Congratulations to Anna Belfrage, author of His Castilian Hawk , winner of the December 2020 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! Thank you to all those who participated and voted.

" I promise that this one is an emotionally filled story that you won't want to miss ." — Goodreads review The heart wants what the heart wants... Fresh out of college with a psychology degree, Molly Stillman was searching for the meaning of life by taking a summer volunteer gig building houses. The meaning in Molly’s life became apparent when her path crossed Lincoln Abbott’s. With his brand-new Yale MBA in hand, Linc was Mississippi bound, ready to spend the summer rebuilding houses after a devastating hurricane. He had a plan, lots of them, actually. But after meeting Molly, he realized plans have a way of showing you who’s boss. One look from the intelligent beauty working by his side on the house project, and Linc knew everything had changed. His long-time goal of studying at Oxford before joining his family’s finance business was abandoned in favor of helping to grow Molly’s charming family business in Vermont. Too bad Linc’s father had other ideas about how his future should unfold, and when forced to make a choice, Linc chose Molly. He chose Vermont and the Green Mountain Country Store, and he never looked back. Until a phone call from the past forces him to confront the choices he made decades ago and the consequences of saying goodbye, including telling his ten grown children why they’ve never met his family—a subject that’s always been off-limits until now. When Linc decides to go to Philadelphia to clear his conscience and see his father one last time, his wife and children insist on going along. Let them see what came of this choice you made, his eldest son, Hunter, says. As they wander down memory lane, Linc and Molly revisit the unforgettable summer that changed both their lives and look back on forty years of happily ever after. A Butler, Vermont Novel Amazon | Goodreads THE AUTHOR Marie Force is the New York Times bestselling author of contemporary romance, romantic suspense and erotic romance. Her series include Gansett Island, Fatal, Treading Water, Butler Vermont, Quantum and Miami Nights. Her books have sold more than 10 million copies worldwide, have been translated into more than a dozen languages and have appeared on the New York Times bestseller more than 30 times. She is also a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestseller, as well as a Speigel bestseller in Germany. Her goals in life are simple—to finish raising two happy, healthy, productive young adults, to keep writing books for as long as she possibly can and to never be on a flight that makes the news. Join Marie’s mailing list on her website at marieforce.com for news about new books and upcoming appearances in your area. Genre: Contemporary Romance Type: Novel Series: Butler, Vermont Publication date: December 24, 2020

" This is a nice collection of stories, something for everyone ." — Goodreads review A MASTERPIECE OF HOLIDAY STORYTELLING... Enjoy this stunning holiday collection from some of your favorite Dragonblade Publishing authors in this collection of never-before published seasonal tales! Imagine, if you will, that it is Christmas Eve. The candles are guttered, one by one, and a hush falls over the parlor. The children have gone to bed, and a tall, gloriously decorated Christmas tree looms in the shadows of the hearth’s dying embers. A tattered copy of Charles Dickens’ masterwork, “A Christmas Carol” sits, cold and lonely, upon a table nearby. A small gust of wind, hurling from the seam of an ill-fitting window, blows the cover open. The first chapter appears… “Marley’s Ghost”… The clock on the wall chimes midnight. Now, the magic happens. From the gaily bedecked halls of Regency England to the cold and crisp air of the Scottish Highlands, and everything in between, enjoy the magic of a holiday collection that has drawn inspiration from Charles Dickens’ most beloved literary works. Where the ghosts of Christmas, the incandescent spirit of a tiny disabled boy, and the joy that is the very heart of the Christmas season come alive. USA Today and internationally bestselling authors bring you their version of a Dickens’-inspired holiday in O NIGHT DIVINE. Amazon | Goodreads This collection includes stories from: Kathryn Le Veque Caroline Lee Chasity Bowlin Hildie McQueen Maggi Andersen Mary Lancaster Meara Platt Violetta Rand Alexa Aston Anna Markland Anna St. Claire Aubrey Wynne Charlotte Wren Elizabeth Ellen Carter Elizabeth Johns Elizabeth Keysian Emily E K Murdoch Emily Royal Lynne Connolly Maeve Greyson Whitney Blake Genre: Historical Holiday Romance Type: Collection Publication date: December 17, 2020 Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing

"A must read book." — Goodreads review Galeren MacPherson never met a lass who wasn’t willing to offer herself up to him. But he doesn’t want that life. In fact, he swore a soon to end six-year vow of chastity to help him dedicate his life to one thing. Battle. As captain of John Stewart, High Steward of Scotland’s army, Galeren is the only man trusted to bring the high steward’s niece to Scotland. The last thing Galeren wants to be is an escort to a novice from a nunnery. Especially when he sees her in the early morning dawn weeping on the cliffs. Throughout his life, he has felt the urge to flee from things, on the field and off. But he never fled. He conquered the urge and faced whatever it was, head on. But he never faced a force like the one placed in his path. Novice Silene Sparrow is on her way to Scotland, where she will speak to the church council on her uncle’s behalf so that one day he may gain their support, being next in line for the throne. Raised in the priory and groomed to give her life to the Lord, she rarely leaves the church’s land in Bamburgh, so she is unprepared for her rough and rowdy Highland escorts. Their leader is a tall, broad, golden warrior who vows to protect her, and does. He is a savage and she does everything to resist him. But how does one resist a man with a kitten cuddled in the crook of his neck? No matter what he has trained to be, he is patient and gentle with her. He begins to get into her blood, her bones. When he kisses her, slowly, passionately, eager for more, he makes her question her future vows. But Silene’s heart is forbidden. If she lets Captain MacPherson have it, her