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THE COLLECTION A READER'S OPINION The Salt Hendon Collection by Lucinda Brant consists of two novels and a novella. This was a nice introduction for me into this author's work since I hadn't read her books before. I also don't believe I've read Georgian romance before so it was a nice change. There are all kinds of wonderful characters; some are fascinating and likeable while others are intriguing and evil. I thought the well-blended variety made for very interesting stories. The author has a nice writing style A lot happens in this collection--too much for one review without giving away important plot points. I enjoyed both novels, but Salt Bride pulled me into the story and held me more than Salt Redux , though both were enjoyable. I liked spending more time with the characters I came to like in the first book, and I would definitely recommend starting with book one. Salt Angel is a little gem of a novella and a nice addition to the collection. There's a lot going on, so pay attention and you'll enjoy the romance and adventure. This collection by a gifted writer is sure to delight fans of historical romance. Star Rating: 4 Stars | Content Rating : 4 1/2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM Salt Bride - 4 1/2 stars | Salt Redux - 4 stars | Salt Angel - 4 stars BOOK SYNOPSIS This special edition boxed set brings together two of Lucinda Brant's best-loved books, Salt Bride and its sequel Salt Redux , and includes a bonus novella. The Earl of Salt Hendon and Jane Despard marry for reasons that are hardly romantic. But will they find love as a revenge plot threatens to tear them apart? Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #HistoricalRomance #GeorgianRomance

When the storm of the century hits on Christmas Eve, snow isn’t the only thing that’s in the air. Close to Perfect A Montana Men Novella by Jennifer Ryan At sixteen, Abigail had every reason to walk away from Dex and only one reason to save him from being arrested. But when she decided to put love first, her parents couldn’t understand and sent her away from them, and Dex. Ten years later, Dex finally gets the chance to thank her for the sacrifice she made for him, but instead, he gets the surprise of his life. Now he has to put everything on the line to save her and prove his love. No storm will keep him from Abby--or their daughter--now that has them again. Snowed in at Copper Ridge A Copper Ridge Novella by Maisey Yates Mia Landry has always had it bad for Devlin Grayson. The brooding cowboy has frequently featured in her most heated fantasies. The problem? He’s too old for her, way more experienced and…also happens to be her best friend’s older brother. But when she decides to join the Grayons for a family Christmas at Copper Ridge Lodge, Mia and Devlin find themselves snowed in. Devlin has always wanted Mia, but a rough guy like him would never be right for a woman like her. But, when they find themselves alone and isolated during the storm Mia tells him what she really wants for Christmas is to lose her virginity…with him. Devlin can’t resist Mia’s request. Will one night of passion melt away after the storm? Or will a little Christmas magic lead them to love? Hot Winter s Night A Brightwater Novella by Lia Riley When the "Blizzard of the Century" strikes while Marigold Flint works late in her flower shop, this Type-A workaholic has more to worry about than finishing up her backlog of seasonal centerpiece orders. The power is out and she has no heat, no food, and no one to keep her warm beneath the two-dozen mistletoe hanging around the shop. Great. Then Brightwater's most eligible bachelor, Deputy Sheriff, Kit Kane, shows up to the rescue-her first love (aka the jerk who broke her heart when he secretly enlisted in the Marines, shipping off without a word of explanation). When they find themselves stranded at the Kane's Hidden Rock ranch, they discover the other Kane men have started a bet on the town newspaper blog over how long the sworn enemies can last in close quarters without killing each other, and decide two can play at that game. They place a bet as a false identity, determined to fake a relationship through the holidays, then split the jackpot. But all bets are off as they realize what they really want for Christmas is a second chance. Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo Print Length: 384 Pgs. | Heat Level: 3 | Publisher: Avon Impulse | Release Date: Nov. 15, 2016 ENJOY AN EXCERPT From Jennifer Ryan's Close to Perfect Ten years ago… Then he met someone...different. Interesting. Nice. Abigail Swain was barely sixteen and in the senior class. She was that smart. Really smart. Paired together for a science class project, he’d gotten to know her and wondered why he’d never really noticed her. Small town, small school, still, she kept under the radar. Her parents believed school was more important than friends. Instead of spending her free time playing sports or hanging out at the diner downtown with other girls, she spent every spare minute at church or studying. Abigail might come off weird and brainy, but really she was shy...quiet. And genuinely nice. A perfect target for Laurie, who made it known she didn’t like him spending time with Abigail, even for a class project. Five days into working with Abigail something inside him shifted while she explained the intricacies of photosynthesis right off the top of her head. The way her eyes lit up. She planted her chin in her palm and looked right at him. Open and filled with kindness, she did something to his insides. He moved without thinking about it, leaned across the coffee table in his living room, and tentatively pressed his lips to hers in a soft kiss. He didn’t know why he had to do it until their lips touched and the wonder and softening in her eyes undid him. To his surprise, she kissed him back, and if he hadn’t been sitting on the floor already, he’d have hit his knees. That kiss changed everything and put a lot of things into perspective. Like he’d rather be with someone he liked and enjoyed spending time with. He and Laurie had more fights than good times and it wore thin. Quick. Despite Laurie’s many protests, he ended things with her with a promise that he wouldn’t back out of taking her to the dance so she wouldn’t be humiliated and have to go alone. From that moment on, he secretly spent more and more time with Abigail, though they kept their relationship hidden. Something about the way her overprotective father hovered nearby when they worked on their project at her house warned him that she’d get into deep trouble if her parents knew about them. Abby never said