Book Review: The McKettrick Way

Author:  Linda Lael Miller

Title: The McKettrick Way

Publisher: Sillhoutte Special Edition

Publish Date: Dec 1, 2007

Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

She wanted his baby... and he wanted her!

Meg McKettrick longs for a baby--husband optional. Perfect father material is gorgeous Brad O'Ballivan, old flame and new owner of his family's ranch in Stone Creek. But Meg--as strong, proud and stubborn as her ancestors on Indian Rock's Triple M ranch--wants to do things her way...the McKettrick way. And Brad feels just as strongly about the O'Ballivan way...

Love, marriage, babies and a lifetime to share--that's what Brad wants. Not a single night of pasion, an unexpected pregnancy and a woman who won't budge. For a rugged rodeo cowboy who never gives up, it's a battle of wills he intends to win...and nothing matters more than claiming Meg's wild McKettrick heart.

Review: I read Sierra's story ages ago, and thought I'd enjoy this one. Linda Lael Miller is a name that is a go to for contemporary western's when it comes to Harlequin romances.

It took me several days to finish this 248 page book. That's absolutely nuts. A day or two yes? More than that? UGH!

It was a passable read but for me there was more wrong with it than right.

1. Meg and Brad have a past and they both seemed to have not gotten past their young love for each other. (Does this ever really happen in real life) This second chance trope is probably the most annoying of all romance tropes.

2. He left to become a big time star (Country music, of course) and now he's back home to run the ranch and he's only in his 30s? Huh?

3. Meg is the ghost of one of her ancestors. (This is actually one of the only cool parts of the story) But it really is a way out there plotline

4. Brad gets offered a chance to do a movie on the ranch. Oh and one of his ex wives is going to star in it.

5. Meg's estranged father shows up with a sister for her and you guessed it, he's dying.

OK, so I may be offering a spoiler or two here, but I think the main thing you can take away is there is an awful lot going on in such a short book and I'm not really even touching on all of it. 

It is just way too busy, with stuff from Meg's life to stuff from Brad's life and his sister and her strange ability in regards to animals, especially the wild horse "Ransom."

There was just WAY WAY too much going on. And though Meg and Brad have a past and have some chemistry, its hard to figure out why they are in love, or ever were in love.

Now I'm not saying this is a bad book. Linda Lael Miller does keep your attention, especially with all the plot twists. It just isn't a great book, but if you are a fan of western romances, you probably will enjoy this one at least a little bit.

Rating: 3 flowers

Forever Write PR: Internet Famous Blitz

Subscribe to the Hotness.

Whether they accidentally rose to fame or staked the claim, these modern-day princes are social media royalty. We are super excited to let you know that six of the books in this collection release today! Follow the Internet famous celebs as they deal with fame, power, and the consequences of falling in love. Each story is a STANDALONE fairytale retelling with an HEA and swoon-worthy alphas. There's a little something for every book craving. All books available in Kindle Unlimited.

The Collection includes:

Sonya Jesus’ new romantic suspense, Shook. This twisted Cinderella retelling brings to life a killer obsessed by a True Crime Blogger and her internet famous crush.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/2EpQoMK

💻 Add on Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/2YdNphs

Nancy Chastain’s new friends to lovers sports romance, Beast is a page-turning Beauty and the Beast retelling like you’ve never seen before.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/2Qc5mbQ

💻 Add to Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/2CTNEaj

MK Moore’s contemporary romance, Trolled, is a new and improved version of Snow White. Fans of steamy fairytale retellings are going to love this modern take about a celebrity gamer and his crush.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/3iUnnYK

💻 Add to Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/3llX2Vg

Jade Royal's lesbian romance, Devoted, changes up The Legend of Hua Mulan. A spicy must read that defies the rules of gender identity and war.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/31gDObE

💻 Add to Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/3hAPJH2

Cam Johns’ second chance romance, Seconds, is a dark retelling of Rapunzel that will leave you craving more from this hot celebrity chef.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/3gjSF9y

💻 Add to Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/3hDP4VC

Mel Walker’s Stagefight is the sweetest combination of dance fiction and celebrity romance. This retelling of the Princess and the Pea will liven up any stage and is perfect for fans of The F List and Take the Lead.

💻 Order on Amazon ➳ https://amzn.to/3aK0OmF

💻 Add to Goodreads ➳ https://bit.ly/3b1v50q

Want to keep up with all the Internet Famous Collection news? LIKE the Rewritten Fairytales Facebook page! https://www.facebook.com/nonrepresentational/

Book Review: The Sweetest Burn

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Title: The Sweetest Burn

Publisher: HQN

Publish Date: June 17, 2017

Buy:  Amazon

Book Blurb: 

The breathtaking second novel in New York Times bestselling author Jeaniene Frost's Broken Destiny series finds Ivy and Adrian rekindling their alliance—and passion—as the struggle for the fate of the world begins…

Conquering a supernatural realm turned out to be easier than getting over a broken heart. But her initial victory has made Ivy a target for revenge, forcing her to reunite with the dangerous—and dangerously sexy—Adrian. Ivy isn't sure which will be harder: finding the hallowed weapon that will repair the crumbling walls between the demon and human realms, or resisting Adrian, who's decided that come hell or high water, he will make Ivy his.

At first, Adrian tried to resist his feelings for Ivy. Now, determined to break the curse that dooms their love, he's vowed to save her and to have her. If only he can persuade her to forgive his past sins. But defying destiny—and surrendering to the smoldering desire between them—will bring consequences and sacrifices they never imagined…

Review: 

This is why you don't read books based on the cover. I really was expecting a lot from this book but it didn't really deliver for me.

