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Eleven Numbers: A Short Story. A Lee Child book

Publisher Amazon Original Stories February 1, 2025, publication date 4823 KB file size

ABOUT THE BOOK

An American mathematician’s assignment in Russia spirals into a high-stakes maze of shifting loyalties and intrigue in a propulsive short thriller by #1 New York Times bestselling author Lee Child.

Nathan Tyler is an unassuming professor at a middling American university with a rather obscure specialty in mathematics—in short, a nobody from nowhere. So why is the White House calling? Summoned to Washington, DC, for a top-secret briefing, Nathan discovers that he’s the key to a massive foreign intelligence breakthrough. Reading between the lines of a cryptic series of equations, he could open a door straight into the heart of the Kremlin and change the global balance of power forever. All he has to do is get to a meeting with the renowned Russian mathematician who created it. But when Nathan crashes headlong into a dangerous new game, the odds against him suddenly look a lot steeper.



MY THOUGHTS

This is a Lee Child short story and is not part of the Reacher series instead focusing on a mathematician sent on a high stakes’ assignment in Russia. Dealing with foreign intelligence and a cryptic series of equations.

A quick read that was fun and had a surprise twist I just didn’t see coming.
Those mathematically inclined may be interested in this though it does get into the security aspect of things as well. Fast paced and now my husband needs to read this as this is one of his favorite authors.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Lee Child is one of the world’s leading thriller writers. He was born in Coventry, raised in Birmingham, and now lives in New York. It is said one of his novels featuring his hero Jack Reacher is sold somewhere in the world every nine seconds. His books consistently achieve the number-one slot on bestseller lists around the world and have sold over one hundred million copies. Two blockbusting Jack Reacher movies have been made so far. He is the recipient of many awards, most recently Author of the Year at the 2019 British Book Awards. He was appointed CBE in the 2019 Queen’s Birthday Honours.

Photography © Sigrid Estrada

My husband is a big fan of the Reacher series. What about you have you read any in this series?

Have a great day. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Cozy Mystery

A Victim at Valentine’s (A Secret Bookcase Mystery Book 5)

250 pages February 10, 2025 publication date Storm publishing

ABOUT THE BOOK

In the cozy town of Redwood Grove, Annie Murray’s Valentine’s Day plans take a sinister turn when a beloved pillar of the local community is found dead at her Agatha Christie-inspired bookshop.

As Annie assists the lead detective in unraveling the mystery, she quickly identifies a host of likely suspects – from an oddball psychic, to a professional matchmaker, to a rival bookseller – each with a worryingly plausible motive.

With her keen eye for detail, soon Annie suspects there may be connections to the decade-old tragedy of her best friend’s death, which still haunts her. Putting her own Valentine’s Day plans with the irresistible Liam on hold, Annie must solve the crime – before she ends up on a hot date with a killer.

This charming and utterly addictive cozy mystery will keep you guessing until the very end. Fans of Tonya Kappes, Lauren Elliott and Ellery Adams will love this murder mystery with a dash of romance.

MY THOUGHTS

I’ve been enjoying this series, I mean you can’t go wrong with a series taking place in a bookshop with lots of mentions of a coffee shop.
The theme of Valentines Day was great, and I could vividly visualize the lovely decorations and the scrumptious dinner in the fun matchmaking event.


Fast paced with a collection of characters with pretty even tempers but can you really trust them to be who they seem to be.
Though this is a series this can easily be read as a standalone.

I enjoyed our main character and seeing how her relationship is developing along with everyone else’s this Love Weekend as the matchmaking is in full force.


Small town charm is in abundance with our main character once again getting right in there helping to solve the crime. Not too heavy of a mystery this time with a nice blend of romance, intrigue, small town charm and friendships.


Sorry to see this is the next to last book in this series.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

LLIE ALEXANDER is a voracious storyteller, a lover of words and all things bookish. She believes that stories have the ability to transport and transform us. With over thirty published novels and counting, her goal is to tell stories that provide points of connection, escape, and understanding.

She loves inhabiting someone else’s skin through the pages of a book and is passionate about helping writers find their unique storytelling lens. As a writing teacher and coach, she guides writers in crafting the story they’ve always wanted to tell while navigating the path to publication that’s right for them.

