The Book Bag

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? April 20, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-04-20T10:30:00.001-05:00

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? is a place to meet up and share what you have been, are and about to be reading over the week. It's an opportunity to visit other blogs and to comment on their reads. And ... you can add to that ever growing TBR pile! So welcome everyone. This meme started with J Kaye's Blog and then was taken up by Sheila from Book Journey. Sheila then passed it on to Kathryn at the Book Date. And here we are!

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

This Weekend Doesn't End Well for Anyone

(The Vacation Mysteries #3)

by Catherine Mack

eARC for review

Pub date ~ April 28

Summer State of Mind

by Kristy Woodson Harvey

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ May 5

No Place I'd Rather Be

by Cathy Lamb

audio-book from my TBR

Published August 2017

What I recently finished

The Mountains We Call Home

(The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek #3)

by Kim Michele Richardson

eARC for review

Pub date ~ April 21

The Memory Library

by Kate Storey

e-book from my TBR for a challenge

Published February 2024

What I am going to read next

Good Joy, Bad Joy: A Novel

by Mikki Brammer

eARC for review

Pub date ~ May 5

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? April 13, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-04-13T10:00:00.001-05:00

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Summer State of Mind

by Kristy Woodson Harvey

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ May 5

The Memory Library

by Kate Storey

e-book from my TBR for a challenge

Published February 2024

No Place I'd Rather Be

by Cathy Lamb

audio-book from my TBR

Published August 2017

What I recently finished

Shibby Magee

by Carrie Kabak

e-book for review

Published March 2026

A Crimson Promise

by Grace Greene

(Crimson Grove #2)

eARC for review

Published April 7, 2026

Read my thoughts here

A Gritty Little Tourist Town: Bar Tales from Costa Rica

by Willa Goodfellow

print ARC for review

Published April 7, 2026

Read my thoughts here

What I am going to read next

The Mountains We Call Home

(The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek #3)

by Kim Michele Richardson

eARC for review

Pub date ~ April 21

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

The Diner by Joanne DeMaio ~ My Thoughts #TheDiner

2026-04-09T11:00:00.002-05:00

Congrats Joanne

on the recent release of

The Diner!

The Diner by Joanne DeMaio

Series: The Seaside Saga #26

Women's Saga, 255 pages

Published March 2, 2026, by Joanne DeMaio

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes The Diner, Book 26 of The Seaside Saga.

Like misty wisps of salt air, The Seaside Saga weaves its way into readers’ lives and hearts. The fluid, ongoing storyline not only makes for an immersive literary experience—it redefines modern fiction and the very notion of a novel. At 26 books (and counting) and nearly 8,000 pages, The Seaside Saga follows the tangled adult lives of a group of beach friends on the New England coast.

Quite simply, The Seaside Saga’s made a distinct splash. And it does once again in The Diner, picking up from DeMaio’s most stunning cliffhanger yet.

And The Seaside Saga continues.

The Seaside Saga on Goodreads

The Seaside Saga on Amazon

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My thoughts about The Diner ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"It's happening fast, fast. Too fast. Kyle can't keep up with it all."

And here we go again, dropping into the wonderful world of Stony Point, the town Joanne writes about in the Seaside Saga series. Picking up right where we left off in the diner and the drama that was unfolding there, Jason and Kyle relive the evening as everyone tries to process and get past what just happened.

I love this series and look forward to each book, where I can revisit with the friends I've made and enjoy the comradery of the people in the community. Life continues as drama and love embrace each and every character. I highly recommend this series and this author.

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If you're new to The Seaside Saga, the reading order is below. Written like an ongoing TV show, it's a revolutionary series following the same tangled group of beach friends from book-to-book.

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About the author

Joanne DeMaio is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary fiction. She enjoys writing about friendship, family, love and choices, while setting her stories in New England towns or by the sea.

Joanne’s books include the New York Times Bestseller Blue Jeans and Coffee Beans, the first in her ongoing and groundbreaking Seaside Saga. These eleven (and counting) novels journey with a group of beach friends, much the way a TV series does, continuing with the same cast of characters and their storylines from book-to-book.

Joanne’s winter novels have also received much acclaim. These heartwarming standalones are set in the same snowy New England town. Snowflakes and Coffee Cakes became a USA Today Bestseller, and has been featured in national magazines and Six Flags theme parks.

In addition, Joanne’s debut novel, Whole Latte Life, won first place in a competition at BookExpo America and was named a Kirkus Reviews Critics’ Pick. Her other novels have appeared in Redbook, First for Women magazine, Southern Living, USA Today and more. ~ Author's website

Connect with Joanne

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Release Day! A Gritty Little Tourist Town by Willa Goodfellow ~ My Thoughts #AGrittyLittleTouristTown

2026-04-07T15:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Willa

on the release today of

A Gritty Little Tourist Town!

A Gritty Little Tourist Town: Bar Tales from Costa Rica by Willa Goodfellow

Travel Humor, 244 pages
Published April 7, 2026 by She Writes Press

Fans of Bill Bryson will love this intimate and humorous memoir surrounding a group of expats as they entertain each other with their stories at a bar in a Costa Rican village.

Willa and her wife travel to Costa Rica to visit family—but what they discover is far more than they expected . In a sleepy fishing village on the Pacific coast, they meet a vibrant, curious group of expats who have come looking for paradise—or at least cheap beer.

At the Pato Loco, a local bar where stories flow as freely as the drinks, they meet Mama, the blind seventy-two-year-old co-owner of the place; her partner Mary, Willa’s sister, a bartender and installation artist; Richie, the aging hippie whose words are few but weighty; and a whole cast of unforgettable characters who will answer questions like:

- What is it really like to live in another country?

- How important is it to learn the local language?

- How does a tight-knit community face the pressure of development?

- Can you survive dengue—and would you want to?

- Oh, and how do you perform CPR on a fish?

A collection of stories full of humor, heart, and wisdom from unexpected places, A Gritty Little Tourist Town follows Willa as she discovers connection within this community of strangers—one bar tale at a time.

My thoughts about A Gritty Little Tourist Town ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

I've read other books similar to A Gritty Little Tourist Town—a book filled with stories of the people and places that the author has visited or lived around. And I have enjoyed my trip to those places right along with the author. And I love meeting the fun, sometimes quirky, people that the author comes across.

A Gritty Little Tourist Town took me on a little vacation to Costa Rica, where I got to know the natives and laughed right along with them, while drinking our beers at the bar. I enjoyed the camaraderie of the gang and loved the little stories that the author shared.

This is the perfect summer read since it is so easy to pick up and put down, enjoying little chapters here and there. I highly recommend it for a wonderful, fun escape.

I received an ARC of A Gritty Little Tourist Town and this is my honest opinion of the book.

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About the author

Willa Goodfellow is the author of Prozac Monologues: A Voice from the Edge. Combining comedic monologues written in the throes of hypomania with later edgy commentary and information about the bipolar spectrum, the book describes her being misdiagnosed with major depression and treated with a series of antidepressants that made her progressively more suicidal and led to her early retirement. She turned a corner as she researched her symptoms, discovered her bipolar diagnosis, and put together her own recovery.

After decades in more conventional ministries as an Episcopal priest, this graduate of Reed College and Yale Divinity School has turned her preaching chops toward mental health journalism and advocacy. Goodfellow is an author, blogger, tweeter, and public speaker. Still doing comedy, she is currently working on her next book, Bar Tales of Costa Rica. ~ Amazon

Connect with Willa

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Release Day! Dark Current by Ashley Farley ~ My Thoughts #DarkCurrent

2026-04-07T09:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Ashley

on the release today of

Dark Current!

Dark Current by Ashley Farley

(Sutherlin Files Series #2)

Women's Crime Stories, 238pages

Published April 7, 2026 by AHF Publishing

Lane Sutherlin thought bringing her best friend’s killer to justice would finally give her peace. Instead, she’s left with a chilling acquittal, whispers of jury tampering, and a part-time role with the sheriff’s office that ends the moment she starts asking the wrong questions.

When a renowned fertility specialist is murdered and harvested eggs vanish from her clinic, a terrified young woman turns to Lane—the only person she dares trust. Her story cracks open a crime far more calculated than a random break-in, pointing straight to a deeper conspiracy.

The Old Guard—Tidewell’s old-monied power players—aren’t just behind the trafficking. They’re determined to reshape the town itself. They’ve corrupted its leaders, bent its law enforcement, and turned its people into pawns. And now they’ve marked Lane as the one woman who can stop them.

With Briggs, the town’s sharp-eyed commonwealth’s attorney, at her side and Tidewell’s future hanging in the balance, Lane must decide how far she’ll go to protect the place she still calls home—before the darkness closing in finally swallows her whole.

Because the storm gathering over Tidewell isn’t just political—it’s personal.

And Lane Sutherlin is done running.

My thoughts about Dark Current ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"I'm seated in the front row of the courtroom, where I've been all week. Scout is curled at my feet."

This second book in the Sutherlin Files series is just as, if not more, exciting than book one. I love Lane and her tough ways. She gets it done!

And I love Ashley's dark side that has come out with this series. She writes the drama and evilness very well. This book was definitely a page-turner and I devoured the whole thing.

I highly recommend this series where you'll get it all—Ashley's wonderful storytelling, amazing characters, plenty of drama, and the feeling that the bad guys can not win. Dark Current was an exciting read and did not disappoint! I highly recommend that you get started on this series now.

I received an eARC of Dark Current and this is my honest opinion.

Dark Current Rising - Read my thoughts here

Dark Current ~ Published April 7

Dark Current Reckoning ~ Pub date June 16

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About the author

Amazon Charts and USA Today bestselling author

Ashley Farley writes heartfelt, faith-infused women’s fiction about love, loss, and second chances. Her stories shine a light on everyday women—mothers, daughters, sisters, and friends—facing life’s toughest moments with courage, hope, and grace.

Originally from South Carolina, Ashley now makes her home in Virginia’s Northern Neck, but her heart still belongs to the Lowcountry—with its moss-draped oaks, salty air, and soulful Southern charm. When she’s not writing, she’s spending time with family or wrangling her two opinionated Labradors. ~ Amazon

Connect with Ashley

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Release Day! A Crimson Promise by Grace Greene ~ My Thoughts #ACrimsonPromise

2026-04-07T09:00:00.001-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Grace

on the release today of

A Crimson Promise!

