Spotlight: Kindred Schemes by R K Harrington

Genre: Historical Regency Romance 

One bookish debutante. Two dashing suitors. And a season full of scandal.

Lady Alaina Sinclair never expected London society to be so treacherous—or so tempting. She has always preferred books to ballrooms, but with a disastrous start to her first season, she’s determined to rewrite her fate. With her heart set on the respectable—and very eligible—Duke of Ashford, Alaina is ready to embrace society’s expectations… even if it means silencing her true desires.

Alaina’s world is set awry by Christopher Kendall, the Marquess of Rochester—sharp-tongued, maddeningly handsome, and inconveniently, the duke’s closest friend. Their first encounter is a disaster. Their next, a temptation. And every moment together after that, increasingly impossible to ignore. But with a web of secrets, jealous relatives, and mysterious threats unraveling around her, it soon becomes clear: this is no ordinary season.

Kindred Schemes is a modern take on a regency romance with glamour, a steamy love triangle, and enough mystery to keep readers turning the page.

Excerpt

London, 1809

Oh no, here he comes, the lascivious Lord Finch and his merry band of drunken fools. Alaina looked out at the crowded ballroom, her eyes connecting with the group of men making their way toward its center. Alaina had only been at the ball for a quarter hour before this particular disaster struck, the leers of the men making the hairs at the nape of her neck prickle. It did not escape Alaina’s attention that Lady Barbara, Lord Finch’s sister, accompanied the group, and wore a sly smile. Hopefully, this latest encounter would be short. Surely, Lord Finch would not want to be rejected twice, let alone in front of a large crowd.

Alaina looked to her right to find her parents close at hand, thankfully, and she stood a little straighter knowing she would not face this alone.

The group of men seemed to move in unison before coming to a halt a few paces before Alaina and her family. A group of onlookers formed a circle around them as if ready to enjoy the ensuing spectacle, Lady Barbara taking her place in the throng. Alaina struggled to focus on the faces of the onlookers as she held her head high, ready to meet Lord Finch and his friends with as much dignity as she could muster. She hoped to project a more serene exterior than she currently felt, her heartbeat accelerating to such a degree that she could feel the blood rushing in her ears.

Lord Finch stepped to the fore of the now halted group, and gallantly bowed to Alaina before speaking, his voice so loud that Alaina was sure people arriving in carriages outside could hear.

“My dearest beautiful Alaina,” he started, clearing his throat before continuing, “You have set upon me quite a conundrum. I fear I have fallen madly in love with the idea of having you as my wife, and I feel you should be happy with such an arrangement. I am quite the catch, you know, especially for someone from the country, and one who likes to read.”

From behind him, Lady Barbara piped up with an added insult, “Amazing, really, that Alaina found her way out of the library to be here.” Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Alaina cringed at his easy use of her given name, devoid of any honorific, and seethed at the mockery of her character. Lord Finch and his sister sounded ridiculous, pompous, and conceited.

Alaina was frozen in place, her lips trembling in rage, and when no comment ushered forth from her lips, Lord Finch rejoined, unfazed by the one-sided nature of their conversation. “I find myself at an impasse. Shall I continue to press my suit with decorum, or should I make my feelings known to the whole world, so that you may not so easily dismiss them as you have in the past?”

A warmth crept up Alaina’s neck and touched her cheeks, giving her pale skin a glow, although one not easily perceptible in the dim light of the ballroom. She turned once again to where her parents stood, only to find that her father had disappeared, and her mother’s pale face was drawn in embarrassment as she watched her eldest child with dismay. Oh, how Alaina wished her father would have stayed; his tall frame was intimidating to a crowd, and his familiar umber eyes were always reassuring to her.

Resolved to put a stop to this farce, Alaina turned back to Lord Finch and remarked, her voice distant and strange sounding in her ears, “Lord Finch, it seems my earlier rejection of your suit did not deter you in the least, but I ask you to have a care for your surroundings.”

