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The author has been contacted and your books are on their way!
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Friday, May 30, 2014
Winner!
Congratulations Mary P!
The author has been contacted and your ebook will be on it's way!
Happy Reading!
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Release Day Blitz: Unseen by Lauren Stewart
This blitz is presented by Bewitching Book Tours.
Click HERE for more tour information and another spot for the rafflecopter giveaway.
Unseen: The
Heights
Volume
1
Lauren
Stewart
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal
Romance
Publisher: Off the Hook
Publishing
Date of Publication: May 29, 2014
Number of pages: ~386
Book
Description
An invisible wall built from the
tears of those touched by death
An impossible love as divided as
the world around them.
After Addison finds a
nearly-dusted vampire in the garbage outside her building, her ability to stay
off the supernatural world’s radar is deader than the vamp. Almost as dead as
she’ll be if anyone thinks she put him there. Should she finish the job
somebody else screwed up or move him somewhere humans won’t find him? To keep the
Heights hidden, she may have shoved a stake into her own chest. Just when she
thinks her life couldn’t possibly get any more dangerous, she finds out who he
is.
As vampire king and Prime to all
supernatural beings in the North American zone, Rhyse is accustomed to getting
what he wants without asking. But he neither wanted nor asked to be wounded in
an ambush, waking up chained to a bed with a hole in his chest. Unfortunately,
he needs help to discover who tried to kill him. But worse than that, his only
ally is his captor, someone unaware she has the power to destroy their entire
world.
As a prophesized war brews in the
Heights, Addison and Rhyse must decide which carries more risk—trusting someone
who could destroy you or trusting someone who could love you?
Excerpt:
Addison backed
up until she hit the counter. It was over. It had been over ever since those
chains came off. Ever since she brought him into her apartment. Into her life.
“I saved you. I
could’ve left you outside until the sun came up.”
“I imagine you
wish you had.”
“Can you…can you
not kill me? Just take some, but not all?”
Rhyse brushed
her hair behind her shoulder and curled his fingers around the nape of her
neck, whispering, “Do you trust me that much?”
“I don’t even
trust you a little.” She felt the sting of tears. “I don’t want to be turned.
If you drain me, let me die.”
He ran his other
hand up her shoulder, to her throat and slowly closed his fingers around it.
One move and her neck would break. “To drain you I would have to drink from
you. And that, my pet, I will not do.”
She didn’t know
what he meant but now seemed like a bad time to argue.
“Did you know
what you are? How many of you exist?”
She didn’t
answer. Partially because speaking required the air he was cutting off. Then
his hands were gone, just like the rest of him.
Was it over?
When one of the
women behind the counter moaned, Addison went to make sure they were alright.
Rhyse was on top
of one of them, his fangs obviously burrowed in her neck. The woman moaned
again, her legs wrapping around him. One hand clutched his shoulder and the
other slapped the wall, searching for a hold.
It had to have
been shock that made it impossible to look away. Or run away. The woman’s moans
got louder, then crested, and her body went limp. Not in a dead way, but in an
I-just-had-the-best-orgasm-of-my-life way.
Get out of here.
“Leave and they
will die.” His voice stopped her after only two steps. “Stay and they will wake
up from a very pleasant, very erotic dream.”
She grinded her
teeth when she heard another moan. He must have moved on to the other woman.
With two to feed from, there was less of a chance he would drain them, but…
“Why should I trust you?”
The woman’s
moans stopped and she whined, “No.”
“I do not care
if you trust me,” he said. “Only that you obey me.”
“Fuck you.” But
she didn’t move. “Are they alive?”
“Of course. It
is against the law to kill humans.”
“Then let me
go.”
“You are not
human, Addison.” His voice came from just over her shoulder.
“I am. I promise. Totally human.” Somehow he’d
missed the fact that seers were human, despite her telling him at least five
times.
She heard the
shuffling of fabric and looked down to see him wrapping his already-bloody
shirt around the arm she’d cut. He tied a knot with the sleeves and pulled it
tight. There was no part of this that she understood.
She sucked in a
breath when he put his hands on her hipbones. Then another as they slid to her
belly and down, pressing her back into him. She felt his heat and a vibration
on her back as he made a sound similar to a cat’s purr but scarier. Clenching
her eyes shut, she waited for death.