Ivy is the last Davidian (the good guy) and Adrian is a half demon. (the baddies) They have a history and it seems to be a very boring one. And yes these two are in love...but have been apart and yada yada yada.

The most exciting bits of the story involve the gargoyle Brutus that is glamorized as a seagull whenever he can be seen by humans. Brutus was the only thing I liked about this book.

I expected more action or something but really the story plodded along and well there weren't even many good steamy bits between Ivy and Adrian to justify my reading this. And when the action did happen it felt so half hearted that it just left me feeling very meh about the story.

Ivy was a spunky heroine, but she had nothing to go on. I wasn't even sure why she was "so" in love with Adrian, as he was really a cardboard character.

I wanted to read something to get me out of my comfort zone a bit with this one and the blurb promised so much more than it delivered. I mean demon realms and all that. It sounded exciting at first. Then, it really made me wish I were reading any of the Twilight series. OK? So you know for me this book didn't work.

Rating: 2 flowers

Book Review: Alaskan Renegade

 Author:  Kate Bridges

Title:  Alaskan Renegade

Publisher: Harlequin Historical

Publish Date: Nov 1, 2009

Buy:  Amazon

Book Blurb: 

In need of a bodyguard on her mission into the Alaskan wilderness, nurse Victoria Windhaven is shocked to recognize the hired gun as none other than Brant MacQuaid--a man she had thought never to see again! Brant, now a notorious bounty hunter with a burning passion for justice, had once betrayed her.

But closely confined in the stagecoach by day, and even more closely combined under the stars by night, Victoria can't help but dream of turning this renegade into ideal husband material....

Review: 

A good Harlequin can pull me out of a reading slump. I've always been a fan of historical romance. Not so much westerns, but when I was looking for something different an a little light after reading a pretty emotionally draining book on the holocaust this book seemed to fit the bill.

A bounty hunter/bodyguard, a nurse and a would be doctor are making a pilgrimage to Alaska. Victoria and Brant have a history, as he was once supposed to marry her sister. There's definitely some bad blood there, but there are also sparks too.

Then there's Connor. You know he's not the one for Victoria, but he's lovable, especially as its hard to see him ever really becoming a doctor.

There journey is not without trouble and it really shows some growth in the characters. (especially Connor)

Victoria is spunky and very good at her job. Brant knows what he wants out of his life too. It makes for some interesting clashes between the two along the way, but when they come together you know they are perfect for each other even though they have their reservations because of their initial differences.

Oh and did I mention danger? Cos there's a real baddie waiting for them on Glitter Mountain.

This was a great quick read that was a little out of my comfort zone but one I truly enjoyed.

Rating: 4 flowers

Cover Reveal: Her Last Love

The next book in the third season of the beloved 425 Madison Ave is finally here! Check out the stunning cover for Her Last Love by Marcie Shumway, a must-read jilted bride romance!

Reid

Women were not on my radar. My business was all

I needed.

Then she walked into my shop and changed all that with

one look.

How was I going to convince her I wouldn’t

burn her like her ex?

Katreana

Men were not on my radar. After being left at the altar,

I realized I needed to focus on myself and my job.

Then he walked into the room, and everything shifted.

Could I trust him enough to share my secret and move on?

I guess only time will tell…

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love.

Pre-Order Her Last Love toady!

Add to Goodreads!

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Want to jump into 425 Madison Ave now?

Don’t miss His Last Ride, Marcie’s first book featured in the second season!

Read His Last Ride, Cody & Payton’s story today!

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About Marcie Shumway

Marcie Shumway is a small-town girl, born and raised in Maine. She resides with her high school sweetheart on a family owned farm just miles from where she grew up. Her hubby and their four furbabies are her first loves, but they are followed closely by her writing, apple pie, and chocolate.

Marcie started writing short stories in middle school for her classmates to enjoy. They were always love stories with happy endings and spurred her dream of being a published author. Chasing that dream as an adult, she continues to write stories for her readers to love. An avid reader herself, Marcie thrives on the books of her favorite authors and when not writing, can be found curled up in her favorite spot with a good book in hand.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Instagram

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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

Facebook | Newsletter

Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

Great Escapes Book Tours Book Review: Checked Out For Murder

Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery by Allison Brook

About Checked Out for Murder

 

Checked Out for Murder: A Haunted Library Mystery 

Cozy Mystery 4th in Series Publisher: Crooked Lane Books (September 8, 2020) 

Hardcover: 320 pages 

ISBN-10: 164385447X

ISBN-13: 978-1643854472 Digital ASIN: B082738ZNV 

Carrie Singleton and Evelyn the ghost sleuth the slayings of a starlet and a star-crossed psychic in Agatha Award nominee Allison Brook's fourth Haunted Library mystery.

 

Daphne Marriott strolls into Clover Ridge and informs librarian Carrie Singleton that she's a psychic. But had she foreseen what fate awaited her, Daphne would have steered clear of the quaint Connecticut town. Evelyn, the library ghost, tells Carrie that there's more to Daphne than she lets on.

 

The mysterious woman grew up in Clover Ridge with her no-good dad, who apparently met his end at the hands of Daphne's brother, Billy. Still, Daphne proves a welcome distraction when Carrie's overbearing mother hits town. Mom's much younger husband, Tom, is in a movie that's lensing locally, and she's there to keep an eye on him: Tom's costar, sultry Ilana Reingold, is also his ex-fiancée, and there's no denying the chemistry is still there. Soon after mingling with the moviemakers at a meet-and-greet, Daphne is found dead.

