Congratulations to Linda Broday, author of Knight on the Texas Plains , winner of the August 2020 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! Thank you to all those who participated and voted! Vote in the new contest .

"You never know where this story is going and what secrets will be unearthed along the way. I can say this kept me guessing right until the very last page. What an absolute thrill ride this duet took me on!" ~  Kindle and Koffee Book Blog Book Description On her death bed Emily Derbyshire’s mother made her promise to take good care of her little sister. Keeping her promise, twelve-year-old Emily did exactly that and became five-year-old Rita’s benefactor and bodyguard. After eighteen years of sisterly devotion Emily receives some shocking news! Rita has committed suicide. When disturbing details start to surface, Emily puts her highflying career on hold to seek out those responsible. She hires an American private investigator Robert Blackmoor; a motorbike riding, no-frills, computer hacker who will use any means necessary to unearth the truth. Not surprisingly, Robert uncovers secrets from Emily’s troubled childhood and chips away at the glossy veneer of deceit which masks the truth behind, not only Rita’s life, but Emily’s imperfect life too. Together they assemble the pieces of a sinister puzzle, revealing a cruel and corrupt world of exploitation and murder: a Dark Web into which Rita has become entangled. As dark forces encircling Emily tighten their grip, and with everything to lose, she must make a life and death decision that she may live to regret. Amazon | Amazon UK | Goodreads Book Description Emily Parsons is a product of a difficult childhood: self-reliant, fiercely protective and willing to do whatever it takes to safeguard the wellbeing of those in her care. She has even slayed a monster, or two … or three in the name of poetic justice, and yet she is haunted by the image of a beautiful blond girl. Sixteen-year-old Louise Travis has been abducted. Louise’ fate rested in Emily’s hands, but she let her slip through her fingers like gold dust, only to be swept away by a malevolent band of brothers. By once again enlisting the help of computer hacker, Robert Blackmoor, Emily must find Louise before she is lost forever in a Dark Web of heinous crimes, cruelty and corruption. The clock is ticking, and Emily’s investigation is drawing the wrong kind of attention, but she will not back down. She is duty bound to protect those she loves. With skeletons from her past being unearthed, who can she turn to, and who can she trust with her own sinister secrets? Amazon | Amazon UK | Goodreads Don't miss the giveaway at the end of this post! Enjoy an Excerpt from Duty of Care Chapter 8 May 1998 MAY CAME WITH A vengeance. Mid-month, there was an outbreak of whooping cough. Like a wrathful ogre wielding a scythe, it struck down the young, the frail and faint-hearted. Aged five, Rita Derbyshire was incapable of escaping its relentless assault. Emily was quick to read the signs: a lack of appetite, flushed cheeks and a wracking cough that had her gasping for breath. Despite the outbreak, an ineffectual night shift worker was reluctant to respond. He locked the office when Emily asked to use the phone to call for an ambulance and staggered to bed stinking of whisky and tobacco, claiming it was too late to drive anyone to the hospital. Fearing Rita might die, Emily raised hell, had the O’Farrell twins rouse anyone who was not struck down with the illness to dress warmly, to put on gloves and meet her in the kitchen. When they were assembled, bleary eyed and shivering, she explained that if they did not work as a team that night, then some of them would die. Remembering what she had read on the computer at school about the illness, she paired them up and handed one of them a bowl of steaming water. Their partner was to guide them slowly to one of the ailing girls. They were to hold the whooping girl over the bowl under a towel and encourage her to inhale the steam. Once the water had stopped steaming, then they had to do it all again. Having organised them, she returned to Rita and did the same for her. The caravan of bowl carriers continued through the night. When the day shift worker, Cassie Hendricks, arrived at eight in the morning, she was horrified to see the kitchen in disarray and bowls of every shape and size scattered on corridors amid puddles of freezing water. She assumed they had been having a pyjama party or a midnight feast of some sort. It was not until Emily appeared wearing yesterday’s clothes carrying a pale faced little girl across her arms fighting for breath that she realised what had gone on. Close to exhaustion, Emily cried out, “Cassie, Rita needs to go to hospital, right now!” Around her stood a group of ashen faced girls, some still clutching bowls. “You need to call a doctor because there are lots of sick kids here.” Without saying a word, Cassie pulled her phone out of the back pocket of her jeans and made a couple of calls. End of Excerpt . Copyright © Sydney Jamesson Q&A with Sydney Jamesson Any weird things you do when you’re alone? When I’m alone in the house, I like to turn up the radio really loud and sing along. I must have been a diva in an earlier life! Like so many writer’s though, I’m an observer. One of the weirdest things I do when I’m out alone is watch how people behave, just sitting or when they’re interacting. It’s amazing what can be worked out about a person, even a stranger, simply by paying attention to their body language. There have been times when I’ve been on a train or a bus and become convinced that the woman across from me or the man boarding is running away from something, they’re scared or close to falling apart. It’s the writer’s curse: to see a potential plot in every mannerism and every face. What is your favorite quote and why? I have lots of favourite quotes. I have been inspired by some of Maya Angelou’s quotes as they often demonstrate wisdom and an awareness of the human condition that often goes unrecognised. ‘Love recognizes no barriers. It jumps hurdles and leaps fences, penetrates walls to arrive at its destination full of hope.’ ~ Beautiful! In Wuthering Heights Emily Brontë has Catherine saying this about Heathcliff. “He's more myself than I am. Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.” How romantic! An all time favourite is by Emily Dickinson. In showing her appreciate for the English language, she wrote, “ I know nothing in the world that has as much power as a word. Sometimes I write one, and I look at it, until it begins to shine.” Powerful stuff! Who is your favorite author and why? Choosing a favourite author is never easy when you have such an eclectic taste. I’m a very selective reader. When free time is limited, you choose what you read wisely. If I don’t like the writing style on the first page, I don’t read on. It also depends on the mood I’m in and what’s happening in my life at that moment. For certain, my answer must include Anne Tyler . Most of her stories revolve around dysfunctional families who are made up of odd, eccentric and sometimes comic characters who speak coherently but don’t communicate on a meaningful level. I would read Breathing Lessons once a month if I had the time. My favourite, commercial author would have to be Sylvain Reynard ; rich romanticism and eloquent prose make for a delicious read and Professor Emerson is easy on the eye and all the other senses… In the past, I have devoured novels by Tiffany Reisz: The Siren made me cry on the beach when I finished it. I love the complexity of Gillian Flynn’s novels and her dark, despondent characters in Dark Places are inspired. What, in your opinion, are the most important elements of good writing? Personally, I consider good characterization vitally important. If the reader can’t connect with the characters early on; see themselves in them, feel sorry for them, cheer them on or even hate them with a vengeance, then the story won’t work. They won’t have a vested interest in what happens to the protagonist or the antagonist and whether they achieve their goal or suffer an agonizing death. Also, there must be a well plotted story. My novels are full of twist and turns, surprises and changes in tempo and direction that can have readers reeling—close to tears one minute and on the edge of their seats the next. That’s what I want from a book—something I didn’t see coming! How many books have we read when you can guess halfway through how it’s going to end? I hate that! When it happens and the story is predictable, I skip to the end to put myself out of my misery. A weak ending turns what should be an entertaining surprise into disappointment or, worse still, a cop-out. Of course, how the story is written is an important element. I have read stories that swap and change between multiple settings, time periods and narrative voices. Then, the experience of reading can become more about working out the structure than plot development and progression. The reader can spend too much time checking the who and the when rather than enjoying the story. Readability is crucial and that only comes with good editing, proofreading and revisions. Where did you get the idea for this book? THE DUTY BOUND DUET came out of a shocking news story I became aware of in early 2019. In the north of England, a gang of Asian men had been sexually exploiting teenage girls over many months, given them gifts, plied them with alcohol and drugs, made then totally dependent on them for drugs and affection with the singular intention of using them as sex slaves for themselves and other men. Some of the girls were from good homes, others were snatched from care homes. They all had crucial factors in common: they were minors, they were groomed, they were raped, and they were innocent victims who, like the girls in DUTY OF CARE and THE CARETAKERS, needed to be rescued. Knowing about these harrowing cases was only one aspect that triggered the creative process. I asked… What if the one person you were responsible for and loved more than any other became caught up in this cruel and corrupt world of sexual exploitation and murder: a Dark Web into which they had become entangled. What would you do? Emily Parson’s answer lies within the pages of THE DUTY BOUND DUET! Learn more by visiting the author's website. Duty of Care released August 18, 2020 and The Caretakers released August 25, 2020. Meet the Author Sydney Jamesson is a USA Today bestselling author by night and an English teacher by day. She is nocturnal by nature and loves nothing more than staying up late, listening to music and being inspired to write. She has always written creatively; in her home is one enormous wastepaper basket full of discarded phrases, opening lines and pieces of dialogue that have hit her like lightning in the middle of the night. Her USA Today bestselling trilogy, THE STORY OF US sold worldwide, and she has been thrilled to continue Ayden Stone's and Beth Parker's epic love story in The Story of Us Series: Into the Blue, featuring Blue Genes, Blue Hearts and Blue Moon. More recently, Sydney has focused on psychological suspense. THE DARKEST CORNERS was her first venture into the new genre: a complex love story filled with lots of angst, emotional scenes and edge of your seat suspense as a single father and a troubled young woman confront their deepest, darkest fears together. The twists come think and fast and the ending is unforgettable! In her latest novels, DUTY OF CARE and THE CARETAKERS - THE DUTY BOUND DUET -readers explore the seedier side of the Dark Web; witness abduction, human trafficking, and a devoted sister’s willingness to do whatever it takes to safeguard the wellbeing of those in her care. It’s a real page turner, filled with incidents which are heart-breaking and heart-stopping in equal measure! Website: sydneyjamesson.com Facebook: facebook.com/Sydney-Jamesson-516585008400062/ Twitter: twitter.com/SydneyJamesson Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/7074207.Sydney_Jamesson Instagram: instagram.com/jamessonauthor/ Duty of Care and The Caretakers by Sydney Jamesson Genre: Psychological Suspense Duty of Care Release Date: August 18, 2020 The Caretakers Release Date: August 25, 2020 Type: Novel Content Rating: 5 Hearts; Some violence and sensitive subject matter related to human trafficking. Sydney Jamesson will be awarding a $50 Amazon or B&N gift card to one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter by the end of the tour. Don't forget to tell your friends about these thrilling books.

