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Get ready to fall head over heels for book one of the Hearts of the West series, where hope, love, and longing come together in an irresistible package! Join us in welcoming Shanna Hatfield with In the Market for Love . Shanna joins us on a blog tour hosted by XpressoTours. There is also a limited-time giveaway at the end of this post. He’s never opened his heart to anyone. She wears her emotions on her sleeve. When romance blooms, will they realize love is what they both need? In the Market for Love by Shanna Hatfield Ransom Kressley possesses the gift of gab, striking good looks, and a blistering disdain for his family’s Idaho ranch where he resides with his father and identical twin brother. His genuine passion is football, but a knee injury shattered his dreams of an NFL career. After years of channeling his frustration and anger toward those who care about him most, Ransom resolves to change. He accepts a job in Portland as a promotions manager for an arena football team and eagerly steps into his new life. As he makes a fresh start, his past continues to plague him, interfering with his chance to get to know the woman who lingers in his thoughts. Despite her sunny smile and tender spirit, Kelly Truman isn’t in the market for love or even a relationship when she agrees to have lunch with her best friend’s soon-to-be brother-in-law. Familiar only with Ransom Kressley’s notorious reputation, Kelly is determined to keep her guard up around him. However, Ransom proves to be nothing like she expected. Soon, she realizes she cherishes time spent with the man, but fears trusting him with her heart. When their friendship evolves into something more, will Ransom’s charm and silver tongue split them apart or bind them together? A sweet romance full of warmth and humor, In the Market for Love is a story of hope, forgiveness, and redemption. Buy the Book Kindle Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from In the Market for Love Nervous for reasons she couldn’t begin to explain, she rushed to answer the door. She pulled it open to find Ransom on the other side of the screen door holding a bag from the hardware store in one hand and a large bag of peanut M&Ms in the other. Kelly could have kissed him, and it had nothing to do with him bringing her favorite candy. He looked delectable in a pair of faded jeans, scuffed boots, and a blue plaid western shirt with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows, exposing tanned, corded forearms. His hair was tousled, like he’d forked his hands through it a few times. “I’m so sorry to bother you, Ransom. Were you doing something important?” she asked as she pushed open the door and filled her lungs with his incredible scent as he stepped past her into the house. “Vitally important. I was cheering on the Seahawks when I got Celia’s text.” Aware of how much he loved football, Kelly felt as though he’d made a big sacrifice by coming to help her. “I’m so sorry, Ransom. I told Celia I’d figure it out.” “I’m glad she reached out, and you called. I can catch up on the game later.” “You can at least listen to it.” She took a step toward the coffee table, where she’d left the remote to the television, but Ransom shook his head. “It’s fine, Kelly. I’d rather hang out with you.” She wasn’t sure what to make of that since Ransom lived and breathed football. He walked into the kitchen, and she followed. As he set the bag on the counter by the sink and began extracting parts, he glanced over at her. “Tell me what happened.” “I’m not sure, exactly. The dishwasher was mid-cycle. I came in to get a drink, and water was gushing out of the cabinet. I opened it up, and the pipe that connects to the drain had fallen completely off. What would make it do that?” “A few things could make it do that, but it shouldn’t. I’m sorry you had to deal with this today.” He knelt down on the floor and removed the plastic wrap she’d used to cover the ends of the pipes. “Whew. That is ripe,” he said, turning his nose into his shoulder and drawing in a deep breath. “I’ll try to work fast.” And he did. Less than fifteen minutes later, the pipe was once again fastened to the drain, and Kelly turned the dishwasher back on. Ransom washed his hands while Kelly poured two glasses of apple cider. She would have offered Ransom a root beer if she’d had one, aware it was his favorite beverage. However, the apple cider was from the local farmer’s market. Dave’s wife, Randi, had brought a jug to Kelly yesterday at the winery. Kelly filled a plate with cinnamon cookies that she had baked the night before, then tipped her head toward the living room. “If you aren’t in a rush to head back to your apartment, would you like to stay and watch the rest of the game?” she asked, hoping Ransom would say yes. End of Excerpt. © Shanna Hatfield. Shared with permission for this blog tour. Meet the Author Shanna Hatfield 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 or find out more about her here: linktr.ee/ShannaHatfield Connect/Follow BookBub Goodreads Facebook Pinterest Instagram Twitter/X Title: In the Market for Love Author: Shanna Hatfield Series: Hearts of the West, book 1 Release Date: March 6, 2025 Pages: 150 pages Categories: Contemporary Romance Limited-Time Giveaway $20 Amazon gift card – 1 winner WW Ends March 13, 2025. US Only   Direct Rafflecopter Link Boring Legal Jargon:  The giveaway is open to the country/countries designated by the sponsor only, and ends at the specified date. You must be 18 or older to enter/at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Xpresso Tours. The winner will be contacted directly by the author or blog tour host.

Are you a fan of heartwarming love stories or intrigued by cowboys in Montana? If so, this novel promises to captivate your heart and imagination! Join us in welcoming Elsa Winckler with A Family with the Cowboy . Elsa joins us on a blog tour hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. There is also a limited-time giveaway at the end of this post. A Family with the Cowboy by Elsa Winckler Widowed rancher Hayden Weston knows what it means to be responsible for his siblings, his eight-year-old son, and the running of the huge family cattle ranch. Some even call him a stern and grumpy taskmaster and they’re not exactly wrong. So when Hayden discovers his son reading a storybook instead of doing chores, he calls on Luke’s teacher to talk about priorities. School teacher Laura Anderson is new to Marietta, Montana, and has never—until now—been reprimanded for encouraging a child to read. It doesn’t help that sweet Luke’s father is the handsome cowboy with the amber eyes that she met in Grey’s Saloon, or that she’s wildly attracted to him. Sparks keep flying as their paths keep crossing, but Hayden is determined not to give in to his incomprehensible need to have, hold, and protect Laura from any type of harm. He’s the one who’ll hurt her if he lets her stray too close. He’s not ready to admit his feelings or commit to sharing his life with her. Even if love comes tumbling in. Buy the Book Kindle B&N Nook Apple Books Kobo Google Play Enjoy an Excerpt at Tule Publishing Add to Bookbub   Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from A Family with the Cowboy Getting tingles down her back because a cowboy was looking at her was so not something she had time for right now. Squaring her shoulders, she opened the bathroom door. As she stepped out, she bumped into a solid body. Earthy tones of man and musk swirled around her. Immediately, all her senses jumped to attention. “Sorry,” she muttered, and tried to escape, but the person in front of her wasn’t moving. “Excuse me,” she tried again and, irritated, she pushed against him. Big mistake. Her hands landed on a warm, muscled torso. They both froze. She looked up. It was the same cowboy she’d caught staring at her minutes earlier. Those whiskey-colored eyes didn’t blink. “You passing through town?” a deep voice rumbled. She shook her head. One side of his mouth lifted ever so slightly. “Pity.” His head dropped. “Something tells me you may not be so averse to sweaty cowboys as you think.” Before she could catch her breath, he’d turned away and was walking through the swinging doors into the night. Blinking, she steadied herself against the wall. Oh, my. If the first cowboy she met in town had this effect on her, it was a good thing she was living and working in town and would hopefully not run into any on a daily basis. End of Excerpt © Elsa Winckler. Shared with permission on the blog tour. Meet the Author Elsa Winckler I have been reading love stories for as long as I can remember and when I ‘met’ the classic authors like Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James The Brontë sisters, etc. during my Honours studies, I was hooked for life. I married my college boyfriend and soul mate and after 43 years, 3 interesting and wonderful children and 3 beautiful grandchildren, he still makes me weak in the knees. We are fortunate to live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty’s Bay, South Africa with the ocean a block away and a beautiful mountain right behind us. And although life so far has not always been an easy ride, it has always been an exciting and interesting one! I like the heroines in my stories to be beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong.  And the heroes must be strong but possess a generous amount of sensitivity. They are of course, also gorgeous!  My stories typically incorporate the family background of the characters to better understand where they come from and who they are when we meet them in the story. Website : elsawinckler.com Connect/Follow BookBub Facebook Twitter/X Instagram Newsletter Title: A Family with the Cowboy Author: Elsa Winckler Series: The Westons of Montana, book one Release Date: Feb 18, 2025 Published by: Tule Publishing Pages: 197 Limited-Time Giveaway $10 Amazon gift card or E-book of My Montana Valentine by Elsa Winckler -1 winner each! Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! Boring Legal Jargon:  The giveaway is open to the country/countries designated by the sponsor only and ends on March 4, 2025 (or end of tour). You must be 18 or older to enter/at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. The winner will be contacted directly by the author or blog tour host.

