Spotlight: Sick of this Ship by Mari Sol

When there is Love at Sea, can they overcome their secrets and have a future together? Sebastian Greer isn’t on this cruise for fun and games, he’s here to catch a cheater. However, the more time he spends with his target, Zoey Anderson, he unexpectedly catches feelings for her but when the truth is revealed, he can’t get off of the ship fast enough. Fans of forbidden romances will enjoy SICK OF THIS SHIP by Mari Sol, a sexy enemies to lovers romance.

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 Zoey

I would do anything for my sister. That includes pretending to be her on a cruise so she can stay behind and spy on her cheating husband.

My job? Take over her Instagram and enjoy myself.

But my tropical holiday becomes anything but relaxing, once I meet Sebastian Greer. Pain in the ass extraordinaire. A desperate man who can only be looking for one thing - to hook up with all the single women he can find on the ship.

Unfortunately, Sebastian seems to be everywhere I go. And the thing is, the more I run into him, the more I realize that maybe I was wrong about him after all.

Sebastian

Seducing a beautiful woman on a cruise? Sounds like a dream come true, right?

Wrong.

I’m not here to fall in love or even hook up. I’m here to catch a cheater.

That’s right, my boss thinks his wife is unfaithful, and it’s my job to prove it.

There’s just one problem…the more I get to know my target, the harder I find it to fight these unexpected feelings for her.

When she confesses that she’s not who I think she is, I’m pissed - even though I’ve been lying to her too.

With tensions flying high, we’re both sick of this ship. The end of the cruise can’t come soon enough. But after we disembark, no matter how much I want to forget her, I can’t. The question remains: could we overcome our secrets and have a future together, or did our ship already sink?

Sick of This Ship is an enemies-to-lovers romance, part of the Love at Sea multi-author series. Get ready to set sail through the Caribbean on Festival Cruises’ most alluring voyage with eight of your favorite authors - happily ever after guaranteed!

Experience everything the Love at Sea series has to offer. From speed dating to masquerades, guests are sure to enjoy the hot days and steamy nights. Explore hidden waterfalls, swim with dolphins, and watch as eight couples find their forever on the open ocean.

Excerpt 

Copyright 2022 @Mari Sol

“Please, I need you, Zoey,” Anna says again. “I wouldn’t ask if this wasn’t completely urgent.”

“Anna, you ask me literally every time you need anything.” I cross my arms, trying hard not to smile as my sister gives me her sweetest of puppy looks.

“You love helping me.” She pats my hair. You would never guess she’s the older sister here. But she’s not wrong. She’s my universe. I am here for everything she needs, no questions asked. I learned my lesson back when we were young. The one time it mattered, I wasn’t there for her, and it shattered everything. I’ll never make that mistake again. 

“What if I help you back home in LA? We could figure out what Mike is up to together. Girl power. Sisterhood of the traveling penis. All that.”

“Zo, the cruise is where I need the help,” Anna says. “You can easily pass as me in photos that aren’t close-ups. Keeping my Instagram full of cruise shots is the perfect distraction for Mike while I follow him around LA.”

“I’ll help you however I can, but I would be most useful on land.”

“I know you hate even the thought of a cruise. But think of it this way. It’ll be much better than lying around watching TV in your tiny apartment back in LA while you rest your ankle. I’m pretty sure you had no other plans next week.”

“There’s plenty to do in LA, even with a sprained ankle.”

“You’re supposed to be resting, not running all over. At least on a cruise you can lounge at the pool, have all your meals taken care of, and beach it up in each port of call.” 

I let out a long sigh. I hate that she’s right. Being marginally injured is the most boring possible status to have. I can sort of do everything, but I’m not supposed to do anything. It’s killing me. But if I still can’t run, jump, or climb at high speed after the break in filming for our big Meghan Marconi action thriller? That would be worse. That would jeopardize my entire career as a stunt double.