Book Description Lady Emmeline Hartley has overcome every obstacle life has thrown her way. A spinster, disappointed in love, Em is on the brink of a marriage of convenience, when the man who rejected her heart reappears in need of her help. It gives Em a chance to escape, put to use one her most unusual talents—and perhaps convince him once and for all to risk his heart . . . Adam Montclair—one of the most successful agents at the Home Office—rubs elbows with the highest levels of society. Even so, he wasn’t to the manor born. No matter how much he desires Em, as a match he is completely unsuitable. While it pains him to be near her, it’s a punishment he richly deserves. Now on a mission to uncover a plot against the government, Adam knows Em's uncanny ability to recall voices will be essential. Yet as the two thwart the dangers in their path, it may become impossible to deny that Em is essential to happiness itself . . . Amazon | Kensington Books Meet the Author Rachael Miles has always loved a good romance, especially one with a bit of suspense and preferably a ghost. She is also a professor of book history and nineteenth-century literature whose students frequently find themselves reading the novels of Ann Radcliffe and other gothic tales. A native Texan, Rachael lives with her indulgent husband, three rescued dogs, and an ancient cat. Visit her at www.rachaelmiles.com . Genre: Historical Romance Publisher: Kensington Books Series: Book 5 in the Muses' Salon Series Release Date: August 25, 2020 Type: Novel Heat Level: 5 Hearts View our rating system

Part action-adventure, part suspense, part heartfelt romance—and always a page-turner—Wiley’s newest addition to the Wilderness Dawning Series , BUCKSKIN ANGEL, is an intense journey back to the thrilling birth of the West. Book Description It’s 1824, and Captain Sam Wyllie and Bear MacKay, well-loved characters from the American Wilderness Series , agree they need one last adventure—a thrilling 800-mile journey through the American frontier to see their brother Stephen in the Province of Texas. Knowing that predators of all kinds lurk in the wilderness, their grown sons, Rory and Alexander, insist on going along to protect them. Or will their fathers be the ones who protect them from untold dangers? Unknown to them, in the frontier town of Nacogdoches, Jessica awaits. So do even greater threats from a relentless stalker and a vicious gang known as Los Diablos Tejanos . Courage and character must go head-to-head against greed and violence. Two aging warriors learn they are not too old for a good fight or a wild adventure. And two young men learn they still have some things to learn. One of them discovers courage among the savagery. The other seeks the woman he somehow already loves. "An extremely beautiful well-written novel. This is not just romance; it’s romance you can sink your teeth into. The details and accurate history made me feel as though I was part of the story. It’s an entertaining book that was hard to put down." – Kathleen Ball, bestselling and award winning author of western romance Amazon Meet the Author Amazon bestselling novelist Dorothy Wiley is an award-winning, multi-published author of Historical Romance and Western Romance. Her first two series, the American Wilderness and Wilderness Hearts Series, are set on the American frontier when Kentucky was the West. Her third series, Wilderness Dawning—the Texas Wyllie Brothers, continues the highly-acclaimed Wyllie family saga but brings some of the family to the new edge of the West—the Province of Texas in 1818. All of her novels blend thrilling action with the romance of a moving love story to create exceedingly engaging page-turners. Wiley’s extraordinary historical and western romances, inspired by history, teem with action and cliff-edge tension. Her books’ timeless messages of family and loyalty are both raw and honest. In all her novels, the author’s complex characters come alive and are joined by a memorable ensemble of friends and family. And, as she skillfully unravels a compelling tale, Wiley includes rich historical elements to create a vivid colonial world that celebrates the heritage of the frontier. All of Wiley’s books are available in print and eBooks and most in audiobooks. For further information, please visit her website at www.dorothywiley.com . Genre: Historical Western Romance Series: Wilderness Dawning, Book 3 Type: Novel Heat Level: 1 Heart View our rating system .

