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Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out Alexa Aston's newest installment in her Sagebrush Bride series. Outlaw Muse A woman shattered by events in her past, struggling to find the only family she has. A man broken in spirit, trying to move forward after the death of his muse. Together—on a journey fraught with danger—they begin to heal, thanks to love. Separated from her twin during the Orphan Train selection, schoolmarm Serena Sullivan searches for her brother Bill over fifteen years. Just as she gets a solid lead on his whereabouts, she is railroaded by a crooked sheriff and set to hang for the murder of the sheriff’s best friend. English playwright Daman Rutledge comes to the American West on business for his aristocratic brother when he witnesses a woman about to be executed. On impulse, he rescues the beautiful stranger and goes on the run with her. Along the way Daman finds the muse he’s been missing and loses his heart to the raven-haired beauty with haunting amber eyes. As they try to escape the long arm of the law, Daman seeks to prove Serena’s innocence before it’s too late. They find love—and the truth—on a journey that changes their lives. *This is a revised edition of Outlaw Muse, which was originally released under the pen name Lauren Linwood. Get Your Copy Meet the Author Award-winning and internationally bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She’s a binge fiend (The Crown and Ozark are favorites) who enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family. Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense. Her series include Dukes of Distinction, Soldiers & Soulmates, Lawmen of the West, Hollywood Name Game, The St. Clairs, Knights of Honor, The King's Cousins, The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle, Sagebrush Brides, and Dukes Gone Wrong. Website: alexaaston.com Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel Series: Sagebrush Brides Publication date: December 7, 2021 Content Rating: 4 Hearts: We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. R (1): Descriptive Sex and Violence View rating system

A Reader's Opinion Land of Heroes is a thoroughly intriguing story full of wonderful historical information and frontier realism. Each character was highly entertaining. Their interactions kept me engaged and interested in their individual stories, and what would happen next to them. The author took me through a journey of the Texas frontier and explained everything with enough detail that I thought I was there. I especially liked the combination of true events mixed in with fiction – they felt seamless. The courageous men and women were brought to life by Wiley in Land of Heroes . This book is #4 in her Wilderness Dawning—the Texas Wyllie Brothers Series, but I did not feel lost not having read the previous books. Land of Heroes is sure to be enjoyed by fans of historical western romance and historical fiction. Land of Heroes Can sparks of the heart ignite amid the battle that flamed the epic struggle for Texas? In 1824, ten years before the Texas Revolution, the province of Texas belonged to Mexico—but not for long. Texians would soon rebel against the oppression of the Mexican commandant. In a land that grew heroes from those with courageous and daring hearts, this heart-jolting historical romance is the fourth novel in the Wilderness Dawning Series and features Wiley’s popular and well-loved characters, the Wyllies and MacKays. From an award-winning and highly-rated author, LAND OF HEROES is an irresistible tale of love, friendship, and courage. Fearing for her father and brother’s safety, Alexa Anderson opposes the formation of a Texian militia. Rebels risked being shot by firing squads at the Mexican army’s fort in the East Texas town of Nacogdoches. Alexander MacKay is on his way out of Mexican Texas, returning to his home in Kentucky when he senses he shouldn’t leave. Staying doesn’t make sense, but he soon realizes he can help the Texians' cause of freedom. Once he meets Alexa, he has another reason to stay although the beautiful, opinionated woman, fearing for his life also, tries to talk him into leaving. Texas is not a safe place for spirited young men who believe basic human rights are God-given. But Alexander’s desire to fight for freedom is too great. Along with his father Bear MacKay, her family, and the famous James Bowie, he soon joins the Texians National Militia to fight in the Battle of Nacogdoches—a battle that could change the course of history and the lives of two young people. Alexa learns that the rebellion she resisted may be the only true path to safety and to love. Will the fighting and a dangerous enemy place too great a strain on their budding love? Or will Alexander’s commitment to the cause of freedom ultimately strengthen their love? BOOK INFO Genre: American Historical Romance/Western Release: September 29, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . Disclaimer: Books & Benches received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely those of the reader/reviewer. See full disclaimer below.

