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Monday, October 31, 2016

My Maker's Keeper by Tiffany Current Book Tour, Excerpt and Giveaway







My Maker’s Keeper

Tiffany Current



Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal Romance



Date of Publication: November 1, 2016



Book Description:



Hannah Clark used to be an ordinary girl. She used to be a lot of things. Until she was bitten.



Five months ago, Hannah woke up in the middle of the woods as a vampire. She didn’t know how it happened or who turned her. She just knew she wasn’t safe in her hometown anymore.



Fort Wayne was supposed to be her fresh start. Her chance to finish high school without any other incidents. But then she met Jackson. Their attraction was instant and awakened something deep inside of her. Her thirst for blood.



Things only got worse when her maker, Lucas, came to town. He might have been sexy, but he was one dangerous vampire. And if Hannah wanted to keep Jackson safe, she had to protect him from Lucas’ ravenous ways. Even though she found herself excited by them.



But Lucas wasn’t there for her. Something sinister was happening in town. Vampires were going missing, and if Hannah didn’t want to be next, she had to work with Lucas to solve the mystery. But could she trust him? Or should she trust Jackson? She had to make a choice—and her life might just depend on it.







MY MAKER’S KEEPER
by Tiffany Current
Excerpt

PROLOGUE

I ran through the woods. My heart was beating so hard I thought it would explode out of my chest. I didn’t stop, though. I couldn’t. If I did, he’d catch me. And I wasn’t sure what he’d do to me this time. He’d already… I didn’t want to think about it. I had to keep moving.
There was a fork in the road up ahead. Which way should I go? My gut screamed left, so I went in that direction. I prayed I’d made the right decision. That this trail would lead me back to my car. If it did, I could get out of here. I’d escape him.
But what if I couldn’t?
That one sliver of doubt crippled me. Fear took over. Tears sprang to my eyes. My lungs tightened, and suddenly, it was as if I couldn’t breathe. I clutched at my throat, gasping for air that wouldn’t come. I needed to focus on something, anything, to calm myself down.
Immediately, my eyes went back to the waterfall. I zeroed in on the sound of the water pouring into the pond below. “Relax, Hannah. You need to relax,” I said to myself. “Just for five minutes, until you get out of here. Do it for Mom’s sake.” I wiped the tears off my face and counted backward from ten. When I reached the number one, my heartbeat was almost back to normal.
I took in my surroundings. It was dark and quiet. Too quiet. Even the birds had called it a night. As if they knew something I didn’t. That was when I felt it. The chill that had crept up my spine.
He was near.
I took off running. All the while, I cursed at myself. I was so stupid. To come here after hours. To hike up to that waterfall. What was I trying to prove? Something moved above my head. On instinct, I looked up and tripped over the rock in front of me. I took a nose dive to the ground, my ankle snapping on impact.
A surge of pain ripped through me. At first, it was just in my ankle. Then it shot up to my knees and into my thighs. But it didn’t stop there. It kept moving upward as if it had some sort of purpose. This was more than a break. Something else was going on. It felt like motor oil was creeping through my veins. Moving from my stomach to my chest and filling every part of my brain. I howled in agony.
A dark shadow jumped down right beside me. It was him. I jerked away, my body tensing. “Please,” I begged.
He moved toward me, his eyes finally coming into view. They were dark, impossibly so. And his mouth was covered in…blood. Mine? As he reached for me, I flinched. He snarled in response, finally showing the thing I was truly afraid of.
His fangs.
I screamed in horror just as everything went black.










About the Author:



Tiffany Current earned her Bachelor's degree in dramatic writing from Drexel University. Her first book, the self-help relationship guide How to Move in with Your Boyfriend (and Not Break Up with Him), was published by Turner Publishing.



Tiffany writes paranormal, young adult, urban fantasy, and self-help books. In her spare time, Tiffany enjoys reading books, watching trashy action movies, and pestering her cat.
















 




























Tour giveaway - Rafflecopter Oct 24 - Nov 6









3 copies of My Maker’s Keeper




2 $15 Amazon gift cards

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Dark One's Mistress by Aldrea Alien Blog Tour and Giveaway






Dark One's Mistress


Genre: NA Gothic Romance

Release Date: October 31st 2016

Thardrandian Publications



Summary from Goodreads:



For centuries, the people have lived under the protection of their so-called Dark Lord. Now, with news of his death reaching the quiet village of Everdark, rumour whispers that his son, Lucias, is hunting for a mistress to beget him an heir.

