Release Blitz - Unfriend Me by Marika Ray

 

Title: Unfriend Me

Series: Jobs From Hell #3

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: September 23, 2020

BLURB

It’s hard to tell your best friend you’re in love with her when she’s busy dating everyone but you.

Amelia
I’ve been called a smart-mouthed, tattooed firecracker with a penchant for running straight into trouble, but after coming off the worst break up in history, all I want is to get my life together. No more trouble, no more surprises.

So when my best friend changes the rules on me, I’m not sure how to react. Though my body sure knows how to react seeing him without his shirt on. Where did all those muscles come from? And when my ex comes back to town to wreak havoc, my lofty plans go right out the window.

Titus

I fell in love with Amelia in the sixth grade when I pulled her off another girl in a hair pulling fight. And she put me directly in the friend zone. We’ve been through everything together from ER trips after skateboarding mishaps to fighting off a peacock with a mean streak. But the one thing I’ve never told her is how I really feel. Now that Amelia is single again, it’s time to make my move. But Amelia has never gone down without a fight involved, and this will be no different.

Either she’ll fall in love with me like I hope, or Amelia will unfriend me forever.

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EXCERPT

I stepped closer to the window, seeing our overflow dirt parking lot. And then my gaze slid left where I saw Titus standing by a huge pile of wood and drywall that he’d ripped out of the guest room. His T-shirt was off and there was a healthy dose of sweat dripping down his torso. He twisted off the cap to a water bottle and chugged the whole thing, his Adam’s apple working to hypnotize me. When was the last time I’d seen him without a shirt?
Because that? That specimen with six-pack abs and a chest you could bounce quarters off of wasn’t the Titus I remembered. He’d always been lanky, which made sense, given his extraordinary height. And he’d always had muscles because he was athletic in school and his job required strength. But holy wow. What the hell had happened over the last year?
My nose hit the cold glass and I jumped back, rubbing it as I pondered the changes in Titus when I hadn’t been looking. The steady hum in my gut also gave me pause. Was that...lust?
My brain screamed at me to walk away and quit staring at him, but my body was having nothing of it. We were gonna pull up a chair and stay for the show for as long as the show lasted. Better yet, why not go out there and see it up close?
Good judgement had always been a weak spot in my character, but I never shamed myself for it. I went with impulses, so what? Sometimes they worked out great. Other times, not so much. But the way I figured it, you never got some excitement in your life unless you made the leap. And right now, I wanted some excitement in the form of a half-dressed Titus. I’d worry about what it all meant later. Much later.
“Yo, T!” I hollered as soon as I turned the corner outside and stepped off the blacktop onto the dirt.
Titus swiped the sweat from his forehead with his bulging bicep. His face lit up in an easy smile when he saw me. “Hey, Lia. Almost done here.”
I sauntered over, not looking where I was going. “Yeah, I see that.”
There was a bead of sweat sliding down right between his pecs. A fascinating journey of bumps and valleys.
A throat clearing had me looking up. Titus had a playful look in his eye, his mouth tugging into a smile. “Are you undressing me with your eyes, Amelia Waldo?”
I guess I was, but he didn’t have to call me out like that. “Are you kidding me? You can’t walk around half-dressed and then blame a girl for looking. If I was half-dressed, wouldn’t you be looking at me?”
Titus took a giant step forward and flicked the collar of my shirt. He didn’t even touch me, but I could feel it all the way to the tips of my toes.
“Hell, yeah, I would. I’d ogle you until my eyes bled.” His gaze flicked down the length of my body and suddenly I needed to squeeze my thighs together.
“Are we actually doing this? We’re flirting? You and me?” I whispered it, afraid to say it too loud. Like the volume of my voice would make it something real I couldn’t take back.
Titus shrugged slow and lazy, his eyes heating further. That finger still toyed with my shirt. If he didn’t stop, I might melt into a puddle at his feet.
“I don’t see why we shouldn’t. You’re hot, I’m hot. Kind of makes sense to flirt.”
I smirked. “Wow. Nice ego you got there.” I studied him seriously. “You don’t worry about harming our friendship?”
Titus’s eyelids slid down and I wondered what it would be like to kiss him. He had to be a good kisser after kissing the entire female population of Auburn Hill.
“Sometimes friends make the best lovers.”

