Spotlight: The Bachelor's Bride by Holly Bush

Genre: Romance/America/Victorian
Series: The Thompsons of Locust Street, Book One

Meet the Thompsons of Locust Street, an unconventional family taking Philadelphia high society by storm…

1868 Elspeth Thompson is the middle daughter in a family with tightly held secrets. While she loves her family, she longs to break out from their overprotective hold, to find herself, to be noticed for who she is rather than as chaperone to her beautiful younger sister, Kirsty, or underling to her elder sister, Muireall. A chance meeting under scandalous circumstances offers her the opportunity to be seen for herself, but the repercussions could lead to the downfall of her family.

Confirmed bachelor Alexander Pendergast enjoys his position as the right-hand man of one of the most influential and powerful politicians in Philadelphia. Heir to the largest textile mill on the east coast, Alexander is handsome, charming, and the ultimate catch on high society’s matrimonial market. But he has no interest in settling down with a pampered debutante. He doubts the perfect woman for him actually exists…until he meets Elspeth Thompson.

But the Thompsons and Pendergasts move in different circles, and Elspeth has no desire to be judged and found wanting by Philadelphia’s first families. Though she tries to resist Alexander’s charms, when he comes to her family’s rescue, she knows there’s more to him than she’d first thought. But Alexander realizes that his ambitions may have placed Elspeth and her family in grave danger. With an unseen enemy determined to uncover the Thompson family’s secrets, Alexander grapples with secrets of his own, secrets that could cost him the only woman he’s ever truly cared about.

When Elspeth finds herself in terrible danger, can she muster the inner strength of her ancestors to save herself and her family and find the courage to meet love head on?

AVAILABLE FOR PRE-ORDER ON AMAZON 

About the Author

“Love always has something to say. Sometimes it shouts from the highest hill, and sometimes it whispers so softly one must listen closely to hear. Do not turn away. It is a rare and precious commodity. Treasure it.” The Gentrys of Paradise

Holly Bush’s historical romances are set during the turbulent and transformative years of the late 1800’s. The first two books in her newest series, The Gentrys of Paradise, released in the spring of 2017 and began with the novella Into the Evermore where readers meet Virginia horse breeders, Eleanor and Beauregard Gentry. The following books feature their children, Adam, Matthew, and Olivia. For the Brave is Matthew’s story and is the first full length book of the series. Olivia’s book, For This Moment, released in the spring of 2018. The final book, For Her Honor, is now available.

The Crawford Family Series following the fortunes of the three Boston born Crawford sisters and includes Train Station Bride, Contract to Wed, Her Safe Harbor, and companion novella, The Maid’s Quarters. Cross the Ocean and Charming the Duke are both British set Victorian romances. Fan favorites stand-alone historical romance novels include Romancing Olive and Reconstructing Jackson. Holly’s books are described as ‘emotional, with heartfelt, sexy romance.’

She also writes General Fiction under the name of Hollis Bush.

Holly makes her home with her husband, one happy Labrador Retriever and a clever Jack Russell rescued from the pound, and two difficult cats in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Connect with Holly at www.hollybushbooks.com, on Twitter @hollybushbooks, and on Facebook at Holly Bush. Follow Holly on her Amazon author page to receive new release updates and on BookBub to check out her reviews and get sale information.

Spotlight: Kissing Lessons by Stefanie London

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Welcome to Kissing Creek, where everything has a romance-themed pun for a name and love is lurking around every corner...

Audrey Miller doesn’t believe in happily-ever-after, so she is definitely living in the wrong town. But she’s never getting out of Kissing Creek, because playing pseudo-mom for her younger siblings doesn’t leave time for much else. She’ll do anything to make sure they don’t end up stuck like she is, working as a barista in a college town, serving Pink Passion mochas with Chocolate Smooch donuts.

Then Ronan Walsh, a new young professor and walking cliché, right down to the elbow patches on his blazer, steps in for a coffee and into her life. She knows his type—intelligent and charming, yet sweet as a cinnamon roll, the sort of man she’s inevitably attracted to but is always out of her league. So why does someone like him have any interest in a worker bee with no future?

Her bland-as-oatmeal existence has nothing to offer, but Ronan’s temporary teaching position is only a stepping stone on his way to somewhere else. He isn’t here to put down roots, Audrey’s roots are firmly planted—neither of them is looking for love. And maybe that’s just perfect.

