Posts Tagged ‘giveaway’

 

 

 

Book Details:

Titus and the Christian Coin: An Adventure of Faith and Freedom

by Dennis Conrad

Category:  Teen and Young Adult Fiction (Ages 12-18),  132 pages
Genre:  Christian Teen and Young Adult Ancient Historical Fiction
Publisher:  Write4Christ Publishing
Release date:   November 3, 2025
Format available for review:  print-softback (USA only), ebook (EPUB), audiobook (audible-download)
Tour dates: Jan 6 to Feb 2, 2025
Content Rating:  G. This Christian book is for teens and young adult.


Real. Raw. Riveting. A true story of redemption.

​Dennis does an excellent job stirring up the heart and imagination of his reader. A must read for all Christians, both young and old. 
— Derek Singer, Pastor, Canyon Lake Community Church, Canyon Lake, California
Dennis Conrad crafts an entertaining and enduring tale in Titus and the Christian Coin. He does not sidestep the difficult, real-life questions that Christians still ask today, but rather masterfully interweaves the context of an ancient setting with relatable and timeless struggles. A great read for anyone, especially in the young adult genre. — David Finnern, award-winning novelist/journalist and author of the Lost Tales and Sunken Mysteries series.
Titus and the Christian Coin, by Dennis Conrad is a wonderful story of faith and God’s sovereignty. The story is gripping and inspiring while telling the story of Christian history during the time of Constantine. It also shows the importance of hope, hard work, and forgiveness. This book should be on every middle young adult’s reading list. — Terrie Hellard-Brown, award-winning author and podcaster

Book Description:

When Titus refuses to deny his Christian faith, Roman persecution destroys his family and condemns him to a brutal life in the copper mines of northern Italy.

Underground, surrounded by despair and danger, he must choose between hatred and hope, revenge and redemption.

From a mine collapse to an emperor’s audience hall, Titus’s journey spans the Roman Empire during Constantine’s transformative reign. Alongside Tribune Felix, he discovers that true freedom comes through forgiveness, not force. Authentic historical details bring ancient Rome to life while timeless themes of faith, friendship, and courage inspire modern readers.

This gripping adventure combines accurate historical research with compelling storytelling. Readers will witness early Christian persecution, experience Roman culture, and walk through Constantine’s palace while following Titus’s transformation from broken slave to Roman citizen.

An unforgettable tale where archaeological accuracy meets heart-pounding adventure, proving that faith can triumph over the darkest circumstances and that God’s love never abandons His people.

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Guest Post
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Left on the Cutting Room Floor

Titus’s story was edited and reedited several times. The final edit makes the story come alive and allows readers to become emersed in the world of 312 A.D. Rome.

“Outtakes” are scenes of movies that are cut and do not show up in the final version of the film. The same happens while editing a book. Some deleted facts and scenes were cut or rewritten prior to the final published version.

Titus, the main character, and Felix, a high-ranking Roman official, ride horses on their adventure from northern Italy to Rome.

Before the final rewrite Titus’s feet were in stirrups and he was holding on to the saddle’s pommel for grip and stability. The question: Was this accurate for Italy in 312 A.D.?

After further study, I learned that although stirrups were used in China as early as 300 B.C., they were not used in Europe until the 600s. Pommels did not exist in Italy in 312 A.D. Rather, saddles had horns at the corners of the saddle for holding on and to attach supplies.

Additionally, before editing, several pages detailed the construction of the Arch of Constantine. My coauthor artfully used less than a page of dialogue to explain how artists repurposed sections of other existing arches to complete Constantine’s arch on schedule.

Blessings to you and yours,

Dennis Conrad

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Meet Author Dennis Conrad:

Dennis Conrad began writing stories for children in 2007. Over the years, he and his wife, Diane, have enterained their 11 nieces and nephews. He has taught high school through univeristy and around the world. He’s helped many to see God in their lives.
As a former coin collector of fifty years, Dennis combines his love of Jesus, the Bible, children’s literature, and writing stories about coins.
He is a member of the Society of Children’s Book Authors and Illustrators and a Fellow of the National Writing Project.
connect with the authors: website facebook ~ goodreads


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TITUS AND THE EMPERORS COIN Series Book Tour Giveaway

 

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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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One bookish debutante.

Two dashing suitors.

 And a season full of scandal.

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Kindred Schemes

Schemes Book 1

by R. K. Harrington

Genre: Historical Regency Romance

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One bookish
debutante. Two dashing suitors. And a season full of scandal.

Lady Alaina Sinclair never expected London society to be so treacherous—or so
tempting. She has always preferred books to ballrooms, but with a disastrous
start to her first season, she’s determined to rewrite her fate. With her heart
set on the respectable—and very eligible—Duke of Ashford, Alaina is ready to
embrace society’s expectations… even if it means silencing her true desires.

Alaina’s world is set awry by Christopher Kendall, the Marquess of
Rochester—sharp-tongued, maddeningly handsome, and inconveniently, the duke’s
closest friend. Their first encounter is a disaster. Their next, a temptation.
And every moment together after that, increasingly impossible to ignore. But with
a web of secrets, jealous relatives, and mysterious threats unraveling around
her, it soon becomes clear: this is no ordinary season.

Kindred Schemes is a modern take on a regency romance with glamour,
a steamy love triangle, and enough mystery to keep readers turning the page.

