Smoke in the Mirrors is Out!

As I've spoken about before, I really loved Town of Shadows, the first book in Jessica Scarlett's new series, Slanted London. I was hesitant to try it, because I don't read a lot of historical fantasy, but the magic part of it was really well done and I was invested in the romance. The first book ended on a bit of a cliffhanger, so I was really excited to see that the second book had come out! I dove in, anxious to see what would happen with our hero and heroine.

 

The second book, Smoke in the Mirrors, is really long, 451 pages, and it has a lot of POV characters in it, which sometimes makes it hard to keep track of who is speaking and what's going on since there are several storylines all being woven together. It's kind of like a puzzle that you are finding all the pieces to and figuring out where they fit! But the thing I love about this world Ms. Scarlett has created is that everyone has secrets they are hiding and people they are trying to protect and the reader is sucked into attempting to unravel the little intrigues along with the big mystery right along with the characters. And we get a lot of movement in our hero's story with a jaw-dropping ending. I can't wait for the next one!

Do you ever read a genre you don't normally read and like it?

Smoke in the Mirrors is in Kindle Unlimited. You can get your copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Some illusions save us. Others want us dead.

Dorothy St. James has three missions: slip inside the Rook’s circle, recover the stolen enchanted bracelets, and rescue her kidnapped father. But when whispers of a hidden map inside Buckingham Palace surface, everything shifts. Enlisting Ashley Gardner—the brilliant, backstabbing puzzle-solver she can never quite outsmart—might be her only chance of destroying him.

To Dorothy’s annoyance, her dangerous pull toward Ashley only grows, even as fellow Lightfoot agent Nicholas Hart offers a far safer path. Nicholas is steady and dependable, while Ashley is all secrets, sharp edges, and heartbreak waiting to happen.

But Ashley is running out of time. His mutating magic grows more sentient every day, and the final bracelet is the only thing keeping it from consuming him. Desperate, he agrees to help Dorothy hunt the hidden map, even though being near her threatens both his sanity and his survival. And as riddles twist into traps, he begins to fear that their fire may not be real at all—just another illusion his magic wants her to believe.

London’s smoke-choked streets are thick with danger. Where is Dorothy’s father? Who is the Samaritan? Why is the Rook kidnapping innocents? And who can she trust, when she can’t even trust herself?

The New App for No Spice Readers!

Today is a VERY lucky day! I get to make an announcement about something that I've been sitting on for months. As you all know, I love to read no-spice books and that's what I write. Well, a new app and community is being soft-launched tomorrow morning for people who want to discover new authors who write no-spice and not be worried it will have anything unexpected in it. Bright Haven is an app that will feature clean romance ebooks and audiobooks for you to download and read, with clear filters and tags that you can set to your comfort level. But there's more to it than that! This app will feature a no-spice community with monthly book clubs, reader challenges where you can earn badges and points, author Q&A, online author panels, a Daily Dish with cover reveals and occasional ARC giveaways and more! I could not be more excited!

 
So here's what's happening tomorrow morning. Bright Haven is doing a soft launch starting at 6:00 a.m. ET and they will accept the first 1000 subscribers. Those subscribers will get an OG readers badge which gives them premium access and other perks and experiences as well as the first look at the new Bright Haven app and community. The Bright Haven doors will close temporarily after the first 1000 subscribers are on board, but there will be a waitlist for those who don't make it on this time so they can be welcomed when sign ups open again.

I am thrilled to be part of this new community as an author and a reader and I hope I'll see you there! You can click HERE to get more information and sign up tomorrow!

My Top Ten Books of 2025

It was hard to choose my top ten books of 2025 but here's what I came up with.

1. The Fur Trader's Lady by Gabrielle Meyer

2. Town of Shadows by Jessica Scarlett

3. Over the Edge by Stephanie Black

4. Against a Crescent Storm by A.L. Sowards

5. Discovering Dahlia by Jennifer Moore

6. A Hopeful Proposal by Samantha Hastings

7. Rules for Ruin by Mimi Matthews

8. The Marriage Method by Mimi Matthews

9. The Best-Kept Secrets by Sarah Eden

10. If You'll Have Me by Esther Hatch

What was your favorite book you read this year?

