Book Blitz for The Ties That Bind by James Rosenberg with a GIVEAWAY

 

The Ties that Bind
James Rosenberg
(The Legacy of Lies Legal Thriller, #1)
Publication date: July 27th 2026
Genres: Adult, Thriller

Some families build empires. Others bury secrets beneath them.

Bill Simon thought marrying Sharon Green meant entering a powerful legal dynasty and finally proving he belonged. Fresh from his honeymoon and eager to succeed at his new firm, Green & DeWitt, Bill is handed a complex real estate transaction tied to the influential Green family empire.

What begins as routine due diligence quickly spirals into something far more dangerous.

Hidden behind layers of shell companies, offshore accounts, and falsified property records, Bill uncovers connections to cartel money, political corruption, and a network of powerful men determined to keep their secrets buried. The deeper he digs, the more he realizes the conspiracy may reach directly into his father-in-law’s inner circle—and possibly into his own marriage.

As Bill digs deeper, Sharon Green fights to protect her family’s public image while uncovering other sinister connections between her family and the drug cartel. As others question the legitimacy of her father’s enterprises, she tries to find answers about the empire she was born into.

As they uncover disturbing connections between her father and the Mexican drug lord,Sharon and Bill are trapped between loyalty and truth, ambition and survival.

And in a world where power protects its own, exposing the truth could cost them everything.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

The heat wafted above the scrubland. Three trucks waited in line, engines idling low in the darkness.

Each truck had a driver and one passenger, and together their primary responsibility was to get the trucks over the border less than thirty miles away.

Rafa Medina kicked at the dried ground as he waited for confirmation to move. They were still on schedule, but barely.

Luis Cortes sat in the passenger seat of the second truck, window cracked. A folded manifest lay on his lap. Medina tapped his window twice. Luis glanced over and gave a short nod.

The third truck’s driver shifted in his seat. Medina caught the movement and shook his head once. He could accept fear. Panic only caused mistakes.

Medina felt the vibration in his pocket. The signal, at last. He raised his hand.

As the trucks shifted into gear, the whine of their engines intensified. The first truck rolled forward, followed by the second, and then the third. They stayed in tight formation as they turned onto the paved road heading north.

Medina jogged to his Jeep, climbed in, and maneuvered his vehicle in behind them.

He considered moving to the front of the line to take control, but before he could decide, gunfire echoed from the brush to his right. The lead truck swerved, glass spraying off to its side.

The truck regained its footing, tires screaming, as it came out of its fishtail.

The second shot came from the opposite side of the road, from cover behind a grouping of bushes.

The muzzle flashes were sequenced and controlled. Now was not the time for panic. He knew immediately it was a rival crew, one that had studied the route and wanted it.

The first truck accelerated, pushing past the shots.

When a new round of shots burst from the right, the second truck was directly in front of it and caught a barrage of automatic fire in the passenger side door.

As the bullets tore through the truck, Luis jerked sideways, his body snapping against the window as glass exploded outward. The driver screamed and hit the gas. The truck lurched forward, out of the danger zone.

As the trucks moved ahead, Medina pulled out his Glock and aimed toward the brush where he had spotted the muzzle flashes. From his slightly elevated position, he fired twice, forcing the shooters back. They withdrew, retreating into the darkness.

Their message had been delivered.

Medina didn’t chase. The trucks came first.

He ran to the second truck. Blood was everywhere.

The driver was shaking, hands locked on the wheel, eyes wide. Medina yanked the door open and pulled him out.

“We have ten minutes. Your truck won’t make it to the border. Transfer the cargo. I’ll take care of Luis.”

The driver nodded.

Medina climbed into the cab. Luis’s eyes were open, unfocused. He checked for a pulse. There was none. This simplified matters.

Medina scampered to the other side of the truck and grabbed Luis under the arms, dragging him from the cab.

Ten minutes. That was all they had.

He pulled the body into the brush. He worked with his hands and a tire iron he grabbed from the back of the truck, digging quickly, ignoring the ache in his shoulders.

Medina lowered the body into the ground, then shoveled dirt to cover it. The land closed over the shape easily, swallowing it. He didn’t mark the grave and offered no words.

He crossed himself and then wiped his hands on his pants.

