Aaron Baker has a problem. His online clothing company is under attack. Whilst MC Securities tackle the breaches in security, he asks for an agent to pose as his fake boyfriend. He doesn’t bargain for getting a snarky, ex-marine with sad, blue eyes and submissive tendencies.
Dumped by his boyfriend, Finlay Masters concludes that the best, and safest, place for him is to return to the closet. Kicked out by his parents as a kid for being gay, closeted in the army for fifteen years, body wrecked by an explosion that cost him his job, he isn’t the best bet for any kind of relationship. Even a fake one.
As the investigation mounts, Aaron wants more, but Finn has no faith in love, never dared need anyone. Aaron talks of how lucky he is to find him, but Finn knows if he is to have a chance at a relationship at all, he needs to find himself.
Reviewer: Shee Reader
First, I need to gush. Fake boyfriend is one of my all time favourite story ploys! It’s right up there with “they have to stay the night, and there’s only one bed” in terms of me getting giddy to read it.
I was so looking forward to this one, and Finn did not disappoint. He’s exactly as grumpy, snarky and hard to reach as you want an ex-marine in a romance book to be!
Aaron is a lovely character too, but it did take me a little bit longer to warm to him. After a few chapters though, I was fully invested in these guys and just wanted Finn to give in to Aaron’s charms already. The story was well written, and I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I hadn’t read the first book in the series and it had no negative impact on my enjoyment of this story. There was strength and depth in the characters and I loved how the relationship developed and I was truly rooting for the guys.
Recommended!
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Guest Review: Finding Finlay (MC Securities #2) by Ruby Moone
Release Blitz + Giveaway: Kiss Me Again by Garrett Leigh
Celebrate the release of Kiss Me Again with author Garrett Leigh and Signal Boost Promotions! Learn more about the contemporary romance and enter in the back list eBook giveaway!
Buy Links: Amazon US | Amazon UK | Universal Link - Exclusive to Amazon and Available to Borrow With Kindle Unlimited
Cover Design: Black Jazz Design
Length: 227 pages
Blurb
Ludo Giordano is trapped on the ward with a bunch of old men. His mind plays tricks on him, keeping him awake. Then late one night, a new face brings a welcome distraction. Their unlikely friendship is addictive. And, like most things in Ludo’s life, temporary.
Back in the real world, Aidan’s monochrome existence is no longer enough. He craves the colour Ludo brought him, and when a chance meeting brings them back together, before long, they’re inseparable again.
But bliss comes with complications. Aidan is on the road to recovery, but Ludo has been unwell his entire life, and that’s not going to change. Aidan can kiss him as much as he likes, but if he can’t help Ludo when he needs him most, they don’t stand a chance.
"Kiss Me Again is a deliciously tender and prickly romance about the intimacy that comes with acceptance. Ludo and Aidan accept and love each other for exactly who they are—complications, injuries, mental health issues, moods—and I loved them for it." -- Roan Parish
Garrett's debut novel, Slide, won Best Bisexual Debut at the 2014 Rainbow Book Awards, and her polyamorous novel, Misfits was a finalist in the 2016 LAMBDA awards.
When not writing, Garrett can generally be found procrastinating on Twitter, cooking up a storm, or sitting on her behind doing as little as possible, all the while shouting at her menagerie of children and animals and attempting to tame her unruly and wonderful FOX.
Garrett is also an award winning cover artist, taking the silver medal at the Benjamin Franklin Book Awards in 2016. She designs for various publishing houses and independent authors at blackjazzdesign.com, and co-owns the specialist stock site moonstockphotography.com with renowned LGBTQA+ photographer Dan Burgess.
Website: http://www.garrettleigh.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/garrettleighauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Garrett_Leigh
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions |
Review: Want Me (Extracurricular Activities #1-7) by Neve Wilder
Two roommates. One calculus exam. A whole lot of extracurricular activity.
Nate: Living with four other guys, it's bound to happen.
Every guy's been caught taking care of business at least once, right? It shouldn't be a big deal.
But I don't know Eric as well as my other roommates, and things are a little awkward now.
He's a loner.
A mystery. Quietly confident. Smart. Sexy as hell.
