The Secret Cottage

THE SECRET COTTAGE

Kate Ellington

 

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GENRE:  Historical Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Isabel Tate yearns for the simple pleasures she took for granted before scandal rocked her family two years ago. On May Day, she's determined to forget her troubles and enjoy herself at the Claremont family's annual festival.

 

Meanwhile, Robert Claremont steels himself to begin courting the haughty heiress next door, but his bashfulness is only one obstacle to winning her hand. Despite a deep sense of family obligation, he dreams of choosing his own bride.

 

Captivated by each other from the moment they meet, Robert and Isabel are kept apart by a misunderstanding until a chance encounter leads to friendship and more.

 

With opposition on all sides, they must overcome inconceivable odds to claim happiness.

 

 

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Excerpt

 

Isabel turned her horse into the woods, directing him to a gurgling stream under a canopy of trees. The forest was quiet but for the splashing of the water, bird songs and the rustle of branches. They hadn’t been there long when Isabel heard a new sound. Hoofbeats and muffled voices. She urged her horse closer to the road, and easily heard the riders' conversation. 

 

“What makes you think she came this way?” a man asked.

 

A deeper voice answered, “Merely a guess. It seemed as good a place as any to look, but I'm thwarted again.” 

 

“Let's turn back, we can look for her tomorrow.” 

 

“I'm sitting for the portrait tomorrow.” 

 

Isabel's pulse quickened as she recognized the deeper voice. Robert Claremont. So he’d been looking for her. Why hadn't he come to the house? She started back toward the stream, but suddenly reason left her and she guided her horse through the trees, emerging just as Robert and his companion rounded the bend going in the opposite direction. They hadn't seen her. 

 

Isabel paused for a moment, thinking what to do. Go back home and hope he came to the house soon? Or seek him out for herself? Her reckless side won. Spurring her horse to a gallop, she chased after them. Robert turned in his saddle and Isabel was delighted with the look of shock on his face as she sped past him and who she could now see was Mr. Kensington.

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Kate grew up in a woodsy New England town where summer days at the lake seemed to last forever. She read her first historical romance at age eleven when a teacher challenged her to find a book in the library written by an author she’d never heard of. Thus began a life-long love of love stories.

 

After graduating from college with an art degree she settled in the Pacific Northwest, where she currently resides with her family.

 

Kate wrote her first romance when she was sixteen, then set her pen down for years until another story floated into her head out of the clear blue sky. She jotted it down, just for fun, but soon it took on a life of its own.

 

http://www.kateellington.com

https://www.facebook.com/kateellingtonauthor

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/29720924.Kate_Ellington

https://www.instagram.com/kateellingtonwrites/

 

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

Kate Ellington will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

 

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Beyond th Book: Let's Explore

  “When you have out-of-state or foreign visitors come to visit, what local attractions will you take them to?”

I wish I had felt better this week. If I could I’d have a taken a lot of pictures for you. South Carolina is a beautiful state, and I think you’d fall in love with it. 

I live in up state South Carolina. I’m not far from the foothills of the Appalachian mountains. Lots of people have been to SC, but most of them think of the ocean. South Carolina has marvelous beaches and entertainments with Charleston not far away. You have to go to Charleston if you get the chance. It’s amazing.

One of the places I love is the mountains. The air is so clear it amazes me. It’s much quieter too. Our condo up there has a balcony about thirty feet from the ground. One night we stepped out on the balcony and saw a mama bear and three babies. One year my granddaughter went with us. We let her go mining. She found a garnet which we made a necklace for her. 

If we wanted to go to some local places I’d have to show you the Hagood Mill.You could see ancient Indian hieroglyphs. We’d also tour cabins made in the 18 hundreds. We’d watch all kind of frontier life skills.

Table Rock is a place not to be missed. The CCC built this starte park during the Depression. It was part of the WPA. People around here love it. You can boat, hike, fish and swim. It’s a great place, but if you like bigger water, you can visit the nearby lakes. They are three of them: Keowee, Jocasse, an Hartwell. 

South Carolina has some very good universities. I live maybe thirty minutes from Clemson University. Go Tigers!

If you like shopping you should bring your debit card and go shopping at Hamrick’s. You won’t believe the low prices. 

I suppose I’ll wrap this up now. I’ve barely scratched the surface of places I’d like to take my guests, but if you ever tour SC I can highly recommend it. 

