Copper Veins By Jennifer Allis Provost

Book Title: COPPER VEINS
Author: Jennifer Allis Provost
Series: Copper Legacy #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Spence City, an imprint of Spencer Hill Press

SYNOPSIS:
Sara’s pretty sure her life is perfect.

Not only are she and Micah finally married, her father, who’d been missing since the Magic Wars, has been found. Actually, he just strode up to the manor’s front door, but whatever. Sara knows better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.

But BaudoinCorbeau isn’t content to return to family life. He’s decided that he will be the force of change in the Mundane world, and lead the Elemental resistance to victory with his children at his side. What’s worse, Baudoin doesn’t approve of Sara’s marriage, and makes every attempt to separate her from Micah.

After a visit to the Mundane realm leaves Sara, Max and Sadie imprisoned by the Peacekeepers, Sara’s doubts creep to the surface. Is her father right? Does she belong in the Mundane realm, not the Otherworld? Is Micah really the right man--make that elf--for her?

Was marrying him a mistake?

Cover Designer: Lisa Amowitzhttp://www.lisaamowitz.com/

About the author: Jennifer Allis Provost writes books about faeries, orcs and elves. Zombies too. She grew up in the wilds of Western Massachusetts and had read every book in the local library by age twelve. (It was a small library). An early love of mythology and folklore led to her epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Parthalan, and her day job as a cubicle monkey helped shape her urban fantasy, Copper Girl.She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.

GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_Provost
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/copperraven/
WEBSITE: http://authorjenniferallisprovost.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/parthalan

FULL COVER:

ADDITONAL TEASER IMAGES:

FACEBOOK-READY POST: Copy-paste the post below onto your Facebook page, add the graphics attached to the email and you’re done! The Twitter handles (@username) are just in case your Facebook page is linked to Twitter. Don’t forget to tag us and the author so we can see your posts.

Preorder Now - #CopperVeins by @parthalan #romance #urbanfantasy #CopperLegacy

✦ ✦ COPPER VEINS by Jennifer Allis Provost✦ ✦
Series: Copper Legacy #3
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Release Date: July 26, 2016
Publisher: Spence City, an imprint of Spencer Hill Press

One click preorder: http://amzn.to/29n4JuB

✦ SYNOPSIS ✦

Sara’s pretty sure her life is perfect.

Not only are she and Micah finally married, her father, who’d been missing since the Magic Wars, has been found. Actually, he just strode up to the manor’s front door, but whatever. Sara knows better than to look a gift horse in the mouth.

But BaudoinCorbeau isn’t content to return to family life. He’s decided that he will be the force of change in the Mundane world, and lead the Elemental resistance to victory with his children at his side. What’s worse, Baudoin doesn’t approve of Sara’s marriage, and makes every attempt to separate her from Micah.

After a visit to the Mundane realm leaves Sara, Max and Sadie imprisoned by the Peacekeepers, Sara’s doubts creep to the surface. Is her father right? Does she belong in the Mundane realm, not the Otherworld? Is Micah really the right man--make that elf--for her?

Was marrying him a mistake?

✦ Cover Designer ✦
Lisa Amowitz
http://www.lisaamowitz.com/

✦ About the author ✦

Jennifer Allis Provost writes books about faeries, orcs and elves. Zombies too. She grew up in the wilds of Western Massachusetts and had read every book in the local library by age twelve. (It was a small library). An early love of mythology and folklore led to her epic fantasy series, The Chronicles of Parthalan, and her day job as a cubicle monkey helped shape her urban fantasy, Copper Girl. She spends her days drinking vast amounts of coffee, arguing with her computer, and avoiding any and all domestic behavior.