A Reader's Opinion Highland Prodigy is a great book, and Aftyn and Jamie are amazing characters. Aftyn was an understanding woman who knew her people and stood strong when faced with certain challenges. She became meek and silent when it came to using her abilities to heal the people of the clan. Yes, she has limited experience, and she relied on her mom, but when Jamie entered her life, Aftyn grew defensive and insulted. I’m like, you can’t have it both ways. Luckily, both characters turn out to be wonderful. The author is a great storyteller and did a wonderful job bringing Highland Prodigy to life. It was easy for me to picture the scenes while reading since the details and descriptions were richly explained. I thought the tone of the book fit both the genre and the plot well. The romance between Jamie and Aftyn started out as smoldering and accelerated to a heated romance. Highland Prodigy is an entertaining read and great for fans of historical romance. Highland Prodigy Jamie Lathan is a formidable warrior, yet his life depends not only on his legendary prowess with a sword, but on keeping a dangerous secret. Like his mother, Jamie wields the power of healing magic. From childhood, he knew that those skills, often feared in a woman, would be condemned outright in a man. Discovery could mean imprisonment or death, but Jamie soon learns that denying his compulsion to heal is to deny the very core of himself. Aftyn Keith desperately tries to fill the role of Healer after her mother dies unexpectedly. Still an apprentice, ill-prepared and hampered by her illegitimate birth, Aftyn knows that her best may not be enough to keep her place as a useful member of the clan. When a handsome Lathan warrior with healing skills far beyond her ken arrives and succeeds in saving his gravely injured kinsman, she begs him to teach her. Jamie risks everything in choosing to trust Aftyn. But when she unwittingly betrays him, Aftyn is faced with a decision that may gain Jamie's freedom, but cost her the only home that she has ever known. In the face of her growing feelings for Jamie, she knows that either decision will leave her heart broken beyond any Healer's mending. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Highland Romance Release: November 16, 2022 Format Read: E-Book Reviewed by: Rainelle Source: Provided by the author or publisher Content Rating: 5 Hearts—Pull out your fans and grab a glass of ice cold water because this book is steaming hot! One or more graphic sex scenes. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . Disclaimer: Books & Benches received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely those of the reader/reviewer. See full disclaimer below.

A Reader's Opinion Sarah E. Ladd never fails to deliver a well-written Regency romance. The Letter from Briarton Park combines Ladd's smooth writing, wonderful storytelling, and a tender romance into an engaging novel. Cassandra Hale and James Warrington are both noble characters whose differences balance each other nicely throughout the story. Cassandra—in search of family she's never known—not realizing what fate awaits here when she reads a letter from a stranger. James has enough to deal with, but when Cassandra shows up on the doorstep of Briarton Park, he cannot bring himself to turn her away from his thoughts. With a touch of intrigue, a sweet romance, and delightful characters, The Letter from Briarton Park is certain to entice fans of Regency romance and leave them wanting more in Sarah E. Ladd's Houses of Yorkshire series. The Letter from Briarton Park In Regency England, one letter will alter a young woman’s fate when it summons her to Briarton Park—an ancient place that holds the secrets of her past and the keys to her future. Cassandra Hale grew up knowing little about her parentage, and she had made peace with the fact that she never would. But Cassandra’s world shifts when a shocking deathbed confession reveals a two-year-old letter from Mr. Clark, the master of Briarton Park, with hints to her family’s identity. Stung by betrayal, she travels to the village of Anston only to learn Mr. Clark has since passed away. James Warrington is a widower and the new master of Briarton Park, where he lives with his two young daughters, his sister, and his mother-in-law. When Cassandra appears at his doorstep with a letter from the previous owner and then proceeds to assist his family in an unexpected way, he is honor bound to help uncover the answers she seeks. The more time Cassandra spends in Anston, the more she begins to suspect not everything—or everyone—is as they seem. As details emerge, the danger surrounding her intensifies. Using wit and intuition, she must navigate the treacherous landscapes between truth and rumor and between loyalty and deception if she is to uncover the realities of her past and find the place her heart can finally call home. Sarah Ladd’s latest Regency romance, first in the new Houses of Yorkshire series, combines mystery and intrigue with the best of historical storytelling. BOOK INFO Genre: Regency Romance/Inspirational/Christmas Publisher: Thomas Nelson Release: March 1, 2022 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the publisher Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . Disclaimer: Books & Benches received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher. Opinions expressed in this review are completely those of the reader/reviewer. See full disclaimer below.