Clara doesn't put much stock in village gossip, until she finds herself forcibly taken to the Lord's fortress. Escape is not easy. She has no way out and, against a man with magic, little chance of fighting back. But the Lords are still men and the death of Lucias' father is proof that they die just the same. And yet, if Lucias dies heirless, his army will be free to terrorise the land.

Such is the goal of Lenora of Ne'ermore, an old enemy and ex-prisoner of the kingdom. She is sending a man to slaughter Lucias and, to ensure there's no chance of an heir, his mistress must die as well.

Caught between regaining her freedom or losing it for the good of the kingdom, Clara struggles to decide her path before certain death breaches the gates.








Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK






About the Author

Mother. Animal lover. Vampire. Fangirl.

Aldrea Alien is a New Zealand author of romantic speculative fiction of varying heat levels.

She grew up on a small farm out the back blocks of a place known as Wainuiomata alongside a menagerie of animals, who are all convinced they're just as human as the next person (especially the cats). She spent a great deal of her childhood riding horses, whilst the rest of her time was consumed with reading every fantasy book she could get her hands on and concocting ideas about a little planet known as Thardrandia. This would prove to be the start of The Rogue King Saga as, come her twelfth year, she discovered there was a book inside her.

Aldrea now lives in Upper Hutt, on yet another small farm with a less hectic, but still egotistical, group of animals (cats will be cats). She still hasn't yet found an off switch to give her an ounce of peace from the characters plaguing her mind, a list that grows bigger every year with all of them clamouring for her to tell their story first. It's a lot of people for one head.



Author Links:




 


GIVEAWAY:






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The Troutbeck Testimony by Rebecca Tope Book Tour and Giveaway

The Troutbeck Testimony

by Rebecca Tope

on Tour October 24 - November 23, 2016

Synopsis:

The Troutbeck Testimony by Rebecca TopeA huge funeral for Windermere's popular resident, Barbara Dodge, is taking place and florist Persimmon 'Simmy' Brown and her new assistant, Bonnie Lawson are busy compiling wreaths in preparation. There's word of a series of sinister dognappings occurring in nearby Troutbeck and whilst taking a walk up Wansfell Pike, Simmy and her father, Russell, stumble on a dog, strangled to death – it's not long before Simmy reluctantly finds herself caught up in a murder investigation…

Book Details:

Genre: Mystery & Detective, Cozy
Published by: Morrow/Witness Impulse
Publication Date: October 2016
Number of Pages: 384
ISBN: 9780062567468
Series: Persimmon Brown #4

Grab a copy of The Troutbeck Testimony on Amazon 🔗, Barnes & Noble 🔗, & Add it to your TBR list on Goodreads 🔗!

Read an excerpt:

