Title: Taken
Series: The Dark Necessities Trilogy #1
Author: Felicity Brandon
Genre: Dark Romance/Kidnap Thriller
One obsessed fan. One captive author.
Lost on the streets of a foreign city, Molly Clary is attacked after a book signing until an unknown hero steps in to protect her. But Molly’s relief soon turns to terror when her savior’s true intentions are revealed. Connor Reilly doesn’t just want to save her, he wants to take her for himself.
Now Molly’s fighting, not just for her life, but for the essence of who she truly is. If she’s going to survive in Connor’s dark new world, she’ll have to learn to play his base games. But if Molly plays, what will it cost her? Can a monster ever really learn to love, or will his need to dominate destroy them both?
If you enjoyed the debauched desire of the Twist Me series, then you’ll devour Felicity Brandon’s edgy new trilogy.
Buy Taken to begin this hauntingly addictive set.
Taken is an edgy, fast-paced, dark romance and is the first book in The Dark Necessities trilogy. Molly and Connor’s story continues in Tamed, and concludes in Entwined.
Felicity Brandon is a top 100 Amazon bestselling author. She loves the darker side of romance, and writes sexy, suspenseful stories, with strong themes of bondage and submission. You'll find her either at her laptop, at the gym, or rocking out to her favourite music.
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Title: Christmas With You
Authors: Heidi McLaughlin, L.P. Dover,
Cindi Madsen, R.J. Prescott, & Amy Briggs
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Romance
Release Date: November 20, 2018
Blurb
Bestselling authors Heidi McLaughlin, L.P. Dover, Cindi Madsen, R.J. Prescott, and Amy Briggs invite you to celebrate the holidays in small-town Friendship, Massachusetts, where a mysterious newcomer decides to play matchmaker for five lucky couples.
Snowflake Lane Inn by L.P. Dover
The owner of a picturesque inn gets a holiday surprise when a well-known fashion designer comes to stay and re-designs his future.
Runaway Christmas Bride by Cindi Madsen
Making a new life in Friendship certainly wasnât the plan, but the spirit of Christmasâalong with the rugged local sheriffâleads to a change of heart for this runaway bride.
Christmas Lights by Amy Briggs
A visitor to Friendship learns the true meaning of Christmas from a single dad and his young daughter.
Christmas Encounter by R.J. Prescott
A famous Formula One driver finds all roads lead to Friendshipâand loveâthis Christmas.
Itâs a Wonderful Holiday by Heidi McLaughlin
A workaholic finds just the right Christmas magic to remind him about the most important thing in life: spending time with his wife and family. Purchase Links AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU B&N / KOBO / APPLE BOOKS GOOGLE PLAY Trailer Contributing Authors
All Titles by Kailee Reese Samuels
(e-book & paperback)
ON SALE FOR 3 DAYS ONLY! NOVEMBER 21-23, 2018
Escape into the sexy & deviant world of Sal Raniero.
Start or complete your collections today!
All of Kailee Reese Samuels e-books and paperbacks are on sale for three days only!
Embracing diversity. Coffee addict. Mango lover. Blueberry fetishist. Sweet peach tea crazy. Red wine devout. Whiskey deviant. Tattooed & pierced. Loves shoes. Collects rosaries. Fanatical organizer/cleaner/list-maker. Never sleeps. Hermit and recluse.
Storyteller. KAILEE REESE SAMUELS has been spinning tales since she can remember. Her books are contemporary fiction with a no-holds-barred attitude. She adores listening to her character’s ramble and putting them into situations that push the boundaries.
Title: Defending The Net
Author: Genevive Chamblee
Genre: M/M Sports Romance
Add to your TBR - Goodreads
Two hot-shot hockey players are about to clash in Genevive Chamblee’s sexy M/M romance Defending the Net.
