Title: Cloven

Author: Georgeann Swiger

Series: Trinity of Souls

Published by: Georgeann Swiger

Date published: Oct. 21, 2014

Genres: NA Fantasy

Book Length: 267 pg

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Anya & Micah

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

Blog Tour Schedule

 Between Heaven and Hell, lies forbidden love…

“Swiger has a little bit of ‘dark’ in her writing, her visual interpretations are vivid, and I feel the gloom and doom underneath the sticky sweet moments that show her ability to juxtapose emotions.”

~Dylan Quinn

What would you do if the only things standing between you and the angel you love were another angel and the fiery pits of Hell?

When Anya and Micah declare their love for each other, the battle for the souls of the star-crossed angels stretches across the heavens. With Heaven forbidding their love, Micah vows to protect Anya by sentencing himself to Hell.

But Anya won’t let him go without a fight. She goes into Hell after him, only to discover an angel from Micah’s past is willing to do anything to keep Micah in Hell.

With love and lies blinding Micah, Anya fights to get him to face his demons and return to Heaven, even if it means hearts will be broken.

The battle for the angels begins where it left off. Between Heaven and Hell is forbidden love.

By Dylan Quinn

Cloven by Georgeann Swiger is the second book in the Trinity of Souls Series and a follow-up to Adorned, released earlier this year. While the series began as an upper YA novel, it’s crossed over into New Adult.

Cloven begins when Anya is dumped off in hell—yes, dumped. She’s just had her becoming, though nowhere near as glorious as everybody had promised it to be, and she is officially an angel trying to make her way into the Kingdom. Naked and completely clueless, Anya is in ‘no man’s land’ outside of the Kingdom and meets a few new characters, who immediately take advantage of her trusting nature and intentionally mislead her—an unfortunate means to an end.

Sometime later, we FINALLY meet Micah when Anya has made her way into the Kingdom. There was much alluding to Micah’s feelings for Anya in Adorned, but I never saw a lot from either. Swiger definitely remedied that problem in Cloven, though Micah and Anya’s reunion is short-lived. So much drama these two! Still reeling from consequences of actions taken during Anya’s human life, the two are separated again, leaving Anya once again on her own, trying to navigate her world, which now is focused solely on saving Micah from himself.

Cloven felt much more like a love story to me. Adorned established Anya’s role as a human while this follow-up showed her learning to be an angel along with the complexities of the forbidden love between her and Micah. I felt the angst of their separation, which propelled me to read Cloven in one afternoon sitting. I wasn’t even halfway done when Swiger brought me to tears. No exaggeration.

The remainder of the story had Anya chasing after Micah to save him from demons of his past. Micah is a beautiful character who has such a story of his own. I’ve implored Ms. Swiger to write a story from his POV, and I’m hoping she does… seriously girl, throw me a bone here.

The characters in Cloven were well developed. Anya grew tremendously since the first story. The whiny teenager from Adorned is gone and replaced by a brave girl on a mission to save her man. She surprised me tremendously, and I was truly impressed at how much she grew up. I guess being dumped in hell will do that to a girl.

And Micah. I was so happy to see him unafraid to show his feelings for Anya. He kissed her, did sweet things for her and didn’t seem to care if anybody saw, knew, or cared—which surprised me after the chaste kiss on earth threw him. Micah was clearly developing too, though again…girl. I want Micah’s story!

And then we have the supporting characters. Whew. Swiger added a few new faces and brought back a few faves from Adorned. We meet Cole, Dahlia and her entourage and of course, Lucifer. Oh, Dahlia—how I LOVE to hate this woman. She’s the classic bully. Swiger also had me guessing which team the players were on, even in the Kingdom. This alone kept a sense of urgency and ‘who done it,’ propelling me quickly through the story.

Finally—in true Georgeann Swiger fashion, she left me hanging. Okay, not literally—it’s NOT a cliffhanger ending but if you read Adorned, you’ll suspect the subtle whispers will keep us guessing once the final story to this series is released. Why is my stomach in knots?