Find out more about Ellie, her books, and writing courses by visiting her online:

Website: https://www.elliealexander.co/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellie_alexander

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/elliealexanderauthor

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

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliealexanderauthor

Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/ellielovesbooks

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

Have a wonderful weekend. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
historical fiction

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse: (A Dual Timeline Gothic Mystery and Suspense Novel Set in a Small Town)

368 pages Bethany House Publishers April 01,2025 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

In 1874, a battered woman awakens atop a forgotten gravesite by Lake Superior. Identified only by the locket around her neck inscribed with the name Rebecca, she seeks refuge with an elderly lighthouse keeper named Edgar. But as Rebecca struggles to remember who she is, she finds herself haunted by the lingering memories of Annabel, a mysterious woman who perished in the unforgiving waves of Lake Superior years earlier. With the spirit of Annabel seemingly reawakened, and an unknown adversary on the hunt to silence Rebecca once and for all, there is more at stake than just reclaiming her own memories. Rebecca must reclaim Annabel’s as well.

In the present day, author and researcher Shea Radclyffe escapes to the lighthouse outside a historic mining town in Michigan, seeking clarity about her failing marriage. Instantly drawn to the lighthouse’s landlord, Shea contends with the vengeful legend of Annabel’s ghost and a superstitious community that has buried the secrets surrounding a decade-old murder. As the secrets harbored around Annabel’s lighthouse unravel, Shea must navigate a fight of torn loyalty, self-discovery, and the haunting forces of love and a vengeance that should have drowned a century before.

MY THOUGHTS

Tempest at Annabel’s Lighthouse is another book by Jaime Jo Wright. This one doesn’t have the degree of creepiness some of the other books have but it’s just as good. This one has a slower build up than her previous books.


The locals keep the ghostly legend alive of the haunted lighthouse.
Taking place in two time periods this time slip takes place on the southern shores of Lake Superior.

The setting of the wild storms and crashing waves against the shores sets the book up for the perfect haunting story. Lighthouses are fascinating with many things both good and bad connected with them, ships coming in and rescues.


There are many secrets in both time periods and some unexpected family drama. When the story got going there were some very unexpected twists and turns that kept me reading late into the night, as it always is with the author’s books.

I love a lighthouse story, and this one kept my attention. I excitedly look forward to whatever the author will have out next.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

MEET THE AUTHOR

aime Jo Wright, multi award-winning author–including the Christy and Daphne du Maurier awards–is a coffee-fueled and cat-fancier extraordinaire. She has entwined her life with the legendary Captain Hook, residing serenely in Wisconsin’s rural woodlands. Her literary vocation involves penning chilling Gothic tales, a baffling change from that of Austenites, with a strong preference to the master of dark, Edgar Allan Poe. Two mischievous urchins adorn their family, who keep their mother on her toes – providing an exhilarating amount chaos.

Visit her at: http://www.jaimewrightbooks.com and listen to her podcast MadLit Musings on your favorite podcast player or at http://www.madlitmusings.com

I hope you’re having a nice day. Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
historical fiction

Whispers of Fortune: (A Western Christian Historical Romance Book Series with Adventure and Treasure Hunting) (Golden State Treasure) 

304 pages Bethany House Publishers F4b 4,2025 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK



In a land of gold and grit, can two hearts uncover the true treasure?

In 1875 California, Brody MacKenzie arrives at the Two Harts Ranch on a mission to find his runaway brothers, worried they may have fallen into harm. Instead, he discovers them thriving at the ranch’s school and orphanage under the care of Ellie Hart, a woman with a heart as resilient as the land she calls home. His options limited, Brody reluctantly takes on the role of ranch doctor, and he forms an unexpected bond with Ellie, who’s kept a steady eye on Brody’s two rapscallion brothers. When the boys show him a mysterious journal that has been guiding their travels and may hold the key to a lost treasure, Brody and Ellie are captivated by the possibility of a thrilling adventure.

With winter approaching and his brothers threatening to bolt again, Brody and Ellie race against time to decipher cryptic clues and unearth the hidden fortune. But along the way, old adversaries resurface, threatening their newfound affection and the safety of those at the ranch.

Whispers of Fortune is a kisses-only western historical romance with plenty of witty banter, action-packed adventure, and a heartwarming happily-ever-after. It’s the first book in the Golden State Treasure series and can be read as a standalone.

MY THOUGHTS

Such an exciting start to the newest series by Mary Connealy, the Golden State Treasure series. This takes place in 1875 in California on the Two Harts Ranch.


I see this has a great mix of characters with a variety of personalities. They mix together to form an interesting and exciting book.
A nice blend of faith, brotherly love, a bit of a mystery and romance kept my attention.

I’ve enjoyed every book I’ve read by the author. There’s a bit of western ruggedness with a bit of hardship that you have to keep reading to see if things will improve.

I loved the concept of the treasure hunt which occupied a good bit of the book. I loved the reunion of the brothers, and the teen brothers are rascals for sure, but I can see them settling down in future books.

