Happy Release Day! Congratulations Phaedraon the release today ofThe Time Hop Coffee Shop! The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra PatrickMagical Realism, Time Travel, 320 pagesPublished December 9, 2025 by Park Row Welcome to the Time Hop Coffee Shop, where wishes can come true… Greta Perks was once the shining star of the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials, the quintessential TV wife and mum. Now, fame has faded, her marriage is unraveling, her teenage daughter is distant and Greta’s once-glittering career feels like a long-lost memory. When Greta stumbles upon a mysterious coffee shop, serving a brew like no other, she wishes for the perfect life of those past Maple Gold commercials. Next thing she knows, Greta wakes in the picture-perfect town of Mapleville, where the sun always shines, and the aroma of freshly brewed coffee and second chances fill the air. Given the opportunity to step into the life she’s dreamed of, Greta is determined to rewrite her own script. But can life ever be like a coffee commercial? And what will happen when Greta has to choose—between perfection and real life, with no turning back? Barnes & Noble | Harpercollins | Bookshop.org My thoughts about The Time Hop Coffee Shop ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.) First lines—"Maple Gold Coffee Commercial Script, 2005. Voiceover: 'Maple Gold is here for endings and new beginnings...'" There were two things that first drew me to this book. First of all, the cover is so eye catching, isn't it? Second was the words, 'time hop' in the title. I love a good time travel story and when I found out about the magical component to the story, I was hooked. Greta is unsatisfied with her life and longs for the the perfect world that she and her family were in when they were cast in commercials for Maple Gold Coffee. Well, her wish is granted and she gets to travel to that perfect world. But sometimes perfect isn't always best.  I totally fell in love with Greta and her imperfect world. Seeing her in her perfect world was interesting as well. I was captivated by the story and enjoyed Greta discovering her true self and her happiness. Phaedra Patrick is a 'new-to-me' author but I'm definitely going to take a look at her other stories and keep an eye on what she publishes in the future.  The Time Hop Coffee Shop is a wonderful story that will make the reader realize that their imperfect life may be just perfect for them. I highly recommend this one! I received an ARC of The Time Hop Coffee Shop and this is my honest opinion. Read the excerpt below, which includes the first chapter, and you will want more! ******************** Excerpt MAPLE GOLD COFFEE COMMERCIAL SCRIPT VOICEOVER: ‘Maple Gold is here for endings and new beginnings . . .’ The scene opens with a young woman, Greta, standing on the pavement, waving as a car pulls away. She’s holding a small cardboard box. GRETA (WHISPERING): ‘Bye Mum.’ She turns to face a pretty white house, straightens her back and smiles bravely. She’s ready to enter a new phase of her life—moving into her first home. The front door is ajar, and she enters a hallway, then a sitting room. We can see there are more, bigger boxes sitting around the place, sealed and ready to unpack. VOICEOVER: ‘It’s here for the good times and the even better ones . . .’ Greta looks apprehensive but takes a moment to take in her new surroundings. She switches on the kettle and opens a cupboard, disappointed to find it empty. She spies her name written on the side of the box she carried in and opens it. Inside is her old teddy bear and a jar of Maple Gold coffee, a gift from her mum. Greta takes the jar out, becoming misty-eyed as she makes herself a cup of coffee. Wrapping her fingers around the cup helps her to feel more at home. The doorbell rings, and she opens the door to find a group of her new neighbors gathered outside. They present Greta with flowers and another jar of coffee as a welcome present. It’s Maple Gold, of course. They all laugh, and she invites them inside for coffee. A CAPPELLA GROUP (SINGING): ‘You’re always at home with Maple Gold.’ Chapter  1 Present Day Greta Perks loved three things in life more than anything—her family, the thrill of performing, and a fine cup of coffee. When she could combine all three, it was as satisfying as a frothy cappuccino on a cold day. But recently, a happy home life and sparkling career seemed to be slipping through her fingers. ‘I wish you could stay longer,’ she said, glancing between her husband, Jim, and their daughter, Lottie, as coffee cups clattered in the background. ‘Tonight’s important to me.’ She’d volunteered to be the guest speaker at Brewtique’s monthly Coffee Lover’s Night Out, talking about her acting career. It had been a while since she’d last performed in public, and her nerves were jumping around like frogs in a pond. Jim offered her a smile. ‘I wish we could, too. But I promised Lottie I’d get her back to school.’ He passed Greta a shopping bag like it was a peace offering. ‘Just brought a few things you might need . . .’ ‘Talent show rehearsal,’ Lottie muttered, not looking up from her phone. ‘Total waste of time.’ Greta and Jim shared a glance, a silent understanding of the challenges of raising a fifteen-year-old together while living apart.  ‘A talent show? Sounds fun.’ Greta gave Lottie’s arm a quick reassuring rub. ‘What are you doing? A show tune, or a monologue? Perhaps even a Shakespeare sonnet?’ Lottie shrugged a disinterested shoulder. Greta’s spirits dipped a little. ‘Well, whatever you do, I bet you’ll be great,’ she said. ‘We’ll grab a burger afterward, then I’ll drop her back at your place.’ Jim opened his mouth slightly, as if wanting to say something more. ‘Stay safe returning to your car tonight, okay?’ Greta nodded, hoping for a word of encouragement, perhaps a ‘good luck,’ ‘break a leg,’ or even a quick hug. But Lottie was already heading toward the door. Jim’s fingers lightly brushed Greta’s arm, but didn’t linger. Then he turned and followed their daughter outside. Through the window, Greta watched as her family dashed across the road without her. She smiled brightly and waved, even though her stomach was twisting. ‘Drop her back at your place.’ The words stung like a paper cut. She and Jim were over four months into a trial separation, with just a few weeks left until their self-imposed New Year’s Eve deadline. At that point they’d agreed to make a final call on the future of their marriage. It didn’t seem as clear-cut as Greta had hoped. What had once felt like a simple decision—to try to rebuild their marriage or let it go—now felt tangled with uncertainty. After almost twenty years together, was she still in love with Jim? Was he still in love with her? Greta peeked inside the bag, her mood lifting when she saw Jim had brought her herbal throat lozenges, a new notebook, and a spare pen. Outside, the wet, grey pavement was the same color as the inky November sky, and she suddenly craved a rich mocha. Greta turned to face the room. In half an hour, the place would hopefully be buzzing with people. She was determined to deliver an entertaining talk, even if it wasn’t exactly her kind of coffee shop. She preferred cozy spaces where she could curl up with a good book, sipping coffee from mugs the size of plant pots. The type of place that served homemade rocky road and had a corner dedicated to board games. Brewtique, on the other hand, had industrial-style light- bulbs and blackboards showcasing quirky concoctions, such as rhubarb and custard lattes. A pink neon coffee cup on the wall cast an eerie pink glow on her face. The spindly branches of a Christmas tree on the counter looked like they’d been pecked by crows. Her long-time agent, Nora, had applauded Greta for spotting Brewtique’s Facebook post asking for local speakers. ‘Putting yourself forward shows brilliant initiative, darling. Well-done,’ Nora had gushed. ‘You never know who might be in the audience. Any exposure could help give your career a little boost. Plus, it’s a great way to plug your acting classes.’ A boost? Greta knew her career needed a defibrillator. If one human year equals seven dog years, the same rule definitely applied to actors out of the spotlight. She felt like her career had been on pause for too long, and she was ready to hit Play again. Greta missed the camaraderie on set, filming the iconic Maple Gold coffee commercials she’d starred in with Jim and Lot- tie a decade ago. Nothing compared to the soar of her senses when the director called, ‘Action,’ and everything clicked into place. She longed to find that spark again, not just for herself, but in the hope of pulling her family back together again. If Greta was honest, she also missed the attention. Champagne on ice in a silver bucket, fans queuing around the block for her autograph, and the occasional limousine whisking her to grand events had been cherries on top of the cake. Those memories felt almost unreal now, as if they belonged to someone else. The students she’d coached since then seemed to enjoy her acting classes, but it wasn’t the same. Guiding nervous amateurs through voice projection techniques or stage presence didn’t give her the same buzz as stepping in front of a camera or an audience. Hopefully, tonight would rekindle some of that feeling, proof she still had something to offer. The sound of dropped cutlery pulled her out of her thoughts. Greta turned to see Brewtique’s owner, Josie, rushing around, a dusting of flour in her hair. Meanwhile, her young pink-haired assistant, Maisie, dawdled in a corner, glued to her phone. ‘Need a hand with anything?’ Greta called out. ‘Oh gosh, no.’ Josie shook her head frantically. ‘You’re the talent. I’m just running a bit late with everything . . .’ ‘Are you sure? I’ve already prepped for my talk.’ Josie bit her lip, tempted. ‘Well . . . setting up the refreshment table would be helpful, while I get changed. I’ve just popped fresh brownies in the oven. Maisie knows to keep an eye on them.’ She gave Greta a pointed look. ‘She’s new here.’ ‘Sure,’ Greta said, catching her drift. ‘Leave it to me.’ Greta set out coffee cups with vigor, arranged cookies on plates, and laid out napkins. Her pulse quickened when she saw the time. ‘Maisie!’ she called out. ‘We need to hurry. There’s only fifteen minutes left until showtime.’ The young woman barely raised her eyes. ‘Didn’t your family once star in some coffee ads or something?’ she asked. ‘One day, I’ll get discovered like that. Want to see my latest TikTok audition?’ She held out her phone. ‘Yes, we starred in them.’ Greta briskly polished a spoon on her apron. ‘I’ll look at your clip later. Now, please check all  the glasses. Some of these are scratched, and Josie said you’re in charge of the brownies...’ When Josie reappeared wearing fresh clothes, she glanced out of the window and sighed. ‘Looks like we’ve got a smaller crowd than usual.’ ‘How many are you expecting?’ Greta asked, joining her. ‘Six or seven. I’ve just checked my messages and had quite a few cancellations. Christmas is coming, and it’s the Strictly Salsa final on TV tonight.’ Greta chewed her lip. Disappointment was part of an actor’s life—the rejections, the scathing reviews, and the occasional inappropriate behavior from a director she’d once respected. She hadn’t expected a theatre-sized crowd, but six? ‘An intimate gathering,’ she said with a nod. ‘I’ll make it work.’ Josie welcomed the guests inside. When they were settled down around tables with coffee and cake, she launched into her introduction. ‘Welcome to the monthly Brewtique Coffee Lover’s Night Out. We’ve been fortunate to hear some incredible stories from our speakers this year—conquering Mount Everest, training guide dogs for the blind, and a brain surgeon who worked in war-torn countries. And tonight we’ve got the former star of the Maple Gold coffee commercials. Let’s bid a warm welcome to our special guest, Greta Perks.’ No pressure, Greta thought, smiling brightly as she stepped forward. ‘G . . . good evening, everyone,’ she started, feeling woefully out of practice. ‘Thanks for coming. ‘I’m going to tell you a story about how I became the face of the Maple Gold coffee commercials. Yes, for ten years, I was the lady who made you believe coffee could make your life perfect.’  A few chuckles rang out, and Greta soon found her flow. She paced up and down, commanding the little coffee shop as if starring in a West End theatre production. ‘Did you know that Maple Gold was born in 1950, as a humble roastery in the back streets of London? Over the years, it became a household name, beloved for its delicious blends and vintage appeal.’ She leaned in, as if sharing a secret. ‘And who wouldn’t want to live in Mapleville, the idyllic town from the commercials? The sun always shone, the grass was emerald green, and the whole town thrived on cups of Maple Gold.’ She took out her phone and played the jingle. When you wake at sunrise, and open your eyes. You’re ready to start your day, the Maple Gold way. You’re always at home with Maple Gold. From the faraway looks on a few faces, it seemed like nostalgia was working. ‘I locked eyes with my love interest, Jim, when he painted my garden fence in the commercial, and things went a bit further off-camera,’ Greta said with a wink. ‘We got married and then had Lottie, our own little star. We were such a happy family, on-screen and off . . .’ She paused as a twinge of sadness crept in, like how bitter- ness stays on the tongue after an espresso. A screech of metal chair legs against wooden floorboards made her flinch. A woman in the audience called out, uninvited. ‘Are you guys still working?’ Greta blinked, the question taking her by surprise. ‘Yes, everything’s going wonderfully,’ she said, feeling guilty at embellishing the truth. ‘Jim’s still gracing the stage and screen,  Lottie’s currently rehearsing for a school Christmas talent show, and as for me . . . well . . . I run some excellent acting classes, if anyone is interested?’ A few seconds of silence followed before more questions flew at her like arrows. ‘How’s Lottie?’ ‘Where’s Jim?’ ‘How do you feel about Maple Gold replacing you with a different family?’ ‘Does Lottie resent you putting her on-screen at such a young age?’ ‘Those are some great, um, deep questions,’ Greta said with a swallow. She grabbed her notes, hurriedly trying to recover her thread. ‘I think my talk will cover most of them . . . Now, where was I?’ Then, suddenly, the shrill scream of the smoke alarm pierced the moment. Greta jumped and spun around to see smoke billowing from the oven. Josie shouted out over the bleeping alarm. ‘Maisie. Did you forget about the brownies?’ Maisie’s head snapped up, her eyes widening when she noticed the grey clouds. ‘Oops.’ A flurry of activity broke out. Maisie darted behind the counter and yanked open the oven door, waving her arms as the grey smoke curled out. ‘It’s fine. Totally under control.’ Josie grabbed her oven gloves and pulled out the tray. The burnt brownies looked like steaming lumps of coal, and she tossed them into the sink. Greta rushed over to help, spinning on the tap so the brownies spat and sizzled. She threw open the front door to let in some fresh air, then grabbed a tea towel and wafted it in front of the smoke alarm until it stopped. ‘Is everyone okay?’ she called out.  An elderly couple had already put on their coats and scuttled outside. The remaining four guests had drifted toward the buffet table, their focus now on cake rather than conversation. Greta followed them, trying to salvage what was left of the evening. One man wrapped cake into a napkin and slipped it into his pocket. A couple of women wearing matching blue anoraks conversed loudly. ‘I didn’t recognize Greta at first, did you? She’s put on quite a bit of weight,’ one said. ‘I know. Age isn’t kind to some ladies,’ her friend replied. ‘Ahem.’ Greta stood beside them and picked up a cookie. ‘I’m forty-five and proud of it,’ she said, biting it into it. ‘Worth every extra pound, don’t you think?’ The women paused with their cakes suspended mid-air, before nodding sheepishly. Greta attempted to spark interest in her acting classes, but the attention was elsewhere, mostly on the kitchen, which looked like it had been trampled by a herd of buffalo. She joined Josie at the door, wearily bidding goodnight to the guests as they filtered out. ‘Sorry everything didn’t go to plan. I can’t thank you enough,’ Josie said. She handed Greta a brown envelope containing her small fee. ‘I’m not sure I’m cut out to run a coffee shop . . .’ Greta mustered a tired smile. After tonight, she felt the same way about performing in public. She said goodnight, then called Lottie while trudging to her car, leaving a message on her voicemail. ‘Hi, sweetheart. I’ll be home soon. Hope your rehearsal went well.’ Rain pelted down, and Greta hunched her shoulders against the cold. The streets were empty and quiet, and icy droplets snaked down her neck, making her shiver. In the dark, she noticed a hunched figure approaching, and Jim’s warning about staying safe echoed in her mind. She tried to swerve, but the person bumped her arm. Startled, Greta dropped her car keys and stooped to pick them up. When she looked up, a woman in a long, dark coat stood over her. Her face was part hidden by a voluminous hood, and long tendrils of her damp white hair hung down. With a quick muttered apology, the stranger handed a piece of paper to Greta and hurried across the road. As she stood up, Greta’s heart thudded in her chest. Under the dim street lamp, she uncurled her fingers and glanced at the flyer. It was probably just a pizza menu, but the vintage-style design caught her eye. It featured an illustration of a white rabbit and the words ‘Looking for the Perfect Blend?’ Beneath it was an image of a jar with the label ‘Drink Me.’ She gripped the flyer tighter, unsure what it was even promoting. A strange feeling of curiosity rippled through her body. Looking for the perfect blend? In her life, she most certainly was. She climbed into her car and tossed the flyer onto the passenger seat. Sitting there for a moment, she flopped her head against the steering wheel as the evening’s events raced through her mind. Was she ever going to get her life back on track? With a deep sigh, Greta turned the key in the ignition and waited for the engine to rumble to life. The light from the street lamps twinkled orange in the raindrops on the wind- screen, and she released the handbrake. It was probably just a trick of the light, but as Greta pulled off the car park, she could have sworn the white rabbit on the flyer gave her a wink. From The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick. Copyright © 2025 by Phaedra Patrick. Published by Park Row Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. About the author Phaedra Patrick is the bestselling author of several novels, including The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper, which has been translated into twenty-five languages worldwide. Her second novel, Rise and Shine Benedict Stone, was made into a Hallmark movie.  An award-winning short story writer, she previously studied art and marketing and has worked as a stained glass artist, film festival organizer and communications manager.  Phaedra lives in Saddleworth, UK, with her family. Connect with Phaedra Website | Facebook | Goodreads | X | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

