ROMANCING THE GRAVESTONE by Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe - Cover Reveal

I am thrilled to be helping Gena Showalter and Jill Monroe with the cover reveal for their newest book,

 ROMANCING THE GRAVESTONE. 

Check out this fantastic cover, created by artist Leni Kauffman and make sure to get Romancing the Gravestone on your TBR and Pre-Order today!    ❤️

Releasing 27 September 2021!  

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ Barnes&Noble

Book Description:

She suspects everyone of everything. Sometimes she gets it right.

Jane Ladling is the sole proprietor of her family's landlocked cemetery, Garden of Memories. She's responsible for the, er, guests, but there's a slight problem. Well, besides her moody cat, Rolex, and her sixty-two-year-old best friend's unrequited crush on the sheriff. An extra body now rests in Plot #39.


Enter Special Agent Conrad Ryan. He's gruff, he's gorgeous, and oh, yes, he kind of suspects her of murder. What's an innocent—and very single, not that it matters—girl to do? Solve the crime herself. Even if she must turn the small town of Aurelian Hills, Georgia upside down.


The only line she won't cross? Falling for the first man to make her heart flutter. Nope, not happening. Not even a little.

Meet the Authors:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of over seventy books, including the acclaimed Lords of the Underworld series, the Gods of War series, the White Rabbit Chronicles, and the Forest of Good and Evil series. She writes sizzling paranormal romance, heartwarming contemporary romance, and unputdownable young adult novels, and lives in Oklahoma City with her family and menagerie of dogs and cats.

Connect with Gena:

Website ~ GoodReads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~  Facebook Fan Group ~ Instagram ~ BookBub

Jill Monroe is the international best selling author of over fifteen novels and novellas.

Her books are available across the globe and The Wrong Bed: Naked Pursuit has been adapted for the small screen for Lifetime Movie Network. When not writing, Jill makes her home in Oklahoma with her husband, enjoys daily walks with her dog Zoey, texting with her two daughters who are away at college and collecting fabric for items she'll sew poorly.

Connect with Jill:

Website ~ Goodreads ~ Facebook ~ Twitter 

The Darkest Assasin by Gen Showalter: Release Day

I am beyond excited to help share this release from Gena Showalter with you today! 

THE DARKEST ASSASSIN is part of her Lords of the Underworld series and it is releasing as part of 1001 Dark Nights. 

It just went live today!

 Check out an excerpt and book trailer from the title below. 

 

Goodreads  ~ AmazonUS ~ AmazonUK ~ AmazonCA ~ AmazonAU

 

Book Description:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a new story in her Lords of the Underworld series…

Fox is a demon-possessed immortal with many talents. --Ability to open portals—check --Power to kill the most dangerous Sent Ones—check --Scare away any man who might want to date her—mate Now, the keeper of Distrust has been marked for death, a winged assassin with rainbow-colored eyes tracking her every move, determined to avenge the males she accidentally decimated. If only she could control the desire to rip off his clothes… Bjorn is a fierce warrior with many complications. --Tragic, torture-filled past—check --A wife he was forced to wed, who is draining his life force—check --Ever-intensifying desire for the enigmatic Fox—mate Never has he hesitated to exterminate an evil being. Until now. The sharp-tongued female with a shockingly vulnerable heart tempts him in ways no one else ever has, threatening his iron control. But, as Fate itself seems to conspire against the unlikely pair, both old and new enemies emerge. And Fox and Bjorn must fight to survive. And learn to love… 

 **Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**  

Excerpt: 

“Is the plan to beat and imprison me?” Fox asked, keeping her tone conversational.  “Or to straight-up kill me?” 

A muscle jumped beneath his eye.  The fact that he continued to hold her stare, despite her nakedness and his erection, proved the strength of his willpower.  “What you did to my brethren, I will do to you.  This day, you will die by my hand.”

Exactly as she’d suspected.  “Did you hurt anyone on the way in?”  If so, she would kill him this day. 

“I did not.  Unlike you, I do not slaughter innocents.”

Ouch.  Such a low blow.  Accurate, but low.  At least she didn’t have to worry he’d lied.  Sent Ones were only able to speak truths.  “Would it help my cause if you knew I was under the influence of a demon I despise with every fiber of my being?” 

