Melissa Keir-Small Town Romance Author
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Melissa's Musings

The 1980's -- History??

3/27/2023

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The 1980's was a big decade for me. I was in high school and early college. I had gotten married and bought my first home. The 1980's music, current events, and fashions remain with me today. But is it history??

I love that everything comes around again. Young adults are finding the early punk rock music and big bands of the 80's and falling in love. The bright colors and popped collars are starting to come back as well. But I wouldn't call it history. It's past... but history is of a time before my generation, before my parents generation and probably before my grandparents generation. What do you think? 

Grea Warner has a wonderful story set in the 1980's. The Dance will release April 25th and is set in those magical years. Her characters are facing big changes, first jobs and a first love. So be sure to preorder a copy for yourself, whether the 1980's are a part of your history or not!

Blurb:
Stepping onto the ice was frightening. Doing so required trust … and not just that of her feet. It also involved Cate’s head and heart. Trusting meant she had to forget what happened in the past.

At twenty-two years old, Cate Lentz is starting to understand Noah’s comparison of skating to a dance. The same, she realizes, can be said about life itself. You have to release the walls surrounding you in order to feel light and free. You also need the right partner. With the NHL rookie at her side, Cate is beginning to see a new and exciting life-canvas in front of her—similar to the paintings she creates in her art studio.

But as smooth as ice is, everyone tumbles and falls sometimes. When her ex, Leo, makes a reappearance in Cate’s life, his mental instability creates such turmoil and heartache that it’s hard for her to stand back up. Can she find a way to dance again after tragedy strikes?
​
Pulling at heartstrings and dealing with realistic issues, The Dance is a gripping tale that travels the reader back to the year 1980. This emotional story will leave you with a true appreciation for being both independently strong but also grateful for those who are by your side … no matter what.


PreOrder Links:
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Be sure to check out EVERY MILE A MEMORY for another amazing story that has a connection to THE DANCE. :)

About the Author:
Drama, angst, and realistic storylines … be prepared for a few tears shed and an emotional rollercoaster when you read a novel by Grea Warner. With a background in daytime dramas, Grea is able to beautifully weave characters and storylines together so that you’ll become completely immersed in the journey the book takes you on. At home in the Women’s Fiction and New Adult genres, these serials and standalones are great for binge reading and book club discussions!

Be the first to know … follow this Amazon best-selling, award-winning author to find out when there is a new release, preorder, or discount!
Website:  greawarner.com
Social Media Links:
Instagram: greawarner
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grea-Warner
Twitter: @grea_warner
TikTok: greawarner
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It's Vegas, Baby!! #coverreveal #newromance #comingsoon

3/17/2023

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Vegas holds a special place in my heart. It's where I married my husband during one hot August day. We decided since we'd both been married previously, we wanted to do a destination wedding. No big fuss and certainly just us! Vegas had everything we could ever want! 

So when Julie Navickas's latest book came across my desk I jumped at the chance to read it. Here was a wonderful couple. Married in Vegas, but their romance was having problems and it could signal the end!

I'LL LOVE YOU TOMORROW is a wonderful story about what real love takes. It's about more than the first blush of love. It's about loving someone when times are tough and you feel like you've given your all. 

I'LL LOVE YOU TOMORROW is up for preorder and will release on April 18th. Make sure you grab a copy for yourself! You won't be sorry!!

Blurb:
Las Vegas. The city of lights, smiles, and memories.
 
Lauren Templeton knew at six-years-old she would one day marry Mitch Benson. He began earning the title of soulmate the moment he let her cut in line for the swing set. Twenty years later and Mitch sealed the deal at a cheap Vegas wedding chapel. That night, the modest diamond on her finger shined brighter than all the lights in Sin City.
 
But as the honeymoon years of wedded bliss fade, Mitch pulls away without reason. Confused and hurt by his sudden change of heart, Lauren pours every ounce of her soul into Pier Ninety-Two—her once swanky, now barely surviving restaurant in downtown Los Angeles.
 
When Pier Ninety-Two burns to the ground in a grease fire, Lauren is left with nothing but sorrow, legal consequences, and a failing marriage. She reels from the sudden, heartbreaking losses—and mourns the life and love she once shared with Mitch. Fueled by the flame of injustice, Lauren stacks her chips, ready to risk it all on red, consequences be damned. After all, what happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas.
 
Jump right into the final book in the Trading Heartbeats trilogy! While each story can be read as a standalone, common characters are woven throughout each book that will leave you pining for more. Julie Navickas’ stories are full of raw emotion, heart-stopping plot twists, and have no shortage of flawed heroes.
 
You won’t want to miss a beat in this trilogy!


Preorder today!
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Don't miss any of the Trading Heartbeats Trilogy! 

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​About the Author:
Julie Navickas is a best-selling and award-winning, nationally recognized contemporary romance novelist, known for her keen ability to tell heart-wrenching, second-chance love stories through relatable characters with humility, humor, and heroism. She is also an award-winning university instructor and serves as the executive director of The Writing Champions Project. Julie earned master’s degrees in both organizational communication and English studies with an emphasis in book history, as well as a bachelor’s degree in public relations, graduating cum laude from Illinois State University.
 
Website: https://authorjulienavickas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieNavickas
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieNavickas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julienavickas/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienavickas/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julienavickas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNUW07fs9AmSRN2o-yAjISg
Email: julienavickasauthor@gmail.com  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/134518278-julie-navickas
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/julie-navickas
 
 
 
 
 

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Friendship in Romance #newrelease #newromcom

3/13/2023

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I am very fortunate that I'm married to my best friend. Mark is someone that I enjoy spending time with and we do every day. We talk about so many different topics from politics to TV shows. And while I know this is strange... we don't fight and very rarely disagree about something. 

Friendship can sound boring, without sparks but that's not true for my marriage, either. Nor is the relationship in BREAKING THROUGH boring! 

LE Wagensveld's latest release in her Stevenson Family series, BREAKING THROUGH is out today! Available in ebook and print, BREAKING THROUGH is a friend to lover romance and features a small town couple who have known each other forever!

Blurb:
When one kiss forever changes their friendship, Sam and Charlotte must make a choice. Will they take a chance on love? Or remain where they’ve always been…  in the friend zone?

Charlotte Baker never thought of herself as obtuse. But, when fireworks ignite between her and one of her oldest friends, the feelings are a complete surprise. Now, Charlotte can’t stop thinking of that night… or how it felt to be in Sam Stevenson’s arms. One thing is certain. She’ll never think of Sam as a brother again.

