Book Blitz of Mr. Not Your Savior by Alina Jacobs (#contests Enter to Win A print copy of the book)

Mr. Not Your Savior!
Alina Jacobs
(The Seattle Svenssons, #2)
Publication date: August 5th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

When your mean boss asks you if you’re ready to admit defeat—and move out of his car…you wonder where you went wrong in life.
Two weeks ago, I was an optimistic office girl with a Pinterest vision board and a dream.
Now? I’m standing in a billionaire’s penthouse office, trying not to throw a donut at his smug, perfect face.
McCarthy Svensson is my new boss-slash-personal tormentor.
Though he thinks he’s my only protector.

He’s wrong. He’s way worse than the merry-go-round of ex fiancés who may or may not be stalking me, including ex-fiancé number one of three, who fakes his death then pops up out of a casket. Alive.
Yes, I have a messy dating life.
I like to think it makes me unique and quirky!
He doesn’t seem to think so.

When he growls, “I’m not helping you until you admit you need me,” I slam a binder against his chest and smile sweetly.
“Pick your fake girlfriend, buddy. Deadline’s midnight.”
He smirks. “As long as she’s nothing like you.”
Cool.
Now all I have to do is convince this ice-cold bastard that I’m exactly what he needs…

No not like that! I’m trying to save his reputation and my job.
And I’m not saving either if I keep letting him finger me in the back seat of his limo…gulp.

Stalkers, hot but toxic bosses, a granny with a flamethrower… This full-length, stand-alone, enemies-to-lovers romantic comedy with all of the crazy laughs and of course the perfect happily ever after!

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

I lean over. I might not be pissing on Brock’s grave, but I am going to spit on him. Symbolically, mostly. I don’t want to go to jail for defiling a corpse. Bethany really would fire me then.

But as I lean over, there’s motion.

I’m literally losing it, I think.

His corpse hasn’t just smiled, has it?

“B-B—Brock?” I stammer, then I scream when a cold hand shoots up and grabs my neck.

“Vampire! Help! Zombie!” I slap at him.

Still screaming, I scramble back, tripping over chairs, falling and banging my knees. My dress hem rides up my stress-eating-enhanced thighs as I try to escape that unholy thing in the coffin.

It’s sitting up with cold, lifeless eyes.

“Call the police! Call the army! Help!” I look around wildly for someone with a flamethrower or a gun.

Except… I’m the only one upset. No one is freaked out that Brock has risen from the dead. No one is screaming from fear. Instead, they’re… laughing?

“Oh my god!” Brock is clutching his sides. “Oh my fucking god, your face!”

His friends from the YouTube channel are circling vultures with cameras as everyone howls at me.

“Did you get her falling?” One of the camera men motions to the other.

I grab my skirt. “What the hell? Are you kidding me? This was a prank?”

“I can’t believe you fell for it!” Brock’s laughing hysterically in the casket while I sob on the floor.

My ex leaps out of the coffin and swaggers over to me. “Surprise! I always knew you cared, baby.”

The cameras are in my face as he crouches down in front of me.

“Aww, you’re crying over me. Come here, give me a hug.”

I’m in shock; I don’t know what I’m doing as I let him wrap his arms around me.

My ex leans in to kiss me on the head.

“Hey, man, you’re ruining the shot,” one of the cameramen complains.

“I don’t give a fuck about your fucking bullshit YouTube channel.” A massive arm wraps around my waist, then I’m yanked upright and back.

I cling to McCarthy as he holds me, my legs jelly.

The room is spinning.

I’m going to puke.

I left Brock after he played one too many stupid jokes on me—and now this?

“Why would you do this?” I whimper. “Make me think you’re dead?”

“The content, man.”

“Don’t fucking talk to her.” McCarthy tucks me protectively to his side.

Author Bio:

I write the kind of books I love—romantic comedies featuring snarly guys with hearts of gold, kick-ass heroines, and a swoon-worthy happily ever after! Also wine. And cupcakes.

When I’m not writing I can be found drinking tea, surrounded by my massive to-be-read pile! So many books...

You can connect with me on social media or find information on my books at my website.

Sign up for my newsletter so that you can get information about new releases, giveaways, and more!

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Enter to win a print copy of the book! 

