Spotlight: Lead Me Home by Catherine Bybee

Series: Queen Anne Hill #1

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Workplace, He Falls First, Slow Burn, Green Flag Hero

Release Date: June 9, 2026

When spreadsheets are safer than people, falling in love becomes the ultimate risk in this powerful novel of trauma, healing, and unexpected courage from New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee.

Luna Canning trusts numbers more than people—and for good reason. As a forensic accountant who specializes in exposing fraud, she knows numbers never deceive, unlike the toxic family she’s spent a lifetime trying to escape. Now living in her grandmother’s Victorian home, Luna has built a carefully ordered life behind walls she thought were unbreakable.

When her car is stolen from an airport parking lot, former FBI agent turned PI Nate Warren steps in to help—and proves more dangerous to her defenses than any thief. Despite Luna’s ironclad rules about mixing business with pleasure, their chemistry ignites, and for the first time, she considers letting someone past her guard. But just as their relationship begins to blossom, Luna’s manipulative mother arrives unannounced, dragging with her a dangerous man and decades of unresolved trauma that threaten everything Luna has built.

Now Luna must confront the ghosts of her past—both metaphorical and possibly literal, as strange occurrences in her historic home suggest she’s not alone. With a violent threat looming and her heart on the line, Luna discovers that sometimes the hardest person to trust is yourself.

Excerpt

Five minutes past nine, Luna walked into the law offices of Allen and Associates. She paused at the reception desk and started to unbutton her coat. 

“Hi Melinda.”

“Hi.”

“Marcus is expecting me. Is he in his office or the conference room?”

“They’re in the conference room,” she said.

They? Great . . . nothing like being late for more than one person.

Luna shrugged out of her coat.

Melinda stepped around the desk to take it. “No need to stress.”

“I hate being late. This jerk bumped into me, my coffee ended up on the street . . .” Luna pulled in a deep breath, stood tall, and pasted on a small she didn’t feel.

Melinda laughed. “I’ll bring coffee to the room.”

Luna sighed. “I could kiss you.”

“Not in the office,” Melinda teased.

Swiping a strand of soaked hair back, Luna made her way to the conference room.

Just outside the open door she heard voices.

“She elbowed me, her coffee took flight, and she had the audacity to act like it was my fault.”

Luna froze in the doorway.

Dark roast venti guy had his back to her.

Marcus stood to his left, shaking his head. “It feels like most people are walking around in a daze. Heads in their phones, earbuds blasting music. No one pays attention anymore.”

“Tell me about it.”

The fake smile she’d painted on only moments ago slid from her face. Seriously? This guy blamed her?

The nerve.

“There she is. My secret weapon for numbers,” Marcus boasted once he caught sight of Luna standing there.

Slowly, Mr. Venti turned.

A sinister feeling of joy bloomed in Luna’s chest as recognition hit his eyes.

Unaware of the silent communication between her and Venti, Marcus made the introductions. “Nate Warren, this is Luna Canning.”

She placed her purse on the conference table and reached out to shake his hand. “Hello, Mr. Warren. You look familiar. Have we met before?”

His hand was warm, despite the fact that they’d both just come in from the cold.

“If we did, I, ah . . . certainly didn’t catch your name.” Nate gave her hand a little extra squeeze before letting her go. “Marcus has told me a lot about you.”

“All good I hope.”

To Nate’s credit, he didn’t break eye contact, even when her smirk of a smile said ten times more than her words did.

“Singing your praise, Luna. If I could sing,” Marcus said as he patted her shoulder in a warmer welcome than a handshake.

“You’re too kind.”

That made him laugh. “Since when are you humble?”

It was then that Luna purposely looked away from Nate. “I have to try once in a while.”

“Sit, sit.”

Luna moved to a seat opposite Nate.

Marcus sat at the head of the table.

“I’m sorry for being late. It’s a little . . .” She glanced at Nate. “Hectic out there.”