uncle will lose the church’s support and they likely won’t live a day before he has them hunted down and possibly killed. How much will Galeren and Silene risk for love? Read FREE in Kindle Unlimited! Amazon | Goodreads THE AUTHOR Paula Quinn is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling multi-published author of Scottish historical and paranormal romance. Paula also writes fantasy romance under her pen name of Genevra Thorne. She is moved by music, beautiful words, and the sight of a really nice pen. She lives in New York with her three beautiful children, six over-protective chihuahuas, and three adorable parrots. She loves to read romance and science fiction and has been writing since she was eleven. She's a faithful believer in God and thanks Him daily for all the blessings in her life. She loves all things medieval, but it is her love for Scotland that pulls at her heartstrings. Visit the author on her website , Amazon , or Facebook . Genre: Historical Romance Type: Novel Series: Hearts of the Highlands, Book 6 Publication date: December 15, 2020 Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing Content Note: 5 Hearts View our rating system

" Heart of Cruelty is an atmospheric gothic tale that is an emotional read filled with three-dimensional characters that you find yourself fully invested in their journey." —Amazon review Heart of Cruelty Gothic Secrets in Victorian Birmingham A forbidden love illuminates an unbearable truth. 1840 Jane Verity’s dream of a romantic life in the theatre ends in the workhouse, where she is subjected to violent abuse. When Coroner William Doughty rescues her on his way to an inquest on a young inmate who committed suicide, it alters the path of his life. Powerfully attracted to her, he employs her as his maidservant, to care for his ailing wife. In his household, Jane discovers the truth about the inquest and pieces together the dark secrets of a powerful abuser. As Doughty struggles with his passion for her, she must convince him to act, even though exposing the truth will destroy his marriage and his career. The twisting darkness of this story pervades a bittersweet romance and explores the risks of allowing desire to triumph over reason. Goodreads | Amazon | Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Indiebound An Excerpt from Heart of Cruelty The fragmenting bones squirted putrid marrow up at us. Sweat soaked the armpits of my dress; my shoulders were burning, my hands blistering. The bone-meal had to be shovelled into sacks and a new load of bones fetched. It had been just after six o’clock in the morning when we had started; now the chapel bell was striking ten. ‘Are yer hungry in yer bellies now, yer idle bitches?’ Siviter demanded. ‘There’ll be nought for yer today, no bread nor water, only work. Let yer lying tongues go dry, teach yer a lesson.’ It was the day after Ash Wednesday, when we had already endured a fast, but we made no reply, and kept on banging the iron rammer down, its thuds reverberating in the stone enclosure. ‘Idlers like you get a night in the lock-up,’ gloated Siviter. I had been in there once before, for some infringement of rules I had not understood, hungry, thirsty and alone in the fetid gloom behind the iron door. ‘I won’t.’ I let go the rammer and stood doubled over, my hands dropping to my thighs. ‘It’s not right.’ ‘Get back on the job yer!’ Siviter lashed out with his cane. ‘I’ll kill yer, lazy drab!’ The blow jarred my spine and cold needles of pain shot down into my legs. I heard a man shout. As I tried to straighten up, another whack of Siviter’s cane caught my head and knocked off my cap. ‘Jane!’ Clara cried out, but she did not come to me. The pain was immense. I put my hand to my head; it came away wet, and red. I knew Siviter had not finished. I was overwhelmed by fear, and by the grotesqueness of the scene: the hideous walls of the workhouse yard, the fetid reek of the bones, the blood filling my palm. His next blow sent me crumpling forward so that I lay curling my arms over my throbbing head, my face to the slimy cobbles, one eye open to the red rivulet of blood that trickled between them. As I heard Siviter’s cane whistle again through the air, there came another shout from across the yard. Siviter stopped. ‘Coroner Doughty, sir, good morning sir,’ he called out, and to Clara and I he muttered that we should get back to work. I could not move. ‘Mr. Siviter.’ A cold, clear voice came closer to where I lay. ‘Mr Siviter!’ ‘Good morning to yer, sir, Dr Doughty, sir, a fine morning too.’ Then I saw darkness and heard nothing. After a time I smelt a gentleman’s cologne, and found I was lying on my side. My head throbbed as something pressed it down against the cobblestones. My first sight of Doughty was of his wrist emerging from a white shirt-cuff, of his black coat sleeve, and the corner of his handkerchief. He was kneeling beside me on the filthy cobbles of the Workhouse courtyard, applying pressure to my wound. As he lifted the handkerchief I raised my eyes to his: wide-open, dark, intent on mine… Excerpt Copyright © Maybelle Wallis. Shared as part of blog tour. The Author Maybelle Wallis has created many short stories, which are free to read on her website HistWriter.com, but her ambition has always been to write historical novels. She believes that men and women in other times were like us: dreaming the same dreams, committing the same sins, and falling in love with the wrong people. She is inspired by the 18th and 19th centuries, when science and reason started to shape the modern world, and enjoys the work of the greats of that era like Charlotte Brontë and Charles Dickens, as well as contemporary historical authors like Sara Waters, Essie Fox, Helen Dunmore and Laura Purcell. Maybelle is a doctor who trained in London, England, and has worked in Coventry, Birmingham, Sandwell and, since 2017, in Wexford, Ireland. She began studying Creative Writing with the Open University in 2011. Ever since, she has developed her fiction writing by sharing critique: studying with Writers’ Workshop (now Jericho Writers), and joining a critique group of historical writers from an online course with the University of Iowa. She has written with the Telegraph Creative Writing Group, Birmingham NaNoWriMo, and Wexford Write Club. Genre: Historical Fiction Type: Novel Publisher: Poolbeg Press Release Date: October 21, 2020 Content Note: 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!

