Spotlight: Ignite the Magic by Donna Grant

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant delivers an epic prequel to her long-running and critically acclaimed Dark Universe series.

Passion’s magic ignites a fire too hot to touch—and too wicked to die…

The stars have always called to Ailis, beckoning her to see what other realms were out there. She’s told its impossible, but that doesn’t stop her need to explore beyond what others believe. Ailis never expected to change history by creating the first doorway to another realm. She certainly never imagined opening that door to find a commanding dragon who shifts into a man. She’s irresistibly drawn to Lennox, powerless against the yearning of her body and the longing of her heart.

Magic might have chosen Lennox as King of Dragon Kings, but it’s a position he’s never wanted. Until the day a new being arrives—and irrevocably changes his life. The closer he gets to the fearless, ravishing woman, the more he fights the passion that flares between them. He lives only for his duty, but one fiery kiss unleashes a firestorm of desire that will ripple across eons and realms. Fate might have brought them together, but will it also tear them apart?

The origins of the Dark Kings/Dragon Kings and the entire Dark Universe is finally revealed.

Excerpt

Lennox knew every creature on the realm, and the one before him wasn’t one of them. The being was small, seemingly harmless, but underestimating her would be his folly. He climbed out of the water, intending to investigate this new arrival—and what it wanted. His duty was to protect the dragons and the realm itself—from anything he deemed a threat. And until he knew differently, the newcomer was exactly that.

While he didn’t know what it was yet, his magic informed him that it was female. He took in her exotic look, finding it surprisingly appealing. Her thick hair fell nearly to her hips, the black strands woven with bright silver. Her oval face was both delicate and fierce—a combination that utterly intrigued him. Her crimson eyes were ringed in black, making her thick, midnight lashes more pronounced. She had high cheekbones, a stubborn tilt to her chin, and lips that drew his gaze again and again.

She wore garments to cover herself, which he found curious. Though he had to admit he liked the way they contoured to her body, showcasing every amazing curve. The article closest to her skin was so dark a green it was nearly black. Over that was a piece of black leather laced up her front to end in a V at her breasts, showing the green beneath it and then her beige skin.

Draped across her body was a length of leather with a bag attached at the end. Her legs were encased in black with material that looked as supple and pliable as skin. Her feet were also covered in leather, albeit thicker, the material going all the way up to her knees.

His gaze moved back to her mouth as she spoke. He frowned as he listened to the inaudible words. Lennox then noticed the iridescent orbs in each of her hands. He immediately realized it was magic of some sort. So, this female had magic as dragons did. Interesting.

She spoke again, and his power began to decipher the words.

“…well? Get on with it,” she demanded.

Lennox fought not to smile at her pluck. He wanted to talk to her, but dragons didn’t communicate as she did. No sooner had the thought gone through his mind than pain shot through him. Bones snapped, and muscles and ligaments tore. A bellow locked in his throat at the agony. It felt like it went on forever, and then it was just…gone.

He suddenly found himself no longer towering over the female. Lennox glanced down at himself to see that he looked like her. That wasn’t possible. He lifted his hands, expecting to see his long talons, but they were gone. As were his scales.

“Bloody hell,” she murmured, her voice soft with surprise.

He knew he was stunned. This had never happened before. He swallowed and worked his mouth as she continued eyeing him suspiciously. Lennox wanted to move, but he was still testing his new body. The last thing he wanted was to fall flat on his face. The female might just use those balls of magic on him.

Lennox flexed his fingers and squeezed his toes in the rocks that lined the shore. He rotated his shoulders before stilling as something landed against his cheek. He reached up to feel it. He tugged but discovered it was attached to his head.

“That’s your hair,” the female stated.

He looked at her black and silver locks and tried to see his. To his surprise, he could move it around enough to see that it was a golden hue.

“You understand me?”

Lennox’s gaze slid to her as he nodded. But he didn’t try for words. He touched his face. His long snout and sharp teeth were gone. Once more, hands drew his gaze. He rubbed his fingers along his thumb, captivated by the feeling. This was entirely different than what he experienced in his other form. There were thousands more sensations, each demanding his attention.

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Spotlight: Choices Meant For Gods by Sandy Lender

The Choices Trilogy Book 1

Genre: Epic Fantasy

Not even the gods noticed when Amanda Chariss was born with the mark of The Protector. Now she and her wizard guardian hide from a mad sorcerer in a household full of false hope and whispered secrets. The same god who watches over the family school sheltering Chariss will soon reveal her role in an impending war.

