The Moonshine Task Force by @laramie_briscoe Preorder! #LaramieBriscoe #readersofinstagram

 

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❖ SPECIAL EDITION ALERT!! ❖

Are you ready for this amazing special edition of The Moonshine Task Force by Laramie Briscoe?

All 6 books are releasing but today we are highlighting Renegade, Tank & Havoc!

Preorder today!

Preorder Renegade: Special Edition:
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Preoder Tank: Special Edition:

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Preorder Havoc: Special Edition:

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Order Direct from Laramie: https://bit.ly/3PrXqkF

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Laramie Briscoe, comes the special edition of a fan favorite series.

Nobody writes blue collar romance like Laramie Briscoe, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Moonshine Task Force: Special Edition Series.

This edition includes a never-before-released short story, as well as all the slices of life scenes and text messages I've written for this couple.

When you fall in love with the most unexpected person, at the most unexpected time…

Ryan “Renegade” Kepler

I’m the type of man who knows what I want. I make up my mind and stay in my lane, never veering off the course I set for myself.

Going into the military? Did it. Youngest member of the Moonshine Task Force? That’s me. Get my best friend’s older sister in bed? It was my pleasure.

Age means nothing to me. I’ve seen and done things men twice my age never will. What I want more than anything is someone to share my life with and that person is my best friend's older sister, Whitney.

Whitney Trumbolt

Ryan is ten years my junior, but damn, being a cougar never felt as good as it did the night we spent together. Now I’m struggling with wanting things to either go back to the way they were or spend every night in his arms.

Make my wedding planning company the best in the south? Did it. Ignore the way my body trembles when I see Ryan? Epic fail. Freak out when I see a positive pregnancy test staring back at me? Complete with mascara running down my face and clutching my pearls.

Looks like things won’t go back to the way they were. There’s a man in my life that doesn’t take no for an answer. He’s the one who makes my blood run hot, cheeks turn red, and heart beat wildly within my chest. His name is Renegade.

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Laramie Briscoe, comes the special edition of a fan favorite series.

Nobody writes blue collar romance like Laramie Briscoe, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Moonshine Task Force: Special Edition Series.

This edition includes a never-before-released short story, as well as all the slices of life scenes and text messages I've written for this couple.

Life isn’t promised, love isn’t easy, and relationships aren’t always clean, but everyone has their soulmate who is willing to forgive when it would be better to forget.

Trevor “Tank” Trumbolt

I never thought in the blink of an eye my life could change, but it did. Cresting a hill driving to my favorite fishing spot, I was hit head-on by a teenager with no regard for anyone’s life but his own.

The recovery process has been hard, painful, and damn near beating me down.

The bright spot? Blaze.

Surviving the wreck has given me a second chance to make a life with her. Not knowing if I’ll ever be able to rejoin the Moonshine Task Force again has brought my world into focus. It’s made me realize what’s important.

Blaze. Stella. My brothers. My sister.

The ego that ran Blaze away before isn’t here any longer. What’s left is a man who’s holding his heart in his hands and a burning hope that once I’m healed she’ll still be around.

Daphne “Blaze” Coleman

There’s only been one person in the world who’s accepted me for who I am - from the fiery red of my hair and vibrant tattoos covering parts of my body to the smartness of my mouth and my desire to be matched in the bedroom.

That man is Trevor Trumbolt. When he asked me to give up my job as an EMT because he saw the dangers I face one scary afternoon, it spelled the end for us.

Now that he’s been injured, he needs my help and my love. I’ll give it all freely, but in the end I’m gonna need him to understand one thing about relationships. The give and take, love and sadness, pleasure and pain is a two-way street. He’s either in this with me or he’s not, but at the end of the day, I won’t let him boss me around.

If there’s anything that can handle the steel of a tank – it’s the heat of a blaze.

From USA Today and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author, Laramie Briscoe, comes the special edition of a fan favorite series.

Nobody writes blue collar romance like Laramie Briscoe, and nowhere is it more apparent than in the Moonshine Task Force: Special Edition Series.

