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  • Happy Release Day to Wolf Caged! – Felicity Heaton

    Happy Release Day to Wolf Caged! – Felicity Heaton

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    Rejected by her fated mate. Sold to a fae king. Can wolf shifter Saphira survive the unseelie Shadow Court and her dangerous attraction to its ruthless ruler?

    It’s finally here! I’ve been working on Wolf Caged and the Bound to the Shadow King series for almost two years and I’m so excited to get this first book in this epic romantasy / paranormal romance trilogy into your hands. The reviews so far have completely blown me away, and made me really energised about getting the second book edited.

    Wolf Caged is available to read in Kindle Unlimited, or in paperback and hardcover.

    Grab the ebook ➡ https://geni.us/wolfcaged
    Grab the paperback ➡ https://geni.us/poRTKHW
    Grab the hardcover ➡ https://geni.us/wolfcagedhc

     

    WOLF CAGED

    SAPHIRA HARPER

    I was born into this world and raised for one purpose. To become the mate of the alpha of the Hunt wolves to keep the peace between our packs.

    Fate made me for him, but he has other plans.

    Ones involving a black-market auction and selling me to the highest bidder.

    I shouldn’t find the cold, brutal unseelie fae king who buys me attractive. I shouldn’t crave his touch. His wicked smiles. His smouldering looks. But I have never craved anything as fiercely as I crave him.

    Except the one thing he won’t give me.

    My freedom.

     

    KING KAELERON THE WRATHFUL

    She is everything I should not want… but she is everything I need.

    My seer told me the little wolf shifter would bring me the vengeance I have been chasing for centuries, but the female is more intriguing and exquisite than I want to admit. She is sin hiding behind a mask of innocence. Fire concealed under a layer of ice.

    She is dangerous.

    And I want to burn her resolve to ashes, the way she torches my self-control.

    The longer I spend with her, the stronger this obsession becomes. She thinks I am a monster, but she is the one who awakened this ravenous, possessive beast inside me.

    I want to peel away that pretty mask and shatter it.

    I want to set her free.

     

    Wolf Caged is a fae / shifter romantasy / paranormal romance book featuring an unseelie shadow daddy with a dark secret and an iron-clad grip on his feelings (we all know how that’s going to go), and a down-on-her-luck wolf shifter about to discover fate sometimes picks the wrong guy… but isn’t about to let that or the fae who buys her break her. It’s a delicious blend of enemies to lovers, beauty and the beast, touch her and die, found families, hot banter, mating heat to make your toes curl, and more.

    Grab the ebook ➡ https://geni.us/wolfcaged
    Grab the paperback ➡ https://geni.us/poRTKHW
    Grab the hardcover ➡ https://geni.us/wolfcagedhc

    I really hope you enjoy this book. I absolutely loved writing it and have read it a few times myself, and fell deeply in love with all the characters and can’t wait to write about them some more and see where their journeys take them. Happy Reading!

    About Felicity Heaton

    I’m a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books as Felicity Heaton and F E Heaton. In my books I create detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, Larissa Ione, Kresley Cole, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will love my books too.



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  • First Kiss Friday with Jude Knight – Sherry Ewing

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    Welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. Any day I can have my friend Jude Knight showcase another one of her new releases is a great day. Today, Jude has an excerpt that is close to a first kiss scene from her novel The Secret Word that releases tomorrow, September 6th. Wishing Jude success on her latest book baby! Happy reading, my lovelies, and take it away Jude!

    When I went looking for a first kiss scene, I couldn’t find one! Clem remembers how wonderful his kisses have been when she is fretting about their wedding night, so I must assume Chris managed to separate her from her chaperone for long enough to give her a taste of things to come, but I don’t put that on the page.

    Here, though, is the start of their wedding night. Since things get rather specific very quickly, and this is a family-friendly blog, I’ve only covered the beginning.

    Excerpt:

    It was only a short drive to the house they had rented.  Chris was mindful that what was to come was new to Clem. Thanks to the efforts of Aunt Fern, their embraces so far had been nearly chaste—certainly far more chaste than Chris would have preferred.

    Even so, he could control the urge to leap on her as soon as the carriage door was shut.  He would have to, for he would not want to frighten her, nor did he want her to be embarrassed in front of her new servants when they arrived at their new house looking as if he had tumbled her in the carriage. 

    Instead, he took the seat beside her, took her gloved hand in his, and lost himself in thinking about the bedding to come. Not for the first time, he wondered what she had been told. 

    She was curious, he knew that. And she listened to the servants, so she knew a little. Had anyone thought to explain the details? Was she frightened? She didn’t appear nervous, though. Was she glaring at him?

    “Is something wrong, my love?”

    Clem blushed. “I was just thinking…”

    She broke off, and Chris made what he hoped was an encouraging sound.

    “Martha said you would want to kiss me as soon as we were alone, and—” her blush deepened— “other things.”

    “Other things?” Chris was intrigued to know exactly what the knowledgeable maid may have disclosed.

    “You know, Chris. Embraces and such.” She leaned closer to him and hushed her voice, as if afraid that the driver might hear. “Touching me with your hands. In… places. She said men like it?” Clem sounded uncertain.

    “This man likes it,” Chris assured her. “Very much, when it is my hands and your body. And I hope you will like touching me, too. I did not want to start something in the carriage that would leave you rumpled and uncomfortable when you arrived at our house, for if I once start, beloved, I am not certain how much control I will have. I want you. Very much.”

    “Oh.” Clem thought about that. “I’m not sure exactly what ‘want’ means, but…Will I like it, Chris?”

    “You will like it very much,” he assured her. He would make certain of that. “In fact, you can tell me what you like most about it, and I will do more of that, and if there happens to be anything you don’t like, tell me, and I won’t do it. But not here in the carriage. Not for your first time.”

    “Oh,” she said, her face clearing by the moment, and her second, “Oh,” sounded much more cheerful. “Not until this evening, then.”

    “Here we are,” Chris commented, as they drew up at their own front steps. This evening? He could wait until this evening if she insisted, but he hoped she didn’t.

    By the time he had helped her from the carriage, the front door was open and the servants were lined up in the little entry hall, ready to greet their new employers.

    Clem went down the line, greeting the cook-housekeeper, the parlor maid, the kitchen maid, the footman (who was going to provide any valet services that Chris needed), and the boot boy, and presenting them all to their new master. She had met them all when she interviewed them for their positions, and from what Chris could see, she had done well. 

    Martha was there, too. Chris greeted her. He’d be keeping an eye on this one. When Clem had said she planned to keep the maid, Chris had questioned her choice. “What if her loyalties are still with your father?” he asked.

    “That could be true of anyone we employ,” Clem said. “Since she and I made our bargain, she has been an excellent maid—loyal, as far as I know, and competent. She knows how I like things done. I’d like to keep her, Chris.”

    She was Clem’s maid, so it was over to her. And Clem was right, of course. Any of the servants could be reporting to Wright, to Billy O’Hara, even to Chris’s grandfather. Time would tell, Chris supposed. He’d be careful not to leave anything that should be confidential where one of the servants could see it.

    Meanwhile, he had a wife to kiss, and “embraces and stuff.” She had seemed disappointed that he had not started in the carriage, and he hated disappointing his wife.

    Clem was dismissing the staff. How did one ask a lady if they were open to the idea of moving the consummation from the evening program to the afternoon? Especially since Martha and the footman had not left with the rest.

    “Clem, would you like Martha to help you into something more comfortable?” he asked.

    “I am quite com… Oh. Now? You mean this afternoon?” Fortunately for Chris, she sounded more intrigued than scandalized. 

    “Yes, why not?” Please, Clem. Please.

    Martha gave him an approving nod, and Clem smiled. “Yes. Martha, come along,” she said. “Give me half an hour, Chris.”

    “Half an hour,” he agreed, with an internal sigh. He used the time to order a tray of tea from the kitchen to be sent up immediately, and another with food and more tea in three hours. 

    Then he went up to the bed chamber they had agreed would be his dressing room—they planned to sleep in the same bed. He stripped out of his wedding finery, washed thoroughly, and put on a banyan—one that he’d bought only that week, since the robe he’d had for the past ten years was not fit for other people to see. 

    Ready, ready, more than ready he knocked on the door to their shared bed chamber and

    The Secret Word
    By Jude Knight

    When Christopher Satterthwaite rescues Clementine Wright from would-be kidnappers, he is offered an opportunity he can’t refuse. Clem’s father, a wealthy coal magnate, has been looking for a husband for his only child. Someone with aristocratic bloodlines and no family—someone who can give him the blue-blooded heir he craves, without the interference of noble relatives.

