From Mary Frances Fisher comes her debut novel, Paradox Forged in Blood , a book based on true events and stories passed down from the author’s family. Comments Mary Frances, “Writing Paradox Forged in Blood was cathartic for me following the death of my mother—a wonderfully compassionate and caring woman who possessed the soul and spirit of a true Irish lass. It enabled me to cast her in a wonderful murder mystery at a time when the world was reeling from the Great Depression before being thrust into World War II. In spite of a world gone seemingly mad, she discovers that love, family, and a sense of humor brought much-needed sanity to an otherwise chaotic time.” A murder on Millionaire's Row. A killer's chilling words, "Shh. I know where you live." A woman tormented by her guilt-ridden past. A historical murder mystery, Paradox Forged in Blood is set in Cleveland, Ohio, during the late 1930s. Four decades after the murder of socialite Louis Sheridan, the cold case is resurrected with receipt of new evidence that transports detectives back to Nazi Germany. The only living witness, Ellen O'Malley, must confront a haunting secret and her complicit actions. Print Length: 377 pages Publication Date: August 24, 2016 Excerpt from Paradox Forged in Blood [On June 7, 1986], Ellen O’Malley Szabo thought to herself, for perhaps the hundredth time today, why couldn’t the past stay where it belonged? … Ellen knew her well-kept secret of more than 40 years would soon come to light and, with it, her complicit actions leading to murder . . . The Cleveland NorthShore Post ___________________________________________________ Saturday June 7, 1986 60¢ ___________________________________________________ Cold Case Unit Reopens 1939 Murder of Cleveland Socialite with Receipt of Missing Evidence Cleveland, Ohio.—Forty-seven years ago on December 23, 1939, socialites Louis and Marianne Sheridan attended a party leaving three people at home: Alice Webber, the housekeeper; Bridget, the Sheridan’s seven-month-old daughter; and Ellen O’Malley, the nanny. A neighbor [on Millionaire’s Row] heard a loud scream about 9 p.m. and called the police. Cleveland detectives Frank Szabo and Kevin Collins found the Sheridans’ front door open and two bodies lying in a heap just inside the foyer. Although Marianne was alive, her husband had sustained a fatal gunshot wound . . . Two days ago, Cleveland police received a package wrapped in the 1939 newspaper account of the murder. The anonymous submission contained a small handgun covered with a dried substance (believed to be blood), a black mask, and a sheet of paper with the cryptic hand-written message Forgive Me . . . READ MORE >>> Meet the Author Mary Frances Fisher, a lifelong resident of Cleveland OH, has spent the majority of her career as a legal nurse consultant and signed with Taxi Modeling and Talent Agency as a commercial print model in 2012. With Germaine Moody and writer contributions from over 100 countries, she co-authored her first published work in 2013, 50 Seeds of Greatness (www.50seedsofgreatness.com). Her additional writing experiences include several short stories published by Transcendent Publishing: "Earning My Wings" in Touched by an Angel: A Collection of Divinely Inspired Stories and Poems, October 2013; "Mercy's Legacy" in Best of Spiritual Writers Network 2013, December 2013; "Be Careful What You Wish For" in The Best of Spiritual Writers Network 2014, January 2015; and "The Gift" in Finding Our Wings: A Collection of Angelic Stories and Poems, March 2016. She has written a screenplay based on "Mercy's Legacy" and is working on a Paradox Forged in Blood companion novel, Growing Up O’Malley. Mary Frances lives in a suburb of Cleveland with her family. Connect with the author at www.maryfrancesfisher.com . #NewReleasePost #HistoricalFiction #GuestAuthor

THE BOOK The Regent's Revenge, Book Two A READER'S OPINION A romantic adventure on the high seas . . . Lady Chloe Walsingham and the Earl of Markwick have no idea what kind of trouble and adventures they're about to face! Katherine Bone has a nice and easy-to-read writing style, and it's clear she enjoyed writing this story. Basil Halford is a dashing hero with an interesting past. I didn't think Lady Chloe was worthy of him as I found her a bit fainthearted for someone like Basil, but their love was not to be denied and the romance is tender and evident. The many emphasized words in unnecessary italics were distracting, but I liked the balance of dialogue and description throughout the story. I do wish I read the first book because I felt like I'd come in the middle of a story. The author did a nice job of summing things up in the beginning though it read more like a prologue. The author provides great adventure from start to finish for readers who enjoy a pirate tale with