Men of the 65th

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Talia Aikens-Nunez will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Honor and Fidelity. That is the motto of the 65th Infantry Regiment, also known as the Borinqueneers, the only Puerto Rican unit in the United States Army.

Since the regiment’s creation in 1899, the men of the 65th have proudly served the US through multiple wars, despite facing racial discrimination. Their courage, loyalty, and patriotism earned them hundreds of accolades, including the Congressional Gold Medal in 2014.

But the honor and fidelity of the men of the 65th came into question in 1952, in the midst of the Korean War, when ninety-one Borinqueneers were arrested and tried for desertion and disobeying orders. How could this happen in one of the most distinguished and decorated units of the Army?

In this telling of one of the forgotten stories of the Korean War, author Talia Aikens-Nuñez guides us through the history of the Borinqueneers and the challenges they faced leading up to what was the largest court martial in the entire war. Rediscover the bravery of the men of the 65th through Aikens-Nuñez’s thorough writing and the soldiers’ firsthand accounts of the Korean War.

Read an Excerpt

The Borinqueneers successfully defended the 1st Marine Division’s retreat, but they soon realized this was only part of a much larger withdrawal of UNC [United Nations Command] troops. As the retreat continued into mid-December, news came that the enemy buildup had accelerated. Chinese and North Korean forces were gathering and converging on Hungnam. The UNC’s worst fears were coming true: they were losing ground in the war.

They had to accelerate their plans in response to protect their troops and evacuate the Korean refugees that had fled to Hungnam. They ordered troops to board ships, division by division, and sail south to Pusan… Meanwhile, the 65th and the 3rd Infantry Divisions would hold the main line of resistance, providing enough cover for everyone to make it safely out of Hungnam…With each withdrawal, the enemy continued to push the Borinqueneers and the 3rd Infantry Division.

…They were exhausted from several days of fighting…The soldiers of the 65th were some of the last to leave Hungnam. They were hurried and squeezed tightly onto the final boats. Finally, they could rest and relax. Once they left, the military would destroy the port so the enemy could not use the equipment and facilities against them.

…After they loaded onto the final ship and set sail, the dynamite detonated. The soldiers looked back and watched the port explode…everything – erupted in smoke and flame.

About the Author:

Talia Aikens-Nuñez writes chapter books, picture books, and nonfiction for children. Her daughter inspired her to write her OMG Series of books about an accidental little witch. She and her husband live on a river in Connecticut with their daughter and son.

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Men-65th-Borinqueneers-Korean-War-ebook/dp/B0BNT3ZRZQ/

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Sweet Southern Heat

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Title: Sweet Southern Heat

Series: Magnolia Grove Series

Author: Ashley Cade

Genre/Tropes: Small Town Romance; Ex's Older Brother; Enemies-to-Lovers; Grumpy/Sunshine 

Release Date: September 12, 2024

Kissing your enemy is never a good idea, especially when he’s your ex’s surly older brother. But in my defense, he kissed me first.

Landon Crawford has always blamed me for the accident that stole his brother’s future, but he doesn’t know what really happened that night. I’ve hidden the ugly truth from everyone for six long years, but in a small town like ours, secrets don’t stay buried forever.

When I unexpectedly inherit my grandmother’s bakery, I find myself back in Magnolia Grove and Landon’s orbit. I try to avoid the grumpy mechanic, but fate is hellbent on throwing us together, and the more time I spend with him, the more the line between love and hate starts to blur.

The moment we give into our feelings, tragedy strikes again, leaving Landon with an impossible choice: fully give his heart to me or cling to what’s left of his crumbling family.

*Sweet Southern Heat is a complete standalone set in the Magnolia Grove Series. It's a small town, enemies to lovers, grumpy/sunshine romance with plenty of steam, lots of tension, and a guaranteed HEA.

I couldn’t keep my eyes off Olivia. And I hated myself for it. Even with Honey Beaumont—who was arguably one of the most beautiful women in Magnolia Grove—sitting next to her, I couldn’t make myself look away from the woman I swore to loathe until I took my last breath. She was the flame, and I was the moth, destined to be burned by her if I couldn’t resist the pull.