Crossing the line can cost the game. Brighton Rabalais only wants to play hockey. He’s uninterested in the politics behind the sport, but his recruiting to the Saint Anne’s Civets is as much about politics as it is his hockey abilities. He’s been hired to replace the enigmatic, three-time champion, veteran goalie, Gatien Glesseau, who happens to be as sexy as he is talented. Their clashing is inevitable, but Brighton can’t get a read on Gatien. However, with his own secrets a concern, Brighton doesn’t need another complication. But when Gatien threatens to invade Brighton’s privacy, Brighton defends his heart with the same vigor and passion as he does the net.
An astringent odor of aged scotch mixed with sweet tobacco hung in the air, teasing Brighton’s nostrils as he and his roommate, Dylan, maneuvered a path through the rowdy crowd to a table being wiped down by a waitress in a dim corner. In the swell, bodies pressed against him. Overapplied colognes and perfumes transferred and smeared onto his sleeves as he squeezed past, leaving him smelling as if he’d been in a house of ill repute by the time he’d crossed the room.
A few feet from his destination, Brighton struck what felt like a river barge—the broad chest of Gatien Glesseau, the Civets’ starting goalie, with a gorgeous blonde draped on his right and a sexy redhead on his left. The impact whooshed Brighton’s breath from his lungs and sent jagged heat seeping into his bone marrow, filling him with indefinable emotions. Dylan collided with his backside. To balance, Brighton splayed his palms across the soft silk of Gatien’s shirt, and his stomach flipped in a weird flutter. He squelched it as best he could and blinked to clear his murky vision from the smoke. So much for city ordinances regarding no smoking inside public businesses. Lifting his chin, Brighton’s eyes jerked to Gatien’s face.
Instant frostbite. The Viking of a man’s large eyes narrowed to slits with an ethereal glow beneath thick lashes, his square jaw dusted with stubble clenched, and a crease deepened across his forehead, like a crack in a cement sidewalk. His lips formed an unmoving line, taut and peeved. Even in the diffused lighting, Brighton saw Gatien’s pectorals flex and strain against the fabric and the slight lump of an Adam’s apple peeking above the button-down with the sleeves folded neatly at the elbows.
“Sorry,” Brighton murmured, retreating and lowering his hands. Of all the people to stumble into, within fifteen minutes of arriving, he had found the one person who happily would build a pyre beneath him.
Reaching the booth, Brighton slid across the fresh-smelling leather seat and yanked at the collar of his starched button-up tucked neatly in his creased linen trousers.
The waitress looked up, tossed her rag on a tray with the empty glasses, and smiled. “What can I get you gentlemen?”
Brighton’s lips moved, but he emitted no sound.
“Whatever’s on tap,” Dylan interjected, tugging the hem of his skintight V-neck that rode up with his every movement. Despite the amount of pulling, the shirt refused to reach the waistband of his jeggings.
The waitress giggled. “I’m afraid you’re going to have to do better than that, honey. Everything’s on tap tonight. The Cats are out, and they celebrate big. It’s a coach’s birthday.”
Dylan stole a glance at his companion. Brighton failed to respond, and Dylan turned back to the waitress. “Beer, then.”
“Ale, IPA, lager, malt, Pilsner, porter, or stout?”
“Oh.” Dylan considered. “What do you suggest?”
“Well, striplings such as yourselves usually appreciate an IPA.”
Dylan nodded. “Sounds good.”
“I’ll be right back with that order.” The waitress collected her tray and sauntered through the mass of partygoers toward the cylindrical bar surrounding a succession of brass faucets.
Dylan scanned the room before settling his gaze on Brighton. “This is some place, huh? Posh.”
Brighton silently critiqued the room. None of the watering holes he frequented had mahogany bars with chrome trim or marble fountains. “Maybe a little too much,” Brighton stated, finally finding his voice. He interlocked his fingers, his thumbs circling each other.
“Will you calm down? We’re supposed to be here.”