a nice dash of romance. Reviewer's Rating: 3 1/2 Stars | Content Rating: 3 Hearts | Reviewed by: Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS Lady Chloe Walsingham is an enthusiastic gothic romance reader and hopeless romantic focused solely on finding her perfect hero. She also happens to have a penchant for getting into trouble. So when the man she loves disappears after a scandalous duel, she decides to follow him to the ends of the Earth. To do so, however, Chloe must evade her brother, an infamous revenue man, and board a ship bound for Penzance. And nothing in her beloved books can prepare her for the harsh realities of wreckers who ply the coast. After his father destroyed the lives of countless innocent people, Basil Halford, Earl of Markwick is willing to do anything to earn back his honor. Betrayed by his blood and his reputation ruined, Markwick answers the request of a well-heeled duke and dons the Black Regent’s mask to repay the debt. His task? Rescuing a young woman who is chasing down a ghost of a man. But a pirate has plenty of enemies, and Markwick isn’t any different. No matter how diligent a captain he may be, sailing to Lady Chloe’s rescue involves risking not only the Regent’s legacy but the last thing he can afford to lose…his heart. Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance

Please join us in welcoming author AnneMarie Brear to Books & Benches for a 5 Question Q&A. Where Dragonflies Hover is the latest novel from Anne, a prolific writer of sixteen novels and short stories. "The book is written in such a way it made me feel as if I was in both time periods and could relate to the characters in more ways than one. I could not put this book down and love reading stories which pull me in so deeply. I did not want the story to end. " — Amazon reviewer, UK 5 QUESTIONS FOR ANNEMARIE BREAR In 250 words or less, what can you tell us about your newest release? My latest release, Where Dragonflies Hover , is a split era story set in modern day England and World War I France. In modern day, Lexi is unhappy with her marriage and seeks to change the rut she has developed in her life. She goes against her husband’s wishes and buys an old house. Within the grounds of the house she finds a diary written by an Australian WWI nurse, Allie. As Lexi’s marriage crumbles she finds comfort in reading the diary which journals Allie’s love affair with a Captain of the British Army and the horrendous conditions she suffers while nursing soldiers at the war front. The story slips between Lexi’s modern problems and Allie’s anguish as she copes of being in love and serving her country during the war. Where Dragonflies Hover has received some wonderful reviews. What story are you working on next, and what inspired it? I’ve just started writing a new story new set in the WWI era again. It is about the grandchildren of one of my previous books, Kitty McKenzie. Kitty’s grandsons join the war from Australia, and her granddaughter joins as a nurse, they travel from the quiet countryside of Australia and are thrust into the middle of the mayhem and carnage that is the First World War. I am often asked by readers who have read Kitty McKenzie , and the sequel, Kitty McKenzie’s Land , as to whether I would write any more about the family, but I’ve had other stories I’ve wanted to write. Now, ten years later, I thought I’d give it a go. I’m hoping to have it finished by next year. How much research do you do? I do a lot of research as I enjoy it. However, the key is to not bog the story down with too much detail that slows the enjoyment of the reader. Novelists are story-tellers. We tell a story and we should try to get it as correct as possible, but, that said, we will make mistakes. We aren’t writing factual documentaries. I write historical novels, so I will research the era I’m writing in to the best of my ability, but I’m not an historian and I don’t claim to be. However, I do enjoy writing about my favourite eras such as Victorian, Edwardian and WWI so I will spend a lot of time researching to get the flavour of those times into my stories. Do you work to an outline or plot or do you prefer just see where an idea takes you? My writing develops through the characters. I find it tough going to write to an outline or a plot written in advance. I have tried it in the past and not liked it. My characters tend to go off and do their own thing, I just go along for the ride. It is far more enjoyable for me as a writer to see where the story goes. I’m usually always surprised by the twists and turns my characters insist on happening. What else have you written? Kitty McKenzie - historical novel Kitty McKenizie's Land - historical novel To Gain What's Lost - historical novel Broken Hero - historical novel Where Dragonflies Hover - spilt era novel To Take