    Chris figures he and Clem can work together to keep Wright from controlling their every move. As their partnership develops, they fall in love. Wright doesn’t stand a chance against them. Or does he? 

    And what about the other men who are showing an interest in the child who is soon on the way? Chris’s reprobate grandfather is hanging around like a bad smell, and clearly has a scheme in mind. Chris’s more respectable relatives have not disowned him after all, and are eager to shower the as-yet unborn child with every advantage—because they regret not helping Chris as a child? Or for purposes of their own?

    And then there is Ramping Billy O’Hara, the most sinister of them all, and Chris’s patron. 

    Some are villains. Some are on the side of the couple and their child. Only time will tell which is which. 

    Buy Link or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0FM8R25VP

    Meet Jude

    Jude always wanted to be a novelist. She started in her teens, but life kept getting in the way. Years passed, and with them dozens of unfinished manuscripts. The fear grew. What if she tried, failed, and lost the dream forever? The years since 2014 have brought 17 novels, 16 novella, 6 volumes of short stories, a number of awards, and hundreds of positive reviews. The dream is alive.

    Website and blog: http://judeknightauthor.com/

    Subscribe to newsletter: http://judeknightauthor.com/newsletter/

    Jude’s bookstore: https://judeknight.selz.com/

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JudeKnightAuthor/

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/JudeKnightBooks

    Pinterest: https://nz.pinterest.com/jknight1033/

    Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/jude-knight



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  • Vegetarian or vegan character (Sapphic Book Bingo #19)

    Vegetarian or vegan character (Sapphic Book Bingo #19)

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    Vegetarian or vegan character

    This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo features sapphic books with a vegetarian or vegan character.

    For this category, read a book in which at least one of the main characters is vegetarian (doesn’t eat meat, poultry, or fish) or vegan (doesn’t eat any animal product, including dairy and eggs).

     

    15 sapphic books with a vegetarian or vegan character

    Below, you’ll find 15 sapphic books featuring a vegetarian or vegan character:

     

    Something in the Wine by Jae

    All her life, Annie Prideaux has suffered through her brother’s constant practical jokes. But Jake’s last joke is one too many, she decides when he sets her up on a blind date with his friend Drew—neglecting to tell his straight sister one tiny detail: her date is not a man, but a lesbian.

    Annie and Drew decide it’s time to turn the tables on Jake by pretending to fall in love with each other.

    At first glance, they have nothing in common. Disillusioned with love, Annie focuses on books, her cat, and her work as an accountant while Drew, more confident and outgoing, owns a dog and spends most of her time working in her beloved vineyard.

    Only their common goal to take revenge on Jake unites them. But what starts as a table-turning game soon turns Annie’s and Drew’s lives upside down as the lines between pretending and reality begin to blur.

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    Make Room for Love by Darcy Liao

    When a tall, stunning butch protects Mira from her ex-boyfriend at the club—and offers her a safe place to stay—Mira should be relieved. Not flustered. She’s not into women.

    Yet this tough electrician with curves for days makes Mira’s heart race like never before.

    But Isabel, wounded by grief, forces Mira to keep her distance. Until Mira’s desperate to win a union election at work—and only Isabel has the experience to teach her how.

    Soon they’re lingering over dinner, teasing each other as the apartment heats up. And Isabel is making her coffee every morning, hanging her shelves, giving her smoldering looks before bed…

    But Mira can’t afford temptation. Not after living with her nightmare ex.

    No matter how well Isabel takes care of her…or how much Isabel needs healing, too.

    She can’t risk her freedom—or her heart.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    The Wilding of Em’s Path by Ana K. Wrenn

    Untamed and wild, Cynda is an outdoorswoman holed up in the Appalachian backcountry. Her solitary existence is shattered when Kadija, a fierce freedom fighter, tracks her down.

    Kadija demands Cynda return to civilization to face the consequences of an out-of-control project Cynda worked on years ago. But how can she take on the destructive research institute preying on vulnerable, sensitive people when it almost destroyed her once? How can Cynda face the outside world again, now it’s awash in so much fear and violence that it suffocates her?

    As the warring pair reluctantly journey into an oppressive world, the ties that bind them slowly draw them closer. But what happens if those delicate ties ever break?

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

     

    Curtain Call by C H Clepitt

    When an assistant to the director role turns into P.A. to her favourite film star, Jen can’t believe her luck. Eleanor Francis is charming, kind and funny, but she has a secret, and when tragedy strikes, things threaten to unravel at an uncontrollable pace. Despite being out of her depth Jen has to adapt to her new role quickly, to protect Eleanor, with whom she is rapidly falling in love.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

     

    The Condition: Impervious by CEON

    This story will send your head spinning, and keep you guessing all the way…

    Eden Dyson’s life is turned upside down by a series of events, one after the other; some are explainable. Most, not so much.

    It begins with Eden visiting her wife in the hospital… and then inexplicably losing four days of her life after a strange and fearful occurrence.

    Following her through her journey of trying to figure out what’s happening turns into a whirlwind of horror after horror; suffering loss, pain, love, danger, hiding, being on the run and accidentally committing crimes.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Heart Failure by Chris Zett

    Dr. Jess Riley’s life is perfect, ticking all the boxes—successful cardiologist, newborn daughter, and a luxurious condo. That is, until she suddenly collapses from acute heart failure. Her entire world crumples along with her exhausted body.

    Jess is forced to face facts—she can’t keep working endless hours, and she’ll have to move back home to recover.

    To her shock, her mother has already taken in Lena Walker, a struggling artist who isn’t a stranger to heartbreak either.

    At first, an unimpressed Jess resents Lena’s cheerful presence. Gradually, though, the two women form a tentative friendship over tai chi, picking fruit, and evening walks with the baby. A sexy massage leads to friends-with-benefits fun. But is it all too soon? Should two barely mended souls try to risk a future together?

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    Mistress: Found by Emily Alter

    When Iria moved to Cádiz, Spain, and she became a member of the local kink club, she hadn’t been expecting Nerea. A sub who had been deemed unsafe to play with by most Dommes. After their first scene, Iria should’ve stayed away, but she didn’t.

    Nerea had been drifting, going through the motions. Iria forced her to confront her demons, her past. She made her connect with all the emotions she’d all but blocked years ago.

    If only she could learn how to do that, then she could enjoy everything Iria was offering. Every experience Mistress was willing to give her, to test her limits with.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    That Secret Something by Emily Wright

    Rebecca Lawson is off-limits.

    Jess knows this, but Rebecca has captured her heart for as long as she can remember. She’s sporty, tall and confident—all the things Jess is not—but most of all…she’s her best friend Lily’s sister. Nothing can ever happen between them.

    Especially after that slip-up at prom night.

    But when Lily announces her engagement, and Jess and Rebecca are forced to spend time together as the maids of honour, the forbidden feelings intensify and sparks begin to fly.

    Amidst the chaos of raging bridezillas and other wedding disasters, can Jess resist temptation for the sake of her friendship?

    Or will pursuing Rebecca Lawson finally send her life up in smoke?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Thornfruit by Felicia Davin

    There were two secrets in Varenx House, and Alizhan was one of them.

    Alizhan can’t see faces, but she can read minds. Her mysterious ability leaves her unable to touch or be touched without excruciating pain. Rescued from abandonment and raised by the wealthy and beautiful Iriyat ha-Varensi, Alizhan has grown up in isolation, using her gift to steal secrets from Iriyat’s rivals, the ruling class of Laalvur. But Iriyat keeps secrets of her own.

    When Alizhan discovers that she isn’t the only one of her kind, and that a deadly plot threatens everyone like her, there’s only one person she can trust.

    Ev liked having a secret. None of the other girls in the village had a thief-friend.

    Evreyet Umarsad—“Ev” to her parents and her one friend—longs to be the kind of hero she reads about in books. But the rest of the world feels impossibly far away from her life on a farm outside Laalvur. Ev will never lay eyes on the underground city of Adappyr, the stars of the Nightward Coast, or the venomous medusas that glow in the dark depths of the sea.