A Crimson Promise by Grace Greene

(Crimson Grove #2)

Multigenerational Fiction, 137 pages
Published April 7, 2026 by Kersey Creek Books

Some promises are chosen. Others are forced upon you. And life doesn’t always prepare you for what will be asked of you.

Amelia Hennipen has worked to create a livable balance at Hennipen House in her small hometown, Crimson Grove, managing the responsibilities of the estate as well as the tender care of her former grandmother-in-law, Henny. But as the joyful chaos of the holidays fades into a cold, blustery January, the status quo is shattered. As Henny’s memory continues to slip away, a stranger arrives on the porch with a revelation that will rewrite Amelia’s memories of her marriage, and change the course of her days to come.

Eleven-year-old Sybil Rose is guarded, sharp-eyed, and wary—and the truth she carries cuts deeper than Amelia is prepared to face. As shocking revelations surface and old wounds reopen, Amelia is forced to confront her memories of the man she once loved, the life he left behind, and the family she never knew existed.

In a house filled with memories, challenges, and quiet resilience, lives collide—searching for belonging, healing, and a place to call home.

Sometimes, the hardest promises to keep are the ones we never expected to make.

My thoughts about A Crimson Promise ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First line—"Sybil Rose arrived a Hennipen House on a cold. blustery day in January."

I loved the first book in this series and was super excited that there was going to be more of this world. A Crimson Promise continues with the loving, caring life of Amelia and Henny. When a surprise guest is dropped off on their doorstep, their structured world starts to spin out of control. But Sybil Rose could be just what the household needs.

Once again, the reader is treated to Greene's wonderful, kind characters and warm, inviting settings. I lost myself in the world of Crimson Grove and thoroughly enjoyed my visit back there. I've enjoyed all of Grace Greene's stories and this one is just as wonderful as all of the rest of her books. I highly recommend it!

Watch for A Crimson Rose, coming later in 2026.

I received an ARC of A Crimson Promise and this is my honest opinion of the book.

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A Crimson Heart was released this past November for a holiday visit at Hennipen House with Amelia and Henny. It was a time of stress for them, yes, but also a time of unexpected blessings. But when the holidays ended, Amelia and Henny said there was more to their story, and I agreed, so Crimson Grove became a series.

A Crimson Promise, the 2nd novella in the series, releases on April 7th with another story of their family adventure into the perils of heartbreak, unexpected blessings, and of love.

The hardest promise to keep is the one you never in-a-million-years dreamed you’d have to make.

The third story in the series, A Crimson Rose, will release later in 2026.

Read my thoughts about A Crimson Heart here

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About the author

Grace Greene writes fiction with romance, suspense and inspiration ~ The Emerald Isle, NC Stories Series includes Beach Rental, Beach Winds, Beach Wedding, along with the Christmas novellas, Beach Christmas and Beach Walk.

Her Virginia books are Women's Fiction with romance, suspense and mystery. Most are set in rural Cub Creek and include her bestselling The Memory of Butterflies and The Happiness In Between which were released in 2017. Three new Cub Creek books were released in 2019 - The Wildflower House Series: Wildflower Heart, Wildflower Hope and Wildflower Christmas, and Wildflower Wedding, A Light Last Seen was released in Feb. 2020.

A Barefoot Tide and A Dancing Tide brought a new character from Cub Creek to the beach at Emerald Isle with beloved crossover characters from both settings. Beach Heart and Emerald Heart are single titles set in Emerald Isle, NC. Grace's newest, A Heart Beyond, will be released on September 3rd, 2024.

Grace is also an artist and photographer and these interests show up on the pages of the stories. She lives in central Virginia. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Grace

Website | X | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

It's Monday! What Are You Reading? April 6, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-04-06T10:15:00.001-05:00

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

A Crimson Promise

by Grace Greene

(Crimson Grove #2)

eARC for review

Pub date ~ April 7

Read my thoughts about book #1 here

A Gritty Little Tourist Town: Bar Tales from Costa Rica

by Willa Goodfellow

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ April 7

No Place I'd Rather Be

by Cathy Lamb

audio-book from my TBR

Published August 2017

What I recently finished

Dark Current
(Sutherlin Files #2)
by Ashley Farley
eARC for review
Pub date ~ April 7
Read my thoughts about book #1 here

The Diner
(The Seaside Saga #26)
by Joanne DeMaio
e-book for review
Published March 2, 2026

Everything We Left Behind
(Everything #2)
by Kerry Lonsdale
audio-book from my collection
Published July 2017
This is a re-read for me because the author is releasing book #4 this summer!
Read my thoughts here

The Doll's House: A Short Story
by Lisa Unger
audio-book from Amazon Stories
Published September 2024

What I am going to read next

Shibby Magee

by Carrie Kabak

e-book for review

Published March 2026

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Release Day! Ship of Dreams by Donna Jones Alward ~ My Thoughts #ShipOfDreams

2026-03-31T11:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Donna

on the release today of

Ship of Dreams!

Ship of Dreams: A Novel of the Titanic by Donna Jones Alward

Historical Fiction, 384 pages

Published March 31, 2026 by One More Chapter

From the author of the internationally bestselling novel, When the World Fell Silent, comes a breathtaking tale of secrets, betrayal, and the enduring power of friendship.

Aboard the Titanic, where opulence knows no bounds and the horizon seems limitless, two women fight for the futures they dream of, fraught with secrets that could change everything.

Hannah Martin is clinging to the hope that six days on this grand ship will heal the wounds in her marriage to Charles. Beneath her poised exterior lies a desperation to mend what was shattered and conceal a secret that could upend their lives forever.

Louisa Phillips, spirited and uncompromising, is escaping her family’s insistence on a passionless marriage. But this daring step could also sever the deepest bond in her life.

As the ‘unsinkable' ship strikes the iceberg, amidst the chaos and icy waters, lives are changed forever. In the face of impending doom, what dreams will Hannah and Lou decide are worth saving, and at what cost?

This evocative historical fiction will stay with you long after you've turned the last page. Perfect for fans of Kate Quinn, this is a poignant tale of love, choice, and survival against the odds.

My thoughts about Ship of Dreams ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"'Oh, Lou, isn't it simply magnificent?' I spun away from the glorious sight of the Titanic and beamed at my best friend Louisa Phillips, who, like me, was standing in awe of the veritable palace at Southampton's dock."

I am obsessed with everything related to the Titanic. I was super excited to get the chance to read Ship of Dreams.

Hannah and Louisa, best friends for forever, board the Titanic and set sail for New York. This is to be the trip of a lifetime for both women, each for their own, very different reasons. No one could even imagine how this voyage would end. The reader knows and that's what makes this story exciting, and heartbreaking.

One thing that I loved about Ship of Dreams compared to other Titanic stories I've read, is the storyline leading up to the sinking and then being able to see how the characters got through the tragic event as they tried to get on with their lives. I loved the glamour and socializing that went on with the first class passengers. It was an exciting time for everyone, that's for sure. And then to have follow-up after the fact to understand how hard life was afterwards was a satisfying way to round out the story.

I thoroughly enjoyed Ship of Dreams and now want to check out other books by this author. I highly recommend it for those who are interested in the Titanic or are lovers of historical fiction.

I received an ARC of Ship of Dreams and this is my honest opinion of the book.

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About the author

Since 2006, New York Times bestseller Donna Jones Alward has enchanted readers with stories of happy endings and homecomings that have won several awards and been translated into over a dozen languages. She’s worked as an administrative assistant, teaching assistant, in retail and as a stay-at-home-mom, but always knew her degree in English Literature would pay off, as she is now happy to be a full-time writer. Her new historical fiction tales blend her love of history with characters who step beyond their biggest fears to claim the lives they desire.

Donna currently lives in Nova Scotia, Canada, with her husband and two cats. You can often find her near the water, either kayaking on the lake or walking the sandy beaches to refill her creative well.

Find out more at www.donnajonesalward.com. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Donna

Website | Goodreads | Instagram | Facebook

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Release Day Book Blitz! Pity Prank by Whitney Dineen ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #PityPrank @XpressoTours

2026-03-30T11:00:00.001-05:00

Pity Prank by Whitney Dineen
(Pity Series)
Publication date: March 30th 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

What happens when a quirkier than normal girl meets a hunky doctor from New York?

It’s not that I have subpar intelligence, or that I’m a total weirdo. In fact, I would consider myself kind, creative, and an all-in-all great catch—if you can get past a few peculiarities.

I love soft things. ALL soft things, and I surround myself with them to help self-sooth my way through the day. I have very particular opinions about sand, aluminum foil, and gum snappers. You wouldn’t believe how many men find this odd. In short, being on the spectrum has not exactly done wonders for my love life.

Enter Dr. Thomas Culpepper. Never in a million years would I have predicted someone like him would move to tiny little Elk Lake, Wisconsin. Then he gets sent to my photography studio to have his picture taken. I misunderstood the assignment, and instead of taking a boring old headshot like the hospital wanted, I forced him to take sexy pirate photos.

As far as meet cutes go, it was awkward. I won’t even mention the baby oil …

Pity Prank is a laugh-out-loud, small town romantic comedy featuring misunderstandings galore, a tiny bit of fake dating, a lot of fuzzy sweaters and socks, and oh, yeah, some sexy pirate photos.

Perfect for fans of Hallmark vibes. Book eight in a feel-good series of standalones.

*** For fans of The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang

Goodreads | Amazon

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EXCERPT

Finley

As soon as I enter, I notice a man sitting on one of the two overstuffed shabby chic chairs by the window. He looks up and makes direct eye contact which causes every thought in my brain to pour out like sand in a sieve. Holy. Hot stuff. Batman. This man is extraordinarily handsome, but his appeal is more than just physical. He emanates a kind of golden energy that’s positively intoxicating.

“Hi there.” As soon as he stands up, I can feel the room start to sway. I stagger to the counter, so I don’t fall over. He’s well over six feet and from what I can tell he’s built like he spends hours at the gym every day.

“H…h…hi, yourself. Thomas Culpepper?” I ask, both hoping he is and isn’t at the same time. How in the world will I be able to take sexy pictures of this man and keep my wits about me? I can’t even look at him fully clothed without stuttering.

“That’s me.” He flashes a brilliant smile which makes me wonder if he’s ever starred in toothpaste commercials. His hair is the softest looking wavy chocolate brown I’ve ever seen. My hand lifts of its own accord like it’s trying to reach out and touch it. Which of course I know I can’t do. At least until it’s time for me to style his hair for the shoot. I practically drool at the thought.

Thomas looks at my hand suspended in mid-air before copying the gesture and waving at me. “He-llo.” He breaks the word into two syllables like I’m new to the English language and might not understand otherwise.

I drop my hand immediately and try to regain my composure. “Constance is very excited about these shots.”

“Really?” He looks confused, like he doesn’t know who I’m talking about.

“Really,” I assure him. “She’s ordered the basic package to start but if she likes what she sees…” In lieu of finishing my sentence, I give him an exaggerated wink.

“I didn’t realize this was such a big deal to her,” he says. I wonder if I got it wrong and they aren’t a couple? Darn it, that’s the thing with me, I have an awful time reading people.

“Oh, it’s a very big deal.”

Thomas’s hazel eyes narrow in confusion before he bends down to pick up the bag he brought with him. “I brought some different shirts.”

“Oh, we won’t need shirts.” There’s no way, I’m covering up this man in unnecessary clothing. No way. Unless of course it’s a pirate shirt, wide open, and billowing in the wind. Lucky for him, I have such an item in my costume collection.

Thomas’s gorgeous brow furrows, drawing my attention to the golden flecks in his eyes. “I brought a doctor’s coat too, if you prefer that.”

“A doctor’s coat?” I love the idea of turning him into a sexy doctor. It’s decided then, we’ll do a pirate look and a doctor one. Constance is going to love these.

Motioning to Thomas, I tell him, “Follow me into the backroom and you can get ready there.”

As he approaches, I inhale his spicy aftershave. Cloves, cinnamon, and orange, oh my! “You smell great.” The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. That’s another fun thing about me, I don’t always think before speaking, which can sometimes make other people uncomfortable. Like the time I told a woman in the grocery store that her pants made her butt look amazing. While meant as a compliment, it was clear she wasn’t used to such a forthright comment from a stranger. I figured that out when she walked out of the store, leaving a full cart behind.

The last thing I want to do is make Thomas nervous, so I hurry to tell him, “You smell like my favorite Christmas cookies.”

“Huh. I’ve never heard that one before.”

“It’s a compliment of the highest order,” I assure him. “My mom makes the best orange spice shortbread you’ve ever tried.” Just when I think I’ve saved the moment from getting too awkward, I groan suggestively and declare, “Yummy!” Thomas’s eyes pop open wider in an expression I once again worry is fear.

The backroom of my store is one big unfinished space with a variety of backdrops scattered about. I point toward the barber-style chair in front of a big lighted mirror in the corner and tell him, “Let’s start there. I’ll get your hair and makeup done first and then we’ll settle on wardrobe.”

“Hair and makeup?”

“Yeah, you know, so we can get the look we’re after.”

“I thought I was okay the way I am.”

“You’re fantastic,” I assure him. “Really great! But I want to make sure we capture your character to the fullest.”

“I’m a doctor,” he tells me. I’m starting to think Thomas might be the one new to the English language.

“Doctor, pirate, sexy duke with a superiority complex… you can be anything you want and I’m here to make that happen.”

Thomas sits down in the makeup chair looking highly uneasy. “I really am a doctor.” Then he asks, “Do you get a lot of pirates and nobility in here?”

“Tons,” I assure him.

Thomas sits down with the same amount of enthusiasm he might have knowing he was about to be electrocuted. “I’m pretty sure I don’t need hair and makeup,” he says again.

“I’m not putting lipstick on you, Thomas.” Picking up a bronzing palate, I tell him, “Just a bit of contrast to sharpen your angles.”

“Why exactly do I need sharper angles?” How is it possible that he’s even sexy when he’s acting stupid?

Turning to look him square in the eye, I ask, “Why do you think you’re here?”

“I’m here to get my picture taken for …”

“Constance,” I finish his sentence for him. “You’re here for Constance. And you want to make her happy, don’t you?”

“I… suppose?” He isn’t selling it.

“You suppose? She’s paid me four hundred dollars to take very specific pictures of you and that is exactly what I’m going to do. Do you understand?” He nods his head almost imperceptibly, so I tell him, “This is my job, Thomas. My job. It’s what I do for a living. It’s how I pay my bills.”

“Yes, but…”

“Constance came in here herself to tell me what she wants, and as she is my client. I’m not going to let her down.”

Thomas sits as still as a statue while I brush bronzer on his cheeks and jaw. By the time I’m done with him, he could have posed for a Michelangelo statue of a Greek god. I can’t take all the credit for that though; he practically is one on his own.

Once I’m convinced his face couldn’t look any better, I put the makeup brush down and face my model once again. This is the moment I’ve been waiting for. After turning the chair so his back faces the mirror, I lift my hands and run all ten of my fingers through his hair. Holy heck. It’s even softer than it looks. It’s better than all my furry sweaters combined. It’s like running my hands through a litter of baby minks. It’s softer than the Barefoot blanket I spent way too much money on. But only because it lost some of its softness after being washed. Until then, it was worth ten times as much.

Dear Santa, all I want for Christmas is to rub Thomas Culpepper’s head every day of my life until I die.

Reluctantly, I remind myself that Thomas is Constance’s boyfriend, not mine. Yet I don’t understand how that can be because this man is so vital and alive. Constance has the warmth of a vampire bat in winter. But they got together somehow and now it’s my job to give my client the best fantasy material I can.

She never has to know it’s doing the same for me.

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About the author

Whitney loves to laugh, play with her kids, bake, and eat french fries -- not always in that order.

Whitney is a multi-award-winning author of romcoms, non-fiction humor, and middle reader fiction. Basically, she writes whatever the voices in her head tell her to.

She lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her husband, Jimmy, where they raise children, chickens, and organic vegetables.

Gold Medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2017.

Silver medal winner at the International Readers' Favorite Awards, 2015, 2016.

Finalist RONE Awards, 2016.

Finalist at the IRFA 2016, 2017.

Finalist at the Book Excellence Awards, 2017

Finalist Top Shelf Indie Book Awards, 2017

Connect with Whitney

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | X

Pity Prank Blitz Giveaway!

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 30, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-03-30T10:00:00.001-05:00

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Dark Current

(Sutherlin Files #2)

by Ashley Farley

eARC for review

Pub date ~ April 7

Read my thoughts about book #1 here

A Gritty Little Tourist Town: Bar Tales from Costa Rica

by Willa Goodfellow

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ April 7

Everything We Left Behind

(Everything #2)

by Kerry Lonsdale

audio-book from my collection

Published July 2017

This is a re-read for me because the author is releasing book #4 this summer!

Read my thoughts here

What I recently finished

Ship of Dreams: A Novel of the Titanic

by Donna Jones Alward

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ March 31

I love anything about the Titanic.

Everything We Keep

(Everything #1)

by Kerry Lonsdale

audio-book from my collection

Published August 2016

This is a re-read for me because the author is releasing book #4 this summer!

Read my thoughts here

What I am going to read next

The Diner

(The Seaside Saga #26)

by Joanne DeMaio

e-book for review

Published March 2, 2026

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Release Day! Twinkle of Doubt by Patricia Leavy ~ My Thoughts #TwinkleOfDoubt

2026-03-24T10:30:00.001-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Patricia

on the release today of

Shooting Stars Above!

Twinkle of Doubt by Patricia Leavy

(The Celestial Bodies Romances Book 2)

Contemporary Romance Fiction, 216 pages

Published March 24, 2026 by She Writes Press

For fans of Colleen Hoover, this inspirational follow-up to Shooting Stars Above continues the love story between internationally best-selling novelist Tess and counterterrorism agent Jack as they both fight to overcome their deepest fears.

Tess Lee is a wildly successful and world-famous novelist whose inspirational books explore our innermost struggles and the human need to believe that there is light at the end of the tunnel. Jack Miller is a federal agent who has spent decades working in counterterrorism—a violent world that has left an inevitable residue on his psyche.

Two years into their marriage, as Tess and Jack both heal from past trauma, their epic love, fostered by their ability to truly see one another, has brought them profound happiness. When an anonymous threat is made against Tess’s life, however, everything changes. Will they learn to lean on each other, or will they fall apart into the darkness?

In Twinkle of Doubt, the second Celestial Bodies Romance, Tess, Jack, and their chosen family explore the nature of doubt and the struggle to feel worthy of love.

My thoughts about Twinkle of Doubt ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—""Thank you, I've got it from here,' Jack said to the driver, taking the luggage and seeing him out. He turned to Tess. 'Welcome home, Mrs. Miller.'"

Twinkle of Doubt is a great second book in a series, picking up where things with Tess and Jack left off in book one. There is plenty of love and romance in their lives, which is a beautiful thing to witness. But things can't stay lovely and serene forever, can they?

When the past invades their present, their love and their friends surround them as they find out how important they are to each other and how much their self-worth means. There is plenty of drama to go with the love, which made this a very entertaining and fast-paced story.

Twinkle of Doubt was a great escape read that was needed in my life right now. I will always be grateful and excited to spend more time with Tess and Jack in their world.

I received an ARC of Twinkle of Doubt and this is my honest opinion of the book.

Shooting Stars Above

(The Celestial Bodies Romances #1)

Read my thoughts here

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About the author

Patricia Leavy, Ph.D., is a bestselling author. She was formerly Associate Professor of Sociology, Chair of Sociology and Criminology, and Founding Director of Gender Studies at Stonehill College in Massachusetts. She has published over forty books, earning commercial and critical success in both fiction and nonfiction, and her work has been translated into many languages.

Patricia has received over 100 book honors. She has also received career awards from the New England Sociological Association, the American Creativity Association, the American Educational Research Association, the International Congress of Qualitative Inquiry, and the National Art Education Association.

In 2016 Mogul, a global women’s empowerment network, named her an “Influencer.” In 2018, she was honored by the National Women’s Hall of Fame and SUNY-New Paltz established the “Patricia Leavy Award for Art and Social Justice.”

