Spotlight: The Guest by B.A. Paris

New York Times bestselling author B. A. Paris captivated psychological thriller readers everywhere with Behind Closed Doors. Now she invites you into another home full of heart-pounding secrets, in The Guest.

Some secrets never leave.

Iris and Gabriel have just arrived home from a make-or-break holiday. But a shock awaits them. One of their closest friends, Laure, is in their house. The atmosphere quickly becomes tense as she oversteps again and again: sleeping in their bed, wearing Iris' clothes, even rearranging the furniture.

Laure has walked out on her husband—and their good friend—Pierre, over his confession of an affair and a secret child. Iris and Gabriel want to be supportive of their friends, but as Laure's mood becomes increasingly unpredictable, her presence takes its toll.

Iris and Gabriel's only respite comes in the form of a couple new to town. But with them comes their gardener, who has a checkered past.

Soon, secrets from all their pasts will unravel, some more dangerous than they could have known.

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Spotlight: An American Dreamer: Life in a Divided Country by David Finkel

Genre: Biography & Memoir | 21st Century U.S. History

A man navigates the deep divisions in America today and discovers that sometimes change can start by finding common ground with your neighbors in this immersive account by the Pulitzer Prize–winning author of Thank You for Your Service and The Good Soldiers.

As this powerful book begins, Brent Cummings finds himself coping with the feeling that the country he loves is fracturing in front of his eyes. An Iraq war veteran, raised to believe in a vision of America that values fairness, honesty, and respect for others, Cummings is increasingly surprised by the behavior and beliefs of others, and engulfed by the fear, anger, and confusion that is sweeping through his beloved country as he tries to hold on to his values and his hope for America’s future.

David Finkel, known for his unique, in-depth reporting, spent fourteen years deep inside Brent Cummings’s world to create this intimate and vivid portrait of a man’s life, his work, family, community, his thoughts, and his quest for connection, as America becomes ever more divided. Cummings was one of the unforgettable figures in Finkel’s The Good Soldiers, a book about which The New York Times stated, “Finkel has made art out of a defining moment in history. You will be able to take this book down from the shelf years from now, and say: This is what happened. This is what it felt like.

An American Dreamer illuminates, with the deepest empathy, the feelings and lives of many people in America today, and it is a brilliant chronicle of one person’s everyday experiences of frustration, confusion, and hope.

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Spotlight: Drawn to Murder by Sarah Vernon

Publication date: January 31st 2024

Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

Synopsis:

Sam Green is a newly minted art school graduate, excited to attend her first artist residency. But the pretty, serene Vermont surroundings soon turn sinister.

After a few months spent looking for the right project, Sam has landed a dream opportunity: three blissful weeks of working at a beautiful artist residency program in remote northern Vermont. But almost as soon as the residency begins, strange things start happening. Eager to settle into her work and make new friends, Sam tries to ignore the vaguely sinister feelings trying to warn her that something is afoot. But when a body is discovered, Sam can’t ignore what’s going on any longer.

If she has any chance of getting out of here – alive – Sam will have to figure out who the killer is.

Excerpt

“Sam, it’s your turn.”

I jolted out of my daydreaming, looking up at the dark-eyed, even darker-haired man across from me at the table. From the intensity of his expectant stare, you’d think we were plotting world domination, not playing a simple getting-to-know-you game. If you could call revealing unexpected or odd facts about yourself a game. Everyone was just trying to one up each other in achievements, fame or outright weirdness - because this was a group of artists, after all.

“Uh, sure. I’m Sam. Samantha, but everyone calls me Sam,” I said, stumbling over my words and sure that my cheeks were as bright red as they felt. Whatever I had been planning to say was instantly forgotten. Was there anyone who actually enjoyed these kinds of introductions?

“I’m here from Boston,” I continued. “I just graduated from school in the spring and I’m…taking a kind of gap year at the moment. I primarily work in ceramics and sculpture, especially miniatures.” I paused, willing anyone else to make a comment or ask a question, anything to save me from having to think of an interesting fact to share. What was there to say that was appropriate for this group? I grew up in New York? I have a cat named Paul? I once tripped over the body of a dead famous sculptor who’d been poisoned?

