Spotlight: Dream On by Stacey Keith

Deep in the heart of Texas is a small town where secret wishes have a funny way of coming true . . .
 
With a nine-year-old daughter, an overdue light bill, and a job slinging burgers while zooming around on roller skates, Cassidy Roby is not living the glamorous life. But Cuervo, Texas, has its charms: quiet streets, loving family, and the down-home familiarity of knowing which of your neighbors are mean as snakes. With Cassidy’s reputation, she knows what will happen if she steps a foot out of line. But how can she help it now that Mason Hannigan’s back in town?
 
As Cuervo’s high school quarterback ten years ago, Mason was all rock-hard abs and yes-ma’am manners. Now that he’s living the glitz and glory of the NFL, he’s all that plus a couple million bucks. The desire blazing between them is too hot to hide. Cassidy has some experience getting her heart broken by the hometown hero—and having the whole world watch her try to pick up the pieces. Will adding fame, fortune, and paparazzi be a playbook for disaster—or lead to the biggest adventure of her life?

Excerpt

Cassidy stood shivering and barefoot on her porch. No one was up this early except the Perkins boy who weaved along the sidewalk on his bike, pitching newspapers.

But the hush of morning made everything beautiful—the silver mist, the dew-covered grass, the gray light of dawn. And she knew with absolute certainty that this one moment, when her body ached so deliciously and her heart felt so full, would stay with her forever.

Behind her, she could hear Mason washing his breakfast dishes in the sink. She’d cooked for him just as though they were any other couple and this were any other morning. There he’d sat grinning up at her from the table, and she was so in love with him, her hands shook when she scraped eggs from the skillet onto his plate. Every piece of toast she buttered was his toast. Every cup of coffee she poured was his coffee. While he ate, she ran her fingers through his thick dark hair and that feeling of delirious happiness moved through her, so intense it felt like pain.

Waiting out on the porch, she heard him close the zippers on his rucksack. Last night, the sound of a zipper had driven her crazy with desire. Now, there was no lonelier sound in the world. 

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About the Author

Stacey Keith is the award-winning author of the Dreams Come True series (Kensington Books), DREAM ON, SWEET DREAMS and DREAM LOVER, in addition to A WEDDING ON BLUEBIRD WAY with New York Times Bestseller authors Janet Dailey, Lori Wilde and the talented Allyson Charles.

Twice a Golden Heart finalist, Stacey has won a Maggie, two Silver Quills, a Jasmine, a Heart of the Rockies, and over fifteen other first-place finishes in Romance Writers of America contests. 

An avid writer of fiction, nonfiction, poetry and short stories, Stacey doesn’t own a television, but reads compulsively—and would, in fact, go stark raving bonkers without books, which are crammed into all corners of the house. She now lives in Civita Castellana, a  medieval village in Italy that sits atop a cliff, and spends her days writing in a nearby abandoned 12th century church. 

The two things she is most proud of are her ability to cook pasta alla genovese without burning down the kitchen and swearing volubly in Italian with all the appropriate hand gestures. 

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Spotlight: A Merrily Matched Christmas Anthology

Unwrapping in time for Christmas 2017.

Snuggle up with new holiday favorites for a kiss under the mistletoe. From handsome strangers to second chances, this collection will keep your heart warm and toasty this holiday season! So grab some eggnog and a blanket and curl up by the fire with a sexy new book boyfriend!

Includes the following novelettes:

A Merry Matchmaker Mess by USA Today bestselling author Virginia Nelson

Veronica “Ronnie” Murray loved fixer-upper projects, and she’d never met one as challenging as her coworker, Elijah Conrad. Eli may be an absentminded and sometimes grumpy genius, but he carries a sadness in his eyes… one she knows love will cure. 

Eli isn’t looking for love, but he can’t help but notice the feisty little Ronnie’s attempts to play matchmaker. She might be his best friend’s little sister, but Ronnie has something about her… something he would like to explore, if he could get her to stop throwing women at him like snowballs.

Can these two opposites find a lifelong love from their stolen Christmas kisses?