The damaged truck was next. Medina drove it behind a clump of bushes. No one would notice it for months. No one would care.

This was no man’s land.

The other trucks waited.

Medina jogged back to the road and waved the trucks forward. They didn’t hesitate. The second truck’s payload had already been transferred.

Medina climbed back into his vehicle and pulled in behind them.

The convoy moved north, engines steady.

Dust flew from their tires and then settled behind them.

Author Bio:

James Rosenberg is a 3rd generation trial attorney with plenty of stories to tell.

Inspired not only by the courtroom stories his father and grandfather used to tell

him when he was a child, but also by the wild adventures he’s encountered through

his own experience as a lawyer. James is fascinated by the intricate, interpersonal

dynamics of every trial he’s endured. Whether it’s the raw emotion on display in

court, the tension in the air that builds until someone wins, or the impact that a

case’s decision has on the parties involved, James is always paying attention and

keeping tabs on what’s happening.

In his debut novel, “Legal Reserves”, James flexes his creative muscle outside of the

courtroom to share his stories, with a fictional twist, through the eyes of archetypes

he knows well.

A native of Pittsburgh and a graduate of Taylor Allderdice High School and the

University of Pittsburgh School of Law, James has been a trial attorney in Pittsburgh

for almost 30 years. He started writing legal thrillers as a stress reducer and finds

this creative outlet to be a fun and meaningful diversion from his day job.

When he’s not trying cases, he’s either dreaming up his next book idea, spending

time with his wife and three kids, or both.

To contact James email Rosenberg@marcus-shapira.com or follow him on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/RosenbergWrites/

Check out his website: www.JamesRosenbergAuthor.com

Please become part of my email list and get updates about my latest launches. https://subscribepage.io/fcVT4h

GIVEAWAY!

The Ties that Bind Blitz

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Book Blitz for Obscura Night by Warren Wynn with a GIVEAWAY

 

Obscura Nights
Warren Wynn
(Obscura Nights, #1)
Publication date: August 4th 2026
Genres: Science Fiction, Young Adult

Seventeen-year-old Farris Aldan didn’t join the Sentinels to save the world.

He joined to escape insanity.

In Obscura City, contracting the whisperis means shedding your skin and becoming a monster. As a newly trained Sentinel, Farris hunts the infected, hoping vengeance will silence the guilt over his best friend Calla’s death.

Then he’s assigned his first solo mission. Track down Rena, a whisperis-infected punk rocker evading quarantine. From her black hair and beet-red eyes, she’s the spitting image of Calla. Farris can’t bring himself to arrest her. Not with that face, not with that voice.

Choosing Rena brands him a traitor. Now hunted by the Sentinels he idolized, including his adoptive father, Farris learns Rena’s connection to the whisperis runs deeper than anyone imagined. Visions of a cure guide her toward the Hollow, a hidden valley of darkness beyond the city. Only an ancient vantashade named Krieger knows the truth, but it offers a global cure for a terrible price: her life. To save Rena, Farris must risk everything–his future, his family, even the cure itself. And it still might not be enough.

Goodreads / Amazon

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EXCERPT:

Little by little, we awkwardly stumbled and sashayed toward the cluster of monsters. A littler further and we slipped into their group. Mere feet separated us from the graceful corpses.

A stench of boiled tar and kerosene swam over us. The air curdled with heat. We watched the burdeneds’ faces as we moved. No longer paying attention to us. Their shoulders, arms and chests were relaxed. Caring and glossy white eyes stared back at their deceased partners.

A small pressure pushed against my chest. Rena leaned her head against it, and I realized that she’d been shivering.

“God. I wonder when they died.” She mumbled so softly I barely heard her. “Wonder if they knew they were dyin’. What they felt when they turned into monsters.”

I shook my head since it was too risky to speak. Little by little, I moved us to the back of the room. Need to go slow so we don’t alert the burdened.

Rena looked up at me, her face mere inches from my own. “All their feelings…what happened to them when they died?” Her skin was so bruised and cut up. The dark circles beneath her eyes contrasted her increasingly pale complexion. “Their names? Their memories? Where did they go?”

My whole body ached. I swallowed. When I tried to comfort her, my mouth opened, but nothing came out.

Her hand squeezed my shoulder without a lick of strength. “I don’t wanna become like that, Farris. God almighty, I don’t wanna end up being just a memory.”

