Author Archive

The Real Ones By J. Rose Black ~ Blitz And Giveaway

Posted: February 15, 2026 in Contemporary Romance, Excerpt, giveaways
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The Real Ones

By J. Rose Black

 

(Chasing Victory)
Publication date: February 12th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

Second chances don’t usually come wrapped in shoulder pads on Valentine’s Day…

Ten months ago, All-American shortstop Briella Reddington fell hard for grumpy, battle-scarred quarterback Maddox “Mick” McBride.

And then he walked away—right when she was finally ready to let him in.

Now Ella’s done being vulnerable, done being blindsided, and definitely done with emotionally unavailable athletes. But losing a bet lands her at a Valentine’s charity flag-football event…face-to-face with the man who broke her heart.

Maddox never stopped wanting Ella—but teammates loyal to her golden-boy ex, a rival gunning for his spot, and a coach who made Ella the price of peace forced his hand. Choosing her once cost him everything. His season tanked, his starting job is on the line, and seeing Ella again is the one hit he isn’t prepared to take.

When a chaotic Valentine’s “cupid” pushes them together, sparks ignite, truths surface, and Maddox realizes he’s been fighting the wrong battles all year.

This time, he’s not walking away.

He’s fighting for the girl who was always worth the risk.

READ THIS IF YOU LIKE…

Grumpy/protective hero
Sunshine-with-boundaries heroine
Second-chance romance
College sports + rival athletes
Forced proximity
Emotional scars & healing arcs
Charity-event chaos
A hero who finally fights for his girl

TW: mild hazing, alcohol abuse, domestic abuse; mentions of combat scars.

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Ella’s Favor

 

“I want to know what it’s like to kiss you.”

I don’t know what came over me, but there was just something about him, his quiet confidence. The proud way his shoulders squared when he spoke of his time in the Marines—not that he said much.

Heat hovered in the air, and I was positive I was as red as his potted sweetshrubs.

Those grey-blue eyes turned to look at me, and I became aware of every muscle in my body—as I fought to keep still. His brow pinched into a small frown. “Depends.”

I blinked and took another sip of my water. I’d seen enough of large muscles and sculpted physiques. He was leaner than most of the football squad Ash hung out with, but still powerful-looking. And yet, the gentle way he handled the bundle of flowers with their “root emergency” made him seem…different.

My chest warmed just to look at him. The urge to touch him, kiss him buzzed through me. I needed it in a way that I shouldn’t. Couldn’t. Except…I told Ash to go to hell when I saw him—my stomach squeezed and tumbled over—with her.

Maybe I should. Maybe I could, for the first time in more than two years. “On what?”

His eyes narrowed and he moved closer. The heat from my chest hit my veins. It sparked and popped, like it could catch fire. Like I could.

“Do I get to kiss you back?”

Dear God, yes. I managed to keep the commentary locked inside even as I could’ve sworn the room temperature spiked. He ducked his head, messy strands of dark hair shifting over his forehead. Those eyes focused, intense…I burned inside his look.

“If you want to,” I breathed as I slid my hand over the back of his neck. Soft pieces of hair curled between my fingers. My heels gave me the bit of height I needed to reach him.

His eyes slipped closed as his breath hitched. If there was a moment a person could choose to fall in love, that would have been mine—with him. So proud and strong. Lips parted, eyes closed, and waiting for my kiss.

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About Author J. Rose Black:

J. Rose Black weaves stories about redemption and the transformational power of love – with a few side-helpings of snark. Now an award-winning and Amazon Top 300 chart-topping author, Rose writes about broody alpha males and plucky, no-nonsense women ready to fight for what they believe in. Her novels have been praised for their realistic mental health representations, with narratives offering a unique balance of romance, humor and tougher, real-world issues.

When Rose isn’t deeply immersed in her latest manuscript, she’s working in cyber security and thwarting the next generation of internet bad guys. Out of the office, she’s #Shipping with friends over her favorite, swoon-worthy couples, heading to the gym to battle the great evil that is Unmovable Baby Weight, or complaining about her husband’s addiction to 3D printing. Also: nagging her children to eat something other than cheese.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok / Newsletter

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The Real Ones Blitz

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The Detective Ryan Mysteries By Clive Fleury ~ Guest Post And Giveaway

Posted: February 14, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways, Guest Post
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The truth doesn’t sleep — and neither does Detective Ryan.

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Off Season

A Detective Ryan Mystery #1

by Clive Fleury

Genre: Cozy Mystery

Detective Ryan
navigates drug overdoses, a mysterious foot on the beach and a long-buried cold
case.

Detective Ramesh Ryan’s career with Sydney’s prestigious Organized Crime Unit
is on the up, until he loses a court case against the city’s most powerful drug
dealer. In disgrace, the detective is relocated to the tiny Australian beach
town of Barton.

