Spotlight: Oracle of Life by by Katherine D. Graham

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The Lords' Gambit Series, Volume 1

Genre: Dark Epic Fantasy 

Six fallen lords. Three vengeful goddesses. And one mortal, damned to prophesy for them all.

An Exiled Oracle

Nariah, the Heiress of Ellonai, is dead. An exiled, desert-dwelling Doomsayer is all that remains within the shell of the powerful princess she once was.

A Heretic

She isn't sure which of her visions her people hate more: the one where the three benevolent goddesses they serve have decided to destroy the world, or the vision of six lords falling from the skies to save them.

The World's Only Hope

Stumbling across the very lords she's been seeing in her visions for years, only Nariah's accursed gift of Sight can aid the lords in their rebellion against the goddesses, and determine the fate of her world before it's turned to ash.

But does she even want to save those who've wronged her?

A whole new take on mythological fantasy awaits in this thrilling dark epic by USA Today Bestselling Author Katherine D. Graham.

**This is not a standalone novel, though each book in The Lords' Gambit series follows a different main character. Book two, Monk of Death, is available for pre-order now.** 

Excerpt

(The Lords’ Gambit Series: Volume One)

Copyright – Katherine D. Graham

Fall From Grace

Torrential rain fell upon the six most powerful lords of Trellana as they fled through the dead of night. Rising up with sentience at the call of three pursuing goddesses, the very mud beneath the lords formed clawed hands. Muddy fingernails bit into the lords’ legs like daggers. A swing of a sword, mace, or axe freed their feet, their golden blood boiling the earth wherever it fell.

Life, ironically, fell first. The hands of the earth seized his shining locks, trapping Life to the ground as the living mud covered him like a smothering blanket. A cry ripped from Life’s lungs as his ribs cracked beneath the pressure. 

The goddesses would find him soon. As if the very thought of them summoned them to his side, a flash auburn hair which was literally aflame drifted into his vision. 

Irony, the cruelest goddess, found him first.

The rain stopped, and the clouds above him—only him; the torrents continued to fall everywhere else—opened to a glorious night sky.

A coiled silver whip was wrapped taught around one of her flexed biceps. Her ashen skin reflected within the flames of her hair as she advanced on the fallen lord, her golden teeth gleaming in the bright light of the full moon.

Life turned his eyes to the cloudless sky one final time before the mud circled up his neck and covered his face. Tendrils of it prodded at every orifice, desperate to bring an end to the lord who created all sentient beings but left the dirt itself lifeless. Uncountable millennia’s worth of anger and bitterness from an object Life never gave much thought to literally crushed in on him. 

He could not die, but the earth could steal the soul from his temporary corporal form, distributing it within itself to trap the lord for eternity. 

As Life’s heart pounded and his mouth gaped for air, only one other soul in his entire world mattered. 

A soul both cruel of heart and chivalrous beyond measure. A soul so dazzling to look upon, that mortals threw themselves at his altar in prayer to receive just a glimpse of him in their final moments.

No, Life couldn’t die without seeing him one last time. Besides, it would be better for a brother to take his soul than the abomination this accursed goddess had summoned.

Thrusting his arm straight up, his hand broke through the rapidly drying ground as he attempted what became a voiceless cry for the compliment of his soul.

“Death!”

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About the Author

Katherine D. Graham is a USA Today Bestselling fantasy author from Tennessee (USA). She is also a developmental editor and Reedsy Reviewer. 

Katherine’s debut indie Epic Fantasy novel, The Vow That Twisted Fate, is an Amazon bestselling New Adult Fantasy and Occult Fiction novel, a Fantasy finalist in the 2021 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, and a five-star IndieReader-approved novel. 

The USA Today Bestselling "Realm of Darkness" box set launched in October 2022, which included Katherine's full-length Dark Fantasy Romance novel "Splitting Dawn". 

Katherine holds a BA in Foreign Language/Lit: Japanese from the University of Memphis in Tennessee, where she also studied English (and editing). She worked for the Memphis Public Library and Information Center in her college years, and is still a vocal supporter of the Friends of the Memphis Public Library. 

