She glared at the downpour, measuring its progress. They had maybe fifteen minutes. Then, they were going to get drenched.

“Mom, what are we going to do?” Leo squeaked.

“It’s going to be okay,” she said, the first thing which came to her.

He looked up at her, deep green eyes wide. “How are we going to get to…Aunt Gertrude’s?” He sniffled. “I wish we were home, on the Chesapeake.”

She pulled Leo to her and hugged him. “So do I, son.” She stared at the water. “So…do…I.” She knew she needed to comfort her son, but what could she say? She’d tried never to lie to Leo. She scrunched down next him. “Mr. Salazar knows where we were headed. When we don’t come back in time, he’d send someone to go look for us. We simply need to wait.”

“You think so?” Leo sniffed.

“I do,” Erin answered, hoping she wasn’t lying to him. “But for now, since your dad’s not here, I need you to be a big guy for me. You think you can do that?”

He gave a slow nod and stuck out his chest. “I’ll try.”

Erin hugged him again. “That’s my big boy.” Still low next to him, she pointed out over the water. “See that line?”

“You mean that dark row?”

“Yeah, that’s a storm.”

“It is?” The fear was back in his voice.

“Yeah, and it’s coming this way.” She patted him on the chest. “The good news is it doesn’t look like there is any thunderstorm with it.” She pointed again. “No lightning.”

“O-kay,” he swallowed the two syllables.

“It means we’re going to get wet. But hey, didn’t we just spend the last few hours getting wet?”

He nodded.

“I think we can stand a little rain. What do you think?”

He looked at the approaching curtain of rain and then at his mom. “I guess so.” He sniffed again. “But mom, I’m scared.”

She hugged him tight. “It’ll be okay. You’ll see.” She hoped she wasn’t lying. “Hey, I just thought of something. Remember the cave we passed on our way to the waterfall. The one you wanted to explore, but I wouldn’t let you.” She glanced at the curtain of rain, then back at her son. “I think now would be a great time to check out the cave. What do you say?”

“Okay,” he gulped.

“If we hurry, we’ll might even be able to beat the rain.” She grabbed the picnic basket and the preserver. “I’ll race you.”

As they trotted down the trail they’d left a few minutes ago, she cast one last glance over her shoulder. But no one will be able to see us hiding in the cave…if they come looking for us.

Chapter 38

            The rain pounding on the roof of the car woke him. Darrell had no idea how long he’d been out. He shook his head and it all came back to him, like a slowly evolving video. The black SUV on his tail. Their hell-bent speed. Then the Cadillac pulled up alongside him. The car cut in front and Darrell had to jerk his car onto the shoulder. He lost control and swerved off the road.

            He felt his forehead. It hurt, bad. He must’ve hit it on the steering wheel. At least, the airbag hadn’t deployed. The car was still drivable, he thought. The Taurus hadn’t conked out, the engine idled quietly. Darrell decided he better get out to assess the damage. He put the car in park. When he was about the turn off the ignition, he hesitated. What if it didn’t restart? He let it alone.

            He pulled the handle to open his door, but it only moved about an inch and then stopped. He buzzed the window down and the rain sluiced inside. Darrell did his best to ignore it and looked out and down. He saw the edge of the ditch about a foot deep next to his car, his door.

Yanking his head in, he raised the window back up. No need to get any more wet than he had to. He climbed over the console and practically stumbled into the passenger’s seat, Erin’s seat. At least, she hadn’t been with him. The speed and the near collision would’ve infuriated her…and terrified her. Hell, it terrified him. He hoped she and Leo were having a great time out on the water. The rain pounded on the steel frame of the roof. He prayed they weren’t dealing with this storm out over Lake Michigan.

Putting his shoulder against the passenger door, it opened partway and Darrell could feel it pushing against the mud on the ground. He squeezed through the opening and out the door. His feet squelched in the mud. In seconds, the hard rain drenched him, his clothes soaked. At least, it wasn’t cold. Rain had cooled it a little, but the temperature still hovered in the high seventies, he guessed. Since he was out and soaked, he forced himself to struggle in the mud and check out the car. His feet getting sucked into the muck, he tromped his way around most of the frame. The Taurus appeared to be okay, though some parts of the body were so mud-splattered he couldn’t be sure. He’d driven off the road and over the shoulder but the culvert must have caught the car, the sloppy mud cutting the speed before he could run into anything else.

**Don’t miss the rest of the Haunted Shores Mysteries!**

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Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author, speaker and podcaster. As an educator, he served children for more than three decades and has mined that experience to create captivating fiction, authoring two series, the bestselling series, “The Haunted Shores Mysteries,” and the award-winning series, “Lessons in Peril.” His novels have won national awards including Mystery of the Year (ReaderViews) Best Book Award (Chanticleer Books and Reviews) and the Gold Award (Literary Titan) and amassed hundreds of 5-star reviews on Amazon and Goodreads. Dr. Overbeck also hosts the popular podcast, “Great Stories about Great Storytellers,” where he reveals the unusual and sometimes strange backstories of famous authors, directors and poets. He is a speaker in considerable demand, sharing his popular presentations about ghosts, writing and book publishing with hundreds of audiences all over the U.S.

 

As a member of the Mystery Writers of America, Dr. Overbeck is an active member of the literary community, contributing to a writers’ critique group, serving as a mentor to emerging writers and participating in writing conferences such as Killer Nashville and the ThrillerFest. When he’s not researching, writing, speaking or podcasting, Randy enjoys traveling with his wife Cathy and visiting both his far-flung family and scenic locations, often in search of inspiration for his next great story.

 

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A chilling Gothic horror novel set at a coed boarding school in Scotland, where a teen girl must not only fight against her monstrous male classmates but the monster growing within her after being cursed.

Every wish granted comes with strings attached. That’s how Catriona Cameron gets a scholarship to Floodbane Academy—an elite boarding school in the Scottish Lowlands she never applied to—where she’ll be one of only six girls to enter the castle’s unwelcoming halls.

She’s not looking for trouble, but after a violent attack, mischievous dark fairies grant cruel wishes made against her. Catriona is blessed with devastatingly good looks and unpredictable new powers, but cursed with an insatiable hunger to devour anyone who preys upon women.

As the carnage mounts, Catriona faces the possibility that she is becoming as monstrous as those she hunts. Ultimately, is vengeance worth the loss of her humanity?

**Releases September 22, 2026 – PreOrder Now!**

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When class ends, two boys stalk past me, one on each side, knocking into my slender shoulders with their broader ones hard enough to send me stumbling. My belongings tumble to the floor, where they’re trod upon by my gleeful classmates. In seconds, my pencil is in shards and splinters. The pages of my book, ripped from its spine by the careless weight of countless pairs of boys’ booted feet, all muddy from the out-of-doors.

When I finally gather it all, the professor is glaring down at me. His arms are crossed, his face a formidable scowl.

“A demerit for you if a single scrap is left behind,” he warns, as if this were my doing.

I nod and claw up even the most microscopic hints of detritus from my ruined school supplies.

By the time I’ve found a bin for the rubbish and make my way outside at last, the schoolyard is empty. No groundskeeper, no angry boys , no sign of my housemates.

I stop walking halfway across the wide expanse of grass and glance over my shoulder at the school doors. What if my housemates were held up in their classes, too? Should I wait for them?

Or did they wait for me, only for me not to appear? Are they waiting for me back at our housing, getting more and more concerned by my continued absence?

Come to think of it, did they even come back to school after going home for lunch? By eating mine in my classroom, I belatedly realize they’ve no idea what became of me. Perhaps they thought I gave up and went home to my mum, as Fraser had suggested we all do. Or perhaps they’re the ones who packed up and left, and I’m the bunny rabbit twitching my nose all alone in a big clearing. Not sure which way to hop, because I detect a predator in every direction.

The school door bangs open, and I jump out of my skin.

It’s the headmaster’s assistant Fraser, looking bored and sanctimonious as always. He leans against the open door. “Ugh, what are you doing here? Did no one explain to you that the gong means ‘Go home’?”

He’s not exactly the president of the academy welcoming committee, but I’d rather run into the headmaster’s lackey than most of the other boys from my classes.

“Thanks,” I mutter. “I’m going.”

I turn my feet toward the woods.

“There isn’t a bear,” Fraser adds, apropos of nothing.

Damn it. I pause and swivel back around to glare at him. “What bear?”

“There isn’t one,” he repeats. “What did I just say?”

I know good and well that there’s no bear in these woods. Scotland doesn’t have bears. Fairies, yes, and far scarier magical beasties, but no bears. Why, then, would Fraser bring it up? Has one escaped from a traveling circus on the other side of the island? Is he hoping the rabid creature will tear me limb from limb?

“If you’re scared,” Fraser drawls with a smile, “Take the left at the fork in the trail, instead of the right. It’s not marked, or well-trod, but it’s a shortcut to the female housing.”

I narrow my eyes at him, my jaw moving in thought.

From somewhere behind him, deeper within the school, comes the grating echo of boys’ laughter. The raucous sound is hauntingly familiar.

Fraser glances behind him, down the corridor. “Ah. Here come Roderick and Angus.”

My tormentors! That settles it. I’ll take my chances with the bear.

Skirts flying, I tear off over the grass to the sound of male laughter. My lungs burn and my legs tremble, but in no time, I’m out past the great iron gates and into the dark thicket of the woods.

I jog as fast as I dare, without making too much noise or risking a sprained ankle.

Deep within the forest, I’m an arm’s length away from the protective rowan tree at the halfway point when I’m swept off the ground and hauled into the nettles, screaming.

The bear.

It got me.

The Serpent’s Order

The Serpent Series Book 4

by S.Z. Estavillo

Genre: Thriller, Romantic Suspense

An assassin bound by obedience. A detective marked for death. A cartel war with no survivors.

Von Schlange thought she’d escaped her past. Now Black Nova owns her—an elite, off-the-books task force where obedience is survival and failure means death. As their newest assassin, she’s unleashed on targets tied to Jaxon Ryker, a drug lord buried deep in the Alaskan wilds.

Her partner, Xander Holt, a former Navy SEAL with ice in his veins, lives by the same brutal code: no attachments, no lines crossed. But as missions turn bloody, the fragile boundary between partner and lover begins to blur—and desire becomes its own kind of danger.

