A stunning new Regency from beloved author Olivia Drake, When a Duke Loves a Governess...! Tessa James has worked and planned tirelessly to open her own millinery shop. All she needs now is a loan from the lord who sired and abandoned her. The only problem is, she doesn’t even know his name. What’s a woman to do to find him but enter the aristocratic world by becoming a governess?
Guy Whitby, the new Duke of Carlin, has returned to London after years abroad to discover that his young daughter Sophy has become a wild-child known for scaring away every governess who's crossed his doorstep. When Tessa James applies for the job, he hires her in desperation despite his misgivings that she’s too bold and beautiful–and that she might be fibbing about her qualifications.
Their blooming attraction leads them on a completely unexpected path to love that neither wants to deny. But when an old enemy threatens Guy's family, their forbidden romance goes up in flames. Can they still learn to love and trust each other as forces try to tear them apart?
This book comes out July 27th!
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BESTSELLING DARK FANTASY AUTHOR SCARLETT ST. CLAIR JOINS BLOOM BOOKS
Partnership Includes Acquisition of Backlist and Frontlist;
Sourcebooks to Distribute Print and eBooks, with full Library and International Distribution Rights
(Chicago – July 22, 2021) Bloom Books, an imprint of the entrepreneurial, independent book publisher Sourcebooks, is thrilled to announce that bestselling author Scarlett St. Clair will be joining the imprint with all her frontlist and backlist. These editions will be available to all retailers from Sourcebooks in Fall 2021. St. Clair, who generated fierce excitement among readers and booksellers alike with her independently published “Hades x Persephone” and “Hades” sagas, will release KING OF BATTLE AND BLOOD, the start of an enthralling new dark fantasy series, in Fall 2021 with Bloom Books.
St. Clair, a full-time librarian in Oklahoma City at the time, launched her immensely popular Hades x Persephone series with A Touch of Darkness in 2019, followed by A Touch of Ruin, A Touch of Malice and A Game of Fate (first in the Hades saga). The books went viral, and with more than 13 million views on the A Touch of Darkness hashtags on TikTok alone, St. Clair found herself flooded with requests from major retail booksellers, independent bookstores, and foreign retailers and distributors for print copies of her works. Last year, she dedicated herself to focusing on her writing full-time and still devotes time to advising on library services and connecting with patrons.
“I cannot tell you how ecstatic I am to join Bloom,” says St. Clair. “One of the questions readers and fans always ask me is, ‘How can I get your books?’ Joining Bloom means that all readers and booksellers will have access—something that is very important to me not only as a writer but as a former librarian.”
“We’ve seen all the excitement about Scarlett across social media, and our bookseller partners have been raving about her,” says Dominique Raccah, Sourcebooks Publisher and CEO. “After reading her books and meeting Scarlett virtually, we fell in love. We are so excited to welcome her into Bloom and help her achieve – and surpass - all her publishing dreams.”
On November 30, Bloom will release KING OF BATTLE AND BLOOD, a novel that will ignite the dark fantasy fandom. With this novel, St. Clair launches into a new realm of worldbuilding, featuring a fearless human female forced to wed a powerful and charismatic vampire king. “The characters of KING OF BATTLE AND BLOOD just erupted one day in my head and never stopped talking. That’s how I knew it had to be my next series. Isolde and Adrian are fierce and angry and passionate. Their world is dark, dangerous, and witchy. Every step with them has been a type of magic and I cannot wait to introduce my readers—and new ones—to this world.”
KING OF BATTLE AND BLOOD and the complete Scarlett St. Clair library of titles will be available from Sourcebooks everywhere books are sold this autumn.
About Scarlett St. Clair:
Scarlett St. Clair is the author of the Hades x Persephone saga, the Hades saga, King of Battle and Blood, and When Stars Come Out. She has a master’s degree in Library Science and Information Studies and a Bachelors in English Writing. She is obsessed with Greek Mythology, murder mysteries, and the afterlife. You can find pictures of her adorable dog Adelaide on her Instagram (@authorscarlettstclair) and updates about her books at www.authorscarlettstclair.
About Sourcebooks:
Sourcebooks is a thriving entrepreneurial company that brings extraordinary authors to readers in the most dynamic, data-driven ways. We create books that transcend categories and defy odds, and we have been honored with hundreds of national bestsellers and awards. We are a company of enthusiastic book-lovers passionate about connecting books to readers in new and innovative ways. Story by story, book by book, we have touched over 100 million lives. Join us as we change 100 million more. Visit sourcebooks.com for more information.