CLICK TO PURCHASE: http://amzn.to/1Wm6cOz
GOODREADS: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2975887.Jennifer_Allis_Provost
FACEBOOK: https://www.facebook.com/copperraven/
WEBSITE: http://authorjenniferallisprovost.com/
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/parthalan

Coming July 19th 2016 from @LimitlessBooks… More by @Keren_Hughes

#ComingSoon #NewRelease #NewAdult #Contemporary #Romance 

Synopsis: 

Drake Anderson is all the man Annalise Duncan ever wanted…

Annalise has it all. The perfect husband. The perfect son. The perfect life. After the father of her son Ayden abandoned her to be a single parent, she finally felt like she hit the romance jackpot. Her boss, Drake Anderson, turned out to be more than just a friend. He’s the love of her life, and an amazing stepfather to her son.

But the picture perfect marriage is merely an illusion…

After seven wonderful years, Drake leaves. He doesn’t give her a reason, or even the courtesy of a return phone call. Six months go by without even a single acknowledgement. Annalise is devastated. Her heart and soul belonged to Drake, and he was the only father Ayden ever knew. She’d dedicated her life to him and the family they built together, and she isn’t willing to let that dream go easily.

When Annalise spots Drake out at a café with a woman, her heart shatters all over again. But it’s not what Annalise thinks. He isn’t cheating on her. There are things about leaving that Drake just can’t or won’t explain. Some things should remain a secret.

He wants his old life back, but Annalise won’t accept anything but the truth…

Drake has to find a way to convince his wife, his Cariad, to take him back, but it may mean facing a truth he wanted to keep hidden. He must prove to Annalise that despite his past, he wants her…

More.

Add to your Goodreads TBR here: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/29093984-more 

Don’t Miss Out…

Keren is hosting a Release Day Giveaway on July 19th over on her author page. 

1 lucky winner will receive:

• 1 signed paperback of More 
• 1 *exclusive* swag pack 
• A cocktail shaker + accessories
• A cocktail recipe book
• 1 signed photo of model Amanda Renee  with handmade frame 

And for the Runners Up…

There will be eARCs of More sent direct to your Kindle

Also, there will be swag aplenty!

To be entered into the draw, go to https://www.facebook.com/kerentshughes and see the pinned post. There you will find the T’s & C’s of entry. The closing date to enter by is August 2nd 2016. 

Strong Silent SEAL by Paige Tyler

✰✰ Strong Silent SEAL by Paige Tyler ✰✰ Series: SEALs of Coronado Genre: Military Contemporary Romance Hosted by: Sizzling PR #NewRelease #Military #Romance #PaigeTyler #SizzlingPR #SEALsofCoronado #StrongSilentSEAL #OneClick Amazon – http://amzn.to/1MQaaPi B&N – http://bit.ly/29ok2iv KOBO – http://bit.ly/29njqeg iBooks – http://apple.co/29rKJTG All Romance eBooks – http://bit.ly/29okj55 #Synopsis Wedding planner Felicia Bradford is in trouble. Mercenaries are holding her sister hostage and threatening to kill her unless Felicia helps them steal top secret information from the Navy’s Special Operations Headquarters. Having no other way to access the base, she pulls a gun on the first man in a Navy uniform she finds, demanding he get her through the gate. Navy SEAL Logan Dunn just got back from a mission in Syria and is looking for a little down time to relax. That plan goes out the window when a beautiful woman shoves a gun in his back and begs him to do something he can tell she doesn’t want to be part of. Logan does what any Navy SEAL would do in the same situation—he saves the girl and takes out the bad guys. But their actions that day kick off a crazy chain of events, including a fast-burning whirlwind romance, an out-of-control sister, an insane covert plot involving a defecting Russian pilot, a mercenary bent on revenge, and a sunrise wedding for a bride who never wakes up before noon. Getting through her sister's kidnapping will look like a piece of cake compared to what comes next. #AuthortheAuthor Paige Tyler is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of sexy, romantic suspense and paranormal romance. She and her very own military hero (also known as her husband) live on the beautiful Florida coast with their adorable fur baby (also known as their dog). Paige graduated with a degree in education, but decided to pursue her passion and write books about hunky alpha males and the kick-butt heroines who fall in love with them. She is represented by Bob Mecoy. Links: Website - http://paigetylertheauthor.com/ Newsletter – http://eepurl.com/BBrEP Blog – http://paigetylertheauthor.blogspot.com/ Facebook Author Page – http://www.facebook.com/PaigeTylerAuthor Twitter – http://twitter.com/PaigeTyler Pinterest – http://www.pinterest.com/paigetylerauth/

COMING SOON from Author Sara Schoen ★★ RAGING FIRE (Book 4 of GUARDED SECRETS SERIES) ★★

What do you fight for?

