Tuesday, October 15, 2024

RELEASE BLITZ - CONTEMPORARY - SCARLETT'S HERO (Heroes of Sleepy Hollow) by Gia Cobie


Scarlett's Hero
Heroes of Sleepy Hollow
Gia Cobie 
Release Date: October 15th 2024 
Genre: Romantic Suspense 

I spent years living in fear because of my own mistake. 

Living in self-imposed isolation, I suffered through years of guilt and fear and anxiety. 

But I couldn’t keep hiding indefinitely. So I moved to Sleepy Hollow to be closer to my best friend and her family. 

Despite my worries, it was better than I’d hoped. I found a cute little house. Friends. A job I loved. 

And I met Grant. We’re just friends—I have too much baggage for more—but seeing him is my favorite part of the week. 

But when my ordinary job turns into a nightmare, Grant’s the one I want to protect me. And it’s only when I’m in his arms that I feel safe. 

Neither of us were looking for a relationship. 

It seemed better that way. Safer. Even if Scarlett was the kindest and most beautiful woman I’d ever met. 

Deep down, I think I always knew I wanted more. But I thought we’d have time to ease into it. 

Then Scarlett’s attacked while defending her patient, and everything is thrown into stark clarity. 

Why am I ignoring what my heart is telling me? Am I going to let the ghosts of my past determine my future? 

When it turns out the attack wasn’t random, that Scarlett was targeted and she’s still in danger, I’ll use everything I learned as a SEALto protect her. 

I’m not willing to lose the first woman I’ve seen a forever with.

Scarlett’s Hero is the fourth novel in the small-town romantic suspense series, Heroes of Sleepy Hollow. It has a former SEAL turned firefighter hero, a kind but emotionally wounded heroine, friends-to-lovers, action and danger, forced proximity, twists and turns, and plenty of sweet and steamy moments. (Can be read as a standalone novel.)

Heroes of Sleepy Hollow follows the stories of the first responders of Sleepy Hollow working alongside the Blade and Arrow Security team. Expect to see cameos of your favorite B&A characters throughout this series!

AMAZON


 

Gia Cobie is a librarian and author living in upstate New York. In her spare time, Gia enjoys reading and spending time in the Adirondacks. She has a soft spot for cheesy reality romance shows, although she also enjoys paranormal and fantasy. Gia loves writing about protective heroes and strong heroines in her Blade and Arrow Security, Heroes of Sleepy Hollow, and Green Mountain Guardians series. In the mood for some paranormal romance? Take a look at her Tenebris Desire series.

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BOOK BLUTZ w/EXCERPT - CONTEMPRARY - #HOTANDHANDY by Lynne Hancock Pearson

#HotAndHandy
by Lynne Hancock Pearson
Publication date: October 15th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance




BLURB

Everyone in town loves the handsome handyman.
Everyone except his new neighbor.

Out of jail and desperate for work, Vincent scrapes by with odd jobs. He’s hired to help the gray-haired lady move in next door but stumbles when he finds nothing old or feeble about Hilary.

Rejected by her husband after her body rejected implants, the breast cancer survivor shuts out Vincent until a kitchen appliance crisis forces her to accept his help. Convinced that he could do better, she keeps the younger man at a distance, but he persists, building her confidence and coaxing her out of her colorless cocoon.

With the hot handyman by her side and in her bed, Hilary develops a community program bringing at-risk youth into the building trades. But not everyone wants to see the ex-con succeed. An old foe is determined to derail Vincent, and Hilary is caught in the chaos.

She’s ready to retreat. Ready to leave everything behind—including Vincent.
Can he convince her to stay?

#HotAndHandy is a small-town, reverse age-gap romance between two people starting over after being kicked to the curb by life and love.

