Love. Betrayal. Deception. Attempted Murder. Aurora Alexander is everything headlines are made of. Newly divorced single mother Aurora Alexander is trying to move on with her life. After a string of unsuccessful blind dates, she turns to internet dating. Everyone does it, so it has to be safe. Right? Wrong.
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Love. Betrayal. Deception. Attempted Murder. Aurora Alexander is everything headlines are made of. Newly divorced single mother Aurora Alexander is trying to move on with her life. After a string of unsuccessful blind dates, she turns to internet dating. Everyone does it, so it has to be safe. Right? Wrong. Anna Brookes, AKA 15, held the title of the girl with the golden aim. Through dedication and training she quickly rose to be the best assassin in the world. But no amount of preparation could guard her heart against falling in love. Anna’s armor was severely crumpled when she met Ben Pearson, the one man that managed to get under her skin and stay there. When Katsu Vang, a powerful player in the Yakuza, became a threat to Ben, Anna did the one thing she knew best–she went into assassin mode and fought the problem at the source. Katsu Vang proved to be an admirable adversary that even Anna couldn’t take down on her own. Because of her undercover intel work, Anna became a target for Katsu. She was sold into the sex trade and continuously injected with heroin until her body was hopelessly addicted. Ben Pearson was hiding behind his own mask, which finally dropped as his true identity was revealed to Anna in HiT for Freedom. Ophelia is Ben’s right hand at the job he held as a front. Ophelia has her own vendetta and wants her mother’s killer brought to justice. Katsu has vanished but his power still poses an imminent threat to all concerned. Anna Brookes is the common link between all the players… The one woman that can put all the pieces together… The one woman that can tear everything down. I’m not sure how long my mind is enveloped in darkness, pain, and weakness. I have no idea how many days, or even weeks pass by as I lay in this bed, completely consumed by my own worst terrifying nightmare – a loss of control so complete I’ve forgotten who and what I am. The bleakness is present in every breath I take, the blackness evident in the shadows behind every flutter of my eyelids. My body is not my own and the reality is unnerving. It shakes and still craving the drug, all while my system tries to purge the dirty drugs that have been pumped into me since the moment I was sold into sexual slavery. Through the looming, horror-filled moments, I do grasp a small sliver of clarity and begin to make plans. Plans to kill the man that bought me, the wife that insisted I whore myself out, and the daughter who encouraged men to indulge their gruesome fantasies. My plans go deeper and stretch further than just seeking justice for myself. Those men that were hurting the little girl in Katsu’s care will also be dealt the hand they deserve. My head clears just a little more as my aching body is covered in goose bumps and a fine sheen of cold sweat as I think of Katsu. My plans for him grow more detailed and precise as my body lays slumped and broken, slowly healing itself. I will be Anna Brookes once more, and when I’m fully recovered, there’ll be no stopping the full force of what I’ll bring to Katsu Vang. The pain I’ve endured will be nothing in comparison to the red hot wrath that I’ll happily inflict upon him. He will die by my hand. It will be a slow, torturous, agonizing experience for him. For me it’ll be a delicious revenge, and my burning hunger to end his life will be satisfied as I watch him beg for mercy from me. USA: Hit to Live Box Set: UK: Hit to Live Box Set: AU: Hit to Live Box Set: Series must be read in order: HiT 149 HiT for Freedom HiT to Live Anna Brookes In Training (companion novella) Buy them from Amazon NOW!I don't do 'normal'. I've found that the more I write, the more I like being different to other authors. I write in first person, and I love to challenge a reader. I take the normal and switch it around. For me, I really enjoy getting a reaction from a reader. So if I can evoke an emotion (regardless of if it's the emotion the reader wants) then I figure that I've done my job as an author I want to be. I really quite revel in taking people out of their comfort zones and pushing them to read something different. My genre of writing is, well quite frankly, where ever my mind goes. I won't label myself because I don't like sticking to one genre. My goal with writing is just to take people away from whatever is going on in their lives, even if it's only for a split second. I'm a go with the flow sort of person and don't really take a course of action to get where I am going. I live in the moment and don't