Across the country, Detective Anaya Nazario faces a nightmare of her own. A synthetic “zombie drug,” deadlier than fentanyl and immune to Narcan, is ripping through Los Angeles. Her investigation exposes a network of dirty cops shielding Ryker’s empire—and puts a target squarely on her back.

Two women on opposite fronts. One war against corruption and cartel power. And a single truth—every betrayal leaves a body behind.

Explosive, unrelenting, and razor-sharp, The Serpent’s Order propels the Serpent Series into its most dangerous chapter yet—where justice is a myth, and survival comes at a price paid in blood.

 

**NEW RELEASE on Feb 10, 2026! PreOrder Now!**

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Twilight of the Serpent

The Serpent Series Book 3

Some predators hide in plain sight. Others hunt from the shadows.

Merrick Winslow is a decorated Army officer, a man of discipline and honor—or so he claims. When he reports that his ex-wife, Cheonsa Soo-Min, has been stalking him, no one questions his story. He paints her as unstable, vengeful, and dangerous, a woman consumed by obsession. But when two officers are gunned down with her own weapon, the truth becomes harder to see. With the law closing in, Cheonsa vanishes, fleeing to Rio de Janeiro, where she is taken in by Von Schlange, the vigilante thought to have disappeared for good.

Von has retired her vengeful ways, leaving behind a life of bloodshed to run a quiet veterinary clinic. But when Cheonsa’s past collides with Winslow’s lies, the two women begin to unravel a deadly deception—one that turns predator into prey. By the time Von uncovers the truth, an innocent life has already been taken.

Now, there’s only one thing left to do: find the real monster and make him pay.

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, Detective Anaya Nazario and Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are adjusting to life as new parents. But after only four months of maternity leave, Nazario is pulled back into the field to investigate the murder of two officers. What should be a straightforward case quickly spirals into something far more sinister—secrets buried beneath the badge, a killer hiding behind a uniform, and a web of corruption stretching further than anyone expected.

As Nazario and Huxley chase down leads, their investigation intersects with a vigilante they once thought was dead. And this time, Von Schlange isn’t just seeking justice—she’s delivering retribution.

For fans of Karin Slaughter, Gillian Flynn, and Taylor Adams, Twilight of the Serpent delivers a high-stakes vigilante thriller packed with morally gray justice, relentless suspense, and a tangled web of deception. Perfect for readers who love strong female leads, intense cat-and-mouse chases, and dark psychological twists.

 

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The Serpent Woman

The Serpent Series Book 2

The exciting sequel to The Serpent’s Bridge…

A serial killer is on the loose. With her insidious tattoo and venomous killer strike, they’re calling her the serpent woman.

Two of the best in their field, LAPD Detective Anaya Nazario and FBI Supervising Special Agent Blake Huxley are forced to work together yet again, despite their strained romantic history and a baby on the way. Together on a nationwide hunt, they must find this serpent woman before she strikes again.

But, as the cat-and-mouse chase evolves, Nazario and Huxley begin to realize that their killer is on a mission of vigilante justice and they must struggle with the question of who really deserves their justice: The killer, or her victims?

This dark thriller delves into the sensitive topics of sex trafficking, child abuse, animal death, sexual assault, graphic violence, and dead bodies. Reader discretion is advised.

 

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The Serpent’s Bridge

The Serpent Series Book 1 

Compelling dialogue, rich, gritty prose, and characters you won’t forget — if you loved The Girl Who Kicked the Hornets Nest by Stieg Larsson, or Ink and Bone by Lisa Unger, you’ll love The Serpent’s Bridge.

Recovering alcoholic Detective Anaya Nazario remains haunted by her father’s murder. Lucas Nazario was the highest-ranking Puerto Rican LAPD detective, and his case has gone unsolved for twenty-four years since his murder. When Mexican immigrants are targeted by a serial killer, Nazario senses a connection and fights to keep the leadless case open. The homicide investigation centers on Sanctuary Baptist, a church composed of immigrants led by Pastor Stan and his wife. Nazario’s personal and professional worlds collide when she is compelled to collaborate with her former lover, Special Agent Blake Huxley. As their lives merge once more, the FBI and Detective Nazario stop at nothing to find a killer.

Is this the same monster who killed her father and left him for dead under a bridge?

Can she put a stop to the murders before more families lose loved ones?

 

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As a BIPOC thriller author, she previously parted amicably with her agent and, three months later, secured an eight-book deal with Oliver-Heber Books—now boasting 24,000 downloads in its first year and a BookRaid bestseller ranking in the thriller category. The Serpent Woman (Book 2) reached #1 on Amazon and topped all three of its categories. Her background spans literary agencies and TV studios, where she contributed to greenlit screenplays that became Lifetime movies. She holds a Master’s in Television, Radio, and Film, has taught author branding workshops (L.A. Writer’s Conference, North Texas RWA), and maintains a 100K+ social media following.

 

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She sniffles, not making an attempt to stop her tears. They slowly glide down her cheeks, shining like pearls in the brightly lit hallway. So hauntingly beautiful—just like our tragic love story.

“Once we start, we won’t be able to stop. You and I both know this,” I state in a trembling voice.

Cupping her cheeks, I lean my forehead against hers, using every ounce of my willpower to not crush my lips on hers. I’m holding on to my last strand of control.

She searches my eyes for love that is no longer hidden behind a thin veil of anger and prudence. Imploring me with her tenacious gaze, she plays on my vulnerabilities that are no longer guarded by my ironclad need to be righteous. She is stripping away everything that was keeping me from her, and I’ve never felt so light and free.

My voice can’t get through the ball of emotions stuck in my throat. It’s so easy to release the words frozen on my tongue – yes. But what would that make me? I’m the adult here. The one who has to shoulder her responsibility, while still being a man who keeps his word and sticks to his principles. But how can I get myself to refuse her when she’s looking at me like that? Like a mere yes from me and she’ll be the happiest—on top of the world. I want that more than anything else, but at what cost?

“I need time. I really need to think this through. I don’t want to make a decision in haste that I’ll come to regret later.”

My response appeases her. Relief floods her eyes as her lips upturn.

I expect her to peck me on the cheeks, like she used to do before—teasing me, testing my limits, and giving me hints. But to my surprise, she doesn’t, and steps back instead, putting a respectable space between us.

“Well, okay. I understand. It’s still progress. I hope you’ll tell me your decision soon. When we meet in the office, perhaps?”

“Two days. You can start in two days.” It’s hard to contain my eagerness. I was content with her learning from me and just being around me, but her proposal has opened up possibilities that I had never dared to consider before.

Her smile widens, eyes gleaming with excitement. “Sure, boss. Whatever you say. I can’t wait.”

She just addressed me as ‘boss.’ Is that what she’d be calling me in the office? I can’t wait to find out. Fuck. I love the sound of that.

“Okay then, I’ll take my new car for a drive…see you soon.”

She waves bye, swaying her hips as she heads out.

I’m in trouble. Deep trouble.

Scarlet Dreams

Kaleidoscopic Dreams Duo Book 1

When I was still a little girl, playing with barbies, I saw him as my Prince Charming.

The day I learned what a ‘crush’ meant, he was bestowed with the title of my first crush.

As I transitioned into a teenager, he morphed into the man of my dreams.

Every time I got myself off, he was the one who starred in my dark fantasies.

The only one I ever wanted.

But for him, I was merely his best friend’s daughter.

Completely off limits and unattainable.

Until the storm hit.

A tragedy that changed the course of all our lives.

He was there through it all..

The man I so easily fell in love with

The one who finally saw me as a woman who had eyes only for him.

Hope of finally getting a chance with him blossomed in me.

Only for reality to slap me in the face.

There was only one true love of his life.

It wasn’t me.

It was my MOM.

Scarlet Dreams is the first book in the Kaleidoscopic Dreams Duet. It’s an age-gap forbidden romance.

 

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Meghana Sarathy is from Bangalore, India. She is an avid reader and also a writer. She writes Adult and New Adult romance, and also wishes to try her hands at dark and psychological thrillers. She especially loves reading and writing love triangles, taboo romance, and angst filled stories that are quite complex and unconventional. Her books tend to involve protagonists who are flawed, far from perfect, and as real as they can get.  Her all-time favorite characters are her very own characters- Jennifer, Brandon and Linden. She tends to fall hard for boys who are either cocky, bossy, good flirts and total charmers.

She spends most of her free time reading, writing, watching anime or binging shows. Her favorite genres are Psychological Thrillers, Teen Drama and Sci-fi (especially time travel stories). Being a Product Owner in a fintech firm, she is plugged into the world of finance and has also dabbled in cloud technology and Gen AI. She plays platform games in PS5 when taking short breaks from writing. She is a crazy fan of Dragonball Z and can be seen watching the episodes in repeat. Vegeta is her all-time favorite anime character. Steins Gate and Monster come second in the list of her favorite anime, and currently Mr. Robot and Dark are her fav non-anime series.

  

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Laura Johnson’s life has been a mosaic of terror, each piece a fragment of her haunted past. In her world, to be unnoticed is to be safe, yet, beneath her camouflage lies a burning desire to live without the constant pulse of fear.

Enter Diablo, a serial killer who transforms his victims into chilling avatars that appear within his dark and popular computer games. With the police powerless to peel back his many masks, Diablo sets his sights on Laura.

In this heart-stopping race against time, Laura is thrust into a deadly play where facing fear isn’t a choice-it’s survival. With the killer’s shadow looming, can she stand against the darkness? Or will she become the next character in his twisted games of death?

The terror begins now….

“A wounded soul becomes the target of a brutal serial killer’s game in this dark, gripping, game of cat and mouse.” ★★★★★ – Explore Authors Magazine

A tide of claustrophobic panic engulfed her. Thrashing against the cords, she felt them dig deeper, burning as they sliced her wrists and ankles. Through a haze of tears and her own poor vision, she glimpsed redness streaking her arms. Blood. It took all the willpower she had to calm herself against the terror. At last, she settled down and sighed tragically. Escape wasn’t an option.

“Help!” she cried, the words scraping her dry throat. Traces of duct tape glue tugged at her lips when she opened her mouth. Louder, she screamed, “Help me! Somebody help!”