Genevive Chamblee lives in the bayou country in the deep south where sweet tea, football, good music, and colorful family is gospel. When she is not writing, she can be found attending SEC football games, playing with her dog, sightseeing, or spending time with family.
Genevive writes contemporary romance, erotic romance, fantasy romance, the occult, Creole culture, and southern drama.
Title: Lost King
Series: The Kings of Retribution MC #6
Author: Sandy Alvarez & Crystal Daniels
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: November 16, 2018
The funny thing about fate—about life, is you never know what the next day holds. Live with no regrets.
Quinn Beckett, Sergeant At Arms for the Kings of Retribution MC knows life is all about what you make of it. He has dedicated years to his club, his family, his community and the members he calls his brothers. For Quinn, he couldn’t imagine life getting much better.
Until a chance meeting a couple of years ago with a bright, attractive doctor altered his course in life. She became his only desire—his obsession. Quinn wanted nothing more than to make Emerson his.
To outsiders Emerson Evans had all the things in life you could ever hope for; family, friends and a great career, but what they didn’t know was she wasn’t happy. All her life she chased dreams—dreams that were only partly her own. Being a doctor means everything to her, but she finds herself longing for more out of life. Including wanting a sexy, long-haired biker, who happens to be part of the local MC. The very Club that fate decided was to be a part of her life.
She could never have foreseen that giving her heart away and loving a man so fiercely would be the source of strength she would lean on when the unexpected happens.
We are sisters who both share a passion for books. Our obsession for bad boys, alpha males, angst, romance, hot, sexy, and happily ever after has lead us on a journey, a dream to not only read all the incredible stories we love so much, but to write one of our own.
Both born in Illinois, then moved to Wyoming, were we spent part of our childhood before moving to Mississippi.
Crystal lives in Pearl Mississippi with her husband of twenty-one years, two sons and their two dogs.
Sandy lives in Brandon Mississippi with her husband of eleven years, and four kids.
Meet the Author:
Robert Tate Miller was raised in the North Carolina mountain town of Hendersonville and began writing at an early age. He began his writing career with homespun essays of small town life that were published in such publications as Reader's Digest, The Christian Science Monitor and the Chicken Soup for the Soul book series. He moved to Los Angeles in the late 1980s and wrote hugely successful family-oriented telefilms for NBC, ABC Family and the Hallmark Channel. Robert lives in Northridge, CA..
About the Book:
The weather forecasters said the snowstorm would miss the eastern seaboard. They were wrong. When Ally Henderson’s flight from Southern California to finally marry her fiancé in New York City on Christmas gets diverted to the tiny Midwestern town of Bethlehem, she’s desperate to get back in the air and to the Big Apple. But with all the airports closed, she’s forced to rely on Midwestern hospitality to wait out the storm.
Living with a welcoming stranger is one way to spend a snowed-in Christmas, but when she meets the local diner owner, the kindhearted and surprisingly sexy Jake, sparks fly. Only, Ally’s a big-city girl with big-city dreams, and Jake will always be a Bethlehem boy. Add to Goodreads
Just do it, she thought. Kiss me. Why do you have to be such a gentleman when I really just want your lips on mine?
