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"I love suspense/mystery/ghost stories. Claire Gem doesn’t disappoint with this book . . . A warm love story with page-turning suspense. I loved this book!" — Reviewer An addiction counselor and a security guard struggle to free a little girl and her father, two lost spirits trapped inside an abandoned mental asylum. Addiction counselor Laura Horton returns from college to move in with an old friend and start her career. But her homecoming is jarring. Her friend moves out, leaving Laura alone with the gorgeous but intimidating ex-boyfriend—in a house that snugs up to an ancient graveyard. Officer Miller Stanford is a man with a shattered past. His alcoholic dad destroyed their family, a weakness Miller is terrified will consume him too. The last thing he needs is a sexy, blonde addiction counselor watching his every move. When he begins to see specters in the dark, he starts questioning his own stability. But Laura sees her too—a pathetic child-spirit searching for her father. Then Laura starts digging into old asylum records . . . Can Miller and Laura uncover the secrets of Talcott Hall without jeopardizing their love—and lives—in the process? KINDLE | PAPERBACK Add to Goodreads Genre: Romantic Suspense | Heat Level: PG-13 | Pub Date: February 14, 2017 | Pages: 322pp "I have never been an avid reader of paranormal romance, but I absolutely am now and it's ALL because of THIS book! Wow." —J. Saman Q&A with CLAIRE GEM Does writing energize or exhaust you? That depends on how the story is flowing. Some books have literally written themselves— Hearts Unloched , for example. I came up with this idea while driving around Loch Sheldrake, N.Y., and the place where the story is set. On the three-hour drive home, I “wrote” the book out loud to my husband. Had the entire story outlined in my head, and by the time I got home, I couldn’t wait to get to the keyboard. That was so energizing I stayed up until the wee hours. The book was done in less than 45 days. Other times, like with my latest release, Spirits of the Heart , the process was exhausting. You see, the building where the story takes place burned down when I was about 1/3 of the way into writing the book. My muse was daunted. I put the manuscript away and thought I’d never finish it. The process of getting going on it again was exhausting, and frustrating. Until I decided to incorporate the fire into the plot, that is. What story are you working on next, and what inspired it? I’m working on a story called “Pigments,” another supernatural suspense featuring a psychic heroine with a unique ability—by touching oil paintings, she can access the memories of the artist who touched the canvas and paint. It all has to do with touch DNA and the pigments in the paint. I’m using some of my scientific background from my day job (in scientific research) to create a credible yet supernatural tale of intrigue and suspense. Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want? That’s an interesting question, and one that I have spent much time and thought pondering. I write in several genres, you see: contemporary romance, women’s fiction, and supernatural suspense. I recently sent out a survey to my mailing list asking what they’d like to see more of—the romance elements, the empowered women elements, or the spooky stuff. Out of almost 700 respondents, only 9 chose the romance. Most asked for more supernatural elements. That suited me just fine, as that’s what I enjoy writing the most. I find there seems to be a shortage out there of books with the kind of paranormal flair I love to read—instead of vampires, shapeshifters, and werewolves, I love a good, old-fashioned ghost story. Gothic, only set in today’s world. When I ran out of books to read, I decided to start writing them. What kind of research do you do, and how long do you spend researching before beginning a book? Since research is in my blood (it’s what I do for a living), I’m a stickler for accuracy of detail. I do extensive research to explore not only the elements of the setting where my books are set, but specifics as to my characters’ careers, hobbies, etc. For Hearts Unloched , I needed to write a dive scene—it’s the black moment of the book. I don’t dive, don’t know a thing about it. Fortunately, I have a friend whose husband dives. I spent weeks communicating with him via email and telephone, learning all the right terminology and what could and couldn’t happen. When I finished the scene, he was kind enough to read it and picked out several terms I used that were wrong. Then he told me, “That explosion you describe…that wouldn’t happen. It’s impossible.” I was devastated. “It HAS to happen, Bob. Ask your diving instructor how such a thing could occur.” He did, and got back to me with a plausible explanation for the explosion of the diving cylinder. Crisis scene saved! For my work-in-progress, “Pigments,” my heroine is a DNA analyst. Although I work in a research lab, I