Book Tour Featuring *Proximity* by Jem Tugwell @JemTugwell @RRBookTours1 @SerpentineBooks #giveaway

Welcome to the blog tour for Proximity (iMe Book #1) by Jem Tugwell! Today, I have an exclusive excerpt for you to read, and a chance to win a signed copy of the book!

Proximity (iMe Series Book 1)

Genre: Techno Thriller/ Procedural 

Publisher: Serpentine Books 

You can’t get away with anything. Least of all murder. 

DI Clive Lussac has forgotten how to do his job. Ten years of embedded technology – ‘iMe’ – has led to complete control and the eradication of crime. Then the impossible happens. A body is found, and the killer is untraceable. With new partner Zoe Jordan, Clive must re-sharpen his detective skills and find the killer without technology, before time runs out for the next victim… Leading the trend in speculative crime thrillers, Jem Tugwell’s thrilling and thought-provoking debut sits alongside Black Mirror and The City and the City in a compelling exploration of our near future. Proximity draws on Jem’s 20 years of professional experience as a software developer in the city to give an unnerving insight into how our world might be transformed by the rapid advance in embedded technology and fitness trackers. What if the cash-strapped public healthcare system can be given a second life by using tech to regulate our health and behavior? What if we can eradicate gun, knife and other proximity crimes by tracking everyone’s activity? What if civil liberty is seen as an acceptable sacrifice for the greater good? What if the convenience of technology is used for control? 


“Proximity is inspired by the fascinating possibilities of technology, AI and the law of unintended consequences. From my own experience, technologists are often amazed or horrified about the other uses that people imagine for their products. Clive and Zoe’s world might be closer than we think, but is it heaven or hell? How do we decide the perfect balance of free will and greater good?” – Jem Tugwell 

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Excerpt

For the first time in ten years, the real me walked free. I savoured every beat of excitement that pulsed through me. All those failures, but now it was working. I let the corners of my mouth drag up an unfamiliar smile. They couldn’t see me, and what was left of the police force wouldn’t even know where to begin. The smell of cut grass hung in the air and blended with the occasional tantalising floral notes of her perfume. It drew me along; my mind full of the things I would do to her. She was heading home through the quiet streets of Datchet, crossing in all her usual places, but simply following her signal would have been too sterile. The hi-tech soles of her shoes gave a bounce to her stride and set her hair swishing. I wanted to reach out and stroke it. I craved the proximity.

Now Available

Amazon US | Amazon CA | Amazon AU

Barnes & Nobel | Kobo CA | Kobo US | Google Play

We'll be giving away a signed copy of Proximity each week of the tour! Click on the link below to enter! 

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About the Author

I am a crime fiction author with a Crime Writing MA from City University. Proximity is my thrilling debut novel, inspired by the fascinating possibilities of technology, AI and the law of unintended consequences. Available on 6 June 2019. In a past life, I had a successful career in investment management, and now live in Surrey with my wife. I have two great children and dog. Outside of my family and writing, my loves are snowboarding, old cars and bikes.

Jem Tugwell | Facebook | Twitter

Blog Tour Schedule

November 17^th

Reads & Reels (Spotlight) http://rrbooktours.com

My Bookish Bliss (Review) http://www.mybookishbliss.com

Rea’s Reads (Review) https://reasreads.wordpress.com/

November 18^th

Nesie’s Place (Spotlight) https://nesiesplace.wordpress.com

Jessica Belmont (Review) https://jessicabelmont.wordpress.com/

Quirky Cat’s Fat Stacks (Review) https://quirkycatsfatstacks.com/

November 19^th

I’m into Books (Spotlight) https://imintobooks.com

November 20^th

Reviews and Promos by Nyx (Spotlight) https://nyxblogs.wordpress.com/

The Faerie Review (Review) http://www.thefaeriereview.com

Didi Oviatt (Spotlight) https://didioviatt.wordpress.com

November 21^st

Tranquil Dreams (Review) https://klling.wordpress.com/

Eclectic Reviews (Review) https://eclecticreview.com/

November 22^nd

Tsarina Press (Spotlight) https://www.tsarinapress.com

Crystal’s Book World (Spotlight) https://crystalsbookworld.com/

November 23^rd

Breakeven Books (Spotlight) https://breakevenbooks.com

Shalini’s Books & Reviews (Spotlight) https://bookreviewsbyshalini.com/

November 24^th

Tehben Dot Com (Review) https://tehben.com/category/teh-bens-book-club/

November 25^th

Inked and Blonde (Review) https://inkedandblonde.blogspot.com/

November 26^th

Book Dragons Not Worms (Review) https://bookdragonsnotworms.blogspot.com/?m=1

November 27^th

B is for Book Review (Spotlight) https://bforbookreview.wordpress.com

November 28^th

Dash Fan Book Reviews (Spotlight) https://dashfan81.blogspot.com/

The Magic of Wor(l)ds (Spotlight) http://themagicofworlds.wordpress.com

November 29^th

Lunarian Press (Spotlight) https://www.lunarianpress.com/

November 30^th

Sab Reads Books (Spotlight) http://sabreadsbooks.blogspot.com/

A Garden of Books (Review) http://agardenofbooks.com

Blog Tour Organized By:
 
