him and the baby part of her picture-perfect landscape? What happens next is something neither of them sees coming.

Excerpt

Grayson

“Something’s happened to your sperm.”

My pencil scrapes over the paper, leaving a coal scratch over the area where the parking lot is supposed to go.

And I couldn’t disagree more. Absolutely nothing’s happened to my sperm. Literally. It’s been pooling inside my testicles because I’m too damned busy to arrange a date and too tired to masturbate when I get home.

My primary lawyer doesn’t know that, and I’m sure as hell not going to tell him. I go back to the blueprint proposal for the new factory campus. I don’t have time for whatever gossip the rumor mill has cooked up about me this time.

“Grayson, did you hear me?” Elias’ voice is sharp, with twinges of being fed up.

“I don’t have time for gossip, Elias. This proposal is taking—”

“I wouldn’t bother you if it wasn’t an emergency.”

For fuck’s sake. No, Grayson. Remember the HR training. Stay in the dialogue, make it safe for him, and focus on the desired outcome: getting him the fuck out of here. “Make it quick.”

“Alice disappeared. She hasn’t been seen for the past two days and she never got impregnated.”

My blood trips inside my veins. His words are meshing together and try as I might, I can’t make sense of them. Then they all hit me at once and in a breath I’m up on my feet and around the desk. “Elias, you know I don’t have a fucking sense of humor. If this is some bullshit prank, you’re going to need a surgeon to remove my fist from your throat and a sandwich cart. I will fire your ass so fast no one in the world would hire you again.”

His jaw tightens, the icy glint in his eyes tells me he would punch me. If he could. But his voice is soft and measured. “Grayson, threatening me won’t change the facts. I wouldn’t jest about this. I’m repeating what was told to me. If you answered your phone and didn’t have all your calls routed to me like I’m your secretary, the clinic could have told you personally—”

I hold up a hand. He’s not wrong, but I pay him more than well enough to deal with shit for me when I’m swamped. “You told me it was under control. A couple of days ago, Alice came in here and assured me she felt good and all was going according to plan. You backed her up. Now you come to me with this bullshit?”

Elias presses a hand to his mouth. “All was supposed to be well. We had a pregnancy confirmation and it was evolving according to plan.”

“But you went to the appointment with her.”

“I couldn’t go, Grayson.” His voice rises. “You sent me to the closing for the buildings near Havre de Grace. I wouldn’t have made it on time. She went into the appointment that day by herself and I met her for lunch after. She showed me the procedure confirmation. I had no reason to doubt her. The positive test two weeks later confirmed it was all done. I can’t be in all places at once.”

I go back around my desk to check my calendar but I hadn’t added any reminders. Fuck me. This is not happening.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

J. L. Lora is a Dominican-American author. Her stories explore the dark side of good characters, people living in the gray areas of life while playing the cards life has dealt them. She loves strong heroines and their equally powerful Men. She currently lives in Maryland, pursuing her dream of writing compelling, sexy, can’t-put-down stories about empowered, badass alpha heroines and take-your-breath-away alpha heroes

If you wish to know more information about J. L. Lora, you can visit her website: www.JLLora.com. 

You can also sign up for J. L. Lora’s newsletter for news, releases, events, more information, and extras related to Boss, Made, and The Trinity Series. Visit www.JLLora.com/newsletter to sign up and never miss a thing!

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Spotlight: The Story of Us by Jody Holford

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Declan James has been Brockton Point’s most ineligible bachelor––happy with his short-term relationships and focusing on his business. But now that his closest friends have found their happily-ever-afters, he can’t help but wonder what that might be like. And then Sophia Strombi shows up on his doorstep.

Sophia’s life is––well there’s no other word for it––a mess. She’s grateful to have some work at her brother’s best friend’s bar, and a place to stay. Since she’s working hard to get her life back on track, she’s desperately trying to ignore the fact her boss makes her heart pound in a good way. Wait––no. That’s not good at all.

Besides, she has a huge secret she’s keeping from everyone––one that’s a life-changer.

Excerpt

He waited and the only sounds were the gentle buzz of the computer and their combined breaths. She hoped only she could hear the heavy beat of her heart.

His fingers came to her cheek and he turned her to face him. “Are you going to stay with your parents?”