The first anniversary of Persimmon Brown’s opening of her florist shop in the Lake District had almost coincided with Easter and an explosion of spring flowers and blossom. Wordsworth’s daffodils performed to their greatest strength and pussy willow attracted hosts of honey bees who had failed to notice that they were meant to be in terminal decline. A month later, on the first long weekend in May, walking along a sheltered footpath to the west of Troutbeck, Simmy – officially Ms Persimmon Brown – could hear an energetic buzzing and murmured ‘something something something in the bee-loud glade’ to herself. Not Wordsworth, she was sure, but somebody like Yeats or Hardy. She would ask her young friend Ben, who knew everything.
The sun was warm on her shoulders; the light so clear that she could pick out numerous fast-growing lambs on the fells far above the village. Every weekend throughout the coming summer, she promised herself, she would get up at first light and go for an early walk. The anniversary had been a time for resolutions and one of them was to make much better use of the natural delights that surrounded her.
She felt an almost pagan euphoria at the burgeoning landscape, vibrant with flora and fauna at the start of another cycle of life. Her mother would say it was a mark in Christianity’s favour that it had been clever enough to superimpose all its biggest rituals onto far more ancient moments in the natural year, with Easter an obvious example.
There was now a bonus Spring Bank Holiday that Simmy was savouring with complete abandonment.
The late morning, with a sunny afternoon still ahead of her, brought feelings of richness and privilege that were almost shameful. But she had earned it, she reminded herself. The winter had been grey and protracted, interspersed with a number of unpleasant adventures. She had been repeatedly drawn into events that demonstrated the darker side of human behaviour, forced to confront far too much reality.
Now that spring had arrived with such a colourful crash, she was determined to shake all that off and concentrate on her flowers.
The plan for the day was to meet her father, Russell Straw, for a long-promised fellside walk after a modest lunch at the Mortal Man. The full walk, along Nanny Lane and up to the summit of Wansfell Pike – and back – was easily four miles in total, with some steep sections of stony path. ‘By rights, we should go across to the Troutbeck Tongue at the same time, but that’s rather ambitious,’ Russell conceded.
‘I shall want some fortification first,’ Simmy had warned him. ‘And if there’s the slightest risk of rain, I’m cancelling the whole idea. Neither of us is fit enough to do anything rash.’
There was no suggestion of rain, the sky a uniform blue in every direction. It was, in fact, the most perfect day for very many months and Simmy was duly thankful for it. Her father would bring water, map, and dog. She would provide a camera, mobile phone and two slabs of Kendal mint cake.
The fells above Troutbeck were stark, dramatic and uncaring. There were barely any flowers or trees adorning them, other than the tiny resilient blooms that crouched underfoot. More than happy to accommodate her father’s wishes, Simmy nonetheless preferred the softer and more moderated lower levels.
This explained her morning stroll, taking a zigzag route from her house to the hostelry along lanes that had been colonised by humanity, with gardens and houses taking their place in the picture. The bees at least agreed with her. Azaleas and rhododendrons were in bud, reminding her of her startled surprise at the vibrant colours, the year before. Not just the natural purples and pinks, but brilliant orange, deepest crimson and a wide array of other hues shouted from gardens all over the relatively balmy area around Windermere and Ambleside. Even the wilder reaches of Coniston boasted spectacular displays. Aware that it might be foolish to expend energy on this pre-walk stroll, she nonetheless felt the need to exploit the sunshine and the flamboyant floral displays. It was semi-professional, too – she ought to be apprised of the full range of seasonal blossoms in gardens, in order to echo and embellish them in the offerings she stocked at the shop. Flowers were her business, and any lateral information she could acquire would always come in useful.
Her father was waiting for her at the pub, sitting at an outside table on a lower level, with his dog. She kissed the man and patted the animal. ‘Is he going to cope with such a long walk?’ she wondered. It was a rather ancient Lakeland terrier, officially named Bertie, but mostly just called ‘the dog’. His forebears had failed a purity test, it seemed, and poor Bertie had found himself rejected as breeding stock and consigned to a rescue centre until eventually rescued by kindly Russell Straw.
‘Oh yes. And if he doesn’t we’ll have to carry him.’
‘When did you last take him on a jaunt like this?’
‘About eighteen months ago. We’ve been waiting all this time for you.’
‘Dad! That’s ridiculous.’ In spite of herself, she laughed. ‘Poor old chap. He won’t know what’s hit him. His feet will be sore for weeks.’
‘Not a bit of it. He spends all his time digging up stones. His feet are as tough as iron. He could easily outwalk both of us. Now let’s get on with it. I want to set off by one at the latest.’
That gave them forty-five minutes to eat a hearty pub lunch with beer to wash it down. ‘We shouldn’t walk on full stomachs,’ Simmy remarked. ‘We’ll get a stitch.’
‘Better than trying to do it empty. We need the food to give us stamina.’
‘At least we’ve got the weather for it. And listen to those birds!’ A pair of collared doves cooed at them from an overhead wire, the gentle three-note song a backdrop that Simmy always loved, despite the blatant lack of musical variety. Her habit of feeding garden birds had attracted another pair of doves to her own little patch, a few hundred yards from the pub, and she had grown used to waking to their call, imagining that they were deliberately asking her for some breakfast.
Russell cocked his head. ‘They’re not native, you know. They’re quite recent immigrants. I mean recent. I was about ten years old when the first ones settled here. The BBC put them in a medieval radio play by mistake not long ago. Lots of people wrote in about it.’
‘Well, they’re very welcome as far as I’m concerned.’
‘I agree with you. I also like grey squirrels, even if I get lynched for saying so.’
She laughed again, after a wary glance around. In Troutbeck, the red squirrel was verging on the sacred and the grey accordingly considered devilish. Anyone overhearing Russell was liable to take exception to his views. But nobody at the neighbouring tables was reacting. Nothing could sully her delight at the carefree afternoon ahead with the best of all possible fathers. It took a lot to disturb Russell Straw – but then a lot had happened in recent times, and his daughter had certainly caused him some worry over the winter. His wife was the powerful half in the marriage, leaving him to contented pottering and sporadic researches into local history. They ran a somewhat eccentric bed-and-breakfast business in Windermere, in which Angie Straw broke a lot of rules and earned a lot of profound gratitude in the process. Her reviews on TripAdvisor veered from the horrified to the euphoric, depending on how much individuality her guests could stomach. She was a capricious mixture of old fashioned and hippy, refusing to use guests’ first names unless they insisted, and cheerfully producing full breakfasts at ten-thirty, if that’s what people wanted.
‘Let me just pop to the lav and then we can be off,’ Russell said. ‘Mind the dog, will you?’
She took the lead attached to Bertie and nodded.
The sun was as high as it was going to get, and the afternoon stretched ahead of them with no sense of urgency. The sky remained an unbroken blue.
The views from the summit of Wansfell Pike would be spectacular. At least two lakes would be visible, and any number of fells on all sides. Russell knew the names of most of the main landmarks, and had a map with which to identify others. Simmy had only a rudimentary and theoretical knowledge of any of it.
Bertie whined and pulled annoyingly. ‘He’ll be back in a minute,’ Simmy told him. ‘Don’t be silly.’ Dogs were generally annoying, to her way of thinking. So dreadfully dependent and needy all the time. It had come as a surprise when her parents rescued this little specimen, and even more so when Russell developed such a fondness for it. To Simmy’s eyes, the animal lacked character, which Russell insisted was a consequence of his harsh life, full of betrayal and confusion. ‘He just wants everything nice and peaceful from here on,’ he said.
Which was generally what he got, apart from a never-ending procession of B&B guests, who mostly patted his head and then left him alone.
‘You were a long time,’ she told him, when her father eventually returned.
‘I know.’ He was frowning distractedly. ‘I overheard something, outside the gents, and I have no idea what to make of it. I kept out of sight for a minute, just in case they didn’t like the idea of anyone hearing them.’
‘Oh?’
‘Two men talking. It sounds a bit wild, I know, but I think they were planning a burglary.’

