Spotlight: Can You Be by Sonee Singh

Naina's life is as it has always been. She lives in a self-imposed sheltered manner in Charleston, South Carolina, yet wants nothing more than to have the support of friends and family. She is too afraid to put herself out there, having been hurt so much in the past. Her routines give her a sense of safety ... until an early August morning, when Naina receives a box. It has no information about its sender and is left on her doorstep. A mysterious man shows up at her work asking her about it.

Everything begins to change after the arrival of the box, and Naina is presented with a chance to change her life and explore compassion, forgiveness, and believing in herself. She struggles to understand the power of connections and the potential of expanding her horizons. Naina's journey is mystical and, in portions, it takes her through Stockholm, Helsinki, and the Baltics. 

Will this quest lead her to discover who she can be?

Excerpt

Naina now knew her perceived invisibility as a child hadn’t been a superpower, but she was grateful she had been left alone. She inferred it was because she was odd, the kind of odd people choose to stay away from.

But she hadn’t been able to outgrow her love for libraries. After consulting all those books, Naina had learned more about angelites and spheres, but they weren’t able to tell her who had sent her the crystal or why. The crystal hadn’t done anything. No matter how much she stared at it or held it in her hands, nothing happened. She hoped it would show her the future, like the psychics she’d read about in so many novels. Maybe she would see how to handle this date with Raiya.

Naina left work that Thursday afternoon and ran into the same mysterious man who had stopped by the real estate office. He was waiting for her at the corner of Meeting and Wentworth. He ate a vanilla ice cream in a cone and wore the same off-white linen suit and dark brown loafers as he had two days before. Naina disliked people who wore shoes without socks. There was no way to clean sweat from shoes, and she was sure when he removed his shoes, his feet would stink.

“Hey there, Naina,” he greeted as she approached. His skin was glowing with the same pearl-like quality she’d noticed on Tuesday, contrasting with his dark brown wavy hair. There was an ethereal quality to him, like he wasn’t really tangible. She wondered if he might be her angel but reasoned he was flesh and blood and thus, clearly from this dimension. He looked young still, although clearly older than her.

She couldn’t quite place his age. She wanted to think he was in his forties but he appeared youthful and yet old with wisdom. Once again, she was disappointed in herself because she couldn’t come up with any story about him.

“Hi,” she said. She stopped two meters in front of him and clutched her purse, as if he were about to steal it. She might have appeared like she was protecting the contents of her bag, but really, she was stopping herself from touching him. Naina had not seen skin so perfect on a man before. It was too tempting. She had to keep her hands holding onto her bag or her instincts would get the best of her.

“I won’t hurt you.” He gave her the tooth-whitening smile.

Again, Naina could have sworn his teeth gave off a twinkle. She said nothing and didn’t smile back. He certainly appeared to be in his mid-forties and there was a fatherly quality to him. She thought maybe he was an actor and that’s why he looked so perfect, but he didn’t look familiar. She squinted at him, scrunching her nose and her forehead, and narrowing her large eyes.

“You shouldn’t squeeze your face. You’re more likely to wrinkle,” he admonished, still smiling. He truly belonged in an infomercial.

Naina straightened her face. She couldn’t believe her lapse in judgment. She had let herself get carried away by the musings of the man and had forgotten all about her skin. That hadn’t happened to her before. “The sun is too intense.”

“Easily resolved,” he said. He walked under the shadow of the tree at the entrance of the Grand Bohemian Hotel.

Naina followed, wondering why she had taken to following strange men without question. There was something about him that felt nurturing and safe, in an odd light-hearted way. “Did you send me the box?”

“I simply made sure it got to you.”

“You didn’t send it?”

“Nope.” He smiled again.

“There was no label.”

“That’s not important. Tell me what you found out about the crystal.”

“It’s an angelite?”

He nodded in confirmation. He ate his ice cream cleanly and efficiently. Despite the heat, there wasn’t a single melted drop. She was impressed. She only indulged in ice cream while indoors, exactly and precisely to make sure there was no mess, which was a near certainty in the muggy heat.

“What do you make of it?” he asked.

“It’s meant to protect me somehow or connect me with angels, but I haven’t heard anything and the crystal hasn’t done anything.”

“It’s not meant to do something tangible. It won’t come alive in the middle of the night or when you’re not looking – like in Toy Story. Its energy has an effect on you. We are affected by everything around us. Everything carries energy. Crystal energy is subtle, yet potent.”