I completely enjoyed Cloven. Swiger has a little bit of ‘dark’ in her writing, her visual interpretations are vivid, and I feel the gloom and doom underneath the sticky sweet moments that shows her ability to juxtapose emotions. And advice when you read Swiger… look for her dropping hints about her story—characters, clues here and there. She weaves all these in, which is a true mark of an expert storyteller. Bravo.

I predicted from Adorned that once Swiger got her feet wet with writing, she would take off and I believe she has. Cloven was an impressive follow up to her debut and once again, Swiger has left me on the edge, waiting to see how tortured she will leave poor Anya and Micah when they finally get their Happily Ever After.

And for Georgeann, I beg of you… Micah. That is all.

Georgeann Swiger

Georgeann Swiger earned her degree in journalism from West Virginia University, and then spent five years as an anchor/reporter at WBOY-TV in Clarksburg, WV. After having children, she left television news to be a stay at home mom. During that time, she discovered creative writing was more fun than writing about real life tragedy. Imagining interesting character and having them come to life on the page is now her passion. When she’s not writing, she works as a substitute teacher. She lives in Reedsville, West Virginia with her husband, two kids, a beagle dog and a temperamental cat who tries to rule the house

Website  Twitter. Facebook. Pinterest.

“What are you two doing?” The deep voice coming from the hallway sends a happy

tremor through my body. I jump to my feet to run to Micah, but I’m stopped by the

piercing pain of glass going through my foot. I look down to see blood trickling on the

floor. When I sit on the couch to pull out the shard, Kieran and Emory hover around me.

“Why are you in my room?” Micah asks, angrily.

Kieran and Emory move to the side to give Micah a direct line to me. I look up and his gaze grabs mine. We stare at one another, caught in a wordless hello. Small expressions run over his face, telling me he’s relieved, happy, confused.

“Leave us,” he says quietly without looking away from me.

Kieran and Emory hurry out of the room, shutting the door behind them. Micah closes his eyes. He takes a deep breath, bows his head and mutters something under his breath. When he looks up, he stares at me in disbelief. He doesn’t seem to notice the glass crunching under his feet as he steps toward me. His lips quiver, trying to form words that won’t come.

The fire crackles and pops behind him. Micah’s eyes glisten while he studies my shaking hand, reaching for him. My hand finds his, linking our fingers together. The strong beat of his pulse thumps in his trembling fingers. I step cautiously to the floor, avoiding the glass. When I’m eye level with him, his pupils flicker. As soon as I open my mouth to tell him how much I missed him, he pulls me to his body and covers my mouth with his. Every pent up emotion is released the second he kisses me. I don’t know where this Micah came from. His mouth claims mine without reservation or fear of repercussions. I fall into his embrace, enjoying every bit of the intensity of the kiss that tells me he missed me as much as I missed him. The tension in his body falls away as his hands travel through my hair and down my back, over my hips and up my sides like he’s making sure I’m real. I’m real, Micah, I want to say but I don’t want to stop kissing him. The taste of his lips brings to life the forbidden feelings I’m done hiding. I can’t get enough of him.

Giveaway There’s a tour-wide giveaway during the tour too. Participants can win: Digital Copy of Adorned Digital Copy of Cloven $10 Amazon Gift Card a Rafflecopter giveaway

Title: Induction Day

Author: PK Hrezo

Series: Butterman Travel, Book 2

Published by: PK Hrezo

Date published: Aug. 31, 2014

Genres: New Adult Fantasy

Book Length: 190 pg

Steam Rating: Sweet & Steamy

Main Characters: Bianca & Tristan

Add to GoodReads

Is saving 1500 people from death worth losing the only person you love?

The year 2069 is coming to a close, and eighteen-year-old Bianca Butterman’s time-craft license is finally official. She’s ready for the Induction Day she’s waited for since she was a kid—the one that will secure her name on the Butterman family tree of time travelers. But ever since the media discovered Bianca is pop superstar Tristan Helms’ latest new honey, everything Bianca does or says becomes a target of criticism. Having her professional credibility topping the gossip sites across social media is an open invitation for the government to step in and regulate Bianca’s Induction. Now she will have to ask herself if saving 1500 people from drowning is worth losing everything she’s ever worked for, including the Butterman family biz.

