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Melissa's Musings

How Do you Protect the Ones You Love? #new_Release #kristy_Centeno

11/23/2017

 
We are hardwired to protect those we love. Parents have been known to lift cars to save their children. Even strangers push others out of the way of oncoming trains to have people's lives.

Hayden has always fought... he fought to survive and he's fought to be accepted. Now he must fight for the love of his life.
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In an age where humans dominate the world…

And supernatural creatures exist in the cover of darkness…

He must find a place among his rivals or risk losing it all.

Hayden has had his hands tied coping with life outside of the Institutes. He’s come far despite all the bumps along the way. He’s allowed himself to believe he could live a normal life…until a new threat makes its presence known.

In an instant, his entire life is flipped upside down once more. Those he cares for are not safe with or without him. There’s no escaping his past. Or permanent solution to his problems. One way or another he’ll become the target for all those looking to destroy the hybrid who endangers their way of life and challenges everything they’ve ever known.
​
Now he must decide between kill or be killed, and risk becoming the very monster he’s fought so hard to prove he’s not. Freedom has come with a price, but is he willing to pay the cost?

Dissension Excerpt

I failed to notice before, caught up in my conversation with Gabriel. My heart picks up speed as I come to the realization that something is off. We may have walked straight into the mother of all traps.

“What the hell…?”

“Kristina, run!” Gabriel shoves me back the way we came before I can make sense of what has made him so paranoid all of a sudden. I stumble, nearly dropping the flashlight in the process, but regain my bearings and haul ass in the direction of the SUV as fast as my legs can carry me.

The ground begins to shake almost violently as we start running, making it very hard to maintain my balance. I struggle to stay upright, the severity of the situation failing to register as I worry more about getting to solid earth. But I’m slowed down by the constant sway, and can feel myself falling behind with each step I take. My heart jumps at the prospect of being left alone to fend with whatever the hell is out here, but Gabriel grabs my arm and tows me at a pace I can barely keep up with.

Gabriel legs it, but staggers as the shaking increases in intensity. I bump into him continuously in my desperate attempt to keep up since he’s forced to slow down to prevent a catastrophic fall that could quite possibly be the end of the both of us, but it’s basically a race I’m destined to lose. He can get away, but that will require him to let go of me.
​
I certainly hope he doesn’t.

Now Available!

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And Don't forget the first book!

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​He’s been locked away his entire life.
He dreams of freedom.
The only way he can accomplish his goals is by breaking free of the chains tying him to a dark past and gloomy existence. But there’s one catch. He’s not human. 
And he’s never set foot outside his jail.

Devoted to saving his peers as well as his own life, he sets out to find the one person that can help him achieve his objectives. He knows where she will be and what she will look like, but what he doesn’t anticipate is the fact he finds himself caring for the girl whose life he’s put at risk, more and more each day.

He has no name.
He has only known hatred and violence before her.
However, she will teach him to have faith in humanity, even if she can’t trust him.
Together they will embark on a journey to bring down a corrupt system responsible for the loss of many innocent lives. But when he finds his feelings compromised, can he still move on knowing that doing so will put an end to the life she once knew? How far is he willing to go to be free?

​
https://www.amazon.com/Deliverance-Kristy-Centeno-ebook/dp/B01BUIBA7C

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About the Author:
Kristy Centeno is the author of the Secrets of the Moon saga and Keeper Witches series.
She has always had a passion for books and after years of being an avid reader, she decided to transform her desire to write into a reality and thus, her first novel was born. When she’s not busy taking care of her five children or holding down the fort, she finds time to sit and do what she loves the most: writing.
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From Midnight to Moonlight...Nancy Gideon!

