Showing posts with label Excerpt Reveal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Excerpt Reveal. Show all posts

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Couple Goals: Steamy, Fun and Entertaining Romance - Revved To The Maxx by Melanie Moreland

REVVED TO THE MAXX by Melanie Moreland is now LIVE!

Read for FREE with your Kindle Unlimited subscription!

 

NOW LIVE ➤ http://mybook.to/RevvedToTheMaxx

Add to your TBR ➤ https://bit.ly/RevvedToTheMaxx

Audio coming 9.29.2020 ➤ Preorder Tantor

🏍 ABOUT 🏍

Maxx Reynolds needs help.

His shop, house, and life are all in a state of disarray. In desperation, he turns to the internet to hire a new employee, thinking it will make his life easier.

What he expects is a fellow named Charly.

What he gets is a quirky, sassy, red-head name Charlynn who runs circles around him.

And she's all woman.

He can't stand her.

He can't keep his hands off her either.

Brand new romantic comedy from NYT Bestselling author Melanie Moreland. This small-town is about to see fireworks when feisty Charly starts to organize more than Maxx’s life.

 Excerpt

“You’re a pain in the ass, anyone ever tell you that?”


“You’re a controlling jerk who refuses to admit he needs help.”


We were so close, I could feel her warm breath on my face. See the flecks of gray in the green of her eyes. I glared at her.

“You’re trying my patience, Red.”

“You’re pissing me off,” she retorted, jabbing at my chest with her pointy finger.

I grabbed her hand, and we both stared at it. Felt the heat bubbling in the air around us. Our gazes locked, and suddenly, my mouth was on hers. Demanding. Hard. Determined.
She yanked back, her breathing hard. “You’re an asshole.”

“I know.”

Then she flung her arms around my neck and kissed me back. She pulled me hard, yanking on my hair. I wrapped my arm around her, settling my hand on that spectacular ass, and dragging her close. Our tongues battled for dominance, neither of us giving an inch.

It was only the sound of a car door slamming out front that had us pulling apart. We faced each other, her lips swollen from our passion, her rapid breathing matching mine. My cock was hard and erect, pulsating with need.

She swallowed. “I’ll order that wipe-off board.”

I nodded. “Yeah, you do that.”

She turned and fled.  

 

Want to read more excerpts?

“You like older men, Red?”

Another small victory

Growly, snappy, terse - that was him  


About Melanie Moreland
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them. While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip. Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

Follow Melanie on Social Media

Facebook Author Page ★ Twitter  ★ Amazon ★ Instagram

Goodreads  ★  Book + Main

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Signed Paperback of Revved To The Maxx, $25 Amazon Gift Card, and Special Swag Pack! (Swag Pack - Fuzzy car dice, Pewter Indian Motorcycle pin, Reynolds Restoration swag plus Moreland Books branded swag)
Link to the Giveaway a Rafflecopter giveaway

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Thursday, April 30, 2020

This is why I LOVE second chance romance: Review of The Summer of Us






The Summer of Us is NOW LIVE and available on Kindle Unlimited!

☀ABOUT THE SUMMER OF US☀

Can we let go of the past?

The Summer of Us is the new small-town, second- chance romance from NYT/USAT Bestselling Author Melanie Moreland.

She was the light in my dark life. The sunshine that warmed me and made me smile.
We had one summer. One perfect summer, until the day it ended.
Years later, she walked back into my life. Older. Sadder. More beautiful than ever.
How can I prove to her that summer was real?
How do I make her see that boy that loved her then, still loves her now?
How do we get back to the summer when we were us?

☀PURCHASE☀
FREE with Kindle Unlimited subscription
Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/TheSummerOfUs
☀REVIEW☀
To put it into words why Melanie is a 1-click author for me is in the diversity of tropes and themes in her catalog. She has something for everyone's tastes - romantic suspense, comedy, insta-love, single parent, etc. And now she adds second chance romance. 

For those who follow, next to insta-love, second-chance is my favorite theme. The chance for a do-over. Something that all of us have been in a position hoping for that kindness from the fates. 