Welcome to Butterman Travel, Incorporated; a full service agency designed to meet all your exclusive time travel needs. We’re a family owned and operated business with one hundred years of experience. A place where you can rest assured, safety and reliability always come first.

Anxious to attend some special event from the past? Or for a glimpse of what the future holds? 

You’ve come to the right place. We’re a fully accredited operation, offering an array of services; including, but not limited to: customized travel plans, professionally piloted operations, and personal trip guides. *Terms and conditions do apply

Use our Web conferencing to contact our frontline reservation specialist, Bianca Butterman, who will handle all your inquiries in a professional and efficient manner, offering a tentative itinerary and free fare quote, so you can make the most of your time trip.

We look forward to serving you at Butterman Travel, Inc., where time is always in your hands.

Trailer by DA Botta

PK Hrezo

PK Hrezo is a native Floridian rarely found without her flip flops on. She shares her home with her firefighter husband, their two children, and big dog named Ripley. When not creating characters and their worlds, PK can be found at her other job of rearranging passenger’s itineraries for a major international airline. The only hobbies she loves more than traveling are reading, writing, and music, and when the four are combined she exists in total bliss.

Purchase links are available via my website at http://down-the-rabbithole.com/?page_id=39

It’s not exactly what I was anticipating, but I don’t see any better options dancing out in front of me either. This may just work. And I’m running out of time. If I can find Tristan fast enough, we can still see how long it takes to get to the bridge. I want to be ready for departure through the time-port right after impact with the berg.

Guilt wells up from my guts. Guilt for having a way out, and guilt for knowing it, while Adelaide and so many others will panic and struggle and cling to the hope they’ll make it out of the freezing ocean alive. They will never stand a chance. Not tonight, if I leave and take away the very solution I’ve been waiting the last four years to give them.

Author: Kristie Cook

Series: The Book of Phoenix

Published by: Ang’dora Productions, LLC

Date published: July 30, 2014

Genres: NA Paranormal

Book Length: 323 pages

Steam Rating: Steamy

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

The Space Within was one of few books that made me cry.The climax was beautifully written, and the last page had me in tears. If I wasn’t hooked on Kristie Cook’s writing before, she certainly had me at the Epilogue.

~Dylan Quinn~

When Darkness threatens, what matters most lies in The Space Within 

Completing a mission that reunites Guardian Twin Flames turns devastating when the Book of Phoenix throws Leni and Brock into a Dark world, leaving Jeric and Asia behind. They count on their other halves to rescue them, but when that doesn’t happen, they must fight through the Darkness and find a Gate that will take them home. 
  
Except all of Earth’s Gates are sealed. 
  
Enyxa, ruler of Darkness, and her horde of Dark souls storm the Gates to push their way through to Earth. While Leni and Brock fight Enyxa on their side, Jeric and Asia must figure out how to save their Twin Flames without jeopardizing all of Earth’s souls. Through it all—and with a little help from Enyxa—Brock and Asia begin questioning their relationship and whether they’re truly meant to be together…or if they’re two Lost souls forced to become one. 
  
If the Broken dyads don’t find each other fast, they’ll be lost to the Dark forever. But to reunite means choosing themselves over all of Earth’s souls. Can Jeric make that decision? And will Brock and Asia find the love they both desperately crave? Or are they all doomed to perpetual Darkness?

By Dylan Quinn

The Space Within by Kristie Cook is the final story in the Book of Phoenix Trilogy that follows three dyads (couples) or rather, Twin Flames, who struggle to both understand their fates and accept their duties as guardians of the gates of earth. While the series begins focusing on Jeric and Leni, the leaders of the Phoenix and Sacred Seven Twin Flames, The Space Within expands to help understand the lives of all three dyads that have survived the wrath of Enyxa, the ruler of darkness who is hell-bent on destroying them and all that they stand for.

The Space Within begins when two of the dyads have been separated while trying to unite a third, Bex and Hayden, after a terrible tragedy. As with the first two books in the series, Cook gives a glimpse into the past so we can understand what they have become and why.

