Blurb:

A woman who doesn’t believe in “gifts” must find a way to accept hers, at least long enough to solve her grandmother’s murder.

Professor Marcèline Causey deals in historical facts. Not voodoo, hoodoo, or parlor tricks. She digs up the dead: birth, marriage, and death certificates. She doesn’t believe in things she can’t read or see, and there’s no evidence she has a “gift.”

The police are investigating her grandmother’s death as a murder. Her teenage cousin is a suspect. Marcèline rushes to Ascension, Louisiana, and lands in weirdness—odd notes, a stalker, and siblings she never knew she had. Plus, she’s face to face with Detective LeBec Landry, her first crush. Now he’s a smart, sexy, handsome man.

Strange sensations and impossible communications make Marcèline question everything about her life. Now she’s counting on the impossible to help solve her grandmother’s murder. 

My Review:

I’m a sucker for stories set in Louisiana. And to go visit Ascension, Louisiana again was a definite treat! I loved this cozy mystery, and watching as Marceline discovered her new gift. Her falling in love again with her childhood bestie was the icing on the king cake!

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If you like books set in Louisiana, check out my collection of romance short stories, Louisiana Saturday Night!

Click here to buy Louisiana Saturday Night!

Blurb:

Leticia Black had come to a crossroads in her life. Her career as a detective had come to an abrupt end after a difficult child trafficking case had ended in a shoot out in which she had taken a bullet to the shoulder. When fate played a visit to her doorstep in the form of an Irish soliciter, she learned she had been bequeathed a farm in Montana by her flamboyant great aunt, she packed her things and drove across country to her new life. Maxell Garrett had been burned by his gold digging ex-wife. The only good thing that had come of the marriage was their teenaged son, Sam. But Sam was difficult and he was finding it hard to build a relationship with the surly boy. Until Sam had struck up a friendship with their new neighbor. That’s when things started changing for the better.Holidays, family, and a little bit of unsuspected magick swirls around like the snow and brings two hearts together

My Review:

If you’re looking for a sweet and charming Christmas romance, this one’s for you! I loved watching Leticia learn about her magickal powers while trying to keep them secret. However, it seems that what she’s trying to hide, everyone (but her) knows about already. Throw in the ruggedly handsome Max and some sparks, and you have a perfect, fun, and fast holiday romance!

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If you like sweet Christmas romances, be sure to check out my free story, Redbird Christmas! 

When Glinda Angelle suffers a sudden health scare, it shakes more than her routine—it cracks open the door to a future she never imagined. As she recovers surrounded by the family she’s spent decades nurturing, she begins to wonder…is it time to pass the torch?

As redbirds flit through the trees and laughter fills the inn once more, Glinda faces a season of change, love, and the kind of magic only Christmas in the South can bring. The only question is, can she let go of the past long enough to embrace what comes next? And who will take over if she leaves?

A heartwarming story of second chances, quiet romance, and letting go, set against the cozy backdrop of a coastal Louisiana winter.

Click here to download

“If You Like Pina Coladas”

It was supposed to be just another summer night on the water — dinner, music, and the promise of rain. But for Noah and Emily, this evening on the houseboat will be one they’ll never forget.

Noah took a sip of his iced tea and sat the glass down on the small wooden table beside his chair. He looked at the time on his phone. In a few hours, he and Emily would be taking the houseboat out for a much-needed date night. Their schedules had been full of festivals, fishing rodeos, and other events that kept them too busy to enjoy much time alone. 

Tonight was no ordinary date night. Emily was not aware of that, though. She didn’t know that a few weeks ago, his trip to New Orleans had included a visit to an old Marine friend, Mo Sullivan. Mo had opened her own jewelry store in an artsy part of town. Noah had commissioned her to design a ring for Emily. An engagement ring. 

Noah was planning to propose to Emily. 

Tonight. 

His hand shook a little as he lifted the glass back up to take a sip. Not because he was unsure of her answer. But because he wanted the night to be perfect. For her. For them. 