As the words left her mouth, Alaina watched Lord Finch’s face change, his outwardly serene expression making way for something more sinister. His smile twisted into an outright leer, and his pale green eyes seemed to burn of their own accord, the candlelight no longer just a reflection in them. He lowered to one knee and reached out his hands in supplication as he sneered, “Please, will you marry me, my lady?” The emphasis on the last word ensured that Alaina felt the insult.

Lord Finch was quickly joined by his friends, their idiocy knowing no bounds, all of them dropping to their knees in a chorus of marriage proposals, each more mocking and infuriating than the last. Soon laughter rang loudly in Alaina’s ears as the men and then the onlookers seemed to find amusement in her predicament. Her world blurred through a sheen of tears, the faces of the laughing men—now resembling something like demons—the only clear points in her vision.

Alaina glanced about to find her mother and threw herself into her open arms, shielding her from the worst of the crowd. The two women made their way to the outer edge of the ballroom and quickly to the front entrance, only stopping a moment to gather their cloaks before heading out into the cool night. Her father, having had the forethought to make his way to the exit, met them in the front drive, where he had already called for their carriage to be brought around, and not a moment too soon.

The Sinclair family hastened into the carriage, a pall falling on them as the conveyance made its way onto the main thoroughfare and toward their London townhome. Alaina squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on the clip clop of the well-matched team of four, grateful for the silence of her parents, as she let tears make their way unchecked down her cheeks.

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About the Author

R. K. Harrington is a debut historical romance author, combining swoon-worthy romance with a bit of mystery. Her first novel, Kindred Schemes, is scheduled to be released February 2026.

In 2021, R. K. Harrington found that her daydreams were yearning to spill over to the written page, and, ever since, has been writing historical romance with a dash of mystery in hopes of publishing her work one day. After much editing, and long hours designing, she is gearing up to release her first novel, with many more to come!

R. K. Harrington grew up reading romance novels at a (maybe too) young age, and the stories entranced her. Give her a Happily Ever After (HEA) and there is no better book in the world. While romance books (namely historical romances) are her first love, R. K. Harrington is an avid reader of all genres. She has gone through many phases: medical mysteries, crime dramas, science fiction, romantasy, and is currently in a fantasy phase (she does do the occasional non-fiction book as well, namely history). Through every season of reading, romance books of all kinds are sprinkled liberally. 

When R. K. Harrington is not writing or reading (or working her day job as an engineer), she is having fun with her husband, their kids, and her very cute dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Maximus. They all live in the DMV area, where the summers are hot, the winters are cold, and the two days of Spring and Fall are beautiful enough to open the windows!

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Spotlight: The Improbable Road of Return by Nath Jones

Publication date: December 17th 2025

Genres: Adult, Romance, Women’s Fiction

What is coming home now? THE IMPROBABLE ROAD OF RETURN is a reentry story about six weeks in the life of a woman named Jenks. In 2012 she accidentally kills a man on a run and does two years in prison for it. After she gets out in 2015 everything is different and her relationships with the two men in her life must change. Does one even know the full truth? How can Jenks be honest? Her mother has to accept her as a murderer, but how can they both acclimate? What will ever be the same? She shoved the man off the bike with the same force she shoves a grocery cart into a parking lot corral. And that makes her among the worst on earth? Well it did kill the man and she did do time. So she must make a way back to who she is. Isandro is her twenty-eight year old lover and Sauveterre is her seventy-four year old neighbor. She isn’t in love with either of them, is she? Or are the relationships of the twenty-first century just that impossible to understand?

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About the Author

Best New American Voices nominee Nath Jones received an MFA in creative writing from Northwestern University. A title in the On Impulse series went to number one on Kindle. Her publishing credits include PANK Magazine, There Are No Rules, and Sailing World, and she has won multiple awards. She lives and writes in Chicago.

Connect:

https://www.nathjones.com/

https://www.facebook.com/NathJonesWriter

https://www.instagram.com/nath.jones

https://x.com/msnathjones

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4445449.Nath_Jones

Spotlight: Take a Look at Me Now by Robert P Crane

At fifteen, Bubby Welter is forced to grow up amid circumstances beyond his control. His mother Carrie’s mental breakdown disrupts their family life, leaving emotional distance where connection once existed. As Carrie withdraws, Bubby is left to face the consequences alone.