In addition to the library system, Katherine actively raises support for the St Jude Children’s Research Hospital, The House of Mews cat sanctuary, the Memphis Zoo, and Swim Across America. 

Katherine loves adventures, especially traveling. She also enjoys cooking, reading, and spending time with her family and three cats. 

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Spotlight: Tomorrow Belongs To Us by Lily Zante

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Genre: Age Gap, Second Chance Contemporary Romance 

A young woman's life is disrupted when a decade later she crosses paths with the caring high-school teacher she fell in love with as a student.

Lance Turner was there for Megan when she needed him, but his sudden departure left her devastated.

All she wants now is closure, but all he wants is a second chance. 

Excerpt

I pull her panties to the side and slide a finger, making her shudder as she clenches around me. No, I do not want to stop. 

I couldn’t, unless she asked me to. 

But she wants this, and she opens for me, widening her legs on the dryer. I slide in another finger and stroke her nub. She arches her back, moaning deep and dirty. I want to dive in and eat her out, but I also want much more. The torment of exploring and seeing her all over again is too much for me to take things slowly. 

“You’re so ready,” I murmur, my thumb sliding over her easily.  

I pull down the other bra cup so that her breasts are uncovered. She puts her hands behind her and leans back a little. With the dryer spinning, she jiggles around on top, vibrating with the spin cycle, her perky breasts bouncing. I pump my fingers in and out, like pistons. Each sweep elicits moans from her. She parts her legs wider, as if she wants more of me inside her. I hook my finger inside her and she lets out a squeal. In the haze of my brain, it occurs to me to rip the tiny little piece of fabric away. But doing it like this, so that it partly reveals her, and partly covers her, is sensual. 

It’s dirty. 

She's almost naked, but not quite. She grinds herself against my hand and starts to shudder, as if she’s on the edge of her orgasm.

Not yet. 

I pull my fingers out and she whimpers, until I claim her mouth and kiss her hard. Our tongues stroke and taste and lick, and we go at it like two wild animals. 

I need to fuck her here. Now. But in the distant edges of my mind, I have enough awareness to think of her. It won't be comfortable for her, not like this, and I want space and softness for her. Not the cold hard edges of an appliance. 

“Do you have condoms?” Her voice is raspy as I lift her off the dryer. 

I’m embarrassed to admit that I do. “Will you hate me if I say 'yes'?” 

“You do? Oh, thank God, thank God,” she mumbles against my neck. In answer I palm her breasts roughly and devour her with another kiss. She’s a smorgasbord of delight. I don’t know what to taste or kiss or touch and stroke next., I’m spoiled for choice. 

My cock could so easily slide inside her. I don't carry rubbers around with me because I don’t expect to have sex with women other than my wife—and that fizzled out years ago. I’m not a guy who makes moves on women. But being with Megan, I had to be prepared. I’ve had to guardrail my heart and my emotions, because goodness knows this woman has tried to get me to make a move on her. She’s been hard to resist. 

Impossible. 

Her ankles dig harder into my lower back as she tightens her grip around me. 

Fuck. 

I pull down my boxers, needing the release, needing to feel her. I have a mind to fuck her right here. Then I remember … the condom is in the back pocket of my jeans which are in the dryer. 

“I need a moment,” I manage to mutter, as I bend to retrieve my jeans but her parted legs steal my attention. I want my cock inside her, filling her to the hilt, making her mine. I want to watch her come and fall apart under my gaze while I fuck her into oblivion. I want her to be mine forever, but she is so wet, glistening under the tawdry light that I can’t help myself, and roll my tongue over her, lapping at her juices. 

Oh, fuck.

The smell, the taste, it makes me want to come right now. I bury my nose against her, memories of her familiar scent reawakening. She tastes like an elixir I never want to stop drinking. 

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About the Author

Lily Zante writes emotional contemporary romances that give you all the feels. 

Readers say that her books keep you up all night and make you fall in love with characters who you will come to regard as friends.

She has one daughter, two sons and a parrot. Her better half prefers not to be mentioned at all.