"Ella Quinn has a wonderful writing style and the ability to weave a captivating and intriguing story. She endows her heroines with extraordinary intelligence, confidence, self-determination and competence." — Goodreads review The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh Now available in print for the first time, USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn's second installment in The Marriage Game series is a witty, romantic historical tale about a young lady who must choose between her head and her heart... Since she was a young girl, Anna Marsh has dreamed of Sebastian, Baron Rutherford asking for her hand in marriage. But that was in another life when her brother Harry was alive, before she vowed to secretly continue the work he valiantly died for. Now as Sebastian finally courts Anna, she must thwart his advances. Were he to discover her secret, he would never deem her a suitable wife... Sebastian has always known Anna would become his wife someday. He expects few obstacles, but when she dissuades him at every turn he soon realizes there is much more to this intriguing woman. Somehow he must prove to her that they are meant to be together. But first he must unravel the seductive mystery that is Miss Anna Marsh... Amazon | Kensington | Barnes & Noble | BAM! | IndieBound | Target | Walmart Add to Goodreads Enjoy an excerpt from The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh Anna had never before been so thankful for country hours. Rutherford had joined them for dinner and tea, and she was still in her room by nine o’clock. Lizzy helped her out of her evening gown and in to bed until she had to dress again. The few months before Christmas were always the busiest for her smugglers. She woke two hours later, scrambled into her habit, and slipped down the back stairs through the side door to the stables. Humphrey’s head was swathed in bandages. “Did the doctor remove it? “Yes, miss, he took out two. Warned me not to wait so long the next time. Said there was a woman he saw that let it go so long she died of the infection. Right glad I am you made me see him, miss. I’ll be good enough tomorrow or the next day.” “You need to rest. There is no reason at all for you to worry about me.” “Master Harry . . . ” Anna sighed. “Humphrey, Master Harry is no longer here. I’ll be fine.” Anna led Thunderer to the mounting block. Once on the large gelding’s back, she turned him toward the meadow and the sea. After changing at the cottage, Anna arrived at the cliff with time to spare. She descended to the beach to wait. Kev was the first to arrive. “We’re going to be later than usual. Got word of a patrol.” “How’d that happen?” “One of our men was in a tavern in Dover. He heard talk.” Anna could just make out his grin. “They expect to be back in by midnight.” That was a relief. Harry had given her a contact in the event they were ever caught, but she’d never had to use it and didn’t want to now. “Good. That won’t put us off by much.” “I sent word to Lizzy that you’d be late.” Anna nodded. “Have you received the information for the next few shipments?” “Yes, Mr. Arnold.” Kev gave the dates for the next couple of weeks. Once the men were assembled and the delivery signal given, Anna climbed back up the path. Excerpt Copyright © Ella Quinn. "The characters are interesting and engaging, and there are lots of friends and family that surround the main couple. The scenes are rich with humor, pathos, passion and honor. The villains drive the plot and provide the right catalyst for the evolution of the relationships. Ella Quinn delivers an excellent historical romance." — BookMaven , Goodreads review The Author USA Today bestselling author Ella Quinn's studies and other jobs have always been on the serious side. Reading historical romances, especially Regencies, was her escape. Eventually her love of historical novels led her to start writing them. She is married to her wonderful husband of over thirty years. They have a son and two beautiful granddaughters, and a Great Dane. After living in the South Pacific, Central America, North Africa, England and Europe, she and her husband decided to make their dreams come true and are now living on a sailboat. After cruising the Caribbean and North America, she completed a transatlantic crossing from St. Martin to Southern Europe. She's currently living in Germany, happily writing while her husband is back at work, recovering from retirement. Learn more at ellaquinnauthor.com. Ella loves when friends connect with her on Facebook and Twitter . Title: The Secret Life of Miss Anna Marsh Genre: Historical Romance/Regency Series: The Marriage Game , Book 2 Publisher: Zebra Re-Release Date: December 1, 2020 Content Note: 4 Hearts View our rating system TOUR GIVEAWAY Ella Quinn will be awarding a $25 Amazon GC to a randomly drawn winner. Giveaway ends 11:59 pm on December 11, 2020. Must be 18 years or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Goddess Fish Promotions. 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!

"This book was utterly hilarious." — Amazon reviewer The Villainous Viscount An appreciative satire of the cliches of traditional Gothic. When Clarissa Greendale inherits the fortune of disreputable uncle she hardly knows, she does not expect to find herself forced into marriage with an aristocratic fortune hunter and wild, brawling, debauched social outcast. Still, she has always found Harley Venn set off the most unmaidenly tinglings in her; that is one consolation. Yet neither did Clarinda expect to inherit the legacy of evil from half a century before. For the wicked if beguiling Lord Venn seems to have inherited a family curse, which, having dispatched the main perpetrators of the old crime, now moves on to their heirs, who are just as wild a set of rakes as their elders. There are rumours of violent deaths preceded by appearances from an inexorable hooded spectre, of inexplicable strikes of lightning, and of haunted mirrors. The light-hearted Harley Venn dismisses all these as conjuring tricks. He even hires a drunken charlatan of a professional magician to prove it. Clarinda is far from sure that there is any rational explanation. Still, it would take more than an enforced marriage to an incorrigible pugilistic libertine or persecution from malevolent spectres to damage her steely nerves and sense of the ridiculous. This lively Gothic comedy, written as a good natured satire, gives the reader a kind and courageous heroine, a rascally but beguiling anti-hero and an authentic historical background to the delightfully over-the-top adventures, a cast of wholly believable characters, an engaging love story and many chills on its way to its tumultuous conclusion. AMAZON US | AMAZON UK | BARNES & NOBLE In the author's words . . . Interview with Lucinda Elliot There's an interesting story behind this book. Will you tell us a little about it? When my family lived in the Clwyd Valley in North Wales, my mother often came by old books through buying job lots at auctions. One of these was by a best-selling author of romantic melodramas of Victorian and Edwardian days, Charles Garvice, called ‘The Outcast of the Family’ (1894). When we were snowed up for some days one winter, I read it. It was perhaps the worst book I have ever read up to now, written with total absence of irony and wildly far-fetched. It was all about a wicked, drunken and pugilistic ne’er do well viscount who goes about dressed as a costermonger to annoy his relatives. After two conversations with the virtuous heroine, he resolves to reform... Remembering it and re-reading it a few years ago, I decided to depict an anti-hero who shared some of the amusing characteristics of Garvice’s character, but transposed from the late Victorian to the end of the Regency era. The ‘Villainous Viscount Or the Curse of the Venns’ is also based on a family curse, an idea which has always fascinated me since I first read ‘The Hound of the Baskervilles’ at twelve. However, mine is spoof gothic, with the family curse treated as darkly comic, featuring a haunted castle, a hooded spectre who always appears in a crack of lightning, secret passages and much else. Tell us something we may not know yet about Venn and Clarinda. I have tried to depict Harley Venn as an incorrigible but likeable rascal, and full of wicked fun. Having spent most of the fortune he inherited from his uncle, he is looking for an heiress to marry. Naturally, when he proposes to the female lead, the no-nonsense Clarinda Greendale, the cloaked and hooded spectre that has lately haunted him appears in its inevitable flash of lightning. Venn, although villainous, has a generosity of spirit. For instance, he allows his widower valet’s impossible children to live in the house, which was unusual in that era (even if he does encourage them to pour water over debt collectors). Over the course of the story, he starts to become fond of them, and they of him. Like the anti-hero of Garvice’s ‘The Outcast of the Family’, Harley Venn is softened by women and children, but unlike in that novel, I avoid portraying that sentimentally. Clarinda