I tried to speak but again failed. Realizing my limitations, I instead pulled her even closer. Her breath felt hot against my neck. Her tears chilled my skin.

Rena gritted her teeth. Her chest shook from deep, silent sobs. “I don’t wanna die, Farris. I don’t…”

My back stung, muscles ached. Ribs throbbed and head pounded. I looked at the bandages over her eye. Around her ankle. The stains of blood on her cargos, her vest.

Nameless music played behind us. Forgotten dead danced around us. Filthy ground creaked below us.

Author Bio:

Warren Wynn is an American author writing young adult science fiction about parallel worlds, bizarre creatures, and mind-blowing twists. His passions in a previous life doing graphic and video game design heavily inspire his stories and characters. His previous novel, ‘Break the Moon,’ was published by Lost Boys Press on March 28th, 2024.

After earning a bachelor’s degree in graphic design from West Virginia University, Warren Wynn left behind the mountains for the beaches of Palm Coast, Florida. If he isn’t kayaking or hiking, he’s earning grey hairs writing through the moonlight hours.

TikTok / Instagram

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Obscura Nights Blitz

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Book Blitz for Bad Decisions & Back Roads: Second Chance Veterinary Romance by Zoe Forward with a GIVEAWAY

 

Bad Decisions & Back Roads: Second Chance Veterinary Romance
Zoe Forward
(Southern Veterinary, #2)
Publication date: August 3rd 2026
Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

The problem with bad decisions is you never stop wanting them.

I used to be the rebellious girl from the wrong side of the fenceline. He was the local hellraiser nobody could tame. While our families carried on a feud older than indoor plumbing, we fell for each other.

Then my vicious father found out. To save Timothy’s life, I broke his heart and disappeared.

Now over a decade later, I’m back as a large-animal veterinarian, working at his brother’s clinic and treating everything from prize dairy cows to Timothy’s homicidal llama. Avoiding him should be easy.

It isn’t.

He’s a single dad running two businesses, still infuriatingly irresistible, and determined to make me pay for every year he spent hating me.

The problem? I never stopped loving him. But if he learns why I really left, I could lose him forever.

Goodreads / Amazon / Barnes & Noble / iBooks / Kobo

—

EXCERPT:

“Yesterday…I wrecked you?” She gave me a look I remembered. Her green eyes flared. I was about to lose this fight in a way I’d never recover from.

She slowly unzipped her coveralls. My brain immediately abandoned ship. Not helped by the fact that traitorous memory chose this exact moment to replay yesterday’s rainstorm in vivid detail.

Meanwhile, in real time, she peeled the coveralls down and somehow stepped out of them while keeping her socks from touching the ground—a feat of female sorcery I could neither explain nor stop watching.

Underneath was a tight white shirt that clung in ways that should probably require a warning label, a permit, and possibly a pastor on standby.

My eyes briefly closed. Opened. She was still there.

Beside me, Cody made a small choking noise.

I cut him a glare.

He didn’t even have the decency to look ashamed.

Then—because she enjoyed cruelty—she lifted both arms and twisted her hair into a messy bun. Which did things. Terrible, magnificent things to her chest.

Her mouth curved like she knew exactly what she’d done. She pulled a scrub top out of the duffle and pulled it down over the tight shirt. Without a word, she packed the supplies into her duffel, casually picked up the dart rifle from the ground, and started walking up the hill like she hadn’t just detonated every functioning brain cell in a fifty-yard radius.

Then she tossed over her shoulder—

“I’m back, Timothy Hurst. End of story.” A few steps later she said, “You’re welcome…for dealing with your dangerous llama.”

Author Bio:

USA Today bestselling author Zoe Forward is a parent, wife, veterinarian, and unapologetic chocolate lover. She writes spicy paranormal and contemporary romances that blend action, adventure, humor, and a touch of magic.

Zoe lives in the South with a lively menagerie of four-legged beasts and two slightly wild kids.

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / Newsletter

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Bad Decisions & Back Roads Blitz

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SPOTLIGHT for The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen

 

The Women in White by Sarah Pekkanen

Published:   August 4, 2026 by St. Martin's Press

Genre:  Mystery Thriller, Historical Fiction

Taken from Goodreads:  The newest next thriller from #1 Bestselling Author Sarah Pekkanen combines a decades-old mystery with spine-tingling paranormal elements in this twisty novel of the seen and unseen.