There were polite smiles around the table, which I returned, slightly nodding my head, signaling that I was done with my intro. I was saved from further humiliation-by-spotlight by the woman on my right, who moved her wheelchair closer to the table so everyone could see her.

“I’m Tony. Tonya, but everyone calls me Tony,” she said, throwing a small smile my way. “I’m here from LA, where I make immersive installations that challenge viewers' perceptions of their interactions with, and limitations within, the physical world.” Tony waited a beat, tilting her chin as if daring any of us to ask the obvious question. There were more polite smiles, although I noticed about half of our group were studiously avoiding eye contact.

Unfortunately, only Eliot took the bait. “What inspired you towards that kind of work?” he asked with a kind of forced obliviousness. I didn’t think any of us needed more of an introduction to Eliot: over the course of the previous twenty-four hours since we’d gotten to the Winterbrook Artist Residency, he’d made himself known as the type of pompous, arrogant artist that gives the rest of us a bad name.

“Well, Eliot,” Tony said, returning his tone. “I’ve used a wheelchair since I was a kid, after a spinal injury. So after all these years experiencing a very different side of the physical world, I thought I’d give other people the chance to have a similar view.” The pair politely smiled at each other (although, one did have to admit - and admire - that Tony’s smile had more than a hint of crocodile to it) while the rest of us avoided engaging. “But if you’ll forgive me, I think I’ll actually head up to bed now,” Tony said, wheeling away from the table. “It was great to meet all

of you!” she called cheerily as she turned towards the door, her wheelchair making an unmistakable bumping motion over Eliot’s foot as she left. I couldn’t help but grin.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author

Sarah Vernon is an author and artist based in Massachusetts, where she writes the Triple-Decker Mystery Series.

Connect:

https://vernonmysteries.com/

https://www.instagram.com/vernonmysteries/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/3268031.Sarah_Vernon

Spotlight: Samphire Shores by Annie Dyer

Release Date: February 9

I could always ask my roommate for her advice – but then, I’d prefer to extract my own teeth.

I wasn’t expecting my temporary housemate to be Freya.  My housemate was meant to be a lot taller, bald and male – not a wispy fairy-like creature with a thing for incense and crystals.

Freya loved meditating.  I preferred to code.

Freya adored people.  I thought they should be online only, except for special occasions.

Freya was always smiling.  I rationed my smiles for birthdays only.

But Freya was only smiling on the outside.  My irritating, meditating, meddling, temporary housemate would do anything for anyone, but never herself.  Those smiles concealed what was going on beneath, something I first saw when she thought I wasn’t looking, then she let me see inside a little more.

I liked what I saw, although I pretended not to.  She thought she had to be perfect. I thought she was perfect already.

Maybe Freya wasn’t my opposite.  Maybe she was the piece that fitted in perfectly to complete my future, the one her tarot cards told me was complicated.

I just need to code myself into hers: I want to be the man who makes her smile.

Forever

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About the Author

Annie Dyer enjoys her alarm to be off, her books to be steamy, and her gin to be dry. Her stories are set in the UK and filled with more heat than an English summer. She writes about strong women and the men who are men enough to make them happy! Her books are made to binge read, and guarantee a happily ever after. Annie lives in Manchester, England with her husband and pets, in a Victorian house with leopard print carpet!

For more information on Annie and her books visit: https://bit.ly/43Ts3oM

Connect with Annie Dyer: annie@writeranniedyer.com

Spotlight & Giveaway: Renewed Hope by Carmen Peone

Publication date: February 6th 2024

Genres: Contemporary, Romance, Western

Synopsis:

Can they find her son in time?

Sophie Cayes is on the road to success as an artist. Until her ex-husband threatens to sue for full custody of their son. Upon learning of a guest ranch in Eastern Washington that keeps a room open for women in need, she grabs her son and bolts.

Although Chad Davis loves starting colts on the Seven Tine Guest Ranch, his goal is to have his own spread. Everything’s on course until a woman and her preschool son show up. He’s not thrilled about helping out. Until the boy comes up missing. On his watch.

Along with a tribal cop, they head back to Montana in search of the boy, knowing his dad was the one who kidnapped him. Sophie prays they find him before her ex-husband and his new wife go on the run. Taking her son with them.

Excerpt

Sophie Cayes’s tummy twisted when she read the Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women Celebration leaflet, MMIW for short. Jeannette, one of the gallery’s consortium members, had given her the brochure before Sophie taught her morning art lesson.

