Book Blitz of Just Friends with a Rockstar by Kitt Henley. (#contests- enter to win an Amazon Gift Card.)

Just Friends With a Rockstar
Kitt Henley
(Soulmates, #1)
Publication date: September 30th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

A second-chances friends-to-lovers redemption story featuring a rockstar hero in need of forgiveness, a jilted drummer heroine craving belonging, and a secret crush revealed.

 

He broke my heart. Now he wants me back.

KACIE: Micah Andrews was my everything—bandmate, best friend, and secret crush—until he replaced me as the drummer in his band.

I was devastated. I moved back home and vowed never to let myself be vulnerable again.

Now he’s begging me to come back to help him record an album on a super tight timeline. Rebecca—his new drummer—left him high and dry, and the label’s given him an ultimatum: Finish the album or they’re canceling his upcoming tour.

I tried to say no. I told him to find another drummer. But Micah doesn’t want another drummer.

He wants me.

I hear the emotion in his voice. I know how much he’s counting on me right now, and I also know how utterly lost I’ve been without him. I can’t walk away from this chance to repair our friendship, but I’d better figure out how to protect my heart—and fast—or Micah might just break it into a thousand pieces all over again, and then I’d lose my best friend. Forever.

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Soulmates: Two bands. Three shows. Four happily ever afters.
Just Friends With a Rockstar is a complete romance novella with no cliffhanger. This story can be enjoyed as a standalone or read as the first book in the Soulmates interwoven rockstar romance series.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Author Bio:

Kitt Henley writes short, spicy contemporary romance with relatable characters, a touch of humor, and tons of heart. Never one to make it through a good romance (or cookie commercial) with dry eyes, Kitt's heartstrings are easy to pull on. When she played in rock bands and crunched numbers in the Seattle tech world, those waterworks weren't an asset, but after a friend suggested she try writing romance, everything clicked into place. From the moment she sat down to write her first novel, she knew she'd found her calling.

When she's not wrangling words in her tiny bedroom office, Kitt loves to spend time with her high school best friend (a.k.a. her rockstar husband) and their two ridiculously funny boys. She's still holding out hope for that family band someday, but in the meantime she'll happily settle for camping trips, board games, long walks with friends, and watching lots and lots of thrillers.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Bookbub

GIVEAWAY!

Just Friends With a Rockstar Blitz

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Guest Post by Celeste Fenton ( From Barbie to Breakdown:Writing About Complex Women.) Author of Lost Heart in King Manor

 

I want to welcome Celeste Fenton to Books R Us. Celeste is the author of "Lost Heart in King Manor." The author has provided a guest post just for my readers. Thanks for stopping by.

 

Lost Heart in King Manor

By Celeste Fenton

Publisher: Independently Published (April 15, 2025)

ISBN: 979-8280071773

ASIN: B0F2ZML3M9

Print length:  347 pages (also available as ebook)

 Book Summary:

 

Some secrets are worth killing for.

And some hearts don’t break quietly.

At 45, Gabby Heart isn’t looking for drama—just quiet days on Dost Island
running her village gift shop, teaching art, and keeping her past tucked safely
away. But when her mother suffers a sudden health crisis, Gabby is pulled into a storm of family secrets, betrayal, and a dark legacy buried within the walls of the once-grand King Manor. 

What was supposed to be a safe place for her mother’s recovery becomes the backdrop for a chilling mystery. Strange incidents begin to unfold, and it becomes clear: someone inside King Manor has a deadly agenda. 

As a hurricane traps Gabby inside the sprawling estate, she’s forced to work alongside two very different men—her maddeningly attractive officemate and a charming new neighbor, both hiding dark secrets. One man may want her heart. The other may want her dead.

But can she trust her instincts before it's too late?

Publisher: Independently Published (April 15, 2025)

ISBN: 979-8280071773

ASIN: B0F2ZML3M9

Print length:  347 pages (also available as ebook)

 

GUEST POST: 

 From Barbie to Breakdown: Writing About Complex Women

By Celeste Fenton

When I was little, Barbie ruled the world. She was a gorgeous fashionista with impossible measurements (seriously—who could get a waist like that, even with a corset?). As the years rolled by, Barbie proved she could be anything: astronaut, teacher, veterinarian, rock star, tennis pro. But what she could never be was messy. Barbie didn’t have to figure out how to pay the mortgage, juggle a job and parenting, wrestle with guilt, or worry that her Spanx might roll at a dinner party.

