Spotlight & Excerpt: Smoke, by Sarah Jaeger

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It’s finally launch week and we are so excited for Sarah Jaeger and the release of her debut novel, Smoke! Read on for more info!

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Smoke
(The Ardelean Bloodlines)
by Sarah Jaeger
Publication Date: March 23rd, 2023
Genre: Shifter Romance/ Paranormal Romance

Thalia
Apparently ignoring my parents’ politics wasn’t the right move. Shifters were outed to the public, and months later, I’m still unsure what the big deal is about.

Now my life is in danger and the only one who can protect me is the true king of the wolves.

Cade is nothing like what my mom and the press show shifters to be. He’s thoughtful, reserved… and have you seen his butt in those jeans?

Cade
Having abdicated the throne, I’ve vowed to stay out of shifter politics.
Now, my sole responsibility, for the next six weeks, is to make sure no idiots can completely derail the deal I’ve cut with the one woman holding all the cards.

The problem is… the threats against Thalia Clark are nothing compared to the danger of my wolf, now that he’s claimed this human as his.

I’ll kill to protect my mate, but is keeping up my end of the deal enough to save her?

Smoke is the first book in the Ardelean Bloodline series. While this story does contain an HEA for Cade and Thalia, there is an ongoing plot connecting each book in the series. Each book will need to be read in order. There are open door, explicit scenes as well as colorful language not intended for young readers.

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Excerpt
What is she thinking about? Is it what we talked about with Ansel or something more? I step closer, testing her guarded nature. “Country life is dull. I don’t exactly work here, which means I’m pretty much stuck to whatever chores Ansel’s left around the house, and you’re left to whatever sanity-keeping activities you can find. I guess if you’re feeling adventurous . . .” I shrug. “Have you ever been to Arches?”
“No, I’ve heard it’s beautiful, but this is my first time in Utah.”
Thalia’s eyes light up, and I know the answer.
“Would you like to go today?” I ask slowly.
Thalia starts nodding. I smile, seeing her excitement. “Ansel’s right, it’s been too long since I’ve given The Leviathan a little bit of time to run. Plus, I think it would be beneficial for you to meet a wolf, in a positive environment, with someone who’s in control before someone else can further taint the experience. I know Sherman was a little upsetting for you. I can ask Ansel or Ezra, but their wolves are pretty scary looking if you’re not used to looking at wolves.” I pause and give her a smirk licking my bottom lip before sighing. “They’re also not really fucking fluffy.”
“Did you just ask me to take your wolf on a walk?” she returns with a sly smile, raising an eyebrow.
Her comment catches me off guard, and my face heats. There are so many different ways I could answer. But she started it. Thalia was comfortable enough with me to crack a joke. I shrug and release my bottom lip from between my teeth.
Tell our mate. The Leviathan encourages with the image of a ceremonial collar wrapping around Thalia’s neck. I feel him brush and know my eyes just went gold.
My version is dirtier. “Not quite. I’m not following any of the leash laws. And if anyone will be doing any collaring, it’ll be me clasping one around your neck. If there’s going to be any tying, it’ll be you to the bed, while I show you all the ways I can make you scream my name.”
A chill rips through Thalia’s body, and she shudders, her whole body standing taller. I step into her personal space. Thalia wobbles, looking up at me. I watch her wet her bottom lip with her tongue. Drawing a deep breath, I catch the scent of her arousal.
The Leviathan paces. Give mate wolf, we run together.
“Easy, Draga Mea.” I kiss her forehead. When I step back, I see her trying to figure out the cute nickname The Leviathan’s given her. Only having the briefest memory of Romanian spoken in the home growing up, even I had to look it up. My Darling. I could tell her, but I’m not sure she’s ready.
A backpack, snacks, water, and a trip to the restroom later, I walk Thalia out of the house and to the garage. The classic pickup truck Ansel loves so much is right where it always is. Thalia seems impressed when the old Ford roars to life. I just smile. Ansel’s love for this truck runs deep, and I’d be surprised if it didn’t turn over.
We’re somewhere farther onto Ansel’s property and close to the border with the national park. It’s a gamble that we may come across someone. It’s not common for tourists to make it out this far, but we’ll have to be in the national park to see some cool rock formations. It’s selfish and maybe a bit cocky to risk bringing her into public like this, but I want her to have a positive experience. I know The Leviathan is set on wanting to give her a wolf, but not so badly that he would sabotage all the progress we’re making in having her accept wolves and what this life looks like.
We find Ansel’s secret entrance to Arches National Park. It’s denoted by an old wooden trunk tucked off the side of the gravel trail behind some scrub brush.
Putting the old Ford in park, I turn in my seat to look at her. “Two rules.”
Thalia’s eyes go wide, and there’s the smallest hint of fear.
“Okay . . .” She draws out the last syllable.
“Don’t run. The Leviathan will chase. I’m worried he’ll push you down and you’ll get hurt. Humans are breakable compared to wolves, and even a friendly little shove could hurt you,” I caution.
Thalia nods. “The second one?”
“Breathe.” I lock eyes with her. “Enjoy this and know I’m here.”


