Coming: October 30, 2014

Working in the homicide division of the Detroit Police Department, has made Angelo Baldoni, a third generation officer, pretty much immune to the depths of depravity seen in his years on the force. When a young woman is brutally murdered, the case of Hope Cooper can change the course of his life.

Hope, an outgoing young woman with everything going for her, lost it all the night that she was faced with the vicious eyes of a murderer. Stuck in limbo, Hope is confused and scared, trying to right the wrong done to her. Able to visit people in their dreams, Hope latches onto Angelo in hopes he can catch her killer.

Angelo was raised with a strong belief in the afterlife and the dreams of Hope don’t go unnoticed. With the help of his partner, Bobby, he aims to catch the killer before he strikes again. However, a cold case causes Angelo's past to merge with Hope’s case.

Will he keep his feelings at bay to find the murderer? Or will it be too late?

PROLOGUE

~Hope~

I hate this ankle biting Yorkie as much as I hate its owner. If I could, I’d get rid of this client, but any business is good business right? I own a mobile pet grooming company, Squeaky Clean, and so far it’s doing well. But today I’m thanking everything that’s holy that as soon as I drop off Jeanie Costa’s Yorkshire terrier, I’m done for the day.

I usually enjoy walking the dogs down Hines Drive because it's one of the last truly beautiful areas left in the Detroit area. After everything that’s happened, I’m always looking over my shoulder because feel like I’m being watched. Hines Drive doesn’t calm me like it usually does, and I find myself rushing the dog so we can get out of here. With the sound of footsteps behind me, fear settles in my soul causing me to start pulling the dog along.

“Oh my God, will you just pee already!” I scream at the dog when it stops for the millionth time. Fear hits me full force and I’m about to just pick up the damn dog and run when Gigi growls as a large, calloused hand grips my shoulder and spins me around. I swing my arms, trying like hell to strike my attacker but hit nothing but air. As soon as I recognize him, anger quickly replaces fear.

“Fuck! You scared me half to death!”

“I’m sorry, Hope. I didn’t mean to startle you,” he says, looking away.

“What are you doing in this area anyway? You don’t live around here.” The hair on the back of my neck is standing up and a frisson of disquiet travels down my spine. I mean, what are the odds that he’d be on the same street as me, when neither of us lives in this area?

“I can’t wait any longer,” he whispers.

“What?” I choke out, uneasiness creeping into my gut. I look around and realize there is not a single person or car in sight. Smart move, Hope. Put yourself in a dangerous situation by not paying attention to your surroundings.

“I’m done waiting for you.” He lunges toward me, the black metal butt of a pistol gripped in his raised hand. He hits me on the head with such force that I actually see stars and feel incredible pain shoot through my temple. The momentum of the blow makes me think my brain shifted in my skull. I stumble backward and the last thing I see is Gigi biting my attacker’s leg.

As I regain consciousness, I’m petrified when I can’t see my surroundings. When my eyes adjust to the dimly lit room, it becomes evident that I’m no longer outside, and I’ve been hogtied.

I can feel the bile rise in the back of my throat as I glance around the room. The painted walls are yellowed and peeling. An old, battered wooden chair is nearby, and a dented bucket sits off in the corner. It’s the mattress that does me in, stained from top to bottom with a piss- covered top that reeks of decay. I take a few deep breaths and swallow back the rising vomit in my throat.

It’s finally happened, that psycho finally kept his promises. As my heart and breathing quicken, I’m too scared to think straight. I force myself to take calming breaths so I can try and figure out how to get out of here. I try to get a better idea of my location, but all that’s visible is a window, most of the glass covered with boards.

A loud shattering sound echoes from the next room, reminding me that I’m not alone. Pretending that I’m still out, I hear heavy footsteps approaching and I sense my stalker standing over me. He bends down and runs his fingers through my hair in an intimate gesture.

“I’ve loved you forever, Hope, I wish you could see that.” He grabs a handful of my hair and seeing me wince seems to piss him off. Apparently realizing I was faking, he pulls me by my hair to the edge of the mattress and slams my head to the floor. It makes a sickening “thud” sound as it hits followed by an instant, nauseating throbbing. Warm liquid, probably my blood, drips down the side of my face into my mouth. The metallic taste fuels my fear—and my anger. I thrash against the bindings in an attempt to free myself but only manage to cause the filthy rope to dig deeper into my wrists and ankles, leaving me raw and bleeding.

