Stuck In Books

A Merry Mess
Lynne Hancock Pearson
(Keeney Builds, #4)
Publication date: November 15th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

She’s fighting to keep her past in the past.
He’s fighting a father who refuses to retire.

After one disastrous mistake wrecked her career, Ingrid wants a quiet life. She has a great job and the staunch support of Iris, her widowed landlady.

Mickey’s spent years waiting to inherit the family business, but his father refuses to retire. When Ingrid mentions the community Christmas pageant, Mickey volunteers his father, hoping to distract him, and ignite the spark kindling between his dad and Iris.

But Mickey’s dad offends Iris with his mansplaining and refuses to accept that Mickey knows what he’s doing. Now, Mickey wonders whether running Rossi & Rossi was ever his dream.

He does know that he wants more time with Ingrid, who resists, unwilling to reveal the colossal mistake still haunting her. Yet, when the pageant is in peril, and Mickey shows up, she lets him in—just a little.

Thrown together by a shared backyard and a beloved tradition, Mickey and Ingrid catch fire as they fan the flames between the older couple. But when a major corporation targets Keeney Building Supply, both budding relationships falter, turning the happiest time of the year into a merry mess.

A Merry Mess is a steamy, friends-to-lovers, small-town holiday romance about fresh starts, found family, and choosing joy, even when life gets complicated.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

The sun had long since set, and while it wasn’t raining, it was cold. Ingrid hunched inside her coat, jamming her hands into her pockets.

“It’s hard,” she said, turning to Sylvie. “I was the other woman who broke you two up.”

Much shorter, Sylvie stared up at Ingrid, shaking her head. “If it weren’t you, it would have been someone else. That asshat was incapable of being faithful. He used you just like he used me.”

“It kills me that I was so gullible.”

“Me, too.”

“And I can’t believe you forgave me.”

Sylvie wagged a finger at Ingrid. “That took a while. At first I wanted you to have a case of chlamydia for the rest of your life.”

Ingrid winced. “Eww.”

“But then I got to know you and realized…” Sylvie trailed off and shrugged. “We both got played by a handsome charmer who was also a narcissistic dickhead without a conscience. And it helps that you have a killer pitching arm.”

Ingrid rolled her eyes, and Sylvie grinned. “I don’t see you enough, so come to game night. I promise I won’t tease you about Mickey.”

“Dating Mickey is not a smart idea. If things didn’t work out, living next door to him would be awkward, and his uncle could get me fired.”

“But what if it did work out?” Sylvie bounced her eyebrows. “That tight little cyclist butt would be all yours. Don’t you want him to…ride your bicycle?”

“Oh, my God! I definitely can’t go to game night with that image in my head!”

Sylvie curtsied. “You’re welcome. I’ll see you tonight.”

Author Bio:

Lynne Hancock Pearson writes fun, flirty, feel-good fiction that simmers at low heat. Set in the Pacific Northwest, they are stories of people finding their way, even if it takes a while to get there.

She lives near Seattle with two and a half finicky felines and one long-suffering husband. She is a left-handed middle child who grew up in the Great White North and is a proud member of the Métis Nation of Canada.

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A Merry Mess Blitz

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Winter Light
Honey Winters
(A Blue Spruce Hills Novella)
Publication date: November 12th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance, Women’s Fiction

For readers who enjoy clean women’s fiction about small towns, new chapters, and later-in-life romance.
***
A small-town librarian, a new neighbor from Colorado, and the brightest Christmas display in the Poconos.

Penny McLauchlin runs the library from a former bank building where the vault is now a reading room. She knows which cart squeaks, which patron wants company rather than a book, and which of the atrium plants needs turning toward the light. What she has stopped knowing is what she wants.

Then a colleague slides a listing for Regional Library Director across her desk — the kind Penny has scrolled past for years — and the thought arrives fully formed: I could.

She applies. And then the quiet season she thought lay ahead turns out to be anything but.

Her sister Jackie moves in. Her daughter is coming home for Christmas with a guest. And Nigel Blake, her new neighbor, has just plugged in a holiday display visible from Mars.

By December, Penny’s street is the brightest one — and the woman who never wanted anything to change has a job interview and is embroiled in a Christmas lights battle that has drawn spectators from across town.

This book is for every woman who has looked around a good life and still wondered whether this was all of it. Winter Light is about wanting things at 55, reaching without wrecking anything, and discovering that contentment isn’t the same as closing the door. Come to Blue Spruce Hills for warm friendships, a Pennsylvania mountain town under snow, a sister who arrives like weather, and a neighbor whose Christmas lights are an argument for joy.