so, but he got the sense she feared her own dad. As the mayor of their town, he had a reputation for advocating strict morals. A lot of people outside their church congregation found him judgmental. Including Dex. He might not be valedictorian material, but he made better than good grades, was the best pitcher and hitter Crystal Creek High ever had, and he planned to take his team to the championships this spring. He had baseball and college to look forward to over the next couple of years and still Mayor Swain looked at him like he was nothing but a thing. His dad sat beside him, ready to do battle, and nudged him with an elbow in his side. “Laurie’s here. She probably told her father the two of you were at the dance all night, and you couldn’t have stolen that car.” The hope in his father’s voice destroyed Dex. I am so screwed. Laurie walked right past him, smiling that sweet smile he and the other guys she’d caught in her web knew hid her devious side. She was out for blood. Since her dad was the sheriff, he had a feeling she was going to get it. Every last drop she thought she deserved because he’d had the audacity to dump her and ruined her plan to get back together at the dance. The sheriff waved them into his office. “Let’s go, Dex. You’ve got some explaining to do.” Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo TOUR GIVEAWAY Enter below to win a print edition of Snowbound at Christmas MEET THE AUTHORS JENNIFER RYAN is the New York Times & USA Today bestselling author of The Hunted Series and The McBrides Series . She writes romantic suspense and contemporary small-town romances featuring strong men and equally resilient women. Her stories are filled with love, family, friendship, and the happily-ever-after we all hope to find. Jennifer lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband and three children. When she isn’t writing a book, she’s reading one. Her obsession with both is often revealed in the state of her home and in how late dinner is to the table. When she finally leaves those fictional worlds, you’ll find her in the garden, playing in the dirt and daydreaming about people who live only in her head, until she puts them on paper. Visit her at www.jennifer-ryan.com . New York Times and USA Today bestselling author MAISEY YATES lives in rural Oregon with her three children and her husband, whose chiseled jaw and arresting features continue to make her swoon. She feels the epic trek she takes several times a day from her office to her coffee maker is a true example of her pioneer spirit. Maisey divides her writing time between dark, passionate category romances set just about everywhere on earth and light sexy contemporary romances set practically in her back yard. She believes that she clearly has the best job in the world. Visit her at www.maiseyyates.com . After studying at the University of Montana-Missoula, LIA RILEY scoured the world armed only with a backpack, overconfidence and a terrible sense of direction. She counts shooting vodka with a Ukranian mechanic in Antarctica, sipping yerba mate with gauchos in Chile and swilling fourex with stationhands in Outback Australia among her accomplishments. Visit her at www.liariley.com. This feature is part of a virtual book tour coordinated by Tasty Book Tours . See the full tour schedule . #GuestAuthor #ChristmasBook #BlogTour #ExcerptPost

Today we have the great pleasure of welcome co-authors E.B. Wheeler and Jeffery Bateman to Books & Benches. Wheeler is an award-winning author of multiple novels, short stories, and magazine articles, and Bateman is a retired U.S. Air Force Colonel. His work as a historian has been published in peer-reviewed journals, including the Utah Historical Quarterly, Airpower History, and the U.S. Army War College Press. “This is my chance to show that I deserve to be a citizen of this country too. If I come back in a casket draped in the stars and stripes, they can’t say anymore that I’m not American.” —From No Peace with the Dawn In 1917, the Great War seems far from Logan, Utah. But soon it will change the lives of suffragette and mechanic Clara, Swiss-German immigrant and LDS convert Trudi, Marine Corps volunteer Reed, and Shoshone seeking U.S. citizenship Joseph. This novel weaves real events with compelling fictional characters into a sweeping tale of war, romance, self-discovery, and sacrifice. From No Peace with the Dawn : I know the style of the day is to be oblique and coy in letters, but I feel like I must tell you what is in my heart. If nothing else, our experiences in France must surely teach us that life is fleeting and that we must live it fully while we can. To that end, I tell you now and forever that I am in love with you. AMAZON | B&N | BOOKS & THINGS Q&A WITH THE AUTHORS Please tell us a little about your newest release, No Peace with the Dawn . NO PEACE WITH THE DAWN follows the lives of a group of friends as the U.S. enters the Great War. Daredevil Reed volunteers as a Marine and serves in some of the most grueling fighting on the Western Front, including the crucible of Belleau Wood. Joseph, a Shoshone, hopes to become a U.S. citizen by responding to the call when he's drafted illegally. Clara, determined to do her bit, volunteers to serve as a YMCA worker and then ambulance driver in France. Trudi, a Swiss-German immigrant who came to the U.S. to escape religious persecution, endures harassment on the home front as anti-German sentiment reaches a frenzy. World War I is often overlooked, resting as it does in the shadows of World War II, but as the centennial of the U.S. entering the Great War approaches in 2017, NO PEACE WITH THE DAWN reminds us of the courage, sacrifices, and changing world of the “lost generation,” and helps us understand how the horrors of WWI shattered the innocence of a generation and set the stage for WWII. Though the main characters are fictional, their experiences are based on those of real people, and historical figures make an appearance in the book as well, including one of the great Marine heroes of WWI and the original Native American Code Talkers. What is your favorite scene in NO PEACE WITH THE DAWN? Jeff: My favorite scene is Reed standing in front of his Marines waiting to attack the Germans at Belleau Wood. It is his great test, under the most trying circumstances imaginable. He is afraid of failing more than he is of dying. He knows the men behind him will follow his example, but he doesn't know if he can even move forward toward the deadly German Maxim machine guns, much less lead his men. Emily: Mine is a scene where Clara has to decide if she'll risk her own life for a chance to save a gassed soldier. Like Reed's scene