Melissa Keir-Small Town Romance Author
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Melissa's Musings

Ava fights like a Girl! #Cover_Reveal

2/27/2020

 
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Being a girl can be seen as a detriment. After all, women didn't get the right to vote until after male slaves were given the right to vote. But Ava is a girl who you wouldn't want to make mad. She's faced the loss of her town and family when her father is murdered. But like Mulan, she steps up and takes matters into her own hands. 

Jules Adrienn's upcoming release is one for fans of strong female characters. The story is still a romance but one where the heroine is able to stand on her own. She's on a quest and won't let anything stop her from getting her vengeance and finding a new home for her loved ones. 

Coming in one month, Ava the Brave is sure to become a new favorite of yours!

Blurb:
Sixteen-year-old Ava Phoenix’s unlikely defeat of the grand praetorian’s son in a fighting contest triggers her father’s murder and an official decree to destroy her village. Together with her first love, Beau, she races across a post-apocalyptic landscape to save her village while being hunted by her dystopian world’s deadliest teenage warriors.

Heart-rending loss, romance, and an unjust world combine to create a heroine who rises above violence even as she dispenses justice. Ava the Brave shows how a warrior’s heart can be lost and rediscovered even in the most savage of lands. 

Praise:
"From the first blows dealt at the champion contest, readers will be hooked on Ava's quest to avenge her father and clear the reputation of her village. This neo-medieval, dystopian genre blender will keep readers wondering what's next for Ava long after they've turned the final page." Colleen Clayton, YA author of WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

"You'll want to fight alongside Ava, cheer for her brave warriors, and join the adventure of a lifetime in this exciting debut novel." Abigail Drake, Best-Selling Author



Preorder Today!
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About the Author:
Jules Adrienn is the Young Adult fiction-writing alter ego of an award-winning author from the Midwest. She’s a world traveler, a homebody, a belly-laugher, a bawler, a lover, and a fighter. Stay tuned in to her latest adventures in writing (and life)—she’s always up to something.
 
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/julesadrienn/
Twitter:
twitter.com/AdriennJules
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/JulesAdrienn/
 

 

Don't Close Yourself Off from Love #new_release

2/17/2020

 
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We've all been there. At the end of a relationship, our heart broken, afraid to try again. But I'm here to tell you not to give up on love. 

As a romance reader, the best stories come about when two people meet and sparks fly. Sometimes fate plays a hand in the match up or when we see someone we know in a different light. 

No matter how broken our hearts... keep hoping and looking for love. 

Suze Robinson's latest release- What Happens After This makes you want to believe in love. Her heroine is dealing with pain and hides her heart. Yet fate plays a part and love finds them....

Blurb:
A chance encounter with a hunky dad threatens to tear down every wall she built.

The Pacific Northwest is the best place for me to hide from my past. I’m content holding up pretenses with my heart buried deeply in darkness.

When I meet Parker Maxwell, a flirty lawyer and single dad, the new life I’ve built is tested. With his witty charm and gorgeous eyes, he steals my attention when he makes me laugh again.

But I walk away.

Fate has a different plan when he turns out to be the best man in my friend’s wedding. I can’t escape him, and he’s determined to plant himself in my life.

There’s an undeniable connection, a growing friendship, and I can’t resist his kisses any longer.

But when the secrets and mistakes from my past return, the ones I ran away from, will they be too much for Parker to take?
 
EXCERPT
 
“Thanks for letting me know. I’ve been cooking for a while, so I can handle King Salmon.” The boy gives a shy smile and pushes his dark brown hair from his brow. He’s about to add more when a new voice cuts in. “Did you just spark up a conversation with a beautiful woman by spilling trivial facts about fish?”
 
I glance behind the boy and all thoughts pause in my mind so quickly I think the man fried every active brain cell I have.

He’s captured me in a goddamn tractor beam. His eyes stay on mine, and laughter dances in their blue depths. He continues to stare, and I do the same. If he’s taking an unabashed look, I’ll return the sentiment. There’s an underlying weight on his shoulders and a sadness drawn in the dark circles under his eyes, but at this moment, he takes the opportunity to smile. That’s the one sentiment I don’t return.
 
He pats the boy on the shoulder and continues his razzing. “You must teach me your ways.”
 
