INTRODUCTION

Hi everyone My name is Victoria Zumbrum, 40 years old, married 14 years with 1 son. This is my very first blog. So bear with me. I have always wanted to have my own blog. I have always loved to read. I enjoy getting lost in a good book.
I love becoming part of the story and characters. I am hoping to bring my love of books to my readers.

I love reading different genres such as paranormal, young adult, romance, romantic suspense, mystery, Christian fiction, some horror, etc. The list goes on. I started reviewing books a couple of years ago and have done reviews for different blogs and even some authors. I really have enjoyed reviewing books and I will continue to do so. If anyone is interested in me reviewing a book for them, please contact me. I still have a lot to learn regarding my own blog so bear with me. I welcome and appreciate all followers.

Thursday, December 26, 2024

The Quiet Joy of Simply Being by Aiy'm Fellman Book Blitz



Discovering the Peace, Joy, and Happiness You Already Are


Self-Help / Spiritual

Date Published: November 7, 2024

Publisher: MindStir Media


 

The Quiet Joy of Simply Being takes us on a journey of discovering we are already the peace, contentment, joy, happiness, and love we seek. These attributes of our True Nature are not found in what we do, things we acquire, status we attain, or even our state of mind. Rather, they are the ever-present essence of who we are.


About the Author

I go by the name Aiy'm, which is pronounced I-Yim. I live in Boulder, Colorado with my wife Donna and cat Te'a. I am retired. I'm fairly active physically mostly hiking in the Boulder foothills and Rocky Mountains, gravel biking, skiing, and doing yard work - actually, since I enjoy it I consider it yard play. Though I enjoy all those activities, what is of most importance to me is spiritual awakening as such I love being out in nature, sitting by a creek sipping tea, meditating and journaling. I also built a tiny rustic space in my backyard for that purpose. I call it a tea-mitage. Kind of like a hermitage. I call the journaling I do Writing Passing Clouds as what I write about is more about the inward journey and not what I did during the day.

I have been regularly journaling for over 40 years. As I mentioned above, my journaling is about the inward journey of spiritual awakening. In fact, I would say that journaling has been my main ally in this spiritual pursuit, even more so than meditation and retreats. About 10 years ago I asked myself what is it about journaling that I get so much from. Certainly, I learned a lot about myself. I have come to know the way my mind works, my perceived limitations, my behavioral and emotional patterns and conditionings, and so on and on and on. But, what I came to realize what was most important about my journalings was not what I learned about myself, rather, through journaling I shifted my perspective to that of an observer and from that perspective I was able to dis-entangle and dis-identify from my conditioned thinking mind and emotions. This is very liberating. I call it the First Great Freedom. In this freedom from the conditioned thinking mind and emotions, there is a deep sense of peace, fulfillment, and happiness. I also see this shift of perspective as the first step or phase of the spiritual journey to self-realization.

My book, The Quiet Joy of Simply Being, began as being about my journaling process but morphed into being about discovering the peace, happiness, fulfillment and love we already are.

 

Contact Link

Website

 

Purchase Links

Amazon

Barnes and Noble



RABT Book Tours & PR

Philip L. Hutson Harry the Pirate Captain Book Tour and Giveaway

 


Harry the hairiest strongest pirate and his intrepid crew are off to battle a Kraken and other hairy adventures


Harry and the Kraken

Harry the Pirate Captain Book 1

by Philip L. Hutson

Genre: Middle Grade Fantasy Adventure 



Harry, the strongest, bravest, and hairiest pirate, is the legendary captain of the Flying Dragon. He is always on the hunt for adventure and treasure but never at the expense of his crew or the target of his pirating. One day, while celebrating a large haul in their favorite pub, a stranger stumbles in. He tells them he lost his whole crew in a heroic battle against an evil, man-eating kraken. Harry and his loyal crew don’t hesitate to avenge the crew and remove the threat. Before they even get out to the open ocean they encounter a mysterious stranger. The stranger, who isn’t quite what he seems, keeps the ship's crew guessing what he will do next. The flying dragon starts the voyage by trying to avoid detection by spies or pirate hunters. They are surprised to find a Royal Navy pirate hunter in a Spanish port where it does not belong. The crew prepares for a fight and a certain defeat. In what appears to be dumb luck the stranger causes a cannon to fire and make an incredible shot that disables a Royal Navy man-o-war. Harry and the Kraken is a lighthearted fantasy and an introduction to Harry’s magical universe.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads



Harry Breaks a Jail

Harry the Pirate Captain Book 2 



Legendary pirate captain Harry vows to rescue a crew of pirates from a Spanish prison. During their journey to rescue the prisoners, Harry and his crew encounter a group of displaced people with surprising connections to his quartermaster and their unassuming cargo master. As they continue their journey, they rescue a pair of brothers from a ghost ship who, despite their small stature, help save the crew from evil harpies. Just when their hopes are high, everything falls apart, and Harry and the crew are captured. Now, Harry must rescue himself, his crew, and the imprisoned pirates he swore to free. "Harry Breaks a Jail" continues the thrilling saga of Harry and his loyal band of pirates.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Bookbub * Goodreads


 


“Harry and the Kraken”, started out as a response to the request “Tell me a story” from my grandson. He then gave me the parameters of a story about pirates and a Kraken. Then when I asked what the captain’s name should be, he pointed at my hairy legs and said “Harry”.

I started to tell him the story but ran out of time. With a promise to finish it and send an email to his mother with the rest, I started working on it. I originally intended it to be a simple one-page story. I realized it would be much more than that when I got to chapter 4 and hadn’t really gotten into the story.

The illustrations in the first book, “Harry and the Kraken” are by my grandson and by some brothers who were early beta readers. The story is for my grandson primarily so to improve it I had some middle-graders (the brothers included) read it and give me feedback. Once the brothers read it they wanted to add more illustrations.

 

Website * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$20 Amazon giftcard ( 1 winner, WW), 

Print Copy of Harry and the Kraken (5 winners, US only), 

Print Copy of Harry Breaks a Jail  (5 winners, US only),


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Tuesday, December 24, 2024

Sara J Walker Vadom's Journey Release Tour and Giveaway

 


1925. His dream is to build a horse ranch in the Poconos. 

Her dream is him. 

God's plan is bigger than them both. 


Vadom’s Journey

The Heart’s Journey Series Book 2

By Sara J. Walker

Genre: Sweet Historical Romance 



This is a sweet, Christian Historical Romance set in the same world as my characters in The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption.

1925. His dream is to build a horse ranch in the Poconos. Her dream is him. God’s plan is bigger than them both.

Pennsylvania, 1925

Vadom Stancher travels to the Poconos with only his extraordinary gift for working with horses and a dream of owning his own ranch. He finds his chance—and his heart finds the daughter of a wealthy rancher. But when tragedy strikes, his grief leads him down a path of poor choices that will echo through years to come.

Amanda Devoe, the preacher’s daughter, sees past Vadom’s wounded spirit. One night of comfort becomes a secret she’ll carry alone to Georgia, where she builds a new life as a schoolteacher. But some secrets can’t stay hidden forever.

With God’s guidance, can two hearts find their way back to each other? Or will the past keep them forever apart?

Vadom’s Journey is a tale of second chances and the healing power of God’s perfect timing—perfect for readers who enjoy historical romance with themes of faith and forgiveness.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

 


The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption

The Heart’s Journey Book 1 



The Grumpy Guardian’s Redemption, a sweet, historical Christian romance

This is a heartwarming Christian tale of redemption and love that touches the souls of two lonely people in the mountains of 1920s Tennessee.

Set in the mountains of Tennessee in 1925, Liam McCord treasures his solitary existence until a chance encounter disrupts his peace. When he discovers a battered young woman near his cabin, he’s compelled to shelter her until help arrives. As a solitary fifty-two-year-old man, he can’t care for her alone, so he enlists the help of a local spinster.