Her angst heightened at the thought of standing on the stage in Elmo, talking about Bria’s murder. All eyes on her. In seven days. She hugged herself. Nope. A hard pass. Besides, her hands were full with her abusive ex-husband’s attempt to rip Basin away from her.

She set the flyer on the worktable next to a tote of paintbrushes. “I can’t.” Saying her sister’s name? In a crowd? When she couldn’t even say it in private without unraveling? No way. She plucked a paper towel off the countertop, her body trembling like ripples on a lake in a stiff breeze. She needed to focus on retaining full custody of her son.“Think about it. And remember, I got your back. With Basin. With your lessons. With the celebration.” Jeannette headed to the gallery showroom.

Sophie turned to her art student, Natalie, when the front door’s bell chimed, and Matt’s deep-timbre voice stormed into the room. “Where’s Sophie?”Oh, God, no. Not here. Not today. Wiping her quivering hands on her apron, she hurried to the gallery. The sight of him made her cringe inside. She couldn’t afford a disfigured reputation, not when she needed prestigious galleries and museums to take her seriously.

“What are you doing here, Matt?” Sophie glanced at Jeannette and shook her head. Disgust and dread slinked down her throat and settled into her stomach. Why hadn’t she turned Matt in for abuse years ago? Then maybe she wouldn’t have a custody battle on her hands. She hated how terrified of him she used to be. Still was. Oh, how she’d love to be in a peaceful place where she could paint, and her son could grow up without his vicious father lurking on weekends and holidays.

Jeannette slid her cell out of her pocket.

Glad her friend had offered to be the bad guy and call the cops if he happened to show up, Sophie kept an eye on her. She hadn’t expected Matt to drop in. At least not today.

“Thought you had your pack test.”

“Got done early.”

“What about your survival refresher training? Don’t they

do it all in one day?”

“You know I have it in the afternoons.” He encroached on her personal bubble, and she took a step back. Then another, feeling like she’d pass out. “I want Basin for the weekend. Olivia wants to take him to the River Honoring on Monday morning.”

Matt’s new wife wants him again. Are you kidding me? No. Definitely not. The River Honoring, held by the Flathead River, hosted elementary-aged kids who went from station tom station learning various skills about nature, energy, and culture. Certainly no place for a four-year-old with breathing issues. “She wants him all week, actually.”

All week? Her heart punched her rib cage. “It’s supposed to rain. You know he has trouble—”

“Geeze, Sophie. He’ll be fine. Quit hovering over him like a—” She backed up a step and glared. Get out of here! “Fine.” Matt always got his way. If not, he’d slap her. She needed to agree with him and get him out of the gallery before he made a scene. Before Jeannette called the cops. And she wasn’t familiar enough with Natalie to know if the woman would spread gossip or not. She certainly didn’t need to be the talk of the rez. “I’ll bring him over after dinner.” Or not.

“No need. Olivia’s picking him up at childcare.”

Dirty bugger. The blonde bomb had no business picking up her son. She struggled to keep her tone even. “I didn’t agree to her picking him up today.”

“She’s on her way to his day care now.” He held up his key to her house. The one she’d sworn she’d gotten back. “I’ll get his stuff.” He turned with a smirk on his face and left. No, no, no. Why had she agreed?

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Carmen Peone is an award-winning author who loves to write inspirational stories of hope, healing, & horses that lead to happily ever after.

She is one of the few authors who has not always dreamed of writing. It found her. Spupaleena, Carmen’s character in the True to Heart Trilogy hounded her until she told her story. Carmen soon learned how much she loved writing and creating stories with strong female characters.

Besides Carmen’s infinite love for her Dingo Daisy Mae, may she now rest in peace, she loves horses. They brighten dark days, get creative juices flowing when in a slump, and put smiles on the faces of those who visit with them. You can see Buck and Cash on the covers of the True to Heart Trilogy. 

You are invited to subscribe to Carmen’s blog and learn about various cultural traditions and life on the reservation as well as Incredible Western Women and fellow author’s new releases. When you sign up for Connect with Carmen, you can receive 3 free gifts as a thank you: Gentling the Cowboy, a contemporary western romance novella; A Horse Lover’s Manifesto; and a contemporary western romance short story, Arami’s Hope.