This book is the perfect set up for the upcoming books in the series and I can’t wait to read them.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book from Bethany House through Interviews & Reviews for my honest opinion.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Mary Connealy writes romantic comedy with cowboys. She is independently publishing a contemporary romantic suspense series called Garrison’s Law, book one is Loving the Texas Lawman. Her new historical series, High Sierra Sweethearts begins with The Accidental Guardian. She is also the author of these series: Kincaid Brides, Trouble in Texas, Wild at Heart, Cimarron Legacy, Lassoed in Texas, Montana Marriages and Sophie’s daughters, and has man other books.

She is a two-time Carol Award winner and has been a finalist for the Rita and Christy Awards. She’s a lifelong Nebraskan and lives with her very own romantic cowboy hero. She’s got four grown daughters and four spectacular grandchildren.

Find Mary online at:

Her website: maryconnealy.com

Her blog for aspiring writers: Seekerville

Her blog for lovers of western romance: Petticoats & Pistols

Sign up for her newsletter at maryconnealy.com/newsletter

Mary is on Facebook at facebook.com/maryconnealy

And Twitter at twitter.com/maryconnealy

Give an extra smile to someone today. Thank you for stopping in.

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Categories
historical fiction

The Garden by Nick Newman

313 pages G.P. Putnam’s Sons publisher Pub Date Feb 18 2025 

ABOUT THE BOOK

A darkly beautiful, eerie, hypnotic novel about two elderly sisters living alone at the edge of the world.

In a place and time unknown, two elderly sisters live in a walled garden, secluded from the outside world. Evelyn and Lily have only ever known each other. What was before the garden, they have forgotten; what lies beyond it, they do not know. Each day is spent in languid service to their home: tending the bees, planting the crops, and dutifully following the instructions of the almanac written by their mother.

When a nameless boy is found hiding in the boarded house at the center of their isolated grounds, their once-solitary lives are irrevocably disrupted. Who is he? Where did he come from? And most importantly, what does he want?

As suspicions gather and allegiances falter, Evelyn and Lily are forced to confront the dark truths about themselves, the garden, and the world as they’ve known it.

MY THOUGHTS

I enjoy trying new authors. The book wasn’t anything like I expected it to be. I guess I was expecting something along the lines of The Secret Garden but not even close.


I expected two charming elderly sisters living together as neither had married and they’ve never ventured outside of their garden walls. Instead, the sisters fight constantly. Taking place mostly in modern times, of what year it is we have no idea.

We also have a lot of flip flopping back and forth from this modern time to whenever the mother was alive. The mother put a lot of restrictions on the sisters, they couldn’t do many things and even in their elderly age she still has control over them with their thoughts.

The sisters spend their days taking care of bee hives, farming, cleaning and raising chickens. These are elderly women who have no help and no contact with the outside world.

No mention of anything modern like tv’s or phones. All of the sudden a ragged boy shows up and totally disrupts their world, one sister likes him the other doesn’t.


Part of the huge house is boarded up from the time the mother was living, and it still is. The mother had a huge influence on them and still does.
The whole book has a strange and unsettling vibe to it. I have many questions that were not answered in the book and I’m sure there won’t be a sequel to answer them.

I was given a complimentary copy of the book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHOR

Nick Newman is the author of THE GARDEN.

He has also published four critically acclaimed children’s novels under the name Nicholas Bowling.

Thank you for stopping in today.

Categories
Blog Tour

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken Hearted Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Paris Bookshop for the Broken-Hearted

Can you ever swear off love, in the city of love?

Coco is having a hell of a month. She’s lost her boyfriend and her business, been forced to uproot her daughter to move back in with her parents in Paris, and now an infuriatingly handsome stranger is yelling at her for acting like a tourist… Right underneath the Eiffel Tower.

Storming away from him – and swearing off men for life – she decides she’s going to take the first job that comes her way.

Then, as if fate hears her, later that day she stumbles into a little bookshop – but not any old bookshop. This one comes complete with a café, cocktail bar, reading room and secret tunnel of books, and just a little hint of magic in the air. So when Coco’s offered a job selling books there, it feels like the perfect fit.

There’s only one problem… propping up the bar in the bookshop is none other than the grumpy, gorgeous stranger she’d met earlier that day…

A totally romantic, bookish and gorgeously escapist romantic novel, set in Paris in Springtime. Perfect for fans of Emily Henry, Abby Jimenez, and Sarah Morgan.

MY THOUGHTS

I really loved the book. Taking place in the romantic city of Paris, the city of lights and love.
A delightful romance but the book didn’t solely focus on romance. It was female friendships, mother daughter relationships. These newly formed friendships were so lovely to see how supportive they were of each other.