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AUTHOR BIO

Marika Ray spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy.

Marika enjoys writing all types of fiction novels, based on what inspires her. Right now she's working on a new steamy RomCom series along with sweet romances to make your heart explode. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

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Release Blitz - Uber Bossy by Marika Ray

Title: Uber Bossy

Series: Jobs From Hell #2

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: May 21, 2020

Blurb

Number one rule of ride sharing as a female driver? Don’t fall for the mysterious man riding in the backseat.

Lenora
I came across crazy people on the daily giving rides to strangers for a living. I carried pepper spray and I wasn’t afraid to use it. But one gorgeous male in a fake mustache and a story he wasn’t willing to share, and I was ready to climb in the backseat to peel his layers. He’s a distraction I don’t need as I graduate online college and try to get my first professional job so I can move out of my parents’ house before I’m thirty. I’m so close to realizing my dreams I can taste it.

Jayden
I should have never hit on my driver. Even if she was the hottest thing I’d seen in cutoff jean shorts in maybe forever. I wasn’t in Auburn Hill for personal reasons and getting involved with the locals came ill-advised as I set up my new business. I probably shouldn’t know she curses like a sailor in bed considering I wind up interviewing her for a position in my company. Now I’m thinking of all kinds of positions I can put her in. Maybe she’ll settle for being an employee with benefits…
But none of that matters now. Because I fired her.

In front of the whole town.

On her first day.
Pretty sure there’s no coming back from that.

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Excerpt

“So you’re telling me that I’m sleeping with the guy who might be my potential boss, while applying to be the head sex toy maker in some sort of twisted Santa’s workshop company in the small, conservative town I grew up in as the pastor’s daughter?”
Jayden’s lips twitched. I knew that look. It was his look when he found something hilarious, but was trying to act stoic. Usually it set my panties on fire, but not now. Not when I had such hopes and dreams for this job. Not when the situation was so ridiculous it couldn’t be salvaged.
“Essentially, yes.”
I threw my hands in the air. “Oh, well, then in that case. Great. Sign me up.”
His eyes narrowed. “Are you being sarcastic?”
Mine narrowed right back at him. “Are you being purposefully obtuse?”
The lips twitched again. “That’s kind of my MO if you haven’t noticed.”
I sighed long and loud.
“Need a hug?” Jayden asked innocently.
I jumped to my aching feet. “No! I need a goddamn job!”
Jayden jumped up too, sending his chair flying into the wall behind him. “Great! Run my company and I promise I’ll pay you extremely well.”
I grasped the top of my head with both hands. “You don’t get it. We’re sleeping together.”
Jayden came closer, the walk of those approaching a wild animal. “I know. And it kind of freaks me out too, but I trust you, Nora. After last night I was thinking about what you said. How I overcame the issues with my ex, but really, I haven’t. I haven’t learned to trust again, but with you…well, I finally want to trust again.” His hands cupped my face and my knees went wobbling again for an entirely different reason.
“We’ll sign contracts and non-disclosures and all kinds of things to protect us both, but take this job, Nora.”
His gaze bore into mine, begging me to take the job and the man. More than anything I wanted to say yes and celebrate by peeling that suit off Jayden one piece at a time like a Christmas present. I mean, really, how perfect was this whole situation? I got a man who set my soul on fire AND a dream job marketing a brand-new company?

Also Available

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Author Bio

Marika Ray spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy.

Marika enjoys writing all types of fiction novels, based on what inspires her. Right now she's working on a new steamy RomCom series along with sweet romances to make your heart explode. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

Author Links

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Giveaway

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Cover Reveal - Uber Bossy by Marika Ray

Title: Uber Bossy

Series: Jobs From Hell #2

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Cover Design: Rachel Connolly

Release Date: May 21, 2020

Blurb

Number one rule of ride sharing as a female driver? Don’t fall for the mysterious man riding in the backseat.

