Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery) by Julie Anne Lindsey Book Tour and Giveaway!

Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery) by Julie Anne Lindsey

About Apple Cider Slaying

 

Apple Cider Slaying (A Cider Shop Mystery) 

Cozy Mystery 1st in Series 

Kensington (October 29, 2019) 

Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

ISBN-10: 1496723473 

ISBN-13: 978-1496723475 

Digital ASIN: B07NCQPSVW 

Apples are at the core of the family business run by Winona Mae Montgomery and her Granny Smythe. But this year’s crop is unseasonably ripe with murder . . .

ONE ROTTEN APPLE

Blossom Valley, West Virginia, is home to Smythe Orchards, Winnie and her Granny’s beloved twenty-five-acre farm and family business. But any way you slice it, it’s struggling. That’s why they’re trying to drum up business with the “First Annual Christmas at the Orchard,” a good old-fashioned holiday festival with enough delicious draw to satisfy apple-picking locals and cider-loving tourists alike—until the whole endeavor takes a sour turn when the body of Nadine Cooper, Granny’s long-time, grudge-holding nemesis, is found lodged in the apple press. Now, with Granny the number one suspect, Winnie is hard-pressed to prove her innocence before the real killer delivers another murder . .

Includes Recipes!

About Julie Anne Lindsey

Julie Anne Lindsey is a multi-genre author who writes the stories that keep her up at night. When she's not creating new worlds and organizing the epic adventures of fictional characters, Julie can be found carpooling her three kids around Northeastern Ohio and plotting with her shamelessly enabling friends. Today, she hopes to make someone smile. One day she plans to change the world. Julie is a member of the International Thriller Writers, Romance Writers of America, and Sisters in Crime.

Author Links
Visit her online at www.JulieAnneLindsey.com 
 Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/JulieAnneLindseyAuthor/
Twitter - https://twitter.com/JulieALindsey 
 Pinterest - https://www.pinterest.com/juliealindsey/ 

Purchase Links - 
Amazon - B&N - Kobo - GooglePlay - Indie Bound 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 1 - Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

November 1 - I Read What You Write – GUEST POST

November 1 - That's What She's Reading - SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

November 1 - Books a Plenty Book Reviews – REVIEW

November 2 - Lisa Ks Book Reviews – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 2 - Reading Is My SuperPower – REVIEW

November 2 - Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW

November 2 - Mysteries with Character – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

November 3 – Diary of a Book Fiend - REVIEW

November 3 – The Book's the Thing – REVIEW

November 3 – My Reading Journeys – GUEST POST

November 3 – The Power of Words – REVIEW

November 4 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

November 4 – Readeropolis – SPOTLIGHT

November 4 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 5 – Cinnamon, Sugar, and a Little Bit of Murder – REVIEW, RECIPE

November 5 – Laura's Interests – REVIEW

November 5 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW, AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 5 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

November 6 – Carla Loves To Read – REVIEW

November 6 – FUONLYKNEW – REVIEW

November 6 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE

November 6 – A Wytch's Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 7 – This Is My Truth Now – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 7 – Hearts & Scribbles – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – The Book Decoder – REVIEW

November 7 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW

November 8 – Melina's Book Blog - REVIEW, GUEST POST

November 8 – Sapphyria’s Books – REVIEW

November 8 – Literary Gold – SPOTLIGHT, EXCERPT

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The Hunter's Force by Val Penny Blog Tour and Giveaway! @rararesources

Hunter’s Force

Hunter by name – Hunter by nature.

Can DI Hunter Wilson keep Edinburgh safe when he is the hunted?

Detective Inspector Hunter Wilson is woken in the early hours of the morning by a call from his son. Cameron’s flatmate was murdered. Why would anybody want to kill a young woman recently arrived in the city?

Hunter must call in the new Major Incident Team (MIT) to lead the investigation due to the reorganization of police services. Hunter's ability to be involved, however, is put in severe doubt when someone from his past decides to take revenge on him. He goes missing, and his team have no idea where to look for him. Who would want to stop Hunter in his tracks?