This edition includes a never-before-released short story, as well as all the slices of life scenes and text messages I've written for this couple.

When a marriage of convenience turns into the passion of a lifetime…

Holden “Havoc” Thompson

My job as the leader of the Moonshine Task Force is my life. I eat, breathe, and sleep it. The men under my command mean the world to me. Knowing they count on my guidance has kept my demons at bay for longer than I care to admit.

The control I have over myself is an iron fist that sometimes threatens to squeeze the life out of me. What I want more than anything is to live again – let go of the hurt smothering every bit of light I have in this darkness.

I don’t expect it to come in the form of a Moonshiner’s daughter needing my protection.

Leighton Strather

My whole life has been defined by who my family is. In the state of Alabama, we’re number one with a target on our backs. The danger and prestige isn’t for me. I don’t care about the money, and I care too much about the families we’ve ruined.

My brother and my dad are proud of it. They wear their arrest records like a badge of honor. Me? I want as far away from the lifestyle as I can get.

It’s the only reason I ask Holden to marry me. At least that's what I tell myself.

I never expect his whispered yes to cause such upheaval in my life. Even though I resist, I learn some havoc is good – and this one? It’s a whirlwind of lust, hope, and love and all I can do is let it sweep me away.

Any Fin for Love by Petie McCarty Book Tour!

 This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Petie McCarty will be awarding an Autographed paperback copy of Cinderella Busted (US only) to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on a tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

 

 

She could almost hear the fish laughing at her . . .

Cody Ryan’s father never missed fishing the annual Loon Lake tournament until his unexpected passing. So this year, Cody packs up her how-to fishing videos and her dad’s old johnboat and gives him one final entry.

Gage Connor needs some R&R away from his coast guard deployment catching drug smugglers along the Louisiana coast, so he borrows a bass boat from his buddy and heads to Loon, Alabama to do some fishing.

When Gage and Cody meet at Loon Lake, their attraction is immediate and intense—until the two discover there is only one boat slip left on the lake and they both need it, and there’s only one vacant hotel room left in Loon and they both want it. Thus, their competition begins. Both vow to keep their distance from the other to fight the temptation, but fate has other plans. The tournament pairing party picks the two-man teams and chooses Gage as Cody’s partner.

For two days.
Alone on a boat.
Working as a team.

Good things come to those who bait . . .

Excerpt
Feeling the hotel room being yanked out from underneath her, Cody lost her grip on her temper. “I don’t care. I arrived here first.” She wheeled on Velma. “Tell him.”

Velma had a hard time meeting the man’s glittering green eyes, and Cody feared the worst. “Velma, you have to go with the first person who arrived here, and that was me.”

Velma visibly wavered, and her gaze bounced between Cody, Mr. Never-Had-Any-Patience, and her twin, who looked ready to burst into tears.

“It’s not your fault, Sister.” She patted Delma’s hand. “You didn’t know we were upstairs. I’ll handle this.”

Velma faced her two potential guests and announced, “We’ll flip for it.”

Delma immediately beamed.

“What?” Cody cried.

“Fine by me,” the stranger snapped and crossed his arms on his oversized and quite muscular pecs. Not that Cody was staring.

Velma reached into her apron pocket and drew out a silver dollar. She smiled at Cody. “Since you were here first, you can call it, and you can have heads if you want. I always liked heads in a coin toss, and I always got lucky calling heads.” Her eyes twinkled at Cody.

“Fine. Heads it is,” Cody said.

The coin flipped high in the air. Velma deftly caught it with her right hand and smacked the coin on top of her left. “Heads it is,” she proclaimed.

Cody blew out a sigh of relief.

“Hey, wait a minute,” the stranger complained.

“See for yourself.” Velma angled her hand for him to snatch a glimpse and then chucked the coin back into her pocket.

Cody stared him right in the eye. “I win.”

He eased closer—almost nose to nose—and she reconsidered her idea to gloat. His emerald eyes darkened, turned almost black, and locked onto hers. She could hear and feel each breath he took, because she held hers. Waiting.

“Share it with me.”

His gaze never wavered. She could feel it, almost like a caress.