I've been happily subsisting on the typical frat guy diet of booze and sorority girls.
But the way Eric looked at me that night?
There was something there.
Something that's got me curious. Something that's stirring up feelings I thought I'd left behind for good.
Something that's making me think I'm not as straight as I thought I was.
I can't get him off of my mind.
I don't think I want to.
So when he offers to help me study for a midterm, I take him up on it.
It's innocent.
Probably. Maybe.
There's no way I could've known what it'd start...
This is a steamy standalone new adult/college mm romance with HEA that unfolds across six "episodes" following Nate and Eric. Now bundled up in one collection with a bonus episode for a seamless reading experience. 87,000 words.
This book right here, y'alls...
Straight to the one-handed read HOF for you, lil bookie.
Neve Wilder was new to me but now she's on my BRING IT shelf because not only was this book hot enough to send local fire departments on high alert it also brought a surprising amount of organic and believable relationship development.
But first let's talk about all the buttons of mine that got annihilated by Nate and Eric.
§ public sex
§ begging
§ public sex
§ rimming
§ public sex
§ big guy bottoming
§ public sex
§ bossy top
§ public sex
§ mild D/s
§ public sex in the library, the gym shower, the backseat & the woods!!!
Conclusion: #thud +
ICYMI, I'm kind of a voyeur and these two boys lit me up like a Christmas tree. On steroids. What I wouldn't give to catch them in flagrante. For science. They have so much chemistry I think they could school some chemists! 🔬🔥 = 🚀 🌑 (and maybe some astronomists?)
The whole story is told from Nate's POV and he is a delight! Honest and genuine that sometimes comes out in the most inopportune times and in the most awkward of fashions, all of which combined to make him crazy, stupid lovable. It's a testament to Wilder's writerly skills that I truly felt and sympathized with his turmoil and hesitancy over his growing feelings for Eric. Though he's not exactly new to same sex shenanigans he's never been this shaken by nor this into another guy.
Their relationship begins very casual but Nate soon gets a taste of something that he wants seconds and thirds and fourths of, something only Eric seems able to provide. And Nate's kind of a glutton for it too. Bless him.
As much as I enjoyed the sexy times between them, and I did immensely, I thought Wilder developed their relationship realistically. It wasn't rushed nor did it sail along smoothly. I found myself fully invested in them, loved their dynamic, how relatable their dialogue was throughout and how much fun they have together once they lay their cards on the table.
Recommended and #ProTip: might not want to read Want Me in public. If you catch me.
Nate: Living with four other guys, it's bound to happen.
Every guy's been caught taking care of business at least once, right? It shouldn't be a big deal.
But I don't know Eric as well as my other roommates, and things are a little awkward now.
He's a loner.
A mystery. Quietly confident. Smart. Sexy as hell.
I've been happily subsisting on the typical frat guy diet of booze and sorority girls.
But the way Eric looked at me that night?
There was something there.
Something that's got me curious. Something that's stirring up feelings I thought I'd left behind for good.
Something that's making me think I'm not as straight as I thought I was.
I can't get him off of my mind.
I don't think I want to.
So when he offers to help me study for a midterm, I take him up on it.
It's innocent.
Probably. Maybe.
There's no way I could've known what it'd start...
This is a steamy standalone new adult/college mm romance with HEA that unfolds across six "episodes" following Nate and Eric. Now bundled up in one collection with a bonus episode for a seamless reading experience. 87,000 words.
This book right here, y'alls...
Straight to the one-handed read HOF for you, lil bookie.
I bit my lip, debating whether I should just get it over with and start begging, say please. I wanted him to ruin me, make me beg, make me come. Make me do anything.
Neve Wilder was new to me but now she's on my BRING IT shelf because not only was this book hot enough to send local fire departments on high alert it also brought a surprising amount of organic and believable relationship development.
But first let's talk about all the buttons of mine that got annihilated by Nate and Eric.
§ public sex
§ begging
§ public sex
§ rimming
§ public sex
§ big guy bottoming
§ public sex
§ bossy top
§ public sex
§ mild D/s
§ public sex in the library, the gym shower, the backseat & the woods!!!
