Spotlight: Aftermath of Secrets by Cate Beauman

The Carter Island Trilogy, Book 2

RELEASE DATE:  June 4, 2020

When The Secrets Of The Past Threaten To Destroy The Future…

Boston’s Most Eligible Bachelor has it all: good looks, a great career, and plenty of wealth and prestige. But Bradley Sanderson’s charmed life quickly falls apart when scandal rocks his famous family. Arrests have been made; the media circus has begun, and Brad’s been tasked with the daunting chore of restoring the Sandersons’ good name. Moving back to Carter Island and picking up the pieces hasn’t been easy, especially when the one person he needs the most won’t give him the time of day. 

Bakery owner and island resident Molly Carter is loyal to her core, but that doesn’t mean Brad’s homecoming hasn’t left her torn. Brad’s darkest days aren’t lost on Molly, but reaching out to her lifelong friend isn’t so simple when she’s forced to guard her heart. Everything changed when she woke up alone after their sexy summer night.

The complications keep coming when Brad’s long-lost brother shows up in town, bringing the remnants of his checkered past with him. Forgiveness and redemption are possible for all, until new secrets come to light that may have dire consequences. 

*A contemporary romance with twists of mystery and suspense

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Excerpt

“What do you think it’s been, five or six years since you’ve been home for more than a week in a row?”

Brad nodded slowly. “Yeah, something like that.”

“It’s like the good old days.” 

He shrugged, pushing off the wall, moving her way. “Sort of.”

Molly winced, foolishly forgetting that life for Brad was currently unrecognizable. “I guess that was pretty dumb of me to say.”

“No, I just meant Nate isn’t here hanging out in his boxers, and I haven’t done this yet.”

She frowned. “What?”

“Dunked you,” he said as he pressed his hand on top of her head and sent her under. 

She sank beneath the watery depths, slapping at his hand and arm as he kept her submerged for a good three or four seconds. She came up sputtering and glaring. “You idiot.” She coughed again. “Are you trying to drown me?”

He dismissed her with a chuckle and flippant raise of his brow. “So dramatic. We had about three minutes before we needed to start worrying about brain damage.”

Her eyes narrowed again. “Oh, you’re dead,” she said, gritting her teeth, charging after him.

He laughed, swimming away. 

But they were well-matched, both of them excellent swimmers. All the Sanderson and Carter kids had had numerous lessons in their younger days due to their proximity to the Atlantic. 

She hooked her arm around his neck, maneuvered her way onto his back, and sent them both underwater, her legs locking around his waist to keep her leverage. But his sheer size and strength were her disadvantage. 

Then they both surfaced for air, Brad laughing before she brought him under again. Within seconds, he had their positions reversed, and he held her against him, one arm wrapped around the front of her waist, the other around her shoulders as they came up for another draw of air. 

His breath puffed against her neck in hot torrents as their legs brushed with their kicks to stay afloat, while he let her waist go and used his arm to tread water. “Molls, this is quite a predicament.” 

He wasn’t kidding. She was pinned beneath his strong arm, and her back was pressed against his solid chest, with no choice but to grip his muscular forearm caging her in place. “Fine. You win.” She just needed him to let her go. 

“That’s it? Since when do you give up so easy?”

Since he’d kissed her brainless and taken her to bed. “Since I realized it’s time to get home and get changed for your party at Nate and Callie’s.” She tried to move away from him.

He switched arms, now holding her around the waist, and began keeping their heads above water with his opposite arm. “No problem. Just say, Brad, you’re the best Scrabble player I know. I bow to you, you genius.”

She huffed out a laugh, raising her arm to the surface to help keep their chins from bobbing under. “I won. Three years in a row now.”

“Just luck.” He held her tighter, whispering next to her ear, his voice full of teasing. “You’re the best, Brad. That’s all I need to hear.”

“Broody Brad,” she murmured, knowing he hated it when she called him that—a slight from their childhood.

“What was that?” he asked, drilling his fingers into her side, tickling her.

She scream-laughed. “Damn it, Brad.” She fought him enough to turn and immediately realized her huge mistake as he held her chest to chest, and they stared into each other’s eyes. 

He grinned. “This is certainly a situation.” 

A droplet trailed down his face to land on his firm bottom lip, and his eyelashes were webbed together, making him even more irresistible than he already was. Her heart pounded, her pulse thundering in her throat, and she glared at him, needing to be free of him, well aware he was enjoying this far too much. 

There was an undeniable attraction between them. All she had to do was press her mouth to his, and they would have a repeat of August. But they weren’t going there again. She wasn’t risking their friendship a second time.

About the Author

Cate Beauman is the multi-award-winning, international bestselling author of The Bodyguards of L.A. County series and the Carter Island Novels. She is known for her full-length, action-packed romantic suspense and contemporary stories.

