Author Alicia Dean

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly)

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

*** The game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up, so feel free to send your guesses in and comment any time during that week. In order to stay up to date on each post, follow my blog by signing up in the column to the right.

Book 1:

Training Tessa by Debra Doggett

Buy  Link:  https://www.amazon.com/Training-Tessa-Debra-Doggett-ebook/dp/B01GAF0EYK/

Find Debra Here: www.onefoolsjourney.com

Snippet A:

His voice was low and full of everything that scared her about his kind, full of everything that drove her need and her body to a panting want that curled her toes. It made her mad enough to bite.

“You’ve got trouble and I’m the one you come to?” She folded her arms across her chest and looked him up and down with a sneer. “From your reaction, I guess I came to the right place.”

“And you can go straight back out the door you came in too.”

“Not until we talk.” She cocked her chin up.

Snippet B:

As his hand slid over her shoulder, his fingers nudged her dress down, letting the fabric glide to the top of her dress, though careful not to expose her. He leaned in close, and for a moment she thought he might kiss her. Then his fingers dipped below her bodice to caress her breast and her breath caught in her throat. She could not find words to protest, couldn’t make her mouth move to tell him to stop. He removed his fingers and she sighed.

Snippet C:

“So now you propose that I strip my clothes off and let you have at me with all the skill your people devote to

such things?”

He paused to stare at her. Something twinkled in his eyes that was part lust and part amusement. “And is that what you think I want to do with you, have at you?”

She folded her arms across her chest. “Of course. That’s the reason we’re in this godforsaken place, so that you can get your hands on me and dazzle me with the supposed skill you have in luring women into your bed.”

Book 2:

Lily and the Gambler by Linda McLaughlin

Buy Link: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B01MYMEKMD/

Find Linda Here: http://lindalyndi.com

Snippet A:

Cupping her chin, he stared at her, his eyes full of half promises. “Oh, hell, I may get my face slapped for this, but…” His hand moved to the back of her neck as he lowered his head and captured her lips in a kiss that stole her breath away.

For a moment, she closed her eyes and gave herself up to the kiss. Then a door slammed somewhere in the house, reminding her of where they were. She pushed him away. “How dare you?”

He gave her a lazy grin. “What’s that old saying? Nothing ventured, nothing gained?”

Snippet B:

A laugh burbled up from her throat and her cheeks warmed at the reminder of his kiss. She hadn’t expected such a romantic gesture from him. It wasn’t as if he were born a gentleman. Perhaps she needed to change her assumptions. She’d expected boorishness from him simply because of his birth, not taking into account that he’d been educated in the same schools as her brother. She’d best start thinking of her prospective bridegroom as a social equal.

Lud, was she such a snob?

Snippet C:

Scant minutes later, Mr. Chaplin led her outside to a closed traveling carriage standing in the inn yard. He must be a gentleman of some means, she mused, to have his own carriage. He supervised the loading of their luggage then held out his hand to help her into the carriage. As she stepped up, the wind caught her veil and blew it upwards. For a second she had a clear glimpse of his startled face.

He had seen the bruise.

Book 3:

Prey for Me by TR Fischer

Buy Link for Prey For Me: https://www.amazon.com/Prey-Me-Colorado-Tempest-Book/dp/099649362X

Find TR Here: www.TRFischer.com

Snippet A:

“Enrique, this is Skylar.”

A man behind the counter got to his feet. Not the same sandy blond from the day before. This guy had dark hair, darker eyes. His yesterday-morning shadow was split by a brilliant smile that probably got him whatever he wanted whenever he wanted it. Gorgeous.

Suddenly the smile fell away and his golden-brown face darkened like the sky in a sudden summer storm. Skylar’s steps faltered at the onslaught of black emotion that emanated from this man. She blinked, filled her lungs, struggling to make sense of it. A set-up gone south?

Enrique said nothing.