“You should
thank them.” His voice was all sex. Dangerous, risky, awesome sex. “They just
saved your life.”
They did? “Thank
you,” she called out with a shaking voice. “Now that your belly’s full, how
about you back off a little?”
“I should kill
you, Addison.”
“I’m going to
have to disagree with you about that.”
After a moment
he stepped away, sighing as if he just made a really tough decision and wasn’t
sure it was the right one.
“So,” she said,
heading for the door, “it seems like you’re feeling better which is great. I’m
really happy for you. Since you don’t need me anymore, I’m gonna go now. I’ll
see you around.”
“Come to me,
Addison.” His eyes were back to their original inhumanly beautiful color.
Though he didn’t quite look calm, he looked satisfied.
“No.”
“Come to me or I
will snap your neck.”
“Okay.”
“If you had
simply brought a human to me, this all could have been avoided.”
“I was just
thinking the same thing.” Total lie—she wasn’t thinking a goddamn thing
besides, “Shiiiiit!”
“You and I have
things to discuss, and a few memories to alter along the way back to your
home.”
Damn it on many
counts. “Alter or wipe?”
“Alter, of
course. Although my strength has returned, wiping that many minds would still
be highly taxing. I prefer to save my power for other activities.”
Like…? Nah, she
didn’t want to know.
He opened the door and gestured for her to go
first. Which he’d probably never done before. Minions opened doors for him and
she doubted chivalry ranked high on his list of valuable traits. But she went
because when you gotta go, you gotta go.
“Did you know?”
he asked.
What was it with
that question? “Know what? That your victims come while you feed? Yeah, I heard
it happens occasionally.”
“Always. They
always come while I feed. If it were possible, I would show you.”
“I just heard
more proof than I wanted to, thanks.”
“I have no doubt
that it would be far more enjoyable to feel you come than to hear her do it.”
About
the Author:
Lauren Stewart lives in Northern
California with two of the most amazing children that the world has ever seen.
She reads almost every genre so, naturally, her writing reflects that. With
every book, every story, you'll find elements of other genres--fantasy,
mystery, romance, paranormal, suspense, YA, women's literature, all with a
touch of humor because what doesn't kill us should make us laugh.
@ReadLaurenS
Tour
giveaway
5 ebook copies of Unseen
Wednesday, May 28, 2014
Entangled Publishing Select's May Releases!
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Whether you’re looking for a romance that makes you laugh, makes you ‘walk the plank’, keeps you guessing, or stars your favorite paranormal, look no further. Select books have the single-title stories you crave, and the longer length you need to really get ‘lost’ in a great book. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.
Today I'm happy to be featuring Select's May releases:
 |
 |
| A Hornet Novel
Available in Print and eCopy! Find out more! Giveaway |
A Sanctify Novel
Available in Print and eCopy! Find out more! Giveaway |
 |
 |
| Never show fear to a demon.
Special $0.99 Introductory Price! Find out more! Giveaway |
Save the Dragons Special $0.99 Introductory Price! Find out more! Giveaway |
 |
 |
| A week together could be just the cure she needs... Only 99 Cents! Find out more! Giveaway |
It's never the same old song... Only 99 Cents! Find out more! Giveaway |
 |
Fall in love, save some immortal souls, break a curse... No problem. Special $0.99 Introductory Price! Find out more! Giveaway |
Plus don't miss these two special events!
Cover Reveal: The Uprising by Adrianne James
The
Uprising
Mackenzie
Duncan Series
Book 3
Adrianne
James
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Star Bound Books
Date of Publication: June 30, 2014
Cover Artist: Gonet Design
Book Description:
Ever since Mackenzie Duncan watched her
skin knit together after being ripped apart by a blood thirsty Werewolf, her
life has been anything but normal. After being part of a pack with more secrets
than the FBI, Mackenzie left and tried not to look back.
Her old pack leader Margaret, a Royal
wolf hungry to regain the throne and rule over all the world’s Werewolves, made
that impossible. Figuring out who to trust was full of heart break, but moving
forward left her with a clear path ahead.
After Mackenzie found out that she, too,
is part of the Royal blood line and that she had inadvertently endangered every
pack she came into contact with, she feels that it is her duty to help stop
Margaret at all costs before any more blood was shed or another life was lost.