Death and deception are the backbones of war. Book Description Find a way to make a difference for the Union. This is the agreement Ruth Allen made with her best friends. The reason she disguised herself as a man and enlisted as a soldier in the War among States. The reason she met Gabriel, a Confederate deserter. Logic told her to kill him, but something wouldn't let her. Gabriel Bailey couldn't continue killing for a cause he didn't believe in. He didn't have a plan when he left his regiment and went on the run, but fate did. Ruth should have killed him. Instead, she spared him. For now. Can two people from opposite sides of the divide put aside their differences to find love despite being enemies? Amazon Meet the Author G.S. Carr is the writer of the novel The Cost of Hope, which is was the 2nd place winner in the 2018 Romance Writers of America HHRW Chapter's Romance Through the Ages Contest. She has always enjoyed indulging in her imagination. At a very young age she had a thirst for reading and the many possibilities it helped come alive in her mind’s eye. Ms. Carr can normally be found locked away with a good book in her home in Charlotte, NC or traveling the globe to places like India, Bali, Tokyo, or London. Genre: Historical Romance / Civil War / Multicultural Romance Series: Ladies of the Civil War Book 2 Release Date: August 11, 2020 Type: Novel Heat Level: 1 Heart View our rating system

“Hubbard firmly grounds the storyline in the principle of Amish grace.” — Publishers Weekly Book Description When four maidels join forces to turn an abandoned barn into an Amish marketplace, the unmarried women have community in mind. But their fledgling enterprise promises to reap surprising rewards for each in turn, including the gift of unexpected love . . . For Regina Miller, the new Morning Star Marketplace is a chance to share her secret work with the world—without revealing herself. Old Order Amish forbid the creation of art without purpose, but without a husband, Regina has been free to explore the joy of painting in her attic. Yet when Gabe Flaud’s curiosity leads him to speculate that Regina herself is the painter, the full weight of their community’s judgement falls on her shoulders. When Gabe stands up to defend Regina, questioning the Order’s restrictions, he reveals his own guilty secret and is shunned along with her. Forced to turn to each other for companionship, the young couple must learn to balance their own needs with their deep faith … and a love that will show them all things are possible. Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple | Google Book Depository | IndieBound | Chapters | BAM Additional Order Options Don't miss the giveaway at the end of this post! Enjoy an Excerpt from Morning Star Regina entered her bedroom, stepped onto her large wooden trunk, and then opened the short, narrow door in the wall so she could climb the wooden stairs to the attic. What if nobody wants my paintings, or worse yet, ridicules them? And what if folks figure out that I’m the artist—and that I’ve been living a lie for years? Best to nip this in the bud before I have to tell any more whoppers and get caught in them. And yet, as Regina stood in the center of her secret studio, something deep inside her longed to display the work that so satisfied her soul. Nearly every evening, after a day of staining furniture, she spent a few hours in her hideaway, painting nature scenes. Regina needed to paint the way most folks needed to eat and breathe. Her schoolteacher had complimented her artwork when she’d been young—and her parents had allowed her to take a short watercolor class at Koenig’s Krafts when she’d entered rumspringa. Dat’s brother Clarence was a preacher, however, so he’d been adamant about Regina joining the church at an early age. She’d secured her salvation at seventeen by being baptized, but she’d forfeited her innermost soul: in the Morning Star district, members were forbidden to create art for art’s sake because it was considered worldly and it called attention to the artist. Regina had obediently tucked her paints and brushes into her wooden trunk, but she’d felt the loss of her art acutely. After her parents had died when a train collided with the bus they were all riding home from a wedding, Regina had kept herself sane by taking up her paints again, setting up her easel in the attic—out of sight when anyone came to visit. At twenty-two, she’d been rather young to live alone on her family’s small acreage but moving in with Uncle Clarence, Aunt Clara, and their young daughters would’ve killed her spirit forever. Bishop Jeremiah had taken her side and had dropped in on her often until she’d gotten a little older. Martin Flaud had hired her because her father had been one of his finest craftsmen—and because Regina had proven herself to be more meticulous at staining and finishing than any of his male employees. She’d survived the rough, lonely times by working hard at the factory, and by surrounding herself with the quilts and curtains Mamm had made and the furniture Dat had built for their cozy home. And so the last ten years had passed . . . Regina had willingly given up any chance for marriage—because she couldn’t reveal her sinful pastime to a husband. Gazing at the nature paintings that surrounded her on that Sunday afternoon, Regina felt torn. Why had God given her a keen eye and the talent to render woodland scenes, flowers, and wild creatures on paper if He wouldn’t allow her to paint pictures of His creation openly and without guilt? End of Excerpt . Copyright © Charlotte Hubbard Learn more by visiting the author's website. Morning Star released July 28, 2020 from Zebra Books. Meet the Author In 1983, Charlotte Hubbard sold her first story to True Story. She wrote around 70 of those confession stories, and she’s sold more than 50 books to traditional or online publishers. A longtime resident of Missouri, she’s currently writing Amish romances set in imaginary Missouri towns for Kensington. She now lives in Omaha, NE with her husband of 40+ years and their Border collie, Vera. www.charlottehubbard.com Facebook -- www.Facebook.com/Charlotte.Hubbard1 Morning Star by Charlotte Hubbard Genre: Amish Romance/Inspirational Publisher: Zebra Books Release Date: July 28, 2020 Available in Print and E-Book Type: Novel Content Rating: 1 Heart Charlotte Hubbard will be awarding a $25 Amazon or B&N gift card to one randomly drawn winner via Rafflecopter during the tour. Don't forget to tell your friends about this beautiful book!

