RETURN OF THE LYCAN KING: DARREN AND CASSANDRA

The biggest fight for the new Lycan King is convincing his Queen that he is committed to her forever. Darren has already fought to convince Cass to give him a chance, but a new Monarchy is just the beginning of the changes to the Lycan Kingdom. But as secrets and challenges to Darren's crown emerge, his inner circle must close ranks to protect their Kingdom, and to make sure the newly-returned Lycan King keeps his crown. Candace Blackburn returns to the world of the Lycan King in this epic, edge of your seat third installment!

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About Return of the Lycan King: Book 3 Darren and Cassandra:

Title: Return of the Lycan King: Book 3 Darren and Cassandra

Author:Candace Blackburn

Genre:Paranormal Romance

Release Date: December 11, 2018

Publisher: Candace Blackburn

Series:Return of the Lycan King #3

Format:Digital eBook

Digital ISBN:1-7328151-0-0

Synopsis:

Darren chases Cass to Ireland, determined to make up for his mistakes. When they return to North Carolina to build their lives together, nothing is the same. Darren has already fought to convince Cass to give him a chance, but a new Monarchy is just the beginning of the changes to the Lycan Kingdom. Secrets and challenges to Darren's crown emerge, and his inner circle closes ranks, to protect their Kingdom, and to make sure the newly-returned Lycan King keeps his crown.

Available at:  Amazon  |   Goodreads

Excerpt:

Copyright © 2018 Return of the Lycan King: Book 3 Darren and Cassandra

Candace Blackburn

Chapter One

Liam's completion of flight training had rather fortuitous timing. Liam was one of the members of Lex's security team before Darren moved in. Darren snagged the other Lycan on the way to the airport with the subtle threat to "move your ass and don't breathe a word to anyone." Darren looked out the window of the Konstantine jet and didn't see ocean, but he didn't know how close they were to Dublin Airport. 

Reading Liam's thoughts would have been easy enough, if Darren hadn't happily discovered that he could block that ability. So, he hadn't been subjected to the "have you lost your fucking mind" lecture that Liam likely received from Lex. Or the "you let anything happen to him, I'll kill you, myself" that undoubtedly followed said lecture. 

Darren spent the entirety of the flight thinking of his mate. The pain in her voice, on her face, and the tears in her eyes, all as a result of Darren not claiming her. Pain, he had his own. Not claiming her was a physical, mental hell--it was pain from head to toe. But, he had reasoned that he'd rather live with that pain, than put Cass through one second of his impressive--or not--collection of screw-ups. Not to mention, all the bullshit that came with being King. 

I'd rather cut off my own head than cause her pain like I saw that day. 

Which is why they were over European airspace, because Cass was in Ireland. She left to escapehim.

Because seeing me hurt her. 

"Darren, we're ten minutes out from Dublin."

Liam's voice cleared his guilt-filled thoughts. He ran his hands through his hair and realized he needed to go splash some water on his face. "Thanks."

"No problem." 

A minute later, he stood in front of the mirror and frowned. One of his buddies in college looked like he was in a perpetual hangover. Darren's roommate used to tease the guy, telling him that he looked like he'd been ridden hard and put away wet. That saying pretty much summed up the reflection in the mirror. 

Maybe I should stop off and get a haircut, buy a new shirt and jeans.

He probably woulddo that, if it didn't take much time. His primary objective was to find Cass and get them back to the plane as soon as possible. Hell, he might as well tell Liam to file a return flight plan for, what, five hours from now? Yeah, that should do it. He hated the thought of claiming his mate in the bedroom on the plane, but damned if he was going to wait to get back to Raleigh. And, they wouldn't be in Ireland for very long. Oh no. In and out, that was his plan. They'd be back in no time.

***

Liam kept up with Darren's footsteps, barely. 

"Still don't understand why you wouldn't want another beer. That may have been the best I've ever had. We should take a European beer tasting trip, just for comparison, though. German ales are pretty damned good." They'd only gone in the last bar because Darren caught Cass's scent.

