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Monday, April 30, 2018

Book Blitz: The Vampire Within






Dark Vampire Fantasy
Date Published: March 2018
Publisher: Story Bound Publishing

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Brandon Cass is not your average teenager. He has a taste for blood—human blood. For sixteen years, he stumbled through life without a hitch until the enigmatic aroma of blood awakened something dark within him. Visions of a beautiful young woman with chocolate brown hair and ocean blue eyes haunt his mind, yet her identity is a puzzling mystery.

His hunger for blood strengthens, and the cravings become too powerful to control. No one is safe, not even his family. To safeguard all he once found dear, Brandon sets out on a quest for answers. In an unfamiliar city, he comes face-to-face with the beautiful young woman, confronts the dark force which controls him, and learns what he must endure to reclaim his soul.



Other Books in the Immortal Kiss Series:




Immortal Kiss
Immortal Kiss Series, Book One



Centuries ago ten powerful vampire gods first walked the earth; their blood thirst knew no boundaries. The destruction of mankind was inevitable. Recognizing their weakness, they selected twelve wise human beings to transform with their godly blood. These twelve, known as The Old Ones and The Council, govern The Ten. A blood lottery appeasing The Ten’s hunger was set forth into the human world and passed down every fifth generation, continuing into the present day.

All of Beth Ryan’s life a mysterious mist has watched over her; a mist she believed to be a vampire. On a cold winter night, Philippe Delon, a 700-year-old vampire walks into Beth’s life. She is drawn to him, certain he is the vampire behind the mist...but is he?

Beth and Philippe cannot deny their love for each other, nor do they try to fight it. Within days of their encounter, Beth accepts Philippe’s invitation to move into his mansion. The mansion unlocks the door to the vampire world and exposes secrets from Beth’s past. Within its walls, she learns the true identity of the mist, her link to the blood lottery, and betrayal of her loved ones. Surrounded by lies, Beth stands before The Council begging for resolution.







Bound by Blood
Immortal Kiss Series, Book Two


Five years crawled by at a painfully slow pace for young vampire, Beth; each year more agonizing than the next. The powerful unyielding spell which masked Amon’s whereabouts showed no signs of weakening.  Influenced by the binding ritual and Amon’s blood surging inside her, Beth will stop at nothing, and risk everything, to find him and turn the tables on Osiris, Isis, and Hathor.  In foggy streets of London, lives are threatened by a new breed of hunter, and nothing is what it seemed.  Beth once again finds herself surrounded by betrayal.  In the midst of it all, she is forced to choose between Philippe and Amon – knowing that her decision will change one life forever. But whose?









Excerpt


CHAPTER 1
              

I jumped out of bed at the very last second, took a quick shower, threw on some clothes and raced downstairs. As my mom nagged me about the time, I shoved a piece of toast in my mouth, washed it down with some OJ, then dashed out the door seconds before the school bus pulled up. As usual, my fellow classmates were taunting the new kid, Roger, and Mr. Gilbert, the bus driver, was yelling out his customary, “Knock it off!” at them. I flopped down in an empty seat at the back of the bus and let out a frustrated groan. Could my life be any more boring?

I dragged my feet as I made my way into Mrs. Clark’s history class and claimed my usual seat.  Whose bright idea was it to make history first period? Staying conscious while Mrs. Clark rambled on about a bunch of dead people who changed the world was near impossible. I slid farther down in my chair and was about to initiate full zone-out mode when Sam walked into class.

An electric jolt zapped me upright—I could smell her. The scent quickened my pulse and sent my heartbeat skyrocketing. My mouth watered as a feverish hunger growled in the pit of my stomach. It wasn’t her perfumed skin or freshly shampooed hair. No, it was musky and unpleasant. It got under my skin, and I found it terribly distracting.

As Sam caught me staring, a proud smirk washed over her face. She tossed her golden-blonde hair over her shoulder and slid her slender body into the wooden desk in front of me, then turned around and locked eyes with me, her smug grin widening.

I couldn’t take my eyes off her. Her distracting aroma swiftly traveled up my nose, lighting up my brain. Shivers scurried down my spine, spinning my head…what was that smell?

