The Reflection Series by Gia Riley

Series Title: The Reflection series

Including: Between the Pain, After the Pain

Author: Gia Riley

Released: June 2014 & Sept 2014

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Synopsis:

Graduating from nursing school and finding herself thrown into the real world, twenty-two year old Hallie Dawson is determined to prove herself on the job. A chance encounter on the first day has charming Ryan Andrews showing up everywhere she goes. With only a string of random hook-ups and one failed relationship in her past, Hallie isn’t used to being pursued. For the first time, two men desire her. Will she choose the right one – or does fate hold all the cards?

Between the Pain is a Contemporary Romance novella about finding love - and being brave enough to follow your heart. Will Hallie end up in the arms of her true love or are the moments in between her pain forming the real story.

Timing is everything.

A fraction of a second, one altered course, one note -- change her life forever.

Between the Pain excerpt –

The song ends and we’re left in the middle of the dance floor staring at each other. Neither of us makes a move to say anything else. Why can’t I just say yes like any other normal girl would?

One of the bartenders is on the small stage announcing a drink special and something about a band starting in fifteen minutes. I’m too busy looking into Ryan’s eyes to really care about either of those two things right now. Before I have a chance to get my words of acceptance out, Ryan decides to end the moment.

“Think about it, about what I said. It’s just a date and I don’t care if we do it like everyone else or not. Well I care how we do it but that isn’t important right now.” The heat in his gaze makes me take a step back, not because I’m not feeling it, but because I am feeling it. I’ve never had a reaction quite like this one before. I’m quickly figuring out Ryan isn’t like most guys and I think he’s just the adventure I need to help break out of my shell.

 

 

 

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Synopsis:

Does everything really happen for a reason?

Hallie Dawson is battling with a broken heart yet determined to give love a second chance. Once again, time isn’t in her favor. Her moments After the Pain are filled with promises of a better future and personal secrets. With mysterious notes continuously haunting her and a secret friendship with a fellow musician, Hallie is struggling to stay true to her heart.

Tall, dark and handsome, Sean Thomas, is tired of being second best. This time, the good guy refuses to finish last. If he wants to get the girl, he’s going to have to confront the one person who broke his heart. His past is on a collision course with his future – will he be able to hang onto his connection with Hallie?

After the Pain is a Contemporary Romance novel about restoring faith in the beauty of love. Can Sean put the pieces of Hallie’s heart back together? Will love conquer all, or will jealousy and secrets tear them apart?

After the Pain excerpt –

“Wow, babe,” Sean says when he gets out of the shower. I should thank him for the compliment but I’m enjoying my own view right now. His towel is slung around his hips, taunting me. I want nothing more than to yank on the small corner holding it in place. I keep my eyes locked on his and can physically see the second he realizes my intentions.

“Hallie, what are you doing?”

“Exploring.” When I reach him, my hands untuck the corner of the towel, sending it falling to the floor. My hands start at his broad shoulders making sure to touch every single velvety inch of skin in front of me. I place my lips on his chest, sucking up the water droplets left behind. “Shit, baby. Your mouth feels incredible.”

 

 

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I'm a lover of all things romance and a firm believer that everyone deserves a happily ever after. Currently residing in the small but mighty state of Delaware, I take pride in creating characters who are real, personable, and entertaining.

When I'm not busy working on my next book, I can be found roaming the isles of Kirkland's or up to my elbows in Play-doh.

"I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." ~Maya Angelou

Fun Facts about Gia Riley:

- I have a degree in Behavioral Science.

- I’m a huge college football fan.

- I don’t write in order.

- Secretly, I’d love to be country singer and live in Nashville. I guess it’s not a secret anymore.

- I’ve been to eleven countries but never ventured out of North America.

- I’d rather pick truth than dare.

- My first concert was Boyz II Men.

- I’m a germaphone.

- I’d like to spend the day with Jimmy Fallon, Melissa McCarthy, and Kristen Wiig.

- I’ve never owned an iphone. I’m a Samsung Galaxy girl.

