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.

Happy Halloween! And a Spooky Book Sale!

Stephanie Black is one of my favorite suspense writers. She walks that fine line with toe-curling scenes that make you want to keep the lights on and an amazing plot that pulls you in and doesn't let you stop reading until the wee hours of the morning. I read the first book in her new series, The Trespassers, and could not wait for the second one to come out and guess what? It's coming out next week! I'm so excited! 

In order to celebrate, the first book in the series is on sale and you are definitely going to want to pick it up if you love romantic suspense with a little paranormal. It's so, so good!

Get your copy HERE
 

Here's the back copy:

Rayna Kirkpatrick has lived her entire life with a secret: she possesses dangerous paranormal abilities. But she’s carefully kept her powers hidden from the world―or so she thinks. When new struggles in her life prompt her to seek information about her abilities, her internet search sends up red flags. Without her knowledge, she is placed under surveillance by a government team who monitors people with unique gifts like hers, individuals known as Trespassers. There are only two options for those manifesting such supernatural abilities: submit to regulation and scientific study or be eliminated.

Damon Hale is an invaluable asset to the government. As a Trespasser himself, he is perfectly positioned to determine how to handle others like him. When a series of unexplained deaths is connected to Rayna, Damon is assigned to go undercover to her California hometown to determine whether she’s the killer they suspect she is. As he gets to know this kind and charming woman, he’s determined to not allow his growing attraction to her to shake his objectivity. But the deaths surrounding her are no coincidence, and as his suspicions about her guilt begin to fade, he realizes he and Rayna must work together to discover the truth or risk becoming the next victims.

If You'll Have Me Review--This One Was So Good!

I got to read an advanced copy of Esther Hatch's new book, If You'll Have Me, and it was one I did not want to put down. 

If You'll Have Me was an amazing story of love and healing. Our heroine is at a crossroads in her life as she tries to find a situation for both her and her mother that doesn't involve marrying an odious man just to keep a roof over their heads. They've come back to Breckenridge, a town that once held happy memories, hoping to find a place to live or work until Anna is old enough to claim her inheritance. The shy boy who she'd spent a wonderful summer with years ago is still there, but has now become a handsome man. They begin to renew their acquaintance and Anna is once more captivated by his eyes and humor. But David is hiding a secret that could prevent him from being able to ever do anything about the growing feelings between them. The author skillfully weaves a story of love between two people who are each carrying the effects of trauma and emotional wounds, but there is always that thread of hope that love can heal and is worth the risk. The yearning between these two was really well done and the kisses absolutely swoon-worthy! This one is definitely going on my keeper shelf!

Here is the back copy:

A lady desperately seeking freedom. A prosperous younger man. An unexpected connection.

Anna Atwood returns to Breckenridge, where she spent one blissful summer as a young woman. This time, though, she comes to the quaint town as a penniless spinster with a single hope: to build a life free from the constraints her father’s death put on her and free from the persistent suitor Mr. Green, whose plans for marriage are Anna’s worst nightmare. When she runs into David Tate, the boy she knew from that memorable summer, she finds he has grown into a confident and striking man. As they rekindle their friendship, David offers her warmth and protection in the moment she needs it most—when Mr. Green appears in town and threatens to destroy Anna’s carefully laid plans.

David Tate remembers Anna as the spirited woman who once brought light into his dark childhood. Now a man of means, he has a promising future, if he can withstand the powerful Lord Murphy—a man whose menacing hold on the town he owns is surpassed only by his relentless hold on David’s life. When David meets Anna again, he realizes he has a chance to save her from Mr. Green’s schemes, even if it means putting himself in danger of Lord Murphy’s wrath and revealing his own deepest secrets.

In a moment of desperation, David and Anna agree to a proposal of convenience to provide the safety they both need. But as their attraction ignites, the looming dangers from Lord Murphy and Mr. Green threaten to destroy their budding happiness.

You can preorder your copy HERE

Rules for Ruin Review

I think this is Mimi Matthews' best book yet! I loved how she carefully crafted Effie and Gabriel's characters. They had a bumpy road to love, but it was so worth it! There were so many favorite scenes I could never name them all. Effie was a strong woman on a mission looking into her past so she can build a future. Gabriel is a man with a past who might not get the future he envisions for himself. But when Effie comes along, he gets something better! They both have to learn to trust and I love how the author shows their vulnerabilities and insecurities. And every scene with Franc stole the show! I love that little dog. The epilogue was sigh-worthy and I can't wait to read more in this series.

Get your copy HERE (I hope you got it when it was on sale!)