He had dinner planned. Crawfish enchiladas. The first meal they had eaten together on the boat when she’d returned to Bon Chance after leaving her husband. The wine was chilling in the galley refrigerator. He’d even created a playlist of some of their favorite songs. The only thing he didn’t have yet was the ring. 

He didn’t like leaving such an important detail until the last minute, but Mo had already made plans to come to Bon Chance for the 4th of July celebration. There was no need for him to make an unnecessary trip to New Orleans, when she was coming there anyway, she had told him. And it made sense. In fact, she should be leaving any minute, he thought. 

He wasn’t a man who put things off until the last minute. Never had been. But Mo had sworn she’d make it in time, and it only made sense for her to bring the ring since she was coming down to Bon Chance.

His phone buzzed. He grinned and answered. 

“Well, speak of the devil—or well, think, I guess,” he said.

“Hey, Devereaux,” Mo replied. “I’m gonna need you not to kill me.”

“That’s usually how my favorite conversations start,” Noah said dryly.

“My worker got caught in traffic,” Mo continued. “I can’t leave the shop until she gets here, so I’ll be running late.”

“You’ve got the ring,” he reminded her.

“Yeah, I know. I’ll head out the second she walks through the door.”

Noah exhaled a deep breath, running a hand over the back of his neck.

“I’m so sorry, Devereaux,” Mo said softly. “I will be there as soon as humanly possible.”

“Be safe, Mo,” Noah told her. “I’ll think of something to do to stall Emily.”

He hung up the phone and tapped it on his knee as he tried to think of how he was going to pull this off now. He had to meet Mo and get the ring without Emily knowing, or suspecting anything. He was going to have to call in reinforcements. It was time to call Joey. 

***

“I’m so sorry I’m late,” Emily told Noah before she greeted him with a kiss. “It was the weirdest thing. I got to the house, and Joey was there with a six-pack. He insisted I have a couple of beers with him. I tried to tell him I was meeting you. Then, all of a sudden, he got a text and hopped up and left. You don’t think he and Carly are having problems, do you?”  

Emily watched as Noah’s lips twitched as if he were fighting back a smile. “What?” 

“I’m just happy you’re here.” He hugged her close. “I’m positive he and Carly are just fine. Are you ready for dinner, or do you want a drink before?” 

“I’m good. I had those beers with Joey. And I’m starving, actually. I was thinking we were going to eat earlier.” 

She followed Noah into the galley kitchen of the houseboat. Noah pulled a casserole dish out of the oven. “Crawfish enchiladas!” 

“Yes! Have a seat on the deck and I’ll bring out the plates.” 

“Are you sure you don’t want me to grab something or help?” 

“You just relax. This night is all about you.” He shooed her out of the kitchen and to the sliding glass doors that lead out onto the deck. 

Before she stepped out though, she turned to look at him. She couldn’t quite put her finger on it, but Noah was definitely hiding something or up to something. She knew him too well. He didn’t seem a tad bit surprised or anything when she’d told him about Joey just hanging out when she got home. 

And the crawfish enchiladas? The first meal he’d cooked for her on the houseboat? Was he buttering her up for something? She took a seat at the table. She would just have to wait and see. 

He hummed a soft tune under his breath as he set the plates down, the sound mingling with the gentle slaps of the waves against the boat. The wine followed, pale and golden, catching the warm light as it swirled into their glasses. Their conversation drifted as lazily as the current, winding through talk of the upcoming Fourth of July festival and the thick summer storm rolling in. Emily smiled at the thought of it. The rain drumming on the metal roof, the two of them tucked away here, warm and dry, the rest of the world falling quiet beyond the water.

As the rain began to fall lightly, Noah swiped his phone, and the song playing changed. A song about pina coladas and getting caught in the rain drifted from the speaker mounted in the corner. 

Noah stood and reached for her hand. He led her to the railing, where they had shared their first kiss. He looked around nervously for a moment before clearing his throat. “Emily, you know I’m not the sweetest talker. Hell, I’m not much of a talker at all.” 