11/19/2017

 

From Midnight to Moonlight

Paranormal Romance by Nancy Gideon

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Saturday, November 18 Mythical Books Books,Dreams,Life Novel Reads Cafe Sunday, November 19 Passionate Encounters Monday, November 20 Melissa Keir Tuesday, November 21 Diane Burton - adventure & romance HBS Author's Spotlight Wednesday, November 22 Romance that's 'Out Of This World' Reader's Edyn Friday, November 24 Mello & June, It's a Book Thang! Saturday, November 25 Paranormal Realms Sunday, November 26 Loren E. Pryce Monday, November 27 Paranormal Dimensions Tuesday, November 28 Romance Me Wednesday, November 29 What Readers Want Thursday, November 30 The Realm of Fantasy & Fiction

Midnight Kiss

Touched by Midnight Series {Book 1}

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks | Google Hunt or be hunted . . . A centuries old obsession stalks a noble family fighting to hide their dark secret from an ever-changing world. Sink your teeth into Nancy Gideon’s Touched by Midnight series. A DARK CURSE Miss Arabella Howland is content to forgo the London marriage mill to assist her father in his research, especially when it comes to his intriguing patient, Louis Radman. But it’s not long before Bella’s curiosity alerts her to the danger of her father’s work . . . and to the fact that Louis is not who or what he seems. A BRIGHT PROMISE After centuries struggling with his vile existence, Louis Radman will soon be free of his affliction, thanks to his very capable physician. Unfortunately, his heart is less secure around the man’s tempting daughter. His yearning to walk in the light once more is complicated by his desire for the delightful Bella, who is as intelligent as she is fearless. But if history has taught him anything, it’s not to tempt fate. AN UNFORGIVING PAST Still, happiness has a price and Louis is soon reminded that mortality comes with unfortunate limitations. To protect his new bride, he must face the demons from his past who wish to pull him back into their vampiric fold. Yet, if he’s forced to return to his midnight world, will he lose his beloved Bella forever?
Dark and compelling, Gideon’s novel will appeal to those who enjoy the vampire novels of Anne Rice. --Library Journal
A colorful and hauntingly beautiful tale of otherworldly love . . . destined to become a classic! --Affaire de Coeur
Incredible, spellbinding reading! — Rendezvous

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance Published by: ImaJinn Books Release Date: July 12, 2015 Length: 262 Pages

Only $0.99 during the Tour!

Read an Excerpt

Prince of Fools

House of Terriot Series {Book 3}

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | iBooks A dark prince to her Cinderella barmaid . . . Rico . . . Prince in the shapeshifter House of Terriot Reckless, hotheaded Rico Terriot seeks purpose and a sense of pride training the resentful guardians of New Orleans to defend a city besieged by a deadly outside force. Torn between his desire for his brother’s mate and the woman tied to the child of another, protecting their future happiness means denying his own on a dangerous path to redemption. One night of stolen pleasure he didn’t remember and she couldn’t forget… Amber . . . a single mother hiding a terrible past Rico Terriot was the stuff of dreams . . . lately all of hers. But there’s no happily-ever-after for someone living in the shadows, protecting dangerous secrets that threaten her and her daughter. Dare she believe in a fairytale prince when he comes to her rescue, not knowing the price he’ll pay for making her troubles his own? From world’s so far apart, is love strong enough to hold them together . . . and keep them alive?

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance Release Date: October 23, 2017 Length: 294 Pages

Only $3.99!

Read an Excerpt

THE GIVEAWAY

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ABOUT NANCY GIDEON

Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Google+ | Goodreads | Pinterest | Amazon

Nancy Gideon is the award-winning, bestselling author of 60 romances ranging from historical, regency and series contemporary suspense to paranormal, with a couple of horror screenplays tossed into the mix. She’s also published under the pen names Dana Ransom, Rosalyn West and Lauren Giddings. She works full time as a legal assistant in Central Michigan, and when not at the keyboard, feeds a Netflix addiction along with all things fur, fin and fowl. A prolific writer, Nancy attributes her creative output, which once peaked at seven novels in one year, to her love of history and a gift for storytelling. She also credits the discipline learned through a background in journalism and OCD. The due date for her third book and her second son were on the same day . . . and both were early! When on deadline, she turns on the laptop between 4:30 and 5:00 a.m. to get a chapter in before heading in to her day job. She’s a member of GDRWA, MMRWA, PASIC, FF&P and Novelists Inc. and dotes on her critique group. For more information on the author, her books, or the “House of Terriot” and “By Moonlight” series, visit Nancy at the links above.
Novel Book Tours

Lost Your Way? You're Not Alone! #Book_Birthday #New_Release

11/14/2017

 
Ever feel like you've been set adrift and aren't sure which way to go? Seriously, I just had that moment. I was sitting here thinking about my business and a decision I made...only now I'm wondering if it was the right one. And they make songs about this... Torn Between Two Lovers... Reunited...