The Book I Devoured in ONE Day!

I had a wonderful Christmas with my family and we've had a restful weekend after all the celebration. I hope you did, too! But I have to tell you about this book I read--IN ONE DAY!

My friend and fellow author Becky Monson recommended The Fur Trader's Lady by Gabrielle Meyer to me and I've sort of been in a little book slump so I immediately downloaded it from KU and started reading and I couldn't stop! It was SO well-written and I was sucked right into the story. I loved the slow burn romance, and the tension of what the villain was going to do when he finally found our hero and heroine was ratcheting up higher and higher with every page and I couldn't wait to see how it all ended! I devoured this book and I've already downloaded the next one in the series.

Does that ever happen to you? What have you been reading lately?

Get your copy of The Fur Trader's lady HERE

Here's the back copy:

To escape her guardian’s plans to marry her, Lady Charlotte Fairfax steals away to Montreal to locate Reid McCoy, a fur trader who owes her fiancé a debt for saving his life. Even though European women are forbidden from entering the interior, she is desperate to get to her fiancé deep within the northwestern wilderness.

Reid McCoy has worked hard for fifteen years to become a shareholder in the North West Company and is on the brink of realizing that goal. Taking Charlotte into the interior will not only put her life at risk, but it could also jeopardize his dreams. Honor bound to repay his debt, his only option is to have Charlotte dress as a man and enter as his assistant clerk.

With Charlotte’s guardian close on their trail and a personal rival willing to do anything to keep Reid from becoming a shareholder, they will embark on an epic journey that will test not only their strength and endurance, but their hearts, as well.

A Métis Christmas is On Sale!

I was talking to a friend about my children's picture book, A Métis Christmas, and when we looked it up on Amazon, the HARDCOVER is on sale for half price and it will still be delivered by Christmas! If you love to learn about different cultures and how they celebrate Christmas, you will love learning about the beautiful Métis traditions!

Get your sale copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

A beautiful introduction to Métis culture and traditions . . .

Thelma, a young Metis girl, can hardly wait for Christmas, and it is the night before the big day. Her family is celebrating with lots of food, including Thelma's favorite jam with bannock, and her father will dress in his traditional clothing to tell them the ancestor stories---but all Thelma wants to do is her best, most fancy, jigging dance. Stopping for a moment so her grandmother can read the story of the Christ child's birth, Thelma wonders what she could have given the baby had she been there that special night---and then her heart tells her what gift she can give right now!

*Winner of the Best of State Medal for Children's Books*

"Julie Coulter Bellon captures the specific distinction of the Métis powerfully...This story has a rightful place on the shelves of every home and school library." ---Readers' Favorite

Veterans Day and a Hometown Heroes Sale!

On this Veterans Day I'm thinking about my grandpa who served two tours of duty in the Korean War. He received medals for his bravery, but he sacrificed so much. I'm grateful he was able to return home when many of his friends did not. He worked hard to overcome the demons he'd picked up on the battlefields and gave his life in service. He served in a civilian capacity for the Army and received awards and recognition for his efforts, he was part of several committees to help senior citizens and other veterans and he was voted Volunteer of the Year in his community the year he died. I miss him. I miss his phone calls and visits and how he could make me laugh. I'm so grateful to all veterans who gave up so much to serve and will be thinking of them all this Veterans Day.

And in honor of Veterans Day, there is a Hometown Heroes Sale going on for books featuring military or law enforcement heroes. And they're all just .99 cents!

You can see all the books HERE and click on the cover you want to buy!

Weekend Book Report

I just started reading A.L. Sowards new book in her Balkan Legends series, Against a Crescent Storm. It is so good! I love learning more about this time in history and the writing is superb! Have you read any of the books in this series yet?

Here's the back copy:

The Serbs defied the world’s most powerful ruler, and now Danilo and Maja must fight to save their people and their newly forged love before the sultan exacts his revenge.

The Balkans, 1389

Three years ago, Danilo’s people won their freedom from the hated Ottoman Empire, but with enemies on every side, the Serbs’ hard-earned peace remains fragile. Knowing the sultan will soon come for revenge, Danilo sets out to gain key allies for the coming war—and to escape the haunting grief of personal loss.

