Monthly Archives: July 2019

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | July 31, 2019 · 5:00 am

Everlasting Connections by Meghana Sarathy – Tour

EVERLASTING CONNECTIONS

by Meghana Sarathy
Publication Date: July 28, 2019
Genres: Adult, Second Chance, Contemporary, Romance, Standalone

EVERLASTING CONNECTIONS cover

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SYNOPSIS

Brandon:
Sabrina was my childhood friend. My first crush. My first mistake was leaving her behind. I had crushed her heart, unaware of the feelings she harbored for me. And twenty years is a long time to hold onto that grief. Now I’m back in Seattle and like fate has it, we meet again.

She might not have been my first kiss or love but I want her to be my soul-mate. My life partner.I might never be able to get over my first love, but I want Sabrina to complete me and be my new beginning.

I wish to be her knight in shining armor, saving her from the shackles of a broken marriage. A real father for her daughter, Clara.

But I have fucked up too many times in the past. She won’t trust me with her heart again. I can come close to being her friend but nothing more….

When have I ever given up, though? I try not to play unfair this time, but with Linden guiding me with his twisted antics (He stole my first love – My Gem from me or maybe it was me who first tried to snatch her from him – either way Gem is his now and he’s just returning the favor), I might actually make Sabrina fall for me.

As Brandon, I can just be her best friend, but as ‘Scott’ (Her anonymous on-line friend), I will gain her trust and woo her. No matter whom she chooses, she will end up with me and I will be everything she wants and asks for.

Twisted Connections is a Spin-Off of Love Connection Series. Every book in Twisted Connections can be read as a standalone. (It’s NOT necessary to read Love Connection Series before reading this book)

EVERLASTING CONNECTIONS teaser 1

EXCERPT

Standing right in front of me, he grins and throws his arms around me, taking me in for a hug. I expect to flinch by his touch, but I don’t. I’m as still as a statue. His closeness comforts me in ways I can’t even express, but I don’t want it to. After ditching me all those years ago, he doesn’t get to come back and expect things to fall right back into place. I won’t ever let that happen. He doesn’t deserve that chance and I don’t deserve another heartbreak.

“I missed you, Rina. I really did,” He tells against my hair.

For one whole second, I let my emotions slip, and smile against his chest. But the very next second when I’m about to push him back, he beats me to it.

“Your hair color sucks.” I gasp and shove him hard.

He retreats, still grinning from ear to ear.

“You can’t be serious,” I exclaim.

“I am,” he tells very seriously, a frown lining his face. “Strawberry blonde, really? You were a brunette, Rina. No wonder I couldn’t recognize you.”

“Stop making excuses.” He throws me a challenging stare, waiting for my answer. “My husband wanted me to try this color and he loved it.” I absentmindedly run my hands along my hair. Though it’s a very nice color, I always liked my natural color. But after getting used to this, I didn’t feel like changing at all.

He doesn’t flinch at the mention of my husband, but he continues to regard me with a scowl. “I’m not sorry to say this but your husband is definitely blind.”

“Beauty lies in beholders’ eye, Brandon. Just because you don’t like it, doesn’t make him blind,” I rebuke.

He pinches the bridge of his nose, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s not about beauty. He’s blind to not see that this is not what you want. He was blind to not have seen how much you liked your natural hair.”

How can he be so ignorant and yet so right? He saw right through me in a single minute whereas even after many years of living together with James, he couldn’t understand such a simple thing.

“Ex-husband,” I admit in a small voice.

His lips upturn and a bright smile adorns his face.

“So, is your current husband blind too?” he asks with a frown.

“I don’t have one,” I snap, and his face actually glows now.

“Then it’s high time you fix an appointment with the parlor,” he orders.

I bite back a witty response and just walk past him. Talking to him more will either infuriate me or make me like him more and I don’t want to feel either of the two emotions.

EVERLASTING CONNECTIONS teaser 2

ABOUT MEGHANA SARATHY

Meghana Sarathy is from Bangalore, India. She is an avid reader and also a writer. She writes Adult and New Adult romance, as well as dark and psychological thrillers. She especially loves reading and writing love triangles, taboo romance, and angst filled stories that are quite complex and unconventional. Her books tend to involve protagonists who are flawed, far from perfect, and as real as they can get. Her all-time favorite characters are her very own characters- Jennifer, Brandon and Linden. She tends to fall hard for boys who are either cocky, bossy or good flirts and total charmers.

She spends most of her free time reading, writing or watching anime. Depending on her mood, she tends to write two to three books at a time. She is a crazy fan of Dragonball Z and can be seen watching the episodes in repeat. Vegeta is her all-time favorite anime character.