"Not interested." Glancing around the crowded Temple Bar section of Dublin, Darren wondered why Cass would be there. She was private, definitely not the type to hang out in tourist spots. 

"Or we could just stay here and sample whiskey. Allthe whiskey."

Technically, that didn't sound like too bad of a plan, if he weren't searching for his missing mate. "You should get on your knees and thank God that you can't get cirrhosis."

Liam snorted just as Darren thought he'd, again, picked up on Cass's scent. He froze mid stride and almost took out a group of people. Peering inside the closest bar, he inhaled deeply and looked for her glossy black hair. Nada. 

Shit.

Darren turned, making a complete circle so he could visualize everything around him. His frustration was growing. Cass was so close, and he needed to see her. Feel her. Wrap her in his arms. Drop to his knees and apologize for being a colossal ass. Spend the next century begging her forgiveness. Then spend the rest of his life making her happy. 

The sounds of barf splattering the pavement shook him out of his thoughts. 

"This"--he pointed down at the moaning human in front of him--"is what all the whiskey gets you."

Liam glanced down with disdain as they stepped around the human. "Not me." He waved a negligent hand. "Higher tolerance and all that."

"Mmm hmm." Looking around, again, Darren barely restrained a growl. Cass's scent grew fainter, and he was no damned closer to finding her. 

Going to lose my motherfucking mind.

Material brushed his arm, and Darren snarled as his head snapped around. "Hey, do you mind holding my jacket while I tie my shoe?" 

What the fuck?Darren snatched the jacket and Liam bent, after casting a pointed glare toward Darren's hands. Claws had already punched through the tips, and if he were a betting person, he'd put money on his eyes glowing. Taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, he slipped on his polarized Ray Bans, covered both fists with the jacket and willed himself to calm.

"No problem." 

Biggest white lie ever. If Darren spent two more seconds out there without Liam's assistance, he'd likely have shifted and torn a bloody path through the Temple Bar district. 

They needed to get out of public, check into a room and Darren needed to sleep off any jet lag. Then come sunrise, he'd try again. 

Liam stood and cast a worried glance at Darren. "Okay?"

Not in the slightest. "Fine. Let's get something to eat, go find a room, and search again tomorrow." 

Liam almost seemed to slouch in relief. "Sounds good. We'll hit the roads in the morning."

He confirmed that with a small nod. And I'll spend another sleepless night without her.

Other Books in the Return of the Lycan King Trilogy:

Return of the Lycan King: Book 1 Nicholas and Kristen

One life, one mate.  Nicholas Konstantine has been waiting over a thousand years for his mate. But when he finds her, she's completely unaware of her Lycan biology, and she's battling her own personal demons.

Kristen O'Connor is a recovering addict, with some major trust issues. By not letting anyone get close, she won't get hurt. Yet after one meetiing with Nicholas, her walls are crumbling, and she wants more with this man.

But Nicholas reveals his Lycan side, and hers as well. In addition, ghosts from both of their pasts come back to haunt them. Will they face everything together, or will Kristen's fears be stronger than her love?

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Kobo  |  Goodreads

Return of the Lycan King: Book 2 Lex and Elizabeth

Lex thought he'd lost her, but Elizabeth is back and she is his mate. But between her getting used to life as a Lycan, threats from dangerous elements looming over their heads and very odd changes in the Lycan kingdom happening all around them, nothing will be easy. Lex and Elizabeth's love has to be the strength to pull them through.

Available at:  Amazon  |  Barnes and Noble  |  Goodreads

About Candace Blackburn:

Candace makes her home in North Carolina with her high school sweetheart husband and their two sons.  She's an indie author who has published two previous romances (with a bit of fantasy in each), Tristan's Redemptionand Nate's Forgiveness.  Her current works are all paranormal romance (her favorite genre to read!) and are set in her home state.  She loves coffee, cold weather, the Boston Red Sox, the Carolina Panthers, and hearing from fans.

