Friday, August 29, 2014

Cover Reveal @Month9Books & Giveaway @JulieAReece #M9BFridayReveals - The Artisans by Julie Reece

M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

The Artisans 

by Julie Reece

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

The Artisans
They say death can be beautiful. But after the death of her mother, seventeen-year-old RAVEN WEATHERSBY gives up her dream of becoming a fashion designer, barely surviving life in the South Carolina lowlands. 
To make ends meet, Raven works after school as a seamstress creating stunning works of fashion that often rival the great names of the day. 
Instead of making things easier on the high school senior, her stepdad's drinking leads to a run in with the highly reclusive heir to the Maddox family fortune, Gideon Maddox. 
But Raven's stepdad's drying out and in no condition to attend the meeting with Maddox. So Raven volunteers to take his place and offers to repay the debt in order to keep the only father she's ever known out of jail, or worse.
Gideon Maddox agrees, outlining an outrageous demand: Raven must live in his home for a year while she designs for Maddox Industries' clothing line, signing over her creative rights. 
Her handsome young captor is arrogant and infuriating to the nth degree, and Raven can't imagine working for him, let alone sharing the same space for more than five minutes. 
But nothing is ever as it seems. Is Gideon Maddox the monster the world believes him to be? And can he stand to let the young seamstress see him as he really is?
The Artisans is a delectably rich, layered and dark YA Southern Gothic inspired by Jeanne Marie Leprince de Beaumont's classic Beauty and the Beast. 
"The Artisans has all the elements I love - spooky intrigue, strong friendships, and a romantic tension to be savored." ~ Wendy Higgins, New York Times bestselling author of the Sweet Evil trilogy.
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The Artisans
by Julie Reece

Publication date:  May 2015
Publisher:  Month9Books, LLC.

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author
Julie Reece

Born in Ohio, I lived next to my grandfather’s horse farm until the fourth grade. Summers were about riding, fishing and make-believe, while winter brought sledding and ice-skating on frozen ponds. Most of life was magical, but not all. 
I struggled with multiple learning disabilities, did not excel in school. I spent much of my time looking out windows and daydreaming. In the fourth grade (with the help of one very nice teacher) I fought dyslexia for my right to read, like a prince fights a dragon in order to free the princess locked in a tower, and I won. 
Afterwards, I read like a fiend. I invented stories where I could be the princess… or a gifted heroine from another world who kicked bad guy butt to win the heart of a charismatic hero. Who wouldn’t want to be a part of that? 
Later, I moved to Florida where I continued to fantasize about superpowers and monsters, fabricating stories (my mother called it lying) and sharing them with my friends.
Then I thought I’d write one down… 
Hooked, I’ve been writing ever since. I write historical, contemporary, urban fantasy, adventure, and young adult romances. I love strong heroines, sweeping tales of mystery and epic adventure… which must include a really hot guy. My writing is proof you can work hard to overcome any obstacle. Don’t give up. I say, if you write, write on!
Connect with the Author: 
Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway

Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

(Winners will receive their book on release day)


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Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Happy Release Day Eva Gordan!!!! Alpha Wolf’s Pet by Eva Gordon (Hidden #1) By Eva Gordon



Alpha Wolf’s Pet
Hidden #1
By Eva Gordon


Goodreads Blurb:  Mia’s testimony against Russian mobsters forced her to enter the witness protection program. She is relocated to a quaint cottage in Wolf Woods, near Mt. Rainier, far from everyone and everything she loved and cared for. All is calm, until she meets Dominic, the gorgeous ruggedly handsome owner of the mysterious Wolfe Estate. He is all alpha male, domineering, and controlling. The last thing she needs is to get involved with a sexy control freak.

Alpha werewolf, Dominic Wolfe, is the packs’ enforcer. When an attractive young woman moves into a cottage near his territory; his senses are heightened to obsessive proportions. A human pet to meet his desires.