above, it's a moment of truth for her, one where she realizes what matters to her and finds some peace from her inner demons. Do you share any personality traits with the main characters? Emily: Clara is much more daring than I am, but I think I share her intense frustration with injustice and desire to make things right. Jeff: Not that many. Reed, at least in the early part of book, is cocky and a bit reckless, neither of which are a part of my personality. He is also pretty smooth with the ladies, another chromosome I lack. But one thing I like about Reed is his ability to grow as he assumes this great responsibility of leading men into combat. He learns humility and to put the well-being of others before his own. I like to think these are lessons I learned during my own military career, though Reed had to learn these lessons much faster than I did. What type of hero do you like best? Jeff: Humble ones. People like Captain George Hamilton, the Marine hero of the Great War. He fought in all eight Marine battles in WWI, earning two Navy Crosses and a host of other medals and awards. He led from the front and he never quit. We put him in the book as Reed's commanding officer, both to highlight his heroism and to provide an ideal Reed could aspire to become. Emily: I've always liked every day heroes—the ones who are just living their lives as well as they're able to, but when they see a problem or an opportunity, they step up to do their part. World War I was full of those kind of heroes. What was the hardest thing about writing NO PEACE WITH THE DAWN? Emily: For me, it was related to the research. I was fascinated by all the stories I came across, and it was hard, sometimes, to have to decide to leave things out because they didn't fit with the rest of the book. It was also frustrating at times to be looking for details that just weren't recorded. World War I was only a hundred years ago, but there are still things that we've lost. Jeff: That's a good question. It was a fantastic experience writing with E.B. Wheeler. I don't think co-authoring is for everyone, but it sure worked well for us. Without divulging plot spoilers, there is a scene in the book I wrote, a letter, where I cried like a baby when I wrote it and every time I read it for weeks after. It was such a strange experience because the story I'm telling is totally fictitious, but I guess I found myself pretty deeply invested in the characters and in the unfolding events. Is that a moment of Zen? I like to think it was. AN EXCERPT FROM No Peace with the Dawn “Why won’t you go out with me?” “Because I don’t like you.” “Don’t like me?” Reed wrinkled his forehead in confusion, then his eyes brightened with amused determination. “Well, I can fix that.” Clara almost slapped the confidence off his face. So much for women’s inherent goodness and moral sensibilities. “Not likely, Mr. Lewis. I think you like yourself well enough for both for us.” “Come, now. You wouldn’t make me celebrate alone, would you?” “I’m sure you have a flock of admirers who would love to join you for ice cream.” He laughed. “Maybe. But I don’t want a flock of admirers.” He leaned closer, so that the spicy scent of his cologne wrapped around her. “Just one.” He winked again, and Clara glowered. “I would say I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Lewis, but then I would be lying.” “I like a challenge, Miss Jensen. And I always win.” “So do I,” Clara said. “Almost,” Reed amended, and before Clara really could smack him, he added, “Are you waiting for your brother to start your car? I can do that for you.” Clara pushed past him, grabbed the crank, and gave a vicious upward jerk, kicking the engine to life. She climbed in, slammed the door, and scooted behind the wheel. Reed folded his arms and grinned and she drove away. She almost thought the look he gave her was admiration, but that made no sense. She wouldn’t waste time worrying about it. She wouldn’t give Reed Lewis the satisfaction. MEET THE AUTHORS E.B. Wheeler attended BYU, majoring in history with an English minor, and earned graduate degrees in history and landscape architecture from Utah State University. She's the award-winning author of The Haunting of Springett Hall , Born to Treason , and No Peace with the Dawn, as well as several short stories, magazine articles, and scripts for educational software programs. She was named the 2016 Writer of the Year by the League of Utah Writers. In addition to writing, she consults about historic preservation and teaches history at USU. She lives in northern Utah with her family. Jeff Bateman served in the U.S. Air Force for 32 years, retiring as a Colonel in 2010. He holds a BA and MS in Criminal Justice, an MA in History and an MS in Strategic Studies. Following his military career, Jeff worked as a civilian historian at the Air Force Research Laboratory and the Air Force Flight Test Center. He teaches American Military History and U.S. Institutions at Utah State University and is a member of the League of Utah Writers. He has taught workshops on military writing. Jeff lives on a mini-farm in the mountains of Northern Utah, where horses, gardening, and playing the bass fill every minute he is not writing or teaching. This guest author posting is part of a blog tour coordinated by the publisher, Cedar Fort, Inc. BOOK INFO Print Length: 304 pages Publisher: Cedar Fort, Inc. Publication Date: November 8, 2016 #BlogTour #AuthorInterview #ExcerptPost #HistoricalFiction #WorldWarINovel

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Heartbreaker Bay with a fun and festive holiday novella! It’s Christmas Eve and Rory Andrews is desperate to get home to the family she hasn’t seen in years. Problem is, her only ride to Lake Tahoe comes in the form of the annoyingly handsome Max Stranton, and his big, goofy, lovable dog Carl. Hours stuck in a truck with the dead sexy Max sounds like a fate worse than death (not), but Rory’s out of options. She’s had a crush on Max since high school and she knows he’s attracted to her, too. But they have history… and Max is the only one who knows why it went south. They’ve done a good job of ignoring their chemistry so far, but a long road trip in a massive blizzard might be just what they need to face their past… and one steamy, snowy night is all it takes to bring Max and Rory together at last. Series: Heartbreaker Bay | 160 Pgs. | Heat Level: 3 | Avon Impulse | Nov. 8, 2016 Amazon | B & N | Google Play | iTunes | Kobo ENJOY AN EXCERPT FROM One Snowy Night Share: Tweet | Post to Facebook Christmas Eve had the nerve to show up just like it did every year: way too quickly and with ridiculous fanfare. The nerve. Rory Andrews