Spotlight & Excerpt: Ever After + Giveaway

EVER AFTER Banner

Today I am excited to join the Transplanted Tale 10-Year Anniversary Blog Tour. Ever After by Kate SeRine is the fourth novel featuring Robin Hood in this Grimm Fairy Tales twist. Check it out, read an excerpt and be sure to enter the giveaway…

EVER AFTER

Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | B&N

A beautiful Robin Hood reconnects with her love Little John after transporting to the real world in this “paranormal romance filled with suspense” (SmexyBooks).

For centuries, Gideon Montrose has mourned the loss of his true love. Throwing himself into his work, he has served the King of Fairies without question—and, often, without mercy. So when the King orders him to apprehend a notorious thief, Gideon obeys. But this time, Gideon is on for a shock when he finally gets his hands on the beautiful culprit.

Arabella Locksley is none other than the spirited, unpredictable woman he knew back in Make Believe. As Robin Hood, Arabella stole from the rich and gave to the poor with Gideon—then known as Little John—by her side.

Believing that she had fallen to her death five hundred years ago, Gideon naturally has some questions. But Arabella has secrets she must keep even from him. Now Gideon faces an impossible choice: he must either betray the woman he once loved, or the king he’s bound to serve.

Amazon | iTunes | Kobo | B&N | Goodreads

Transplanted Tales Series

 

Red

Grimm Consequences

The Better to See You

Along Came A Spider

Ever After

Better Watch Out (coming 2023)


Excerpt from Ever After (Transplanted Tales #4)

 

“This was a mistake.”

“Well, I guess that’s the theme of our relationship,” I mumbled. “And I made the biggest mistake of all, believin’ y’ever cared for me.”

The sting of her open palm connecting with my cheek caught me off guard.

“Say what you want about the mistakes I’ve made,” she raged, her cheeks growing red with indignation. “There’s certainly no shortage of them. But don’t you ever question how much I loved you! By doing so you insult us both.”

I stared at her, literally struck mute.

When I didn’t speak, she swallowed a sob and turned away. “I have to go,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ve already stayed too long.” Her hurried steps carried her a few yards before I blew out a harsh sigh and let fly a stream of juicy curses, knowing I was a glutton for punishment even as I went after her.

“Arabella! Wait!” I grabbed her arm, bringing her to a stop but releasing her when the wounded look in her eyes cut me to the core. I put my hands on my hips, staring at my feet as I debated what to say, not willing to look her in the face, afraid that if I met the eyes I adored, I’d lose myself in them.

I’d never stopped loving her, had never stopped thinking about her. As ridiculous as it seemed, some part of me had always held out hope that she’d somehow miraculously return. And here she was, right before me. She said she didn’t know what had happened to her, what had kept her away . . . And I wanted to believe it. My long-broken heart whispered bitter words, telling me to walk away and never look back, that that part of my life was over.

But it was a lie. That part of my life would never be over. She’d filled my heart in a way no woman ever had or would again. And I wasn’t about to piss on that by turning her away when she clearly needed me.

“What trouble are y’in?” I asked, forcing my voice to be gentle.

“It’s my concern,” she said with a sniff, making me feel like an irredeemable jackass for bringing her to tears. “I didn’t come here to beg you to help me or to drag you into my mess. I just . . . I just wanted to see you again. I dream of you, of us, every night, Gideon. When I close my eyes, your face is all I see. I know you don’t believe me, but I did love you—I still do. I always will.”

I felt my chest tighten at her words, wanting so desperately to believe her. I risked raising my gaze to hers, gauging her sincerity. To my surprise, she actually seemed to be telling the truth.

Damn me to hell, but I was gonna fall for her all over again. Even though I was furious and hurting and knew with certainty that I was bound for heartache again, I was powerless to stop it. But she didn’t have to know that. And I’d make sure she didn’t. I’d managed to keep my emotions in check all these years, had learned to maintain the stoic silence that was required of my servitude to the king. I never imagined I’d need those skills to guard my heart. And when she left again—as she’d already admitted she would—I’d at least be able to maintain my dignity.

In the meantime, I couldn’t abandon her now any more than I could the day we’d met. What nobility remained a part of me forbade it. I’d be a friend to her. Just a friend. I owed it to what we’d once shared to at least try to accept that whatever had happened to her, whatever mysterious force had kept her from coming to me, she was here now. And she needed my help.

I smoothed my hand down her arm, drawing her closer, shoving aside all my feelings of anger and betrayal to focus on quieting the fear I saw in her eyes, on being the friend she needed me to be at this moment. “Tell me what’s happened to you, lass. Let me help you. I’ll talk to my king. I’ll do whatever I can. You know I will. Just tell me what you’ve done.”

The look she gave me was agonized, torn. Finally, she nodded and slipped her hand into mine, little sparks of desire firing off in my blood at the touch of her skin. “Let me show you.”