Sam Stevenson has loved Charlotte Baker for most of his life. He’s shut the feelings away and never told anyone how he feels, especially not Charlotte. But, during his brother’s wedding with drinks flowing and love in the air, Sam’s feelings get the best of him. Kissing Charlotte changes everything. Sam doesn’t know how he’ll ever see her and not touch her; talk to her and not taste her.

Now, with their friendship on rocky ground, an emergency pushes them together once more. The question is, where do they go from here?
 
 
L.E. Wagensveld draws readers in with compelling characters and weaves stories you can’t put down. Breaking Through is her latest, following up her debut BREAKING DOWN with another Stevenson sibling who doesn’t want to upset the “friend zone”. 

EXCERPT:
“That was the scariest, most fucked-up moment of my life. All I could picture was you when you were small, crying because you’d seen the cat get hit on the road.” 

Sam squeezed his eyes shut. He had been six and still remembered it clear as day. Dan’s voice forged on. Sam couldn’t bring himself to look across the table. 

“I patted you on the head and told you life wasn’t fair, and things happened. To stop crying about it. I never told you, but I went out that night and buried the cat. Washed the blood off the road so you wouldn’t see it when you went to school the next day.” 

“Why didn’t you tell me that?” Sam asked. It would have made the pain of that incident less to see that side of his father. To be given a chance to say goodbye to their pet. 

“I suppose it scared me. Scared of the emotion. Your mom was crying, and you were crying, and I felt… I felt as though I’d failed you both somehow.” 

“There was nothing you could have done. You were right. Life happens.” 

“You were six. You needed more.” 

“Yes.” There was no point in lying. “I did.”

​“Part of me always wondered if that was the moment.” Dan avoided Sam’s eyes. He stared down so hard at the chunk of newspaper that Sam wouldn’t have been shocked to see it burst into flame. “I wondered if that was the pivotal moment where I fucked everything up between us.” 


BUY TODAY
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DON'T MISS THE FIRST BOOK IN THE STEVENSON FAMILY SERIES- AVAILABLE TODAY!


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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
L. E. Wagensveld is the mother of four human children, four furry ones, and wife to her best friend and biggest supporter. Despite being outnumbered, L. E holds her own thanks to caffeine and good old-fashioned stubbornness.

For as long as L. E can remember, she's been a passionate wordsmith. From crafting poems about her pets as a child to the various piles of unfinished manuscripts sitting in her magic cloud, she has always found writing a necessity.
​
L. E's Stevenson Family novels focus on friendship, family, and love in a small town. L. E is an unashamed romance lover, a passion she attributes to her late maternal grandmother, who was rarely without a Harlequin novel close at hand. In her books, L. E seeks to create an escape for her readers, a place to go when they need a smile or some warm and fuzzy feelings. L. E looks forward to a life full of words and sharing each story by story. www.lewagensveld.com
https://www.facebook.com/l.e.wagensveld
https://www.instagram.com/l.e.wagensveld
 

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Romance with Laughter #nursemorgan #coverreveal

3/9/2023

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Nurse Morgan has her hands full. She's a full time ER nurse and she lives in a home with meddling ghosts. She's more apt to be lifting a glass of wine than chasing after a guy but Caleb falls into her lap. He's a doctor and he doesn't run screaming when the ghosts show up. 

Their romance isn't without problems but they always find a moment to laugh. Or have a drink... but mostly laugh. I love a story that is without the angst... And the Nurse Morgan series is a winner. You can't go wrong with DISTANT RELATIVES!

Now up for preorder, DISTANT RELATIVES releases on April 4th, so don't miss out!

Blurb:
Just when Emergency Nurse Morgan Cutler thought her life was under control, spirits from the other world interfere. AGAIN.
​

Her best friend’s mother is getting married and Savannah is overdosing on chocolates and alcohol every chance she gets! What’s a best friend to do but travel with her for the extravagant social event. It figures, just when Morgan Cutler thinks everything is going along as normally as possible, something triggers the dominoes to fall around her. Once again, her world is being turned upside down and she’s in the center of the storm. Some days you have to embrace the chaos in order to survive but Morgan isn’t only dealing with Earthly issues -- but Ghostly ones, too!

There’s a new ghost who wishes her harm and another spirit is stalking her. Then there’s her ghostly roommates. Jonathan Wilkerson is depressed and inconsolable and his wife, Elisabeth, is worried about him and wants Morgan to help. Gloria, the Good Sam Hospital resident ghost, pressures Morgan to help solve cold cases involving murders, so the dearly departed can enjoy eternal peace. With all this on her plate, it’s a wonder Morgan has time to sleep!

Dr. Caleb Lightfoot, the perfect man for her is giving hints about settling down. But she can’t even think about commitment and a future when her life is so chaotic. Will he be patient and wait for her to get a handle on her psychic abilities and a house full of ghosts from the other side? Or will he keep his distance and let the flame of their passion burn out?

What’s a girl to do?
 
Settle in folks and grab a scotch, this storm is heading south from Detroit to Atlanta and overseas! Just when you thought it was safe for Morgan to consider a life and true love, the ghosts are set to drag her back kicking and screaming to settle their debts. But don’t worry, Morgan approaches everything like she does her life—with a dose of laughter and snarkiness! DISTANT RELATIVES is the third book in this best selling series featuring zany ghosts and lively characters who get into more trouble than humanly possible. Looking for a Ghostly Romantic ER-like story…DISTANT RELATIVES is it!


Preorder today!
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Don't miss the other Nurse Morgan stories!

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​ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Readers Favorite Award winner and Amazon best-selling e-book author of Distant Heart Sounds Book 1, Nurse Morgan Series, Michigan-born and raised, Kate earned a bachelor’s degree in Journalism at Oakland University and master’s in American Culture at the University of Michigan-Flint. As a professional writer for more than 20 years, her career has been primarily in healthcare, particularly hospitals. This provided many opportunities to hear stories recounted about unusual activities and miracles that occurred without clear-cut, scientific explanations. She also claims to have had her own share of unusual experiences, some of which are shared in this book. 
Kate is married to the love of her life, has two grown sons, and three grandchildren.
 
webpage: katemacinnis.com
email: authorkatemacinnis@gmail.com
 
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Grave Dangers Release Day!  #newrelease #gravedangers

3/6/2023

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Grave Dangers: A Thriller, Suspense, And Horror Collection
 
Whether it be in a small town, an abandoned asylum, or a bustling city, no one is safe from the ugliest parts of human nature. A social media influencer, a college student, a detective – titles make no difference when death plays Russian Roulette.

Question is, who will be next?
Fifteen amazing stories sure to keep you up at night…
 
Black Hollow by S. K. Gregory--Lore returns home after learning her twin sister has been murdered. As she tries to uncover the truth, she discovers a world she never knew existed.

