Explore Scotland, Fey, and the magical blending of worlds in The Factory Girl and the Fey . A Get a look 'behind the scenes' at this historical fantasy inspired by the author’s ancestors. The Factory Girl and the Fey Jane Thorburn straddles two worlds: her life as a “factory girl” in Scotland’s mills, and her birthright as fairy royalty. Abandoned by her parents as an infant, and uncertain about the true motives of the Fey, she learns to depend only on herself. All she wants is to be a great weaver and to maintain her independence. The Fair Folk, fighting for their very survival, have other plans for her, as does the handsome and charismatic Robert Stein. What life will she choose? And will she even have a choice? A historical fantasy inspired by the author’s ancestors, The Factory Girl and the Fey is an affectionate tribute to the women who helped fuel Scotland’s Industrial Age, from the workers to the poets…and to the Fey who remind us that magic is real when we believe in it. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND Q&A with Author Nadine Galinsky Feldman What makes The Factory Girl and the Fey special or unique to you? This is the most personal book I’ve ever written. In 2014 I discovered, through a genealogical search, that my great-great grandmother was not who I thought she was. I had enough information to confirm I had found the right person. It broke my heart that she had “disappeared” from the family tree, and I wanted to write a story to welcome her back to the family. I tried to make it straight historical fiction, but the Fey insisted on being part of the story, so I let them stay. I like to think that the real Jane Thorburn wanted it that way. What can you tell us about your newest release? The Factory Girl and the Fey tells of a young Scottish weaver who happens to hear and see the Fey, not realizing she is heir to their queendom. Jane Thorburn has ambitions and dreams, but like all women, has a lot of outside forces vying for her attention. She must find the balance between duty, ambition, and love. In essence, it’s a story about making difficult choices. The term “Factory Girl” is a tribute to a Scottish poet of that time period, Ellen Johnston, worked in the mills and wrote poetry under that moniker. Throughout the book I include excerpts from other Scottish poets, using women’s voices wherever possible, to return them to visibility. Tell as a little about your main characters, Jane, Rabbie, and Beitris. Jane Thorburn is the main character. She’s independent, in large part because adults let her down a lot early in her life. She’s ambitious and wants nothing to do with love…she thinks. Jane loves the Fey but has a cautious relationship with them as well. Rabbie Stein is a mill supervisor with a light heart, a sweet spirit, and a bad habit of telling people what they want to hear to keep the peace. Beitris is a midwife, or “howdiewife,” as they were called in Scotland, who looks out for Jane throughout her life. She’s a wise woman who provides Jane a much-needed mother figure. Which character was most challenging to create? Coira, one of the Fey, wreaks havoc throughout the story. Initially she was almost cartoonish in her villainy, and I had to make her more nuanced. She does horrible things out of a distorted sense of loyalty. I love how she turned out and have a great deal of affection for her. Which scene was most difficult to write? There are two: the first is a scene about a mill accident involving a child. I sobbed like a baby every time I worked on it. The second is at the end, and I can’t really say more because it would be a big spoiler. That one was tough, though, and I was still working on it after multiple rounds of developmental edits and countless revisions. I FINALLY feel like I wrote what needed to be written, but it was tough because of the emotional component. What story are you working on next, and what inspired it? I’m working on an untitled manuscript about a 60-year-old woman, Elaine, who has taken care of hearth and home her whole adulthood, but now wants to pursue a career as an artist. She’s skilled, having studied art and painted ever since, but has always put the needs of others first. Just as she decides to take her turn, her husband decides to enter politics. Their conflicting ambitions put strain on the marriage. My late mother-in-law inspired this story. I noticed at her death how we all saw her through the role she played in our lives: wife, mother, grandmother, mother-in-law, as opposed to the woman and artist she was. She left behind a lot of art and writings that I organized into a book, Patchwork and Ornament: A Woman’s Journey of Life, Love, and Art . This book is entirely fictional about a woman who makes different choices, but is based on my love and affection for Jenny Feldman, and my wish that I had seen her more as the woman, the individual, during her lifetime. Books & Benches: Thank you, Nadine, for a great Q&A. We're looking forward to reading the book. The Author Nadine Galinsky Feldman is an author of women’s and historical fiction. Her novel What She Knew was a finalist in the 2016 Next Generation Indie Book awards. The Foreign Language of Friends was a finalist in the 2012 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, Chick Lit category. It was also named a Gold Medal Winner, Women’s Issues, in the 2011 eLit Book Awards. As an editor, Nadine produced Patchwork and Ornament: A Woman’s Journey of Life, Love, and Art by Jeanette Feldman, which won the 2010 Indie Excellence Award for Best Memoir. Her first book, When a Grandchild Dies: What to Do, What to Say, How to Cope , provided grief support to an underserved population. When not working on her many writing projects, Nadine loves traveling, gardening, genealogy, and yoga. She lives in the beautiful Hudson Valley of New York state. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS Genre: Historical Fiction/Fantasy Release: October 14, 2021 Pages: 360pp Type: Novel Content Rating: PG-13, with non-descriptive sex and some violence. View our rating system Tour Giveaway Enter to win a paperback copy of The Factory Girl and the Fey by Nadine Galinsky Feldman! The giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends October 28, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