What readers
are saying:

“The story’s central love triangle will delight
romance fans…Harrington excels in crafting multidimensional characters…[A]
satisfying blend of romance, intrigue, and character-driven
storytelling.” — Booklife 

 

An entertaining period love story, nicely balancing
breathless lust with social satire and high-mindedness.” — Kirkus Reviews

 

“The characters are colorful and sharply etched…the
prose has a droll, Austen-esque verve to it, using pompously polite palaver to
reveal the crassness of high society…In keeping with the style is the spirit
of the book’s message—that true love triumphs over mercenary calculation.
Readers will root for the feisty Alaina to overcome the stuffed shirts and find
her heart’s desire.” — Kirkus Reviews 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

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London, 1809

Oh no, here he comes, the lascivious Lord Finch and his merry band of
drunken fools.
Alaina looked out at the crowded ballroom, her
eyes connecting with the group of men making their way toward its center.
Alaina had only been at the ball for a quarter hour before this particular
disaster struck, the leers of the men making the hairs at the nape of her neck
prickle. It did not escape Alaina’s attention that Lady Barbara, Lord Finch’s
sister, accompanied the group, and wore a sly smile. Hopefully, this latest
encounter would be short. Surely, Lord Finch would not want to be rejected twice,
let alone in front of a large crowd.

Alaina
looked to her right to find her parents close at hand, thankfully, and she
stood a little straighter knowing she would not face this alone.

The
group of men seemed to move in unison before coming to a halt a few paces
before Alaina and her family. A group of onlookers formed a circle around them
as if ready to enjoy the ensuing spectacle, Lady Barbara taking her place in
the throng. Alaina struggled to focus on the faces of the onlookers as she held
her head high, ready to meet Lord Finch and his friends with as much dignity as
she could muster. She hoped to project a more serene exterior than she
currently felt, her heartbeat accelerating to such a degree that she could feel
the blood rushing in her ears.

Lord
Finch stepped to the fore of the now halted group, and gallantly bowed to
Alaina before speaking, his voice so loud that Alaina was sure people arriving
in carriages outside could hear.

“My
dearest beautiful Alaina,” he started, clearing his throat before
continuing, “You have set upon me quite a conundrum. I fear I have fallen madly
in love with the idea of having you as my wife, and I feel you should be happy
with such an arrangement. I am quite the catch, you know, especially for
someone from the country, and one who likes to read.”

From
behind him, Lady Barbara piped up with an added insult, “Amazing, really, that
Alaina found her way out of the library to be here.” Laughter rippled through
the crowd.

Alaina
cringed at his easy use of her given name, devoid of any honorific, and seethed
at the mockery of her character. Lord Finch and his sister sounded ridiculous,
pompous, and conceited.

Alaina
was frozen in place, her lips trembling in rage, and when no comment ushered
forth from her lips, Lord Finch rejoined, unfazed by the one-sided nature of
their conversation. “I find myself at an impasse. Shall I continue to press my
suit with decorum, or should I make my feelings known to the whole world, so
that you may not so easily dismiss them as you have in the past?”

A
warmth crept up Alaina’s neck and touched her cheeks, giving her pale skin a
glow, although one not easily perceptible in the dim light of the ballroom. She
turned once again to where her parents stood, only to find that her father had
disappeared, and her mother’s pale face was drawn in embarrassment as she
watched her eldest child with dismay. Oh, how Alaina wished her father would
have stayed; his tall frame was intimidating to a crowd, and his familiar umber
eyes were always reassuring to her.

Resolved
to put a stop to this farce, Alaina turned back to Lord Finch and remarked, her
voice distant and strange sounding in her ears, “Lord Finch, it seems my
earlier rejection of your suit did not deter you in the least, but I ask you to
have a care for your surroundings.”

As
the words left her mouth, Alaina watched Lord Finch’s face change, his
outwardly serene expression making way for something more sinister. His smile
twisted into an outright leer, and his pale green eyes seemed to burn of their
own accord, the candlelight no longer just a reflection in them. He lowered to
one knee and reached out his hands in supplication as he sneered, “Please, will
you marry me, my lady?” The emphasis on the last word ensured that
Alaina felt the insult.

Lord
Finch was quickly joined by his friends, their idiocy knowing no bounds, all of
them dropping to their knees in a chorus of marriage proposals, each more
mocking and infuriating than the last. Soon laughter rang loudly in Alaina’s
ears as the men and then the onlookers seemed to find amusement in her
predicament. Her world blurred through a sheen of tears, the faces of the
laughing men—now resembling something like demons—the only clear points in her
vision.

Alaina
glanced about to find her mother and threw herself into her open arms,
shielding her from the worst of the crowd. The two women made their way to the
outer edge of the ballroom and quickly to the front entrance, only stopping a
moment to gather their cloaks before heading out into the cool night. Her
father, having had the forethought to make his way to the exit, met them in the
front drive, where he had already called for their carriage to be brought
around, and not a moment too soon.

The
Sinclair family hastened into the carriage, a pall falling on them as the
conveyance made its way onto the main thoroughfare and toward their London
townhome. Alaina squeezed her eyes shut, focusing on the clip clop of the
well-matched team of four, grateful for the silence of her parents, as she let
tears make their way unchecked down her cheeks.

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R. K. Harrington is a debut historical romance author,
combining swoon-worthy romance with a bit of mystery. Her first novel, Kindred
Schemes, is scheduled to be released February 2026.

In 2021, R. K. Harrington found that her daydreams were
yearning to spill over to the written page, and, ever since, has been writing
historical romance with a dash of mystery in hopes of publishing her work one
day. After much editing, and long hours designing, she is gearing up to release
her first novel, with many more to come!

R. K. Harrington grew up reading romance novels at a (maybe
too) young age, and the stories entranced her. Give her a Happily Ever After
(HEA) and there is no better book in the world. While romance books (namely
historical romances) are her first love, R. K. Harrington is an avid reader of
all genres. She has gone through many phases: medical mysteries, crime dramas,
science fiction, romantasy, and is currently in a fantasy phase (she does do
the occasional non-fiction book as well, namely history). Through every season
of reading, romance books of all kinds are sprinkled liberally.