About the Author

Apparently, to be an author one must have a bio. Well, I’m human despite the fact that I wish to be a shifter. I have an issue with the way some words are shaped. And that means sometimes, they must be spelled incorrectly to be right. This is something I’m passionate about. So, we’ll get along fine! Oh, yeah: Midwest USA, married, all fur babies.

The Ardelean Bloodline is Sarah Jaeger’s debut series
Sarah Jaeger

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Book Blitz & Excerpt: Heartstone Queen + Giveaway

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Hearthstone Queen
by A.C. Melody
(Midgard Úlfrinn, #2)
Publication date: March 15th 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Corbyn’s worst fears come true when they strike at his mate from the one place he never saw coming. Fearing for Reyna’s life, he rushes her to the Elders, only to end up on their healing table next. After back-to-back horrors, Reyna knows she has to make a crucial decision that will change their lives forever… and possibly save them.

But fate immediately puts that to the test, drawing them right into enemy territory, where Reyna finally learns what’s become of Jesse and gets an unexpected audience with Úlfrinn Royalty. Just when they’ve found hope, their world gets shaken by a terrifying homecoming of bloodshed and betrayal. As they face off with the evidence of Fenrisúlfr’s return—and a living Nightmare—they can no longer deny the truth.

War has already begun.

Amazon

EXCERPT:

“Corbyn Bruschard, you get your ass back in here.”

“Sorry, babe, can’t do that right this second,” he called back.

Oooh, he sounds so freaking smug!

Glaring holes into the wall between them, Reyna crawled off the bed and found that her thigh muscles were attached to the weakness keeping her miserably needy. She’d just had an explosive, albeit interesting, orgasm. So, why did her body feel like it was still hanging on the brink?

Reyna chalked it up to lingering effects that would eventually fade and began searching for her clothes. She ground her teeth every time she moved wrong and sent more tingling pulses of yearning through her core.

Once she slipped her panties on, she felt a little better. Then, she slid into Corbyn’s dress shirt and buried her nose in the collar for a deep inhale as she left the room.

Wandering into the kitchen, she pushed on one of the refrigerated drawers and smiled when it turned out to be the right one. Bypassing the beer, Reyna grabbed a bottle of water, impressed to find it was glass rather than plastic. Corbyn was an Eco-conscience architect. The man never stopped surprising her, and she was beginning to look forward to that.

Reyna turned and jumped to find him standing at the end of the island counter watching her, his hands tucked into the pockets of gray, drawstring pajama pants.

“Do you have to do that?” she complained with a hand over her racing heart.

Her gaze traced Corbyn’s inked muscles and the mouthwatering cut of his hips that disappeared into the low ride of his pants. The only hair on his torso was the faint dusting of dark gold starting just under his navel, and her mouth flooded because she knew precisely where it led. The ache between her legs intensified. He was so damn yummy.

“Yes,” he answered, a slight smile playing at the corners of his sexy mouth.