    At least on her weekly trip to the market, Ev gets to see her thief—the strange young woman who slips by her cart and playfully steals a handful of thornfruit. When the thief needs help, Ev doesn’t hesitate. Together, they uncover a conspiracy that draws them all over Laalvur and beyond.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    Something New by Jacqueline Ramsden

    Thea Cooper is heading to her sister’s wedding in Montana for Christmas. The problem is that her ex is going to be there and her mother is hoping they’ll rekindle their romance. All Thea wants is to enjoy the lodge, the holiday, and celebrate her sister.

    Erin Foxglove, wedding planner extraordinaire, is giving up her Christmas to work the Cooper-Perez wedding. Despite her best friend’s hopes that she’ll at least reward herself with a fun little fling while she’s away, Erin isn’t interested. She’s there to do a job and she has her rules about not sleeping with clients.

    That is, until she meets Thea.

    As sparks fly between them, Thea realizes she might not be as straight as everyone thinks, and Erin finds some people are worth breaking her rules for. But, faced with an expiration date on their time at the mountain retreat together, will their romance fizzle out or will they get everything they’re wishing for?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Cinnamon: A dairy cow’s (and her farmer’s) path to freedom by Janet Mason

    Whoever heard of a talking cow? Meet Cinnamon, who in Cinnamon: a dairy cow’s (and her farmer’s) path to freedom, tells us about the joys and sorrows of her life. She has difficulty warming up to the farmer who “owns” her. Cinnamon reflects that “everybody knows that humans eat cows,” but overcomes her trust issues to pursue a friendship with Jody the farmer. Cinnamon trusts that it will somehow help her to become friends with the farmer and she is right. Cinnamon gets to know the farmer by spying on her through the kitchen window.

    Cinnamon’s special cow friend Spice has a health emergency, which jolts the farmer into awareness. She is nursing Spice back to health only so that she can be sent to slaughter, with the other dairy cows, in a few years. As Spice recovers, she and Cinnamon have lively conversations in the field: What is money – and what does it have to do with them?

    Cinnamon, the cow, and Jodi, the farmer, become friends and by loving Cinnamon, Jodi (nicknamed Sunflower by Cinnamon) discovers she can no longer eat animal products. Meanwhile, she finds that by eliminating animal products from her diet, she is able to heal her own health issues. As her previous unhappiness disappears, Jodi concocts a plan to turn her small farm into an animal sanctuary where Cinnamon, her special cow friend Spice, and the others can live out their natural lives in peace and harmony.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    The Hex Next Door by Lou William

    What’s a little necromancy between family?

    For the Crow Witch, Icarus “Rus” Ashthorne, Moondale seemed the perfect hiding place. But like they always say, you can’t go home again, and Rus finds out quickly that nothing is how she remembered, while at the same time very little has changed. Then she comes face to face with the only woman she’s ever loved, Az Elwood, and… well, things get messier than she thought they ever could.

    The Elwoods are a staple of Moondale, respected, feared, powerful, and Azure Elwood was always happy with her place amongst them. Happy to play the part of the good little witch, until Rus Ashthorne. Eleven years ago, Rus got on a bus and left Azure behind, but she’s back, with two little girls trailing her like ducklings, and enough unspoken things between them to drown the town.

    Now witch hunters are knocking at their proverbial door, the council of magic is being a real pain in the ass, and Rus wonders how much magic it’ll take to protect the people she loves from herself and the danger following her.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple

    Audible

     

    Oh My Stars by S-Jay Hart

    Can you ever find something you never knew you’d lost?

    You can outgrow a place, it’s common knowledge. You can even outgrow people. Honey Rosenberg has spent her entire life in the small town of Verity Vale and it still fits her perfectly. She lives her life in certainties. She goes to work every day with her sisters at their family deli. She bakes sweet treats that the town clamor for and she spends her nights drinking cider and playing chess, under the moonlight, with her elderly neighbor and best friend.

    Everything is idyllic.

    But life can turn on a dime and when it does, she wonders if things will ever feel the same.

    Liv Henderson thought she had it all, beautiful girlfriend, a luxury seventh-floor apartment with a city view and job she always wanted. But then she is handed something she never asked for. The deed to a place she barely remembers. Suddenly nothing is what it seems and Liv starts to question everything she’s ever known, including herself. As Liv’s life starts to unfurl around her she soon comes to learn that in order to find ourselves we have to be ourselves.

    Sometimes all you have to do is look up.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Striking Gold by Tiana Warner

    When nature lover Ivy inherits a plot of land in the rugged interior of British Columbia, she sets off to escape city life and build her dream homestead. She instantly clashes with her beautiful but frosty neighbor, Annie, who wants to buy Ivy’s land to solve a centuries-old Gold Rush mystery.

    Ivy instead offers to help Annie finish her grandfather’s lifelong quest if Annie will help her build her off-grid oasis. But as they draw closer, Ivy is caught between protecting her land and falling for the ice queen determined to dig it up.

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

     

    The Bigger Picture by Violet Morley

    When Sage’s best friend Marshal asks if she would be his wife, she is prepared to spend the rest of her life helping his political campaign. Sage understands the life she is walking into and has come to peace with what it means for her.

    After an unfortunate incident, Jayden must move back home. Luckily her twin, Marshal, offers her the guest house on his property. Jayden accepts, wanting nothing more than to provide a safe place for her nine-year-old daughter, Lila, while she reevaluates her life.

    Sage and Jayden get off to a rocky start, but while Sage finds herself battling her carefully constructed walls, Jayden struggles to hide her growing feelings for her twin’s fiancée.

    A feel-good romance about two women who find each other by looking at the bigger picture.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Leave a comment

    What book will you be reading for the “vegetarian or vegan character” category? Let us know in the comments!

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  • A Study in Drowning – Book Review – Author Natalina Reis

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    A Study in Drowning (A Study in Drowning, #1)A Study in Drowning by Ava Reid
    My rating: 5 of 5 stars

    Five VERY enthusiastic stars!

    What a fabulous read. After all the hype I was ready to be disappointed, but the opposite was true.
    Very well-written, extremely atmospheric, spooky and with a definite feminist aura.

    Yes, I kind of knew (or thought I knew) one of the big reveals (who the real writer was) but other than that it was all surprising (in a good way) and well crafted into the whole plot.

    Can’t wait to read the sequel.

    Well done Ms. Reid. Thank you for a wonderful trip into another world.

    View all my reviews

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  • First Kiss Friday with Alina K. Field – Sherry Ewing

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    Hello, lovely readers, and welcome to my First Kiss Friday blog. I’m happy to have my friend and returning author Alina K. Field who has an excerpt from her upcoming novel Her Impeccable Scoundrel. We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene. Happy reading!

    Excerpt:

    “It smells delightful in here.”

    Blythe jumped and dropped the spoon she’d been holding. Graeme was not supposed to return until the morning.

    She bent to find the spoon in the shadows and saw his buckskin clad legs as he reached for the dropped utensil. He picked it up first, and when she took it from him their hands touched, sending her heart into a gallop.

    His gaze swept over her, his eyes widening at her deshabille.

    “Apologies for startling you.” He glanced at the table where the first batch of pasties were cooling. “Those look delicious. Oughtn’t you to be in bed?”

    She waved the spoon. “There are dishes in that cabinet over there. Help yourself and then take yourself off to bed. I can sleep in the carriage tomorrow, but you’ll need your rest if you’re planning to ride all the way to London.”

    She turned back to her task, picked up an apple and her knife, and heard the clatter of a plate and a bench drawing back.

    “May I sit?” he asked. “This reminds me of the time I visited you here. Mrs. Davies insisted we have cakes where she was working and could keep an eye on us.”

    Graeme had been one of the younger lads coming around every once in a while. She’d had her eye on another lad—until of course, Archie. How different might her life have been if she’d made a life with one of the boys she’d grown up with.

    Wiping her hands on her apron, she went to draw a mug of ale and plopped it down in front of him.

    “Thank you.” His hand shot out and took hers. “A countess who can cook. I had no idea.”

    She pulled away and went back to her dough, her thoughts all a jumble. In the shadowy kitchen he looked like the young man who’d visited her, so young then, and now, so very virile as he devoured the pasty with gusto.

    “It is not a criticism,” he said. “I think it is admirable that you can make something so delicious. In point of fact, I’m very hungry. I was too busy at Risley Manor to have much of a dinner. Stockwell and I put our heads together to arrange the post riders and horses. Lady Hermione and your maid and my valet will be here before dawn.”

    “And Mr. Jarrow?”

    “Yes, him as well.”

    A shiver went down her spine. Graeme had spoken those words directly into her ear, the warmth of his breath tickling her.

