The Cat That Played Chess by Catarrina Cummings blitz with giveaway
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The Cat That Played Chess
Catarrina Cummings
Publication date: July 10th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mystery
Having received an eviction notice, Zapporah Leverne needs money fast. Her current job as a product tester will not meet the deadline. She believes her extraordinary cat named Rookie can fix this. This feline is so good at copying humans that she can move chess pieces on the chessboard.
Zapporah pulls ropes to land Rookie a part in a commercial. Her cat wows the director to the point he thinks she would be good in his reality television series. But Rookie is stolen from Zapporah’s apartment.
Although there are few clues to the thief’s identity, Sloth, Zapporah’s roommate, believes the landlady is the thief and attempts to prove it. When Zapporah receives a voice message with a cat meowing in the background from talent agent Gloria Stravos, her suspicions are confirmed. Whoever stole Rookie will put her in show business. Arriving at Gloria’s office, Zapporah discovers Gloria has been murdered. Things don’t look good for Zapporah when the homicide detective learns she and Gloria had a history of fighting.
Will Zapporah’s intuition and tech-savvy help find Rookie and save her from a cunning murderer hiding behind the cloak of a white nationalist organization?
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Author Bio:
Catarrina Cummings is an author from Baltimore, Maryland who now lives in San Diego. She is the creator of the Snooping While Black mysteries series, with the first book being The Cat That Played Chess. In addition to dedicated service to her feline overlord, Madam Scrunchka, she also hones her guitar playing under a master instructor.
Her love for chess began when she served in the U.S. Navy, traveling and engaging in tournaments. She’s thrilled that she found the chance to include it in her first novel.
Nowadays, Catarrina can be found solving chess problems and attending multiple book clubs. If she ever finds enough free time from these activities, she might wish to consider finishing the second installation of her mystery series.
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A Cowboy Country Christmas by Jennie Marts blitz with giveaway
**This post contains Amazon affiliate links which will allow me as an associate to earn a small commission on any purchase made through the link of the products I share. This commission in no way changes the pricing of any items for the buyer.**
A Cowboy Country Christmas
Jennie Marts
(Creedence Horse Rescue, #6)
Publication date: October 10th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance
There’s no better time than Christmas to open your heart
Holt Callahan used to love the holidays, but getting dumped on Christmas Eve would turn anyone into a Grinch. Now he hates Christmas and all the holly jolly shenanigans that go with it. When he moves back to his cousin’s ranch in Creedence, Colorado, the last thing he expects is to come face to face with the one who got away and all her holiday cheer.
Lainey McBride is all about Christmas, and despite running her family’s ranch festivities while her grandfather is in rehab, she hasn’t lost her holiday spirit, no matter how many things don’t go according to plan. But the holidays have their own way of healing, and a Christmas in Creedence just might be the merry magic that brings these two broken hearts back together again.
“This feel-good fare is guaranteed to get romance fans in the holiday mood.” –Publishers Weekly for A Cowboy Country Christmas
Praise for Jennie Marts’s cowboy romances:
“Full of hope, humor, and undeniable swoon.”—A.J. Pine, USA Today bestselling author, for How to Cowboy
“Funny, complicated, and irresistible. Sometimes a cowboy isn’t perfect but you got to love him anyway.”—Jodi Thomas, New York Times bestselling author, for Caught Up in a Cowboy
“Deliciously steamy but still sweet, with a secret at its heart.”—Joanne Kennedy for Wish Upon a Cowboy
“The definition of a swoon-worthy, must-read romance.”—Sara Richardson for Never Enough Cowboy
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EXCERPT:
Lainey sucked in a breath as she reached to pet the dog’s side. “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t you keep her? She’s obviously already attached to you.”
“She just likes me because I feed her. But look at her. She’s too friendly not to be someone’s pet.” After getting over her initial skittishness of the night before, the dog had been cuddly and affectionate, either following after them if they walked around the bunkhouse or rolling over for belly rubs if she was sitting next to them. “Some family is probably missing her.”
“Maybe.”
“I need to at least call the Humane Society and the sheriff’s office to see if someone’s looking for her.”
“Okay, but if no one claims her, then she’s for sure your dog. And you should totally name her something Christmas-themed, since this is the time of year when you found her. How about Holly? Or Mistletoe? Or how about Carol?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “What a great idea. Then I can always be reminded of this holiday I’m such a huge fan of. And also, if I were keeping her, there’s no way in hell I’d name my dog Carol. Or Mistletoe. Unless you want me to just turn in my man card right now.”