Lady Theodosia has long been infatuated with the Earl of Blythe so in an effort to secure his affections, she paints a scandalous miniature of herself. When her reckless behavior endangers her reputation, Theodosia knows she must retrieve the miniature. Unfortunately, the miniature is gone and the only thing she finds waiting for her in Blythe’s study is the disreputable Marquess of Haven. Fans of steamy historical romances will devour The Marquess Method by Kathleen Ayers, the next book in her Beautiful Barringtons Series.
Praise for Kathleen Ayers
"Kathleen Ayers has become a favorite for me. I loved the "Wicked Series" but the "The Theory Of Earls" (don't you just love this title) is my favorite so far." - MiaBurke54, Bookbub Reviewer
"I am absolutely enamored with this book! It has a breathtaking romance, characters with sizzling chemistry, and a dialogue that is so clever and witty..." - Catherine, Goodreads Reviewer
Blurb
Lady Theodosia Barrington is practically begging to be ruined.
That’s the assumption of the Marquess of Haven after spying Theodosia at a house party given by the Duke of Granby. After his father left him little else but a title and a crumbling estate, Haven is in desperate need of an heiress. Not only is Theodosia rich as Croesus and beautiful, but she’s also a Barrington. Her brother is Leo Murphy, owner of Elysium and the man Haven holds responsible for ruining his father.
Theodosia is the solution to all of Haven’s problems.
Lady Theodosia has long been infatuated with the Earl of Blythe. In an effort to prove her affection and perhaps induce him to offer for her, Theodosia paints a scandalous self-portrait of herself for Blythe as a birthday gift. The small token of affection is incredibly improper. Her behavior reckless.
She regrets gifting the miniature to Blythe immediately. Desperate to save her reputation before it can be destroyed and escape humiliation, Theodosia makes another rash decision. Retrieve the miniature from Blythe’s study.
Except the miniature is gone. And the only thing waiting for her is the Marquess of Haven.
“I think about kissing you every moment of every day.” Haven spoke without hesitation, the husky quality of his voice hovering over her limbs before sinking into her chest. “I’ve kissed you a total of four times, and I’m being generous in counting that chaste peck we shared in front of the vicar. I would have kissed you much sounder except I didn’t want Pith to take my head off. If I’m not thinking of the way you taste, or the small sounds you make when I hold you, it is only because I’m asleep. But even then, I dream of you.”
Kathleen Ayers is the bestselling author of Regency and Victorian romance with strong, witty damaged heroes who can’t help falling for intelligent, sassy heroines. An avid reader, Kathleen fell in love with historical romance as a teenager after picking up a copy of Sweet Savage Love. She reads everything, from romance to thrillers, Stephen King and fantasy. When her nose isn’t stuck in a book, Kathleen tries to garden (with mixed results), works on perfecting her charcuterie board skills and enjoys a good wine tasting.
A Texas transplant, Kathleen shares a backyard swimming pool with her husband, son and two very spoiled dogs.
Title: First Comes Blood (A Mafia Reverse Harem Romance)
Series: Promised in Blood Book One
Author: Lilith Vincent
Genre: Dark Reverse Harem
Release Date: July 21, 2021
Cover Design: Untold Designs
Four ruthless men. A virgin mafia princess to unite them. But first, there will be blood.
On my seventeenth birthday, I learn a terrible secret about my family. My future is in the hands of four brutal men, and what awaits me at their hands is too terrible to imagine.
Four men who desire me. Four men who vow to possess me. Four men who think they can destroy me.
As the only daughter of Coldlake’s mayor, I should be kept far, far out of their reach. Instead, I’m being thrown to them as a sacrifice. My father insists only one of them can marry me, but all of them vow to secure my promise.
A promise in blood.
They take. I bleed. Happy birthday to me.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: First Comes Blood is the first book in the Promised in Blood series and ends on a cliffhanger. These books contain dark themes, violence, and a Why Choose romance with ruthlessly possessive men. The story is dark, dirty and delicious so please read at your discretion.
When Remy suddenly finds herself apartmentless, she's offered a temporary place to stay, but her new roommate, Tristan, a notorious womanizer, and MMA fighter, has never been her favorite person. After one steamy encounter, the two are forced to deal with their developing feelings. Will they risk their hearts and let themselves fall in love? Fans of Kennedy Fox and Christina Lauren will love 5 ROUNDS by Nikki Castle, an enemies to lovers, forced proximity, sports romance.
Blurb
She's a feisty workaholic that hates his guts.
He's an arrogant MMA fighter that can't afford any distractions.
This isn't the kind of fight they're used to...
When Remy is suddenly evicted from her apartment, her best friend offers to let her crash at his house while he's traveling for work. The only problem is, she can't stand his roommate, Tristan. Now, they're stuck living together for 10 days. But after the tension breaks with one very steamy night, and then again, and again… they're forced to reexamine their long-standing enemy relationship.