Lovers of Christmas Past by USA Today bestselling author Ashelyn Drake

Holly Michaels loves managing the children’s center in Sapphire Springs, but she longs to have children of her own. She’s haunted by her decision to leave the love of her life after he declared he didn’t want kids.

Nick Masters never got over Holly leaving him at the altar five years ago. Now, he’s volunteered to play the part of Santa at the children’s center’s Christmas celebration to get close to Holly again.

Nick is all smiles for the little ones, but will his attitude change when it comes time to hang up his red suit for the season?

A Christmas Prayer by River Ford

Newly divorced, Lindsey leaves Idaho for the first time in her life. Abandoned by her husband, she prays that taking her two year-old daughter east to live close to family will give them both the life they deserve. Unfortunately, a car accident leaves her stranded in the middle of Wyoming. Jake's felt like something's missing for a while. He's finally turned to prayer for guidance. Almost immediately, he get's to rescue a beautiful woman and her adorable daughter.

Could love be the answer to both of their prayers?

All I Want for Christmas Is My Book Boyfriend by Beth Fred

Katie spends all of her time in the OR or re-reading about the Gypsy Eliam Monaj her favorite Regency romance hero. Who needs a real boyfriend when she has a perfect book boyfriend? But when Katie ends up on a Christmas cruise--of sorts--alone with Eledon she finds the mutual attraction hard to ignore. Still a gambling loaf is no match for a conscientious doctor. Can Katie find a real happily ever after or is she destined to live in books?

A Cowboy for Christmas by Cate Grimm

Fashionista Sarah Jayne traded in her Laredos for Louboutins and planned to make it big in New York City. But, when her life in the Big Apple falls apart, she comes home to Love, Texas.

Cody Hayes is focused on getting his family’s failing ranch patched together and sold so he can return to his wanderlust career as a journalist. He has no intention of embracing his cowboy roots and making Love his permanent home. Until he finds himself distracted by a certain sassy New Yorker who's making him think Texas roots might not be so bad.

Will Love, Texas be the perfect place for two people with wanderlust to find a happily ever after?

Merry Mismatch by Lily Vega

Stick-in-the-mud Director of Finance Aaron gets under edgy party girl Zara’s skin. His budget cuts jeopardized her project, putting her video game on the company chopping block. Inviting Zara to Windy City Gaming’s holiday retreat to pitch her project seems like the perfect solution. Aaron didn’t count on his ex-girlfriend’s quest to eliminate the competition by getting Zara fired. He must convince his ex of Zara’s value to the company, while keeping his growing attraction wrapped up tighter than a Christmas present.

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About the Author

Ashelyn Drake is a USA Today bestselling romance author. While it’s rare for her not to have either a book in hand or her fingers flying across a laptop, she also enjoys spending time with her family. She believes you are never too old to enjoy a good swing set and there’s never a bad time for some dark chocolate. She also writes speculative fiction under the name Kelly Hashway.

Kelly Hashway fully admits to being one of the most accident-prone people on the planet, but that didn’t stop her from jumping out of an airplane at ten thousand feet one Halloween. Maybe it was growing up reading R.L. Stine’s Fear Street books that instilled a love of all things scary and a desire to live in a world filled with supernatural creatures, but she spends her days writing speculative fiction. Kelly’s also USA Today bestselling romance author Ashelyn Drake. When she’s not writing, Kelly works as an editor, and also as Mom, which she believes is a job title that deserves to be capitalized.
 

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Spotlight: The Power of a SEAL by Anne Elizabeth

With over two decades of experience, Navy SEAL Leaper Lefton is bringing his expertise to young and impressionable SEAL trainees in BUD/s. As an instructor, he knows he must prepare them for all kinds of situations—and there’s a perfect opportunity for hands-on training when he spots a woman in danger in rough water. Kerry Hamilton, a marine mammal veterinarian for the U.S. Navy is beyond grateful when Leaper saves her from the rough seas, and their attraction is instant. But after everything Leaper has been through, can he truly love again? And is Kerry willing to give him the chance?

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About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Anne Elizabeth is an award-winning romance author and a popular comic creator. With a BS in business and MS in communications from Boston University, she is a regular presenter at conventions as well as a member of the Author’s Guild, Horror Writers Association, and Romance Writers of America. Anne lives with her husband, a retired Navy SEAL, in the mountains above San Diego.