Lenora
I came across crazy people on the daily giving rides to strangers for a living. I carried pepper spray and I wasn’t afraid to use it. But one gorgeous male in a fake mustache and a story he wasn’t willing to share, and I was ready to climb in the backseat to peel his layers. He’s a distraction I don’t need as I graduate online college and try to get my first professional job so I can move out of my parents’ house before I’m thirty. I’m so close to realizing my dreams I can taste it.

Jayden
I should have never hit on my driver. Even if she was the hottest thing I’d seen in cutoff jean shorts in maybe forever. I wasn’t in Auburn Hill for personal reasons and getting involved with the locals came ill-advised as I set up my new business. I probably shouldn’t know she curses like a sailor in bed considering I wind up interviewing her for a position in my company. Now I’m thinking of all kinds of positions I can put her in. Maybe she’ll settle for being an employee with benefits…
But none of that matters now. Because I fired her.

In front of the whole town.

On her first day.
Pretty sure there’s no coming back from that.

ADD TO GOODREADS

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Pre-order Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Excerpt

“Are you suggesting what I think you’re suggesting?” I asked, testing the waters.
Her lips tilted up into a blinding smile. “Why can’t friends come with certain benefits, you know?”
It was official. My pants were too tight for this conversation. Not even Red making weird noises in the back seat could put a damper on the desire coursing through my veins with just one simple question.
“Hell, yes, they can,” I breathed.
“Maybe our first course of action is finding you a babysitter. And by you, I mean Red.”
She blushed and I couldn’t help but slide one hand onto her bare thigh. “Will you wear a black skirt and put your hair in a ponytail for me?”
She squirmed. I inched my hand higher.
“Sure thing, boss,” she whispered.

Also Available

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited

Author Bio

Marika Ray spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy.

Marika enjoys writing all types of fiction novels, based on what inspires her. Right now she's working on a new steamy RomCom series along with sweet romances to make your heart explode. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

Author Links

AMAZON
BOOKBUB
GOODREADS
NEWSLETTER
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Release Blitz - Love Bank by Marika Ray

Title: Love Bank

Series: Jobs From Hell #1

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy

Release Date: February 6, 2020

Blurb

In hindsight, maybe I should have known my biggest nemesis would end up locking up my heart.

Believe it or not, running a fertility clinic in Auburn Hill, located right next to a prison, isn’t the worst thing. Nope, the worst thing is the infuriatingly sexy warden of the new prison - who doesn’t care that his newly-released inmates are stopping by my clinic on their way out of town to make a “deposit” for some quick cash. Sure, it’s his circus, but according to him, those clowns aren’t his responsibility once they walk out the door.

Until one of them pulls a gun on me in a desperate robbery attempt and I realize I have to be a little more…ahem…persuasive with the warden. Stumbling upon him in a compromising position is just the leverage I need, and I’m not above a little blackmail. Turns out, he’s not above pushing me up against the door and kissing the hell out of me either.

Adding in ex-lovers, magical goats, scheming mayors, gossiping mail carriers, a man-hating mother, and nonstop seagull shenanigans makes me realize one thing.

Don’t bank on love developing here in Auburn Hell.

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Excerpt

She pulled back abruptly and whisked the stack of paper off my desk. She slapped one of the flyers on my chest and walked back toward the door like that was the end of things.

I was getting real sick and tired of her discombobulating me like that. As a jail guard and now warden, I was used to people listening to me. I should be ending the conversation. Other people should jump to do my bidding. This role reversal was like one of those plastic tags on brand-new clothing that you accidentally leave in the fabric, causing it to scrape against your skin and lead to all kinds of irritation.

I hopped out of my chair and followed her, intent on putting my foot down like a man, while also placating her so she didn’t run to our fellow citizens and complain about me. I was dancing a fine line, but I was willing to two-step if for no other reason than to make sure Lucille didn’t get away with blackmail. Not on my watch.

As I stalked after her, I glanced down at the flyer, doing a double take when I saw the picture right smack dab in the center of the piece of paper.

“Come donate to the Coastal Fertility Bank” in all capital letters, centered over a picture of a specimen cup. But upon closer scrutiny, it wasn’t just any specimen cup. It was my specimen cup. With my goddamn name on it for all the world to see.

