Want a peek inside the book coming out on June 21st? It’s part of the Athena Project series, which includes these books written by the fabulous Desiree Holt, Reina Torres, Jen Talty, and Regan Black inside Elle James’s Brotherhood Protectors World!

(And yeah, I know the picture says June 28, but it’s the 21st!)

Victoria’s Six

Read an excerpt!

A hard shoulder butted against her belly, taking away her breath. Not that her adversary today had given her the full might of his movement. Still, he managed to fold her over that said hard shoulder as he straightened and swept her off her feet. As she sailed behind him, she forced herself to go with it instead of tensing in anticipation, tucking in her chin before landing. Her surrender to the move lessened the impact when her back slapped the mat.

Dragging in a deep breath, Victoria Cross gave her sparring partner a stern glare. “You could’ve warned me we were starting again.”

He arched an eyebrow.

Yeah, that had been the point. He’d wanted to surprise her and check out her moves. He’d already made his opinion of her fitness for close-in, hand-to-hand combat measures perfectly clear. If they ever faced that sort of attack, she was to let him lead. Step behind him. Let his superior size and strength take the lead. Always.

Logically, she could see the sense of it. He was an ex-SEAL, built big and tall, not an ounce of lazy flab on his muscular frame. At thirty-seven, he was still in his prime. Battle-hardened.

And dear Lord was he hard.

Shoving that thought aside, she accepted the hand he offered her and let him pull her up in front of him. “You were holding back,” she said, frowning. Something that irritated the shit out of her because it was becoming a pattern. One she was trying to break because he needed to learn to trust in her skills and abilities.

“I used an appropriate amount of force,” he said, one corner of his mouth kicking up.

That half-smile and the deliberate deepening of his southern drawl had her seeing red—he was patronizing “the little woman.” She shot out both hands, slamming them against his chest while at the same time sweeping out a foot to catch him behind the ankles.

He didn’t budge.

She’d used the same move when sparring with her last partner and had planted his butt on the mat numerous times.

Logan Tackett sighed, gripped one of her arms, and turned her, folding her into his embrace so tightly she couldn’t use her elbows to strike his gut. Further, he quickly kicked out and hooked a leg around her ankles, preventing her from stomping on his foot. He had her completely trapped and under his control.

His head lowered, and he spoke into her ear. “You done?”

Seeing as they’d already spent an hour beating punching bags and each other, she relaxed, glad none of her friends were there to see her so overmatched. They’d have laughed themselves silly. “You can let me go now.”

“You sure?” he asked, his breath stirring the hair sticking to her cheek that had come loose from her ponytail.

“We have a meeting with Jake Cogburn in the conference room,” she reminded him while gritting her teeth.

His leg released hers. His arms fell away. When he stepped back from her, she felt a stirring of cool air against her sweaty back and strangely missed his warmth. “I’m heading to the shower,” she said. “See you at the meeting.” Then she quickly moved away, trying to leave behind some conflicting feelings—irritation with herself for not meeting the moment because she’d been working hard to earn his respect and disappointment that he’d let her go.

That last realization had her shaking her head. Logan was her partner. She’d never go there. Besides, she’d noted that he tended to have some old-fashioned views about a woman’s place in this organization. He’d have been fine with her if she kept to her lane—something she’d never accept.

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1. Write a review. Seriously, even a few words about being excited to get the book or looking forward to the next one matters to the algorithm. Note: Even bad reviews count as reviews and push those books to the top of search feeds. 
2. Share what you are reading on social media. This is one of the most awesome things to see as an author. We love it when people share that they are reading our books! 
3. Have a print book and limited space? Gift it to a friend, put it in a free library, and share it with someone rather than sending it to the recycling or landfill. 
4. Join their Facebook reader groups. You get all the details, the opportunity to interact with the author(s), and other readers reading the same books you are. 
5. Like their social media pages. 
6. Comment on social media posts. Even emojis can make their day. 
7. Send a message or comment about your favorite book. Sometimes authors feel like giving up, like no one wants their books, so little comments, if you like a book, may be the difference in a series you love getting completed or pushed to the back burner in favor of another book in the author’s mind that they think people will like. 
8. Be kind. A lot of indie authors are not making 3 much less 6 figures on their books. It may take a bit of saving to get better covers, more detailed editors, etc. Everyone starts somewhere. 
9. Don’t return books. Again, most indies are not rolling in the cash. Every return hurts. Use your local library to get digital or print copies of books. It costs the time it takes to get a library card and ask the librarian to add it to the digital or physical shelf. 
10. Join an influencer, street, or advance review copy (ARC) team for your favorite authors and volunteer to read the books first in exchange for sharing on social media or leaving a review. 