Greendale seems to be the opposite of Harley Venn, except in delighting in the ridiculous. Her own late uncle was Harley Venn’s late uncle’s steward, who made a fortune through dubious means. She has scruple about inheriting it, which her ambitious brother and sister-in-law find bizarre. Clarinda – whose appearance is unremarkable, which makes her cynical about the admirers she acquires as an heiress in London – has no wish to come for a season to make a good match. She wants to return to the country to live with her younger sister, and help to improve the lot of the poor, not that of the good for nothing Lord Venn. Her fate, however, is going to be very different as she ends up trying to save him from the curse that has destroyed his late uncle and his group of friends… -Which scene or chapter in the book is your favorite? Why? I think my favourite chapter in the book is the ridiculous one where Harley Venn proposes to Clarinda with a speech full of high flown and ridiculous sentiment (in fact, borrowed from the planned proposal by Charles Garvice’s hero). He tells her: ‘I know I am unworthy to address you, unworthy even to touch the hem of your robe. Yet if you would consider linking your fate to that of a man who is an outcast from much of decent society, and to be my good angel, I would be eternally in your debt and your slave…’ Clarinda finds this laughable: ‘I cannot accept your flattering proposal, Sir.’ Tempted to add, I cannot believe that I was second or even third on your list, she said instead in a friendly tone, ‘I am far from angelic, and the idea that a girl of twenty-one could be a guiding light for a man of the world several years her senior is preposterous to me.’ Harley Venn argues, but he is interrupted by the cloaked and hooded skeletal figure appearing, accompanied as usual by a clap of thunder. Clarinda remarks calmly, ‘We saw that oddity before...’ What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? I have had some negative reviews from readers who seemed not to take in my descriptions of my books as ‘spoofs’ and ‘satires’ of the historical gothic genre. Mine are fairly gentle spoofs, not disrespectful to the genre, and it is possible that the fact that these readers did not realize that they are to be read tongue-in-cheek. Disappointing reader expectations is of course, a hazardous business and usually leads to bad reviews. Also, being dyslexic, I do find it difficult to notice and remove every typo. My Beta readers are invaluable, and I hope that I keep the said errors to a minimum, but somehow I always miss a handful, and a minority of readers have noted them. I hope yet to be able to afford a professional copy editor. On a happier note, I’ve had many wonderful reviews from readers who love my writing. This makes it all worthwhile. All authors want readers to enjoy their books. For instance, here are the ones I got when ‘The Villainous Viscount’ was awarded a BRAG medallion for outstanding self-published fiction, and a very generous one of it from writer Jennifer Macaire. ‘Wonderful fun book! I have read others of MS Elliott's books for indieBRAG and this one did not disappoint. This is a creative and witty turn on a historical romance. Please keep them coming - I'm ready for more Lucinda Elliott books!’ — Jennifer Macaire Books & Benches: Great interview and a behind-the-scenes look into The Villainous Viscount . Congratulations, Lucinda, on what sounds like a really fun book. The Author Lucinda Elliot loves writing Gothic style stories, which isn’t surprising because she was brought up in a series of big old isolated houses which her parents were refurbishing (it wasn’t so fashionable back then). After that, she lived, studied and worked in London for many years and now lives in Mid Wales with her family. She loves writing about strong women to complement gung-ho males. Her interests do include weight training and body shaping, and she was once a champion Sportsfighter, but apart from that her interests are quite geeky. Reading classic novels, conservation, gardening, and even names and their meanings (bring on the carrot juice). She loves a laugh above anything. For more information, please visit Lucinda’s website . You can also find her on Facebook , Twitter , and Goodreads . Genre: Fiction/Satire/Gothic/Romance Type: Novel Release Date: February 24, 2017 Content Note: R1 View our rating system Enter to win a $10 Amazon Gift Card Open to US only. By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway ends December 16, 2020. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Good luck everyone! 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!

Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for Deadly Amish Reunion by Dana R. Lynn, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours ! "This is a romantic suspense that will keep you up until you’ve read the last word. This beautiful story is interweave with suspense, romance, finding renew faith and peace." — The Suspense Zone Deadly Amish Reunion Separated by amnesia… reunited by a lethal holiday threat. Jennie Beiler’s husband was supposed to be dead, so she’s shocked when he rescues her from an attacker. Although Luke has no memories of his Englisch wife, it’s up to him to protect her from someone who won’t stop until she’s dead. Can the peaceful Amish community he returned to after losing his memory shelter them and their son this Christmas when danger strikes again? From Harlequin Love Inspired Suspense: Courage. Danger. Faith. Amish Country Justice Series Book 1: Plain Target Book 2: Plain Retribution Book 3: Amish Christmas Abduction Book 4: Amish Country Ambush Book 5: Amish Christmas Emergency Book 6: Guarding the Amish Midwife Book 7: Hidden in Amish Country Book 8: Plain Refuge Book 9: Deadly Amish Reunion Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo | Book Depository | IndieBound | Christianbook | BookBub Enjoy excerpts from Deadly Amish Reunion Excerpt from Chapter One A moment later the cord around her neck went limp and the Santa was pulled away by two Amish men rushing through the open door. The Santa bounced off the wall with a vicious yell, his white beard lying on the floor of the apartment. She’d never seen him before in her life. Her eyes rose to meet his briefly. A shiver ran through her at his cold glare. He tore his gaze away before turning and bolting from the apartment. His heavy footsteps thundered down the stairs. She was too shocked to care. Her world shrank down to the man standing in front of her, staring at her with confused eyes. Eyes she saw every day when she looked at their son. Luke, the man she’d mourned for nearly five years, was standing in front of her, looking at her like she was a complete stranger. Excerpt from Chapter Two “Luke.” She was dazed, confused. It was Luke, wasn’t it? His face was altered. A long, jagged scar ran the length of his right cheek. His left profile, though, was the same as she remembered. His hair was longer than he’d worn it while they were married. It was still blond and curly but was in the typical bowl-cut style she’d seen on the Amish men in the surrounding area. A chill swept through her. What had happened to him? How was it that the man she’d loved and mourned was standing before her dressed like an Amish man? He’d left that life behind when they got married. Excerpts Copyright © Dana R. Lynn. "WOW! This was a book that kept me at the edge of my seat from page one! It has constant suspense and danger and you're always wondering if a new attack is coming and from where! This is a story I definitely recommend! Romantic suspense at its best and with an inspiring message that will leave you happy at the end." — Amazon review The Author Dana R. Lynn is a USA Today bestselling author who believes in the power of God to touch people through stories. She met her husband at a wedding and married him nineteen months later. Today, they live in rural Pennsylvania with their three teenaged children and enough pets to open a petting zoo. She is a teacher of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing by day and writes stories of romance and danger at night. Dana is an avid reader, loves cats and thinks chocolate should be a food group. Dana is a Selah Award winner, a Holt Medallion Finalist, and a New England Reader’s Choice Award winner. She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency. She enjoys engaging with readers and can be found on social media or contacted via her website www.danarlynn.com . CONNECT WITH DANA: Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram Title: Deadly Amish Reunion Genre: Inspirational Amish Romantic Suspense Series: Amish Country Justice #9 Publisher: Love Inspired Suspense Release Date: December 1, 2020 Content Note: 2 Hearts View our rating system TOUR GIVEAWAY One winner will receive a $10 Amazon gift card plus an e-book or print (US only) copy of Deadly Amish Reunion ! Must be 18 years or older to enter. Giveaway ends 11:59 PM EST on December 14, 2020. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by JustRead Publicity 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!

