Monthly Archives: July 2017
New Cover: Trust by Kylie Scott
TRUST
By Kylie Scott
Genre – Mature YA
Available Now
Being young is all about the experiences: the first time you skip school, the first time you fall in love…the first time someone holds a gun to your head.
After being held hostage during a robbery at the local convenience store, seventeen year old Edie finds her attitude about life shattered. Unwilling to put up with the snobbery and bullying at her private school, she enrolls at the local public high school, crossing paths with John. The boy who risked his life to save hers.
While Edie’s beginning to run wild, however, John’s just starting to settle down. After years of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, he’s going straight—getting to class on time, and thinking about the future.
An unlikely bond grows between the two as John keeps Edie out of trouble and helps her broaden her horizons. But when he helps her out with another first—losing her virginity—their friendship gets complicated.
Meanwhile, Edie and John are pulled back into the dangerous world they narrowly escaped. They were lucky to survive the first time, but this time they have more to lose—each other.
Trailer:
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B072FH6SHL/
Amazon Aus: http://amzn.to/2uMJ9W8
Amazon UK: http://amzn.to/2u3JohY
iBooks US: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/trust/id1224381165
iBooks Aus: https://itunes.apple.com/au/book/trust/id1224381165?mt=11
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/trust-82
Nook: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trust-jess-c-sc…/1114123457
ARC Review: Hope Restored by Carrie Ann Ryan
Hope Restored
Carrie Ann Ryan
Gallagher Brothers Series, Book 3
The Gallagher Brothers series from NYT Bestselling Author Carrie Ann Ryan concludes with the final brother who thought he had everything to look forward to, and the one woman who can handle him.
Life isn’t worth living if you don’t fight to live. That’s what Murphy Gallagher learned at a young age when cancer ravaged his body not once, but twice. Over the course of his survival, he lost his parents and his childhood, but he’s been healthy for years and has become a man he hopes his family is proud of. But when his world tilts on its axis yet again, he’ll have to learn what it means to fight not only the unknown but also his attraction to his best friend.
Tessa Stone works hard and plays harder. She’s spent her life trying to figure out who she is in the present rather than looking back. Yet when she’s forced into close proximity with Murphy, she’ll have to not only be his rock but learn how to relax enough to maybe let him be hers, as well. But seduction doesn’t stop when the world seems to, and close encounters of the naked kind might just be the first step in something much more complicated than either of them bargained for. Life, though, is for living, after all.
4 Stars
Deep, flirtatious and emotionally intense!
Murphy and Tessa made my heart feel on so many levels. Hope Restored broken my heart, make me cry, gave me hope and made my smile. Grab the tissues, they are needed.
Tessa and Murphy have this natural chemistry that allows them to be their true selves with each other. The are fun and flirty. Always stay on the fun side of friends. Fighting off an attraction to keep a friendship. Until Murphy’s world gets spun.
Sometimes a bad news brings very good things. Tessa and Murphy give in to the chemistry and attraction forging a bond deeper than words. Learning to live for the minute and allowing themselves to give into them desires.
A truly wonderful friends to lovers story. The compassion and passion are enough to break your, then rebuild you back up. Carrie Ann Ryan rocked my heart with Hope Restored.
A copy of this title was provided for an honest review.
ARC Review: Trust by Kylie Scott
Trust
Kylie Scott
After being held hostage during a robbery at the local convenience store, seventeen-year-old Edie finds her attitude about life shattered. Unwilling to put up with the snobbery and bullying at her private school, she enrolls at the local public high school, crossing paths with John. The boy who risked his life to save hers.
While Edie’s beginning to run wild, however, John’s just starting to settle down. After years of partying and dealing drugs with his older brother, he’s going straight—getting to class on time, and thinking about the future.
An unlikely bond grows between the two as John keeps Edie out of trouble and helps her broaden her horizons. But when he helps her out with another first—losing her virginity—their friendship gets complicated.
Meanwhile, Edie and John are pulled back into the dangerous world they narrowly escaped. They were lucky to survive the first time, but this time they have more to lose—each other.