stood in the courtyard of the Pacific Pier Building in San Francisco, surrounded by sparkly holiday lights and enough garlands to give the place its own ozone, and told herself things could be worse. She just wasn’t sure how. It was the unknown, she decided. Because this year, unlike the past six, she’d be spending Christmas with her family, a thought that caused a swarm of butterflies to take flight in her belly. Not an uncommon feeling since she’d turned twenty-three a few months back and decided it was time to become a person she could be proud of if it killed her. And given the guy leaning against one of the lamp poles clearly waiting for her, arms crossed, frown in place, it just might. Max Stranton. At his side sat Carl, his huge, eternally hungry, adorable Doberman. “No,” she said, not to Carl but to Carl’s owner. Who was not lovable. “No way.” As always when their gazes locked, Max’s was a disconcerting mix of heat and . . . something else that she couldn’t quite figure out, as he was good at hiding when he wanted to be. She never quite knew how to take the heat because it seemed reluctant. He was attracted to her but didn’t want to be. Ditto. He made her knees wobble. And also a couple of other inner reactions that shouldn’t be happening in public. “Merry Christmas to you too, Rory,” he said, and damn. It wasn’t just his eyes. His voice was rough and sexy, and for that matter, so was the rest of him. He worked for an investigations and security firm in the building. Basically he and the rest of his team were fixers and finders for hire. To say that Max was good at his job was an understatement. He stood there looking like sex on a stick with a duffle bag slung over a broad shoulder, his dark hair two weeks past needing a cut, and the icy wind of an incoming storm plastering his clothes to a body that could be registered as a lethal weapon. “What are you doing here?” she asked calmly even if her heart was anything but, pounding all the way up to her throat and ears because she knew. She knew exactly why he was here. “I don’t need a ride home.” A flash of wry humor slid in with all that sizzling heat. “Because you’d rather take two buses and a train than get into my truck with me?” he asked. Well yes, actually. GIVEAWAY Enter below for a chance to win a print set of the first two Heartbreaker Bay Novels, SWEET LITTLE LIES and THE TROUBLE WITH MISTLETOE. Share: Tweet | Post to Facebook MEET THE AUTHOR New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis lives in a small town in the Sierras with her family and far too many assorted quirky characters. Any resemblance to the quirky characters in her books is, um, mostly coincidental. Look for Jill's latest, SWEET LITTLE LIES on shelves and e-readers now, and get all her bestselling, award-winning books wherever romances are sold. Visit Jill's website at www.jillshalvis.com for a complete book list and daily blog detailing her city-girl-living-in-the-mountains adventures. You may also connect with her on: Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads This feature is part of a virtual book tour coordinated by Tasty Book Tours . See the full tour schedule . #GuestAuthor #ChristmasBook #ContemporaryRomance #ExcerptPost

THE BOOK A READER'S OPINION Western romance with a dash of suspense! Dana Wayne is a new author for me, and I really enjoyed her contemporary romance Secrets of the Heart , which is her first book. What a beautiful surprise! I could not put it down! It's well written, romantic, and suspenseful with several charming characters, especially Tori, Wade, and Cody! You'll fall in love with them. I'm so happy to have discovered this new author and look forward for her next story! Secrets of the Heart tells the story of Tori, a young widow, who is bruised emotionally by the loss of her family. Feeling she needs to move on with her life, she accepts a job on a Montana ranch where Wade, a widower, needs help taking care of his own family. However, when Tori and Wade meet, sparks flare all over and their emotions are on a roll of ups-and-downs! Is there love in the Montana air? Will destiny reunite those two beautiful souls for a second chance? Can they be a perfect match? As they spend time together, their new friendship will bloom into a tender relationship. They do share a hot chemistry! When danger lurks around Tori and Wade's family, Wade will be there to protect them. What will happen next? This story is filled with suspense, twists and turns, mystery and romance with a spicy touch! Secrets of the Heart is really a page turner! Star Rating: 5 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure BUY AT AMAZON | VIE W OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS Emotionally scarred by personal tragedy, Tori Morgan needs to get away from Houston and figure out what to do with her life. Seeking refuge and time to think, she accepts a position at a remote ranch in Montana. Firmly convinced love happens once in a lifetime, she resigns herself to being alone. Her new boss is the first complication in her plan. Mesmerized by his voice on the phone, she anticipates their first meeting with a mixture of anticipation and dread. Wade needed a nurse for his mother but got more than he bargained for in Tori. She was a breath of fresh air in world full of crap. Pretending to be in love with her seemed like a good idea at the time. The plan started out easy enough, even as they try to ignore the instant, heady desire percolating between them, unaware of danger watching from the shadows. The test kiss changed everything. Once was not enough for Wade. Every inch of him craved more. But it isn’t real, it’s pretend. Right? Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #ContemporaryRomance

It is with great pleasure to welcome the talented Catherine Coulter to Books & Benches. I've been a long-time fan of Coulter's work. The first book I read of hers was The Maze . Once finished, I immediately read The Cove , and have devoured every FBI thriller since. I've also had the pleasure of reading some of her historical romances, and enjoyed those with equal fervor. Catherine joins us today to answer a few questions for our readers. If you'd like to get to know Catherine better, her daily anecdotes and messages to readers on her Facebook page are worth following. Catherine's latest book, Insidious , is the impressive 20th stand-alone book in her FBI Thriller series. Q&A WITH CATHERINE COULTER Without further ado . . . MK: Your first FBI thriller, The Cove , was originally published in 1996. Since then, you have delighted readers with 20 exciting stand-alone novels in the series. What sparked your interest to write the first FBI thriller? What do you enjoy most about the genre? CATHERINE: There is so much serendipity in life. In 1995 I was at a family reunion and my sister walked up to me, said without preamble, “There’s this little town on the coast of Oregon called The Cove. They make the world’s greatest ice cream and bad stuff happens.” I went en pointe. At the time I was writing historical romances and romantic suspense, but this was hugely different. And that’s how it all started. The suspense thriller genre calls for sharp pacing, which means I have to make the reader turn those pages as fast as he/she can, which means I have to keep the tension high. Writing suspense thrillers turns you into a maniac, ask any author. MK: In your latest book, Insidious , Sherlock and Savich are back to “kicking butt and taking names.” We’re also introduced to Agent Cam Wittier and Detective Daniel Montoya with whom I immediately connected, though things didn't turn out with them as I expected (their story turned out better). How did these two fascinating characters come about? CATHERINE: Two smart, bright interesting people – to be honest, they simply come out of the back of my head, which sounds sort of scary, but there it is. And they didn’t connect, not in a romantic sense, which I found vastly interesting because here came Missy Devereaux, also out of the back of my head. Her personality sparkled, she lit up the world, and I knew Daniel was a goner. Sorry, Cam. Maybe on your next case. MK: You’ve also created a successful cross-over series called A Brit in the FBI , which has three books (another one out in March, 2017) and is written with J.T. Ellison. What inspired the cross-over? What do you enjoy most about collaborating with another author? CATHERINE: I woke up one day with Nicholas Drummond alive and well in my head and ready to rock and roll. I knew about his family in England, I even knew the butler’s name and character. What I couldn’t do, however, was write two big books a year. So I thought about Clive Cussler and how he has people writing for and with him, gave him a call and he told me his protocol, which I liked. I started reading suspense thriller writers, read a J.T. Ellison, and said this is my person. I think both of us are very lucky: we’re close, like family, really, and work well together. What a wondrous thing to have happen in my life. Because of J.T., Nicholas Drummond is alive and well and kicking international big butt. MK: From seeing the first book in print to the glowing reviews we all hope for, but worry we won’t get, authors experience a multitude of highs and lows throughout their careers. Up to this point, what has been one of your greatest joys or experiences as a writer? CATHERINE: I’ve had the luck of the Irish and I can’t even claim any Irish DNA – I think my biggest thrill was when my editor called me at 6:30 on a Thursday morning and told me Moonspun Magic had made the New York Times list. A moment in time I will never ever forget. Let me add that I was fortunate to work with Phyllis Gran at Putnam, one of the smartest, savviest, amazing publishers in the world. MK: You began your illustrious writing career penning historical romance, many of which I’m proud to say sit on my bookshelves. Do you find it challenging to write in two vastly different genres? What do you enjoy most about moving from present-day to the past? CATHERINE: Writing two such disparate genres, I’ve found, keeps my brain unconstipated. Both have their own challenges, their joys, and their hair-pulling. Thank you, Catherine, for spending time with our readers. It has been a pleasure, and I for one am looking forward to your next book in March 2017. INSIDIOUS A FBI Thriller Insidious is the twentieth thriller in #1 New York Times bestselling author Catherine Coulter's FBI series. FBI agents Savich and Sherlock must discover who is trying to murder Venus Rasmussen, a powerful, wealthy society icon. They soon find out that the danger may be closer than expected. Venus Rasmussen, a powerful woman who runs the international conglomerate Rasmussen Industries, believes someone is poisoning her. After Savich and Sherlock visit with her, someone attempts to shoot her in broad daylight. Who’s trying to kill her and why? A member of her rapacious family, or her grandson who’s been missing for ten years and suddenly reappears? Savich and Sherlock must peel away the layers to uncover the incredible truth about who would target Venus. Meanwhile, Special Agent Cam Wittier leaves Washington for Los Angeles to work with local Detective Daniel Montoya to lead the hunt for the Starlet Slasher, a serial killer who has cut the throats of five young actresses. When a sixth young actress is murdered, Cam comes to realize the truth might be closer than she’d ever want to believe. With breakneck speed and unexpected twists and turns, Coulter’s Insidious will leave you breathless until the shocking conclusion. READ AN EXCERPT Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | IndieBound MEET THE AUTHOR Catherine Coulter is the New York Times bestselling author of 75 books. Her hugely popular FBI thrillers include The Cove , The Maze , The Target , The Edge , Riptide , Hemlock Bay , Eleventh Hour , Blindside , Blowout , Point Blank , Double Take , Tail Spin , Knockout , Whiplash , Split Second , Backfire , Bombshell , Power Play and Nemesis . She has a new international thriller series—A Brit in the FBI—co-written with JT Ellison. These include The Final Cut , The Lost Key and The End Game . Also now available is the first in her novella series, starring Grayson Sherbrooke (from the Sherbrooke historical romance series), titled The Strange Visitation at Wolffe Hall . Upcoming new releases! The 4th book in the Brit series, The Devil's Triangle , will be out early 2017. Coulter lives in northern California with her three thriller cats and her thriller husband. If you read just one of Coulter's FBI thrillers, she's got you, so prepare for eye strain and jumping at things that go bump in the night. Sign up for Catherine's Newsletter | Catherine's Website | Visit her on Facebook #AuthorInterview #MysteryThriller #HistoricalRomance