“Noah, what is it?” 

He pulled a small velvet box out of his pocket. The ring was delicate, its marquise-cut sapphire catching the light like the surface of deep water just before dusk. A pair of small, bright diamonds flanked the center stone. The band swept into an intricate, interwoven design, graceful as a river current. On one side of the sapphire, a small “E” was shaped into the curve of the metal; on the other, an “N.” 

“Oh, Noah. It’s beautiful!” She gasped. She loved the blue of the sapphire, and how it reminded her of the very water they drifted on now. 

He took the ring out of the box and took her left hand. “Will you marry me?” 

“Yes, Noah. Forever and always, yes!” 

Grinning, he slid the ring onto her finger and pulled her close for a kiss that promised more than the years ahead could even begin to imagine.

I’m going to digress from my normal blog posting today. I was actually planning on doing a review of the first season of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. But I’ve had something on my mind the last few days. Summer seems to always bring about some kind of change for me. This year, I was so happy that I wasn’t moving. Which is generally what kind of change happens. Unfortunately, change started in the worst way possible before summer break even started. I lost my beloved dog Chance. 

I don’t know if it was turning 50 or losing Chance (or both), but after I crawled out of the worst part of the grief, I had this gnawing feeling that something needed to change. But, even more than that, change seemed to start without me. I went back to meditating every morning. I started reading my cards again. I started wanting to read for others again. I created a brand new Instagram account 

I wanted to write, but I didn’t want to finish the paranormal romance that was half finished. Even though that made the most sense. Halloween is around the corner. I wanted to write the romcom that I had been playing with for months. Even though all I had was a beginning and a couple of characters. 

I love to take pictures of nature. I finally applied to be a contributor for Depositphotos. My images will now be available as stock images for others to use. 

I read more. I read Write to Riches about how to change your mindset to increase your book sales. I made a vision board. I started cleaning out old boxes that have moved with me for years. Did online courses and webinars. 

And last but certainly not least, and against my better judgement. I adopted a new dog, Boone. His constant grumpy face and goofball personality makes me laugh. And he reminds me that even in sadness, we can find a light. 

Midlife crisis? Maybe. But if this is what one looks like—sunrise walks with Boone, a camera roll full of clouds, and a new romcom about to be born—then I’ll take it.

Sometimes change shows up loud and messy. Sometimes it whispers. This summer, it came in like a storm… but it’s left me a little more grounded, a little more optimistic, and weirdly excited about what ideas and inspirations are coming up next.Is there a spark of change lighting up your summer? Tell me below. I’d love to cheer you on.

“Two Tickets to Paradise”

Sometimes the road to paradise comes with traffic jams, late deliveries, and a whole lot of chaos…

In Two Tickets to Paradise, Emily and Noah set off for Galveston’s Coastal Chaos Music Festival, determined to enjoy a weekend of music, friends, and maybe a little rockstar spotting. But nothing goes quite as planned. From highway gridlock to long ferry lines, the trip is far from paradise.

Still, with the right playlist (and the right person by your side), even the messiest beginnings can lead somewhere perfect.

Emily paced the polished floor of the Cypress Café, her steps echoing in the hush of the empty dining room. Sunlight streamed through the front windows, catching on the chalkboard specials that no one would read until Tuesday.

She checked the clock over the door for what felt like the hundredth time.

“Where is that delivery guy?” she muttered. “He should’ve been here an hour ago. We’re running late.”

Noah leaned against the counter, arms folded, his dark eyes following her path like a cat tracking a laser pointer. 

“Em, come here. There’s nothing you can do. You know how it is on I-10. And it’s the beginning of the holiday weekend.”

“I can’t sit down,” she said. “Gemma and Jasper are already on the road. They left this morning. We’re going to miss happy hour. And she said the band members of Epiphany may be there!”

“Emily.”

She stopped mid-step, arms folded tight across her chest.

Noah pulled his phone from his pocket and tapped the screen. A moment later, John Denver’s voice drifted through the café.