Stretching her mouth into a phony smile, she shook her head. “No. Would you move back in with your parents at twenty-eight?”

He snorted out a laugh and dropped his hand, leaned back in his chair and gripped the arms rests. “Not in this lifetime. I love them, but no way would I bunk with them again. But that’s different. I haven’t been gone ten years.”

“I bet, even if you had, you wouldn’t crawl home.”

Declan stared at her, his dark eyes too intense for the rollercoaster of emotions Sophia was juggling. “Your parents—your family—love you, Sophia. Whatever happened, they’ll be thrilled you’re home. Why are you so scared?”

She hated that word. It was exactly what she felt, not that she’d tell him that. “I’m not scared. I’m an adult. I’ve moved back into town and I’ve secured employment. Next on the list is a place to live. Then I can show up and tell them I’m just fine.”

Declan reached our and took one of her hands. He rubbed his thumb over the back of it and sensations tumbled around like her emotions. It wasn’t even noon yet. How could she feel so freaking much?

“Are you?”

Her eyes shot up to his. “Am I what?”

He leaned into her space again and she wondered what it would be like to press her mouth to his. It was hardly the first time she’d wondered if his lips were as soft as they looked. She wanted to run her hand along his strong, square jaw and feel the rasp of his stubble against her palm. Against her neck.

“Are you fine?” His voice came out a husky whisper.

Blinking back tears and taking a deep breath, she nodded. “I am. Stop worrying. I don’t need another big brother, Declan. I needed a job, you gave me one. And I stand by what I said, you won’t be sorry.”

As they turned back to the spreadsheets and he showed her his accounting program, Sophia wondered if she’d be sorry. Sorry for coming back, for staying away, for keeping secrets. Stealing little glances at Declan while he spoke, she wondered what her life would have been like if she’d stayed. Would she have worked for her family, settled down, married someone they approved of and had a happy little family?

Sophia put a hand to her stomach and swallowed the lump in her throat. No sense wondering “what if” when she had a whole hell of a lot of “what now” to face.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Jody Holford is a multi-published author who has a soft spot for happily ever after. So much so, she tattooed the words on her arm. She’s a mom and a wife, a friend, sister, daughter, teacher, and book-lover. Her stories have a little heat and a lot of heart. And maybe, some swoon-worthy moments that will make you smile.

Connect:

Website: http://www.jodyholfordauthor.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Authorjodyholford

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jody_holford

Goodreads: https://goo.gl/TdCW7S

Spotlight: Just Swipe Right by Allie York

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Magazine columnist Eliza Donovan let her sister sign her up for a dating app which is so not her thing. Chef Murphy Cormac needed a dramatic change, so a big city move leaves him looking for love. An unexpected match has Eliza and Murphy questioning whether or not it is meant to be. Fans of love triangles will love this quick and will they, won’t they read. The third book in the highly anticipated 425 Madison series is now live! Read JUST SWIPE RIGHT by Allie York today.

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited

Amazon ➝ https://rebrand.ly/JSR_425Madison

Goodreads ➝ http://bit.ly/425Mad3JSR

About Just Swipe Right

Eliza
My life is perfect. I have a luxurious apartment and my dream job. I also have a sister willing to sign me up for a dating app against my better judgment. I promise her one week before the app is deleted forever.

All it takes is one week before I’m matched with two amazing men and my perfect life becomes a perfect disaster.

Murphy
I needed a drastic change and I got it. My move from the middle of nowhere to the city lands me in a classy part of town with an upscale job. All I need is a personal life to match. So, I join the masses and download an app.

A match with the woman of my dreams has me considering a future. The only problem is that I’m not the only one wanting to make her mine.

After all, 425 Madison Avenue is the perfect place to fall in love.

*Each story is completely standalone.

Excerpt

Copyright @ 2019 Allie York

“When you signing up? Women love a chef.” My best friend Derek is the back manager of Amore and got me the interview as head chef. Tonight, he gets to be both managers since the front manager called in sick. Sick is code for his new girlfriend is visiting from upstate. Mike gets sick every third Saturday, almost religiously.

        Derek nudges me, and I remember that he asked a question, “Sign up?”

