Spotlight: The Cheesemaker's Daughter by Kristin Vukovic

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When Marina’s father summons her to their Croatian island from New York—and away from her evaporating marriage—to help him save his failing cheese factory, she must face her rocky past and an uncertain future.

How do you begin again when the past threatens to drown you?

In the throes of an unraveling marriage, New Yorker Marina Maržić returns to her native Croatian island where she helps her father with his struggling cheese factory, Sirana. Forced to confront her divided Croatian-American identity and her past as a refugee from the former Yugoslavia, Marina moves in with her parents on Pag and starts a new life working at Sirana. As she gradually settles back into a place that was once home, her life becomes inextricably intertwined with their island’s cheese. When her past with the son of a rival cheesemaker stokes further unrest on their divided island, she must find a way to save Sirana—and in the process, learn to belong on her own terms.

Exploring underlying cultural and ethnic tensions in a complex region mired in centuries of war and turmoil, The Cheesemaker’s Daughter takes us through the year before Croatia joins the European Union. On the dramatic moonscape island of Pag, we are transported to strikingly barren vistas, medieval towns, and the mesmerizing Adriatic Sea, providing a rare window into a tight-knit community with strong family ties in a corner of the world where divisions are both real and imagined. Asking questions central to identity and the meaning of home, this richly drawn story reckons with how we survive inherited and personal traumas, and what it means to heal and reinvent oneself in the face of life’s challenges.

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About the Author

Kristin Vuković has written for the New York Times, BBC Travel, Travel + Leisure, Coastal Living, Virtuoso, The Magazine, Hemispheres, the Daily Beast, AFAR, Connecticut Review, and Public Books, among others. An early excerpt of her novel was longlisted for the Cosmonauts Avenue Inaugural Fiction Prize. She was named a “40 Under 40” honoree by the National Federation of Croatian Americans Cultural Foundation, and received a Zlatna Penkala (Golden Pen) award for her writing about Croatia. Kristin holds a BA in literature and writing and an MFA in nonfiction writing from Columbia University, and was Editor-in-Chief of Columbia: A Journal of Literature and Art. She grew up in St. Paul, Minnesota and currently resides in New York City with her husband and daughter. 

Connect:

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Spotlight: Warrior King by Wilbur Smith with Tom Harper

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Multimillion copy bestselling author Wilbur Smith returns with a brand-new historical epic set in Africa. 

Description 

South Africa, 1820. When Ann Waite discovers a battered longboat washed ashore in Algoa Bay, she is stunned to find two survivors: a badly scarred sailor and a little boy. As the man walks away into the morning mist alone, refusing to take the child -Harry - with him, Ann is left with no choice but to raise the boy as her own. 

After two years of disaster and hardship in the African interior, desperation drives Ann and Harry back into the path of the mysterious shipwrecked man. Ralph Courtney has recently escaped from Robben Island and is determined to seek his fortune in Nativity Bay, the hidden harbour that his father told him about when he was a boy. But it isn't long before Ralph, Ann and their fellow settlers learn that Nativity Bay now lies on the borders of a mighty kingdom, where the warrior king Shaka rules. With no means of making their way back to Algoa Bay, Ralph is forced into a bargain with the Zulu king which will lead him to confront the past that he has been running from for his entire life. 

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About the Author

Wilbur Smith was born in Central Africa in 1933. He became a full-time writer in 1964 following the success of When the Lion Feeds, and has since published over fifty global bestsellers, including the Courtney Series, the Ballantyne Series, the Egyptian Series, the Hector Cross Series and many successful standalone novels, allmeticulously researched on his numerous expeditions worldwide. An international phenomenon, his readership built up over fifty-five years of writing, establishing himas one of the most successful and impressive brand authors in the world. 

The establishment of the Wilbur & Niso Smith Foundation in 2015 cemented Wilbur's passion for empowering writers, promoting literacy and advancing adventure writing as a genre. The foundation's flagship programme is the Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize. 