         It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!  ************************************** Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading! What I'm currently reading Dark Current Risingby Ashley FarleyeARC for reviewPub date ~ January 6 Remember to Eat and Other Storiesby Meryl Ainprint for reviewPub date ~ January 20 The Tenantby Freida McFaddenaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished May 2025 What I recently finished The Christmas Party(Bailey Family #1)by Mikayla Davidse-book for a challenge Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt Youby Gail Ward OlmstedeARC for reviewPub date ~ December 11 The Palest Ink: Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters(Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #0)by Kay Brattaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished October 2015 What I am going to read next The Lost Ballerinaby Deanna Lynn SletteneARC for reviewPub date ~ January 13 I really love my reading life! What are you reading this week? ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!  

 The Perfect Hosts by Heather GudenkaufThriller, Mystery, 320 pagesPublished November 4, 2025 by Park Row A couple’s gender reveal party turns deadly and everyone is a suspect in this gripping thriller from the New York Times bestselling author of The Overnight Guest. Is it a boy or a girl? They would die to know… Madeline and Wes Drake have invited two hundred of their closest friends and family to their sprawling horse ranch for the most anticipated event of the year: a “pistols and pearls” gender reveal party so sensational it is sure to make headlines. But the party descends into chaos when the celebratory explosive misfires, leaving one woman dead and a trail of secrets. As the aftershocks of the bloody party ripple across the small town, Agent Jamie Saldano is brought on the scene to investigate. Battling his own demons from the past, Saldano unearths a web of deceit spun around the Drakes. The appearance of some unexpected houseguests only deepens the mystery. And as tensions mount, it becomes clear that the explosion wasn’t just an unlucky accident. But who was the target, and why? As the shadow of a killer looms, the happy parents-to-be must unravel the truth before it’s too late. My thoughts about The Perfect Hosts ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.) First lines—"Madeline Drake looks out her bedroom window, one hand resting on her belly, one hand shielding her eyes." The Perfect Hosts is another great thriller by thus fabulous author She is definitely on my 'must-read' author list. I am never disappointed. The story starts out innocently enough—a gender reveal for the happy (but really, are they?) couple. What could go wrong? But then everything does! An explosion rocks everyone's world and when the whole incident is investigated, secrets are uncovered. How deep does this all go? This is the perfect thriller with twists and turns, good people and bad, and scenes that you will not be expecting. The Perfect Hosts is the perfect read for any and all thriller, mystery lovers. Highly recommend it! I received an ARC of The Perfect Hosts and this is my honest opinion of the book. ******************** About the author Heather Gudenkauf is the Edgar Award nominated, New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of ten novels, including The Overnight Guest and her most recent thriller Everyone is Watching. Her debut novel, The Weight of Silence, was an instant NYT bestseller and remained on the list for 22 weeks.  Gudenkauf’s critically acclaimed novels have been published in over 25 countries and have sold over 2.5 million copies worldwide. Her books have been featured on many Best Of roundups including lists by The New York Times, The Washington Post, NPR, Amazon, Apple Books, GoodReads, and more. Her eleventh novel, The Perfect Hosts will be released on November 4, 2025.  Heather lives in Iowa with her family. ~ Goodreads Connect with Heather Website | Facebook | Goodreads | BookBub | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Three Days in June by Anne TylerFiction, Romance, Contemporary, 165 pagesPublished February 11, 2025 by Knopf A new Anne Tyler novel destined to be an instant classic: a socially awkward mother of the bride navigates the days before and after her daughter's wedding. Gail Baines is having a bad day. To start, she loses her job—or quits, depending on whom you ask. Tomorrow her daughter, Debbie, is getting married, and she hasn’t even been invited to the spa day organized by the mother of the groom. Then, Gail’s ex-husband, Max, arrives unannounced on her doorstep, carrying a cat, without a place to stay, and without even a suit. But the true crisis lands when Debbie shares with her parents a secret she has just learned about her husband to be. It will not only throw the wedding into question but also stir up Gail and Max’s past. Told with deep sensitivity and a tart sense of humor, full of the joys and heartbreaks of love and marriage and family life, Three Days in June is a triumph, and gives us the perennially bestselling, Pulitzer Prize–winning writer at the height of her powers My thoughts about Three Days in June ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.) First lines—"People don't tap their watches anymore; have you noticed? Standard wristwatches, I'm talking about. Remember how people used to tap them?" Three Days in June covers the day before, the day of, and the day after the wedding of Gail Baines' daughter, Debbie. The first day starts off with Gail losing her job and then her ex showing up at her doorstep, with a cat. And the awkwardness and drama just continues from there. This book had me in it's grip from the very start. And Anne Tyler's writing had the words flowing from the pages to the comfort center of my brain. She has such a beautiful way with words! Throughout the turmoil and excitement of a wedding, I felt like I was among friends and enjoyed all three days that I spent with these people.  Three Days in June is a quick, enjoyable read and one I know you will enjoy. Highly recommend! I received Three Days in June from Goodreads and this is my honest opinion of the book. ******************** About the author Anne Tyler was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota, in 1941 and grew up in Raleigh, North Carolina. She graduated at nineteen from Duke University and went on to do graduate work in Russian studies at Columbia University. She has published 20 novels, her debut novel being If Morning Ever Comes in (1964). Her eleventh novel, Breathing Lessons , was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in 1988. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Letters. ~ Goodreads Connect with Anne Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Happy Release Day! Congratulations Ashleyon the release today ofThe First Last Kiss! The First Last Kiss: A Holiday Rom-Com Short Read by Ashley Farley(When Sparks Fly Series)Holiday Fiction, Women's Short Stories, 114 pagesPublished December 2, 2025 by AHF Publishing She built her life to prove him wrong. The life he thought he wanted means nothing without her. When overworked investment banker Lucas Porter takes a detour through his Brooklyn Heights neighborhood one winter evening, the last thing he expects is to glimpse Bella Quinn—the girl he once loved and lost—through the window of a cozy flower shop. In a city glowing with holiday lights, the sight of her stops him cold. Years ago, Lucas broke Bella’s heart with a single careless she wasn’t ambitious enough for his world. Now she’s everything he said she should be—successful, admired, and in demand—but her dazzling new life leaves her lonelier than ever. Determined to earn a second chance, Lucas begins sending anonymous Juliet roses, peppermint hot chocolate, the new Christmas release by her favorite author, each one a message from the man who never stopped remembering. As Christmas fades into New Year’s Eve, his quiet gestures rekindle something in Bella she thought had long since wilted. But when the truth comes out and old wounds resurface, forgiveness might be the only gift that can bring them together again—just in time for a midnight kiss beneath the New York sky. My thoughts about The First Last Kiss ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.) First lines—"Nothing in my life has turned out as planned." Can two star crossed lovers have a second chance for a great love that was thrown away years ago? Have their goals and personalities changed enough to mesh now in the present day?  The First Last Kiss answers these questions and more as the reader gets to enjoy a romantic New York Christmas season. Lucas catches sight of Bella years after breaking her heart. He starts wooing her again but she's not sure she wants to open her heart to him after what he did.  This beautiful, romantic story is the perfect book to read now for a nice little treat during this busy month. The First Last Kiss is another great story by the wonderful Ashley Farley. I have loved all of her books and this is one you that will want to read as soon as you can!  ******************** About the author Ashley Farley writes books about women for women. Her characters are mothers, daughters, sisters, and wives facing real-life issues. Her bestselling Sweeney Sisters series has touched the lives of many. Ashley is a wife and mother of two young adult children. While she's lived in Richmond, Virginia for the past 21 years, a piece of her heart remains in the salty marshes of the South Carolina Lowcountry, where she still calls home. Through the eyes of her characters, she captures the moss-draped trees, delectable cuisine, and kindhearted folk with lazy drawls that make the area so unique. For more information, visit www.ashleyfarley.com ~ Goodreads Connect with Ashley Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

The Champagne Crush by Caroline O’ Connell(Les Femmes Series)Publication date: September 16th 2025Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance For fans of Emily In Paris (on Netflix). “Pop the cork on this sparkling romance where champagne dreams and career schemes collide in the vineyards of Napa and the glamour of New York. Catherine Reynolds is ready to reinvent herself, but a flirty CEO, fizzing ambition, and a splash of betrayal shake up her plans. From vineyard drama to high-stakes PR, love and bubbles rise to the top. Perfect for fans of witty banter, slow-burn tension, and second chances with a twist.”—Los Angeles Book Review Catherine Reynolds has enjoyed a life of luxury, but her diplomat parents have cut her off financially, leaving her flat broke. She is determined to turn things around and gain her independence—so, when an old family friend offers her a lifeline as a PR consultant for his sparkling wine company, she jumps at the chance. But working with Chris McDermott, the company’s sexy, stubborn president, is anything but easy. A purist at heart, Chris clashes with Catherine’s glitzy marketing flair; still, the chemistry between them is undeniable. As they travel from New York to Napa, Paris, and the Champagne region of France, their partnership blossoms amid high-stakes industry rivalries and a launch that could make or break them. When sabotage threatens to shatter their dreams, Catherine must dig deep to prove her worth. With the dazzling unveiling of their new sparkling wine in Bordeaux in jeopardy, will she and Chris overcome the challenges of the past and present to secure their future—and find love in the process? Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble iBooks | Kobo ********************************** EXCERPT Scene in the Champagne Region of France. Catherine rode up front with Frédéric. The short drive from Trianon to Hautvillers, a picturesque “high village,” took them up a narrow, winding road barely changed for centuries. Along the route, they passed well-preserved ancient buildings, some displaying forged-iron signs from a different era. Frédéric pulled up to the Abbey of Hautvillers. The small historic church overlooked fields of vineyards in the valley below. “For Champenois,” Frédéric said, “this is considered the birthplace of champagne. Other regions were experimenting with sparkling wine, but this was the place in France, in Champagne.” He led them to a patio where an ice bucket and three flutes sat on a small table. “Let’s take a moment to savor a good French champagne, while I tell the story.” He pulled a bottle of Moët’s Dom Pérignon out of the ice bucket and opened it. “It’s appropriate to drink this champagne, since Moët & Chandon named their prestige blend after Dom Pérignon.” He filled the flutes. “Let’s toast.” Frédéric began. In 1668, a young Benedictine monk, Pierre Pérignon, became cellarmaster of the Abbey at Hautvillers. Dom was a title given to certain Benedictine monks, so he was called Dom Pérignon. At the time, the abbey was making still wine. Hautvillers, in the Falaises de Champagne, has a cool northern climate. Pérignon noticed when the weather turned warm in spring some bottles of wine became effervescent. By accident, they had gone through a second fermentation, creating bubbly wine. Through trial and error, Pérignon determined that wine yeast went dormant in cold temperatures. In spring, the remaining leftover yeast initiated another fermentation, creating the bubbles. “We’re talking about a lot of bubbles,” Frédéric said. He explained the bottles couldn’t withstand the additional pressure. Many bottles shattered or the wood plugs popped out, causing spillage. Eventually, Dom Pérignon came up with a cork plug to hermetically seal the bottles, trapping the bubbles in. “There were still many broken bottles,” Frédéric laughed, “until they devised a way to make stronger bottles.” Future champagne producers learned how to create the millions of bubbles in each bottle by adding yeast to the blended still wine for the second fermentation. “A sip to celebrate this monk and his gift to the world.” Frédéric lifted his flute. Chris thoroughly enjoyed Frédéric’s description. Catherine seemed mesmerized and made a few notes. “Pérignon devoted his life to the abbey until he died in 1715,” Frédéric said. “And now, let’s pay our respects.” He led them into the small church to view Dom Pérignon’s tombstone. They walked back to the car in contemplative silence. Frédéric checked his phone. “We have time to drive by the church in Reims, if you’d like to see it.” “I’d love to,” Catherine said. “My parents were married at Notre-Dame de Paris, a similar Gothic cathedral.” Traffic was light. They arrived in Reims, the capital of Champagne, thirty minutes later. Frédéric pulled up to the plaza in front of the cathedral. He gestured to the edifice. “This church has an important historical significance in France. Starting in the thirteenth century, it was chosen for the coronation of French kings”—he paused—“for six hundred years.” “That’s a long time,” Chris said. “One of the most famous coronations was the crowning of Charles the Seventh in 1429, attended by Joan of Arc. Jeanne d’Arc, in French,” he added. “Unfortunately, not long after, she was captured by the English and put to death for helping French fighters during the Hundred Years’ War.” “Sad story,” Catherine said. She stepped out of the car and took a few photos of the facade. When she got back in, Frédéric drove a few miles to their destination. It was clear the main business of Reims was champagne. Markers indicating numerous champagne houses, including Taittinger and Veuve Clicquot, popped up along the route. Right before the approach to Les Crayères, they passed a sign for Pommery Champagne. Frédéric pulled into a parking spot. “We’re here.” He got out of the car to see them off. “Thank you, Frédéric, for making us feel so welcome,” Chris said. “You’ve been a great host and guide.” Chris shook his hand, and Catherine and Frédéric shared air kisses on both cheeks. “You’ll have to visit us in New York sometime,” Catherine said. “It’s my dream to go to the US,” Frédéric said. “En tout cas, I will see you in Bordeaux in June.” “Yes, in two months,” Chris said. As they walked up to the entrance, Chris stifled the urge to hold Catherine’s hand. She gave him his tie and pulled out a multicolored scarf that she wrapped around her neck. Chris admired the breathtaking classic French château set in the midst of lush parkland. Yves texted he was running late, so they opted to wait in the bar. After perusing the carte of champagnes by the glass, Chris chose Pommery. Appropriate, since the château was built by that family. A brochure on the table relayed the history. Les Crayères was built for Louise Pommery, the Duchess of Polignac, in 1904. Decades later, it became a twenty-room château for guests, boasting a gourmet restaurant and luxurious rooms overlooking manicured gardens. One reviewer called it “a Versailles in miniature . . . the stuff of honeymoons and weekend-away liaisons.” Their flutes were served cold, the way he liked it. They tapped glasses before taking their first sips, very much in sync, like a couple. Chris was starting to sag after a busy day preceded by an early run, but Catherine seemed like the Energizer bunny; that is, if said rabbit wore a short slim dress showcasing killer legs, which he now knew could run like the wind. Catherine set her glass down. “This is good champagne. Smart choice for the setting. The Pommerys built a lovely château.” “This place is pretty spectacular,” he agreed, then couldn’t resist adding, “I know who I want to bring here for the two-night stay I won in the auction.” ************ Excerpt from The Champagne Crush by Caroline O’Connell, courtesy of SparkPress, an imprint of The Stable Book Group. ********************************** About the author Caroline O'Connell has written five travel guides and numerous travel articles for magazines, newspapers, and websites. Her Romance In Paris guide has won widespread praise: “There is no better person to guide you through Paris than Caroline”—Peter Greenberg, the Travel Detective, radio host, and Travel Editor on CBS-TV. And Library Journal raved—“Reading this breezy but informative guide to Paris is like having a series of conversations with a well-traveled friend…” Her debut novel, The Champagne Crush: A Romance Novel (Spark Press), is due out on September 16, 2025. Connect with Caroline Website | Goodreads / X Champagne for the Holidays Blitz Giveaway ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

        It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!  ************************************** How can it be December already!? I'm tired of the cold and snow already and I'm not at all ready for Christmas, which is coming up fast! Yikes!! Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading! What I'm currently reading Remember to Eat and Other Storiesby Meryl Ainprint for reviewPub date ~ January 20 Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt Youby Gail Ward OlmstedeARC for reviewPub date ~ December 11 The Palest Ink: Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters(Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #0)by Kay Brattaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished October 2015 What I recently finished The Day the World Came to Town: 9/11 in Gander, Newfoundlandby Jim DeFedeprint from my TBR shelfPublished September 2002 Three Days in June by Anne Tyler print for review Published February 2025 The First Last Kiss: A Holiday Rom-Com Short Read (When Sparks Fly Series) by Ashley Farley eARC for review Pub date ~ December 2 What I am going to read next The Christmas Party(Bailey Family #1)by Mikayla Davidse-book for a challenge I really love my reading life! What are you reading this week? ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!  

North of Tomboy by Julie A. SwansonMiddle Grade, Queer, Fiction, 376 pagesPublished September 2, 2025, by SparkPress For fans of Kacen Callender, Lin Thompson, and Kyle Lukoff, comes a middle grade novel set in 1973 about a child who feels more boy than girl and is frustrated that people act blind to that when—aside for her stupid hair and clothes—it should be obvious! Shy fourth grader Jess Jezowski turns the tables on her mom when she’s given yet another girly baby doll for Christmas. This time, instead of ignoring or destroying it, she transforms it into the boy she’s always wanted to be—a brave, funny little guy named Mickey. Making him talk, Jess finally lets the boy in her express himself. But when Mickey evolves to become something more like an alter ego whose voice drowns out her own and the secret of him escapes the safety of her family, Jess realizes Mickey’s too limited and doesn’t allow the boy part of her a big enough presence in the world. She must find a way to blend him into her—so she can be that side of herself anywhere, around anyone. Jess tries to wean herself from the crutch of Mickey’s loud, comical persona, and to get her family to forget about him, but she struggles to do both. What will it take for her to stop hiding behind Mickey and get people to see her for who she truly is? Based on the author’s experience growing up on Michigan’s rural Leelanau Peninsula in the ’70s, North of Tomboy includes artwork throughout. My thoughts about North of Tomboy ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.) First lines—"On the day I was born, God made a mistake." North of Tomboy gives the reader interesting and enlightening insight to the confusion experienced by most young people in their pre-teen and teen years. Trying to figure out their bodies, minds, and the hormones during that turbulent time isn't easy. Jess sees herself differently from the way others around her perceive her. When she creates another persona in Mickey, she becomes very comfortable using his personality for a lot of the situations she finds herself in. Will she be able to move past this shield that she has created with Mickey to discover her own true self?  North of Tomboy is the perfect read for young people who might be struggling with their identity and may help them realize that they are not alone in their struggles. ************************* Praise for North of Tomboy ". . . a powerful, tender portrait of early gender exploration and self-acceptance, interwoven with charming illustrations."—Readers' Favorite, 5-star review "North of Tomboy is an engaging novel that reveals the inner world of a creative child who explores and learns to express her nonconforming gender identity."—Foreword Reviews "An adolescent's struggle with identity makes for a smart, fascinating read."—Kirkus Reviews ******************** About the author Julie Swanson grew up on Michigan's "Little Finger", the Leelanau Peninsula, where many of her stories are set, but has lived in Wisconsin, Iowa, Vermont, New Hampshire, California, and Virginia.  For the past twenty-five years she's lived in Charlottesville, VA. Julie writes middle grade and young adult novels and enjoys sports, the outdoors, "making things" (almost any type of art or craft, woodworking), reading, writing, eating, planting trees, and spending time with family. She suddenly has 6 grandchildren! Good thing she loves kids. ~ Goodreads Connect with Julie Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Happy Release Day! Congrats Kayon the release today ofTell Me Why! Tell Me Why by Kay Bratt(Hart's Ridge #14)Saga Fiction, 283 pagesPublished November 24, 2025 by Red Thread Publishing Group In Hart’s Ridge, secrets don’t stay buried. They burn. When a charred vehicle is found abandoned on the outskirts of town—with a body too damaged to identify inside—private investigator Taylor Gray is called to the scene. But nothing prepares her for the possibility that the victim might be someone she once called family. As rumors swirl and grief ripples through Hart’s Ridge, Taylor digs deep into the investigation, uncovering ties to a shady local business, a trail of hidden cash, and a growing list of people with something to hide. Every lead pulls her further into a dark web of corruption, addiction, and betrayal—and closer to a truth that someone is desperate to keep buried. With her instincts sharp and her heart on the line, Taylor must race to connect the dots before another life is lost. Because in this town, justice isn't just personal—it's dangerous. From Kay Bratt, bestselling author of the Hart’s Ridge series, comes a gripping small-town mystery full of unforgettable characters, shocking twists, and emotional depth. Tell Me Why is perfect for fans of crime fiction, women sleuths, Southern suspense, and stories where family ties cut both ways. My thoughts about Tell Me Why ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.) First lines—"Fear is the moment before reality hits. Dread is knowing something is coming and being powerless to stop it." This book in this wonderful series starts off pretty intense! Taylor is racing to the scene of a horrible car accident, not knowing who was involved. As she ticks off all of her family members and their whereabouts to determine if they are safe, she speeds to the location of the wrecked car. How frightening! The intensity during Taylor's investigation doesn't wan much at all as she tries to figure out what happened and why. The corruption and the secrets that she uncovers puts everyone around her in danger. I flew through the pages to try to unravel the mystery myself.  I love this series and I love each adventure that Kay Bratt takes me on with her new book. I love the cases that Taylor gets wrapped up in as well as the personal family happenings that are a part of every episode. I get the mystery right along with the family drama. The best of both worlds.  The Hart's Ridge series is an amazing set of stories, with memorable characters and interesting plots. I highly recommend Tell Me Why, along with this whole series—it just keeps getting better and better.  And the author just keeps writing this series. Yay for us!! Book #15, Ticket to Ride, is expected to be released on March 19, 2026! I received an ARC of Tell Me Why from the author and this is my honest opinion. *********************** Read my thoughts about Hart's Ridge, Lucy in the Sky, In My Life, Borrowed Time, Instant Karma, Nobody Told Me, Hello Goodbye, Starting Over, Blackbird, Hello Little Girl, So This is Christmas, Every Little Thing, and Now and Then ************************** About the author Kay Bratt; Writer, Rescuer, Wanderer As a writer, Kay used writing to help her navigate a tumultuous childhood, followed by a decade of abuse as an adult. After working her way through the hard years, Kay emerged a survivor and a pursuer of peace--and finally found the courage to share her stories. She is the author of more than a dozen full length books, with ten of those published by Lake Union Publishing. Kay writes women's fiction and historical fiction, and her books have fueled many exciting book club discussions. Her works have been translated into German, Korean, Chinese, Czechoslovakian, and Estonian. As a rescuer, Kay currently focuses her efforts on animal rescue and is the Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. As a child advocate, she spent a number of years volunteering in a Chinese orphanage, as well as provided assistance for several nonprofit organizations that support children in China, including An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries. In the USA, she actively served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, and spear-headed numerous outreach programs for underprivileged children in the South Carolina area. As a wanderer, Kay has lived in nearly three dozen different homes, on two continents and in states from coast to coast in the USA. She's traveled to Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Philippines, Central America, Bahamas, and Australia. Currently she and her soulmate of more than 25 years enjoy life in their forever home on the banks of Lake Hartwell in Georgia, USA. Kay has been described as southern, spicy, and a little sassy. Social media forces her to overshare and you don't want to miss some of the antics that goes on with her and the Bratt Pack.  Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and then buckle up and enjoy the ride. You can find a full list of her published works at www.kaybratt.com -- To be notified when new books are released, please sign up for my monthly email newsletter at www.kaybratt.com ~ Goodreads Connect with Kay Website |  Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads ********************** Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

       It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!  ************************************** Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading! What I'm currently reading The First Last Kiss: A Holiday Rom-Com Short Read(When Sparks Fly Series)by Ashley FarleyeARC for reviewPub date ~ December 2 Three Days in Juneby Anne Tylerprint for reviewPublished February 2025 The Palest Ink: Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters(Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #0)by Kay Brattaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished October 2015 What I recently finished The Time Hop Coffee Shop by Phaedra Patrick eARC for review Pub date ~ December 9 A Crimson Heart: A Thanksgiving and Christmas Novella by Grace Greene eARC for review Published November 20, 2025 Read my thoughts here Nowhere Girl by Susan Strecker paperback from my TBR shelf for a challenge Published March 2016 What I am going to read next Class Action: What You Don’t Know CAN Hurt Youby Gail Ward Olmstedprint arc for reviewPub date ~ December 11 I really love my reading life! What are you reading this week? ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!  

Happy Release Day! Congratulations Graceon the release today ofA Crimson Heart! A Crimson Heart: A Thanksgiving and Christmas Novella by Grace GreeneHoliday Fiction, 148 pages Published November 20, 2025 by Kersey Creek Books She lost her husband years ago. Now, she may lose the one person—and the one place—that still holds his memory. Amelia Hennipen has spent years quietly mourning her husband, Simon, while doing her duty, as she sees it. But grief doesn’t offer rest—not when the past lingers in every room of Hennipen House, and not while caring for Simon’s aging grandmother, Henny, whose mind is slowly slipping away. This Thanksgiving, new neighbors, Nathan Shaw and his young nephew, bring fresh laughter and the warm aromas of a holiday meal back into the house. For the first time in years, Hennipen House feels alive. Plans for a memorable Christmas are underway… until Henny’s daughter, Lisa, delivers news that will break the promises she made to Henny, and change everything. She intends to change Henny's current living arrangements. What is best for Henny? Amelia doesn’t know for sure, but she does know this will break the promise they made to Henny. Amelia must decide: will she walk away from the home and the challenge of the increasingly difficult obligations to Henny, the woman who is more like her mother than her own? Or will she fight for one more Christmas at Hennipen House, and maybe even a chance at more to come? A heartwarming holiday novella about love, the memories we cherish, difficult decisions, and the strength it takes to choose one’s path. My thoughts about A Crimson Heart ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.) First line—"Red is the color of love and sometimes romance." Grace Greene's books are always filled with wonderful, kind characters and warm, inviting settings. A Crimson Heart was no different because I immediately felt comfortable in this world, surrounded by captivating people.  Amelia has her hands full taking care of Henny. New neighbors and upcoming changes put her world in a tailspin when all she wants is what's best for Henny. The holidays are coming up but will they be able to celebrate the way that they want or will things be out of their control? A Crimson Heart is the perfect escape read for everyone right now. Escape into this short, entertaining read before the craziness of the holidays take over all of our worlds. I have loved all of Grace Greene's stories and this one is just as wonderful as all of the rest of her books. I highly recommend it! I received an ARC of A Crimson Heart and this is my honest opinion of the book.  About the author Grace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration ~ The Emerald Isle, NC Stories Series includes Beach Rental, Beach Winds, Beach Wedding, along with the Christmas novellas, Beach Christmas and Beach Walk.  Her Virginia books are Women's Fiction with romance, suspense and mystery. Most are set in rural Cub Creek and include her bestselling The Memory of Butterflies and The Happiness In Between which were released in 2017. Three new Cub Creek books were released in 2019 - The Wildflower House Series: Wildflower Heart, Wildflower Hope and Wildflower Christmas, and Wildflower Wedding, A Light Last Seen was released in Feb. 2020.  A Barefoot Tide and A Dancing Tide brought a new character from Cub Creek to the beach at Emerald Isle with beloved crossover characters from both settings. Beach Heart and Emerald Heart are single titles set in Emerald Isle, NC. Grace's newest, A Heart Beyond, will be released on September 3rd, 2024. Grace is also an artist and photographer and these interests show up on the pages of the stories. She lives in central Virginia. ~ Goodreads Connect with Grace Website | X | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways! 

      It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!  ************************************** Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading! What I'm currently reading A Crimson Heart: A Thanksgiving and Christmas Novellaby Grace GreeneeARC for reviewPub date ~ November 20 The Time Hop Coffee Shopby Phaedra PatrickeARC for reviewPub date ~ December 9 Nowhere Girlby Susan Streckerpaperback from my TBR shelf for a challengePublished March 2016 The Palest Ink: Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters(Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #0)by Kay Brattaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished October 2015 What I recently finished Tell Me Why (Hart's Ridge #14) by Kay Bratt eARC for review Pub date ~ November 24 Red Skies (Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #4) by Kay Bratt audio-book from my TBR collection Published January 2014 What I am going to read next Three Days in Juneby Anne Tylerprint for reviewPublished February 2025 I really love my reading life! What are you reading this week? ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!  

Can’t Hurry Christmas by Melissa BaldwinPublication date: November 13th 2025Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Holiday, Romance The holiday spirit is the last thing on my mind, and he’s focused on his new beginning. But one mistletoe moment might change everything. Callie Spending the holidays alone for the first time in four years wasn’t exactly on my wish list. But with a major shake-up at work and more changes than I ever saw coming, embracing my new reality seems like the only option. And then there’s Travis—charming, handsome, and a Texas drawl that could make any woman weak in the knees. But is it too soon to start something new? I’ve been out of the dating game for a while, and maybe this season is meant for family, friends, and finding joy in my new season. One thing’s for sure—I’m in no hurry for Christmas to arrive. Travis Christmas in the Northeast? In the freezing cold? Yeah, not exactly my idea of home. But turning down this job offer wasn’t an option—it’s the kind of opportunity that doesn’t come around every day. Still, spending the holidays away from everything and everyone I love is tougher than I expected. And then there’s Callie. I never planned to meet someone like her, let alone work so closely with her. Now I’m left wondering… is taking this risk worth everything I’ve worked for? Have you read the award-winning UnLucky Christmas? Don’t miss the chance to catch up with your favorite characters in Can’t Hurry Christmas from USA Today Bestselling Author Melissa Baldwin. Goodreads | Amazon *************************** EXCERPT “Callie, I know this isn’t a typical holiday season for you. I can’t imagine how you are feeling now that…things are different without …” “You can say his name, Hannah.” “Joey,” she says softly. “I’m sorry. I know this is a difficult time.” I shake my head. “Don’t be sorry. I asked him to set a wedding date, and he said he wasn’t ready and didn’t know when he would be. That pretty much told me everything I needed to know. Our goals were not exactly as aligned as I thought they were.” She places a hand on my shoulder and gives it a gentle squeeze. “I’m really proud of you.” “Proud? For getting dumped?” “No. For not settling,” she explains. “And for letting me drag you into crazy holiday chaos instead of spending the night alone, binge-watching TV shows you’ve seen a hundred times.” I laugh under my breath. “You’re not wrong. This is good for me—I always do better when I’m busy.” “You might even enjoy yourself at the festive family night,” she says, tying another bow in less than two seconds. “Oh, I’m sure it’ll be a blast,” I say flatly. “Hundreds of children, awkward small talk, and tacky decor. I’m all in.” She giggles. “By the way, Anna’s new friend is coming with us. Her name’s Mia. She’s such a sweetheart.” “Cool,” I say, biting my lip as I attempt another bow. “And her dad’s meeting us there.” I glance up. “Okay?” “He’s a very nice guy…” I narrow my eyes at her. “That’s great. Is there a reason you’re telling me this?” She conveniently avoids making eye contact with me. “Hannah…” “Yes?” “What are you up to?” “I’m not up to anything,” she says, innocently. “I just thought it might be nice for you to meet a new friend.” I stare at her. I should’ve known she was up to something. She was very insistent that I go to the festive family night. She shrugs. “Anyway, he’s single. And nice. He has a good job. And he’s very—” “Stop right there,” I interrupt. “No setups. You promised.” “I didn’t set you up,” she says. “I merely mentioned that a single, employed man who also happens to be a devoted father will be in the same vicinity as you.” “Oh, well in that case,” I say, rolling my eyes again. She smirks and reaches over to take the mangled ribbon from my hands. “Here, let me help. You’re not exactly grasping the bow tying process here.” “I didn’t get Mom’s crafty gene like you,” I mutter. She laughs. “No. But you certainly inherited the moody gene from her.” “I’m not the only one,” I tell her. She holds up a perfectly wrapped box, complete with an elaborate gold bow. “See? We make a good team.” “Always,” I say. “You do the work, and I’m here for moral support.” *************************** About the author USA Today bestselling author Melissa Baldwin always dreamed of sharing her stories with the world. She brought this vision to life, becoming an award-winning, bestselling author of over thirty romantic comedies and cozy mysteries. Melissa is also a wife, mother, new empty-nester, and travel advisor. Her books feature charming, ambitious, and real women, whom she considers part of her tribe. Although she rarely takes a day off, when she's not writing, she enjoys quality time with her family, traveling, attempting yoga poses, and booking Disney vacations. Melissa still uses a paper planner, and her guilty pleasures include Beverly Hills 90210 reruns and General Hospital. Visit authormelissabaldwin .com to sign up for her newsletter. Fans of Melissa's books, join her Reader Tribe on Facebook Connect with Melissa Website | Goodreads | Facebook Page | Facebook Group Instagram | TikTok Can’t Hurry Christmas Blitz Giveaway ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways! 