“I promise I won’t touch you . . . if you don’t want me to.” The latter implied he wanted exactly the opposite.

Petie spent a large part of her career working at Walt Disney World—"The Most Magical Place on Earth"—where she enjoyed working in the land of fairy tales by day and creating her own romantic fairy tales by night, including her new series, The Cinderella Romances. She eventually said good-bye to her "day" job to write her stories full-time. These days Petie spends her time writing sequels to her regency time-travel series, Lords in Time, and her cozy-mystery-with-romantic-suspense series, the Mystery Angel Romances.

Petie shares her home on the Cumberland Plateau in Tennessee with her horticulturist husband and an opinionated Nanday conure named Sassy who made a cameo appearance in No Angels for Christmas.

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Autographed paperback copy of Cinderella Busted US only

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Bratva Jewel by @sabinebarclayauthor Blog Tour! #sabinebarclay #BratvaJewel #XpressoTours⁣ @XpressoTours

 

Bratva Jewel
Sabine Barclay

(The Ivankov Brotherhood, #6)
Published by: Oliver Heber Books
Publication date: January 24th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Mafia, Romance

I can’t resist her. I don’t want to…

She’s tried to leave our life behind, but no one walks away from the bratva.

She can run, but she can’t hide.

I’ll be the one to catch her when she falls. And she will because she’s walking a fine line.

I’ll be there because she’s mine.

I’ll go to the ends of the Earth for her. She’ll discover her limits and realize only I can please her.

She’s my soulmate, and I’m hers. Heaven help anyone who gets in the way.

Bratva Jewel is an interconnecting, standalone Dark Mafia Romance with a HEA and no cliffhanger. It contains extra-steamy scenes that will make your toes curl and your granny blush. This is book six in The Ivankov Brotherhood, a six-book series that’ll keep you warm at night.

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Sabine Barclay, a nom de plume also writing Historical Romance as Celeste Barclay, lives near the Southern California coast with her husband and sons. Growing up in the Midwest, Sabine enjoyed spending as much time in and on the water as she could. Now she lives near the beach. She's an avid swimmer, a hopeful future surfer, and a former rower. Before becoming a full-time author, Sabine was a Social Studies and English teacher. She holds degrees in International Affairs (BA), Secondary Social Science (MAT), and Political Management (MPS). She channels that knowledge into creating engrossing contemporary romances that will make your toes curl and your granny blush.

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The Lives of Lilly Parris Book Tour! #TheLivesofLillyParris #DanielSugar #HFVBT @hfvbt @daniel.sugar.5872 @1692SalemWitch

 

Salem Burning (The Lives Of Lilly Parris Book 1) by Daniel Sugar

Publication Date: February 20, 2018

In 1692, a disreputable young man named Kyle Edwards breaks his engagement by accusing his fiancee, Lilly Parris, of witchcraft.

Kyle is a liar; he does not believe in witchcraft, he is simply trying to get rid of Lilly. But Kyle is in for a shock because, as it turns out, Lilly really is a witch.

"Salem Burning" is a fast-paced, brand-new take on the Salem witch trials.

The Witch And The Guillotine (The Lives Of Lilly Parris Book 2) by Daniel Sugar

Publication Date: January 26, 2019

After narrowly escaping the horrors of the Salem witch trials, Lilly Parris comes of age in 18th Century France, where she is pampered by Louis XVI and pursued by one of history's greatest fiends: Maximilien Robespierre, the monster who sent thousands of innocent men, women and children to the guillotine.

"The Witch and the Guillotine" is a fast-paced, brand-new take on the French Revolution.

The Witch and the Revolution (The Lives Of Lilly Parris Book 3) by Daniel Sugar

Publication Date: March 23, 2020

As the Tsar's subjects turn against him, Lilly Parris races to save Anastasia Romanov and her brother Alexis - the heir to the Russian throne.

The Witch and the Revolution is a fast-paced, brand-new take on the Russian Revolution.

The Witch And The Resistance (The Lives Of Lilly Parris Book 4) by Daniel Sugar

Publication Date: November 13, 2020

As the Allies prepare to liberate Europe, Lilly Parris learns of a diabolical Nazi plot.