Enter Millie Norton, a resilient woman with a heart untouched by love. She can see beyond the surface and realizes the patient in the house is not the only person needing care. Together, Liam and Millie embark on a journey of shared challenges as they care for the woman and work a change in their community. Somewhere along the way, the English recluse and the mountain spinster forge an unexpected bond of love.

This heartwarming Christian story of redemption, healing, and the transformative power of love will leave you feeling uplifted and inspired.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

 

 

 

Longtime puppeteer and dramatic story teller, Sara loves both the spoken and the written word. She has two grown children and resides with their husband of 57 years in a small Georgia town.

 

Website * Facebook * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon


a Rafflecopter giveaway

Monday, December 23, 2024

Head Over Heels By Gale Stanley Preorder Blitz

 

Contemporary Romance, Second Chances

Date Published: December 27, 2024

 

 

One blind date and I fall head over heels. Then he ghosts me, leaving me brokenhearted and pregnant.

 

Aaron: When I meet Genesis on a blind date I fall head over heels. She’s younger than me and I know I don’t deserve her, but I want to see her again. But before that can happen, I’m arrested, handcuffed, and imprisoned for something I didn’t do. Thinking about Genesis is the only thing that keeps me from going crazy—until I find out she might be the one who framed me.

Genesis: I hate blind dates, but I change my mind when Aaron shows up at my door. He’s perfect in every way and I’m smitten at first sight. I can’t wait to see him again, but then he ghosts me, and disappears off the face of the Earth. Everyone tells me to forget him, but it’s not that easy. I’m head over heels for him –- and pregnant with his baby.


 

 

EXCERPT


The shop clerk raved over my figure. “You can wear anything,”

While I called myself skinny, she called me svelte. “You could model,” she added over her shoulder as she pulled dresses off the rack for me to try on. She deposited them in the dressing room and told me to call her if I needed help.

Sighing, I undressed down to my cotton panties and bra, and inspected myself in the full-length mirror. Not much up top. I hope he won’t be disappointed.

Fuck him. It was just a blind date.

For the hundredth time I cursed myself for accepting this date. Going through all this hassle and expense for some loser was beyond ridiculous. I’d rather get a root canal. The only reason I hadn’t bowed out was because my mechanic had arranged it. The last time I brought my car in, he jokingly said that I should date a grease monkey like him. It was how he’d met his wife. He followed that with, “Hey, I know just the guy.” And I’d let him talk me into it.

Still, experience had taught me that blind dates never turned out well. Of course, most of my experience was thanks to my father, the District Attorney, trying to control my life like he controlled everything in the city.

I couldn’t even count the times he’d had his secretary fix me up with political hacks that would further his career. When I started ghosting them, he orchestrated chance meetings at the endless cocktail parties he threw for his political cronies. He planned to run for office someday and having a daughter married to a politico and campaigning for him would be a major boon to his career. The whole thing felt really creepy and manipulative. Nothing was more personal than who you fell in love with. Besides, my father and I were politically diverse. I would never vote for his bootlickers, let alone marry one. His attempts to play puppet master were doomed to failure from the beginning and a major reason why I moved out of his house and into the Dollhouse.

That’s what I named my micro apartment in the Signature Suites building. That sounded a lot swankier than it really was. My little piece of heaven was only four hundred square feet; one-room with a sitting slash sleeping area, kitchenette, and bathroom, but it was all mine.

I turned my attention back to the dresses. The good thing about having small breasts was that I could wear just about anything. The bad thing was that most men love big tits. I was enlightened when I turned sixteen. My father had given me a check and told me to get breast implants. Hurt and disgusted, I spent the money on a creative writing class and started a blog. I learned early on to do the opposite of whatever he wanted. If only my mother hadn’t gotten cancer and died when I was three. I hardly remembered her. Wiping away the tears, I vowed not to think about that now.

After slipping a dress over my head, I made a face in the mirror. “Ugh.” The hem hit the floor and the slinky material made me look flatter. It went back on the hanger, and I tried on number two. Too short, too black, too dressy. It was something my father’s secretary would wear to one of his political functions. I glanced at my watch and started to panic. I had no time to hit another store.

