Teatime and Books Reviews

Thursday, January 2, 2025

Pre-Order Blitz ~ Timeless - Heart's True Desire Series: Book Two by Kathryn Amurra

Timeless

Heart’s True Desire Series: Book Two

Kathryn Amurra

About the Book:

Genres: Contemporary Romance with Mystical Elements / Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: March 12, 2025

Erin Dovetree cannot forgive her father for cheating on her mother years ago and has sworn off men altogether. That is until destiny leads her to her grandmother’s incredibly attractive and mysterious landlord.

William Abbott has lived for over a hundred years, cursed with a static and unnatural existence as punishment for his past sins. Although drawn to the lovely and intelligent Erin, he refuses to subject her to the fate that is his alone to bear.

As Erin pieces together the story of Will’s past and discovers the true cause of his timeless existence, she must reconsider the judgments she has made in her own life. And to have any chance at a life together, she and Will must find answers to the questions that have plagued them both.

Purchase Link:

Amazon

Excerpt:

Erin snorted quietly. “Meet him? When would I ever meet your landlord?”

“Right now,” replied her grandmother, as though it were obvious. “I need you to take my rent up to him.”

“What?” gasped Erin. “Absolutely not. I am not going up there to check him out, Grandma. I’m sure our paths will cross eventually.” She added under her breath, “And I’m sure he’s not as ‘handsome’ as you say he is.”

“Get up, Erin. My rent check is already made out. It’s under the saltshaker on the table.”

Erin sat up straight and crossed her arms, feeling like a petulant child. “No, Grandma, I’m not going up there.”

Her grandmother rubbed her hands together, then looked up at Erin with a crinkle in her brow that was designed to elicit sympathy.

“Honey, I really need you to take it. It’s almost the end of the month, and I forgot to give it to him when he came for his visit. It’ll be late if I mail it. You know I would take it up there myself if it weren’t for my arthritis.”

“I’m sure there’s a grace period,” replied Erin, already feeling her resolve weaken. “Or you can have Dad do it when he comes over tomorrow.”

“Please, Pumpkin.” The crinkles in her forehead deepened masterfully. “I would sleep a lot easier knowing my rent is paid.”

Erin never could resist a “Pumpkin” plea from her grandmother. She knew she had no choice.

“He’s probably not even up there,” said Erin, pulling herself up and walking reluctantly to the table where the check lay, mocking her. She picked it up and slipped it into the back pocket of her jeans. “There’s probably a mail slot or some basket for rent checks up there, now that he’s here,” she reasoned, walking to the door. “Your devious little scheme to have me meet this mysterious Mr. Abbott is not going to work, you know.” Erin reached for the doorknob. “I’ll be back in a minute, Grandma. Prepare to be sorely disappointed.”

She could hear the old woman chuckling from her chair as she closed the door behind her.

Shaking her head, Erin walked up the three flights of stairs to the apartment where the allegedly gorgeous Mr. Abbott resided. Half annoyed, and half amused, she wished she could have just a fraction of her grandmother’s spunk when she turned twenty-seven later that year, let alone when she was in her eighties.

As she climbed up the last few steps to the third floor, she scanned the area all around the door marked 3A for a mailbox or a slot for dropping off rent without success. Too soon, she thought. The poor guy hadn’t even gotten himself situated yet, and her grandmother wanted her to stalk him.

Taking a breath, Erin raised a fisted hand and gave the heavy wooden door three strong knocks. She would wait about five seconds, and, if there was no answer, she would return to her grandmother’s apartment victorious.

Two seconds had gone by when the door opened. “Can I help you?”

Damn it. He was gorgeous.

About the Author:

Kathryn Amurra is the author of sweet and sensual love stories. Her debut series, Soothsayer's Path, is a historical romance series of standalone books set in Ancient Rome around 115 CE. Her new series, Heart’s True Desire, is a paranormal romance series of standalone books published through The Wild Rose Press. Kathryn has been making up stories for as long as she can remember and writing since grade school. Against the advice of her 12^th grade English teacher, she studied Mechanical Engineering in college, then worked as an Engineer for a few years. After finding and marrying her own hero, she and her hubby went to law school together. They currently live in North Carolina with their three girls.

