Where do you run when everything has been stripped away?
Mercedes
After making the biggest mistake of her life, Mercedes Elliott thought moving halfway across the world was the right decision. But six months later, she’s isolated, dependent on a dangerous relationship with her boyfriend, Jason Marsh, and no closer to rebuilding her once promising legal career. Running low on hope, Mercedes secretly reaches out to the one man she never thought she’d see again.
Alec
Alec McKinley always regretted letting Mercedes slip through his fingers. So when she invites him for coffee, he jumps at the chance to see her. Mercedes is just as beautiful as he remembered, only he can’t help but notice the pain lingering in her eyes.
The Truth
After Mercedes’ relationship comes to a violent head, she finds herself unable to escape her boyfriend’s grasp. That is, until Alec makes an unexpected offer that could be her saving grace. But accepting that offer comes at a cost.
Being near Alec ignites a flame Mercedes thought had burned out long ago. And when they realize Jason is not the man they thought he was, she and Alec uncover a stunning truth that will change everything between them.
Will they let the past ruin them for a second time, or give in to the truth they’ve been keeping secret?
Devastated and lost, Alec McKinley knows he must move on. Still, he can’t forget the love of his life. The woman he tried so hard to protect and failed. When Alec arrives at the trial that will determine the fate of those responsible for destroying his world, he discovers how deep their lies run.
Mercedes
Mercedes Elliott has suffered through a lifetime’s worth of trauma, but finally, the end seems near. The trial that could set her free is around the corner, and all she can think about is finally being able to go back to Alec. But when Mercedes returns, she finds he’s not alone, and everything she thought she knew was all just a devastating lie.
The Lies
Deceptions run deep, and Alec grows more and more desperate to protect Mercedes, even as she is slipping through his fingers. Can he keep her alive long enough to prove his love for her, or will lies be what shatters them completely?
American writer AV Asher (Avie) was one of those kids always who got in trouble for reading in class. She has been creating stories since childhood, but only recently began writing them down. The Truth Keeps Silent is Avie’s debut novel. The second book in the duet, The Lies That Shatter, is expected to be released in the Autumn of 2021. Avie lives in Northern Nevada with her husband and three children.
Out of the Ashes will be the best bar in the county. At least that’s what I promised my uncle before he passed away.
With all the changes we’re making, more challenges arise. The crowd seems to get rowdier with every day that passes, and most days I feel like I can’t keep my head above water.
That is until Dylan, the kid I used to babysit, walks in. He’s definitely not a kid anymore. But he might just be what I need to keep the bar running smoothly. Too bad he isn’t staying in town.
Guarding my heart is the least of my problems, but I’m not sure how long I can fight my attraction.
The hallway to the office is a short distance away, and I make my way toward it. The loudness of the bar fades away the closer I get to the office. Now where is that box? Scanning the shelf, I don’t see it anywhere. I squeeze behind the door, bumping it slightly as I reach up to look at the boxes higher on the shelf. There. Of course, it’s on the top one. I really need to get some kind of a ladder in here. Especially since there are more people working here that may need to get something.
My hand goes up to grab the box, and I feel a sudden presence behind me. The door creaking before a soft thud as it shuts. “Here, let me help you with that.”
Before I have a chance to turn around or offer any sort or rebuttal, Dylan’s hands are covering mine on the box. They are warm and softer than I expected, and I can’t deny the sparks that course through my body at the contact. My hands slide off the box as he brings it down in front of us. Me, caught between him and the shelf. “You didn’t have to do that. I’m perfectly capable of pulling a box down.”
I turn around to face him. That was a mistake. With my back to him, I could pretend his mere presence didn’t have an effect on me, but now…I don’t know if I can hide my reactions as easily. “You sure about that? The last time you tried aprons fell all over the floor.”
