Once Untold

Tuesday, October 6, 2015

DARKSIDE OF THE MOON
(Rise of the Arkansas Werewolves #4)
by Jodi Vaughn
Published: October 6th, 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Purchase: Amazon | Kobo

As a high ranking Guardian in the Arkansas Pack, Zane Steele, doesn’t have time for nonsense. He lives a life of control and discipline. But during a drug takedown of a rogue pack, Zane is injected with something and he no longer can control when he shifts. Vulnerable to outing his species to humans he has nowhere left to turn

With no other option, he cuts communication from his Pack Master and flees to try to find a cure before he can face retribution for breaking the Pack Law.

Werewolf, Skylar Wade looks to the future and refuses to focus on her demon laden past. She’s built her own construction company in hopes to one day have enough money to renovate an abandoned building as a safe home for runaway girls who need protecting. As a child she knew the horror of abuse and has made it her life to help other females like herself. But when she finds Zane naked and hiding out at one of her construction sites she is forced to face the memories of her childhood.

Brought together under devastating circumstances, they realize they need each other’s help to face what lies ahead. Can they trust each other to disobey the Pack Law and risk their own lives? Or will the retribution be so severe that it’s each wolf for themselves?

“I know because I’m a wolf too.”

The color drained from his face as he met her gaze. His breathing increased and he looked at the floor.

He shook his head and murmured, “That’s impossible.”

“Why? Because you don’t think I’m pretty enough to be a wolf?” She gritted her teeth. She’d spent her life growing up being criticized because of her red hair and her stick-thin figure. It wasn’t until she’d hit puberty and gotten her curves that the men who hung around her dad had started looking at her differently. Being a female wolf was nothing but a curse.

“That’s not it.”

“Then what is it?” Her eyes narrowed. She wanted nothing more than for him to hit the road.

He met her gaze. Fear crossed his expression, and her heart tugged in her chest. His eyes widened as he took a step closer.

“If you’re a wolf, then why can’t I smell you?”

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon

Jodi was born and raised in Mississippi. Her deep Southern roots and love of the paranormal led her to write Southern Paranormal novels. She currently lives in Northeast Arkansas with her handsome husband, brilliant son, adopted swan, and yellow lab that is fond of retrieving turtles when duck season is over.

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A CURSE OF ASH & IRON
by Christine Norris
Published: May 21st, 2015
Genres: Young Adult, Science Fiction, Steampunk, Fantasy, Retellings, Historical, Romance
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Benjamin Grimm knows the theater is much like real life. In 1876 Philadelphia, people play their parts, hiding behind the illusion of their lives, and never revealing their secrets.

When he reunites with his childhood friend Eleanor Banneker, he is delighted. His delight turns to dismay when he discovers she has been under a spell for the past 7 years, being forced to live as a servant in her own home, and he realizes how sinister some secrets can be. She asks for his help, and he can’t refuse. Even if he doesn’t believe in ‘real’ magic, he can’t abandon her.

Ellie has spent the long years since her mother’s death under the watchful eye and unforgiving eye of her stepmother. Bewitched and hidden in plain sight, it seems no one can help Ellie escape. Not even her own father, who is under a spell of his own. When she sees Ben one evening, it seems he is immune to the magic that binds her, and her hope is rekindled along with her friendship.

But time is running short. If they do not find a way to break the spell before midnight on New Year’s Eve, then both Ellie and her father will be bound forever.

Ellie entered. She stopped for a moment, her eyes wary, and her hand against her stomach as if she were holding in her breath.

“Ellie?” Ben called her. “Ellie Banneker?"

Her shoulders relaxed, and her breath came out in a whoosh. She paused for another breath before making her way down the center aisle toward Ben. The door closed behind her with a muffled thump, shutting out the murmurs of those who remained in the lobby. The theater dropped into an eerie quiet. Now that they were face-to-face, Benjamin’s excitement was replaced by overwhelming self-consciousness. He ran his sweaty palms through his hair, smoothing the runaway brown locks his mother would say needed trimming. He was suddenly aware of the way he was dressed―he looked like a ragamuffin compared to the upper class men Ellie must be used to. Her chestnut hair shone in the light, her green eyes wary but bright.Ben stopped near the first row, a lump in his throat, hoping she wouldn’t notice the scuffed tops of his shoes and his frayed shirt cuffs, and let her approach him.

