#WOTR18 #Review #Paranormal #BadGirls – Karma’s Revenge by Teresa Gabelman

In a world where human’s and vampires coexist, one woman with only one name and a score to settle has a hefty price on her head. She call’s herself Karma, other’s called her the Slayer of Vampires. Karma didn’t care what she was called as long as she got her revenge.

Axel Walker, also known as the Assassin, was a half-breed so his loyalty lay with the highest bidder. Who had the most money to hand him at the end of a job was the side he was on whether human or vampire. His highest pay day was yet to come and all he had to do was kill the one they call the Slayer of Vampires.

The Slayer and the Assassin become players in a tangled web of deceit. It is Karma and Axel who have to decide whether killing each other is the best plan of action or joining forces to take out those who dare make them pawns in their dangerous games.

The Bad Girl series is a 2018/2019 collaboration between 13 authors releasing one book a month about kiss-ass women with a penchant for being bad, Teresa Gabelman gives us May’s Bad girl with Karma’s Revenge.

I received this book from the author for an honest review.

I am a huge fan of Teresa’s so if she writes it, I will read it!!  I am so loving this world she created, as I do all her worlds.  But what I really love is I can SEE these characters in any of her book series totally working together to fight the bad guys!!

Sophia AKA Karma AKA The Slayer of Vampires is one bad ass bitch!!  She has killed multiple vampires and will not stop until she kills The Savior.  She is a human who can bring strong vampires to their knees.

Axel is an assassin who was hired to kill this Slayer of Vampires.  One look at Sophia and he knows she is the one he was hired to kill, but he is an assassin with moral code???  WHU!!!???  When he turns down the job because of his code plus his VERY STRONG NEED to claim the human, this Breed male is outta his mind trying to protect her and her bestie, Darin.

Can we talk about Darin for a hot minute??  SERIOUSLY the best friend you can ever have and the funniest person ever.   I laughed out loud so many times with his banter.  #DayMade!!

Anywho, so Axel and Sophia are put in a crazy situation of him, the paid assassin, protesting her, the Slayer of Vampires!!  The chemistry between the two is pretty hawt and the anxiety they both have over trust is so real.

When the final scenes are happening, my heart was racing and breaking all at the same time!!  #PanicAttackTeresa

I would love love love to see these two appear in another of Teresa’s worlds because I think they could be great allies for the Wolves or the Warriors!!

Goodreads

Amazon

Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ‘Protectors Series’. When not writing about sexy alpha vampires and the women who drive them crazy she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole/Kindle, at a MMA event or spending a fun evening with family.

Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time she would love to hear from you!

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#WOTR18 #NewRelease #Review – Karma’s Revenge by Teresa Gabelman

Karma's Revenge

In a world where human’s and vampires coexist, one woman with only one name and a score to settle has a hefty price on her head. She call’s herself Karma, other’s called her the Slayer of Vampires. Karma didn’t care what she was called as long as she got her revenge.

Axel Walker, also known as the Assassin, was a half-breed so his loyalty lay with the highest bidder. Who had the most money to hand him at the end of a job was the side he was on whether human or vampire. His highest pay day was yet to come and all he had to do was kill the one they call the Slayer of Vampires.

The Slayer and the Assassin become players in a tangled web of deceit. It is Karma and Axel who have to decide whether killing each other is the best plan of action or joining forces to take out those who dare make them pawns in their dangerous games.

Goodreads

I received a copy of this book for an honest review.

This was a quick read that I did not want to set down. It was fast paced and full of action.

The Slayer of Vampires (AKA Karma) is on a mission to avenge her sister’s death. She will kill any vampire that gets in her way while tracking down the low life that killed her sister. The only problem is each vampire’s death brings trouble her way. There is now a bounty on her head and Axel was assigned to take her out.

Axel has never turned down a job or missed a target. He is assigned to take out the Slayer of Vampires. There is something about this woman that takes him by surprise. Does he complete his task or does he change the rules.

Alex and “Karmas” chemistry is explosive. However, seeing them learn to trust someone and the fear of them turning on one another was a whole other level. Karma can handle her own she is an expert with the knives and guns. She really knows how to use a gun even when on a motorcycle. Axel is just good at what he does and the respect he shows to Darin made my heart beat a little harder. I love the friendship between Karma and her BFF Darin.  What can I say I loved Darin as much as I did Alex and Karma. The Viper scenes and Darin are classic.

Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ‘Protectors Series’. When not writing about sexy alpha vampires and the women who drive them crazy she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole/Kindle, at a MMA event or spending a fun evening with family.

Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time she would love to hear from you!

Website: www.teresagabelman.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Teresa…
Email: tgabelman@live.com

****Paranormal****

The Protectors Series
Damon – Book #1
Jared – Book #2
Duncan – Book #3
Sid – Book #4
Adam – Book #5
Slade – Book #6
A Warrior Wedding – Book #7
Slade – Book #8
Jax – Book #9
Blaze – Book #10
The Invisible Warrior – Book #11

Lee County Wolves Series
Forbidden Hunger – Book #1
Forbidden Seduction – Book #2
Forbidden Desire – Book #3
Forbidden Temptation – Book #4 TBA

Sanctuary

The Enforcer

Magic & Mayhem Kindle World
Wicked *itch

****Contemporary****
Rodeo Romance
Blind Faith

 

#WOTR2018Attending #BadGirls #Vampires Karma’s Revenge (A Bad Girls Novel) by Teresa Gabelman

In a world where human’s and vampires coexist, one woman with only one name and a score to settle has a hefty price on her head. She call’s herself Karma, other’s called her the Slayer of Vampires. Karma didn’t care what she was called as long as she got her revenge.

Axel Walker, also known as the Assassin, was a half-breed so his loyalty lay with the highest bidder. Who had the most money to hand him at the end of a job was the side he was on whether human or vampire. His highest pay day was yet to come and all he had to do was kill the one they call the Slayer of Vampires.

The Slayer and the Assassin become players in a tangled web of deceit. It is Karma and Axel who have to decide whether killing each other is the best plan of action or joining forces to take out those who dare make them pawns in their dangerous games.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader’s Copy of this book.

The Bad Girl series is a 2018/2019 collaboration between 13 authors releasing one book a month about kiss-ass women with a penchant for being bad, Teresa Gabelman gives us May’s Bad girl with Karma’s Revenge.

OMG!!! If anyone knows how to write about hot Vampires it’s Teresa Gabelman.

Someone is going around town and killing vampires and now the Slayer of Vampires has a price on her head.

Sophie Deluce is looking for the vampire that killed her sister and left her stuffed next to the toilet in a public bathroom.  In doing so she has made the vampires so nervous that they put a contract out for her and assassin Axel Walker has her number, however once he she’s her and finds out her reasons he returns the money and decides to help her get her man.

I was  excepting some of Gabelman’s VC Warriors to show up, the story was so good!!!!

Sophie is one kick a** woman who needs this to get justice for her sister and no one is going to stop her.  I love how she sticks to what she wants even knowing there is a price on her head, so with the help of a half-breed assassin and her drag queen best friend she continues on her mission.

I swear Gabelman does vampires like no one else and I wouldn’t mind seeing more of Axel and Sophie.

Goodreads

Amazon

Teresa Gabelman is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the ‘Protectors Series’. When not writing about sexy alpha vampires and the women who drive them crazy she can be found on a lake with a fishing pole/Kindle, at a MMA event or spending a fun evening with family.

Being a full-time writer has allowed Teresa to connect more with readers which is what she loves most about writing. If you find the time she would love to hear from you!

WebsiteTwitterFacebook

#CoverReveal – Cord’s Chance by Lindsay Cross

Cord’s Chance by Lindsay Cross

Cover Design: Kari March Designs

Release Date: June 12, 2018

 

He thought he was done. His career as a special forces sniper was over. He’d lost his leg and his dignity in that ambush. Now, after nearly a year of rehab, he was fighting the toughest battle in his life: prove he was still worthy to serve.

His chance:

Contract with a security firm to pull protection for a rancher by the name of Sam Bishop. If he succeeded in routing out the bad guy, Cord would be back on the team.

The bonus:

He’d be able to get the hell away from all the counselors and therapists trying to tell him how to come to grips with his PTSD and missing limb. There were no emotions and feelings in west Texas, just rough necks and grit. Exactly what he needed.