Contact Links:

Email - kathrynamurra@gmail.com

Website: https://www.kathrynamurra.com

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/kathrynamurra/

Twitter – https://x.com/AmurraKathryn

Goodreads - https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20280375.Kathryn_Amurra

BookBub - https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kathryn-amurra

Hosted By:

Quill and Ink Book Tours

https://quillandinkbooktours.com/

Wednesday, December 25, 2024

Book Tour - Wildest Wish: Darkest Wishes Series Book Two by Alex Gordon

Wildest Wish

Darkest Wishes Series – Book 2

Alex Gordon

About the Book:

Genres: YA/NA Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Love Triangle

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: December 16, 2024

To keep her family safe, Regan Braaten accepts the job with Global Security Systems despite their nefarious reputation. Along with a few other gifted recruits, they fly her to their orientation facility in Alaska. As she learns how to harness her powers, she begins to trust her instructor Gin-perhaps more than she should. Definitely more than what her boyfriend, Jude, is comfortable with. Though her love life is in shambles, training's going well. Until Regan discovers the devastating secret that Gin has been hiding. To protect everyone she loves, she flees knowing full well her choice will lead to redemption if she's lucky, or ruin if she's not.

Purchase Links:

Excerpt:

Once they were far enough away not to overhear us, Mae prompted, “Is there something going on between you two? Rory’s quite convinced and not pleased that he would choose you when he could have her.” She mimicked Rory by pretending to toss her hair over her shoulder. Though it lacked the punch of Rory’s magnificent locks, Mae’s dark straight bob shone like an oil spill.

I pursed my lips to the side and shook my head. “No,” I said with exasperation. “We’re friends.” Now that Gin and I knew each other’s dirty little secrets, I was comfortable with the label. “And am I really that far down the food chain?” Sure, Rory was tall and gorgeous and looked like she could be a model on the cover of a magazine, but I wasn’t ugly.

“No,” she spat like the answer was obvious. “But I think sometimes us short people get a raw deal. Like we’re always categorized as cute, never beautiful. People are stupid.”

I couldn’t argue with her.

“And speaking of stupid.” She bumped me lightly with her arm. “Girl, Gin watches you like he’s the shark and you’re chum in the water.”

“Chum? Really?” I glanced at her with a look that said whatever.

“Okay, so a nice juicy tuna?” She snapped her jaw a couple of times revealing crooked front teeth and pointed canines.

I could do nothing besides laugh at the innuendo.

“No. Really. The way he stares sometimes gives me chills. I’ve been around. I survived years by reading people. That delicious specimen wants you something fierce. If somebody put a gun to my head, I’d say that boy’s halfway in love with you.”

I scoffed at her theory. The mere notion that Gin could have feelings for me was dangerous. If I would have met him before Jude—I shook the thought away. “Don’t be ridiculous. Gin and I are friends and nothing more,” I said a bit louder than I meant to.

Gin, obviously having heard my outburst, turned his head and winked.

About the Author:

Alex Gordon is a bit of a wanderer, having lived in Washington, Montana, Germany, Alaska, and Tennessee where she currently resides with her husband and two rescued German Shepherds. When not writing, you can probably find her hiking, or if she's lucky--fishing, though she's not opposed to camping out on the couch with dessert and bingeing murder mysteries.

Contact Links:

Website: https://www.alexgordonauthor.com/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C4Z658BX/about

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761429.Alex_Gordon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088926625113

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexgordonauthor

Tick Tock: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexgordonauthor

Giveaways:

First Giveaway

Paperback Bundle – Wicked Wish & Wildest Wish to One Lucky Winner

Open to US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Giveaway

eBook Bundle – Wicked Wish & Wildest Wish to One Lucky Winner

Open Internationally

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By:

Quill and Ink Book Tours

https://quillandinkbooktours.com/

Monday, December 2, 2024

Cover Reveal ~ Wildest Wish by Alex Gordon

Cover Reveal

Wildest Wish

Darkest Wishes Series – Book 2

Alex Gordon

About the Book:

Genres: YA/NA Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Love Triangle

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: December 16, 2024

To keep her family safe, Regan Braaten accepts the job with Global Security Systems despite their nefarious reputation. Along with a few other gifted recruits, they fly her to their orientation facility in Alaska.

As she learns how to harness her powers, she begins to trust her instructor Gin—perhaps more than she should. Definitely more than what her boyfriend, Jude, is comfortable with.

Though her love life is in shambles, training’s going well. Until Regan discovers the devastating secret that Gin has been hiding. To protect everyone she loves, she flees knowing full well her choice will lead to redemption if she’s lucky, or ruin if she’s not.

