Spotlight: Warming My Winter Heart by Michelle Cornish

Publication date: November 22nd 2020
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

You can’t run from love forever . . .

When Lexi Blair comes home to Little City from LA for Christmas, she gets the surprise of her life—the ex-fiancé she thought was dead is very much alive and wants her back!

It’s Christmas Eve and Lexi’s seen a ghost. Or . . . she thought he was a ghost until her mom admits to faking his death so Lexi would come home for Christmas.

After a humiliating run-in with her ex—which results in Lexi disowning her mother—she hides out at her best friend’s tree farm, babysitting a nameless puppy while her friend and hubby tend to a family emergency. 

But farm life comes with a few perks Lexi isn’t expecting—mainly a hunky farmhand who’s helping Lexi run the place until her friends return.  

While Lexi ran from Little City, John ran to it, and she quickly learns he’s healing from past hurts of his own.

Can Lexi and John stop running before it’s too late?

Excerpt

Before long, Mom has dinner on the table, and when we’re seated, she says grace. Mom’s always loved going to church on Christmas Eve, but after her big fight with Aunt Flora, she started going every Sunday and doing things like saying grace. 

Dad gives me a fully loaded, sideways look that says, “Yeah, your mother still hasn’t talked to your aunt and we still do these things to make it okay in her eyes.” I give him a nod. Does he know what they fought about that Christmas? He took a misdirected punch while he and Ian pulled Mom and her sister apart. That was before Ian became the biggest boob on the planet. Ugh.

“Oh, Lexi, I almost forgot.” Mom draws my attention back to the present. She grabs a box from the kitchen. “I got Christmas crackers.” Ooh. Seems hardly worth it for the three of us, but I do love Christmas crackers. Their gold and silver foil shines as Mom hands one to Dad and me then places one next to her own plate.

I look inside the cracker for the pull tab and grip it firmly then cross my arms, offering the Christmas cracker to Mom on my right and reaching for Dad’s cracker with my right hand.

“Ready?” Mom says. I’m transported back in time as I nod then Mom issues her standard Christmas cracker instructions. “On three. One . . . two . . . three!”

We all pull hard on our crackers against each other and our three little crackers pop and snap while bits of ripped paper scatter across the table. If Mom and Dad had a cat, it would have run for cover.

“Ooh, look,” Mom says. “I got a magnifying glass.” An urge to make a snarky comment about Mom’s eyesight and “how did the Christmas elves know?” pops into my head, but I let it go. I just got here, no need to start a fight just yet. 

I check the table for my prize while Dad holds up a giant sparkly paperclip. “Not sure what this is about,” he says. 

“It’s a bookmark, dear.” Mom touches Dad’s hand as she says it. She must have splurged on the premium crackers that encourage you to spend more money by showing you on the back of the package what you’ll get. 

Something shiny catches my eye on the floor. “Ooh,” I say, leaning over in my chair to pick up my prize. “I got a pen.” I hold it up like it’s some kind of trophy. At least it’s something useful. I place it on the table right next to the fuschia paper crown that also spewed forth from the Christmas cracker.

“Put on your crown.” Mom flutters her hand in my direction. She’s already wearing hers. Dad somehow “accidentally” ripped his, so it won’t stay on his head. Lucky guy. I put on the crown. My cheeks burn a bit, and I feel like I’m ten again—the last year I remember actually liking these silly crowns. I scan the table hoping a bottle of wine has materialized in the last few minutes. Nope.

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About the Author

Michelle Cornish is a recovering CPA with a passion for stories. Writing mostly romance and women's fiction with strong female heroines, Michelle's books often include nods to her former life as a CPA. When Michelle’s not writing, she’s hanging out with her two boys and husband in the beautiful Okanagan Valley, BC, Canada.

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Spotlight: Your Vileness by R.R. Orange

Publication date: November 18th 2021
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery, Romance, Young Adult

Synopsis:

Amandine Klinghoffer is a daring young detective working on her first independent case in the fabled kingdom of Glamwein.

Was there a murder in the royal palace? And if so, who stands to benefit from plaguing the prince with ghosts?

Prince Ivan, the lazy, cowardly, good-for-nothing embarrassment of the realm is hiding something.