In this book, Jeric and Leni spend most of the story apart. This was a tough pill for me to swallow because I fell in love with them in the first two books. I was hoping to see more of the dynamic chemistry between these two, but instead they were forced apart. Though I still feel they are MFEO, I would have been much happier had they been together. But as with any separation, it made the heart grow fonder for these Twin Flames. I understand why Cook chose to do this—it was essential in their growth as both individuals and as a couple. As leaders of the Phoenix, Jeric and Leni both had to learn how to trust their instincts and each other and in the end, Jeric grew into the leader he was destined to become. I LOVE Jeric, BTW!

If I were to choose which dyad The Space Within belonged to, it would be Brock and Asia. We watch them struggle from their rocky beginning but by the end, they discover much about themselves and are stronger for it, both individually and as a couple.

Finally, Bex finds her true Twin Flame, though I feel Bex and Hayden’s is the least developed relationship of the three. We get to know Bex throughout all three stories, but her HEA comes so late that I almost felt cruelly teased. Hayden was probably one of the flattest characters also, but it was realistic because of the nature of his life, having had no exposure to our society and its quirks, up until that point. We get a taste of how things could have been for these two toward the end, but it comes so little and late that I felt a bit deprived. I would love to see a novella or something, giving me more of their story…(wink).

The supporting cast was awesome! I loved Mat and Kel, and how Cook connected their story as a gay couple. The way she explains their relationship was a wonderful comment on the subject. Bravo! I also loved the villain, Enyxa. I felt all along she had something she was hiding, and I commend Kristie for creating such an evil villain that I still hoped would come to the light. Even bad guys deserve a happily ever after…except for Mason, of course. And thanks to Brock and Asia’s story, another guardian came out of the woodwork to prove that while the dyads felt left to their own devices, they were never truly alone—a little Hope goes a long way.

The Space Within was one of the few books I’ve read that actually made me cry. I cried. The climax was beautifully written, and the last page had me in tears. If I wasn’t hooked on Kristie Cook’s writing before, she certainly had me at the Epilogue.

I completely adored this entire series. Cook took multiple viewpoints and was able to weave past and present into the story without disrupting the pacing. It was a creative, complicated premise, which she fleshed out masterfully. While I enjoyed the first two books more than the final story (only because I desperately missed Jeric and Leni together as an MFEO pick), I still  loved this novel and expect Cook’s upcoming work to be on my TBR list for years to come.

Other books in the series:

1-The Space Between

And is part of the Curses, Fates & Soul Mates: 5 Paranormal New Adult Novels

box set that’s on sale for 99c through 10/14!

When Life Falls to Pieces, Answers Lie in the Space Between 

After a month-long dance tour overseas, Leni returns to Georgia to care for her great-uncle, only to find him gone, their home empty, and any evidence he ever existed wiped out. All that remains is her truck and a leather-bound book she can’t open. Nearly as disturbing, she keeps running into the deaf and dangerously sexy model she’d met in Italy, and no matter how hard she tries to shake him, her soul won’t let her. 

Jeric has traveled the world in search of a piece of his past for over a year, only to reach a dead-end in Georgia … in the exact town where the beautiful dancer from Italy lives. He’s drawn to her like a moth to a flame, but his life as a loner in his silent world allows no room for girlfriends, and he tries to leave her. Except outside forces won’t let him. 

When the same “tattoos” suddenly appear on their arms and the book’s lock falls open, Leni and Jeric realize there’s more between them than physical fascination. They must embark on a journey together to discover their connection to each other and their ties to the Book of Phoenix. 

And they must figure it all out fast. Shadowy forms that are more monsters than men are closing in, while their own existences are falling to pieces around them. 

This first part of The Book of Phoenix takes you on a heart-wrenching ride as you discover the answers that lie in The Space Between.

2-The Space Beyond

Is on sale for only .99 until 9/6!

Hearts break. Souls shatter. Love lies in The Space Beyond.

As members of the Phoenix, Jeric and Leni are thrust into their new lives, expected to lead Earth’s Guardians. But Leni struggles with trusting her own soul, and Jeric is more concerned about keeping Leni safe than meeting others’ demands. When Darkness swarms Lake Haven, they embark on their first mission with little preparation and no idea which soul the Dark hunts.