Wilbur Smith passed away peacefully at home in 2021 with his wife, Niso, by his side, leaving behind him a rich treasure trove of novels and stories that will delight readers for years to come. For all the latest information on Wilbur Smith's writing visit www.wilbursmithbooks.com or facebook.com/WilburSmith 

Tom Harper

Tom Harper is the author of thirteen thrillers and historical adventures including The Orpheus Descent, Black River and Lost Temple. Research for his novels has taken him all over the world, from the high Arctic to the heart of the Amazon jungle. He lives with his family in York. For more information about Tom's books, visit www.tom-harper.co.uk.

Spotlight: Lily of the Valley by Megan Derr

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Genre: Fantasy Romance 

Lily is the first crown princess her kingdom has ever had, and many look forward to having a queen on the throne someday. Others are vehemently against it, and the anger stirred up by dramatic and severe changes to certain laws is causing even more turmoil.

When that tension finally explodes, Lily finds herself running for her life, forced to leave behind everything she knows and plunge blindly into the dense, dangerous forest that surrounds the royal palace. A forest said to be filled with ancient ruins, monsters, and ghosts who laugh at unwary travelers.

Instead of finding monsters and ghosts, Lily is found by a woodcutter, gruff and quiet and clearly not pleased to be saddled with an uninvited guest who doesn't even know how to fetch water from a well. But Lily has nowhere else to go, and no way of getting home safely, not when there are people still looking to remove her head.

If she hopes to live long enough to claim her throne, she must first prove her worth to the woman who can't wait to be rid of her. 

Excerpt

"Who is that?" Lily asked, staring down from the balcony into the main courtyard of the palace.

Five figures had arrived, dressed entirely in black and riding dark horses. How very dramatic. They bore no crests, and she hadn't heard a crier announce them, only the horns to signal important visitors had arrived.

Next to her, looking up from the book she was reading, her handmaiden Clarissa wrinkled her nose. "I've no idea. They look like bandits."

Lily set aside the cards she'd been reading through for her speech to open the spring games at the beginning of the month, stood, and gathered her skirts. "I'm going to go see."

"I was just at the good part," Clarissa said with a sigh as she marked her place, tucked the book into a pocket, and followed her.

As they reached the hallway, two more of her four handmaidens joined them: Alice and Penelope. Poor Leigh was still sick. Lily had sat with her last night and read to her for a couple of hours, and managed to get her to drink some tea.

People greeted them as they walked through the halls, but Lily didn't linger to speak with anyone, though a few clearly wanted her to. No, she continued on stubbornly to the receiving hall, where sure enough, the five dark figures had gathered.

She held back to look them over. Five, all men with scruffy beards, dirty clothes, tromping around like this was their palace. Big, every last one, though two were on the lean muscle side rather than the wall of muscle. The one who seemed to be in charge did bear a crest, a gold broach pinned to his left shoulder, though she couldn't make out any details at this distance.

They all bore weapons and weren't listening as the servants tried to tell them that weapons were not allowed on the premises, save those carried by the royal guards.

Time to do her job. Setting her shoulders, lifting her chin, Lily walked briskly down the hall, flanked by her handmaidens. "What is the cause of all this ruckus?" she said in the ringing tones her tutors had drilled into her. A voice that could pierce a crowded room, no matter how large.

All eyes turned to her, including the visitors. The man with the broach watched her like a cat watched a mouse, but if he thought she would be intimidated by such nonsense, he would soon find himself mistaken.

"What is going on here?" she demanded, drawing to a stop at a perfectly appropriate distance of five paces. "Who are you?" The gold broach was of a wolf's head opened on a snarl, and it was only gold plated.

The men stared at her with gross inappropriateness, and the man with the broach lingered on her tiara. She didn't normally wear one in the day to day, but she had an event in a couple of hours that required it, so she'd gone ahead and dressed for it, so she wouldn't have to go back to her room to change.

"Your Highness," Gold Broach finally said. "We are here to speak with High Majesty the King at the request of the Grand Duke."

