NBtM VBT: Kissing Kin

by Karen Hulene Bartell

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

GENRE: Paranormal Romance 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 BLURB:

Maeve Jackson is starting over after a broken engagement—and mustering out of the Army. No

job and no prospects, she spins out on black ice and totals her car.

When struggling vintner Luke Kaylor stops to help, they discover they’re distantly related. On a

shoestring budget to convert his vineyard into a winery, he makes her a deal: prune grapevines

in exchange for room and board.

But forgotten diaries and a haunted cabin kickstart a five-generational mystery with ancestors

that have bones to pick. As carnal urges propel them into each other’s arms, they wonder: Is

their attraction physical…or metaphysical?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 EXCERPT:

“Mind if I camp out ’til the roads clear?”

“Under the circumstances?” The clerk shook his head. “Not a problem.”

“Thanks.” He started toward the sitting room and nearly bumped into Maeve, leaning against the

wall. “Sorry, didn’t mean to wake you.”

“You didn’t.” She tossed her chin. “I was cat-napping.”

“Right.” He compared her guarded veneer to her sleeping-beauty persona. Which is closer to

her true self?

“Couldn’t help overhearing.” Gesturing toward the clerk with her chin, she grimaced. “I’m

responsible for you being out tonight--”

“No.” He shook his head. “This is just a freak storm.”

“You don’t have to sleep in a chair.” She took a deep breath and gave a quick, tight-lipped

smile. “My room has two queen beds, and you’re welcome to one of ’em.”

Unsure of the extent of her invitation, he did a double take.

“Just so we understand each other, this is a bunk, a place to sack out. Period. Amen.” She

spoke in a low-pitched, no-nonsense voice. “Nothing more, so don’t get any--”

“Got it.” He covered his disappointment with a laugh. “Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I’ll be

fine dozing by the fire.”

“Hey, I’ve bivouacked with soldiers in Afghanistan. We do what’s necessary under extenuating

circumstances.” Shrugging, she glanced at the door. “And this blizzard qualifies.” Her face

relaxed into a smile.

Her offer tempting, he compared sitting up all night to stretching out in a bed. Then he glimpsed

the clerk.

“If you’re worried about my reputation, don’t be.” She laughed, the sound like sleigh bells tinkling

on a crisp, wintry night.

What is it about her that conjures thoughts of other times--other eras?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

AUTHOR :

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote

speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to

rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in

books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading

feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only

child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own

happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the

Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued

*Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Website

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

GIVEAWAY 

A randomly drawn winner will receive a $25 Amazon/BN gift card.

Rafflecopter

NBtM VBT: Fox Tale

 

GENRE: Paranormal Romance 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

BLURB:

Heights terrify Ava. When a stranger saves her from plunging down a mountain, he diverts her

fears with tales of Japanese kitsune—shapeshifting foxes—and she begins a journey into the

supernatural.

She’s attracted to Chase, both physically and metaphysically, yet primal instincts urge caution

when shadows suggest more than meets the eye.

She’s torn between Chase and Rafe, her ex, when a chance reunion reignites their passion, but

she struggles to overcome two years of bitter resentment. Did Rafe jilt her, or were they pawns

of a larger conspiracy? Are the ancient legends true of kitsunes twisting time and events?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~

 EXCERPT

“Ava, are you all right?”

“Yes…” His anxious eyes cleared my mind like fog lights cutting through mist. “I am all right…no

thanks to you.”

“I deserve that.” His chin dropped on his chest.

“That and so much more.” This time, anger rose in my throat like acid reflux.

After the breakup, I couldn’t mention the bastard’s name for a year. Always questioning what I’d

done wrong, I finally realized his leaving was his flaw--not mine. Then I fantasized telling him off,

rehearsing what I’d say and how I’d say it…

But now, face to face, the bluster left me.

Worry lines radiated from his glistening eyes.

Mute testament to what? Grief? Remorse? Like drops of water eroding stone, what thoughts

etched those furrows? His face was haggard. His looks have changed, but has he?

“Your behavior two years ago was unconscionable.” I pressed five, and the elevator doors

started to close. “I shouldn’t have come.”

He intercepted, and the doors reopened. “Please stay…”

I took a deep breath, debating. Then rather than hold up the car again, I stepped into the

vestibule.

“Can you forgive me?” A deep V showed between his red-rimmed eyes.

“No. Standing me up on my birthday was bad enough, but eloping…That was unforgiveable--

and crocodile tears won’t help.”

“Yet here you are…” A light flickered in his moist eyes.

“I know.” I glared at my nemesis in a silent standoff, annoyed as I stifled a sigh. “What I don’t

know is why.”

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AUTHOR:

Author of the Trans-Pecos and Sacred Emblem series, Karen is a best-selling author, keynote

speaker, wife, and all-around pilgrim of life, who writes multicultural, offbeat love stories. Born to

rolling-stone parents who moved often, Bartell found her earliest playmates as fictional friends in

books. Paperbacks became her portable pals. Ghost stories kept her up at night—reading

feverishly. The paranormal was her passion. Novels offered an imaginative escape. An only

child, she began writing her first novel at the age of nine, learning the joy of creating her own

happy endings. Professor emeritus of the University of Texas at Austin, Karen resides in the

Texas Piney Woods with her husband Peter and her “mews”—three rescued cats and a rescued

*Cat*ahoula Leopard dog.