When a wizard’s ward sets aside a lifetime of running and fear to accept the responsibilities of guarding an arrogant deity, can she face the trials in the prophecies they uncover? Will Nigel Taiman of her latest refuge dare to use his dragon heritage to bind her to his estate or to help her in her duty?

Choices Meant for Gods is Book One in the Choices Trilogy!

Excerpt

The dragon on the balcony scene, from chapter 16

Now she sensed someone approach. All her muscles tensed as she watched through the strip of space between the curtain and doorframe. And when a small dragon landed with a click-click of its claws on the stone balcony rail, she put her hand to her mouth to keep from gasping aloud.

It’s a baby dragon!

The thing couldn’t have been four feet tall, sitting there fussing with its oversized wings. It seemed to have difficulty getting the webbing to fold nicely against its sides. In fact, it seemed to have so much difficulty that it lost its balance and nearly fell backward. She could imagine it cursing if it had a voice, by its agitated hop-and-bounce to the balcony floor, which proved more stable.

She watched all of this with fascination, not afraid, but surprised. Dragons are extinct, how is this real? The last sighting was, by the gods, five hundred winters ago.

Its feet reminded her of any reptile, only this creature’s small claws would some day be brutal scythes. The dark scales on the feet blended into rich blue and purple hues with black overtones as she followed their pattern up the muscled legs to the creature’s belly.

This was obviously the part of the body slayers had targeted for centuries. Her own fingernails could pierce this supple-looking skin. Hopefully the skin would toughen with age and darken to match the rest of its body. For now, the tan underbelly would certainly stand out against a night sky, even if the glistening young scales didn’t.

As the creature continued to fuss with its wings, Chariss watched it tuck its elongated face around to scratch its back. It was hard to believe the scales would have nerve endings to feel an itch, much less the scratching meant to relieve the annoyance. It leaned on its right front leg for support as it rubbed its chin against the left wing. And when all the motion, combined with not-properly-folded wings, knocked it off balance, she giggled.

The creature would definitely curse if it had a voice. It was scrambling to regain its footing and lift off from the narrow balcony. Unfortunately, it would have to coordinate itself to hop to the railing before its wingspan would allow it to take flight. Chariss took advantage of its frantic attempts at escape to capture it from behind.

“Hrazon will have my head for this,” she muttered, but stepped onto the stone balcony and scooped up the mass of flailing reptile. It flailed all the more, its weak tail wrapping and slapping the backs of her legs, and emitted a strangled barking sound.

“Hey, be quiet!” she admonished, rearranging her arms to hold its forelegs down against its body. “You’re going to tear a wing if you don’t settle down. And stop making that noise!”

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About the Author

Sandy Lender is a construction magazine editor by day and author of #GirlPower fantasy novels by night, living in Florida to help with sea turtle conservation and parrot rescue. You can follow her author page on Amazon, check her website at SandyLenderInk.com, or subscribe to her newsletter at https://bit.ly/SSReNews.

With a four-year degree in English and thirty-year career in publishing, Sandy’s successes include traditionally and self-published novels, hundreds of magazine articles, multiple short stories in competitive anthologies, a handful of technical writing awards, and a handful of creative writing awards and nominations. Sandy’s been writing stories since she was knee-high to a grasshopper when her great-grandmother shared her odd little tales of squeaky ghost-spiders around an apartment complex in Southern Illinois. The stories have developed to include strong young ladies working with dragons to save worlds from terrible fates, but those pesky spiders still show up from time to time.

There’s always something brewing at Sandy Lender Ink headquarters where some days, you just want the dragon to win.

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Spotlight: Take Me Now by J.H. Croix

A swoony hotshot firefighter romance from USA Today Bestselling Author J.H. Croix!

It all started when my cat needed something expressed. Do I have to explain?

That’s when Farrah Taylor walked into my life, a fantasy spun true. Aside from stealing my breath, she handled the awkward situation with aplomb.

Turns out she’s my neighbor, and my grumpy cat has a crush on her. He’s not the only one.

Neighbors with benefits is the perfect option. I don’t have time for romance.

Until I want more. Until just being neighbors isn’t enough.

*A full-length standalone romance.

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About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author J. H. Croix lives in a small town in Maine with her husband and two spoiled dogs. She writes swoony contemporary romance with sassy women and alpha men who aren't afraid to show some emotion. Her love for quirky small-towns and the characters that inhabit them shines through in her writing. When she’s not writing, you can find her cooking, counting the turtles in her backyard pond, and running with her dogs, which is when her best plotting happens. 