When R. K. Harrington is not writing or reading (or working
her day job as an engineer), she is having fun with her husband, their kids,
and her very cute dog, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi named Maximus. They all live in
the DMV area, where the summers are hot, the winters are cold, and the two days
of Spring and Fall are beautiful enough to open the windows!

Website * Facebook * Instagram * Amazon * Goodreads

 

Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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Enter the Kindred Schemes Giveaway Here

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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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My mission: Save my woman, guard the secret of the Spirit
Bear, and take down the poachers.

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Spirit Bear Conspiracy

Brotherhood of the Wild #1

by Anne Kane

Genre: MC Romantic Suspense

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My mission: Save my woman, guard the secret of the rare
spirit bear, and take down the poachers
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Ryland — I was tailing a gang of poachers, certain they’d
lead me straight to their kingpin, when a stray arrow from a crossbow slammed
into me. Pain lanced through me and everything faded to black. In that blur of
unconsciousness, I could have sworn a pure white bear stood over me, calm as
can be. When I opened my eyes again, a woman — curvy and impossibly beautiful
— was watching me with the cutest look of mixed concern and distrust on her
face.

Kimberly — I thought I was alone on a tiny island off the
coast of British Columbia until an arrow from a crossbow barely missed
skewering me. With my dog Diego at my heels, I ran to hide in a maze of caves,
my heart pounding. Crouched down in the dark, I listened in terror as voices
and footsteps floated to me from outside. I prayed the shooters wouldn’t find
the spirit bear that inhabited this place. When I finally crept back out into
the daylight, I found I wasn’t the only target — but the unconscious man lying
in a pool of his own blood wasn’t talking. Victim or one of them?

WARNING: This Riptide action-adventure romance includes
violence, abuse, coarse language, vigilante justice, and adult situations. No
cheating, no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Enjoy!

What readers
are saying:

☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆☆5 out of 5 stars.

Diego Rules Poachers Drool !

Loved the start of The Brotherhood series !! It has loose
ties to the Author’s other series called Riptide MC ! The characters Kimberly
and Ryland are well written and a lot of fun to read. The storyline has real
world implications in the animal poaching and for animals living in shelters,
so please be careful if such stories cause you any emotional distress. The book
has a lot of action both in and out of the “bedroom”. I can’t wait to read book
2. 5
✨’s for an action packed read !. · Dianna Rule TX

 

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* Changeling
Press
* Kobo
* Books2Read * Bookbub
* Goodreads

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Spirit Bears

Spirit bears (aka Kermode bears — Ursus americanus
kermodei) are a subspecies of the North American black bear with a rare
recessive gene that makes their fur white or cream. Spirit bears are found only
in the Great Bear Rainforest, the world’s largest intact temperate rainforest.
Estimated spirit bear population numbers no more than 400 individuals. The
First Nations communities who have lived in the region for thousands of years
call the spirit bear moskgm’ol, or “white bear,” and view the animal as
sacred.

Many thanks to BBC Wildlife for their Spirit Bear Guide.

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 Kimberly

I heard sounds to my left, louder this time. Definitely
voices.

Well, that sucked. After a stressful week at work, the last
thing I wanted to do was talk to strangers. Still, protocol demanded that I
make my presence known for safety’s sake. No point in having some trigger-happy
guide catch a glimpse of movement and decide I was something worth shooting at.

I stopped walking and cupped my hands to my mouth. “Hello?”

Total silence answered me. Even the birds stopped chirping.
Not a single blade of grass rustled.

Maybe the dumb tourists had gone off in another direction
and didn’t hear me. Sound could become muffled in the heavily treed rainforest
environment. My heart lifted as I considered the possibility.

Maybe my day wasn’t ruined after all.

Diego came dashing back to my side, head held high and ears
tilted forward in that oddly off-balance way he had when he concentrated. I
frowned. The dog obviously heard or saw something that he felt needed watching.
I opened my mouth to holler again, when something swished past my head so fast
all I saw was a blur. A loud thunk told me the object had hit one of the
trees behind me.

I turned and blinked, unable at first to grasp the
significance of what I was looking at.

An arrow, the kind used for hunting bigger game such as deer
or moose, was imbedded in one of the ancient trees. The plastic vanes on the
end of the shaft quivered with the force of the impact.

Someone had taken a shot at me. Seriously? There was no way
they could have mistaken my shouted greeting for an animal.

Diego whined softly, nudging my hand with his muzzle. I
patted his head absently, still mesmerized by the sight of the arrow rooted in
the tree.

Diego stiffened, whirling to face the direction the arrow
had come from. A low growl came from his throat.

A shiver slid down my spine. Diego didn’t growl. Not at
anybody. He was the mellowest dog on the face of the planet. If he thought
whoever shot that arrow warranted a growl, then they must be bad. Real bad.

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Award winning author Anne Kane lives in the beautiful
Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue mutt(Merlin the Wonder Dog), a
slightly larger rescue dog (Lexi the Aussie Shepherd) a cantankerous Himalayan
cat, and too many fish to count. She has two handsome sons and seven adorable
grandchildren. She’s always been fascinated by science fiction and fantasy so
of course when she writes, she lets her imagination take over. The one thing
the reader can always count on is that the main characters will live happily
ever after, even if they have to defeat a few nasty aliens first.

When she’s not busy writing the next great novel, she likes
to kayak, hike, ride motorcycles, swim, skate, practice karate, play her
guitar, sing and of course, read.

 

Website * Facebook * X * Bluesky * Pinterest * Bookbub * Amazon * Goodreads

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!

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Enter the Spirit Bear Conspiracy Giveaway Here

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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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Welcome to my stop on the virtual book tour for Resort, Two, Murder organized by Goddess Fish Promotions.

Author Joanna Campbell Slan will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N Gift Card to a randomly drawn winner. Don’t forget to enter!