Conclusion: #thud +
ICYMI, I'm kind of a voyeur and these two boys lit me up like a Christmas tree. On steroids. What I wouldn't give to catch them in flagrante. For science. They have so much chemistry I think they could school some chemists! 🔬🔥 = 🚀 🌑 (and maybe some astronomists?)
The whole story is told from Nate's POV and he is a delight! Honest and genuine that sometimes comes out in the most inopportune times and in the most awkward of fashions, all of which combined to make him crazy, stupid lovable. It's a testament to Wilder's writerly skills that I truly felt and sympathized with his turmoil and hesitancy over his growing feelings for Eric. Though he's not exactly new to same sex shenanigans he's never been this shaken by nor this into another guy.
I didn't know a lot about him beyond that he was majoring in structural engineering. And currently minoring in confusing my dick.
Their relationship begins very casual but Nate soon gets a taste of something that he wants seconds and thirds and fourths of, something only Eric seems able to provide. And Nate's kind of a glutton for it too. Bless him.
As much as I enjoyed the sexy times between them, and I did immensely, I thought Wilder developed their relationship realistically. It wasn't rushed nor did it sail along smoothly. I found myself fully invested in them, loved their dynamic, how relatable their dialogue was throughout and how much fun they have together once they lay their cards on the table.
Each time we got together, it was like one more layer of myself peeled back, and now I lay here feeling... not raw, and not even vulnerable or exposed-though I was all of those things with him, and more than willing to be stripped to my core by him now-but mostly I felt like all the bullshit had been whittled away and I was just me-a closer match to the thoughts that'd always been inside my head.I would definitely read a follow up in this universe. It seems there might be a couple of secondary characters that could potentially be protagonists in future installments.🤞Plus, I would love to check in on Nate and Eric as well.
Recommended and #ProTip: might not want to read Want Me in public. If you catch me.
An ARC was provided in exchange for an honest review.
Labels:
bisexual,
College,
coming of age,
Docking,
Neve Wilder,
New Adult,
Optimist King's Wench,
Public Sex,
Reviews,
Rimming,
roommates,
THIS BOOK IS ON FIRE,
Virgin
Blog Tour + Giveaway: Prescription for Love (Road to Blissville #7) by Aimee Nicole Walker
Aimee Nicole Walker and Vibrant Promotions visit on the Prescription for Love (Road to Blissville #7) blog tour! Check out today's visit and enter in the $10 Amazon gift card giveaway!
Prescription for Love
Road to Blissville Series, Book 7
Aimee Nicole Walker
M/M Romance
Release Date: 05.18.19
Cover Design: Jay Aheer/https://www.facebook.com/Simply-Defined-Art-1622658254619778/
BLURB
What should’ve been an ordinary emergency call turned out to be something extraordinary.
Wanting to distance himself from his toxic parents, Trent Love moved to the quaint town of Blissville to begin a new life. What he finds is blazing chemistry with a hunky fireman who breathes new life into him.
Fearing they’re too different, Tucker attempts to extinguish the spark between them before it can ignite. How could a simple man like him compete with Trent’s life of wealth and privilege? Knowing you shouldn’t want something doesn’t make it go away, and Tucker’s desire for Trent continues to smolder.
Unwilling to accept their relationship is dead on arrival, Trent puts his resuscitation skills to good use. All he wants is a chance to prove he values Tucker’s wealth of character over meaningless material things. What do you get when you mix fire and oxygen: a five-alarm fire or a prescription for love?
Trent’s commitment to freeing himself from poisonous ties kindles a chain of events that have devastating consequences for both men. Is a relationship forged in fire strong enough to overcome these obstacles or is their love doomed to be just another bitter pill to swallow?
Prescription for love is a small-town, opposites-attract romance. It is the seventh book in the Road to Blissville series but reads like a standalone book. It contains sexually explicit material intended for adults 18 and older.
EXCERPT
“There’s no way I can watch you squat in those shorts and not get a hard-on.” Trent had been nothing but honest with me, so I gave it right back to him. “We’ll work on our upper body today.” Even with Trent looking deliciously sweaty, I was able to find my zone and work my shoulders, arms, back, and core abdominal muscles. Lifting weights was my version of yoga. I found my Zen and the endorphins pumping through my body would improve my mood and motivate me to keep moving throughout the day. Only when we returned to the locker room did I realize those mood-lifting hormones also amped up my libido.