Dominic is determined to unveil Mia’s real identity while keeping his own securely hidden. Haunted by the howls and shrieks coming from Dominic’s estate, Mia wonders if she can really trust the enigmatic man she suspects of wanting a dominant-submissive relationship. A man who brings out her darker desires. Will hidden danger keep them from gratifying their burning passion?

Interested in reading???

About the Author:  I write fantasy and paranormal novels with a strong romantic element. I love to create stories that combine my passion for mythology, romance and werewolf lore. I also write steampunk and Victorian era historical and alternative novels.

Hand of Miriam, A Bayla and the Golem Novel is a gothic/steampunk/paranormal romance. Release date: December 2013. Available Now Book 2, Her Majesty’s Witch, A Bayla and the Golem Novel, will be released Spring or Summer 2014.

Lycan Gladiator is book 1 in my paranormal wolfish romance historical series, The Wolf Maiden Saga. Released August 2013. Book 2, Wolf Knight in King Arthur’s Court is with my editor at Corvallis Press.

Apocalyptic Moon is book 1 in my After the Bane series (paranormal romance/zombie apocalypse) Released May 2013 by The Wild Rose Press. Book 2, Raven Moon will be released 2014 and late December 2013 on kindle select.


The Stone of the Tenth Realm, my epic fantasy backlist novel will be revised and released in the near future.

I have a BS in Zoology and graduate studies in Biology. I have taught high school Biology, Environmental Science and Anatomy/Physiology. When not in my den writing, I enjoy world travel, steampunk conventions, hiking, raptor rehabilitation and wolf sanctuaries.

I also teach online workshops on wolf lore ancient falconry and animal lore for Romance Writers of America and other writer groups. If you are interested in my workshops, please contact me.

Connect with Eva Gordon: 

~ Website ~ Blog ~ Amazon Page ~ 
~ Facebook ~ Goodreads  ~ Twitter ~

Review coming very soon, but life got in the way and I messed up L  I’m sorry again Eva, but Happy Release Day :) 


Thursday, August 21, 2014

Cover Reveal @Month9Books & Giveaway @peach83352 #M9BFridayReveals - Vessel by Lisa T. Cresswell

M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

VESSEL 

by Lisa T. Cresswell

presented by Month9Books!
Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

LCresswell_Vessel_M9B_eCover_1800x2700

The sun exploded on On April 18, 2112 in a Class X solar storm the likes of which humankind had never seen.
They had exactly nineteen minutes to decide what to do next. 
They had nineteen minutes until a geomagnetic wave washed over the Earth, frying every electrical device created by humans, blacking out entire continents, and every satellite in their sky. 
Nineteen minutes to say goodbye to the world they knew, forever, and to prepare for a new Earth, a new Sun.

Generations after solar storms destroyed nearly all human technology on Earth, humans reverted to a middle ages-like existence, books are burned as heresy, and all knowledge of the remaining technology is kept hidden by a privileged few called the Reticents.
 
Alana, a disfigured slave girl, and Recks, a traveling minstrel and sometimes-thief, join forces to bring knowledge and books back to the human race. But when Alana is chosen against her will to be the Vessel, the living repository for all human knowledge, she must find the strength to be what the world needs even if it's the last thing she wants.
add to goodreads

Vessel
by Lisa T. Cresswell

Publication date: May 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.
Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author
Lisa T. Cresswell
Lisa, like most writers, began scribbling silly notes, stories, and poems at a very young age. Born in North Carolina, the South proved fertile ground to her imagination with its beautiful white sand beaches and red earth. In fifth grade, she wrote, directed and starred in a play "The Queen of the Nile" at school, despite the fact that she is decidedly un-Egyptian looking. Perhaps that's why she went on to become a real life archaeologist? 
Unexpectedly transplanted to Idaho as a teenager, Lisa learned to love the desert and the wide open skies out West. This is where her interest in cultures, both ancient and living, really took root, and she became a Great Basin archaeologist. However, the itch to write never did leave for long. Her first books became the middle grade fantasy trilogy, The Storyteller Series. Her first traditionally published work, Hush Puppy, is now available from Featherweight Press. 
Lisa still lives in Idaho with her family and a menagerie of furry critters that includes way too many llamas!
Connect with the Author:

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

(Winners will receive their book on release day)


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Sunday, August 17, 2014

Audible Review - Bound by Danger by Terry Spear @TerrySpear (Narrated by Laura Jennings)




Bound by Danger
by Terry Spear

Goodreads Blurb:  Deidre Roux is an Army officer with a secret. She can’t let anyone know she’s got second sight. The military would frown on such a thing and that could be the end of her career. But visions of ominous troubles to come plague her and she’s fortunate her twin brother taught her lots of martial arts tactics.

When a reporter moves in next door, she's not sure just want to think. Dave Carter owns a gun--it is Texas--and comes to her rescue when her brother suddenly drops into her life again. From there it's the normal stuff that women and men tend to do when they're getting to know each other--boating, swimming, dancing--except for one thing...she’s trying to keep her secret under wraps at all costs, which is difficult to do when she's under surveillance by the FBI, and people keep wanting her dead.

Could a reporter, who's not really a reporter, prove he might just have what it takes to keep her safe--for the long run?


About the Author:  Love, love, love romance, the paranormal, hunky Highlanders with their delicious brogue and hot kilts, so Terry Spear writes about those hunky Highlanders both in medieval times and as wolves in contemporary times. Jaguar shifters too! And young adult urban fantasy. And romantic suspense.

She grew up reading mystery, adventure, mythologies from around the world, ghost stories, the paranormal, fell in love with Dracula and Wolfman, and felt they needed loving too. Everyone should have someone to love. Which means her stories always have a HEA.

USA Today Bestseller residing in Central Texas from Sacramento, California who creates award-winning teddy bears too!
Connect with Terry:
~ Wattpad ~

Narrated by Laura Jennings, you can find other books narrated by her HERE!!!

My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!

***Received a free code from the author to get an audiobook for an honest review

The cover is steamy and definitely draws the eye.

Okay, I think there are two aspects to look at for this review:  the book and the audio.

I have been in a classroom where an audiobook was being played, but this is the first time I listened to a whole audiobook.  For me, I liked that I could hear my book while I drove to and from work, so I was multi-tasking which is a great thing for me.  I don’t know if I love the person reading the book though.  I think I am going to have to listen to a few more audiobooks before I figure out what I really think because one isn’t enough to figure it out.  I also have to start sticking to YA appropriate audiobooks in the car because my 13 year old son will also be in the car starting tomorrow.  Please remember with audiobooks that you need to think about who else can hear your book before you start listening to it.

As usual, Terry Spear has another action packed story.  Her descriptions are always awesome, so you can imagine everything happening as you go through the story.  This story was so much better than I’d imagined which was idiotic of me because I should have known with Terry’s name on it that it would be awesome.  But I was leery because it wasn’t one of my shifter books, they are my favorite.  :)

Deidre is a fantastic character.  I love how she handles herself and everything life throws her way including her visions.  I really liked Dave as a character.  Deidre’s brother and Dave’s co-workers added plenty of humor in the midst of all the action.

I will always reador listen to books by Terry Spear but especially her shifter books because they are favorites.  I do have some of her YA audiobooks and will start listening to one tomorrow :)

Interested in listening???
~ Audible ~

Interested in reading???


Friday, August 15, 2014

Cover Reveal @Month9Books & Giveaway @theryanbradford #M9BFridayReveals - Horror Business by Ryan Craig Bradford

M9B-Friday-Reveal


Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Horror Business 

by Ryan Craig Bradford

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!


horrorbusiness2

Armed with a passion for classic B-grade horror movies, a script co-written by his twin brother, and a wicked crush on his death-obsessed neighbor; hardcore horror fan Jason Nightshade must finish his student film.
But his plans are derailed when the children of suburban Silver Creek start disappearing – his twin brother among them. Battling a possessed video camera, a crazy zombie dog, a monstrous bully, and a frighteningly broken down family life, Jason embarks on a mission to find his lost brother so the two can write an ending for his story.
As any horror fan knows, saving the day won't be easy, as Jason finds himself forced to face the real world where death isn't just a splash of fake blood on a camera lens.
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Horror Business
by Ryan Craig Bradford

Publication date: February 2015
Publisher: Month9Books, LLC.