About the Author

 

Kate SeRine (pronounced “serene”) is a hopeless romantic who firmly believes in true love that lasts forever. So it’s no surprise that when she began writing her own stories, Kate vowed her characters would always have a happily ever after. She’s the author of the award-winning TRANSPLANTED TALES paranormal romance series as well as two romantic suspense series: PROTECT AND SERVE and DARK ALLIANCE.

Kate lives in a smallish, quintessentially Midwestern town with her husband and two sons, who share her love of storytelling. She never tires of creating new worlds to share and is even now working on her next project — probably while consuming way too much coffee.

Website | Instagram | Twitter | Newsletter



Giveaway

Enter to win a $25.00 egift card. Winner’s choice of Amazon, iBook, Kobo or B&N. Giveaway ends January 27, 2023.


a Rafflecopter giveaway

 

Spotlight: The Heart of Neverland, by Natalie J. Reddy

Tour Banner-1

I am thrilled to be part of the book tour for The Heart of Neverland by Natalie J. Reddy! Read on for more details!

eBook - The Heart of Neverland

The Heart of Neverland
(The Neverwitch Chronicles #1)
by Natalie J. Reddy
Expected Publication Date: November 30th, 2022
Genre: Fantasy/ Romance/ Adventure/ Pirates/ Pan Retelling

One night.

That’s all it takes to turn my life upside down. It’s not like I had the most stable childhood to begin. Most of it was spent on the run from the villains in my mom’s head. It isn’t until after she’s murdered right in front of me that I realize maybe they weren’t in her head after all.

After her death I go to stay with an uncle I didn’t know existed to try to make sense of my life and find some answers about who I really am. As I search for the truth a guy named Peter shows up and makes it his mission to constantly get in my personal space. He’s gorgeous, flirty and completely infuriating. And possibly not actually human or from this world.

The things he tells me sound insane and I don’t think I can trust him. It doesn’t matter that each heated touch draws me deeper into his web. Things like magic, pirates and Peter Pan just aren’t real.

PRE-ORDER HERE!


About the Author

Author

Natalie J. Reddy is a Canadian Author who spends her days trying to escape reality by making up stories about the characters in her head.

Natalie realized at an early age that she had a passion for storytelling and that passion followed her into adulthood. There is nothing she loves more than to be pulled into a fictional world whether it’s in her own writing or the writing of others. Natalie is the author of the Scar of Days Forgotten series, a New Adult Urban Fantasy series with characters who have supernatural abilities and dark and sometimes unknown pasts to overcome.

When she’s not writing, Natalie can be found having all sorts of real-life adventures with her husband and daughter or curled up with a good book and a cup of tea.

To keep up to date on upcoming books, subscribe to Natalie’s newsletter at nataliejreddy.com

Natalie J. Reddy | Instagram | Facebook | Goodreads


Book Tour Schedule

November 28th

R&R Book Tours (Kick-Off)

@atrailofpages (Review)

@over.on.my.bookshelf (Review)

Rambling Mads (Review)

@accio_mischief (Review)

November 29th

Sadie’s Spotlight (Spotlight)

@amber.bunch_author (Review)

@the.brooke.library (Review)

@ecce.libri (Review)

@mels_booksandhooks (Review)

@_toris.thoughts_ (Review)

November 30th

@its_b.e.l.l.e (Review)

I Smell Sheep (Review)

@the_pageling (Review)

Bunny’s Reviews (Review)

I Love Books & Stuff (Spotlight)

@ better_0ff_read (Spotlight)

December 1st

@alexis.reads__ (Review)

@thelibrocubicularista (Review)

@mandioyster (Review)

@wendyreadsforfun (Review)

Freelance Writer, Janny C (Spotlight)

December 2nd

Cheryl’s Book Nook (Review)

Liliyana Shadowlyn (Review)

@takealookatmybookshelf (Review)

@wolfesbooks (Review)

Book Reviews by Taylor (Review)


Book Tour Organized By:

R&R Button

R&R Book Tours

Spotlight & Excerpt: Ship to Nowhere + Giveaway

ship to nowhere banner

Ship to Nowhere

A Sinbad and the Seven Seas Retelling

The Clockwork FaerieTale Novellas Book 4

by Jes Drew

Genre: Steampunk Romantic Fairytale Retelling

 

The inauguration year of Queen Victoria sees a world where the seven seas are yet un-mapped and filled with mystery . . .

Sindbad had room in his heart for one love: the sea. Unlike women, the sea would never betray him, and it was never hard to determine the ocean’s mood. The sea kept things simple; just him and his men traveling the globe and discovering new territory for Her Majesty the Queen. But his newest cabin boy is hiding a secret that could derail Sindbad’s carefully charted course . . .