Meanwhile, Hunter's team must work closely with MIT, with or without him, to solve the murder in this taut crime thriller. 

Purchase Link - mybook.to/huntersforce

Author Bio 
Val Penny is an American author living in SW Scotland. She has two adult daughters of whom she is justly proud and lives with her husband and two cats. She has a Law degree from Edinburgh University and her MSc from Napier University. She has had many jobs including hairdresser, waitress, lawyer, banker, azalea farmer and lecturer. However, she has not yet achieved either of her childhood dreams of being a ballerina or owning a candy store. Until those dreams come true, she has turned her hand to writing poetry, short stories, and novels. Her crime novels, 'Hunter's Chase' Hunter's Revenge and Hunter's Force are set in Edinburgh, Scotland, published by Crooked Cat Books. The fourth book in the series, Hunter's Blood, follows shortly.

Social Media Links – Author contact details

www.authorvalpenny.com

www.facebook.com/valerie.penny.739

 www.facebook.com/groups/296295777444303

https://twitter.com/valeriepenny

Author buy links

myBook.to/HuntersChase

myBook.to/HuntersRevenge

mybook.to/huntersforce

Giveaway to Win a .mobi or PDF of Hunter’s Force by Val Penny (Open INT)

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

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Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper (Death by Cupcake) by D.E. Haggerty Book Tour and Giveaway!

Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper (Death by Cupcake) by D.E. Haggerty

About Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper

 

Christmas Cupcakes and a Caper (Death by Cupcake)

Cozy Mystery Novella 4th in Series 

Independently Published (November 1, 2019)

Number of Pages: 80 ASIN: B07XMF4L35

It’s all candy cane cupcakes and peppermint coffee until you find a dead elf on your doorstep.

Only the elf wasn’t a real elf, because elves don’t actually exist – not even at Christmas time. A college student dressed like an elf decided taking a nap in sub-zero winter temps was a good idea. It wasn’t. Anna, the pink-haired baker extraordinaire of Callie’s Cakes, is convinced the student’s death was not an accident. She drags Callie and Kristie along with her as she attempts to discover who killed the elf … um… student.

Will the gals of Callie’s Cakes find the killer before Christmas is ruined?

Cupcakes not included, although you’ll find recipes for all the delicious Christmas cupcakes Anna baked.

About D.E. Haggerty

I grew up reading everything I could get my grubby hands on, from my mom's Harlequin romances to Nancy Drew, to Little Women. When I wasn't flipping pages in a library book, I was penning horrendous poems, writing songs no one should ever sing, or drafting stories which have thankfully been destroyed. College and a stint in the U.S. Army came along, robbing me of free time to write and read, although on the odd occasion I did manage to sneak a book into my rucksack between rolled up socks, MRIs, t-shirts, and cold weather gear. After surviving the army experience, I went back to school and got my law degree. I jumped ship and joined the hubby in the Netherlands before the graduation ceremony could even begin. A few years into my legal career, I was exhausted, fed up, and just plain done. I quit my job and sat down to write a manuscript, which I promptly hid in the attic before returning to the law. But practicing law really wasn’t my thing, so I quit (again!) and went off to Germany to start a B&B. Turns out running a B&B wasn’t my thing either. I polished off that manuscript languishing in the attic before following the husband to Istanbul where I decided to give the whole writer-thing a go. But ten years was too many to stay away from my adopted home. I packed up again and moved to The Hague where, in between tennis matches and failing to save the world, I’m currently working on my next book. I hope I’ll always be working on my next book.

