Crazy Cupid Love

By Amanda Heger

Publication date: 1/29/19

Synopsis

“‘Percy Jackson for Romance fans.’ Delightful.”―RT Book Reviews Forewords

When a single arrow inspires romance, can you really trust happily ever after? In this magical rom-com, the descendants of Greek mythology must learn to live and love in a mundane world where Aphrodite’s blessing can sure feel like a real pain in the quiver.

Eliza Herman (a.k.a. The World’s Worst Cupid) has spent her entire life carefully avoiding her calling as a Descendant of Eros. After all, happily-ever-afters are nothing but a myth. But when a family crisis requires her to fill in at the local Cupid-for-hire shop, Eliza finds herself enchanting couples under the watchful eye of her assigned mentor, Jake Sanders…the one man she could never get out of her head.

Before long, Eliza is rethinking her stance on romance―until things start going terribly wrong with her enchantments. Now Eliza and Jake must fight to unravel a conspiracy that could destroy thousands of relationships, including their own…and spell the end of Love itself.

No pressure, right?

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Excerpt

Thursday nights at the Agora were an even madder house than the grocery store on a Monday. A few months ago, Eliza would have pulled into the crowded parking lot and pulled right back out. But now she had a license. She belonged.

She handed the ever-present and ever-grumpy Mrs. Washmoore her fancy new ID and stepped inside with Jake beside her. They passed the Poseidon fountain and veered left, beyond a storefront advertising BOGO Ambrosia and a series of Cosmic Council offices.

Room 301: Cosmic Council Conference Room
Room 302: Records, Permits, and Descendant Benefits
Room 303: Circuit Fury

Between the rooms, bulletin boards full of community announcements proclaimed that local elections were on the horizon. “Look.” Eliza pointed to the sign. “The deadline for submitting your name is next week.”

Jake didn’t quite meet her eye. “Yeah. I’ll have to look into it.”

“What do you mean, ‘look into it’?” Eliza laughed. “You have to follow your dumb idea. That’s our thing.”

He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and tugged her down the hall. Gods, he made every part of her tingle. “Noted. Now, can we please get to Dionysus before my stomach digests itself? I was too nervous to eat this morning.”

Her stomach rumbled at the mention of food. “What did you have to be nervous about? All you had to do was sign your name.”

“Are you kidding me? Do you know how tough it is to sign all those Department forms? I thought my hand was going to fall off by the time I’d certified that you were fit for duty as a Cupid.”

“Well, I appreciate all your hard work.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” He pulled her a little closer, enough for his hip to settle into the space at her waist as they approached Dionysus. Faint hints of techno music escaped into the empty hall outside the bar. It was dark enough to make her bold, but light enough to tell they were the only two around.

Eliza stopped walking and faced him. “Jake?”

“Yeah?”

Gods, she had a hundred things she wanted to say to him. He’d ruined her for anyone else. He’d made her believe in herself again. He’d made her believe in Love— if only temporarily. But with just a few hours of enchantment remaining, Eliza couldn’t say any of those. Once midnight struck, things would change, and she didn’t want him to feel beholden to her. Like he’d need to let her down easily or try to keep from breaking her heart. It was going to break anyway, so she might as well save him the trouble of knowing about it.

“Thank you for everything,” she said. “I mean it.”

He stood close enough for her to feel the breath hitch in his chest. “My pleasure.” The corners of his eyes crinkled, like he was about to say something very important and maybe even a little naughty when—

“Welcome to Dionysus! Thursday night is Nereid Night, and we’ve got the best specials to celebrate.” The piercing voice sliced through their moment. It belonged to the tall, thin Dionysian who’d poked his head out into the hallway. “Right this way.”

He led them through a maze of chairs and bodies to a table right up against a floor-to-ceiling fish tank—or rather, Nereid tank. Inside, starfish and coral sat at the bottom, while a stunning sea nymph rode through the blue-green waves on the back of a turtle.

“So, this is the famous Nereid Night?” Eliza asked Jake.

“It is. Things get rowdy after midnight, but before that, it’s not too bad.”

“By not too bad, I assume you mean the beautiful, bikini-clad nymphs floating around?”

Jake leaned forward and brushed her hair out of her face. His thumb lingered against her cheek, and the gold in his eyes flickered in the dim light of the bar. “Eliza,” he said. “Does it look like I care about the bikini-clad nymphs right now?”

“Not really.” Every part of her wanted to climb in his lap and bury herself in his arms. Maybe this once—now that he wasn’t her mentor, and the Department didn’t seem to care about her sex life (or lack thereof)— she could give in a little. Enjoy the long glances and soft touches while she still could. She leaned closer to Jake. “Do you want—”

Knock, knock, knock.

Eliza jerked out of her chair, nearly knocking her head on the tank. The Nereid inside smiled and waved brightly, as if she’d been newly crowned Miss Greek Universe. And with that cascading black hair and teal shell top that barely covered any of her brown skin, she looked like she could be a contestant. She also looked like—

“Quinn?” Eliza said.

The Nereid swam to the top of the tank and hung over the edge. Saltwater droplets splattered on the table, and the scent of sea and sand permeated the air. “Hey, you! Long time, no see. When you first sat down I thought, That girl reminds me of Eliza Herman. But then you didn’t knock anything over, so I figured I had it all wrong. But then I heard you talk and I knew— Delta Iota Kappa for life! How are you?”

Eliza looked back and forth between Jake— who had a very amused look on his face— and Quinn, the sorority sister from her college days. “Pretty great, actually.”

Quinn wrung out the ends of her long hair and flipped it over one shoulder. “Same. Ever since this place started Nereid Night, I’ve been so busy. The tips here are great.”

“You two were in a sorority together?” Jake asked.

“Like any of us can go to college and not go Greek,” Quinn said.

About the Author

Amanda Heger is a writer, attorney, and bookworm. She lives in the Baltimore with her unruly rescue dogs and a husband who encourages her delusions of grandeur. She strongly believes Amy Poehler is her soul mate, and one of her life goals is to adopt a pig and name it Ron Swineson.