A Reader's Opinion A fantastic Gothic suspense filled with mystery, a dash of romance, and a touch of darkness! I'm always fascinated by Victorian Gothic suspense! When choosing a book by a new author, I never know what to expect. Readers will love Clarissa Harwood's novel The Curse of Morton Abbey ! It had everything to please me, and I couldn't put it down! There are so many twists and turns in this story, you will not be able to guess the mystery! Discover the intriguing story of Vaughan Springthorpe, a unique woman for that period in time. Our heroine is courageous and self-confident when it comes to legal matters. The author merged the main character into the story so that she has a powerful impact on the plot, raises intense suspense, and generates strong emotions. Vaughan is hired to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, owned by Sir Peter Spencer. As she arrives, she is met by the servants and Nicholas, Peter's invalid brother. Working in an isolated manor scares her a little, but living there is worse. She hears a child crying and gunshots, but where are they coming from? Things aren't always what they seem. Will she follow her instincts and discover the shattering and dark secrets that lie within the heart of Morton Abbey? Will Nicholas intervene and obstruct her work? Is she safe from danger? Find out in The Curse of Morton Abbey . I loved the surprise near the end of the story! The Curse of Morton Abbey Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself. To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? BOOK INFO Genre: Gothic Romance Release: October 26, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher via BookSirens Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out Lori Benton's second installment in her Kindred series. Shiloh Award-winning author Lori Benton delivers a rich historical novel of faith, hope, and second chances. December 1795 A year has passed since Ian Cameron reluctantly sent his uncle’s former slave Seona and their son, Gabriel, north to his kin in Boston. Determined to fully release them, Ian strives to make a life at Mountain Laurel, his inherited plantation, along with Judith, the wife he’s vowed to love and cherish. But when tragedy leaves him alone with his daughter, Mandy, and his three remaining slaves, he decides to return north. An act of kindness on the journey provides Ian the chance to obtain land near the frontier settlement of Shiloh, New York. Perhaps even the hope for a new life with those he still holds dear. In Boston, Seona has taken her first tentative steps as a free woman, while trying to banish Ian from her heart. The Cameron family thinks she and Gabriel should remain under their protection. Seona’s mother, Lily, thinks it’s time they strike out on their own. Then Ian arrives, offering a second chance Seona hadn’t dared imagine. But the wide-open frontier of Shiloh feels as boundless and terrifying as her newfound freedom—a place of new friends and new enemies, where deep bonds are renewed but old hurts stand ready to rear their heads. It will take every ounce of faith and courage Ian and Seona can muster to fight for their family and their future . . . together. Get Your Copy Meet the Author Lori Benton was born and raised east of the Appalachian Mountains, surrounded by early American and family history going back to the 1600s. Her novels transport readers to the 18th century, where she brings to life the Colonial and early Federal periods of American history, creating a melting pot of characters drawn from both sides of a turbulent and shifting frontier, brought together in the bonds of God's transforming grace. Lori's debut novel, Burning Sky , earned the 2014 Christy Award for First Novel, Historical, and Book of the Year. Website: loribenton.com Genre: Historical Christian Romance Type: Novel Series: Kindred, book 2 Publication date: October 5, 2021 Content Rating: 2 Hearts View rating system