“Benjamin Grimm? It is you.” Her smile widened, and it was as if the curtain had gone up in her eyes. The sadness Ben had seen before lifted, and she became a girl of seventeen. She reached out to him with her bare hand.

His nervousness evaporated like morning fog. He wiped his hand on his pants and then grasped hers tightly, catching the slight scent of soap and rose water.

Ben had expected the soft hand of the daughter of a prominent banker; hands used to doing embroidery and playing the piano. But there were calluses on her palm, the nails short and ragged. Her skin was pink and chapped. His expression must have given away some of his surprise, because when he released her hand, Ellie tucked it into the folds of her skirt. “I can’t believe that you... It’s been so long, Ben. You’ve grown.”

The look in her eyes made Ben decide to keep quiet about her hands. He was glad she had come in to see him. Having spent years under her stepmother’s care, he had worried she might have turned into a snob. “As have you, my lady.” His grin was large as he bent over in an exaggerated bow.

“Oh, please don’t. Ben, stop it this minute.” Ellie put her hands to her blushing cheeks, as if trying to hold back her smile. Ben stood, laughing, and thrust his hands in his pockets. “I was hiding in the loft above the lobby and saw you come in tonight. I... didn’t recognize you at first. You’ve, uh, changed.” It was his turn to blush again as he remembered what he had been thinking about her curves.

“You’ve changed, too.” She squinted and looked closely at his face. “I can’t see any dirt. So your mother finally wrestled you into submission about keeping clean.”

Ben didn’t answer, only smirked and scratched the back of his head. “I tried to think how many years it’s been since I saw you last.”

“Seven.” Ellie’s reply was so soft he almost didn’t hear it. “Seven years. The last time I saw you, we were both ten, after...” she hesitated. “After my mother died.”

Ben’s smile faltered. “Yes, that’s right.” He felt stupid for forgetting, even more stupid for making her bring up something so obviously painful. His own mother had cried for days after her employer’s passing. Ellie’s mother had been a lovely woman, who had provided him with a seemingly endless supply of sweets.

Ellie shook her head as if shaking herself free of the edge of melancholy that had dropped over the conversation. “How is your dear mother? And your little brother? I’m sure he’s no longer the chubby-cheeked baby I remember.”

Ben shrugged. “Mother’s fine. She keeps busy running the bookshop. Harry is... he’s a little brother.” Ellie wrinkled her nose and narrowed her eyes.

“Being as I have no little brothers, I’ll have to assume you mean you love him dearly and can’t imagine life without him.” “Not exactly, but I don’t want to ruin your image of me as a wholesome young man, so I won’t tell you what I really think about him. It wouldn’t be proper for me to say in front of a lady, anyway.”

“You think I’m a lady, do you? You might be surprised at some of the words I’ve used when no one is listening.” Ellie’s gaze wandered over the theater’s ceiling. There was a teasing note in her voice. “I never thought I’d see you working here. If I remember correctly, you said if you were going to be in the theater, it would be in front of the footlights. A magician, I believe it was?”

“I’m still working on that.” Ben’s reply was touched with defensiveness. “But now it’s illusion instead of straight magic, don’t you know that? It’s all the rage in Europe. Until I can find a backer, I need to work. My father, he’s the stage manager now. He got me the job, said it would do me good to learn a real skill.” He rolled his eyes.

Ellie raised an eyebrow. “He doesn’t approve of your career aspirations?” Ben shook his head. “He lets me keep my workshop, but thinks I’m wasting my time.” He shrugged. “It’s better than the brickyard.”

Ellie laughed out loud, a pretty sound that rolled around the inside of the theater. She covered her mouth and glanced over her shoulder to make sure no one else had heard. When she stopped giggling, she looked at Ben and sighed. “I can’t stay, Ben. I don’t want to keep my stepmother waiting.” She glanced over her shoulder and back to Ben. “It was so good to see you again.”