Don’t look up. Don’t look up. Keep your eyes focused in front of you. His chest is perfectly reasonable to talk to, right? “And that’s because you intervened.” Jesus, this is ridiculous. My eyes move up his body. Above his chest, to his chiseled jaw, and up until I can see his eyes. Yep, big mistake. They hide nothing. Want simmers in their deep brown depths. The ball is in my court, and the way he’s looking at me makes it hard to keep my wits about it.
A part of me wants to knock the box out of his hands and climb him like a tree. The other part knows damn well I don’t need to venture down this path. This way lies heartache and broken promises. “Angie, are you still with me?” The box holding the mini straws and napkins falls to the floor. “Hello?”
That shakes me out of my thoughts. “Yeah, sorry what were you saying?”
“I was talking smack on your awesome box getting skills.” He bends down until he’s eye level with me. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m fine. I just can’t think.” I turn, but I’m trapped between Dylan and the shelf. His arms are on either side of me. My hand goes to his arm to push him away and stop at the sound of his voice.
“Is there a reason you can’t think? Am I that reason?” I don’t have to see his face to know he’s smirking. I can tell by his voice, low and seductive. When the fuck did he master that?
“Does it matter?” I try for annoyed, but it’s clearly not working. “I need to get this box to Carlos.”
“Okay,” he leans in closer. His breath a soft whisper against my ear. “But, answer one question.” He waits for me to speak up, and I don’t. I want to know what he’s going to ask. “Do you feel anything toward me? I think I’ve made my interest pretty damn clear.”
I could lie. Lying would be a hell of a lot easier, but I can’t. Not now. Not with him so close to me. “I’m attracted to you. In ways I shouldn’t be.” A glance toward him is all it takes to know that he doesn’t give a damn that I shouldn’t have any feelings toward him. A wide grin is all I can see. And fuck if I don’t want to kiss him. To see if he’s as confident as he lets on.
My toes lift of their own volition, and I do just that. I need to know. Maybe then whatever the hell I’m experiencing around him will stop. I mean for it to be a quick peck, but soon my lips are parting and I’m deepening the kiss. I fully expect him to pull away, or grab me. Something to give me an idea of what he’s thinking. All I can hear is the metal shelf behind me shaking. He has some restraint at least. Before I can pull away the door opens and we jump apart from each other. “Angie, did you find the straws and napkins?” Carlos asks as he rounds the door. Dylan picks up the box and hands it to him before hurrying out of the office. Carlos pins me with a glare. “I sure hope you know what you’re doing, Ang.”
Katrina Marie lives in the Dallas area with her husband, two children, and fur baby. She is a lover of all things geeky and Gryffindor for life. Welcome to Your Life is her debut novel and she hopes you enjoy reading it as much as she enjoyed writing it.
Title: The Devil Within Author: Tanya Nellestein Genre: Romantic Suspense
Sometimes you have to go to dark places before you can truly find the light.
Sarah Darcy has created the life she always wanted with her dream job in London, as far from Australia as she can get. However, all she’s ever wanted was to love and be loved. She thought she’d found it in bad boy biker, Alex Riley; until he ripped her heart out.
Unwanted his whole life, Alex went from foster child to an outlaw and enforcer with The Devils MC. He never went looking for love, never thought he deserved it, until he found Sarah. To keep Sarah safe, he ended the relationship. But he couldn’t stay away, not forever.
Alex has come to start his life over as well. But he’s running from a dark and violent past that will not let him go alive. Forced to run for their lives across Europe, being chased by a biker gang hell-bent on revenge. With no one else to turn to, can Sarah trust Alex, let alone love him again?
He stepped out of the bathroom, towel wrapped around his waist. Sarah was sitting on the sofa, but stood up when he entered. His head felt lighter seeing her still here. He was going to ask her if she felt like ordering dessert, but she’d crossed the room and wrapped her arms around him before he could get a word out. She lay her head against his chest and Alex closed his eyes and dropped his lips to her wet hair, breathing in the scent of the vanilla bath soap and the soft, sweet, purity that was innately Sarah. He tangled a hand through her hair, wrapping his arm around her shoulders and murmured another apology. God, he loved this woman.