Mr. Not Your Savior!

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Book Blitz of Wicked Ambition Patti O'Shea (#contests- Enter to win an Amazon gift card)

Wicked Ambition: The Lost Treasure
Patti O’Shea
(The Paladin League, #7)
Publication date: July 21st 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Suspense

Ayla Desmond never takes risks, but when she senses her twin is in trouble, she boards a plane to Puerto Jardin—a country teetering on the edge of chaos. As a Public Relations specialist at the Paladin League, she’s used to spin, not bullets. But this mission plunges her into a deadly game where trust is scarce and danger is everywhere.

Special Forces Sgt. Oziah “Wizard” West is the king of one-night stands, but he hasn’t been able to forget the last woman he hooked up with, a mysterious blonde who slipped away from his hotel room. When he spots her in Puerto Jardin, he knows there will be trouble. Oz rushes to her side, determined to keep her safe.

Ayla wants nothing to do with Oz. He’s a mistake she’d rather forget, but circumstances force them together. Surrounded by mercenaries and stalked by mobsters who believe she holds the key to a hidden treasure, she has no choice but to rely on the enigmatic stranger who ignited her passion. As danger escalates, so do their feelings, and then a positive pregnancy test changes everything.

Now, Oz risks not only his heart but also his life to protect Ayla and their unborn child. Can they survive the treacherous game they’re caught in, or will their love become the ultimate casualty?

Wicked Ambition is a stand-alone romance with a HEA. There are references to events that happened in earlier books, but it’s not necessary to read them to enjoy this story.

Indulge in a protective Special Forces hero and a heroine who is a fish-out-of-water, but will do whatever it takes to save her sister. This romantic suspense story features a one-night stand, an unexpected pregnancy, and a second chance romance.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

A while later, the second bus from Rio Blanco rolled in. This one was larger, with a hump on top. Some parts of it had rust, while other parts showed obvious metal patches, and the green paint had faded in the places where it hadn’t entirely flaked away.

He expected a repeat of the first bus, and then another ninety-minute-plus wait for the last one to arrive.

That wasn’t what he got.

Oz tensed as a man disembarked. His hair was cut military short, and he was clean-shaven—nothing like the pictures he’d studied—but there was no mistaking him for someone else. This was the dude he’d been assigned to watch for.

As he reached the sidewalk, he paused and glanced around. He gave the gang members a look that appeared threatening even from across the street and then headed off to the east.

In a minute, Oz would follow him. As soon as a tail wouldn’t stand out. He stood and monitored the man’s progress.

The next passenger who exited the bus froze him in place.

She wore black trousers and a white shirt and dragged a small, wheeled suitcase out of the bus and onto the sidewalk. It tipped over, but she used the handle to put it upright. The catcalls from the gang began immediately. She ignored them, looking up and down the street.

Oz muttered a curse. He’d bet a month’s pay she was searching for a taxi.

The man he was assigned to tail was nearly out of sight. Oz needed to move, needed to go after him, and he couldn’t. He wouldn’t leave any woman in this predicament, but especially not this one.

Because underneath that floppy straw hat she had on, Oz knew her hair was blonde. He knew the way her blue eyes looked when she was aroused and the way she sighed when he entered her. Knew the little noises she made when she came.

Patting his pocket, he felt the familiar outline of the gold-hoop earring she’d left behind.

She walked to the west, away from the gang members. They followed her.

His assignment disappeared around the corner, but it didn’t matter. Oz couldn’t let anything happen to her. She was the woman he hadn’t been able to forget for seven long weeks.

Striding across the street, he went to protect his prissy little blonde.

Author Bio:

Patti O'Shea's passions are writing, airplanes and traveling. Fortunately, she's been able to enjoy all three. After receiving a degree in advertising copywriting, she took a job with a major U.S. airline and now works in 757 Engineering. Besides teaching her about the planes she loves, it's given her an opportunity to travel to places like Australia, Papua New Guinea and Canada's Yukon Territory.

Writing, though, remains her primary love. Patti created her first romance when she was in junior high school and has been hooked ever since. She should have figured out she was a writer years earlier, however, since her dolls had such involved lives, complete with goals, motivation and conflict.