Spotlight: The Chaos of Change by J.T. Riggen

A second revolution...A second civil war...New-age American heroes will rise and fall...The struggle in the new world begins.

Welcome to the imminent future: the American political gap is maximized; the individual states have begun clamoring for the disbandment of their federal government for its lack of stability; multiple power-hungry groups lick their chops at the thought of grabbing the reigns of the United States of America. And then a nation defining incident occurs, Article V of the U.S. Constitution is activated, and three sovereign territories come into existence.

But this hardly bothers Thaddeus Jackson – the son of a popular former president – who had money, fame, and a promising career in politics…until he ran away to the Alaskan wilderness to live in peace away from his family and the growing civil unrest.

What few know is that an elite group – led by Shane Wallace, Director of the CIA – has taken action. They recruit the very hesitant Thaddeus to be part of a diplomatic team tasked to negotiate the seemingly impossible peace between the liberal leaders of the North and his dysfunctional, republican family that now runs the South. The team includes Lozen Kyway, a highly-trained female agent turned bodyguard; Dr. Andreas Albrecht, a brilliant engineer and scientist who believes he’s discovered a truly sustainable, albeit dangerous, energy source; and Tomas Martinez, the former Vice President.

This elite group, and all its supporting team, will come together in a race against the clock to divert the territories away from war. New-age patriots will rise and fall, and new threats to democracy – never before imagined – will emerge from the shadows. Can the well-intentioned come together fast enough to ward off war in the states? Whose intentions are noble? Whose are full of malicious intent? Prepare yourself for an American era teeming with espionage, lies, murder, manipulation...The Chaos of Change!

Riggen's second novel, The Chaos of Change, is a new edition to the great political thriller traditions of Brad Meltzer, Barry Eisler, and Tim Tigner.

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About the Author

I grew up in a creative household. My mother was a teacher of grades 4-6 and was always in pursuit of new, inventive ways to stimulate her students' (and own children's) minds. My father was a principal with an extensive background in special education giving him a special sense for communicating in adaptive and unique ways. Growing up, we (my mother, father, brother, and sister) spent as many summers as I can remember in a quaint cabin in the northeast region of Vermont. No TV, no movies, just imagination and, literally, an old transistor radio. Story telling has been in my life for as long as I can remember, but just recently, it has become a formal passion. I love getting lost in different worlds, lost in the psyche of different characters, and slowly -- at times painfully so -- building a novel, from the first word on the page to the last.

Rest assuredly, while you read this, I have a cup of coffee in my hand, day-dreaming up another world of hopeful characters full of dark intentions, and plot lines riddled with twists and turns.

My first novel was a fictional thriller titled, "Uptown". It received a "Seal of Approval" from the Indie Reader. Uptown was a novel heavily influenced by the movie "Heat," starring Al Pacino and Robert Deniro (they don't make movies like that anymore). Shortly after its release, I began my second formal endeavor: "The Chaos of Change". I have since halted Uptown's publication as I am working on a better version of itself. The original manuscript earned a certificate of excellence. Imagine what the rebooted version will be like! Check out my website www.jtriggen.com to join my newsletter for updates on future book releases, and MUCH more content. 

TCOC (The Chaos of Change) takes place in a not-far-from-reality parallel of the current political times. It highlights human beings' resistance to change as well as their unfortunate drive towards self-benefit. It also uncovers the hope that there are new-age American heroes out there who are fit to lead this country in wonderful and genius ways. But beware: the world you are about to enter into is addicting. Only purchase the novel if you dare enter into the chaos!

Connect: Website | Twitter: @JTRiggen | Facebook: @authorJTRiggen

Spotlight: The Mountain by Charles G. Thompson

If you are looking for a book on mountaineering, this is not your read. In, The Mountain, I will be sharing experiences about the mountains or challenges we all face daily. I chose the cover photo because it is a favorite of mine and Jeanne's. It was taken by an old inexpensive digital pocket camera balanced on a rock, using the camera's timer. We had just come from a shelter above Zermatt, Switzerland and crested a hill when this scene came into view. The date was September 10, 2001. We had no communication with the outside world. There were no phones, no computers, no mail service, until we were in Vernaza, Italy the next afternoon. Where were you on 9/11?