Her eyes went dreamy as she stroked a finger along his sizable bicep. “As if. And no, I’m quite partial to your man parts. I mean your manly parts. Wait, I mean your manliness.” She dropped her head into her hands. “Pretend I did not say that.”
“Too late. You already said you loved my man parts.”
“I said partial to…and anyway, we were talking about the dog. And thinking of ideas of what to name her.”
“You were thinking of what to name her. But I’d rather go back to talking about what you love about my—”
She held up her hand to cut him off. “What about Jingle or Snickerdoodle for a name?”
“For my man parts? I don’t think they’d take too kindly to being called Snickerdoodle, but Jingle Balls does have a certain holiday ring to it.”
She let out one of her hearty laughs, the kind that came from her belly and snuck out as a surprise. The kind that made his manly heart melt like butter on a hot biscuit. “We are not going to start talking about your Christmas balls again,” she said, still laughing. “How about Eggnog or Snowy? For the dog.”
He grimaced. “How about not?”
He was acting grumpy, but he was really having fun with her. Too much fun. She was so easy to be with, and not just to be with, but to be himself with. He was only this comfortable with a few select people. Although his comfortableness with her was also interspersed with moments of fluttering heartbeats and a racing pulse whenever their hands touched, or her shoulder brushed his, or if he caught a whiff of her delicious scent. Her nearness could send jittery nerves spiraling through his stomach that made him feel like a love-crazed teenager, which probably shaved several points off that man card they were just discussing.
She tapped her fingers to her lips. “Okay, I’ll stop with the too cutesy. But I really still like the idea of a Christmas name. Just give me a second. I know I can think of a good one. Hmm. I suppose Cindy Lou Who is out?”
He shrugged. “Not if I can shorten it and just call her Lou.”
Author Bio:
Jennie Marts is the USA TODAY Best-selling author of award-winning books filled with love, laughter, and always a happily ever after. Readers call her books “laugh out loud” funny and the “perfect mix of romance, humor, and steam.” Fic Central claimed one of her books was “the most fun I’ve had reading in years.”
She is living her own happily ever after in the mountains of Colorado with her husband, two dogs, and a parakeet that loves to tweet to the oldies. She’s addicted to Diet Coke, adores Cheetos, and believes you can’t have too many books, shoes, or friends.
Her books include the contemporary western romance Hearts of Montana series, the romantic comedy/ cozy mysteries of The Page Turners series, the hunky hockey-playing men in the Bannister family in the Bannister Brothers Books, and the small-town romantic comedies in the Lovestruck series of Cotton Creek Romances.
Jennie loves to hear from readers. Follow her on Facebook at Jennie Marts Books, or Twitter at @JennieMarts. Visit her at http://www.jenniemarts.com and sign up for her newsletter to keep up with the latest news and releases.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter
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The Red Winter Trilogy Kickstarter by Annette Marie blitz with giveaway
Red Winter – Special Edition Hardcover Omnibus
Annette Marie
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance
A breathtaking fantasy romance inspired by Japanese mythology, with mischievous shape-shifters, treacherous gods, and forbidden love.
From Book 1: Emi has spent her entire life hiding from the creatures that hunt her. The savage earth spirits are determined to kill her before she can become the living host of a goddess, so she stays hidden–until the day she saves the life of one of her hunters.
Shiro isn’t the harmless fox spirit she thought he was. He’s mysterious, cunning, unpredictable … and now hers to command. He’s sworn to pay his debt to her, but he doesn’t know who she is. If he finds out, he’ll kill her.
But she can’t send him away–not yet. Her future isn’t what she thought. The lies surrounding her fate have begun to unravel, and she needs answers before time runs out–answers that lie in the spirit realm. Shiro can take her there … if she dares to trust him.
And only then will she find out how deep the gods ’treachery runs.
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Red Winter includes 30 full-page illustrations by award-winning artist Brittany Jackson.
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THE RED WINTER TRILOGY
Red Winter (#1)
Dark Tempest (#2)
Immortal Fire (#3)
Visit the Kickstarter Campaign Here!