1217 A. D. – Executioner Knight Kevin de Lara finally has his moment to shine. Book Description Kevin breaks out from under his powerful brother's shadow (Sean de Lara from Lord of the Shadows ) and becomes a great knight on his own. But there's just one problem... the woman he loves may very well cause his downfall when one strategic lie begins to unravel... Since reconciling with his brother, Kevin has become a powerful garrison commander along the Welsh marches for the de Lara empire. As an agent of William Marshal, his directive is to keep the local Welsh barons under control at all costs, and Kevin becomes a diplomat. But the Welsh lords only tell him what he wants to hear. Secretly, they are planning a rebellion to gain back de Lara properties they believe belong to the Welsh. Juliandra ferch Gethin is a daughter of two worlds – a Welsh father, an English mother. Juliandra’s father has committed an offense against the de Lara empire and has consequently been jailed. When Juliandra disguises herself as a servant and sneaks into the castle to free her father, she can’t get past Kevin. When he discovers her true identity, he formulates a plan to marry her simply to keep her father and his allies under control. It’s a tactic and nothing more. Or so he thinks. Sometimes the arrogance of a man is only exceeded by his love for a woman. Join Kevin and Juliandra on their journey of rebellion, redemption, and the realization of a love that cannot be denied. Kevin married Juliandra to control the Welsh, but it’s very possible that she may be the one controlling the English… through him. Amazon Meet the Author KATHRYN LE VEQUE is a critically acclaimed 18-time USA TODAY Bestselling author, a charter Amazon All-Star author, and a #1 bestselling, award-winning, multi-published author in Medieval Historical Romance with over 100 published novels. Kathryn is a multiple award nominee and winner, including the winner of Uncaged Book Reviews Magazine 2017 and 2018 "Raven Award" for Favorite Medieval Romance. Kathryn is also a multiple RONE nominee (InD'Tale Magazine), holding a record for the number of nominations. In 2018, her novel WARWOLFE was the winner in the Romance category of the Book Excellence Award and in 2019, her novel A WOLFE AMONG DRAGONS won the prestigious RONE award for best pre-16th century romance. Kathryn is considered one of the top Indie authors in the world with over 2M copies in circulation, and her novels have been translated into several languages. Kathryn recently signed with Sourcebooks Casablanca for a Medieval Fight Club series coming in 2020. Kathryn loves to hear from her readers. Contact her and learn more at www.kathrynleveque.com . Genre: Tudor Historical Romance Publisher: Dragonblade Publishing Series: The Executioner Knights Book 6 Release Date: August 6, 2020 Type: Novel View our content rating system

From internationally bestselling romance author Alexa Aston comes a stunning new contemporary romance series. Book one in the exciting Hollywood Name Game series has arrived. Book Description Being late to an interview lands her the biggest job opportunity of her life. He may be rich and successful--but he's just this side of miserable. Can a wannabe  be  The One for the biggest star in Hollywood? Cassie Carroll came to Hollywood with big dreams  that never materialized. Acting isn't even on the back burner anymore--it's completely off the stove. Working for a third-rate agent, Cassie hopes to land a new job that will give her credibility, as well as help pay the rent. Late to her interview, she swerves to avoid hitting a dog--and totals the car of Hollywood's leading action superstar. Surprisingly, she walks away from their encounter with a job--as the sexiest man alive's personal assistant. Rhett Corrigan is bored with the movies he makes  and the drop-dead gorgeous model he's dating. He's afraid that Hollywood has typecast him--and that he'll never be able to break out of his action mold and try new acting challenges. When Cassie Carroll literally slams into his life, she brings a breath of fresh air and common sense to his world. She pushes him to be a better actor and a better man. Can these friends become lovers--and can their love survive--in a tabloid-happy town that thrives on rumors and backstabbing? Hollywood Heartbreaker  is the first book in the  Hollywood Name Game  series. Each book in the series is a standalone story that can be enjoyed out of order. Amazon Meet the Author Award-winning, 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 enjoys reading, Netflix binge-watching, and cheering for her favorite sports teams when she’s not watching Survivor or The Crown. Alexa’s Regency and Medieval historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights and include the series The St. Clairs, The King's Cousins, The Knights of Honor, and The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle. Visit her online at alexaaston.com Newsletter Sign-Up | Facebook | Twitter | BookBub Genre: Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy Type: Novel