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Forsaken Love of a Lord by Kristin Vayden

Title: The Forsaken Love of a Lord Author: Kristin Vayden Genre: Regency Publisher: Blue Tulip Publishing

Olivia has one goal upon returning to London: Find Lord Langley and seduce him. It was no secret that her stepsister was a miserable excuse for a human being and the secrets shrouding her demise only added confirmation that even in death---she wasn't worthy of the handsome Lord. According to rumors, Lord Langley is after revenge, but she's after something far more dangerous. His heart. One masquerade aligns their paths in ways neither of them could have imagined. Will he succumb to the fair beauty? Or forever allow his heart to be entrenched by the beastly claws of her dead sister?  

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Edward Ashley, the Viscount Langley swirled his brandy and stared into the glowing fire that was burning low in his darkened study. He knew this day would come, he felt it in his gut even as he had said the words four—though it felt more like forty—years earlier to his deceased wife’s father. Stepfather actually, if one was being particular. And Edward was one to be particular, which was why he still called himself ten kinds of fool for falling for such a treacherous woman. How had he deluded himself to thinking he loved Marybelle? That she loved him? Ha! That was truly the rub. Marybelle; love someone else other than herself? Impossible. Yet hadn’t he thought that love made the impossible, possible? Yes. He had. Back when he was young, naive and foolish. But no more. No, he had learned his lesson and paid for another person’s sins, over and over. Everything he had loved about Marybelle had been a lie—an elaborate game. One she had won till the night it had all come back to seek it’s bloody vengeance. That night more than one kind of poetic justice was served. It was too bad it was far to late to offer any redemption to his jaded heart. Or perhaps it was a blessing. If one cannot love, then one cannot hurt. Rather they are the lifeless, breathing shell he knew he had become. But the pain was less, the self-loathing, diminished in the balm of time…but he’d never heal. He didn’t want to. Notwithstanding, the Pierce family was back in London, Marybelle’s young sister in tow. The once young girl was now twenty. Surely they were hoping to give her a season. He scoffed at the idea. Marriage mart, love; all words that held a bitter taste in his mouth; like over steeped tea that had grown cold. Miserable. He detested cold tea, part of his particular nature. Well, he’d keep his part of the bargain as well. He’d not say a word to the ton about the truth of that night he found Marybelle. He’d not say what was lost. He’d not whisper a word of what was found. He’d turn and walk away the moment they walked into view, because everything they represented, he wanted to forget. And that was the very thing he was unable to ever do. “I take it you’ve heard the news, then?” Edward startled slightly at the sound of his friend’s voice. With an irritated glare, he turned to watch as Curtis Sheppard entered the room. “I take it you’ve forgotten how to knock again.” Edward shot back. “My, my we’re surly tonight. I’ll take your glower as a yes to my question.” His friend strode in with easy steps, a devil-may-care-grin on his face. Edward felt the uncharacteristic urge to beat it off of him. “You know…with all the venom coming from your expression one might get the impression that they weren’t welcome.” Curtis replied offhandedly as he helped himself to a crystal glass of brandy and sauntered over to a chair. “Then I’d have to change my original impression.” Edward replied, a slight grin bending his lips. “Of?” Curtis asked as he set the crystal glass of brandy down softly. “Your intelligence. I think you’re finally catching on.” “You wound me, old man. I know for a fact that I’m about the only one that bothers to stop by and at least attempt to cheer you up. Lord knows you’ve scared everyone else away.” “They were quicker to get the hint.” “They were cowards.” Curtis shot back, his eyebrows raised, daring him to refute his claim. Edward glanced down at the Abussion carpet, studying it but not seeing it. Damn the man, he had a point. But Curtis always did. He was one of the only friends that continued to endure Edward’s surly nature. Always cheerful, it was damn annoying as hell, but he broke up the monotony. He was one of the only people in the world who knew the truth, and Edward trusted him to keep it. That type of loyalty was rare as hen’s teeth. For that, Curtis had his loyalty as well, though he had, through the years, forgotten how to display any other emotion other than anger…or remorse. Edward’s gaze lifted as he watched Curtis approach him. “Yes?” Curtis’ eyes were narrowed slightly and he took a position just to the side of Edward and began to study the ground. “Just wondering what you found so damn interesting about the carpet that’s been in this study since you were in short pants.” Edward shoved his friend good-naturedly, a grin breaking through. “And here I had thought you’d lost the ability to smile. My hope in your black soul is restored.” Curtis shrugged and sipped his