Snippet B:

Patrick crouched behind Lacy in the open cargo area behind the driver’s seat. The muzzle of his gun jabbed the nape of her neck. She followed his commands until she neared the end of Center Street. They were headed out of town. Her gut told her not to go. But her gut didn’t have a solution for the weapon aimed at her brain stem. On the other hand, if she did as he said, she would end up dead. Or worse.

As Lacy ferried herself closer to that fate, fear somehow gave way to reason. Why wait? And why give Patrick the reins?

Snippet C:

“Hello.” Tara wanted to say more but her brain shorted out. This guy was not from Pine View. He looked like he’d stepped out of a magazine. Rugged and clean-cut at the same time. His wavy blond hair was longer than most businessmen wore theirs, but his jeans and button-down shirt weren’t the kind a laborer could afford. They looked as though they’d been tailored to fit. His sleek leather jacket probably cost more than she made in three months. Must be a tourist who took the wrong exit.

He flashed a slightly crooked smile that made her breath catch.

Happy Friday and welcome to my weekly contest –

Below you will find three different books, by three different authors, and beneath each, you will find three different short excerpts. Only one excerpt is from the listed book. Using the form at the bottom of the post, enter your guesses as to which excerpt is correct for each book. Once a month, I will draw a name from all those who attempt a guess on this game, AND on my Facebook SpotaLie game (check it out here: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorAliciaDean/) The winner will receive a $25 Amazon gift card. Each week, the first person to guess all 3 correctly receives an additional entry. (TIP: Click on each link and read the blurbs for a better chance at guessing correctly)

In addition to filling out the contact form, we’d also love it if you would comment, whether it is about your guesses, the books, the authors, etc. Have fun!

Terms and Conditions: No purchase necessary to win. There is no limit on how many times one entrant can win. You do not have to guess correctly to be entered in the monthly drawing.

*** Normally. the game runs from the day it’s posted through the following Friday morning when the next post goes up,. However, since we are approaching the end of the month, this week’s game will only go through Tuesday, January 31, 2017. I will announce a monthly winner from entrants to this and my SpotaLie Facebook game on Wednesday, February 1, 2017. Good luck!!

The winner of last week’s extra giveaway of a $5 Amazon Gift card is…Elf! Congratulations! Please contact me at Alicia@AliciaDean.com to claim your prize!  AND….Elf was also the first to guess all three snippets correctly, so she wins an additional entry in the January contest!

Book 1:

A Year of Light and Shadows by Helena Fairfax

Buy  Link: (ONLY 99 cents!) https://www.amazon.com/Year-Light-Shadows-anthology-ebook/dp/B01MFB15C2/ 

Find Helena Here:  https://helenafairfax.com/

Snippet A:

‘I think Paul’s in love with you.’
‘What?’ Kate sat up straight, her disbelief ringing round the room. ‘Are you crazy? In love! He’s so damn polite and stiff. In fact, he’s so bloody polite it’s intimidating. You’ve got it way, way wrong.’ She shook her head vehemently, staring at Orla. Her friend was normally so astute about people.
‘I’ll leave you to read it.’ Orla stood. ‘Tell me then if I’m wrong.’ .

Snippet B:

I arranged myself on his warm shirt, legs bent, hugging my knees. Léon stretched his sun-browned legs in front of him and leaned back against the cliff. His warm skin smelled of the sea. Although he’d barely spoken, I had the impression still that he was filled with a pent-up joy. I, too, was bursting with rapture. The shining sea, the warmth, and above all, Léon beside me made it almost impossible to organise my thoughts. I tried to calm the fluttering starlings, keeping my gaze away from his warm, damp limbs and resolutely on the waves.

Snippet C:

‘You know you can stay.’
She thought she detected a tremor in his voice. She lifted her head swiftly to find his eyes steady on hers. The light had been falling gradually, dusk seeping slowly through the kitchen window. The flickering candles gave Jean-Luc’s face a sepia glow that lit Sophie from within with a sudden rush of warmth. Filled with wild longing, she leaned forward. Jean-Luc reached across the table to take her face in both his hands, trapping it there.
‘Stay with me.’