And you can click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

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Genre: Cozy Mystery

Synopsis

Kiki Lowenstein heads to Florida for sand, sunshine, and family time—until a shocking death pulls her into a mystery simmering beneath the resort’s perfect surface. With craftiness and heart, she dives into a dangerous tangle of lies that only she can unravel.

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Enjoy this peek inside:

The scream ripped through the dawn and straight into my spine. I didn’t breathe until I reached the balcony.

Seven floors below, a housekeeper stood frozen at the pool’s edge, hands over her mouth. The turquoise water rippled around hair the color of fire.

Copper hair.

Floating.

Still.

My blood turned to ice.

“Mom?” Sixteen-year-old Anya whispered behind me. Pale. Too pale. “What happened?”

“I don’t know yet. Stay back. Keep your brothers inside.” My voice didn’t tremble, but everything inside me did.

I yanked the curtains closed, but not before my mind captured every detail: the purple satin gown billowing under the water, the bare feet, the drifting red hair like a drowning sunrise.

Then Brawny — my fierce, loyal Scot nanny — sprinted into the courtyard and dove in, shoes and all. She flipped the girl over, started mouth-to-mouth, refusing to accept what the water already knew.

Could this be real?

Sirens wailed in the distance. And I stood frozen on the balcony, one hand pressed to my heart, silently begging for a miracle.

It didn’t come.

The red-haired model from last night’s fashion show was gone.

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About Author Joanna Campbell Slan:

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Joanna Campbell Slan is a New York Times, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author known for her engaging women’s fiction and mystery novels. With nearly 80 books to her credit, including contributions to the original Chicken Soup for the Soul series, Joanna specializes in stories featuring strong female protagonists and the power of women’s friendships. Her tagline, “Creating a better world one story at a time” perfectly captures the spirit of her work, as she has a keen interest in presenting all sides of social issues. Joanna is best known for her Kiki Lowenstein Mystery Series, which spans 19 books and 42 short works, chronicling the growth of a widowed mother who finds new purpose through crafting and sleuthing.

Living on a nearly deserted island off the coast of Florida, Joanna draws inspiration from her surroundings and her love for various crafts, including Zentangle®, crochet, and upcycling. Her accomplishments include winning the Daphne du Maurier Award for Literary Excellence for her continuation of Charlotte Brontë’s Jane Eyre. Contact her at JCSlan@JoannaSlan.com

Newsletter / Website / Facebook / Facebook Group / Twitter/X

Amazon / Instagram / Goodreads / BookBub / LinkedIn / Pinterest

 

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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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High Couch of Silistra, first of the notorious
Silistra Quartet, brings us to a realm where thought alters probability, where
creativity is inextricably linked to the urge to own and dominate, and where
the universe itself is amenable to a focused mind.

Rooted deeply in humanity’s mythic past yet unaware
of the planet Earth, High Couch of Silistra begins one woman’s mythic quest for
self-knowledge – with surprising results.

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High Couch of Silistra

The Silistra Quartet Book 1

by Janet Morris

Genre: Dystopian Epic SciFi Fantasy Romance

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Biology shapes reality…

One woman’s mythic search for self-realization in a distant tomorrow…

Her sensuality was at the core of her world, her quest beyond the civilized
stars.

Aristocrat. Outcast. Picara. Slave. Ruler.

“Engrossing characters in a marvelous adventure.” – Charles N. Brown,
Locus Magazine

“The amazing and erotic adventures of the most beautiful courtesan in
tomorrow’s universe”

– Frederik Pohl

“The best single example of prostitution used in fantasy is Janet Morris’
Silistra series… Estri’s character is most like that of Ishtar who describes
herself as “‘a prostitute compassionate am I'” because she
“symbolizes the creative submission to the demands of instinct, to the
chaos of nature …the free woman, as opposed to the domesticated woman”.
Linking Estri with these lunar and water symbols is not difficult because of
the moon’s eternal virginity (the strength of integrity) links with her changeability
(the prostitute’s switching of lovers). […]

Morris strengthens the moon imagery by having Estri as a
well-keepress because wells, fountains, and the moon as the orb which controls
water have long been associated with fertility, […] In a sense, she is like
the moon because she is apparently eternal, never waxing or waning except in
her pursuit of the quest; she is the prototypical wanderer like the moon and
Ishtar. She is the eternal night symbol of the moon in opposition to the
Day-Keepers […]

 At her majority (her
three hundredth birthday), she is given a silver-cubed hologram letter from her
mother, containing a videotape of her conception by the savage bronzed
barbarian god from another world. […] If Estri’s mother then acts as a bawd,
willing her lineage as Well-Keepress to her daughter, then Estri’s
great-grandmother Astria as foundress of the Well becomes a further mother-bawd
figure when she offers her prophetic advice in her letter: “Guard Astria
for you may lose it, and more. Beware of one who is not as he seems. Stray not
in the port city of Baniev …look well about you, for your father’s daughter’s
brother seeks you”. Having no brother that she knows of does not stay
Estri from undertaking the heroic quest of finding her father.”

 – Anne K. Kaler, The
Picara: From Hera to Fantasy Heroine

Amazon * B&N * Bookbub * Goodreads

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I am Estri Hadrath diet Estrazi, former Well-Keepress of Astria on the planet
Silistra. I have begun three times to tell this story, and three times I have
been interrupted. This, then, the fourth attempt, will surely prove successful.

Perhaps you have heard of Silistra, the planet that was catalyst to the sexual
revolution in the year twenty-two thousand, seven hundred and four Bipedal
Federate Standard Time, or of the Silistran serums that lengthen life and
restore vitality in virtually any bipedal life form, or perhaps you have at
some time contracted the services of a Silistran telepath, or a precognitive,
or a deep reader. It is possible that you have in your own home the
scintillating, indestructible web-cloth woven by our domestic arachnids, or
have seen holograms of our golachits, those intelligent builder-beetles who
exude from their mouths a translucent, superhard substance called gol and
create from this gol, under the guidance of the chit-guards, the formidable and
resplendent structures in which we live and work.

