Spotlight: Lovely Torment by Kimberly Quinn

(Savage Hearts Syndicate, #2)

Publication date: November 18th 2025

Genres: Adult, Dark Romance, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:

He’s cold, calculating, and lethal. A killer. 

He’s also my hero. 

Finn Decker rescued me from a life in captivity, but not out of mercy. I’m his key to destroying the Bratva leader who shattered both our lives. A pawn in his ruthless game of vengeance. 

I should be afraid. I should run. 

Instead, I’m drawn to the darkness in his eyes, the craving he ignites, and the promise of retribution he offers. And I realize—I want him to use me in ways that have nothing to do with revenge. 

Only, it’s hard to tell if I’m his leverage, his weakness, or something far more dangerous. 

His. 

Because in a war this savage, there’s no room for mistakes. 

Or love.

Excerpt

A thrill shot through me. 

It was sharp and vivid, and suddenly, I was drowning in him. In his heat, in his scent, in the way his body caged mine like he was the only thing keeping me upright. 

“Don’t lie,” he growled. “You can be pissed at me. You can be scared. You can feel whatever the fuck you want. But don’t pretend you don’t want something more from me. You’ve been clinging to me since the day I took you out of Rykov’s house.” 

“Well, I wasn’t angry before.” I lifted my chin and let all my irritation flow into the glare I gave at him. “But now? Yeah. Now, I am.” 

“Good. Get angry for a change. Stand up for yourself. Prove you’re not just a victim looking for a goddamn savior.” 

“You think that’s what I want from you? That I’m so weak and desperate I can’t stand on my own?” The words tumbled out, fueled by a courage I didn’t recognize. A fire I’d never dared stoke before. 

“No, Lena,” he growled. “I think you’re a thousand times stronger than you know. And I think if you knew me at all, you’d understand why friendship isn’t something I can give you.” 

“But you’re friends with Robin.” 

“I don’t want to fuck Robin.” His voice was rough. Like the words had clawed their way up his throat.  

And they stunned me. 

My mouth opened, but nothing came out. Was I even still breathing? 

He twisted my arm higher up my back—the dull pinch of it, reminding me I was at his mercy. “I can’t be your friend. Because every time you get close, it gets harder to hold back. Harder to pretend I’m not about to lose my fucking mind.” 

His hold loosened, just slightly, like he was about to let me go. But before I could process it, his fingers flexed, and in a swift, merciless motion, he’d wrenched my other arm behind my back, pinning both wrists in one unyielding hand. 

“You want something safe. Someone stable. But that’s not who I am.” His free hand slid up to wrap around my throat, his fingers pressing into the side of my neck. “This is the kind of man I am.” 

And God, despite the edge of fear, despite the voice in my head telling me to run, my panties were soaked. 

He leaned in, his mouth hovering at my ear and breath rough against my skin. “What I want is to tie you up and then take you apart. Slowly. Thoroughly. Until you forget every man who ever came before me. I want to ruin you for anyone that isn’t me. Then build you back up from the wreckage. Stronger. Fiercer. Like the queen I already see when I look at you.” 

He paused, his breath hitching. “And then do it again. And again. And a-fucking-gain.” 

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About the About

Kimberly is a contemporary romance author, born procrastinator, and lover of morally gray heroes. She enjoys lively conversations, usually with imaginary people, and can often be found daydreaming at work.

She writes gritty, messy, dangerous romances, featuring beautifully flawed characters, pursuing love at all costs. It's romance with rough edges.

When she’s not busy writing, you can find her with a coffee in hand, dog at her side, and exploring the wilds of her hometown in Ontario, Canada… Or on her couch, getting lost in a good story.

Connect:

https://www.kimberlyquinnbooks.com/

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/27348216.Kimberly_Quinn

Lovely Torment Blitz

Spotlight: A Sabre in the Hemlock by Dorothy Dreyer

(Blade Bound Saga, #2)

Publication date: November 18th 2025

Genres: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

With enemies closing in and magic slipping from her control, Celeste draws closer to unraveling a prophecy that could cost her the man she loves—as well as her soul.

In the wake of the carnoraxis attack on Ivystone Citadel, Celeste Westergaard’s battle for her future has only just begun. Trapped under the king’s watchful eye and hiding the magic awakening within her, Celeste must play the role expected of her, all the while uncovering secrets buried throughout Terre Ferique.