Carmen is represented by Linda S. Glaz Literary Agency.

Connect:

https://carmenpeone.com/

https://www.facebook.com/CarmenEPeone/

https://www.instagram.com/jcpeone/

https://twitter.com/carmenpeone

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4862063.Carmen_Peone

Spotlight: Kilo by Sybil Bartel

(The Alpha Elite, #9)
Publication date: February 8th 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Breacher.

Navy SEAL.

Mercenary.

Being a breacher on the Teams wasn’t a job, it was my drug of choice. Detonating charges, the blast waves going through me, I lived for the rush of tactical explosive breaching. As long as I kept my brothers safe and didn’t eat a piece of frag, I never looked past my next mission… until I screwed up.

Miscalculating a blast zone, I took a hit. Then I was benched from active duty, told I’d taken one too many subconcussive blows, and forced into medical retirement. 

Except the Navy wasn’t the only home for an explosives expert. Alpha Elite Security took me in, and I got to keep my addiction—right until a mysterious redhead walked into my blast zone and suddenly, I needed a new fix.

Code name: Kilo.
Mission: Detonate.

KILO is a standalone book in the exciting Alpha Elite Series by USA Today Bestselling author, Sybil Bartel. Come meet Kilo and the dominant, alpha heroes who work for AES!

Excerpt

The elevator stopped on the twenty-sixth floor of the fifty-two-story hotel, and the doors opened.

I didn’t look at Alpha.

I didn’t need to.

We were both staring at the redhead as she barely glanced up and stepped onto the elevator.

Now I knew why the agent wanted to meet at the Four Seasons in Manhattan. 

The target’s mistress. In the flesh.

I recalled that one line of intel I’d read.

Artist, depleted bank account, no recent address, born with dual citizenship, third acquired.

The elevator doors closed, and I did what that agent was incapable of.

I got real intel.

The smooth sheet of red hair was recently brushed. Her four-inch heels that were nothing more than a couple straps of thin leather were hurting her feet as she shifted from one foot to the other. The beige-colored dress, tight over her ass, was designer. The brand-name bag on her shoulder was more carry-all than purse, and she was fucking nervous. 

Starving artists didn’t wear designer. 

They also didn’t have perfect posture, smell like expensive perfume and look like they’d just walked off the runway of a fashion show. 

This woman was well-bred.

Too well-bred to be mixed up with an arms dealer.

The doors opened. The noise of the lobby hit, and she slipped out, heading toward the restaurant.

I glanced at Alpha. We didn’t need to speak. My gaze quickly cut to the redhead. His chin tipped toward the opposite direction.

In a coordinated move we’d done countless times, we flanked out. 

Alpha went right.

I moved left.

Heading away from the front entrance of the hotel, striding deeper into the crowd, my gaze was locked on her.

Everyone’s gaze was locked on her.

The crowd parted. Men stared. Women glared. 

She looked past every one of them. 

Head held high, back straight, shoulders proud, her hips and that sheet of silk hair swayed with every step in those high heels.

I closed the distance and hit her six.

Then I scanned the lobby one more time before I made my move.

She reached for the glass door of the restaurant.

I reached around her. 

Covering her hand with mine, caging her in, I leaned down to her ear and issued an order. “Remember my voice.” 

She flinched, her lush lips parted with a sharp inhale, and she lifted her head.

Amber eyes met mine in the reflection of the glass, and time fucking stopped.

Then she hit me with a soft, sexy voice. “Pardon?”

“You heard me.” Pulling the door open, I scanned the patrons in the restaurant before giving her the push she needed to start moving. “Walk inside.” 

Slow, as if she was afraid to look, she started to glance over her shoulder. 

I was already gone.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Paperback

About the Author

Sybil Bartel is a USA Today Bestselling author of unapologetic alpha heroes. Whether you're reading her deliciously dominant mercenaries, bodyguards or military heroes, all of her heart-stopping, page-turning romantic suspense novels have sexy-as-sin alpha heroes!

Sybil resides in South Florida and she is forever Oliver’s mom.

To find out more about Sybil Bartel or her books, please visit her at:
Website: http://sybilbartel.com/
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/sybilbartelauthor
Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1065006266850790/
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BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/sybil-bartel
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