Author Bio:

Rebecca TopeRebecca Tope is the author of four murder mystery series, featuring Den Cooper, Devon police detective, Drew Slocombe, Undertaker; Thea Osborne, house sitter in the Cotswolds and now Persimmon Brown, Lake District florist. She is also a “ghost writer” of the novels based on the ITV series Rosemary and Thyme.

Catch Up with Ms. Tope on rebeccatope.com 🔗 or on twitter at @RebeccaTope 🔗.

 

Tour Participants:

Visit other tour stops for reviews, guest posts, interviews, and more giveaways!

 

Don't Miss Out On Your Chance to WIN!

This is a rafflecopter giveaway hosted by Partners In Crime Virtual Book Tours for Rebecca Tope & Harper Collins – Witness/Impulse. There will be 3 US winners of one (1) eBook copy of The Troutbeck Testimony by Rebecca Tope. This is subject to change without notification. The giveaway begins on October 22nd and runs through November 25th, 2016.
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The Immortal Divide by K. S. Turner Book Tour





The Immortal Divide

The Chronicles of Fate and Choice trilogy

Book Three

KS Turner



Genre: Fantasy



Publisher: Ruby Blaze Publishing

Publication date: 29th October 2016

Pages: 576



Paperback: 978-0-9562242-9-3

EBook: 978-0-9562242-7-9



About the Book:



This is when it will change.



For them. For us. For everyone.



Destiny, freewill, intent, magic, science, life, everything.



This is when all those named gods will fight to the end.