War has orphaned Maja and her brother, but they’ve moved forward from the turbulent aftermath of battle by crafting religious mosaics. Yet after being cheated and robbed, they are desperate for help. Rescue comes from Danilo, the man who once saved them from slavery to the Turks. What begins as an offer for safe escort is soon complicated by threats from a Hungarian noble who suspects them of conspiracy and from Iskandar, an Ottoman spy consumed by a vendetta against Danilo and a dangerous obsession with Maja.

As their journey grows more perilous, Danilo and Maja are drawn together by shared grief and affection. Yet upon returning home, Danilo finds that his župan, unaware of Danilo’s growing emotional entanglement with Maja, plans to use Danilo’s hand in marriage as a tool to forge a crucial alliance. Danilo is soon torn between love for Maja and loyalty to his family and people.

As tensions escalate, sabotage and vicious rumors weaken Christian unity, and hope of victory in the Balkans grows dim. Allies and enemies converge on the fields of Kosovo, where an epic battle will shape the destiny of nations for centuries to come.

Click HERE to buy

Over the Edge Review

Have you ever ridden on a horse and then it starts to canter and you're surprised, but after a minute you settle into it, but then the horse starts to gallop and while the wind is rushing through your hair, there is a thread of fear as you hold on to the reins too tightly and try not to imagine yourself thrown to the ground in a heap, staring up at the sky with the wind knocked out of you? That's how it feels reading Stephanie Black's new Trespassers novel, Over the Edge. It is SO good!

 
The mystery starts out all twisty and turny with a few surprises, but you know, you're settling in and trying to figure out who the villain is, then things take off and there's the increasingly intense mystery with romantic yearning going on, and just when you think you have everything figured out, you're thrown off and everything is upside down and then you turn the last page and it seriously takes your breath away. (I still haven't stopped thinking about that last scene!)

Rayna is a complicated heroine who is torn between her love for her family and how her powers have changed her life. She gets caught up in a murder mystery that gets even more twisted with the requirements of the team that wants Rayna to join them and the agent she's got feelings for. Damon is written so well with wanting to do his job, yet wanting to protect Rayna. His choice between duty and love is so difficult and yet so absorbing for the reader. I cannot wait for the next book in the series. One of my top stories of the year!

Get your copy HERE

Here is the back copy:

SIX MONTHS AGO, ACCUSATIONS of murder threw Rayna Kirkpatrick’s life into turmoil, and her fight to prove her innocence nearly got her killed. Now, she seeks healing and refuge, but as a Trespasser—a person with lethal paranormal abilities—she can’t escape the attention of the covert government organization monitoring her. They want her on their team, but Rayna wants to maintain her quiet life in Willet Beach, living next door to her sister and running a small pottery studio.

SPECIAL AGENT DAMON HALE has been assigned to keep an eye on Rayna. The abilities that would make her a valuable member of the Trespasser team would also make her a powerful weapon in the hands of an enemy; it’s Damon’s job to keep her safe and ensure that information about her Trespasser status remains classified. He’s posing as her boyfriend to provide an excuse for the time they spend together, but, privately, each of them is struggling with that cover story; their feelings for each other are becoming all too real.

RAYNA’S ATTEMPT AT A peaceful life shatters when she rescues a woman from a fire, an act that drags her into a whirlpool of rumors and deadly secrets. As Damon works to protect her, he’s torn by the knowledge that managing this crisis might require decisions that will devastate Rayna and that the line between ally and enemy may be more blurred than either of them imagined.

Free Regency Today!

Josi Kilpack is one of my favorite authors and her regency romance, The Valet's Secret, is free today! You won't want to miss this one!

Get your free copy HERE  

Here's the back copy:

As a once happily married woman, Rebecca Parker had a good life, but now widowed, working for a living, and her only child grown, she feels invisible, tired, and lonely. That is until the day a valet speeding by on a horse nearly runs her off the road. Mr. Malcolm Henry is apologetic, gentle, and handsome. She’s instantly drawn to him, which is why, rather than stopping him from kissing her, she kisses him back, reigniting a nearly forgotten passion. But love at first sight only happens in fairy tales—never to an ordinary woman like her.

