Excerpted from THE MIDNIGHT SECRET by Karen Swan, published by Macmillan, an imprint of Pan Macmillan. Copyright © 2025 by Karen Swan. The water glittered sugar pink as the rising sun nosed above the horizon. Jayne sat on deck, her knees tucked to her chest and feeling the wind ripple through her hair. She had untied her signature braid, wanting to feel free in the elements. Unbound. She wasn’t alone. Most of the villagers were up here too – David, Donald and Mhairi, Angus and Fin MacKinnon, Effie, Mad Annie – unable to sleep through the plunge and roll of the Atlantic, too excited to risk missing the first sighting of home. Only Norman remained below deck, sleeping in MacLeod’s feathered bed. He had been displeased to find her on board. He had been irritated enough by her absence at breakfast when he had woken from his drunken stupor to find no breakfast ready for him; but to miss two lots of wages, he had argued…Jayne had simply shrugged saying she wanted to see her home again too. It was a defiance that had not gone unnoticed and she knew he would punish her for it at a later time….

Book Title:  AN UNQUIET PEACE Character Name: Evelyn Bishop How would you describe your family or your childhood? Amazing.  My family was the best.  I lost my mom when I was young, but my father Logan and brother Matthew rallied around me.  We really loved each other.  I think Dad and Matthew didn’t really know what to do with a girl, so they just included me in everything.  I got wrenches, not dolls.  Instead of card games or puzzles, I got an engine to rebuild.  It’s their fault I grew up as a tomboy, so my father has only himself to blame for what happened at that debutant ball.  It’s possible I didn’t tell Nick the full story about why Sally Whitehall hates me with the fire of a thousand suns.  And I never will.  Some secrets go to the grave.  Matthew and I always had each other’s backs.  I really miss him.    What was your greatest talent? Annoying the heck out of people.  Somehow, they don’t find me nearly as funny as I actually am.  Which is their loss.  Just ask Captain Wharton.  Really, though, my secret power is making people feel comfortable enough to open up to…

What is the title of your latest release? A CAMPUS ON FIRE What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? When a shocking death rocks the exclusive writing program at a prestigious university, student journalist Tess Azar embarks on a quest for truth. As rumors swirl about the program’s cult-like atmosphere and a rising right-wing student group, Tess finds herself entangled in a web of secrets and danger, challenging her beliefs and testing her resolve. How did you decide where your book was going to take place? While I didn’t pinpoint a specific location, I’ve always been fascinated by universities as microcosms of society. Their unique blend of tradition, intellectual fervor, and youthful energy makes them the perfect backdrop to explore broader societal issues. Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? At the beginning? Absolutely. Tess’s curiosity and determination would make for engaging company. By the end? Well, you’ll have to read to find out! I will say, I’d have a lot of fun trying to unwind the mystery with her. What are three words that describe your protagonist? Ambitious, insecure, curious. What’s something you learned while writing this book? I delved into historical student uprisings and…

This week on Jen’s Jewels, I’m delighted to welcome back bestselling author Jenny Hale to chat about her uplifting new release, OUT OF THE BLUE. Known for her heartfelt storytelling and relatable characters, Jenny once again delivers a moving tale that explores love, second chances, and the bonds that shape us. Set along the beautiful Gulf Coast and infused with the rhythm of Nashville’s music scene, this novel is the perfect springtime read to warm your heart and stir your soul. Jennifer Vido: Welcome, Jenny! I’m so excited to chat with you about your latest novel. Let’s dive right in. What inspired the storyline for this heartfelt summer escape? Jenny: I’ve been wanting to include a nod to Nashville’s music industry, since I live in Music City, and the idea for the hero came to me first. Jen: The Gulf Coast setting is absolutely dreamy. What drew you to this particular location, and how did you bring it to life on the page? Jenny: I actually vacation there! We go once a year, so I’m familiar with all the sights. It’s my favorite beach spot to visit. Jen: Nora Jenkins is such a warm, relatable character. Is she inspired by…

SERIAL KILLER GAMES by Kate Posey, Excerpt Jake The next morning, I wake at 4:53 AM and stare at the dim grey square that is my ceiling and think about Dolores dela Cruz. I drink five cups of coffee in the dark, and I don’t even feel annoyed about Verity anymore. I have a name. Now I need to find out where she works. I need to know her department. At work, after two weeks as photocopy bitch, Doug finally gives me some data entry to do. “How long did this job usually take the last person?” I ask him. Doug sweats and fidgets. “A week?” I nod mournfully. “It will take me longer, because I’m learning.” Then I request permission to relocate to the empty annex so that I can take advantage of the quiet to really focus, i.e., write a script that will automate the entire process, completing one week’s work in five minutes, allowing me to spend the rest of the day working on my list. Or staring into space and imagining shoving every person I ever knew off a tall building. Or, thinking about a slight figure in a black trench coat. Permission is granted, and…