Powerful bloodlines tied by Fate,who can’t be free even in death... One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches by Kayleigh KavanaghPublished September 29, 2025 by Oriana NeomarHistorical/Paranormal/FantasyFormat: Kindle, 400 pages Demdike and Chattox, famed witches of Pendle Forest, might be dead, but they’re not gone. Bound to their bloodline, they’ve spent the past two and a half centuries watching over their descendants, waiting for when they’ll be needed. When 14 year old Yana comes into her psychic abilities and inherits the ‘eyes of the Chattox family’, she can see the long-dead witches, as well as an encroaching evil. But even with this foreknowledge, she’s trapped by marriage interviews and being unable to see her own future, and more importantly, whoever her future husband will be. Demdike’s healing gifts are alive and working in Claire, a mid-30s midwife well renowned for her skills and holding her tongue. The Secrets of Pendle are safe with her and her midwives. However, when surgeons looking to make standardisation the norm encroach on her territory, she soon realises how, even a respected woman is vulnerable in a patriarchal system. The two descendants must come together to protect the ones they love from an ancient evil, all whilst balancing their lives and the cruelties of being a woman in a man’s world. Set in late 1800s NW England, this book has all the elements of the area: strong, hardy people, atmospheric horror and days as unpredictable as the weather. One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches is available at Amazon. ***************************** Excerpt She hadn’t known what to expect from death. No one did. Still, none of her previous thoughts could have come close. This, and she was definitely having an atypical experience. For most souls, death was a release from the mortal coil. Complete separation from the life they’d once lived. She hadn't been so lucky. Some parts of the system had been the same. Her soul had been scooped up. Taken somewhere. She vaguely recalled going over her life and having events explained. Gaining an understanding of the why; to the point she was no longer angry about things which had once made her furious. However, the entire encounter was now a blur. The powers that be had done this on purpose, but the awareness lingered instinctively. Either way, she knew she'd died, gone to the other place, and then thrown back. Before they could send her along to wherever she should have gone next. There'd been an issue. A snag. One which stopped her from moving along to the happy, bliss-filled world of the nether realm. Said snag bore one name: Chattox. Even in death, her frenemy was still causing her bloody issues. “Hey, Demdike, how’s non-life treating you?” Demdike didn’t answer, suddenly filled with the desire to bludgeon the other woman. However, she knew from experience it would be pointless. They weren’t physical beings any longer—even if they were still tied to the physical world. Unless she was willing to destroy the other's soul, the spirit could reform. A tempting idea some days; this non-life was enough to make even the most patient saint a little homicidal. However, even in her worse moments, she wasn't willing to land the final blow. “The same way it’s been treating me for the past two and a half hundred years,” she eventually returned. Still not looking at the other, less she finally indulged her violent impulses. “They’re having a bake sale soon, at the local church. Gods, I miss cake.” Demdike sighed. The sad part was she couldn’t even get rid of the other. Without Chattox, she would be entirely alone in this exhausting existence. “Their cake isn’t anything like the one we used to have. They have more access to sugar, for starters.” Demdike wasn’t even going to comment on the reasons why. King James I's and his ilk had done more than destroy her life. Stretching his greedy grip across the world. From the supposed lands of gold to the continent of darkness, James I's influence had impacted many. She couldn't help but feel for the poor souls stolen from these other countries. Their plights differed from the witch trials, but suffering was a universal language. She would've liked to aid them, but she couldn't even help herself. There was no one to hear her, anyway. Well, other than Chattox, but as she was in the exact same situation. It was no different than voicing her words to the void. Except the void didn’t reply. “Aye, I know, but it doesn’t mean I don’t miss the little pleasures. Few and far between, though they were.” Demdike hummed. This was a conversation they’d had many times. When their new existence was mostly just the two of them, they often spoke of their past. Their past life, to be specific. A lot of it seemed funny now. Maybe it was their time in the decompression zone post life—or maybe it was simply the effect of being so removed from what they’d once been—but matters of life and death were suddenly much less dramatic and far funnier when you were already dead. Fighting over coin, linens, and food were memories they could now look back on and find humour in. Though she also missed cake, death was a lot simpler. Mostly. There was no fighting for survival when you simply just were. No hunger to push you forward or pain to keep you still. As much as she’d once lived with one foot in the ether, having both on death's side was much simpler. If you ignored the limited company. Or how she feared her own mind and sense of self were slowly eroding over time. As though, without a physical body, she was slowly dispersing into nothingness; it was just taking a little longer. – Excerpted from One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches by Kayleigh Kavanagh, Kayleigh Kavanagh, 2025. Reprinted with permission. Guest Post The Inspiration Behind One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle WitchesBy Kayleigh Kavanagh I wrote the first book in the series “Whispers of the Pendle Witches” because it always annoyed me how, even 400 years later, the people who died in those trials were being portrayed as villains. In our supposedly enlightened era, we were still besmirching these individuals as though they were evil. It annoyed me, especially growing up in Lancaster, where they died. I always felt a kinship with them and wanted to put out another narrative. One where they were real people. Ones who today would be considered alternative healers and maybe Wiccans (or the modern interpretation of the word witch), but not devil worshippers, making pacts with the devil and killing their neighbours through malicious magics.  After I completed the first book, I wanted to do more with the characters, but the only option for following the history was to cover the trials, and I just did not want to do that. After many months of deliberation, the idea of reincarnation came to mind. Then I remembered the spell Demdike and Chattox had done at the end of the first book and thought, “What if it went wrong or had unintended consequences?” And I went from there.  I initially wanted to set the book in 1812, exactly two hundred years later (and for the 3rd to be in 2012). However, whilst researching the 1800s, I realised just how much changed in the latter half of the century, and there was a huge potential to build on this. My books have a recurring theme of women’s issues—those which are still relevant today. The 19th century had a lot of advancements, but it also saw the rise of a rhetoric which we’re still impacted by today, even though it isn’t as old as people believe it to be; the notion that women are weak and dainty.  This ideal rose out of a belief that women could lose children doing strenuous work, which is true for the first trimester, but the initial idea went from “women shouldn’t be doing heavy lifting whilst pregnant” to “women's wombs will fall out if they do anything remotely strenuous, and these frail creatures need to be controlled and protected”. Ideals we’re still fighting even now. From this, the character of Claire, a well-informed midwife, was born. A woman in a position of power in a man's world, something many men do not like—especially in the 1860s. She finds herself fighting against the standardisation of medical practices. Not because she opposes it in principle, but because she fears what men will do to women.  In contrast, Yana is a young woman who has grown up with this new mentality and doesn’t know to question many things, despite how she senses things aren’t quite right. Though she does have some wiles, taught to her by women who learnt to hide their strengths in plain sight. She’s in the process of going through marriage interviews, and is caught between wants, needs and the demands of society. Things become even more chaotic when the two women start to remember who they once were, and the trappings and dangers of the spiritual world.  This is where Demdike and Chattox, the original Pendle Witches, come in. They’ve been watching over their family all this time and are now needed to protect them. But how much can earthbound spirits do? Especially against an ancient force.  The four women must come together, despite their limitations, to do what the cunning folk (the UK equivalent of shamanic healers) have always done: protect the physical world from the dangers lying in the ether. ************************* About the author Kayleigh Kavanagh is a disabled writer from the North-West of England. Growing up in the area, she learnt a lot about the Pendle Witches and launched her debut novel around their life story.  Her main writing genres are fantasy and romance, but she loves stories in all formats and genres. Kayleigh hopes to one day be able to share the many ideas dancing around in her head with the world. Her latest book is the historical fantasy, One Foot in the Ether: Whispers of the Pendle Witches Connect with Kayleigh Facebook | Instagram | Goodreads | Tiktok   Sponsored By: ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways! 

Congratulations Carolon the recent release ofDear Orchid! Dear Orchid: Letters and New Beginnings—True Stories and Fiction filled with Heart, Humor, and Hope by Carol Van Den HendeContemporary Women's Fiction, 164 pagesPublished November 11, 2025 by Azine Press “Powerful, haunting, and precise.”—Fiona Davis, New York Times bestselling author of The Stolen Queen These aren’t just stories. They’re love letters. Told through a mix of true stories and new fiction, Dear Orchid opens the heart in unexpected through loss and love, silence and recovery, and the hard-won resilience of people who don’t always fit the mold. With tenderness and heart, Dear Orchid is an Asian American author's homage to Mary-Louise Parker’s Dear Mr. You, through letters to a girl newly freed from East Berlin, an aunt lost to Communist-era borders, and Purple Heart-decorated heroes. These intimate portraits explore the messy beauty of friendship, family, disability, and belonging. You’ll meet a wounded hero who jokes through his pain, a beloved cat with a crayon note taped to his back (“HELP ME”), and characters who refuse to be defined by what they’ve lost. The final chapter brings a fictional reunion with the unforgettable cast from the Goodbye Orchid trilogy, offering healing, closure, and a second chance romance. Written in a lyrical, letter-style format, this collection blends memoir and imagination in a deeply personal exploration of grief, identity, and human connection. It’s a window into private moments that echo something universal. Underneath the heartbreak and humor runs the quiet pull between star-crossed lovers, whose stories unfold across time, distance, and impossible odds. Whether you’re drawn to true stories of survival or fictional narratives filled with tenderness and truth, Dear Orchid offers an emotional journey that celebrates love in all its forms. A collection for anyone who’s ever loved, lost, or longed to understand the emotional truth behind the quiet moments that shape us. Includes elements of multicultural and medical romance, true stories, and unforgettable moments of vulnerability and hope. Also look for the Goodbye Orchid trilogy.  My thoughts about Dear Orchid ~~ I loved the Goodbye Orchid series and absolutely devoured all three books. Dear Orchid is right up there at the top of my favorite reads.  This book is filled with letters and memories that link to the series or the writer's experiences during her journey to get the Orchid books written, and to her life in general. The chapters are touching and heartwarming, and demonstrate the author's love and respect for wounded veterans. Dear Orchid is the perfect companion book to the series and I highly recommend it. First, read the three books in the series and then this one and you will see how it all ties together. Such a beautiful tribute to life, love, and determination. I received a copy of Dear Orchid and this is my honest opinion. ***************************The Goodbye Orchid series Book #1Read my thoughts here Book #2Read my thoughts here Book #3Read my thoughts here *************************** About the author Carol Van Den Hende is the award-winning author of forthcoming Dear Orchid, Orchid Blooming, Goodbye, Orchid and Always Orchid which are inspired by wounded veterans and have won 40+ literary awards, including the American Fiction Award, IAN Outstanding Fiction First Novel Award, and Royal Dragonfly for Disability Awareness. Buzzfeed, Parade, and Travel+Leisure named “heartwarming, heartbreaking” Goodbye, Orchid a most anticipated read. Glamour Magazine recommended this “modern, important take on the power of love.” The International Pulpwood Queens, selected all 3 Goodbye, Orchid books as Books-of-the-Month. Carol’s mission is unlocking optimism as a writer, speaker, strategist, Board member and Climate Reality Leader. One secret to her good fortune? Her humorous husband and twins, who prove that love really does conquer all. Please sign up for Carol’s newsletter at carolvandenhende.com/contact or linktr.ee/cvdh If you enjoyed reading the Goodbye Orchid series, she would appreciate it if you would: Recommend them: Please help other readers find her books by recommending them to friends, readers’ groups, and discussion boards. Review them: Please tell others you liked her books by reviewing them at Amazon, Goodreads and Bookbub.  When you do write a review, please drop her a line at http://www.CarolVanDenHende.com/contact Thank you! Connect with Carol Website | Facebook | Instagram | X | Goodreads ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways! 

     It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!  ************************************** Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading! What I'm currently reading Tell Me Why(Hart's Ridge #14)by Kay BratteARC for reviewPub date ~ November 24 Nowhere Girlby Susan Streckerpaperback from my TBR shelf for a challengePublished March 2016 Red Skies(Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #4)by Kay Brattaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished January 2014 What I recently finished Dear Orchid: Letters and New Beginnings—True Stories and Fiction filled with Heart, Humor, and Hopeby Carol Van Den HendeeARC for reviewPub date ~ November 11 The Perfect Hostsby Heather GudenkaufeARC for reviewPub date ~ November 4 What I am going to read next Three Days in Juneby Anne Tylerprint for reviewPublished February 2025 I really love my reading life! What are you reading this week? ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!  