Connect with Candace:  Website  |  Facebook  |  Twitter  |  Goodreads  |  Amazon

A DISTANT HEART SALE ALERT

For a limited time, download A DISTANT HEART for just $2.99! 

Infused with the rhythms of life in modern-day India, acclaimed author Sonali Dev’s candid, rewarding novel beautifully evokes all the complexities of the human heart in A DISTANT HEART.
 
“Searingly asks its characters what they’re willing to do for the people they love… explores family dynamics, class issues, and many layers of guilt, hope, and determination in ways that are both distinctly Indian and universally luminous. Another beautiful, breathtaking novel from a not-to-be-missed author.” – Kirkus, STARRED Review

Add A DISTANT HEART to your TBR pile on Goodreads then keep reading for a sample excerpt from A DISTANT HEART! 

Check out the Book Trailer! 

Direct link

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Title: A Distant Heart

Author:Sonali Dev

Genre:Romantic Women’s Fictoin

Release Date: December 26, 2017

Publisher: Kensington

Page Count:100k

Print ISBN: 978-1496705761

Digital ISBN:B06XZR97YK

Synopsis: 

Her name means “miracle” in Sanskrit, and to her parents, that’s exactly what Kimaya is. The first baby to survive after several miscarriages, Kimi grows up in a mansion at the top of Mumbai’s Pali Hill, surrounded by love and privilege. But at eleven years old, she develops a rare illness that requires her to be confined to a germ-free ivory tower in her home, with only the Arabian Sea churning outside her window for company. . . . Until one person dares venture into her world.

Tasked at fourteen years old with supporting his family, Rahul Savant shows up to wash Kimi’s windows, and an unlikely friendship develops across the plastic curtain of her isolation room. As years pass, Rahul becomes Kimi’s eyes to the outside world–and she becomes his inspiration to better himself by enrolling in the police force. But when a life-saving heart transplant offers the chance of a real future, both must face all that ties them together and keeps them apart.

As Kimi anticipates a new life, Rahul struggles with loving someone he may yet lose. And when his investigation into an organ black market ring run by a sociopathic gang lord exposes dangerous secrets that cut too close to home, only Rahul’s deep, abiding connection with Kimi can keep her safe–and reveal the true meaning of courage, loss, and second chances.

Infused with the rhythms of life in modern-day India, acclaimed author Sonali Dev’s candid, rewarding novel beautifully evokes all the complexities of the human heart.

Available at: 

Amazon, B&N, iBooks, Kobo, BAM, IndieBound, Walmart, Hudson Bookseller

A Distant Heart Excerpt

Copyright © 2017 Sonali Dev

Freedom was a beautiful thing! Mumbai in all its grimy, gray, pre-monsoon glory flew past Kimi as her auto-rickshaw sped between cars and pedestrians with the zeal of a bastard child born of a Diwali rocket and an immortal god. She almost asked the driver to slow down, but with the wind whipping her ponytail and the driver’s mop of curls in a joint symphony she felt as recklessly brave as the whirring vehicle racing along on its three wheels. 

Emblazoned across the dashboard of the rickshaw was the goddess Durga dancing on the corpse of a demon like the evil-hunting badass she was. Bowing to her was Bollywood’s favorite superhero, Krish, with his muscles bulging like fat rubber balls and his hair coiffed high. In a perfect background score to Kimi’s life’s drama, the techno-beat-laden remix of an old Bollywood number drowned out the cacophony of horns the driver left in his wake. 

The combination was delicious and exactly worthy of what she had just done. What she was about to do. 

Freedom! 

You know who else was badass? Kimaya Kirit Patil, that’s who. 

