Saturday Sample and Weekend Writing Warriors

 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

Both of them spun around when they heard the sound of something heavy crashing through the bushes. Three men incongruously dressed in khakis, pastel colored polo shirts, and nice Italian loafers charged down the hill toward them. They all had grim expressions on their faces, expressions that went well with the guns they carried.

The report of a pistol filled the afternoon as something kicked up dirt near Liesel’s feet.

“Run!” she screamed.

She took off as if all the devils in Hades pursued her, and they probably did. Veering off the path, she plunged into the woods with Andy closely following. They ran for what seemed like forever. Small branches slapped her face and pulled her hair. She turned her ankle more than once when she tripped over fallen tree limbs or stepped into holes hidden in the forest underbrush.

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

Gravity Happens

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Title: Gravity Happens

Author: Lizzie James

Genre: Second Chance/Friends to Lovers/Christmas Romance

Release Date: December 18, 2020

Cover Design: Eleanor Lloyd-Jones at Schmidt Cover Designs

Lauren

He was there. Through all the good times, and the bad. When my world collapsed and my family passed away; he was there. He picked me up and gave me a reason to keep going. He just never saw that the reason was him.

Thomas
When your best friend starts pulling away, what do you do? When the girl who has always been there is suddenly too busy and the revolving door through my bedroom no longer holds my attention what should I do?

Will Thomas finally wake up and see what he's been missing all this time? Is it time for this crazy pair to finally take a chance and let their love story happen this Christmas?

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I rolled my eyes at him and grabbed my scarf, tying it in a neat knot beneath my chin, and grabbed my coat. I slipped it on, fastening the buttons as I walked into the living area. I worked at a coffee shop, and it was my dream to one day attend an art school. I had applied to one in Paris but I hadn’t heard back yet. I didn’t expect to if I was honest.

“Keep your knickers on,” I teased him. “Has Grinch already left?” I asked, referring to my roommate, Thomas.

He laughed at my charming nickname for him. “You know how he is. He hates Christmas. He’ll never change.” He rolled his eyes mockingly as he led me to the front door.

Thomas worked at a bar with Luke called Dominic’s. He and I had known each other since we were infants, and it had always been him and I against the world. My parents had died when I was sixteen years old, and that had been when I moved in with Thomas and his mother. She took me in and loved me like I was one of her own, and I knew how lucky I was. Without her, I probably would have gone into the system.

Luke held the door open for me and waited while I locked up. “Do you know what you’re going to get for Scrooge?” He chuckled as he exited the building, wrapping his arm around my shoulders.

“I’ve almost finished Thomas’s.” I grinned up at him cockily. “He’s the easiest person on my list to buy for. I know that man better than I know my own name.”

Luke raised his eyebrow at me with a knowing expression on his face.

“Shut up!” I dug my finger in his ribs, already knowing what he was hinting at. “Nothing is going on between us.”

“Right,” he mocked. He looked down at me before he reached down and took my hand in his. “How many times do I have to say it?”

I shook my head at him. “He doesn’t see me like that.”

I saw him like that, though.

I felt like I had been in love with Thomas since our teenage years, and I’d hoped something would happen, thinking that maybe, if I waited long enough, he would see me in a new light and want more.

It had never happened, though. No matter how long I’d waited or how many girls I’d seen him with… I had come to the conclusion that he would never see me as anything other than his stupid, book nerd best friend.

“It’ll never happen, Luke.” I shook my head at him. “So, just let it go, okay?” I looked up at him, wanting to get my point across.

“Fine.” He slung his arm back around my shoulder as we began walking down the street. “What time are you working till later?” he asked.

“I have a late one. I start at six pm and finish at nine, so it gives me a chance to get some shopping done first.” I laughed at him before I reached up and rubbed my hand on the top of his head.

Flakes fell from his hair, and I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “I’ll see you later.” I gave him a small wave and turned and walked away from him. “Tell Thomas to keep me some food.”

Like I said, I knew that man better than I knew myself. He’d probably order Chinese food for himself and whatever female he’d chosen to hang out with tonight. Sometimes I believed Thomas lived in his own little bubble. He could be blunt and harsh a lot of the time and often didn’t have a filter between his brain and mouth, but he had a good heart. Sometimes, though, I wished he could see me for what I was—look at me and really see me: just a lovesick girl in love with the perfect guy. Instead, I had a friend who had a revolving door to his bedroom with a different girl accessing it each week.