This Special Edition Hardcover Omnibus includes:
- All three titles: Red Winter, Dark Tempest, and Immortal Fire
- New illustrated dust jacket by artist Brittany Jackson
- All 30 full-page illustrations from the original novels
- New interior layout & design
- Foil-stamped typography on the dust jacket and cloth cover
- Colored end-papers
- Red sprayed/stenciled edges
- Hand-signed and personalized by the author
- Etched wooden bookmark, stickers, and more! (More via stretch goals)
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Excerpt from Red Winter:
None too gently, Yumei forced Emi’s head one way then the other, examining her. Pushing her head back, he dipped his face down to her neck and inhaled through his nose.
“Is she human?” he asked Shiro, straightening. He didn’t release her chin. “She smells of human female and you. Did you bed her?”
She gasped, outrage and embarrassment flooding her face with heat. She tried to jerk back but his fingers tightened painfully, holding her in place.
“We rolled in the snow together some,” Shiro said, mouth quirking up in that sly grin of his as he met her furious stare, “but it was an act of survival, not passion. The ogres were something of a challenge.”
Yumei turned her face to one side and back again. “Are you certain it was she who removed the first binding?”
“There was no one else.”
The Tengu studied her a moment longer, then released her chin. She had time to take in a single relieved breath before he grabbed her wrist. He pulled her hand to his face, turned her palm up, and bit the side of her hand beneath her thumb.
She cried out and tried to yank her arm away from him. His strength was like the grip of a steel vise, unmovable. He held her hand in his mouth, his gaze distant. He let her go so suddenly that she lost her balance and fell on her rump in the snow.
“Human,” Yumei said decisively. “But I can taste divine power in her blood.”
Emi turned her hand up to see a small puncture wound in her palm from his canine. A single drop of blood ran down her wrist, tracing a crimson line on her pale skin.
A shadow blocked the moon above. Shiro reached down and touched his thumb to the trail of blood. He slid his thumb up her wrist to the wound, then brought it to his lips. He grinned at her as he licked her blood off his skin. She stared at him, too shocked and appalled to speak.
“Definitely human,” he said to Yumei without breaking eye contact with her, daring her to protest their treatment of her. “Do priestesses normally taste like gods?”
“I am not certain,” Yumei admitted. “I have never tasted a true servant of a shrine.”
She clutched her chest, her hand pressed against the hidden mark over her heart. Her pulse pounded in her ears, her fear almost too much to bear. She didn’t taste like divine power because she was a dedicated priestess, but because she was a goddess’s future host. If they realized the truth, they would kill her on the spot.
Author Bio:
Annette Marie is the best-selling author of The Guild Codex, an expansive collection of interwoven urban fantasy series ranging from thrilling adventure to hilarious hijinks to
heartrending romance. Her other works include YA urban fantasy series Steel & Stone, its prequel trilogy Spell Weaver, and romantic fantasy trilogy Red Winter.
Her first love is fantasy, while fast-paced adventures and tantalizing forbidden romances are her guilty pleasures. She lives in the frozen winter wasteland of Alberta, Canada (okay, it’s not quite that bad) with her husband and their furry minion of darkness—sorry, cat—Caesar. When not writing, she can be found elbow-deep in one art project or another while blissfully ignoring all adult responsibilities.
To find out more about Annette and her books, visit http://www.annettemarie.ca
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Fallen Raven Audiobook by Diana A. Hicks blitz with giveaway
**This post contains Amazon affiliate links which will allow me as an associate to earn a small commission on any purchase made through the link of the products I share. This commission in no way changes the pricing of any items for the buyer.**
Fallen Raven Audiobook
Diana A. Hicks
(Raven Duet, #1)
Publication date: September 21st 2023
Genres: Adult, Romance
Now a 2023 Readers ’Favorite Gold Medal Winner in the Romance – Contemporary genre!
“Diana A. Hicks painted a slow-burn romance balanced on the dark edge of danger…Fallen Raven will capture the minds of readers who enjoy Mafia political romances with plenty of action to entertain them.” – Readers ’Favorite Reviewer
Seventeen-year-old Aurora Vitali didn’t have the best life in Las Vegas, but it was a place to call home. When her father scores a win after so many fails, he abruptly moves the whole family to the Upper East Side in New York City. Aurora is quickly seduced by the glitz and glamour of her new world, where designer clothes, limos, and beach parties are the norm.
Her first day at their elite school, she meets Enzo Alfera, one of the royals. He’s rich, gorgeous, and so dangerous. The magnetic pull she feels when he’s near is absolutely irresistible. She’s warned to stay away, and that’s exactly what she plans to do. Except every time their paths cross, neither one of them can deny their powerful attraction.