Trope List
Finding yourself at 55
Midlife women’s fiction
Small-town Christmas
Widow opens heart to love again
Neighbors to something more
Sister returns home
Female friendship group
Clean
Low angst
What you can expect:

Heat: clean and wholesome
Tone: cozy women’s fiction, warm and lightly funny
Series: A Blue Spruce Hills Novella, interconnected standalone
POV: third person, past tense, single POV
Content Notes: reference to past spousal loss (off page, years earlier); no violence; no swearing
Comps: Debbie Macomber, Nancy Thayer, Sheila Roberts

Welcome to Blue Spruce Hills: A mountain town that reinvented itself once already and knows something about new chapters. Come for snow, tea, good friends, poetry night at the Tea House, and a holiday season worth remembering.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

Two big candles sat square in the middle of the cake—a five and a five.

The lights dimmed, and Penny was treated to an unharmonious Happy Birthday. Then came a chant that the kids had done when they were young and the adults had continued. Luckily, they now counted by fives.

“Are you five? Are you ten? Are you fifteen?” Shannon, Wendy, and Jennifer chanted.

As they counted up, Penny’s mind focused on her “new chapter,” as Jennifer called it. What new chapter? She had no news to share. Shannon had a new gallery showing. Jennifer was trying a new hobby. Wendy was going on vacation to Thailand.

“Are you thirty?”

Penny was simply going about her life. Day after day after day.

“Are you thirty-five?”

It wasn’t that her life was empty.

“Are you forty?”

Nor was she lonely.

“Are you forty-five?”

Nothing was wrong, per se.

“Are you fifty?”

But three words began to form, not quite solid yet, but taking shape.

“Are you fifty-five?”

Is this it?

“Stop,” Penny said, and the women clapped.

“Okay, Pen, blow out the candles and make a wish,” Shannon said.

Penny closed her eyes and did exactly that.

***

After about five minutes of hugging, Penny finally left Shannon’s. Her hands were toasty in her new gloves. Her journal was in her tote bag, and her framed picture was tucked under her arm.

The night was quiet. Her feet crunched on the fall leaves, and she could hear a muffled TV. Penny had walked this walk so many times she knew where the sidewalk tilted because of tree roots and when to expect Mr. Phillip’s dog to start barking.

For the first time, she didn’t find that familiarity comforting. Nothing had changed from yesterday, but everything felt a little different. It was silly. Nothing more than the stress of a birthday.

But that feeling lingered.

Author Bio:

I love writing the kind of stories I want to curl up with—heartfelt, uplifting stories about women in midlife navigating life’s ups and downs. My books celebrate the bonds of friendship, the magic of second chances, and the belief that it’s never too late to fall in love.

Whether it’s a cozy lakeside summer, a small-town reunion, or an unexpected romance that catches you by surprise, I believe every chapter of life holds something sweet waiting to be discovered.

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Winter Light Blitz

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Playing with Fire
R.J. Blain
(a Magical Romantic Comedy (with a body count), #1)
Publication date: January 31st 2017
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Paranormal, Romance

Warning: This novel contains excessive humor, a fire-breathing unicorn on a mission of destruction, magic, romance, and bodies. Proceed with caution.

Catering to the magical is a tough gig on a good day, but Bailey has few other options. Spiking drinks with pixie dust keeps the locals happy and beats cleaning up the world’s nastiest magical substances. She could live without serving Police Chief Samuel Quinn most days of the week, especially after destroying his marriage.

But when she’s targeted with a cell phone bomb containing gorgon dust capable of transforming her home into a stone tomb, she’s tossed head first into a mess with her sexiest enemy. Add in his ex-wife angling for revenge, and Bailey must use every trick up her sleeve to survive.

The last thing she needs is to fall in love with Manhattan’s Most Wanted Bachelor. Saving Manhattan will be tough enough.

Goodreads / Amazon / Audible / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo / Audiobook – Apple / Audiobook – Kobo

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EXCERPT:

No one in their right mind would ever license me as a private investigator, but that didn’t stop people from coming to me when they needed something found. Fortunately, I liked my job as the only human barista at Faery Fortunes Coffee and Book Shop. Most came for a cup of joe and left too buzzed to read a thing, but who was I to complain? People paid top dollar for their pixie dust infused latte, and they tipped me well not to judge them.

Unfortunately, I wasn’t so fond of Chief Quinn. When he walked through the door, bad things usually happened to someone—me. For him to come in five minutes after opening, long before the sun even thought about rising, he needed something, and it wasn’t a cup of coffee. Why couldn’t he want coffee? I could deal with making him a drink, and I’d double his dose of pixie dust to keep him happy.

I gave the espresso machine a defiant swipe of my cleaning cloth before stepping to the counter to deal with Manhattan’s Most Wanted Bachelor. Without my help, he’d still be married, too.

What a way to start the day.

And to think people wondered why I refused to help find anything for anyone anymore. The reason stood across the counter from me. Chief Samuel Quinn, aged thirty, hotter than sin, and my heaven and hell rolled together in one smoking tall, dark, and handsome package, hated me for good reason. It was his fault, too. He had been the one to ask me for help finding his wife. I had found her all right, right in the middle of teaching a college stud the nuances of the reverse cowgirl.

If no one asked me to find something or someone again for the rest of my life, I’d be a very happy woman.

“Chief Quinn, what a pleasant surprise,” I lied. “Can I get you something? A dark roast, cream, no sugar, light on the dust?”

Why couldn’t I have been blessed with forgetfulness? I knew my worst nightmare’s favorite drink, and I had to make it for him first thing in the morning. Of course I knew it. He came in at least three times a week to torment me. Screw it. Who was I kidding? Instead of the coffee, he could take me instead. If I had to put up with the hassle of dealing with him, why couldn’t I enjoy it, too?

“Cream, no dust, and make it a large, Bailey.”

Alarm bells tinkled in my head. Since when did Chief Quinn address me by my first name? On a good day, he snapped my last name like he worried it would contaminate him. “Of course, sir.”

The faster I made his coffee, the sooner he’d go away. I’d love every second I spent watching him go. In less than a minute, I had his drink ready, and to lower the risk of him spending any extra time with me, I chirped, “It’s on me today, Chief Quinn. Have yourself a nice morning.”

If it meant we parted without incident, it’d be well worth the five bucks.

He saluted me with his cup, flashed a hint of a smile, and walked out the door. Facing him was hell, but I glimpsed the heavens when he left, and if my panties hadn’t caught on fire under my jeans, I’d be very, very surprised.

“You’re drooling, Gardener,” my boss squeaked. The moth faery, with just enough pixie heritage to dust glitter when she wanted, fluttered over my shoulder, her tiny arms crossed over her chest. “Reverse cowgirl.”

“Stop reminding me!” I wailed, slumping over the counter. “He hates me. Worse, all I think about when he struts in is taking off my clothes and giving him my panties. I think they caught on fire this time, Mary. Why couldn’t he have had one of his cops find his wife instead?”

“You just want to indulge in some guilt-free fantasizing like every other hot-blooded American woman in the city.”

“Exactly. This is why no one in their right mind asks me for help. I ruin everything.”

“Except my coffee, which is a miracle. Now that we’ve had our daily dose of excitement, can you handle the shop on your own for an hour? We’ll call it even on the coffee.”

Was she serious? Alone for an hour on a Monday morning forty minutes before rush hour? If she thought I’d be all right alone, she was completely cracked. I could already hear her if I dared to complain about my shift. What could possibly go wrong in an hour? Didn’t I like my job? The list went on and on and on. I smiled so I wouldn’t cry. “Sure, Mary. I can last an hour.”

“You’ve gotten better at lying. Your smile didn’t even slip that time. Try not to die while I’m gone. Good humans are so hard to find.” Mary zipped out of the shop through the pixie door and dove through the window of an idling sports car.

Wait.

Sports car? Red, convertible, top up despite the nice summer morning? I leaned over the counter and squinted. Yep. My boss had just ditched me for a ride in Chief Quinn’s car. Sometimes life really wasn’t fair.

Author Bio:

RJ Blain suffers from a Moleskine journal obsession, a pen fixation, and a terrible tendency to pun without warning.
In her spare time, she daydreams about being a spy. Her contingency plan involves tying her best of enemies to spinning wheels and quoting James Bond villains until satisfied.
AI is never used in the creation of RJ’s novels.

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Playing with Fire Blitz

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That Touch…
Christi Snow
Publication date: September 10th 2021
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

A swoon worthy, he falls first, love story filled with laughter, tears, and a surprisingly romantic work trip to the Colorado mountains where late night revelations change everything.

Izzy and Leo have been best friends since second grade.

Leo…

He’s been in love with Izzy almost ever since, and was sure someday she’d see him the same way he saw her…as more.

But someday never came and now Leo is twenty-seven years old and ready to shed his virginity, and heartbreak. It’s time for him to find someone else…besides Izzy.

But when she needs a last-minute photographer for the biggest advertising campaign of her career, he can’t let his best friend down. He’s already decided this will be their last job together.

Izzy…

She grew up in the fantasy world of romantic comedy movies that her mom idolized. That “ideal” man was so much better than the disappointing reality of her philandering father.

That same father is now Izzy’s boss, making her work her way up through the misogynistic ranks of his executive team at the family advertising firm. When her dream account wants to hire her, she takes it on, without consulting anyone else in the company.

This is her account, her chance to prove her worthiness.

Escape to romantic Colorado…

But she’s working under a time-crunch, which can make things dangerous on a snowy mountainside. This work trip to Colorado for a last-minute photoshoot has the potential to change everything when Leo and Izzy are faced with having to share a hotel room and the confusing world where attraction becomes a distraction.

They say never fall for your best friend.

How has Izzy never noticed Leo, the man, before? Unfortunately, that discovery may be too late, because he already has other plans, and they don’t include Izzy.

A snowy mountain small town never looked so romantic before, but family drama has a way of ruining everything…

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

Izzy

I paused Pillow Talk and crawled out from under my piles of blankets I’d cocooned myself in for my day of self-care so I could answer the door. Hopefully, my UberEats guy had known I needed my regular order from Tommy’s Tacos tonight, even if I hadn’t called and ordered it yet.

At this point I ordered so much, he could probably foresee my needs like that.

Maybe—and I knew this was sudden—I should date him. God, that was an idea. Forget the tall, dark, and handsome losers I kept dating who treated me like shit.

I glanced over at Rock Hudson, frozen on the screen. I should just accept my dream guy was an impossibility of fiction.

It was time to try something else. Give me a guy who could foresee my needs for tacos. Now that would be the perfect match.

I’d built this idea up in my head so much in the last few seconds crossing the room that my shoulders dropped when I opened the door and didn’t find the UberEats dreamboat.

“Oh, hi, Leo.”

I left the door open for him to come inside while I shuffled back to the couch.

“Wow, I feel the love,” he said from behind me as he followed me inside. “I’m overwhelmed by that welcome. Now, I’m sure I made the right decision to skip the wrap party of the West Coast Babes show to bring my sad friend her favorite Tommy’s Tacos.”

At the sound of my two favorite “t” words, I swung back around and realized that yes, Leo held the distinctive red and green greasy bag from Tommy’s.
I reached for it. “Oh my god. Forget my UberEats guy, you’re my dream guy.”

His eyes widened comically for a minute until I laughed. “You should see your face. Don’t worry, Leo, definitely no romance between us. You will always and forever be my BFF. I decided that twenty years ago. I will not change my mind about it this late in the game.”

Something weird flitted through his gaze before he frowned at me. If I weren’t spending the night wallowing in my broken heart, I might have considered it more.

Author Bio:

As an avid reader her entire life, Christi Snow always dreamed of writing books that brought to others the kind of joy she felt when she read. But…she never did anything about it besides jot down a few ideas and sparse scenes.

When her husband retired from the Air Force, Christi decided it was time to chase her dream and she started writing. She hasn’t stopped since. With twenty-two published books in various romance genres, she’s found her passion. Now she spends her days with her laptop writing about sexy, alpha heroes and the loves of their lives.

Writing, Christi has fulfilled her dream… filling the world with more romance and suspense.

Her tagline is… Passion and adventure on the road to Happily Ever After. She loves this adventure and has truly found her tribe!

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That Touch Blitz

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Santa Baby Daddy
Paula Dombrowiak
(Hollow Reign, #4)
Publication date: November 3rd 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

Hollow Reigns bassist, Casey Beaumont, came to town for the holidays—to catch his bandmate’s Christmas show and have a little fun. One reckless night with a gorgeous stranger definitely counts as fun.

What he didn’t count on was running into her again… as the show’s costume designer. Or spotting the baby bump under all that holiday sparkle.

Casey was never great at math but he’s an expert at falling—for Ava, for the baby, and for a future he can’t stop picturing.

Ava Ramirez has been burned before. The last man who put a baby in her life walked out and never looked back. She is not handing her heart to a serial playboy no matter how cute he is.

But for once, Casey isn’t running. He’s all in.

Ava can’t make the same mistake twice… but would she be missing out on the family she so desperately wants?

Santa Baby Daddy is Book 4 in the Hollow Reign Christmas Novellas, a series of interconnected, steamy holiday romances. Each book can be read as a standalone and features a guaranteed happily ever after.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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EXCERPT:

The pregnancy book I’m reading says hormones may increase sexual desire. May, in the same way the ocean may be damp.

So I’m chasing waffles—a safe, legal, closed-toe-shoes kind of craving I can actually satisfy at midnight. Because I’m alone, four and a half months pregnant, in a city where I know exactly four people, and one of them just secretly married a guitarist.

A few months ago, my life was predictable. Planned. I knew where I was going and what the next year was supposed to look like. Now I’m pregnant, living on savings and a theater paycheck, hiding out in Sin City because packing a suitcase felt easier than sticking around to watch that carefully constructed future fall apart.

Vegas was supposed to be temporary. A place where I could keep my head down, sew sequins onto costumes for a naughty Christmas show, and buy myself enough time to figure out how the hell I’m going to raise a human being on my own.

The diner is all buzzing neon and cracked vinyl. There are maybe six people scattered through the place, including a waitress named Lou who looks like she’s been working the graveyard shift since Vegas was built, which is exactly the kind of quiet I came looking for.

Casey Beaumont is sitting at the counter with a milkshake and a stack of pancakes tall enough to qualify as architecture, looking like the universe personally designed him to test the limits of my second-trimester self-control. His blond curls are a little wild, his skin somehow still golden in December, like the sun makes a special exception for him.

He catches sight of me before the bell above the door finishes chiming, and his whole face lights up.

And suddenly, my cravings have been given a target.

“Ava Ramirez,” he says, like I’m the best thing that’s happened to him all day. Considering his band imploded into a tabloid circus before dinner, I’m competing against a remarkably low standard.

I sit. Not because he patted the stool like I’m supposed to come when called, but because the counter is closer to the syrup, my feet already hurt from walking in high-heeled boots—I’m pregnant, not fashion-averse—and refusing a perfectly good seat just to make a point would be childish.

The fact that Casey Beaumont is ridiculously easy to look at has absolutely nothing to do with it.

Lou comes over with her order pad. “Strawberry waffles, extra whipped cream, and a side of dill pickles?” God bless her, she doesn’t even blink.

Casey turns on his stool and looks at me, those pretty blue eyes full of something close to reverence.

“Bold,” he says, lifting an eyebrow. “I respect a woman with range.”

“Don’t judge me, Third Row. My stomach wants what it wants.”

He nudges his milkshake toward me. “Want some? It’s peppermint and festive.”

“I don’t share milkshakes with strangers. Especially ones with carnal knowledge of pretty much the entirety of the chorus line.” I roll my eyes.

“First of all, hearsay. And don’t believe a word of what Denise says—she likes to embellish, unless it’s about certain areas.” He not-so-discreetly gives a nod to his lap before pulling the milkshake back, completely unbothered. “Second of all, we’re not strangers. I know you belt Mariah Carey when you think the theater’s empty, I know nobody touches the thread wall and lives, and I know exactly which pocket the emergency Snickers lives in.” He lifts an eyebrow.

“What are you, the Phantom of the Opera lurking around the theater? It’s creepy.”

“A Phantom sounds badass, but it’s not lurking—it’s called paying attention,” he says, and points his fork at me with delight.

I hold in a giggle. He’s lucky he’s pretty.

That’s the thing about Casey Beaumont. For weeks, I’ve watched him make himself at home in my theater, usually sprawled across the third row with his boots propped on the seat in front of him, radiating the energy of a golden retriever who found the treat cabinet open. He’s Hollow Reign’s bass player and, according to the warning I received shortly after meeting him, “the one we don’t leave unattended.”

My waffles arrive and I stop pretending I have manners. Casey watches me drag the pickle through the whipped cream with the rapt attention most men reserve for playoff games.

“Incredible,” he says softly. “You’re my favorite person I’ve ever watched eat.”

I pause mid-bite and stare at him. “You should get out more.”

Author Bio:

Paula Dombrowiak grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois but currently lives in Arizona. She is the author of Blood and Bone, her first adult romance novel which combines her love of music and imperfect relationships. Paula is a lifelong music junkie, whose wardrobe consists of band T-shirts and leggings which are perpetually covered in pet hair. She is a sucker for a redeemable villain, bad boys, and the tragically flawed. Music inspires her storytelling.

For more ways to learn about Paula and her books, check out her website: @www.pauladombrowiak.com

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Santa Baby Daddy Blitz

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Double Trouble for Nick
May Wynn
Publication date: July 30th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

An emotional story of second chance romance, friendship bonds, and brotherly love!
Identical twin brothers. Mistaken identity! A surprise pregnancy!

Nicholas and Nathaniel Hastings, identical twins, are at completely different places in their lives.
Nick is committed to his best friend and soulmate. He’s anxious to make Abby his wife.
Nate is a wild bachelor playboy at a crossroads. True love will blindside him, hard and fast!

Over the course of one weekend, a series of mishaps and a wild mix-up forever change their lives! Abby makes a heartbreaking mistake and calls off the wedding to Nick.

Will fate intervene and bring Nick and Abby back together?
Will Nate find out a major secret before it’s too late?

Perfect for readers who enjoy identical twin mix-ups and second-chance romance!

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

“Rush this? Are you kidding me over here?” she stammered. “I’ve been wanting you for years. I think I’m finally ready,” she said, offering him a small smile, as she blushed. “I really mean it, Nick. I know you’ve dated other women, with my blessing, but it’s been bothering me. Seeing you with Sadie lately has been driving me crazy. I know she has the hots for you and I don’t like it, at all,” she huffed.

“Is that so?” he smirked. “Well, I never thought I’d hear you say you were jealous. I think I actually like the sound of that, coming from you. But to set the record straight, I have zero interest in Sadie. In fact, I have zero interest in anyone long term, but you, Abs.”

A breathtaking smile spread across her face. She reached over to hold his hand.

—–

“What’s going on, Abby?” he asked quietly, watching her over the brim of his glass.

“I thought we could hang out, find something new to do? Maybe even something dangerous, you know, like strip poker or something?” she suggested, but wouldn’t look him in the eye.

Okay, now he knew something was off. She didn’t even know how to play poker. What the hell? Knowing her better than she knew herself, he was determined to draw her out.

“So, this idea for strip poker? Is this something new or…” he trailed off, watching her closely. She was not like most of the other women at school. Abby was smart, but vulnerable. She was naïve when it came to relationships. He’d accepted that a long time ago and loved her just the way she was.

“Well, is strip poker something you’re interested in? Have you played it before? I mean, I haven’t, but I’m willing to. I just thought it would be fun, sexy even,” she said shyly, still not looking him in the eye.

“Hmm, sexy huh? I do like the sound of that,” he said with a smirk. Then he put his glass down on the table and turned toward Abby. “But do you know what interests me more? How about you tell me what’s on your mind? Why are you about to come out of your own skin, Abs?” he asked gently. He tilted her chin up to lock their eyes. He took both her hands in his.

She looked at him and took in a deep breath. He had a calming effect on her. She offered him a warm soft smile as her eyes watered. The same pretty blue eyes he stared into at the playground when they were seven and he’d helped her off the merry-go-round.

“There she is. There’s my girl. What can I do to help?” he whispered.

Tears started flowing lightly down her cheeks. Her lower lip trembled. And then the other shoe dropped. “I don’t even know how to seduce you. I came over here to seduce you. Now I’m just a blubbering mess,” she cried.

“Abs, look at me,” he demanded gently as he met her gaze. His heart fluttered. “Don’t you understand? There is no comparison. You do not now, nor will you ever, have to compete with anyone for my attention. You need to always know that,” he said, staring into light blue eyes that took his breath away.

Author Bio:

May Wynn writes contemporary romance novels known for their emotional depth, engaging characters, and a satisfying happily-ever-after. A lifelong reader, her passion for storytelling began early, inspired by a close mentor who introduced her to a wide range of authors and genres. Together, they shared their own version of a book club before book clubs were even a trend.

After a successful career in the corporate world, May turned her focus to writing, bringing her love of romance to the page. She is an enthusiastic world traveler. She and her husband share a love of culture, history, and adventure, having traveled to more than 60 countries together. She draws inspiration from the places she has visited, weaving them into the stories she creates.

May lives in Florida with her family, where she enjoys writing on her lanai with a latte in hand, surrounded by the beauty of nature.

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Double Trouble for Nick Blitz

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The Amalfi Wish
Rosie Donlin
(The Lucky Year, #1)
Publication date: October 31st 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Women’s Fiction

Laurel McBride knows how to make other people’s dreams come true. She just has no idea what to do with her own.

As an event planner at a Florida resort, Laurel can rescue beachfront weddings, soothe impossible clients, and solve disasters before anyone notices. But six weeks after she and five other women split an $84 million lottery jackpot, she is still answering emails, fixing everyone else’s problems, and postponing her own life.