brandy. “I’d not place so much faith in me.” “I’ll be sure to under estimate.” Curtis shot back and returned to his chair. “So, back to my original reason for gracing you with my company—“ “I’d rather not talk about it.” Edward cut in, spearing his friend with a glare. “I’m sure you’d rather rot. However, that doesn’t change the fact that you’ll be seeing them at some point or another. What is your plan? After all, you’re Edward Ashley, Viscount Langley.” He raised his eyebrows. “You plan your life down to what you’ll dream about.” “Revenge.” “Bloody business. Best served cold, eh? You’re above that. I’ll not let you delude yourself.” “What—“ “I know enough. Leave it. It will only blacken your heart more, old friend. Besides, if you ruin the family, you’ll be going back on your word…which we both know will not happen. As much of a old stick you’ve become, you’re not dishonorable.” “Blast you, Curtis.” “Thank you, I’ll take that as a compliment simply assuring myself that you see my brilliant point.” “You are vexing beyond words.” Edward muttered. “I’ve been told I’m many things beyond words…however most of those comments from the lady population.” He grinned. “Only you could find some way to make me actually want to discuss your sordid love life in efforts to escape the previous topic of conversation. How do you do it?” Edward asked in a wry tone. “I’m far more brilliant than you give me credit for. It’s the looks. Most people take one look at me and think ‘ah! All beauty, no brains.’ For honestly, it isn’t fair that I have a lions share of both.” Curtis sighed as if pained by it. “And humility, scads of that as well.” Edward shook his head. “I’m quite proud of that particular virtue, yes.” Curtis laughed. “Now, I’m going to attend the Bridgeton route tomorrow. Alaine will be there…” He let the name linger. Edward glanced heavenward, praying for deliverance to a God he wasn’t sure cared about him anymore. At one time he had been so sure. Now he was quite the opposite. “Alaine?” Edward repeated. “Yes, goddess of beauty herself.” “And voice of a minion.” “Do not say such things! Her voice is delightful…unique.” He added with a flourish of his hand. “Annoying, not unique…annoying. I swear I would rather listen to the screeching of fighting tom cats rather than hear her speak in that high pitched, nasal tone.” “You hide your true opinions so well.” Curtis replied dryly. Edward scowled. “At least I know I’ll have no competition from you, she’ll be mine for taking.” He rubbed his hands together. “I’d not dare stand in the way of true love.” Edward mocked. Curtis shook his head and chuckled. “ At least love for the moment.” “One day, you’ll find some lady that will turn your head in such a way you’ll not even be enticed by another…and I predict that very lady will not give you the time of day. God’s way of punishing you for your many sins.” Edward spoke clearly as he strode to the wide chair behind his desk. “Love advice? From you? My, it is a night of miracles.” Curtis replied with a mocking grin. “Insolent—“ “Don’t be irritated at my keen observation and ability to articulate it so clearly. Now, back to the Bridgeton route. You’ll attend, of course.” Curtis brushed some lint from his fine coat. “No.” “Yes.” “I’ll not repeat myself.” “Yes, you’ll attend! You gave your word two weeks ago. I knew you’d try to back out of our agreement since the arrival of Pierce family, but I shall not let you. I’ve been working on sweet Alaina for some time now, this is my chance.” He smacked his knee and stood. “You know I need you to attend if I’m to be allowed entrance.” “Bloody hell, why in the world do you wish to be part of the ton? Have you met any of them? Vipers, the lot of them.” “I’ve met you…” Curtis shot back. Edward rolled his eyes in exasperation. “You attended the Blackwood party without me—“ “But that was far less exclusive than the Bridgton event. You know this.” Curtis all but whined. Edward frowned. He hated that his friend had a point. While Curtis was wealthier than Croesus, his money was made in trade. Not inherited from an age-old title. And his father, being the independent type, had refused to try and purchase a title on the sly, so their family was, while wealthy, still part of the blue-collar variety. And being part of that class eliminated them from receiving invitations from the exclusive parties of the ton. Lucky blackguard. So unless Edward brought him along, he’d not be able to attend. And as much as he wished it weren’t true, he hadsaid he’d attend. “I loath you.” Edward ground out in defeat. “Its perfectly alright. I adore you enough for the both of us.” Curtis fanned himself like a lady. Edward snorted. Curtis grinned. “The lengths you push me to in order to lift your spirits. I’d think you be wise to thank the Good Lord for such a friend as I.” Curtis nodded and stood, draining his brandy. He sighed in satisfaction. “I’ll see you on the morrow. And…do try to smile. We wouldn’t want to frighten anyone.” He replied with an easy smile and left. Edward shook his head and stood to go and study the fire once more. But even for the warm heat from the fire’s soft glow, his heart will chilled knowing that tomorrow, he’d have to face the very people he never want to see again. Damn it all.

