April Update
Apr 08, 2024 5:51 pm
Hey y'all!
Happy Spring! For those of you who are new to my newsletter, welcome! I appreciate you joining me in this journey! I have exciting news to share as well as books you should read from my author friends.
What's going on?
Tangled Reverence is done! Yay! It's been through edits and proofing and I'm uploading it to hopefully have paperbacks in my hand on release day, May 2, 2024. I had so much fun writing Cyrus and Atarah. Those of you who aren't new to my writing already know to expect the steam to go along with the story.
Patreon and Ream subscribers have already read it and I'm hearing good things from them about it. So, I'm really excited for you to read it as well.
Keep reading for the full Prologue in this email.
If a little taste isn't enough for you, then sign up for my Patreon or Ream stories and you can have the inside scoop on this story along with my current and future projects. Subscription tiers begin at $5 monthly. Join the discussion and receive exclusive advanced content today.
https://reamstories.com/dariemccoy
https://patreon.com/DarieMcCoy
Writing update
While I'm waiting for TR to go live, I've turned to another collaborative story scheduled for release on August 1, 2024. I've joined Imani Jay and a group of other awesome authors in the Book Boyfriend Series. The official announcement will be coming soon. However, I'm sharing it with you now.
Do you remember Jerricka from Christmas Candy and more recently Draft Pick Season III? Well, she's the heroine in this sexy novellette. The hero, Thiago, is new to my writing world, but I think it won't the the last time we see him. đ
What's next?
I'm traveling to Denver for Readers Take Denver on from April 18-21, 2024. It's a massive event with thousands registered to attend. It's a great opportunity to connect with readers as well as network with other authors, influencers and industry experts. I'll have the highlights for you in my next newsletter.
Thank you for rocking with me!
Until next time, happy reading! Keep scrolling below for another sneak peak of Tangled Reverence as well as some awesome book recommendations and free downloads!
If you haven't had a chance to read the Newsletter Exclusive bonus scenes and epilogue, click the button below to get your free copy.
Tangled Reverence: Preacher's Kid Series
Pastor Atarah Cox and President of the Church Board, Cyrus Lauder, are like oil and vinegar. Mixing them together could be great, but it will take a great deal of work. They each have their own ideas about how things should function at Harmony Haven. Of course, they both think their own way is the right way.
For the past two years, theyâd managed to maintain a professional distance, despite the heat simmering between them. That is until said heat boils over. The two find themselves in a compromising situation, which forces them to join together to maintain their reputations.
They strike a bargain to save their positions within the church. But will it be enough? Will their heat blaze until it erupts into a full-fledged fire? If not, their reverence could remain forever tangled.
The Glassmaker's Helper
Rylan is a Glassmaker. One whom the goddess has chosen to proclaim the special gifts, blessings, she bestows on special persons within the realm.
Ophelia was born under a prophecy. One which said her blessing would one which hadn't been given in millennia.
Only Rylan is able to read the sparks and declare her blessing. But once he does, he's not willing to let her just walk away.
Draft Pick Season III: Denzel
Denzel Reyes went from breaking records in the NFL to breaking barriers in boardrooms and on camera as a sports analyst. What he can't afford to break is the heart of the woman who stole his...Dominique Truman.
Dominique is accustomed to breaking barriers. A super star on the rise, she's kicking down doors previously closed to actresses who look like her. Plus-sized. Dark skinned. With natural hair. She has no plans to become one of Denzel's many conquests, but Mr. Reyes has other plans.
Fingertips: A Courageous Love Novel by Terreece M. Clarke
A rising executive and her boss's new client - a heated workplace romance that goes deeper than one night.
In the heart-stopping fourth installment of the Courageous Love series, Selene Whitaker's carefully curated life is thrown into comical then deadly chaos when her one-night stand is revealed as Jacob Q. Fox, her boss's new client.
A consummate professional and dedicated personal assistant, Selene has built her quiet, predictable life from the ashes of her wild, dark youth. She owes it to her estranged family to keep her head down and her passions under lock and key, but her boss's new client makes her ache for freedom from her restraints.