A gripping story of loyalty and betrayal, set amidst the violence and peril of the Albigensian Crusades. Enjoy an excerpt from Susanne Dunlap's Voices in the Mist . Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | The Author | Limited Time Giveaway Voices in the Mist Marry a Catholic stranger, or flee the only world she’s ever known: Headstrong Bruna de Gansard must choose one or the other to protect her Cathar family from the inquisitors. Toulouse, 1229. The inquisitors have arrived to rid the city of Cathar heretics once and for all, and are putting all unmarried girls over the age of 12 to the question. After an incident in the town calls unwanted attention to 14-year-old Bruna, a young Catholic stranger who is sympathetic to the heretics warns her family about the looming danger, and volunteers to marry their daughter to save her from being questioned. But Bruna doesn’t want to be forced into marriage, so she chooses flight—which lands her unexpectedly in the midst of a Catholic pilgrimage to Compostela, thrusting her into a life of deceit. When her beauty and her voice bring her to the attention of the powerful Baron de Belascon, who owes fealty to the king of France, Bruna earns the enmity of the baron’s bitter and imperious mother and finds herself caught between her allegiance to her own people and the dangerous secret of her origins—a secret that can be revealed at any time after the arrival of a French knight who recognizes her. The Orphans of Tolosa Trilogy comes to a dramatic end in this gripping story of loyalty and betrayal, set amidst the violence and peril of the Albigensian Crusades. Amazon | Barnes & Noble Enjoy an Excerpt from Voices in the Mist When I reached the top of the gentle slope, though, I came to a crossroads I had never seen before. There were indeed merchants on the corners here, but as they sold leather and armor, we never had any reason to go to that part of town. Our beliefs forbade us to wear the skins of animals except for our shoes, which my father fashioned from the hides of our own livestock when they had outlived their ability to provide fleece. Besides, only knights were entitled to wear armor for any purpose. On that hill, at that crossroads, a crowd of unfamiliar men and boys loitered in that way peculiar to them, untroubled, confident, yet wary. My heart began to pound. One rough older man called out using a word I had never heard before, but which made the other men laugh. My cheeks warmed, and I turned in a circle, trying quickly to spy a way I could go that would get me away from that place without having to pass too close by the throng of strangers. I stepped toward an alleyway I could see just beyond them, intending to calmly walk past as though I was not frightened. But two of the bigger fellows sauntered in front of me and stood, arms folded, legs spread wide. I would have had to ask them to move out of the way, or turn and take a path I was certain would lead me astray. I stood rooted there, about an arm’s length in front of them, panic flooding my body. “Eh, une jolye petite fille! C’est pour moy.” The man’s accent was so thick I couldn’t understand what he said. One word sounded very like filha, daughter, but the look he had in his eye was in no manner fatherly. I cast my eyes around and noted another alley that led between two buildings and calculated how long it would take me to dash toward it and run away. No sooner had I turned in that direction, though, than another man moved to block my path. “Elle ne porte pas un bliau. Elle est hérétique!” “No!” I exclaimed, “Je ne suis pas hérétique! I am a true believer!” Those were the words my parents had taught me to say if ever I was accused in just such a way, a phrase that could contradict the accusation without being an outright lie. Although I did not understand all their words, “heretic” was plain enough. Rather than discourage the men, my outburst drew even more attention to me, and others joined them and closed in upon me until I could smell their sweat and their wine-soaked breath. Some of them smiled with an expression I did not like, running their eyes up and down my body so freely that it felt like spiders under my clothes. Tears formed in the corners of my eyes, but something told me it would be a mistake to cry, and so I forced them back, a pain like a knife in my throat as I did. Just as the biggest of the men reached out to take hold of my arm, my knees started to buckle, and the world began to spin. A moment later, a broad blade caught the sun as it flashed in front of me, smashing away the man’s arm. The group of men around me dispersed like the fluff of a blown flower. The man whose arm had received the blow clutched it and grimaced, glaring at me as if he would murder me if he could. I was so stunned that at first, I hardly noticed who had intervened. End of Excerpt. Excerpt Copyright © Susanne Dunlap. Shared with permission. The Author Susanne Dunlap is the author of nine works of historical fiction. A graduate of Smith College with a PhD in Music History from Yale University, Susanne grew up in Buffalo, New York and has lived in London, Brooklyn and Northampton, MA. She now lives in Northampton with her long-time partner, Charles, has two grown daughters, three granddaughters, a grandson, a stepson and a stepdaughter, five step-grandsons and one step-granddaughter—that’s a total of four children and eleven grandchildren! In her spare time, she cycles in the beautiful Pioneer Valley. For more information, please visit Susanne Dunlap’s website . You can follow author Susanne Dunlap on Facebook , Twitter , Goodreads , Instagram , Pinterest , and BookBub . Genre: Historical Fiction Publisher: Bellastoria Press Series: The Orphans of Tolosa, Book 3 Release: September 21, 2021 Type: Novel Content Rating: PG View our rating system Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | Top of Post Limited-Time Giveaway Enter to win a paperback set of The Orphans of Tolosa Trilogy! 3 sets are up for grabs! The giveaway is open to the US only and ends on October 15, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Voting is open for the October 2021 book cover contest. View the finalists, support these terrific authors, and c ast your vote on the cover contest page.