His eyes narrowed to tiny slits.  With zero hesitation, he told her, “You welcomed the demon and now complain about its influence?  No.  Nothing will help.  The men you killed were beloved.  They had families and friends eager for their return.”

She flinched, a heavy weight settling on her shoulders.  “You know I’ll defend myself?”

“I do,” he said with a slight incline of his chin. 

For whatever reason, the action spurred him into dropping his gaze to her small but pert breasts…where it remained. 

She arched a brow at him, not that he noticed, and fought a new wave of shivers, his stare more potent than a caress.  “Let me know when you’re done staring. Okay, sport?”

“I will.”  He shocked her.  He didn’t offer any more, and he didn’t look away.

Was this a battle tactic meant to disarm her mentally and emotionally?  Like she really cared about her nudity.  She wasn’t shy, or modest, and she maybe kinda sorta…liked the way he studied her, almost as if he’d never beheld anyone so fine.  A trick, no doubt.  Fox wasn’t classically beautiful.  Her features were too angular for such a claim.  But she liked to think she had presence. 

BOOK TRAILER:

REVIEW QUOTES FOR KRISTEN'S NOVELS: 

“I love this world…this is Gena Showalter at her best!”—J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The Gods of War series is my new obsession.”—Christine Feehan, #1 New York Timesbestselling author

"One of the premier authors of paranormal romance. Gena Showalter delivers an utterly spellbinding story!"-Kresley Cole, #1 New York Times bestselling author

"Gena Showalter never fails to dazzle."-Jeaniene Frost, New York Times bestselling author

 

 

---

 

AUTHOR INFORMATION:

Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, she’s been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours–and her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com

AUTHOR LINKS:

Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ 

Goodreads ~ Instagram ~ Newsletter

The Darkest Captive by Gena Showalter - Review and Excerpt

 

The demon possessed beast wants his beauty back, and he’ll do anything to win her. Even war with a god king.

From New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Gena Showalter, comes THE DARKEST CAPTIVE, a new novella in her addictive bestselling Lords of the Underworld Series, brought to you by 1,001 Dark Nights! Be sure to grab your copy today

 

Amazon ~ AmazonUK ~ AmazonCA ~ AmazonAU

Book Description:

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter comes a new story in her Lords of the Underworld series…

For centuries, Galen the Treacherous has been the most hated immortal in the Underworld. With good reason! This bad boy of bad boys has lied, stolen, cheated and killed with abandon. Possessed by the demons of Jealousy and False Hope, he has always lived for a single purpose: destroy everything.

Then he met her.

Former demon turned human femme fatale — Legion Honey — sought to kill Galen, but ended up parting with her virginity instead. Afraid of their sizzling connection, she ran away…and ended up trapped in hell, tortured and abused in the worst of ways. Now she’s free, and a shell of herself, afraid of her own shadow.

Galen’s hunger for Legion has only grown. Now the warrior with nothing to lose must help her rekindle the fire that once burned inside her. But as desires blaze white-hot, will Legion run again? Or will the unlikely pair succumb to love at long last?

 

Grab your copy of THE DARKEST CAPTIVE today!

My Review:

I had so much fun reading his one from Gena Showalter. First thing you need to know is that The Lords of the Underworld is one of my all time favorite Paranormal Romance series, but I will be super honest I was worried going into this one with Galen and Legion. One, Galen has been the biggest jerk and two, Legion goes through something completely horrific. I didn't know how I was going to stomach it. Also, Legion was a bit of a weird one for me. She has had a pretty darn hard go of it ever since her introduction. She actually was a lot like Galen in that she caused a lot of strife and set herself up to bot be very liked. I was honestly scared, I couldn't figure out how Gena was going to pull it off in a novella and not a full length story. There is so much that has happened to these two, by these two, and between these two, that a novella couldn't possibly get there, but guess what it did.

As always there isn't a lot I can tell you about a 1,001 Dark Nights Novella because so much happens in so little time, but know that this book is chock full of story. The back story is there, the character development is there, the reasonings, the understanding, the romance. It is all there and the most loyal fans will walk away pleased and new fans to the series will walk away completely hooked. Don't be afraid to dive into this one because you think you can't possibly get the story these two deserve. We get it and so much more...hello next book, I can't wait to meet you!