ARC Review: Taboo by Jayne Rylon, Opal Carew and Avery Asher
Taboo
Jayne Rylon
Opal Carew
Avery Asher
Penthouse Pleasure Series, Book 1
One luxury building holds six penthouse apartments owned by kinky Manhattanites. Their sizzling stories will be told throughout the Penthouse Pleasures series from New York Times bestselling authors Opal Carew, Jayne Rylon, and Avery Aster.
From trailer trash to elite New York City lawyer, Casey Clark has transformed her life. There’s only one change she regrets. The one that left her blazing her trail alone.
Her tough ex-boyfriend Jace West has made a career of protecting people in bad situations, just like he always did for her. When Casey finds something in her new penthouse apartment that could put her in danger, he’s the first one to volunteer to keep her body safe—even if it puts their hearts at risk again.
Jace counts on his partner Ian to chaperone his alone time with Casey. Instead, it seems the guy balances out Jace’s rough edges with a suave sophistication Casey always craved. The combination has the potential to fill the void in her life that money, power, and ambition can’t…if she’s bold enough to take what she wants from each of them.
Venturing into taboo territory, Casey could become the woman Jace has always needed. The kind who’s enough for not just one super sexy man, but two of them.
4 Stars
Sizzling hot, a bit of suspense and an awesome beginning to what looks to be a wickedly interesting series.
A well written novella that packed a very steamy punch. A fast moving story filled with second chances, discovery, acceptance and appearances are not always as they seem. Casey is confident and sassy. Jace is commanding and demanding. Ian is the voice of reason with the ability to calm and sooth. Casey and Jace share a deep past. Ian and Jace have bonded in an unconventional way. Together they tear down barriers, heighten pleasure and create something bigger and more profound than they could have imagined.
The writing trio of Jayne Rylon, Opal Carew and Avery Aster have created an interesting series with Penthouse Pleasures. Taboo was an amazing start. A poor girl turned big shot lawyer, two cops that can make you body melt with just a look, an ex priest who has me wondering and a giant of a dog you can’t help but to love. I very much enjoyed Taboo! A perfect read to make your day at the beach a bit hotter.
A copy of this title was provided for an honest review. I voluntarily chose to review this title.
ARC Review: Fury Unbound by Yasmine Galenorn
Fury Awakened
Yasmine Galenorn
Fury Unbound Series, Book 3
“My name is Kaeleen Donovan. I’m a Theosian-a minor goddess. They call me Fury.”
By day, I run the Crossroads Cleaning Company, and I also read fortunes and cast hexes at Dream Wardens, a magical consulting shop. But by night, I’m oath-bound to Hecate, Goddess of the Crossroads. Hecate charged me from birth with the task of hunting down Abominations who come in off the World Tree and sending them back to Pandoriam.
Deep in the Wild Wood, we’ve hidden out from both the ruthless Devani and the zombie invasion going on in Seattle. In her anger, Gaia retaliates and devastates the city. The Order of the Black Mist has thrown off their secrecy and are openly vying for dominance with the Devani, as the ruthless warriors of light destroy all who question the control of the Corp Rats. As I learn more out in the wilds about the world of the Fae, and as our group of survivors strengthens its bonds, Hecate beckons me into the woods where I stumble on a secret that could turn the tide. But it will put us on the front lines as targets–and it will mean letting go of my fear of the fire and fully accepting my Theosian nature.
Cover Reveal: Napa Crush by Kate Kisset
Today we have the cover reveal for Napa Crush by Kate Kisset! I am so excited to share this new release with you—check it out and preorder your copy now!
Title: Napa Crush
Author: Kate Kisset
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Release Day: July 20th
About Napa Crush:
That moment your first crush walks back into your life… and you’re kissing his brother.