So Laurel does something wildly out of character: she walks away from work, crosses the Atlantic, and spends July on the Amalfi Coast with the other winners.

The plan is simple—sunshine, spectacular food, beautiful views, and one glorious month in which nobody needs anything from her.

Then she meets Tore.

With him, Laurel cannot hide behind schedules, competence, or the carefully controlled version of herself who always knows what to do. And as the women settle into their lucky year, Laurel begins to wonder whether the dependable life she built was ever truly hers—or whether being needed has simply kept her from risking what she really wants.

For the first time, Laurel has enough money to choose almost anything.

Now she must decide what would actually make her happy.

Sun-drenched, romantic, and full of friendship, food, and second chances, The Amalfi Wish is the first interconnected standalone novel in The Lucky Year series.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

The condo was quiet at seven, and the orange was still on the cutting board.

Laurel McBride had paid four ninety-nine for it at Whole Foods, then left it there for days, sticker still on the peel. She hadn’t eaten it or put it away.

Outside the sliding door, the courtyard sprinkler was drowning the same azalea again. Laurel caught herself planning what to tell the superintendent, then remembered she wasn’t at Mariner’s Crown. The superintendent could handle the azalea on his own.

Over Memorial Day, a storm at Mariner’s Crown had stranded six women at the Compass Bar long enough for them to buy a Powerball ticket and make a promise. The ticket had left each of them with fourteen million dollars. The promise had given them a year of places to go together, beginning with Laurel’s month on the Amalfi Coast.

Six weeks after the money reached her account, Laurel still hadn’t bought herself a thing. She had paid bills, shifted money among accounts, and stared down every question about what came next. Then she’d spent four ninety-nine on an orange and left it on the cutting board like incriminating evidence. Fourteen million dollars, and produce made her nervous.

She’d been excellent at spending other people’s money. Give Laurel a wedding budget and she could tell you where to save, where to splurge, and which upgrade a bride would remember after the flowers were gone. This money belonged to her rather than a client, free of deadlines and finalized floor plans. It was hers whenever she chose to want something.

Author Bio:

Rosie Donlin writes destination women’s fiction about complicated friendships, second chances, and women figuring out what they truly want. Her books blend escapist settings, grown-up romance, humor, memorable meals, and plenty of reasons to pour another glass of wine.

Rosie lives in San Francisco.

Website / Instagram / TikTok

The Amalfi Wish Blitz

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Safe in Sound
Ania Ray
(A Blue Spruce Hills Novella)
Publication date: October 29th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance

She’s “happy,” but someone might say she’s “settled.” What happens when the life that makes you feel safe is also the one keeping you small?

Thirty-four-year-old piano teacher Riley O’Connor believes her chance to become a world-class musician has sailed. She’s content-ish with her life in Blue Spruce Hills, a quaint mountain town that is safe, quiet, and predictable. Instead of performing on stages, she teaches the neighborhood kids, hangs out with her best friend Clara, reads books surrounded by her houseplants, and rehearses like she’s about to be called to join the London Philharmonic.

Though she’d be too scared to go. Grammy called her ’Fraidy Cat, after all.

When what Riley thinks is a break-in turns out to be a dog who won’t leave, she’s thrust into a series of events that challenge her to confront her anxiety. First, the social kind: the veterinarian is incredibly handsome. And kind. And grieving his wife. And looking for someone to give his son piano lessons.

She agrees.

Suddenly, Riley is on a winter hike with a man where bears, snakes, and fatal injury are possibilities. And when an opportunity arises to accompany renowned violist Albi Drechsler, the dream she’d long ago decided was out of reach is suddenly within it. To get what she wants, she must prove that fear doesn’t have the final word. But could she actually leave the safety of Blue Spruce Hills?

Safe in Sound is a story about overcoming fears, leaning into friendship, and trusting that even when the night feels darkest, love can hold you through. If you miss your loved ones a little extra during the holidays, you’ll love this redemptive story that proves those we miss most can still find a way to make us courageous.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

I exhale, the breath in front of me a wisp reminiscent of the steamed milk Clara’s grandmother would mix into the hot chocolate we’d share after school. While I waited for Grammy and Pappy to come home from the Mom and Pop store they owned and ran together, Clara was my safe place.

I stuff my gloved hands in my pockets. This morning I am hanging an angel on a doorknob with someone who risked social status by befriending me. The school playground was too giant a target for a skinny eight-year-old with fiery hair. Grammy always said I’d grow into my hair one day, but I’m pretty sure the “big-tempered redhead” myth fell apart with me. Maybe because Clara has always been my fire. I’m more like old embers buried under kindling.