This world and all worlds are fated to end. The prophet, Jychanumun, has tried to prevent it. He has spent millennia walking between life and death to find a way. The powerful Shaa-kutu have tried to prevent it. They have fought with wits and weapons and given their all. Despite their best, nothing seems capable of stopping the formidable Arrunn from completing his final fateful move. So, can Tachra change that fate?



Tachra stands between shadow and light. She has no tools or weapons, only the Earth power and true-vision. Perhaps her fellow humans will ascend to greater knowledge and unlock a new discovery. Or, if she can decipher the Book of Fate, perhaps that will hold a key to saving them all. But when that last prophecy comes, will she make the right choice?



After all, that fate has already been written:

"If any survive, it will be known as the three day darkness. If none survive, the darkness will swallow all."




About the Author:



Originally trained as an illustrator and designer at Saint Martins School of Art and at Middlesex University, KS Turner turned to fiction when she saw the limitless possibilities of connectivity it offered. Before her shift in career, she worked as a fashion designer for major high-street brands, a graphic designer for musicians, and a product designer for corporations, as well as dabbling with designing technology, sustainable energy, and textiles.



A vivid series of dreams were the inspiration for the Chronicles of Fate and Choice books. Kate initially tried illustrating her dreams, but found the medium too limiting for the story she had seen, so began writing. At first she didn’t have any intention of writing novels, but the books soon started to come together.



Her first two novels, Before the Gods, and Tumultus, were featured in many magazines, won book of the month with Spirit and Destiny magazine, fantasy of the year with Bookbag, and the ‘Must Read Now’ awards with SciFiNow magazine.



When Kate isn't writing, she draws, paints and sculpts as well as studying maths, science, theology and philosophy. She loves to play music, explore, nurture nature and spend time with friends and family. She lives in Somerset.









 
 
 

October 24 Interview
The Book Junkie Reads 

October 24 Spotlight
Illuminite Caliginosus

October 25 Spotlight
The Cubicle Escapee

October 25 Spotlight
Silver Dagger Scriptorium

October 26 Spotlight
Fanatical Paranormal Romantical

October 26 Spotlight
Ogitchida Kwe's Book Blog

October 27 Spotlight
Lisa's Loves(Books of Course)

October 28 Guest Blog
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October 28 Interview
Infinite House of Books

October 31 Interview
Ramblings of a Coffee Addicted Writer

November 1 Spotlight
Houston Havens  

November 1 Spotlight
3 Partners in Shopping, Nana, Mommy, and Sissy, Too!

November 2 Spotlight
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November 3 Spotlight
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November 4 Guest Blog 
I Smell Sheep

November 4 Review
Romance Authors That Rock

November 4 Spotlight
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November 7 Spotlight
T's Stuff

November 7 Spotlight
Don't Judge, Read

November 7 Spotlight
Sylv all about books and films
 

Give Me Chaos by Jillian Ashe Cover Reveal


Pay It Forward Giveaway Hop


Welcome to the Pay It Forward Giveaway Hop hosted by MamatheFox! At each stop in this hop you can find a fun prize that would make a perfect gift to Pay It Forward this holiday season. Be sure to come back for your daily entries to increase you chances of winning! Good Luck



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The Devoted by Suzanne Woods Fisher Book Tour, and Book Review

The Devoted

A Novel


Cover Art

 



About

The Amish life is all she's ever known--but will it satisfy her soul?
Restless and adventurous, Ruthie Stoltzfus is right on the cusp of leaving her Amish home. Secretly, she's earned her GED, saved her money--but she can't quite set her journey into motion. Just as everything falls into place, along comes Patrick Kelly.

Patrick is a young man on a journey of his own. He's come to Stoney Ridge to convert to the Amish and has given himself thirty days to learn the language, drive a buggy, and adapt to "everything Plain." Time is of the essence and every moment is to be cherished--especially the hours he spends with Ruthie, his Penn Dutch tutor.

Ruthie's next-door neighbor and cunning ex-boyfriend, Luke Schrock, is drawn to trouble like a moth to a flame. Rebellious, headstrong, defiant, Luke will do anything to win Ruthie back--and Patrick Kelly is in his way.