        “Match Me. It’s where I met Callie. I also met Claire on there,” Derek tips his head at our staff, “Clint is talking to some woman on there too. You need to get out there. Enjoy the finer things the big apple has to offer.” I only roll my eyes. I didn’t come to New York to date. I came to work in a new environment and get some better kitchen experience. One of the female servers watches Derek and I talk, trying to be discreet, but it’s no secret that she’s hot for Derek. Even my player best friend knows better than to mix business and pleasure. Although that may be his only rule when it comes to women. Sharing a bedroom wall with him proves that point.

        “I’m not signing up for a dating app.” I watch the crew start to ease toward the door, mentally preparing for our shift.

        “Look at it like a hookup app. None of these women want to get married, if they did, they wouldn’t waste time with this shit.” Derek waves his black phone in front of my face, “Since when are you against getting laid?”

        “You know I’m not against it, it’s just not my goal in life.” I shrug. Call me old fashioned but I can’t stand our culture sometimes. I’m a commitment guy, not around for hookups.

        “You could still make it a priority, or just an option.” Derek leans back against the wall, looking smug with his argument. He has a point. I make enough money to take a girl out and having someone to talk to besides Derek’s dog would be nice. When he’s home, he has a date over, so I have taken over all of Dozer’s care, but that doesn’t mean I want to be the guy who sits at home with the dog. Although, Dozer is a great listener.

        “Well…” I begin.

        “You are so easy,” Derek shakes his head and taps my phone in my pocket, “Match Me is the app. Put your profession on there as often as possible. Women love a chef. You cook, they reward you for it, I promise.” Derek bumps my shoulder and I start the app download.  

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Allie is a mom and dog groomer by day. At night she is posted at her laptop writing or reading in a cozy corner. She has a soft spot for gooey romance, over-creamed coffee, and anything cute and furry.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/authorallieyork/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/15726793.Allie_York
Amazon:   https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B01N947A6I
BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/allie-york

About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Nine delicious romances set in fast-paced & sexy NYC just waiting for you to read.

The series features stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, and C. Lesbirel.

Join these authors as they come together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy.

Featuring some of readers' favorite tropes: second-chance romance, best friends sibling romance to a good ol' enemies to lovers romance. We've got you covered with a sports romance, a fake relationship and even an ugly duckling or two. Don't forget a brother's best friend and falling for your soul mate. Maybe a little love triangle as well. Each tale offers you something new, something different. After all, 425

For more information, visit the series website ➝ www.425madisonseries.com

Follow the series on Facebook ➝ https://www.facebook.com/425MadisonSeries

Did you miss MUST LOVE COFFEE and LET ME LOVE YOU? You can read them here: https://rebrand.ly/MLC_425Madison and https://rebrand.ly/LMLY_425Madison

Books four and five in the series are coming soon! Add them to your Goodreads shelf today!

Two for Holding by Kay Gordon, Book #4
A Sports Romance
Goodreads ➝ https://rebrand.ly/TFH_425Madison

Boyfriend Maintenance by Lauren Helms, Book #5

A Fake Relationship Romance

Goodreads ➝ https://rebrand.ly/BF_425Madison

This release event is brought to you by Forever Write PR - Forever your source for all your writing needs. https://www.facebook.com/ForeverWritePR/

Spotlight: My Son's Wife Series by Sheila E. Bell

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My Son's Wife: The Beginning
My Son's Wife Book 1
by Shelia E. Bell
Genre: Inspirational Romance, Drama  

First Lady Audrey Graham believes she's found the perfect woman to become her eldest son, Minister Stiles Graham's wife. Sweet, sensitive, kind, and of course a fine Christian girl, Audrey couldn't ask more of lovely Rena Jackson. But skeletons fall from the closet when Audrey and Stiles discover that Rena is in love and committed to the troubled, rebellious, ex-con, Frankie. My Son's Wife is more than a love triangle, it's a time bomb set to explode with twists, turns, entanglements and sinful revelations that only a loving God can make right.




My Son's Ex-Wife
My Son's Wife Book 2

The story of the Graham family continues in My Son's ex Wife. First Lady Audrey Graham is more than relieved when Stiles encounters the young, vivacious nutritionist Detria Mackey. Rena is equally captivated by recent divorcee, Robert Becton. Does the handsome, science teacher Robert Becton possess what Rena needs to give her life a much needed jump start? When Rena returns to Memphis for less than pleasant reasons, Stiles and Rena realize they still have deep feelings one another, but will their feelings overcome the past that severed their relationship? Will Audrey manage to come between them again or will other circumstances intervene that will give them cause to rethink their past and move forward to the future.