Book 2:

Immortal Savior by J.G. Sauer

Find J.G. Here: https://www.facebook.com/JG-Sauer-145724772218876/ 

Snippet A:

God, she couldn’t breathe. Exhaustion threatened to drop her in her tracks, her lungs burned with it. Perspiration ran down her face in rivulets, mixing with mascara and stinging her eyes. But she didn’t stop running, couldn’t afford to slow her pace for one instant.
The tall, thin, smartly dressed woman darted up the deserted backstreet; her stunning Jimmy Choo’s tapping out a wild tattoo on the cement as she raced along. She took time only to send a frantic glance over her shoulder through the darkness every few seconds. Yes, she knew better than to stop moving.

Snippet B:

Their eyes met, and she strolled toward him slowly, taking her time and gauging his mood. She stepped right up into his personal space and paused for a full ten seconds, drawing out the tension that was beginning to simmer. “Do you know what I’d really like right now, Evan?”
She ran her tongue around her lips—which grabbed his undivided attention—and smiled inwardly.
He adopted a casual stance, but continued to stare at her lips. “Not a clue what you want. Enlighten me.”
Liar, she thought. Surprise dawned briefly on his face when she leaned in closer and whispered, “My car keys.”

Snippet C:

Eyeballing the shirt she was wearing—his shirt—that ended well above her knees, he ran his tongue over his teeth. Raising his eyes, their gazes met. The look he gave her had her pulse picking up speed.
“Nice shirt,” he said, strolling toward her. When he reached her, he lifted her chin with a finger and settled his lips on hers. “What do you have on underneath it,” he murmured against her lips as his other hand began to gather the shirt material against her leg.
“Not a thing,” she replied, melting into him and returning his kiss.

Book 3:

The Captain and the Cheerleader by Elaine Cantrell

Find Elaine Here:  http://www.elainecantrell.com/

Snippet A:

Susan finished her soft drink and tossed the can into a nearby recycling bin. “I could make Kurt ask me out if I wanted to.”
“Yeah? Prove it. Get him to ask you out. I’ll bet you fifty dollars you can’t do it,” Robin taunted. “All he’s interested in is football.”
Melissa Taylor, Susan’s best friend, cleared her throat. “How long would she have to get the date?”
“Two weeks ought to be enough for an old pro like Susan.” Robin snickered as her gaze swept around the lounge. “Would the rest of you like to get a piece of the action?”

Snippet B:

Scooping up a handful of pebbles, she made her way down the wall. The last pebble didn’t drop where she wanted, so she stooped down to pick it up. Something promptly bit her. Bit her and latched on to her ankle and refused to let go. Snake!
Shrieking, she ran toward the front yard. Oh, thank goodness! Cade was in the front yard. “Snake,” she screamed. “It’s eating me alive.”
Cade’s face blurred as she streaked past him. “Aimee!” he yelled.
The snake bit harder. Aimee howled and ran faster, making circles in the yard. This time Cade tried to grab her as she rushed past him. “Help me!” Aimee screeched.
Cade took off after her, but Aimee put on an extra burst of speed when the snake bit her again. He finally brought her down not far from where they’d tied the horses. It scared Princess, who jerked her reins free and galloped away.
“Snake,” Aimee panted. “Get it off.”
Cade rolled onto his back and laughed. And laughed and laughed. “It’s a briar, not a snake.”

Snippet C:

She wasn’t alone in the bedroom. She saw a shadowy
figure silhouetted against the drapes, and Julianna supposed he must have made a noise that wakened her.
She broke into a cold sweat. Should she scream or pretend to be asleep? She quickly made her decision as the figure approached the bed. “Buck, help me,” she screamed.
She had hoped that the noise would frighten the attacker away, but instead he crossed the room in two big strides and grabbed her. Julianna struggled mightily, but the bedcovers hampered her, and the intruder was a strong man.