Amusement swam in Nate’s hazel eyes without the least bit of shame.

“So I’ve heard,” Marcus said.

Melinda walked into the room, a cup of coffee in her hand. She sat it in front of Luna with a small caddy filled with cream and various types of sugar.

“Thank you.”

“Can I get anything for you, Mr. Warren?”

Nate cleared his throat. “Ah, no. I’m good.”

Luna glanced at Nate’s Starbucks cup before doctoring her coffee to her liking.

Melinda closed the door behind her when she left.

“I’ve already told Nate about your prowess with numbers. You won’t find a better forensic accountant in the state.”

This time, Luna accepted the praise without humility.

“Nate is our new consultant. He worked as a criminal fraud investigator for the federal government. Now he works independently as a private investigator using those same skills.”

Luna lifted the coffee to her lips and talked over the rim of the cup. “You’re a little young to be retired from the Feds.”

“I was more interested in the private sector with more room to do my job than bureaucratic red tape allowed.”

Luna sipped her coffee, then put the cup down.

“And more lucrative,” she said.

He raised an eyebrow. “No one likes to wait for Congress to approve their paycheck.”

“Their loss, our gain,” Marcus said. “And I have a feeling that with the two of you, we’ll be an unbeatable team.”

Luna placed her fingers on the charm she had hanging from her neck and slowly slid it along the chain.

Marcus handed them each a folder. “Our client is Joel Mercier . . .”

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About the Author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written nearly 50 books that have collectively sold more than 11 million copies. Her titles have been translated into more than 20 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, Heirs, and Queen Anne Hill 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: 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.

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

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: No More Yesterdays by Catherine Bybee

Title: No More Yesterdays

Series: The Heirs #3

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Tropes: Billionaire Romance, Bodyguard Romance, Family Secrets, Slow Burn

Release Date: June 17, 2025

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee lights the fuse, and the Stone siblings must rely on their wits and hearts to uncover a dangerous enemy…and an explosive secret.

Taking over her late father’s company was never part of Alex Stone’s life plan.

But now, sitting in the CEO chair at Stone Enterprises, she’s resigned to living her life alone. Being a high-powered, billionaire woman tends to narrow one’s romantic prospects. As Alex works relentlessly to reshape her inherited hotel empire, she’s acquired a target on her back complete with death threats.

Alex turns to Hawk Bronson, a man who is equal parts bodyguard, sexy, and completely infuriating. Especially when it comes to protecting her.

As the danger escalates, Hawk comes to terms with the fact that their connection goes way beyond bodyguard and assignment. He knows he should keep his distance—his own dark past and nightmares put her at greater risk—but he can’t walk away. Protecting Alex means everything. Putting her life in someone else’s care isn’t an option once he’s tasted their passion and depth of his feelings.

As they navigate a minefield of family secrets, past pain, and unexpected hope, Alex and Hawk must face their deepest fears and fight for a future together. But first, they’ll need to unmask whoever is behind the threats—before Alex becomes their next victim.

Read books one and two in The Heirs series–All Our Tomorrows and The Forgotten One– available now on #kindleunlimited.

Buy on Amazon | Bookshop.org

About the Author

New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author Catherine Bybee has written over forty 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, and D'Angelos 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: All Our Tomorrow by Catherine Bybee

When Chase Stone’s estranged father dies, leaving his multibillion-dollar business to his children, no one is more surprised than he. Growing up outside of the high-stakes world filled with human vultures, Chase and his sister, Alex, are less than enthusiastic about stepping into their father’s shoes. That is until they learn of a half-brother they didn’t know existed, and must find to share their inheritance with.

Piper Maddox was the elder Mr. Stone’s übercapable assistant—abruptly fired two weeks before his death. She knows everything about Stone Enterprises and the man who built it. But Piper has no desire to work for another member of the Stone family. Even one as down to earth as Chase.