I rolled my eyes at myself. Today wasn’t the day for pity parties: today was a day for Christmas shopping in the city I loved. There was no point in wishing for things that were never going to happen.

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Secret Angel

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promottions. Cherry Christensen will be awarding a $10 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Doctoral student Hannah Wagganer has big dreams of leaving her hometown of Glen Arbor behind to teach at a large university. That is, until Jasper Morgan, the new mail carrier, arrives in town. Not only does he send Hannah’s heart racing, but he creates an instant bond with her cat, Jingles.

While Hannah is busy preparing for the church’s candlelight Christmas Eve service and running the family store, she keeps bumping into Jasper—right in front of the prying eyes of the locals, who suspect there’s more going on than business as usual.

But then, a series of unexpected blessings occurs that changes the town’s focus: first, an anonymous donor pays to have the church furnace repaired, and then other locals suddenly find solutions to their problems. Is it coincidental, or the work of a secret angel?

Read an Excerpt

“I’m not sure about this color,” Naomi, the preacher’s wife, informed Hannah. “I look like a wad of pink chewing gum.”

“No you don’t.” Hannah tied a brown snowflake scarf around the woman’s neck. The color brought out the richness of her dark eyes. “Lovely.” Heavy footsteps sounded on the wooden floor behind them. Turning, she spotted Jasper coming their way. “I’ll be right with you.”

“Take your time,” he said.

“Hmmm. I was wondering if you’d run into him yet,” Naomi said, backing into the changing area. “I’ll take the sweater and the scarf,” she announced.

“Pastor Amos will do a double take when he sees you at the candlelight Christmas Eve service.” She laughed, envisioning the older man letting out a low whistle for his wife. Married forty years, they still managed to maintain an endearing fondness for each other.

“Speaking of the service, you’re planning to help us decorate the church, right?”

“I wouldn’t miss it,” Hannah said, strolling over to a small table where Jasper was thumbing through a stack of woolen socks. “See anything you like?”

He lifted his gaze. “As a matter of fact, I do.”

Hannah’s chest tightened while he held her stare. Swallowing hard, she noticed how his eyes sparkled like water when the sun danced across the waves. And how the color of his skin resembled the sand dunes.

About the Author:

Cherry resides in the Mitten State with her husband of 19 years and a tabby cat named Caden. A true Michigander, she points at the palm of her right hand when telling people where she lives, drinks Vernors ginger ale when she’s under the weather, wears shorts and a sweatshirt at the same time, and measures distance in minutes, not miles. She also cheers for her favorite football team, the Michigan Wolverines. Go Blue!

A confirmed night owl, Cherry wholeheartedly agrees with whoever said, “I could be a morning person, if morning happened around noon.” It’s no surprise then she prefers to write in the evening. She’s a bit of a pantser writer, meaning she dreams up stories without using an outline, so every day is an exciting adventure as she waits to see where the characters lead her next!

A lifelong avid reader, Cherry turned to writing as a creative outlet. Drawing partly from her own experiences, and partly from her wild imagination, she weaves romantic tales with a smidgen of religion and a hint of mystery. Cherry’s first novel, The Fearful Heart, debuted in 2014, and she has never looked back. She continues to grow as an author, learning more about the writing craft with each book.

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Cherry-Christensen-Author-1427146804175227
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/cherry-christensen
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9872402.Cherry_Christensen
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/cfyfechristense/_saved/

Author's Note: Secret Angel is regularly priced at $0.99. It’s the first book in my Secret Series.

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B081JCH37D

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Blast From the Past

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Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a book blast for Blast From The Past by M. E. Marshall. The book blast tour will run December 17. 

            

Genre: Fiction/Christian Suspense

 

ISBN-10 : 0997257628

ISBN-13 : 978-0997257625

                                                                                                Meet Madlyn

 

Madlyn Marshall is the Founder of G.R.A.C.E. Ministry and G.R.A.C.E. Publishing, Inc., who aspires to empower the Christian community with the gems of knowledge of biblical principles relating to money management. A dedicated humanitarian and evangelist, she devotes her time to helping others eradicate the complexities from the process of financial management, budgeting, and consumer credit. Madlyn holds 40+ years of experience serving Corporate America in the field of Credit & Collection and served as the Chief Financial Officer at the local church for over 13 years. She strives to channel all the knowledge & experiences to help others learn the art of managing finances and get one step closer to achieving financial freedom.