She lives in Maine with her family. Patricia loves writing, reading, watching films, and traveling. These days, she's focused on writing feel-good love stories. ~ Goodreads

Connect with Patricia

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 23, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-03-23T10:30:00.001-05:00

**************************************

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Ship of Dreams: A Novel of the Titanic

by Donna Jones Alward

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ March 31

Everything We Keep

(Everything #1)

by Kerry Lonsdale

audio-book from my collection

Published August 2016

This is a re-read for me.

Read my thoughts here

What I recently finished

Twinkle of Doubt: A Celestial Bodies Romance

(The Celestial Bodies Romances #2)

by Patricia Leavy

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ March 24

Nine Missing Girls

by Steena Holmes

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 19

Read my thoughts here

One Perfect Couple

by Ruth Ware

audio-book from my collection

Published May 21, 2024

What I am going to read next

Dark Current

(Sutherlin Files #2)

by Ashley Farley

eARC for review

Pub date ~ April 7

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Release Day! Nine Missing Girls by Steena Holmes ~ My Thoughts #NineMissingGirls

2026-03-19T14:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Steena

on the release today of

Nine Missing Girls!

Nine Missing Girls: : Inside the Gripping Case Files of FBI Missing-Girl Specialist Meri Amber by Steena Holmes

Psychological Fiction, 348 pages

Published March 18, 2026 by Joffe Books

From two-million-selling author Steena Holmes, nine dark and gripping stories featuring Detective Meri Amber.

Nine missing girls. Nine cases the world wants to forget. One detective who never will.

Each file is someone’s daughter. Someone’s sister. And if Meri Amber can’t bring them home, she’ll make sure their stories end with justice.

As the FBI’s leading child abduction specialist, Meri has spent her career chasing the vanished – from Minnesota to Montana, from abandoned barns to dark cellars that still echo with screams. But every case cuts deeper than the last.

“I’m Detective Meri Amber. I’ve been searching for my sister for twenty years. Every missing girl is a mirror. Every scream behind a wall could be hers.

I’ll never stop looking. These are the stories of the girls I’ve found, the truths I’ve uncovered, and the cracks in my own past I can’t seem to seal.”

From the horrifying secrets of the House of Dolls, to a macabre twelfth birthday party, to the sinister truths buried in the Widow’s Barn: delve into nine intriguing mysteries which will chill you to the bone.

Nine nail-biting stories full of shocking twists by a New York Times bestselling author.

Perfect for fans of Freida McFadden, John Marrs, A.L. Torre, Shari Lapena, T.M. Logan and Clare Mackintosh.

My thoughts about Nine Missing Girls ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"I don't believe people just vanish. Not really. Someone always knows something, Someone always sees. They just don't always speak."

Meri Amber, a much-loved character in some of Steena's previous books, is back. And back with a vengeance! Meri is a detective, specializing in missing girl cases. She has been on this quest since her sister went missing years ago. Maybe someday her sister will be found and her abductor will be charged. In the meantime, she investigates all missing cases she comes across.

Nine Missing Girls contains the stories of nine girls—nine horrific stories of abduction and torture, each one worse than the one before. Meri investigates each one hoping to bring closure for the girls and peace for their families. Honestly, some of the stories were kind of hard to read but I know that these, and even worse, cases are out there everyday. The determination of Meri to take care of these girls is admirable.

I love the tenacity of Meri to see these case through to the end and love that Steena shared this collection of Meri's cases with her readership. These are stories you don't want to miss. I highly recommend Nine Missing Girls.

I received an ARC of Nine Missing Girls and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

Steena Holmes is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author with nearly 3 million copies of her titles sold worldwide, including The Patient, The Forgotten Ones, and Sister Under the Stairs.

Named in the Top 20 Women Author to Read by Good Housekeeping, she won the National Indie Excellence Award for her breakout novel Finding Emma and the USA Book News Award for The Word Game. Steena has been featured in various newspapers and magazines, websites such as Goodreads, BookBub, RedBook, Glamour, Coastal Living and Goodhousekeeping.

One of Steena's passions is to travel with her readers, so she created her Sweet Tours, where she shares her love for the sweet life with her readers, whether in Paris, Italy, or exploring Christmas Markets.

To learn more about her books and join her on the next Sweet Tour, visit her website at http://www.steenaholmes.com.

Connect with Steena

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

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Release Day! Ticket to Ride by Kay Bratt ~ My Thoughts #TicketToRide

2026-03-19T10:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congrats Kay

on the release today of

Ticket to Ride!

Ticket to Ride by Kay Bratt

(Hart's Ridge #15)

Saga Fiction, 304 pages

Published March 19, 2026 by Red Thread Publishing Group

When a young woman disappears after leaving rehab, the small town of Hart’s Ridge is thrown into turmoil.

As the search widens, whispers emerge of other girls who vanished under eerily similar circumstances. Families who once trusted the system now fear it. Every answer uncovers a darker question, and every lead pushes the case closer to secrets powerful people would do anything to keep buried.

Then tragedy strikes closer to home—Someone near and dear to Taylor and Sam is missing. With her family fractured and time running out, Taylor is forced to confront dangers on two the predators luring vulnerable girls and the shadowy forces determined to silence anyone who gets too close.

Gripping and emotional, Ticket to Ride is a story of betrayal, resilience, and the unbreakable bond of family when innocence itself is under attack.

My thoughts about Ticket to Ride ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"The wood-paneled courtroom smelled faintly of disinfectant and despair."

Whew! This story had me on the edge of my seat most of the time. How intense! As Taylor and Sam race against time to find their missing family member, others are on the run from the authorities, hoping to not be charged with a crime they didn't commit.

As the story moves forward, will the good guys win and the bad guys get what's coming to them? I felt like the whole story was a race against time. I love that about Kay's stories. There is plenty of drama to make me want to keep reading, and sometimes I can't read fast enough. This series is so, so good! I am fully invested in the lives of Taylor and her family members.

The Hart's Ridge series is an amazing set of stories, with memorable characters and interesting plots. I highly recommend Ticket to Ride, as well as this whole series—it just keeps getting better and better.

And the author just keeps writing this series. Yay for us!!

Book #16, Working Class Hero, is expected to be released on July 8, 2026, 2026!

I received an ARC of Ticket to Ride from the author and this is my honest opinion.

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Read my thoughts about Hart's Ridge, Lucy in the Sky, In My Life, Borrowed Time, Instant Karma, Nobody Told Me, Hello Goodbye, Starting Over, Blackbird, Hello Little Girl, So This is Christmas, Every Little Thing, Now and Then and Tell Me Why

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About the author

Kay Bratt; Writer, Rescuer, Wanderer

As a writer, Kay used writing to help her navigate a tumultuous childhood, followed by a decade of abuse as an adult. After working her way through the hard years, Kay emerged a survivor and a pursuer of peace--and finally found the courage to share her stories. She is the author of more than a dozen full length books, with ten of those published by Lake Union Publishing. Kay writes women's fiction and historical fiction, and her books have fueled many exciting book club discussions. Her works have been translated into German, Korean, Chinese, Czechoslovakian, and Estonian.

As a rescuer, Kay currently focuses her efforts on animal rescue and is the Director of Advocacy for Yorkie Rescue of the Carolinas. As a child advocate, she spent a number of years volunteering in a Chinese orphanage, as well as provided assistance for several nonprofit organizations that support children in China, including An Orphan's Wish (AOW), Pearl River Outreach, and Love Without Boundaries. In the USA, she actively served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) for abused and neglected children in Georgia, and spear-headed numerous outreach programs for underprivileged children in the South Carolina area.

As a wanderer, Kay has lived in nearly three dozen different homes, on two continents and in states from coast to coast in the USA. She's traveled to Mexico, Thailand, Malaysia, China, Philippines, Central America, Bahamas, and Australia. Currently she and her soulmate of more than 25 years enjoy life in their forever home on the banks of Lake Hartwell in Georgia, USA.

Kay has been described as southern, spicy, and a little sassy. Social media forces her to overshare and you don't want to miss some of the antics that goes on with her and the Bratt Pack.

Find her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and then buckle up and enjoy the ride. You can find a full list of her published works at www.kaybratt.com -- To be notified when new books are released, please sign up for my monthly email newsletter at www.kaybratt.com ~ Goodreads

Connect with Kay

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Release Day! Escape to Passignano by Normandie Fischer ~ My Thoughts #EscapeToPassignano

2026-03-19T09:45:00.000-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Normandie

on the release today of

Escape to Passignano!

Escape to Passignano by Normandie Fischer

(Carolina Coast Stories #7)

Women's Christian Fiction, 468 pages

Published March 19, 2026 by Sleepy Creek Press

A Southern Widow, an Italian Doctor, and a Missing Child: Lost in Italy

CAN DREAMS BE TRUSTED WHEN LIFE FEELS LIKE A NIGHTMARE?

Sophia chose to honor her deceased husband’s wishes by visiting his hometown of Passignano sul Trasimeno in the Umbrian region of Italy. She’s trying to find the peace he promised, really she is, while she studies his language and sips caffè with a view of mountains and lake. Only, things begin to happen involving a red-haired child who speaks of things she cannot know—and the child’s father whose very presence challenges that peace.

Dr. Luca Moretti still wrestles with guilt three years after the death of his wife and older children. Overwhelmed by grief, Luca gave the care of his toddler daughter, Noemi, to his sister. It was supposed to be temporary; it wasn’t. Now, Luca wants Noemi back.

When his sister flees, taking Noemi into hiding, Sophia joins forces with a desperate Luca to piece together dreams and voices and supernatural nudges to retrace Noemi’s steps. It’s going to take trust, though, something in short supply for both Luca and Sophia. They’ll have to learn to trust in one another, and, more importantly, to trust in God—that a God who would allow such pain really does mean to work it all out for good. For Noemi. For the two of them. And for a troubled woman from North Carolina who enters their orbit with her own demons, demons God uses—and dispels—as He wills.

My thoughts about Escape to Passignano ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"Everyone said the first step was the hardest, and by "everyone" Sophia meant all those pushers of advice who'd phoned or shown up at her door or sent her books."

It's been awhile since this author took us on an adventure to her Carolina Coast series. I know I was more than ready for another one. This time we leave the Carolinas and travel to Italy. I loved my little mini vacation across the sea.

