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Table of Contents

Penny Reid: Smart Humor Creates Romance & Mystery Gold!

28 Back To The Future Rules: Or How To Keep Fiction Timeless Mark Rosendorf

32 The Gravity of Goals: Getting It Right From The Start

Tamara Cribley

24 Famous Books With Different Names: Paul Stans eld

44 Check Out My Collection!

S.L. Carpenter

July/Aug. 2022

48 41 Can It Make Money?

Kindle Vella, Pt. 2: Peggy Jaeger

36 Laramie Briscoe:

Hot Cops and Bad Boys With Pure Southern Delight!

Reviews:

Historical:

Contemporary:

41 Paranormal:

The Path of the Gods:

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy:

Julie L. York

LGBTA+:

85 89 94

Novella:

Chapter 1

56 This Month’s Top 25 Bestselling Books!:

Suspense/Thriller:

Young Adult:

101

Inspirational:

102

Mystery:

103

Science Fiction:

104

Audiobooks:

106 109

Other:

Publisher/ Editor-in-Chief: TJ MacKay

Our Staff:

RONE Awards Coordinator: Amanda Hupe

Executive Editor: Katy Nielsen

Technical Editors: Gabriella Sawyer

Copy Editors: Julie York, Marc Joseph, Penny Baker

Reviewers*

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

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

Editor’s Note on our cover. This month’s magazine is a double issue, which allows you a double portion of wonderful! It also means that you’ll have a bit of extra time to enjoy all the awesomeness while traveling with family, kicking back at the pool, or taking a break in the staff lounge at work. We’ll keep you posted, though, on all the new and upcoming things throughout the summer, and will be back soon enough to get the September issue all ready for you when things settle and summer winds down. If you are considering what books to pile up on for your vacations, well… all our RONE finalists have been announced, and a good many of them are on sale! SO, you have a whole list guaranteed to be fun and entertaining, no matter your tastes! That way you can judge right along and see if your favorites are the ones who win! You can find the sales in our Book Bargains Flyers, or just pop over to the website and

Happy Summer, everyone! As the summer sun warms and the lakes and beaches crowd up, it is absolutely time to pick up a great book and escape! In fact, isn’t a good book a pre-requisite of vacations?!? As any who have read InD’tale for long know, it is also one of two times in the year (the other being Christmas) that our staff at InD’tale take a bit of a vacation, as well. That is why you see “July/August”

Smiles,

TJ Macka

Paul Stansfield New Jersey born,and raised, Paul Stans eld spent decades as a eld archaeologist for his day job. Surprisingly, even though he professionally disturbed hundreds of graves, he has yet to suffer a haunting or zombie attack. He’s had over 20 stories published by magazines, including such publications as Bibliophilos, Morbid Curiosity, The Literary Hatchet, and Horror Bites. He has stories available in 10 anthologies, and the upcoming “Death’s Garden Revisited” (October 2022). He’s an Af liate Member of the Horror Writers Association.

Julie L. York Julie is an author, editor, and mom though not always in that order. She also teaches English to adult and incarcerated students. She was was born and raised in the East Bay Area, California, graduated with a B.A. in English, minoring in Business Computers... got married and had children. Then she completed a Masters of Fine Arts in Media Design. Oh and did she mention she is a voracious reader? Thanks to iBooks and the Kindle App, Julie has consumed thousands of eBooks and claims reading is her rst love.

Peggy Jaeger Peggy is a contemporary romance writer who writes RomComs about strong women, the families who support them, and the men who can’t live without them. Family and food play huge roles in her stories as she bring all topics of daily life into her stories: life, death, sibling rivalry, illness, and the desire for everyone to nd their own happily ever after. Growing up the only child of divorced parents, Peggy longed for sisters, brothers, and a family that vowed to stick together no matter what came their way. Through her books, she’s created those families.

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

Mark Rosendorf By day, Mark Rosendorf is a mild mannered high school guidance counselor for special needs students. He has also moonlighted as a magician. Today, he teaches magic to his students. By night, Mark is the author of 'The Witches of Vegas” series, a young adult fantasy series which shares the adventures of Isis, Zack, their families and the residents of New Salem with the entire world. He has also published such works as The Rasner Effect through Wild Rose Press.

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

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Contributors

Penny Reid

Smart Humor That Creates Romance & Mystery Gold

In all the years I have been interviewing, I don’t think I have ever met an author who is more like her characters than Penny Reid. She is warm, friendly, but with a bit of quirkiness that is absolutely delightful. Her sense of humor is quick and her ability to see the absurd and laugh at it keeps everyone around her laughing along with her. She is also incredibly intelligent and immediately draws conclusions that are extremely enlightening and often not even noticed beforehand. Yet, she is surprisingly self-debasing and humble, even with her wild popularity. To say I thoroughly enjoyed our conversation is an understatement! Read on and you’ll see exactly what endears her to so many, including myself! InD: Where were you born and what was your childhood like? PR: I was born in Los Angeles, California, and I am the youngest of four kids. We moved to Florida when I was very young, following my dad's job. Mom was a homemaker, my dad was a vice president for a large defense contractor. I grew up near the Orlando area and all of my siblings worked for Disney, at one point. InD: What was that like growing up around Disney World? PR: It was interesting! I grew up in the 1990s and my siblings had, and still have, the park-hopper passes to get in. They're good in every park for a day, no expiration date. I think I still have a ton of them, because they would get them every quarter. I think those tickets must be worth a billion dollars by now. Not sure about now, but back then, if you worked there, you could sign in your friends and family members, so I knew every part of Disney World, Epcot Center, and the Magic Kingdom really well. I knew all the secret places to go. I have a memory of being 12, and on Saturday’s, my brother would sign me in when he started his shift and I would go by myself or bring a couple of friends and just hang out all day. Oddly, I never took my kids there until we actually moved away from Florida. They were like, “We’ve never been to Disney World”, and I was like, “You really want to go there? Really?” InD: Most people would think that was a dream childhood.

PR: Yeah, I didn’t like rollercoasters, though, so I did a lot of people watching when I was there. I would sit in the park and study all the families. My brother was supposed to watch me, but he would give me $10 and I knew exactly how to maximize it. I had enough water because I knew where all the water fountains were. There is a movie theater on Main Street that’s kind of hidden, where they showed the original Mickey Mouse cartoons. When it would get too hot in the middle of the day, I would get some ice cream from a shop nearby and sit and watch movies. I guess it is kind of a magical way to spend childhood. InD: Your childhood was not like most people's childhood. PR: No, it wasn't. When my parents were busy doing other things, they'd say to my brother, “Just take her to the park” and I would hang out there until the end of his shift. InD: I think that is amazing! But would you leave your kids at Disney World alone all day? PR: No, I’m pretty sure you would get arrested now. It’s not even an option. I don't know if I would ever be in a situation where I would consider leaving my 12-year-old all day in the park. I think I was very privileged in that way. InD: I guess, as a child, you knew the park well enough, you knew where you were going. It would have been a much different experience for you than most.

PR: Yes, it was like being in your own small town. I think my generation grew up in that awkward space between analog and digital, that span of time where you grew up without computers, but by the time you got to college, it was expected. When I grew up, my parents would not let us play video games, so I would go to anybody's house that had a system because I loved playing. One of the happiest days in my life (aside from the birth of my children, obviously) is when I found out Squaresoft was making Final Fantasy VII with PlayStation 5 graphics. I was just beside myself. There was a point in my 20s where I was playing way too many games and had to quit. I'm still not allowed to play unless I am playing with one of the kids, because that would be all I do. But, I think playing video games and being in that virtual environment, logic and the basic RPG helped me interact with computers as they developed, and to think of them as something more natural. The kids who interacted with video games, at that time, tended not to have such a hard time acclimating to computers in college. InD: I can understand that. PR: We also sought out people in chat rooms and message boards and other early social media sites, like fan iction.net, which seems like it has been around since the dawn of the Internet. We sought each other out so we could talk about fan iction, fan art, and Photoshop. I have been doing Photoshop for 25 years because I love that culture, and I have been making fan art since I was 19. InD: You had a great childhood, but then you hit puberty. What was it like for you, as a teenager? PR: Well, this is putting it all out there because, I hit puberty at 8 years old and I was done by 10, so that’s probably another reason why my parents let me go to Disney, because when I was 11, I would get mistaken for being 18. I basically looked like I look now. InD: Do you think that was a good thing or a bad thing? PR: As an 11-year-old having men thinking I was 18 or 19 was incredibly uncomfortable, so I adopted the habit of wearing very baggy clothes. At that time, the thought was if you dressed a certain way, then that’s what you should expect. I don't think 10 or 11-yearold girls should be expected to carry that burden.

InD: Right. No matter what they are wearing, not to treat them like a 20-year-old because they are not. They are children. PR: Exactly. I do have to say it was odd when I would go to do something with my sister, who was older by 2 1/2 years and didn't go through puberty until she was 14, people would assume that she was my younger sister, or I was her aunt. InD: Did that bother the both of you? PR: I found it very disorienting and off-putting. Put yourself in the place of a 10 or 11-year-old who is just trying to see a movie and a man sits next to you and puts his hand on your leg. It was really awful. InD: You don't have the capacity to deal with that at that age. PR: No, you don’t. I do think it was natural for me, at the time, to just reject that kind of intent and behavior, but that is why I started dressing in baggy clothes, big T-shirt, jeans, and combat boots. I also cut my hair very short for a time, or wore my hair in a ponytail or under a hat when it was longer, to try and detour the attention. I think it has in luenced a lot of my writing in my female characters because a lot of them don't enjoy male attention either, it is not something they crave on any level. InD: As you grew and turned 16, 17, and 18, the ages that you should have looked, did you grow out of that? PR: That discomfort has never left me. I don't ever know if someone is lirting with me. When I got to college, I had never been the person who craved attention from the opposite sex. It always seems a bit perplexing when it does happen, like, maybe they made a mistake or they are drunk or perhaps they are having a seizure or whatever, because it has never been anything I have been at all comfortable with. I don't know if it is because of my irst experiences with it at a young age or if maybe that is who I am as a person. My husband had a really hard time getting me to go out on a date with him. We met in college and when he asked me out, I said, “I think you can do a lot better”, so I started setting him up with other women. InD: Because you were not interested in him or because you thought he was not seriously interested in you? PR: I just felt like maybe he was going below his level, that he could really do better than me and I wanted the

best for him. I liked him as a person. [both laughing] I know I am bonkers, but in my mind it made sense. I thought, because he is handsome, funny, and an intelligent guy, he could do a lot better, so I would set him up. After a couple of months he was like, “You’ve got to stop. I just want to go on a date with you.” InD: It sounds like you write a lot of your personality into your characters. PR: Yes. When I tell people about my husband, they assume I did that because I had low self-esteem, but it’s because I think about things quantitatively, and I think if you rank how society values women, especially at that time, it made a lot of sense to me. Society puts a lot of value on physical appearance, and I felt that he was much better looking than I was, across the spectrum, therefore, he needed to be with someone of his equivalent spectrum. It made logical sense. That didn't mean I did not like how I looked or had low self-esteem, the data just panned out. InD: It is total scienti ic point of view! [both laughing] PR: I have two older brothers and they would always talk about girls in terms of their looks. They would also always say to me, “If you did your hair, you would be so much prettier and guys would be interested in you.” It was always unprompted, we could be sitting at dinner and my brothers would say, “You’d be so much prettier if you wore make up”, and I am like, “I am just trying to eat!” I do think that I carry those themes into my books. InD: I agree. In “Ten Trends To Seduce Your Best Friend”, Winnie’s character thinks of things exactly the way you are explaining how you thought of things. When she approached the situation of an incredibly handsome, successful man, it never crossed her mind he would be interested in her. PR: And every time he opened his mouth, it sounded like a criticism to her. InD: What ended up changing your mind with your husband? PR: It was him being persistent until I had no choice but to believe that he really wanted a date with me. So, we did, and it was a lot of fun. He is the funniest person I know, and he says the most awesome,

surprising things, and, at the time, he was much more of a feminist than I was. I was raised in a very traditional, conservative household and he challenged me over my perception of things and got me to consider more than just data and to challenge myself. The other thing is, I don't think I ever really thought about getting married or having kids, because you have to date somebody in order for that to happen. I liked children a lot, but never thought it was in the cards for me, until I dated him. InD: It just took time for you to believe it was real and he truly was interested in you and this could really work? PR: It just seemed really far-fetched. I irst thought, “Is this a bet? Who put you up to this?” InD: So, what does he do for a living? PR: Now, he is a stay-at-home dad, but prior to that, he was a (computer) developer and ran his own contracting business for startup companies. InD: I only ask because of you saying how funny he is and I was wondering if he went into a creative career. PR: Nah. His mom would tell me stories of when he was ive and was irritated at his cousins because he wanted to watch the news and they wanted to watch Tom and Jerry. He fell in love with computer programming and went to a magnet school. He ended up having to get up at 4:00 or 4:30 a.m., take two buses to get to school and two buses home. He is an amazing, impressive, funny, kind, sweet person. InD: Do you play video games together? PR: No. He does not like playing video games. He was never into that. InD: How did you get into the science ield? PR: I worked 15 years in biomedical research. I started in orthopedics and then I moved into cancer research, and then ultimately into a large data center where we collected data and analyses on Type I diabetes, and also in pediatric rare diseases. InD: So, when you were in high school what prompted you to go into that direction in life? PR: I love chemistry and calculus. They were my two favorite subjects in high school, so I thought I would become a chemical engineer, but I put myself through college on scholarships while working fulltime.

I was working for an orthopedic surgeon and he had me build his patient database. I wrote databases for Palm OS, so they could be in surgery and enter data into the device. I helped him write research papers. I would go to conferences and help them present and talk about methods of collection and I fell in love with medical research and the difference it made. I can't pronounce the disease name for LAM (Lymphangioleiomyomatosis), but it is a disease in women typically in their 20s or early 30s, who have nodules or tumors in their lungs, and it spreads and is exacerbated by pregnancy, so a lot of women don’t know they have it until they become pregnant, but pregnancy makes it worse and the outcome used to be death at a very young age. We were working with a research physician when he discovered another drug use and the papers published from our group showed it held promise in halting the disease progress. So, these women who have been given prognosis of death at a young age were now able to have a drug that would hold, for the most part, the disease process, and the outcome was living past 30. Being able to work on a study like that, then designing and writing the protocol, and approval with the FDA was incredible gratifying. And, I just really loved meeting patients and doctors and study staff, how passionate they were about helping people. It was inspiring and also easy. It is easy to get up every morning and work 80 hours a week when you feel like you're making a difference. InD: Wow! That is amazing. I can see where that would be so worthwhile as a career. So, how did you ever go from that to writing Romance? PR: I have always written stories, although I could not read until I was eight. My parents were told (I’m going to use the R word because that's the word the school used for me) that I was retarded and had a low IQ and I would not be able to learn like other kids. I think that was just reality in the 80s to 90s, when there was not a lot of research on kids and learning disabilities, or the research was just emerging. You were either normal or you were not. But, there was a fairly young, recent college graduate, psychologist who told me I had severe dyslexia and there were things I could do to help, but I would have to work really hard. One of the things I could do was read a book every week, so I started forcing myself to do that. I was told I had coding issues, and I see this with my own kids. They all have issues learning how to read, but they don't have issues with comprehension, if I read to them. Audiobooks are still books and that is still reading. Some people just need a different way. InD: The psychologist told you you're not "retarded", you just needed to ind a different way

of learning… I bet that was like opening up a whole new world for you. PR: It was. I was also a very withdrawn child, which is why I don't fault the other psychiatrists and professionals for labeling me the way they did. If I didn’t enjoy a person's company, I just did not talk to them. I didn't answer the questions, so they thought I didn't understand what they meant. InD: Did your parents try to understand what the problem was? PR: I think they were very busy and had a lot on their plate, so I think they heard what the psychologists and the administrator said, they went along with it. It was a different time and parents didn't have the same kind access to knowledge we have now. It was more like, “Okay, this is good to know. We just won't expect good grades.” InD: So it set you back, but you still persevered and read a book a week. Did you become a reader at that point? PR: I did become a reader, but I still struggle with the pronunciation of words. I can read a word, but I cannot pronounce it. I have to practice over and over again before I can actually get the words out of my mouth correctly. I did become a huge reader, but it took me reading a book every week until around 11 or 12 before I felt comfortable enough to read "The Chronicles of Narnia”. By 14, I was reading "The Lord of the Rings”, and in high school I was reading a lot of Science Fiction. Before I could read well, though, I was writing stories, but in picture format. I was drawing comic books, where I was just telling stories with action in pictures, no words. When I learned to read well, I began writing the stories. To begin with, I had a real problem because I am left-handed and I was writing letters backwards, from right to left instead of left to right, so I had to be trained out of that. Had I grown up in parts of the Middle East speaking Arabic, I would have been great.

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So there you go. [both laughing] As time went on, I got involved with fandom and fan iction and fan art, mostly Science Fiction. InD: So, you were totally immersed in that bio research world, and you graduated and loved working in that area, and yet on the side you started writing fan- iction to relax? PR: I always felt like I had to write. I’m not sure how to describe it, but if I'm not writing, then I can't sleep, so I am always writing. My ideas and thoughts have to go some place, and if I keep them inside, my mind gets very full. InD: That is a wonderful way of saying it. PR: Thank you. I can't think past the ideas or the scene to have real world conversations with other people around me until I get it all out. If my brain gets too full, I get distracted from what is real. InD: If you take the dialogue and all of the scenes that are in your head and write it out, you have enough room to deal with people in the real world. That is so cool. When did you realize this? PR: It's always been there. First, I told stories with stick pictures, then comic book characters. I tell my readers the characters I write don’t really belong to me because a lot of the times they present themselves and who they are to me. Then, I get to know them as I write the book.

I might be in the middle of dinner, and all of a sudden, Winnie is talking about something at the same time. So, from time to time I will excuse myself from the dinner table so I can get that conversation down and out of my head, so she can leave me alone enough to talk to my kids that evening. InD: It makes sense also because it ties back to your childhood. As you mentioned, you would spend your days in Disney World watching people. You have all of this material in the back of your head from that. Now, you have the characters, you just have to hone them and lesh them out. PR: I also have to admit, anybody I meet in real life I do sort of ile away for future use in a story. I’m not sure that is helpful when making and keeping friends! The “Knitting in the City” series was loosely based on a group of women I met at a retreat in New Hampshire in 2012, and each of the characters in that series was somewhat inspired by one of those women. InD: I think that is a huge compliment. I can't imagine people being offended because they inspired something. PR: Yeah, except each person has a lot of laws. I have laws that I should be working on. The characters are the same way, so I think it is dif icult for people to read a book and know the character was inspired by them and see my interpretation of their laws on the page. That can feel kind of intrusive. InD: Yeah, but you can always stand by the fact that these are ictional characters. PR: It’s not like I can capture the true essence of another person and manipulate that for my own needs. InD: Honestly, my favorite characters of yours are the ones who are insanely smart but socially awkward. For me, and lot of the readers, your books resonate because we all can relate in some way to that insecurity and social awkwardness. You are so good at writing those characters. PR: Well, thank you. That is good to hear, but a lot of that has to do with just observing people. When you really watch people, you can pick up on nuances and facial expressions when they don't think anybody is looking. You can tell the progression, the red from the back of the neck to the tip of the ears, or that kind of bracing face like, “Oh man, I wish I had not said that.” I know there is a subset of the population who worries

emotions, and chemistry of those characters. And you do it so well! Is it a conscious thing? PR: I was talking to my sister about this and she said my books are the “peanut butter and pickle sandwiches of books”. You know, some people are allergic to peanut butter, so that is off the table and not even an option, and for some people, the very idea of a peanut butter and pickle sandwich is awful, so why even try it? Some people will try it and hate it, but for some people they absolutely love it, crave it, and adore it. Even with authors like JRR Tolkien or Jane Austen, there will be some one or two star reviews... “the characters are lat, have no chemistry, or they cannot get into the story.” Nobody is beloved by everybody. InD: I accept your theory, but if you take the whole of your work, I believe you're selling yourself short. The fact is, there’s more meat in your characters than many other author’s books, and that deepens the story. There may be some books that are more so than others, but it's a thread that carries through all of your work. You really get inside your characters and understand their feelings and emotions, their insecurities, and that is what makes the magic. PR: I appreciate you saying that. Thank you very much. I wonder if your perception of that comes from my inability to understand the dynamics. In studying and trying to understand, I have a tendency to speak freely. That often upsets or irritates people and that is ine. I mean, I am over 40, and I don't know that I can substantively change at this point, but l do want to understand, so when I write, I am trying to understand both real people and my characters. InD: If, when you write your characters, you are trying to understand yourself, which allows readers to work through and learn to understand, as well. Maybe that is the genius in it. PR: That very well could be, but I don't

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a lot about interactions they had with someone, like a cashier at a grocery store. Something like the cashier says. “Thanks for shopping”, and you say, “You too!” and then you think, “I can’t believe I said that.” InD: Most of us would walk off and think, “Good grief, that was dumb!” and forget it, but other people would worry about it. PR: Yeah, and they will think about it for months, and the next time they see that cashier, they will go to another line to avoid them. There is a subset of the population who act that way, and I am de initely one of those people. I would love to not have those anxieties and fears and worries, but that is just not how my brain works. InD: But all of those small idiosyncrasies are what makes your books so good! Most of us may not take it to that point, but every one of us can relate. And you portray it in your characters so well and it makes them so believable. PR: I do think there is also a subset of the population who don't have those kinds of thoughts whatsoever. That is why I say my books are not for everybody. Many think, “Just get over it! Quit overthinking, what is wrong with you?” My writing is not really for those people because I don't like characters who can just get over it. I write characters who are constantly ighting their own brain, wishing they were different and practical, trying to do better. The worst thing you can do is not try to be better. InD: You have a very honed gift to watch people and pick up all of those nuances in their faces and their actions. It is really interesting how you can put that into a character. One of your best gifts, and you have many, is that you're gifted at writing the chemistry between two imperfect people. The degree to which you can successfully do it is not something common. Many people write great stories, but it’s a whole other level to write great stories while really digging into the feelings,

for myself. And, that book, "Neanderthal Seeks Human”, ended up being the irst book I published. InD: That was awesome! So, in the “Ten Trends..” what were you trying to igure out? PR: In that particular book, I somewhat came full circle because in that particular case it was Byron, the male character, who was pushing back against the idea that "if you label me in a particular way, it excuses my bad behavior, but I’m a whole human who is capable of making the decision to be a jerk". He is ultimately diagnosed with sensory process disorder and he really resents the fact that if you have sensory process disorder, although people can make sense of his behavior by that diagnosis, a person’s choices (to be good or bad) might be explained away by a diagnosis—as though he doesn’t really have a choice, as though he’s less capable or human than “normal-processing” people. InD: And, it allows you to be that way and never to be anything better. PR: Which ultimately leads to dehumanizing another person by deciding they are not capable of more than what you have typed or labled them as. I think that is a harmful perspective. There is value in understanding unwillingness and inability, but knowing, just because an individual is dealing with mental health issues, you don't assume they are incapable. Maybe they are just unwilling, or maybe they are full- ledged human beings capable of making mistakes and bad choices. So,

don't assume. I was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum, as was my son. There is a huge difference in how people treated him once they discovered he was diagnosed with ASD. They immediately reduce their expectations of him, coddle him, put up a wall built of their own expectations of “people like him.” It is so upsetting to watch happen. I'm not sure how to describe the difference in how people talk to you once it becomes common knowledge, but my son said it’s an easy way to weed out the a#@holes. This kid is doing calculus in the 6th grade, and he is an amazing kid, but to watch him being treated as someone who is incapable of understanding is so frustrating for him. I just don't think the portrayal of neurodiversity in the media is accurate, and I think it is often that inaccurate portrayal that people may be responding to. InD: I think when they hear a diagnosis, they just pigeonhole it. They don't bother to go any further and don't take the time to understand. PR: They are not treating each person as an individual. They are putting them in a box. Now, I wouldn't say that every individual on the spectrum is intelligent or unintelligent, but what we ask society to do is approach every individual as an individual. No one is the same. The less we approach people as groups of people and more as individuals, the more our interactions will be ful illing, and we will all do better... still allowing each other and ourselves to ind a place where they feel comfortable.