Born and raised in Lake Haven, Bex hopes to escape her small-town life, ideally in the arms of her soul mate. She knows he exists, and her heart aches with the need to find him. When her long-lost mama calls to announce she’s knockin’ on death’s door, Bex reluctantly makes the trip to see the uncaring bitch (bless her heart), only to be knocked off her feet by the sexy and charming Dr. Mason Hayes. Is he really The One?

Leni’s soul felt an instant connection to Bex, but if Bex found her soul mate, she isn’t their mission. So who is, and why does Leni instinctively feel drawn to her? Can Leni even trust her intuition? And will Jeric step up and lead when the time comes or continue to hold them back?

If they don’t learn to trust themselves and each other quickly, Darkness will claim them all…along with the rest of Earth’s souls.

Kristie Cook

Kristie Cook writes the bestselling, award-winning Soul Savers Series, which will include seven novels, companion novellas and short stories. She also writes The Book of Phoenix series, a trilogy (for now anyway). Both are New Adult paranormal romance/contemporary fantasies. She has many other ideas jotted in notebooks scattered around the house and more in her head, but she’s learned to write for whatever character screams the loudest. It’s kind of hard to hear the others, so may as well make the noisy one happy. She’s often procrastinating on Facebook (way too often) and sometimes even jumps onto Twitter.

Title: Cryostorm

Author: Lynn Rush

Series: Touch of Frost Series

Published by: Lynn Rush

Date published: July 11, 2014

Genres: Paranormal Upper YA/NA

Book Length: 331

Steam Rating: Steamy

Main Characters: Mandy Hillman and Nate Ashcroft

Add to GoodReads

Buy on Amazon

“I’m faced with the vivid reality: the Nate I knew and fell in love with may be lost forever.

And if I get him back, will I still be able to say those three precious words?”

They made his body, she’ll awaken his soul…

Three months ago, my twin sister, Georgia, and I had to die so our loved ones would be safe from the scientists hunting us. After months of searching, we’re close to finding the one person who can help us find closure, Georgia’s adoptive mother, Lois.

Snowstorms and an unexpected run-in with GenCorp, the latest entity charged with capturing us, delay our mission and break our spirits. The only light in my supernaturally chaotic life is Nate. He’s given up everything to protect and take care of me, and each minute I’m with him confirms how much I love him. Finally ready to share my heart again, I take the next step, admitting my true feelings.

The mad scientists who want to tear me apart and use my body for a freak show, once again taint my happiness with a disturbing technology that rips Nate from my arms. As I battle GenCorp’s warped technology to save my soulmate, I’m faced with the vivid reality: the Nate I knew and fell in love with may be lost forever.

And if I get him back, will I still be able to say those three precious words?

Lynn Rush

Originally from Minnesota, Lynn Rush currently enjoys living in the sunny Arizona desert with her husband of seventeen years and her loveable Shetland Sheep dog, Maddux. Rush holds a degree in psychology from Southwest Minnesota State University and a master’s degree from the University of Iowa. When she’s not busy writing her next trilogy, she can be found pounding the pavement, training for her next endurance event.

Connect with Lynn on Twitter, through Facebook or her website. Lynn also writes as Reese Monroe and you can find her alter ego there.

Find Lynn Rush Online

Author: Melissa A. Petreshock

Series: Stars & Souls Trilogy

Published by: Swoon Reads

Date published: 4/29/2014

Genres: New Adult Fantasy

Book Length: 224 pages

Main Characters: Caitriona Hayden & THEE suitors

Add to Goodreads

Buy on Amazon

Buy on iBooks

Buy on Barnes & Noble

 “Seven days. Only seven days to choose the right husband…”

Of her three suitors, who will it be?

Following the death of her vampire uncle, twenty-one-year-old CAITRIONA HAYDEN finds herself in the midst of a trio of quintessential alpha male suitors in 22nd century sovereign America where human females should be seen and not heard.

Theo Pendragon claims her as his ward, ordained to guard her through to a long-awaited destiny unbeknownst to Cait, but finds more than he expected when passion ignites within the dragon for the first time. Always drawn to the pursuit of knowledge rather than the heat of desire, powerful demigod Dante cannot deny everything his future holds in Caitriona. America’s monarch, ancient vampire Corrin, has no interest in the frivolity of love, yet marrying Cait could be the answer to his continued survival.

