Saturday Sample and Weekend Writing Warriors: Never Trust a Pretty Wolf

Welcome to Saturday Sample and Weekend Writing Warriors. Today we'll continue to share excerpts from Never Trust a Pretty Wolf. On Sunday when you finish here, do go to http://www.wewriwa.blogspot.com for more excerpts from a bunch of great authors.

Blurb:

Liesel Wolf has a secret, a dangerous secret she’ll go to any lengths to conceal. When she’s paired in a charity game with sexy marshal Andy Bryce, a man with secrets of his own, her carefully constructed world comes crashing down, and Liesel’s on a collision course with her past.

Buy link:  https://amzn.to/2KY04Rj

Excerpt: 

Chapter One

Last Week

As the minutes ticked by, the nature center sounded more and more appealing. It would be cool there. They could probably buy some cold water too. A mosquito buzzed around Liesel’s head. She swatted at it, and when she did she looked up the trail at the far end of the clearing. “Look up the hill, Andy! The crack in that rock looks roughly diamond-­shaped.”

“It sure does,” Andy agreed with a smile. “Unless the light hits it just right it’s hard to see. Let’s check it out.”

This week: I've picked up where we left off last week.  Liesel speaks first.

Miracles

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Bobbi Smith will award a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Newspaper reporter Lydia is investigating the deadly sniper terrorizing her town. She hopes to find some information to help the police track down this killer. Detective Steve Mason is doing all he can to stop the murderous gunman from striking again. Meanwhile, members of Lydia’s prayer group are facing life-changing problems. Elderly George Taylor, diagnosed with terminal cancer, decides to secretly leave lasting memorials. Teenager Jim Hunt is granted the wisdom to turn away from the temptations of peer pressure and alcohol. And for Lydia, who refuses to despair in the ugly side of life that her reporting often uncovers, there is true love to bring laughter and joy to all her days.

Read an Excerpt

Lydia sought Detective Steve Mason out at the Above and Beyond Police Fund-raiser for injured officers to apologize for the headline her boss had used in the newspaper that day. As they were sitting at a table with another couple, the other woman, Marcie, asked, “Steve, why don’t you bring Lydia with you to the barbecue in two weeks?” She’d noticed how they seemed interested in each other.

Steve looked at Lydia. “Would you like to go?”

“It sounds like fun.”

“We’ll see you then,” Marcie said as she and her husband stood up to leave.

“So, Steve,” Lydia said, “what do you do when you’re not working?”

He gave a derisive laugh. “It seems all I do is work.”

“Do you have a family?” She’d noticed he wasn’t wearing a wedding ring, but that didn’t mean he was single.

“I’m not married,” he answered. “What about you?”

“I’m single, too.” Lydia was amazed by how anxious she’d been to hear his answer. “What do you do for fun?”

“When I do manage to get time off, I like to ride my Harley.”

“That’s awesome.”

“You like motorcycles?”

“Oh, yeah.”

“I’ll take you for a ride sometime.”

“You’re on.”

“What do you like to do?”

“I read a lot.”

“We’ve got to liven you up a bit.” He paused and looked around. His tone was conspiratorial when he asked, “You want to do something wild and crazy?”

“You aren’t going to get me arrested, are you?”

“Now, there’s a thought.” He slanted her a knowing, almost wicked grin before saying, “No, I wasn’t going to get you arrested. I was going to ask you to dance.”

About the Author:After working as a department manager for Famous-Barr, and briefly as a clerk at a bookstore, Bobbi gave up on career security and began writing. She sold her first book to Zebra in 1982.

Since then, Bobbi has written over 40 books and 6 novellas. To date, there are more than five million copies of her novels in print. She has been awarded the prestigious Romantic Times Storyteller Award and two Career Achievement Awards. Her books have appeared on the New York Times Best Seller List, the USA Today Best Seller List and the Wal-Mart Best Seller List.