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Moon Games
Cozy Mystery/Amateur Sleuth
Milford House Press (August 6, 2018)
Paperback: 264 pages

Synopsis

At the outset, Miranda Davis has nothing much going for her. The tourists are long gone by October in the quaint Carolina town of Black Mountain, her realty business is at a standstill, and her weekend stint managing the local tavern offers little to pull her out of the doldrums. When prominent church lady Cloris Raintree offers a stipend to look into the whereabouts of a missing girl hiker on the Q.T, Miranda, along with her partner Harry (an unemployed features writer) agree.

But then it all backfires. A burly figure shambles down a mountain slope with a semi-conscious girl draped over his shoulder. Miranda’s attempts to uncover Cloris Raintree’s true motives become near impossible as she puts up one smokescreen after another, including a slip of the tongue regarding an incident in Havana. The local police keep stonewalling and Harry is of little help.

Tarot cards left on Cloris’ doorstep and arcane prompts on her e-mail only exacerbate the situation. Growing more desperate over the captive girl’s fate, Miranda comes across a link to a cold case of arson and murder. With the advent of the dark of the moon, she is summoned to “Tower Time” as this twisty tale continues to run its course.

Review

You might want to have a notepad handy when reading this book!  The characters move at warp speed and the information hits you like a runaway locomotive.

This is the first book I have read by this author and the book took some time for me to get into the groove.  When I first started reading this book I wasn’t really sure what was going on or why Miranda and Harry were looking for this missing girl.  There were many pieces to the puzzle and it was hard to determine what clue went where and who did what which is why the reader might need a notebook or whiteboard to keep track like Miranda and Harry.

Miranda is the protagonist with quite a varied background.  She is a realtor, manages a tavern, and plays detective in her spare time.  I think she is a bit scattered which is why she needs a whiteboard to keep track of it all.  I’m not quite sure why she isn’t telling those that are helping her all the details.  She even admits later in the book about trying to keep straight what information she shared with Harry or Scooter.  I suppose since Scooter is sort of an unknown in the equation.  I will say that when I first started reading the book and Scooter came up, I thought it was a man but I was wrong.  Scooter is a bit of a wildcard and I’m not sure what her end game is and what she really wants from Miranda.

The clues start coming together about 60% of the way through the book and things start to make a little more sense.  There were some twists I wasn’t prepared for and they helped round out the story.

Overall we would give this 3 1/2 paws.  I feel like the story could have been set up better in the beginning so the reader does not feel like they have been thrown into the middle of a story with no guidance with the objective.  However, the story does end well and made it worth reading.

About the Author

Shelly Frome is a member of Mystery Writers of America, a professor of dramatic arts emeritus at the University of Connecticut, a former professional actor and, all told, has written over twenty-five plays in addition to his articles and novels.

A frequent contributor of articles on all facets of creative writing and acting, Shelly appears in numerous periodicals including Southern Writers Magazine where he is the film columnist. He is also a contributor to writers’ blogs and websites in the U.S. and the U.K.

His fiction includes Twilight of the Drifter, The Twinning Murders, and Lilac Moon. His Hollywood crime caper Tinseltown Riff was released in March 2013. His latest crime novel Murder Run was just released in August.

Among his works of non-fiction are the acclaimed The Actors Studio and texts on The Art and Craft of Screenwriting and writing for the stage. Shelly lives in Black Mountain, North Carolina.

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Suddenly Mine
By Samantha Chase
Publication date: 1/29/19

Synopsis

Love is a sanctuary

Christian Montgomery is burnt out—the family business might be his entire world, but his father’s judgment means Christian never stops working. His only respite is gazing at the beach and the carefree surfers riding the waves…especially the curvy redhead who’s caught his attention.

Sophia Bennington has just fled from her small Kansas town to California, where she’s trying her best to embrace her new beginning. Soon Christian and Sophia find one another, and it feels like a sanctuary. But when their difficult pasts catch up to them, will they run away from each other?

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Montgomery Brothers Series

·         Wait for Me (Book 1)

·         Trust in Me (Book 2)

·         Stay With Me (Book 3)

·         More of Me (Book 4)

·         Return to You (Book 5)

·         Meant for You (Book 6)

·         I’ll Be There (Book 7)

·         Until There Was Us (Book 8)

Praise

“Chase’s three-dimensional characters leap off the page…”—Publishers Weekly for Until There Was Us

“A sweet romance: classic, thoughtful, and as lyrical as the stars.”—Kirkus Reviews for A Sky Full of Stars

“Chase just gets better and better.”—Booklist

Excerpt

Behind her, Christian laughed softly. “Yeah, I know. It’s a bit on the big side, right?”

“It’s practically a movie screen,” she said, looking over her shoulder and smiling at him.

Again, big mistake.

He returned the smile.

Her heart quite literally skipped a beat.

Christian moved closer to sit on one of the sofas before motioning for her to take a seat as well. “So…you wanted to talk to me?”

Right now? Not really. There were some other things she’d like to be doing with him, but she noticed him looking at her expectantly, and that forced her to push all sexy thoughts of him aside.

With her purse on the sofa beside her, Sophie sat primly, hands folded in her lap. “First, how are you feeling?”

His smile faltered a little. “I’m doing okay. I’m bored out of my mind, but I’m being respectful of my doctor’s orders and not calling into the office or even checking emails. It’s a lot harder than I thought it would be. But on the plus side, I’ve been sleeping well and I’ve made some modifications to my diet that I’m not hating, so…all in all, I’m all right.”

“Good. That’s good.” He was still studying her and Sophie fought the urge to squirm under his appraisal.

Christian leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees. “Was there something more?”

Why was she hesitating?

Oh, right. Because half-naked Christian Montgomery was very distracting!

She cleared her throat and did her best to focus on…his forehead. “Okay, so here’s the thing—I got a call from Patricia today.” She waited for him to react, but he didn’t. “She called to give me my schedule.”

Still no reaction.

With a huff, she went on. “Then she told me how you’d called my bosses and recommended me to be hired by other companies in the building! I appreciate your confidence in me, but…”

“But?” he prompted.

