The Elven Healer’s Apprentice by Elisa Rae blitz with giveaway
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The Elven Healer’s Apprentice
Elisa Rae
(Elves of Eldarlan, #4)
Publication date: February 9th 2023
Genres: Fantasy, Romance
Merlon, the king of Eldarlan’s healer, hides his soft heart beneath a prickly exterior. Despite a traumatic childhood, he strives to excel as a healer and an elf. But he gets more than he bargained for when he rescues a human woman from certain death right before being snared in the curse put on the king of Eldarlan.
Left to fend for herself in an absent elf healer’s compound, Adela tries to be useful. The patients call her the healer’s apprentice. Something the healer rejects when he finally returns. Despite his grumpy manner, the healer displays a strange mixture of kindness and care. Intrigued, Adela suspects the healer hides more than he reveals.
The Elven Healer’s Apprentice is a light, fantasy romance novella about a romance between an elven healer and a human woman. It features a grumpy sunshine romance where opposites attract when they encounter forced proximity and jeopardy.
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EXCERPT:
Adela
“Where am I to go?” I asked Sage as I brushed her velvety side.
Blinding white, sixteen hands high, and powerful, Sage’s heritage as a unicorn was only evident by the nub in the center of her forehead that had once been a long, elegantly lethal horn. I had never seen her in all her glory.
According to Lippin, a unicorn hunter had driven her to the ground, bound her, and sawed off her horn when she was only a colt. Only the master healer’s intervention had saved her from being harvested for her other parts. Since then, she had lived in the compound, cared for and fed.
When I came, one of my first duties was to deal with the unicorn because she didn’t like males. Not a surprise, considering her past. Not all males were an issue. I had been told she tolerated the master healer.
I rested my forehead against her warm hide, breathing in the scent of warm, clean horse. “If he throws me out, I have nowhere to live. Father still wishes me violence. I don’t want to go back there. Henri is dead.” A fresh wave of grief pressed in on me. I hadn’t been able to save him. Never to hold him again, ruffle his hair, laugh at his teasing, or chase him around the bailey. Tears filled my eyes. I missed my brother so much.
Sage’s nose bumped my shoulder. She snuffled at my kirtle sleeve.
“Just give me a moment,” I told her.
She snorted and side-stepped away from me.
“What?” I lifted my head and blinked at her. Unicorns differed from horses in more than appearance. Intelligent and intuitive, they understood far more than their less magical cousins. Sage wheeled around so her whole body blocked my view of the stable doorway.
“I can still see her, Sage,” a male voice said. The healer entered the stable and came around the side so he could address me, but he remained with his back to the outside wall and his face and torso in the shadows. “I see Sage has imprinted on you.”
Sage huffed and tossed her head at him before nuzzling my hair as I came around to better see the healer.
“She seems to like me,” I agreed.
He chuckled, low and deep. “She is protecting you from me. See how she is trying to position herself between us?”
Sage bumped my shoulder with her nose, trying to nudge me to step back out of sight. I stood firm. She huffed and stamped her foot, which I ignored.
“I won’t hurt her,” the healer told Sage, who swung her head toward him and showed her teeth. “Honest.” He offered her his hand. Sage only eyed him and shifted closer to me. “I owe her an apology.”
I stiffened in surprise. Men didn’t apologize. At least in my experience, they didn’t. “Apology for what?”
Sage grew still beside me, as though listening.
“For my words back at the clinic. I spoke without properly assessing the situation and accused you of things that clearly weren’t true. I am sorry.”
I blinked and peered into the shadows where his features hid. Did he jest? Was this a ploy to make me appear foolish? “Step into the light, please.”
“A distrusting creature, aren’t you?” he asked. The healer stepped forward, so the sunlight fell over his features.
“With good reason,” I replied.