usually worry about tomorrow because whatever life is due to bring me, I'll be happy to accept. I love my family and friends and will help anyway I can if someone needs it. I really don't like people that are nasty just because they can be, I don't believe that's necessary, I mean life's hard enough as it is! I hope you enjoy my books, I've had a hoot writing them. There's more to come..... Til next time. M xx Visit Margaret on Facebook!Title: Catching Kate (Acceptance, #1.5) Author: D. Kelly Release Date: July 7, 2014 Genre: Contemporary Romance Synopsis After almost four years, Michael Matthews has come face to face with the love of his life. To say it didn’t go quite as he envisioned is an understatement. Never in a million years would he have imagined that his best friend, Daniel, is the new man in Kate’s life.Once their explosive evening concludes and everyone goes their separate ways, Mike takes the time to calm down and plan his next move. If there’s one thing that calms him it’s Kate, even if it’s just memories of her. Mike has four hours before he sees her again and gets to plead his case. Instead of sleeping, he spends his evening remembering every detail of their relationship from the beginning. Experience Mike and Kate’s love story from the start, all from Mike’s point of view. Find out why he left Kate in pieces and learn just how far he’ll go to make her fall in love with him all over again. Excerpt “Jessica, I…I’m sorry. There’s so much I want to say to you but it all seems insignificant somehow right now.” She sniffs and wipes her nose with the tissue, finally looking me in the eye for the first time. Instead of the anger that was there a few hours ago, her eyes are filled with utter sadness. “Michael, I honestly don’t know what to say to you. I’ve missed you and I’m pissed at you and I’m so fucking relieved to see you. I’ve been so worried about you, wondering if you were ever going to come back to us. Did you ever think about us? About Kate? About me?” “Every single day, Jess, and every single night. I just wasn’t ready to face her, or you. How do you single handedly shatter your very own existence and then come back and try to piece it back together? When I destroyed my life I broke her trust, I broke your trust, and I don’t know if I can ever get it back. But it’s the one thing I want more than anything in this world.” “He loves her, Mike, with his whole heart.” Her voice catches when she says that, almost like it tears her up to have to tell me. I understand the feeling completely because my voice probably sounds the same when I answer her. “I know he does. Does she love him?” I ask the question that I never want to know the answer to.Breaking Kate (Acceptance, #1) Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N Paperback | Goodreads About the Author I'm a wife, a mom and a dog lover. I'm also a taxi, problem fixer, extreme multi-tasker and my kids’ biggest fan in anything that they do. I love to write, so when my career suddenly derailed I turned back to my love of writing. I married my high school sweetheart... how cool is that? Margaritas and sarcasm make me happy. Chocolate makes that happiness grow exponentially. People who make me laugh are my favorite kind of people. I believe Karma is a bitch who slaps back hard and that mean people suck. I'm California born and raised, I love the beach but hate the sand. The Acceptance Series is my first series of books with more to come soon.Facebook | Goodreads | Website | Twitter Giveaway! Title: Sinfully She played the game by her own rules...until he changed them... Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA I hadn’t felt so alone in a while. Vegas was usually the place where I felt at peace and didn’t have to deal with any of the bullshit that had occurred over past twenty-four hours. I took the hottest shower I could stand to wipe myself clean of the day, followed by a luxurious bubble bath while I drank the bottle of Moscato I had bought to be shared with someone other than myself. I submerged myself under the water, holding my breath for as long as I could while I floated back to the top. It felt liberating being able to only hear the roar of the water, without noises from the real world getting through. I must have repeated the process six or seven times until it lost its fun. I didn’t want to go home and I didn’t want to stay there. Both places reminded me of Ryder. I can’t believe he ruined Vegas for me. I had no idea where I would go the next day. After the water started to turn lukewarm, I hopped out and air dried as I packed my bags. It felt nice to walk around my room, feeling the air against my cool skin. I was high enough that no one would see me when I walked close to the windows and the feeling of possibly being seen was highly erotic. I was packing my heels in my bag when