 

Madlyn Marshall is also a zealous Author who aims to inspire a change with her words of wisdom, faith, and encouragement. She writes journals, short stories, poems, and books to empower the community and help people accomplish their financial goals & achieve prosperity. A survivor of physical & emotional abuse and a young witness to spousal abuse, Madlyn has risen above the worst of times with the power of faith. She serves as a beacon of hope for young women who are lost in the abyss of hopelessness and yearning to find a way out of the misery & desolation. Madlyn is laying the foundation for G.R.A.C.E House, that she hopes will begin to break the cycle of misery and help women heal emotionally and physically from the scars of abuse.

Driven by the desire to build a happier world for the generations of today & tomorrow, Madlyn Marshall aspires to inspire a change through education, encouragement, and restoration. She writes with the sole purpose to empower others and help them strengthen the walls of faith and turn to God as the only eternal source of strength & provision. Through her publishing company, Madlyn also provides a platform for aspiring authors to catapult their writing career and play an integral role in empowering the community.

Over the years, Madlyn Marshall has received numerous accolades for her contributions to the community and was the recipient of the National Coalition of Women Ministry Esther Award 2013. She holds the Competent Communicator and Competent Leadership Certifications from Toastmasters International and is an active member of the Georgia Christian Business Network. Madlyn also sits on the board of directors of the Words of Comfort Ministries, Inc. 

 

Besides this, Madlyn Marshall cherishes spending time in the company of her friends & families and actively participates in self-development activities. She has served as the Chief Financial Officer for multiple non-profit organizations and believes in the notion of empowering the people as they are the roots of a strong & healthy community. 

 

About The Book

 

The small town of Summersville has a big problem. They must come up with two million dollars in a very short period. In a surprising twist, that exact amount is dropped off at the door of the courthouse. Who left it and why; who is the mysterious man in town and why is he asking questions about the gold ol Herman Jones was supposedly found and buried? Why does this stranger seem so familiar?

 

Was there really gold in the surrounding mountains? Found out how the townspeople cope with the sudden wealth and the news of the return of Melanie Jones’ high school sweetheart. Melanie Jones’ ancestors founded the little town, what secrets is she hiding?

 

This is a story of Cagney and Lacey meets Thelma and Louise. Follow Jamie and Melanie as they investigate the town’s new wealth, and the mysterious stranger. 

 

Social Links

 

Website  Twitter  Facebook

            

                                                                  Amazon

 

Tour organized by WNLBookTours

 

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Create AnewU

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Write Now Literary is pleased to be organizing a two-week book tour for Create Anewu Healthy Creation by Dr. Kathleen B. Oden.  The book tour will run December 7- 18, 2020.

Genre: Nonfiction

 

ISBN-10 : 1541036301

ISBN-13 : 978-1541036307

 

 

                                                         

 

Dr. Kathleen B. Oden is an author, missionary and Bible teacher, at God's House of Refuge Church & School of Evangelism. She attained a Doctorate degree in Christian Theology in 2000. After a bad fall in 2014, she realized that she had to start eating healthy, in order to fully recover. She became a Certified Health Minister and God gave her a ministry called, Create AnewU Health Ministry. She loves ministering to people and her health ministry has opened the door for her to share what the WORD OF GOD has to say, about eating healthy food. Dr. Oden has published over 20 books through Amazon.com and several of them are about health and wellness. 

 

                      

 

Eating healthy does not or should not mean giving up eating tasty food! HEALTHY CREATIONS will teach you how to revise and/or re-create your favorite dishes that you know and love!

 

                                    

                                       

 

Website    Twitter    Facebook

 

 

Barnes & Noble    Amazon

 

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The Princess and the Jester

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Title: The Princess and the Jester

Series: Westbrook Three #3

Author: A.D. McCammon

Genre: YA/NA Contemporary Romance

Release Date: December 16, 2020

Cole Masterson is an imposter.
Fake. Phony. Liar.
And, once upon a time, he was mine. He’s the fearsome jester of Westbrook High, and I’m the spoiled princess.

They don’t know the real Cole—not the way I did. He’s been a stranger to me for years, pretending to be one of them. And I’m desperate for him to see me again.