In Part 1, the readers met Linc and Sunny. Wildly optimistic young love can conquer the roadblocks put in to place by Linc's father. Being in love doesn't conquer all in this case. We are then transported ten years when Linc begrudgingly comes home to close his father's estate. What he doesn't expect to find is the girl of his past, the one who touched his heart to be back in his hometown. 

Part 2 is their second chance. With life experiences and now walls rather than optimism guard their hearts, they embark on can they connect again. The readers are graced with decisions that the character grapples with in order to accept and love who they are as adults today. 

I love this story. It's one of my favorites of hers. Not only my favorite theme, but the emotion leaps off the page and has you rooting for this HEA. The story doesn't drag or burden with unnecessary angst. Just a connection that is frayed but not broken made whole again. I love that Ms Moreland doesn't have the characters fall back to instant relationship, but ask the hard questions of one another. Also - another perfect epilogue. 
☀EXCERPT☀


I pulled into the garage, wondering if Sunny was still asleep in my bed. Part of me hoped she was.

She worked too hard, and I wanted to spoil her today.

But entering the house, I had my answer. All I could smell was biscuits. I found Sunny, not in my bed, but in the kitchen, wearing one of my dress shirts, the tails hanging down to her knees, and a pair of my heavy socks. Her hair was pulled into a ponytail, her face free from makeup, and she looked adorable.

She looked up as I came around the corner, her welcoming smile bright. I headed straight for her, catching her in my arms and lifting her off the ground. I crashed my mouth to hers and kissed her long, hard, and passionately. She plunged her hand into the hair at the nape of my neck, kissing me back with equal fervor. I eased back, dropping my face to her neck with a groan.

“You have no idea what seeing you in my kitchen is doing to me right now.”

She wrapped her legs around my waist, laughing low in her throat. “I think I can, um, feel your reaction.” She rubbed against me. “I think you’re happy to see me. Or your cell phone is in your pocket,” she deadpanned.

“Baby, my cell phone doesn’t take up that sort of real estate.”

She giggled, the sound lilting and strange in my house. I liked it. I was about to kiss her again when the timer on the oven went off and she pushed away.

“Cockblocked by biscuits,” I muttered and set her on her feet.



☀BIO☀

New York Times/Wall Street Journal/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of thirty-one-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.

While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.

Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story.

Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at  flavia@bookcaseagency.com


☀FOLLOW MELANIE☀

Facebook Author Page http://bit.ly/MMAuthorFacebook
Melanie’s Minions (FB reader group) http://bit.ly/MMReaderGroupFB
Billionaire Book Boyfriend Club: http://bit.ly/BBBCGoodreads




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Friday, October 4, 2019

Are you ready for an excerpt? The Amendment by Melanie Moreland


THE AMENDMENT (The Contract Series #3) by Melanie Moreland Release Date: October 7, 2019 Cover Design by: Melissa Ringuette of Monark Designs Services

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GRTheAmendment


                     

Blurb: Richard VanRyan has it all. A loving wife, a beautiful family, great friends, and a career he excels at. He is riding high on the crest of life.
What happens when the ride stops?
When the unthinkable becomes reality and life may never again be the same? The Contract has changed. Can Richard and Katy overcome The Amendment?

Series Synopsis: The Contract Series Follow Richard VanRyan and Katy as they hate, love, and grow in this gripping, deeply emotional series.
Book #1 What do you do when the one person you loath becomes the one person you can’t live without?
Book #2 Richard VanRyan just added another description to his resume. Daddy. How will he handle it?
Book #3 When the life you know becomes the life you had, how do you cope? How will Richard and Katy overcome The Amendment?

                           