A Reader's Opinion Touching Time is an engaging time-time travel romance with charming characters, and an interesting portrayal of how an eighteenth-century lady adapts to a modern world—and a modern man. Time-travel romance is not my usual genre, however, as a first-time reader of B.W. Haggart, I was delighted with how the author portrayed Victoria Covington's struggles and adjustments to her new existence. The ofttimes gruff Sam Dalton sensed something wasn't quite right with Victoria's sudden appearance at Belton Park, but the offer she presented was too good to turn down. With rare and perfectly-timed circumstances, Victoria emerges from 1818 Belton Park to see Sam in the same place. This beings a journey and relationship between them that is filled with drama, humor, tenderness, and evident chemistry. Touching Time made me smile more than once and kept me hooked to the end. Touching Time Victoria Covington is mysteriously propelled two hundred years into the future. She must not only learn to live in the 21st century, but also keep her beloved Belton Park from being sold to a handsome, but ungentlemanly American, who simply wants the estate to further his own business plans. Victoria had given up hope of finding a husband among the heiress-hunting ton and contented herself living on her beloved family estate, Belton Park. When reality shifts around her, she doesn’t realize that she’s traveled to the year 2019. She is sure she’s going mad, but fortunately her distant cousin, the Viscount William Covington, recognizes her from her portrait, and guesses she is the famous family member who mysteriously vanished in 1818. Sam Dalton, a successful real estate developer from America, wants to refashion Belton Park into a conference center with a Regency theme. He is betting the future of his company on the acquisition. Victoria is shocked to learn the viscount is going to sell Belton Park to Dalton. She is determined to save her family lands while navigating modern society. Sam is just as determined to own Belton. Victoria must discover a way to keep Belton in the family while keeping her heart safe and reputation intact. BOOK INFO Genre: Romance/Time-Travel Release: October 20, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the author or publisher Content Rating: 2 Hearts—Our hearts are aflutter. This author knows how to turn up the heat with some passionate kisses. Nothing graphic here! NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more . Books & Benches received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely the reviewer's.

A Reader's Opinion Kimberley Woodhouse transports readers to the Grand Canyon in A DEEP DIVIDE, a historical novel filled with stunning landscapes, excellent research, sweet romance, and a deeper message that translates off the page. The determined and intriguing heroine, Emma Grace, has spent years keeping a secret, and while her past experiences have led her to El Tovar as a Harvey Girl, she remains true to herself. When a mystery ensues, and all Emma Grace has strived to build in her life is threatened, she must use her wits to either remain hidden or confront her past. I enjoyed learning about moments in history I knew little about before reading A DEEP DIVIDE and appreciate the author's ability to seamlessly combine fact and fiction. There are strong religious elements in this book, and while at times they overpowered other parts of the story, the author did a wonderful job in conveying realistic struggles with powerful faith. I look forward to reading the next book in Woodhouse's Secrets of the Canyon series. A Deep Divide With her past behind her, she has nothing--and everything--to lose. After being kidnapped as a child, heiress Emma Grace McMurray has seen firsthand the devastation that greed causes in the world, and she wants nothing to do with it. When she discovers her father has offered her up as a bargaining chip to expand his empire, she disappears into the night. Determined to stay hidden, even if it means always looking over her shoulder, she finds herself working as a Harvey Girl at the El Tovar Hotel. When Ray Watkins arrives at the hotel on business, he is immediately captivated by the beauty of the Grand Canyon. Though his fame-seeking father aims to lure new investors to the Arizona Territory, Ray dreams of one day taking over the family business and doing good with the profits. Ray immediately admires Emma Grace, and though an attraction begins to form, she can't let go of the deep-rooted fear that he's just like every other wealthy man she's known. When suspicious activity follows Emma Grace and Ray to the El Tovar, they are pulled into a mystery that stirs up their worst fears. And as shocking revelations come to light, they are left to question all they thought to be true. BOOK INFO Genre: Historical Christian Romance Release: October 5, 2021 Format Read: E-Book Source: Provided by the publisher via NetGalley Content Rating: 1 Heart: This is a clean read appropriate for all adult audiences. May have sweet, clean kisses. NOTE: Ratings are only provided for content (sex, violence, language, etc.). We do not give star ratings on this blog, though reviewers may do so on retail outlets and Goodreads. We review and share only those books we have enjoyed and think others will enjoy, too. Learn more .