“Did you want to shower here before we go to breakfast or wait until I drop you off at home?”
Trent looked over his shoulder at the shower room, which had both an open shower area and private stalls for those preferring privacy. We could so easily fit inside one of those stalls and—
“We better wait,” he said, wiping his body down to remove the sweat glistening on his skin. Damn, I wanted to lick him. A little bit of sweat didn’t turn me off at all, but he might think it was gross.
“Yeah, I want to lick you all over too,” Trent said, correctly reading the expression on my face. “And I will…someday.”
“Tease,” I groused.
Ever since she was a little girl, Aimee Nicole Walker entertained herself with stories that popped into her head. Now she gets paid to tell those stories to other people. She wears many titles—wife, mom, and animal lover are just a few of them. Her absolute favorite title is champion of the happily ever after. Love inspires everything she does, music keeps her sane, and coffee is the magic elixir that fuels her day. I’d love to hear from you.
GIVEAWAY
Audio Release Blitz + Giveaway: Will & Patrick Wake Up Married (Episodes #1-3) by Leta Blake & Alice Griffiths
Authors Leta Blake and Alice Griffiths, along with Signal Boost Promotions, celebrate the audio release of the popular serial Will & Patrick Wake Up Married (Episodes #1-3)! Learn more about the John Solo narrated audio and enter in the giveaway to win your own audio copy!
Buy Links: Audible US | Audible UK | Amazon US | Amazon UK
Length: 11hrs 34mins
Narrator: John Solo
Blurb
After a drunken night of hot sex in Vegas, strangers Will Patterson and Dr. Patrick McCloud wake up married. A quickie divorce is the most obvious way out - unless you’re the heir of a staunchly Catholic mafia boss with a draconian position on the sanctity of marriage. Throw their simmering attraction into the mix and all bets are off!
Episode 2: Will & Patrick Meet the Family
Meeting the family is challenging for every new couple. But for Will and Patrick, the awkward family moments only grow more hilarious - and painful - when they must hide the truth of their predicament from the people they care about most. Throw in the sexual tension flaring between them and you've got a recipe for madcap laughs and surprisingly heartwarming feels.
Episode 3: Will & Patrick Do the Holidays
A couple’s first holiday season is always a special time. Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Eve are magical when you’re in love. Too bad Will and Patrick’s marriage is a sham and they’re only faking their affection for each other. Or are they? Sparks fly in this episode of the Wake Up Married serial. Will the sexual tension between Will and Patrick finally explode in a needy night of passion? Or will they continue to deny their feelings?
Hosted By Signal Boost Promotions |
Audiobook Review: Starting from Zero (Starting From #1) by Lane Hayes
Justin Cuevas is going through a rough patch. A broken relationship, a scandal, and the demise of his band have shaken the aspiring rock star’s confidence. Working two jobs and sleeping on his friend’s sofa isn’t ideal, but Justin isn’t ready to give up yet. With a little luck, he’s hoping to re-launch his music career in LA with his new band, Zero. The key is to stay focused, and not get distracted by his past...or the sexy songwriter he can’t get out of his head.
Gray Robertson has written dozens of hits and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. But he’s never met anyone like Justin. The younger man is fiery, passionate, and smart. A powerful voice for a new generation. Other than an unforgettable one-night stand and a passion for music, the two men have nothing in common. Or do they? Justin knows the out-of-the-blue challenge to write a quintessential love song is a huge opportunity. And it’s the ultimate test for someone who’s doesn’t believe in happily ever after. When sparks fly, Justin and Gray realize they have a shot something special if they start from zero together. Maybe even love.
Narrator: Michael Pauley
Listening Length: 7 hours and 8 minutes
Reviewer: Shee Reader
Oh my goodness how much did I love this book?? Spoiler alert: a whole lot! It’s a gorgeous story with quality representation.
I listened to it in practically one-sitting (with slight pauses for snacks and bathroom breaks!) and I loved every second.