    “Can I help you?” he whispered.

    Her hand slipped, the knife pricked her finger, and she dropped it.

    He took her hand and produced a handkerchief, pressing it against the wound and bending to examine the spot of blood.

    “It’s nothing.” She tried to tug her hand away.

    “You’re right,” he said. “It’s nothing. But I’ll hold this to it a bit longer, and then maybe you’ll let me slice the apples. Are we making apple pie? Wasn’t it apple pie that Mrs. Davies served us that day?”

    “We are making nothing. You are going to get some rest. And it was rhubarb pie she served.”

    “Ah,” he said on a long sigh. “You remember that day in as much detail as I do.” He touched her waist and turned her to face him. “Blythe,” he said, leaning closer. “Blythe.”

    His lips touching hers, he pulled her close until her breasts pressed against his broad chest, their hearts beating together. A soft nibble, a gentle press, and then he angled his head and took the kiss deeper, bending her back against the counter. Heat flared and spread through her, wings of desire fluttering inside her. The kiss was gentle and seductive and then firmly inviting, his mouth opening and coaxing, and she shook off his handkerchief and threaded her fingers through the hair at the back of his head.

    She wanted to fly away on that kiss, to submerge herself in sheer pleasure; the sheer pleasure of kissing a man who, if she was honest, she’d been wanting to kiss since he’d walked into the drawing room four days ago. Or had it been five days?

    Cool air touched her shoulder and she looked down. He’d loosened her apron and robe and was touching her breast through the cotton of her nightgown, gently, each stroke sparking rivers of molten desire straight to her nether regions.

    She leaned back and covered her gasps with one hand and pressed the other flat against his chest. She must stop him.

    But maybe not yet. It had been so long, so very, very long since she’d felt anything like desire.

    Her Impeccable Scoundrel, by Alina K. Field
    Book 44 in the Wicked Widows League multi-author series
    Release day November 18, 2025

    Blythe Blatchfield, widowed Countess of Chilcombe, has emerged from her year of mourning still battling the dark legacy of her husband, who left a new will disinheriting her and a reputation in shambles. Vowing to fight this injustice, she has launched a campaign to restore her place in society and claim the inheritance that should be hers from the man whose interference years earlier led to her unhappy marriage, the new Earl of Chilcombe.

    Called back to England to take up his late cousin’s title, diplomat Graeme Blatchfield is eager to see his late cousin’s widow and learn for himself whether the rumors about the woman he once held a childish infatuation for are true. Having plunged into marriage with the last earl—Graeme’s fault for revealing their tryst—she’s been tainted by her husband’s decadence. Rumors swirl in the men’s clubs about the new widow. Rumors that may or may not be true. Forced by matters of the estate to spend time together, he soon discovers the vulnerable and lonely woman underneath the society mask. Can he get her to forgive him—and more?  

    Universal preorder link:  https://books2read.com/HerImpeccableScoundrel

    Author Bio and links:

    USA Today bestselling author Alina K. Field earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree in English and German literature but prefers the happier world of romance fiction. Her roots are in the Midwestern U.S., but after six very, very, very cold years in Chicago, she moved to Southern California where she shares a midcentury home with a golden-eyed terrier and a feisty chihuahua and only occasionally misses snow. 

    Social Media Links:

    Website: https://alinakfield.com/

    Amazon Author Page https://www.amazon.com/Alina-K.-Field/e/B00DZHWOKY

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alinakfield

    Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlinaKField

    BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/alina-k-field

    Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7173518.Alina_K_Field

    Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/alinakf/



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  • Zion National Park – Too Crowded?

    Zion National Park – Too Crowded?

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    Image of the red rock cliffs at Zion National Park with the title "Finding Solitude in a Crowded Zion National Park"

    When people hear how much I loved hiking in Zion National Park, the first thing they often say is, “Wasn’t it crowded?” And yes—Zion is one of the busiest parks in the system. But when my husband and I went in mid-November of 2023, we discovered something delightful: solitude is still possible in this stunning canyon if you know when and where to look.

    The weather that week was absolutely lovely—cool enough for hiking, warm enough that we never needed winter jackets. Because it was late in the season, the park felt less congested than the summer months I’ve always heard about. We were even able to find last-minute cancellations in the campground and located a parking spot for our van right near the main visitor center. Shuttle buses had only short lines, and it felt like we had stumbled onto Zion’s quieter side.

    When Crowds Thin Out

    Author Karen Barnett hikes through the Virgin River with a stout walking stick and waders.

    One of the gifts of traveling in November is that the main trails aren’t nearly as packed. My husband entered the lottery for the popular Angels Landing hike and managed to snag a coveted permit. Heights make my knees weak, so I happily waved him off, content to spend those hours digging into book research at the museum and wandering the quiet grounds of the lodge imagining adventures for the characters from my soon-to-release novel, Through Water and Stone.

    On another morning, we both set out for The Narrows, where the Virgin River becomes your trail. There were just enough people at the trailhead to give us confidence we were in the right place, but once we waded upstream, long stretches of silence enveloped us. At times it felt like we were the only two souls in the canyon. (We rented dry bibs and waterproof boots to protect us from the chilly water. Don’t forget to check on current conditions before setting out. Be safe!)

    Trails that Breathe

    The trails weren’t empty, but even the busier ones felt manageable. The Emerald Pools trail held clusters of hikers, but nothing overwhelming—it was easy to pause for photos (like the one in the header!), let groups pass, and even spot a scurrying lizard or two.

    On our last evening, I ventured out on the Watchman Trail, which starts right near the visitor center. As the sun set and painted the cliffs in amber light, only three other couples passed me. That feeling of near-solitude while standing in the heart of one of America’s busiest national parks was priceless.

    Quiet Meals and Open Spaces

    Even meals were a surprise. We splurged on a couple of dinners out in nearby Springdale, and the food was excellent. We also met for lunch at Zion Lodge after Steve finished Angels Landing. We braced ourselves for a long wait, only to find plenty of open tables. After eating mostly campground meals and granola bars, having someone else cook was a delight.

    What I Learned

    If you’re hoping to find solitude in Zion, here’s what worked for us:

    • Visit in the off-season (late fall, winter, or early spring). The park still shines, and the crowds are far lighter. During some of those months, you can even drive your own vehicle along the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive instead of relying on the shuttle system. The schedule varies, so check Zion’s website for current information.
    • Stay flexible. I checked the campground reservation site, Recreation.gov, every morning for weeks on end and was rewarded for my persistence. We moved our trip a couple of days in order to take advantage of someone else’s cancellation—four nights in a single campsite that offered both water and electricity? You can bet that we grabbed it!
    • Vary your timing. Evening hikes and early mornings often brought us the most peace.
    • Seek balance. Yes, we braved a few popular trails, but we also lingered in quiet corners—both gave us a fuller picture of Zion’s character.

    That week in November showed me that solitude isn’t lost at Zion—it just hides in different hours, quieter trails, and off-season months. And when you stumble upon it, the hush of the canyon walls feels even more sacred.

    If Zion is on your list, don’t let the fear of crowds hold you back. With a little planning and a touch of flexibility, you just might find yourself standing in stillness, listening to the river sing beneath towering red cliffs—all on your own’ll find what you’re looking for.

    I hope you don’t just search for empty trails. Search for the presence that fills them. In Zion’s silence, beneath cliffs etched by time, you may find more than beauty. You may find the deep rest that only God can give.

    View of Zion Canyon: red rock cliffs rising from valley floor with sage and a wooden fence.

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  • Accidental admission of love (Micro-Trope #8)

    Accidental admission of love (Micro-Trope #8)

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    Accidental admission of love

    It’s time for another Micro-Trope category. This one features sapphic books with an accidental admission of love.

    One character accidentally confesses their love to the other. It could be an unguarded moment, an unplanned outburst, a heated argument, or an accidental slip of the tongue that changes everything between them.

     

    15 sapphic books with an accidental admission of love

    Below, you’ll find 15 sapphic books that include an accidental admission of love.

     

    Chemistry Lessons by Jae

    Kylie and Regan have been best friends since kindergarten, supporting each other through thick and thin.

    While everyone thinks they would be perfect for each other, they insist there’s no chemistry between them—and Regan should know since she’s a chemistry teacher.

    To prove it, they agree to a little chemistry experiment: they’ll go on three dates with each other.

    So what if their gazes start to linger and accidental touches no longer feel platonic? They chalk it up to the romantic atmosphere—until a friendly good night kiss turns passionate.