Join Inspector Michael Corravan in nineteenth-century London, as he unravels a troubling mystery before a killer can strike again. Don't miss Down a Dark River . Down a Dark River In the vein of C. S. Harris and Anne Perry, Karen Odden’s mystery introduces Inspector Michael Corravan as he investigates a string of vicious murders that has rocked Victorian London’s upper crust. London, 1878. One April morning, a small boat bearing a young woman’s corpse floats down the murky waters of the Thames. When the victim is identified as Rose Albert, daughter of a prominent judge, the Scotland Yard director gives the case to Michael Corravan, one of the only Senior Inspectors remaining after a corruption scandal the previous autumn left the division in ruins. Reluctantly, Corravan abandons his ongoing case, a search for the missing wife of a shipping magnate, handing it over to his young colleague, Mr. Stiles. An Irish former bare-knuckles boxer and dockworker from London’s seedy East End, Corravan has good street sense and an inspector’s knack for digging up clues. But he’s confounded when, a week later, a second woman is found dead in a rowboat, and then a third. The dead women seem to have no connection whatsoever. Meanwhile, Mr. Stiles makes an alarming discovery: the shipping magnate’s missing wife, Mrs. Beckford, may not have fled her house because she was insane, as her husband claims, and Mr. Beckford may not be the successful man of business that he appears to be. Slowly, it becomes clear that the river murders and the case of Mrs. Beckford may be linked through some terrible act of injustice in the past—for which someone has vowed a brutal vengeance. Now, with the newspapers once again trumpeting the Yard’s failures, Corravan must dredge up the truth—before London devolves into a state of panic and before the killer claims another innocent victim. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | BAM | INDIEBOUND “Sparkling prose, vivid description, a haunting and satisfyingly complex story . . . Down a Dark River is a must read for fans of any genre of crime fiction.” —Edwin Hill, author of The Secrets We Share Q&A with Author Karen Odden Does writing energize or exhaust you? How or why? I had a friend ask me once, “Don’t you ever want to take a day off of writing, just for a break?” And I replied, “It’s sort of like brushing my teeth. I can skip a day, but it doesn’t feel good.” It’s the best answer I have. I’d say that writing is both the most energizing and one of the most exhausting things I’ve ever done. Writing is my daily practice, and it grounds me. On a typical day, I sit down at my desk by around 7:30 am to write or research, and five or six hours go by. Often, once I know my characters well, I put them in a room together and watch them moving and talking and gesturing, as if they’re in a movie, and I just write it all down. Sometimes I compose an entire chapter this way. I work for five or six hours, completely absorbed in that world … and suddenly I realize I’m really hungry. Then I look up at the clock, stretch my back, and realize I’m Done. Wiped. I cannot look at my screen one more minute. That’s when I get up and walk around (usually to the kitchen first!) and seek out people … real people who act in ways that surprise me, instead of characters in the movie that is going on in my head. I hike in the desert, or I call a friend or my husband or one of my kids, or I spend time with my 17-year-old beagle. For another kind of break from reading and writing, I go for things with textures—like the yarn of my crochet project (though I’m the world’s slowest crocheter) or the floury stickiness of the white chocolate and craisin scones I like to make. What makes DOWN A DARK RIVER special or unique to you? The plot leapt at me from a contemporary story that I couldn’t put out of my head. Six or seven years ago, I read an article about race and the law in the US that included an account of a young Black woman in the South who was jaywalking across a quiet street. She was hit by a white man who was driving too fast and under the influence of alcohol, although under the legal limit. She suffered in the hospital for two months with terrible injuries, but a judge in court awarded her only $2,000—ostensibly because she had been jaywalking. The injustice clawed at me. But even more striking to me was that her angry father threatened not the judge but the judge’s daughter—to make the judge understand what it was to almost lose a daughter. Reading that, it struck me that revenge is significantly more complicated than the brief phrase “an eye for an eye” suggests. Sometimes when justice fails at the level of the symbol (which is what monetary compensation, or an apology, or a guilty verdict is because none of them materially reverse the damage of broken bones), what we call “revenge” is sometimes a (problematic) attempt to communicate one’s experience to someone who, out of a lack of compassion or ignorance or willfulness, is refusing to acknowledge it. I think of this type of “revenge” as akin to taking someone by the shoulders and shaking him to make him pay attention. So I wanted to explore revenge, but in 1870s London. Who are your main characters? Tell as a little about what makes them tick. I’m a little bit in love with my Scotland Yard Inspector, Michael Corravan, who in 1878 is 31 years old and Irish, at a time when anti-Irish feeling in England is high. A former thief, bare-knuckles boxer, and dock worker, Corravan grew up in Whitechapel, not far from where Jack the Ripper murders would happen a decade later. Growing up poor and