As the royal court embarks on a tour to solidify Dante’s claim to legitimacy, whispers of war and treachery follow their every step. The Shadow Tsar’s reach is growing, and the prophecy that fuels his reign foretells the rise of a power that will bring his downfall—one tied to the blood of the fae.

From glittering courts to bloodstained battlefields, Celeste must walk a knife’s edge between duty and desire, deception and truth. Because if the tsar discovers who she really is, he won’t just come for her magic, he’ll come for her soul.

A Sabre in the Hemlock is the thrilling sequel to the award-winning A Dagger in the Ivy, weaving romance, danger, and dark intrigue into an unforgettable tale of power and sacrifice.

Excerpt

His jaw flexes. “You used your magic again.”

“Dante—”

“You promised you wouldn’t,” he says, voice quiet but taut, threaded with frustration. “You said you’d wait. You said you’d let Ezra figure it out.”

“I never promised,” I snap back, chin lifting. “You asked me not to, but I never agreed.”

“You bled, Celeste.” He leans closer, his voice low, heated. “I could tell something was wrong, even from the water. And what I couldn’t see, Nadya filled me in on.”

Of course she did.

“I had to help you.” The words come out louder than I intend, sharp with the emotion I’ve been burying all day. “They sent armed soldiers after you. You were bleeding underwater. You could have been pummeled by a f***ing tsunami. You don’t get to ask me to sit and watch you die.”

His hands flex, fists clenching just beneath the surface. “And what if helping me had killed you instead?”

I stare at him, my breath shallow. I don’t have an answer—not one that would make him feel better.

He paces a few steps through the water, raking a hand through his hair until it curls wild and damp around his temples. “Gods, you’re so damn stubborn.”

“And you’re so damn arrogant if you think you can tell me when and how I’m allowed to use a power that’s mine.”

He turns sharply, water sluicing off his chest, his gaze fierce enough to stop me in place. He crosses the space between us with quick, sure strides—and suddenly, he’s there, his hands finding me beneath the water, one arm locking around my waist, the other curling so that his hand is tugging the hair at the nape of my neck.

The heat of him burns through the chill. My breath stutters.

“Of course you’d fight me,” he mutters, his voice hoarse against my cheek. “Even when I’m trying to protect you.”

“And of course you’d push me,” I breathe back, “even when I’m trying to save you.”

The air thrums between us, thick with something neither of us is willing to yield. My pulse hammers as his thumb grazes the side of my throat, slow and reverent, like he’s trying to memorize the beat of my heart.

“I told you,” he says, his forehead almost brushing mine, “you bleed for no one.”

“And I told you,” I whisper, “you don’t get to decide that.”

His jaw tightens—and then, in one breath, his lips are on mine.

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About the Author

Dorothy Dreyer is a Philippine-born American living in Germany with her family. She is an award-winning, USA Today Bestselling Author of fantasy, romance, and horror books that usually have some element of magic or the supernatural in them. Aside from reading, she enjoys movies, binge-watching series, chocolate, take-out, traveling, and having fun with friends and family. She tends to sing sometimes, too, so keep her away from your Karaoke bars.

Connect:

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A Sabre in the Hemlock Blitz

Spotlight: Wicked Witch of the West by Lona Bailey

Icons rarely stand still, and few have shifted the cultural landscape like the Wicked Witch of the West. In The Wicked Witch of the West: The Enduring Legacy of a Feminist Icon, Dr. Lona Bailey traces how one woman’s “wickedness” became a rallying cry for generations of women determined to claim their power.

Bailey approaches the Witch’s century-long legacy with a scholar’s eye and a storyteller’s touch, weaving together history, myth, and feminist theory. From L. Frank Baum’s original narrative to today’s modern interpretations, she explores how the Witch’s evolution parallels the broader transformation of women’s roles in society. Her analysis reaches beyond the yellow brick road to consider the deeper question of why women who seek autonomy are so often demonized—and why, despite that, they endure. Through this lens, the Witch becomes both a product of her time and a timeless symbol of defiance, proving that even in fiction, resistance leaves a legacy.