BOOK 4 in the GUARDED SECRETS SERIES by @SaraNSchoen releases August 18th! Have YOU caught up on the bestselling series in Organized Crime?  | 

♒ GUARDED SECRETS SERIES by Sara Schoen ♒

Suicide Mission - Book 1 (FREE ON AMAZON)

KINDLE: http://amzn.to/1mFB6og

PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/1n8vq6R

||| SYNOPSIS |||

Sara Night lost her family three years ago in a car crash…

She tried to continue living a normal life, going to school, spending time with friends, and even trying to be a part of the family that took her in. She had almost gotten the hang of it, and moved past the suicide attempt.

Almost.

Then she was torn away from her new family, her old life, and thrown into a world of guns, knifes, criminals, and where every mistake could get her killed. She was needed for what seems like an easy in-then-out mission.

That was until she got caught.

Sara then had to form an uneasy alliance with a cartel member to escape, which reveals her family’s car crash wasn’t an accident after all.

Is her new life worth more to her than revenge?

Or will she die trying to figure out why her family was targeted?

Covert Operations - Book 2

KINDLE: http://amzn.to/28LeNHi

PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/1Svk8qr

||| SYNOPSIS |||

CIRA agent Jackson Reeves won’t be denied his revenge…

He’s hunted down and killed the men responsible for his family’s fatal “accident”—all except the mastermind, Ash Crest. The problem is someone beat him to it, and Jackson won’t rest until he finds out who, and why. His search is complicated, because he’s several years into an undercover operation to take down the Cardoza Cartel and can’t risk blowing his cover.

Jackson’s sister Danielle is in danger from the very organization he has to pretend to support…

Camden Cardoza intends to take over the Cartel from his father, but to do so he needs a wife, and he has his sights on Danielle. Jackson knows he has to bring down the Cardozas before they claim his sister.

CIRA sends in more agents, including the beautiful and mysterious Night Stripe, whose task is to befriend Danielle and infiltrate the Cartel. Jackson struggles to find a way to communicate without giving both of them away…and falls for her in the process.

Jackson and Night Stripe walk the thin line between their mutual attraction, conflicting missions, and the danger of discovery, as Jackson’s objectives threaten to overwhelm him, putting those he loves in danger.

Can Jackson defeat the Cartel, save his sister, find Ash Crest’s killer, and complete his revenge—without losing his heart, mind, or life in the process?

Left for Dead - Book 3

KINDLE: http://amzn.to/1mFAWNI

PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/1JWWX5G

||| SYNOPSIS |||

Katya Petrov is supposed to be dead…

When Ash Crest can’t finish the job, Katya is targeted by her own father, Volodya Petrov. He decides to take matters into his own hands by killing Katya himself.

He never expected Night Stripe to interfere.

When Night Stripe killed Ash and shredded the files from his office, she hoped his hit list would die with him and the survivors would be able to live without fear.

She was wrong.

Renegade had been undercover with the Russian mafia. It was a dark, dangerous, and deadly mission, especially for those unfortunate enough to be in his way. Disbanding the Cardoza mafia took time. But now, with Renegade’s cover blown and other CIRA agents under protection, it’s only a matter of time before Night Stripe is exposed.

Leaving one man alive was his only mistake.

The goal is to remove Volodya from power and save Katya, but Night Stripe didn’t plan on going back to save her teammate—and being captured in the process.

She’s alone, trapped, and fighting to survive. Can Night Stripe save herself, protect Katya, and finish the mission she started so many years ago? Or will she be left for dead?