Cate's novels have been named Readers' Favorite Five Star books and have won the Booksellers' Best Award, Maggie Award for Excellence, the Holt Medallion Award, two-time Aspen Gold Medal, two-time Readers' Favorite International Gold Medal, three-time Readers' Favorite International Silver Medal, and the Readers' Crown Award.

Cate makes her home in New Hampshire with her family and their St. Bernards, Bear and Jack.

Website:  https://catebeauman.com/

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Spotlight: The Cowboy's Claim by Nina Crespo

Genre: Contemporary Romance 

He’s discovered his leading lady

The role of her dreams: in his arms. 

Chloe Daniels is determined to land the role of a lifetime. Even if she’s terrified to get on a horse! And the last thing her reluctant teacher, Tristan Tillbridge, wants is to entertain a pampered actress. But the enigmatic cowboy soon discovers that Chloe is as genuine as she is gorgeous, and he’s determined to make her his. Will this unlikely pair discover that the sparks between them are anything but an act?

Excerpt

The woman glanced up at Tristan while gingerly scraping the sole of her boot on the ground. “Is this stuff literally everywhere—even in the main areas?”

Yards behind her, two grooms wearing blue short-sleeved pullovers and jeans rode horses with black manes and mahogany coats at a steady trot.

“Move out of the way.” Tristan picked up the pace and closed the distance.

“You don’t have to ye—” She did a double take at the oncoming horses and froze. Annoyance quickly faded from her eyes along with the color from her smooth brown cheeks.

He grabbed hold of her arm and ushered her to the side of the path. As the bays went past, she turned toward him and squeezed her eyes shut.

Her barely detectable tremors vibrated into him. Was she afraid of the horses? On a reflex, he lightly grasped her arms and put himself between her and the bays.

The sweet lemon fragrance wafting from her skin was like a welcome cool breeze. It roused memories of lazy summer afternoons, lying in his hammock in the shade with a cold drink in his hand, lost in the perfection of nothing on his mind. He hadn’t enjoyed an afternoon like that in a long time.

“Thanks.” Her soft exhale rushed over his throat spreading goose bumps over him. She tilted up her head and her long lashes rose.

His heart tripped. Mace had gotten it only partially right. She was more than just cute.

Get Your Copy Now: Amazon | B&N | Apple | Kobo | Google | Target | Walmart | Harlequin 

About Nina Crespo: 

Nina Crespo lives in Florida where she indulges in her favorite passions — the beach, a good glass of wine, date night with her own real-life hero and dancing.

Her lifelong addiction to romance began in her teens while on a “borrowing spree” in her older sister’s bedroom where she discovered her first romance novel.

Let Nina’s sensual contemporary stories and steamy paranormal tales feed your own addiction for love, romance, and happily ever after.

Connect with the Author:  Website | Newsletter | BookBub | Instagram | Goodreads | Facebook Author Page | Twitter

Spotlight: Summer in Bliss by Freda Ann

Summer in Bliss
Freda Ann
(A Bliss Cay Novella)
Publication date: June 5th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Mia Everly is an independent, driven woman happily married to her career. She has everything—loving parents, a brother who’s her best friend, and the perfect companion any woman could ask for…her canine pal, Hope. When her traumatic past resurfaces, rocking her to the core, Mia questions her future.

Dash Stevens, a Lieutenant with the county fire department, is a widowed father to his daughter, Allie. After three long years, he’s come to terms with single fatherhood. He insists that Allie is the only girl he wants in his life.

Newly-neighbored on Bliss Cay, Dash and Mia’s worlds intertwine changing their lives forever. Will Mia get the answers she so desperately needs? Will Dash’s ambitious personality push her away or is his compassionate heart exactly what she needs to help her find them?

In Summer in Bliss, wit and drive meets tragedy. Can the hunky fire lieutenant help Mia face her past and put her life back together?

Goodreads / Amazon

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—

EXCERPT:

“Aaaah!” Hack, hack. The pain was more than anyone should have to endure but she couldn’t move away. Held firmly against the sofa cushions, her life flashed before her eyes.

She would never see them again. Her mom, dad, step-dad and brother. Not her grandparents, aunts, uncles or close friends either.

No! I can’t die like this. After six long, tough years in the military where they pushed her to fight harder than she ever thought was possible—her life couldn’t end this way.

“Aaaah! Help me!” Hack, hack. “Help, somebody! Aaaah!” Her throat was raw from the thick black smoke threatening every breath she took.

Gasping for her next breath, the fiery pain chomping at Mia’s leg won the battle, consuming her as the room grew dark.

Groaning from the pain waking her, she felt wet sandpaper raking over her face, again and again.

When her eyes fluttered open, her senses returned and she felt a weight holding her against the bed. A twinge of pain crawled over her right thigh and using all of her strength, Mia pushed herself up and off the bed.