relatively powerless made Corravan scrappy, decisive, physically strong, and good with his knife. These are all traits that stand him in good stead as a policeman. But as his wise friend (and love interest) Belinda Gale points out, those traits limit Corravan as well. At one point she tells him, “You love to rescue people, which is all well and good—but part of the reason you love the role of rescuer is it means you never have to admit your own weakness and vulnerability.” Corravan initially scoffs at her insight, but he comes to realize she’s right, and he will not be able to solve this serial murder case—involving a man whose very rage derives from his own social and legal powerlessness—until Corravan remembers how it was to feel powerless himself, as a child and a young man. How does your faith life/ethical outlook inform your writing? I deeply believe in the power and importance of compassion and kindness. (The one trait I cannot abide is intentional, consistent unkindness.) I feel it’s important that we never reduce people to one aspect of their identity but instead view them in all their complexity. In my books, I strive to create characters with their own unique backstories and worldviews and motivations, and my main characters and even my secondary characters are often praised for being complex and well-developed. I also believe we should endeavor to resist thinking in those ugly binary terms of “us” versus “them.” Often this simply requires us finding common ground—which is one reason I chose a bridge for an important scene in Down a Dark River. In my daily life, I try to remember that most people are trying to do the best they can, just as I am. That’s one piece of common ground. Another is that we all make mistakes—sometimes significant ones that hurt the people we love. We’re evolving beings, so I don’t think it is fair to judge someone by their single worst action. Frankly, if I were judged solely by my worst actions, I’m not sure I’d have any friends. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? Although previously I had published critical essays and articles in journals and introductions for Barnes & Noble classics, I think publishing my first book, A Lady in the Smoke , enabled me to start thinking of myself as a “Real Writer,” to give myself permission to prioritize writing over household chores, and to say, “I’m sorry, I can’t do X today, I need to write.” The pro of writing (as a career) is that it’s like water; it can exist almost anywhere and can accommodate the shape of everything else. This is also the con. As a writer, I found it sometimes difficult to make and hold boundaries. I work from home, and while I have an office, it doesn’t have a door, just an archway. So my kids and husband would just wander in to visit or chat … and I’d feel guilty saying, I can’t talk right now; I’m writing. Now I have this huge white bear named Glacinda (my son named her) that I put by the archway when I can’t be disturbed. Having that first publication also gave me the confidence to stretch myself in subsequent books and tackle themes outside of my comfort zone, to introduce myself to other writers, and to begin taking a small role in the professional community. It took me a long time to feel I was ready for a conference, but in October 2019, I attended my first Bouchercon, the international mystery writer’s conference, and to my delight, I found “my people.” The conference was not only a ton of fun; it opened my eyes to many ways to participate in and support others in the mystery community. Books & Benches: Thank you so much, Karen, for a fabulous Q&A filled with a lot of interesting responses. Congrats on Down a Dark River ! “A spellbinding, brilliantly plotted Victorian murder mystery, Karen Odden’s Down a Dark River features a fascinating and relatable detective, a cast of complex characters, powerful prose, exceptional attention to historical detail, and enough twists and turns to keep you on the edge of your seat until the last astonishing page. Highly recommended!”—Syrie James, bestselling author of The Secret Diaries of Charlotte Bronte The Author Karen Odden earned her Ph.D. in English from New York University and subsequently taught literature at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. She has contributed essays to numerous books and journals, written introductions for Victorian novels in the Barnes & Noble classics series, and edited for the journal Victorian Literature and Culture (Cambridge UP). Her previous novels, also set in 1870s London, have won awards for historical fiction and mystery. A member of Mystery Writers of America and Sisters in Crime and the recipient of a grant from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, Karen lives in Arizona with her family and her rescue beagle Rosy. WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | PINTEREST | BOOKBUB | GOODREADS Publication Date: November 9, 2021 Crooked Lane Books Hardcover & eBook; 336 pages Series: An Inspector Corravan Mystery, Book One Genre: Historical Mystery Content Rating: PG-13, with non-descriptive sex and some violence. View our rating system Tour Giveaway Enter to win a copy of Down a Dark River by Karen Odden! The giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends December 1, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Follow along with Eliza as she communes with restless spirits and uncovers the mysteries of Havenwood Manor, one gaslit room at a time. Parting the Veil Some houses hold secrets that are meant to be kept forever… Parting the Veil, a suspenseful gothic romance about a scandalous