“I… but…” There has to be a reason I shouldn’t go on the cruise. I mean, I’ve summited Mount Kilimanjaro, sky-dived Interlaken, scaled El Capitan with my bare hands, and flipped a car off the London Bridge. Can you imagine me sitting around eating buffet with a bunch of retirees? “I was going to do a lot of upper body training at that new gym near the studio next week.”

“So were you planning to seduce a certain someone who’s been talking up his membership there?” Anna purses her lips.

“No.” I glare at her. “I’m not into Grant. I mean, whoever you’re talking about.”

“Why don’t you invite him to come on the cruise?” Anna cocks her head, one eyebrow raised. 

“It’s easy enough to transfer a cruise ticket to someone else. I can give him Mike’s. A free trip with my gorgeous sister? Come on, he’d go.” 

I could laugh. Anna knows I’m incapable of inviting a man to coffee, let alone a cruise. And a seduction at sea, by me?

“I am not inviting Grant Kevlar! We only met a month ago, in this very trailer. He would never go on a Caribbean Cruise with me, even if it’s free.” 

“Who says I wouldn’t go on a free Caribbean Cruise with my new BFF?” Jamie Von Burger, my favorite hair stylist of all time- who I also met a month ago in this trailer- blows in the door, wet as a sewer rat. Jamie drops his umbrella, and water sprays the room. “I’m dying to get out of this Louisiana swamp. Please tell me you weren’t making up the idea of a jaunt to the Caribbean. I want to drink Piña Coladas in the sun with you, babes.” 

Jamie air-kisses my cheek and his beard tickles my skin, while his long flowing locks cascade forward in a silken waterfall. “We’re a dream team. Think of the boys we could slay.”

Of course, at this very moment, in walks Grant Kevlar himself. Upon hearing Jamie’s words, he raises his eyebrows at me, a delectable smile playing over his soft lips. My heart stutter-stops. He’s the stunt double to the hunkiest of hunky actors, Zander Zane, but somehow, he’s much darker and sexier than his silver screen counterpart could ever be. I’d so go on a cruise if he was there. Even though I’d never admit it, maybe a small part of me hoped I’d bump into him at a certain LA gym. 

“Jamie and Zoey are taking a Caribbean Cruise next week.” Anna smiles. Jamie widens his eyes at her. I narrow mine. That little skunk.

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About Mari Sol

Mari Sol writes romantic comedy that’s been described as somewhere between Hallmark movies and the SNL skits about Hallmark movies. Her capable, assertive, and sometimes sarcastic female leads are adventurous and quirky, and the men who fall for them are absolutely worth your (er, their) time. Her Halloween book, “Romance is Dead” hit #6 on Amazon for Holiday Romance and features a very cinnamon-roll hero.

As most people do, Mari started writing Rom Coms when she was a stressed out corporate director and needed the escape. Her books will send you somewhere fun, like a tropical beach (or a haunted theme park) for some relaxing self care time. She loves the juicy bits - yes, all the bits - but she believes in making healthy relationships hot, so her juice will be made with kale, and probably a cucumber or two.

If you want to know why you can trust her expertise in the romance and comedy departments, sign up to get her emails, and she’ll share at least a few spicy secrets.

Find her online at www.marisolwrites.com. (Pst! There’s a free, steamy Rom Com waiting for you there.) 

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Spotlight: Realm of Darkness: A Limited Edition Fantasy and Paranormal Collection

Publication date: October 4th 2022
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

When darkness falls, beware of the creatures that come out to play…

Fall under their spell over and over again in this ultimate paranormal and fantasy romance boxset! Over 40 full-length novels with heart-melting heroes and devastating anti-heroes, full of romance, magic, mystery, and adventure can be yours for an insanely low price.

Ready to be swept away? Your book boyfriends are waiting… Enemies-to-lovers, alphas, fae, werewolves, dragons, shapeshifters, vampires, gods, angels, demons, and more: with novels ranging from sweet to spicy, there’s a flavor to sate your every craving.

You won’t find these exclusive novels anywhere else, so don’t miss your chance. Over ten thousand pages by New York Times, USA Today, and International bestselling authors and at less than three cents per book, this collection is a steal, but only for a limited time. Grab it today before it’s gone forever…

Excerpt

Excerpt One from "Fae Lis Bride" by Jessica M. Butler

Slipping forward with silent steps, Daphne rushed for the door. She cracked it open and peered out.

