Archive for September, 2025

 

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Three elder stateswomen in the music industry, scarred by
scandal, addiction, and forced retirement, go all in to create a killer
comeback album.

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Wild Flowers

by Merie Robie

Genre: Contemporary Women’s Fiction

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Three elder stateswomen in the music industry, scarred by
scandal, addiction, and forced retirement, go all in to create a killer
comeback album. As they learn to trust themselves and dive back into
songwriting, they entwine their lives and voices in ways they couldn’t have
imagined alone.

Everyone has forgotten about soul singer Honey Conaway,
except that she stabbed a producer’s eye out at a party and left drunk and
stumbling like some glitzy Medea. Everyone loves Gloria Redmond: Girls grew up
listening to her country-tinged, smart-alecky tunes, but she has become
irrelevant past her prime. And everyone knows Sian Star, not for her time
fronting the pop band The Whirlygirls, but for driving a red Porsche into the
Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. When these three women create an award-winning
comeback album together, each is challenged by the version of herself that
pushed her out of the spotlight in the first place.

What readers
are saying:

“A beautiful novel about three vibrant, memorable
women who refuse to abandon their passion for music despite their struggles
with aging, caretaking, and the frustration of thwarted dreams. Gloria, Honey,
and Sian are an inspiring reminder that nothing is over until it’s over.”

Jane Delury, Author of Hedge

 

“Drop the needle on this power chord of a novel and
feel it pull you in. A resonant story about friendship, songwriting, and
serendipity, and about how all of us, even aging country stars, can reinvent
ourselves.” — Elisabeth Cohen, author of The Glitch. 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Meri Robie is a
writer and editor living in Baltimore. Her novel Wildflowers will be
published by Watertower Press in 2025. Her play, “Light Strikes a
Deal” was included in the Rapid Lemon Theater’s Variations on Night festival
(2025), and she earned Honorable Mention for the 2023 Page One Contest by Gutsy
Great Novelist (gutsygreatnovelist.com).
She is a graduate of the Johns Hopkins Writing Seminars. You can find her
volunteering as an usher for various Baltimore theater productions, driving
Baltimore School for the Arts students to local art events, or scribbling away
notes in the front seat of her car at stop lights.

Amazon * Goodreads

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway!

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$20 PayPal or Amazon Gift Card.

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Wild Flowers

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Rekindled Flame

by Ella Braeme

 

(Burning Hearts, #1)
Publication date: September 3rd 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

He swore to protect his town—but guarding his heart is the real challenge.

Volunteer firefighter Shawn Miller thought he had his life figured out in small-town Elken Grove. His print shop pays the bills while his real passion—fighting fires—keeps him connected to the community he loves.

Then his new Captain walks through the station doors: Rebecca “Becks” Schwartz, the woman who walked out of his life nine years ago. Now she’s his superior officer, and someone in the department is determined to drive her away—or worse.

As danger closes in, Shawn must balance protecting Becks with respecting her authority. But when sparks fly hotter than ever between them, he realizes some flames aren’t meant to be extinguished—they’re meant to be stoked.

Get REKINDLED FLAME today and feel the heat of this slow-burn second chance romance!

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“There’s something else you should know before you leave.”

Something in the chief’s tone made Shawn sink back into his chair. “Sir?”

“The new captain is a woman,” Washington said carefully, clearly bracing for resistance. “Rebecca Schwartz from the Charlotte Fire Department. Goes by Becks, according to her application. She’ll be arriving Thursday next week for an informal meet-and-greet at Mr. Jones & Husband, then coming by on Saturday to meet the volunteers during training before officially starting on Monday.”

Shawn nodded, unfazed by the gender revelation. “A female captain? That’s fine by—“

But the words died in his throat as the full name registered. The folder slipped from his suddenly numb fingers, papers spilling across the floor. Rebecca Schwartz. The name echoed in his head like the aftershock of an explosion.

“Rebecca Schwartz?” he repeated, his voice sounding distant to his own ears.

Washington’s eyebrows rose slightly at Shawn’s reaction. “You know her?”

Know her? Shawn almost laughed at the absurdity of the question. He’d known her as Becca back then—sweet-faced but determined Becca with her infectious laugh and fierce ambition. He’d known the curve of her smile and the scent of her skin. Known her dreams and fears. Known the sound of her voice first thing in the morning and the last thing at night.

Until he hadn’t.

