Friday, 21 March 2025

Excerpt Reveal - Red Hot Roaster by Kristin Jeffries



Title: Red Hot Roaster
A Small Town Contemporary Romance Perfect
for Lovers of Growly Guys and Smouchy Pups
Series: Tales from the Chocolate Lab Café #1
Author: Kristin Jeffries
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Tropes: Small Town/Meddling Friends & Fur Babies
OTT Protective MMC/Later in Life Love
Release Date: May 2, 2025


BLURB

Watch sparks fly when an over-protective coffee roaster rubs up against an uber-independent café owner.

Rose is struggling to keep her business afloat while grieving the loss of her mom and her son’s departure for college. Sure, Pirate, her lummox of a chocolate Lab, keeps her company. Plus, she couldn’t ask for better friends in her cozy neighborhood of Dogwood. So why is she so drawn to Rafe, her mysterious, muscly—and temporary—coffee roaster?

With her café on the line, Rose doesn’t have time for love. And she’s been burned once too often so she doesn’t trust men to stick around. Will she settle for a no-strings-attached fling or fight for lasting love?

Rafe prefers his life as a roaming coffee roaster, going from gig to gig. That way, he can avoid attachments and only be responsible for himself and his elegant rescue mix, Princess. So why can’t he resist trying to help Rose, his gorgeous and sad-eyed new boss, solve all her problems?

After his years in the army and his rough youth, Rafe fears he’s not worthy of love. Besides, he’s always been a loner with no home—and no one—to call his own. Will he leave town with his secrets or stay to claim his true love?

Grab a table at the Chocolate Lab Café, where Dogwood denizens—canine and otherwise—help Rose and Rafe chase their happily-ever-after. And where rescues come in all shapes and sizes and…species.

Red Hot Roaster is a sweet and spicy romcom featuring matchmaking fur babies and besties, sexy shenanigans like a blind chocolate-truffle-tasting—clothing optional, holiday hijinks like the Howl-o-ween Pumpkin Carving Contest and the Turkey Dog Trot, and a Princess crushing on a cardboard King—Elvis that is. It stands alone and comes complete with all the swoony steam and small town feels.

HEA guaranteed. Dual POV. Intended for 18+ readers.






PRE-ORDER LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
PAPERBACK US / UK