As Sam tugged playfully on my hair, she whispered, “I’ve been waiting forever for you to notice me, Brandon.” She paused, looking me up and down. “Meet me after class on the front steps.”

I didn’t hesitate to agree. “Okay.”

She winked. “I have a surprise for you.”

My stomach flip flopped and my palms grew sweaty. Surprise? I had no idea what she meant, but I sure as hell was gonna find out.

Sam’s smell manipulated my brain, blurring Mrs. Clark’s words together. Once, I got wasted at one of my parents’ Christmas parties. I’d chugged down every half-finished glass of beer, wine, or hard liquid abandoned on the table to the point where my head spun out of control. Sam’s scent mimicked that same effect. I wanted to gorge on it, whatever it was. The sudden ring of the school bell, announcing the end of first period, snapped me out of the muddled fog.

Sam touched my shoulder and whispered, “You go first and I’ll meet you there.”

I obeyed and headed straight for the front steps with my heartbeat throbbing inside my throat.

The breeze carried her fragrance. She was behind me; I knew it. My knees wobbled as I turned around.

Sam was inches from me, batting her eyelashes and smiling. She giggled and seized my trembling hand. “Come with me.” She steered me toward the park and away from the vigilant eyes at the school. Within the boundaries of the trees and their interlocking branches, we sat, facing each other.

“What’s my surprise?” I asked, my breath speeding up.

“A kiss.” She grinned sheepishly, then planted her lips over mine.

That smell of hers hammered at the inner walls of my brain. Every muscle twitched, and heat spread over my skin. I pulled away and blurted out, “What’s that smell? It’s driving me crazy!”

She flinched, and her cheeks flushed bright red. “You can smell me?”

“Yes.”

“I…I don’t know what to say. This is so embarrassing.” She looked away from me. “I’m on my period,” she whispered.

That was it—blood! Rich, dark, delicious blood! Wait, blood?  Delicious? Was it? I jammed my fingertips into my temples. Her scent was screwing with my head, but I had to taste her. Cupping her face, I kissed her hard and bit her tongue. Warm, coppery blood spilled into my mouth, bringing to life a slew of delightful shivers. 

Her high-pitched squeal struck my eardrums, but I didn’t care. Her fluids overpowered all my senses. I swished her blood between my teeth, like mouthwash, before spitting it into the palm of my hand. A thick, gooey, red substance coated my fingers. Its power hypnotized me and…altered me. I hungered after it. My tongue darted out of my mouth and snatched up the blood staining my skin. Upon my virgin swallow, I released the low growl swelling in my throat. Out of the corner of my eye, I caught sight of her. Her face had turned a shade of ghastly-white, and her eyes bulged out of their sockets. She opened her mouth wide, blasting out another petrified shriek. It echoed inside my ears, yanking me back to reality. I held my hands up and backed away from her, shaking my head. “I’m so sorry. Please forgive me…I’m so sorry.”

She scrambled to her feet, gave my shin a swift kick, and shouted, “Freak!” As she ran away, she threatened, “I’m going to tell everyone what you did.  Everyone!”

I wandered the park aimlessly with my thoughts spiraling. I bit her! Why, why, why? The blood…it made me do it! My feet stumbled to a grinding halt. Her blood coerced me; I knew it with every ounce of my being. Was that even impossible? Was I losing my mind? I had to get away from the school. I grabbed my cell and called my mom.

She picked up on the second ring. “Brandon, why aren’t you in class?” Her voice sounded strained. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m sick, Mom.” My voice cracked. “P–Please come get me.”

“Of course, honey.”

“Hurry.”

“Ten minutes, if that,” she answered in a lulling tone. “Don’t worry.”

My shoulders quaked, threatened by a wall of tears building behind my eyelids. For the second time that day, I waited on the front steps of the school, a different person—a person who craved blood—a freak!

As my mom’s car turned into the parking lot, I bolted toward it. The car hadn’t even come to a complete stop when I yanked on the handle and slid inside.

She gave me a heartfelt look, then immediately placed her hand to my forehead. “No fever, so that’s good. How is it you don’t feel well?”

Looking into her eyes made me want to ball like a baby. I looked away, then shuddered. “I ache all over.”