Dunyazad is running out of time to rescue her sister from the murderous tyrant she has fallen into the clutches of. With the well of stories keeping Scheherazade alive going dry, Dunyazad decides to have an adventure of her own to be spun into a tale long enough to last until she find a powerful ally that will rescue her sister once and for all. But her tenuous plan depends on her keeping her true identity— and gender— a secret from the misogynistic captain or else risk being stranded on a deserted island. If only the man weren’t so infuriating, or handsome . . .

Falling in love may be the most dangerous adventure of all to be found on the Seven Seas.

The Clockwork Faerie Tale Novella series can be read as standalones or together, for whenever you want your steampunk happily ever after.

**Only .99 cents!!**

Goodreads * Amazon


ship no nowhere excerpt

Clearing his throat, Sindbad straightens and clears his throat. So, this is to be the woman he must face the rest of his life with. And he doesn’t even get to see her face before exchanging vows.
The entourage reaches him, and all the maids disperse to the right or the left, save the woman in white. She comes to stand before him.
“Stretch out your right hands,” the priest demands.
After trying to catch some view of her through the veil, Sindbad gives up and holds out his hand just as she stretches out her much daintier, gloved appendage.
The priest ties a red sash around Sindbad’s wrist, twists it around his hand, and then twists it around the maid’s gloved hand before securing it on her wrist.
“Speak the first vow,” the priest orders.
Sindbad startles. Does the priest just assume he knows their wedding vows?
“The first of seven,” he adds.
This startles Sindbad still more. Would these Seven Vows be the same vows germane of the wedding ceremonies of India? Are these people the descendants of Indians, come here long ago and still clinging to their most sacred of traditions, passed down from a previous age?
“I will offer you food and be helpful in every way,” breathes the woman in white in a soft voice.
That part sounds familiar. Racking his mind, Sindbad remembers the counter vow. “I will cherish you and provide welfare and happiness to you and our children.”
This appears to be acceptable to the priest. “Second vow.”
Sindbad clears his throat, which has gone strangely tight. “Together we will protect our house and children.”
A voice far sweeter and more reverent than his responds. “I will be by your side as your courage and strength. I will rejoice in your happiness. In return, you will love me solely.”
Sindbad’s knees start to buckle. This is becoming far too real. He was anticipating a pagan ceremony that held no meaning to him. Not vows that, though pagan in origin, were sanctioned by the Queen of England herself as legally binding to all who swore by them.
“Third vow.”
Clutching the red tie in his hands, Sindbad continues. “May we grow wealthy and prosperous and strive for the future of our children.”
“I will love you solely for the rest of my life, as you are my husband. Every other man in my life will be secondary. I vow to remain chaste.”
“Fourth vow.”
Sindbad closes his eyes to hide from the panic and try to stop himself from imagining that it is Dahro he is speaking to. “May we be blessed with noble and obedient children.”
The sweet, innocent voice finds him even in the darkness. “I will shower you with joy, from head to toe. I will strive to please you in every way I can.”
“Fifth vow.”
His very tongue is heavy now, but he knows what is required of him. “You are my best friend, and my staunchest well-wisher. You have come into my life, enriching it. God bless you.”
Her voice is faltering as well, Sindbad notices. “I promise to love you and cherish you for as long as I live. Your happiness is my happiness, and your sorrow is my sorrow. I will trust and honor you and will strive to fulfill all your wishes.”
“Sixth vow.” The priest’s voice is like a battering ram on Sindbad’s aching head. Is this what Rani felt when he wed her to Aladdin? This great fear and dread and commitment beyond what she could have ever anticipated?
Sindbad licks his dry lips. “Now that you have taken six steps with me, you have filled my heart with immense happiness. Will you do the kindness of filling my heart with happiness like this for all times?”
This time, the bride’s words come out clear and strong, steady and sure. “I will always be by your side.”
“Seventh vow.”
Sindbad forces his eyes open to be a man and face his fate, this woman and white, while he seals their future. “We are now husband and wife and are one. You are mine and I am yours for eternity.”
“As God is witness, I am now your wife. We will love, honor, and cherish each other forever.”
“You are now bound.


Jes Drew is the author of the Ninja and Hunter trilogy, the Howling Twenty trilogy, the Kristian Clark saga, the Castaways trilogy, The Dystopian Takeover trilogy, The Clockwork Faerie Tale Novellas, The Summers of Yesteryear series, Legends of the Master Spy, The New ESE Files, Tales from Parallel Worlds, Genie and Serena, PIs, Accidentally on the Run, and This Side of Heaven. Her true love is Captain Steve Rogers, and there is a possibility that she may or may not be a superhuman, but she hasn’t discovered her powers. Yet. Also, she might be a spy, but that’s classified.

Website * Instagram * Newsletter * Youtube * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Signed Copy of Ship To Nowhere with exclusive pins of the previous three books (US Only),

$20 Amazon giftcard (WW),

– 1 winner each!

Scroll Up