Sophia travels to Passignano, her husband's homeland, after he passes away after a long illness. She feels this will help give her some peace with his death. After all, Peter's sister still lives there. What better way to keep his memory alive but to be with someone else who loved him. What she didn't expect was how easily she would become entrenched in the community and with the people she met.

But, as we all know, the world is a small place so when she runs into people she knows from her past, their lives and their drama spill over into hers. I loved that characters I already knew became a part of this story as well. I loved the characters (most of them anyway) that Normandie created for this story, especially the precocious little girl Noemi. I fell in love with her from the second she was introduced. And that chance meeting between Sophia and Noemi was more like destiny than chance.

As with all of Normandie's other stories, Escape to Passignano is filled with beautiful scenery, interesting characters, and an amazing storyline. I loved my trip to Italy and loved everything about this story! Highly recommend.

I received an ARC of Escape to Passignano and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

Normandie had the best of several worlds: a Southern heritage, access to schooling in the DC area (which meant lots of cultural adventures), and several years of sculpture studies in Italy. It might have been better for her if she'd used all these opportunities more wisely, but it's possible that the imperfect and the unwise also add fodder for the artist and the writer.

She writes Southern women's fiction and romantic suspense from her waterfront base in coastal North Carolina, where she lives with her husband, her aging mother, two dogs and two cats.

Connect with Normandie

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

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Be sure to check the sidebar for my current giveaways!

Book Blitz! Secrets of the Midwife by Ann Ormsby ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! #SecretsOfTheMidwife @ormsbywrites @XpressoTours

2026-03-18T10:00:00.000-05:00

Secrets of the Midwife by Ann Ormsby
Published by: Acorn Publishing
Publication date: March 18th 2026
Genres: Women’s Fiction

Anabel Leigh has spent years pouring herself into her career, polishing her image, and protecting her fragile heart after too many losses. But everything changes when a stranger presses a baby into her arms in a crowded New York park and vanishes. The child’s golden hair and trusting eyes stir a deeply personal longing Anabel thought she’d buried forever.

What begins as a surreal moment unravels into a storm of headlines and police questions.

Savannah Maas knows the truth. She’s hiding on a farm in Georgia, living by a different code—one forged from secrets, desperation, and choices that blur the line between compassion and crime.

As the world closes in, each woman struggles to keep her dreams from crumbling. For one, receiving the baby is a miracle. For the other, the handoff is a devastating mistake.

Heart-stirring and suspenseful, Secrets of the Midwife is a story of hope, resilience, and the unexpected ways love finds us.

Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

iBooks | Kobo

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EXCERPT

I am sitting in the little park situated between the town clerk’s office where happy couples come rushing down the steps, laughing and kissing after tying the knot, and the family court where some of them will end up, when things go badly. As I eat my lunch, I chuckle to myself at the irony of these two tall, brick buildings facing each other like powerful gods who already know our fate, providing what we need when we need it.

The thick scent of the candied hazelnuts cooking in a nearby vendor cart wafts over me in the cool April breeze. I pull the collar of my trench coat up around my neck and tighten the knot in my silk scarf. Collecting the wrapper from my sandwich, I put it back in the brown paper bag as my eyes catch a stooped old woman pushing a double stroller with two girls in it.

The one closest to me is a baby with golden blonde hair. Maybe a little more than a year old. I can’t take my eyes off her. The other girl has thick brown hair and looks to be about four years old. They make their way down the path to me, and then, without warning, the older girl unbuckles herself, jumps out of the stroller, and runs into the crowd.

The woman yells at her to stop, but the girl keeps running, weaving between the people walking through the park. After unbuckling the smaller child, the woman picks her up and thrusts her into my lap.

“Hold her,” is all she says before she runs after the other girl, leaving the stroller behind.

I look down at the small face staring up at me. The child does not seem afraid, relaxed even. She explores my face as a growing tension rises in my chest. Groaning in frustration, I stand up, holding the baby in my arms, shifting her weight to my hip, and desperately search the crowd for the woman or the other little girl. They’re gone. My first inclination is to go after them, but after a few steps I stop. What am I doing? I’m holding a child who isn’t mine in the middle of a public New York City park. My armpits grow wet with sweat, and I loosen the scarf around my neck.

Wondering what to do, I go back to the bench and sit down. Without thinking, I smooth the girl’s wavy blonde hair, tucking a piece behind her tiny ear. Time passes and the woman does not return. Panicking, I’m afraid to leave the bench because I want the woman to know where to find me. Assuming she’s coming back. The baby rests her head on my shoulder, and her beautiful blue eyes study me. Without disturbing her, I raise my arm, pull up the sleeve of my coat, and look at my watch. It’s getting late. I have to go back to work.

Twenty minutes pass. Without hope, I stand up again and look for the woman. The lunchtime crowd is starting to grow thin, and I am beginning to feel desperate. After pulling my cell phone out of my bag, I call 911 and the operator says she will send a patrol car.

The minutes tick by slowly. The wait is agonizing. Finally, a squad car pulls up, and I watch as two officers get out, walk to the gate, and scour the park. A man and a woman. They look so young, fresh-faced with heavy equipment hanging off their belts. They see me, and I stand up with the girl who is starting to feel heavy in my arms.

When they reach me, the male officer asks, “Did you call 911?”

“Yes. I was just sitting here, and a woman wearing a scarf and a long skirt gave me this baby.” I stammer knowing how incredulous it sounds.

The officers stare at me, then at the baby.

Finally, the female officer takes a pad out of a box on her belt. “What’s your name?”

“Anabel Leigh.”

“Where do you work?”

I tip my chin in the direction of my building. “Right there.”

“No. What’s the name of your employer?” she asks with annoyance.

“Oh, sorry. C&W Communications.”

“Okay. So, what did the woman look like? Where did she go?” She continues to question me.

“Yes, I need to go back to work. Will you take her?” I try to peel the baby away from my shoulder.

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About the author

"Ormsby has a wonderful eye for character and detail, as she fleshes out a keenly observed portrayal of small-town life." ~ Kirkus Review

The Recovery Room was a winner at the 2014 Paris Book Festival.

Ann Ormsby is a freelance writer with a master's degree in journalism from New York University. Her writings on reproductive freedom and other public policy issues have appeared in The Newark Star-Ledger, The Huffington Post, njspotlight.com The Westfield Leader and The Alternative Press. Her short stories have appeared in The Greenwich Village Literary Review, Every Day Fiction and hackwriters.com.

Connect with Ann

Secrets of the Midwife Blitz Giveaway

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Release Day! Life: A Love Story: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg ~ My Thoughts #LifeALoveStory

2026-03-17T10:30:00.000-05:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Elizabeth

on the release today of

Life: A Love Story!

Life: A Love Story: A Novel by Elizabeth Berg

Friendship, Fiction, 191 pages

Published March 17, 2026 by Random House

A warm, intimate novel that reminds us of the richness that can be found all throughout our lives—by the New York Times bestselling author of The Story of Arthur Truluv and Open House.

As ninety-two-year-old Florence "Flo" Greene nears the end of her life, she writes a letter to Ruthie, the woman who grew up next door to her, describing the items Flo is leaving Ruthie in her will. But as it goes on, telling surprising stories about those “little” things Flo will leave behind (What could possibly be the worth of a rubber band kept in a matchbox tied up in red ribbon?), an unforgettable portrait of the life she has lived emerges.

The letter starts off as an autobiography in things, but it turns out to do much more than ultimately, it will transform Flo and those around her. In the time she has left, Flo decides to take herself up on tiny dares. She encourages Ruthie to reconsider her impending divorce by sharing a startling, long-buried secret about her own perfect-seeming marriage. Flo has never had a pedicure before now, and as long as she's going to a beauty parlor, she arranges to have a blue streak put in her hair, too. And as these adventures lead her to make new friends, Flo helps them, too, find the fulfillment that living a full life has led her to understand.

Full of Elizabeth Berg's characteristic mix of warmth, humor, and poignancy, A Love Story is a reminder that whatever your circumstances, as long as you're alive, you can keep on investing in life. The joy will inevitably follow.

My thoughts about Life: A Love Story ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"Dear Ruth Eimers, My name is Teresa McNair, and I am Florence Greene's neighbor and friend."

Elizabeth Berg is another one of my favorite authors. I know going into one of her stories that I am going to be blessed with interesting, unforgettable characters and beautiful words and thoughts that will forever stick with me.

Life: a Love Story is one woman's reflection on her life as she nears the end of it. She's writing a letter for a dear friend explaining all of the little things in her home that mean so much to her but would just be throwaways to someone who didn't know the history of the objects.

This beautiful story made me pause and reflect about the life that I've had and the history of my life that will be lost when I am gone. Told with Elizabeth's usual humor and heart, Life; a Love Story, reminds us that we should savor every moment and live life to the fullest each and every day. I loved this love story and highly recommend it!

I received a ARC of Life: A Love Story and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota on December 2, 1948, in a hospital that has been torn down, which I’m pretty steamed about. When I was three years old, my father reenlisted in the Army, and I spent my growing up years moving around a lot—twice, I went to three schools in a single academic year. You can understand my dilemma when people ask me where I’m from. My usual answer is “Um…..nowhere?”

I’ve loved books and reading from the time my mother began reading to me, and I’ve loved writing ever since I could hold a pencil. I submitted my first poem to American Girl magazine when I was nine years old. It was rejected, and it took twenty-five years before I submitted anything again. Then, I entered a contest in a magazine and won. I wrote for magazines for ten years, then moved into novels and haven’t stopped yet. I usually do a book a year. I’ve won a number of awards, which are listed elsewhere in the interest of false modesty.

Before I became a writer, I was a registered nurse for ten years, and that was my “school” for writing—taking care of patients taught me a lot about human nature, about hope and fear and love and loss and regret and triumph and especially about relationships–all things that I tend to focus on in my work. I worked as a waitress, which is also good training for a writer, and I sang in a rock band which was not good for anything except the money I made. I was a dramatic and dreamy child, given to living more inside my head than outside, something that persists up to today and makes me a terrible dining partner. I have two daughters and four grandchildren. I live outside of Chicago with my dogs Gabigail Starletta Buttons and Austin “Ponyboy” Bumper, and my cat, Lily La Clawster. The animals would like you to know they had nothing to do with choosing their names. I am in a relationship with a wonderful man, who makes a good life better. ~ Author's website

Connect with Elizabeth

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Substack

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 16, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-03-16T10:30:00.001-05:00

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This is two weeks worth of reading for me. I wasn't able to post last Monday for a lot of reasons. Life might be getting back normal now, we'll see.

