Spotlight: Love Between Times by Beth Ford

Publication date: November 27th 2024

Genres: Adult, Romance, Time-Travel

Synopsis:

When Ashley’s conventional 21st century life falls apart, she returns to England to write the book she shelved years ago, determined to take control of her life.

Meanwhile, in 1377 Wiltshire, Thomas fights his family’s desire that he become a priest and plots to chase his dream of knighthood instead. While Ashley and Thomas search for answers, Thomas suddenly appears in the modern day.

Unable to communicate, his first encounter with Ashley ends with the police demanding his immigration papers. All Thomas wants is to return to the world he understands, but he and Ashley are drawn together again and again. How will they find the answers Thomas needs before the authorities close in without losing each other forever?

Excerpt

Neither of them said a word. They stood in shock, each assessing the other.

Ashley stared at the young man’s strange clothes. He wore a long, blue shirt over—were those tights?—and oddly shapeless leather boots. Everything he wore appeared homemade. The leather crossbody bag he wore was the only thing he had of decent quality.

She lifted her gaze to his face. His eyes immediately captivated her. They were the most gorgeous shade of blue she had ever seen. His face wasn’t bad either. His hair was thick and a bit long. Even beneath the beard she could tell he had a strong jawline and fine cheekbones. He appeared her age or a bit younger.

Snapping back to herself, she took a few steps backward to put some distance between them. “Sorry,” she said nervously.

The man cocked his head at her like a curious cat trying to figure out what the game was.

“Are you all right?” she finally asked.

He said something that she couldn’t interpret. It was her turn to look confused.

“Are you going to Salisbury?” she asked, since he was headed in the opposite direction she was. Then tried again, “Salisbury?”

“Sarisbury,” he said firmly, correcting her. The middle sound held more of a “r” shape in his mouth instead of an “l.” She couldn’t tell where he was from. The words he had said to her sounded like nothing she had heard before.

But they were getting somewhere. She pointed down the hill toward the city. “Sarisbury,” she said, mimicking him.

He nodded, satisfied. His gaze tracked in the direction she pointed. When his eyes lit on the city, he took a few inadvertent steps back and stumbled over a tree root. Once he was steady on his feet again, he glanced wildly along the horizon. Her eyes darted between him and the view, trying to guess what had surprised him so. Between them and the city, a stretch of highway trailed along the horizon. Nothing particularly remarkable about that. But the man turned pale and crossed himself. When that didn’t improve things in his mind, he pulled a necklace out from under his tunic—she had decided that was the best word for what he was wearing. The necklace was a simple leather cord holding a wooden cross. He rubbed the cross fervently and his lips formed a prayer she couldn’t interpret.

“Are you okay?” she asked again.

He glared at her before he turned and dashed back into the forest.

Ashley hesitated, then followed after him. Despite the fact that running into the woods after a potentially crazy man sounded like a setup for a horror movie, she had to make sure he was okay. She couldn’t just leave him here.

He didn’t go very far. A dozen or so feet farther into the woods, he knelt in front of a low, flat rock. Was he praying?

He stayed in that position for several minutes. Ashley hung back, debating what to do. All thoughts of her feud with Sadie blew away, and she focused on this new confrontation. Did he need help? He certainly seemed lost and scared. She would almost think he was a hermit living secluded in the woods, if they weren’t so close to town and the highway. She considered his clothes. Was there a medieval reenactment happening nearby, maybe at Old Sarum where she had been headed? His outfit appeared of that time period. Had she interrupted some event? But no, the small copse was silent except for them and the distant sound of cars passing along the road.

She still hadn’t decided what to do when his eyes opened again. He looked around. When he saw her his face fell, but he didn’t appear so scared this time. He set his jaw in determination, stood, and approached her.

He said something to her. She almost understood a few words. There was something in the middle that sounded like “thu”—was he saying “you” maybe? When she showed no recognition, he said something again. It sounded different this time. The accent on a few words reminded her of French, but she didn’t speak that language except for a few important phrases she had picked up through pop culture such as Voulez-vous couche avec moi? That probably wouldn’t be the best sentence to introduce herself with. She captured a smile before it appeared on her lips.

It would be mortifying if it turned out she just didn’t understand his accent. When she’d lived in England before, she had always found it nearly impossible to understand anyone from Sunderland. Maybe he was from there. “Sunderland?” she asked. He still looked confused. So much for that theory.