Despite traveling the world with Liam,
the man she loves, her life is in danger at every turn in her hunt for other
Werewolves willing to stand against Margaret. Who better to fight then the
blood line that shunned the role of power centuries ago?
Bloody battles surround her at every turn
and when Mackenzie thinks all is lost, she has to find a way to embrace her
past and accept her future.
About the
Author:
Growing up, Adrianne couldn't get her
hands on enough books to satisfy her need for the make believe. If she finished
a novel and didn't have a new one ready and waiting for her, she began to
create her own tales of magic and wonder. Now, as an adult, books still make up
majority of her free time, and now her tales get written down to be shared with
the world.
During the day, Adrianne uses her camera
to capture life's stories for clients of all ages and at night, after her two
children are tucked in bed; she devotes herself to her written work. Adrianne
is living the life she always wanted, surrounded by art and beauty, the written
word and a loving family.
As a young adult and new adult author,
Adrianne James has plans to bring stories of growing characters, a little
romance, and perhaps a little magic and mythology down the line for her readers
to enjoy.
Tuesday, May 27, 2014
Book Release Day! Solomon's Sieve by Victoria Danann (Giveaway Today ONLY)
Check out more release day news and celebration HERE!
Solomon’s Sieve by Victoria Danann
When Sovereign Solomon Nemamiah lay dying on a beach under an overturned vehicle with his fiancé helplessly sobbing next to him, he made a vow to himself that he would refuse to stay in some arbitrary afterlife. He silently promised to return and finish what he started with The Order of the Black Swan and the love of his life. When the new Sovereign of Jefferson Unit begins saying and doing things that remind people of Sol, it raises suspicion in the minds of people who were closest to him.
The mutated and more aggressive strain of vampire virus surges back to the forefront of The Order’s priorities forcing retirees to be recalled and trainees to be inducted earlier than ever before.
Meanwhile, The Order sends Z Team with its newest member, Glendennon Catch, to escort new recruit, Dr. Mercedes Renaux, to Bulgaria. Her mission is to shut down and investigate an archeological site that may contain irrefutable evidence that vampire exist. Their mission is to protect her.
PUBLISHER: 7th House (Imprint of Andromeda LLC)
90,000 words
E-BOOK RETAILERS: Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Smashwords, and KOBO
E-BOOK RETAILERS: Amazon, B&N, iTunes, Smashwords, and KOBO
BLOG: http://VictoriaDanann.me
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: www.facebook.com/vdanann
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE:www.facebook.com/victoria.danann.9
GOODREADS FAN GROUP:https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/108735-victoria-danann-order-of-the-black-swanTWITTER: @vdanann
FACEBOOK FAN PAGE: www.facebook.com/vdanann
FACEBOOK AUTHOR PAGE:www.facebook.com/victoria.danann.9
GOODREADS FAN GROUP:https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/108735-victoria-danann-order-of-the-black-swanTWITTER: @vdanann
Thursday, May 22, 2014
Book Spotlight: Manroot by Anne Steinberg (ebook giveaway)
Manroot is the evocative and stirring story of a
lonely town in Missouri, and a young woman named Katherine who discovers a
mystical side to herself that she’d never known existed. Anne Steinberg
weaves together fantasy, romance, and a young girl’s coming of age into a
darkly magical story.
Synopsis:
In the spring of 1939, Katherine Sheahan and her
father, Jesse, are looking for work in the isolated tourist town of Castlewood.
Jesse gets a job as handyman and Katherine as a maid at a small hotel. Jesse
drinks and neglects his work and eventually disappears, abandoning his
daughter. Frieda Broom, the hotel Manager, takes Katherine under her wing, and
teaches her about ginseng, the manroot, and other secrets of the foothills.
Katherine discovers that she is a natural healer and has the ability to
communicate with spirits, a gift she inherited from her Navajo Indian mother.
Among the hotels regular clientele is Judge
William Reardon. Escaping his sterile marriage, he becomes captivated by
Katherine. As the pair bond over astrology and gardening, Katherine
becomes convinced they belong together, despite him being much older than her
and married. As they begin to fall in love, the violence of dark magic
threatens to annihilate all Katherine knows and holds dear. Can their love
survive?