The catch:

Sam’s real name is Samantha and she’s not a codgy old man – she’s the one girl from Cord’s past he never got over. He thought he’d lost his chance with her, and now that he wasn’t a whole man, he didn’t deserve her.

Samantha is determined to show Cord he’s everything she ever wanted. Her biggest battle isn’t the stalker threatening her life: it’s making Cord see he’s worthy of her love and so much more.

Goodreads Link: http://bit.ly/2HXlAjq

One of Five ARCs of Cord’s Chance by Lindsay Cross

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Lindsay Cross is the award-winning author of the Men of Mercy series. She is the fun loving mom of two beautiful daughters and one precocious Great Dane. Lindsay is happily married to the man of her dreams – a soldier and veteran. During one of her husband’s deployments from home, writing became her escape and motivation.

An avid reader since childhood, reading and writing is in her blood. After years of reading, she discovered her true passion – writing. Her alpha military men are damaged, drop-dead gorgeous and determined to win the heart of the woman of their dreams.

Website: http://www.lindsaycross.com

Facebook Author Page: http://bit.ly/294JQQM

Facebook Group: http://bit.ly/290ByHr

Instagram: http://bit.ly/292V3PR

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/2gJLbUk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindsaycross101

Goodreads Author Page: http://bit.ly/294JTwb

Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.to/293aMCR

BookBub Author Page: http://bit.ly/1T8eczc

Book + Main Page: https://bookandmainbites.com/lindsaycross

#Review – Elicit (Eagle Elite #4) by Rachel Van Dyken

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Cursed, numb, rejected, scorned, wicked, sinister, dark, twisted…my name is Tex Campisi and this is my legacy. I killed my father in cold blood and lost my soul right along with him.
I crave war more than peace, and I’m about to take my place in history as the youngest Capo dei Capi in the Cosa Nostra…that is until someone stops me, saves me from myself.

But the only person able to do that…is my best friends sister, Mo Abandonato, and she just ripped my heart out and asked me to hold it in my hands while she put bullets through it.

Im cursed so I did it.
I’m numb so I held it.
I’m wicked so I liked it.
I used the pain Mo caused as a catalyst to turn into my biggest nightmare–the five families greatest enemy. It’s my turn to take a stand, knowing full well I’m going to lose my mind to the madness that is the American Mafia. I’ve always been told Blood is thicker than life. I wish I would have listened. Because regardless of who you love? You will betray. You will kill.
Blood Always Wins.
The only way out is death…yours.

Welcome to the Dark Side of the Family.

Goodreads

Amazon

Happy dance it’s time for Tex and Mo’s book. Tex is the goof that gave us the comic relief that was needed. With this book we get to see a different side of Tex the mafia leader and a very intelligent one at that. I’m not sure who I like the dark alpha mafia Tex or the funny Tex. Maybe I like a little of both and that is why I think Tex and Mo make a great couple Mo helps balance him.
Like any of the Abandonato’s Mo is strong-willed and determined but with the plan Mo has hatched and has Tex help her could be detrimental to his health. When Nixon finds out the may have been some fists and bullets flying. What Tex was put through when agreeing to help Mo just showed the love he has for Mo and what all he would do for her.
Like the other books this one has its own set to twists and turns. I’m telling you Rachel knows how to keep you guessing and stunned when things start to unravel. I’m telling you the “plans”these guys come up with have you hanging on but when others hatch a side plan then the crazy really starts to happen and you wonder who will be standing in the end.

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

#Review – Entice (Eagle Elite #3) by Rachel Van Dyken

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From #1 New York Times Bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken comes the third book in the bestselling Eagle Elite Series…

“As burns this saint, so burns my soul. I enter alive, and I will have to get out dead.”

Chase Winter let the love of his life slip through his fingers and into the hands of his best friend and mafia boss of the Abandanato family. Now that he’s been given a second chance to right a wrong–he refuses to let his own selfishness stand in the way. The only problem? He’s not fully in possession of his heart, so when Mil De Lange, the girl who’s innocence he stole, and heir to the worst of the worst mafia families in the US, asks him for a favor. He actually says yes, not realizing that that one yes has the power to destroy them all.