Goodreads

Amazon


EXCERPT:

It was Friday, and Vincent hadn’t seen Hilary all week, even though they shared the same address. They’d texted, though, and agreed to happy hour on her deck, with him bringing the drinks and her providing the food. Taking the stairs two at a time, he smiled at his own eagerness. Last week was great. Her enthusiasm for setting up the training program was contagious. Tonight, they would work on a proposal to present to Iris and Ali, to get KBS on board. And hopefully, they’d do some more kissing. He stopped himself from thinking beyond that. After all Hilary had been through, he did not want to rush her. His cock argued otherwise; thus Vincent started and ended each day with a cold shower.

He shifted the six-pack of beer and bottle of wine in his arms to rap on the door. No one answered. Glancing over to the driveway, he confirmed Hilary’s car and bicycle were both there. Through the windows of the French doors, he saw her purse and car keys sitting on the counter so he tried the doorknob. Unlocked, he pushed the door open and called, “Hey, you okay?”

“Not really. Can you come back here?”

Dropping the booze on the table, he hustled to the bedroom, expecting more blood. The room was empty. “Hilary?”

Her voice came from the en suite bathroom. “In here.”

He peeked in to find her rooted to the floor, arms crossed over her chest, facing away from the door. Seeking her reflection in the mirror, he caught the disgusted look on her face. “What’s wrong?”

“There was a huge-ass spider. It startled me, and I dropped my glass, which shattered on the floor. I can’t move because I’m afraid I’ll cut myself.”

“I’m thinking you should give up day drinking,” he said, taking in the broken glass and Hilary’s bare feet.

“It was a glass of water.”

“Maybe buy plastic stuff. You and glass don’t seem to get along.” He grinned at her growl of annoyance.

From his examination of the floor, his eyes moved upward and widened. She wore bright pink panties and a matching camisole. Nothing else. He swallowed. With clothes, she was hot. Without, she was dynamite. Long firm legs, tight rounded ass, flat belly, and toned arms. She may not have tits, but Hilary was sexy as hell.

“Are you going to stare, or are you going to help me?” Bright red dots sat high on her cheekbones.

He cleared his throat. “Yeah, umm…give me a second.” He pulled off his T-shirt and placed it on the floor at the base of Hilary’s bed. Then he leaned into the bathroom and grabbed a hand towel from the rack. “I’m going to wipe down the backs of your legs in case there are any pieces of glass on them.” Glass crunched beneath him, and he was thankful to be wearing shoes. He crouched, and carefully ran the towel down the backs of her thighs and calves. She tightened at his touch, and he heard a sharp intake of breath. He spoke gently as he would to a wild animal, “Your legs look fine. I’m going to pick you up and put you on the end of the bed. We’ll do the fronts of your legs, and then your feet.” He glanced up to catch her nod, then tossed the towel over his shoulder as he rose to stand next to her. A pulse beat rapidly in the hollow of her throat. He grinned at her reflection. “I promise not to drop you.” With one arm behind her knees and one arm around her shoulders, he scooped her up and carried her to the bed. He placed her down so her feet were above his T-shirt on the floor, and knelt in front of her. Her slim foot was silky smooth, and he concentrated on looking at the skin of her legs and feet, trying not to inhale the provocative scent emanating from the juncture of her thighs. “I didn’t know you were afraid of spiders.”

She huffed and crossed her arms again. “I’m not afraid. It startled me. Did I not mention it was a huge-ass spider? It had to be the size of a dinner plate.”

“Really?” He sat back on his heels, trying not to smile. “And what happened to it?”

“I don’t know.” She waved an arm in dismissal. “It probably scuttled back down the drain, laughing at me. I’m surprised you didn’t hear me scream.”

He picked up his T-shirt and wrapped the towel in it, chuckling as he stood. “I didn’t see any glass, but I’m going to shake these out over the garbage can and put them on the washing machine. Then I’ll grab the vacuum cleaner. Don’t move until I get back. There might be bits of glass in the carpet by the door.” Looking up, he caught her gaze on his chest and abs…and lower. He slowly straightened, not bothering to conceal the proof of his arousal.

The red spots were back in her cheeks. “Fine. I’ll be here.”



 

Author Info

Lynne Hancock Pearson writes fun, flirty, feel-good fiction that simmers at low heat. Set in the Pacific Northwest, they are stories of people finding their way, even if it takes a while to get there.