The green floral print with a halter top seemed promising. I tied it behind my neck, and twirled. Feminine and flowy, the hem landed between my knees and ankles. The bare back and built-in bra treaded a thin line between classy and slutty, but the dress flattered my figure and I had white strappy sandals that would work with it. The more I checked it out in the mirror, the more I liked it.

I looked at the tag. The price blew my mind. I hated spending money I didn’t have. My closet was full of jeans, leggings, and business casual for the photo ops I used to take with my father. If I cooperated with Bruce, I’d have a bigger apartment and lots of clothes, everything I could want, but I’d be selling my soul. Since moving out of the big brownstone, I’d been happier than I’ve ever been.

I stared at my reflection. I’d have to put it on a charge card. Is it worth it? It had been a long time since I bought myself something new and I looked good in it. That settled it. Fuck the price. It was indeed worth it. I changed quickly, and looked for the saleslady.

My car was still down the street where I left it. I’d heard that car thieves preferred old Toyotas for parts, but even they weren’t interested in my 2009 Corolla. Maybe the leaking fluid puddling under it warned them off. Shit. I wondered if I should continue to fix it or if it was time to ditch it. I just hated to cut the cord. The car was paid for and I couldn’t afford a new one.

I started it up and headed for home. I was a panicker, so when the car started shaking and vibrating, I freaked out. At least it didn’t die until I pulled in front of my apartment building.

Shit, shit, shit. I should have said no to the dress and canceled my date. All that money could have paid for car repairs. Those times when I doubted my decisions I would go to Kate for a second opinion.

Kate was my bf, my confidant, and my partner in crime. She was a voice of reason in my chaotic life. She was older than me and whip smart. Oddly enough I’d met her because of my father. Well, indirectly. Kate was a secretary in the mayor’s office. Two years ago, we met at a boring political function. All night we laughed at the pompous civil servants and public employees walking around with sticks up their asses. Including my father. Turned out that, despite our age gap, we had a lot in common, starting with the same sense of humor. We both liked good books and Sex in the City, and we could talk about anything and everything. Even when we haven’t spoken in a while, we could just pick up right where we left off.

Best of all, Kate didn’t judge me. Being older, she’d already been through the same things I was going through now. If two people were compatible then why not be friends, because age is just a number. At twenty-one I’ve already met so many assholes that I was super picky about friends and lovers. I didn’t have many of either because I believed in quality over quantity.

Kate picked up after several rings. “Hi, girlfriend. Getting ready for your big night?”

“I don’t know. My car died. I’m thinking I should cancel.”

“Do you want to cancel?”

“I’m torn. I already bought a dress, but I could return it.”

“Go for it, girl. Do you want to end up like me? Thirty-fucking-five on my next birthday and still single. Fear of forty is a real thing. Call him back and ask him to pick you up.”

“I can’t do that. He might be a serial killer. The whole idea was to meet in a public place.”

“But weren’t you fixed up by someone you know?”

“Yeah, my mechanic. He said he might be shooting himself in the foot because his friend is a mechanic, too, but he’s willing to lose my business if I like his buddy.”

There was a long silence.

“Kate? You still there?”

“Yeah. Just thinking. And I think you should keep the date. You might miss out on something good. Just keep me on speed dial, in case your plans change again, or you need me to rescue you. I’ll be home all night.”

“Kate, you’re the best.”

I felt so much better. Kate was right as usual. I really needed a night out and knowing she was a phone call away made me feel safer. I called Aaron and he immediately offered to pick me up. So far, so good. Please God, don’t let him be an asshole.


 

About the Author

Gale Stanley grew up in Philadelphia PA. She was the kid who always had her nose in a book, her head in the clouds, and her hands on a pad and pencil.

Some things never change.