Excerpt

It’s quite impossible to explore the icon of the Wicked Witch without acknowledging Margaret Hamilton’s unforgettable portrayal of the character, as she is widely credited with introducing her to the world in a way that has captivated audiences ever since. Was it the green skin, broom, cackling laughter, exaggerated hook to her nose, or sharp-tongued quips that embedded her into cultural consciousness? Perhaps all of those things and more initially made the world fall fast and hard for the fiendish character, but only in the context of Margaret Hamilton’s simply splendid portrayal.

“I was walking down Fifth Avenue in New York not long ago when a nice-looking young man called to me. ‘Miss Hamilton,’ he said, ‘you don’t know me, but I know you. You scared the pants off me when I was a little boy,’” Margaret Hamilton recalled.1 The barely five-foot-tall Margaret “Maggie” Hamilton has managed to terrify millions for more than eighty-five years in her characterization of L. Frank Baum’s Wicked Witch of the West. What began as a fairly one-dimensional antagonist with few descriptives beyond her general reputation for wickedness, was suddenly and frighteningly brought to life thirty-nine years after she was penned in Baum’s book and the legend of The Wizard of Oz truly began. In following suit with what “that little animation company” Walt Disney did in the successful film adaptation of the children’s fantasy story Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, MGM bought the rights to adapt Baum’s novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to brilliant Technicolor in 1938. The demigod of MGM, Louis B. Mayer, purchased the book’s rights in the fall of 1937 upon the suggestion of Mervyn LeRoy. Mayer saw grand potential in a musical version of the children’s novel and with LeRoy and Arthur Freed on board, revisions toward final production were initially promising. The script went through a merry-go-round of revisions from its initial draft to its on-screen presentation with cuts, edits, rewrites, and additions from legions of hired, fired, and rehired writers. 

The only mainstays were the leading cast—well, sort of. Judy Garland was cast as Dorothy, Frank Morgan as the Wizard (and several other supporting roles), Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow/Hunk, Bert Lahr as the Lion/Zeke, Jack Haley as the Tin Man/Hickory, Billie Burke as Glinda, and Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West/Miss Gulch. 

Originally, actress Gale Sondergaard was cast as the Wicked Witch, but being a bit too glamorous for such a haggy and undesirable part, Sondergaard withdrew from the production and Hamilton was offered the role just three days before filming began. Hamilton had appeared in several films for MGM by 1938, and with her distinct features and knack for spinster supports, Director Victor Fleming thought she was a natural choice for the queen of mean. 

Whether or not Hamilton knew of Matilda Joslyn Gage as “the woman behind the curtain” of Baum’s novel, in her portrayal, she creatively matched the feministic intentions of the original story’s creator. While the Technicolor Wizard of Oz fostered the stereotypical image of what “witches” were believed to look like in the 1930s. 

Witches were generally considered sallow, sexless figures whose rebellious and/or peculiar behavior had caused them to be ostracized by the general public. One early exception to this is Edmund Spenser’s The Faerie Queene (1590) with the character of Acrasia, the enchantress who uses her beauty to seduce and corrupt knights. Unlike the longstanding, older, and malevolent image of witches, Acrasia is described as physically alluring and beguiling, using her appearance and charm as weapons to achieve her goals. Though still a nonconformist in Spenser’s story, Acrasia’s beauty masks her dangerous nature, a theme that has been echoed in later depictions of witches in literature and folklore, though most classic literature purports “witch” to be synonymous with “ugly.” 

Nonconformist characteristics (described in horrid terms) usually included degrees of unsightly yellow or red complexions, unkempt, stringy hair, exaggerated facial features, and of course, warts. For example, William Shakespeare’s witches, the “Weird Sisters” in Macbeth, are described as dirty, haggish rebels who live separately from society and possess not only mystical powers but also distinctively masculine features such as beards. Any beauty that was ascribed to a witch before the postmodern reinvention of her image was usually only a magical cover for her “true” haggish nature, which she ruthlessly used to further her evil agenda. For better or for worse, MGM began the reinvention process of the witch, and Margaret Hamilton’s face was the canvas on which they painted—literally. With a hooked nose, green skin, pointy chin, crystal ball to spy on her enemies, and dressed all in black with a flying broom, Hamilton herself subtly fostered a more progressive approach to villainy in that inch of redemption she gifted the character through her own touch of feministic essence despite her convincing malevolence on screen. 

