May 2022 by InD'tale Magazine

Table of Contents

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Sonali Dev: Tackling Moral Themes With Humor and Grace

22 Diversity Done Right: Andy Peloquin

26 Words Still Matter:

Today More Than Ever Randy Overbeck

Rising Star Spotlight:

A Beginner’s Guide to Content Marketing:

Stacy Gold

Stella Lincoln

May 2022

38 Designing For The Reader Experience Part 1: Typesetting for Readability Tamara Cribley

43 InD’Introduces: Jane Lewis

45 The Family Reunion:

S.L. Carpenter

48 Victory’s Secret: Chapter 9 Rachael Tamayo & Cynthia Austin

Reviews: Historical:

Contemporary:

Paranormal

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy 80 Suspense/Thriller:

Young Adult:

Science Fiction:

Time Travel:

Mystery:

Audiobooks:

Other:

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Publisher: Editor-in-Chief TJ MacKay

Our Staff:

RONE Awards Coordinator: Amanda Hupe

Executive Editor: Katy Nielsen

Technical Editors: Gabriella Sawyer

Copy Editors: Julie York, Marc Joseph, Penny Baker

Reviewers*

Special Publications Editors: Sarah McEachron, Ryan Jo Summers Social Media: Laura Trujillo, Amanda Hupe, Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick Columnists: S.L. Carpenter, Andy Peloquin,Tamara Cribley, Rachael Tamayo and Cynthia Austin Transcription: Ralph Conley Graphics: Elle J. Rossi, Rachel Rossano

Amanda Hupe, Chelsea Anderson, Belinda Wilson, Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick, Tricia Hill, Viola Robbins, Emerson Matthews, Sarah E. McEachron, Roslynn Ernst, Carey Sullivan, Victoria Zumbrum, Shailyn Rogers, Marie Sanderson, Austen Grace, Joan Lai, Cara Cieslak, N.E. Kelley, Jennifer Shepherd, Sadie Wilson, Annalee Stilove, Piper Valentine, Ruth Lynn Ritter, Moira Wolf *Please note, ALL InD’tale staff are required at times to read and review books. Material in this publication may not be reproduced in any form without written permission. All books and material reviewed by InD’tale have been read by the stated

Editor’s Note A few years ago I became interested in family history and discovering the stories of the people who made my life possible. My dad always joked that his family came from a long line of proud vikings, and, come to discover, he was right! So I decided to visit the places these brave people lived and plotted a trip to Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Unfortunately, the COVID plague hit and those plans were tucked away in my dreams… until now! I’ve pulled them out, dusted them off, and made my reservations! I am so incredibly excited but, I’ve discovered, being away for three weeks takes an incredible amount of planning and work in order to keep this magazine running on its deadlines. Luckily, InD’tale has an incredibly amazing staff who jump right in, help out, and enthusiastically support each other, no matter the reason. SO… If you need anything at all in the next few weeks, don’t hesitate to contact anyone on our staff. You will soon discover just how amazing each one is. And, I’ll be back to pester you before the next issue hits!

Happy spring, m’friends! (And yes, I consider every single one of you a dear friend, even if I haven’t met you personally. We have books and reading and writing in common, so we just must be friends!) Things here at the InD’tale offices have been unusually busy the past few weeks. Not only are we in the middle of the hugely hectic but awesomely important reader voting round of the RONE awards competition, but I am FINALLY taking a long awaited vacation!

Smiles,

TJ Macka

Randy Overbeck

Stella Lincoln

Dr. Randy Overbeck is an award-winning educator, author, and speaker. As an educator, he served children in roles captured in his novels, from teacher and coach to principal and superintendent. His novels have earned national awards including the Gold Award from Literary Titan, Thriller of the Year from Readers Favorite, Silver Award for Mystery of the Year from ReaderViews, and Crown of Excellence from InD’tale Magazine. 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.

Stella Lincoln is an Assistant Editor at Crowd Writer, a platform that specializes in writing and instructing dissertation work for reasonable rates. She also has profound experience in guiding and helping up-and-coming authors and entrepreneurs ind success with her informative and helpful tips and tactics to help market any brand. Her easy and incredible ideas can help even beginners ind success!

S.L. Carpenter

Tamara Cribley

Andy Peloquin

A lifetime Californian, Scott Carpenter lives the ordinary life of a husband and father. Humor has always played a large role in his life, and he enjoys making people smile. His stories range from the outright absurd to the deeply poignant, and his mastery of the short story format is undeniable. If asked, he'll describe himself as just another guy. His many fans will tell you that his writing paints quite a different picture.

Tamara Cribley is a self-professed formatting junkie who believes beautiful books don't happen by chance. Having worked as a Commercial Photographer, Graphic Artist, and Art Director, Tamara’s unique skills enable her to put together classy and professional books that keep the reader focused on the story. She resides in Colorado where she gives back to her community by being an active Search and Rescue volunteer, and in her free time enjoys reading, gardening, and exploring with the dog.

2017 RONE award winner for his book, “Lament of the Fallen,” Andy is, rst and foremost, an artist - and words are his palette. Fantasy is his genre of choice, and he loves to explore the darker side of human nature through the lter of fantasy heroes, villains, and everything in between. He is also a freelance writer, a book lover, and a guy who just loves to meet new people and spend hours talking about his fascination for the worlds he encounters in the pages of fantasy novels.

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Contributors

Sonali Dev

Tackling Moral Themes With Humor and Grace 10

Long before I met Sonali, I had so many friends singing her praises and encouraging me to try her books, that I decided to see what all the gushing was about. Well, I’m now among the gushers! Her stories are just as warm and interesting as the woman, herself. From growing up in India, to immigrating to the U.S., she enlightens and educates as much as she entertains. It is honestly like immersing oneself in all the wisdom and experience of the ages mixed with the energy and excitement of life just visiting with her. I de nitely walked away much wiser, but even more curious. Read on and I think you’ll know what I mean! InD: We are so interested in your books and your incredible background! Tell us a little about it. SD: Well, I was born and raised in India. I came to the U.S. at 23 to go to grad school, as a newlywed. At this point in my life, I have lived in the U.S. longer than I have lived in India. InD: What was your childhood in India like? SD: It was great. My father was a ighter pilot in the Indian Air Force, so when I was very young we lived on military bases all over India. When I was in the 2nd grade, my father went into commercial lying so we moved to the Bombay area, which is a huge melting pot city. However, since my dad was a commercial pilot, we traveled all over the world, so I had a large exposure to many different cultures. It was in ideal childhood. India itself is still very traditional, and a hard culture to explain because there are about 5 million completely different cultures in one place. In Bombay alone, there are 26 different, fully developed languages, not counting the dialects. There are so many different kinds of food cuisines and music and literature, as well. InD: Are those 26 different languages similar enough that you can understand them? SD: No, 26 completely different languages. It is like if Europe was just one big country. France, Germany, Italy, and the other countries there speak different languages. Each area in India is like that. A full culture in itself, because when colonization happened, it was regionally divided and almost separate countries, called kingdoms. Colonization united everything under one

umbrella, which even included the rest of South Asia. It would be like if someone went to Europe and was to say, “All this is now one country.” InD: Were they able to keep their identities? SD: Yes, their identities stayed because they were very strong. So, there is the sense that everyone is Indian, but each region has its own identity, their own cuisine, dress, language, festivals, and holidays are different. Bombay is a city where all those different cultures cohabitate. It is a melting pot and the wildest experience to grow up in! The city also has the entire economic spectrum. It has the biggest slum in the world, and some of the most expensive houses in the world are there also. It is all of humanity living together. Here in America, it’s hard to understand because we tend to divide up our economic bubbles, but India, and especially in Bombay, you can step out of your 50 story building, walk out of the gate and right into the slums. It is a very interesting way to grow up. I grew up watching a lot of Hollywood and Bollywood ilms. There was a lot of English and British literature and local history and stuff like that. InD: Was it hard to ind your personal identity growing up around all of that? SD: Not really. The bubble I lived in with my parents, and my one older brother, was modern and Anglicized, so in terms of how I was raised and treated, as a girl, was very equal. My parents were as demanding of me as they were of my brother. They were equally affectionate, but as soon as we stepped out of our

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home, the world was different. Women were treated very differently. In terms of identity, it was a really interesting scene because I started to identify the differences quite young. Throughout my life, I have always recognized and known of the unfairness when people are treated differently whether it is gender, class, or in the caste system. All of these differences were very visible to me. Even here in America we talk about rungs of the ladder type privilege, the educational privilege, and generational wealth, which gives you the awful word “class” and we all simply navigate it. We are still born into boxes. I grew up privileged in India. The only privilege I did not have was that I was a girl. InD: You say your parents were very progressive and you and your brother were treated equally, but when you walked out of your house, you noticed how you were treated “as a girl”… SD: The culture is different with men and women on how women are treated. I have raised a boy and a girl, one is 20, the other is 22. They were born here in America and still we see how they are treated differently. There are reasons boys want to play football and girls want to put on makeup. One of the things that has been interesting is having to learn both sides, because I belong to India and the United States. I will say the sexism here in America is much more silent and very easy to deny. It us so easy for us to say it does not exist because it is not visible, but what you cannot see is hard to ix. Growing up in India, the problem is so starkly visible that once people started to talk about it and noticed it is a problem, there's no denying it. As soon as a daughter is born in India, they start thinking of her getting married. This was the thing of

my mother's generation. Once you were married, you were given off to another family, changed last names, and became part of that new family. When I was very young, people would say that women who study medicine waste that position because they would just have kids and all the education would go to waste, when there are only a limited number of spaces for doctors as it is. All of those opinions are visible in India. With my generation and the generation after me, those opinions are being addressed every day, but here in America we don’t think things like that happen because we can't see it, but yet, just 30 years ago, a woman could not get a credit card without her husband signing off on it, which seems bizarre now. InD: I'm wondering if the way you grew up, with it is so out in the open, is a better way or not? SD: It is visible but deeply rooted. It is not something that can be ixed overnight, but I have seen a change in the span of a couple of generations, especially education for all. For something that embedded to change in just the two generations is amazing. In all parts of the government and science, a large effort was made to educate both boys and girls. Both of my grandparents were doctors, and this was in British India. My grandmother's father was a freedom ighter, or activist. He spent his entire life working for girl’s education and he built the irst girl’s school in our state. He would knock on doors to get these girls to school while people threw stones at him, this was in 1920s. That was his whole life’s work. To this day, there's a statue of him that still exists. His daughter ran the school and now it is a trust. That is his legacy. I come from a family where it's a big deal to have a grandmother who's a doctor. She had said it was not like it was a choice, we had to all be educated and it was a struggle, because even after she was a doctor, people talked to her as if she were a nurse. It was always interesting to get people to see her as a doctor—unless it was about birthing babies. Other

because there is so much going on. The traf ic is chaos, there are so many people, the buildings can be crumbling and very chaotic, but there is a certain stability and wisdom about it that you can feel. That's why some people go to India spiritually because there is something about it that has seen life for eons and understands life and has made peace with the world. It is hard to explain, but there's some feeling of structure that feels solid. InD: That makes absolute sense because there have been centuries and centuries of civilizations, wisdom, and learning the bad and the good of everyday life. SD: When you think of a younger person, however, there is beauty. Everything is fresh and new because the ideas are fresh and new. That is exactly how I see it in America. I feel lucky to have both of those things, and there can be no greater blessing than having this particular combination of homes. InD: That is so interesting, and what a beautiful way of seeing it. SD: Thank you. I used to take my kids home and try to see India through their eyes, how the chaos looks to them and how they internalize it, so that explanation just makes sense to me. InD: When you irst came here from India, did you plan on going back after you got your graduate degree? SD: I was pretty certain I was going to go back. I was going to get my graduate degree and live here and get some experience and then go back, but I really liked the person I became here. This country has given me the opportunity to be exactly the person I feel like I was born to be... not saying that I wouldn’t have done well in India with my family cousins and uncles, but I think the opportunity is what made the U.S. home for me and it speaks to me.

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than that, she had to prove herself constantly as a doctor before they would listen to her. I have a degree in architecture and I had that for a while, but there was never a question about going to college because, in my family, you had to go whether you were a man or a woman. InD: When you were growing up in India and saw all of this in different cultures—both traditional and progressive—and inally got to the point where you left, were you strongly committed to any one way of thinking? SD: I have always had very strong opinions. Usually when you hear of immigrants, you think that they are running away from something or towards a better life, but we already had a great life, so for me, I think it was about adventure and building a life from scratch because everything in my life was already pretty much laid out. Everything was easy and if something went wrong, you knew exactly who to call because the community is yours, and my family had been wellestablished for generations. Everyone knows you there and the life was built for you, so I was just stepping into it. But, I had family here in America, because my dad's brother moved here in the '60s and we visited him, so moving here was not much of a culture shock for me, it was exciting. I could inally build something from scratch, building something for myself. I hear all the inspiring stories of people who come here with, say ive dollars in their pocket. I didn't have to do that, it was only a struggle in the sense that it was moving to an unknown community and making a home. InD: So, even though you visited family as you were growing up, what were some of the biggest differences and challenges between the two countries when you moved to the U.S.? SD: The best way to explain it is to think about America as a young person and India as an old person. India is completely chaotic on the outside. For a irst time tourist going in, it will spin your mind so fast

We talk about freedom a lot in America, as though it is our prerogative and that we alone have it, but that is not true. India is a democracy where every person is free to spit on the street if they want to. The difference is, if there is a rule, an American person will follow it 90% of the time, the honor system works really well here. If you are at a four way stop sign, you stop and let off the three people who got there before you, go. It's a whole different mindset in India. If there is a four way stop, no one is going anywhere because everyone is determined to go irst. So, here, freedom is seen differently and at the individual level we are absolutely free to be whoever we want to be. That part is not true in India. InD: So, in India there was certain expectations that are traditional and if you were expected to be professional, that’s what you have to do. That's not a bad thing, but you must live within those parameters. That is the expectation of who you will become, but when you moved here, you could be something else, if you wanted. SD: Believe it or not, I brought those parameters with me! InD: But you are a writer, not an architect. SD: Yes, but it would be disingenuous to say that would not have happened if I was in India because I was raised in a home where, if I really wanted anything, nobody was going to tell me I could not do it. It was just easier to follow the expectations. InD: So, you're saying that Americans are very good at stopping at the stop sign and taking turns as opposed to India being a chaotic free-for-all, maybe that is the reverse as far as thought goes. SD: In the younger generations, you have free thoughts and the vision, but the divisions are easy to cross here and I like that part of your society.

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InD: If you work hard you can rise to the top, if that's what you want. SD: We say that’s a place of privilege in India. You can also work your way out of poverty here. In America you can do anything. In India it's a harder for some than others. InD: So, when you arrived in the U.S. and started working on your graduate degree, inside you still wanted to be an author? SD: I always wrote, even before I learned to love reading, I wrote because writing was my passion, as far back as I can remember. I was a very big reader as a child. A funny story in my family is that one day I was doing my math homework while I was in kindergarten, I was making up poems from what I was seeing on my book cover instead of doing the homework. If you had asked me when I was young, what I was going to do, I would see myself sitting in a cabin by the ocean or mountains and writing and I would have said “novelist”, but it felt like a dream, and of course it is, because it is not an easy thing to do and support yourself. Still, that was what I always wanted to do, it just never felt like a viable option. I went to school for architecture because it combined art and design, and I always love that, too. I practiced about a year in that ield but my teachers would get on me and say, “Sketches, not words!” but I like words more. About that time, I had my heart broken and whenever I feel down, I want to do something that helps me feel like I have my power back. I was working in the architect of ice thinking, “What would be my dream job?” and I saw this architectural magazine and I thought, “That would be my dream job. I could write for a magazine like that.” So I picked up the phone and called the editor and told her that was my dream job and asked what I would have to do

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to get it. The editor had taught in my school, so I kind of knew her and she told me to come talk to her. We ended up chatting for two hours and had the most amazing conversation! She said, “So, you have a need to write?” and I found she had that same need and understood! So, I got the job and I did it for six months, until I met my future husband. Once I started working there, I knew I was going to write, so my Masters is in Written Communication. But again, I was building a life and we had to make a living, so I worked as a technical writer for almost 20 years. During that time, I did continue to write, I just always thought I would write non iction. My dream was to be a columnist for the New York Times. As far back as I can remember, I would jot stuff down stuff for every book I read or movie I saw, and always wrote a review or a critique in my journal about them. My best friend is a movie producer in India and we were both huge movie buffs. She won a national award and was looking for a commercial script and I thought, “How hard can it be to write a commercial?” Famous last words.

She said, "I like your writing, so just write me something.” In about a month, I had written something. At the end I realized I had created something from nothing and that is basically what iction is. I lived in the world of the characters I had created. Afterwords, I went to the library and checked out every book on how to write a novel and started from there. That was when I knew this was what I was really meant to do. InD: Did you publish the irst book you actually sat down to write? SD: What happened was, we were in Michigan when this was all happening, then we moved to Chicago and I found this really nice writers' workshop at the University of Chicago. I took classes there and I was trying to work around this complicated novel about a couple from different economic backgrounds. I was stuck in the house and I was having problems writing when someone said, “Why don't you write about something you love?” and I thought, “I do have an idea for this love story in my head that I have been thinking about." So I just sat down and wrote it. That

became "Bollywood Bride”, and that was my irst completed novel I sold. InD: Was it easy for you to do that or was it harder than you thought? SD: It wasn’t hard because once I started writing, I just fell more and more in love, but of course, it is hard. However, from the moment I wrote that irst draft, I knew I was going to do this for the rest of my life. InD: That is awesome. One of the things I have noticed when I read your books is that they are so rich in the relationships. You take really hard situations with people, more so than most. For instance, in "Pride and Prejudice and other Flavors”, you reference Jane Austen's novels, but they don't read like a Jane Austen novel. I really appreciate that. You were not trying to re-create "Pride and Prejudice”. Instead, you took the words and created a whole story on how to overcome pride and prejudice, the prejudices we have towards each other. I love that! It’s not a retelling of the original book, but you have taken the moral concept of that beautiful book and created another story to explore the the morality and the prejudices of human nature. It was fabulous. Then you did it again in "Recipe for Persuasion”, taking the moral themes that was in the original book, “Persuasion", and made a whole new book. Was that intentional? SD: Yes, I fully intended, right from the beginning, for it to be Sonali Dev's novels, not Jane Austen’s. Growing up, she was such a huge in luence in my life. I loved all of her heroines, who demanded happiness out of life. They were always female protagonists who suffered and who couldn’t get what they wanted, which was the

life for women, at that time, but more than 200 years ago, Austen wrote characters who said, “I deserve love, I deserve a good life, and I deserve it on my terms” and she gave her heroines that. So, very early on, what she was saying completely resonated with me and so she was instrumental in the person I became. So, when I began writing my own stories, I wanted to pay homage to those strong female characters but I could never write just like her because she had already created the best. I took the themes of what "Pride and Prejudice" was about and what it taught me and I wrote stories that were seeded in that. InD: That is what I loved so much. They were so unique in their own right but you took those moral themes and explored the elements in Ms. Austen’s books. The very irst one, “Pride, Prejudice and Other Flavors” takes two different people from two different social classes, the girl comes from a very wealthy family and the boy comes from a hard scrabbled upbringing. They both have prejudices towards each other and their own pride. Then it explores how that stops them from truly understanding each other. It is that exploration that made the book so amazing. SD: Did you know that Jane Austen's working title for "Pride and Prejudice" was "First Impressions”? So really that story is about how we see someone as a holographic projection of our own mind. It's true that we judge each other even before we have a conversation. You think you know who I am and I know who you are because of what our minds have already decided. Our preconceived prejudices work into that. Then, when you start adding ego and other differences to that irst

assumption, it becomes really interesting. That is de initely what "Pride and Prejudice" is about. I also think Mr. Darcy de initively is one of the most beloved romantic heroes of our time. Yet, through the irst half of the book, he does not act like a hero at all and he has to work his way out of his preconceived prejudices. Still, we lap this man up with enough drool to require a bib even when he is a jerk. When you write female characters, you expect them to be likable, but with male characters we like to see them fall so that they can rise up. We allow so much more leeway for them. That’s part of the reason why I chose to write a woman who is completely comfortable with her privilege and awesomeness, and never apologizes for that gift, instead of a man. InD: She has to learn to be humble and look at somebody else. SD: She is completely lacking in empathy and that is Mr. Darcy's character, although both their intentions are noble. I wanted to see if I could write a woman that has all of those traits without ever apologizing for all of her gifts.

