The Portal Series by Kiki Wellington 💕 Soundtrack Spotlight, FREE eBook & EXCLUSIVE Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Paranormal Erotica)

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“Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” ― Plato

Music can also set the tone for a movie, a play, a book.

Behind the Moody Music

When I signed up to do a blitz for The Portal series, one of the things the organizer suggested was to put together a Spotify playlist—which immediately made me perk up in my chair. I jumped at the idea because it reminded me of how much fun it was to make mixed tapes for my friends when I was in high school and college. People loved my mixed tapes because I would spend a lot of time thinking about the perfect songs for each specific person a tape was for. It was hours of painstaking work and consideration...and I loved every second of it!

It probably took me a week to finish the playlist for The Portal. At first it was just a collection of songs I like to write to. Then I saw a pattern emerge, and much like how a story takes shape more and more as I work on it, the playlist began to tell a story that mirrored what went on in each installment of the series. For example, the very first song on the list begins with the line:

“You're a swine, and I'm saying that's an insult to the pig.”
(Brodsky Quartet and Elvis Costello)

Not only did I think it was a great attention grabber, it also was a good way to set up how Coralee in On the Other Side of Lust views her husband. The first 16 songs represent how Coralee feels about her awful marriage, her struggle with her faith, and her increasing lust toward the entity in her haunted house.

Track 17 on the playlist is an instrumental, sort of a palate cleanser to mentally prepare listeners for the next set of songs. Tracks 18 through 33 are for Clarissa of Through the Doorway of Desire, and they are meant to represent the downward mental spiral she experiences after moving into the house. Unlike Coralee, Clarissa had a happy marriage when she got there, but her growing sexual obsession with a serial killer and the paranormal experiences in the house make her increasingly confused. By the end, she’s aware of the mess that she made of her life, which I thought was perfectly captured in the lyrics of Track 33:

“I won't cry for yesterday, there's an ordinary world somehow I have to find.”
(Duran Duran)

Track 34 is another instrumental that sets the mood for the rest of the playlist, which is for Charlotte of The Entry to Ecstasy. Her story is not as dark and bleak as Coralee's and Clarissa's, but she still experiences a series of intense emotions as she tries to decide if she should stay with her boyfriend or not. When her ghost lover comes through the portal of the house, she's taken on a romantic journey that ultimately ends with one of my favorite songs of all time. By the end of the story, Charlotte figures out what true love means to her, and the song’s lyrics reflect that:

“Do I love you, do I?
Oh, my dear, it's so easy to see
Don't you know I do? Don't I show you I do?
Just as you love me?”
(Cole Porter)

It took longer to make this playlist than I thought it would, and for a while I had become as obsessed with it as my characters became with their paranormal encounters. But I have to say, I really enjoyed doing it and it’s definitely the best mixed tape I ever made.

Once Upon A Time by Blair Babylon 💕 Book Blitz & Prize Pack Giveaway 💕 (Romantic Suspense)

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When a real princess falls in love with a man who is definitely not a prince, a royal fairy tale turns dangerous.

ONCE UPON A TIME, there was a beautiful princess, Flicka von Hannover, who lived an enchanted life. She jetted around Europe staging charity events with friends, had married a handsome prince in the most spectacular royal wedding of the 21st century, and should have lived happily ever after.

But then she found the handsome prince in bed with a duchess. And then a coffee shop barista. And then her own goddamn secretary.

Finally, the beautiful princess had had enough of the cheating prince, and she ran away.

Once she had stepped out of the royal fairy tale, life became grayer, grittier, and rougher. The prince didn’t like that she had left and sent henchmen to take her back to the castle. Her worried royal brother sent people to look for her, too.

But the princess didn’t want to be found. The princess got a job as a waitress in a diner in New York City and made her own way in the world. Even cut off from everyone she knew, she was more resourceful than she had thought she might be. She did okay. From hiding, she sent legal separation papers and then divorce documents, but the prince wouldn’t sign them. He said he wouldn’t let her go. Even in these modern times, the prince could lock the princess up in a dungeon of legal forms and provisions that she wouldn’t be able to break out of. The prince wanted his princess back because he couldn’t take his throne without her.