“Hey guys.” Ally looked over to see Tina standing on the edge of the porch, hugging her bathrobe tightly about her. Jake quickly stood up. A little too quickly, Ally decided. “Oh hi,” Jake said. Terrible actor, Ally thought. He didn’t even try to play it off coolly. Ally wondered what would have happened if Tina hadn’t interrupted them. Curse my timing. Ally stood up on her own. Jake seemed too busy distancing himself from her to offer his hand. “Hi sis,” Jake said. Ally noticed the curious smile on Tina’s face. It was clear that Jake’s sister knew full well she’d caught them in a compromising position. “Hope I’m not interrupting anything,” Tina said. “Oh, no!” Jake said much too quickly. “We were just finishing up Snowman Bob.” Ally was amused as Jake gestured to the snowman as if that might distract his sister from what she’d seen. “Well, welcome back, Snowman Bob,” Tina said. “He looks especially robust this year. I’m sure that was Ally’s doing.” “Yes,” Jake said. “She was a big help. Right, Ally?” “I guess so,” Ally said. “I just packed on snow. Not a lot of skill involved.” She exchanged a furtive glance with Tina, and it was as if they could read each other’s minds. Jake’s acting funny, huh? “Maddie’s going to be so excited,” Tina said. “She’s been jabbering about it for days. Kinda sad, though. Once she morphs into a poopy teenager, she’ll be too cool for Snowman Bob.” “I’m sure I’ll be ready to retire him by then,” Jake said. “So, Jake. I hear you’re going to have competition at the Great Christmas Cookie Bake-off tomorrow night,” Tina said. “Mom says Ally and Noel have an unbeatably delicious cookie entry.” Jake shot a look at Ally. “I’m not really expecting competition.” Ally gave him a playful punch on the arm. “You know what they say. An arrogant bug is a cocky roach.” “Oh wow,” Jake said. “Now I’m an insect. Very nice, yoga lady.” Ally looked at Tina. “Tina, is your brother always this impossible to deal with?” “Pretty much,” Tina said. “Well,” Ally said, “just so you know, Noel and I are in this to win.” “Be warned, Ally,” Tina said. “Jake’s a pretty fair cookie-baker.” “Not afraid at all,” Ally said. “We welcome the competition. With Peggy in our corner, we’re unbeatable.” “Wow,” Jake said. “Can’t believe my own mother’s helping the enemy.” He shook his head in mock dismay. “All right then. I guess it’s on.” “Yep,” Ally said. “On like Donkey Kong.” “So, okay,” Tina said, “I’m freezing my bunions off, so I’m gonna go back inside.” “Night,” Ally and Jake said in unison. Tina turned back just before disappearing inside. “You can go back to your kiss now.” After the door closed behind her, Ally and Jake exchanged a look. Ally relished the sheepish smile on his handsome face. “Not sure what she’s talking about,” he said. “No idea,” Ally said. The clock in the town hall tower started to peal. “Well, I should get you back,” Jake said. “Right,” Ally replied. “Don’t want to turn into a pumpkin. Night, Snowman Bob.”
Title: In the Land of Gods and Monsters
Series: Gods and Monsters #1
Author: Carmen Jenner
Genre: Dark Romance
Release Date: November 20, 2018
Blurb
In the land of Gods and Monsters, she was a toy. A plaything. A pet.
His pet.
Taken, stolen, beaten, used.
Pet remembers nothing before his touch, and afterward, she craves nothing more.
Sinful and merciless, Ares is her God now. He alone says when to beg, when to come, and when to kneel, but he never said anything about leaving.
5 Star Review by Lorena
Wow, this book was definitely intense and dark as can be.I went into this one with my eyes closed and an open mind not knowing what to expect or what I was going to get. But I'm so glad I did go in blind because this book definitely hit all my awesomeness buttons. We get this in dual POV, but mostly in Pet's POV and we get to feel and experience how she is feeling and what she's going through being Ares' submissive. I've read some pretty dark books and this one definitely goes on top of my dark reads list of 2018! This story enraptured me whole and I just couldn't stop reading it. I loved everything about this story and how the relationship developed between Pet and Ares. I can't wait to get more from these characters because I was definitely left with many unanswered questions. I am so looking forward to reading more in this series! Also, Hermes (Ares' twin brother) was just one broody SOB and even though he wasn't a very nice man, I want to read about him and what's his story.