Keep up with J.H. Croix and subscribe to her newsletter: https://jhcroixauthor.com/subscribe/

To learn more about J.H. Croix & her books, visit here!

Connect with J.H. Croix: https://jhcroixauthor.com/connect/

Spotlight: Self Sabotage No More by Jennie Potter

Nonfiction / Self-Help

Date Published: 10-20-2022

Publisher: Success In 100 Pages

You want to make a change. Write a book, make more money, lose that extra weight, whatever…

You vow to yourself that tomorrow you are going to make it happen! This time it will be different.

But tomorrow comes and you don’t get started.

And even if you do get started, some hidden force keeps you from committing to the changes you made.

In short, you sabotage yourself.

In this fast, engaging read, you will learn why you are sabotaging yourself from getting what you want but more importantly, exactly what to do about it.

Excerpt

When I was about 12 years old, my father took me on a two-night overnight stay in Mexico. He was a commercial pilot for one of the big airlines and treated me to the trip. The airplane we were on was a typical commercial jet. To make things even more exciting, I got to sit in the cockpit.

It was an uneventful flight and so much fun just sitting in the jump seat staring at the big blue sky and beautiful clouds. It came time for us to begin our approach. Suddenly, an alarm went off, along with a computerized female voice I will never forget: 

“Pull up, pull up. Terrain ahead, terrain ahead.”

My dad spoke to me calmly but firmly: “JJ, do NOT speak.” 

I sat there, quiet as a mouse. I was at that age where I believed in my dad so completely, that I wasn’t really scared.  He was larger than life and could fix anything. But still, the alarm would not turn off.

“PULL UP, PULL UP. TERRAIN AHEAD, TERRAIN AHEAD.”

As I peered out the window of the cockpit at miles of empty sky before us, it was clear there was nothing ahead—but the plane was on autopilot—it was a glitch, a malfunction—and they could not shut off the alarm.  

Suddenly, my dad announced: “We are going manual!”

With that, he shut down the computer and he and his co-pilot flew the plane “old school,” which meant they had complete control of the aircraft without the computer. My dad had thousands of hours of experience on every kind of airplane you can think of. He did what we are going to talk about in the coming sections. He had to turn everything off and find another way. 

The truth is that many of us have been flying on autopilot for a very long time. We’re in the same patterns, same setpoints, same thoughts, same flight path, same destination, same unprocessed emotions… in a way, it’s the same day, over and over. When we try and do something out of the routine our alarm goes off. It’s a malfunction. It’s a glitch. A false alarm. 

But it goes off nevertheless, and we adhere. The usual program requires much less energy than the “detour” we want to take.

Frankly, the original destination was probably picked a long, long time ago by your 7-to-12-year-old-self, and you have been headed there ever since. 

This includes: 

• I’m not worthy of success

• I’m not smart enough

• I’ll never be happy

• I’ll never fit in

• I’m not wanted

• I’m not special

• I better dim my light—when I shine, I hurt others

• Wanting money is bad

• I’ll never be forgiven

• There’s not enough time

• I’ll never be organized

• I’m always late

• I’m destined for failure 

And on and on.  

As you dive into this book, you may notice that you have to reset the autopilot to a destination more desirable—one that your adult self has decided on. You may find you have to identify and release some of the unprocessed emotions you never dealt with. 

You are going to have to delete those sabotaging beliefs that are constantly “auto-correcting” your direction. We will have a look at your setpoints, too. Are you stuck at a certain financial setpoint? Relationship setpoint? How’s your “having it all” set point? 

In the following sections, we will identify the hidden glitches, including unprocessed emotions, sabotage beliefs, and sabotage setpoints that might be holding you back and causing difficulties. We are going to shut it all down and manually bank right, moving with ease towards a new destination, a destination with intention, a destination of your choosing, a destination of your dreams. 

Excerpt permission by Success In 100 Pages and Jennie Potter. “Self Sabotage No More” is currently being distributed only through Amazon and is available in paperback and Kindle. Learn more about the author at JenniePotter.com. 

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About the Author

Jennie Potter is a Future-Self Coach for entrepreneurs, speaker, and author of two books.

In addition to having a background as an entrepreneur, Jennie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology, earned a diploma at counseling college, and is a certified John Maxwell coach.

She has invested thousands of hours in reading, coursework, study, and practice in the areas in which she teaches and helps clients today. 