Mil’s been in love with Chase as long as she can remember, but as the years went by, the love turned to hate, and now that he’s agreed to help her, she’s wondering if she made a fatal error. Because Chase isn’t a teenager anymore. He’s a hot blooded male, bent on owning every part of her body and soul, and willing to kill anyone in his path who dares stand in the way.
It’s time for secrets to finally be revealed…but make no mistake, it’s going to take a lot of bloodshed for those truths to be discovered.

You’ve never read a New Adult Mafia story like this before…loyalties will be tested, lovers reunited, and friendships obliterated. Welcome to the Family. Blood in–No out.

Entice (Eagle Elite Book 3) May 13, 2014….Are you in?

Goodreads

Amazon

It’s Chase’s turn after all he has been through believing he could have a chance to win trace only to have her choose Nixon. When Mil DeLange finds herself the head of the DeLange family she enlists the help of Chase in an effort to protect herself. Chase agrees to help Mil in the process realizes what he wants. Now he just need to break down Mil’s walls and make her see he is the right one.

I love that this is told in Chase, Mil and Nixon’s POV. We get to see how much Nixon has grown into his roll. We may not love what he does but know there is a reason which is usually to protect the family and those he loves. I have to say I like Chase but Mil is one bad ass chick and I love her for it but really if you’re the head of the family…a family that wants you out you have to be a bad ass.

This has so much packed into it has romance, suspense and a dab of humor but the curve balls Rachel Van Dyken toss in here is just crazy. As for Tex I want to know his story he is kind of the outsider but always in the thick of things we finally get a few answers as to why. I cannot wait to start Tex’s book I know it will not be disappointing. I’m so ready for more of Rachel Van Dyken’s suspense and plot twists .

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

#NewRelease #IndyAuthorEvent- Heaven’s Rejects MC Vol. 1 Set by Avelyn Paige

Title: Heaven’s Rejects Volume 1
Novels Included: Sins of the Father ~ Heaven Sent ~ Angels and Ashes
Series: Heaven’s Rejects MC
Author: Avelyn Paige
Genre: MC Romance
Release Date: May 25, 2018
Join the Heaven’s Rejects brotherhood with the first three books of the series bundled together for the first time.
 
Sins of the Father – Prequel Novella
Absolute power corrupts absolutely; it was a harsh lesson that my father learned too late. Now we’re all going to burn for his mistakes.
 
 
Heaven Sent – HRMC #1
Can an angel with blood-covered wings and the devil himself resist temptation, or will they risk bringing hellfire down on everything that they love?
 
 
Angels and Ashes – HRMC #2
When Darcy Kyle sticks her nose in the club’s business, Raze finds himself questioning his loyalty to his brother’s memory. How can he resist an angel bathed in the ashes of the fallen?

 
 


Avelyn Paige is an international bestselling author. She resides in a sleepy little town in Indiana with her husband and three crazy pets. While she may be a Hoosier by birth, she is a Boilermaker by choice. Boiler Up!
Avelyn spends her days working as a cancer research scientist and her nights sipping moonshine while writing and book reviewing. She loves everything paranormal, Cajun culture, and wants to try tornado chasing as a hobby when she finally grows up. She just has to get over that pesky fear of thunderstorms first.

HOSTED BY:

#AudioReview – Elect (Eagle Elite #2) by Rachel Van Dyken

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Would you die for the one you love?

Nixon Abandonato made his choice. And now he has to pay the price. Tracey is the love of his life, but being with him has made her a target of his family’s enemies. The only way to keep Trace alive is convince the world she means nothing to him.

Trace Rooks has fallen irrevocably in love with the son of her family’s sworn rival, and she knows in her bones nothing can tear them apart. Until Nix suddenly pushes her away and into the arms of his best friend… But Trace isn’t ready to give up on a future with Nix–and if he won’t fight for them, she will.

In the end, a sacrifice must be made. A life for a life. For what better way to cover a multitude of sins than with the blood of a sinner

Goodreads

Amazon

I purchased this audio book.