Gilded Age heiress who meets a charming British lord with a tragic past, only to discover dark family secrets hidden within his haunted manor, is coming to you from Lake Union Publishing this fall. When Eliza Sullivan inherits an estate from a recently deceased aunt, she leaves behind a grievous and guilt-ridden past in New Orleans for rural England and a fresh start. Eliza arrives at her new home and finds herself falling for the mysterious lord of Havenwood, Malcolm Winfield. Despite the sinister rumors that surround him, Eliza is drawn to his melancholy charm and his crumbling, once-beautiful mansion. With enough love, she thinks, both man and manor could be repaired. Not long into their marriage, Eliza fears that she should have listened to the locals. There’s something terribly wrong at Havenwood Manor: Forbidden rooms. Ghostly whispers in the shadows. Strangely guarded servants. And Malcolm’s threatening moods, as changeable as night and day. As Eliza delves deeper into Malcolm’s troubling history, the dark secrets she unearths gain a frightening power. Has she married a man or a monster? For Eliza, uncovering the truth will either save her or destroy her. AMAZON | BARNES AND NOBLE | INDIEBOUND Q&A with Author Paulette Kennedy PARTING THE VEIL is a suspenseful Gothic romance about a Gilded Age heiress named Eliza Sullivan who travels to England to collect an inheritance and begin afresh. Upon arrival, she meets an eccentric viscount with a tragic past that mirrors her own. After a whirlwind courtship, they marry, only for her to discover his house is haunted by deadly family secrets. How did publishing your first book change your process of writing? I think it made me more organized and helped me learn to write on a deadline. Before I published PARTING THE VEIL, I was a “pantser” who would write only when I felt like it. It would take me years to draft a manuscript. Now, I’ve developed a set of skills that enable me to complete a novel more quickly with fewer revisions. I have every confidence that I can complete at least one novel a year now, and my current work-in-progress is ticking along really well. As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be a writer and a teacher. I homeschool my daughter and write full time, so I think my childhood dream has finally come full circle—at the age of 47! “An American heiress with a scandalous past meets a mysterious British lord in this swoon-worthy gothic thriller. Parting the Veil takes familiar plot elements—a ruined mansion, family secrets—and gives them a sexy, modern twist. This stunning debut from Paulette Kennedy kept me guessing until the very end!” —Elizabeth Blackwell, author of Red Mistress and On a Cold Dark Sea Which character was most challenging to create? I think Malcolm was the most challenging, because I wanted him to be nuanced and complex—a bit of a morally gray hero with many oppositional facets to his personality. I really tried to see him through Eliza’s eyes as I crafted his rather dramatic arc. Readers tell me that they have a love/hate relationship with his character, so I hope that means I pulled things off the way I intended. Which scene, character or plotline changed the most from first draft to published book? Eliza’s character arc changed the most dramatically between the first draft to publication. I really dove deep with her characterization after I got some early feedback that she was unlikeable. Now, readers seem to connect with her vulnerability, her trauma, and her resilience. She was a bit of a spoiled brat before, and now she’s a woman who has clearly defined principles and a wounded but passionate heart. She wants to believe the best about people and would do anything for those she loves. “A beautiful, crumbling mansion in the English countryside; a charming but enigmatic viscount; ghosts; rumors; and a labyrinth of dark secrets, lies, twists, and well-executed turns…As if that wasn’t enough, add rich atmosphere and an American-heiress heroine determined to settle her own future. Kennedy has crafted a delicious, romantic gothic mystery that will keep readers guessing even as they’re feverishly turning the final pages.” —Megan Chance, author of A Splendid Ruin The Author Writing historical fiction for the romantic-at-heart reader who craves page-turning twists and a touch of the supernatural, Paulette Kennedy infuses her stories with realistic detail to create a cinematic, immersive experience for the reader. As a history lover, she can get lost for days in her research—learning everything she can about the places in her novels and what her characters might have experienced in the past. Originally from the Missouri Ozarks, Paulette now lives with her family in a quiet suburb of Los Angeles. In her free time, she enjoys tending to her garden, knitting, and finding unique vintage treasures at thrift stores and flea markets WEBSITE | FACEBOOK | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM | GOODREADS Publication Date: November 1, 2021 Lake Union Publishing Genre: Historical/Gothic/Romance Content Rating: PG-13 View our rating system Tour Giveaway Enter to win a copy of Parting the Veil by Paulette Kennedy! The giveaway is open to the U.S. only and ends November 12, 2021. You must be 18 or older to enter. Void where prohibited by law. This giveaway is sponsored by the author and hosted by Historical Fiction Virtual Book Tours. Thank you for visiting and reading! Feel inspired? Want others to experience the book magic? We hope you'll support this author by sharing with your friends. Have you read the book? Let us know your thoughts!