Author links 
  Website: http://dehaggerty.wordpress.com 
  Blog: https://dehaggerty.wordpress.com/category/mymusings/ 
  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dehaggerty 
  Twitter: https://twitter.com/dehaggerty 
  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dehaggerty/ 
  Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7210211.D_E_Haggerty 
  Amazon author page: http://www.amazon.com/D.E.-Haggerty/e/B00ECQBURU/ 
 Newsletter signup: 
  Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/denahaggerty/ 
  Bookbub author page: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/d-e-haggerty
  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/d-e-haggerty-4b49a29/ 

 Purchase Links 
Amazon
Goodreads

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

November 1 – I Read What You Write – REVIEW, GUEST POST

November 1 – Baroness’ Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

November 1 –  FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

November 2 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW

November 2 – The Pulp and Mystery Shelf – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

November 3 – Celticlady’s Reviews – REVIEW

November 3 – LibriAmoriMiei – REVIEW

November 4 – StoreyBook Reviews – REVIEW

November 4 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT

November 5 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST

November 5 – Laura’s interests – REVIEW

November 6 – A Wytch’s Book Review Blog – REVIEW, CHARACTER INTERVIEW

November 6 – Book Babble – REVIEW

November 6 – Eskimo Princess Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – Cozy Up With Kathy – RECIPE, SPOTLIGHT

November 7 – Mystery Thrillers and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

November 8 – Books Direct – REVIEW

November 8 – Reading Is My SuperPower – SPOTLIGHT

  Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!  

The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas Review! @sherrythomas

Charlotte Holmes, Lady Sherlock, is back solving new cases in the Victorian-set mystery series from the USA Today bestselling author of The Hollow of Fear.

As "Sherlock Holmes, consulting detective," Charlotte Holmes has solved murders and found missing individuals. But she has never stolen a priceless artwork—or rather, made away with the secrets hidden behind a much-coveted canvas.
 
But Mrs. Watson is desperate to help her old friend recover those secrets and Charlotte finds herself involved in a fever-paced scheme to infiltrate a glamorous Yuletide ball where the painting is one handshake away from being sold and the secrets a bare breath from exposure.
 
Her dear friend Lord Ingram, her sister Livia, Livia's admirer Stephen Marbleton—everyone pitches in to help and everyone has a grand time. But nothing about this adventure is what it seems and disaster is biding time on the grounds of a glittering French chateau, waiting only for Charlotte to make a single mistake...

Author photo by Jennifer Sparks Harriman at Sparks Studio.

USA Today-bestselling author Sherry Thomas decided that her goal in life is to write every kind of book she enjoys reading. Thus far she has published romance, fantasy, mystery, and a wuxia-inspired duology. Her books regularly receive starred reviews and best-of-the-year honors from trade publications, including such outlets as the New York Times and National Public Radio. She is also a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America’s prestigious RITA® Award.

Sherry immigrated from China at age 13 and English is her second language.

https://www.sherrythomas.com/
@sherrythomas

My Review
The Art of Theft by Sherry Thomas is a take on the Sherlock Holmes tale. Charlotte, our protagonist is a woman who has solved murders and finding missing people. Mrs. Watson Charlotte's friend has asked Charlotte to help her with friends the Maharani's request, to steal some letters that are hidden behind a priceless artwork. The Maharani is being blackmailed so she needs the maintain her secrets. To do this, Charlotte along with Lord Ingram,  Leighton Atwoood Lord Ingrams assistant, her sister Livia and Stephan Marbleton, Livia's admirer they must infiltrate the Yuletide Ball, at a French chateau.

The Art of Theft is the fourth book in the Lady Sherlock historical series and I have to say that I had not read any of the previous books in the series, that said, I had no problem following the characters. I wish I knew more about the relationship between Charlotte and Lord Ingram though. I know that there had been some intimacy between the two at some point. It did not detract though from my enjoyment of the book. That is what happens when you don't read the beginning of the series. No matter, I enjoyed the story, even though I am not a fan of Victorian type stories. 

I liked the cast of characters, I think that I liked Lord Ingram the best, I would like to learn more about his situation. There is definitely a story there, his wife leaving him for example so I need to go back and read the previous books.
Charlotte, even though she is a strong woman, she seems to be very aloof and does not want anyone to get close to her. 