"I see," Lily replied, not seeing at all. Her father had told her nothing this morning about a group of ruffians coming to see him. What was Ferdinand thinking, inviting men like this into the palace without at least giving her notice? "You'll forgive me if I wait until His Grace arrives to confirm that. Who are you?" She gave a slight upwards jerk of her chin to Clarissa, who immediately went off to find Ferdinand if he wasn't already on his way.

Gold Broach smiled like a hungry wolf. "I'm Richard, Your Highness, Richard Fortley, Captain of the Black Wolves."

Mercenaries? There were mercenaries in her palace?

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About the Author

Megan is a long-time resident of queer romance and keeps herself busy reading and writing it. She is often accused of fluff and nonsense. When she’s not involved in writing, she likes to cook, harass her wife and cats, or watch movies. She loves to hear from readers and can be found all over the internet.

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Spotlight: Love in Overtime by Melissa Baldwin

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(Love on Thin Ice)
Publication date: September 19th 2024
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Synopsis:

Playing hockey in Maple Falls was meant to be just a charity gig, but then my new publicist showed up, melting the ice—and my heart.

Cooper

I never anticipated being roped into a charity hockey game during the off-season. But here I am, heading to Maple Falls, all because my publicist decided to retire. Change was inevitable, but I didn’t foresee it coming so soon.

Getting assigned a new publicist, Blair Radcliffe, didn’t sit well with me at first. However, there’s something about her – a fierce determination that’s both intriguing and challenging. I wonder if she’s ready for the whirlwind that is Cooper Montgomery. One thing’s certain– I can’t afford to fall for my publicist.

Blair

I still can’t believe I landed my dream job. The excitement is overwhelming, and I’m determined to carve out my path in the industry. But there’s one obstacle standing in my way– Cooper Montgomery, the seemingly uncooperative hockey star. Nevertheless, I’m ready to tackle the challenge head-on, and perhaps some time away in a quiet town like Maple Falls will work wonders.

What I didn’t anticipate was developing a crush on my own client. It’s the ultimate taboo in my profession, a mistake that could jeopardize everything I’ve worked for. I’m at a loss on how to navigate this newfound attraction, especially when it appears that Cooper might feel the same way. I’m not sure what to do next.

Love in Overtime is part of the Love on Thin Ice sweet small town hockey romcom series. It’s slow burn, grumpy-sunshine, workplace romance set in this small town with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

Excerpt

“Today should be relaxing,” I tell him. “At some point I want to have a meeting to go over a few things. Practices start in a few days, as you know.”

“Yes,” he says. 

“It’s going to be a great event,” I continue. “And the town is so pretty and quaint. Their fall events are popular, they’ve made the place famous.”

Cooper makes a face. “I doubt Pine Falls is famous.”

“Maple Falls,” I say with a giggle. For some reason he can’t remember the name of the town.

He groans. “Crap, you’re right. I don’t know why I keep doing that. You’ll have to keep me on my toes over the next few weeks. The last thing I need is to meet the mayor and call his town by the wrong name.”

“Oh, don’t you worry, I’ll definitely keep you on your toes,” I exclaim.

“Yes, I can tell,” Cooper replies, the corner of his mouth turns up slightly which unexpectedly makes my stomach do a flip.

Ugh. What was that?

Thankfully we arrive at the baggage carousel at the perfect moment. I conveniently excuse myself to contact our driver while Cooper waits for his bag. As soon as I’m a safe distance away from him, I let out an exasperated sigh as I call for our car.

“Hello.”

“Hi, this is Blair Radcliffe. Just confirming our pickup at the airport.”

I glance back to where Cooper is standing and meet his gaze almost immediately. I give him a quick wave and point to the phone. 

“Yes, ma’am. Your driver is on his way—ETA ten minutes.”

“Wonderful. Thank you,” I gush.

I exhale slowly after I end the call. I’m not sure why I feel so frazzled. I’m usually calm, focused, and professional. 

Seriously, Blair, get your head in the game. Cooper Montgomery may be attractive, but he’s my client, which means we work together. These next few weeks could make or break my career. The last thing I need is to be swooning over a professional hockey player and his tall, muscular physique. In my defense, it’s kind of hard to ignore. Cooper stands out, and I’m only human. 