 

Carrie and Evelyn investigate, assisted by bushy-tailed library cat Smoky Joe. But the suspect list could overflow the library shelves. Has Billy killed another relative? Is their long-missing mother involved? Or Daphne's mean ex-husband? Carrie's sure she knows who committed the crime, but can she bind together the clues before the culprit Dewey-decimates the town?

Review:  This is my first haunted library mystery and I have to say I really enjoyed it. I always love going to a cozy mystery after reading a rather heavy book.

Its got a bit of a paranormal twist with a ghost in the library, kind of like a Casper type ghosts who helps Carrie along with her sleuthing.

Carrie is dealing with her mother and step father who are in town making a movie. Plus her stepfather is staring in the movie with his ex fiancee. So there's a lot of drama there.

Two deaths occur during the making of the movie, one a recent arrival to town and the other one of the films stars.

I was really shocked by how little sleuthing Carrie actually did and how well the murders were connected as the book went on and for awhile how almost everyone was a suspect.

It was also interesting to see Carrie's relationship with her mom and her new husband. I have to say these are people I wouldn't want to claim as relations to me at any point.

I have to admit there was one character that I really wanted to be the killer buy wasn't.

The ending was definitely a twist especially in how the killer was related to one of the victims.

It was a light and enjoyable read.

Rating 4 flowers

 

About Allison Brook

A former Spanish teacher, Marilyn Levinson writes mysteries, romantic suspense, and novels for kids. Her books have received many accolades. As Allison Brook she writes the Haunted Library series. DEATH OVERDUE, the first in the series, was an Agatha nominee for Best Contemporary Novel in 2018. Other mysteries include the Golden Age of Mystery Book Club series and the Twin Lakes series.

Author Links Website: http://www.marilynlevinson.com Amazon: http://bit.ly/Amazon_MarilynLevinson Facebook: http://bit.ly/MarilynLevinson_Facebook Goodreads: http://bit.ly/Goodreads_MarilynLevinson Twitter: @MarilynLevinson; @AllisonBrookML  Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/marilev/ BookBub:   https://www.bookbub.com/profile/allison-brook BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/authors/marilyn-levinson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marilev4/ Purchase Links - Amazon - B&N - Kobo - IndieBound a Rafflecopter giveaway TOUR PARTICIPANTS September 8 – The Avid Reader - REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY September 8 – Literary Gold – CHARACTER GUEST POST September 8 – Author Elena Taylor's Blog – SPOTLIGHT September 9 – I'm All About Books – SPOTLIGHT, RECIPE September 9 – Diane Reviews Books – REVIEW September 9 – Cassidy's Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT September 10 – That's What She's Reading - GUEST POST September 10 – Brooke Blogs – SPOTLIGHT September 10 – Paranormal and Romantic Suspense Reviews – SPOTLIGHT September 11 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT September 11 – My Reading Journeys – REVIEW September 11 – My Journey Back - CHARACTER INTERVIEW September 11 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW September 12 – MJB Reviewers – REVIEW September 12 – Here's How It Happened – SPOTLIGHT September 13 – Cozy Up With Kathy - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST September 13 – Christy's Cozy Corners – REVIEW September 13 – Read Your Writes Book Reviews – AUTHOR INTERVIEW September 14 – Angel's Guilty Pleasures - CHARACTER INTERVIEW September 14 – Maureen's Musings – SPOTLIGHT September 14 – Celticlady's Reviews – SPOTLIGHT September 15 – Books a Plenty Book Reviews - REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST September 15 – Mysteries with Character – AUTHOR INTERVIEW September 15 – Ebook addicts – REVIEW September 16 – Socrates Book Reviews – REVIEW September 16 – Reading Is My SuperPower - REVIEW, INDIVIDUAL GIVEAWAY September 17 – Ruff Drafts – REVIEW September 17 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT September 17 – A Chick Who Reads – REVIEW September 18 – Ascroft, eh? - AUTHOR INTERVIEW September 18 – I Read What You Write – GUEST POST September 18 – Melina's Book Blog – REVIEW   Have you signed up to be a Tour Host? Click Here Find Details and Sign Up Today!

Release Blast: 425 Madison Melting Winter

After failing at happily ever after, Weston Croix has built a wall around his heart and decides the playboy life is much more fun. Wynter Carlisle is jaded when it comes to who you can count on in life and it’s turned her into an ice queen. Can the two break down their own barriers or will their destiny go up in flames? Readers will fall in love with this office romance from J Marie. The 425 Madison series is back with season three and MELTING WYNTER is live!

 

Weston Croix

Okay, so I might have a few playboy like tendencies. That tends to happen when you fall in love and don't end up with the happily ever after of your dreams. I built a wall around my heart and decided to have a little fun instead.

Now, I've found myself falling for the ice queen herself. Did I mention that she's also my editor-in-chief?

She's not interested in me or being an us, but when our best friends start dating, we can no longer escape our insecurities or the fire burning between us.

I guess I'm just going to have to turn up the heat and melt her heart.

Wynter Carlisle

I've got the perfect job, an apartment in NYC's elite 425 Madison high rise and life as I know is great.

If there's one thing I've learned over the years, it's that people are fickle and love isn't always permanent. I'm the only one I can always count on, well except for my best friend Addison.

I had a plan to protect my heart. That was, until Weston - the cocky columnist who works for me...in more ways than one.

Can we really break down our own barriers or will our destiny go up in flames? We're about to find out.

After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love!

Read Melting Wynter toady!

Add to Goodreads!

---

Exclusive Excerpt

Copyright @ J Marie 2020

She’s hiding something underneath that facade of stone and I have a plan to figure out exactly what it is. I want to know what makes her tick. What consumes her? What gets under her skin? What’s her flaw? Other than my flirting and charm, that is.