Ben felt the words were weighted somehow, like a current pulling beneath the calm surface of a river. “It was good to see you again, too, Ellie.” There was so much more Ben wanted to say, seven years’ worth. He didn’t dare ask to see her again, though, and resigned himself to only having this stolen moment.

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Christine Norris is the author of several works for children and adults, including the Library of Athena series and the Zandria duology. When she’s not out saving the world one story at a time, she is disguised as a mild mannered substitute teacher, mother, and wife. She cares for her family of one husband-creature, a son-animal, and two felines who function as Guardian of the Bathtub and Official Lap Warmer, respectively. She has also done several English adaptations of novels translated from other languages. She reached a new level of insanity by attending Southen Connecticut State University Graduate School’s Information and Library Science program, so that someday she, too, can be a real Librarian. She currently resides somewhere in southern New Jersey.

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Monday, October 5, 2015

FOREVER WITH YOU (Wait for You #5)
by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Published: September 29th, 2015
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Purchase: Amazon | B&N | Kobo | iTunes

In the irresistibly sexy series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Jennifer L. Armentrout, two free spirits find their lives changed by a one-night stand…

Some things you just believe in, even if you've never experienced them. For Stephanie, that list includes love. It's out there. Somewhere. Eventually. Meanwhile she's got her job at the mixed martial arts training center and hot flings with gorgeous, temporary guys like Nick. Then a secret brings them closer, opening Steph's eyes to a future she never knew she wanted—until tragedy rips it away.

Nick's self-assured surface shields a past no one needs to know about. His mind-blowing connection with Steph changes all that. As fast as he's knocking down the walls that have kept him commitment-free, she's building them up again, determined to keep the hurt—and Nick—out. But he can't walk away. Not when she's the only one who's ever made him wish for forever…

MY FOREVER MOMENTS:

I actually have two moments that will stay with me for a very long time. Both moments are similar, but opposite.

The first moment happened in middle school. I've never been a person who talks a lot, except for when I'm with my friends. The day before I had jammed my finger playing basketball and I had to wear a splint. At school the next day in homeroom, the girl next to me asked what happened to my finger, so I told her. Then all of a sudden my friend Chelsea became very upset for some reason, crying and everything. I had later found out that the girl who was sitting next to her, who happened to be best friends with the girl sitting next to me, had made some comments saying something along the lines of, "Oh, she actually talks?" This comment upset my friend so much that she defended me and it was the first time anyone had ever come to my defense about something that I've been made fun of my entire life. I will never forget that.

The second moment goes along the same lines, but in the opposite. In the first moment, someone made fun of me for actually talking, but in this next moment, there were some people complaining that I wasn't talking.

I think I was a junior in high school for this second moment. I didn't actually witness it, but one of my friends had told me that a few of the seniors in our Key Club had been complaining about the fact that I didn't talk. My friend Julie stood up for me and told them that I talk all the time. This was the second time someone defended me when it came to something I'm quite sensitive about. And I was really moved that she came to me and told me about it later. It was like these seniors expected me to talk to them all the time or something. It's not like they ever made the effort to talk to me and I had nothing to say to them. I was always talking to the other members of our Key Club. They talked to me and I talked with them. It was an equal exchange of conversation.

I have social anxiety, so I never talked a lot, except for around my friends and family. I have a quiet voice that can at times be kind of high in pitch, so I've always been self-conscious about talking because of that. It didn't help that people made fun of the sound of my voice. What a lot of people don't seem to understand is that I will talk to you if I have something to say to you or you come talk to me, but if I have nothing to say and you don't talk to me, then I'm not going to talk to you. I'm quite content with silence and not talking. I feel no need to fill that quiet.

But these two moments are times that I doubt I'll ever forget. These are really the only times someone came to my defense concerning something so personal to me. I'll always be grateful to both Chelsea and Julie.