Bestselling author Suzanne Woods Fisher invites you back to Stoney Ridge for a story of dreams deferred--and the promise of hopes fulfilled.


Praise for The Quieting

"[A] deftly written tale of life, love, and faith."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
"[Fisher] knows what readers have come to expect from her novels and always gives them more."--RT Book Reviews, 4-star review


Suzanne Woods Fisher is an award-winning, bestselling author of more than a dozen novels, including The Imposter, The Quieting, and The Inn at Eagle Hill series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace and The Heart of the Amish. She lives in California. Learn more at www.suzannewoodsfisher.com and follow Suzanne on Twitter @suzannewfisher.

The Author

  1. Suzanne Woods Fisher
    © Dan Davis Photography

    Suzanne Woods Fisher

    Suzanne Woods Fisher is the bestselling author of The Letters, The Calling, the Lancaster County Secrets series, and the Stoney Ridge Seasons series, as well as nonfiction books about the Amish, including Amish Peace. She is also the...

Reviews

Praise for The Imposter
"Woods Fisher does her Amish research and it shines bright in her latest offering."--RT Book Reviews
"Suzanne is an authority on the Plain folks, and that's important to readers when it comes to Amish fiction. She always delivers a fantastic story with interesting characters, all in a tightly woven plot."--Beth Wiseman, bestselling author of the Daughters of the Promise and the Land of Canaan series

"Suzanne Woods Fisher's The Imposter is a heartwarming story of overcoming obstacles to find peace and a place to belong. The story will captivate readers who love the Amish culture and enjoy spending time in the Plain community."--Amy Clipston, bestselling author of A Simple Prayer
"Suzanne Woods Fisher has written another delightful book that is sure to please fans of Amish fiction. Filled with endearing characters and wry wit, The Imposter is a wonderful story."--Kathleen Fuller, bestselling author of A Faith of Her Own
"Suzanne Woods Fisher is at the top of her game in this richly rewarding tale of faith and love and the ties that bind. The Imposter is everything you want in a novel. I loved this first installment of her newest series."--Mary Ellis, bestselling author of Midnight on the Mississippi
Praise for The Quieting
"Fisher is a talented author who knows what readers have come to expect from her novels and always gives them more."--RT Book Reviews, 4-star review

My review;

"The Devoted" is another great book by author Suzanne Woods Fisher. Whenever I really want to read a nice story I grab one of her novels. "The Devoted' is a story of love and hope. Ruthie Stoltzfus has done all she can to start out on her own. She has just met Patrick Kelly and  she will never be the same. Patrick wants to be Amish. After thirty days he will decide what he is going to do. Ruthie is going to be his helper. But, her past boyfriend Luke Schrock wants to get Ruthie back. Can he stop Patrick from maybe taking her away?  I give this book a 5/5. I was given this book by Revell Publishing Company and all opinions are mine.

Pawsitively Thankful Giveaway Hop #Thankfulpawshop


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Sunday, October 30, 2016

Saved by the Firefighter by Rachel Brimble Virtual Tour, Except, and Giveaway



How can she forgive him for what he didn't do?



SAVED BY THE FIREFIGHTER
Templeton Cove #6
Rachel Brimble
Releasing Nov 1st, 2016
Harlequin Superromance


How can she forgive him for what he didn't do?

Photographer Izzy Cooper feels as frozen as her pictures. Trent Palmer might be the hottest firefighter in Templeton Cove, but she can never face him again. Not after he failed to save her brother. But when they're forced together by a calendar shoot, the sparks between them are undeniable.

Izzy knows it's not fair to blame Trent for the tragedy, but opening herself up to loss again isn't something she's prepared to do, no matter how determined Trent is to show her that pain is part of life and that love—their love—can make any suffering bearable.



Excerpt;

The security alarm chimed. Someone had stepped inside the studio. Exhaling a heavy breath, Izzy pulled back her shoulders, lifted her head and forced a smile.

Hi, how can I…” Her heart stopped. Trent Palmer stood just inside the door. “Why are you here?”

His dark green gaze bored relentlessly into hers, his strong jaw set as he reached behind him and shut the door. “I came by to see how you’re doing.”