Protecting His Wolfe by Melissa Keir--Crime is rampant. The police’s hands are tied. But mine aren’t. Some would call me a vigilante, but I prefer savior. This town is mine, and the crime’s got to go.

Red Ribbon Murders by Elena Blake and Killian Wrathmore

The Chrysanthemum Curse by Doyle Fawcett & Spiro Griffith-- Never Take What's Not Yours

Waiting in Darkness by Maegan Beaumont--She's forgotten who she is. Who she belongs to. That's he's waiting for her... in darkness.

Altered Memories by Jennifer Wedmore
​

Voices by Kayla Krantz--Lynn’s always heard voices, but what if she’s not the crazy one?
Predatory Evil by Sheri Chapman-- Demonic creatures invade the Earth and threaten humanity 
And many more!
 
Only 99 pennies!
AVAILABLE Now!!
Link:  https://books2read.com/u/md6KJw
 
Including PROTECTING HIS WOLFE
(The Pigg Detective Agency: Book 1)
By Melissa Keir
Crime is rampant. The police’s hands are tied. But mine aren’t. Some would call me a vigilante, but I prefer savior. This town is mine, and the crime’s got to go. 

Innocent Betsie Wolfe stumbles upon a murder. The small-town girl had left her cozy little life for a job in the big city, never expecting to become a witness to a murder or face vicious threats. I’d hoped she would run back to her preacher father, but she’s made of sterner stuff, and I can respect that.

Handsome Detective Jonah Pigg is attracted to the ingénue and settles her into his home under the protection of the three brothers who own the Pigg Detective Agency. It will take all his detective work to keep her safe, and I won’t make it easy.

Passion has a way of igniting when people are under stress, and lust leads Betsie and Jonah into each other’s arms. But will the good detective be able to save her, or will she become another victim?

One way or another, this town will be cleaned up.
 
EXCERPT:
Jonah slapped his hand against the table then jumped to his feet. “Argh! Why can’t we get a break in this case?” He brushed his hand through his hair and strode around the conference table. “Ninety days and, while we have more dead criminals, we haven’t a clue about who’s doing the killing.” 

He perched on the edge of the table and studied the crime board. Sometimes talking through things aloud helped, but he’d done that time and time again, to no avail. He’d been back to the morgue to push Frank to find something, anything, but the killer hadn’t given them a clue. Whoever was killing the criminals—suspected criminals in the eye of the law—was cleaning up the town, but citizens shouldn’t be taking the law into their own hands. The perpetrator had become the police, judge, jury, and executioner. Numerous faces stared back at him from the board. All mug shots. Seventeen people. Sure, they’d all been convicted at some point of something. Yet, they could have gone straight. 

Jonah bit back a laugh. “Yeah, right. These guys haven’t turned a new leaf.” Some, like Todd Gregory, had been in and out of jail since their teens. “The only thing missing from the board are women.” He scanned the images again. Surely, Arlington had women criminals. A lady of the evening, a drug dealer, or even a murderer. He slowly stood and leaned toward the images. “The boys in blue have picked up both men and women over the last four months. Put them through the system. But no ladies have shown up here…tied to the serial killer. Hmmm.” 

He laced his hands behind his back and ambled around the room.
 
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A First Kiss leads to Temptation #newromcom #newrelease

3/6/2023

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  Do you remember your first kiss? Was it memorable? I hope it was. I recall the first I kissed my husband, I forgot to breathe. 

The first kiss between two characters in a book is monumental. It sets the tone for their whole romance. A good kiss will evoke emotion and have the reader wanting more! Libby Kay's second Buckeye Falls book, FALLING FOR YOU does just that. When her characters finally kiss...it's spellbinding. 

EXCERPT:
They were friends, friends with a whole lot of potential. Surely this magnetic pull wasn’t one-sided?
 
“I think I could be serious about you,” CeCe finally said, the words shaking Evan back to the moment. “And I don’t know what to do about that.”
 
Evan felt his heart explode in his chest. “You do?”
 
CeCe slowly raised her hand and cupped his cheek, having to stand on tiptoe to make up for their height difference. How easily he forgot her height when they were together. She was such a force, she filled up every space she was in. Her energy, her passion for what she did, radiated around her.
 
Even now, standing outside with only the din of the pub surrounding them, CeCe was all he could see, feel, and touch. Her thumb swiped around his lips, making him shiver. “I do.”
 
Words escaping him, Evan closed the distance to kiss her. It was slow, tender. They were feeling each other out, finding the angles where they fit best. Cradling her face in his hands, the world around them evaporated. CeCe moaned, and Evan swallowed it, wanting to savor every little thing she gave him. Kissing CeCe felt crucial, like he’d die without her touch, die without having the privilege of her. 

See!! It is so romantic and you just can't wait to see CeCe and Evan finally get their happy ending!!

Blurb:
Welcome to Buckeye Falls, Ohio!
Sparks fly in this small town as everyone’s favorite gruff pastry chef finally gives the sweetest guy in town a chance. 

CeCe LaRue knows what she wants in life, and in the kitchen, and that’s control. She doesn’t have time for distractions—from her past or present. But that doesn’t mean a certain bright-eyed coworker hasn’t captured her heart. 

Evan Lawson is a chronic optimist, and he brings his sunny disposition to everything he does, especially his job at the diner. It’s obvious why he loves his job so much, and it has everything to do with CeCe. He’s been crushing on her for a while, but he’s biding his time. Much like the perfect recipe, love cannot be rushed. 

When a major food competition comes to town, Evan is thrilled at the prospect of competing. Despite her stellar culinary skills, CeCe is hesitant to participate. The celebrity chef host is more than a pretty face; he’s the painful past she’s been outrunning for years.
​
Can CeCe open herself up to the prospect of love and give Evan a chance? Can Evan’s optimism keep them both afloat? 
 
Falling For You is part of the Buckeye Falls series and can be enjoyed as a stand-alone read. Author Libby Kay’s books are perfect for fans of Penny Reid and Sharon Sala’s smalltown romances. These sweet romances will have readers falling in love with Buckeye Falls, Ohio.  Slip in to this enchanting smalltown and stay awhile! You might just fall in love…
 
                                               ~~

FALLING FOR YOU is now available in ebook and print!!

Buy Links:
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple

Don't Miss the first book in The Buckeye Falls series- Falling Home.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!

When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband—traveling as far as their bank account will allow.