There had been one hundred and twelve instances over twelve years when each breath had been a fight and her limbs had turned to mist. She had fought. Not like a warrior, because that would involve the use of said limbs, but like someone drowning, where all you could do is keep the water out of your nose, so it wouldn’t keep the air from your lungs. Breathe out. Breathe out. She had followed those breaths. Grabbed on to those thin wisps of air like lifelines and made herself live one grip at a time.

Then the cure she had waited twelve years for in a sterile room had come. A heart had become available. Surely that meant something. Someone had died, after all, so she might live. Someone with the exact kind of blood and plasma that would let a foreign heart beat within her chest with the confidence of an indegene. Surely that meant she could now have what she never thought she would—all that she had gazed upon from the windows of her room, sealed tight with every technology known to man, so no germ, no pathogen would dare venture into her world, let alone an entire human being. Except Rahul—he had ventured. And then gone on venturing until he was all the way inside. 

He’d helped her understand calculus and the nuanced stories of Premchand. He had known how atoms split, why Europe went to war twice within half a century, and the why and when of each invention that transformed the history of civilization. He had touched her, despite promises he’d made. Because it was exactly what she had needed. His gloved hand in hers. He had given her anything she had asked for when everyone else had been too afraid. And she had known that if she lived, if her parents got what they had sealed her in a room twelve years for—a daughter who lived—she would spend the rest of that life taking care of him. The way he had taken care of her. 

Except she hadn’t considered the most important part of her plan: him. She had returned from Hong Kong with her new heart and he had looked at her with those dark-tar eyes turned even darker by all that emotion when she ran to him. “You’re running,” he had said, as usual choosing the least words to say the most.

“Yes,” she had said, knowing exactly why every single hard-won breath had been worth it. But then she had told him her grand plan: the two of them living happily ever after. 

As always she had asked him for what she wanted. What she hadn’t for one moment considered that he didn’t also want.

He had thanked her for the offer to love him forever, and passed on it. 

The person who had kept her from being alone when she was locked up in a room had finally shown her what loneliness was when he walked away from her, leaving her alone in the crowded world she had craved for so long. 

No one had the right to that kind of power.

She leaned back into the overstuffed vinyl seat of the speeding auto-rickshaw feeling awfully light.

It only made sense that losing a part of yourself would bring lightness. 

No. She wasn’t doing that. She was not going all morose and doing the Tragic Princess shit anymore. That wasn’t her. No matter how people saw her, that was not her. Not anymore. 

Actually, it had never been her. Why the hell was she letting herself go down that path now? 

She was past the Rahul-induced sadness. Done with it. He’d made his intentions clear. They were no longer—well, they just weren’t anymore. Nothing, anything, they just weren’t.

Plato would ask if the fact that they weren’t anymore meant they had never been. Or was it Aristotle? You know who would know? The one person who she could not, would not, call for a fact check. This wasn’t a Tragic Princess thought, but here it was anyway: She had to stop thinking of life in terms of thoughts she saved up for Rahul like seashells collected on a walk along the beach. It was time.

Praise for A DISTANT HEART

 “Dev crafts another thrilling story filled with intense drama, deep emotion, and well-developed characters; a can’t-put-down book.”—Library Journal, STARRED Review

“Thrilling action sequences and a complex, weighty romance propel this smart, sensitive story. A natural wordsmith, Dev dives into the psyches of disparate characters with voice-driven prose that includes both chilling insights and quirky humor… This poignant, sensual, and exciting tale captures a range of emotions and conflicts.”—Booklist, STARRED Review

“Award-winning Dev returns with another of her emotionally resonating stories that explore, in depth, the intersection of friendship, love, sacrifice and desperation… There is a tremendous richness to this story… A truly captivating tale of friendship and love. Dev always delivers!”—RT Book Reviews, 4.5 Stars, TOP PICK!

About Sonali Dev

Sonali Dev’s first literary work was a play about mistaken identities performed at her neighborhood Diwali extravaganza in Mumbai. She was eight years old. Despite this early success, Sonali spent the next few decades getting degrees in architecture and writing, migrating across the globe, and starting a family while writing for magazines and websites. With the advent of her first gray hair her mad love for telling stories returned full force, and she now combines it with her insights into Indian culture to conjure up stories that make a mad tangle with her life as supermom, domestic goddess, and world traveler.