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About the Author

USA Today bestselling author Melissa Baldwin always dreamed of sharing her stories with the world. She brought this vision to life, becoming an award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty romantic comedies and cozy mysteries. Melissa is also a wife, mother, new empty-nester, and travel advisor.

Her books feature charming, ambitious, and real women, whom she considers part of her tribe. Although she rarely takes a day off, when she's not writing, she enjoys quality time with her family, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and booking Disney vacations. Melissa still uses a paper planner, and her guilty pleasures include Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital.

Visit authormelissabaldwin.com to sign up for her newsletter.

Fans of Melissa's books, join her Reader Tribe on Facebook.

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Spotlight: Just a Little Chase by Carly Phillips & Erika Wilde

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Release Date: September 19 

She’s in need of a fake, friendly boyfriend to charm her family.
He’s the last bachelor up for auction and a grumpy, last-minute stand-in.
Neither satisfies the other’s requirements but they might just be what each of them needs.

With Lauren Connelly’s ex marrying her sister, the last thing she wants is to show up at the wedding without a date. Which means finding a fake boyfriend ASAP. The charity bachelor auction provides a solution to her problem, except the man she bids on turns out to be a gorgeous but grumpy executive who scowls more than he smiles.

Chase Gossard wants nothing to do with Lauren’s plan to make him her plus-one at a destination wedding and pretend that he’s in love. He doesn’t do relationships, fake or otherwise—but she paid a lot of money for the privilege. So why does their touching, kissing, and sharing one bed feel all too real?

Lauren is smart and witty and sexy as hell. A down to earth combination that somehow softens his hard edges, and somewhere along the way, he’s falling hard for his fake date. But when the truth comes out and it’s time to part ways, can the confirmed bachelor convince his pretend girlfriend to make things real?

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Meet Carly Phillips

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 two crazy dogs who star on her Facebook and Instagram pages. She loves social media and is always around to interact 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/ 

Meet Erika Wilde:

Erika Wilde is a Bestselling author and is best known for her super sexy Marriage Diaries series and The Players Club series, and has also co-written multiple series with Carly Phillips, her best friend and writing buddy for the past twenty years. She lives in Oregon with her husband, and when she's not writing you can find her exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest. For more information on her upcoming releases, please sign up for her newsletter (below).

To find out about Erika Wilde’s  upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Erika Wilde and her books visit: https://erikawilde.com/

Connect with Erika Wilde: https://erikawilde.com/contact

Cover Reveal: Code of Knights and Deception by Eliza Hampstead

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Publication date: December 2024
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Time-Travel

Synopsis:

Outlander meets Black Mirror in this sizzling time-travel romance!

Sophia’s family vacation in England takes an unexpected turn when a visit to the historic Warwick Castle catapults her back to the year 1401. Stranded in a world vastly different from her own, she must adapt to the brutal realities of medieval life, ultimately discovering a strength and resilience she never knew she had.
She finds unexpected friends and solace in her ancient surroundings, but her newfound peace is shattered by a violent attack. Driven to action, she disguises herself as a man and begins sword fighting lessons, determined to defend herself.

Henry, the castle’s enigmatic master-at-arms, is a chivalric knight with dark secrets. As he trains Sophia, their connection ignites a forbidden love that defies the strict social norms of the time. But their passionate affair is threatened by his deception, which could shatter the fragile world Sophia has come to cherish.

As danger looms and the truth about Henry comes to light, Sophia faces an impossible choice: return to her own time or risk everything to protect the man she loves and the new world she’s come to cherish.

Buy on Amazon

About the Author

Award-winning author Eliza Hampstead, a scientist by training, lives with her family in the UK. When she's not writing, she spends her time as a geek. Playing all sorts of games (board games, video games, RPGs) and being a big fan of mediaeval history are only a few of the many hobbies she has. Passionate about fantasy, she’s always planning her next adventure.

Grab your free copy of the bonus story of how Mike met Charlie and how they spent their first hot night together by signing up to Eliza's newsletter to receive information about new releases:

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