It is off-season in Barton-when its few criminals usually take a well-earned
rest. But not this year! With the detective’s arrival, the town suddenly
becomes murder central. Two bodies are discovered in the space of days, both
victims of drug overdoses. Then a mysterious foot is found washed up on the
beach, and memories are awoken of an unsolved cold case of the teenager who
disappeared fifteen years ago. Add to this a blossoming romance, along with a
contract taken out on Ryan’s life, and it’s clear that the detective has jumped
out of the Sydney frying pan into the Barton fire.

What follows is an action-packed adventure, thrilling at every turn-where truth
and lies are almost impossible to separate, and unexpected twists are the order
of the day.

Praise For OFF SEASON

 

“Off Season is a sensational and thrilling mystery
that will take its reader on a journey of ups and downs and twists and turns
galore while always entertaining and thrilling you!”

 —Aimee – GOODREADS
review

 

“Attention grabber. Moves quickly and smoothly. Informative.
Enjoyable. Don’t miss.”

—Margaret – GOODREADS review

“Fleury masterfully crafts a narrative that is both
fast-paced and intricately plotted. The story kicks off with a bang and
maintains its momentum throughout, with each chapter ending on a tantalizing
cliffhanger. The plot is peppered with unexpected twists and turns, keeping
readers interested.”

—J. Komrie – GOODREADS review

“Great build-up of suspense, a layered plot, and an enticing
protagonist. Takes a lot of turns, which I love. This is definitely a page
turner for anyone who loves a good crime mystery.”

—Carolina Rolim – Verified AMAZON reader review

 

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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All Or None

A Detective Ryan Mystery #2

Returning to Sydney, Detective Ramesh Ryan is promoted to
the Homicide Squad. Zoe Yang joins him there. Now a detective herself, she is
assigned as his junior partner. Straight up, the cops are off and
running-investigating the discovery of a murdered company director. Following
the clues, Detective Ryan finds that this and a second murder may be linked to
past events.

As the pressure mounts for a quick solution to the case, the
detective finds that he too, is in the killer’s crosshairs. But Ryan is
distracted from the investigation by a romantic encounter with an old
university friend. He also worries about his mother, Mumta, and her new
obsessive desire for grandchildren from her only son. Could this be linked to
her recent medical tests? And there’s another pressing problem-the plague of
rats in his apartment block.

Detective Ryan’s hands are well and truly full!

Praise For ALL OR NONE

A riveting read. Anyone who likes mystery and crime, you
won’t be able to put this down. Thought it was an elegant continuation of this
universe. – Carolina R, Amazon Reviewer

I really enjoyed this book. I love it when you keep changing
your mind about who did it to find out at the end that you’re still
wrong. – Nancy F., Goodreads Reviewer

All or None exceeded my expectations. The murders kept me
guessing, but what I loved most was Ryan himself tough on the outside,
vulnerable on the inside, and surrounded by challenges that made him relatable.
– Mary M., Goodreads Reviewer

I devoured this ARC in two sittings. The tension builds
perfectly, and the clues are woven in so well that you feel like you’re
investigating alongside Ryan and Zoe. The personal subplots (his mom, the
romance, even the rats!) add depth without slowing down the action. –
Minor C, Goodreads Reviewer

 

Amazon * Bookbub * Goodreads

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What inspired you to write this book? 

My decision to write “All or None” the second book in the Detective Ryan mystery series, came because I really liked the characters – Detective Ramesh Ryan, Zoe Yang, Mumta Ryan — in “Off Season” the first book in the series. I wanted to explore where they would take me.

What can we expect from you in the future? 

Definitely more Detective Ryan mystery novels.

Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in ALL OR NONE?

In my latest novel “All Or None” Detective Ramesh Ryan remains the principal character. He’s bright, determined, and loves being a detective. However, he is socially inept, a bit of a mother’s boy, and can be too stubborn and too much of a loner for his own good.

Detective Zoe Yang is Ryan’s junior partner. New to Sydney, she likes being a detective, but it is not for her the be all and end all of life. A Ying to Ryan’s Yang, she is social, friendly and outgoing. She is also indecisive… unsure about whether to stay in the city or return to beach life on the Central Coast.

Mumta Ryan,  Ramesh Ryan’s mother, was born in India, and met her late husband, British-born banker Harold, in Australia. Although financially secure, Harold’s death ten years ago has left an indelible mark on her, and she doesn’t intend to remarry.  She loves trying new things and flits from one passion/pastime to another.

How did you come up with the concept and characters for the book?

I’ve always loved thrillers and mysteries and so writing books that have both these elements was a no brainer. I live for part of the year in a suburb in Sydney, Australia called Potts Point. It is full of unusual and quirky people. I draw my characters and inspiration from here.