Sonali lives in the Chicago suburbs with her very patient and often amused husband and two teens who demand both patience and humor, and the world’s most perfect dog.

Sonali’s novels have been on Library Journal, NPR, Washington Post, and Kirkus’s lists of Best Books of the year. She won the American Library Association’s award for best romance 2014, and is a RITA® finalist, RT Reviewer Choice Award Nominee, and winner of the RT Seal of Excellence. She was hailed by NPR.org as a ‘stunning debut’.

Connect with Sonali at: Website| Facebook| Twitter| GoodReads| Amazon

LENNON REBORN REVIEW & EXCERPT TOUR

Review & Excerpt Tour LENNON REBORN by Scarlett Cole

We are excited to celebrate the release of LENNON REBORN, the final instalment in Scarlett Cole’s Preload series! Join us for reviews and excerpts plus enter to win a complete series set of signed paperbacks!

Title:Lennon Reborn

Author:Scarlett Cole

Series:Preload #4

Genre:Contemporary Romance

Release Date:May 1, 2018

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press SWERVE

Format:Digital and Paperback

Synopsis:

Lennon McCartney is not a broken man. Because being broken implies being whole once. When a horrific accident deprives him of the one thing he loves—his talent as a fierce and explosive drummer—Lennon is left with a life chained by an abusive mother, by crushing guilt over a tragic past. A life he doesn’t want.

Dr. Georgia Starr is a legend. She’s one of the most successful neurosurgeons in the world, coming from a long-line of respected New York doctors. Her life is built around solving complex medical cases in order to bring relief and hope to sick children. But the one problem she can’t solve is how to live her life. How to shake loose the burden of being her elitist, arrogant father’s daughter. How to be free.

Can a man who despises his life and a woman who desperately needs to live find the answers, and love, with each other?

Buy Now:Amazon US| Amazon UK| B&N| iBooks| Chapters Indigo

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Enter to win the Complete Preload Signed Paperback Series eBooks! 

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LENNON REBORN Excerpt

Copyright © 2018 Scarlett Cole

Georgia ripped off her coat and tucked it around the man of the floor. The air was sharp against her skin. Without thinking, she used her hand to move the stray hairs from across his face, and the man gasped. She checked his pulse and could tell the blood loss was getting dangerous.

“What’s your name?” she asked as she shone her light in his eyes. The tightness in her gut relaxed a little when they responded as they should.

The man hissed in a breath. “Lennon.”

“Do you know what day it is?” she asked.

“April . . . fucking . . . Fool’s . . . day.”

“Well, Lennon,” she said calmly, “the paramedics are almost here, and we’ll get you out of here soon.” She reached for his uninjured hand and squeezed it between hers. There was a spark of static between them, white and powerful. His life force. The thought was overwhelming.

“Let me go . . .”

She released his clammy hand immediately. “I’m sorry, I was just trying to give you some comfort. I—”

He reached for her hand, gasping. His fingers were large against hers. “No . . . you should . . . let . . . me . . . go.”

His eyes rolled closed.

No! She wouldn’t let him die. She tapped the side of his face until his eyes opened. “Wake up. I am not letting you go anywhere,” she said, knowing that any semblance of the professionalism to which she usually clung was slipping away. She believed patients’ stories about tunnels of white light, and seeing loved ones, and auras dimming. And she knew everyone needed to be allowed to leave if they really felt it was their time. But there was something so different about Lennon. She could feel his life force vibrate from his hand into hers, as if she taken hold of an electric fence. The energy was slipping away from him, and she would do anything to put it back in him.

He tugged her down toward him, so his lips could brush against her ear. “I’m . . . tired . . . of my life. Just . . . let me . . . go.”