Author Links

Visit Gale’s Website

Gale on Facebook

Follow her on BookBub


Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

Pre-Order Today



RABT Book Tours & PR

P.C. Zick Montuak Romances Book Tour and Giveaway

 


Sizzling attractions and romance on the sands of Montauk


Jingle Bell Love

A Montuak Romance Book 2

By P.C. Zick

Genre: Contemporary Romance 



A man in mourning for his dead wife. A woman unable to trust the opposite sex. Blind date fiascos until they discover one another.

Denny’s wife—the only woman he’s ever loved—died the year before and his friends are intent on finding him a new love. Jill’s first experience with love in college left her skeptical that she would ever be able to find love. Both the widower and the bachelorette hope for a second chance at love.

When Denny and Jill find themselves lustfully drawn to one another, they’re ashamed of their secret encounters. When friends suspect there might be something between them, they disapprove. Unsure of how they feel about one another, the attraction continues. To keep things on the downlow, they hatch a pact to be friends with secret benefits and embark on a hot sexy romance. When those benefits explode into something more than primal urges, one of them breaks the pact, and the whole affair and friendship ends up unraveling as the holiday season approaches. This steamy romance jingles all the bells for the Christmas season.

Denny, a contractor with a desire to become an architect, designs a home with Jill foremost in his mind. Their love ebbs and flows in this Hamptons romance.

Jingle Bell Love is the second novel in the Montauk Romance series, which feature novels filled with steamy passion, and always, everlasting love.

Buy your copy of Jingle Bell Love to begin reading about the sexy men and beautiful women who seek meaningful relationships beyond lust at first sight.

 

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


Love On the Wind

A Montuak Romance Book 2 



An uptight builder. A quirky reality TV travel show host. An explosive passion that surprises them both in this sexy Hamptons romance.

Six years of traveling for her reality TV series has left Kiley Nelson, a dedicated career woman, longing for a place to call her own. Spending a weekend at her girlfriend’s beach house is the perfect reprieve, especially when she purchases property to finally settle down. But her peaceful escape is shaken when she smashes into a car containing the sinfully sexy and infuriated passenger, Jeff Hammond, who immediately melts her heart.

Jeff, staying at his friend’s Montauk home to relax after a trying week of building a home for a spoiled diva, doesn’t count on sharing his weekend with the flaky, yet incredibly sexy, Kiley. He agrees to build her house, despite the tug on his heart as Kiley turns him on in every delicious way.

Passionate weekends and shared dreams begin to shape the house they start to build together as Jeff begins to realize his dream of becoming an architect. As their relationship deepens, so do the wounds from past hurts, rousing ghosts from Jeff’s traumatic past when his fiancé cheated on him with his brother. When a summer storm rolls in at the nearly complete house, they’re forced to deal with the past before it shakes and cracks the very foundation they’ve built.

Misunderstanding and stubborn personalities threaten to rip apart the fledgling relationship until both Kiley and Jeff learn to trust one another and are given a second chance at love.

Love on the Wind is the first novel in the Montauk Romance series, which feature novels filled with steamy passion, and always, everlasting love.

Buy your copy of Love on the Wind to begin reading about the sexy men and beautiful women who seek meaningful relationships beyond lust at first sight.

 

**On Sale for Only .99cents!**

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads


 

P.C. Zick describes herself as a storyteller no matter what she writes. And she writes in a variety of genres, including romance, contemporary fiction, and creative nonfiction. She's won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and novels.

Zick offers a variety of nonfiction books, which include a book on vegetable gardening, a compilation of her essays and short stories from her decades-long career as a writer, and a primer for writers on taking an idea and turning it into a published book. She has also published and annotated the journal of her great-grandfather based on his experiences as a Union soldier during the Civil War.

Her novels contain elements of romance with strong female characters, handsome heroes, and descriptive settings. And all of her works express her philosophy of living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion.

She and her husband live in Tallahassee, Florida, where they enjoy gardening, kayaking, golfing, hiking, and traveling.