Napa Valley feature writer Danica Vargas’ serene, wine country life turns upside down when she lands in the hospital and meets the sexy baseball star who accidentally put her there. Unfortunately, she has no idea who he is. Unexpectedly, she’s caught between two of Napa’s Valley’s notorious Santino brothers, mistaking one man’s flirtation, for love, and another’s undying affection, for friendship. In school, Luca Santino’s best friend’s older sister Danica was a knockout. She batted his heart around like a ball… except when they were making out in her bedroom. Back in Napa Valley a decade later with his semi-pro baseball team, Luca rediscovers the girl he loved. As a woman, she’s even more enticing than he remembered. Older and wiser, maybe this time they’ll realize what started long ago wasn’t a game.
Preorder Your Copy Today!
Exclusive Excerpt:
(Danica Vargas is in the hospital after being hit in the head by a baseball at local game. Danny, the sexy indie baseball player, whose ball hit her, is in her hospital room.)
Didn’t he know she didn’t take the accident personally? Danica shifted under the covers. “I’m going to be okay. Really, I am.”
“I called from the dugout,” he explained, shaking a strand of dark hair from his eyes. “I couldn’t leave the game, but I called the hospital to make sure you weren’t—hurt worse.”
“I guess that’s why they call it a foul ball. Super foul.” Danica stuck out her chin, happy to lighten the subject, and amazed at how much having him in the room lifted her mood. She almost laughed at the word “moo-d,” and decided whatever meds they gave her made her punchy. Hell, this guy could possibly be a hallucination.
“It wasn’t a foul ball.” He shocked her with a flash of perfectly straight teeth.
Shit. She hadn’t even seen him smile until now. She felt guilty checking him out, and knew she should probably be resting but… alone in the sad room, with him taking up most of the space, she couldn’t help herself. Head injury or not, he was ridiculously handsome.
“The ball was good, in perfectly fair territory.” He mimicked swinging the bat all the way through. “It was my best hit. My first home run of the season, and I hit it out of the park.”
“And I caught it.”
“And I’m going to make it up to you. I promise you I will, Danica.”
Who is this guy?
“Knock, knock,” the tall nurse taking care of her, bellowed from the doorway, bearing a large, metal tray full of plates. “Party’s over, Slugger. Time to get your buns in gear and out. I promised you five minutes, and you got fifteen.”
Danica’s stomach rumbled in response to the mouthwatering garlic and butter aroma filling the room, and the sight of steamed mussels. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d eaten. Did Lulu arrange a delivery from her favorite restaurant, The Girl and the Fig? What did she ever do to deserve a landlord, a friend, like Lulu? She’d call her tonight and thank her.
Danny glanced between the nurse and Danica. “I could stay? Maybe help feed her?
“Nice try, but that’s not happening.” Raising her eyes to the ceiling, Tall Nurse heaved a loud sigh.
“I better go, then.” He eyed Danica. “Will you miss me?”
“Move on out, Mr. Danny Deep, visiting time is over.” The nurse shifted the tray of dishes in her hands.
“Danny Deep?” Danica studied him again, this time with her reporter hat on. “Really?”
He shrugged. “That’s what they call me.”
“Do you have a card? I work for the Napa Register. My next project is an article on the Crushers, and—”
“And now, you’re working? Your brain needs rest.” Tall Nurse marched into the room. “Just settle it right down, here. I’m serious. He’s got to go.”
His delicious gaze didn’t move from Danica’s face, but traveled from her eyes to her mouth and back. He reached into the back pocket of his uniform without looking away, pulled out his wallet, and took a card from it.
“You know where to find me if you lose this card, Danica.” He waved it from across the room and placed it on the table next to a straw bag. Instead of heading to the door, he strutted to the bed just as Tall Nurse pulled the rolling bed table over and set down the tray.
“Time’s up.” Tall Nurse swatted at him. “Get away from my patient,” she scolded in a teasing voice and leaned over the bed, blocking him from Danica.
“Just one more thing, it’ll only take a sec, I promise.” He flashed a smile at the nurse that he must store in his other back pocket to use in case of emergencies, because it worked like a charm.
The nurse placed the tray on the bed and reluctantly stepped back. “Go ahead.” She folded her arms, watching him lean over the bed and maneuver around the steaming dishes.