Until a man walked into her diner one day, one who was frankly not a handsome prince.

He was the last man on Earth the princess should have fallen in love with.

Flicka glanced around them, finally remembering some operational protocol.
She said, “Dance with me.”
Dieter looked out over the crowd of targets and potential perpetrators. “I’m on duty.”
“Everyone is looking at us because we are just standing here, arguing. We’re too conspicuous. Dance with me so people will stop staring.”
He had never danced with her in public. The lapse in protocol would have been insane. “It’s your wedding reception. You just married your husband. You should be dancing with him and mingling.”
“I have mingled and made the rounds and greeted until even I, a classic extrovert, am terribly tired of peopling.”
“Dancing with me would be inappropriate.”
She laughed. “Everybody thinks you’re like an uncle to me.”
That felt like a punch to the gut on so many levels. “Could you say anything to make me feel worse?”
“Even Wulf thinks that.” Her brother, and Dieter’s best friend.
“And there it is.” The banter felt friendly, even normal, and he succumbed to it.
“Come on. Dance with me,” Flicka insisted and held her arms out for him to slide into the waltzing position.
Not taking her in his arms would look more suspicious than just accepting.
Dieter Schwarz, son of no one and owner of nothing, former military officer with no past known before his conscription as if he had dropped out of a cloud onto a Swiss mountain peak, took the hand of Her Serene Highness Friederike Augusta von Hannover and rested his hand on her waist.
The bandage on his arm where the bullet had creased his biceps that morning bulged under his suit jacket.
The tiny beads encrusting her reception dress were sharp against his palm and fingers, and her other hand was as delicate as a breeze in his.
Twice, that day, he had felt her skin against his flesh.
He hadn’t touched her for two years.
Only a thin layer of silk and glass beads separated his palm and fingers from the soft skin of her back.
That morning when he had seen the sunlight flash on the telescopic sight atop the gun, he dove for Flicka and gathered her body and limbs under his. He’d pressed his cheek to her forehead as bullets slammed the ground around him and burrowed through the meat of his arm.
And now, this innocent dance with the bride of the evening, her slender body bending in his arms and her hand clasped in his, was the second time he had touched her today and in as many years.
Every thought drifted away from him except that Flicka von Hannover was in his arms again.
Everyone thought he was like an uncle to her.
Everyone except him and her, who knew better.
Her lithe form swayed inches from his chest. Roses perfumed her skin, and he breathed in that familiar, maddening scent.
Dieter’s attention drew back from the crowd and the vantage points above and the jackals in the room. He focused on Flicka’s warmth in his hands.
The orchestra was playing a waltz.
Dieter stepped toward Flicka as she stepped back, and he steered her through the crowd.
Flicka asked, “Is he going to ask her to marry him tonight?”
“He told me he would. Rae is the sweetest, kindest woman I’ve ever met.”
“I am standing right here.”
“Yeah, I know.”
“Asshole.” She moved a little closer to his chest.
Dieter slid his hand farther around her back. The tiny beads felt rough on his palm and caught on his calluses. “Rae doesn’t want to burn the world down.”
Flicka shrugged. “Occupational hazard.”

   

Startup Fiancé by Shilpa Mudiganti 💕 Book Blitz & Gift Card Giveaway 💕(Contemporary Romance)

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Sometimes Love Can Be Arranged.

Arav Shetty had it all. The handsome, self-made billionaire topped the list of New York’s most eligible bachelors and sat at the helm of the city’s biggest tech empire. He also had a plan - buy out the brilliant upstart nipping at his heels, and dominate as the biggest and best tech company in New York.

The strategy had worked for him in the past. He had the resources and skills to pull it off. And, he was determined to overcome his father’s dark legacy, and prove he had what it took to stay on top. Nothing would distract him from his goal. He’d buy out his biggest rival but the company’s owner, Nisha Jain wasn’t the pushover he believed.

Nisha Jain had a plan, too. Born with a silver spoon in her mouth, her early years had been a carefully scripted fairy tale. She was determined to make everyone sit up and notice when she achieved stupendous success - without her father's money or brand influence. She knew she was on the right path when her biggest competitor wanted to meet with her.