Again, she touched my forehead, then each cheek. “I’ll make you some soup when we get home.” She paused, then added, “Your sister’s going to be jealous.”

Soup wasn’t going to fix my problem, and I certainly couldn’t tell my mom I’d bit a girl’s tongue. I couldn’t tell my sister either. I couldn’t tell anyone. I forced a smile and glanced at her. “Soup sounds good. Better make enough for Lindsey or she’ll be really jealous.”

Her vivacious laugh filled my ears. “You’re probably right.”

As the car pulled away from the school, the knot twisting my stomach relaxed; though, the gruesome act of biting Sam was less forgiving. The image was forever etched into my brain. I sank deeper into the seat and shuddered.

My mom glanced at me with a line of concern pinching her forehead. “Are you all right?”

That was the million-dollar question. I heaved a sigh. “My head’s pounding. I just want to lie down.”

“Thank goodness we live so close.” She shook her head and her frown deepened. “This came on so sudden. When you dashed out of the house this morning, you were fine.”

I shrugged my shoulders.  I was fine, until Sam changed things. Turning onto our street, she added, “I hate it when my kids get sick.”

“I’ll be okay.” I lied, but my mom needed the reassurance.

“Of course you will.”

As my mom pulled into our driveway, I pushed open my door. I didn’t even wait for her to kill the car’s engine before I was hurrying into the house with large strides, running up the stairs and into my room. I flopped onto my bed and buried my face in my pillow. The sobs I’d been fighting all day gained on me. My eyelids gave way to the mounting pressure behind them, spilling hot tears down my cheeks and drenching the pillowcase. My mom walked in during the height of my waterworks display. I quickly swiped at my face, brushing away the tears before sitting up.

“Brandon, honey, take a sip of 7UP,” she said, sitting next to me and handing me a can of soda.

I shoved the soda aside on the nightstand, then latched onto her, letting my tears flow again. “Tell me I’m not a horrible person,” I cried.

Her arms came around me in a loving embrace. “Why in the world would you say such a thing?” She cupped my face in the palms of her hands. “You’re my prefect sixteen-year-old son.”

My breath hitched inside my chest as I thought of the why. “I don’t know. I just…I just need some sleep.”

My mom pulled two round white pills from her sweater pocket, then reached for the 7UP. “Here’s two aspirin.” She stroked my head, then rose from the bed. “I’ll start the soup. Try to rest while it’s cooking.” She quietly closed the door, leaving me alone.

I washed down the pills and fell back onto the pillows, my gaze drifting toward the ceiling. Sam’s horrified face spread across it and I jerked my eyes away, burying my face into a pillow. Sam, I’m so sorry. She’d never forgive me. I couldn’t forgive myself. There was no forgiving what I’d done. What kind of person bites another person? A freak, that’s who.

A Google search could pinpoint what was wrong with me. I glanced at my laptop resting on my desk and shivered. Bad idea. Searching the internet for reasons why someone craved blood might uncover something far worse.

A rock of fear landed in the pit of my stomach. I bolted into my bathroom and splashed cold water on my face. I caught my reflection in the mirror as I toweled off the clammy sweat and stared hard, searching for the slightest change—same hazel eyes, sandy-brown hair, and dimpled cheeks looked back at me. I didn’t see a freak or a monster, just me.

I wandered back to my bed and sank deeper into the pillows. The feather-down cradled me, programming my brain to shut down and summon sleep. My eyelids grew heavy, sliding down over my eyes like curtains.  I didn’t fight it and drifted off.

The creak of my bedroom door sounded inside my head like an alarm. My eyelids fluttered and slowly opened, my vision coming into focus. My sister stood in the doorway, her school books tucked under her arm.  “What do you want, Lins?”

Lindsey bounced into my room, unloaded her books on my desk, before sitting on the edge of it.  As she twirled a strand of her brownish-blonde hair around her finger, her big green eyes studied me. “You really sick or just faking?”

What I wouldn’t give to be faking the whole mess. I rolled my eyes. “I’m not faking.”

She plastered one of those ‘I don’t believe you’ looks on her face and heaved a sigh as her shoulders sagged. “I hate high school.”

That was so Lindsey; everything was always about her. I leaned against the headboard and folded my arms. “Why?”