Be among the first to receive new release notifications, cover reveals, chapter excerpts and more free romances.

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Spotlight: Aspen Cove Series by Kelly Collins

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One Hundred Reasons
by Kelly Collins
(Aspen Cove, #1)
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

A woman who wants to leave.
A man who has to stay.
And a love that won’t be denied…

Nurse Sage Nichols’ life isn’t going as planned. When a favorite patient passes away, Sage abandons her post for a few minutes longer than planned — and just like that, she’s without a job and a paycheck.

But Sage’s patient left her a parting gift: a creaky bed-and-breakfast in the heart of the Rockies. So, determined to sell the rundown property and return to Denver for a fresh start, Sage heads north to the mountains.

When Cannon Bishop’s mother died, he gave up his dreams of leaving Aspen Cove for good and returned to run the family business. As owner of the only bar and son to the town drunk, he’s got no room in his life for a woman. But when Sage Nichols breezes into town, she changes everything.

And if there’s one thing Cannon hates, it’s change.

Recruited by the local doctor, Sage finds herself more involved in small town life than she intended. But the warm welcome she receives from the locals does not extend to the man next door.

Then trust sprouts unexpectedly between them and when Sage’s plan to return to Denver falls through, she is left wondering if her future might lie in Aspen Cove after all.

Sometimes love gets in the way of the best laid plans…

Welcome to Aspen Cove, the tiny Colorado town where fresh starts, hope, and true love live…

Excerpt

He turned his back to the crowd and gave his undivided attention to Mike, a one-eyed alley cat that made his home in the corner of the bar. He found the poor thing in a dumpster in Copper Creek outside the discount liquor store where he bought supplies.

Mike wasn’t injured; he was born without an eye, but for a one-eyed cat, he was an excellent mouser.

“Hey there, bud. You eat today?” He pulled a box of Mike’s favorite treats from the cabinet and placed a few in front of him. The cat looked at him like he’d lost his mind because he liked it when his treats were hidden around the bar. It was a kind of game with them; Mike liked to work for his food. “Sorry, but there are too many people here today.” Cannon scratched the top of Mike’s head and turned around to see the girl everyone called Sage standing at the end of the bar. Her eyes were covered in ridiculously large glasses, which meant his father had left his mark.

Even though he’d snapped at her yesterday, he felt bad today because, in hindsight, she was only trying to help. It was a thankless job that he’d been saddled with for years.

“Can I get a beer?” Her voice was small and uncertain. “Any kind will do.”

He pulled a frosted mug from the under-the-counter freezer. “Do you prefer light or dark?”

She stared at him for a minute. Her gaze focused on his nose and the purple shadow sitting below his eyes.

“I prefer dark.” She slid into the empty barstool and pulled off her glasses.

He winced at her injury. “I’m so sorry you got hit yesterday.”

She ran her fingertips under her eyes. “Oh, it’s okay. It hurts worse than it looks.” She gave him a half smile.

“It looks pretty awful.”

“I tried to cover it up, but my makeup skills only go so far.” She leaned forward to get a better look at his injury. “We could be twins.”

He poured a pint of Amber Bock and set it in front of her. “If that’s true, I’m the ugly one.” He smiled, hoping it conveyed something nice and friendly.

“I think we got off on the wrong foot.” She wiped her hand on her pants and offered it to him. “I’m Sage Nichols, and for now, I’m your new neighbor.”

He dried his hand on a bar towel and took her tiny one in his. If he closed his palm, hers would have disappeared. “I’m Cannon Bishop. It’s nice to meet you.”

She looked at Mike, who was sprawled next to the cash register. His orange tail swished lazily back and forth.

“Your cat has one eye.”

He brought his finger to his lips. “Shh, he doesn’t realize he’s different.”

When she smiled, his icy heart thawed.

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About the Author

Like FREEBIES? Join the VIP readers at http://bit.ly/KellyCollinsFreeBook for members-only exclusives!