Where did you come up with the names in the story? 

Names are my bête noire. I always have difficulty plucking characters names out of the ether. I regularly have to go back to change a name when I am halfway through a book because I think of a better name. This can cause major editing problems, and is not something I would encourage any writer to do.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book? 

Finishing it.

I think people who don’t write for a living have this romantic notion of writing being a profession that is carefree and full of excitement. Nothing could be further from the truth. Writing is all about discipline… It doesn’t matter how you feel you have to aim to get a certain number of words on a page every day. It’s hard graft, and it’s only when you finally reach the end of a novel do you get that feeling of excitement and achievement.

How did you come up with the title of your first novel? 

It’s always difficult to come up with a title for a first novel, particularly when, as in this case, the book is number one in a series. In my case I wanted a title that was short and snappy, and gave some information about one of the themes of the novel. I thought Off Season fitted the bill, as the book is about a city detective who is assigned to a sleepy town during the winter when there are no tourists.

If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?

I would love to have Dev Patel to play my lead detective, Detective Ramesh Ryan in a TV series.

Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination? 

The jobs my lead characters do are real, but who or what they are comes mostly from my imagination.

Is there a writer whose brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why? 

Lee Childs/James Grant. I would like to pick his brains on how he had the discipline to write so many books about the same character, Jack Reacher, and to make all the novels interesting.

How long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing since I left university in one form or another — first as a journalist, then as a screen writer and finally, now, as an author.

Do the characters all come to you at the same time or do some of them come to you as you write? 

The advantage of writing a series is that after the first novel, the principal characters are established. Future books allow you to explore and expand on their quirks and idiosyncrasies. However, other characters, those who begin as minor players, can start to push their way into a book and become more important.

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Clive Fleury is an award-winning writer of books and
screenplays and has worked all over the world as a Film/TV director, writer and
producer. He has written six books, most recently ‘All Or None’, the second
novel in the Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series.

‘All Or None’ sees Detective Ryan back in the thick of
things. His latest investigation into a mysterious death couldn’t come at a
worse time. He discovers his mother is hiding a troubling secret and is further
sidetracked by a new romance. Fans of who dunnit’s, crime thrillers, and cop
and detective stories will love this novel.

Clive’s other books include ‘Off Season’ – book one in the
Detective Ryan Murder Mystery series; ‘Kill Code’ – a dystopian science fiction
novel set in a world facing climate change;
‘Scary Lizzy’  – a novel about an
eight year old girl, who befriends an African child ghost –  and the teen action adventure book; ‘The Boy
Next Door ‘ –  a story of what happens
when a teenage girl has a crush on her next door neighbor, who isn’t all he
seems.  He also co-wrote ‘Art Pengriffin
and The Curse of The Four’ – a young adult fantasy adventure about a teenage
boy who discovers his father was Merlin the Magician.

Website * Facebook * X * Instagram * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $25 giveaway!

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Enter the Detective Ryan Mysteries Giveaway Here

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Embroidered Lies And Alibis ~ An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery By Lois Winston

Posted: February 14, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Embroidered Lies and Alibis
(An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery)
by Lois Winston


Embroidered Lies and Alibis (An Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
15th in Series
Setting – New Jersey
Independently Published
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 10, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 199 pages
Digital ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1940795812
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FZDBKCJD

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A Stitch in Time Could Save a Life…

When Anastasia’s mother Flora is offered a free spa vacation from Jeremy Dugan, a man connected to her distant past, Anastasia and husband Zack suspect ulterior motives. After all, too-good-to-be-true often spells trouble. Their suspicions are confirmed when the FBI swoops in to apprehend Dugan. However, Dugan isn’t who he claimed to be, and his arrest raises more questions than answers.

The Feds link Dugan to a string of cons targeting elderly single women across the country, but his seemingly airtight alibi leaves investigators stumped. Then, shortly after his release on bail, he’s kidnapped. A certain segment of New Jersey’s population is known for delivering deadly messages, and the FBI believes Dugan received one of them.

Meanwhile, bodies begin showing up in the newly created public garden across the street from Anastasia and Zack’s home. With two baffling crimes, no clear suspects, scant evidence, and every possible motive unraveling, both the FBI and local law enforcement are once again picking Anastasia’s brain. This time, though, her involvement is far from reluctant. Will she stitch together enough clues before she or someone she loves becomes the killer’s next victim?

Craft project included.

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About Lois Winston

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USA Today and Amazon bestselling author Lois Winston began her award-winning writing career with Talk Gertie to Me, a humorous fish-out-of-water novel about a small-town girl going off to the big city and the mother who had other ideas. That was followed by the romantic suspense Love, Lies and a Double Shot of Deception.