InD: A woman should not have to apologize for what she does well. That was the spark of genius in these books. Both characters had really big laws, but we like them both anyway. They really are real people, she says things she doesn’t think are a really big deal, but he's insulted by them because it is really offensive. You see these real people stumbling through and learning how to grow and become better. That is the genius in it. We understand those struggles because we have fallen down, too. We have said things that we didn’t mean to be offensive but were. All of us have. SD: Yes, and I think that's the whole thing. We all have judged people and we have lacked empathy. I think the beautiful thing is that seeing where you are wrong and working to do better. I have readers who absolutely love them. InD: I can see that because they really were awful to each other, but you see them as real, lawed human beings. You do that in all your books. In, “Recipe for Persuasion” the problem is miscommunication and how people stumble along in our

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rather than communicating with each other and allowing that to control you. Those characters also have their own laws and struggles and they have to learn how to communicate better. That is kind of a universal thing, as well. SD: Absolutely. I'll tell you, my books come from the lessons I've learned personally because I grew up in a culture where they expect absolutes, like if you didn't make it into a certain college or if you get mixed up in the wrong crowd, your life was going to be over. You have a one and done expectation, so you don't make mistakes. For me, “Persuasion” is about making a mistake young, knowing nothing, then growing a spine and correcting that mistake and still having a second chance at happiness. We are constantly in luenced, especially as a young person. Families are supposed to lead you well, but when they don’t and you are wrong, you can make mistakes. “Persuasion” is about the heroine growing a spine. InD: I think we all know people have been told something at a young age that is wrong, but at some point we all have to acknowledge those misconceptions and face who we are as a person, then change. That is huge and what makes that story so moving for us to watch because, again, we understand.

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SD: For me, that story comes from both sides

because when a woman is forced into a situation not of her choice, in Indian culture, she should keep her head down and accept it and makes the best if she wants happiness. Of course, accepting life and making the best of what you have is not bad, but to tell women those stories is to tell them how they should view themselves. It was always offensive to me with Bollywood ilms and stories, where women are forced into marriages, inding happiness with these magical wonderful marriages after having to give up everything of their own choosing is totally up to them conforming, which is a terrible thing to tell someone. So, I wanted to explore a character who says, “No, I will not put my head down and conform.” We are told constantly that if we don’t, there will be collateral damage and it may destroy families and children. That's all true because that is the way society is set up. There is collateral damage to our choices, and I wanted my character to go through that ire but come out on the other side because I think we have to learn to speak for ourselves and to prove these philosophies wrong. We have to call their bluff and she does and everything goes to pot and she almost loses her child. InD: This is one of the reasons why I love iction so much. You learn so much about the lessons of life and the real struggles people have. In “Persuasion”, we

see those lessons because the heroine can have what she wants, but must deal with what she may have given up. We are reading about a person who chased her dream, stood up for what she wanted, but suffered the collateral damage. I do think “you can’t have it all” is a lie. You can have it all, just not all at once. You are seeing the collateral damage that happens in this character’s life and are learning that lesson, good and bad. Also, we see the child of that situation who must learn how to overcome a really bad situation brought on by her mother’s choices. So many people live through similar things in their childhood, and we are able to see what it does to the child and what she does overcome. There are so many lessons in all of the stories you write! What is the biggest challenge that you ind in putting all these thing in your stories? SD: I am so glad that you asked that! When I write the irst draft, it is a mess! But, by the time I get to the last chapter, all the things I wanted to say are there and it feels very satisfying. That's true with all my books. I will say, however, I don't think of them as lessons. I don't start out to teach. InD: Yet, as you are exploring, we are learning lessons. SD: That's great. I set out to explore, but I also set out to say

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own pride

things. As a person, you believe certain things about life, and as an author you can write certain things about life, so I'm actively trying to say things, but I don't always know exactly what I'm saying. It’s a place of exploration. I set out with a character in crisis that has something to do with the way our world is set up. Then I try to ind a way for them, internally and externally, to solve the problem or crisis. InD: So when you start a book, do you start it with an idea of a story or start with an idea of a problem? SD: The story is a combination of the character and the problem because the character is in a crisis, but I have to know the person. InD: Okay, that makes sense. Now, tell us about your personal romance! How did you meet your husband? SD: I had an arranged marriage. It was a traditionally nontraditional arranged marriage. I was 23 and decided I wanted an arranged marriage. I came from a family where nobody expected me to have an arranged marriage and I actually had an intervention where everyone sat me down and said, “Are you mad? Why do you want an arranged marriage?” I was terrible at dating and I didn't want to go through that anymore because I did not enjoy it and my culture offered me this option. We didn't have dating apps back then. Your dating app was your family who knew you very well, so I said to my parents, “Find me someone you think I would like.” And there were a few guys, then some of my friends found me someone who was in America doing his Masters, but he was back in India visiting. He had also asked his family to ind him someone because he wanted to get married, so we were introduced and it was magic. From the irst day I met him, to our

wedding, was seven days, and we have been married for 25 years. InD: It worked! Do you and he ever look back and can't believe that happened? SD: Our children will tease us and say, “I met someone seven days ago, do you think I can get married?” They think they are so funny. I am like, “Over my dead body!” My daughter has asked, “If I don't ind someone by the time I’m 30, will you ind me someone?” I tell her no. I don't know that I would recommend it because it is extremely risky, but it worked really well for us. I was just telling someone about arranged marriages and a lot of it is luck, knowing yourself, and being true to that self. InD: There are good points for both. Parents know their children so well that often when they are dating someone, you can tell whether they are a good match or not, so I can see how having parents involved in picking a mate can work sometimes. SD: They can work! Some people think when it’s arranged by your parents, you have to marry this person. That's not what it’s like at all. It is up to the person to decide how they feel with the person they are going to marry, not the parents. InD: So, your parents choose, but you have input and the inal say based on if you think it is going to work or not? SD: Absolutely. InD: Do your husband and your kids read your books? SD: My husband has read the irst three or four, but he doesn't read them anymore. My son does not read them at all. There is sex in the books and he doesn’t

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even want to know that I write sex in books. Now, his girlfriend has recently read my books, but he has not. [both laughing] My daughter read "Bollywood Affair" when she was 14 and it was a special book for her because it had all of the sex. InD: Was your husband supportive when you decided to write and change careers? SD: Yes and no. I like to be honest because a lot of people are in the same situation, yet all you hear is the good stuff where they say, “Yes, my husband is so supportive.” but it can be hard when you follow your dream. InD: You are taking a big leap and this might blow up in your face kind of a thing. SD: Exactly, we worked through it, but it was hard. You want something so bad and writing is literally the great love of my life. I gave up my exciting job and a steady income to write, but for me, it was a very calculated risk. It is still not always easy and I think people know this. I don't blame my husband for not being completely on board because the decision affected us and our family. Writing is a very immersive choice because it completely takes you over and you have to do the work, and your family can feel that. It is a struggle, but when you take on something you are so passionate about, but is so unpredictable in terms of income, it realistically is going to be a challenge in most marriages. I'm happy for those who have husbands that say, “Go, do what you want”, but that was not us and we had to ind our way around it. The main thing is, if you are committed to your marriage you will ind a way. And we did. InD: Exactly. I appreciate you saying that, because it is true. This is not always a piece of cake. You have to be really

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committed to both the marriage and to the passion that you have. SD: Yes, it is blood, sweat, and tears, and when we are writing about love, it helps when to have a very supportive partner. InD: Okay, let’s do some fun things. Your favorite food? SD: It’s called biriyani and it is basically rice layered with meat and to me it is the most delicious thing on earth. It has all these amazing lavors that get soaked up in the rice. It is one of my favorite dishes along with sushi. But I can talk about food all day. InD: Your favorite dessert? SD: Cr me br l e is one of my favorite things. I could eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! Then there is an Indian dessert that my mom makes for breakfast when I'm back in India. It is called modak. It’s rice, lour, coconut, brown sugar molasses, spices, and caramel. It is basically a sweet dumpling and it is the world's most amazing thing. InD: Your favorite color? SD: Turquoise. InD: Why? SD: I don't know. Maybe it is because I cannot choose one color and I like blue and green, but it brings peace to me. It is the color of the ocean and there is something about it that is calming and soothing. InD: Your favorite time of day? SD: Early morning. I am a morning person. That’s the time when I have just woken up and it is just me, my writing, and my cup of chai. InD: What is your favorite place in the world to be? SD: That's a hard one. I would go to the Galapagos Islands, but I think one of my favorite places is my bed and bedroom in my home. InD: What is the best advice you have ever received? Personally and/or professionally?

SD: This is a really hard one because as soon as we inish, I am going to remember all the really great advice I’ve been given. I don't remember where the advice came from but it is to be true to yourself. I think that knowing who you are and always being answerable to that irst is my model in life and the basis of everything I do, living up to my own standard. InD: Has anyone given you professional advice that stood out? SD: Susan Elizabeth Phillips told me one time, “Always protect the work.” I didn't really understand it at the time, but as I grow as a writer, it changed. You can get so distracted by all the marketing and business, but the thing that really matters is the book itself. So, the irst commitment is to the work. It is also that you set out to protect the quality of your work and at the same time protect yourself as a person so you can continue to write. Don’t let the naysayers affect your work or the ugly things that people say about it, because everyone will have an opinion. If you let it affect you, you lose your joy and happiness.

Diversity Done Right Diversity and inclusivity in iction has been a subject of great interest in the last decade. #OwnVoices are becoming widely accepted and sought after, and more and more people of all genders, sexualities, ethnicities, and cultural backgrounds are inding greater representation in the pages of the books they read and on their TV screens.

By: Andy Peloquin

Diversity done “right” makes for a richer, betterrounded experience for not only those being represented, but all viewers who are open-minded and interested in sharing others’ journeys. Diversity done “wrong”, however, often comes off as a blatant (and sometimes misguided) attempt at pandering to what is current and “trendy”, and ends up falling lat —or potentially even disrespecting the diverse peoples being written about. So what separates “right” from “wrong” in writing and stories? Below are a few hallmarks of inclusivity and diversity executed correctly in all forms of iction: Understanding of the subject matter. An author who attempts to write a story set in feudal Japan or ancient Mesoamerica can’t get irsthand experience on the subject matter, but they can do an immense amount of research using materials created by those who are experts in those arenas. Shifting to more modern genres, there are plenty of real-life people from all walks of life, genders, ethnicities, and sexualities who have their own unique stories and can share their own speci ic diverse insights. For example, there is no shortage of experts who know what it's like to live in today's world with a missing limb. If authors are themselves diverse, they can share their own stories and viewpoints. However, there is ample research material available today that can help anyone gain a better understanding of the experiences and perspectives of diverse audiences. Respect. In some classic literature, there is often an undertone of disrespect for the “other”. The

protagonist will often arrive as the “Great Savior” to help those “in need”. Or they will come with solutions to problems that illustrate just how superior they are. Diversity written with respect will not only embrace equity and equality, but demonstrate how all our societies have evolved and adapted to unique circumstances with unique solutions. Just because something is done one way in mainstream America or Europe, that doesn’t mean it’s a better than how things are done in Southeast Asia, South America, or Africa. Respectful writing showcases the strengths of all societies, rather than playing up one strength over another. Accurate language use and naming conventions. Names are core to who we are as humans, and as people. They provide insight not only into your personality, but your background, your ancestry, and your society overall. Authors writing diverse cultures must understand the importance of names and use them correctly. For example, in some parts of Western Africa, names are geographically bound, meaning, those names are never used outside of certain places. Ever. The same goes for language. Just as there are dialects, accents, and word differences between every American state, there are differences between various cities and provinces in Vietnam, Liberia, and Brazil, as well. Lumping everyone from a country into speaking one language without acknowledging the lexical varieties around that country is a form of disrespect—diversity done “wrong”.

Starring roles. Far too often, minorities are depicted as the “gay best friend” or “African American brotherin-law”, relegated to the background of heterosexual white (or white-passing) protagonists. Diversity is giving everyone a chance to be the hero of their own story, creating stories that revolve around the experiences that are unique to them based on their own background, culture, religion, gender, and sexuality. That means writing minorities into “starring roles” as the primary protagonists who drive the action forward, not just play supportive roles. Respectful villains. Just as minorities can be the “heroes” of their own stories, so too they can be the villains. However, they’re often cast as the villains because they serve as a contrast to the “heroic” white (or white-passing) protagonist. Their “otherness” to the protagonist is what makes them the villain more than any unique characteristics.

uniqueness and boils them down to a simpli ied version that is easy and comfortable to depict, but which is far from accurate. Color exists, in glorious diversity! Ethnicity and skin tones are legitimate, complex, and even complicated. Acknowledging that and exploring it in all its glorious variety is diversity done “right”. Diversity in iction brings fascinating new characters to life and gives insight into unique perspectives that most of us could never imagine. When it’s done wrong, it perpetuates many of the problems that minorities have faced. When done right, however, it’s a thrilling look into cultures we have never been a part of.

Minorities can be excellent villains, but they are not villains because they are a minority. They have their own perspectives and experiences utterly independent from their minority that could cause them to be villainous. Emphasizing that aspect is what makes a villain more accurate and respectful—a la Erik Killmonger from the "Black Panther" movie. No colorblindness. Saying you "don’t see color” is wrong. Reducing someone to the color of their skin instead of their culture is a huge disrespect in its own way—it’s like saying that Jamaicans and Nigerians share similar skin coloring or Japanese and Koreans share similar features, therefore, they’re essentially the same. On a fundamental level, it takes away their

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Color exists. In glorious diversity, for that matter! Race and ethnicity are legitimate, complex, and even complicated.

Words

Perhaps Today More than Ever

WORDS

What we say and what we write carries weight, makes a difference. A few words from a president can set off alarm bells. A phrase from the Fed Chairman can make the stock market soar or ignite a selling spree. And it’s not just the words of major players. During the past two years, we’ve learned the hard way that misinformation from all angles and sides shared on social media platforms did damage to many. Our words can wound or heal, can obscure or reveal. We learned long ago the saying, "Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words can never hurt me" is not always true. Some words can and should be brushed off, while others do damage.

Words matter. Another great writer came at this issue from a slightly different angle. At a recent writers’ conference, I heard the best-selling mystery author, S. J. Rozan, explain to the audience that noniction is about reality—

iction is about truth. Or at least should be. Truths can sometimes be revealed in iction far better than in any noniction forum. This incredible insight has stayed with me ever since. I'd argue that one important purpose of iction is to share the truths about life, love, and sometimes even death. I’m not na ve. I realize readers don’t choose a Mystery or a Thriller or even a Romance because they are searching for insight or revelation. James Patterson is not a bestselling author because of his philosophical outlook on life. Fiction lovers are not browsing book shelves in bookstores—okay, checking out Amazon or BookBub listings—because they are searching for the

By: Randy Overbeck f

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Still Matter

during the Korean War in the 1950’s. (Fun Fact—its inal episode had the largest audience ever, 125 million viewers.)

REALITY

TRUTH meaning of life. They want to be entertained, to be scared to death, to be drawn in and forget their world, or maybe to fall in love inside the pages of their newest discovery. Fiction authors have an important responsibility. First, we need to assemble the essential ingredients to capture reader’s attention—a plausible story line (mostly), credible characters, a setting readers can enjoy, and most important, a compelling narrative. And then, if we are fortunate enough to command our reader’s attention for hours of their precious time, they should come away with more than just solving the mystery, seeing the bad guy captured, or even making their heart race.

Although the show was booked as a sitcom—and some of the shows were crazy funny— the episodes laid bare the brutality, horror, and senselessness of war. Even though it was set two decades earlier in Korea, M*A*S*H was a cleverly staged satire on the Vietnam War, and war in general. In fact, this ictional show may have done as much to tip public sentiment against the Vietnam War as all the demonstrations and op-eds combined.

Fiction is about truth. As I wrote my novels, I paid special attention to my words and what I chose to write about. I realize readers who pick up my Haunted Shores Mysteries are looking for puzzling whodunits, or perhaps hoping to escape to one of the incredible locations. (Did you know Cape May has one of the top 10 beaches in America?) Or even to experience a little “woo woo”. But my novels are about more than cold case murders, a ghost or two, a thread of romance, or even beautiful resorts. I’m careful to cast my

narrative to tell a larger truth; a truth about us, about our society, about how we treat each other. In the irst book, the hero’s irst investigation into a young man’s death becomes entangled with the thorny issue of racial injustice. Though the tale is set two decades earlier, the issues confronted— discrimination and racial injustice— are still incredibly problematic today. In the second novel, Darrell, the hero, is stalked by a young bride seeking justice for her murder, ive years earlier. When he looks into her death, he stumbles upon a far greater crime —both in 1999 and today—human traf icking. This murder mystery gave me the opportunity to expose the ugly truth about this scourge on human nature. The third book of the series contains yet another equally compelling social issue. Darrell and his new wife Erin head to the quaint town on Florida’s Gulf coast for a romantic honeymoon, but the ghosts of two murdered children have other plans for him. As Darrell tries to unravel the mystery behind the disappearance of two young Latino children, he is thrust into the middle of immigration issues.

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Art Fiction should convey a truth, hursometimes even a truth that Concan’t be conveyed via noniction. A classic example of an this is the TV series “M*A*S*H" Doy(To be precise, the TV series based on a movie, which was le based on a book.) For those too admyoung to be familiar with this incredibly popular comedy itteseries, either in its original run d or in syndication, M*A*S*H was the story of a ictional that Mobile Army Surgical Hospital

Arth Arthur Conan Doyle admitted that he based his famous ur detective Sherlock Holmes on Joseph Bell, a Scottish Con As I completed my research for this an novel, which takes place more than 20 years earlier, I was amazed how little Doyl has changed on this issue. We’re still struggling with how we deal with “...the e hungry, the poor, yearning to be free...” adm as is inscribed on the Statue of Liberty. itte The words I write are not intended to persuade anyone. Rather, I’m hoping d they may cause readers to pause and that want to learn more, and not simply accept the soundbites thrown around on he TV or social media about these base incredibly important issues. d I hope my iction portrays truths. I his believe that’s an important responsibility, more so than success or fam popularity or fame... words matter. ous

Rising Star Spotlight

Stacy Gold

Tell us about Stacy as a child, where did you grow up, what was life like? I grew up in the suburbs of Atlanta, Georgia in the 70s and 80s. By the time I was ten I was your typical feral latchkey kid spending my after school time building forts outside, reading, and watching cartoons. My parents owned a Veterinary Hospital so I grew up surrounded by a menagerie of animals, and have always had at least one dog. In the summers, when I wasn’t running around in the woods, wading in creeks, or swimming at the local pool, I was either helping out in the animal hospital or reading. Did you love to read and/or write stories? I didn’t start writing any kind of iction until about seven years ago, but as a kid I loved to read more than anything. I could regularly be found with my nose buried irmly in the thickest book available. My home life was pretty tumultuous so it was my favorite

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escape, especially in fall and winter. I adored books about any kind of survival, and survival in the outdoors was always a particular favorite. I loved and reread Swiss Family Robinson, Island of the Blue Dolphins, Where the Red Fern Grows, the Lord of the Rings series, and Gone with the Wind over and over. I also wrote poetry and personal essays, and was always happy to be given any kind of writing assignment at school. Which eventually translated into me writing marketing materials for the outdoor gear shop I worked in, then again to promote my services as a veterinary software trainer. From there I started writing articles for outdoor magazines, catalogs for outdoor companies, and eventually all kinds of marketing materials for all kinds of companies. For quite a few years I even taught copywriting classes. All the while I always spent as much time playing hard outdoors as possible.

have the time to read novels. All I read were business books and magazines because I simply couldn’t afford to put everything on hold for three or four days when I got sucked into a good story. During the time I took off between my business and working at the nonpro it, I rediscovered my love of reading and also stumbled across contemporary romance. I was blown away. At one point, I was raving about a romance novel to my husband, and he said, “Maybe you should write one of those.“ I scoffed at the time. A few years later I blew out my shoulder and couldn’t go biking or skiing or paddling with everyone else.