“You don’t even know me, Christian,” she blurted out. “For all you know, I’m terrible at my job! I could be…lazy or have no bedside manner! Maybe I stink at taking blood pressures or—or make people cry when I give them a flu shot. I mean, you don’t have any idea!” She was breathless by the time she finished and sagged against the sofa cushions.

Without a word, Christian rose and walked to the kitchen. The entire space was open so the living room, dining room, and kitchen formed one large space and she was able to watch him pour her a glass of water. He handed it to her.

“Thank you.”

He sat on the sofa opposite hers. “First of all, you and I both know you’re excellent at your job. Anyone who was there with you that day in my office will attest to that.”

Blushing, she said, “We don’t know that.”

He laughed softly. “I disagree. And on top of that, from everything Patricia told me, you were the one my mother and aunt wanted to hire. The position was never going to anyone else.”

She took a sip of the water and placed it on the coffee table on top of a coaster. “And what about the other companies?”

“Everyone in the building talks, Sophie. We’re not the only ones looking to incorporate this kind of a health program. We were just the first to do it. And now that we have, it didn’t seem like a big deal to recommend your agency and you to them.”

“But I haven’t even started with your company yet.”

He simply shrugged. “Why are you arguing with me about this? You said so yourself, this was the perfect job for you.”

And it was. She knew that. But… “I feel like I may get any future jobs under false pretenses, or…something like that.”

Laughing softly, Christian relaxed and slung one arm along the top of the cushion. “No false pretenses, Sophie. You are more than qualified for the job and any others you may get. Patricia was talking to me about that when…well, you know.”

Nodding, she countered, “It’s not like I don’t appreciate this—because I do—but I don’t want the recommendations because you feel obligated or something.”

“Believe it or not, this has more to do with how much my mother and aunt loved you and raved about you.”

Her eyes narrowed as she tried to gauge whether or not she believed him. “Where are they, anyway? Do they live nearby?”

“My parents live in New York and my aunt and her family are in North Carolina.”

She looked at him quizzically. “But…they were here, right? I met them on the beach?”

He nodded.

“Do they visit often?”

He shrugged. “No. They were here to start up the whole corporate health thing. I guess I’m still surprised that they met you and how everything sort of worked out the way that it did?”

“At first I thought they were just being nice, but then I realized they were chatty by nature,” Sophie said, smiling.

“That pretty much is a perfect description of them.”

“Anyway, I wasn’t sure how to end the conversation so I could get back into the water, and ended up sitting with them for a while and sharing my life story.” She chuckled. “I don’t even know how that happened.”

“Because they’re crafty like that,” he said. “Trust me. They have a gift for drawing things out of people that they wouldn’t normally share.”

“That sounds a little ominous.”

He explained a bit of the dynamics of his family, his uncle’s penchant for matchmaking, and how they all ended up working for one another.

“So that’s what this is?”

“No one tells anyone who they have to hire in this company,” he said matter-of-factly.

She gave him a hard glare at the irony of what he’d just said.

“What?” he asked, brows furrowed.

“And yet here you are hiring me because your mom and aunt told you to,” she stated, crossing her arms over her chest.

“It’s not the same thing, Sophie. Not at all. They hired your agency and requested you. I have nothing to do with any of this. Trust me.”

“Really?” she asked sarcastically.

Leaning forward, he met her gaze. “Look, they are different situations. We are adding something new to the company and needed to hire someone. They were in charge of hiring that person. It’s not like they called me and said ‘Hey, you have to hire Sophie and find a position for her.’ So you see, two completely different things.”

Maybe.

She still felt like the two situations were very similar, but she’d be willing to let it go for now.

“I’d like to believe you.”

He let out a sigh of frustration. “Are you always this argumentative? Because I’ve got to tell you, it’s exhausting.”

“Sorry,” she murmured. “And honestly, I’m not. I usually have better manners than this. I’ve never argued—even lightly—with anyone, especially not someone I work with!” And that’s when it hit her: she was going to be working with him. What was she thinking, coming here and arguing with him like this?

Standing quickly, she grabbed her purse and stepped toward the door. “I should go,” she said, suddenly feeling awkward and uncomfortable. “I’m glad you’re feeling better, and I’m sure I’ll see you at the office next week.”

Moving nervously, she made her way to the door.

Christian’s hand on her arm stopped her. When she turned, she saw confusion in his deep blue eyes.

“Hey,” he said softly. “What’s going on?”

“I—I just remembered someplace I need to be,” she lied and immediately felt guilty for that too.

His eyes scanned her face, but his hand gently curled around her arm. “Really? Just like that? Without looking at your watch or anything, you suddenly remember that you have somewhere else to be?”

She bit her lip before saying, “Uh-huh.”

A slow smile played at Christian’s lips. “Where?”

“Where?”

“Uh-huh. Where do you have to be?”

Why couldn’t he just let her go? Why was he questioning her like this? “What—” she croaked and then cleared her throat. “What difference does it make? I needed to clear things up and I did, so…”

“So?”

She rolled her eyes. The man was infuriating.

And sexy.

That last one hit her when she went to move and somehow ended up even closer to his bare chest.

Licking him would definitely be wrong, right? And more than likely, a little inappropriate.

It didn’t stop her from wanting to do it, though.

About the Author

Samantha Chase, a creative writing teacher, released her debut novel, Jordan’s Return, in November 2011. Since then, she has published seventeen more titles and has become a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author. She lives with her husband of twenty-four years and their two sons in North Carolina.

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Broken Heart Attack (Braxton Campus Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
2nd in Series
Independently Published (November 25, 2018)
Paperback: 270 pages

Synopsis

When an extra ticket becomes available to see the dress rehearsal of King Lear, Kellan tags along with Nana D and her buddies.

When one of them dies of an apparent heart attack in the middle of second act, Nana D raises her suspicions and asks Kellan to investigate the death. With family members suddenly in debt and a secret rendezvous between an unlikely pair, Kellan learns that the Paddingtons might not be as clean-cut as everyone thinks.

But can Kellan find the killer, or will he get caught up his own stage fright?