Congratulations to Clarissa Harwood, author of The Curse of Morton Abbey , winner of the September 2021 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! Thank you to all those who voted and supported the wonderful authors and their books! Want to keep helping authors? Share this post and their books with your friends! A little book love goes a long way. Vote in the new cover contest > BOOK INFO Title: The Curse of Morton Abbey Author: Clarissa Harwood Genre: Gothic Romance Release: October 26, 2021

Will Jess start to see that it’s not just what’s on the table that matters—it’s the people gathered round it. Enjoy a peek at Kathryn Springer's small-town novel, The Gathering Table . Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | The Author The Gathering Table From USA TODAY bestselling author Kathryn Springer comes a tale of starting over when life takes an unexpected turn. Winsome Lake, Wisconsin, is postcard-pretty, but for chef Jessica Keaton it’s also a last resort. Fired from her dream job, Jess is starting over as a live-in cook and housekeeper. When she arrives, she finds her new employer is in rehab after having a stroke, and Jess expects she’ll be all alone in Elaine Haviland’s quaint house. A chef with no one to cook for. But instead, she encounters a constant stream of colorful visitors who draw her back into the world. As Jess contends with local teenagers, a group of scrappy women and a charming football coach, Elaine faces some battles of her own that extend past her physical challenges. For both of them, all the ingredients for a fulfilling life are within reach, if they’re willing to take a leap. And maybe Jess will start to see that it’s not just what’s on the table that matters—it’s the people gathered round it. A must-read novel from Love Inspired: Stories to Uplift and Inspire. Love Inspired | Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Walmart Available in paperback at Walmart, or online from your favorite audio or e-book retailer. Enjoy an Excerpt from The Gathering Table “Elaine has been with us at Sunrise since the beginning of June. There are several benchmarks a person needs to reach before we are comfortable sending them home. Elaine isn’t quite ready to be on her own yet, but we’d reached a compromise. If she hired someone to help around the house and continued with her physical therapy, I would support her decision to leave the center. “Yesterday afternoon Elaine fell and fractured several ribs. She’s in a lot of pain at the moment, so we agreed it was in her best interest that she remain here a little while longer. Pneumonia is always a concern after a fall like this, and her body will need time to heal.” Jess’s heart plummeted. “How much longer?” “I can’t say for certain. It varies from patient to patient, but Elaine will call you as soon as she’s able,” Vanessa promised. “In the meantime, there’s a guest room upstairs and plenty to do while you wait.” “She wants me to stay?” Jess must have misunderstood. “Here? In her house?” “Of course.” Vanessa chuckled. “Elaine said, and this is a direct quote, ‘to make yourself at home.’” Home. Jess didn’t even know what the word meant. But a place to regroup…alone. It almost balanced out the electric stove. Almost. “If you have any questions, feel free to call me,” Vanessa said. “Elaine’s cell was damaged when she fell, so I don’t mind passing messages back and forth for a while if necessary.” “I… Thank you.” “I’m happy to help,” the social worker said. “Everyone at Sunrise has grown quite fond of Elaine during her stay, and she mentioned how fortunate she was to find you.” The irony left a bitter taste in Jess’s mouth. Gwyneth had said the same thing…two hours before she’d told Jess to pack up her things and get out. End of Excerpt. Excerpt Copyright © Kathryn Springer. Shared with permission. The Author Kathryn Springer grew up in a small town where her parents published a weekly newspaper. As a child, she spent hours sitting at her mother’s typewriter, plunking out stories, and credits her parents for instilling in her a love of reading – which turned into a desire to tell stories of her own. Kathryn has written over thirty books and lives and writes on a lake in northern Wisconsin. She enjoys long walks in the woods and the change of seasons (although sometimes she wishes the “change” between winter and spring didn’t last quite so long!) When Kathryn isn’t at the computer, she’s spending time with family and friends, paging through cooking magazines or sitting in the sun. A really, really good day includes all three! Connect with Kathryn Website | Facebook | Instagram Genre: Contemporary Small Town Romance Publisher: Harlequin Love Inspired Release: September 28, 2021 Type: Novel Content Rating: Clean Read View our rating system Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | Top of