R&R Book Tours

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Blitz Tour Featuring *Back to You this Christmas* by S.L. Sterling @PowerofRomance @XpressoBookTours #giveaway

Back to You this Christmas
S.L. Sterling
Publication date: November 22nd 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Bah-humbug!
This Christmas, all I wanted was to wallow in self-pity until the woman I thought was the love of my life could explain why she left me at the altar. Instead, my buddy, Zach forced holiday merriment on me. I thought it was going to be a tinsel-laced nightmare… until his sister, Alexa, showed up. Turns out, she grew up into a gorgeous present I was insanely tempted to unwrap. Lucky for me, she shared my desire to meet under the metaphorical mistletoe… and let things heat up from there.
For the first time in months, Laura, my ex, wasn’t haunting my thoughts like the Ghost of Christmas Past. Which, of course, is exactly why she had to pick that moment to call and say she wanted to talk. I could only hope St. Nick had a playbook in his sleigh because things were about to get complicated.
From author S.L. Sterling comes a sizzling holiday romance hot enough to roast your chestnuts!

Goodreads / Kindle / Paperback

Author Bio:
S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs.
An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born.
When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors on her e-reader. Her favorite authors include Kendall Ryan, Vi Keeland, Penelope Ward, Lauren Blakely, Alessandra Torre and Willow Winters.
In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Group / Facebook Page / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

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Release Blitz Featuring *The Princess Problem* by Christi Barth @christi_barth @InkSlingerPR #giveaway

Today I have the release blitz for THE PRINCESS PROBLEM by Christi Barth! Check it out and grab your copy today!

Title: The Princess Problem

Author: Christi Barth

Genre: Contemporary Romance

About The Princess Problem:

What girl doesn’t want to wear a tiara? Me. The one who lives in yoga pants and knows she’s not special enough to be a princess. One minute I’m starting my dream life in NYC, and the next, a man too hot for his own good is banging on my door, telling me that I’m a long lost princess of a country on the other side of the Atlantic. Not exactly your typical Friday night in the Big Apple. Suddenly, all of my plans for the future are yanked away. I’m trapped in a life filled with social obligations—and stilettos!—and an uptight royal family I didn’t know existed. They, and the whole rest of the freaking country have lofty expectations I’m not sure I can meet. At least the aforementioned sexalicious man, Elias, is my constant shadow, protecting me with his life. The whole situation is overwhelming. So I’ve secretly put him in charge of my happiness, too...and he’s taking my orders very, very seriously. So seriously, I’m falling for him even harder than the new country I’m coming to...maybe...love. And that’s a major problem, because he’s crazy about me, too. I may not know all the zillion rules about being royal, but I know one for sure: No way can a princess date her bodyguard… Each book in the Unexpectedly Royal series is STANDALONE: * The Princess Problem * Ruling the Princess  

Order Your Copy Today!

Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iBooks

 

Exclusive Excerpt:

“Damn it, Kelsey, don’t do that. Don’t close down on me.” He grabbed her chin and tilted it up. She looked into blue eyes sparking with…anger? Frustration? “We were kidding ourselves, Elias, pretending for one night that nothing’s changed doesn’t make it so. Just like pretending we can be together doesn’t make it so.” His hands slipped down to cup her shoulders. As if he was worried she was about to run out the door. “Maybe I went about this all wrong. I’m sorry for trying to make you feel like you were Kelsey Wishner again, excited Manhattanite. I simply wanted to put a smile on your face.” “I smile every time I think of you. You’re outrageously handsome, you know. And when I talk, you make me feel like there’s nothing else you’d rather be doing, nowhere else you’d rather be. You make me feel like I matter. Plain old Kelsey Wishner.” “Extraordinary Kelsey Wishner,” he corrected softly. He looked over her shoulder and cursed. “Stay here.” Then he disappeared through an arched doorway into the…kitchen? She only glimpsed the curve of a small, round wooden table, set with wineglasses and a fat candle in the middle. But there were heady smells coming from the room, a sort of rich tomato sauce with spices she couldn’t identify. When Elias came back, his jacket and holster were gone. “I’ve turned it all off. Dinner’s on hold. Indefinitely.” Oh, no. She’d screwed everything up by freaking out about his gun. “You’re going to take me back to my suite now?” “What? Of course not. Kelsey, what your life has spun into is a new normal, for sure. But one with not a few perks that I promise are worth it.” Not getting dinner sure didn’t come off as a perk. “Such as?” “Sex with me.” His cocky grin and ‘you want a piece of this’ pose with one leg outstretched in front and both arms up was pure, absurd male ego on parade. Apparently, Elias knew it, too, because he only held the pose for a few seconds before laughing. “I’m taking a page from the American dating handbook. We’re skipping straight to the sex, because that’s the one thing I know will get your mind to stop spinning about all the changes in your life.” She could get on board with that. “Consider it my gift to your country.” Elias gripped her upper arms tightly, and his voice was so deep it rumbled. “You’re a gift to my country, alright. But the only thing that matters right now is what a gift you are to me. Let me show you.” Before Kelsey could pick up her dropped jaw and reply, Elias moved in. He shuffled her backward a few steps until she was pressed between him and the wall. Pressed tight enough to feel the steel wall of his pecs against her already hard nipples, massive thighs caging in her legs, and the gratifyingly hard and long bulge against her belly. Oh, and while they took those few steps, his mouth devoured hers. Heat and speed, yes, but mixed with a thoroughness that left her lips a little bruised and a lot electrified. There was no doubting the depth of his desire. There was no denying the depth of hers. Kelsey gave back as good as she got. Her fingers raked across the top of his skull, delighting in the soft brush of his super-short hair. Her tongue danced and tasted and licked. It wasn’t nearly enough. She wanted her bodyguard to stop guarding her body, and start using it.     Kelsey took a deep breath, reminded herself she excelled at graphic design. That her clients called her intuitive. That her boss called her easy to work with. That she’d been voted most likely to make friends in a dystopian society in her high school yearbook. Prince Christian should be the one nervous about meeting her. Except…He probably was. Because of that whole, sticky layer of he and his family actively searching for her. For more than two decades. He wanted his sister back. Kelsey didn’t want anything. Aside from not humiliating herself. “Let’s do this.” Elias led the way out of the plane and down the stairs. Kelsey kept her eyes glued to each step, refusing to give the universe any shot at mocking her by sending her tumbling in a heap at her brother’s feet. But when she hit the purple carpet runner on the ground, she looked up. ‘Private’ wasn’t exactly the best descriptor of how she’d meet her brother. There were three black SUVs, two police cars, four bodyguard-types, and one man by himself at the base of the stairs with his hands tucked behind his back, feet braced wide. Christian was…well, gorgeous. Tall and broad-shouldered in a bright blue suit. Thick, blonde hair topped off high cheekbones and a wide mouth. This man looked like a stand-in for at least four Disney princes. Most noticeably, the unusual shade of his violet eyes was an exact match for her own. Kelsey wasn’t sure what to feel about that, except to catalogue it as more proof that Elias had, indeed, not made the whole thing up.    

About the Author:

 

USA TODAY bestseller Christi Barth earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew her to wedding planning. Ultimately she succumbed to her lifelong love of books and now writes award-winning contemporary romance. Christi can always be found either whipping up gourmet meals (for fun, honest!) or with her nose in a book. She lives in Maryland with the best husband in the world.  

Connect with Christi:

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Newsletter

 

Enter Christi’s Giveaway:

 

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Blitz Tour Featuring *The Rule* by Maggie Cole @XpressoBookTours #giveaway

The Rule
Maggie Cole
Publication date: November 3rd 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