"The Witch And The Resistance" is a fast-paced, brand-new take on the Second World War.

The Witch And The Merry Monarch (The Lives Of Lilly Parris Book 5) by Daniel Sugar

Publication Date: August 16, 2021

After witnessing the execution of King Charles I, Lilly Parris tries to save the life of his son, Charles II.

The Witch And The Merry Monarch is a fast-paced, brand-new take on the English Civil War.

The Witch And The Physician (The Lives Of Lilly Parris Book Six) by Daniel Sugar

Publication Date: July 7, 2022

As fear grips London, Lilly Parris matches wits with one of history's most notorious serial killers.

"The Witch and the Physician" is a fast-paced, brand-new take on a killing spree that shocked the world.

Available on Amazon

Daniel Sugar has written for a number of celebrities and for several TV shows, including “The Tonight Show, With Jay Leno”. He has always been fascinated by witches, witchcraft, the Salem witch trials, and the French Revolution. The Lives of Lilly Parris includes six novels: "Salem Burning", "The Witch and the Guillotine", "The Witch and the Revolution", "The Witch and The Resistance", "The Witch and The Merry Monarch", and "The Witch and the Physician".

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Guarded by the Shifter series by @katerudolphauthor Book Blitz! #HungryfortheWolf #katerudolph #XpressoTours⁣ @XpressoTours

 

Hungry for the Wolf
Kate Rudolph

(Guarded by the Shifter, #4)
Publication date: January 3rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Paranormal, Romance

Bryan has one job: keep Kerry safe.

When Bryan’s assigned to guard Kerry before she testifies in a high profile case, he expects it to be a simple job. Falling for her is against every rule, but no shifter can deny the mate bond.

Kerry Delgado is anything but simple.

When the bullets and fur start flying, Bryan discovers that he and Kerry have far more in common than he imagined. His wolf demands he does everything possible to keep her safe, but she’s tangled up with dangerous men. And she may hold the key to the mystery of his pack’s existence.

He’s supposed to be a regular bodyguard, even if he’s a werewolf. But when there’s magic involved, nothing is simple. And if Bryan wants to claim Kerry as his own, he’ll need to unravel the mystery before it’s too late and he loses everything.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

The more Kerry thought about it, the worse things got. And by the time she was done showering off her run and changing into clothes that would have to do, her hands shook. Her stomach roiled, thoughts of hunger pushed away by panic.

They had to move. Someone could already be coming for her. What if whoever had sent those gunmen had already tracked her phone? She should have chucked it into the Hudson before they had the chance.

Bryan had been taking a shower of his own when she came upstairs, but the water was off now and the house strangely silent. Her father’s friends would be here sometime and she didn’t want to meet them. The people he called friends were all as slimy as they came and even worse than he was. She didn’t want to make small talk or answer questions.

What would happen if gunman attacked the house and only her father’s people were here?

She was tempted to call him and warn him, but a dark part of her said that he’d gotten her into this mess in the first place. If she hadn’t been moving mysterious boxes for his associates, no one would have attacked the gallery.

She’d stopped trafficking in those crates and her father hadn’t insisted that she start up again. But that wouldn’t last forever.

His men could handle themselves. And hopefully no gunmen would come.

She heard Bryan’s footsteps before he stopped in front of her slightly open door and knocked on the frame, pushing it further open so he could lean in the doorway. “Hey,” he said softly.

Her mind flashed back to the kiss, her body suddenly hot before a cold wave of dread washed over her. They’d been out in the open back there. Someone with a sniper rifle could have taken them out. And neither of them would have seen it coming.

What were they thinking?

Stupid werewolf hormones were going to get them killed.

“We need to clear out.” She tried to sound calm, commanding. In control. Her voice didn’t shake, so she was calling it a win. “My father called. He’s loaned this house to a friend and expects us gone before his guests get here.”

“How did he know we were here?” Bryan didn’t move into the room, and his voice was all business. Maybe he was trying to pretend the kiss hadn’t happened.