Naina didn’t confess she was already attached to the crystal. Over the past two days, she had carried it in her purse whenever she left her apartment, taking it out only in the safety of her home.

The mystery man licked his ice cream and stared at her intently, as if peering into her soul.

It unnerved her. “Why did you give it to me?”

“As I said, I didn’t give it to you. I’m merely the delivery man. Continue carrying it with you, Naina. Trust. It is for your good. I’ll check in another time.” He patted her on the shoulder and walked away.

Naina was surprised his touch didn’t cause her to tense. She was unaccustomed to people touching her. Her mother had been the affectionate one. The last time her father hugged her was before he shipped her off to boarding school.

She was filled with a sense of ease as she watched him walk away, continuing to lick his ice cream.

At that moment, she called him Holy Man. At least in her head. For some reason, she felt like celebrating. If she couldn’t come up with a story about him, at least she’d come up with a fictional name. That alone was reason to celebrate. He gave her a sense of security she hadn’t felt in years. She hadn’t asked for his name and she wasn’t sure she’d gather the courage to do so.

Naina walked further down Meeting Street and picked up a chocolate mint ice cream sandwich from Piece Pie before heading home. It wasn’t her cheat day, but she didn’t care.

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About the Author

Sonee Singh is a Doctor of Divinity, a cross-cultural seeker of deep knowledge. She's an award-winning and best-selling author of poetry and stories of self-discovery to encourage people to accept themselves for who they are and live life on their own terms. Her writing centers on the definitive moments on life's journey. The mystical and spiritual are integral in her poems and storytelling, as is her multi-cultural background. 

Sonee is of Indian descent, born in Mexico, raised in Colombia, and resides in the United States. When not traveling, reading, or writing, she indulges in meditation, yoga, and aromatherapy. She has multiple articles published on Elephant Journal and Medium.com. Her debut novel, Lonely Dove, was released in 2022. 

Visit Sonee online: Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Spotlight: Centaur Rift by Ellie Horn

Genre: Dark Why Choose Romance

About Centaur Rift:

I thought I understood the way the world worked. Family was something other people had. Trust was rarely rewarded. Survival depended upon a clever mind and a strong body.

Until a stallion in a corn field proved that everything I had believed was a lie.

Because he wasn’t exactly a horse. Hung like one, yes. But this former centaur shifts to six and a half feet of gorgeous warrior who houses a destructive secret.

When he tells me he’s from another realm, I decide he’s more broken than he seems. To make matters worse, he takes me through a portal—and reveals that werewolves and dragons are real. But that isn’t the biggest surprise.

Turns out I have a few secrets of my own.

Who knew?

The Warrior Hearts Academy Centaur Trilogy is a dark, slow-burn, paranormal/fantasy romance where the strong female main character has many love interests that she doesn’t have to choose between. A Happily Ever After is guaranteed in book three. The subject matter within is only suitable for mature readers. To avoid spoilers, if you have specific triggers, please contact the author to discuss whether this trilogy is right for you.

Exclusive Excerpt:

When Marcus appeared, I was momentarily caught off guard. With his messy, damp hair, fresh-scrubbed look, and tee shirt and sweats that actually fit, he suddenly looked much younger.

Still a bloody big guy, but more human. And sexy as hell.

I wrenched my gaze away from him and bent to pull the chicken out of the oven. Sitting at the table, we both gobbled the wings down as though we hadn’t seen food in eons.

Then I basically shoved Marcus down the hall and into the spare room. Considering the thoughts cruising through my head, manhandling him may not have been the best idea, but it was the only way to get him to move.

He only did so to be polite. Touching him was like touching stone. He was that hard. No way I could have moved him if he hadn’t decided to give to my wishes.

“Cara will be back soon—” he protested.

“She told you to rest. And that is what you should do,” I insisted.

His eyes sparked golden fire at me as the door closed. I paused outside for a moment, seized with the overwhelming urge to follow him in. But then I remembered the presence looming over me in the shower. And I reminded myself that until I found balance in this new life, jumping into bed with an ex-Centaur that sprouted wicked claws at unexpected times might not be the best idea…

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About the Author

Ellie Horn--A dark fantasy writing duo that doesn't take themselves too seriously.