"I found the book to be so engrossing that it was hard to put down. I kept finding myself wondering what would happen next. I was wrong every time. Do order She Sees Ghosts . It is a special book and a very meaningful and enjoyable read!! " — Amazon review She Sees Ghosts A blazing fire killed her family and devoured her home. A vengeful demon haunted her. Ghosts of the Revolutionary War needed help that only she could provide. A young woman languished, desperate to survive, and teetered on the edge of sanity. Mehitable grew up in a freshly tamed town, carved from the primeval forest. Family, friends, and working at the mercantile filled her days and warmed her heart. For Mehitable, life was simple and safe, until tragedy struck. When her family perished in their burning home, she retreated into a world of her own making. As a young girl, she had seen glimmers, glimpses, and flickers of the spirit world. She closed her eyes. She turned her back. She ignored the apparitions that she never spoke of, desperately hoping they would leave her in peace. She was mistaken. Grief-stricken, Mehitable withdrew from the human world. Ghosts were everywhere. They became bolder. She could no longer turn her back on the spirit world. Her friends feared for her survival. Nobody understood her. She would have to find her own way. Fans of TV’s Ghost Whisperer and Long Island Medium will especially love She Sees Ghosts. This historical novel features memorable characters and delivers bone-tingling, spine chilling goosebumps. It stands on its own and it is the next installment in the Adirondack Spirit Series by the award-winning author of Wanders Far-An Unlikely Hero’s Journey. David Fitz-Gerald delivers a historical novel with a bittersweet ending that you won’t see coming. Would she save the spirits’ souls, or would they save her? Only time would tell. Available at AMAZON In the author's words Q&A with David Fitz-Gerald Books & Benches: We're thrilled to welcome David Fitz-Gerald, and to learn more about the story behind She Sees Ghosts , which sounds like a fascinating book. For those of us who enjoy a good ghost story set in beautiful locales, it will be one not to miss. Since the author knows the work best, we'll move right into his own words . . . What is your favorite scene in She Sees Ghosts ? Chapter 19. I shouldn’t say too much about this chapter since it occurs three-quarters of the way into the book and I don’t want to spoil it, but maybe I could say a little something about it. The location of the scene is a small, unspoiled lake named Copperas Pond and it is a location that I love to write about. That’s its real name and it is located a short distance from Lake Placid, New York in the Adirondack Mountains. I use it as my background in Zoom meetings. I think readers will be surprised to find a romantic storyline at this point in this book, and be surprised by our protagonist in this situation. I always had this scene in mind for this point in the story, yet for some reason, it was the hardest one for me to write. I’m grateful for the suggestions that my collaborator made and I love the way it turned out. Aside from advancing the plotline, I think it adds a welcome respite from the ghostly elements in the rest of the book. Who are your main characters, how do you name them, and what makes them tick? She Sees Ghosts stars Mehitable Munch, a fictional character that grew within my head while I wrote Wanders Far―An Unlikely Hero’s Journey . At the beginning of her story, Mehitable is a gregarious, happy young lady, immersed in planning a town-wide celebration at the turn of the century in 1799. The celebration party coincides with her sixteenth birthday, a birthday that takes a fateful turn. On a night that should be enchanted, simple, perfect, Mehitable is shaken when she is visited by ghosts―ghosts who demand her attention. The celebration begins as a night to remember and becomes a tragedy that Mehitable will never forget. Mehitable’s closest friends are Polly Lewis and Polly’s husband, Reuben Sanford. The Lewis and Sanfords families in She Sees Ghosts are actual founders of the real town of Poultney, Vermont, where I live. Reuben and Polly moved in the early 1800s to what is now Wilmington, New York, near Whiteface Mountain and Lake Placid, home of the 1980 and 1932 winter Olympics. I was excited when I found this connection since my mother’s family resided in Wilmington for many generations. I enjoy giving fictional characters unique first names and simple last names. I found some great monikers in the census from the early 1800s and within family trees. Sometimes as a reader, I have trouble keeping track of characters with ordinary names, and that’s why I was drawn to give my supporting characters names like Coriander Bump and Thankful Bull. I had to be careful with Coriander, because there was a risk that she would take over the story! I think Anson Smudge is an excellent name for a ghostly villain. Are there particular themes or motifs in your stories? Absolutely. She Sees Ghosts is a historical novel about the soul, reincarnation, and timelessness. The one word that I hope describes this book is ethereal. I didn’t set out to write a horror novel, like Stephen King, or a book that would cause recurring nightmares for decades, like the 1980 movie starring George C. Scott, called The Changeling . Mehitable helps many troubled souls cross into the spirit world. The brief stories of real soldiers and fictional townspeople connect the theme to the historical fiction genre. Other motifs in She Sees Ghosts include sheep, prayer, cemeteries, dead babies, a spiral medallion, and Anson’s tricorne hat. I think symbolism is subjective. Perhaps I’ve used some often enough that they became motifs. Here are a couple of symbols used in the book: a black cat; peppermint; sage; salt; a butterfly; squirrels; pigs; the virginal (a musical instrument), sheep sheers, pinecones, a spyglass, and paths into the woods. What do squirrels symbolize? They’re energetic, playful, and also hardworking, and they portray vitality. Be on the lookout for an amorous pair of squirrels in Chapter 19. Does this story have a soundtrack? A playlist that inspired you while writing it? Yes. As I was writing She Sees Ghosts , new wave music was resurgent on my playlists. I think I’ve listened to Erasure, Pet Shop Boys, New Order, Yaz, and the Thompson Twins more in the last two years than I did in the 1980s―also, Tammy Wynette. I’m sure that Spotify is counting, and I can’t imagine that anyone has played The Essential Tammy Wynette album more than I have. When I listen to very familiar music repetitively, I find it helps me to get in the zone. Writing from the perspective of a young woman was a new challenge for me, and I think that Tammy’s body of work helped me in that regard. Her 1969 album titled Inspiration is my “go-to.” When I hit play on that, my brain knows that it is time to write. If I were to fantasize about a soundtrack for She Sees Ghosts, the first track would be Tammy’s version of “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” The last song would be the one my nephew wrote