there was a weak knock at the door. Turning suddenly, I had to wonder if it was meant for my door or maybe I was hearing someone knock next door. I threw on a t-shirt and thong and stepped closer to the door. Just as I got on my tippy toes to see through the peep hole, I heard and felt another knock. Looking through the hole, I saw Tate walking away from my door. I opened the door without another thought and followed him, tapping on his shoulder. Tate stopped, turned toward me, and then looked back at my door. “Were you planning on going back out like that?” He had a hint of amusement in his eyes. “No, I heard you knock and threw the first thing I saw on to see who it was.” “So you weren’t dressed?” His smile was full force. “I was just packing to leave and hadn’t decided what to wear for the rest of the night. Why aren’t you with whore-face?” I didn’t need to tell him I wasn’t sure when I was leaving or where I was going. I hadn’t quite figured it out. “Ahh, the more important question is how you’re going to get back in your room, doll. Seeing you strut downstairs to the front desk with your tight little ass peeking out from under your very thin t-shirt might gather even more looks than you and Tyler got on the casino floor earlier. You do know he’s getting married tomorrow, right?” 1. I’m 24 and Texas born and raised (not fun per se, but mandatory, right?) 2. I will see any movie with Adam Sandler or Channing Tatum in them 3. I can’t drive with shoes on (I’ve had 8 ankle surgeries on my driving foot) 4. I plan out my books while I drive to work normally 5. I have the most random taste in music ranging from Alanis Morissette to Rob Zombie to Luke Bryan to Metric 6. I’ve been on over 600 flights in my lifetime 7. I’m scared of fire and have never ever lit a match or lighter 8. Apparently, I talk really fast 9. My favorite drink is Sweet Tea (not bottled, the real stuff) 10. I love chocolate and peanut butter 11. I don’t snore, but I talk in my sleep 12. I always bake cookies for road trips... a lot of them 13. I HATE beer 14. Brisket tacos are the shit 15. I’m tempted to move to Austin just so I can go to Gourdoughs whenever I want 16. I get excited when hurricanes form (I know, it’s horrible and feel for everyone who lives on the coastlines, but ever since I was little, I was always cheering them on to get bigger) 17. I would be an awesome getaway driver if you were to rob a bank or egg your boyfriends car 18. I say “y’all” and am proud of it 19. Bailey in Sinfully is modeled after my niece who still asks for the “Talk Dirty Tummy” song 20. I have the best PA in the world ;) Texas born and raised, I found my love for dirty books rather recently. I work in real estate for my normal job and I write contemporary romance. I love sweet tea (made right!), cookie cake, and anything with chocolate and peanut butter. I have a few guys at my gym that are my TDF’s (tall, dark, and fuckable) but also have a HSB (Hot Sauna Boy), because let’s be honest, they’re my motivation while I’m there! I go to Las Vegas often but I swear I don’t have as much fun as Payton does. Although, if I found myself a Tate there, I might change my opinion! Authors such as Katy Evans, SE Hall, Angela Graham, Jasinda Wilder, and Jillian Dodd have been a large influence on me and I’m forever grateful. I decided to write Sinfully on Black Friday in November 2013, on a whim. I thought I’d get bored after a few pages but was captivated by the characters and it developed into something I am truly proud of. Sinfully will be the first of three in its series, but they will be able to be read separately if desired. When it comes to book boyfriends, I love those who are strong but with a little imperfection or tragedy in their past (Remy, Kellan, Q, Twitch are just a few of my favorites). I LOVE talking to my readers so feel free to message me on Facebook. ♥ If I would have known then what I know now. If I would have known that having my heart broken at thirteen by my one and only friend, Garrett Rhodes, would never compare to the empty feeling at sixteen when I buried my mother. If I would have known that changing schools in my senior year would throw all that back in my face. If someone would have told me that when you drink a fifth a night and get in bar fights at twenty one, I’d end up in jail … again. Maybe … just maybe … I wouldn’t be in the hell storm I’m living in these days. Letting my past dictate my future, allowing the best of the best male MMA fighters bully me day in and day out and knowing no matter what I do, Garrett will always be the only man that understands me. I didn’t have to live this way. One day changed the course of my life forever. Through all this mess, the one thing that I’ve found that keeps me centered … martial arts. And I’m damn good. If only someone would give me a chance to prove