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Book Blitz of the Audiobook The 21-Day Boyfriend by A.S. Kelly (#contests- Enter to win A $25 Amazon Gift Card)

The 21-Day Boyfriend
A.S. Kelly
Publication date: May 21 2025 (Audiobook)
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance

Eric O’Shea needs to make a decision. The annual event his family forces him to attend is just around the corner, and he doesn’t have a date.

Eric never needs help when it comes to finding men. But this time is different – his ex and his new boyfriend will be there, and Eric can’t just bring along one of his usual flings.

His only hope seems to be him: the best friend of his best friend, who he never wanted to meet.

Sean Quinn is a calm, collected, and cultured man; someone who would rather stay at home and read a book than waste his time chasing a date with no future.

Sean isn’t in a rush to find the perfect man, and he certainly doesn’t intend to go out with Eric: his best friend’s other best friend, who he’s avoided meeting for years.

But Sean has a flaw: he can’t say no to anyone, especially not when it comes to his friend Jake, who has a habit of worming his way into other people’s lives.

But it’s just one date, after all: pure fiction. It’s a shame, then, that when Eric needs Sean for another favour, he can’t turn his back. It’s a shame that just when Sean is beginning to understand that Eric isn’t what he seems, he can’t seem to stop before he gets hurt.

Twenty-one days: that’s the agreement.
Twenty-one days of grazing hands, furtive glances, and unexpected kisses.
Twenty-one days where anything goes; except falling in love.

Goodreads / Amazon / Audible / Apple / Kobo / Google Play

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AUDIO TEASER:

Author Bio:

A. S. Kelly writes Rom-Com, Romantic Fiction and Family Saga.
Avid reader, hopeless romantic, lover of yoga, knitting and home baking.
She was born in Italy but lives in Ireland with her husband, two children and a cat named Oscar.

 

 

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Book Blitz of Wistful Whispers by Kaylene Winter (#contests- Enter ti win a signed copy of the book and swag)

Wistful Whispers
Kaylene Winter
(Charming Irish, #3)
Publication date: June 9th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Wistful Whispers is an irresistible battle of the wills where surrendering to forbidden temptation could cost them everything.

I never promised forever.
A good time? Absolutely.
Heartbreak? Only if they got too attached.

My reputation as a quiet playboy precedes me—women talk, and my ‘talents ’follow me wherever I go. But I’ve always been upfront. No commitments. No expectations. No complications.

Marcella Delgado is nothing but complications. Brilliant. Fierce. Eight years older. And the attorney trying to take down my boss in a malpractice case. She should hate me on sight—hell, she does. But that doesn’t stop the heat between us from igniting the moment we meet.

She’s heard the stories about me firsthand, right there in the depositions. She knows exactly what I’m good at, and even though she fights it, I can see the temptation in her eyes.

One night. One line crossed.
Now my future’s unraveling—and she might be the only thing I don’t want to let go.

For the first time, I want it all.

And I’ll fight like hell to be the man she can’t leave behind.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks

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Author Bio:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

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Book Blitz of Head Over Heels in Love by Mariah Ankenman (#contests- Enter to win an Amazon Gift Card)

Head Over Heels In Love

Mariah Ankenman
(Jackson Family Distillery, #4)
Publication date: May 8th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Catching a woman breaking into his car was not the way Ace Jackson wanted to start his day. Finding out she’s the new hire at his family’s distillery is even worse. Sure, she said she mistook his car for her’s, but there’s something about Millie he doesn’t trust. Too bad all his siblings vetoed his vote. What’s the point of being the oldest if you don’t get to be in charge?

Millie Danes told the grumpy Adonis she wasn’t breaking into his car, but did he believe her? No! The guy has a stick up his butt bigger than the pine trees gracing the Rocky Mountains. Unfortunately, he’s her new boss or she’d try and see if she could melt that icy exterior. But she has more on the line than a job, she needs funds to start her dream. Her very own aerial studio.

When a theft is discovered at work, Ace enlists Millie’s help as a spy in exchange for the money to build her dream. Their tentative truce becomes complicated when desires fan the flames of temptation. In the battle of love, who will fall first?

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

“Millie!”

Her shouted name came from beyond the swinging door. Irritation rose, winning the war over guilt as she quickened her pace. “Ugh, coming!”