About the Author:

Contact Links:

Website: https://www.alexgordonauthor.com/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C4Z658BX/about

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761429.Alex_Gordon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088926625113

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexgordonauthor

Tick Tock: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexgordonauthor

Hosted By:

Quill and Ink Book Tours

https://quillandinkbooktours.com/

Saturday, November 30, 2024

Book Review - Wicked Wish by Alex Gordon

Wicked Wish

Darkest Wishes Series – Book 1

Alex Gordon

About the Book:

Genres: YA/NA Paranormal Romance, Coming of Age, Love Triangle

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Publication Date: July 5, 2023

When 18-year-old Regan accidentally kills her father, she discovers some startling truths.

First, she has the power of mind control.

Second, she must use it for evil or else suffer one of two fates: insanity or death. Her solution is
vigilante justice.

To atone for her sins, she vows to protect her classmates from The Three Musketcheers, a vicious
gang of cheerleaders who use lies, brute force, and blackmail as weapons in their quest to
dominate the school.

Unfortunately, every time Regan uses her gift, it develops a persona of its own—one she has
trouble controlling—leaving her to question whether she can save them without destroying
herself.

Purchase Links:

Amazon Audible

Excerpt:

I found a spot in the back corner of the room and hunkered down with crossed arms. I’d made it through my first day unscathed. Then in walked the dark-haired pretty boy, who, for some reason, didn’t seem to like me. Which was fine with me. He pulled a plastic bag out of the pocket of his unbuttoned, gray and black flannel shirt and tossed it on Mr. Clark’s desk. He smiled and said something in a deep, quiet voice, but I didn’t catch it. The teacher’s worn face lit up. Pretty boy stopped and surveyed all the empty spaces. He inhaled, his nostrils flaring, and exhaled for a long time before he strolled nonchalantly over to me. He swung the plastic chair around, its metal legs grating the floor, then straddled it. He stared at my profile, his gaze traveling slowly over me. It was as if I could physically feel his eyes caress my skin. The desire to reach up and brush the foreign feeling from my cheeks was strong. Instead, I concentrated on the paintings hanging above Mr. Clark’s desk. Abstracts. My favorite. I liked the way they invoked emotion without telling what it should be.

After a full minute of this discomfort, I tilted my head toward him and said, “What?” The overpowering lights matted his bronze skin, but it wasn’t unflattering. He looked like he’d been carved from stone. His eyelashes were so thick and dark I couldn’t tell if he was wearing eyeliner to go with his black nail polish or not. Tiny silver hoop earrings hung from both his earlobes. His silence made me twitchy. I turned my chair so it was facing him. I crossed my legs and folded my hands on my lap, mimicking my previous therapist. “And Johnny? What do you think about this new girl? The one that seems to irritate you?” I blinked my long eyelashes rapidly. He fiddled with a polished arrowhead that hung from a braided leather rope around his neck. “It’s Jude actually,” he said in a deep, smoky voice. I already knew that having had four classes out of seven with him. All advanced placement classes and art. Jude’s eyes were so black that, even in this bright light, I couldn’t differentiate his pupils from his irises. He swiveled his head, trying to see what was behind me, which was weird because the only thing there was a wall. “And I think there’s something wrong with the new girl.”

Full 5 Teacups for this awesome book by Alex Gordon. I loved Regan, she's a very strong and intelligent young woman who cares deeply about those around her. Even sacrificing her own worth to protect them. She does what she must and doesn't think twice about it. I could relate to her in many ways. The plot is very well-written and keeps you immersed and wanting to know more. The characters are strong and well rounded and you want to root for them. Gordon's writing is impeccable and draws the reader in, right from the first page. Paranormal romance is generally not my cup of tea; however, Gordon's world-building and way of weaving a tale has made me want to read more!

About the Author:

Contact Links:

Website: https://www.alexgordonauthor.com/

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0C4Z658BX/about

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5761429.Alex_Gordon

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088926625113

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alexgordonauthor

Tick Tock: https://www.tiktok.com/@alexgordonauthor

Giveaways:

First Giveaway

One Paperback Copy of Wicked Wish to One Lucky Winner

Open to US Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Second Giveaway

One eBook Copy of Wicked Wish to One Lucky Winner

Open Internationally

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Hosted By:

Quill and Ink Book Tours

https://quillandinkbooktours.com/

Thursday, November 14, 2024

Book Tour & Giveaway ~ Yule Tide by Brian Anderson

About the Book:

Publication Date: November 4, 2024

Publisher: Wild Rose Press

Genre: Mystery. A hardboiled PI novel with a fallen angel protagonist

Following the death of Kris Kringle, the operation of Christmas is taken over by a shadowy organization known as the Company who shutter the toy line at the North Pole and reestablish their base in the newly minted city of Yule Tide. Suspecting their motives, the Archangelic Council recalls its liaison to Christmas—an angel named Harold. When Harold refuses to return to Heaven, he is stripped of his wings and is grounded on Earth. His influence gone, Harold is fired by the Company and becomes a none-too-successful private investigator. But when he is hired by the beautiful wife of a Company executive to locate her missing husband, Harold sees a chance at redemption.