The rights to Ms. Smith’s books have been sold to China, France, Germany, India, Israel, Russia and Sweden. Bobbi has also written two faith-based contemporary novels – Haven and Miracles – using the pseudonym Julie Marshall.

http://www.Bobbismithauthor.com
https://www.amazon.com/Miracles-Bobbi-Smith-ebook/dp/B001D210GM/ref=sr_1_3

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Impeachment

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Mark Spivak will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A pair of billionaire brothers with unlimited resources, a secret agenda, and no accountability.

Mysterious “peace-keeping forces” that materialize out of nowhere.

Detention camps on the U.S.-Mexican border.

Bungled assassination attempts with untraceable origins.

A reactive Congress, lobbyists bought and paid for, and upheavals at the highest levels of government.

How was it all engineered, and could it happen tomorrow?

Is it fiction or uncomfortable reality?

Read an Excerpt

The President spread aerial photos of the detention camps on the desk.

“Did your kids ever go to summer camp?” .

“A long time ago, yes.” .

“Well, mine did too. And when I look at these pictures, there are a number of things missing. There’s no baseball diamond. There’s no soccer field or archery range. There’s no swimming pool. These aren’t supposed to be summer camps, Curt. And you don’t need to be a G-man to figure that out.” .

“Of course they’re not. With all due respect, sir, I’ve been around politics longer than you have. And there’s obviously a pattern here. There’s some connection between the Angels of Democracy and whoever built these camps.” .

“Agreed. But since nobody can tell me what it is, it really doesn’t matter.” .

“Well, there’s that study commissioned by the Democratic National Committee that establishes a link between the Angels of Democracy and the Hafts.” .

“I’ve read it. But it doesn’t connect the dots between the Hafts, the Angels and whoever built the camps.” .

“This whole immigration operation was planned by someone, and it cost a huge amount of money. It had to be backed by somebody like the Haft brothers. No one else would have the resources to do it.” .

About the Author

Mark Spivak is an award-winning writer specializing in wine, spirits, food, restaurants and culinary travel. He’s the author of Iconic Spirits: An Intoxicating History and Moonshine Nation: The Art of Creating Cornbread in a Bottle. His first novel, Friend of the Devil, tells the story of America’s most celebrated chef who has cut a deal with Satan for fame and fortune.

Mark is also a political junkie who loves turning his fascination with the seamy underbelly of the American political system into taut, page-turning thrillers. The American Crusade, the story of a devastating terrorist attack and the government’s response, was published in April 2019; Impeachment, a tale of two billionaire brothers who manipulate that system for their own ends, is a sequel that also stands alone as an unusual and compelling story.

Website: https://markspivakbooks.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mark.spivak.3
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/eatdrinkjourney

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08HR1CF8B
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/impeachment-mark-spivak/1137054375.

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Storm

 

Merlin Raj and the Drones of Sleepy Hollow

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. D.G. Priya will award a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly chosen winner via Rafflecopter. Please click the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Mom's Choice Gold Award Winner
"...the more conceptual discussion of algorithms is well done, and the story is satisfying and emotionally resonant." -- Kirkus Reviews

My name is Merlin Raj and I live in Sleepy Hollow. Legend has it that a Headless Horseman haunts the town. Usually, I only have to worry about helping my boy, Matthew, to walk at school. But during the spookiest time of year, we’ll tackle the scariest creature of all—big brother.

Boo!

Will learning conditional logic save this family’s Halloween from certain doom?

Appealing to readers of all ages, Merlin Raj and the Drones of Sleepy Hollow is an ILLUSTRATED chapter-book. From artists to astronauts, the jobs of the future will deal with computers. But do kids want to read a coding book? Not as much as dog stories.

With a Computer Science degree and a passion for preparing kids for the future, author D. G. Priya blends technology with animal stories to stimulate a desire to read.Each book in the series introduces a new programming skill. If you or your child like delightful dog tales that explores universally positive themes, including empathy, kindness, dedication, and the importance of being true to one's self, then you'll love D. G. Priya's tail-wagging adventure.