She sees Mr. Henry again and feels the possibilities growing until, while working in the kitchens during a dinner party, she sees the valet she kissed sitting at the right hand of the baroness. Mr. Henry is not the earl’s valet; he is the heir to the earldom—-Kenneth Winterton.

Heartbroken, angry, and betrayed, Rebecca does not trust Lord Winterton and refuses to accept his apology. But when Lord Winterton proves he is as kind and gentle as “Mr. Henry” was, she finds herself willing to give him a second chance. But will he take a chance on her? He needs a wife to help him in his place in society, and nothing about Rebecca’s life does that ...except how he feels when she is with him.

Trust, love, loneliness, and passion collide in this story about a man who will risk it all to fight for the woman he loves and a woman who does not believe in fairy tales—until she finds herself living in one.

Calling Historical Romance Fans!

If you love historical fiction, A Kingdom to Claim by Sian Bessey is FREE today! I really enjoyed this one. The author just has a way of pulling you right into the story!

Here's the back copy:

Aisley lost everything in a Viking attack. Now, working alongside the one man she trusts, she is ready to fight for her people—and for love.

Wessex, AD 878

Aisley’s young life was changed forever when her father accompanied King Alfred into battle and lost his life in a deadly skirmish with the Vikings. Now, almost seven years later, the Vikings are once again rallying on Wessex’s borders, and Aisley fears that her older brother may have treacherous plans to betray the king by aligning himself with the invading Norsemen. But when Aisley encounters a handsome nobleman in the market, she feels the first stirrings of hope. Though they met only once when Aisley was little more than a child, she recognizes him immediately as one of King Alfred’s most trusted men.

It has been years since Brecc has seen Aisley, but when he spots her in the marketplace, he finds himself inexplicably drawn to the copper-haired young lady with a gift for healing. Before his fledgling feelings for her can develop into something more, however, a Viking attack tears them apart. King Alfred is forced into hiding, and in a matter of days, the Saxon nation is brought to its knees. Unwilling to forsake their people, the king and his men embark on secret raids of Viking encampments. But when Aisley joins the fight, Brecc must reconcile his steadfast loyalty to King Alfred with his growing love for the king’s newest warrior.

Get your free copy HERE

Date Night Blog Hop!

I am participating in a really fun blog hop with all sorts of fun date night ideas! Here is a date night idea from my newest small town romance, Love Lights the Way. 

My main characters, Ben (the town's new policeman) and Karissa (a high school teacher) are going to go snowshoeing and then come back to Karissa's house for her specially-made hot chocolate. Sounds so cozy, right? But there's an unexpected visitor and Ben makes a little confession so everything doesn't quite go as planned. Sometimes the road to love isn't smooth, but it's always worth it. I hope you enjoy it!

Here's a little excerpt from the book:

She glanced over at Ben. “You sure you’re ready for this?”

For the first time since he’d gotten out to talk to his visitor, he smiled. “Ready or not.”

They got out of the car and Karissa showed him how to put the snowshoes on. It had been years since anyone had used her dad’s snowshoes, but she’d been careful to take good care of them. A tiny part of her had worried that it would hurt to see Ben use them, but when they fit perfectly on his foot it felt like her dad was giving his approval in a way. Yet, there was still the issue of Ben’s past. Was he stuck there?  She didn’t know, but she wasn’t going to allow any of that to ruin the afternoon she had planned.

With the pack firmly on her back, the snowshoes on their feet, and poles in hand, they started forward. Ben was stepping gingerly, getting used to the feeling. They walked for about fifty feet until the snow got a little deeper. “You doing okay?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He looked over at her. “It’s not as weird as I thought.”

“You thought it would be weird?” She laughed. “Like how?”

“Like walking on water or something. I just wasn’t sure how it all worked.” He looked up at the sky. “It’s magical in a way. Like we’re supposed to be sinking into this snow, but we’re on top of it all.”

“Isn’t it great?” There was no feeling like it. “Nothing but the snow, the sky, and hearing your own self think.”