When I began writing Lost Heart in King Manor, I knew my women weren’t going to be plastic-perfect dolls. They were going to be loving, sometimes mean, complicated, contradictory—in one word: real.

Take Gabby Heart, my protagonist. At forty-five, she’s endured heartbreak, carries both visible and invisible scars, and still manages to laugh, fight, and stumble her way through danger. She’s strong, but not “Hollywood strong.” Hers is the kind of strength that comes with being a single parent paying bills, holding her mother’s hand in the hospital, comforting a sick daughter at two in the morning, and realizing the handsome man across the room may not be as charming as he seems.

Then there’s Lola. If Barbie had a wild, sharp-tongued cousin who smoked with an opera holder and sold adult toys out of the trunk of a pink convertible while wearing leopard print, that would be Lola. She’ll cut you down with a quip and then slip you her last dollar. She’s flamboyant, loyal, and yes—she has tantrums. But don’t we all? Except Barbie.

Anna is the scholar. On the surface she’s got it all together—degrees, research, and a reputation for brains. But perfection comes at a cost, and Anna’s quiet cracks show in the choices she avoids, the relationships she sidesteps, and the fears she hides behind footnotes. Barbie never warned us about academic burnout. Or loneliness. Anna could write the book.

Abe may be a bestselling children’s author, but her success conceals scars from a brutally abusive childhood. She still battles panic attacks, though she keeps them tucked behind her polished smile. As the group’s moral compass, Abe has an unshakable sense of right and wrong, yet layers of insecurity hum beneath her calm surface. Her strength isn’t about never faltering—it’s about faltering and moving forward anyway.

Gabby’s daughter, Valentine, struggles to carve out her own identity, separate from the shadows of both her mother and grandmother. Composed and seemingly serene, Connie, Gabby’s mother, is no saint. Beneath her polish lie secrets and regrets. And then there’s Gail, who manages to hold power and vulnerability in the same body. Her daughter, Beth is the caretaker, steady on the outside but stretched thin within. Rosa Morales juggles her no-nonsense role in law enforcement with the chaos and loyalty of navigating life alongside her

two sisters. Lavanda projects the wild, lush temptress, but beneath the surface she wrestles with deep insecurities that drive her choices.

Writing these women has reminded me that female characters don’t have to be flawless. They don’t even have to be likable all the time (I can hear Barbie gasping). What they must be is real. They have to carry contradictions, make mistakes, and sometimes fall apart—because that’s where readers see themselves.

So from Barbie to breakdown, from glossy perfection to glorious imperfection, the women of the Mysteries of a Heart novels are a celebration of resilience, humor, and the beautiful mess of being alive. And honestly—would you want them any other way?

Purchase a copy of Lost Heart in King Manor

Amazon: 

Barnes & Noble: 

Bookshop.org: 

 

About the Author

Celeste Fenton holds an M.Ed. and Ph.D. in education and has over thirty years’ experience in higher education. Her writing is fueled by a lifelong love of mystery, a fascination with the complexities of the human heart, and just enough
real-world experience to keep things interesting. A widow, mother of adult twin sons, proud grandmother, dog lover, and semi-retired professor living in Florida, she weaves imagination with insight to create stories that are both emotionally rich and laced with suspense.

When she’s not writing, reading, or plotting her next twist, she’s often off exploring small towns across America—setting out solo for month-long adventures, much to the awe (and occasional alarm) of friends and family. Her latest obsessions include escape rooms, mastering the perfect miter cut for a DIY bathroom remodel, and making the impossible decision of where to travel next.

You can follow the author at: 

Website: https://celestefenton.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/people/Celeste-Fenton-Mysteries-of-a-Heart

IG: @cherylgreybostrom  https://www.instagram.com/cherylgreybostrom

  

 

Review of the Romantic Novel Like Driftwood On The Salish Sea by Richard Levine

 

I want to welcome Richard Levine to Books R Us. He is touring the Blogosphere with Pump Up Your Book. Thanks for stopping by.