She’s got one rule: no dating clients. Too bad he doesn’t follow the rules.
When Liv White meets billionaire Tom Marko, she’s about to take over his companies—but he wants her over him…and under him. (And everything in between.) It doesn’t hurt that Tom’s handsome, a basketball star with a body to match, and just the right kind of fierce.
What’s a whip-smart businesswoman to do?
Tom gives Liv an ultimatum: the deal’s off unless they use his Colorado mountain home for their next meeting. Despite her rule, Liv agrees. The truth is, she doesn’t know if she can resist Tom’s presence—or the feel of his hands on her.
Just as the hunger between them becomes impossible to ignore, Tom’s past comes crashing back. The two are thrust into danger, and Tom and Liv must fight to keep their lives—and each other.
THE RULE is the first installment of the All In series. At 95,000 words, this sizzling novel features a love-at-first sight romance and a guaranteed HEA.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Olivia White was fifteen minutes early. It was a trait that got my attention and one that gave me fifteen extra minutes of blue balls.
She walked in and glanced around the conference room before she gazed up toward where I stood. Her blue eyes pierced directly at me, and I took a step back. I didn’t want her to know I was there and forgot for a moment that she couldn’t see me through the blackout glass.
“I need a few minutes to get set up. Will that be all right?” she asked one of my assistants.
Her sweet voice alone made the hairs on my neck stand up.
“Sure. The adapter is right in the table. Do you need anything else?”
She smiled kindly at him. “I think I’m good. Thanks, Paul.”
Paul left the room, and she turned back toward me.
Olivia licked, then slowly bit her perfectly pink, lower lip, and surveyed the room.
My dick pulsed as I wondered what it would be like to feel those plump lips on my own? What would her tongue taste like? Her mouth was a mouth meant to kiss for hours. No doubt, after you got done kissing her, you still wouldn’t want to stop.
I took another step, so I was as close to the glass as possible.
She walked to the front of the room and glanced up toward the blackout glass again. Did she sense I was here?
Her perfect, pert breasts rose and fell as she took a deep breath, walked back to the table, grabbed her bag, and pulled out her laptop. She plugged it into the adapter, so her presentation would pop up on the big screen.
Instead of sitting down, she leaned over and typed quickly on the keyboard. Her body hovered over the table, as her dress inched up the back of her thighs.
My mouth went dry. Her thighs were flawless. They looked silky smooth and volts shot up my spine. I could almost feel them squeezing my neck.
When her presentation popped up on the screen, she stood up straight and began to flatten her dress against her body. A flawless french manicure graced what resembled soft hands, and they glided over her stomach. She ran them over the curve of her waist. Then, almost as if just to tease me, she pushed them behind her and ran them over her butt and thighs.
My cock stood at full attention and visions of what she would look like naked flooded my mind. What would her hands feel like on my skin? Would she grip my hair in desperation to fly?
I eyed all of her. Her body was perfect. It would flawlessly fit against mine.
She sat and swiveled toward me, then crossed her legs. Her forearm pressed on the table, as she leaned comfortably back into the chair, and drummed her fingers on the table. Not nervously—more out of boredom.
I gazed down at her, as my pulse increased. My eyes went to her legs, bare between her short heels and the fitted dress that clung to her curves, and I felt my body become stiffer. As she continued to tap on the table, I thought about how those fingers would feel digging into my back.
She reached up and tucked a rogue strand back into her bun. I wanted to release that messy bun, run my fingers through the cascade of her hair, and tug it so I could feast on her long, luscious neck that was made for lips to brush against. What would she sound and feel like vibrating against my mouth?
My staff walked into the room and snapped me out of my thoughts. She stood up, turned her long and lean frame toward them, shook their hands, and exchanged hellos before she quickly took charge.
I stood mesmerized, as close to the glass as possible and listened to her present while hanging on her every word.
Olivia White didn’t just ooze sexy. No, she screamed intelligence and confidence as she presented out-of-the-box yet practical ideas and asked questions along the way. It dawned on me that she was bold but not cocky. There was no doubt that she knew her craft well, but I sensed that she had no idea how beautiful, smart, or sexy she really was.
That turned me on further.
I had seen her online, read about her in the papers, and watched her clean up her clients’ messes in press conferences. Her self-assurance told me that she was always in control. I wondered how it would feel to have her under me, shaking and losing all inhibition, whimpering and calling my name from those succulent lips, and begging me to send her to a new high.
My blood had raced through my veins from far away. Being this close to her, unleashed an entirely new level of desire.
And I cursed myself. I needed to stop these thoughts. My company required Olivia White’s expertise, and there was no way I would risk putting her in danger. She deserved more than someone with my screwed-up past. I couldn’t and wouldn’t allow myself to indulge in pursuing her.
No, I needed to stay away. Anything with her wouldn’t be superficial, and there was no way I could give myself the gratification. She was exceptional, a rare treasure, and I refused to expose her to my shameful past.

Author Bio:
Maggie Cole is the pen name of a multi-faceted woman. She's an entrepreneur at heart and loves writing contemporary steamy romance novels. Her books will make you feel lots of different emotions. Sometimes you'll laugh, sometimes you'll cry, sometimes you'll have little flutters racing through your veins...and that's Maggie's biggest wish for you when you read her novels.
She's a wife, mother, and lives in the sunshine, where she can often be found staring off into space while creating new scenes in her mind.