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Tagged as Adult, Contemporary, EVERLASTING CONNECTIONS, Meghana Sarathy, Romance, Second Chance, Standalone

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | · 5:00 am

Legend of Song de Light – Blitz

Legend of Song de Light banner

Guest Post

an inside sensory view of all-time by Kaitlynzq

rhythmic

subtle

nature’s vital heart beats

lyrics of lovecontu

a stream of words

ballads of adoryu
gentle breezes
delicate
emanates from inside
soft, quiet pulses

In the series Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu

A series that interweaves interior elements from the stories together like gentle hugs to one’s heart from Ancient Script of Lovecontu audio poem, a vocal surround of unique instrumental notes from Legend of Song de Light audio book, layers of quiet a cappella from inside of Legend of Song de Light audio play, to petal soft pink glows that hum throughout the hours held within Lovecontu Song de Light Lovecontu audio set.

The following links will guide you to the audio streams of the vocal recording of the extended and expanded upon scenes for several of the characters of moments within the sensory imagery in Legend of Song de Light audio book, and Legend of Song de Light audio play.

For the audio version on my audio streams:

https://soundcloud.com/kaitlynzq/extended-expanded-upon-scenes-one-for-legend-of-song-de-light

https://soundcloud.com/kaitlynzq/extended-expanded-upon-scenes-two-for-legend-of-song-de-light

https://soundcloud.com/kaitlynzq/extended-expanded-upon-scenes-three-for-legend-of-song-de-light

And, for the audio streams and text version on my blog:

https://kaitlynzq.com/blog/extended-amp-expanded-upon-scenes-one-for-legend-of-song-de-light

https://kaitlynzq.com/blog/extended-amp-expanded-upon-scenes-two-for-legend-of-song-de-light

https://kaitlynzq.com/blog/extended-amp-expanded-upon-scenes-three-for-legend-of-song-de-light

Reviews for Legend of Song de Light audio book

“…This stunningly original composition is heartbreaking yet uplifting and not to be missed…” by Lynda with Books Direct https://www.booksdirectonline.com

“Kaitlynzq puts together a magnificent “song” with her words of Legend of Song de Light…The music in the background was chosen perfectly as it almost danced around her words…” by Amy with Amy’s Bookshelf Reviews https://writeramyshannon.wixsite.com/bookshelfreviews

“Wonderful imagery and compelling tales!…Kaitlynzq’s storytelling technique in Legend of Song de Light is quite unique. …There is an artistic take on fiction, heightened by the effects of poetry, photography and ballet expressed in each tale…” by Marie with Writing in the Modern Age https://marielavender.blogspot.com

Available to Purchase at:

https://kaitlynzq.com

https://kaitlynzq.boutique

#lovecontusongdelightlovecontu

#kaitlynzq

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by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | July 30, 2019 · 5:00 am

The Face of the Seal – Reveal

Historical Suspense

Publisher: Windchime Press

Date Published: 8/8/2019

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When Gerel Garnier, Paris’ up-and-coming jewelry designer, is commissioned by Britain’s famous art patron William Blackwell IV to create a replica of the 19th Century Qing Dynasty Empress Seal, she believes that her artist’s dream is finally coming true. Blackwell’s name and fortune could catapult her to the status of crème de la crème in the world of couture art design. Little does she know that the dream job will lure her into a web of treachery, deceit and murder.

While attending the unveiling of the original Empress Seal at the Forbidden City, Gerel stumbles on a startling secret about her family roots, and she is a woman on a mission ever since. From the Forbidden City back to Paris, she careens from dark secrets to illuminating revelation as the truth of her lineage emerges. An enlightening epiphany hits her: She Gerel Garnier, is the heir of the face of the Empress Seal–a rare gemstone that has witnessed centuries of love, hatred, faith and bloodshed.

Now the face of the seal has fallen unexpectedly into her hands. What is she going to do with the gemstone that seems to be a curse to whoever possesses it yet still hunted by the dark forces of the world?

About the Author

Jennifer Cumiskey was born and grew up in Shanghai, China. She immigrated to the United States in 1986. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in English literature and an MBA in finance. After a career in corporate finance and management consulting, she now writes full-time as an indie author. Her writings often explores the theme of clash of civilizations and illuminates the tenderness of the human heart by shining a light on its darkest corners. She resides with her husband Paul in Vienna, Virginia. She can be reached at www.windchimepress.com

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Tagged as Historical Suspense, Jennifer Cumiskey, The Face of the Seal

by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | · 5:00 am

Jake – Blitz

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Romantic Suspense

Date Published: May 2019

Forget the Hatfields and McCoys, in a small Southern town, the Whitfields and Tallys are the real family feud. So for some unholy reason, Jake Whitfield’s old man and Angel Tally’s grandfather wrote codicils to their wills the night before they died in a suspicious fire. The codicils require Jake and Angel to marry or lose their inheritances.