Paris……….. I don’t think you can say anything bad about it. I became more enamored with-it page by page as I read about the charming descriptions.


The bookshop was truly magical, a place for romantic relationships to be made and great advice to be had.

This is truly a book to read when you have afternoon to yourself to devote to it because once you start you won’t be able to put it down.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHERS ON THE TOUR

Purchase Link – https://mybook.to/theparisbookshop

MEET THE AUTHOR

Rebecca Raisin writes heartwarming romance from her home in sunny Perth, Australia. Her heroines tend to be on the quirky side and her books are usually set in exotic locations so her readers can armchair travel any day of the week. The only downfall about writing about gorgeous heroes who have brains as well as brawn, is falling in love with them–just as well they’re fictional. Rebecca aims to write characters you can see yourself being friends with.People with big hearts who care about relationships and believe in true, once-in-a-life time love.

Social Media Links –  

Facebook: @RebeccaRaisinAuthor

Twitter: @jaxandwillsmum

Instagram: @rebeccaraisinwrites2

Newsletter Sign Up: bit.ly/RebeccaRaisinNews

Bookbub profile: @RebeccaRaisin

I hope you are having a lovely day. Thanks for stopping in.

Categories
Blog Tour

A Scottish Island Summer Blog Tour

ABOUT THE BOOK

A Scottish Island Summer

When ambitious city girl, Darcie Freeman is sent to the Isle of Skye to conduct research for a travel guide, she’s horrified. The prospect of having to travel to a remote island in the Scottish Highlands leaves her wondering what she’ll do.

Step in Logan Burns. Gorgeous and adventurous, he lives and breathes the island, and along with his sister Iona, who owns a rather haphazard PR company, they’re going to show Darcie everything she needs to know about Skye.

As Darcie swaps her designer shoes for her walking boots and her faux fur jacket for her raincoat, will she learn there’s more to life than the picture-perfect presence she shares on social media, or will it be the case that Skye is the limit…

MY THOUGHTS

A true page turner that you’ll be delighted to have read.
This relaxation read took me to Skye with its breathtaking descriptions that I now want to visit.

The characters were lighthearted, a true pick me up. On my way to find more charming books by the author.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

VISIT OTHERS ON THE TOUR

Purchase Links

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Scottish-Island-Summer-escapist-romance-ebook/dp/B0CW1767DPhttps://www.amazon.com/Scottish-Island-Summer-escapist-romance-ebook/dp/B0CW1767DP

MEET THE AUTHOR

Julie Shackman is a former journalist from Scotland, who has always wanted to write feel-good romance.

As well as being an author, Julie also writes verses and captions for greetings card companies. Julie admits to having an obsession with stationery and handbags.

She is married, has two sons and adopted a Romanian rescue puppy, Cooper.

A Scottish Island Summer is Julie’s twelfth novel.

Social Media Links –

Julie Shackman Author

Julie Shackman (@G13Julie) / Twitter

Julie Georgina Shackman (@juliegeorginashackman) • Instagram photos and videos

(2) Julie Georgina Shackman | Facebook

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Amish Fiction

The Rise and Fall of Miss Fannie’s Biscuits: A Cozy Amish Mystery

319 pages Barbour fiction Jan 01,2025 publication date

ABOUT THE BOOK

Why Are Baking Contestants Disappearing?
 
Mysteries have a way of following Fannie Miller, so when she makes it into the finals of the Tuscarawas County Baking Contest and contestants start disappearing, she calls on her old friend Foster Bates, a retired cop and part-time private investigator. Could it be that other finalists are somehow responsible for these disappearances, thinning out the competition? Like the couple on verge of divorce who need the prize money, or the three Beiler sisters, always in a huddle whispering. One thing is for certain—Foster and Fannie will stay on the case until the end, and everyone involved will have learned something important about baking contests, solving mysteries, and life.
 
New York Times Bestselling Author Wanda E. Brunstetter and Emmy-Nominated Author Martha Bolton have teamed up to deliver a delightful whodunit from Ohio’s Amish country.

MY THOUGHTS

A lighthearted Amish cozy mystery. It involves missing baking contestants that signed up to enter a baking contest with an amazing prize. When they seem to disappear without a trace the gossipers start not realizing just how their words could affect others.

A faith based and fun story. I love Wanda’s books and I’ll be interested in reading more books by the other author as well.
An important lesson is learned in this gentle and entertaining story.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

MEET THE AUTHORS

Wanda Brunstetter is an award-winning romance novelist who has led millions of readers to lose their heart in the Amish life. She is the author of over 100 books with more than 12 million copies sold. Many of her books have landed on the top bestseller lists, including the New York Times, USA Today, Publisher’s Weekly, CBA, ECPA, and CBD. Wanda is considered one of the founders of the Amish fiction genre, and her work has been covered by national publications, including Time Magazine and USA Today.