Are you ready for a rousing medieval romance where temptation reigns and convenience is a matter of opinion? Join us in welcoming Denise Lynn with The Warrior's Bride Alliance . Denise joins us on a blog tour hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. There is also a limited-time giveaway at the end of this post. The Roul brothers are King David's Warrior Wolves - each finds their (true love/mate) with a little push from the king... The Warrior's Bride Alliance by Denise Lynn Denise Lynn returns to Harlequin Historical with an explosive medieval marriage-of-convenience story! She needs a husband… So she captures one! Lady Gillian of Rockskill desperately needs a husband—one strong and wealthy enough to protect her castle. So she has warrior Rory of Roul captured and blackmails him into marrying her! Awaking in a dungeon to a marriage proposal, Rory stuns his beguiling captor with a counteroffer: to free his men and complete his mission for the king, he agrees to a temporary chaste marriage. One that can be annulled when his quest is over. But despite their stormy beginning, their attraction grows, and so does the temptation to claim their wedding night! From Harlequin Historical: Your romantic escape to the past. Buy the Book Kindle Bookshop Mass Market Paperback Barnes & Noble Apple Books Kobo Google Play Harlequin Add to Bookbub Add to Goodreads Enjoy an Excerpt from The Warrior's Bride Alliance Chapter One Rockskill Keep, Scotland—spring 1146 ‘I have need of a husband.’ Rory of Roul shook his head to clear the thick fog muddling his mind and making his head pound. Where was he? He tried desperately to dredge up his last memory, but failed. Was it fog clouding his memory, or was it smoke from the fires set after the battle to lay waste to the land? Land now covered by dead bodies. Bodies not of men, but of smooth-faced boys who’d only recently sparred with wooden swords in mock battles. His stomach rolled at the horrors he’d committed. No. The battle was over. Without his liege’s permission or knowledge, he’d gathered his men and left. He was no longer in Normandy. He’d run like a traitorous dog with his tail between his legs back to King David begging for a mission—a wolf’s mission—any mission. He shook his head again. Slowly clearing the murkiness of his mind. He and two of his men had been heading for Rockskill Keep on the King’s orders. Rory jerked his head back, only to wince at the contact with the stone wall behind him. She needed a what? The bite of iron manacles securing his wrists and ankles to the cold wall at his naked back kept him from laughing at her statement. Why was there a woman on the battlefield? He blinked, then stared at the woman standing before him, not on a field of battle, but in a dimly lit cell, and asked, ‘Where are my men?’ ‘They are secure.’ ‘Secure?’ ‘In a better state than you.’ She shrugged, adding, ‘For now.’ She stepped closer. The top of her head barely reached his shoulder. ‘You worry about your men for naught. You should be concerned for your own well-being.’ He snorted. His well-being had been forfeited the moment he’d deserted his post and walked off the battlefield. The penalty for desertion—treason—would be death. The best he could hope for was that his liege the Count of Roul—his brother Elrik—would use a sharp blade and make it a quick, clean end. ‘Where am I?’ ‘Rockskill Keep.’ At least he’d arrived at the location of his mission for King David. ‘I demand an audience with the Lord of this Keep.’ ‘That would be impossible, as he is dead.’ A piece of information King David either didn’t know or had forgot to mention when he sent him here to bring the shipwrecks, smuggling, murders and other happenings at Rockskill to heel. ‘Then who is in charge here?’ ‘I am.’ ‘And you are?’ ‘The Lady of Rockskill.’ Rory wrenched hard against the restraints, angry at the knowledge that he was at this vixen’s mercy. He pulled harder on the chains, his chest nearly hitting her nose. She didn’t move, didn’t as much as flinch, simply looked up at him, warning, ‘If you harm me, you will die. But if you hurt yourself, I will send in the midwife. Trust me when I say you will not like her attention. She enjoys making her charges cry.’ He ignored her threat to send a woman’s healer instead of a surgeon to attend him. The slanted tilt of her lips and arching of her brows let him know she’d insulted him on purpose. And while he highly doubted a woman could make him cry, he was in no position to test that theory. She reached out, stopping just before her palm touched his chest. Her hand was so close that a breeze would not have passed between them. He looked down, wondering if her touch would burn, and suddenly was grateful that he only lacked clothing from the waist up. The woman paused, frowning. As if uncertain of her next move. Rory lifted a brow. If he didn’t know better, he would guess this woman had never been alone with a man before. Yet she had just claimed her husband had died. He watched the play of emotions cross her face as she stared at his chest, as if the sight was unfamiliar. Her curiosity while studying his shoulders, chest, then stomach blinked to hesitancy before she quickly flashed her gaze back up. But the raising of her finely arched brows and the slight widening of those blue eyes silently spoke of interest. She jerked her hand away, produced a dagger from behind her back and held the tip towards the tie of his braies. ‘It would be an easy thing to strip you completely. Perhaps I should see if the rest of you will suffice as husband material.’ Was she that witless, or truly that bold?  Rory doubted if she’d be bold enough to do so, but he had no desire to discover the answer, at least not while chained to a wall. ‘Do you know who I am?’ She tucked the dagger back behind her. ‘You are Rory of Roul, the youngest of King David’s wolves.’ She knew who he was and yet still saw fit to capture him? He frowned, unable to remember how this had happened. End of Excerpt. © Denise Lynn. Shared with permission for this blog tour. Click to view on Bookshop The Warrior’s Runaway Wife Warrior Wolves, book two The notorious Lord of Roul… …must take her as his bride! Lady Avelyn flees an unwanted betrothal to an elderly warlord only to be hunted down and returned to King David’s court by fearsome Elrik, Lord of Roul, a legendary warrior with a heart of ice—and a kiss of fire. And now Avelyn is bound to Elrik—and his bed—when Elrik is commanded to wed her instead! “Another sensual, action packed tale” — RT Book Reviews on At the Warrior’s Mercy Click to View on Bookshop At the Warrior’s Mercy Warrior Wolves, book one In twelfth-century Scotland, a woman is trapped into marriage with a warrior—by order of the king! Deceived and alone, Beatrice of Warehaven is forced to flee—straight into the powerful arms of feared warrior Gregor of Roul. He escorts her home, though not before a kiss ignites true passion between them. If Gregor is to gain his freedom, he must obey one last royal order—overthrow Warehaven and marry Beatrice. His betrayal will earn Beatrice’s hatred, but Gregor is prepared to go into battle with this stubborn beauty—and finish what he started with his innocent