In the Land of Gods and Monsters, Part One by Carmen Jenner
Brittanys rating: 5 of 5 stars Ahhhhhh!!!! What a PHENOMENAL book! Definitely one of my top reads for this year!! It was dark and twisted and full of some smoking hot sex. *fans self* It's a dark romance lover's dream book!! I enjoyed watching Ares slowly change and grow into his feelings for Pet throughout the book. I love how demented and sick he is, how he tortures her and at the same time gives her pleasure. It's a sight to behold (if it were a movie, that is). I totally think, though, that Pet is kind of crazy and definitely has Stockholm Syndrome. I mean, the guy kidnaps you, treats you like shit, and you fall in love with him? While it makes for a great book, it's so stupid because I just don't get how anyone could feel that way toward their captor. Yeah, yeah, I know, they can't help it and it just happens, but my brain cannot compute. I couldn't put this book down! I was so entranced by it, so in love with the story, that I couldn't stop reading. This is my first Carmen Jenner book and I really hope she writes more books like this. I know that there will be another book in this series, because this is only part one and ends on a slight cliffhanger. View all my reviews
Excerpt
âBeautiful, isnât it?â He presses his front against my back, eliminating the space between us. My heart races as I feel his erection through his suit pants.
I shiver. âWill you hurt me in here, Sir?â
âOf course.â
âWill you make me cry?â
âI usually do.â
I steel my jaw, because the way he talks about my pain, my torment, is just cruel. âThen what are you waiting for?â
âAn audience,â he whispers, his tongue darting out to lick the space where my shoulder meets my neck. I close my eyes, bring my arm up behind his head, and slide my fingers into his hair as he devours my flesh. My body is electric, on fire, and buzzing with need. His words terrify me, and yet Iâve never been more turned on.
Author Bio
Carmen Jenner is a USA Today and international bestselling author.
A hardcore red lipstick addict and a romantic at heart, Carmen strives to give her characters the HEA they deserve, but not before ruining their lives completely first ⦠because whatâs a happily ever after without a little torture?
Author Links
Title: The Italian Kitten Meets The Russian Wolf
Author: Grace Reagal
Genre: NA Mafia Romance
Release Date: November 20, 2018 Publisher: Limitless Publishing
Do you know the story of Romeo and Juliet? Well, this isn’t their story. This is our story, Valentin’s story…my story.
In the world of the filthy rich, two of the most infamous crime families rule with iron fists. Drug trafficking, gang killings, ruthless wars—these are the men who have no moral compass.
Meet the Russian Mob, and the Italian Cosa Nostra. His family…and mine.
My name is Caterina Giovanni, daughter of the Italian Mafia. I’ve been clueless about who my family really is, what they’re capable of—until I meet him. Valentin Nikolaev, son of the Russian Mob.
Born and raised to one day take his rightful place as leader of his family, Valentin has one goal, and one goal only—to annihilate the Giovanni family. My family.
In the end only one mafia will be left standing on the ashes of the other.
Are you ready to find out which one?
I muster up a laugh as I cock my head at Valentin. “Who is he?” I nod to the blond guy. “Your backup?”
Valentin doesn’t say anything.
I goad him with a smile. “You can’t say anything for yourself, cupcake?”
The blond kid erupts in laughter, “Oh, God, Val.” He wipes a tear. “You’ve really got your hands full now.” He looks at me with an incredulous look, “Cupcake?” He shakes his head, laughing. “That’s complete and utter gold—”
“Nate. Get the fuck out.”
Valentin speaks for the first time, his eyes still trained on me.
I clap with a laugh. “Oh, my God! You speak!” I lean toward him as if telling him a secret. “I thought you might have gone mute from the last time we spoke.” I wink. “You know, from the way I showed you up in front of all your minions.”
Nate starts laughing even harder as he walks to the door. “Good luck, brother! I’m here if you need me.” He winks at me as he opens the door. “As a backup,
you know?”
“Nate.”
“Fine. Fine.” I hear his laughter get farther and farther away until it disappears.
I cross my arms and regard Valentin. “So, are you just gonna stare like a pedophile? Or are you going to give me my clothes?”
And suddenly, in a lightning-fast movement that seems inhuman, Valentin steps up and whips the towel off my body. “No, I think I’m going to look just a little longer.”