“I waited so long for you, baby, but you never gave me a chance. I do so many nice things for you, and you don’t even have the manners to say thank you.” He turns to look at me, venom in his eyes. I stop struggling as I shake my head to try and clear my thoughts and possibly ease the throbbing. I hope that my fear is not evident to him.

Deep breaths, Hope, you’ve to get a grip if you want live.

“I’m sorry I didn’t know it was you. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“What difference does it make? You don’t give a shit either way.” He starts to pace and seems to become more agitated. He fists his hands into his dark hair, pulling on the ends. I twist my left wrist, wincing in pain from rope digging into my abraded flesh, but I feel the rope slowly giving way. Every time he glances in my direction, I freeze as my fear creeps higher up. I’m praying he doesn’t notice what I’m doing.

“I never wanted it to end this way, but you have left me with no other choice. I can’t keep watching you every day, knowing you won’t be mine.” He stops pacing to look at me. He pulls a roll of duct tape out of his jacket pocket as he saunters over to me twirling the roll around his finger with an evil smirk on his face.

“Please don’t do this.” Tears are streaming down my face. “I’ll do anything you want. Please. I’m sorry, I didn’t know sooner; let me make it up to you.” I try to sound genuine but fear overcomes me and my words sound shaky and unsure.

“MAKE IT UP TO ME?” he yells. “It’s too late for empty promises, Hope; just shut the fuck up. I won’t listen to your bullshit anymore.” Before I can even open my mouth, he slaps me in the face so hard my head whips back. The sound of my neck cracking reverberates throughout the room. The force of the blow causes my jaw to clamp down so hard I bite into my tongue, the blood pooling in my mouth.

He kneels down to get eye level with me, and I spit the mixture of blood and saliva in his face. “You bitch!” He rises up and wipes his face. Finally pulling a hand free, I punch him as hard as I can in the groin. Grabbing his crotch, he falls sideways with a loud groan, writhing in pain.

Frantically kicking my legs free, knowing my life depends on getting away, I run to the door, throw it open and come face to face with complete darkness. My heart racing, I pick a direction and pray it’s the right one.

“Hope, get back here!” he yells.

Shit, he’s getting up.

I dodge into a room as he stumbles out, crashing into a table causing him to yell in pain. “Where the fuck are you? When I find you, so help me God, you’ll be sorry, bitch,” he growls. I look around the moonlit room and spot what looks like a small closet. I get in, moving the nasty, ratty clothing that still hangs there aside and close the door behind me. I press myself up against the wall, the only sounds my heavy breathing and rapid heartbeat.

“I know you’re here, you can’t hide from me, you stupid slut.” His voice gets louder and I know he’s only seconds from entering the room I’m in. My panic reaches new heights as I push myself to the back of the closet and close my eyes like a child. If I can’t see him then he can’t see me...right? Suddenly the door flies open and I cover my mouth to silence my scream. Grabbing the first limb he sees, he yanks my battered body from the small enclosure, knocking the wind out of me as my back slams against the hardwood floor.

“Ah ha, gotcha bitch,” he laughs. “Now it’s time to pay for being such a whore and teasing me all the time.” He places his foot on my neck, holding me in place while I gasp for air. He jerks my arms behind my back nearly dislocating my shoulder. My struggling doesn’t deter him and he ties the ropes tighter than he did the first time.

“Just stop fighting this, Hope.” When I continue to try and get free, he sneers and punches me in the face. Blood gushes from my nose, mixing with the dark pools that flow from my mouth and head. My face throbs and my tongue burns from the salt in my tears as he finishes his work, quickly leaving me totally at his mercy. He pulls a switchblade out of his scuffed combat boot and flicks it open. He slowly drags the double edged blade lightly up my body, stopping when the cold steel touches my cheek, smearing the blood that has continued to run down my face. Closing my eyes tightly, I pray he won’t use it but I silently begin to say my goodbyes.

“You are so beautiful Hope. I could’ve given you the world. Can you not see how much I love you, what you mean to me? Do you know how bad it hurts watching you from afar when you should have been mine? DO YOU?” His breathing becomes more ragged as he shoves the knife under my shirt. I hold my breath, knowing where this is going. He cuts through my shirt, the knife razor-sharp, then makes quick work of my bra, leaving me naked from the waist up.