Traitorous attraction skittered over the surface of her skin before Izzy turned and strode toward the corner she used for staging portrait shots. The fluffy bunnies, huge furry dice and toys she’d used to relax a toddler earlier now felt macabre.

She spun around, clutching a teddy bear. “The same as I was doing yesterday and the day before. I told you I don’t want to see you. I don’t ever want to see you. Why do you keep coming back?”

He came closer, his gaze locked on hers. “You have to talk to me. I was Robbie’s friend. There was nothing—”

You could do. Fine. I get it, but why do you feel the need to keep coming in here and checking up on me? What do you want me to do? Dance in the street? Kick up my heels at the fairground? God, just leave me alone.”

There’s a beach party tonight. I want you to come with me.”

She stared. Why him? Why would a man she really liked—a damn firefighter­­—have to pursue her like she was someone worth pursuing? “No.”

He looked at the equipment covering the desk alongside him. He lifted and replaced a camera, the hunch of his wide shoulders indicating his discomfort. Izzy hated that she drew no satisfaction from that…only sadness.

He turned. “I want you to come and show your face to the people who care about you. Kate said­­—”

Kate had no right to say anything to you.” She lifted her chin. “I’m fine.”

Then come to the beach.”

No.”

He crossed his arms. “Why not? What good is it doing you, hiding away in here twenty-four-seven?”

I’m not hiding.” Liar. “My work is better than it’s ever been. I have lots to keep me busy, and I don’t need you or a damn beach party to make me feel better.”

This isn’t who you are, Iz. You’ve always worked, always been ambitious, but everyone is used to you taking pictures while you play as well as work. Where have you gone? Don’t you think Robbie would’ve wanted you to step out into the sunlight now and then?”

The sound of her brother’s name on Trent’s lips brought the sting of tears to her eyes. “Don’t talk to me about Robbie. He would want me to do whatever I wanted and right now the last thing I want to do is talk to you.” She turned her back to him and tossed the bear into a plastic crate of other props. She sighed. “Please, Trent. Just get out of here.”

You know as well as I do that Robbie wanted us together. He actively encouraged it.”

Yeah, he did and look how that turned out.”

His jaw tightened. “Are you saying it was no good? That we were no good? God, Iz, Robbie would’ve loved knowing we finally got together.”

Loss wrapped around her heart making it ache. “Maybe, but he would’ve also seen we were a bad idea together too.”

Hurt flashed in his eyes, before he exhaled heavily. “Look, you might not want to talk to me, but there’s someone else we have to think about.”

She planted her hands on her hips, her body humming with irritation and the urge the grip him by his stupidly large biceps and march him out of her studio. Didn’t he realize he was invading her only place of peace? “Who?”

Maya Jackson. We have to do this calendar, Iz. We promised. If we don’t set up the shoot soon, it won’t be ready for Christmas. That little girl, her family and Kate are relying on you…us…to do this.”

She tipped her head back and glared at the ceiling. There was no way she’d let down Maya, suffering so acutely with leukemia, any more than she would continue in a relationship with date the firefighter who’d failed to respond quick enough to save her brother. No matter how the results of the ensuing investigation had confirmed it had been a falling beam that killed Robbie at the garage, she had to blame someone or she’d go insane.

The safest person to blame was strong, reliable Trent. A man she’d grown to deeply care for and admire during the four years before Robbie died. A man who knew her and her brother. Knew her home and her life…and who, God damn it, still wanted to know her.

He didn’t deserve her derision; he didn’t deserve everything she threw at him, yet time and again, he became her target. She had to keep his interest at bay. Better still—stop it altogether.





Rachel lives with her husband and two teenage daughters in a small town near Bath in the UK. After having several novels published by small US presses, she secured agent representation in 2011. Since 2013, she has had six books published by Harlequin Superromance (Templeton Cove Stories) and recently signed a contract for two more. She also has four Victorian romances with eKensington/Lyrical Press.

Rachel is a member of the Romantic Novelists Association and Romance Writers of America, and was selected to mentor the Superromance finalist of So You Think You Can Write 2014 contest. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Rachel with her head in a book or walking the beautiful English countryside with her family. Her dream place to live is Bourton-on-the-Water in South West England.

She likes nothing more than connecting and chatting with her readers and fellow romance writers. Rachel would love to hear from you!




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