In The Night Swim , a new thriller from Megan Goldin, author of the “gripping and unforgettable” (Harlen Coben) The Escape Room, a true crime podcast host covering a controversial trial finds herself drawn deep into a small town’s dark past and a brutal crime that took place there years before. Ever since her true-crime podcast became an overnight sensation and set an innocent man free, Rachel Krall has become a household name—and the last hope for people seeking justice. But she’s used to being recognized for her voice, not her face. Which makes it all the more unsettling when she finds a note on her car windshield, addressed to her, begging for help. The new season of Rachel's podcast has brought her to a small town being torn apart by a devastating rape trial. A local golden boy, a swimmer destined for Olympic greatness, has been accused of raping the beloved granddaughter of the police chief. Under pressure to make Season 3 a success, Rachel throws herself into her investigation—but the mysterious letters keep coming. Someone is following her, and she won’t stop until Rachel finds out what happened to her sister twenty-five years ago. Officially, Jenny Stills tragically drowned, but the letters insist she was murdered—and when Rachel starts asking questions, nobody in town wants to answer. The past and present start to collide as Rachel uncovers startling connections between the two cases—and a revelation that will change the course of the trial and the lives of everyone involved. Electrifying and propulsive, The Night Swim asks: What is the price of a reputation? Can a small town ever right the wrongs of its past? And what really happened to Jenny? MacMillan | Amazon | B&N | Books-A-Million In the author's words . . . The parallel storyline involves someone (Hannah) leaving mysterious notes for Rachel, begging her to investigate their sister's death from decades ago. Why was their approach so secretive, and at first, vaguely threatening? Hannah had a traumatic childhood because of what happened to her mother and sister. She never really recovered from those childhood traumas so she was understandably wary about whether her story would be taken seriously. She was a fan of Rachel's podcast and she truly believed that Rachel would get justice for her sister if she only knew what had happened, but she also knew that she needed to find a way to connect with Rachel and get her attention. Following Rachel, and leaving messages for her was her way of connecting. Hannah was so focused on getting to the truth about what happened to her sister that she didn't realize that it might be perceived as threatening. Enjoy an Excerpt from The Night Swim 1 Hannah It was Jenny’s death that killed my mother. Killed her as good as if she’d been shot in the chest with a twelve-gauge shotgun. The doctor said it was the cancer. But I saw the will to live drain out of her the moment the policeman knocked on our screen door. “It’s Jenny, isn’t it?” Mom rasped, clutching the lapel of her faded dressing gown. “Ma’am, I don’t know how to tell you other than to say it straight.” The policeman spoke in the low-pitched melancholic tone he’d used moments earlier when he’d pulled up and told me to wait in the patrol car as its siren lights painted our house streaks of red and blue. Despite his request, I’d slipped out of the back seat and rushed to Mom’s side as she turned on the front porch light and stepped onto the stoop, dazed from being woken late at night. I hugged her withered waist as he told her what he had to say. Her body shuddered at each word. His jaw was tight under strawberry blond stubble and his light eyes were watery by the time he was done. He was a young cop. Visibly inexperienced in dealing with tragedy. He ran his knuckles across the corners of his glistening eyes and swallowed hard. “I’m s-s-sorry for your loss, ma’am,” he stammered when there was nothing left to say. The finality of those words would reverberate through the years that followed. But at that moment, as the platitudes still hung in the air, we stood on the stoop, staring at each other, uncertain what to do as we contemplated the etiquette of death. I tightened my small, girlish arms around Mom’s waist as she lurched blindly into the house. Overcome by grief. I moved along with her. My arms locked around her. My face pressed against her hollow stomach. I wouldn’t let go. I was certain that I was all that was holding her up. She collapsed into the lumpy cushion of the armchair. Her face hidden in her clawed-up hands and her shoulders shaking from soundless sobs. I limped to the kitchen and poured her a glass of lemonade. It was all I could think to do. In our family, lemonade was the Band-Aid to fix life’s troubles. Mom’s teeth chattered against the glass as she tilted it to her mouth. She took a sip and left the glass teetering on the worn upholstery of her armchair as she wrapped her arms around herself. I grabbed the glass before it fell and stumbled toward the kitchen. Halfway there, I realized the policeman was still standing at the doorway. He was staring at the floor. I followed his gaze. A track of bloody footprints in the shape of my small feet was smeared across the linoleum floor. He looked at me expectantly. It was time for me to go to the hospital like I’d agreed when I’d begged him to take me home first so that I could be with Mom when she found out about Jenny. I glared at him defiantly. I would not leave my mother alone that night. Not even to get medical treatment for the cuts on my feet. He was about to argue the point when a garbled message came through on his patrol car radio. He squatted down so that he was at the level of my eyes and told me that he’d arrange for a nurse to come to the house as soon as possible to attend to my injured feet. I watched through the mesh of the screen door as he sped away. The blare of his police siren echoed long after his car disappeared in the dark. The nurse arrived the following morning. She wore hospital scrubs and carried an oversized medical bag. She apologized for the delay, telling me that the ER had been overwhelmed by an emergency the previous night and nobody could get away to attend to me. She sewed me up with black sutures and wrapped thick bandages around my feet. Before she left, she warned me not to walk, because the sutures would pop. She was right. They did. Jenny was barely sixteen when she