My feet halted their movement. Every single cell in my body flared to life with a stress signal. A state of emergency was declared inside my body, flooding my vision with a bright haze of red. My fingers tingled.

I was going to kill her.

The paper started to shake. Right before I crumpled it into my fist and tossed it to the ground. I looked up at her over by the door, seeing an entire ream of papers in her hand, all printed with my specimen cup front and center.

She cocked a hip and even with a level of anger I hadn’t felt in a very long time pulsing through my body, I noticed. I noted every little thing about her from her stiletto heels to the hair on her head that was finally down and so luscious I wanted to grab hold of it and tug.

Hard.

“Oops. It’s pretty fuzzy. I’m sure people won’t be able to make out your name. Besides, I only put them up on a few poles on Brinestone Way so far.”

She wrinkled her pretty little nose and I took a step toward her. Then another. She’d already put them up?

Her eyes widened a fraction, seeing me advance on her. She waved the flyers around confidently, like she still had the upper hand. And fuck it all to hell, she did.

I didn’t like that. Not one bit.

Another step closer and some of that confidence faded.

“What are you doing?” Her voice hitched in the middle.

Another step and she backed up quickly.

One final step to put me toe to toe with her and she reared her head back, eyes wary, cheeks flushed. Her back pressed against my closed door and she couldn’t run. The devil in me, the one she’d backed into a corner with her blackmailing schemes, stood up and announced himself the winner of this situation. All I had to do was show her I wouldn’t be messed with.

“This.”

I did what every hot-blooded male does when they’re so mad at a woman they can’t see straight.

I indulged in revenge.

My hand lifted, my fist releasing only long enough to drag my fingers through her hair and clench again, forcing her head to tip back with my forceful tug. My arm slid around her waist and in the back of my mind, I memorized the feel of her body pressed between me and the door. She gasped upon contact and I took full advantage.

My lips crashed down onto hers, their only mission to subdue and humiliate. My tongue swiped a taste of her lips and all hell broke loose. The red alert inside my body changed in an instant. Instead of wanting to eliminate her, I wanted to consume her right then and there so she’d always be a part of me. I wanted to breathe the same air and coexist in the same space as her body, just so I never had to let go of her silky skin. She fit perfectly against me, her curves smashed against my chest, her lips perfectly pliant as I explored.

A groan rent the air and I feared it was mine.

Author Bio

Marika Ray spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy.

Marika enjoys writing all types of fiction novels, based on what inspires her. Right now she's working on a new steamy RomCom series along with sweet romances to make your heart explode. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

Author Links

AMAZON
BOOKBUB
GOODREADS
NEWSLETTER
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
TWITTER
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Cover Reveal - Love Bank by Marika Ray

Title: Love Bank

Series: Jobs From Hell #1

Author: Marika Ray

Genre: Romantic Comedy
Cover Design: Rachel Connolly

Release Date: February 6, 2020

Blurb

In hindsight, maybe I should have known my biggest nemesis would end up locking up my heart.

Believe it or not, running a fertility clinic in Auburn Hill, located right next to a prison, isn’t the worst thing. Nope, the worst thing is the infuriatingly sexy warden of the new prison - who doesn’t care that his newly-released inmates are stopping by my clinic on their way out of town to make a “deposit” for some quick cash. Sure, it’s his circus, but according to him, those clowns aren’t his responsibility once they walk out the door.

Until one of them pulls a gun on me in a desperate robbery attempt and I realize I have to be a little more…ahem…persuasive with the warden. Stumbling upon him in a compromising position is just the leverage I need, and I’m not above a little blackmail. Turns out, he’s not above pushing me up against the door and kissing the hell out of me either.

Adding in ex-lovers, magical goats, scheming mayors, gossiping mail carriers, a man-hating mother, and nonstop seagull shenanigans makes me realize one thing.

Don’t bank on love developing here in Auburn Hell.

ADD TO GOODREADS

ENTER THE GIVEAWAY

Pre-order Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Excerpt

She pulled back abruptly and whisked the stack of paper off my desk. She slapped one of the flyers on my chest and walked back toward the door like that was the end of things.