“I was so popular in junior high. Everyone knew me or wanted to know me. Now, I’m at the bottom of the fish bowl, like scum. My social status is non-existent.”

I couldn’t help but smirk. “Social status, really?  Lins, you’re fourteen.”

She turned her nose up at me. “Like sixteen’s old. Besides, I happen to like being popular.” She pouted. “Ninth grade sucks.”

“Eleventh grade isn’t any easier,” I pointed out. “The twelfth graders have all the power.”

“Hmph. It just isn’t fair.” She paused, scrunching her eyebrows together. “Something’s really wrong with you, isn’t there?  You’re doing that thing with your forehead.”

I swiped a hand across my brow. “What thing?”

“Pulsating the vein in the center of your forehead.” She shuddered. “Gross. You always do it when you’re stressing out.”

I waved her off. Truth be told, though, I was in major stress mode. A whiff of chicken turned my head toward the doorway. Mom entered, carrying a breakfast tray.

“Ready for some soup?” She set the tray of steaming chicken noodle soup, soda crackers, and another can of 7UP next to me on the bed. “I came up earlier, but you were asleep.”

I licked my lips. “So ready.”

She touched her hand to my forehead. “Still no fever. That’s good, honey. Eat your soup and get some rest.”

Lindsey leaned in and took a deep breath. “Mom, that smells delish.”

“There’s plenty more downstairs.” She smoothed Lindsey’s hair and gave her a smile. “Why don’t you join me downstairs for a bowl.”

Lindsey jumped off my bed and scooped up her books. “Totally.” She glanced back at me. “Feel better.”

“Thanks, Lins.”

“I’ll check in on you later,” Mom said, then followed Lindsey out of my room and shut the door behind her.

I scarfed down the soup and crackers, then chugged half the can of 7UP. I pushed the tray aside and let out huge sigh. Once more, I fell back onto the pillows and closed my eyes.



****



I woke to a dark room. A shaft of moonlight cut through the curtains, stretching across the room and shining right in my face, letting me know it was still night. I rolled over to the opposite side of my bed and pulled the covers over my head, blocking out the light. An empty feeling settled in the pit of my stomach. It wasn’t hunger, it was the thought of school. I dreaded staring into Sam’s unforgiving eyes, and all the pairs of eyes of the people she’d told. I’d tell her I’d contracted a disease, and maybe I had. The creak of my bedroom door shattered my thoughts. Mom entered and flipped on the light, causing me to flinch. I can’t go to school tomorrow. I just can’t.

“Brandon, how are you feeling?” Mom asked, touching her hand to my forehead for the hundredth time.

Her warm fingers pulsated with thick, rich, tasty blood against my skin. No, not again!  I jerked away from her and scrambled to the opposite side of the room, sinking to the floor. She hurried after me, a thumping vibration following her. The suffocating hum wrapped around my brain, growing louder and louder. I slammed my hands over my ears and wailed.

“Brandon, what’s wrong?” Mom dropped to her knees in front of me, her hands latching onto my arms. “Oh my God, you’re shivering.”

The thumping was coming from her—her heartbeat! Every crushing thud swelled inside my chest, sucking the air from my lungs. I squished a hand between us and pried her away, but she only clung tighter as she screamed for my dad.

With her cry for help, his footsteps pounded against the carpeted stairs as he rushed to her aid.  As my dad charged into my room, the thumping magnified. I sat there, imprisoned on the floor, convulsing with each beat of their hearts. The room grew fuzzy as my vision blurred. Lindsey’s panicked squeal filled my ears, then all sound faded away to nothing.

The next time I opened my eyes, I was back in bed. A shaft of light from the hallway penetrated through the opening of my bedroom door, while multiple heartbeats sounded off inside my ears. I rolled over to face the doorway. My mom and Dr. Erickson, our next-door neighbor, stood just outside my room, wearing green hospital scrubs. She must have caught him either going to the hospital or just getting home. They spoke in hushed tones. I couldn’t make out every word, but I caught something about oxygen to the brain and low blood pressure.

This wasn’t any kind of illness. This was some sick craving for blood, and the second time it had manipulated me. Would there be more? How far would I go to satisfy the need? Would I resort to violence again? Would I hurt my parents, or Lindsey? A thin layer of sweat coated my skin as I twisted the sheets between my clammy fists. “Never!” I shouted.