know nothing about this particular specialty. Fortunately, my cousin works for a state DNA lab. I’ve been spending a lot of time on the phone and emailing him lately too… What type of hero do you like best? My heroes all tend to favor the kind of man I married: a macho, alpha man on the outside with a soft, beta heart. I love developing and portraying that contrast in my heroes. It makes for heroes that my readers can swoon over, get mad at, laugh at, and ultimately, fall in love with. THE AUTHOR Claire is a multi-published, award winning author of supernatural and romantic suspense, and women’s fiction. She writes about strong, resilient women who won’t give up their quest for a happy-ever-after—and the men lucky enough to earn their love. No helpless, hapless heroines here. These spunky ladies redefine romance, on their terms. Her paranormal/romantic suspense, Hearts Unloched , won the 2016 New York Book Festival. Her latest release, The Phoenix Syndrome , won the women’s fiction division in FCRWA’s The Beacon Contest. A New York native, Claire has lived in five of the United States and held a variety of jobs, from waitress to bridal designer to research technician—but loves being an author best. She and her happily-ever-after hero, her husband of 38 years, now live in central Massachusetts. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AuthorInterview #ParanormalRomance #ContemporaryRomanticSuspense #GhostStory

A READER'S OPINION Liam of Clan Kincaid is in love with Blayre MacDoughall, the daughter of his uncle, Laird Lenox, his rival clan's daughter. Going against his uncle's wishes, he declares his love for her and wishes to marry her. His uncle feels like his nephew has betrayed his kindness and pledges him in servitude to the Bruce's service as a guard for the King of Scotland and betroths him to his friend Ian Mackenzie's daughter, a young woman worthy of Liam, but Liam doesn't know that yet. Makenna Mackenzie is a dutiful biddable daughter, always seeking quiet, the total opposite from her sister Roberta who was always about on horseback or learning archery. While waiting for her uncle and his men to arrive at their keep, the English descend on them and destroyed her village, killing her mother and brutally raping her sister, all the while held captive to witness and hear the brutality. The last thing Makenna vows is vengeance . . . or she'll die trying. Makenna has travelled far looking for someone to teach her how to yield a sword. After witnessing a man defend a village woman, she believes she's found the perfect man for the job. Unbeknownst to her, that man is her fiancé! Sparks fly between the two and they come to an agreement that she'll go through with the marriage as long as he teaches her to fight. What they never expected was the undeniable feelings they have for each other. Will Makenna's thirst for vengeance be the death of their marriage and budding love? A sensational story of love and forgiveness. A roller coaster of emotions, a swoon worthy hero, and a heroine who gives our hero a run for his money. The author did an awesome job in transferring the anger and devastation Makenna was feeling as well as the love that eventually conquered their hearts! Rating : 4 1/2 Stars | Content Rating : 4 Hearts | Reviewed by : Maria Rose Dariotis BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS After losing the love of his life, Liam of Clan Kincaid is sent in service for what his uncle considers betrayal. Liam gives himself to the battle wearied king, Robert the Bruce, and vows to mend his tarnished reputation. That would be easy if not for the lass who insists he aids her. Makenna Mackenzie has lived through hell. Her home and land taken by the English. All she wants to do is seek vengeance on the man who cut off her ear and destroyed everything dear in her heart. The only way to achieve her goal is to plead with the legendary king’s guard. She wants them to train her to be a mercenary like they so she can use her sword to the fullest when she finally meets her enemy. Liam finds himself in a quandary because Makenna is not the sweet lass he deems her to be. But his UNBREAKABLE HEART can withstand her, can’t it? Historical Romance/Highland | February 28, 2017 | 328pp Series: Legend of the King's Guard Book 2 | Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #HistoricalRomance #HighlandRomance #ReviewersTopPick