THE BOOK Legend of the King's Guard, Book 1 A READER'S OPINION Conquered Heart offers fast-paced action and a glimpse into Scotland's struggle for independence during the time of Robert the Bruce. The story and characters are engaging and interesting. I don't often like both hero and heroine equally in medieval romance, but Graeme Cameron and Kerrigan Campbell are both worthy and appealing. The story started slowly for me, and the writing felt labored at times, but the story offers up a lot of intrigue, passion, seduction, and even some tenderness. I found myself siding with the Graeme and Kerrigan when others would punish them, and I rooted for them every step of the way. While I felt the writing could have used a little more polish in some places, I very much enjoyed my time with Graeme, Kerrigan, and the cast of fascinating secondary characters. There are some expected elements such as though found in many medieval romance, but the author had enough twists and turns and pleasant characters to make it unique. This is the first book I've read by Kara Griffin and I look forward to reading book two in the Legend of the King's Guard series. Star Rating: 4 Stars | Content Rating : 5 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIE W OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS In protecting the King of Scotland, Graeme Cameron will do whatever it takes to ensure Robert the Bruce’s safety. He and his comrades become the victim of circumstance and are now exiled. As they hide, they realize others are worse off than they and hire themselves out as mercenaries. Kerrigan Campbell is desperate to find her laird and protector’s son. Then she hears of the legendary king’s guard and seeks them out. She runs across their leader in the midst of a battle, but he’s not what she expects. When she and Graeme find an abandoned bairn, he bids her to help him locate its mother and in return he’ll recapture her laird’s son. Graeme has many a challenge before him – how to keep he and his friends from being executed for doing their duty, aiding the sweet lass in recovering her charge, finding the bairn’s mother, helping their king defeat England’s army, and gaining a pardon for their involvement in the king’s misdoings. There’s one challenge that thwarts him and that’s Kerrigan. She’s conquered his heart, and more. Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #MedievalRomance

Please join us in welcoming author Joyce Strand to Books & Benches. Strand writes who-done-it contemporary and historical mysteries set in California, all of which are inspired by actual events. She is the author of the Jillian Hillcrest Mysteries and Brynn Bancroft Mysteries. OVERCAST SUNSET A Brynn Bancroft Mystery Brynn Bancroft’s enjoyment at running her former husband’s winery is overcast by a rash of troubling burglaries and her inability to reconnect with her ex. When she receives an urgent phone call from an old college friend, she welcomes the interruption. Unfortunately, her friend’s business activities intrude on her routine. Then her ex-husband threatens her marriage hopes when he considers selling the winery. When the burglaries escalate, a sense of foreboding plagues her, hinting at trouble to come. AMAZON | B&N "I felt like the characters in this book were RIGHT IN FRONT of me.. They were so real. It's been a LONG time since I have read a book where the characters were that real. I had no idea who committed the murder, and I was guessing from the very beginning. This book was awesome." —Amazon Reviewer on Landscape for Murder Q&A WITH JOYCE STRAND You’re the author of eight contemporary and historical fiction novels. Do you have a preference for writing in the past or present? What led you to write in differing genres? Writing contemporary or historical novels offers different opportunities for spinning a mystery. I enjoy both with a slight preference for my historical mysteries. First, I like researching my books—either contemporary or historical—and get carried away learning new things that I don’t ever use. Regardless of time period, I use the setting to augment the plot. For example, in my just-released contemporary mystery, Overcast Sunset, recent crimes in the wine-making industry provide a rich background to weave into the life of my character Brynn Bancroft, co-owner of a winery in Sonoma. For both historical and contemporary books I start with my characters. Learning about how they would have lived in the past adds a dimension to my interest and to the story. I use the setting and time period to enhance the mystery. For example, in The Reporter’s Story, my heroine had to travel around 1912 San Francisco in a combination of cable car and electric trams, and occasionally in an early automobile. I exploited the idiosyncrasies of these modes of transportation to entangle my heroine in the puzzle. When I first started writing my mysteries, I assumed they would all be contemporary based on my characters. However, one day when talking with a friend he mentioned that his family had uncovered a memoir by his grandfather, who, he said, was a law partner in Ventura, Calif. of an author I might know—Erle Stanley Gardner. Of course, being an avid reader of mysteries, I knew the creator of Perry Mason. I asked for a copy of the memoir and became fascinated with my friend’s grandfather who eventually became a California Superior Court Judge. That interest resulted in my first historical mystery, The Judge’s Story, a mystery featuring a judge in 1939 Ventura, Calif. I enjoyed researching and writing it so much that I went on to then research and write The Reporter’s Story . Your star character in the Brynn Bancroft mysteries came about from your Jillian Hillcrest mysteries. What was it about Brynn that inspired you to write a new series? What is one of Brynn’s best traits? Worst? Brynn was a minor character in the first three mysteries that featured Jillian Hillcrest as the heroine-sleuth. She was Jillian’s boss and a Chief Financial Officer at a small biotech company. In the early books she was having an affair with the Chief Executive Officer. Her affair was discovered by the CEO’s wife and by Brynn’s husband. We learn that she has strayed. After 15 years of marriage her husband asks for a divorce. She was not particularly likeable. When I started the Jillian Hillcrest mysteries, I planned to write three and then spin off a character for the next three. I wasn’t sure at the time which character I would choose. However, I had several readers who expressed interest in learning more about Brynn. I was concerned about featuring her because she was not particularly likeable, but the more I got to know her, the more interesting she became. We find out that her inability to feel emotions was caused by an abusive childhood. Her husband was aware of this and tried his best to help her—but finally gave up. Hillcrest Sunset is the first mystery featuring Brynn as the sleuth-heroine. It was challenging to transition her to become a caring and engaging person, but she begins to face her past and starts to exhibit more personable characteristics. She is a strong person and applies herself in interesting ways to become an able and