She lives near Seattle with two and a half finicky felines and one long-suffering husband. She is a left-handed middle child who grew up in the Great White North and is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Canada.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram


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Monday, October 14, 2024

BOOK BLITZ - ROM-COM - ICE ICE MAYBE by Rich Amooi

Ice Ice Maybe
by Rich Amooi
Publication date: September 24th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance





BLURB

“I want you to date my daughter.”

Those seven words hit Nolan Reid like a puck to the head.

Once destined for NHL stardom, a skiing accident left Nolan driving the Zamboni for the San Diego Sea Lions. But his humble life of maintaining the ice is about to get complicated.

The billionaire owner’s insane plan? Nolan fake-dates his daughter Zena to ignite her ex’s jealousy. The twist? Said ex is the team’s star player, and his green-eyed monster apparently fuels goals.

Suddenly, Nolan’s navigating a minefield of pretend kisses, all-too-real feelings, and death glares from a human sequoia oozing enough testosterone to give him secondhand chest hair.

With sparks flying, the playoffs looming, and her ex itching to use him as a toothpick, Nolan is playing a high-stakes game of Jealousy Jenga that could crumble any moment.

But for a shot at love with Zena? He might just risk it all.

Ice Ice Maybe is closed door, fake-dating, opposites attract, forced proximity, hockey romance with humor, heart, and loads of romantic comedy fun. No third-act breakup.

Goodreads

Amazon



 

Author Info

Rich Amooi is a Taleflick Discovery Winner, Readers' Favorite Gold Medal Recipient, Holt Medallion Finalist, and the bestselling author of 24 romantic comedies. A former radio personality and wedding DJ, Rich now writes romantic comedies full-time in San Diego, California, and is happily married to a Spanish Princess. He believes in silliness, infinite possibilities, donuts, gratitude, laughter, and happily ever after.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub


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SPOTLIGHT w/INTERVIEW - ROMANTASY - THE NEPHILIM'S FATE (War of the Nephilim, #1) by Eliza Hampstead


The Nephilim’s Fate
War of the Nephilim, #1
by Eliza Hampstead
Date of Publication: 16th August 2022
Cover Artist: Rio B Nugroho
Genre: Fantasy Romance
ISBN: 979-8837459108
ASIN: B0B72G3H1T
Number of pages: 307
Word Count: 87K

Tagline: She will find a way, even if it leads to a war between Heaven and Hell.


BLURB
In the heart of London, Alissia's ordinary life takes a thrilling turn when she is attacked by bloodthirsty vampires. When Nate, the man she dreamed about for years, swoops in to save her, her reality shatters as she discovers a shocking truth: she's a witch, and he's a Nephilim. But their love is cursed, forbidden by ancient laws that threaten to tear their world apart.

As old rivalries resurface and dark secrets come to light, Alissia and Nate must confront their deepest fears and fight for their love, even if it means igniting a war between Heaven and Hell.

With unforgettable characters, steamy romance, and gripping plot twists, this captivating new fantasy series by award-winning author Eliza Hampstead delves into a world of angels and demons, forbidden love, and the inexorable power of fate.


Excerpt Learning about her mother:
My heart stopped for a moment before resuming its work at double speed. I gulped. Now was the time for the truth. Seraphina stood up and walked to her desk; when she turned back, she held a photo in her hand. My heart was beating frantically as Seraphina held out the picture. I nearly didn’t take it. I suddenly wanted to live in ignorance, yet my body reacted before I could decide and took the photo. I looked at a woman who resembled me a great deal. She also had dark hair and green eyes, her nose was a bit longer than mine, and her lips were thinner. However, it was clear that she was my kin.
“Her name was Keira Shepard. Your father is still unknown; the coven thinks he was a human and unimportant to her. She never told anybody about him.”
Keira Shepard. A beautiful name that fitted her. I wanted to know everything about her, right now. “What do you know of her? Is her family an old witch family? Did she leave anything behind?”
“She was from an old family. To our knowledge, it had died with her until now. Her belongings went to the coven after her mother—your grandmother—died ten years ago. Her file states she could glimpse into the future. She was much into the second sight. If you want to, I can ask for the whole file, including the documentation about her going missing.”