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know that I would call it genius, more of a lot of fumbling around. I feel like I don't know the characters I write very well until the end of the book, when they reveal themselves fully. Typically, I have to go back and do revisions and ill in those blanks from earlier in the chapters. I will never start a book unless I am trying to understand human nature or technology or a current event. InD: When you start a new book, you start with a de inite, I want to understand, I am going to explore? PR: Yes. For instance, I hadn’t planned to write any book past Janie’s book [the irst in the Knitting in the City series]. I wrote that book on a bet with a friend from work. She loved Romance novels, but was having trouble inding heroines who were similar to her, which is basically very intelligent, but not very socially savvy. So, with Janie, I was trying to answer the question of how to navigate the world when a person’s comfort level is to put everything in boxes with labels because that habit is very tidy. When they meet someone who can't be put in a box or a tidy category, how do you interact and deal with people who are actively pushing back? That was the question I was trying to answer

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It is also important and wonderful for people to feel they belong somewhere. InD: Absolutely. We need to be around people who understand our love of stories and reading, but at the same time, each of us also needs to be an individual, because that's not the only part of us. PR: Exactly. No one is de ined as one thing. InD: Okay, so how did you get into the Beard series (the Winston Brothers series)? PR: My parents retired, and my mom had inherited some money from her parents, so they decided to buy some property in the Smoky Mountain area of Tennessee. They bought a trailer with a porch, and I took my kids to visit and see it. That irst Friday night we were in town, they took us to a “jam session”. Everything in the books regarding the jam session is based on reality, what I saw, and the conversations that took place. I was taking notes because everything seemed so ictional to me. These people, without ever practicing prior, were playing this beautiful music together. There was a bluegrass room, a gospel room, and a country room. You had all these different kinds of seating, and almost every single man there had a beard. There was one man and woman having a conversation about her wanting a cat but not wanting to pay the $15.00 charge for the kitten, and next to her were two individuals trying to negotiate the price for a tractor. In another place, two people, who must've been in law-enforcement, were talking about someone they’d arrested going into rehab and how they hoped it worked. All of the town’s business was being conducted in this jam session, and it felt like a snapshot of life in a particular place and time. So, I decided I had to write a story about this place. The Smoky Mountains in Eastern Tennessee, with its rivers, colors, hills, and valleys shrouded by mist is very much its own character, and it felt important to me to capture that in a book. So, the brothers are based on real people and were easy to wrangle, and the reason I igured they all had beards was because their father was not around to

teach them how to shave. InD: What a lovely way to start a series! It was just a piece of Americana that resonated with you. PR: Yes, real people with real emotions. I do think people in this country, and maybe around the world, have a tendency to trivialize the experience of individuals who live in the South. If you have a Southern accent, there is this idea in some circles that you are less intelligent, which is completely ridiculous. Also, the South is incredibly diverse, not just in terms of different skin color, but also in different cultures and priorities. I wanted to write stories where people had names like Jethro and Cletus, so when readers would pick the book up, their ideas of the South would be questioned, and this was one of those stereotypes. InD: Cletus’s character is a genius! You took the most Southern, hillbilly name and made him the most intelligent person in the series. That is so interesting! You really did blow those stereotypes. PR: I hope I did, and I hope I blew up the stereotypes of the small town in the South. Sometimes there is a kernel of truth, but it is never as simple as how it is often represented. I grew up near Disney World, but it was really a small town in central Florida. We knew the police of icers to avoid and we knew the ones that you could approach because they were good people. We knew what stop signs to avoid because you’d always get pulled over, and we knew the auto mechanic in town who charged for blinker luid. We also knew the person they were charging was a moron. I do believe that how the people acted in Green Valley [the area in the Winston Brothers series books] and how they conduct themselves to be representative of small towns in the South, or small towns in the Paci ic Northwest, they are all pretty similar and universal. InD: You put so much humor into your books. Does that come natural? PR: I am often surprised at what people ind funny, so I would say, most of the humor comes from

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observations of the absurd. For example, (and this might sound like a depressing story at irst, but it’s not), my mother passed away in 2018, and we lew home. My voice sounds a lot like hers and this man called. He sounded ancient. When I picked up the phone, he said, “Jane, why haven’t you called me back?” And he kept going on and on, so I'm thinking, “Do I tell him that she's dead and give him a heart attack? What do I do”? So, I just pretended to be her. InD: But imagine the shock when someone tells him a few days later that she'd been dead for weeks, yet he had a conversation with her the other day! [both laughing] PR: But, I was caught up in the moment and didn’t know what else to do! When I hung up, my sister was like, “What is wrong with you? Why would you do that?” In retrospect, I think it’s a funny story. I know it's awful, but it's funny. Another example of inding the absurd in dif icult situations was when I picked out the clothes for her wake and when we got there, I saw the clothes on her (that I’d chosen) and realized I’d picked the wrong out it. I asked the funeral director if, on the off chance, we could change her clothes and he said “No”, and I thought to myself, “She would be so pissed if she saw herself in this casket wearing autumn colors when she should have been in spring colors.” InD: But, you see that absurdity and write it into your books, then we see the absurdity, and laugh at it. PR: I grew up next to a family who had moved down from New York and the mother would use the F word every other word. A part of the character of Dan O’Malley [From “A Marriage of Inconvenience"] and his mom, and all of the cussing was inspired by this family. I remember, they had a one-year-old baby, and her

irst word was the F word. The mom was so angry and she said, “Which one of you f***ing kids taught her the f***ing F word?!” And all the kids were denying it. I remember thinking, “Do you not hear yourself talk?” The answer was so obvious and we all knew who taught the baby that word. I just ind people so delightful in their absurdity. I am sure if someone were to sit back and observe me on a day-to-day basis, they would probably shake their head at my absurdity. InD: But that is the joy that makes life worth it and you pick up on those small but very funny things so extraordinarily well. So, let’s do some favorites of yours now! Favorite food? PR: My favorite food changes all the time. Right now, I am addicted to Eggs Benedict. InD: What is your favorite dessert? PR: Key lime pie. InD: Your favorite color? PR: I feel like that is a loaded question. I think a favorite color is re lective of what you surround yourself with. InD: You are way too perceptive. I always ask the why for that very reason. A person’s reasons for their favorite color tells so much about that person. PR: I surround myself with black because it goes with everything. All my clothes are black, much of my furniture is black. I don't like having to think about coordinating anything and don't want to spend any time thinking about fashion or design, because that isn’t a strength of mine. I am randomly wearing a green shirt today, but almost everything I own is either black, gray, or white… so I’d pick one of those. InD: See? That tells us so much about your thought process and how you look at colors. I love that question. I really do. Okay, so what’s your favorite time of day? PR: Actually, I have two favorite times of the day. 5 o'clock in the morning when nobody's up and I can get a lot of things done, and dinnertime because it is loud and busy and everybody is talking about their day and is either laughing or yelling at each other, and we are fully there in the moment. That is my second

favorite time of the day. InD: What would your favorite place to be if you could pick any place in the world? PR: Unconsciously, I would really want to be in the closet hiding, but my favorite conscious place to be in the whole world is Doubtful Sound, New Zealand. It is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. It is just gorgeous. InD: Do you have a favorite book or movie? PR: My favorite movie is "Mr. Mom" with Michael Keaton and Teri Garr. I love everything about that movie so much. How seriously he and his friends take their soap operas and how fully he embraces his new role in his marriage. I think it is a really great movie. My favorite book is "Persuasion" by Jane Austen because that was the irst time it occurred to me, I can live for my own happiness, not other people's expectations of me. InD: What is the best advice you ever received? Professionally and/or personally? PR: I don't know if it is the best advice I ever received, but the most excellent advice I’ve heard recently is that it is okay to be misunderstood. Not everyone is going to be interested in or

understanding of who you are, or want to give you the bene it of the doubt, and that's okay. You don’t have to trip all over yourself make sure you're perfectly understood. It is okay to be misunderstood. The best professional advice I ever received is to only write books you would want to read or enjoy. Otherwise, you will get burnt out if you are trying to do “pizza”... basically, trying to please everybody. When you do that, you are not going to please anybody, even yourself.

Famous Books With

Different Names With famous books we’ve come to love, it’s almost like they were set in stone, unchanged from when the writer typed them up. However, this isn’t true.

Every book, no matter how successful, went through many edits and changes. Occasionally, the public gets to see these original versions, which in some cases, were very different. Following is a list of a few of the most notable examples.

Books with Different Published Versions "The Stand" by Stephen King This was the irst example I thought of, being a huge horror fan. King’s story ( irst published in 1978) was a 1152 page tome, but the publisher convinced him it would sell better if he axed about 150,000 words, or over 300 pages. However, in 1990 he put out the long version as "The Stand: The Complete & Uncut Edition", which, among other changes, switched the story’s setting from 1980 to 1990, and updated the pop cultural references, etc. I’ve read both, and the longer version is better—more information and new characters in a book I love. "A Clockwork Orange" by Anthony Burgess This one’s a little stranger. This 1962 novella had 21 chapters. However, the publisher convinced Burgess that Americans wouldn’t accept the 21st chapter as

the ending, so the U.S. editions only had 20 chapters, and a darker ending. (SPOILERS AHEAD) The 20th chapter has Alex recovered from the Ludovico Technique, and starting a new gang, continuing with his violent lifestyle. The 21st, though, has him meeting up with old gang member Pete, and being inspired to stop his violent ways, settle down, get married, have kids, etc. (END SPOILERS) The publisher thought Americans would ind this happier ending to be unrealistic, and it wasn’t included in U.S. versions for over 15 years. Interestingly, Stanley Kubrick, the director of the ilm version, initially didn’t know of the missing 21st chapter, and when he did, rejected it, going with the darker, 20 chapter version. Burgess hated the movie, thinking that it glori ied meaningless sex and violence. Furthermore, he hated the fact that he was best known for this book, as he considered it a lesser work, one he’d knocked off in three weeks for money. The story was based on a real tragedy in Burgess’s life, as his wife was beaten (and subsequently

By: Paul Stans eld f

miscarried) by U.S. service members during World War II. "Great Expectations" by Charles Dickens This novel was irst published in 1860, in serialized form.

published in 1991. Most readers seem to prefer the long version.

(SPOILERS AHEAD) In the original ending, Pip meets Estella in the streets, and learns that she’s remarried after her abusive husband died. Pip remains single. However, some of Dicken’s friends thought this ending was too sad, and got him to rewrite it. In this new ending, Pip meets Estella again after the death of her husband, but she’s single, and the implication is that she and Pip might marry. (END SPOILERS)

The Bible by various authors

Most modern editions have the second, happier ending, but some include the irst, sad one later in the book. Literary critics seem to be split on which version is superior.

"Hopscotch" by Julio Cortazar

"Stranger in a Strange Land" by Robert A. Heinlein This 1961 science iction classic’s situation is similar to "The Stand". Heinlein’s publisher thought that his original version was too long, and convinced him to cut out about 60,000 words, or roughly 200 pages. After he died, his wife had the original version

I don’t think I need to include much detail on this— everybody knows that there are many different versions, different languages, and about the extreme controversy which often accompanied these edits.

Different Plot/Endings within One Published Book This 1963 book by Argentine Cortazar is de initely different, to say the least. It can be read in a linear or non-linear fashion. The book has 155 chapters. Chapters 1-56 are designed to be read linearly, and the remaining 99 can be read in sequence, or completely out of sequence based on an included “Table of Instructions” or however else the reader chooses, as they “hopscotch” through the story.

The Choose Your Own Adventure series by Edward Packard, Ray Montgomery, et. al. I used to love these as a kid. Packard invented the concept, in which the reader is presented as being the main character, and goes through a few pages and then is presented with two or three choices at the bottom of the page of what they want to do (i.e., “If you want to ight the monster, turn to page 74. If you want to lee the room, turn to page 56.”). Each choice leads to different results, then you read a few more pages, make another choice, and so on, until “you” get to one of the 40 or so possible endings, many of which result in your death. Packard hooked up with Ray Montgomery, and they started putting these out as a series starting with 1975’s "The Cave of Time". They’re up to over 185 books in the series, and still going strong. This type of book invented what’s called the Gamebook genre, and there have been many imitators. Two of the best known are the Give Yourself Goosebumps series by R. L. Stine, and the Fighting Fantasy books by Steve Jackson and Ian Livingstone.

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The writing style changes throughout— irst person to third, and grammar and spelling change from chapter to chapter, too. Some chapters are supposedly written by other authors, or purportedly from other novels, which may or may not even exist. Haven’t read this one, but I’m certainly intrigued—if nothing else, it sounds extremely creative and atypical.

"Pretty Little Mistakes" by Heather McElhatton This is another Choose Your Own Adventure-inspired book, billed as one for adults. This 2007 book has 150 endings—75 good and 75 bad. Like in Packard’s series, the bad endings can result in the death of your friends and you.

Different Version of One Story, in Various Entertainment Formats "The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy" by Douglas Adams As Adams admits in the forward to a later edition of the book, this story is hopelessly convoluted. It started as a radio series in 1978, and then was eventually written as a novel, and then a series of books— ive by Adams in the “trilogy” and one more authorized book by someone else after Adam’s untimely death. Because of this, the original beginning of the tale has multiple versions. This is one of my favorite series—certainly the funniest Sci-Fi stories around.

As the author of The Witches of Vegas series, I write this series to entertain young adults who like witches, vampires, stage magic, and fantasy. However, it's not written just for the young adults of today, I am writing for the ones who haven’t even been born yet. It is my goal that if a teenager, somewhere around the age of 15, in the year 2050 should ever ind an old copy of "The Witches of Vegas" and choose to read it, they will be just as entertained as a teenager who reads it today. To accomplish this, I follow a set of rules, a guideline, for when I write. I call them my “Back To The Future rules” because that series is referenced a number of times. Don’t get me wrong, I love "Back To The Future" and I am a huge fan of the franchise, but, despite what some may claim on social media fan pages, it is possible to love something and still recognize its laws. I would like to share with you my "Back To The Future" rules, which are based on my observations

from books, TV shows, movies, and analyzing mistakes in my past writings prior to the awardwinning Witches of Vegas series:

Rule #1: Try Not To Use Dates As I said, I love the "Back To The Future" franchise. How could any Sci-Fi fan not salivate over the concept of traveling backwards and forwards through time? We all remember that moment when Marty McFly sees the far future for the irst time, and all the technology we are destined to have in our lives. From lying cars, to hover boards, and even doors that use ingerprints as opposed to a doorknob and key. It was like candy to the imagination, until we realize that their far future took place in 2015. The 'far future' was seven years ago, and none of those things exist, at

By: Mark Rosendorf

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Back To The Future Or How To Keep Fiction Rules: Timeless

Rule #2: Stay Away From Speci ic Technology And Fashion In my irst book, "The Rasner Effect", I introduced a tech genius as one of the main characters. We knew he was the tech genius because he always had the latest and greatest technological marvel on his person: The Blackberry. This is one of several references in that book which comes off as outdated… and it came out only 13 years ago. Technology changes fast, just like fashion. Looking at our prime example, "Back To The Future", the clothing is blatantly 80s, even when they travel to the far future of 2015. In that scene, everyone is dressed in futuristic 1980s attire.

least not yet. Someday, they may, but wouldn’t that scene have been far more powerful if it was still in our future and not in our past? "Back To The Future" is but one example of many works that have committed a 'date' law. For example, Flash Gordon, written in 1934, is about a space traveler being pushed forward through time, all the way to 1980, on an Earth he barely recognizes. Once again, giving us the year made it great for the time, but loses some of its magic today. This is why authors should avoid using actual dates. We want a reader, no matter when they pick up one of our books, to feel the story is current and not outdated.

Just as the Blackberry is obsolete today, in all likelihood, much of the latest technology will be just as obsolete in 13 years. In 30 or 50 years and beyond, it is conceivable that teenagers won’t be familiar with Twitter, Instagram, or TikTok—except when they hear about it in their school’s History class. There will be new, far more advanced platforms taking its place. That is why keeping technology, clothes, and language (which we will come to very soon) generic is helpful. In "The Witches of Vegas", one character holds onto his phone like a crutch. Not his smart phone, not his Android, just his phone. No matter how phones evolve, the reference to “phone” will always be with us – ingers crossed - and future

readers will mentally place the current technology at the time into the story thanks to the reference.

Rule #3: Leave Your Politics Out Of The Story! Everyone has their own opinions on what is happening in the world. In fact, today, emotions aimed at politics are probably stronger than ever before. There are plenty of TV shows, movies, and even books that do this all the time. Despite the temptation, authors should keep their ictional worlds separate from the real world. Personally, I do this for two reasons. The irst reason is simple, whichever side a book takes in politics, the right or the left, it is immediately alienating half of its potential audience over a subject that doesn’t pertain to the story. Whether we believe books are meant to be escapes from reality or not (and we’ve all heard arguments on both sides of this debate), the number one goal of any book is sales. When someone reads my books, I want them focused on the story, the characters, and the world I’ve worked

“

I realized that if I stuck with current slang, I could lose most of my future audience. hard to create. That’s why I leave my politics aside, so it doesn’t take away or distract from the story I am trying to tell. The second reason, which relates to this article, is that politics change, and they change fast, which means they also become outdated fast, especially when thinking about future generations. A metaphor about Joe Biden or Donald Trump would mean as much to a teenager 40 years from now as one about Richard Nixon or JFK would mean to a teenage reader today. They wouldn’t relate to that, or how Doc Brown understands why the future has video cameras since Ronald Reagan is the president. This also relates to current events. While writing "The Witches of Vegas", a friend suggested I present it from the perspective of the Vegas strip irst opening up after COVID. I realized immediately that was a bad idea because it would put a permanent date on the book. Yes, COVID is a huge subject for us today and one any reader could relate to, but that will not be the case for the next generation of my target audience, or the one after that, or the… you get the point. Current events limit the potential audience to this generation only. I want my young readers to be able to share my stories with their children, and grandchildren.

Rule #4: Keep The Slang Generic I did say we’d get to language… Have you ever read a comic book from the 1970s? If a young adult does, I’m sure it’s a struggle getting through dialogue such as “groovy”, “give me some skin”, and “are you crusin’ for a brusin’?” I own one comic book from the 1960s where Batman tells Robin to stop being so gay and stay on task (back then, “gay” was slang for “happy”). Yeah, that didn’t age well. I realized that if I stuck with current slang, I could

lose most of my future audience. Besides, being an adult in my late 30s (I’m 47, so REALLY late 30s), I know I’m not up to date on all the proper use of current slang. Are any of us? I try my best to keep the slang in my stories generic. There are some slang words that have been consistent throughout the generations. Words like “totally” and “yo” have been used for years and should be used for years to come. Hopefully. In "Back To The Future", when Marty and Doc Brown travel to the 1880s, local terror, Griff “Mad Dog” Tannen, uses the word “dude”. Pretty sure “dude” wasn't slang in the 1880s, but it clearly was in the late 80s when the movie was written, and has been used often since, so there’s a good chance it’ll still be used into the future. But, since I don’t know for sure, I haven’t used it in my writing. So, these are the rules to keep my writing timeless and readable for future generations. To be clear, I am not saying to follow these rules or declaring them the gospel, they're just guidelines. Over time, our audience will change, and we need to keep our writing fresh for eyes that will read our works from a completely different perspective. Thank you, "Back To The Future", for inspiring these rules.

The Gravity of Goals:

Getting It Right From the Start I often write about having clear goals for your Indie publishing journey. Doing so allows you to clarify which self-publishing path will most likely help you reach them. Generally, I ind that self-publishing authors have one of three primary goals: Personal, Revenue, and Business. A writer with a Personal goal doesn’t necessarily focus on generating revenue from their book. It may be a memoir, a family history, or even a novel. Getting the book out into the world is the primary goal, even if just among family and friends. Cost may be a factor, but recovering those costs or making money from sales is not likely to be a high priority, so the budget depends upon the author's preferences for the end product's result, rather than reader or industry expectations.