my worth. All I can do now is make the best of it and try to not let the fight consume me. Prologue “It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman, you’re gonna wanna get in our next contender’s pants … show some love for our hometown legend, The Switch Hitter!” I snort at the name, expecting to walk out and see a fighter carrying a baseball bat. What do ya know? No bat in sight. Extra reinforcements might not have been a bad idea since I’m on fire and ready to bust the bricks off this clown. Waiting for the emcee to call my name, I think of all the crazy things in my life that have led me to this point. I’ve experienced more than any one person should by the age of barely twenty-two—few happy moments surrounded by almost constant anguish. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, right? “Being escorted to the cage by the most badass entourage I’ve seen tonight, all the way from Corbin, Kentucky … the newest fighter this side of the Mississippi … The Raven!” At least my name makes sense. Ravens are known for being alone, having no problem flying solo. That’s what I’ve done for the past four years anyway. After my announcement, the crowd erupts into cheers that I can hear loud and clear, even over the song streaming out of my iPod through my ear buds. Bouncing back and forth on the balls of my feet, I crane my neck side to side, examining the mass of people. It’s a good sized crowd for this venue. I sometimes wonder if these guys come to watch the fights for the love of the sport or because they like to see the ring girls walking around, barely dressed, carrying signs to designate what round we’re in. Oh well, they paid their cover and that money, if all goes according to plan, will be in my pocket later tonight. With my coaches leading the way, I follow, bobbing my head to Down with the Sickness by Disturbed, mentally preparing myself. I run over everything I’ve been taught over the last year—how to get out of a submission hold, finding opportunities to take my opponent down, remembering not to be a cocky asshole. It took a lot of convincing for Zan to let me fight tonight. He’s not the kind father figure he portrays himself to be. He says he loves and supports his “children”, but deep down he’d rather me not get in that cage. I know damn well if I blow my first match, it’s going to be a long time, if ever, until he puts me on another card. “You ready for this?” Zan asks, pulling out one of my ear buds. Smirking, I eye up my competition that’s already inside the cage—a small, tiny thing that doesn’t look to have much muscle mass. I got this. Standing on the opposite side of the mat surrounded by coaches, glancing in my direction, the slightest tinge of fear flashes across those brown eyes, similar to mine. Physically, I’m not very intimidating—weighing in at average weight for my class with an average stature to match, but the menace written across my face is an entirely different situation. Since my first introduction into the world of mixed martial arts, it’s all I can think about. It may be cliché, but I live, breathe and sleep MMA. It’s the one place I have any control. Nobody can take a match from me unless I allow them to, and my opponent isn’t going to walk away with anything … maybe disappointment, but I’m taking the purse. I already know I want it more; I can taste the victory and it’s going to be as sweet as I imagine it to be. Stepping into the steel cage, I shrug my midnight blue robe off, right into the hands of my coach. Wearing standard MMA gear and my hair pulled back tight, I walk straight to the official who checks my taped hands. Once cleared, I step back to Zan who pops my mouth guard in for me, pats me on the shoulder and whispers in my ear, “It’s only you two. If you want it, make it happen. If not, we can leave right now.” “Don’t worry, Z. I wouldn’t bring you all the way here to disappoint you.” Zan and the other coaches walk out of the cage and the door slams shut, leaving only me, my opponent and the official inside. Meeting them in the middle, the ref goes over the standard rules for the fight. Both of us nod, bump fists and the bell dings, indicating round one is under way. Pacing myself and testing Switch Hitter’s skills, I toss a few jabs in the air, needing to know if we’re on compatible levels. Weight class isn’t everything in the MMA world. Sometimes the smallest contender can be the best fighter. Without even flinching, my advances are shut down and every punch is dodged while some are tossed in my direction as well. None land. I may have to reevaluate my plan. This isn’t going to be as clean as I thought. It doesn’t take long before hands are wrapped around my legs. I try my hardest to center myself and stay on my feet, but I’ve been hit in just the right spot. I position my body to flip and mount, like I’ve