While Remy struggles with her developing feelings for a notorious womanizer, Tristan has to decide if his feelings for Remy are worth it, or if they'll distract him from his longtime goal of becoming a world champion. To make matters worse, their deadline is looming because Remy is moving out soon.
Will they risk their hearts and let themselves fall in love? Or will they go back to hating each other before they've even had a chance to be together?
Without thinking about what I'm doing, I step closer to him and run my fingers through his hair, trying to understand the sudden shift in his mood. His eyebrows shoot up in surprise, but he stands still and lets me play with strands of his hair. Without the tequila coursing through my veins, I never would have let myself touch him like this. But right now, I can’t find it in me to care.
"It must be exhausting being so mean all the time," I observe thoughtfully. Something flashes in his eyes, but I can't put a name to it, and then it’s gone just as quickly.
I turn away from him, completely oblivious to how much I just overstepped our normal boundaries. "Not to mention you would be so much hotter with just a little less snark," I call over my shoulder. I'm too busy drunkenly fumbling with my keys in the lock to notice his eyes widen at my honest comment.
"Ha!" I exclaim triumphantly, pushing the door open and stepping inside. But before I can take more than two steps in, I feel myself being pushed to the wall, Tristan's body pressing tightly against mine. "Hey!" I cry. His moody expression is gone, replaced with the smug face that I know so well.
"You would hate me if I was a nice guy," he drawls.
I roll my eyes at him, trying to push him off me. "Guess we'll never know, because you being a nice guy is as likely as me using the word 'literally' wrong." He grins, knowing how much I hate when girls use the word to describe something that is very clearly not literal.
"Admit it," he says softly, pushing me harder into the wall with his body. My breath catches as his face nears mine. "You like me the way I am."
"I—I don't—" my brain no longer seems to be able to form a coherent sentence. All I can do is stare into his hungry gaze and try not to picture what it would feel like if he fucked me against this wall right now.
His lips brush against my cheek, at the same time that he kneads my hips with his fingers. Every touch, every whisper of his breath, is further uncoiling the heat that's growing between my legs.
"You don't want someone to pull your chair out for you, or ask you what you want to eat," he continues. "You want someone that doesn't need your permission. Someone that will call you on your shit." He tangles his fingers in my hair and, without warning, yanks my head back. I gasp in surprise. "You want someone that will spank you when you're acting stupid."
I can't escape the whimper that slips from my lips. I squeeze my legs together, trying desperately to think of a response. But when he pulls back to wait for my reply, I know that no words could answer his unspoken question.
There are so many things that I hate about this man—he’s arrogant, and selfish, and rude. He’s a player that uses women for sex, and the only thing he actually gives a shit about is fighting. He’s the definition of self-absorbed. I should be shoving him away from me, telling him to fuck off and to stay on his side of the house for the rest of the week. I shouldn't be thinking about what he tastes like, or how his cock might feel inside of me. I shouldn't be wondering how hard he could make me come.
But his words remind me that the same alpha qualities that make me hate him... are also the ones that are making my knees weak.
Nikki Castle is a 29 year old wife and bulldog mom who writes steamy love stories about alpha MMA fighters and the women that melt their badass, playboy hearts. She spends her days working for a technology company and her evenings running a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) gym with her husband, who is also a retired fighter.
Nikki has been writing in one way or another since she was a teenager. She pursued an English and Philosophy degree in college, and finally decided to sit down and fulfill her longtime dream of writing an entire novel when quarantine began in 2020.
They call me King for a reason. I’m used to getting what I want until Charlotte throws me off my game. She might be immune to my charms, but all it takes is one unforgettable night with her to show me what I’ve been missing. Fans of the The Perfect Game Series by Samantha Christy will devour The Knuckleball by A.M. Williams, a best friend’s sibling, sports romance.
Growing up around athletes means I’m mostly immune to their charms. Or lack thereof.
The looks, the smoking hot bodies, the cocky swagger don’t mean much to me and I can ignore any attraction I might feel.
There’s just one problem now. There’s one player that I can’t get out of my mind. After I put myself out there to take things to the next level, I don’t know how to act.
I’ve never felt this way before and it’s throwing me off.
King
I’m called King for a reason. I get what I want, when I want it with the snap of my fingers.
I’m happy with my life until her. One night and I discover what I’ve been missing.
Getting what I want shouldn’t be a problem. Except it is. For the first time in my life I’m forced to take matters into my own hands to convince her how good we would be together.
When the truth comes out and all the cards are on the table, I have to figure out if I can drop my walls for a real chance at happiness.
We have to decide if we can overcome our prejudices for a shot at happiness together.