died. I was five weeks short of my tenth birthday. Old enough to know that my life would never be the same. Too young to understand why. I never told my mother that I’d held Jenny’s cold body in my arms until police officers swarmed over her like buzzards and pulled me away. I never told her a single thing about that night. Even if I had, I doubt she would have heard. Her mind was in another place. We buried my sister in a private funeral. The two of us and a local minister, and a couple of Mom’s old colleagues who came during their lunch break, wearing their supermarket cashier uniforms. At least they’re the ones that I remember. Maybe there were others. I can’t recall. I was so young. The only part of the funeral that I remember clearly was Jenny’s simple coffin resting on a patch of grass alongside a freshly dug grave. I took off my hand-knitted sweater and laid it out on top of the polished casket. “Jenny will need it,” I told Mom. “It’ll be cold for her in the ground.” We both knew how much Jenny hated the cold. On winter days when bitter drafts tore through gaps in the patched-up walls of our house, Jenny would beg Mom to move us to a place where summer never ended. A few days after Jenny’s funeral, a stone-faced man from the police department arrived in a creased gabardine suit. He pulled a flip-top notebook from his jacket and asked me if I knew what had happened the night that Jenny died. My eyes were downcast while I studied each errant thread in the soiled bandages wrapped around my feet. I sensed his relief when after going through the motions of asking more questions and getting no response he tucked his empty notebook into his jacket pocket and headed back to his car. I hated myself for my stubborn silence as he drove away. Sometimes when the guilt overwhelms me, I remind myself that it was not my fault. He didn’t ask the right questions and I didn’t know how to explain things that I was too young to understand. This year we mark a milestone. Twenty-five years since Jenny died. A quarter of a century and nothing has changed. Her death is as raw as it was the day we buried her. The only difference is that I won’t be silent anymore. Continue reading excerpt > Copyright © 2020 by Megan Goldin Learn more by visiting the author's website. The Night Swim released August 4, 2020 from St. Martin's Press. Meet the Author MEGAN GOLDIN worked as a correspondent for Reuters and other media outlets where she covered war, peace, international terrorism and financial meltdowns in the Middle East and Asia. She is now based in Melbourne, Australia where she raises three sons and is a foster mum to Labrador puppies learning to be guide dogs. The Escape Room was her debut novel. Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | Author Blog The Night Swim by Megan Goldin Genre: Psychological Thriller/Court Room Drama Type: Novel Content Note: Sexual assault theme. Sensitively written, but may be difficult for some readers. #bookexcerpt #ExcerptPost #pyschologicalthriller #thriller #courtroom

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We're happy to share this new release from Shanna Hatfield! Book Description Her hero has arrived Even if she doesn’t realize it . . . yet Widow Jossy Jansen intimidates people, mostly by accident. After all, her soon-to-be sister-in-law refers to her as a cowboy version of Wonder Woman. Jossy can’t help it if she’s strong, capable, and bursting with restless energy. Never one who needed a man to rescue her, Jossy struggles with her feelings for an unlikely knight dressed in Armani. Life as a corporate attorney has left Nathaniel Knight overworked, stressed, and going soft. He hardly recognizes the person he’s become. When his father insists he help out the small community of Summer Creek, Nate dreads spending time so far from civilization. Then he tangles with a rancher far too stubborn for her own good and far too lovely for his. Can Nate convince Jossy he’s more than just a city boy out of his element? A sweet romance brimming with heart, humor and hope, Rescuing the Rancher is a story of redemption, trust, and discovering the blessings of finding true love. Amazon | B&N | Kobo | Apple Meet the Author USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield writes sweet romances rich with relatable characters, small town settings that feel like home, humor, and hope. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.” When this farm girl isn’t writing or indulging in rich, decadent chocolate, Shanna hangs out with her husband, lovingly known as Captain Cavedweller. She also experiments with recipes, snaps photos of her adorable nephew, and caters to the whims of a cranky cat named Drooley. To learn more about Shanna or the books she writes, visit her website shannahatfield.com . Genre: Clean Contemporary Romance Type: Novel

In order to love, she must first seduce… Book Description Callum Sinclair should have known the night the great fireball lit the sky would change everything. He returns from battle wounded of body and heart to find his clan in disarray. Someone within his clan wants him dead and tried to assassinate him, his brother/laird murdered, his wife died in childbirth. Family dysfunction forces him to accept a destiny he never expected. Violet Danvers’s life takes a complete turn when the king executes her husband for treason. Now he vows she will either wed his favored knight or suffer his punishment. With help from her husband’s ally, the king’s cousin, he sends her to his comrade in Scotland. He gains one promise from her, never to return to England, even if she must seduce the Highlander to gain his aid. Even with the five rules of enticement, Violet’s seduction doesn’t come easy. Callum is broken