Even worse, I’d been caught. Stopping just long enough to wipe the perspiration from my face from working in the unforgiving sun, I snuck another peek at her in that scrap of temptation she called a bathing suit. It was too much, too hard to resist. Her long legs were on full display, and her tits were barely covered by two triangles that did little to hide her body’s reaction to catching me watching her. Her chest heaved with each breath she took, and her mouth parted in a little “O” of surprise. And all I could think about was filling that circle with my cock.

I gritted my teeth and looked away. It didn’t matter how badly my body wanted hers or how satisfying it would be to fuck that pretty little lying mouth. Olivia Duprey would always be off limits. She was my brother’s ex and the woman who shattered all his hopes and dreams the night she stole the bright future that was just within reach.

Shaking away those thoughts, I continued with my work, losing myself in the sound of my drill and scent of fresh lumber. When the sound of the back patio door sliding open registered in my ears, I stood and turned to find Olivia coming through it. Strange, I hadn't heard her go inside nor had I noticed her absence. She must not have been gone long considering how often my eyes drifted to her as she lounged poolside with her friend.

She gently closed the door behind her and turned to find me watching her every move. A shy smile curved her lips, and she held out her hand. In it was a tall glass filled to the brim with fat ice cubes and yellow liquid that could only be lemonade. Condensation beaded on the outside of the glass, and my mouth watered. I was parched from working in the sun and had long since drained the bottle of water I'd brought with me.

“I thought you might need a drink,” Olivia said hesitantly.

I closed the distance between us in two long strides and reached for the glass. My fingers curled around the cool glass, brushing against her skin ever so slightly. The brief contact shot an electric pulse up my arm. She must’ve felt it too because she quickly jerked away and clasped her hands together.

“Thank you,” I said with an appreciative nod.

“You’re welcome,” she muttered quickly and tried to back away, but her foot caught on a small pile of wood I'd stacked next to the rail. I thought it was far enough out of the way, but in her attempt to give me a wide berth, she tripped over it. Her body pitched backward, and she let out a yelp as she careened toward the deck. Instinctively, I shot out my free hand and caught her around the waist, my arm wrapping around her middle. I tugged her toward me, holding her tightly so she wouldn’t fall and crack her head open. Her body pressed against mine, her back arched as her arms flailed, searching for purchase. Wide, frightened eyes peered into mine as she finally realized she was no longer falling. Her palms flattened against my chest as she regained her balance.

Her touch sent a shockwave of awareness through my entire body, and I nearly released her. The sensation was jarring, though not unpleasant. I wanted more of it. My cock stirred to life behind my zipper as my gaze dropped to her full parted lips, then lower to where her breasts were pressed against my chest. Could she feel the pulse thundering against my ribs as I held her, her entire body plastered to mine?

It must’ve been the adrenaline rush from having to save her from certain demise. She could’ve been seriously injured had she fallen, especially with the steps so close behind her. And it would’ve been my fault.

I swallowed hard, hating the idea of her getting hurt because of my negligence. Dean would certainly get sued and then fire me. My stomach knotted at the prospect. I told myself it was only because I couldn’t afford to lose my side gig and not because I cared what happened to Olivia.

Clearing my throat, I loosened my hold on her.

“Are you okay? Can you stand?” I asked, more than ready to be rid of her. But if I released her too soon, before she regained her balance, she could still fall.

“I-I think so,” she replied shakily. I slowly uncurled the arm wrapped around her middle, my fingers grazing the silken skin of her back as I attempted to steady her while she found her footing again. Every inch of my skin that connected with hers sparked with something I refused to acknowledge.

“Thank you for catching me. That could’ve been bad.”

I nodded my reply, afraid if I opened my mouth, I’d say something stupid like, “I’m glad you’re okay,” or “my boss would fire my ass if you got hurt because of me.” Both were true but were better left unsaid.

“I guess I should stay out of your way until you’re done,” she offered with an embarrassed chuckle.

“That’s probably for the best.”

In the heart of Alabama, lies a charming little town on the river, where everyone knows your name… and your business.

Follow the intertwined lives of its beloved residents as they navigate first love, second chances, and all the unexpected surprises that their small-town holds.