Writing is a solitary job, and Libby loves to hear from readers. Reach out, ask questions, and review her stories anytime. She’d love to hear from you.
​
Website: https://www.libbykayauthor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbykayauthor/
Facebook: @LibbyKayAuthor
Goodreads: Libby Kay https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19377638.Libby_Kay
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/libby-kay
 

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Siblings are Wonderful Inspiration! #author #coverreveal

2/27/2023

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BLURB:
When one kiss forever changes their friendship, Sam and Charlotte must make a choice. Will they take a chance on love? Or remain where they’ve always been…  in the friend zone?

Charlotte Baker never thought of herself as obtuse. But, when fireworks ignite between her and one of her oldest friends, the feelings are a complete surprise. Now, Charlotte can’t stop thinking of that night… or how it felt to be in Sam Stevenson’s arms. One thing is certain. She’ll never think of Sam as a brother again.

Sam Stevenson has loved Charlotte Baker for most of his life. He’s shut the feelings away and never told anyone how he feels, especially not Charlotte. But, during his brother’s wedding with drinks flowing and love in the air, Sam’s feelings get the best of him. Kissing Charlotte changes everything. Sam doesn’t know how he’ll ever see her and not touch her; talk to her and not taste her.
​
Now, with their friendship on rocky ground, an emergency pushes them together once more. The question is, where do they go from here?
 
 
L.E. Wagensveld draws readers in with compelling characters and weaves stories you can’t put down. Breaking Through is her latest, following up her debut BREAKING DOWN with another Stevenson sibling who doesn’t want to upset the “friend zone”.
 

Preorder Today!
AMAZON
KOBO
BN
APPLE

Don't Miss the first book in the Stevenson Family series... Available today!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
L. E. Wagensveld is the mother of four human children, four furry ones, and wife to her best friend and biggest supporter. Despite being outnumbered, L. E holds her own thanks to caffeine and good old-fashioned stubbornness.

For as long as L. E can remember, she's been a passionate wordsmith. From crafting poems about her pets as a child to the various piles of unfinished manuscripts sitting in her magic cloud, she has always found writing a necessity.

L. E's Stevenson Family novels focus on friendship, family, and love in a small town. L. E is an unashamed romance lover, a passion she attributes to her late maternal grandmother, who was rarely without a Harlequin novel close at hand. In her books, L. E seeks to create an escape for her readers, a place to go when they need a smile or some warm and fuzzy feelings. L. E looks forward to a life full of words and sharing each story by story. www.lewagensveld.com
​

https://www.facebook.com/l.e.wagensveld
https://www.instagram.com/l.e.wagensveld

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When Sparks Fly #newrelease #newromance

2/20/2023

 
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There is something about when two characters leap off the pages. They sizzle and sparks fly between them. Even if they aren't good for each other, the tension and passion between them draws you in. This is exactly what happens in EXPIRY DATING by Isobel Reed. Her hero is returning to the small town life after a military discharge. He's soul weary but the young woman he meets gives him a new lease on life. Alice has run from her past. She hopes to have a peaceful life but Brady is anything but peaceful for her. 

I really enjoyed the verbal sparring between the characters. They come together like an explosion. EXPIRY DATING is a scorching hot read... not because of steamy sex but because of sizzling characters and fun language. 

EXPIRY DATING is available in ebook and print. You can get a copy for yourself. As a part of the BLUESTONE series, EXPIRY DATING can be read as a stand alone, although some of the characters show up in the other books in the series. 

Blurb:
Sparks start more than a fire… They start an explosion.
​

Alice is not happy. Her ex screwed her over, literally. One day her mother is dreaming of a white wedding, the next, Alice is hurling hardbacks at a naked boyfriend caught in bed with her best friend. So she did the only logical thing she could think of. She got the hell out of there. In fact, she left the country.

It’s not long before she discovers the perks of small-town living, and she even finds herself a job. There is just one thing stopping this all from being perfect though. One infuriating person she just can’t seem to shake. Brady Mitchell. It figures that the hottest man she’s ever seen also just so happens to be the most annoying one on the planet.

Brady is back home and trying to come to terms with life outside the military. Adjusting to a new job and new limitations from his injury, he expected to settle into a slower pace of life, maybe even a quiet one. That was until Alice Hart came bulldozing into his world. The woman was anything but quiet. Loud, angry and sexy as hell, yes. But definitely not quiet.

Alice and Brady ignite inside and outside the bedroom. But will they survive the burn?
 
EXPIRY DATING- the second book in the Bluestone Series is a funny, wild romp along the lines of Stephanie Berget’s cowboy romances or Sarina Bowen’s True North series. EXPIRY DATING features a retired marine and the feisty young woman who steals his heart. While it is a part of a series, Expiry Dating can be read as a standalone. Grab your copy today.
 
EXCERPT

There he was—Brady—all six foot two of him. The new bane of her existence. He was wearing a fitted, tan, cop uniform so sexy it should be illegal. If she didn’t already know he was the devil, she could easily be fooled by his dark, brooding good looks. Even his damn caramel-coloured eyes were mesmerizing.

Mesmerizing eyes? Get a frigging grip, Alice. He’s the devil, remember?

It had been two weeks since they’d met in Vegas at Lily and Jake’s impromptu wedding, and despite trying to avoid Brady like the plague since then, he just kept showing up. Yes, Bluestone was small, and Alice was staying at his best friend’s ranch, but it was actually getting ridiculous. He was everywhere. Whenever she ventured out, whether it was to get coffee or go shopping, he was there, waiting in the shadows, ready to make her life miserable.

“Looking good, sweetness.” Brady smirked as he purposely knocked her on the way over to the fridge, where he swiftly removed a beer bottle. 

Alice shot him a glare over her shoulder. “Wish I could say the same to you, Brady, but it appears as if the rumours really are true and beer does go straight to a man’s gut.”

She was lying, of course. There was no beer belly in sight. The man was a wall of solid muscle, but something about him drove her absolutely insane. It apparently also meant she couldn’t control her mouth whenever he was in the vicinity. He’d somehow managed to crawl under her skin in a matter of minutes of them meeting, and insults had been hurled between them ever since.

Brady’s silky laughter bellowed behind her. “You offering to help me work it off, sweetness?”


Buy Links:
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple

Don't Miss the first book in the BLUESTONE series. Out Now.

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​About the Author:
Isobel was born and raised in London. She still lives along the River Thames with her husband and her substantial book collection. Ever the hopeless romantic, she fell in love with the genre from a young age and was inspired to write her own stories. When she's not feasting on romantic comedies or binge reading her hoard of contemporary romance novels, Isobel is writing.
 
https://www.facebook.com/isobelreedbooks
https://www.instagram.com/isobelreedbooks/
https://www.isobelreed.net/
https://www.amazon.com/author/isobelreed
https://www.goodreads.com/Isobel_Reed
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isobel-reed


Food in Books #coverreveal #newromcom

2/13/2023

 
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Laying in bed, you are reading your latest book and come across the heroine making a Boston Cream Pie or a double chocolate caramel brownie. Do you continue reading or are you like me, suddenly, thinking about raiding the pantry? I absolutely love reading books with real food mentioned. But I'd love even more a few of the recipes or an actual pastry chef!!