Searching for the missing man, Harold uncovers secrets that the Company will protect at all costs. He must also balance his growing attraction to his client with a renewed hope of regaining his wings.

Purchase Links:

Amazon Kindle

Amazon Paperback

Barnes & Noble Paperback

Excerpt:

“I have come to understand more than I once did about the nature of truth. Truth is, dare I say it, ‘fungible.’ Different versions are traded like tchotchkes as if none have any meaning except to distract… I’ve also found that people believe most ardently in what they wish were the truth. Whereas the actual truth, like the cry of a trapped miner, is but a muffled echo sounding from a cavern of the damned.”

Billy shuddered. “Anyway, you ain’t told me how the meeting with Elvin went.”

“You mean Santa?”

Billy wrinkled his nose. “I remember him as Elvin. And I told you, I can’t believe they couldn’t have come up with a better candidate for Claus than him.”

“You sound jealous.”

Billy’s eyes went wide with innocence. “Who me? Nah. You kidding? I mean, I do remember some years back when Elvin and I was both up for a promotion to line foreman. So, he plays the corporate game better than me. I got pride is what I got.”

“You definitely have something,” Angel agreed.

Billy ignored him. “That Elvin? Always so smart, so perfect. Always working out. Always in tip-top shape. What’s with that anyhow? And his wife. She’s the same. All defined muscles, long legs, and those shoulders? Yowsa! I’ll bet she could clean and jerk a Buick.”

“Careful, Billy.”

“I mean, what’s it do to Kringle’s memory to have his successor and his wife on the cover of Shape magazine?”

“I think they are a very attractive couple.”

“The real Santa and Mrs. Claus was an attractive couple. They had natural beauty.”

“Kringle was morbidly obese and had a perpetually red nose.”

“Yeah, but he did it with class. Didn’t have to work out every day to impress everyone.”

“I don’t think the new Santa works out to impress everyone,” Angel said. “I think he does it for his health. Could be if Kringle had taken better care of himself, we’d still have him with us.”

Billy shook his head sadly. “I miss him, Boss. I really do. I mean, he fired me and all. But I miss him.”

“I do too, Billy.”

“The truth,” Angel answered, “does not depend on whether one believes it. The truth is the truth.”

Scratch chuckled. “You continue to surprise me, Angel. The truth is this. When presented with facts that are unsettling, most people prefer to believe in a comforting lie. Events of the last several years have proven that. The real truth is that believing in alternative, unsubstantiated facts is empowering. To claim without doubt that a lie is the truth both sets a person apart from the conforming crowd and binds them with others that profess to believe likewise. The lie makes them tribal. Powerful. It produces a kind of gleeful association. Believing in lies is a sort of alchemy—changing something, or someone, base into gold.”

About the Author:

Brian Anderson is a graduate of the University of Minnesota whose Dinkytown neighborhood provides the setting for his mystery series featuring private investigator Lyle Dahms. The Dahms novels spring from his lifelong love of mystery fiction, especially the works of Dashiell Hammett and Raymond Chandler, as well as more contemporary masters like Robert B. Parker and G.M. Ford. He is a three-time finalist in the Pacific Northwest Writers Association mystery and suspense contest.

Brian spent much of his professional career working to alleviate domestic hunger serving as the operations director of the Emergency Feeding Program of Seattle & King County as well as the manager of the Pike Market Food Bank in downtown Seattle. Married with three beautiful daughters, he now lives and writes in Ocean Shores, a small city on the Washington coast.

Contact Links:

Website: www.brianandersonmysteries.com

Author Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/brianandersonmysteries

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22749823.Brian_Anderson

Facebook: www.facebook.com/brianandersonmysteries

Instagram: www.instagram.com/brianandersonmysteries

X: www.x.com/RedmondBrian

Giveaway: