Book Collection Feature: 21 SHADES OF NIGHT by various authors

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Check out Awakened by Laxmi Hariharan. She is one of the authors of 21 SHADES OF NIGHT box set.

For a tiny 99c you can own 21 wicked novels from today's NY Times, USA Today, and International Bestselling Authors.

About Awakened
 Ruby Iyer must save her city, save her friend, save her very soul from being destroyed and only sexy cop gone rogue Vik Roy can help her. Except Vik has a secret; one that will turn her world upside down. Can she still trust him? Criminals run the streets of Bombay. Jam-packed with the worst degenerates. The city is a shell of the pride and joy it used to be. Ruby knows something must be done, but it isn't until her best friend is kidnapped that she knows that she and she alone must save city, save her best friend, save her soul from total destruction. Armed only with Vik, a sexy cop-turned-rogue they are about to embark on a road they may never return from.

What they say:

"Laxmi's stories get you from the very first sentence and never let go" - Rebecca Hamilton, USA Today Bestselling Author

"...A novel that presents so much more than a singular, easy path." - D. Donovan, (Midwest Book Reviews)

Awards

Finalist, 2016 Next Generation Indie Book Awards
2015 Readers' Favorite

Finalist, 2015 IAN Book of the Year Awards

Finalist, 9th Annual Indie Excellence Awards

Excerpt

His tongue flicks out to touch his lips. Can he still taste blood?

His eyes flick to my lips, down to my throat, my breasts, lower, lower still. I'm close enough to see the golden flecks in his eyes shine. Smell that hard man smell of his which tugs at me. Heat from him spools towards me hitting me squarely in my chest, pulling at my stomach, churning my guts and I shudder.

His eyes widen, and as if unable to help himself, he lowers his mouth brushing my lips once, twice, thrice. Teasing me, nibbling at me, caressing my lips till I feel the heat inside twist and glow, till the lighting tree on my back sizzles, sparking fire.

I moan and reaching up capture his mouth with mine, thrusting my tongue against his; and feel the shock run through him.

He's still just for a second, then he's leaning into me, on me till I am surrounded by him, his touch, his skin, that cinnamon smell of his, which is so Vik. Heat from his body pushes at me, begging to be let in, holding me captive and I feel a trickle of sweat running down between my breasts. Breath coming out in short bursts, I strain against him, trying to free my shackled arms, but he doesn't let go. He also doesn't stop there.

His mouth lowers to my throat, pushing aside the bathrobe till he bares the curve of my shoulder, then bites me, lightly.

My heart slams against my rib cage at that, my eyes flutter shut and I bite my lips to stop myself from crying out. At the pain trembling down to my belly.

He kisses the skin, licking his tongue over the exact same spot and this time I shiver, but he's already trailing his lips down to my breasts. His hand grips the flare of my lips and this time, I moan aloud as his fingers splay out over my belly.

And it's as if the sound gets through to him, for he's suddenly leaning back.

My eyes fly open and I look up at his face, want to trace his lips, run my fingers through his hair and once again I arch my back, push against him and this time he lets me go.

Even as I watch a shutter comes down over his eyes and they lose that bright glow I'd seen there just a second ago.

I know then, he's going to leave and walk away and I can't let him go.

Not now, not when I can tell he's feeling something for me.

When my insides are churning as if this is the only thing that matters. When the emotions overwhelming me wipe out all that has happened before this, making me feel clean. When I don't care who he is, or where he comes from or what his real relation is to Dr B. When something inside me senses that deep at his core, where it matters, he is honest at least as far as whatever 'this' between us is concerned.

I want him.

And I want to make him want me.

Make him show me how much he wants me.

About Laxmi Hariharan

I am fascinated by the unseen in the real world and in relationships. I write fast-paced urban fantasy romances, with a paranormal twist. My stories feature intense love-interests, kickass heroines, moody heroes and surprise plot lines. I enjoy nothing better than getting under the skin of my characters and especially when they surprise me. Married to a filmmaker and fellow author, I live in London and am the proud owner of a mononym twitter handle @laxmi. Receive a free starter library of my books when you sign up to my newsletter http://bit.ly/NewsletterLH

Facebook * Twitter * Instagram * Website * Newsletter 

21 Shades of Night

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For a limited time, you can enjoy books from today's NY Times, USA Today, and Amazon Bestselling authors!

When purchased separately, these books cost over $50! But they are yours today for less than $1.

This set is only available at this price for a limited time, so order your copy before it's gone forever!

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Linzé's Mischief: 10 July 2016

This week my journal is taking on a slightly different flavour. Instead of posting only what I remember of the week, I think to add a 'per day' entry for the week. Since I got the idea on Friday, the entries will start then for this week's post.

Friday, 8 July - I took a day's leave to do some stuff, writing included. It is almost midday, and while the stuff (buying dog food, refuelling my car, etc.) has been ticked off my to do list, I have not yet written a word. Then again with those things taken care of, there is now time to do some writing the rest of the day.

Fridays are our time to shop for groceries; I didn't do any of that this morning, aside from buying myself a veggie lunch for today. So I can focus on the writing I still have to do - yeah, the excuses I do come up with!

While having breakfast (more like brunch actually) this morning, I had a thought about the restaurant reviews that I sometimes write (for another website). From now on I will limit my reviews to coffee shops (being places writers are more likely to frequent) and post these reviews on my blog instead. I won't get paid for it, but I do like to support good businesses in my area. And coffee shops are often small businesses too, that could always do with some support.

I signed up to do a promo post for a group of bestselling romance authors on Wednesday, 13 July, so keep an eye out for that if you are a romance lover, like me.

And now I am really going to go and work on my latest manuscript, Open the Door to Murder.

Saturday, 9 July - You would think that we would sleep in over the weekend since it's winter and we get up at 5am during the week. Nope, being married to a photographer who takes his hobby very seriously, leaves no time for sleeping.

Francois left home before sunrise to go take photographs of a tiny bird in Hartbeespoort, about 40 minutes drive to the north of where we live. He returned home, without pictures of this bird, but with three aloe plants. Make no mistake, I love aloes, their medicinal properties are well-known (I use several aloe products) but where am I going to plant those things? They require sunlight all day, no an easy feat in a garden filled with trees. I think I found a spot, but it will require some construction work to accommodate the plants.

Gardening is not my strongest point, although I am thinking of restarting my vegetable garden using aquaponics. Will post a picture of the aloes once I got them settled.

Sunday, 10 July - I spent most of the morning contemplating how I was going to finish my editing of Waiting for Adrian (I have barely started), launch Negotiating the Maze (presently being proofread for printing and publication by a professional team of people), format and publish the Journey anthology, launch Journey, finish The Last Gryphon trilogy and write a story for a sweet romance anthology with another group of authors.

Oh, did I mention that Waiting for Adrian has to be published before Journey? Yeah, Galen's Hope (part of Journey) partially overlaps Waiting for Adrian in terms of the timeline. I sure do like to make things complicated for myself.

I came to the conclusion that I couldn't. The first story of the Gryphon trilogy will be published in Journey - so that one is sorted. The second story needs editing, and the third is 90% done on the first draft. The only way I could potentially manage all these projects would be to rewrite the second story in the trilogy for the sweet romance anthology - that way I do two projects at the same time. Publication of The Last Gryphon trilogy in one volume can then wait until after the sweet romance anthology.

I keep thinking I need a project plan to manage all these things.

And then there is Camp NaNoWriMo and my first murder mystery novel. Good thing I am a few thousand words ahead of schedule, although I am sure that advantage is not going last very long.

Project planning time coming right up!

In the words of Li-Ana Baker (from Open the Door to Murder): may you have a healthy and harmonious life this coming week.

Until next time!

THE BILLIONAIRE BARITONE

Amethyst loves music and enjoys hip-hop dancing to spice up her dull and dreary life. But one evening on her way home from dance class, she hears a voice that drew her away from her route.

Caught in the act of eavesdropping, her life is about to change in a way she has never foreseen.

David didn't quite know what to do with the beautiful trespasser, but when he learned that she was injured, taking care of her was the only solution.
Little did he suspect that she was about to take care of his lonely heart in return.

CHAPTER 4

Three Morecrofts stood in the waiting room of the small wing where Amethyst's bed was. They heard voices in the room as the nursing staff helped Amethyst get ready for bed.

David's phone rang. Seeing who the caller was, he nodded to Jeff to close the door and put the caller on speaker.

“Tim, what did you find out?”

“Amethyst Calder is twenty-four years old and has no living relatives. Her parents died in a car accident when she was seventeen. She dropped out of school to support herself and works as a goods receipt clerk at a warehouse in the city.

She had no ties to any newspaper or tabloid. I had a quick look at her home, and I have to say that she is lucky to have a roof over her head. Her landlord was a friend of her parents and charges her almost nothing to stay in a converted servant's quarters on the property.

I am still waiting for the report on her financial status, but I would guess that she doesn't earn enough to pay tax over and above the unemployment contribution required by law.”

“What was she doing at the house?” David asked.

There was a whisper of clothing as the private investigator shrugged. “I don't know. Maybe you should ask her yourself.”

“Thanks, Tim. Let me know when you have the financial report.”

“Will do.”

After ringing off, Phyllis smiled at her sons. “See, she is a harmless young woman. I like her.”

Jeff returned her smile, but David remained skeptical. She might not be a reporter after a story, but that didn't mean she couldn't sell her story to a newspaper for a lot of money and the chance to have her name linked to his. Or Jeff's.

“We'll see,” he said instead.

Read from the beginning HERE

HUGE Giveaway - 4 to 20 July 2016

Welcome to the 4th of July Summer of Reading Giveaway!

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Please check out the books below, some are Free, Free with KU, or Inexpensive.

Young Adult

New Adult

Sweet Romance

Contemporary Romance

Women's Fiction

Paranormal Romance / Urban Fantasy

Science Fiction

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Linzé's Mischief: 3 July 2016

Kick-off of the second half of the year is celebrated (at least in my life) by taking part in Camp NaNoWriMo. I am about 5000 words into the first book of my new mystery series, Open the Door to Murder.

Meet Li-Ana Baker, martial arts teacher, ex-cop, and single woman. The fictional village of Fern Haven in the Western Cape of South Africa will never be the same again.

I write with more enthusiasm and efficiency if I have a deadline, that is why I like NaNoWriMo so much. But NaNo isn't every day of the year, so keep my momentum going I set myself a goal to write at least 500 words every day. To keep track of that goal, I use a spreadsheet to record my daily achievement, whether the number of words might be. With some simple calculations, I can see whether I keep to the 500 word average for the year, or if I need to put in a touch more effort to get there.

A few weeks ago, I noticed that a milestone was about to happen and today it did. When I updated my word count for my Camp NaNo project, the spreadsheet showed that I have managed to write 2,000,069 words to date.

Normally I would do something like discount a book for you to download either free or make it heavily discounted.

This time, I cannot, sorry!

(click here ->) Because...ALL my books are already on sale. (<- click here)

So this is your chance to get every single book I wrote (novels included) for either free or only $0.99 this month.

There are four more books in the pipeline for this year, so now would be a good time before there are too many to buy in one go.

After my boo-boo of the previous week, I will make sure that Chapter 4 of The Billionaire Baritone will be up in time to read on Thursday so that you won't miss another chapter.

And with my Camp NaNo target calling, I wish you a successful and happy week ahead.

Until next time!

International Author's Day Blog Hop

This is a request to join in and celebrate the people who provide us with hours of entertainment!

I am going to celebrate 'International Authors' Day' on 18th July 2016. Will you join me?

B00kr3vi3ws will be organizing a Blog hop that will go on from 14th to 18th July. Join in and write post on your favourite Books & Authors, or about how you got into reading, or why you love reading, or .... you get my drift. Let's show these folks that we love and cherish them!

Check out the 2014 Blog Hop
Check out the 2015 Blog Hop

If you have a Blog or Website where you can make a post then enter your details at the b00kr3vi3ws website.

THE BILLIONAIRE BARITONE

Amethyst loves music and enjoys hip-hop dancing to spice up her dull and dreary life. But one evening on her way home from dance class, she hears a voice that drew her away from her route.
Caught in the act of eavesdropping, her life is about to change in a way she has never foreseen.

David didn't quite know what to do with the beautiful trespasser, but when he learned that she was injured, taking care of her was the only solution.
Little did he suspect that she was about to take care of his lonely heart in return.

CHAPTER 3

I couldn't help but worry. The Morecrofts seemed nice people, and genuinely looked like they wanted to help, but they had money and power, and I had nothing.

Phyllis refused to talk about money and asked me all kinds of questions about myself, while one paramedic checked my pulse and reminded me to keep still.

Then the ambulance stopped, and the door opened again.

It didn't look like a hospital to me.

Panic gripped my chest.

“Did you kidnap me?”

Phyllis, to her credit, look insulted for a moment before shaking her head. “No, this is a private facility. It has the best equipment and care in the country.”

She waited until they put me on a gurney, before climbing out and following on foot.

As soon as the doors opened, I got the hospital feeling. Everything was white, although the staff that approached us looked concerned and not at all how I envisaged kidnappers would look.

A man's face came into my field of view. “Hello there, we are going to do some X-rays and give you a proper check to see how your injuries look.”

We were moving while he talked to me, also checking my pulse with a warm hand. I was starting to feel drowsy. It has been a tiring day.

By the time I was put in bed, my whole body ached, and I was feeling like crap. I was thirsty, hungry and in desperate need of a shower. Phyllis was still with me, but I didn't want to say anything. She had done more than enough already.

It didn't take me long to figure out that the 'private facility' belonged to the Morecrofts. The staff was giving me curious looks, but none made any comments to my face.

But I could imagine what they were thinking. Charity case. And they wouldn't be wrong I reminded myself as I laid there.

“Would you like some water?”

I opened my eyes and nodded. “Thank you.”

Phyllis helped me to sit upright and held the glass until I could grip it with one hand. I looked at my other. It was bandaged and I couldn't use any part of it.

The next moment David and Jeff walked in with the doctor who pronounced my butt bruised but fine, my ankle severely sprained and my hand broken and in need of surgery.

Jeff approached my bed while David remained with the doctor.

“We are flying in the surgeon first thing in the morning to fix your hand.”

I heard him but my eyes couldn't look away from the man quietly watching from the other end of the room. “Why are you doing this?”

Jeff spoke up and I finally managed to tear my eyes away from David.

“You are hurt, and we want to help.”

I waved my injured hand in a helplessly stupid fashion. “I know that. But why so much trouble? I cannot afford this place.”

I put the glass down and laid down, ignoring the ache in my stomach. I had gone without food before.

“Don't worry about the bills,” Phyllis said as the doctor left the room.

Mother and sons shared a look, and I felt even worse. I hated that people felt sorry for me. If they wanted to waste their money on me, fine. I will get out of here and out of their hair as soon as I can. Maybe after the surgery tomorrow. I needed the use of my hand and the surgery to do so. It didn't feel right staying here, but I had no choice if I wanted a functioning hand.

I was too tired to argue anymore, so I nodded and closed my eyes, hoping they would leave me alone in my misery.

Read from the start on Wattpad

THE BILLIONAIRE BARITONE

Amethyst loves music and enjoys hip-hop dancing to spice up her dull and dreary life. But one evening on her way home from dance class, she hears a voice that drew her away from her route.

Caught in the act of eavesdropping, her life is about to change in a way she has never foreseen.

David didn't quite know what to do with the beautiful trespasser, but when he learned that she was injured, taking care of her was the only solution.

Little did he suspect that she was about to take care of his lonely heart in return.

CHAPTER 2

The older woman came closer and put her arm around my shoulders. “Come, let's have a look at you. I have to apologise for my son, he usually has much better manners.”

The woman took my pack and handed it to the guard, all the while talking as she manipulated my limbs to move. I cried out again, I couldn't help it.

“Stop,” David said. ”You are hurt.”

I nodded battling tears now. I hated crying. “My ankle,” I managed.

“Hold on,” was all he said before I could figure out what he was talking about. The next moment a squeal escaped me as he lifted me into his arms. My arms went around his neck in an instant.

This close to him, I clenched my teeth not to gasp out loud. I might be a lowly clerk in a retail warehouse who danced to escape the mundane routine of my daily life, but I knew who was now carrying me: David Morecroft III. Billionaire businessman and thrice voted the hottest bachelor this side of the equator.

Always having prided myself on being level headed, it was hard not to act like some starry-eyed schoolgirl with her first crush. This guy was gorgeous. What was not to like? Midnight black hair with heavy brows and high cheekbones, giving him a hawk-like appearance. I recall the tabloids calling his eyes, golden orbs of passion, but this close they were a dark honey colour. His lips were definitely as kissable as they said.

Another breath reminded me that his aftershave didn't come from a department store. It was the kind of scent that I wanted to roll naked in. I wanted it all over my skin because it reminded me of being a woman. Not a feeling I get to experience often.

When he stepped inside the house, the bright lights blinded my eyes for a moment. Once I could see again, I remembered why I should have insisted on leaving. There was art on the walls, and I was not taking any bets on them being prints.

He carried me to some kind of couch thing and gently put me down. Despite the soft cushion my butt protested, but I managed, this time, to keep the pain to myself. This whole situation was embarrassing enough without me having to explain about a bruised ass.

“What is your name?” his mother asked.

“Amethyst Calder.”

The older woman smiled at her son who was watching me with a really funny expression on his face. Did he think I was going to steal from him? Hmpf, the world might consider him the catch of the century, but he clearly had people issues.

“I am Phyllis Morecroft, and this is my eldest son, David.”

Another man came into the room and laughed softly. “So this is the intruder you caught. Scary little thing, isn't she?”

Phyllis shook her head. “This is my youngest son, Jefferson.”

“Jeff,” he replied he approached and held out his hand.

Before she could explain, David grabbed his brother's hand. “She is injured, Jeff.”

He looked over his shoulder. “Where are the paramedics?”

The security guard pushed a button on his earpiece and listened for a few seconds. “On their way, sir. ETA 2 minutes.”

Could this get any worse? I swallowed. How could I possibly explain about not having any money when I was surrounded by people who didn't know what it was to be poor?

The door opened, and two paramedics entered holding their kits in one hand and a stretcher in the other.

I held up my hand. “No, please.”

David came closer and put his hand on my leg, above my ankle. “Are you afraid?”

I frowned. “Of course not. It's just that...,” I pressed my lips closed.

Phyllis stepped up. “Everyone out. Come on, boys there is a lady that needs attention.”

Without a word, the two men left me with their mother and the two paramedics.

Phyllis held my uninjured hand as they prodded my bruised body.

“Okay, miss you are going to have to take a ride with us. We need to get X-rays on your ankle and hand to make sure you don't have any broken bones.”

“But,” I wanted to protest.

Phyllis cut me off. “Excellent idea, you cannot be too careful when it comes to hands and feet.”

I know she meant well.

I pulled her closer. “I cannot afford it. Please, I just want to go home. I will be okay.”

She waved her other hand and motioned to the paramedics to put me on the stretcher.

“Let's not worry about that. You need to get well first.”

I couldn't help the groan when they lifted me onto the stretcher, covered me in a blanket and strapped me in from shoulders to ankles.

“What's wrong?”

“Fell on my butt,” I whispered. It was hard keeping the tears at bay. How am I going to pay for all this?

To my utmost surprise, Phyllis went with me into the ambulance, still holding my good hand.

“Why are you doing this?”

She smiled and patted our hands. “Because you need help. Stop stressing so much, everything will be okay.”

Read from the start here

Linzé's Mischief: 26 June 2016

Art weekend did not turn out quite the way I planned. Firstly, I underestimated the amount of time I would have available - way too much laundry. Another factor that I didn't anticipate is the paper I chose for the project. I don't think it is quite the quality I need - the dust from the pastels keep sticking to the paper, making it difficult to remove without messing with the painting itself.

I wanted to do the entire painting with pan pastels, but the yellow in the set is the wrong tone, and the set does not contain white to blend with the yellow. I am reluctant to blend it with another pastel, since the texture of the pastels are not the same.

I did manage to make some progress, but there is much more to do before the project will be finished.

With the excitement of the feedback I have been getting from the editor of my non-fiction book, I completely forgot to post Chapter 2 of The Billionaire Baritone last week. *facepalm*

To make up for my inattention, I have already scheduled two chapters for the coming week. Chapter 2 will be live tomorrow, and Chapter 3 on Thursday as planned.

Hopefully, things will be back on track for the coming weeks.

Preliminary Book Cover Design

July introduces another Camp NaNoWriMo and I have already done the necessary planning for a new cozy mystery series - Tai Chi Mysteries - with Li-Ana Baker as the sleuth who has to apply her wits to help her assistant stay out of jail in the first book.

I will finish the Nations of Peace fantasy romance series (there are several more books to come) before adding another spin-off from that in a new series. Since it will be a while before that happens, I am keeping the rabbit in the hat.

I have two vampires calling my name to finish their story, so I will love and leave you until next time.

Linzé

Book Review: My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari

Amazon link

I volunteered to review this book with some trepidation since I didn't like another book written by the same author. Boy, was I surprised...in a good way.

This is not a romance, it is a love story. Love as the definition of more than the relationship between husband and wife, between lovers. The relationships in this book are complicated and such a reflection of the issues of real life, that you cannot help but being drawn into their problems.

This is no boy-meets-girl, overcome some issue and live happily ever after story. It a story that explores the pain and uncertainties of suppressed needs, deep-seated guilt, the dictates of society and family expectations.

Meet Nirvaan, Simeen's husband. A character portrayed with such a zest for life that at times you forget that he is struggling with cancer.

Meet Zayaan, Nirvaan and Simeen's best friend. The third of their trio who enters their lives after a long absence. An absence that is shrouded in secrets, pain, and uncertainty. While they need each other, the three friends struggle to resurrect their deep connection amidst their physical attraction, their families, and Nirvaan's looming demise.

Lastly, there is Simeen who is the center and the point of view character of the story. The reader lives through her struggles as she tries to please everyone, despite her own wishes, and battles to find the courage to stand on her own two feet. The reader learns the secrets of her nightmares and the journey she is on to find peace and strength amongst people who judge her harshly. She learns that relationships are more complex than what they first seem and that love, friendship and support often come from unexpected people.

The story is a painful journey of dealing with the past, struggling with the present and learning to form real relationships to face the future.

The author handled the intricacies of all the relationships with a sensitive hand. The problems in all the relationships were there, but not overwhelming the main story between the three friends. The story is emotional and touching. The bedroom scenes were well written, and the reader experiences Simeen's emotions with her, good and bad.

Some scenes in the story were a bit long, but it was not a struggle to read the entire book. Be prepared to giggle, to cry and live with a bunch of amazing characters for twenty chapters and finding real love in all its forms. Overall it was a book well worth the time, and I will gladly recommend it to anyone who will appreciate a literary love story.

My rating of My Last Love Story by Falguni Kothari

Linzé's Mischief: 19 June 2016

Indulging in editing snacks has paid off! Okay, not the snacks because those chocolate chip cookies are way too decadent for my waistline. While I had my fair share of the chocolate decadence mentioned, I also did the work: editing. Negotiating the Maze, my first non-fiction book, is now with the editor in charge of making my words look good.

Even the cover design made the deadline before the manuscript. I am so bad...where is my cookie!

And yet cookie indulgence notwithstanding, I am now back to the weight I was before my mother passed away. I never thought myself to be a comfort eater (more of a keeping my mouth busy while my hands are typing or holding a book, kind of eater) but it would appear that under some circumstances I do comfort eat.

But I dropped the 5kgs again, and now I am looking forward. I won't say to the next weighing, but yeah, I am a work in progress. July is going to be a real challenge with Camp NaNoWriMo coming up again, and snacking forming such an essential component of my writing. But I can, and I will make the target - word count and weight.

In celebration of the completion of my book (professional editing feedback notwithstanding) and meeting the first target of my weight-loss, I will be indulging in creating some art in the coming weekend. I might even make it an art week since my focus in July will be on writing the first book of a new mystery series, Open the Door to Murder.

I am still committed towards my 2016 resolution of doing more art, in practical terms that means one weekend each month, but writing remains my first choice.

The coming week will my third week using the Bullet Journal technique to help me plan my days. So far so good. To be honest I think the technique has helped me to finish the editing of Negotiating the Maze, a task I really don't like. But I got it done. I am hopeful that future editing projects (and that future starts this coming week for editing of Waiting for Adrian) will also be more productive as a result of using a Bullet Journal.