Good. They could both pretend and go back to a purely business relationship. One hurdle down.

Liar, the voice that sounded a lot like her inner wolf whispered. He’s ours.

Want to know when Kate releases a new stories and get a free ebook?

Sign up to her mailing list to receive notifications of new releases and deals. The link can be found here: http://katerudolph.net/index.php/subscribe

Read new books early on Patreon: https://patreon.com/katerudolph

Kate Rudolph is an ex-derby girl who lives in Indiana. She loves writing about kick butt heroines and the steamy heroes who love them. She's been devouring romance novels since she was too young to be reading them and had to hide her books so no one would take them away. She couldn't imagine a better job in this world than writing romances and sharing them with her fellow readers.

You can also find her on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/katerudolphauthor

Her website is www.KateRudolph.net

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$10 Amazon gift card

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That Dickinson Girl by Joan Koster Blog Tour!@womenwewrite @cathiedunn #ThatDickinsonGirl #HistoricalFiction #BlogTour #TheCoffeePotBookClub

 

Book Title: That Dickinson Girl

Series:  Forgotten Women

Author:  Joan Koster

Publication Date: 11/15/22

Publisher: Tidal Waters Press

Page Length: 345

Genre: Historical biographical fiction

SHE IS GOING TO BE THE GREATEST ORATOR OF THE CIVIL WAR

Eighteen-year-old Anna Dickinson is nothing like the women around her, and she knows it. Gifted with a powerful voice, a razor-sharp wit, and unbounded energy, the diminutive curlyhead sets out to surpass the men of her day as she rails against slavery and pushes for women’s rights. Only two things can bring her downfall—the entangling love she has for her devoted companion, Julia, and an assassin’s bullet. 

Forced to accompany the fiery young orator on her speaking tour of New England, Julia Pennington fights her growing attraction to the ever more popular celebrity. When a traitor sets out to assassinate Anna, Julia must risk her life to save her.

Loosely based on the life of forgotten orator, feminist, and lesbian, Anna Dickinson, That Dickinson Girl is the story of one woman’s rise to fame and fortune at the expense of love during the political and social turmoil of the American Civil War.

An earlier version of That Dickinson Girl was a finalist in the Mslexia Novel Competition.

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When she is not writing in her studio by the sea, Joan Koster lives with her historian husband and a coon cat named Cleo in an 1860s farmhouse stacked to the ceiling with books. In a life full of adventures, she has scaled mountains, chased sheep, and been abandoned on an island for longer than she wants to remember.

An award-winning author who loves mentoring writers, Joan blends her love of history, and romance, into historical novels about women who shouldn’t be forgotten and into romantic thrillers under the pen name, Zara West. She is the author of the award-winning romantic suspense series The Skin Quartet and the top-selling Write for Success series.

Joan blogs at JoanKoster.com, Women Words and Wisdom, American Civil War Voice, Zara West Romance, and Zara West’s Journal and teaches numerous online writing courses. 

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https://thecoffeepotbookclub.blogspot.com/2022/11/blog-tour-that-dickinson-girl.html

Meet the men of The Leonidas Corporation by Tarina Deaton!

💥 PREORDER 💥

Meet the men of The Leonidas Corporation by Tarina Deaton!

Preorder your copies of:

Found in the Lost by Tarina Deaton (releasing Jan 10th)

Flaw in the Defense by Tarina Deaton (releasing Jan. 17th)

And grab your copy of Truth in the Lie by Tarina Deaton

Preorder Found in the Lost for 99¢

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3UQrmrH

Apple: https://apple.co/3BAJwXU

Nook: https://bit.ly/3FLcRAf

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3WiuMVd

Preorder Flaw in the Defense for 99¢

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3FOErNV

Apple: https://apple.co/3YiCf8P

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Read Truth in the Lie now!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3WflGZz

Apple: https://apple.co/3HD8LMS

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Kobo: https://bit.ly/3hoCIFL

Found in the Lost Blurb:  

 

Crypto archaeologist, Kinley Dunn accomplished the impossible; translating an ancient Mayan text that stumped experts since its discovery hundreds of years ago. Rumored to hold the key to a vast and priceless treasure, Kinley is determined to be part of the discovery until she finds herself stranded in Guatemala without a way to reach her mentor. 