Read an Excerpt

After a rousing “Trick or Treat,” Matthew got some sticky taffy. He plunked it into the pumpkin-shaped plastic bag. He’d also put a second sack on my back, in case he ran out of room. We expected to knock on a lot of homes.

Peter marched up to the front door. He flew the pumpkin-head drone ahead of him. It had a small net hanging from it. Peter reached the lady giving out the candy. He drove the drone in front of the candy bowl in her hands and declared, “Trick or treat!”

“What?” Matthew muttered at my side. “He got two pieces.”

As he walked back toward us, Peter smirked. “Guess who’s going to win?”

“You cheater,” Matthew said.

I nodded in agreement.

“It’s not cheating if I’m just smarter,” Peter said.

About the Author:

D. G. Priya is the bestselling author Priya Ardis. She obtained her Bachelor's of Science in Computer Science from the University of Texas at Austin, #6 in the world (Academic Ranking of World Universities, 2014) and #8 (US News, 2020) in Computer Science. Her advocacy of early education in computing and the challenges of childhood disabilities come from her experience as a parent and volunteer. Her love of dog stories comes from the antics of her own golden retriever.

Shelley Hampe is an author-illustrator. She is known for her work with Harvard University, illustrating a ground-breaking social-emotional learning program for children. She has a master's in studio art and has taken part in world-recognized artist residencies in the United States. When she isn't busy solving problems, Shelley can be found teaching STEAM principles to elementary aged kids. Shelley's dog Beau, helped solve her problem of cold-feet while illustrating this book.

Author website: http://www.dgpriya.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/dgpriya.author
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/priyaardis
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20125405.D_G_Priya
Follow on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D.-G.-Priya/e/B085P2NMKD
Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/priyaardis

Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/D.-G.-Priya/e/B085P2NMKD
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/%22D.%20G.%20Priya%22
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/author/d-g-priya/id1501769549
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/merlin-raj-and-the-drones-of-sleepy-hollow
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/D_G_Priya_Merlin_Raj_and_the_Drones_of_Sleepy_Holl

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Centricity

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Nathaniel Henderson will be awarding a $40 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

The world already ended once. Now it's up to an outgunned negotiator, a disavowed spy, and an immersion-addicted hacker to stop it from happening again.

Centuries after the Fold, civilization is fragile. In the megacity of Naion, people live stacked in arcologies, most never going outside because the air is another enemy. Instead, freedom comes from technology: bodytechs modify the human form while synthetic intelligences whisper through brainware.

Now a new bridge between man and machine has emerged, one that could destroy humanity’s second shot at survival—or save it, depending on who gets to it first....

Adasha Denali is one of the government’s best dispute resolution specialists, but when a scandal threatens to destabilize the city and end her career, she’ll need more than words to escape the fallout. Venturing out of her office and into a fight for the future, she’ll team up with a disavowed spy, learning the hard way that betrayal wears many faces, and one of them may be her own.

Neon Nik is an immersion-addicted IT freelancer struggling to pay off debts to circling loan sharks. Threats of dismemberment become the least of his problems when a surprise inheritance throws him into a vortex of corporate kill squads willing to burn the city down to find him.

Engineered spies, high-tech mercenaries, and immersion hackers collide in this first gripping installment of the Centricity Cycle.

Read an Excerpt

NIK SMILED AND the building smiled back, its façade all black teeth angles and white gum signage held together with cables and fat tendrils of epoxy. Poetry curled along the bulging geometry, hand-painted in dead Persian. He’d never bothered to have his software translate it. In an age of information bloat, ignorance was a proactive sport.

Above the entryway a single word blazed: HALE.

Two store fronts down, a woman rested against the shell of a mutilated cleaning bot. The glow of her cig warmed her blank expression. Another silhouetted figure pissed into a gap between buildings.