We just survived a major blizzard over the weekend. We, of course, didn't get the massive accumulation of snow that was predicted but the wind made everything treacherous. At one point both interstates (N-S, E-W) through the state were closed to travel. Yikes! So glad we didn't have anywhere we needed to go. A big pot of chili was simmering on the stove all day yesterday. Chili just seems to go with cold, snowy days, don't you think?

Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Nine Missing Girls

by Steena Holmes

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 19

One Perfect Couple

by Ruth Ware

audio-book from my collection

Published May 21, 2024

What I recently finished

Ticket To Ride

(Hart's Ridge #15)

by Kay Bratt

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 19

Life: A Love Story

by Elizabeth Berg

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 17

Escape to Passignano

(Carolina Coast Stories Book 7)

by Normandie Fischer

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 19

Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances

by Kimberly Behre Kenna

print for review

Published March 3, 2026

Read my thoughts here

What I am going to read next

Twinkle of Doubt: A Celestial Bodies Romance

(The Celestial Bodies Romances #2)

by Patricia Leavy

print ARC for review

Pub date ~ March 24

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Release Day! The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble ~ My Thoughts #TheSistersOfBookRow

2026-03-03T13:45:00.001-06:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Shelley

on the release today of

The Sisters of Book Row!

The Sisters of Book Row by Shelley Noble

Historical Fiction, Books about Books, 384 pages

Published March 3, 2026 by William Morrow Paperbacks

A thrilling and timely historical novel of books, banning, and the women who helped save New York’s famed Book Row, from bestselling author Shelley Noble.

1915: Manhattan’s Book Row, an eclectic jumble of forty bookshops along Fourth Avenue, is the mecca for rare book buyers from around the world, and the haunt of locals looking for a bargain. It is also the target of the most vicious censor in American history—Anthony Comstock.

And home to three sisters who vow to stop him.

For the three Applebaum sisters, the narrow, four-storied Arcadia Rare Bookshop is the only home they’ve ever known. Olivia, the oldest, is an expert in restoring rare manuscripts. Daphne, the outgoing middle sister, oversees the retail shop and is a favorite with their customers. Celia, the youngest, is left to dust and catalogue, but often sneaks out to do heaven knows what. Little do her sisters know, Celia has joined a group of young people who secretly print and distribute articles on women’s health by hiding them within the pages of ordinary cookbooks, household hints, and sewing patterns, despite the personal risk.

Meanwhile, the Comstock Laws threaten anybody who owns or circulates “obscene, lewd, or lascivious” publications. Even classic literature or fine art could send a person to jail. In the face of such oppression, Celia and the booksellers of Book Row band together. But secrets and a mysterious stranger mean the fate of the famed Book Row is anything but secure.

My thoughts about The Sisters of Book Row ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"A breeze dances among the leaves of the olive trees that cast their shade over the walled courtyard."

I went into this story not knowing anything about it or about the events that took place during this specific time period. The cover that was filled with books is what drew me in.

Three sisters, each different in her own way, are left to run their family-owned bookstore after their father passes away. Times are tough and each sister has her own agenda and idea of the life she wants to live. I was struck by how different each sister was from the others and how they all wanted unique things out of life. As troubling events were thrown at them, they learned about what and who were important and how they could all manage to be happy.

I really enjoyed The Sisters of Book Row and learned a lot about Anthony Comstock, the Comstock Laws, and the threat all of that was to small booksellers and the rights of the common people. The writing was superb which made for a very enthralling story. Highly recommend it!

I received a ARC of The Sisters of Book Row and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

Shelley Noble is a multi published fiction author whose books have been translated into seven languages. She writes women’s fiction as Shelley Noble and is also the author of several amateur sleuth mystery series, written as Shelley Freydont.

A former professional dancer and choreographer, she most recently worked on the films, Mona Lisa Smile and The Game Plan. She also consults on various dance and theatre projects, most recently the world premiere of a full length Tom Sawyer ballet commissioned by Kansas City Ballet.

Shelley is a member of Sisters-in-Crime, Mystery Writers of America, Romance Writers of America, and Liberty States Fiction Writers.

She lives near the New Jersey shore. In her spare time she loves to discover new beaches and indulge her passion for lighthouses and boardwalks with vintage carousels.

Connect with Shelley

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Instagram

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Release Day! Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances by Kimberly Behre Kenna ~ My Thoughts and an Interview #LolaGillette

2026-03-03T10:00:00.001-06:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulation Kimberly

on the release today of

Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances!

Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances by Kimberly Behre Kenna

Middle Grade, 170 pages

Published March 3 by Willow River Press

A heartwarming and magical middle-grade adventure about grief, guilt, and the power of connection.

Thirteen-year-old Lola is determined to honor her perfect twin sister, who died in an accident Lola can’t forgive herself for. To make things right, she’s on a mission to complete their Perfect Pairs Collection—but one mistake lands her in serious trouble. Now, instead of facing reform school, Lola must spend August with her eccentric, agoraphobic Uncle Milo in his crumbling mansion on the Connecticut River.

What begins as punishment quickly turns into a summer full of strange discoveries: a Zen garden gone wrong, a holographic projector spitting ghostly messages from her late aunt, a mysterious houseboat, and even a wandering wolf. As Lola races to complete her lucky baker’s dozen of perfect pairs, she starts to realize that magic isn’t about collections or luck—it’s about healing, forgiveness, and finding where she truly belongs.

Perfect for fans of Kate DiCamillo, Lynda Mullaly Hunt, and Anne Ursu, this touching, funny, and imaginative story explores family, loss, and the courage it takes to let go.

My thoughts about Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first lines.)

First lines—"My name is Lola. I am a thief."

This story grabbed me from the very first lines. Since I had already read one of this author's stories, I knew this tale was going to be another exciting adventure.

Lola feels like an outcast in her own family. When she is sent away to spend a month with a quirky uncle as her punishment for stealing, she discovers a world full of caring people who just want to help. She takes on the quest of trying to make her uncle happy and accepting of his life as it is now, after the death of his wife. With a full community behind her, it just may happen.

Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances was a wonderful story of second chances, just like the title says, but also a story of the strength and determination of others when they all pull together for a common cause. This was a delight to read and would be enjoyed by all middle graders.

I received a copy of Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances from BooksForward and this is my honest opinion.

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An Interview with

Kimberly Behre Kenna

How does your teaching background influence your writing?

I’ve spent most of my adult life working with kids in one way or another. My teaching years were filled with my own learning about the power of play, asking big questions, and finding connections, all of which infuse my writing. I loved my students’ sense of humor, their bravery, and I was curious about their shifting social dynamics! These firsthand insights help me craft characters and conflicts that resonate and reflect both the chaos and wonder of growing up. I write books that I would have used in my classroom to foster deep discussions and promote a sense of community.

What was your inspiration for “Lola Gillette,” the third book in your Brave Girls collection?

My two main inspirations were a visit to Gillette Castle State Park here in CT and growing up with twin younger sisters. My first visit to the park was during the pandemic, and as we hiked the trails with the castle in the background, I was enthralled by the beauty of the woods above the CT River and was intrigued by the castle and the life of its former owner, William Gillette. A perfect setting for a mysterious adventure! I’d always been curious about my twin sisters’ energetic connection as well as their stark differences, and I wondered how they’d survive if they were ever separated. As with my previous two books, I let “what-if” questions lead the way into Lola’s story.

What strengths do the characters in this book have? What does being quirky mean to you?

In my opinion, being quirky is a strength. Having unusual interests, thinking differently, and connecting things that don’t usually go together leads to exceptional creativity in problem solving, the arts, and life in general. Some consider reclusive Uncle Milo odd because of his huge clan of cats, his interests in gardens and floral design, and his desire to sculpt wooden door locks that are puzzles to solve. Based on real-life actor and inventor William Gillette, Milo’s quirks are gifts for all. Lola is impulsive but insightful, and her self-awareness ultimately allows her to rely on her flawed but beautiful self as opposed to magic. My characters are resilient and open to learning beyond what they believe is true…once they get out of their own way!

Why do we need middle-grade novels that highlight difficult topics, and how do we write such books in an age-appropriate way? How can books provide validation and healing for struggling kids?

Middle-grade novels that address difficult topics help young readers see their own struggles reflected and named, offering both validation and hope. As an author, it’s my responsibility to balance authenticity with sensitivity and contain it all within an engaging story infused with humor and hope. Critique partners and sensitivity readers help me do this appropriately, in a way that draws kids in without overwhelming them. If readers share a character’s challenges, it reassures them they’re not alone. For those unfamiliar with those challenges, the characters provide insights into different ways of living that inspire empathy in readers.

How can teachers, parents and social workers/therapists use fiction books as a way to discuss difficult topics, and why should they?

Fiction offers a safe, indirect way for kids to explore hard truths without feeling personally exposed. Discussing difficult topics via book groups or a family read helps children name emotions, ask questions, and build language for things they may not yet understand. It also supports connection and trust, showing that no feeling or experience is too big for conversation. These kinds of stories reveal various possible roadmaps for dealing with challenges, showing young readers that transformation and healing are possible.

How are writing and reading transformative and empowering for all ages, but especially important for kids?

Writing and reading allow people of all ages to make sense of their experiences, imagine possibilities, and find their voice, and for kids, this power is magnified. Writing gives them agency, a way to reshape their world via thoughtful questions and imagination. Just think, we can write about our past experiences and change those stories’ endings in whatever way we want! Sharing writing with others takes bravery, resulting in a deeper understanding of others and ourselves. Regardless of our differences, reading and writing are ways to recognize our similarities and the role each of us plays in this one gigantic web of life.

What’s next for you? Do you have plans to continue the Brave Girls collection?

I’m working on final revisions of a mystical YA novel that features a brave girl and boy trying to untangle mysteries in an unpredictable forest. A fourth MG is in the works, but I’m only on the first draft. That protagonist is still trying to teach me a few things, and she definitely has a lot to say!