And perhaps you have seen no web-cloth, no gol, never been ill, and are not
interested in sex. If so, you may never have heard of Silistra.

I carry Silistra in my mind’s eye, here under this alien sun. In my mind alone
can I look out the east window of my beloved exercise hall in Well Astria and
see the sun’s rising burst upon the jewel-like towers and keeps of the Inner
Well and a thousand rainbows arc and dance in the greening sky.

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What is something unique/quirky about you?

I breed Morgan horses. I consult with Morgan breeders to help them choose breeding combinations to achieve a desired result.

I am also a song writer; I play bass guitar with my husband Chris who sings and plays guitar. We have an album on MCA records. Look for Christopher Crosby Morris on Soundcloud or N1M.com

Can you, for those who don’t know you already, tell something about yourself and how you became an author?

I wrote my first novel, High Couch of Silistra in 1975; a friend sent it to an agent who chose to represent me; I had already written the second book in the Silistra Quartet and my agent told me not to disclose that until they finalized the contract for the first one. When the publisher learned of the others, Bantam Books bought the succeeding three. When the fourth book was published, the series already had four million copies in print. Suddenly I was a novelist specializing in environmental, gender, historical and political subjects. In the process, Chris became my editor and ultimately a co-writer. Since then, we have co-authored many books.

Who is your hero and why?

Heraclitus of Ephesus, a pre-socratic philosopher, whose Cosmic Fragments foreshadow our knowledge of reality and how to perceive it. Among his precepts is the statement that change alone is unchanging. I’ve worked Heraclitus’ fragments in here and there throughout our books.

Which of your novels can you imagine being made into a movie?

All of them. I write cinematically, our books are vivid adventures I undertake without knowing the destination.  I, the Sun, The Sacred Band, and Outpassage are particularly suited to film. The Threshold Series is a feast of opportunities for today’s special effects creators.

What inspired you, to write The Silistra Quartet?

The Silistra Quartet was a unique departure for me and it included issues of women’s rights in the 70’s before Handmaid’s Tale.

Convince us why you feel High Couch of Silistra is a must read.

The Silistra series in which High Couch of Silistra is book 1 blazed a new trail in science fiction and fantasy, many critics saying that I had created a new pantheon of warrior women giving rise to heroines like Xena. Today it is more important than ever for everyone to accept women in leadership roles and I would like to think we had something to do with gaining them more recognition.

Who designed your book covers?

Most of my covers, including High Couch of Silistra, are realized by Roy Mauritsen, a gifted graphic artist.

Advice to writers?

As for advice to writers, here is all I know: write the story you want to read. Start at the beginning, go to the end, and stop. Seriously. From start to finish you must inhabit the construct in a manner that makes the reader choose to continue; if I, as the writer, can’t feel what it’s like being there, my readers can’t either. So close your eyes, look at your feet where they are standing on the story’s ground; tell me what you see. Tell me what you hear. Ask at the end of each paragraph ‘what happens next?’. If you lose touch with it, wait until you’re back inside it. Tell the story that comes to you, and from you, to me.

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Best selling author Janet Morris began writing in
1976 and published more than 30 novels, many co-authored with her husband Chris
Morris or others. She contributed short fiction to the shared universe fantasy
series Thieves World, in which she created the Sacred Band of Stepsons, a
mythical unit of ancient fighters modeled on the Sacred Band of Thebes. She
created, orchestrated, and edited the Bangsian fantasy series Heroes in Hell,
writing stories for the series as well as co-writing the related novel, The
Little Helliad, with Chris Morris. She wrote the bestselling Silistra Quartet
in the 1970s, including High Couch of Silistra, The Golden Sword, Wind from the
Abyss, and The Carnelian Throne. This quartet had more than four million copies
in Bantam print alone, and was translated into German, French, Italian, Russian
and other languages. In the 1980s, Baen Books released a second edition of this
landmark series. The third edition is the Author’s Cut edition, newly revised
by the author for Perseid Press. Most of her fiction work has been in the
fantasy and science fiction genres, although she has also written historical
and other novels. Morris has written, contributed to, or edited several
book-length works of non-fiction, as well as papers and articles on nonlethal
weapons, developmental military technology and other defense and national
security topics.

Janet said: ‘People often ask what book to read
first. I recommend “I, the Sun” if you like ancient history;
“The Sacred Band,” a novel, if you like heroic fantasy; “Lawyers
in Hell” if you like historical fantasy set in hell;
“Outpassage” if you like hard science fiction; “High Couch of
Silistra” if you like far-future dystopian or philosophical novels. I am
most enthusiastic about the definitive Perseid Press Author’s Cut editions,
which I revised and expanded.’

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A Chronicle of a Remarkable Retriever

 

Memoir/Love, Black Lab, Dog

 

Date Published: 02-14-2023

 

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The decision to get a dog becomes a journey from high expectations
through the reality of care giving and the fun of companionship to enduring
love and finally loss. Dog lovers will see themselves and remember their
beloved canine friends. They will wish they had known Tasha as they read about
this quirky dog and her love of family and fun. Readers can applaud the
transforming power of love.
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Enjoy this peek inside:
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Typically, I put mulch down in the spring, but I also use mulch to prepare for winter. However, not all mulch is equal when it comes to dogs.
I am the queen of mulch. I used it abundantly to discourage weeds and hold moisture in the soil, and to protect roots during winter. I had a preference for cocoa bean mulch, which had a delectable aroma. A neighbor at our previous home came out one day while I was spreading it and said, “Oh, I thought you were baking brownies.” That’s how good it smells!
I had been thoughtless. The cocoa bean is just as toxic for dogs as chocolate. Mulch covered the flower beds in the backyard where Tasha played. “Tasha,” I lectured, “you are not to touch this mulch under any circumstance. Never, never, never touch the mulch.”
 You’re overreacting, Mom.
 I’m not sure how she interpreted “mulch,” but not only did she never touch the mulch, she never put a paw in any flower bed or touch even a petunia or marigold. She kept me company when I worked in the yard, and much later, I found it difficult to garden without my furry assistant.