Then Lois’s writing segued unexpectedly into the world of humorous amateur sleuth mysteries, thanks to a conversation her agent had with an editor looking for craft-themed mysteries. In her day job Lois was an award-winning craft and needlework designer, and although she’d never written a mystery—or had even thought about writing a mystery—her agent decided she was the perfect person to pen a series for this editor. Thus, was born the Anastasia Pollack Crafting Mysteries, which Kirkus Reviews dubbed “North Jersey’s more mature answer to Stephanie Plum.” The series now includes fifteen novels and three novellas. Lois also writes the Empty Nest Mysteries, currently at two novels, and one book so far in her Mom Squad Capers series.

To date, Lois has published twenty-four novels, five novellas, several short stories, one children’s chapter book, and one nonfiction book on writing, inspired by her twelve years working as an associate at a literary agency. To learn more about Lois and her books, visit her at www.loiswinston.com. Sign up for her newsletter to receive an Anastasia Pollack Mini-Mystery. She also blogs regularly at The Stiletto Gang and Booklover’s Bench.

Author’s Links: Website / Newsletter / Goodreads / BookBub 

Booklover’s Bench / The Stiletto Gang

Purchase Links
Amazon     Kobo    Barnes & Noble   Apple Books

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 11 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

February 13 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT  

February 14 – Elizabeth McKenna – Author – SPOTLIGHT

February 14 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 15 – Cozy Up With Kathy – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 16 – @bibliophile_foodie – REVIEW  

February 17 – Jane Reads – AUTHOR GUEST POST  

February 18 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT  

February 19 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 20 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – CRAFT PROJECT

February 21 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 21 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – SPOTLIGHT

February 22 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

February 23 – Sarandipity’s – CHARCTER GUEST POST

February 23 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 24 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – AUTHOR GUEST POST

 

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ The Relationship Contract By Marcella Steele

Posted: February 13, 2026 in comedy, Excerpt, giveaways, Romance
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The Relationship Contract: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy

By Marcella Steele

 

(To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, #2)
Publication date: February 10th 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

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A crazy love experiment. A daring adventure. 60 days to pass the test.
Readers’ Favorite ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Perfect for fans of Nora Goes Off Script and Part of Your World. A swoony romantic escape with the London charm of Jojo Moyes.
Once upon a time… romance had ghosted Sofia Drake so many times, she promised herself she’d never fall in love again—until she fell head over heels for the younger, jet-setting Ryan Hunter. She worries the age gap will ruin their fairy tale romance. He believes they can have their happily ever after and convinces Sofia to accept his unconventional proposal: a sixty-day contract to prove their love is worth the risk.
But when Ryan’s job takes him to London, Sofia adds an addendum to the contract. She throws the rule book in the trash, leaves behind her carefully constructed life, and sets off for the adventure of a lifetime with him—prepared to risk everything for a second chance at happiness.
Touring London, Sofia feels as if a time machine is whisking her back to her twenties, when she trekked through Europe with a backpack and a prayer her money would last. Living her dream feels intoxicating, but she wonders if this new life is a size too big—if she’s brave enough to make it fit. Ryan hopes that dazzling her with trips to Dubai and the Maldives will convince her to stay. His mother—Cruella de Vil’s double—tries to make sure she doesn’t.
But when Ryan’s old girlfriend surfaces with a bombshell that threatens to rewrite their entire future, the question isn’t whether their love is strong enough. It’s whether they’re brave enough to renegotiate the contract and face what neither of them saw coming.
Love is like free-falling off a cliff. You never know where you might land.
 
“The Relationship Contract is refreshingly honest, with an authentic, vulnerable voice and sharp wit.” —Readers’ Favorite

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Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

“How long will you be in London?” Elaine asked.

“A few weeks, I’m not sure yet.” Me—the ultimate planner—winging it? “It’s sort of open-ended. I think I’ll be in Europe for two months, traveling to various places.” I hesitated, because how could I explain I was choosing to spend my severance package on this trip to Europe instead of job hunting—that I was hurling myself into a new life, a new relationship, without a clue about the direction this would lead?

She tilted her head with curiosity. “Business or pleasure?”

I barked out a laugh. “Definitely pleasure. I’m joining my boyfriend.” The word still felt foreign on my tongue. After years spent in romantic exile, being part of a couple seemed surreal. “Ryan works in London part-time—his main office is in San Francisco, where we met. So, I’m basically following him across an ocean.” I shook my head. This was coming out all wrong. “Not that I’m desperate or anything. I mean, I lost my job, but the timing worked out perfectly because Ryan suggested I come live with him. Well, travel together, since he moves around constantly. We’re returning to Barcelona at some point because that city holds special meaning for us—” I cut myself off, cheeks burning. Apparently, my anxiety had me spiraling out of control, transforming me from an articulate professional into a babbling teenager who just discovered her first crush.