It’s starting to get to her. I can tell by every flinch or slip of her mask and I’m enticed to do it more. I want it to slip. I don’t want to play charades; I want her to show me the real her - The face behind the mask.

Come out and play, Wynter. A grin crosses my lips.

“Croix, my office now.” Her siren voice calls to me like a sailor doomed to meet his fate at the rocky cliffs. Wynter never calls me by my first name, but it’s not unusual. The longer she keeps up this detached front, the less she has to pretend.

My little arctic queen is angry and I wonder what’s put her over the edge this time. A flush covers her cheeks as her eyes find mine. I bet it's the same blush she gets during sex.

Her pen angrily slips between her fingers as she twists it over and over.

“You rang?” I answer with a smirk. She shakes her head, looking down at what I assume is my piece for the magazine. “You really expect me to believe that ‘dating apps are the new rage for fans of hookups’?”

“Hey, don’t knock Match Me until you try it. Maybe it’d loosen you up a little, Ice Queen.” I smile another one of my dazzling, charming smiles and she scoffs pushing away my piece.

“I don’t need a dating app to help me hook up with men, I do just fine on my own.”

I snicker, mumbling under my breath. “You probably wouldn’t know a proper man even if he pleasured you six ways to Sunday.”

“What was that?”

“Oh, nothing. Guess some of us in the dating world just aren’t as lucky as you, your royal highness.” Sarcasm falls from my lips.

“Please stop calling me that, I am your boss.”

I fake salute her; a fat smile still planted across my face.

Leaning against the wall, I watch her eyes follow my silhouette. Do I detect a hint of approval? I’m wearing a white button-down, the top popped open exposing a slight peep show of my tattoos. Her eyes trail down my body and she licks her lips before catching herself. “Anything else you needed or was that all?”

She bites the cap of her pen and a slight crease forms on her forehead, as it often does when she’s lost in concentration or thought - another one of the many things I find intriguing about this woman.

“If this is the best you have, I guess I’ll post it. I am curious though… is this really all you’ve got swimming around in your brain? I find it hard to believe that a Yale graduate has nothing better to write about than hookups. It’d be a shame to find someone better versed in the world for that new senior columnist position opening up soon.”

Read Melting Wynter toady!

 

---

About J Marie

J Marie is a hopeless romantic with a serious Chipotle addiction. When she isn’t searching for her next swoon-worthy book boyfriend, she’s writing him. Although she has West Virginia roots, she currently resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog, Sir Cooper Ryder.

Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Twitter | Instagram | Pinterest

---

About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

Facebook | Newsletter

Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Blast: Sleeping with the Enemy

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jackie Barbosa will be awarding a $20 Amazon or B/N GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

When Mrs. Laura Farnsworth discovers the blood-stained body of a man wearing the distinctive red coat of the British army, her first instinct is to let dead dogs lie. It has, after all, been just two days since the Battle of Plattsburgh, and the disposition of enemy corpses is hardly her purview. But then the man proves himself to be very much alive by grabbing her ankle and mumbling incoherently.

After almost twenty-five years in His Majesty’s service, Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Langston never expected to wake up in heaven, much less being tended by an angel. But when he regains consciousness in the presence of a beautiful, dark-haired woman and with no memory of how he came to be there, what else can he think? Except it’s rather odd for an angel to have an American accent.

As the long-widowed Laura nurses the wounded Geoffrey back to health, the attraction between them heats from a simmer to a boil. Bound by his oath to the British crown, Geoffrey should be working to find his way back to his regiment and from there, to England. Instead, he’s sleeping with the enemy…and thereby committing the crime of desertion if not treason. But then, who’s going to find out?

If only Geoffrey didn’t have a family back home who refuse to take “missing in action” for an answer.

Read an Excerpt

Well, that had been entirely inappropriate!

Flustered and overheated, Laura grabbed the empty wicker bread basket from the center of the heavy oak dining table and flopped into one of the nearby chairs, waving the basket in front of her face as a makeshift fan.

What on earth had come over her in there? One moment she had been engaged in the innocuous—although admittedly intimate—chore of giving a man a shave, and the next she had been seconds from lifting her skirts and riding him like a hobby horse.

Oh, very well, not quite like a hobby horse.

For heaven’s sake, she was a respectable widow with a nearly adult son, not a reckless girl in the first flush of infatuation. The last time she’d felt anything like this mad rush of desire, she had been nineteen and newly introduced to Samuel Farnsworth, the handsomest man she had ever met. Back then, she had not fully grasped the significance of the sensations that flooded her whenever she was with Samuel, just that she wanted more of them. Only after he introduced her to the pleasures of the marital bed did she appreciate how clever her body had been in recognizing her mate. Her only mate. Or so she had believed.

But now the handsomest man she had ever met slept in the bed she’d once shared with her husband, wearing nothing but a nightshirt, and she knew what she was missing. Truly understood the signals her body was sending her.

She wanted Lieutenant Colonel Geoffrey Langston.

About the Author:

I can’t remember a time when I didn’t want to be a writer when I grew up, but there were plenty of times when I wasn’t sure I ever would be. As it turns out, it just took me about twenty years longer to grow up than I expected!

On the road to publication, I took a few detours, including a stint in academia (I hold an MA in Classics from the University of Chicago and was a recipient of a Mellon Fellowship in the Humanities) and many years as a technical writer/instructional designer for a data processing company. I still hold my day job, but my true vocation has always been writing fiction and romance in particular.

I’m a firm believer that love is the most powerful force in the world, which that makes romance the most powerful genre in the world. Don’t ever let anyone tell you otherwise!