Blue Falcon

 

Title: Blue Falcon

Series: An OPS Protector Romance (Owens Protective Services Book 20)

Author: Giulia Lagomarsino

Genre/Tropes: Romantic Suspense/Protector Romance

Release: July 22, 2024

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/205211569-blue-falcon

Bookbub:

https://www.bookbub.com/books/blue-falcon-an-ops-protector-romance-owens-protective-services-book-20-by-giulia-lagomarsino

Cover Design: T.E. Black Cover Design 

Cover Model: Ammon

Blurb:

They bet me she would turn my world upside down.

I took that bet.

There’s no way I’ll fall for the heiress who is more obsessed with her hair than her safety.

Yes, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.

I carry a comb on me at all times, and the guys love to razz me for it.

But looking good isn’t a crime.

So I’m a little obsessed with my hair.

Yes, I like good facial creams and moisturizers.

But no one ever got shot for holding a comb.

However, this woman could very well be the death of me.

Long legs, killer body, and the chemistry between us…

I can’t keep my hands off.

I’m bound to get fired.

And if it weren’t for this damn stalker sending her creepy letters, I might throw up my hands and walk away just to save my sanity.

But I have to be here.

And the longer I’m here, the more I’ve come to realize that there is no walking away.

I’m gonna lose that damn bet.

Buy Links (Kindle Unlimited):

Amazon Universal: https://mybook.to/BlueFalcon

Amazon US: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CS419VWS

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0CS419VWS

Amazon UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0CS419VWS

Amazon AU: https://www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0CS419VWS

Praise:

5 Stars from Cajun Heat Book Blog ~ “The storyline is fast paced, laugh out loud funny at times, suspenseful and romantic. It also proves the craziness people, especially our gang from OPS, will go to for love.”

5 Stars from Pat on Goodreads ~ “Wow, all I can say is this was a fantastic read.”

5 Stars from Lori on Goodreads ~ “As usual, with Giulia's books I was laughing so hard just a few pages in.”

Read free at Kindle UnlimitedBlue Falcon

The Maker of Worlds

THE MAKER OF WORLDS

David Litwack

 

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GENRE:  Fantasy

 

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BLURB:

 

If you had the chance to remake the world, what kind of world would you choose?

 

When tragedy strikes Lucas Mack's young life, he desperately yearns to escape its sorrow, and takes an improbable leap through the mythical maelstrom. Rather than splashing down on the far side like his neighbors, he's transported to a magical realm where he has the power to redefine not only who he is, but the world in which he resides.

 

As he stumbles about trying to find his way, he meets Mia, an equally troubled fellow pilgrim. With the help of a mystical guide and an aging wizard, they navigate the enchanted land while learning to control their newfound powers. Yet this realm is more complex than they expected, with seasoned sorcerers who've been corrupted by the sinister side of magic.

 

Limited by natural law and seduced by magic's power, they are tested as never before. Will the gift of magic bring renewed hope or drive them to the edge of the void?

 

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EXCERPT

 

 

Nowhere a dock or a mooring, not so much as a hint of early morning smoke rising from a chimney. Nowhere the cottages of Queen’s Hill. Nowhere houses at all. As I gaped, the edges of branches shimmered as if undecided whether to remain intangible or become real. In a panic, I realized the folly of this quest. Better to return to a safer, albeit gloomier life, to go back through the portal at once.

 

Behind me, the maelstrom still swirled, a fleeting comfort as it had started to recede. While I stared at the last link to my old world, the orb diminished, shrunk to a size I could cover with my hand, and then to that of the tip of my thumb. Before I sloshed more than two steps closer, it winked out.

 

Now, to the north and the south, nothing showed but water. I stumbled to shore, my movements causing the slightest wake in the surface, which lay so still I could make out my astonished features in the reflection.

 

I’d spent much of my young life with Addy, like a mate sailing across a forever lake. She’d been with me through calm and storm. I’d yearned to find renewed hope on this side of the gateway and return home to a new life, yet now the gateway, like Addy, had vanished.

 

 

 

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The urge to write first struck at age sixteen when working on a newsletter at a youth encampment in the woods of northern Maine. It may have been the wild night when lightning flashed at sunset followed by the northern lights rippling after dark. Or maybe it was the newsletter’s editor, a girl with eyes the color of the ocean. But he was inspired to write about the blurry line between reality and the fantastic.

 

Using two fingers and lots of white-out, he religiously typed five pages a day  throughout college and well into his twenties. Then life intervened. He paused to raise two sons and pursue a career, in the process — and without prior plan — becoming a well-known entrepreneur in the software industry, founding several successful companies. When he found time again to daydream, the urge to write returned.

 

David currently lives in the Great Northwest and anywhere else that catches his fancy. He no longer limits himself to five pages a day and is thankful every keystroke for the invention of the word processor.