Website / Goodreads

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Blitz Tour Featuring *Unravel You* by Diana A. Hicks @diana_hicks @XpressoBookTours #giveaway

Unravel You 
Diana A. Hicks 
(Cole Brothers, #1) 
Publication date: November 18th 2019 
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

UNRAVEL YOU is the enthralling sequel to LOVE OVER LATTES and can be read as a standalone. It is also book one in the Cole Brothers series, a new family saga, binge reading experience: 5 brothers, 5 full-length novels in 5 months. College graduate Valentina never expected to fall for the hot as hell and intimidating Derek Cole when she accepted his offer to rent his property. From cottage to mansion, Valentina is certain she doesn’t deserve the fairytale unfolding. But Derek gets what he wants… and he wants her. He’s “the one” for her, but before she says I do, she has to survive a month long trip to his family’s estate in Atlanta. Gaining approval from four brothers and an over-protective mother might just be her hardest test yet. For billionaire Derek Cole, this homecoming is a chance to mend the damage he caused when he walked away from the family business. Just when they think they have a handle on their happily ever after… their past and future collide. Note: This is a steamy romance with explicit sensual scenes, happily ever after, no cheating, and no cliffhanger. Can be read as a standalone. Praise for LOVE OVER LATTES: “Hicks’ first installment of her Desert Monsoon series is confident and assured with strong storytelling, nuanced characters, and a dynamic blend of romance and suspense…A sexy and irresistible tale for fans of contemporary romance.” – Kirkus Reviews Don’t miss out on this suspenseful and seductive series. Unravel You, Book 1 (Derek and Valentina) – 11/18/2019 Provoke You, Book 2 (Matt and Ela) – 12/16/2019 Escape You, Book 3 (Tyler and Mia) – 1/13/2020 Unleash You, Book 4 (Wesley and Anabelle) – 2/10/2020 Defy You, Book 5 (Zack and Rebecca) – 3/9/2020

Goodreads / Amazon

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Only 99¢ for a limited time!

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EXCERPT:

“You had a plan when you walked into my office five minutes ago. What was it?” He gripped the edge of the armrest with both hands, crossing his legs at his ankles. The tiny flame in my chest grew bigger and spread down to my core. “I had no plan.” I admitted because the extent of my thoughts when he texted was to come in here and have sex. All I could think of was touching him and feeling his weight on me again. But now I was a little pissed. He could’ve been more explicit. Like, hey, I’m just here to work, bring me the report. No sex. Get your mind out of the gutter. He could also wipe that knowing smile off his face. “What makes you think I had a plan?” I crossed my arms over my chest to cover my hardened nipples. He rubbed the side of his face. “The thigh-high stockings. You know how they drive me wild. Even if I can’t see them, I know that’s the only kind you own.” If that was true, why was he still five feet away from me? Why had he not ripped my clothes off already and had his way with me on the couch? “I have a meeting to go to.” I bolted to the door. Before I could open it, his large hand pressed against it, effectively blocking me from leaving. “I don’t think so.” His voice was deep and so full of meaning. He walked me back to the living area until my butt hit the back of the sofa. “You had a plan. Show me.” He gripped my waist and shifted so he was the one caged in. I could go, or I could stay and get what I came here for. I slipped my hands inside his suit jacket and pushed it off his shoulders. His dark gaze stayed on me as I removed his dress shirt. A low moan like a hiss escaped his lips when I ran my hands down his muscled chest. His pecs were harder than I remembered. It seemed Derek’s hard body was directly proportional to the amount of stress he had at work. The more they pinned on him, the more time he spent in his boxing ring. These past three weeks must have been hell for him. “Now you.” His voice sounded strained. Self-control was Derek’s superpower. I gave up all pretenses and removed my blazer and silky top quickly. My skin felt hot from needing him so much. His lips parted when I finally let my skirt pool at my feet. He cradled my face and kissed me hard. “Fuck. Valentina. You came to work wearing that underneath?” His mouth was warm, and he tasted of cinnamon gum. I melted into him, fumbling with his belt. “The door.” I panted in between kisses. “I locked it.” He gripped my ass and wrapped my legs around his waist as he strode around the sofa and sat with me straddling him. “Valentina. How do you do it? How do you make me forget about everything?” He freed me from my bra and sucked on my aching nipples, switching back and forth until I couldn’t wait anymore. “I need you now,” I whispered in his ear. I didn’t care that my voice was laced with desperate desire. He cupped my butt cheeks and lifted me enough to give him room to lie flat on the cushions with his head on the decorative pillow. My thighs rubbed his sides as I rested on top of him, topless and without a clue what to do next. My confusion must have registered on my face because he placed both hands behind his head and grinned at me. His biceps bulged on either side of him. “Your show.” “What?” He bucked under me to get comfortable as if he were getting ready to watch a movie or something. The grin that twitched his lip was both infuriating and such a turn-on. “You want me inside you. Do it.”