I liked the storyline, the writing was very good, there is some suspense when Lord Ingram and Mr. Marbleton attempt to get into the compound of the chateau. Then when the group gets into the chateau on the night of the ball and attempt to steal the painting. Things are not as they seem as to what is going on in the chateau. 

In this book, we learn about Mrs.Watson and her relationship with the Maharani and why the Maharani needs Mrs.Watson and Charlotte's help. I found that her passion for sweets showed her vulnerability and the fun side of her. The other characters in this story were very well fleshed out, her sister Olivia wanting to be like her sister and free to do as she wanted. But she is still underage so still obligated to her parents. Mr.Marbleton is so in love with Livia that he would do whatever was needed to help Charlotte in this adventure.

I definitely enjoyed this book and my goal is to read the first book and continue on so I can understand the story better.

I recommend it highly!

I received a copy of this book for review purposes only.

After Whorl: Bran Reborn By Nancy Jardine Blog Tour and Giveaway! @nansjar @rararesources

After Whorl: Bran Reborn

AD 71 Northern Roman Britain
Ravaged at the Battle of Whorl, Brennus of Garrigill is irrevocably changed. He embraces a new identity as Bran, vowing to avert Roman domination of Brigantia. Though how, when he and Ineda – his healer’s granddaughter – are forced to labour for the Roman IX Legion? Trading with the usurpers provides opportunities for gathering information, but after they are attacked by a Roman patrol, Ineda cannot be found.

Distraught with her loss, can Bran find a new occupation?

The adventures of the Garrigill Clan continue… 

Purchase Link 

Author Bio – Nancy Jardine writes historical fiction; time-travel historical adventure; contemporary mystery thrillers; and romantic comedy. She lives in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, where life is never quiet or boring since she regularly child minds her young grandchildren who happen to be her next-door neighbours. Her garden is often creatively managed by them, though she does all the work! Her husband is a fantastic purveyor of coffee and tea…excellent food and wine! (Restorative, of course)  

A member of the Historical Novel Society; Scottish Association of Writers; Federation of Writers Scotland; Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Independent Alliance of Authors, her work has achieved finalist status in UK competitions.


Social Media Links –
Blog: 

Website:

Facebook: 

Twitter 

Amazon Author page 

Goodreads 


Today I welcome Nancy with an interview! 

Writing style priorities
A reviewer of Book 1 of my Celtic Fervour Series, The Beltane Choice, asked when the sequel would be published. Before then, writing a second book hadn’t crossed my mind but always rising to a challenge, I set to thinking about Book 2. The most obvious choice for a main character was the lovely Brennus, younger brother of Lorcan of the Brigantes. Brennus plays a strong secondary role in Book 1 but he was ‘lost’ at the Battle of Whorl, presumed dead because he was not among the survivors who returned to the Hillfort of Garrigill.

Before beginning to write Book 2, reasons for Brennus’ non-return seemed limited. I’d portrayed a very strongly attached family unit at the Hillfort of Garrigill. Therefore, Brennus just choosing to wander off to make his fortune elsewhere and not sending word back to Garrigill wasn’t credible, especially not during the devastating occupation of most of his tribal lands by Ancient Roman Legions. Of the ideas I debated, Brennus being injured to the point of being unable to send word back to his clan appealed most to me, but that also gave me pause for thought.

The general tone of Book 1 is that of a historical novel with strong romantic elements from beginning to end, albeit the romance goes through some dangerous and twisted hoops to reach an HEA ending. In a sense that means there’s optimism throughout, and it’s all about the circumstances that will bring Lorcan and Nara together.

I decided that Book 2 needed a different more sober style and tone of writing because poor Brennus has many hurdles to get over before any kind of happy ending will fall his way. (Book 3)

Can you imagine a survivor of pitched battle some 2000 years ago who ends up with horrendous life-altering injuries? Tending the sick was very different back then, the healer having to rely mainly on their knowledge of herbs. Stitching a wound was probably rudimentary depending on the skill of the healer; the ‘thread’ used and even the size of the needle contributing to how the flesh healed. The healer must have had to make many (sometimes educated) guesses and trusted much to the gods andgoddesses for a beneficial outcome.