She pushed through the door into the back, muttering to herself. “Get your boxers out of a bunch you grumpy asshole. It was five damn seconds.”

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Ace demanded the second the door stopped swinging.

“Well, I was working, until you pulled me back here to yell at me like an angry schoolmarm.”

Confusion drew his brow down. “What the…never mind. How is pulling some dangerous stunt and almost breaking your fool neck working? Last time I checked this was a bar, not some ridiculous stunt show.”

That was it. She knew the guy was her boss, but he was being a giant dick. No one talked to her that way.

“First of all, I wasn’t about to break anything. Before you rushed in and grabbed me—”

“Saved you.”

She arched one eyebrow in disbelief. “Is that what you thought you were doing? Saving the helpless damsel in distress? I got news for you buddy. I have been bottle-walking for years. I know how to fall from the bottles safely. Provided some jackass doesn’t grab me off them and tweak my back.”

His angry demeanor disappeared in an instant. Ace took a step forward, eyes scanning her body as his voice softened. “Are you okay? Did I hurt you?”

Shocked by the sudden switch—and his concern—she shook her head. “No. I’m fine.”

The sudden grab had surprised her and put her off kilter, but he hadn’t injured her back.

He glanced into her eyes, stealing her breath as she saw the unmasked worry filling them. Wow. Who knew Mr. Ice had feelings?

“Really, Ace,” she said gently, placing a hand on his arm. “I’m okay.”

He glanced down at her hand on his arm. The air in the room thickened. A rush of heat filled her. A bolt of electricity shot through her body, her fingers tingling against his warm skin. She quickly pulled her hand back, clenching it into a fist and placing it behind her.

What the hell was that?

Pushing the moment away, Millie cleared her throat. “I know how to fall safely off the bottles. I promise you I would have been fine.”

Ace shook his head, blinking a few times before the angry scowl returned to his face. “Why the hell were you on top of those bottles in the first place? We pay you to work, Millie. Not goof around.”

And there went all her warm fuzzy feelings for this man. Jeeze, it was like Jekyll and Hyde with him.

“I was working.” She lifted onto her toes, still not high enough to be eye to eye with the Grumpy Green Giant. Lifting a finger, she poked him in the chest. “If you take a peek out that door you will see.”

Ace glanced down at her finger, raising a brow when he looked back up at her.

Maybe poking her boss wasn’t the best idea, but he was being a jerk, and she didn’t like to be pushed around. Especially not when she was making him a ton of money.

“Look,” she huffed, flopping back onto flat feet and pushing the door open a crack. “See all those people rushing to get the new drink special? I did that. It’s called creative marketing.”

Ace leaned over her. His chest pressing against her back, the heat radiating off his body nearly suffocating her with its warm, intoxicating scent. Dammit! Why did he have to be so hot? Normally it didn’t matter how attractive a person was, if they were an ass, she wasn’t attracted to them. Her body didn’t get that memo with Ace. Didn’t matter. Wasn’t like she was going to do anything about it.

Author Bio:

Bestselling author Mariah Ankenman lives in the beautiful Rocky Mountains with her two rambunctious children and loving spouse who is her own personal spell checker when her dyslexia gets the best of her.

Mariah loves to lose herself in a world of words. Her favorite thing about writing is when she can make someone’s day a little brighter with one of her books. To learn more about Mariah and her books visit her website www.mariahankenman.com

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Cover Reveal of the book Offside Trap by Kiru Taye(#expresso)

Offside Trap
Kiru Taye
(Viva City FC, #4)
Publication date: May 27th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Pretending to be married shouldn’t be hard. But soon they are breaking the rules.

Diaye Zambo is probably the best defender that ever played the beautiful game. The size of his trophy cabinet and ego attest to his professional success on the football field.
However, hit by one controversy after another, his personal life is imploding. It’s affecting his professional life when his manager won’t play him and he spends weeks on the bench. When the football transfer window opens an opportunity for him to continue playing the game he loves by transferring to newly promoted Viva City FC, his life can’t get any lower, surely.
Then, his new contract mandates him to clean up his image and his much-loved grandmother makes him promise to settle down with a good woman.
With a past like his, he cannot trust any woman again. But he agrees to a marriage of convenience to keep his grandmother happy and to get the trash-talking media off his back.
Pretending to be happily married should not be hard. Until his new wife moves into his home and gets under his skin. Suddenly, he does not want to pretend any longer.