He watched her as if he expected her to provide him with some clue or direction.

“Do you need to go to Salisbury?”

“Sarisbury,” he said. This was still the only word they agreed on.

She sighed. If he was a psycho murderer, it was probably best to get out of the countryside and back into the city where she could get help. She inclined her head toward Salisbury. He nodded and followed her down the hill.

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About the Author

Beth Ford is a historical fiction author living in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. She is the author of the novels In the Times of Spirits and Love Between Times as well as the Cassie Woods, Reporter novella series. Her upcoming novel After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol will be released February 11, 2025. Her work has also appeared in a variety of literary journals. 

Connect:

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/199704.Beth_Ford

Spotlight: Murder at Pelican Lake by Marjorie Mathison

Publication date: September 10th 2024

Genres: Adult, Cozy Mystery

Synopsis:

When 34-year-old Carley Norgren loses her high-profile job and her partner in the span of a few short months, she returns to the place that feels most like home – her childhood cabin on Pelican Lake, Minnesota. She hadn’t been back since her father’s death from a heart attack two years earlier. When a teenager is abducted, it becomes clear that her once-sleepy lake community has its share of secrets – and someone who will kill to keep them hidden.

In this almost-cozy mystery, one small community learns that the view from the dock isn’t always what it seems. This book is the first book of the North Lakes Murder Mystery Series.

Excerpt

PROLOGUE

Monday

Three men sat in a large white van parked on the road bordering Long Lake, watching three teenage girls spill out of a school bus. The light breeze off the lake and the scent of lilacs in the air were a sharp contrast to the sweat and grease inside the vehicle. The girls walked up the road, laughing and shoving each other playfully. One of the men said, pointing, “That’s her. The one on the left with long brown hair.” The other two nodded.

The orange school bus accelerated in the distance and disappeared into the bright blue sky, leaving the three girls in its wake. They lived four blocks from each other in Vergas, Minnesota. Friends since kindergarten, now they were sophomores at Frazee High School, about eight miles away. Eleanor leaned into Lindsey. “Hey. I saw Paul today.” 

“So?” Lindsey asked, raising her eyebrows only slightly.

“I talked to him. Did you know he won’t be around until next fall?” 

“No, why?”

“Because he lives with his dad in the Twin Cities over the summer. See, I actually talked with him. We were standing next to each other during the fire drill. I couldn’t resist—I asked him if he likes you.” She paused.

Lindsey said, “You should mind your own business.” 

“Probably. But he does. I thought you’d want to know,” Eleanor said, jostling Lindsey with her shoulder.

“You two! Give it up,” Michelle laughed.

Lindsey could feel a flutter in her stomach. She’d had a crush on Paul since they first met. Eleanor knew that. Secretly, she was glad Eleanor had had the guts to ask him. He was quiet but smart. And cute. Not stuck on himself like most of the guys she knew. They were friends on socials, but that was about it. They’d only talked a couple of times. Maybe they’d go out in the fall. Homecoming. Football games. Movies. It would be fun to have a boyfriend, she thought as she kicked a stone with her toe.

As they approached Long Lake, the three friends waved goodbye. Eleanor and Michelle lived on the same block and turned left to go home, while Lindsey continued along the street bordering the lake. Tomorrow night they’d have a sleepover at Michelle’s to celebrate the end of the school year. 

She walked down the empty road, her friends’ voices fading away. A large white van started up and pulled out onto the road a ways ahead of her. It looked like it was headed straight toward her. The sun shone in her eyes, and she raised her hand to block it. She moved farther onto the shoulder at the side of the road to give the van more room. Could the driver see her? She waved and shifted onto the grass on the edge of the road. The large, dented vehicle pulled up directly beside her. Two big men jumped out and grabbed her by the arms. Suddenly, her head and body were covered by something rough and scratchy. She wasn’t sure she could breathe. She frantically fought to get it off, but the strong arms that held her made that impossible. She screamed as loud as she could. Her whole body went taut as she tried to resist their grip. Clawing at the fabric, she struggled to get loose. She could feel herself being lifted up and hoisted onto the floor of the van. It was hard, metal, with a lot of ridges. Pain shot up through the arm she landed on. The van reeked of gasoline, fertilizer, and manure. Her foot kicked something, and she gagged at the smell of a strong chemical.