But in a small town called Kissing Creek, sometimes love can be impossible to avoid…

Exclusive Excerpt

 Audrey cocked her head. “You know, we’ve been warned about people like you.”

“People posing as professors.” She waggled her finger at him and made a teasing, tutting sound.

“Posing?” Ronan literally studied the very things which made people who they are—the very fiber of their motivations and morals. He would never scam someone. But this wasn’t the first time someone had questioned him because he was younger than average. “I’m a professor at Harrison Beech College. I don’t have my faculty card yet, that’s all.”

“You really thought you could get one past me by trying to look the part?” She shook her head. “The elbow patches were a good attempt, but don’t you think they’re a little cliché?”

Now she was insulting his fashion choices? He blinked. “What’s wrong with elbow patches?”

“It’s like you Googled ‘what do professors wear?’ and then bought the first thing you saw.” She bit down on her lip as if stifling a laugh.

Everyone was looking at him now, but Ronan had always been impervious to embarrassment. Maybe it was years of growing up with his Irish grandmother who was as blunt as a hammer.

Although he had Googled that exact question on his first day as a professor in his late twenties. He’d been more insecure back then, feeling the age gap between him and his colleagues and his lack of life experience like a weight around his neck. These days he’d learned to hold his own, academically and personally.

And he damn well liked his elbow patches.

Get Your Copy:  Amazon | Amazon UK | Amazon CA | Amazon AUS

About Stefanie London

Stefanie London is a multi award-winning, USA Today bestselling author of contemporary romances and romantic comedies.

Stefanie’s books have been called “genuinely entertaining and memorable” by Booklist, and “Elegant, descriptive and delectable” by RT magazine. Her stories have won multiple industry awards, including the HOLT Medallion and OKRWA National Reader's Choice Award, and she has been nominated for the Romance Writers of America RITA award.

Originally from Australia, Stefanie now lives in Toronto with her very own hero and is currently in the process of doing her best to travel the world. She frequently indulges in her passions for good coffee, lipstick, romance novels and anything zombie-related.

Connect with Stefanie: Facebook | Instagram | Website

Spotlight: His Castilian Hawk by Anna Belfrage

For bastard-born Robert FitzStephan, being given Eleanor d’Outremer in marriage is an honour. For Eleanor, this forced wedding is anything but a fairy tale.

Robert FitzStephan has served Edward Longshanks loyally since the age of twelve. Now he is riding with his king to once and for all bring Wales under English control.

Eleanor d’Outremer—Noor to family—lost her Castilian mother as a child and is left entirely alone when her father and brother are killed. When ordered to wed the unknown Robert FitzStephan, she has no choice but to comply.

Two strangers in a marriage bed is not easy. Things are further complicated by Noor’s blood-ties to the Welsh princes and by covetous Edith who has warmed Robert’s bed for years.

Robert’s new wife may be young and innocent, but he is soon to discover that not only is she spirited and proud, she is also brave. Because when Wales lies gasping and Edward I exacts terrible justice on the last prince and his children, Noor is determined to save at least one member of the House of Aberffraw from the English king.

Will years of ingrained service have Robert standing with his king or will he follow his heart and protect his wife, his beautiful and fierce Castilian hawk?

Excerpt – where Robert returns home to woo his wife

By the time he’d dismounted and ordered someone to see to the horse and his belongings, Noor was standing on the outer stairs leading to the hall, her hair covered by a veil. She led the way inside, to a table placed in front of the open hearth. After a full day in the saddle, Robert was cold and hungry, cradling the bowl of hot pottage in his hands.

“Why are you here?” Noor asked, sitting down at the other end of the table. 

“Why?” He raised his brows. “Do I need an excuse to visit my home? My wife?”

“Your wife?” Her hand shook as she poured herself some of the mulled wine. “The entire world knows you prefer fair Edith to me. So why bother with me at all?”

“I’ll visit my home and my wife whenever it pleases me,” he replied. “Besides, I am here to consummate our vows. I wouldn’t want you to send more letters to Bishop Giffard.”

She flushed. Her chin went up. “And then what? Will you continue bedding her whenever it pleases you?” 

He grimaced. “I’ll not cut her out of my life. Edith and I have known each other for more years than you’ve been on this earth.” 

“So I must just accept it?” 