Hands in his pockets, Nik rolled his too small shoulders in his too big jacket. Soft with age, the leather made no sound. Canopy environmental systems kept temperatures chilly or warm but never quite comfortable. He coughed and thought about clearing his throat onto the sidewalk, decided not to—didn’t want to waste the residue of his last Cinnamon Fire—and crossed the street to Hale. Underfoot, a trampled stew of discard formed the menu of some future archaeological buffet.

The air inside hinted at decomposing animals in heating ducts. Ironic, considering this was the Canopy’s premier breather bar, where patrons sucked down spiked air cocktails.

About the Author: Nathaniel Henderson was born in 1983 in Albuquerque, NM, USA. At a young age he moved to Tulsa, OK, where he spent the next fifteen or so years surviving adolescence. After graduating from high school, he packed it up and headed out west to the picturesque Santa Cruz, CA to attend UCSC. After a year of wrestling with computer science, he transferred to San Francisco to study computer animation and special effects. The career didn’t stick, and he set off to teach English in South Korea, Thailand, and finally Tokyo, Japan, where he currently resides.

email: citizenhenderson@gmail.com

website: http://nathanielhenderson.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/citizenhenderson
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/citizenhenderson
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/citizenhenderson
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/citizenhenderson
Twitter: https://twitter.com/citizenn8

The book will be on sale for $0.99 for a limited time, until release date of October 20.
Amazon Link (Pre-Order until 10.20.2020): https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08J859X4R

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Dance With Me

DANCE WITH ME

by Judith Crow

 

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GENRE:  YA (Fantasy)

 

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BLURB:

 

Don’t tell anyone, but Kelli spends all her free time listening to folk music. Ok, it’s not what you’d expect from a popular fifteen-year-old, but that’s why she doesn’t want the whole world to know.

 

When Kelli follows the mysterious Tam Lane, she finds herself in a place where folk songs come to life. As she comes to terms with the world, she makes friends, uses her privilege to help others, and even falls in love.

 

But Kelli has forgotten the fates which await so many characters in the songs, and she soon finds herself surrounded by heartbreak. Determined to protect the people she has left, can Kelli change a fate which has been sung for centuries?

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

 

“So, what is Carterhaugh?”

 

“It’s in the Scottish borders,” he replied. “You must have heard of it before, Kelli.”

 

Kelli thought about it. The name sounded familiar, but she knew nothing about Scotland to speak of, and certainly nothing beyond the visitor attractions in Edinburgh. “I’ve heard of it, but I don’t know where.”

 

“Well, it’s a kind of gateway,” Tam explained. “There are beautiful gardens, and the land is very fertile so it is said that any seed to touch the earth will grow into the greatest of its kind. It was the birthplace of the ancient kings.”

 

“What does that have to do with me?” Kelli asked. “Or with Jehovah’s Witnesses for that matter?”

 

“Nothing at all,” Tam replied. “But you must have asked about it for a reason.”

 

“Yes, I did,” Kelli said, thrusting the magazine back into Tam’s hands with her thumb marking the last page. It fell open as Tam took it from her, and a picture of smiling children covered most of the back page, with the title ‘Bible Questions Answered’ and a small amount of text. 

 

“Yes?”

 

“It was there!” Kelli said, a shiver running down her spine. She flicked through the magazine, but the page was nowhere to be seen. “It was there. There was a picture of a wood and a river.”

 

“That is Carterhaugh,” Tam said. “The birthplace of kings. You should go there. You’d like it.”

 

“How would you know?”

A Word With the Author

Did you always want to be an author?

I’m never quite sure if I am an author! What’s the difference between an “author” and a “writer”? I always knew that I wanted to write – ever since I was little! But I’m not sure at what point I started to wish I could be an author… I think that’s a tricky one, especially as I’m currently in a job which makes me happy.

Still, it would be wonderful to be able to write full time and be all the things which come with being an author. One of my main aims is for some wonderful filmmaker to turn my creations into a movie which I can go and watch in our local cinema!

Tell us about the publication of your first book.