Make sure this one is on your TBR you don't want to miss it, it is an exciting and emotional wrap up for one couple and a fiery beginning for the next!

~ HAPPY READING ~

   

Excerpt:

He teed up Aeron’s number and texted: Just a head’s up. I’ve got my girl. She’s well thanks to me. Hades would have let her get jacked. You’re welcome.

Aeron’s response came in minutes: H told me you saved her. For that, you do have my thanks. But you’re going to have internal body bling if you don’t return her to me ASAP.

Galen: Give me a minute to find the fucks I give…

Galen: Still searching…

Galen: Sorry. Can’t find a single one.

Aeron: I love her, and I want what’s best for her, even if I must pay for her happiness w/ my life. Can you say the same?

Galen responded with a gif he’d made for situations like this. In it, he made a lewd hand gesture while the words “Look what I gave your mother last night” flashed in the center.

Then he typed: Listen, Dr. Usuc Atfilosofee. I didn’t see you braving H’s wards to help L escape that bloodthirsty army. (Drop mic.) (Pick mic back up.) She’s safe, ok. And I CAN say the same. I DID protect her with my life. So be a good daddy and let your daughter spread my wings. Over and out, mo-fo.

He returned the cell phone to the nightstand. 

Legion gave a violent shake of her head and released another choking sound. “No. Please, no.”

He could imagine what images plagued her nightmares.

Uncaring about the flare of pain, he leaped off the bed to crouch in front of her chair. He lightly caressed her jaw, then lifted her hand to his face, holding her palm against his cheek. “I’m here, sugar.” His raw throat turned the words to smoke. 

A few months ago, Galen had made a deal with Hades. Every time Galen completed a task for the underworld’s top dog, he earned a reward. All he’d wanted? The demons who’d hurt Legion. He’d tortured and killed every one of the bastards but Lucifer.

“No. Please, no. Don’t!” Eyes rolling behind her lids, Legion panted and groaned. Every few seconds, her fingers twitched, as if she tried to deflect a blow. “No!”

He ground his teeth. One day, one day soon, this beauty would rest in the comfort and security of his arms. Fear would lose its hold on her, and contentment would become her constant companion. I’ll make sure of it.

“I won’t let anything happen to you,” he vowed. “Not now, not ever.”

She melted into the chair, a soft sigh leaving her. Pride suffused him. For once, he’d comforted rather than frightened her.

 

    

 

About Gena Showalter: Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld series, two young adult series–Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles–and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series. In addition to being a National Reader’s Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazine, she’s been mentioned in Orange is the New Black–if you ask her about it, she’ll talk for hours–and her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com    

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

Gena Showalter’s THE DARKEST CAPTIVE – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

December 5^th

Booknerd1107 – Review & Excerpt

Diane's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Kaidans Seduction – Review & Excerpt

NallaReads – Review & Excerpt

Read more sleep less – Review& Excerpt

Under the Covers Book Blog – Review

December 6^th

Bout-a-Book blog – Review

Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews – Review

Dirty Girl Romance – Review

Milky Way of Books – Review

Rantings of a Reading Addict – Review & Excerpt

That Transylvanian Chick Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

December 7^th

Binding Addiction – Review & Excerpt

Ilovebooksandstuffblog – Review & Excerpt

Kick Back & Review – Review & Excerpt

Reading in Pajamas – Review & Excerpt

The Romance Rebels – Review & Excerpt

December 8^th

Canadian Book Addict – Review & Excerpt

Dreamer's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Family, Books and Food – Excerpt

Lo's Lo-Down on Books – Excerpt

Nerdy Chic – Review & Excerpt

Sip read love – Review

December 9^th

3 Degrees of Fiction – Review

NC 2 DC – Review & Excerpt

I Smell Sheep – Review & Excerpt

Mythical Books – Excerpt

The Book Branch – Excerpt

December 10^th

A Book Nerd, a Bookseller and a Bibliophile – Review & Excerpt

Angela's Opinion – Review & Excerpt

Declarations of a Fangirl – Review & Excerpt

Nerdy Dirty & Flirty – Review & Excerpt

PNR Book Lover Reviews – Review

Rainy Thursdays – Review & Excerpt

December 11^th

Cinta Garcia de la Rosa – Excerpt

Echoing Books – Excerpt

Feel the Book – Excerpt

Ginreads – Review & Excerpt

Romancing the Readers – Review

Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

December 12^th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

Cupcakesandbookshelves – Excerpt

Little Shop of Readers – Review & Excerpt

Ms. Me28 – Review & Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Ruby's Books – Review & Excerpt