bride! Meet the Author Denise Lynn Denise Lynn lives in NW Ohio with her husband, son and slew of 4-legged "kids". She has been an avid reader of romance novels for many years, travelling to lands and times filled with brave knights, courageous ladies and never-ending love between the pages of those wonderful books. She writes medieval romances set in England, Ireland, Normandy, France and a few fictitious islands in the waters surrounding Great Britain. When not writing historical romances, she's likely working on paranormal romances with dragons, wizards and other assorted praeternatural beings – some set on the same fictitious islands created for her medievals. When Denise isn't writing, she can be found hiking, baking, sitting in front of a sewing machine, or snipping herbs for various edible and not-so-edible recipes. Website : www.denise-lynn.com Connect/Follow Goodreads Facebook Pinterest Instagram Twitter/X Title: The Warrior's Bride Alliance Author: Denise Lynn Series: Warrior Wolves, book three (Gillian of Rockskill and Rory of Roul) Release Date: February 25, 2025 (March 2025) Published by: Harlequin Historical Pages: 272 Categories: Historical Fiction, Historical Romance, Viking Historical Fiction, Medieval Romance Limited-Time Giveaway First Prize $30 Amazon gift card – 1 winner WW Second Prize Print copy of winner’s choice from Warrior Wolves 1-3 – 5 winners, US only!   Follow the tour HERE for special content and a giveaway! Boring Legal Jargon:  The giveaway is open to the country/countries designated by the sponsor only, and ends at the specified date. You must be 18 or older to enter/at the time of entry. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Silver Dagger Book Tours. The winner will be contacted directly by the author or blog tour host.

A Woman's Lot by Carolyn Hughes 🎧 Audiobook 🎧 Meonbridge Chronicles, Book 2 How can mere women resist the misogyny of men? 1352. In Meonbridge, a resentful peasant rages against Eleanor Titherige’s efforts to build up her flock of sheep. Susanna Miller’s husband, grown melancholy and ill-tempered, succumbs to idle gossip that his wife’s a scold. Agnes Sawyer’s yearning to be a craftsman is met with scorn. And the village priest, fearful of what he considers women’s “unnatural” ambitions, is determined to keep them firmly in their place. Many men hold fast to the teachings of the Church and fear the havoc the “daughters of Eve” might wreak if they’re allowed to usurp men’s roles and gain control over their own lives. Not all men in Meonbridge resist the women’s desire for change – indeed, they want it for themselves. Yet it takes only one or two misogynists to unleash the hounds of hostility and hatred… If you enjoy immersive historical fiction with a strong authentic feel, set in a time of change and challenge, especially for women, you’ll love A Woman’s Lot , the second MEONBRIDGE CHRONICLE. Find out for yourself if Meonbridge’s “unnatural” women stand up to their abusers. Listen! Buy the Audiobook Amazon Audible Audiobook Narrator: Alex Lee Also available in e-book and paperback At the time of this posting, this title is available to read on Kindle Unlimited. Discover the Series Praise for A Woman’s Lot “This book exceeded all my expectations. I did not read this story. I lived it!” ~ Mary Anne Yarde, The Coffee Pot Book Club “A treat for all the senses…totally true to its time and setting…” ~ Being Anne “I didn’t so much feel as if I were reading about medieval England as experiencing it first hand.” ~ Linda’s Book Bag “An absorbing account of the times.” ~ Historical Novel Society Meet Carolyn Hughes Carolyn Hughes has lived much of her life in Hampshire. With a first degree in Classics and English, she started working life as a computer programmer, then a very new profession. But it was technical authoring that later proved her vocation, word-smithing for many different clients, including banks, an international hotel group and medical instruments manufacturers. Although she wrote creatively on and off for most of her adult life, it was not until her children flew the nest that writing historical fiction took centre stage. But why historical fiction? Serendipity! Seeking inspiration for what to write for her Creative Writing Masters, she discovered the handwritten draft, begun in her twenties, of a novel, set in 14th century rural England… Intrigued by the period and setting, she realised that, by writing a novel set in the period, she’d be able to both learn more about the medieval past and  interpret it, which seemed like a thrilling thing to do. A few days later, the first Meonbridge Chronicle, Fortune’s Wheel , was under way. Six published books later (with more to come), Carolyn does now think of herself as an Historical Novelist. And she wouldn’t have it any other way… You can connect with Carolyn through her website www.carolynhughesauthor.com  and social media. Connect with Carolyn Twitter Facebook BlueSky BookBub Amazon Author Page Goodreads Book Title: A Woman's Lot Series: The Meonbridge Chronicles Author: Carolyn Hughes Publication Date: January 30th, 2025 (audiobook) Unabridged Listening Length: 12 hours and 15 minutes Publication Date: November 12th, 2018 Publisher: Riverdown Books Pages: 342 Genre: Historical Fiction

We are pleased to welcome Elizabeth de Veer to Books & Benches as she gives us a sneak peek at The Ocean in Winter . ''This tale of love, loss, grief, and connections is one that could shatter your heartstrings. It is a saga of family turmoil that hints of the supernatural—a world of spirits that try to alert of danger, the past, and the way forward.'' — Mystery & Suspense Enjoy an excerpt from The Ocean in Winter After a four-and-a-half-hour drive, I arrive in Manhattan, thrilled but terrified to be someplace new. The GPS takes me directly to the hotel, and shortly after eleven p.m., I check in. The room is tiny and cramped with a double bed and a reading chair that I need to squeeze past to get to the bathroom. The view isn’t much, just a row of brick buildings with layers of buildings beyond it, and more buildings beyond those. I sit down in the soft chair and stare out the window at the city for a while. I wonder if she’s out there in the darkness; maybe I am looking straight at her now but can’t see her. Then I notice, beside the chair, a stack of glossy magazines in a basket. A while ago, Today investigated hotel rooms and used ultraviolet light to show all the body fluids that never get cleaned from the bedspreads and walls, but I defy Savannah Guthrie and pick up a magazine—I don’t really want to touch the TV remote, but I probably will even- tually. It’s a couple of years old. I flip through pages and stop on a shiny perfume ad featuring a young woman dressed in brightly colored feathers, with darkness behind her. She holds a mask on a stick away from her face and gives a coy, mischievous smile. The line of cleavage from her breasts peeks out from behind the feath- ers. I look at the picture for several moments before I realize: this is my sister. And that is how Riley works: she appears where I do not expect her, in a place where I was not looking for her. And when I do find her, I barely recognize her. I