 

 

Title: Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea

Author: Richard I. Levine

Publisher: KDP

Publication Date: June 1, 2025

Pages: 396

Genre: Romance

 

 

 

About the Book: 

When they met in the fourth grade, it was love at first sight for Mitchell Brody and Jessica Ramirez. He was the freckle-faced kid who stood up for her honor when he silenced the class bully who’d been teasing her because of her accent. She was the new kid whose family moved to San Juan Island, Washington, from San Juan, Puerto Rico, and whom Mitch had thought was the
most beautiful girl in the world.

She was his salvation from a strict upbringing. He was her knight in shining armor who had always looked out for her. Through the many years of porch-swinging, cotton-candied summer nights, autumn harvest festivals, and hand-in-hand walks planning for the ideal life together, they were inseparable…until 9/11, when the real world interrupted their Rockwell-esque small town life, and Mitch had joined the Marine Corps.

This is not just the story of a wounded warrior finally coming home to search for the love, and the world he abandoned twenty years before. It is also the story of a man who is seeking forgiveness and a way to ease the pain caused by every bad decision he’d ever made. It’s the story of a woman who, with strength and determination, rose up from the ashes of a shattered dream; but who never gave up hope that her one true love would return to her. As she once told an old friend: “Even before we met all those years ago, we were destined to be together in this life, and we will be together again, because even today we’re connected in a way that’s very special, and he needs to know about it before one of us leaves this earth.”

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is available at Amazon.

My Thoughts:

"Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea" is a romance novel featuring well-developed and complex characters. The story delves into themes of loss, separation, secrets, and enduring love that spans decades. It starts slowly, but the narrative picks up momentum as you continue reading. The book shifts between different time periods, and at one point, I felt lost; however, I followed along by paying attention to the chapter titles. While I can sometimes predict endings, this book surprised me with its conclusion. I recommend this book to everyone who loves romantic fiction. 4/5 stars 

Interview of the Author: https://www.booksrusonline.com/2025/09/interview-of-richard-i-levine-author-of.html

 

 About the Author: 

Richard I Levine is a native New Yorker raised in the shadows of Yankee Stadium. After dabbling in several occupations and a one-year coast-to-coast wanderlust trip, This one-time auxiliary police officer, volunteer fireman, bartender, and store manager returned to school to become a chiropractor.

While briefly working as a ghostwriter/community liaison for a Honolulu City Councilmember, a Hawaii State Senator, and volunteering as an advisory board member of USVETS Barbers Point, he appeared as a background actor in over twenty-seven 5-Os, Magnum P.I.s, NCIS-Hawaii, and several Hallmark movies. In 2020, he had a co-star role in the third season episode of Magnum PI called “Easy Money.”

While he no longer lives in Hawaii, he says he will always cherish and be grateful for those seven years and all the wonderful people he’s met. His 5th novel, To Catch the Setting Sun, was inspired by his time in Hawaii.

Like Driftwood on the Salish Sea is Levine’s first foray into the romance genre.

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ http://www.docrichlevine.com  

X ➜ https://www.twitter.com/Your_In8_Power 

Facebook ➜ https://www.facebook.com/RichardLevineAuthor/ 

Instagram ➜ https://www.instagram.com/rilevinedc 

 

Sponsored By:

Read an Excerpt of The Champagne Crush by Caroline O'Connell (#contests- Enter to win some nice prizes- 3 winners.)

The Champagne Crush
Caroline O ’Connell
(Les Femmes Series)
Publication date: September 16th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

 

For fans of The Paradise Problem, a slow-burn romance about a socialite in over her head in a high-stakes job promoting a new sparkling wine with a difficult boss who wants to see her fail—despite the electric sparks flying between them.

Catherine Reynolds has enjoyed a life of luxury, but her diplomat parents have cut her off financially, leaving her flat broke. She is determined to turn things around and gain her independence—so, when an old family friend offers her a lifeline as a PR consultant for his sparkling wine company, she jumps at the chance. But working with Chris McDermott, the company’s sexy, stubborn president, is anything but easy.

A purist at heart, Chris clashes with Catherine’s glitzy marketing flair; still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they travel from New York to Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France, their partnership blossoms amid high-stakes industry rivalries and a launch that could make or break them.