EXCERPT

CHAPTER 1
Rose

Goldie took off down the middle of our neighborhood’s busiest street, dragging my new chocolate Lab behind her and yelping frantically.
The dog statue was breaking into chunks as the scared old girl ran along, yet she refused to slow down. I needed to reach her—and pronto.
I raced down the street, calling to Goldie and waving at cars to stop. Someone pounded past me, nearly knocking me over. I stumbled, righted myself and kept on going. Then, the sound I dreaded to hear…a drawn-out screeeeech.
Oh, no. Oh, Goldie.
Noah ran up and grabbed me around the waist, panting and crying and clinging. I hugged my little neighbor tight and pulled us toward the accident.
A stranger was kneeling in front of the stopped car, his broad back toward us. My breath caught when, in one motion, he unfolded and turned, cradling Goldie in his arms. Blood covered his flannel shirt, and a fragment of the leash dangled from her collar.
Why is he moving her? Did he pick her up without checking for broken bones? Doesn’t he realize she’s bleeding?
What the fido?
By the time we got closer, the guy was rumbling, his face tilted down, “That’s my baby girl. I’ve got you. You’re safe now.” And again, “I’ve got you.”
Huh. It seemed Goldie was over her trauma of being tied to the dog statue. Instead, the flirt was gazing at her rescuer with those liquid amber eyes, fluttering her impossibly long to-die-for lashes.
I had to know. “Did you even check for injuries before you lifted her? Was she actually hit? Why is she bleeding all over the place?”
That’s when Goldie’s rescuer raised his head and sent me a cutting glare from cobalt-blue eyes framed by his impossibly long thick dark lashes. I may have melted a bit, but his next words left me cold.
“Is this your dog?” he growled. “What were you thinking, tying her to that thing? She could’ve been run over!”
Before I could get a word in, the jerk went on, “And, yeah. I know what I’m doing. Nothing’s broken. The blood’s from her paws being scraped raw.”
Noah cried even harder. I frowned and slid my eyes down to the boy. The guy finally got a clue and clamped his lips together in a hard line.
“Hey, buddy,” I said, hugging him closer. “There’s no way you could’ve known the dog statue was so lightweight. Thanks to this, er, this nice man, Goldie is safe and just a little worse for wear.”
I turned to the nice man and said, “The café isn’t set up for doggy first aid. I’d like the vet to clean her paws and check them for gravel or glass. Could you please carry Goldie a few blocks to the clinic.”
It came off like an order rather than a request, so I wasn’t surprised when he quirked an eyebrow.
“Or is she getting too heavy?” I asked, half-serious, half-not-so-much.
He narrowed those eyes and shook his head. “Nope, she’s fine.” And then, “Oh, shit, I should let her know I’m running late. I need to call, or maybe we can stick our heads in the café as we go by?”
I stopped abruptly. “Are you Rafe Amato?”
His face blanked. “Are you Rose Connolly?”
I hope you’re more observant when you’re roasting my coffee beans, sweetheart.
I pulled off my food prep hairnet so my overdue-for-a-cut hair tumbled out and made a sweeping gesture down my front.
My long apron displayed our logo of a Labrador retriever drinking a steaming cup of coffee over fancy script reading The Chocolate Lab Café—Where Everybody Knows Your (Dog’s) Name.
“I figured you were into pretty weird rain hats. I also figured you didn’t want me staring below your neck.” Rafe was quick on his feet—I had to give him that.
Okay, I appreciated the eyes up here awareness. I’d gotten enough attention for my curvy figure in the past. Plus, he was going to be working for me. Better to set the tone right from the start.
We’d arrived in front of the café by this time. The old girl was still nestled in Rafe’s arms like a seventy-pound baby, and Noah was wiping his tears with his arms. All our customers, dogs and humans, crowded out front to see the action. Noah’s big sister, Emma, was there too, wringing a dishtowel between her hands.
“Hey, everyone—Goldie’s going to be fine! We’re taking her down to Dr. Mica’s clinic to get her paw pads checked out. Say ‘hello’ to Rafe. He’s our new coffee roaster, and he’s the one who saved our golden girl from getting hit by a car.”
Yeah, a lifesaver in more ways than one.
If we didn't get the roaster back up and running, pronto, I was going to lose the chance at the PDX FOODS business and likely the hospital kiosk contract. Then I'd have to close the café and let everybody go. Simple as that.
Shouts of “hi, Rafe” and “thanks, man” filled the air along with “welcome to the Chocolate Lab” and even an “atta boy” or two. Husky mix Louis got the other dogs barking, and Gus joined in with his Basset hound howls.
Quite a commotion, but Rafe kept his chin tucked down, staring at Goldie. A blush—or was it a flush on a guy?—spread up his neck, under his stubble, to his forehead where it met his high and tight dark hair.
To put the poor guy out of his misery (and Goldie had to be getting heavy), I announced, “All right, let’s get this sorted.”
I grabbed Emma’s towel and shoved it toward Noah. “Here, buddy, dry your face. Get a garbage bag from inside and follow Goldie’s trail to pick up all the pieces of dog statue you can find. Watch for cars!”
I turned to his sister. “Can you please call your dad, let him know what happened, and ask him to meet us at Dr. Mica’s?”
She nodded, and they both dashed into the café.
“Mateo, could you get the kids going again on drinks and food orders? I was just winding up prepping the two salads for tomorrow’s menu. You’ll see them posted. Can you please finish up for me?”
My manager gave me an “of course, Rose.”
I added, “When Noah returns, make sure to give him a sweet treat of some kind, okay?”
So that was sorted. It was time to get on with the rest of the day—I was already feeling behind schedule. I needed to orient the newbie to the roastery, get home to check in with my friend Jen and her crew, and make a few more calls about Mom’s party.
And Pirate. My big boy deserved a good long walk before it got too dark.
“Rafe, thanks for being so patient,” I said as I led the way down the sidewalk toward the vet clinic. “Bet you weren’t expecting all this drama your first day here.”