Shirley Cuypers – Review

December 13^th

All Things Dark & Dirty – Review & Excerpt

Avephoenix Naughty Readings – Excerpt

Book Addict – Excerpt

PBC – Excerpt

Reese's Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Somewhere Lost in Books – Review & Excerpt

December 14^th

Beneath The Covers – Review & Excerpt

Book Nook Nuts – Review & Excerpt

Clare & Lou’s Mad About Books – Review & Excerpt

My Book Filled Life –Review & Excerpt

Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt

Shahla's World – Review

The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt

   

 

Shadow and Ice by Gena Showalter - Release Day Review

 

The Queen of Paranormal Romance, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter, stuns with SHADOW AND ICE, the first title in her scorching new paranormal romance Gods of War Series.

 Check out the tour stop below and get your copy of SHADOW AND ICE today!

 

Goodreads ~ Amazon ~ 

Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Author: Gena Showalter

Publication Date:  23 October, 2018

Publisher: Harlequin 

Series:  Gods of War, book 1

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Age Recommendation: 17 and up

Rating: 4 Stars

~ I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review ~ 

Book Description:

Gena Showalter, the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld, introduces a scorching new paranormal romance series… Gods of War.

Knox of Iviland has spent his life competing in the All Wars, where vicious warriors with supernatural powers fight to the death to claim new realms. One winner takes everything—and all losers die. Enslaved as a child for his ability to control shadows, the most ruthless champion in history will stop at nothing to kill his king. But first he must win the battle for Earth. When a fearsome weapon imprisons every combatant in ice, centuries pass without progress…until she walks in.

Vale London craves a fun arctic getaway with her foster sister before settling down to open a bakery. Street-tough but vulnerable, she is unprepared to find ancient gods escaping a frozen cave—merciless beings who target her when she inadvertently enters their war.

Though Vale is now his enemy, Knox is consumed with lust and a fierce need to protect her. But only one combatant can prove victorious, and he will have to choose: live for freedom, or die for love.

   

My Review:

When I first heard about this series I had a mini heart attack from the excitement, a new paranormal romance from GENA SHOWALTER, Heck yeah, gimme, gimme, gimme!  

I will say that there is a lot happening in this book but I blame that on it being the first book in an entirely new series and world.  There is a lot of information to pass along and characters to meet.  It can be confusing if you aren't paying close attention.  I will say that in the back of the book Gena adds a index of all the characters that is particularly helpful because there are a lot and it can be hard to keep up with who is alive or dead and who has what powers.

All in all though I really loved this book.  I loved this new world but with the feel we have come to know from Gena, the snark, the depth of the characters, even if it seems like they are nothing more than meat heads, the concept of their being a fine line between good and evil and who gets the right to decide what is and what isn't.  

I quite enjoyed these characters as individuals.  Their stories will break you heart and the depth of love that they have for others is a beautiful thing.  Together they were a mixed bag, I wanted a stronger connection but can't deny that they connection in and of it's self was hot.  I feel like due to the amount of information that had to be shared in this first book the relationship of the main characters may have suffered some.  When it comes down to it though this is a book about learning to trust and I can say with out reservation that these two characters walk away with complete faith in one another.  

Knox's internal monologue may have been one of my favorite parts.  Just 'watching' this warrior fight with himself was entertaining.  Seeing how he acted like the big bad fierce warrior on the outside but was a man who wanted more than revenge and battle on the inside made me smile.  He really is a big old teddy bear when everything else is pushed to the side.  Vale, is a kick butt heroine.  I want so much more of her.  Once she gets on board she doesn't even wait to take names after kicking tush.  The way she announced herself at the first gathering after she comes into the picture is one of the best parts!  They are both broken on the inside, both in one way or another having been beaten down, but they are two of the strongest characters out there.  They are two people who will overcome their circumstances not become their circumstances.  

I am really excited for Nola and Bane's book, mainly because until a certain moment in the book I had no idea that was even going to be the connection, it was unexpected and super exciting!  