 

Kristin’s inspiration for the romance she writes comes from her tall, dark and handsome husband with killer blue eyes. With five children to chase, she is never at a loss for someone to kiss, something to cook or some mess to clean but she loves every moment of it! She loves to make soap, sauerkraut, sourdough bread and gluten free muffins. Life is full of blessings and she praises God for the blessed and abundant life He’s given her.

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Native Lands by P.C. Zick

Native Lands by P.C. Zick 

 

 

 

 

Native Lands is a gripping and entertaining thriller with depth, wonderful characters and well-planted parallels between the two engaging narratives. There is a beautiful and warm feel of Native Lands and an excellent and uplifting moral that won't lecture or patronize. A truly great read. –Christoph Fischer, Author

 

Native Lands is a novel rich in intrigue and history as a tribe of Native Americans, thought to be extinct, fight to save their beloved heritage. They join with others willing to sacrifice everything to save further destruction of the Everglades and St. Augustine.

 

Forbidden loves, deceptions, and murder threaten to destroy nature and families in a saga stretching from the 1760s to the present day.

 

Join Locka and Mali as they lead their tribe of Timucuans away from the Spanish near St. Augustine in 1760 and settle into a new life in the Everglades alongside the Calusa Indians. Their progeny grow up in the Everglades, attempting to keep their bloodlines pure.

 

By 2010, Mangrove Mike, Joey Cosmos, and Rob Zodiac live among the white people and learn that the human connection transcends the fear of extinction of their people. Barbara Evans in the Everglades and Emily Booth in St. Augustine are the glue as the different cultures combine forces to fight a conglomerate of international interests.

 

It’s a dangerous journey as this oddly matched group attempts to halt the destruction of the natural world they treasure. Cultural boundaries established centuries ago are erased as love and nature seek the balance lost during the battle for power and control of the last of the Florida frontier.

 

P.C. Zick is the author of several contemporary novels. Native Lands is the third book in her Florida Fiction Series, which also includes Tortoise Stew and Trails in the Sand. She may be contacted through her website at www.pczick.com.

 

 

 

 

 

Barbara Evans sat in the living room of her house on the western edge of Chokoloskee Island, leafing through past issues of Sierra magazine, searching for an idea for her next column. She listened to the news from the television, only looking up when the local weather presented NOAA’s prediction for an active hurricane season. Then the newscaster began a report that caused Barbara to put down the magazine and devote her full attention to the screen.

“Yesterday, wood storks in Big Cypress Wildlife Management Area attacked a young boy as his mother shot this video of the assault,” the announcer said.