She gasped for air and reflexively kicked one of the men as hard as she could.

“Don’t be stupid,” the man said, gravel in his voice, “if you want to get out of this alive.” 

Carley steered her red Jeep Wrangler carefully down the lake road that wound its way through fields of wheat, soybeans, and corn. Ahead of her, two vehicles kicked up a large cloud of dust from the gravel. She was relieved when both turned off—she didn’t want anything blocking her view of the lake as she came over the last rise in the road. There it was. The place she loved most in the world. She could see the blue water shimmering in the fading sunlight.

She turned on the road leading to the cabin, driving past lake homes of all shapes and sizes on one side, and woods and storage units on the other. As she approached the cabin, she could feel the muscles in her stomach tightening. It had been two years since she had been back. She had ached to return but had dreaded the emotion she knew was waiting for her there.

Carley pulled into the gravel driveway and braced herself as the car rolled to a stop. Hesitating slightly, she took in the view, then climbed out of the car. As she scanned the property, she was surprised by how little had changed. The garage, on the corner of the driveway adjacent to the road, was surrounded by red, yellow, and orange hollyhocks and a large raspberry patch with thousands of blossoms. One lone rose bush had survived the winter and had two coral buds. She noted that weeds had sprouted between the bricks in the path leading to the log cabin, and the taupe-colored paint on the cabin had peeled in spots. But the peaked roof and stone fireplace still gave the cabin a sense of grandness. Carley spotted the old wooden rocking chair—where she had spent hours reading—on the porch. Under the shade of a gigantic oak tree stood the playhouse her father had built for her when she was a child. It was just as she remembered. The familiarity of it seared her soul. 

In the light of dusk, she could see Pelican Lake, calm and settled, just beyond the cottage. Tired from the three-hour drive, she stretched her legs and shook her somewhat disheveled, blonde hair in the light lake breeze as if she were casting off what was happening in her life. An unexpected ripple of exhilaration bubbled up inside her when she saw the lake. Her small, white, Westie terrier, Abigail Rose, pushed past her and ran around the yard, looking thrilled to be released from the car. Carley walked to the edge of the water and stood, hands in the back pockets of her jeans, listening to a loon warble to its mate and watching the big, red fireball sun touch the horizon, quickly disappearing below the trees that surrounded the lake. The air smelled like nowhere else—a distinct combination of fresh water, dead fish, cut grass, and wet wood. She took a deep breath. How could this place stay so much the same when the rest of her life was so chaotic? A fish jumped out of the water to snap up an insect. Of course, the calm surface of the lake was deceiving; there was a lot of chaos underwater, too.

The beach was almost deserted because it was Monday. Carley turned to Abigail, who was sniffing the grass at her feet, and said, “It’s quiet here tonight, girl. But it’ll get busier this weekend. If I lived in Fargo like everyone around here, I’d stay at the lake all summer.” She paused. “Oh, that’s right. I get to do that now,” she said, nodding her head at the irony of what she had just said. For the past twelve years—since college—she had lived in the Twin Cities. This summer was different. This summer she would live here. Now it was the only home she had.

Her mind drifted to the chaos she had left behind. It started when her company was bought out by a New York firm. They offered her a position if she would relocate. But when she declined, they had no choice but to let her go. They’d given her a six-month consulting contract to work on a new product release. Mac was the main reason she turned down the New York job. How ironic. Shortly after that, Mac ended their relationship. She’d been so absorbed with work during the buyout, she hadn’t realized how little attention she was giving him. She loved her job and counted the people she worked with as family. There were twelve-hour workdays and many going away parties as most of the people she cared about either moved to New York or were terminated. She was so involved with the drama in her coworkers’ lives that she wasn’t aware of the drama unfolding in hers.

51

By 6:00 p.m., Carley was getting hungry, and Abigail was getting restless. The dog looked up at her wide-eyed. Abigail went and stood by the door, giving out two short barks, the signal it was time for a break. Carley looked outside through the kitchen window and, seeing no activity, let her out, hoping Abigail didn’t decide to chase a squirrel today. She had promised Mark she wouldn’t leave the house.