My first book, The Backwater, was published in November 2018 and launched at an event at John O’Groats. I remember the event really clearly, because it was on the same day that I finished my first teacher placement. I was so tired, but grinned my way through it and actually had a great time, even getting to sign a few books. 
Later on, Crowvus entered The Backwater into the Wishing Shelf Book Awards. I have to say, I forgot all about it until the list of finalists was released and mine was on it! I couldn’t believe it! I needed a lot of persuasion that the competition organisers hadn’t just made a typing error!

 

Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

I am a big fan of Neil Gaiman’s work, and have read nearly his entire canon. I feel like he mastered the genre of crossover fiction, which is where I would slot Dance With Me. My favourite is The Graveyard Book, which is just a genius work of fiction and, in my opinion, a much better alternative to The Jungle Book.

What's the best part of being an author? The worst?
I love getting to know my characters. The process of creating a whole world around these individuals is just so much fun! You can do whatever you like to them, and they will never fall out with you: the ideal friendship!! I love meeting people who have read my work as well, although I get a bit bashful, because they’ve experienced that world too.

The worst thing about being an author is the quantity of rejection. I never sent Dance With Me to any agents or publishers – it is being published by Crowvus, which is owned by my family. The reason? I spent months submitting another novel to agents and, even after initial interest, it was all just rejection. You need skin like a rhinocerous to be an author.

 

What are you working on now?

I keep a list of all the stories I have on the go! But my main one at the moment is about Sir Kay, the foster-brother of King Arthur. It follows him through his life, from the moment that Arthur is brought to the house, to the sword in the stone. I am really enjoying writing it, and especially doing all the associated research. Names are very important in the story, so I’ve been studying weird and wonderful names from a whole host of civilisations! 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Judith was born in Orkney, grew up in Lincolnshire and now lives in the far north of Scotland. Her writing is inspired by the experiences of her life so far and she loves picking up on quirks and immortalising them in fiction.

 

Judith’s new book, Dance With Me, combines her love of folk music and creative writing, and finds her main character in a world where folk songs come to life. Her debut book, The Backwater, was a finalist in the Wishing Shelf Book Awards 2019.

 

When she isn’t writing, Judith is a primary school teacher who enjoys crafting and music, as well as being a generally doting spaniel owner.

 

Website

www.judithcrow.co.uk

www.crowvus.com

 

Twitter

@jayzed_kay

 

Buy link: https://www.amazon.com/Dance-Me-Judith-Crow-ebook/dp/B08GC86MG7

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

  THE AUTHOR WILL BE GIVING AWAY a $10 Amazon/BN GC

 

 

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Beyond the Book: Crazy From the Heart

This week we’re talking about our favorite feel good movies. I have one that I watch periodically, but I bet you’ve never heard of it. The name of the movie is Crazy From the Heart. It was filmed in the late eighties I think. I first watched it on TV, and I loved it so much I bought a copy at Amazon.

Our heroine Charlotte Bain is the principal of a high school in a small, conservative Texas town. Secretly, although it really isn’t much of a secret, she’s dating the football coach. She lives at home with her mother and would really like to get married. After all, her biological clock is ticking. 

Things come to a head when her best friends’ daughter gets pregnant. Charlotte is confronted by the fact that her friend will be a grandmother while she herself has no children. She asks the coach to marry her, but he refuses. He’s comfortable in his life and doesn’t want anything to change. 

At this point Charlotte goes crazy from the heart. She agrees to go out with the new Hispanic janitor Ernesto, mostly to spite the coach, but to her surprise she and Ernesto are great together. They’re so great in fact that they drive to Mexico and get married. 

But the course of true love never runs smoothly. The whole town is up in arms about the principal and the janitor. Her job is in jeopardy, and the coach even proposes to her. Now Charlotte has to decide what to do next. Will she stay married to Ernesto, or will she get a divorce and marry the coach. 

You’ll love this movie. It’s funny, touching, and full of great acting. It also isn’t afraid to touch on social issues such as racism and economic prejudice, but you’ll never feel like you’re being lectured to. 