I think we can all say that we've been unsure of ourselves and our choices. And while that happens most often as a teenager, it's not only for teens. I know a certain 40ish adult who is struggling with this... But he doesn't have what Lily has....

Spunk,
A great sense of Humor,
and a best friend like Sarah!

an Excerpt from A Lily by Any Other Name...
“For the record,” I say, “No one asked me to prom. Unless you count Sarah.”

“You’re going with Sarah?” There’s a hint of relief in Adam’s voice, like a sigh with words instead of sounds.

I tilt my head toward the tuxedo shop. “What about you?”

“I haven’t asked anyone,” he says. “Yet.” He shifts his weight from one foot to the other. “So…” He pauses and I start to panic. If he asks me to ditch Sarah and go to prom with him, I’ll have to let him down gently. “Would it be all right with you if I took Brit Randall?” he asks.

Oh.

 “All right? With me?” I try to sound off-hand, but it comes out on-handedly. “Why?”

“It seems like you two have gotten closer lately. I don’t want any weirdness between all of us.” “No. No weirdness.” My words skid over themselves. “It’s completely not weird. It’s completely fine, in fact. Honest.”

“Great. I’m glad we’re being honest.”

“Absolutely. Brit’s the best,” I say. “You’ll make perfect prom dates.”

“As long as we’re being honest,” he says, looking down at his shoes, “She’s not my first choice.” Then he adds in a very low voice, “You don’t have to tell her that.”

“What?” I lean toward him, not sure I heard him correctly. Adam lifts his head and his eyes meet mine. This time he speaks slowly and I hear every word.

“I said, Zach Hewitt is an idiot.”

“Oh.” We stare at each other for a moment, both of us silent.

He pulls his phone from his pocket and checks the time. “Well, I don’t want to keep you. You’ve been so busy. With your mom and everything.”

“Right.” My stomach twists. I’m the idiot.

“Things should slow down once my mom’s back home,” I tell him. And if I don’t get back to you on my cell phone—”
​
“I can always call your house,” he says. “It’s what all the guys do, right?” He brushes my elbow with a loose fist. “See ya, Lil.” 


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BLURB:
17-year-old Lily Anderson is ready to wrap herself in a big red bow and give Zach Hewitt the greatest gift in the history of Christmas: Her. But when she pulls a pair of booties from her stocking and learns her forty-year-old mother is pregnant, Lily finds herself adrift, unsure of Zach’s commitment.

Lily hopes Zach will anchor her with promises of love. Unfortunately, his chaotic home-life makes him afraid of those three little words; and Maddie Franklin-in her Amazing Technicolor Dream Thong–makes sure Zach can have her whenever he wants.

With the help of her best friend Sarah, Lily plots to secure her place in Zach’s heart. But after a series of awkward rejections, Lily loses faith in her dream boyfriend, in herself, even in Sarah.

That’s when Lily turns to Adam Connolly, a transfer student whose lash-y eyes and comfortable silences make her question who it is she wants and what she needs. But Adam’s support can’t help her the day Lily discovers her parents’ game-changing secret.

Faced with the truth, Lily must decide how to deal with her family’s past, take hold of her own future, and accept that there are many names for love.

Don’t bother making wishes; what you get is more than enough. 
​

Read this funny and touching novel
for yourself

Only $3.99

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About the Author:
Julie C. Gardner is the author of Letters for Scarlet and Guest List. A native of Southern California, Julie lives in a suburb of LA with her husband, two children, and three dogs. When Julie isn’t writing, she enjoys reading, napping, and finding new excuses not to run. Lily by Any Other Name is Julie’s first Young Adult novel.
​
To learn more about the author, visit her website, juliecgardner.com, and follow her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. If you sign up for her newsletter, you’ll receive a sample of her humorous marathon memoir, Running with Pencils.
 