Connect with the Author: Website | Facebook | Newsletter | Amazon

Spotlight: Sea Stars Christmas by Annie M. Ballard

Publication date: October 10th 2023

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Synopsis:

Mackenzie and Declan need a miracle. Or two.

Mackenzie wants to belong – to Declan, her boyfriend, and to Stella Mare, her new Canadian home. Putting on the village’s first-ever Sea Stars Festival at Christmas will help, but it must be perfect. She can’t risk making a mistake.

Declan can’t commit – except to his writing career. Much as he loves Mackenzie and teaching at the high school, he dreams of moving to the city as a successful novelist. In the meantime, he’s producing his first-ever play.

Pulled in different directions, a distance grows between them as the play and festival near. Emotions flare amid twinkling lights while personalities clash, equipment fails, and people fall short. They need a miracle. Or two.

Crusty villagers with a past, problem principals, an errant Santa all do their part as Christmas spirit blooms in the village. Come home to Stella Mare, as Mackenzie and Declan explore what it means to belong – to a village and to each other.

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About the Author

Annie M. Ballard writes about women and family ties in the small villages that feel like home. With one foot in the Canadian Maritimes and the other in New England, she digs deep into the lives of her characters. When she’s not writing, she’s happily baking, gardening, powerlifting and trying to make friends with every dog in her neighbourhood.

Annie’s stories include strong women living real lives, good men trying to do better, and always a happy ending.

Connect:

https://anniemballard.com/

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/annie-m-ballard

https://www.instagram.com/anniemballard/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100071779791861

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21745788.Annie_M_Ballard

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Spotlight: Forevermore: A Romance Anthology

Publication date: October 10th 2023
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

You are cordially invited.

The Moore family requests the pleasure of your company on a starry harvest night, rich with tales of passion, magic, and love. 

Our beloved Filipino American family hosts a gathering at Hacienda Luz this autumn for another grand celebration – Vida and Rafa’s long-anticipated wedding. As promises of fidelity and infinity fill the air, ten couples live and relive intimate stories that attest to the true meaning of happily ever after. 

Acclaimed and bestselling Filipino American authors – Aurora Paige, Elle Cruz, June Gray, Kaye Rockwell, Liz Durano, Maan Gabriel, Maida Malby, Mia Hopkins, Sarah Smith, and Tif Marcelo – bring you Forevermore, a romance collection celebrating love everlasting.

~ * ~

Forevermore, A Romance Anthology is a collection of new and never-been-published stories by the authors that brought you Pasko Na, My Love, A Holiday Romance Anthology and from exciting voices in Filipino American Romantic Fiction. Lola Naty is back along with her sprawling multicultural family, friends from all over the world, and a gatecrasher or two.

• Moments In The Vineyard by Aurora Paige

• The Memory of You by Elle Cruz

• Double Exposure by June Gray

• Maybe This Time by Kaye Rockwell

• Stay With Me by Liz Durano

• Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye by Maan Gabriel

• Now That I Have You by Maida Malby

• Moonlight Serenade by Mia Hopkins

• The Stand-In by Sarah Smith

• Win Your Love by Tif Marcelo

Moonlight Serenade – Mia Hopkins

After surviving the war, Natividad Moore, her husband Robert and their three young children move from the Philippines to Robert’s family home in Napa, California. There, instead of a peaceful refuge, they discover isolation, a failing vineyard and Robert’s cold, disapproving mother. In the face of these obstacles, Naty yearns to reconnect with Robert. But has the war changed him, and their love, forever?

The Memory of You – Elle Cruz

Once upon a time, a terrible mistake sparked the vengeful heart of a witch. Over sixty years later, the curse strikes its mark. Not only is Eli Amaro doomed to repeat the same day over and over again, but he is also forced to re-live the same excruciating sacrifice forever. To break the evil spell, he must give up what he loves the most, and he’s not sure he has the heart to do it.

Maybe This Time – Kaye Rockwell

Gabriella Alonso and Cole Williams used to be best friends who were secretly in love with each other. Until one night changed the course of their lives forever. Now ten years later, Gabriella, who is hiding a dark secret, is surprised to find out she will be working with the guy who ghosted and abandoned her when she needed him the most. Cole is determined to make things right. He spent the last two years looking for her but he's shocked to find a complete stranger instead of the girl he used to know. Can Cole win Gabriella over? Or will the ghosts of their past destroy any chance he ever had?

Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye – Maan Gabriel

As a bestselling romance author, Carisa “Carrie” Bloom knows the formula for happily ever after. It’s the reason she is living one of her own. But when her beautifully crafted fairy tale ends tragically, she is left both fragile and broken. 

For years, Carrie stays away from the limelight, abandoning her career to live a quiet life, until she receives a proposal from a British film producer, Joshua Grant, to turn one of her books into a movie. It only takes one day and a night in London for this opportunity of a lifetime to change their lives forever. 

But is Joshua ready for this? And is Carrie brave enough to take a chance again? She must choose to stop believing that in her life, Someone’s Always Saying Goodbye.

Moments In the Vineyard – Aurora Paige

Ava

The Russos are ruthless and want my vineyard. No amount of money can buy what’s mine. I’m making sure of it. Until I run into Sebastian Russo. My enemy. I’m supposed to stay away from him. What happens when the moment we have in my vineyard changes all that?

Sebastian

I have one task—take Maldonado Vineyard. It’ll be easy. I’m irresistible. Ava Maldonado will hand it right over.

I’m wrong– Ava makes me forget why I initially approached her. I’m forced to choose between my love and my family. Whatever I choose, I’m losing someone I love.

Double Exposure – June Gray

When twenty-seven-year-old Roxie flew to California to photograph the Moore-Balmaseda wedding, the last person she expected to see among the guests was AJ, the man who broke her heart almost a decade ago.

The moment AJ saw Roxie again, he knew she hadn’t forgiven him. But he was determined not to waste this second chance. This time, he would prove that he was no longer that same kid who made foolish but well-meaning mistakes.

But can AJ earn her trust again? And can Roxie find it in her heart to forgive?

Stay With Me – Liz Durano

It’s been three years since landscape painter Tallie Vicente walled off her heart after losing her husband and the scandal that followed. But when car trouble while driving from New Mexico to Napa Valley to attend her best friend’s wedding ends up having her sharing a room—and a bed—with a young gorgeous doctor, unexpected sparks fly between them, proving that it's never too late to fall in love again.

The Stand-In – Sarah Smith

When florist Violet sees her cheating ex at the wedding she’s working, she panics and asks Toby, her ruggedly handsome and tatted up coworker, to pretend to be her boyfriend. Together they make the perfect fake couple, but when Toby accidentally lets it slip that he’s been hiding a crush on Violet, it throws their entire friendship for a loop…in the hottest way.

Win Your Love – Tif Marcelo

After being unceremoniously stood up by her fake date to her cousin’s wedding, Alexandra Moore’s day goes from bad to worse when she has to fight over the last gift of the wedding registry with former neighbor and all-around rival, Jordan Franco. But as the wedding and reception minutes click by, along with their constant bickering and mini-competitions, Alex and Jordan reignite the spark that almost brought them together years ago. Will they let their ambition reign? Or will they finally concede that love wins above all?

Now That I Have You – Maida Malby

One year after they met, Vida and Rafa are engaged. Soon, plans for a grand Filipino Cuban American wedding in the fall are underway. As the countdown winds down, things go smoothly … maybe too smoothly. Will their special day go off without a hitch, or will disaster strike before they can promise to love now and forevermore? 

Excerpt

Moonlight Serenade – Mia Hopkins

Under the mango tree, she taught him to dance. One afternoon, they dragged her mother’s Victrola to the railing of the open ventanilla and paid her youngest brother in sticks of Wrigley gum to flip the records for them.

“Okay, my little turtle,” Naty said, putting Robert’s hands on the right places on her body as they grinned at each other like fools, “pay attention and you might learn something.”

“Is it the hokey pokey?” he asked.

“Be serious.”

Dappled sunlight migrated across the yard as Naty slowly taught him to waltz.

“Stop looking at your feet,” she snapped, laughing. “Stop counting out loud! Count inside your head. You can do this, college boy.”

When he could do a passable waltz, she taught him a slow foxtrot. By the time he’d mastered those steps, they’d been holding each other for three hours straight, and her brother had long forgone his gum, leaving them to dance without any music at all. The sunset had left traces of pink on the horizon. The moon made its early evening appearance, faint and low in the sky.

“I think you’re ready,” she said.

“Ready for what?” His voice was a soft rumble against her ear, like distant thunder.

Smiling, she stepped out of his arms. “Wait here.”

Inside the house, she ran up the stairs two at a time. She put her favorite record on the Victrola, wound it up and dashed downstairs as the music began to play.