WAIT FOR YOU (Wait for You #1)

TRUST IN ME (Wait for You #1.5)

BE WITH ME (Wait for You #2)

STAY WITH ME (Wait for You #3)

FALL WITH ME (Wait for You #4)

DREAM OF YOU (Wait for You #4.5)

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

# 1 New York Times and # 1 International Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing, she spends her time reading, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

Her dreams of becoming an author started in algebra class, where she spent most of her time writing short stories….which explains her dismal grades in math. Jennifer writes young adult paranormal, science fiction, fantasy, and contemporary romance. She is published with Spencer Hill Press, Entangled Teen and Brazen, Disney/Hyperion and Harlequin Teen. Her book Obsidian has been optioned for a major motion picture and her Covenant Series has been optioned for TV. Her young adult romantic suspense novel DON’T LOOK BACK was a 2014 nominated Best in Young Adult Fiction by YALSA.

She also writes Adult and New Adult contemporary and paranormal romance under the name J. Lynn. She is published by Entangled Brazen and HarperCollins.

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WITH VISIONS OF RED: BROKEN BONDS #3
by Trisha Wolfe
Expected Publication: October 12th, 2015
Genres: Adult, Dark, Erotica, Thriller, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense, Mystery

Who is the UNSUB?

For Agent Sadie Bonds, finding the answer to that question means the difference between life and death for someone close to her. The UNSUB’s latest abduction reaches right into the heart of the ACPD, forcing every member of the department to search within their ranks for the sadistic perpetrator.

Suspicion not only clouds the task force; it slithers into Sadie and Colton’s bond, challenging their love. Discovering the truth means facing their past together. Sadie’s connection to Colton has quieted her inner demons—but is she strong enough to confront the real monster?

All players take their places as the stage is set for the final scene. With the UNSUB manipulating the game, even Sadie and Colton fall victim, spiraling deep into the darkness that threatens not only their lives, but their trust. As Sadie navigates a tortuous maze, Colton will do whatever is takes to protect her—even if that means revealing his secret.

The truth will set you free. Only for Sadie, her truth will test the very fabric of her reality. She must silence the threat, or risk losing everything and everyone she loves.

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OFFBEAT (Offbeat #1)
by S. Moose
Published: October 5th, 2015
Genres: New Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Purchase: Amazon

People think you can only love one person. That’s not true. There are two types of love; the forever kind and the always kind.

Forever love means you can’t live without that person. When you close your eyes the image you see is the two of you holding hands, sitting on the porch, and watching your grandchildren playing in the yard. You look over, smile, and whisper “we’ve lived a good life.”

Always love means you keep that person in your heart. They’ve done something for you to make you realize who you are. This person means so much to you and lives in your heart.

One night of truth.

One night of passion.

But all of that was taken in one night and I’m left alone.

I’m fighting to breathe and holding onto the tiniest shred of hope I have. It’s a losing battle and I’m not sure how much more I can take. Every day is a struggle. That night still haunts me and I see his face. It’s been two years and slowly I’m piecing my life back together.

Until one secret throws my life offbeat again.

I'm Bayleigh Murphy, and this is my story, my journey of forever and always.

PROLOGUE

Dear Tyler,

People say you fall in love only once, and when you find that love you have to hold on tight and never let go. They say when you look into the eyes of love your heart beats wild and free; nothing else matters. The air around you becomes too thick and unless you're holding on to love’s hand, you'll suffocate. That love is the most important thing, and your reason to wake up with a smile on your face.

When we first met, I didn't think it was possible to fall in love. You were this little boy with bright blue eyes and brown hair. I went to my mom and told her I found Prince Charming. For seven years you stayed by my side and were my best friend. On my 12th birthday, you asked me to be your girlfriend and that was the best gift ever. You've been my light, my reason, for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I wonder what life will be like without you and I can't imagine it. We’ve been through so much together and have stood by each other's side. I never needed to date other guys and you never doubted your love for me.

The thing is… Sometimes love isn’t enough; the most powerful feeling in the world, the one feeling people want to experience, just can't fix everything.

That’s the problem when bad things happen to good people.

I don’t even know where to start. I could go on and on about how much I love you and how much you mean to me. I can tell you that you’re my world and the very reason I can breathe. You’ve fixed my heart so many times, but this time you can’t.