Jake feels like a man with two faces. One he presents to his brothers and the public: the criminal willing to step on anyone for a buck while mercilessly protecting the business. The other: the lonely man wanting a better life for himself and his family and working with an FBI agent to make it happen.

To Jake, marrying Angel makes sense. With her family’s help, he can fight the new criminal organization that’s moving into his town. Immersed in the criminal world, there is no hope for Angel, but her brother is still young. She will do anything to protect him from that way of life and whoever killed their grandfather, even marry a despised Whitfield. And Angel never forgot about the sexy incident with Jake in high school ten years earlier.And if she has to go along with a Whitfield-Tally marriage, she wants a replay.

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE

“I hope you rot in hell, old man.”

Jake Whitfield leaned over the grave and spit as his father’s casket slowly disappeared into the blackness. When a violent shudder brought the crank to an abrupt stop, he shot a sideways glare at the cemetery worker.

The man wiped a sweaty forehead on the upper sleeve of his faded gray uniform and kicked the contraption. “Stupid old thing,” he muttered as he avoided Jake’s gaze.

With a painful screech, the device started up again, rattling and jumping, and finally a solid thud came from the hole as it reached the bottom. If he believed in ghosts, he’d swear the hateful bastard wanted out to kill him.

Jake’s attention fell on the mourners surrounding the gravesite.

Their jackets flapped in the hot wind like vultures settling around a carcass as most of the men stared at the ground beneath their feet. No one looked into his face. Though the minister shook his head at Jake’s disrespect, he and the others didn’t say a word. They understood his hatred. Everyone who attended would love to do the same, if they had the backbone. All were business associates and most came not so much to grieve for the man’s death, but to receive assurance that his dad had died.

Many of the people in Sand County owed Dick Whitfield their livelihood and endured his heavy-handed manipulations, but none suffered as much as the Whitfield brothers. The old man had reveled in tormenting his bastard sons more than he did his associates. Besides their last name, the old man refused to give the boys anything without a deal or concession involved. Then again, maybe an agreement had been made when they were born, a bargain with the devil for their souls.

Releasing a snarl, Jake turned and nodded at his brothers. Townsend—or Sen, as he was known—and Ethan fell in step beside him as they headed toward the old man’s white limo idling next to the curb. No one said a word.

Another gust of wind tugged at their jackets. A bouquet of dead flowers blew across their path to become stuck between an urn and headstone.

Behind dark sunglasses, Jake scanned the area. Tension from the funeral and a gut feeling warned that danger lurked. Nothing appeared strange or out of place. But life with the old man had taught him to be extremely cautious whenever emotions ran high. With new leadership at Whitfield Industries taking over, many of the smaller players wanted a part of the business and conspired to oust the brothers. He knew without a doubt, no one would take one brick or dollar without a fight. After years of being under the old man’s rule, they deserved every piece of his ill-gotten money and property. They each had worked hard and often for pennies compared to others who worked for the old man and did far less.

He glanced around again without being obvious. The old cemetery covered acres of well-tended plots that held numerous large memorials and oak trees. Several people headed toward their cars while others remained near the burial site, talking and gesturing toward the grave being filled. In the distance, he heard traffic swooshing by, but strangely, the birds stopped chirping in the swaying limbs.

Steps away from the limo with the chauffeur waiting inside, Jake passed a life-size marble statue. The head exploded, spraying chunks of the white stuff. The confirming snap of gunfire sent everyone running for cover. Screams and shouts of concern punctuated by more shots echoed around him as he scrambled for the other side of the limo, its bulletproof body offering better protection than a tree or headstone. He motioned for his brothers to follow. In no time they hunkered down with guns in hands.

“Damn! Who do you think it is? Some asshole out to get Jake for sleeping with his girlfriend?” Ethan sat on the ground with his back near the car’s engine, watching for anyone coming from behind.

In his usual calm manner, Sen checked his Beretta and then edged closer to the taillights. “Probably the girlfriend.”

His brothers loved to rag him about how his last girlfriend had another guy on the side. When he kicked her out of his home, she must have told the other boyfriend a tall tale as the dumbass came at him with a gun. It almost became messy. When the boyfriend realized whose door he had knocked on, the poor dude drove out of town so fast he left rubber on the road for a half mile.

Jake shook his head and white dust fell around him. His forehead stung. A light touch came back with blood. He’d been nicked. “Most likely someone who’s wanting to take over the old man’s businesses,” he said as he ignored his brothers’ comments. “Or possibly the person who set the fire.” Leaning over, he ruffled his hair, showering the ground with powder and bits of stone.

He sneered. They’d already received warnings that someone outside the county planned to make a move soon. He hadn’t expected it to be at the cemetery. The old man was barely cold in the ground.