Elect is a continuation of Elite and the story of Nixon, Trace and Chase. There is betrayal, secrets and is full of action and suspense. We learn so much more about the Elite. This love triangle had my emotions all over the place. I felt like Nixon and Trice were the one for each other but when Nixon pushed her into Chase’s arms I wasn’t sure he deserved her. My feelings shifted thinking maybe Trace and Chase belonged together.  Chase was always the one there to pick up the pieces of Trace. The suspense of what was going to happen in this triangle had me a ball of nerves.

Even though Nixon fell hard for Trace he was willing to give her up and let Chase’s plan go forward to protect Trace. Chase is Nixon’s cousin and Chase is the closest thing Nixon has to a brother. Chase would never let his feelings for Trace go too far and betray his cousin but the longer they are together the more Chase thinks maybe there is more there and it is a possibility Trace could be his.

I liked that we got both Chase and Nixon POV in this one. I have to say I am intrigued about Phoenix I still don’t like him but it will be interesting to see why he is the way he is and does the things he does. I absolutely fell more in love with Nixon seeing his strength and selflessness to protect those he loves shows he is an amazing person in power. The twists Rachel Van Dyken puts in here was just incredible. The narrator did a good job with these POV of all the guys. I was drawn in and could not find it in myself to press the pause button. I need to get the next one to jump into to find out what will happen next.

Rachel Van Dyken is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today Bestselling author of regency and contemporary romances. When she’s not writing you can find her drinking coffee at Starbucks and plotting her next book while watching The Bachelor.
She keeps her home in Idaho with her Husband, adorable son, and two snoring boxers! She loves to hear from readers!
Want to be kept up to date on new releases? Text MAFIA to 66866!

You can connect with her on Facebook www.facebook.com/rachelvandyken or join her fan group Rachel’s New Rockin Readers. Her website is www.rachelvandykenauthor.com.

#NewRelease #Anthology #Charity – The Cocky Collective

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Cocktales, a limited-release anthology of original, never before published material, from some of your favorite bestselling authors is available now!

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Each story was specifically written for this anthology.

The goal of the Cocktales Anthology is to raise funds to fight against obstruction of creative expression. Specifically, what we believe are obstruction attempts through the trademarking of common (single) words for titicular use in books / or as a book series (eBooks, print, and audio).

Cocktales will only be available May 26th-August 26th.

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Download your copy today:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2InBckG

Amazon Universal: http://mybook.to/Cocktales

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2rUn33i

iBooks: https://apple.co/2IoO7CM

Nook: https://bit.ly/2k0i25J

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2IIixiH

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2ImisBR

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

Contributing Authors Include:

Nana Malone, USA Today Bestselling author – Foreword

Dylan Allen – ‘Cocked and Loaded’

Jana Aston, NYT, WSJ, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Double Cocked’

Whitney Barbetti – ‘Cocksure Grin’

Author Sawyer Bennett, NYT, WSJ, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘A Wicked, Cocky Plan’

K.f. Breene, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Magical Cock and Bull’

Ruth Clampett, Amazon top 20 Bestselling Author – ‘Don’t Get Cocky’

L.H. Cosway, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Illusionist Seeks Neanderthal’

Mariah Dietz – ‘Landmines’

Amy Daws, Amazon Top 25 Bestselling author – ‘Cock and Balls’

BB Easton, Amazon Top 100 Bestselling author – ‘Cocky BB: Two Boys, One Prom.’

Jaymin Eve, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘The Cockier the Dragon, the Harder They Fall’

Emma Hart, NYT and USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Tricky Bond’

Staci Hart, Amazon Top 10 Bestselling author – ‘Cockamamie’

Jessica Hawkins, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Cocky Couture’

Julie Johnson Amazon Top 100 Bestselling author – ‘Culinary Cock-Up’

Karpov Kinrade, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Crimson Cocktail’

Adriana Locke, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Swag’

Lex Martin, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Love & Hate at the Stallion Station’

Aly Martinez, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Going Down’

Katyi McGee – USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Cocksure Co-Star’

Corinne Michaels, NYT, WSJ, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Cockblocked’

Liv Morris, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Getting It Up’

Red Phoenix, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Her Cocky Russian’

Daisy Prescott, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Confessions of a Cockblocked Wingman’

Jessica Prince – ‘A Cocky Corruption Engagement’

Meghan Quinn, Amazon Top 20 Bestselling Author – ‘Fight or Flight’

