Spotlight: Under the Willows by Pamela McCord

Under the Willows
Pamela McCord
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: May 15th 2020
Genres: Adult, Mystery

After her husband is killed by a drunk driver, Kelly Harris and her son TJ move into a sprawling Victorian house in Ohio that her husband inherited from his grandmother. Dealing with her overwhelming grief is a struggle as she adjusts to life in a small town. And, just as she’s beginning to feel more comfortable, life takes another unexpected turn.

The Alexa unit in her son’s bedroom starts to cry, and a little girl’s voice comes out of it asking for help.

At first Kelly is unnerved by the presence of the voice. After ruling out all the other likely possibilities, she begins to put the pieces together, and suspects the girl is a ghost. Unwilling to be uprooted from another home, she decides to find out what the child wants. Maybe she can help.

Kelly isn’t the only one interested in the voice. Detective Rob Porter is investigating the disappearance of a child named Marilee. As the two cross paths, Porter is taken aback when Kelly’s ghost mentions Marilee’s name. In fact, the ghost says “Marilee’s with me.”

Whether that means the child is a ghost as well is a question Rob and Kelly hope to answer.

Goodreads / Amazon / iBooks

EXCERPT:

A frightened “Mom” roused me from a fitful sleep. I swung my legs off the bed, the hardwood cool against my feet. “I’m coming,” I called as I rushed to TJ’s room. I found him sitting up in bed, his eyes big and worried.

“What is it, sweetie?” I asked as I sat beside him. “Did you have a bad dream?”

“Mom, Alexa was crying again.”

“What do you mean?” I tipped his face up and looked him in the eyes. “Alexa can’t cry. She’s not a real person. Tell me what happened.”

“I was asleep and I heard a little girl crying. There wasn’t anybody in my room but I could still hear it.”

“Maybe you were dreaming.”

He crossed his arms over his chest and glared at me. “I wasn’t dreaming, Mom.”

“Okay, then. Maybe it just sounded like crying.”

“There were words, too.”

“Words?”

He nodded. “I said, ‘is anybody there’ and the crying stopped. Then Alexa said Help us.” His serious eyes dared me to not believe him.

Author Bio:

Born in Arkansas and raised in Southern California, Pamela McCord started writing later in life when she was challenged by a friend to create a book out of his story idea. Since then, she's become an internationally published author. Pam has spent over 40 years working as a legal secretary at a law firm in Orange County, California. Aside from writing, she follows the stock market, buying, selling and trading stocks and options. In contrast to that, she loves trips to Las Vegas where she can spend many happy hours at the Pai Gow tables. She shares a condo with her very own My Cat From Hell TV star, Allie, who manages to exude just enough affection to make her scary feral ways tolerable.

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Spotlight: His Baby, Her Billionaire by Sloan Storm

His Baby, Her Billionaire
Sloan Storm
(Her Billionaire Series, #1)
Publication date: May 15th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

He has billions of secrets. Me? I only have one, my baby bump, and it’s starting to show.

Dalton “The Destroyer” Maxwell.

That’s what they call him.

He’s the sexy older man, the distinguished battle-hardened SEAL turned brooding, introspective professor. There isn’t a red-blooded female in five hundred miles that wouldn’t kill to trade places with me.

It was only a fling – just a chance encounter in a faraway place. I wasn’t looking for a fairy tale ending beneath those starry skies.

But what should’ve stayed a memory didn’t. It chased me home, leading me right where it shouldn’t – his arms.

Now the consequence has me feeling like I’m cramming for an exam that I’ll never pass. The truth is, everything about us is forbidden. Nothing good can come of it.

There’s only one problem. Dalton disagrees and won’t take “no” for answer.

When he promises he’ll give it all up for me and his baby, that’s when his ten-figure truth leaves me with an impossible choice.

What have I done?