AUTHOR BIO

Kristin Jeffries writes about her favorite escapes—romcoms and dogs—from her home in Portland, Oregon. After years in health care marketing, she decided to prescribe a dose of healthy escape from daily stress for romance readers like her. Kristin draws her inspiration from her family’s past Chocolate Lab Café in a small Midwest town. Plus, she’s married to the original red hot roaster who advises her on all things coffee. And she injects her affection for a long line of smouchy pups, including an IRL Pirate, into her tales.


AUTHOR LINKS



Release Blitz - Sinfully Mine by Nikki Landis



Title: Sinfully Mine
Series: Royal Bastards MC: Tonopah, NV #20
Author: Nikki Landis
Genres: Dark MC/Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Tropes: Found Family/Touch Her and Die/One Bed
Voyeurism/Dirty Talk/Holiday Romance
Release Date: March 21, 2025


BLURB

Xenon:
I’m the tech expert for my motorcycle club.
It’s because of me that we’ve interrupted the trafficking ring in Nevada.
I have cameras in multiple cities, and I’m always watching.
But the long, lonely nights have taken a toll.
When I find an online game and a new friend, all that begins to change.
GivemeGracexx411 has the sexiest voice I’ve ever heard.
It’s not long before we’re chatting outside our nightly games.
And now she wants to meet.

I’ve always been a geek and gamer; it shocks people when they find out.
Maybe it’s all the dark ink on my body or the fact that I put so many hours in the gym.
I don’t look anything like my profile pic, and that’s intentional.
The internet is forever. Nothing can hide for long.
I don’t know if I want Grace to know the biker half of my life.
But one night, she forgets to log off her computer and shut down the camera.

And that’s when I meet Grace’s other persona, Dolly.
I can’t stop watching as she strips, parts her thighs, and begins a whole different game with her viewers.
They get to watch her up close on her laptop. But I get to see every part of her.
In an instant, I’m addicted. I need more.
But when she finds the camera on her computer still running, she shuts me out.

Cat and Mouse is my favorite game.
I’ve always been good at stalking my prey.
And now Grace is my sweet, scared little mouse.
I do love it when she decides to run.
But what I thought is a tease meant to entice me is really a setup to catch an entirely different group of voyeurs.
And those sex traffickers who can’t get enough of underage girls?
They think they can snatch what’s mine.
I’ll do anything to save Grace.
As I race against the clock to rescue her, I know I won’t be capable of showing mercy.
My Reaper is ready to spill blood and bring justice before he claims my Dolly.
She doesn’t know it yet, but Grace will be all sinfully mine.

Sinfully Mine can be read as a standalone, but the series is best enjoyed when read in order since ongoing storylines and characters appear throughout and overlap. There are steamy scenes, biker slang, violence, human trafficking, a slight age gap, a paranormal REAPER twist, and a HEA. You'll find a wild, street-smart woman and a possessive, voyeuristic protector who clash, combust, and nearly set the world (or your kindle) on fire.








PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

All free in Kindle Unlimited






COMING SOON


Releasing July 29

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






AUTHOR BIO


Nikki Landis is a romance enthusiast, tea addict, and book hoarder. She's the USA Today Bestselling Author of over fifty novels, including her widely popular Tonopah, NV RBMC series. She writes wickedly fierce, spicy romances featuring dirty talkin' bikers, deadly, possessive reapers, wild bad boys, and the feisty, independent women they love. She's a mom to six sons, two of them Marines. Books are her favorite escape. Nikki also writes sci-fi and monster romance under the pen name Synna Star.


AUTHOR LINKS




Tuesday, 18 March 2025

Release Blitz - This Moment by Kelly Elliott



Title: This Moment
Series: Moose Village #1
Author: Kelly Elliott
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Hidden Identity
Friends to Lovers/Forced Proximity
Release Date: March 18, 2025


BLURB

Kian Carter is stuck in a rut. A successful lawyer in his parents’ New York City office, he’s sick and tired of their greed, their lifelong insistence on putting their powerhouse practice above all else—including Kian and his siblings. So he does what he should have done long ago, what his brother and sister did…Kian turns his back on law. Quitting the firm and moving back to the only home he’s ever known, quiet Moose Village in Upstate New York.