Outside, she ran into Robert’s arms. He caught her and held her tightly. For one breathless second, she felt his heart beat hard against her chest.

“Let’s dance,” he whispered in Tagalog.

Glenn Miller’s “Moonlight Serenade” filled the warm air along with the chirp and croak of the garden’s usual nighttime suspects. With a steady confidence, Robert led her through the steps he had learned only a few minutes before. To her surprise, they fell into the steady rhythm of longtime dance partners while the sweet melody fell on them from above, just like moonlight.

And just like that, he was kissing her, and she was kissing him back, wide-eyed with wonder, her entire body on fire.

He pulled away gently and whispered against her lips, “Close your eyes, Naty.”

“What?”

“Traditionally”—he smirked—“we close our eyes.”

This was her first kiss. She didn’t want to miss it. “No. Not me.”

He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

They kissed until long after the music ended. They kissed until the moon had risen high over their tree. They kissed until, from far away, they heard Naty’s brothers calling them inside the house for dinner, yoo-hooing and cackling from the open window like noisy pipit.

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About the Authors

Aurora Paige is a healthcare professional by day and a Filipina American writer of steamy contemporary romance with sassy heroines and sexy heroes at night. Each Aurora Paige story delivers a variety of Curvy Heroines, Multicultural relationships, Alpha Heroes, Steamy Heat, and a Guaranteed Happily Ever After. You can find updates on her website (www.aurorapaige.com) or subscribe to her newsletter (www.aurorapaige.com/newsletter-sign-up) where she shares her upcoming releases, writing updates, exclusive content, and giveaways.

Elle Cruz is an author of contemporary romance. By day she works in the medical field, but at night she writes swoon-worthy stories perfect for all the hopeless romantics out there. In addition to being an author, Elle is active in the writing community and loves to mentor and give advice to new authors. She lives with her husband and two kids in Southern California.

June Gray is the author of the bestselling Disarm series. She loves to tell stories that excite and enrage, that break the reader’s heart and put it back together again. June is a storyteller, a graphic designer, a fitness freak, a military wife, and a dedicated fangirl. She was born in the Philippines, raised in Australia, and now calls the United States home. She can currently be found dodging tornadoes in Oklahoma with her husband and two daughters.

Kaye Rockwell is a Romance Author who spent the majority of her childhood falling in love with fictional characters and daydreaming about her own Happily-Ever-After which eventually led to her writing her own love stories. 

She has made it her mission to diversify bookshelves with Romance reads that are packed with just enough tension, swoony lines, lingering looks and riddled with life lessons that have you reaching for the tissue box.

Although she majored in Journalism, Liz Durano realized she preferred writing angst-filled emotional stories over news and ad copy. These days, Liz writes women's fiction and contemporary romance (sometimes spicy, sometimes not). She lives in Los Angeles with her family and a spoiled rotten rescue dog. You can learn more about Liz by signing up to her newsletter at https://lizdurano.com/subscribe/.

Maan Gabriel is a mom, wife, dreamer, writer, and advocate for women’s stories in literature. She earned her BA in communications from St. Scholastica’s College in Manila and MPS in public relations and corporate communications from Georgetown University. She has lived in Manila, Brussels, Dakar, and Mexico City. During the day, she works in strategic communications. Gabriel, along with her husband and son, currently calls suburban Washington, D.C. home. 

Filipino American author Maida Malby cooks up foodie, multicultural, and contemporary destination romance stories filled with heat, sizzle, spice, and a whole lotta love. She is a member of select writing groups and romance book clubs. Her To-Be-Read Mountain and book reviews are featured on her blog Carpe Diem Chronicles at maidamalby.com. Readers can also find her on Lone Star Literary Life via her regular Texas Reads Romance column. Subscribe to her newsletter to receive updates on upcoming releases, book promotions, signing events, and advance review copy opportunities. 

Mia Hopkins writes lush romances starring fun, sexy characters who love to get down and dirty. Her award-winning books have been featured by many publications including The New York Times, The Washington Post, USA Today and Entertainment Weekly. She lives in Los Angeles with her family. For more information, please visit www.miahopkinsauthor.com or connect with her on social media @miahopkinsxoxo.

Sarah Smith is a copywriter-turned-author who wants to make the world a lovelier place, one kissing story at a time. Her love of romance began when she was eight and she discovered her auntie’s stash of romance novels. She’s been hooked ever since. When she’s not writing, you can find her hiking, eating chocolate, and perfecting her lumpia recipe. 