A writer with a Revenue goal means every choice is directly related to book sales, and the author focuses on the income their book(s) will generate. Business goals can vary with desired results, but help to further the author’s business, even if that business is writing. The outcome might be a lead-magnet book, which establishes your expertise and convert leads into clients, or a perma-free one that hooks readers into a series. While revenue may be a secondary goal for this group, the primary focus is how the book contributes to the success of the author’s business. Personal goals often have a signi icant emotional component. Because the target audience is often private or very narrow, we don’t hold the author to the same standards as writers publishing a book for a

By: Tamara Cribley f

public audience. The selfpublishing journey for personal goals can vary greatly depending on an author’s available resources and personal preferences. Creating a family genealogy doesn’t require high-end printing, but if the intention is to have the book persist as a family heirloom, passed on for generations, printing a high-quality book may supersede the need for cost-effective, volume printing. If resources are limited, and your personal goal is to get your story out into the world but sales aren’t important, there are many free or low-cost options for your journey. Achieving success can be as simple as holding a copy of your book in your hands. Revenue and Business goals require a much more signi icant investment. While the end goals are different, each requires a high level of professionalism. The investment may come in the form of time and education, or money paid for professional services. Revenue goals are relatively easy to de ine and analyze. For example, if your goal is to make $300 per month, you can go onto the publishing platform of your choice and calculate the revenue you can expect to receive for each book you sell. You have some degree of control over the printing costs (based on trim size, page count, paper quality, binding type, etc.), retail price, wholesale discounts, and even your platform, among other options. You also have control over your expenses. You can hire out for services like editing, cover art, formatting, and marketing, or you can do some or all those things yourself. When you consider which services to do yourself, conduct an honest review of the quality of what you can produce on your own. Remember that a poorly produced book is unlikely to achieve commercial success, no matter how effectively you control your costs. Even if you reach your sales

target in the irst month, you’ll need to account for the expenses you have incurred for publication before you can declare revenue success. Let’s consider an example of a 300page paperback novel with a trim size of 6” x 9”, black and white, printed on cr me paper. If publishing on KDP, and setting a retail price of $14.99, you can expect to receive $4.54 for each book sold. To reach $300 in revenue each month, you’ll need to sell 67 books. Because the cost of professional services can vary widely, in this example, we’ll use $2,000 for cover art, formatting, editing, and proofreading, along with nominal costs for copyright registration, CIP data, and an ISBN. Based upon these assumptions, you’ll need to sell 441 books to recover your initial costs before receiving positive revenue for your book sales. If you sell 70 books each month, it will be seven months before you return a pro it. Because you have established your target revenue and you have a clear picture of your expenses, if you decide you want to change your goal or how quickly you can reach it, you can review and adjust different parts of your process to do so. Your solution might be as simple as a price change. If you were to keep everything the same, but change your retail price to $19.99, your revenue for each book would become $7.54, and you will only need to sell 266 books before you can see a pro it. While pricing may be a simple adjustment, remember to keep your pricing appropriate for your audience. If readers rarely pay more than $15 for a book like yours, trying to sell 266 at a higher price point may be more challenging than selling 441 books at a lower cost. While sales are rarely guaranteed, you have a great deal of control over your production costs and can tweak various variables to manage your expenses.

Remember, while you can make choices to reduce your costs to a bare minimum, a commercially viable book should meet your audience’s expectations, including production quality. As you run through different scenarios and calculations, remember to do a reality check to ensure your book meets industry standards and reader expectations. Business goals aren’t as straightforward as Revenue goals. While revenue from book sales might be part of a business goal, the primary goal is an action to be taken by the reader as a result of reading your book. For example, the purpose of a “perma-free” book is to get readers to buy the next book. A lead magnet should convert leads to clients or buyers. Whatever your goal is, it should be clearly de ined. Maybe you want to land clients. How many new clients do you want each month? How many bookings will signify success if you desire to become a prominent speaker on your subject of expertise? A lead magnet can only be successful if readers reach the next step, like purchasing the next book in the series. Unlike a revenue goal, where we compare dollars spent to dollars earned, you need to decide how dollars spent relate to goals achieved. Let’s consider a “perma-free” giveaway, the prequel to a ive-book series. To keep it simple, we’ll assume you have already recovered your costs to produce the books in the series. Like the example above, we’ll use $2,000 as your expenses to produce this book. How many series books will you need to sell to recoup your prequel expenses? Do you have a system to determine which sales come from the freebie? If your sales for the series have been relatively consistent and you see an increase once you launch the freebie, you can make some assumptions about your strategy’s effectiveness. Maybe you don’t see a signi icant boost in sales, but your newsletter sign-ups have increased, or your reader engagement on social media is growing. Business goals may be a long game, one where you’re adding sustained value to your business and which doesn’t have a direct return on the investment. If you can identify the ideal reader action and what results constitute success, you can measure its effectiveness. What happens if you do not see the results that you seek? One of the most common mistakes I see is the omission of, or an unclear, Call to Action. Have you invited readers to buy the next book or sign up for your newsletter? Have you sent them to your website for more information on coaching or booking a speaking engagement? If you don’t see the measurable results you desire, reassess your Call to Action. Is it clear? Is it easy? Is it appealing to your readers? Is it in multiple places so that it stays in the forefront of the reader’s mind?

As you work on your book or begin the self-publishing process, take time to clarify your goals. Write them down. Run the numbers. Decide what constitutes success for you, and then review how you’ve positioned yourself to reach your goals. It’s much easier to establish systems and strategies up front than to overcome ineffective ones once your book is published. The Professional Indie Publishing Roundtable is on break for the summer. In the meantime, I invite you to reach out to me directly (tamara@deliberatepage.com) if you have questions or need support along your indie publishing journey. Visit www.DeliberatePage.com/Roundtable to sign up for information about upcoming changes.

LaraMie Briscoe Hot Cops and Bad Boys With Pure Southern Delight!

Anyone who's ever read a Laramie Briscoe book would hope to nd an author with a big heart and a cracking sense of humor. As our own Katy Nielsen sat down to interview this wonderful lady, she was thrilled to discover that yes, she has a huge heart, and a fabulous sense of humor. She’s also incredibly humble about her talents. Laramie is as down to earth as they come and absolutely delightful to talk too. If you have not delved into one of the various series that has earned Ms. Briscoe Wall Street Journal and USA Today Bestselling Author titles, prepare to One-Click as you learn more about this fabulously talented Southern Belle! InD: Tell us about yourself! Where did you grow up? LB: I grew up in Bowling Green, Kentucky, where I set my books at. InD: Is every of your book series is set in Kentucky? LB: Most of them are set in Kentucky. The only one that really isn't is the Moonshine Task Force series.

The Heaven Hill series is set in Bowling Green. The Moonshine Task Force and LSERT (Laurel Springs Emergency Response Team) are set somewhere else, but everything else you can assume is set in Kentucky if I don't say otherwise. In the Heaven Hill Series, I drove around my town wondering how cool it would be to write about it. In "Meant to Be”, the scene where Sharon sees her brother at the convenience store

being arrested is only a mile from my house. I posted a picture in my Facebook group of the convenience store - although it has since been totaled by a tornado. InD: I remember that picture! LB: The Heaven Hill Series is especially focused around in the area I live, so everyone that is from around here who reads my series recognizes what I am talking about. InD: That is awesome. So what made you want to set the Moonshine Task Force somewhere else? LB: Actually, I was watching a documentary (I am such the nerd when it comes to watching any kind of documentaries but especially true crime), maybe 10 years ago, (all of my ideas came from forever ago) and there was a moonshine task force in Alabama when moonshine was illegal. They would ind stills and break them up, and if the moonshine was really bad, they would arrest the people when they poured it out and made sure no one had been killed by it. I don't remember when I decided to write about it, but I thought it would be really interesting. Then I thought, ‘what if these guys are really super-hot, (they usually aren’t in real life). And the name "Renegade" came into my head. So I decided that was what I was going to do. I ended up having to change things because moonshine is legalized now, but the bad stuff is still illegal. The hills of Kentucky have a lot of moonshine in them. I actually know a couple of people who have died from alcohol poisoning from bad moonshine. So the really bad moonshine can kill you. InD: I am reading “Ace" from that series now. In it, Ace helps a lady who has escaped from an abusive marriage. The way you wrote the story, helps give a lot of domestic abuse survivors hope. On your website, your tagline is “hot cops, bad boys, and everything in between”, where did that come from?

LB: Somebody asked me one day what I write and that was my reply - hot cops, bad boys, and everything in between. It used to be “Hot, Southern romance”, but Southern kind of got a bad connotation for a while, so I thought maybe I should change it. InD: I love it. As far as your sub-genres go, you went from a motorcycle club in the Heaven Hills series, to country music stars in the Nash Vegas series; you've done law enforcement, and now you are doing the Bradford Station series, which is about ire ighters. What made you want to switch to so many different types of heroes? LB: I kind of got burnt out on MC people, I was one of the early authors in that genre, and at one point, it seemed like everyone was writing MC books. I would always get compared to another author although I write nothing like her. I have read her books and they are great, but that is not who I am, and I just got sick of being compared to these other people. I wanted something that was mine, and no one other than Susan Stoker was writing about cops and stuff like that at that time. I started watching live PD and I thought that it would be a really good thing to try. The biggest theme in all of my series is family, and what better family than cops that are a brotherhood? InD: That your overarching theme, no matter the series, is family, is what I absolutely love about your books. And you have managed to do that in every sub-genre that you have written in. LB: Thank you. That is what I like about books. I don't really have that in my personal life, so I put it out there so others can have that. InD: I love that. I have seen so many different reviews where people say, “Nobody writes blue collar like Laramie Briscoe”, and I would have to agree. You make the characters incredibly realistic and relatable. You manage to invoke all the

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emotions so readers can completely relate to the characters and what they are dealing with. The other thing I love about your books is that they all love their women iercely. LB: Thank you. That is what I aim for. InD: I don't think many could have carried off the moonshine series as realistically as you have, because it is pretty much in your backyard. Your own experience has led to credibility with the stories that make them realistic. So where did you get your inspiration for the Bradford series? LB: The inspiration for that started a couple of years ago when there was a huge ire in Gatlinburg, which is about ive hours from me and is one of my favorite places to go, but there was this huge ire that had started on top of the mountain. It went down into Gatlinburg and I think close to 6,000 people lost their homes. It was crazy, and the worst ire that Gatlinburg has ever seen. As I was watching the footage, I kept thinking that I could write a really good romance novel about it… then, last year as I was bingeing on “Chicago Fire” on TV, I thought, “That would be perfect to go with the ire ighters I have been wanting to write!” So that was when I actually wrote down the idea, the blurbs etc. InD: I love the irst story in the series. When is the second book planned for release? LB: Sometime this summer, so I am under the gun! But it is about a single dad. I love those stories, they’re my favorite. My friend Danielle said “your 2022 is crazy! Why did you do this to yourself?!” and I was like, “I don't know! It just happens”! [both laughing] InD: I know that feeling! I am really excited for the new one. The whole vibe that town has makes it a fun place to visit and it has great characters. Don’t you work as well as write?

LB: I do. I do billing for a hospital. I am what they consider part-time because I work 24 hours or three days a week. I used to work 40 hours and write at the same time, though, and I just about killed myself doing it. InD: What book series did you write while working 40 hours a week? LB: I was working on the Heaven Hill Series. I think the irst three books I was working full-time, and it just got to a point where I was exhausted and stressed all of the time. It was mentally not good for me. At some point I went to the of ice and said, “I like working here, but I can't keep working full-time and do what I’m doing". At that point I think I had 11 years at my job. My boss was super nice and she said, “I will keep you part-time and you can be a loater since you know how to do almost everything”. So that is what I do now - I loat and help whoever needs me. It will be 17 years this year. InD: Oh wow, how awesome she was willing to do that for you! LB: Luckily, by working in a hospital, I can do lots of things, and I get to see people three days a week. Writing is very solitary and that is not easy for me, so getting to see people three days a week is nice. Not having to pay for my health insurance is even nicer. I really enjoy it and I am so thankful that they let me do it. InD: So you irst published in 2013, yet you have put out so many books in such a short amount of time. How did you do that? LB: I honestly don't know! I just wrote. I am the type of person who, if I say I'm going to do something, I do it. I like to inish everything I start, but there are certain readers who throw things like that back in your face. I am like, “Gosh, I have published over 40 books, and there is only three or four that I haven't done yet that I

said I was going to… I don't see how you are caught up on these three or four books!” InD: I don't understand readers sometimes. I think some seem to forget that authors are actually people with feelings and lives too. They don’t deserve that kind of treatment because they put so much of themselves into a book. Readers have to be willing to understand that you can't write a book if the muse isn’t talking. LB: For a long time, I have set a goal of the amount of words I ask going to get done, and I have followed that pretty closely for probably six or seven years. It has only been recently that I haven’t kept strictly to it. InD: What was your goal? LB: On the days I didn't work, it was 3,500, and the days that I did work it was 1,500. So I was writing quite a bit. InD: When I irst discovered your books, it seemed like you were putting out one a month, and I remember thinking, “How does she write that fast?!” Alright, tell us a little more about you. You married your high school sweetheart… How did that work? LB: We have known each other since seventh grade. Our last names are really close to each other so we were in the same homeroom class in middle school and high school. We were best friends through high school, and I called him my high school sweetheart, but we didn’t really get together until the summer after high school. Although we didn't date anybody else in high school either; we were just friends who hung out together. We have been together since 1999. InD: That is awesome! When did you guys get married? LB: We got married in 2008. It is hard but so worth it. I think last year we realized that we have spent half of our lives together. InD: Wow,

congrats! Your reader group on Facebook is very active. How do you think that bene its both you and your readers? LB: It de initely bene its us both. I’ve made good friends in my reader group. I feel like they get to know me as a person; I’m not just someone on the other end of a keyboard. I treat them like my friends, because they are. InD: I always laugh when you post conversations that you have with your husband, Michael. I think they are the funniest things! Have you based any of your character's traits off of him? Or have any of those conversations ended up in a storyline somewhere? LB: Our conversations have de initely wound up in some of the stories, and I would say there is a little bit of him in all the male characters I write. One of the main things is that he has a nickname for me; he calls me Muf in. I have no idea why and neither does he. I have asked him numerous of times, but he does not remember why he started to call me that. He calls me that everywhere, and because of that, almost all of my male characters call their girls a nickname. And any time they take care of their girls I base the actions on him. When I seriously hurt my back, he took care of me. He helped me shower and do everything. I am writing a character who is completely neurotic about things because that is 100 percent him, so I am really looking forward to that. He has never read one of my books, but I am going to make him read this one. InD: Neurotic about what things in particular? LB: Everything! He has a completely nervous thought of “what if this doesn't work” kind of thing, and he has a particular way that he likes to do things, and if it is not that way then you didn't do it right. That is what gets us into tiny arguments! It’s not that he gets on my nerves in a bad way, it's just, “I am done with you for today”, and that is why I always post them. He thinks it’s hilarious. InD: He does not mind that you share them with your readers? LB: Nope! Sometimes when I am in the wrong, he goes “you better post that in your group!” [both laughing]

InD: He seems like an absolute hoot be around! LB: He is! People get annoyed with us when we are together because we pick at each other and annoy each other and make fun of each other the entire time, and some people don't know how to take us! But we have been together for over 20 years, and if we couldn't laugh and needle each other, what would we do?! We are not arguing with each other, it is just how we are. My sister-in-law and I like to give him and his brother a hard time because every time they talk to each other, his brother says “little brother” and little brother will be like “my older brother” or “bigger brother”, and we are like “ you guys don't have another brother!” InD: That must lead to a lot of fun - especially if the brother is like your husband! LB: They are too much alike! [both laughing] InD: That is funny. It is good that some of his traits inspire some of your characters'. So tell us, who are some of your favorite characters? LB: One of my very favorite characters is Menace [from the book of the same name]. From the moment I wrote his name, I knew he was going to be somebody special. InD: That is also a single dad story, isn't it? What is it that you love about him so much? LB: I had a feeling he was going to be special although I didn't know why. But the minute I wrote his name I thought, “This is going to be such a great character. He’s going to be one that everyone loves.” At irst, my idea was to give him a small child… but then I thought, “What if he had a teenager at his age (early 30s)? Because I have a friend who had a child early in life, and they are like best friends. The things that her kid says to her I would never say to my mother! So I thought “what would that be like if that was a male relationship? What if they were more like friends than father and son?” So that is what I decided to do. Originally Caleb [the son] was going to be ive or six, and then he just appeared in Havoc as a teenager, and I thought “this is going to be good” Menace loves his son and is willing to talk to him the way that he did is,

to me, probably one of the best child-parent relationship that I have ever written. InD: He is such a good kid. I mean he did dumb teenage stuff, but not to the point where you wanted to wring his neck! LB: To me it was important that he did stupid, teenage stuff because not every teenage kid at 17 makes stupid decisions that affects the rest of their lives. I knew that I wanted him to be a cop and I wanted a reason for him to be a cop, not just because his dad was a cop. InD: The other one that I absolutely love is Ransom. I read it in one sitting because I just couldn't put it down! So what made you want to change the series from the Moonshine Task Force to LSERT? It’s the same world so do a lot of the existing characters play a role? LB: I had ideas to do nurses and ire ighters, but I can't really do that with the guys from Moonshine Task Force because all they do is moonshine. But if I do something in the same world, then it could bring everybody in. My original thought was police, ire, EMTs, doctors. and the attorneys that work with them. There are so many stories you can put in there, it could be never ending! So this is one series that is basically a type of standalone, especially when I went from Cutter to Sullivan. I feel like they are pretty much stand-alones because Cutter went from the original family cast to new people, so that is a de inite entry point. But I wanted a good way to do that, so having the LSERT was a good transition because they can respond to anything. InD: Genius idea! I love that no matter which main character the story is about you get an update and glimpse of other characters that starred in stories

previously. It keeps the whole world alive. So the book you are currently working on is “Bishop”. It’s a really anticipated one for your readers. I bet there were some tears shed writing this tale! LB: Yes, absolutely. InD: Because you are wrapping up the whole series? Or because of what happens in the storyline? LB: There are two epilogues, and I think the second one in particular is probably going to cause some tears. InD: I have been warned! Okay, let's do some fun stuff. What is your favorite time of day? LB: I would say mid-afternoon. Because it is not earlymorning or late in the day, and that's about when I hit my stride and I know what I'm going to do for the rest of the day. InD: What is your favorite type of food? LB: I really like sushi and spaghetti. InD: Sushi?! I'm not brave enough to try that! [both laughing] LB: I like it deep fried, so it’s not really Sushi. I'm not into the raw stuff, and I like a good chicken wing too. InD: Dessert… Cake or cookies? LB: Cake, anything chocolate. InD: Yes! It is not very often that you ind a really good chocolate cake. What is your favorite time of year? LB: I am a Christmas lover, but I also love the irst hint of fall. When it snows… that's my favorite. InD: What would you say is the best advice you have ever received? Personal and professional? LB: Professionally I would say. “Write what you want to read”, because most of what I want to read is what I

write. And, “Stay in your lane”. which means not doing something you’re not good at. I write small-town stuff. InD: And you’re so good at it! LB: I would say personal advice would be just do what makes you happy, because I didn't use to. I do now, and I have so much of a different outlook in my writing and the way I react to people because of it. InD: I think that is the best advice ever. What else do you have planned for this year? LB: I have a standalone coming out in August and the next book in the LSERT coming out in October, and then I have a Christmas story in December. InD: Oh wow, so I guess if we want to ind you this year, it will be in front of your computer! [both laughing] LB: Exactly! I have a reserved room at the library, and that is where I will be. InD: Well we wish you the best of luck with all of your projects this year. Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us!

Transfixed, Mary stood in the thrift store, gazing at a dimly lit area in the back where many shelves of worn out and pre-owned books lived. Her eyes roamed the titles, and her hand shook as she realized she had finally found the one book she needed to complete her collection of Historical Romances by her favorite author.

It wasn’t a best seller or displaying a spine most people would notice. The pages were dog-eared— her pet peeve for books—and the cover looked like it had some coffee stains on it, but otherwise it was in good shape. After all her time and effort, she had inally found the last piece of her puzzle. She almost shed a tear when the cashier glanced at it and said, “That’ll be 50 cents, please.” It didn’t sound like much, but to Mary it was priceless. This is the life of a collector. Today, people collect all kinds of things. You can ind folks passionate about coins, Star Wars characters, stamps, weird shaped potato chips, compact disks, rocks, beanie babies, record

By: S.L. Carpenter 44 f

Check Out My Collection!

albums, dolls, ceramic pigs, back scratchers, memorabilia, jewelry, coffee mugs, baseball cards, garden gnomes, yo-yo’s, belly button lint... basically, anything you can think of can be transformed into someone’s treasured collection. I know the Pok mon cards my kids gathered as they grew up have some value right now. Maybe one day I’ll be able to retire, if they sell them for a ton of cash. We also have a collection of those McDonald toys they used to give away with all the Happy Meals. For a time it was a lot of fun, but it got to where every movie that came out had a group of toys associated with it, and we ate so many meals while hunting down which McDonald’s had which toys so I could get the last one. And of course, as every collector knows, they needed to remain pristine and in the plastic. It’s the “NWT” (New With Tag) that translates into “$$$”. I have a friend who is patiently waiting for the right time to part with her original Princess Diana Beanie Baby. If it was NWT, she’d probably have sold it by now and be living on a Caribbean island. Part of the appeal is the fun of inding things you like to collect. I have a bunch of albums and a few comic books from when I was young, but that’s about all. I never really got into the craze of getting large collections because I didn’t have the money. I had girlfriends to deal with. Those are expensive enough. Then the family came along and pretty much eliminated the chances of my continuing any sort of collection.

I know a lot of people collect books. Some like antique books, cookbooks, or vampire books. Favorite authors and series are fun showpieces to line up on your bookshelves. Some series can be 10 books about cowboys, but you need to have every one, otherwise it’s not complete, and your little world is missing a piece. In case you’re thinking books aren’t really the big money thing to collect, perhaps this will change your mind. I did a little research and found the top ive Most Expensive books ever sold at auction: 1. Codex Leicester – $30.8 Million. 2. The Magna Carta – $21.2 Million. 3. The St. Cuthbert Gospel – $14.3 Million. 4. Bay Psalm Book – $14.165 Million. 5. Rothschild Prayer Book – $13.4 Million. Now, that’s not anything to sneeze at. If you consider comic books to be in this same sort of category, those sell at a rate of millions a day. So, I looked up the most expensive one. A 9.6-graded copy of 1962s Amazing Fantasy No. 15— featuring the irst appearance of Spider-Man—sold in September 2021, becoming the most expensive comic book ever sold at auction: $3.6 million. It’s ine to have a passion, to discover something you like and want more of, as a hobby or a challenge. As long as it doesn’t take over your house, turn you into a borderline and almost broke hoarder, being a collector can be fun. You will own a unique set of something

“

I know a lot of people collect books. Some like antique books, cookbooks, or vampire books. Favorite authors and series are fun showpieces to line up on your bookshelves. 45 45

For more fascinating tips, I encourage you to read the entire piece: "Book Collecting Tips for Beginners: Peter Harrington".