KINDLE: http://amzn.to/1JWWW1L

PAPERBACK: http://amzn.to/1JWWX5G

♒ RAGING FIRE ♒

||| SYNOPSIS |||

CIRA agent, Spit Fire, has a mysterious past…

No one knows what she went through before joining the agency, just like she wants. She walked away, she survived, or did she? Even after establishing a life at the agency, there’s something she can’t let go of—the need for revenge. She fights to keep innocent lives safe, but in her world, safe is only an illusion.

Especially when Camden Cardoza reveals her worse nightmare has come true…

Her stepfather, now under the alias of Harley Sanchez, is the new leader of the Cardoza Cartel. Harley knows she’s an agent, he’ll be expecting an attack from CIRA, but he won't expect her to come alone. Spit Fire isn’t willing to risk more lives than the Cardoza Cartel has already destroyed. She’ll put an end to him to give others a chance to live. After all, he ruined her life and now she’s hell bent on returning the favor.

Revenge and the need to protect other members of the CIRA have always been her first priority.

For Spit Fire, this is her life and her family.

Family…that was always the problem.

Amazon:  http://amzn.to/1VzRftS

♒ REVIEWS ON THE SERIES ♒

@carissaannlynch gave SUICIDE MISSION & COVERT OPERATIONS by @SaraNSchoen FIVE STARS !!

SUICIDE MISSION: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "I loved the book. It has so many twists and turns, and well drawn characters, it kept me entertained with every page. I loved Sara, her development as a character and person throughout the book. I love stories where you get to see someone fall and then rise, and Sara is the kind of character you can’t help relating with and rooting for every step of the way. I loved the other characters too, but Sara was my favorite so far. I’m so excited to read the rest of the series!!!"

COVERT OPERATIONS: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ "This series is action-packed, but its got a little bit of everything else in it too – romance, mystery, suspense, drama! The story is so well drawn and the world building Schoen constructs is incredible. I am in LOVE with this series, and I heard a rumor that there’s going to be a few more books, so I’m excited to commit and read them all!"

Check out Carissa Ann Lynch's full reviews of books 1&2 in the Guarded Secrets Series by Sara Schoen here: http://bit.ly/204VOAB

Check out this  of The Guarded Secrets Series by @SaraNSchoen: "The reality feel that sits in this story is remarkable. You can tell that the author has put her soul into her writing and giving the readers a story and characters that so many can relate to. The entire series is really something that was so easy to sit back, relax and find yourself lost in." - Stormy Nights Reviewing & Bloggin'

See their full  post and  your copies of Suicide Mission, Covert Operations, and Left for Dead by Sara Schoen: http://bit.ly/1Qoa9Qt

♒ ABOUT THE AUTHOR ♒

Sara Schoen began writing in middle school, but did not officially dedicate herself to writing until high school when encouraged by her writing partner. Before then, Sara had not thought about trying to publish her works because it seemed unlikely that anyone would take a chance on someone so young. Despite her previous thoughts, she published her first book, Amber Alert, at the age of nineteen, and began rewriting and editing a spy series that she spent years writing when she was younger. With a lot of hard work and determination, now that same series, which is close to her heart, is a bestseller.

Sara is a Biology Major with a minor in Environmental Science and a minor in Spanish at James Madison University, and spends her time writing, studying, and ghost hunting. While writing is a great hobby that turned into a passion to share with others, school is her priority.

Throughout her publishing journey, Sara has had an amazing support system from her family, friends, and significant other, who were with her every step of the way. She hopes to continue to write, and wants to inspire others to reach for their dreams no matter how far they may seem. She truly believes that dreams can come true at any age, if you put in effort and chase after what you want.

Limitless Publishing: http://www.limitlesspublishing.net/authors/sara-schoen/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorSaraSchoen/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SaraNSchoen

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/36172080-sara-schoen

Michelle Jo Quinn

 

LIMITED TIME OFFER 

0.99 cents PREORDER PRICING

Title: Confessions of a Wedding Planner (Bliss Series Book One)

Author: Michelle Jo Quinn

Release Date: July 26, 2016

Genre: Contemporary Romance

BLURB:

He may be the best man, but he’s the worst man for her…

Wedding planner, Veronica Soto-Stewart believes everyone deserves a fairy tale–even her ex-boyfriend. Unable to refuse his request, and with the help of Bliss Events motley crew, she finds herself creating the most magical event for the perfect couple. 