Her Pride - historical novel The Gentle Winds Caress - historical novel The House of Women - historical novel The Day Embroidered - historical novel Long Distance Love - contemporary novel Hooked On You - contemporary novel "What He Taught Her"- short story "Art of Desire"- short story "A New Dawn" - short story "The Right Man" - short story New Beginnings: short story anthology "I absolutely loved this book and spent two days of my holiday doing nothing else but reading it. The timeslip, along with the modern day story gave the book a distinct difference. I loved the way the diary brought the past to life, the descriptions of life during the war were amazing and the author brought both stories together at the end, in a very clever conclusion. Loved it." — Amazon reader, UK THE AUTHOR Annemarie Brear writes historical novels and modern romances. Her passions, apart from writing, are reading, researching, genealogy, roaming historical sites, buying books and gardening. She is an author of historical women's fiction, contemporary romance and several short stories. http://annemariebrear.blogspot.co.uk https://www.facebook.com/annemariebrear Twitter @annemariebrear FEATURED BOOK "This was a beautifully written novel, with an emotional thread that tugged at my heart-strings while I read. The dual timeline and voices were interwoven seamlessly by the author to create a wonderfully romantic plot tinged with some sadness. The protagonists, Allie and Lexi, were well-drawn, strong women whose lives did not follow the path they had hoped for and yet rallied against what others would perceive as unfairness of life. Recommended." —Amazon reviewer, UK Sometimes a glimpse into the past can help make sense of the future … Everyone thinks Lexi is crazy when she falls in love with Hollingsworth House – a crumbling old Georgian mansion in Yorkshire – and nobody more so than her husband, Dylan. But there’s something very special about the place, and Lexi can sense it. Whilst exploring the grounds she stumbles across an old diary and, within its pages, she meets Allie – an Australian nurse working in France during the First World War. Lexi finally realises her dream of buying Hollingsworth but her obsession with the house leaves her marriage in tatters. In the lonely nights that follow, Allie’s diary becomes Lexi’s companion, comforting her in moments of darkness and pain. And as Lexi reads, the nurse’s scandalous connection to the house is revealed … Genre: Contemporary (split era) Romance Publisher: Choc Lit Format: E-Book (198 pages) BUY AT AMAZON #AuthorInterview

A READER'S OPINION This is the second book I've read by Thomas, and I have to say I enjoyed it even more than the first, and that had everything to do with the two main characters—Jubilee and Charley. I like wounded warriors and heartbroken heroines who are still strong and determined enough to change their lives around for the better. The addition of Lillie and Thatcher are great, and although I could have done without Lauren's point of view, Jubilee and Charley more than made up for it. Lone Heart Pass is a beautiful and tender story about hope, love, and second chances. The book is squeaky clean, and at the same time packs on the heat and passion in the form of soft touches and sweet kisses with everything else happening behind closed doors. I happily passed this book along to another reader and recommended it to family. Rating : 4.5 Stars | Content Rating : 2 Hearts BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK DESCRIPTION Where family bonds are made and broken, and where young love sparks as old flames grow dim, Ransom Canyon is ready to welcome—and shelter—those who need it. With a career and a relationship in ruins, Jubilee Hamilton is left reeling from a fast fall to the bottom. The run-down Texas farm she's inherited is a far cry from the second chance she hoped for, but it and the abrasive foreman she's forced to hire are all she's got. Every time Charley Collins has let a woman get close, he's been burned. So Lone Heart ranch and the contrary woman who owns it are merely a means to an end, until Jubilee tempts him to take another risk—to stop resisting the attraction drawing them together despite all his hard-learned logic. Desperation is all young Thatcher Jones knows. And when he finds himself mixed up in a murder investigation, his only protection is the shelter of a man and woman who—just like him—need someone to trust. Series: Ransom Canyon (book 3) Genre: Contemporary Romance | Release: April 26, 2016 | 352pp | HQN Books Format Read: Mass Market | Source: Provided by the author or publisher #AReadersOpinion #ContemporaryRomance #2016Review