I was getting real sick and tired of her discombobulating me like that. As a jail guard and now warden, I was used to people listening to me. I should be ending the conversation. Other people should jump to do my bidding. This role reversal was like one of those plastic tags on brand-new clothing that you accidentally leave in the fabric, causing it to scrape against your skin and lead to all kinds of irritation.

I hopped out of my chair and followed her, intent on putting my foot down like a man, while also placating her so she didn’t run to our fellow citizens and complain about me. I was dancing a fine line, but I was willing to two-step if for no other reason than to make sure Lucille didn’t get away with blackmail. Not on my watch.

As I stalked after her, I glanced down at the flyer, doing a double take when I saw the picture right smack dab in the center of the piece of paper.

“Come donate to the Coastal Fertility Bank” in all capital letters, centered over a picture of a specimen cup. But upon closer scrutiny, it wasn’t just any specimen cup. It was my specimen cup. With my goddamn name on it for all the world to see.

My feet halted their movement. Every single cell in my body flared to life with a stress signal. A state of emergency was declared inside my body, flooding my vision with a bright haze of red. My fingers tingled.

I was going to kill her.

The paper started to shake. Right before I crumpled it into my fist and tossed it to the ground. I looked up at her over by the door, seeing an entire ream of papers in her hand, all printed with my specimen cup front and center.

She cocked a hip and even with a level of anger I hadn’t felt in a very long time pulsing through my body, I noticed. I noted every little thing about her from her stiletto heels to the hair on her head that was finally down and so luscious I wanted to grab hold of it and tug.

Hard.

“Oops. It’s pretty fuzzy. I’m sure people won’t be able to make out your name. Besides, I only put them up on a few poles on Brinestone Way so far.”

She wrinkled her pretty little nose and I took a step toward her. Then another. She’d already put them up?

Her eyes widened a fraction, seeing me advance on her. She waved the flyers around confidently, like she still had the upper hand. And fuck it all to hell, she did.

I didn’t like that. Not one bit.

Another step closer and some of that confidence faded.

“What are you doing?” Her voice hitched in the middle.

Another step and she backed up quickly.

One final step to put me toe to toe with her and she reared her head back, eyes wary, cheeks flushed. Her back pressed against my closed door and she couldn’t run. The devil in me, the one she’d backed into a corner with her blackmailing schemes, stood up and announced himself the winner of this situation. All I had to do was show her I wouldn’t be messed with.

“This.”

I did what every hot-blooded male does when they’re so mad at a woman they can’t see straight.

I indulged in revenge.

My hand lifted, my fist releasing only long enough to drag my fingers through her hair and clench again, forcing her head to tip back with my forceful tug. My arm slid around her waist and in the back of my mind, I memorized the feel of her body pressed between me and the door. She gasped upon contact and I took full advantage.

My lips crashed down onto hers, their only mission to subdue and humiliate. My tongue swiped a taste of her lips and all hell broke loose. The red alert inside my body changed in an instant. Instead of wanting to eliminate her, I wanted to consume her right then and there so she’d always be a part of me. I wanted to breathe the same air and coexist in the same space as her body, just so I never had to let go of her silky skin. She fit perfectly against me, her curves smashed against my chest, her lips perfectly pliant as I explored.

A groan rent the air and I feared it was mine.

Author Bio

Marika Ray spends her time behind a computer crafting stories, walking the beaches of southern California, and making healthy food for her kids and husband whether they like it or not. Prior to writing novels, Marika held various jobs in the finance industry, with private start-up companies, and then in health & fitness. Cats may have nine lives, but Marika believes everyone should have nine careers to keep things spicy.

Marika enjoys writing all types of fiction novels, based on what inspires her. Right now she's working on a new steamy RomCom series along with sweet romances to make your heart explode. All her books come with a money-back guarantee that you’ll smile at least once with every book.

More information can be found at www.marikaray.com

Author Links

AMAZON
BOOKBUB
GOODREADS
NEWSLETTER
WEBSITE
FACEBOOK
FACEBOOK GROUP
TWITTER
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PINTEREST
BOOK+MAIN