Manroot
is a potent tale of destiny, spiritualism and love, written in Anne Steinberg’s
signature compelling style. The kindle version was published March 2014 and is
available for sale on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Manroot-Anne-Steinberg-ebook/dp/B00J1BPZJA
Excerpt:
Working alone in the
kitchen, Katherine scrubbed it clean. Looking up at the calendar, she knew
tomorrow was Friday. The Judge was one of the few people who stopped here
regularly, even now, in late autumn. Perhaps it was telling Sally that had
started it all, for now her thoughts of the Judge were like a fever that stayed
with her. Last Friday when she took him his bourbon and spring water, she
noticed it for the first time, the birthmark. It was on his right hand, so
clear and vivid that she had almost dropped the tray. He had smiled at her
nervousness, called her ‘my dear,’ and given her a silver dollar for a tip.
Katherine slept
restlessly; she dreamed of the Oh mu and heard its moan of agony echoing in her
sleep. She dreamed of Papa floating in the muddy river, caught and held under
by a treacherous branch, his eyes vacant pools staring upward through the
water. It was so real that in the morning when the siren from the firehouse
once again split the air, she rushed into the kitchen where Frieda was telling
Bruce, “You be careful…another one’s gone and gave herself to the river. It was
a suicide, a painted woman from the Eagle’s nest…” Frieda shivered as she told
the story the way that she had heard it from the postman. The woman in the
night had cut her wrists, but the dying was too slow, so she ran from the
clubhouse, perched only for a moment on the railing, then jumped headlong into
the cold water.
Katherine moved slowly
this morning. Frieda fussed at her, but knowing the girl had never been lazy,
she thought the drowning must have upset her or maybe she was coming down with
something.
The guests were all
gone. They only expected one tonight – Judge Reardon. They’d have time to go
into the woods today, hunting for herbs and the manroot. But Frieda went alone
as the girl looked a bit too peaked.
Alone, Katherine
cleaned the rooms again; it took no time, for they were already clean. She
lingered in Number 8, The Judge’s room.
She knew a lot about
him now, and she felt a very real presence that he left in the room. She knew
intimate things about him – like the size of his shirts, the smell of his
aftershave, which side of the bed he slept on, how he preferred his coffee, the
brand of cigarettes that he smoked…numerous details about him that she had
collected bit by bit, saving them in her mind and in her dreams, like pennies
to be spent at a later date.
He knew nothing of her
dusting his dresser, straightening the bed after he had risen. He was not aware
that while he was out, she pressed his shirts to her lips, inhaling his aroma,
and sat on the bed in the same crevices his body had made over the years that
he had slept here. Now she knew with the wisdom and instinct of centuries, she
knew that what would be, would be.
Last week for the
first time she had seen it, the birthmark, on his right hand. It was paler than
the surrounding skin, crescent-shaped like a slice of the moon, and within its
outline, unmistakable, a perfect five-pointed star. She knew its shape by
heart, as just above her right breast she had its identical replica.
The Navajo blood
flowed strongly in her veins, with all its beliefs in the signs, even though
her father had tried vainly to smother these strange alien traits. Since her
childhood she had believed that she could speak to animals, and she could find
herbs hiding under any rock and knew exactly what they would cure.
She stayed dreaming in
the Judge’s room until she heard Frieda calling her. The woman had returned
from the woods, carrying a full burlap sack.
“You should have come
today…I found it…the time is ripe, and you’re much quicker than I. You would
have climbed the higher spots where it grows.”
Placing the sack on
the table, she pulled out one root. “It’s perfect…it’s prime, probably ten or
fifteen years old.” She held the root up to the light. Its torso similar but
lighter in color than a carrot, with no hint of orange, just tannish-brown, the
root seemed to have two arms, two legs, and a fine network of tendrils. It
appeared to be a miniature figure of a headless man.
“What is it?”
Katherine questioned as she stared at the unusual root.
“It’s a manroot!”
“The manroot,”
Katherine repeated, liking the sound of the word and feeling it described the
plant perfectly. “It seems as if it could contain magic?” she said, as she
gingerly touched it with a timid finger.
“Oh, they say it does.
It works wonders. The Orientals prize its properties – to them it is also the
love root. It does many things, cures most anything that ails you. For me it
lines my pockets – Bailey’s general store pays about four dollars a pound.”