Her eyebrows shot up while her forehead remained suspiciously smooth. “Ryan? That wouldn’t be Ryan Hunter, would it?” Her voice climbed several octaves.

“Yes… do you know him?” Something cold twisted in my stomach.

“Know him? Um. Not personally, but he’s one of our frequent flyers.” The way she scrutinized me made every hair on my neck stand at attention. “He’s your boyfriend?”

I nodded, shrinking into my luxurious seat like a deflating balloon.

This time her smile looked painted on, her tone as artificially sweet as high-fructose corn syrup. “If you need anything else, just let me know.” Watching her slim figure trail through the aisle of the cabin, I wondered if I was projecting or if the twist in my gut was justified. Anyone who knew Ryan might take one look at me and wonder, Really? Him… and her? I had questioned that myself when we first met. Despite his unwavering attention, I wasn’t sure if I would ever get past the age difference when someone like Elaine was sizing me up.

When Ryan and I were alone, it was just too good to waste time worrying about how the world viewed me. In his eyes, I was perfect. He didn’t notice the saggy bits or dimpled skin. According to my best friend, Madison, I had a figure most women would kill for and could pass for a forty-year-old on a good day. Most days were not that good, but I’d made peace with the crows feet and that little belly pooch that refused to disappear. After all, at one time it was a baby bump, then a beach ball. I’d earned that lump.

Still, a thought niggled its way into my brain. There was something suspicious about Elaine’s reaction to me. Call it women’s intuition, but somehow, I just knew. Had she hoped to snag him for herself? I couldn’t blame her; Ryan was the very definition of tall, dark, and handsome. His image should appear on a Pinterest board titled: Hot Guys with Dark Curly Hair and Piercing Blue Eyes. How many flight attendants and restaurant hostesses had set their sights on him?

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About Author Marcella Steele:

Marcella Steele is an American author/screenwriter who now writes with her laptop precariously balanced on a café table in Barcelona, but can sometimes be found dreaming up stories on a terrace in Bali or on a balcony in Paris. Marcella champions the radical idea that women over forty are just getting started and her contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels celebrate love, passion, and self-discovery at any age. With her passion for travel, she delights in bringing the reader along to discover the magic of faraway places. When she’s not writing, she’s planning her next adventure or practicing her spins on a salsa dance floor.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

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The Relationship Contract Blitz

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Hook, Line, And Murder ~ The Sweet Tooth Murder Mystery By GG Calpo

Posted: February 12, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
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Hook, Line, and Murder
(The Sweet Tooth Murder Mystery)
by GG Calpo


Hook, Line, and Murder (The Sweet Tooth Murder Mystery)
Cozy Mystery
1st in Series
Setting – New York
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Wild Rose Press
Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 9, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 276 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 150926406X
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509264063
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1509264070
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0G2YT1P7B

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What does Meg, a retired kindergarten teacher, do when the killer of her husband and only child still walks free a year after dirt had covered their graves? Go rogue, of course!

When the detective responsible for Meg’s nightmares takes over the murder investigation of her former student, Meg hunts the killer down with help from her friends. Their cozy lunches at Sweet Buns Café turn into tactical meetings while these retired grade school teachers get themselves in trouble better suited to those in their twenties. And to put the icing on their cream scones, someone is after Meg. Is it the killer? Or has Meg uncovered secrets better left buried with her loved ones?

About Author GG Calpo

GG Calpo is a retired lawyer and accountant who traded contracts and numbers for the far more enjoyable chaos of fictional crime. Now she writes cozy whodunits featuring warm-hearted golden-aged sleuths who’ve seen it all, heard it all, and will investigate a murder with zero hesitation. She loves stories where the stakes are personal, family, and friendships are paramount, with characters who refuse to follow the outline and endings that pull the rug out. When not plotting twisty crimes—on paper only, of course—she spends her time reading, crocheting blankets and sweaters for her five grandchildren, watching mystery TV shows, and taking long walks in her neighborhood. She lives in Central New Jersey with her husband and two corgis, Whiskey and Nugget. Visit her at www.ggcalpo.com.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon

Purchase Links – Amazon  B&N

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 9 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – Salty Inspirations – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 12 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 13 – Christy’s Cozy Corners  – AUTHOR GUEST POST

February 14 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 15 – StoreyBook Reviews – CHARACTER GUEST POST

February 16 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT

February 17 – Cozy Up With Kathy – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

February 18 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

February 19 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

February 20 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

February 21 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 22 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Peek Inside And Giveaway ~ The Vacation Bubble By Marcella Steele

Posted: February 11, 2026 in comedy, Excerpt, giveaways, Romance
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The Vacation Bubble: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy

By Marcella Steele

 

(To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, #1)
Publication date: September 1st 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance

Readers’ Favorite
Perfect for fans of Beach Read, The Unhoneymooners, and Part of Your World—this witty second chance romance is a sun-drenched escape with heart, heat, and humor.