Oseki ‘Seki ’Asemote is a compassionate nurse, juggling two jobs to stay afloat and keep her family together. She gets an all-expenses-paid offer to study abroad for her Master’s degree. This could be the opportunity of a lifetime she’s been praying for and it could change her family’s life for the better.
But it comes with a catch. She must marry legendary footballer Diaye Zambo for three years. After that period, he will divorce her and pay her for her troubles.
She should reject the offer because she’s not interested in getting involved with anyone. But that’s the whole point… they are not getting involved. Just playacting for three years. How hard could it be?
He’s adept at shutting down the opposition and has sworn to keep his distance. But when they are together, their crackling chemistry is impossible to ignore. Every unspoken promise and every stolen glance makes her yearn for him.
Soon they are breaking the rules, and she’s determined to make him feel again.
Step into the thrilling world of professional footballers in the Viva City FC Books series!

Add to Goodreads / Pre-order

Author Bio:

Kiru is the award winning author of His Treasure. She writes sensual and passionate multicultural romance stories set mostly in Africa. When she's not writing you can find her either immersed in a good book or catching up with friends and family. She currently lives in the South of England with her husband and three children.

Subscribe to her newsletter for book news and giveaways: http://www.kirutaye.com

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Book Blitz of In the Market For Love by Shanna Hatfield (#contests-Enter to win A $0 Amazon Gift Card)

In The Market For Love
Shanna Hatfield
(Hearts of the West, #1)
Publication date: March 6th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

He’s never opened his heart to anyone. She wears her emotions on her sleeve. When romance blooms, will they realize love is what they both need?

Ransom Kressley possesses the gift of gab, striking good looks, and a blistering disdain for his family’s Idaho ranch where he resides with his father and identical twin brother. His genuine passion is football, but a knee injury shattered his dreams of an NFL career. After years of channeling his frustration and anger toward those who care about him most, Ransom resolves to change. He accepts a job in Portland as a promotions manager for an arena football team and eagerly steps into his new life. As he makes a fresh start, his past continues to plague him, interfering with his chance to get to know the woman who lingers in his thoughts.

Despite her sunny smile and tender spirit, Kelly Truman isn’t in the market for love or even a relationship when she agrees to have lunch with her best friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Familiar only with Ransom Kressley’s notorious reputation, Kelly is determined to keep her guard up around him. However, Ransom proves to be nothing like she expected. Soon, she realizes she cherishes time spent with the man, but fears trusting him with her heart.

When their friendship evolves into something more, will Ransom’s charm and silver tongue split them apart or bind them together?

A sweet romance full of warmth and humor, In the Market for Love is a story of hope, forgiveness, and redemption.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Arlo, the tech nerd she’d been dating for the past few months, had turned out to be Mr. All Wrong. For a guy who looked normal enough, he overflowed with emotional drama and ended up being both clingy and needy. In short, Arlo was far more than Kelly was willing to deal with. She’d broken up with him two weeks ago and had zero regrets about doing it.

She had enough going on in her life with work. She didn’t need a high-maintenance boyfriend sapping all her energy in her free time.

For now, she was blissfully unattached.

Why, then, were images of Ransom Kressley’s smile infiltrating her thoughts with increasing frequency? It was ridiculous.

She sat up and glanced at her watch. Five more minutes, and she’d head back inside. Eyes closed, she returned to basking in the sun. The squeak of the tasting room door and the sound of footsteps on the gravel let her know she was no longer alone.

She opened her eyes and looked up to see Ransom smiling down at her. Maybe she’d fallen asleep and was dreaming. That seemed the more logical reason why he’d be standing over her with the sun backlighting his thick hair and gilding his broad shoulders that were encased in a blue polo shirt. A shirt Kelly was fairly certain she’d help him choose the day of his shopping spree after Christmas.

“Hey, stranger,” Ransom said, his smile widening as he sank beside her on the bench.

“What are you doing here?” she asked, still not entirely convinced she wasn’t dreaming.