Jennie is obsessed with helping people identify and remove the hidden emotional blocks that hold people back from living their best lives. She is passionate about identifying tangible ways to release and move through limiting beliefs, emotions, fear, and negative mindsets. She thrives on helping others achieve through faith, vision, release, manifestation, exploration, and powerful daily habits—empowering others in applying actionable ways to break through, use their God-given gifts and shine fully as the light they were made to be in this world.

She lives on the west coast of Vancouver Island, in British Columbia with her husband Dave, their kids, and two furbabies.

Connect:

Website: https://jenniepotter.com/

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jenniepotter

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/Jennie_Potter

Spotlight: Duke in Shining Armor by Hayleigh Mills

Lady Catherine Davenport never planned to be a damsel in distress, while Lord James Hastings, Duke of Pembroke, enjoyed the pleasures of any man with no intention of considering marriage. When a twist of fate brings them together, he unexpectedly becomes her savior, yet a threat to her at the same time. Fans of Alyssa Clarke, Stacy Reid, and Tamara Gill will swoon for Duke in Shining Armor by Hayleigh Mills, an Open Door, Opposites Attract, Historical Victorian Romance.

Read Now! 

Amazon → https://rb.gy/kh6ie

Far from a helpless maiden, Lady Catherine Davenport had her wits and a trusty derringer pistol at her disposal. As she journeyed to Switzerland to attend school, she did not plan to play the damsel in distress. Yet, even the most independent lady could use a bit of unexpected assistance when faced with the threat of highwaymen.

Enter Lord James Hastings, Duke of Pembroke, a man of wealth often maligned as a rogue or a rake. The truth, however, lay far from these labels - he was an industrious man of leisure, delighting in worldly pleasures as any man of his station might. Marriage was the last thing on his agenda until he crossed paths with the fiercely independent and intellectual Lady Davenport.

He becomes her savior in a turn of fate, offering her protection under the most extraordinary circumstances. He was able to keep Catherine safe from the highwaymen, but the real question remains: could he protect her from the danger he himself posed?

Excerpt 

Copyright 2023 @Hayleigh Mills

She was surprised to see the duke walking into the bedchamber so early in the afternoon. The door remained open, and the maid hovered there. Deep inside, where she held all her secretive improper thoughts, Catherine wished they were alone without a chaperone. Perhaps then she would learn even more hidden complexities about the duke. And she so wanted to know everything.
“Good afternoon, Catherine. Yesterday you mentioned needing some fresh air, and I have considered this. The physician believes you are healing well so a short visit outside is in order.”
Catherine’s face lit up with a smile. She longed to feel the sun caress her skin and to breathe dew kissed air. She was pleased to learn that James would indulge her.
“I have had cook prepare us a hamper, and we shall have a picnic in the garden.”
“I am most grateful, James.”
A ghost of a smile touched his mouth, and he briefly dipped his head. “Well, that is settled, and everything is prepared. Now, we must have regard for the physician’s instructions. You cannot stand on your feet, so I shall lift you, and take you there. Shall we?”
Lift her? There gazes collided and suddenly she knew without any doubt that the duke’s heart was pounding as harshly and loudly as hers. There was something in those hazel eyes, a guarded awareness yet a delight. As if he had longed to hold her closer.
“Yes,” Catherine replied in a soft murmur, releasing the edges of the sheets that she’d gripped.
James padded over and scooped her effortlessly from the bed. She was so close to his face that her eyes were suddenly drawn to his lips before she quickly averted her gaze.
She placed one arm around his neck and the other on his shoulder. Her heart jerked and Catherine marveled at the feel of his muscles beneath her fingertips. It was rather uncanny, but she had a sense that … that she belonged right here in his arms. They felt powerful, and protective. She knew no harm would befall her when he held her.
Oh, Catherine, she silently scolded herself, do not be silly and fanciful!

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About Hayleigh Mills

Hayleigh Mills became passionate about romance when she started reading Mills & Boon in her late teens. She is an avid reader of historical romance, including the medieval period. Hayleigh pursued a career in the medical field but maintained a strong affinity for all things historical. She made the bold decision to relinquish practicing to follow her dream of becoming an author of historical romance. 

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Spotlight: A Hollywood Ending by Melanie Summers

Publication date: August 10th 2023

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

When life hands you heartbreak, grab a sexy bodyguard…

America’s sweetheart Courtney Bennett had it all – fame, fortune, and a doting husband in one of Hollywood’s most powerful men. But when he trades her in for a younger actress, Courtney’s world topples down around her.

With paparazzi on her tail and nowhere to turn, she hides away in a secluded cabin in Colorado with her new (and deliciously hot) bodyguard, Damien Young.