They walked side by side until they got to some trees where the path narrowed. Ben dropped back to let Karissa lead the way. The conditions were perfect---not too hot or cold, the snow not too soft or packed. She led them to her favorite viewpoint, undid her snowshoes, then sat down on the large rock that overlooked the valley. “Ready for a break?” She put her pack down and opened it. “I brought you a protein bar.”

He undid his snowshoes as well, then sat down next to her and took the offered snack. “Thanks. I had packed a few things, but forgot to grab it again after my unexpected visitor.”

“It’s fine.” She gave him a sympathetic smile and offered him a water bottle. “Got to stay hydrated.”

“Okay, I’m feeling woefully unprepared,” he said with a frown. “My CO would have put me on KP duty for a week or something.”

“Well, you could make me dinner again if that would make you feel better.” She laughed and nudged his shoulder. “Besides, I invited you, so it’s only fair that I make sure you’re taken care of.”

“Thanks. I just wasn’t expecting you to do that. I’ll figure out a way to return the favor.” He unwrapped his protein bar.

“If you want, we can just count the shwarma. That stuff was amazing.” Unless he meant he wanted to return the favor by taking her out on a date. That would be different. Maybe she shouldn’t have said anything.

            He didn’t comment and they sat there finishing up the protein bars while watching the view and 

sipping their water. “It’s so peaceful up here,” he commented. “It’s perfect.”

She agreed. “If you ever need to come up here without me, feel free. I’m sure Mr. Green won’t mind.” She could feel a frustration in him, an anxiety that hadn’t been there before. Maybe being up here could soothe that.

He shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m probably really bad company right now.”

“Hey, it’s okay. Everyone has rough days.” She took another sip of her water. “I was serious yesterday, though. If you ever want to talk to me about something, it won’t go any further.”

            He leaned his arms on his knees and bent his head to look at her. 

Have you ever been snowshoeing? Did you love it? 

If you want to read Ben and Karissa's story (and see how their date ends!) you can get your copy HERE

Click HERE to go to tomorrow's stop on the blog tour. 

Here is the full schedule of date night ideas if you want to take a peek. Happy Romance Month! 

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 Aminata Coote
aminatacoote.com
FB Page: @aminatacoote
https://www.facebook.com/AminataCoote
Click HERE for Aminata's Dating Excerpt Blog Post

Thursday, February 6, 2025 R. F. Whong
ruthforchrist.com
https://www.facebook.com/ruth.wuwong?_rdr

Saturday, February 8, 2025 Corilyn Holloway https://corilynholloway.substack.com/
FB Page: @corilynholloway
https://www.facebook.com/corilynholloway

Monday, February 10, 2025 Julie Coulter Bellon http://www.ldswritermom.blogspot.com/
FB Page: @authorjuliecoulterbellon
https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieCoulterBellon

Tuesday, February 11, 2025 Angela Ruth Strong
angelaruthstrong.com
FB Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/strongreaders

Friday, February 14, 2025 Heather Wood https://heatherwoodauthor.wordpress.com/
FB Page: heather.wood.author
https://www.facebook.com/heather.wood.author

Saturday, February 15, 2025 Amy Walsh https://walshmountainpublishing.com
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/walshmountainpublishing
Tuesday, February 18, 2025 Mishael Austin Witty https://www.mishael.site
FB Page: https://www.facebook.com/share/19urSTQFyo/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Wednesday, February 19, 2025 Maria T. Henriksen https://www.mariathenriksen.com
FB Page: @mariathenriksen
https://www.facebook.com/PurpleNchocolate

Thursday, February 20, 2025 April Kidwell
www.aprilkidwellauthor.com
FB Page: @aprilkidwellauthor
https://www.facebook.com/aprilkidwellauthor

Friday, February 21, 2025 Temperance Johnson https://www.temperancejohnson.com/
FB Page: @temperancejohnson
https://www.facebook.com/temperance.johnson.3

Need a New Thriller to Read?

I love H.B. Moore's writing and her Omar Zagouri thrillers were some of my favorite stories! The Killing Curse is free this week, so if you need an action-packed story be sure to pick it up!

Get your free copy HERE

Here is the back copy:

Betrayed by her father. Kidnapped by her brother. Only one chance to survive.