I laugh. It’s a small, soft chuckle. I shake my head and turn away to continue my shopping. I’ll spare the boy any further harassment from his father. I barely make it down to the other end of the fish section before the man catches up and grabs my arm to stop me.
 
“Wait, please. Can I at least get your name?”
The boy sneaks up behind him with a knowing look.
 
“Ah, no. You’re nowhere near as charming as your son.” I walk past the gorgeous man and shake the boy’s hand. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” I pause for his response.
 
“Ashton.”
 
“It was a pleasure to meet you, Ashton. I’m Aria.” He shakes my hand and laughs at my brush-off toward his father. Well, I’m almost certain Ashton is his son because they have the same eyes. There’s an endless depth to the shade of blue, like a midnight sky.
 


Now Available! Download to your EReader Today!

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​

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About the Author:
Suze Robinson, Contemporary Romance author, debuts her second novel—What Happens After This—a sweet slow burn with lovable and powerful women, hot drool-worthy book boyfriends, and the right amount of steamy romance that leaves you wanting more!
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She lives in the Midwest with her husband and daughter. You can find her at suzerobinson.com or on social media.

 

A Surprising Tale  #true_story

2/13/2020

 
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I am absolutely in love with this book. Laurel, the author is the most generous woman as well. She literally travels halfway around the world to help others. But it was her amazing book which got me thinking....

Love is a River is her latest and it has a Civil War twist. A ghostly visitor. 

Back in the day, when I was teaching full time, I used to use a wonderful chapter book titled Ghost Cadet as a part of my literacy block. This book was so compelling that I received an email many years later that one of my former students had been so excited about the book that he actually joined the military academy which occurred in the book! Yes, a real place with a real academy and my very real student had ended up going there. 

Now fast forward to Laurel's amazing book with a Civil War twist. I'm almost expecting to get an email in a few years that someone will have made a decision based off this book!! Hopefully the email will have that strong love connection that Love is a River has!

Blurb:
Love dies with Abby’s father. The return of her mother after a twelve-year absence brings more grief. And the move to a dilapidated house along the Youghiogheny River bike trail is an exile.

When blond, blue-eyed Jack rides into Abby’s life, it’s like the sun has been restored to her world. Bit by bit, hints of a darker side to his personality appear. She struggles to deny them, even while her best friend, Morton, grows increasingly mistrustful of the handsome stranger.

Abby uncovers a mystery from the Civil War era in a nearby cemetery, which brings her only moments of peace. Cool caresses and the whispered call, “Abigail…“ send her digging into the past.
​
But as Jack’s motives become ever more unclear, the love Abby hoped for seems impossible. And leads her to a life or death choice. Will love be her salvation … or her demise?




Now available for preorder
Releases in one month is print and ebook!

Amazon
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About the Author:
Laurel has been writing since the age of six, when Crawls the Caterpillar inched across her lined notebook paper propelled by a fat yellow pencil. She has published magazine and newspaper articles as well as blog posts with AllthewayYA, seapc.org, and on her website. Her portfolio includes multiple children’s stories from picture books, to Middle Grade, to Young Adult.  The Girl With Chameleon Eyes debuted with Inkspell Publishing in March of 2018.

In addition to writing, her passion is for travel to exotic locations around the globe. The people she meets, the places she visits, and the quirky way she looks at life all inspire her work. She loves complex characters and intricate plots that mesh into multifaceted books, melding romance, mystery, adventure, and history.

Laurel was a chosen participant at Better Books, a craft-based workshop near San Francisco. She is active in the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, and has been a presenter at their Fall SCBWI Conference In Pittsburgh.

When she’s not deep into a writing project, Laurel is a medical missions’ nurse, traveling for Southeast Asia Prayer Center, Hope in Haiti, Caring Hearts, and Convoy of Hope. She lives in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, with her husband and their fur baby, Mable. All of that, plus she’s the world’s biggest fan of chocolate milkshakes and hugs.
 
Website:      www.laurelhouckpages.com
Facebook:    Laurel Houck
Twitter:       @LaurelHouck
Instagram:  laurelscottage
 

Happy Book Birthday Compulsion!

2/10/2020

 
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Each day an author sees their book in the store is a wondrous day! Today as Compulsion is released we celebrate but also feel sad. Compulsion is the prequel for a series which is now complete. 

In Compulsion, we travel to the underwater world where it all began, where Miranda and Marko found their love. We see how history began for the mermaids. 