wake up early in my hotel bed, then brave the remote to switch on the news; temperatures today will be relatively mild, midforties with low wind. After the winter we’ve been having up north, that sounds like spring. I lose myself again staring out the window as light rises to shine on the adjacent brick buildings. If she were dead, I would know it in my body; I am sure I would. I pour water from the sink into the coffee brewer and push the on button. Riley. She’s changed her address, phone number, and email address, all without tell- ing me or Alex or Dad. But why? Did she have a bad breakup? A stalker? A problem with work? Taxes? People don’t just fall off the face of the earth. Do they? I sit on the edge of the bed and drink my coffee. She could be hurt, alone, scared. Or, then again, maybe her boyfriend is a member of the Saudi royal family and she’s with him on his yacht right now, lying on a beach chair off the coast of Dubai. Maybe she needs to keep quiet about it because he’s married. Maybe she’s in the witness protection program. Maybe she’s a spy. I think about these things, and there is a pull on my insides, a sour kind of ache of something I half know but don’t want to admit. Maybe Riley started using opioids again. And if that’s happening, we really need to be worried. Riley, where are you? End of Excerpt Excerpt Copyright © Elizabeth de Veer. Shared with permission. About the Book The Ocean in Winter The lives of the three Emery sisters were changed forever when Alex, eleven at the time, found their mother drowned in the bathtub of their home. After their mother's suicide, the girls' father shut down emotionally, leaving Alex responsible for caring for Colleen, then eight, and little Riley, just four. Now the girls are grown and navigating different directions. Alex, a nurse, has been traveling in India and grieving her struggle to have a child; Colleen is the devoted mother of preteens in denial that her marriage is ending; and Riley has been leading what her sisters imagine to be the dream life of a successful model in New York City. Decades may have passed, but the unresolved trauma of their mother's death still looms over them creating distance between the sisters. Then on a March night, a storm rages near the coast of northeastern Massachusetts. Alex sits alone in an old farmhouse she inherited from a stranger. The lights are out because of the storm; then, an unexpected knock at the door. When Alex opens it, her beautiful younger sister stands before her. Riley has long been estranged from their family, prompting Colleen to hire the private investigator from whom they'd been awaiting news. Comforted by her unexpected presence, Alex holds back her nagging questions: How had Riley found her? Wouldn't the dirt roads have been impassable in the storm? Why did Riley insist on disappearing back into the night? After her mysterious visitation, Alex and Colleen are determined to reconcile with Riley and to face their painful past, but the closer they come to finding their missing sister, the more they fear they'll only be left with Riley's secrets. An unforgettable story about grief, love, and what it means to be haunted, The Ocean in Winter marks the debut of a remarkable new voice in fiction. Blackstone Publishing | Amazon | Barnes & Noble ''Do we choose our memories, or do our memories choose us? That's the central question for the three sisters in Elizabeth de Veer's emotionally rich, incandescent debut novel. The Ocean in Winter is a page-turner of a book with a family mystery at its core, and profoundly explores the ways in which women struggle to rebuild their lives after grief and trauma. You won't want to put it down once you start.'' — Holly Robinson, author of Beach Plum Island and Chance Harbor The Author Elizabeth de Veer has a Master of Theological Studies from Harvard Divinity School and has been admitted to writing residencies at the Jentel Artist Residency, the Hambidge Center for Creative Arts and Sciences, and the Virginia Center for the Creative Arts. She is a member of several writing groups, including Grub Street Writers’ Collective of Boston, the Newburyport Writers’ Group, Sisters in Crime New England, and the New Hampshire Writers’ Project. She lives in a small town in Northeast Massachusetts with her husband, daughter, and labradoodle. To learn more, check out her web site at elizabethdeveer.com . Connect with Elizabeth on Facebook and Instagram . Genre: Women's Fiction Type: Novel Publisher: Blackstone Publishing Publication Date: July 6, 2021 Content Rating: 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!

Whether you're a seasoned mystery aficionado or new to the genre, this book promises a journey filled with intrigue that you won’t want to miss out on. Check out Murder on West Lake by I. M. Foster! A scream shattered the tranquil air, echoing off the ice-covered lake, and Daniel's heart froze. He knew that voice all too well. About Murder on West Lake by I.M. Foster A scream shattered the tranquil air, echoing off the ice-covered lake, and Daniel's heart froze. He knew that voice all too well. After a pleasant afternoon of ice skating on the frozen waters of West Lake, local librarian Kathleen Brissedon stumbles across a gruesome sight in the nearby gazebo. It only takes a moment for her beau, assistant coroner Doctor Daniel O'Halleran, to determine that the victim was murdered. To protect Kathleen from the ghastly sight of the man’s slashed throat, Daniel insists she return home while he examines the body further. Though the immediate cause of death appears obvious, he fears the subsequent autopsy will uncover more questions than answers, and it's clear that he has his work cut out for him if he's going to find the person responsible. Kathleen has no intention of remaining demurely at home, not when there's a murder to solve. Slipping back to the scene, she conducts her own investigation. Though her discoveries prove interesting, Daniel is too concerned about her safety to stifle his annoyance, especially after the killer makes a second attempt closer to home. But as the puzzle pieces begin to fall into place and Daniel starts closing in on the truth, the killer sets their sights on him. With the danger increasing, Kathleen intent on assisting in the investigation, and his family descending on Patchogue to spend the Christmas holidays, Daniel has his hands full. Will he and Kathleen be able to put their heads together and discover who is behind the attacks, or will the killer continue to plague the tranquil South Shore village unhindered? Buy the Book Kindle | Paperback As of this posting, this title is available in Kindle Unlimited. Meet I.M. Foster I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist. Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. Website:  www.imfostermysteries.com   Connect/Follow Online Amazon  | BookBub  | Goodreads  | Twitter/X  | Facebook  | Instagram Title: Murder on West Lake Series: South Shore Mystery series – Book 3 Author: I. M. Foster Publication Date: December 9th, 2024 Pages: 438 Genre: Historical Mystery Thank you for visiting Books & Benches! Consider helping the authors who write the books by sharing this post.