He would rather profess his undying love for Amandine than give her any useful information. He is obviously using romance to distract her from finding the truth.

As Amandine investigates with Ivan’s “help” she begins to suspect a plot that threatens the fate of the entire kingdom and its magical beings. 

Excerpt

The staircase terminated in a heavy wooden door that concealed whatever lay ahead. It looked like an ordinary door, but she sensed foreboding and gloom as if they were etched into its wooden panels.

Amandine pushed it open.

A rush of cool air caressed her face, bringing the scents of burnt sugar, oranges and gingerbread treats the spectators were enjoying below. She stood in a broad, open-aired gallery just below the belfry—the rope dangled down through an opening in the ceiling, and she could have reached for it to ring the bell. 

Without wasting another moment, Amandine drew the pistol from her left pocket and fired a bolt of energy behind and above her. The crackle of electricity was brief, but as she turned around and beheld the octopus-like limbs of the Strangler writhe wildly and fade into nothingness, the piercing scream of the ghost went on for quite a while until it too faded along with any traces of its physical existence.

“In broad daylight,” she muttered, “the nerve of it.”

Then she remembered someone else had quite a nerve.

“You knew this was here,” she stated, facing Prince Ivan, who stared at her with his big blue eyes, dumbfounded.

“That was impressive,” he finally said, his charming smile returning.

“You led me here on purpose,” she continued.

Stranglers were not dangerous and technically, being incorporeal, could not really strangle anyone. They did like to wrap their tentacles around a human victim, instilling a sense of dread, misery and damp coldness. No one had ever died from it, but some people had been known to faint from sheer terror.

“Damn, Klinghoffer,” Ivan said, evidently forgetting his resolve not to swear and walking into the dark corner where the spectre had been moments ago, “You destroyed it without a trace.”

“I should hope so. The electrical charges in this weapon are strong enough to unbind the faint energy keeping ghosts in our physical world. And it’s Mademoiselle Klinghoffer to you. Actually, I don’t even feel like speaking with you after you lured me here, hoping to embarrass me.”

“Just another test of your skill,” Ivan said, looking completely unconcerned by her anger.

Her face moved of its own volition into a cynical smile. “Your surprise at my success tells me you expected me to fail.”

“But how did you know where to aim?” he asked, ignoring the accusation, “You fired the shot without even turning around.”

She shrugged, trying not to be softened by his admiration for her skill. “After a while, you develop a sense for these things.”

Amandine did not feel hurt exactly but perhaps slightly saddened by the fact that he was just as predictable as her schoolmates had been. Even his ruse of luring her into a haunted church proved fairly weak and pathetic.

“I wonder what sort of thing died to create that?” he asked.

“It’s not one thing but two or three people whose fates were intertwined in unfortunate ways. If they’re unlucky enough to die at the same time or in fairly close succession, the resulting ghost is a Strangler.” Amandine explained. “Anyway, I shall make my way to the royal palace now. I don’t suppose you actually brought me up here to see the Fairy News.”

“Of course I did. Come on!”

He made to take hold of her hand, but Amandine dodged his grasp. She had little interest in being led about by this royal manipulator. He looked hurt, or pretended to.

“Oh, come now,” he coaxed, “haven’t you ever heard of letting bygones be bygones?”

“A very Glamweinian sentiment,” she remarked, standing aloof and folding her arms close to her body.

“True, we don’t like to hold on to grudges. We like to say, ‘if you look back, you get a smack.’ Isn’t it a wonderful tradition?”

“Sounds a little violent,” Amandine said, “I think it’s wise to look back and learn from your mistakes, especially when the most recent incident only happened a few seconds ago.”

Ivan kneeled down on the grey stones, opening his arms dramatically.

“I beg your forgiveness, fair Klinghoffer,” he said in a solemn voice, his lips quivering as he suppressed a grin, “and I promise, no more pranks while I show you the Fairy News.”

“All right,” Amandine said coldly, “Please rise up. You’re being ridiculous.”

He leapt up and rushed to the edge of the gallery where a tall arch framed his dapper figure. “It’s already started!”

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About the Author

R.R. Orange has a Master’s Degree in Creative Writing. She has worked as an English and Creative Writing instructor, a marketing writer, and a dog walker. Although she loves dogs, she is not a dognapper, unlike some of her characters.