This is a great start to a new series.  Go in with a lot of time on your hands just so you can sort through everything in your mind, but be ready for an exciting ride.  

Sidenote:  I partially listened to the narration of this as well and I will say the male narrator was not my favorite, I felt like there was a campiness to the way he read Knox that isn't there in Gena's words.  I loved the dual POV narration though, it felt really 'alive' that way.  

~ HAPPY READING ~

 

   

“I love this world…this is Gena Showalter at her best!”—J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The Gods of War series is my new obsession.”—Christine Feehan, #1 New York Times bestselling author

About Gena Showalter: 

   
Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series--Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles--and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series.  In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she's appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black--if you ask her about it, she'll talk for hours…hours!  Her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans  

Website ~ Twitter ~ 

Facebook ~ Goodreads

Gena Showalter’s SHADOW AND ICE – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

October 22^nd

All Things Dark & Dirty – Review & Excerpt

Beneath The Covers – Review & Excerpt

Diane's Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Evermore Books – Review & Excerpt

It's All About the Romance – Excerpt

Little Red Reading Hood +1 – Excerpt

NallaReads – Review & Excerpt

Read more sleep less – Review & Excerpt

October 23^rd

A Book Lover's Dream Book Blog – Review

Book Reader Chronicles – Review & Excerpt

Ceres Books World – Review

Declarations of a Fangirl – Review & Excerpt

For The Love of Fictional Worlds – Excerpt

Little Shop of Readers – Review & Excerpt

Moonlight Rendezvous – Review & Excerpt

October 24^th

@reads_romance – Review

Bout-a-Book blog – Review

Crazii Bitches Book Blog – Review & Excerpt

Lo’s Lo-Down on Books – Review & Excerpt

Milky Way of Books – Review

Romancing the Laser Pistol – Review & Excerpt

Somewhere Lost in Books – Review & Excerpt

October 25^th

Bambi Unbridled – Review

Caitlin's World – Review & Excerpt

Feel the Book – Excerpt

Jen's Reading Obsession – Excerpt

Kay Daniels Romance – Review & Excerpt

Reading in Pajamas – Review & Excerpt

Reese's Reviews – Excerpt

October 26^th

Cinta Garcia de la Rosa – Excerpt

Feeling Fictional – Review & Excerpt

Incidental Inspiration – Review & Excerpt

My Book Filled Life – Review & Excerpt

Nicole's Book Musings – Review

Sip Read Love – Review

The Ink Spell – Review

October 27^th

Another Book Hangover – Excerpt

Bookgasms Book Blog – Review

Booknerd1107 – Review

Family, Books and Food – Excerpt

Rantings of a Reading Addict – Excerpt

The Reading Cafe – Review & Excerpt

October 28^th

Bingeworthy Book Blog – Review

Clare & Lou’s Mad About Books – Review

Jax's Book Magic – Excerpt

Ginreads – Review & Excerpt

Mother/Gamer/Writer – Review & Excerpt

NC 2 DC – Review & Excerpt

Red's Midnight Readers – Review & Excerpt

October 29^th

3 degrees of fiction – Review & Excerpt

Avephoenix Naughty Readings – Review & Excerpt

Books 2 Blog – Review & Excerpt

Just Reading Book Blog – Excerpt

Sharing Inspired Kreations – Review & Excerpt

The Book Dutchesses – Review & Excerpt

October 30^th

Dirty Girl Romance – Review

Nerdy Dirty & flirty – Review & Excerpt

Reads All the Books – Review & Excerpt

Romancing the Readers – Review

Sassy Book Lovers – Review & Excerpt

Total Book Geek – Excerpt

Writes Forward – Review

October 31^st

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

KDRBCK – Review & Excerpt

Mean Girls Luv Books – Review & Excerpt

Movies, Shows, & Books – Excerpt

Reviews from the Heart – Review & Excerpt

Shameless Book Club – Review & Excerpt

November 1^st

Book Nook Nuts – Review & Excerpt

Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Dreamer's Book Blog – Excerpt

Jeri's Book Attic – Review

Romance Schmomance – Review & Excerpt

Smut Book Junkie Book Reviews – Excerpt

Up All Night w/ Books Blog – Review & Excerpt

November 2^nd

Book Addict – Excerpt

Fundinmental – Review

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

Ruby's Books – Excerpt

Southern Vixens Book Obsessions – Review

The Book Maven – Review & Excerpt

Shadow and Ice by Gena Showalter - Release Day

 

The Queen of Paranormal Romance, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter, stuns with SHADOW AND ICE, the first title in her scorching new paranormal romance Gods of War Series. Grab your copy of SHADOW AND ICE today!