All my bags are packed, I’m ready to go…

Emily blinked at him.

Noah gave a half-smile. “Figured you could use a travel song.”

Despite herself, Emily laughed. “Yeah, all my bags are packed, but I can’t go.” 

“Come see,” he said. She walked into his waiting arms and swayed with him to the music. 

As the song drifted to a close, Emily hugged him close with a sigh. 

“Feel better?” he asked, voice softening.

She blew out a breath. “A little.”

Noah reached out and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear. “Good. Galveston will still be there. We’ll just arrive fashionably late.”

***

Noah drummed his fingers on the steering wheel, his jaw tight enough to crack. Ahead of them, the highway was a shiny river of brake lights stretching as far as he could see.

Emily sat beside him, hunched forward, peering past the dashboard like sheer willpower might part the traffic.

“This was supposed to save time,” Noah muttered. “The ferry. Brilliant idea.”

Emily looked over at him, eyes wide. “It was a good idea! Until everyone else decided it was a good idea, too.”

A truck blared its horn somewhere behind them. Noah clenched the wheel tighter. “It’s like Mardi Gras, only with terrible music.”

Emily huffed out a breath and grabbed her phone. A second later, the sharp guitar riff of Sammy Hagar’s “I Can’t Drive 55” blasted from the speakers.

Noah glanced over, caught between laughter and exasperation. “Really?”

Emily bopped her head along with the beat. “I figured you needed a soundtrack for your road rage.”

Noah snorted. He shifted in his seat, the knot between his shoulders easing slightly as he listened to Emily’s off-key singing.

Traffic inched forward a whole two car lengths. Noah sighed and gave in, tapping the steering wheel in rhythm with the chorus.

“You’re ridiculous,” he said.

“But adorable,” Emily shot back, grinning.

“Yeah, yeah.” He reached over and laced his fingers with hers. “Next time, we’re flying.”

Emily leaned over and kissed his cheek. “But then we’d miss all this quality time.”

Noah rolled his eyes. “Lucky me.”

***

By the time they finally rolled onto the ferry, the sun hung low over the water, casting gold and pink streaks across the rippling bay. Emily hopped out of the truck as soon as the engine shut off, stretching her arms toward the sky like she’d just escaped captivity.

“Sweet freedom!” she exclaimed.

Noah climbed out slower, rolling his shoulders as he joined her at the railing.

Emily inhaled a deep breath of salty air. “I swear, if I’d had to stare at one more bumper sticker, I was going to jump out of the truck.”

Noah tilted his head toward her, one eyebrow raised. “Even the one that said ‘Cajun Girls Do It Spicier’?”

Emily swatted his arm. “Especially that one.”

The ferry groaned and shifted beneath them as it pulled away from the dock, cutting through gentle waves. The crowd hummed around them. Kids squealed, car doors slammed, the occasional gull shrieked overhead.

Emily leaned her elbows on the railing, watching the foam trail behind the boat.

“Just think,” she said, glancing at Noah, “tomorrow night, we’ll be listening to Epiphany.”

Noah chuckled, but there was a weariness behind it. “Our first rock concert. And we nearly didn’t survive the trip to get there.”

Emily gave him a playful nudge. “VIP tickets, Noah! This chaos is totally worth it.”

He eyed her sideways. “I guess it helps when your friend’s dating the drummer.”

“Hey,” she said, grinning. “I got the hook up!”

Noah went quiet, staring out at the darkening horizon. Emily caught the faint crease between his brows.

“You okay?” she asked softly.

He nodded, exhaling a long breath. “Yeah. Just… tired of sitting in traffic. And ready for some music.”

Emily grinned. “See? I knew there was a rock star hiding under all that quiet.”

Noah smirked. “I’m counting on Epiphany being worth the chaos.”

Emily squeezed his hand. “They will be. And we’ll be together. It’s been too long since we had some time just for us.”

Noah’s eyes softened as he looked at her. “Agreed.”

