Today I am so pleased to welcome Allie Therin to Joyfully Jay. Allie has come to share an exclusive excerpt from her latest release, Spellbound (which I loved and am reviewing later today). You can also check out Allie’s interview with Heidi Cullinan here if you want more details on the book. Please join me in giving her a big welcome!

 

Excerpt

Rory had to fix this. He had to be gone when Kenzie arrived. His boarding house was locked tight by now and he was facing another night in the shop, but he could walk the streets until the coast was clear, and maybe Mrs. Brodigan could smooth things over for his stupid big mouth in the morning.

But before he could run, he had to lock up, or he was just rolling out the welcome mat for Hell’s Kitchen’s gangsters. He held his broken glasses on his face best he could as he scrambled to empty the cash register into the safe, to lock up the files, to cover the items that needed covering, to draw the curtains—and, most important, lock the drawer with the briefcase in it.

He was in the office yanking on his coat and newsboy cap when the shop door’s cheerful bell jangled like a funeral march.

Oh, balls. Why hadn’t he started by locking the front door?

The posh voice from the phone split the shop’s silence. “Where’s Mrs. Brodigan?”

Rory winced. Weighed his chances of sprinting to the side door. Weighed his chances of spontaneously becoming invisible. Then, with defeated reluctance, he peeked around the office’s open pocket door.

Whoa.

Standing in front of the door was the most handsome man Rory had ever seen, tall and well built, with coal-black hair, sky-blue eyes, and a frantic expression. But Kenzie didn’t seem to notice him staring as he crossed the shop in two long strides and began poking his head into every crevice, even checking behind the register.

“Excuse you,” Rory said, finally finding his voice. “This is a private shop. You can’t just—”

Kenzie was suddenly right in front of him. “Where’s Mrs. Brodigan? Don’t think of making me ask a third time.”

He towered over Rory by a head, and he had the broad shoulders and muscles of someone who did real exercise, not just moved the occasional antique lamp. His black wool coat and three-piece suit must’ve cost more than anyone in Hell’s Kitchen could make in a lifetime.

Rory tried not to sound intimidated. “She’s in bed, yeah? If she’s not asleep yet, she’s reading a novel with a cup of tea.”

“Tea? Why the—is she all right? Have you rung for a doctor?”

Rory blinked. “She’s fine. Isn’t she?” He covered his mouth. “Oh God. Is she all right?”

“You should know!”

“Why would I?”

Now Kenzie paused. “Mrs. Brodigan is unharmed? She’s not in a coma, or babbling nonsense?”

“Not that I know of,” Rory said warily. “But if she is, we should—”

Kenzie waved him quiet. His gaze swept over Rory, from the shaggy hair, to the broken glasses, to the second-hand tennis shoes. Rory had his full attention for the first time and it was enough to make him squirm. “Who are you?”


Blurb

To save Manhattan, they’ll have to save each other first…

1925

New York

Arthur Kenzie’s life’s work is protecting the world from the supernatural relics that could destroy it. When an amulet with the power to control the tides is shipped to New York, he must intercept it before it can be used to devastating effects. This time, in order to succeed, he needs a powerful psychometric…and the only one available has sworn off his abilities altogether.

Rory Brodigan’s gift comes with great risk. To protect himself, he’s become a recluse, redirecting his magic to find counterfeit antiques. But with the city’s fate hanging in the balance, he can’t force himself to say no.

Being with Arthur is dangerous, but Rory’s ever-growing attraction to him begins to make him brave. And as Arthur coaxes him out of seclusion, a magical and emotional bond begins to form. One that proves impossible to break—even when Arthur sacrifices himself to keep Rory safe and Rory must risk everything to save him.

One-click with confidence. This title is part of the Carina Press Romance Promise: all the romance you’re looking for with an HEA/HFN. It’s a promise!

This book is approximately 75,000 words

Goodreads and buy links: Goodreads | Harlequin | Carina Press | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Google Play | Apple Books | Books-A-Million


Bio

Author bio: Allie Therin is a writer and avid reader of sci-fi, fantasy, and romance. She also is, or has been, a bookseller, an attorney, a Parks & Rec assistant, a boom operator, and a barista for one (embarrassing) day. She grew up in a tiny Pacific Northwest town with more bears than people, although the bears sadly would not practice Spanish with her.

When not researching odd questions for her 1920s romance series, she loves to connect with other readers and writers. Come say hi on GoodreadsTwitterFacebook or at allietherin.com!

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