of spirit, but she is not one to easily surrender to defeat. With laughter and grace, The Seduction of Laird Sinclair might lead them both to lose their hearts. Amazon | iBooks | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords In the author's words . . . I love historical romances but sometimes they're often heavy with historical content. In this series, I primarily focus on the dysfunction of family, their secrets, and their challenges. With the support of the hero or heroine, there's always a happily-ever-after. Enjoy an Excerpt from The Seduction of Laird Sinclair Rule number one, use the body. Violet leaned against the door’s threshold and pulled her shoulders back. She waited for him to notice her. She roved her eyes over his naked skin and stepped back when he startled at her appearance. “I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t mean to intrude…” “Who are you?” his voice was deep with a hearty lilt to it, and he sounded affronted. “I’m Henry’s friend, Violet Danvers.” “You can’t be. Henry’s friend is a man.” “I am his friend, and I assure you, I’m not a man. Surely you received his missive which foretold of my arrival? You are Callum Sinclair, are you not?” He nodded but remained silent. Violet couldn’t take her gaze from his naked, muscular thigh. He pushed the fabric of his tartan over his leg and straightened. She took her time to assess him, the enticement rules were all but forgotten. Callum stood tall and perhaps over six feet in height, and his brawny muscles tightened the front and arms of his tunic. It was his handsome face that captivated her and caused her breath to still. He had light brown hair, almost chestnut in color, and even darker eyes and brows. The man wore no whiskers about his face, but his jaw tightened as she perused him. Callum cleared his throat and stepped forward. “I could’ve sworn Henry mentioned his friend was a man.” “Perhaps he misled you. He asked me to give you this missive and container.” She approached and held out the items. Rule two was easy to do since she didn’t take her eyes from his, and with confidence from somewhere deep within her, she peered at him with interest. “It might aid your pain for he said you were injured.” He reached for the items and brushed his fingers against hers as he grasped the missive. Violet took in a startled breath. His touch evoked excitement or something similar. She couldn’t place the sentiment as she’d never experienced it before. With a jerk, she retracted her hand. If she decided to go ahead with her maddened plan, rule four would positively be pleasing. His gaze lingered as if he disbelieved she was there. The man set the items on the desk in a hostile manner and glared at her. She knew well enough where she wasn’t wanted. “I shall hurry to stop the coachman from leaving. Hopefully, he’s still in the courtyard. I’ll be gone since it is obvious you will not offer sanctuary.” Before he retorted, Violet fled the chamber. She needed to escape his pierced gaze and aggressive mood. As much as she detested to admit it, rule five wasn’t within her. Violet had no confidence whatsoever. Never had a man looked at her with such hostility. She didn’t know what to make of him, or what he intended with such a look. But it was her reaction to him that troubled her more. Why had she gaped at him as though he was a statue? She couldn’t reason her reaction or behavior. Violet rushed through the hallway and reached the bottom of the stairs when she heard someone call out. Ionnsaigh. A dog growled and ran at her. It jumped up, knocked her back, and to the floor. The dog’s mouth gripped her leg, and he shook his head and flailed her. Her gown tore with his sharp teeth dug in. Violet cried out and shouted for help. The dog ravaged her and wouldn’t let go. She tried to free herself from his hold by kicking out, but he wouldn’t cease his attack. The beast locked his jaw and wouldn’t let go, and the pain on her leg caused her to gasp for breath. “Frang! Cease. Go, be gone.” The dog released her at the man’s command, and he whined and fled when the man approached with heavy steps. Callum knelt next to her. “Don’t move. Are you injured?” End of Excerpt © Kara Griffin Learn more by visiting the author's website. The Seduction of Laird Sinclair has a release date of June 9, 2020. Meet the Author Read a Scottish or Medieval Historical Romance book by Kara Griffin and transport yourself to the mystical, enchanting realms of the Scottish Highlands and Medieval Britain. Stories of noble warriors and strong, but sweet, heroines will have you rooting for them as they encounter dastardly villains. Be romanced with unconditional love in sweeping tales of romance. There’s always a Happily-Ever-After in her stories. Kara Griffin is the author of Scottish/Highlander and Medieval Historical romances. She always had a vivid imagination and has been an avid reader since her early years. Inspired by her grandfather’s heritage, she loves all things Scottish. From the captivating land to the ancient mysticism, all inspire her to write tales that make you sigh. Kara enjoys family life with her husband. They spend a lot of time with their daughters, who live close by. Their grandbabies are the joy of their lives. When Kara is on hiatus from writing, she usually spends that time with family. In the Pinelands of New Jersey, she enjoys the outdoors, especially the beach and wooded areas near her home. Website | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest The Seduction of Laird Sinclair by Kara Griffin Genre: Historical Romance (14th century) Type: Novel Heat Level: 4 Language Level: 3 Violence Level: 3 Click here to learn more about content ratings. #bookexcerpt #ExcerptPost #HistoricalRomance