My Son's Next Wife
My Son's Wife Book 3

First Lady Audrey Graham is gone and her husband suffers from loneliness and the after-effects of his second stroke. Their son, Stiles, now minister of his father’s church, is engaged to Detria and has found happiness at last—despite his heartbreaking divorce from Rena. Rena’s now living in another state and has found a new love herself, Robert, though she resists his marriage proposals because she doesn’t feel she could ever be completely forgiven for her past sins. Things take a turn for the worse when Stiles’ father suffers another stroke and Detria has a miscarriage. Stiiles' faith is tested like never before. But who knows in whose arms he will land up in Book 3 in the page-turning My Son’s Wife series!



My Sister My Momma My Wife
My Son's Wife Book 4

The 4th installment in the My Son's Wife series, and Stiles Graham is the proud father of a little girl by his wife, Detria. Although he loves his role as daddy, he doesn't act so happy when it comes to his role as husband. His mind continues to have thoughts about his ex-wife, Rena who seems to have moved on with her life in Andover, Massachusetts with none other than Robert Becton. Stiles is further stunned beyond belief when he uncovers secrets that have been hidden away for years about the Graham family. In his search to heal the wounds of the past, he is hit with the truth about his very own mother, his one and only sister, Francesca (Frankie) and his new wife, Detria. What does a man of God do when the enemy pulls out all stops to destroy everything that he has believed in, including God's mercy and grace.




My Wife My Baby...And Him
My Son's Wife Book 5

In the fifth installment of the My Son's Wife series, Senior Pastor Stiles Graham and First Lady Detria Graham s marriage is rapidly falling apart, thanks to her adulterous ways. Stiles had hoped and prayed that the time they spent away from Memphis would make their marriage stronger, but after just months from returning from Myrtle Beach, Stiles questions whether that is truly the case.When whats done in the dark comes to light, and Stiles discovers that Detria is cheating on him with his good friend, Skip Madison, the marriage quickly unravels. This startling revelation brings out the worse in Stiles Graham, and leads to his eventual downfall. During the midst of it all, Detria learns that she is pregnant. As much as she wanted to steer clear of Skip Madison and give her marriage to Stiles a fighting chance, her heart says something different. Now she finds herself worried about who is the father of her unborn child. Turmoil, trouble, deception and disaster infiltrate this marriage, and much is at stake, including Stiles pastoral position at Holy Rock. When tragedy strikes this already dysfunctional marriage, it sends life, as they know it spiraling down a never-ending tunnel of hurt, anger and grief, leaving both Stiles and Detria questioning their faith and belief in God to restore their lives and relationship.




The McCoys of Holy Rock
My Son's Wife Book 6

It's been two years since Hezekiah McCoy became the senior pastor of Holy Rock, and Hezekiah, First Lady Fancy McCoy and their sons are certainly shaking things up. Frequent and lavish vacations, a new and much larger house, and what seems like a never ending flow of cash, the McCoys are enjoying the tremendous favor of God, or could there be some other reason for their rapidly growing success? 




Dem McCoy Boys
My Son's Wife Book 7

Dem McCoy boys are rocking Holy Rock! The young handsome, charming, debonair Khalil McCoy is the new senior pastor and his fresh out of the closet brother, Xavier, is Financial Administrator and Youth Director. The McCoy brothers have no limits or filters and set a new record for stirring up drama. Find out what’s really next for the McCoys, for Holy Rock, but especially for Dem McCoy Boys!




My Brother, Father, and Me
My Son's Wife Book 8

The saga of the McCoys and Grahams of Holy Rock continues. Stiles must decide if he will return to the pulpit he once graced. Pastor yearns to have a relationship with Hezekiah, while Khalil and Xavier have a personal vendetta against their father and will do just about anything to destroy his ministry…and his life. Hezekiah finds it impossible to unite with the man he discovered is his father and the brother he refuses to accept. Who will be left standing?