He tore of a chunk of bread and chewed industriously for a while. “Aye. She’s always been there for me. When I’ve been wounded and ailing, when I’ve needed someone to hold me, she’s been there.” He shrugged. “You wouldn’t understand. You are too young to understand just how lonely life is at times.” He dipped his spoon in the pottage just as her goblet struck him full in the face. Robert cursed and leapt to his feet.

“Wife,” he growled, ducking as she sent the pitcher flying at him.

“I don’t know what it means to be lonely?” A fat tallow candle sailed past his head. “I’ve been lonely for most of my life! So what should I do when I am hurting, who should I turn to when I need someone to hold me close? While she is holding you, who is to comfort me and whisper that they care?” She had hold of an earthenware dish.

“Don’t,” he warned.

“If you intend to have her in your life, then it is only fair I have someone too. Maybe I can ask your dear friend John to share my bed while you share hers.”

John? “Don’t be ridiculous,” he snapped. “A wife who strays is nothing but a whore.” Over his dead body would he let John—or any man—come close to his wife, especially in her present agitated state, anger staining her face and neck a dusky red, dark eyes flashing as she lifted that dish she was holding. 

“And what should we call a man who prefers his whore to his wife?” she asked. “What should we call a man who strays? A misbegotten cur?” She smashed the dish on the table, sending fragments skittering over the heavy oak boards and the floor beneath. “If you can’t countenance a life without her, then go back to her. But know this: I will never let you touch me unless you swear you’ll not touch her again. Ever.” 

“What foolishness is this? A wife dictating to her husband?” A couple of swift steps and he was looming over her. “Not in my house.” 

“Husband in name only,” she reminded him, refusing to back down. “But the situation is easily amended. All we need is an annulment and you are free to return to her, and I am free to go my own way.”

“Your own way? What sort of an innocent are you? Should there be an annulment, it would be but a matter of weeks before you’re wed elsewhere.” The thought sat badly with him—and not only on account of the lands. 

“I would not mind. In difference to you, maybe a new husband would desire me and show me what you never have: affection and respect.”

That stung. “Best hope that new husband of yours doesn’t have an Edith to compare you with,” he said, regretting the words the moment they were out of his mouth. His hitherto blazing wife reeled back, eyes widening into dark pools of hurt.

“I hate you,” she told him before taking to her heels, running as if for her life from the room. 

“Damnation,” he muttered, scrubbing a hand over his face. For a man determined to woo his wife, he had failed dismally. 

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Had Anna been allowed to choose, she’d have become a time-traveller. As this was impossible, she became a financial professional with two absorbing interests: history and writing. Anna has authored the acclaimed time travelling series The Graham Saga, set in 17th century Scotland and Maryland, as well as the equally acclaimed medieval series The King’s Greatest Enemy which is set in 14th century England.

More recently, Anna has published The Wanderer, a fast-paced contemporary romantic suspense trilogy with paranormal and time-slip ingredients. While she loved stepping out of her comfort zone (and will likely do so again ) she is delighted to be back in medieval times in her September 2020 release, His Castilian Hawk. Set against the complications of Edward I’s invasion of Wales, His Castilian Hawk is a story of loyalty, integrity—and love.

Find out more about Anna on her website or on her Amazon page. You can also follow her on Facebook or Twitter.

Castilian Hawk

Cover Reveal: Run to You by Jayne Townsley

(Seasons of Love, #1)
Publication date: November 24th 2020
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

A friend of the family has done despicable things and has his eyes set on Rin and she has no idea what he has in store for her.

Rin lost her mother four years after the murder of her best friend on the night of their high school graduation. Although her mother’s death was unexpected, there is nothing suspicious about it whereas Hannah’s death is an open cold case. At least Rin thinks her mother’s death was nothing more than an untimely tragedy. Going on the long dreamed of post-college vacation that she and her friends have been planning since grade school, she hopes to leave the pain behind for a bit and relax in the Florida sunshine.

Kevin loves his life and his job as an Army Ranger. When he and his Army brothers use some well-earned time off to visit Panama City Beach, he’s not expecting to meet the woman who will change his life forever. A woman being hunted by an unknown monster intent on keeping them apart by any means necessary.

Can Kevin keep Rin from Hannah’s fate? Or is it his turn to face loss like Rin?