What must it have been like to be a tribal warrior champion who receives life-changing injuries during battle? Being scarred was probably a regular occurrence during Late Iron Age skirmishes with other tribes. Having an accident during battle training, or as a by-product of normal farming life, was probably relatively normal and treated as a matter of course. The present-day perception of perfect bodies probably didn’t exist, and I don’t think that vanity would have played quite the same role as today. However, I believe even the strongest of men would go through an emotional and mental breakdown to some degree during the healing process – though his situation would not necessarily have had a ‘name’ as in PTSD or Mental Health issues of today. From the outset of Book 2, I had to almost wipe the slate clean of the cheery Brennus of Book 1. The post-battle Brennus is a different character so my writing style changed to accommodate the new warrior he was becoming. As in medical recovery today, it can take many months for an original personality to resurface, and sometimes that original character is so deeply embedded in the new persona it might take far longer. With Brennus it took quite a while!

I felt my writing style changing with ease (and in many ways maturing) as I launched into After Whorl: Bran Reborn.

Temporary bitter Bran was re-born out of the lovely cheery Brennus. However, I’m glad to say that I love and think highly of what Brennus as Bran achieves over the course of Book 2 (and more so in Book3). He may be altered but from adversity comes a different sort of admirable strength, and his intrinsic goodness is still there.
Thank you for inviting me to your blog today! 

Giveaway to Win x1 signed paperback of After Whorl: Bran Reborn to one UK winner; X1 kindle copy worldwide 

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize. 

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Cover Reveal of After All by Heidi McLaughlin and Giveaway! @heidimclaughlinauthor #AfterAllCoverReveal #BAPpr

Title: After All 

Author: Heidi McLaughlin 

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Release Date: March 24, 2020 

Publisher: Montlake 

Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC.

From New York Times bestselling author Heidi McLaughlin comes a heartfelt story about overcoming great loss and forgiving past sins to find happiness again.

Brooklyn Hewett hasn’t set foot in Cape Harbor for fifteen years—not since an accident claimed the love of her life, Austin Woods. Desperate to move forward, Brooklyn has focused on raising her daughter for the past fourteen years. But when the opportunity comes along to renovate the old Driftwood Inn, Brooklyn knows it’s time to go home.

But it won’t be easy. For one, Austin’s best friend, Bowie Holmes, still lives in Cape Harbor. Brooklyn hasn’t quite been able to forget him: not since the night they spent together—the same night they both lost Austin. Separated by tragedy and guilt, they’re brought together by the Driftwood project. And as they rebuild the inn, they discover they’re also rebuilding something else.

Brooklyn’s always been desperate to move on, not knowing that she first needs to reconcile past transgressions. She can’t forget, but she can forgive—Austin, Bowie, and herself—on her way toward long-awaited happiness.

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AMAZON

Heidi McLaughlin is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author of The Beaumont Series, The Boys of Summer, and The Archers.

Originally, from the Pacific Northwest, she now lives in picturesque Vermont, with her husband and two daughters. Also renting space in their home is an over-hyper Beagle/Jack Russell, Buttercup and a Highland West/Mini Schnauzer, JiLL and her brother, Racicot.

When she's isn't writing one of the many stories planned for release, you'll find her sitting court-side during either daughter's basketball games.

Heidi's first novel, Forever My Girl, has been adapted into a motion picture with LD Entertainment and Roadside Attractions, starring Alex Roe and Jessica Roth, in theaters January 19, 2018.

