Spotlight: Echo from a Bayou by J.Luke Bennecke

Thriller

Date Published: August 8, 2023

A high concept suspense thriller of adventure and betrayal with a supernatural twist.

After a freak skiing accident puts him in a coma, John Bastian awakens with memories of a past life as Jack Bachman. Unshakable visions of treasure, a violent ax attack, and a vibrant red-headed woman consume his thoughts, propelling him toward a dangerous future that feels as inevitable as his past.

John embarks on a journey to Louisiana, where all the new memories as Jack center, to find answers and confront the man who murdered him in his past life. As danger lurks at every turn, John must fight for survival and protect those he loves before a hurricane hits.

This page-turner is full of twists and turns that will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very end. Experience the thrill of ECHO FROM A BAYOU and discover the truth about John's past life in this exciting novel.

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org

About the Author

J. Luke Bennecke is a veteran civil engineer with a well-spent career helping people by improving Southern California roadways. He has a civil engineering degree, an MBA, a private pilot’s certificate, and is a partner in an engineering firm. He enjoys philanthropy and awards scholarships annually to high school seniors.

In addition to his debut novel, bestseller and award-winning thriller Civil Terror: Gridlock, Luke has written several other novels and screenplays, a creative process he thoroughly enjoys. His second Jake Bendel thriller, Waterborne, was published in 2021 by Black Rose Writing and received several awards. Echo from a Bayou is his latest suspense thriller with a supernatural twist, available August 2023. He is currently pitching the third Jake Bendel thriller and editing his fifth novel.

Luke resides in Southern California with his wife of 32+ years and three spunky cats. In his leisure time he enjoys traveling, playing golf, voiceover acting, and spending time with his grown daughters. Bennecke is a member of International Thriller Writers and looks forward to attending ThrillerFest every year in New York.

Connect:

Website: https://www.jlukebennecke.com/echobayou

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jlukebennecke

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

Spotlight: In a Quiet Town by Amber Garza

In this chilling new novel, a pastor’s wife discovers that her estranged daughter is missing, but no one will believe her, until she meets a man claiming to be her daughter’s fiancé.

The book is about Tatum, a woman who secretly reconnects with her estranged adult daughter—secretly because Adrienne’s been all but disowned by Tatum’s husband, a pastor at the church in their small California town, where every move is watched and reported by his congregation. When Adrienne doesn’t show up for her shift at the bar where Tatum’s been visiting her, she knows something is wrong. Adrienne may have been a bit of wild child, but she hasn’t missed a day of work without calling in for years.

Tatum tries desperately to get the police or her husband to take her daughter’s disappearance seriously, until a mysterious man shows up claiming to be Adrienne’s fiancé. It’s a relief to finally have someone who believes her and is trying as hard as she is to find out where Adrienne is. But can she trust that this stranger is really who he says he is? And can she find her daughter before it’s too late?

Excerpt

PROLOGUE

His hands were in her hair, fingers threaded through the silky strands. I knew what it felt like. My fingers had been buried in her hair many times, including last night. When their lips met I sat up straighter, leaning forward. It didn’t feel real. I worked my jaw. It popped and clicked. My own mouth buzzed with the memory of how her lips felt on mine.

The kiss was long. Too long.

She liked it.

My shoulder muscles pulled tight, a rubber band being stretched beyond its limits. I thought they might snap.

The two of them drew back. She smiled. Smiled with the same lips that had smiled at me. Kissed me. Told me they loved me. Clearly, a lie.

She brushed back her hair, and the diamond on her finger sparkled.

Her ring. The one I’d given her. She was wearing it.

It felt like a punch to the gut. Like a big “fuck you” to me.

It wasn’t like she knew I’d followed her. But still… Shouldn’t she take her engagement ring off before she hooked up with another dude?

Throwing her head back, her neck exposed, she giggled.

Imagining my hands wrapping around that tender flesh, I squeezed the steering wheel. It gave under the pressure, and I squeezed harder. It felt good. Therapeutic. I pictured her terrified. Pleading. Mouth tight, eyes bulging. I squeezed and squeezed, my teeth grinding, the vein in my forehead throbbing. My muscles ached by the time I released my grip.

Their hands clasped. My breathing was labored as I watched them walk off together, around the side of the building, out of sight.

I’d loved her. Given her so much.

How dare she?

No one made a fool out of me.

She wouldn’t get away with this. Not by a long shot.

Excerpted from In A Quiet Town by Amber Garza, Copyright © 2023 by Amber Garza. Published by MIRA Books.

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Amber Garza has had a passion for the written word since she was a child making books out of notebook paper and staples. Her hobbies include reading and singing. Coffee and wine are her drinks of choice (not necessarily in that order). She writes while blaring music, and talks about her characters like they're real people. She lives with her husband and two kids in Folsom, California.