Barbara watched as a boy, approximately ten years old, was crying as a wood stork’s beak poked at the Mickey Mouse portrait stamped on the front of his T-shirt. Another stork approached and began nudging the foam snout of the alligator hat on the boy’s head. A man ran into the frame of the video, yelling and scaring off the wood storks as the boy howled.

“Officers from Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Commission are handling the situation. Here to talk with us is the agency’s spokesperson, Larry Castle. Larry, what’s your agency doing to make sure the tourists are safe in the Everglades?”

“Along with the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, we’re asking residents and visitors to our great state to keep their distance from wildlife,” Larry said, wearing a green shirt and hat with the logo from the state’s fish and wildlife agency. “They shouldn’t feed wildlife or make any attempts to capture or touch them.”

“The parents say the wood storks just came up and attacked their child,” the newscaster said.

“Wildlife usually keeps to itself unless tempted by food. We’re investigating, but the safest thing anyone can do is to enjoy wildlife from a distance with a zoom lens on the camera.

“Thank you, Larry. The family told us they are cutting short their vacation because of this unwarranted aviary violence. Governor Rick Scott offered the family a week’s stay in Miami to make up for the attack, but the family declined the offer.”

“My son may never get over this attack.” The mother, wearing a white visor with a Minnie Mouse label on the front, appeared on the screen. “His favorite hat is now in shreds in the swamp. It has been one horrible experience.”

The newscaster came back on the screen. “The video of the attack was recorded by the mother on her cell phone.”

Barbara ran her fingers through her short curly red hair, and with the other hand reached for her phone to call Stan Hogan, her editor at The Miami Herald.

“Stan, I’ve got to write the story about the wood stork attacking the family at Big Cypress,” Barbara said. “You’ve got to let me do it.”

“If I let you write the article, it’s off limits for your column,” Stan said. “You write an objective piece, but no editorializing. Agreed?”

“Then I can write a column about it in a few weeks.”

“No. You’ve been hired as a columnist. If you want to go back to reporting, then we’ll start you on covering the commission meetings in the communities around Lake Okeechobee.”

“Come on, Stan. You know I can write a good piece. I don’t know why you won’t let me.”

“That’s my final say on the subject. You write your column or you start working the Glades County beat.”

“All right, all right.” Barbara knew being assigned the rural beat near the shores of Lake Okeechobee amounted to a death sentence for a writer. “The column is better because I can ask, ‘why the hell was the mother recording the attack instead of protecting her child?’ The kid deserved getting attacked just for wearing that stupid alligator hat. Tell them to pull the column I wrote for this week. I’ll have the new one to you later this afternoon.”

“No ‘those tourists deserved it’ crap. You got me into a load of trouble with that last piece about the pigeons and doves at that wedding in Disney World. One of the copy editors should have caught the line ‘anyone who chooses to get married in the land of Mickey Mouse deserves dead doves floating down during the vows.’”

“I can’t help it if nature keeps biting back,” Barbara said. “Just be sure they pull my old column.”

 

 

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P.C. Zick began her writing career in 1998 as a journalist. She's won various awards for her essays, columns, editorials, articles, and fiction. She describes herself as a "storyteller" no matter the genre.

She was born in Michigan and moved to Florida in 1980. Even though she now resides in western Pennsylvania with her husband Robert, she finds the stories of Florida and its people and environment a rich base for her storytelling platform. Florida's quirky and abundant wildlife—both human and animal—supply her fiction with tales almost too weird to be believable.

She writes two blogs, P.C. Zick and Living Lightly. She has published three nonfiction books and six novels.

Her writing contains the elements most dear to her heart, ranging from love to the environment. In her novels, she advances the cause for wildlife conservation and energy conservation. She believes in living lightly upon this earth with love, laughter, and passion.

Works by P.C. Zick

Florida Fiction Series

Tortoise Stew (Florida Fiction Series, Book 1) – Politics, murder, and chaos in rural Florida reign supreme in a story where love triumphs over it all.