 But nothing is ever perfect… 

 And not all happy ever afters can be planned…

Levi Laurent can’t believe his luck. Thanks to his best friend’s wedding, he finally has a shot at the woman he’s always wanted–Veronica. From San Francisco to Paris, and back, he pulls out all the stops, so she knows where she really belongs–with him. But Veronica wants nothing to do with the rich, sexy, irresistible playboy. 

 Can Levi convince Veronica that her perfect happily ever after is closer than she ever realized?

*This book may be read as a standalone. It is a light-hearted romance, perfect for the beach and summer reads!*

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US: https://amzn.com/B01HDLC4C0

Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B01HDLC4C0 

Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/dp/B01HDLC4C0

Amazon AU:  http://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B01HDLC4C0

iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1126205743

B&N: http://bit.ly/28XoKlJ

Kobo: http://bit.ly/28YsaoT

GIVEAWAY:

http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/08a0687a7/

Author Bio:Michelle ‘s love for writing blossomed when her father gave her a diary. Instead of recounting her daily life, she wrote stories of fictional people. Like most of her characters, she believes in Happily Ever After. Naturally, she finds harmony in writing romance. 

An unabashed, self-proclaimed foodie, Michelle loves to try new food when given the chance.  She loves to travel, has an unhealthy obsession with dark chocolate, and would rather spend only on books than shoes.  She enjoys watching foreign films and reading swoon-worthy romance.  Recently, she’s found peace by making and tending to her fairy garden.

Michelle is an active member of RWA and several of its chapters. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband, two kids, and a morkie pup named Scarlett.

Connect with Michelle through:

Website: http://www.michellejoquinn.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MichelleJoQuinnAuthor

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/MichelleJoQuinn

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/MichelleJoQuinn

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/MichelleJoQuinn

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/MichelleJoQuinn

Sign up for her monthly newsletter: http://eepurl.com/bNjd_H

Living On Borrowed Time by Samie Sands

  

ONE

I shouldn’t be here.

No, not here, in the hot, sweaty kitchen of this rundown diner—although, to be honest, I highly doubt I should be here either.

No, I shouldn’t be alive.

I was supposed to die eighteen months ago. That was supposed to be it for me.

I was ill for a very long time, so getting that final diagnosis of six months to go was as reliving as it was devastating. To be honest, my emotions about it were completely mixed. I didn’t want to die necessarily—not that I think anyone does really—but I was so sick of the constant round of doctors, hospitals, tubes, pills, sickness...it was exhausting, and the thought of escaping that was something of a relief.

I just wanted an end to it.

Of course, not everyone felt the same. At least, not at first, but once my family and friends got used to the idea that I was dying, that I was going to be relieved of my suffering, they were intent on making my final months amazing, and boy did they succeed! I went travelling, I had parties, I did everything that was on my bucket list—except bungee jumping. I bottled that at the last second. It was fabulous, a real whirlwind of fun and excitement. Of course, there was the odd interruption with my health, but somehow we managed to work past that. Sure, we were all acutely aware of where it was heading but it didn’t taint the mood. Not really.

“Lara what are you doing just standing there? I pressed the bell about five minutes ago...these burgers aren’t going to take themselves to table twelve.” The grumpy head chef, Alfie yelled at me. He didn’t care about my internal struggle. He had no idea what it was like to know that you should be dead. All he cared about was getting this disgusting, fatty food out as quickly as possible so he could return home, to his sad middle-aged man ‘bachelor pad’ to smoke and drink his wages away.

I snatched the plates out of his hand and stalked moodily over to the table, where a couple were sat there smiling intently at each other. This could have been their first date, or they could have been married for years—that wasn’t what I noticed. It was the light that was shining in their eyes, as they gazed at one another. Happiness. An emotion I couldn’t even begin to understand anymore.