No!

Lord Kanek was just entering the inner hall that kept this room away from the others.

Oh. No, no. This was a bad idea. She couldn’t do this without something to defend herself. Turning, she bolted toward the nearest door.

She scarcely got inside and slipped it shut before the other opened.

This was never going to work. That tree spirit had set her up! She dragged one hand through her hair as she turned around, then froze. She’d run into his bedroom—not a sitting room or closet or anything better. This was worse!

She darted forward, then spun around. Though large, the bedroom did not offer much in the way of hiding. The massive canopy bed with the cherry wood frame and the blue silk coverlet only had a few inches of clearance beneath the ruffle. The couch near the second door had no space beneath or behind, and that door itself was locked. The armchair set catty-corner near the fireplace wasn’t a good hiding spot at all if he looked down. The third door led to a bathroom with no places to hide whatsoever.

That left—she spun around again—the wardrobe!

The tall wardrobe made of polished cherry wood covered almost a third of the wall. She sprang to it, flung the door open, and crawled inside. A flurry of silk, taffeta, lamé, velvet, damask, linen, and other fine fabrics assailed her face as she pressed inward, awash in his cologne. The back of the wardrobe wasn’t nearly as far back as she’d hoped.

It would work though.

Her nose tickled as she closed the door as best she could.

The sitting room door clicked open.

She held her breath. It was going to be all right. Everything was going to be fine. All she had to do was wait until he fell asleep or went into the bathroom, then she’d slip out and find some other way to explain.

Although...she edged a little closer, turning her ear toward the door. She’d heard the door click open, but no footsteps. He wasn’t a particularly small fae. Shouldn’t he make some sound? Why—

Both wardrobe doors flung back. She stared up into the face of the angry silver-haired fae. She’d known Kanek, Lord of Wind and Spring, would not like being hit in the head, but he seemed even less pleased to find her here in his wardrobe. So much for starting this conversation from a position of some authority. Some silver and purple garment half covered her face. “Hello.” She forced a smile as he just stared at her, his silver eyes ice cold. “I’m really gonna need you to reconsider not helping me get my sister back.”

He closed the doors on her.

This really wasn’t going well.

She held her breath, bracing for either a blast of wind or some bellowing order for the guards to come and take her away. But nothing followed.

Nothing at all.

Had he locked the wardrobe?

She pressed her hand flat against the surface. The door yielded almost at once, the latch clearly not in place. A crack of light broke through. She peeked out. Through the crack, she could see the edge of the bed and the other door.

No sign of him or any other fae.

Had he left?

Surely he wouldn’t have just left.

She pressed it open a bit farther. The mass of clothes had tangled around her, snagging on her arms and shoulders and sliding off the hangars. They clanged and thudded as they struck the wardrobe’s sides and ceiling. Grimacing, she pushed out a little farther.

Still no sign.

She pushed the doors open the rest of the way and peeked out toward the other door. Then she turned toward the window—oh. There he was.

He stood near the sharply arched window, muscular arms folded over his broad chest, staring at her very, very hard.

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Spotlight: Provoke by Ava Harrison

Release Date: October 3

From USA Today bestseller Ava Harrison comes a grumpy/sunshine workplace romance.

The first time I met Charles Cavendish, I accidentally locked myself in a closet with him.

The second time, he’s my new boss.

My very grumpy new boss.

No matter how I much I try, I can’t forget what his lips feel like.

The way his arms wrap around me.

I need to keep my distance. 

But when the company lands a new account, I’m forced to work side by side with this man.

The handsome devil who makes me forget all rational thought.

But the thing about the devil is . . . he can lure even the greatest of saints.

Buy on Amazon | Audible

About the Author

Ava Harrison is a USA Today and Amazon bestselling author.

When she’s not journaling her life, you can find her window shopping, cooking dinner for her family, or curled up on her couch reading a book.