Alex felt her breath hot against his skin, sending sparks of desire right to his core. His heartbeat kicked up a notch. He tried to take a step but found her hand against his chest, keeping him in place. Slowly, she raised her face until her eyes peered up at him from under long lashes.
Fuck, she was breathtaking.
His cock twitched. With a gentle hand, he smoothed her hair back, losing himself in those eyes. Allowing himself to forget, for just a second, what had brought them to this moment.
‘Sarah…?’ The question hung in the air. Her eyes had darkened; her tongue wet her bottom lip.
Need screamed through him. This could not be happening. It shouldn’t…
She rose up to meet him, dragging her lips across his.
‘I want you.’ Her voice was low and hoarse. ‘I need you.’
He ran a thumb across her cheek, searching her face and finding desire in her eyes.
‘Are you sure?’ His heart hammered against his chest.
Sarah snaked her arms around his neck, bringing his mouth down on hers. He held her gaze as they kissed, softly, tenderly. He teased her lips with his tongue. She pressed against him, a moan gently escaping. He deepened the kiss, and she matched his intensity. Her hunger drove him close to insanity.
He pushed the robe from her shoulders, letting it drop to the floor. She stood before him, her skin paler than he remembered, but every inch as sexy. He needed to touch her, taste her.
Alex picked her up and her legs encircled his waist while he moved them back towards the bed, his hands cupping her gorgeous ass while her lips found his again. His cock strained against the towel held in place between their bodies, desperate to be set free.
He laid her on the bed, letting his towel drop to the floor. Christ, he wanted her all at once. His need to taste her won out. He ran his tongue inside her thigh until he reached her soft curls and paused. If memory served, and it did, she’d always waxed her pussy clean and smooth when they were together. Alex chose to take this as a sign that like him, she hadn’t been with anyone else recently. With a groan, his tongue teased her slit; she responded by opening her legs wider. Fuck, she was so wet. He probed further, licking her salty sweetness while he grasped her hips to hold her writhing body in place.
Sarah moaned, her fingers knotting in his hair. He inserted one finger, and then another, feeling her grip him as he worked her with his tongue. His other hand slipped across to hold her at the base of her belly.
Her moans turned to cries of ecstasy, her fingers tightened in his hair. The pain at his scalp let him know she was getting close. He was going to take her over the edge. Feel her come against his mouth.
‘Alex! Jesus Christ, yes,’ she screamed while her body contorted against him.
Leaving his fingers inside her, he moved up beside her, crushing his mouth to hers so she could taste herself on his lips.
She reached for his cock, her fingers grasping his shaft. ‘I want you inside me.’
He slipped his fingers out and used her slick to wet her nipples. ‘Not so fast.’
He took her hand from his cock and held both her wrists above her head. While his tongue ran gentle circles around her breasts and across her nipples. Her back arched and her hips bucked, creating friction against his rock-hard cock lying on her belly.
‘More, I need more…’ His teeth grazed the side of her breast. Sarah hissed with pleasure. ‘Please, Alex.’
Tanya Nellestein has been recreating the fruits of her overactive imagination on paper since she was a child. She is an avid reader, novelist, experience enthusiast, outstanding car vocalist, and Queen of fancy dress. Tanya writes gut-churning historical fiction, contemporary crime/mystery and suspense with a romantic angle that always includes good sex and a happily ever after. One thing you will always get with Tanya’s books – a strong woman who knows who she is (eventually) and gets what she wants.
She lives on the outskirts of Sydney with her two children, a psychotic cat and a dog that refuses to believe he’s not human. Tanya is also an award-winning freelance journalist and member of the Romance Writers of Australia, the Australian Romance Readers Association and the Romance Writers of New Zealand.