Welcome to Magnolia Grove, where every neighbor has a story worth unraveling, the roots run deep, and love blossoms around every corner.

Join the Magnolia Grove Reader Group to find out more!

Ashley is a USA Today Bestselling author who likes her small town romance extra spicy with a touch of angst and a splash of humor. Her swoon worthy heroes will melt your kindles (along with your undergarments). She resides in Ohio with her husband and two sons where she pens emotionally gripping love stories about imperfect people who find their happily ever after.

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Beyond the Book: Big Rant

 What are some of the factors that can impede your ability to write creatively?

I realize the type of answer you are probably expecting, but there is only one thing that has driven me totally crazy. Back in the spring I needed a new computer so we went to the Apple store and bought a Macbook Air. I knew it was a little smaller than my Mac Book Pro, but I got it anyway. My advice? Don’t do it. The computer screen is so small that I have to retype most of what I wrote. It’s just too small.

But never think that things can’t get worse. They can and do. I HATE the updates Google foisted on me. In the past google was organic, user friendly and easy to operate. Can’t say that now. For the last few weeks I’ve written hardly anything. I spent my time trying to figure out how to operate the system.

Did anyone else have a hard time with it? I still can’t do what I need to. My son helps me, but I bet he thinks he has an idiot for a mother.

Okay, rant over. Until tomorrow

The Shadowed Moon

 

THE SHADOWED MOON

Elli Morgan

 

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GENRE:  Paranormal Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

After they took everything from him, Dave Patton dedicated his life to hunting vampires. But he can’t bring himself to destroy their newest vampire prisoner Sarah—a young woman with a tragic past, who awakens forbidden desires in him.

 

Sarah McAllister spent her childhood in the hands of ruthless vampires aiming to turn her into a perfect soldier. To take revenge, she hides her true strength and surrenders to a group of hunters, hoping her knowledge will help them bring all monsters to justice.

 

When the hunters’ compound is attacked, Sarah has to reveal her powers to protect them from certain death. How will Dave react when he learns the truth? And how much will she have to sacrifice to defeat her tormentors?

 

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EXCERPT

 

Giving in to the urge to feed, turning into the beast her kind expected her to be, and betraying the little girl she once was would be so much easier.

 

A light breeze carried the hunter’s heady scent to Sarah as she leaned against a majestic walnut tree on this moonless night. She clenched her fists as a shudder ran through her, and every cell inside her body ached for his sweet blood.

 

After years of suffering at the hands of monsters, she’d mastered the art of renouncing her cravings. Pressing her body against the tree, she concentrated on the coarse bark rubbing against her skin. She could not suppress the abominable hunger forever, but her determination combined with the sensory distraction granted her control of her urges for a little while longer. Would it last long enough to talk to him and set her plan in motion?

 

The hunter—a young, muscular man with short, chestnut-brown hair and light stubble on his chiseled face—browsed through his phone, painfully unaware of the vampire watching him. And not for the first time. She’d followed him and his team for five days, studying their tactics and abilities from the shadows. They showed promise, although their approach of posing as bait often put them at risk. With a little help from her, they’d rid the world of even more monsters.

 

She could have picked any group of hunters, but something about the leader of this team enthralled her. His dark eyes held the same sadness and longing she often glimpsed in the mirror. If only she could talk to him about her intentions, but hunters never listened.

 

She inhaled deeply. Would he pass her test and prove they were more than easy prey?

 

Her ankle boots echoed on the pavement of the quiet, suburban neighborhood as she approached him from behind. The clacking reminded her of her mother, strutting through the world like she owned it…as if the monsters in the dark didn’t exist.

 

A Word With the Author

1.Did you always want to be an author?

I never really considered becoming an author when I was younger. As a teenager, I enjoyed making up my own worlds and stories, but I never dared to dream of publishing them.

When I heard about a classmate of mine publishing her first book in 2017, her achievement amazed me. Then I thought if she can do it, so can I. It still took several more years and the outbreak of covid for me to really get started, though.