Soon, Cait goes from studying for college exams to choosing a husband in seven days, knowing the consequences are eternal, the love undying, and the bond timeless.

FIRE OF STARS AND DRAGONS (Stars and Souls #1) is a New Adult Contemporary Fantasy Romance set in a world filled with shapeshifting dragons, a powerful demigod, an ancient vampire monarch, and a sassy human chick keeping them all on their alpha male toes.

Watch for BLOOD OF STARS AND GODS (Stars and Souls #2) coming in Winter 2014.

Melissa A. Petreshock

Melissa A. Petreshock is a full-time writer and member of the Romance Writers of America. Spending a number of years in Massachusetts, living outside Boston and in Springfield, Melissa has returned to her home state of Kentucky where she now resides on a small farm. (And secretly hopes to find dragons.) She lives a semi-sane life as a married mom of three human children and four felines, indulging hobbies of music, general geekery, and a minor television addiction in what free time she finds. Melissa supports mental health awareness and teen suicide prevention work.

The international Amazon bestseller FIRE OF STARS AND DRAGONS is her debut New Adult Fantasy Romance novel and the first book in the Stars and Souls Trilogy.

Find Melissa on these social media sites, or visit her website to follow the Dragon Blog, learn more about the Stars and Souls Trilogy world, and more:

Goodreads         Twitter         Facebook         Pinterest

*Cait*

Dante lifts his glass toward me, one brow raised, polite smile on his lips. “A toast,” he offers, and I hold mine up as well. “To the death of old ways and the birth of new beginnings.” The smile plays at something more than mild politeness as he clinks our glasses together, waiting a moment before taking a drink. “This is quite a robust cabernet sauvignon, wouldn’t you say?” I nod, not much of a wine connoisseur myself. “I prefer a smooth mild, fruity merlot with a hint of spice.” His unnatural blue eyes bore into mine. “Though the company improves upon this particular wine with utmost significance.”

“You don’t even know me. For all you know, I make this a lot worse,” I counter, narrowing my eyes and daring him to say otherwise.

His smile tightens, and he looks to the SylvrSky screen. “True as that may be, you’re quite intriguing, Caitriona, a rarity for me. You might imagine the company I keep improves when I find them interesting.”

I gulp down half the glass. This is the strangest day of my life so far. “Really? It seems hard to believe that I could be so interesting to you.”

Dante sips from his glass, watching me as he does. “You have no fear of us, do you?” he asks, head tilted, lips pursed together, crease between his brows.

Repressing the urge to grin at his quizzical expression, far too adorable for a demigod, I shake my head. “No. I don’t see why I should.” His gaze drops to his glass, swirling the crimson liquid, that contemplative expression from the meeting today returned. “Should I?”

“No. No. … Of course not, Caitriona. I have no ill intentions toward you, no desire to harm you.” He reaches his hand out, and I place mine in it, an undeniable need to touch him surfacing. “None whatsoever, my dear.” Dante kisses the back of my hand, a feather-light brush of his lips on my skin, but a rush, an electrical charge at his touch is impossible to miss.

Setting my glass on the counter, I keep my eyes on it, my heart revving like a jumpstarted car that nobody let off the accelerator yet. If it’s natural to his touch or just my reaction to it, I don’t know. But it’s intense, impossible, insane, waking up wanting no one then wanting Theo, and now …

“Aren’t we supposed to have dinner together or something? Theo said that’s why you were coming.”

Seven days. Only seven days to choose the right husband. I take a deep breath, watching from the corner of my eye.

Glancing up and down at my t-shirt and jeans, taking a moment to stop on my bare feet, he laughs, light and airy. A warm smile spreads across his face, making him far more inviting than his ethereal appearance or the elitist persona tabloids describe. “Lovely choice of color,” he remarks of my nail polish. “A remarkable shade of blue.”

“Like your eyes.” The comment slips out as I focus on staring at my toes instead of facing him.