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About the author

After years as an adolescent and family counselor, and then as a fifth grade teacher of ecology and language arts, Kimberly returned to school for her MA in creative writing from Wilkes University.

Her middle-grade novel, Artemis Sparke and the Sound Seekers Brigade (Regal House/Fitzroy) was a finalist and received Honorable Mention in the 2019 Tassy Walden New Voices in Children’s Literature Competition. Jett Jamison and the Secret Storm (Black Rose) is the second book in her Brave Girls Collection. A third in the collection, as yet unpublished, won second place in The Institute of Children’s Literature 2022 MG Mystery Contest.

Her poems and stories have been published in American Writers Review, Mused, Plumtree Tavern, and Rubbertop Review. Her full-length play, Ana’s Hummingbird, was given a staged reading at The Dramatists Guild in NYC. She’s a member of SCBWI and PEN America, and now devotes herself to writing full time.

Connect with Kimberly

Website | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Goodreads

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Release Day! The Diner by Joanne DeMaio #TheDiner

2026-03-02T12:45:00.001-06:00

Happy Release Day!

Congrats Joanne

on the release today of

The Diner!

The Diner by Joanne DeMaio

Series: The Seaside Saga #26

Women's Saga, 255 pages

Published March 2, 2026, by Joanne DeMaio

From New York Times bestselling author Joanne DeMaio comes The Diner, Book 26 of The Seaside Saga.

Quite simply, The Seaside Saga’s made a distinct splash. And it does once again in The Diner , picking up from DeMaio’s most stunning cliffhanger yet.

And The Seaside Saga continues.

The Seaside Saga on Goodreads

The Seaside Saga on Amazon

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If you're new to The Seaside Saga, the reading order is below. Written like an ongoing TV show, it's a revolutionary series following the same tangled group of beach friends from book-to-book.

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About the author

Connect with Joanne

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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It's Monday! What Are You Reading? March 2, 2026 #IMWAYR

2026-03-02T12:00:00.002-06:00

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Thanks for stopping by. I hope you all have a good week.

Happy reading!

What I'm currently reading

Escape to Passignano

(Carolina Coast Stories Book 7)

by Normandie Fischer

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 19

Lola Gillette and the Summer of Second Chances

by Kimberly Behre Kenna

print for review

Pub date ~ March 3

One Perfect Couple

by Ruth Ware

audio-book from my collection

Published May 21, 2024

What I recently finished

The Sisters of Book Row

by Shelley Noble

print for review

Pub date ~ March 3

What I am going to read next

Life: A Love Story

by Elizabeth Berg

eARC for review

Pub date ~ March 17

I really love my reading life!

What are you reading this week?

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Be sure to check the sidebar for all of my current giveaways!

Release Day! Leave It Up To Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey ~ My Thoughts #LeaveItUpToLove @kristywharvey

2026-03-01T11:45:00.001-06:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Kristy

on the release today of

Leave It Up to Love!

Leave It Up To Love by Kristy Woodson Harvey

Romance, Short Story, 58 pages

Published March 1, 2026 by Amazon Original Stories

From New York Times bestselling author Kristy Woodson Harvey comes a funny, feel-good tale—a seaside romp about chasing dreams, losing illusions, and writing your own story.

Ready for her big break after publishing her first novel, Lila Everwood has two fresh book ideas and dreams of quitting her barista job. She’s hopeful about her future—until her writing catches her literary idol’s attention in all the wrong ways.

Elizabeth Lancaster, the queen of regency romance, hasn’t written a word in three years. Her publisher’s solution? A ghostwriter. Specifically, her favorite coffee server. It’s either brilliance or madness—and her literary agent son Grady thinks it’s definitely the latter.

As the ideas begin to fly, so do the sparks—between Lila and Grady. And, as Lila’s and Elizabeth’s worlds collide, the two writers must lean on each other, learning something vital in the In life, love, and publishing, sometimes you have to write your own happy ending.

My thoughts about Leave It Up To Love ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"My favorite part about being an author was days like today, when I was walking down a Sea Oat Shores, North Carolina, street to meet with my editor."

I love everything that Kristy Woodson Harvey writes and Leave it Up to Love did not disappoint.

This short story was just what I needed to take a break for my typical reading material. It was light and fun, everything a rom-com should be. The idea of a ghostwriter for an established author is probably more common than I am aware of but this was an interesting look at what that might entail. The characters were real and entertaining.

I read the e-book as well as listened to the audio-book. The narrators did an amazing job and had the characters come to life for me. Highly recommend this fun short story from one of my favorite, must-read authors!

I received an audio ARC of Leave It Up To Love and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

Kristy Woodson Harvey is the New York Times, USA Today and Publisher’s Weekly bestselling author of eleven novels including A Happier Life, The Summer of Songbirds, and The Peachtree Bluff Series. Many of her books have been optioned or are in development for television and film and have received numerous accolades, including Good Morning America’s Buzz Pick, Southern Living’s Most Anticipated Reads, Katie Couric’s Featured Books, and Joanna Garcia Swisher’s The Happy Place Read. Kristy is the winner of the Lucy Bramlette Patterson Award for Excellence in Creative Writing and a finalist for the Southern Book Prize.

A Phi Beta Kappa, summa cum laude graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill’s school of journalism, her writing has appeared in numerous publications, including Southern Living, Parade, Traditional Home, USA TODAY, and many more. She also holds a master’s in English, with a concentration in multicultural and transnational literature.

Kristy is the cocreator and cohost of the weekly web show and podcast Friends & Fiction with fellow New York Times Bestselling authors Mary Kay Andrews, Kristin Harmel, and Patti Callahan Henry. She is also the co-founder of the interiors site Design Chic, with her mom, Beth Woodson.

She lives on the North Carolina coast with her husband, son, and dog, Salt, where she is (always!) working on her next novel.

Connect with Kristy

Website | Facebook | Goodreads | Twitter | Instagram

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Book Blitz! Bistro La Bohème Complete Series Box Set by Alix Nichols ~ Excerpt and #Giveaway! @XpressoTours

2026-02-25T10:00:00.001-06:00

The Bistro La Bohème Complete Series Box Set: 7 Parisian Romantic Comedies by Alix Nichols

Publication date: February 25th 2026

Genres: Adult, Comedy, Romance

Love rom-coms packed with banter, warm fuzzies, and spice?

This complete series box set has you covered.

7 full-length romances. One Paris café. Pure binge reading.

1. Falling for Emma — a redemption romance

Rising star of French soft rock Cyril is blind, talented, and broken. Graphic artist Emma lives in her sister’s shadow, hiding her love for Cyril… until the day she decides to give fate a helping hand.

2. What If It’s Love — a second-chance romance, Dante Rossetti First Place Winner

When the hottest man in Paris, Rob Dumont, shows interest in geeky, introverted heiress Lena, she suspects something fishy. And she’s right to.

3. Winter’s Gift — a modern Cinderella romance

When tech mogul Anton and elite call girl Anna cross paths over the holidays, neither can deny that what they share is special. But it threatens the principles they’ve lived by for years: love is poison, and don’t trust anyone.

4. Under My Skin — a love triangle romance

After three years of no contact, up-and-coming politician Mat Gerard believes he’s over his crush on sassy barmaid Jeanne Bonnet… Or is he?

5. Amanda’s Guide to Love — an opposites-attract romance, Kindle Scout Winner

One uptight career woman down on her luck. One free-spirited blackjack player. One wild, no-strings night that changes everything…

6. An Autumn in Paris — a single-parent romance

For single mom Dana, passion is a thing of the past. When she meets handsome vet Thomas, will she dare to love again?

7. The Devil’s Own Chloe — a friends-to-lovers romance

Patient and strong, contractor Hugo prides himself on fixing anything. But can he save his high school crush Chloe from herself?

“Ooh-la-la! Fun and entertaining.” (USA Today Bestselling Author Ann Omasta)

“The twists and turns will keep you hanging off the edge of your seat, and the magical setting will reel you in.” (Romantic Times)

Follow a close-knit group of friends as they fall in love—one swoony Parisian romance at a time.

Goodreads | Amazon

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PRAISE FOR THE BISTRO LA BOHEME SERIES

“Such a hoot to read you won’t want it to end.” — RT Book Reviews

“All the hallmarks of a good romance, and a lovely Parisian setting in the form of the quirky little La Bohème cafe and its circle of patrons.” — The Midwest Book Review

“Enchanting” — Kirkus Reviews

“An exceptionally entertaining contemporary romance.” — Readers’ Favorite

“Few authors possess the ability to make a book both somber and funny the way Alix Nichols does.” — Blog Up Close and Literal

“A touching, steamy, smile-filled swoonfest.” — Jackie D. on Goodreads

Excerpt from “Amanda’s Guide to Love”,

a Kindle Scout winner included in the Bistro La Bohème Complete Series Box Set

by Alix Nichols

The plan was simple, as all genius ideas were: exploit her beginner’s luck.

Amanda was a gambling virgin, so new she still had her price tags. She’d never set foot in a casino or tried a slot machine. She’d never even played cards with friends.

Seeing as she had no friends.

She shook her head, brushing that thought away.

I do have friends. A whole bunch of them—because four counted as a bunch, right?

She donned her strappy gown and refreshed her makeup. Then she grabbed her Chanel purse with her ID, cash, and the cocktail voucher the concierge had given her and headed to the famed Deauville Casino that adjoined her hotel.

Ten minutes into the game, Amanda began to suspect that her two-hour crash course on the train might have been insufficient. But it didn’t matter because her beginner’s luck should kick in any moment now.

She surveyed the players at her table to divert her mind from worrying.

What a motley crew!

Across from her sat an elderly Spanish couple. They wore matching T-shirts and smiled simultaneously, flashing their dentures. Next to them, two forty-something British women spoke to each other in an incomprehensible English dialect. A middle-aged Frenchman with greasy hair and darting eyes sat beside them. Amanda’s neighbor to theleft was a surgically enhanced bimbo of unknown provenance doused with a nauseating perfume and clad in a dress that was three sizes too small.

But the most remarkable person at the table was Amanda’s neighbor to the right, whom she’d nicknamed Obsidian Eyes. In his late twenties, tall, swarthy, well built, and well dressed, the man was easy on the eyes. He wore a faux casual linen suit and played with the easy confidence of someone who knew what he was doing.