Danica didn’t have the strength for this, and pulled a deep breath. He shot her a fiery gleam under thick black lashes and moved closer.
His breath caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes. There was only so much a girl with a head injury could handle.
“Now, don’t forget me, Danica.” His voice rumbled through her, and he brushed his nose against the side of hers. If she moved a fraction of an inch, her mouth would touch his. She held her breath, and her heart suspended in midair while his lips trekked slowly up from her mouth and over her nose, to finally land a kiss on her forehead.
Yeah, right, as if she could ever forget something like that.
About Kate Kisset:
Former San Francisco disc jockey Kate Kisset is the author of Wine Country Romance. A series of original contemporary romance novels set in Sonoma, Napa Valley, St. Helena and San Francisco, California. Kate is also a featured author in Marina Adair’s St. Helena Vineyard Kindle World. Although Kate wrote her first story in the third grade, she became serious about writing romance after she lost her mother to pancreatic cancer. The tragedy left her searching for, and eventually writing happily-ever-afters to lift her spirits. Kate divides her time between Northern and Southern California. Her stories feature strong heroes and heroines set in the real-world vineyard settings found outside her front door. When she’s not writing, Kate’s favorite job is being “The Mommy.” She enjoys hiking, cooking, listening to music and walking her loyal companion, Luciana Parmigiana her rescue-dog-editor.
Connect with Kate:
AMAZON PAGE | | WEBSITE | ARC READERS GROUP | NEWSLETTER | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | BOOKBUB | PINTEREST |
Kate’s Companion Playlists for her novels
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Release Day Blitz: RECKONING by Shana Figueroa
RECKONING
Shana Figueroa
Valentine Shepherd Series, Book 3
July 11, 2017; Forever Yours eBook
Hell hath no fury like Valentine . . .
Five years. It’s been five years of blissful peace for private eye Valentine Shepherd and her hot-ass husband, Max Carressa. Five years of watching their twins grow up healthy and happy, even as Val waits for Hell to unleash its fury. Her enemies have been planning, and Val knows she doesn’t have nearly enough weapons to protect her family . . .
Yet Val and Max have one advantage—their insatiable desire for each other allows them to see into the future, and the visions they share may just give them a chance. But as events are set into motion that endanger everyone Val’s ever loved, she’ll do whatever it takes to stop the horror she’s already seen—even if it means her end.
Buy the Book!
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Excerpt
Val forced herself to relax. “I need to run an errand,” she said, though it came out a little bitchier than she’d intended. She tried to tone the hostility down. “Are you…going to be okay here with them? Alone?”
Jamal nodded. “Yes, ma’am—Val—uh, ma’am.”
She took a step toward the door, then turned back. “You’ve got everything you need, right? Their nap schedules, their favorite books, their lunch and snack foods—”
“Yes, I’ve got it. I wrote it all down,” he said in a gently reassuring tone. She’d need to get used to that voice, and train herself not to mistake it for condescension.
“And it’s one snack before lunch. Don’t let them trick you into giving them an entire package of Oreos. They’re more clever than you might think.”
“Oreos on lockdown. Clear as crystal.”
“You remember all the codes for the locks and alarms on the house, right?”
“Uh-huh.”
“And you’ve got my number if you need anything?”
“I sure do.”
She nodded, walked to the living room’s threshold, stopped, and turned again. “Don’t let anyone in here who isn’t Max or me, no matter who they say they are. I mean it.”
Jamal smiled again—he did that a lot, maybe because he had nice teeth—though a hint of uncertainty tainted his friendly gaze. Probably wondering what the hell he’d gotten himself into. “Yes, ma’—Val. I won’t let anyone in.”
“No one.”
“Got it. No one’s coming through that front door, not on my watch.”
She should’ve left then; instead, she stared at him until a bead of sweat trickled down his temple.
Simon broke the standoff. “We’ll be fine, Mommy. Go talk to the cop.”