My mom popped her head in. “I’ll be right there, Brandon.” She faced Dr. Erickson and squeezed his hands. “John, I can’t thank you enough for stopping by and checking on Brandon.”

“No need to thank me, Diane, but keep that appointment.”

“Yes, of course.”

“Goodnight. Call me anytime.” He gave her a nod and went on his way.

She hurried to my bedside, that motherly look of concern tugging at her eyebrows. “Honey, how are you feeling?”

“Tired…weak.” Scared I’m turning into a bloodthirsty monster.

She patted my hand. “Dr. Erickson reached out to Dr. Stewart. We’ve got an appointment with him tomorrow morning at nine.”

I heaved an exaggerated sigh in protest. “Do I have to go? You know how he is. He’ll run every test in the world.”

The motherly look intensified. “You gave me and your father, not to mention Lindsey, quite a scare. The subject is not up for debate. You’re going.” Her face softened, and she planted a kiss on my cheek. “Close those gorgeous hazel eyes and get some rest.” She stared at me for several seconds before leaving my side.

As she closed my door, I shuddered. If she knew the truth, she’d haul my ass to the nuthouse instead of the family physician.

Once more, my door opened halfway. Lindsey peeked around the frame. “Can I come in?”

That was a first. She never asked. I must’ve really freaked her out by fainting. “Yeah, sure.”

She approached my bed, stopping inches away. Her face twisted like she was in pain. “You scared me.” Her voice was gentle and soft, lacking its usual self-centeredness.

I put on my most thoughtful expression. “I didn’t mean to scare you, or Mom, or Dad. Mom says I’ve got to go to see Dr. Stewart tomorrow.”

“That’s probably a good thing. He’ll go all test happy and find what’s wrong.”

I busted out laughing. “That’s what I said.” I let myself get serious and lowered my voice. “I’m kind of scared. What if there’s something wrong with me, something that can’t be fixed?”

She nudged my shoulder. “It’ll be okay. Don’t worry.”

“What if it’s not?”

She locked her gaze on me. “It will. You’re my big brother, and I need you.”

I cracked a smile. “You mean, you need someone to boss around.”

A giggle escaped her, and more seemed to struggle to get out before she shook them off and held her chin high. “Not true.”

I let out a bemused huff. “Yeah, right. You’ve been bossing me around since you learned to talk. When we lived in that tiny apartment and had to share a room, you claimed top bunk and ordered me to sleep on the bottom bunk. Remember?”

She shuddered, then rubbed her arms. “That bedroom was haunted. I’ll never forget that girl’s voice humming that lullaby. No way was I sleeping on the bottom where she could pop out from under the bed and grab me.”

I rolled my eyes and waved her away. “I told you then and I’m telling you now, it was Mom.  She was probably standing outside our door, trying to get us to go to sleep.”

“That voice had come from inside our room, and it wasn’t Mom. It was a ghost,” she insisted with a firm nod.

My gaze drifted toward the ceiling as I conjured up the past, then I faced her. “It didn’t sound ghostlike or creepy to me. It had more of a calming effect as I remember.”

She jutted her chin in my direction. “Maybe for you.”

I released a low sigh. “Well, right now, I could use that calming lullaby.”

“Everything will be okay,” she said again, then hugged me.

I hugged her back, and longer than normal before releasing her. “Thanks, Lins. It’s late, go back to sleep. I’ll be fine.”

She searched my eyes. “You’re sure?”

I waved her toward the door. “I’m sure.”

“Okay.” She kept her gaze on me as she backed up into the doorway. A half-smile came to her lips before she closed the door, leaving me alone.

After staring at the ceiling for quite some time, sleep finally took over and Sam entered my dreams. She lay motionless beneath me as I hunched over her like a crazed animal. I’d ripped her apart, limb by limb, my face buried inside her open wounds, guzzling mouthfuls of blood.

My eyelids flew open and I scurried off my bed, flipping on the light, the nightmare still fresh in my mind. My heartbeat throbbed inside my throat as I skimmed over my room. Familiar surroundings fell into my sightlines; my guitars, rock-n-roll memorabilia, skateboards, and gaming equipment. I wiped the sweat off my forehead, trembling, and sank to the floor. Tears rushed forward and spilled down my cheeks as I feared the significance behind my nightmare.