Website: http://www.jackiebarbosa.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jackiebarbosa
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JackieBarbosaAuthor/

Buy Links for Sleeping with the Enemy

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B085GK6Y1T
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/sleeping-with-the-enemy-39
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/sleeping-with-the-enemy-jackie-barbosa/1136596890
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/sleeping-with-the-enemy/id1501443490?ls=1

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TLC Book Tours Book Review: The Brothers of Auschwitz

About The Brothers of Auschwitz

• Paperback : 464 pages

• Publisher : One More Chapter (September 1, 2020) 

  An extraordinary novel of hope and heartbreak, this is a story about a family separated by the Holocaust and their harrowing journey back to each other. There was a good orchestra at Auschwitz. I could immediately hear it was good. I almost wept for the beauty of it, but the large pile of striped pajamas stayed in my mind, and I didn’t cry… Dov and Yitzhak live in a small village in the mountains of Hungary, isolated both from the world and from the horrors of the war. But one day in 1944, everything changes. The Nazis storm the homes of the Jewish villagers and inform them they have one hour. One hour before the train will take them to Auschwitz. Six decades later, from the safety of their living rooms at home in Israel, the brothers finally break their silence to a friend who will never let their stories be forgotten. Narrated in a poetic style reminiscent of Margaret Atwood, Malka Adler has penned a visceral yet essential read for those who have found strength, solace and above all, hope, in books like The Choice by Edith Eger and The Librarian of Auschwitz by Antonio Iturbe. Social Media Please use the hashtag #thebrothersofauschwitz, and tag @tlcbooktours and @harpercollins360.

   

Purchase Links

HarperCollins | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Review: If you are in a bad place mentally this may not be the book for you. I know for me it was a hard read. The material is heavy and not at all uplifting.

Let me say that it has nothing to do with the book. It is wonderfully written but its about Auschwitz so its not the prettiest of subjects.  There are no hearts and flowers here. It is one big downer, though it is a book that shows even in the worst conditions survival can happen.

Dov and Yitzhak are brothers that made it through the holocaust.  I think that alone should sum up this book. I wish there had been a better timeline for the reader though. There are parts of the story in the past and then in 2001. The brother's stories feel disjointed and that made it very difficult for me because it felt off.

We were never aware of what point it was during the war it was just the torture that the two young men went through until the war ended.

To say this book hurt my heart would be an understatement. It is so hard to believe that people were treated in this way. 

The sister's brief story near the end came out of nowhere.

This book is fiction but it is based on real people, which makes it more depressing, because these horrific things really happened to people.

It broke my heart, repeatedly.

Not exactly the type of book you should read when you are depressed. I was really glad when I was finally finished. It left me totally drained.

Still it paints a pretty accurate portrait of one of humanities darkest periods

Rating: 4 flowers

About Malka Adler

Malka Adler was born in a small village near the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel. She began her work as an author when she turned 50. After taking a creative writing course, she fell in love with the art. Malka has written six books, four of which are about the Holocaust. She obtained her undergraduate and graduate degrees in educational counselling at Bar Ilan University and is a family and couples' therapist, writer and facilitator of several reading clubs.

Goddess Fish Promotions Book Blast: Pairs With Life

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The publisher will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter and a signed copy of the book to a randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Forty-eight-year-old Corbett Thomas, a one-hit wonder of the 90s, now works as the lead sommelier at Napa Valley’s hippest restaurant. Set to become one of the few Master Sommeliers in the world, Corbett self-destructs during his final exam, ruining his last chance at capturing the stardom and adoration he got a taste for in his youth.

When billionaire game designer, Brogan Prescott, asks Corbett to consult on a major vineyard acquisition, Corbett sees it as a shot at redemption, until he learns of Brogan’s ridiculous vision of a virtual-reality, Woke Ant Colony Winery. Disgusted, Corbett decides to buy the vineyard himself and preserve its magic and history. Cashless, clueless, and with his reputation in tatters, Corbett enlists the help of his bass-player-turned-lawyer Seamus O’Flaherty, who may have finally lost his stomach for Corbett’s bad ideas; his uber-rational daughter Remy, who wants Corbett to uncork some family secrets he’d rather leave in the cellar; and Sydney Cameron, whose sudden appearance in Corbett’s life may repair his heart or shatter it forever.

With their help-and sometimes despite it-Corbett discovers what Brogan has known all along: a four-billion-dollar gold deposit lies beneath the vineyard. If Brogan acquires the property, the ensuing gold rush will destroy Napa Valley.

But if Corbett can get out of his own way long enough to purchase the vineyard first, he’ll be faced with the hardest decision of his life: take the fame and fortune he desperately craves, or save the soul of the valley he loves so much.

Read an Excerpt

Let’s get one thing clear - I won that bet fair and square, even though I cheated.

I blame the whole thing on Rick Dornin, who was being particularly douchey that night. I used to be able to choose whichever party I wanted to serve without question. That is, until Dornin arrived at Appellation with his anal-retentive online calendar and industrial-grade Napoleon complex.

Yes, that Appellation. The most coveted dining experience in all of Napa Valley, and one of only nine restaurants in America awarded three Michelin stars. It took a DNA sample and a copy of your credit report to get a table, and then you’d better be ready to cash in your 401(k) when the bill came.

The evening started out normally enough. I arrived at the restaurant an hour before my shift to check reservations, talk to Chef Dan about the evening’s specials, and think of pairings for the prix fixe. Dornin was in his office—a modified broom closet next to the staff bathroom that looked like a hoarder’s den with one, tiny deer trail leading to his desk. In fact, he was always in his office, even when service was slammed, which drove me batshit crazy. I don’t care if you’re General Manager or General Patton—when it’s time to schlep a plate or buff a glass, you step up and do it.