Home alone and bored one Saturday, I came up with an idea for a book and started writing it purely to entertain myself. About halfway through my irst draft, I realized I enjoyed writing iction far more than I’d ever enjoyed writing non iction. I've now published three novellas and a boxed set with The Wild Rose Press, and my irst full length contemporary romance, Wild at Heart, will be out May 2nd. What was the transition to being a novelist like? It was hard. Quite a bit harder than I expected, honestly. While I had already developed my own voice and I knew how to write a good sentence — and even tell a decent story — almost everything I had written was less than 20 pages long. Most of it was much, much shorter than that. And none of it had anything to do with characters, plot arcs, or sex and love. It took me four years, and numerous edits and rewrites on my irst novel (that I ended up stuf ing irmly into the circular ile), to learn to write iction well enough to get my irst novella published. I also can’t say enough about having an amazing critique partner, reading craft books, and attending writing workshops

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Tell us about your "original" job at a nonpro it mountain biking organization. Well, I’d actually say that was my last real job. Prior to that I ran my own marketing and copywriting irm for almost 15 years. When I decided to close my marketing business, I took some time off to igure out “what I wanted to do when I grew up“. When the opportunity came up to work for a mountain biking organization, I decided to focus my marketing skills promoting something I’m passionate about. So I ended up working as Communications Director for a few years, handling all communications, the membership program, fundraising, and events. It was a blast and I was able to help grow the organization signi icantly. This allowed us to build more trails, teach more classes and camps, and get more people out enjoying nature on bikes. While I eventually burned out from doing three peoples' jobs (as one typically does at a nonpro it) I loved spending my writing time focused on the outdoors — and getting paid to ride my mountain bike at least some of the time. What made you decide to write novels instead? When I had my marketing irm, for the irst time in my life I didn’t

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whenever possible. And I'm still learning and getting better. Maybe some people are able to write a great novel right out of the gate, but it took me a few years just to igure out my process — then more time to produce a story I could be proud of. Why did you choose Contemporary Romance? When I irst stumbled across romance novels as a teenager, I found them very off-putting. They were all historical bodice rippers, and I didn't think Fabio was sexy (despite what my mother said). I also never wanted a man to rescue me. I wanted to create my life on my own terms, and maybe, if I was lucky, I would ind someone to share it with. Plus, my early career and life choices living in the mountains and working on trails and rivers and in ski shops were anything but typical. Luckily I met my husband whitewater kayaking. He wasn't threatened by me or my skills and de initely didn't want me

to quit the activities I loved. So now, twenty- ive years into our very happy relationship, I want to write about independent women inding love and having healthy relationships with men who aren’t intimidated by their capabilities. Men who are more than happy to support them as they strive to achieve their own goals and dreams, all while making them feel loved, adored, and of course, satis ied in bed. How do you incorporate your love of the outdoors in your books? All of my books are set in the outdoors, and typically center around women competently doing adventure sports I do myself, in settings I’ve spent time in. Also, my degree is in Outdoor Resource Management and Environmental Education, and I spent six years working for the Forest Service in my twenties. So, I try to use those experiences to share the sense of awe and wonder of being out in the wilderness, as well as the selfcon idence and joy of being able to take care of yourself in the woods. All three of my awardwinning Emerald Mountain novellas are based at a ictional ski resort in Washington State, and my latest release centers around two people solo backpacking sections of the Paci ic Crest Trails in search of themselves and what they want out of life. I've got plans for more steamy outdoor adventure romances featuring mountain biking, rafting, and kayaking as well, and love making nature a character in my stories that impacts the plot. There's nothing quite like two people stuck out in the middle of nowhere, and having to somehow rely on each other, to spark a good, steamy romance!

What are your dreams for the future? I believe in the power of representation in the media, so I'd like to have a platform to show people making different choices with their lives than trying to climb the corporate ladder or marry a millionaire. Choices that are ideally better for them and the planet. I’d also like to help shift the focus of contemporary romance from the typical alpha male to more independent and competent female characters who aren’t in need of rescuing. Give me all the cinnamon roll heroes! In fact, in Wild at Heart, it's the guy who ends up being the "damsel in distress" and the woman who comes to his rescue. Maybe having more books showing the wonders and value of nature, and badass women choosing less-thanstandard paths in life, will make a difference in the world. Or at least to somebody. I know it would have meant a lot to younger me.

A beginners Guide for Content Marketing

No matter if you are new to being a writer or are already published, you may struggle to market your name and gather an audience, unless you are aware of some great strategic tactics that can help you publicize your skill and bring signi icant sales. In this digital era, when everything has become available online and people are spending more time on the internet, the market for writers has become extremely competitive. To stand out, here are some tips, a guide, through which you can not only learn how to best launch (or re-launch) your name, but get signi icant readers and sales, as well, so let's get started.

Being a writer is one thing, but knowing how to market your brand is another, and many writers are not necessarily good marketers.

Develop Your Recognition The very irst step towards publicizing yourself as an author includes developing your recognition. Meaning, get your name out there. Make your audience aware of who you are, through ads, your write-ups, blurbs, or blog posts, possibly even showcase your writing through presentations at conferences, exhibitions, fairs, and signings.

By: Stella Lincoln f

You must also develop a unique, and professional, image that can elevate you from the rest of the writers, and help you garner your target audience. Your written words, anywhere and everywhere, and your pictures will become who readers believe you to be. Aim both for your audience, and stick to it. Choose the genre you want to pursue with care, readers do not always cross genres, and your images and words may not cross over either. Create pieces that are unique, as plagiarism of any sort, even unintentional, will cause you to lose your reputation in an instant. In today's online world, reclaiming a lost reputation is almost impossible.

for yourself. Only make certain where you put your links are in relevant places. If you want to make your work known to the world, write guest posts and articles for related websites and companies. Always include the link to your website and books in the content or in the writer section. The more you guest post and write content for others, and include your links, the more you will receive organic traf ic, and the more traf ic you have, the better your sales will be. Depending upon the post placement and topic, you can link directly to the ebook retailer listing of the story you are talking about, or to highlight your most recent release, or upcoming release.

Build Your Website There is no better way to tell the world that you are a writer than by building a website. If you are new to this but want to do it yourself, check out the pre-made templates on any website creation platform and choose the one that suits your essence best, the one that will bring you the right recognition for your genre and image. Choose the template and use it, or take pieces of several templates and craft one on your own. If you are a beginner, your website creator most likely has video tutorials, and you can also go through tutorials on YouTube. If your budget allows, hire a web designer, either freelancers or a company are a good beginning spot.

Expand Your Email List Through expanding your email list, you can acquire a maximum of potential readers with minimum effort, as more than 35% of sales are made via emails and the sales links in them. To start this plan, create an email list announcement on your social media accounts, tell people about your work, and the way you started your journey. Get as many readers as you can to sign up for your emails and newsletters. You can run paid social media ads for email list announcements. Then, make certain your emails are relevant to your readers' and your brand, and always include those inbound links for them to follow.

Seek Guest Posting Opportunities No tactic works better than inbound linking to market your brand and bring readers to your website, ebook store pro ile, and book world. An inbound link is when you get an email or DM with information, and they have included a link to something relevant to the subject, or to their website. Many use this option, go ahead and use it

Market Your Content Through Micro-In uencers Micro-in luencers are one of the best sources to market your content and improve your marketing skills. You can offer your ebook or print book for free, or at low rates, to Instagram and Twitter in luencers' audiences, and ask them for shout-out favors in return. You will shout out to your followers about their product, and they shout out to their followers about your book, including the free or low price just for them. Another way to leverage in luencers is to gift them your book and ask them to review it on their page. However, make sure the in luencer you choose comes under your target audience and has prospects relevant to your book worlds. An in luencer whose audience are teen girls following for make up tips has an audience who probably will not be interested in your Romantic Suspense Thriller.

Participate In Competitions Another way to tell the world that you are a great writer is by participating in writing competitions. These contests are about much more than just receiving an award and a certi icate. Participating in these allow you to present your work in front of professionals who can analyze your work, check your skill levels, and potentially offer you contracts or opportunities. Through these competitions, you also market your content in front of the audience and increase your chances of acquiring readers. So, what are you waiting for? Apply and participate in these competitions as soon as you see the ad, because such opportunities don't last long.

Analyze The Medium And Platform That Possess Your Perfect Audience Let me be very clear, your audience won't wait for you on every platform, and neither will you ind them on all mediums and platforms. To target the perfect readers for your books, analyze where the readers look for content like yours. Where do they ind their next favorite writer? Who do they follow? See where your content has the highest engagements —your newsletter, Facebook, Twitter?—and which forums (Goodreads, FB groups, etc.) bring you the most sales, then work solely on those mediums and platforms. This tactic will help you trim down your time spent useless platforms and mediums which are not garnering readers or sales, enabling you to spend more time on those which are proving to be fruitful for you.

Write A Captivating Writer Bio To let readers who you are as a person and what your stories are about, there's no way better than telling about yourself in an awesome bio. This part of the content is all about you, so write an engaging and captivating bio that can hold your readers’ attention and take them from getting to know you, all the way through to selling them a book. According to studies, up to 15% of buying decisions are made after reading the writer’s bio, so make sure you write the one that perfectly de ines who you are as a person and writer. Don't shy away from talking about who you are and what your stories are about!

Designing For The Reader Experience Part 1: Typesetting for Readability If you’ve been following along with me for a while, you’ve probably heard me refer to the reader experience. As a book interior designer (typesetter, formatter, etc.), readability is my highest priority. If your goal is to sell your book to the public, readability is key.

By: Tamara Cribley

“

…anyone with a solid understanding of these design principles can create a professionalquality book…

The reader experience can involve many different elements across different book formats. While audiobooks are a rapidly growing format, the experience is vastly different from a printed or digital book. For now, we’ll address the visual characteristics that impact how readers experience your writing in print and digital books. Understanding your target audience is key in making design decisions. There are two ways to characterize your book’s design. The irst takes into consideration your author branding. This type of styling generally falls into the category of layout and design. This is where we get to have fun, creating a unique style and aesthetic. The second focuses on readability. Readability is achieved through typesetting and formatting. While less creatively driven, it lays the foundation for a positive reader experience. Because typesetting is foundational, we’ll start there. At the most basic level, typesetting is putting letters on a page. When designing for the reader experience, we take into consideration the trim (page) size, margins, font style and size, and leading (line spacing). Each of these characteristics can be modi ied in most consumer-level software. In professional software, you may ind additional characteristics to customize. While professional formatting is a unique skill with many nuances, anyone with a solid understanding of these design principles can create a professional-quality book, designed for a positive reader experience, using tools you already have, or which you can purchase inexpensively. An important factor in typesetting is knowing your audience. For young readers and older audiences, functional fonts tend to be on the larger end, around 12 pt. Font sizes use a standard measurement scale, point size, though different fonts with the same de ined size can appear to be different sizes on the page. The best way to get a good sense of the size of your font is to print a few pages. Compare it to an already printed book that is for your same audience. (To get an accurately printed page to review, remember to print at 100% and not to “scale” the page.) For these audiences, line spacing and margins tend to be slightly larger. The added white space helps the eye to follow the text across the page. Most books you ind in a major store have font sizes between 10.5 and 12 pt. Large print books can range from 16-20 pt. and have some unique requirements for readers with visual impairments. The industry standard for leading is 1.2, meaning the line spacing is 1.2 times the size of your font. If your book is typeset at 10 pt., then your leading would be 12 pt. For older audiences, you might increase the leading to 1.4 to allow for more white space. Double spacing is reserved for the editing process. Originally, it allowed for notes to be placed directly above text for clarity during the editing process. As we have moved into the digital age, editors are less likely to take a pen to your printed manuscript.

Now that we’ve addressed font size and spacing, let’s talk about fonts in general. Both readability and licensing are very important. When publishing a book that you intend to sell, you must source fonts that are commercially licensed. Ross Kimbarovsky, on his post "The Law on Fonts and Typefaces in Design and Marketing: Frequently Asked Questions (about commercial and noncommercial use)" had this to say: “Fonts can be free or licensed, for a fee, for commercial use. Whether

you pay for a font or acquire it for free, each font comes with a license that explains how you may use that font (and how you may not use the font). Your rights and obligations are de ined in the End User License Agreement (EULA). Those agreements will vary among fonts and font makers–so read them very carefully to understand what you can and cannot do with the fonts you’re licensing. For example, some agreements will restrict the number of computers on which you can install a font. Other

agreements will restrict the ways you can use a font.” Some licenses will only extend to print, whereas others may support websites and eBooks. Most fonts included in software you purchase are free for commercial use, but be sure to verify before using them. Many of the fonts, which you can download for free, are not licensed for commercial use and may not be embeddable in your inal PDF. Fonts fall into two primary classi ications: Serif and San Serif. Serif fonts, like Garamond, have

little tails at the end of each stroke of the letter. San Serif fonts, like Calibri, do not. Traditionally, books use Serif fonts, though it’s not a rule and there are many exceptions. Because the letterforms have more variation between them, Serif fonts can be easier to read in printed form. Textbooks and many noniction books use these fonts. While choosing between the two types is a stylistic preference, keep your audience in mind. If your book is Historical iction, a San Serif font might feel too modern

for your readers. Fonts for the body (main) text of your book should be comfortable to read, with adequate spacing for your audience. While Times New Roman is often recommended in the Indie world, it is not a good font for long-form text (books). Times New Roman was designed for the narrow width of newspaper columns. It is a condensed font and can contribute to eye fatigue. Good typesetting won’t draw attention to itself. For title fonts, stylized fonts can add visual interest to your book. This is a great place to add character and personality to your book. Be aware that highly stylized fonts can be challenging to read. They can also have awkward spacing. If using one, pay attention to the space between letters as it may need to be adjusted. Some fonts have alternate glyphs, stylized versions of a letterform that you can use. While using these uniquely stylized glyphs for each letter can be fun, they can also make the text indecipherable or distracting. Glyphs, used sparingly, can effectively add style, without distraction. A inal note about fonts: In print, what you see in your inal PDF is what you will see in your printed book. In digital, even though some platforms support embedded fonts, many do not. The few that do, may not support all embedded fonts. For digital books, I recommend designing with basic fonts and not embedding them into your inal eBook iles. This has two major implications. First, by designing for the “lowest common denominator” or basic functionality, you can expect reasonably consistent and predictable displays across digital platforms. Second, you allow the reader to have control over the

fonts and settings which they prefer, creating an ideal reading experience.

common in noniction, it should be used sparingly and purposefully.

Typesetting isn’t just about the letters on the page. It also addresses how text lows throughout your book.

Hyphenation: Because awkward spacing between words can be distracting, hyphenation is very important. While an invaluable tool, overly frequent hyphenation can also be distracting. Some software will allow you to de ine where and how words can be hyphenated.

Remember, however, that digital and print books are not the same. Here are some important points to remember about print books: Spreads: Readers view a printed book as a spread, two pages up at a time. Odd-numbered pages fall on the right-hand (or recto, front) page, and evennumbered pages fall on the left-hand (or verso, back) page. Numbering: Front-matter is not typically numbered. Your story should start on a right-hand page and be numbered “1.” Following chapters can start on the right or left-hand pages. If you choose to have chapters always start on a right-hand page, it’s acceptable to have a blank page opposite it on a spread. Blank pages should not be numbered and should not have headers or footers. If your chapters start on both right and left-hand pages, there should not be any blank pages in-between. Alignment: Text should align across a spread. That means that your text should start and end at the same location on each page, except for the last page of a chapter, which may be shorter than the rest. Ideally, it will still have at least 4 lines of text. Justi ication: For most books, the text should be justi ied, meaning that it aligns with both the left and right margins of each page. Ragged alignment, text that is aligned to one side, can be challenging to read. Because justi ication can sometimes cause awkward spacing, using hyphenation is important.

Orphans & Widows: While similar, Orphans and Widows are found in different places. Each is a short word or piece of text. Widows are found at the end of a page, leaving extra white space, and orphans are found at the top of a column or page, a line or two of the end of a paragraph. It’s best to avoid each of these whenever possible. You may need to adjust the spacing between text on a line, or in an entire paragraph to address these issues. Indenting: In books, the irst line of each paragraph is indented. There are a few exceptions. The irst paragraph of a chapter, section, or break typically does not use indenting. Once you have your typesetting dialed in for your target audience, you can get creative and add style and embellishments to your book’s interior. Stay tuned for Part 2: Incorporating your author brand through style and design. Each month, I host the Professional Indie Publishing Roundtable, a casual conversation with authors and professionals. I invite you to join me on Sunday, May 8, at 3 pm Paci ic. Participation is always free. Bring your questions, challenges, victories, and curiosities. Visit www.DeliberatePage.com/Roundtable for access info and reminders.

Paragraph Spacing: Works of iction rarely use paragraph spacing, except in cases where a break is indicated. Using it can cause alignment issues across two pages on a spread and adds unnecessary length to your manuscript. While paragraph spacing is more

Jane Lewis

You can describeJane Lewis in two words… a creator, and a lifelong learner. She started piano lessons at age four and when she grew tired of practicing her assignments, she created her own compositions or improvised and created her own arrangements. Her music career began at age thirteen when she became a church organist. Jane continues to play piano, organ, and direct choirs. As an adult, she studied classical organ, voice, and languages. Jane enrolled in college at age 38 and earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music studying classical piano and voice. She acted in plays and excelled in Spanish, graduating with honors. A voracious reader, Jane Lewis dreamed of being a writer. Her older brother, an airline pilot, wrote several western novels in his spare time and they often talked about the process of writing. He was her critique partner before she knew the term. She planned her entrance into the world of romance writers by irst choosing a pen name. Jane is her middle name and Lewis is her husband’s middle name. She took online classes and studied her craft. To learn about the self-publishing world, she wrote and self-published two cookbooks. She enjoys baking bread and revises her mother’s old fashioned southern recipes to make them healthy. A lifelong gardener, she grows roses, herbs, and vegetables. Jane lives in Georgia with her husband, the inspiration for the hero in all her books.

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Jane starts her morning with yoga to clear her mind and get ready for the day. She does weight training three times a week and ends her afternoons with an exercise app on her computer. Her writing cave is a large room with lots of windows to allow natural sunlight. It also doubles as the workout room so it’s easy to get up from the writing chair and exercise. Jane Lewis is a multi-published author of historical romance. An avid reader of all genres, romance is her favorite. The irst time she read a romance novel by Kathleen Woodiwiss, she wanted to write one of her own. Her dream came true in 2017 when her irst book, Love at “Five Thousand Feet” was published. The novel was a inalist in the Hearts Through History, Post-Victorian, World War II Category. The second book, “The Barnstormer” published in 2018, continues the saga of a family in a small Georgia town in the 1930’s. The audiobook narrated by Dawson McBride was awarded a Crowned Heart Award from InD’tale Magazine. “The Lady Flyer” published in 2020, concludes the saga. It was a inalist in the Carolyn Readers Choice Award and the audiobook was awarded a Crowned Heart Award. She wrote two historical western novels, “Home In Wylder” which was an N. N. Light Book Award Finalist and the audiobook was awarded a Crowned Heart Award. “The Wylder Rose” was awarded a Crowned Heart Award in April 2022. Jane Lewis’ current project is a historical romance set in The Gilded Age New York.

We made it through the winter, and as spring moves towards summer, many of us are inding new things to look forward to.

Family

We made it through the winter, and as spring moves towards summer, many of us are inding new things to look forward to. I’ve noticed more comments and discussions about what to do this year, especially since it looks as if we’ll be moving around with a little more freedom. It occurred to me, it’s a great time for family reunions. The sweltering heat, the days where the kids are out of school and driving us crazy... pretty much all lead to thoughts of family reunions in local parks or wherever else folks decide to gather. It’s sort of like a bunch of ants coming together and ruining your picnic and eating all the potato salad, except for the fact that the ants are family. They’re still eating all your potato salad, but you can’t stomp on ‘em. I’m joking here, of course, but we don’t get to pick our families, we're kind of stuck with them. Even drunk Uncle Fred who always thinks he is the best singer in the world, next to Tony Bennett, and tries to prove it by singing “Fly Me to the Moon” to the pinata you hung for the kids. If you’re lucky the kids will whack him with a stick until he shuts up. If not, you’re stuck with two more choruses, and an off-key version of “I Left My Heart in San Fernando”. Uncle Frank isn’t great at geography either, drunk or sober. I do wonder what other's see when they look at people’s families. A sort of ‘outside looking in’ thing.