When sabotage threatens to shatter their dreams, Catherine must dig deep to prove her worth. With the dazzling unveiling of their new sparkling wine in Bordeaux in jeopardy, will she and Chris overcome the challenges of the past and present to secure their future—and find love in the process?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

 

 

 

Also check out Caroline’s other book, Affordable Paris Hotels!
Your Ultimate Guide to a Perfect Trip to Paris is the must-have resource for travelers who want charm, comfort, and location—without the luxury hotel price tag.

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 Read an Excerpt

 

Sightseeing in Paris

(after work trip to Champagne)

As they walked out, Chris asked, “What’s on the agenda for this afternoon?”

Catherine’s eyes lit up. “Shopping, of course, though I’m on a tight budget. Mind if we stop at my favorite lingerie boutique?”

Chris draped his arm around her shoulders. “Far from it. Consider it my duty to assist in your choices—after you’ve modeled the contenders.”

“Sounds like an athletic event,” she said.

“Might very well be after you’re done.” Chris’s arm around her tightened as they found a nearby cab.

“What’s so special about this place?” he asked during their ride over to the Right Bank.

“Family tradition. My French grandma used to take me there. Herminie Cadolle is credited with inventing the bra in the late 1800s. She cut a corset in half and voilà.” Catherine made a cutting gesture across her chest. “Every garment was handmade, called sur mesure, to fit each woman’s body. Now much of their lingerie is ready to wear, prêt à porter.”

“Don’t they sell stuff like this in New York?”

She shook her head. “Not really. Cadolle is still run by Herminie’s descendants—same high standards, top silk and black French lace, quality craftsmanship.”

Ten minutes later, they walked into the boutique on Rue Cambon. A young saleslady welcomed them and directed Chris to a sitting area. Catherine perused ensembles hanging artfully on a partition while Chris was served coffee. Then the ladies got to work.

Catherine had a gift card from her French grandma; she hoped the amount would cover a matching bra and panty set and a silk cami. In her modeling days, she and Vanessa had worn

camisoles as an undergarment for an extra layer to stay warm or as a sexy top under a fitted suit jacket, buttoned up partway with the lace peeking out.

The saleslady understood exactly what Catherine preferred and they had a good selection in Catherine’s small size. Catherine playfully dangled a few lacy nothings in front of Chris on her way to the dressing room. She’d never been to a lingerie store with a man waiting nearby. She found it incredibly sexy. As she tried on each delicate bra and panties set, she envisioned modeling them for him.

Catherine knew she was playing with fire and had some trepidation. Chris had made his intentions crystal clear. No holds barred while they were in Paris. After the trip, they’d go back to their agreement to wait until the launch.

She was intensely attracted to him. Her quandary: She had difficulty letting her guard down when it came to intimacy. She might freeze up. That could nix this love affair before it started. She liked him so much she was willing to take the gamble.

There’s something to this French stuff, Chris mused, while waiting on a velvet settee with a cup of strong coffee. The French didn’t hide their appreciation for sexy lingerie. He’d passed more boutiques displaying lacy bras and barely-there undies on the streets of Paris than in any other city. Of course, the woman who’d captured his interest was all in on this enticing game.

In a dressing room nearby, she was in the process of selecting an ensemble that he hoped to get her to model for him in private, post haste. Fortunately, their hotel was a few blocks away.

Catherine emerged with her purchases in a decorative gold bag and looked pleased with the results. This woman really does like to shop.

They got back to the hotel in record time. Chris suggested a stop at the Costes bar for a late-afternoon cocktail. He managed to find a dark corner where they could sit side by side in a

secluded leather booth with no distractions. After ordering the house specialty—a pitcher of Caipirinha, sugar cane, liquor, and lime—Chris reached for Catherine’s hand.

I’m head over heels for this woman. He hoped she felt the same and it wasn’t a dalliance on her part.

 

 

Author Bio:

CAROLINE O’CONNELL has written five travel guides and numerous travel articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her Romance In Paris guide has won widespread praise: “There is no better person to guide you through Paris than Caroline” — Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, radio host, and Travel Editor on CBS-TV. And Library Journal raved — “Reading this breezy but informative guide to Paris is like having a series of conversations with a well-traveled friend…”

Her debut novel, THE CHAMPAGNE CRUSH: A Romance Novel (Spark Press), is due out on September 16, 2025.

Website / Goodreads / Twitter

GIVEAWAY!

The Champagne Crush Blitz

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