CD Reiss, NYT and USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Cocky Capo’

Penny Reid, WSJ and USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Beard and Hen’

Julie Richman, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘The Color of Love’

Aleatha Romig, NYT, WSJ, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Aligned’

Kennedy Ryan, Top 40 Amazon Bestselling author – ‘All’

Kylie Scott, NYT, WSJ, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Short Story with Mal and Anne from The Stage Dive Series’

Sierra Simone, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Until the Cock Crows’

Tara Sivec, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Chocolate and Cockup’

Kate Stewart, Amazon Top 30 Bestselling author – ‘The Golden Sombrero’

Leia Stone, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Cocky Alpha’

Karla Sorensen – ‘Tristan & Anna: A Bachelors of the Ridge short story’

Rachel Van Dyken, NYT, WSJ, USA Today Bestselling author – ‘Cocky Mafia’

April White, Amazon Top 100 Bestselling author – ‘Code of Conduct’

*ALL* net profits will be donated to:

Authors already impacted by creative-obstruction (10%), and Romance Writers of America (RWA) (90%) as a general donation intended for their Advocacy Fund.

*Disclaimer: This anthology is not being conducted on behalf of RWA, nor does RWA endorse this anthology or effort. They have, however, graciously agreed to accept the funds.

For more information, visit: https://www.cockyauthors.com

#NewRElease #Giveaway #Excerpt – Cross, Gibson Boys 2.5 by Adriana Locke

Title:          Cross

Author:      Adriana Locke

Series:        The Gibson Boys #2.5

Cover Designer:           Kari March at www.karimarch.com

Goodreads:         http://bit.ly/CrossGR

Release Date:     Friday, May 25, 2018

Live Release on Amazon and in KU

Giveaway:          http://bit.ly/CrossReleaseGiveaway

Questions you might have:

  1. This novella was originally released in the Team Player Anthology last winter. It has been updated a bit with a few new chapters to round out the story.
  2. Two Gibson Boy short stories involving characters from this series, Nora, Kip, and Blaire, are included in the back for reader enjoyment.
  3. This is a standalone novella. However, it technically takes place after Craft, which is why it’s numbered #2.5. Reader do NOT have to have read Craft to enjoy Cross.
  4. Reading Order:

Crank – https://amzn.to/2L7b0sa

Craft – https://amzn.to/2k4eXS0

Cross – live release on Amazon & KU on 5/25

Crave (coming Summer 2018)

Cross Jacobs was a screw-up.

Everyone knew it, especially him, and the point was hammered home when Kallie Welch drove herself right out of his life.

But, she’s back.

Seeing Cross wasn’t on Kallie’s to-do list. She didn’t think she could avoid him forever but trying never hurt anyone. One minute she’s standing by herself and the next she’s accosted by a rich, velvety scent that could only belong to one man: Cross.

At face value, he’s divine. All rugged and confident with a smile that melts her right where she’s standing. It doesn’t take long to find him to be charming, witty, and the owner of a few legitimate businesses. Not at all like the mischievous boy she left.

He laughs and her heart flutters. With a touch of his hand, she’s dizzy. She’s fairly certain she’s going to die when he pulls her into an embrace and touches his lips to her forehead.

It feels right. It feels so right.

But is it?

Chapter One

Cross

“Where have you been in that thing?” Machlan shouts.

The roar of his muscle car’s engine winds down and he clicks the transmission into park. The purplish-black paint shines in the early afternoon sun.

Having just backed out of a parking spot onto Main Street, I check my rearview mirror. No one is coming. “Bluebird Hill,” I tell him. “After all that rain last night, I figured I’d test the new tires Walker put on my truck last week.”

“You’re a fuckin’ kid.” He laughs.

“Says the man driving that,” I tease, pointing at his ride.

“I’m not sure what your point is. This car is the baddest thing in town.” He punches the gas, the motor roaring like a banshee.

Glancing around at Doc Burns’ office with two cars in the parking lot and the Linton County History Museum across the street that only opens for the Water Festival once a year, I grin. “That’s not saying much.”

“Go to Hell.” His hand slips through his dark hair and over his chin. The amusement in his features evaporates as I watch … and cringe.