If you think book collecting might be something you’re interested in, I found an interesting article about the subject. Here’s a look at a little part of it:

In the meantime, if you’re a collector, good luck to you. If you’re a book collector, even better. You can’t go wrong with shelves full of books, and think what a legacy you’re leaving to the next generations. Maybe you’ll be the one to remind them that they can actually hold a book in their hands and turn real pages. How cool is that?

“Collect what you love – the best book collections re lect the personalities and interests of their owners. With effort and a little luck, the hobby can be inancially rewarding, but like all investments, it’s never a sure bet. Those who reap the greatest rewards are usually those who buy the books they love. Our books will, in all likelihood, outlast us, so it’s many collectors’ philosophy that they are paying not for the book itself, but the privilege of preserving it for the next generation. Condition is one of the most important considerations in book collecting, so buy at the best condition possible within your budget. It’s generally better to have a small collection of superior quality books than a large collection of lower quality. Also make sure that you have a safe place to store your books – they should be kept out of direct sunlight, away from radiators and moisture, and not exposed to swings in temperature. Pick a speci ic collecting area. Starting with something as general as “photography books” can be overwhelming. Instead, narrow it down to “photographs of the American West” or “late 20thcentury fashion photography”. You can always expand from this as you develop your collection, or stop and start over with an entirely different topic...”

“

Our books will, in all likelihood, outlast us, so it’s many collectors’ philosophy that they are paying not for the book itself, but the privilege of preserving it for the next generations.. f

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that others don’t. And it’s yours. All yours. And it can bring you joy and perhaps a little attitude because it’s special.

Kindle Vella, 7 2 part,

Can It Make Money? Last month, I introduced you to the new Amazon Kindle Vella platform for authors and readers. This month, I want to discuss the most common question I get asked when I say I write in the Vella universe: Do you make any money?

A valid query, because we all want to be compensated for our work. The answer is, yes. Yes, I do.

words. So, if an episode is 600 words, the reader will pay 6 tokens.

Payment, or royalties, from Vella stories, comes through two avenues: Microtransactions and Bonuses.

Each token is assigned a value by Amazon based on the amount purchased in a bundle, and bundles are packaged from 200-1100 tokens and more, ranging in cost to the reader, starting at $1.99 and going higher. The more tokens in a bundle, the higher the purchase price to the reader.

The microtransaction part of the payment model from Amazon to the author is a 50% royalty on each sale. Unlike KDP direct-to-Amazon publishing, where the author chooses either a 35% or a 70% royalty split, Vella is 50% down the board for each and every 'sale'. A 'sale' is an individual episode that is unlocked and downloaded. What does that mean? How is the royalty earned? Readers who want to utilize the platform purchase tokens in bundles from Amazon. Remember last month, I said each episode on Vella is between 600 and 5000 words? Each token purchased pays for 100

One nice gift from the Vella powers-that-be is that a new-to-the-platform reader’s irst 200 tokens are a gift from Amazon. No purchase is required, and they can be used to unlock any chapters of any story. Once they are gone, though, future tokens must be purchased. Now, one exceptionally good part of this royalty breakdown for the reader is that the irst three

By: Peggy Jaeger f

episodes of any Vella story are always free to read, whether they are 600 words or 5000. In three episodes, the author must engage the reader in the story enough that he/she wants to start paying to read subsequent chapters. As authors, it is drilled into us to hook the reader from page one, line one. Using the Vella platform cements this concept, because in order to make money, you need the readers to unlock your future episodes. The author must make episodes 1-3 "Must Reads" and entice the reader to pay tokens in order to read more of your tale. You don’t earn royalties on your irst three episodes because they are free to read. But, you do garner bonuses, which is the second part of the payment model, and a separate way for authors make money through the platform. Each month, Amazon looks at the reader statistics from Vella, much the way they do for Kindle Unlimited. The difference is Vella bonuses are individually based; unlike in KU where the authors with the most page reads get the majority of the royalty pie. Amazon calculates the number of paid reads vs. free reads (those irst three episodes), reader engagement through the number of follows, thumbs up, and nominations for fan favorite crowns each author receives, plus the frequency an author uploads new episodes, and then has them unlocked by token paying readers. To look at this objectively, the greater the number of follows, thumbs up, and fan faves a story reaps, in

addition to the number of episodes an author is releasing on a frequent and consistent basis, the higher the bonus will be at the end of the month. So it is not solely based on the number of paid reads, the way KU is based on the number of pages read. With Vella, the more the author uploads, the greater the number of engagements from readers AND the more paid episodes unlocked added together determines your monthly bonus. If you upload a new chapter once in a blue moon and do no promotion to let readers know it’s there, you’re not going to make any bonus money. And the bonus can be considerable. From January to April 2022, I made more from my live Vella episodes than I did through regular book publishing last year from my four publication houses and all my Indie releases, combined. By playing by the rules of engagement with the readers, I have been able to see a real pro it uptick in my writing career. There are authors on the platform who are absolutely killing it monetarily because they have thousands of story follows and they upload new episodes frequently. Plus, they do what I do - utilizing social media to let people know when new episodes are available.

Typically, I release a new episode every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I’m able to do this consistently because, up until now, all my stories have already been completed before I started uploading. I take advantage of scheduling them a month in advance, too. Most authors are writing the story as they go. As a good rule of thumb, authors should have at least the irst three episodes written before uploading or scheduling releases, more, if possible. This way, there is some leeway time to write new material without making readers wait too long for it. Remember those bonuses? You want frequent reader engagement to earn money, and no reader is going to stick around for a month or more before a new chapter is released. They’ll move on to another author as fast as you can say “Royalty Check”. The second most asked question I receive is do I think Vella is worth the author’s and/or the reader’s time and effort? I have to say yes to this. Unequivocally, yes. Anything, any platform, that allows readers to ind new authors – namely, YOU – is a good thing for both parties—the reader because they ind new work to indulge in, and the author because it gets their words in front of readers. I mentioned last month the bene its that Vella offers to the author, but there are a great many to the readers who utilize this form of story reading as well. Episodes can usually be read quickly, 600-5000 words is not an overabundance of words at one time. Think of a kid’s chapter book. This is great for people riding the train to work, moms waiting for their kids’ soccer practice to end, people waiting in the doctor’s of ice or for an appointment. The cost is minimal in time and money; remember the irst three episodes of all stories are ALWAYS free to the reader. If they don’t want to continue on with the story, they’re not out anything but a little time. If they are engaged in a story and decide to follow it, the readers will be noti ied every time a new episode is uploaded. That way they never miss a chapter. Or, even better, they know a chapter is waiting for them the next time they have some time free to read it.

There are no print books to carry around. The platform is a luid, mobile one, so you can read the text on your phone or on your laptop during your lunch hour at work. It’s very eye-friendly, too. The overall cost when you purchase tokens is low and fair. The more tokens a reader buys in a bundle, the more ability there is to spread them around on several stories. Readers get to engage directly with the author through the Author Notes, follows, thumbs up, and fan fave nominations. Amazon’s research con irms readers love the opportunity to do this, and the more engagement they participate in, the greater the rewards for the reader and the author. For avid readers, new content is continual, almost hourly. New authors with new projects are uploaded every day, so readers have a wide variety to choose from. Kindle Vella has proven to be a worthwhile platform for me to ind new readers, get my work seen by new eyes, has afforded me the opportunity to explore a new genre, and allowed me to make money doing so along the way. With the world changing how it receives information daily, this new platform for reading just may be the start of a long lasting trend in publishing.

it text off! Get it off! Get it off!” Arms lapping. Type to“Get enter Everyone spoke at once. “What?” “Where?” “Is it a stinger?” “A biter?” “Get what off?” Mouth gaping, she looked at her right hand, covered in blue lames. “What do you mean ‘Get what off?!’ Get THIS off!” She waved her engulfed hand in front of their faces. The confused looks, children sidling toward their parents, made her pause. Looking down, there was no pain. Not a hint of heat. Blue lames should have crisped her lesh to a crumbling blackened heap on the ground. But fully intact—wiggling her ingers— and functioning parts sat, waiting, in de iance of logic.

She tried one more time, voice trembling slightly. “You don’t see anything?” she asked, laming hand in front of her. Moving to the corner of the caravan, plopping down in defeat, she stared at the lames for the rest of the tour of the main Sites. Getting off the caravan, she couldn’t help noticing that everyone let her go irst, pulling their bags closer when she walked past. With a sigh, and lames still going strong, she walked to the steeds who pulled the caravan, trying to pet them. But even they shied away, and not wanting them to bolt and do harm, she walked to the lot, digging for her keys. “You know, to put that out, just do this,” a smooth male voice said from behind her. Before she’d had a chance to see who spoke, a large hand took her laming one, and curled her ingers into a loose ist. When his hand left hers...

“It’s gone!” “Yes,” he said with smile. “It’s not hard to control, once you learn how.” “How what? Because invisible lames are so normal.” Stepping back, she took a long look at the man. Taller than normal, trim but well-built, and not in the ISpend-My-Life-Making-My-Body-Look-This-Way, middling brown hair with some white at the temples, eyes a soft blue-green. Nice. He continued to smile, saying nothing more. “Uh. Thanks. I need to go now.” She took hesitant steps toward her vehicle, half expecting him to say something else. He didn’t. Driving away, she looked behind her. No one was there.

wish. You should have seen the stares, like I’d gone out of my head and was about to take them all with me.” “You sure you weren’t?” Atty laughed. “Ha. Ha. Funny. If I hadn’t been so terri ied...” she paused. “The lames were real. I mean, who would imagine that? My gray matter is way too grounded to come up with anything that cool on it’s own. And the man... the guy was real. He touched me, and was solid.” “Until he disappeared, you mean,” Atty replied cautiously. “Yeah, that was really weird. Nothing was around that could have hidden him, I don’t know...” she trailed off. Uneasiness illed her. Life had been dif icult lately, a

**** “I’m telling you, bright blue lames, that only I could see,” she said, tele on the counter, open so she could talk and cook. Her friend’s not so soft snort was her answer. “Yeah, except for the good looking guy, whose name you didn’t even ask for! Seriously, Yana, where was your head?” “Wrapped up in the fact that I was on ire, not burning, and no one else saw it, but one random weird guy, who stalks lots for fun!” A zing in her head told her that wasn’t quite accurate, but she shoved it aside, not wanting to listen. She sighed, “I’m tired, Atty.” “You keep saying you were born tired,” Atty replied, concern coloring her humor. “I was worried when you said you were going to do a tour of the Sites after spending every waking moment of three rises on classes and coursework...” “...and then doing a late light and not giving myself another rise to recover before going back to work,” Yana inished. She yawned, tears coming to her eyes. “I’ve heard it before, and it’s nothing I didn’t tell myself. But really, how many times in my life will I be on that side of the continent? I mean, it’s where it all started! Who wouldn’t want to do a tour?” “Normal beings who like sleep,” Atty laughed. “It was a working visit, not a freetime. They had every click laid out, from rise to rise, before you stepped foot there.” She paused. “Are you sure you didn’t hallucinate the lames?” She’d been chopping a little more vigorously than needed, her pile of pieces now too small. She grabbed some broth and thickener, deciding that there was still enough bread to make it a solid meal. “Yeah, I

“Wrapped up in the fact that I was on re, not burning, and no one else saw it, but one random weird guy, who stalks lots for fun!”

new position with more work and not enough compensation, and all after being left for someone else by the one person... she shook her head. Gone and done. Moving on. “Anyway, can’t really change what happened, can I?” Yana said with a false lightness. “If you’re even sure it happened at all,” Atty replied. Yana shrugged, but didn’t answer. “I’m ending now, I have to get up early.” “Why? You don’t go back for another rise.” “There is entirely way too much to accomplish before taking over my new position, you know that,” Yana chided.

53 53

voice, he continued, “it’s not behavior becoming of an Incorrupt who dwells in Deisos to jump over a seat, or be loud,” he intoned with a grin. A glimmer of humor touched the dark eyes across from him. “But, come on! It worked!” Leaning forward, he pressed. “Ebbe, you weren’t certain before, are you convinced now?” Ebbe sat forward a bit in his high-back seat. Pausing to gather his thoughts, he twined his ingers together, leaning his chin on pointed ingers. “I am not completely convinced it is supposed to be this way. She is still among the Mortals, and is nowhere near to her time of death. Nothing in any writings or any foretellings have mentioned the Leveling happening when the one is Mortal.” He hesitated. “If she even is the one.” Throwing his hands up, Donal rolled his eyes.

“Nothing in any writings or any foretellings have mentioned the Leveling happening when the one is Mortal.”

**** Not at all close to containing his glee, Donal rushed, with a few hop-skips, down the gleaming hallway to his meeting. Sparkles and gleaming was the hallmark of the Hereafter, and nice, but he’d missed the colorings of the Mortal realm. Bursting through the wooded iron door, “It worked! She saw me! I could touch her!” he gushed. He leapt over the seat, landing and sitting down at the same time. Looking up from one of many pads on the table in front of him, raised eyebrows were the only answer Donal got. Sighing, Donal replied, “Yeah, I know, I know.” Sitting straight and taking on a deeper, serious tone to his

54 54 f

“I still can’t believe you decided to take the position in the irst place. It’s not like you’re getting enough for it,” Atty said. “I know. And, no, it’s not enough, but it’s a step up in title, and if I ever want to get more, I had to do something, make some kind of move...” “Yeah, but... it’s so much more work.” Atty said, concern lacing every word. Yana said with another eye watering yawn, “I do need to go, so I can eat and pass out.” After hanging up, she plopped heavily into the nearest lounger, shoulders hunched, head down. The Sites alone, by themselves, had been overwhelming, and she had yet to process all that had happened with her hand. Leaning forward, elbows on knees, head still down, she moved her hand back and forth, looking for the faintest hint of blue. Nothing. No spark. No lames. Nothing but normal lesh. Opening and closing her ist, she tried to conjure a solid image of the man, and found it impossible. He was tall, much taller that her by perhaps a head or head and a half. His hair was close in shade to her dark blonde, but his eyes... the soft blue-green was seared into her mind. But nothing more. Unless close enough to see his eyes, she wasn’t sure she’d be able to recognize him again. With a heavy sigh, and knowing her alert would make noise too early, she trudged across the hard loor, reaching for the shades in her bedroom. Blocking out the moons was the only way she could sleep anymore, though too much blackness sent panic streaking in... she clipped them just so... the thin sliver of light would be enough.

“Seriously? She had blue lames on her hand, that only she and I could see!” Taking a deep breath to contain himself, he continued. “Who else has blue lames? Especially to show up as the irst pure elemental reaction at this point in the Path of Progression, if not the Leveler? Many writings are clear about that.” “True,” Ebbe nodded. “But much else aside from that just does not line up, add up, nor make sense.” “You have a valid point about that,” Donal said, sitting back and crossing his long legs. He rubbed his eyes. From the moment Yana had crossed into the territory of the Sites, he’d been shadowing her, unseen, to see the decisions she made, where she went, and the

reactions she would have. While the dead, both Corrupt and Incorrupt, did not require sleep as the Mortals did, it didn’t mean that several Mortal days with no rejuvenating hadn’t taken its toll on him. Some of the Demons had sent Incorrupt to attack Yana, and he’d blocked them, sending them back to Ochuroma. “I am assuming that smile playing on your mouth has to do with Yana, and not the Incorrupt you sent back in pieces and chunks?” Ebbe said, a grin playing at his own mouth. “Sure, if you say so,” Donal replied with a chuckle. “It’s not like I haven’t wiped the halls with them before. You’d think by now Demons would send better warriors.” He stopped, worry crossing his face. “If the timing is now, and she is going to become the Leveler as a Mortal, how is this not going to kill her? The Divide is still there for her. She doesn’t remember herself. She doesn’t remember before... she didn’t recognize me, at all.” “Did you really expect her to know you?” Emme asked, walking in through a side door. She was as small as Ebbe was large, a perfect contrast to him. Petite to his mass, fairer to his darker, all smiles to his seriousness, her red hair and light eyes to his deep brown that only showed red in certain lights. Donal stood up, not knowing that she was going to be present, and attempted to pull the wrinkles out of his Mortal clothes, cursing his lapse in judgement about changing before showing up to the meeting. Emme was Ebbe’s best part, they were never far from each other. She reached up and patted his cheek. “It’s cute how you try to straighten up, after the fact.” She paused. “Again.” Donal turned red and cleared his throat. “Yeah. I... and no, I didn’t expect her to know me, not really, but it’s been so long, and we were... she was mine and I was hers.” He choked up and looked away, blinking fast. “I mean, she is mine, and I am hers.” Emme’s ingertips pushed him lightly back down in his seat. She sat next to him, and he couldn’t suppress a snicker at how the furniture swallowed her, and while his legs bent up to accommodate their length, her feet were dangling. She swatted his arm. “I know I’m short, my child, I’ve been short my entire existence, you don’t need to always laugh about it.” “I’d say I’m sorry, Emme, but it’s hard not to at least grin when your feet are so far from the loor,” he said.

“Anyway, back to the point,” she said with a mock glare. “It does not matter if you or Ebbe are convinced, the Concilium will decide whether or not to Progress her through Becoming.” “Speaking of which, they await your report,” Ebbe said, standing from behind the desk. Though shorter than Donal, Ebbe’s build overshadowed his own lean frame. Three of him could stand shoulder to shoulder and barely match Ebbe’s shoulders. As with all gods, Ebbe had no vestiges of Mortal’s “ luff” as it was sometimes called, and Donal couldn’t help but wonder if he’d ever ill out. Maybe after his Progress to godhood was inalized. A portal appeared, and through it, a double doorway extended from the loor upward, disappearing from sight.

“I didn’t expect her to know me, not really, but it’s been so long, and we were... she was mine and I was hers.”

The entrance to the Concilium Chambers. Ebbe gently engulfed Emme’s hand in his, and walked through. Donal faked a grin for them, pushing the nausea down, shoving the foreboding to the depths of his soul, lest they read his discontent. And followed.

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

5 = 4 = 3 = 2 = 1 = CNF

exceptional excellent good fair poor = If the problems

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

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

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

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

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

Historical

Marquess of Magic (Sisterhood of Secrets, Book 3) Jennifer Monroe

meets Lord Barrington, that she realizes true love may actually be within her reach. James is an honorable man who’s protecting a childhood friend. Unfortunately, the secret James is hiding, as well as Diana’s reluctance to tell him about her father’s chosen suitor, leads to a lot of misunderstandings between the two characters which threatens their chance for a happily-everafter. This story is superbly written, beautifully descriptive, with wonderful supporting characters. The extra touch of magic that James brings to the romance makes the story even more enjoyable N.E. Kelley

Disillusioned by the state of her parents’ marriage and in idelity, Diana Kendricks is perfectly happy with the prospect of living out her life in spinsterhood. That is, until she meets Lord James Barrington, known as the Marquess of Magic. James has loved magic his entire life, often using it as a shield for his emotions. When Diana returns to visit Mrs. Rutley and her friends at her former inishing/boarding school, she shares the story of hers and James’ romance. Their story includes a villainous wouldbe suitor for Diana, and a longheld secret for James that will threaten their chance at a happy ending. “Marquess of Magic” is the third story in the series that shares characters who met at Mrs. Rutley’s School for Young Ladies. At Mrs. Rutley’s insistence, they return to tell their stories of romance and inding their husbands. Diana is perfectly happy thinking she’ll never marry. Her wealthy father has chosen a suitor for her but, thankfully, she sees past his polished veneer to the horrible person he is underneath. It isn’t until Diana

Thoroughly Captivated Chantry Dawes

different kind of castle; not a home for pretty princesses and a drool-worthy handsome prince, it’s a home for all scarred men, until a scarred lady comes to disrupt the normalcy. Who is this daring lady? Yes, brace yourself for a one-of-akind story that will bring a different kind of glamour to life in a historical castle in a very engaging manner! The reader will appreciate how the dynamics of war impacted both men and women bringing forth a new breed of women, men, and children, whose bravery has no measure. How did women manage to run their homes after they lost their men to war? How did the society receive their wounded and mutilated men back from war? Did anyone bother to ensure the wellbeing of war orphans? “Thoroughly Captivated” unwraps the answers to all these questions. However, one question is bound to sit unanswered at a lonely corner in the reader’s mind: Other than keeping domestic animals well and healthy, what other careers did women actively engage in? Even so, the charming romance between the two lead characters turns all the lights on in the readers mind to illuminate every strand of the story, all the way to the last page. JM Lareen

It’s in the early nineteenth century and Captain War is busy making sure none of his men is left behind helpless as his battalion retreats from the battle ield near Erivan. Pulling them from the physical ires caused by their enemy’s cannons comes almost naturally. Mending all their scars and making his wounded men functional again is his second item in his list of priorities. That’s where the Graestone Castle comes in. It’s a

Historical

The In idelity Curse (Perilous Secrets Book 3) Barbara Monajem

much to the imagination. So many things happen that it is hard to keep track. Side characters appear then disappear from the book altogether without much explanation. That the story drags in spots and gets a little boring despite how eloquently it is written. Lucretia, the childbearing, sorrowful heroine, is hard to feel sorry for, and Giles, the biased, cursed hero, is hard to connect with. Luckily, the book does have children, which helps offset all the calamitous happenings; plus, there is some contentment and a happy ending. Roslynn Ernst

Lady Lucretia Tifton, beautiful and pregnant, is trapped in a horrible marriage to Sir Matthew Tifton. Lucretia runs away trying to escape from Matthew but is stopped by a judgmental furniture-maker, Mr. Giles Morecambe, who brings her back home. Matthew, on his deathbed, shows his hatred. After Matthew dies, the will is read and Lucretia learns the horrible truth that the baby’s guardian is the Earl of Netherbroke. Unfortunately, Giles is proclaimed the new Earl of Netherbroke and does not want to be Earl, so he continues making furniture. When Lucretia asks Giles to sell old furnishings, she assumes Giles is a tradesman, not an Earl. As Giles gets to know Lucretia, he slowly falls for her, yet feels he is unworthy of her. And Lucretia doesn’t really know who Giles is. This truly tragic Regency tale will tug at readers’ sympathies. The story has an abundance of unlucky occurrences, from affairs, single parents, orphans and, lastly, death, which is a lot to take in. Unfortunately, there are many plot holes that never get resolved and loose ends that leave too