About the Author


Laura Daleo was born and raised in San Diego, California where she majored in Fine Arts at Mesa College. She is best known for her love of animals and shares her home with three humorous Basset Hounds, Stuart, Morgan, and Dexter, her toughest critics. Laura has held positions in several industries, Restaurant, Telecom, Biotech, Research, and Retail. Throughout Laura's professional career, she furthered her writing skills by taking courses and by joining writer’s critique groups and Writers Digest. She is now the owner of Story Bound Publishing, a fresh voice in the supernatural realm of ebooks and traditional print, committed to publishing unearthly tales of Aliens, Angels, Demons, Fairies, Ghosts, Shifters, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches, Zombies and all other creatures that go bump in the night.



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Book Tour: A Gift and a Curse: Renata's Story from @iptlr #review #giveaway #romance



Romance
Date Published: April 21, 2018
Publisher: Independence Publishing, TLR


What does one do when your mind says go but your heart says stay?

In Stephanie Deniese Brown's third installment of her Wesson Family Saga, newly divorcee, Renata McKain-Christian learns if giving it up all in the name of love is either the best gift she'll ever receive or the curse she rather not face.

Renata, fresh off a divorce and ready to start a new life, with no distractions, finds immediate trouble the second she accepts a job from Carson Becker. Carson is established, powerful, and most of all rich. All the things Renata is not and that makes her feel unworthy of his love. But Carson doesn't care about her pocketbook, he sets out to capture Renata's mind, body, and soul. Just as he gets Renata to let her guard down and things start sizzling in the boardroom and the bedroom, secrets are unleashed that threaten to take away everything these two have built.

When power and insecurities threaten a relationship everything comes down to figuring out if the love you share is really a gift or a curse.


Review

The main thing I want to leave you with is the fact that you will not be disappointed in this novel. I was so happy I found this novel.

Great pacing and a well written storyline. Compelling characters and a Beautiful Romance!  I look forward to reading more from Stephanie Deniese Brown soon!

About the Author


Stephanie Deniese Brown, a native of Hampton, VA has always loved creative writing. From romance to mystery, she has dipped her pen in all styles of writing.

Stephanie began writing her first novel when she was 21 years old. At first the story was for recreational purposes and was meant to live in Stephanie's computer. After researching how to publish a novel, Stephanie decided she wanted to release her masterpiece to the world. In 2005 she opened Independence Publishing, TLR and released "Skye's His Limit". The novel received high reviews from readers and Stephanie went back to the lab and released the second installment in her series, "Sable's Karma...The Secret's Out" in 2008. The novel placed as a finalist in the National Indie of Excellence Book Award. After a ten year hiatus, Stephanie is back on the scene and is releasing the highly anticipated third installment of the Wesson Family Saga.

Stephanie currently resides in Richmond with her husband, children, and her adorable cat CiCi. 


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RABT Book Tours & PR

Friday, April 27, 2018

Release: Clipped Wings




Title: Clipped Wings
Series: Kings MC Romance #2
Author: Betty Shreffler
Genre: Standalone MC Romance
Release Date: April 27, 2018



Blurb

They call me the Devil’s assassin. It’s true. I have blood on my hands.
As the VP of the Serpents, my life is driven by loyalty, honor, brotherhood.
Until I see her.
Too young, too innocent. Mine to claim.

What I am, what I do, can never reach her. My dark secrets are scars I bear alone.
I’m torn between my duties and the woman I’ll die to protect.
Until...they try to take what’s mine.









