Spotlight: Behind the Mirror by Bridget Budd

Publication date: July 1st 2025

Genres: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction

Behind the Mirror is a powerful, character-driven novel about emotional healing, generational trauma, and the courage it takes to stop performing and start living your truth.

Sometimes, the hardest person to face is the one behind the mirror…

Julie Sloan was shaped by abandonment early in life—left behind by the people who were supposed to love her first. In the absence of emotional safety, she became what the world rewarded: high-achieving, self-sacrificing, and always performing. Through four marriages, she searched for stability while suppressing her deepest fears—that she was unworthy of lasting love, and too broken to be fully seen.

But when her fourth marriage nearly collapsed, something shifted. It wasn’t betrayal that broke her—it was the quiet realization that she had never truly lived for herself.

What followed was a reckoning: with her past, with the roles she had played to survive, and with the parts of herself she had long silenced.

Now, years later, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist named Laura wants to profile Julie’s nonprofit work—an organization devoted to helping women heal from emotional wounds. But what begins as a success story takes a deeper turn as Julie reveals the story behind the story—the one she’s never shared publicly. The one about how she abandoned herself first.

For readers drawn to novels about inner child work, identity, and spiritual awakening, this deeply personal journey will leave you both broken open and quietly restored.

Excerpt

“The Strategic Self”

Adapted from Chapter One of Behind the Mirror by Bridget Budd)

It’s fascinating to me how we all embody a strategic self and a true self.

The true self is your core essence—the part that holds your deepest values and desires. The strategic self does whatever it can to adapt. It’s the version of me who’d have shown up for this interview fifteen years ago, smiling, proclaiming I was happy, insisting everything in my life was perfect—so you would like me.

Finding balance between self-expression and the need for connection can be incredibly challenging for most people, myself included.

As children, we’re wired for attachment. Our survival depends on it. Our strategic self learns how to earn love, how to avoid rejection, how to keep the peace. It’s clever—a chameleon that keeps us safe. But over time, safety becomes a costume we forget we’re wearing.

The more you prioritize others’ approval, the more disconnected you become from your own truth. Eventually, you can’t tell what you actually want from what your strategic self wants you to want.

For most of my life, that’s who ran the show. The performer. The pleaser. The woman who could hold everything together while quietly falling apart.

What I didn’t realize then was that exhaustion doesn’t only come from doing too much—it comes from being too little of yourself.

And when you finally begin to listen beneath the noise, you discover the voice that’s been there all along, waiting patiently to be heard: your true self.

Intro blurb:

In this reflective passage, Julie begins to understand the hidden split that drives her burnout—the exhausting performance of earning love at the cost of authenticity.

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About the Author

Bridget Budd is the author of Behind the Mirror, a debut novel that blends literary storytelling with therapeutic insight.  

After more than twenty-five years in corporate sales, she stepped away to explore the emotional patterns beneath her success—and the cost of always holding it together.  

Her work lives at the intersection of fiction and healing, drawing from her background in trauma-informed coaching, somatics, and holistic health. Bridget writes and speaks about identity, self-worth, and the shift from performing to presence.  

Often described as “fiction with emotional teeth,” her stories are crafted for deep feelers, recovering perfectionists, and anyone quietly exhausted from chasing “enough.”  

She divides her time between Marco Island, Florida, and Marvin, North Carolina, with her husband and two opinionated dogs.

Connect:

https://bridgetbudd.com/

https://www.instagram.com/bridgetbudd/

Behind the Mirror Blitz

Spotlight: The Amalfi Secret by Dean Reineking and Catherine Reineking

With its lush setting and pulse-pounding suspense, The Amalfi Secret by Dean and Catherine Reineking captures what happens when grief collides with discovery—and the truth becomes the most dangerous secret of all.

When Gabe Roslo’s grandfather dies suddenly in Amalfi, Italy, a diary filled with strange codes becomes the only clue to what really happened. What begins as a search for closure draws Gabe and his new ally Anna into a shadowy network of power and lies that stretches far beyond Italy’s shores. Every decoded passage, every new revelation, reveals how deep the deception runs—and how close they are to becoming the next victims. From the glittering cliffs of the Amalfi Coast to hidden archives and ancient cathedrals, their journey unravels secrets with the potential to alter global stability.