 

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Bluesky * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

$10 Amazon 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Teaser Dominic by Marteeka Karland

 

(Grim Road MC)


Motorcycle Club Romance, Suspense, Age Gap

Date Published: December 27, 2024

 

 

I’m sergeant at arms of Grim Road MC. When I decide a woman is mine? She’s mine.

 

Annie -- I’m seriously starting to question my life choices. The truth is, even though I was practically homeless and living on a meal a day most of the time, I’m vastly better off now than I had been. Unfortunately, stubbornness doesn’t pay for shelter. Or even food, if you can believe it. I have a job at a local diner, but it’s still hard to survive. Which is how I find myself in a bikini contest. If I make it out of this situation, I’m never doing this again. Yet somehow I end up in bed with the most wicked, dangerous man I’ve ever met. And why does he call to me like nothing else ever has in my life?

Dominic -- The things I let my vice president push me into… I’m not a people person on the best of days, but somehow Lemon talked me into being a judge at a the local bikini contest. She says it’s to give the club some positive community exposure, but I’m pretty sure she’s just trying to get me laid. Too bad every woman here’s young enough to be my daughter. I’m a protective guy by nature and have a bit of a soft spot for vulnerable women. It’s one of many reasons Rocket made me sergeant at arms for Grim Road MC. Unfortunately, my protective instincts kick in when my co-judge gropes one of the contestants. The shock on the young woman’s face and the panicked way she flees the stage prompts me to act without considering the consequences… and that’s how the fight starts…

 

 


EXCERPT


“I’m too old for this fuckin’ shit.” It was true, too. At forty-eight years old I was definitely too old to be judging a bikini contest. Especially not after as much beer as I’d consumed. Though I knew better than to touch without invitation, I was just as likely to say something equally offensive. But at least, maybe I wouldn’t get myself arrested.

“Me too.” The guy beside me was every bit my age and then some. He looked like the standard West Palm Beach retiree. Too much on the spray tan, too much on the hair transplants, and a little soft around the middle. He was also probably wealthy enough not to care about the going to jail part when he groped a young woman. Guy likely had a couple of the city’s finest in his pocket in the case of something so trivial as touching a woman inappropriately without permission. Like in the middle of a bikini contest. Fucking bastard. “Don’t mean I’m not enjoying every fucking second.”

A huge smile on his face, the guy reached out -- just as I knew he would the second he’d sat down next to me at the judges’ table -- and ran his hand up the inner thigh of one of the contestants. The girl sidestepped her way deftly out of reach and gave the guy a mock reproving look. Like it was all a big joke when I knew she’d reacted the way she had by pretending it hadn’t bothered her that a strange man had been headed to the promised land without her permission. I’d always thought it was disgusting what women put up with sometimes. This was a prime example.

“No touching,” I snapped at the guy. I was only here because I’d let Lemon bully me into participating. Something about acting as security near the stage and looking good for the club in the community… Oh. And about me needing to get laid. Which, while I didn’t disagree with her, I didn’t want a child in my bed. These girls were all supposed to be at least eighteen but were young enough to be my daughters. I thought back to Tina and my own daughter, Calista. Calista was married to my enforcer and was probably only a couple of years older than some of these girls. So, yeah. I knew grandparents who were my age. Tina was probably laughing at this whole situation from heaven. If she thought about me at all. I thought she might and I was determined to not do anything to make her ashamed of me. Which made this a colossal waste of time if Lemon was trying to get me hooked up. But I’d be Goddamned if I wouldn’t put this guy in his place.

“Fuck you, man.” The guy didn’t even look at me. Instead, he reached for another woman walking past our table. This one obviously wasn’t used to being in these sorts of things because she started when his hand slid up the back of her thigh to squeeze her ass before she could get out of his grip. She whipped around with a startled cry and the guy just laughed. “That’s right, baby girl!” he yelled up at the young woman to be heard over the whoops and hollers. “Come to papa!”

The look on her face said she hadn’t expected anything like this when she entered this contest and had no idea how to handle the situation. Which meant she’d probably either been tricked into entering, or she was desperate. I wasn’t sure which to hope for, and I wasn’t sure which made me more angry.