“You. Are. Mine. Hope. I believe it’s finally time to take what’s mine.” I start to struggle against the ropes until I feel the edge of the knife at my throat. “Move again, slut, and I will cut your throat end to end and watch the life drain from your body.” 

Heather Mullins has always loved to read and has been writing poems and stories since childhood. She truly enjoys doing so much with other indie authors and fully supports this outstanding community. She uses her outgoing opinionated personality to help write and run multiple blogs.

Heather is a full time student working to get her Bachelors in Human services specializing in substance abuse counseling. She’s an Air Force Veteran and enjoyed fighting for her country. Heather supports many different groups that help out other veterans. 

She is a mother of 3 wonderfully crazy kids and has been married for 13 years. When she isn’t playing taxi she is living vicariously through the lives of characters in any number of books.

 

  

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Release Day: AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME by Ann Aguirre

   

We are absolutely ecstatic to bring you the Release Day Launch for Ann Aguirre's AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME! AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME is the second novel in Ann's New Adult Contemporary Romance 2B Trilogy Series, published by Harlequin HQN! If you haven't already read I WANT IT THAT WAY buy it NOW. We can't wait for you all to read it so you can dish with us about it!

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AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME Synopsis: 

 Most people dream about getting out of Sharon, Nebraska, but after three years away, Lauren Barrett is coming home. There are the justifications she gives to everyone else—missing her family, losing her college scholarship. And then there’s the reason Lauren can’t admit to anyone: Rob Conrad, her best friend’s older brother. Football prowess and jaw-dropping good looks made Rob a star in high school. Out in the real world, his job and his relationships are going nowhere. He can’t pinpoint exactly what’s missing until Lauren comes back to town, bringing old feelings and new dreams with her. But he’s the guy that women love and leave—not the one who makes them think of forever. Though she’s terrified of opening up, Lauren’s ready to take that chance. Because the only thing more important than figuring out where you truly belong is finding the person you were meant to be with. 

 

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  EXCERPT:

Mom was asleep, so I checked my email. I had the usual spam, plus notes from all my former roomies, which made me happy. I missed all of them, even Max, though things were unspeakably awkward between us at the end. I opened Nadia’s first: LB! You know I miss you like crazy, right? Courtney’s in your bed right now, and she has completely alphabetized my books. I’m pretty sure there will be a lending library program implemented the next time I get home from work. So how’s Nebraska? Did you find a job yet? Have you started applying to any schools? I have like ten more questions but you’ll get grumpy if I dump them on you all at once. Hug and kiss my family for me, okay? Write back soon or I’m sending my brother to track you down. She didn’t mention the hot single dad she’d broken up with right before I left. Mr. Hot Ginger had dumped Nadia for her own good, which would drive her quietly crazy. I’d felt horrible about the timing, but there was little I could do about it. I hadn’t gotten to know him well before I left, but Ty seemed like a good guy. He was only a few years older than us, but already had a four-year-old. That was the crux of the conflict. Writing back, I didn’t quite nail the tone, talking about Rob too much and inventing interesting anecdotes because there was so little going on. I could’ve mentioned Krista, but Nadia had never been as close to her, and there was some tension by the time she moved. Mostly I didn’t want Nadia to worry; things would be fine once I got a job and had less time to fret about whether I’d made the right decision. I opened Angus’s email next: Hey, you. Got your check. It appears not to be rubber, but I said you didn’t have to pay me back. I hate you for leaving. Come back right now. I’ll wait. This is me, waiting. It’s been at least five minutes. You’re shattering my faith in humanity, Lauren. Take responsibility for it! Not sure what you’ve heard from Nadia, but she’s such a hot mess. I can’t believe you abandoned us. All the light has left my life. All of it! Okay, enough drama. I’m working on getting over Josh. Classes suck but I will survive. (You’re singing it now, aren’t you?) “Damn you, Angus Starr. You know me too well.” I got up on my bed with a hairbrush and sang two verses before reading on. In all seriousness, there is a Lauren-sized hole in my life. Please don’t lose touch. Write soon. Love and hugs, Angus. It was simpler writing back to Angus; our friendship was sweet and uncomplicated. Briefly I considered deleting Max’s email without opening it, but that seemed like an asshole move. In the end, I read it, two lines only: I’m sorry about everything. Take care of yourself.   Grab the whole series today!