If you’re interested in a great feel good movie, I highly recommend it. You can buy a copy at Amazon if you’re interested.

Easy to Lose

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Title: Easy to Lose

Author: S.A. Clayton

Genre: Second Chance Contemporary Romance

Published: October 19, 2020

Publisher: Lady Boss Press

Cover Design: Kari March

Leaving New York after my now ex-fiancé cheated on me was easy. 

Moving back home to Miami to run Charly Boudreaux’s Head Over Heels expansion store, even as it scares the hell out of me…also easy.

Finding out that Owen Peters, my ex-best friend and the boy I fell in love with in high school, the one who broke my heart, works next door? Not quite so easy. 

Hearing that Morgan Lawson is finally coming home makes me ecstatic. It provides me with a second chance—something I waited ten years to grasp. 

Watching her struggle to accept the body she was born with, the one that makes me crazy with desire, allows me to show her exactly how beautiful she is, both inside and out—and how much she means to me. 

Letting her go the first time was a huge mistake, and I refuse to go down that road again. Because not realizing how easy she was to lose, or how not having her in my life makes me feel incomplete, is something I never want to experience again.

 

Owen

“It’s about time you showed up,” Matt calls as I close the door, locking it behind me. The guy looks as if he just rolled out of bed, his long, brown hair tied in a topknot as he struts around in his favorite grey sweatpants and a dirty t-shirt with our gym’s name across the chest. I look at my watch and laugh.

“I’m only five minutes late, jackass.” He throws a towel at me as I head behind the desk and turn on the computer. Matt and I opened this gym five years ago. We both graduated with majors in business and knew we wouldn’t ever be a part of the corporate world. So, we took what we learned and applied it to something we both loved: fitness. Was it an overnight success? Hell, no. It took at least three years to get out of the red. But last year was our best year yet, with this year rivaling even those numbers. 

“You know if you didn’t own this place, I could fire you, right?” I give him the finger as I check my email, quickly making sure there are no cancelations for today’s schedule.

Just as I’m about to log off, a new email pops up from one of my regulars. I open it and read:

Owen, sorry to do this to you last minute, but I have to cancel my session for this morning. Tommy was throwing up all night, and his fever has yet to go down, so I’m taking him to see the doctor. Sorry again. I’ll still pay for the session, and I’ll see you next week. –Amber


“Well, there goes my morning plans,” I mutter to myself just as Matt comes over and leans against the desk. 

“Amber cancel?” I nod, not surprised that Matt memorized my schedule. It’s why I had no issues with going into business with him. He’s organized, loyal, and has a memory that could rival Sheldon Cooper’s. “You really gonna make her pay for the session?” he asks, giving me a look I know well. 

“Of course, not. I’m not that big of an ass. Plus, her kid is sick. Ever since Ken left her, she’s had a lot on her plate.” When Amber started training with me, I knew she was motivated by her husband’s infidelity, something she was very vocal about. I believe she said she wanted him to wish he never stuck his dick in another woman. I told her I would be happy to get her that revenge, even though she already looked amazing for a forty-year-old single mom. 

“So, what are you gonna do now?” Matt asks, taking one of the mints from the bowl to my right and popping it into his mouth. 

“I don’t know. Might work out for a bit.” He nods just as my phone goes off, A second later, it goes off again, then again. I sigh, knowing exactly who’s blowing up my cell. 

“You haven’t cut her loose yet?” Matt asks with a knowing smirk that makes me feel like the biggest asshole on the planet. “Calm down, man. If it was me, I would probably keep her around, too. She must be one hell of a lay.”

“Shut the fuck up and mind your own business,” I grunt as he shrugs and goes back to cleaning the equipment. I pick up my mobile and see one missed call and four unread texts. 

Bailey: Morning, handsome, what are you up to today?

Bailey: Why aren’t you answering my texts?

Bailey: Hello???

Bailey: Call me NOW.

I sigh, pulling up her contact and pressing the phone to my ear. She picks up after the first ring. 