Libby Kay's latest book- FALLING FOR YOU is a scrumptious book featuring some amazing deserts alongside a sizzling story of romance. Now available for preorder, you'll want to grab this rom-com for yourself!

Blurb:
Welcome to Buckeye Falls, Ohio!
Sparks fly in this small town as everyone’s favorite gruff pastry chef finally gives the sweetest guy in town a chance. 

CeCe LaRue knows what she wants in life, and in the kitchen, and that’s control. She doesn’t have time for distractions—from her past or present. But that doesn’t mean a certain bright-eyed coworker hasn’t captured her heart.
 
Evan Lawson is a chronic optimist, and he brings his sunny disposition to everything he does, especially his job at the diner. It’s obvious why he loves his job so much, and it has everything to do with CeCe. He’s been crushing on her for a while, but he’s biding his time. Much like the perfect recipe, love cannot be rushed. 

When a major food competition comes to town, Evan is thrilled at the prospect of competing. Despite her stellar culinary skills, CeCe is hesitant to participate. The celebrity chef host is more than a pretty face; he’s the painful past she’s been outrunning for years.

Can CeCe open herself up to the prospect of love and give Evan a chance? Can Evan’s optimism keep them both afloat? 

 
Falling For You is part of the Buckeye Falls series and can be enjoyed as a stand-alone read. Author Libby Kay’s books are perfect for fans of Penny Reid and Sharon Sala’s smalltown romances. These sweet romances will have readers falling in love with Buckeye Falls, Ohio.  Slip in to this enchanting smalltown and stay awhile! You might just fall in love…
 

Preorder Today!
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple

Don't Miss the first Buckeye Falls book. Each is a standalone within the same Small Town!

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul. Contemporary or Regency, sweet or hot, as long as there is a happily ever after—she’s in love!

When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband—traveling as far as their bank account will allow.

Writing is a solitary job, and Libby loves to hear from readers. Reach out, ask questions, and review her stories anytime. She’d love to hear from you.
​
Website: https://www.libbykayauthor.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libbykayauthor/
Facebook: @LibbyKayAuthor
Goodreads: Libby Kay https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/19377638.Libby_Kay
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/libby-kay
 

Love and Loss Sometimes Go Together #newrelease #newromance

2/6/2023

 
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Whenever I think about the people who I have loved and lost, so many memories fill my mind. Some, like with Tracey, are silly ones that bring a smile to my face. But others leave me with an empty feeling. One feeling occurs with everyone of them... I miss them.

The feeling of loss is a vital part of GRACE UNDER FIRE. It brings together the heroine and hero as they are forced to find a way to save the farm. All of the feelings stir up passion between the characters.

GRACE UNDER FIRE is now available today in ebook and print. This amazing small town romance hits all the emotional buttons as readers are sharing just how much they love it! Get a copy for yourself!

Blurb:
It’s deal or no deal when a new threat forces two independent neighbours to face a past tragedy.

Artisan cheese-maker GRACE ANDERSON lost her closest friend to suicide, then saw her father swindled out of prime dairy land. Abandonment and mistrust cemented her determination to become the fifth generation on the family farm and to do it alone. A deterioration in her mother’s health starts the clock. Grace has three months to buy her parents out—a decade sooner than planned—or lose the farm.

Neighbour RYAN WILSON is haunted by the belief he failed to prevent his younger brother Danny’s suicide. He’s returned to sell his mother’s farm. In eight years away, he’s built a fortune flipping farm properties and doesn’t do attachment—to land or people.

The bank plays hard ball, forcing Grace to consider Ryan’s offer to buy part of her land. The sizzling attraction simmering between them is an unwelcome complication. She doesn’t want a business partner, he doesn’t want to care, but when someone tries to sabotage her purchase, she finds herself turning to Ryan for more than financial help.

Can Ryan convince her accepting help is not failure? Can Grace escape her legacy of mistrust and teach him how to care again?
 
GRACE UNDER FIRE is an award-winning story which brings readers along an emotional journey with the complex characters. Jennifer likes to think her readers get occasional hints of the deep passion of a Nora Roberts or the unshakeable loyalty of a Grace Burrowes where love conquers loneliness, distrust and fear.
 
EXCERPT:
Grace had looked to Ryan in the church ten years ago. For help to make sense of the madness? For reassurance? To see if he shared her sense of loss, of waste, of guilt in not being able to prevent Danny’s death. Ryan had refused to talk to her after Danny’s funeral, abandoning her to suffocating grief.

Ryan had been seventeen then to her fifteen, as tall as now but gangly. He hadn’t grown into his build, but the promise of the man had been there. His shaggy hair had been longer. Not long enough to hide his tight, shuttered expression.

The pain of Ryan’s rejection had smouldered inside her, only to flare up now. He’d left town straight after her best friend Danny’s funeral. Hadn’t stayed for the wake or to listen to community condolences. Ryan had spoken to no one. Not even her. Then disappeared. When his mother needed him. Grace had struggled to forgive him for that too. She’d taught herself not to need him, not to need anyone other than her family.

“I’m sorry I didn’t speak to you.” He rose abruptly to his feet, his hands held up in front of him.
​
She rose with him. Her heart hammered, her hands balled and her legs were planted wide in defiance.


Buy Links:
AMAZON
KOBO
BN
APPLE

Don't Miss another Great Read by Jennifer Raines

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About the Author:
Australian Jennifer Raines writes contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ?. A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of mutual respect, passion and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.

Jennifer fell in love with romance as a teenager. Starting with historical romance. Everything in the school library and then a personal treasured collection of Georgette Heyer, hard copies and paperbacks. Now she has a full print set of Georgette Heyer, old volumes with gorgeous covers found in second-hand shops in London and shipped home alongside a duplicate e-book collection. Comfort food, she calls them, like vegemite toast, for those times when she feels low. Her library of comfort food has grown over the years but Georgette Heyer was an early star, under the blankets after lights out using a torch.

Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of Australia. Three times a finalist in the Emerald competition, including in 2017, 2018 (Taylor’s Law) and 2022. She’s a member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, winning the Pacific Hearts competition twice, including in 2019 with Grace Under Fire, the sequel to Taylor’s Law. She’s also a member of Romance Writers of America and has been a finalist in chapter competitions in 2019, 2020 and 2021 (Taylor’s Law). Jennifer values competitions for the constructive, honest, not always comfortable feedback they provide.

Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.

Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas during long yin yoga poses or walking – anywhere. While Jennifer adores historical romance, she chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research while she was holding down a full-time job.

You can find out more about Jennifer and her writing at https://jenniferrainesauthor.com or via https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor and Instagram@romanceauthorjen
 

Sweet Nothings #Newrelease #newromance

1/24/2023

 
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There is just something about those sweet nothings you love says to you. The smoldering look in their eyes, the gentle touches. It all adds up to a moment where time stops. It is the epitome of romance. 

Author Elsa Winckler has her hero in ADORING STACEY, her latest romance, use just those moves to remind her heroine of what might happen if she lets down  her guard. I love that Stacey is speechless after Jason says his piece. 

ADORING STACEY is now available in ebook and print and features a cute little American town filled with warm and friendly people but it's the sparks that fly between Jason and Stacey that will get your heart thumping.

Blurb:
Can he convince her that what’s between them is much more than just biology?

Stacey Lawrence is happily single even though the folks in Alisson, Montana seemed bent on getting her the last thing she wanted: a husband. And babies? The mere thought has her shuddering, and that is not because of the cold Montana winters. If she can now only stay away from the very sexy ex-FBI agent turned self-defense instructor, Jason Coleman until her dopamine and norepinephrine levels have settled, she’ll be able to continue her happy single life as the computer whizz in town. But when Eleanor Johnson needs Stacey’s help with the upcoming bachelor auction, avoiding Jason becomes a problem. Turns out, he’s going to be one of the bachelors.

Since the moment his eyes met Stacey Lawrence’s gorgeous blue ones in one of his self-defense classes, Jason knows she’s trouble. He likes women but he’s not interested in anything more permanent than a few dates. Avoiding her isn’t initially a problem. Turns out, the lady is also trying to avoid him. But when he’s roped in to take part in the ridiculous bachelor’s auction, he ends up spending more time with the elusive Stacey until he forgets why he wanted to avoid her in the first place.

Too old to play games, Jason suggests they spend time together but Stacey seems convinced that they’re attraction is just biology. Is she right or are his feelings for the redhead much more than a mere chemical reaction?

 
This matchmaker romance brings to mind the contemporary romances of RS Lively and Rosalind James and will have you chuckling along with Stacey and Jason’s avoidance antics. Love and Marriage is booming in Alisson, Montana. Come along for the ride!

EXCERPT:
But he continued grinning. “See? We’re finally getting to know one another. I didn’t know you’d been a waitress before you moved to Alisson.”

She stopped in the middle of the bar and faced him. “I don’t know what your game is, but—”

But before she could finish her sentence, his hand reached out and warm fingers touched her face. Her mind froze. The angry words vanished.

It was just a fleeting gesture, but one she felt right down to the bottoms of her soles. “I’m too old to play games, Stacey. You’re breathtakingly beautiful. I ache for you.” His eyes darkened, his voice turned gravelly. He dropped his hand. “But I get the message. You’re not interested. If you ever change your mind, though, let me know. We’ve tried avoiding each other…”

She opened her mouth to disagree, but he put a finger on her lips, effectively making it impossible to form thoughts, let alone say a single word.

​“You’ve been avoiding me. And I’ve tried to stay out of your way. It’s not working. I still think about you all the damn time. Maybe we should try something different. I want you even more now than I did when I first laid eyes on you in the dojo. And don’t even try to tell me you don’t remember that moment. You reacted to me as well. I noticed. I notice everything about you.” With a final touch to her arm, he walked away.


Buy Links:
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple

And be sure to check out the rest of the books in the Unexpected Love Series!

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About the Author:
Elsa has been reading love stories for as long as she can remember and when she ‘met’ the classic authors like Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James The Brontë sisters, etc. during her Honors studies, she was hooked for life.

She married her college boyfriend and they are fortunate to live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty's Bay, South Africa.

She adores writing kissing books with strong, beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong heroines and dashing Alpha heroes who loves fiercely and protects the ones they love. Her stories typically incorporate the family background of the characters to better understand where they come from and who they are when we meet them in the story.
 
Webpage: http://elsawinckler.com 
Personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.winckler
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElsaWincklerRomanceAuthor?ref_type=bookmark
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elsawinckler @elsawinckler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6557709.Elsa_Winckler
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elsawinckler/
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elsaw1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elsaw1/
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elsawinckler

Small Town Romances Fill my Heart! #coverreveal #newromance

1/23/2023

 
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Having grown up in a small town, I love small town romances. There is something wonderful about everyone knowing who you are, or at least your family. People treat you like neighbors rather than strangers and find that people are connected. Just the other day, I was chatting online with an older woman from my home town. We learned that her brother dated my mother. Her son dated my sister and she went to school with the father of my best friend. 

Isobel Reed writes about a small town where families know everyone. In EXPIRY DATING, she brings together a former military man who simply wants to live life quietly and the sister of a woman who was looking to escape some harsh reality. These two come together in a combustible way!!

Blurb:
Sparks start more than a fire… They start an explosion.

Alice is not happy. Her ex screwed her over, literally. One day her mother is dreaming of a white wedding, the next, Alice is hurling hardbacks at a naked boyfriend caught in bed with her best friend. So she did the only logical thing she could think of. She got the hell out of there. In fact, she left the country.

It’s not long before she discovers the perks of small-town living, and she even finds herself a job. There is just one thing stopping this all from being perfect though. One infuriating person she just can’t seem to shake. Brady Mitchell. It figures that the hottest man she’s ever seen also just so happens to be the most annoying one on the planet.

Brady is back home and trying to come to terms with life outside the military. Adjusting to a new job and new limitations from his injury, he expected to settle into a slower pace of life, maybe even a quiet one. That was until Alice Hart came bulldozing into his world. The woman was anything but quiet. Loud, angry and sexy as hell, yes. But definitely not quiet.
​
Alice and Brady ignite inside and outside the bedroom. But will they survive the burn?
 
EXPIRY DATING- the second book in the Bluestone Series is a funny, wild romp along the lines of Stephanie Berget’s cowboy romances or Sarina Bowen’s True North series. EXPIRY DATING features a retired marine and the feisty young woman who steals his heart. While it is a part of a series, Expiry Dating can be read as a standalone. Grab your copy today.

