“Quick, hide me!” Suz said as she ran into the large white tent. Kari Stuart looked up from where she was positioning a freestanding wall featuring pictures of animals currently up for adoption at the Serenity Sanctuary, almost dropping the display on her foot. Kari wasn’t sure which amazed her more–that her best friend, who was six feet tall with spiky lavender hair, thought she could actually hide behind five-foot-five, brown-haired Kari, or that there was something Suz would feel the need to hide from at all. They’d been friends since grade school and as far as Kari knew, Suz wasn’t afraid of anything. “Is there a demon chasing you?’ Kari asked, shifting one side of the hinged board so the whole thing was more stable. They were on the park-like grounds of the two year state college in Perryville, not far from their home town of Lakeview, for the annual Tri-county Kennel Club Show. Suz was a member of the local kennel club, one of three clubs putting on the event, and she’d been roped into taking on the coordinator role when someone else backed out at the last minute. In turn, she’d persuaded (okay, bribed) Kari into helping,…

Somehow we have come to the end of another Summer BBQ Recipe Roundup! We are so appreciative of everyone who has commented and, of course, to the authors and publishers who took the time to share recipes and about their new books. Camille Aubray is here today with a look at her historical fiction novel and a fresh, summery recipe with a great drink pairing–enjoy!  And if you haven’t already, be sure to take a look at the amazing authors, recipes, and books we’ve celebrated all week long:  Day 1 with Minerva Spencer Day 2 with Sera Taíno Day 3 with Jennifer L. Wright Day 4 with Alicia Hunter Pace Day 5 with Camille Aubray *** CAMILLE AUBRAY’S Cocktails and Canapés Recipe A reviewer once said about my previous novel, “Don’t read this book on an empty stomach, because you will soon be hungry for the French cuisine in the story!” And now, my newest novel, THE GODMOTHERS, serves up some delicious Italian meals. THE GODMOTHERS is about four remarkable women from very different backgrounds who become sisters-in-law, and godmothers to one another’s children, in New York City from the 1930s through the 1950s. Each godmother has a secret from her past…

We are a lucky bunch today! We have a sweet summery recipe from Alicia Hunter Pace, inspired by her new book SWEET AS PIE. Make sure you check out how to enter for a chance to win a copy below!  Did you know we’re here all week with some of our favorite authors, their new books (and giveaways!), and delicious recipes to take to your next BBQ? Check out who’s been with us so far, and read their posts for some summer fun:  Day 1 with Minerva Spencer Day 2 with Sera Taíno Day 3 with Jennifer L. Wright *** In my Sound Town series, there were two young hockey players—Jake and Robbie—who were nothing but trouble for their older, wiser teammates. They earned the collective moniker Wild Ass Twins—and earned it well. It became apparent they had some stories to tell. SWEET AS PIE is Jake’s story. It will release August 24, 2021.  You can look out for Robbie’s in SMOOTH AS SILK in February of next year. Pro hockey player, Jake Champagne is looking forward to a new team, a new town, and a clean slate in Laurel Springs, Alabama. After a messy divorce, he got busy keeping company with…

I never used to listen to music while writing. But after the pandemic hit, and we went into lockdown, everything changed. It’s been a year unlike any other as I’ve adjusted to having my kids and husband home full-time. The vibration—along with the noise level—in my house shifted. The added energy seeped under my writing lair door, disrupting my muse (the little bugger likes the status quo), and with him in full-blown meltdown, my ability to get into the flow floundered. With deadlines on the horizon, I needed to keep writing, so… Enter the solution—Noise Cancelling Headphones. A gift from God. A happy accident. There’s something about being flexible—adaptive in the moment—that pays off. I resisted at first, trying to power through, but in the end, hopped on Amazon and ordered a pair of NC headphones. And surprise, surprise, it not only worked but also expanded my horizons. Since then, I’ve discovered that each book takes on a musical personality of its own. It happens organically over the course of writing a book. No plans in the beginning. No driving intention behind the process. But by the end, I’m listening to the same string of songs over and over, until…

Thanks so much for featuring us on Fresh Fiction! We love your blog and are so excited to have the opportunity to talk about our sweet YA romance, IN THE PENALTY BOX! Before we get started on our post, don’t forget to enter the giveaway! Details are at the bottom of the post. Below we’ve shared our top five movies for Brodie and Willow’s characters. Do you have a favorite movie? If so, leave it in a comment below! Brodie’s got quite a list, and as he and Willow get to know each other, he realizes they have a few in common! Which makes her all that more irresistible. 1–Fast and Furious 8: The Fate of the Furious. I mean a sub crashing through the ice? That’s just plain rad. 2–Young Blood: Best hockey movie ever…even if it’s from a hundred years ago. 3–The Avengers – all of them. No way can I choose just one. 4–The Terminator Series: Yep, even the non-Arnold ones. 5–Elf: Who wouldn’t like a movie that has the longest belch ever recorded? Willow loves streaming movies! After tearing her Achilles tendon while figure skating, Willow had loads of rehab time, which meant hours on end…

