Blog Tour, Exclusive Excerpt & Giveaway: You Can Make Me: Carnival of Mysteries by R.L. Merrill

Carnival of Mysteries Novel

Journalist Cooper Harris received a dire warning from a psychic early in his career as an investigative reporter: Your curiosity will lead you to death’s doorstep. That prediction came true when he ignored instructions from law enforcement friends, and showed up to a crime scene only to become the latest victim of a serial killer. He was rescued by the man he desperately loves but denies at every turn—Detective Dennis Hamilton—and left with gruesome and debilitating injuries.

Three months later, Denny is at his wit’s end. He’s done everything in his power to help Cooper heal, but the reporter is obsessed with finding a mythical carnival that is rumored to possess some “woo woo fountain of youth and vitality.” Denny desires Cooper just as he is, but the reporter has always gotten by on his looks and investigative skills. Cooper refuses to give up hunting for answers, even if it means making a deal with the very devil responsible for his scars.

With the help of his trusted friends, and two men not of this time, Denny will fight to stop a killer from finishing what he started with Cooper, the man he has come to cherish. Cooper will have to choose between exposing the secrets of the Carnival of Mysteries, and accepting that love is more important than the truth he seeks.

You Can Make Me is the third book R.L. Merrill has contributed to the Carnival of Mysteries shared world. It can be read as a standalone, but readers will more fully enjoy the story after reading You Can Do Magic and You Can Save Me. Each book in the multi-author Carnival of Mysteries Series stands alone and includes at least one visit to Errante Ame’s Carnival of Mysteries, a magical, multiverse traveling show full of unusual acts, games, and rides. The Carnival changes to suit the world it’s on, so each visit is unique and special. Recommended for readers 18+

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While Cooper and Sam put their heads back together, finalizing their plans, I wandered out back. The days had grown warm, not quite the oppressive summer heat, but the promise was in the air. The evening was still chilly, though, only the stone surfaces remained warm after bearing the brunt of the sun’s force all day. I slipped off my shoes and let the residual warmth soak into my bare feet and just breathed. I heard the door slide open a few moments later, “Den? Hey.” Before I could turn around, he’d slipped his arms around my waist and rested his chin on my shoulder. “Hey.” I closed my eyes and reveled in the feel of his body pressed against mine. I’d thought this would never happen again. I put my hands over his and sighed. “Sam asked if we could have a girls’ night tonight, since she’s leaving in the morning. Facials, mani-pedis…she brought all the fixins.” “Good, that’s good. I’ll give you space.” He squeezed me tighter and spoke against my ear. “Thank you, because tomorrow we’ll be unsupervised…and I want to look and feel my best.” Unsupervised. That word had my libido at attention. “Cooper—” “Don’t say anything now. I want you to take the bed tonight. She and I are going to crash in the living room on the mattresses from my folks’ RV.” “But you need your rest.” “And I’ll get it. You haven’t had a full night’s sleep in a bed in months.” “I slept in a bed last night,” I said, turning to kiss his temple. “Well, I want you well rested. I’m going to need your help to jumpstart my rehab—” “You’ll have it, baby. Whatever you need.” “Good. Because I need you.” I turned in his arms to look at him, warmth filling my chest. He wasn’t saying he needed me to be his caretaker. He was saying he needed me. “You have me. You’ve always had me, and you always will.” He slid a hand around my neck and pulled me into a kiss that immediately made my knees weak. He moaned, tugged on my hair—which was longer than usual, as I hadn’t had my regular five-week fade since December—and bit down on my lower lip. He not only had me, he owned me with that kiss. It was what I wanted most, but it was also the thing that scared me the most, only second to the fear of losing him. “I want you to have me. Tomorrow. As soon as we’re alone.” “Only if you’re ready.” He exhaled with pursed lips. “I want to be. I just need to forget what I know you’ll be looking at.” “I’ve seen it all, and it only makes me love you more, Cooper.” “I can’t believe…I hate that I walked away from you. I wasted so much time. And if I hadn’t gotten hurt, I’d never know what it feels like to be loved by you.” I put my hands on his hips. “I wouldn’t have stayed away forever. I never planned for this to go on so long. I would have come for you.” Several emotions played across his face before he stepped back. “Get some rest. Maybe go for a soak. Do some stretches. I’ve waited long enough.” I grinned at him, my heart so full I could barely breathe. “I’ll be ready.”

Enter for your chance to win an ebook bundle of three Carnival books (international winner), and a signed paperback of You Can Make Me with swag (US Winner)