Behind the Mirror by Bridget Budd Publication date: July 1st 2025 Genres: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction Behind the Mirror is a powerful, character-driven novel about emotional healing, generational trauma, and the courage it takes to stop performing and start living your truth. Sometimes, the hardest person to face is the one behind the mirror… Julie Sloan was shaped by abandonment early in life—left behind by the people who were supposed to love her first. In the absence of emotional safety, she became what the world rewarded: high-achieving, self-sacrificing, and always performing. Through four marriages, she searched for stability while suppressing her deepest fears—that she was unworthy of lasting love, and too broken to be fully seen. But when her fourth marriage nearly collapsed, something shifted. It wasn’t betrayal that broke her—it was the quiet realization that she had never truly lived for herself. What followed was a reckoning: with her past, with the roles she had played to survive, and with the parts of herself she had long silenced. Now, years later, a Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist named Laura wants to profile Julie’s nonprofit work—an organization devoted to helping women heal from emotional wounds. But what begins as a success story takes a deeper turn as Julie reveals the story behind the story—the one she’s never shared publicly. The one about how she abandoned herself first. For readers drawn to novels about inner child work, identity, and spiritual awakening, this deeply personal journey will leave you both broken open and quietly restored. Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Audible | IngramSpark **************************** EXCERPT Julie Sloan had everything she thought she wanted—success, love, stability—but beneath the perfection was an exhaustion she couldn’t name. In this scene from Behind the Mirror, she begins to see the quiet cost of performing her way through life. I had and have everything I had dreamed of. This gorgeous house, an indoor pool, a home gym, a massage room, and a state-of-the-art kitchen. Plus, I drive a super-fun and sporty Porsche 718 Boxster in Carmine Red … Nothing beats the top down on the glorious sunny days we have here. But I was perpetually unhappy and had no idea why. Did you notice that all those things I listed as being everything I dreamed of were external? None of them reflected satisfaction from the inside out. I was living from the outside in. Even as recently as ten years ago, I was stuck in that familiar pattern of thinking that I wasn’t worthy whenever someone did something kind for me. … I was perpetually chasing the next goal, the next fix, the next thing that might finally make me feel whole. What I couldn’t see then was that the exhaustion I felt wasn’t from doing too much—it was from being someone I wasn’t. I had mastered the art of performing for love, of polishing every rough edge until there was no “me” left underneath. The burnout wasn’t from my schedule; it was from the story I kept trying to live up to. It’s strange, really, how easy it is to confuse performing with being alive. But when the performance ends—when the lights go down and the applause fades—what’s left is silence. And in that silence, I finally started to hear something truer than all the noise: myself. **************************** About the author Bridget Budd is the author of Behind the Mirror, a debut novel that blends literary storytelling with therapeutic insight. After more than twenty-five years in corporate sales, she stepped away to explore the emotional patterns beneath her success—and the cost of always holding it together. Her work lives at the intersection of fiction and healing, drawing from her background in trauma-informed coaching, somatics, and holistic health. Bridget writes and speaks about identity, self-worth, and the shift from performing to presence. Often described as “fiction with emotional teeth,” her stories are crafted for deep feelers, recovering perfectionists, and anyone quietly exhausted from chasing “enough.” She divides her time between Marco Island, Florida, and Marvin, North Carolina, with her husband and two opinionated dogs. Connect with Bridget Website | Instagram **************************** Behind the Mirror Blitz Giveaway ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

The Bridge by Shanna Hatfield Publication date: October 7th 2025 Genres: Adult, Holiday, Women’s Fiction One Bridge. Five Strangers. A Christmas Eve That Changes Everything. On a bridge suspended above the Willamette River, five lives collide for a journey through hope and hardship in a suspenseful, heartwarming tale of courage, connection, and the magic of second chances. Sergeant Archer Raines has worked every holiday all year for one reason: to finally spend Christmas with his wife. But when a desperate man threatens to jump from Portland’s St. Johns Bridge, Archer’s expert negotiation skills are required to defuse the situation. Rosalee, a high-powered accountant and mom-to-be, only meant to swing by home for a forgotten phone and client file. Then her car is caught in the chaos on the bridge, she unexpectedly goes into labor, and her carefully planned world begins to unravel amidst the unfolding drama. Exhausted nurse Nova just wants to make it home for Christmas after too many night shifts. When the pileup halts traffic and Rosalee’s baby is on the way, Nova puts her own plans on hold to help a stranger in need. Carter, the owner of a busy tow truck business, regrets taking the call to clear the multi-car collision off the bridge. He’d intended to spend the day tackling last-minute holiday errands. Instead, he’s praying the lunatic pointing a gun at him doesn’t pull the trigger. Fresh out of college and anxious to kick-start his career, Ian’s running late when his car won’t start the morning of his big interview. His rideshare driver turns out to be a captivating girl with a penchant for aggressive driving that narrowly saves them from being part of the wreck on the bridge, sending Ian on an unexpected path of his own. The Bridge is the perfect uplifting holiday read and a story of how one frozen moment can thaw even the loneliest of hearts. Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble Apple Books | Kobo ******************************** EXCERPT He’d just stepped outside when he saw a vehicle roaring up the street. The rideshare logo was clearly visible in the passenger-side corner of the windshield. He hoped the maniac driving the small SUV wouldn’t kill him in a fiery crash before they even made it out of the neighborhood. He lifted a hand as he stepped out to the curb, and the SUV came to a precise stop beside him. All he had to do was open the door and slide into the back seat. “You’re the dude heading to Magra? Ian Alexander?” the driver asked, giving him a glimpse over her shoulder. Ian nodded, then cleared his throat. “Yes. I’m Ian. Do you have the address?” “Got it right here,” she said, then blew a big pink bubble and popped her gum. He was in the process of buckling his seat belt when she hit the gas and zipped into the street, barely slowed at the corner, and picked up speed as she headed toward the highway. Ian prayed he’d survive the trip and wouldn’t be so rattled by the experience he’d mess up his interview. He drew in a long breath and inhaled a fragrance reminiscent of spiced cider and warm fires. He didn’t see an air freshener hanging up and wondered if it was just the driver. If so, she smelled amazing. Head in the game. Now was not the time to check out a girl. Besides, this one certainly wasn’t his type even if she appeared to be close to his age. From the quick glance she’d given him, he’d concluded she was into goth with her thick, black eyeliner and dark eye shadow, a nose ring, blood-red lipstick, and a dragon earring that encircled her entire ear. She had on fingerless gloves with leather cuffs and a black leather jacket sporting silver studs around the collar. He had no idea what color her hair might have been because it was all stuffed up under a slouchy black velvet hat. He wondered what she’d look like if she washed her face and dressed in something less biker chic and more … feminine. Ian almost face-palmed himself. Good grief! He was starting to sound like his parents. He didn’t care if the woman was dressed as one of Santa’s elves as long as she got him to his interview on time, preferably in one piece. To distract himself from the fact that goth girl seemed to think she was training for the Indy 500 or perhaps to become a New York City cab driver, he rehearsed what he planned to say at the interview. When it felt as though the SUV went around a corner on two wheels, Ian latched onto the handle above the door and held on for dear life. What kind of crazy person was about to get him killed? “Ever think about becoming a race car driver?” he asked as she barely slowed at a stop sign and took a right onto the highway. She glanced back at him and smirked. “Only every other day. Unfortunately for you, today is an even day, and I’m practicing.” ******************************** About the author USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. She also experiments with recipes, snaps photos of her adorable nephew, and caters to the whims of a cranky cat named Drooley. To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website http://shannahatfield.com or find out more about her here: linktr.ee/ShannaHatfield Connect with Shanna Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Twitter  Instagram | Pinterest | Bookbub | Newsletter ******************************** The Bridge Blitz Giveaway ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Congrats Joanneon the recent release ofMerry Everything! Merry Everything by Joanne DeMaioHoliday Fiction, Christmas, 248 pagesPublished October 1, 2025, by Joanne DeMaio From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes a much-anticipated holiday novel and love story to warm your heart. “Enchanting.” “Delightful.” “Enthralls.” “Feel-good.” “Rich with nostalgia, like a black-and-white Christmas movie you look forward to viewing again and again.” USA Today, as well as one of the nation’s bestselling magazines—along with readers everywhere—know you can count on Joanne DeMaio for a New England Christmastime classic. “Merry Christmas, Eddie.”“Should we never meet again, Nora, merry everything.” For Nora Chadwick and Eddie Alden, those parting words close out each holiday season. Seasons that run the gamut from comfort and joy to hurt and heartbreak. But their fond farewell prevails through it all.  Set against the backdrop of a beautiful New England landmark, Merry Everything is inspired by an iconic Connecticut treasure. Nora and Eddie’s endearing love story not only brings this special place back to life—but also brings back the way life could (and used to) be. *************************** My thoughts about Merry Everything ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.) First lines—"Snow fell overnight. Not much, but enough." I love Christmas stories. I totally enjoy this time of year, with all the new holiday books coming out. And I'm a huge fan of Joanne DeMaio's stories. Merry Everything is the best of both worlds! Merry Everything has a nostalgic feel to it with the beautifully decorated department store, all of the Christmas decorations, the joy of the season, the friendliness and familiarity of the staff and customers, and the traditions. I really wanted to become a part of this world.  Then throw in the friendship of Nora and Eddie. They see each other for two weeks every year when Eddie comes back the store to operate the store's old, manual elevator. See, there's that tradition I was talking about. Their deep friendship grows over the years, with Eddie watching Nora go through her good times and her bad times. For those two weeks each year, he is there for her.    Merry Everything is a heartwarming, beautiful love story that I enjoyed immensely. I highly recommend it and you should definitely add it to your holiday reading list. *************************** About the author Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea. Joanne’s books include the New York Times Bestseller Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, the first in her ongoing and groundbreaking Seaside Saga. These eleven (and counting) novels journey with a group of beach friends, much the way a TV series does, continuing with the same cast of characters and their storylines from book-to-book. Joanne’s winter novels have also received much acclaim. These heartwarming standalones are set in the same snowy New England town. Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes became a USA Today Bestseller, and has been featured in national magazines and Six Flags theme parks. In addition, Joanne’s debut novel, Whole Latte Life, won first place in a competition at BookExpo America and was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Pick. Her other novels have appeared in Redbook, First for Women magazine, Southern Living, USA Today and more. ~ Author's website Connect with Joanne Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Alice Adrift by Susan Bacon Publication date: November 4th 2025 Genres: Contemporary, Women’s Fiction Alice Adrift is an intimate human drama about loss and recovery, coupling and uncoupling, and a child caught in the turmoil. It’s the 1990s. The Fishers—Alice, David and their two sons, Tobias and Jeremiah—live in the upper Northwest quadrant of Washington DC, home to an urbane mix of journalists, academics and professionals. Alice is a composer and music professor. Her husband is an architect of some note. The economy is booming. Life is good. But their seemingly perfect existence is shattered when Jeremiah, their youngest, dies suddenly of an unidentifiable illness. In the years that follow, Alice and David seem to lose their bearings. When Toby appears to be struggling, they move him to an alternative school with a baffling curriculum (“They don’t even teach reading, Mom”) and a peculiar set of rules (“Absolutely no television!”). Alice doesn’t seem to fit in, but David is drawn to everything about the place including, Alice eventually realizes, one of Toby’s teachers, the striking woman with the long, tangled red hair. Not long after David moves out of the house, a group of young men move in next door, ingratiating themselves to Alice. She finds herself attracted to one of them, which sets her further off-kilter. How will she find her way back? How will Toby emerge from all this disruption? And what on earth will happen to David? Add to Goodreads | Pre-order About the author Susan is best-known for her award-winning mysteries — The History Teacher and its sequel The Art Collector. Her latest novel, Alice Adrift, is a bit of a departure. An intimate human drama about loss and recovery, coupling and uncoupling, and a child caught in the turmoil, it is slated for release on November 4, 2025. A graduate of Barnard College with a degree in history, Susan is a former journalist, copywriter and ghostwriter whose credits include an international best seller. She grew up in Wilmington, Delaware and has lived in New York City, Washington, DC, and Memphis, Tennessee, all of which serve as settings for her novels. Connect with Susan Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Happy Release Day! Congratulations Malloryon the release today ofSo Transparent! So Transparent by Mallory Pierce(GhostWriter Mystery #3)Paranormal Cozy Mystery, 290 pagesPublished October 27, 2025 Wedding bells are ringing in Woebrook, which is cause for celebration…until the Grim Reaper crashes the party. The town’s resident celebrity, horror writer Nolan Drake, brings his ghostly housemate, Gwen, to the nuptials, and she’s excited to attend her first Frink family function in over a century. Too bad everything that can go wrong before the ceremony does, and all the snafus and drama culminate in wedding planner Natalie Doyle’s body being found face down in a pile of cake. As Nolan (and in no small part Gwen) helped the police solve two recent murders, he’s recruited by the WPD’s cockiest cop to participate in a “bro-vestigation.” The men, and their tag-along spirit, soon learn that Natalie’s personal and professional lives were very complicated and messy. In the days leading to her demise, she was cheated on, stolen from, manhandled, sabotaged, and verbally accosted in public twice! With a host of suspects lying through their teeth and pointing fingers at each other, this might be Nolan and Gwen’s toughest case yet. At least, it’s not ice-cold like Gwen’s own unsolved murder, which continues to haunt her. Will the discovery of a clue from the past finally set her on the path to putting that mystery to rest? If you enjoy sassy sleuths and supernatural shenanigans, you won’t want to miss So Transparent! It’s similar in tone and content to the works of Paranormal Cozy Mystery authors Angie Fox, Danielle Garrett, and Amy Boyles.       Buy So Transparent here My thoughts about So Transparent ~~ (I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.) First lines—"Lying in a supine position atop an exam table with an elastic strap wrapped around the base of his skull, Nolan looked as though he was being subjected to some form of medieval torture." This series is so much fun and So Transparent is book three of the series, so there's a lot of paranormal fun to be had.  Nolan and Gwen work together to solve murders with Nolan working directly with the police to solve the cases. Gwen feeds him a lot of useful information that she is able to discover using her ghostly powers. I love their relationship and how they feed off of each other to solve the case. I am constantly chuckling at their antics.  Natalie, the wedding planner, isn't having a very good day. All of the plans for this beautiful wedding are falling apart, due to no fault of her own—someone is out to get her. And then when she is found face down in the wedding cake, things definitely aren't going her way. But then that's when the fun begins, with Nolan and Gwen on the case, discovering who dunnit. Along with the murder cases that they always find themselves in the midst of, they are also trying to uncover the truth of Gwen's demise. That is an ongoing case and I am totally invested in learning the truth about that. I highly recommend this series and it's a perfect Halloween read for right now! I devoured it and I look forward to more antics and crime-solving from Gwen and Nolan. Check it out! I received an ARC of So Transparent and this is my honest opinion. Read my thoughts about That's the Spirit!Read my thoughts about Ghost with the Most ************************** Excerpt Marcus retreated inside the townhouse and was about to shut the big, black door in the other men’s faces when I shouted, “Wait! We don’t know his whereabouts at the time of Natalie’s death!” Nolan’s hand jutted out to stop the door from shutting. “Where were you between four forty-five and five forty-five this afternoon?” Marcus poked his tousled head through the crack between the door and its frame. “Is this book writer seriously asking me for an alibi?” he posed the question to Warmond, and yes, he put a disdainful emphasis on the word ‘book’, which conveyed his lack of appreciation for that art form. “If you have one, we could cross you off the suspect list,” the police officer said with a hopeful lilt in his voice.  Marcus glowered. “I went for a run to burn off some steam after getting that text about the baby from Nat.” Smiling with relief, Warmond turned to Nolan and said, “Did you hear that? He went for a run, which makes perfect sense because athletes have to stay in shape.” Warmond might have been satisfied by Marcus’s response, but I wasn’t. “As far as alibis go, that’s a very vague one. Try and extract more details from him.” “Where did you go for this run?” Nolan inquired. “There’s a sweet running path down by the river,” Warmond noted with a glance back at the darkened water. “He’s feeding the man answers!” I exclaimed with dismay. “Yeah, that’s where I like to run,” Marcus said. “He’s still being vague. You need to pin him down!” I urged Nolan. “How many miles did you run this afternoon?” he asked our suspect. “Not sure,” was his noncommittal response. “Your Garmin” —Nolan gestured at the large-faced black watch strapped to Marcus’s left wrist— “should have that information, and its GPS would have logged your location at the time of Natalie’s death.” “Good thinking!” Warmond gave Nolan an Attaboy! slug to the arm before telling Marcus, “I can confirm your alibi by checking the data on your Garmin.” He reached out his hand, clearly expecting his friend to turn over the watch. “I didn’t have it on earlier,” Marcus claimed, then crossed his arms over his chest in a defiant stance. “So, you went for a run without your running watch, but you’re wearing it now just to lounge around the house?” Nolan’s disbelief, which I shared, was evident in his tone. “I’m done answering questions. If the police” —he looked pointedly at Warmond “want to ask me anything else, they can contact my lawyer.” And with that proclamation, Marcus slammed the door shut, leaving Warmond and Nolan to stare at it in dumbfounded shock. “You know what one of the best things about being a ghost is?” I asked Nolan, who turned to me with a raised eyebrow.  “I can enter a home and look around without a search warrant,” I said with a smirk, then walked right through the closed door. ****************************** About the author Mallory Pierce is a third-generation graveyard enthusiast (tombstones tell such interesting stories!), reader of Nancy Drew, player of Clue, devout dissectologist (look it up!), and the owner of several fetching trench coats. So, it makes perfect sense that she spends her days writing stories about a plucky, crime-solving ghost. Despite having visited haunted houses from San Jose to Savannah, Mallory has yet to have a close encounter with anyone from the Great Beyond and that’s probably for the best because she’s sort of a wimp. Shhhhh, don’t tell anyone.  Ghost With the Most is the second book in the GhostWriter Mystery Series, which is penned by Mallory Pierce (a pseudonym of award-winning Romantic Comedy author Tracie Banister).  Connect with Mallory Newsletter | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