Going against their parents ’wishes, they give into their burning desires. He’s dark and cunning. She’s sweet and innocent. Together, they are explosive.
But their parents have plans of their own. The choices they make to get ahead threaten to pull Aurora and Enzo apart. Now the star-crossed lovers have to decide if their forbidden love is worth going against everything and everyone.
Enzo knows what he wants. And he’s willing to do whatever it takes to keep Aurora for himself. If he fails, it could destroy them both.
A Note from Diana: Fallen Raven is book one in the Raven Duet, which is a standalone romance in the Society World featuring Enzo Alfera and Aurora Vitali. This modern day Romeo and Juliet retelling is about never letting go. Check TW
This book features:
He falls first
Star-Crossed lovers
Angst, family feud
Forbidden love
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EXCERPT:
“We’ll decide on Saturday then.” I made to get up, but Donata gripped my shoulder.
“I still need to tell you something about Rory.” She waited until I settled back into my folding chair.
“So what do you have on her? Any boyfriends we should know about?” Rex asked. This was his territory. Rex knew secrets made the world go round.
I turned my attention to Donata. All this time, I hadn’t considered the idea that Aurora might already be in love with someone else.
“No boyfriend.” She beamed, thoroughly pleased with herself. “A fiancé.”
“What the fuck?” I stood. “She’s getting married?”
“She is.” Donata nodded.
“Oh, you’re good.” Santino chuckled, pointing a finger at Donata.
“Thank you.”
“What’s the deal there?” I could tell them that I knew for a fact Aurora wasn’t in love. And that the reason I knew that was because I was her first kiss. If Aurora had a fiancé, it couldn’t possibly be a love match. “There has to be more to that story.”
“Here’s what I know from a little recon I did.”
“You overheard one of your aunt’s conversations, didn’t you?” I shook my head at her.
“Yes.” She put up her hands. “But you have to admit, the plan is solid. We stick it to her pompous dad while having a little fun ourselves.”
“What did you hear?”
“Her dad has arranged a marriage between her and Angelo Soprano. Pretty much as soon as she turns eighteen in December. My aunt believes that Stephano, Rory’s dad, is under the impression that he needs family ties to make sure his place within the Society is secured.” She pursed her lips and swallowed. “I’ve met that guy before. He’s a total creep. Puke.” She fake-gagged.
So that was her angle. Deep down, Donata lived up to her family’s name and ideals. The Salvatores ’mascot was the panther—the fierce guardian—for a reason.
“Has she agreed to this marriage?” No sense anymore in pretending I didn’t care. Technically speaking, I didn’t, though I was intrigued.
“I don’t know if she knows. Her birthday is in three months.” She shrugged. “By then, she’ll know for sure. Think of it this way, thanks to us, she’ll go into the marriage knowing what it’s like to do it for love.”
“Donata, the romantic.” I leaned in to pinch her cheek, but she slapped my hand away.
Even if her intentions were weirdly noble, this bet was going to mess with Aurora’s head in a major way. Fuck. So not only did I have to put up with Rex and Santino having a go at her, she was going to be Angelo’s wife. As in, forever, only fucking him.
“Are you guys still in? Because according to Aunt Vittoria, Angelo was in the market for a virgin bride. If he gets to his wedding night and finds out he was duped, he’ll retaliate against her father. Possibly her family.” Donata didn’t seem that concerned with Aurora’s dad’s well-being.
“I’m in.” Rex spoke first. “You wanted epic. I’d say sex and murder qualify as epic.”
“So let me get this straight. We have to pop her cherry before she gets married.” Santino rubbed his jaw.
“Clock’s ticking.” Donata tapped her watch twice.
“Fuck it. I’m still in.”
“And you, Enzo?” Donata turned to me. “Have you changed your mind? Is the bet challenging enough for you now?”
“You’re kind of sick. You know that?” I raked both hands through my hair.
“That’s why you love me.” She beamed.
At first, I’d said no to the bet because I didn’t want a reason to be near Aurora or talk to her. She had a certain influence over me, and I didn’t like it. That was before I knew she belonged to someone else—before I knew I couldn’t have her. I was no knight in shining armor. I wasn’t here to save Aurora from a creep ten years her senior. No, I wanted Aurora for myself.
“Yes, I’m in.”
Author Bio:
Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy romantic suspense and science-fiction romance.
When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.
Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / TikTok / Amazon
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Rain Falling on Embers by Liana Gardner blitz with giveaway
**This post contains Amazon affiliate links which will allow me as an associate to earn a small commission on any purchase made through the link of the products I share. This commission in no way changes the pricing of any items for the buyer.**
Rain Falling on Embers
Liana Gardner
(Katie McCabe, #1)
Publication date: October 3rd 2023
Genres: Contemporary, Middle-Grade, Young Adult
How do you survive the worst thing that can ever happen?
When thirteen-year-old Katie McCabe ’s dad gets sick and is hospitalized, she ’s sent to live with her uncle in a strange town. But within days of arriving, her dad unexpectedly dies.
Struggling with her new reality, Katie is lost. She doesn’t fit in at her new home and never will.
It only gets worse when Katie starts her freshman year of high school and begins to have run-ins with the son of the man who owns the town— a powerful man with ties to her family ’s past.
Then one day, she is attacked from behind. Blindfolded and slung across the back of a horse, Katie is taken up into the hills. Dumped in the middle of the wilderness in an oncoming storm, she is left to find her way home. But how will she survive?
Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo
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EXCERPT:
A streak of lightning shot through the sky and brightened the area like a spotlight. And I saw it. A dark break in the stone formation. Praying it was big enough, I hurried forward.
A thunderclap shook the ground, and I stumbled but managed not to fall. Before I reached the crack, the skies opened, and rain poured down. I ran toward the entrance.
The opening wasn’t big enough. With gritted teeth, I beat a fist against the rock wall, then turned to look for somewhere else. What am I gonna do now? Slumping against the formation, I slid down, holding back tears.
Wait.
From this angle, the crack appeared wider. Maybe I could get through it sideways. The wind whipped up and sent a shiver through me. I closed my eyes and took a deep breath. Please let this work. Wishing I had a flashlight, I wriggled through the entrance.
Phew. Nothing inside but a small cave. No wild animals ready to attack. I sagged against the wall. It took my eyes a few moments to adjust to the dim light coming through the crack. I couldn’t see how far the cave went, and without light, exploring was out.
The rain pelted the ground outside my shelter and the wind gusts grew stronger. Through the crack, I watched as drops were blown nearly sideways. Puddles quickly formed, but fortunately my hideout had enough of an uphill slope that the water flowed away from it.
The wind changed direction and blew in through the entrance. I moved away, chilled to the bone. A violent shudder wracked my body. My fingers were frozen, and my toes felt like little ice cubes stuffed inside my sneakers. My teeth chattered.
I folded my arms and tucked my balled fists into my armpits, hoping they’d thaw. Peering through the dim light, I looked for anything that might help me keep warm. Leaves and pine needles were strewn against the walls. They might be good tinder for a fire, but without matches, a flint kit, or sunlight, getting one started might be difficult. But I had to try.
I scooped dead leaves and pine needles into a big pile. Anything outside would be too wet. Besides, I wasn’t going to poke my nose outside until the storm stopped.
I shuffled a little farther inside, kicking a rock. It skittered across the stone floor and ricocheted against the wall. I picked it up, tossed it in the air, and caught it as an idea formed. If the rock was hard enough, I might get it to spark. Now to find another stone to bang it against.
While searching for something bigger than the pebbles lining the walls, I found a few sticks that might have promise if the rocks failed. Intent on finding a good-sized stone, I moved farther into the cave.
An eerie wail caused my heart to jump into my throat. Darkness shrouded me and the hairs on my arms rose. I turned back toward the entrance and my shoulders sagged. The light coming through the cave’s mouth was nothing but a dark gray ghost wavering in the distance.
Author Bio:
Liana Gardner is a Bram Stoker Awards Nominee and the multi-award-winning author of 7th Grade Revolution, The Journal of Angela Ashby, and Speak No Evil. The daughter of a rocket scientist and an artist, Liana combines the traits of both into a quirky yet pragmatic writer and in everything sees the story lurking beneath the surface.
Liana volunteers with high school students through EXP which prepares students for a better life by helping young people gain experience, unlock doors, and build the confidence they need to succeed by bringing industry and schools together to build tomorrow’s workforce and provide career opportunities to students from under-served communities.
Engaged in a battle against leukemia and lymphoma, Liana spends much of her time at home, but her imagination takes her wherever she wants to go. Most recently she was titled Lady of Lochaber and Glencoe and was honored with a star named after her in the Andromeda Constellation.
Liana is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.
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