Emptying the sack on the counter, Frieda explained, “You can’t let it get damp
– it ruins the root.” She began taking them out, examining and inspecting and
drying each root with a clean dish-towel.
“They’re not all like
this one, that’s special. Some don’t come with the likeness of arms and legs,
some just look like a pale carrot…but the old ones, the very special ones do.
Here, Katherine – take it, it’s yours.”
They sat at the table
and by habit Katherine helped her.
“If you weren’t such a
lazy girl, you could have come with me today. When these are dry, I’m sure
Bailey’s will be paying twenty dollars or so for the batch.”
“Twenty dollars?”
“Yes, ma’am!” She knew
the girl wasn’t lazy; it was her way of trying to shake her out of the
listlessness. “Put on the kettle, Katherine. I’ll slip a little of the root in
it. That will perk you up.”
They drank the tea,
and Frieda continued drying the root. She did a rare thing: she hummed as she
dried the fine tendrils.
“It takes time for the
manroot to grow. You shouldn’t harvest a root less than seven years old, and
you must always plant the seed when you harvest – each red berry has two seeds
– not deep, just under the leaves. It’s a sin…to harvest and not plant the
seed,” she said solemnly.
Katherine watched the
clock. “I better put on my uniform. The Judge…”
“No need to. When I
was coming in, he was headed for the Eagle’s Nest. He told me he wouldn’t be
wanting any supper.”
Katherine’s face fell
with disappointment.
In previous gossip
from Frieda, Katherine had learned that the Judge lived twenty miles up the
road with a wife who was said to be fragile since the births of her two stillborn
sons. There was not much in these parts that the Judge did not own; he was
rich, well-liked, respected, and known to be a fair man. Remarkably young to be
a judge, no one faulted him for his tendencies to card-playing, drinking
whiskey, and relieving himself with the local women. A lesser man with these
leanings would be called no account, but he was, after all, the Judge, and this
title brought with it a tendency to look at vices as virtues.
It was just another
Friday. Destiny waited for her; she felt it close, closer than it had ever
been.
The hotel was quiet.
There were no guests and the only person staying was the Judge, who would be
out late.
Katherine played the
radio softly, dancing about the room, pretending she was at Castlewood waltzing
under the lanterns with him. She put the perfect manroot in the Valentine box
with her other things. After midnight when he rang, Katherine shook the sleep
from herself when she realized the bell from Room 8 was ringing.
She owned no robe, and
the persistent ringing threatened to wake Mr. Taylor. She flew up to the
Judge’s room and knocked timidly, aware that her hair was down, and she was in
her nightgown. It was plain enough – white cotton, sturdy and sensible.
He opened the door to
her. He seemed surprised.
“I’m sorry, sir,
everyone is asleep,” she said, not really knowing how to apologize for her
attire.
He blinked at her, his
hair ruffled, his shirt-tail out; she had never seen him like this.
“You’re new?”
“No, sir I’m
Katherine. It was late; I didn’t have time to put on the uniform.”
He nodded and leaned
forward studying her face. “Come in.” She did so, but left the door open.
“Sit down,” he said.
She could tell he was very drunk. She sat timidly in the vanity chair. He paced
the floor unsteadily, running his fingers through his hair. “It’s my head… I
have a headache that won’t stop. I thought maybe you had something in the
kitchen.”
He kept pacing. “I
went out tonight, trying to forget. I’ve drunk a lot…it doesn’t stop…my head
hurts so.”
“Sir, I could go look,
or…” She wondered if she should chance it – maybe he would laugh. “My
grandmother had a remedy that always worked.”
He stopped pacing.
“Yes? What is it?”
“Well,” she said, “if
you rub your thumbs vigorously for a few minutes, it has something to do with the
blood flow…if that didn’t work, then a leaf of boiled cabbage on the forehead
never failed.”
He smiled and stopped.
“Well, try it.” He pulled up a chair in front of her and held out his thumbs.
She blushed. She
hadn’t meant that she should rub his thumbs, but he was there across from her,
waiting.
She reached forward,
and with a firm grip clasped his thumbs and rubbed vigorously, while he leaned
back and shut his eyes. She alternated between each thumb. It seemed natural to
her to be touching him.
“Do you know what it’s
like to play God?” he asked abruptly.