Don’t You Dare, My Dear (The Debutante Dares Book 4) Charlie Lane

Katherine is ready to start her own life. When an assertive and relentless neighbor sets her sights on Edmund, he enlists Katherine’s help to ind a prospective husband for her without her knowledge. With plan after plan going awry, Katherine and Edmund ind themselves secretly inding comfort in each other’s arms. With tension and heat rising between the two, they must make the dif icult decision to choose each other or the family they’ve been sheltering for so long. Finding Katherine and Edmund to be unique and inspirational is no hard task. Both have cast aside their own needs in favor of taking care of family, a sacri ice many can relate to. Sparks lying from the very beginning, it does not take much to see that these two living in the same house would never work out as they are bound to ind their way back to each other. A mix of unsavory and even obnoxious characters, who at times are whiny and sel ish, detracts from the heart of the story. A more thorough editing could have made it a bit less confusing but did not diminish the overall storyline. All in all, a sweet story packaged up with many surprises sure to delight! Marie Sanderson

Edmund has set his sights on one woman only. Determined to either marry her or stay a bachelor forever, he can’t understand why Katherine is intent on refusing him. With Katherine’s sister married to Edmund’s father, she knows that it will mean her being tied to Chrissy forever if she does accept and that just won’t do. She has been cleaning up and taking care of Chrissy her entire life, and

How to Marry an Earl (A Cinderella Society, Book One) Alyxandra Harvey

distract from the main story. Percy and Conall’s love story builds slowly in a fun and mysterious way, almost making the reader unsure if they would end up together. The mystery entangled throughout crawls at a seemingly slow pace until the end where its wrapped up nicely with lots of exciting twists. Percy’s grandmother was a delightful addition to the story that always seems to have her hands in a little bit of everything. All in all, a fun read that will leave you guessing to the very end. Marie Sanderson

Dirt Smudges and old artifacts are what hold Persephone, ‘Percy’, Blackwell’s attention, much to the dismay of her grandmother and polite society. Helping to host a festival for antiques, Percy is practically loating on clouds with all the borrowed treasures pouring in for her to itemize and display. All the while, she works hard to ind secret hidden messages from one of her oldest friends, Henry, who is being framed for treason. When Conall Hunter, the Earl of Northwyck, shows up to investigate and ind a traitor under the guise of searching for a wife, Percy can’t help but ind herself drawn to the boy who used to be shy. With ire burning between the two, and danger lurking around every corner, Percy and Conall must ind who the real traitor is before more bodies pile up and someone ends up losing their head to the crown. Overall, this book was a good read, however, it was at times hard to keep track of all the characters and unnecessary details. The storyline seemed to be illed with extra tidbits to

A Scot of Her Own Maeve Greyson

Thorburn, just so she can get captured to escape the evil machinations of her brother, who is the self-proclaimed jarl of their clan. Alrek has been wreaking havoc and sowing political unrest on the MacDougall clan’s lands, and the clan chief has tasked Thorburn with stopping the carnage. Adellis is an amazing ighter, as she holds her own against Thorburn—the best ighter in the clan—for quite a while. How did she learn to ight like this, while living as a pawn and nearly a prisoner for her brother to use? This, along with the fact that she is sexually liberated with multiple partners in her past, is extremely enlightened behavior for this time period, which is somewhat questionable behavior for the book. If readers can suspend their disbelief regarding this behavior, a delightful story awaits them, centered on these mentally and physically strong protagonists. There is a moderate amount of tension which escalates as needed, as the threat of Alrek hangs overhead throughout much of the story. The pacing is engaging and spot-on, making this an engrossing story that will surprise readers! Carey Sullivan

The main storyline takes place on the Isle of Mull in Scotland in 1273. It is a time of political unrest and upheaval, and Thorburn MacDougall, the Gall glaigh Constable (the Gall glaigh are a band of warriors tasked with inding criminals, similar to a modern-day police force), has his hands full trying to quell the tensions. Adellis Bjørnsd ttir and Alrek Bjørnsson are twins but couldn’t be more different. Adellis takes the drastic measure of dressing like a man and ighting a skilled battle with

61 f

Historical

Chasing the Earl (The Arrogant Earls Book 2) Kathleen Ayers

Henry’s unfortunate childhood and the reasons he behaves the way he does and about Emmie’s reasons for spinsterhood and why she is so uptight. The evocative and heartbreaking background details give readers a deeper connection to each protagonist. The pace is engaging and includes witty repartee at times and inane frivolity at other times. There are occasional references to the preceding book in this series, but this story stands alone. The pace and tension are perfect for this story, giving readers a delightful reading experience. Carey Sullivan

HISTORICAL: Henry Eldrick, the Earl of Huntley, was ignored his whole life. He had a ‘perfect’ older brother who was given all of the love his parents had to give. Henry was raised by others, and told often that he was useless. Emmagene Stitch, 28, is a spinster. When she was 18, she gave her innocence to a man she thought loved her, but he was just using her, and married someone else shortly thereafter. Since then, she hasn’t trusted in love, and she has become a negative stick-inthe-mud. These two protagonists are forced to share a carriage to a house party and a wedding out in the country for Emmie’s cousin. They are both defensive and prickly, and their banter toward each other is rude and offensive at times, but understandable because of their respective backstories. Once they arrive, they are each treated abysmally by the hostess, and this serves to unite them in a sense, which contributes credibility to the inal outcome. Despite the fact that this is a novella, Ms. Ayers does a ine job of imparting pertinent information. Readers learn about

The Right One for Me (One and Only Collection, Book 1) Samantha Wyatt

When Katherine Radbourne goes in search of her missing brother, she’s abducted by Morgan Langston, Earl of Whetherford who mistakes her for another woman who stole from his family. He’s tired of the life he was living and has reconciled himself to his duty to marry and produce an heir. Yet, he believes love has no place in a marriage. When he meets Katherine (Kat), he’s immediately drawn to her, despite his vow to keep his emotions at

bay. Despite the fact that they’ve been intimate, Kat believes he wants the woman he irst thought her to be. “The Right One for Me” starts off with an interesting storyline of mistaken identity. Unfortunately, the story loses steam about halfway through, relying on the physical relationship rather than the growth of the two main characters’ personalities. The supporting characters add a nice balance to story and make the plot more enjoyable than when Kat and Morgan are alone. Kat’s character begins as very independent but then loses her spunk as the story goes on. Morgan’s stiff attitude toward marriage leaves a lot to be desired. There are a few grammatical errors and the occasional missing words, but they didn’t detract from the overall story. However, there are a couple of instances where scenes change without warning and may cause the reader to have to reread in order to understand what’s going on within the story. Fans of Regency romance with a bit of intrigue may enjoy this book. N.E. Kelley

Historical

The Sprinter (A Series of Worthy Young Ladies #2) Kate Archer

match well, but it is often the side characters that steal the show such as the butler dealing with PTSD and the sickly mother and her dramatic letters. The pace is steady, and the plot is fairly straightforward with a predictable but enjoyable ending. While the story is not particularly unique, it does meet many of the standard points that will easily draw in lovers of Historical romance, such as a dashing lord, extravagant balls, and a petty villain, which makes it a great toread book! Sarah E Bradley

Lady Heathway has been denied a long wished for daughter. So, she and ive other matrons devise a scheme to launch eligible girls in need of assistance in Society. She sets her sights on Miss Grace Yardley, the daughter of the deceased Viscount Barlow, who lives in a dilapidated dower house with her sickly mother. The chance to have a season in London seems like a lifeline, but Lady Barlow has no intention of letting her daughter go without her, and Lady Heathway has no interest in bringing the girl’s mother along! Then Lady Heathway turns to her nephew, George Wade, Viscount Gresham, for a small favor, which brings Grace to London but leaves her with mixed feelings. To maintain the family’s reputation, George must prevent Grace from sprinting home, but the impossible lady seems to ind herself only a step or two away from scandal, and it might take something drastic to change that! A sweet historical romance, “The Sprinter” picks up shortly after the irst book ends. The main characters are interesting and with a few layers that make them

To Kiss a Wall lower (Timeless Regency Collection Anthology) Jen Geigle Johnson, Heather B. Moore & Anneka R. Walker

attention. However, all she wants is the attention of her good friend, Lord Dennison Ragsdale. In ‘Letters to a Wall lower’, beautiful Ellen Young is tired of people seeing her only for her beauty. She accepts a dare that will quickly change her life and lead her to true love. In ‘To Marry a Wall lower’, Charlotte Winters is promised to a man she’s never met. A case of double-hidden identity will cause trouble for both Charlotte and her intended groom. This three-story anthology de initely has its ups and downs. All three stories are entertaining, with each one relying on a different Regency trope. Friendsto-lovers, Lottie and Denny, will steal your heart. In the second story, both Ellen and Aaron are engaging characters. Tired of the demands of society, they enter into a pact to save themselves from the ton. The story has some comedic moments and interesting supporting characters. The third story in the anthology includes a trope of arranged marriage, but with a unique twist. The growth of both characters as they fall in love with their alter egos is very entertaining. Fans of Regency Romance will want to read all three of the stories in this anthology! N.E. Kelley

“To Kiss a Wall lower” is a threestory anthology including ‘The Wall lower’s Dance’, ‘Letters to a Wall lower’, and ‘To Marry a Wall lower’. The stories are all standalone and complete. In ‘The Wall lower’s Dance’, shy and introverted Lottie Hughes relies on her two friends, Denny and Grace, to guide her through the social season. When Lottie becomes an heiress, she’s suddenly inundated with

Historical

The Courier's Wife (Secrets of the Blue and Gray, #1) Vanessa Lind

characters and events which help to build the tension and drama while focusing on Hattie and her perceptions. There is also a minor romantic sub-thread, but it takes a backseat to Hattie’s goals and spy efforts. The biggest drawback to this engaging tale is the clif hanger ending that leaves our heroine in a precarious position and her mission un inished. Still, fans who enjoy historical spy tales, civil war drama, and romantic adventures will ind plenty to entice them in this great read! Sarah E Bradley

Hattie Logan is determined to support the North in their war against the South while searching for her brother, even if it means giving up her privileged upbringing, leeing her inishing school, and changing her history. As part of Allen Pinkerton’s spy agency, she works as a mailroom girl, uncovering secrets that could change the course of the war. But when an opportunity to work in the ield arrives alongside a courier spy, Hattie’s feelings are put to the test. With secrets about her family threatening the mission and enemies on all sides, Hattie must think quickly and trust her instincts to survive and complete her mission or risk capture and imprisonment. Inspired by a true story of a female Civil War spy, this adventure features a strongwilled young woman with serious doubts about the legitimacy of the South’s goals. She also has a solid crush on one of the courier/spies working for the Pinkerton agency. The story unfolds slowly, introducing Hattie, her friends, hints at her family history, and her guilt about her past. The book adds in several historical

The Seduction of Lord Sin: Regency Second Chances Romance (The Bachelorette Series Book 2) Bronwen Evans

Sinclair wasn’t on that list—but tags along with a guest in the hopes of inding a bride who can give him an heir. He’s shocked to discover no other ladies were invited… but he inds his attraction to Lady Charlotte strong, even though he believes she cannot produce the heir he so desperately needs. A most unusual house party, an uninvited guest, and an unexpected romantic attraction: this story’s many unique elements entice the readers’ interest! Charlotte dares to dream of love in a time when marriage for duty is the rule. Her search will be challenging, since she’s such a tall woman who’s no longer a youthful lower. Add to that the frustration of knowing that although her marriage to an elderly man produced no children, it was not a failure of her own. Yet daring she is, to host a house party inviting male guests only. Duke “Sin” wasn’t even invited, yet as his name suggests, he's the most enticing of the bunch. Plenty of barriers forbid the match, especially since Sin desperately needs an heir. Will Charlotte share her secret? Will Sin even give her the chance? A refreshing take on Regency romance and a thoroughly enjoyable read! FS Brown

Widow Charlotte Dexter wants what no woman of her society dares desire: a match for love. Unfortunately, she’s got a few strikes against her. Charlotte stands taller than most women, and isn’t exactly a raving beauty. It’s also rumored she’s barren. But she does have money. Taking a daring approach, Charlotte plans a soiree to snag a new husband, inviting only eligible bachelors. Duke Marcus Roberts

Scandal’s Redemption Pamela Gibson

Sadie Wilson

Lady Jocelyn Stafford has been suffering from a broken heart and a tainted reputation due to the scandal with Lord Leisterbridge and her twin sister, Jane. Now, she must come to terms with her current stance as a social pariah or ind a husband that will accept her and help her regain what is left of her social standing. Her close friend, Lord James Seaton, is back home from the war and is eagerly seeking a wife so he can produce an heir. Jocelyn agrees to help him ind a suitable wife, but is left regretting her decision to reject him prior to his departure. There is a strong attraction between James and Jocelyn, but James is unsure if he can trust someone who once broke his heart. The transition between “Scandal’s Deception” and “Scandal’s Redemption” is lawless. Readers are able to pick up where the previous novel left off, but now hear the story told from Jocelyn’s perspective. From the beginning, there is already growth in Jocelyn’s character that continues from her scandal outlined in the previous book. It is also refreshing to see

Lady, Behave (Naughty Ladies, Book 2)

out of the story as a way of explanation. Adelaide’s grandfather’s history is something that’s casually mentioned in the beginning, but not explained until much later. Laurel’s broken engagement isn’t mentioned until much later, but is brought up vaguely in the beginning leaving the reader with more questions than answers. It isn’t until her exianc is needed to help rescue Adelaide that the full explanation is given. One gets a very unful illing sense of Adelaide and Gyles, their love and loyalty to each other are taken for granted without a strong plot that brings them together. Their story is not earned. The bond between sisters is extraordinary, and one can feel the love they have for each other. That love and sense of adventure is something one wishes they could read more about. Growing up in Ireland must have been fun, and readers would surely get much pleasure out of a trip down memory lane. Heather McCoubrey

Cerise Deland

Adelaide Devereaux is not your usual woman. She has a knack for medicinal treatments, an underlying sense of what ails a person, and the ambition to kiss each man she likes until she inds the one who makes her see stars. Gyles, Marquess of Heath, is your typical con irmed bachelor, that is, until he meets Adelaide. After one conversation he wants to marry her, but his parents refuse to accept her. She is, after all, the granddaughter of a thief.

Highland Flame (Highland Outcasts Book 2)

Readers may struggle with this story because while it’s considered a standalone book, too much is left

When Yvaine’s brother inds her standing over the dead body of her abusive husband, he knows he has

Elizabeth Rose

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Historical

that Jane and Ralston are included and even hold important roles that aid in Joceyln’s character development. Additionally, the murder mystery will have readers on the edge of their seats and they will be surprised as the revelation unfolds. The drama and tension between every character is able to grasp attention as the reader wonders what will happen next. This tale is packed with a steamy romance, murder, and secrets that will leave readers wondering if a reputation can really be redeemed.

to get her out of the town fast if she is to keep her life and the life of her unborn babe. He seeks the counsel of the Highland Lord who happens to have a highlander, Cam MacKeefe, who needs a punishment. When the Highland Lord hears that Yvaine needs an escort to her other brother’s priory, Cam is sentenced to escort her and stay there to repent from his lustful ways. The punishment is extreme for Cam who is used to living a wild life. While at the priory, he is too often tempted by the luscious young widow Yvaine. If the truth comes out, will it set them free or tear them apart?

This highlander romance is fast paced and fun. Yvaine is hard working and easy to like. The problems come when this recently abused woman falls in lust and love so quickly, and allows herself to explore these feelings without hesitation. Cam is fun and spirited. He embodies the highlander spirit, and his witty banter brings a unique feel to the highlander world. Cam and Yvaine have a chemistry that can’t be denied. What starts as small lirtations quickly moves to steamy romps. The original plotline to this story would be more satisfying if there was more; more time for them to learn to trust, more time to fall in love, more time to develop a relationship. If you want a quick summer romance read, this highlander tale is a great choice. Cara Cieslak

Walk the Deck: A Vampire Pirate Romance (Walk the Walk Book 2)

make them easy to remember. The action throughout this novel is enough to keep one on the edge of their seat! The dialogue tends to get garbled when several of the sailors are talking at once. Mayda is a sel ish, impulsive heroine, determined to be herself no matter the cost to anyone else. Branko is not the strongest leader even though he got his training from Blackbeard. The story ends in a clif hanger, but no worries, book three is already out. Belinda Wilson

Marilyn Barr

The Patricia’s Wish vessel is cocaptained by Branko, who is learning as he goes, and Mayda, a vampire who is restricted to the night shift, as the sun will scorch her. Branko loves Mayda and she is affectionate towards him, but she has only recently escaped from her husband who sold her to the medical community in America. She seeks freedom to be herself! She wishes to go plundering to make her fortune from other ships and the night crew agrees with her. Branko disagrees. He and the day crew wish to sail directly to Jamaica where they can settle into a stable life. At long last, Mayda convinces Branko to plunder a ship the size of “Patricia’s Wish.” He has a plan, but Mayda ignores it, and she is the irst one on the other ship. His heart sinks as he morosely thinks Mayda will be a casualty. “Walk the Deck” is an intriguing story with its mixture of pirate and vampire lore. It is a very original story without clich which brings new perspectives to old ideas. Ms. Barr skillfully introduces the entire crew and gives them characteristics which

Historical

The Misplaced Husband (The De Petras Saga Book 1) Emily EK Murdoch

Opal De Petras has opened her home for an afternoon tea party, easing herself back into society. She has sheltered herself for seven years, ever since her husband left without a word. Today is the day Jasper is legally declared dead. A disturbance in the hallway reveals Jasper, her misplaced husband! Opal’s emotions are mixed. Why is he making an appearance now? Especially when some of the ton’s biggest gossips are in attendance at her tea! Lady Romeril makes a few clever comments as she is leaving the house, and Opal just

knows they are ruined. Jasper wants to start where they left off, but Opal no longer trusts him. He convinces her to let him woo her again like he did when they irst met. But Opal still has huge misgivings. “The Misplaced Husband” starts off as a comedic story with a newly declared widow and her three fascinating children whose world is turned upside down when her “dead” husband arrives on her doorstep. As much as Ms. Murdock tries, no chemistry sparks between Opal and Jasper, and neither character seems to have much depth. Opal jumps to conclusions too quickly about Jasper’s character without provocation. There is no conclusion as to where the notes came from which caused Jasper to unceremoniously leave for seven years. The story arc is lacking. The bright lights in this story are the children: Coral, Micah, and Emerald. The children accept Jasper unconditionally, although Emerald was born the day he left and never knew him. A tale of comedic errors, this story launches a series. Belinda Wilson

knowing nothing must happen between them. Gibb is luent in Latin, and he helps Isabella with her painstaking translations. While they are working, Maribel is getting cozy with the irst mate. Gibb teaches Isabella not to be afraid of the unknown, even if it is the dark depths of the ocean. “The Captain’s Heiress” is a delightful story, with surprises and plot twists galore! Gibb and Isabella are described in loving detail and the secondary characters come to life on this seafaring voyage. The story of the tablets is fascinating as well and adds yet another layer to this incredible story. Maribel’s last name does change between Hume and Hatch causing some confusion, and Mr. Schuyler is a disappointment, lacking depth, and hardly matching the vivacious Isabella. Isabella’s father is shallow, thinking only of himself when he trades Isabella for a silver mine which will allow him to be comfortable for the rest of his life. He never gives a thought to his daughter. A story fraught with emotion, it is easy to get caught up in the wonder of this novel! Belinda Wilson

The Captain’s Heiress (The MacGalloways Book 3) Amy Jarecki

Captain Gibb MacGalloway sees Isabella Harcourt in his mother’s garden and wagers with her for a kiss. He wins and Isabella receives her irst kiss. Gibb thinks nothing of it—he will never see her again. Imagine his surprise when he learns he is transporting Isabella to America! Her father has sold her in marriage to silver miner, Mr. Schuyler. Isabella insists on bringing the wooden tablets she has been translating. She also brings her lady’s maid, Maribel. While onboard, Gibb and Isabella ight a strong attraction to one another,

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Contemporary

Her Delayed Darling (A 12 Loves of Christmas Romance) Heather Tullis

storyline. Taylor’s character begins a little frosty which, given her workload and responsibility, is understandable. However, she never really warms up, or shows any growth as a character. Chris, on the other hand, has gotten his life in order, and goes out of his way to win Taylor back. While readers won’t ind anything different about this story, for fans of sweet holiday romance who glues themselves to the television screen from November through the new year, you will likely enjoy this book. N.E. Kelley

This story is a sweet reunion romance set during the Christmas holiday season. The heroine, Taylor Campbell, has taken over the family business, including the upcoming holiday festival. She’s also taking care of her mother post-surgery, so she’s de initely burning the candle at both ends. When she discovers her mother’s new physical therapist is Chris Harris, a man from her past, she’s wary. Chris, on the other hand, wants to make up for lost time and rekindle their romance. “Her Delayed Darling” is a typical sweet, made-for-television style holiday romance. The story is quaint yet has nothing to set it apart from any other holiday romance. The trope of a reunited couple who parted previously under less-than-stellar circumstances, is de initely nothing new. The author does an admirable job of introducing some welcome supporting characters, including the heroine’s mother, Linda. Once Linda realizes that Chris is a man from Taylor’s past, she does her expected motherly duty to get them together. Taylor’s friends, also provide some additional assistance with the

Somewhere In Between (Turn it Up Book 7) Natalie Parker

is known to be the band’s playboy. His bad boy image is one he’s earned and upheld well—until Bobbi. Now he cannot seem to look beyond her and has an innate desire to protect her. Bobbi is drawn to Josh, however, succumbing to those feelings would be certain career death. “Somewhere In Between” calls for a double encore - if not more! Ms. Parker has another huge hit with book 7 in the series. The main characters are strong, independent, loyal, maybe a bit broken. The age difference portrayal is well done and shows readers how a very mature young woman can handle the real world. The protective nature of the alpha male is on target. The many symbols of a new love- illed relationship are crafted beautifully throughout the story. The family strife and its conclusion is added drama that readers will appreciate. The appearances of characters from this series continue to showcase loving couples that are truly dedicated. The Turn it Up series is sure to please readers who love music, rock bands, tattoos, and perfectly matched couples. “Somewhere In Between” showcases all the feels! Completely unputdownable! Viola Robbins

Bobbi has inally convinced her father to allow her an internship with his record label. She will go on tour as personal assistant to the hottest rock band they have currently signed. Bobbi is not yet 21, a female in a predominantly male role, and realizes she has much to prove. Working hard, learning the ropes, and not being star struck-in an obvious fashion should do the trick… until one moody, guitar-playing band member continually stares at her with need in his eyes. Josh, with his rock solid, tattoo covered body

Broody Devil (Nashville Devils Book 3)

characters, it’s jaw dropping, page- lipping goodness! This is book three in the series and does stand-alone, however, readers may glean more from reading the books in order as all characters are present throughout. The jocks and the con ident ladies that inhabit “Broody Devil” are drawn with depth showing their pains from childhood that many are still struggling to conquer in adulthood. A wild ride on and off the ice from start to inish!