Excerpt: 
I pulled back the blankets on her side and slid her in. I left her sleeping, grabbed a long, hot shower, and got ready for bed, slipping in beside her. In a second, she was nestled against me, her head on my chest and her leg tossed over mine—my own personal starfish. There was no doubt Gracie had inherited that from her.
I wouldn’t trade it for anything.
She shifted, lifting her leg, her knee rubbing over my groin, making my cock stir. Maybe she wasn’t as sleepy as I had thought.
“Katy,” I warned. “Don’t be starting something you’re too tired to finish.”
She burrowed closer, running her hand down my chest, her voice low and raspy from sleep. “I missed you so much.”
I lifted my head, peering down at her. Her eyes were drowsy and narrow but still filled with adoration. She had a way of looking at me that made me feel ten feet tall. As if I could do anything. Be anything for her.
I tugged her up my chest, my lips close to hers. “I missed you too, baby. I always miss you.”
Her hand slid under the waistband of my sleep pants. Nude sleeping had stopped once Gracie began to walk. She was adventurous and had no trouble climbing into our bed in the middle of the night.
Katy’s hand closed around my hardening cock. “I missed this, too.”
“We’re both happy to be home.”
She sat up, throwing her leg over my hips and gripping my waistband. “Up,” she commanded.
I arched, and she dragged my pants down, lowering herself until we were skin-to-skin.
“Jesus, Katy, you had underwear on a few minutes ago.”
She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “My undies exploded.”
“Exploded?”
Her voice was raspy and sexy. “They heard Richard VanRyan was back. Boom! They were gone.”
“Is that a fact?”
She stretched over my torso, the heat of her sliding along my cock. “Yeah.”
“I hope you weren’t hurt during the blast.”
“A little scorched. I’m sure you can put out the fire.” She kissed me, her lips devouring mine, hungry and urgent. I gripped her hip and wound my other hand into her hair, kissing her back. The taste of my wife, the feel of her skin on mine, was like nothing else. I loved these moments with her—when it was simply us. Together.
I eased back, gazing up at her. Her quiet beauty overwhelmed me at times. I stroked her soft skin, spreading my hands over her stomach.
She bit her lip, for the first time not meeting my eyes as I ran small circles over the gentle curves of her. She stilled my actions, her fingers restless on top of mine.
“Hey,” I called quietly. “Katy, baby, come back to me.”
She lifted her eyes, and I shook my head, knowing exactly what she was thinking. I traced the light lines that bothered her so much along her hips and stomach. It wasn’t very often she was insecure with me anymore, and this was something I needed to address, once and for all.
“These don’t bother me, Katy, and they shouldn’t bother you. They don’t make you less beautiful—only more so to me. They’re part of you. Part of us. You have them because for nine months you cradled, nurtured, and carried our children—my children—inside you. These little lines are proof of the strength you have. Tiny reminders of the wonder that your body is to me.” I raised myself up and kissed her, pouring all the love I felt into the kiss. “Of the wonder you are to me.”
“How do you always know the right thing to say?”
“It’s not the right thing, Katy. It’s the truth.”
“I love you,” she whispered.
“Good.” I winked at her. “Because I’m about to fuck you, and I need you to be with me on that.”
She grinned, her dark moment passing. She pushed me back to the mattress. “Oh, I’m with you, VanRyan.”
   
About the Author: 
New York Times/USA Today bestselling author Melanie Moreland, lives a happy and content life in a quiet area of Ontario with her beloved husband of twenty-seven-plus years and their rescue cat, Amber. Nothing means more to her than her friends and family, and she cherishes every moment spent with them.
While seriously addicted to coffee, and highly challenged with all things computer-related and technical, she relishes baking, cooking, and trying new recipes for people to sample. She loves to throw dinner parties, and also enjoys traveling, here and abroad, but finds coming home is always the best part of any trip.
Melanie loves stories, especially paired with a good wine, and enjoys skydiving (free falling over a fleck of dust) extreme snowboarding (falling down stairs) and piloting her own helicopter (tripping over her own feet.) She's learned happily ever afters, even bumpy ones, are all in how you tell the story. Melanie is represented by Flavia Viotti at Bookcase Literary Agency. For any questions regarding subsidiary or translation rights please contact her at  flavia@bookcaseagency.com

Connect w/Melanie: 
Melanie’s Minions (FB reader group) http://bit.ly/MMReaderGroupFB 
United By Romance Goodreads Group: http://bit.ly/UBRGoodreads
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Monday, October 29, 2018

When Love is Everything: Release Blitz & Review of For Today by B. Cranford


First comes love. Then comes marriage.
And after that? It doesn't matter.
As long as they're together.


Title: For Today
Series: The Avenue #3
Author: B. Cranford
Release Date: October 29, 2018


Seventeen Years Ago. The first time Aaron Andrews saw Simon Foster smile, he knew he was in trouble. He’d never seen anything—or anyone—like the man who’d stolen his favorite seat in his favorite coffee shop.