I have to let you go. I’m so sorry. I don’t know how else to tell you this, because I know if I look into your blue eyes I’ll take back everything. I know you think I’m selfish, but I’m doing this for you. You deserve the world. You deserve someone who isn’t broken. I’m giving you the chance to live again without worrying about me. I won’t ask you to wait for me and I won’t promise you I’ll get better, because I don’t know when or if I will. I know that if I make that promise you’ll stop living your life and wait around for me. I can’t allow that to happen.

The problem with making promises is that there’s no guarantee they can be kept. Promises set up expectations, and expectations leads to disappointment and resentment. That’s why I have to do this, so you don’t miss out on your life.

Please find someone who’ll bring the light back into your eyes...for me. She’s going to be the luckiest girl, because you’re an amazing guy. The past seventeen years have been magical and I’ll never let go of everything we’ve experienced together.

Please don’t hate me. I beg this of you. I want you in my life. You’re my best friend and that’s something I can’t let go of. My love for you will remain and maybe one day, if I get better, we can find our way again. Until then I need you to move on and be happy; the way you’re supposed to live. I need you to understand my reasoning for this letter, and when you’re ready to talk to me, I’ll be here.

There will never be a day that I don’t think about you. I love you so much, Tyler Scott. You’ll continue to be the reason my heart beats, forever.

Forever yours,

Bay

I hold the letter in my hands, reading the words through my blurry vision. The pain in my chest rips through and the madness in my head is spiraling out of control. My eyes search the letter. Maybe she wrote something to give me a clue that she just needs space and she doesn’t truly mean what she’s written. Girls are like that. They’ll say one thing and mean something totally different. Bayleigh is the queen of being secretive and tries hard to hide how she really feels from me. The only time I can get her to open up is when we’re face to face. Throughout the years I’ve studied her. I know her inside and out. I think I know her more than she knows herself. That’s why I know this letter isn’t what she feels. It’s a fucking copout.

At first I don’t panic. I read the letter again and try to picture her playing a joke or doing something funny. A smile is on my face when I call the front desk, asking if there are any other letters or packages for me. They confirm this is it and ask if I need anything else. I hang up the phone and open the door, looking both ways down the hall, wondering if she’s going to jump out and say gotcha.

Again, nothing.

Closing the door, I sit back down and read the letter again. This time I believe that it’s real. I know nothing will change. Words don’t magically appear. In my head I know that, but I can’t admit it.

Did I do something wrong?

Did she find someone new?

Why is she doing this?

My world falls apart and I can’t sort out the feelings and raging emotions. I grit my teeth and nearly rip the letter apart. Setting it down on the table, I pace the hotel room, fuming with insane anger. My breathing is erratic and I can’t talk.

I imagine her writing the letter and the look of relief on her face. She wants this. She wants to leave me, and thinks I’ll let her and seventeen years go without a fight. Love is a powerful emotion. Our love is powerful, and we’ve been through too much to let it go.

“Ahh,” I scream. Lashing out I take my anger out on the couch and table, flipping them over. Glass smashes on the carpet and tears roll down my cheeks.

Turning, I see the letter again and pick it up. She wrote a fucking letter to break up with me. Stomping into the bedroom, I throw the pillows off the bed, ripping the comforter and sheets.

Red. All I see is red.

Consumed with anger, I stand in the room looking at the destruction caused by my rage. Sliding down the wall, I fall to the floor and try to calm down. Only there’s nothing calming me down. My heart is breaking. I’ve lost everything; my world, my heart and my soul.

Taking my cell phone out of my pocket, I call her. The call goes straight to voicemail.

Hi, you’ve reached…

I hang up and keep calling. After the eighth time, I decide to give her my own letter.

“I’m never letting you go. I’m the guy for you, Bayleigh Murphy, and that’ll never change. I will see you again.”

Author Links: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram

S.Moose is a New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, living in Webster, NY with her family, friends, and shorkie, Charlie.

A 2011 St. John Fisher graduate, S.Moose loves to read and write. She enjoys getting lost in the fictional world and creating a place where readers can fall in love and swoon over the cute boys she brings to life. When she isn't in her room in front of her computer or a book, she is with her family and friends being silly and enjoying life. She's romantic at heart and loves anything with a happily ever after.

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