Melissa Ivers

Viola Robbins

Bad boy hockey player Rhett has a reputation, a bad attitude, and gets bad press, which leads to a team transfer. Lucy is, once again, rushing in for some damage control in hopes of keeping the media at bay. While she confronts Rhett to manage his demeanor, they fall in to a rhythm of friendly banter, which turns into having a cocktail, then a night in Las Vegas that neither can quite recall. When the pieces of the puzzle fall into place, they realize they have done an enormous act that can have some major repercussions for both of them. Their jobs are on the line as well as their hearts. Can the pretty, pink-clad princess ix this disaster? Or will the brooding devil have more anger and hostility than before? Ms. Ivers has delivered a smoking hot romance with laming sparks between the black sheep hockey player and the team’s public relations agent. The arc of this story lows beautifully with the right amount of angst and drama. The range of characters’ personalities is vast and readers will love them all. The trope of enemy’s-to-lovers is not unique, however, when the heat turns up and the ire is stoked for the main

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Contemporary

Rock the Line (Gracefall: Vicious Love Tour Series Book 2)

closets, but the question is whether these enemies will turn into lovers. Who knew heavy metal would be so hot? Ms. Zak will rock reader’s worlds with this steamy, adrenaline-pumping romance about two competitors battling for a sick gig while also ighting off their insanely obvious chemistry with one another. The story is a light one,, but its unique plot-line is incredibly engaging. Readers may experience some eye-roll moments when the characters talk about falling in love only a quarter of the way into the book. However, sticking it out to the end feels worth it as the banter between the two lovers gets more and more heated. The last-minute con licts, halting the characters from getting together, feel rushed and pointless. Even with a couple of undiscussed plotline holes here and there, the story is still well-written. Get ready to feel tingles in your toes from this sensual romance. Austen Grace

Victoria Zak

Jake Quin has been seen as a screw-up his whole life. Now, a bar co-owner/studio musician, he tries to follow his dreams onto the stage of rock and roll. When he inally gets a call from Gracefall, the heavy metal band, he can inally prove everyone in his life wrong and become a lead guitarist on the big stage. The only catch is his competition for the position. Elliot Phoenix is the queen of the heavy metal stage, and she’s ready to settle down into a permanent band, so she doesn’t have to keep her son a secret any longer. The two rockers have plenty of skeletons in their

Side Squeeze Lydia Michaels

Mariella Mosconi is suffering with a bad reputation after discovering her ex-boyfriend, Bran, was

The character development is golden in “Side Squeeze”! Readers are given an incredible amount of background information from the start to help understand just who Mariella is, what she wants, and who Harrison is to her. In addition, Harrison has a lot of family baggage that helps readers understand why he behaves the way he does. There is so much raw emotion that will provoke tears and anger as Harrison continues to be a repeat heartbreaker. However, his relationship with his sister is what supported his entire character development. Readers see him come to terms with his past and work on being better for his family - and for Mariella. While at the same time, readers watch as Mariella learns to value herself and create boundaries. They were given two emotional stories that come together perfectly; however, the best part is that the story stays relatable. Readers who have ever been in love or experienced heartbreak can instantly connect to these characters and their delightful story. Sadie Wilson

Rookie - Bradford Station #1

while also being interesting on their own. The inner workings of small town living are brought to life with humor and realism. As the beginning to a series based in the small town of Bradford, TN, "Rookie" by Ms. Laramie Briscoe will surely in lame the reader's appetite to visit again and again for more tales about hunky alpha men and the strong beautiful women they love. Tonya Mathenia

Laramie Briscoe

Dating the Fire Chief's daughter is against the rules! But after rookie ire ighter Danny stops to help a beautiful woman change a lat, sparks start to ly. And after all, rules are made to be broken when he discovers she is the Chief's youngest daughter! Just returning home from college and starting a new job, Hayden isn't expecting the heated response she has to the good looking hunk of.... Oops sorry! the good Samaritan who happens to be serving under her father—and is therefore off limits! After secretly dating for a few months, they nervously reveal their relationship to the Chief and go public. When a blazing disaster threatens the town, Danny realizes Hayden truly has his heart. He just hopes she will be able to look past his family's humble beginnings to accept his love. Sexy folks, scorching trysts, and sentimental heartstring-pullers are elements "Rookie" uses to tell a tale of hometown romance with hints of danger. Relatable main characters manage to provide plenty of hot chemistry, saucy banter, and heated scenes while struggling to overcome the usual insecurities. Secondary characters deliver the customary support

Halo (Part 2: Episodes 7 to 10) Shiloh Love

Cameo, codenamed Halo, has rebounded from her failed relationship with Rebar. Her new boyfriend is Rush, leader of the rescue group Ricochet. They rationalize their own cheating behind Rebar’s back versus his betrayal with Cameo’s twin, Camille. But it is for naught when Rush is also unable to resist Camille, and Cameo develops feelings for Rush’s best friend, Shook. Shook introduces Cameo to the Lakota Medicine Man, White Wolf, when she seeks answers regarding her mother’s mysterious magic. White Wolf can only warn her about Malika. Nevertheless, Malika convinces

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cheating on her. Now, she is seen as the “other woman”, and news travels fast in such a small town. As she works on recovering her tainted reputation by interviewing at the local hotel, she bumps into her irst love and heartbreak, Harrison Montgomery. They take advantage of his time in Jasper Falls, but soon he will have to return home to New York. As another heartbreak comes into sight, Mariella begins putting up walls and creating distance between the two. Will Harrison be able to come to terms with his feelings or will he return to New York without a goodbye?

Contemporary

kind-hearted Cameo that she deserves her daughter’s forgiveness, while secretly carrying on a love affair with Shade, who wants to destroy Ricochet. With family like this, Cameo doesn’t need enemies. Turns out there may be another reason Malika is a terrible mother. Is there another hidden parent buried under the mountain of deception? This book is packed full of drama! The characters are shallow and governed by base motivations. They embrace sexism, betrayal, in idelity, and cultural ignorance without irony, because that’s just who they are. The writing style is prosaic, lacking in nuance or poetry. We are told that the multiple criss-crossing hook-ups happen because the parties are muscular, hunky, or sexy; therefore, relationships are driven by biology not intellect or depth of feeling. There are confusing paranormal elements added that do not seem to it with earlier episodes of the book. It takes stamina to remain focused on the unabashedly disastrous “trainwreck” that is Cameo’s life, delivered in serialized format to extend its length. On a positive note, Cameo maintains her altruistic nature and faith in her God throughout. Joan Lai

Unbranded (Montana Bred , Book 1) Linda Bradley

WESTERN: Chloe McIntyre grew up on the family ranch. Years of working alongside the men has prepared her for what she wants most—to be named co-CEO of the entire operation. When she inds out she’s pregnant, and with her best friend’s baby, she feels illprepared for this new chapter in her life. Matt Cooper wants to prove himself as a rancher and when Chloe’s father offers him the position as co-CEO, rather than Chloe, Matt turns him down rather than risk his relationship with Chloe. ‘Unbranded’ is the beginning of new series of books with characters introduced in a previous series. The book can be read as a standalone and still enjoyed, but will be far more enjoyable for those who know the backstory. The author writes a luid story, with a lot of detail and description. And, as with most family sagas, a lot of characters. At times it seems as if there are too many, with more time spent on the secondary characters than on Chloe and Matt. For that reason, labeling this a saga, rather than a romance, makes sense. For the most part, Chloe is a strong,

independent woman. However, she makes a few bad judgements which come back to haunt her, but ultimately create growth for her character. Her interactions with the ranch hands, softens her rougher edges. Matt is the far more stable character and it’s easy to respect his decision regarding the job offer, and the way he accepts impending fatherhood and steps-up to his responsibilities. All in all, this is another winner from author Linda Bradley. N.E. Kelley

Faith and the Rock Star: Childhood Sweethearts Steamy Small Town Romance (Lake Howling Book 8) Lani Blake

After a breathtaking evening together, Ryan Lawrence leaves Faith Harris without even saying “goodbye”. For the next eleven years, he builds a career as a wellknown rock star with the band, Talon. Faith follows him and even knows the words to his songs, but is not prepared to see him in town. Her temper lares, and she does everything to keep him at a distance. He is not going to break her heart again! Ryan still has feelings for Faith and wants to give them another try, but he has

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Contemporary

Contemporary no idea how to get past her prickly exterior. Then, Ryan gets a mysterious package from an unknown person. He thinks it is from a local fan, but a certain evil is attached to the package which may cost Faith her life! “Faith and the Rock Star” brings the reader to the small town of Lake Howling, where Ms. Blake expertly introduces the hero, heroine, and the townspeople, giving them all their own distinct voices and characteristics. The focus is on Faith and Ryan, but they need the help of their friends to pull the blinders off. One really gets the true feel of a small town with their “code” of not telling tales of one another to outsiders. The villain of the story, unfortunately, is too obvious, which takes away some of the mystique. A bonus epilogue awaits those willing to take the steps to retrieve it. Although an excellent standalone novel, the side characters are intriguing, and it is worth reading their stories, too. Belinda Wilson

Roman's Gift S.H. Pratt

position he is just right for. Little did he know, it would also be the place where he meets a charming beauty beyond compare. Hoping to outrun the demons in her mind, Juliette left her hometown in Washington after her dad lost his battle with cancer. Her writing allows her to have some comfort in life, but the one thing she wants most is the one thing she never expected to desire: Roman. Roman’s past may not be the prettiest, but it taught him patience and instilled kindness deep in his heart; skills he puts to the test when tragedy strikes a mutual friend of theirs and throws Juliette into an emotional hurricane. Get ready for a contemporary romance sweet enough to put any Valentine's chocolates to shame! Roman and Juliette build a respect for each other as the depth of their feelings grows naturally. The way Roman treats and takes care of Juliette in comparison to other characters in the book is nothing short of swoon-worthy. Meanwhile, Juliette is not afraid to go for what she wants, no matter what that is, an attitude that matches nicely with Roman. The romantic gestures are so realistic that readers can easily ind themselves immersed in the sweet moments. There are some secondary characters that come across as stereotypical, which causes some disconnection. That said, the dog, Banjo, is the sweetest tie that wraps the story together. With a little more attention to secondary character development, this story will be one readers talk about for years to come! Annalee Stilove

Roman D’Angelo enjoys his job as a bouncer at the Golden Eagle. Good food, great people, and a

Pride (Sins of the Father, Book 3) Arell Rivers

Breaking News: Xander Turner is out of his family’s business and available to help Madison Welch with her loundering PR agency. Xander has always made Madison swoon, but she wasn’t on his radar when they were in school. When Madison proposes Xander join her agency to help save her company, she’s surprised he accepts her offer. He’s got the looks and savvy to bring her more business… and he brings a new outlook to Madison’s life. When the paparazzi take notice of their relationship, Madison doesn’t mind the increased press at irst. After all, all press is good press, right? Readers will ind this to be a good story, but a lot of references are made to things that happened before this one takes place. One could read the story as a standalone, but it will make more sense and keep one immersed in the tale if one reads them in order. Xander and Madison are a fun couple, and readers will love the way Xander helps Madison come out of her shell. The scar on her face has kept her hidden, and it is lovely to watch her be set free. Xander’s own issues with not being his authentic self, thanks to

Fractured Kiss (Fractured Rock #4)

“Fractured Kiss” is an endearing novel of forgiveness and the lengths one will go to ind true love! Cassie is a woman who suffers a lot of heartbreak in the beginning of the novel, and how she deals with it and inds a way to move forward is something readers will relate to. Her relationship with Zac is one full of balance and chemistry. She is the yin to his yang, and their interactions feel easy though it’s not without laws. Some readers will ind this realistic, while others might ind it off-putting. Zac is a complicated soup of emotions and history, and Cassie seems to ind the best way to make him better. The pacing is fairly strong in the beginning then halts for a moment right before the end. While there are plenty of twists in the story to keep readers engaged, the conclusion feels a bit rushed—though it is still satisfying. Overall, it is an entertaining book that will let readers escape to a better place for a few hours.

L.M. Dalgleis

Chelsea Andersen

Heather McCoubrey

Cassie Elliot is living the dream! Working as a guitar tech for a hot band is everything she wanted, especially when it put her in close quarters with her ianc … that is, until he cheats on her in his dressing room. Now left in an uncomfortable position, Cassie must navigate how to move on. That comes in the form of Zac Ford, the bassist. Their connection is undeniable and they decide to utilize that natural chemistry to put on a fake relationship for everyone to watch. Cassie knows Zac doesn’t do relationships. Zac knows that women don’t love him for him. It’s a perfect match.

Halo (Part 3: Episodes 11 to 15) Shiloh Love

Third one’s the charm? Cameo has inally found her soulmate. Shook, ex-Ricochet member and covert FBI agent, vows to retire and settle down with the love of his life. That is, once he inishes his inal assignment of apprehending Malika, the murderer and seductress masquerading as Cameo’s mother. Malika won’t be easily caught. She can make any man succumb to her wiles in her slinky white Native American gown, and if they don’t, there’s always her black magic. Luckily for Cameo and Shook, praying to Jesus will defeat any “Indian voodoo” Malika conjures against the “half-breeds”. Will the new couple prevail against the vengeful troublemaker, or will Cameo and Shook prove to be as inconstant as the wind when karma walks through the door? Allegiances and betrayals transpire with astounding, and confounding, frequency in this narrative-driven paramilitary suspense illed with sexy men, fast cars, and lying family members.

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his father, are also helped by Madison as she encourages and praises him for his creativity in his work. What readers might like most about their story is while Xander is a Beautiful Person, Madison isn’t classi ied as such, yet they still fall in love. Of course, this can happen in real life, but it’s not often that it happens in ictional life. It’s a breath of fresh air and a nice change from the usual romance books.

Contemporary

The negative portrayal of Native American mysticism in this proChristian fantasy may be offensive to some readers. Although the main characters are primarily in their forties and ifties, they behave as if they are hormonal teenagers, motivated by pettiness, sex, or revenge at every turn. Sexist and culturally bigoted inferences are delivered without hint of irony or insight. Some plot twists, such as secret adoptions resulting in an eight-year age

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Contemporary difference and other paranormal elements, simply don’t make sense. The writing is basic and could bene it from further editing and proofreading. An episodic format serves to lengthen a product that is already long on story but thin on emotional depth or substance. Self-aware fans seeking a trashy soap opera may ind this interesting. Joan Lai

Paranormal

Fire Magic and Ice Cream Lauren Connolly

has crafted a plethora of characters that are unusual, endearing, and full of loyalty. Dedication, hard work, and problem solving are themes woven throughout the book that readers will appreciate. A loyal son is always a crowd pleaser and keeps the hero high ranking. This is book one in a series, and readers who like a quick cute read should bookmark this author for the next in the series. The unique personalities of each supporting character will surely please many as this series continues. Viola Robbins

Quinn is a darn good accountant living with her family in Phoenix, Arizona. The hot desert town has more than one ice cream shop, however, the one Quinn is partial to is in the same strip mall where she pampers her ‘piggies’ with frequent pedicures. When she decides to inally check it out, an amazing Viking of a man, August, who’s working there, has her ice cream melting faster than she can eat it. Bummer he’s off limits, but maybe her plot to offer her accounting services will allow her time with him, not to mention time to enjoy his many homemade frozen delights. August is new to Arizona, having recently moved from Alaska. He has a few friends locally, but working so many hours a week makes it a dif icult task to date, let alone ind one that he could possibly be compatible with. When Mr. Cool Viking meets Little Miss Pants on Fire, there’s bound to be more trouble than they know what to do with! Cleverly crafted, sweet and spicy, “Fire Magic and Ice Cream” is wittily written and explores all the emotions! With very imaginative world building, the elementals’ that live alongside humans all have certain ‘gifts’. Ms. Connolly

The Blissful End (The Djinn #3) Lizzy Gayle

says everything she wants to hear. Somehow, he can see into her soul and make everything feel okay. But Mira doesn’t trust her heart, nor is she sure that she can when so much hangs in the balance. Especially when Rook might be too good to be true. “The Blissful End” takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster through a world of magic that will leave them breathless and satis ied! Ms. Gayle has a way of stringing together words that really grip the soul. The characters all spring to life from the page. Mira is a strong heroine that readers will connect with instantly. Rook is a man of mystery, not fully good and not fully bad and always keeping one guessing. Together, their chemistry is natural and potent. There is a bit of time hopping between the present and the past which Ms. Gayle manages well, though at irst it’s a bit jarring. Eventually, all of the pieces fall together in a wonderful way. Ms. Gayle does a wonderful job of taking a familiar genre and giving it just enough twists to keep it refreshing. While certain elements might still be a tad predictable, this doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. Readers will not want to put this book down! Chelsea Andersen

Bad Girls Drink Blood (Blood Fae Druid Book 1)

her character is always whining or saying she does not like someone - even during the action scenes. The reader may not feel the connection and romance between Lane and Teddy, due to the lack of relationship development. However, despite these issues, “Bad Girls Drink Blood” is entertaining for lovers of paranormal/urban fantasy tales. Victoria Zumbrum

S.L. Choi

Lane is a part sun fae part blood fae, who has never it in with her own people. When she lived at home, Lane was treated as an abomination and was bullied, called names, threatened, and someone even attempted to assassinate her when she was younger. Lane decides to leave her home - along with her sisters - to start a new life and open a detective agency where the sisters take on a myriad of cases to make a living, the last of which leaves Lane with a major dilemma – return home to help the sun fae who despised her, or let them all burn? “Bad Girls Drink Blood” is an action-packed adventure that will leave the reader on the edge of their seat. S.L. Choi has created a unique and fascinating story with a complex world illed with different paranormal creatures. The reader may feel that the story slows at times and the words could low more freely. One will enjoy most of the characters and will especially enjoy the love and bickering between the sisters. The reader will feel more of a connection between the sisters. One will really want to love and cheer the main character, on, but

The Blissful End (The Djinn #3) Lizzy Gayle

Paranormal

Especially when Rook might be too good to be true.

“The Blissful End” takes readers on an emotional rollercoaster through a world of magic that will leave them breathless and satis ied! Ms. Gayle has a way of stringing together words that really grip the soul. The characters all spring to life from the page. Mira is a strong heroine that readers will connect with instantly. Rook is a man of mystery, not fully good and not fully bad and always keeping one guessing. Together, their chemistry is natural and potent. There is a bit of time hopping between the present and the past which Ms. Gayle manages well, though at irst it’s a bit jarring. Eventually, all of the pieces fall together in a wonderful way. Ms. Gayle does a wonderful job of taking a familiar genre and giving it just enough twists to keep it refreshing. While certain elements might still be a tad predictable, this doesn’t take away from the overall enjoyment of the story. Readers will not want to put this book down! Chelsea Andersen

Mira is a Djinn who is determined to keep the rest of her kind free from enslavement. The more she dives into her work, the more she can forget her painful past. As she deep dives into her quest, she discovers that a magician is selling Djinn blood on the black market. For what purpose, she’s not sure. Rook, the mystery magician, claims he’s only taking the blood from those who are willing to give it. His heart seems to be in the right place, and he says everything she wants to hear. Somehow, he can see into her soul and make everything feel okay. But Mira doesn’t trust her heart, nor is she sure that she can when so much hangs in the balance.

Paranormal

Shiftless in Sheboygan (Shapesisters Book 1) Zanna Archer

Stef i Anbruzzen and her sisters are shapeshifters, but they are not like normal shapeshifters. Their abilities are so much different, more powerful, and they’re a threat to others. Stef i can take any biological shape she wants, but when she loses that ability OASIS steps in and appoints Sawyer Montaigne to help her and distract her. OASIS is hoping the distraction of the good looking werewolf will take enough time to eliminate Stef i’s abilities permanently. Sawyer, a ruggedly handsome Canadian Werewolf and a member of the Montaigne pack must mate with a female werewolf in order to remain in the pack. However, he inds himself falling for Stef i as he gets to know her, leaving him facing a dif icult choice – his loyalty to his pack and OASIS, or woman he’s come to love? “Shiftless in Sheboygan” is an excellent start to a new series! Zanna Archer has created a unique world illed with distinct types of shifters with special abilities, and an Organization to

Assist, Support and Inform Shapeshifters (OASIS). They are in charge of keeping all shapeshifters in line and making sure they follow the rules. The reader will love the main characters, Stef i and Sawyer, who are extraordinarily strong willed and know what they want. One will enjoy the bickering between them The attraction between them is very real and believable, and the reader will be cheering their relationship on. The reader may feel that the story is slow at times and could low a little better, but overall, this is an enjoyable and entertaining read for fans of paranormal romance! Victoria Zumbrum

Ghost of a Beginning (Wickwood Chronicles) J.E. McDonald

auras, even though she doesn’t believe in the paranormal. Sam does believe in ghosts, and when he’s not on a stakeout for his private investigator boss, he’s researching the rumored spirit haunting the apartment downstairs. Their physical attraction bursts into lames before Grace realizes this major disconnect in their belief system. Is it a deal breaker? This story snags the reader from the irst page and doesn’t let go! Fast pacing, vivid description, and emotional intensity build relatable characters, with breadcrumbs of mystery woven in along the way. The reason why Grace left home comes in bits and pieces, keeping the pages turning. Grace is a conundrum, possessing the ability to see people’s auras yet staunchly refusing to believe in the paranormal. Sam, on the other hand, is on an active ghost hunt for the landlord. Is it enough of an issue to keep them apart? Many questions remain: we yearn for more on the haunting, and for more reasons why Grace and Sam’s love may not survive. This is a tantalizing start to a series, and we hope to learn more in subsequent installments. An engaging and enjoyable, sizzling hot paranormal romance! FS Brown

After leeing family drama, Grace Liller awakes on a train traveling across the U.K. The trip was on impulse, a secret, and no one save her best friend knows where she is. Stumbling into an available roommate situation, Grace meets Sam Thomas, and the sparks ignite. Sam is in a similar spot, having escaped his own family’s expectations for his future. But Sam and Grace share some unique traits—Grace can see people’s

Lisa Acerbo

Safety in numbers is the ageold saying, that is, until most of your group runs off leaving only a note behind to meet in Hopewell, Maine. With zombies running loose in the streets, and now a new breed of wolf-hybrids hunting them, Jenna, Caleb, Lilly, and Eric must stick together while traveling hundreds of miles with barely any supplies and their lives in constant danger. Only able to travel at night due to Caleb’s inability to be in the sun, they must stick to dark places where the creepy and dangerous tend to lurk all the while trying to stay ahead of the wolves that are tracking them relentlessly. With hopes of inding their friends who have become like family in Hopewell, will this party of four ind a better life for themselves or ind no one at the endpoint to welcome them in? Zombies, hybrid-wolves, creepy characters, and lesh-eating rats all wrapped into a story makes for a fun, exciting adventure throughout! The story of Jenna,

Paranormal

in the cotton mill his father owns. She catches wisps of memories and life returns to her limbs, yet she is trapped in a portrait. Can Saffron and Emmett ind a way to reclaim the love they lost before the tragic events unfolding around them claim another victim and end any hope of a new beginning?