A fling wasn’t on her vacation itinerary. Neither was falling in love with the one man she’d already run from.

Romance has ghosted, gaslit, and gone full Shakespearean tragedy on Sofia Drake. She’s officially a one-woman rom-com with no third act in sight, ready to bolt if love sneaks up on her again.

Freshly dumped and jobless, Sofia is mid-pity-party (yes, wine and ice cream are involved)‌ when a friend drags her to a job fair. If she’d known how a chance meeting would blow up her carefully constructed life, she would’ve stayed home. One look into Ryan Hunter’s crystal blue eyes and she can tell he’s trouble. He’s gorgeous, charming, and way too young. He’s also the first man in years to make her feel a real, rocket-exploding kind of heat. But when the jet-setting Ryan invites her on a spontaneous trip to Barcelona, Sofia does what she does best: she runs.

It takes a kick from her best friend (a “get a life” lecture) to move Sofia out of her comfort zone and onto a plane to Barcelona—alone. No men, no pressure, just a solo adventure. At least… until she runs straight into the one man she swore she’d never see again.

Now, Ryan is offering to be her personal tour guide, and Sofia is breaking her own ‘no men’ rule for a new one: keep it vacation-only. Sun, sangria, and maybe a little sizzle. They make a pact for the summer: Thirty days—no falling in love, no risky complications. Really.

Sometimes the best adventures happen when you finally stop running from what scares you the most.

“The Vacation Bubble will resonate with readers who crave wanderlust, sizzling chemistry, and second chances.” Readers’ Favorite

Goodreads / Amazon

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Enjoy this peek inside:

Sofia – the meet cute #1 San Francisco job networking event

It was his voice I heard first—deep, with a sexy tone that rumbled through me.

“I’m in the mergers and acquisitions department. Possibly you’re acquainted with the bank?” he asked the balding man next to him. “It’s a global company whose headquarters are located here in San Francisco and in London. We’re looking for fresh talent, someone with experience in finance. The organization has an excellent training program.”

The line moved up, but I hung back, waving at people to take the place in front of me. Obvious? A few sideways glances confirmed that my chivalry wasn’t going unnoticed.

His voice came from my right, only a few feet away. I shifted in my high heels and casually pretended to brush a piece of lint off my shoulder, then caught sight of him. It may have been only four or five seconds, but as my eyes raked across his features, time seemed to slow, as if watching a movie at half speed. To say he was gorgeous wouldn’t do him justice. That face belonged on the cover of GQ magazine. Tall, dark, and handsome with refined, perfectly symmetrical features, luscious full lips, and, God help me, a chiseled jawline resembling Adonis. That was the moment I knew I was in trouble.

He continued his pitch to the short man in a suit. The man wasn’t over thirty-five, but the back of his head was already thinning. Sexy guy stood over six feet tall, his bronzed olive skin and tousled dark curls effortlessly stylish without seeming overdone. Even his clothes were sexy, although it was more about the way they fit his frame. My eyes scanned him from bottom to top, taking in his leather shoes, indigo-blue designer jeans, a white-collared shirt, and a black sport coat cut close to his body, revealing broad shoulders that led to a slender waist in a V shape. When he raised his arm to retrieve a business card, his bicep bulged against the sleeve of his jacket. Holy shit.

A buzzing sound rang in my ears, muting the conversation, but I watched as his face broke into a wide smile, dimples forming like perfect punctuation marks on his cheeks. Without warning, his head swiveled a fraction to the right and his eyes caught sight of mine—sparkling, deep blue eyes that held me transfixed for a split second. Then, in one swift (not obvious at all) move, I brought my hand to my hair and, as I flicked it over my shoulder, my gaze shifted to the blond woman directly in front of me. Thank God I was next in line.

A flush bloomed on my face, not solely due to the hot flash racing up my neck. Stop right there, missy, I told myself. He’s too young, probably in his thirties. I’d never needed a drink so desperately. Forcing my view straight ahead, I ordered a gin and tonic when I reached the edge of the bar.

“Make it two, please,” his voice rang in my ear.

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About Author Marcella Steele:

Marcella Steele is an American author/screenwriter who now writes with her laptop precariously balanced on a café table in Barcelona, but can sometimes be found dreaming up stories on a terrace in Bali or on a balcony in Paris. Marcella champions the radical idea that women over forty are just getting started and her contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels celebrate love, passion, and self-discovery at any age. With her passion for travel, she delights in bringing the reader along to discover the magic of faraway places. When she’s not writing, she’s planning her next adventure or practicing her spins on a salsa dance floor.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

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The Regressor King By AJ Sherwood~ Spotlight And Giveaway

Posted: February 11, 2026 in Excerpt, Fantasy, giveaways
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The Regressor King

By AJ Sherwood

 

Publication date: February 10th 2026
Genres: Adult, Fantasy, LGBTQ+, Romance

Death, Paradise, and the gods themselves–all rejected for the sake of love.