“Some friends wanted to go wine tasting, so I offered to be the designated driver.” Ransom motioned toward the tasting room. “They’ve been tasting,” he used air quotes to emphasize tasting, “since noon. I, for one, am ready for dinner. Any suggestions on places to go for a starving man?”

Kelly grinned. “If the starving man prefers lots of meat like his cavedweller ancestors, I know just the place. It’s in Newberg. Smoked meats that are to die for. Sides of baked beans, mac ‘n cheese, and coleslaw. For dessert, get one of their house-made candy bars.”

“See, this is all good info to know, and it’s making my mouth water thinking about it. Do they have brisket?”

“How do you have smoked meats without it?” Kelly asked and bumped her shoulder against Ransom’s. “Yes, they have brisket, pulled pork, ribs, and chicken, and once in a while, you’ll even find burnt ends there.”

“Okay, I’m totally sold.” He rubbed his hands together in anticipation.

“If they’re packed and you can’t get in, there’s a really good Greek place if you head back toward Portland through Sherwood. You can’t miss it.”

“Thanks, Kelly.” Ransom gave her a long glance. “How have you been? Are you still going out with the IT guy from the tech company?”

“Arlo? Nope. Too much drama and crying for my tastes. To clarify, they were his tears and drama.”

Ransom chuckled. “Smart girl. So, what’s next?”

Kelly shrugged. “I think I’ll take a break for a while. We’re heading into our super busy season in the tasting room when I generally work more hours, so I don’t really have time for dating, at least if it requires a lot of mental anguish and preparation for the date.”

“Dates are supposed to be fun, not torture. Maybe you’re just doing it wrong.”

Kelly laughed, aware he was teasing her.

The door to the tasting room opened, and a tipsy brunette in hot pink stilettos and pants so tight Kelly wondered how she could move in them waved at Ransom with an annoyingly high-pitched giggle.

“There you are Ran-Ran. I thought maybe you left us.”

“I’m right here, Aria.” Ransom stood, although he didn’t look excited to rejoin his date. “Are you ready to go?”

“No! Lydia just got a chandalay.” She hiccupped, tossed her unnaturally glossy hair, and went back inside.

Kelly raised an eyebrow, then looked at Ransom. “And what were you just saying to me about doing dating wrong?”

Author Bio:

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope.

Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. She also experiments with recipes, snaps photos of her adorable nephew, and caters to the whims of a cranky cat named Drooley.

To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website http://shannahatfield.com or find out more about her here: linktr.ee/ShannaHatfield

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Interview of Marlene M Bell Author of A Hush At Midnight (#Mystery)

 

When former celebrity chef Laura Harris is accused of murdering her mentor, she must uncover the real killer amidst a web of small-town secrets and scandals.

 

 

 

Title: A Hush at Midnight

Author: Marlene M. Bell

Pages: 368

Genre: Mystery

Marlene M. Bell brings distant friends together in the rural South only to have one of them become the victim of a brutal crime of passion.

Once celebrated for her show-stopping pastries and irresistible desserts, former celebrity chef Laura Harris is now making headlines for a far darker reason.

Laura has been accused of murder.

How could this petite chef have brutally smothered the beloved small-town matriarch, World War II ferry pilot veteran, Hattie Stenburg? Hattie wasn’t just a pillar of the community; she was Laura’s confidant and mentor. The shocking twist? Hattie had made recent changes to her will, bypassing next-of kin and leaving her entire fortune and historic estate to Laura.

As Laura scrambles to clear her name, she uncovers sinister secrets lurking beneath the town’s idyllic surface. The real murderer is always one step ahead, leaving taunting clues and threatening Laura to leave Texas—or face deadly consequences. With time not a luxury, Laura must untangle the web of deceit before the killer makes her the next victim.

A Hush at Midnight is available at Amazon.

INTERVIEW:

Can you tell us when you started writing?

I’m a natural artist and find painting in oils and taking photographs much easier. Being an author is the most difficult avenue I’ve ever been down, but I like a challenge! In 2008, our 4H club members asked me to write a book on how to raise sheep. (My husband and I have raised sheep together for 40 years.) When I published the book the following year, I enjoyed the process so much that I considered writing fiction. The learning curve took an incredibly long time, something I hadn’t considered. 

Can you tell me who or what the inspiration for the book was?