Here is the back copy:

No one betrays the Academy. But now Euphemia must decide: break the rules for her enemy, or let the rules break her heart.

On the outskirts of London sits a seemingly innocuous institution with a secretive aim—train young women to distract, disrupt, and discredit the patriarchy. Outraged by a powerful lord’s systematic attack on women’s rights in Parliament, the Academy summons its brightest—and most bitter—pupil to infiltrate the odious man’s inner circle. A deal is struck: bring down the viscount, and Miss Euphemia Flite will finally earn her freedom.

But betting shop owner Gabriel Royce has other plans. The viscount is the perfect pawn to insulate Gabriel’s underworld empire from government interference. He’s not about to let some crinoline-clad miss destroy his carefully constructed enterprise—no matter how captivating he finds her threats.

From the rookeries of St. Giles to the ballrooms of Mayfair, Euphemia and Gabriel engage in a battle of wits and wills that’s complicated by a blossoming desire. Soon Euphemia realizes it’s not the broken promises to her Academy sisters she should fear. . . . It’s the danger to her heart.

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.

Monday Morning Book Report

I had a busy weekend, but managed to read Mimi Matthew's new book, The Governess and the Rogue. It was SO good I almost read it in one sitting!

I really love her writing style and how the characters just jump off the page. Jack finally finding his person and having to work for her regard was fun to read and to see how he's grown since the last book. Bea is so world-weary after her life's circumstances have given her so many trials to bear, but her heart is still open. I loved Bea and Jack's journey to love. This one can be read as a standalone, but it's the last book in her second generation Somerset stories and I loved seeing couples from previous books. And it was such a sweet ending! I loved it.

What did you read over the weekend?

What's in a Name?

So in my book, Pocket Full of Posies, the hero's name is Bart. He was named after Blessed Bartholomew of Cervere by his grandmother, which is explained in the book. When I wrote the first book in the series, All Fall Down, Bart was a supporting character and I didn't know he would eventually get his own book one day and I was thinking maybe I should have chosen a different name. 

Would the name Bart put you off reading a book? Does a character's name really matter to you?

Free Historical Romance Today!

This one looks so good! An American heiress and a British spy? Yes, please! 

Here is the back copy:

An American heiress and a British intelligence spy share an unexpected kiss that will change their lives—and their hearts.

When heiress Gwen Barton aids an injured gentleman in an opera box in London, she shares a kiss with the stranger that upends her quiet world. More determined than ever to be herself, in spite of the limp she's sustained since childhood, she will marry for love and not a title. She also resolves to learn the identity of the man she helped—and kissed. Surely he can't be the irritating Avery Winfield. But as circumstances continue to throw Avery and Gwen together, she begins to wonder if there is more to this man than she first thought.

You can get your copy HERE

Monday Morning Book Report!

Monday morning book report.  What did you read over the weekend?

Well, I started a new-to-me author over the weekend and I gave it about 100 pages, but I couldn't connect to the hero. He was so surly and angry to everyone around him, and though the readers are told from the beginning he has a reason for being so awful, we aren't told what it is until about 75 pages in. And even after we find out what his reason is, (someone close to him died and he feels responsible), he's still very unlikable and doesn't even show the tiniest hint that he's going to change the way he treats the heroine or anyone else he comes in contact with. 

So, I gave up. 

I used to be the kind of person that needed to finish a book no matter what, but I have so many books on my TBR list now, if I can't connect to the story after giving it a good try, I don't finish. 

What about you? Are you the kind of person that finishes a book no matter what?

What Shows Do You Rewatch?

So, I have a confession to make. I hope you won't judge me.

 
*deep breath*

Well, I've been binge-watching Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman. I loved that show back in the day and when I saw it was on Prime I decided to rewatch it. I'm just about to the wedding episode. It's interesting to me that many of the episodes deal with issues that we're still dealing with as a society today. And then there's Michaela and Sully. They've got great chemistry and the push/pull of opposites attract! What about you? Is there a show you used to watch years ago that you've rewatched?

Are You An 80s Kid?

 Can you guess all of them? I did and now I have these songs going through my head!

Happy 4th of July!

We hope you have a safe and happy 4th of July!

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

April Fools!

After some pretty warm temps this past week, there was SNOW on the ground this morning, so when I saw this, it made me laugh! April Fools!

It's Stuff Your Kindle Day!

If you are a thriller, mystery, or suspense fan, this event is for you!