Embarrassment, strained friendships, and the fallout of poor choices shape his days. With frustration mounting, Bubby begins searching for the father he has never known, hoping to make sense of the gaps in his life.

Take a Look at Me Now captures a period of emotional suspension, where both mother and son remain stuck in their own struggles. It is a coming-of-age novel about absence, uncertainty, and the fragile bonds that define family.

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About the Author

Robert Crane is an American writer who writes literary fiction: short stories, novels, plays and poetry. Boone is his previous novel.

Spotlight: The Arrangement by S.D. Lettie

Publisher: Independent

Publication Date: November 7, 2025

Pages: 298

Genre: New Adult / Romantic Suspense 

You know that guy you fell for at sixteen—the one who vanished without explanation, leaving behind enough damage to last years? Now imagine being forced into an engagement with him because your parents decided you’re more useful as leverage than as a daughter. 

And the part he forgot to mention? He’s heir to a Bratva empire with blood on its hands. 

That’s Emilia’s life. Her future is not her own, and her fiancé, Nikolai Volkov, is a man whose silence is more dangerous than his words. Their past is a wound. Their engagement is a threat. And what grows between them is something neither of them should let happen. 

The Arrangement is a dark, slow-burn story of buried truths, political corruption, and a connection that pulls two damaged people toward a collision neither may survive unscathed.

Excerpt

My phone buzzes in my shorts pocket. I ignore it, thinking it’s a text, but then it buzzes again. I look down and see my father’s name lighting up the screen. Groaning, I answer. 

“Emilia.” His voice is calm, clipped. Not cold, just clean, like everything else he controls. He says my name like punctuation. 

“Yes, sir.” 

“Your mother asked me to check on the brunch.” 

She didn’t want to ask herself. She never does. She strategically delegates through him, like always. “It’s done,” I say. “Final headcount is confirmed. Catering’s squared. My remarks are short and already vetted.” There’s a pause, the sound of him moving paper in the background, or maybe pouring a drink. I can’t tell. He’s always multitasking, even when he speaks like everything is a priority. 

“She wants it to go smoothly.” 

It will. He knows that. He wouldn’t have called if he didn’t already trust it was handled. 

“There’s something else,” my father says right as I think we’re done, his voice flat and clipped in the way he reserves for things that aren’t up for discussion. “I’ve arranged a meeting with Nikolai and his father next week at the Four Seasons. I’d like you to be there. We have some important things to discuss.” 

– Excerpted from The Arrangement by S.D. Lettie, Independent, 2025. Reprinted with permission.

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About the Author

Before she ever had “author” next to her name, S.D. Lettie was—and still is—an avid reader first; the kind who would finish a book in a day and beg her parents to take her back to the bookstore. Reading started as a hobby and, as she got older, became her source of entertainment, escape, and comfort. Over the years, she found herself wanting to write the kind of worlds readers could get excited about—a world that could grow into a fandom of its own. 

Today, Lettie writes slow-burn romances—stories about characters who are imperfectly perfect, the hard moments that shape them, and the plot twists that leave readers reeling. Outside her writing life, she’s a wife and mom of two, roles that influence both her time and perspective. She’s also a dedicated soccer fan, the kind who will plan her day around a match and openly admit she’ll yell at the TV when things get heated.

Through all of it, her goal as an author is simple: she wants her characters to stay with readers long after the book ends. 

Her latest book is the new adult romantic suspense, The Arrangement (Bancroft University Chronicles Book 1).

Visit her website at www.sdlettieauthor.com. Connect with her on Facebook, Instagram, BookBub and Goodreads.

Spotlight: Ghost Town by Dr. James R. Gregory

In the isolated coal mining town of Sulphur Creek in the late 1800s, young Sammy Murphy’s world is a blend of shadowy tunnels and unspoken secrets. Born into solitude and pushed into reclusion, Sammy’s quiet life starkly contrasts with the booming industry that surrounds him. But as he searches for connection in an era of ruthless expansion, he finds himself at odds with forces far greater than he imagined.