So way back when… gosh, has it really already been over two decades? Way back when Clara asked if I wanted to skip on the sidewalk with her—and my answer was a genuine yes—we began our friendship.

Basically, I’ll do whatever Clara asks. She knew I was the new kid and approached me anyway. Anyone who does that—when kids seem to feel most powerful when they’re being mean and exclusive—deserves to have their best friend wake up early.

And even though I’d love to still be sleeping right now, three blissful hours remaining in my regular schedule, I feel a thrilling anticipation at seeing my best friend. Sure, I see her in passing every weekday, and we catch each other up in text messages all the time, but to sit down and really connect usually only happens when she comes over once a month. And we’ve missed a lot of those lately because she’s doing big baker things.

And I do little piano teacher things.

It’s fine. I’m happy.

Author Bio:

Hi, I’m Ania Ray, an author of women’s fiction that dives into the raw, transformative journeys of complex female characters. My books force each protagonist to confront the worst of herself before she evolves into the hero of her own story.

The Cromwell Rules trilogy features interconnected standalones, so you can enjoy each book individually or follow Lily Cromwell’s entire arc from start to finish. In The Cromwell Rules and Breaking the Rules, I explore how boundaries can feel stifling or nonexistent, and how we each must find our sweet spot of self-respect.

When I’m not writing, I lead Quill & Cup, a writing community that helps authors finish the stories that matter to them. Outside of writing, I’m a wife, a mom to a toddler who’d live outdoors if she could, and a tea lover (Cinnamon Apple Spice is my favorite).

If you love reading novels with relatable, complex characters and emotionally gripping stories, you’re in the right place.

Goodreads / Newsletter / Instagram

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Safe in Sound Blitz

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The Shadowless
R.J. Garcia
(At the Corner of Eden and Darkness, #1)
Publication date: November 26th 2025
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Modern Faerie Tale Meets Murder

Mae Dawson returns to her family’s cabin in a mysterious forest to search for her missing sister. One night, she goes to sleep in her bed only to awaken in the depths of the woods surrounded by eerie and indiscernible voices that lead her to her sister’s grave.

A year has passed. Mae has pieced her life back together. She has a supportive boyfriend and is completing her first semester in college. However, everything begins to unravel when strange late-night calls come from the beyond, and a malevolent force begins to invade her friends.

Adding to her unease is the presence of a mysterious stranger, Brandon Sills, who seems to lurk in the shadows, watching her every move. Despite the warning bells ringing in her mind, Mae feels an inexplicable attraction to him.

As mortal and magical forces conspire against them, Mae must trust Brandon to uncover the secrets of the fae. Secrets that will change her life forever, if she even survives.

The Spellbound
R.J. Garcia
(At the Corner of Eden and Darkness, #2)
Publication date: December 2nd 2026
Genres: Paranormal, Young Adult

Magic Meets Mayhem

Back in Willows End, Mae and Brandon find themselves in the thick of things after kidnapping her ex. As they attempt to banish a changeling, Mae begins to question her sanity, and the threat of a serial killer draws ever closer.

Even sleep offers no reprieve. Mae can no longer find Emmie in the Garden—her dreams of wonder have become nightmares. Before long, she discovers her sister is lost in Limbo.

One night, Mae is alone in the cabin when she hears someone breaking in. Her only hope is her possessed ex—chained in the spare room. Mae is forced to choose the lesser of two evils. Once Mae makes her choice, the changeling assumes human form, an ancient prophecy stirs, and nothing is as it seems.

Haunted by fear and doubt, Mae clings to her love for Brandon, the last sure thing in her life, and her greatest hope of saving her sister. But are things really as certain as they seem?

Goodreads / Amazon

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SNEAK PEEK QUOTES:

The Shadowless:

“I pulled myself out of a dream and glared with a pirate eye at my buzzing phone. Then I caught sight of Emmie’s name flashing on the screen. There would be nothing unusual about it except, of course, it’s the middle of the night and my sister’s dead.”

The Spellbound:

“It was more than the way his blue eyes twinkled, and how his mouth moved like honey. It was more than him being handsome, kind, and magical. It was the feeling I had, a connection I can’t quite explain.”

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Author Bio:

R.J. Garcia is a wife, and proud mom of two smart kids. She earned her MSW and worked with foster children and as a school social worker. Writing has been her other great love. She has been writing short stories for as long as she can remember. To her amazement, those short stories became novels!

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram

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