Reunions

Wherever you are from usually dictates how you look at life. I’m sure most countries have the same sort of family get-togethers, but their activities and traditions are probably quite different. A reunion in Europe might look a bit different to us in the U.S., and to other countries around the world in both hemispheres. I have to say that outside gettogethers in Australia, where they have bugs as big as the kids sharing the barbecue, might be tough. Don’t say this isn’t true... I’ve seen pictures of the spiders. Uhh, no thanks. I’m getting distracted, sorry, just yikes. It doesn’t seem to matter what country you’re from, or the differences in your celebrations, there are always times to get together with your family: birthdays, weddings, taco Tuesday, holidays, and for a whole host of reasons too numerous to mention. Even though families are now spread all over the place, and sometimes it's hard to ind everyone, eventually there’ll be the big backyard party and they’ll all show up. Here’s a hint... if you haven’t seen family in a long time and can’t seem to contact them, win the lottery. Guaranteed you will hear from extended family you didn’t even realize you had. I have to admit, it’s a lot of fun seeing all the people we grew up with, and some who are more recent

By: S.L. Carpenter

Nothing is more fun than talking with cousins and remembering all the stupid, Neanderthal stuff we did when the parents weren’t watching. Remember... whatever happened, that we didn’t get caught for doing, stays within the cone of silence. Grown-up girls regress to their teens, remembering how they talked about the cute guys in school. They still share make-up and hair tips, and the lyrics to that one hot song they all loved. And the guys all lex the muscles they inally got, and talk about the size of the ish they caught. You know the kind I mean... the last time cousin Jim told the story it was a 12-pounder. This year it has grown to 20 pounds and has massive teeth that almost pulled him off the boat. One of my favorite things about family gatherings, and I am sure this is true everywhere in the world, is the food. I admit I am a sucker for home cooking. It would be epic to travel and try all the family reunion cuisines in different countries. Although, I’ll pass on some of those bug snacks I've seen online. Mexican food is easily my favorite, and there is nothing like having real, old-school dishes made from scratch. I was lucky during the summer gettogethers with our neighbors, since they all seemed to have an abuela making her specialties. All us guys would get shooed away until it was ready, then we’d pig out and over-eat like fools, have some beverages and laughs, and then siestas on the

couches. Personally, I think that was the plan, hatched by all the cooks, to get us all out of the way so they could relax and enjoy the desserts. Then there are the conversations. I liked seeing my grandparents and just listening to them tell their stories. They lived through things we can’t imagine. I wonder if this is where my interest in writing might have taken root? I have to mention that the popularity of family reunions extends right into our own book backyard! Have you noticed how many novels start with someone “coming home”? That super wealthy business gal taking a break from her fast-paced lifestyle to return home for her Aunt Gertrude’s 95th birthday and re-connecting with her childhood sweetheart? Or variations on that theme. Consider for a minute how many novels wouldn’t have been written if there weren’t any family reunions. It’s scary. Perhaps these thoughts have something to do with getting back to normal and reconnecting with others, but it’s also a way of remembering that so many stories begin in conversations with other people, family, old friends, and new ones. And now, more than ever, we also must be aware of the advantage we have, being able to connect with family in this crazy world. Give them all the love and hugs you can, because—as we all know— it can change in a second.

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friends. Finally meeting face to face with a new grandbaby, nephew, or niece, is awesome. We can spoil them with loads of sweets and candy then pass them back to their parents. Then laugh when the sugar kicks in and they’re running around like the Energizer Bunny.

Chapter Nine Victory We arrive home and ind William is still gone, but traces of him linger in the form of dirty laundry thrown on the bathroom loor and dishes in the sink. The sound of smashing wood coming from the backyard causes me to jump. Liam quickly goes to investigate. Following him, I see the door to his work shed blowing in the wind, unhinged in the upper left corner, the plywood hanging at an odd angle and banging against the structure. “I thought that was locked?” I ask. Liam’s jaw lexes as he stares at the broken door. “It was.”

He angrily tosses the metal toolbox to the ground, pieces of tin exploding in all directions. “He’s taken my computer.”

He enters the shed, but I wait outside. I know this is his private sanctuary, and even though he produces beautiful woodwork behind the closed door, I’m afraid of what else he might do in there.

“Your computer?” I’m labbergasted by what he’s just admitted. “That’s... contraband. Only top-ranking government of icials have access to personal computers.”

He exits moments later, with a battered toolbox that has seen better days.

He looks at me as he puts his hands in his pockets. Those steady eyes hold mine. A tremble starts in my bones as the cold truth of it hits me. Fear wraps around my heart like a ist.

“Are you going to ix the door to the shed?” I ask. “I thought we were going to see my mother.”

This is how he knows. How he found out about me.

He’s been lying to me from the start.

“If you want to survive this, you’ll come with me now.”

I take a step back. “Y-y-you work for The Brotherhood.”

“That’s a lie,” I protest. “You’re the person who’ll lead me to my death. You’re part of The Brotherhood. You’re… you’re a shadow man.”

Deny it. Please say there’s another reason. There must be. It simply can’t be the truth. He reaches for me, but I jerk back. “Victory, calm down.”

The accusation echoes in the silence. He drops my bag and takes ahold of my shoulders. Tears hit my cheeks.

I shake my head, tears brimming. “How can you? How can you be one of them?”

“Please, Victory, listen to me very carefully. I meant everything I said to you earlier. My career changes nothing.”

“You need to…”

He didn’t deny it. Oh God, he didn’t deny it.

I shake my head. “Leave me alone.”

“Please focus,” he continues. “My shed has been broken into and my government-issued laptop has been stolen - the same laptop that has all of your medical records on it, and Dr. Matka’s records.”

I turn and race into the house, defeated by the truth of the one husband I thought I could trust. I barrel up the stairs and shut myself into my sanctuary. I sink into the chair, grabbing a tissue for my eyes. My chest aches from the loss of something I thought I had, something I had wanted him to be. The way he looked at me, his touch, his gentle and kind manner, it made me feel things I’d never felt before. I had let my foolishness get the better of me. In my imagination, Liam was… he was… not this.

That name causes my blood to still. How can he know about the black-market doctor my mother took me to all those years ago? How could he possibly have that information? He wipes his forehead with his large hand

Not one of their lackeys. Not a part of the reason I feared for my life. I bury my face into my hands at the sound of my door opening. “Victory.” I don’t like how my name sounds in his rough voice. I don’t like him. But mostly I hate how I can no longer trust him. For my entire life, it’s always been us - the community - following their rules, struggling to survive, watching our loved ones being carried away. For my entire existence, it’s been us against The Brotherhood.

“Victory, I’m the reason you’re still alive. I’m your protector. I always have been. “

Now it’s me against him.

and releases a loud breath.

I curl up into a ball and hold my knees to my chest. He had told me he would protect me. I would have never thought I needed protection against him.

“Dr. Matka was captured not long after your emergency surgery. His home was raided, and all iles were seized. For the past few years, I’ve been working with The Brotherhood to locate each woman listed in his records.”

*** “I understand you’re angry with me, but now isn’t the time.” Before I can object, he storms into my room and opens my closet. Taking a duf le bag from the top shelf, he begins packing my belongings. “What are you doing?” A chill creeps up my spine. Oh, God. It’s time. He works for The Brotherhood and he knows of my infertility. He’s going to get rid of me. I spring to my feet but I can’t move further. I’m frozen as I watch him stuff the last of my wardrobe into the small bag. If he was going to terminate me, why would I need clothes? He looks at me with ierce eyes.

I cover my mouth with a trembling hand. Was I actually hearing him correctly? The room spins. I can’t believe it. It’s all too much. Too much, too fast. “What? But how—” He holds my face in both hands and I am steadied. His gaze holds me up. Eyes of stone, yet full of ire. “Victory, I’m the reason you’re still alive. I’m your protector. I always have been. Your name has been on that list for a long time, I alone had the power to do something about it. Me. Do you understand what I am telling you?” “Why? How long have you known?”

“He’s the one. The Shadowman. The one we all speak of but don’t want to believe is real. “

But I’m not okay. Far from it. “So where do we go?” He turns to face me. “There is only one place I know that will keep you safe.”

Liam

He blinks slowly. “Since you showed up on my list,” he whispers.

The old truck plows down my dirt driveway, but as the cottage comes into view, I notice a dark igure standing on my porch. I pull the multicolored serape off of the leather bench seat and toss it at Victory. “Get down on the loor and cover yourself with this blanket.” “But—”

“List?”

“Now.”

The Shadowman’s list. The Shadowman’s victims.

One word is all it takes to pull her to the loor of my truck. The blanket slides over her beautiful head and Duke lets out a mournful howl as she disappears. I park the truck and exit the cab, Duke lanking my heels.

He releases my face and paces, casting me a sideways glances at me. “I’m a paid assassin for The Brotherhood.” He pauses and a million emotions pass over his expression. The room spins again and I grip the armrests of my chair as if my life depends on it. The look on his face has stolen my voice. He’s the one. The Shadowman. The one we all speak of but don’t want to believe is real. The dark monster that pulls barren women from their beds and makes them vanish, never to be seen again. My chest constricts and I can’t breathe. My mind cannot process that the man who I married, my kind, gentle husband, is a ruthless killer. “What I’m telling you will get us both killed if anyone inds out. Do you understand?” “You showed up on my list.” My heart stops. Surely, I am already dead, trapped in hell… sent there by the Shadowman that stands before me. “I went to Mr. Barrister’s house that day to retrieve you, to... take care of you. But the moment I saw you, I... I can’t explain it, but I fell in love. I knew there was no way I’d ever be able to follow through with what I had to do, so I followed you. For years I was a shadow protecting you, without ever having known you. And I know this sounds crazy and obsessive, but I did the only thing I knew how to do to protect you. I deleted your name. But now someone has my computer, and whoever that is will ind out what I did and they’ll come for us both.” “What happened to the doctor?”

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Dante removes his top hat and takes a step off the porch to meet me. I let out a breath as I realize they sent the weakest member of the council to question me. Dante is the reason I am a member of The Brotherhood. A close friend to my parents, he took it upon himself to look out for me after their death - if teaching combat skills quali ies as looking out for someone. First, he taught me archery, which quickly graduated to knife throwing, and eventually target shooting. At the time, I had no idea he was testing my abilities. Apparently, I passed.

Dante’s thin lips snake into a smile. “I wanted to apologize for missing your wedding.” Reaching into his trench coat, he pulls out a golden pocket watch. I recognize it from my past; it was my father’s. The same one that was clutched in his hand when they found his body. “I promised your father I would be sure to pass it down when the time was right.” My chest constricts as he holds the piece of jewelry out to me. He was the last person to speak to my father. “How could you have this?” Slowly, I reach forward and allow the watch to drop into my palm. It feels much heavier than it should. “Your father gave it to me to hold for you. On his deathbed.” I turn the watch over and open it. I wasn’t aware Dante was with my parents the night they died, but now isn’t

“He’s dead.”

“I thought I might ind you here.”

“A High Council member showing up at my humble abode. To what do I owe the pleasure?”

I nod. It’s all I can do.

I swallow, recalling his old, cold hands, and his warm smile reassuring me I’d be okay.

“Thank you. I wish you both could have been at the wedding.”

“If a child is not produced by the irst anniversary, the wife is to be removed. “

“I was hoping I might meet the Missus today.” I tense at the suggestion. Dante raises a grey eyebrow as he reads my body language. “Already protective, I see.” “I’m her husband; isn’t that my duty?” “How is the procreation going? I can’t imagine someone as strong and powerful as you might allow your weaker competitor to take what is yours.” He knows that I called in a favor to secure her as my bride, not daring to hope they would keep their end of the bargain. This man is my friend, my father’s friend, but I can’t bet my life, or Victory’s, on the knowledge that he might be more loyal to The Brotherhood than to me.

He sits, but doesn’t start the truck. “I thought this might be a safe place for you, but now I don’t know.” My silence causes him to turn his head to me. “That was Dante. He was my father’s right hand. I’m not sure it’s safe to go back home in case we’re being watched.”

“She’s at home now. My work has always come irst, you know that.”

My heart sinks. “I don’t understand.”

A pat on my shoulder shows me he approves.

“Well maybe if you told me everything, I could help.” Irritation laces my tone. “What does it matter now? You’ve already told me this much.”

“Let’s just hope one of you produce a child soon. You do know The Brotherhood has shortened the timeline. If a child is not produced by the irst anniversary, the wife is to be removed. I would hate to see that happen. I would hate to see you pushed into an unwanted union.” Of course I know about the timeline. He knows I know. I wonder what the point of this reminder might be. Letting on that I’m suspicious might be a fatal mistake, so I broaden my smile and shade my eyes from the sunlight with a hand and give him a tight smile. “Keeping me busy, I like it.” A dark sedan pulls into my driveway and parks behind my truck. The windows are blacked out and I cannot make out the driver. Dante shuf les forward. “Well, that’s my ride. Congratulations again on your matrimony. Your parents would be so proud.”

Victory It’s getting hot under this blanket, but I don’t move. I stay perfectly still on the loor under the itchy thing, sweat beading on my skin. I hear muf led voices, two of them. Male. Unable to make out the words, I sit helplessly, my mind unable to focus on one thought. I hear the door open to my left and I hold my breath. “It’s me.” Liam’s voice relaxes me and I exhale. I feel him reach over, the cloth rustling under his weight as it shifts. Grasping the covering, he pulls it off my head and I breathe in the rush of cool air that hits me, wiping sweat from my face.

“I know, let me think.”

“I haven’t told you the half of it,” se says under his breath. “I have to ind out what William knows.” The broken workshop door and the missing laptop lash through my mind. “You really think this is him?” No answer. He seems lost in thought. Afraid to sit up, I stay low in the truck, unsure of what to do. Eventually, he starts the vehicle and drives away. I sit up, my body cracking after being in such an odd position for so long. I absently gaze out the window. What is happening? Where we are going? Will Liam really be able to save me? Please God, don’t let him betray me. The world speeds by, secluded back roads with no city in sight. The silence is heavy; not even the radio can ill the space. “They aren’t dead.” It’s been quiet so long that his voice startles me. “Who?” He quickly glances at me before turning his eyes back on the road. “You know I’m a Shadowman which means you know there’s a hit-list from The Brotherhood.” He takes a deep breath. “The women on the list. They aren’t dead.” I swallow, my heart thumping an odd rhythm against my ribs. “The ones you were supposed to—” “Kill,” he inishes for me. “Yes. They aren’t dead.”

“Who was that?”

51 f

the time for this conversation, or for my questions, so I smile up at him.

“She’s full of questions tonight, but I don’t give her an answer.. “

“Then where are they?”

Liam Driving on Interstate 30 all night, I take my exit and inally see the half-n-half post of ice sign for Texarkana. Parking the truck in the employee parking lot, I hang my government issued parking pass on my rearview mirror and look back at Victory. “Where are we? Why are we stopping?” She’s full of questions tonight, but I don’t give her an answer. “I know I’m asking the impossible and I don’t deserve it at all, but please trust me, just for a little while longer.” I crank down on the metal handle and open the door. Stepping out, I cross the street and head toward the white, two-story farmhouse. I don’t turn to make sure she’s following. I’ve asked her time and again to trust me, and now it’s time for me to trust she’ll make the right decision and allow me to lead her to safety. Walking up the narrow cement steps, I feel her soft ingers slide into my hand. I grip her ingers tight and my chest swells. With her by my side, I know they can’t defeat me. I have too much to lose. “Liam,” she whispers. “This is a whorehouse.” I turn to look at her and notice her gaze hanging on the red sign secured to the balcony. It reads, “The Farmer’s Daughters” with silhouettes of busty females in cut-off shorts. “You said you could help me, but I’d rather die than prostitute myself for the rest of my years.” I stop abruptly and spin around to face her. “Do you think I would willingly share you? I took you away from William so I would be your only husband. No man, besides me, will ever touch you.” The opening of the door draws both our attention. “Liam, did you bring us another?” I turn and smile at the woman at the door.

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“Maryanne Haverford, I’d like you to meet my wife, Victory Atherton.”

*** Inside, I let the women ill in my wife in as to what this place really is. The outdoor sign allows the cover the women need to remain safe. The Farmer’s Daughters is a legal and registered brothel. At least that’s what the public believes. But the truth of the matter is this place hasn’t exchanged money for sex in many years. I’m able to keep it off the council’s radar because with every victim I delete from society, a portion of my service fee is handed over to the brothels I use as halfway houses. In turn, they use a portion of the money I funnel to them to pay the business taxes on their “earnings.” This is one of many that I use to hide the women from the list. They are scattered across the nation. They supplement the money in different ways on their own - offering farm fresh produce, crafts, or many other assorted side hustles to keep themselves off the radar of The Brotherhood. I chose to take Victory to this one as it is on the Arkansas border and very often forgotten about. I’m not sure what these women do when men try to procure their services, but I’ve been told they handle it, and I leave it at that. The men are turned away and no questions are asked. Victory sits on the edge of an old wooden dining chair, her face pale and her eyes wide as Maryanne tries to hand her a cup of tea with a chipped handle. Duke saunters in behind us, lopping down at Victory’s feet. “This is a safe place.” Maryanne looks up at me for help. I kneel on the loor in front of her, her frightened eyes drifting to my face. “Yes. It’s safe. I’ve never killed anyone, Victory. I use a portion of my pay to fund these houses and keep these women off the grid. They, in turn, funnel the money back to The Brotherhood and pay the ten percent tax on their ‘earnings’. No one is the wiser. This isn’t a whorehouse, it’s a safe house.” She turns to the women that have gathered in the room, all with compassion on their faces for her. “What do you do when men try to…” Elizabeth March breaks through the crowd in the room. An older woman now, in her ifties, she’s one of my father’s rescues before I took over the family business. She is the head of the house here. “We have illness, that is what we tell them. We are in quarantine, as the virus is spreading through the

house. No one wants to be sick, so the men depart fairly quickly.” I take Victory’s face in my hands, willing her to believe me. My chest is tight with regret. I had never intended to frighten her, and thankfully, she doesn’t pull away.

“These women were all killed on paper, in the system. Their families think they’re dead. “

“Victory, speak to me.” She pulls in a breath, and then another, her gaze bouncing off every face in the room. “I believe you.” Relief sweeps over me. “These women were all killed on paper, in the system. Their families think they’re dead. They may be lost, but they’re still alive.” “And Liam alone saved us,” Maryanne says. “He is paid very, very well to kill us, yet here we are. He risks his very life to save ours, one by one.” “Why?” The question is directed at me. “Because I can’t do it. I can’t be the man my father was.” A silence patters throughout the room like raindrops. “He was one of the irst Shadowmen, and one day, my sister’s name appeared on his list. It was too late when he found out. I remember being dragged with my mother to my sister’s doctor, Dr. Matka, and left in the hallway. I was sixteen. My mother made me swear to never to tell anyone where we had gone, including my father. They never told me what was going on, but I wasn’t a child, I had my suspicions. “Then the doctor was arrested, and never seen again. Soon after, my sister’s name appeared on the list. My father found out too late and wasn’t able to protect her. It took her death to make him realize what he had been doing was wrong. Evil. He vowed to change things. He began saving women in her name, a way to atone for what had been done. “The other Shadowmen were done away with, and even now, there remains only one. Me. I don’t know all the details or how he managed to get rid of them, but I do know I won’t be the man he was. I would die to protect you, Victory. I love you.” “You love me?” The words are a whisper, and they shock me. I let my hands fall from her face, rocking back a little to stand up. “With all that I am, yes.” Elizabeth pats my arm in a motherly fashion. “It’s time.” I steel myself. “I have to ind the last Shadowman, Victory, and you have to stay here.”

“You can’t come with me. It’s not safe.” She leaps to her feet. “You can’t leave me here. I… you…” “Listen to me, hear my words. I will be back for you.” I step into her. “You are mine, and I’ll never let them take you from me.” “You’ll come back for me?” I nod. “Always. But I have to ind my computer and I have to ind William. If I don’t, it won’t be only you on The Brotherhood’s radar. All women on that list will be in danger.” “Is there anything in that computer that might compromise our location?” Elizabeth asks as she turns to me. “No. The safe-houses are untraceable.” “Good.” A gentle hand placed on my chest stops my heart. How can I so fully adore a woman I’ve only known for weeks? I ache to take her with me, but to keep her by my side, not knowing what might happen or where I might end up is too dangerous. “I’ll be here waiting for you. Please hurry.” I turn to leave, but she pulls me back. She reaches up and kisses me. Emotion erupts from her lips, raw and powerful, and it can only mean one thing. She loves me. I know it. Her kiss tells me everything. She believes in me. “Go, then. Find him and return to me. Quickly.” Her eyes lash, and at that moment, I know she’s fully mine. “Hurry,” she adds, reaching for my hand. I watch her lift my knuckles to her lips and press them gently to her mouth. Our eyes meet for a moment, then I turn and walk out the door.

“No, I’m coming with you.”

Guide to Our Reviews and Ratings: Our rating system is the standard 5 star rating system:

5 = 4 = 3 = 2 = 1 = CNF

exceptional excellent good fair poor = If the problems

in a book are such that a reviewer is unable to finish it, the book will be given to another reviewer to read. If both reviewers are unable to finish the book, it will receive the rating of “CNF” or “Could Not Finish”

We also rate the "Steam" or sex factor so readers can enjoy whatever level they are most comfortable with. The criteria is as follows:

1 Steam Kettle = 2 Steam Kettles = 3 Steam Kettles = 4 Steam Kettles = description 5 Steam Kettles = graphic description

Nothing but kisses Passionate kissing, Sex but the door is closed Slightly steamy sex with some Steamy sex with somewhat

Those books receiving a 4.5 or a 5 star review will also be awarded the "Crowned Heart" for excellence. This symbol will be seen beside the review in the magazine.