But when they met, nothing went as planned.

Neither expected the instant spark of attraction, nor the hurtful words tossed around like confetti. With meddling family members and an arranged marriage thrown into the mix, the fate of both companies - and Arav and Nisha’s undeniable attraction – hung precariously. What was supposed to be a cakewalk became more complicated than either ever imagined.

Compromises needed to be made. But between a billionaire whose life work is on the line and an heiress out to prove her own worth, who would blink first?

   

The Texan's Wedding Escape by Charlene Sands 💕 Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Western Romance)

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From friendship to passion…to forever?

Only if she doesn’t marry the wrong man first…

Lauren never got over her childhood crush on Cooper, but she’s grown up now and ready to settle down. She even agrees to plan her upcoming wedding at his ranch, but in close quarters, she’s second-guessing her groom and yearning for Cooper’s forbidden embrace… Then she discovers the rancher’s ulterior motive. Will she walk down the aisle with the wrong man?

“Thank you, Cooper. You’ve been wonderful.”

Lauren’s eyes flashed, all that meadow green working magic on him. Holding her like this felt right, and that was all wrong. But when she dipped her gaze to his mouth, the longing in her eyes did him in.

“Cooper.”

He put his hands in her hair and tilted her head up. Their eyes locked, wrecking his resistance, wrecking any semblance of rational thought. He brought his mouth down and touched his lips to hers. It was Fourth of July fireworks and sweet cake on Sunday morning all rolled up into one. She was soft and delicate and amazingly sexy. But one brush of the lips wasn’t enough; he needed more, demanded more. She made little noises in the back of her throat, and the sounds were like music and laughter and brightness. His body grew tight and hard, and Lauren was just as lost, just as needy. She hugged his neck, ran her fingers through his hair and he deepened the kiss even more.

    

💕 Sweet Romance Speak Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Contemporary Romance)

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You're invited to Sweet Romance Speak, where bestselling authors share about all things romance. Enjoy an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at authors, books, the writing process, and more!

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Diesel by Crimson Syn 💕 Book Tour & Gift Card Giveaway 💕 (Motorcycle Romance)

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Jack Diesel is hiding something.
All rugged goodness, with a dark edge,
He’s the type of man that will get me into trouble.
The type of man I should stay away from.
There’s no avoiding someone like Diesel.
He’s a powerful magnet that lights my whole body on fire.
But he has secrets.
Secrets I can’t help but look into.
Secrets that are hindering him from being with me.
Secrets I intend to uncover.

Gabriela Cristiano is a delicious little spitfire.
She’s tough, cynical, and sexy as fuck.
She knows the power she wields on men and I’m no different because I crave her.
From the moment she fell on my lap, I can’t keep myself away.
One moment we’re arguing the next she’s on her knees before me.
She’s a rollercoaster ride I don’t want to get off of.
If only I could tell her about my past.
If only I could learn to love again.