In 898 AD she wasn’t just from another land. Wrecking a marriage is generally no problem for the divorce obtaining, Lady Malice Mallender. But she faces a dilemma when she’s asked to ruin her own. Just how businesslike should she remain when the marriage was never consummated and kissing her husband leads to Sin--a handsome Viking who wants her for a bed slave in name only? She came from another time. Viking raider Sin Gudrunsson wants one thing. To marry his childhood sweetheart. Only she’s left him before, so he needs to keep her on her toes, and a bed slave, in name only, seems just the thing. Until he meets Malice. One kiss is all it takes to flash between two worlds. But when one kiss is no longer enough, which will it be? Regency London? Or Viking Norway? Will Malice learn what governs the flashes? Can Sin? Where worlds collide can love melt the iciest heart? A READER'S OPINION A real page turner! I usually don't have a problem writing a review, but this story, The Viking and The Courtesan , written by Shehanne Moore, has so many twists and turns that I don't know how to start! What happens when two headstrong women, Malice and Snotra, compete for the same man, a Viking named Sin? The story starts in London 1819 and wanders into 898 AD, back and forth. Forced to marry Cyril, Malice becomes the victim of this arrangement because he really doesn't love her . . . he only wants her money. But a single kiss will send her into the arms of a Viking named Sin, who is betrothed to another woman, Snotra. Sin will make her his bed slave. This story is filled with twists and turns to kept your attention! Follow their journey to discover the true nature of Malice and her discovery of how she can control her destiny. Which men will choose to love for eternity? Which woman will win the Viking’s heart for eternity? The Viking and The Courtesan is an historical tale—well-written, fast paced and intriguing, with a touch of time travel! Reviewer's Rating: 4 1/2 Stars | Content Rating: 4 1/2 Stars | Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance #TimeTravelRomance

THE BOOK Can love’s legacy bring two war weary souls together? Drawn by a flicker of light coming from the ruins of Babylon Castle, Rebecca Sumerfield is driven to investigate. The last thing she expects to find is the castle’s owner, a Captain in the British Army. Still devastated from her brother’s death in battle, she despises all things military. Having survived Waterloo, Captain Camden Le Bec isn’t in the market for romance. He stops at Babylon Castle, the perfect place to gather his thoughts, only for the spirited Rebecca to storm his castle and demand he leave at once. Her fearless defiance and selfless heart awaken a desire Camden has never known. He’s determined to possess her, but Rebecca refuses to risk another broken heart. Will they find solace in each other’s arms, or has war pushed them both beyond any hope? A READER'S OPINION Babylon Castle is a medieval ruin that has been in Camden Le Bec's family for hundreds of years. Having survived Waterloo, he feels the need to recoup before he heads home to his family, and finds himself at Babylon. Rebecca Summerfield is broken-hearted over her brother's death at Waterloo, and has sworn never to marry a soldier—EVER. She's drawn to Babylon Castle which borders her parents' estate. She's able to view the ruins from her bedroom window. Many times she's walked the castle walls wondering what secrets it holds. A flickering light in the distant castle draws her attention, and she vows to investigate. She never expected to find a trespasser—a good looking trespasser—and her heart tripped, stopped beating and resumed! Camden can't believe his eyes, at first he thought she was a figment of his imagination! He was hit hard with the sudden driving need to make her his. Will Rebecca let her fears destroy her chance at love? Can Camden fight for her and make her realize that love is worth fighting for? Even though this was a short story, it had all the sweetness of a wonderful romance. Rebecca and Camdon really have great chemistry! Amanda Mariel really does a great job in writing sweet romance that's perfect for young readers who want a taste of the beautiful world of romance. Reviewer's Rating: 4 Stars | Content Rating: 2 Hearts | Reviewed by: Maria Rose Dariotis BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM #AReadersOpinion