“Touch her again, I’ll rip your arms off. You damn sure won’t touch her after that.” I actually bared my teeth. Which wasn’t something I’d normally do. I prided myself on my cool head. I was methodical and planned each move as carefully as I could. I also listened to my instincts and factored them into my decisions. This time, however, I hadn’t even thought about my move; I’d just acted, practically snarling like a rabid wolf. Also, I meant every single word. If he touched that girl again, I’d follow through with my promise.

“What the fuck, man? Why else would I be here if not to enjoy the show?” He gave me a cocky -- if a bit nervous-looking -- grin. “They all like it or they wouldn’t put themselves in this kinda thing.”

It took all my restraint not to wait until he touched the girl again -- and I knew he’d at least try -- and just beat the fuck outta him right now. “I’m not repeating myself. You’ve been warned.”

“Fuck you.” The guy sneered at me before reaching out to run his hand up the same girl’s calf.

This time she jumped back, a panicked look on her face that sent a spike of fury through my chest. I reached out to the guy, fully intending to knock his hand off her. Instead, I grabbed the back of his head and shoved him face first into the edge of the stage. There was the crunch of bone, a spray of blood, and Mr. Handsy dropped to the ground and didn’t move.

The girl on the stage gasped, slapping both hands over her mouth in shock. She looked from me to him and back before turning and fleeing the stage.

“Fuck.” I hadn’t meant to scare the girl and, for some fucking reason, it made my chest ache worse than my anger at imagined reasons for her being in this contest in the first Goddamned place.

All around me, men were still cheering, either not noticing the interaction between two of the judges or not caring. I kept my eye on the fleeing girl so I could see exactly which way she went. I caught the number on her hip indicating her contestant number. I’d find out her name before I left this place, then I’d give that shit to Crush or Byte and they’d find her for me if needed. Oh, they’d moan and groan and tell me they needed more, then after a bunch of grumbling and even more pizza, chips, dip, chicken wings, and anything else they could get Evelyn and Gina to make them. Which meant, I’d be bribing the women to make everything all in one go so I got my information faster.

Making my way through the crowd of horny men in their twenties, I headed in the direction I’d watched her leave. Still, no one said anything about the guy I’d just dropped. Were these fuckers for real?

Wait. Of course they were for real. I’d just answered that question when I’d made the judgment they were horny men in their twenties. Every ounce of blood flow that should have gone to their brains had likely gone straight to their dicks. Given the link between sex and violence, those guys wouldn’t notice anything short of a bomb blast.

I hurried around the stage and saw her. Leaning against a concrete wall next to the women’s bathroom. She had her hand over her stomach, and then she leaned forward and vomited.

“Sweet God above.” Another woman emerged from the bathroom in a skimpy bikini like everyone else had on. She gave my girl a disgusted look, her tone of voice irritated in the extreme. “Girl, you’ve got to get a hold of yourself.” She snickered. “If I curled up in a pile of puke every time someone grabbed me on stage, I’d never get through even one contest.” She scrunched up her nose. “Not like you were ever going to win anyway.” She flipped her hair over her shoulder, then twisted her ass toward the back of the stage. My girl sobbed as she finished vomiting.

I froze where I was as she fell back on her ass. She was half naked -- her bathing suit didn’t cover much -- huddling on the ground in a protective ball as she cried.

“Girl? He hurt you?” I knew he hadn’t, but I had no idea what her mindset was.

She shook her head but didn’t say anything.

“Girl? Need a verbal answer.” I stepped closer to her, careful not to spook her. I wasn’t sure how long I had before someone realized Mr. Handsy at the judges’ table was unconscious, or worse, and came looking for me.

“No.” She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and stood to her feet. “I just wasn’t expecting anyone to touch me.”

“He shouldn’t have.”

She looked up at me with large, hazel eyes. “You hurt him.”