Six Weeks Ago. The late-night phone call that changed their lives forever was short. Four little words was all it took to set them on a different path—one that included new toys (not that kind), a dose of homophobia (been there), and an appreciation for spandex (though they always appreciated it . . .)

Today. That’s what Aaron and Simon are focused on as they try to plan the best birthday in the history of ever, all for the little boy who has quickly become their world. Even if that means dealing with too-tight costumes, a cape that won’t behave, a meddlesome family . . .

. . . and a past that won’t stay there.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/40389591-for-today


FREE with Kindle Unlimited


 




It’s no secret that B. Cranford is one of my go-to when I one-click romance. She writes relatable characters in situations that any reader can understand. If you are looking for small-town romance – the type where you know the lead characters can be your BFF – look no further. Pick up one of her books and enjoy a satisfying reading experience. But this review is not about the author, but about her latest release, For Today. 

The Avenue series has graced us with siblings Ashton, Aussie and Aaron. Ashton and Aussie found their HEA’s with Dunk and Odie in About Time and Because Forever.  Wait you say – Aaron had already had his HEA in Simon. Yes, he did, but don’t you deserve to know how they got there and keep the sparks alive?

For Today, picks up right on the heels of Because Forever. However, do not feel like you need to have read books 1&2 to jump into Aaron and Simon’s story. Ms. Cranford gives us background to the previous storylines to make this edition standalone. However, as a good book friend found out, you jump ahead and you’ll be going back for the others because the series is just that good. This story is more than a love story – it’s about love in all forms. Especially the one you call Family. 

Family is not always the one you are born into. Simon and Aaron prove this over and over again as they have Finn to be the final piece they never knew was missing. You’ll not want to miss the funny banter in the sibling’s texts and maybe one of the most unexpected children’s birthday party. With the support of spectacular secondary characters, you get to be the observer in Simon and Aaron falling deeper in love. 

That is the perfection of a romantic story to leave you with wanting more from the characters. B. Cranford’s voice in storytelling offers the Hallmark moments with heat and heart. Never over-the-top or excessive angst, it’s a perfect balance of all the ‘feels’. She tells fans she took a chance on writing in the same-sex genre for an established couple. Yet, their story feels brand new and wanting more from The Avenue characters.

This is by far my favorite of B. Cranford’s stories. It’s not a just a must read recommendation, but must buy as you will want to read it over and over again. 

5+ out of 5 stars





“Are you okay?” Simon asked, reaching over the table and resting a hand on Aaron’s. The contact was literally electric, a shock jolting the visual clear, and Aaron nodded fervently.

“Yeah, sorry, I, ahh . . .” Shit. He trailed off unsure what to say.

“Was it because I said I was glad you were nervous? I only said that because I am too, and didn’t want to be all nervy alone.”

“No, no, I got that. No problem.” He shrugged, feeling like his arms were no longer under his control. “I was thinking about your smile,” he offered his date, wanting to give the man the truth but maybe not the whole truth.

Which was surprising, considering that he was usually all about the overshare.

“In a good way, right? Not in a creepy way?” Simon asked with mock fear on his face, and joined Aaron when he began laughing.

“What, like the Joker?” Aaron asked, thinking of the gruesome, stretched smile of Batman’s foe. “Why so serious, Simon?”

“Well, this night took a turn.”

“Yeah, that’s probably something you should know about me,” Aaron admitted, grimacing a little.

“What do you mean?”

“You might have noticed that, ahh, I have a tendency to, umm, you know, sort of, redirect conversations.”

“To killer clown smiles?”

“Honestly, it’s usually to sex. Or sex-adjacent.”

“Sex-adjacent?” Simon tilted his head with the question, clearly trying to figure out what he was talking about.

“Yeah, like sex jokes. Sex positions. Sex stories.” He tapped the front of his forehead. “I have a dirty mind.”

“I hope you’re not afraid to use it,” Simon countered, making it clear that the idea of Aaron’s dirty mind was not a problem in the slightest.

“I’m usually not. With you, though . . .” He trailed off again, taking a deep breath and committing to what his mind was trying to get his mouth to admit. “With you, I find myself wanting to say different things, in the hopes I won’t scare you off.”