Desperately needing financial security, Piper agrees to return so long as kissing up to Chase and accepting unwanted advances were not part of her job description. A task that becomes a serious hurdle for both of them. Piper and Chase scramble to find the third Stone sibling before the media does, sharing secrets along the way. Secrets that can bring them together or tear them irrevocably apart.

Excerpt

CHAPTER ONE 

The absolutely best part about attending a funeral of a close family member was the ability to wear sunglasses inside. Anyone looking assumed the shield was there to hide the expression of pain and sorrow. For Chase and Alex, it was all about disguising their shock and disbelief of the complete bullshit being spewed from the pulpit. It was one thing for the priest to deliver an appropriate sermon, but the line of people standing up to verbalize their love for Aaron Stone churned bile in Chase’s stomach. 

“Husband, father, philanthropist, the builder of an empire. Aaron was more than an employer, more than his gilded name that graces so many hotels and resorts all over the globe. Aaron Stone was my friend. Someone I could share a drink with after work or spend a weekend in Vegas with on a moment’s notice . . .” 

Chase leaned close to his sister’s ear and whispered, “High- end escort service on speed dial, no doubt.” 

Alexandrea, or Alex, as she’d always been called, nudged his elbow and placed a handkerchief over her lips to hide her smile. 

Exactly ninety grueling minutes of needless prayer and praise for the prick in the casket later, Chase escorted his father’s latest wife behind the coffin while Alex and their mother followed behind. 

Chase had been asked if he wanted to be one of the six carrying his dead father to his final resting place, to which Chase replied, “Hell-to-the-no.” He didn’t trust himself not to “accidentally” drop his end just to see the man tumble out of his perfect funeral and hear people laugh. 

A long line of limousines stacked up behind the hearse. Melissa Stone, wife number three and a woman two years younger than Chase, climbed into the back of the first car with her brother and parents. 

Chase, Alex, and their mother, Vivian, closed themselves behind the darkened glass of the second limousine and released a collective sigh once the cameras of the media could no longer record their reaction. 

“Damn, that was painful,” Alex said as soon as the door closed. 

“It’s far from over.” Their mother patted Alex’s leg as if that would cure the agony they all felt. 

Chase removed his sunglasses and looked at the both of them. They wore black, despite Alex’s threat to wear a bright pink floral dress that screamed celebration and happiness. 

“Philanthropist? Exactly what did Dad have to do with giving money to those in need?” Alex asked. 

“Tax write-offs, I’m sure,” Chase replied.
The limo started to move.
Chase knew from the plans he’d been shown that four 

uniformed motorcycle police officers were escorting the procession to the cemetery. From the cemetery they’d inch their way up the hills until they were safely behind the gates of their father’s Beverly Hills estate, where a reception would host the fake smiles and insincere tears. 

A man as wealthy as Aaron Stone was living his death the same way he lived his life. Large. 

According to the head of the legal team representing Aaron Stone, the man had planned his funeral a good fifteen years before his death. 

Considering Aaron was only in his early sixties and in relatively good health, the fact that he planned his own funeral because no one would be able to do it better put an exclamation point on his narcissism. 

“Any idea if Melissa is staying in the house?” Alex asked. Chase shook his head. “I don’t have a clue.”
“Knowing your father, he and Melissa had a prenup.”
“If it’s anything like yours, she’ll be lucky to keep her jewelry.”
Chase held his comments and listened to his sister vent. 

She wouldn’t get much of a chance until the show was over and they could retreat to their mother’s modest home in Santa Monica. There, they planned on catching their breath before the morning appointment with the lawyers. 

If it wasn’t for the fact that his sister’s and mother’s names were on the list of people requested, Chase would blow off the in-person drama altogether and find a dark bar so he could tell his dead father to fuck off one final time with a shot whiskey. 

They pulled into the cemetery, and sunglasses found their way back on noses. 

Thankfully, the service at the gravesite was much shorter than that at the church. 