Purchase Links

99c for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






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Excerpt

THE CLUBHOUSE IS buzzing with life tonight. Every member and their ol’ lady came out for the cage fight. No other MC members are allowed on a night like this. It’s in-house and exclusive. Keeps the outcome private and the bruised egos of the losers contained. I plan on bruising more than their egos. I want them carried out on a fucking stretcher.
These men aren’t my brothers. They don’t know loyalty, honor, or respect the patch and the brotherhood it stands for. They’re weak men. Men who get off on torturing and raping a woman who couldn’t defend herself against them. I don’t see them as equals. I’ll never see them as equals.
Through the church room is another set of double doors. This is where we have our fight cage and private bar. Wooden benches line two walls, the cage taking up the other two. Between the benches and the fight cage are high top and low top tables with bar stools and chairs. Every seat is filled and the liquor is pouring heavily. A few bucks make their rounds on who’s going to win the fight. It’s fun play for my brothers, but for me, tonight is about so much more.
Lighting dim, it makes the blood stains on the cage mat harder to see, but it’s there as a lingering memory of previous fights. Fights I’ve been a part of. Blood I’ve contributed myself. You don’t last in the Serpents as long as I have without shedding some.
Across the cage, between the bars, I can see Drake and Levi getting themselves worked up for the fight. A slap to the face, some words for courage, a shot glass thrown back. Next to me are Mercy, John, Tex and RJ, some of my closest brothers. Mercy slaps my bare back and hands me a shot.
“Fuck ‘em up.”
With the shot thrown back, I bob my head. Shirt in my hands, I pull it over my head and toss it on a chair. Reaching into my pocket, I retrieve the brass knuckles I brought. That’s an advantage with the cage fights—there are no rules.
Christian opens the cage door and dips his head, indicating Drake and Levi need to enter. Shirts off and in their jeans, they go into the cage, bouncing on the tips of their feet. They’re wired and ready, probably high on coke too. Another advantage for me. With intent steps, I flex my muscles and give Christian a hard stare as I enter the cage.
The door locks behind us and I measure my opponents. Levi is tall and gangly, has speed, but will easily be put off balance. Drake has muscles, a solid core, slightly shorter than I am, but he always steps before he punches. It’s been engrained in me to study the way every man I know fights, especially the ones closest to you.
Bloodshot eyes and their hyper energy are telltale signs they’re high. The corner of my mouth raises when the circling starts. They’ll come at me together at first, in hopes to overpower me, wear me down. Then once I’m tired, they’ll split up and go for individual attacks to give themselves breaks and ensure I remain exhausted. They’re dumb fucks if they think the fight will last that long.
They both charge and I slam into Levi. Hand to his throat, I ram him into the cage bars, knocking the wind out of him. Grip tight on his throat, I bring the brass knuckles down on his face. Blood spurts from his nose, then again from his busted lips.
“Fuuuck!” the word roars from my chest.
The cold steal slices across the lower left side of my back. Enraged, I turn on Drake and see him holding the bloody switchblade.
If blood is what they want, blood is what I’ll give them.
Fast hand to his wrist, I wrap my elbow around his arm and kick his leg out from under him. The blade drops and I flip him over slamming him to the ground. No hesitation, I snatch the blade and whip it across his cheek. Blood pours from the thin, neat cut. Flicking the blade into my other hand, I nail it into his thigh.
With the painkiller effects of the coke running through his system, he bellows from the wound, but still has a lot of fight. Seeing Levi come at me with a set of spiked knuckles, I get one brass-knuckled punch to Drake’s face before I duck and roll, dodging the swing of Levi’s arm.
Quick on my feet, I feel the warmth of my own blood running down my skin on the inside of my jeans. That’s gonna need stitches. I need to move fast before I lose too much blood. Drake pulls the blade from his thigh and limps to his feet, holding the bars of the cage.
Circling one another, the crowd is alive with energy, screaming and hollering inaudible words at us. They’re hungry for more.
Waving my fingers, I encourage their attack. Levi’s got good legs, so he comes at me first. With an uppercut of the brass knuckles, he lands on his back. One hard boot to his face and he’s lights out.
Drake circles me, blade in hand. With a fast swing, he grazes my arm, slicing it enough to make me bleed, but not enough to make me give a fuck. The fresh scent of copper fills my nostrils. Crimson red covers Drake’s face and stains his jeans. Watching his feet, he lunges again, and I grab his hand, lock onto it, turn inside his arm and elbow his face, breaking his nose. Pulling his hand backward, the blade drops. With one swift turn, I put brass to bone, knocking him on his ass.
I only stop when I see his eyelids. He’s out cold, and I heave a breath, controlling my fury before I murder him here in front of everyone. Rising to my feet, I pull the brass knuckles from my bloodied hand. The cage door opens for me, and I step out to hoots, hollers, pats on the back, and shots shoved into my hands. I down two for the pain.
All the faces are an adrenaline pumping blur until I see her—my Sparrow. Running to me, I enfold her in my arms, kissing her hard and fierce.