Braxton Campus Mysteries

Academic Curveball – #1 (October 2018)

Broken Heart Attack – #2 (November 2018)

Flower Power Trip – #3 (Early 2019)

Other Books

Watching Glass Shatter (October 2017)

Father Figure (April 2018)

About the Author

James is my given name, but most folks call me Jay. I live in New York City, grew up on Long Island, and graduated from Moravian College with a degree in English literature. I spent fifteen years building a technology career in the retail, sports, media, and entertainment industries. I enjoyed my job, but a passion for books and stories had been missing for far too long. I’m a voracious reader in my favorite genres (thriller, suspense, contemporary, mystery, and historical fiction), as books transport me to a different world where I can immerse myself in so many fantastic cultures and places. I’m an avid genealogist who hopes to visit all the German, Scottish, Irish, and British villages my ancestors emigrated from in the 18th and 19th centuries. I frequently blog and publish book reviews on everything I read at ThisIsMyTruthNow via WordPress.

Writing has been a part of my life as much as my heart, my mind, and my body. I decided to pursue my passion by dusting off the creativity inside my head and drafting outlines for several novels. I quickly realized I was back in my element growing happier and more excited with life each day. My goal in writing is to connect with readers who want to be part of great stories and who enjoy interacting with authors. To get a strong picture of who I am, check out my author website or my blog. It’s full of humor and eccentricity, sharing connections with everyone I follow—all in the hope of building a network of friends across the world.

When I completed the first book, Watching Glass Shatter, I knew I’d stumbled upon my passion again, suddenly dreaming up characters, plots, and settings all day long. I chose my second novel, Father Figure, through a poll on my blog where I let everyone vote for their favorite plot and character summaries. It is with my third book, Academic Curveball,, the first in the Braxton Campus Mysteries, where I immersed myself in a college campus full of so much activity, I could hardly stop thinking about new murder scenes or character relationships to finish writing the current story. Come join in the fun!

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Title: My Kind of Forever
Author: Tracy Brogan
Release Date: January 22, 2019
Publisher: Montlake Romance

Synopsis

As the youngest mayor Trillium Bay has ever elected, Brooke Callaghan wants to prove she’s up to the challenge. She’s stepping out of her practical teacher flats and into her sister’s treacherously high heels…with disastrous results. But if she’s going to (literally) stumble her first day on the job, why not fall into the arms of a handsome stranger?

Leo Walker is a rarity on Wenniway Island. Not only handsome, he’s also single, funny, and—most importantly—interested in Brooke. Unfortunately, his reasons for being on the island are temporary, so in spite of the undeniable chemistry between them, he’s not a forever kind of guy.

When a private investigator arrives with news of a jewel thief hiding on the island, Brooke finds herself dealing with one kerfuffle after another, and Leo proves to be a delicious distraction. What does she really know about him, though? And the biggest question of all? Does this short-term romance hold the possibility of long-term love?

Guest Post: The Risks (and Rewards) of Dating in A Small Town by Tracy Brogan

MY KIND OF FOREVER is the second book in the Trillium Bay series set on a small island in Northern Michigan and tells the story of thirty-five year old Brooke Callaghan who has just been elected as the youngest, and first female, mayor the town has ever had. As the oldest of three sisters, Brooke is accustomed to taking charge and bossing others around, but the stodgy, long-time members of the decisively not-modern city council are determined to keep the status quo. In fact, the only one who seems to take Brooke seriously is Leo Walker, the new bartender whose reasons for being on the island are both short-term and known to him alone.

Despite a budding attraction to Leo, Brooke knows she needs to focus on mastering her new job, especially when rumors of a jewel thief hiding out on the island begin to circulate and the well-established rumor mill goes into overdrive. And speaking of rumors, Brooke is more than a little concerned with what the townspeople might say if they discover she and Leo are spending time alone. Coming from such a small community, in this case, a village with a winter population of just six hundred people, people’s private lives rarely stay private, and modest, pragmatic Brooke doesn’t like the extra attention. Especially since a bad relationship from her past has left her overly cautious.

Although determined to prove to her neighbors and family she’s got what it takes to be a great mayor, with Leo’s encouragement, Brooke comes to realize she’s also entitled to address a few of the more personal aspects of her life, such as finding romance. But when things with Leo get rocky, she falls back into old patterns, believing that love is too elusive and not for women like her. Fortunately, the local community knows otherwise. They see the real Brooke, the one she thinks is hidden. They know her dedication and intelligence and worth, and they know she deserves to have it all. They know she deserves to have a forever kind of love. And so does Leo.

My Kind of Forever Excerpt

“I didn’t mean to eavesdrop,” Leo said after everyone else had left and I remained seated in the small meeting room holding my aching head in my hands. “But it sounds like you have your work cut out for you.”

Wow. Did I ever. I’d just spent the past two hours listening to so-called adults bickering about a litany of arbitrary topics. Should Polly’s Popcorn Shop be allowed to sell day-old products? Could the street sweepers add five minutes to their afternoon break? Who was going to play Santa during the Christmas Parade if Harry didn’t come back in time? And the biggest topic of the day? Did everyone see the awnings Tasty Pastries had put up, and who on earth had approved that?

“It’s like they couldn’t even hear me talking,” I said, looking up at him for a response, just to reassure myself that I was, in fact, speaking out loud.

He picked up an empty glass with one hand while wiping a ring of condensation off the table with a damp rag. “I’m not sure they could hear each other talking. Seemed like a lot of monologuing without any listening.”

“But I had an agenda.” I shook my paper at him, now covered in notes that I’d scribbled in the margins about all the other things I wanted to discuss. Things I would have discussed if I could have gotten a word in edgewise. The only one who didn’t interrupt me was my own father, but that’s because he didn’t say anything the entire time. Not unusual for him, but I had hoped to demonstrate a little more power over that cluster of clucking hens. “They were worse than teenagers. I have so many great ideas, but all they care about is the awnings.”