“Where have you been?” she accuses as I tilt my head towards the ceiling, praying I can get through this conversation without blowing my top. 

“Bails, you know I open the gym every day. I was busy talking to Matt about my schedule.” She sighs, groaning into the phone, and for the millionth time this week, I wonder why I’m with her. In the beginning, it was amazing—she was hot, funny, and we had a great time together. Then, over time, she wanted more. More of my time, more of my attention, and more of my business. Bailey is an Instagram influencer and very proud of it. She should be, she’s worked really hard to get where she is today, but it’s become all-consuming. And she’s using my brand, something that I built from the ground up, to gain more and more of a following for herself. And it’s grating on my nerves.

It’s become clearer as time goes on that she’s with me for the clout and not for me, and I know I need to end it. For both of our sanities. 

“You never have time for me anymore,” she whines as I take a deep breath, needing strength to get through this conversation. There’s a huge crash from the store next door, and I jump up from my seat. 

“What was that?” Bailey asks as I motion to Matt that I’m going over to take a look. He nods as I head to the front door. 

“Bails, I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.” I don’t wait for her reply as I jerk open the front door and jog next door. The sign above the door says Head Over Heels, and the door and windows are covered in brown paper, letting me know that it’s under construction. I try the front door, and when it swings open, I walk inside. 

“Hello? Is everyone okay?” I ask, hearing my voice echo through the small space. I don’t see anyone around, but I do see a very large metal rack lying toppled on the floor and dust everywhere. The shop itself is pretty small, but from the looks of it, it’s cute. The walls are plain white with paint chips taped to every available surface. The colors range from grey to bright pink and everything in between. I have no idea what this space will become, but right now, it’s a mess. 

“Hello! I just wanted to make sure no one’s hurt after that thing fell,” I call again, making my way farther into the space, stepping over the broken shelf and heading towards the back of the store. 

“Sorry, yes, everything’s fine. The stupid thing doesn’t want to stay attached to the wall,” a woman says from behind the counter. Her long, blond hair and curvy figure send a jolt through my body, but the minute she turns around, my whole world stops moving. 

“Morgan?” I croak as I open my mouth to say something, anything…but nothing comes out. Morgan Lawson, the girl I spent most of my adolescence obsessing over is standing right in front of me. Given the color draining from her face, I would say she remembers exactly who I am, too. And from the fire I see in her eyes, she recalls precisely how much I ruined everything.

S.A. Clayton lives in a small town outside of Toronto, Canada with her husband of five years and her scary large collection of books that seem to take over every room.

She has worked on both sides of the publishing industry, both in a bookstore and for actual publishing companies. Although she loved both for different reasons, she found that writing was her true passion and has spent the last few years breaking into the industry as best she can.

She is a lover of all things romance and began her writing journey in her late twenties. Since then, she has immersed herself in the romance genre and couldn't be happier.

When she's not writing or reading, she enjoys binging a great Netflix show (Stranger Things anyone?), baking (because who doesn't love cookies!), and spending time with her family.

HOSTED BY:

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Gumbeaux Love

Gumbeaux Love

by Jax Frey

 

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GENRE:   Southern Women's Fiction

 

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BLURB:

 

The adventures of the Gumbeaux Sistahs continues. Five, fiery southern women wage wars against their unique problems using their improbable friendships, hilarious evil-genius schemes, strategy sessions with oh-so-many cocktails, and a shared passion for good gumbo.

Single, Southern artist, Judith Lafferty, casually confesses to her Gumbeaux Sistahs that she is occasionally lonely and would like to fall in love again. Seriously - you'd think she would know to keep her mouth shut around these women by now. The sistahs tackle her problem along with their own with their usual unreasonable, extreme plots and schemes, including a kidnapping, a cupid costume, trying out pick-up lines at the cheese counter, and blind dates from hell. In helping out their friend, the sistahs help each other out as well and bring to light the many flavors of love in all of our lives. Be ready for twists, turns, laugh-out-loud times, and heart-wrenching moments. You'll be sure to recognize yourself and your best friends in the unstoppable sistahs.