Post | TLC Tour Page Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out Linda Broday's newest installment in her Lonestar Legends series. A Cowboy Christmas Legend This stunning, emotional, and redemptive historical Western romance by bestselling author Linda Broday will leave you cozy and warm this Christmas season, with: A cowboy learning how to start over A fiery young woman with the heart to save him A past neither can escape, and A future worthy of any Christmas miracle . Devastated by the loss of his young wife―and the life he'd always thought would be his―Sam Legend II has done everything he can to make a fresh start. As a bladesmith, all he needs is a bed, a hot fire, and enough distance from his famous family to finally indulge in a little peace and quiet. So what if it's almost Christmas? This year, he's happy just keeping to himself. But then fiery Cheyenne Ronan comes blasting into his home, and any notion of peace goes flying out the door. Cheyenne's like no one Sam has ever met―and from the moment he first catches her eye, his quiet life is anything but. Now he's hunting wanted men with the Texas Rangers, decking every hall, and sharing passionate embraces with the woman who's set his world alight. For the first time in what feels like forever, Sam's facing Christmas feeling like his life is full of meaning again―and that with Cheyenne by his side, love can be the stuff of Legend. Meet the Author At a young age, Linda Broday discovered a love for storytelling, history, and anything pertaining to the Old West. After years of writing romance, it's still tall rugged cowboys that spark her imagination. A New York Times and USA Today bestselling author, Linda has won many awards, including the prestigious National Readers' Choice Award and the Texas Gold. She resides in the Texas Panhandle where she's inspired every day. Website: lindabroday.com Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca Series: Lone Star Legends, book 2 Publication date: September 28, 2021 Content Rating: 4 Hearts View rating system

A wicked duke. A troublesome beauty. And the forbidden desire they can't deny. Enjoy a peek at Tracy Sumner's League of Lords series with an excerpt from The Duke is Wicked . Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | The Author | Limited-Time Giveaway The Duke is Wicked THE NEVERS + BRIDGERTON mashup! Historical romance with a sexy splash of the supernatural. The wild child of America meets the Duke. AKA The Fireball. “Regency fans will savor the romantic fireworks! Sparks fly between a sultry English lord and a feisty American heiress!”— Kirkus Reviews He's harboring a fiery secret.... The Duke of Ashcroft is determined to keep the League of Lords under wraps. After all, the group's supernatural gifts brought the mystical misfits together and nobody is going to tear them apart. Intelligent and wily, Sebastian knows better than to trust anyone--especially an impulsive and intrusive American woman. She's looking for answers... Competitive and confident, Delaney Temple is hellbent on uncovering the truth about the League. She'll stop at nothing to unearth the secrets they're burying. But when Sebastian is in trouble and Delaney comes to his rescue, their contempt turns to a burning desire. Suddenly, with their passion ignited, they can no longer deny their attraction. A wicked duke. A troublesome beauty. And the forbidden desire they can't deny. League of Lords series (steamy Victorian psychic romance): #1 The Lady is Trouble (Julian & Piper) #2 The Rake is Taken (Finn & Victoria) #3 The Duke is Wicked (Sebastian & Delaney) #4 The Hellion is Tamed (Simon & Emma) Add to Goodreads " The Duke is Wicked will light a fire!"— Fresh Fiction In the author's words . . . The League of Lords is very unique to the genre and was a TRUE passion project. Think sexy dukes who have mystical powers! I loved writing the series (which is standing at four right now -- and may grow) because it's been a fun job of world-building and building incredible love stories! Happy reading! Enjoy an Excerpt from The Duke is Wicked Later that night, Delaney stuffed her hair beneath the plaid paddy cap and regarded herself in the mirror. A pair of her brother’s trousers, badly hemmed and roughed up a bit, hugged her hips. A ratty shirt and coat she’d purchased from the rag-and-bone man with coins she was still getting used to, ones the trader had snatched from her hand before she was able to do a proper exchange in her head. The riding boots were her own, but nicked and muddy, hidden in the back of her wardrobe, away from the fastidious eyes of her maid. She could certainly pass as a delivery boy, a scamp creeping through the night. Her curves were few, her frame slender. Her breasts, alas not so small, tightly bound and out of sight. Many a twelve-year-old had more bulk than she did. She