Connect with Ava Harrison:

linktr.ee/avaharrisonauthor

Spotlight: The Baby's Christmas Blessing by Meghann Whistler

Genre: Clean Christian Inspirational Romance 

A second chance at love

with a newborn as matchmaker!

Nothing will be merry about Steve Weston’s Christmas if he doesn’t find a nanny for his newborn nephew fast. But the best choice is Chloe Richardson, the woman he pushed away years ago. He has a second chance at making the season’s joy last for a lifetime—unless he allows old wounds to separate them once more…

From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. 

Excerpt

“So, um…what are you doing here, Chloe?” He knew that Aunt Mabel had scheduled an interview with the lone candidate who’d applied for the nanny position, but seriously? That lone candidate was Chloe Richardson?

Chloe’s big brown eyes went wide. “You remember me?”

“Of course I remember you, Blondie,” he said, using the nickname all the kids at church camp had called her back in the day.

“Oh.” A flicker of hurt and confusion flashed across her face. “I thought…”

She seemed to think he’d forgotten all about her, and Steve knew why. His seventeen-year-old self had been a real coward. He never should have kissed her in the first place, and after he had, he should have had enough courage to call her and tell her why things could never work out between them instead of disappearing without a trace.

But what was done was done. There was no changing it now.

Aiden finished feeding, and Steve stood and patted him on the back. “So, did Aunt Mabel ask you to come over to talk about the nanny job?”

Chloe looked away. “We were talking about it, yes…”

“But you didn’t know you’d be working for me, did you?”

She looked up at him and shook her head, her dirty-blond bangs falling into her dark eyes and making Steve’s breath catch in his throat. Still so beautiful. “I didn’t even know you were back on Cape Cod.”

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Meghann Whistler writes sweet Christian romance novels that won't make your grandmother blush.

Her debut novel, Falling for the Innkeeper, was named one of “Six Sensational 2020 Debut Series Romances” by the American Library Association’s Booklist Reader, and was also a finalist for the 2021 Book Buyers Best Award.

Her next book, The Billionaire’s Secret, was a #1 bestseller and #1 Hot New Release across multiple categories on Amazon.com, including Christian Romance, Christian Women’s Fiction, and Contemporary Religious Fiction, among others. It won the 2022 Selah Award for Contemporary Romance, placed second in the romance category of the 2022 Christian Indie Awards, and was a finalist for the 2022 HOLT Medallion.

Before settling down with her rocket scientist husband and raising three rambunctious boys, Meghann earned a B.A. in English from Amherst College and an M.F.A. in creative writing from Emerson College. 

She is grateful to be living her dream of writing sweet, hopeful stories that demonstrate the power of love and grace.

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Spotlight: Half Moon Whim by Erin Brockus

(Half Moon Bay, #5)

Publication date: September 30th 2022

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Sara and Jack… Will her searing flame scorch him to the bone?

Sara Collins never wanted to put down roots. When her sister offers her a job at the sunny Caribbean scuba diving resort she owns, Sara jumps at the chance to manage her own spa. Even if it means interacting with the divemaster who humiliated her.

Jack Powell is finding out his dream life is more challenging than expected. Especially after his boss’s sister moves to town—they don’t exactly get along. He tries to avoid the situation, which is difficult when he can’t stop thinking about her.

Throw in a handsome, successful developer who offers Sara everything she ever dreamed of, and she finds St. Croix might be exactly what she’s always wanted. But which man holds the key to her heart and her greatest dream?

Half Moon Whim is a standalone, sensual beach romance. This curvy girl, enemies-to-lovers novel is Book 5 of the Half Moon Bay series, and is the springboard into the next phase of this captivating series. Dive in today!

Excerpt

Sara Collins climbed onto the pier, the wooden slats creaking pleasantly under her feet. Though Half Moon Bay was primarily a scuba diving resort, Sara’s sister Hope had opened a spa recently. She’d spoken with the new massage therapist, Selena Allen, several times prior to the wedding, and immediately bonded with her enthusiastic personality, especially since the spa was Sara’s kind of place. 