Emily leaned closer until her shoulder pressed his. “Besides,” she said lightly, “someone’s got to keep me from the mosh pit.”

Noah laughed and pulled her in for a kiss. “God help us all.”

Want more Emily and Noah? Check out their full story in Tangled Up in You!

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If you’ve been a follower for a while, you probably know the story of how Tangled up in You, and my writing career began. It was years ago, and I was bartending in a little bar. I usually did the Saturday afternoon shift and became friends with some of the regular customers. I talked a lot about writing, and in fact had written a book about my dating experiences. 

One day, one of my regulars came in with a newspaper clipping about a writing contest in Houma. I think the entry fee was $10. So, I wrote and sent in the beginning of a story about a woman named Emily and her alcoholic husband, Eddie. That was it. 1,500 words. 

I ended up winning third place in the contest and I decided I should finish this story. And I did. I knew nothing about the craft of actually writing a book. I just sat and wrote scenes and ideas with no real plan at all. 

Flash forward about ten years. I’ve learned so much about writing. How to set up scenes, chapters, etc. And I think I really noticed this when I finished Once Upon A Dream a few months ago. 

So, I decided to give Emily and Noah’s sweet love story some love. I spent a few weeks going back through the book scene by scene. This wasn’t just a proofread or an edit. I moved scenes, cut some out, and added new ones. Particularly featuring Noah. Some reviews stated the readers wanted to know more about him. (See, we do read those reviews!) 

I hope you’ll take some time to visit (or revisit) Bon Chance. This little town, and the people in it, have been with me for a long time now. They’ve seen me through changes, challenges, and more than a few pots of gumbo. And giving Tangled Up in You this glow-up felt like honoring where I started. And how far I’ve come.

If you’ve been reading my books for years, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me on this journey. And if you’re new here, welcome! There’s always room on the front porch.

Grab the updated Tangled Up in You here!

And if you’d like to help spread the Boonie love, I’d be thrilled to have you join my review group. Your reviews help my stories find new readers and they mean more than you know.

Join my review team here!

Here’s to second chances, quiet heroes, and the magic of coming home.

Cheers! I’m out! 

A younger blonde walked in, followed by a dark-haired man of the same age. Carly and Joey. Grace and Ryder followed. Now everyone was here. Everyone except Noah. And Benjamin. Emily thought, wincing as her heart contracted. A year later, Ben’s loss still hurt. 

“If he thinks I’m going to sit here and be sad. He’s got another think coming. He can be replaced,” Carly said, flopping down on a couch. 

“What are you talking about, cher?” Daniel asked, getting up from the table.  

“Don’t get her started,” Joey said. He proceeded to the bar, poured himself a large shot, then prepared a drink. 

“Drink this,” he said, handing the drink to Carly. 

“Well, isn’t she a ray of sunshine?” Ryder said to Gabriel as he shook Gabriel’s hand.

“Who is?” Carly said, blue eyes flashing, “You didn’t just walk in on your fiancé, all fragrance de lecto.” 

“Do you mean in flagrante delicto?” Daniel asked. 

“Yeah, whatever,” Carly said. “I caught him naked.” 

“I’m assuming not alone,” Daniel said. 

“No! He wasn’t alone. He had a woman! With shoes!” 

—-from Tangled up in You 

Carly, Carly, Carly… 

Writer Friends Challenge creates daily social media prompts, and I’ve been using those for a couple of months now. Because, face it, creating material every day is tough! Especially when you’re trying to write more. Last week one post was to create a character aesthetic, and since I’m promoting Once and For All this month, I did one for Carly. 

Carly Devereaux is probably one of my favorite characters. And she’s probably been with me the longest. I started a story with her for NaNoWriMo at least fifteen years ago, and possibly twenty. I named her after Carly on General Hospital, which I was a big fan of at that time. 

I’m currently doing a “glow up” of Tangled up in You, and revisiting all the characters in the Bon Chance series. Watching her grow from a hot mess that seemed a little superficial to more of a powerful woman as the books progressed was such fun. Her growth continues as I continue to write the series, especially in “Redbird Christmas”. 