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Sweet romance! Nancy Fraser is a new author for me. When I saw the cover of her novella, I thought it looked like fun to read. Well, she didn't disappoint me! In fact, if you are searching for a sweet and quick read then Bewitched will be perfect for you! The characters, Allison and Eric, are so charming! This story is set in the 60's. Since it's a short story, I'll only offer a brief review. Allison operates a day care with her friend and has two younger brothers, Benny and Philip, who are always in trouble. She needs a distraction! Suddenly, a new neighbor moves in. He's tall, dark ,and handsome! Eric hadn't planned to move in a neighborhood with lots of kids, until he meets the charming young woman in charge of the day care. Will she bake some of her famous choco-blast cookies to catch him? Will he become her main distraction? This story is a romantic, girl-meets-boy and fall in love experience! Star Rating: 4 Stars | Content Rating : 3 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS Allison Stiles is the epitome of responsibility. Guardian to her two rambunctious younger brothers, she also runs a home daycare. While she doesn't have time for a vacation, she really needs a diversion. Enter Eric Thomas, her new neighbor. Tall, dark and handsome and just what she needs to get her mind off her responsibilities, even if only for a short time. Print Length: 59 pages Publisher: The Wild Rose Press, Inc Publication Date: October 7, 2016 Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion

THE BOOK She’s at the end of her rope . . . Charlie Anderson needs a farm hand. The moment the sexy, mysterious stranger sets foot on her grandparents’ land, inquiring about a job opening, he rattles her senses, her cage, and her equilibrium, the likes of which she’s never experienced before. She never anticipated her scandalous thoughts getting in the way. She’s terrified, but desire trumps fear, and she gives in to a sinful temptation. He has a hidden agenda . . . Alex McCray has a plan. A plan having nothing to do with romance. His discovery, that “Charlie” is a voluptuous, beautiful woman, leaves him shaken, and he needs to proceed with extreme caution. Working next to her, everyday, stirs up a raw hunger he desperately tries to ignore. And he should, since he has an ulterior motive. Alex should also resist her intoxicating sensuality, but he can’t, because he cannot get enough. A READER'S OPINION A sizzling and tender love story! On A Gamble by Rose Lange is a contemporary romance with a little spicy touch! I'm honored and happy to have been a reviewer for this romantic fiction story. Charlie, a beautiful woman, needs a man to help her on the ranch, and Alex, a sexy cowboy, needs a job! But when he applies for the job, he has an ulterior motive. When she first meets him, all hell brakes loose! Sparks flare to ignite a rich passion! The chemistry between Charlie and Alex is sizzling! The more time they spend working together the more the temptation becomes obvious! Charlie realizes that she's falling in love with Alex, but his lies and betrayal will break the trust she had in him. Lots of ups and downs in their lives . . . let's say it's a love/hate relationship. Will she give him a second chance and trust Alex again? I really loved On A Gamble . It's a cute and romantic love story. The love scenes are very well written with tenderness, humor and finesse. This is my second book by this author and I am looking forward to her other contemporaries. Reviewer's Rating: 5 Stars | Content Rating: 5 Stars | Reviewed by: Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM #AReadersOpinion #ContemporaryRomance

Mary joins us today from her seaside home in Scotland while she's on tour for her medieval romance novel, Rebel of Ross . This wonderful book blog tour is organized by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Malcolm MacHeth, one time Earl of Ross, languishes a prisoner in Roxburgh Castle while his sons raise rebellion in his name. Optimistically, the King of Scots promises the earldom of Ross to landless Norman knight, Sir William de Lanson, if he can somehow defeat the infamous MacHeths. It wasn’t quite how William’s disgraced wife Christian dreamed of coming home. Capture by the strange and ferocious Adam MacHeth was hardly part of her plan either, although she and William quickly become pawns in his. Adam, warrior and seer, fights for his father’s freedom and for his family’s right to claim the kingdom of the Scots. Plagued by waking dreams which threaten his sanity and his life, he’s learned to use his prophecies to further his family’s goals. But when he abducts his enemy’s lady, his dreams and his desires are suddenly more personal. Surrounded by intrigue, ambition and betrayal, Christian must choose between loyalty and love in order to keep a fragile peace for her people and for the man she loves beyond all reason. Publication Date: August 4, 2016 eBook & Paperback; 340 Pages Genre: Historical Fiction/Historical Romance/Medieval ENJOY AN EXCERPT FROM Rebel of Ross Inside, an upturned cask had become a table between two rough stools. The booth was plunged into gloom as the curtain closed out the sunshine. Setting down her cup, she sat on one stool as if perfectly at ease and lifted her gaze to Adam MacHeth. He stood just inside the curtain, watching her with a