 

Website: https://davidlitwack.com/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/david.litwack.author

Twitter: @DavidLitwack

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/davidlitwack 

 

 

Buy links:

Amazon: https://geni.us/themakerofworlds 

Barnes & Noble: The Maker of Worlds by David Litwack | eBook | Barnes & Noble® (barnesandnoble.com)

Kobo: The Maker of Worlds eBook by David Litwack - EPUB Book | Rakuten Kobo United States

Apple: The Maker of Worlds by David Litwack (ebook) - Apple Books

Smashwords: The Maker of Worlds (smashwords.com)

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION

 

David Litwack will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Truth and Dare

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Ann M. Trader will award a randomly drawn winner a $20 Amazon/BN GC. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

A bright and talented environmental engineer, Goldie Vreeland understands facts and figures, but Max Corda, her secret office obsession, remains a puzzle. On the eve of a business trip to a coastal island, fate intervenes, pairing her with her sexy crush. As she thinks about sharing the same space with Max for a week, her world veers dangerously off course.

Fueled by success as engineer and president of his family’s firm, recently divorced Max needs to jumpstart his life. When his father unexpectedly assigns him to Goldie’s project, his closely guarded attraction to her comes front and center. Thoughts of spending a week alone with this beautiful intelligent woman make his internal compass glitch.

Romance stirs with the island breeze, so simple when they’re hundreds of miles away from normal. But as Goldie and Max return to reality, will they discover real love is more than a game?

Read an Excerpt

Max walked toward me, thumb hooked under the shoulder strap of his bag, and smiled. Clearly, he aces the masculinity test with no preparation at all. He tilted his head, like he was thinking over something. Obviously, he had no idea he could ask me anything, and I’d say yes. Readily. Breathlessly.

“So,” he said, dragging out the word, “about dinner tonight—”

“Oh, I got it,” I said, waking up my phone. “Sofia texted me everything. Reservations downstairs at seven o’clock.” From the look of his furrowed brow, I wondered if I had a fleck of apple skin stuck between my teeth from my mid-flight snack.

“Yeah…there’s been a slight change of plans. You and Ethan were having dinner downstairs. I have something else planned for us.”

Us. The word sounded dreamy coming from his mouth, floating through the air like a kite in springtime. My toes curled inside my sandals.

“That text,” he said, gaze flickering to his phone, “was from one of my best friends from college. We’re meeting him and his wife for supper. I don’t know what the hell got into Ethan.” He rubbed his knuckles under his chin. “You can’t come to the coast and eat hotel food. Even this hotel’s food.”

I tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “No, of course not.”

“We’re meeting Jack and Leigh at Thibodeaux’s at eight.”

Thibodeaux’s. The name twirled through my thoughts.

Max leaned a shoulder on the wall, and our gazes met. “It’s this fantastic urban grill—gorgeous waterfront views—fresh catch served daily. Exceptional food and service—”

As exceptional as you…?

“—so, how’s that sound?”

My heart skipped a pair of beats, then I relaxed into my natural Goldie grin. “Sounds wonderful.”

About the Author

I enjoy spending time with my family and exploring recipes on the lighter side of southern comfort foods. I’m a member of Heart of Carolina Romance Writers, and I love relaxing on my back porch to read and write. These days I take walks around my neighborhood, but when I was sixteen, I hiked the Grand Canyon with a group of friends. I love watching television dramas (in no special order): Palm Royale, The Buccaneers, The Bear, Mary and George, Emily in Paris, Outlander, Shrinking, Shogun, Bridgerton, Outer Banks, Stranger Things, The Crown, and Peaky Blinders and reading a great romance book.

Website: http://www.annmtrader.com
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/author/annmtrader
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/ann-m-trader
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/annmtraderbooks
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21925238.Ann_M_Trader
Twitter: https://twitter.com/anntrader5

Amazon Buy Link: https://www.amazon.com/Truth-Dare-Wonder-Wildflowers-Book-ebook/dp/B0D3JG5KQ8/ref=sr_1_1

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Is Bodett Right?

“They say a person needs just three things to be truly happy in this world: someone to love, something to do, something to hope for.” Tom Bodett

I read this Tom Bodett quote, and after thinking about it, I decided that he was right. 

His first thing a person needs for happiness is someone to love. I hope, though, that he didn’t mean just romantic love between a man and woman. There are many ways to love other than the romantic. For example, I love my grandchildren, my dogs and certain friends. If he was talking just about romantic love I think he’d be too narrowly focused.

The second thing is to have something to do. I remember when I was still teaching that as the first day of school rolled around I was happy to go back because I was bored. Now that I’m retired I stay busy with my friends, writing and my husband. We just got back home from our vacation where I found inspiration for several things I’d like to do.