When Fox is roped into his brother's business affairs, he welcomes the distraction as a great way to keep him from chasing after the vixen who gave him the morning-after-brush-off. What was supposed to be a routine business meeting becomes more than he bargained for when he finds himself face-to-face with his fling and hundreds of employees' well-being on the line. He is drawn to the enigmatic Selene even though her uncanny ability to read people makes him uneasy and her quiet smile renders him speechless.
As their professional and personal worlds collide, will love conquer the shadows of the past, or will dark obsessions destroy them both in this riveting forced proximity, workplace romance where she's the morally gray one?
Fake it Till You Make it by Siera London
Debbie Mason meets Lizzie Shane in this small-town romance where a burned-by-love veterinarian arranges a fake partnership with a down-on-her-luck city girl in order to save his family business.
When Amarie Walker goes for something, she goes bigâincluding starting over. Leaving her cheating ex and entire D.C. life in the rearview, she crash lands in a small town with no plan, no money, and no job. An opening at the animal clinic is the only gig for miles, no surprise considering the vet is a certified grump. If Eli Calvary ever cracked a smile, Amarie might faint on sight from shock. At least his adorable golden retriever appreciates her fabulousnessâŚand shares her love of daily treats!
When Eli took over his late fatherâs practice, he quickly discovered the clinic was facing foreclosure. So thereâs no time for social niceties, especially not flirting, even with someone as gorgeous, bubbly, and business-savvy as Amarie. Yet when Eli needs to invent an investor on the fly, itâs her name that comes to his lips.
Now, for the sake of their furry clients, Eli and Amarie hustle to save the clinic, trying to ignore the nonstop sparks between them. Because while their partnership may be fake, their connection already feels way too real.
Right (Family Secrets and Lies Part 2) by Niccoyan Zheng
A brother he betrayed... A son he denied... The woman he lied to... A family he's just discovered... Leonardo Baldi's life is one full of regret. He has a lot to make up for. It's tempting to walk away from all the upheaval he's caused. He has so much to make right. Can he correct it all and claim what should have been his? Disclaimer: Although this is a standalone, it is strongly recommended you read the Kindle Vella Left prior to reading this one.
NikkĹ by Brianna Q. Price
Fallon fell hard for the tall, quiet Ryo Watanabe only to find out that it had all been a game. Now, he made it his mission to get back the first woman to ever get under his stoic exterior, whether she wanted him or not. She'd made him a promise and he would hold her to it. As Ryo faced the challenge of earning Fallon's trust again, he delved into a journey of self-reflection, determined to confront how his past hurts had influenced his actions and were hindering his potential future with her.
Tangled Reverence Excerpt
Prologue
Pastor Atarah Cox stood behind the lectern in the pulpit of the church she dearly loved, allowing her gaze to travel over the assembled members of the congregation. Her message this Sunday was designed to convict, but also remind the membership of their first duty as believersâbeing helpers. So, sheâd preached from the Gospel According to Matthew. Specifically, on the topic surrounding why Jesus entered the temple, turned over tables, evicting the money changers, and all others who were doing business inside.
When her eyes landed on Cyrus Lauder, she noticed the firm set of his jaw beneath his neatly trimmed beard. Even if she hadnât, the rigidity in his shoulders as he sat ramrod straight in the pew was hard to miss. Unlike some of the parishioners who were visibly squirming, he was stock-still. No. He wasnât uncomfortable. He was angry. His cognac-colored eyes appeared darker as they flashed with his discontent.
Good. It was no more than he deserved for what heâd pulled with the board, luring the majority of votes to his side in favor of selling the property she wanted to renovate to further their community outreach. Smugness was unbecoming, but Atarah felt it welling inside her as she regarded the results of her convicting sermon. It was one which wouldâve made her daddy proud.
That is, if he was still speaking to her after her refusal to give up on being the pastor of her own church to settle for being a first lady and head of the Deaconess Board. Shaking away the unpleasant thought, Atarah wrapped up as normal, before going to her position at the door to shake hands as people exited the church.
She was feeling pretty good about herself when she entered her office to remove her robe and gather her things to leave. There werenât any other activities planned for the day. So, she was looking forward to stopping by her cousinâs house for Sunday dinner. Iva had sent her a message saying she was cooking Atarahâs favorite. Pork chops smothered in gravy, cabbage, sweet corn with cornbread sounded so amazing her stomach rumbled in anticipation.