  

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

I started writing The Waxing Moon in 2020. After a few months, I had a first draft. Back then, I thought I was done and my book was ready for publication, so I queried several agents and small publishers. One of them, The Wild Rose Press, answered. They said my idea was good, but I needed to look into editing. 

So, I read about best practices, for example words to remove, and reworked my manuscript. Then, I looked for some beta readers. With their feedback, I completely reworked the book again. I repeated that step several times. After one year of rewrites and editing, I queried The Wild Rose Press again. This time, around Christmas 2021, they gave me a contract.

I still went through a few more rounds of editing with my editor before I signed off on the final version of my manuscript. Finally, The Waxing Moon was officially published in November 2022.

I also entered The Waxing Moon in a few competitions and won the bronze award in the Reader Views romance category.

 

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

It’s tough to choose just one author since there are many talented paranormal romance authors. I enjoyed reading the Night Huntress series by Jeanine Frost as a teenager, and she is still one of my favorites.

 

4.What’s the best part of being an author? The worst?

There is nothing more amazing than holding your own book in your hands after months or years of work. I also enjoy the writing itself, getting lost in a scene and picturing how the characters react.

The worst part about being an author is definitely the marketing part. I’m not very comfortable in front of an audience or with all those social media platforms, so I’m having a tough time with it. 

 

5.What are you working on now?

For now, I’m preparing for the release of The Shadowed Moon. I haven’t decided on a next writing project, but there are a few ideas. Many of the side characters from my debut, The Waxing Moon, ask for their own stories.

Since I’m currently quite busy with our new puppy, I also won’t start a new writing project right away.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links

 

Elli Morgan was born in 1991 in a small town in Germany. Although she only started learning English in sixth grade, she quickly fell in love with the language. To improve her skills, she spent a year working and traveling in Canada and the US.

 

As a teenager, she devoured countless fan fiction and vampire novels. During that time, she also developed the idea for her first two books.

Her debut, The Waxing Moon, won the Reader Views bronze award in the romance category.

 

Apart from being a writer, she’s also a trained mathematician, working as Business Intelligence Developer at an IT company. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, traveling, and all kinds of games.

 

Email: elli@ellimorgan.com

Website: ellimorgan.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorellimorgan/

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

Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ellimorganreadingcave

Amazon: https://amazon.com/author/ellimorgan

Twitter: https://twitter.com/AuthorElliM

Newsletter Sign-Up: http://eepurl.com/hTrj8D

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/22705044.Elli_Morgan

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authorellimorgan

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/elli-morgan

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION 

Elli Morgan will award a $15 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner.

 

 

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Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying In a Youth Hostel

Welcome to the cover reveal of Book Four of the LESSER KNOWN TRAVEL TRIPS series, How to React When Woken at 3am by Drunk Argentinian Backpackers While Staying in a Youth Hostel and Other Lesser Known Travel Tips. The author will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Book 4 of the hilarious book series that those in the know will want to read when arriving at Paris airport so they laugh so freaking hard that it will intimidate any suspicious characters looking to abduct them and sell them into the human trafficking game.

Life was not meant to be easy, Simon Yeats’ father used to tell him. Well, it sure as hell was not meant to be this bizarre and witty. Australian ex-pat Simon Yeats shares his stories of travel misadventures and dubious personal introspection with comedic insights into the unusual and uproarious elements of living his life abroad. All while having a sense of Wanderlust as pervasive as Mongol hordes in the 12th century.

From how to negotiate getting abused in Los Angeles when you will only drive at 5 miles/hr., to what to do when locked out of your hotel room in your underwear, to the emotions of attempting the world’s second highest bungee when you have a pathological fear of heights, to how to deal with the trials and tribulations of staying in a youth hostel with travelers who have no respect for the other guests.

Simon Yeats has gone into the world and experienced all the out of the ordinary moments for you to sit back and enjoy the experience without the need to empty your bank account, get squeezed sitting in a middle airline seat, or deal with border security at the Ukraine/Russia boundary..

Read an Excerpt

Big Wednesday was my first day at work as a liftie on the Burgess Creek lift at the Steamboat ski resort as a wide-eyed 20-year-old. I do not remember the exact date, but I am absolutely certain it was a Wednesday because everyone who was present at the resort that day referred to it as ‘big Wednesday.’