A Painted Life (A Magical Historical Romance)

Like a painting, "A Painted Life" builds layer upon layer of emotions and captures the reader with a compelling tale of love! Set in 1890s Boston, the details surrounding the running of a cotton mill are both fascinating and heartbreaking. Because Saffron is a painting, it takes time for her to become human, so she is an observer for a substantial part of the story. At the same time, the author deftly intersperses memories to bring Saffron's past to life. Mr. Charles is honorable, but his subservience to his father makes him less of his own man. The pace picks up in the latter half of the book, and readers will be engrossed in the outcome. The magic makes it possible, but we are never sure how or why it came about. Even so, "A Painted Life" gives readers a touching romance that they won't easily forget!

Brigid Gunn

Tricia Hill

Marie Anderson

HISTORICAL: She awakens in painted form, an artistic creation. Slowly she gains consciousness and a name: Saffron. Emmett Charles, a wealthy scion of a Boston family, is haunted by the death of the woman he loved from ive years ago; a woman he failed. He is stunned to ind a painting of Saffron and cannot resist buying it. Saffron senses a connection to the man as she watches him work

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Liquid Foundations (Hell in a Handbag Book 3)

Caleb, Lilly, and Eric not only shows how tough they have to be, but also just how close they are as they are always looking out for each other. A couple of areas that did not seem to make complete sense at times and the few typographical errors spread around were easily glossed over and did not distract much from the storyline. The description of the gore and guts draws the reader in as if they are standing alongside the characters experiencing it with them. “Liquid Foundations” is a thrilling, creepy tale that will have one reaching for the others in the series!

Dark Fangs Rising: The Luke Irontree & The Last Vampire War Urban Series C. Thomas Lafollette

and a little hard to igure out in the beginning, yet they don’t slow the tale down. The writing shines, the settings are easy to imagine, and the characters literally shimmer with life! Luke, the main protagonist, is the epitome of long-overdue relief from suffering, loneliness and angst. He is mysterious, quite enigmatic and lives in two worlds. His only friend at irst is Alfred, a mangy cat, who could care less about him, but when Luke meets Pablo and Delilah, they form an unlikely bond and become an unbreakable vampire-slaying team. A brilliant irst book that readers will just adore! Roslynn Ernst

Luke “Lucius” Irontree stalks evil in order to protect the innocent against demons known as vampires, who attack and drink people’s blood. Night after night, Luke ights an insurmountable battle to save everyone, but every time he attempts to help, more bloodsuckers seem to appear. Luckily, Luke has specially made weapons—his gladius or sword, armor, scabbards and, lastly, the wooden rudis—a blade that, with a secret incantation, kills the iends. Luke has one solace: his cat. And he’s able to unwind at Howling Moon Bar, where he talks to the bartender, Pablo, a behemoth with a secret. As Luke and Pablo share stories, they ind common ground. When Luke meets Delilah, she also wants to join them to combat the beasts. Luke, Pablo and Delilah join forces with an unlikely ally to inally defeat the villains. What a wonderfully imaginative, marvelous fantasy by Mr. Lafollette! The story starts off sedately, but as the reader gets into the book it takes off! Sure, the time hops can be a bit jarring

A Glimpse of Music (Sunlight and Shadows Book 3) Sydney Winward

called a friend for eight years. As for Joel, he’s had to watch Nyana fall for two other men, one his king and the other with his best friend. Will Nyana inally open her eyes to see the love of her life standing right in front of her? Faes, nymphs, and magic wrapped into one novel full of passionate, slow-burn romance and a plotline with crazy con licts, what more could one ask for? Miss Winward’s wonderfully written story has amazingly descriptive imagery that will cause the words to ly off the pages into the reader’s imagination. The author does a good job of refreshing the reader with the key details from the previous books at the beginning, however, not reading the other books in the series makes it hard to keep up with the characters and their pasts. The steamy romance that brews between the protagonists over time, though, will keep readers on their toes. The plot is a bit fast, and it feels too much like a damsel and distress book at irst, but the self-love the protagonist gains for herself and the smooth ending makes the book worth the ride. Readers better be prepared the most emotionally, genuine romance of a lifetime. Austen Grace

Nyana Everdon is constantly tormented by the evil in her past. Even when she tries to move on from the shadows of her husband, she’s sucked right back into the dangers, which puts her daughters, Eva and Maisy, at risk. In order to keep her family safe, Nyana will have to lean on Joel Harrington, the man she’s

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Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

A Night of Wings and Starlight (Eternal Nights Book 1) Alexis L. Menard

wonder at running free under the stars, and to applaud her resolve in making choices driven by her own conscience. Once Arya understands her true power, each choice pits her against her former Queen. None can unburden her from ful illing her destiny of returning daylight to Valdhir, neither Azrael, her new winged lover; his superior, the Grandmaster of the Watchers; nor, especially her best friend, Loren. Alexis L Menard cleverly weaves together romance and retribution in this complex and beautiful story. Arya’s strength, tears, and ideals will linger once the last page is turned. Joan Lai

“Be quick, be quiet, and be careful”. Humanity has spent a hundred years in darkness. The world of Valdhir knows no day. Its two moons are ixed, unmoving, in the sky. Arya has spent her entire life training inside the Queen’s mountain of West Mirth. Arya is a runner. She hopes to become a Chosen, one who runs between the Queen’s subordinate kingdoms outside the mountain, passing vital messages between them. The training is harsh and violent, because outside the protection of the mountain there are undead monsters. Arya believes that the chance to see the outside world is worth anything and everything she can do for her Queen. But once outside, she learns that there are wondrous Watchers, that the paradigms she has been taught are untrue, and that love may be worth more than she ever imagined. This breathtaking dystopian fantasy is rich with longing and the celebration of female power. It is easy to empathize with Arya’s singular drive to escape the claustrophobic oppression of the mountain, to rejoice with her

Taming of the Few (Guardians of the PHAE Book 1) Christy Nicholas & Rowan Dillon

the Unhidden. A large number of Unhidden are located in Ireland, making it a great place for PHAE (an organization run for the protection and education of the Unhidden) to set up shop. New recruits Anna, Max, Komie, Bintou, Hiroki, and Qacha, are thrust into the con lict with little time to spare. The fate of the Unhidden, and perhaps Ireland as a whole, may rest on their powers. Christy Nicholas and Rowan Dillon have crafted a remarkably diverse cast of characters and a fascinating concept for this urban fantasy. Each of the main characters comes from a very different background, representing people from around the world. The world building is fantastic. The POV of “Taming of the Few” rotates between each of the six PHAE recruits. This large number of perspectives requires extensive information on each character. This exposition slows the pace of the story down signi icantly. The pace picks up signi icantly near the end of the book. While each character has a distinct personality and background, the focus lits from character to character so often that it can be dif icult for the reader to fully connect to anyone. Ms. Nicholas and Ms. Dillon’s stellar world building feels realistic to the modern-day world, while infusing Celtic folklore and language in a unique fashion. Shailyn Rogers

With the shifting of the magnetic poles, part of the human population on earth has developed magical powers. These range from powerful to small and insigni icant. The people who possess these powers are known as the Unhidden. But bigotry and hatred run strong, and the Pure Earther Movement has their sights set on the destruction of

Fantasy/Urban Fantasy

The Shadows Heir (The Cursed Queens)

in those who care about her. Alvis is easily likable, but always does what he is expected to do and hasn’t learned to follow his own heart and path. As Alvis learns to put himself irst, both characters grow and the sparks ly. The chemistry between them is incredible. Their journey from friendship to lovers is paced wonderfully. Intermixed with the romance is political intrigue and plenty of fantasy adventure. An absolutely delightful read!

E.E. Hornburg

Cara Cieslak

Myra is not just devoted to the goddess of death; she is a direct descendant. Stulla’s followers are often misunderstood and even persecuted so Myra works to keep her powers a secret. Forced from her home at a young age because of these powers, she was in the servitude of Queen Amelia for many years. Now, free from Amelia she is ready to start anew in the Kingdom of Oxare. Prince Alvis has offered her not only passage to Oxare but a job too, but Myra wants to be far away from anyone with ties to her past. When times get tough, Myra inds herself at the castle against her best judgment, working alongside Alvis to foil a plot to free Queen Amelia. The closer she gets to Alvis the more she worries the truth of her powers will come out and everything she has been working toward will be taken from her again. Fans of the fantasy genre won’t want to miss this quick read. Myra’s character is sweet and strong, but vulnerable because of the persecution she has faced. This tale exhibits excellent character development as she learns to trust in her powers and

control, one thing is persistent in Kayla’s mind: that beautiful song that Elisa played on the violin after claiming to have never learned to play.

The Devil’s Trill

Intriguing from start to inish, “The Devil’s Trill” will keep any reader on the edge of their seat. Kayla is your typical girl with family issues, but immediately you see her getting in way over her head. Unable to irmly say no and hold her ground, it’s almost as if one can see her being dragged kicking and screaming into dangerous situations. The introduction and depth of the varying characters is nice, but it is easy to see who the villain is within the irst few chapters. Warning: This book does mention rape and occult experiences throughout. Some details in the book feel a bit far-fetched at times and may have been better left out altogether. Overall, a great, mind boggling, psychological thriller. Fear leaking from the pages will grip the reader’s soul until the very end.

N.B. Saltsman

Marie Sanderson

OCCULT: As far back as Kayla can remember, she has had a fascination with demons. Studying them in college allowed her to make a career out of her hobby. She gets to witness and document exorcisms all over the world and the religious beliefs surrounding them. When Kayla is asked to participate in an exorcism locally, there is no way she can turn down the offer— until she realizes that Elisa just might be faking it for the attention. Priding herself on her ethics, Kayla wants nothing to do with Elisa or the unnerving psychiatrist treating her. With her world seemingly spiraling out of

Dangerous Haven (A Minnie Chance Mystery, Book 3) Cynthia Rogan

This story revolves around a WITSEC house being remodeled in Atlanta. Minnie Chance and her 60-something friend Seamus James are planning to run it for witnesses who need a safe haven, but they discover a tunnel underneath, with a lot of blood in one area. Later, they ind a dead body, and police make an arrest, but Minnie believes that they have arrested the wrong person. This book centers on iguring out who the actual murderer is, and why they killed this man. Readers learn that Minnie recently discovered that she has a halfbrother, Delaney, who is on the run from criminals, and he actually lives nearby and is helping with the renovation. There is some romantic interest in Minnie from Greg Millard, and some jealousy from Martin Rales, but signals have gotten crossed with Martin, and Minnie is pursuing Greg, to the consternation of Rales. It’s obvious that there have been prior stories, as they are alluded

to throughout this book. Unfortunately, the author does an inadequate job of orienting the reader who isn’t familiar with the previous stories. Events are referred to from the earlier stories, but readers are left in the dark about the details and must extrapolate the pertinent facts from the limited information provided by the author. This is jarring for new readers of this series. It is recommended that these books be read in order, as this has the potential to be a captivating series. These characters are likeable and relatable, and the plot is intelligent and well thought-out. There is a signi icant pet presence in this book as well, which adds fun to the overall experience. Carey Sullivan

Danger to Others Martha Crites

murder. Talk of lying from a hot pot into the ire! Not willing to let Laurel be a victim of a society which still stigmatizes mentally ill patients, Grace is determined to keep Laurel healthy while at the same time using her resources, time, and energy to scout around for the real culprit in the murder case. If you thought a murder mystery involving rogue members of the society was entirely captivating, wait until layers upon layers of mystery and secrets are unearthed where the main suspect is a boundless mentally ill character! It’s delicate yet weighty, captivating yet sympathetic, and suspenseful yet screaming for calmness-kind of a situation. Undoubtedly, readers will give it up for Martha Crites for picking up a theme, mental illness, that is utterly fragile and throwing into it a strong-willed sleuth who has to ind evidence, against all odds, to prove the innocence of a mentally ill patient who already confessed to committing the crime. Just breathtakingly astounding. What takes a couple of tiny little bits from the enthralling nature of this tale is the occasional hasty move from one part of the story to the next. All lovers of spicy murder mysteries will ind “Danger to Others” absolutely stunning as their world is taken up for an unusual spin! JM Lareen

As if witnessing a police shooting between a mentally incapacitated man and the two police of icers accompanying them for a work assignment is not enough, Grace Vaccaro and her co-worker, Annie, ind themselves thrown deep into a case where one of their mentally-ill patients, Laurel, is marked as the prime suspect for a

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Suspense/Thriller

Jazz House (Impact – Book 2) D.V Stone

the story’s suspense linked to the irst book. Of icer Machau is very invested in characters from both books, but especially Madeline. There isn’t a lot of chemistry between the two, but that’s not unusual for a sweet romance. There were a few awkward sentences that may have to be reread to be understood, as well as a couple of point-of-view shifts mid paragraph. Neither issue detracted from the interesting storyline. A good suspense to curl up with! N.E. Kelley

On the run from an abusive husband, Jordan Vasilakis leaves Greece and returns to the states with a new name, Madeline Cielo. What she can’t run from is her love of jazz music, and her beautiful singing voice. When she accepts a job singing at the Jazz House, it’s with the stipulation that her identity be protected. She’s quickly befriended by her new employer and the staff at Jazz House. The family-run operation has seen its share of problems, and will soon see even more when Kyrios Vasilakis comes looking for his wife. Can police of icer, Michael Machau, keep everyone safe? ‘Jazz House’ by author D.V. Stone is the second book in the Impact series. The story begins with a very quick look at Jordan/ Madeline’s horri ic life with her emotionally and physically abusive husband. When there’s a ire at Kyrios’ nightclub, Jordan is able to escape undetected. We get the short recap of her escape at the beginning of the story, with more details thrown in later. This book, while technically a standalone, relies a lot on the backstory from the irst book in the series, with a good portion of

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Suspense/Thriller

At the Crossroads: Global Security Unlimited #2 Sharon Michalove

Max Grant is the lead of cybersecurity at a global security company, who seems to be living the life any man would dream of with a beautiful woman, Cress Taylor. She has always been the woman for Max to pine over; however, behind the picture perfect life is a former MI6 operative with a traumatic past. Ten years ago, he and his team were deep within terrorist territory when they were caught in an ambush. While he survived, most of his team was killed. The terrorist responsible was put behind bars, but after receiving a

suspicious envelope in the mail he soon inds out that the terrorist has escaped and he is coming after Max. Max does everything in his power to protect Cress from harm, but he seems to be headed directly toward the terrorist. Sharon Michalove created two main characters that are full of imperfection and far from the typical characters seen in romance novels; however, it adds incredible depth to their relationship. Readers can feel the raw emotion between them, but unlike many other romantic suspense tales, there is a much higher level of maturity and sophistication between the two of them. They both have advanced careers and make decisions based on rationality rather than intense bouts of lust, which is fantastic to see because it allows readers to create a much stronger bond with the characters. Aside from Max and Cress, the story building is fantastic with immense suspense and action, with the perk of hearing the perspectives of both Max and Cress. Gripping and delightful! Sadie Wilson

Suspense/Thriller read has all of the above and with descriptions that are in depth. The characters are dynamic and there is a lot of fun dialogue. This should also come with a warning label that once opened, one will not be able to put it down! Don’t let this great book pass your TBR pile – add it now! Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

Only in Darkness Brenda Stanley

PARANORMAL: Emilio Chavez has been different from the moment he was born. Now at the age of seventeen, his best friend, Clara, has had an accident, and everyone thinks Emilio had something to do with it. While he is dealing with this, he discovers some disturbing information about his past. When Clara begins to show signs of being under the in luence of some dark force, Emilio must contend with that as well as ighting the growing tensions within himself. Emilio has so much going on and with so many dangers, it could become fatal. Will Emilio igure out what’s going on with himself and save Clara? Or are they both doomed? Brenda Stanley has come up with an interesting concept for “Only in Darkness”. There is a lot of backstory which has the book jumping back and forth, but as it progresses, there is a lot of character building and an engaging plot. What really sets this book apart are the twists and turns that take the reader on the ultimate wild ride until the very end when everything comes crashing down with a fantastic twist. For fans of paranormal, suspense, and a good thriller, this

suspense that the reader will not be able to put down! Ms. Henderson has a way of illing her characters with such deep emotion that it makes it very dif icult not to get sucked into the story. With extraordinary detailed settings and a very fast paced narrative, “Ghost Notes” can easily be read from cover to cover in one sitting. The plot twists in this book are very surprising and unexpected. This tale is also for readers who love the use of the musical world in a story. Written in a beautiful way that combines modern music into a twisted plotline of love and suspense, this book will keep the reader on the edge of their seat! Jennifer Shepherd

Ghost Notes Beth Henderson

Private Investigator Gaelen Wyndom is on the hunt to ind a famous music star named Jace Hastings. This may be a bit dif icult considering Jace Hastings was presumed dead in a car accident that could have been caused by his stalker. Regardless, Gaelen is determined to locate him. She is not aware of who is looking for him, but she has an idea that it may be the stalker that attempted to kill him before, and if that’s the case, she needs to warn Jace. Pelham Flannery, formerly known as Jace Hastings, has stayed under the radar for a very long time. It has been ten years now, and he is getting tired of lingering in the shadows, but is it safe for him to come out of hiding? “Ghost Notes” is a romantic

Love’s Last Kiss (A Deadly Force Standalone Novel) Sharon Wray

Rose Guthrie is an exotic dancer, trying to make money for her little brother who is in the hospital waiting for a heart transplant. After their parents' death, Rose is the only one who can take care of him. She is propositioned to deliver a mysterious box to an even more mysterious buyer. She agrees to

Suspense/Thriller do so in order to hopefully earn enough money to pay for her brother’s procedure. However, the box and the seller suddenly disappear. In her attempts to locate both, she runs into an ex-Army Ranger, Kade Dolan. Although Rose does not trust this handsome man who has suddenly appeared in her life, he tries to help her locate the box. Little does she know that Kade has quite a few secrets of his own, and it could mean life or death for her. “Love’s Last Kiss”, while an interesting premise, is very dif icult to follow. There are a lot of characters to keep track of, and the idea that this book could be read as a standalone seems unrealistic. The characters themselves are not very memorable. They are, however, relatable in some ways. The story itself is very long-winded, and could have probably been shortened in its length, while still preserving a solid plot. In speaking of the plot, it is unique and compelling, but it does come across as far-fetched. Overall, Ms. Wray’s writing is good, and there are some plot twists within the story that are unexpected, but not incredibly surprising. Jennifer Shepherd

Ash: A Mythos Novel Mark Jonathan Runte

readers into their world. Calais doesn’t seem like such a pleasant place to visit; then again, if deities really are masquerading as humans, maybe it isn’t such a bad location after all. Daniel, the silent, stoic, courageous hero, is a marvelous protagonist! Yes, he has a lot on his plate with his family and his illness. Daniel really has impossible odds to beat and that is why he is so relatable. While Haydee and Jocelyn might be side characters, they are crucial to the story’s depth! A wonderfully poignant, stunning story that is so worth reading! Roslynn Ernst

FANTASY: When Daniel “Dani” LaLaurie witnesses the death of his mother from cancer, he sees his father do something inexcusable. Ten years later, Daniel leaves with his sister, who also gives up her identity and becomes Jocelyn, his brother. Daniel can hide who they are with his magic because he is also a witch. Daniel runs to Calais, Maine and meets Haydee, who is working as a receptionist and part-time substitute teacher. As Daniel settles into life in a small town, he inds a job and discovers everyone in the town that he becomes close to also has a hidden agenda. Daniel must not only ight the evil that lurks in his family but against something that threatens his very life. The struggle between good versus evil is put on hold when Daniel must battle an even worse adversary, his health. This book by Mr. Runte is an impressive foray, combining fantasy, myth and magic seamlessly! The action is nailbiting, the ever-moving plots are immersive, the settings glimmer with realism, and the threedimensional characters pull the

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LGBTQ+

Fangscreen (Holidays of Love) Ellen Mint

friend, with a laid-back personality and the looks of an Olympian God. He has only one law—he could possibly be a vampire hunter. Is it possible that Laiken is actually interested in Jareth despite his being a vampire? Jareth desperately tries not to get his hopes up, but it turns out his heart is already stolen. Everyone will need some sunscreen with this delightfully steamy rom-com. Is it a rom-com, though? Many would say yes, but it also has deep veins of seriousness throughout. The book does discuss in detail the danger of toxic relationships. But the moments of misunderstandings and Jareth’s lack of sense of humor will bring a smile to anyone’s face. However, this could have been a novella. The pacing is very slow and illed with many unnecessary scenes. The dialogue is also pretty cringy and quite honestly, immature. There is more than one moment that will cause the reader second-hand embarrassment. Despite that, the oppositesattract trope is really well done, and the characters have wonderful chemistry. Readers who love steamy rom-coms will want to add this book to their summer reading list asap! Amanda Hupe

PARANORMAL: Jareth Hale hates the tropical island he is stranded on but hates the locals even more. They are quite annoying, especially when they trespass on his property. Thank goodness, he has his friends to talk to via Facetime. No one is more surprised than he is when his attention is drawn to Laiken or Lake to his friends. He is so not his type. Lake is everyone’s

Adrift in Starlight (The Halcyon Universe Book 1) Mindi Briar

SCI-FI: Titan Valentino, also known as Tai, is a genderneutral courtesan. They are approached by a wealthy man looking to loosen up his very tightly-wound ianc e. Tai can’t

pass up the job because they need the money. Aisha Malik never agreed to an engagement. She has worked very hard in her ield and doesn’t plan to give any of it up. Not to mention, she is also asexual, so her assumed future husband does not entice her to say the least. She meets Tai, and they immediately form a bond. But who wouldn’t form a bond when a discovered fossil comes back to life and is now on the run from the Authorities? Despite everything they have been through, the most devastating aspect to their relationship will be the secrets that they keep…

see such accurate representation of nonbinary and asexual characters who are also dazzling in their own right. Both main characters are determined and working hard to better themselves. However, the issue in this book does not lie with the characters, it is the plot. Though exciting and fun at times, many small plot points aren’t well leshed out. Several interesting aspects are brought up never to be seen again, almost as if a little too much is happening throughout the book. It might have been better to tackle one thing at a time. This lack of direction also slows the pace. Despite that, this is the irst book in the series, and it shows a lot of promise for later books!