Connect:

Author website: https://ambergarza.com/ 

IG: https://www.instagram.com/ambergarzaauthor/?hl=en 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambermg1?lang=en

FB: https://www.facebook.com/ambergarzaauthor/ 

Spotlight: Finally Found You by Claudia Burgoa

From USA Today bestselling author Claudia Burgoa comes, a new secret baby forbidden love romance, featuring a broody billionaire and a much younger sassy heroine he never saw coming.

Being the single guardian for my fifteen-year-old cousin isn’t as easy as you’d think, especially when she runs away to find the dad, who has no idea she exists.

Lysander Spearman is broody, protective, and not at all who I should be falling for.

We’re nothing alike.

He’s got money in the bank, and I’m trying to make ends meet.

He’s much too old for me, and I hate his guts.

He’s quiet, and I can’t keep my mouth shut.

But when he shows up for his daughter.

When I see him care.

When he takes charge—I can’t stop my heart from flipping.

He’s offering me security that I’ve never dared to dream about.

When his lips touch mine, I know I’m done for.

I just hope he doesn’t break our hearts.

This is a highly emotional book that will take you on a rollercoaster ride of forbidden love, family drama, and the power of true love.

Buy on Amazon | Audible

About the Author

Claudia is an award-winning, USA Today bestselling author. 

She writes alluring, thrilling stories about complicated women and the men who take their breaths away. Her books are the perfect blend of steamy and heartfelt, filled with emotional characters and explosive chemistry. Her writing takes readers to new heights, providing a variety of tears, laughs, and shocking moments that leave fans on the edge of their seats.

She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband, her youngest two children, and three fluffy dogs.

When Claudia is not writing, you can find her reading, knitting, or just hanging out with her family. At nights, she likes to binge watch shows or movies with her equally geeky husband. 

Keep up with Claudia Burgoa and subscribe to her newsletter: https://bit.ly/NwsletterCB%20%20

To learn more about Claudia Burgoa & her books, visit here!

Connect with Claudia Burgoa: https://claudiayburgoa.com/wp/contact/

Spotlight: Kitchen Organizing Tips for Beginners by Karen Massy

Step by Step Comprehensive Blueprint on How to Organize Your Kitchen like the Pros to Ensure it is more Functional and Stylish Without Spending a Fortune

Self-Help, Home & Garden

Date Published: June 2023 

Are you tired of rummaging through a cluttered kitchen every time you want to whip up a meal and you feel it is time for a complete reorganization of your kitchen but don’t know how to go about it the right way for the best outcome – where you have a perfect blend between functionality and style?

And are you looking for a blueprint that takes away any guesswork you may have about the process?

If you’ve answered YES,

Let this book help you transform your kitchen to a truly functional and stylish one that will inspire you and make you want to spend time making tasty meals!

As the heart of the home, the kitchen is where memories are made, and great meals are cooked. However, it can also be the most challenging space to keep clean and organized.

With this comprehensive guide, you'll learn practical and easy tips to ensure your kitchen stays both functional and stylish without spending a fortune.

So if you are wondering:

How can I keep the kitchen organized without spending a lot of money?

How can I make the most of the space I have in the kitchen?

What if I have a small kitchen; what are the best storage solutions for a small kitchen?

How do I declutter and organize sentimental items?

How do I organize the pantry and keep track of the food inventory?

How do I keep the countertops clutter-free?

How can I make the kitchen look more stylish and cohesive?

…this is the book for you, as it will address them all using simple and straightforward language to help you go through the kitchen reorganization journey and be happy and proud of the outcome!

In this book, you'll:

· Learn how to identify potential challenges in organizing your kitchen and how to overcome them

·Discover practical tips and tricks for maximizing your kitchen space and making it more functional without breaking the bank

·Master the art of purging and decluttering by identifying items to donate, sell, or throw away and creating a system for sorting and categorizing items

·Get inspired by different types of storage options and learn how to utilize vertical space, maximize cabinet and drawer space, and implement pull-out shelves and organizers

·Learn how to organize specific areas of your kitchen, including your refrigerator, pantry, stove, oven area, dishwashing and sink area, countertops, and more, and create a maintenance system

·         Discover how to make use of small details to create a cohesive design theme in your kitchen

·         And much more!