Tif Marcelo is a veteran US Army nurse and holds a BS in Nursing and a Master’s in public administration. She believes and writes about the strength of families, the endurance of friendship, heartfelt romances, and is inspired daily by her own military hero husband and four children. She hosts The Stories to Love Podcast, and is the USA Today bestselling author of In a Book Club Far Away, Once Upon a Sunset, The Key to Happily Ever After, which was a Target Diverse Book Club pick, The Holiday Switch, and the Heart Resort and Journey to the Heart series. She and her books have been featured in The Today Show, Shondaland, Real Simple Magazine, The Asian Journal and more!

Website

Forevermore - https://kwentitas.wixsite.com/forevermore

Aurora Paige - https://www.aurorapaige.com/

Elle Cruz - https://www.ellecruz.com

June Gray - https://www.authorjunegray.com

Kaye Rockwell - https://kayerockwell.com 

Liz Durano – https://lizdurano.com/

Maan Gabriel - https://www.maangabriel.com

Maida Malby – https://maidamalby.com/

Mia Hopkins – https://www.miahopkinsauthor.com

Sarah Smith – https://www.sarahsmithbooks.com

Tif Marcelo - https://tifmarcelo.com/

Facebook

Aurora Paige -  https://www.facebook.com/authoraurorapaige

Elle Cruz - https://www.facebook.com/ElleCruzAuthor

June Gray – https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJuneGray

Kaye Rockwell – https://www.facebook.com/authorkayerockwell/

Liz Durano - https://www.facebook.com/Lizduranobooks/

Maan Gabriel – https://www.facebook.com/MaanGabrielAuthor

Maida Malby – https://www.facebook.com/maidamalbyauthor

Mia Hopkins – https://www.facebook.com/miahopkinsxoxo

Sarah Smith – https://www.facebook.com/authorsarahs

Tif Marcelo - https://www.facebook.com/TifMarcelo

Vania Hardy - https://www.facebook.com/vaniahardycreative

Instagram/Threads

Forevermore - https://www.instagram.com/forevermore_romance_anthology/

Aurora Paige - https://www.instagram.com/xoaurorapaige

Elle Cruz – https://www.instagram.com/ellecruzauthor

June Gray – https://www.instagram.com/authorjunegray/

Kaye Rockwell – https://www.instagram.com/thenomaddreamer/

Liz Durano - https://www.instagram.com/lizdurano

Maan Gabriel – https://www.instagram.com/maan_gabriel

Maida Malby – https://www.instagram.com/maidamalbyauthor

Mia Hopkins – https://www.instagram.com/miahopkinsxoxo

Sarah Smith – https://www.instagram.com/authorsarahs

Tif Marcelo - https://www.instagram.com/tifmarcelo

Vania Hardy - https://www.instagram.com/vghardy/

X (Twitter)

Aurora Paige – https://twitter.com/xoAuroraPaige/

Elle Cruz – https://twitter.com/ellecruzauthor

Kaye Rockwell - https://twitter.com/authorkrockwell

Maan Gabriel - https://twitter.com/MaanGabriel

Maida Malby - https://twitter.com/MaidaMalby

Mia Hopkins - https://twitter.com/MiaHopkinsxoxo

Sarah Smith - https://twitter.com/AuthorSarahS/

Tif Marcelo - https://twitter.com/TifMarcelo

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Spotlight: Fumbled Beginning by S. Jones

(Atlanta Arrows Series, #2)

Publication date: October 12th 2023

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

One of the perks of being one of the best wide receivers in the league was having my pick of cleat chasers looking for a good time. Unfortunately, the only one to hold my attention was the feisty brunette who wanted nothing to do with me.

Did I still try to flirt with her—you bet I did.

Did she fall for my charms? That would be a hard no.

Instead of laughing at my jokes, she pretended I didn’t exist.

Until I tried to rescue her from a bad date, did she thank me? Of course not, but she did try to kiss me (at least, that was my version of the story). The girl was trouble with a capital T.

She was also smart, gorgeous, and all wrong for me—just ask her brother.

My best friend.

Dating her would be a terrible idea, but then again, I was famous for making bad decisions.

So, when her car broke down, and I came to her rescue, I offered up a way she could pay me back—one dinner! That’s all I needed to prove I wasn’t just a player.