Excerpt

1

Post-September 11, 2001

The lone fisherman realized the time was approaching. It was nearly eleven o’clock. Pulling his woolen cap down against the chill of the autumn night, he chuckled as he mused about the interesting character who’d approached him at the docks that afternoon. 

Who am I to ask questions? he thought. After all, he’d been pulling in only small catches lately. Seemed like an awfully simple, if mildly inconvenient, task for the amount of cash the stranger had offered.

As he maneuvered his small, wooden rig along the coastline, the lights of the Amalfi Hotel emerged from the blackness. He guided his boat into position and scanned his surroundings. No one else was fishing the waters below the hotel. He was alone.

When he cut the engine, he could see a party in progress on one of the balconies. It appeared to be in full swing with loud, raucous voices. He unfolded his fishing net and hoped they’d be too drunk to notice him.

He checked his watch again and surveyed the rest of the hotel. Many of the windows were already dark. A lone person was standing on the balcony one floor above the party. He was leaning on the banister and watching the boisterous activity below.

The fisherman continued to unfold his net as he awaited the exact moment. Suddenly, he heard a woman shout above the din.

“Look! Look out there!”

“Where?” the others questioned as they crowded the balcony rail.

“Right there!” said a redhead who pointed in his direction. “Can you see him? Check it out; he looks like something straight out of Old Man and the Sea. Wave and see if you can get his attention.”

The fisherman tried to ignore them.

Three floors above the party, another man stood hidden in the shadows. He’d been there for the better part of an hour.

“Come to bed, John,” his wife whispered sleepily. “We might as well try to get some rest despite the noise.” Francesca Roslo was already in bed and felt very tired.

The man stepped in from the balcony. “They’re just having a little fun, the excitement of a big trip and all. Just imagine if we were that young again. We certainly wouldn’t be thinking about sleep right now.” His soothing words masked his apprehension. He knew the time was close. He stepped back out on the balcony and ducked into the shadows to watch the activity below.

More partygoers had gathered along the rail to catch a glimpse of the fisherman untangling his nets. One of them, a skinny teenager, climbed up on the stone ledge and nearly lost his balance. The fisherman heard a collective gasp as an older gentleman pulled him back from the edge.

The fisherman acted as if he hadn’t noticed and checked his watch again. It was time. He laid down his nets and picked up a flashlight. He pointed it up toward the hotel windows and flashed it not once, not twice, but three distinct times.

A cheer went up from the balcony. “He sees us!” the redhead shouted, followed by congratulatory backslaps all around.

The man in the shadows had also seen the three flashes. Concerned, John Roslo stepped back inside his hotel room. He walked to the bed and sat beside his wife, gently stroking her face.

“Fran, I know you’re tired, but I’m not ready for bed. It’s a beautiful night. I’m going to take a stroll down to the water.”

“Please don’t be out too late, dear,” she pleaded. “It’s been a long day, and we both need some sleep.”

“You go ahead and sleep. I’ll join you when I get back from my walk.”

He bent down, whispered a few words in her ear, and kissed her on the cheek. Comforted, she rolled over and exhaled a deep sigh.

Roslo straightened himself and crossed the room to the bureau where he kept his attaché case. He quietly unlocked it and pulled out an old journal. He slipped the journal into the breast pocket of his jacket and relocked the case. He paused a moment and heard Francesca’s breathing slow to a rhythmic pattern. She was already asleep. Everything was ready.

He tiptoed to the door, turned off the light, and stepped into the dimly lit corridor. A figure emerged from the shadows as he turned to lock the door. Before Roslo could react, the sting of a needle pierced the side of his neck. In an instant, the stranger vanished up the staircase.

Panicked, John Roslo grasped the door handle, re-entered his room, and stumbled into the bathroom. He closed the door behind him. As tremendous pressure squeezed his chest, a distinct numbness traveled through his body. He splashed water on his face, then doubled over as he felt his throat constrict.