Anyway, I poked my head through the doorway and said, “Hey, Rick,” trying to keep things light and cheery. “What do you know about this Harrison party at eight?”

“Whales,” he replied, not bothering to look up from his purchase orders. “Big whales, like Moby Dick whales.”

“Sweet!” Visions of stockbrokers trying to one-up each other with bottles of Screaming Eagle at five thousand bucks a pop danced in my head. Tips so big they come in a brown paper bag.

“Yes.” Dornin finally looked up at me and grinned like he learned how to do it from an infomercial. “They’ll be in the Veraison Room. With Andrew.”

“What?” I lunged into the tiny office, nearly tripping over a carton of water glasses. “You can’t give it to Andrew!”

“I can give it to whoever I want.” He went back to his purchase orders, feigning a nonchalance that made me want to smack him. “If I want to move Felipe off of bussing and let him pop some corks, I could do that, too.”

Time for a different tack—one that wouldn’t involve me going full-on Hannibal Lecter. “I’m just saying that a party like that comes to a restaurant like this to experience the highest level of service in the world. I’m the guy they’re coming for, not Andrew. I sit for my Master Somm next week, and—”

“You know what you are, Corbett? You’re an overpaid bartender.” Dornin had thin lips and an Adam’s apple the size of Detroit, and it bugged me. “You trained for twenty years to learn how to pull a cork from a bottle and tell people that red wine goes with steak. Whoop-tee-freaking-do. You’ll work the floor tonight, and you can have the Jansen party on the terrace at seven-thirty.”

My left eyebrow started twitching, which happens when I get stressed out. Apparently, no one can see it, but to me, it feels like a two-year-old is digging tiny fingers into my face and stretching it like saltwater taffy. I considered trying the No One Has Experience At Up-Selling Like I Do approach, but this was the third time in as many weeks I’d had such a run-in with Dornin.

I was done.

It was time to talk to Chef Dan.

Most people remember Chef Daniel Foyer from his five seasons on Elite Chef, The Food Channel’s number one show from 1998 to 2002. With a chin so chiseled it could slice a burnt chuck steak and blue eyes that screamed, “Come taste this gazpacho in my bedroom,” he was the prototype celebrity chef. But Father Time had been most inhospitable to Chef Dan, and for the past couple of years the poor soul tried to counteract a rapid aging process by dunking his scalp and Sam Elliott-sized mustache in a fifty-gallon drum of jet-black hair dye. The net effect was so incongruous with the rest of his wrinkled face that I could barely look at him without drowning in the shore break of cognitive dissonance.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved the guy. He was a loyal and trusted friend, and straight-up the most amazing culinary artist of my generation. But if I’d had any money, I would have bought stock in Just For Men and eventually retire on my Chef Dan profits alone.

About the Author:

John Taylor has been writing about wine since 2012, but his meanderings on life began way before that. Born and raised in San Diego, California, John moved to Los Angeles in 1982 to pursue dreams of screenwriting and filmmaking. He attended the University of Southern California, where he majored in Shattered Dreams and False Hopes, with a minor in Getting Gut Punched By Reality. After being handed a degree in Journalism in 1987 as a consolation prize, John dove into a career in music. Because getting gut-punched just isn’t painful enough.

By 1996, John and his band, The Uninvited, had produced four independent albums and became one of the most popular acts in the western United States. This lead to a deal on Atlantic Records, which released the band’s self-titled debut album in 1997. The band had two Top 100 hits, and toured nationally with Dave Matthews, Blues Traveller, Third Eye Blind and many other acts. Their music appeared in the TV shows Beverly Hills 90210 and Party of Five, and in the motion pictures The Commandments and North Beach. The band can also be heard in several HBO Documentaries, video games and on that annoying “One Hit Wonders of The 90’s” station your co-worker always plays on Spotify.

In 2001, John’s vast experience in shattered dreams was once again called into play as the band hung up their touring shoes for good. After a brief but horrifying career in real estate, John got wise and made a career out of his favorite hobby – wine – and has held various sales and marketing positions in Napa Valley since 2011. John’s writing career started in earnest at this point, with blogs, essays and short stories appearing in various publications. John is the author of three novels, including the aptly-titled Pairs With: Life, which will be released by Hurn Publications in September 2020.

Author Links:

Website: https://pairswithlife.net/about-john-taylor-the-author-and-creator-of-pairs-with-life
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pairswithlife
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pairswithlife/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JATauthor
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/52422370-pairs-with-life
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/pairs-with-life/id1447854343
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpJAMcM5_30XOMGLgp8accw
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/hurnpublications/pairs-with-life/

Buy Links:

BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pairs-with-life-john-taylor/1137309023
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1734763418/ref=x_gr_w_bb_sin
Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/pairs-with-life
AbeBooks: https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30694978993&searchurl=isbn%3D1734763418%26sortby%3D17&cm_sp=snippet-_-srp1-_-title1
The Book Depository: https://www.bookdepository.com/Pairs-With-Life-John-Taylor-Triumph-Book-Covers-Raven-Eckman/9781734763416
Alibris: https://www.alibris.com/booksearch?keyword=1734763418&utm_medium=affiliate&utm_source=GwEz7vxblVU&utm_campaign=10&siteID=GwEz7vxblVU-AsJ_RuF3DS_lmu1_KH3zEQ
Publisher: https://hurnpublications.com/product/preorders-pairs-with-life-by-john-taylor
Indiebound: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9781734763416

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Goddess Fish Promotion: The Murderous Macaron

 

The Murderous Macaron

by Ana T. Drew

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GENRE: Cozy mystery

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BLURB:

Julie has her freedom, a dream job as a pastry chef, and a corpse growing cold on her floor...