He was tall, but all elves were. Lean-featured with the changeable silver-blue eyes of his species, he made a striking impression even before one accounted for his pure white hair. Wild and gleaming silver in the light, his hair stood out from his head in a disarray of curls as though he had run his fingers through it a few times. He arched a silvery-gray brow at me when my gaze fell to his face. “So, you can tell if I am honest if you see my face when I am speaking? That must be a useful skill. You realize I am an elf. Lying makes us ill.”
“But you are capable of it,” I pointed out.
He met my assessment openly, eyes flashing silver. “True. By omission or half-truths, but never outright lies.” He tilted his head slightly. “And you? Are you honest?”
“I told you the truth.”
“You did,” he admitted.
We stood there, studying each other in silence for a few moments. His stance remained relaxed, as though we were friends chatting about the weather. I wondered what he saw in me.
“Are you going to throw me out?” I asked suddenly.
“Depends.”
“On what?”
“Whether or not you want to go.” He crossed his arms over his chest. “This compound is a haven, a place of healing. If you wish to remain, you are welcome. If you wish to go, you are free to do so.”
“I wish to stay.” I loved tending the animals, helping Sina with the housework, nursing patients. “Will you allow me to help with the patients?”
“That depends.”
I opened my mouth to ask for clarification, but I found him watching me expectantly, as though he knew exactly what I was going to say. I pressed my lips together and lifted my eyebrows instead.
Author Bio:
A reader of fairytales and folklore, Elisa Rae loves a happy ending. Noblebright characters, dastardly villains, and chemistry between characters delight her. When she isn’t writing, she loves to watch superhero movies and literary dramas.
If you like romantic adventures of various kinds, join her at: authorelisarae.com!
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Risk of a Lifetime by Claudia Shelton 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.**
Risk of a Lifetime
Claudia Shelton
Publication date: February 7th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
JB hadn’t been an angel the past few years. And he sure hadn’t counted on being his ex-wife’s protector.
From the moment FBI agent JB Bradley returns to his hometown, he’s tossed into one life-threatening situation after another. All aimed at his ex-wife Marcy. Further complicating matters, their attraction is just as strong as ever.
Marcy’s scared. Her career in marriage counseling has had some dangerous moments, but never anything like robberies, bombs or being shot. She’s even more afraid that JB will discover the truth about their marriage and the divorce papers.
JB can’t wait for another attack on Marcy. He’s made the two of them an escape plan. One where he controls the time and the trail through the woods he grew up hiking. Marcy won’t like the setting, but together they’ll make the cold winter run. Hopefully, the villain will take the bait.
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EXCERPT:
JB wondered what the hell had just transpired with the doctor, but some things weren’t his business. One thing for sure, though, he didn’t plan to leave town until the robbery and shooting were well on their way to being solved. Even if it meant staying around longer than he’d planned.
That would give him time to consider which job to take next. The police department he’d applied to in Texas? Or the covert ops he’d been asked to be a part of a few months back? Both thought he was good enough. Both wanted him. And both locations would keep him away from Crayton…and the only woman who’d ever made him smile morning and night.
Only Marcy hadn’t been strong enough to let go of her father’s death and face the fact JB’s job would always be in law enforcement. Too bad they hadn’t realized the fact before they were married. Would have saved a lot of heartbreak on both sides.
“Where’s Marcy?” he asked.
The doctor grabbed the forms and headed down the hall. “They should be rolling her into surgery about now.”
JB charged past him. Past the nurses ’station. Past Truman, Marcy’s stepfather. Past a waiting room full of familiar faces. He had to see Marcy, touch her. Later, if she didn’t remember him being there, that would be okay. He’d know. He could live with knowing. She might not be his wife but keeping her alive and well was his top priority the next few days.
A gurney edged out of her hospital room.
“Hold up!” JB shouted to the orderly.
Grasping her hand, his breaths came ragged—and not from the short sprint down the hall—as he stroked wisps of hair from her forehead. Damn, even the antiseptic smell of the hospital couldn’t cover the remembered scent of her jasmine shampoo.