Unable to breathe, she bolted through the house until she found a door taking her outside into the fresh air.

She jumped from the porch landing onto the soft sand on all fours, gasping for air. Her head throbbed from her heart beating so loud.

“Arf! Arf! Arf!”

Trying to clear her lungs of the smoke, she breathed deeply and forced it out with an exhale. Breathe in, breathe out, she continued the pace while the pounding slowed.

As something grabbed her, she flinched. Standing unsteadily, she twisted from its grip, her arm flying through the air but was stopped by a large, firm hand.

“Mia, what happened? Did someone hurt you?” She stared up at the familiar hazel-blue eyes.

“Where are they? How many are there?” He gripped her biceps as anger filled his eyes.

“Bedroom…f—fire.” She forced the words out.

Author Bio:

Freda was born in southern New Jersey but grew up in Florida. She has loved writing her entire life. After retiring from a career in law enforcement, she knew it was time to fulfill her lifelong dream of being a published author.

She's the author of The Hawaii Series, proudly named from her love of the beautiful Hawaiian Islands. It's a three-book series with all of them written as standalone books.

Freda loves her large family, horses, dogs, cat, and close friends. She hosts monthly family dinners at her home in the country, which she shares with her husband.

She loves baking (she owned and operated a cupcake business for years), cooking, yoga, crocheting, nature and traveling with the love of her life.

What helps her write? Music makes her happy! If music doesn't give her the right motivation, she puts on a romantic movie, usually from the Hallmark Channel, which she can't get enough of!

Freda speaks her mind and pushes perfection to its limit. She strives to be her best, most positive self she can be in life. With time, determination, and practice, she believes anything is possible.

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Spotlight: Midnight Princess by Cam Johns

Midnight Princess by Cam Johns is a contemporary, suspenseful retelling of the classic Cinderella fairytale. Fans of twists at midnight and love on every page devour this new adult romance. The final installment of the Modern Princess Collection is now LIVE! 

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited! 

♛ Pre-order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/2JRYRb3

♛ Add on Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/3bocCdo

After the untimely death of her grandparents, Cynthia was propelled into becoming a guardian to her younger half-sisters, Penelope and Charmaine. As they all lived under the tyrannical rule of their drunken mother, she constantly felt that this wasn’t the life that she was meant to lead. She dreamed of one day her mother becoming sober enough for her to remember that she once loved her children. Unfortunately, that day would never come, and her heart would harden with each cruel comment from her mother.

It wasn’t until her freshman year in college that she would find someone who did love her, as she deserved. Who would liquefy her hardened heart, to find the giving soul that has been hiding from her mother’s tirades. It was then that Cynthia would investigate her mother’s past, to find answers to who her mother has become. The answers that would come in the dead of night. Midnight Princess. 

About Cam Johns

Cam Johns began her career as a published author in 2016 with the release of her first book - Arousing Consequences - to the three-part series, The Arousing Series. However, actually publishing wasn't part of her plan. After her husband was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, she found that writing became a great way to relieve the tension and mounted pressures that come with watching someone she loves suffer from such a harsh diagnosis. It was her husband that pushed her to share her voice, regardless of how erotic that voice would become.

Live. Love. Laugh. A well-known mantra that has become her way of living. Live, by accepting the things you cannot change. Love, the ones closest to you as if there's no . tomorrow. Laugh, each day because sadness will get you nowhere!

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Spotlight: Billionaires on the Beach: A Sweet Billionaire Romance Boxset

Billionaires on the Beach: A Sweet Billionaire Romance Boxset
Published by: Enchanted Quill Press
Publication date: June 1st 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Sink your teeth into this addictive anthology of gorgeous Billionaires finding true love on the beach.

Billionaires on the Beach is a limited collection of stories from clean and wholesome authors.

Packed with adorable meet-cutes, swoon-worthy romance and so many happily ever afters, you’ll be left beaming ear to ear by the end.

This collection includes:

Forbidden romance
Secret Babies
Fake marriages
Second Chances
Enemies to lovers
Sun, sea and sand
And many heart-soaring dates!

This anthology is the perfect staycation for readers who enjoy sweet and clean Billionaire romances. Only available for a limited time. Scroll up and one click now to get started.

Goodreads / Amazon

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SNEAK PEEKS:

“The Billionaire’s Nanny” by Laura Burton

Benjamin’s smile turned to a look of horror as she waved her phone at him.

“I’ve followed you on Instagram.”

Benjamin dragged a hand through his messy hair and looked away with a sheepish smile.

“Ah. You found me, then.” He stooped down and picked Maggie up in his arms. She cuddled into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.

“Benjy,” she said in a baby voice. The sight made Krista melt inside.

“You were right. You are fun.”

And insanely sexy, she added silently with a smirk.

