Cover Reveal: The Magic Ingredient by Lindy Miller

The Magic Ingredient
Lindy Miller
(A Bar Harbor Holiday Novel)
Publication date: October 13th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The end of summer is approaching, but even at the height of Bar Harbor’s tourist season, Eve Silver is having a hard time keeping enough dough in the bank to sustain the family bakery. Her only hope of paying past due bills is to win the catering bid for the town’s upcoming Harvest Happening festival. Otherwise, it’ll be lights out for Mount Desserts by Christmas.

Widower Jeff Perry is moving with his twelve-year-old daughter, Candy, from Manhattan to Maine with one goal: starting over. When sparks fly between Jeff and Eve as the town readies for the annual harvest festival, Candy wishes she had a love potion to help her dad fall in love again.

Will Eve be able to save Mount Desserts—and open her heart to Jeff—by the most bewitching night of the year?
It’ll take a lot of love, a little bit of luck … and just a pinch of magic.

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Author Bio:

Lindy Miller is an author of feel-good love stories that are full of sweet moments and happy endings. She believes the best time to fall in love is during the holidays, preferably over a cup of warm tea or a delicious vegan pastry - two things she can't get enough of.

A free spirit, Lindy loves to travel and has a soft spot for Bar Harbor, Maine though she grew up at home in the South. She is married to her childhood sweetheart and bakes as often as she can for her husband, son, and pets - especially her golden retriever, Finn, who has a tendency to show up in her stories (and her Instagram!)

Lindy is represented by Gandolfo Helin & Fountain Literary Management and supported by Smith Publicity.

Member Romantic Novelist Association (RNA).

Website / Facebook / Twitter / Instagram


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Spotlight: Conspiracy in The Capitol by B. Ivy Woods

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Rae isn’t sure she is ready to let her lost love back into her life and Flint knows this is his only shot at winning back the one he let get away. Time is supposed to heal all wounds, but can it mend a broken heart? Conspiracy in The Capitol by debut author B. Ivy Woods is a spicy, diverse second chance romance. Fans of return to hometown romances will love this contemporary romance with a suspenseful spin. 

Read Now! 

Amazon https://www.amazon.com/dp/B086VTSRB3/

Add to Goodreads Here! 

Goodreads https://bit.ly/2VVAA9R

Time is supposed to heal all wounds, but can it mend a broken heart?

Rae’s been unlucky in love ever since having her heart broken years ago. When her ex reappears and declares his hope for a second chance, she’s not sure what to do. Time can heal past wounds, but sometimes heartbreak is irreparable…

Flint knows that this is his last opportunity to win her heart again and he’s playing for keeps. But with his reemergence in her life comes danger. Mysterious messages that plagued their relationship years ago have returned, threatening their reconciliation. Rae already has doubts about rekindling their relationship but now the stakes have increased and her life might be in danger.

Can their love truly conquer all?

This second chance romance is book one In The Capitol series.

Exclusive Excerpt 

Copyright 2020 @ B. Ivy Wood 

“So, you know how I attended a fundraiser with my dad because my mom couldn’t make it last night?” Everyone nodded, remembering the text conversation they’d had about it. “Well, you’ll never guess who I ran into.” Jules reached over to grab her blond hair, which was draped over her shoulders and played with the ends for a few seconds before folding her hands in her lap.

“The President of the United States?” Liv smirked. Eve laughed, and Rae smiled in response.

“Nope, but I’m not sure that would have been more exciting. I saw Flint West.”

The whole table was silent. Jules looked down at her hands, while Eve and Liv stared at her. 

Rae’s face was blank, but her mouth was agape, revealing how she felt about the news. Was Flint back in town? Since when? She swallowed hard before speaking. “You saw Flint? How is he?” 

The thought of him still made her heart race and she couldn’t decide if she liked that or not. The last time she and Flint had spoken to each other had been cordial, but the couple of months that had led up to them ending their relationship had been tense. But when they were good, everything was fantastic. That included them being long-distance for most of their relationship. The plans they’d made, the dreams they’d shared had gone away several years ago, but sometimes Rae would think about him and wonder what could have been.

“He looked well. He asked about you.”

“That’s great.” Rae made sure that her expression remained unchanged. She took another long sip from her drink. She wouldn’t go down that road again. 