Driven by violence, treachery, and the sea's merciless tides, their fates collide. 'A compelling blend of historical detail and inspired storytelling.' —Tony Riches, author of The Brandon Trilogy . The Fugitive's Sword by Eleanor Swift-Hook Autumn 1624 Europe is deeply embroiled in what will become the Thirty Years' War. A young Philip Lord, once favoured at King James' court, has vanished without a trace, under the shadow of treason. Outside the besieged city of Breda, Captain Matthew Rider faces the brutal reality of wintering his cavalry in the siege lines, until he crosses paths with Filippo Schiavono, a young man whose courage and skill could change everything. Kate, Lady Catherine de Bouqulement, arrives in London prepared to navigate the dangerous politics of King James' court to ensure troops are sent to her mistress, the exiled Queen of Bohemia. Within Breda’s walls, a foundling named Jorrit unwittingly stumbles into a lethal conspiracy when Schiavono hires him, supposedly to help sell smuggled tobacco. But Schiavono’s plans go awry and they are compelled to flee the city, only to be captured at sea. If Schiavono is unable to prove his loyalty and ruthlessness to a savage Dunkirker privateer captain, both he and Jorrit will face certain death. Meanwhile, in London, Kate is forced to fight her own battle against those seeking to coerce her into their schemes and finds herself trapped in a terrifying and deadly power struggle. Driven by violence, treachery, and the sea's merciless tides, their fates collide. Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback At the time of this posting, this title is in Kindle Unlimited. Enjoy an Excerpt from The Fugitive's Sword  by Eleanor Swift-Hook Inside the besieged city of Breda, November 1624   “Love maketh lean the fat men’s tumour, So doth tobacco. Love still dries up the wanton humour, So doth tobacco.”   Jorrit heard the voice raised lightly in song and scrambled out from his hiding place behind the tavern’s cesspit. The Englishman. If Jorrit was quick enough he might get to him before any of the other boys, as he had on a previous occasion. Then he might hope to earn some pennings. Many pennings indeed. The last time he had helped the Englishman he had been rewarded with a whole dubbeltje. Incentive enough to send Jorrit scurrying.   “Love makes men sail from shore to shore, So doth tobacco. ‘Tis fond love often makes men poor So doth tobacco.”   Having some understanding of English, Jorrit heard the words and knew what the Englishman would be bringing. He was a tobacco smuggler.   Breda had had plenty of time to prepare itself for the siege and was well provisioned with just about everything from ham and cheese to bread and fruit, and there were animals and stocks of grain ready at need. Everyone, even Jorrit, knew they could last until next year easily and no one thought for a moment the Spanish would stay so long as that. It was late November and once the winter really began to bite, they would die like flies and those who were left would desert or withdraw. That was of course if the Stadtholder Maurits, half-brother to Justinus von Nassau who commanded the garrison here, did not before that bring an army in strength and sweep the Spanish into the sea.   Jorrit had heard all this, and he had no reason to doubt it. But he also knew that when the burghers had laid their plans and made provision in their stocks and supplies, they had thought of wine and beer, but no one had considered that they might need a supply of tobacco. He knew because everyone complained about it.   Which was why the Englishman came sneaking into the city. Tobacco here was worth ten times what he might get for it in Amsterdam or Haarlem or even amongst the Spanish outside the walls. The Englishman was just one of the men risking his life to penetrate those Spanish troops and reach the defences where there were many eager to help him inside with his precious cargo. And then he needed boys like Jorrit to help carry the load and distribute his wares.   “Love makes men scorn all coward fears, So doth tobacco. Love often sets men by the ears, So doth tobacco.”   To Jorrit’s delight there were no other boys in sight. But then it was not yet dawn and the only people who were up were those preparing for the working day. If he had not been out early to try and fish, Jorrit himself would have been curled up in his truckle in Moeder Machteld’s attic. As it was, he had not managed to fish at all and had even lost his line and the carefully collected bait. One of the men he had cozened out of five duits the previous day had also been out fishing and, seeing him, had given chase. Which was why Jorrit had concealed himself behind the cesspit in the first place.   If Moeder Machteld knew he had been out thieving again she would box his ears and maybe even throw him out of the house. If he could get honest work with the Englishman, he could bring her the money in good conscience and she would not believe the tales that the fisherman might take to her.   He caught up with the Englishman and then had to half run still to match his broad stride. He was carrying a huge pack, but the weight of it seemed not to slow him at all.   “You need a runner again, sir? I can help you, sir. You will remember I was very useful to you last time. I’m the boy who can speak English.”   The Englishman stopped and looked down at him. Despite himself Jorrit shivered inside. The man’s eyes were as cold as the sea in winter and the turquoise colour of it on a clear day. He wore a sword with a basket hilt and looked as if he would be happy to use it given any excuse. He had hair that was white, but not from age—far from it, he was not at all an old man. In fact, he looked no older than Pieter who’d just turned sixteen and had once been one of Moeder Machteld’s boys but now worked for her, keeping the house in good repair and turning away those who came to the door and were unwelcome. The Englishman was taller than Pieter though, but his shoulders were not so broad nor his chest as deep. He frowned now, as if annoyed that Jorrit had troubled him.   “I know my numbers,” Jorrit said quickly., “I can read and write too.” Moeder Machteld had seen to that as she did for all the boys she took under her roof. She made sure they all went to school at least two or three mornings each week and then made them read to her from their pocket books.   “If I remember, you are called Jorrit,” the Englishman said. “Last time I was here you found out some information for me.”   He had not forgotten.   Jorrit nodded and grinned. It had been easy enough. The Englishman had wanted to know the size and strength of the Spanish and defending forces around the southern gate and needed a sketch of the defences there so he could see if that might offer him a better route into the city. As time went on and the Spanish lines drew ever more tightly, Jorrit knew it was becoming harder for men to sneak in and out and new routes were needed.   “That’s me, sir. Can I help you again today, sir?”   The Englishman was looking at him with a little more interest now.   “I’m not sure, can you?” He hefted the heavy pack on his shoulders then slid it to the ground. “Here, you look strong enough. You can carry this.” End of excerpt. Copyright © Eleanor Swift-Hook Praise for Eleanor Swift-Hook 'Brutal, dark, and brilliant; it kept me gripped from the gruesome opening to the thrilling conclusion.' —Jemahl Evans, author of The Last Roundhead . 'Thrilling and powerful battle scenes, an intriguing conspiracy that runs through the books and a dash of romance – the Lord’s Legacy series has it all’ —Fiona Forsyth, author of the Publius Ovidius mysteries . Meet the Author Eleanor Swift-Hook enjoys the mysteries of history and fell in love with the early Stuart era at university when she re-enacted battles and living history events with the English Civil War Society. Since then, she has had an ongoing fascination with the social, military and political events that unfolded during the Thirty Years’ War and the Wars of the Three Kingdoms. The Soldier's Stand , book two in Lord's Learning and the sequel to The Fugitive's Sword , is now available for preorder  and will be released on 25 February, 2025.   She lives in County Durham and loves writing stories woven into the historical backdrop of those dramatic times. Website: www.eleanorswifthook.com Twitter/X | Facebook | BlueSky | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads This blog tour was organized by: Book Details Book Title: The Fugitive’s Sword Series: Lord’s Learning, book 1 Author: Eleanor Swift-Hook Publication Date: 8th October 2024 Publisher: Schiavona Books Pages: 305 Genre: Historical Adventure