Extrasensory perception.
The Gift.
A Sixth Sense.
Or something else….

In 1964, four remarkable young women at a prestigious university became the subjects of parapsychology experiments by a visionary scientist. On the cusp of a historic breakthrough, the women mysteriously vanished and the program was erased from history. Decades later, Riley Bell, newly divorced and desperate for a fresh start, accepts a caretaker job for an elderly widow named Betty. Riley steps into a home that is frozen in another era - no microwave, television, or cell phones, and Betty has never heard of the internet. Why has Betty lived in such profound isolation for so many years, and why does she need Riley now? As the story unfolds across two timelines - Betty’s 1960s era of 5 o’clock martinis and high-stakes experiments, and Riley’s quest to uncover the truth about the missing women - old secrets rise to the surface. And the only way to survive is to confront the mystery that has lingered for sixty years.

 

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

Book Blitz for The Case of the Red Flame by Lila Fogle with a GIVEAWAY

 

The Case of the Red Flame
Lila Fogle
(Tristan Beaufort Humorous Mysteries, #1)
Publication date: August 1st 2026
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Mystery

Lucy is an apathetic young woman who is hired to assist eccentric private detective Tristan Beaufort, a man whose wildness, endless optimism, and occasional naiveté seem at odds with his chosen career. Her job is to keep a written account of his cases, to play the Watson to his Holmes.

They are hired by a woman who suspects her wife, Professor Jennifer Darvis, is having an affair. What begins as a simple investigation of adultery soon spirals into a case of conspiracy, arson, and murder.

Professor Darvis is a delusionally self-assured academic whose writings regarding the existence of a shadowy organization known only as The Quadrette have failed to find an audience outside of her students, for whom she has made her book assigned reading. However, an FBI agent shows up on her doorstep, insisting that her theories have spawned a series of murders, and requesting her help in preventing further deaths.

Soon, Tristan and Lucy find themselves unravelling a plot surrounding Darvis which seems as though it could not exist, despite the evidence they encounter at every turn. Their adventures will bring them up against the police, the enigmatic FBI Agent, and the leader of The Quadrette herself.

Goodreads / Amazon

—

EXCERPT:

The following is not a tale for the faint-hearted.

I wish I could say we all made it out alive, but this is not the case. Some languish behind prison bars and some rest beneath the dirt. Others have returned to the comforts of home.

I escaped with my life, though you have likely guessed as much.

What follows is a humble account of my time with Tristan Beaufort. Looking back, I would say he is best described as a man who would place himself among the Philip Marlowes and Sam Spades of the world, but was far too kindhearted to be hardboiled, and too distinct to be discreet.

The rest must be read to be believed.

I was in my twenty-seventh year, when I first met Tristan Beaufort. My life had been shaping up to be less than ideal, though perhaps of some interest to one of the more burned-out existentialists. While others settled into their careers and families, I passed from one temporary job to the next, never in one workplace for long.

I had resigned myself to this fate: this life of endless, stalling distraction. I accepted my lot with the kind of stoicism Marcus Aurelius himself would envy. At least, this is what I told the few who asked.

I am aware that a clinician might have known my distraction by another name, but that is neither here nor there. Out of respect for the reader, I shall elaborate no further.

My practiced resignation experienced a subtle shift when, one day, I received a phone call. The woman on the line thought she had a job that would suit me well. She recalled my interest in the written word, and thought I might make good use of it in this position.

Her voice droned through the finer details, barraging my ears with her anesthetic. From amidst the tide of useless words and mundane utterances, I picked up the heart of the message towards which she uneconomically wandered: I would become the assistant to a famed private detective, Tristan Beaufort.

Famed. If the name sounded familiar, the reason escaped me.

AUTHOR BIO:

Lila Fogle lives in Connecticut, where she writes humour.

Author links:

https://lilafogle.com/

https://lilafogle.com/mailing-list

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/livia-e-de-souza

GIVEAWAY!

The Case of the Red Flame Blitz

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Release Blitz for ALL FOR YOU by Jody Brettkelly

 

ALL FOR YOU by Jody Brettkelly is now live!