Melissa’s loud cries and overly animated tears were out of a scene from a soap opera. The cool breeze of the early spring skies pushed clouds overhead that threatened rain. Literally hundreds of people circled Aaron Stone’s casket, most muttering among themselves, some averting their attention when Chase looked directly at them. 

Finally, the priest ended his final prayer, asking God to accept the soul at his gate so Aaron’s family could move on in peace. 

It was only then that Chase stared over his father’s casket and felt loss. 

Loss for the father he never truly had.
Loss for the chance of redemption.
The man would never again have the opportunity to right the wrongs he had done to his family.
Death had a way of ending all possibility of reconciliation. 

*** 

A long line of funeral guests slowly sauntered up the steps of Aaron Stone’s lavish estate. 

Chase stood with Alex on one side and Melissa on the other. It took all of ten minutes before a woman with a cane blocked the parade, giving Chase the out he needed to stop shaking hands and smiling at strangers. “I need a drink,” he said to his sister. 

“Great idea,” Alex chimed in.
They both stepped away from the door at the same time. “You can’t leave me here to face these people alone,” 

Melissa whined.
“You want to shake the hand of every person that has ever kissed up to my father for the last forty years, be my guest.” Chase smiled at his sister. “Chardonnay?” 

“I’m thinking vodka.” 

Chase and Alex moved past the foyer and into the formal living room. Framed by pillars and hosting twenty-foot ceilings, the room was large enough to accommodate four separate conversation areas, complete with sofas and chairs. Wall to wall windows were outlined by arches standing side by side, giving the room a spectacular amount of light. 

A bar had been set up at one corner of the room, and waitstaff was already circulating with trays of wine. 

The table in the formal dining space was overburdened with food. The kind brought in by a caterer rather than thoughtfully made from the kitchen of loved ones overwhelmed with grief. 

Alex avoided moving farther into the room when she stopped beside their mother and Nick. 

She immediately grabbed whatever Nick was drinking and put it to her lips. 

“Atta girl. It’s about time you got hammered. That funeral was painful,” Nick said to their small group.
“Don’t encourage her,” their mother responded.
Nick was Alex’s best friend, who she often referred to as her gay husband. They’d known each other for years, and because of that, Chase often thought of him as an extension of the family. 

“I’ll get her her own,” Chase told Nick as he walked away and toward the bar. 

“Vodka martini and a double shot of whiskey.” There was no need to specify a brand, the only liquor behind the bar was top shelf. 

“Must be a rough day,” someone said behind him. 

Chase turned to the slightly familiar face. “There’s certainly other places I’d rather be,” he responded appropriately. 

“I bet.” 

He had a slight southern accent that tickled the back of Chase’s head as he tried to place the man. 

“You don’t remember me.” 

“I’m sorry. It’s been a long day with a lot of people,” Chase explained. 

The other man extended a hand. “Jack Morrison.” 

The name clicked with the face. “Morrison hotels,” Chase said. 

Jack nodded. “One in the same. I believe we met right before you graduated high school.” 

“I can’t say I remember, but I do know who you are.” Hard not to, considering the name. The Morrison family made their way into the papers, just as the Stones did. Families of wealth and power had a way of flashing on the front page from time to time. 

“My father would be here, but he’s ahhh . . . not in good health,” Jack said. 

“He sent you.”
“I volunteered.”
Chase narrowed his gaze. “Why?” 

Jack was slow to smile, but when he did, he started to laugh. “Polite thing to do.” 

“I take it you didn’t know my dad.”
“No. Not well anyway.” Jack rocked back on his heels. “That makes two of us.”
Jack paused. “The tabloids had that right, then?”
Chase took in the other man’s expression. “The part about my father being estranged from his kids? Yeah, that would be one hundred percent accurate.” 

“Damn. That makes today extra rough,” Jack said. “You have no idea.”
The bartender placed both drinks on the bar. “Can’t pick your family.” 

Chase shook his head, grabbed the drinks. “The tabloids had the estranged part right, the rest is crap. Don’t believe everything you read in the paper,” he said. 