Not much ever changes in the tiny town in the foothills of the Adirondacks. Or so Kian thought. But this time, there’s one big difference: Moose Village is playing host to a mystery woman. And she happens to be working at his aunt’s bakery. Lovely Cadie Waterford is the talk of the town gossips, as much for her luscious banana bread as her unwillingness to talk about her past.

Kian’s not normally one to engage in gossip…but the more time he spends with Cadie, the more intrigued he becomes. Whatever her secrets may be, he’s sure he can handle them—but when words like FBI, CIA, and even murder come into play, does Cadie need more protection than Kian thought?

Or does Moose Village need protection from Cadie…?








PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
UNIVERSAL

Free in Kindle Unlimited







COMING SOON


Releasing May 27

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






AUTHOR BIO

Kelly Elliott is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling contemporary romance author. Since finishing her bestselling Wanted series, Kelly continues to spread her wings while remaining true to her roots and giving readers stories rich with hot protective men, strong women, and beautiful surroundings.

Her bestselling works include, Wanted, Never Enough, Lost Love and Returning Home, to name a few.

Kelly has been passionate about writing since she was fifteen. After years of filling journals with stories, she finally followed her dream and published her first novel, Wanted, in November of 2012.

Kelly lives in central Texas with her husband, their two pups, Gunner and Ellie, too many cats to name, and a plethora of wild animals. When she’s not writing, Kelly enjoys gardening, reading and spending time with her family.


AUTHOR LINKS




Release Blitz - Seth by Lynn Raye Harris



Title: Seth
Series: Ghost Ops #3
Author: Lynn Raye Harris
Genre: Military Protector Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Enemies to Lovers
Who Hurt You/Grumpy Hero/Fake Relationship
Release Date: March 18, 2025


BLURB

Dead to their pasts. Ghosts. No family ties. No connections.

Six men with a top-secret mission move to a small town where they have to navigate local life, protect their secret, and, above all, stay single.

Software engineer Caroline Crowell is a dead woman walking. When the top-secret lab she’s working in goes up in flames and she barely makes it out alive, she knows her time is up. If she wants to stay alive and protect the only family she has left, she has to disappear.

But first she needs help. Someone to watch her back and make sure her enemy doesn’t get any closer while she plans her escape.

Seth “Phantom” King trusts no one but his team. He knows what people are capable of, and he knows how far a person can be pushed before they break. And what he sees when Callie shows up at One Shot Tactical looking for help is a woman about to reach the point of no return.

He doesn’t want to be drawn in by her fear, doesn’t want to believe she’s anything but a potential suspect in his mission. But his teammates have proven that you can’t stop feeling something for a woman even when you know you aren’t supposed to. Denying it only makes it worse.

When the danger Callie fears comes to town, Seth has a choice. Fight for the future he needs. For the woman he needs.

Or watch everything go up in smoke.

A Small Town, Enemies to Lovers, Military Protector Romance from Lynn Raye Harris.








PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






ALSO AVAILABLE


AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited



AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free in Kindle Unlimited






AUTHOR BIO


Lynn Raye Harris is a Southern girl, military wife, wannabe cat lady, and horse lover. She's also the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the HOSTILE OPERATIONS TEAM Ⓡ SERIES of military romances, and 20 books about sexy billionaires for Harlequin.

A former finalist for the Romance Writers of America's Golden Heart Award and the National Readers Choice Award, Lynn lives in Alabama with her handsome former-military husband, one fluffy princess of a cat, and a very spoiled American Saddlebred horse who enjoys bucking at random in order to keep Lynn on her toes.

Lynn's books have been called "exceptional and emotional," "intense," and "sizzling" - and have sold in excess of 4.5 million copies worldwide.

You can learn more at her website, www.LynnRayeHarris.com, or visit her at her Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLynnRayeHarris. Lynn loves hearing from her readers! To sign up for Lynn's newsletter - where you'll be kept up to date about all of Lynn's books - go to http://bit.ly/LRHNews.