To stay connected with Heidi visit www.facebook.com/authorheidimclaughlin or heidimclaughlin.com

 

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The Black Widow by Christa Simpson Book Blitz! @ChristaSimpson @XpressoTours

The Black Widow
Christa Simpson
(Dark Secrets Duet #2)
Publication date: October 28th 2019
Genres: Adult, Psychological Thriller

Day by day, piece by piece, he puts it all together. What will happen when he finally realizes what I’ve done?
There was a time when I thought I was simply a magnet for trouble. Now I know better. If you want to call me the Black Widow, I’m going to own it. You want a monster? I’ll give you one. I’ll alienate you from everything you know and love. You will learn the hard way that evil doesn’t only lurk in our imaginations.
The tall, dark and handsome cop would be well-advised to steer clear of me. He knows better than to get tangled in the web I’ve weaved. I warned him. I told him not to mess with me if he values his life. You’re probably wondering what’ll happen when my darkest truths unravel. It’s not my problem anymore. If he sticks around, he will be the author of his own misfortune.
Caught in my own dangerous game of elimination, will he be the last nail in my coffin?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Smashwords

$2.99 on release week only!

—

EXCERPT:

Ignorance truly is bliss. My car pulls away from the curb, my tousled hair dancing in the wind as if our autumn is unseasonably warm. You can’t believe everything you see. In all honesty, it’s not that warm. I have a chill running through my body that I can’t escape. I probably would have closed my car window a long time ago, if I could have, but it’s stuck halfway down. I’m just lucky the raincloud over there is keeping its distance. Lucky. Hah! I’m lucky like that man up ahead.
Look at his tidy pile of leaves. He probably spent his entire morning raking those things into a heap next to the curb and is proud of himself for beating the rain. I smirk at the rotund, older man in his front yard. He hasn’t even had enough time to put away his rake. Instead, he stands there proudly, leaning against the handle and scratching his overfed belly. I can’t resist. Someone has handed this opportunity to me, and I simply can’t pass it up.
My foot presses deeper into the accelerator, thrusting my small car forward. I glare at the old man from beneath dark lashes. His eyes immediately connect with mine, begging me to rethink what I’m about to do. That only encourages me further. I veer toward the pile, blasting through the leaves and cheering with a crazed depth to my voice.
“Woooooo!”
I feel so alive. When the old man stumbles after me, frantically waving his hands with leaves raining around him, I smile harder. A smile. For the longest time, I forgot my mouth could even do that. It feels like my world has shifted, though, and maybe, just maybe things are looking up for me. I force the images of my tormented childhood down, forgetting about my mother’s wasted apologies and the gurgling sound that came from my father’s throat when he drowned before my very eyes. I’ve blown through enough of my life boo-hooing over them. No more.
I carry on down the road, wearing a real smile—not the fake one I wore throughout my unfortunate youth, being spread between perverted foster fathers and overbearing relatives who wanted to make themselves feel better by sporadically treating me like family. No, remembering how I was pawned off to the system never helps. This is why my smiles never last long.
With a deep breath, my smile wilts, but I remind myself that I’m not a teenager anymore. I’m finally free of those people and their unanswered promises. No one’s in charge of my destiny but me. I have to grab life by the balls and make shit happen. Just because my late parents had a few screws loose, doesn’t mean I have to be stuck in my own self-inflicted hell, right? Right?
I pause at a yellow light and proceed into the intersection, flicking on my left turn signal as I make the turn in front of an oncoming sports car. It’s a dumb move. Traffic is thick, and the dude driving the small, black car is in a hurry to go nowhere. He swerves around my rear bumper and lays on his horn. I flip him the bird and hold it there for a few long seconds, completely lost in my own world. I forget to reacquaint myself with the car in front of me. Traffic is now at a standstill.
I quickly jam onto my brake, but I’m screwed. My balding tires argue with the pavement and make a loud screeching noise while my front-end slams into the car in front of me. A loud popping noise is the only warning I have before wearing a face full of airbag. I don’t care if it looks like a fluffy cloud; it feels like a brick wall, and I wonder if I have a broken nose. I struggle to breathe as I push the bag out of my face and clutch at my nose, sighing deeply, choking on the stale air.
Way to go, Clarisse.
“Are you okay?” a man shouts, reaching through my half-open window and tearing my car door from its hinges to pull me free of the wreckage. He thinks my window is broken because of the accident, and I’m going to let him keep on thinking that.
I’m still holding my nose when I collapse into his arms and look up into apologetic eyes. “I’ve had better days,” I admit.
“But you’re alive.”
The corners of my lips quirk upwards oh so slightly. “There’s that.”
He helps me right myself, and I push off of him once I regain my footing. “My bumper didn’t even see you coming,” he says with a smile.
I assess the damage. My scrappy little car is banged up pretty good, but it’ll drive. The back end of his car sits on the ground in a heap of ruin. “Is it true that they can pick that thing up and reattach it?” I ask, already knowing the answer.
“I don’t know. See the way the fender is curled under. That’ll be a hard fix.”
I nod, wondering if I should throw my entire first year of college away and run for the hills. The dark cloud that had been following me finally catches up. My eyes wander to the bystanders who scatter for cover as droplets of rain start to pelt the pavement.
“I can’t afford to fix your car.” I look back to him, trying not to admire his clean-cut military hairstyle. “I’m sorry but I just can’t.”
His eyes sink into mine while he thinks on it, the rain quickly dampening his clothes and mine. He takes my hand to get my attention. It works.
“What do you say we talk to these nice policemen over here and then I take you out for a coffee? I’m sure we can work something out.”