Enter Barry Bacon, an ambitious industrialist who fancies himself a peer to magnates like Andrew Carnegie. Driven by unbridled ambition, Bacon’s dreams stretch far beyond the soot-covered rooftops of Sulphur Creek. But as the weight of his empire bears down, his unchecked arrogance threatens to unravel everything he’s built.

As Sammy faces an unexpected awakening brought forth by a fleeting love, and Bacon’s empire teeters on the brink of collapse, both men must face truths that transcend time—true love extends beyond mere attraction and real power is more than forceful arrogance.

Set against the raw, unforgiving landscape of America’s industrial ascent, Ghost Town is a gripping novel of ambition, isolation, and the pursuit of connection. With richly drawn characters and a hauntingly relevant message, it echoes through history, exploring what it truly means to lead, to love, and to belong.

Excerpt

This excerpt is from Dr. James R. Gregory’s new novel, “Ghost Town.” Reprinted with permission of the author. 

Chapter Six 

The fact that Birdie and Kevin were attracted to each other didn’t mean Sammy was about to step aside. Sammy had no intention of letting Kevin cut in on the woman of his dreams. When Sammy stopped by the Crystal Saloon one afternoon and saw Birdie sitting alone at the bar, it was an opportunity for him to capture her attention. He did so by doing what the male of any species would do since the beginning of time—preen and plot, finally getting her interest by telling her things he probably shouldn’t. 

Sammy slid onto the stool next to Birdie, “Ya haven’t seen me much in da evenings around town, have ya?” he asked.

Birdie tried to answer without showing interest as she turned slightly away. “I don’t recall looking for ya.” 

Sammy leaned in toward Birdie. “Well, if ya been wondering what I’ve been up to, I now have my own house up in the mountains near the headwaters of Crystal Creek.” 

That caught Birdie’s attention. She turned toward Sammy and raised her eyebrows, “Ya don’t say.” 

“I’d like to show ya sometime if ya don’t believe me,” Sammy continued. “Would you like to see it?” 

Birdie responded without committing, “How far is it?” 

Now Sammy tried to close the deal. “It’s a little more than a mile up the mountain. It’ll be a lovely walk through the woods.” 

O’Connor noticed the two having a conversation and placed an arm on the bar as if trying to separate Sammy and Birdie. “Good evening, Sammy. What’ll you be having to drink?” 

“I’ll have a whiskey.” Sammy slapped a silver coin on the bar. Sammy had been rehearsing ordering a whiskey all afternoon and he pulled it off effectively. 

“Sammy here’s been telling me he built a mansion on the mountaintop,” Birdie said, sensing O’Connor’s unease. 

 “Is that so?” O’Connor responded. “That must be where you disappear every night.” 

Sammy became defensive. “Well, it’s no mansion; I can tell ya dat much, but yes, I’ve been living up dere for a couple of weeks.” 

Birdie flashed her big blue eyes at O’Connor. “He invited me up to visit his mansion.” 

Kevin raised one eyebrow and looked sternly at both. “Is that so?” 

“Yer both, more dan welcome to visit,” Sammy said. 

O’Connor, feeling manipulated, laughed, “No thanks. I have plenty to keep me busy right here. You kids have a splendid time,” O’Connor said condescendingly, trying to show nonchalance. “Mind the weather. It looks like a thunderstorm is building. Don’t forget to write.” 

“We will indeed.” Birdie said as she stood to leave, miffed at O’Connor’s casual attitude. “Let’s go, Sammy.” 

Sammy took his whiskey shot in one gulp, which nearly caused him to choke. He put the shot glass back on the bar and gave O’Connor a salute of triumph as he held out his arm for Birdie. And off they went. 

The trek was challenging enough in work boots but nearly impossible in Birdie’s dress shoes. Sammy sensed the momentous thunderstorm building and hoped they would make it to the cabin and back before it struck. 

For the first mile, Birdie didn’t say anything. She just followed Sammy and stewed on O’Connor’s nonchalant attitude toward her. The more she thought about it, the angrier she got, and that kept her mind off her feet. But then she asked how much further, and when Sammy replied, “We’re almost dere.” Sammy noticed that it dissipated her anger. 