A READER'S OPINION A quick and delightful read! Bianca Blythe's novel, MAD ABOUT THE BARON, is a charming story that will make you giggle! If you love romantic stories set during the Regency era, then this one will please you. The heroine, Veronique Daventry, is absolutely a hopeless romantic . . . so when she thinks she has found the perfect husband, she makes her move. During the period of two years, she had been corresponding with a baron and had fallen in love with him through their writings. Now, she has decided to meet him at the chapel to get married . . . or not. Unfortunately, the wrong man shows up! What will happen next? Veronique and Miles—the latter is a notorious rogue—are caught in a case of mistaken identity and also in a compromising position. What is she to do? When they are caught, she is so mad at herself for having made that mistake. I have to say that some scenes are so cute and hilarious. Although their story will have its twists and turns, it's mostly about adventure and passion. MAD ABOUT THE BARON is well written, and filled with intrigue and romance with a touch of humor. I'm looking forward to read her next book in this beautiful series of hers, Matchmaking for Wallflowers ! Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 4 1/2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS A hopeless romantic... Veronique Daventry absolutely believes in true love. When the baron she's corresponded with for years over long distance suggests they elope in Scotland, she eagerly assents. Perhaps she's never met him, but she's certain their souls are meant to be joined for eternity. A notorious rogue... Lord Miles Worthing is surprised when he is ushered to a chapel on a visit to Scotland and finds a beautiful woman. His happiness halts when her family discovers them in a compromising position. A mistaken identity... Veronique is devastated to have mistaken this stranger for her fiancé. She needs to find the correct baron at once, but the only person who can help her is the man who makes her heart race as it absolutely should not. Genre: Historical Romance/Regency | Pub Date: April 18, 2017 | Page count: 211pp Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #HistoricalRomance #RegencyRomance

A READER'S OPINION JOURNEY OF THE HEART is a collection of enjoyable western romance short stories by eight authors who know what readers in this genre want. The concept is fun: Old West modes of transportation and the delightful adventures and romances that can take place when two people least expect it. Each author offers you a taste of their styles and storytelling while tempting you to search for more of their books. As with most multi-author collections, there were some stories that appealed to me more than others, and yet all of the authors drew me in with their settings to their characters. I hadn't read books by most of these authors before and this was a nice introduction. This collection is sure to please readers of western romance who are looking for a fun and pleasing collection of short stories. Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS From the Texas plains to the Canadian wilderness, up Missouri’s Big Muddy to Montana Territory, and from the California mountains to Colorado’s cattle country... JOURNEY OF THE HEART is a collection of eight sigh-worthy romances, all revolving around modes of transportation in the Old West. Award-winning and best-selling authors Melissa Lynne Blue, Anne Carrole, Stacey Coverstone, Debora Dennis, Tanya Hanson, Karen J. Hasley, Linda LaRoque, and Jacqui Nelson invite you to travel along on romantic adventures that will have you falling in love with the gamblers, marshals, ranchers, doctors, riverboat captains, rangers, preachermen, and warriors of the Wild West. Whether on a paddleboat or train, stagecoach or horse, buggy or bicycle, the journey to love for these rugged men and their feisty, independent ladies will delight fans of historical western romance. Genre: Historical Western Romance | Pub Date: February 6, 2017 | Page count: 307pp | Publisher: Dancing Dog Publishing Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #HistoricalWesternRomance

A READER'S OPINION A delightfully romantic love story! I was so pleased when Victoria Barbour decided to write a fifth story for her Heart's Ease series. WILFUL DESIRE is set in Newfoundland, Canada, and the characters are like a big family meeting on certain occasions. Some come back home and some decide to stay. Ms. Barbour has outdone herself with this sweet and romantic love story! I love strong, independent women like Mae! Will and Mae had once been in love and decided to get married, but the marriage was cancelled because Will, a Canadian sailor in the Navy, was sent on a mission. Being away for two years, Will has to come back to Heart's Ease and it's inevitable that their paths will cross again! Is there still a spark ready to flare again? Both characters are headstrong and stubborn . . . Will they forget the past and start over again? Will wants Mae so much that he's willing to do anything to gain her trust back. Of course their relationship will have their ups and downs, but Will's charm will work its magic on Mae. There's still a beautiful chemistry between these two and the passion is very much alive! This story is very well written with a touch of humor. Altogether an extremely refreshing and pleasing book! Rating : 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Will Walsh is a terrific sailor. And a terrible ex. Just ask Mae Mercer, the woman he left behind when a too-good-to-refuse