 

About Author Jo McCouley Prouty:
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Jo McCauley Prouty spent her formative years in West Virginia and
Virginia, where she attended the College of William and Mary. She is a former
educator and now applies her nurturing skills to flower gardening and
entertaining her grandchildren. She resides in Minnesota with her orange
tabby, Cooper. Her work has appeared in “The Journal of The Braxton Historical
Society” and the “Journal of Opinions, Ideas and Essays.”

 

Contact Links

 

Website

Facebook

Goodreads

 

Purchase Links

 


https://mybook.to/TheLoveofaDog

Amazon

Author Site

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RABT Book Tours & PR

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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Celebrate America’s 250th Birthday with Happy Birthday to US!

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Happy Birthday to US

by Sherry Ellis

Genre: Children’s Picture Book

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Happy Birthday to US! A Fourth of July
Celebration for kids!

It’s the Fourth of July – and someone’s birthday!

At first, a young child believes the parade, fireworks, and
fanfare are all in honor of his special day. But as the story unfolds, he
discovers the celebration is for something even bigger- America’s birthday!

Told in joyful rhyme and bursting with colorful
illustrations, Happy Birthday to US blends a child’s
excitement for their own big day with the pride and spirit of Independence Day.
Young readers will learn about the meaning behind July 4th – freedom,
community, and the history of America’s independence -while sharing a
heartwarming story about belonging and discovery.

Perfect for

*Classroom and library story times

*Families celebrating summer birthdays

*Teaching children about Independence Day and Patriotism

Whether read aloud at home, in schools, or at holiday
events, Happy Birthday to US is a festive and meaningful
addition to any child’s bookshelf – and a perfect way to celebrate

America’s 250th
Birthday on July 4, 2026!

Amazon
* B&N
* Kobo
* Author’s
Site
* Goodreads

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Sherry Ellis is an
award-winning author and professional musician who plays and teaches the
violin, viola, and piano. When she is not writing or engaged in musical
activities, she can be found doing household chores, hiking, or exploring the
world. Ellis has previously published the Bubba and Squirt’s Adventure
Series; Don’t Feed the Elephant; Ten Zany Birds; That Baby Woke
Me Up, AGAIN; and That Mama is a Grouch. Ellis lives in Atlanta,
Georgia.

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

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $20 giveaway!

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Enter the Happy Birthday To US Giveaway Here

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CIRCLE OF NINE Series by Valerie Biel Banner

CIRCLE OF NINE
by Valerie Biel
October 27 – December 31, 2025 Virtual Book Tour

 

CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST
CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST
The danger was supposed to be over. The sacred treasures are safe. The enemies banished to the Otherworld.

But Brigit Quinn’s dreams tell a different story. The condemned return to haunt her sleep—pleading, accusing, refusing to be forgotten. Something is still wrong, even if the rest of the Circle of Nine insists the threat has passed. When anonymous warnings surface and the police begin asking questions about the missing, Brigit’s visions intensify, blurring the line between dream and prophecy. The Circle is unraveling. Shadows are gathering. To restore what’s been broken, Brigit knows they must return to the Otherworld and seek answers from the immortal Elders—knowing that to question them is to risk everything. In this spellbinding fourth installment of the Circle of Nine series, ancient magic, mortal danger, and Brigit’s quest for the truth collide in a journey that will test the bonds of loyalty, love, and the fragile trust between gods and mortals.

Find CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST on Amazon | KindleUnlimited | Barnes & Noble | BookShop.org | Goodreads | BookBub

 

Praise for Circle of Nine: Mercy in the Mist

Mercy in the Mist delivers spellbinding suspense. Positively enchanting!” ~ Tracey S. Phillips, award-winning author of Forewarned for CIRCLE OF NINE: MERCY IN THE MIST

 

Series Details:

Genre: Young Adult Fantasy

Published by: Lost Lake Press

Find CIRCLE OF NINE series at Amazon & Lost Lake Press

 

About Author Valerie Biel:

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author

Valerie Biel writes award-winning books for middle grade to adult audiences–stories inspired by her travels and her insatiable curiosity. Her young adult fantasy series, Circle of Nine, was inspired by the myth and magic of Ireland’s ancient stone circles. She’s also the author of HAVEN, a contemporary middle grade novel, and BEYOND THE CEMETERY GATE, a mystery suspense story. She’s a founding member of the Blackbird Writers & a member of Sisters in Crime & the Wisconsin Writers Association. When she’s away from the computer, she’s likely wrangling her overgrown garden, reading multiple books per week, or traveling the world–often on trips for the The World Orphan Fund charity she and her husband run. She calls a (tiny) portion of her family’s century-old Wisconsin farm home, but regularly dreams of finding a cozy cottage on the Irish coast where she can write and write.

Catch Up With Valerie Biel:

ValerieBiel.com Valerie’s Substack Newsletter Amazon Author Profile Goodreads – @valerie_biel BookBub – @ValerieBiel Instagram – @valeriebielauthor Threads – @valeriebielauthor X – @ValerieBiel Facebook – @ValerieBielBooks YouTube – @ValerieBielAuthor Pinterest – @ValerieBiel

 

Tour Participants:

Visit these other great hosts on this tour for more great reviews, interviews, guest posts, and opportunities to WIN in the giveaway! Click here to view the Tour Schedule  

 

 

Join In:

This giveaway is hosted by Partners in Crime Tours for Valerie Biel. See the widget for entry terms and conditions. Void where prohibited.