“I don’t read them. My wife does. In fact, it was Jessie that suggested I come. She said if there’s an ounce of truth behind what the papers said, you and your sister might need a friendly face among the wolves that are bound to come out of the fields.” 

Chase regarded the man with a tilt of his head. Jack seemed genuine, but he didn’t know him well enough to determine if kind words at a funeral put him in the trusted category. “We appreciate that,” Chase spoke for Alex. “I should get this to my sister. We could both use some liquid courage today.” 

Jack nodded. “I’ll leave you to it. I’m not hard to get a hold of if you need anything.” 

Chase smiled, took a couple of steps, then looked back. “What you said about your father being sick . . . is that true?” Jack hesitated. “He thought your dad was an asshole. My father is a little hard to ignore in a room and didn’t want to make a scene.”
For the first time that day, Chase laughed. Any man as wealthy and influential as Jack Morrison who was willing to call a dead man an asshole . . . at his funeral, was good by Chase. “I’ll be in touch,” he said. 

“I look forward to it.”
Back at his sister’s side, Chase handed Alex her drink. “Who was that you were talking to?” she asked.
“Jack Morrison,” their mother answered for him.
Nick peered over the rim of his cocktail. “He has some swagger working for him. Is he single?”
Alex swatted Nick’s arm with her free hand. “You are not picking up dates at my dad’s funeral.”
Chase could always count on Nick for some comic relief. 

“Not only is he not single, he mentioned a wife . . . so not on your team,” Chase clarified. “He seemed like a decent man.” 

“Do you know him, Mom?” Alex asked. 

“I don’t know Jack, but everyone in the hotel industry knows his father, Gaylord. I saw him at many dinners and events when I was married to your dad. Gaylord’s love for his children . . .” Her voice trailed off, her gaze traveled to the floor. “I’m sorry.” 

Chase caught his sister’s eyes. 

Alex placed a hand on their mom’s shoulder. “It’s not your fault.” 

The “sorry” was a theme their mother used often. Sorry for every shortcoming their father had that she felt she needed to repent for. 

“The man is dead,” Chase said, lifting the whiskey to his lips. “Stop apologizing for him.” 

“If I had just been—”
“Mom.”
Vivian sealed her lips and nodded once. The subject was closed . . . at least for now. 

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

About the Author

Catherine is a #1 Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Indie Reader bestselling author. In addition, her books have also graced The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists. In total, she has written thirty-nine beloved books that have collectively sold more than 11 million copies and 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 Not Quite series, The Weekday Brides series, The Most Likely To series, and The First Wives series. For more information on Catherine Bybee, please visit:  www.catherinebybee.com.

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Spotlight: The Whole Time by Catherine Bybee

Salena Barone has broken free of her family and moved into an apartment above the D’Angelos' restaurant, where she works as a manager—without a husband, thank you very much. But even on a restaurant salary, she soon finds herself strapped for cash. Salena’s never been afraid of living on the wild side, though, so she takes on a side hustle that’ll raise big bucks…and eyebrows, if anyone finds out.

Tattooed biker Ryan is the youngest of the wealthy Rutledge wine family and has never dreamed of rings, forever, or continuing the family business. He’s perfectly happy living his own life and helping out hardworking folks in his own way.

When these two independent singles spot each other at a Rutledge-D’Angelo wedding, the attraction is instant. But as their friendship with benefits evolves into something more, the secrets Salena’s keeping—from family, friends, and Ryan—threaten the happily ever after she never knew she wanted.

Buy on Amazon | Audible | Bookshop.org

About the Author

Catherine is a #1 Wall Street Journal, Amazon, and Indie Reader bestselling author. In addition, her books have also graced The New York Times and USA Today bestsellers lists. In total she has written thirty-nine beloved books that have collectively sold more than 10 million copies and 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 Not Quite series, The Weekday Brides series, the Most Likely To series, and the First Wives series. Learn more about Catherine and her books at www.catherinebybee.com.