Val softened a bit at that. If Simon knew he and his sister would be fine, then they’d be fine. As long as she didn’t inadvertently change the future, what he’d seen would come to pass. Val embraced them both in long hugs, kissing their foreheads. She thought they might cry when she left; they didn’t. They knew they’d see her again soon. Still, when Val walked to the door leading down to the carport and grasped the doorknob, she saw her hand shaking. She’d never forgive herself if something happened to her babies while she left them with an overpriced babysitter. Would they really be safe without her? They’d have to be. Max was right—she couldn’t be with them all the time. She’d have to trust other people eventually, and that time was now. God help Jamal if he screwed it up, though.
Swallowing back a lump in her throat, Val forced herself forward, away from her children, into her car, out of the house, and back into the world she’d been hiding from for over five years. Tendrils from its black underbelly would likely rise up and try to seize her again. But there was no way around it if she wanted any chance to save her mother.
Time to go see the cop.
About the Author
Shana Figueroa is a published author who specializes in romance and humor, with occasional sojourns into horror, sci-fi, and literary fiction. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two young daughters, and two old pugs. She enjoys reading, writing (obviously), martial arts, video games, and SCIENCE—it’s poetry in motion! By day, she serves her country in the US Air Force as an aerospace engineer. By night, she hunkers down in a corner and cranks out the crazy stories lurking in her head.
She took Toni Morrison’s advice and started writing the books she wanted to read. Hopefully you’ll want to read them, too!
Social Media Links
www.facebook.com/shanafigueroaauthor
www.twitter.com/shana_figueroa
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Giveaway
Enter to win 1 of 15 free ebook downloads of Reckoning! http://bit.ly/2rcHsBp
Release Blitz: Summer Lovin’ by Carly Phillips
Summer Lovin’ a sexy standalone by Carly Phillips is available now!
![Pageflex Persona [document: PRS0000040_00005]](https://ssp2017.files.wordpress.com/2017/07/summer-lovin-wrap.jpg?w=604)
Summer Lovin’
by Carly Phillips
Re-Publication Date: July 11th, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Zoe Costas is a security specialist and a Costas through and through. Her eccentric, rather dubious family runs an Atlantic City spa that’s just this side of legit. So Zoe isn’t inclined to trust handsome, charming Ryan Baldwin when he shows up claiming to be related to Sam, the girl the Costas family is about to adopt. But Ryan is Sam’s uncle and one of the famously rich and snooty Boston Baldwins.
Ryan’s search for his sister has led him to news of her death, and to a niece he’s never met. But someone else has also tracked Sam down — someone who never wanted the child to be found. Ryan is determined to protect Sam and find out what really happened to his sister. And Zoe is just the woman to help him do it. Neither expects to lose their heart in the process.
Read Today!
Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2uNY95h
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Meet Carly Phillips:
Carly Phillips is the N.Y. Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of over 50 sexy contemporary romance novels, including the Indie published, Dare to Love Series. She is happily married to her college sweetheart, the mother of two nearly adult daughters and three crazy dogs. Carly loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers.
Connect with Carly Phillips:
Sign up for Carly’s Newsletter at: http://www.carlyphillips.com/newsletter-sign-up/
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Release Blitz: Whispered Prayers of a Girl by Alex Grayson
Whispered Prayers of a Girl by Alex Grayson is LIVE!!!
And it’s available on your favorite platform!
★☆★ GET IT NOW ★☆★
★Amazon US → http://amzn.to/2sa9WwY
☆Amazon UK → http://amzn.to/2qomPDi
★Amazon CA → http://amzn.to/2snWemB
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★Kobo → http://bit.ly/2qZ1ADE
A tortured soul meets a damaged family…
A lonely man, a widowed woman, a carefree boy, and a broken girl… Can the four come together and help heal each other? Or will fear of the unknown and guilt of the past keep them apart?
Her whispered prayers break her…
At night, as she’s drifting off to sleep, I press my ear to the door and listen to her heart-wrenching pleas. Her words are agony to my healing heart, but I cherish the sound of them, for that’s the only time I ever hear my beautiful daughter speak. Since her father died two years ago, she’s grown quiet and withdrawn. Cat’s Valley was to be our new beginning, a place where my family and I can heal, but what we find there is so much more.