“It takes more than a dirty mind to scare me off someone I like.”

“Such as?”

“Any kind of lair is probably questionable. I mean, no one ever has a good lair; it’s always an evil one. People who hate puppies and like bell peppers are also on the no list.”

“Wait, that’s kind of specific. Hate puppies and like bell peppers? Like, if I hate both, or like both, I’m okay?”

“Huh?”

“What if I love puppies, but also like bell peppers? Does that make me a no? I could learn to hate bell peppers for you.” Aaron opened his eyes with what he hoped was earnestness. Feigned earnestness, though, because he really didn’t like bell peppers.

“Well, if you’re willing to train yourself away from the vegetable that shall not be named—”

“The Voldemort of the vegetable drawer?” Aaron interrupted.

“Yes, exactly. So, if you’re going to commit to hating them, we might be okay.”

Aaron wiped pretend sweat away from his forehead and laughed. “Crisis averted.”



Also Available in The Avenue series



"Such an amazing, beautiful story that captivated us from the very first page. B. Cranford delivered wit, pull-at-your-heart-strings emotions, hot and steamy moments and all the swoony feels. We absolutely adored Ashton and Duncan's story!"—New York Times Selling Author, Max Monroe



"I cannot recommend this book enough! Beth does friends-to-lovers in a story filled with so much humor, warmth, reality, and gorgeous true-to-life relationships. Two best friends, a passionate love, an electric, snarky chemistry, and a family that loves and supports each other. Just.....FEELINGS."—Kathryn Nolan, Author of Strictly Professional



B. Cranford is a proud Australian living in the USA, a lover of books, breadsticks and bed, and the mother of two children who are far too similar to their father for her liking. A lifelong reader, she dove into the romance genre on the recommendation of her best friend and hasn’t looked back since. Her debut novel, The Brightest Star, a second chance romance with (she hopes) heart and humor was released on July 13, 2017, which just so happened to be her birthday. Because if you release a book on your birthday, you get twice as much cake, and that can only be a good thing.


* Please note that B. Cranford is the owner/operator of Panda & Boodle *


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Saturday, July 14, 2018

Because It's Time for their Forever: Blog Tour Because Forever by B. Cranford


“If you’re looking for forever, why aren’t you looking at me?”


Title: Because Forever
Series: The Avenue #2
Author: B. Cranford
Release Date: July 13, 2018


Everyone should have a chance at forever . . .

Twenty-Five Years. That’s how long Odette Peterson called Austin Andrews her best friend. Until he let his mouth ruin it—in more ways than one.

Five Minutes. That’s all it took for their friendship to fall apart, leaving her heart a little broken and her life a little emptier.

One Hour. That’s the amount of time she agrees to give him to try and find his way back into her good graces. Not that she thinks for even one minute that it might work.

It won’t, because . . .

Forever. That’s what Odette’s looking for. Someone to spend her life with; someone who’ll see her as more than just one of the guys. And there’s not a thing Austin can do to stop her.

Except maybe tell her that he loves her . . .

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39338642-because-forever


— Free with Kindle Unlimited —
Amazon US | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AU | Amazon Universal

SOLD!! With each book B. Cranford releases, I say "This is my favorite." Taking this journey to watch her storytelling develop, you can't help but be charmed by this friends-to-lovers story.  The writing flows effortlessly as you get to know the two friends and how they learn to navigate this new Facebook status update. 

Aussie and Odie dance the 'BFF' friend zone forever. Each one pining for the other - without the other having a clue. So what happens when a misunderstanding, leads to an apology and a kiss? True confession time. But how to go for an 'us' to an 'Us'? This is their journey that Ms Cranford takes us on.  It's not without a few missteps by the characters, but true to the writer's style, you get the conflict without being over the top. It's likes watching your best friends finally see they are the ones they've been looking for. 

As always, she gives us real characters in real life situations that you root for the HEA they deserve. She introduces us to previous characters to the story without feeling lost. However, she intertwines them enough to want to more of that story.  If you've not picked up this author, now is the time. It's everything a romance reader loves: heart and soul of falling 'more' in love. 5 out of 5 because everyone deserves their forever stars.




Chapter One

Odette Peterson was three sheets to the wind.