*Present Day…*
My eyes shot open and I was once again drenched in sweat. I lied there for a second, trying to come to terms with reality as I stared up at the ceiling of my apartment. The dreams just kept coming, and they’d gotten stronger ever since this whole bullshit with these fucking gangs had emerged. It’s got everyone on edge, and I’m fucking stressed as fuck. The sleepless nights aren’t helping either. I keep seeing her face as she screamed for me, and then that moment, the moment I lost everything. That moment continues to fucking haunt me.
I slowly headed towards the glass partition in my bedroom. Sliding the glass door open, I stepped out onto the balcony. The cool breeze sending goose bumps across my bare chest, but it felt refreshing, alleviating the pressure that engulfed me.
It had been six years, and in all that time I hadn’t been able to shake this feeling off. I’d come so close to getting my hands on the motherfucker who ruined my life, and the lead I received a few months ago in Vegas was finally going to close this fucking case for good. Liam Calvaro was going to pay for everything he’d done to me, and I was going to be the one to take him down. I hadn’t told anyone, not even Wolf, but he knew what I was up to. He was always sending Gunner or Knox after me. I suppose he was watching my back and making sure I didn’t commit murder, dragging both mine and his name through the shitter. He and Gunner were the only ones who knew who I really was and what had happened to me all those years ago. They were the only souls left in this world who knew.
I ran my hand through my hair and gave a deep sigh. Another sleepless night and another stressful fucking day. The only leeway I had on La Cruz was gone after Gunner and Chastity decided to bring the FBI in. Now we needed to start from zero once again. And then there was that damn temptation that kept hovering around the damn club. She’s woken up some shit in me I’d had buried for years. And she wasn’t one to take no for an answer, not that I wanted to give it to her.
When she’d landed on my lap a few weeks ago I wasn’t expecting her to stay. I’d heard about Gabriela Cristiano. She held high rank on the force and she was no joke when it came to her knowledge on narcotics. She was the best Narcotics Detective I’d ever seen and she was fucking beautiful, all five-foot-four tantalizing curves of her. Fuck! She had me tightly wound and highly aroused. My dick struggled to go down when she was around, and in the last few nights I’d pictured her above me, riding me as I jacked off my cock to her. I hadn’t touched myself in years. Shit I hadn’t had sex since…well, since her. In a way I felt like I was betraying her. My wife. My sweet Isabel.
I knew I couldn’t live like this anymore. I understood that I needed to move on with my life. But I couldn’t let anything divert my attention from my mission. Gabriela Cristiano was a fucking provocative distraction and her presence was fucking off-putting if anything.
I took a deep sigh and made my way to the bathroom. Taking off my shirt I stared at myself in the mirror. I was looking haggard in my thirty-eight years. I ran my hand down my face, tugging at my beard. I needed a good trim and my hair was getting too long. Dark circles ran under my eyes making me look worn out. I stared at my reflection and frowned at myself. I shouldn’t be feeling guilty for wanting another woman. Fuck!
Gabriela was the first woman I’d ever even thought about since Isabel passed away. I looked down at the bulge in my pants and tried to ignore it as I turned on the water, turning the knob so that it was steaming hot. I quickly got under it and let the water cascade down my back and neck. My cock throbbed as I ran the soap across my chest and shoulders. I was a big guy, six-foot-two, and broad shouldered. I made sure my body was kept in good shape-that I was always ready physically, and mentally, for when I had to confront my past.
It wasn’t strange that a woman like Gabriela would notice me, what was strange is that I wanted her to. I wanted her eyes on me and only me. As I rubbed the bar of soap down across my abs, my stomach tightened and my cock swelled. I pictured those pretty green eyes on me, hungrily watching me as she spread her legs. My hand flew down to my cock and I couldn’t help but groan as I pictured her stroking her pretty pussy for me, begging me with those emerald eyes to take her. I got lost in the fantasy of her as I stroked myself slowly, leaning a hand against the cool glass frame for support. My grip was tight as I gave my dick long twisting strokes, imagining her parted lips as she fingered herself while I watched. Her jet-black hair sprawled out onto the pillows as she threw her head back. Those luscious tits, all soft and plush, jutting out for me. I stroked my cock vigorously, my muscles tensing as I continued to masturbate with the thought of claiming her. Of grabbing her ankles and yanking her down to me, raising her legs so that my cock could play along her folds. My breath hitched and my hand drew into a fist as I jerked my dick in fast, hard pulls. I desperately wanted my fist to be her curvy little body. I wanted to sink my cock into her depths and hear her call out my name.
I could feel that familiar pressure start to surge up my legs making my muscles clench. I swayed forward and grunted as I tugged harshly on my cock, hot cream spewing out at full force as I came for her. I pressed my head against my forearm as my body thrummed. The water now getting cool from being under it for so long.
I stood there for a few minutes before washing off and getting ready for work. I had errands to run for Wolf and I needed to hit the road following those leads Ryan had been talking about. Not that I didn’t trust Ryan Simon, the President of the Death Row Shooters had gotten our backs more than we could count. But I needed to make sure I wasn’t following a dead lead. I had shit to do and Gabriela Cristiano was definitely not on that list.