Scars mar his body. Pain has left him in pieces…
Four years ago, I lost the two things I cherished most in the world. They were ripped from my arms in the most painful and cruel way. Since then, I’ve kept to myself, preferring to stay away from the pitying looks and murmured rumors. Everything changed when she and her children barged into my life. It was an accident, and I don’t deserve them, but now that they’ve stepped into my life, I’m not sure I can let them go.
*This book is intended for mature audiences, ages 18+. It may be enjoyed as a standalone!
Exclusive excerpt from the pages of Whispered Prayers of a Girl:
“I don’t deserve you. I don’t deserve whatever could happen between us.” I want to object, but he continues before I get a chance. “But there’s something I want more than my self-loathing for wanting something I shouldn’t.”
“What?” I rasp.
“A chance to know what it feels like to kiss you.”
AS PART OF THE RELEASE MADNESS YOU COULD WIN A PRE-LOADED KINDLE FIRE!
Alex is giving one lucky reader a brand new, pre-loaded Kindle Fire! Included in this amazing giveaway is a copy of Whispered Prayers of a Girl and OVER 100 MORE STORIES FROM AN AWESOME LINEUP OF AUTHORS!
To enter, CLICK HERE!
About Alex:
Alex Grayson is the bestselling author of heart pounding, emotionally gripping contemporary romance including The Jaded Series, The Consumed Series, and two standalone novels. Her passion for books was reignited by a gift from her sister-in-law intended to distract Alex and help her pass the time while her husband was away for work. After spending several years as a devoted reader and blogger, Alex decided to write and independently publish her first novel in 2014 (an endeavor that took a little longer than expected). The rest, as they say, is history.
Originally a southern girl, Alex now lives in Ohio with her husband, two children, two cats and dog. She loves the color blue, homemade lasagna, casually browsing real estate, and interacting with her readers. Visit her website, www.alexgraysonbooks.com, or find her on social media!
Find Alex Online!
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Guest Post: Kelly Maher~The Bridesmaid and The Hurricane
Book Title: The Bridesmaid and The Hurricane
Kelly Maher
Series: Capital Kisses #1
Release Date: July 4, 2017
Retail Price: $3.99
Goodreads Link: https://www.goodreads.com/review/new/35278193-the-bridesmaid-and-the-hurricane
THE BRIDESMAID AND THE HURRICANE
A one-weekend stand over a year ago, and now they’re coworkers…
Being a woman in TV is hard enough, but when the boss is trying to derail Radhika O’Leary’s career from behind the scenes, she has to make sure every aspect of her work—and her life—stands up to scrutiny.
Of course, the double standard is alive and well and Malcolm Jones, the broadcast meteorologist known as “Colm” to his friends and “The Hurricane Hottie” to his fangirls, knows that fame can hurt just as much as it helps. When Colm moves to DC, he’s excited to work with Radhika—her professional reputation is sparkling, and so are the kisses they shared that one weekend over a year ago when he was in town covering a blizzard.
But when Radhika is paired up with Colm for a project, all she sees is a looming storm over her carefully constructed career. Sparks still fly between the two journalists, and if they’re not careful, lightning might strike and alter the course of their lives forever.
Please welcome Kelly Maher to the blog today!!!!!
Thanks so much for having me! I’m so pleased to share some tidbits about my new book, THE BRIDESMAID AND THE HURRICANE!
Back in January 2016, I got a day off work as DC was getting the leading edge of a blizzard. As this was a Friday, this meant I had the whole weekend to twiddle my thumbs. I’m from the Midwest and have weathered many a blizzard before. I decided to do an experiment and see if I could write, polish, and publish a short story related to a current event in a short time frame. I did! The short story was BLIZZARD BLISS. Well, two things happened. First, my cover designer asked me if I wanted to use a subtitle. I tossed out “A Capital Kisses Story” and we went with it. After the story came out, a couple of reviewers mentioned how they were excited to read the story of the hero’s sister. Well, at that point, the sister didn’t have a name. But I started thinking on it.