 

GoodReads ~ Amazon ~ 

Barnes&Noble ~ Kobo ~ iBooks

Gena Showalter, the New York Times bestselling author who brought you the Lords of the Underworld, introduces a scorching new paranormal romance series… Gods of War.

Knox of Iviland has spent his life competing in the All Wars, where vicious warriors with supernatural powers fight to the death to claim new realms. One winner takes everything—and all losers die. Enslaved as a child for his ability to control shadows, the most ruthless champion in history will stop at nothing to kill his king. But first he must win the battle for Earth. When a fearsome weapon imprisons every combatant in ice, centuries pass without progress…until she walks in.

Vale London craves a fun arctic getaway with her foster sister before settling down to open a bakery. Street-tough but vulnerable, she is unprepared to find ancient gods escaping a frozen cave—merciless beings who target her when she inadvertently enters their war.

Though Vale is now his enemy, Knox is consumed with lust and a fierce need to protect her. But only one combatant can prove victorious, and he will have to choose: live for freedom, or die for love.

 

   

 

“I love this world…this is Gena Showalter at her best!”—J.R. Ward, #1 New York Times bestselling author

“The Gods of War series is my new obsession.”—Christine Feehan, #1 New York Times bestselling author

    EXCERPT: 

She’d put her life on hold for years, working var­ious jobs while going to school full-time. Just when she’d completed a business degree from the University of Oklahoma—Go Sooners!—with zero student debt, she was going to kick the bucket? No! Completely un­acceptable. And die knowing she’d caused her sister’s suffer­ing? Never. “I’m sorry,” she said, guilt getting the better of her. Despite a top of the line face mask, her nose and lungs burned when she inhaled. When she exhaled, her gog­gles fogged. “Don’t you dare take the blame. It’s mine, and I never share. You know that.” Nola’s breath no longer misted the air. A bad sign. Very bad. “I was feeling so good, I kept bugging you to add more stops to our itinerary.” Her sister suffered from fibromyalgia. On any given day, Nola’s overactive nerves could cause extreme fa­tigue, total body aches, and swell each of her joints. A cocktail of medication helped alleviate the symptoms, but couldn’t cure the disease. “Sorry, sis, but the hike was my idea.” Apparently, relaxing wasn’t her thing. Any time she’d had a quiet moment, she’d considered the avalanche of responsi­bility headed her way, and panicked. Which made zero sense. She’d dreamed of opening the donut shop for years. And yes, okay, her dreams revolved around No­la’s happiness rather than her own, but come on! Mak­ing Nola happy should make Vale happy. Still, in an effort to hide her panic, she’d made sure she had no quiet moments. “The blame is mine, and that’s final.” “Fine. I’ll go halvsies with you.” Nola pretended to fluff her hair. “If we die, we die, but at least we look cute.” “Dude. We do look cute.” They both wore a sleek coat, a downy jacket, thermals, fleece tights, a pair of goggles, a face mask, a hat and gloves. On their feet were multiple pairs of wool socks and hiking boots with ice cleats. “We could charm the flannel off a snow-biker gang.” “Or a yeti with a Southern girl fetish. I bet we could win his heart no problem.” “If he doesn’t want to eat our hearts first…battered and deep-fried, with melted butter on the side.” Her mouth watered. “I wonder what sautéed yeti tastes like.” “If you start licking your chompers when you look at me… I won’t feel so guilty for debating whether your liver would pair better with a nice red or a six-pack of cheap beer.” “You’ve seen my hangovers. Avoid my liver and go for the rump roast.” She gave her butt a little slap. Nola chuckled, only to lapse into silence when a bit­ter wind nearly knocked them both off their feet. “D-distract me f-from the cold, and I’ll l-l-love you forever.” Her lips were tinted blue, her teeth chattering with more and more force. “You already love me forever.” Just as Vale loved Nola, the greatest person in the world, living or dead, real or fake. Would move heaven and earth for her. “But I’m awesome, probably the awesomest, so I’ll take on this herculean task. Tell me your favorite part of the trip.” “Only e-everything.” Nola shifted atop her bag, un­able to stifle a whimper of pain. Then she continued as if nothing had happened. “Well, except f-for the aban­donment, starvation and h-hypothermia, of course.” “Such trifling matters.” Helplessness pelted her in­sides with bullets. Rub some dirt on it and keep going. “We did everything on our BA lists.” BA—before adult­ing. Extending her index finger, she said, “We marveled over the northern lights.” The chattering slowed, and Nola said, “We went on an overnight dog sled expedition that made me want to adopt a rescue pet as soon as I get home.” “We ice sculpted. FYI, my blob was better than your blob.” “It’s true. Oh! We also hot tubbed while drinking champagne.” “Lastly, we hiked through the Arctic Circle.” “Only one item remains unchecked.” “Fall for a handsome local,” they said in unison. Nola grinned and added, “I thought I had a connec­tion with our guide…until he left us to die and all. But even then, he was better than my most recent online dates. Would someone please explain why modern guys send strangers unsolicited pictures of their genitals?” “Because of course we women are catapulted into a foaming-at-the-mouth sexual frenzy the instant we catch sight of some rando’s man-junk. Duh.” “They are so proud of their peens, aren’t they? Mean­while I’m over here like, congrats on your average-size erection, dude, it’s maybe not quite as hideous as ev­eryone else’s.” They snickered. “But,” Nola added. “Oh, no. No buts.” Her sis was a hopeless romantic. A hopeless optimistic as well. Nola believed everyone deserved a second, third and fourth chance—which was why she wrote such an excellent How To column. How to intrigue your crush blah, blah. Vale, however, was a realist.    