Until he moved in down the hall. Now, there’s no escaping his hungry emerald gaze or wickedly sexy smile.

Gwendolyn Rhodes is one of the rich elite.
Privileged. Entitled. Pampered.
She’s out of my league. No matter what I do to fit in, they’ll always see me as the housekeeper’s son. I’ve tried to forget about her—to move on with my life.

But I let her games pull me back in. All bets were off the second I got too close to her.

She’s been messing with my head, but I’ve changed the rules.
She didn’t plan to wager her heart.
But I’m playing for keeps.

A shadowy figure on the top of my mattress catches my eye as I enter my room, and my stomach does a free fall. I freeze, but the fear strangling my throat keeps my scream from escaping.

The shape moves and there’s a click before my lamp lights the room. My lashes flutter as my eyes adjust, my panic increasing once I finally get a good look at what or who is on my bed.

“Welcome home, Princess.”

He looks very comfortable, all sprawled out with his arms folded behind his head and feet crossed. The buttons on his shirt are undone, putting his bare chest and abdomen on display. His sandy blond hair is disheveled in a way that makes him look insanely gorgeous. The jeans he’s wearing rest low on his hips, the top band of his Calvin Klein boxers peeking out. 

The image is much like the ones I’ve imagined countless times before, and for a brief moment I wonder if this is all a dream. Until I notice the sparkle of mischief in his emerald eyes as his lips curl into a villainous grin.

This is no dream, it’s a nightmare.

Oh god. He knows it was me.

Icy panic floods my veins, my mind scrambling for a plausible excuse or explanation for what I’ve done. I merely wanted to talk to him. Not the exchange of blows that seems to be our normal form of communication these days. A real conversation. Yes, it was deceptive. But it’s not like I intentionally tricked him.

“Cole?” Terror is palpable in my voice, and I clear my throat, feigning a calm indifference to his presence as I continue. “What the hell are you doing in my house?”

“Technically, this is our house.” The cavalier response holds a sinister tone, warning me of his cruel intentions.

My limbs begin to tremble, fighting off the chill of my fright. “You haven’t lived here for two years, Cole.”

It feels more like a lifetime; the nearly ten years we shared here nothing more than fading memories I’m desperately clinging to.

I try to recall the last time we were in my bedroom together. Had we laughed? Did he hold me? Tell me he loved me? Had I said it back?

But the only memory I can grasp is the very one I’d like to forget forever. The night I made him believe I didn’t want him. The one that changed him. When I lost his love and earned his hate.

“A crushed soul and broken heart are no good to me.”

“True.” He stretches like a cat lazing about and sits up, locking his hard glare onto me as he places his feet on the floor. “And I know you’ve been so torn up over it. But the good news is I’m back. All moved in right down the hall.”

He stands, and I instinctively scoot back as my head shakes in protest. “You’re lying. I talked to my mom this morning. She didn’t say anything about you living here.”

“Yeah…I asked Nina and Mark to let me surprise you.” His dark chuckle keeps me rooted while he moves closer, the heat of his body blanketing over my exposed skin as he invades my space. “Surprise.”

His proximity makes me acutely aware that the only thing covering me is a small floral towel, and I cross my arms over my chest. “Get out of my room.”

He snorts at my feeble attempt to sound stern. “No need to be modest on my account. I rather enjoyed your little striptease when you came in.” My veins heat with embarrassment, and Cole’s lips spread wide as he reaches out to brush his thumb over my reddening cheek. “Don’t be shy. It’s not like I haven’t seen it all before, Princess. In fact, there isn’t a single inch of this luscious body of yours I haven’t touched or tasted.”

My eyelids fall as his fingertips run down my neck, across my collarbone, and over my shoulder. It’s been so long since I’ve felt his touch, and I revel in it. Once upon a time, he was mine—my everything.

When I open my eyes again, the resentment and malice in Cole’s gaze is gone. They’ve been replaced with a swirl of lust and sadness, his brow stiff with contemplation. The air in my lungs stills as he leans in like he’s about to kiss me, but his lips bypass mine and land on my temple instead.

“Playing with you is going to be so much fun,” he whispers in my ear.

There’s a wickedly sexy grin on his face as he backs away, his eyes hungrily roaming over me. Then he turns on his heel and strolls out of my room, his laughter echoing through the hallway.

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