Website

~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

GIVEAWAY 

A randomly drawn winner will be awarded a $25 Amazon/BN gift card. 

Rafflecopter

Sunday Post #105: Just a Recap 10

Hello All. I only wanted to make this a Recap.

Post Rewind 

📌 27th = Release: Land of Ashes

📌 28th = VBT: Chasing the Dragon 

📌 April 2nd = VBT: The Fallenwood Chronicles

📌 3rd = [double post day] Excerpt Tour: A Cure for Spring Fever ..... Cover Reveal: Hot Shot

📌 4th = VBT: Off The Books

📌 10th = WWBC #29: Double Topic Week 

📌 12th = [double post day] VBT: The Earl's Cinderella Countess .... Release Promotion: Shattered Promises

Goodreads

📚 Wicked Designs (by: Lauren Smith) = moved to read shelf

Currently Reading 

📖 Forbidden Hearts (by: Corinne Michaels)

*** If you don't have anything to say about this week's topic, you can comment on any other part of the post or just say "hi".

*** I am always having to edit many of my posts. If I made any grammar mistakes, I will eventually fix them.

*** The Sunday Post is a weekly meme hosted by Kimba @ Caffeinated Book Reviewer

Release Promotion: Shattered Promises

♦ ♦ ♦

𝗧𝗵𝗲𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝗱𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗰𝘁 𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗺𝘆 𝗹𝗶𝗳𝗲.  

𝗕𝗲𝗳𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗜 𝘄𝗮𝘀 𝘁𝗮𝗸𝗲𝗻. 

𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿.

When I lost my parents at six and I was thrown into foster care, I didn’t think my life could get any worse.

But I was wrong. 

The boy I loved before I understood what those four letters meant made me a promise.

He told me he would save me, but he was too late.

♦ ♦ ♦

His rough hands on my bare skin makes my heart speed up, the organ that keeps me alive is beating so hard in my chest it borders on pain. The toxic cocktail of fear and lust dance together, frustration only making the tears fall faster.

“I’ve got you, Mia. I’ve always got you.”

“I’m broken, Ace,” I sob, the words barely legible through the crack in my voice.

“You’re not.” Lips press to the top of my head as he pulls me harder against him. The fact that he’s still clothed has butterflies dancing in the pit of my stomach. He didn’t bother to undress when he heard I was in distress. He came straight to me, just like he always has.

“I am,” I choke out. “They broke me, and I don’t think I’m ever going to be whole again.”

His hands drop to my hips, and he slowly turns me. Panic claws up my throat. This isn’t the body I imagined I would have all those years ago when I dreamed of Ace taking my virginity. The scars from my years in the skin trade aren’t just emotional, although I’m not sure which of the two I’m more ashamed of.

But his eyes don’t drop to my naked body. They lock with mine, the intensity in the green takes my breath away. He presses me into the cool tiles, one hand on my hip holding me in place while the other moves above my head, effectively trapping me.

I take a stuttered breath, willing down the terror that tries to rise. There’s an endless number of people who have forced themselves on me, who have held me in positions against my will, but this is Ace. No matter how cold and ruthless he’s become in the years we spent apart, he’s still the boy who protected me. He wouldn’t hurt me the way other men have.

“Listen to me, Mia, and listen fucking hard. You are not broken. Not to me. As long as you’re breathing, as long as air moves through your lungs and your heart beats, you’re not broken to me. Maybe the pieces of the girl I once knew have been glued back together, but I’ll willingly cut myself on your jagged edges if it means I have you back.”

I open my mouth to respond, but there are no words. Ace has always had the ability to render me speechless, even when we were kids, and nothing has changed despite the time we spent apart.

“Do you understand, Mia?” He lifts my hand to his chest, and my fingers wrap around in his damp T-shirt. His heartbeats heavily beneath my hand. “This beats for you, Mia. It’s yours. It’s always been yours. And it will always be yours. So, no, you’re not broken. You’re every-fucking-thing.”

♦ ♦ ♦

Read the FIRST CHAPTER today!

♦ ♦ ♦

Montana was inspired to write her own stories from an early age and it wasn’t long before her dream became becoming an author one day. Life hasn’t always been kind to Montana, but each of the challenges she has faced she has turned into a positive outcome, and has made her want to achieve her dream that much more.

Montana is a lover of all living creatures, except for spiders, and her love for her pets is never ending. She leads an active lifestyle and enjoys many different cuisines, often referring to herself as a garlic bread connoisseur. Montana loves to travel, and has found inspiration while exploring the USA and Canada with her wonderful husband. She has always loved everything Disney and is a pop culture nerd.

She attributes her ability to write romance to her husband, Sam, as she’s inspired every day by their fairytale love story. If she can bring about positive change in one persons life with something she has written, she will consider herself a successful author. 