Laura tensed as she detected movement to her right. A blurred figure appeared and drew nearer; his murmuring voice sent a chill down her spine. The man strode up to Laura and crouched over her, bringing his face uncomfortably close to hers. His breath smelled like an ashtray. Up close, she squinted, struggling to discern his features. A jolt of fear pierced her heart — it was the pizza delivery guy without his cap. His gaze was predatory. Laura shuddered, paralyzed by the terror of understanding.

“W-who are you?” she stammered, her voice quivering with fear. The simple question caught in her throat, nearly choking her. The stranger’s presence filled her with dread. She lay on the concrete floor compelled to learn his identity despite the fear gripping her heart. She asked him again in a timid whisper, “Who are you?”

“I think you know who I am,” he replied, sounding cocky. When she didn’t seem to register, he shouted at her. “Diablo! Who did you think I was?”

Diablo set something blue and blurry on the floor by her head. Laura turned and looked but couldn’t see it well enough to know exactly what it was. A small box maybe? He took something from the box that shone brightly in the light. Her blood went cold. Was it a knife?

“I need you to scream more, but louder. There’s no ADR session after we’re done here, so I need all the vocals you can give me now.” He pointed at something, then at something else, but she could only squint and wonder what he meant.

“You can’t see, can you? I thought those glasses were awfully thick. I’ve placed microphones above and around you, and I’m recording your every sound, so I need you to be loud. And I have camcorders strategically placed to show your face, your body movement, everything about you.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. “Why are you doing this?”

“To capture your entirety, of course!” he beamed. “I need the best sound and video I can get.”

“Why me?” she asked, still not comprehending. “I’m ugly.”

Diablo was taken aback. “How can you say that? I saw your picture in the paper. You must know how truly lovely you are.”

“You’re going to kill me.” Laura became uncharacteristically calm, like an animal being led to slaughter that knows it’s going to die. She accepted her fate with sadness.

“I’m going to make you immortal.”

“You’re going to kill me. I saw it in your eyes just now. Your eyes have the looks that kill.”

At 20, Lee Gemmill set off on a hitchhiking adventure from Virginia to California, climbing Handies Peak in Colorado and losing all his food to sneaky ground squirrels in the Grand Canyon along the way. A former biology and anatomy teacher with 32 years of experience in Virginia, he’s now retired and fully dedicated to writing.
Lee’s mission is to reshape storytelling by blending fantasy, science fiction, and horror into unforgettable tales. His work pushes the boundaries of imagination, delivering thrilling experiences that stay with readers long after the last page — all while building a legacy of unique, genre-defying stories that cultivate lifelong fans.

 

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Jake Bishop is back on the streets of Solomon City, ten months after a mob bombing destroyed his office and murdered his partner and secretary. But Bishop isn’t just any private detective—he’s a “ditch wizard” able to step through shadow and bend reality to his will.

When the beautiful and mysterious Portia Vance answers his ad for a new secretary, Bishop thinks his luck might finally be changing. Together, they begin hunting Vito Morelli, the mob boss who ordered the hit that nearly ended Bishop’s life.

Their investigation leads them through the city’s darkest corners—from strip clubs to shadow banking operations, from corrupt cops to magical wards. But in a world where bullets and spells are equally deadly, and where everyone has secrets worth killing for, Bishop discovers that the line between hunter and hunted is thinner than he thought.

Some cases require a gun. Others need magic. This one demands both.

In the shadows of Solomon City, justice comes with a price—and revenge wears a beautiful face.

A gritty noir fantasy that proves sometimes the most dangerous magic is the human heart.

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Christopher “Doc” Blalock is a US Navy veteran Corpsman and retired counselor. He is a prolific fine artist, illustrator, musician, sculptor and writer, cursed with the itch to create. He draws inspiration from sources ranging from JRR Tolkien to Tom Clancy. He additionally draws from his love of classic black-and-white noir films, infusing their moody aesthetic and storytelling into his writing. A helpless coffee addict, he lives in the Atlanta suburbs with his childhood sweetheart and a dog of dubious moral character.

 

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from Chapter 3 — On the Scene

“Jason! Over here.” Mike waved his arm, beckoning Jason toward the center of the intersection. Since Mike lived in Manhattan, he had arrived fifteen minutes before his partner. A clot of officers and emergency services personnel milled about without much urgency.

“Nice night,” Jason said sarcastically.

Mike, dressed in a down parka and a blue-and-orange knit hat pulled down over his ears, grunted his agreement. Mike was a full five inches shorter than Jason and twenty years older. Even in their winter clothes, Jason’s style showed through, with his tailored wool overcoat, gloves, scarf, and LL Bean duck boots. Mike had long since stopped worrying about the fact that his partner was taller, better looking, in better shape, and a better dresser. Mike possessed wisdom that came from experience, which was the one thing Jason could not have. At least not until he had twenty-five years on the force like Mike. They had been partners for five years.

A uniformed officer with a plastic cover over his hat approached Mike as Jason arrived. “Detective Stoneman, the medical examiner is finished. Can we remove the body now?”

“Not yet,” Mike responded. “I want Detective Dickson to get a look at the scene first.”

The officer left to give his fellow officers the bad news – they all had to stay outside their warm squad cars.

As they walked around the intersection, Mike gave Jason the rundown. “The stiff’s name is Lou Palazzo. His wallet was in his pants pocket with a driver’s license, so the ID was pretty easy. He’s got a record from years back. Did three years in Sing Sing in the twenty-teens for conspiracy to commit murder. He was connected to the Gallata family. Since he got out, he’s had no arrests. He ran an electronics store and pawn shop over on the corner of Avenue B, a block away.” Mike pointed to the far end of the block. “He had a little cash and some credit cards in his wallet.”

Jason looked down at the remainder of the dead man’s head. “So, not a robbery, then?”

Mike didn’t laugh. “The snow and slush on the street mangled any physical evidence here, but there is blood in the snow outside his shop. It looks like he was shot inside the shop in the shoulder, tried to escape in this direction, then got caught here in the intersection and plugged once in the head. No cell phone on him. He wasn’t wearing a coat, so he left in a hurry. When we finish here, there are two more stiffs in the shop.”

“So, there’s more to see?” Jason asked.

“Oh, yeah. Plenty. We’ll get over there in a minute. The officer in the first squad car saw two figures in the middle of the street from a few blocks away and hit his lights. By the time he got here, Lou was dead on the ground and the other person had fled the scene on foot.”

Jason squatted to get a look at the body without dipping his knees into the slush. The kill shot entered the man’s head above his left ear and exited through his neck – a clean kill, likely fired by a person standing over the victim.

“Seen enough?” Mike asked.

“Sure. Thanks for doing the reconnaissance.”

“Let’s go see the shop. That’s where the action was.” Mike turned to the west. “Oh, and by the way, was that Rachel I saw over there with a cameraman?”

“Yeah,” Jason said without stopping. “She got a call from her network to come work this scene. She’s been bugging them for weeks about getting a chance to cover breaking news instead of the fluffy studio stuff. You know, the healthcare pieces and emergency services and such. She’s been on the on-call list every weekend since Halloween, hoping to get a call. Unfortunately, tonight was the night.”

“You need to be careful, Jason. You can’t spill any information to her. I know we talked about this possibly happening someday. Well, shit just got real. Sully will have your hide if he thinks you’re feeding her inside dirt on the investigation.”

“I know. I’m not telling her anything. But I can’t stop her from working. This is a big deal for her.”

“Sure. I get it,” Mike said. “But be careful.”

“You don’t need to tell me.”

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Kevin G. Chapman is an attorney specializing in labor and employment law. Kevin has now completed seven books in the Mike Stoneman Thriller series: Righteous Assassin (Kindle Book Award semi–finalist), Deadly Enterprise (Kindle Book Award semi-finalist), Lethal Voyage, (Winner of the 2021 Kindle Book Award, CLUE finalist, RONE finalist), Fatal Infraction (Best Police Procedural of the year – CLUE Award), Perilous Gambit, Double Takedown, and now, Treacherous Hack. In late 2022, Kevin published a stand-alone mystery/thriller titled Dead Winner (CLUE Award – Best Suspense/Thriller of the year). Then, in 2024 came The Other Murder, winner of the CLUE Award Grand Prize (best suspense/thriller of the year) and finalist for the National Indie Excellence Award. Kevin is a resident of Central New Jersey and is a graduate of Columbia College and Boston University School of Law. Readers can contact Kevin via his website at www.KevinGChapman.com.

  

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Oh no, here he comes, the lascivious Lord Finch and his merry band of drunken fools. Alaina looked out at the crowded ballroom, her eyes connecting with the group of men making their way toward its center. Alaina had only been at the ball for a quarter hour before this particular disaster struck, the leers of the men making the hairs at the nape of her neck prickle. It did not escape Alaina’s attention that Lady Barbara, Lord Finch’s sister, accompanied the group, and wore a sly smile. Hopefully, this latest encounter would be short. Surely, Lord Finch would not want to be rejected twice, let alone in front of a large crowd.

Alaina looked to her right to find her parents close at hand, thankfully, and she stood a little straighter knowing she would not face this alone.

The group of men seemed to move in unison before coming to a halt a few paces before Alaina and her family. A group of onlookers formed a circle around them as if ready to enjoy the ensuing spectacle, Lady Barbara taking her place in the throng. Alaina struggled to focus on the faces of the onlookers as she held her head high, ready to meet Lord Finch and his friends with as much dignity as she could muster. She hoped to project a more serene exterior than she currently felt, her heartbeat accelerating to such a degree that she could feel the blood rushing in her ears.

Lord Finch stepped to the fore of the now halted group, and gallantly bowed to Alaina before speaking, his voice so loud that Alaina was sure people arriving in carriages outside could hear.

“My dearest beautiful Alaina,” he started, clearing his throat before continuing, “You have set upon me quite a conundrum. I fear I have fallen madly in love with the idea of having you as my wife, and I feel you should be happy with such an arrangement. I am quite the catch, you know, especially for someone from the country, and one who likes to read.”

From behind him, Lady Barbara piped up with an added insult, “Amazing, really, that Alaina found her way out of the library to be here.” Laughter rippled through the crowd.