    Can their friendship go back to the way it was before? Do they even want it to? Or will they risk losing what they have for a chance at love?

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    Book Lovers by T.B. Markinson & Miranda MacLeod

    Librarian Bennet Webb’s dream trip to Bath was supposed to be perfect, a literary pilgrimage to honor Jane Austen’s 250th birthday, topped off with a proposal from her longtime boyfriend. Instead, Bennet finds herself alone in the city of her dreams. That is until she meets an unexpected companion who changes everything for the better.

    Alice Higgins is a waitress by day, aspiring novelist by night, and sworn enemy of all things Austen. But when a flustered yet adorable American tourist stumbles into the restaurant where she works, Alice is surprisingly willing to reconsider her views.

    Soon the pair strike up a transatlantic book swap. Alice will read Bennet’s beloved classics, and Bennet will try Alice’s contemporary picks. What begins as a literary experiment turns into a connection that deepens with every page. Could the love stories they share lead to a happily ever after they never expected?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Shay’s Gamble: A Worlds Apart Romance by Amber Perez

    In Sin City to celebrate her best friend’s upcoming nuptials, Shay, dealing with her failed marriage, is not in a party mood. But when she locks eyes with a mysterious woman across a crowded room, her strict, traditional upbringing wars against her long-hidden desires. She aches to embrace her true self, go all-in and hit the jackpot.

    Allie, a student struggling to provide for her younger sister, heads to Vegas to celebrate her engagement. She thought she hit the big time when she landed the ridiculously wealthy and handsome Jackson Pemberton IV, but as his true colors are shown, it leaves her questioning everything. Maybe financial stability comes at too high a price. Perhaps it’s all or nothing in life. Responsibility battles against following her heart’s desires.

    When the two bridal parties repeatedly collide, sparks fly, and they team up to make the most out of their Vegas experience. That decision tosses a wild card at Shay and Allie, forcing them to face feelings they never expected.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Flipping Hearts and Homes by Chris Zett

    Handywoman Rowan is rooted in her small-town community, accepting every odd job to keep her family’s hardware store afloat. When she inherits an old house, it’s the perfect opportunity to flip it to pay off her mom’s debt.

    She never intends to get tangled up with beautiful, adorably nerdy Maia, a visiting big-city radiologist, staying at her aunts’ place to mend a broken heart.

    Evenings at a nearby lake, renovation projects, and a wild storm keep throwing Maia and Rowan together, and an undeniable attraction sparks. But what future could there ever be for two people with such different goals?

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    On the Same Page by Haley Cass

    Riley Beckett met Gianna Mäkinen – drop-dead gorgeous influencer, trilingual, daughter of world-famous models, yes, that Gianna Mäkinen – their first year at Boston University, and it changed everything for the both of them. After all, when you find the person who just gets you, nothing feels quite “the same” right?

    And in the ten years since, Riley has come to depend on Gianna more than anyone else in her life. She knows Gianna just as well as she knows herself – maybe better, some days. She knows Gianna is incredibly sex-positive, she knows Gianna doesn’t do romance or relationships, and she knows nothing could ever come between them.

    This is what makes sense to her, all of this is status-quo. But when a holiday party mix-up sets in motion a domino effect of changes to these previously inalienable truths, Riley has to question everything she thought she knew about their relationship. What, exactly, does Gianna mean to her after all?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Chrysalis and Requiem by Quinton Li

    At Adraredon Academy, fervent passion, contemporary companionship, and forbidden desires intertwine with tall gothic spires, ancient halls, and centuries of history. Veaer Rosell can’t imagine a better place to satiate her craving for beauty, knowledge, and art.

    Yet senior year shatters her illusion of tranquillity and civil intellect when she witnesses the headmaster’s daughter murder another student and is confronted by an unthinkable choice: avenging her fallen peer or taking this secret to the grave, one way or another.

    But fate laughs at Veaer’s expense when the headmaster’s daughter requests her aid. Driven by an all-consuming thirst for answers, Veaer becomes an untimely partner in solving a murder they both know the answer to, unaware of the intricacies that come with learning the bigger picture and playing with death.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Leveling Up by Jazzy Mitchell

    Six years after completing her internship, Clarke Parson, a video game graphic designer and animator, finds herself back in the orbit of Haboob Software’s CEO, Fran Silvetti. Clarke contacts Fran to warn her that the game her company is developing was stolen from Clarke’s computer by an ex-girlfriend after an acrimonious breakup. As Clarke is swept into a torrid affair with the fascinating woman, she covets their time together, hoping Fran may someday return the love Clarke harbors for her.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Returning Home to Her by Jutta Swietlinski

    Linet, a single mother in her forties with a walking disability, is still grieving for her wife when she unexpectedly receives a letter: After long silence, her old friend Janet invites her to the opening of her art gallery. Linet flies to San Francisco with her son to visit Janet and her husband. The two women are soon able to revive their former friendship. On a walk, Linet surprisingly runs into Livia, the first woman she ever fell in love with. Their old feelings flame up anew and they begin a passionate romance again. But then a fatal accident happens. And everything will change forever …

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Like They Do In the Movies by Nan Campbell

    The Dream: rich and famous screenwriter of hilarious sapphic rom coms.

    The Reality: pushing out trashy celebrity gossip for cash.

    The Grand Plan: advance career by engineering a celebrity takedown.

    Fran Underhill’s adoration for the entertainment industry is in flames, transformed into a loathing of celebrity culture and all those who benefit from it. When a personal assistant gig for one of Hollywood’s most popular actresses falls into her lap, Fran is determined to use the experience to her advantage with a series of tell-all articles. Just enough clickbait to get her next screenplay sold. Now if only she can ignore that ferocious and inconvenient attraction to her new employer.

    Chelsea Cartwright—actress, mother, and ex-wife to Hollywood royalty—is struggling. A competent new assistant will do much to ease her burdens, but who could predict the intense and long-buried feelings Fran would awaken. And what will the fallout be when she finds out Fran is a member of the gossip media—with Chelsea’s public destruction in her sights.

    Available at:

    Bold Strokes Books

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    A Perfect Place to Cry by S-Jay Hart

    Rowan isn’t sure she believes in love. Not the romantic type, anyway. She’s been hiding from the prospect of it for years now, an easy thing to do when you live in the middle of an eighty acre campground. She likes her quiet existence, greeting campers, pitching tents, and kayaking on the little river that leads to Lover’s Lake. Besides, her best friend Amber fills her life with enough love related dama for the two of them.

    Indie knows a thing or two about secrets. She’s good at keeping them and exceptional at being one. When her three year love affair comes to an abrupt end, heartbroken, she begins to question everything she thought she knew about life and love. But it’s not as easy as simply moving on. Not when her ex can’t seem to let her go. When an accidental invite forces her into close proximity with her secret lover, Indie decides to accept.

    Will she be able to get through this and find the closure she’s looking for? Sometimes the answers we seek aren’t as important as the answers we find.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Tour of Love by Shannon O’Connor

    I didn’t think it would be hard to be her fake girlfriend, until I realized I was falling in love with her.

    Heather Owens:

    I didn’t plan on moving back to Lovers, Maine until we had found a place to live. But when I found my girlfriend tongue deep in another woman, I realized I was going to need my own place. Luckily, my high school best friend offered me her parents guest house for the summer. Except now my life consists of dodging my ex girlfriend and settling in. I busy myself with my photography especially the infamous Lovers’ Lighthouse— the last place I expected someone to catch my eye.

    Sage Brooks:

    Grad school and work are all I have time for, until a pink haired beauty walks in and I’m convinced this is love at first sight. My desire to know her leads us to the top of the lighthouse, where she blurts that she’s done looking for love. I’m sure my chances are over—until she jokes about needing a fake date to her best friend’s wedding. One in which her cheating ex is also in. I’m all too eager to jump at the chance, even if the idea of it not being real kills me.

    But as Heather and Sage get to know each other will the lines between fake and real begin to blur?

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Zen Traveler’s Heart by T.J. Mindancer

    Zen Benbrook, aka Zen Traveler, is a popular solo travel vlogger who walks around the world. Bri, aka Solo-ing With Bri, is the fedora-wearing queen of solo travel vloggers, who showcases cities and cultures.