Overnight, between ‘ordinary Tuesday’ and ‘big Wednesday,’ the town and resort received a mammoth amount of snowfall. It absolutely dumped. A biblical amount of snow. Even though I do not recall snow being mentioned once in either the old testament or the new testament. But I could have missed the reference.

And Moses went up the mountain at God’s direction and there was fresh dump of powder snow, and he cried out, “ye verily, gonna cut me some wicked turns.”

To get to work on my first day, I take the shortcut straight down the hill to the main road and bus stop. I am decked out in my official Steamboat resort onesie ski suit. The snow level is over my belly button. It is like wading through waist high surf for a half mile.

I scramble onto the bus, and I am on my knees huffing and puffing while dripping with sweat.

An inauspicious start to the day.

About the Author:

Simon Yeats has lived nine lives, and by all estimations, is fast running out of the number he has left. His life of globetrotting the globe was not the one he expected to lead. He grew up a quiet, shy boy teased by other kids on the playgrounds for his red hair. But he developed a keen wit and sense of humor to always see the funnier side of life.

With an overwhelming love of travel, a propensity to find trouble where there was none, and being a passionate advocate of mental health, Simon’s stories will leave a reader either rolling on the floor in tears of laughter, or breathing deeply that the adventures he has led were survived.

No author has laughed longer or cried with less restraint at the travails of life.

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0CBNQLSPW/about
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@authoryeats
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authoryeats

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The Starlight Motel

THE STARLIGHT MOTEL

Amy Craig

 

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GENRE:  Contemporary Romance

 

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BLURB:

 

Experienced muralist Kada took charge of her family's Palm Springs motel to give her mother time to grieve. As a grant deadline approaches, Kada must convince her mother to manage the motel so she can return to her art. Late in December, Kada encounters a horseman approaching the property. Dane, the reserved son of a local farming family, is a loyal workaholic with limited spare time or experience outside the valley. When lightning startles his horse, he lingers at the motel and stirs up Kada's emotions about leaving the desert oasis. Wary of mixing business with pleasure, she struggles with her attraction. As New Year's Eve approaches, will the cowboy convince her to chart a new course?

 

 

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EXCERPT:

 

Her skin warmed from the heat of his palms. “I can’t afford to sit around the laundry room and gossip with the guests.” 

 

“Trust me, Kada, I’m not here to gossip.” 

 

“You’re ready to pitch in on odd jobs? You’re such a good neighbor.” She swallowed past the dryness in her throat. She had a three-date rule, but if she never started the first date, did the rule apply? “Thanks for helping with Lucky.” 

 

“Any time.” He tipped up her chin. “Are you sure that’s where you want to stop? You brought me your number and rode out into the desert with me, but now you’re skittish?”


 

Her throat felt parched, but she wanted to lean forward and test his intent. Instead, she kicked her feet against the machine’s vibrating drum. “I’m not skittish, but I’m not into quick romps on a washing machine.” 

 

He raised his eyebrows. “I wasn’t suggesting a quick romp.” 

 

She wanted to test the innuendo behind his offer, but the sequence felt out of order. Before she considered kissing the handsome farmer, she needed dinner, candlelight, and time to breathe. 

 

Her body offered a different opinion. Clearing her throat, she hopped off the washing machine, ducked under his arm, and ran her tongue along her teeth. In the tiny room, his skin smelled like fresh lime, warm spices, and a hint of honey, but his shirt held the leathery undertones of a hard day’s work. He looked handsome, and she wanted to taste his kiss, but she needed a different setup. “Or long romps.”

A Word With Author:

1.Did you always want to be an author?

 

I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day!

2.Tell us about the publication of your first book.

 

A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting  writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win!

3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in?

 

My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat.

 

I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new.

4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst?

 

I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings.

I turn hours of free time into social media posts.

I think you know which is the best and which is the worst!

5.What are you working on now?

 

The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. 

 

Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas!

 

 

 

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

 

Amy Craig lives in Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense featuring intelligent heroines. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’s honey-do list. Before writing, she worked as an oilfield engineer, project manager, and incompetent waitress. For more information and giveaways, visit www.amy-craig.com or follow her on social media channels.