“Thank you.” His voice is soft, accent beautiful on the even simplest words. Reaching, Dante ghosts his fingers over my cheek, hovering, not quite connecting, and I hold my breath, waiting, expecting his touch … wanting it, but he pulls away. “However, I was going to say they complement your eyes.” Picking up his glass again, he takes another drink, far more than a sip this time. “Perhaps you would like to change then we could go to dinner.” His tone is formal, the soft edge gone and gouging me in its unexpectedness.

Considering for a moment, well aware that if we’re going anywhere, I can’t wear this while he’s dressed in black slacks and a midnight blue French-cuffed shirt, I back up, grab my own glass, and finish it. “You know, if you don’t want to do this, that’s fine. I don’t expect you to want any of it.”

Dante’s expression turns puzzled. “I’m sorry? I do not understand. Have I offended you in some manner?”

Refilling my glass, I gulp down half before answering. “Look, I don’t know what you were thinking getting in the middle of this whole thing between the king and Theo, but don’t feel like you have to save me or something. As interesting as you may think I am, there’s no reason for you to be stuck with a wife just because … because … Hell, I don’t even know why you did it, why you offered to marry me. Just know I’m not holding you to it.”

So much for giving him a fair chance. Instead, I’m giving him a way out. I polish off the wine in my glass and turn back to see his face, surprised how stricken he looks. “You do not wish me to court you, to desire your affections,” he states, not bothering to ask, as if he’s sure of the answer.

“I didn’t say that.” Maybe I don’t know what I’m trying to say. Maybe I’m afraid I will feel something for him, something too real, and it’s better for him to walk away if he’s doing this for the wrong reasons. “If you prefer to be alone, I’m not going to demand you change.”

The security of devout loyalty is always better than the pain of romantic heartbreak, or so I’m telling myself as Dante’s eyes meet mine. Blue eyes. Bluer than the sky or the Atlantic. Eyes to lose yourself in. And I swallow my heart before choking on the idea Theo could be right.

“ ‘There are days when solitude is a heady wine that intoxicates you with freedom, others when it is a bitter tonic.’ A quote from a French novelist, Sidonie-Gabrielle Colette.” The demigod keeps his gaze steady on mine.

A fair chance. I promised a fair chance, a simple thing.

“She was quite correct.” He steps toward me, blue eyes intensifying, the lights flickering then dimming, making his eyes appear to glow. I set my glass down as he comes close.

A reasonable opportunity. Not an unreasonable thing to ask. Not with Dante. He’s so …

His fingers caress my chin, lifting it, enticing electricity humming through those fingers, and he leans over, running his tongue along my lips, deliberate and sensual, before kissing me. “ ‘Your lips are like wine, and I want to get drunk,’ ” he whispers, his breath candy-sweet.

“Shakespeare,” I reply. He nods, his hair brushing my forehead as he pulls me in, lips as soft and sweet as his breath, and intent on getting impressively tipsy.

For our July New Adult Giveaway, Melissa is offering

an Ebook of  “Fire of Stars and Dragons”

Title: Broken World

Author: Kate L. Mary

Published by: Kate L. Mary, Indie

Date published: 7/4/2014

Genres: NA Fantasy

Book Length: 301 pages

Main Characters: Vivian and Axl

Buy on Amazon

Buy Paperback on Amazon

A Post-Apocalyptic Zombie Novel

When a deadly virus sweeps the country, Vivian Thomas sets out for California in hopes of seeing the daughter she gave up for adoption. Then her car breaks down and she’s faced with a choice. Give up, or accept a ride from redneck brothers, Angus and Axl. Vivian knows the offer has more to do with her double D’s than kindness, but she’s prepared to do whatever it takes to reach her daughter.

The virus is spreading, and by the time the group makes it to California, most of the population has been wiped out. When the dead start coming back, Vivian and the others realize that no electricity or running water are the least of their concerns. Now Vivian has to figure out how to be a mother under the most frightening circumstances, cope with Angus’s aggressive mood swings, and sort out her growing attraction to his brooding younger brother, Axl.

While searching for a safe place to go, they pick up a pompous billionaire who may be the answer to all their problems. Trusting him means going into the middle of the Mojave Desert and possibly risking their lives, but with the streets overrun and nowhere else to turn, it seems he might be their only chance for survival.