The Italian Kitten Meets the Russian Wolf by Grace Reagal
Brittanys rating: 5 of 5 stars Wow!!! What a phenomenal read! To be honest, I didn't think this book was going to be all that great due to how long the title is, but I am pleased to say that I was very wrong. I'm still trying to wrap my head around what I want and need to say about this book. There's no sex, but there are references to sex and sexual acts. But it's just a matter of time before Valentin and Caterina do the deed. I feel like Caterina's parents may have had a story before this one, but if not, you need to write one. I love their rapport with each other and how much love they share between them. They would have an amazing story, it just needs to be written. I could not put this book down. It's long, took me a couple days and a lot of hours to read it, but I like that because there's a lot of story. This book is only part one, so I'm really excited to read the next part. I am fully invested in the Giovanni family and can't wait to see what's next! View all my reviews
Grace Reagal is a young author who is studying medicine by day and serial writing by night. She has garnered over 88K readers on Wattpad and Radish and over 20 million reads.
She writes about mafia men without hearts and the women who find it for them. She writes because the most beautiful thing for her is creating a world where she and her readers can escape to.
When she's not writing, she can be found crying, studying, listening to One Republic and Lumineers, questioning her existence, reading steamy books under the covers or daydreaming about her characters. Her goals for her life includes becoming a neurosurgeon, publishing a book, and finally becoming a recluse in the woods.
Title: Kennedy
Series: The Phoenix Club Girl Diaries #1
Author: Addison Jane
Genre: Contemporary MC Romance Release Date: November 20, 2018
Blurb
KENNEDY
I was paying off a debt. One that wasnât mine. But when your father screws over an outlaw motorcycle club and then disappears with their money, you have two choices. Pay with your body, or pay with your blood. With a little sister to protect, I did what I had to. I gave them me. REPO I was born a protector. Whatever it took, I did it. My family, my brothers and the clubâs nameâI made sure that anyone who crossed us, or at least anyone who tried, learned quickly why they shouldnât. Seeing her sitting at the bar, I was drawn to her. Her scars, her bruises, and the light around her. Without knowing me, she instantly had my back. So it was only fair I had hers. She walked in with the enemy. But there was no way in hell I was letting her walk out with them.
Purchase Links
Free in Kindle Unlimited
Kennedy by Addison Jane
Brittanys rating: 5 of 5 stars I enjoyed this book and all of the characters in it. All of the characters meshed well together (besides Crow) and it really gave a new definition to the term motorcycle club. I can't wait to see whose story is next! I like that Repo had that flaw to him, that he couldn't be touched. And that Kennedy wasn't perfect, she came from a less than savory background. They both came from a troubled past, and that's probably why they were perfect together. I like that there were back stories and set ups for future stories in this book. I'm excited for Myth's book and can't wait for Brooklyn's story. I will be reading more from Addison Jane and her MC romances. 4.5 Stars View all my reviews
Author Bio
Addison Jane is a born and bred kiwi girl with a passion for romance and writing.
When she gets the chance she enjoys the little things in life such as reading, dancing, music, and Facebook, but her world really revolves around the little girl who calls her Mum. It's an awkward balance between alpha males and Disney princesses but it works.
Growing up on a small farm next to the beach will always make her a country girl at heart. But since moving away to a small town close to the city she's discovered a dangerous love for shopping.
Writing stories has been something that's come naturally since she was young, and with the massive support of her friends and family, she finally decided to step out of her comfort zone and share them with the world.
She enjoys bringing her books to life with strong female leads, sexy passionate men and a rollercoaster of twists and turns that lead to the happily ever after that her readers desire.