It doesn't matter the state of your kitchen now; this comprehensive blueprint will equip you with everything you need to know to create a functional and stylish space without spending a fortune.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Karen Massy is an acclaimed expert with a multifaceted range of expertise that spans home organization, parenting skills, gardening, science, and various how-to skills. With years of experience in each respective field, she has guided countless individuals in creating functional and clutter-free living spaces, navigating the challenges of middle school parenting, exploring the world of micro greens, perfecting lunch box preparations, and mastering the art of potty training. Through her books, Karen inspires and empowers readers to take control of their environment, acquire essential life skills, and lead more organized lives. With a down-to-earth approach and a passion for sharing her expertise, Karen has become a trusted authority in various fields. Her engaging writing style and comprehensive guidance equip readers with the tools they need to tackle any challenge and create balanced and organized lives.

Spotlight: The Widow Queen and her Lover by Alan Gold

Publication date: September 1st 2023

Genres: Adult, Historical

Synopsis:

No longer one of the spoils of war, Catherine, Queen of England and France, resolves to fight for her new life – on her own terms

Catherine of Valois, daughter of the defeated king of France, looks down from the battlements as her future rides to greet her.

As one of the spoils of war, she is to be married to her father’s enemy, Henry V of England. She is prepared to do her duty – what could be worse than continuing to live with her ailing father and cold mother – but she wasn’t prepared to fall in love.

Henry is everything that she wanted in a husband, and a king. In him she finds a devoted lover and inspiring ruler. When he dies, shortly after she has delivered his heir, her future and that of her son is in doubt. Not only must she protect her baby, the young Henry VI, she must protect his legacy from the grasping and scheming of his uncle and protector.

When Owen Tudor — Welshman, commoner, troublesomely attractive — stumbles into her lap, she sees her future. A man who will not lead armies, nor rule kingdoms. Instead, one who will devote himself to protecting what is hers. But he must sacrifice everything he has in order to marry her, and even that may not be enough to keep them all safe.

Excerpt

Suddenly, out of the corner of his eye, Gaspar saw movement. It was a woman coming up the steps from the rooms below in the castle. She’d heard the singing and wanted to see who was chanting. Monks? Townsfolk? Jongleurs? She didn’t look scared, and Gaspar recognised her immediately. It was the young and beautiful Catherine of Valois, only eighteen and the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. Tall, majestic, regal, yet happy in her life, friendly, open, and warm … the very opposite of the mad father and especially the cold cow of a mother. God knows how she could be so happy and cheerful when she had a mother like that woman down below, that Bavarian bitch and a lunatic for a father.

About the Author

Alan Gold began his career as a journalist, working in the UK, Europe, and Israel. In 1970, he emigrated to Australia with his wife, Eva, and now lives in St. Ives, Sydney, where he divides his time between writing novels and running his award-winning marketing consultancy.

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Spotlight: Perfect Fit by Carly Phillips

Release Date: August 4

She’s a a small-town girl.

He’s got a restless spirit.

Can their hearts bridge the gap?

Michael Marsden’s adoptive parents gave him a family, but Serendipity never felt like home so he fled to Manhattan, where he’s an undercover cop with a reputation for skirting the rules. But when his police chief father steps down to fight a serious illness, Mike returns home to fill his dad’s by-the-book shoes.

Serendipity hasn’t changed much but there’s one familiar face from the past that he never expected to see—Officer Cara Hartley. She’s the only woman that ever made him consider giving up his lone-wolf ways.

Cara is determined to keep a professional distance from her new boss, the one night stand she never forgot. But hearing Mike’s deep, sexy voice ignites memories of how he set her body on fire. It isn’t long before their red-hot chemistry tempts them to cross a dangerous line both personally and professionally, leaving Cara hoping for a future where she can have it all.

But when Mike’s long-absent biological father returns, the fragile bonds that could have kept him in Serendipity threaten to snap. And Mike must face his past if he and Cara are to have any kind of future.

Will Mike realize he fits perfectly in Serendipity with Cara, or will he choose to walk away?

You wanted more Serendipity? NYT bestselling author Carly Phillips delivers! Welcome to “Serendipity’s Finest”, a spinoff series featuring three siblings navigating careers and love in the shadow of their beloved police chief father, mom’s Sunday pot roasts, and a small town they’ll never quite manage to leave behind.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Carly Phillips is the NY Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of over eighty sexy contemporary romances featuring hot men, strong women, and emotionally compelling stories her readers have come to expect and love. She is happily married to her college sweetheart and lives in Westchester County, NY. She is the mother of two adult daughters and three crazy dogs who star on her Facebook and Instagram pages. She loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. Way back in 2002, Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa and was the first romance on a nationally televised book club. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. For more information on upcoming releases, sign up for her newsletter (below) and receive two free books! https://www.carlyphillips.com/subscribe-newsletter/

To learn more about Carly Phillips & her books, visit here!

Connect with Carly Phillips: https://www.carlyphillips.com/