As she turned from placing her robe into the closet, her breath caught in her throat. Cyrus stood framed in her doorway. His nostrils flared with his deep inhale as he stepped over the threshold, closing the door behind him.
Lifting one eyebrow, Atarah closed the closet door and stood in front of it with her arms folded. Waiting.
âJust what was that all about?â Cyrusâs normally deep voice sounded like someone had scraped sandpaper over his vocal cords.
âGood afternoon to you too, Mr. Lauder.â Unfolding her arms, Atarah crossed the room to her desk. Her reference to him as Mr. instead of Brother was purposeful. âIâm not sure I understand what youâre talking about.â
âYou know dââ Cutting off the likely curse, Cyrus squared his shoulders and lowered his voice. âYou know exactly what Iâm talking about. It was no coincidence you decided to teach that particular lesson today after what happened with the Lloyd property this past week. You did it just to goad me.â
Sniffing, Atarah reached into the left-hand bottom drawer of the desk to remove her purse. Even after no longer working in the corporate world, she wasnât able to break the habit of storing it there.
âI know itâs hard for you to believe, but I donât structure my sermons around you. I wouldnât deign to try to diminish your importance. But everything isnât about you, Cyrus Lauder.â
It was good the Lord didnât see fit to strike people down for lying on church grounds, because she wouldâve had a lightning bolt to the ass for that one.
âItâs funny you should call it a lesson rather than a sermon though. Is it because you actually learned something today? Could it be you now understand the concept of ministry?â
Looking down at her purse, she dug inside to locate her keys. She had no intention of entertaining him a moment longer. President of the church board or not, he didnât get to just show up in her office trying to chastise her about what she preached. Warmth hit her back before she was whipped around by Cyrusâs hold on her upper arm.
âExcuse you! I know you didnât just put your hands on me!â
Atarah really wished the heat flooding her body could be totally attributed to anger, but it would be as big a lie as when she told Cyrus her sermon wasnât aimed at him. His light brown eyes were shooting daggers; however, she held his gaze with fire in her own.
Removing his hand from her arm as if direct contact with her skin burned him, Cyrus leaned closer to her. He was no longer physically holding on to her, but his big body kept her trapped between him and the sturdy wooden desk.
âDonât do that.â When he finally spoke, he didnât bother to address his handsy behavior.
Atarahâs frown was pointed as she returned his glare. âDonât do what? And is it necessary for you to be this close to me? Youâd never treat a male pastor this way.â
âI wouldnât have to explain to a male pastor why we shouldnât throw money at a derelict building. He would understand how fiscally irresponsible it is to use the church funds that way.â
Atarahâs jaw dropped. The nerve of this Neanderthal. This pompous misogynist. Putting a hand up, she pressed against his chest, trying to create space between them.
âYou know what? You are completely out of line, not to mention rude. Iâm not having this discussion with you. I said what needed to be said at the meeting. If you canât handle a mirror being held up to your actions, maybe pray about it or seek therapy. Either way, this conversation is over.â
Ignoring her bid for space, Cyrus maintained his posture. Initially, Atarah was just irritated. After all, they bumped heads regularly. But, he was taking things too far this time. Pressing both hands to his chest, she used more strength to shove him back.
He didnât move. Not an inch. However, what did happen was her hands were trapped beneath his, right before his lips came crashing down on hers. What the hell? Her shock was swiftly eclipsed by the heat blazing beneath her skin.
He tasted better than sheâd imagined. Even though she regretted it afterwards, sheâd had more than one fantasy about Cyrus Lauder and the possible talents he had with the tongue currently tangling with hers.
âOh! Pastor! Brother Lauder! I didnâtâI meanâOh my!â Celiaâs jumbled words trailed off as Cyrus snatched away from Atarah.
Atarahâs fingers were still aloft when he backed away. The separation was so swift, she nearly toppled over, because she hadnât realized sheâd begun to lean on him during their kiss. In the split second it took her to fully comprehend what happened, Celia had already turned away. The slamming door was like a bucket of ice water being poured over Atarahâs head.
What had she done?