CIRCLE OF NINE Series by Valerie Biel Can’t see the giveaway? Click Here!

Get More Great Reads at Partners In Crime Tours

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

To see all of my giveaways go HERE.

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A Mysterious Christmas Collection:
A Charlie Kingsley/Redemption Detective Agency Crossover Christmas Cozy Mystery Anthology
by Michele Pariza Wacek


A Mysterious Christmas Collection: A Charlie Kingsley/Redemption Detective Agency Crossover Christmas Cozy Mystery Anthology
Cozy Mysteries
Setting – Wisconsin
Publisher: Love-Based Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ November 19, 2025
Number of Pages: 150
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FVNJXFQS

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In this charming Christmas cozy mystery collection, you get not one but TWO Christmas mysteries–one from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series (Secret Santa Murder) and one from The Redemption Detective Agency (The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf).

Even better, the characters in both series will make a crossover appearance in the other mystery.

Here’s a peek of each story:

Secret Santa Murder: A Secret Santa party goes off the rails when a guest is murdered after opening their gift. Can Charlie get to the bottom of who did it in this locked door mystery?

The Mysterious Case of the Dead Elf: Emily and the gang take on a case to help a young mother get over her childhood Christmas trauma. Can they go back in time and solve the mystery of a dead elf to save Christmas before it’s too late?

Includes TWO Christmas cookie family recipes!

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is funny, clean & twisty cozy series takes place in the 1990s in Redemption, Wisconsin. They’re perfect if you enjoy small town cozy mysteries with quirky characters, pets, tea, culinary, a touch of romance, 1990s nostalgia and loads of fun. If you like books by Agatha Christie, Louise Penny and Maddie Day, you’ll love these books.

The Charlie Kingsley Mysteries is a continuing series with books that are standalone and can be read in any order.

The Redemption Detective Agency

A spin off from the Charlie Kingsley Mystery series. This cozy romcom mystery series also takes place in the 1990s and features a fish out of water amateur sleuth, pet detectives, a cast of silver sleuths (some you’ll recognize from the main series), cold cases and a hefty dose of romance. Think The Thursday Murder Club meets Bridget Jones’s Diary, but in small town Wisconsin. Also great for fans for The Golden Girls (if they started solving mysteries), Only Murders in the Building (without a podcast and takes place in Wisconsin) and Murder She Wrote.

All the books are clean, twisty and funny. They can be read in any order but to get the best experience, I would recommend starting with Book 1, The Mysterious Case of the Missing Motive.

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About Michele Pariza Wacek

A USA Today Bestselling, award-winning author, Michele taught herself to read at 3 years old because she wanted to write stories so badly. It took some time (and some detours) but she does spend much of her time writing stories now. Mystery stories, to be exact. They’re clean and twisty, and range from psychological thrillers to cozies, with a dash of romance and supernatural thrown into the mix. If that wasn’t enough, she posts lots of fun things on her blog, including short stories, puzzles, recipes and more, at MPWNovels.com.

Michele grew up in Wisconsin, (hence why all her books take place there), and still visits regularly, but she herself escaped the cold and now lives in the mountains of Prescott, Arizona with her husband and southern squirrel hunter Cassie.

When she’s not writing, she’s usually reading, hanging out with her dog, or watching the Food Network and imagining she’s an awesome cook. (Spoiler alert, she’s not. Luckily for the whole family, Mr. PW is in charge of the cooking.)

Author Links: Website / Facebook / Instagram

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TOUR PARTICIPANTS

December 8 – Boys’ Mom Reads! – SPOTLIGHT

December 9 – Ascroft, eh? – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 10 – Books, Ramblings, and Tea – SPOTLIGHT 

December 10 – Jody’s Bookish Haven – SPOTLIGHT

December 10 – Angel’s Book Nook – SPOTLIGHT

December 11 – Christy’s Cozy Corners  – AUTHOR GUEST POST

December 11 – Books1987 – SPOTLIGHT

December 12 – Reading, Writing & Stitch-Metic – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

December 13 – Sarandipity’s – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 13 – fundinmental – SPOTLIGHT

December 14 – Guatemala Paula Loves to Read – SPOTLIGHT

December 15 – Bibliophile Foodie – REVIEW 

December 16 – Escape With Dollycas Into A Good Book – REVIEW

December 16 – Hall Ways Blog – REVIEW

December 17 – Ruff Drafts – SPOTLIGHT WITH RECIPE

December 17 – Baroness Book Trove – CHARACTER INTERVIEW

December 18 – Maureen’s Musings – SPOTLIGHT

December 19 – Cozy Up With Kathy – REVIEW, CHARACTER GUEST POST

December 20 – FUONLYKNEW – SPOTLIGHT

December 21 – Salty Inspirations – REVIEW

December 21 – Sarah Can’t Stop Reading Books – REVIEW

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For a list of my reviews go HERE.

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An Austen-inspired Short Story Duet

Enjoy two tea
parties, two romances and two characters from one of the world’s most beloved
authors.

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Tea for Two:

An Austen-Inspired
Short Story Duet

by Bianca White

Genre: Historical Romance

Jane Austen and tea.
What more could one ask for?

Enjoy two tea parties, two romances and
two characters from one of the world’s most beloved authors.

In this historical romance short story duet gossip-loving Mrs Jennings meddles
in affairs of the heart, and scandalous Henry Crawford turns heads once again!

Be swept away by the amusements of the Regency tea party in
these Austen-inspired short stories. Delight in the sweet romance, dancing,
gossip and, of course, tea.

“But indeed I would rather have nothing but tea.”
― Jane Austen, Mansfield Park

 

Tea
for Two
 comprises two short stories:

 

Jilted

Lord Asher Mandeville is heartbroken when his childhood
love, Miss Tabitha Rowe, jilts him only weeks before their wedding.