Pride & Prejudice and a whole lot of animals. An enemies-to-lovers, slow-burn reality show romcom set in the Cotswolds.

Welcome to “Must Love Animals,” our new reality TV show where pet-loving singles hope to find their soulmates at the Amor Inn, a sprawling manor house in the Cotswolds.

Meet Lizzy Bennet

A popular regency romance author straight out of a broken engagement, and desperate for an idea to spark her next book. She’s signed up for this weekend, not to find love, but to cure chronic writer’s block.

Meet Darcy Wainwright

This dashing, grumpy property developer thinks love is an invention used by retailers and romance writers. He’s been forced to join the weekend to boost his likeability and help fundraising efforts for a community in need.

Unfortunately, Lizzy and Darcy’s first meeting is on the disastrous side of awful. Good for TV ratings, not so good for a successful romance. The producers, of course, giddily shove them together for the cooking, farming, and animal shenanigans.

And shock of all shocks, they start to have fun.

But when Darcy interferes with Lizzy's family, thinking he's finally doing good, they must decide if love is worth overcoming their pride and prejudice.

 Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Amazon:  https://tr.ee/I0QAvd  

Amazon Worldwide: https://tr.ee/I0QAvd

Bookshop: https://tr.ee/r3v8Db    

Goodreads: https://tr.ee/QPBAIf 

 

Meet Jody Brettkelly

Jody Brettkelly comes from a tiny beach town in New Zealand but now lives California with her family.

She writes mysteries and romcoms fueled by lattes, aperol spritzes and…bread.

Her first romcom series is about love in crumbling Cotswold manor—with TV cameras and loads of animal shenanigans.

 

Connect with Jody

Website | https://www.jodybrettkelly.com/   

Goodreads | https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/54944765.Jody_Brettkelly    

Facebook | https://www.facebook.com/JodyBrettkellyAuthor      

Instagram |  https://www.instagram.com/jodybrettkelly/        

Newsletter |  https://www.jodybrettkelly.com/newsletter/   

Book Review for Deadly Tides by Raemi A. Ray

 

Martha's Vineyard Murders #5

Deadly Tides by Raemi A. Ray

Published:  May 20, 2026 by Tule Publishing Group

Genre: Mystery

Taken from Goodreads:  His buried past is the key to finding a killer, but it may destroy them first…

Kyra Gibson, former London lawyer turned columnist, is having a tough summer. Her partner, forensic profiler Tarek Collins, barely survived his last case. He’s home and healing but is a ghost of the man he was.

When the mutilated body of a local hero is discovered in a Martha’s Vineyard lighthouse, the island turns to Tarek and Kyra for help. With Tarek pulling back, Kyra attempts to assist in the investigation without him, working instead with a local police officer, but nothing goes right. Evidence is lost. Witnesses disappear. An arsonist sets a fire. Without Tar, Kyra’s over her head but too stubborn to quit.

Everywhere she turns, she’s ensnared by corruption, lies, and secrets—even Tarek is hiding something. Then Kyra is attacked and taken, forcing Tarek to confront his dark past and worst fear.

In this gripping fifth installment of the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series, Tarek’s demons could make Kyra pay the ultimate price.

 

My Thoughts:  Oh this book…and series.  I love that each book has the characters I love but it is a complete book.   You do not have to read the other books in the series but if you do, you get to catch up with your favorite characters in a familiar setting.  

In this book Kyra is working on a case while Tarek is recovering from the last case.  Tarek is struggling to get through the trauma from the last case and that causes him to not be able to assist Kyra as much as she needs.   I love that the characters are real.   They go through life, experience problems, and deal with them much like the real person does. 

Raemi A Ray, the author, does an amazing job of writing the story to be real but full of twists and turns.  I was kept guessing at what would happen next and who would be involved. The storyline flows perfectly, keeping the reader invested without too much busyness.    Every word of this book makes a difference to the story. 

Thank you to the author and Tule Publishing for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.  

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

Meet the Author (takenfrom her website):  Raemi A. Ray is the author of the Martha’s Vineyard Murders series. She takes inspiration from her travels to the island and around the world as well as from local and national headlines. Most of her books are based somewhat on real life. When not writing or working her other boring job, she earns her keep as the personal assistant to the resident house demons, Otto and DolphLundgren. She lives in Boston.