AUTHOR LINKS




Monday, 17 March 2025

Cover Reveal - Empire of Ache & Ruin by Diana A. Hicks



Title: Empire of Ache & Ruin
Trilogy: Empire of Ruin #1
Author: Diana A. Hicks
Genre: Contemporary Dark Romance
Tropes: Forbidden/Virgin Auction/Billionaire
Revenge/Brother's Best Friend/He Falls First
Cover Design: @TheAuthorBuddy
Release Date: May 6, 2025


BLURB

"Stay away from me, Little Dove. I'm exactly the monster you think I am." - Archer

The ballet performance of my life ends with a forbidden auction.
My older brother’s best friend is the highest bidder.
Now he’s here to claim his prize…me.

But the reclusive billionaire is no knight in shining armor.
Though I’m irrevocably drawn to him, I know something sinister lurks beneath those steely blue eyes.

I must protect my family, even if it means losing myself in the process.

A Note from Diana: Empire of Ache & Ruin is a 150k-word romance novel. It's book one in the Empire of Ruin Trilogy, featuring Archer/Tristan and Paloma. This Beauty and the Beast retelling is about never letting go. Check TW








PRE-ORDER LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






AUTHOR BIO

Diana A. Hicks is an award-winning author of steamy, new adult romance with a heavy dose of suspense.

When Diana is not writing, she enjoys hot yoga, kickboxing, traveling, and indulging in the simple joys of life like wine and chocolate. She lives in Atlanta and loves spending time with her two children and husband. Connect with Diana on social media to stay up to date on her latest releases.

Praise for Diana A. Hicks:

"Hicks' first installment of her Desert Monsoon series is confident and assured with strong storytelling, nuanced characters, and a dynamic blend of romance and suspense...A sexy and irresistible tale for fans of contemporary romance." - Kirkus Reviews



Release Blitz - His Second Chance Fiancée by Juliette Hyland



Title: His Second Chance Fiancée
Series: Walkins, Wyoming #1
Author: Juliette Hyland
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Small Town/Reunion/Coming Home
Former High School Sweethearts/Tech Hero
Release Date: March 17, 2025


BLURB

Failure is a bitter pill. When Finn Matus left home a decade ago, he vowed never to taste it again. His new life, and successful tech company, are in San Francisco. He's only in Walkins, Wyoming, to settle his uncle's estate and find the widow who took advantage of the man who raised him. Stunned to discover the widow is the woman Finn once planned to meet at the altar, he must face his memories, desires he thought buried and reimagine of what success means. But can he embrace the future standing right before him?

Nothing is stopping Natasha Saddler from expanding her family's supply store, investing in the local community, and growing Walkins into an agricultural tourism hub. Her life took a detour while she cared for an aging family friend, but that duty is done. None of her current plans involve the man who left her at the altar. Not that it matters, Finn isn't sticking around, anyway.

As they close out another man's life, they discover love still burns between them. But how can they combine two different lives for one happily ever after?







PURCHASE LINKS

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU





EXCERPT

Home. The feeling settled within him. “I missed you, Nat. I should have called, should have visited, and should have done so many things differently. I know it doesn’t make up for anything, but I’ve missed you.”
She smiled and tapped his cheek before stepping back. “I’ve missed you too. Well, mostly—the Finn that’s been here the last few days can stay in California.”
Laughing, Finn gave her a brief nod. “I’d prefer him to stay much farther away than that. I’m glad Warren had you.”
“Thank you, Finn.” The tension in her shoulders evaporated, and she embraced him one more time.
Her head tipped up, and Finn moved without thinking. As his lips met hers, part of him shifted, fixing ancient and long repressed wounds. The healing was short-lived as she pushed back against him. Heat flooded his cheeks as he ran a hand through his stiff hair and tried to find the words to repair this latest misstep.
“You’re grieving and looking for comfort. It’s fine.” Her clipped tone sent ice through him as she opened the door. “Let me know if you need anything at the ranch.”






AUTHOR BIO

Juliette Hyland believes in strong coffee, hot drinks and happily ever afters! She lives in Ohio, USA, with her prince charming, who has patiently listened to many rants regarding characters failing to follow the outline. When not working on fun and flirty happily ever afters, Juliette can be found spending time with her beautiful daughters, giant dogs or sewing uneven stitches with her sewing machine.


AUTHOR LINKS