Sitting cross-legged on the floor in front of her coffee table, with cherry red boxing gloves on her hands and a glass of wine precariously cupped between them, she was blinking madly and wishing for . . .

Austin.

No, she wasn’t going to say his name or think his name or spell his name or anything. Not anything. Because she was mad at him.

Fit to be tied.
Up in arms.
Seeing red.

Well, the red she was seeing was possibly the gloves, the wine or maybe her hair, reflected back at her in the window that looked out over a currently empty street.

Whatever, she was pissed at him. Still.

And just to make sure that anger stayed at the right temperature to stop her from caving and calling him—her best friend since she was seven years old and he was eight—she decided to listen to the voicemail he’d left the day after he’d ruined everything.

But first, she had to put the wine down, remove the boxing gloves and . . . something else. But what?

Pick up the phone, Odette. She nodded her drunken thanks to the voice in her head. And then, having negotiated all three steps with only one near-fumble of her glass and one slurred curse word, she cued up the message.

“Odie, come on. You’re being ridiculous and you need to talk to me. All I said was that you were better than him”—

She paused the message with a wobbly-but-righteous tap of her finger to the screen before giving Aussie a piece of her mind. “You stupid idiot, you didn’t say I was better than him. You said I was smarter than that and acting like a dumb girl.” She scoffed. Then added an eye roll for good measure. And if the eye roll was so pronounced she swayed in place, then fine. That just meant she was committed to her anger.

A second righteous tap and Aussie’s voice filled her ear again. “And you are. I didn’t mean to upset you, Garfield, so just call me back. You know you want to forgive me. And you know I’m right about Meatball McGee.”

“His name is Mike, not Meatball. And you’re not right. You’re, you’re, you’re–calling me?” She stared at the screen of her phone, a picture of Austin—eyes crossed, tongue poking out, sandy blond curls flopping all over the place—and decided she was going to answer.

For the first time in weeks, she was going to talk to him.





"...an emotionally charged book that makes you feel all sorts of happy!" — Angela, Shameless Book Club


B. Cranford is a proud Australian living in the USA, a lover of books, breadsticks and bed, and the mother of two children who are far too similar to their father for her liking. A lifelong reader, she dove into the romance genre on the recommendation of her best friend and hasn’t looked back since. Her debut novel, The Brightest Star, a second chance romance with (she hopes) heart and humor was released on July 13, 2017, which just so happened to be her birthday. Because if you release a book on your birthday, you get twice as much cake, and that can only be a good thing.



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Thursday, June 28, 2018

Release Day: Time to tap into your darker reading side - Auctioned by Cara Dee





Auctioned by Cara Dee

Title: Auctioned
Genre: Gay Romance
Pairing: Crime/Suspense

Amazon US: http://bit.ly/amus-auction
Amazon CAN: http://bit.ly/amca-auction
Amazon AUS: http://bit.ly/amau-auction
Amazon DE: https://amzn.to/2ttUZ8q
Amazon UK: http://bit.ly/amuk-auction
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/good-auction
Smashwords: http://bit.ly/smash-auction
Paperback: https://www.caradeewrites.com/

Synopsis:

Gray Nolan’s biggest problem in life was the torch he carried for his closeted coach. He was just another happy-go-lucky dude, a college student and hockey player, when his ordinary existence was interrupted, and he became a human trafficking statistic.
He and seven other young men were taken aboard a luxurious yacht where they were to be auctioned off to the highest bidder. Gray was beaten, shattered, and almost defeated by the time his buyer stepped out of the shadows in a swirl of his own cigarette smoke.
He was Gray’s new owner.
Darius Quinn had vowed never again to find himself in a situation like this. His days as a private military contractor were over. No more missions, no more risks, no more personal attachments. Yet, here he was, after weeks of searching, face-to-face with his broken prize.
It was time to get the knucklehead back to his family.
Quick and easy was Darius’s plan.
Then everything went sideways. 


My Review:
This story is definitely not for the faint of heart. There are definite subject matters that may not appeal to certain readers. Although a well-written, intriguing story, who would I recommend it to? Where does this 'fit' in my ideal escapism of romance reading? 