“We trained together,” he said finally, the understatement of the decade. “At the North Carolina Fire Academy. When I knew her, she went by Becca, not Becks.”

Washington frowned, clearly surprised by this information. “I didn’t connect the dots when reviewing your files.” He leaned forward, suddenly concerned. “Is this going to be a problem?”

Shawn bent to gather the scattered papers, grateful for the chance to hide his expression. Memories he’d buried years ago resurfaced in vivid detail—Becca’s fierce determination during training exercises, her infectious laugh during rare moments of downtime, the devastating fury in her eyes the last time they’d spoken.

“I never want to see your face again, Miller. Keep six feet away from me for the rest of our lives.”

He straightened, clutching the reassembled folder, his knuckles white against the manila paper. “No, sir. No problem at all.”

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About Author Ella Braeme:

Ella Braeme writes steamy small-town romance where protective heroes and the women who capture their hearts find love in the mountains and marshlands of Georgia. Whether her characters are running toward danger or running from their past, they always find their way to happily-ever-after. When she’s not dreaming up new ways for couples to fall headlong into danger (and love), she’s in her garden, supervised by a dog who firmly believes digging holes helps the flowers grow. Her quick, satisfying reads deliver the perfect escape, whether you’re sneaking in a chapter during lunch or staying up way too late to reach that happily-ever-after.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram / Facebook

 

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

 

Songs, Sails & Silly Dating Schemes

by Cindy Kehagiaras

 

(A Love In Destiny Romance)
Publication date: September 2nd 2025
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Shay Lazar was a childhood TV star and a 1990s “It Girl,” but left the spotlight to raise her two kids and be the supportive partner to “America’s Sweetheart,” Jack Cole…for almost thirty years. Now she wants back into the Hollywood Machine at fifty-two but the producer for show she wants to do called her Jack’s “Doormat”. Now she’s reassessing her life by hiding at her aunt’s house in Destiny, Florida, after a very publicized and possibly a career-ending incident.

Drew Slater wants to be left alone. The former ‘One-Hit-Wonder’ will never play his song again. He’s pretending his life is settled, but when a star falls out of the sky and onto his boat, he knows a hurricane is coming, and her name is Shay Lazar.

Songs, Sails & Silly Dating Schemes is a steamy over-40 romance set in the magical town of Destiny with Yacht Rock vibes and a Fake Dating Trope gone right with a stunning Hollywood Ending. SS&SDS is the fourth book in the Destiny Romance Series.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

He drove straight out onto the runway of the small airport, then came to a stop next to another police cruiser with its lights off, a big black Lincoln Navigator sat at the base of an impressive private jet. The stairs were down and the light inside glowed behind the sheen of the early morning mist. A peach illumination in the distance reminded me how much I hated sunrises these days.

I used to love them. Seeing a sunrise meant I’d spent an entire night with friends and lovers talking and partying all the way to the next day. It meant I was living, really living. Not waisting too much time asleep but being awake and free to create music and memories. That was long ago. Three lifetimes ago. Now it meant I couldn’t sleep. That the memories kept me awake. That I was still living and forced to be a functioning human. I was surviving enough for my daughter and her insistence that I stay in her life, when she wasn’t mad at me. And the music, always the music, but other people’s music. Not mine, never mine. “Alright.” Kurt met me at the top of the stairs. “Now, this is strictly confidential. I’ve had explicit instructions to deny any goings on here for the safety of the passenger,” he stated gravely.

“What in the hell are you talking about?”

He used to work for Bernie and Sandy when they lived at BernSand full time. But they let his crew go when they left on their cruise and Kurt wasn’t too happy about it. I wasn’t sure why he was involved with this mystery person or who was paying him.

Kurt turned his bulky body sideways and placed his hands on his hips. My view of a heap on the floor in the middle isle of the plane was still slightly obscured by his massiveness. I pushed past him to get a better look. I’d seen women passed out on the floor before, maybe too many times to have any strong emotions about it. I only wanted to know who it was that was so important that the police needed my sorry ass in the middle of the night.

“I’m not sure how many of these she took,” The airplane captain in his white uniform held out a prescription bottle to me on the far side to the body. I didn’t take it. I needed to see who the woman was.