Blurb: 
Dive in deep to where it all began… a Submerged Sun Series prequel.

Nada is seventeen and hungry for adventure when handsome, blue eyed stranger Frano Tollin arrives on the shores of the Adriatic island paradise Nada calls home.

After a short courtship he whisks her away to a glittering underwater city, promising Nada a lifetime of adventure, excitement and most important of all, love.

At first, Nada feels as though she is living a dream, but when Frano's hunger for power takes a dark, obsessive turn, Nada begins to seek comfort in the arms of the one boy he forbids her to know, his mute younger brother, Lukas.

Will Nada return to her husband’s side, in hopes to break him free from his dark obsessions, or will she choose the forbidden Lukas, in hopes of finding the love she so desperately seeks…
 

Excerpt:
Don’t be frightened,’ he said, his deep voice softening. ‘I always wear this knife. For safety. While I’m exploring.’

‘Exploring?’

‘Yes.’ His full lips curved into a smile. A sexy smile. I had to look away. None of the boys from the village, and certainly not that big brute Jani, had ever made my stomach flutter like this.

‘Exploring the sea?’

He raised his brows.

‘What if I told you that my exploring days were over? That I have found what I’ve been looking for?’

My face flushed with heat when I met his intense gaze. Oh yes, he looked a lot like my favourite movie star. Better.

‘What exactly have you found?’ I asked rather boldly. 

‘A living mermaid.’

I laughed. ‘My father believed in mermaids.’

Frano’s face became serious. ‘Of course he did, for he has a mermaid for a daughter.’

My face burned with heat.

‘Follow me. My mother will assist with finding you a place to stay. Somebody can give you a lift into town.’

‘Is your mother a beautiful mermaid also?’

I laughed, picturing my mother’s angry face when she saw that I had brought unannounced company with me.

‘Wait and see for yourself.’

‘I have money. Accounts with banks all over the world,’ he said.

I giggled.

‘I can tell by your lack of shirt.’

He laughed, deep and rich. The sound went straight to my heart like an arrow from Cupid. ‘You’ll see.’

I glanced over my shoulder and met his twinkling gaze. ‘I’ll see what?’

‘After we’re married, you’ll see what I’m made of.’

I stopped to lean against a stone wall and laugh.
​
‘We’re getting married, now? I don’t even know you. I’m only seventeen!’


Now Available in Ebook and Print!

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And Be Sure to Read the Rest of the Compulsion Series


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About the Author:
A bookseller and Young Adult author, Vanessa loves nothing more than immersing herself in the exciting world of books. When she is not sharing her favorite reads with customers, or mentally casting actors to play the characters in her next novel, she enjoys hanging out with those she loves most.
 
Instagram: @vanessawriter27
Twitter: @vanessagarden27
 


Oscars.... And the Winner is....

2/9/2020

 
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Tonight is the big night for Hollywood. It will be a star packed event as actors hobnob with the rich and famous. But for me the Oscars is a chance to see if the movies I've loved this year take home the gold statue.

Back in Michigan, I used to work as a movie reviewer for the local radio station. I'd see movies each week and report back on them. Since moving to South Carolina, I still get to see movies but not as frequently. I'm only sharing my thoughts on here. The drive to Michigan each week to be on-air is too far. :)

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Here's my predictions for the winners....

Best Movie- 1917 

  While Parasite will deserve a nod, I believe it will win for Best Foreign movie so 1917 will get the statue instead. I really wish JoJo Rabbit would have gotten better press because of its message. It's one to see. 1917 is compelling and the videography is stunning. It's a classic!

Best Actress- Renée Zellweger
    She becomes Judy and has all the feels that the judges love. Scarlett Johansson had an outstanding performance in The Marriage Story but Renee was the stuff of legends.

Best Actor- Joaquin Phoenix
     Much like Renee, Joaquin becomes the Joker, giving us a different take on the iconic character. I'd have loved to see Adam Driver winning but I think Marriage Story was a tough movie for so many to watch.

Best Supporting Actress- Laura Dern
     I wish Scarlett would win for her portrayal in Jo Jo Rabbit but Dern had an outstanding speech about love and marriage in The Marriage Story. I also think that the comedic nature of Jo Jo Rabbit throws the judges off. They love drama.

Best Supporting Actor- Brad Pitt

     Brad has been Hollywood's darling this award season with his name tag and the way he poked fun at himself. He's showing that all the tabloids haven't wrecked him. Other actors like Tom Hanks and Joe Pecci had amazing performances but Brad has swept the awards this year. 