Author Links
“This trilogy is EPIC! If you loved TM Frazier's King series, you MUST read the Perversion trilogy!"- Meghan March, New York Times Bestselling AuthorPOSSESSION, part two of the dark and gritty Perversion Trilogy from USA Today bestselling author T.M. Frazier is available NOW!The story of Grim and Emma Jean continues. War is on the horizon. We've come so far. We'll have to fight for what we have. Or die trying. POSSESSION IS BOOK TWO IN THE PERVERSION TRILOGY BOOK THREE: PERMISSION BOOK ONE: PERVERSION Download your copy today! Amazon: https://amzn.to/2O0BRuf AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2pqqLkp Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/PossessionTMF Nook: http://bit.ly/2pquEWm Kobo: http://bit.ly/2QM36Ht Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2xsJXCn Pre-order PERMISSION now Amazon: https://amzn.to/2DnVtnQ AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2MVBVqx Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Permission Nook: http://bit.ly/2OCnVUl Kobo: http://bit.ly/2OAcD2J Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2Np7gHa Start the trilogy today with PERVERSION Amazon: https://amzn.to/2LAHwpP AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2AzVzrm Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/PerversionTMF Nook: https://goo.gl/6cHFKH Kobo: https://bit.ly/2JwQaQX Audible: https://amzn.to/2DcdxQk Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2LTMTR3 Excerpt: Bethany nods to the box, again pressing her finger to her lips. “We will know more when you’re assigned a judge. Until then, we will just have to wait,” she says loudly. She points with her eyes to the item in my hand, then leaves. The object I’m holding is a rock with a piece of paper attached to it by a rubber band. I pull the paper free and flip it over. It’s a note. Stay by the glass, motherfucker! Whatever you do, don’t turn around. PS-You look nice today. Prison blue suits you. The one-piece scratchy uniform I’m wearing is bright orange. What the fuck is all this about? I peer out from my cell. There’s no one in the room now. Not even the janitor. The security camera high in the corner across from my cell, the one that’s usually pointed directly at me, is now facing down toward the floor. Whatever you do, don’t turn around. Okay, so I won’t turn around completely, but curiosity leads me to risk a glance over my shoulder. It’s just a wall. An empty blank wall. BOOM. BOOOOOM! An empty blank wall...that just exploded. The sound resonates through my eardrums. I duck and cover my head with my hands as pieces of cement rain down into the cell. Dust coats my hair and the back of my neck. After a few beats, I stand, waving away the plumes of the aftermath. Through the debris, I can just barely make out headlights. It’s a truck with a battering bar attached to the hood. “All aboard! This train is leaving the motherfucking station. Literally!” shouts a voice. I can’t see who it is through the windshield which is shrouded in what remains of my cell. I don’t have time to ask any questions of the mystery voice. There’s no time to question anything. The passenger door flies open. Two officers appear behind me. One fumbles with the cell keys while the other shouts at him to move faster. It won’t be fast enough. I leap into the truck and slam the door. The tires spin in place for a few seconds until they finally grip the concrete. My head hits the headliner as we reverse over the broken bricks until we’re clear of them and are able to make forward motion. It isn’t until we’re through the field and on the road when I finally get a good look of my getaway driver. “Preppy?” I ask. “What the fuck are you doing here?” Preppy may not be part of any official organization, but he runs a tight ship over in Logan’s Beach. Belly and I have worked with him and his friend King a few times in the past. I haven’t seen Preppy since before he was thought to be dead only to later be rescued from an underground cave where he was held captive for the better part of a year. “Grim? Fuck, I thought I was rescuing Bear. Get the fuck out,” he teases. “Just kidding. If Bear was locked up I wouldn’t help him escape. That fucker could use some ‘me time’ to contemplate his grumpy nature.” He holds the wheel with one hand and straightens his signature bowtie with the other. His white dress shirt is rolled up to his elbows revealing arms heavily covered with both tattoos and angry jagged scars. He lights a joint and tugs on the wheel, making a sharp turn off the