Alaina cringed at his easy use of her given name, devoid of any honorific, and seethed at the mockery of her character. Lord Finch and his sister sounded ridiculous, pompous, and conceited.

Alaina was frozen in place, her lips trembling in rage, and when no comment ushered forth from her lips, Lord Finch rejoined, unfazed by the one-sided nature of their conversation. “I find myself at an impasse. Shall I continue to press my suit with decorum, or should I make my feelings known to the whole world, so that you may not so easily dismiss them as you have in the past?”

A warmth crept up Alaina’s neck and touched her cheeks, giving her pale skin a glow, although one not easily perceptible in the dim light of the ballroom. She turned once again to where her parents stood, only to find that her father had disappeared, and her mother’s pale face was drawn in embarrassment as she watched her eldest child with dismay. Oh, how Alaina wished her father would have stayed; his tall frame was intimidating to a crowd, and his familiar umber eyes were always reassuring to her.

Resolved to put a stop to this farce, Alaina turned back to Lord Finch and remarked, her voice distant and strange sounding in her ears, “Lord Finch, it seems my earlier rejection of your suit did not deter you in the least, but I ask you to have a care for your surroundings.”

As the words left her mouth, Alaina watched Lord Finch’s face change, his outwardly serene expression making way for something more sinister. His smile twisted into an outright leer, and his pale green eyes seemed to burn of their own accord, the candlelight no longer just a reflection in them. He lowered to one knee and reached out his hands in supplication as he sneered, “Please, will you marry me, my lady?” The emphasis on the last word ensured that Alaina felt the insult.

Lord Finch was quickly joined by his friends, their idiocy knowing no bounds, all of them dropping to their knees in a chorus of marriage proposals, each more mocking and infuriating than the last. Soon laughter rang loudly in Alaina’s ears as the men and then the onlookers seemed to find amusement in her predicament. Her world blurred through a sheen of tears, the faces of the laughing men—now resembling something like demons—the only clear points in her vision.

Alaina glanced about to find her mother and threw herself into her open arms, shielding her from the worst of the crowd. The two women made their way to the outer edge of the ballroom and quickly to the front entrance, only stopping a moment to gather their cloaks before heading out into the cool night. Her father, having had the forethought to make his way to the exit, met them in the front drive, where he had already called for their carriage to be brought around, and not a moment too soon.

The Sinclair family hastened into the carriage, a pall falling on them as the conveyance made its way onto the main thoroughfare and toward their London townhome. Alaina squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on the clip clop of the well-matched team of four, grateful for the silence of her parents, as she let tears make their way unchecked down her cheeks.

R. K. Harrington is a debut historical romance author, combining swoon-worthy romance with a bit of mystery. Her first novel, Kindred Schemes, is scheduled to be released February 2026.

In 2021, R. K. Harrington found that her daydreams were yearning to spill over to the written page, and, ever since, has been writing historical romance with a dash of mystery in hopes of publishing her work one day. After much editing, and long hours designing, she is gearing up to release her first novel, with many more to come!

R. K. Harrington grew up reading romance novels at a (maybe too) young age, and the stories entranced her. Give her a Happily Ever After (HEA) and there is no better book in the world. While romance books (namely historical romances) are her first love, R. K. Harrington is an avid reader of all genres. She has gone through many phases: medical mysteries, crime dramas, science fiction, romantasy, and is currently in a fantasy phase (she does do the occasional non-fiction book as well, namely history). Through every season of reading, romance books of all kinds are sprinkled liberally.

When R. K. Harrington is not writing or reading (or working her day job as an engineer), she is having fun with her husband, their kids, and her very cute dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Maximus. They all live in the DMV area, where the summers are hot, the winters are cold, and the two days of Spring and Fall are beautiful enough to open the windows!

 

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Their Stubborn Fix

Northwick Cove Menage Book 2

All I wanted was a fresh start. Instead, I got the MacAllister brothers and all their hot, commanding ways.

Heartache and grief were the only things I ever seemed to find in my hometown. So I left, looking for a new home, a new life.

What I found were three gorgeous, demanding brothers determined to prove to me that true love exists—and that I could have it with all of them. Whether it’s making me scream with pleasure in their bed or sob over their knee from their strict, humiliating discipline, their sole focus is me. My wants, my needs, my happiness.

But I’m not the only stubborn one in this relationship. And unless we can all find a way to heal the parts of us others have broken, the forever they promised me will remain completely out of reach.

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Their Unexpected Claim

Northwick Cove Menage Book 3

She wasn’t looking for a man, but can she find happiness with two?

Long burned by betrayal, Judith Walker’s heart is closed to new love. Deeply believing her life is better alone, she hides behind a prickly surface and sharp temper. When Judith arrives in Northwick Cove, she only wants to bring her daughter home. Finding Savannah in a loving Triad, and also unwilling to leave, brings out her fiery nature.

In spite of her protective walls, she quickly attracts the attention and desire of Sam and Henry. They have long ached for a woman like Judith to join their family. However, Sam’s flirty charm and Henry’s steady nature are immediately faced with her suspicion and resistance. When their persistence leads to an eruption of passion, Judith is forced to question everything she believes.

 

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Karen Nappa is an Amazon bestselling author of Seasoned BDSM romance with HEA. Her books are available at the popular retailers and include series such as Small Town Submission and Savage Billionaires.

Immersed in the D/s lifestyle herself, she writes realistic albeit romantic stories. When not dominated by her cats or her Master (in that order—even if it earns her a spanking!), she loves going places to discover the stories waiting to be written.

She resides in the Netherlands with her dominant husband, two adult-ish sons—and whoever they might drag home with them—and, of course, her two Chausie cats. If she isn’t writing or texting with friends, she’s probably reading, running, or listening to heavy metal.

 

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What happens when the man you fall for is all wrong for you?

Cara Winston has always been a bit of a rebel and an adrenaline junkie. As a helicopter pilot and paramedic, she relies on that to do her job. When Cara and her team respond to a multi-vehicle accident involving motorcycles, she’s expecting the worst. What Cara doesn’t expect is to find herself intrigued by the blue eyes of a man wearing motorcycle gang colors.

Ryan Vigilante rides the road mostly on two wheels, not four. When several of the club members end up in an accident on the highway, Ryan never expects to see a future in the eyes of the intense female paramedic. The only problem is that she’s way out of his league, and he knows that getting involved with her could only jeopardize her safety.

With Cara’s family trying to keep them apart and Ryan’s club breaking the law, Cara finds herself more of a rebel than usual. Will things work out for Cara and Ryan, or will Cara’s law enforcement brother, Ethan, find a way to stop it for good?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

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Evan

Loving a Winston Book 2

What happens when she’s not really who you think she is?

Evan Winston is dedicated to his job as a registered nurse in the ICU department of the local hospital. He’s one hundred percent focused on the needs of his patients and his family, or at least he usually is. That changes the day a woman visits one of his patients and turns his world upside down.

Laney Marshall wants nothing more than to help people who struggle—especially those women and children who are fighting to survive domestic violence situations. After losing someone close to her to an abusive man, she is determined to do everything in her power to help.

Unfortunately, Laney has people that don’t want her to do that. In fact, they don’t even like her in this town or even the state of Pennsylvania. They prefer her on the other side of the country, where they think she belongs, living the life planned for her.

Can Laney and Evan find a way to build a relationship while keeping others from getting involved, or will the revealed secrets be enough to end any chance of a future before it begins?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

 

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Candy

Loving a Winston Book 3

What happens when your lustful heart wins over your intellectual mind?

When Candy’s sister, Cara, was dating outlaw biker member Ryan Vigilante, Candy paid little attention to Ryan’s club buddy, Bollard. Sure, Bollard, who works behind the bar at the local tavern, was pleasing on the eyes and made a mean chocolate martini, but he was an outlaw, and that’s not the kind of person Candy associates with.

Michael Bollard is out of the club now and hopes to purchase the tavern. He had never wanted more than his bikes and the club, but now, Mike has high hopes to build a future. A future that suddenly collides with sexy and intelligent Candy Winston in ways he could have never imagined.

Just when he thinks he might have this new future figured out, a stranger enters the bar with a surprise he never saw coming. Will that surprise send Candy running for higher ground, or will it cement her future in the tavern with Mike?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

 

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Carmen

Loving a Winston Book 4

What happens when your first love returns to town—twenty years later?

Child Psychologist Carmen Winston spends a lot of time at the schools, and when she comes across a man and the name of a new student, she mentally flashes back to a time of young love and dreamy hopes of the perfect future that never happened.

Tim Kohl lived in Millerstown for six years before his parents moved him across the country. He never expected to return or to bring three kids with him when he did. The last thing Tim expected to find in town is his high school sweetheart, who is still as beautiful as ever and still single after all this time.

When sparks fly, can these two put the past behind them and plan a future, or will the years apart separate them before they can figure it out?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

 

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Coral

Loving a Winston Book 5

What happens when you overhear your family talking to the man you’ve fallen for?

Coral Winston has felt out of touch with her family since her mother passed away and threw everything she had into her coffee café. When her family forces her to vacation, they decide to come along for the fun.

Landan Lancaster is the oldest of the eight Lancaster children, and he’s still trying to deal with walking away from his cheating bride the night before their wedding many months prior. When a large family comes to stay in the Lancaster guest house on the lake, he finds himself expectedly intrigued by the woman standing at the water’s edge.

On the slopes of South Lake Tahoe, Landan realizes he has met his match in more ways than one, and Coral begins to feel as if she has finally found a place where she belongs. When she overhears a conversation between Landan and her family, Coral gets the wrong idea and flees without thinking. Unfortunately, she finds the café a mess and the cops waiting for her when she arrives home.

Can Coral overcome the issues facing her and find her way back to the beautiful mountains and water of Lake Tahoe, or will Landan lose her before he can ever call her his own?

The Loving a Winston Series is a five-book, steamy adult romance series that spins off the six-book Loving a Young Series. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series.

 

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Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016 due to a second serious concussion. Her last three years on the job were in investigations and crime scene investigation. She now writes full-time.

Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement. She has a daughter in college and a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy.