 

 

 

 

Audiobook Review for The Game Changer by Julia Jarrett, Heather Firth (Narrator), Connor Crais (Narrator)

 

The Cedar Creek Thunder #1

The Game Changer by Julia Jarrett, Heather Firth (Narrator), Connor Crais (Narrator)

Published:   February 10, 2026 by Julia Jarrett

Genre:  Sports Romance, Baseball, Workplace Romance

Taken from Goodreads:  I hired a single mom to help make my small town fall in love with a baseball team. And now I’m the one falling in love…with her.

Buying a small town baseball team might seem an odd choice for a millionaire tech developer, but I welcome the challenge.

Moving back to my hometown and reviving the once-beloved Cedar Creek Thunder is an impulsive attempt to find a deeper purpose, and a life that is measured in happiness rather than dollars.

A chance encounter with the most gorgeous woman I’ve ever seen has my temperature rising from more than the tea she’s spilled on me. When she walks into my office for an interview later that morning, it quickly becomes clear there’s no one better suited for the job.

Isla Forrester should be off limits, but with a smile that pierces my soul, the single mom is fire wrapped up in sweet temptation. I’ve always had thick walls around my heart, but Isla and her son are breaking them down.

Now my sole purpose is getting her to believe that loving her is no challenge at all.

My Thoughts:  I love listening to audiobooks.  The Game Changer is the perfect book to listen to.   A big part of why I enjoyed it so much is the amazing narrators.  They were perfect.  The characters were brought to life as I listened, and the story was so much fun to hear.   I will look for more from Heather Firth and Connor Crais as narrators.

On to the story… it was perfect.   I loved getting to know the characters and how they approached life.  The fact that both characters were not perfect made them so much more realistic.  I like the fact that from the beginning they had something in common, although they did not realize how much they truly had in common.  

 Baseball and a workplace romance…the perfect book to enjoy.

Thank you to Hambright PR for a copy of the book in exchange for my honest review.

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

Cover Reveal for A Strange & Terrible Wonder by Nichole Louise

 

A Strange & Terrible Wonder
Nichole Louise
Publication date: August 18th 2026
Genres: Adult, Historical

Eleanor Dare, daughter of Roanoke’s Governor John White, has no choice but to accompany her overly ambitious husband Ananias and her idealist, yet inexperienced father to England’s new colony. Manteo of Croatoan wants nothing more than to cast off his association with the English and return home. Haunted by memories of an unexplainable event, he sets out to find the truth about what was brought to Roanoke by the English two years before as a weapon against the Spanish.

Based on real people who vanished from history, Eleanor and Manteo form a taboo friendship as they work against unseen forces to end the violent and otherworldly attacks upon the settlement. In the midst of this survival scenario, both Eleanor and Manteo—once powerless and marginalized in England, emerge as unlikely leaders of the ravaged colony.

Blending 16th century science, occult, and the impacts of early colonialism, A Strange and Terrible Wonder reimagines what became of the Lost Colony.

Author Bio:

Nichole Louise is a speculative historical fiction writer and book reviewer (NicholeLouise.com). Raven Rock (2023), a prequel to The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, was recognized by Writer’s Digest, the Historical Fiction Company, and the CIBAs. Her articles and book reviews have appeared in the Journal of the American Revolution. Her second title, A Strange and Terrible Wonder (2026) is a historical folk horror tale exploring the Lost Colony of Roanoke. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, gaming, and volunteering at Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society.

Website / Goodreads / Instagram

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Book Review for The Whisper by Chelsea Iversen

 

The Whisper by Chelsea Iversen

Published:  July 28, 2026 by Sourcebooks Landmark

Genre:  Mystery Thriller, Witches, Young Adult

Taken from Goodreads:  Rule 1: When the trees whisper, listen. 

Rule 2: Don't go into the woods alone. 

In the small mountain town of Whisper Ridge, the girls were inseparable. Joey, Quinn, Sophie, and Elena. Together, they channeled magic in the woods, living by six simple rules. The first when the trees whisper, listen. 

But all rules are forgotten, all bonds broken, when Quinn is found dead in the trees. 

In the aftermath, the friends scattered. All except Joey, who still can't move on. Until now, over a decade later, she again hears the trees whisper. 