I think it's amazing that an iconic movie like 1917 didn't have any acting nominations for the actors, only best picture, director, screenplay and cinematography. Does that mean that the actors weren't good? No. They were vital to the story but the movie was in the whole, such a visual masterpiece that you don't see the individual actors... only the whole story.

​Do you watch the Oscars? Who would you pick?


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Thrill Me... Tina Donahue's Latest

2/4/2020

 
Thrill Me
Wanna Be Bad Book 2
by Tina Donahue
Genre: Contemporary MFM Menage Romance
Longing to be bad…
For too many months, Shelby’s craved bad boys Ben and Dominic, cousins and celebrated chefs at the opulent Caribbean resort where she works. Their heated gazes prove they hunger for her as much as she does for them, but they’ve yet to make a move on her.
That won’t do. Yearning for their potent masculinity, killer smiles, and effortless charm, she sets into motion a decadent plan to be with them … at least for a little while. Her ideas include nude photos, a locale where anything goes 24/7, plus BDSM and other kink.
Fun-loving Dominic’s fully onboard. He’s had his eye on Shelby from the start. Ben has too, but he’s reluctant to mix business with pleasure. Since a previous work relationship screwed him big time, he doesn’t want to repeat the experience and won’t … as long as he keeps this strictly about sex, no strings or expectations.
Yeah, right. In an erotic journey that will surprise this threesome, all bets are off, resistance impossible, surrender assured.
Add to Goodreads
Amazon * Apple * B&N * Evernight Publishing * Smashwords
Tina is an Amazon and international bestselling novelist who writes romance for every taste – ‘heat with heart’ – for traditional publishers and indie. Booklist, Publisher’s Weekly, Romantic Times and numerous online sites have praised her work. Three of her erotic novels were Readers' Choice Award winners. Another three were named finalists in the EPIC competition. One of her erotic contemporary romances was chosen Book of the Year at the French review site Blue Moon reviews. The Golden Nib Award at Miz Love Loves Books was created specifically for one of her erotic romances. Two of her titles received an Award of Merit in the RWA Holt Medallion competition. Another two won second place in the NEC RWA contest (different years). Tina is featured in the Novel & Short Story Writer’s Market. Before penning romances, she worked at a major Hollywood production company in Story Direction.
Website/Blog * Facebook Page * Twitter * Instagram * Pinterest * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads
$55 in GCs and ebooks from bestselling authors to one winner
Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!
a Rafflecopter giveaway

Little White Lies? Should You Always Tell the Truth? #Cover_Reveal

2/2/2020

 
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Little White Lies... Those things you tell or keep quiet because you think it will hurt the other person's feelings if you tell them the truth. Of course, I don't want my husband to tell me that the dress makes me look frumpy but I'd be hurt more if I went out and was teased, because my husband didn't want to hurt my feelings.

Knowing when to keep a secret and when to share is a skill. It's important so that relationships don't break down. Keeping secrets has ruined many marriages. 

In MO Kenyan's latest release, secrets will shatter Duke and Rayne's relationship. 

Blurb:
Secrets always have a way of coming out.

Rayne had been lying to Duke since the moment they first met. It was too late to tell the truth now, so she kept up with the lies. That was until the lies forced her to leave town taking Duke’s son with her. It was only a matter of time before Duke found them, until then she would wait, guarding her secret.

Duke hated being lied to, especially by the people he loved. He didn’t even know what her real name was, or if she even really loved him. Duke was determined to search for the woman who stole his son and his heart.


Now Available for Preorder

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All of the New Yorker series is on sale for only $0.99 each for the preorder only! Grab these amazing stories at this great price!


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About the Author:
I just love to create stories.
I am an author.
Creating alternate realities helps me escape.
My imagination is my Fortress of Solitude, the place where I discover new things about myself, pretend that I understand what falling in love is and coming closer to discovering the true meaning of love.
I leave a piece of me in every story I write, but don't try to figure me out.
 
Connect with me.
https://twitter.com/KenyanLoves
https://www.facebook.com/KenyanLoves/
https://www.instagram.com/ryta_polyna/
My books https://www.amazon.com/MO-Kenyan/e/B00B2JRHK4/ref=dp_byline_cont_ebooks_1
 

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