His complexion and features held a touch of something exotic, faintly alien—something that kept her stealing glances at him whenever he turned his attention to his cards. Was it his wavy, jet-black hair, mesmerizing eyes, or chiseled jawline? Or maybe his exquisite eyebrows that made her think of a raven’s wings? Whatever that je ne sais quoi was, it made him look more than ordinary. And hot.

The man was a blazing wildfire on legs.

As if his looks weren’t enough, Obsidian Eyes played exceptionally well. Forty minutes into the game, his stacks of colorful chips had doubled while everyone else’s—including Amanda’s—had melted away.

That thought snapped her back into reality. Panicked, Amanda raised her eyes to the high ceiling of the casino.

Please, I can’t lose.

She was gambling with her meager savings—half of it, to be exact. If the Supreme Being above intended to activate her beginner’s luck, now was the time.

“Newbie?” Obsidian Eyes asked, his gaze never shifting from the deck in the dealer’s hands.

He spoke French like a native. A slight Midi accent, maybe? A bit like Jeanne’s, but less pronounced.

Amanda looked around, unsure whom he was talking to.

Obsidian Eyes finally lifted his gaze from the cards and gave her a panty-dropping smile.

She arched an eyebrow. “Does it show?”

“Mhmm,” Obsidian Eyes said.

Ooh, that smile again!

The dealer held up a card for her, and she started reaching for it when she noticed Obsidian Eyes give a quick shake of his head. She pulled back.

And won the hand.

“Thank you,” she mouthed to her unexpected mentor.

He gave her a small nod.

She followed his discreet instructions for two more hands and won both. The evening was beginning to look up.

The dealer bowed and ceded his place to a good-looking young woman with sleek auburn hair smoothed back into the world’s tightest bun.

She greeted the players and began to shuffle the cards.

Obsidian Eyes turned to Amanda. “Why blackjack? Beginners usually prefer the slots or roulette.”

“I don’t know . . .Too passive for me, I guess.”

He nodded. “I avoid them, too.”

“So you know what I mean.”

“Yes. But that’s not my only reason.”

She cocked her head. “No?”

“The slots are twice as costly to players than the table games, and with roulette, too much depends on chance.”

Amanda smirked. “Isn’t that the case with all the games?”

“Not blackjack, if played right.”

“Let me guess—you play it right.”

He glanced at the dealer, who was engrossed in shuffling cards. “I know a trick or two.”

One of the Brits stage-whispered to the other, “I hope he’ll show me some of his tricks tonight.” She paused before adding even louder, “In my room.”

Both women burst out laughing.

Obsidian Eyes shifted uncomfortably and looked down at his hands, pretending he hadn’t heard the saucy remark.

The man with greasy hair whispered something to the plastic bimbo.

She didn’t acknowledge him. The woman was too busy multitasking. With her chest heaving, she stared at Obsidian Eyes and stroked her neck. Every five seconds shelicked her lips and then pouted.

But the black-eyed hunk was oblivious to her onslaught. He turned to Amanda again. “I’m taking a break to stretch my legs.”

“Er . . . OK.”

He lowered his voice to a whisper. “I have a bad feeling about this dealer.”

“Oh.” She pushed her chips closer together like he had done and stood. “I’ll do the same, then.”

“What brings you to Deauville Casino tonight?” he asked as they strolled between the tables and observed the goings-on.

After a second’s hesitation, she said, “I’m writing a book about gamblers.”

“Participant observation, huh?”

Her eyebrows rose. “What do you know about participant observation?”

“Yeah, well, I need something to help me sleep when I get to my room at three in the morning.” He shrugged. “Reading a few pages of Tristes Tropiques works better than any sleeping pill I’ve tried.”

She giggled. “I’m passionate about cultural anthropology, but I could never finish that book.”

“I like psychology books better,” he said. “They’re fun to read, and the info in them is useful in my trade.”

“Oh?”

He nodded. “Especially books like Cialdini’s Influence and the ones on how to read body language.”

“I see.”

“Hey, how about a glass of champagne on the terrace after I’ve won my target amount?” He gave her an innocent smile. A little too innocent.

“I have a cocktail voucher,” she blurted before she could stop herself.

Did I just accept his invitation?

Oh, well. What harm could a drink do?

His face contorted in exaggerated disgust. “Trust me, you don’t want their free cocktail unless you’re a gustative masochist.”

She put her hands on her hips. “I was given a free voucher, and I intend to use it.”

“OK, OK. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

She tilted her head to the side. “You said ‘my target amount’ earlier. Are you that good?”

“In all modesty . . . yes. But my target amount is also reasonable. And I have a spending threshold, too. When I reach it before I’ve won my target amount, I always stop.”

“How very rational for a gambler!”

“I’m full of surprises, in case you haven’t noticed.” He gave her an appreciative look. “And I suspect that so are you, ma belle.”

“When did I become your belle?”

“Oh, it’s just a placeholder until you tell me your name.”

Should I? she wondered.

“So, what’s your name, ma belle?”

“Am . . . elie. And yours?”

“Kes.”

“What kind of name is Kes?”

“A Gypsy name.”

“Like, a real Traveler Gypsy?”

“As authentic as they come.”

“Ah.” She raised her chin. “That explains it.”

“Explains what, Amelie?”

“That you make me think of Tarzan.”

“Really?”

“Not that you aren’t dashing in your suit,” she began, “but you look like someone who was born to ride horses bare-chested.”

“Wow. You’re the bluntest belle I’ve ever met.”

“And you’re the most gorgeous Gypsy I’ve ever met,” she blurted.

Where did that come from? Must be the vodka.

The corners of his mouth twitched. “So refreshingly honest! Why, I’m flattered.”

She looked away.

Honest, my foot.

He wasn’t just the most handsome Gypsy she’d ever seen—he was the most spectacular man, all ethnicities included.

Now, that was honest.

She turned to him and cleared her throat. “Shall we go back? Target amounts and all.”

“Sure.”

The sleek-haired dealer was leaving when they returned to their seats. Both giggling Brits and Greasy Hair were gone. The elderly couple and the bimbo still played, but judging by their dismal faces and the measly number of chips in front of them, they weren’t doing well.

Kes had been right about the dealer.

“What does your gut tell you about this one?” Amanda eyed the middle-aged man who had taken over for his colleague.

“He’s the best.”

Her face fell.

Kes grinned. “Not for the house, ma belle, for us. Move closer so I can see your cards without twisting my neck.”

She moved as close to him as their chairs allowed.

“Now relax and do exactly as I say.”

Amanda glanced at Kes, but he had already turned his full attention to the cards.

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About the author

Alix Nichols is a caffeine addict, a longtime fan of Mr. Darcy. She pens sexy romantic comedies and romantasy. At the age of six, she released her first book. It featured highly creative spelling on a dozen pages stitched together and bound in velvet paper.

Decades later, she lives in France and still writes. Her spelling has improved (somewhat), she has become a Kindle Scout winner, USA Today bestseller, Book Riot's Top 100 Must-Read International Romance author, and Amazon All-Star.

Connect with Alix

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Instagram | Bookbub

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Release Day! One Beautiful Year of Normal by Sandra K. Griffith ~ My Thoughts #OeBeautifulYearOfNormal

2026-02-24T13:15:00.001-06:00

Happy Release Day!

Congratulations Sandra

on the release today of

One Beautiful Year of Normal!

One Beautiful Year of Normal by Sandra K. Griffith

Mystery, Thriller, Psychological Fiction, 312 pages

Published February 24, 2026 by She Writes Press

A must-read for fans of character-driven suspense like Liz Moore’s Long Bright River and A. J. Finn’s The Woman in the Window, One Beautiful Year of Normal is a gripping psychological thriller about a woman’s dangerous decision to unearth her family’s darkest secrets.

Some memories protect you. Others imprison you.

When August Caine receives a phone call from a Savannah attorney, she is blindsided by the news—her Aunt Helen has passed away. But how can that be, when August’s mother insisted Helen died in a car accident fifteen years ago? Determined to uncover the truth, August returns to the deep South, where the ghosts of her past—both real and imagined—await her.

Plagued by a memory splintered by her father’s unsolved murder when she was a child and further tangled by psychiatric treatments for the debilitating depression she struggles with, August realizes her survival depends on unraveling the mystery surrounding her father’s death. This means returning to the one safe place she remembers from the childhood she has mostly locked away inside her Aunt Helen’s home, and the ghost tours they created together.

A chilling exploration of mental illness, mother-daughter bonds, and generational secrets, One Beautiful Year of Normal follows August as she pieces together the long-buried truths that shaped her family’s tragic past and confronts the question that has haunted her for Can the truth set her free, or will it unravel everything she thought she knew?

My thoughts about One Beautiful Year of Normal ~~

(I love to note the first lines of the books I'm reading. First lines can really grab a reader's attention and I love seeing where the author takes the reader after their first line.)

First lines—"One of the most important practices of a ghostwriter is to make certain you are invisible. For me, this is easy: I come from a long line of world-class deceivers."

Strap in and hold on to your hats. This story will take you on a wild ride! One Beautiful Year of Normal has just about every element you could want in a book. There is plenty of family drama, mother and daughter dysfunction, murder, cover-ups, kidnappings, friendship, support, and lies—lots of lies. It goes on and on. And I loved every minute of it!

The author penned such beautiful passages that the whole book was a pleasure to read. I was totally captivated by her words. And all the drama and secrets kept me turning the pages.

I highly recommend One Beautiful Year of Normal. It is a moving family drama with amazing characters and an outstanding storyline. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

I received aa ARC of One Beautiful Year of Normal and this is my honest opinion.

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About the author

Sandra K. Griffith is a doctorate-level psychologist with extensive clinical and forensic experience, the owner of a behavioral health agency, and an adjunct instructor at Marshall University. Her expertise in mental health, trauma, and the complexities of memory informs her deeply psychological and atmospheric storytelling.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling, antiquing, cooking and spending time with her family, friends, and too large collection of pets. She splits her time between Kenova, West Virginia and Tybee Island, Georgia, just outside of Savannah.

Connect with Sandra

Publisher | Facebook | Goodreads | Amazon

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