 

Author Bio: Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy contemporary romance with a touch of suspense. Book two in her Desert Monsoon series, LOVE OVER LOGIC, won the 2019 Readers’ Favorite Silver Medal Winner in the Romance – Suspense genre When Diana is not writing, she enjoys kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Bookbub

 

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Blitz Tour Featuring *Twisted Surprise* by Emery Jacobs @ejacobswrites @XpressoBookTours #giveaway

Twisted Surprise
Emery Jacobs
(A Twisted Fate Christmas Novella)
Publication date: November 15th 2019
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

It’s the most wonderful time of the year…
Or at least it’s supposed to be. With the holidays quickly approaching, Jovie is looking forward to spending some quality time with her boyfriend Jack.
First a family Thanksgiving in Brownsboro, Georgia with her parents, followed by a magical Christmas with their friends back in Houston.
But Jack’s disappearing act leaves Jovie wondering if their relationship will even survive the holidays.
Ready for a Twisted Surprise? Unwrap this romantic Christmas tale to find out what Jack’s been hiding!

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

“Merry Christmas, baby,” Jack whispers, his warm breath dancing across the skin below my ear. I rub my eyes, turn my head to face him, and smile. “Merry Christmas.”

His fingers skim across my bare arm then slide in between mine, squeezing my hand gently.

“Did you sleep good?”

I nod. “Yeah, actually I did.” I don’t remember much after drifting off to sleep last night, which I usually equate to a good night’s sleep.

“How about you? Was the couch good to you?” I motion toward the small sofa beside the bed and cringe. There is no way anyone could sleep well on that tiny thing, but knowing Jack, he’ll lie and say he did just so I won’t feel bad that he stayed the night.

He barks out a laugh before rubbing his neck. “I slept better than I have in years.”

“I doubt that.” I hesitate for a second. “But thank you… for staying.”

“You couldn’t have made me leave even if you wanted to.”

Author Bio:
Emery grew up in Southern Arkansas and has lived most of her adult life in Northern Louisiana.
She spends her days working as a Nurse Practitioner in rural health and her nights reading, writing, and occasionally sleeping.
She loves real life romance…lots of angst and heartbreak, but always a happy ending.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Blitz Tour Featuring *Begin with Me* by Claudia Y. Burgoa @Author_ClaudiaB @XpressoBookTours #giveaway

Begin with Me
Claudia Y. Burgoa
(Chaotic Love #1)
Publication date: July 24th 2018
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

From the outside, Abby’s life looks like a fairytale.
Loving family, wealthy lifestyle, education at a prestigious university. The truth? She’s barely managing to survive. Few know the nightmare she lived before she was adopted. And no one knows the secret agony that still haunts her nightmares.
With a degree from Berkeley, she could have gone anywhere, but she’s back in Colorado. Not for a fresh start—fresh starts are only an illusion—but for Wes Ahern. Her protector, who throws around words like “therapy” and “talk to me.” Her brother in every way but blood. The one man she wishes could be so much more.
Maybe, just this once, she can stop running from her demons.
But does she dare let Wes see inside the darkest closets of her pain…or will love be the biggest mistake of her life?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

Only 99¢ for a limited time!

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Author Bio:
Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. She lives in Colorado, working for a small IT. She has three children and manages a chaotic household of two confused dogs, and a wonderful husband who shares her love of all things geek. To survive she works continually to find purpose for the voices flitting through her head, plus she consumes high quantities of chocolate to keep the last threads of sanity intact.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram

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Grand Finale Tour Featuring *A Silver Willow by the Shore* by Kelli Stuart @KelliStuart @PrismBookTours #giveaway

On Tour with Prism Book Tours

We hope you enjoyed the tour! If you missed any of the stops

you'll find snippets, as well as the link to each full post, below:

Launch - Author Interview

What is your motivation behind A SILVER WILLOW BY THE SHORE? Why did you want to write it?

I have had a decades-long fascination with the former Soviet Union and their rich, layered history. As a Russian minor in college, I spent a semester in Ukraine studying and traveling, and I realized that there are a world of stories to be told from that region. Fast forward twenty years, and after the release of my award-winning debut novel, Like a River From Its Course, set in World War II Soviet Ukraine, I began combing through books for the next story that I felt needed to be told. . .

Remembrancy - Review

"Stuart’s prose pulled me right in, and I quickly became invested in the three women in this family who are hurting and longing for acceptance in their own ways. The Russian history and way of life were captivating, and the secondary characters (James and Viktor) enrich this story further."

My Life, Loves and Passion - Excerpt

I know when someone’s holding a secret. There’s a certain nuance that cannot be fully disguised when one is harboring hidden news.