Ten minutes later, the familiar scratch at the back door announced Abigail was ready to come back in. When Carley opened the door, filling the doorframe was James holding Abigail Rose in one arm and an automatic pistol in the other. He gave her his charming, dimpled grin and asked, “Can I come in? I’d like you to hear my side of the story.” 

Without thinking, she heaved her shoulder and whole body against the door to force it shut, but he was too fast for her. Wedging his shoe between the door and the doorframe, he pushed with all his strength. She lost her balance and reeled backwards. Where had she put Mark’s gun? She frantically glanced around the room, but he said, “Please don’t try anything stupid. I’ve grown attached to this little mutt, and I know you have too. I’d hate to see anything happen to her.” Abigail looked up at him, unaware of the threat, and licked his chin. 

“What do you want from me?” she asked. 

 “I want you. I want you to come with me. We can get away from all of this. My sources say the FBI is closing in. I can keep you safe. I know people. And I have cash stashed away. The Canadian border is three hours from here. Once we’ve crossed over, we can go anywhere, and no one will find us. Someplace remote. There are parts of Canada where no one would ever think to look for us.”

Ohmygod, Carley thought. He is crazy. He expects me to go with him. He’s going to take me where no one knows me, where no one will be looking for me, where no one can find me. She gulped hard. Where is Mark? How long until he gets here? How can I stall James?

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About the Author

Marjorie Mathison Hance is the author of the North Lakes Murder Mystery Series, including Murder at Pelican Lake, Cormorant in the Net, and The Man Three Cottages Down. The novels, all set in Minnesota’s northwestern lake country, were inspired by her time spent on Pelican Lake throughout her life, beginning in 1956 when she first learned to fish and waterski. Growing up she enjoyed reading and fell in love with mystery books after discovering Nancy Drew and Trixie Belden.

Connect:

https://mmhance.com/

https://www.facebook.com/MarjorieMathisonHanceauthor/

Spotlight: A Christmas Dream by Shanna Hatfield

(Hudson House Holiday, #1)

Publication date: November 14th 2024

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Synopsis:

He came to build the house of his dreams, but found a home for his heart.

After an extensive search for the ideal location to build a house he’s spent years designing, Brant Hudson knows he’s found the perfect site the moment he sets foot on the land near Silver Bluff, Oregon. However, frustrating delays leave him laboring alongside the very crew he hired to finish the house in time for Christmas. His work leads the woman who catches his eye to believe he’s a carpenter rather than the owner of the grand manor.

Holland Drake grew up on a farm, but she aspires to secure a position as a housemaid at Hudson House. While delivering lunch to her brother at the worksite, the door opens to a job when Holland encounters a strikingly handsome carpenter whose charm captivates her. Soon, Holland discovers the enchanting man is none other than the owner of the house and her new employer.

As the holiday season arrives amid a flurry of excitement and possibilities, Holland and Brant face choices that could change their lives forever. Will fear hold them back from stepping into the future together, or will their Christmas dreams of love come true?

A Christmas Dream is the first book in the Hudson House Holiday series of wholesome, heartwarming Christmas romances full of the joy of the season.

Excerpt

Another thirty minutes passed, during which time Brant envisioned thick slices of smoky ham encased between fluffy biscuits hot from the oven as he worked. He was just about to suggest to Remington they take a break for the noon meal when a woman as pretty as any Brant had ever encountered breezed into the room carrying a large basket covered with a blue-checkered cloth.

“Denver! I thought I’d never find you in this colossus of a house. I saw Colin outside, and he said you were in the library, but so much has changed since the last time I was in here, I thought I might wander around lost until you starved to death.” The woman’s gaze shifted from the carpenter on the second floor, taking in Brant and Remington as they hastily stood. “Oh, hello.”

Denver scrambled down the ladder where he’d been working on the trim at the top of a bookcase. Brant was surprised he didn’t fall and break his neck the way he skipped the last four rungs, using just his hands on the sides of the ladder to slide to the floor. It was a trick Brant intended to have Denver teach him another day.

“Holland, I didn’t know you were coming today. I would have met you outside.” Denver glanced nervously from the young woman to Brant, and then back to the fetching female as he raced down the spiral staircase.

The woman shrugged. “We wanted to surprise you.”