 

#Cover_Reveal Collide by Nicole Sobon

11/11/2017

 
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Three simple words were all it took to change their lives forever.

Losing a loved one is hard. Learning to survive in their absence? That’s even harder. For Gemma Michaels, life had become difficult following her brother’s death, but the one thing that kept her afloat was the one thing she knew she shouldn’t have desired – her best friend, Ben.

He’d made a promise to her brother – to protect her, no matter what. For Ben, that had meant that she was off limits. But then she slips and tells him the three words he’s been waiting to hear.
​
Love happens when you least expect it.
​

Pre-Order your Copy today!
Releasing 12/15
Just in Time for Christmas!

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​

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About the Author:
Nicole Sobon is the author of The Emile Reed Chronicles (YA Science Fiction), the Outbreak duology, Collide (NA Romance), and more!
 
You can find her online at:
Twitter: @NicoleSobon
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/NicoleSobonAuthor
Blog: http://www.NicoleSobon.blogspot.com

Anxiety...Is it Getting Worse? Or Am I Becoming a Recluse? #reallife

11/11/2017

 
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I have high functioning anxiety. Most of you wouldn't even guess because I'm so good at hiding it. But the anxiety has limited my life in so many ways. 

When I was younger, I hated being embarrassed if I couldn't do something so I never gave sports or athletics (or frankly many other things) a try. I used bravado to hide my fears, chewed my nails until they bled and used snark as a defense mechanism. When a friend asked me to go skiing with her, we practiced for hours in her living room how to get on and off the lifts as well as how to stop the skis' motion. Staying up all night worrying about the trip, I wanted to have fun but my fears of failure and not being able to do it, made my stomach clench. Needless to say, the preparations weren't enough and I fell flat on my face, gave up and refused to even try again. 

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Writing became a way for me to let go of my fears in a positive way. Often I wouldn't share what I wrote but kept them for myself, but every once in a while, they were meant to show another, or maybe help someone else.

This is something I wrote to share with my husband after a particularly rough night...
You are probably saying that you knew all that.  But I don’t know if you knew that one thing that I love about you, was the way that you took care of me.  From day one, I felt that someone else was shouldering some of my responsibility or at least able to take on their own.  There have been few times when I have felt a conflict and then once we talk, I am fine. So what that comes down to is:
 
         I was feeling like I was “doing it all” and it wore me
         out to the point of exhaustion.  You were tired and
         wore out too.  But at the time, I felt that no one
         was going to take care of me.


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At some point, I started getting the help I needed. I saw a counselor and began a medication regimen. I also received support from my loved ones who understood the debilitating effects of anxiety. I felt I could share my fears and by doing so, they were halved. 

I was handling things... or so I thought. Just like with any disease, there are good times and bad. Days when I am able to do anything but there are also days when I'm too scared to leave the house.

I used to drive to Ohio to visit family and friends all the time alone. I'd hop in my car and hit the highways with never a fear. I'd go to author events and book signings as well as lunches with friends. But lately, I've noticed those have dropped by the wayside. Oh, I always have a good reason for not going, but the fact is... My fears are ruling me again. I'm back to chewing on my nails and letting the negative loop in my head dictate my thinking.

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I'm afraid to leave my house alone (unless it's to work or the grocery store). Luckily for me, my husband is retired and enjoys going to hang out with me. But what happens when he's gone? I hide out with the dogs. We read and do household chores, cook and play games. 

I'd planned on heading to Ohio to visit a friend. It was a perfect day to do it. Hubby was camping and I needed the room in the car for a rug to take down. But as the day approached, I became more fearful. My stomach churned. I popped Tums daily in addition to my other meds. Then the night before, I had horrible dreams of my murder. I woke up choking a couple of times. Even snuggled in with the dogs and the hall light on, I didn't sleep well. Deciding that the trip was too much, I backed out. I felt horrible to miss visiting a friend. 