Author Bio:
Christa Simpson is the Bestselling Author of contemporary romances with a twist and dark, twisty psychological thrillers. Her stories are loaded with passion, suspense and sarcasm. She’s a small-town Canadian girl living in Southwestern, Ontario, with her husband and two beautiful daughters. Check out her stories and get ready for some emotionally charged entertainment!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Pinterest / Newsletter

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Autumn Halloween Countdown Blitz 2019 Day 11!

Arabella Sheraton grew up on a diet of Jane Austen, the Bronte sisters, and many other writers of that period. From Jane Austen to Georgette Heyer, Arabella has found both enjoyment and inspiration in sparkling, witty Regency novels. She also loves history and generally finds the past more fascinating than the future. Arabella wrote her first Regency romance to entertain her aged mom who loved the genre. Arabella is honoured to share the adventures of her heroes and heroines with readers.

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A sparkling traditional Regency romance to enchant fans.

When the young and handsome Earl of Pennington discovers the inheritance from his great-uncle depends on him marrying at midnight on the eve of his thirtieth birthday, he is irate. Marriage is not part of his plan to save his impoverished estates. He crosses paths unexpectedly with the beautiful Roxanne Chesney, who is fleeing from her abusive husband. 

He offers her a contract: marriage for six months to help him fulfil the conditions of his great-uncle’s will, enabling him secure his inheritance. In return he will pay her a small fortune. 

Can Roxanne resist this offer? What about the revolting Edgar Doyle who forced her into a loveless marriage that has not been consummated? Roxanne has escaped Edgar’s clutches, but she wonders how long she will manage to evade him. The earl’s contract has no strings attached. The offer is irresistible except for the fact that Roxanne is already married!

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Snippet:

The headache she had successfully ignored until now returned and with it a feeling of nausea. It was clearly a migraine. Determined not to spoil her friend’s obvious pleasure in the performance, Roxanne said nothing, but prayed for a quick resolution to the thorny problems besetting the characters.

Finally, the first act ended to tumultuous applause and the audience standing up to cheer loudly. The heat in the theatre was oppressive, so when Mr. Clarkson, remarking on her white face and strained expression, suggested getting a breath of fresh air, Roxanne agreed.

She stood up quickly and two things happened. A wave of dizziness overcame her just as she heard someone say, “Roxanne, my dearest girl!” Roxanne fainted, and only the quick reflexes of Mr. Clarkson, who stood right next to her, saved her from hitting the floor

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