Spotlight: Bookmarked: How the Great Works of Western Literature F*cked Up My Life by Mark Scarbrough

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Mark Scarbrough is the author of more than 30 cookbooks, has made countless national television appearances cooking up a storm and laughs, and hosts three successful podcasts. But behind all the food, spotlights, and fun lies a deeper story. Mark has been searching for something his entire life. An adopted kid, he has always been yearning for his birth mother, his purpose, his identity. Starting on the fateful day that he fell out of his world and into what felt like a Texas-based version of The Stepford Wives, Mark heads out into the multiverse of plots on a quest to find out who he really is, leaving behind pulp fiction and using the great Western texts as his ultimately unreliable companions. He now shares that story in his extraordinary new memoir, Bookmarked: How the Great Works of Western Literature F*ucked Up My Life (Propertius Press, September 23, 2021).

Desperate to discover a reality where he makes sense, Mark can hardly distinguish between plots and his life. The child of strict Texas evangelicals, Mark is taught by the Bible to fervently believe in the rapture and second coming and is thus moved to spend his teen years as a youth preacher in cowboy boots. But at college, he discovers William Blake, who teaches him to fall in love with poems, who meets him on a dark road one night as his sanity breaks, and who teaches him that his quest for a real home may lie with his roommate Alex. In a hail-Mary pass, Mark throws his own life at the greatest book of them all, The Bible. He joins a fundamentalist seminary and meets his wife, Miranda. But his marriage won’t stick. It’s not the right plot. So, he makes a new one, nearly pushing his wife off the cliff of sanity in a bid to save his own. In the tradition of beloved titles like The End of Your Life Book Club, Reading Lolita in Tehran, and The Year of Reading Dangerously, Bookmarked tells a deeply personal story through the lens of literature. Except this is not a story about the ways literature can save you. It's about how it can ruin you: how the great works of Western literature shaped, molded, and broke Mark until he found a way to control the voices in his head by his own voice, one made from love and in a true home. 

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About the Author

Mark Scarbrough has published 35 cookbooks with his husband, Bruce Weinstein. Bookmarked is the first time he has told his own story through memoir. Scarbrough hosts three successful podcasts, Walking with Dante, the only podcast to slow-walk Dante’s Comedy and  Lyric Life, a podcast devoted to the pleasures of lyric poetry.  With Bruce Weinstein, he hosts a popular food podcast, Cooking With Bruce and Mark. He also teaches eight-week seminars on Virginia Wolf, William Faulkner, and Toni Morrison and leads an international book group of more than 150 committed readers who work through challenging fiction while zoom-sipping wine. 

Mark has been featured on outlets like TODAY - NBC, The View, Good Morning, America, NPR’s Morning Edition, Fox and Friends, and The Martha Stewart Show.

For more information visit www.markscarbrough.com and connect with him on Instagram and Facebook.

Spotlight: Vacations Like This by Carina Taylor

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(A Love Like This, #4)
Publication date: January 4th 2022
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

From a USA Today bestselling author comes a laugh out loud friends to enemies to lovers romantic comedy!

Kimber
Some people view nosiness as a character flaw. I prefer to think of it as a useful skill. Like a sixth sense or intuition. It’s my super power. And since I became a reporter for my small town newspaper, I like to think my super power puts bagels on my table.

A tiny (quite big, actually) mistake has me eagerly accepting a contract job investigating a resort being built in a small Colorado town.

But there’s one small problem. (6’4” according to his license—maybe my nosiness does go too far sometimes.)

What I didn’t count on was being double-booked in a cabin with Mack Boone.

Our families have known each other since high school, so it feels wrong to kick him out of my cabin.

Besides…he’s kind, he’s protective, and a great kisser.

Three qualities I admire in a man.

But when I find out why he is in town, I realize I’ve made yet another mistake.

No more kissing, Kimber. He’s the enemy.

Lines are drawn. (Literally.)

Wars fought.

Hills sledded.

Lips kissed. Oh right, I wasn’t going to do that one anymore. Maybe I’ll call it research…

The more I investigate the resort, the more time I spend with Mack…the more I wonder what I’m really fighting against. The more I wonder if I can take a chance on love.

What if the villain is really the hero in this story?

*Vacations Like This is a standalone sexy, closed door romantic comedy in a series of connected characters.