Fun fact: she is also fluent in Russian, French, and intermediate in Portuguese.

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Spotlight: Merry Ex-Mas by Elizabeth Janette

Publication date: November 10th 2021

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Synopsis:

It’s been ten years since Delaney Silverman last stepped foot on the Silver Bells Christmas Tree farm her family owns and operates, but when her father dies, she has no choice. Even if it means mending fences with her estranged mother. The last thing this reformed wild-child-turned-Manhattan-marketing-pro has in mind, though, is a second chance at first love. But after life brings her face to face with the sexy, ex-fiancé neighbor boy, she realizes he’s everything she never knew she needed.

Travis Harper knows two things to be true: 1. It’s time to adopt his foster daughter and build a custom home life for themselves, and 2. Laney Silverman is the last woman he’d ever trust with their hearts, even if she is everything he’s ever wanted. Especially since she has a bad habit of walking away from him.

Will twelve days be enough to give two former lovers a Merry Ex-Mas?

Excerpt

Perched on one of the wooden stumps that doubled as a seat, Laney watched Travis expertly stoke a fire into life. The flames crackled and popped, sending sparks flying into the air. He’d done the same thing to her heart, she realized with a start. He’d nurtured the small flame, fanning it until it threatened to engulf her. 

Satisfied with the fire, Travis pulled a stump close to Laney and took a seat. He unfurled the blanket, draping it over their laps for added warmth, not that either of them were cold, before retrieving his bag. Laney had to stifle a laugh as he reached in and pulled out a pack of marshmallows, graham crackers, and two chocolate bars. All the fixin’s for s’mores. A favorite from her childhood. She was touched. “You remembered.” 

“Of course, I did.” He handed her a wire stick, fingers grazing her hand. His gaze, dark and unreadable, cut her to the quick and her breath lodged in her throat until she had to look away. 

She took the fat marshmallows he offered and pushed them onto her stick before hovering it over the flames, close enough to soak up the heat but not so close to catch fire. A surge of nostalgia swelled. How many times had they sat side-by-side, roasting marshmallows for s’mores and laughing? She turned to study him. 

Shadows cast by the flames danced across his face. As a boy he’d been gangly, nothing more than lanky arms and legs. But he’d filled out nicely as a man. Lean muscles molded by years spent working in construction. If she closed her eyes, she could easily recall the smooth expanse of his muscular back, the hard planes of his chest, the slight dusting of hair. 

“You’re on fire.” 

On fire for him maybe. The man didn’t have to touch her to set her skin on fire. All it took was one look in her general direction and her entire body felt ready to combust at a moment’s notice.

“Earth to Laney. You’re on fire.” He pointed to her flaming stick. 

Sure enough, her mallows were indeed fully engulfed and a total loss. They melted and dripped into the fire. She set the stick aside. “Crap on a stick.”

Travis chuckled at her odd expression and offered up the bag of fluffy treats. “Try again?”

Her stomach growled. She eyed Travis’s perfectly toasted marshmallows. They’d skipped dinner and gone straight for dessert. She watched as he sandwiched them between two graham crackers and slid them off the stick. Adding a thick hunk of chocolate to the mix, he took a tentative bite. Strings of gooey marshmallow stuck to his lip and melted chocolate dripped down his fingers.

Oblivious to the naughty thoughts running through her mind, Travis said, “You know, this might make a great added feature for Silver Bells. Make a s’more while you wait for your tree to be chopped down. Customers love nostalgia and being fed. As an added bonus, no hangry customers.” 

Laney sucked in her bottom lip and eyed his dessert. Her stomach rumbled again. His treat did look awfully good. 

She leaned over and stole a bite of his ooey gooey s’more for herself. 

“Oh my God, so good.” She sighed and closed her eyes for a moment, reveling in the sugar rush. 

A rich laugh tripped off his lips. Travis took another bite of his s’more, and then offered her a second bite. He waggled his eyebrow at her. “I’ll share.”

He didn’t have to ask her twice. She popped the whole treat into her mouth. 

“Hey!”

Mouth full, she said, “Sorry, I don’t share.” 

The smoldering look Travis gave her, the way his gaze slipped to her lips as she finished swallowing her stolen s’more, was all the invitation she needed. She leaned over and licked the gooey strands from his lip, the tip of her tongue grazing the corner of his mouth. 