I know this look. I know all of his looks, actually, a by-product of being his best friend as long as I can remember. Many of them concern me and a lot of them worry me. But this one? It’s a flashing red sign with Vegas-inspired lights.

The thing is, I can’t just ignore it. When this look comes, so does the topic of my sister and, even though I love the both of them, I wouldn’t mind seeing them in a padded room until they fix whatever it is between them that is so broken.

With a sigh, I jam my truck into park too. “Yes,” I say, answering the question he’s yet to ask. “Hadley called and isn’t coming home this weekend. She said maybe next week.”

His jaw works back and forth as he stares down the street. “Why?”

That single word is spit with a lifetime of emotion. Machlan has loved my sister since the day she moved to Linton with our father and me when our mother died. She was fourteen and innocent and he was fifteen and infatuated. Through the years, they were off and on and together and not—at least officially. Everyone knew Machlan and Hadley were one and the same.

I’m not sure why she moved away from here. Being both her brother and his best friend precluded me from certain information, which is for the best. They both drive me nuts without having the details.

“Not sure,” I reply. “She left a voicemail last night saying she wouldn’t be home today. She didn’t pick up when I called her back.”

He flips his gaze to me. “You didn’t talk to her after that?”

“She’s a big girl, Mach,” I mock. “I’m sure she had shit to do.”

“Yeah.” His fingers regrip the steering wheel as his jaw goes back to work again.

“I’m gonna go wash this before I head back to the gym—”

“She’s all right, though. Right?” he interrupts. His face is stone-cold sober. “I mean …”

“She’s fine.”

He waits. Blinks. Re-grips the wheel again. “That’s it?”

Popping my truck into drive, I blow out a breath. “Yeah, that’s it. You want to know more? Call her. What a fucking amazing concept.”

“Yeah. I’ll get right on that,” he snips back.

“You should. Then you could quit this whole thing.”

“Got nothin’ to quit, man. Just being a decent guy.”

A decent guy. It’s my turn to turn my knuckles white on the steering wheel.

Machlan isn’t a decent guy. He’s a fucking great one … much better than the guy Hadley is seeing now. A guy I haven’t mentioned to Mach since I got home a couple of weeks ago from visiting her. I’m not mentioning him, either. I’ll save the boyfriend an ER bill and myself the bail money.

I can’t blame him. It has to be hard to see Hadley with another guy when, in Machlan’s mind, she’s his girl.

My stomach twists like it always does when my mind goes down this road. At least my girl didn’t bring other guys back with her. Hell, she didn’t even come back at all.

“Here comes Kip,” Machlan says, bringing me out of my reverie. Nodding toward the road in front of him, he laughs. “I’m not moving.”

I twist in my seat to see the sheriff coming toward us. He blares the siren twice as if to get us to move. We don’t.

Machlan pokes his head out of the window. “Need somethin’?” he shouts.

Laughing, I watch Kip’s car slide carefully between Machlan’s and the curb on the other side.

“You can’t park in the street!” Kip yells.

“What are ya gonna do about it?” I holler.

“Take ya both in.”

“Don’t you have somewhere to be?” Machlan asks. “Someone to protect and serve? Or service, if I know you?”

Kip shakes his head as Machlan flips him the bird. The sirens come on again before Kip hits the gas and speeds off down the street and vanishes over the hill.

When I look back at Machlan, his attention is on his phone.

“What?” I ask, curious about the smile on his face.

He looks at me and laughs. Sticking the phone in the cup holder, he shrugs. “Nothing. But can you do me a favor?”

“No.”

“I need help moving a couple of things at Crave. Come help me. Just for a few.”

“What’s in it for me?” I ask.

“A beer?”

Throwing the truck in neutral, I rev the engine. It barely sounds before his is screaming over top of mine and we jet off in opposite directions. I get to a stop sign at the end of the street and do a quick one-eighty to head to Crave.

USA Today Bestselling author Adriana Locke lives and breathes books. After years of slightly obsessive relationships with the flawed bad boys created by other authors, Adriana has created her own.

She resides in the Midwest with her husband, sons, and two dogs. She spends a large amount of time playing with her kids, drinking coffee, and cooking. You can find her outside if the weather’s nice and there’s always a piece of candy in her pocket.

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