Did Denver have a wife and children awaiting him at home in Silver Bluff? In the three years of Hudson House’s construction, Brant had gotten to know the names of every worker and thought he had a thorough mental list of those who were married and those who were not. How had he overlooked Denver’s family? Especially when the man had such an attractive wife?

Shiny brown hair she wore pulled back from her face, fastened with a ribbon at the nape of her graceful neck, fell in glorious waves to her waist. Freckles splattered a narrow, upturned nose. Her bottom lip, fuller than the top, rested in a natural pout that was most alluring. Her brown eyes snapped with intelligence and interest when they landed on Brant again. Her features were delicate and decidedly feminine, and she owned such a happy countenance, it made Brant want to smile just being in the same room with her.

Denver Drake was a most fortunate man if the woman holding a basket from which delicious aromas emanated was, indeed, his wife.

“Who might this be, Denver?” Brant asked, taking a step closer to the couple, curious and oddly interested in the answer.

“Holland Drake,” Denver said, taking the basket from the woman and giving her a slight nudge forward.

A wave of disappointment washed over Brant. So, she was married to Denver.

“My sister,” Denver continued.

The desire to raise his fist and cheer was almost more than Brant could contain, but he managed to tamp down his victorious feeling and school his features into what he hoped was a welcoming expression. The lovely woman was not married, at least not to Denver.

“Miss Drake,” Brant said, closing the distance between them and taking her hand in his. He raised her slender fingers to his mouth, pressing a kiss to the back of her hand while holding her gaze.

Her eyes widened slightly, though he could see curiosity lingering there, and she quickly pulled her hand away. “I haven’t seen you working around the house before. Are you new?”

It was on the tip of Brant’s tongue to tell her the truth. To say he was the one who would eventually live in the house that had once been a dream scattered across multiple sheets of paper. Instead, he decided he wanted to get to know this woman, not as the owner of a fancy home, but as one of the many men helping to build it.

“I’m not new, but help was needed in the library today.” That wasn’t a lie, but the stark truth. He and Remington would likely contribute countless hours of physical labor if the house was to get finished by his own self-imposed deadline prior to his sister’s holiday arrival.

“Mister …” Denver started to speak up, but Brant gave him a brief shake of his head along with a warning look. The young man swallowed hard and nodded once in understanding. “Mr. Hudson is hoping to be able to use the library soon. It will also serve as his office, and he’d like it to be the first room completely finished. That’s why we’re all working so hard to make that happen.”

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About the Author

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope.

Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. She also experiments with recipes, snaps photos of her adorable nephew, and caters to the whims of a cranky cat named Drooley.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website http://shannahatfield.com or find out more about her here: linktr.ee/ShannaHatfield

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Spotlight: It’s Mother-Pucking Christmas! by Alina Jacobs

Publication date: November 21st 2024

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Synopsis:

When your grandmother stalks the star hockey player on the rival team because “You need a husband, Dakota—you’re not getting any younger!” it’s Christmas crazy on ice.
It is not, however, the start of our great love story.
I don’t date guys on that team.
He doesn’t do casual, drunken hookups, which is all the captain of the Icebreakers is getting from moi.

I give him the finger and tell him I hope he loses his teeth out there.
He smirks and wins the game because both this Christmas season and this hockey season are a fucking scam.

Then my younger, much dumber brother informs me that he owes his bookie a bunch of money and really needs the Icebreakers to lose their next game, and could I pretty please be an amazing big sis and date their captain then break his heart so he’ll suck and lose the game—otherwise little bro will get killed, or worse, our mom will find out.

As much as I eye roll my overly large, overly loud family, I’d do anything for them.
Including date the captain of the Icebreakers.

Barf.
Ryder is a Boy Scout. He doesn’t swear. He uses words like ma’am and sir. On our date, he opens my door, pulls out my chair, and helps me with my coat. He even volunteers at the local animal shelter and loves handmade sweaters.
No, it is not cute! Three warm, gooey cinnamon rolls dressed up as a six-five, hot AF hockey player are not my type.
At all.
Nope.

Santa better bring me something nice this Christmas for all my pain and suffering!

In bed though?
Let’s just say sleeping with the captain of the Icebreakers… is not going to be a problem.

Excerpt

“You’re stalking my client,” Hudson yelled at the old woman, who was completely unfazed by his anger. 

My teammates’ eyes bugged out like the pugs’, then they all collapsed, howling with laughter, at my feet. Even Coach snickered into his gloves.  