 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/amycraig

TikTok: www.tiktok.com/@authoramycraig

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/author_amy_craig/

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

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/18011214

BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-craig

Website: https://www.amy-craig.com/

 

https://linktr.ee/authoramycraig

 

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GIVEAWAY INFORMATION and RAFFLECOPTER CODE

 

Amy Craig will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. 

 

Please use the following code on your post:

 

 

1.Did you always want to be an author? I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day! 2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win! 3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat. I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new. 4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings. I turn hours of free time into social media posts. I think you know which is the best and which is the worst! 5.What are you working on now? The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas! 1.Did you always want to be an author? I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day! 2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win! 3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat. I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new. 4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings. I turn hours of free time into social media posts. I think you know which is the best and which is the worst! 5.What are you working on now? The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas! 1.Did you always want to be an author? I started writing after the birth of my first child. I also wrote during high school and appreciate everything my English teacher did to encourage me. I dedicated one of my first books, A WINTER ROSE, to her. She bought a few copies and had me sign them, which made my day! 2.Tell us about the publication of your first book. A WINTER ROSE was my first indie published book. Revising it was SOOO much work, but I appreciate the lessons I learned from the editorial staff and the resulting writing improvements. A neighbor read the book a few years after its publication and said it inspired a date night with their spouse, so that’s a win! 3.Besides yourself, who is your favorite author in the genre you write in? My oldest daughter wants to know ALL my favorites, but I have a hard time pinning down my responses. Mint chocolate chip? Coffee? Pistachio ice cream? Also, I’m lactose intolerant. Ice cream is a BIG treat. I do appreciate authors who promise a good time. Slow clap, Colleen Hoover. Nora Roberts deserves a lot of respect. I picked up “Montana Sky” in middle school, and I still have a thing for cowboys. More recently, Ali Hazelwood is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors. Her witty, smart, and deeply engaging stories always teach me something new. 4.What's the best part of being an author? The worst? I turn curiosity and personal experiences into complex stories with happy endings. I turn hours of free time into social media posts. I think you know which is the best and which is the worst! 5.What are you working on now? The third book in a mafia series, THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, comes out September 3, 2024. Working with two publishers, The Wild Rose Press and Totally Bound, means release dates occasionally overlap! In THE BROKEN BODYGUARD, a corporate bodyguard finds himself protecting a stubborn cowgirl and untangling windswept politics in Patagonia, Argentina. Every time I read it, I want to go back to Patagonia and ride along the windswept pampas! 

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A Curvy Girl's Haven

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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. The author will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN GC to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Dr. Arabella Stanton is back in Havenbrook, California, seeking a break from her work with Doctors Without Borders. Exhausted and haunted by memories of the refugee camps, she finds solace in the familiar yet changed landscape of her grandmother’s old town. She plans to rest, recuperate, and plan out her next steps—until a persistent knock at her door changes everything.

Garret de la Rosa, a Navy SEAL with his own shadows from missions past, is back in Havenbrook to recover and find some peace. When a mutual friend brings Arabella to his door, he’s bleeding from an injury, and neither expects the connection that sparks between them.

As Arabella and Garret navigate their growing attraction, they also face their personal demons and the reality that their lives are on different paths. Amidst the tranquil beauty of Havenbrook, they find themselves questioning their futures and what they truly want.

Read an Excerpt

“You’re bleeding,” Arabella said and lifted his shirt. “You really shouldn’t say no.” She looked at the bandage and lifted the edges. Probably pulled stiches. “Please remove your shirt.”

Garret’s sinful stare met hers. “Usually there’s a second date before we get that far.”

“God, these two have the same sense of humor,” Tristan muttered.

Garret flashed her a grin but complied. She kept her cool doctorial composure as he lifted the gray material over his head and didn’t stare.

“When I’m working, I don’t have a sense of humor,” she shot back and examined the area. “Sit down,” she ordered Garret.

He did so without a word and she peeled back the bandage. Bandages. Plural. It looked as if a doctor taped one gauze over Garret’s stitches, then Garret added another layer. No, he added two layers.