At the RT convention in Las Vegas, I spoke with a friend and she was the person who named Radhika (RAH-dihk-ah). Even though I now had Radhika’s name, I was still stuck on her story, so I let the thoughts burble and brew over the summer and into the fall. I went to a lot of conferences last year, so story time in my brain was fighting for space with business time, as well as some family stuff. In October, I made the decision that not only was Radhika’s story happening, but it would be the start of a trilogy. The goal was to release at least Radhika’s story by my next birthday (a milestone one), and the Tuesday before that was July 4th. PERFECT! Since I knew I’d need time to edit the story, I decided to draft it during NaNoWriMo. Short answer was that I did. Long answer was that immersing myself in this story was an antidote to a week spent at home for my grandmother’s funeral, and capped by political news I was not a fan of, and helped me get through a really not good month.
I consciously broke history since I had set BLIZZARD BLISS during a real event in a real place. Sorry, but the Cubs lost in the world of Capital Kisses (and not just because I’m a White Sox fan!!). I’ve lived in DC for over five years, and I call it my second hometown. I love exploring the neighborhoods both in the city and the nearby suburbs, and wanted to show off some of my finds to readers who may only associate DC with politics. There’s a teensy bit of politics in THE BRIDESMAID AND THE HURRICANE, but that’s only because it’s a miracle if you can avoid it completely 😉 While I don’t name specific foodtrucks in the book, I’m a big fan of TaKorean, Arepa Zone, and Popped! Republic. My sister gives thumb’s up to Red Hook Lobster Pound DC. If you’re ever in DC, you need to check them out! The other experience I have to absolutely recommend is taking the Yellow Line train across the Potomac. You want to sit in a seat where you’re facing DC (riding backward if going to Virginia, or riding forward if going to DC) and have a window to your immediate left. You’ll get a fabulous view of the monuments on the National Mall.
I hope you’ll check out THE BRIDESMAID AND THE HURRICANE at the very least for more insider tips on things to do in the area and enjoy the local DC experience!
Excerpt:
Once they got inside the cafeteria, they went their separate ways to order their lunches. Stacey came back as Radhika was waiting on the veggie burger she’d ordered. “Did you get fries to go with that?”
“Yes.”
“Can you get a second order? I’ve been dying for some.”
“Sure.” She put in the request and they came up with the burger.
They went through the check out and Radhika put it all on her company account. They found an empty table over in one of the corners. Less chance of being interrupted. “How did the segment go?”
“Really good. I managed to get in all of the information I wanted to about the show and we still had a little time left over, so I talked a bit about how part of the proceeds go to help charity.”
“That’s great.”
“Yeah. Hopefully, if someone doesn’t go to the play, they’ll still consider donating.” She lifted one shoulder and dug into her bowl of chicken noodle soup.
The noise level in the cafeteria lifted like a small wave building into a bigger one. Radhika looked over and quickly found the reason. Colm. She wondered if this was his first turn in the cafeteria. Like
if he knew that tour groups sometimes ended up here. Today, there was a bunch of high schoolers and some family groups. High-pitched squeals echoed every few seconds as he stopped to take pictures she was sure would be posted to the internet right after he walked away.
“Wow. Is that him?”
Radhika turned back to find Stacey staring at Colm slack jawed. “Mm-hmmm.”
Stacey leaned in. “And you hit that?” She held up her hand for a high-five.
Radhika let her hang.
“Hey, I’m trying to congratulate you.”
“You realize that’s crass.”
“So?” She pointed at her still raised hand with her other index finger. “High-five back, bitch.”
Purchase Links:
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About the Author:
Foiled in her attempts to pursue a career in Forensic Anthropology due to a fatal incomprehension of calculus, Kelly turned to a life of telling people where to go, AKA librarianship. She then took another page out of her idol Indiana Jones’ playbook and renamed herself after the dog, writing tales of romance of varying heat levels and erotica. She currently splits her time working on new writing projects and at the day job in a federal library in Washington, DC.
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