curious, wary expression that told her she’d surprised him. “I congratulate myself,” she said sardonically. “I understand it isn’t easy to surprise a man with second sight.” He stirred, walked past her to the back of the booth. “Who told you that?” He reached up to a shelf, taking down a flagon and a cup. “Is it true?” Christian asked. “Is what true?” He set down the cup and poured wine from the flagon. “That you have second sight. Or are you just a berserker like the old Vikings?” He eased his large body down onto the stool. His knee brushed against her skirts. “A lady of your education knows there’s no such thing as second sight.” She smiled deprecatingly. “And you despise ladies of such education.” His eyebrows flew up. “I don’t despise you.” For some reason, that brought colour seeping into her face. To cover it, she lifted her chin in challenge. “Then you’re a berserker after all?” “Why should you think that?” She shivered, seeing again the men she knew cut down by his sword, trampled beneath his merciless boots. “The way you fight.” His eyebrows twitched. “That.” One dismissive hand seemed to wave her accusation out through the closed curtain. “It’s a mask. Not unlike yours.” She stared at him, wondering what on earth he’d ever had in his life to hide from on the battlefield. She had to press her lips together to stop herself asking. She hadn’t come in here to discover such things. Giving herself time to regroup, she raised her cup and sipped. “Why did you let us have Tirebeck?” she asked abruptly. He stirred. “For my brother.” “You’d have got your brother back just for me.” "That’s not what you said at the time. According to you, I wouldn’t have got a chicken for you, never mind the Earl of Ross’s heir.” “But you didn’t believe me. Why then give us Tirebeck?” “Tirebeck is yours.” She set down her cup, meeting his whirlpool gaze. For some reason, that wasn’t so difficult now. “To keep us contented. To keep the king unsuspicious and unaware of whatever it is you truly intend.” A smile flickered across his face. He didn’t look afraid. “Galleys,” she said. Neither of them blinked. Without looking at it, he swirled the wine in his cup. “I apologise for exposing myself. What is it you really want to ask me?” The heat of embarrassment surged through her body at the memory of his. He had seen her in the boat. But, determined not to back down, she hung on to his dark gaze. “How did the old hall at Tirebeck burn down?” His gaze dropped to his wine. His hand stilled, then raised the cup to his lips. He drank and lowered the cup before he looked at her again. “Rhuadri burned it. The day you left.” Her father had burned it himself? She frowned in the effort of memory. After all, she’d only been three years old. “The day we left? Why did we leave?” Adam shrugged. “You don’t want to tell me,” Christian discovered. “You don’t want to know. It wasn’t that fire that injured you.” Before she could prevent it, her hand flew up to her mask. Old Eta, the fisherman’s wife, had mentioned another fire too. He said steadily, “You were knocked into the hearth fire during a fight. When you were a baby. More than two years before you left.” Her ears seemed to sing. All the blood which had rushed into her face drained away. She’d always assumed it was the fire she remembered which had injured her. The memory was associated with such fear and pain. No one had told her otherwise until now. She lifted the cup to her mouth and lowered it again untouched. “Who?” she whispered. “Who was fighting?” “Your father and a Norman knight sent by the king to take my father after Stracathro.” Stracathro… The battle by which King David had defeated the rebellious young Earls of Moray and Ross. The Earl of Moray had died in battle, but his brother, Malcolm MacHeth, Earl of Ross, had escaped and eluded capture for another two years. The king had deprived him and his sons of the earldom, outlawed the family, and when Malcolm was finally captured, he was imprisoned in Roxburgh Castle, almost as far away from Ross as you could get without leaving the kingdom. “So I was injured by my father defending yours,” she said a little shakily. “No wonder my mother never told that story. It wouldn’t have looked good to the King of Scots.” His eyes fell. He had very long lashes. “It’s past. It shouldn’t affect your future.” She straightened her shoulders, regarding him with a touch of mockery. “So you do have second sight.” “That was only common sense.” She wasn’t sure what made her do it. Mere curiosity, perhaps, or pique. Her gaze lit on his big, scarred hand, abstractly swirling his cup. She reached out and seized his hand as if to still it. It jerked, slopping the wine over the barrel, but that wasn’t enough to dislodge her fingers, and she hung on. “You don’t like to be touched, do you?” she said, holding his startled