A historical coming of age saga of teenage girl's courage and triumph. Let Charlotte's story in Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane be a reminder that no darkness is too deep, no tyranny too strong, when fueled by the relentless pursuit of justice. Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane A sulfur sky poisoned her family and her heart. Now revenge tastes sweeter than justice. It’s 1900. In a Pennsylvania coal town tainted by corruption and pollution, Charlotte's world collapses when her parents meet a tragic end. Sent to a foster family in a Maryland fishing village, she’s fueled by grief and embarks on a relentless quest for justice against the ruthless coal boss, Nels Pritchard. But Charlotte is no ordinary girl. She shares the fiery spirit of her father, whose powerful speeches inspired worker riots. With a burning desire for vengeance, she sets out to uncover the truth behind Pritchard's crimes, unearthing a shocking connection between the town's toxic air and the lifeless fish washing up on the shore of her Chesapeake Bay foster town. To expose the truth, Charlotte builds a network of unexpected allies. There are gutsy suffragists, a literary society of teenage girls willing to print the truth… and Weylan. The captivating young man lost his own family to Pritchard’s poison. He offers support, but Charlotte questions his true motives when he lures her to break the law. Could she be falling into a dangerous trap, leading her to a fate worse than poison? With her unwavering spirit and determination, Charlotte must forge alliances and navigate a web of treachery before Pritchard seeks his own ruthless revenge. Join Charlotte in this small town, coming-of-age dystopian historical saga as she finds resilience, courage, and triumph in her search for identity, independence, and her true home. Buy the Book: Kindle | Paperback Bookshop | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million At the time of this posting, this title is in Kindle Unlimited. " Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane is a captivating and profound reading experience, skillfully blending emotion and suspense to create a memorable story." — The Historical Fiction Company Enjoy an Excerpt from Downriver by Jennifer M. Lane I spend a fitful night tangled in my sheets. In the morning, I gather the stories the literary society has collected and written, and I pack them into the bottom of a fruit basket. I cover them with apricots in case I’m stopped along the way. Then I dress in a dark skirt and a shirt and, slip in the morning light.   With my eyes peeled for anyone who might see me, I traipse through the tree line along the side of the newspaper building with my skirt hiked over my shoes to keep the burrs from sticking to my hem. Then I knock on the back door like Weylan told me to. Three quick raps. A pause. Two more.   The door flies open so fast, he must have been standing next to it waiting for me. He pulls me into the darkness, and into a short hall. There are rooms on either side, their doors open at odd angles, and the sunlight streaming in the roofline windows makes triangles on the floor. He motions for me to follow him down the hall. “Did anyone see you?”   “No.” I pull the pages from the bottom of the basket as I follow him down the hall. “How long do you think it will take?”   “No idea.”   A room this large should feel emptier than it does. Chairs and stools are scattered around with no rhyme or reason, pushed out of the path of the last people who worked here. Counters run along two walls. All sorts of letter trays and boxes of letters clutter the place. It smells like damp concrete. Like rocks and old wood.   This isn’t his first time here in the daylight. I can tell by how easily he moves, pushing letter cases around on the counter. I spread the pages out in order, and he hands me a little metal tray with a locking slide on one end.   “It’s a composing stick,” he says. “This lever sets the column width. We’ll line the letters up in this tray, here. You put them in upside down.”   “That’s a relief,” I say. “Much easier than backwards.”   “It still takes time, but at least we can work together. We can work on separate stories and piece them together when we’re done.”   It’s too finicky a task for much talking, and our silence is easy at first, comfortable and warm, but questions worm into the quiet, and I can’t resist indulging them.   “You don’t trust me?” I ask.   “I do now. Generally, I don’t trust anyone.”   “I’m honored then.”   “Is this like what your father did in Stoke?” he asks.   “No, not at all. He gave speeches.”   “He worked with coal?”   “Not his whole life, but yes.” The words fall out of me easily. “When my parents were young, it was a small village. A few houses, mostly farms. A chapel. Then someone found coal, and people sold off their farms in pieces. Their sons started working there, like my father. They liked the company store and all it promised, but they traded their lives for a pittance. Didn’t realize they were selling their souls until it was too late.”   “What do you miss the most?” he asks.                         “My life,” I say with a snort. “The little things, honestly. It was a beautiful place to live, but I miss the tall clock in the sitting room. The sound of people walking on the porch. How the front door slammed. The smell of the kitchen. I miss the woods around us, because I knew every tree. And I miss my father’s pen.”   “His pen?” Weylan almost laughs.   “It’s silly. I know. It wasn’t silver or anything fancy. Just carved wood.   “What happened to it?” He lifts a full block of text and places it on the galley tray.   “Lost when we moved. The bank said it all had to be sold, everything but our clothes. It belongs to someone else now. It’s my turn. Can I ask you something?”   “Of course,” he says.   “Did you ever look into the fish? Were you ever so angry you wanted to know why they made people sick?”   He raises a shoulder. “The truth belongs to powerful people like Whitaker. It’s easier to let them have it.”   “You can’t honestly believe that.” I pluck a comma from a tray and place it at the end of line. It makes a satisfying click as I press it into place. “That doesn’t sound like you at all. Besides, that’s a reality they’re shaping, not the truth.”   Weylan says nothing for so long that I think I’ve offended him. He works with his head down, finishing a line and topping it with a lead slug. He feels far away.   “All of these people told their stories,” I say. “They—”   “I’m not telling mine.” His voice isn’t rough but it’s definitive.   “No, I suspect if you wanted to, you would have by now. I just mean that putting it into words can be good.”   “I’m sure that’s true,” he says. “But once you put it out there, people can do what they want with it. They can twist it. Change it. Call you a liar. I prefer cold facts.”   Facts. Another thing we have in common. I would chase them to the end of the earth. “That’s fair.   The silence falls on us again, and I’m torn between apologizing and not being sorry at all.   “I didn’t mean to push,” I say. That much is true. This strange club we belong to doesn’t mean we feel the same, and that’s fine. He doesn’t need or want my apology; I can tell by his smile. No offense meant, none taken.   “I’m afraid,” he says.   “Afraid of this? Of what they’ll do if they find out it was us?”   “No. Of the truth.” He places a full block of letters on the galley and starts over. “Because once you know the truth, you might feel even more powerless. I want to build my own life, my own future. Not have it taken from me or dictated. I can’t do that if it all feels pointless.”   “So what made you want to help us, then?” I ask with a great deal of hesitation. “If you don’t want to know the truth—”   He turns to face me, his elbow on the counter, inspecting his thumb. The lead makes our fingers gray and metallic, as if we’ve been mining for something precious.   “I offered because I met someone who wasn’t afraid of the truth. Someone who went looking for it. And I want to know her more.”   My breath catches in my throat. He makes an odd sort of melancholy wince, like he’s choking back a disappointment, and I don’t know if it’s with himself or with me, but I do know this is the best and worst thing I could have heard because every moment I’m with Weylan feels less lonely. It feels like action, like my heart has momentum, and revenge eats at me less since I met him. It’s direction and hope, all mashed together, and the lightness I feel with him I can only describe as relief and whatever the opposite of alone is. Since I met Weylan, my life has a purpose even more salient than the acid cloud of vengeance that’s hung over me, and not only is it distracting, it’s the kind of thing I could get used to. I could come to crave being with him. But that means I’d have something to risk losing, and I’m never going to let myself lose another thing again. End of excerpt. Copyright © Jennifer M. Lane Meet the Author A Maryland native and Pennsylvanian at heart, Jennifer M. Lane holds a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Barton College and a master’s in liberal arts with a focus on museum studies from the University of Delaware, where she wrote her thesis on the material culture of roadside memorials.   Jennifer is a member of the Authors Guild and the Historical Novel Society. Her first book, Of Metal and Earth , won the 2019 Next Generation Indie Book Award for First Novel and was a Finalist in the 2018 IAN Book of the Year Awards in the category of Literary / General Fiction. She is also the author of Stick Figures from Rockport , and the six book series, The Collected Stories of Ramsbolt . Website: www.jennifermlanewrites.com   Twitter/X | Facebook | Instagram | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads This blog tour was organized by: Book Details Book Title: Downriver Series: The Poison River Series (Book 1) Author: Jennifer M. Lane Publication Date: May 28, 2024 Publisher: Pen & Key Publishing Pages: 344 Genre: Historical Any Triggers: Death, Violence

Prepare to be transported to Italy, where whispers linger in the air and mysteries lurk around every corner. The sun sets over a picturesque town, casting long shadows that hide forbidden truths, stolen treasures, and the danger of betrayal. Welcome to a story of "shrouded mystery, caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, theft, lies, and attempted murder." About Trouble in Assisi by Heidi Eljarbo Assisi, 1973. On art historian Fabiola Bennett’s first day in Assisi, a local gentleman takes her aside to ask for advice about a painting that has wondrously appeared in the basilica’s bell tower. So much for enjoying relaxing days filled with dining on pasta and gelato.   Soon, Fabiola and her besties, Pippa and Cary, are thrown into a shrouded mystery and caught up in a whirlwind of intrigue, theft, lies, and attempted murder, all of which overshadows the postcard-like charm of the small, historic town.   Rome, 1511. Life is going well for Teodoro Nicoletti. Since he was a young man in Florence, he has worked and learned alongside the most-favored artist Raphael.   When Pope Julius II commissions Raphael to paint several frescos in the reception rooms of the Vatican Palace, Teodoro follows his master to Rome and discovers firsthand the admiration and rivalry between Raphael and two other reigning artists: Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci.   But the prickliest thorn in Teodoro’s side is his beloved Elisabetta’s father. The old man is determined to keep his youngest daughter from becoming Teodoro’s wife. Buy the Book This title is available to read on Kindle Unlimited. Kindle | Paperback Check out the Fabiola Bennet Mystery series! Meet Author Heidi Elbarjo Heidi Eljarbo is the award-winning author of dual-timeline historical fiction with heartwarming clean romance, wit, and adventurous mystery. Heidi grew up in a home filled with books and artwork and never imagined she would do anything other than write and paint. She studied art, languages, and history, danced on the BYU Ballroom Dance Team, and still sings in choirs. After living in Canada, six US states, Japan, Switzerland, and Austria, Heidi now calls Norway home. She and her husband have a total of nine children, and fifteen grandchildren—so far—in addition to a bouncy Wheaten Terrier. Their favorite retreat is a mountain cabin, where they hike in the summertime and ski the vast, white terrain during winter. Heidi’s favorites are family, God's beautiful nature, and the word whimsical. Sign up for Heidi’s newsletter ! Connect with Heidi Website  • Twitter  • Facebook  • Instagram  • Pinterest BookBub  • Amazon Author Page  • Goodreads Book Title: Trouble in Assisi Series: A Fabiola Bennett Mystery Author: Heidi Eljarbo Publication Date: 28th May 2024 Publisher: Independently published Pages: ~ 225 pages Genre: Historical Mystery / Dual Timeline Mystery

Are you a fan of curling up with a thrilling murder mystery that keeps you guessing? If so, don't miss Murder on West Main by I. M. Foster! A breeze blew up from the water, causing her to shiver, so he took his jacket off to place it over her shoulders. About Murder on West Main by I.M. Foster When Colin Brissedon arrives at work one summer morning to find his new boss murdered, all eyes turn to him. After all, the man had threatened to fire him just a few days before, and his colleagues are more than happy to tell the tale. Kathleen admits her brother is no angel, but she can’t believe he would sink this low. Fortunately for them, neither does Daniel O’Halleran, the village’s new coroner’s assistant. Of course, he needs more than his gut feeling to prove it. But that’s not going to be an easy task, considering the victim does not appear to have been held in high regard. In fact, Daniel is hard-pressed to find anyone who did like him, though there are more than a few who had reason to wish the man dead. To make matters worse, Kathleen is intent on conducting her own investigation despite his wishes, and he fears the consequences could be deadly. And yet, with the pieces of the puzzle laid before him, he can’t shake the feeling that something is missing, an integral clue that will tie everything else together. Will Daniel be able to find the elusive detail and discover the reason behind the gruesome murder of the prominent attorney? Or will the guilty party live to kill again? Buy the Book This title is available to read on Kindle Unlimited Universal Buy Link Meet I.M. Foster I. M. Foster is the pen name author Inez Foster uses to write her South Shore Mystery series, set on Edwardian Long Island. Inez also writes historical romances under the pseudonym Andrea Matthews, and has so far published two series in that genre: the Thunder on the Moor series, a time-travel romance set on the 16th century Anglo-Scottish Borders, and the Cross of Ciaran series, which follows the adventures of a fifth century Celt who finds himself in love with a twentieth century archaeologist. Inez is a historian and librarian, who love to read and write and search around for her roots, genealogically speaking. She has a BA in History and an MLS in Library Science and enjoys the research almost as much as she does writing the story. In fact, many of her ideas come to her while doing casual research or digging into her family history. Inez is a member of the Long Island Romance Writers, and the Historical Novel Society. Website:  www.imfostermysteries.com   Connect/Follow Online Twitter:   twitter.com/IMFosterMystery   Facebook:  facebook.com/IMFosterMysteries Instagram:  instagram.com/imfosterauthor   Book Bub:   bookbub.com/profile/i-m-foster   Amazon Author Page:  amazon.com/stores/I-M-Foster/author/BQBFQK8854 Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/22926746.I_M_Foster    Book Title: Murder on West Main Series: A South Shore Mystery Author: I. M. Foster Publication Date: December 20th, 2023 Pages: 368