Startled, she didn’t
know if he was really talking to her, but she replied, “No, sir, I don’t.”
“Well, I do, and it’s
not pleasant, not pleasant at all… Today I’ve sent a man to the gas chamber –
well, not me personally, but the jury.”
“I’m sorry, sir,” she
said quietly.
“Stop saying ‘sir’ –
my name’s William. The Judge…sir…that’s somebody else. I don’t feel like a
judge right now. I never wanted to be a judge.” He opened his eyes and she drew
back.
“Do you know what it
feels like to judge other people?”
“No, si–” She stopped
herself. “No, I don’t.”
He looked down at her
hands. “Don’t stop. By god, I think it helps!” He closed his eyes once more and
held out his thumbs to her. The house was quiet. Somewhere a nightbird called;
the ticking of the clock in the hall kept time in its steady rhythm, and
Katherine felt the sound of their breathing in tune.
About the Author:
While
living in England, Anne Steinberg’s first novel, Manroot was
published by Headline Review in London. Manroot was heralded
as an important first novel in 1994 and included in the Headline Review’s
prestigious “Fiction without Frontiers,” a new wave of contemporary fiction
that knows no limits. Eight modern storytellers were featured: Anne Steinberg,
Margaret Atwood, Iain Banks, William Gibson, Peter Hoeg, Roddy Doyle, and E.
Annie Proulx. It was an auspicious beginning to a long and varied career for
Anne Steinberg, who went on to write several acclaimed novels, Every
Town Needs A Russian Tea Room, the story of a wealthy socialite who
falls in love with a penniless young Russian immigrant who is haunted by a
bizarre shameful secret, The Cuckoos Gift, First Hands, and An
Eye For An Ear. She is also coauthor of The Fence, written
with her grandson Nicholas Reuel Tolkien, the great grandson of J.R.R. Tolkien.
Nicholas is a filmmaker, director, and published poet. The Fence is
a chilling story of a magnificent Gothic fence forged by a despicable
blacksmith and infused with evil.
Anne
was a partner in the world famous vintage clothing store, Steinberg &
Tolkien, on Kings Road in Chelsea. After a successful run for over 20 years,
the shop closed, and she returned to the US. Approaching her eighty-second
birthday, she now writes, reads, and studies antiques, American Indian history,
animal welfare, mythology, and folklore legends.
Anne
recently re-released Manroot in kindle format.
It was published March 2014 and is available for sale on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Manroot-Anne-Steinberg-ebook/dp/B00J1BPZJA
Wednesday, May 21, 2014
Blog Tour: Blackmailed by the Billionaire Brewer by Rachel Lyndhurst
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Welcome to The Wormhole.
I am pleased to spotlight Rachel Lyndhurst and Blackmailed.
Rachel lives, and writes, surrounded by
laundry and old newspapers most of the time with her daughter, son and The Exec
in Fareham, on the south coast of England. Sometimes she can smell the sea from
her back garden and she has grand designs on a luxurious garden office one day.
When not working, she enjoys a good rummage
through a decent antique shop. Oh, and wine and expensive lipstick are
non-negotiable.
She loves to chat to her from her readers
and can be found at all the places below:
Giveaway details: Kindle 10 Indulgence Books (winner’s choice) US only.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Piper Reilly is in trouble. She needs a
cash infusion, and she’s just left a scorching hot man in Florida to get her
life in Colorado back on track. Then her surfside one-night-stand turns out to
be her new boss, billionaire Matt DeLeo, with an offer she can’t refuse—agree
to be the face of his brewery’s newest concoction or lose her job. A few weeks
modelling for the billionaire playboy and her money worries are over, and she
can definitely resist Matt’s gorgeous smile and muscular, tattooed arms—it’s strictly
business.
Matt
DeLeo is in trouble. He’s found the perfect woman to sell Passion Creek
Brewery’s newest brew, but if he wants her on his posters, he’ll have to keep
his hands to himself. But all he wants to do is drink in Piper. And once the
launch is over, it will take more than blackmail for Matt to get his way.
Excerpt from Blackmailed by the Billionaire Brewer
by Rachel Lyndhurst
Copyright © 2014 by Rachel Lyndhurst. All rights
reserved, including the right to reproduce, distribute, or transmit in any form
or by any means. For information regarding subsidiary rights, please contact
the Publisher.