 

About the Author

Marteeka Karland is an international bestselling author who leads a double life as an erotic romance author by evening and a semi-domesticated housewife by day. Known for her down and dirty MC romances, Marteeka takes pleasure in spinning tales of tenacious, protective heroes and spirited, vulnerable heroines. She staunchly advocates that every character deserves a blissful ending, even, sometimes, the villains in her narratives. Her writings are speckled with intense, raw elements resulting in page-turning delight entwined with seductive escapades leading up to gratifying conclusions that elicit a sigh from her readers.

Away from the pen, Marteeka finds joy in baking and supporting her husband with their gardening activities. The late summer season is set aside for preserving the delightful harvest that springs from their combined efforts (which is mostly his efforts, but you can count it). To stay updated with Marteeka's latest adventures and forthcoming books, make sure to visit her website. Don't forget to register for her newsletter which will pepper you with a potpourri of Teeka's beloved recipes, book suggestions, autograph events, and a plethora of interesting tidbits.


Contact Links

Author on Instagram & TikTok: @marteekakarland

Author on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/experiencethemagicmk

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

 

Pre-Order Today



RABT Book Tours & PR

Nicole Leiren Murderous Consequences Book Tour and Giveaway

 

Sadie Sabatini believes in standing up for the underdog, but this time around, she’s using all the skills she’s honed as a grifter to defend her new life and keep herself out of prison.


Murderous CONsequences

A Sadie Sabatini Mystery Book 1

by Nicole Leiren

Genre: Cozy Mystery



Sadie Sabatini thinks of herself as a modern-day Robin Hood who uses her gift as a skilled con artist to help those who have nowhere else to turn. Leading this life is rewarding, but the number of enemies are piling up. Sadie decides to lay low and start over with a new (and legitimate business) in the small town of Wilson, Texas, situated on a small peninsula in beautiful Lake Amore.

Trouble is never far behind though and her past catches up to her in a big way when a friend of a former mark threatens blackmail for his silence. When he turns up dead and Sadie is the prime suspect, she realizes this time she must protect herself. Her skills prove helpful as she digs deeper into the web of revenge, blackmail, and secrets to discover she’s not the only one with a past to hide.

As the threats mount, Sadie knows she’s closing in on the truth. She now worries that the few new friends she’s made in town are in danger because of her. With time running out, can she protect those around her and find the real killer before this new chapter in her life is conned out of a happy ending?

 

Amazon * Apple * Google * Smashwords * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads


Described by those who know her best as perky, quirky and effervescent, USA Today Best-Selling author Nicole Leiren likes to have fun -- in life, with her characters and, of course, her readers. She admits to being sassy (just ask her mother!) and inspiration for her characters are drawn from the real-world heroes and heroines she meets while traversing the country.

Nicole enjoys sharing the love, laughter, mystery, and occasionally a touch of the mayhem she forces her characters to endure—all for the reader’s pleasure! Her real-world heroes and heroines will keep you turning the pages until you reach the whodunit or happily ever after (usually both!)

 

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads


Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

Trifold by Chidiebere Eze Book Blitz and Giveaway

 

Poetic Reflections on the One Who Saved Me

 

Faith-Based, Inspirational Poetry

Date Published: 08-11-2024

Publisher: God Manifest Publishing


 

TRIFOLD MIRROR is a collection of personal, insightful poems that reflect on the intentionality and individuality of the author's relationship with God. The poems apply biblical principles, which help demystify the complexities of Christian doctrines and empower readers to study the Word of God for themselves.

This contemporary collection is inspired by the Holy Spirit and addresses different life stages (as seen in the "hood" section - which features dark pages in the book). Each poem has its own personality, emotion, teaching, and Bible verse to reinforce the poem.


About the Author

Dr. Eze is a writer with a passion for storytelling, traveling, and providing need-based scholarships to African students. She holds a doctorate in Pharmacy, a certificate in Entrepreneurship and Innovation, and a bachelor's in Biomedical Sciences. She is excited about her debut poetry collection and can't wait to share it with you!

 

Contact Links

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

Instagram

 

Purchase Today

Amazon

Barnes and Noble

 

 



RABT Book Tours & PR