Goodreads / Amazon

EXCERPT:

She turned her head but didn’t speak as her blonde hair fluttered in the gentle breeze of the oceanfront spray. I was close enough to catch her scent. A faint hint of lilac and sweet jasmine blended with the surf-churned air, capturing my focus and pulling me closer to the source.

I knew she heard me.

I also knew what she was probably thinking.

Couldn’t stay away huh?

Subtlety isn’t a strength of mine, on the battlefield or in the war of love.

In my hands, an arsenal of alcohol, one bottle I’d half-emptied, guzzling it down on the stroll. I hit the beer again, taking a quick pull and attempting to draw her out of her guarded silence.

“Guess that’s a no.”

It’s not like I gave a damn about the game. I doubted she did either. Then, she turned and my jaw clenched.

Easy.

Easy.

Only it fucking wouldn’t be.

The chick was an absolute knockout. She’d be right at the top of any man’s trophy shelf. And if my plan panned out, I’d be adding her to my collection long before the sun crested over the distant capri-blue swells.

Maybe it was those early years, being shipped off to military school like a dog chained up in the yard after it’d pissed the floor one too many times. Whatever the cause, the effect had a way of heightening my interest in the fairer sex long before it otherwise might have.

Point is, for as long as I could remember, only the most beautiful of women were worth the pursuit. After all, you only live once. Tales from the rocking chair are always better when you landed the big fish, not when it disappeared back to the murky depths.

Even so, I never breathed a word of my conquests over the years.

Outside the small circle of my SEAL brothers, my appetites were strictly confidential. Sometimes I wondered if my blue-blooded parents thought I might not even be straight but instead playing for the same team like my sister, Shelley.

But whatever, fuck them.

I thought for certain I’d bedded the best, had more than my fair share of beauties from one far flung part of the planet to the other.

That is, until now.

My breathing slowed. I blinked even slower and tightened my grip on the bottlenecks so hard, it felt like they might crackle into shards between my fingers.

Sunlight flared in the depths of her hazel green eyes. Lightly tanned skin and high cheekbones drew my gaze toward a set of supple, silk-smooth lips. She didn’t bother trying to contain the renegade, wind-whipped strands of her mane as they lashed about, tickling her sun-kissed complexion.

Instead of giving me the results of the game, she fixed a little smirk on her lips and came right back at me.

“Guess.”

That was all the opening I needed. I took a step her direction, the sea-dampened sand giving way under my feet.

“Better luck next time.” I lifted the bottle. “How ‘bout a consolation prize?”

She wrinkled her nose. “Thanks, but no. I’m not much of a beer drinker.”

The condensation on the neck dripped from my fingertips as I offered her the bottle once more.

“No strings.” I wiggled it. “Why waste this beautiful sunset sober?”

Just then, a wave hammered the shoreline behind her, surf thundering as it roared our direction. It was on us in no time, swirling around our legs and tugging at them like a deep sea vacuum. A shriek escaped from her lips. It didn’t sound like fear though, more like a melodic blend of whimsy and surprise.

She hadn’t meant to do it.

Or maybe she had.

I steadied myself, flexing my legs and core while she clung to me. But almost as soon as it came, the rushing current receded, leaving only her fear-filled fingers clutched tight around my biceps.

“Sorry.” She sputtered out a reedy breath and snatched her hands away, forming two white-knuckled fists.

The doe-eyed beauty stood there frozen stiff, in a defensive position with her hands partially blocking her tits. I imagined those same delicate fingers curled into the meat of my hips while I claimed her wet silk, taking her under the stars in a secluded seaside hidey hole.


Author Bio:

Sloan Storm pens imaginative yarns based on dominant men and the women who challenge them. As such, power plays and passion are the heart of each and every story.

The writer's creative tendencies may drift as the mood strikes, but the essence of all tales told wind up back at the same place... the polarizing difference between the sexes.

After all, what else is there in life?