“That would be splendid. Thank you.” I tried to say more, but my thoughts were spinning. I had the name and face of my birth mother and a thousand questions




Author Info
Award winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of medieval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she's always planning her next adventure.
Sign up for Eliza’s newsletter to get exclusive updates on new releases, behind-the-scenes author news, and exciting extras like character interviews, maps, playlists, and bonus chapters that bring the books even more to life!

The Book Junkie Reads . . . Interview with . . . Eliza Hampstead . . . 

How would you describe your style of writing to someone that has never read your work?
I’d characterize my writing style as fast-paced and cinematic, brimming with twists and turns. It’s a mix of fantasy, romance, and emotional depth, with a focus on character development. My stories often balance the fantastical elements with raw, human emotions, and I love to explore forbidden or complicated relationships, often set against a backdrop of supernatural conflict. My readers can expect adventure, magic, and plenty of spice, but at the heart, it's always about characters making tough choices about love, duty, and identity.


Do you feel that writing is an ingrained process or just something that flows naturally for you?
Writing is a bit of both for me. There are definitely moments when the words just flow, and I’m fully immersed in the world I’m creating—those are the best days. But writing is also a process that takes discipline, especially when life gets busy. Some parts are ingrained, like character voices or the love of worldbuilding, but the actual craft of putting it all together requires effort and persistence.


Do you take your character prep to heart? Do you nurture the growth of each character all the way through to the page? 
Absolutely. I care deeply about my characters, and I spend a lot of time getting to know them before they even make it to the page. Their development is one of the most important parts of my writing process. From their emotional arcs to how they handle the challenges of their world, I try to ensure each character grows organically through the story. For example, in The Nephilim's Fate, Alissia's journey from a scientist who doesn’t believe in magic to a witch determined to rewrite the rules was something I nurtured carefully. Her growth is the backbone of the story.


Do you have a character that you have been working on for a long time that still isn't quite ready, but fills you with excitement to work on the story?
Yes, Sophia and Ethan from my time travel romance! I’ve been developing this story for over ten years, and while the core of the plot hasn’t changed, their character development has evolved significantly. I’m incredibly excited about this project because their story is complex, emotional, and spans multiple timelines. Sophia’s strength and resilience and Ethan’s conflict between love and duty make them fascinating to write, and I can’t wait to share their story with readers.


Can you share your next creative project(s)? If yes, can you give a few details?
I’m currently working on a time travel romance that has been close to my heart for a long time. The story involves Sophia and Ethan, two characters whose lives intersect across centuries. The story mixes historical elements with romance, and I’m doing a lot of research on medieval England to bring authenticity to their journey. It’s a story about love transcending time and the consequences of altering the past.


If you could go ANYWhere, money is not a concern, and spend one full year. Where would you go and what would you do with this time?
If I could go anywhere, I’d choose a warm, tropical island where I could spend my days diving in crystal-clear waters. I’ve always been fascinated by the ocean and marine life, and diving would be the perfect way to experience it up close. I’d also spend my time volunteering at a turtle rescue centre, helping to protect these incredible creatures that have always captured my heart. Of course, I’d use this time to write, too. With such an inspiring setting, I can imagine my creativity would thrive, and I’d have the perfect environment to focus on my stories. The balance of writing, being close to nature, and giving back through conservation work would make it a dream year. Plus, there’s something about the peace and simplicity of island life that would be the ideal backdrop for a bit of soul-searching and deeper storytelling.

Thank you Eliza Hampstead for giving a little insight to you and your process. Your work is appreciated.