My Truth My Time My Turn
My Son's Wife Book 9
**New Release!!**

The McCoys and the Grahams try to work together as Stiles makes a decision whether or not to return to Holy Rock. Hezekiah shows a softer side (or does he really), while Khalil makes it evident the apple doesn't fall too far from the tree. Xavier continues to war against his flesh but will Pepper be able to help him win the war? So much intense drama in this next installment of the My Son's Wife series.





Shelia E. Bell (formerly Shelia E. Lipsey) is an award-winning, national bestselling author with 20+ books published in christian fiction, women’s fiction, nonfiction, and young adult genres. Her books have garnered numerous awards and accolades, including 2017 Christian Literary Readers' Choice Award, 2015 Rosa Parks Award, 2014 Christian Literary Award, AAMBC Nate Holmes Honorary Award, Kindle Award, OOSA Book of the Year, numerous SORMAG awards and more.
Shelia began her publishing career in 1999. Since then, she has set the literary industry ablaze with her dynamic, true to life stories that she calls "perfect stories about imperfect people like you...and me."

Shelia is passionate about helping others and encourages and promotes people to ‘live their dreams now.’ In 2012, she founded and non profit organization "Black Writers And Book Clubs (BWABC) Literacy Association" with a mission to promote literacy one community at a time. Shelia is also a well-respected freelance book editor.

A much sought after inspirational speaker, Shelia travels near and far sharing her inspirational messages of how to overcome the adversities of life. Having had polio since the age of two, she accepts no excuses and is determined not to let her physical imperfections keep her from her life’s purposes.




Follow the tour HERE for exclusive excerpts, guest posts and a giveaway!











Spotlight: A Phoenix Is Forever by Ashlyn Chase

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She didn't see this hot cop coming.

Dawn Forrest is ready for a big change. She's determined to put her criminal past behind her and only use her extraordinary psychic abilities for good from now on.

Luca Fierro is a Phoenix shifter and rookie cop with something to prove. The last person he should tangle with is a newly reformed bad girl, especially one as irresistible as Dawn. But he needs her help to find a missing child, and every minute counts. This case is going to put their skills to the test and force them to keep their sizzling attraction at bay...

Excerpt

Instead of going straight home, Luca parked nearby and started to walk off his hurt and frustration. He wasn’t in the best part of town, but he didn’t care. He wasn’t in the best mood either. How the heck had he gotten to this point in his life? Up until a short while ago, he had been hopeful about his future. Now, he wasn’t so sure. Still wearing his police uniform, he stuffed his hands in his jacket pockets and walked aimlessly with his head down.

Half an hour later, nearing the fountain of the Christian Science Center, a popular destination for tourists and locals alike, he barely noticed the regal elegance of the domed structure overlooking the calm reflecting pool. But in the quiet of the early morning, his ears perked up in sudden alert when he heard a woman’s strained gasp.

He glanced up and saw a young woman standing near the fountain. She was about five six with short, spiky brown hair, wearing a black leather jacket. Neck tattoos and a lot of piercings gave her a bad-­girl vibe, but what was even odder was that she was staring right at him, wide-­eyed. Then she passed out.

“Shit,” he muttered and ran over—­faster than a human could. Worried she could wind up with a concussion, he cradled her head before she hit the pavement. He shook her shoulder and shouted, “Hey! Are you all right?”

Eventually, she opened her eyes. Big gray-­green eyes. Unusual. Supporting her back, he helped her sit up.

“What’s the matter?” He was tempted to ask if she’d ever seen a cop before, but that was because he was in a crappy mood. Sarcasm aside, he was trained not to assume what was going on in a person’s brain. Asking open-­ended questions would gain more information.

“I…saw blood.” She paused and closed those big green eyes again, taking a deep breath. “I always faint at the sight of blood.”

“What do you mean? You saw an accident or someone get hurt?” Luca gentled his voice in concern. Perhaps she’d witnessed a murder and had a delayed reaction.

She shook her head and reached out to grasp his hand. “Look, this may sound crazy,” she said, “but I’m a psychic. I saw you walking this way, and I got a dreadful feeling. Did something just happen to you? I see auras and have premonitions. Your aura is just…well, terrible. Then I had a vision. I saw you covered in blood.”