  

Former SEAL Shane Ivers is searching for his purpose, but on this trip his only goal is to relax and catch up with his old teammates while exploring ancient Mayan ruins. What he didn’t count on was the smart and beautiful Kinley falling at his feet—literally. 

  

An offer of a ride turns into a dangerous, heart-pounding trek through the jungle, while a simple vacation attraction develops into something deeper. With the help of The Leonidas Corporation, they’ll race to find the lost Mayan city, but there’s more at stake than priceless treasure and Kinley and Shane could lose more than they bargained for. Because someone wants the secret Kinley holds and will do anything to get it.

Flaw in the Defense Blurb: 

 

Paige Davis made a split-second decision years ago – one that made her into the woman she is today. A strong, independent executive of a private security company, she lives her life with no regrets and no apologies. But when a girl’s trip to celebrate her birthday leads to wedding crashing and a hot vacation fling with the bride’s brother, Paige starts to wonder if her life might be missing a few things after all.

 

Sebastian “Ash” Moreno assured his sister he’d ignore work and his business partner during her wedding weekend and Paige is the perfect reason to keep his promise. He may have no idea why the confident and beautiful Paige is interested in a nerdy programmer like himself, but he’s not going to mention she’s completely out of his league.

 

Back in real life, Ash discovers his company is missing a large sum of money right as it’s about to public. Hiring an outside investigative firm is the smart choice, especially when the company COO turns out to be Paige. Keeping their relationship professional, and their mutual attraction in check, is hard. And it only gets harder when Paige’s past and present collide, and a simple audit takes a deadly turn.

A Crown Forged By Victory’s Consequence by Aaryanna Abbott & Marlayna James Book Blitz!

 

A Crown Forged By Victory’s Consequence
Aaryanna Abbott & Marlayna James

(The Blackened Tablet Series, #1)
Publication date: January 3rd 2023
Genres: Adult, Fantasy

Three hundred years ago, the sacred tablet granted by their god, Jezabet, turned black, and eight kingdoms broke free, plummeting into the bottomless sea. There was no warning, and no one knows why.

Now, a strange illness plagues Aldersward. Crowned Prince Aedyn’s sisters, Achelle and Annora, his father, and countrymen are desperate and grief-stricken. All hope is lost…

Until someone dreams, and Aedyn leaves behind his mistress and his betrothed to cure their nation. He enlists his friends; a brazen playboy, a gentle strongman, and an ancient mentor. Together, they set out on a perilous journey—few believe they will survive.

This isn’t a fairy tale—s3x becomes currency, murder is ordinary, and love doesn’t conquer all.

Everyone loves a hero—good triumphs evil. But few dare to question how victory ripples into consequences. Explore this exciting concept in the Blackened Tablet Series.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Kobo

—

Day 132
Division Compound
Crow’s Pass City, Baitsloam

The Alders, strung together, were marched through the torch-lit streets as deafening crowds lined any stairwell, rooftop, or balcony. They shouted, spit, and threw food. Auren could see Bennet’s lifeless body carried by two men. He focused on containing his anger and scrutinised their surroundings. If any hope for escape presented itself, the information would be invaluable.

“Not as brave here, are ye?” A lanky Bait man stepped forward and spit in Auren’s face.

The Alders filled with rage and pulled at the thick restraints wound from their hands to their elbows, wanting to defend their leader, but Auren shook his head, stopping their struggle.

Pointing, children merrily chanted, “We’re going to hang the olive monsters!”

“This was too easy, ye cowards.”

Someone tossed a pail of urine and excrement over them.

“We’re going to kill yer families.” Another vehemently called.

“I’ll enjoy watching ye swing.”

Cackling laughs followed every phrase.

They left the commoners behind as wood rubbing against stone rang out. A massive gate lifted above their heads, and the military men stomped through with their prisoners in tow.