A Love Like This series
1) Neighbors Like That: Kylie and Hagen’s story
2) Christmas Like This: Trey and Marla’s story
3) Friends Like These: Page and Noah’s story
4) Vacations Like This: Mack and Kimber’s story

Excerpt

"What are you doing?" a voice boomed behind me. 

Elsie jumped. I kept my feet planted firmly on the ground because—well, because I knew I couldn't stick the landing. My ice skating was still a little bit shaky. 

I turned around slowly and stared at Mack. "I'm getting into my new rental car." 

Mack shook his head rapidly. "Not a good idea, Kimber. Not. A. Good. Idea." 

"It'll be fine. Not that it's any of your concern." 

"Kimber, have you ever driven in the ice and snow before?" 

"What a sexist remark!" 

"It has nothing to do with sex and everything to do with geography!" He pointed at the mountain to our left. "We don't have those in Louisiana. We definitely don't have ice storms." Now he pointed at the icicle hanging from the yield sign. "You don't know how to drive in the snow and ice. Heck, I don't know how to drive in the snow and ice. Why do you think I haven't rented a car myself? The town's so small, just walk to where you need to go!" 

I glared at him and clenched my fist. My fingers bumped the panic button on the key fob, and the car alarm went off. I stabbed at the button with my index finger to turn it off.

Refusing to look at Mack, I tucked my hair behind my ear, then marched toward the car. My foot slipped on a thick patch of ice, but I caught myself. 

I glanced around at the parking lot. Now that I looked at it, there really was quite a bit of ice. But I'm sure the car would have better traction than my no-tread tennis shoes. 

Elsie spoke up, the dirty traitor, "You know, Kimber, maybe you should wait to drive the car tomorrow. It's supposed to thaw and warm up a little. Then you won't have to worry about driving on such thick ice." 

"It'll be fine," I assured her. I didn't know that—not really. But I didn't want to back down with Mack standing right there. It would feel wrong to agree with him. And he looked so stern standing there glaring at me. He'd make a great disapproving dad someday. I opened the door to the car and climbed in. 

Closing the door, I buckled my seatbelt before starting the car up. I jumped when a shadow fell over the driver-side window. Mack stood outside the window, knocking on it. Even knowing he was going to continue his rant, I rolled the window down. 

"Do you need a ride home in my new rental car?" I asked with a sickly sweet voice. Mack leaned down and rested his elbows on the doorframe and leaned into the car. 

"Kimber, please get out of the car." 

"Mack, it'll be fine. I don't know why you care." 

He practically rolled his eyes at that as if he had a right to be mad at me. He didn't. "You're making me out to be some super villain when I'm only here to do my job." 

"Even villains have jobs," I reminded him. "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to take this car back to the cabin so that I can deliver flyers with it. I have a super villain to stop." 

I rolled the window up and Mack was forced to step back. 

With a smirk and a little wave, I put the car in reverse, but I was distracted by Mack shaking his head looking disappointed at me. I shouldn't feel guilty. He was the one in the wrong. But while I was busy thinking about his misplaced disappointment, I stepped on the gas and shot backwards out of the parking space. Mack's eyes widened, and I frantically stepped on the brakes. 

Nothing happened. The car drifted to the side, but it didn't stop. I glanced behind me and realized that I was heading straight for a light pole. I stomped on the brakes again, but the car was already in motion and going with the momentum of the ice rink that was in the parking lot. I was going for gold. If the judges didn't give me a 10/10 for my flying spin I was going to be upset.

I screamed and cranked the wheel of the car. It didn't go where I steered it. It was as if my toe pick had stuck in the ice and the hard surface was zooming up toward my face.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author

USA Today Bestselling author Carina Taylor writes zany romantic comedies that make you ugly laugh.

When she's not writing, you can find Carina ignoring her laundry pile (she's hit expert level), pretending to work out, eating cheese, (pretending to workout WHILE eating cheese) and dreaming up the next story.

Connect:

https://sendfox.com/cjtaylorauthor

https://twitter.com/carina_writer

https://www.instagram.com/carinataylorauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/carinataylorauthor/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/carina-taylor

https://www.amazon.com/Carina-Taylor/e/B07TJ1MK9J/ref=dp_byline_cont_pop_ebooks_1

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19103305.Carina_Taylor

Spotlight: Beautiful Nightmare by Giana Darling

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(Dark Dream Duet, #2)

Publication date: January 13th 2021

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Bianca has finally found her rightful place amid the powerful Constantines. But all is not what it seems in this glittering new world. And Tiernan Morelli refuses to give up her up…

BEAUTIFUL NIGHTMARE is the final book in the Dark Dream duet by USA Today bestselling author Giana Darling.