    Marquardt is a tiny country nestled in the Alps on the border of Austria and Italy that’s emerging from over a half-century of a repressive regime under a iron-fisted dictator. The new president is ready to embrace the modern world and capture the tourist trade. Zen and Bri, along with six other solo travel vloggers are invited to test Marquardt’s tourist-readiness. They soon discover that Marquardt is nowhere near ready for tourist.

    For Zen, dealing with Marquardt’s stumbling attempt to open its borders to the world is simple compared to hiding the massive crush she has on Bri. Zen happens to know a small fact that Bri doesn’t mention in her bio that gives Zen a glimmer of hope. Zen has just seven days to win Bri’s heart or regret not trying for the rest of her life.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

     

    Firelight by Sabrina Blaum

    Sometimes fate doesn’t follow your wishes. Gwendoline Dagon is set to become queen—a role she never wanted—after the unexpected death of her sister. She clashes with Amara Payne, High Mage and royal magical advisor, who is tasked with preparing Gwendoline for the throne.

    Amara has no patience for Gwendoline’s rage, given she has dedicated her life to duty and the crown. The two women struggle to understand each other and have different ideas on how the future should play out, not just for themselves, but also for the entire kingdom.

    Along the way, they uncover hidden facets of themselves while navigating a world filled with political intrigue, magical lore, and societal expectations. They must learn to cooperate with each other as both outside and inside forces work to tear the kingdom apart.

    firelight is a tale of forbidden romance set against the backdrop of courtly schemes where duty clashes with desire—a narrative exploring whether Gwendoline and Amara can carve out their own destiny despite being entangled in webs woven by tradition and power struggles within Reshaya.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Of Light and Love by E.V.Bancroft

    Carolyn Trent-Parker is one of her generation’s best artists but after losing her wife two years ago, she can no longer paint. In fact, she doesn’t want to do much of anything except hide away. Unwilling to move from her home but with no means of income, she’s forced to get a lodger.

    Laura Kingston-Lopez is heartbroken and disillusioned, and she heads to England to pursue her masters in animation. She needs a place to stay but isn’t prepared for what she gets. Her new landlady, Caro, is unwelcoming, grumpy, and completely fascinating.

    Opposites in every way, they push each other in unexpected ways. Can Caro rediscover her creativity? And even if she does, can Laura let go of her past so they can paint a new future?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    A Little’s Monster by Ellie Rose

    Stuffie Hospital receptionist, Christie, has been bratting postal worker Dana pretty much since she started, but when Dana’s route changes without notice, Christie experiences a full autistic meltdown.

    Dana is absolutely smitten by the lovely Little who brats her every day, and she wants to be her Daddy more than anything, but Christie is nervous and scared. Will this Daddy be able to support her Little girl?

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    For The Record by Jen-Lea Mercy

    Recently widowed, the last thing Sawyer Lavoie wants is to be dragged out for a night of dancing. And she especially doesn’t want to be hit on by a twentysomething, cocky lesbian overachiever. Not because she’s mourning her late husband, but because Sawyer has zero interest in entertaining women her daughter’s age.

    McCoy ‘Coy’ Miller can charm her way into almost any woman’s bed. As a certified playgirl, she’s convinced the chase is sweeter than the capture. When she first meets the smokey-eyed beauty and her foolproof pickup lines crash and burn, Sawyer quickly becomes Coy’s biggest chase yet.

    When a flat tire brings them together again, Sawyer can’t decide if it’s luck or misfortune, but learns that McCoy’s mechanical skills are—reluctantly—exactly what she’s been looking for.

    As they become closer, Coy’s ready smile and kind eyes threaten to destroy every defense Sawyer has built. Can she thaw long enough to let McCoy in, or will they forever be at an impasse?

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Leave a comment

    What book will you be reading for the “accidental admission of love” category? Let us know in the comments!

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  • Enchanted by the Lyon! – Sherry Ewing

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    I’m so thrilled to be able to share this gorgeous cover with you and to let you know that Enchanted by the Lyon is now available for preorder (or read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited). Read on to learn more about my story in the Lyon’s Den Connected World!

    Enchanted by the Lyon: Lyon’s Den Connected World
    By Sherry Ewing

    She’s fallen in love and wants marriage, something he’s unwilling to give.

    Lucius Ford, Earl of Blackthorn is content in his bachelor lifestyle, though the only lady to catch his attention this Season is looking for marriage. This lady of the Wicked Widow’s Club intrigues him.

    Mrs. Cassandra Vaughn was widowed at a young age. After years of hardship, she seeks more than a superficial relationship. But the man who has enchanted her only wants her in his bed.

    Who will change whose mind is still in question when Lucius loses a bet at the Lyon’s Den. To pay his debt, he must right a wrong done to none other than Cassandra Vaughn. Amidst societal expectations and personal histories, their lives entangle, challenging their beliefs about love and relationships.When past enemies endanger her life, Lucius will risk everything to protect her.

    Tropes you’ll love:

    ✔️ Widow Heroine
    ✔️ Rake / Bachelor Hero
    ✔️ Marriage vs. Affair Conflict
    ✔️ The Wicked Widow’s Club
    ✔️ The Lyon’s Den Connection
    ✔️ Debt of Honor
    ✔️ Protective Hero
    ✔️ Opposites in Desire
    ✔️ Second Chances at Love

    Buy Links or Read for FREE in Kindle Unlimited:

    Amazon US | Amazon AU |  Amazon BR |  Amazon CA |  Amazon DE |  Amazon ES |  Amazon IN | Amazon IT |  Amazon JP |  Amazon MX |  Amazon NL |  Amazon UK

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  • First Kiss Friday with Christina Phillips – Sherry Ewing

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    Thanks for joining me for another First Kiss Friday. Today’s guest is Christina Phillips who has an excerpt for you from her novel Deceived by the Highlander. Isn’t this cover just gorgeous? We hope you enjoy this first kiss scene and happy reading, my lovelies!

    Excerpt:

    Alasdair waited in the courtyard while Freyja said her farewells to her grandfather. Clyde, the warrior she’d spoken of earlier, eyed him from the door to the stronghold, his face an impassive mask. He was a great hulk of a man, and it was clear no one would attack Freyja with such an intimidating guard.

    It was a relief, although he wasn’t sure why. She had said herself, she was safe on the Isles, but that had more to do with her status as a MacDonald of Sgur rather than the inhabitants being more law-abiding than those from the mainland. Still, at least she had a man to navigate the boat between the Isles, and that was something.

    Finally, she emerged with her dog, as always, at her heels, and he strode over to her. “I’ll accompany ye to the boat.”

    She fell into step beside him, and after shooting him a dark glare, Clyde marched ahead of them.

    “When ye leave Rum, do feel free to visit us on yer way back to the mainland.” She smiled at him, and he once again had the overwhelming need to kiss those irresistible lips. Except this time, unlike when they’d been on the beach, they weren’t alone, and he was certain Clyde would relish breaking his nose for taking such a liberty.

    To hell with it. He threaded his fingers through hers, and she gave a soft gasp but didn’t pull away. Who knew the gentle caress of a palm against his could be so arousing?

    But then, this was Freyja, and it seemed anything she did had the power to fire his blood.

    “I’ll be sure to take ye up on yer kind offer,” he promised. One way or another, he was determined to make her his bride, whatever happened here on Rum with her grandfather. Because if he was sure of one thing, it was that the earl would claim Kilvenie by whatever means he could. And Alasdair intended to support him, even if it entailed wedding Freyja while her grandfather was still alive.

    They reached the sheltered cove, where her boat had been pulled up onto the sand beside a rocky outcrop. The sea was calm and Eigg, with its dramatic ridge that towered over the Isle, looked deceptively close.

    As Clyde dragged the boat to the water, as though it weighed no more than a satchel of feathers, Alasdair grasped Freyja’s free hand and swung her around to face him.

    “I mean it,” he said. “Watch out for me, Lady Freyja.”

    She gave a silent laugh, but her fingers tightened around his. “I shan’t be standing on the beach waiting for ye, Alasdair, if that’s what ye’re meaning. But make yer way to Sgur Castle, and I’ll see ye soon enough.”

    “Ye may count on it.” Before he could think better of it, he brushed her lips in a fleeting kiss, and her elusive scent of roses and rain tormented him. Lust roared through him, and it was hell to pull back, but somehow he managed it. For an eternal moment her blue gaze ensnared him, as the erratic thud of his heart blotted out the sound of the gulls’ crying overhead. He dragged in a harsh breath, forcing himself back to reality while he still could. “And now the promise is sealed with a kiss.”