When the gate fell behind them, many Baits dispersed, leaving about fifty to escort the captives. Auren counted the paces as they came to a stone structure. He noted the other buildings and landmarks, then what the building looked like as they pushed him inside.

They planted the Alders, faces first, against a hard stone wall and a wooden door swung outwards, then they tossed Bennet onto the floor.

“Inside.” The first man was hauled forward by his tunic, and the others had no choice but to follow.

The door slammed shut on the windowless dark and musty room. The sound vibrating through to their souls. It felt very final as the lock loudly snapped into place.

In the blackness, Auren’s men fought against the coarse restraints.

What looked like a candle flickered to life between them as Adrian pointed his finger and held it to the slick-coated binds holding them together. As his flame dried the piss, excrement, and other juices, the stench was putrid. Finally, the rope caught fire and burned.

He rushed to Auren, but his solidly tied binds had no give, and as the other men offered their hands with the same outcome, they sat on the cold, damp floor. The ropes were too tight to burn without injury.

Auren waited motionless for the last one to be checked and an internal battle waged between his vanity, self-pity, and honour.

I can’t do this. Wasn’t the wolf attack enough? He stretched out his shaking hands in front of him.

Adrian’s shoulders slumped in defeat as he turned to face their leader.

Women will never let you touch them again. What would Anya think if she knew you stood by and did nothing?

Understanding their leader’s request, Adrian shook his head and escaped backward until his frame was trapped against the cold stone wall.

I can’t lose a limb. Can’t it be someone else’s turn to do the right thing? Do this. Auren strode towards him, throwing his bound hands on the man’s shoulder.

Animated with fear, Adrian shook his head.

Can your body take any more pain? Everyone will pity you, just as when you were a child. You could be their only hope. The leader pinned the man’s eyes with his own.

The pain from it—you’ll never want to touch another woman. Sweat built from fear on Auren’s skin, but he nodded, persuading the gifted man.

Your men are counting on you. I’ll be worthless to our kingdom—to Aedyn.

Adrian lowered his hands, holding them farther from his own body.

Isn’t your day to day hard enough already? You’ll die from this. You’ll be a helpless invalid. Auren dragged his hands down, then jumped up and down a few times, forcing adrenalin to rush through his body.

You coward! You’re weak. It’s no wonder your parents gave you away. He took a deep breath.

You’re nothing but a quitter. You could be Aedyn’s only hope. He lifted his wrists into the flame.

The sweet smell of burning flesh carried through the small room. The men focused on the sacrifice their leader made as they listened to the sizzling meat and his muffled cries of pain.

From somewhere in the darkness, someone hurled himself onto the pair—contact and flame broken.

Auren struggled where he fell, his restraints making it impossible to sit. Adrian rolled on his side and relit his finger.

Bennet towered over them, shaking his head as he pulled at his own ropes. Blood seeped from the friction on his wrists, making the restraints slippery. He sat between them, lifted his heel to his wrists, and used his boot to force the rope over one of his thumbs, freeing his hand. He pulled his gag free, then removed Auren’s as he surveyed the blistered and broken flesh of his hands.

The old man’s voice seethed with anger. “Jordan and Jezabet, what were ye thinking?”

“Getting us out of here. Are you okay?”

Bennet nodded. “Better than ye, I don’t know if I can get ye untied without causing ye pain.”

“Untie another first. Return to me when the rest are free.”

Aaryanna Abbott: This is another of my pen names. For every pen name, I use a different part of who I am. I imagine this is how she looks.

What’s this part of me like?

I was a daddy’s girl. The very epitome of spoilt.

I love to be wild and crazy—experience everything the world has to offer. I’m adventurous and my carefree disposition is contagious.

I’m loyal to a fault and don’t care what expectations or labels society has bestowed upon me. I believe one’s truth is more valuable than anyone’s perception.

This part of me writes for escapism—to be free of my mundane day to day and live in a magical world almost as real to me as earth. Except in my imaginary world, I control all things and it pleases me to no end.

Do you know how happy you would be living there?

Marlayna lives in Canada where she writes romance, erotica, women's fiction, and fantasy. She loves video games, TV, reading, and writing.

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