Halfway down the pier, she passed through a tunnel of buildings and made her way past the dive shop to a long staircase at the north end. A covered deck with an incredible St. Croix ocean view dominated the area at the top of the stairs and served as the outdoor massage area. Next to the glass entrance door, a wooden wall formed a privacy screen, and a second, more nondescript door led to a restroom. Sara entered the clean, brightly lit spa, where Selena stood behind the glass check-in counter, refilling a small bottle with massage oil. The warm scent of sandalwood filled the air.

The massage therapist glanced up at the door’s opening, her dark face bursting into a wide smile at Sara’s entry. She was a trim, small woman in her mid-twenties, wearing a light-blue staff polo shirt. 

What I wouldn’t give to have her small, petite frame... Lucky girl.

Sara made an effort to dress well and appear professionally styled and made-up, partly to compensate for her voluptuous and curvy figure. No manner of diet or exercise had ever changed that and now, at age thirty-three, she was resigned to her fate. But that didn’t mean she wasn’t self-conscious about it

“Sara! You stayin’ a few more days?”

“No, I’m flying out this evening. Hope’s working, so I thought I’d come up here.” Her gaze took in the mani-pedi station along one wall, with a full stylist area in the corner. Like a magnet, she was drawn toward the hair salon. Several windows let in plenty of light. “You have a massage scheduled?”

Selena finished filling the bottle, shaking her head. “Not till tomorrow. I’m just gettin’ ready.”

Sara ran a hand over the back of the stylist chair where she had cut Hope’s hair and given her a deep-conditioning treatment the day prior to the wedding. They had chatted throughout, almost like old times. Immediately afterward, they had met the rest of the wedding party on the resort dive boat, Surface Interval.

Heat crept up Sara’s neck as she tried to push away the memory of what had happened next. The resort’s newest employee, the divemaster Jack, had tripped and dumped an enormous bucket of water over her head, drenching her from head to foot. In front of everyone. She’d been mortified and embarrassed but determined not to show it.

 As Sara passed by a window next to the stylist station, movement at the end of the pier caught her eye. A gleaming white boat was tied up and the group of divers was already headed away. “There’s good sound insulation in here. I didn’t even hear the boat come in.”

“They did a great job on the construction. It always stays nice and cool in here, too.”

Sara turned toward the front door. “I’d better get going. Hope said she’d be finished about lunch time.” The two women said their goodbyes, then Sara opened the door, turning left to descend the stairs.

And collided right into a warm body, smashing her nose into a shoulder. “Oof!” Wincing, she rubbed it as she staggered back. She was preparing to apologize as she looked up into a pair of huge, gorgeous brown eyes that widened in recognition.

Unfortunately, the eyes belonged to Jack. The horrible divemaster.

Her chagrin instantly erupted into fury, and she dropped her hand from her face. “Goddammit, watch where you’re going. Pouring water over me wasn’t enough? You have to break my nose too?”

Jack’s face flushed crimson as he took a big step back, holding up both hands. “I’m sorry! I need to use the restroom and wasn’t watching where I was going.”

He was of average height, but at five feet three, she still had to look up at him. He spoke with a very slight twang. Texas? “Yeah. No kidding. You really need to stay the hell away from me, understand?”

His obvious embarrassment was replaced by a flash of anger that he quickly covered, raking a hand through his short, dark-brown hair. He had a strong jaw and sharp cheekbones, and really was rather good looking.

Too bad it’s all wasted on him.

“Look, I’m not doing it on purpose. Lighten up, princess.”

Clenching her jaw tightly, Sara drew herself as tall as she could. “No. I won’t. But fortunately for both of us, I’m leaving later today.” She breezed around him toward the staircase. “Have a nice life, Jack.”

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About the Author

​Dive into a romantic escape!

Erin Brockus writes sensual contemporary romances set in exotic, tropical locales. Her books provide the perfect beachy escape from everyday life, and she features mature, relatable characters you actually enjoy getting to know. Count on plenty of adventure with a focus on the ocean, especially scuba diving.