Preorder Today
Expiry Dating releases Feb. 21st
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple

Don't Miss the first book in the Bluestone Series- Out Now

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About the Author:
Isobel was born and raised in London. She still lives along the River Thames with her husband and her substantial book collection. Ever the hopeless romantic, she fell in love with the genre from a young age and was inspired to write her own stories. When she's not feasting on romantic comedies or binge reading her hoard of contemporary romance novels, Isobel is writing.
 
https://www.facebook.com/isobelreedbooks
https://www.instagram.com/isobelreedbooks/
https://www.isobelreed.net/
https://www.amazon.com/author/isobelreed
https://www.goodreads.com/Isobel_Reed
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isobel-reed
 

Happy Book Birthday CRAZY FOR YOU! #newromance

1/16/2023

 
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Happy Book Birthday!! It's so exciting when a new book comes out! It's like a new child! Susan's latest is a wonderful rom-com about a woman who has to give up the one thing she loves in order to get an inheritance. 

I loved the book. It's cute and sweet with a wonderful message. The redemption of the heroine, Georgia, is heartwarming! CRAZY FOR YOU is now available in ebook, available at all major retailers. 

Blurb:
“Instagram Ready” takes on a new meaning in the middle of the woods with no internet. Can Georgia survive the terror of a world without her phone?

Georgia Atwood had everything a twenty-four-year-old could want. A handsome boyfriend practically ready to marry her. A YouTube channel with enough viewers to quit her job at Starbucks. So many good selfies on her phone she needed a new memory card. What else could a girl ask for? How about a million-dollar inheritance from her grandmother with one little catch…

Internet rehab???

The only thing standing between Georgia and money was the successful completion of a sixty-day rehabilitation program for internet addiction. All she had to do was survive for three months in the middle of the woods without her tablet or phone. Internet rehab seemed a small price to pay to get her grandmother’s inheritance.

No internet???


Wait. Back up. Delete. Living without her followers and phone seemed easy. But that was before she met Victor, the dashing camp counselor determined to steal her heart. He has her hiking and admiring the night sky rather than the latest celebrity sighting, and sends her into a tailspin. Insert some new friends and an elaborate plan to liberate their phones, and Georgia risks losing more than the money…She just might lose her heart and find what is really important.
 
If you love your romance filled with comedy, you’ll love CRAZY FOR YOU. With a hint of Sophie Ranald’s Rom Coms and Lucy Score’s Comedic Romances, Susan V. Vaughn has hit the right note in CRAZY FOR YOU.

EXCERPT:
She took a step closer. “Are you okay?”

“I’m great, just about to walk a trail.” He gestured around them as if to say, “Hello, this is a perfectly normal thing to do.”

But it wasn’t. “You left my camp activity,” she said.

“I wasn’t participating.”

“You were watching.”

“For a few minutes.” He shrugged, as he if hadn’t a care in the world. “But then I got bored.”

Burn.
She forced a smile. “Bored or jealous?”

He looked back at her for a long time. His expression was stony. “We are not together, Georgia. Why on earth would I be jealous?”

Burn again.
“Really? That is how you are going to play it?”

Finally, some emotion flashed in his dark eyes. The irritable kind. “Seems to me the only person playing games here is you.”

“I was playing games,” she admitted, pushing him over the edge. “On purpose.”

“I got that.” He chuckled without humor.

She took a step closer. “I wanted you to admit your feelings for me.”

“I did last night.” He seemed annoyed about this.

​She placed a hand on his chest. Her body grew all warm and tingly. “I wanted you to give into those feelings.”


BUY LINKS:
AMAZON
KOBO
BN
APPLE

Don't miss Any of Susan's Amazing Romances

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About the Author:

Romance Author, Susan Vaughn understood the meaning of sarcasm before she could walk. Her childhood in the suburbs of Detroit was spent mainly trying to outwit her six creative siblings. When she wasn’t working on the next soul-crushing jab, she sharpened her imagination on romantic literature and day dreamed about her knight in shining armor.

It didn’t take long for this hairdresser by trade to turn her passion for reading romances into writing her own unique love stories. Susan lives her life finding laughter in all situations, and delights in marrying sarcasm with romance to create realistic falling-in-love stories in the unlikeliest of scenarios.  
​
Susan lives on the shores of Lake Huron with her real life knight in shining armor and enjoys watching their three children learn the art of sarcasm and wit.
 
Twitter handle: @susanvaughn1124
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/susan.vereeckevaughn

Sometimes it's all about Coming Home #coverreveal #ComingHome

1/9/2023

 
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Home. If I close my eyes, there are images that play through my mind at the words "coming home". I see the home of my youth, the white bedroom furniture and yellow carpeting. The posters on my wall and the pillows on my bed. Close my eyes again and I see a different home, the one when my own children were little, with toys in baskets in the living room, Minnie Mouse on the walls and the laughter of children filling the space. Home is more than an image or place, it is a visceral reaction to a time in our lives.

For the characters in GRACE UNDER FIRE, the word home evokes very strong feelings. Ones that they want to embrace and push away. This forces the two of them to butt heads and realize the importance of home. 

GRACE UNDER FIRE is now up for preorder. It releases in paperback and ebook on Feb. 7th. The story features a small town charm along with sizzle between the characters. Be sure to grab a copy for yourself!

Blurb:
It’s deal or no deal when a new threat forces two independent neighbours to face a past tragedy.

Artisan cheese-maker GRACE ANDERSON lost her closest friend to suicide, then saw her father swindled out of prime dairy land. Abandonment and mistrust cemented her determination to become the fifth generation on the family farm and to do it alone. A deterioration in her mother’s health starts the clock. Grace has three months to buy her parents out—a decade sooner than planned—or lose the farm.

Neighbour RYAN WILSON is haunted by the belief he failed to prevent his younger brother Danny’s suicide. He’s returned to sell his mother’s farm. In eight years away, he’s built a fortune flipping farm properties and doesn’t do attachment—to land or people.

The bank plays hard ball, forcing Grace to consider Ryan’s offer to buy part of her land. The sizzling attraction simmering between them is an unwelcome complication. She doesn’t want a business partner, he doesn’t want to care, but when someone tries to sabotage her purchase, she finds herself turning to Ryan for more than financial help.

Can Ryan convince her accepting help is not failure? Can Grace escape her legacy of mistrust and teach him how to care again?
 
​
GRACE UNDER FIRE is an award-winning story which brings readers along an emotional journey with the complex characters. Jennifer likes to think her readers get occasional hints of the deep passion of a Nora Roberts or the unshakeable loyalty of a Grace Burrowes where love conquers loneliness, distrust and fear.