Trails in the Sand (Florida Fiction Series, Book 2) – Family secrets, an oil spill, and redemption create a roller coaster ride for journalist Caroline Carlisle.

Native Lands (Florida Fiction Series, Book 3) - A novel rich in intrigue and history as a tribe of Native Americans, thought to be extinct, fight to save their beloved heritage.

 

Other Fiction:

A Lethal Legacy (Psychological Suspense) - A fascinating study of human expectations, failings, and redemption filled with lust and forbidden lovers.

 

Live from the Road (Fiction  takes the reader on an often humorous, yet harrowing, journey as Meg Newton and Sally Sutton seek a change in the mundane routine of their lives. Joined by their daughters, they set off on a journey of salvation enhanced by the glories of the Mother Road.

Behind the Altar (Romance – Behind the Love Trilogy, Book 1) - All seems perfect in Leah's life until tattoo artist Dean rides his Harley into her heart in this story of forbidden love.

 

Nonfiction

From Seed to Table (Blog posts) Gardening techniques, organic gardening, canning vegetables, and recipes galore

Civil War Journal of a Union Soldier (Memoir nonfiction) – My great grandfather’s journal from his days as a soldier. It’s a personal account of war and all its sundry causes and effects from the eyes of a man who fought it.

Odyssey to Myself (Essays nonfiction): The people of Morocco, Italy, Panama, and Chile come to life through the experiences of the author as she absorbs the cultures so different from her own.

 

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Ties that Bind by Neeny Boucher

 

Title: Ties that Bind Author: Neeny Boucher Series: Complicated Love (Book #2)

  *Recommended for audiences over the age of 18* Forced to return to her hated hometown to work, Christina Martin, lawyer and ex resident bad girl, finds herself questioning her life choices. Reunited with her former husband, Nicholas Riley, their tenuous and complicated relationship is tested when secrets from the past and present are revealed. Riley, a man with explosive secrets and penchant for psychological games, faces the dilemma of keeping the woman he loves through lies by omission or potentially losing her with the truth. This isn’t just their second chance for happiness, it’s their last chance and there may be some things that love can’t conquer at all. Equal parts helped and hindered by a colorful cast of supporting characters, ‘Ties that Bind’, Book Two in the Complicated Love Series, continues the dysfunctional relationship of Riley and Dina introduced in ‘Lost in Flight’. Warning: This book is not about bondage. I have nothing against books about bondage. Heck, I’ve been known to read a few works myself, but it’s just this book isn’t one of them. Unless, of course, you’re referring to the tangible and intangible bonds of human relationships, ties that bind and ties that can be broken. Then, this book is definitely about that. ‘Ties that Bind’ is not a standalone and forms part of a series. It is highly recommended that you read Book One, ‘Lost in Flight’ before this one. Also, this series is full of quirky, socially awkward, and badly behaved characters, underpinned with dark humor. It is not a traditional romance and there is no guarantee of happy ever afters.  

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“How much do you love me, Christina? Really? You think you know me, but you don’t. My monsters are loose and I don’t think I can get them back under control. I’m not sure if I want to. If I were you, I’d run.”

   

 

Neeny Boucher is a nom de plume because my real name sounds like a 19th Century suffragette. Originally, I'm from New Zealand and am a long-time supporter of the All Blacks. Currently, I am living in Europe and a trailing spouse, following my husband all over the world for his work. This not only gives me the opportunity to write, but also, experience the world and indulge in one of my favourite past-times: people watching. My own employment history is varied and ranges from the sublime to the ridiculous. All of those experiences and encounters, however, have allowed me to collect amazing stories, which now form the basis of my writings. I have always loved the weird, the outcast and those on the margins of society because they see the world in a different way. These are the people my characters are based around. I have a BA Hons (English and Pacific Studies) and a PhD in Sociology/Indigenous Studies. Presently, I am working on the Complicated Love Series. Book One, Lost in Flight, was released in 2013. Book Two, Ties that Bind, is scheduled for release in 2014.

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