 

 

About Gena Showalter: Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series--Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles--and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series.  In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she's appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black--if you ask her about it, she'll talk for hours…hours!  Her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans  

Website ~ Twitter ~ Facebook ~ Goodreads

The Darkest Warrior by Gena Showalter - Excerpt Spotlight

   

The Queen of Paranormal Romance, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Gena Showalter, returns with THE DARKEST WARRIOR, a searing Lords of the Underworld tale featuring a beastly prince and the wife he will wage war to keep. 

THE DARKEST WARRIOR is now available where all fine books are sold. Grab your copy today!

   

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B-A-M ~ Kobo ~ BookDepository ~ Audio

Book Description:

He is ice…

Puck the Undefeated, host of the demon of Indifference, cannot experience emotion without punishment, so he allows himself to feel nothing. Until her. According to ancient prophecy, she is the key to avenging his past, saving his realm and ruling as king. All he must do? Steal her from the man she loves—and marry her.

She is fire…

Gillian Shaw has suffered many tragedies in her too-short life, but nothing could have prepared the fragile human for her transition into immortality. To survive, she must wed a horned monster who both intrigues and frightens her…and become the warrior queen she was born to be.

Together they burn.

As a rising sense of possession and obsession overtake Puck, so does insatiable lust. The more he learns about his clever, resourceful wife, the more he craves her. And the more time Gillian spends with her protective husband, the more she aches for him. But the prophecy also predicts an unhappily-ever-after. Can Puck defeat fate itself to keep the woman who brought his deadened heart back to life? Or will they succumb to destiny, losing each other…and everything they’ve been fighting for?

     

Excerpt:

“You’ll be well-guarded here,” he continued, tilting his head to the side. “I promise.” 

“First of all, your promises mean nothing to me.”

He shrugged. “That doesn’t sound like a me problem.”

Do not lash out. Do not dare lash out. “Second,” she continued, “well-guarded things get boosted all the time and—” 

“Enough.” The lights in his irises brightened as he cupped her jaw and traced his thumbs over her cheeks. “I’m going to kiss you goodbye, wife. The barest tasting.”

What! Her heartbeat stuttered against her ribs, her blood flashing white-hot in an instant. Tingles tantalized her now aching body. After everything he’d done, he expected a make-out session in front of other people? 

“Why?” Really? I ask him why? I don’t tell him to get bent? 

Indifference tap-danced across her mind, sharp claws slicing through gray matter. She cringed, even whimpered. 

“Focus on me, not the fiend,” Puck said, perhaps recognizing the signs of the demon’s interference. 