wondered what accent would work best, puzzling over it as she sneaked down the narrow service staircase through the vacant kitchens and into the side garden. The cap looked Irish, and she’d been practicing that one. But her cockney was very, very good, and as her papa used to say, why mend what wasn’t broken? She passed the duke’s ground-level bedroom and came to a skidding halt. The window was open, the velvet curtain drawing in and out like a breath. She’d gotten a good look inside the room—and seen no duke. She’d revealed too much earlier after touching that blasted rock, mentioning her attic, then had to stand there and watch him try to jam the pieces of her life’s puzzle into place. But what it had done, that hunk of fluorite, had knocked her off her feet. Illumination wasn’t a suitable description. It had been like stepping into a cave first exposed to sunlight and finally seeing the drawings on the wall. Her attic, for the first time, had been brilliantly lit. Every book, every word, visible. When Sebastian Tremont had ripped the Soul Catcher from her hand, she’d experienced a moment’s panic, envy, hunger. Dangerous feelings, dangerous need. Too dangerous. She wasn’t getting tripped up, involved any more than a duke and his unfortunate allergy to bee stings had already involved her. “Well, well, this night is full of surprises. Here I am, looking at the stars and wishing this teacup was filled with gin, and what do I find? A young man peering into my window with a perplexed look on her, I mean his, face. A young man with riding boots more costly than a year’s lease on many a hovel in this city, creatively scuffed though they may be. A young man, I suspect, in the midst of a caper.” Sebastian issued a sound somewhere between a laugh and a snort. Disdainful, whatever it was. “The good news is, with you to entertain me, I no longer need opium.” Delaney bit the inside of her cheek and glanced over her shoulder. Moonlight speared the yard, diluted by the choking haze that seemed a never-ending part of this blighted city, but it was enough. The Duke of Ashcroft leaned casually against her garden wall, one hand tucked in his pocket, the other wrapped around a teacup that looked ridiculously fragile in his grasp, shirttail flowing over his hips, collar and cuffs absent. His voice was polished and precise, all that was English refinement, but the man looked more bandit than duke. He would have fit in well on the high seas with a sword tucked in his fist. Appealing, this juxtaposition, because she was foolish and attracted to trouble. Only foolish people liked life’s petite calamities. “Come and let me look at this disguise of yours.” Snaking his hand from his pocket, he beckoned with a crook of his finger, and her blood simmered as it galloped through her veins. Anger and attraction. “What one chooses to hide behind is usually a self-portrait.” She cursed sharply and stalked from the garden, sure his frailty would render him unable to catch her. Of all the arrogant…he had no sway over her, no influence, no control. But he was quick, although winded, when he reached her, grasping her arm and spinning her to face him with a surprising show of might. “You’re mad if you think you’re marching out of here at midnight dressed like that.” “I have a meeting, and I’m not going to miss it. Unhand me, Tremont. I’m not one of your withering English roses.” She yanked on her arm, but he only tightened his hold. “Does your brother, the better half of the Terrible Two, know about this?” Oh, he wanted to get her that way. Men. She balled her hands into fists, refusing to answer. Which was all the answer he needed. “Shall I find him, ask him to provide proper accompaniment?” “You mongrel.” And with this yank, Sebastian released her. End of Excerpt. Excerpt Copyright © Tracy Sumner. Shared with permission. “Serious steaminess!" — Coffee Time Romance Reviews The Author Award-winning author Tracy Sumner ’s storytelling career began when she picked up a historical romance on a college beach trip, and she fondly blames LaVyrle Spencer for her obsession with the genre. She’s a recipient of the National Reader’s Choice, and her novels have been translated into Dutch, German, Portuguese and Spanish. She lived in New York, Paris and Taipei before finding her way back to the Lowcountry of South Carolina. When not writing sizzling love stories about feisty heroines and their temperamental-but-entirely-lovable heroes, Tracy enjoys reading, snowboarding, college football (Go Tigers!), yoga, and travel. She loves to hear from romance readers! tracy-sumner.com | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook Genre: Historical Romance Series: League of Lords, book 3 Release: March 2, 2021 Type: Novel Content Rating: 4 Hearts: We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. R (1) View our rating system Go to: About the Book | Excerpt | The Author | Top of Post Limited Time Giveaway Answer one of the questions below for a chance to win two signed copies of The Duke is Wicked or The Ice Duchess , with bookmarks and cover magnet + stickers! Question 1: What is a special power of one of the heroes in the League of Lords? Julian -- Finn -- Bastian -- Simon. OR Question 2: What book made you fall in love with the romance genre? Giveaway Details This giveaway is open everywhere. C ontiguous US shipping only for print copies; digital for all other locations. You must be 18 years of age or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. Giveaway is sponsored by the author. Ends 9/31/2021. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out Alexa Aston's newest installment in her Dukes Done Wrong series. Disrupting the Duke Accused of something they never did. Five boys banished from their homes in disgrace, to the place where they find the brothers of their heart—and build new family ties that will last a lifetime . A brash army major who surprisingly becomes a duke. A lady who has no interest in ever wedding. An attraction that leads to passion . . . and love . . . Cool, moody, and irresistible Donovan Martin finds himself the new Duke of Haverhill after his father and brother drown in a carriage accident. The womanizing Donovan decides to work his way through the numerous beauty of the ton because he has no intention of settling down. Until he encounters a most unusual woman—who informs him she never plans to wed. Wynter Day wants to maintain her independence and never become subservient to any man. Besides, no man has ever sparked her interest romantically. Then the new Duke of Haverhill crashes into her life, causing Wynter to reconsider her stance on marriage. A sprained ankle brings the pair closer together, with Wynter spending the Christmas holidays with Donovan and his friends. Sparks ignite and Donovan sees a future with Wynter. Then tragedy strikes, separating the couple, perhaps for good. Will their stubbornness keep them apart—or will Donovan and Wynter let go of the ghosts of the past and take a chance on love? Amazon Meet the Author Award-winning and internationally bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She’s a binge fiend (The Crown and Ozark are favorites) who enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family. Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense. Her series include Dukes of Distinction, Soldiers & Soulmates, Lawmen of the West, Hollywood Name Game, The St. Clairs, Knights of Honor, The King's Cousins, The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle, Sagebrush Brides, and Dukes Gone Wrong. Website: alexaaston.com Genre: Historical Romance Type: Novel Series: Dukes Gone Wrong, book 3 Publication date: September 23, 2021 Content Rating: 5 Hearts View rating system

A Reader's Opinion I really loved All She Wants for Christmas written by Amy Rose Bennett. This novella had me from the first page since I love stories set during the Regency era. It's one of my favorite periods. This novella is charming, sweet, and refreshing. It tells the story of Tessa Penrose, a bluestocking, and Jasper, the Earl of Arlington, a rake. Both are independent and very happy with their lives until they are caught in a compromising situation that will almost cause a scandal. It all started with a stolen kiss. To avoid a scandal, Jasper and Tessa are forced to marry, which didn't please either of them. More kisses and the magic of Christmas will suddenly appear! But, Tessa is hiding a secret. Can she trust her future husband? Until he reveals to her his own dark secret. Slowly but surely, their new partnership will evolve into a beautiful loving relationship with a lovely happy ever after. All She Wants for Christmas A frosty bluestocking and a hot-blooded rake. A stolen kiss and a Yuletide wedding. Sparks fly, but will hearts melt this Christmas? When confirmed bluestocking, Tessa Penrose, is thoroughly compromised at a Yuletide ball by Jasper, the Earl of Arlington, she is none too pleased to have to marry him. But not only her reputation is at stake. Can Tessa trust this disreputable rogue with a secret she will do anything to hide? One thing is certain: she dare not trust her husband with her heart. Author's note: This novella originally appeared in the Bluestocking Belles' Mistletoe, Marriage, and Mayhem box set. Amazon Book Info Genre: Historical Romance Release: May 8, 2016 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure Content Rating: 4 Hearts—We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . This book was reviewed on the original Books & Benches site in 2016, and has been reposted on the new blog for indexing purposes, and to give new life to an older book. Star ratings are removed from reposted reviews.