engaging sleuth and by the time we get to Overcast Sunset she is well on her way to overcoming her past. Overcast Sunset is your third Brynn Bancroft mystery. In your own words, can you give us a sneak peek at what this book is about and what readers can expect from Brynn? The book opens with Brynn at a meeting listening to the latest details of chronic thefts in the Sonoma Valley wine country. She is grateful to have received an urgent call from an old college friend that morning and relieved to leave the meeting early to meet her. Unfortunately when she returns to the winery, she finds her ex-husband—who co-owns the winery she manages—has arrived with news that he wants to sell the winery. Brynn has come to realize that her ex is an extraordinary person and had hoped to win him back. His interest in selling the winery threatens her efforts. The repeated burglaries and the reduced hope for a reconciliation combine with the business activities of her college friend to lead Brynn to anticipate a troublesome near future—which turns out to unfold even worse than she imagines. What is your favorite scene in Overcast Sunset ? As a reader and author of mysteries, I cannot reveal elements of the plot. However, I will say that I most enjoy the developing relationship between Brynn and her ex. There is one scene in particular that I like, but I cannot reveal it! Now we simply have to read it to discover the mystery for ourselves! What are you working on next, and will there be more in the Bancroft mystery series? Overcast Sunset is the final of the three Brynn Bancroft mysteries. I am currently working on the next contemporary mystery to be published in November 2017. I am spinning off a character from the Brynn books—Emma Lazarro—and re-locating the setting to southern California. The town of Ramona offers both mystery and a unique background. I have already started building the biography of the heroine-sleuth. Because this is a new trilogy requiring additional research time, I will not be publishing an historical mystery in 2017. That's more than all right because readers have plenty of books to choose from your currently available mysteries! MEET THE AUTHOR Joyce T. Strand is the author of who-done-it contemporary and historical mysteries set in California. All of her published seven novels are inspired by actual events and/or real people, although they are definitely fictionalized. Strand headed corporate communications at several biotech and high-tech companies in California's Silicon Valley for more than 25 years. Unlike her protagonist Jillian Hillcrest, however, she did not encounter murder in her career. Strand lives with her cat and collection of cow statuary in Southern California, and enjoys exploring and writing about the growing wine region in the Ramona Valley near San Diego. Visit the author at joycestrand.com . You may also connect with her on Facebook and Twitter . #AuthorInterview #MysteryThriller

THE BOOK The Wild Geese Series A READER'S OPINION A masterpiece of an Irish tale! If you believe in Christmas magic, then Kathleen's Mirror will please you! Cynthia Owens is a talented storyteller, and she never disappoints me. I can also mention that she has outdone herself with this 5th touching story! The Wild Geese series tells the story of Irish young men forced to leave Ireland during the great famine and start a new life in America. In each story we follow one of them, their family and friends, and also the women who will enter their lives. The parallel between the life journey of Nuala and Braden and the tale of the magic mirror adds a fantastic and mysterious touch without breaking the pace of the story! This author really wrote a touching and heartwarming Irish romance! Get ready to go on a roller coaster ride of emotions! Some scenes are very emotional and you might shed a tear or two. Let's start at the beginning! Nuala, Roisin's sister whom we met in the 3rd story, My Dark Rose , had learned what poverty was, but now as a young woman she only dreams of marrying a wealthy man. Will she realize what love is all about? While Braden, Nuala's brother and Joe's best friend, feels responsible for failing his family. To redeem himself, he needed to find his lost sister Mary. Will he find her? Who is she? Let's say that Nuala and Braden's relationship is very complex. He always loved her, but felt he wasn't ready to marry yet, while Nuala was afraid to love someone, fearing loosing him later on. As time is spent together during their journey of ups and downs, they will discover the meaning of true love, trust, hope, and family ties. Loved the secondary characters, like Mary! Will fate and the magic of Christmas reunite these two beautiful souls who are afraid of love? The Wild Geese series is a must to read! I highly recommend Cynthia Owens’s books! Give her books a chance, you won’t regret it! Star Rating: 5 Stars | Content Rating : 3 Hearts | Reviewed by : Nicole Laverdure COMING SOON! | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS Look into Kathleen’s mirror… Brought up in poverty, Nuala Donavan dreamed of finding a wealthy man to take her away from her ordinary life and shower her with luxury. Love was definitely not part of her plan. …and take a chance on love… Braden MacGuire has been crushed by the knowledge that most of his family died because of him. His only goal has been to find the little sister who disappeared into the mean streets of New York…until he falls desperately in love with a beautiful, vulnerable red-haired lass. Can an enchanted mirror, an ancient carved brooch, and the magic of Christmas bring these two together? Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #ChristmasBook #HistoricalRomance

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