I’m really looking forward to writing more stories with her and the other Boonies. I have at least three more books fermenting in the back of my mind. She won’t be a main character, but I’m sure in true Carly fashion, she will pop in from time to time and make her presence known. Who else is going to bring the mimosas? 

If you haven’t read her stories, the links are below. “Redbird Christmas” is always free, but it is a continuation of the series so there will be some spoilers if you haven’t read Once and For All yet. 

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Once and For All 

Amazon Buy Link 

Redbird Christmas 

Bookfunnel Download Link

Blurbs: 

Show:

Based on the #1 NYT bestselling series by J.R. Ward, the league of vampire warriors known as the Black Dagger Brotherhood must fight against the Lessening Society to protect their race from extinction.

Book: 

As the world’s only purebred vampire and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago. But when his most trusted fighter is killed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful woman into another world.

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger—one that threatens to consume them both….

My Review:

Wow! I watched the first episode and immediately watched it a second time! Very true to the storyline of the books. The actors played the roles exactly how I imagined them when I read the books. This is every book lovers’ dream. A film adaptation that IS like the books. 

*Warning: The last scene is VERY spicy! 

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(Check JR Ward’s IG for discount codes!)

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If you like stories about vampires, be sure to check out my novella, Dream a Little Dream of Me for 99 cents! Or FREE with Kindle Unlimited.

Dream a Little Dream of Me

As a two hundred-year-old vampire in New Orleans, Josey has seen her share of sad stories. However, none are as tragic as her own. She falls in love with the same man only to have him die in her arms each time. When Archer Grayson appears in her life a third time as the famous lead singer of a rock band, Josey decides to push him away. She’s afraid of history repeating itself.

However, Archer won’t be easily deterred. He’s determined to pursue her, no matter the cost, even if that means his life.

What if this time it’s different? Will the Chateau Rouge work its magic? Is there a chance for them to change their destiny? Or will this time destroy them all?

Amazon Buy Link

As an indie author, I tend to highlight indie books on my blog. But, today, I’m going to make an exception. I read Dark Lover by J. R. Ward several years ago. In fact, my book is so worn and battered I didn’t even want to use it in a TikTok post last week. I didn’t just read the first book though, I fell in love with this series and the Brotherhood. Passionflix has brought the series to life, and I couldn’t be more excited. The first show airs this Thursday, and I’ll be there for it. With wine…

Blurb:

As the world’s only purebred vampire and the leader of the Black Dagger Brotherhood, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who killed his parents centuries ago. But when his most trusted fighter is killed—orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or her fate—Wrath must put down his dagger and usher the beautiful woman into another world.

Racked by a restlessness in her body that wasn’t there before, Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of the Brotherhood and blood frighten her. Yet his touch ignites a dawning new hunger—one that threatens to consume them both….

My Review:

This book hooks you from the beginning and doesn’t let you go. Then you realize you’re five, six, or seven books into the series. As the first book in the series, Ward does an excellent job of weaving multiple characters into the storyline. And she writes them in a way that you fall in love with all of them. Not you, Lessers.

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To Subscribe to PassionFlix

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If you like stories about vampires, be sure to check out my novella, Dream a Little Dream of Me for 99 cents! Or FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

One rock star. A two hundred-year-old vampire. A third dance with fate.

As a two hundred-year-old vampire in New Orleans, Josey has seen her share of sad stories. However, none are as tragic as her own. She falls in love with the same man only to have him die in her arms each time. When Archer Grayson appears in her life a third time as the famous lead singer of a rock band, Josey decides to push him away. She’s afraid of history repeating itself.

However, Archer won’t be easily deterred. He’s determined to pursue her, no matter the cost, even if that means his life.

What if this time it’s different? Will the Chateau Rouge work its magic? Is there a chance for them to change their destiny? Or will this time destroy them all?

Amazon Buy Link