Excerpt

“Stop,” I choked out, panic roaring through me in wild surges.

I started to thrash against him, so hard I clocked him in the mouth with my chin. He started to bleed, but he didn’t let loosen his hold.

“I won’t let you go,” he repeated calmly as he held me like Peleus wrestling the ever-changing form of Thetis, determined to win me and keep me forever. “I won’t.”

“I don’t want you,” I cried out, but there were more tears on my face and a keen edge of desperation in my tone that shook my conviction.

“Such a little liar,” he reprimanded, darkness crossing his face as he pressed his groin harder into my hips, pushing my legs farther apart so he could cant his erection against my panty-covered sex. “Should I show you how badly you lie?”

“No.” I squeezed my eyes shut and turned my face from him.

A part of me wanted it, a large part. For Tiernan to 

 from me. For him to press me open and pull me apart with the hard drive of his thick cock and the punishing hold of those strong fingers all over my flesh.

But another part was terrified. I didn’t have anything more to give to anyone, but Brandon. How could I trust anyone after a lifetime of being taken?

I expected him to kiss me then. To take me with the same ruthless savagery he’d taken me on the beach.

Instead, he licked the path of a tear from the edge of my jaw up my cheek before planting a soft kiss at the corner of my closed eye. He smoothed my hair back with a big palm and I could feel his gaze hot on my face.

I didn’t dare open my eyes to see his expression.

I knew, whatever it was, I couldn’t bare it.

This was the side of Tiernan that eviscerated me. Those small glimpses of a warm heart and kind spirit that razed my resolve to the ground.

So, I lay still and sightless as Tiernan kissed me again. Hot, open-mouthed kisses down my cheek to my neck and chest. Each press of his lips to my body melted my resolve. Atom by atom I sank into the floor, into him, pliant and hungry in a different way than I had ever been before.

This wasn’t a flash fire. A burst of lust so intense it burned fast and clean.

This was a slow burn.

A seduction.

And I was helpless against the heat.

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About the Author

Giana Darling is an USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and Top 40 Amazon Best Selling Canadian romance writer who specializes in the taboo and angsty side of love and romance. She currently lives in beautiful British Columbia where she spends time riding on the back of her man's bike, baking pies, and reading snuggled up with her Golden Retriever puppy, Romeo.

Join her newsletter for exclusive material ➜ http://eepurl.com/b0qnPr
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Spotlight: Love on the Run by Suzanne Rylee Ridolfi

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Publication date: January 11th 2022
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Synopsis:

Lily Hart is the semi-famous host of Love Lily, a podcast dedicated to love and relationships. Her bubbly enthusiasm for all things romance has caught the eye of a few swanky sponsors who offer her the chance to host a Valentine’s Day mega event. Unfortunately, Lily’s own happily-ever-after has hit a rocky patch. She’s not sure if Henry, her longtime boyfriend, is even the one. When they decide to discuss things over dinner, Lily’s left questioning everything she knows about love. She panics and calls for a getaway car.

Blaze Steel thinks the notion of love is a mythical fable made up to ruin his life. Instead of relationships he pours his energy into the opening of his new bar the Steel Taproom. Until it’s up and running, however, Blaze is forced to continue his duties as an Uber driver. When a frantic Lily jumps into the backseat of his car, Blaze doesn’t know what hit him. All he knows is he hopes he never has to lay eyes on this woman again.

Fate has different plans for them, as their paths continue to cross. When Lily realizes she can’t show up to her own event dateless, Blaze reluctantly agrees. No feelings, just a plus one. How hard could it be? After all, they’re the last couple in the world who would ever fall in love.

*For fans of sweet romance, Debbie Macomber books, and all things Hallmark. There is no steam, sweet short read.

Excerpt

“It’s your counseling session, not mine. The dollars are adding up. Just let me know when you are ready to put me out of my misery and drop you off.”

“Well, that wasn’t very nice. I’m paying you handsomely so the least you could do is be nice.”

“I don’t do nice,” he says, gruffly.