I WANT IT THAT WAY

AS LONG AS YOU LOVE ME

THE SHAPE OF MY HEART

   

About Ann Aguirre: 

 Ann Aguirre is a New York Times & USA Today bestselling author and RITA winner with a degree in English Literature; before she began writing full time, she was a clown, a clerk, a voice actress, and a savior of stray kittens, not necessarily in that order. She grew up in a yellow house across from a cornfield, but now she lives in sunny Mexico with her husband, children, and various pets. Ann likes books, emo music, action movies, and she writes all kinds of genre fiction for adults and teens, published with Harlequin, Macmillan, and Penguin, among others.  

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Release Day: Lust (The Devil & The Diamond #2) by Bonnie Bliss

Elizabeth has finally escaped from Asmodeus. Safely tucked away in a small seaside village in Italy, she finds peace and maybe a little bit of heat with Jared. Her seeming savior, he not only got her somewhere safe, but the connection, heat, and desire he inspires in her is undeniable.

But one little slip up.

And the devil finds his diamond again.

From a secluded hideaway, locked in the devil’s arms, to the busy streets of Paris, France. The devil is no longer playing in her dreams, but with her very real, hot-blooded desires. Elizabeth quickly comes to realize that she may never escape the beast, and that her only option could be to give in, or die trying to save her soul… and heart.

*This book contains controversial subject matter that may be objectionable to some readers.*

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     If I die before I wake, pray the Lord my soul to take.

     That single sentence kept running on a loop in her brain. She didn’t know why. Even growing up, her faith was iffy at best. Elizabeth struggled now even more. The facts remained. If there was a devil, then there was a God.

     There had to be.

     Right?

     Her fingers tightened on the steering wheel as she pushed that last quarter mile into the town she was to meet Jared. The only person on her side in this whole sordid mess. At first Elizabeth was going to stop, but things had changed after she saw the devil in his true form. Her brain couldn’t reconcile the monster that had threatened her with the handsome man that threatened her. Somehow, it seemed less real, and easier to survive this bullshit if he was just that handsome man.   The monster was harder to stomach and it felt like a daunting task to escape him.

     It was going on the seven-hour mark. Elizabeth had stopped for gas twice, and ate a small bag of chips. This was slowly catching up to her as she nudged the gas pedal to the floor. The road turned from concrete to dirty the closer she got to the small seaside town of Polignano a Mare. Her heart started to pound faster and her knuckles were white as she clenched the wheel. Elizabeth could see the small turnout. She jerked the wheel to the right and the back of the car fishtailed as she kept up her speed and pushed forward. The car quickly righted itself and she released an ugly, loud sob of relief as the quaint two-story building came into view.

     It looked like a simple modest home. Its outside walls were a light tan with dark markings that looked like water damage. The grape vines climbed up to the second story windows. They all looked as if they were open. It appeared the home was on a large, expansive property. Miles of grape vines spread out up a hill behind the home and overlooked the glittering blue blanket of liquid paradise to her right.

     Elizabeth couldn’t even enjoy the view. Her vision was blurred from her sudden rush of tears. She'd held back the whole way, distracting herself with the one focus.

     Get to Jared.

     She unclenched her fingers from the steering wheel and slammed her palm against the horn. The loud wail brought forth two monks that seemed to be racing from the back with another person. Elizabeth fought for breath and vision and she saw a young man, around her age come running for the car from the back of the home.

     Without further thought, she slammed both her feet on the brakes. The seatbelt locked and momentarily knocked the wind from her. The car pitched sideways and slid until it finally stopped. Elizabeth couldn’t move. Her body seemed to take on a tremor as her forehead pressed against the wheel and she allowed the ugly tears to flow with abandon. She figured she had refrained from breaking down this long, why not have a good cry?

     A mixture of relief and sadness poured through her soul and out of her tearducts. She knew deep down that this was only a reprieve. Like he said, he would find her again. She couldn’t hide. Elizabeth simply delayed the inevitable.

    The driver door being jerked open distracted her internal musings. She heard panting breaths. Her own and someone else’s. Out of the corner of her eye, she spied the young man crouching next to her. A tentative hand reached out and rested on her knee.