He leaned in close. “How you doing, sugar?”
“I’m cold.” Her eyes fluttered open. “It hurts. A lot.”
“Doc Crowley’s going to fix that.”
The orderly tried to move the gurney forward, but JB braced it in place with his body. His lips brushed her temple. “Oh, Marcy. Marcy, Marcy, Marcy.”
“JB.” She opened her eyes full force. “Why’d you leave?”
Give her the truth. Tell her how much her words made you feel you weren’t good enough for her. How you couldn’t stand to see her frightened for you every day you left for work as a lawman. Or that you needed to prove something to yourself.
No. This wasn’t the time or place. Maybe it never would be.
“Because you let me go.” He swallowed hard then brushed a kiss across her forehead. “Don’t forget you’re the one who locked me out.”
Her eyes closed and her breathing weakened.
“Why’d you send the divorce papers?” He needed her answer. Needed to know what or who had taken his place.
“I figured you’d get mad and come back…and we’d be like before.” She loosened the hold on his hand. “Didn’t work. You never came back.”
Like before? They’d been young and naive. Not anymore. He’d developed an edge that went with the job. One she’d never be able to understand. And her? From the letters Sadie sent him, Marcy had regrouped and moved forward. But she’d still never left Crayton except to go to college.
Like before? Nothing could ever be like before.
A nurse opened the doors to surgery, and the orderly pushed Marcy into the cool hallway. The doors slowly closed back into place.
He braced his head against the doorframe. A whole lot had happened in the last eight hours since he drove back into Crayton. One hell of a lot.
Author Bio:
Heroes and stories to love! Making moments to remember for a lifetime!
Words to LIVE by– “Life is a great big canvas, throw all the paint you can at it.”…Danny Kaye
Words to LOVE by– “A man’s kiss is his signature.”…Mae West
Award winning author Claudia Shelton fills her romantic suspense with sexy heroes, strong women and plot twists all the way to the fast-paced endings. Her contemporary romances are (once again) filled with sexy heroes and strong women, but, usually, she adds a bit of heartwarming along the way. To stay on top of all her writing shenanigans, giveaways, release info, etc. join her newsletter: http://claudiasheltonauthor.com/
On a personal note, Claudia considers herself a storyteller and music lover, a traveler and water person. She loves a cool drink while listening to the splash of waves, but is just as happy with a mug of hot cocoa in the falling snow. Her main priority is spending time with family, friends and her two sweet, conniving rescue dogs. And making moments to remember are my life goals!
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Cover Reveal: Blood Lovers by J.A. Huss
**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.**
Blood Lovers
J.A. Huss
(American Vampires, #1)
Publication date: February 28th 2023
Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Paranormal, Romance
The Devil craves beauty. Even in himself.
The vampire will make magnificent promises and I will say yes.
The man I give my heart to will steal my soul.
Syrsee
My grandma gave me these words of wisdom just before she died.
Then she told me to run.
Because if the old witch is dying, then he needs a new one.
And that’s me.
This is my curse.
I am the vampire’s power.
I am the vampire’s strength.
I am the vampire’s food.
And he is very, very hungry.
Ryet
I hate him, but I crave him.
I want to be rid of him, but I also want him next to me.
I want to feed on him and sometimes I dream about him feeding on me.
It feels like a trick. Like abuse.
Like Stockholm syndrome.
But it’s not. It’s just… the blood.
I am the vampire’s scion.
I am the vampire’s slave.
I am the vampire’s future.
And he will never let me go.
Paul
I am the vampire.
Once you make a deal with me, it’s done.
There’s no going back.
Once I bite my lip—
Once I bare my teeth—
Once I let it drip—
He’s mine.
She’s mine.
And together we are blood lovers.
Blood Lovers is a dark, seductive journey into a world where the blood runs black, the dreams are purple, and the demons aren’t just dangerous, they’re beautiful.