Today, I'm going to plan on getting out of the house for a bit alone. Do an errand or just pick up a coffee someplace. I need to find my confidence again. 

Please know that if you are facing anxiety like me, you are not alone. <3

The Duchess Lydia is More of a woman than her sister #Liza_O'Connor

11/5/2017

 
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Shuffling of the Dead
Lydia and Wickham returned to London just in time to suffer the coldest winter yet recorded. Thus, when Wickham steals a painting worth twenty pounds and sells it to the wealthy man who controls the docks, claiming it to be a masterpiece, he gets shot in the chest.
 
Four days later, Lydia learns he’s dead. By the time his body is ready to be buried, the ground has frozen solid, so Lydia only has two choices: Buy a very expensive above ground tomb for her beloved Wickham, or place him in a large and much cheaper tomb where he can remain for many years before his bones are removed to make space for the newly dead.
 
Lydia decides Wickham would enjoy the company of others and bought him temporary space inside the large tomb.

By the late 18th century the London churchyards were becoming overcrowded and the situation continued to worsen as we moved into the early 19th century. New cemeteries were established as private speculations, generally offering slightly lower charges for burials than the churchyards, but they filled up fast.
 
Moving out old bodies to make room for new bodies became a standard procedure by the time Wickham is buried in 1817.
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BLURB
Thanks to David’s generosity and the death of Wickham, Lydia Bennet is now a wealthy, independent woman. When Lydia takes residence in the finest house in the West End, her brother-in-law, Darcy, is concerned that she is ‘over her head’.
Despite his concerns, Darcy retrieves his sister, Georgiana, from Pemberley and places her with Lydia. The two young ladies, both recently widowed, form a strong sisterly bond and once their mourning is over, they set out to find love again.
Unfortunately, the man Lydia wishes to marry, David, the Duke of Rochester, is already contracted to marry another. When Lydia discovers this woman plans to murder David and his sons, she rallies her servants and friends, determined to stop murderess at all costs. Will Lydia’s love of David and his boys triumph, or will the “Lady of Death” continue her path of destruction?
 
EXCERPT
It sleeted the day of Wickham’s funeral. The ground was too hard to dig, so Lydia paid to have him interned in a large tomb. He would not be alone, nor would he stay forever. Darcy had explained that the grave keepers would remove the bones of the deceased to make room for the more recent dead far in the future.
 
Lydia considered paying for a private tomb, but when she learned of the outrageous cost, she concluded Wickham would be much happier in the tomb with company.
 
Still, she was disturbed by the paucity of mourners. Only she and Eliza wept for her charming Wickham. Darcy had accompanied them to the grave site, but he shed no tears. It upset her that a man so universally liked only five years ago had no friends left to mourn him but his wife and her angry sister. Darcy had placed a small notice in the paper stating the particulars of the funeral, but either people missed it, or Wickham was friendless.
She feared the latter, which made her cry more.
“I will always love you, sweet Wickham. Always!” She then dried her eyes with her finest lace handkerchief and placed it on his chest. A strip of linen covered his face. Darcy had explained it necessary since he had laid four days in the marshland and now two days in the morgue.
She shivered as she stepped back to give Eliza a chance to say goodbye to him as well.
Eliza spoke so softly, she couldn’t hear what her sister had said, but by the furrowed brow of Darcy, he had heard and didn’t like it.
Darcy did not speak to Wickham. He simply placed a half crown upon Lydia’s handkerchief and escorted both ladies back to the carriage. Given the sleet had intensified during the funeral, he held firm to each lady to prevent them from slipping.
 
 
SALES LINK
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Free for KU customers

 
More About the Author
Liza O’Connor’s favorite books are Pride & Prejudice and Douglas Adams’ four book trilogy, The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. Go figure…
Raised in the southern mid-section of U.S., Liza escaped to the East Coast once out of college. She’s worked as a journalist, a radio DJ, a security guard, a stock broker, a strategist, and a business solutions consultant to name a few of her many occupations.  Again…go figure.
She learned to fly planes, jump out of planes, hang-glide, kayak and scuba dive, to name of few of her ‘let’s kill Liza’ sports. However, her favorite activity is to hike with her dog Jess among the shaved mountains of NJ.
 