Contrary to most villainesses in early literature, film, and television, the Wicked Witch was not a masculine character. Perhaps we wouldn’t call her “pretty” in the green paint and prosthetics, but still Hamilton brought a subtle, yet undeniable femininity to the role that changed the “look” of a “witch” in the general sense. The paradox of Hamilton’s portrayal in such a traditional era was that she brought both femininity and feminism to the characterization. Billie Burke, on the other hand, certainly brought femininity to “Good Witch Glinda,” and her delicate, docile characterization stuck closely by Baum’s original non-feministic “Good Witch.” Burke seemed to naturally exude a dainty energy and sense of glamour as Glinda, which is also what the role required, but as far as MGM was concerned, Margaret Hamilton’s subtle artistic strokes of feminism weren’t of importance just so long as she, as the “bad one” was scary and not too “pretty.”

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible | Hardcover | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Dr. Lona Bailey is an award-winning feminist biographer and Golden Age researcher who writes to restore women’s voices to the cultural record. Her acclaimed titles—Voice of Villainy, Uncredited, Mrs. Radio, and The Wasp Woman—bridge the worlds of historical documentation and narrative art. Bailey’s combination of academic discipline and psychological depth allows her to reveal her subjects as fully human—complex, brilliant, and flawed. Her work has earned international accolades and media recognition for its contribution to feminist biography. Discover her writing on her website or connect via Facebook.

Spotlight: Building Romance by S.E. Rose

Release Date: November 17

Ever since Camryn Tanner went to culinary school, she knew she wanted to own a café. She’s worked at one across from her apartment building for five years now, and the owner is ready to sell it. The question is: Can she create the café of her dreams?

Fletcher McDowell comes from a long line of bakery owners. His father has tasked him with opening their latest bakery in a trendy neighborhood in the city. After a playboy youth, Fletcher knows this might be his last chance to prove himself to his father. There’s just one problem—the bakery across the street from his. 

It doesn’t take long for Fletcher to meet his rival, a beautiful woman with a sharp tongue and baking skills that far exceed anything his bakery can produce. Their rivalry is about to be tested when they are forced to work together to win a baking competition. 

With Camryn’s lucky saltshaker missing and the two enemies vying to gain insider information about each other, the competition is off to a rocky start. But the true test is figuring out the sleeping arrangement when a pipe burst leads to a shared room.

Will these two get over their enmity and work together to win? And can they stop themselves from falling for their enemy in the process?

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

Meet SE Rose

USA Today & International Bestselling romance author, S.E. Rose lives near Washington D.C. with her family.

When she's not wrangling her cats or keeping up with her kids, she's plotting her next story.

She loves all things wine, coffee, and cats.

In her non-existent free time, she enjoys traveling, going to concerts, binging on her favorite shows, and reading, especially if it's a good mystery or comedy. 

Keep up with SE Rose and subscribe to her newsletter: https://bookhip.com/LSMKWL

To learn more about SE Rose & her books, visit here!

Connect with SE Rose: https://linktr.ee/seroseauthor

Spotlight: Just One More Date by Carly Phillips

Leo Watson needs a pretend wife for a business Christmas party.

Could the cute barista who serves his favorite coffee drink play the part?

Camille Hendricks is willing… for a price—an interview at his sister’s PR company.

The game seems easy but their attraction is all too real.

When sexy lines are crossed, both Leo and Cammie stand to lose something more important than business.

They risk losing each other.

Buy on Amazon Kindle | Audible

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 three crazy dogs who star on her Facebook and Instagram pages. She loves social media and is always around to interact with her readers. Way back in 2002, Carly’s book, The Bachelor, was chosen by Kelly Ripa and was the first romance on a nationally televised book club. Carly loves social media and interacting with her readers. For more information on upcoming releases, sign up for her newsletter (below) and receive two free books!

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To learn more about Carly Phillips & her books, visit here!

Connect with Carly Phillips: https://www.carlyphillips.com/ 

Spotlight: Fabulously Flawed by Lynne Hancock

Publication date: November 15th 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Small town. Big dreams. One renovation that changes everything.

After three years of climbing the corporate ladder, Carl can practically taste the corner office with his name on the door. However, caring for his injured grandmother takes precedence, forcing his return to Keeney. But not to stay. Career-wise, the small town is a dead end, and others have their eye on that corner office.

Trading boardroom strategy for work boots and hard hats, Carl rejoins Keeney Building Supply to work as a general contractor—temporarily. He’s made that clear to everyone, including Sylvie.