Roslo grabbed his journal but was already losing his fine motor skills. The journal crashed to the floor. He realized what was happening and struggled to fight the leaden feeling that crept into his right arm.

I haven’t much time, he thought as he gasped for breath. With great effort, he raised his hand to the mirror. As he groped for the hot water knob, the paralysis reached his heart. The last thing he saw was his own contorted face in the mirror.

In the bedroom, Francesca slept peacefully, lulled by the sounds of the sea. Hours later, she rolled over in the early morning chill and reached for the familiar warmth of the man she had loved for sixty years. But he wasn’t there.

Two floors below, Gabe Roslo had finally entered deep sleep after tossing and turning for most of the night. The party on the balcony below had wound down, and the only sound was the pulse of the sea. A nearly full moon cast a glow on the wall and added to the serenity.

Gabe had arrived the previous evening at the invitation of his grandparents, John and Francesca Roslo. He hadn’t seen them in over a year and looked forward to this reunion in Italy. As a Canadian climbing guide, Gabe also anticipated the challenging peaks Italy would provide. During the long twenty-two-hour journey from western Canada, warm memories of his youth had filtered through his mind. He loved his grandparents, especially his grandfather, who had been like a father to him. 

Suddenly, the phone rang, tearing him from his sleep. Gabe squinted as he picked up his watch from the bedside table—5:45. It must be a mistake, he thought. He rubbed the sleep from his eyes and reached for the phone. 

“Gabe, it’s me, Gram. Please come quickly. Something’s wrong with your grandfather. I think he’s…” Unable to finish her words, she broke into sobs.

“I’ll be right there.”

Gabe jumped from the bed. He grabbed an old T-shirt, stumbled into a pair of sweatpants, and ran for the stairs. In seconds, he was in their room, 

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About the Authors

Dean and Catherine Reineking bring their shared love of travel, history, and storytelling to every page. Dean’s thirty-year career in finance gives his writing a keen understanding of global systems and strategy, while Catherine’s experience as a teacher and counselor brings emotional depth and authenticity to their characters. Together, they write stories that combine intellect with heart, and danger with redemption. They live in Memphis and split their time between writing and managing their family’s small Montana resort. Visit their website for more.

Spotlight: Love You, Mean It by Laura Pavlov

Love You, Mean It by Laura Pavlov is now live!

From USA Today bestselling author Laura Pavlov comes a story about found family and the power of acceptance, all wrapped up in a sizzling romance set in the frozen north.

My new landlord’s a real hard-ass. And I can’t keep my hands off him.

Charlie Huxley’s the best—and grumpiest—general contractor in Blushing, Alaska. He built the venue for the wedding-planning business my bestie and I share. After I accidentally flood my home, he offers me his guesthouse while he handles the repairs. But when he starts to take charge, I feel myself losing control.

Unable to resist, we casually hook up. We both know once will never be enough.

Between us, we carry plenty of baggage. I’ve got the absent father, drunk mother, and estranged sister. He grew up in foster care and is single-handedly raising a daughter whose mom visits just once a year.

But Charlie makes me feel like I belong. And for the first time ever, I picture myself with a real family.

Before I go all in, I need to learn to set some boundaries. Question is: Am I strong enough?

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

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Narrated by: Connor Crais & Erin Mallon

Spotlight: Maybe One Day by Catherine Bybee

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Second Chance, He Falls First, Slow Burn

Release Date: November 11, 2025

A Caribbean cruise opens a widow’s heart to a love she never expected in a breathtaking novel about second chances by New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Mari D’Angelo’s life is complete. Her children are all married. Two grandbabies fill her days, with two more on the way, and her thriving family restaurant is running on autopilot. Not once in the ten years since she’s become a widow has Mari considered another love of her own. Until she sets sail on a singles cruise to placate her recently divorced best friend. Then James comes crashing into Mari’s world.

Charming, witty, and with two daughters of his own, James isn’t looking for love either. But Mari is as irresistible as she is beautiful. As their simmering attraction grows, Mari’s resolve to ignore the spark James has ignited slowly breaks away. She promised her beloved late husband she’d find someone new. Maybe that impossible day has come.