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International bestselling author of more than thirty novels, Kelly Collins writes with the intention of keeping love alive. Always a romantic, she blends real-life events with her vivid imagination to create characters and stories that lovers of contemporary romance, new adult, and romantic suspense will return to again and again.

Kelly has sold more than a quarter of a million books worldwide, and in 2021 she was awarded a Readers' Favorite Award Gold Medal in the Contemporary Romance category for A Tablespoon of Temptation.

You can learn more about Kelly at www.authorkellycollins.com.

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https://www.amazon.com/Kelly-Collins/e/B00H3JAYJ8/ref=sr_tc_2_0?qid=1435982615&sr=8-2-ent

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7488895.Kelly_Collins

Cover Reveal: The Scoundrel by Delta James

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(Club Southside, #1)
Publication date: February 17th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Danger and desire go hand in hand…

Welcome to Club Southside. Cerberus has opened an office in Chicago over the Club. The team takes on the jobs no one else wants. They handle everything from protection, covert rescue operations, cyber-crime to reconnaissance and more. These men are driven and deadly, willing to do what is needed to complete their missions and to protect the women they love.

A fast-paced romantic suspense series of interconnected standalone books that will leave you on the edge of your seat.

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About the Author

As a USA Today bestselling romance author, Delta James aims to captivate readers with stories about complex,curvy heroines and the dominant alpha males who adore them. For Delta, romance is more than just a love story; it’s a journey with challenges and thrills along the way. 

After creating a second chapter for herself that was dramatically different than the first, Delta now resides in Florida where she relaxes on warm summer evenings with her loveable pack of basset hounds as they watch the birds, squirrels and lizards. When not crafting fast-paced tales, she enjoys horseback riding, walks on the beach, and white-water rafting. 

More about Delta, including a full list of her books and audiobooks, can be found at www.deltajames.com.

Her readers mean the world to her, and Delta tries to interact personally to as many messages as she can. If you’d like to chat or discuss books, you can find Delta on Instagram, Facebook, and in her private reader group https://www.facebook.com/groups/348982795738444.

If you’re looking for your next bingeable series, you can get a FREE story by joining her newsletter https://www.subscribepage.com/VIPlist22019.

Connect:

https://www.deltajames.com/

https://www.facebook.com/DeltaJamesAuthor

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18197022.Delta_James

Spotlight: Cole Twins Box Set by Diana A. Hicks

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Publication date: February 22nd 2021

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:

The Cole Twins Box Set – a steamy romantic suspense box set that includes two full-length, standalone novels.

Here’s what you get:

UNLEASH YOU

Wesley Cole

Former Marine

Brilliant Investor and CEO

My first love

Dreamy Wesley Cole never once looked my way when we were kids. As my brother’s best friend, he only thought of me as the pesky neighbor.

I’m not a child anymore. I don’t need Wesley telling me what to do. And I’m sure as hell, I don’t need him telling me how to spend my money. I want him to see that I’m all grown up now.

One way or another, the broody marine will have to understand we belong together.

DEFY YOU

Zack Cole

Steamy Doctor

Perfect Jerk

My Fake Fiancé

It all started when I kissed the wrong twin brother. And now I can’t stop thinking about the kiss. I can’t stop thinking about Zack’s soft lips and kind eyes. I can’t stop thinking about the fact that now his life is danger because of me.

I’m desperate to stay in the States. Going home would sure end badly for me.

But is the steamy doctor’s proposal to be his fake girlfriend my only way out?

If you like angsty, all-the-feels romance with hot alpha heroes, then you’ll love this suspenseful series.

Contains explicit love scenes and mild violence. No cheating. No cliffhangers.

Excerpt

When the doors slid open, I was greeted by a huge sign that read Cole Investment Research Advisors, Inc. To my left, at the end of the hallway, a receptionist desk stood empty. I strolled to it anyway, casually peering into the other offices. Every person was either on the phone or had their gazes glued to their computer screens. 

A man’s deep and sort of angry voice caught my attention. I ambled toward the suite in the corner, the only room with a shut door. Could this be Wesley? Of all the Cole brothers, he was always the most intense and intimidating. Was that why I’d had such a big crush on him? Because he seemed impossible to get, so beautiful and unattainable. I pressed a hand on the frosted-glass door for support. In a split second, the panel swung open, and I fell flat on my face. Technically speaking, I tumbled over a pair of large Italian-leather shoes. 