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author
ryanauthorpic3-300x200
Ryan grew up in Park City, Utah. His fiction has appeared in Quarterly West, Paper Darts, Vice, Monkeybicycle and [PANK]. He currently lives in San Diego where he acts as Creative Director for the nonprofit literary arts organization So Say We All. He’s the co-editor of the anthology Last Night on Earth and founder of the literary horror journal, Black Candies.
Connect with the Author:
Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!

(Winners will receive their book on release day)


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Sunday, August 10, 2014

Review @KonstanzS - Newtimber: Fractured by Karen E. Hoover @karenehoover





Newtimber: Fractured


Genre:  YA Urban Fantasy

Publisher:  Trifecta Books



Book Synopsis: 

There was absolutely no way a black dragon hovered outside of Newtimber. Sianna rubbed her eyes, but the dragon was still there, clutching a round object that looked like a spotted egg. And then the egg fell, hitting the ground like an atomic bomb, sending out waves of a slow-moving fog that distorted everything it touched.

The citizens of Newtimber change. The old man down the street stretches into a screaming tree. Sianna’s skateboarding friend, Matt, transforms into a giant green dragon. Pegasus. Sirens. Griffins. Vampires. Zombies. Creatures from the myths of every culture come to life through the people.
Even Sianna changes, her skin becoming stone hard, and she gains the ability to travel from the human realm into the dimension of the fae, using it to free her father from prison and enlist his aid in battling the evil bent on taking over the world.

One person to heal a family, a town, and save the world. It seems an impossible task, but with the help of her new friends, it could happen.

Right?

~ About the author ~ 

Karen E. Hoover has loved the written word for as long as she can remember. Her favorite memory of her dad is the time he spent with Karen on his lap, telling her stories for hours on end. Her dad promised he would have Karen reading on her own by the time she was four years old … and he very nearly did. Karen took the gift of words her dad gave her and ran with it. Since then, she’s written two novels and reams of poetry. Her head is fairly popping with ideas, so she plans to write until she’s ninety-four or maybe even a hundred and four.
Inspiration is found everywhere, but Karen’s heart is fueled by her husband and two sons, the Rocky Mountains, her chronic addiction to pens and paper, and the smell of her laser printer in the morning.

Follow Karen! 

 ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ Pinterest
Blog ~ Amazon



My Thoughts - 4 out of 5 Unicorns - I really liked it!!!
***Received the ebook as part of the tour for an honest review

The cover is beautiful and Sianna definitely is looking like a warrior.  The green world and light just completes everything :)  Only thing off is her skin color, but it would probably look cartoony if they tried to fix it.

This is my first time reading Karen’s work, and I really enjoyed it.  This world she created is pretty cool.  I love how she mixed reality and fantasy together in this unique world she has created.  I definitely see potential in this series for greatness. A couple of the parts were a little slow for me, but for me this happens when a new world is being created and understandable.

There is a bit of an emotional rollercoaster at least for me concerning Sianna.  I laughed, cried, and cheered her on.  Her family and Matt are an amazing support system as well as the rest of her newly acquired family.  I can’t wait to see what happens next in this exciting new world especially with the changes I saw coming.

I recommend this to YA readers who believe in the Fae because you will enjoy this world.  I think I need to get this book in paperback to share with my students :)

Get your copy of the book now! 