Masterfully told by New York Times bestselling author, JA Huss—it’s a book that will change the lore forever.
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Author Bio:
JA Huss is a New York Times Bestselling author and has been on the USA Today Bestseller’s list 21 times. She writes characters with heart, plots with twists, and perfect endings. Her books have sold millions of copies all over the world. Her book, Eighteen, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award and an Audie Award in 2016 and 2017 respectively. Her audiobook, Mr. Perfect, was nominated for a Voice Arts Award in 2017. Her audiobook, Taking Turns, was nominated for an Audie Award in 2018. Her book, Total Exposure, was nominated for a RITA Award in 2019. She lives on a ranch with her family, dogs, cats, birds, chickens, horse, donkeys, and goats in Colorado.
Website / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub / Amazon / Audible
GIVEAWAY!
PRIZE:
$50 Gift Card
Blood Lovers Box
Signed copy of Blood Lovers
Blood Lovers notepad
Blood Lovers magnet
Blood Lovers sticker sheet
Enter the contest at:
https://geni.us/BloodCoverGiveaway
OPEN INTERNATIONAL
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Cover Reveal: Then Came You by Dylan Allen
**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.**
Then Came You
Dylan Allen
Publication date: February 23rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Most people dream of falling in love.
But all I know of love is that it turns smart people into fools.
So, I don’t dream, I work.
And put distance between myself and the stain my father’s betrayal left on my family.
When I land a high powered job in London,
It feels like I finally have everything I want.
Then comes Simon, the gorgeous architect with a filthy mouth
who sets my body and my mind on fire.
I surrender to the pull of attraction and the promise of pleasure in his heated gaze.
But those smoldering dark eyes of his are also full of secrets.
Playing with that kind of fire is a fool’s game. And I am no fool.
So, when our night together ends on less than happy terms, I’m sure it’s for the best.
When a work project brings us back together,
I’m determined to keep Simon where he belongs – in my rearview.
Fate, however, has a different plan.
Simon breaks down my walls one sexy, wicked smile at a time.
And I discover that behind his brooding, secretive facade, lies a heart of pure gold.
Soon, all I do is dream…of his touch, his kisses,
and of a love good enough and strong enough to last forever.
But I’ve got secrets of my own.
And when they rear their heads,
nothing will be the same again.
Author Bio:
Dylan Allen is a Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling author.
She’s a Texas girl, with a serious case of wanderlust, Dylan’s travels influence her writing and she loves being able to take her readers on adventures from the comfort and safety of their favorite reading nook.
A self-proclaimed happily ever junkie, Dylan creates stories where her characters unapologetically chase their own happy endings.
When she isn’t writing or reading, eating or cooking, she and her family are planning their next adventure.
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Fireball by Lainey Davis 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.**
Fireball
Lainey Davis
(Bridges and Bitters, #1)
Publication date: May 10th 2022
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
He hates her for some reason. She will not rest until she changes his mind.
People always like Samantha Vine. It’s kind of her thing. All the employees at her tech startup think she’s the best boss, and the community partners and investors she woos not only trust, but adore her.
Everyone likes her, except him.
Sam may have been caught off guard when she accidentally insulted science teacher AJ Trachtenberg, but she’s pulling out all the stops trying to make it up to him…and it’s not working. Offering his students a swanky field trip doesn’t win him over—it only seems to make him grumpier.
Unfortunately, grumpy looks very good on him. AJ is tall, dark, and annoyingly handsome and he’s got a giant chip on his shoulder. Honestly, his smoldering is distracting.
Sam can’t afford any distractions right now, not with the media hounding her as she tries to take her company public. Maybe she can swing a one-time naked distraction, though. That doesn’t have to mean anything, right? She’s not looking for a happily-ever-after here. She’s just trying to get him out of her head.
Alas, when it comes to business and bossy men, Samantha Vine has trouble letting go.