    DECEIVED BY THE HIGHLANDER
    By Christina Phillips

    His mission: To wed Freyja MacDonald – by any means possible

    Alasdair Campbell, unacknowledged bastard son of the late earl, is driven by two things: Loyalty to his half-brother, the current earl, and a burning ambition to rise through the ranks of Clan Campbell. He’ll do whatever it takes to leave his tortured past behind him, and to climb closer to his coveted barony. If that means seducing a woman he’s never met into marriage so the earl can claim her land in the Western Isles, it’s a small price to pay.

    And then he meets her, and his world is turned upside down…

    He’s the most honorable man she’s ever met

    Freyja MacDonald isn’t easily swayed by a handsome face or honeyed tongue, but Alasdair Campbell fairly sweeps her off her feet with his down-to-earth charm. What’s more, he respects her work as a healer, something she knows to her cost not all men do.

    Straight-talking and practical, she appreciates how Alasdair understands her commitment for the unvarnished truth rather than pretty lies, and their stolen kisses have her imagining a future together. Not that it’s possible, for she is bound to her land through an ancient prophecy of her foremothers and Alasdair must soon return to his grand castle in the Highlands. Yet she can’t deny the longing to be with him wherever that might be.

    But the truth never stays buried forever…

    Amazon US  /  Amazon UK  /  Amazon Canada  /  Amazon Australia

    About the Author:

    Christina grew up in England and spent her childhood visiting ruined castles and Roman remains and daydreaming about Medieval princesses and gallant knights. When she wasn’t lost in the past, she was searching for magical worlds in the backs of wardrobes and watching old Hammer Horrors from the safety of behind the sofa. She now lives in sunny Western Australia with her high school sweetheart and their two cats who are convinced the universe revolves around their needs. They are not wrong.

    SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/christinaphillips.author/

    Website https://christinaphillips.com/

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  • Ice queen or grumpy characters

    Ice queen or grumpy characters

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    Ice queen or grumpy characters

    This week’s Sapphic Book Bingo post features one of the most popular character types in sapphic fiction: ice queen or grumpy characters.

    For this square of the bingo card, read a sapphic book featuring a main character who’s either an ice queen—cold, aloof, and powerful—or a grumpy character with a prickly personality.

    Ice queen characters were featured in a couple of previous reading challenges too, so if you need more book recommendations, check out the ice queen post of the 2021 Sapphic Reading Challenge as well as the post on ice queens who are younger than their love interests.

     

    15 sapphic books with ice queen or grumpy characters

    Below, you’ll find 15 sapphic books with ice queen or grumpy characters.

     

    Strap In by Lou Morgan

    Jean is married to her job and there is no room in her life for romance. Until she meets someone who takes her breath away.

    There’s just one catch. Ava’s a woman. And Jean’s straight… isn’t she?

    The chemistry’s scorching but there’s no place for Ava in Jean’s world. But free-spirited Ava is irresistible. And open to a purely physical relationship. This way Jean gets to have her cake and eat it too.

    Yet spending time with Ava makes Jean question everything she thought she knew.

    Is it time to start again?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

     

    Devil’s Advocate by TB Markinson & Miranda MacLeod

    Ashley Tanner’s only desire after losing her father to a prescription overdose as a teenager has been to support her working-class family. Now an ambitious lawyer, she’s on the verge of achieving the coveted partnership she’s worked for her entire career. But with her goal in sight, the return of a mysterious woman from Ash’s past puts the promotion at risk and forces her to confront the sacrifices she’s made to win at all costs.

    Caitlyn Brewster is a self-made woman who was born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Guarding that secret has kept her from cultivating meaningful relationships. In fact, only one woman has managed to pierce Caitlyn’s defenses. A woman who runs more cold than hot. A woman best forgotten. A woman who, when a family emergency forces Caitlyn to move back home to Boston and accept a job at her uncle’s law firm, suddenly becomes her biggest rival.

    Their volatile chemistry makes them a powerhouse legal duo, but the energy crackling between them might be more than they’re willing to admit. The closer they work together, the harder it becomes to control their desires, even as they’re faced with a case with stakes that could change everything for them both.

    They’re both used to doing whatever it takes to win. What happens when only one of them can be victorious in the end?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    The Roommate Arrangement by Jae

    Comedian Stephanie Renshaw hopes to finally get her big break in LA. A chance encounter lands her the perfect apartment close to the comedy clubs, but it comes with a catch: she needs a roommate to afford the rent.

    Enter Rae Coleman, a former police officer working the door at one of the top comedy clubs. After getting injured in the line of duty and losing her job with the LAPD, Rae guards her wounded soul behind a tough exterior.

    At first, the two clash horribly before a tentative friendship develops. Bit by bit, Steph manages to break through the walls Rae has built around her.

    But Steph has never been in a relationship, preferring casual flings, and Rae isn’t sure she’s ready to be happy again. Will they find the courage to open themselves up to love?

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    The Mended Hearts Bookshop by Sienna Waters

    When loner Ash Wells inherits a bookshop from an aunt she doesn’t remember, she thinks a jaunt to the seaside to figure things out is just what she needs to escape from her annoying London neighbors. The plan is simple: have a holiday, sell the bookshop, move on with her life. Oh, and maybe find out who this mysterious Aunt Mary is.

    Plus-sized baker Pen Robson is an eternal optimist. So when she meets her grumpy new next door neighbor, she’s determined to win her over, no matter how many sticky buns and biscuits that takes. But her tall, dark, and handsome neighbor doesn’t even seem to like the ever-generous Pen, let alone want to settle into a story book grumpy-sunshine romance.

    Yet when Pen comes up with a madcap plan to save the little bookshop, Ash decides she might as well stick around for a while, especially after an unexpected revelation leaves her wondering just who she really is.

    Pen’s relentless optimism slowly starts to melt Ash’s frozen heart. But as the tiny seaside town begins to grow on Ash, and her plans for life begin to change, her suspicions are beginning to grow as well. And what happens if this all turns out to be a mistake? Does love really conquer all?

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Courtship by Anna Pulley

    Reaux Briggs is no stranger to cruising; each night a different woman warms her bed. She doesn’t exactly mind it, as intimacy is something she gave up on long ago. But when her hot nights land her in hotter water and she’s ousted as drummer by her metal band, Reaux thinks things couldn’t possibly get worse. Then she walks onto the deck of a long-awaited holiday cruise only to run face-first into the woman who broke her heart.

    Catherine “Fitz” Fitzgerald is an up-and-coming divorce lawyer too busy trying to make partner to care about her love life, or anything approximating one. But thanks to an antiquated norm at her family’s firm, Fitz needs to find a partner in order to get promoted. As if her mother setting her up on horrible blind dates wasn’t bad enough, Fitz also has to contend with being in forced proximity to Reaux, her high school sweetheart and the girl she’s never really been able to get out of her head.

    Increasingly pulled together by feelings they can’t quite ignore—not to mention a tropical hurricane that threatens the lives of everyone aboard the ship—Reaux and Fitz must learn to navigate the emotional and literal storms swirling about them. Will they be able to mend their past hurts and reach safe harbors, or has their ship sailed once and for all?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Boss of Her by Anna Stone

    Small-town girl Jade Fisher has sacrificed everything for her dream of a high-powered career in Los Angeles. Fresh out of grad school, she’s one step away from landing the perfect job as executive assistant to Simone Weiss, LA’s hotel queen. So when her friend invites her to the opening night of Club Velvet, a luxury club for women to explore their wildest desires, Jade decides to let loose a little, just this once.

    She isn’t expecting an encounter with a commanding older woman who makes her heart race and her body burn. And she’s even more surprised to come face to face with the same woman days later. Simone Weiss. Her new boss.

    CEO by day, part owner of Club Velvet by night, Simone built her hotel empire from the ground up. She knows what she wants. She’ll stop at nothing to get it. And now, she has her sights set on her curvaceous new assistant.

    One sensual night of surrender is all it takes for Jade to fall under her spell. Neither woman is looking for romance. Both bear scars from the past. But the more Simone awakens Jade’s submissive desires, the harder it becomes to ignore the feelings between them. Can love conquer all, even the walls around their hearts?

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    The Floral Arrangement by Elizabeth Luly

    Roz Kennedy has dedicated her life to a high-powered consulting career. That is, until she’s passed over for a promotion and learns that Red Tractor Farm—a place close to her heart—is on the brink of financial ruin. Fuming and ready for a change, Roz leaves her corporate life behind and buys the struggling business. But to keep the farm afloat, she needs to find an investor willing to fund some crucial changes—and get rid of those dreadful flower fields.