gaze. “By some.” His stormy eyes darkened further. “I like your touch.” Which wasn’t quite what she’d intended, although she’d brought it on herself. Flushing, but forcing herself not to snatch her hand back, she asked, “Do you see things?” His breath rushed out on what might have been a laugh, quite at odds with the burning of his eyes. Without warning, his hand twisted, curling his fingers around hers. “Many things.” Books & Benches Review for Rebel of Ross "A truly endearing love story set during a fascinating time and in a spectacular setting, Rebel of Ross offers readers of medieval romance everything they could possibly want." MEET THE AUTHOR Mary Lancaster’s first love was historical fiction. Since then she has grown to love coffee, chocolate, red wine and black and white films – simultaneously where possible. She hates housework. As a direct consequence of the first love, she studied history at St. Andrews University, after which she worked variously as editorial assistant, researcher and librarian. Although she has always written stories for her own entertainment, she began to make serious efforts toward publication in order to distract herself from a job she disliked. She now writes full time at her seaside home in Scotland, which she shares with her husband and three children. Mary is the author of three historical novels: An Endless Exile – the story of Hereward, 11th century outlaw hero A World to Win – a Scottish governess finds love in revolutionary Hungary A Prince to be Feared: the love story of Vlad Dracula Mary loves to hear from readers. You can email her at Mary@MaryLancaster.com , and connect on Facebook . Find out more about Mary and her books at www.MaryLancaster.com . #ExcerptPost #GuestAuthor #AuthorsonTour

THE BOOK Her Majesty's Most Secret Service A READER'S OPINION Sensational story! You won't be able to put it down! 1890 London, Jennie Quinn is a young woman born into privilege with a passion for her job as a reporter. A task that could cost her her life if she's not careful. She spends her nights as a barmaid undercover, deceiving people into trusting her. Working to uncover a murder and bring justice to the young woman who was helping her. For her it's not just a story but she's made it her mission, never thinking that she can be in danger herself. She's fearless in trying to uncover the truth! Mathew Colton is a man born a bastard. His father is Lord Winthorp, a respected peer of the realm, and he has acknowledged him as his son. Mathew has a secret that if ever exposed, he's a dead man. A disgraced detective at Scotland Yard, he's trying to right a wrong and bring justice to his murdered partner. Their meeting was explosive! Trying to shield her in a brawl at the tavern, the attraction was palpable, and just like the moth is drawn to light so were Jennie and Mathew to each other. The killer has a new victim and its Jennie. A cat and mouse game ensues with the killer. Can Jennie and Colton trust each other with their secrets? A madman is on the prowl and will strike again. Will Jennie be his next victim? Can Colton save the only woman who has captured his heart and made him want to be the hero that she believes him to be? This book has it all! Murder, intrigue and a love story that sizzles, plus an ending that you would never believe! A little bit of Jack the Ripper and Sherlock Holmes makes for a gripping story that will have you holding your breath till the last page! Reviewer's Rating: 5 Stars | Content Rating: 4 1/2 Hearts | Reviewed by: Maria Rose Dariotis BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS London, 1890. In Victorian London, reporter Jennie Quinn employs deception as a weapon. Going undercover to seek justice for a murdered informant, she’s drawn into a powerful criminal’s seductive game of cat and mouse. Enigmatic former lawman Matthew Colton is as dangerous as he is clever, but the passion in his kiss is too tempting to resist. She aches to trust him, but she will not abandon her quest for the truth. Colton is a man with secrets of his own. Thirsting for vengeance, the disgraced Scotland Yard detective has infiltrated the criminal world he’s vowed to destroy. Jennie intrigues him, even as she breaks down the barriers around his heart. He yearns to uncover her secrets—in and out of his bed. Driven to shield her, he’ll risk everything to protect the woman whose love heals his soul. #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance

THE BOOK The Mackay Saga A READER'S OPINION Highland Yearning transports the reader and Ariel Sutherland to eighteenth-century Scotland, with the help of a magical object, where she meets Caden Mackay, a handsome and vigorous Highlander. I had not read the first book in this series but it does stand completely on its own. Caden and Ariel are both enjoyable characters and Caden is charming in many ways. We get to experience their struggles, their worries and their passions all while Ariel struggles to find a way back to her own time. It's a very typical Highland time-travel story that compares to many in the genre. It's an entertaining story and I like how Ariel's dog traveled back in time with her; it was a nice touch. Highland Yearning is certain to be enjoyed by fans of Highland time-travel romance. Star Rating: 3 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : 4 1/2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS Caden Mackay would never bed a Sutherland, let alone marry one. Bloody hell, what had possessed his twin brother to propose to one of the she-devils? And what is Caden to do with the Sutherland beauty who appears, as if by magic, in his library? The defiant intruder is the enemy, but she is unlike any woman Caden’s ever known, and her tantalizing curves and wide green eyes could tempt a monk. He must devise a way to stop the wedding. But can he stop the desire that makes him long to make Ariel Sutherland his own? Ariel’s life had never gone the way she’d hoped, but ending up in eighteenth century Scotland was a stretch, even for her. If not for her dog, Scruffy, she might have thought she’d walked into a romantic daydream. Especially since the object of her desire appears to be entirely too virile. But can she find her way back to her time, before her too-handsome Highlander makes her believe that love can conquer in any century? Print Length: 227 pages Publisher: Soul Mate Publishing LLC Publication Date: July 20, 2016 Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #HighlandRomance

He wanted no woman, except one made of sails and wood and wind ... Handsome, wily Irish privateer Captain Brendan Jay Merrick is running from a painful past -- and fighting for a new nation's future when he arrives in the colonial town of Newburyport, Massachusetts, with plans for shipwright Ephraim Ashton to build his magnificent new schooner. Brendan's daring sea battles against His Majesty's fleet have made him a legend in his adopted country—but one look at the dashing stranger and Ashton's daughter Mira starts making plans of her own. . . . She wanted no man—but him. Brash, hot-tempered, and born at sea in a raging gale, Mira Ashton is more than most men can manage. Disguising herself as a crew member and sneaking aboard Brendan's newly-built Kestrel, she becomes the schooner's finest gunner . . . and the captain's most outrageous distraction. As desire ignites between them, Mira finds herself competing against Kestrel for Brendan's love. But when tragedy strikes, Mira must join forces with her mighty rival in a daring adventure that turns the tide of battle and brings glorious victory to the colonists, the captain . . . and the lady who has captured his heart. ​ Series: Heroes of the Sea, Book Two A READER'S OPINION Captain Brendan Jay Merrick is a rising Naval officer in the British Royal Navy, and just like his father before him, his love and mistress was the sea. An all around golden boy, loved and admired by all, he was going places. Nothing could go wrong for the young rising star until one fateful day he boards his old ship, of which the vile and cruel Captain Crichton is in command and who was caught whipping one of the sailors. What ensues is life altering for Brendan, who's shot and falls overboard. Years pass and Brendan and Crichton will meet again. Mira Ashton is a young woman you has guts is vulgar and unrefined not your typical young lady. Her father owns a ship-building company and her brother is a well known privateer, and Mira his best gunner. Mira doesn't ever back down from a challenge she defends the weak, loves rescuing cats, riding like the wind, and sailing with her brother. Mira first meets Brendan when her brother brings him in half drowned, and her fascination with him turns to instant attraction. Brendan doesn't know what to make of her; he only knows that he can't help the attraction that burns in his veins for her. Brendan has Mira's father build him the finest ship in America history, and Britain for that matter. So much adventure and breathless discription of battles fought of life and death only enhances the lure of Danelle Harmon's gift of story telling. Will Captain Crichton get his revenge on Brendan? Can Mira compete with Brendan's love of the sea? Follow Mira and Brendan through an epic adventure on the high seas! Beautiful story and breathtaking battles, and a love story that will leave you wanting more! Danelle Harmon is incomparable in capturing your heart with her magical storytelling. ​ Format Read: E-Book Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Reviewer's Rating: 5 Stars | Content Rating: 4 Hearts | Reviewed by: Maria Rose Dariotis #AReadersOpinion