Fireball is the laugh-out-loud first stand-alone installment of the Bridges and Bitters series. If you love found family, hilarious antics, and off-the-charts heat, you’ll devour these sexy romantic comedies.
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EXCERPT:
SAMANTHA The only thing saving me from curling in a ball and crying is the promise of meeting up with my friends. We call our little group Foof…Fresh out of fucks. It’s a sort of ridiculous name for a bad-ass group of entrepreneurs, engineers and queens of the Steel City.
I feel so at ease when I’m with them, like I really don’t have to pretend or put on a fake smile or any of that. I can actually free my fucks with these gals…and I need that, because everyone else claws at me, demanding attention I can’t spare and hurling mean words at me if I say as much.
As often as we can, Foof huddles up in the event room of our friend Esther’s bar, Bridges and Bitters, and these meetings are my recharge. Esther bought an old building in Lawrenceville and transformed it into the most amazing spot. She went for a speakeasy feel, with reclaimed wooden everything and these cozy settees. But honestly, we could meet on a milk crate by the river and I’d still walk away energized from these women.
A few days later, and I’m still reeling after I chased off Mr. Grumpy Teacher from our meeting and stumbled through the rest of my interview with the guy from Forbes. I definitely appreciate Esther’s vintage velvet furniture as I collapse in a heap.
“That bad?” She arches a dark brow at me as she moves some furniture around the room to get ready for the rest of Foof to arrive.
I drape a wrist across my forehead. “If I had a corset on, I’d be asking you to slice the laces.” She pats me on the shoulder and heads back up front to mix a batch of cocktails for us. My friends shuffle in, some of them excited about their day and others looking like they want to join me tying one on.
Logan links arms with her sisters-in-law as they make their way in. As they all chat about life, I sit up and rest my elbows on my lap, propping my forehead against my palms. “I wish I could have a do-over,” I mutter.
“Tell me about it.” Celeste Sheffield, actual grandma and the oldest member of Foof, sits next to me, patiently waiting for me to spill my guts.
I take a deep breath, thinking back over the wretched day, from the annoying call from my dad to my magazine interview not going well. I bite my lip, trying to decide the worst part of it all. “I told a middle school science teacher I didn’t think young students would gain much from touring Vinea,” I tell her. “So now this guy thinks I think his students are too stupid, because of poverty.” Celeste pats my leg in a motherly sort of way I really appreciate.
“I was just so overwhelmed with the Forbes reporter there and thinking about how much work it’ll be to prepare for going public. Who has time to prep for a bunch of tween visitors? But I guess what I said came out wrong and AJ took offense.”
Celeste swirls around the ice in her drink and looks at me. “What if you called and explained? Said you realized your mistake? You could extend your invitation to the students after all.”
I cringe. “Ugh. Apologies are the worst, though. Like, now this guy is going to know I say dumb things when I go off book.” Men thinking I’m stupid is a big, fat trigger for me after living with the Colonel. He’s so domineering and immersed in a hyper-macho military world. Everything has to be precise with him. Language, thought processes, all of it. “Can I make Logan call?”
Logan laughs and shakes her head, wagging a finger at me. “I just run the numbers, boss. You’re the one with your name on the building.”
It’s true. My name is on the damn building. So why do I feel like such an imposter all the time? I’ve spent my entire life trying to fill someone else’s shoes…I got thrust into that role after my mother died. I didn’t mean to start a company in my free time from my dorm room, but I did. Now, ten years along the way, I’m on the cusp of going public with my business-baby and I can’t drum up the ovary power to call someone and apologize?
“Gah. Fine. I know, I know. I’ll call him and grovel.”
“That’s the winning spirit!” Esther winks as she slides me a glass of something magical.
Author Bio:
Lainey Davis lives in Pittsburgh in the USA with her 3 feral sons, 2 rescued rabbits, and 1 tired husband. She loves brooding heroes, fiery heroines, and happily ever afters.
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