    When Olivia Mitchell discovers the farm’s new owner plans to stop supplying flowers to her beloved flower shop—jeopardizing everything she’s worked so hard to build—she’s outraged. She’s even more shocked to find that the new owner is Roz, the stunning but infuriating woman she met at a lesbian bar six months ago.

    When a potential investor mistakenly assumes Olivia is Roz’s girlfriend, the two play along, each hoping to further their own agenda. But as sparks fly, they begin to wonder: just how fake is this blossoming relationship?

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Christmas at Bergfels Palace by Claudia Haase

    Charlotte Weinhold has a degree in history and is striving to complete her Ph.D. Her earnings from a newspaper job keep her just above water. When the editor-in-chief demands insider news about the Count of Bergfels-Blumenheide and his family, on whom she is writing her dissertation, she sees this as an opportunity to obtain previously unpublished documents at the same time.

    Arriving in Bergfels, she unexpectedly gets a job in the only café in town – its owner is not only attractive but also happens to be the best friend of the Count’s publicity-shy daughter. What a unique opportunity to get the desired internal information about the Count’s family without much effort!

    Countess Ida doesn’t care about her title. She lives in a city apartment and works for a non-profit children’s aid organization. When her father asks her to take over an archival tour of Bergfels Palace in his place, she agrees. In return, this gives her an excuse to spend the approaching Christmas holidays away from the Count’s clan.

    But everything turns out quite differently than either Charlotte or Ida could ever have imagined.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

     

    Highland Fling by Anna Larner

    Eve Eddison describes her ideal woman to her best friend, Roxanne, over pints in their local pub a few days before she travels to the Scottish Highlands. There she falls head over heels for an enigmatic local, Moira Burns, and the usually reticent Eve wants more than a holiday romance. Forestry officer Moira Burns has no intention of letting go—either of past pain or for present pleasure. If that means she misses out on her chance at happiness, so be it. Convinced Eve is headed for heartbreak, Roxanne advises her to let Moira go…but has Eve found her ideal woman at last?

    From the breathtaking Highlands of Scotland to the buzz of a Leicester gay bar, family and friendship are tested to breaking point, as letting go proves painfully hard.

    Available at:

    Bold Strokes Books

    Amazon

    Apple Books

     

    A Marine’s Conflict by Jax Meyer and Elle Armstrong

    Mags Newsome has already given over a decade of her life to the Marine Corps. She’s learned to compartmentalize her life to survive the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that keeps servicemembers from serving openly. But that’s also kept her from any meaningful relationships.

    Elaine ‘Lane’ Chapman moved to the US from England with her girlfriend who soon left her. Remaining in sunny southern California, Elaine built a life for herself as a college math professor, content to experience love through romance novels rather than risk her heart again.

    A chance encounter in a bookstore cafe brings the two women together where they discover an off the charts attraction. As they battle their feelings to maintain their ‘friends with benefits’ agreement, another war looms in the Middle East, threatening everything they’ve built.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    The Brutal Truth by Lee Winter

    Australian crime reporter Maddie Grey is working the night shift, out of her depth in New York, miserable, and secretly crushing on her twice-married, media-mogul employer.

    Elena Bartell is a brilliant, fierce, ice queen boss who eats failing newspapers for breakfast and believes to her core that everything would be much simpler if people told each other the whole, unvarnished truth.

    As work takes them to Australia, Maddie is goaded into a brief, seemingly harmless bet with her enigmatic boss—where they can’t lie to each other. The bet backfires spectacularly as Elena realizes that the brutal truth might not be what she wanted after all.

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    Reverence by Milena McKay

    It’s the carefree ’80s and Juliette Lucian-Sorel has it all. She’s the greatest dancer to ever grace the floorboards of Palais Garnier, she’s royalty to her adoring fans, and Paris is at her feet. Or so it seems…

    Katarina Vyatka is defecting from behind the Iron Curtain, desperate to save herself and her career. Or so she claims…

    What happens when the Princess of Paris rescues the brightest star in the history of Bolshoi? Will the Paris ballet stage be big enough for both of them? Sparks fly and rivals become lovers as they set their lives ablaze in a torrent of secrets, intrigue and grands jetés!

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Audible

     

    Truth and Measure by Roslyn Sinclair

    Jules Moretti is newly single, an aspiring writer, and the hyper-competent assistant to the most powerful woman in fashion. It’s a tough job, but her ice queen boss won’t settle for less than perfection.

    Vivian Carlisle helms the internationally revered fashion publication Du Jour. She might be smack in the middle of a messy divorce, but you have to make sacrifices to be the best. That’s what she tells herself, anyway.

    When the unthinkable happens, Vivian’s regimented world is turned upside-down. Her life is about power, success, and dominance—not a baby!

    This single, shocking moment throws boss and assistant together into an intimacy neither could have imagined. With their lives in chaos, every day brings a new challenge bigger than the last. But everything will work out…just so long as they don’t do anything totally ridiculous.

    Like fall in love.

    Available at:

    Ylva Publishing

    Amazon

    Apple Books

    Audible

     

    Rhapsody in Flames by Ryann Fletcher

    Monsters among us!

    Is anywhere safe?

    Chaos in Verdance City!

    In the aftermath of a cataclysmic rupture, beings previously believed to be mythical are revealed, and communities fracture as fear reigns supreme.

    Virginia Vane is a disgraced former cop. Her ex is back in town, her lover is a siren, and her home has become a playground for vicious crews in their quest for ultimate power.

    And someone is killing mythics.

    How can one jaded P.I. protect her clients in a world where hiding in plain sight is no longer an option?

    Being different has never been more dangerous.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

    Spellbound by Tiffany E. Taylor and Lisa Caro

    Noelle Fontaine, the proprietor of Wafflelicious specialty waffle shop in Angel Cove, Florida, has loved the Christmas season her entire life. Her sweet, bubbly personality and effervescent optimism sees the good and love in everyone—no matter what the season—making her one of the Cove’s most beloved locals. And it doesn’t take long for the dimpled, golden-haired femme to sense a wounded soul hiding under the stoic, cynical exterior of Angel Cove’s newest and most guarded resident. Noelle decides a little dose of Christmas magic is exactly what Quinn Williamson needs to break out of her shell.

    A recent transplant from Chicago, Quinn has moved to Angel Cove looking for a fresh start after her ex-girlfriend abruptly left her. Guarded, jaded, and accustomed to not expecting much out of life, Quinn takes a job as the local news and crime reporter journalist for the weekly Angel Cove Observer, a far cry from the big city daily papers she has labored on over the past twenty years. Taken aback (and slightly irritated) by Noelle’s constant cheerfulness at first, she is eventually stunned to realize she is actually settling comfortably into small town life—in no small part because of a golden-haired sprite who refuses to let an increasingly spellbound Quinn hide away from the camaraderie of the town any longer.

    However, when Noelle discovers not long before Christmas that the building housing Wafflelicious is going to be sold to an out-of-town property developer—who plans to demolish the structure to make way for luxury condos—the usually optimistic shop owner finds the blow to her heart more than she can handle. Sinking into depression, Noelle cuts herself off from everyone in town as she mourns the loss of her lifelong dream, unable to deal with the devastation.

    But the residents of Angel Cove, led by a grumpy journalist hell-bent on restoring the sunshine in Noelle’s soul, scheme to save Wafflelicious from the wrecking ball. Through grit, resolve, and a refusal to lose the charm of their seaside town to a greedy developer only concerned with profit, the Angel Cove inhabitants set out to prove the magic of Christmas and family can overcome even the most seemingly-impossible obstacles when fueled by pure love.

    Available at:

    Amazon

    Apple Books

     

    Breakout For Love by Valden Bush

    Flick Colonna is stuck behind a desk at Department 6, itching for action but haunted by the fallout of her last mission. When a high-stakes rescue lands on her desk, ready or not, she’s thrust back into the field.

    Zamira Saliev thought she’d escaped her past, but then she’s kidnapped by the regime that shattered her family. She’s left with no way out. And no one’s coming to save her.

    As Flick fights to extract Zamira from a country on the brink, danger, secrets, and shared scars threaten to derail the mission. Getting out alive is one thing. Trusting each other may be the harder part.

    Available at:

    Amazon

     

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    What book will you be reading for the “ice queen or grumpy characters” category? Let us know in the comments!

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