When King James Kronenscheld dies at the hands of the Demon King, he thinks his suffering is finally over and he can join his Edwin in Paradise. And, hey, at least he’d taken the Demon King with him, right?

But then the gods try to send James to Paradise WITHOUT his Edwin, and that is simply unfathomable. So he does the unthinkable–he turns it down and negotiates for one more chance to fix his mistakes.

Armed with memories and regrets, James regresses to before he was crowned. He is determined to woo the man he lost, even if it means facing down all his previous failures. For Edwin alone will James face Wraths and plagues, court politics, and demon kings. He will avoid the horrors of the crown and attain Paradise for them both.

Failing this time means losing Edwin forever. And that is not an option.

Tags:

Romantasy, High fantasy, M/M romance, inspired heavily by webtoons, calling all passengers: hop on board, this ship is about to sail!, remember to take water and bathroom breaks, don’t start this book at 8pm, time regression, fated love, reluctant ruler, PTSD, hurt/comfort, both characters are near 30, Paradise without Edwin isn’t paradise to James, competence is sexy, so says James, power couple, Edwin finds Prince James very strange, and rightfully so, Victor has climbed to the very top of the shitty life decisions tree and was hitting every branch on the way down, Helena is a BAMF princess, Royce is a pharmacologist but make it medieval, James doesn’t want the throne, no seriously, stop asking him to take it, the gods play favorites, heavy is the crown, James wishes he’d paid better attention to details the first go around, that’s currently biting him, demon portals are a pain, horse lovers unite, Titan is best horse ever, Edwin realizes his Task in this life, Edwin has no problem unaliving James’s ex, buying books is a love language

Tropes: MM Romance, Regression, High Fantasy, Fated Love, Demon King, Reluctant Ruler, Hurt/Comfort

Goodreads / Amazon

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About Author AJ Sherwood:

AJ Sherwood believes in happily ever afters, magic, dragons, good men, and dark chocolate. She often dreams at night of delectable men doing sexy things with each other. In between writing multiple books (often at the same time) she pets her cats, plays with her dogs, and attempts insane things like aerial yoga.

She currently resides in Michigan with aforementioned dogs and cats. Being in snow country gives her the excuse to stay inside and watch bl dramas, which suit her perfectly.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook Page / Facebook Group / Instagram / TikTok

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Trailbreaker ~ Prairie Nightingale By Ruthie Knox And Annie Mare

Posted: February 10, 2026 in giveaways, Mystery
Tags: ,
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Trailbreaker (Prairie Nightingale)
by Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare


Trailbreaker (Prairie Nightingale)
Mystery
2nd in Series
Setting – Wisconsin
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Thomas & Mercer
Publication date ‏ : ‎ January 27, 2026
Print length ‏ : ‎ 299 pages
Paperback
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1662535996
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662535994
Digital
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1662529801
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0F5RKCRFK

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Suspicions that a serial killer is terrorizing a pristine tourist spot draw a single mom and budding private investigator into a twisting and deepening mystery of secrets and murder.

Single mom and newly minted private investigator Prairie Nightingale has opened the doors of her Green Bay, Wisconsin, agency and is ready for work. She and her crew aren’t quite prepared for their first client, though: Bernie Dubicki, a notorious online journalist and not-altogether-reliable provocateur, who claims the idyllic vacation destination of nearby Door County is home to a serial killer.

She’s pinpointed four seemingly unrelated deaths that haven’t raised suspicions for anyone else. But when a college student vanishes, Bernie’s sizable retainer convinces Prairie to help connect the dots. And trusted, flirty FBI agent Foster Rosemare thinks Bernie might be onto something. Prairie never expected her first investigation to be so big—like Dateline big—but she does have an inquiring mind and a knack for seeing things no one else can.

In this case she’ll have to look deep—not only into the secrets of strangers, but into Door County’s woods—to solve a mystery decades in the making.

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About Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare

Ruthie Knox and Annie Mare write critically acclaimed, bestselling mystery and romance, usually (but not always) together. They are the authors of the Prairie Nightingale mysteries and the TV Detectives mystery series. If you want more of their stories, check out their queer romances co-written as Mae Marvel, as well as solo work by Ruthie Knox (het romance), Annie Mare (grounded queer paranormal romance), and Robin York (Ruthie’s pen name for New Adult romance). Ruthie and Annie are married and live with two teenagers, two dogs, multiple fish, two glorious cats, four hermit crabs, and a bazillion plants in a very old house with a garden.