Christian Chick's Thoughts - Review

"Oh, my, this book! This story of three generations of women gripped me right from the beginning. Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie are mother, daughter, and granddaughter all living under the same roof, but as the story begins, they couldn't be farther apart. Each woman carries a secret, and it's in the revealing of these secrets that they find healing. . . . Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie worked their way into my heart, and this is a story that will stick with me."

Jennifer Silverwood's Blog - Review

"Thought-provoking and heart-rending, A Silver Willow by the Shore is a book that will pull you in and leave you feeling better for it. I don’t give out five-star reviews lightly. . . . Kelli Stuart has impressed me with her masterful storytelling and gift of character. You will feel both happiness and heartache with these characters as they live and relive their journeys. Here is a book that dares to question what’s truly important, to push beyond our fears and hatred and not only forgive others but ourselves."

Paulette's Papers - Excerpt

“It’s okay, Ninochka,” her mother would answer. “You simply have to think of warm things, and you will be warm. Quick, let’s think of warm things together.” And they’d take turns listing all the warm things they could think of: Fire, borsch, a summer night, a cup of hot chai. They’d make their list as the line crawled along, and somehow it had worked—Nina had felt warm.

For Him and My Family - Review

"If you like a good historical fiction type read then this is the book for you! . . . A great read that I highly recommend."

By The Book - Review

"Wow! What an incredible story from a gifted author. An emotional read, the story takes you into the lives of three women who should have a strong connection through family ties, but find themselves isolated from each other, struggling to find an identity amidst the secrets kept by each generation. A thoughtful and poignant book, I had to force myself to slow down in its reading. It is a book to be savored, but I just could not put it down!"

Heidi Reads... - Excerpt

Toska. It was an untranslatable word—a word that could hardly be conveyed in the English language. Toska communicated anguish. It was a soul-crushing heartache that couldn’t be quelled. . .

Pause for Tales - Review

"You will be immersed in this story as you walk along with these women on their journey to freedom from shame and guilt. This is a heart tugging bittersweet novel."

Locks, Hooks and Books - Review

"Wow! A Silver Willow by the Shore blew me away. . . . I would give A Silver Willow by the Shore one hundred stars if I could. It is being placed among my favorite reads of the year."

Andi's Book Reviews - Review

"To me, this is a very powerful book. . . . These histories and these stories intertwine to weave a tragically beautiful story that does involve love and loss, but also some redemption and second chances in life. I relished every single page."

The Power of Words - Review

"A Silver Willow by the Shore begs to be read slowly and savored, although I found it hard to put down as I watched everything unfold. This poignant, bittersweet story will be enjoyed by all who enjoy relational, character-driven stories. A “best of the best” read for me with the highest of recommendations."

Wishful Endings - Excerpt

Walking to the large window that overlooks the city, Nina takes in the lights. She focuses in on her reflection in the window. She’s older now than she was then. Her face is more drawn, eyelids a little heavier. Gone is the innocence of that young girl who came to America . . .

Edits and Reviews by Leslie - Review

"As the year draws to a close, I can honestly say Silver Willow by the Shore is one of my favorite reads from 2019. . . . This book was quite unique, as it’s an engaging multi-generational tale told via three POVs: Annie, her mother Nina, and her grandmother Elizaveta. They’re equally well-developed, and easy to root for and invest in."

Hearts & Scribbles - Excerpt

I wake with a start and immediately pull the covers up to my chin. I heard a cry. Who was it? There is a knocking sound above me. My eyes shift up and down, left and right, trying to discern what is causing the sound. I hear muffled voices, and I shut my eyes tight, then open them back up. The small night- light in my room casts shadows across the walls, and suddenly I am a child again hovering under the sheets of our small home in Ukraine. The fire in the hearth dances across the dark walls, as I lay warmed from underneath by the oven that mama keeps lit. Dima and Tanya lay beside me on our little bed, and I hear Dima’s breathing grow unsteady.

thechroincfangirl - Excerpt

Another bump outside our door and my eyes shift across the wooden room, a knot growing in my stomach. I take in all the sights, stitched together in my memory like one of Mama’s blankets, and I begin picking at them, unraveling to this particular moment. I’m frightened, and I whimper softly.

“Shh, dochinka,” Mama whispers in my ear. Her voice sends a shiver down my spine. “Don’t move. Don’t make a sound.” She glances behind her, then pulls up the small icon of Saint Maria holding the Christ child and slips it under my pillow. “You will keep this safe for us,” she says. “Keep your head down no matter what happens.”

Red Headed Book Lady - Review

"I was blown away by this book! How amazing is it that three generations of women who have kept secrets forever changing future generations of women to come. . . . This book is so powerful and I think I will add it to my 2019 list of reads on my blog that is coming up.