and performed especially for She Sees Ghosts. You can hear some of Kyle’s song in the book trailer. Thank you, Kyle Hughes! Does each book in the series stand on its own? What do you plan to write after She Sees Ghosts ? I want each book within the Adirondack Spirit Series to stand on its own and be a complete story. Of course, I hope that readers will want to read them all. What connects the installments are four things: DNA, supernatural elements, natural history, and locations in the Adirondack Mountains of New York state. This series is a multi-generational family saga. I’m working on a prequel to the series set in AD 550, and on the back of the book, I ask, “Are supernatural tendencies hereditary? If you guessed yes, maybe you are descended from old souls too.” In addition to the prequel, I’m almost done with the follow-up to She Sees Ghosts, which is set in the 1830s and focuses on Mehitable’s son. Mehitable’s son has a big problem. He often finds himself transported in his sleep, and he finds himself in awkward, uncomfortable, and sometimes dangerous situations. Perhaps it’s a thin line between supernatural and paranormal. The Adirondack Spirit Series tiptoes across that line from time to time. Sometimes readers ask me how many installments the series will include. I don’t have a grand plan, but I have future family members in my head and they’re insistent that I write their stories too. Enjoy an Excerpt from She Sees Ghosts Mehitable stood in the cemetery beside her family’s marker. It was the first time she had returned to the cemetery since the funeral, four years earlier. She had dreaded going to the cemetery and had to force herself to look upon the words carved into the stone. Though she felt a sense of loss every day, New Year’s Day was always particularly hard for her. The painful memories cascaded around her like snow dropping from heavily laden branches on a sunny winter morning. She brushed the tears from her cheeks with a wet mitten and inhaled. She was glad that she visited the cemetery after all. Soon she would move away with Polly and Reuben, and she might never return to Poultney again. Other than the fact that her toes were cold, she realized that the visit to the cemetery was quite peaceful. As she began to leave the cemetery, something caught the corner of her eye. It was a man. Not just a man, but a soldier. She walked slowly toward the road and cast her vision to the ground in front of her, where she planned to place her feet. Even with her eyes diverted, she was able to watch the man whose path she was certain to cross. She couldn’t remember ever having seen a soldier before. As she got closer, her pulse quickened. He was an imposing figure of a man. The closer she got, the more intriguing he looked. Every couple of steps he stopped to look off into the woods or turned to look back down the road behind him. He put his fingers in his mouth and sent a shrill whistle trumpeting down the intervale below. Then he put his hands to his cheeks and called out, “Pendennis!” Mehitable walked slowly toward him. Normally she would have walked briskly but she tarried along because she was fascinated. She felt drawn to him. He had a certain magnetism, though he seemed somewhat distracted. She wondered if he was looking for a child, or perhaps a dog. The man looked to be in his mid to late twenties. He was tall, significantly taller than most men, even taller than Reuben. His shoulders were broad and his waist was narrow. Instead of a red coat or a blue coat, like the soldiers she had heard of, the man wore a dark green jacket with bright gold buttons that matched the tassels that dangled from epaulets at his shoulders. He wore a tricorne, beaver skin hat with a cockade that resembled a chamomile flower. His waistcoat was tight, like his jacket and matched the color of his snug breeches. His neatly tied white cravat and ruffled jabot adorned his neck and chest. His tall black riding boots looked immaculate. Mehitable had never seen such a well-dressed man. She was working up the courage to politely say, “How do you do?” when the man began to fade. She gulped and hurried her pace. The air smelled strangely of woodsmoke, horse manure, and pomander, that intoxicating scent of an orange spiked with rare and exotic cloves. It had not crossed her mind that the man was a spirit. She wondered at the strength of his presence. She chastised herself for getting all out of sorts over a dead man. Yet she couldn’t resist stopping and turning to look when she heard his voice again, calling. “Pendennis!” When she turned, he stood at attention and stared straight into her eyes. Then he removed his hat, bowed deeply, sweeping his long arm dramatically behind him before returning his hat to his head. Mehitable turned and hurried away as quickly as she could. Finally, when she could only hear his call far off in the distance, she turned to look one final time. He appeared as a tiny green dot surrounded by white snow on the top of the hill. Despite his flamboyance and the fact that he was dead, she couldn’t help having romantic thoughts about him. Thoughts she hadn’t entertained about living men or boys, except Reuben, briefly and occasionally before sending those thoughts from her mind. As she hurried up Lewis Road that afternoon, she compared the man to Reuben. He was a bit taller, more muscular, and his facial features looked strong and boyish at the same time. She tried to put the man out of her mind, but she couldn’t shake a feeling of sadness over his loss, and she felt a desperate need to know what or for whom he was searching. Excerpt Copyright © David Fitz-Gerald. The Author David Fitz-Gerald writes fiction that is grounded in history and soars with the spirits. If you’re looking for the atheist activist author by the same name, keep looking—this book is definitely not for you! After a chaotic day as a business person, Dave enjoys getting lost in the settings he imagines and spending time with the characters he creates. Writing historical fiction is like making paintings of the past. He loves to weave fact and fiction together, stirring in action, adventure, romance, and a heavy dose of the supernatural with the hope of transporting the reader to another time and place. He is an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked all of the highest peaks in New York State, so it should not be surprising when Dave attempts to glorify hikers as swashbuckling superheroes in his writing. She Sees Ghosts-A Story of a Woman Who Rescues Lost Souls is the next installment in the Adirondack Spirit Series. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | BookBub | Instagram Genre: Historical Fiction Type: Novel Series: Adirondack Spirit Series Release Date: October 29, 2020 Content Note: PG-13 View our rating system Follow the Tour One lucky reader will win the Grand Prize Giveaway which includes a candle, Coffee Mug, chocolates and a signed copy of She Sees Ghosts ! Other Giveaways: 1 Coffee Mug, 3 Paperbacks, 5 eBooks The giveaway is open to US residents only and ends on December 26, 2020. 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!