...from Chapter One
She was real…
Matt
DeLeo, ex-IT entrepreneur and billionaire microbrewer, clutched a paper bag of
groceries to his chest as he jogged along Periwinkle Avenue, Sanibel. The early
morning Florida sunshine was warm on his face and a grin spread across his
lips.
No
doubt about it: he was wide awake and his dream woman really did exist. The
flame-haired goddess he’d left sleeping in his bed fifteen minutes earlier had
soft curves, fragrant skin, and a cinnamon-sweet mouth. Even her name sent
shivers of pleasure up his spine. Piper…Piper Reilly, the supple shell collector
he’d watched from a distance over the last six days, was a revelation. When
she’d finally stepped into the Parrot Bar last night and asked for a Long Slow
Comfortable Screw Up Against a Cold Hard Wall with a Kiss, it was as if an
atomic sex bomb had exploded in the room. She had stolen his breath and now,
after a night of passion he would never forget, he was just a few yards away
from breaking one of his own rules of engagement with women.
He
was going to make the green-eyed siren breakfast.
He
knew little about Piper Reilly, but he did know she didn’t drink beer and she
hated the color pink. No problem, he could fix that. Living in Florida, she’d
clearly never tasted any of his Colorado microbrewery’s beer.
Today,
he felt great. This was the life, the reason why he’d made his millions in IT,
quit working for other people, and started his own business. Three years of
twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week had taken its toll, and he deserved
his reward. And the best things had been worth waiting for: freedom,
philanthropy, and now, the perfect woman. He’d been imagining her for so long
and now she had walked into his life.
He’d
done the right thing coming south to scout new opportunities for his brewery
business. Life was good here, the sun shone, and people drank a lot of beer. He
only had to finish the big spring beer launch back in Colorado and then he’d
start Project Florida. And Project Piper. He’d come back in a few weeks and
they could pick up where they’d left off.
Except
he didn’t want to leave her for more than fifteen minutes. He had to go back to
Passion Creek, because he had commitments and jobs to secure in Colorado before
he moved on. There was no way around that unless she went with him. He bit down
on his bottom lip. “Now why would a girl I’ve only just met want to do
something as crazy as that?” He realized he was talking out loud and clamped
his jaw shut.
He’d
offer her the trip of a lifetime, all expenses paid, and tempt her back to Colorado
with him. She’d laughed in his face the previous night when he’d told her he
was a retired computer tycoon who tended bar from time to time just for fun. He
hadn’t wanted anyone to know he was checking out the Sanibel bar scene
undercover. He’d tell her the truth over breakfast.
She
was self-employed, so if she came to Colorado with him, he’d introduce her to
more business contacts than she could ever dream of getting on her own. And,
God, she was gorgeous. Stunning enough to be a top model…
“Holy
crap.” Matt’s feet left the ground as he punched the air. He could see it now
as clear as day; she’d be the perfect woman to advertise his new beer.
Passion
Creek Brewery discovers America’s favorite poster girl…you’re still a genius,
man!
Why
would she turn down an all-expenses-paid trip to Colorado that promised fame
and fortune? She wouldn’t, he knew it.
“Have
I got a surprise for you, Miss Reilly,” he murmured as he reached the back
steps of his rented condo.
Breakfast
in bed and an offer you can’t refuse.
Matt
hitched the groceries against his ribs and let himself into the small condo.
Silence. The bag crackled annoyingly in the narrow kitchenette, and the coffee
machine was making loud noises. His heart beat faster as he peered around the
doorframe toward the living area with the fold-down bed. Cold air swept down
over his brow. The bed was empty. The bathroom door was wide open to show that
it, too, was empty. There was no note, just the faintest trace of her melon
scent.
Blood
pounded in his ears as a cold, rational voice in his head chimed that one-night
stands were like that. People just got up and left sometimes, and he should
know because he’d done it enough times himself. Why would this be any
different? Except it was different. It wasn’t
him who’d walked out the door. Karma had sneaked up behind him and bitten him
right on the ass.
He
slid his hand into his back pocket and the corner of a business card pricked
the tip of his middle finger. Phew. It was still there.
All he needed to track her down.
And
he would. What was the point of being rich if you couldn’t find the one woman
you needed?
…
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