The premise is awesome. A talented guy (Jason) down on his luck who is spotted by a second guy (Gray) playing in a club/dive bar. Jason and his new band had been set up to have a public confrontation with Jason’s ex, who had started her own band and the breakup was public and acrimonious. Gray is a super talented and award winning songwriter 18 years older than Jason. So we have a bit of a May/December & Silver Fox vibe, plus Jason is Bisexual, Latinx and has ADHD. As I plugged in my headphones to start listening I was practically shaking with glee and this book did not disappoint in any way.
The story is awesome and has plenty to keep the reader/listener engaged, the narration is stellar, and the writing is gorgeously observant, funny and relatable.
Gray is the knight in shining armour with a messy ex/godson situation, loads of cash and a brilliant reputation. A lesser man would exploit Gray fro anything they could get, but Jason is a stand up guy who’s pride makes it tricky for him to accept help from anyone. Add in, sexy times and perhaps even love (Yes Love! Of course, we need a HEA for our romance novels) and this is a superbly engaging and enjoyable book. I was rooting for the guys from the outset, and the side characters were brilliant too. Both guys had a family situation to work through, but I’d love to read Charlie’s story next!
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Gray Robertson has written dozens of hits and worked with some of the biggest names in the industry. But he’s never met anyone like Justin. The younger man is fiery, passionate, and smart. A powerful voice for a new generation. Other than an unforgettable one-night stand and a passion for music, the two men have nothing in common. Or do they? Justin knows the out-of-the-blue challenge to write a quintessential love song is a huge opportunity. And it’s the ultimate test for someone who’s doesn’t believe in happily ever after. When sparks fly, Justin and Gray realize they have a shot something special if they start from zero together. Maybe even love.
Narrator: Michael Pauley
Listening Length: 7 hours and 8 minutes
Reviewer: Shee Reader
Oh my goodness how much did I love this book?? Spoiler alert: a whole lot! It’s a gorgeous story with quality representation.
I listened to it in practically one-sitting (with slight pauses for snacks and bathroom breaks!) and I loved every second.
The premise is awesome. A talented guy (Jason) down on his luck who is spotted by a second guy (Gray) playing in a club/dive bar. Jason and his new band had been set up to have a public confrontation with Jason’s ex, who had started her own band and the breakup was public and acrimonious. Gray is a super talented and award winning songwriter 18 years older than Jason. So we have a bit of a May/December & Silver Fox vibe, plus Jason is Bisexual, Latinx and has ADHD. As I plugged in my headphones to start listening I was practically shaking with glee and this book did not disappoint in any way.
The story is awesome and has plenty to keep the reader/listener engaged, the narration is stellar, and the writing is gorgeously observant, funny and relatable.
Gray is the knight in shining armour with a messy ex/godson situation, loads of cash and a brilliant reputation. A lesser man would exploit Gray fro anything they could get, but Jason is a stand up guy who’s pride makes it tricky for him to accept help from anyone. Add in, sexy times and perhaps even love (Yes Love! Of course, we need a HEA for our romance novels) and this is a superbly engaging and enjoyable book. I was rooting for the guys from the outset, and the side characters were brilliant too. Both guys had a family situation to work through, but I’d love to read Charlie’s story next!
Highly recommended.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.
Blog Tour + Giveaway: Give Up the Ghost (Not Dead Yet #2) by Jenn Burke
Author Jenn Burke and A Novel Take PR celebrate the release of Give Up the Ghost (Not Dead Yet #2)! We have an exclusive and teasers along with an amazing giveaway! Enter to win a spooky ghost-themed prize pack, including paperback copies of Not Dead Yet and Give Up the Ghost (not available in stores!) and other goodies!
Give Up the Ghost by Jenn Burke
Series: Not Dead Yet #2
Release Date: June 3, 2019
Subgenre: MM Paranormal Romance
Order here:
Harlequin: https://www.harlequin.com/shop/books/9781488036262_give-up-the-ghost.html
Amazon US: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B07LGBFM99/
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/give-up-the-ghost-7
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/give-up-the-ghost-jenn-burke/1130026240?ean=9781488036262
Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/ca/book/give-up-the-ghost/id1449963995?mt=11&ign-mpt=uo%3D4
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jenn_Burke_Give_Up_the_Ghost?id=6BSADwAAQBAJ
Synopsis for Give Up the Ghost:
The bigger they are, the harder they maul.