Love dogs, mountains, and happy endings? Don't miss this collection of heartwarming stories set in the beautiful mountains of Colorado. Yesterday's Promise A high-stakes poker game, first meets, a dog rescue, loves lost and rekindled, and life-altering choices fill the history of Spencer, Colorado. Discover the challenges faced in these heartwarming stories crafted by the multi-author group who brings you romantic fiction at its finest in The Aspen Gold Series. This collection includes: "The Card Game" M.A. Jewell "Some Days Are Diamonds" Lizzie Starr "Ah, Venice" Debra Hines "First Chance" Donna Kaye "Racing Hearts" Bernadette Jones "Rescue Me" Cheryl St. John AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | GOODREADS The e-book is permanently free, so please download your copy! "Rescue Me" Guest Post by Cheryl St. John I had the idea for a dog rescue center years ago, but when I proposed the idea to my publisher, they didn’t want a paraplegic hero. I wasn’t willing to change him, so the idea went on file for later. ‘Later’ happened when our Aspen Gold group came up with the idea for stories that precede the series. I remembered my dog rescuer, and knew she’d be a perfect addition to Spencer. I dug out the old proposal and set to tweaking—leaving in my paraplegic hero. He had his day in the sun, and I think he’s perfect. Dog loving Natalie Jordan has four days to raise funds to rescue thirty animals from euthanasia. When charming, handsome and rich Paralympian Avery Sawyer shows up ready to help if she becomes his partner, is she willing to take a risk on business…and love? Abby was Natalie Jordan’s first adoption. Shortly after moving to the farm, she took in the skittish White Swiss Shepherd found running loose with a collar imbedded in her neck. Three years later Abby’s bark is still hoarse and she doesn’t use it much. Her vocal cords were damaged, and it was a miracle she hadn’t starved or suffered permanent damage to her throat and esophagus. Abby is Natalie’s gentle giant, a calm, loving companion. Goliath, a half-Chihuahua, half-toy poodle that looks like something from a Muppet movie and barely weighs four pounds with a full belly had been her next project. General consensus is that Goliath’s combination of salt and pepper hair mixed with tufts of gray, combined with his pointy ears make him too ugly to be adoptable, but to her he’s adorable. It took weeks of patience to correct his bad habit of lifting his leg wherever he smelled an interesting scent. Now he spends his time watering the entire outdoors. Natalie’s third house dog is a brown and white Russell terrier she lovingly named Daughtry. The gas station owner discovered the canine tied to a trash can behind the gas station. Malnourished and filthy, Daughtry had lost his fur due to a skin disease. With medication and adequate diet, his coat filled in, and he’s now an alert and friendly fellow, though he has an awkward gait and isn’t very fast due to a past leg injury. He loves carrots as treats. Would you adopt one of these adorable darlings? The Author Cheryl St. John is the author of more than fifty historical and contemporary romances. Her stories have earned numerous awards and are published in over a dozen languages. In describing her stories of second chances and redemption, readers and reviewers use words like, “emotional punch, hometown feel, core values, believable characters and real-life situations.” Her bestselling non-fiction books, Writing With Emotion , Tension & Conflict and Write Smart, Write Happy by Writers Digest Books are available in print and digital. FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM Genre: Contemporary Romance Release: September 1, 2021 Publisher: Aspen Gold Books Type: Short Story Collection Content Rating: 4 Hearts—We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. View our rating system Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!