Welcome to Beldoc, a small town in the heart of Provence, imbued with lavender and fresh baked bread! You can idle around, or you can puzzle out a murder mystery.

When a man dies on her watch in her pâtisserie, newly divorced chef Julie Cavallo is dismayed. It isn’t that she’s a suspect. The local gendarmerie captain signs off the death as a natural event. A heart attack. But for a reason she won’t discuss, Julie suspects Maurice Sauve was poisoned. What’s a girl to do? She’ll ignore the risk and seek justice for Maurice on her own!

Well, not quite on her own. Julie’s eccentric grandmother, her snarky sister and her geeky sous chef are keen to help. The team’s amateurism is a challenge. But there’s also the pesky matter of no evidence, no clues, and soon, no body. The murder—if it was a murder—was planned and executed flawlessly.

Can a small-town baker solve the perfect crime?

"The Murderous Macaron" is a twisty whodunnit mystery perfect for fans of Janet Evanovich, Alexander McCall Smith, Jana DeLeon and Lilian Jackson Braun.

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EXCERPT

I sit down across a round table from the gendarme, Capitaine Adinian, and begin my sad tale of yesterday’s macaron-making workshop that didn’t go as planned.

He listens, barely taking any notes.

When I get to the part where I asked my students to mix the ingredients I’d prepared for them, Capitaine Adinian leans forward. “Who prepared and laid out the ingredients?”

“I did.”

“When?”

“Shortly before the class began.”

“Did you leave the shop, even for a brief time, after you had everything ready for the class?” he asks.

“No.”

He scribbles something in his little notebook. “Please continue.”

“Most participants struggled to get their batter to stiffen,” I say. “Some gave up, claiming it was impossible without an electric mixer.”

“Did Maurice Sauve give up?”

“Quite the contrary. He whisked unrelentingly, switching hands but never pausing. He was the first to complete the task.”

Capitaine Adinian writes that down.

“I gave him one of these.” I show Adinian the remaining badges that Flo had made for the workshop.

“Great Baking Potential,” he reads aloud.

“Then I went around with his bowl and had everyone admire the perfect consistency of the batter.”

“Did anything stand out or seem unusual at that point?”

I gaze up at the ceiling, picturing the scene of me praising Maurice Sauve’s firm, satiny batter, students giving him their thumbs-up, and him smiling, visibly stoked. But he isn’t just smiling, he’s also… Panic squeezing my throat, I zero in on his face. He’s panting.

Oh. My. God.

I clap my hand over my mouth. “What if he’d whisked too hard? What if that exertion caused his heart attack?”

“An intense workout, especially at freezing temperatures, can trigger a heart attack,” Adinian says.

“He whisked intensely.”

“Madame Cavallo, I’ve never heard of anyone whisking themselves to an early grave.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Review:  The Murderous Macaron was really a delightful little cozy mystery. Julie is the owner of a fancy gluten free bakery. It was during one of her classes that a student ended up suffering a heart attack.

This should have been a cut and dry death. Heat attack = no foul play, but Julie had a vision and that makes her want to investigate, which turns up some reasons why people may want him dead.

I liked getting to know Julie and her friends while the mystery unfolded.  I liked that there may or may not be a love interest coming in the series as it continues. I really want to get to know more about her school nemesis turned would be suitor. Of course there's also the inspector too.

This was a light and easy read and really fun.

I only wanted to shake Julie once or twice during her investigation. Usually with cozy mysteries I want to do it multiple times because the amateur sleuths are often like the hot chick in horror flicks. A little stupid when it comes to their own lives. I'm not saying Julie wasn't stupid with her life, cos she was but not in that super irritating way that often happens in this genre.

The ending was not what I expected, especially in regards to the second death. (I promise I won't spoil anything)

I can't wait to see what happens next for these characters! Especially with Magda next door!!

Rating: 4 flowers

AUTHOR Bio and Links:

Ana T. Drew is the evil mastermind behind the recent series of murders in the fictional French town of Beldoc. When she is not writing cozy mysteries or doing mom-and-wife things, she can be found watching “The Rookie” to help her get over “Castle”. She lives in Paris but her heart is in Provence.

>>> Visit ana-drew.com for a free cookbook and a game!

Website: ana-drew.com

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/ana-drew

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AnaDrewAuthor

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/ana-t-drew

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/anadrew

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/authoranadrew

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

Ana T. Drew will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner via rafflecopter during the tour.

RAFFLECOPTER:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Book Review: The Jackal

Author: J. R. Ward

Title: The Jackal

Publisher: Gallery Books

Publish Date: August 18, 2020

Buy: Amazon

Book Blurb: 

The location of the glymera’s notorious prison camp was lost after the raids. When a freak accident provides Nyx clues to where her sister may still be doing time, she becomes determined to find the secret subterranean labyrinth. Embarking on a journey under the earth, she learns a terrible truth—and meets a male who changes everything forever.

The Jackal has been in the camp for so long he cannot recall anything of the freedom he once knew. Trapped by circumstances out of his control, he helps Nyx because he cannot help himself. After she discovers what happened to her sister, getting her back out becomes a deadly mission for them both.

United by a passion they can’t deny, they work together on an escape plan for Nyx—even though their destiny is to be forever apart. And as the Black Dagger Brotherhood is called upon for help, and Rhage discovers he has a half-brother who’s falsely imprisoned, a devious warden plots the deaths of them all…even the Brothers.

Review: To say I struggled with this book would be an understatement. I have heard about the Black Dagger Brotherhood series for ages and I thought reading the first book in a spin off series would give me an idea of whether or not to go and read the rest.