“Let me call you back.” The angry voice now had an annoyed edge to it.

“The door just opened.” I glanced up as a pair of hands picked me off the floor. My heart drummed in my ears. In part because I was embarrassed, but also because, holy shit, this was Wesley Cole. Somehow, he’d gotten hotter in the last eight years. The boy I remembered was gone, replaced by an incredibly gorgeous man.

“Yeah, I opened it.” His warm fingers loosened a bit around my bare shoulders, and he smiled at me with a little twinkle in his eye. “Are you okay?”

Was that recognition in his gaze? “I am. Thank you.” I shuffled back and smoothed out my skirt. 

“Can I help you?” He shot a glance toward the empty receptionist’s desk. 

“I think so. I came to see you. I’m Ana?” I pursed my lips. I hated that name when I was little. I especially hated it 

when people added sweet in front of it. Sweet Ana. “I’m Anabelle Copenhaver. We were neighbors. Sort of.”

Wesley’s grandmother owned the estate next to ours. Wesley and his family spent so much time at that house, I considered them neighbors. In his letter, Charlie had mentioned that Wesley’s oldest brother, Derek, had acquired the estate, done a full renovation, and planned to move in soon. 

“I know who you are.” A crease shot across his forehead. He released me so fast I stumbled back. “I didn’t think I’d be seeing you today.”

“I’m sorry. I should’ve made an appointment.” My cheeks burned hot. Wesley wasn’t a boy anymore, but the stern look in those hazel eyes told me he still thought of me as Charlie’s little sister. “I should go.” I turned to leave.

“Anabelle, please wait.” He put out his hand but then retrieved it. “We do need to talk. Sit down.”

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About the Author

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy romantic suspense and science-fiction romance.

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

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Spotlight: One Wedding and an Earl by Tracy Sumner

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#4 The Duchess Society Series

Historical Romance, Regency Romance, Steamy Romance

Date Published: January 19, 2023

In this sizzling Regency romance by USA Today bestselling author Tracy Sumner, a notorious earl, and an infamous hellion need to face an unforgettable passion.

A scarred earl with a big heart—and a big problem.

Since his return from war, the Earl of Stanford’s life has been anything but simple. A meddling older brother, a raucous group of friends, a crumbling estate, and an injury that forever changed him. Now this. Her. His brother’s bright idea of a way out. The most infamous landscape architect in England arriving on his doorstep to restore his ruined gardens and his ruined heart. Only, Ollie Aspinwall isn’t falling for this sibling ploy.

He’s content to hide in the country, a brooding, stargazing, lost soul.

A gorgeous hellion with wild dreams—and a wild challenge.

Necessity Byrne has heard the rumors about the Scarred Earl. A walking scandal, she’s used to flouting convention and shocking society, so the offer to assist a reclusive peer with beautification of his estate is a project she’d consider. Except for the ripple of awareness that dances along her skin every time she recalls meeting the handsome, steely eyed rake years ago. A dilemma she doesn’t care to solve—even if she wants the job.

However, she’s a woman determined to take every dare offered her.

So, they agree to disagree for the sake of the earldom’s gardens, all the while battling a breathless, rampant attraction—until Ollie decides he wants to keep her. Can he persuade his feisty, adorable gardener to accept a besotted, broken-down earl with dreams of a family and love?

Come along on this sizzling slow burn, enemies-to-lovers, sorta second chance romp!

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling and award-winning author Tracy Sumner’s storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, and her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before finding her way back to the Lowcountry of South Carolina.

When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers!

Connect:

Website: http://www.tracy-sumner.com

Facebook: http://www.Facebook.com/Tracysumnerauthor

Twitter: http://www.Twitter.com/sumnertrac

Instagram: http://www.Instagram.com/tracysumnerromance

BookBub: http://www.bookbub.com/profile/tracy-sumner