An Unfamiliar Duke (Georgian Gentleman # 4) Sian Ann Bessey

perfect beleaguered Duke, and the rest of the cast perfectly lesh out the pages. The romance is very slow to build and limited to just kissing once it did develop. The dialogue is a good representative of the era yet it seems a little bland. Con lict is real, yet the characters could face more trials both separately, internally, externally, and together as a married couple. The characters are quite amiable but could have been deeper drawn. Aside from these minor issues, the story is a pleasure to read, and easy to immerse oneself into.

Rosalind Ainsworth disliked Sebastian Lumley when they were children, and he refused her access to his treehouse. Now they are adults. He is the Duke of Kelbrook, and far removed from the London society scene. On Rosalind’s 21st birthday, he arrives to marry her, per the pact both their late fathers arranged when he and Rosalind were but babes. Rosalind is a true innocent and appalled at being forced to marry the rude boy from her childhood - Duke or not! Further, she doesn’t want to leave her home to travel to his home far away from her mother. Sebastian is not thrilled about returning to London to marry a woman he barely remembers, but he is loyal to his late father’s decree. However, he has a secret that has kept him away from London all these years, and it’s a secret that can destroy their marriage before it even begins. Regency fans, rejoice and prepare yourself for a unique, highly creative historical full of thoroughly likable characters and plenty of excitement, mixed with old-world charm! Rosalind is the sweet innocent, Sebastian is a

polite society deems Judith must observe a year of mourning for her husband, she realizes if she’s to regain custody of Anna, she must launt society norms and ind a new husband. Despite the attentions of the doctor who saved her life, Judith accepts the proposal of Lord Haxby (John Tate), whom she has known since childhood.

A Countess of Convenience (Captivating Countesses – Book 1)

“A Countess of Convenience” is an onion of a book. So many layers, each one sweeter than the next. This story includes a number of darker elements, such as the spousal abuse and the barter of a young child to settle debts. The one beacon that shines through all the darkness though is the hero, Lord John Haxby. His devotion to the woman he’s loved his entire adult life is what makes a great romance. The backstory of his own loss of a wife and child makes his willingness to take on the challenge of helping Judith regain custody of her daughter all the more sel less. There are a few minor issues of missing words, but not to the extent that would spoil the story for the reader. For fans of emotional time-period romance, this book will not disappoint.

Jenna Jaxon

N.E. Kelley

Emerson Matthews

Historical

When her husband takes his physical abuse a step too far, Judith Harper is left in a coma. Returned to her family home to live out her inal days, she spends four months in an unconscious state. The intervention of surgeon Lord Farringdon saves Judith’s life. However, when she awakens, Judith discovers her husband is now dead, and his father Lord Downing now has custody of her six-year-old daughter, Anna. While

A Governess of Unusual Experience (The Governess Bureau: Book 5)

her. The reader will enjoy feeling the chemistry grow and watching them fall in love again. One will love watching Violet with Rachel connect with one another as she teaches her what she needs to know as a young lady in society. One will enjoy learning both were spies who worked together although the reader may feel that the story is slow and dragged out in places. Overall, this is a good read as friendships and romance develop Victoria Zumbrum

Emily EK Murdoch

Ms. Rachel Herriot woke up having no memory of the last 10 years of her life and is frustrated and does not know what to do. Since Mrs. Clark, the owner of the Governess Bureau knows her and offers her a job, she accepts and returns to the Governess Bureau. She is sent to a quiet manor and put in charge of Violet, who Rachel connects with along with her mother. She meets Timothy Astor, Violet’s uncle, who knows her and kisses her unexpectedly. Timothy and Rachel were once colleagues, but he thought he lost her. It is hard for Timothy Astor to watch the woman he loves who has no memory of him. Will she remember everything? “A Governess of Unusual Experience” is book 5 in the Governess Bureau series and can be read as a standalone. What a refreshing and wonderful love story. The characters are beautifully written and strong especially Rachel, who is very believable as a woman who lost so much time from her life and inds love again with her true love. Timothy was very patient and kind to Rachel trying not to upset

Announcing Miss Theodosia (Once a Wall lower Book 3) Maggi Andersen

there is a plot against him in the irst place. All the while, Thea and Ash are both ighting against feelings that are starting to brew between them. With so much suspense wrapped up in this book, it will keep the pages turning and will leave the reader wondering what will happen next. Both Thea and Ash are beautifully written characters that will draw one into the story and time period. Her determination to pave her own path and not settle for less rings clear throughout until near the end when it seems she is willing to throw away her dreams for love. Thankfully, it is not at all necessary. All of the secondary characters bring the story full circle and add to the intrigue, excitement, and even anger with the villain. The villain’s past reveals his motives and intentions in a way that will bring forth both shock and outrage. Shocking twists, turns, and mayhem from start to inish will leave one wanting for more. Marie Sanderson

Dreaming of becoming a writer, Theodosia Tothill hopes to make it through her irst season and all the ones after sans husband. With the help of Ashton Grainger, she narrowly avoids being caught after overhearing a ghastly plan of murder while spying outside a window where a group of men are meeting. While trying to discover the potential murderer, not one but two marriage proposals come her way where “Thea” takes the better of the two options. With Thea and Ash now working together, they must ind out who the victim will be and just why

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Historical

Almost A Countess (Captivating Countesses Book 2)

and rely on each other throughout. Finn and Dora pull one ruse after another, but often ind themselves backtracking and realizing that honesty may often be best. A unique storyline makes this an engaging and enjoyable read, however, some details seem to be left un inished in the end or even unbelievable at times. A more thorough editing would have found the one too many errors overall. A sweet romance sure to keep one rooting for all to work out.

Jenna Jaxon

Marie Sanderson

Refusing to marry a man that is in love with another, Dora Harper was exiled to an empty country estate with only a skeleton staff to help her run the household. Without the assistance of a chaperone, Dora knows that she can never expect to meet an eligible gentleman unless her father changes his mind and calls her home. While coming from visiting a tenant, Dora happens upon Finn, an escaped convict, looking to be on death’s door. Not able to just leave him to die, Dora knows that bringing him home to nurse him back to health could end with an even more sullied reputation that cannot be repaired. With Finn planning to travel as soon as his ankle is healed, Dora realizes that she’d like to keep him around longer than anticipated, but will that put both their lives in danger as the soldiers continue to search for him? This story will open any reader’s eyes to just a couple of the many injustices that could and often did take place during that period of time. Both Dora and Finn, suffering from their own adverse situations, slowly learn to trust

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Historical

handsome and witty Justin Caul ield, and a challenge to write the best story of stolen gold, converge their paths, and perhaps even their hearts. But can their stories match reality when demons of the past reemerge? If it’s up to lady Alicia and Captain Caul ield love will conquer all.

The Lady and Her Quill (The Ladies of Sommer by the Sea #1)

An interesting take on lady novelists, “The Lady and her Quill” takes a heroine ahead of her time, and a soldier haunted by his past and throw them together with great success. While the story has a happily predictable ending, the plot does take its time getting to the end. A great deal of focus is placed on the captain dragging his feet to confess his pen name to Alicia in the beginning. Additionally, the secondary plot is rushed with the smugglers only mentioned brie ly at the beginning before it rushes to all happen at once in the last part which can jolt the pace. Still, the story does resolve all the issues and the characters grow together in a sweet way. Overall, this is a fun story for historical lovers who like a little spy action mixed in with their romance.

Ruth A. Casie

Sarah E Bradley

Lady Alicia Hartley is a successful lady author known for her strong female characters and engrossing plots. JC Melrose is a veteran soldier haunted by his experiences in battle, who inds healing in writing ictional accounts of soldiers at war. All while seeking the villain who killed many of his men. When a bad review of Lady Alicia’s latest book references JC Melrose’s work as well, Lady Alicia immediately inds herself disliking the man and uncertain about her future. However, an encounter with the

plot is predictable and lacks major twists or unique traits, it successfully evokes the feelings involved in inding a sweet romance with a straightforward plot. Overall, readers who want a guaranteed happy ending, some character growth, and room for more books in the series will ind this story more than meets expectations!

The Viscount's Lady Novelist (The Lin ield Ladies #2)

Sarah E Bradley

Alissa Baxter

Harriet Lin ield has been disillusioned by love. Harmed and threatened by the man she once thought she would marry, she returns home determined to avoid romantic entanglements and instead focus on her novels and turning the estate she inherited into a refuge for orphans. However, Oliver, Viscount Wentford also has plans for his own estates and unfortunately as Harriet’s neighbor, their differences quickly put them at odds despite the courtship Oliver wishes to pursue with her instead. When an old enemy returns, Harriet is forced to rethink her approach to love and whether the viscount is the villain she thinks or the hero she needs. Harriet Lin ield has few choices in a time when women had little control. Oliver is desperate to save his estates. This could be a recipe for a disaster but instead readers are given a solid romance where individual insecurities are addressed and overcome. Romance develops slowly, and naturally. Furthermore, both Harriet and Oliver are fairly average people but their kindness and laws make them realistic and enjoyable to read about. While the

Her Country Gentleman (Timeless Georgian Collection Book 1) Sian Ann Bessey, Sarah M. Eden, Rebecca Connolly

ANTHOLOGY: In “Her Country Gentleman” by Sian Ann Bessey, Miss Charlotte Densley is invited by Lady Cheston to go to Norfolk and Tribbley Hall. Upon arriving in Norfolk, Charlotte meets a sheepherder, who fascinates her. The sheepherder is Lord Cheston, William Falker. In “Love of My Heart” by Sarah Eden, a reversal of fortune drives Cordelia Wake ield and her family to Teviotbrae, Scotland. Sebastian Coburn, a farmer, is also the grandson of the current Laird. Cordelia becomes friends with Sebastian, who her family will not approve of. In “Miss Smith Goes to

Wiltshire” by Rebecca Connolly, Miss Martha Smith has been exiled to Wiltshire because she avoids the marriage mart. Benjamin “Benj” Steele, Earl of Hillier, plans to make Pontcaster Estate great again. When Benj meets Martha, he can never show Martha his home. These three historical novellas of inding romance in the country are just delightful! Two of the stories are about the beauteous, majestic English landscape and the middle story is about glorious Scotland. Each of the stories is fairly quick and easy to read. There are some cute animals involved, which helps keep things interesting and heightens the plot. Sadly, the tales are quite short, so there is very little character development and not enough descriptions of the surroundings. The Scottish story really could be a full-length novel, especially since there are many unanswered questions regarding whether or not both families approve of the couple and their marriage. The two English stories are very similar to each other. Despite having different authors, there isn’t all that much change in the tales except for having contrasting characters. The anthology has three authors that manage to entice readers to some wonderfully clean romantic stories! Roslynn Ernst

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Historical

Willful Widow (Lawless Ladies – Book 2) Elise Marion

plot, others are there only for show. Ef ie’s coming to terms with her decision, despite her previous rather boring life is a highlight for the heroine’s character. Their realization that their relationship had grown past what either expected was handled nicely. The supporting characters of Ef ie’s highwaywomen friends, Ef ie’s adorable son and, her aunt add a nice touch as well. While there’s really nothing new about the heroine’s motivation, the unusual offers and solution make this an historical romance worth reading. N.E. Kelley

When Euphemia (Ef ie) Green’s husband dies, she’s left destitute with a child to raise and with an elderly aunt who needs care. Her situation is dire so she turns to crime, speci ically spending her evenings as a highwayman stealing from the rich. Grif in St. John is a second son, all the wealth, none of the responsibility of title. He’s a rake, and a bored one at that. When he and Ef ie cross paths during a robbery, he’s immediately intrigued and wants to help her out of her current situation. When he offers to take her as his mistress and provide for her and her family, Ef ie reluctantly agrees. Neither expects their arrangement to turn into something more than just that of rake and kept woman. The Regency/Victorian trope of a female highway(wo)man is nothing new. Finding the right man and making an agreement to marry is usually the desired outcome. That’s where “Willful Widow” changes course. Rather than offer to marry Ef ie and take care of her and her family, Grif in offers her a chance to become his kept woman. The lovescenes are vivid and plentiful. While some add to the advancement of the

The Banker’s Wife (The Darlings of Deadwood – Book 4) Tina Susedik

way out, disposes of her husband in a most permanent way. “The Banker’s Wife” has one of the most unique storylines in historical romance. Namely, a heroine who goes from a young, impressionable girl, to a woman who is bitter, rude, and disliked by almost everyone around her. Once her husband is gone, Bertha is plagued by nightmares of the incident and wonders if she’ll ever regain her previous carefree life. The supporting characters bring the story to life. From the socialclimbing mother, to the best friend, to those who help Bertha regain control of her life, they add nicely to the overall plot. When love inally comes back into Bertha’s life, there is an immense feeling of relief that she’s inally getting the life she might have had all along, if not for the interference of others. There are a few spots in the story where the pace slows a bit too much, as well as a few minor spelling/grammar errors. Otherwise, this story is a perfect example of how a wellcrafted story doesn’t require a perfect heroine. Fans of unique storylines in a well-researched historical setting will enjoy this book. N.E. Kelley

WESTERN: Bertha Mae Jorgenson wants a simple life, one that includes her grandparents and life on their farm. Her overzealous, social-climbing mother wants more for her daughter. That ‘more’ includes marriage to a man ten years Bertha’s senior, the son of a banker, who stands to inherit a large about of wealth. Unfortunately, Mr. Woods is a vile man. As charming as he irst seems, he’s physically abusive to the point that Bertha, seeing no

will ind themselves rooting for these two. This is de initely a page turner, especially with the added mystery of a potential assassination. An awesome addition to the “Rakes of Mayhem” series which will have readers going back to read the irst book in the series too. Fans of historical romance will want to download this gem of a novel today

The Marquess of Mischief (The Rakes of Mayhem Book 2)

Christopher Anglesey is determined not to let the fact he is Marquess of Banbury get in the way of his duty to the crown. He attends all the events of society but has managed to keep the marriage minded mothers and daughters at bay. Lady Diana Lawrence lost her sight in a carriage accident and has come to the conclusion that she will never be found desirable by any man. However, when she overhears something she shouldn’t, she runs into her best friend’s brother who is exactly the person she needs. As they work to discover who plans to kill the Prince Regent, they ind their feelings growing for one another. Can they get through the danger and ind the love that each of them desires? Or will the enemy prevail? From the irst page, the adventure starts and doesn’t let up until the end. This is the perfect blend of historical romance and mystery all wrapped up in one nice little bow. The sexy Marquess who has a job to do and the strong female lead who has been through a great deal are ideally matched, and Anna St. Claire writes their relationship so well that readers

addressed to him and Andrew from their deceased fathers. The letters are clues to a treasure, and so a treasure hunt ensues with the cousins working together, curious to ind this hidden treasure.

A Storme’s Christmas Legacy (The Storme Brothers)

“A Storme’s Christmas Legacy” is written around a superb plot. Ms. Sookoo delicately treats each character’s disability or character law. The details of the treasure hunt are brilliant as the families search hither and yon in the mansion for the inal treasure the patriarch wants their children to ind, and ultimately, help to mend the rift they caused. All the characters are well developed except Cousin Caroline whose few details sparks one’s curiosity. Ms. Sookoo ingeniously builds passion in this piece, displaying a myriad of emotions from most of the characters, making the reader feel as though they are in the middle of the con lict while it is being sorted. A lively story that gives the feeling of true Christmas magic.

Sandra Sookoo

Belinda Wilson

There is a rift between the Storme cousins ever since their uncles, the seventh Earl of Hadleigh and his brother had a falling out. The cousins never know what happened, but Andrew Storme, the eighth Earl of Hadleigh, is determined to heal the rift and make the Storme family whole again by having a Christmastide house party. This is dif icult, because each of the Stormes live with their own personal demons: Andrew is exceedingly anxious, Finn is in a bath chair, and Brand lost an eye. The cousins also have trials. Cousin Caroline has just been released from an insane asylum. When all but a few have arrived, Cousin William announces he has found letters

With a Little Help from my Lord (The Beresford Adventures Book 3)

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

Anna St. Claire

Historical

Cheryl Bolen

Devere is going on his wedding trip, but does not want to bring his maiden sister with him, so he

Historical enlists his best friend, Alex Muir, Lord Rockingham to watch over Harriet. It seems like an easy task. Alex will check on “Bitsy” his name for her, daily. But that is not to be. The irst day, Bitsy is in hysterics and tells him a man has been shot with an arrow in front of her on the front porch and died. When she returns with help, the body and her book he took from her, are both gone. No one in her aunt’s house believes her, and it appears Alex does not either. Later that same day, Bitsy is kidnapped from the back yard. She escapes from the carriage she is in and inds her way to parliament, where Alex is. She tells him her story, and now he believes. “With a Little Help from my Lord” is an unusual romance because it also includes kidnapping, murder, intrigue, and suspense. The action is ongoing from the irst page until the very end. Colorful characters ill the pages giving even more life to an already vivid story. The plan to catch the kidnappers and the “Fat Man” has a gaping hole in it that is unbelievable and disappointing! Alex is a puzzle. He has a stiff and proper demeanor, yet he has Bitsy move in with him – perfectly innocent, but completely against the mores of the times. A lively story, there is never a dull moment when Bitsy is misbehaving and Alex is cleaning up the mess! Belinda Wilson

Destiny with a Duke (Dukes Done Wrong Book 5) Alexa Aston

Terrors are lumped together as a unit joined at the hip, so there is little true character individuality. Finch acts implausibly, allowing his past demons to run his life, and bases every decision on his rage. The dialogue is sometimes jumbled, so it is hard to tell which duke is speaking. Although a standalone, the reader will get a better feel of the story if the other books are read, too. Overall, however, this is an enjoyable and interesting ending to the series. *Trigger warning: child sexual abuse, suicide, and adult sexual abuse* Belinda Wilson

Ostracized from his family because of a fatal occurrence, young Finch is sent to Turner Academy, a school for troubled youth. He is in a room with four other boys, who are wrongly accused of atrocities, and Turner is their punishment. Calling themselves the Turner Terrors, they bond for life. Now four terrors are Dukes and Finch is a vicar. Finch passionately enjoys his work. When he learns he is the next Duke of Sommersby, Finch is horri ied! His friends and their wives come to the rescue and school him in the manners of a Duke. He is determined not to wed, but at his irst ball, he catches sight of Lady Victoria. Much to his chagrin, the terrors sign him up to dance the supper dance with her. This is the beginning of a beautiful romance. “Destiny with a Duke” is the last book in the Dukes Done Wrong series. The chemistry between Finch and Victoria is pure magic. Vivid descriptions of the characters and the scenes make the book come alive submerging the reader within it. Disturbing subjects within the story are child sexual abuse, suicide, and sexual abuse of a woman. The Turner

Redemption's Price Davida Ann Samenski

Jocelyne Blackstone had been in her twin sister Jesslyne’s shadow since their birth. Everyone had treated her ruthlessly, even the man she loved since she was young, Rafe Walker, who loved her sister instead. After her sister’s tragic death, Jocelyne lees her home to a small Texas town known as Redemption. Five years later, Rafe goes on a search for Jocelyne to seek vengeance for the loss of his beloved Jesslyne. Little does Rafe know, his entire world is about to be lipped upside down

when the truth of their past comes out. The difference between love and hate sits on a ine line—a captivating concept this author explores magically throughout this romantic story of enemies-tolovers. The novel is captivating but a little overly dramatic. The ending explodes with a million different climactic actions, so it’s hard to keep track of what’s happening in the inal pages. The slow-burn love between the two protagonists throughout the story makes up a bit for the stodgy realism; but still, the fact that everything that goes wrong is blamed solely on Jocelyne is a little unbelievable. Not to mention, the clich of constant miscommunication between the lovers gets very tiresome. The people in the small town who support Jocelyne, each having their own mini subplots, lend the story more complex emotions and vaster character development. The era during which the story takes place is vague, which unfortunately makes it harder to comprehend whether some of the language is from a bygone time. Regardless, this novel is quite enjoyable, and the sensual romance will still satisfy all the readers’ romantic wants and needs. Austen Grace

Spirit of the Winds Judy Kentrus

author is feeling her way through. Prose is heavy with adjectives and lengthy descriptions—a good trimming would greatly improve this. Once the story takes off, plenty of tension and action tug us along. Although we understand Katherine’s motivations, Cadell’s are ambiguous, and he takes longer to capture our hearts. An ambitiously written saga condensed into one epic story, “Spirit of the Winds” will surely appeal to adventure-seeking historical fans. F.S. Brown