promotion to the elite ranks of the Navy came on the eve of their wedding. Will might be a force of nature when he’s hunting down pirates and drug dealers, but that’s nothing compared to the way he capsizes Mae’s world when he returns home to Heart’s Ease. On a mission to reclaim her heart, he knows that failure isn’t an option. But this time, he might have to concede defeat: the only thing stronger than his desire to claim her is Mae’s desire to preserve her freedom. Can Mae resist the temptation to jump into this very able-bodied seaman’s open arms? Or will his willful desire win out? Genre: Contemporary Romance | Pub Date: April 19, 2017 | Publisher: Yarn Press Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #5Stars #ContemporaryRomance #ReviewersTopPick

Charmed, Texas, is everything the name implies—quaint, comfortable, and as small-town friendly as they come. And when it comes to romance, there’s no place quite as enchanting... FEATURED BOOK Lanie Barrett didn’t mean to lie. Spinning a story of a joyous marriage to make a dying woman happy is forgivable, isn’t it? Lanie thinks so, especially since her beloved Aunt Ruby would have been heartbroken to know the truth of her niece’s sadly loveless, short-of-sparkling existence. Trouble is, according to the will, Ruby didn’t quite buy Lanie’s tale. And to inherit the only house Lanie ever really considered a home, she’ll have to bring her “husband” back to Charmed, Texas for three whole months—or watch Aunt Ruby’s cozy nest go to her weasel cousin, who will sell it to a condo developer. Nick McKane is out of work, out of luck, and the spitting image of the man Lanie described. He needs money for his daughter’s art school tuition, and Lanie needs a convenient spouse. It’s a match made . . . well, not quite in heaven, but for a temporary arrangement, it couldn’t be better. Except the longer Lanie and Nick spend as husband and wife, the more the connection between them begins to seem real. Maybe this modern fairy tale really could come true . . . AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ITUNES | KOBO | GOOGLE Add to Goodreads Series: Charmed in Texas | Genre: Contemporary Romance | Heat Level: 3 1/2 Hearts Publisher: Lyrical Shine | Pub Date: 18 April 2017 ENJOY AN EXCERPT from A Charmed Little Lie There are things a girl hopes to hear in her lifetime, and a marriage proposal definitely tops that list. A proposal offered as a business deal, probably thrown out in desperation to stop my meltdown and pending dehydration, however, was not what most women have in mind. “Don’t, Nick,” I said, hiccupping through my sobs, trying to make it stop. “Don’t play with that. Don’t make fun.” “I’m not,” he said, still facing Ralph, the dog’s face in his hands as if it were all addressed to him. “I’m dead serious.” I waited for more and it didn’t come. Um, I needed more explanation than that. Wiping at my face in vain, I leaned against the post and looked down at possibly the hottest man I’d ever met. Sitting on my porch in a black-on-black suit, asking me to marry him by proxy of Ralph. “Why?” Finally, he let go of Ralph’s large head and stood, turning to face me as though it was with his last dying breath. “You need this house,” he said, his words slow and precise. His dark eyes didn’t blink, didn’t look away uncomfortably, didn’t falter. “You may or may not need the money, I don’t know. I don’t see you getting all emotional about that, but you’re hugging the house, so I’m guessing the money’s not an important factor.” “I didn’t even know about that money.” “Which brings it to me,” he said, closing his eyes briefly. “I need a job.” “Are you saying—” “I’m saying I just got in a car with a stranger for five hundred dollars,” he said. “That’s how far I’ve fallen. Three months of my life—what would that be worth?” My tongue felt as swollen and stuck as my eyelids. That sentence, along with the glazed over look his eyes got and the hard set of his jaw, was possibly the saddest thing I’d ever witnessed. To be followed closely by the strong possibility of my saying yes. THE AUTHOR Sharla Lovelace is the bestselling, award-winning author of sexy small-town love stories. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her retired husband, a tricked-out golf cart, and two crazy dogs. She is the author of five stand-alone novels including the bestselling Don’t Let Go , the exciting Heart Of The Storm series, and the fun and sexy new Charmed in Texas series. For more about Sharla's books, visit www.sharlalovelace.com, and keep up with all her new book releases easily by subscribing to her newsletter. She loves keeping up with her readers, and you can connect with her on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #GuestAuthor #ExcerptPost #ContemporaryRomance #AuthororTourGiveaway