Stacy writes a variety of genres, but mostly romance. She enjoys writing real-life stories that people can relate to with real-life problems, emotions, and solutions.

Her favorites: Classic cars, photography, Disney, music, coffee, and her favorite sweatshirt that says, You are dangerously close to getting killed in my next novel.

 

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Weres and Witchery

Star-Crossed Chronicles Book 1

Karma’s a witch.

When witch Jena Seymore returns home to Havers-by-the-Sea to care for her dying aunt, old town politics and prejudices are rekindled. Between the local Westside Pack’s vendetta against her family and the coven pressuring Jena to become guardian of the magical node outside of town, she has enough problems without adding Chase Montgomery to the mix. Especially after he broke her heart by starting the devastating rumor that sent Jena running from town in the first place.

But Chase has plenty of problems of his own, and how to make amends with Jena and win her heart is at the top of the list. Unbeknownst to his pack, Jena is his fated mate, and after her leaving town the first time almost killed him, he’s not letting her get away again—no matter what the backlash might be.

And meanwhile, the node is turning wild, jeopardizing Havers-by-the Sea’s existence as tensions threaten to tear it apart from within. Deep-seated small town secrets could hold the key to its future—but only if they’re discovered before Samhain, when the blue moon rises.

Magic happens and sparks fly when a sassy witch with curves for days crosses paths with an irresistible alpha shifter. WERES AND WITCHERY, a standalone spicy small town romance by AK Nevermore.

✦ Curvy Witch FMC With Sass for Days
✦ Irresistibly Bossy Alpha Shifter MMC
✦ LGBTQ+ Bestie With Ride-or-💀 Vibes
✦ Enemies-to-Lovers
✦ Small Town
✦ Fake/Forced Marriage
✦ Fated Mates
✦ Chosen Family
✦ Rejected Mate
✦ Knots/Knotting
✦ Fae Hijinx
✦ Warlocks and Witches
✦ Unknown Power
✦ Secret Identity
✦ Chosen One
✦ Unique Magic

💋 𝑺𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒆 𝐋𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐥 = 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️
Explicit Scenes ~ Very Hot

What readers are saying:

“I loved this story! It has everything I like in a good book, angst, anger, laughter, tears, fun, heat, love, loyal best friend, quirky side characters and an HEA. It doesn’t get any better than that. The storyline is solid, engaging, the world building is multi-dimensional and once you start you won’t want to put it down.” – @sunshinewhispers

“Wow, what a cracking book this is. Twists, turns and lots of magic so what’s not to like. I couldn’t put it down till I’d finished it, I was completely engrossed. I loved it.” – @sbanacek

“I started reading this book at 9pm and read straight through to 4am. … FOUR. A. M. Crazy, right?! Let me tell you, this book had me hooked from the start with its humor, drama, character chemistry, character personalities, drama, romance, banter, action, and spice. ‘Weres and Witchery’ is among one of the best escapes I’ve had in a while.” – @Morally_Gray_Nola

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AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.

Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.

She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.

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Caleb Ward is trying to forget the night he almost died.
Ava Lin is trying to understand why he survived.

But Hollow Creek isn’t letting either of them move on.

What starts as a strange blackout spirals into a trail of eerie clues, shifting shadows, and a connection between Ava and Caleb that grows hotter and more undeniable with every new secret uncovered.

Something happened that night.
Something dangerous.
And it’s waking up.

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Light Years to Midnight

by Dustin Blackwall

Genre: SciFi Thriller

When data itself begins to speak, who decides what it’s trying to say?

Light Years To Midnight — a globe-spanning thriller where science, faith, and code collide in a race against a countdown written into the fabric of reality.

 

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The wind whipped dust across the plateau as Jonas crested the ridge, breath burning in his throat. Below him, the satellite dishes of the abandoned relay station stretched into the dark like a field of frozen giants. Their metal frames groaned under the rising storm, each bent toward the same invisible point on the horizon.

He wasn’t alone.

A faint beam of light—too controlled to be an accident—flickered between the dishes. Jonas crouched, heart thudding, watching as a woman stepped into view, her silhouette sharp against the skeletal machinery. She moved with the alertness of someone who had been running for far too long.

Elena.

He had seen her face in files, in encrypted packets, in the warnings that had chased him across continents. But seeing her here, in the flesh, felt unreal—like walking into a photograph he wasn’t meant to understand.

Before he could speak, a second figure emerged from the opposite end of the array. Maya paused only when she spotted Elena, recognition flaring across her face. They had never met, not really, but the anomaly had braided their paths tightly enough that the moment felt inevitable.

Jonas stood and lifted a hand, but movement in the distance froze him mid-step.

Engines.

Low, tactical, deliberate.

A convoy approached from the north, its headlights dark, its tires crunching through gravel like muffled gunfire. Special operations—unmarked, unhurried, confident. Not hunters, but collectors.

Elena’s eyes locked on his.

“Are they here for you,” she whispered, “or for all of us?”

Maya stepped closer, her breath sharp in the cold air. “Does it matter?”

Something pulsed beneath the earth—three beats, a pause, three more—vibrating up through the metal frames of the dishes. The sky above them shimmered, faint but unmistakable, as if answering the rhythm.

Jonas swallowed hard.

“No,” he said. “It doesn’t matter anymore. It’s already found us.”

Dustin is a lifelong fan of science and speculative fiction, blending his fascination with astronomy, technology, and the unknown into stories that explore the edge between logic and wonder. When he’s not writing, he’s reading, stargazing, or chasing trails on his dirt bike — always searching for what lies just beyond understanding.

 

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His betrayal cost him the only woman he has ever loved. Now, he’s determined to win her back.

On the football field Tristan Whitmore might be an MVP, but after a recent career-ending injury, his world is flipped upside down. He takes little comfort in his many NFL achievements and a bank account bulging with more money than he could ever spend. His life feels like it’s over… until he reconnects with the one woman he’s never forgotten. Too bad she hates him.

Entertainment lawyer, Cree Priestly is not the forgiving type. Betray her once, and you’re dead to her. Which is why Tristan will never get a second chance with her. She lost too much the last time he charmed her into falling in love with him. Letting that happen again would make her a fool. But when he kisses her, all the buried memories of love, desire, and passionate nights come rushing back.

But can Cree afford to surrender her heart to Tristan again? Or are some betrayals impossible to move past?

*All books in this series can be read as standalones.

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“Oh boy. Don’t look now, but your—”

“He’s not my anything,” Cree ground out. “And I think this is a good time to end our visit. I need to get going anyway. We can talk about Dorian’s wedding later.”

“Cree, stop. Just talk to him. It’s been years, and you both deserve some closure.”

“I got closure when I told him to lose my damn telephone number and to go to hell.”

Cree knew she was being a jerk, but Tristan was still a sore topic with her. Seeing him again brought back too many memories, and they weren’t all good.

She gathered her large bag, which doubled as a purse and laptop carrier, and then she grabbed her trash.

“I’m out of here,” she said and blew her sister a kiss before walking away.

If Cree was lucky, she might be able to slip past Tristan without him seeing her. He’d been forced to retire from the NFL, the National Football League, after an injury, and she’d heard he had moved back to Chicago.

God, she hoped that wasn’t true. They probably traveled in the same circles, and that would mean there was a good chance she’d run into him more than she’d prefer.

Taking advantage of the crowd that surrounded him, Cree moved around the perimeter of the space and kept her head down while making her way to the door. She had barely touched the handle before she jolted from the feel of a large hand on her hip.

She froze, but not before a zap of energy flowed through her body at his touch. She knew that touch. Hell, she’d feel that touch even if she had on three layers of clothing. Tristan had always had that effect on her.

 “Cree, wait. We need to talk,” he said by way of greeting. His deep baritone sent goosebumps racing over her skin. She didn’t want to talk, and she sure as hell didn’t want to look at him, but she had to.

When she turned to face him, anger nipped at every nerve in her body. Damn him for looking so good. He was still the finest man on the face of the planet with honey-brown skin, eyes the color of almonds with flecks of gold around his irises, and twin dimples in his cheeks.

As if knowing she was admiring his beautiful face, he amped up his smile, and she cursed under her breath.

Damn those twin dimples. The ones deep enough in his cheeks to stick her fingers in. And damn him for flashing them so freely in public knowing they were babe magnets.

“We have nothing to talk about,” she spat, anger lacing the words.

“On the contrary, baby. We have a lot to discuss.”

Cree turned from him and moved just beyond the threshold, but he held on to the back of her jacket while he stood in the doorway. He didn’t seem to care he was blocking the entrance, keeping anyone from entering or exiting. The small crowd that had formed around him minutes ago was still there, vying for the attention of the other former NFL player whose name had slipped her mind.

As for Tristan, Cree didn’t want to talk to him. That would only encourage him to keep showing up everywhere she went.

No, she needed to stay as far away from the man as possible. His presence was a hindrance to her peace of mind. It was because of him that she had trust issues, especially when it came to men. He was the reason she had taken on the motto—don’t let anyone get too close because in the end they’ll only betray you.

“The old Cree didn’t run from anything,” he said, his voice lowered. “Yet, you’ve run from me twice in a matter of weeks.”

Her jaw clenched and unclenched. “The old Cree would’ve already kneed you in the balls to make you release my jacket. Either let me go or…”

Tristan flinched, then quickly released her jacket and chuckled. “I see you’re still mean as hell.” The words weren’t spoken in a negative way. There was humor in his tone and in his eyes. “Please,” he said, all humor wiped from his face. “I really do need to talk to you.”

Cree searched his eyes and saw the sincerity in them. She almost gave in to his request until she remembered—she hated him.

“There’s nothing for us to discuss. As a matter of fact, forget you ever saw me, and if you see me out and about, don’t even look at me.

“And on that note, goodbye, Tristan.”

Now all she had to do was forget she’d ever seen him. Which might be easier said than done.

Don’t miss the rest of the series! They can be read as standalones!