Her observation had been a quick sweep. Corbyn’s gaze seduced her. That was the only way to describe the slow, nearly tangible study he took of her entire body. Reyna’s skin shivered, and her nipples beaded under the crisp fabric of his shirt.

“Enjoying yourself?” she asked, attempting haughtiness.

“Immensely.” He smiled. “I’m certainly enjoying the way you look in my shirt. Then again, I doubt there’s anything you couldn’t make appear inappropriate. Like it came from a sex shop instead of a tailor.”

Reyna’s neck and cheeks heated. Damn him.

Corbyn stepped closer, invading her space while daring her to move away.

“Ever been inside of a sex shop, Reyna?”

Her face blushed even brighter.

Fold, girl, give up. You’re no match.

“No.”

His hands remained in his pockets, yet she felt the tease of him, nonetheless. “They’re remarkably enlightening.”

“I bet.”

Corbyn grinned, running his bottom lip through his teeth as he studied her with something close to smugness in his eyes.

“How are you feeling?”

Reyna shouldn’t have been surprised to hear him admit to leaving her needy on purpose, but she almost narrowed her eyes and demanded that he fix it. Instead, she shrugged, not wanting to give him the satisfaction.

“Fine,” she lied, taking a sip of her water. Reyna tilted the bottle toward him since he’d watched her movements. “Thirsty?”

Accepting it, Corbyn downed half the contents without taking his eyes off her.

“Mmm, thanks,” he said, licking and sucking on his lips as if it had been liquid ambrosia instead. Handing it back to Reyna, he kissed her on the forehead. “I’m starving.”

Reyna’s vision blurred as he stalked past her. She imagined strangling him and kissing him, but not necessarily in that order.

“Hungry?” he asked.

Yes. “Not really.”

The hollow ache between her legs was almost unbearable, causing her thigh muscles to flex. If she could just squeeze her legs together really tight… Reyna almost gave in to that idea until she realized how ridiculous it would look, on top of giving Corbyn exactly what he was watching for. And he was watching.

I’m going to kill him. Wait, I’ll jump him first, then I’ll kill him.

The thought brought a smile to her face.

“Something you’d like to share?”

“Nope.” She quirked a brow at him in amusement, and that’s when she noticed what he was dishing up. “Ooh, ice cream?”

“You said you weren’t hungry—”

“I’m always hungry for ice cream,” she cut him off, her tone mildly chastising as if he should already know that.

With a chuckle, he shook his head. “So, I heard,” he said, moving to the cupboard to get another bowl. “Though, we should discuss your habit of stealing others’—”

“Thanks.” She flashed a sweet smile over her shoulder as she left the kitchen with the bowl he’d already dished up for himself.

Reyna had to swallow her laughter at his shocked expression as he looked from her to the counter where his bowl had just been.

 

Author Bio:

A.C. Melody is an author of all things Erotic Romance who doesn’t believe in skimping on the dirty details. A mass consumer of coffee and books, she prefers one a little darker than the other. She has a weakness for hard ass Alphas and the strong women who capture their hearts, without damaging their rough edges.

Hailing from the Pacific Northwest, A.C. is the mother of two young men, and honorary mom for more young adults than she can count. Outside of writing, she enjoys gaming, binge-watching Netflix, and pretending she has a green thumb.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

 

GIVEAWAY!
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Book Blitz & Excerpt: The Rebirth + Giveaway

THE REBIRTH RDB

I am so excited that THE REBIRTH by V.P. Evans is available now and that I get to share the news! If you haven’t yet heard about this wonderful book, be sure to check out all the details below.  This blitz also includes a giveaway for a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours. So if you’d like a chance to win, check out the giveaway info below

 

Title: THE REBIRTH

Author: V.P. Evans

Pub. Date: March 16, 2023

Publisher: V.P. Evans

Formats: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 683

Find it: GoodreadsAmazon

Get your copy now for only .99!

 

A night where everything begins . . . and everything ends.

For the past decade, police homicide consultant Mark Gilliam has been wasting his life with corpses, drugs, and alcohol. Things weren’t always like this. Ten years ago, he was a soldier, a husband, a . . . father. But it’s what he deserves. He couldn’t protect his son from the monsters that took him away.