Amazon ~ B&N ~ 

Goodreads  ~ 

~ Get The Sapphire Flute (The Wolfchild Saga, Book One) by Karen, FREE! ~ 

 ~ Amazon ~ B&N

Saturday, August 9, 2014

Review - A Vampire's Light by Jane Wakely @JaneWakely (Reluctant Mates #3)




A Vampire’s Light
Reluctant Mates #3
by Jane Wakely

Goodreads blurb:  Camilla Everwood is a down on her luck fairy, convinced she’ll never find love. Her short, petite, boyish frame keeps the men far away and she’s struggling to find enough clients to get her landscaping business off the ground. When she receives a summons from the Council, she believes her professional luck has changed—until she finds out she’s being forced to mate with a vampire.

Grayson Lockhart is a vampire determined to live out his life alone. He revealed his true-self once, a long time ago, and never wants to go through the pain of rejection again. Unfortunately, his large, empty home, combined with his lonely heart, interferes with his happiness. When he receives a summons from the Council, and finds out they’ve forced him to mate with a fairy, he knows better than to hope for anything more than someone to share his living space.

In order to sustain the numbers of all mythical beings, the Council, the governing body of the Mythical Realm, intervened and found prosperous matches for several of their subjects. Rather than create an act of treason punishable by death, Camilla and Grayson agree to accept their fate, despite their obvious differences and schedules. They quickly fall into an easy, comfortable routine, but old insecurities and a dangerous enemy threaten to keep them apart forever.


About the Author:  Heart Melting Heroines, Heart Stopping Heroes

Jane has been creating stories of love and romance for as long as she can remember. She’s a sucker for a happy ending and thinks the best thing about any movie or book is when the characters find someone to love.

Jane writes romance in the contemporary, fantasy and paranormal genres, but paranormal romance is her true passion. She loves creating worlds around sexy shifters and vamps—even if the shifter is a smelly skunk!

Jane writes sensual romance that will warm your heart, and a happy ever after is guaranteed!

Connect with Jane:

My Thoughts - 5 out of 5 Unicorns - I loved it!!!

***Received the ebook for an honest review

The cover is awesome and steamy, but I think Gray should be taller :)  You don’t realize the significance of the cover until you read the story ;)

I stumbled onto Jane Wakely as an author in one of my facebook groups early this year.  I proceeded to buy all of the books she had out at the time, and I read them :)  I fall more in love with her stories each time though I think I love this series the best so far….though I know I’m going to love the Mount Brighton Cat series too because book 1 rocks.

This is a novella series, and it rocks.  I love this world she has created with mythical beings and the Council.  I sort of wish my HEA was this easy that someone could step in and pick my perfect mate, but I guess I will just keep on wishing…lol  Jane makes it so easy to fall in love with her characters.  Cam and Gray are both just awesome, but there were definitely some moments where I wanted to smack them both and say really because of the trouble the two of them caused each other with their silly thoughts.  I loved the epilogue best, but you have to read to see what I mean.  Jane’s stories are quick reads and give you your paranormal fix quick.  It always has lots of action and drama to keep you entertained.  She is definitely one of my favorite authors.

I highly recommend this series to my paranormal lovin’ friends because you will love this series as much as I do.

See my review of A Wolf’s Desire (Book 1)
See my review of A Genie’s Fortune (Book 2)

Interested in reading???

Friday, August 8, 2014

Cover Reveal @Month9Books & Giveaway @Scott_Craven2 #M9BFridayReveals - Dead Jed 2: Dawn of the Jed by Scott Craven

M9B-Friday-Reveal

Welcome to the Cover Reveal for

Dead Jed 2: Dawn of the Jed 

by Scott Craven

presented by Month9Books!

Be sure to enter the giveaway found at the end of the post!