“What did he ask about her?” Eve asked, turning her attention to Jules. Unsurprisingly, Eve was the one to follow up with a list of questions.

“Well, we didn’t have much time to talk because we saw each other just before the speeches began. He asked how Rae was doing and if she still lived in the area.” Rae showed no emotion when Jules said her name.

“Interesting.” Eve leaned back in her chair and thought for a second. “I didn’t realize Flint was back in town.”

“He’s been back for a few months. His law firm transferred him to the DC area. He lives in Arlington too.”

He would. Arlington was a nice size, but it wasn’t that big. The probability of them running into each other was high. The thought of that made her nauseous. Their breakup wasn’t the cleanest, but it had been for the best at that point in their lives. She hadn’t even given much thought to the idea that she might run into his parents too.

“That’s good for him. It sounds like he’s doing well for himself.”

Jules mumbled a reply that no one at the table could catch.

“What was that, Jules?” Liv leaned in closer.

“I said he asked if Rae’s phone number was still the same.”

Liv turned to face Jules, and her eyes darted from Jules to Rae and back. “He asked if Rae’s phone number changed? You have to be kidding. Did he say anything about trying to contact her?” 

Jules shook her head and Rae let out a deep breath as she glanced down at her own hands. She could feel someone’s eyes on her, and when she looked up, her gaze connected with Eve’s.

“I was a little worried about telling you, but I knew you had to know.”

Rae’s emotional state after the breakup had been rough for weeks. She wasn’t surprised that Jules debated telling her because she had seen the toll the breakup had taken on her. Her friends were there to help her pick up the pieces. Rae knew how lucky she was to have their friendship.

“Don’t worry about it. Thanks for telling me.” Rae downed the rest of her wine before placing the glass back down on the table. She knew that she finished her drink too fast, but she didn’t care. She looked around and noticed that Jules was close to finishing hers, too. “Do you guys want something else? I’m paying.”

About the Author

B. Ivy Woods has been writing for as long as she can remember. After getting her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Environmental Policy and a Masters in Energy Policy and Law and working in the environmental field for several years, she decided to become a stay-at-home mom. That is when thoughts of a writing career really took off. Although she competed in NaNoWriMo multiple times, 2019 was the first year that she won. This win inspired her to make writing a career. Her debut novel will be self-published in 2020.Although she is originally from New York City, she currently lives in the DMV (Washington, D.C., Maryland, Virginia) with her husband, daughter, dog, and cat.

Follow Author: Website | Facebook | Reader Group | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Amazon | Instagram | Pinterest  | Newsletter

Spotlight: Love (Again) by Vonna Ivory Joseph

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Finding a man. No problem. Keeping him—now there’s the challenge.

Finding a man has never been the problem for Lacey Robinson, but keeping one has been a story with a less than happy ending. One too many failed relationships left the successful businesswoman jaded and ready to accept a loveless, but otherwise fulfilling life.

Following her latest stutter and stall on the way to the altar, Lacey’s convinced she’s the problem in her relationships. Never one to settle for mediocrity, Lacey sets her gifts on raising her son and being her best self. Just as she’s finding her footing, she meets Zack Reid, a sexy and self-aware widower who’s learning to navigate life as a single man.

With pressure to settle down from Lacey’s family and pressure from Zack’s to get back to living, the gun-shy lovers find out how hard it is to mend hearts you didn’t break. 

Excerpt

Mornings in the city moved like honey. The traffic was heavy, but there were few honking horns or shouting bikers. Empire City or not, the South moved slower. Regional norms such as greeting one another in words or nods prevailed, even in the face of population booms. No matter the speed a commuter zipped by you at, when the Atlanta traffic stopped them, you’d get a nod and you’d return it with a syrup sweet smile and tip of your chin. Not even Lacey Robinson on her worse day could resist the melodic sway of an Atlanta morning. The Fourth and Inches looked closed when she reached the perforated window and peeked in.

“Are you looking for me?”

Zack’s voice dripped in sensuality, and Lacey clenched her intimate parts.