Believing In You

Priestly Family Series Book 1

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Finding You

Priestly Family Series Book 2

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USA Today bestselling author Sharon C. Cooper loves anything involving romance with a happily-ever-after, whether in books, movies, or real life. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, as well as romantic comedy. She enjoys rainy days, carpet picnics, and family game night. Her stories have won numerous awards, including The Rochelle Alers Best Series award for her Atlanta’s Finest Series (2022) and The Beverly Jenkins Author of the Year award (2021). When she isn’t writing, Sharon loves hanging out with her amazing husband, doing volunteer work, or reading a good book (a romance of course). To read more about Sharon and her novels, or to sign up to be notified of her latest releases, visit www.sharoncooper.net

 

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Sherry Ellis is an award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the world. Ellis has previously published the Bubba and Squirt’s Adventure Series; Don’t Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Baby Woke Me Up, AGAIN; and That Mama is a Grouch. Ellis lives in Atlanta, Georgia. 

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Loving a Young Book 2

Ever the optimist, Roxy is excited about the future, but when she finds out about the sexy Paramedic’s past, can you get over it?

Being a wedding planner is hard, especially when someone always tries to steal your business, and your family doesn’t support you. However, Roxanne Novak is determined to keep her business afloat—no matter what. When Roxy is in a car accident hurrying to meet a potential bride, she’s injured and scared, but paramedic Henley Young takes excellent care of her.

Henley loves his job and thrives on the adrenaline of helping people in need. Maybe that’s why when he meets Roxy, he’s inclined to help her with more than just medical care. Hooking her up with his older brother Wesley and his bride-to-be could be just what she needs. It might also be the start of something between Henley and the spunky little wedding planner.

With a surprise job offer Roxy, she finds herself rethinking her entire business plan. Excited at the prospect and another chance, Roxy and Henley begin making plans. After Roxy accidentally learns of Henley’s past relationship, everything she knew about him is questioned.

Can Roxy and Henley put the past to bed and move forward to something that might be more than what either had ever hoped for?

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Huntley

Loving a Young Book 3

When Daniella’s life is threatened again, can she pull herself out of her fictional world long enough to see the truth?

Daniella Knight works hard to create suspenseful and romantic tales, but she shutters herself from the world after a violent interaction with a fan. When her house catches on fire, she and her protection dog, Tigger, are forced to rely on the help of strangers.

Huntley Young loves being in the thick of the action—especially if that action has something to do with his job as a firefighter. When Huntley stops the homeowner from returning inside the house, he has no clue that he just placed himself firmly in the hero department of her latest book.

As Hunt and Daniella get to know each other, Daniella’s creative mind sometimes has trouble separating reality and fiction. When danger strikes again, will Daniella be able to see what is right in front of her, or will her past trauma protect her while hiding inside her romantic fictional world?

The Loving a Young Series is a steamy adult romance series comprising of six books. While these books are all standalone romances, the characters will be seen throughout the series. They will also be found in the five-book spin-off Loving a Winston Series. An additional Spin-Off Series is projected to start publishing in 2025 and is entitled Loving a Lancaster Series. It is currently slated for eight books. 

 

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Riley

Loving a Young Book 4

Will Riley finally admit that she’s in love with Ethan, or will she lose him forever?

Riley is always the life of the party, and Ethan is there to pick her up and keep her together. He knows her almost as well as she knows herself, and he knows she will never love him as he does her.

Now Ethan wants more out of life and love, but Riley continues to deny her feelings and insists they are only friends with benefits. When a training opportunity comes up that will get Ethan out of town for months, he jumps on it—finally, a way to get over Riley and move on.

With Ethan gone and a new guy in her life, Riley deals with several emotional issues without the help of her best friend. A family emergency has Ethan feeling lost without Riley to lean on, but he refuses to go to her and seeks solace with another.

Will Riley make the right choices and finally admit how she feels, or will she find herself alone and falling further down the rabbit hole?

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Kayley

Loving a Young Book 5

When Kayley falls for a younger man, can she learn to accept her feelings, or will she lose something she didn’t even know she wanted?

Kayley Young’s life is about to undergo a few profound changes. Independent Kayley Young is a real estate agent in New York and loves her life as a single woman. She’s not one to get tied down and leaves the baby-making to her siblings.

Officer Cameron Sexton is new on the job, a veteran of the military, and proud of his dedication to the job. Unfortunately, he finds himself annoyed at his lackadaisical sergeant, who should hang up his gun belt before getting someone hurt. When Cameron is dispatched to a burglary, he meets Kayley Young and is instantly attracted to her. Cameron has a feeling she reciprocates those feelings, except she’s a little leery that he is ten years younger than her.

When Kayley’s life starts taking a turn for the worst, she depends more on the attractive young man she has let into her bed for fun than she intended. Her original thought of enjoying the moment starts to last longer, but Kayley’s not sure that dating a man ten years her junior is wise for the long haul. Especially with the rest of the changes that have happened in her life. Can Kayley come to terms with the age difference, or will her family sway her away from the younger man?

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Bradley

Loving a Young Book 6

Bradley is set in his ways, but when his sister asks for him to help her friend, he finds more than he bargained for.

Bradley Young is the eldest sibling of the Young family and the only one previously married. After losing his wife to cancer, he’s used to caring for his two kids alone. The thought of dating is not something he’s interested in, not with a busy construction business and a family that always needs help.

Nolan Nickels needed a change, and with the help of her good friend, Kayley, she left New York and came to Millerstown to take a teaching position at the middle school. She has always been a tomboy and loves to fix things with her hands and play sports.

With a new house in her name, Nolan seeks out the perfect plan to get the house ready so she can bring her two daughters home, but is her fixer-upper more than she bargained for?

When Kayley finally gets Brad to stop by the house to check something, Brad finds himself more than intrigued with the spitfire, Nolan. Will he finally find the woman to spend his life with, or will she close the door on any future?

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Stacy Eaton is a USA Today Bestselling author and began her writing career in October of 2010. Stacy took early retirement from law enforcement after over fifteen years of service in 2016 due to a second serious concussion. Her last three years on the job were in investigations and crime scene investigation. She now writes full-time.

Stacy resides in southeastern Pennsylvania with her husband, who works in law enforcement. She has a daughter in college and a son who is currently serving in the United States Navy.

Stacy writes a variety of genres, but mostly romance. She enjoys writing real-life stories that people can relate to with real-life problems, emotions, and solutions.

Her favorites: Classic cars, photography, Disney, music, coffee, and her favorite sweatshirt that says, You are dangerously close to getting killed in my next novel.

 

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Ryland — I was tailing a gang of poachers, certain they’d lead me straight to their kingpin, when a stray arrow from a crossbow slammed into me. Pain lanced through me and everything faded to black. In that blur of unconsciousness, I could have sworn a pure white bear stood over me, calm as can be. When I opened my eyes again, a woman — curvy and impossibly beautiful — was watching me with the cutest look of mixed concern and distrust on her face.

Kimberly — I thought I was alone on a tiny island off the coast of British Columbia until an arrow from a crossbow barely missed skewering me. With my dog Diego at my heels, I ran to hide in a maze of caves, my heart pounding. Crouched down in the dark, I listened in terror as voices and footsteps floated to me from outside. I prayed the shooters wouldn’t find the spirit bear that inhabited this place. When I finally crept back out into the daylight, I found I wasn’t the only target — but the unconscious man lying in a pool of his own blood wasn’t talking. Victim or one of them?

WARNING: This Riptide action-adventure romance includes violence, abuse, coarse language, vigilante justice, and adult situations. No cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Enjoy!

What readers are saying:

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars.

Diego Rules Poachers Drool !

Loved the start of The Brotherhood series !! It has loose ties to the Author’s other series called Riptide MC ! The characters Kimberly and Ryland are well written and a lot of fun to read. The storyline has real world implications in the animal poaching and for animals living in shelters, so please be careful if such stories cause you any emotional distress. The book has a lot of action both in and out of the “bedroom”. I can’t wait to read book 2. 5 ’s for an action packed read !. · Dianna Rule TX

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Spirit Bears 

Spirit bears (aka Kermode bears — Ursus americanus kermodei) are a subspecies of the North American black bear with a rare recessive gene that makes their fur white or cream. Spirit bears are found only in the Great Bear Rainforest, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest. Estimated spirit bear population numbers no more than 400 individuals. The First Nations communities who have lived in the region for thousands of years call the spirit bear moskgm’ol, or “white bear,” and view the animal as sacred.

Many thanks to BBC Wildlife for their Spirit Bear Guide.

 Kimberly

I heard sounds to my left, louder this time. Definitely voices.

Well, that sucked. After a stressful week at work, the last thing I wanted to do was talk to strangers. Still, protocol demanded that I make my presence known for safety’s sake. No point in having some trigger-happy guide catch a glimpse of movement and decide I was something worth shooting at.

I stopped walking and cupped my hands to my mouth. “Hello?”

Total silence answered me. Even the birds stopped chirping. Not a single blade of grass rustled.

Maybe the dumb tourists had gone off in another direction and didn’t hear me. Sound could become muffled in the heavily treed rainforest environment. My heart lifted as I considered the possibility.

Maybe my day wasn’t ruined after all.

Diego came dashing back to my side, head held high and ears tilted forward in that oddly off-balance way he had when he concentrated. I frowned. The dog obviously heard or saw something that he felt needed watching. I opened my mouth to holler again, when something swished past my head so fast all I saw was a blur. A loud thunk told me the object had hit one of the trees behind me.

I turned and blinked, unable at first to grasp the significance of what I was looking at.

An arrow, the kind used for hunting bigger game such as deer or moose, was imbedded in one of the ancient trees. The plastic vanes on the end of the shaft quivered with the force of the impact.

Someone had taken a shot at me. Seriously? There was no way they could have mistaken my shouted greeting for an animal.

Diego whined softly, nudging my hand with his muzzle. I patted his head absently, still mesmerized by the sight of the arrow rooted in the tree.

Diego stiffened, whirling to face the direction the arrow had come from. A low growl came from his throat.

A shiver slid down my spine. Diego didn’t growl. Not at anybody. He was the mellowest dog on the face of the planet. If he thought whoever shot that arrow warranted a growl, then they must be bad. Real bad.

Award winning author Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue mutt(Merlin the Wonder Dog), a slightly larger rescue dog (Lexi the Aussie Shepherd) a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many fish to count. She has two handsome sons and seven adorable grandchildren. She’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy so of course when she writes, she lets her imagination take over. The one thing the reader can always count on is that the main characters will live happily ever after, even if they have to defeat a few nasty aliens first.