Excerpt

A IS FOR APPLE

The first thing I do every morning is eat a cold, honey crisp apple. It seems to sooth me and give me just enough of a boost to get the day going. The last thing I do before going to bed is have personal prayer with Jeanne. Those prayers are filled with gratitude, forgiveness, prayers for specific people with issues in their life and thanks to my Heavenly Father for another day to serve him on earth.

Many nights I go to bed and determine I will have a good attitude the next day, no matter what happens along the way. This book has a lot to do with a positive attitude and a willingness to keep going. All through history miracles have been witnessed by individuals never giving up and their good attitudes.

I like to swing my feet out of bed, eat an apple, shower, and determine that I’m going to have a good attitude for the day. It drives Satan crazy when he cannot break me and the good attitude is kind of like putting a protective shell around me.

Why are some people more successful than others? It isn’t looks, degree, or IQ. It is usually their life’s approach.

Last night, a nice young man came by selling bug protection. It was not inexpensive and I nearly asked him to leave. His next comment was, “Is there anything I can do for you Mr. Thompson?”

He looked me in the eye, called me by name, and there was a genuine kindness in his approach. I witnessed the same thing when I worked in retail many years ago. A salesman in the men’s department was making more money than management. They decided to move him out and the department’s sales went down and eventually he left the company to start his own business which became successful overnight. People loved the way he took care of them and his great attitude.

Another example concerns a good friend of mine who opened a shoe store. The prices are high, but nobody ever walks out feeling he or she is not treated fairly. In many cases these same people feel as if their shoes are even more comfortable than what they are used to wearing. The owner is a kind person who will always take time for his customers, especially ones with injuries or problems with their feet. He saved me by making custom orthotics that were not inexpensive. They made such a difference I have told this story to many of my friends. Most have had similar experiences.

One last story: a man was in a restaurant and asked if they had diet Coke. The manager quickly said, “Pepsi products only.” When the customer came back to his table there was a cold bottle of diet coke and glass of ice with his meal. The customer asked, “I thought you didn’t carry Coke products.” The waiter’s response: “The bar down the street was happy to get me one.”

I believe in going the extra mile with a smile; the smile will always pay a handsome dividend.

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About the Author

Chuck Thompson grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, living on a lake called Minnetonka. His parents were good examples who wanted the best for him. He attended a highly ranked preparatory school and graduated from the University of Utah. It was at the U that he met his wife, Jeanne, who has become his best friend for over 45 years. Chuck says he is just a normal guy who has done his best as a provider. He and Jeanne are proud parents of 3 children and 1 grandson. As a family, he has traveled extensively and enjoys Zion's Park.

Chuck became a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints (Mormon) in 1971. For 35 years, he was in sales for a high-end manufacturing company that packaged for cosmetics, medical, and food companies. He hopes his legacy will be the relationships he had with his customers and not his sales dollars.

He loves dark chocolate, the Andy Griffith Show, traveling the world with Jeanne, hiking, and backpacking. Together, they love to backpack and ride the rails in Europe. He has enjoyed classic cars and motorcycles, and frankly admits he's a list maker.

Chuck passed away peacefully after a two-year battle with brain cancer, a stage 4 glioblastoma, on July 15, 2017. He lived a miraculous two years after being diagnosed. Every day, Chuck would wake up and say, "I got another day!" He lived and believed each day was a precious gift.

Spotlight: The Duke Who Came To Town by Sophie Barnes

She doesn’t want to be a kept woman…

Josephine Potter knows she must retain her employment to provide for her younger sisters and to maintain the house. While a young woman working as an accountant – at a hotel no less – could be frowned upon by some, it’s still a respectable way to earn a living. No matter what a certain duke might think. Besides, Josephine has a few rules she lives by: Don’t rely on others, don’t accept money from someone you don’t know, and never allow a man to control your life. But when she is fired from her job, Josephine may have to bend a few rules…

Devon, the Duke of Snowdon, has never met a more bull-headed woman than Josephine Potter! The Potter sisters are granddaughters of a Viscount and should not have to work for a living. So despite Josephine’s arguments, Devon insists she end her employee status immediately and accept a stipend for her and her sisters. When she is then fired, she accuses him of meddling in her life…and things are about to heat up despite the cold winter weather. As they work together to figure out why Devon’s hotel is losing money, a mutual attraction that won’t be denied, grows between them.