A READER'S OPINION The daughter of a dead judge and the prisoner of her stepmother, heiress Prudence MacKensie suffers another blowing loss when her fiancé's death during a horrendous blizzard on the streets of New York. Her stepmother and her slimy brother want to keep control of the money, and Prudence will no longer inherit now that Charles is done. She has two choices—give up or find the truth. With the help of lawyer and former Pinkerton agent Geoffrey Hunter, Prudence WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND by Rosemary Simpson is an intricately woven story of one young woman's determination to uncover the truth. This story is less of a mystery and more of a discovery on how someone got away with their nefarious actions. I would have liked a little more mystery to figure out, and the heroine was often inconsistent, though the reader is left wondering what Rosemary and Geoffrey will uncover next. WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND is a well-written depiction of late 19th-century New York City with its vivid details and a look inside life among the aristocracy and the lower classes . . . and their secrets. The first book in a new series, WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND is worth reading. Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 0 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kathy Scott BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Set amidst the opulent mansions and cobblestone streets of Old New York, this enthralling historical mystery by Rosemary Simpson brings the Gilded Age to life—in a tantalizing tale of old money, new love, and grave suspicion . . . WHAT THE DEAD LEAVE BEHIND As the Great Blizzard of 1888 cripples the vast machinery that is New York City, heiress Prudence MacKenzie sits anxiously within her palatial Fifth Avenue home waiting for her fiancé’s safe return. But the fearsome storm rages through the night. With daylight, more than two hundred people are found to have perished in the icy winds and treacherous snowdrifts. Among them is Prudence’s fiancé—his body frozen, his head crushed by a heavy branch, his fingers clutching a single playing card, the ace of spades . . . Close on the heels of her father’s untimely demise, Prudence is convinced Charles’s death was no accident. The ace of spades was a code he shared with his school friend, Geoffrey Hunter, a former Pinkerton agent and attorney from the South and a former Pinkerton agent. Wary of sinister forces closing in on her, Prudence turns to Geoffrey as her only hope in solving a murder not all believe in—and to help protect her inheritance from a stepmother who seems more interested in the family fortune than Prudence’s well being . . . Filled with richly colorful characters, fascinating historical details, and thrilling moments of suspense, What the Dead Leave Behind is an exquisitely crafted mystery for the ages. Genre: Historical Fiction/Mystery | Pub Date: 25 Apr 2017 | Publisher: Kensington Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! #AReadersOpinion #2017Review #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalMystery

"Fowlkes delights us once again with her complex and thrilling plot." —Lindsey Gray, author of Fireworks A social pariah due to her scandalous activities, Lady Sarah Beauchamp yearns for redemption to obtain a husband. The assistance of Society darling Mr. Jonathon Annesley gives her hope of success. However, the more effort he puts into helping her, the more she realizes the only esteem she wishes to earn is that of the handsome Jonathon. However, her reputation would potentially ruin his political aspirations. Offering a gentleman’s promise to help his sister’s friend regain the favor of the ton should be easy for son of a viscount, Jonathon Annesley. After all, he’s well liked and considered a rising star in Parliament. Until he learns Sarah’s ultimate goal is a husband. No man is good enough and could ever appreciate her for all she is. But she is not for him—his focus rests solely on gaining reforms for society’s weakest members. Yet, a promise made cannot be broken… AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | IBOOKS | KOBO Add to Goodreads Series: Daughters of Amhurst, #3 | Genre: Historical Romance Published by: Entangled Publishing | Pub Date: April 17th 2017 ENJOY AN EXCERPT from The Gentleman's Promise "Would you consider kissing me? Here and now?" The questions were bold, crass, and ungentlemanly at best. Decorum stated Sarah was in no way expected to answer. Quite honestly, he'd be surprised if she did. His devilry had likely caused her embarrassment, if not an awkward discomfort. But damn it all if his curiosity didn't get the better of him. The left corner of her mouth twitched as she held his gaze. "That was two questions. I believe the rules state I need answer only one." Dear God. Was she flirting with him? Blood pounded loud and fast in his ears. He took another step toward her, his back to her maid. "I leave you to decide which question you would like to answer." Sarah's gaze flitted to the side, the wind catching at the ribbon knotted attractively at her throat. "Well…I…" She glanced upward as