This is Grey's story who you met from Power Play (which I loved). This is not romance or connective relationship story. Be prepared for something different and tragic. Whereas at the end of every Cara Dee story, no matter what the characters endure, you have hope. Do I have hope for Grey? He is going to have a very long, and troubled journey not one I can ever see him recovering fully from. Darius story is what I hope is next. I left the story unsure how I feel about him. 

Although book 1 of 4 is not same-sex romance us fans expect, it is a harsh look at the realities of human trafficking and impacts of emotionality to the victims. Cara Dee submerses the reader in Grey's high tension story and leaves you wondering how much more can one person endure. I ended the experience feeling wrung out but curious to where next she'll take us in the storytelling.


Excerpt:

They were saving Gray for last.
With each guy they hauled out of the room, he grew more despondent and withdrawn. He’d managed to get on his feet again, but he could barely move without an explosion of hurt unfurling inside him. So he stood silent, face impassive and smeared with blood, eyes unseeing, as another guy was up.
The worst part was when they screamed wherever they were. Gray guessed a deck or two above him.
Were they getting raped yet?
He knew it was coming.
He stiffened as the door opened once more, and this time, it was Cole’s turn. His features were set; he’d braced himself for whatever was to come. Or so Gray hoped. He couldn’t imagine any of them had a clue what they were in for.
Least of all Gray. Were they gonna kill him? He’d watched enough movies to know what “make an example of someone” usually meant.
Milo was next, and he looked pleadingly at Gray. “Please do something,” he whimpered. “I’ve never—I can’t—please, Gray. P-please!”
Gray clenched his jaw and said nothing, because what the fuck could he do? The door was shut, leaving him alone. He listened. He couldn’t not listen. Compelled and beating himself up, he strained his ears to hear every torturous plea.
It was quiet for some time, and then…then the screaming began. It mingled with muffled sobs and sharp, choking sounds. And low rumbles of laughter. There was even applause. Gray’s stomach revolted and tightened. Nausea crept higher and higher. Milo was being abused, and low-life perverts found that funny.
The world became a dark place for Gray. Hope had dwindled enough that he couldn’t see it anymore. He lost faith in humanity and sent a glance skyward as his eyes welled up. Mom, I love you. Gage, Gideon, Gabriel, Aiden, Isla, the little niece or nephew I never got to meet…I love you, and I’m sorry.
When the door was opened a final time, Gray was resigned. Benny stood there with sinister glee in his eyes, and of course, the brute wanted his fun, too. Gray accepted two fists to his face before he fell back against the wall, pain spreading like wildfire. Memories from better times that had been rolling past slowly gained speed as if he somehow knew time was running out.
Two men had to support Gray’s weight on the way out of the cabin. His head hung, flickers of memories battling against fatigue and hurt. He couldn’t see where they were going, and when they encountered a set of stairs, he stumbled and lurched. He focused on the faces of his family. Mostly, Mom and his three brothers. The recent additions were his stepdad—Aiden—his daughter Isla, and Isla’s fiancé, Jack. Gray loved the expansion of their family. The day he’d learned Isla was pregnant, he’d been so fucking thrilled. Now he’d never get to spoil his niece or nephew. 
Something warm trickled down his face. He didn’t know if it was blood or tears. Maybe a combination of both.
Gray was shoved into a large room, and the first glance with blurry vision made it look empty. Then he blinked and noticed there were booths along the far wall. The lighting was poor and focused on the middle, shadows cast everywhere. And he didn’t care anymore. He gave up registering things.
“Your toy, sir,” Benny said gruffly.
Vanya approached from the sidelines with a playful little smile, and the meatheads dropped Gray in the middle of the floor. He swallowed hard, his bleary gaze getting stuck on spots of red on the gray carpet. Once he saw a couple splatters, he noticed more. They were all over the center of the floor. Blood, then blotches of darker gray—maybe tears, sweat. Semen. The room reeked of it. A long silk robe came into view, the red fabric dancing around Vanya’s feet. He squatted next to Gray and patted his head.
“There, there.” Vanya’s voice was still angelic and impossibly sweet. “Maybe we’ll get to play more in another life. Mother said you’re a bit of a moron.”
Jesus, he was deranged.
Red sauntered closer, her thin metal cane ready to be used if needed. She didn’t treat Gray as gently. Fisting his hair, she yanked him up on his knees, to which he hissed through clenched teeth.