    It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!  ************************************** Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week. Happy reading! What I'm currently reading The Perfect Hostsby Heather GudenkaufeARC for reviewPub date ~ November 4 Dear Orchid: Letters and New Beginnings—True Stories and Fiction filled with Heart, Humor, and Hopeby Carol Van Den HendeeARC for reviewPub date ~ November 11 Red Skies(Tales of the Scavenger's Daughters #4)by Kay Brattaudio-book from my TBR collectionPublished January 2014 What I recently finished So Transparent: A Paranormal Cozy Mystery(GhostWriter Mystery Series #3)by Mallory PierceeARC for reviewPub date ~ October 27 I Thought You Said This Would Workby Ann Wertz Garvinaudio-book from my collectionPublished May 2021 What I am going to read next Three Days in Juneby Anne Tylerprint for reviewPublished February 2025 I really love my reading life! What are you reading this week? ************************* Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!  

Pity Please by Whitney Dineen (Pity Series, #7) Publication date: October 25th 2025 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance She had a foolproof plan. He thought his future was sealed. Neither of them imagined life would take them down a different path … Allie I never planned to live in Elk Lake again, but here I am. I was going to get married, have a great family and career, and then I’d get my happily-ever-after stamped on the passport of my life. But Brett cheated and got his mistress pregnant with quadruplets. Karma was my consolation and believe me when I tell you, I couldn’t have been more satisfied by the outcome. Just as I was busy with my fresh start, Noah Riley walked back into my life. I’ve always worshipped my best friend’s older brother, but he never noticed me. Until that one day … Noah What coach gets demoted after taking their high school basketball team all the way to third in the state? Me, that’s who. I could have gotten any other job in Chicago, but my anger and hurt pride caused me to accept a position at my alma mater. That’s right, I’m the new basketball coach of the Elk Lake Crappies. Don’t think the irony is lost on me. My goal is to make a splash with my new team, and then have my old school beg to hire me back. Of course, I won’t accept until there’s an appropriate amount of groveling, along with a substantial pay raise. When I moved to Elk Lake, I never expected to run into my sister’s best friend from childhood. Who knew Allie Rogers would make me reconsider my dream? Goodreads | Amazon ***************************** EXCERPT Instead of agreeing that I should be the captain of my own ship, my mother laments, “I always thought your life would turn out like one of those delightful romcoms from the nineteen nineties. You know, single girl meets the love of her life in a quirky, yet totally believable way …” I’m not sure which movie she’s thinking of as I’ve grown up watching them all with her. On repeat. “Which Julia Roberts character did you envision me being? If it’s Vivian Ward in Pretty Woman, I’ll have to move to LA and become a sex worker first.” My mom pushes out of my arms and stares at me in horror. Instead of letting the subject drop, I feel a burst of indignant steam start to build. “If you want me to be like Anna Scott in Knotting Hill, I’ll also have to move to LA, but this time I’ll have to figure out how to become a movie star. Then I’ll need to find an abusive boyfriend so I can cheat on him with a bookstore owner in London.” How does she find these to be believable scenarios? Hurt tinges her voice as she responds, “What about Jules Potter in My Best Friend’s Wedding?” “She didn’t even wind up with the guy!” I shout. “How about the Runaway Bride?” This woman is relentless. “I would have to get engaged three times so I could dump three men before my true love showed up to write an article about my chaotic life,” I remind her. My mom’s face screws up in an agonizing expression like she’s painfully wracking her brain. “Maybe not a Julia Roberts movie then. What about Sandra Bullock? Her romcoms were more girl-next-door, which is exactly what you are.” Raising my hand into the air, I start ticking off fingers. “While You Were Sleeping would involve nearly killing someone in a train accident so I could lie to the victim’s family and fall for his brother. In Miss Congeniality, I’d have to be an FBI agent masquerading as Miss New Jersey. Hope Floats would get me that husband and child you so badly want me to have but said husband would have to dump me on national television before running off with my best friend. Do you want me to go on?” I demand. Confusion riddles my mom’s features resulting in my feeling an unexpected wave of compassion for her. “I don’t want any of that for you. I just want you to have a beautiful and happy ending to your story.” “My story is a long way from being over, Mom.” I’m not going to tell her that my vision of the future is nothing like what she’s hoping for. As in, I’m pretty sure I’ll never let myself be vulnerable enough to give love a second chance. I know for certain I will never have my own children. Three lost pregnancies are enough for me to take the hint. My mother inhales deeply before telling me, “I’m not good at leaving things in the hands of fate.” “No, you’re not. You’re the worst control freak I know, but that doesn’t mean you’ve been appointed God and get to make all the decisions for my life.” “I don’t want to make all the decisions. I just want you to start living again!” “I’m enough on my own, Mom. I don’t have to be a wife to have value.” I can tell I’ve hurt her feelings again, but what else can I do? It’s like we’re two different species with zero understanding of how the other works. With hands on hips, she demands, “What’s your five-year plan?” “To still be breathing,” I tell her honestly. “Do you ever want to get back into publishing?” I offer a brief shrug. “Can’t say.” “Do you plan on working at Rosemary’s for the rest of your life?” “Would there be anything wrong with that? Would you not be able to love me anymore if I don’t get the Hollywood ending you’ve always imagined for me?” My mom’s face turns bright red, which is a sure indicator she’s about to lose her cool. But instead of screaming at me, she merely turns around and strides out of the dining room like she’s on her way to execute a military coup. Napoleon had nothing on this woman. I take her reaction to my question to mean that her love is dependent on my capitulation to her vision. Well, too freaking bad, Margaret. I’m not going to try to make you happy when I don’t even know what will make me happy. My phone pings before I can stand up and clear the remnants of my uneaten breakfast. Picking it up, I click on the message notification and read a text from Lorelai. Lorelai: Noah is driving me crazy! I’ve been asking him to put my navy-blue cashmere sweater in the mail for a week, and he hasn’t done it. Would you mind going over to my parents’ house and sending it? The key is under the mat. My nervous system responds by causing me to break out into a cold sweat. I do not want to see Noah Riley. To be honest, I hate that he’s moved back to Elk Lake. There is no place in my life for my childhood crush. He’s part of my past and I will not go out of my way to run into him again. Having said that, Lorelai is my best friend, and she never asks for anything. Shoot! I’m going to have to do it. I’ll just have to make sure to go when Noah isn’t there. ***************************** About the author Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order. Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to. She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables. Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017. Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016. Finalist RONE Awards, 2016. Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017. Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017 Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017 Connect with Whitney Website | Goodreads | Facebook | X | Instagram Pity Please Blitz Giveaway — ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

A heartwarming, magical novel, which follows Isabel Bliss, a primary school teacher with an invisible power over emotional energy, as she discovers, explores and comes to terms with her ability and her potential. The Essence of Bliss by Emily Astillberry Publisher: Blossom Spring Publishing Genre: Speculative Fiction/Romance Format: Paperback, Kindle Isabel Bliss is a reception class teacher. She experiences other people’s emotions and can influence how they feel but she doesn’t truly understand her gift and has been encouraged, by her mum, to hide it from others. She often feels lost and alone. When a child in her class experiences chronic distress that only she can perceive, Isabel uses her ability to relieve his suffering, but his situation continues to worsen. Eventually she is forced to take matters into her own hands, escorting him home where she finds horrific signs of abuse. She saves his mum’s life and his father is arrested for the brutal torture he has inflicted upon his family. A wealthy family moves to town and Isabel meets the two sons. She recoils from Daniel, who is hateful, rude and emotionally deficient but is inexorably drawn to Scott, who awakens something magical, deep inside her. They are like her. They are fluencers and have the ability to sense, read and willfully manipulate emotional energies. Isabel confronts her mum and uncovers hurtful lies and deceit within her own family. She falls deeply in love and ultimately discovers the untold potential of her gift and the passion and power that dwells within. Read a sample here. The Essence of Bliss is available at Amazon UK and Amazon US. Book Excerpt The next few moments occurred in painful slow motion. As I tugged my arm sharply out of Donna’s grasp, I was jostled by a stranger on the other side. I felt myself falling off balance and reached out to grab onto something, anything, to keep me upright. The something that I grabbed onto was a jacket slung over an arm and the owner of the jacket pulled back on it hard, tipping me further off balance and sending me sprawling to the floor on my knees. I let out a pained cry as my still bruised knee struck the hard floor. I ended up on my knees in front of a strong, long set of masculine legs in blue denim. I didn’t know for certain to whom the legs belonged, but I could make an educated guess from the pitch of the gasp and giggle from Donna and the murmuring of the onlookers. I really didn’t want to look up, but I knew that it was inevitable. I couldn’t stay on the floor forever. My knee was painful, and I wasn’t even certain that I could get up by myself. Slowly, grudgingly, I raised my eyes to find Daniel Callahan looking down at me with distasteful recognition and an unpleasant, disdainful smile. I looked him in the eye with as much dignity as I could muster. He continued to stare rudely. He didn’t utter a word. “Sorry,” I muttered, and my hand flew to my mouth in instant regret. Had I seriously just apologised to him, again, for falling over, again? I was a total idiot, and I was more embarrassed than ever. What was it about this man that made me fall at his feet and behave like a stuttering moron with an apology tic? “It seems like you’re making a habit of falling on your knees in front of my brother. Here, let me help you.”  In an instant, everything changed. My whole life turned upside down. Something inside me roared to life and I suddenly felt different, stronger, more alive. It came from the source of the humming, that place deep inside of me. Those simple words, that simple offer of a hand to my feet, the smooth, velvety voice. It was the sort of voice that could make a person weak at the knees with its deep resonance and gentle tone, but it was so much more than that. I didn’t just like the sound of his voice. Something about the owner of that voice had just changed something fundamental about me, and somehow I knew, in that fraction of a second, that nothing was ever going to be the same again. I wasn’t sure if I could move or if I wanted to look into the face that belonged to those words, that voice. I was frightened about what I might find and what it might do to me, what I might become. However, I was still on the floor on my knees, so I put my hand out, took his and let him pull me to my feet.  Our eyes met, and without warning, a multitude of sensations overwhelmed me. I saw him, I felt him, I sensed him. I experienced things that I couldn’t understand or explain, but it was like a fire had been lit in my soul, like fireworks exploding in the deepest recess of my mind. I couldn’t just feel his emotions in the way that I normally do. This experience went further, deeper. It felt like in that single second, he was actually inside my mind, or I was inside his. I wasn’t sure whether it was one or the other or if it were both. I couldn’t process what was happening to me. It was happening too fast and exercising too many of my senses.  He looked at me with bewitching eyes that reached into my very core. Eyes a deep, rich brown, like swirling chocolate, shimmering with a layer of warmth. They glistened with a flame that matched the fire that had ignited inside me, as if his eyes understood and reflected the very essence of me. We saw each other in a way that I had never known before, a way that I had never even dreamed of, and as we looked into each other’s eyes, the flames in his eyes grew larger, hotter. I took everything in, every minute detail. The dark hair swept back from his face, the healthy tan to his skin, the perfect line of his nose leading to full, rich lips surrounded by laughter lines, indicating a happy man: a joyful, confident, beautiful, magical creature. The intensity of the moment wasn’t limited to the visual. The way that he looked wasn’t what captivated and thrilled my senses. When I sensed a person through their emotions, I usually felt that they were happy or sad, angry or hurt, but this was something new. This was a cacophony of feelings so loud that I felt as if my head might burst with the joy of it. Emotions that lifted me into the sky, swirling around me and through me — through my mind, through my heart, through my body — until I felt dizzy with the power of it. All that I could see were those eyes, those lips. All that I could hear was that voice, and yet I could feel and see and hear everything all at once, like I was awake for the first time in my life, like I had found the answer to a question that I hadn’t known I’d been asking. – Excerpted from The Essence of Bliss by Emily Astillberry, Blossom Spring Publishing, 2024. Reprinted with permission. InterviewCan you tell us a little about yourself? I am a 42 year old mum of 5, keeper of a menagerie of rescued pets and I live with my family in a 250 year old cottage in rural Norfolk, England. My life is incredibly busy. When I’m not writing, trying to keep our house from falling down and looking after my brood, I love spending time with my chaotic family, being outside in the garden, hosting friends for dinner and playing board games. When we get away we usually head to the mountains. We walk up them in the summer, ski down them in the winter and pitch a tent and sleep under canvas wherever and whenever possible. I have a degree in English Literature and had planned to spend my adulthood teaching and writing. However, my life took a different turn and I have now been an RSPCA Inspector for 20 years. I investigate complaints of animal cruelty and neglect. I am very passionate and proud of the work that I do and the difference that I can make in the lives of suffering animals. I see a lot of traumatic and appalling things and meet some of the worst examples of humanity but I also get to meet and work with incredible people and protect animals from future suffering. My career already has and most definitely will provide inspiration for my writing. Can you tell us about your latest book, The Essence of Bliss? The Essence of Bliss tells the story of Isabel Bliss, an ordinary woman with extraordinary power. Isabel is a reception class teacher who has a remarkable relationship with emotional energy. She can feel and experience other people’s emotions as if they were her own, sometimes to an unsettling or even debilitating degree. She also has the power to manipulate the emotions of others but has never understood or learned to harness her gift. Isabel’s abilities are put to the test when a little boy in her class experiences unspeakable suffering, and only she can sense his torment and help to end his agony. During the book, Isabel encounters a kindred spirit and an adversary within the same family and she is propelled into a tangled web of love, passion and power, underpinned by secrets, deceit and betrayal. She is set on an emotional journey of self discovery, challenging the very concepts of chance, choice and destiny. The Essence of Bliss is an emotional rollercoaster, with paranormal romantic escapism at its heart. I hope to have crafted a deeply empathetic heroine and a magical journey for readers, who may find themselves pondering the profound themes of emotions and the power of human connections. Is The Essence of Bliss your only book? The Essence of Bliss is my debut novel but I am well on the way to completing the sequel, The Essence of Insanity. I have many ideas and inspiration floating around in my head and hope that I get the opportunity to expand this series as well as working on some other new, exciting projects. Can you tell us a little about the main characters in The Essence of Bliss? Isabel Bliss is the protagonist, a reception class teacher in her late twenties. She begins the story in a long-term relationship with childhood sweetheart, Jack, parents, Beth and Max, and a younger sister, Stephanie. She also has a best friend called Donna. Isabel’s family are very close. Beth is eccentric and complicated but Isabel has always felt loved. As the story progresses, a new family moves to town. The Callahans take up residency in the grand house at the top of the hill and the family consists of Nicholas, an extremely successful barrister with an incredible record, his beautiful wife Georgina and their two sons, Scott and Daniel. On first meeting, Isabel has a profound reaction to the sons, recoiling from one and being inexorably drawn to the other. Do you see a little bit of yourself in your main character? Isabel is not based on me but parts of her life and her relationships with her family are reminiscent of my own. Some of the interactions in the Bliss family, especially during the Christmas scenes and between Isabel and Stephanie are quite nostalgic for me and writing them gave me great pleasure for that reason. Where is this book set and why did you choose that location? Ramsey Bridge is a fictional town, which exists only in my imagination and within the pages of The Essence of Bliss. I was deliberately vague about its location so that readers are free to use their own imagination. However, I couldn’t help picturing my local area when I was writing and the beach scenes are based very closely on one of my favourite local beaches, Burnham Overy Staithe on the North Norfolk Coast, which I believe is one of the most beautiful places in the world. What’s the best advice you can give to aspiring authors? I would encourage anyone who wants to write, to get on and do it and stop waiting for the perfect time. Everyone’s lives are busy and it’s so easy to think that you’ll get around to it when the kids are a bit older or when you have more time but you will find that the perfect time never arrives. I had to snatch writing moments between work and family, ferrying various children to various clubs and parties and looking after my family, my animals and my home. It took me a long time but I made the time and it is the best thing that I have ever done. I wish that I had begun years ago, but hindsight is a wonderful thing. Thank you so much for this interview, Emily. What’s next for you? I am currently working on The Essence of Insanity, sequel to The Essence of Bliss. It is another intense, emotional ride but with a darker edge. I can’t wait to get it out there. I have ideas for a prequel as well as other stories in the same series and other exciting and very different projects that I desperately want to try, if only there were more hours in the day, days in the week, weeks in the year… About the Author Emily Astillberry is an author and RSPCA Inspector from Norfolk, England. She has a degree in English Literature and Linguistics from York University and has been investigating animal cruelty and neglect and rescuing sick and injured animals for 20 years. In her day job, Emily deals with very difficult and often emotional situations and meets all sorts of people from all sorts of backgrounds. Her career provides some of the inspiration for themes and characters that can be found in her fictional work. At home, in a very old cottage in the country, Emily has a husband, 5 children, a dog, a cat, an axolotl, 2 giant African land snails and a varying number of rescue hens, so finding time to write can be a challenge. She is happiest outdoors, growing fruit and vegetables in the garden, walking the dog and family holidays usually involve walking up mountains in summer, skiing down them in winter and sleeping in a tent whenever possible. Emily loves spending time with her large, noisy, chaotic family, cooking meals for friends and playing board games. She always has at least one book on the go and has always dreamed of writing her own novel. She now dreams of writing more.  Visit her website at https://emilyastillberry.com.  You can also find her on Facebook and Instagram. The Essence of Bliss is her latest book.   Sponsored By: ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Happy Release Day! Congratulations Nicolaon the release today ofThe Sister's Curse! The Sister's Curse by Nicola Solvinic(Anna Koray #2)Published October 21, 2025 by BerkleyMystery & Detective, Police Procedural, Supernatural Thriller, Suspense There’s something in the water in Bayern County… When mysterious drownings plague her small town, a detective haunted by her serial killer father must uncover whether revenge, ancient legends, or something darker lurks beneath the surface. Lieutenant Anna Koray thought she'd finally found solid ground and escaped her past as the daughter of a notorious serial killer. A loving boyfriend, a loyal dog, a life that almost feels normal—except darkness has a way of seeping in. When she saves a boy from drowning, the strange marks on his body tell a disturbing something in the depths tried to drag him under. Days later, another victim surfaces with identical marks and Anna's instincts scream that these are no accidents. Both victims are connected to the Kings of Warsaw Creek—men of the town's wealthiest and most influential families. And they have enemies. Others whisper that there are witches in Bayern County, seeking revenge for a long-ago murder. Perhaps it's the work of Vivian Carson, the enigmatic bartender who’s rumored to cast hexes on those who wrong her. Or maybe it’s a secret coven who’s been leaving serpentine symbols and skulls behind at the scenes of the drownings. But Anna's investigation reveals an even more sinister something is stirring in the water, and it wants the Kings to pay. With time running out and more victims appearing, Anna must separate superstition from truth. But in Bayern County, where legends and curses run deep as the water itself, one wrong step could drag her into the depths—this time for good. Goodreads | Amazon ************************ About the author Nicola Solvinic has a master's degree in criminology and has worked in and around criminal justice for more than a decade. She lives in the Midwest with her husband and cats, where she is surrounded by a secret garden full of beehives. Connect with Nicola Website | Goodreads | Facebook | BlueSky | Instagram ********************* Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!