Pre-order: Amazon: https://amzn.to/2HWKmVM

Connect:

https://twitter.com/JayneTownsley

https://www.pinterest.ca/jaynetownsleyauthor/_saved/

https://www.instagram.com/jaynetownsleyauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/jaynetownsleyauthor

https://jtauthor.blogspot.com/

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Spotlight: Deal Breaker by Julie Archer

For Sophie, crushing on her best friend’s brother was old news, and Max never stopped thinking about what could be even though his sister’s best friend was off-limits. When they find themselves at a destination wedding, does their first kiss end up being their last? Readers will devour this best friend's sibling romance from Julie Archer. The Holiday Springs Resort series open for the holidays and DEAL BREAKER is now live!

Only on Amazon + Read for FREE on Kindle Unlimited 

Amazon ➝ https://amzn.to/2RR4V7I

A fall destination wedding with friends to break up the monotony of adulting? Yes, please!

It all sounded like fairy-tale bliss until Sophie remembered her best friend's brother was going to be a groomsman. She'd been in love with Max since high school. Autumn had deemed Sophie’s crush on her brother as "gross" and vetoed any further talk about it - ever. Would it be wrong for a girl to hope for a little fun with the hottest guy in the bridal party?

When a little too much booze and a game of truth or dare the night before the big wedding has Sophie planting a giant kiss on Max’s lips - and him running as fast as he could to barf after – she’s certain the two of them don't stand a chance.

Sophie was off-limits for Max but that didn't stop him from fantasizing about her. While his word was normally his vow, his attraction wouldn’t be denied.

For years, Max had dreamt of how their first kiss might be. Although he had imagined it countless ways, never did he picture it being alcohol-fuelled. His stomach lurched and he rushed to the bathroom to puke his guts out. What should’ve been an incredible greeting became yet another embarrassing experience.

Now not only did Max have a massive hangover to deal with, he had to figure out a way to undo the mess he’d made with the one girl he ever really wanted.

Was their first kiss their last or can Max convince Sophie it shouldn't be a deal-breaker?

Escape to the romantic paradise of Holiday Springs and warm up with your next happily ever after.

Excerpt 

Copyright @Julie Archer 2020 

Autumn’s voice chimed from the depths of my bag. “Soph? Sophie? Are you still there?”

I scrabbled to retrieve the phone. “Yes, sorry. Did you hear that? It’s totally unheard of for him to offer me an early finish.”

She laughed. “You should have taken it. We could have had coffee, and you could give me tips for my date.”

I echoed her laughter. I was the last person she should be taking dating advice from. “Now, where were we?”

“Travel plans for the wedding. You, me, Jodie.”

And Max, I added silently. Ugh. Why was I thinking about him now?

“Max has to be there early, for the rehearsal dinner or something, otherwise he’d drive us.”

I drifted off into a fantasy of spending several hours in a confined space with Max Coady, watching him drive, the muscles in his forearms working as he took control of the wheel, breathing in his aftershave…reluctantly I shook myself back to the present. Seriously, I had to get this crush under control. Maybe I’d meet someone at the wedding who would sweep me off my feet. I sighed.

Who was I kidding?

Unrequited love was a bitch.

Of course, I couldn’t tell Autumn this. Not since she’d decided at the age of fourteen that I couldn’t ever—EVER—date her brother. I’d had to keep my fantasies under control since then. Maybe that was one of the reasons I hadn’t managed to find a serious boyfriend. Because no one ever compared to Max.

“Soph? Where are you?” Autumn’s voice broke into my reverie. “I asked what time you want to meet on Friday. It’s going to take us around an hour and a half to get there.”

“Ha, longer if Jodie’s in charge of directions.” I half giggled, half grimaced. I’d been on enough road trips with Jodie to know we needed to add at least another half an hour onto our trip time. She had an uncanny knack of getting close to a place, but not actually to it. There had been plenty of times we’d driven past where we were meant to be simply because she couldn’t work out how to get us there. “Do we have a map?”

“Didn’t you get the ton of information Brianna sent with the invite? I reckon there’s a map in there with directions from every state in the US!” Autumn laughed.

I thought back to the day the invitation pack had plopped onto my doormat. Thicker than a college acceptance pack, it contained every single piece of information about the day. Not to mention a few pictures of throwbacks to the proposal, engagement party, and bachelor and bachelorette parties. Apart from finding out the date, I’d shoved the rest of it in a drawer in my kitchenette. I was still finding glittery horseshoes in my apartment weeks after the damn invite had been delivered.