I shoved the food on the table in front of them, asking them if there was anything else they needed in the flat, monotone sound that had somehow become my voice. They didn’t even acknowledge my existence, they simply waved me away. I was nothing to them, just as I was nothing to everybody.

I’d been that way for a very long time now.

Once my deadline had passed, and the high started to wear off, I wondered what was happening, why I was still alive. Confused, I took myself to the doctors and after a whole range of invasive tests, they told me something unexpected, something miraculous—that I was actually starting to get better. Against all odds, I was somehow surviving.

I felt numb as he said those words. I know he expected me to celebrate, to be happy with the news that I would get to live longer, but I wasn’t. I’d gotten so used to the idea that I was going to die. I’d even adjusted to it, become comfortable with it, that to hear otherwise was utterly overwhelming. I had become so used to living in the moment, not worrying about the future because I was never going to have one, that with a long, black emptiness stretching out in front of me, I felt terrified.

What was I supposed to do? I had no future, no dreams, no plans. I had no idea where I was supposed to go next, how could I? How was I supposed to craft a new beginning out of zilch? It seemed like a ridiculously impossible task, that I couldn’t even begin to overcome.

Then again, I still had no prospects, no real education, no interests, no desires...nothing, and I no longer had any excuse for that. A year and a half had passed. There was so much that I could have done with that time, but I hadn’t.

I’d done absolutely nothing with it, I’d merely existed.

Every day it hit me how I would have been better off dead. I might as well have died, because since my positive diagnosis I was just living on autopilot, going through the motions aimlessly.

My friends and family couldn’t understand how I just seemed empty after I got the good news, and as I continued to improve, to get better, they got more and more frustrated by my increasingly negative attitude. One-by-one they became annoyed by me. I did something to piss all of them off and now, none of them bother with me anymore.

Not that I bother with them either. I feel like too much has passed; there’s too much negative water under the bridge to even think about repairing those fractured relationships.

When my mum eventually asked me to move out because I was putting too much pressure on everyone else in the family, I left quickly and got an apartment in the nearby city. I couldn’t stay in that little, suffocating town anymore, where everyone knew absolutely everything about me. I had no excuse to remain there anyway; it didn’t hold anything for me anymore, except for memories and bad feeling. I desired to be anonymous so I could wallow in my own misery in peace, without anyone trying to cheer me up. I didn’t want anyone else to feel responsible for my own happiness, when it was so clear that nothing could be done about it.

So I upped and left, without even glancing backwards.

I got everything that I ever wanted—a tiny, albeit grotty apartment that was just for me, a job in a diner where no one bothers to try and find out more about my life, and no one to speak to. Perfect.

Yet, of course, I still wasn’t happy.

“Got much planned over the weekend? You have tomorrow night off, don’t you?” Amy, the eighteen-year-old waitress, who was constantly chewing gum and nosing about in other people’s business, asked me in her typical over-the-top fashion.

She didn’t care about me of course, not at all. To her I was just another loser waitress, but she always tried to rile me up for some reason, and she quickly discovered that my non-social life was a sore point for me. I don’t know whether I was just a game to her, if she really wanted to piss me off, or if she just wanted to make herself feel better by commenting on my sad existence. Either way, it drove me crazy.

“I dunno...not really.” I kept my eyes fixated on the floor as I spoke, praying that she would take the hint and leave me alone.

“Why are you so boring? You never seem to do anything!” She laughed, genuinely thinking she was joking.

I looked up and smiled blandly at her, hoping that she would assume I took the joke in light humour, but the look she was giving me suggested that she might just be able to see the vulnerable weakling behind the cold exterior mask I gave myself.

The thought of anyone seeing any of the real me filled me with an intense fear that gripped tightly onto my heart, so I instinctively turned away from her, trying to discretely wipe the frustrated tears from my eyes before they fell onto my cheeks.

Idiot! I thought to myself. What the hell are you doing?

Hiding emotion was something I thought I’d become particularly good at, but with one look, Amy—a girl I barely knew—had managed to revert me back into a blubbering mess.