When she’s not busy writing the next great novel, she likes to kayak, hike, ride motorcycles, swim, skate, practice karate, play her guitar, sing and of course, read.

 

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High Couch of Silistra

The Silistra Quartet Book 1

by Janet Morris

Genre: Dystopian Epic SciFi Fantasy Romance

Biology shapes reality…

One woman’s mythic search for self-realization in a distant tomorrow…

Her sensuality was at the core of her world, her quest beyond the civilized stars.

Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler.

I am Estri Hadrath diet Estrazi, former Well-Keepress of Astria on the planet Silistra. I have begun three times to tell this story, and three times I have been interrupted. This, then, the fourth attempt, will surely prove successful.

Perhaps you have heard of Silistra, the planet that was catalyst to the sexual revolution in the year twenty-two thousand, seven hundred and four Bipedal Federate Standard Time, or of the Silistran serums that lengthen life and restore vitality in virtually any bipedal life form, or perhaps you have at some time contracted the services of a Silistran telepath, or a precognitive, or a deep reader. It is possible that you have in your own home the scintillating, indestructible web-cloth woven by our domestic arachnids, or have seen holograms of our golachits, those intelligent builder-beetles who exude from their mouths a translucent, superhard substance called gol and create from this gol, under the guidance of the chit-guards, the formidable and resplendent structures in which we live and work.

And perhaps you have seen no web-cloth, no gol, never been ill, and are not interested in sex. If so, you may never have heard of Silistra.

I carry Silistra in my mind’s eye, here under this alien sun. In my mind alone can I look out the east window of my beloved exercise hall in Well Astria and see the sun’s rising burst upon the jewel-like towers and keeps of the Inner Well and a thousand rainbows arc and dance in the greening sky.

Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in 1976 and published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris Morris or others. She contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell, writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. She wrote the bestselling Silistra Quartet in the 1970s, including High Couch of Silistra, The Golden Sword, Wind from the Abyss, and The Carnelian Throne. This quartet had more than four million copies in Bantam print alone, and was translated into German, French, Italian, Russian and other languages. In the 1980s, Baen Books released a second edition of this landmark series. The third edition is the Author’s Cut edition, newly revised by the author for Perseid Press. Most of her fiction work has been in the fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national security topics.

Janet said: ‘People often ask what book to read first. I recommend “I, the Sun” if you like ancient history; “The Sacred Band,” a novel, if you like heroic fantasy; “Lawyers in Hell” if you like historical fantasy set in hell; “Outpassage” if you like hard science fiction; “High Couch of Silistra” if you like far-future dystopian or philosophical novels. I am most enthusiastic about the definitive Perseid Press Author’s Cut editions, which I revised and expanded.’

  

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The long-awaited Winter Break has finally arrived, but Ronan and Croia, 12-year-old twins, find themselves struggling instead of cheering. There is a new kid at school whose cruelty has left deep wounds.

Ronan’s protective instinct towards Croia clashes with his own confusion about what it means to stand up and defend, to fight, or to walk away. On the longest, darkest night of the year, Croia and Ronan’s beloved Irish grandmother, with her gentle insight and patient heart, helps Ronan through the dark storm of his emotions and prepares a special evening for all.

Surrounded by his family—Croia and their new sister, their mother and her new husband—Ronan’s strength and inner peace is tested when an unanticipated guest arrives. Throughout the evening Grandmother continues to help and guide. She weaves stories with strands of folklore and threads of old beliefs, spinning them together, bringing the ancient to the present. While immersed in the traditions of the Celtic holiday of Yule, Ronan learns what it is to see past the darkness.

Come feel the warmth of the hearth and the power of wisdom. Join the journey of the ages through the cold of winter, beyond the shadows of darkness to what comes after and celebrate Yule.

Bonus Materials: Celebrating Yule includes recipes for the traditional Celtic Yule meal.

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Ronan squeezed his hands tight and looked out the window. He took a few deep breaths, trying to calm his mind, but he just couldn’t. The anger kept building.

            Out the window and beyond, into the fields beside his house, snow was falling, that glorious, amazing December, winter break snow. He could see deer walking gracefully along the fence line. In his yard, the tall cottonwood trees stood stately and quiet, their bare black limbs stretching up into the grey-white sky. Huge flakes, perfect flakes, fell easy and gently to cover the ground with another layer of fresh powder.

            Normally, he would be out there in it, racing around, laughing, and chasing his sister, Croia, and coaxing Kenna, their new sister, to come play. But not today. And not any day since the first snow.

            Around him at the table, he could hear Croia and Kenna chatter with their grandmother, Brighid, who had come from Ireland to spend the year with their family. They were laughing and telling each other about their school day as they sipped their tea.

            After-school tea had become an instant tradition when Grandmother arrived in October. Every day, she made some amazing treat and brewed a pot of hot Irish tea, all ready to be enjoyed when the three got home from school.

But Ronan couldn’t bring himself to enjoy today’s raspberry teacake, normally one of his favorites. It just felt like sand in his mouth. The tea was too bitter, and no matter how much sugar and cream he added, he couldn’t get it right. So, he set his teacup down and looked out the window.

            “Do you want to talk about it?”

            Ronan heard his grandmother’s quiet voice ask. He looked around and was surprised to see Kenna and Croia gone and the table cleared. He glanced over and saw Grandmother’s kind eyes watching him, waiting. Right then, he wanted to jump out of his chair and scramble into her arms like he’d done when he was little. He knew if he did, she would hug him and hold him, and everything would be alright.

            But he wasn’t little anymore. In a year, he’d be in high school. He was supposed to be a man. Whatever the hell that meant. He blushed at the use of the word, feeling sheepish that he’d say such a thing in front of his grandmother, even if it was in his own mind, and she couldn’t hear him.

            But what the hell did it mean? He couldn’t even properly defend his own twin sister. She cried and ran to him for help, and all he did was put his arm around her and help her walk away. All he did, as that new kid hurled insults and mockery after them, was walk beside her and help her get in the car with Kenna. All he did was hold Croia’s hand in the backseat as tears streaked down her face as Kenna drove them home. Every day this week, that’s all he did. Which is different than what he wanted to do.

He wanted to punch the guy’s lights out, knock him flat for making his sister cry. He knew he could do it. He was strong. He even spent time thinking about how he’d make a fist, draw his arm back, and pow—hit him right across his mean face.

“I don’t know, Grandmother.” Ronan scrubbed his hands together and wiped his hair back.

“Okay.” Grandmother patted his hand. “I am here.” She picked up her teacup and took a sip.

“I am so angry!” Ronan blurted. “There’s this new kid at school, and he’s super mean. He’s made Croia cry every day this week. He’s in a couple of our classes, and he says snide things there too.”

Grandmother set her tea down and leaned forward in her chair.

Bonus Author Giveaway!

Celebrate the spirit and magic of Yule with Whitney Morgan Media! In the spirit of the season, they’re giving every participant a prize—including chances to win an autographed copy of Celebrating Yule: The Celtic Wheel of the Year Series – Book 2 and exclusive author swag from Rionna Morgan!

Enter here: https://deformity.ai/d/GdT4YeEfTPix

Rionna Morgan is an international, best-selling novelist, poet, and recognized icon in the Web3 literary space.

Creator of The 7 Love Stories, a digital collection making literary history, her work bridges tradition and innovation, with recent features including a digital poem showcased in Paris.

As owner of Whitney Morgan Media and former Editor-in-Chief of Vagobond Magazine, Rionna empowers writers and builds vibrant communities where stories and creators are celebrated and honored.

Her writing appears with Simon & Schuster, Mythic North Press, and in features like Celtic Life International and Fortune dot com.

A sought-after speaker at NFTNYC and the Academic Web3 Conference, she lives between Montana and New York, always dreaming up new worlds.

 

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An Austen-Inspired Short Story Duet

by Bianca White

Genre: Historical Romance

Jane Austen and tea. What more could one ask for?

Enjoy two tea parties, two romances and two characters from one of the world’s most beloved authors.

In this historical romance short story duet gossip-loving Mrs Jennings meddles in affairs of the heart, and scandalous Henry Crawford turns heads once again!

Be swept away by the amusements of the Regency tea party in these Austen-inspired short stories. Delight in the sweet romance, dancing, gossip and, of course, tea.

“But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.”
― Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

Tea for Two comprises two short stories:

Jilted

Lord Asher Mandeville is heartbroken when his childhood love, Miss Tabitha Rowe, jilts him only weeks before their wedding.

Asher refuses to accept Tabitha’s rejection and chases after his betrothed to demand an explanation.

Tabitha is determined to escape him, but Asher’s shattered heart will accept nothing other than her return.

Wooing Miss Woodforde

Jasper Trevethan loves Miss Sophie Woodforde, but he is a penniless rake. Sophie would never marry him, even if he were rich.

As an impoverished companion, Sophie serves the whims of others while pining for her employer’s scandalous nephew.

When an unexpected inheritance transforms Sophie’s life, she becomes the target of fortune hunters.

Before another scoundrel steals his love, Jasper must prove his devotion and woo Miss Woodforde. But Sophie would rather become an old maid than marry a man who only wants her for her money, especially Mr Trevethan.

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Excerpt from Wooing Miss Woodforde

He headed to the drawing room.

While Sophie continued to hold his heart, he could not bring himself to marry another. Yes, he had wasted his days living off his brother while indulging in a life of idleness and pleasure-seeking. Now he had no option but to pray his aunt left him her fortune. Perhaps then he could offer for Sophie. She will never marry a rake, you fool. As usual, he tamped down the bitter truth, but the tiny flicker of hope that one day she may be his was the only thing that prevented him from sinking further.

His aunt dropped onto the sofa before the crackling hearth. “It does not help your cause that you continue to associate with that scoundrel, Mr Crawford.”

Sophie carried out her duties in efficient silence, pretending not to hear the details of his scandalous associations. How he longed to take her away from this life of servitude. Someone so good, kind and selfless deserved better.

After pouring the tea, she handed her employer a cup.