💜Check out this wonderful #giftaway!💜

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➡️Buy Links:
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3oz9aGJ
Universal: https://books2read.com/rituals

Author Links:
Patreon Page: https://www.patreon.com/musesandsirens
Website: https://www.creativewritingwithdrnagle.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorCaraNorth
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/caranorthauthor/
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/caranorthauthor
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/caranorth_author/?hl=en
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20650398.Cara_North
BookBub : https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cara-north
Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/~/e/B002BLLE1U
TikTok: https://vm.tiktok.com/TTPdht9Kg1/

UPDATE: The winner is…Shelley Russell!
*~*~*

Today’s the Hump-Day Contest — because we need an excuse for one, right?

But what can we compete over? How about the best excuse to call it a week on Wednesday and create a really long weekend for yourself? It doesn’t matter if Wednesday is like every other day to you because you don’t have a job, but pretend you’ve got the most awful boss and you’re inventing the lie to end all lies and make yourself legendary to your co-workers!

Yes, that’s it! The winner with the best, most legendary lie will win a $5 Amazon gift card. And hey, if it happens to be true, you’ll have our admiration!

I’m used to accomplishing something every day. However, today, I accomplished nothing.

I’m a writer. An editor. Those are the things I do to earn a living. I work seven days a week. Because I’m self-employed, I determine my hours. I try to keep to a plan. Sometimes, like today, nothing goes according to plan.

First, I spent my morning babysitting dogs (the five little ones—they’re very yappy) to keep them quiet while my daughter ran errands and my SIL slept (he’s currently working the night shift at the local PD). When she returned home, it was only to gather the two older kids to take them into town to a blood drive. Funny story. Neither had ever given blood. The 17-year-old fainted when the tech pricked her finger for a blood test—and that was it for her. She passed right out. Wish I’d been there to see it. The same girl thinks she wants to get her first tattoo when she turns 18. Ha!

Then I headed downstairs late afternoon to try to get some little thing accomplished, but the 17-year-old had promised her mom she’d make spaghetti for dinner. She called me to ask me how to make it. Of course, I headed up to the kitchen and took over making the meatballs, browning them, making the sauce, while she boiled the noodles.

After dinner, I came downstairs, but the 8-year-old is trying to figure out things she can do to earn money this summer, so she said she’d show me how good she’d be at doing “spa work” (she’s inventive, I’ll give her that) so I let her soak my feet and scrub my callused heels. Then she gave my hands a massage, my face a facial, including a mask and a heated “eye treatment.” She even brushed my teeth! So, if you can imagine, after she’d worked on me for about an hour, my room was a mess. She did a marvelous job, so professional, but then it was time for her to shower and go to bed, so I cleaned up all the sundry products she left in my space.

So, here I am. Doing at least one little thing—getting my daily blog posted. What a day. Oh, and the 8-year-old is hired. 🙂

June 6. Do you know what’s special about this day in history?

It’s the anniversary of D-Day: June 6, 1944.

During the night, paratroopers had already dropped behind German lines to secure roads and bridges. Early that morning, a coordinated amphibious assault that would ultimately bring the end of World War II in Europe began. Have you watched the actual footage from that day? Seen the bodies on the beaches? The stalwart, and surely frightened, men traveling in their amphibious vehicles when the doors were lowered, and they ran out to try to make it across that expanse of exposed sand?

It’s gripping. Heroic. Suicidal.

That kind of courage was what it took to rid Europe of Hitler.

Wars to end all wars… What a myth. What a hope. Anyone who is sane knows the costs of this kind of war are too high.

We’re seeing that kind of courage, in real time, in Ukraine today. They surprised all of us. Really, they shame us into action and support. And yes, the cost of that support is high, but they are fighting for all of Europe, and by extension, the world, and in the bigger picture, they are showing us that this kind of war has no true winners. We can hope China takes note. There can be no concessions, and we must show our willingness to sacrifice, even if the sacrifice is only money.

Policies of appeasement and negotiation failed when attempted with Hitler. They will fail with Putin.

I wish I had something fun and uplifting for you today, but the calendar highlighted “D-Day” and I don’t think we should forget. Our freedom isn’t guaranteed. And it comes with costs. The fields and fields of white crosses expose that truth.

UPDATE: The winner is…Mary Preston!
*~*~*

©Diana Cosby 2022

As I walk through the woods, around the pond, or at the marsh, I enjoy the beauty of nature around me.  The neat thing is that I never know what bird or animal I’ll see.

I’m continually amazed at what I learn about birds.  For example, Blue Jays can mimic a hawk’s screech.

At the marsh, baby Terrapin Turtles are out and making their way to the ocean.  Turtle crossing signs are posted along some of the local marsh bordering roads.