A society girl who hates her proper life, Katherine Jameson escapes early each morning to ride her beloved horse in wild abandon. She dreams of a life usually reserved for men—that of a sea captain, just like her late father. Sadly, Katherine’s mother and aunt have arranged for her to marry a man who, although wealthy, is repugnant and much older. On one of her secret morning rides, Katherine meets the dashing Cadell Leighton, a neighboring aristocrat who is about to embark on the maiden voyage of his cargo ship, “Spirit of the Winds”. Cadell’s loves are his ship and the sea, and he makes it clear he has no interest in attachment to any woman. Then some paperwork surfaces that changes everything. An epic story, this plotline is a rough ride on a stormy sea. Katherine, the epitome of a strong woman, immediately gains our respect. Cadell’s appeal, however, remains solely physical until, gradually, glimmers of his true personality shine through. The characters move from astride their horses to aboard the deck of the ship leaving Boston harbor. Pacing suffers for the irst quarter of the novel, as it seems the

Historical

Taming Her Highland Legend (Time to Love a Highlander #2) Maeve Greyson

When Dr. Evie Wortham is sent away for thirty days after an altercation over a patient, she inds herself deep within the wilderness of Scotland trying to sort out her life. As she runs through trees and waterfalls to save a kitten, she stumbles upon a 13th century Highlander, Chieftain Quinn MacTaggart, who is suffering a serious injury. When he inally comes to his senses, she notices she may be further from home than she realized. Despite their differences, Quinn is grateful for her rescue and pledges to

protect her from harm if she accepts. She must learn to adapt to the new world she was thrust into or die trying to ind her way home. This novel is full of intricate details that brought the world to life as readers are taken back in time to the thirteenth century. Everything from the dialogue to the scenery aided in creating a realistic timeline. The romance is breathtaking and there is a tremendous amount of character development between Quinn and Evie. It is nice to read a historical romance that comes with realistic apprehensions rather than passions fueled without any regard to the plot. Additionally, the tensions among the clan add to the dynamic nature of the world Evie had inadvertently traveled to. It becomes clear that she and Quinn believe she is brought there by fate and given a purpose in that time with all her knowledge. Overall, this is a fantastic read that will have readers wishing they’d fall into thirteenth century Scotland. Sadie Wilson

Star of Wonder (2021 Holiday Romance Collection #1) Chasity Bowlin, Caroline Lee, Meara Platt, Alexa Aston, Emily EK Murdoch, Elisa Braden, C.H. Admirand, Nicole Locke,

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Historical Elizabeth Ellen Carter, Abigail Bridges, Veronica Crowe, E. Elizabeth Watson, and Anna Markland

ANTHOLOGY: Star of Wonder is a collection of historical novellas that are inspired by classic Christmas Carols. For instance, “The 12 Days of Christmas” song is the inspiration behind Luke St. Clair when he gives his wife a new Christmas gift each day leading up to the most heartwarming gift of all! There is even a story inspired by the fun, “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer” song where a woman named Marie is hoping to marry Neacal but a snowstorm has him delayed. However, with the help of her spunky Nan, all may be saved. But that is not all, there are eleven other stories that are bound to entertain readers. The tales are not connected in any way, despite being inspired by Christmas Carols. Although the stories may not be historically accurate, they are de initely inventive! Readers will be transported to Scotland and England and even the time periods vary. Most of the tales take place during the Regency period but readers will be pleasantly surprised that there is a variety. The steam ratings also luctuate from sweet kisses to more hot and heavy scenes. Historical romance lovers will adore this collection of clever novellas for the holidays. Returning readers from previous anthologies will even be surprised to see some familiar characters like the loving St. Clair family from Alexa Aston’s The St. Clair Series. There are also some character spin offs from other novellas like Roddy McClane from Elizabeth Ellen Carter’s Deceiving the Duke.

While many of the stories are illed with the holiday spirit and exciting storylines, there are a few that don’t have that same consistency. Their pacing leaves much to be desired, but that does not spoil the entire anthology. So pour yourself a glass of eggnog, sit by the tree, and transport yourself into some classic Christmas Carol narratives. Amanda Hupe

Unmasking Sin (Pleasure Gardens Book 3) Mary Lancaster

Rebecca, Lady Cornish, has lost not one husband, but two, earning her the title of the Black Widow. Shunned by members of society, the young widow focuses on raising her young son and preventing her husband's relatives from taking him from her. Ludovic Dunne specializes in solving tricky problems, and when he is approached to learn all he can about the Black Widow, he is intrigued. It doesn't take long to discover the truth, but it costs him. Lonely and cut off from family and friends, Rebecca wants nothing more than to trust another soul, but she has been betrayed at every turn. Ludovic carries his own scars that drive him to right injustice. As their

"Unmasking Sin" is a sensuous historical romance that is packed with intrigue, slander and treason! Mary Lancaster's trademark ability to layer her plots with emotional depth keeps the story fresh and dramatic. Rebecca's inner strength combined with her love for her son will draw readers' admiration. Ludovic is a man of honor seeking justice as best as he can. The romance is slow to build and fan the lames as other story elements often seem stronger. However, the connection between the two characters will touch hearts. Deep down, this is a story of family bonds and what we will do to protect those we love and how to pick up the pieces when we can't. "Unmistakable Sin" promises an emotionally-satisfying tale that will hook readers from the start and hold them to the very last page! Tricia Hill

A Governess of Prodigious Skill (The Governess Bureau #4)

forced and unnecessary, added simply for the sake of drama. Helena’s relationship with the Fernsby children is well-written and strengthens her character and the role she plays within the Governess Bureau. The inclusion of playwriting and acting with the children has a nice touch to remind readers who she really is and that she is hiding a secret from everyone. This is truly a lovely read for those looking for something light and joyful. Sadie Wilson

Emily EK Murdoch

Helena Patrick is a famous actress who has given her life to the theater. Unfortunately, when her boss kicks her out of the theater she inds herself scrambling for a place to live and a new job. That is when she is referred to the Governess Bureau. Her strong memory grants her a chance to become a governess for the Fernsby’s, who have been dealing with their mother’s passing. While working as a governess, she meets Oscar Fernsby, Duke of Kilerth, who recognizes her as someone he met in London. Helena struggles to keep her identity hidden from Oscar and the rest of the Fernsby family, especially as passions erupt between Helena and Oscar. This is a good book to read for good old-fashioned romance. There is a lot of predictability from the start, and readers can igure out the plot of the book after reading the irst few chapters. Despite the predictability, the writing is splendid and there is a strong foundation to Helena and Oscar’s relationship. They are exciting and vulnerable, but in the last few chapters, their big argument felt

A Cold Wynter's Knight (De Reyne Domination Book 3) Kathryn Le Veque

disappeared with rumors swirling that he had tried to overthrow his older brother. Gage did what he had to do to survive and now he is back on English territory, part of a mercenary army paid to settle a dispute between neighbors. Wynter is shocked to run into Gage for he is no longer the young compassionate man she remembers, but a warrior made of ice. Gage is equally shaken by the woman Wynter has become and must ind a way to reconcile his past with his present and deal with his brother once and for all. Wynter knows her heart's desire and isn't willing to compromise.

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pasts collide and enemies seek to destroy them, Rebecca understands that when it comes to love, there is never a sacri ice too great!

Historical Can she ind a way to melt the ice surrounding her warrior knight so that they can have a future together? "A Cold Wynter's Knight" sweeps the reader up into an emotional tale about love, family, friendship and betrayal! Kathryn Le Veque's superb storytelling skills are on display once again. Wynter will delight readers with her Bible plays, her love for her sisters, and her deep compassion. Gage proves to be her equal, not falling into stereotypes, but working through the emotions of returning to his homeland and dealing with the fallout from his past. Le Veque wrings out every drop of emotion from each scene, so prepare to laugh and prepare to cry! Minor subplots in the antics of Wynter's sisters add humor, while the consequences of war remind readers of the frailty of life. "A Cold Wynter's Knight" is an outstanding historical romance that exempli ies the genre! Tricia Hill

but that doesn’t change anything. This isn’t the only secret that Pasha is hiding; he has quite a few. One of the main ones being that he is in love with Julia and wishes for nothing more than to be with her. As the Persian Assassin, he is concerned when his enemies arrive in London and are determined to make him suffer, even if that means going after the woman he loves. Julia and Pasha have a dangerous time head of them. If they survive, will they realize their feelings for one another? Or will Pasha’s enemies succeed in tearing them apart? This historical romance has everything that fans of the genre will love. There is also the suspense of what will happen which makes this a page turner of awesome proportions. The characters of Pasha and Julia are beautifully written, and their dynamic jumps off the page and into the head of the reader. This is a book that will be thought of long after it has been inished. “Thoroughly Besotted” is an excellent addition to the “Aldbey Park” series, and those who haven’t read the irst novel will be going back to see what they’ve missed. With a plot that is engaging and suspenseful as well as being set in historical times, Chantry Daws has for sure knocked it out of the park. Lynn McKendrick

Thoroughly Besotted (The Aldbey Park Book 2) Chantry Daws

Julia Darley inds out that her friend, Pasha, is in fact Darius Kir Khan Qajar, Prince of Persia. She thought he was just a stable hand,

The Secret Life of a Debutante (Determined Debutantes Book 1) Bianca Blythe

Timothy Holt has three young sisters to marry off in a single season. Three debutantes. Eloisa is a proper young debutante. However, when a painting of her mother is shown at a party, and her mother is nude, she must stop more paintings from being shown if she and her sisters want to have a proper season. Eloisa will go to any length to stop the paintings from being shown. Lord Cornelius Chichester is Timothy Holt’s best friend. And although Cornelius long ago promised Timothy he would never marry one of his sisters he never said he would not help them. And Eloisa is in need of a lot of help. But can he continue to help her without falling for her? A unique storyline for a historical romance that promises a new and steamy read. Unfortunately, the sexual encounters are brazen and hard to reconcile with the time period. As Eloisa works to counter her mother’s actions and preserve her family’s remaining honor, she must take unbelievable risks. When Lord Chichester dresses as an elderly aunt to accompany Eloisa on a holiday to ind a painting, it is impossible to believe his best friend does not

recognize him. Filled with details that are increasingly unbelievable and character development that is completely lacking, a terri ic story arc is marred by graphic encounters rather than enhanced. It would have worked much better to allow Eloisa and Cornelius to fall in love rather than fall directly into bed; maybe then the reader would have time to feel the chemistry and enjoy the fun ride this story could have been. Cara Cieslak

Star of Light: A Historical Romance Collection #2 Paula Quinn, Mary Lancaster, Hildie McQueen, Maggi Andersen, Maeve Greyson, Emily Royal, Sandra Sookoo, Charlotte Wren, Mia Pride, Lynne Connolly, Melanie Rose Clarke, Rachel Ann Smith, Elizabeth Johns

ANTHOLOGY: This anthology contains 13 novellas, each written by a different author. Each story is based upon a well-known Christmas carol, and each storyline adds an unexpected layer of meaning to that particular carol. The authors bring the music to life in a variety of ways, and with varying degrees of success. The ratings for individual stories

range from a 3 to a 5, with most falling somewhere in between those two numbers, and the steam rating varies from 1 to 5. “Love’s Charity” is an absolutely beautiful story—both in the way it is written and in the underlying message that remains after the story is over. On the other hand, “Echo of a Forbidden Kiss” contains signi icant misspellings and is somewhat less believable: for example, the hero travels forward in time from 1724 to 2019, yet recognizes the Eiffel Tower, which was built in 1887, all after being invited to room in an apartment in NYC with two single girls he just met… Each story is short, yet the authors convey the message without excess verbiage. There are some insta-love stories included, as well as stories of long-suffering, unrequited love that eventually ind resolution. There are some delightfully original takes on several of the carols, with an especially noteworthy one at the very end of the book chronicling “The Twelve Days of Christmas”. This author obviously did background research on this song and weaves it masterfully into this heartwarming story of fresh starts. Mostly innocent deception is at the heart of “Winter in a Regency Wonderland,” which is another bright spot in this anthology. The theme of redemption is strong in “How to Save a Knight,” featuring a heartbroken hero and a misunderstood heroine who inally ind peace with each other. Another beautifully rendered, heartwarming story is “All I Want for Christmas is My Hart”, which features a scarred hero who is pulling away from his beautiful wife because he doesn’t feel lovable. Carey Sullivan

You’ve Got An Earl (Determined Debutantes #2) Bianca Blythe

Percival is the Earl of Plymouth and his aunt is demanding that he marry. After what happened to his parents, marriage is the last thing on his mind. So his friend helps him procure an actress and plans to be caught in a compromising position. He hopes that as a result, the requests for marriage will cease. Sabrina Holt inds herself in the library at the ball and Earl Percival begins to kiss her and his aunt walks in. So now she and the earl have made a contract. She will be in a faux betrothal with him and he will provide an investment for her to open a dress shop. It seems like the perfect arrangement, but they both start developing feelings for each other. Get ready to lush with secondhand embarrassment and maybe chuckle at this charming mess of a situation in this historical romance! The classic phrase “wrong place at the wrong time” is how this book begins. While there are moments of hilarity–like when a wife dumps a bowl of gravy onto her husband, some moments are just cringeworthy. Both of the main characters have zero backbone. They just let everyone around them say or do whatever they want, regardless of the insult.

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Historical However, they do have wonderful chemistry, and of course, they will deny it for as long as possible. The issue is when a problem arises, they come up with a solution that is not always an intelligent one. There is no doubt that readers will be entertained throughout this short historical romance. Amanda Hupe

Slow and Steady Wins the Earl (Earls are Wild Book 3)

Patsy is a sweet, charming, witty young debutante with a heart set on inding love. As she works to woo Nicolai, she inds herself struggling to not be herself. But as she comes to ind out, her true self might be just what Nicolai didn’t even know he needed. The chemistry between the two is palpable, and as Nicolai struggles to abide by the rules, he is ever tempted to court Patsy. The character development is terri ic as they each come to know each other and themselves. As more background is revealed piece by piece, the motivations of Nicolai’s mother and other characters can be understood, and their heartaches and desires felt. A delightful read full of laughter, excitement, and the perfect mix of tears.

My Lord, My Rogue (Noble Hearts Book 4)

It just goes to show in this historical romance how one bad decision can change the course of one’s life. This book would have been more impactful if it had been a full length novel. At just about 150 pages, it has a lot of information, which had a direct effect on the lack of development of the characters and even the lack of chemistry between Honora and Benjamin. It is important to note that the subject matter within this book is very important. Abusive relationships are a common occurrence today as well as in history. Survivors are given little choice on how to escape such dangerous relationships, if at all. Reading about Honora’s experience shines a light on the plight of abused survivors. Readers will need tissues while they read this tragically beautiful story and will be sucked in to reading the other books in the series.

Anna St. Claire

Amanda Hupe

Cara Cieslak

Anna Markland

It is Patsy Crompton’s irst season. But Patsy isn’t in a hurry to ind a husband. She wants to enjoy her season and is looking for a love match. All that changes when she dances with The Earl of Ainsworth, Nicolai Morgan-Lloyd. Nicolai is Patsy’s polar opposite. He is a stickler for the rules while she is fun and pushes all the boundaries. When Patsy sets her sights on Nicolai, she is determined to win the earl of her dreams. As they form a friendship, despite his mother’s protestations, they ind themselves all victims of a gang of thieves. And if they can retrieve his mother’s valuable fan, Patsy might win over his mother - as well as win the heart of the earl.

herself and her unborn child is to fake her own death and go into hiding. Years later, her former betrothed, Adam, and childhood friend, Benjamin see Honora out riding. Now her secret is out and she must tell her story. Benjamin has always felt something for Honora but stood on the side but cannot deny his feelings for her. However, since her absence from society, the future of Honora and her son is illed with uncertainty.

Lady Honora made one mistake and now she is paying for it. While her betrothed was ighting in the war, she ends up dancing with a handsome stranger. She jilts her betrothed and marries this man who she believes has the best intentions, but it turns out he is abusive. The only way to protect

Avocado Toast, (The Orchard Brides, book 1) Nancy Fraser

Mixed points of view within paragraphs sometimes lead to slight confusion about who owns the scenes or has the most to lose. Not a clif hanger, the ending does arrive in a sudden rush of breathlessness, perhaps taking the reader by surprise. While not perfect, “Avocado Toast” is a good start for The Orchid Brides series! Warning, reading this book may give the reader a sudden desire to move to the sun-drenched southern coast of California and begin life as an avocado and fruit rancher! Emerson Matthews

Single mom Chloe Taylor moves herself and her young daughter from Fresno to Plentiful, California and starts building her marketing business. Her irst task is getting the local agricultural coop to sign into her marketing plan. The only true hitch so far has been the resistance of the Morgan farm of Plenty Good. She hopes the arrival of the younger nephew might convince the older uncle to sign. Drew Morgan returns to the family avocado farm while on medical leave from the military. He hopes he can convince Uncle Sam, who raised him, to sell Plenty Good since he has no plans to stay around and be a rancher. Then he encounters Chloe Taylor, with her fancy marketing plans and her adorable little daughter. Funny thing about plans… they can always change. Great dialogue and clear con licts thread their way throughout this story into a master tapestry. Sparkling with originality, the story weaves Chloe and Drew together in a sweet contemporary romance with generous characterization. Listed as a Christian romance, it seems light on the Christian elements, though PDA is limited to light kissing only.

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Rangers of Acadia: Jordan Pond (Rangers of Acadia – Book 1) Kari Lemor

pharmaceutical company to convince Chelsea she has a mental problem. Chelsea’s father tells her she lost the baby. When, in fact, he takes the baby to Theo, along with a fake note from Chelsea claiming she’s too young for a husband and child. Theo is devastated, yet he accepts the role of single fatherhood. Four years later, after her father’s death, Chelsea is inally free. This is a beautifully written reunion romance with all the best touchy-feely moments, mixed with a bit of suspense. The realization that her daughter is alive and well shows the reader a wonderfully emotional side of the heroine. The scenes with her daughter are heartfelt and extremely well done. An amount of angst is expected, given the past few years of Chelsea’s life. However, the indecision and self-doubt became a bit overwhelming as the story moves forward. When Theo’s life and Chelsea’s safety are threatened, the few red herrings didn’t make up for an impossibly inept villain. Some of his oneliners, however, do provide some great comic relief. For readers who enjoy their reunion romances on the emotional side, and their suspense on the light side, this is a great read. N.E. Kelley

Set in Acadia National Park, Bar Harbor, Maine, “Rangers of Acadia: Jordan Pond” is the story of a young, rich girl, Chelsea Woodbridge, and Theo Lapierre, a Park Ranger with aspirations to join the FBI. They meet when Chelsea comes to Bar Harbor for her grandmother’s funeral. The attraction is swift, and they marry. However, when Chelsea returns to New York, she’s immediately made a prisoner by her father, who uses drugs from his

Contemporary

Rock It to the Moon (Love and Chaos – Book 3)

inevitable that trouble lurks around every steamy corner. Dex’s instant attraction is somewhat unbelievable, no matter how sexy he inds Tatum. Tatum, on the other hand hates being thought of as a child, yet takes forever to muster up the courage to speak up for herself. For those who enjoy a steamy rock anthem book, “Rock It to the Moon,” as well as the irst two books in this series, may be just the tune you want to hear. N.E. Kelley

M.J. Schiller

Tatum Salvetti is running from a bad situation and right into the arms, and bed, of rock bad boy, Dex Rogan. Dex is the drummer for the band Just Short of Chaos, and one of only two band members who hasn’t yet succumbed to love. Yet. Tatum and Dex’s irst meeting could best be described as a collision. Or a mistake just waiting to be made. He’s immediately attracted, more so than ever before. She’s looking for a diversion, a change of pace from her buttoned up life as an astrophysicist. What they ind is each other. In some very steamy ways. M.J. Schiller’s “Rock It to the Moon” is well-crafted chaos. The book opens up with a hot and steamy scene worthy of any rock god and groupie, and the sexual tension doesn’t let up. Dex and Tatum are exact opposites, not just in their lifestyles but in their personalities as well. He’s a reckless bad boy, she’s ordinarily uptight and responsible. Throw in the complication of one of Dex’s bandmates and best friends being Tatum’s step-brother who still thinks of her as a child, despite her heavyweight degrees, and it’s

together have been all for nothing? “A Full Bodied Love” has an interesting concept with a couple of diverse and interesting characters. Yes, there is a delicate topic which is handled beautifully by Amber Cross, and the characters complement each other well. There is a mix of sass, fun, and the serious topic that the book handles. Granted there are some parts of the story that really needed more depth and description, but the story overall is a good one with a plot that moves at a nice even pace. This is de initely a story with a feel-good sense to it that readers of the genre will enjoy it. It will be interesting to go back and read the other books in the series. A good little all-rounder. Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

A Full Bodied Love Amber Cross

Lisa Kirkpatrick hasn’t had much luck in the love department. When she’s asked on a date to help a guy stay off the radar of an unwanted admirer, she thinks ‘what the hell’ and goes for it. Roger Plankey, also known as Slick, doesn’t expect the woman in the clerk’s of ice. She’s stubborn, has a lot of attitude, and there is something about her that he inds intriguing. As they spend more time together, he realizes that this woman is the one thing that might be missing in his life. She is everything he wants in a woman, but there is something holding him back and making him overthink. Will they igure out their feelings for one another? Or will the time they’ve spent

Win Place Show Liz Crowe

University of Michigan is Lucy Granger’s current home, workplace, and escape from her hometown of Louisville, Kentucky. Her family is highly involved in charity events plus any and all events that make up the Kentucky Derby weekend. Lucy dreads the homecoming and encounters with

Contemporary her ‘friend’ Nate Hawthorne. He’s now the most eligible bachelor, and his family’s brand of bourbon is exclusively being served this year for the big weekend. Bring on the mint juleps! The couple’s history dates back to their childhood, their feelings are mutual; however, numerous miscommunications keeps those feelings at bay. But, all bets are off on Derby weekend. They typically hook up and then go their separate ways. Will this annual event be a repeat, or will Nate’s determination to move things further this year pan out? And they’re off!! Ms. Crowe takes readers along for a wild ride with “Win Place Show.” The knowledge of all things Louisville, Kentucky seeps off the pages and engages readers from the get go. The author’s knowledge lends a lovely realism to the story. Childhood friends with unresolved feelings isn’t an original theme, but the addition of emotional injuries from their youths kick up the story. Bourbon, Derby weekend, local “royalty” with all the lashy fashion statements, and high stake betting make this a highly entertaining read. The Characters that support the feisty main couple add nicely to this story. Readers will appreciate the inal resolve of two people who meet in the middle. This is a steamy read with enough angst to please the masses. Viola Robbins

Lydia Michaels

Jennifer Shepherd

Giovanni Mosconi is a comedian who is trying to make a name for himself. When Erin Montgomery, his childhood enemy, taunts him during one of his performances in Jasper Falls, he humiliates her in front of everyone. Later, Erin inds herself stranded in a blizzard after a car accident. Little does she know, Giovanni will come across her stranded car, and they will become trapped together trying to keep each other warm until morning, or until help arrives. Their relationship, while awkward at irst, ignites quickly, and as their love for each other continues to grow, they both must decide if they can trust each other, or if they should keep their secrets to themselves. “My Funny Valentine” is an amazing enemies-to-lovers story with fantastic character development. Each character has their own uniqueness which makes them relatable and very likable. Some of the struggles that the characters face are truly heart-wrenching. This book sheds some light on abuse from family members and describes grief and how it can affect people

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differently. With that said, there is physical and verbal abuse in certain scenes throughout the story. However, Ms. Michaels does a great job of counteracting that with some very light-hearted and romantic moments between Erin and Giovanni. An emotional roller coaster is probably the best way to describe this book. Ms. Michaels de initely knows how to pull at readers’ heartstrings. With so many quotable moments, this story is beautifully written and is sure to have readers devouring it in one sitting.