Those woods remember some of Quinn's last words, and for the first time, Joey realizes she may learn the truth of what happened to her best friend. And so, the friends return to Whisper Ridge, to the woods that once held their magic and their secrets. But unearthing the truth about Quinn puts them all in danger, and in order to survive they'll need to channel their power for the first time in fifteen years to finally put the past to rest.

 

My Thoughts:  Four main characters that are chosen to hold magic.   There is a book with the spells that gives them magic.  One of them dies, the others all go their separate ways in their grief.   When pulled back together, secrets are shared, lives are intertwined, and answers are found.

The Whisper is unique.  It is not your typical witchy book.   There are glimpses into the spells they do but most of the story is about who killed Quinn.  There are twists and turns, I had no idea who the killer was until close to the end of the book.   With each turn, I would learn more about a character and the surrounding characters which would make someone else look guilty.   I enjoyed the not knowing.

I would label this as young adult, but not too young.  There is some more adult topics such as suicide, alcoholism, and death that is a touchy subject.   These are done carefully but they are all a big part of the story. 

Thank you Sourcebooks for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

 

Audiobook Review for I've Got a Crush on You: Darling Springs, Book 2 by Lauren Blakely

 

Darling Springs #2

I've Got a Crush on You: Darling Springs, Book 2 by Lauren Blakely

Published:  July 28, 2026 by Lauren Blakely Books

Genre:  Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Rom Com

 

Taken from Goodreads:  My secret workplace romance starts innocently enough…at a birthday party.

But when a rowdy partier knocks me into a lake and a sexy stranger comes to my rescue–my night becomes one to remember.

A night so steamy I almost forget why I’ve sworn off men after a failed workplace romance.

But I’m focusing on my shiny new future—my dog-training business is suddenly the hottest thing in town, thanks to a new actress client.

Trouble is, the brand new doggy daycare in Darling Springs that I’ve contracted with…is owned by none other than my sexy stranger. Thanks, fate.

Sawyer turns out to be a total grump in a tailored suit, no matter how sunshine-y I am. Even when he squeezes that hard body past me as I bring donuts to work. Or when he pretends he’s not roaming his dark eyes over me as I teach Fido to sit, stay and come.

But when I need a dance partner for the town fundraiser that my client’s roped me into, I sense an opportunity. And, it turns out Mr. Serious Boss is up for dance lessons.

Then the entire Dirty Dancing experience.

Giving into our chemistry once won’t hurt. Two might be pushing it. By the seventh, it’s undeniable—I’ve got a crush on him too.

Workplace romance, oops my one-night-stand is my new co-worker, small town rom com, forbidden romance, grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, fighting the feelings, quirky side characters, swoony learning-to-dance scenes.

 

My Thoughts: I love listening to Rom Com romances.  They are at the top of my favorite list for audiobooks.  This one is perfect. I love the narrators who brought the characters to life.  The story is fun, sexy, flirty, and steamy.  I listened to the audiobook while working and I know that I laughed out loud and blushed numerous times.

The chemistry between Sawyer and Willa was super-hot from their first hook-up.  I was excited to see them fight the attraction while it just grew hotter and hotter.  Their banter was entertaining, their sexy times were so steamy, and their friendship was very real and respectful. 

This is book 2 in the series and I did not read (listen) to book 1 but I did not miss anything. I am excited to get my hands on book 3.

Thank you Hambright PR for an audiobook copy of the book via BookFunnel in exchange for my honest review.

Add to your MUST-READ list on Goodreads

Purchase your own copy on Amazon

Meet the Author (taken from her website):  A #1 New York Times Bestselling, #1 Wall Street Journal Bestselling, and #1 Audible Bestselling author, Lauren Blakely is known for her contemporary romance style that’s sexy, feel-good and witty. Her books have been featured in US Weekly and People. Lauren likes dogs, cake and show tunes and she is the vegetarian at your dinner party.

To receive an email when Lauren releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter by clicking here!

Book Review for Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel

 

Meet Me in Paris by Kristin Harmel

Published:  July 28, 2026 by Gallery Books

Genre:  Historical Fiction, Paris, Romance, WWII

 

Taken from Goodreads:  Nine Americans in Paris. Seven intertwined love stories. One City of Light.