THE BOOK The Color of Heaven Series (A Standalone Holiday Novel) A READER'S OPINION The Color of a Christmas Miracle is a touching story about overcoming hardship and loss, and finding a way back to hope. I had not read any of Julianne MacLean's "Color of Heaven" series before, and this truly is a standalone novel. The author has a unique writing style. I don't normally enjoy reading first person books, but MacLean has a talent for it. Claire Radcliffe suffers greatly, which is a shame because she's the type of person who deserves every happiness. She had far too much drama for my tastes in the first half of the book, and I felt like I was invading someone's diary of private notes to the point of being uncomfortable. Then, in the second half of the book, Claire redeemed herself. I wanted her to have the happy ending and blessed miracle she deserved, and I ended up liking her very much. She doesn't have an easy journey, but when it's obvious she won't have to go through any of the hardships alone, the story became truly touching and moving. Claire Radcliffe could teach people a thing or two about forgiveness. A clean and tender story, The Color of a Christmas Miracle is sure to be enjoyed by many. Star Rating: 4 Stars | Content Rating : 2 Hearts | Reviewed by : Kaylie Morgan BUY AT AMAZON | VIEW OUR RATING SYSTEM BOOK SYNOPSIS From USA Today bestselling author Julianne MacLean comes a new standalone contemporary romance in the bestselling Color of Heaven Series, where people are affected by real life magic and miracles that change everything they once believed about life and love. Claire Radcliffe has been blessed with a wonderful life—a loving husband, a fulfilling career as a schoolteacher, and a perfect house in a charming historic neighborhood. But with each Christmas that passes, the one thing she longs for most of all continues to elude her, and before long, her life doesn’t seem so perfect anymore. When yet another holiday season approaches and her marriage suffers the worst possible blow, Claire must learn to have faith in destiny, and allow herself to believe that miracles can happen to anyone—especially at Christmastime. Heartwarming and inspiring, The Color of a Christmas Miracle is the tale of one woman’s journey to find happiness, and to learn the power of forgiveness and redemption on the path to true love. Format Read : E-Book | Source: Provided by the author or publisher. VIEW FTC DISCLAIMER REGARDING BOOK REVIEWS Receive our weekly roundup of posts, reviews, interviews, and special deals directly in your inbox. Delivered once a week—no spam . #AReadersOpinion #ChristmasBook #ContemporaryRomance

“Oh boy, did I ever enjoy this book. Good work!” —Marcia Montoya RACHEL A Bride Brigade Novel A shameful past… Rachel Ross’ secret haunts her. She joins other women leaving Virginia for Texas, object matrimony. Vowing never to trust again, she is rebuilding her life. She likes the dusty little town of Tarnation and is attracted to Zane Evans. She accepts a job as his bookkeeper. Her past has made her cautious and she vows never to let down her guard. The attraction is there, and she allows him to court her. Zane Evans is a former Pinkerton agent who wants to forget all he saw in that profession and in the war and build a good life in Tarnation, Texas. He has carefully planned his future. He’d never believed in love at first sight until he meets Rachel. Now he’s determined to discover and remove the reason her beautiful brown eyes look haunted. One event reveals her past in a spectacular way. Will Zane forgive her silence? BUY ON AMAZON | ADD TO GOODREADS “I have read all of the five Bride Brigade books and can’t pick a favorite. Each story is complete, detailed, and enjoyable. Rachel’s story did not disappoint. I love how Ms. Clemmons intertwines all the bride’s stories, yet each can be read alone. I look forward to the next book in the series.” — Marianne Spitzer EXCERPT FROM RACHEL Mama glanced from Hannah to Rachel. “I’ve fixed you a place in my sewing room. Your clothes and things are already there.” Not even allowed to return to her former room? Scooping up her valise, she turned and fled to the sewing room. “Fine. At least I’ll have privacy.” Patrick followed and caught up with her before she closed the door. “Dahlia and I’ve been scouring our brains since I learned of our parents’ plan. I may have a solution.” He handed her a folded newspaper page with one advertisement circled. “What do you think?” Rachel read the item: “Young women of good character desiring to go west for the purpose of marriage may apply for an interview between ten and four o’clock in the afternoon from April 5th to 10th at the Grand Hotel, Richmond, care of Mrs. Lydia Harrison.” “Good character? This Mrs. Lydia Harrison might not agree I qualify.” She reread the item as she mulled over the implications. “Regardless, I’ll go see Mrs. Harrison at ten tomorrow.” She hugged Patrick. “I knew I could count on you, dear brother.” “You’ll have to thank Dahlia for that advertisement. It wasn’t in the parts of the paper I read.” All her plans for the future had changed. Instead of welcome from her family, she was ostracized by all but her brother. In her head, she saw the wisdom of her father’s edict. In her heart, she was far too crushed for reason. She wouldn’t stay a second longer than necessary to find a solution. Patrick leaned a shoulder against the door jamb. “I’ll take off work again to go with you and be certain this woman isn’t a con artist soliciting young women for objectionable purposes.” Rachel was able to force a smile though her heart had frozen solid. “No, Patrick, thank you for coming for me and for being the same fine man I remember, but I should do this alone. The ad says ‘for the purpose of marriage’ and I’ll be sure of the details before I commit—if she even chooses me.” “At least let me give you a few dollars to pay cab fare there and back and enough to buy lunch if you’re out then.” He opened his wallet and removed several bills, which he pressed into her hand. She gazed at the amount. “Ten dollars? Patrick, this is too much.” He backed away as he held his hands palm facing her. “You don’t know what expenses you’ll have. I’ll worry enough without thinking you have no resources.” She dropped the cash into her purse. “Thank you. You’re the dearest brother who ever lived.” His cheeky grin cheered her. “Honesty compels me to modestly agree with you.” MEET THE AUTHOR Caroline Clemmons is an Amazon bestselling and award winning author of historical and contemporary western romances. A frequent speaker at conferences and seminars, she has taught workshops on characterization, point of view, and layering a novel. Caroline and her husband live in the heart of Texas cowboy country with their menagerie of rescued pets. When she’s not indulging her passion for writing, Caroline enjoys family, reading, travel, antiquing, genealogy, and getting together with friends. Find her on her blog , website , and social media. Subscribe to Caroline’s newsletter here to receive a FREE novella of HAPPY IS THE BRIDE, a humorous historical wedding disaster that ends happily—but you knew it would, didn’t you? “. . . I enjoyed this book so very much I hated to see it end.” —Dorothy Henderson ”Intriguing story of a woman framed for someone else’s crime. Trust doesn’t come easy when even her own family turns against her.” — Beverly G . THE GIVEAWAY $50 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash Giveaway Ends 11/25/16 Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW. #GuestAuthor #HistoricalWesternRomance