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HAUNTED HALLOWEEN SPOOKTACULAR - FANTASY - THE WITCH'S DEBT (Coal Mountain, #1) by Edward Rollins



Of Women Wronged: Hillbilly Hauntings

The days grow shorter, the air turns crisp, and something deep within us all knows that the world is changing. Halloween draws near and with it a thinning of the Curtain this world from the next, allowing haints – restless spirits – to slip closer by than they were on brighter days. 

No part of the world is without tales of restless spirits; stories of the sorrow, anger, or injustice endured by the living. In Japan they tell of the onryō, wrathful spirits devoted to revenge against the living. In Mexico, they talk of La Llorona, who wander the water’s edge, mourning the loss of their children. Across Europe they speak of the White Lady, symbols of betrayal and life cut short. When it comes to tales of lost love and betrayal, my beloved West Virginia isn’t without a tale or two of its own.  

We tell the tales of Zona Heaster Shue, Screaming Jenny, the Weeping Woman of Sweet Springs, Kate Carpenter, and our own White Lady of Flat Top Manor. Each a spirit bound by sorrow, betrayal, or unfinished business. Let’s take a moment and remember each, but take care, it’s said that people die twice, once when their heart beats its last, and again when someone speaks their name for the final time.  

In Greenbrier County they tell the tale of Zona Heaster Shue who - in 1897 - was found dead under questionable circumstances. Her husband, Erasmus, was quick to claim she had died peacefully. Zona’s mother wasn’t having it. She claimed that Zona's ghost began to visit her in the dead of night, accusing Erasmus of murdering her by snapping her neck. Confronted with the charges, a local judge ordered Zona’s body exhumed, and the evidence of Erasmus’ guilt was revealed. Erasmus was convicted of the crime, but Zona’s spirit still didn’t rest. She is said to haunt Greenbrier County still, a chilling reminder that justice isn’t bound by the grave. 

In Jefferson County we find a different sort of tale. There, when wind moans through the trees and the moon lights the ground just so, it’s said that you can hear the pain filled screams of a woman long dead. Screaming Jenny, a local woman who died in pain and terror. It was a cold night in autumn when Jenny, poor and living in an abandoned railroad shack, tried to warm herself by a fire. Somehow, her clothes were set ablaze and, in her panic, she ran screaming and blind in search of relief. She ran right onto the railroad tracks and into the path of an oncoming train. Locals maintain that now and then the figure of Screaming Jenny - still engulfed in flames – can be seen running through the night. Her ghostly shrieks a reminder of her final, desperate moments. 

From the tranquil beauty of Monroe County comes a tale of another ghostly presence born of sorrow and despair. Known as the Weeping Woman of Sweet Springs, it’s said that she was a bride abandoned at the altar or perhaps a grieving mother who lost her child. Whatever the case, the young woman fell beneath the weight of her broken heart, and cast herself into the spring where she drowned. But she wouldn’t have a place on our list if that was the end for her. It’s said that she still wanders, a ghostly figure draped in a flowing white gown, her soft sobbing proof that some heartache is too deep to fade, even in death.

From Mercer County and the grounds of an old plantation known as Flat Top Manor comes the tale of the White Lady of Flat Top Manor, a restless spirit whose tragic story is tangled in the past. Some say she was the young bride of the manor’s original owner; others maintain that she was a servant who died at her master’s hand. In either case, it is agreed by those who believe, that her life was cut short by violence. Witnesses maintain that the air goes frigid long before her shadowy figure - fleeting and ethereal – is seen gliding through the manor's hallways or lingering at the edge of the woods. The truth of it is left to you, but the accounts of witnesses and investigators alike have gone a long way to make Flat Top Manor's reputation as one of the most haunted locations in the State.

Silent and still, the Greenbrier River flows through Summers County like an apparition itself. It’s a peaceful scene as beautiful as any faery tale picture, but its waters gave birth to a tale of lost love and lingering sorrow. Kate Carpenter was a young woman deeply in love with the wrong man. Her family opposed her choice of suitor and refused her their blessing. Unwilling to either set aside her love or go against her kin, Kate threw herself into the river and drowned the dark, icy waters. But as is the case in these tales, neither the depths of the river nor the touch of death could quiet Kate’s restless spirit. She lingers near the place where she left this world, a spectral form barely visible on misty mornings walking the riverbanks. For Kate, death was better than the absence of the man she loved. 