They faced the darkened booths.
“Dear guests,” Red purred, “I value my customers more than anything, and I would never lie to you.” She slid the cane under Gray’s chin, lifting it slightly. “This young man is more trouble than he’s worth. Should you make a bid, you need to know you’ll be getting a mouthy, rebellious hellion.” With a sharp rap of the cane against his stomach, she ordered Gray to stand up.
He did so on wobbly legs. He’d reached his limit for torture for the moment and didn’t want another bruise to his name.
“If there are no buyers on this animal,” Red continued, “I’ll offer him up as a treat for anyone and everyone—provided that you don’t take him to your staterooms. He’ll be available here in the central den throughout our journey.” She paused. “Now. Let’s see if there are any takers first. Starting at two hundred thousand, this wild boy could be yours. He’s got gorgeous skin that scars nicely, doesn’t he?” She shifted the cane along Gray’s torso, and he swallowed against the vomit that rose. “As you can see on the menu, he is twenty-one years old and built for hot, sadistic grapples. He’s six feet tall, weighs in at one hundred and eighty-nine pounds, and has the temper of an Irishman. If you keep him chained, he could bring you immense pleasure for years.”
Gray steadied his breathing. Aside from a few barely there sounds of rustling and a throat clearing here and there, he wouldn’t know there were people sitting in the booths.
“Lovely abs…” The whisper came from Vanya. Gray had almost forgotten him. Then the psycho kid from hell was tracing the muscles on his lower stomach. “My last toy called them come gutters.” He giggled in delight.
Gray shuddered.
Someone coughed. “Two hundred.” That someone was British and had a meek voice.
“Ah, we have a bidder.” Red sounded both surprised and pleased. “Two hundred—”
“Two-fifty.”
Gray swung his tired gaze to the corner, the first booth there, and tried to see who it was. That man’s voice was like low thunder doused in whiskey.
“Two hundred and seventy-five,” the Brit said impatiently.
“Three hundred.”
“Well, well,” Red purred. “Three hundred for the handsome Mr. B.”
The British man got irritated. “Three hundred and twenty.”
“Three-fifty.”
Silence.
Red ordered Gray to kneel again, and he merely dropped.
There was an insufferable huff coming from the booth where Gray believed the British man sat, but nothing else.
Gray didn’t know what to think. This was his life. His freedom. Yet, two men were bidding on it. It was incomprehensible.
“Going once,” Red said in a teasing tone. After a pause, it was made clear. “Mr. B, the heathen is yours. We hope to enjoy your show.”
Oh fuck. Gray connected the dots. The auction was through, and once his life was no longer his own… It’d happened to the other guys. Eventually, he’d heard most of them scream in terror and agony.
A large man stepped out of the shadows in a swirl of his own cigarette smoke. Gray’s eyes flicked between his briefcase, bespoke suit, and cut jaw. The rest was hazy. He couldn’t focus. A headache was beginning to pull him under, and it was gonna be a big one. Mr. B didn’t speak. Under the low light, his brown hair took on a lighter shade.
A stool appeared, delivered by a goon who quickly backed off. The man who now supposedly owned Gray set his briefcase on the stool and flicked open the lid.
Red and Vanya backed away, too.
Gray had lost all his strength. He remained kneeling on the floor and averted his gaze. This was it.
Mr. B approached and stood before a defeated Gray. There was a grip on his jaw, and Gray was forced to look up. His double vision prevented him from registering anything other than a set of hazel eyes brimming with severity and determination. He swallowed weakly as the man dipped and leaned in close. There was a whisper in Gray’s ear.
“Forgive me.”
A heartbeat later, Gray took a hard blow to the temple that shot his head sideways and knocked him out.

About Cara:

I'm often stoically silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there's so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex. There's a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly. Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve. Additionally, I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.

Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.

I'm a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, and geeking. There's time for hockey and cupcakes, too. But mostly, I just love to write.

Website: https://www.caradeewrites.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caradeewrites/
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cara-dee
Twitter: https://twitter.com/CaraDeeWrites
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Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6936449.Cara_Dee
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