The sky had become a dark greenish-gray color that Sammy had never seen before. Lightening startled them as it splashed across the sky, followed by a simultaneous crack and thunder that rolled, echoing through the valley below. 

“We best hurry,” Sammy said. “We’re in fer a gulley washer.” He reached for her hand, which she took, and they started running. They could finally see the cabin in the distance just as the first big drops of rain started, and then a torrent from a cloudburst descended upon them. 

By the time they reached the cabin, the rain had soaked their skin. Sammy opened the door, and Birdie rushed in, trying to adjust her eyes to the darkness. Sammy lit an oil lamp, and she could finally see the inside of his modest cabin. 

 “You don’t have windows?” she asked.

For the first time, Sammy was ashamed of his humble home. “No, I have pushouts, like most of the town’s homes.” He then started the fire in the pot-belly stove, quickly warming the interior. 

“I need to dry my dress and garments,” Birdie said, “I’m completely soaked and cold.” 

“I’ve got some things ya can wear,” Sammy croaked.

“Not your mining clothes, I hope.” She chuckled.

They both laughed. Sammy gave her his best shirt. As she undressed, Sammy pretended to look away while he busied himself with putting up a clothesline across the room. He was pleased that she wasn’t shy about her nudity, but he tried not to give or get the wrong idea. Or, to give her the impression that he was desperately desperate to experience a woman.

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About the Author

Dr. James R. Gregory, a renowned business author and entrepreneur, co-founded a highly successful global brand management consulting firm in New York City alongside his wife, Evelyn Clyburne. Their 40-year journey in business culminated in the sale of their company in 2013. Post-retirement, Dr. Gregory’s unquenchable thirst for knowledge led him to earn a doctorate from the Muma College of Business at the University of South Florida. 

Transitioning from business to literature, Dr. Gregory began writing a series of captivating novellas under the collection ‘Small Fortunes,’ which earned a place on Amazon’s bestseller charts. He followed this with his debut novel, Zephyr’s War, then Killer App, and now Ghost Town. Dr. Gregory is also a seasoned business author of several influential books on corporate branding, including Marketing Corporate Image, Leveraging the Corporate Brand, Branding Across Borders, The Best of Branding, and his most recent international bestseller, Powerhouse – The Secrets of Corporate Branding. 

Residing in Bradenton, Florida, with his wife, Dr. Gregory is also a devoted family man. He enjoys spending quality time with his two grown children, Becky and Will, and pursuing hobbies like biking, playing tennis, and painting with his beloved grandchildren, Charlotte and Maxwell.

Spotlight: Hard Feelings by Jennifer Millikin

Hard Feelings by Jennifer Millikin is now live!

Cecily Hampton's first date with Dominic Bellinger started out like a dream. The conversation? Flowing. The chemistry? Sizzling. But when Cecily overhears a phone call Dom steps away to take, she grabs her purse and makes a run for it. She knows a red flag when she sees one.

Unfortunately, avoiding Dom becomes impossible when they're both summoned to Las Vegas to celebrate their mutual friends. Armed with a vow to hate Dom forever, Cecily lands in Sin City ready to unleash her dirtiest looks on him. Except, Dom's salty attitude is making it clear Cecily isn't the only one with hard feelings.

When shooting daggers turns into shooting tequila, Dom and Cecily wake up to find themselves with a nasty hangover and new titles: Mr. & Mrs.

A rush to undo the drunken mistake is halted when Cecily's grandmother announces she's dying, and her final wish is to road trip around Arizona with her family. Including her granddaughter's new husband.

Cecily can't decide which is worse - being stuck in a luxury motor coach with Dom, or her estranged family.

But somewhere between a stay at a haunted hotel and unwittingly attending a nudist colony, their thinly veiled insults and barbed remarks give way to the attraction from their first date. They tell themselves it's just this once...twice...ok, three times.

Scratching an itch starts looking a lot like newlywed bliss. And their temporary marriage? It just might turn into forever.

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