Two of her greatest passions are scuba diving and travel, which combined to form the inspiration for her characters and stories. Sipping a cocktail on the beach after a morning of diving is her idea of the perfect day. Erin has even been known to pull on a drysuit and explore the cold, murky waters of the Pacific Northwest. She is also an avid runner and cyclist.

Erin lives with her husband (a scuba instructor) in the middle of Washington wine country. She is currently at work on the next Half Moon Bay installment.

Connect:

https://www.erinbrockus.com/

https://www.facebook.com/ErinCBrockus/

https://www.amazon.com/Erin-Brockus/e/B08JJL9YPL

https://www.instagram.com/erinbrockusauthor/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/erin-brockus

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20764876.Erin_Brockus

Spotlight: Green House Haunting by Olivia York

Publication date: September 29th 2022
Genres: Mystery, New Adult, Supernatural, Suspense

A terrible tragedy dead and buried. Can a young woman dig up the haunted truth without falling into madness?

Andy Watts needs a break. So when the struggling journalist is asked to revisit a fifty-year-old mystery, she jumps at the chance to move into an abandoned house and honor her long-gone mom by becoming a respected reporter. But she’s shocked when she discovers not only did a polio-stricken boy disappear from within its rooms, but his mother took a fatal tumble down the stairs.

Stonewalled by the locals and unnerved by unexplained events in the eerie home, Andy fears the town would rather bury evidence than admit one of their own could commit murder. And with the ghostly image of a youngster in leg braces persisting, she’s terrified by hints that the awful answer is calling from beyond the grave.

Can Andy deliver justice for the voiceless before she becomes the next victim?

Excerpt

Green house stood solemnly in a noiseless field of overgrown vegetation. The dim rays of daylight disappeared in the distance beyond, darkening the front while sharpening the jagged exterior outline with a looming violet glow. It rose above the ground, perhaps two floors high, but a lack of windows at the top told Andy it may not have an attic to speak of.

The house drew her closer. The windows appeared somewhat new, the lining freshly painted white. It contrasted the worn, splintered wood on the verge of collapsing from the weight of a perched bird. At the base of the sagging stoop was the frame of a crumbling, rusted bicycle, rendered useless by the rain and condensation.

Andy climbed the front steps. Two, three, four steps upward, each one creaking an undecipherable note of an ominous melody. An unraveling front door mat read “Home” in tattered, fading letters.

This isn’t so bad.

Andy winced, unable to swallow her own lie. Quickly, she found the key in the envelope before she could change her mind and turn back. The shiny silver looked brand new compared to the decrepit bronze lock on the door. Studying the door closer, she spotted the new keyhole. A stern-looking deadbolt glinting a couple of inches above what must have been the original lock.

She pushed the door open, and the weight dragged it all the way open to gently bounce off the interior wall. Andy peered inside, but her feet stayed glued to the mat outside the door. The interior contents were fuzzy in the fading light, yet she could spot the three glinting hooks on the wall for sweaters and hats. A little deeper inside was one wing of the house, and to the right was another. In the center was a semi-carpeted staircase leading upstairs, where what followed remained unseen around the corner.

There was nothing particularly extraordinary about the home. She was no expert on houses made in the ’30s and ’40s, but it looked about how she’d expect. The ceilings were low, and the wooden floor was dull. However, Andy couldn’t help but feel something was different. That there was something in plain sight she couldn’t see. She stood motionless at the door, searching for what she thought was missing. The house stood, too, waiting patiently.

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About the Author

Olivia York writes supernatural suspense novels with family drama woven throughout (and hints of mystery). After a stint working for a local news station as reporter/anchor in the Midwest, she decided to make the switch to her imaginative side and write.

She is a lover of cats, road trips, and visiting old fashioned candy shops along the coast. Olivia lives with her husband and two cats, who are kind enough to humor her love of paranormal TV shows and never-ending collection of horror films.

Sign up for Olivia York’s Newsletter to find out about new releases, updates, cover reveals, and more!

Connect:

https://www.authoroliviayork.com/

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22660124.Olivia_York