I probably won't.

For me this was more violent than I usually like. Now don't get me wrong, I'm not all about hearts and flowers where vampires are concerned but this was just not my cup of tea, so to speak.

I could totally see this being done for tv and I think this story might even, dare I say it, work better there, than on print. The characters, Nyx and Jack really needed something more to bring them to life for me. I never felt truly invested in either of them.

Nyx goes off, half cocked to find her sister who was imprisoned for murder. Jack is imprisoned for something he didn't do. The backstory on Jack is by far the most interesting part of the book for me than anything about Nyx.

The time spent in the prison looking for Janelle felt like forever when it was only a few days. That made the instant love between the two main characters feel outrageous, but they are vampires, so anything is possible, right?

There definitely were a few interesting plot twists involving Janelle and also involving Jack, which felt sort of contrived for me, because as the story was going on, something had to happen or it would just keep plodding along with no direction. I wish the twist would have given more oomph to the story, but it only gave a small "wow" before it fizzled.

I was hoping for something great with this book, but it really was a mediocre read for me.

Rating: 3 flowers

Cover Reveal Sunsets and Somedays

The next book in the third season of the beloved 425 Madison Ave is finally here! Check out the sexy cover for Sunsets & Somedays by USA Today Best Selling Author, S.L. Sterling, a must-read second chance romance!

Ben I know why I lost her. I was too serious. I was too practical. I was grounded when I should’ve been dreaming about forever with Jess.

Over time, this wore on her, all her big exciting ideas and all the ways I shut them down. No wonder she handed me my ring back and left town. No wonder she hadn’t been back in ten years. No wonder she’d married someone else, leaving me with memories of sunsets at the beach and the somedays we planned for the future we’d never live. So, I built a lift without her. My father and I opened the second division of Sunset Builders in New York, and to my surprise, I stayed busy, almost busy enough not to notice the loneliness. While I was on a job site, my little sister booked an appointment with a woman who lived on Madison Avenue. A quick bathroom and kitchen remodel, she’d said. I should have asked more questions because when I arrived and the door opened memories came flooding back. Jessica had returned. If I’d learned anything in her absence it was that anything worth doing was worth being done well, and anything worth having was worth fighting for. Maybe by the time the condo was done, Jessica would give me a second chance. Jessica All those years ago, Ben had been right to try to keep me grounded. I should’ve listened. The falls didn’t hurt as bad that way. Instead, I wanted a bigger life in a bigger place and I never appreciated the beauty of living in a small town with a huge support system. So, I left town without so much as a goodbye chasing a

silly dream. I alienated myself, moved to a strange city where I knew no one, and chased after something that took me down a dark path.

I married the man who promised me the sun, moon, and stars, but delivered blinding blows. Sometimes, I thought I’d die before I escaped the nightmare. I knew my only way out would be to run...again. This took more years than I could count. Years of me squirreling away money, and years of me hiding in the dark so that no one would see my bruised face in the light of day. Then my grandfather died. He left me money and a gorgeous condo in New York. While my husband was away on a month-long trip, my best friend drove me to New York. My plan: to upgrade the condo, sell it, and leave my current life behind. Little did I know when I had called contractors to get some quotes that Ben would show up on my doorstep. He swore we could make more dreams real, but this time I was the grounded one. This time, I could only see how it would never work. I’d made too many mistakes. Love was terrifying. And I never wanted to tie myself to anyone ever again. After all, 425 Madison is the perfect place to fall in love!

Pre-Order Sunsets & Somedays toady!

Add to Goodreads!

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About S.L. Sterling

S.L. Sterling was born and raised in southern Ontario. She now lives in Northern Ontario Canada and is married to her best friend and soul mate and their two dogs.

An avid reader all her life, S.L. Sterling dreamt of becoming an author. She decided to give writing a try after one of her favorite authors launched a course on how to write your novel. This course gave her the push she needed to put pen to paper and her debut novel "It Was Always You" was born.

When S.L. Sterling isn't writing or plotting her next novel she can be found curled up with a cup of coffee, blanket, and the newest romance novel from one of her favorite authors.

In her spare time, she enjoys camping, hiking, sunny destinations, spending quality time with family and friends and of course reading.

Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Amazon | BookBub | Instagram | Pinterest

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About the 425 Madison Series

Welcome to 425 Madison Ave the perfect place to fall in love. Rounding out the summer with some hot city nights and coasting into fall with more cool characters at this famous high-rise, 425 Madison is returning for a third season!

With some familiar faces and some brand new residents - you'll be sure to find an author you love and a trope to ignite your taste buds after all 425 Madison IS the perfect place to fall in love!

We’ve got an amazing line of up must-read romance authors including, Lauren Helms, Allie York

J Marie, Kay Gordon, Marcie Shumway, Aubree Valentine, S.L. Sterling, and Fiona Tulle

Prepare for pages packed with new romances, characters, and tropes all from the same well-loved high-rise apartment building in NYC.

Season One and Two feature stories from some of your favorite romance authors: Leigh Lennon, MK Moore, Allie York, Aubree Valentine, Kay Gordon, Lauren Helms, Sylvia Kane, Katy Ames, KC Enders, Marci Shumway, and C. Lesbirel. All these authors came together, each with a standalone romance for you to enjoy. Covering all of your favorite tropes each tale offers you something new, something different.

Make sure to follow the 425 Madison Avenue Facebook page for more on release dates, cover reveals, and author spotlights. For exclusive excerpts, giveaways, and news subscribe to our 425 Madison newsletter!

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Catch up on the first two seasons, available exclusively in Kindle Unlimited!