     “Bethy?” The masculine whisper held a note of promise that brought her head up and her gaze over to his.

     For that moment she stopped breathing. In this minute of despair she felt the corner of her lips curve up at the devastating man gazing back at her with a look of such heart-pounding concern she could die now and know that someone gave a shit.

     “Jared,” she sobbed.

     Half of his lips quirked up and she released a highly unattractive laugh/sob. Elizabeth’s chest heaved as the odd spasm took over and her trembling fingers reached for the belt.

     “Here, I got it,” he whispered.

     He was perfect.

     Beautiful.

     He was all man, with longish dark hair that reached his shoulders. The natural waves throughout made him look like he was from a different time. His deep brown eyes were like black pools that reflected her own pain, yet had a hint of playfulness. His jaw was speckled in a few days’ worth of growth. His face, oh that handsome face. He wasn’t chiseled like Asmodeus; no, he was natural, unblemished. His jaw was strong and wide. A boyish charm glowed from him that made her wish for a life she would never have. A life that was easy, where she could date men like him. Where men like him could even break her heart. The white t-shirt he wore hid nothing. He was broad, with muscles that rippled as he reached over her body and released the seat belt.

     Jared carefully reached in, sliding an arm under her knees and behind her back, pulling her from the car. She felt all that strength--sinews, muscles, and power--as he tugged her against his chest. Elizabeth nuzzled against his neck and allowed his warm and fresh scent to consume her. She memorised him in that moment. He smelled like fresh air, sweat, and man. He didn’t coat himself in anything fake. He was just--Jared.

     Her fingers fisted the front of his shirt and she heard him chuckle.

     “Happy to see me, Bethy?” His laughter pierced her heart and she wished with all that she was that she could have him.

     Elizabeth knew in that moment. Her heart wouldn’t be allowed his. She couldn’t doom him to this life. She would stay out the month, figure out a way to break this bullshit debt, and give him his life back.

     “You have no idea.”

     With that she snuggled in closer as he took her into the home.

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Bonnie Bliss is the brain child of two authors. Bonnie is husband and wife duo that has come together to weave stories of passion, action, betrayal, and ultimate surrender. They have discovered that mixing genres in their thing. Their tastes go dark, and they love to twisted up sweet stories and make them a bit more tense and sexy. Bonnie writes in multiple genres with plans to dabble into more areas of fiction.

One is a Southern California native, the other was born and raised in Yorkshire, England. The husband spends his time giving the wife alpha males with bite. He is a man that needs to see his world in print. He has a panty melting accent, loves listening to music, watching Game of Thrones, and obsessing over Heisenberg. The wife spends her time writing strong women that evolve into their power, they don’t just come out guns blazing. She claims the song California Girls, by Katy Perry is totally accurate. She’s done everything from waitressing, customer service phone rep., Corporate Real Estate, and spent a pretty impression part of her life working for the Disney Corporation—before finding her way into the publishing world with her husband.

 

 

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Release Day: Tatted Love by Kathryn Jacob

Lexi Starr is an 18 year old college student with a simple life, excellent grades, and a sweet boyfriend. She always has things planned out ahead of time, until she meets a rude boy named Derek, with too many tattoos and piercings who shatters her plans.

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I don’t know if I am begging him to let me go or kiss me. My breath hasn’t slowed yet and his is increasing. Seconds feel like minutes and he removes one of his hands form my worst but his outer is large enough to hold both. For a quick second, I think he is going to slap me but moves his hand up my cheekbone and gently tucks my hair behind my ear. I swear I can feel his pulse as his lips to mine causing fires to erupt in my belly. I swear this is the feeling I have been waiting for and I have longed for since Saturday night. If only I could feel this ever day. I don’t let myself think about why I am kissing him or what he will say after.

All I focus on is the way he let go of my wrist and pressed his body against mind. The way my tongue somehow follows his and my hands wrap themselves around his next as my legs wrap around his waist. I bury my fingers into his gently tugging at it as he moans.

Kathryn Jacob was born and raised in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Before getting into writing she showed the All American Quarter horses around the world. Kathryn has won many prizes. After she sold her sat horse in August 2013, she decided to start writing. Who knew that it would take her a year to release Mated to the Alpha. This is a huge accomplishment for a 19 year old girl and to this day she will continue to write.

 

  

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