I knelt at her bare feet. She wore ivory silk pants and matching blouse, almost like pajamas making her look ethereal in the way she lay on her side like a Botticelli painting. Her dark hair lay across her face. I heard a gasp from Stewie when I brushed the hair way from her face. The bandage across her forehead and large yellow and purple bruise on her swollen cheek almost made her unidentifiable, except for the dark beauty mark next to her right eye, long luscious lashes, and full pink lips.

I looked back at Kurt. “This is Shay Lazar.”

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About Author Cindy Kehagiaras:

“The Perpetual,” my over 40-second chance romance, has won the coveted “Stiletto Award” by Contemporary Romance Writers in the Mid-length Contemporary Romance category.

BIO: My writing journey began after my 50th birthday, and the pandemic lockdown allowed me to write. Some of my stories have haunted my dreams for decades. When the characters shouted day and night, I knew I had to write about them. These days I love to read and write stories about second chances with GenX characters in over 40, later in life, and mature steamy romances.

My previous lives have been in advertising, fashion, and small business owner. I’ve made it my life’s ambition to push through the challenges of dyslexia to consume novels, poetry, and articles and tell my stories.

A proud native Californian, I live in Hermosa Beach, CA, with my husband of 17 years, two beautiful kids, and two spunky-rescue kitties.

Please find me on all social media platforms.

Linktree

 

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Songs, Sails & Silly Dating Schemes Blitz

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries)
by Nellie H. Steele

 


Murder Most Eastern (Great Maine Mysteries)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – Maine
Publisher ‏ : ‎ A Novel Idea Publishing, LLC
Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 28, 2025
Print length ‏ : ‎ 210 pages
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0DW98ZFDN

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A seaside Victorian. A skeptical artist. A cat with secrets. And a murder that won’t stay buried…

When struggling artist Emily Harper inherits a charming but creaky Victorian on the rugged coast of Maine, she expects a fresh start—what she doesn’t expect is cryptic notes, eerie visions, and a cat with an uncanny sense for trouble.

But nothing unsettles her more than the bracelet. A striking piece of tourmaline jewelry left behind in the house, it sends shivers up her spine whenever she wears it. At first, she chalks it up to stress—until she visits West Quoddy Head Lighthouse and is struck by a chilling vision of a man begging for his life. The next day, his body is found.

With a storm brewing, long-buried secrets rising to the surface, and a killer who will do anything to keep the past hidden, Emily must embrace the unexplainable—or risk becoming the next victim.

Fans of Ellery Adams and Carolyn Hart will love this twisty, atmospheric paranormal cozy mystery full of seaside charm, ghostly intrigue, and a heroine who refuses to back down—no matter how haunted her past may be.

Read now and sleuth the clues today.

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About Nellie H. Steele

Nellie H. Steele is a storyteller who doesn’t just write books—she writes the stories her characters tell her. With distinct voices and minds of their own, her characters often take over, guiding her through tales of romance, mystery, adventure, and suspense.

A lifelong bookworm, Nellie vividly recalls sitting on the concrete floor of her childhood library, eagerly devouring Nancy Drew books and dreaming of solving mysteries of her own. Now an award-winning author, she spends her days crafting immersive worlds and unforgettable characters that feel like old friends. Her house is a zoo—literally—thanks to her rescue animals who seem perfectly happy napping while she writes.

Nellie’s writing process often involves background TV she never actually watches because she’s too wrapped up in her characters’ antics. When she’s not spinning stories, she works as a professor of statistics, where students who know her as an author are often surprised to find she really does teach math.

If you love twisty mysteries, soap-opera-style romance, and thrilling adventures, dive into Nellie’s books today and discover worlds you won’t want to leave. Connect with Nellie on Facebook at @NellieHSteele—she loves chatting with readers about characters, stories, and more!

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Goodread

Purchase Link: Amazon 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

August 28 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

August 28 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 29 – Hall Ways Blog – REVIEW

August 29 – Salty Inspirations – AUTHOR GUEST POST

August 30 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

August 30 – Sarandipity’s – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

August 31 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

August 31 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 1 – StoreyBook Reviews – AUTHOR GUEST POST

September 1 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

September 2 – Sneaky the Library Cat’s Blog – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

September 2 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

September 3 – Baroness Book Trove – REVIEW  

September 3 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER GUEST POST

September 4 – The Avid Reader – REVIEW

September 4 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

September 5 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

September 5 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

September 6 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

September 6 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

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Thanks so much for visiting fuonlyknew and Good Luck!

For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.