“The perfect stocking stuffer for the romance reader on your holiday list.” – Kristin Hannah, author of The Nightingale From New York Times bestselling author Kat Martin comes an inspiring and romantic duo – two heartwarming, feel-good stories. Teddy Winters was eight years old that Christmas, too young to understand all the undercurrents swirling around him in the tiny Michigan town of Dreyerville. He wasn’t able to value that Christmas for the miracle it truly was. Teddy only knew he wanted to buy the beautiful Victorian clock in the window of Tremont Antiques as a gift for his grandmother, Lottie Sparks, a woman desperate to find him a home before her rapidly progressing Alzheimer’s left him an orphan. Everything changes for Teddy that year when he meets Sylvia Winters and Joe Dixon. Amazon | Goodreads THE AUTHOR Currently living outside Missoula, Montana, Kat Martin is the New York Times bestselling author of over sixty-five Historical and Contemporary Romantic Suspense novels. Before she started writing, Kat was a real estate broker. During that time, she met her husband, L. J. Martin, an author of Westerns and high-action Thrillers. Kat is a graduate of the University of California at Santa Barbara where she majored in Anthropology and also studied History. She spends her winters in Arizona. "I love to travel and especially like visiting the places where my books are set," Kat says. "I love history and enjoy spending time in museums and art galleries. My husband and I often stay in out-of-the-way inns and historical houses. It's fun and it gives a wonderful sense of a by-gone era." To date, Kat has over seventeen million copies of her books in print. Visit the author at katmartin.com. Genre: Holiday Romance Type: Novel Duo Publication date: December 9, 2020 Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing

"I am giving Christmas in Bayberry a very well deserved five plus stars." —Amy from Locks, Hooks and Books Christmas in Bayberry She’s trying to save the family candle company. He’s trying not to fall for Bayberry—and her—again. Kate Taylor knows what she wants in life: to one day run her family’s candle business, which is at the heart of the close-knit community of Bayberry, Vermont. But the company isn’t doing well. Wesley Adams is on the fast track to be an assistant vice president at his financial firm in Manhattan. Before the promotion is announced, he’s sent to this small town from his past to do an analysis of the candle company. He doesn’t expect to bump into his childhood crush, Kate, and when he does, sparks fly. As he spends time in Bayberry, he falls for the town’s Christmas traditions—and for her. But he has a responsibility to submit an honest report. Will it extinguish Kate’s dreams…along with any chance they have for a future together? This heart-warming romance contains a free Hallmark original recipe for Cast Iron Beef Stew. Amazon | B&N | Apple Books | Kobo | GooglePlay Goodreads | Book Depository | Bookshop | Target | Walmart Enjoy an Excerpt from Christmas in Bayberry He entered the very spacious corner office. The two outside walls were glass, giving a jaw-dropping view of the city. Right now, though, Mr. Summers had his full attention. Why did Chad think he was taking over Wes’s accounts? Wes stepped up to his boss’s very large oak desk. “Here’s the file you requested. Everything should be in there.” “Thank you.” Mr. Summers took the folder, then gestured to the two charcoal gray chairs in front of his desk. “Take a seat.” Wes was torn between doing what the president of the company wanted or speaking up about his pending meeting. After all, Mr. Summers had the final say on who got the promotion. Wes had to stay on the man’s good side, but he also had to get his work done. Wes’s mouth grew dry. He swallowed hard. “Sir, I’m expected in the conference room on the twelfth floor right now.” Mr. Summers leaned forward, resting his elbows on the large oak desk. “They can wait.” His gray brows drew together in a formidable line. “This is important.” Wes had no idea why Mr. Summers was so worked up, but he couldn’t help but wonder if this had something to do with the promotion. Was Chad being promoted over him? He took a seat, perching on the edge. Then realizing he needed to appear wholeheartedly interested in what Mr. Summers said, and not ready to rush out the door at his first opportunity, Wes slid back in the chair. Mr. Summers got to his feet. “Can I get you something to drink?” “No, thank you.” “Well, I think I’ll get something.” The man was certainly not in any rush to get this conversation over with. Maybe the promotion had been decided upon early. And if it was bad news, he didn’t think Mr. Summers would waste time with pleasantries—in fact, he was quite certain of it. He wasn’t one to draw out bad news. “Sir, I want to tell you how happy I’ve been here at Watson & Summers for the past nine years.” “Has it been that long?” “Yes, sir. I’ve learned a lot.” “That’s good to hear.” Mr. Summers turned with a glass of sparkling water in his hand. “I know you’re up for the promotion.” “Yes, sir.” He sat up straighter and smiled. “It’s an amazing opportunity.” “You do know there’s only one spot open and a number of strong candidates.” Wes could feel the promotion slowly slipping from his grasp. After being uprooted numerous times as a kid, moving from town to town, crisscrossing the States, he liked the thought of staying in one spot for the rest of his life. There was something to be said for putting down roots. But if he didn’t land this promotion, he was going to have to rethink his plans. Manhattan wasn’t the cheapest place to live—far from it. As of right now, he didn’t have a Plan B. Mr. Summers took a drink of water. He set the glass aside. “I have a way for you to gain an edge over the competition.” Wes couldn’t help but be suspicious. Mr. Summers had never showed any favoritism toward him before, so why now? Still, he shouldn’t look a gift horse in the mouth. “Thank you, sir. I appreciate this—” Mr. Summers held up a hand to stop him. “You haven’t heard the plan just yet.” Wes had a feeling there would be no chance of turning down Mr. Summers—not unless he also wanted to say goodbye to his bright future at the company. And that was not something he intended to do. “I need you to go to Vermont.” “Vermont, sir?” “Yes. Bayberry, Vermont, to be specific.” “Bayberry?” Wes tried to process this turn of events. First his mother, now his boss. “Have you been speaking with my mother?” “Your mother?” Mr. Summers’ forehead creased. “Why would I speak to her?” Wes cleared his throat. “What do you have in mind, sir?” Excerpt Copyright © Jennifer Faye. Read more excerpts from the book at Hallmark . Enjoy an Audio Sample The Author Award-winning author, Jennifer Faye pens fun, heartwarming contemporary romances with rugged cowboys, sexy billionaires and enchanting royalty. Internationally published with books translated into nine languages. She is a two-time winner of the RT Book Reviews Reviewers' Choice Award, the CataRomance Reviewers' Choice Award, named a TOP PICK author, and been nominated for numerous other awards. Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Pinterest | YouTube | Bo okBub | Newsletter Genre: Contemporary Holiday Romance Type: Novel Publisher: Hallmark Publishing Release Date: July 7, 2020 Content Note: 2 Hearts View our rating system Tour Giveaway One winner will receive a $50 (USD) Amazon Gift Card. By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway ends December 13, 2020. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Prism Book Tours. Bonus: Grab Christmas in Bayberry for a discounted 99¢ in e-book at all retailers through December 13th! Good luck everyone! 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!