Love Actually meets The Notebook in a tale of love, loss, and finding your way home, all set over the course of one life-changing week in Paris.

Julia Glover has brought her twenty-three-year-old daughter, Piper, to Paris for the first time—but they know it will also be their last trip here together. Julia is dying, and as the mother and daughter desperately try to make memories together as the clock ticks down, the world opens up around them. Piper meets a cute French waiter, who might just understand her better than anyone she’s ever met, and Julia meets a man at a dive bar and struggles with how to tell him the truth about her future.

Rock star Jackson Quick’s glory days are behind him. He had a handful of hit songs thirty years ago, but he hasn’t toured in a decade. This week, he’ll launch his reunion tour in Paris, the city where it all began. But he wants more out of life than being defined by fame. When he meets a woman who finally sees him for who he is at his core, the ground shifts beneath his feet.

Henry McGee has been writing hit songs for decades—including Jackson Quick’s biggest hit, City of Light. But his secret is that every love song he’s ever written is for a woman named Celeste, whom he loved a lifetime ago, when they were both teenagers in Paris during World War II. He has spent eighty years believing she died—but when a letter arrives telling him the opposite, he’s on the first flight to France. Can he break through the haze of her dementia, using the songs he’s written all these years, to remind her of who they once were to each other—and to tell her he came back for her?

Henry’s granddaughter, Melody, has just discovered that her husband of twenty years, Gilles, a French cosmetics executive, is having an affair. When she confronts him, he tearfully apologizes and begs her to forgive him. But can she? And, perhaps even more importantly, does she want to? Or is there a different kind of life out there for her if she chooses to be alone?

These intertwining stories—plus several others—unfold over a few breathtaking spring days, as an unforgettable group of Americans in Paris must find their way to their own versions of happily ever after in the City of Light.

 

My Thoughts:  Meet Me in Paris is an amazing story.   There are a lot of characters all in Paris for various reasons but all of them are looking for something.   Those somethings are all different, for different reasons.  At first I thought, whoa this is a lot to grasp, a lot of stories, a lot of characters, but it was not.   The stories were easy to follow, easy to lose yourself in, and easy to get invested in.   I cared about each and every character. 

The book is not all love and life stories; there is some heaviness.   The talk of war is never light but this talked of relationships and love found.   The talk of cancer is never easy, but the author did a careful job of respecting the topic and being truthful while telling those characters stories. 

I could not put Meet Me in Paris down.  I even took it to work and found moments here and there when I could read a few pages or even a chapter.   I did not want to leave the characters or the beautiful, enchanting Paris.

Kristin Harmel is a must-read author and Meet Me in Paris is a must-read book. 

Thank you Gallery Books for a copy of the book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

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Purchase your own copy on Amazon 

Book Tour for The Plus One Pact by Suzy Langevin

 

Title: The Plus One Pact

Author: Suzy Langevin

Genre: Best Friends Brother; Slow Burn; Fake Dating/Dating Pact; Plus Sized Heroine; Mental Health Rep; He Falls First; Summer Romance; Wedding Theme

Release Date: July 21, 2026 

When Alyssa gets an invite to her best friend/hopeless crush's wedding, she enlists the help of Jeff, her best friend's hot but highly anxious brother, to join a 'plus one pact' and get them both through wedding season in one piece. Their arrangement leads to an unexpected connection, and they'll both need to decide it they're ready to put aside their fears and take their relationship from pact partners to perfect match.

"The Plus One Pact is a warm, funny romance about letting go of old insecurities and taking a chance on something unexpected. Suzy Langevin writes characters you care about and a love story that feels genuine, hopeful, and quietly affirming." Arden Joy, author of the Much Ado About Love Series.

Suzy Langevin loves love, even though she forgot how to say it in Latin when she was a contestant on Jeopardy! And she channels that love into writing happy ever afters where people are loved because of, not in spite of, the things they see as their flaws. She is the winner of the 2024 RWA Golden Heart Award, and her short fiction has been featured in several anthologies and magazines. Suzy lives and writes in central Massachusetts, and does, in fact, run on Dunkin'. For information on available titles and upcoming releases, visit www.suzylangevin.com, and follow her on Instagram @suzylangevinwrites.

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