Between the moonlight and the light from the fire, Travis was a mesmerizing sight. One that turned her insides to molten lava. 

In silent offering, Travis touched a chocolate-coated finger to her lips. 

Now this was a game she could get behind. She licked the chocolate from her lip, then sucked his finger into her mouth, swirling her tongue around the tip. 

What was happening to her? Who sucked the chocolate off a man’s fingers? 

But damn, if it didn’t taste heavenly. Would his lips taste the same way? She tilted her head and leaned in to find out. 

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About the Author

Born to parents who loved to read, it’s no surprise Elizabeth Janette’s lifelong love of literacy led her to become both a teacher and a writer. In fact, writing about getting RIF’d from her teaching job in the 2008 recession is what led her to publish an essay about the experience. From then on, she was hooked. Now days, when she’s not teaching sassy 5th graders, Elizabeth Janette writes romance that both sizzles and thrills. And when she’s not teaching or writing, she works for her local chapter of the National Writing Project teaching teachers how to teach writing. Visit www.elizabethjanette.com to connect and sign up for her newsletter.

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Spotlight: The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek

There’s no problem Charlie Kingsley can’t solve with tea, but when it comes to love, she doesn’t do love potions. So when her client asks about poison instead, Charlie thought she was kidding, that is until her client’s husband turns up dead. Fans of Agatha Christie’s Miss Marple Series will devour The Murder Before Christmas by Michele Pariza Wacek, a fun, twisty cozy mystery.

If you've got a problem, Charlie Kingsley probably has a tea that’ll help make it right.

EXCEPT when it comes to love. She does NOT do love potions.

Not even for Courtney, her pregnant new client who showed up three weeks before Christmas seeking a love potion because her husband was cheating on her.

So, Courtney asked about poison, instead.

She said she was joking That's what happens between wives and husbands. They get angry and talk about killing each other. They don't really mean it.

It seems to make sense ... until Courtney’s husband turns up dead on Christmas Eve.

He was poisoned, of course.

And who is the number one suspect? Courtney. Of course.

But did she actually do it? Or is she being set up?

It's up to Charlie to sort through all the twists and turns in a case that gets more complicated the deeper she digs.

Meet Charlie. Better known as “Aunt Charlie” from the award-winning Secrets of Redemption series. She's back, making teas and solving cases in this quirky, twisty, cozy mystery series set in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin.

Excerpt

Copyright 2021 Michele Pariza Wacek

 "Why are you here again?" Officer Brandon Wyle asked me, his chair squeaking as he shifted his lean, lanky figure into a more comfortable position. His dark hair was longer than he normally wore it, curling around his collar and into curtain bangs that he absentmindedly brushed off his forehead. I found myself wondering if this was a new hairstyle, or if he kept forgetting to make an appointment with a stylist. His expression was carefully blank, but his dark eyes didn't miss a thing.

I hadn't quite figured it out myself, but was doing my best to sound more confident than I felt. The longer I sat there, the more convinced I was that it was a huge mistake. But at that point, it would have been even worse if I’d left, so I had to brazen my way through it. "She's my client," I said, which was true. She had bought some tea from me. Once. "And you've seen her condition."

Wyle's eyebrows went up. "Condition? You mean her pregnancy?"

"Exactly. Stress isn't good for mothers-to-be. Well, stress isn't good for any of us, but it's especially not good when you're pregnant. And she's already dealing with the stress of losing her husband ..."

"Who she likely poisoned," Wyle said.

Now it was my turn to raise eyebrows. "Are you saying she's a suspect?"

More squeaking as he moved again. We were sitting by his desk, which was tucked away in the corner of the police station. The room was too hot—Wyle had mentioned there was something wrong with the heater—but the combination of the heat, cigarette smoke, and the burnt-coffee-old-sweat odor made my stomach turn. Even though we weren't alone, no one appeared to be paying any attention to us. The constant collective noise of the phone ringing, typewriters clacking, and people talking filled the space. "Oh come on, Charlie. You're smarter than this. Everyone is a suspect in the beginning. Heck, you even made the list."

I was aghast. "Me?"

"Yes, you. Don't you think it's pretty suspicious you're even in here?"