“Well, good. Because with Jodie driving, we’ll probably need them!”

About Julie

Julie Archer is the author of contemporary romance featuring rock stars, small towns, a healthy dose of angst, some steamy times, and always a happy ever after!

When not writing, she can usually be found binge-watching teen drama series on Netflix, or supporting Spurs (the English Premier League football team, not the American basketball team!) from my armchair, and running around after her two feline children, Corey and Elsa.

Real angst. Real romance.

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Instagram 

Spotlight: Keep Walking, Rhona Beech by Kate Tough

Publication date: April 4th 2019
Genres: Women’s Fiction

Incredibly insightful, funny and poignant’ Helen Sedgwick
‘A warm and ferociously witty story. Truth rings from every page of this assured, engrossing debut’ Zoe Strachan

When Rhona’s story comes to an end you will miss her. Her candid, raw, messy journey will make you laugh, cry and remember. Not a typical break-up book, it’s much more profound. Nothing has turned out quite how Rhona imagined: she’s been casually swapping one job for another while getting comfy in a long relationship which ends abruptly, and her efforts to adjust to that change are thrown by some unwelcome news…

Flawed, relatable Rhona Beech narrates this beautifully written, pacey satire about female friendship, heartbreak, career change, conceiving and illness, which will appeal to fans of Fleabag. Join her on a laugh (and cry) out loud search for meaning amongst the bars, offices and clinics of Glasgow.

Will her friendships survive the changes and challenges? Will SHE survive? At once funny and tender, Keep Walking, Rhona Beech is a clear-sighted look at a generation of women that was told they could have it all.

Excerpt

I am a patient. My job is to lie in this bed. I do my job well. Who I would be at home is less clear. And nobody would be there, beside themselves with relief that I am back.

I’d have to do things, necessary things – plus other things I would have to do just to be seen to be doing something.

Doing things makes me tired.

Doing things leads to other things, and things have a habit of changing when you’d got used to them being a certain way.

My heart broke. My body broke.

The bailiffs came for a cone-shaped piece. What exactly do you people want from me?

*

I didn’t have obsessive compulsive disorder when I came in but might well have it by the time I leave (an okay trade?). There is precious little to do but notice things and how often they occur.

Times per hour I assess how my wound site is feeling: about seven.

Times per day I remember to visualize a healthy wound site: maybe one.

Number of days with a Tupperware lid of cloud cover outside: six.

(The sheets, the walls, the sky – all the color of bone.

Am I that color too? I have no mirror to tell otherwise.

Maybe everyone who goes under anesthetic wakes up in this world of bone, while their previous lives continue somewhere else.) 

Minutes per day the nurses listen to a facile breakfast DJ: 120.

Minutes per day I am now able to breathe behind the radio and tune it out: 40.

Times per day I imagine being outdoors for hours on end: one, but it lasts awhile.

Times per day I notice that my left foot sits higher under the sheet than my right: about a dozen.

Times per day I speak: zero.

Times per day I make eye contact with the parent who has come to visit: on arrival only. (I will not cry in a room with a half glass wall, with a person who has to leave afterwards.)

Times per hour I remember what other people have to cope with in life: one, if I make myself.

Times per day I imagine a year from now, when things could be very different: zero, initially, now up to two or three. 

Times per hour the perma-grin nurse sings out to the woman opposite, ‘Feeling okay, Nancy?’: too many. (I am waiting for Nancy to be discharged or die.)

Buy on Amazon | Audible

About the Author

Kate Tough worked for the Scottish Parliament for six years before returning to her home city, gaining a Masters in Creative Writing from the University of Glasgow. She writes poetry and fiction rooted in realism, humor and sometimes difficult truths.

She creates astute observational detail in fiction, and explores painful moments, that readers could recognize as themselves or their friends.

Her novel, Keep Walking, Rhona Beech, is the revised 2nd edition of Head for the Edge, Keep Walking. Her short fiction and poetry appear in journals such as, The Brooklyn Review, The Texas Review and The Found Poetry Review. Kate’s poetry pamphlet, tilt-shift, was Runner Up in the Callum Macdonald Memorial Award, 2017.

Kate's been a literacy volunteer and creative writing tutor in many community settings.

Connect:

http://www.katetough.com/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3342474.Kate_Tough