 
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT
LIZA O'CONNOR
Investigate these sites:
Liza's Blog and Website   Facebook   Twitter
Google +
Check out Liza’s Many Books
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Lydia looked on the bright side of life during the first book, Untamed and Unabashed. She took what life had given her and made a better life out of it. Now she's back and is even stronger than ever. 

After the death of her husband, she becomes a woman of the town in her own right and sets out to make things better for not only herself but others. However, love continues to elude her...but not for long. 

Ms. O'Connor provides the many pitfalls and challenges along the way which allow Lydia to overcome as she searches for her own Happily Ever After. I love that Ms. O'Connor takes a secondary character in literary history and turns her into a viable and enterprising young woman, much as Margaret Atwood does for the women of Shakespeare. 

If you are looking for a tale of perseverance and strength of character, The Duchess Lydia is a wonderful story for you. It will make you wish Ms. O'Connor could help other sad secondary and misunderstood women of literature... what's next? Giving humanity to the witches of MacBeth? Let's not tempt her!

Fall in Love With The Man From Your Dreams #Cover_Reveal #LEE_Ann_Ward

11/4/2017

 
Have you ever had a vivid dream and longed for it to be real? You wanted to run into the man from your dream in real life? Maybe get a chance to live out your dream together?

I've fallen in love with Lee Ann Ward's latest book which is up on Pre-Order-- Glimpses of Wilderness is a story which will have you wishing for your own dream-man and happily ever after.

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No nightmares about my dad’s car crashing or my sister’s tiny face vanishing in a window of red. No, not anymore. Now when I sleep I fall into an expanse of frozen wilderness, the other life I’ve lived…

The one I’ve lived with him.

Anna experiences vivid dreams from a past-life she lived in the 1800s with her husband Robert and their children in the wilderness of the Michigan Territory. Much like her own mother grieving the man and child she lost, Anna can’t simply let go of the memories that haunt her.

But when she runs into Robert in this lifetime, a whirlwind of their past lives—and deaths—rocks her modern world to the core. What will she be willing to risk to spend every lifetime with Robert?
​
In the twists and turns of “repeating” their lives over and over through time, Anna must sacrifice everything for a glimpse of immortal love.

Pre-Order your Copy today
Releases 12/5 

Amazon
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​

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About the Author:
Lee Ann Ward is an award-winning fiction author with a background in journalism and mass communications. She is also the former Senior Editor of a digital romance publisher. Her love of books started at the age of three, and she's been addicted ever since. She's published six novels (with her seventh and eighth on the way) and has written several more. When she's not writing, she's reading, singing, baking designer cakes, bowling and dreaming. She's married to Joe (who also happens to be her publicist) and they have 4 sons who they adore, and a granddaughter who is the love of their life. They make their home in the small fishing community of Bayou La Batre, Alabama. You can find more on Lee Ann and her books at:
 
Author website: www.leeannward.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/leeannwardbooks
Twitter: https://twitter.com/LeeAnnWard1115
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/leeannward1115/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1275370.Lee_Ann_Ward

Wait! Another Book To Buy! #new_Release #MS_Kaye

11/3/2017

 
Each week, the new releases dazzle my eyes. I find more books I MUST have. Some are new to me stories which sound wonderful but some like this one are old favorites. I love series books because it's as if you have found an old friend. I enjoy seeing how my friends grow and change over time. 

Today, MS Kaye has brought us full circle with Alec and Adriane. We see them as they meet in the first book through this latest story of their relationship. Will they find a happily ever after? 

Grab the book and find out!

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A part of me saw her as a delicate beauty that needed protecting. But she wasn't a flower that gets torn apart in a storm; she was the storm.

Before it’s over, someone will die.

Attacks are coming from all sides: arrests, sabotage, picketing, even being framed for murder. Who is the invisible force behind it all?