And so I wish you a productive week, my friends. Stay away from the cookies...they are mine! 😈

PS: There is another book review up tomorrow. If you like contemporary/romantic literature, you might like this book. Cheers!

THE BILLIONAIRE BARITONE

Amethyst loves music and enjoys hip-hop dancing to spice up her dull and dreary life. But one evening on her way home from dance class, she hears a voice that drew her away from her route.

Caught in the act of eavesdropping, her life is about to change in a way she has never foreseen.

♥︎

David didn't quite know what to do with the beautiful trespasser, but when he learned that she was injured, taking care of her was the only solution.

Little did he suspect that she was about to take care of his lonely heart in return.

CHAPTER 1

It was dark, but not late. I readjusted my backpack and tried not to put too much weight on my left ankle. Stupid kid, I thought not for the first time. Although at the time I had used much stronger language to express the pain when a fellow dancer misjudged his turn and kicked my ankle.

Hip hop wasn't a dance known for its gentle movements. I winced as pain shot up my leg once more. I stopped and rested my hand on the wall of the bridge. Taking deep breaths, I waited for the pain to pass. It was only a bruise, but it still managed to hurt like a bitch.

A breeze started up and floated around me. I canted my head. What a beautiful voice!

Ignoring the pain now I walked as fast as I could to get past the wall blocking the sounds from the city.

There it was again. A rich, dark baritone. I closed my eyes and lifted my head to determine the direction of the music.

Without even thinking that I had to work tomorrow and still had some way to go to get home, I opened my eyes and followed the sound.

A few hundred meters down the road the sound no longer drifted. I could see a house with what looked like an open theatre at the back and side of the property.

On the stage was a man dressed in a suit. His face was cast in shadows, but it was him. Shivers ran down my spine at the notes he sang. I pulled a face. Opera wasn't my favourite music, but I couldn't see him singing anything else with that incredible voice.

As a rock 'n roll bunny, I had no idea if he was a famous opera singer or not, but I didn't want to leave.

I moved as close to the edge of the theatre as I could, but staying in the shadows. I would hate to disturb that performance in any way. I closed my eyes once more and just listened.

How long I sat there, I didn't know. So caught up in the emotions in his voice, I screamed when I felt a touch on my shoulder.

I jumped up and screamed again when my injured ankle gave way under my weight.

I looked up at a tall guy in a uniform. He was holding a torch and backed up a few steps. He crouched, fortunately keeping the light on the ground and not on my face.

“Ma'am,” he said, “are you okay?”

I frowned and tried to get up. My ankle hurt but so did my ass and right hand. I must have fallen on a rock or something.

“What do you want?” I asked feeling distinctly stupid and hurt.

He held up both hands, making the torch light flash over his face. “This is private property ma'am, and you are—”

“Almost trespassing?” another voice added.

I stumbled but managed not to fall this time. This has turned out to be a nightmare of a day.

“I am sorry,” I managed, “I didn't mean...I will go...sorry.”

“Please wait,” the second man spoke up. The first seemed to have faded into the background.

I tried a miserable smile and hitched my backpack higher on my shoulder. “I am okay, really. Sorry for being a bother.”

It was hard, but I managed to walk without crying out in pain. How the hell I am going to walk all the way home, I didn't know.

A warm hand touched my arm. “Please, don't leave. You are hurt.”

I stopped and turned around. He had a point, but I was wary. I didn't know him from Adam, and a girl couldn't be too careful these days. I had already been stupid enough not to go straight home.

He stepped back and nodded to the security guard that had appeared again. “We are not going to harm you. I know you are scared, but please let us help you. At least let me call a paramedic.”

It set off a different bell of panic in my head. “It's okay. Really, I am fine.”

I shifted my weight to my other leg. My hand hurt, but the thought of medical bills on my already small income, made me head hurt.

I heard a radio crackle for a moment before more people arrived. Amongst them was a woman.

“David,” she started, “what on earth are you scaring this young woman for? Can't you see she is hurt?”

The man, David, turned towards her. “I am trying to help her, Mother, but I cannot force her to accept my help.”