been taught, but I’m not quick enough. Before I know it, a strong forearm, stronger than I assumed, is wrapping around my neck, pulling back to cut off my air supply. Rear naked choke, shit. Taking a few deep breaths, I try to calm my overheated and exhausted body and find a way to maneuver out of this situation. From the corner of my eye, I see Zan signaling me to tap. Not yet. If I’m going to go down, the officials are gonna have to call a medic in here—quitting isn’t an option. Dangerous or not, it’s how I’ve been taught. The phrase that’s been drilled into me for months dances around in my head. Don’t let the fight consume you. Well, I’m consumed and I’m not giving up. I’ll figure a way out. I always have, I always will. Ashley Suzanne is a married mother of three little boys as well as a daughter, aunt, sister, best friend, birth mother, blogger, book whore and author. Ashley is a native to the suburbs of Detroit, with most of her family living in Kentucky and New York. You can usually find Ashley sitting in bed, with her laptop, playing on Facebook, pretending to write, entering giveaways (she’s also a swag whore) or on a football field with her oldest son, Tyler. Yep, not only is she a football fan, she’s a football mom! When she’s reading, it’s typically something to do with romance, contemporary being her favorite genre. She’s a total fan-girl over a few authors; Pamela Ann, SE Hall, Madeline Sheehan, Jasinda Wilder, Maya Banks, CM Stunich, Nicole Jacquelyn and Riley Rhea to name a few. Ashley has no pets, unless you count her children and she is a little OCD. Her favorite color is pink. Her favorite drink is cherry vodka and coke and double chocolate brownies are a must. Other Works by Ashley Suzanne (all available on Amazon, BN, iTunes, Kobo and Smashwords) HOSTED BY: The Shore Series #2 SYNOPSIS: My name is Raphael Cruz. I was once a man made up of only flesh and bone. Never feeling, just existing. I indulged in the pleasures that others gave to me, and those I gave to them. That's all it wasâpleasure. Physical pleasure. No emotions, no attachments. I didn't need all those feelings, didn't want them. There was no longing for love, no longing to let anyone in. Until I found her. And I gave in.Harlow Hannum showed me what love was all about. I savored it and held it close, not even knowing I really wanted it in my life. She made me feel loved. She made me accept love. She taught me how to love in return. My heart was open to it all. My heart was hers. It belonged to her. But, she never knew. And then lies, deceit and betrayal forced me to lose the one thing that made me more than a man who just existed. I should have told her I loved her when I had the chance. I should have told her I gave in to all the powers that love possess. Will I ever have the chance to tell her? Will my past mistakes never give me that chance? Playlist! http://open.spotify.com/user/1239136022/playlist/0yxp9FjjUS47SI2spdTGY7 See where it all started..... Giving In The Shore Series #1 SYNOPSIS: Raphael Cruz doesn't do it. He just doesn't. Cruz doesn't fall in love. He's a "get in and get out" kind of guy. Ladies love him and fall all over him for his swoon worthy good looks and overwhelming sex appeal. He knows how to talk to them and tells them exactly what they want to hear. When he's done making them scream his name, he shows them straight to the door. The meaning of the word love doesn't exist in his world. But that could all change with a wink of a girl's eye... And one hot-as-hell romp in a bar bathroom.Harlow Hannum is your typical girl-next-door. She has the brains, the beauty, and the money. What she doesn't have is the luxury of being someone's first choice in the game of love. She always comes in a distant second place, leaving her guarded with her feelings. Lies, betrayal, and secrets of her past follow her wherever she goes, no matter how hard she tries to hide them. That is until she's reunited with the one guy who can ignite the spark in her heart that's been extinguished for so long. With sunny days, heated nights, and love lingering in the air in the beach town of Sandy Cove anything can happen. Especially when fate steps in for Harlow and Cruz. Will their blossoming friendship turn into unexpected love or will the collision of their opposing worlds be the end of what could have been? PURCHASE LINKS: ABOUT THE AUTHOR: M.R. Joseph My first book, 'Reunion' debuted in November, 2012. Meant only to be a Christmas gift to my family and closest friends, word got out, and here I am. The second in the series, 'You Belong With Me', released in March, 2013, and the final installment in the series, 'Letters to Luca', released August 2013. Mom and wife by day, writer of contemporary romance by night, I believe in soul mates, true love, and all that mushy stuff. Social media links: |