Leo wiped another spot off the table. “What ideas?” He gazed down at me, and I noted how dark blue his eyes were. Depths-of-the-ocean kind of blue. The kind of eyes that made every glance feel significant, even if it meant nothing at all. A flutter of something long-forgotten tickled inside my veins. Attraction. Followed by an immediate need to ignore it.

“Oh, all kinds of ideas.” I smiled tiredly and pushed myself up, because it was nearly five thirty and the Palomino Pub would start filling up with the evening crew pretty soon. “I’ll get out of the way now so you can have the room for dinner guests.”

“Speaking of dinner,” he said, “I’m new around here, so I was wondering, what restaurants do you like?”

“Oh, we have lots of great places to eat. All price ranges. The Windemere Grill is right down on the corner. There’s the Imperial Hotel dining room if you want something elegant. The Feast Well Bistro, Carmen’s Café, and Tate’s Tavern on the Bluff are good, too. At the tavern, you can watch the sun set behind Petoskey Bridge. It’s a great view. And for breakfast, I recommend Link & Patty’s Breakfast Buffet. The pink piggy décor is a little much, but the pancakes are the best.”

“Are you suggesting we have dinner and breakfast?” His dark eyebrow arched just as the corner of his mouth quirked in a ridiculously endearing fashion.

I pushed in my chair with an abrupt scrape. “Excuse me?”

“I was inviting you to dinner. You were inviting me to breakfast.”

That flutter of attraction multiplied even as my mouth fell open for a second. I’m sure it was a great look on me. “I wasn’t. And you weren’t. Were you?”

He laughed, and even though it might have been at my expense, the sound of it sent a flush over my skin and a tingle to places that hadn’t tingled for a very long time.

“I was inviting you to dinner, but not very well, apparently. I’ve been on the island a few days, but I don’t know anyone here, so would you like to have dinner with me?”

I was starving. And he was handsome. And new in town. And looked to be roughly my age. There was no history, no baggage, no reason to say no. But it had been so long since anyone had asked me out, it nearly felt improper. Everyone knew me around here. Everyone would know that we’d had dinner, and certainly everyone would have an opinion about it. And it’s not as if we could go someplace private because there was no place private on the entire island. And there was that issue of the flutter. I didn’t want to be fluttering. Fluttering led to heartbreak.

About the Author

Amazon and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Tracy Brogan is a three-time Romance Writers of America RITA finalist for her Bell Harbor series. She writes fun, funny stories about ordinary people finding extraordinary love, and she lives in Michigan with her two brilliant daughters and their two intellectually challenged dogs. She loves to hear from readers, so check out her website at www.tracybrogan.com. You can also follow her on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tracybroganwriter.

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Fashions Fade, Haunted Is Eternal (A Haunted Vintage Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
7th in Series
Kensington (December 18, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages

Synopsis

A photo shoot in a graveyard ends in a grave shooting . . .

Cookie Chanel—owner of the chic clothing store It’s Vintage Y’All in Sugar Creek, Georgia—has been hired to dress models for a fashion shoot. The spread will be featured in Fashion and Style magazine’s October issue—so the models are posing in a cemetery. As someone who can see and talk to ghosts, Cookie’s not spooked by the location. But she is surprised when a new ghost appears, decked out in 1920s couture. And she’s shocked when she hears a gunshot. Then a model runs toward her, saying the grumpy photographer has been edited out of the picture – for good. With help from her ghostly pals, Cookie must zoom in on the truth before she’s the next to strike a final pose . . .

Don’t Miss Cookie Chanel’s Shopping Tips!

Guest Post

Unlike the main character in my Haunted Vintage Mystery Series, I don’t have a ghost hanging around all day and night. Though I have visited my share of locations that are reported haunted. I thought I’d list a few of those places and the supposed paranormal activity that occurs.

1. Whispers Estate is a bed and breakfast in Mitchell, Indiana. The house has been featured on paranormal TV shows and has quite a bit of documented paranormal events. On my overnight stay I experienced several unexplained events. It’s a spooky place!
2. Jailer’s Inn- I stayed overnight in a cell! Thank goodness it wasn’t because I’d been arrested. Jailer’s Inn made the Travel Channel’s list of 10 Most Haunted Places. This former jail is now a bed and breakfast. Ghostly sounds and apparitions have been reported. Perhaps the inmates from bygone days are still serving out their sentences. One of the creepiest parts of the place is the courtyard outside. Hangings occurred there so it’s kind of eerie to try to enjoy your breakfast there on a sunny summer morning.
3. Next door to the Jailer’s Inn is the Talbot Tavern. Reportedly many famous people from the past stayed at the tavern. Including Abraham Lincoln and Jesse James. It’s claimed that the bullet holes from when Jesse James shot at the wall are still there today. The southern cuisine like bourbon BBQ ribs and cheese grits are reason enough to visit. However, if you want the possibility of seeing a ghost with your dinner you might want to stop in for a meal.
4. Perryville Battlefield. One the biggest Kentucky Civil War battles was fought there. This is one of my favorite places on earth. The landscape is beautiful and peaceful. A huge change from the days of the Civil War battle which once took place. Apparently, some of the soldiers are still hanging around. There are even accounts of hearing a ghost horse.
5. Louis Cemetery *1 is the oldest cemetery in New Orleans. Many people have reported seeing ghosts wandering around the old tombs. I braved a tour of the place in the daytime. After dark might be more than I could handle.
6. Morgan is located on Mobile Point at the end of Scenic Fort Morgan Peninsula. This Civil War fort is obviously full of history but is it full of ghosts too? With breathtaking views of the water and beaches to enjoy, it’s definitely worth the trip. You might run into a specter or two.

About the Author

Rose Pressey enjoys writing quirky and fun novels with a paranormal twist. The paranormal has always captured her interest. The thought of finding answers to the unexplained fascinates her.

When she’s not writing about werewolves, vampires and every other supernatural creature, she loves eating cupcakes with sprinkles, reading, spending time with family, and listening to oldies from the fifties. Yeah, she loves Elvis. She can’t help myself.

Rose lives in the beautiful commonwealth of Kentucky with her husband, son and two sassy Chihuahuas.