“Adrift in Starlight” entices with intergalactic adventure, dragons, and pirate duels, but the real star is the representation! It’s rare to

Amanda Hupe

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LGBTQ+

The Devil and the Viscount (Gentlemen of Pleasure Book 1) Mary Lancaster

HISTORICAL: Gina Wallace is promised to an older and very rigid earl in a type of business transaction negotiated by her own father, as a way of ensuring that their children and her extended family will be part of the nobility. Since her father is in trade and one of the nouveau riche, marriage is the only way to ensure respectability for their family for generations down the line. Gina is willing to do her duty, but she has no feelings for the proper earl. Viscount Rollo Darblay needs to marry a wealthy heiress, as his own father died while deeply in debt. This pair accidentally meets at a hotel where both have stopped for the night. They are able to spend a couple of days together and honestly get to know each other while Gina’s sponsor/ chaperone recovers from travel weariness. Rollo and Gina come across as very comfortable with each other. The author does a credible job of ensuring that their communication seems very natural and genuine. This is not always evident in books, so it is noteworthy here. Additionally,

there are some extremely clever machinations that occur in the latter part of this story to overcome the many signi icant obstacles blocking both protagonists from inding their happily ever-after-endings. Despite these challenges, the story moves forward in an entertaining manner. The tension is everpresent in the background but is not a major driving force for the storyline. The protagonists ful ill that role and are able to keep readers engaged with delightful banter and creative problemsolving. The various plot twists, intriguing interactions, and other con licts lead to a satisfying conclusion that will thrill and entertain readers. Carey Sullivan

Yo Ho Ho and Buttered Rum Sundae (One Scoop or Two Book 2) Karen Michelle Nutt

married to the Merrow Prince, Calder, and to live the rest of her years under the sea. The thought of meeting another Merrow intrigues Sirena, but is she willing to give up her potentially grand future with Jack? It seems the three will ind out who she’ll choose on the night of the town’s Buccaneer Bash. This sweet short story follows a genuine romance with small town characters that will envelope readers in a fantasy world full of cheesy lines and sweet moments. Unfortunately, the story is hard to keep up with if one hasn’t read the previous book with Sirena and Jack, but one can pick up on the past quickly. The story also progresses too speedily for the reader to get fully invested in the plot. Nonetheless, the cute romance will still keep readers satis ied. The prince obviously stirs up con lict between all the characters, but his bad intentions are so obvious from the beginning that it is hard for readers to imagine the other characters completely missing his arrogance. The con lict does give this short story a fun twist to play with, but it gets boring toward the end. Overall, the book has its faults but is still a heartwarming read that will make readers feel a rush of serotonin after they inish it. Austen Grace

Sirena Seafair, half-human and half-Merrow, has chosen to live on land and date the man of her dreams, Jack O’Casey, in a little town called Grimm Nitch. When her mother comes back from the sea after ifteen years, she tries to force Sirena to get

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Novella relationship instantly. While it isn’t impossible, there is a lack of realism in that aspect that makes the characters seem rash and immature, despite being sophisticated people. The dialogue sounds technical and perfect as it lacks the tone that usually comes with casual dialogue. Despite the unrealistic aspect of the dialogue and the new relationship, it is an easy and fast read that would be great for an easy afternoon!

Return to Wylder Maria Imbalzano

Sadie Wilson

CONTEMPORARY: Emma Jane is a big real estate lawyer in San Francisco, but inds herself torn when her father’s sudden passing pulls her back to her small hometown of Wylder. She always promised to come home and join their family law irm, but now it’s too late. Emma must sort out the details of her father’s irm, while also managing his clients. Unfortunately, that takes more time than she planned when she realizes Dylan Addison, a famous millionaire, is one of those clients. Emma is left to decide if she should sell the irm or come home to take over the business like she always planned. As she struggles to decide what is best for her and her mother, she begins to realize another factor may be at play: her relationship with Dylan Addison. Maria Imbalzano is fantastic at creating convincing emotions through narrative, which makes for an easy and compelling read. The extreme height of the emotions seems rather unrealistic, speci ically between Dylan and Emma. She was home for only two weeks, bombarded with the grief and stress that came with her father’s death, yet she dove into a very steamy

Pretty Little Lyon (The Lyon's Den) Katherine Bone

constructed plans. But none of it will matter if the blackmailer has their way. As pressure mounts, Lottie discovers a secret that imperils everything and everyone she holds dear. Can Lord Grey persuade her that love can be the answer? "Pretty Little Lyon" sweeps the reader up with a tale of intrigue and second chances! Its themes are of self-discovery and sacri ice in the name of love. Charlotta is an intelligent woman, cha ing the restrictions that limit her sex. Yet, throughout the story, her reactions are emotional rather than demonstrative of her intellectual ability. Lord Septimus Grey's undercover activities tantalize, but we never see him actively investigate, although he solves the mystery quickly at the end. Even so, both characters are relatable, and their past, one of young love, will resonate and explain why Lottie inds it dif icult to trust in a man who broke her heart and left her. The pacing, tension, and romance draw the reader in so that the inal twist packs a powerful punch. "Pretty Little Lyon" is a stellar addition to the Lyon's Den series and will delight its fans! Tricia Hill

HISTORICAL: Charlotta Walcot is being blackmailed! Desperate to protect her father, she does the unthinkable and braves the infamous Lyon's Den to seek the help of the owner. Peregrine Frost, aka Lord Septimus Grey, often investigates for the owner, but he is unprepared to discover Lottie there, the only woman he has ever loved. Charlotta is not interested in marriage; she wants to be treated equally and to explore the artifacts of the ancient world. Most especially, she is devoted to her father. Lord Grey threatens her carefully

Metalsome Hearts (Metalsome Rock #1) Katie Baldwin

for her as she slowly comes back from her pain, and how he prepares her to face what could still happen, ills the reader with warmth. Please be aware that this story does have themes of domestic violence. There are some points when the characters' thoughts about one another con lict with a thought they recently had, which can throw the reader out of the story. With a little more attention to inner monologue, this story will be one for the ages. Annalee Stilove

CONTEMPORARY: Jess wanted a nice life, one where she could help people and have the love and family everyone desires, but all that changed when she got involved with her ex-boyfriend, Henry, and found herself in a life illed with pain and domestic violence that often left her with broken bones and too many bruises to count. Now, she’s on the run and a beautiful rock god named Diego seems to be the lifeline she needs. Diego is haunted by the nightmare of his childhood up until he met his adopted family, but his violent past only makes him want to help the beautiful Jess even more. Little did he know offering his home as a safe place for Jess to recover would lead to something so much more than just a journey of healing - for both of them. This story of recovery will require tissues and preparation for the reader's heart to swoon. Jess’s perseverance in the face of what she has lived through is both remarkable and beautifully written. The way in which her trauma affects her allows the reader to feel truly immersed in the character. How Diego cares

The Donut Guy from Beachside: A Beachside Boys Novella (The Beachside Boys Book 3)

competition means she is teamed up with Leo, the cold desserts will be needed to cool down the searing heat between them. However, her bosses are unhappy when they ind out that she’s been mixing her desserts with Leo’s. Can she convince them that it’s the best thing for her business? And can she and Leo igure out their feelings for one another, or will it all go pear shaped? The third installment to The Beachside Boys series is a fun read for the hot days of the summer. Granted, the mentions of ice cream and desserts may cause some cravings, but who doesn’t love ice cream and a good read? Leo and Arie are very cute together and their dynamic is enjoyable. The plot has a lot going on with the main characters’ feelings, the competition, and the issues going on with Arie’s bosses, but it all comes together in a nice package. “The Donut Guy from Beachside” is a fun little read that will pass a fun few hours, and a good addition to the series! Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

Piper Malone

CONTEMPORARY: Leo Cusano is usually con ident and able to do awesome things. So why is it that when he sees the woman from the food truck, he turns into an idiot? Arie Winters enjoys serving people desserts at Beachside. The sun, sea, and of course the hot guy who installed the AC in her truck. The powers that be have given her one month to show them what she’s got and is able to make her food truck a success. When a local

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Young Adult

Pseudocide: Sometimes You Have to Die to Survive A.K Smith

Sunday Foster has been abused physically and mentally by her parents for most of her life. All she has ever wanted is their love. She is also bullied and picked on in school but can deal with it with the help of her

boyfriend and his family, who loves her. One day, Sunday decides that she is going to change her destiny and have a better life by faking her death, so she plans to inish high school, graduate, and then fake her death. Then fate intervenes and takes Sunday her down a different path than the one that was planned. The road is much scarier than she ever imagined.

Sunday throughout the story. The reader will ind a few characters are very disturbed and others are extraordinarily strong like Sunday. The story deals with dif icult subjects - death, bullying, rape, and school shootings. A.K. Smith does an excellent job in portraying the dif iculties and atrocities children face every day. “Pseudocide” has suspense, mystery, romance, and intrigue. It’s a must read!

“Pseudocide” is an intense and emotional read illed with a twisty plot that keeps the reader on the edge of their seat as it follows the tragic life of a teenager trying to survive and change her destiny. The reader will be drawn into Sunday’s life and her struggles to survive from the irst page, until the very end. One will not want to put the book down and will continue guessing what will happen next. The author has created some complex and strong characters that help and support

Victoria Zumbrum

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Life is Too Short for White Walls Liz Flaherty

cannot hide her true colorful and energetic personality buried beneath. Ez may be battle scarred, but his heart still beats. Their slow-burn chemistry makes for a delightful story of camp ires and redecorating, family and choices, all told in a gentle, rolling low found in more mature characters. Fans of Liz Flaherty’s other romances or fans of good storytelling in small town settings, with solid characters and excellent creativity need to read this book! Emerson Matthews

Joss Murphy has endured a dif icult marriage, but a inal, painful instance of adultery rips away her marriage and family foundation. With life in turmoil, Joss returns to Banjo Bend, Kentucky, to the homestead her grandparents used to own and the only place she felt safe. Except the old farm is now a campground, run by a reclusive and uncooperative veteran. Ez McIntyre lives with PTSD from the tragedies of war and sorrows of the home front and needed a secluded place to hide and heal. The campground seemed like the perfect place until lively Joss Murphy shows up. Reluctantly, he rents her cabin number three, and before he knows it, she’s infusing color and energy into his dull and lackluster existence. A fresh, not-to-be-missed take on clean, starting-over romance! Banjo Bend is the setting for two lost souls to come together and ind each other. A time to regroup individually leads to opportunities to look forward together. The story could have more editing done to weed out errors readers may ind distracting. Joss’s heartbreak

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Inspirational

Aiden (The McKeegans #1) Kathleen Ball

challenging. To further complicate matters, strange things begin happening around the ranch - and to their neighbors. Then Callen returns with a chip on his shoulder and he’s full of fury. Finding their happily ever after will take trusting God and some serious communication, but love’s journey is rarely easy. A sweet western romance set just after the events of the Civil War, this book features, Eireann who is full of survivor’s guilt and gun shy of relationships or trusting in anyone, and Aiden who is hardworking and trying a bit too hard to be honorable. As a result, most of the plot deals with miscommunication, with any actions by the antagonists largely happening to the side or off screen to simply force the plot forward. Further, the relationship development relies a great deal on what the characters say they feel about the other instead of showing what they feel or leshing out their characters. Thus, this book is a sweet romance, with minor action and Christian threads, and a happy ending with little depth or development making it a simple and light read. Sarah E Bradley

HISTORICAL: Eireann is the only surviving member of her family after the Civil War ends. With few choices, word reaches her that her ianc ’s family in Montana is looking for him, and brings with it the hope to reunite with Callen. Unfortunately, trauma and scars from the ire lingers, and the kindness from the McKeegans makes Eireann’s growing feelings for Callen’s cousin, Aiden McKeegan, and the little orphan girl he adopts more complicated. Aiden knows he shouldn’t be developing feelings for his cousin’s ianc e, but the little girl tying them together makes it

Mystery

Platform Shoes: A Steve Daniels Mystery Book 1 Linda Watkins

It’s 1943 and Steve Daniels has had a lot to deal with in the last few years. Injured while serving his country in France, now he’s

back in the States to teach in San Antonio, Texas. What’s dif icult for him are the nightmares and memories of what he went through overseas. What he didn’t expect was to meet a woman who would turn his world upside down. With feelings like this, what could go wrong? Her being his commander’s wife might just put a wrench in the works and cause some issues. Will Steve be able to deal with the pain and experiences he has gone through and focus on what comes next?

my God’ moments coupled with the exhilaration of the mystery. Readers who love a good mystery and are fans of the ilm noir theme, will thoroughly enjoy what Linda Watkins has put together! This is a promising start to the series, and if this book is anything to go by, there is a lot to look forward to. Take this read outside with a nice cool drink this summer and enjoy! Lynn-Alexandria McKendrick

One aspect of “Platform Shoes” that really stands out is the immediate feel of ilm noir when reading it. Steve is telling the story through his eyes and the language, dialogue, and descriptions pull the reader right into the setting. The plot is stirring and there are a lot of ‘oh

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Rogue Marauder (The Adventures of Haunalyn, Korbot, and Sneighd: Book 1)

side characters with various goals, and several action packed gun ights. The main drawbacks to this tale are the clif hanger-ish ending, and the lack of world building, in that several peoples and worlds are mentioned with little distinction of what it means to be a Tendrite vs. a Rhadurian for example. Still, fans of sci- i adventures and cops and robbers type plots will ind plenty to draw them to this book! Sarah E Bradley

Cherie Waggie

Sneighd Arkon is lucky to be alive. Things rarely go well for the space freighter pilot. When a job for a Syndicate Boss, Baquar Starka, goes sideways, Sneighd inds himself on the run from the Galactic Corporate police, the Sinnetian Syndicate, and with only a Tendrite Portmaster, Korbot Maka, and an 18-year-old Rhadurian pilot, Haunalyn for help. Neither Korbot or Haunalyn meant to get mixed up in Sneighd’s mess, but proving who really murdered a corporate of icial and getting themselves off the wanted lists will require a mad dash across the galaxy in Haunalyn’s ship, the Rogue Marauder, to do it and get back home. What a wild space adventure! The main trio of characters are complex with interesting backgrounds, differing goals, and plenty of secrets to engage the reader. There is a minor romantic thread in this story, but the main focus is on the trio’s trek across space, and how they go about proving Sneighd’s innocence. The con lict is ampli ied by several

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Science Fiction

The Angel Project (TAP series #1) L.A. Clayton

extent of its power, and especially, can it be removed? The book might gain enough attention to get her these answers, or it might get her and everyone she loves killed. This tale is illed with enough surprises to keep any thriller lover turning the page! Please note, this book contains themes of domestic violence, domestic homicide, sexual assault, and human traf icking, reader discretion is advised. The story introduces an intriguing heroine with bravado that inspires. The story does start out slow to a point that may lose some readers before the meat of the story starts. However, the twists and turns that take place once the story gets going will have the reader on the edge of their seat. The science iction aspect is both thought provoking and suspenseful. The way in which “The Angel Project” starts to unwind and how powerfully it impacts Channing’s life and past pulls at the heartstrings. With a little more attention to the timelines and character depth, this story will be one to remember! Annalee Stilove

THRILLER: With her debut sci- i thriller novel coming out, Channing Walker is an upcoming author sensation who has a huge secret: everything in the book is the retelling of her life story. As a child, Walker was part of an experiment called The Angel Project. Her parents were both active scientists involved in this experiment, and when she showed signs of being a successful child participant, her dad killed her mother in front of her own eyes to try and protect his child. Now Channing wants answers. What exactly is this chip in her brain, what is the full

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Audiobooks

Earl of Brecken (Wicked Earls’ Club) Aubrey Wynne Narrator: Harry Frost

HISTORICAL NOVELLA: Evelina Franklin is a bluestocking from a wealthy family in the early 1800’s. Madoc is the Earl of Brecken, a Welsh earldom on the brink of ruin--his father had an accident several years earlier and became an invalid who wasted years drowning in bitterness, but unfortunately, unwilling to let his son run the estate. So, Madoc left for a time, working for the London Home Of ice as a spy. Meanwhile, his father’s steward dies, and his son bankrupts the estate. When Madoc returns and sees the degradation, he realizes he must marry into wealth to bring the estate back to life. Evelina and Madoc fall for each other, but this money issue intrudes. Fortunately, Madoc’s conscience appears after he falls for her, but he can’t marry her without confessing his circumstances to her father. There is a delightful, yet low-level tension throughout this novella audiobook. Madoc is drawn to Evalina from the start, when he sees her skating on a frozen river, but doesn’t meet her until later. When they do meet, the story really progresses. It’s evident that

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they should be together, but the money issue provides a con lict that needs a satisfying resolution. Madoc is afraid to be honest about it with Evalina. The worldbuilding for this audiobook is delightful, as listeners are privy to the hidden depths, unique gifts, and strong character within each of these protagonists, and that really leshes out the storyline. Harry Frost does a wonderful job of bringing this story to life. His voice is pleasant, and his intonations are on point for the story and for each character. His energy is consistent throughout the recording, and the production is free of unexpected noises. This tale its beautifully as an audiobook; the accents and narration add a delightful layer to this intriguing story. Carey Sullivan

Sensing Danger (Sinclair and Raven #1) Wendy Vella Narrator: Alex Wyndham

HISTORICAL: The Sinclair family has been gifted—or cursed—with heightened senses. Their duty is to protect the Raven family from harm. It is a task they’ve been doing for generations, but it is not one that is easy thanks to the Duke of Raven. James Raven is determined to make his own path

and not fall for senseless rumors. That is, until Eden Sinclair saves his life and causes him to wonder if perhaps there is such a thing as destiny. Eden has been using her unique gifts to protect him from the outside world…and himself. What she is unsure of is if she can continue to perform her duty, or if it would perhaps be better to step back—to ight her fate—before her heart is broken. “Sensing Danger” begins with an explosion of events! It captivates its readers right away, drawing them in. Eden and James have a powerful chemistry that drives their actions. Eden is easy to connect with and a strong female lead. James is a bit of a mystery. Sometimes this works for the story, and sometimes it doesn’t, leaving the reader with a sense of not quite knowing who he is. When they’re together is when he truly shines! There are a few places in the book that drag toward the middle, and then at the end things pick back up again. Readers will either love the twist of an ending, or loathe it. For sure, it will de initely be unexpected! The book does sizzle, and the romance elements are believable and tangible. Mr. Wyndham has a voice that pulls readers in and holds their attention! His ability to create unique vocal tones and pitches for all of the characters helps bring the book to life. It’s clear that he has connected with each and every one of them emotionally as well, making their feelings palpable and real. He’s able to keep the pace moving even during the slower moments of the book. Overall, the production quality is fantastic! This is a great listen for lovers of historical romances with a supernatural touch! Chelsea Andersen

Audiobooks they reunite after so many years, will their connection still be the same? Avery sure hopes so, or her spontaneous adventure is going to get uncomfortable fast. Nikolas’s conniving mother doesn’t help matters much. Either way, she’s sure to have an unforgettable vacation.

It Started With a Note (Love Started #2) Meg Easton Narrator: Liz Crane

CONTEMPORARY: Avery Parks lives a comfortable life. Comfortable, but boring, and she’s determined to shake things up. A spur of the moment decision has her traveling to Brussels to visit an old friend from her childhood. That friend is Nikolas Servais, the soon to be heir of a chocolate empire! They met as part of a foreign exchange program, and have never been able to forget each other. When

“It Started With a Note” is just the escape readers/listeners need! Avery is a fun character to watch bloom throughout, starting as someone who is mild mannered, to discovering her own voice. Nicholas is sweet and encouraging, making for the perfect partner. Their romance unfolds at a comfortable pace, using a few of the romance genre’s favorite storylines. This is a quick and delightful read. Ms. Easton takes the time to describe Belgium fully, letting readers fully become immersed in the setting. Creatively, a few more twists could have been added to make the story truly unique. That being said, the book hits all of the right notes to make the adventure

sweet. Overall, it’s a great adventure. Ms. Krane’s performance is full of energy! Her pacing is spot on, keeping the momentum of the book moving even during some of the slower parts of the story. Ms. Krane is able to give all of the characters vocal differentiation, which makes them easier to tell apart, however it would be nice to have more accents within the characters. Some that are native to Belgium do not have an accent, and that causes a disconnect in the atmosphere. All in all though, the book comes to life in this production! This is a great listen for lovers of travel and romance! Chelsea Andersen

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Black, White and Gray All Over: A Black Man’s Odyssey in Life and Law Enforcement Frederick Douglass Reynolds

MEMOIR: Fredrick Douglass Reynolds was born November 5th, 1961 in Detroit. The 1960s were a very turbulent time, especially as a Black child. His great-

Other

grandfather was enslaved, and he grew up with racism around every turn. He began to push his luck with the law. After serving some time in Juvenile Detention, he decided to change his life and joined the Marines. His time in the Marines led him to a job in the Compton Police Department. He then chronicles some of the major cases he worked on and how they affected his life. However, he is a Black man as a police of icer in an area that is known for gang activity. He worked hard to deliver justice and peace to everyone who crossed his path.

dives into the complexities of California gangs, and even crosses paths with serial killers. The multitude of stories, dates, and names, along with several nicknames, can get a little overwhelming. However, it is so important to see his point-of-view about systemic racism and how it is so deeply embedded in all parts of our society. Along with the darker side of life, the author also shines a light on what’s good and on the sacri ice of many police of icers who are in the job for all the right reasons.

Frederick Reynolds' story is one that must be read with earnestness, so lessons can be learned from his experiences. This is a memoir but would also it nicely in the true crime genre. There is so much information from the cases that Reynolds worked. He exposes corruption,

Amanda Hupe

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