Losing Control: Mick’s Story (Love in Control # 3) Morgan Malone

Six years after Mick’s wife, Annie, passed away and started having chats with him from beyond the grave, she decides it’s time for a change. While the ghostly chats helped ease the pain, Mick is still stuck in despair that Annie knows only a new love can help heal, and more importantly it’s beyond time for the both of them to move on. Enter Maggie, a sassy redhead with a spirit that is as wildly beautiful as the pottery she makes. Maggie hasn’t trusted men since her tragic miscarriage and

Contemporary the events that took place after, and she’s determined to keep serious relationships off of her to-do list. However, when the charming ex-marine enters her life, she can’t seem to shake the need to get to know him much better. “Losing Control” brings the heartwarming qualities of a romance that heals two hearts to new heights, as it shows that new love and passion can happen no matter what age a person is. The true beauty of this book shows in how the characters’ love overcomes everything, even the separation of the grave. However, the way in which the characters feel about cursing, their fashion sense, and an overall aesthetic of the world gives the story a 1950’s feel, making it hard for the reader to remember that it’s supposed to be present time. A miscarriage is also present in the book that may be triggering to some readers and becomes confusing as the entire subplot is illed with misinformation and serious inaccuracies. With a more accurate time period representation, and more thorough and accurate medical research, this story could be one to remember. Annalee Stilove

Captive Wilderness (Goldenlach Ridge Shifters Book 1) J.E. McDonald

Victoria Zumbrum

Brooke’s sister was investigating the disappearance of campers and accidentally discovers something which puts her and her family in danger. She meets her sister, Brooke at the bar to warn her and both are abducted and wake up with collars on them. The collar keeps each of them in their human form instead of who they are as bobcat shifters. Her sister helps Brooke escape, but she doesn’t. She pushes Brooke from a plane into the Canadian Wilderness. Brooke is injured from the fall but keeps trying to ind help with a dangerous shifter on her tail. She comes to a cabin in the woods with a reclusive grizzly shifter Kane who is unable to speak but can communicate with Brooke. Kane is hiding something, but he’s the only one who can help her. “Captive Wilderness” is Book 1 in the Goldenlach Ridge Shifters series and is a brilliant start to a new series. J.E. McDonald has created an exceptional story with good character development and a different take on shifters like being controlled by a collar and not being able to communicate. The sparks ly between Brooke and Kane immediately and both

Thunderstruck (Thunderbird Brotherhood Book 1) Wren Michaels

other. While Reseda and Kane quest to ind the stone, the werewolves are hunting it too. The werewolves are relentless, and Reseda discovers Kanes’ biggest secret when he tries to save her, proving his love for her. Reseda’s love for Kane could end up killing not just them but everyone she holds dear. What a marvelous paranormal romance! A magni icent tale! The story is uniquely distinct in bringing many different supernatural creatures, from deadly apathetic women assassins, to werewolves, and, lastly, Indian mythology, all brought exquisitely together seemingly effortlessly! This spellbinding story is illed with roller-coaster plot twists and heart-stopping action, which moves beautifully along, pulling the reader into the heart of the story. Reseda, the unfeeling protagonist heroine, manages to be likable. Even Kane, the gruff, cantankerous hero, is a delight! The book is beautifully crafted, simmering with intelligent, witty dialogue and lovable characters. It is a story that will stay with readers long after the novel is inished! Ms. Wren Michaels has written such a top-notch fantastical story that is well worth reading! Roslynn Ernst

Reseda Juarez is a cold, heartless killer. She is also part of a group of women who kill, known as “The Dolls.” When Reseda’s mother is bitten by a werewolf and is on the verge of dying, Reseda takes her to an Indian healer. The healer tasks Reseda with inding the Pul Yah stone in order to save her mother. For Reseda to get to the stone’s hiding place, however, she must join forces with Kane. Reseda and Kane start out as adversaries and can’t stand each

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have an intense connection. Kane’s story is so heartbreaking describing how he lost his voice and why he chooses to live alone. His story will leave the reader wanting to cry. The chemistry between Brooke and Kane is extremely hot and the scenes between them will leave the reader needing a cold shower. There is much danger and action in the story which will leave the reader on the edge of one’s seat. The reader may feel that the story should have been divided between the connection and what was happening and why.

Dark Wine at the Grave (A Hill Vampire Novel, Book 7) Jenna Barwin

favorite characters from the series reappear in this fast-paced tale, adding enjoyment. Those new to the series may not understand some things simply because they are not well versed in all of the minutia of The Hill, nevertheless, this shouldn’t cause any issues. The major whodunit element will have the reader glued to the pages, following closely on the police chief’s heels as she tries to solve the crime implicating Cerissa. “Dark Wine at the Grave” is a marvelous addition to the Hill Vampires series. Not to be missed! Piper Valentine

Just when things seem to be settling down on The Hill, things once again take a turn as Henry has doubts about becoming a father to Christine, the attorney the town has asked Henry to turn, knowing he’s suffering from Fang Fever. He is concerned about the ties he will share with her, the responsibilities it will place on his shoulders, and the strain it could place upon his relationship with his ianc e, Cerissa. Cerissa is supportive of Henry and tries to help however she can. However, when Cerissa is accused of a terrible crime and evidence mounts against her, the approval she was waiting for from the council for her clone blood business to progress is on the rocks, and her very life may be in jeopardy. This installment of the Hill Vampires series picks up soon after the last one inishes and takes the reader on a roller coaster of a ride from the get-go! Fans of the series will enjoy watching Henry and Cerissa’s relationship progress once again, with the addition of Henry’s ‘child’. Their trademark humor and chemistry is delightful. Other

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Dial Sorcery (Dial Witch Trilogy Book 2) Jo-Ann Carson

and preventing her from stealing even more souls. Jane also gets blackmailed by her questionable friend, the vampire Alessandro, invoking the ire of both of her witchy sisters. And inally, she accidentally sets her familiar on ire! Has Jane taken on more than she can handle? It's easy to love Jane. Her banter with her cat, Vixen, is adorable. One wonders why Jane tries so hard to please, but a clue may lie in her history of being kidnapped and claimed by a dark wizard. Jane has been trying to prove herself as a light witch, while being haunted in her nightmares. At times, she tries too hard, forgoing the help of her support system for arguably misguided reasons. Perhaps a better understanding of her strained trust in her sisters lies in the previous book? There are a lot of characters, including two competing love interests, for readers to juggle in a middle volume that clearly bene its from reading the previous book and leaves questions unanswered for the next. Some proofreading and geographical errors further detract from the rating. “Dial Sorcery” teleports interest from “Dial Witch” and conjures appetite for “Dial Magic”! Joan Lai

SUSPENSE: Jane Black wants to help others. It’s her calling. That’s why she opened her magical shop, Dial Witch, in the cozy hamlet of Mystic Keep. In a town where nonmagical people, or regulars, coexist with witches, warlocks, and other supernaturals, Jane tries to assuage their misgivings by offering magical assistance to her neighbours. Then, a gargoyle named Grig enlists her aid to reverse a curse on his soul, becoming her irst supernatural customer. The job involves doing battle with the town femme fatale

Raven’s Edge (The Raven Tales #3) J. B. Dane

MYSTERY: Bram Farrell, also known as The Raven, is a private investigator who specializes in Otherworlder crimes and punishment. He is looking for time to settle down after his last adventure. He only wants to relax and spend time with his girlfriend, Naomie, who just so happens to also be his secretary. When Bram unexpectedly meets Danu, an Irish goddess, she requests his help in inding the ancient Tuatha blade, which she desperately needs returned to her before it falls into the wrong hands. With Bram now on the hunt for the blade, he is tasked with tracking down all kinds of creatures, while still trying to keep himself and Naomie safe. “Raven’s Edge” is an Irish-themed urban fantasy that is full of supernatural creatures. There is decent character development, but it would be interesting to learn more about the side characters, especially Naomie, as she plays such a signi icant role in Bram’s life. Ms. Dane does a good job of keeping this book illed with humor, including some very witty banter between the characters. The plot moves rather quickly, and the Irish elements in the story are skillfully written. The world-building is also done well. However, the story is a bit dif icult to follow at times. While the story itself is interesting and compelling, getting lost in the cacophony of characters and events that occur makes this story a little intimidating to read. For readers who enjoy an immersive story about Otherwordly creatures, an abundance of quirky characters, and comedic dialogue, this may be just the right book. Jennifer Shepherd

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Paranormal/Fantasy

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy The characters grow and develop, engrossing the reader. The only drawback is that this book is a 2nd book posing as a 1st in the series. A great deal of time is devoted to mentioning trouble and events from before this book begins which makes the reader want to read about it all and still read more. Therefore, the author really needs to write at least two more books to satisfy the interest this book inspires.

Rogue of Taurus

Livia Fabius is not like other college students. A Taurus House patrician, she was born with abilities that set her apart from the rest of the student body. However, the town of Caesarea where the rest of the Roman descendants with abilities like her own live has proved unfriendly to Livia, born and raised outside the tight knit community. The chance to live on her own and escape the judgment of Caesarean society appeals to Livia greatly. Until the morning she runs into Corvin Tullius, son of the Paterfamilias of Lupus house on campus. Certain Corvin was sent to spy on her, Livia rebuffs his initial friendly overtures but soon the lingering attraction from their past resurfaces and as the fall founding festival draws near, Livia is forced to face her feelings and discover just what it means to be Taurus patrician. A fabulous modern paranormal tale, “Rogue of Taurus” has all the makings of a must-read story. The romance between Livia and Corvin builds over the course of the tale. The paranormal Roman society is unique and full of potential. The subplots dealing with trauma are expertly done.

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The Viking Mist (The Two Realms Trilogy #2)

A fascinating tale of adventure, romance, with a healthy dose of time travel and myths. As the second book, the story picks up shortly after the events of the irst and leans heavily on the prior events to push the plot forward. Since the story follows several characters across different timelines, it can become confusing at times for readers to follow. Also, there are several loose ends that need resolving. However, the exciting twists and turns of fate and myth make this book very interesting, and readers will quickly ind themselves invested in the outcome. The romance is light but the choices the characters make are heavy and full of big impacts. Overall, this is a story for lovers of fantasy adventures and Scottish mythology.

Ariella Moon

Sarah E Bradley

Emily Debenham

freedom, thanedom, and possibly her love. In a time when shapeshifters, secrets, time travel, and interwoven fates challenge them all, retrieving the elixir could save or doom them all.

In the three centuries since the Last Fairy King was assassinated no noble fay has been murdered. But when a mysterious murder leads Mab, Queen of Fairy to discover her elixir of immortality has been stolen, Mab accuses Talfryn’s parents of the deed and demands its return. With only ive days to navigate time and the mortal world full of Cold Iron, Talfryn must ind the human mother he has never known and recover the elixir. To do it, he’ll need aid from Fenella, Thaness of Thorburn. However, Fenella is trapped in dangerous circumstances herself. Fenella is attempting to secure her own

Death Shifts Gears (Outside the Circle Book 2) Shereen Vedam

Abigai Grimshaw leads a complicated magical life. She only discovered her Grimm legacy last summer. She is struggling to make the mortgage on her St. Michael’s cottage and estate while raising two adopted magical children. Jimi and Nica are newly orphaned and in need of the love and security that Abbie hopes to provide. As part of their bonding, Abbie established the Standard Bearers, a club comprised of herself, the children, and four other non-ordinary characters who helped them last summer. Their current challenge is to solve the mystery of how a faerie named Shahay has been trapped inside a yellow Toyota. In the meantime, Abbie has promised to stay out of the way of handsome Detective Chief Inspector Callum Radford’s investigation of Layla Kanaan’s murder. But with all the mystical clues piling up around Layla’s death, will Abbie be able to keep her promise? This book keeps the mind busy without covering much distance. The variety of the characters and their abilities is dizzying and without full explanation. Abbie herself is still learning about her

Grimm abilities and the utility of magical artifacts in her possession. As Abbie and her fellow Standard Bearers investigate more deeply into Shahay’s predicament, and how it overlaps with Layla’s inal days, there is more amazement than logic. Animals and inanimate objects are given names, personalities, and selfdetermination. All the unfamiliar information creates an unsettling feeling. However, despite not having a full understanding of the dynamics surrounding fae, curses, and the magical objects around her, and having to operate on guesswork, Abbie takes it all in stride. The abrupt ending is quaintly haphazard and imaginatively zany. Joan Lai

with nothing. Although she has vehemently defended her virtue, she inds that it is the one thing she can sell to provide a roof over her head and food for her aching belly. She longs for Albert’s return but doesn’t know if his bright light will return to her. As she struggles to survive and keep her love and light shining, she must face challenges she never knew existed. Trigger warning: contains forced sex, abortion, and prostitution. Polly once lived a comfortable life but when her father dies her world is suddenly turned upside down and she witnesses her mother being forced to pay the landlord with the only thing she has left, herself. When Albert inds her, they form a fast friendship, and he cares for her truly never asking anything in return. Albert and Polly have a sweet chemistry that grows from childhood adoration to true love. The character development is strong as Polly grows from a naive little girl into a worldly woman who will do whatever is required to survive. A heart wrenching tale that will haunt the reader long after the last word is read. Cara Cieslak

This Tarnished Light Laura Strickland

Polly Bridger had a family once, a family and a home. But a series of unfortunate events begins to strip Polly of her naivet and expose her to a whole different world. Albert Coward is a light in Polly’s life. Albert provides Polly with love, support, and the material things she needs. But when Albert inds himself in jail Polly is left

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Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

The Girl Who Knew Death Norm Harris

adds to the lag in the storyline. Much of the plot is focused on Faydra, yet readers will ind themselves more interested in Katrinka, which may cause confusion as to who the story is really about. Scenes seem random and do not tie to others, and the numerous sub-plots add to the confusion. The historical information is fascinating, if only it all tied to the theme a little more neatly. Still, Norm Harris’ writing will visually captivate readers, dragging them into dynamic scenes of unique characters. Moira Wolf

Faydra Green, a United States Navy attorney, inds herself in a bind. She must confess to her adopted daughter, Katrinka, that she is of royal Russian lineage. Katrinka, a well-trained spy, accepts the surprising revelation with ease, but soon inds herself on the run, then captured and thrown into an Egyptian prison. Faydra is able to secure help from a local U.S. embassy, only to discover Katrinka has escaped. Katrinka travels around Europe in hiding until she feel safe enough to meet up with Faydra again. Meanwhile, Faydra befriends the young U.S. marine, Azrael, who had helped Faydra at the Egyptian prison. The two become good friends, however, something changes with Azarel that makes Faydra feel uncertain. Faydra’s greatest desire is to reunite with her daughter, but it seems Faydra has other decisions about her own life to make irst. “The Girl Who Knew Death” is a unique story that opens with a gripping spy scene. Unfortunately, from there the story slows with sluggish dialogue. An abundance of names for nonessential characters and multiple nicknames for main characters

Taking Root (Hometown Series Book 1) Stacy Wilk

instincts kick in. When she lets him in, he’s beat up but still makes her heart beat fast. Caleb’s time in prison is done, and he’s just passing through to visit his mama’s grave. History in this small town will not make life easy on these two, but like moths to lames, they are drawn together. Caleb needs to keep moving and to keep them both safe. A feisty Alpaca on a remote ranch, a cold-case murder mystery, and a bounty of suspense liven this story. The main characters are well drawn, and their detailed pasts give readers a deeper look into how they all tick, as the past creeps into the present. Though second chance romance is commonplace, the combination of the town’s people and their histories add multiple layers of entertainment. The secondary characters that populate Candlewood Falls add to the drama with mysteries that continually low from the main plot. These numerous mini plots weave into this story, surely laying the groundwork for this series to blossom. “Taking Root” is the irst in the series and will de initely keep readers on the lookout for what comes next in the saga. Viola Robbins

A loud banging at Brooklyn’s front door on a stormy night has her nerves on edge, and wielding only an unloaded shotgun, she’s terri ied. The man at the door claims to have been run off the road, his motorcycle as dumped and damaged as he is. Walking to this familiar house is Caleb’s only option. Hearing Brooklyn’s voice on the other side of the door brings him a calming relief. Brooklyn Wilde and Caleb Ransom’s past comes looding back; nonetheless, her nurse

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Suspense/Thriller

Suspense/Thriller little different is that it incorporates the dif iculties which Hailey faces as a single mother while trying to deal with the sudden and mysterious death of her husband. It has a very realworld feel, with issues that people will be able to relate to. A brilliant addition to the “Euphoria” series! It’ll be interesting to see where it goes from here

Saving Euphoria (Euphoria Series Book 2)

Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

C. Becker

When her husband dies under very mysterious circumstances, Hailey Langley and her kids need to ind some way to deal with their grief. It’s not going well. Her son, being a teenager, rebels, and she has to deal with her own health issues. When her old partner from the Special Crimes Agency turns up and warns her about trusting people, she doesn’t know what to do. Tom Parker has his own issues to deal with. Couple that with his feelings for Hailey, and he’s in a bit of a sticky situation. As secrets are revealed, Hailey must decide whether to risk everything on being with Tom. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles threatening to keep them apart? C. Becker has penned a good mystery novel with a gripping plot that will keep readers turning the pages! The relationship between Hailey and Tom is awesome, and there is the will/ they or won’t/they interplay which keeps going, building suspense until the very end. Coupled with the mystery of Mark’s death, this story is one mystery fans of the genre are sure to enjoy. What makes this novel a

Tough Justice (K-9 Special Ops, Book 1) Tee O’Fallon

despising the DEA, but is it enough to keep her from doing the right thing? A hold-onto-your-hats story that will have readers immersed in the action in a heartbeat and keep them lipping pages long past bedtime! Both Deck and Tori are feisty, strong-willed, and fabulously written characters that any reader will love. Their chemistry is sizzling, though both try to ignore it. They each have valid reasons for distrusting the other, yet how they learn to set aside their mistrust and work together is a lesson for many. Thor, the fabulous drug detecting canine is a delightful and integral part of this tale, bringing humor to the page and highlighting how magni icent canine of icers can be. Parts of this tale are touching and outright heart-wrenching as it illustrates just how devastating drug addiction can be to a family, and the of icers who work the cases. A thoroughly deserved Five Stars! *Content Warning: Contains graphic drug use.* Piper Valentine