Omar Zagouri should have known that the hunt for an ordinary art thief in London would end up being far from ordinary. Abducted and carted across several countries until he’s locked up in the middle of Jordan’s desert, Omar becomes the target of an underground crime organization that dates back to the Crusaders era. As Omar works to uncover the deadly secrets that connect centuries of deceit, he finds himself trying to prevent a scheduled honor killing from turning into another tragedy, while exposing the ancient crime organization for generations of lethal corruption.

 

Did You Miss This Release?

Valentine's Day is just around the corner and I have the perfect book for you! 

My newest small town romance, Love Lights the Way is set right around Valentine's Day. There's a meet-cringe instead of a meet-cute (our poor heroine!), our hero is the newest police officer in town who needs a fresh start, lots of matchmaking shenanigans, and some pretty swoony kisses! 

If you'd like to read Ben and Karissa's story, click HERE to get your copy.

Here's the back copy:

High school teacher Karissa Mead has given up on love. Finding anyone to date in small-town Lincoln is practically impossible---until the town’s newest policeman moves in. Benson Wright is handsome, helpful, and funny, but the universe isn’t content with letting things take their natural course. Throw in Ben's matchmaking grandma with Karissa's students who just want to “help,” then add his ex who can’t seem to let him go, and it's a recipe for disaster. When Karissa gets put in a dangerous situation, however, Ben will have one chance to get her home safely---and show her that love is worth fighting for.

**Part of a series, but can be read as a standalone**

A Free Book for Regency Romance Fans!

I know it's not quite Freebie Friday, but I couldn't resist passing along this deal! I loved this book by Joanna Barker! Enemies to lovers. Great supporting cast. Lots of swoony romance. If you love all of that, you should definitely pick this one up.

Get your free copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

If you can't join them, beat them.

Marigold Cartwell has only one goal: to defeat her long-time rival on the archery field. She knows she can outshoot irritating, cynical Tristan Gates, but the local bowmen’s society—the one he belongs to—refuses to allow women to compete. Spurred on by their rejection, Marigold decides to start a new society. Naturally, it has only one rule: no men.

Tristan Gates is used to Marigold Cartwell always getting her way, so he is far from surprised when she forms her own society. He knows how relentless she can be, something he learned firsthand facing her at the targets. But Tristan has enough worries of his own, what with his bachelor uncle falling in love with a fortune hunter. He has no time to entertain Marigold’s ambitions.

However, after a visit to the seashore ends in disaster—and scandal—Marigold and Tristan soon realize how little they know about each other. The strained tension between them quickly turns to simmering attraction, but an important archery competition looms ahead. Lines are drawn all around them, with Marigold and Tristan on opposite sides, and neither can afford to lose. Yet winning might be the very thing to tear them apart.

It's Freebie Friday for Romance Fans!

I love the Freebie Friday we have today! 

One of my favorite Mimi Matthews books is free today, The Matrimonial Advertisement! A battle-scarred former soldier and a woman with a secret try to find their way to love, but with so many obstacles in their way can they find what they're looking for?

Get your free copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

She Wanted Sanctuary...

Helena Reynolds will do anything to escape her life in London, even if that means traveling to a remote cliffside estate on the North Devon coast and marrying a complete stranger. But Greyfriar's Abbey isn't the sort of refuge she imagined. And ex-army captain Justin Thornhill--though he may be tall, dark, and devastatingly handsome--is anything but a romantic hero.

He Needed Redemption...

Justin has spent the last two decades making his fortune, settling scores, and suffering a prolonged period of torture in an Indian prison. Now, he needs someone to smooth the way for him with the villagers. Someone to manage his household--and warm his bed on occasion. What he needs, in short, is a wife and a matrimonial advertisement seems the perfect way to acquire one.

Their marriage was meant to be a business arrangement and nothing more. A dispassionate union free from the entanglements of love and affection. But when Helena's past threatens, will Justin's burgeoning feelings for his new bride compel him to come to her rescue? Or will dark secrets of his own force him to let her go?

Free Regency Romance!

It's Freebie Friday! If you love regency romance, the To Kiss a Wallflower collection of novellas is free today!

Get your free copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

Eventually, all wallflowers will have their chance at love . . . This is where it begins.