As Courtney strives to rebuild her shattered heart, she finds herself drawn to Damien, the man determined to get her back on her feet again.

But as a man of honor, Damien won’t take advantage of a woman in such a vulnerable state, no matter how undeniable their chemistry is.

Author’s Note: A Hollywood Ending is a sizzling, opposites-attract romance. It’s much spicier than a regular Melanie Summers rom-com so you may want to grab a fan (or maybe a glass of cold milk).

Excerpt

“Can you believe it?” Damien asked, lifting her up and spinning them in a circle.

She laughed with pure joy, her mouth mere inches from his. “I can’t. It’s too good to be true.”

He smiled up at her, loving how she felt in his arms. The scent of her perfume enveloped him, and he loved the feeling of his hands under her perfect ass, holding her against him. Her flirty, short sundress rode up, and he wanted her to wrap her legs around his waist more than anything.

Their celebratory hug quickly turned into a real embrace, and she slowly slid down his body until her feet touched the floor as they both seemed to realize what was happening. Her arms wrapped around his neck, and his were around her waist. He knew he should let go, but he couldn’t. He needed to redirect them back to celebrating, where it was safe.

“You did it,” he said, pride surging through him at how she had handled the call.

“I didn’t do anything except get the good news.” Courtney said, her voice thick with emotion.

God, she was gorgeous. “Not true. You handled that perfectly. You didn’t say too much or give anything away, just in case.”

“Do you think I need to worry about Dawn?” she asked, still not letting go.

“I don’t think so. She’s about to hand over everything you need to nail Brock’s ass to the wall. No way they’d want her to do that,” he answered, glancing down at her lips.

Lifting herself onto her toes, Courtney moved closer to him. “Good point,” she whispered. “I think it’s safe.”

“I think so too,” he said, knowing they were no longer talking about Dawn. Do not kiss her. Do not do it.

Courtney inched closer to him, her mouth so close to his that he could feel the warmth of her lips.

He swallowed hard and fought every urge he was feeling long enough to say, “We can’t do this.”

“Because I’m married?”

“Married?” His head snapped back a little. “You’re hardly married. It’s because you don’t need the complications of a rebound—and I don’t need the complications of a connection with a client.”

She nodded, disappointment filling her eyes as she slid her arms down from his neck and down to his chest. But then she gave him a sexy smile as she balled up his T-shirt with her fist. “What about a connection with a friend? Would that make it okay?”

Before he could answer, she had closed the distance between them, pulling him down until her mouth met his, hungry and wet.

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About the Author

Melanie Summers also writes steamy romance as MJ Summers.

Melanie made a name for herself with her debut novel, Break in Two, a contemporary romance that cracked the Top 10 Paid on Amazon in both the UK and Canada, and the top 50 Paid in the USA. Her highly acclaimed Full Hearts Series was picked up by both Piatkus Entice (a division of Hachette UK) and HarperCollins Canada. Her first three books have been translated into Czech and Slovak by EuroMedia. Since 2013, she has written and published three novellas, and eight novels (of which seven have been published). She has sold over a quarter of a million books around the globe.

In her previous life (i.e. before having children), Melanie got her Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta, then went on to work in the soul-sucking customer service industry for a large cellular network provider that shall remain nameless (unless you write her personally - then she'll dish). On her days off, she took courses and studied to become a Chartered Mediator. That designation landed her a job at the R.C.M.P. as the Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for 'K' Division. Having had enough of mediating arguments between gun-toting police officers, she decided it was much safer to have children so she could continue her study of conflict in a weapon-free environment (and one which doesn't require makeup and/or nylons).

Melanie resides in Edmonton with her husband, three young children, and their adorable but neurotic one-eyed dog. When she's not writing novels, Melanie loves reading (obviously), snuggling up on the couch with her family for movie night (which would not be complete without lots of popcorn and milkshakes), and long walks in the woods near her house. She also spends a lot more time thinking about doing yoga than actually doing yoga, which is why most of her photos are taken 'from above'. She also loves shutting down restaurants with her girlfriends. Well, not literally shutting them down, like calling the health inspector or something--more like just staying until they turn the lights off.

She is represented by Suzanne Brandreth of The Cooke Agency International. 

Connect:
https://mjsummersbooks.wordpress.com/
https://twitter.com/mjsummersbooks
https://www.instagram.com/mj_summers_author/
https://www.facebook.com/MJSummersAuthorPage
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17105602.Melanie_Summers