When a drug bust DEA Agent Adam “Deck” Decker is working on lands one of his teammates in the ER with an accidental overdose, he comes face to face with a doctor whose green eyes hold nothing but loathing when they look in his direction. Her hospital has become ground zero for the recent rash of overdoses, and he will need her help in order to igure out what is going on. Problem is, Deck hates doctors. Doctor Tori Sampson is devastated over the loss of one of her patients, a teen who is just another victim of the gray death drug looding the streets. She wants to do what she can to help, but she has a good reason for

Phoenix’s Ascent (Hera Force Series #2)

suspenseful ride, and it is not lacking in graphic violence. The action scenes are well written and easy to follow. However, there is a lot happening in this book aside from the action scenes, and it makes the story a bit dif icult to navigate. A character index may be helpful to readers. Even so, the twist and turns and forward movement of the story is very good. Jennifer Shepherd

Winter Austin

Ex-SAS Operative, Mitch Edwards, has been framed for treason and is on the run. Nadia, a CIA operative and reinstated Hera Force linguist and assassin has little to no memory of Mitch after a mission that ended badly, giving her a traumatic brain injury. When Mitch decides to partner back up with Hera Force to try to locate those who are trying to kill him, Nadia is thrust back into his life. They attempt to rebuild their relationship while trying to stop those who are after Mitch. But there is a traitor in the ranks of Hera Force who is giving secrets to their enemies, and things begin to unravel quickly. This super action-packed book is fast moving and engaging. The characters are likeable, but there are quite a few of them, which can make it dif icult to follow at times. The relationship between Mitch and Nadia is very sweet, and it’s interesting to see them work out how to keep Nadia’s memory intact. Learning about Nadia’s past and what happened to her was very unexpected, and it seemed a bit far-fetched, but it is interesting nonetheless. “Phoenix’s Ascent” is a

Red Cicada Gregg Luke

adventure. While trying to stay alive, keep a step ahead of the Russians, and learn who Lana really is, can Lana and Lance igure out the clues to the disc, and to their hearts, before it’s too late? Readers will jump into action from the very irst page of this book! Gregg Luke has written a story that will bring the reader along for an edge of your seat suspense- illed ride! Mr. Luke has written a saga that will have the readers feel like they are watching a suspense movie, constantly holding their breath and wanting to know what will happen around the next corner. The author brings the characters and the story to life with vivid imagery and the masterful way he wields words on the page. The reader will feel a rollercoaster of emotions until the end of the novel, clutching their chest as hearts skip beats in anticipation until the end! Completely addicting and unputdownable! Heather Kroll

All Lana Baker knew was what she was told by her father… NO x-rays, EVER. That is until Lana inds herself in the hospital after passing out at work. Lana’s life and all she knows comes into question when tests show there is something embedded in Lana's skull - a small disc with Cyrillic letters that translates to “red cicada”. And Lana knew nothing about it. When an alarm goes off on Lieutenant Lance Kipling’s computer from an old case he was researching, Lance knows there are answers waiting for him, though what he inds is Lana. Lance comes to Lana’s rescue, after being taken by Russian spies causing them to embark on a wild

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Suspense/Thriller

Young Adult

Bright Eyes: A Kunoichi Tale (Seasons of the Sword) David Kudler

While each character is interesting, they could use a bit more depth. Amongst the initiates, surliness is a common character trait. While their backstories make this understandable, there is little to truly distinguish their unique personalities and endear them to the readers. However, in the grand scheme of things, these shortcomings are minor and do not detract from the enjoyable nature of the story. The wellcrafted mystery, well-honed history and world-building, and Risuko’s adventurousness leave the reader wanting more. Shailyn Rogers

In feudal Japan, Risuko and fellow students Emi, Toumi, Mai, and Shino train to become kunoichi under the instruction of Lady Chiyome. The kunoichis are, to the outside world, shrine maidens. But to those in the know, they are also deadly assassins. When the Takeda and Matsudaira armies arrive at Full Moon, trouble follows. A man turns up dead, presumably a suicide, but it is quickly shown to be a murder. This murder must be solved. As time goes on, Risuko continually stumbles upon suspicious tidbits that may or may not be linked to the same crime. The safety…and secrets…of everyone at Full Moon are at stake unless the pieces can be put together. David Kudler crafts an enthralling, unputdownable tale due in no small part to his outstanding worldbuilding. He ties in enough aspects of real-life feudal Japanese culture to give the perfect balance of reality in this ictional world. The plot moves a little too slowly at times and races at others, needing a bit more balance. However, the storyline is captivating even still, with unexpected twists and turns sprinkled throughout the journey.

The Spear Alight: Guardian’s of Erin, Book 4

who hold her heart. It’s a tall task, especially when the answers must be found in the past! But, those answers also come with discoveries that Ashling may not want to learn. As the time grows short, everyone must work together to save not only themselves but Ireland as well. As the fourth and inal installment in this intriguing YA series, “The Spear Alight” rounds up all the various threads, ties them nicely and delivers a happy sigh at the end! It is not a book that should be read as a standalone, however, as the entire storyline is an extension of past books in the series. Even so, the reincarnation aspect can get confusing with so many people throughout time becoming all the characters in this age. The story also reads as if a 17 year old is writing it. This is good in that the main character is indeed 17. Still, some may balk at the simple and basic feel of the experience. For those who have enjoyed the earlier installments, however, it truly is a lovely way to end a creative story! Ruth Lynn Ritter

Judith Sterling

PARANORMAL: Having endured losing her parents, not knowing where they disappeared to and unable to locate them, Ashling and her friends are slowly losing hope. But as the search continues, supernatural forces come to light and the evil that seems to follow them grows stronger each passing day. If that weren’t enough, Ashling is also learning about her own powers, what they can do and what limits they have, all while trying to choose between the two men who love her and

Young Adult

Howl of the Ice Christian Raymond

FANTASY: When Falc notices someone out on the ice, he realizes he must save whoever is out there. He falls through the ice, however, and becomes unconscious. Falc eventually wakes up, but now he fears the ice. Falc’s father asks him to look in on Rikkar, his grandfather who has Alzheimer’s disease. Falc, despite his accident, enjoys visiting Rikkar, who tells fascinating adventure tales of his travels, including the stories of the ice- ishing shantytowns. When Rikkar asks Falc to drive onto the ice, it terri ies him. Luckily, Aiyanna, a classmate, agrees to drive Falc over the ice. When Aiyanna’s father goes missing, Falc promises to help ind him. More and more people go missing without any explanation. The ice holds not only portals to unknown territories but terrifying beings and horrifying secrets, more than either Falc or Aiyanna can fathom. This book by Christian Raymond is just a marvelous bit of superb storytelling! The plot is fully developed in spite of its short length, moving along quickly and quite smoothly, radiating a uniqueness all its own. In fact, the suspense generated by the minimalistic descriptions of the villains might be more terrifying than having a full description of them. At the story’s core is Falc’s poignant familial relationship with Rikkar, making Falc, the tormented antihero, is not only easy to sympathize with but easy relate to as well. The witty, at times humorous, heroine, Aiyanna, manages to bring some lovely comic relief, and the conglomeration of ragtag side characters wonderfully heightens the tale as well. What a beguiling fantastical novella illed with suspense and intrigue that will captivate readers! Roslynn Ernst

Arthurian fantasy above expectations is its depth in both world and character building. Gwen is immersed in a Dark Age Britain that surprises her. As she plots to return to her own time, she adapts to her surroundings, and comes to love the newly established King Arthur, not as a myth but as a real man. This modern Guinevere and inspirational Arthur are so enchanting that their cliff-hanger ending feels like taking a sword to the core, making the next volume compulsory healing!

The Dragon Ring (Guinevere Book 1) Fil Reid

Joan Lai

Guinevere Fry’s father was a historian obsessively devoted to the study of King Arthur. His last wish was to have his ashes scattered at Glastonbury Tor, the modern-day site that once was Avalon. In the middle of her inal tribute, Gwen hears a haunting music that leads her to ind a halfburied golden dragon ring. When she touches it, everything changes. Initially disbelieving that she has been transported back in time to the Dark Ages, her fears are con irmed when she meets her Fancy-Dress-Man, who had visited her twice before. He con irms that he is Merlin, calling himself “unimportant”, aside from that fact that he has brought Gwen to his own time, in the service of his lord, Prince Arthur. Fil Reid is a brilliant storyteller who distinguishes herself in the early pages of “The Dragon Ring” by delivering a time travel fantasy that is more astute and intelligent than a mere bait and switch plotline. Gwen’s dismay at being trapped in the past is tinged with the interest and amazement of an amateur historian cataloguing the legendary sights, places, and people that embodied her father’s life’s work. What elevates this

Alien’s Mate (Earth Brides & Alien Warriors #2) Tina Moss

an alpha alien male. But when the drool worthy and charming Brok saves her, even she inds it hard to resist the attraction between them. Now they just need to make it back to Earth’s orbit in one piece.

Prepare star cruiser one to blast into an adventure with a dazzling alien planet, feisty heroine, sexy protective alien hero, and a beautiful romance any Sci-Fi romance lover is sure to enjoy. Action and discovery wait around every page as Brok and Sage navigate their way through the beautifully written new world. Brok’s joy at inding his true mate lows off the page, while the ierce love he feels for her duels with his need to bring her into the reality of his world carefully. Sage’s bravery and drive to face what’s thrown at her despite how the trauma of her past has made her feel is magni icent. The way in which Brok brings her into his world while allowing her to accept who she is inside is stunning. With more attention to character development, this story will be one for the ages. Annalee Stilove

The Rhonar warriors have a problem, they must ind their true mates or face a terrifying fate. Thankfully, the women of Earth can be the warriors' mates. While the people of Earth and the Rhonar are in negotiations for their right to claim brides, Brok and other warriors patrol the planet to keep it safe. The very last thing Brok expects is to ind his Earthling mate during a space invasion that crashes them to an alien planet. Lieutenant Sage Kadaran’s past ensured that she has no interest in men, let alone

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Science Fiction

Time -Travel

A Room in Blake’s Folly J. Arlene Culiner

Over the past one hundred and thirty-three years, the small upstairs room in the Mizpah Saloon has seen its fair share of stories both lovely and tragic pass through. But, in this mysterious room, one love that missed its chance seems to linger on. As time breaks and molds the town around it, a small piece of that broken romance seems to both attract and affect six couples as pieces of their own stories unfold in the very same room. As each couples’ tale is played out, the inconceivable connections that they all share is revealed until the romance seems to make its way full circle from the original missed love, back to the closest connection it can ind in present day, proving love may very well be stronger than time. A unique story that travels through the cruel passage of time to show that love can stand against Father Time and even death itself. However, while this time capsule-like storyline is a very unique timeline, it is where the bulk of the story’s problems come into play. Each character set is connected in some way, however, since they often are separated by several years, this timeline makes it easy for the reader to get confused. Given that the story is only 302 pages long, it also makes it exceedingly hard for the reader to form any deep connection to the characters during their individual stories. The quick switch between so many stories also plays a role in keeping the town itself at arm’s length. With more pages or fewer characters, this story is sure to be a heart reaching trip through time. Annalee Stilove

Mystery

Tidal Wave (Aloha Lagoon Mysteries Book 17) Beth Prentice

Under the guise of an engagement party, Samantha and Casey shock both families when they announce that they are getting married at the party right then. That is, until the caterer, Vivienne, is found face-down dead in the wedding

cake. Trying to prove to Casey’s mom that Hawaii is a safe place and that she would make a good wife to Casey, Sam takes it upon herself to get involved and do some investigating to ind the murderer that may be lurking the beaches of Aloha Lagoon. Solving crimes is not new to Sam but oftentimes she inds herself in dangerous situations that end with her risking her life time and time again. Casey’s frustration with Sam’s inability to stay out of sleuthing may just be the thing that causes him to walk away from her, all the way back to the shores of England where he is from.

barely had time to surface before a new one arrives causing a bit of confusion in keeping track of everyone’s roles throughout. While her intentions are to help, Sam’s personality was overwhelmingly sel ish at times demanding she gets what she wants even if it puts people in danger. That aside, readers will connect with the fun and quirky side of Sam that just can’t seem to stay a loat. A fun read that’ll keep one riding the waves of mystery until the tide rolls out! Marie Sanderson

A standalone in a long series, “Tidal Wave” has mystery dripping from its cover. Jumping right into the middle of a whodunit murder, it will have the reader questioning every citizen that Sam comes in contact with. The characters’ personalities

Audiobooks

Witch’s Gamble (Witches of Vegas 3) Mark Rosendorf Narrator: Jeffery Lynn Hutchins

YOUNG ADULT/PARANORMAL: Vampires Isis and Zack have been living in relative peace with the witches of New Salem for nearly 200 years. Together, they’ve built a community and helped raise the next generation of witches. When Isis wakes up to discover that not only is Zack gone, but the world has been thrown into chaos, she learns that her ancient rival Valeria is the root cause. Now Isis must go back in time to try and set things right once more. In doing so, she can save the man and community she loves—but there is always a price, and Isis will never be the same again. “Witch’s Gamble” is an electrifying installment of Mark Rosendorf’s Witches of Vegas series! From start to inish, the book is nonstop action! Isis and Zack face their most terrifying challenge yet as a couple: challenging time itself! While Isis is the only one who actually travels through time, her relationship with Zack is always present. It adds an interesting layer to Isis’ journey and the decisions she makes. The time travel situations are handled well. Mr. Rosendorf takes some of the familiar story elements of the genre and gives them a slight spin, leaving them familiar enough to

not jar the reader, yet adding enough excitement to keep the story fresh. Isis goes through a lot of emotions, and most only have the surface scratched. The bulk of the story focuses on the adventure components. Overall this is a wonderful addition to the series, though readers will have to read the other books to understand what is happening fully. Mr. Hutchins’ performance is energetic and engaging! He does a great job at bringing all of the characters to life, especially Isis. His vocal differentiation is solid for the most part. Only a few smaller characters blend together on occasion. His pacing its the scenes perfectly which helps add more impact during the emotional moments. Lovers of paranormal romance and YA adventures will devour this book! Chelsea Andersen

My Funny Valentine—A Jasper Falls Novel Lydia Michaels Narrator: Amber Battaglia

CONTEMPORARY: Erin Montgomery lives through a childhood of emotional, verbal, and physical abuse in the small town of Jasper Falls. Her father is admired in public, but is a terror to his family in private. Erin and

her brother are abandoned by their mother when Erin is still a child. No one in town connects her frequent school absences or bruises with abuse, so Erin learns to hide the truth from everyone— even from her best friend, Finn. Giovanni Mosconi bullied Erin when they were younger. He is trying to become a comedian, and he ends up doing his routine at the lone bar in Jasper Falls on the night of a blizzard - and heckling Erin. Later, Erin’s car slides off the side of the road, and Giovanni discovers her unconscious and nearly frozen body. This story is illed with emotion. Both Erin and Giovanni have some major demons to slay in their own personal lives. At times, they each react inappropriately to stimuli that trigger negative responses. Erin is abandoned many times in her life, and Giovanni is daring to create a life different from the one his family expects of him, causing con lict. Both the pace and the level of tension stay steady throughout this story. Lydia Michaels does a masterful job of conveying heartache and trauma experienced by a child at the hands of a father, and the defense mechanisms that are ingrained as a result. Amber Battaglia is an amazing narrator for this audiobook. She captures various accents, including an authentic-sounding Irish lilt, and moves believably between both male and female characters. The sound quality is excellent, and there are no noticeable mistakes or extraneous noises in the recording quality. She brings these characters to life and evokes strong emotions in the heart of the listener! Carey Sullivan

the obvious bounds of a paranormal.

Fire Maidens: Switzerland Anna Lowe Narrator: Kelsey Osborne

PARANORMAL: This is the inal entry in the Fire Maidens series. In this audiobook, Heath Cauley is a bear shifter who is tasked with guarding the last known unmated Fire Maiden, Claudia Kaiser, who is a dragon shifter. It turns out that they recently shared a onenight stand, without either one realizing that Heath would soon be her bodyguard. It isn’t clear how the heavily-guarded Fire Maiden escaped her guardians for a night of sex without anyone looking for her…Fortunately, she ended up with Heath, who is a good guy, but it could have ended much differently. This audiobook brings together many of the couples featured in the prior Fire Maidens stories. It takes all of the couples working together to thwart a signi icant foe that is intent on deception, corruption, and power, and who doesn’t care about the evil unleashed as a result. The tension is tight, and the pacing is moderately fast. Because this is a paranormal audiobook, the author has a lot of extra wiggle room for actions that can occur within the context of the story. The logical mind knows that dragons don’t actually exist, yet Anna Lowe makes this story believable within

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Audiobooks Exceptional narrators can navigate lawlessly between genders, accents, and varying ages in a believable manner. While this story is engrossing, Ms. Osborne doesn’t bother with the various accents from across Europe. Listeners might expect an Italian speaker to sound, well Italian. Or perhaps a Greek speaker might sound somewhat Greek, but that is not the case here. Every speaker has the same accent, and they all sound remarkably similar. Nevertheless, the sound quality of the recording is excellent, and there aren’t any unexpected noises or noticeable variations in volume. Carey Sullivan

Listen Mama M.S.P. Williams Narrator: JD Jackson

YOUNG ADULT MEMOIR: Manny wants to preserve the truth of his reality. The best way Manny can help his mama know the truth is to preserve it in letters he begins to write to her in a journal she gifts him as a child. Manny longs for his mama’s love and acceptance and his longing is heard in each letter that he writes. Growing from boy to man, he grapples with meeting the needs of his family and living his life on

his terms. Mama struggles with mental illness. As she battles the demons in her mind, she forces Manny into the role of caretaker, and his father is constantly limiting his choices and his ability to ind stability and happiness for him and his siblings. M.S.P. Williams pens a tale of longing. With a mix of humor and sadness he writes letters to his mama. The reader will ache for the author and feel sorrow along with him as he struggles with depression and a series of hard knocks that come one after another in his life. Anyone who has a relationship with someone with mental illness will relate to his struggles. Mr. Williams shares all the good and the bad, the highs and the lows of his life in his letters. They will tug on the readers’ heartstrings as Manny comes of age. There are times when details bog down the letters and distract from the feel and the low. The dif icult topics tackled are faced with honesty and candor in a conversational tone. He expresses all his feelings without apology. A thoroughly emotional and absorbing story illed with more tragedy and hurt than any life should have. JD Jackson’s narration works perfectly with this memoir. As his deep rumbling voice reads the letters the reader will feel like they are listening in on Manny’s thoughts as he pens these letters. His pacing sometimes feels slow but gives ample time to absorb the dif icult topics that are tackled in this memoir. Any fan of memoirs won’t want to miss this! *Trigger warning: deals with molestation, suicide ideation, mental illness, racism, and domestic violence.* Cara Cieslak

Hepburn’s Necklace Jan Moran

WOMEN'S LITERATURE: A 1950s movie starlet, Ruby Raines is very young to be in Italy alone. At seventeen, Ruby is rubbing elbows with Audrey Hepburn, Gregory Peck, and a handsome young man named Niccolo. On the

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set of her irst movie, Roman Holiday, Ruby discovers the two parts of her destiny. One blooms, while the other is lost. Decades later, Ruby’s grand-niece, Ariana has had enough of her Hollywood boss, her callous ianc , and her life in general. Unfortunately, she comes to these conclusions all at once while standing at the altar. If there’s one thing Ariana has inherited from the women in her family, it’s a very poor sense of timing. When Aunt Ruby decides to buy a villa in the Lake Como region of Italy, three generations of women are thrown into the wreckage of their poorly timed decisions. Will Italy offer them all a second chance?

is a sweeping story that switches seamlessly between 1952 and 2010. Captivating family drama plays out against an alternating backdrop of glamorous silver screen Hollywood and stunningly depicted Italian landscapes. Some readers may ind the plethora of description slows the pacing, but others may savor the leisurely story-telling style. Jan Moran has created a charming heroine in Ruby Raines, and a delightful cast of secondary characters. The twists and revelations towards the end are well worth the wait. “Hepburn’s Necklace” is a thrilling tale with delicious settings, and characters that will live on in the readers’ hearts.

Fans of “Under the Tuscan Sun” and “Letters to Juliet” will love this atmospheric, multigenerational tale of second chance romances. “Hepburn’s Necklace”

Starling Gray