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Author Bio

Betty Shreffler is a bestselling author of paranormal romantic suspense and contemporary romance. She writes sexy and suspenseful stories with hot alphas and kickass heroines with twists you don’t expect. She also writes beautiful and sexy romances with tough women and their journeys at finding love. Betty is a mix of country, nerdy, sassy, sweet and a whole lot of sense of humor. She’s a fan of photography, reading, watching movies, hiking, traveling, drinking wine, and all things romantic. She lives with her amazing hubs and five fur babies. If she’s not writing or doing book events, then you can find her behind the lens of a camera, in the woods, or sipping wine behind a deliciously steamy book.


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Wednesday, April 25, 2018

Book Blitz: Anonymous



Title: Anonymous 
Author: L.P. Dover 
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Release Date: April 23, 2018 
Cover Designer: Regina Wamba at Mae I Design and Photography 



Every person has a story to tell. Some may be sweet with a happily ever after, but there are others that end in tragedy. Mine has yet to be finished. My name is Elizabeth Kingston and this is where my story begins. I never thought my life could be so perfect. I have an amazing job owning my own bakery, and a wonderful husband who I love and who loves me back. Never once did I have to worry about anything, at least, not until the texts started coming in. They always begin the same way … numbers that spell my nickname when read upside down. 31773 It’s someone from my past, only they won’t to tell me who they are, but that by talking to them, I’ll figure it out. It’s a game I refuse to play. Unfortunately, I’m left with no choice when things begin to take a dangerous turn. His name is Anonymous and there’s only one thing he wants … ME.





It’s closing time and Vikki and I are busy cleaning, so we can get home. My phone beeps with an incoming text and I look down at it and growl. “You can’t be serious.” Staring back at me isn’t a text from Jake, but from Anonymous. Even though I deleted and blocked the number ninety days ago, I still recognize it. Vikki moves closer, her eyes wide. “What’s going on?” I show her the text. Anonymous: 31773? Brows furrowed, she sits back. “What does that mean?” I turn my phone upside down, so she can see that the number spells out my name. Her eyes widen. “Wow, that’s cool you can type your name with numbers.” “But not so cool when I don’t know who the person is,” I counter. “About three months ago, I got texts from this exact same person. Whoever it is likes to play games. I’m sick of it and I want them to leave me alone.” Taking a deep breath, I type out a reply. Me: WHO IS THIS? Anonymous: Why all the yelling? I roll my eyes. This is just ridiculous. Me: I like using all caps. Anonymous: Don’t stop on my account. So, what have you been up to? Been a while since we talked. Me: Yeah, it’s because I blocked the number. Anonymous: Why? Me: BECAUSE I DON’T KNOW WHO YOU ARE!!!!!!!! “What is he saying?” Vikki asks. I show her the texts and her eyes widen. “So, you haven’t talked to him since you blocked the number?” I think back to when I blocked it and if my calculations are correct, the ninety days was up yesterday. “No, but he has perfect timing. My ninety days ran up yesterday. I might need to run to the cell store and see if they can block it permanently.” My phone beeps again and a sharp pain settles in my gut. I just want whoever it is to leave me alone. Anonymous: That hurts. You’ve always been friendly toward me. Me: Obviously not friendly enough, if you can’t tell me who you are. It’s weird and it makes me uncomfortable. You need to leave me the hell alone. Don’t text, call, or try to contact me in any way. I’m happily married, and I want it to stay that way. GOODBYE! Heart racing, I log into my cell phone account and before I can block the number, another text comes through. Anonymous: Sorry 31773 but that’s not going to happen. The blood in my veins runs cold. Hands shaking, I block his number and my phone drops onto the table. Vikki picks it up and reads the final text, her face growing pale. “I don’t think this person’s going away."

 


 


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries. She loves to write, but she also loves to play golf, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols. Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novels It Must’ve Been the Mistletoe and Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.