Immortal not-ghost Wes Cooper and his vampire partner, Hudson Rojas, have it all—rewarding private investigation work, great friends and, most important, a love that’s endured. But ever since Wes sent a demon screaming back to the beyond, his abilities have grown overpowering and overwhelming. He’s hiding the fact that he’s losing control the best he can, but it’s hard to keep anything a secret for long when your partner’s a former cop…and especially when your partner’s a former cop who wants to move in together.
When all hell literally breaks loose in Toronto and superstrength ghosts are unleashed on Wes and his friends, he and Hudson are thrown into a case unlike any they’ve seen before. To save the city, Wes needs to harness his new power…and find some answers. But when he gets them, the solution to fix it all could mean losing everything.
Teasers:
#1:
“We’re good together, right?”
I pushed up on my tiptoes to kiss him, trying to ease the worry in his face. “We’re amazing together.”
“And we can—we can talk about…stuff. Even weird stuff.”
My smile dimmed. Had Hudson figured out that it wasn’t PTSD I didn’t want to talk about, but something more magical?
#2
It was your typical surveillance tape—black-and-white, a little grainy. It flipped between two cameras: one at the front of the store, and one in the back room. The light was not good, but it was enough to make out the counter at the front of the store with some items on display and the register, and in the back office, the desk, with its computer monitor and chair set slightly askew, as though someone had gotten up and not set the chair neatly against the desk.
For a few rotations of the image, the shop was empty, motionless. And then—
“Is the chair moving?” Hudson asked.
It was. The chair, which had been completely still, was now sliding out of frame. Not quickly, but consistently. The seat rotated, though whether that was simply from the motion of the chair or from an unseen someone manipulating it, I couldn’t tell.
“Wait,” Kat said.
The image flipped back and forth a few more times, and then I saw movement behind the counter in the front of the store. A drawer near the bottom, to the right of the cash register, was opening. Centimeter by centimeter, it extended out from the counter, pulled by an invisible force. It moved as we watched it, so it wasn’t like someone was pulling at it only when the camera wasn’t on them.
“I see why you wanted us to see it.” I couldn’t help it—my voice was shaky. There were way too many fucking ghosts in my life at the moment.
“Wait,” Kat stressed.
Just as Kat said it, something rose from the drawer. Before I could identify what it was, it disappeared—and all movement in the shop stopped.
I cleared my throat. “That was…uh.”
“Weirder than normal?” Hudson suggested.
“Definitely weirder than normal,” Iskander said.
EXCLUSIVE EXCEPRT
As I worked, I sent a few texts to Hudson, just to check in.
They went unanswered.
It was past eleven when I heard footsteps crunching on the snow and salt on the walk. Hudson strode into the office a few minutes later and stomped his feet. “Hey,” he said brightly.
I leaned back in my chair and crossed my arms.
“What?”
“What?” I echoed. “Is your phone dead?”
“I was driving.”
“For three hours?”
Something flickered across his expression. “I had errands.”
“Again, I repeat, for three hours?”
He shrugged off his jacket and I tried not to notice how his gray sweater hugged his chest and shoulders. “I don’t need to report what I do every minute we’re apart.”
“No, but a return text would be nice. Just so I’m not imagining you as a pile of dust somewhere.”
He hung up his jacket with a sigh. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” He walked over to my desk and pressed a kiss to my forehead. “How was your day? Did you have fun shopping with Lexi?”
“Funny you should mention that.”
“Uh-oh.” He perched on the edge of my desk as I rolled my chair back a bit. “What happened?”
“Kee—remember Kee?”
He frowned. “The youth home coordinator?”
Okay, he earned a smile for that one. He hadn’t been able to volunteer at Aurora House because, well, vampires couldn’t work day shifts, and also he’d been taking courses to get his private investigator license. The fact that he remembered Kee’s name and who they were said a lot about how much he paid attention to me. “Yeah. They called Lexi today about possible ghosts at the home.”
“Huh.”
“So we drove out there to have a look. And I, uh…” I cleared my throat. “I saw a ghost without being in the otherplane.”
“What? How?”