It’s the last day of the FOREVER CHRISTMAS celebration! We are in for a treat because Debbie Mason is here!! Be sure to take a look at earlier posts to see what these wonderfully festive authors have planned for the holiday seasons (and for chances to win a book each day). Thank you for joining us this week! Merry Christmas and Cheers to 2021! ** What’s the name of your latest release? Christmas on Reindeer Road What do you love about writing holiday/Christmas romance?  Christmas is my favorite time of year. I love everything about the holidays: twinkle lights and colored tinsel, snowflakes and mistletoe, hot chocolate and sugar cookies, family gatherings and treasured traditions. Which is why I love writing Christmas romance. I get to enjoy the magic of the holidays all year long. Are your hero and heroine full of Christmas cheer or the holidays bring out the worst in them?  My heroine, Mallory Maitland, and my hero’s youngest son, Teddy, are Team Christmas. While my hero, Gabriel Buchanan, his twin sons, and Mallory’s stepsons are Team Bah Humbug. What’s one of your favorite holiday traditions? Hosting a family party to decorate the Christmas tree. Which Christmas movie…

The festive fun continues with the next featured author in the FOREVER CHRISTMAS celebration: Lizzie Shane! Be sure to leave a comment on each of these posts for a chance to win a copy of these wonderfully wintry Holiday Reads!  ** What’s the name of your latest release?   The Twelve Dogs of Christmas What do you love about writing holiday/Christmas romance?  I love that there always seems to be a little extra magic in the air around the holidays, like anything is possible, especially love. And it’s a time when community and friends and family all come together, which I love in a romance.  Are your hero and heroine full of Christmas cheer or the holidays bring out the worst in them?  Ally is the kind of person who wants to soak up every ounce of Christmas cheer through the season, but Ben is definitely overwhelmed by all the holiday pressure. He’s gotten a reputation as the town Scrooge, but he’s just a big softie underneath all that stress. What’s one of your favorite holiday traditions? I love wrapping presents with my family while watching Christmas movies. I think I love that more than receiving gifts. There’s something so satisfying about making something unique and beautiful…

I don’t know about you, but I’ve been reading romance novels for over thirty years, and there are some things that I absolutely must have. They can make the difference between an okay and a great read. Here’s my list. 1. That first meeting. To me, this is THE moment. The chemistry has to be just right. The attraction has to strong enough to set the page (or Kindle) on fire. Remember, this is a second chance, so something comes between them. I want to see what made them fall in love the first time. 2. Glimpses of the past. I’m not a fan of chapters upon chapters of flashbacks as a reader. I’d much rather see what the characters are up to now, but second chance romances need to give up glimpses of the past. We need to see what made the relationship so strong, and why we believe in this couple so much that we want them to get back together. 3. The breakup. The reason for the breakup has to not only be good, but believable! I’m not a fan of breakups happening over a misunderstanding. Romance novels are all about finding your soulmate. This person is…

Instead of trying to find your perfect match in a dating app, we bring you the “Author-Reader Match” where we introduce you to authors as a reader you may fall in love with. It’s our great pleasure to present DiAnn Mills! WRITES: DiAnn Mills writes romantic suspense. Her latest title, Airborne, releases in print today, September 8, 2020. ABOUT: Romantic suspense writer seeking readers who want to ride the wings of a suspense-filled adventure with FBI Special Agent Heather Lawrence. She’s pregnant, her husband wants a divorce, and a deadly, mysterious illness appears onboard her transatlantic flight. What I’m looking for in my ideal reader match: Expects every scene to vicariously export them into an adventure. Desires a suspenseful story seen through the eyes of a strong heroine or hero. Prefers a clean story that doesn’t hold back on the reality of crime and the world we live in. Craves an emotional experience through the heart and mind of point-of-view characters. Wonders how the FBI, CDC, and federal and local agencies work together to solve a horrendous crime. Questions how a virus could be unleashed to unsuspecting people. Wants a thrilling FBI story. Discovers how a heroine responds to betrayal and abandonment. Longs for a thread of romance…

The Fall Recipe Potluck continues today with another delectable recipe and awesome new book to learn more about. Don’t forget to check the blog every day this week for more fun and opportunities to win books! You can see the previous post here: Day 1: SECOND CHANCE ON CYPRESS LANE by Reese Ryan *** When I wrote THE SECRET FRENCH RECIPES OF SOPHIE VALROUX, I’d stay awake at night, envisioning recipes and tasting the flavors. In the morning, I’d wake up hungry and I’d run to the store to gather the ingredients and then test whatever I’d come up with, not knowing how it would turn out. Thankfully, this recipe for a roasted squash soup did. And it was delicious! You can get fancy like chef Sophie and add in the lobster and parmesan crisps, but this soup is also warm, hearty, and nourishing all on its own. Veloute de Potimarron* with Flambeed Lobster Tails and a Parmesan Crisp Serves 8 to 10 for an entree (small bowl) or 4 to 6 for a main course Prep Time: 30 to 45 minutes Cook Time: 1.5 hours Equipment: parchment paper, baking sheet, large pot, cheese grater, kitchen scissors, food processor or…