For the past decade, Jason Roneros has been living a reclusive life, forced to spend the rest of his days in isolation. Things weren’t always like this. Ten years ago, he was a well-respected author, a fighter, a . . . dreamer. But it’s what he deserves. He trusted these monsters.

For the past decade, Mark and Jason haven’t seen each other.
But everything is about to change . . .

A murder brings them together one night, trapping them in the streets of Chicago in search of redemption down a cryptic path that could unlock the darkest scandal in history. As the path unrolls secrets buried in great works of art and philosophical writings, the shadiest aspects of the human soul come to the surface. Soon, the two men realize that those hunting them, closing in with each passing minute, are equally dangerous as the ghosts of the past . . .

***Mature Content***


Praise:

“All the twists and turns kept me on the edge of my seat . . . The tension builds up to an unexpected climax which I did not see coming, and it was a big surprise to me.”–Readers’ Favorite review by Alma Boucher (five-star review)

“I couldn’t turn the pages fast enough . . . hard to believe it is a debut novel.”–Books Go Social

“V.P. Evans delivers excitement at every turn in this tense thriller novel, which starts with a gripping and intriguing premise before ramping up its murderous twists and turns with each new discovery.”–Readers’ Favorite review by K.C. Finn (five-star review)

“V.P. Evans creates a multifaceted story that draws on different levels . . . Its special brand of mysticism, psychological discovery, interpersonal interactions, and close inspections of monsters and men makes it a highly recommended read for a broad audience.”–D. Donovan, Senior Reviewer, Midwest Book Review

The Rebirth can best be described as a cross between The Da Vinci Code and Rule By Secrecy. What sets The Rebirth apart is the incorporation of historic reasoning and its inclusion of the philosophical ideologies of some of the world’s greatest minds.”–Readers’ Favorite review by Jamie Michele (five-star review)


 

Excerpt—From Chapter 1

Jason seemed so changed from the last time they’d met: his skin was yellow, as if forgotten by the coltish tickle of life. His face appeared exhausted, as if feckless to carry the striking features of the past. Two brusque lines around his mouth resembled deep snicks. Fitful creases whipped his forehead. His white, medium-length hair was combed back, just as it had been ten years ago, though a receding hairline now marked his forehead. His skeletal hands seemed incapable of keeping the watch fastened on his wrist, while his legs were so bony they seemed likely to break. Although Jason, like Oscar, was in his mid-sixties, he looked at least a decade older.

“There’s no time left.”

His voice remained rich, though. It still carried the slight British accent from his days in Oxford.

A mild shaking started traversing Oscar’s body. He put his glasses on the newspaper and stood up, using the desk for support. “You need to leave.” He struggled to sound calm. “They were clear, Jason. We cannot be together. The deal—”

“The deal doesn’t exist anymore.” Jason scratched at his neck, above the collar of his white shirt, where an already reddened patch of eczema had become even more inflamed. “Dermot Walsh is dead.”

“What? How do you know—?”

“He told me himself. A few minutes ago. Texted me, pointing out his killers.”

Murdered?” Oscar soughed, terrified by the ensuing sentence.

“By them,” Jason added, confirming Oscar’s dread. “The Imperatores are already after me.”

Jesus.The Imperatores. That name. Saliva filled Oscar’s
mouth, choking him. “After all these years … now? Why? We had a damned
agreement!” He slammed his hands on the desk, trying in vain to expel the fear
inside him. His palms burned from the hit.

To stop me,” Jason said, his words faint yet filling the huge office.


About V.P. Evans:

V.P. Evans is the pen name of an average (and perhaps boring) guy who seems desperate to disappear into lands far away. You would probably find him lost in a secluded village in Estonia, wandering among the wild islands of the Azores, or backpacking across vague paths in Asia. And sometimes, as the fading lights and the thick darkness of this mysterious cosmos unfold before him, he has an idea and writes it down.

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Giveaway Details:

1 winner will receive a $10 Amazon GC courtesy of Rockstar Book Tours, International.

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Ends March 23rd, midnight EST.

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