“You’re the Crusher?” My mouth dropped open. “You’re the one who’s been stalking me for the last five months?” 

“Stalker? Pshaw!” Granny Murray was offended. “I’m not stalking anyone.”

“You’re going to be arrested.” Hudson bore down on the woman.

“Don’t arrest my grandmother,” Dakota snapped at him. 

“She’s stalking him.” Hudson made a knife hand in my direction. “Do you know how much goddamn money this woman has cost me?”

“I’m not stalking. I’m leaving him presents and nice notes,” Granny Murray shouted. 

Hudson slapped a hand to his forehead. “Notes? They’re fucking pornographic.”

“Now see here.” Granny Murray wagged her finger at the tall man. “I’m just trying to rile him up for Dakota.”

“You frightened him, Gran,” Gracie scolded.  

“Oh my god.” Erik gasped at my feet, holding his side. “College Boy is afraid of a little old lady.” 

I sputtered, “Shut your mouth, Canada.”

“Are you going to ‘oh heck’ him?” Pete snickered. 

“Sonny, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you. You seem like a nice boy.” The old woman patted me on the arm. 

Hudson slapped her hand away. 

“As an apology present”—she grabbed Dakota and pushed her toward me—“I will let you have sex with my granddaughter. She puts out, and her boobs are real.” She squeezed Dakota’s chest. 

“Oh, uh…” I rocked back on my skates. “That’s very kind of you, ma’am, but no. No thank you.” 

Dakota had the nerve to look offended. 

My teammates’ mouths dropped open, then they laid into me.

“Who the hell are you?”

“Fucking Boy Scout.”

“Come on, Ryder!”

“Jesus Christ, College Boy.” 

“Dude!” 

“Shame! Shame to the family. Shame to the team…” Rick slapped his glove.

“I’m not having relations with her,” I stammered. “I don’t even know her.”

Dakota raised an eyebrow. 

Pete muscled up to Dakota. “I’ll take the apology present, beautiful. I have a very nice hotel suite—hot tub, big bed. Expense account.”

“No! No expense accounts,” Coach barked. 

Erik shoved Pete aside. “How about a two-for-one deal?” 

Dakota looked interested. The pretty brunette put her finger to her lips like she was seriously thinking about it.

I sucker punched Erik.

“Hey!” Coach slapped the back of my head. 

I didn’t even feel it. 

“You’re not sleeping with her. Certainly not both of you, ingrates,” I snarled.

“Ooh, College Boy is mad!” Rick giggled.  

“All of you, shut the fuck up!” Coach yelled. “Shaddap!”  

I sniffed.

“Ryder, you’re kind of a prude.” Coach turned on me. “Dial it back. You’re almost thirty, for Chrissake, and for someone who says he wants a family, you’re about as effective as a panda in that department.”

Mike applauded. 

“But they’re trying to… you know… with a fan. That’s against the rules,” I argued. 

Coach sighed loudly.

“Oh.” Dakota piped up. “I am definitely not a fan. In fact, I hate your team. Arctic Avengers all the way. I’d never date the captain of the motherfucking Icebreakers. I will, however, sleep with you all.” She blew me and my teammates a kiss. 

“Fuck that!” My friends refused. “We’re not traitors.” 

“Dammit, Dakota!” Granny Murray scolded, “All that work down the toilet.”

“Definitely snatching defeat out of the jaws of victory,” Gracie said. 

Dakota scowled. 

“Well, that is how the Arctic Avengers do it.” I sneered at her. 

Dakota gave me the finger. “I hope you lose all your teeth out there.” 

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About the Author

If you like steamy romantic comedies with a creative streak, then I'm your girl!

Architect by day, writer by night, I love matcha green tea, chocolate, and books! So many books…

Sign up for my mailing list to get the free novella, AFTER HIS PEONIES, along with special bonus content, giveaways, and more!

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Spotlight: Unexpected Detour by Lynn Marie Jackson

Courage and Intrigue in Wartime San Francisco

Historical Fiction

Date Published: Coming December 10, 2024

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

When bombs fall on Pearl Harbor, the trajectory of Faye Baxter’s midwestern life takes an unexpected detour. Her fiancé Steve Connor enlists in the Army, and Faye follows him to California for a spur-of-the-moment wedding just days before he ships out.