This excerpt is from the last part of chapter one. Cheesemonger Willa Bauer and her three employees — Archie, June, and Mrs. Schultz — are at her cheese shop, Curds & Whey, and are about to head across the street to the grand opening of their friend’s bakery. The plans for it have been kept secret, even more so than Willa realizes…  From BAIT AND SWISS by Korina Moss. Copyright © 2025 by the author and reprinted by permission of St. Martin’s Publishing Group. Chapter 1 “Is it that time already? We’d better get down there,” Archie said, taking off his wheat-colored apron. Underneath he wore a Curds & Whey T- shirt and cargo shorts. I knew he wanted to support his friend and former girlfriend, Hope, who owned the bakery. “I hope it’s a success. I have to admit, I’m concerned for her. She’s taking a very successful business and changing it completely,” Mrs. Schultz said. “I give her credit for following her passion,” I replied, although I had the same concerns. Rise and Shine was a bread bakery and a staple in Yarrow Glen for over twenty years. It had been a bumpy two years learning the ropes…

Book Title: GOLD COAST DILEMMA Character Name: Ofosua Addo How would you describe your family or your childhood?Chaotic. My childhood was like living in a TED Talk mixed with a Kumawood drama. My mother, Helen, made sure I knew every day that success wasn’t an option—it was the only option. Oh, and if I didn’t become a lawyer, doctor, or engineer? Good luck explaining my existence to her. What was your greatest talent?I can multitask like a superhero. I’ll organize a marketing campaign, calm my mom’s wedding-planning mania, and still find time to re-read The Count of Monte Cristo all at once. Significant other?I was married to Yofi Tutu for less than twenty-four hours. Emphasis on “was.” Turns out he was more interested in extracurricular activities than keeping his vows. Currently, I am not falling in love with my nemesis co-worker. He’s a total pain in the ass. I can’t stand him. I don’t care how pretty he is. Biggest challenge in relationships?Finding a man who doesn’t bring drama. And that my mother didn’t pick. Bonus points if his family doesn’t make me feel like I’m auditioning for a role in Perfect African Daughter-in-Law. Spoiler alert: They always do. Where do you…

1–What is the title of your latest release? DESTRUCTIVELY MINE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Pitching the Webs We Weave series, Phoebe—a trained grifter in a family of grifters—decides to follow her best friend on a new path of honesty by leaving her life of deceit behind. Only problem, her best friend’s older brother tags along to make sure they both don’t get into trouble—and their complicated history becomes even more complicated in this small coastal town. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? A lot of our inspiration for the small-town setting comes from classic WB shows we watched growing up like Gilmore Girls, Everwood, and One Tree hill.  We love cozy coastal New England towns, and Phoebe’s best friend Hailey has a love for the film Mystic Pizza, so we wanted to set it in Connecticut. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Yes! We’d love to hang with Phoebe who is a ride-or-die BFF, and she has a penchant for horror flicks of all kinds, and we love a good slasher movie. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Fiery, protective, devoted. 6–What’s something you…

1–What is the title of your latest release? WRITTEN IN STONE 2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book? Little did Kansas to Edinburgh transplant Delaney Nichols know that accepting an invitation to artist Ryory Benningan’s studio would lead to a horrible murder. Delaney will have to dig deep to understand if the artist’s eccentricities regarding the Picts, an ancient people covered in tattoos and topped off with bright red hair, are clues to a killer or just smoke and mirrors. 3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place? I set the series in Edinburgh, Scotland because I’ve always been fascinated by the country. I had the chance to visit back in 2014, and it was even more spectacular than I imagined. 4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life? Absolutely. 5–What are three words that describe your protagonist? Curious, smart, grateful. 6–What’s something you learned while writing this book? I learned about the Picts, a civilization about which we know very little but were still fascinating. Covered in blue tattoos and topped off with bright red hair (well, not all of them, but many of them), they were probably a ferocious bunch in…

In this week’s Jen’s Jewels, I had the pleasure of catching up with bestselling author Jessie Rosen to chat about her latest novel, ALL THE SIGNS—a heartfelt and adventurous story that blends travel, astrology, and self-discovery. Inspired by her own global quest to meet her “Star Twins,” Jessie brings readers along on a journey from Los Angeles to Venice, Istanbul, and beyond, all while exploring big questions about identity, destiny, and love. You won’t want to miss this inspiring conversation—be sure to read on! Jennifer Vido: Leah’s journey across the globe is both adventurous and deeply personal. What drew you to this story, and why did you choose astrology as a central theme? Jessie Rosen: This novel actually started as a personal mission to find my own Star Twins in the world during a really challenging time in my life. I was searching for answers about who and how I was supposed to be in the world and had already been curious about how astrology might serve as one type of map (I live in Los Angeles where everyone and their mother has an astrologer). But it’s people’s lived experiences that always compel me most, so I made the somewhat…