Frankly, it was an exercise. I had just finished my fourth Annalisse series book COPPER WATERS in 2022 and felt my characterization skills slipping. Backstory had become more comfortable than showing new readers who my people were in the stories. Writing a new book with different characters made me think about each of them and work harder on characterization. Writing Laura Harris, and how she found herself involved in a murder allowed personalities and goals to shine through in A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT, refreshing the basics for writing fiction. 

Can you tell us how you came up with your title?

Simply, the title reflects the approximate time the murder victim’s crime occurred.

Can you tell us a little about your story and main characters?

A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT is a mystery in two fictional towns, Coldspell and Stenburg, Texas. Laura Harris is a petite Californian in her 40’s having pulled herself from a solid position as a celebrity chef for an entertainer in Southern California. Her mother’s battle with cancer brings Laura to East Texas where her parents are both retired.

HUSH has a little for everyone. Categorized in the cozy mystery genre, main character Laura finds a dead body, seriously erupts at her boyfriend of six months, and has the hots for a new guy. All in the first few chapters. Her major fault; she has a tendency to jump to conclusions and make snap judgments because she often allows herself to run on gut instinct. If she feels uneasy about a situation, she removes herself from it and doesn’t look back.

93-year-old Hattie Stenburg is the victim. She’s Laura’s longtime mentor and as close to her as her own mother was to Laura. HUSH has older themes in the story. Their relationship stayed strong through the mail with letter-writing back and forth spanning three decades. WWII ferry pilot Hattie is a beloved character right away in the story, and the reason why Laura struggles to gain a grip on Hattie’s senseless death.  

Where is this book set, and why did you choose that setting?

My series books begin in New York, a state I’ve yet to visit and have had to research heavily. It was time to write a book from a place familiar to me. My husband and I live in the Piney Woods of East Texas where HUSH takes place. I use my own photographs to describe the landscape and each scene from my experiences with locals—to help round out the personalities of the characters. If the dialog has made it into the final book, I’ve met a person or persons who speak that way here in Texas. And yes, they do say, “y’all” down here. It covers a reference to a single person or a group. I’ve heard it both ways.

 What do you like to do for fun when you’re not writing? 

My husband and I run a sheep ranch and sell sheep related gifts in a color catalog and online through www.ewephoric.com. 2025 marks my company’s 40^th year! When I need a break from chapters and plotting, I like to sit in a pen of lambs and relax. Their gentleness takes away all stresses. Livestock keeps us close to home, but living on a 50-acre ranch with nature’s critters in so much splendor, who needs a trip when nirvana is right outside our door? 

How long did it take you to write the book, and how long did it take to get published?

I publish under my own independent label, Ewephoric Publishing. A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT took about 18 months from the outline stage to ARC paperback in print. During that time, I worked with my talented cover designer from London to create the best cover for HUSH. The sunset cover began as one of my photographs taken while looking beyond our county road. 

I went to an outside printer in the Northeast to print hundreds of uncorrected proof copies and sent them to reviewers for early reviews on goodreads and social media. The paperback went live on Amazon in September 2024 and the eBook was offered Kindle Unlimited on October 1^st.

What are your current/future projects? 

There are two projects I’m working on at present. The first, is a new standalone thriller in the Smoky Mountains of Tennessee and the other is the next installment to my Annalisse series. Book #5 takes place in upstate NY where a person close to Annalisse and Alec meets his unfortunate demise. Their friend, Bill Drake, private investigator, makes another appearance in the next novel.

Do you have any tips for a young writer just starting out?

The best tip I can give any young writer is to read in the genre they like best. Read a lot. As much as you can! (Add books on how to write fiction in there as well, if you aren’t a natural story teller like I was in the beginning.)

There are popular authors with large followings. Learn their writing styles and what is consistent in their books. Most stories are similar in one way or another. Readers who like mysteries, as an example, expect a certain eye-catching look to the cover and a story that takes the usual track. Inciting incident—and make it happen in the first chapter when possible. Learn how to plot your book. There are many how-to books on the subject. Uncover what happens using clues, red herrings, and twists while showing many possible suspects along the way to keep the reader guessing ‘whodunnit.’ Sometimes police investigations are involved up front for the reader to get their opinions, or those scenes are kept more to the background with the main character’s point of view being the driving force in the book. 