The last part of Bodett’s quote is that you need something to hope for. Hope carries us in its wake and assures us that something dear to us could still happen. I’ve been hoping for two years now that my grandson would decide to go to school after he graduated from high school. After being given third shift jobs or weekend only hours he came to me this week and said he’d like to give school a try. I got what I hoped for, and it made me so happy.

So examine your own life. Do you think Bodett nailed it? If you don't know who he is, goggle him.He's an interesting person.

Twice Hung

 

TWICE HUNG

Vanessa C. Hawkins

 

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GENRE:  Mystery/Suspense/Thriller

 

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BLURB:

 

Ethel Arsenault's been hearing noises in her brother's house ever since she arrived from Summerside, but when he turns up dead, could the supernatural be to blame, or her sister-in-law Dolly whose been caught talking to herself when night falls?

 

Ethel isn't sure, nor is she happy when she's left alone to care for Ernest's estate. Was her brother the victim of sweet, little Dolly Arsenault, or is some other sinister force at work? The city of Charlottetown is quick to point the blame at Dolly, but now Ethel has been hearing things in the house...

 

... or is it just her imagination?

 

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“An animal? Like a racoon?” Ethel pursed her lip, wondering if all this time she had been hearing a poor frightened animal in the walls, rather than the lost soul of a sea captain. Since Al had told his story a few nights ago, Ethel was certain no one besides herself had heard anything of the sort. 

 

 Ernest bent to sip his tea before spooning a few generous lumps of sugar to dissolve within the amber fluid. “Something like that,” he said. “I’ve heard it a few times recently, mostly at night, so it must be some kind of nocturnal creature.” 

 

“I’ve not heard a thing! Have you, Ethel?” Dolly asked, her fingers pressing at the hollow of her throat. 

 

Ethel frowned, wondering whether she ought to say anything. “It’s an unfamiliar house…” she’d decided, “so I’m afraid even normal sounds would feel foreign to me.”

 

“I’m sure it’s just—” 

 

“Sorry to disrupt, Mr. Arsenault,” Adella-Ray said from the wide open French doors that bisected the breakfast area from the foyer, “but I’m afraid I am unable to locate your spirits.”    

 

Ernest swivelled in his chair to face the exit. “Did you check the cabinet in the study? I know I put a bottle in there a few weeks ago.” 

 

Adella-Ray nodded, a few mouse-brown strands of hair bobbing out the borders of her maid cap. “I remember, Sir. But it seems it’s gone.” 

 

Dolly laughed, finally pausing to take her first bite of breakfast. “You probably drank it, Ernie. Perhaps without thinking? You’ve been working late all week, seldom even coming home till morning.” 

 

Ernest harrumphed, though he only seemed mildly perplexed as he turned to resume his position at the table. “Perhaps so, Darling,” he said in a tone unconvinced at the suggestion. “Though I was sure—I don’t care much for the stuff. Too fruity…”  He scratched his head, “I suppose I’ll have to buy another before I go.” He wiped his chin, smoothing out the corners of his moustache before standing up to excuse himself.

 

“Just another thing to add to the list,” he said. “I won’t be able to keep you company today, I’m afraid.” He looked at his pocket watch. “Too much to do before departure tomorrow. Will you two be all right while I’m gone?” 

 

Ethel smiled, while Dolly offered a confident wave of her hand. “We’ll find something to occupy us.”

 

“The day is lovely, after all,” Ethel agreed. 

 

Ernest nodded. “Very well,” he said before turning towards the foyer where Adella-Ray had already fetched his hat and coat. “I won’t be home till late. So be sure to dine without me.”

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

 

A life-long lover of horror, Vanessa wrote her first story in the genre when she was only in grade five. It was titled Mutilated and it warranted her a trip to the school guidance counsellor. A lifetime later, she continues to write about anything that suits her fancy. She was afforded second place in the David Adams Richards Prize this year, and honourable mentions in the WFNB writing competition for her novel A Child to Cry Over. With over a dozen publications under her belt, Vanessa was celebrated as a bestselling author with Books We Love Publishing for the sale of over a thousand copies of The Curious Case of Simon Todd! She lives with her husband Brendon and daughter Bernie in New Brunswick. 

 

Vanessa is the author of the following BWL Publishing Inc. releases:

 

The Curious Case of Simon Todd

Bunker Blitz 

Ballroom Riot by Vanessa C. Hawkins & Tara Woodworth

 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GloryhillAlabaster/

https://bookswelove.net/hawkins-vanessa-c/

 

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

 

Vanessa C. Hawkins will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner.

 

Enter to win a $10 Amazon/BN GC - a Rafflecopter giveaway