SCraven_DeadJed2_eCover_1800x2700
After a tumultuous first semester in seventh grade, Jed Rivers returns triumphant or so he thinks. After embracing his undeadness to put his archenemy Robbie in his place, the thirteen-year-old zombie thought he’d have a much easier time surviving the second semester relatively intact. That was before he came across the antizombie propaganda published by the mysterious NZN Network, a group trying to push Hollywood stereotypes as the truth. Through fear-mongering and outright lies, the NZN Network will stop at nothing to get Jed expelled. 
Jed s attempts to blend in get even more difficult when news spreads that he’s created a zombie dog. And it’s no rumor. Jed shocks even himself when, after seeing a dog get hit by a car, he brings the dog back to life or at least to undeadness when some of his ooze slips into the dog s wounds. The good news is that Jed always wanted a faithful canine companion. The bad news is that the creation of Tread (so called for the mark on his ribcage) unnerves Jed s best friend Luke. Luke abandons Jed, who then learns Luke has been feeding the NZN Network inside information. 
Determined to unmask those behind NZN, Jed gets his opportunity at the end of the school year during Pine Hollow s annual Science Fair. When the NZN s experiment goes horribly awry, Jed has a chance to show people that being undead isn’t always a bad thing.

add to goodreads

Dead Jed 2
by Scott Craven

Publication date:  December 2, 2014
Publisher:  Month9Books, LLC.

Chapter-by-Chapter-header---About-the-Author
Scott Craven
Proud graduate of Cal Poly, San Luis Obispo, have one son who will turn 18 in March 2013, now a features writer for The Arizona Republic.
Connect with Scott: 
Chapter-by-Chapter-header---Giveaway
Complete the Rafflecopter below for a chance to win!
(Winners will receive their book on release day)


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Cover Reveal @XpressoTours & Excerpt - Rivals by Doug Solter @DougSolter (Skid #2)

Jealousy is a powerful emotion, it can destroy even good people.




designed by ProBookCovers


Rivals
Skid #2
by Doug Solter

Publication date: September 23rd 2014
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult

Synopsis:  Eighteen-year-old Samantha Sutton is back for a new racing season in Formula One. The hot new racing star of Wolert Porsche has everything she wants. An awesome team. An awesome car. And the perfect boy. But her optimism sinks when her boss steals arch-rival Emilio Ronaldo away from Ferrari and makes the sexist jerk her team’s premier driver.

Stressing about Emilio, Samantha struggles with her new public life as a teen sports star. Finding time to be the best girlfriend to Manny proves more and more difficult. It also doesn’t help that Manny’s ex-girlfriend Hanna shows up. The girl who was just released from a mental hospital.

The pressure on Samantha becomes unbearable. Paranoia, mistrust, and jealousy take over. She lashes out at everyone as the world seems determined to bring her down.

Can Samantha rise above it all and win the world championship? Or will this be the end of everything?

This novel is the sequel to Skid which is available for free download in either eBook or Audiobook form when you sign up to the author's free email list.


About the Author:  Growing up in Oklahoma, Doug Solter began writing screenplays in 1998 and became a 2001 semi-finalist in the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' Nicholl Fellowships in Screenwriting. His script Father Figure was one of 129 scripts left from 5,489 entries. Doug made the switch to writing young adult novels in 2008. Doug is also a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators. Doug respects cats, loves the mountains, and one time walked the streets of Barcelona with a smile on his face.



Connect with Doug:


Excerpt from Rivals by Doug Solter
Copyright 2014 All rights reserved.