His eyes closed, again.She rested her forehead on his. “Your work here on Earth isn’t done, Lennon,” she said, tears burning her eyes. “And I am not going to let you go.”

About Scarlett Cole 

The tattoo acrossmy right hip says it all really. A Life Less Ordinary. Inked by the amazingly talented Luke Wessman at the Wooster Street Social Club (a.k.a. New York Ink). Why is it important? Well, it sums up my view on life. That we should all aspire to live a life that is less boring, less predictable. Be bold, and do something amazing. I’ve made some crazy choices. I’ve been a car maker, a consultant, and even a senior executive at a large retailer running strategy. Born in England, spent time in the U.S. and Japan, before ending up in Canada wereI met my own, personal hero – all six and a half feet of him. Both of us are scorpios! Yeah, I know! Should have checked the astrological signs earlier, but somehow it works for us. We have two amazing kids, who I either could never part with or could easily be convinced to sell on e-bay.

I’ve wanted to be a writer for a really long time. Check through my office cupboards or my computer and you’ll find half written stories and character descriptions everywhere. Now I'm getting the chance to follow that dream.

Connect with Scarlett: Website| Facebook| Instagram| Twitter

Nikki's Review:

I was not ready for this book. I've been mentally preparing myself for Lennon's story since the first book in this series. All of my preparation didn't save me from the heartache. I was shattered.

I fell in love with Lennon at the beginning of the series. He was a jerk who often said hurtful things to his band mates. Band mates is putting it lightly; these are his brothers in every way that counts. No matter how much Lennon pushes them away, they never give up on him. One of the things I adore most about this series is the sense of loyalty and love between the men. They've all walked through their personal version of hell, but they formed a family. 

When Lennon's life is shattered during a tragic tour bus accident, he's ready to give up...on everything. Without the ability to play drums he feels he has no purpose. Even writing this I have a lump in my throat. I can vividly see the scene of the accident playing through my head. The hopelessness and devastation in Lennon's voice guts me. 

Georgia is a celebrated neurosurgeon. She comes from a long line of neurosurgeons. Her father and her brothers often make her feel awful by picking apart and diminishing her accomplishments in surgery. Georgia is the kind of heroine that I love. She's struggling with her family, but she's so strong and capable. The way she takes Lennon in hand without coddling him is amazing. She's the perfect balance of sensitive and firm. She doesn't let him wallow. It would have been so easy to just take care of Lennon and do everything for him. But she knows that's not doing him any favours. I think Lennon was thrown off balance by her. He wasn't expecting her. 

In true Scarlett Cole fashion, the chemistry between the hero and heroine was off the charts! Lennon is crazy sexy, and Georgia is happy to love up on him all the damn time. And who can blame her? 

Lennon has so many layers, and as each gets peeled back, he's able to grow a little more. It was amazing watching these two get stronger together on every level. It's like they fed off of each other and brought out the good stuff. 

This was a tough book to read. All the books in this series are difficult, but Lennon's story has such an intense feel of anguish. Scarlett Cole has the ability to draw the reader in and really make you feel what the characters are going through. The emotions of the characters often felt like they were sitting on my chest. I loved every second of it.

When this ARC landed on my kindle I wasn't sure how I felt. I was excited because I've wanted to go on Lennon's journey for so long, but I was also sad. I didn't want to say goodbye to these characters or the series. I'm not sure I've ever had such a visceral reaction to fictional characters before. I fell hard and I don't want to let go just yet. Or ever. I'm glad that the Preload guys got their HEA's. But what makes this so realistic is that even though they all found their soulmates, they each still have more growing and healing to do. The journey continues, but now they have the loves of their lives walking through it with them.

I suppose this could be read as a stand alone. Though I strongly recommend starting from the beginning with, Jordan Reclaimed. There are so many intimate details that carry throughout the series. I think you'll have a better understanding of all the guys if you read from the start. 

Rating: 5 Stars (A+)

Review copy provided by publisher