Eager to contribute to the war effort, Faye joins the workforce in San Francisco, a city awash with jobs, handsome soldiers, cheap cocktails, and nefarious secrets. When she is recruited to serve as a courier for a government intelligence agency, the assignment leads her into a web of misogyny, deception, and espionage.

Will she learn to trust her instincts, value her own opinions, and raise her voice against injustice? Or are the risks too great?

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About the Author

Lynn Marie Jackson has spent many years engaged in the creative process working as a marketing strategist, copywriter, podcast producer, blogger, and novelist. Raised in California and Washington, DC, she is a long-time San Francisco Bay Area resident. When not writing, she’s on the hunt for inspiration; she can be found visiting museums, hiking new trails, or exploring any place well outside her comfort zone.

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Spotlight: Bleeding Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle

Danger lurks in the shadows as Sara and Scott's idyllic holiday takes a sinister turn. With a violent convict named Randy Meyers on the loose, every moment becomes a battle for survival. Will their love withstand the looming threat, or will it crumble under the weight of uncertainty? Readers who enjoy romantic suspense and strong heroines will devour Bleeding Heart by Tricia T. LaRochelle, the fourth installment of the Sara Browne series.

Sara Williams yearns for a tranquil existence as she embraces her new life as a teacher and wife. Her ultimate desire is to cultivate a sense of security and simplicity alongside her husband, Scott.

But the escape of a notorious convict, Randy Meyers, disrupts Sara's and Scott’s newfound stability, unleashing a wave of fear and uncertainty.

While danger looms, Sara is offered an unforeseen opportunity that threatens her future with Scott. Amidst the chaos of Christmastime, Sara and Scott's love is put to the ultimate test. With each twist and turn, they must decide: will they let fear dictate their destiny, or will they embrace the unknown with open arms?

The heart that beats the hardest is the one that refuses to bleed out hope. Dive into Sara’s world and witness the true mettle of the Christmas spirit.

Excerpt 

Copyright 2024, Tricia T. LaRochelle

I awoke to the light of the moon filtering in through the plantation blinds, our room quiet as a mouse. The measure of Scott’s breathing told me he was out cold. I turned over to face my clock that flashed 2:33 a.m. with its neon-blue digits. Why was I awake? A dry mouth answered me. Thirst. I did eat a lot of pizza, and I did have two cosmos. I sat up, trying to rouse my mind enough to head to the bathroom to get some water.

All at once, a noise came out of nowhere. What was that?

I froze. Was it the wind hitting the house? The forecast had called for high winds, the enemy of outdoor Christmas decorations. Plus, this house was new, and I needed to get acquainted with its creaks and gentle moans. A nearby oak cast its shadowy branches across my window, and I found myself imagining it waving hello.

I lowered my feet to the floor and stood, my body suddenly cold. After making love, I often slept naked next to Scott, but in the winter, my shoulders had a way of chilling the rest of my body. Realizing this, I shuffled over to my closet and grabbed a nightshirt and pants made of brushed cotton.

Another sound came from … upstairs? I gazed at the ceiling. Was it a scrape or …? I struggled to process.

And then bang.

My heart practically leaped out of my chest.

Okay, that wasn’t the wind. And that wasn’t a tree, either, unless one was coming through our second floor right now. I crept over to Scott and shook his shoulders. “Scott, I heard a noise upstairs.” Terror engulfed my senses, making it difficult to breathe.

All I could think was is it the escaped convict, Randy?

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About Tricia T. LaRochelle

Since she was a little girl, award-winning author Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love stories. No beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome obstacles to be together. Growing up in central Vermont, she has seen her share of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in central Virginia, where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer all.

Flickering Heart, part of her Sara Browne series, won a Gold Medal in the 2023 Readers’ Favorite Contest for New Adult and was a first-place winner in the 2022 Incipere Awards for romance. Revive received an Honorable Mention in the 2022 Incipere Awards for romance in the same series. Her stand-alone contemporary, Sun in My Heart, won second place in the 2024 Bookfest Awards for Romance-Contemporary Romance-New Adult and a Bronze Medal in the 2024 Readers’ Favorite Contest for New Adult Fiction. Her next installment in the Sara Browne Series, Bleeding Heart – A Holiday Romance launches December, 3rd 2024.

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