“I’m going out to that new club tomorrow night with a group of friends. Do you...would you maybe want to come?” She asked, with a kindness to her tone that I hadn’t ever noticed before.

Pity. It had to be.

Normally, I would have shot her down right away. Even the thought of going to a club filled me with fear—the drinking, the dancing, the socialising...it all felt a little too much for some like me. I’d never really done anything like that before, and it was intimidating as hell. Even at all the parties that had been held for me, I’d avoided alcohol due to the medication, I’d been too tired for dancing, and socialising hadn’t been too much of an issue because it was with people I’d known my whole life. Plus, my best friend Daphne had always been there to protect me if things got too much.

Daphne.

I instantly forced myself to shake the image of her from my mind, in the way I always did when she cropped up. Daphne was a no-go now, there was no point in even giving her a seconds thought. I didn’t want to upset myself over nothing.

“Sure.” I eventually replied, distractedly. I wasn’t really thinking about my answer, I just wanted the conversation done, and it was a shortcut way to achieve that.

“Oh...” Amy sounded incredibly shocked—understandably so. “Okay cool. We’re meeting up at about eight-ish so...” She looked at me strangely, as if she was wondering what the hell was going through my mind. “I’ll see you there I guess.”

As she wandered off, a sinking feeling set in. Why the hell had I agreed to that? I didn’t want to go out to a club! Keeping my existence simple and straightforward was the only way I managed to get through everyday life. Now, I’d just agreed to something that threatened to send me into an anxiety meltdown, just to shut her up.

I was an idiot!

No, I would have to phone Amy tomorrow with a plausible excuse. I needed to get out of going. Disrupting my routine with something so terrifying could only have negative results.

Read more now...

★★ THE DARKNESS WITHIN ★★ by Taylor Henderson

COMING SOON

From Author Taylor Henderson

★★ THE DARKNESS WITHIN ★★

 

★ SYNOPSIS ★

The house next door holds a horrifying secret…


For as long as Claire Anderson can remember, the house next door to hers has been vacant. After the last owners passed away, the house fell into disrepair; practically unlivable conditions. She had even began to grow accustomed to the creepy little house next door.



But now the house holds a darkness with who’s living there and the secrets he has…



Her new neighbor, David Greer, is attractive, middle-aged, and friendly. At least, that’s what Claire’s mom, Jasmine, thinks, but Claire can’t ignore the bad vibe she gets from him. Maybe it’s because she’s not used to having a neighbor, or maybe it’s because her mom seems to have a thing for him. Then again, it could also be the strange looks he gives her when others aren’t looking. Claire isn’t one hundred percent sure what it is about him that gives her the creeps, but she sure as hell has to find out, and preferably before he gets too close to her and her mother.



Can Claire figure out what David is hiding behind the walls of his decrepit new home, or will she fall victim to the darkness within?

★ EXCERPT★

Prologue

He readjusted the mask on his face as he walked closer to Holly's shaking body. Her back was pressed flat against the wall and, despite the fact that her hands were tied behind her back; her feet were free of binds. When she saw that he was coming toward her, she began to kick her feet relentlessly; her mouth opened wide but only muffled sound came out.

Kneeling down in front of her, a smile stretched across his chapped lips. He held one hand behind his back, a knife gripped tightly in its clutches. He didn't want her to see the knife yet. First, he was going to toy with her. He would be robbing himself of one of his favorite parts of the experience if he didn’t make her squirm first. He liked feeling like he was the one in control of his victim’s future. Because of him, they either lived or died. Some people might call it a God complex, but he called it self-assurance. It was his way of knowing that he mattered, and he knew that Natalie would be proud of him for taking initiative and doing what he loved. Toying with these girls the way he did, fueled his hunger, and made him feel. He was never as happy as he was when he was with his girls.

Holly turned her face away when his hand made contact with the skin of her cheek. He sighed as he brushed his fingers gently across the soft skin of her face, trailing down along her jawline to her chin, where he lifted her face to look at him. Her wide, green eyes stared back at him, a tear slipping from the corners before she closed them tight.