I scrunch up my nose in an attempt to create an angry face at the grumpy driver. I inch my body forward to try to get a better look. It’s the first time I’ve actually looked at the man that I’ve spent the last few hours divulging my deepest insecurities to. The first thing I notice is the sandy colored hipster man-bun that sits on the back of his head. His chiseled jaw appears clenched. He does have a remarkable profile, with a nose sculpted to perfection. The five o’clock shadow hides just enough for intrigue. Beneath his thermal I see the shape of remarkably muscular biceps. The right sleeve is pushed up a bit, revealing tattoos covering his forearm. He is everything Henry is not. He can’t possibly digest the raw emotions of the situation. The front wheels hit an ice patch and the rear end swerves to the left. My body slams into the back of his seat. His muscular arms tug tight on the wheel to regain traction. In all my sobbing, I hadn’t paid much attention to the state of the roads or the crushing snowstorm barreling down on us.

My heart rises to my throat. It's the first time that I have proof I still have a heart after my inexcusable actions. “I, I guess we could do a drive by first,” my voice struggles to eek out.

“Is that Kelly Drive?” 

“Yes, that’s the address.”

And what does ``drive by`` mean?” His eyes remain on the road. The car catches a slick slice of pavement, and we veer toward the curb.

The wheels struggle to gain traction on the icy pavement as my street comes into view.  A wave of panic twists my stomach into a corset. “A drive by, I’m sure you did them a thousand times to see if a girl was home or had company etc. you know everyone does them.”

His blue eyes stretch under his raised eyebrows.

I continue, “I’ll lay down on the seat. You check if it’s safe to return.”

“What the hell does safe look like?” he barks.

“Tell me if Lola is in the window. If someone is home, she’s never in the window.”

“Who the hell is Lola?”

“She’s a white Shih tzu.” He shakes his head. I drop my body onto the seat. He pulls to a stop and the car continues to slide. “You can come up now. Your watch dog is still on duty. That will be $403.59.”

I’m propelled to an upright position. “You can’t be serious?”

“Dead serious. You hijacked my entire night. And I charge double in bad weather.”

Tears well up from deep inside, even though I was sure there were none left. “I, I’m sorry, you’re right. I messed up this whole night.” My fingers ruffle through my purse scrambling for money. I find a five in the zip front of the interior. A ten-dollar bill in my wallet and two crumpled dollar bills under my glass case.

“Oh, for God’s sake, just get out,” he barks.

“Take this. It’s all I have right now. If you come back tomorrow, I promise I’ll pay you the rest.”

“Lady, you couldn’t pay me enough to come back tomorrow.”

“Thank you, what did you say your name is?”

“I didn’t.”

I open the door and step out; ice engulfs my heel. One foot begins to slide to the left and the other heads right. Clinging mercilessly to the door handle, I struggle to get traction. My legs begin to delve into a straddle. He appears over me. He’s much taller than I expected. With one hand he scoops me up and props me onto my feet, then slams the door and heads to his side of the car.

My eyes meet his, I smile at his chivalry. With a half-crooked smile I say, “The weather is horrendous. Text me to let me know you got home okay.”

“Not gonna happen,” he says before jumping in the car, slamming his door, and driving away.

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About the Author

Rylee is a hopeless romantic. She loves a cozy fireplace, a furry blanket and a romantic book. She strives to bring lovable characters to life.This has resulted in the creation of some of the most awkwardly charming heroines that are guaranteed to steal your heart. She's a believer in happily ever after and is mildly addicted to fabulous shoes. She loves writing about her favorite things- Christmas, fashion, family, and the ability to go for your dream, no matter how grand. When not writing you can find her spending time with her husband and three children at their home in New Jersey.

Connect:

https://www.suzanneryleeridolfi.com/

https://www.instagram.com/ryleeromance/

https://twitter.com/ryleeromance

https://www.facebook.com/SuzanneRyleeRidolfiAuthor/

Spotlight: Come a Little Closer by Kait Nolan

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Release Date: January 14

Griffin Powell has avoided his hometown since he left it in the rearview years ago. But the former Marine understands duty and promises, and that means dragging himself back home as part of his brother's wedding party. Which gets him thinking about a promise he made to a woman, after the best night of his life. When she, too, shows up as part of the wedding, it feels like a sign.

Always a bridesmaid, professor Samantha Ferguson is dreading this bachelorette weekend. She’s the one of the lone single ladies, and the matron of honor is her high school nemesis. Sam figures she can suck it up and deal, until she comes face-to-face with the big, sexy ginger mistake from her past. Can this trip home get any worse?