Laughing Gulls have returned, which to me is a sign that summer is close.  If you’ve heard their cries, you understand why they’re called ‘Laughing Gulls.’

Cormorants are migrating north, with some remaining locally through the fall.  They’re quite a large bird and interesting to watch.

The kits are so cute and are growing fast.   I’ll miss watching their playful antics once they leave their den and begin life on their own.

Take care, and wishing you a wonderful summer!

Contest

***ONE winner will be drawn from everyone who posts on my guest blog post about, ‘For The Love of Nature!’ on Delilah’s blog between 5 June 2022 – 12 June 2022, and will win a signed copy of His Conquest.”

About Diana Cosby

A retired Navy Chief, Diana Cosby is an international bestselling author of Scottish medieval romantic suspense. Books in her award-winning MacGruder Brothers series have been translated into five languages. Diana has spoken at the Library of Congress, Lady Jane’s Salon in NYC, and appeared in Woman’s Day, on USA Today’s romance blog, “Happy Ever After,” MSN.com, Atlantic County Women Magazine, and Texoma Living Magazine.

After her career in the Navy, Diana dove into her passion – writing romance novels. With 34 moves behind her, she was anxious to create characters who reflected the amazing cultures and people she’s met throughout the world. After the release of the bestselling MacGruder Brothers series and The Oath Trilogy, she released the bestselling The Forbidden Series.

Diana looks forward to the years of writing ahead and meeting the amazing people who will share this journey.

God bless,

Diana Cosby, International Best-Selling Author
www.dianacosby.com
The Oath Trilogy
MacGruder Brother Series
The Forbidden Series

Social Media
Website:  https://www.dianacosby.com/
Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/978803.Diana_Cosby
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Diana-Cosby/e/B003YJ1MR4/ref=sr_ntt_srch_lnk_1?qid=1417447922&sr=8-1
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Diana-Cosby-Romance-Author-150109024636/?ref=ts

UPDATE: The winner is…flchen1!
*~*~*

I missed posting at the end of the month because 1) I forgot, and 2) I had guests! It’s still the first week of the month, so here goes…

May

May was challenging for soooooo many reasons. There was all the prep and pageantry related to the 18-year-old’s graduation, and the entire family contracted COVID—something we evaded for over two years! Folks, get your shots and boosters! We’re all recovering, although some slower than others!

Here’s what I managed to accomplish…

Work-related:

1. I completed only 2 editing projects for other authors in May!
2. I wrote eight chapters of my next book! I had hoped to finish the thing, but considering the alternative… 🙂

Health-related:

1. I fell off the Weight Watchers wagon. However, I am maintaining 25-27 pounds of my loss! I’ve been doing this since January, and am committed to going slow, so I do not view this as a failure!
2. As to physical activity, the pool finally got warm enough toward the end of the month, but COVID kept me from doing much swimming and impacted my steps.

Happiness-related: 

1. I finished the #100DayProject art challenge! I didn’t hit 100 pieces completed, but I did get to 83! Here are the last two pieces I finished…

June

Here’s me putting this out in the world…

For work-related, I plan:

1. To complete and publish Victoria’s Six on June 21st! And this one, I can guarantee will happen!
2. To complete and publish Wild Thing in June—something that’s very questionable at the moment!
3. To begin work on my next Montana Bounty Hunter story!
4. To complete 4 editing projects in June!

For health-related, I plan:

1. To get back on the Weight Watchers wagon and hope to lose at least 5 pounds, remembering: Slow is good!
2. To swim at least five days out of the week!
3. To begin some low-impact aerobics, which will include a video workout, plus, add some outdoor activities, like pool maintenance and blowing the patio. Maybe I’ll do more housework, too. (This is an old goal, but I’ll repeat it. Maybe I’ll actually do it!)

For happiness-related, I plan: 

1. To continue working on getting my art room better organized.
2. To produce something art-related at least once a week! More than that would be hard due to my work schedule!

Contest

Solve the puzzle then comment on anything you’ve read in this post. Tell me about any special summer plans or tell me what you plan to read…
Like I said, comment on anything for a chance to win a $5 Amazon gift card!

Open Contests

1. Anna M. Taylor: M is For the Million Things She Gave Me (Contest) — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
2. Saturday Puzzle-Contest, Plus More Open Contests! — This one ends soon! Win an Amazon gift card!
3. Breathing Fire! (Contest) — Win a FREE book!
4. Finding the Fun, Country-style! (Contest) — Win an Amazon gift card!
5. Gabbi Grey: Ace’s Place and Marcus’s Cadence (Contest & FREE Reads!) — Win an audiobook!
6. Lynda Rees: Heart of the Matter (FREE Read!) — Get a FREE story!