I shrugged, trying to play it off as no big deal to minimize the chances he’d freak out. “I’ve been a little, um, sensitive since…you know. The crown.”
He pushed off the desk and stood straight. “Why is this the first I’m hearing of it?”
God, here was the proof I needed that not telling him the truth was the best plan I could’ve come up with. Go, procrastinating me. Because, damn. If he was this annoyed about a minimized version of the issue…
“It’s not a big deal,” I said.
“This is a very big deal.”
I threw my hands in the air. “It’s not.”
Except he was right—it was. The words to tell him the truth were on my tongue, but fear held them back.
He sighed. “You’ve been so closed off.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Exactly what it sounds like. You’re not talking to me—”
“I talk to you.”
He shook his head.
After a few moments of silence, I said, “Lexi’s going to arrange for another meeting with Kee.”
He grunted.
“I think we should talk to them about hiring us.” His shoulders tensed and I rushed on. “I get your point about Bhavana, but this situation is different. Kee believes in the ghosts—I mean, they can’t not, after they witnessed my reaction. And figuring out why there are so many intelligent ghosts there—because there were three, all from different eras, which is so weird. Anyway, figuring out why is going to take some time. And then figuring out how to get them to move on, more time.”
“Wes, I don’t—”
“I don’t want to abandon Kee to this, you know? They’re good people, and the kids shouldn’t have to be scared—”
“We’re not a ghost-hunting service.”
“No, I know. But—”
“If you and Lexi want to look into it in your spare time—”
“That’s not what I—”
“It’s not the type of case we want to take on.”
I snapped my mouth shut and stared at him. “Says who?”
“Says me and Iskander. We chatted about it before I left earlier.”
“Oh.” I got up and sort of…hovered next to the desk. Iskander and Hudson were the investigators, yeah—the ones with licenses. But I was no less a partner than they were. I’d invested funds—and time and sweat—into this place. There was a reason we hadn’t named the firm Hassan and Rojas Investigations.
“Don’t flip out. This isn’t me—or Isk—rejecting you.”
“Tell me why.”
Hudson groaned. “It’s simple. I want a legitimate business.”
“This is legit—”
“Not in the eyes of most of our clients. How are we going to get a testimonial from Kee, Wes? A reference?” His voice dropped into a mocking, announcer-like register. “‘Got ghosts? Caballero Investigations was fantastic at taking care of our ghost problem!’”
Okay…I could see the logic in that. But I wasn’t ready to give up my argument. We were investigators who knew about paranormal shit—didn’t that give us an obligation to help people who couldn’t get help elsewhere? “Who says we need to put them on the website? Or use them as a reference?”
“If we spend all our time on cases we can’t talk about, what will go on the website?” Hudson shook his head. “We can’t get distracted. Isk and I agree—”
“Stop.”
“Wes—”
“Just. Stop.” I headed toward the door.
Hudson sagged. “C’mon, Wes, don’t be like that.”
“I’m gonna take off.”
“Goddamn it, Wesley—”
I shook my head, slipped into the otherplane, and walked out through the door.
Author Bio:
Jenn Burke has loved out-of-this-world romance since she first read about heroes and heroines kicking butt and falling in love as a preteen. Now that she’s an author, she couldn’t be happier to bring adventure, romance, and sexy times to her readers.
Jenn is the author of a number of paranormal and science fiction romance titles, including the critically acclaimed Chaos Station science fiction romance series (authored with Kelly Jensen) from Carina Press.
She’s been called a pocket-sized and puntastic Canadian on social media, and she’ll happily own that label. Jenn lives just outside of Ottawa, Ontario, with her husband and two kids, plus two dogs named after video game characters…because her geekiness knows no bounds.
Author links:
Website: http://www.jennburke.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jeralibu
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/jeralibu/
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/295814398039168/ (Jenn Burke’s Epic Adventurers)
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeralibu/
Newsletter sign-up: http://bit.ly/jennburkenewsletter
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/9869819.Jenn_Burke
Giveaway
Win a spooky ghost-themed prize pack, including paperback copies of Not Dead Yet and Give Up the Ghost (not available in stores!) and other goodies!a Rafflecopter giveaway
Direct Link: http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/88d45f0396/?
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