There is a giant Stuff Your Kindle event going on today with an amazing group of authors offering their mystery, thriller, and suspense books for FREE! (There are all heat levels included in this event, but there is a filter that you can choose so you are sure to get the level you are comfortable with.) I've already seen a few cozy mystery books that I'm going to get! You'll definitely want to check it out.

My book, Second Look, is there as well, so if you don't already have it you can download it today!

Check out all the FREE books HERE

Free Small Town Romance!

Treat yourself to a Valentine's Day gift and pick up my newest small town romance Love Lights the Way for free today and tomorrow ONLY! 

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.

Get your free copy HERE

Are You Looking for a Valentine's Day Romance?

Are you looking for a Valentine's Day romance? Jennifer Peel's book, The Valentine Inn, is on sale for only 99 cents!

You can get your sale copy HERE

Here's the back copy:

I, Charlotte Valentine, am mostly of sound mind. Typically, I make really good choices. I mean I went to college, never did drugs . . . I even brush and floss every day. That’s not to say I don’t make poor decisions—believe me, I do. They always seem to involve men—everything from gluing my eye shut (don’t ask) to falling in love with my boss. Did I mention he was famous? Oh, Drake Foster, you beautiful creature, you. My sister told me not to accept the position as his personal assistant. Apparently, she thinks it’s emotionally unhealthy for me to work for the object of my desire. What does she know?

Well, she knew enough to tell me not to go on a little jaunt with him through a blizzard. She was definitely against us sharing the only room left at the coziest inn ever. And what happened after that she was adamant should have never happened. But, hey, it all worked out. I got the inn and the cutest kid ever. Unfortunately, Drake has no idea about either one—he really should answer his phone more—until, that is, he decides to take a trip down memory lane and shows up at my beloved inn. Let’s just say he’s surprised. But he’s not the only one. Who knew our connection would be just as strong as it always was and that all this time, I’ve haunted him as much as he’s haunted me? But this time, will love come to stay, or is it checking out for good?

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

Friday Almost Freebie!

Friday Almost-Freebie! 

Christy Barritt has a three book mystery set on sale today for just .99 cents! I know what I'm going to be doing this weekend! 

Get your sale copy HERE  

Here's the back copy:

Hidden Currents (Book 1)

You can take the detective out of the investigation, but you can't take the investigator out of the detective.

A notorious gang puts a bounty on Detective Cady Matthews’s head after she takes down their leader, leaving her no choice but to hide until she can testify at trial. But her temporary home across the country on a remote North Carolina island isn’t as peaceful as she initially thinks.

Living under the new identity of Cassidy Livingston, she struggles to keep her investigative skills tucked away, especially after a body washes ashore. When local police bungle the murder investigation, she can’t resist stepping in. But Cassidy is supposed to be keeping a low profile. One wrong move could lead to both her discovery and her demise.

Can she bring justice to the island . . . or will the hidden currents surrounding her pull her under for good?

Flood Watch (Book 2)

The tide is high, and so is the danger on Lantern Beach.

Still in hiding after infiltrating a dangerous gang, Cassidy Livingston just has to make it a few more months before she can testify at trial and resume her old life. But trouble keeps finding her, and Cassidy is pulled into a local investigation after a man mysteriously disappears from the island she now calls home.

A recurring nightmare from her time undercover only muddies things, as does a visit from the parents of her handsome ex-Navy SEAL neighbor. When a friend's life is threatened, Cassidy must make choices that put her on the verge of blowing her cover.

With a flood watch on her emotions and her life in a tangle, will Cassidy find the truth? Or will her past finally drown her?

Storm Surge (Book 3)

A storm is brewing hundreds of miles away, but its effects are devastating even from afar.

Laid-back and light: that's Cassidy Livingston's new motto. But when a makeshift boat with a bloody cloth inside washes ashore near her oceanfront home, her detective instincts shift into gear . . . again.

Seeking clues isn't the only thing on her mind-romance is heating up with next-door neighbor and former Navy SEAL Ty Chambers as well. Her heart wants the love and stability she's longed for her entire life. But her hidden identity only leads to a tidal wave of turbulence.

As more answers emerge about the boat, the danger around her rises, creating a treacherous swell that threatens to reveal her past. Can Cassidy mind her own business, or will the storm surge of violence and corruption that has washed ashore on Lantern Beach leave her life in wreckage?

A New Podcast!

Some of you might have noticed on my socials that I'm part of a podcast called Outside the Wire! 

We are doing a SEAL Team rewatch with commentary and having a lot of fun with it. The first two episodes are out and we just recorded the third one tonight. (Lots of laughing with the new one!) Anyway, if you watched the SEAL Team show and want to do a rewatch with us, you should tune in! 