My books tend to focus on the main character-amateur sleuth and less on the detectives/investigators.

Once you’ve researched the genre by reading published works, I’ll repeat, don’t forget the fiction-writing books! In my case, I took a year off from editing my second draft for STOLEN OBSESSION to study what makes a good work of fiction. I should’ve done this one first. There are rules, and there are bending the rules, depending on which genre you plan to dig into.   

Can you tell me where we can purchase your book?

A HUSH AT MIDNIGHT is available in Kindle Unlimited free and in paperback. For a limited time, the eBook is $1.99 US and is 303 pages. Paperback is available for $15.95 US and 368 pages.

https://tinyurl.com/yc5te8wm

Thank you for allowing me to visit with your readers, Eileen!

 Book Excerpt

Stenburg, Texas – Friday evening

A killer sunset plunged toward the horizon, casting its tangerine glare on the Stenburg Estate’s green metal roof and aging bricks. Since her hasty arrival from the Los Angeles area last year, Laura Harris had sought out the renowned East Texas skyline for its towering thunderstorm clouds and the lemonade-pinks at twilight.

The colors gave her a sense of calm before the inaugural trip to see her elderly mentor and dearest pen pal, Hattie Stenburg. Laura last visited with her in California—over a decade ago.

As Laura skirted a large puddle in her Subaru and stopped along the shoulder of the roadway, she parked the car, turned off the engine, and exited the driver’s side. She breathed in air filled with pungent smells of wet pine needles and dampened leaves. Laura had passed through the April shower a few miles east of the Stenburg town limits sign. Leave it to the Stenburgs to live in a town named after themselves.

Snaggled grapevines across the road on Hattie’s property sat stoic and graying in long horizontal rows from the oil and gravel highway road to the classic red brick two-story at the top of the hill. The vines showed no signs of new growth even though T-posts held the outstretched limbs twisted within wire and sagging driplines. Gnarled stumps had been left behind from a time when the Stenburgs had added varietal grapes to their company’s wine processing vats prior to Warren Stenburg’s death nearly eight years ago—before Laura’s dad took over as the Texas corporation’s chief executive officer.

– Excerpted from A Hush at Midnight by Marlene Bell, Ewephoric Publishing, 2024. Reprinted with permission.

 Watch the Trailer

 

https://youtu.be/c8mdhjCCn0A 

About the Author

 

Mystery at a killing pace.

Marlene M. Bell has never met a sheep she didn’t like. As a personal touch, her fans often find these wooly creatures visiting her international romantic suspense, thriller, and cozy mystery books as characters or subject matter. 

Marlene’s multi-award-winning Annalisse series boasts numerous Best Mystery honors for all installments including the newest IP Best Regional Australia/New Zealand, and Global Gold Award for the fourth cozy mystery from down under. 

Her children's picture book, Mia and Nattie: One Great Team! written for the younger crowd, is based on true events from the Bell’s Texas sheep ranch. Suitable reading for ages 3 - 7 years and beyond, a Mom's Choice Gold Award winner, and Eric Hoffer Award Grand Prize Short List winner. 

Website & Social Media:

Website ➜ https://www.marlenembell.com 

Twitter ➜ https://twitter.com/ewephoric 

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

Goodreads ➜ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/17642396.Marlene_M_Bell

 

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Finding Charlie
Jess Allen
Publication date: May 6th 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Charlotte Evans has never belonged. Her entire existence has been one wrong turn after another. When faced with a hard look at her future, she decides to change her fate. Desperate to not be the reason her boyfriend doesn’t pursue his dreams, she takes off in search of her own.

Ten years later, at the height of his baseball career, Liam “The Rocket” Hayes has it all. Fame, fortune, and he’s finally stopped pining for the lost girlfriend from his youth. But when coincidence leads him straight to her, Liam gets more than he bargained for, including a ten-year-old son.

In a story about first loves and second chances, follow Charlotte and Liam as they find their way back to each other, one pitch at a time.

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Author Bio:

Jess Allen is an avid reader and has been writing since she was a child. She loves romance novels and psychological thrillers. She loves to talk books, Gilmore Girls and Veronica Mars. You can find her on instagram: jesswritesromance

 

 

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