The Wallflower’s Dance by Jen Geigle Johnson
Lottie Hughes likes people, as long as they aren't too close. Does it bother her that no one asks her to dance? Yes, but she's not sure how to drum up dance partners when she has almost no dowry, no title, and freezes up when anyone tries to talk to her. When she suddenly inherits a huge amount and is the new center of attention all over London, her secret dreams might come true but also her worst nightmares. Suddenly everyone wants to talk to her. Men ask her to dance. And she is inundated with interested suitors. She fights to stay close to the few friends she knows are true. One man saw her before her life changed forever. But does she want to accept his help when he, too, might be insincere?

Letters to a Wallflower by Heather B. Moore
Ellen might be beautiful and considered a diamond of the first water by Society, but she is so very tired of the pressure to marry a titled gentleman so that her beauty won’t go to waste. When her cousin Dinah dares Ellen to attend a ball with no frills and to stand with the wallflowers, Ellen takes on the dare. What’s in the wager for her? The prize cuttings of her aunt’s extraordinary roses. But what Ellen isn’t expecting is Lord Ravenshire to engage her in the most interesting conversation. When she confesses to him of her opposition in marrying for a title, he confesses his distaste of the London scene. They strike a bargain together, one which will either push them apart or lead to a future sweeter than either of them could have imagined.

To Marry a Wallflower by Anneka R. Walker
Charlotte Winters is destined to spinsterhood until she turns down an unwanted proposal and everything changes. With gossip rampant, her father attempts to salvage her reputation by betrothing her to another. Soon she is sent off to her aunt’s to meet Lord Templeton, her intended. Anxiety-ridden, Charlotte begs her aunt to let her observe Lord Templeton from afar before their introduction. She never planned to pretend to be her fictional cousin to learn more about him, or to fall in love with Lord Templeton’s friend in the process. Lord Templeton dreads returning to the empty halls of Newcliff Manor. When his father’s old friend, Mr. Winters reaches out for assistance, Lord Templeton finds himself returning home engaged to a woman he has never met. Desperate to learn more about Miss Winters, he befriends her cousin. He wouldn’t have spoken to her, or lied about his identity, if he’d known the quiet woman would sneak into his heart.

2025 Reading Challenge!

I thought it might be fun to do a 2025 Reading Challenge with my book friends this year! Whenever you do one of the challenges, cross it off, and at the end of the year, I'll do a drawing for anyone who completed it. Let's have some bookish fun together! 

Are you in?

Monday Morning Book Report

It's so hard to get back to real life now that the Christmas break is over. I did do a lot of reading over the break, though, and I loved that. There's just something about snuggling up in a soft blanket on a cold day with a great book, am I right?

So, for today's Monday morning book report, what book did you read over the weekend/break? I just started A.L. Sowards Beyond the Crescent Sky. I am loving her Balkan Legends series and so far, this one is amazing. 

Now tell me what YOU'RE reading!

A Giveaway!

It is my birthday month! Woohoo! And to celebrate I'm giving away a signed copy of my romantic suspense, Second Guess! It's part of my Griffin Force series, but can definitely be read standalone. To enter, tell me one thing you love about winter!

The Reviews are Coming In!

Well, my new small-town romance came out two and a half weeks ago and I'm loving the reviews so far! 

When I was a new writer, there was a magazine reviewer who regularly reviewed my books and I always sat on pins and needles when her reviews came out, hoping she liked my book. She retired a few years back, but I noticed she left a review on my new book and I am still thrilled that she liked the story, just like I was back in the day! (I clipped a bit of it for my image. Yay!) 

Thank you to everyone who has read and reviewed it so far. I appreciate you!

You can get your copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

High school teacher Karissa Mead has given up on love. Finding anyone to date in small-town Lincoln is practically impossible---until the town’s newest policeman moves in. Benson Wright is handsome, helpful, and funny, but the universe isn’t content with letting things take their natural course. Throw in Ben's matchmaking grandma with Karissa's students who just want to “help,” then add his ex who can’t seem to let him go, and it's a recipe for disaster. When Karissa gets put in a dangerous situation, however, Ben will have one chance to get her home safely---and show her that love is worth fighting for.