The Knuckleball is book four in A.M. Williams’ "Boys of Summer" baseball romance series. It’s a best friend’s sibling romance with a cocky hero and a girl that takes no prisoners.
If you love men in tight pants and the sassy women they fall for, this series is for you.
This book was previously published as King of the Field. It has been updated with new content and re-edited.
Once six months ago wasn’t enough for me. I wasn’t sure it would ever be enough.
So he’d insulted me. Did that mean I couldn’t use his dick?
No, it didn’t. And I wanted to use his dick badly
His gaze was a physical caress on my body, raising goosebumps in its wake and making me yearn for his touch
Watching him was an erotic dance that I couldn’t get enough of.
Did he have a voodoo dick or something? What was this weird sorcery he was playing on my body?
I was wet, embarrassingly so. And I’d just had the most erotic dream of my life about the guy that I’d rejected the night before.
There were only so many dick pics a girl could handle, and I wasn’t holding my breath on Prince Charming.
I needed to move on, I knew that. But it was so hard when my dating life had now been relegated to the Myxr app, where I had to wade through the fuck boys and douchebags to find my Prince Charming. Add in the dick pics and I was rolling in the trifecta of terrible guys.
Who needed a man when you had a slightly overweight ginger cat that would suffocate you at night and purr while doing it?
“What the fuck?” Derek asked, crossing his arms.
I glanced around and hissed, “Sit your ass down.”
He glared at me before climbing up and settling in next to me.
I scooted away from him some, wanting a little distance between us just in case he got a wild hair to punch me. Distance was key.
Derek was an intimidating guy. He was tall and built. He also had a mean fastball, and I was certain that translated into other areas. But I didn’t think Derek would punch me. He wouldn’t risk injuring himself because of his contract.
Based on the scowl marring Derek’s face, I didn’t want to bank on there being no bodily harm just yet.
“What are you up to?” Derek growled.
I shrugged and dropped his gaze. “Nothing.”
Note to self: Derek was territorial about his sister, not just his wife. Check.
“Please. Based on what just happened on that field, you’re up to something and I want to know what it is.”
“Why does it matter to you?” I asked as I looked back at him.
“She’s my sister.”
That wasn’t new information by any means. I knew that, as did the entire team. You’d have to be living under a rock not to know that.
“And?” I finally asked. “I know that, but I was complimenting her on her playing. If I’d known it would bother her that much, I wouldn’t have said anything.”
If I had to build a perfect woman, it would be Charlotte Nichols. Hands down. No contest. She was who I’d create.
I was posing for a nude calendar that I knew the old women in the retirement community were going to buy and tease me about for years to come, and I was essentially lying to the woman I wanted to be with.
I was in trouble when it came to King.
There was just one problem. I didn’t date athletes, I didn’t like their egos.
And King had an ego the size of the state.
About A.M. Williams
A.M. Williams is just a simple girl from the south that found herself living abroad. When she’s not annoying her cat or reading, she’s spending time with her husband and traveling as much as possible. She has a serious case of wanderlust and wants to go as many places as possible while she can. She loves Cheerwine, sweet tea, and North Carolina (eastern style) BBQ as well as those crystal clear waters on the North Carolina coast.
Genre: Steamy, Small Town, Contemporary Romance (stand alone)
Release Date: July 8, 2021
✔️ Hot, inked, motorcycle-riding hero ✔️ Sexy wedding planner with a whole lot of explaining to do ✔️Steamy, small town romance ✔️Second chance romance ✔️And lots and lots of make-up sex
When Stella Cavanaugh gets the chance to come home after a seven-year, self-imposed exile, she takes it. She was born to be a wedding planner, and she hopes creating her sister's wedding might just earn her redemption with her family.
The only thing holding her back is the fear of running into Griffin James, the love of her life. Because she not only hurt her family, she destroyed their relationship. Burned it right to the ground. And she just doesn't know if she can bear to find out he's moved on. She sure hasn't.
Griffin James has a roommate. The fourteen-year-old's staying with him while his dad's on deployment. Sounds simple, but the boy's grandparents are looking for any excuse to pull him out of the clutches of the big, tattooed owner of a bike shop. If Griffin can just stay under their radar, everything should be fine.
But that's just not possible when Stella bursts into their lives. Her sparkly spirit, her big, splashy ideas, and her impulsiveness always lead to disaster. He knew that...but he couldn't resist her.
And now she's on the run again, because...
The very things they love about each other are also what tear them apart.
Award-winning author Erika Kelly writes sexy and emotional small town romance. Married to the love of her life and raising four children, she lives in the southwest, drinks a lot of tea, and is always waiting for her cats to get off her keyboard. Please note that 10% of the net income of all Erika Kelly books goes to the Semper Fi Fund (semperfifund.org)