"You have nothing to fear," he whispered, trying to gain her trust. He removed the gag from her mouth. It was merely a precaution while he was transporting her. Thanks to the country setting he chose this time, they were far from the nearest neighbors. In fact, she was the nearest neighbor, and the only person home was her sleeping little sister, whom she had been babysitting. "I won't hurt you if you cooperate and do what I say."

The only response that he received from her was a soft whimper.

"Look at me," he demanded.

Holly flinched away from the harsh tone of his voice. A fat tear welled up in the corner of her eye and rolled down her pale cheek. Her throat was hoarse from the screaming she did earlier, but she still managed to choke out the word, "No."

"Come on now, Holly. This won't be any fun for me unless you play along."

"Leave me alone," she spat, enunciating every word while trying to turn her head away from him, but he only tightened his grip on her delicate face.

He clicked his tongue at her words. "Now, now. Open your eyes, or I'll cut your eyelids off. That wouldn't be any fun for you, now would it?"

She flinched at his words, but to his surprise, her eyes remained shut tight. "Screw you," she growled through clenched teeth.

Sighing, he shook his head at the frail girl in front of him. "Either you open your eyes and speak to me, or I'll go back to your house and see if that pretty little sister of yours will. What’s her name? Macy, is it?"

Shaking, her eyes stayed closed for a moment, thinking over his words. After about a minute of silence, she opened her eyes, glaring at him. "I will not be a part of your sick game. I know who you are."

He tilted his head to the side, staring at her curiously. "You don't say? What is it that you've heard?"

Holly's glare deepened. "You murder girls for fun," she spat angrily. "It's like some sick game to you or something. You're a monster," she added; a new found courage, one that he would not allow, overcoming her.

Pulling his hand from behind his back, he pointed at himself with the tip of his knife as he asked, "Me? A monster?"

Her eyes widened at the sight of the knife, but she nodded nonetheless.

He curved his lips upwards into a sinister smile as he brought the knife up to her cheek, dragging it across her skin without actually cutting her. "I'm not going to kill you right now. I just want to play with you. If you do what I say, I might let you live."

"You might?" she questioned; her voice shaking as she already knew the answer.

He nodded. "Life isn't guaranteed, Holly."

At his words, a noticeable shiver went through her. After a second, she whispered, "What happens if I don't do what you say?"

Instantly he pushed the knife into her cheek, drawing blood and causing her to scream loudly. The piercing sound of her scream hit his ears like a fire alarm, and he yanked the knife away from her face, bringing the back of his free hand up and smacking her roughly. "Shut up!" He absolutely hated when they screamed. Sometimes it made him want to carve out their vocal cords. 

Holly's scream became raspy until she coughed a few times and closed her mouth. She bit down on her bottom lip, causing the skin there to turn a bright red.

"That's better," he sighed. Lifting his free hand again, he smiled at how she flinched away from him, but this time all he did was reach up and push her golden hair out of her face. She was just so perfect. He got chills just thinking about what happened next. "So, are you ready to have some fun?"

Despite what her mind was telling her to say, she nodded her head. Behind her back, her fingers were fumbling with the tight rope that was wrapped around her thin wrists, trying and failing to loosen it. The rope was so tight that the only thing she was accomplishing was rubbing the skin on her wrists raw whenever she moved her hands.

"Good." He raised the knife up again, leaning toward her face with a determined glint in his dark eyes. A smile crossed onto his face as he pressed the tip of the knife into the skin of her forehead. His blood boiled and he grit his teeth as she let out a cry of pain, yet even her scream couldn’t take away his excitement as her crimson blood pooled from her wound. "You're number six."

★ ABOUT THE AUTHOR★

Taylor Henderson is a psychology major at the University of Mary Washington who was born and raised in Northern Virginia. She has been an adamant reader and writer since she was young, and has always found solace in the worlds and characters that other authors have brought to life in their works. Taylor plans to continue writing, and hopes to expand to different genres in the future.