"An awesome culmination to a great western romance series." —Fresh Fiction Once Upon a Mail Order Bride An outlaw falls for his mysterious mail order bride in this sweeping western epic by beloved author Linda Broday. Accused of crimes he didn't commit, ex-preacher Ridge Steele is forced to give up everything he knew and make his home with outlaws. Desperate for someone to confide in, he strikes up correspondence with mail-order bride Adeline Jancy, finding in her the open heart he's been searching for. Upon her arrival, Ridge discovers Addie only communicates through the written word, but he knows a little of what trauma can do to a person and vows to stand by her side. Addie is eager to start a new life with the kind ex-preacher and the little boy she's stolen away from her father—a zealot priest of a terrorized flock. As her small family settles into life at Hope's Crossing, she even begins to find the voice, and confidence, she'd lost so long ago. But danger is not far behind, and her father will not be denied. While Addie desperately fights the man who destroyed her childhood, a determined Ridge races to the rescue. The star-crossed lovers will need more than prayers to survive this final challenge...and find their way back to each other again. Goodreads | Amazon | Apple | Kobo | Barnes & Noble | IndieBound In the author's words . . . I loved the "heart" and pure grit that Adeline Jancy showed. She had every reason to give up but she kept on fighting even when she had no more strength to do so. An Interview with Ridge Steele from Once Upon a Mail Order Bride I’m so excited! The outlaw Ridge Steele is dropping by and my heart is pounding. I got a glimpse of him several years ago when he was riding with old friend Jack Bowdre and I almost walked in front of a steam locomotive. For the record, I think dark haired men are most handsome. Their dark looks add to the element of danger wafting around them. As if Ridge needs that. (Books & Benches: We already want to take this outlaw home with us!) Oh look, there he comes! His boot heels are pounding the wooden boardwalk like bullets from a Gatlin gun. “Hello Mr. Steele. I’m glad you could take a minute to talk.” He removes his Stetson. “It’s my pleasure. But call me Ridge and keep this short. I told Addie I’d be back to give her shooting lessons.” I clear my throat. “Why does she need lessons? You’ll most likely be with her.” Ridge holds the door to the newspaper office for me. “Her father’s sent men out to hunt her down and they might catch her when I’m nowhere around.” He gives me a tight smile and I don’t feel that comforted. “And a woman needs to know how to handle a gun.” “I see. Have a seat at my desk. I promise this won’t take long.” “If you don’t mind, I’ll stand.” He moves to the window and glances out at the street. I notice the sharpness of his eyes, the length of his denim clad legs, and the Colt hanging from his holster. I say a prayer of thanks that I’m not in his sights. “Let’s get started.” I lift a pencil and poise it over a pad. “Tell me what you thought the day Addie came to marry you.” “She was as pretty as a spring meadow after the rain.” He gets a far-off look in his eyes and the lines of his face soften. “Golden hair and the greenest eyes I’ve ever seen. I wouldn’t have cared if she was missing an arm or leg. I wanted her.” He paused then added quietly. “I still do.” “Was it difficult with her being unable to speak?” He turns, his dark eyes on me. “There are other ways of talking without using words, ma’am.” A flush rises up my neck. His meaning is clear. “I understand you have a high price on your head, Mr. Steele. Does that hinder your duties as mayor of Hope’s Crossing or your job at the land office?” The outlaw gives a soft snort. “I’m always aware of my surroundings, no matter where I am or what I’m doing. I know a bullet can come at any minute from anywhere and make Addie a widow. But the danger is lessened as long as I stay close to Hope’s Crossing, ma’am. Lawmen tend to give us a wide berth. They’d have to have an army to come in and then they have a big battle on their hands. We’re pretty protected both strategically and in sheer numbers.” Deciding I’d asked enough about that, I turned to questions about Addie. “Tell me why your wife’s father is so hell-bent in getting her.” “The man’s a lunatic and when you put someone like that in a position of power, he thinks he can do whatever he pleases. He set up a whipping post in the middle of town and anyone who displeases him or dares to criticize gets a certain number of lashes. Everyone’s attendance is mandatory. Jancy calls himself the new Messiah and his word is law.” “So Addie somehow crossed him?” I’m trying to figure this all out. “My wife did what she thought was right and he didn’t like it. That’s all I’m saying.” The set of Ridge’s jaw told me to drop it. I’m a smart woman. “I understand you had a tornado hit your place. Tell me what that was like.” “It caught us in open country. Our horses bolted and left us afoot.” Ridge runs a hand across his eyes. “I didn’t think we’d live to tell about it. If it hadn’t been for a ravine for us to jump into, we’d be dead. It was close.” “I’ve had the experience myself so I know what you’re talking about.” I jot down some notes and look up. “Tell me about Bodie Nix.” “He’s a fifteen-year-old boy that bounty hunters were taking to Mobeetie to jail. They’d stopped on my land for water when I found them. We had a shootout and I killed one. The other got away. But I was able to free Bodie then I asked him to work for me. Never knew a more deserving kid.” “He became part of yours and Addie’s family?” “Yes, ma’am.” Ridge put his hat on. “I hate to be rude, but I need to go. Just tell everyone to read the book.” I watch him stride out and get on his horse. Such a strong, honorable man. “Folks, if you want to know more, pick up a copy of Once Upon a Mail Order Bride and follow along with Ridge and Addie. Better have a firm grip of the reins though or you’ll end up on the ground.” (Books & Benches: Do you think Addie will share?) Read an excerpt >> The Author I'm a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of 30 full length western romance novels and short stories. Watching TV westerns during my youth fed my love of cowboys and the old West and they still do. Here in the Texas Panhandle on land the American Indian, Comancheros, and early cowboys once roamed, I can often hear their voices whispering in the breeze. I love research and looking for little known tidbits to add realism to my stories and quite often make a nuisance of myself at museums and libraries. Learn more at lindabroday.com. Connect on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter Title: Once Upon a Mail Order Bride Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel Publisher: Sourcebooks Release Date: November 24, 2020 Content Note: 4 Hearts 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!