Facebook * Blog * Website * Twitter

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Title: A Merciful Fate

Author: Kendra Elliot

Release Date: January 15, 2019

Publisher: Montlake Romance

Synopsis

Raised by preppers, survivalist and FBI agent Mercy Kilpatrick has a deep-rooted need for a safe place. Her getaway in the Cascade Foothills is her secret. But when skeletal remains are unearthed—those of a murdered man linked to a notorious heist—Mercy realizes she isn’t the only one with something to hide.

Thirty years ago, an armored-car robbery turned deadly. The mastermind was captured. Four conspirators vanished with a fortune. One of them, it appears, never made it out of the woods alive. For Mercy and her fiancé, Police Chief Truman Daly, their investigation opens old wounds in Eagle’s Nest that cut deeper than they imagined. Especially when a reckless tabloid reporter draws fresh blood. It’s clear to Mercy that somebody in this close-knit community is not who they seem to be.

Some are still shattered by the heist. Some still have reason to be afraid. But which one will kill again and again to hide three decades of secrets? To land this case, it’s up to Mercy to unmask a familiar stranger before someone else dies.

Excerpt

“Sit.”

Mercy sat on a stool that was too high for the makeshift table. She didn’t care. They could sit on the ground and she’d be happy with Truman. Currently the home had plywood subfloors and open framing, but part of Mercy loved the empty, bare look; it promised that something fabulous was coming.

Fabulous and practical.

Truman leaned over and poured red wine in the plastic cup by her paper plate. She sighed and buried her nose in her cup. The fragrance was deep and bold, with hints of plum and smoke.

“Italy,” she mumbled into the wine.

“What?” asked Truman.

“I want to visit Italy. How does a honeymoon in Italy sound?”

A grin filled his face, and the sensation of butterflies fluttered up her spine.

Or maybe it’s the wine.

She took a sip of her wine as she studied his face. So familiar and dear to her.

A smile to stop traffic. Eyes that crinkled in happiness. Several scars that testified to his love of law enforcement. Her attraction to him was more than skin deep. She was in love with the person he was. He was a natural leader and easily commanded respect. His people turned to him, followed him, admired him. His natural sense of honor was a magnet for her.

No. It’s not the wine.

He gets me.

He understood how her mind worked, and they fit together like a couple of complicated puzzle pieces. She’d been painfully aware of her missing puzzle piece when he’d been taken away, chained by men planning to kill him, and then rescued thanks to Ollie. The two weeks when no one knew his fate had been the worst of her life. When he’d been returned to her, she’d known she couldn’t waste any more time.

He’d been of the same mind-set and had proposed.

“I’ll try Italy.” He dished spaghetti carbonara onto their plates.

“And what’s on your agenda for tomorrow?” he asked over the rim of his plastic cup. She perked up. “The bank confirmed the money bags are from the Gamble-Helmet Heist. And I have the go-ahead to visit Shane Gamble at the Two Rivers prison tomorrow.”

“What are your thoughts on the remains?” Truman asked. “Did the medical examiner get to them yet?”

“Yes. They spent the afternoon removing the remains, and Dr. Lockhart was going to start an examination tonight. The woman never takes time off.”

“Same could be said for you.”

“Only when I’m deep in a case.”

“I guess this means your weekends are booked for a while?”

Mercy sighed. “I know. The two of us are supposed to be working on the interior of this place … We’ll get it done at some point. It’ll have to wait awhile.”

A grin filled his face.

“What?” she asked.

“You’re not the same person I met last fall. Back then, if the cabin had been in the half-completed state it is now, you’d be climbing the walls with anxiety because your safety net wasn’t perfect.”

“You’re right,” she agreed. “I had a similar thought earlier, but nearly all my supplies are still intact, so it’d be rough living but doable. I can temporarily live with that for now. Especially with this case to distract me.”

His lips twisted.

“Jealous?” she asked with a grin. “It’s an amazing case, isn’t it?”

“It is. Considering there have been no leads for decades, and the robbery is practically modern folklore. It’s like a buried treasure hunt, and Ollie found the first clue.”

“Is Ollie okay after his morning?” she asked with a small wince. She’d nearly forgotten the teen had made the grisly discovery.

“He’s okay. I spent some time with him and he was very quiet, but I could tell he was processing it. He’s dealt with death before.”

“He’s been through a lot,” sympathized Mercy.

They silently ate for a few moments until he glanced up and caught her staring at him. Longing shone in his eyes, an appetite and craving that had nothing to do with food, and she struggled to find her breath.

How does he do that to me?

“You know,” he said, his voice low and tempting, “this place hasn’t been christened yet.”

Mercy blinked. “People do that to homes?”

Patience filled his features. “That’s not what I meant.” His brown gaze held hers.

“Ohhh,” she breathed as heat flashed through her.

“Dessert.” His smile was sinful, and energy pulsed between them.

She melted. “Yes. Dessert.”

 

About the Author

Kendra Elliot has landed on the Wall Street Journal bestseller list multiple times and is the award-winning author of the Bone Secrets and Callahan & McLane series, as well as the Mercy Kilpatrick novels: A Merciful Death, A Merciful Truth, and A Merciful Secret. Kendra is a three-time winner of the Daphne du Maurier Award, an International Thriller Writers finalist, and an RT Award finalist. She has always been a voracious reader, cutting her teeth on classic female heroines such as Nancy Drew, Trixie Belden, and Laura Ingalls. She was born, raised, and still lives in the rainy Pacific Northwest with her husband and three daughters, but she looks forward to the day she can live in flip-flops.

Website * Facebook * Twitter * Goodreads

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Botched 4 Murder (Sophie Kimball Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
4th in Series
Kensington (December 18, 2018)
Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages

Synopsis

Bowled over . . .

Sophie “Phee” Kimball is getting dragged into the drama again at her mom’s Arizona retirement community. A new board member wants to get rid of two golf courses and replace them with eco-friendly parks, and some of the residents are pretty teed off about it. On top of that, her mother’s book club friend Myrna is being pushed out of the bocce league. These seniors are serious about winning, and Myrna’s dragging them down. She’s so bad at bocce, in fact, that when a community mem.ber’s dead body is discovered while Myrna’s practicing for a tournament, she assumes it was one of her own errant balls that killed the woman.