When not glued to a keyboard creating tales of whimsy, Sloan loves to talk to fans! If you want to connect, you can do it in any number of ways:

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram / Newsletter / Bookbub / Goodreads


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Spotlight: All Because of You by Theresa Paolo

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Genre: Contemporary Romance 

Sometimes you have to lose everything to find your happy ending.

Olivia Green had the picture-perfect life. Dating one of the most successful businessmen in New York City, living in a penthouse over Manhattan and a budding career, until one dreadful night when it was all ripped out from under her. If only she'd gone home like she was supposed to, she wouldn't have known her future fiancé was a two-timing jerk. Now with no choice she is leaving the city to move back in with her parents in the small town of Morgan's Bay. Shane McConnell believed he had no family other than his mother, but on her death bed, she revealed the father who died before he was born, came from a large wealthy family. With nothing to lose he sets out to the east end of Long Island to spend a summer with his newly discovered family. What he doesn’t expect is the secrets and lies dating back to long before his father’s death. Nor could he predict the beautiful hot mess he met on the train would find a way into his closed off heart.Both struggling with the realities of their new lives they unintentionally lean on each other. As their attraction builds and their undeniable chemistry explodes into passion, Shane holds onto his own secret that threatens his chance at love.

Exclusive Excerpt: 

“For three years, I tried to be everything I thought he wanted. The sad thing is, I didn’t even realize I was doing it. I’ve never felt comfortable in my own skin. I’ve always thought if I was just taller, thinner, had blonde hair, curly hair, if I was smarter, sexier… I guess what that all means is I don’t think I’m good enough.” 

Shane’s hands came around her waist, holding her close, but not close enough that she couldn’t look deep into his eyes. “You are good enough and whenever Daniel or anyone else pops in your head and makes you think you’re not, think of this moment. Right now. Think of my words. You, Olivia Green, are more than good enough. You’re pretty damn special.”

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About Theresa Paolo

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Theresa Paolo lives on Long Island, NY with her fiancé and their fish. She is the author of NA and Adult contemporary romances. Her debut novel (NEVER) AGAIN, released in Fall 2013 with Berkley (Penguin) and the companion novel (ONCE) AGAIN released Summer 2014. Mad About Matt, the first book in her new Red Maple Falls series, released March 2017.

She loves to write heartfelt romances with a dash of fun and a side of spice. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, brewery hopping, daydreaming, wasting time on Pinterest, trying to get 10k steps on her FitBit or can be found chatting away on Twitter and Facebook. She also writes YA romance under Tessa Marie and has no idea how to smile for a picture.

Connect with Theresa: Facebook | Facebook Reader Group | Bookbub | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest | Books And Main | Goodreads | Website 

Spotlight: The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook: Your Guide for Everything from Hangovers to Homesickness by Jill Grimes, MD, FAAFP

Consider this College Health 101—a guide to what students really want (or need) to know about their mental and physical health when they're away from home.

College students facing their first illness, accident, or anxiety away from home often flip-flop between wanting to handle it themselves and wishing their parents could swoop in and fix everything. Advice from peers and “Dr. Google” can be questionable.The Ultimate College Student Health Handbook provides accurate, trustworthy, evidence-based medical information (served with a dose of humor) to reduce anxiety and stress and help set appropriate expectations for more than fifty common issues.
 
What if you can’t sleep well (or can’t sleep at all) in your dorm room?  What if a pill “gets stuck” in your throat? What if your roommate falls asleep (or passes out) wearing contacts, and wakes up with one painfully stuck? Your friend’s terrible sore throat isn’t Strep or Mono? What else could it be? What if everyone from your group project thinks they’re coming down with the flu the day before your presentation?
 
Dr. Jill Grimes has the answer to these questions and many more. Her guidebook is designed to help you: 

  • Decide if and when to seek medical help

  • Know what to expect when you get there

  • Plan for the worst-case scenario if you don’t seek help

  • Learn how you can prevent this in the future

  • Realize what you can do right now, before you see a doctor

  • Understand the diagnostic and treatment options


The topics of tattoos, smoking, vaping, pot, piercings, and prescription drugs will also be tackled throughout the pages of this handbook, ensuring you, your roommates, and your friends have a healthy semester.