And what secrets has Joe Bishop been keeping about both Adriane’s and Alec’s pasts?

EXCERPT:
“I just need you to surround the building and make sure all of Malleus goes where they’re told.”

“Ground rules?”

“None.”

He sneered, the happy kind. I’d just told him he could beat the shit out of any of them if he wanted.

I waved one of the guys in the back to come forward. He was a local small-time con artist, extremely personable when he wanted to be. He came up to me. His smile looked like Prince Charming.

“There are a few people living in the building who are not connected to Malleus. I want you to mark their door so El Parros doesn’t mess with them. And inform them that most of their neighbors are being evicted and to please stay inside and lock their doors.” I gave him a sheet of labels on which I’d written “PROTECTED.”

Still smiling that smile, he took the labels and the list of apartment numbers and headed inside.

I sent the thugs to surround the building, and once Prince Charming came out, I sent in El Parros to start evicting.

Only a few minutes later, they started streaming out like cockroaches. The first one out the door bolted for the fence at the back of the apartment building, and then he stumbled forward and fell face first into a dirty patch of grass. No one seemed to have noticed where Vincent had gone, the third-story laundry room window of the neighboring building. The rounds in the rifle were just rubber; they wouldn’t kill anyone, but the gun packed enough force to knock a man down and the rounds hurt like a motherfucker.

The next man out tried to run as well, until a rubber bullet made him smack into the side of the building.

“Over there!” Vlad commanded and pointed to the middle of the road, and the rest of the cockroaches followed as ordered.

Carlos came out of the building and across the street to me. “That’s all of them, bitches, too.”

“Did you come across any children?”

“No kids. Just a few crying in the protected apartments.”

I glanced around to be certain Garrison still had the local uniforms busy elsewhere and then walked over to where Malleus was gathered in the middle of the street. They were closely surrounded by El Parros and the others.

Everyone focused on me as I stood in front of them.

I addressed Malleus. “You’re leaving town. Now.”

“Right,” a guy with red, spiked hair scoffed.

I nodded slightly toward him, and a rubber bullet made red-spikes smack into the asphalt.

“I suggest the rest of you look around,” I said. “Anything seem unusual about your company?”

They glanced around at their herders—sneak thieves, con artists, drug dealers, enforcers, and El Parros. Several of them raised their eyebrows. This group didn’t usually associate in general, let alone work together on a job. “Any idea what would bring such a group into this unlikely alliance?”

A young man in a dirty white T-shirt raised his hand.

I managed not to roll my eyes and just looked at him.

“You, Mr. Kaden.”

“Very good. You get a gold star.” I started walking casually around the group. “How many of you are from this city?”

Several of them slowly raised their hands.

“Then you’ll know quite clearly what happens when you cross a Kaden. Anyone care to explain to the class?”

“We ain’t never crossed you,” dirty-white-T-shirt said.

I gave a slight nod, and a well-placed round hit him in the thigh and knocked his leg out from under him. He yelled out in pain.

I squatted next to him and spoke calmly. “I suggest you shut the fuck up before I make you bleed.”

He pressed his lips together, and pain etched itself in his face as if chiseling rock.
I stood and continued slowly circling the group. “You will leave town. Tonight. You will not return. You will not maintain any relationships with anyone in this city. You will not even discuss this city. I have informed all of my contacts that you are not welcome here, and they are to demonstrate that if they see you.” I stopped walking and faced them squarely. “I have authorized them to use whatever means of demonstration they find most effective.”

Vlad, El Parros, and most of the others sneered.

I started walking away, toward my car. “I’m giving you five minutes’ head start before my contacts begin demonstrating.”
​
Running footsteps sounded from behind me. They yelled at each other to get out of the way. My enforcers laughed as they watched.

If you Missed the earlier books, catch up today!

Have you Gotten Forever the Storm??

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About the Author:
M.S. Kaye has several awards and published books under her black belt. A transplant from Ohio, she resides with her husband Corey in Jacksonville, Florida, where she tries not to melt in the sun. Find suspense and the unusual at www.BooksByMSK.com.

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