She obeyed, peering up at him, this man who’d become her husband, who’d been at times unnecessarily cruel and at others surprisingly kind. How could she even consider kissing him? She didn’t know him, not really, and definitely didn’t trust him. 

Despite those moments of kindness, he was a liar. He had ice for a heart. Or maybe that was why she should kiss him. He wouldn’t get overly excited. He might not even get turned on. Which was what she wanted, kind of. But kind of...not. 

“You will remember me—think of me—while I’m gone,” he said, and he wasn’t asking a question but issuing a command. Protest. Now. Before you start to panic, and the demon reacts worse. 

But...the part of her who wanted him turned on also wanted him to think of her while he was gone. Wanted him know what he’d lost the moment he’d used her. 

Oh, really? What did he lose? Tell me.

Shut up.

Spiteful Gillian won. She rose to her tiptoes, saying, “Kiss me, then. I dare you.”

He met her halfway and slanted his lips over hers. Erotic flicks of his tongue coaxed more tingles to the surface and fanned the flames of desire. Hot, so wonderfully hot. The aches magnified as he thrust with more force, his divine taste and ever-increasing frenzied pace dragging a moan of surrender from deep inside her. A sound he utterly devoured, as if he’d never been so starved—or enjoyed a tastier meal. 

His skill, expert. His ruthlessness, on full display. 

Puck didn’t bother to learn her, or explore her nuances; he took, gave and demanded... everything, his tongue dominating hers with a promise of untold riches. She was helpless to resist.

     

 

About Gena Showalter: Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of the spellbinding Lords of the Underworld and Angels of the Dark series, two young adult series--Everlife and the White Rabbit Chronicles--and the highly addictive Original Heartbreakers series.  In addition to being a National Reader's Choice and two time RITA nominee, her romance novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan (Red Hot Read) and Seventeen magazine, she's appeared on Nightline and been mentioned in Orange is the New Black--if you ask her about it, she'll talk for hours…hours!  Her books have been translated in multiple languages. She’s hard at work on her next novel, a tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who brings him to his knees. You can learn more about Gena, her menagerie of rescue dogs, and all her upcoming books at genashowalter.com or Facebook.com/genashowalterfans  

Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads

Gena Showalter’s THE DARKEST WARRIOR –Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

June 27^th

Diane's Book Blog – Excerpt

NallaReads – Review & Excerpt

Milky Way of Books – Excerpt

June 28^th

Books, Coffee & Passion – Excerpt

I'm A Sweet And Sassy Book Whore – Excerpt

Jen's Reading Obsession – Excerpt

TMBA Corbett Tries to Write – Excerpt

June 29^th

Busy Bumble Bee Book Reviews – Excerpt

East Coast Book Chicks – Excerpt

The Reading Cafe – Excerpt

Total Book Geek – Excerpt

June 30^th

All Things Dark & Dirty – Excerpt

Deluged with Books Cafe – Excerpt

Feel the Book – Excerpt

I Smell Sheep – Excerpt

My Nook, Books & More – Excerpt

July 1^st

Booknerd1107 – Excerpt

Kinky Desires – Excerpt

Reading Between the Wines Book Club – Excerpt

The Book Disciple – Excerpt

July 2^nd

Crazii Bitches Book Bloc – Review & Excerpt

Rantings of a Reading Addict – Excerpt

Reads All the Books – Excerpt

Smokin' Hot Reads Book Blog – Excerpt

July 3^rd

Moonlight Rendezvous – Excerpt

Sofia Loves Books – Review & Excerpt

Words We Love By – Excerpt

Yvonne-99loving-Books – Excerpt

July 4^th

Only One More Page – Excerpt

Rainy Thursdays – Excerpt

Somewhere Lost in Books – Excerpt

July 5^th

Evermore Books – Excerpt

Little Red Reading Hood – Excerpt

Reese's Reviews – Review & Excerpt

Up All Night with Books – Excerpt

July 6^th

Book Lovers Hangout – Review & Excerpt

Jax's Book Magic – Excerpt

Reviews from the Heart – Excerpt

Ruby's Books – Review & Excerpt

Wicked Babes Blog Reviews – Excerpt

July 7^th

BJ's Book Blog – Excerpt

Brittany's Book Blog – Excerpt

Dirty Girl Romance – Review