a fat droplet of rain landed on her nose. Of all the moments for the sky to open, it had to be the one where he stood breathless, awaiting her response. His day was governed by the devil. "Yes and no," Sarah stated. "I beg your pardon?" Another drop splattered onto the scarlet wool of her pelisse. "I've given you two responses because I'm feeling generous. It is up to you to decide which response correlates with which question." With a quick curtsy and a wave of her hand, she motioned toward her maid and started toward the inn, leaving him standing alone with a smile as wide as his face. He had not imagined her interest. She wanted to kiss him. If Jonathon was anything, he was a man who kept his promises—and made certain others did as well. A kiss from Lady Sarah was in his future. And he was determined to receive it. THE AUTHOR After viewing her all-time favorite love story, "Anne of Green Gables," at the impressionable age of ten, Frances Fowlkes has been obsessed with affable boy-next door heroes, red-heads, and romance stories with lots of "highfaluting mumbo jumbo" written within their pages. It only seems natural then that she married the boy who used to pull on her curls in her high school English class, had not one, but THREE red-headed boys, and penned multiple love stories with bits of flowery prose. When not writing, Frances loves spending time with her family, fangirling, and planning her next vacation. Frances Fowlkes, originally a northern mid-westerner, now lives in the southeast with her ardent hero of a husband, three playful and rambunctious boys, and one spoiled standard poodle. A self-professed Anglophile and summa cum laude graduate of LeTourneau University, Frances Fowlkes combines her passion for happily-ever-afters with her interests in both American and English histories. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | GOODREADS DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #GuestAuthor #ExcerptPost #HistoricalRomance #AuthororTourGiveaway

GREEN OF SUMMER is a poetic journey through word pictures of beauty in nature, along with words of inspiration, reflection, humor, and remembrance. Enjoy a poem from GREEN OF SUMMER by Verna Cole Mitchell Seasonal Arrivals The best of each new season Is the time that it commences While each has its own specialties Appealing to the senses. Winter enters, robed in white With sparkling gems of snow, To blanket fall’s denuded trees And all the land below. Spring arrives in garb of green With fragrance of fresh flowers, Announced by chirps of singing birds, Pit-pattering of showers. Steals summer in on scented breeze When sunny days abound For ice-cream cones and picnics With family around. Fall moves in with tinge of frost To set the trees ablaze. It’s time to sit by glowing fires And dream of holidays. The best of each new season Is the time that it commences, While each has its own specialties Appealing to the senses. ****** Available in paperback at AMAZON . THE AUTHOR Verna Cole Mitchell, wife, mother, grandmother, and former English teacher, writes from the heart about nature, faith, and family. She has six published books of poetry--to entertain, to inspire, and to bring a smile, along with a daily prayer journal. #Poetry #PoetryCollection #ThePoetsNook

A READER'S OPINION DEFIANCE ON INDIAN CREEK is a young reader type of historical novel set in the late 18th century in the 13 colonies of New England, specifically West Virginia where Michael Shirley resides with his family in a two-story log home. They also grow tobacco. Mr Shirley also works as a surveyor for the Crown. It is also a time of great unrest. The Boston Tea Party is still fresh in people's minds and loyalties are getting divided between the British Crown and the idea of independence and self-government. There are also the native peoples who have not only been pushed out of their territories but are also being forced to take sides. Slavery, too, is still practiced and they are being promised freedom if they take up arms. This is the world thirteen-year-old Mary Shirley finds herself in. The oldest child, she shoulders much responsibility, and with her awakening sensibilities, begins to question the current state of affairs as well as her father's involvement in them. Is he a loyalist? A patriot? Secret documents she accidentally finds leads her to believe her father may be a traitor of all things! Now her love and respect for him are torn. She cannot believe he is a traitor, but what about his secret meetings and those papers? DEFIANCE ON INDIAN CREEK is a solid story and is subtitled "Dangerous Loyalties Book One" leading one to anticipate many sequels. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. The details of frontier life, from cooking, hunting, medicinal preparation, growing crops and such makes the story feel very authentic. The action scenes were quite taut, especially when Mary needs to disguise herself as her brother George in order to deliver an important dispatch as her father is too ill to ride. I certainly would be interested in any sequels as there are story lines in Book One that are just developing, such as Mary's budding interest in young William McGuire, and the family's pending move to Kentucky amid all the revolutionary turmoil. While Mary is the storyteller here, there are Michael and George Shirley, which are strong male characters that a young boy could relate to. Recommended for young readers on up. Rating : 4 Stars | Content Rating : 0 Hearts | Reviewed by : James Fisher BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Book One in the Dangerous Loyalties series - A Young Adult Historical Adventure Emotionally riveting adventure, survival, and precarious family relationships are weaved into this teen historical about Mary Shirley--a brave, tenacious thirteen-year-old girl who lives on the remote frontier of West Virginia in 1775 at the onset of the American Revolutionary War. Cooped up in a dimly lighted cabin with her seven siblings and Momma, Mary dreams of a peaceful future with friends and suitors. But she's worried about her family's survival. When Papa returns home with news that the Indians have agreed to stay away from the Western settlements, Mary breathes a sigh of relief. But when he speaks of pending revolutionary war against Britain, declares his loyalty to King George III, and plans to move to Kentucky territory, Mary is confused and afraid. She discovers mysterious surveys with riddles and a hidden box in the barn that contains secret documents. When she witnesses Papa betray a patriot neighbor at a nearby fort and later reads a disturbing letter that implicates him as a traitorous spy, Mary is ashamed of him. He is endangering the family, and she must find a way to change his mind. Her emotional struggles lead to lost trust and acts of defiance. When Papa returns deathly ill from a survey job and asks Mary to deliver a lifesaving dispatch, she balks. Is loyalty to Papa more important than loyalty to the revolutionary cause? Lives are in danger no matter what choice she makes. In the Dangerous Loyalties series, Mary Shirley faces many heart-stirring adventures as she acquires the skills and maturity needed to survive the American Revolution. She has to become a tough, resilient, and practical-minded frontier woman of faith, enduring the hard life of the Western settlements in the 1700s. Genre: Historical Fiction/Young Adult | Pub Date: July 19, 2016 | Page count: 212pp | Publisher: White Bird Publiscations Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . Do you like Books & Benches? Follow us on Twitter at @booksandbenches and like us on Facebook ! #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalFiction #YoungAdultFiction

"...the perfect romance story that will tug at the emotions of readers and have them following the characters till the very end." — Readers' Favorite FEATURED BOOK Emma Marshall is tough, capable and about to have her world turned upside down. Her father wants her married and secretly places an ad for a husband. She wants nothing to do with those who show up. A jean-wearing, cattle herding, headstrong woman, she fights for her independence. Tyler Roundtree is about to change all that. Sparks fly on their first meeting and she soon discovers she knows all about running a ranch and nothing about being a woman. AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | ADD TO GOODREADS Publisher: Y & R Publishing, LLC | Romance-Western Historical | Heat Level: 5 Hearts Q&A with Dana Wayne What is your favorite non-writing pastime? I am a country girl. I grew up camping and to this day, am an avid tent camper. I also love to fish and cook in dutch ovens. In fact, I actually teach classes on how to cook in them. In case you don’t know, dutch ovens are cast iron pots with three ‘legs’ that you cook in over a campfire like the cowboys used to do. While I have used the coals in a campfire to cook, I typically use charcoal so I can control the heat better. If you can cook it on or in your kitchen stove you can cook it in a dutch oven. I also enjoy golf and photography and some of my older photos have prizes in our local fair. Do you use an outline or plot for your writing? I am what is commonly referred to as a pantser - meaning I write by the seat of my pants, going wherever the story takes me. I have tried to use an outline or plot points but it just doesn’t work for me. I feel like it boxes me in. I get an idea and just start typing and see what happens. I have snippets for probably a dozen different stories in my to-be-written folder. If I hit a snag on my current work in progress, I pull up that folder, open one of the files and see if anything sparks. If it does, I write till it’s gone, if not, I pick another one. Where do you get ideas for stories? An idea can come from a variety of situations. For Mail Order Groom, it came as a result of a conversation with a fellow writer at a workshop. He made the statement that you always hear about