road into a dark heavily wooded area. When we’ve made it in far enough to be fully camouflaged by trees and brush, Preppy kills the engine. He passes me the joint, and I take a much-needed hit, holding the smoke for as long as I can before slowly exhaling. “Thanks, man. How the fuck did you get sucked into this?” Preppy types out a text on his phone, then sets it back in the console. “Bethany. I owed her a favor. She got my boy, Bo, out of some trouble recently.” “Isn’t your kid like ten now?” I ask. “What kind of trouble can a ten-year-old get into that needs Bethany’s kind of help?” “He’s eight,” Preppy corrects. “And my boy catches the kind of trouble most kids his age don’t know is out there to catch. My girls are easier. Twin toddlers. Miley and Taylor. The three of them, along with their mama, are the loves of my fucked-up life. Bo’s a good kid. He’s just…well, his brain arrow doesn’t exactly shoot straight. Its target is usually more…” Preppy shapes his hand like an arrow aimed at the windshield, then changes the aim to me. “Human.” He drops his hand. “And the incident in question wasn’t that bad. It may or may not have had something to do with the unfortunate disappearance of a certain…” He waves the rest of his sentence away like there’s a gnat flying around his head. “Let’s just say he’s grounded. VERY grounded. For life. Or like a week. Minimum a few days. Or a day. Maybe, an hour or two. Poor kid. Maybe, I’ll just take him to the movies.” He sighs. “You’ll see. Wait until you’ve got some sex trophies of your own. You’ll understand.” Kids. I’ve never thought of myself with a kid before. I picture Tricks holding a baby in her arms. Our baby. Much to my surprise, I don’t fucking hate it. Although, the thought isn’t helpful to my current situation and only makes me more impatient and enraged. One thing at a fucking time. Sirens wail through the night. Preppy remains cool and calm like he’s driving a parade float down main street, and not at all like he’s running from the law with a fugitive. Blue and red flashes light up the woods. After a few seconds, the vehicles pass, and both the lights and sirens fade off into the distance. “That’s our bat signal. Let’s get you the fuck outta here so I can get home to the missus and eat her cookies.” Preppy pauses, probably realizing his odd choice of words. “I do actually mean cookies. Dre makes a mean batch of chocolate chip.” I stare silently out at the passing trees. “I’m going to eat her pussy, too. You know, after the other kind of cookies. Just so we’re clear.” “Thanks, man. We’re clear. And if you ever need anything and I’m not dead or serving time, I’m there,” I assure him. I mean it. I owe him a debt. A huge one. “Hhhhmmm,” he considers, taking the joint I pass him. “How do you feel about babysitting?” I smile at his joke until I look over at Preppy only to see he’s not doing the same. In fact, it’s the only time in my life I’d ever seen him with a straight face. “I uh…” He looks straight ahead through the scratched and broken windshield. Bits of concrete from our escape attempt cover the dashboard, and some of it is lodged into the glass. “Never mind. You can do me one favor, though.” “Anything within my power. It’s yours.” “Don’t tell King about this,” he says. It comes out as a sheepish high-pitched question. “Why? He wouldn’t want to know that you broke me out?” King was a friend of Belly’s and a good ally to Bedlam. It wouldn’t make sense that he’d be against helping me. I’d do the same for any of them if the roles were reversed. Preppy shakes his head. “Oh no, he knows I broke you out. I just sent him a text to tell him it’s over. The grand escape is complete.” He steps on the gas. “But he don’t gotta know I used his truck to do it.”
Possession by T.M. Frazier
Brittanys rating: 5 of 5 stars TM Frazier has done it again! She has written a book that I fell head first into, not wanting to escape its pages. Grim and Tricks are great together. They have this relationship that honestly can withstand anything. I don't think anything can break those two apart. And that means Marco can try all he likes, but he'll never win against those two. It ends on a cliffhanger, like the first one did. But it's not that bad of a cliffy, just a little one. But you're still gonna want to read the next book. You know you need to know how it ends. View all my reviews Lorena’s 5 Star Review Sit down and hold on to your seat because this book will take you on a thrilling roller coaster ride.
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