I should have put a stop to things right then and there. Because now she wasn’t just under my skin, but under my sheets too.

Until I messed up—big time, and now I have to prove to her that I deserved a second chance, because I refused to accept that it was game over.

I knew the rules, I knew the stakes, and I was playing for keeps.

Excerpt

I unrolled my window, and the sight of him made me wish I had walked or called my dad instead. His playful green eyes smiled down at me.

“Thank you for coming. I hope I didn’t tear you away from anything too important, like a date or something like that.”

His brow raised, and I suddenly felt the urge to pound my head against the steering wheel. Maybe it would reset my brain and get it to start working right again.

I felt like Baby in Dirty Dancing when she blurted out, “I carried a watermelon.”

“You didn’t tear me away from anything. I was up watching ESPN.” His face broke out into a full-blown grin. “Would it bother you if I was on a date?”

“Of course not. It’s none of my business what or who you do.”

He snorted. “Yeah, I can tell.”

“Whatever.” I sighed because it was obvious that I was lying. “How much do you know about cars?” I asked, leaning back slightly. His large frame was taking up so much room it was hard for me to think clearly.

“What seems to be the problem?” he asked, sticking his head farther into my personal space. I could practically feel the heat coming off his body, and with the smell of his cologne, that was a dangerous combination for me.

When I looked up to answer him, I swallowed, and my attention immediately went to his tattooed arms, gripping the end of my door. Every tiny movement would cause the hem of his shirt to ride up his toned stomach. I averted my eyes up to his sharp jawline and noticed his newly trimmed beard, it was short, and I liked it—a lot. It made his lips more noticeable, and I wanted to kiss him so badly that I envisioned what it would feel like. No doubt I would savor every second because a man as confident as him had to be skilled in that area.

He cleared his throat, pulling me from my thoughts. “Rylee?”

“Yeah?” I blinked up at him, trying to remember what we were talking about before I slipped into fantasy land.

“Your car?”

“What about it?” I was confused and distracted and making a complete fool of myself.

His eyes were sparkling. “You mentioned something about overheating.”

“Yes, right, that would be me.” My eyes flashed to his in mortification. “I mean my car! My car is overheating. Not me!”

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About the Author

S. Jones is a contemporary romance author from Upstate New York. She has a strong passion for writing and reading stories that will rip your heart out before it’s put back together again. 

If she’s not buried in her writing cave, she’s usually reading or planning out her next vacation. She loves to travel to different places and spends all her free with her husband, and two college age children. 

When the weather permits, you can find her outside walking her golden retriever or enjoying a nice cocktail by the pool. She loves cooking and entertaining for her family and friends. 

 When she’s not holding a glass of wine in one hand and her kindle in the other, she loves to hear from her readers at: Authorsjoneswrites@gmail.com 

Connect:

https://sjonesauthor.com/

https://www.facebook.com/authorsandrajones/

https://www.instagram.com/sjonesauthor/

https://twitter.com/sandyjones23

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Spotlight: Breaking Point by Bailey Thomas

(Mill Creek Mystique)

Publication date: October 9th 2023

Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:

FBI analyst, Noah Parker, receives credible intelligence on a kidnapped woman from a ghost in his past who happens to be the man who shot him. The catch, he must act alone to obtain the geographic coordinates of her location.

Terrified and alone, Jasmine West doesn’t know if she’ll survive another day. When a lone man appears in her makeshift prison, they forge an alliance to survive.

Can they find the middle ground between analyzing and action when corruption and deceit surround them?

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About the Author

Bailey Thomas lives in the beautiful but hot southwest with her husband and their adorable four-legged children. An only child, Bailey’s active imagination and adventurous nature always kept her busy. Now, she channels those creative powers into storytelling.

Her wonderful husband encouraged her to chase her dream of becoming an author and continues to be her greatest champion. Being able to write these stories has been a thrilling experience that is truly special to her. 

When she’s not behind a computer working on her next deadline, she’s reading her favorite authors, playing with her fur babies, and spending time with her husband. They love to watch movies and sports and play all types of games. 

Connect:

https://twitter.com/Bailey_Author

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/bailey-thomas-dc49a247-f8e2-49aa-b229-8d476477aa0e

https://www.baileythomasauthor.com/contact.html#newsletter

https://www.baileythomasauthor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/Author_Baileythomas/

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