But when rumors of impropriety abound, can Josephine’s reputation be saved…or will her life be destroyed by scandal?

Excerpt

Josephine waited until the coach carrying her youngest sister, Eve, out to the Great West Road had turned a corner, disappearing from sight. She then wrapped her shawl tighter around her shoulders and started making her way back toward the townhouse they’d shared with their other sister, Louise, until yesterday. The place would be empty now with both sisters away. Eve had been invited to visit with a friend for the holidays, while Louise had gone to Whitehaven in the northern part of the country to become a governess to three young children.

Some extra income would certainly be welcome. Josephine wasn’t sure how much longer she would be able to cover their expenses on her own. The townhouse, alone, took most of her wages, while food and clothing swallowed the rest. It was a struggle, but to accept defeat and relocate to humbler lodgings was out of the question. Already, they’d had to give up the status their Mayfair home and country estate had once afforded them. As the great-granddaughters of an earl, they’d enjoyed a comfortable position in society—until their father had squandered it all in a downward spiral of drink and depression.

Pushing the unpleasant memories as far back as they would go, Josephine determined to focus on the future. The townhouse wasn’t the only thing at stake. There were also Eve’s prospects and their reputations. While Josephine and Louise had resigned themselves to working for a living, they both hoped Eve might still be able to enjoy the Season they’d been denied, that she might marry well, and that her life might be a little easier and happier than what they faced. There would be no large dowry, only the meager sum Josephine had managed to put aside during the last year since their father’s death: a few wages here, a bit of pawned jewelry there.

Turning onto Vine Street, Josephine bowed her head against the gust of wind sweeping toward her. She’d used the last firewood that morning and would have to see about buying more –yet another cost eating away at her income. But this was England, and they were only in December. It would be several months before she’d be able to forego heating. Unless she wished to get sick and not only risk losing her job but also having to pay the exorbitant fee of seeing a doctor. To do so was not an option, so when she spotted a woman with firewood strapped to her back, Josephine crossed the street and made her approach. “How much for three pieces?” It was all she could carry.

“Thirty pence, love.”

Swallowing the bitterness of surrendering the sum, Josephine exchanged the coins for the wood and resumed walking, pushing through the wind as it whipped her skirts around her legs.

She was almost at her door before she noticed the carriage parked at the side of the road. The two black horses hitched to the front of it silently watched her progress. Giving them a wary glance, Josephine balanced the firewood in one arm so she could retrieve her key from her pelisse pocket.

Her face burned with cold and she took a step forward, prepared to seek refuge indoors, when the carriage door opened and a tall, broad-shouldered figure stepped down onto the pavement. His hair was black beneath his beaver hat, his features matching the harsh winter climate. Eyes as dark as night caught hers, and his jaw immediately set with distinct determination.

“Miss Potter?” He shoved the carriage door shut and strode toward her. The wind caught the hem of his somber greatcoat, forcing it out behind him in jerky movements.

Josephine raised her chin. “Who wants to know?”

Halting his approach, he told her frankly, “The Duke of Snowdon.” He dipped his head and touched the brim of his hat. “At your service.”

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About the Author

Born in Denmark, Sophie has spent her youth traveling with her parents to wonderful places all around the world. She’s lived in five different countries, on three different continents, and speaks Danish, English, French, Spanish and Romanian.

She has studied design in Paris and New York and has a bachelor’s degree from Parson’s School of design, but most impressive of all – she’s been married to the same man three times, in three different countries and in three different dresses.

While living in Africa, Sophie turned to her lifelong passion – writing.

When she’s not busy, dreaming up her next romance novel, Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, swimming, cooking, gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading. She currently lives on the East Coast.

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