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out Alexa Aston's newest installment in her Sagebrush Bride series. Written in the Cards An independent woman discovering herself as she travels through the American West. A man of integrity broken by events in his past—and on the run from a bloodthirsty killer. Two individuals drawn together who find a love that can never be . . . Maggie Rutherford jilts her too-perfect society groom at the altar and flees New York for the American West, where she turns her travels into dime novels that she writes and illustrates under the pen name Lud Madison. After the Civil War, veteran Ben Morgan marries his childhood sweetheart and takes her to homestead on the Great Plains. Losing her and their unborn child in an Indian attack, Ben detaches from emotion and becomes a roaming gambler. When he kills a cheating opponent in self-defense, the man’s gunslinger brother swears revenge upon Ben. Ben hides on a cattle drive and brings in a herd to Abilene, where a waiting Maggie wants to find a rough and tumble cowboy to interview for her next story idea. Sparks fly as the dangerous drover and popular novelist wind up living in the same household, running a general store east of Abilene. But with Black Tex Lonnegan hot on his trail, will Ben run from his growing attraction to Maggie and the gunfighter’s promise of death—or will he make a stand for his life—and love? *This is a revised edition of Written in the Cards , which was originally released under the pen name Lauren Linwood. Get Your Copy Meet the Author Award-winning and internationally bestselling author Alexa Aston lives with her husband in a Dallas suburb, where she eats her fair share of dark chocolate and plots out stories while she walks every morning. She’s a binge fiend (The Crown and Ozark are favorites) who enjoys travel, sports, and time with her family. Her historical romances bring to life loveable rogues and dashing knights, while her contemporary romances are light and flirty and sometimes contain a bit of suspense. Her series include Dukes of Distinction, Soldiers & Soulmates, Lawmen of the West, Hollywood Name Game, The St. Clairs, Knights of Honor, The King's Cousins, The de Wolfes of Esterley Castle, Sagebrush Brides, and Dukes Gone Wrong. Website: alexaaston.com Genre: Historical Western Romance Type: Novel Series: Sagebrush Brides Publication date: November 2, 2021 Content Rating: 4 Hearts: We're getting hot in here! These characters know how to have a good time. Lucky for us, they don't go into too much detail. R (1): Descriptive Sex and Violence View rating system

Voting is open for the November 2021 book cover contest. View the finalists, support these terrific authors, and c ast your vote on the cover contest page.

Congratulations to Kathryn Springer, author of The Gathering Table , winner of the October 2021 Readers' Choice Cover Contest! Thank you to all those who voted and supported the wonderful authors and their books! Want to keep helping authors? Share this post and their books with your friends! A little book love goes a long way. Vote in the new cover contest > BOOK INFO Title: The Gathering Table Author: Kathryn Springer Genre: Contemporary Christian Fiction Release: September 28, 2021

Do you enjoy a new book as much as we do? We love rereading our favorite books over and over, but there is something about discovering a fabulous new book we can't resist . . . so we won't try. We're delighted to share great reads you'll want to add to your TBR pile. Check out these great new books! The Path Not Taken October 26, 2021 A second chance to follow her heart… in this novel by USA TODAY bestselling author Ruth Logan Herne She never thought she’d see him again… Or tell him they have a son. Ten years ago, Devlyn McCabe refused to let her secret—their child—be the reason Ryland Bauer stayed. Now Rye’s back to make an offer on her property, and she can’t keep hiding the truth. Rye will do anything to be part of his son’s life. But he’ll have to reveal the real reason he left if he wants them to become a family… From Love Inspired: Uplifting stories of faith, forgiveness and hope. Get Your Copy The Curse of Morton Abbey October 26, 2021 Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself. To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? Get Your Copy Sleigh Bells Ring October 26, 2021 Solicitor Vaughan Springthorpe knows perfectly well that Sir Peter Spencer’s offer of employment seems too good to be true: he hires her sight unseen, offering a suspiciously large salary to prepare the sale of Morton Abbey, his crumbling Yorkshire estate. But few people in late-Victorian England will entrust their legal affairs to a woman, and Vaughan is desperate to prove herself. Once at Morton, Vaughan discovers that someone