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Judith rinsed her juice glass in the kitchen sink just as the doorbell rang.

            

“Who in the world at this hour?” she thought, shaking her head and glancing at the clock on the wall. “It’s not even eight o’clock.”

 

She walked to the front door and started to open it, but before she could swing it open all the way, a hand clutching a paper coffee cup shoved its way inside, barely missing her face.

 

“What?” she yelped. Then she laughed. “Oh no, are you kidding me?” She opened the door to five Gumbeaux Sistahs, including Bea, Helen, Dawn, Lola, and Trinity who stood on her front stoop holding coffee. It was especially a surprise to see Trinity there since she lived across the lake and had a long way to come. But the most unexpected thing of all was Dawn, who stood there looking embarrassed as all get-out, wearing a big, red Cupid costume.

 

“Not again!” said Judith, rolling her eyes and remembering that this was exactly the way that the sistahs had originally kidnapped her and become her best friends in the world.

 

Dawn grimaced and said, “I don’t know why I’m always the one who has to wear a stupid costume.” 

A Word From the Author:

1.      Did you always want to be an author?

I think I did. When I was eight, I partnered with a girl in my neighborhood to hand-write a newspaper for our street called The Mithra Street Messenger. We put out one issue then our mothers shut us down because we had a Crimes section, which mostly featured the indignities inflicted upon me by my pesky brother. I still have a copy of the Messenger.

 

2.      Tell us about the publication of your first book.

I published the first book of the series, The Gumbeaux Sistahs, a year ago October 1^, 2019. With the help of friends, I had a book launch party at the coffee house (St.John’s in Covington, LA), where I actually wrote the book. My friends made big pots of gumbo and rice. We also served the Trinity cookies, whose recipe is included in that book. A ton of people showed up, and there was a line to buy and sign books. I could tell that the mostly female crowd appreciated the idea of the book, and couldn’t wait to read it. It was one great day!

 

3.      Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

I have to say that Jan Karon is one of my favorites. Her books, like the Gumbeaux Sistahs novels, offer a consistent venue to visit and a great escape. She can be relied on to bring hope and peace — the Gumbeaux Sistahs love her!

 

4.      What’s the best part of being an author? The worst?

Best: I enjoy the cerebral exercise of creating a place and characters who bring happiness, laughter, and respite to readers, while tackling some of the problems we face every day in a loving way.  The happiness rubs off on me.

Worst: The first five minutes of writing.  That time is almost like trying to meditate wherein you have to clear the thoughts of your day and life and make room for the world of the Sistahs.  It’s a struggle sometimes, but it never fails to happen.

 

5.      What are you working on now?

I just started Book 3 of the Gumbeaux Sistahs series.  This may be my favorite one yet!

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Born in New Orleans, Jax came into this world with a sense of celebration of southern culture, food, family and fun. Translating that celebration into her writing and onto canvas is her true calling. Her colorful art depicts everything from her dancing Gumbeaux Sistahs paintings to her popular line of original Mini paintings of southern icons. Because over 25,000 of the mini paintings have been created and sold into art collections worldwide, Jax holds a world’s record for The Most Original Acrylic Paintings on Canvas by One Artist from the World's Record Academy. Jax art and gifts can be seen at www.artbyjax.com.

Jax is also the co-founder of the Women of Infinite Possibilities, an empowering women’s organization started in Covington, LA, where Jax lives today with her loveable, tornado-of-a-pug named Lucy.

The Gumbeaux Sistahs' series of novels is a work of love for Jax After painting the Sistahs for many years, she finally gives voice to these women characters who have something to say and constantly make Jax laugh when she writes about them. http://www.gumbeauxsistahs.com/

 

Amazon buy link:

https://www.amazon.com/Gumbeaux-Love-Book-Sistahs-novels-ebook/dp/B08GJ9FZX5/

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Jax Frey will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

 

 

 

 

a Rafflecopter giveaway