Links:
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple

Don't Miss Author Jennifer Raines' other Amazing Book- TAYLOR'S LAW

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About the Author:
Australian Jennifer Raines writes contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ?. A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of mutual respect, passion and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
​
Jennifer fell in love with romance as a teenager. Starting with historical romance. Everything in the school library and then a personal treasured collection of Georgette Heyer, hard copies and paperbacks. Now she has a full print set of Georgette Heyer, old volumes with gorgeous covers found in second-hand shops in London and shipped home alongside a duplicate e-book collection. Comfort food, she calls them, like vegemite toast, for those times when she feels low. Her library of comfort food has grown over the years but Georgette Heyer was an early star, under the blankets after lights out using a torch.

Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of Australia. Three times a finalist in the Emerald competition, including in 2017, 2018 (Taylor’s Law) and 2022. She’s a member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, winning the Pacific Hearts competition twice, including in 2019 with Grace Under Fire, the sequel to Taylor’s Law. She’s also a member of Romance Writers of America and has been a finalist in chapter competitions in 2019, 2020 and 2021 (Taylor’s Law). Jennifer values competitions for the constructive, honest, not always comfortable feedback they provide.

Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.

Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas during long yin yoga poses or walking – anywhere. While Jennifer adores historical romance, she chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research while she was holding down a full-time job.

You can find out more about Jennifer and her writing at https://jenniferrainesauthor.com or via https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor and Instagram@romanceauthorjen
 

Making Dresses is a Lost Art #newrelease #newparanormalhistorical

1/2/2023

 
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My grandmother was an amazing seamstress. She made matching dresses for myself and my sisters each Easter and Christmas. She made my prom dress as well and made this amazing pantsuit for my mother. She could make anything. Me? Not so much. I've done okay and made a dress for my daughter. It turned out fine. But I'm not the seamstress she was. 

Back in the day, you had to either be a seamstress or afford one. There wasn't a store you could visit to purchase the dress you wanted. Seamstresses were in demand. 

The heroine in THE GHOST IN HER is a seamstress. She is young and just starting out but has talent. But often it was a challenge to get into the business or to build up the clients so that you can afford the necessities of life. 

THE GHOST IN HER is an amazing tale of one young woman's search for her sister's baby. She faces some tough issues as she finds love. 

Blurb:
Seeing ghosts is literally in her blood.

Life is hard enough without having to deal with ghosts following you around every day. Maggie O’Connor wishes that she did not have psychic gifts but coming from a long line of Irish female seers, she never had a choice.

Faced with having to care for her departed sister’s orphaned baby, Maggie struggles to pay the rent while working for pennies at a local Bowery sweatshop. Her life goes from bad to worse when a wicked neighbor steals the baby.

Things look up when the handsome son of Maggie’s employer falls for her. Gershom understands that having psychic gifts does not necessarily make a woman crazy. If only the local judge agreed. When Maggie ends up at the New York City Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell’s Island, she must find a way to escape and return to Gershom’s loving arms.

Will Maggie be stuck in a madhouse forever? Even if she escapes, can she and Gershom rescue the lost baby? The obstacles seem insurmountable, but anything is possible with the assistance of ghostly helpers and Andrew Carnegie, one of America’s richest men.

Fairy Tales can come true- but not without suffering.


Love the Gilded Age but want more magic? Grab a copy of THE GHOST IN HER, the first book in the new Ungilded series featuring magic among the Bowery Streets. THE GHOST IN HER is a perfect match for fans of Harper Lin’s Southern Sleuth Series or Christina Skye’s Draycott Abbey series.

“The first book of Anika Savoy’s Ungilded series, The Ghost in Her is a dark, immersive fairy tale, dusted with Gothic whimsy. It is a story for the romantic and the history buff, a rich page-turner that forces us to consider the ongoing social ills that, to this day, continue to haunt us.”—Bestselling author- Mike Robinson.

EXCERPT:
In a poorly lit corner at the back of the store, a few wooden racks of used clothing pressed against a lopsided display of coffee grinders. Though I had only enough money to purchase the needles and thread, a pail of coal, and a few potatoes to boil in the days ahead, I browsed the racks in hopes of finding a secondhand dress.

Ah, the rapture a woman experiences when discovering the perfect garment at bargain cost! A masterfully tailored linen frock, colored buttercup yellow with sheer polka dot sleeves, shone like a diamond amongst the slosh of dungarees and muslin shifts. The buttercup dress was priced at only twenty-five cents, no doubt due to the mud stains that crusted the skirt’s frayed hemline. I could scrub the mud away, then remove the white satin sash wrapped around the dress’s waist and stitch it into a border to cover the skirt’s damaged hemline.

I imagined wearing the dainty number to the Cooper Institute on Monday night, greeting Mr. Bell like a sunlit perennial blooming in a field of books. I pressed the satin sash between my fingertips, knowing that I had to make a choice: pay the remainder of the rent that I still owed the landlord on Sunday night, or request an extension and purchase the buttercup dress.
​
Like any sensible woman, I bought the dress. 


Now available in ebook and print! Don't miss a chance to grab this book for yourself!

Buy Links:
Amazon
Kobo
BN
Apple


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About the Author:
Anika Savoy attended McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, and graduated with distinction in 1988 with a B.A. in English Literature. While at McGill, she won several creative writing contests. Thereafter, she wrote three historical romance novels.

In 1999, Anika changed course and decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming an attorney. She graduated from University of Cincinnati, College of Law with Deans Honors in 2001 and practiced law for almost twenty years. While working for two years as a judicial decision writer, she won the Excellence Award for the outstanding production of judicial decisions from the Federal Government. Drafting legal decisions that could withstand appeal honed her writing skills.

In 2018, her true crime book, HIS GARDEN, CONVERSATIONS WITH A SERIAL KILLER, was published by Wildblue Press. HIS GARDEN won several awards, including the 2020 NYC Big Book Award, and the 2020 Independent Press Award. It enjoyed a lot of media coverage, including several T.V. shows and many podcast interviews. The book was written under Anika’s real name, Anne K. Howard.

Now Anika has returned to her first love- writing historical romance. This time around she endeavors to add paranormal elements that take the reader into a fairy tale universe where ghosts and witches exist, and happy endings abound.
​
Anika and her husband, Chris, have been best friends for the last 35 years. They have two adult children. Anika lives in Connecticut with her husband, two dogs, and one eternal cat (at least 15 years old, but who’s counting?) Her hobbies include daily hikes with the dogs, when she thinks about what she will write that day, listening to well-crafted books on audible, and watching documentaries and films focusing on 19th and 20th century American history. She is an avid fan of Midnight Mass and Chapelwaite.
 
Find her at: www.anikasavoy.com
Her blog: http://www.anikasavoy.com/blog
Facebook.com/akhjd (my Anne K. Howard FB page)
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100072945222342 (my Anika Savoy page)
Twitter: Anne Howard@akhauthor
Twitter: Anika Savoy Author@AnikaSavoy
 

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