Asher refuses to accept Tabitha’s rejection and chases after
his betrothed to demand an explanation.

Tabitha is determined to escape him, but Asher’s shattered
heart will accept nothing other than her return.

 

Wooing
Miss Woodforde

Jasper Trevethan loves Miss Sophie Woodforde, but he is a
penniless rake. Sophie would never marry him, even if he were rich.

As an impoverished companion, Sophie serves the whims of
others while pining for her employer’s scandalous nephew.

When an unexpected inheritance transforms Sophie’s life, she
becomes the target of fortune hunters.

Before another scoundrel steals his love, Jasper must prove
his devotion and woo Miss Woodforde. But Sophie would rather become an old maid
than marry a man who only wants her for her money, especially Mr Trevethan.

 

Amazon * Apple * B&N * Google * Kobo * Books2Read * Bookbub * Goodreads

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Excerpt from Wooing Miss Woodforde

 

He headed to the drawing room.

While Sophie continued to hold his heart,
he could not bring himself to marry another. Yes, he had wasted his days living
off his brother while indulging in a life of idleness and pleasure-seeking. Now
he had no option but to pray his aunt left him her fortune. Perhaps then he
could offer for Sophie. She will never
marry a rake, you fool.
As usual, he tamped down the bitter truth, but the
tiny flicker of hope that one day she may be his was the only thing that
prevented him from sinking further.

His aunt dropped onto the sofa before the
crackling hearth. “It does not help your cause that you continue to associate
with that scoundrel, Mr Crawford.”

Sophie carried out her duties in efficient
silence, pretending not to hear the details of his scandalous associations. How
he longed to take her away from this life of servitude. Someone so good, kind
and selfless deserved better.

After pouring the tea, she handed her
employer a cup.

Without a word of thanks to her companion,
his aunt continued, “There is still talk about his scandalous affair with Mrs
Rushworth. You should end the connection, for it will only sully your name
further. Your reputation as a rake does not help matters, but being associated
with an adulterer will not earn you a respectable bride. What must my dear
sister think of her favourite now?”

He accepted his cup from Sophie with his
head down and muttered his thanks. Shame gnawed at his insides. If his mother
had not died of typhus before he reached his tenth year, she would have been
sorely disappointed in him.

Why could he not be a better man? He should
have sought a profession after university. If he had done something useful,
perhaps, he may have earned Sophie’s good opinion and won her heart. Instead,
he had wasted his life. He was a hopeless rake beyond salvage, in love with a
woman far above him in noble character. Even if he were rich, she would always
be too good for him.

Sophie sat on the sofa next to his aunt and
twiddled with a delicate curl at her nape.

He had to ask again. “Are you certain you
are well, Miss Woodforde?”

“Stop trying to misdirect the attention
from yourself, Trevethan.” Aunt Hammond sipped at her tea.

Wispy tendrils of steam rose from the beige
liquid in his cup, and he tamped down the urge to ask for something stronger.
Liquor would have to wait. Even though nothing eased the painful longing within
him lately.

He could not resist being drawn to the
source of his yearning while she stared at the flickering flames in the hearth.
What had happened to the woman who enjoyed lecturing him about the latest
philanthropic project she wished to support or teased him following the gossip
surrounding his misadventures? Not that he had many these days unless one
counted spending the evenings drinking brandy with Crawford while they both
pined for the women they loved but could not possess.

“Trevethan!” he jerked his head towards his
aunt. Her narrowed gaze bore into him. Had he given himself away?

She glowered, then said, “Miss Woodforde
has received some surprising news today that has unsettled her.”

Sophie’s head shot up; her wide gaze
directed towards her employer.

“I hope it is nothing serious?” My God, she
was ill. “Is there anything I can
do?”

Aunt Hammond scoffed. “It is not unwelcome
news—well, not for Miss Woodforde.”

“Mrs Hammond.” Sophie pleaded, but as
usual, his aunt could not be silenced.

“Miss Woodforde is now an heiress with
twenty thousand.”

His breath stuttered.

On the opposite sofa, Sophie’s head lolled
forward, and she ran a palm across her forehead.

Sophie was a wealthy woman—a single,
wealthy woman. That meant she no longer needed to work for his aunt. He would
not see her when he visited.

Aunt Hammond asked, “Will you not offer
your congratulations?”

He glanced at his aunt before returning his
attention to Sophie, whose shoulders slumped.

A burning sensation spread down his gullet,
and he swallowed. “Congratulations, Miss Woodforde.”

His aunt sniffed. “She is almost maudlin;
anyone would think a beloved family member had died.”

Sophie continued to stare into the teacup
in her lap. She would leave, and he would never see her again.

Aunt Hammond prattled on. “Heaven knows
why, but she wishes to keep it a secret. She should marry, yet she insists she
will remain in my employment.”

Of course, her sense of duty would not
allow her to abandon his aunt. Selfish thoughts about her leaving had
distracted him from the more pressing issue. Another man would steal her from
him. His heart skipped a beat. He could not allow it.

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Bianca White writes passionate and spicy historical romance.

Bianca loves history and has a degree in history and history of art. The word
“research” is often used as an excuse to drag members of her family
around every stately home and castle wherever they go. Nothing, not even
the grumbling of said family, will keep her away from a historical fashion
exhibition.

When she’s not writing, Bianca feeds her addiction to romance novels. She also loves
baking and watching movies. Thanks to her love of baking (and eating), she
feels the need to balance it with a little activity and enjoys tai chi,
aerobics and swimming.

Bianca lives in West Yorkshire, England, with her husband and two children.

To receive all the latest news from Bianca White, and a bit of history in your inbox, sign
up for her mailing list at
Bianca White Writes.

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Follow the tour HERE for special content and a $10 giveaway!

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Enter the Tea For Two Giveaway Here

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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.