This Halloween, when autumn leaves rustle in a cold wind, remember the story of these women as you sip your pumpkin-spiced drink. Their stories are the echoes of unimaginable loss and suffering, and they leave us to wonder—what would we do if faced with such sorrow? Would we find peace, or would our spirits, too, be bound to the places where our hearts were broken? But let’s remember as well that these spirits weren’t content to shuffle off the mortal coil the first time. Speaking their names again – breathing life into their memory - might be enough to remind them what binds them to this world.

 



The Witch’s Debt
Coal Mountain, #1
by Edward Rollins
Date of Publication: October 1st 2019
Cover Artist: Katherine Rollins
Genre: Contemporary Fantasy
ASIN: 1689808853
Number of pages: 392
Word Count: 97,376

Tagline: If you like witches, werewolves, and murder, this is the book for you.


BLURB
When the ghost of Jake Calhoun's grandmother delivers a cryptic message to him, he's drawn back to the mountains of southern West Virginia, where he finds himself on a collision course with the consequences of his past, the strained family ties that drove him to run, and the woman he left behind. 

Though he longs to return to the life he's made for himself in the city, a string of deaths forces him to decide who he will be, where he belongs, and how he will stop whoever is killing those closest to him.

Amazon     BN

 
"You all right, Buck?" He set his coffee on the small table there as he took more of my weight than I intended. 
"Yeah," I lied. "Bit of a headache." I couldn't look him in the eye. "I need to check on something. Be right in."  
"Sure you're gonna be all right?" Dad picked up his coffee as I took my weight again.  
“I’ll live.” I nodded and started toward the sitting room. I steeled myself against the pain I knew was coming and pushed my senses into the Curtain once again.  
The little room off the chapel was packed with overstuffed couches and an ottoman which could double for a bed. I could see just clearly enough to avoid tripping, but it made finding the cat a challenge. I moved from piece to piece, looking behind and under each. There was no sign of it. It could have left through the chapel but I wasn't ready to accept that it had. It was bothersome enough it was inside the church. I didn't want to consider what it would mean if the thing could move across the consecrated ground of the chapel.  
"Lose something?" Bonnie asked from the doorway.  
Frustrated and defeated, I gave her a weak smile and let go of my view into the Curtain.
"Hello, Bonnie."  
She stepped into the room, her coat and purse left behind somewhere. She wore a pained smile on her lips. "That the best you have for me?"  
There were people in this town I didn't care to spare a kind word, Bonnie wasn't one of them. She'd done nothing but love me.  
I stopped fighting the smile she had always put on my face and replied, "Well if it isn't Bonnie Blankenship, the prettiest girl at Pineville High. How are things, Ms. Blankenship?"  
"Much better,” her smile touched her eyes and she stepped in close.  





Author Info
As a kid in elementary school, Edward Rollins hated to read. Hated it…

Then his grandfather, who knew Edward loved the Adam West "Batman" series, introduced him to Batman comic books, the rest is nerd history. From those early comics he went on to consume a steady diet of books from fantasy to science fiction. Eventually, he found a little game called Dungeons and Dragons and a lifetime of telling stories was born.

He’s been a sailor, a soldier, a pastor, an engineer and a college professor; sometimes all at once. Mostly, he hopes to know what he wants to be when he grows up. Assuming he agrees to grow up…
A writer since college, he has published a handful of short stories and gaming industry pieces over the years. "The Witch's Debt" is his first attempt at writing “something of his own”.

Edward has lectured in convention and collegiate circles on the topics of gaming simulations, fantasy world building and theology in fantasy settings. He is a fan of 1920s pulp and science fiction as well as the 1950s aesthetics of Raygun Gothic and Atom-Punk.

While he lives in central Ohio with his wife and two incredible young adults – all three of which make him proud -- his heart will always be in West Virginia.


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