See the full series list HERE or watch the first episode below!

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**

Monday Morning Book Report!

Monday Morning Book Report! 

I read A Gentleman of Sinister Schemes by Grace Burrowes over the weekend. It's a wounded warrior hero who solves mysteries in regency times story. I've really loved the series.

What did you read over the weekend? Anything have you staying up late to finish?

Today is National Dark Chocolate Day!

Today is National Dark Chocolate Day. Do you love dark chocolate? Or are you more of a milk chocolate person?

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.

Monday Morning Book Report

Monday Morning Book Report: Well, it was a crazy week.

I got a deal on a trilogy set in the 1840s, and two of the books take place in Central Asia (I love learning about new places and other cultures) and the romances looked really interesting, so I dove in. 

Each of the three books was around 500 pages, but I sort of took that as a personal challenge and read them all in the last week. The storylines were compelling and the setting was amazing, but if you are a sensitive reader, there was a little spice in all the books and two of the books dealt with really difficult material that was hard for me to get through. (One of the heroes endures horrible torture, another book describes some horrific child abuse). 

The middle book in the series was enjoyable for me because it was an action adventure romance featuring a couple who had married years ago in London, but the bride ran away. Twelve years later her groom finds her in a remote area of Central Asia, and they're trying to make their way back to each other while on a rescue mission. 

So, in the end, I guess what I'm telling you is that I've had a lot of late nights in the last week, but I read three books! What book are you reading? Have you been up late reading this past weekend?

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?

Monday Morning Book Report on a Tuesday!

Monday morning book report (on Tuesday, since yesterday was a holiday, haha!) I started reading The Crime Brulee Bake Off by Rebecca Connolly and I'm just in the setting up the mystery part of the book and I have to say, I'm intrigued! I love mysteries. 

What did you read over the weekend?

Martin Luther King Jr. Day!

I love this quote. Happy Martin Luther King Jr. day!

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?

World Logic Day

 Yesterday was World Logic Day! Let's have some fun. Can you answer these three questions?

Scroll down for the answers.

Scroll.

Keep scrolling.

Here they are:

1. A quarter and a nickel. The nickel is the one that isn’t a quarter. 2. A fire. 3. Darkness

I'm A Finalist!

As all of you know, back in 2021, the plan was for my new book, Second Guess, to be released that fall. But then I got sick. So sick I nearly died. And though I recovered, I came home from the hospital on an oxygen tank, my body exhausted to the point that I couldn't stay awake for very long for months afterward. 

I couldn't write. 

I couldn't finish Second Guess no matter how much I wanted to. The doctor told me to be patient and let my body heal, so I really tried hard to do that. It took two years--a year longer than the doctor thought it would--but my body healed and I was able to write again! 

I finished Second Guess with the love and encouragement of my husband and family, my faithful beta readers Jeni, Jon, and Robyn, my author friends Michele Bell, Becky Monson, and Jennifer Peel, and my dedicated fans who never stopped asking about it. I couldn't have done it without all of you! 

Second Guess was released in March 2024, and guess what? Today I found out that it is a Whitney Award finalist for Best Mystery/Suspense! (Thank you to everyone who read it, reviewed it, and nominated it. I seriously have the best family and book friends!) This is kind of a full circle day for me and I'm definitely going to celebrate!

Monday Morning Book Report

Well, it's the Monday Morning Book Report! I'm still reading A.L. Sowards Beyond the Crescent Sky. 

Usually I can get through a book pretty quickly, but this one is full of secrets and intrigues during the Balkan wars in the 1300s--a time period I don't know very much about. There are changing loyalties and lots of treachery, as well as some romance, and the author does such a great job setting the scene, I've been taking it all in and really absorbing the story. 

Do you ever have books do that to you? When you just can't rush through it? What did you read this past weekend?

Growing Up in the 80s

 I loved growing up in the 80s. I love the 80s music (maybe not the fashions so much, haha. Leg warmers anyone?) But it just seemed like a really great time to grow up in. As a mom, though, when I talk about growing up in the 80s, my kids look at me like I've lived through something awful (no cell phone? no internet? No laptops? How did you SURVIVE?)

It sort of feels like this. LOL

Anyone else feel this way?

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!

Do You Do This?

There is just something about a new year that makes me want to declutter! I've been working on paper piles today (do you have those?) and just getting things put away that I've been procrastinating. 

Do you ever get into a decluttering mood?

It's 2025!

Happy New Year! I hope 2025 is filled with so much happiness and lots of great books to read!