Several more shots zipped by and dug into the asphalt a few feet away. Followed shortly by a couple more over their heads.

Damn! They needed to concentrate on stopping the sniper. Normal people ran and kept moving when fired upon, but no, not the Whitfield boys. Maybe he and his brothers were as insane as the bastard they buried.

Sen nodded to where the road looped into the cemetery near the interstate fence. “I think the shots are coming from that direction. See the old rusted-out black van?”

“Yeah.” Ethan peeked over the limo’s hood.

“The sliding door is cracked opened. You think he’s still in there? The smart thing for a shooter to do is leave with the crowd.” Jake referred to the mourners cranking automobiles and screeching tires on their way out.

“I’ll go around and come up on the opposite side.” Without wasting time, Sen stooped low and ran alongside the cars parked by the curb.

Jake shook his head. He always wondered if his middle brother had a death wish. “Tick!”

The rotund driver inside the limo rolled down the window, showing only the top of his pale bald head and large blood-shot eyes. “Yeah, boss?”

“Scoot over. I’m coming in.”

“Sure, boss.”

“You get in the back.” Jake nodded at Ethan. With a jab, he returned his gun to its holster beneath his jacket.

“Sure, boss,” his brother said, mimicking Tick.

In seconds, they eased the limo down the lane toward the van. Jake caught a glimpse of Sen dashing behind a tree a few yards away. Then the side door on the van slammed shut, and a figure dressed in black jumped into the driver’s seat. No way would he let the asshole escape. He flatfooted the gas pedal and the old limo T-boned the van.

The crunch of metal and broken glass rang in Jake’s ears as he pushed hard on the door and sprinted to the other side. Two fellows ran for the trees. He tackled the nearest one as Sen sprinted after the faster, smaller one.

“You son of a bitch!” Jake flipped him over. Fist pulled back to slug the sniper, he stopped. “Sally? Sally Tally?”

Light green eyes in the middle of dark liner and eye shadow glared up at him. Chin length ebony hair tipped blood red stuck to a sweaty pale face. A grimace stretched her crimson lips lined in black as she waited for the downward swing.

He lowered his arm and examined her clothes. No wonder he’d mistaken her for a guy from the back. She wore an ankle-length leather coat with thick-soled biker boots buckled to her knees, the tight black pants tucked in. The only feminine clothing was the stiff red corset holding up plump, creamy white breasts, heaving with each intake of breath.

“No one calls me Sally anymore. Call me Angel.”

The last time he’d heard that husky voice, they had been teenagers, and she’d stolen his wallet. He’d retaliated by turning her over his knee, lifting her short skirt, and giving her nearly bare bottom a good sound spanking. During the chastisement, an unexpected dilemma had emerged. He remembered how much he enjoyed it. Way too much.

About the Author

Carla Swafford loves romance novels, action/adventure movies, and men, and her books reflect that. And that’s not all, she’s crazy about hockey, and thankfully, no one has made her turn in her Southern Belle card. She’s married to her high school sweetheart and lives in Alabama.

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by Jennifer Reed/ bookjunkiez | July 29, 2019 · 5:00 am

13 Steps to the Cellar – Reveal

Mystery

Date Published: September 4, 2019

Publisher: Tirgearr Publishing

Thirteen Steps to the Cellar. They were steep; they were narrow—but was a fall down them enough to have caused the twenty-seven deep lacerations to her aunt’s head?

Callie Harris travels from her home in Alabama to her aunt’s former mansion in Maine to unravel the haunting forty-year-old mystery of Dr. Laverne Harris Doss’ brutal death.

Why wasn’t a murder weapon found? Was her uncle justly convicted of the killing? Was his mistress involved? Or was the murderer the bearded stranger rumored to have arrived by train that night?

In the charming town of Richmond, located on the banks of Maine’s historic Kennebec River, Callie uncovers the community’s darkest secrets—a botched police investigation, a betrayed widow’s lie, a dead woman’s blackmail, and a wealthy philanthropist’s shame. The web of intrigue extends far beyond her suspicions and its connection to her personal story pierces Callie to her core.

About the Author

TERESA MATHEWS is a graduate of The University of South Alabama. She’s a member of the Mobile Writers Guild and serves on the Board of Directors for the Alabama Nursery and Landscape Association.

An avid gardener and artist, she has multiple book covers to her credit. Several years ago after visiting the site of her real-life aunt’s murder, Teresa discovered a third passion–storytelling. Although inspired by an actual tragedy, Thirteen Steps to the Cellar is fiction.

Raised on the Gulf Coast, Teresa, her husband, and son now live on a farm with a second home on the sparkling white sands of Fort Morgan, Alabama. This is her first novel.

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