Blood? Luca helped her to stand. He believed in psychics—the genuine kind. After all, he was a shape­shifter, and he came from a family of shifters. But there were a lot of charlatans out there.

Given where his head was at after just being dumped by Lisa, he could only imagine what kind of energy he was giving off, let alone his aura…but blood? This chick could just be some wacko.

He folded his arms. “Do you want money to tell me more?”

“No! I’m not like that. I help people. Maybe the accident I just saw is something you can prevent from happening.”

He cocked his head. “You saw an accident? Where?”

“On a side street. It looked like an older part of town. They were just kids. Maybe sixteen or seventeen at the most. It looked like they were drag racing. A little kid rode his bike into the street and he was struck by one of the cars.”

“What does that have to do with me?”

“I don’t know. Sometimes I see through other people’s eyes. I think I was looking through yours.”

Luca wanted to stay open­minded in case she was the real deal.

“Some more weird energy is clinging to you,” she went on, her expression seeming earnest. “I think it has to do with other people in your life. Your aura is red. Angry. But it feels justified—and not just that. I-­I feel as if someone is out to get you.”

Who could be out to get him? Was it just his fellow cops, taking advantage of the rookie? Doubtful. That was just for their own chuckles and part of the usual hazing. Something all newbies went through.

No, his dark mood was due to getting dumped. Lisa had acted strange that morning, but he didn’t see her as a danger. Did she have someone else already, and maybe that someone considered him a threat?

He was still mulling over the possibilities when the spiky-­haired girl pulled out a card and wrote her name and number on the back.

“I’m sorry if you think I’m trying to take advantage of you. I’m not. Knowing that cops are usually close-minded about psychics, I wouldn’t have even bothered, except I think you’re in danger. And those kids certainly are.”

Glancing at the card, he saw the name she’d written. Dawn Forest. He flipped the card over. It read ScholarTech: Academic Software for Brilliant Minds.

“Is that your real name?”

“Yeah. If I were going to come up with a fake name, it would be better than that.”

“You mean something exotic, like Zelda the Magnificent?”

She laughed. “No. Something like Susan Jones. I don’t think my mom realized how many times people would ask me if my name was fake or if my middle name was ‘in­the.’”

“So you work at this software company?” He wondered why someone who looked like her, with her tats and piercings, would be working for a company that created academic software.

“Yes, I just started there last month. Someday, I’ll get my own business cards instead of the generic ones.”

“Your look doesn’t exactly scream ‘corporate head office.’”

“Well, your assumption is outdated,” she retorted, hands firmly on her hips. “I have a college degree and was top in my class. Not to mention, I’m the only person at ScholarTech, including the engineers, who can recite the entire software manual by heart.”

“Wow. And you’ve only been there a month? How did you learn everything in so short a time?”

“I have a photographic memory.”

“You’re a psychic and you have a photographic memory? Shouldn’t you be raking in the big bucks on Wall Street?” Luca flashed her his trademark grin. It usually got him out of hot water. She smiled back and visibly relaxed.

He took a good look at her, past the tats and piercings and spiky hair, and noticed how pretty she was. Her nose was slightly turned up and covered with cute freckles. The tiny diamond stud in her left nostril almost got lost among them. Her hair made her look like a pixie. Maybe the badass tattoos and piercings were a way to counteract all that cuteness and be taken seriously.

“So do you do anything with your psychic talent, professionally?”

“Like working at a tea room? Or doing parties? No.”

“Anything other than stopping strangers on the street?”

She looked at her feet and kicked at the pavement with the end of her leather-­booted toe. “Sometimes. If friends ask me for help, I do what I can for them.”

There was something about her body language that had him questioning that statement.

He tucked her business card into his jacket pocket. “It was nice to meet you, Dawn Forest. I should be getting home though. I worked the night shift, and I need to get some sleep.”

“Okay. Watch your back,” she said and returned to her spot by the fountain to retrieve her backpack.

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About the Author

Award winning author, Ashlyn Chase specializes in characters who reinvent themselves, having reinvented herself numerous times. With a degree in behavioral sciences, she mainly worked as a psychiatric nurse and Red Cross RN. She’s happily married to her true-life hero husband who looks like Hugh Jackman if you squint. Visit her online at https://www.ashlynchase.com/