Author Links: Webpage 

Facebook: http://facebook.com/ruthieknox and https://www.facebook.com/anniemareromanceauthor

Instagram: @ruthieknoxromance and @spinsterpress

Purchase Links – Amazon – Bookshop.org – Barnes & Noble – 

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 4 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – Baroness Book Trove – SPOTLIGHT 

February 6 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

February 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

February 7 – StoreyBook Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

February 11 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

February 12 – Reading Reality – REVIEW

February 12 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 13 – Novels Alive – REVIEW

February 14 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW 

February 15 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT

February 16 – Sarandipity’s – SPOTLIGHT

February 16 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 17 – Deal Sharing Aunt – AUTHOR INTERVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

Hushed Harmony By Kaylene Winter ~ Feature And Giveaway

Posted: February 9, 2026 in Contemporary Romance, giveaways
Tags: ,
18

 

Hushed Harmony

By Kaylene Winter

 

(Charming Irish, #5)
Publication date: February 9th 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Three chords can ruin a man if you hit them right.

I spend my life chasing sound. Grit, feedback, the moment a crowd holds its breath.

Fireball is the only thing I’ve built without it turning on me. Everything else stays locked tight.

Then Linus O’Donnell comes back.

My first real love.
The one man who knows exactly how I break.
The one I never stopped wanting.

Avonna doesn’t need an entrance.
She coaxes me past my defenses into truth.
Raw. Unfiltered. Impossible to ignore.

What starts as music turns carnal fast.
Late nights. Sweat-soaked rehearsals. Heat carrying into every chord.
Desire doesn’t divide. It multiplies.

I want them both.
Bodies. Loyalty. A future. The way we fit once the world goes quiet.

The problem?
It never does.

I lie. I stall. I pretend control is possible.

Some harmonies refuse to stay hushed.

Hushed Harmony is a white-hot, polyamorous rockstar romance about identity, obsession, and choosing a love powerful enough to risk everything.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

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About Author Kaylene Winter:

When she was only 15, Kaylene Winter wrote her first rocker romance novel starring a fictionalized version of herself, her friends and their gorgeous rocker boyfriends. After living her own rockstar life as a band manager, music promoter and mover and shaker in Seattle during the early 1990’s, Kaylene became a digital media legal strategist helping bring movies, television and music online. Throughout her busy career, Kaylene lost herself in romance novels across all genres inspiring her to realize her life-long dream to be a published author. She lives in Seattle with her amazing husband and dog. She loves to travel, throw lavish dinner parties and support charitable causes supporting arts and animals.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok

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Critters And Crimes ~ A Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club By Elizabeth Pantley

Posted: February 7, 2026 in Cozy Mystery, giveaways
Tags: ,
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Critters and Crimes: Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club
by Elizabeth Pantley

critters and crimes cover 3
Critters and Crimes: Magical Cozy Mystery Book Club
Paranormal Cozy Mystery
11th in Series
Better Beginnings, Inc. (February 15, 2026)
Print length ‏ : ‎ 336 pages
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FLX616P2

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A quaint riverside town holds many secrets … and the only ones who’ve seen it all are the critters.

This book club dives (literally!) into the pages of a cozy mystery. The quirky group must solve the mystery to get out of the book. It’s so much fun – you’ll wish you had a book club like this!

In this journey, they choose a book set in a lovely riverside town. They land in a charming neighborhood and find they are part of a local book club. They are having a great time – and then a dead body shows up. (Of course it does!)

The clues to what happened come to them in a unique way – via the critters in the house.

As usual, the club finds plenty of time to enjoy the unique setting of their journey, as they solve the mystery – one critter at a time.

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About Author Elizabeth Pantley

eizabeth pantley

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Elizabeth writes well-loved cozy mysteries in two series: The Destiny Falls Mystery & Magic book series and the Magical Mystery Book Club series.

Elizabeth lives in the Pacific Northwest and Arizona, two very different places. Both are rich, gorgeous, natural places, and inspire the settings in many of her books.

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads / BookBub

Purchase Link: Amazon

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

February 4 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

February 4 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

February 5 – Cassidy’s Bookshelves – SPOTLIGHT

February 6 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

February 6 – Christy’s Cozy Corners – REVIEW

February 7 – MJB Reviewers – SPOTLIGHT

February 7 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

February 8 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – Socrates Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 9 – Christa Reads and Writes – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

February 10 – Salty Inspirations – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

February 11 – The Mystery of Writing – SPOTLIGHT

February 12 – @review_thick_and_thin – REVIEW

February 13 – View from the Birdhouse – REVIEW

February 14 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – REVIEW

February 15 – Sarandipity’s – SPOTLIGHT

February 15 – Sapphyria’s Book Reviews – SPOTLIGHT

February 16 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

February 17 – Ruff Drafts -REVIEW

February 17 – 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.

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