Without a word of thanks to her companion, his aunt continued, “There is still talk about his scandalous affair with Mrs Rushworth. You should end the connection, for it will only sully your name further. Your reputation as a rake does not help matters, but being associated with an adulterer will not earn you a respectable bride. What must my dear sister think of her favourite now?”

He accepted his cup from Sophie with his head down and muttered his thanks. Shame gnawed at his insides. If his mother had not died of typhus before he reached his tenth year, she would have been sorely disappointed in him.

Why could he not be a better man? He should have sought a profession after university. If he had done something useful, perhaps, he may have earned Sophie’s good opinion and won her heart. Instead, he had wasted his life. He was a hopeless rake beyond salvage, in love with a woman far above him in noble character. Even if he were rich, she would always be too good for him.

Sophie sat on the sofa next to his aunt and twiddled with a delicate curl at her nape.

He had to ask again. “Are you certain you are well, Miss Woodforde?”

“Stop trying to misdirect the attention from yourself, Trevethan.” Aunt Hammond sipped at her tea.

Wispy tendrils of steam rose from the beige liquid in his cup, and he tamped down the urge to ask for something stronger. Liquor would have to wait. Even though nothing eased the painful longing within him lately.

He could not resist being drawn to the source of his yearning while she stared at the flickering flames in the hearth. What had happened to the woman who enjoyed lecturing him about the latest philanthropic project she wished to support or teased him following the gossip surrounding his misadventures? Not that he had many these days unless one counted spending the evenings drinking brandy with Crawford while they both pined for the women they loved but could not possess.

“Trevethan!” he jerked his head towards his aunt. Her narrowed gaze bore into him. Had he given himself away?

She glowered, then said, “Miss Woodforde has received some surprising news today that has unsettled her.”

Sophie’s head shot up; her wide gaze directed towards her employer.

“I hope it is nothing serious?” My God, she was ill. “Is there anything I can do?”

Aunt Hammond scoffed. “It is not unwelcome news—well, not for Miss Woodforde.”

“Mrs Hammond.” Sophie pleaded, but as usual, his aunt could not be silenced.

“Miss Woodforde is now an heiress with twenty thousand.”

His breath stuttered.

On the opposite sofa, Sophie’s head lolled forward, and she ran a palm across her forehead.

Sophie was a wealthy woman—a single, wealthy woman. That meant she no longer needed to work for his aunt. He would not see her when he visited.

Aunt Hammond asked, “Will you not offer your congratulations?”

He glanced at his aunt before returning his attention to Sophie, whose shoulders slumped.

A burning sensation spread down his gullet, and he swallowed. “Congratulations, Miss Woodforde.”

His aunt sniffed. “She is almost maudlin; anyone would think a beloved family member had died.”

Sophie continued to stare into the teacup in her lap. She would leave, and he would never see her again.

Aunt Hammond prattled on. “Heaven knows why, but she wishes to keep it a secret. She should marry, yet she insists she will remain in my employment.”

Of course, her sense of duty would not allow her to abandon his aunt. Selfish thoughts about her leaving had distracted him from the more pressing issue. Another man would steal her from him. His heart skipped a beat. He could not allow it.

Bianca White writes passionate and spicy historical romance.

Bianca loves history and has a degree in history and history of art. The word “research” is often used as an excuse to drag members of her family around every stately home and castle wherever they go. Nothing, not even the grumbling of said family, will keep her away from a historical fashion exhibition.

When she’s not writing, Bianca feeds her addiction to romance novels. She also loves baking and watching movies. Thanks to her love of baking (and eating), she feels the need to balance it with a little activity and enjoys tai chi, aerobics and swimming.

Bianca lives in West Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two children.

To receive all the latest news from Bianca White, and a bit of history in your inbox, sign up for her mailing list at Bianca White Writes.

 

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However, an opportunity arises that sends her to Italy to defend her grandmother, even if the truth might shatter all she believes. In a helpful twist, Joseph, her best friend’s Italian cousin, offers to help her. Despite the obvious growing attraction between Joseph and her, she tries to suppress it as she embarks on her mission to vindicate the grandmother she loves.

**Releases Feb 3, 2026 – PreOrder Now!**

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Award-winning author Kim Baccellia grew up in Sacramento, California, the oldest of seven. She has a business associate degree from Sacramento City College, a BS degree in elementary education from Brigham Young University, and studied post grad bilingual/bicultural education at CSUF.

She’s been a telemarketer, library helper at the Harold B. Lee library at BYU, assistant manager, sales clerk, tutor, bilingual teacher, and homeschool mother.

Award-winning author. Author of YA paranormal CROSSED OUT and CROSSED FIRE. YA dystopia CANDLE IN THE WIND. Also the author of the urban diverse fantasy EARRINGS OF IXTUMEA. Short Christmas Magic in the Holiday analogy MISTLETOE AND MAGIC. Re-releasing YA fantasy series under new titles in 2026! Currently working on a historical romance set in Tuscany.

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After a painful breakup, Riley is ready for a fresh start in Christmas Cove. All she wants is a peaceful life for herself and her two-year-old daughter, Sabrina. Love isn’t on her holiday wish list. When she’s stuck in a blizzard, help arrives in the form of Alex Conors — a protective, brooding werewolf.

Snowed in with a grumpy shifter and a crackling fire, Riley begins to see the gentle heart behind Alex’s fierce exterior… and Alex finds himself falling for the brave single mom who awakens something he thought he lost long ago.

Hot cocoa and toddler giggles turn strangers into something more. But when Riley’s past resurfaces and threatens the safety she’s found, Alex will have to prove that loyalty, love — and pack — are forever.

A warm, emotional holiday romance filled with shifter charm, second chances, and the magic of Christmas. Ideal for fans of protective alphas, found family, and heartfelt happily-ever-afters.

🏠 Small-town charm & found family
🐺 Grumpy wolf + sunshine single mom
👩‍👧 Adorable toddler moments
🎁 Snowed-in & forced proximity
💕 Fated mates and holiday magic

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The sedan’s engine rattled — a sound Riley had learned to distinguish from its other mechanical complaints over the past three states. This particular rattle meant she’d make it another fifty miles, maybe more if she kept her speed steady. Her knuckles had gone white on the steering wheel somewhere around the state line, and she couldn’t remember now how to relax them. The GPS showed their arrival in Christmas Cove, and Riley’s shoulders tensed further, an automatic response to any declaration of reaching a destination.

Dusk had settled over the town. Main Street stretched before her, lined with Victorian storefronts that belonged in a Thomas Kincade painting. White lights twisted around lampposts, and wreaths hung at precise intervals, each decorated with the same combination of pine cones and red ribbon. Fresh snow dusted the sidewalks in a way that seemed too perfect, too deliberate. Riley checked her rearview mirror again — the same compulsive glance she’d made every thirty seconds for the past six hours. Empty road. No one following. No one cared where she went.

She drove slowly past the Sugar Moon Café, noting its warm glow and the silhouettes of people inside. Past a bookstore with a display of holiday romances in the window. Past a hardware store already closed for the evening, its owner probably home with family, sitting down to dinner, living a normal life. The thought made something twist in Riley’s chest, but she pushed it down. Normal was a luxury she couldn’t afford to want.

The residential streets branched off from downtown. Riley followed the GPS directions, checking the crumpled paper in her cup holder against the street signs and the directions from the GPS. One too many times, it had taken her the wrong way. Oak Street. Maple Avenue. Someone had named these roads with an almost nauseating wholesomeness, as if determined to prove the town’s charm. She turned onto Pine Ridge Road, where the houses grew sparser and the forest pressed closer to the road.

A small sound from the backseat made Riley’s gaze dart to the mirror. Sabrina stirred in her car seat, her head rolling to the side as she woke from the nap that had mercifully consumed the last hour of driving. Riley watched her daughter’s eyes flutter open, adjusting to the darkness and the strange lights outside.

“Mama?” Sabrina’s voice carried that quality of toddler confusion. Not quite upset, but teetering on the edge of it.

“We’re here, sweetie.” Riley forced warmth into her voice, though her jaw ached from clenching. “Look at all the pretty lights.”

Sabrina pressed her mittened hands against the window, leaving tiny smudges on the glass. “Lights!” She bounced in her seat as much as the straps would allow. “Pretty, Mama! Pretty!”

“Very pretty.” Riley’s smile felt tight on her face. She wanted to share her daughter’s uncomplicated joy, but she kept scanning the streets, cataloging escape routes, noting which houses had lights on and which sat dark. Old habits. Necessary habits.

The GPS announced their final turn, and Riley’s breath caught. The cottage stood at the end of a short gravel drive, a small structure someone’s grandfather had most likely built and barely maintained enough to keep standing. A single porch light illuminated the front door, and beyond it, the forest loomed.

Riley pulled into the driveway and killed the engine. The sudden silence felt heavy, broken only by Sabrina’s humming as she kicked her feet against her car seat. Riley sat motionless, her hands still gripping the wheel, and studied their new home.

The cottage was smaller than the photos had suggested. Single-story, with a chimney that leaned slightly to the left. The windows were dark, revealing nothing of the interior. Snow had drifted against the front steps, undisturbed except for what looked like animal tracks, probably a deer or raccoon. The porch railing needed paint, and one shutter hung at an angle.

But for now the house was theirs. For six months, at least, with the first month paid in advance with money Riley had saved from extra shifts and skipped meals. Six months to figure out what came next. After that, she’d have to either renew the lease, or move on to another town.

“Out, Mama!” Sabrina had moved past patient and into demanding. “Out now!”

“Just a minute, baby.”

Riley scanned the neighboring properties. The nearest house sat quite a distance down the road, its windows dark. On the other side, nothing but forest. The isolation should have comforted her. Fewer people meant fewer questions, fewer chances of being found. But instead, it made her hyperaware of how alone they were. No witnesses if something went wrong. No one to hear them scream.

She shook her head, dislodging the thought. Nothing was going to go wrong. This was a fresh start in a quiet town where nobody knew her name or her history. Where Sabrina could grow up without her mother constantly looking over her shoulder.

Jessica Coulter Smith is an acclaimed romance writer with a passion for storytelling. Her works showcase the power of love and its ability to transcend boundaries, capturing the hearts of audiences worldwide. With a unique writing style and perspective, Jessica continues to inspire and entertain readers from all walks of life.

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