Years ago, they parted ways before their mutual attraction could ignite, and Sylvie moved on, partnering with a charming developer who shared her excitement for flipping houses. However, charm can be deceiving—the developer wanted only her money, not her heart, leaving her plans in ruins.

Carl steps in, offering friendship, ice cream, and a new opportunity for her own home renovation business. Sylvie’s spark returns, and their attraction kindles, but Carl keeps his distance.

With his grandmother well on her way to recovery, there’s nothing to keep him in the small town. His future is waiting, and it’s not in Keeney.

Or is it?

A workplace romance, Fabulously Flawed is a story of the messy beauty of falling for someone who challenges everything you thought you wanted: a would-be house flipper who clashes and connects with the driven project manager determined to escape the confines of small-town life.

Excerpt

His GPS led him to the Keeney Commons apartment complex, and he spotted a KBS truck backed up to a curb. Ali stood at the back of the truck, surrounded by people Carl didn’t recognize but assumed were Keeney Builds students. Grabbing his travel mug, he walked over to join them. 

“Good.” Ali greeted Carl with a nod and addressed the others. “Everyone’s here, and we can get started. We start with the furniture and then load the boxes. They should be well-packed, but handle them with care. Marcia will have my head if anything gets broken. Rex and Daveed, when the apartment is empty, you are the cleaning crew. Iris will give you the supplies and instructions. Scour that place until it shines and don’t dilly-dally. We only have today to do everything.” 

As Ali continued delivering instructions, Carl’s gaze traveled over the well-maintained buildings, wondering who was in a bind and had to move in a hurry. His job was to dismantle the bed and anything else that needed to be taken apart before being moved. Ali gave him a toolbox, and he hung back while watching the others file up the stairs and toward the open door at the end of the corridor. 

“You’ve got four students hauling boxes and cleaning. Is that really the best use of their time, or is KBS going into the moving business?” Carl asked. 

Ali shot him a cool look. “I don’t know about the company you’ve been working for, but at KBS, when a friend needs help, we’re there. If that’s not something you’re willing to do, I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

Thoroughly put in his place, Carl climbed the stairs and got into line behind the others. Standing beside an open door, Sylvie greeted each person with a smile and a word of thanks before her gaze met his. The smile wavered then firmed up. Red spots dotted her cheeks, though she held her head high. “Morning, Carl.” Radiating with thinly veiled tension, she whipped around before he could respond, and he stared after her, his eyes fixed on the swinging ponytail as she disappeared from sight. 

Being a smart-ass was second nature to Carl, but after Ali’s remarks and seeing the way Iris and Marcia treated Sylvie with kid gloves, he kept his comments to himself. Instead, he worked swiftly and efficiently, taking apart the dining table and media stand before heading to the bedroom. Daveed carried away the boxed-up bedding, and Carl muscled the mattress aside to prop it against the wall. A balled-up piece of neon green lay squished on top of the box spring. 

He picked it up without thinking. 

“Hey, could you—” With Marcia right behind her, Sylvie stood in the doorway, mouth hanging open, and her face drained of color. Her gaze was fixed on Carl’s hand. More specifically, the fabric. 

His cheeks flamed as he realized he was holding a pair of women’s panties. 

Sylvie left without saying another word. 

“I don’t think those are hers,” Marcia said, plucking the offending fabric out of his hand before leaving the room. 

“Oh.” He stared stupidly at the empty doorway, then back at the box spring. Taking a utility knife from his back pocket, he proceeded to methodically slash the fabric covering the box spring and mattress. Marcia returned to find him shoving the knife back into his pocket. 

“Oops,” he said blandly. “I tripped. Guess I’ll have to replace the bed.”

Marcia’s lips twitched. “Guess so,” she replied, equally as blandly.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Lynne Hancock Pearson writes fun, flirty, feel-good fiction that simmers at low heat. Set in the Pacific Northwest, they are stories of people finding their way, even if it takes a while to get there. 

She lives near Seattle with two and a half finicky felines and one long-suffering husband. She is a left-handed middle child who grew up in the Great White North and is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Canada. 

Connect:

https://lynnehancockpearson.com/

https://www.facebook.com/lynne.hancockpearson/

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https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29750133.Lynne_Hancock_Pearson

Fabulously Flawed Blitz