But before Myrna can be tossed off the bocce court and into criminal court, the police find an arrow in the victim’s neck. It looks like this was no accident—and Phee and her investigator boyfriend Marshall will have to team up to bounce a killer into the slammer . . .

Guest Post

It’s Not Start up Fatigue, It’s Distraction Fatigue

By Ann I. Goldfarb and James E. Clapp, writing as J. C. Eaton

Juggling three mystery series can be daunting, but we’re retired and we should have plenty of time. So how come we don’t? We finally figured out what’s preventing us from maximizing our work time. Other authors have said it’s something called “Start–up fatigue,” but we beg to differ. You see, every time we sit down to write, we find ourselves immersed in something else. It’s a new phenomenon and we’ve named it “Distraction Fatigue.” Frankly, the fault rests with all those cute icons on our computer screens.

Inevitably we have to check our emails. Yikes! What would happen if we missed some compelling bit of news or messages? And those messages all have tentacles. We can spend hours just dealing with someone’s lost dog or the selection of a restaurant that all of our friends can agree on for breakfast tomorrow.

“Not Panera Bread again. We were just there.”

“What about the Corner Bakery?”

“They went out of business.”

“Are you sure?”

“Of course I’m sure. It’s been replaced by another Starbucks.”

And so it goes. Then there’s our banking. Ann absolutely cannot concentrate until she knows for certain that no one has hacked into our paltry accounts to rob us of tomorrow’s breakfast money. So we wind up checking those. Another half hour…

Of course, there are the book rankings. Inevitably one of us will sneak a peek at our latest Amazon or Barnes and Noble ranking for a particular book and then drive ourselves nuts over it. And if that’s not distracting enough, there’s Goodreads, which really should be termed, “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly for Authors.” If we get a great review, we revel in it. If not, Jim ignores it and Ann mopes around. Another distraction.

Then, the mother of all distractions – Facebook. We spend lots of time wishing people a happy birthday and commenting on cute kitties, adorable grandkids, and food other people have eaten. We push the LIKE buttons endlessly and watch videos that range from forest animals crossing streams in winter to crazy people climbing up mountains that even a seasoned mountain goat wouldn’t attempt. Yep, lots of lost time here.

There is one bit of good news. Now that both of us have reached Medicare age (Still not sure how that happened), we no longer have to log into our health insurance company and list the exercises we did for the day in order to reap rewards. Ann usually wrote “Vacuum and dust,” while Jim wrote “cleaning the litter box.” Whew! One less distraction…

Suddenly we remember our website and race off to make a post that will either be engaging, or immediately ignored. Anyone’s guess.

Finally, we’re ready to write. But by now, we really are fatigued. The good news is that we’ve figured out a cure. We just need to find an old word processor that has no internet capability. Then we might have a fighting chance to get our next novel penned. LOL

NOTE: Our posts tend to be tongue-in-cheek so don’t take us too seriously.

About the Authors

Ann I. Goldfarb

New York native Ann I. Goldfarb spent most of her life in education, first as a classroom teacher and later as a middle school principal and professional staff developer. Writing as J. C. Eaton, along with her husband, James Clapp, she has authored the Sophie Kimball Mysteries (Kensington) set for release in June 2017. In addition, Ann has nine published YA time travel mysteries under her own name.

James E. Clapp

When James E. Clapp retired as the tasting room manager for a large upstate New York winery, he never imagined he’d be co-authoring cozy mysteries with his wife, Ann I. Goldfarb. His first novel, Booked 4 Murder (Kensington) is set for release in June 2017. Non-fiction in the form of informational brochures and workshop materials treating the winery industry were his forte along with an extensive background and experience in construction that started with his service in the U.S. Navy and included vocational school classroom teaching.

Website * Time Travel Mysteries * Facebook * Twitter

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Aransas Evening

Sequel to Aransas Morning

by

Jeff Hampton

Genre: Contemporary Literary Fiction

Publisher: Jeff Hampton, Writer

Publication Date: October 4, 2018

Number of Pages: 346 pages

SCROLL DOWN FOR THE GIVEAWAY! 

Life in Port Aransas was looking breezy and bright for Sam and his friends at the Dream Bean coffee shop. Shelly and Dave were talking marriage, Allie and Bo were tightening their family ties, and Sam was welcoming newcomers to town and falling for a new singer at the Sea Garden. But storms are never far away on the Texas Gulf Coast, and there would be none more destructive than Hurricane Harvey. Would Sam and his friends survive Harvey’s awful fury? And would life in Port Aransas ever be the same again? Find out in Aransas Evening, the sequel to Aransas Morning by Jeff Hampton.

Praise for the Aransas Series

–    “Hampton’s characters pulled me in; hook, line, and sinker.”

–    “The pace of the book is slow and easy, and I slipped into its rhythm like the ebb and flow of the water lapping against the shoreline.”

–    “A lovely story about community, and how family isn’t always the one you are born into.

–    “Isak Dinesen once wrote, ‘The cure for anything is salt water: sweat, tears, or the sea.’  Jeff Hampton has illustrated that with grace, elegance, and excellent coffee.”

│ Author Website │ Amazon │ Etsy  │

 

 

Today we are thrilled to have author Jeff Hampton join us on StoreyBook Reviews to answer some questions that inquiring minds would like to know the answers!

What made you decide to write a sequel? Any unexpected hurdles in doing this?

I honestly thought I was finished after writing the first book, but then the characters began “speaking” to me again, and I had to find out what would happen to them next. The biggest hurdle was that I was almost finished with the sequel when Hurricane Harvey hit the Texas coast and devastated Port Aransas. I couldn’t ignore it and not write it into the story, but I also had to be patient and wait to see how the real town and people would react to the storm before I would know how my characters would respond.

 

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Weaving a historic event like Hurricane Harvey into a fictional storyline and into the lives of fictional characters required patience and caution. It also required respect for the real people who were coping with the real aftermath of a devastating event.