“Well, you might notice I haven’t posted for a month,” he pointed at her phone as he bobbed Maggie up and down. Krista got to her feet and patted the sand off her legs.

“Well, I’m sure your 1.2 million followers miss you. Let me take a picture of you with Maggie.”

Krista positioned her phone up to capture a picture of Benjamin stooping his head low against Maggie’s brow. She looked up at him with big eyes and her hand touched his cheek. The two of them were perfectly framed by the sunset and glowed dark against the ocean.

“Your followers will die when they see this.”

—

“My Real Life Time Out” by Rimmy London

“The way you navigate the world around you—the way you care for it. There’s something so genuine about you that makes me want to be more. I love being around you. Everything about you.”

He paused to take a shaky breath. “I just wanted to tell you now instead of pretending I didn’t feel anything…because I do.”

His gaze was tentative, vulnerable and so unusually insecure. He’d said the perfect words, all smothered in simmering glances like butter.

—

“I Never Told You” by Jessie Cal

Jess finally shoved the last piece of her s’more into her mouth. “I think it’s time to call it a night,” she said with her mouth full, and his heart ached a bit. Thoughts of holding her in his arms and watching the night sky flooded his mind, and he shook his head like shaking off a spell.

“Do you need help getting Bill’s grandkids in the tent?” he offered, standing with her.

“That would be great.” She squeezed his arm as a thankful gesture, and he forced himself to ignore the electricity that came with her touch. “If you can carry Zach, I’ll pick up little Cole.”

Even in the way she dragged her feet, he could tell she was tired. His mind suddenly conjured an image of him pulling her into a comforting embrace, but he pushed it aside.

After laying the last boy down inside the tent, he stepped out only to find himself standing in front of her again.

“Thank you.” She let out a tired sigh. “You must be exhausted.”

“I enjoyed every minute of it, though,” he said, flashing her a soft smile. “Minus the shark incident, of course.”

She blurted out a laugh then covered her mouth so as not to wake the kids. “Really? Cause that was the highlight of my day.”

“You’re mean.”

She stifled another laugh. “Good night, Logan.” She leaned in and wrapped him in a hug. Her hair smelled like salt water which was oddly comforting. When she pulled back, he grabbed her hand. He had no idea why, or what he would say. And she was looking at him, waiting for an explanation, but he didn’t have one. He simply wanted to hold her hand.

No, that wasn’t true. That wasn’t all he wanted.

He opened his mouth to speak, to tell her about all the crazy flutters he’d been feeling in the pit of his stomach all night, but then she looked down at their fingers laced together, and he no longer knew what to say. What was she thinking? Did she like the way it felt as much as he did? Should he just pull her into his arms and kiss her?

“I think being on this island is messing with our heads,” she whispered, slipping her hand out of his and pulling away. “Good night, Logan.”

And there was his heart again, racing at the sound of her saying his name. “Good night, Jess.”

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Spotlight: Saving the Music by Vincent B. "Chip" LoCoco

Series: Bellafortuna, Book #2
Genre: Historical Fiction

It is the winter of 1942, and the world is at war. A few Jewish musicians attempt to flee the Nazi death grip, each desperately trying to navigate his own path to safety. With the courageous aid and kindness of strangers, they soon find themselves in Rome, where under the highly secret help of the Vatican, they are hidden in Bellafortuna, a small village in Sicily. The residents of Bellafortuna welcome them and care for them, and for a fleeting moment, the horrors the musicians are facing are forgotten while residing in the beautiful, idyllic landscape of Sicily. But word soon reaches the small village that Italy has surrendered, now making Germany at war with Italy. War quickly comes to the village as the Germans storm into Sicily to repel the Allied advance. As Bellafortuna becomes front and center in the raging war, the villagers rise as one to try and protect and save the Jews hiding in their midst. Failure to keep them hidden will mean death to those under their protection…and perhaps even to the villagers themselves.

An intricately plotted and meticulously researched novel, Saving the Music demonstrates how, in the face of death and unspeakable horror, the strength of the human spirit of ordinary people can shine bright through the darkness.

AMAZON | AUDIBLE | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND

About the Author

Chip LoCoco was born and raised in New Orleans. His first novel, Tempesta’s Dream, became an Amazon Bestseller.

His second novel, Bellafortuna, has been nationally recognized, being named a Short List Finalist in the William Faulkner Writing Competition and awarded the B.R.A.G. Award in Historical Fiction. Mr. LoCoco is a member of the Italian American Writers Association.

His newest work, Saving the Music, which is Book 2 of his Bellafortuna Series, was just recently released.

Chip, who is an attorney, is married to his wife of over 20 years, Wendy. They have two children, Matthew and Ellie and a beagle, named Scout. They reside in their beloved city of New Orleans, where if you try to find them on a Sunday in the Fall, they will be somewhere rooting on their Saints.

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Saving the Music