Why is he so damned hot?  She adjusted her tortoise shell eyeglasses, forced a trite smile and turned to face him in all his glory. He was taller and even more attractive in the fresh light. His skin was darker, and his whiskey brown eyes danced with golden flecks. She’d missed those the night before. Lacey remembered his good looks and put forth more of an effort when dressing for her return to the bar. She wore a pencil skirt, instead of her customary trousers, and brushed on an extra coat of bronzer and mascara. The storeroom’s lowlight had done Zack Reid a grave injustice. His features were markedly masculine. He worked out as made clear by the roundness of his shoulders in the fitted black t-shirt he wore over distressed jeans and motorcycle boots.

“I-I think I left something here.”

“You did. I have your purse in the office.” He unlocked the door and let her in. “You smell good.”

Lacey felt her cheeks warm and sweat sprout at her temples. She ran a finger over her curling edges. What is going on with you, woman?

“Thank you. You do too.”

You do too! Jesus, Lacey. Get yourself together. 

She followed Zack through the empty bar, pausing when he passed through a pair of swinging doors. He stopped and tossed a curious look at her but didn’t argue. He returned shortly holding Lacey’s leather clutch.

“Is this it?”

“Yes, thank you,” Lacey said, pressing the purse to her chest. 

“Aren’t you going to check it?”

“Should I?”

“You don’t know me. I could be a jewel thief or a con artist.” A warm smile ignited the space between them. “Do you want a cup of coffee or something?” Zack asked.

Lacey nodded.

An hour had slipped by when a thin man with as much hair as he weighed entered, talking loudly on his cell phone. He stopped in his tracks when he saw Lacey and Zack sitting at a highboy laughing over bagels and coffee. He ended his call and made a beeline to them, flashing a cocky grin and holding his hand out to Lacey.

“You must be the beautiful stranger my boy helped escape the storeroom last night,” he crooned. “I’m Garrett Leakes. I’m the better half of this partnership.”

Zack shook his head and chuckled. “Garrett is part owner of the bar.”

“I’m more than that.” He said, slithering up Lacey’s forearm.  She snaked it out of his grip and frowned at him.

“Excuse us for a second, Lacey. G, let me holler at you.”

Garrett followed the visibly annoyed man through the swinging doors and into a dim hallway.  Zack raked his hands over his face and head, before looking at his friend.

“Back off, G.”

Garrett took a step back and cackled. “You like her. She’s stuck up.”

“Why? Because she’s unaffected by your signature bullshit?”

“Let me have another crack at her,” Garrett said with a wink.

Zack’s fists balled up of their own volition, shocking him a bit.

“Damn. Chill. Is it that serious?” Garrett searched his friend’s pinched face, then allowed a sneaky grin. 

When the men returned Lacey had left.

“Told you. Stuck up. I’m familiar with the type. But good for you—getting a hard-on again, bro.” Garrett slapped Zack on the back and left him staring at the front door.

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | APPLE 

ADD ON GOODREADS 

ABOUT VONNA IVORY JOSEPH

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Joseph was born and raised in Orlando, Florida. She made Atlanta, Georgia her home as a teenager, where her stories are chiefly centered. Joseph joined the U.S. Air Force and honorably served in Operations Noble Eagle and Enduring Freedom.

With a fresh voice and modern focus on the new South, Joseph challenges antiquated adages and ideas about the diverse region through a personal, yet unfiltered lens. Her first novel Good Enough, explores classic barriers to love - barriers such as class, family obligations and skillfully disguised insecurities. 

Written with loving, attention to detail Joseph invites readers into her beloved South, making Good Enough novels simultaneously, contemporary romances with diverse characters and love letters to the new South that ask, "if love knows no barriers, then why not you?"

Joseph has since published nine novels and eight shorts stories. She currently lives in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia with her husband, Demetrius and three children.

Connect: AUTHOR SITE | FACEBOOK | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS

Spotlight: Aftermath of Secrets by Cate Beauman

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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

Grab Your Copy:

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Goodreads:  http://tiny.cc/AOS_Goodreads

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.

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About the Author

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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/

Newsletter:  http://www.catebeauman.com/getmyfreebooks

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CateBeaumanAuthor/

Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/realcatebeauman/

Amazon Author Page:  https://www.amazon.com/Cate-Beauman/e/B00A05KHVM

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cate-beauman

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6543858.Cate_Beauman

Spotlight: The Cowboy's Claim by Nina Crespo

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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 

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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

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.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Pinterest


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