 

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

I enjoyed spending more time with characters that have really become like family to me. And I enjoyed introducing some new characters to the mix and seeing how my family would react and seeing if these new friends would become family in their own right. Some did, and some didn’t.

 

Did you first experience rejections when submitting any of your manuscripts for publication?

Oh my gosh, absolutely. I was told, and I’m still told, that my type of stories aren’t selling. My response is, “Well, I’m writing them because that’s what I like.”

 

Why did you decide to self-publish?

It’s pretty simple: My first publisher ceased business, new publishers weren’t interested in my books unless I was willing to pay them to be interested, and the timeframes for publishing with them were either too slow or too fast. So, I decided to do it my own way.

 

How has your formal education influenced or impacted your writing?

My formal education included creative writing and journalism, which are opposite sides of the same coin. There is narrative and literary phraseology on one side, and facts, details and direct quotes on the other side. So, I’m constantly flipping that coin and employing techniques from both sides.

 

What do you think most characterizes your writing?

I believe my training in journalism gives me a certain economy of words. I try to say more with less, and I try to let readers fill in some of the descriptive blanks with their own imaginations.

 

What projects are you working on at the present?

I’m stepping away from fiction for a while to focus on a collection of essays that are focused on the theme of community – community in its many forms. I suppose that should not be a big surprise because my fiction generally has been about community.

 

What’s changed for you as a writer since writing your first book?

I have lived more and experienced more and all of that adds to the depth of knowledge and emotion that I have to draw from.

Jeff Hampton has based his life and career in Texas writing for newspapers, magazines, businesses, and institutions. His interest in observing the people around him has led him to write essays, short stories, and novels that explore relationships and communities in their many forms. Aransas Evening is his sixth book, following Aransas Morning, Grandpa Jack, Jonah Prophet, When the Light Returned to Main Street, and The Snowman Uprising on Hickory Lane.

 

║ Website ║ Goodreads ║ Twitter ║ Instagram ║ Amazon Author Page ║

 

 

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GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!  GIVEAWAY!

Grand Prize Winner: 

Signed Copies of all six of Jeff Hampton’s books

2 Winners:

Signed Copies of both Aransas books + Grandpa Jack + a pack of Texas Themed note cards

2 Winners:

Signed Copies of Aransas Evening & Grandpa Jack + a pack of Texas Themed note cards

JANUARY 17-26, 2019

(USA only)

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Check out the other great blogs on this tour

1/17/19	Author Interview	StoreyBook Reviews
1/17/19	BONUS Promo	Hall Ways Blog
1/18/19	Review	Bibliotica
1/19/19	Excerpt	Max Knight
1/20/19	Playlist	Chapter Break Book Blog
1/21/19	Review	That’s What She’s Reading
1/22/19	Guest Post	All the Ups and Downs
1/23/19	Review	The Clueless Gent
1/24/19	Review	The Love of a Bibliophile
1/25/19	Scrapbook	Reading by Moonlight
1/26/19	Review	Forgotten Winds

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Murder of Ravens (Gabriel Hawke)
Mystery
1st in Series
Windtree Press (January 20, 2019)
Paperback: 302 pages

Synopsis

The ancient Indian art of tracking is his greatest strength…

And also his biggest weakness.

Fish and Wildlife State Trooper Gabriel Hawke believes he’s chasing poachers.

However, he comes upon a wildlife biologist standing over a body that is wearing a wolf tracking collar.

He uses master tracker skills taught to him by his Nez Perce grandfather to follow clues on the mountain. Paper trails and the whisper of rumors in the rural community where he works, draws Hawke to a conclusion that he finds bitter.

Arresting his brother-in-law ended his marriage, could solving this murder ruin a friendship?

Guest Post

Today we have Hawke from Murder of Ravens joining us and giving us a little background on himself and his job.  Fascinating stuff!

My name is Hawke. Actually, it’s Oregon Fish and Wildlife State Trooper Gabriel Hawke, but I prefer to be called Hawke. My mother named me Gabriel from the Bible, but my life has been anything but angelic. Which is why I prefer Hawke.

I enjoy my job. Because my Nez Perce grandfather spent time with me, teaching me how to track, I am known as a Master Tracker. I use this gift to help when people are missing in the Wallowa Whitman Forest as well as all over the Northwestern United States and Canada. I also give seminars on tracking at law enforcement conferences.

The ability to track was a skill my Nez Perce and Cayuse forefathers used to find food for their families. These days I use the skills to find lost backpackers and hunters in Wallowa County, the land where my Nez Perce ancestors lived during the summer and winter.

You can tell which direction a person or animal is going to go by the depth of the indentions in a footprint. You can tell if they are hesitant or hurrying. When there appears to be no footprint, you look for other clues to assess which way the creature is going. It could be displaced dirt, sand, grass, or leaves. Everyone leaves a trail, it’s just knowing how to see what is and isn’t there. Knowing the surroundings and seeing what is out of place is also a good way to deduce which path a creature has taken.

It takes a certain skill and focus to be a tracker. Unfortunately, the type of focus it requires can make me single-minded when I get caught up in clues and information that pertains to a case I’m on. As in my first book, the apprehension of the person who strangled a man with a wolf tracking collar on Goat Mountain. I came upon the body and a wildlife biologist. It would have been easy to assume the biologist killed the victim, but the facts and tracks didn’t add up to that being the case.

Back down in the valley, listening to rumors and following the paper trails, I managed to dig up information that slowly helped to build a case. Because I came across the body and had to find the answers, I was allowed more freedom to work the case than usual.

That is the best part about working in a large, rural county. There is a small law enforcement group, few people, and a lot of ground to cover. We are given more latitude to work cases and help out other law enforcement.

 

About the Author

Paty Jager is an award-winning author of 35 novels, 8 novellas, and numerous anthologies of murder mystery and western romance. All her work has Western or Native American elements in them along with hints of humor and engaging characters. Her Shandra Higheagle mystery series has been a runner-up in the RONE Award Mystery category, and a finalist in the Daphne du Maurier.

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