Turns out it can. Not only are she and Griff paired up for all the bridal party bonding activities, forcing her to relive high school hell, but Sam's best friend goes missing. When no one takes her concerns seriously, she starts a search herself--and ends up with an unwanted bodyguard whose very presence reminds her of a hot Vegas night she’s tried hard to forget.

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About the Author

Kait Nolan is a RITA® Award-winning Mississippi author who calls everyone sugar, honey, or darlin', and can wield a 'Bless your heart' like a Snuggie or a saber, depending on requirements. She believes in love, laughter, and that tacos are the world's most perfect food. When she's not writing, reading, working the evil day job, or wrangling family (both the two-legged and the four-), you can find her obsessively watching The Great British Bake Off.

Connect with Kait Nolan:

Website: https://kaitnolan.com/

Newsletter: https://kaitnolan.com/newsletter/

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

Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/kaitnolanbooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3464081.Kait_Nolan

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kait-nolan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/kaitnolan

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

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.ca/kaitnolan/

Amazon Author Page: https://amzn.to/359xLas

Spotlight: Cinnamon Alpha Series by Sara Whitney

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The new book in Sara Whitney’s romcom series is coming out Feb 9th! Check out TEMPTING FATE and catch up on the series today! Check out the award winning CINNAMON ROLL ALPHA series today!

Tempting Heat: 

Finn thinks Tom's her enemy.

The truth is, he's loved her for years.

Now that a blizzard's trapped them together, he finally has the chance to tell her the truth.

Forget about the storm raging outside. It's the ice protecting Finn's heart that Tom has to melt.

Tempting Heat features a dirty-talking hero, a schedule-obsessed heroine, and--wait for it!--only one bed. While Tempting Heat is a novella, the rest of the books in the sassy, steamy Cinnamon Roll Alphas series are standalone full-length novels.

Tempting Taste: 

Josie Ryan is everything that grumpy, risk-averse Erik has always tried to avoid.

Loud. Pushy. Distractingly gorgeous.

But now that he's opening his own wedding cake bakery, he needs her business savvy almost as much as he needs to bury his hands in her fiery red hair.

Their chemistry's explosive both in and out of the kitchen. Can they can find the perfect balance of salty and sweet, or are their differences a recipe for disaster

Tempting Taste, an RWA© Vivian© award finalist, is a steamy standalone rom-com featuring a cinnamon roll hero who literally bakes cinnamon rolls and the big-hearted heroine who appreciates his, um, hot buns.

Tempting Talk: 

As the city's most popular deejay, Mabel Bowen learned the hard way that it's safer for her reputation if she stays single.

No problem. Work keeps her busy.

But then she meets the all-business accountant overseeing the sale of her radio station, and the only thing she can think about are the Superman muscles hiding under that Clark Kent suit.

With brain-scrambling levels of chemistry on the line, is she willing to risk her job--and her heart?

Tempting Talk, an RWA© Golden Heart© award finalist, is a feisty, funny standalone rom-com about a woman of words and a man of numbers who fight falling in love the whole way.

Tempting Lies: 

Thea Blackwell never commits to anything. Not jobs. Not hairstyles. Not men.

Yet here she is dreaming about buying a house and having it fixed up by the town playboy who's never spared her a second glance.

Then out of the blue he offers her a shocking proposal: he'll help renovate her house if she'll help repair his wild reputation.

Their hearts are off limits in this fake relationship. So why are all these for-show kisses starting to feel real?

Tempting Lies is a steamy, swoony standalone rom-com featuring a charismatic carpenter and the woman who loves to watch him swing his hammer--plus a bonus rescue dog!

Buy on Amazon

About Sara Whitney: 

Sara Whitney writes sassy, sexy contemporary romance novels packed with wit, heat, and heart. A 2019 Romance Writers of America Golden Heart award finalist, Sara worked as a newspaper reporter and film critic before she earned her Ph.D. and landed in academia. She’s a good pinball player, a so-so karaoke singer, and an expert TV opinion-haver.

In a funny twist of fate, Sara’s married to a divorce attorney, and she likes to think that her happily-ever-afters help keep their household in balance. She and her husband live in the Midwest surrounded by books, cats, and half-empty coffee cups.  Keep up with Sara by subscribing to her mailing list here. 

Connect with Sara: Facebook | Facebook Group | Instagram | Twitter | Amazon | Bookbub | Goodreads | Newsletter