I enjoyed this book so much! I strongly recommend it!"

Paper, Ink, & Lizard - Review

"My first thought when reading the last few lines of A Silver Willow By The Shore was. “Wow. This is one touching story.” And I can’t think of any other way to say it. This book really left me thinking about my own family, about my wonderful mother and my many sisters, and how they are all just so special to me, and how important family is."

Beauty in the Binding - Excerpt

“Don’t be silly, Nina,” her mother would chide. “What would we do with a dog? I am working all day, and you are in school. And besides, then we would have to stand in another line just to get food for the dog. I will not stand in more lines.”

Cover Lover Book Review - Review

"What a wonderful cast of characters with a unique set of storylines! . . . Kelli Stuart is a brilliant storyteller. It is evident that she has researched Russian history and customs, breathing life and authenticity into her characters with confidence and elegance.

I love, LOVE, LOVE this story!"

Faithfully Bookish - Excerpt

Nina opens her eyes and stares a moment longer at the picture, crossing her arms tight over her chest. Her childhood memories are comprised of standing next to her mother in lines. She turns to look at Elizaveta who sleeps soundly in her chair in the corner, a book in her lap. Her chin rests on her chest and she breathes slowly.

Christy's Cozy Corners - Review

"A Silver Willow by the Shore was so well-written, and it is obvious that the author researched Russian history in depth. Elizaveta, Nina, and Annie have so much depth to their characters that I could swear if I drove down to Tennessee, I could visit them.

A Silver Willow by the Shore is a book that will stick with you long after you’ve read the end. I loved it and think you will too."

Liberty's Literary Loves - Excerpt

I can’t speak of the memories, of course. Not to anyone. The key to keeping a secret is to replace the hidden news with something different, and then to make yourself believe the new story. Roll the facts through your head until they’ve muddled the reality of events. This is what I’ve done. What I’ve tried to do. This is what she’ll try to do.

Keep it hidden. Share as little as possible. She and I are not so different after all. We’re both rewriting our own history.

Hallie Reads - Review

"A beautiful story, perfect for fans of mother-daughter relationships and well-told history, A Silver Willow By the Shore is one book I am sure will stick with me for years to come. I highly recommend reading it."

Reading On The Edge - Excerpt

Nina wraps her arms around her trembling daughter and pulls her in tight. Annie presses her face into Nina’s neck, and Nina closes her eyes remembering the way Annie would crawl into her lap as a child and fall asleep in this same position.

Putting her arm around Annie’s shoulders, Nina walks her to the couch and sits down with her. Annie lays her head in her mother’s lap and Nina strokes her hair. “Ssshhh,” she croons. Annie’s shoulders heave as she releases months of pent up emotion and heartache. Nina closes her eyes and rocks gently back and forth as another memory slides over her.

Don't forget to enter the giveaway at the end of this post...

A Silver Willow by the Shore
By Kelli Stuart
Adult Historical, Contemporary, Time-Slip
Paperback & ebook, 380 Pages
October 15th 2019 by Fine Print Writing Press

How do you face the future if you don’t know your own past?

When an unexpected pregnancy changes her dreams, seventeen-year-old Annie tries to keep it from her mother and her grandmother. But secrets have a way of coming out. In a household of strong women, the arrival of a new life sets off a spiral of truth that reveals a past full of whispers and lies—a past that existed in another world under the heavy hand of Soviet oppression. This history has dictated the circumstances of the present, but hope, redemption, and forgiveness will grow in the rocky places of these generational differences.

A Silver Willow by the Shore is the story of the unshakeable love between mothers and daughters and of the impact that past decisions can have on present day circumstances. This novel weaves together the stories of generations of women, from the gulags of 1930’s Siberia, to the quiet oppression of 1980’s Soviet Moscow, to present day Tennessee. It is an unforgettable narrative of the treachery of secrets, and of the light that unites the heart of a family.

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About the Author

Kelli is a wife, mother, novelist, and the driver of a smoking' hot minivan. When she isn't wrangling her five children, she can be found tapping away at the keyboard. Kelli is the award winning author of Like a River From Its Course, her debut novel which won the ACFW Carol Award for Best Historical and was nominated for two Christy Awards. Kelli is also the co-author of Life Creative: Inspiration for Today's Renaissance Mom with Wendy Speake. You can find more information on her life and writings at www.kellistuart.com.

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Bookstagram Tour

This had its own giveaway. You can check out the tour here.

Tour Giveaway

One winner will receive a Kindle Fire Tablet with Alexa Hands Free + $50 Amazon Gift Card

US only

Ends November 13, 2019

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