Knowing her protective sons would not approve, Mari chooses to keep the romance a secret. After all, there is no reason for her family to know about James if their relationship doesn’t work out. It’s up to James to prove he can be trusted with the heart of a woman he’s come to cherish. But without her family’s approval, their love doesn’t stand a chance.

Read the first four books in the series–When It Falls Apart, Be Your Everything, Beginning of Forever, and The Whole Time–available now on #kindleunlimited. Get the book in the series here.

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About the Author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written over forty-five books that have collectively sold more than eleven million copies. Her titles have been translated into more than twenty languages. Raised in Washington State, Bybee moved to Southern California in the hope of becoming a movie star. After growing bored with waiting tables, she returned to school and became a registered nurse, spending most of her career in urban emergency rooms. She now writes full time and has penned the popular Not Quite, Weekday Brides, Most Likely To, First Wives, D'Angelos, and Heirs series. 

Connect:

Website: https://catherinebybee.com/

Newsletter: https://tinyurl.com/catherine-bybee-newsletter

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/catherineschattycathys

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/catherinebybee/

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@catherinebybee1

Spotlight: Ship of Spells by H. Leighton Dickson

A war-scarred mage. A sentient ship. A secret that could drown empires.

When Ensign Bluemage Honor Renn is rescued from the wreckage of her first naval post, she expects death or disgrace. Instead, she wakes aboard the Touchstone, a mythic vessel whispered of in dockside ballads and royal war rooms alike. With a crew of misfits. A mysterious, elven captain. And a mission tied to the Dreadwall, the crumbling barrier that has kept the Overland and Nethersea from open war for a hundred years.

But the tragedy that sank her last ship didn’t just take lives—it left something behind.

Now Renn carries a secret everyone wants. A magik that’s chimeric, arcane...and slowly killing her. But the captain’s mission may be her only chance to survive, even if he still doesn’t trust her.

Caught between privateers, princes, and spies, Renn knows each choice could sink her future—or set the sea on fire.

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About the Author

H. Leighton Dickson grew up in the wilds of the Canadian Shield, where her neighbors were wolves, moose, deer and lynx. She studied Zoology at the University of Guelph and worked in the Edinburgh Zoological Gardens in Scotland, where she was chased by lions, wrestled deaf tigers and fed antibiotics to polar bears by baby bottle! She has been writing since she was thirteen and penciled her way through university working for DC Comics. Heather got her start as an indie author with the Sci/Fi fantasy series, RISE OF THE UPPER KINGDOM. Next came the Gothic thriller series, COLD STONE & IVY and then the award-winning DRAGON OF ASH & STARS: The Autobiography of a Night Dragon.

To learn more please visit www.hleightondickson.com

Connect with Heather:

Instagram: @hleightondickson

Facebook: @HLeightonDickson

Spotlight: Honeymoon Stage by Margaux Eliot

Brimming with wit and romance, this twisty trip back to the early 2000s follows as a former production assistant’s upcoming marriage descends into the confusion, chaos, and karmic consequences of reality TV.

It’s the night before her wedding, and Cassidy Baum isn’t sure she wants to get married . . . Or maybe she just doesn’t want to get married on set, surrounded by cameras and crew, with the crushing weight of everyone watching.

As a production assistant, Cassidy’s used to being behind the camera, not in front of it. But her fiancé is a former child star and musician, and their wedding makes the perfect spin-off for Honeymoon Stage, the groundbreaking celebreality show she once worked on. 

Five years ago, the show fell apart—for dramatic reasons Cassidy is still struggling to understand. Now, Cassidy is forced to reckon with what happened on set to search out the truth once and for all before her wedding is broadcast to the world.

Rumors, lies, and suspicions come rushing back. And if Cassidy can’t figure out a way to make sense of the past, her own happily ever after may not be so happy after all.

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About the Author

Margaux Eliot is excited to give early aughts pop culture its due. Writing as Julia Fine, she is also the author of speculative novels The Upstairs House, What Should Be Wild, and Maddalena and the Dark. She lives in Chicago with her family.

Connect with Margaux:

 julia-fine.com

@julia.r.fine