mail order brides but never mail order grooms, and wondered why. Immediately, my writers’ brain kicked in, and by the time I got home that evening, I had the basis of the story figured out. I sat down and wrote until midnight. The thing about a writers is that it is we are either writing or thinking about writing pretty much all the time, so something as simple as a brightly colored scarf can (and has) prompted an idea for a story. I absolutely love to write and I always knew that one day I would be a writer. I love that whole creative process that starts with an idea and then progresses with each ‘what-if’ until a final product is done, and then you look at it and say “Wow! I did that!” What do you think about book trailers and do you use them? I love trailers and yes I use them for my books. I think they are a great way to introduce the story to prospective readers. I see them as being like those previews you see at the movie theater about coming attractions and a great way to entice potential readers. I make my own trailers as well as making them for several author friends and have them up on my You Tube channel called Dana Diva’s What is your favorite scene in Mail Order Groom ? There are several but I have to say two of my favorites are when they are discussing getting married – and what Ty expects from it - and when Emma tells Ty she wants him to teach her to kiss. What fun scenes to write! Emma is very smart and capable of handling and huge ranch alone, but when it comes to the man-woman thing as she calls it, she is clueless…but intrigued. The fact that she has no idea of just how beautiful and appealing she is makes her all the more charming. "...filled with suspense, twists and turns, danger, and of course romance with a spicy touch!" —Books & Benches THE AUTHOR Awarding-winning author Dana Wayne is a sixth-generation Texan and resides in Piney Woods with her husband of 39 years (and counting), a Calico cat named Katie, three children, and four grandchildren. She routinely speaks at book clubs, writers groups, and other organizations, as well as coordinating multiple writing events such as conferences and workshops, and appears on numerous writing blogs. Her first novel, Secrets of The Heart , a contemporary romance, was awarded The 2017 Best in Texas for Contemporary Romance by Texas Association of Authors. Her second, a western historical romance, released in April 2017. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | AMAZON DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AuthorInterview #HistoricalWesternRomance

A READER'S OPINION Fun and romantic! LORD BACHELOR by Tammy L. Bailey is a fun take on "rich English lord meets luckless beauty," with a touch of a Cinderella-type story. Edmund Rushwood must marry or lose his inheritance. The stipulation in his father's will is unyielding, and Edmund isn't willing to give up his high-end lifestyle. In order to get the deed done quickly and without too much fuss, Edmund joins an American reality T.V. game show in order to find a bride. What happens next is both comical and sweet. Edmund's humorous banter with his friend was a lot of fun. Abby Forester could use Edmund's money, except she's independent, strong, and content to live without the kind of wealth Edmund is used to. Through no initiation of her own, Abby ends up on the same game show as the English lord . . . and realizes that maybe there is more to Edmund than the "reality" show hosts would have everyone believe. The cast of characters offer wit and sweetness, even if some events were too convenient. The story has a fun twist at the end with a nice surprise. LORD BACHELOR is perfect for an enjoyable afternoon read at the beach or on a rainy day. Rating : 3.5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kathy Scott BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Add to Goodreads BOOK SYNOPSIS Edmund Rushwood is a single English lord in possession of a great fortune who is in desperate need of a rich wife. In accordance with his father’s will, Edmund has until he turns twenty-six to find a wealthy bride or lose his vast inheritance. To retain his selfish lifestyle, he agrees to join an American dating game show to find the woman who can save him. He doesn’t bargain on meeting Abby Forester, an impoverished, spirited American woman who is content to live out her father’s dreams in his vintage record shop. With covert intervention from an unlikely source, Abby lands on the dating game show as one of Edmund’s potential brides. As their worlds entangle and love begins to bloom, Abby discovers Edmund cannot marry her and retain his wealth at the same time. Will love keep them together, or will greed triumph and tear them apart? Contemporary Romance | December 7, 2015 | 289pp | Publisher: The Wild Rose Press Inc. Format Read: E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher DISCOVER YOUR NEXT GREAT READ! Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #ContemporaryRomance #2017Review