Buy on Amazon | Barnes and Noble

About the Author

Jill Grimes, MD, FAAFP, is a nationally recognized medical media expert, award-winning author, medical editor, and Board-Certified Family Physician. Her passion is prevention, and her message spans print (Parenting Magazine, Glamour, etc.), online (Refinery29, Foxnews.com, etc.), and television and radio talk shows (Sirius XM Doctor Radio). After two decades of private practice, Dr. Grimes now enjoys seeing patients at the University of Texas in Austin. She is a proud mom to two awesome collegiate daughters. Academically, Dr. Grimes enjoys educating healthcare professionals by speaking at national AAFP, Pri-Med®, and Harvard Medical School conferences, and remains on clinical faculty at UMASS Medical School.

Connect:

Website: https://jillgrimesmd.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100010793046485

Spotlight: Of Darkness and Light by Heidi Eljarbo

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In this first book of a new historical mystery series, a young art historian faces a tough choice in German-occupied Norway.

Oslo, 1944. Soli Hansen’s passion for art history is and always has been a way of life for her. While she spends her days working in an art shop, WWII is taking its toll on everyone. Apprehensive of the consequences, Soli avoids becoming entangled in the war resistance efforts. She closes her eyes in hopes the enemy will retreat and leave her beautiful country for good.

But when a woman is found dead in the alley alongside the art shop and a painting from the last auction goes missing, Soli is thrown into the thickest of the fray involving both Nazi art theft and the Norwegian resistance.

Once Soli finds her courage, there’s no turning back. Her personal life is turned upside-down with danger, lies, spying, and an incredible discovery.

In this dual timeline novel, Heidi Eljarbo paints a vivid picture of what people are willing to do in desperate times. With unforgettable characters and rich historical details, Of Darkness and Light will keep the reader mesmerized until the last satisfying page.

Perfect for fans of Kate Morton, Lucinda Riley, Katherine Neville, and Kate Mosse.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

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Heidi Eljarbo is the bestselling author of Catching a Witch. She grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and she never truly imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, all of which have come in handy when working as an author, magazine journalist, and painter.

After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, thirteen grandchildren–so far–in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier.

Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter. Heidi’s favorites are family, God’s beautiful nature, and the word whimsical.

If you would like to know more, please visit Heidi’s website. You can also follow her on FacebookTwitterPinterest, and Goodreads.

Cover Reveal: The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy by Olivia Spring

The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy
Olivia Spring
(The Middle-Aged Virgin, #2)
Publication date: July 16th 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Can a holiday romance lead to long-term love?

When Sophia moves to Tuscany to join the hot Italian-stallion she’s fallen head over heels in love with, she dreams of an idyllic life filled with passion, pasta, sunshine and her favourite gelato.

But will the reality live up to the fairy-tale?

The Middle-Aged Virgin in Italy is a fun, sexy sequel about stepping out of your comfort zone and keeping the spark alive in a relationship. If you like Sophie Kinsella and Sophie Ranald, you’ll love the latest novel in Olivia Spring’s page-turning, romantic comedy series.

Pre-order today and get ready to join Sophia on her Italian adventures!

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order


Author Bio:

Olivia Spring is a British, London-based writer of contemporary women's fiction, sexy chick lit and romantic comedy. Her uplifting debut novel 'The Middle-Aged Virgin', which was released in July 2018, deals with being newly single in your thirties and beyond, dating, relationships, love, sex and living life to the full.

Olivia published three novels in 2019: 'Only When It's Love', 'Losing My Inhibitions' and 'Love Offline'.

When she's not writing, Olivia can be found making regular trips to Italy to indulge in pasta, pizza and gelato and of course, seeking inspiration for her next book!

To get FREE books and exclusive updates, join the Olivia Spring VIP club by visiting: www.oliviaspring.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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