   

 ♦ ♦ ♦

  

VBT: The Earl's Cinderella Countess

 

GENRE: Historical Romance 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 BLURB:

Enjoy this friends-to-lovers romance set in Regency Bath

The one match

She doesn’t want to make…

The Earl of Fleetwood was Eleanor St. Aubin’s first love, but being a mere vicar’s daughter held

her back from admitting her feelings. Now she's a successful matchmaker, and the prospect of

finding Frederick the wealthy wife he needs to settle his inherited debts is a nightmare come

true! But returning from war, Frederick’s facing nightmares of his own. Eleanor feels compelled

to help him, but could she ever be his Cinderella countess?

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

EXCERPT 

Eleanor hesitated. She feared what could happen, how her feelings might escape, if she was

alone with him again.

 “Oh, yes, do,” Penelope urged. “Mary and I shall just chatter on here for a bit, and finish this

wine. You two should go look for the ruins.”

She slowly took Fred’s hand as he offered to help her yo her feet, and blinked as the sun behind

his bright hair dazzled her. They made their way away from the picnic blanket, into the shade of

a narrow pathway that led between trees and flowering shrubs, smelling fresh and sweet in the

warm day. They walked in silence, comfortable, comforting, close together, until they reached a

cliff that looked down on the town between a break in the greenery. It all glowed and

shimmered, just like Fred, just like that moment she had with him.

He seemed to feel it, too, studying the view with a solemn, thoughtful expression on his face. “

‘For whatsoever from one place doth fall, if with the tide unto another brought. For there is

nothing lost, that may be found, if sought.’”

“Such beautiful words of Spenser’s,” she whispered.

“They always make me think of you,” he said, his gaze so very blue and intense as he studied

her. “You are like the fairy queen.”

Eleanor stared up at him, wondering if the sun had dazzled her senses, sent her flying into

another realm. He thought of her as fairy queen. She knew this moment between them, very

still, sparkling, a time out of time, could not last; it would vanish like all dreams. Yet his

compliments, the admiration in his eyes, made her feel so warm and glowing all the way to her

toes.

“Me?” she whispered. “A fairy queen?”

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Amanda wrote her first romance at the age of sixteen--a vast historical epic starring all her

friends as the characters, written secretly during algebra class (and her parents wondered why

math was not her strongest subject...)

She's never since used algebra, but her books (over 100 so far!) have been nominated for many

awards, including the RITA Award, the Romantic Times BOOKReviews Reviewers' Choice

Award, the Booksellers Best, the National Readers Choice Award, and the Holt Medallion. She

lives in Santa Fe with two rescue dogs, a wonderful husband, and a very and far too many

books and royal memorabilia collections.

When not writing or reading, she loves taking dance classes, collecting cheesy travel souvenirs,

and watching the Food Network--even though she doesn't cook.

Website

 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 

INTERVIEW

Did you use any of your own experience as inspiration?

Hello, and thanks so much for hosting me today!! I’m sure I do, though I’ve never lived in Regency Bath

like the characters in “The Earl’s Cinderella Countess,” or in any other time period I’ve loved writing about!

But my experiences with love and dating, with family life, with feeling shy or excited or unhappy, those

definitely come into play with my characters. (And I’ve read “Northanger Abbey” so many times I FEEL

like I’ve been to Regency Bath!)

* On average, how long does the writing process take?

It depends on the story, and on how much I feel like procrastinating at the moment! Usually about 3

months actually writing (more with research)

* If you weren't an author, what other career paths would you have taken?

When I was a kid, I wanted to be an opera singer, until I found out I can’t sing! I also love the idea of

archaeology and interior design

* Out of the characters that you created, who is your favorite?

In this book, I actually loved Mary, the younger sister! She’s everything I wish I could be, full of fun and

outgoing, so I’m happy she’s the heroine of my next book. It’s so hard to pick a favorite ever, but I really

loved Eliza Van Hoeven, the heroine of my book “A Manhattan Heiress in Paris,” who was a musician in

the 1920s

* What advice would you give to someone looking to be a writer?

To read lots and lots! That’s what gave me a love for stories, the spark for creating my own. But I also

got some great advice when I was first starting, BICHOK (backside in chair, hands on keyboard)

* What kind of research (if any) was required for any of your books?

I admit I’m a research junkie! Sometimes (most of the time) it’s hard for me to stop researching and start

writing the story, I love history so much. In this story, I did a lot of reading about the town of Bath in the

Regency period, and what would go into being a matchmaker in a society like this one. (I love “Emma,”

and was inspired by it, but Ella and Mary are much better at this task than Miss Woodhouse!)

*How long after you finish a book do you start another one?

I like to take a break of at least a couple of weeks, more if I can, to refill the creative well a bit and get

caught up on the laundry that’s piled up! I try to set deadlines in order to take a little break…

~~~~~~~~~~~~

REVIEW

It took a couple chapters before I was able to get into the story, but once that happened I couldn't stop reading. I loved the story and even wished I could be Eleanor. From the title, however, I was expecting a more of re-telling of Cinderella.

Rating: 😊😊😊😊