Kate L. Mary

Kate L. Mary is a stay-at-home mother of four and an Air Force wife. She spent most of her life in a small town just north of Dayton, Ohio where she and her husband met at the age of twelve. Since their marriage in 2002, they have lived in Georgia, Mississippi, South Carolina, and California.

Kate enjoys any post-apocalyptic story – especially if zombies are involved – as long as there is a romantic twist to give the story hope. Kate prefers nerdy, non-traditional heroes that can make you laugh to hunky pieces of man-meat, and her love of wine and chocolate is legendary among her friends and family. She currently resides in Oklahoma with her husband and children.

Follow Kate Online:

Kate L. Mary     Twitter     Facebook

The diner is crowded. I have to squeeze my way between waitresses and patrons, dodging trays and elbows. I bet they haven’t had a crowd like this in here since the 1950s.

There’s a line for the restroom. I stand at the back and dig through my purse until I find Emily’s picture. She smiles at me, and my heart aches.

I didn’t want to give her up, but I was sixteen. It wasn’t safe in my home—if you could even call it that—and there was no way I could bring a baby there. It was just me and my dad. Mom had run off with a neighbor when I was ten. Not that I can blame her for leaving, but I do blame her for leaving me. She must have known dad would need a new punching bag if she left. She obviously didn’t care. That hurts even more than the beatings did. That she didn’t care about me.

I loved Emily the moment I saw her. She was so tiny and pink, and her face was all smashed in from birth, so ugly-cute like all newborns. I loved her enough to give her to the Johnson’s. They sent me updates for a while. Nine months, to be exact. Then they stopped. I can’t blame them. It wasn’t an open adoption, and they never got a single response from me. Maybe they thought I didn’t care. Truth was, it just hurt too much.

The woman behind me coughs on the back of my head. Hot, moist air hits my hair and brushes it forward. I start to turn around so I can yell at her, but I freeze. She’s not the only one. Half the people in this diner are hacking their heads off. People slump over in booths, their breathing raspy and their faces bright red. A woman moans and shivers. She has on two jackets, but she still shakes so hard her teeth clang together. Her face is covered in sweat. The man next to her urges her to eat something. But he coughs too.

My stomach aches. I’m going to be sick. It’s here.

I forget the bathroom and head back to the table. I have to pee, but I can do it on the side of the road. We need to get out of here. Joshua is back. The three men are tense. They look up when I walk over.

“It’s here,” I say, but they already know.

“We’re gettin’ our shit to go,” Axl says.

He’s pale. So is Angus. His face isn’t as hard as it was before. Death tends to do that to a person. Turn them into spaghetti.

Even Joshua shakes, and he knows he’s immune.

I sit down and wait, wringing my hands on top of the table. My hands tremble so hard that when I pick up my glass to take a drink, it spills everywhere. I set it back down.

“We still need supplies.” Angus’s voice is hollow.

“Why don’t you and the Doc head to the convenience store and grab us some stuff? Vivian and me’ll wait for the food,” Axl says.

Angus gets to his feet, and I stand to let Joshua out. People cough on them when they go by. Angus clenches his fist when a man sneezes on him. But the anger melts away and all the color drains from his face. He walks faster.

“Guess we’ll know soon,” Axl says.

I nod, but I can’t make my mouth work to say anything. My insides curl into a ball. They grow tighter each time I think about it. I should be relieved. Soon the suspense will be over, and I’ll know whether or not I’m going to die. But I’m not. I don’t want to die, and the thought of it happening makes me want to hurl.

Axl and I don’t speak. We just stare at each other. The diner is amazingly quiet, considering how full it is. People cough. There are a few quiet conversations. Otherwise, it’s silent. Deathly silent.

“Thought the end of the world would be more dramatic than this,” he finally says. It makes me jump.

I look around. It is the end. It’s written on the face of every person in the diner. I’m sure it’s on mine. “There should be chaos or panic. Something.”

“Probably is. In the cities.”

He’s right. Here the people are too disappointed. They were so close. They passed their physicals and thought they were in the clear. That they were going to make it. Is that what’s going to happen to me? The thought sends a shiver down my spine.

A Breathless Tease…

For Dylan’s July NA Giveaway,

Kate is offering a Kindle eBook OR signed paperback

copy of Broken World!