is determined to drive her away. An intruder tries to enter her bedroom at night, gunshots are fired outside her window, and an eerie crying echoes from the uninhabited second floor. Even Netherton, the nearest village, seems odd: the picturesque houses and perfect-looking families are haunted by dark secrets connected to Morton Abbey itself. To complete her work and solve the mystery at the heart of Morton, Vaughan needs the help of Joe Dixon, the handsome gardener, and Nicholas Spencer, her employer’s irascible invalid brother. But with her questions diverted, her progress thwarted, and her sleep disrupted by the crying, will Vaughan escape Morton Abbey with her sanity intact or be cursed by the secrets within? Get Your Copy The Cornish Princess October 26, 2021 Long before there was a Winter King, there was a Summer Queen—Gwendolyn of Cornwall, a fierce warrior princess who raised an army to unite a nation. If you love British lore and ever longed to dive headlong into its spirit… If you hoped to meet the “tribe of the gods” who ruled Ireland and indelibly left their mark upon the British Isles… If you’re ready to embark on a magical journey into the dawn of Britain… If you can find it in yourself to trust me as your storyteller and leave all expectations behind… join me for a rollercoaster ride through history. Said to be a changeling child left to the King and Queen of Cornwall, Gwendolyn is “blessed” at her cradle by three Fae gifts: a prophecy for her future, a gift of “Reflection,” and a golden mane—quite literally, every lock of her hair will turn to gold, only provided it is cut by her one true love. Yet no one understands more than Gwendolyn that her blessings are actually curses. Any man who gazes upon her will see his own heart reflected in her countenance, and depending upon his virtue, she is the loveliest woman in all the land… or the most hideous. It's a cruel jest of the capricious Fae, for unless a man's heart be true, Gwendolyn is destined to be coveted for her crown, but despised for her face. To make matters worse, Gwendolyn's ailing father is desperate for an alliance with King Brutus of Loegria. “The Romans are coming!” and according to the Goldenchild Prophecy, only by uniting their dragon banners can they stem the Red Tide. Offered to Brutus’s ambitious son, Prince Locrinus, Gwendolyn’s heart is tempted by a mysterious, maddening half-blood Fae who she can never wed if she is to fulfill her crib side prophecy. Get Your Copy The Last Goodnight October 26, 2021 A thrilling new suspense novel from the bestselling author of The Perfect Murder that fans of Jayne Ann Krentz and Laura Griffin won’t want to miss! A cold case is heating up, and with another body turning up, one woman is hot on the trail of a killer…with the help of the rancher who hired her to deliver justice. When Kade Logan said goodbye to his estranged wife eight years ago, he never thought it would be the last time he saw her alive. Now her car has been hauled out of a nearby lake and Kade is determined to track down the man who murdered her. Enter Eleanor Bowman, a talented private investigator who’s about to stir up a hornet’s nest on his Colorado ranch. With old scandals still buzzing about his late wife’s many affairs and new violence erupting, Kade is faced with the discovery of another beautiful woman’s body. Are the two killings linked? Who is the man who seduced, then murdered both victims? Ellie believes they are dangerously close to the truth. From corporate Denver high-rises to posh Vail mansions, Kade and Ellie sense the killer is closing in again, and this time Ellie is the target. Kade must risk everything to save the woman he’s coming to love—before she becomes the next one to die . . . Get Your Copy Unmasking Deception October 26, 2021 “Exactly how desperate are you?” Escaping to Maida Pleasure Gardens for an evening of anonymous moonlight waltzing is bliss for Viola Dove, compared to the strained formality of her first London Season. But the excitement reaches fever pitch when an escaped convict is pursued through the gardens – wounded and in desperate need of help. So, of course, Viola hides him in her family’s cellar. Lord Dominic Gorse, the rakehell son of a marquis, is ill-suited to confinement, whether in Newgate or a surprisingly comfortable cellar, cared for by the beautiful, intriguing Viola, a parcel of lively children, and a very large puppy. Viola sees beneath Dominic’s layers of charm and trouble to the man beneath, and sets out to help prove his innocence. But is she right to trust the handsome, volatile stranger with whom she is falling hopelessly in love? Is he using her for his own ends, or is there a deeper, deadlier deceit at work? One they need to expose to have any chance of happiness… Get Your Copy Happy Reading!