      “Are you ready to meet your new teammate?” Benito asks.
      Not really.
      Outside the main garage, the three of us take the little sidewalk that leads to the scenic overlook near the back of the office building. The overlook is this cozy spot with chairs and benches. Lots of Wolert Porsche employees walk over here to have lunch or to take a break from work to stare at the pretty view of the deep valley and the pointy tops of the Alps surrounding it.
      A slight breeze runs up the valley and smacks the side of the mountain we’re on. The sun spreads Emilio Ronaldo’s shadow over the molded-stone pavement as he leans against the wood safety rails that prevent people from falling over the steep drop.
      I join him along the rail.
      Emilio takes a long drag from a cigar, blowing out a large plume of smoke. He tucks his hand inside his sport coat and pulls out another cigar. “Do you smoke?”
      “Seriously? You’re offering me a cigar?” I ask.
      “They’re very good. Very strong. Grow hair on your chest.” Emilio grins.
      Yeah, right. Smoking a cigar is a macho-guy thing. They need it to feel like men. Hmm. I wonder if little-old me is intimidating him again. The same girl who made him flinch during that race at Spa. That would be awesome if I’m getting under his skin.
      Emilio slips the cigar back into his coat. “But if you don’t feel adventurous I understand.”
      Wait a second. Is he saying I’m too timid? That I can’t handle a cigar just because I’m a girl?
      “I’d love a cigar,” I say, acting like it’s no big deal.
      Emilio pulls out the cigar. I snatch it and place it in my mouth. The foreign object lays heavy on my tongue and feels like I have a wad of paper stuffed in my mouth.
      “You need to cut off the end first.”
      “I know that.” I pull the cigar out and notice the round end that isn’t cut off. I bite into that and rip it off with my teeth. I taste flakes of pure tobacco on my tongue and it’s like ash and it’s disgusting and I spit it all over the stones at my feet.
      Emilio smiles and holds up some rectangular-looking tool with a round hole in it. “I have a cutter. You don’t have to bite the end off.”
      Now I feel like an idiot. Emilio must be enjoying this. Another genius plan to embarrass and humiliate me. Too late to stop now. I hold out the cigar and he cuts off the end. I put the cigar back in my mouth.
      Emilio takes out a lighter and flicks. The flame licks the end of my cigar. “You must inhale to draw the flame in and light the tobacco.”
      I breathe in and smoke fills my lungs.
      Oh My God! I cough hard and bend over, belching smoke from my mouth like a dragon. I feel my eyes watering. A definite sign my body is yelling. What the hell are you doing to me, Samantha?
      Enjoying my discomfort, Emilio inhales his cigar, the end of which glows bright red. Like a demon.
      I take another drag on the cigar and my lungs belch out the foul smoke again. But I try to stand casual. Like the smoke doesn’t bother me.
      “I would like to begin,” Emilio says. “By mentioning that our past grievances should be left in the past. We are both competitors. We both fight to win. But starting today, we will be teammates. Do you understand? When both of us do well, the team does well. The team will always matter more than one driver. I look forward to working with you. Not against you.” Emilio takes a moment for a puff on his cigar. “What is your opinion on that?”
      My opinion? Someone actually wants to hear my opinion? It’s a mountain of cow puke. That’s my opinion. This is still my team and Emilio is not going to come in here and take it away. All this crap about team this and team that. It’s only to put a pacifier in my mouth so I won’t complain. Be the good little girl, Samantha. Play nice and get along with the boy who stole your place on the team.
      I puff on the cigar and cough. Jeez. That’s what this cigar is. It’s a pacifier. Make baby Samantha shut up.
      I take the cigar out of my mouth.
      “Is it too strong?” Emilio asks.
      This guy can read people crazy-well. He read me like a book right before our final race at Spa. Emilio detects weakness in others like a hawk drifting over a limping sheep, patiently waiting for it to fall over before attacking.
      I won’t let him read me ever again.
      “I agree. We so got into it last year and it was insane.” I use my sweet girlie voice that fools most guys. “And there were times I actually wanted to kill you. Like that time at your home in Brazil?”
      “I remember,” he says. “I mentioned something about how you could never win the world championship.”
      “Because I was a woman and didn’t have the killer instinct or something like that.”
      Whoa. Easy, Samantha. Don’t lose it. Stay in control. Do not let Emilio beat you.
      “Yes. Something like that,” Emilio says, his voice quieter. “You proved me wrong. The way you hunted me those last few laps at Spa. You were ruthless. Unyielding. You chased me down like a cunning animal that had learned patience and the art of intimidation. My observations please you?”
      Crap. He caught me smiling.
      “It was impressive. We are teammates now so I can mention this. You are not some female racer who shows off her body more than her racing skills. You are quite different.”
      If that’s his version of a compliment, I guess I’ll take it.

This novel is the sequel to Skid which is available for free download in either eBook or Audiobook form when you sign up to the author's free email list.