Arabella was mildly surprised he hadn’t used duct tape.

“Yeah, popped a few stitches. I’ll need to close it up.” She gathered her supplies, the suture and thread. “So, can you tell me how you got that?” Arabella nodded to his side. “Or is this a case of ‘If I tell you, I’ll have to lock you up in a dungeon?”

His lips quirked in a sexy little half-grin, and his eyes sparkled with laughter. “It’s the dungeon.”

…

It sent a thrill of arousal through her, and her heart tripped over itself. She thought she’d imagined it earlier, but it seemed she hadn’t, even she knew when a man was interested in her. Slightly unnerved, Arabella wondered why a SEAL, a man who looked like Garret, would be interested in her.

About the Author: I’m an East Coaster with an insatiable love for pizza and movies. This love has also produced a chubby girl who thought it would be fun to write a few romances for the fuller ladies. And after a long break from writing, I decided to explore the small, California community of Havenbrook; where curvier ladies find hot guys who fall madly in love! After all, curvier girls need love too.

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/KristaelReed
Blog: http://kristabelreed.blogspot.com/

Buy Link for Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Curvy-Girls-Haven-Kristabel-Reed-ebook/dp/B0DBNS4L9K/ref=sr_1_1

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The Secret Truth

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

Retired investigative journalist Jake Scott narrowly avoids a collision with a speeding car on his way to a Bed and Breakfast where he plans to spend the night. Moments before his arrival, the peaceful atmosphere at the B&B is shattered by a devastating explosion, claiming the lives of five guests. While authorities initially chalk it up to a tragic gas leak, seasoned homicide detective Dani Perez can't shake her suspicions. Given her overloaded schedule, she enlists Jake's expertise to delve into the backgrounds of the deceased. As Jake pursues the investigation, he unearths a web of secrets hinting at a darker truth lurking beneath the surface of the seemingly idyllic B&B.

Read an Excerpt

The sound of a car engine starting in the distance interrupted the calm of the night. Warm rubber on pavement chirped as the car pulled away. A dog barked at the sudden sound. Oblivious to the revving engine, Jake jaywalked to the other side of the street about halfway down the block at exactly the time the car careened around the corner. The headlights bounced off the corner house and veered in Jake’s direction. A giant spotlight might as well have turned on him. For a split second, Jake stopped in mid-stride, staring wide-eyed and open-mouthed as the two brilliant headlights bore down on him at lightning speed.

Only instinct saved him. He leaped for the grassy area bordering the street as the car roared past, its engine screaming. Jake swore the driver’s front corner bumper grazed the heel of his shoe an instant before his body thudded on the unforgiving ground. First, his knees, followed by his arms, and then his face completed the maneuver. The gym bag he launched during his dive landed with a dull smack on the sidewalk.

Jake turned his head to watch the car from his prone position, but all he could tell as the vehicle raced around the corner at the end of the block was that it was big and dark. For a second, streetlights glinted off the wheel disks and reflected off the passenger side windows. Then it disappeared. He moaned and, without moving his extended arm, raised his middle finger in the general direction of the car’s path. While the car and its driver had vanished, the gesture gave him a measure of satisfaction.

About the Author:

Barry Finlay is the award-winning author of the travel adventure, Kilimanjaro and Beyond – A Life-Changing Journey (with his son Chris), the Amazon bestselling travel memoir, I Guess We Missed The Boat, the inspirational Just Keep Climbing, and five Amazon bestselling and award-winning thrillers comprising The Marcie Kane Thriller Collection: The Vanishing Wife, A Perilous Question, Remote Access, Never So Alone, and The Burden of Darkness. His new Jake Scott Mystery Series debuted with Searching ForTruth and The Guardians of Truth. He is now following that up with The Secret Truth. Barry was featured in the 2012-13 Authors Show’s edition of “50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading.” He is a recipient of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee medal for his fundraising efforts to help kids in Tanzania, Africa. Barry lives with his wife Evelyn in Ottawa, Canada.

Author Website: http://www.barry-finlay.com
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorBarryFinlay
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Karver2

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