"I never even met Dennis," I said.

"You don't need to meet the guy to sell his wife some poison."

"I don't sell poison," I said firmly, deciding I would definitely not be mentioning Courtney's request for something to kill her husband to Wyle. "I sell teas and tinctures."

"Uh huh." Wyle tapped his pen on his notebook, which was balanced precariously on top of a stack of paperwork. His eyes continued to study me.

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About Michele Pariza Wacek

When Michele was 3 years old, she taught herself to read because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories to be exact, ranging from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn't enough, she also hosts a virtual book club you can check out and join (for free!) at MPWNovels.com.

Michele holds a double major in English and Communications from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Currently she lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband Paul and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

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Spotlight: The 14 Days of Christmas by Louise Bay

Release Date: November 16

I hate Christmas.

As CEO of my company, I’ve banned decorations from the office, festive music from the lobby and any kind of secret Santa gifts between employees are strictly forbidden.

I’m heading to the airport, away from the Christmas lights and the mulled wine, heading for sunshine and margaritas when I get a call from Granny. She’s sprained her ankle and needs my help filling in for her as head of the village Christmas Committee. Snowsly is the Christmas Capital of England and the last place I want to be in the lead up to Christmas.

But there’s nothing I wouldn’t do for Granny.

When I arrive in Snowsly, I’m introduced to Celia Sommers who is Christmas’ biggest fan and therefore my own personal nightmare before Christmas. Worse than that, I have to work with her to make Snowsly’s Christmas market a success.

Celia is determined to get me in the festive spirit. It’s not going to work.

It doesn’t matter if she’s smart and funny and easy to flirt with—if she doesn’t stop looking at me with her sparkling eyes and pouting her completely kissable lips, Celia is going straight to the top of my naughty list.

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author, Louise Bay writes sexy, contemporary romance novels – the kind she likes to read. Her books include the novels Faithful (not currently on sale as undergoing maintenance!), Hopeful, The Empire State Series, The Nights Collection, The Royals Collection, and The Gentleman Collection (these are series of stand alone books each following different characters). Louise’s most recent novel is Mr. Mayfair which is available now!

Ruined by romantic mini-series of the eighties, Louise loves all things romantic. There’s not enough of it in real life so she disappears into the fictional worlds in books and films.

Louise loves the rain, The West Wing, London, days when she doesn’t have to wear make-up, being on her own, being with friends, elephants and champagne.

She loves to hear from readers so get in touch!

Connect with Louise Bay:

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Spotlight: Chasing Daffodils by Emily Sam

Romance, Contemporary Romance, New Adult Romance

Release Date: October 26, 2021

Jade Everly is a twenty-four-year-old native New Yorker, pursuing an acting career while working as a Barista at a trendy cafe. She shares an apartment in Brooklyn with her best friend Reese.

When Reese suddenly springs the news that she is moving out to live with her boyfriend, Jade has no choice but to let good-looking, cocky, musician and true player Colin move in. Now living together, Jade and Colin hardly see eye to eye, especially about the men she dates.

An upcoming wedding of her ex-boyfriend Noah and childhood best friend Suzy has her on the hunt (even more than ever) for a plus one.

Will Jade find love as she searches for the right date or will desperation blind her from finding the love she desires?

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About the Author

Emily was born in 1998 in South Jersey. When she was 13, Emily and her family relocated to Florida. Her parents were born and raised in Brooklyn, New York and Emily spent a lot of time visiting family there. It was during one of these visits that inspired Emily to write. Her adoration for New York mixed with her personal experiences and love for writing helped shape Chasing Daffodils. She has a deep-rooted love for cities and hopes to settle down in one someday.

When Emily isn’t writing she divides her time between working towards a college degree and spending time with family and friends. A favorite pastime is taking long walks or drives with her dog Lily while listening to decades-old classic rock music. It is usually during these long walks that much of her character development for her stories take place.

Emily enjoys reading your typical romance novel. Her favorite is romantic comedies. She also enjoys relaxing while watching her favorite television shows Sex and the City, Girls, and The Office.

Emily is so appreciative of her readers and looks forward to hearing from you. If you have questions about her book, promotional material, book signings, or other general questions, feel free to reach out through social media, email, or website.

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