Climb aboard! Don't miss the heart-pounding climax of the Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail series. Rolling Home is the final installment. Rolling Home by David Fitz-Gerald In the heart of the rolling village, dissent brews as the stubbornest naysayer refuses to continue the journey. With an ominous early snowfall and memories of the ill-fated Donner Party haunting the pioneers, Dorcas Moon faces a new wave of challenges. Just when she believes things can't get worse, a disastrous river crossing claims their wagon and submerges their belongings. As the rolling village approaches the final leg of the journey, the looming threat of outlaws intensifies. The notorious bandit known as The Viper and his ruthless brothers are determined to rob the greenhorns, sell their stock, and kill every last one of them. The pioneers had heard tales of their brutality, but now, with Dorcas' daughter kidnapped and Dorcas captured, everyone is in danger. What will become of Dorcas Moon, her family, and their friends? Will anyone survive the perilous journey? Rejoin the expedition and witness the thrilling end to a gripping saga. ••• This title is available to read on Kindle Unlimited. Kindle | Paperback ••• Discover the Rest of the Series ••• Meet the Author David Fitz-Gerald writes westerns and historical fiction. He is the author of twelve books, including the brand-new series, Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail set in 1850. Dave is a multiple Laramie Award, first place, best in category winner; a Blue Ribbon Chanticleerian; a member of Western Writers of America; and a member of the Historical Novel Society. Alpine landscapes and flashy horses always catch Dave’s eye and turn his head. He is also an Adirondack 46-er, which means that he has hiked to the summit of the range’s highest peaks. As a mountaineer, he’s happiest at an elevation of over four thousand feet above sea level. Dave is a lifelong fan of western fiction, landscapes, movies, and music. It should be no surprise that Dave delights in placing memorable characters on treacherous trails, mountain tops, and on the backs of wild horses. Website | BookBub | Amazon | Goodreads   Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Linktree Book Title: Rolling Home Series: Ghosts Along the Oregon Trail (book 5) Author: David Fitz-Gerald Publication Date: June 15, 2024 Publisher: David Fitz-Gerald Pages: 254 Genre: Western, Historical Fiction

Forbidden love in a country in turmoil . . . What a way to draw the reader in! Escape to the Bordeaux countryside during the reign of Napoleon III with unexpected twists, romance, and historical intrigue. Michèle Callard shares a glimpse into The Sand Vines with an excerpt from the book. Read on and enjoy! "Callard's ability to paint a world with her words brings the story alive. I loved it."– Amazon Review About The Sand Vines by Michèle Callard Bordeaux 1870 – Life is hard on the moor. If Flore, a shepherd’s daughter, is not married by autumn, she must go into service and lose everything she holds dear. Back form the French army, the dashing Ricar has set her heart and body on fire. Will he propose to her before it is too late? Martial the viscount’s son adores Flore from afar. Aware that she can never be his. When a betrayal and a forest fire put Flore in danger, Martial seizes his chance, grabs her hand and takes her to safety far away in the north of France, hoping they might start afresh, but war looms. . . Will it bring them together or tear them apart? Buy the Book The Sand Vines Enjoy an Excerpt from The Sand Vines by Michèle Callard Notre-Dame de Paris Just below her, corseted inside brand-new quays, the wide ribbon of the Seine flowed west, carrying trains of barges. Snug inside its wall, a stylish, elegant Paris was rising from mud, scaffolding and rubble. It was not at all what Flore had expected. No wonder Martial’s brother had fallen in love with it. He had money. Paris was a courtesan, a grande cocotte, fun only for those who could afford her. Beguiling, expensive, Paris put on airs, while at her heart lurked a core of poverty and shame. After a long time, Flore turned to Minnie. ‘What’s it like where you come from?’ Minnie did not answer at first, focussed on a large expanse of green to the right of the river. ‘See those two grand buildings down there? They are the Louvre and the Tuileries Palace, where the emperor lives. A lot of people hate him. They want a republic, as we have in America. He won’t last much longer.’ Serious, her gaze now bore into Flore. ‘Let me tell you something. When he goes, I won’t want to be around.’ Her chin in her hands, she leaned against the parapet. ‘I come from New York. It’s just like Paris. How about you?’ ‘My country is marshy and wild, but to me it has everything, woods, rivers, the ocean.’ Flore’s voice trailed. Would she ever see it again? ‘They’re planting pines all over it now. Soon it will be the biggest forest in the world.’ ‘What’s wrong with pines?’ ‘You can’t eat them.’ Minnie pointed south. ‘Over there is the entrance to the catacombs, the first stop in my ghoulish tour of Paris. Underground caves full of bones and skulls. You visit them by candlelight. Americans love it.’ ‘Bones?’ ‘Uh-huh. You can also visit the sewers, ride over them in a little cart. It’s a bit smelly, but it’s fun.’ She hugged herself. ‘Brrr, it’s windy up here. Come on, let’s go down.’ Skulls? Sewers? Flore wondered as she crossed the wide space where Quasimodo had yearned for Esmeralda. Fun? She caught up with Minnie at the bottom of the steps. ‘The catacombs, is that where you’re taking me?’ ‘Not today. Our next stop’s right here.’ Minnie halted in front of an imposing stone building just behind the cathedral. ‘We’re in luck—there’s no queue today. You would not believe the queues normally. They go on for miles.’ They joined a line of working women in aprons and bourgeoises in crinolines herding their broods into a wide corridor and shuffled forward, following the sound of water. An aquarium! They were all the rage. Flore had seen them in almanacs and could not wait to see the fish. Step by step, they chatted until they came to a large marble space with a floor-to-ceiling expanse of glass to one side. Flore halted, suddenly very cold. This was no aquarium. End of Excerpt ©Michèle Callard. Meet Michèle Callard Michèle Callard grew up in France. A country girl at heart, she swapped her Paris flat for a cottage in rural England where she lives with her Irish husband and the youngest of her three sons. She writes fast-paced novels set in different regions of France, bursting with authentic characters, colours, flavours, and history. Visit her online at michelecallard.com . Follow/Find the Author Online Website: michelecallard.com Facebook: facebook.com/michelecallardauthor Instagram: instagram.com/michele.oconnell.44 Threads: threads.net/@michele.oconnell.44 Pinterest: pinterest.co.uk/oconnellofsalford Book Bub: bookbub.com/profile/michele-callard Amazon Author Page: amazon.com/stores/Michèle-CALLARD/author/B09WRT58ZT Goodreads: goodreads.com/author/show/22320819.Mich_le_Callard Book Details Book Title: The Sand Vines Series: The Vine Saga, Book 1 Author: Michèle CALLARD Publication Date: 01 May 2024 Publisher: Millefeuille Press Page Length: 400 Genre: Historical fiction Like what you've read? We hope you'll share the bookish joy with others! Thank you for visiting Books & Benches and supporting the authors.