Wanda’s fascination with the Amish culture developed when she met her husband, Richard, who grew up in a Mennonite church, and whose family has a Pennsylvania Dutch heritage. Meeting her new Mennonite sister-in-laws caused Wanda to yearn for the simpler life. In their travels, she and her husband have become close friends with many Amish people across America. Wanda’s desire to explore their culture increased when she discovered that her great-great grandparents were part of the Anabaptist faith.

All of Wanda’s novels are based on personal research intended to accurately portray the Amish way of life. Many of her books are well-read and trusted by the Amish, who credit her for giving readers a deeper understanding of the people and their customs.

Wanda’s primary attraction to the Amish is their desire to live a devout Christian life that strives to honor God, work hard, and maintain close family ties. Whenever she visits her Amish friends, Wanda finds herself drawn to their peaceful lifestyle, sincerity, and close family ties, which is in stark contrast to the chaos and busyness that plagues so many modern “Englishers.” Time and time again, Wanda loses her heart in the Amish life, and she hopes her readers will, too. For more information, visit: http://www.WandaBrunstetter.com

Martha Bolton was Bob Hope’s first female staff writer, writing for his television specials, personal appearances, and military shows for approximately fifteen years (in the 1980s and 90s). She is an Emmy nominee, Dove Award nominee, and WGA Award nominee. DEAR BOB… Bob Hope’s Wartime Correspondence with the G.I.s of WWII (University Press of Mississippi, March 2021) was written with Linda Hope, Bob’s daughter and producer, and was named Christian Market Book of the Year and Golden Scrolls Memoir of the Year at the 2021 Christian Product Expo. It also won First Place in the 2022 Selah Awards for Memoir, and First Place in the Chanticleer International Book Awards (CIBAs) for Military & Front-Line Division. An ABC story about Dear Bob… produced by George Pennacchio of ABC won third place in the National Journalism Competition and first place in the Los Angeles Journalist competition. The book was also featured on Sunday Morning with Jane Pauley.

Martha’s latest book just released and is #1 in Amish Romance on Amazon. Written with New York Times Best-Selling author, Wanda Brunstetter, the book has also been turned into a musical which will open in 2025 in Pennsylvania and Indiana.

Beginning with her first “book” at age 9, titled NO FUN BEING YOUNG, about being the youngest in her family, Martha has now written 89 books, including JOSIAH FOR PRESIDENT and THE HOME GAME. Both novels have also become musicals, with scripts penned by Martha.

Martha has also written for such comedians and entertainers as Phyllis Diller, Wayne Newton, Mark Lowry, and Chonda Pierce.

The winner of four Angel Awards, Martha playwrighting credits continues to build, with over a dozen musicals having been produced since 2010. THE HOME GAME, JOSIAH FOR PRESIDENT, DEAR SOLDIER BOY, STOLEN, A SIMPLE SANCTUARY, and THE CONFESSION are a few of the titles. The musicals are produced by Dan Posthuma and Mel Riegsecker of Blue Gate Musicals.

Martha’s novel, THE HOME GAME, received a 2017 Golden Scroll Merit Award for Fiction by the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association. Her Christmas offerings are a new favorite, THE CHRISTMAS CANDY CAPER, as well as numerous children’s musicals: A LAMB’S TALE, co-written with Dennis Allen, BETHLEHEM OR BUST, co-written with Andy Cundiff, Darrell Bledsoe, and Ted Wilson, and BETHLEHEM’S BIG NIGHT, co-written with Bill Wolaver.

A trademark of Martha is that she loves to find the humor in life, as evident in her popular book series for middle-agers: DIDN’T MY SKIN USED TO FIT? and COOKING WITH HOT FLASHES, THE WHOLE WORLD IS CHANGING AND I’M TOO HOT TO CARE), just to name a few.

Martha was named the Advanced Writers and Speakers Association Member of the Year for 2021 and lives by her life statement of: “Life’s tough, God’s good, and laughter is calorie-free.”

We hope you enjoy reading about her extensive body of work.

Thank you for stopping in.

Categories
Blog Tour

Blog Tour for Wedding Dashers by Heather McBreen

 399 pages Publisher Berkley Publication date January 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

After a case of mistaken identity and an almost one-night stand, two stranded wedding guests have to find their way to their final destination together, in this riotously fun debut romance.

Ada’s little sister is getting married. Which should be a happy thought, right? But the once close sisters have been in a year long fight, the wedding is all the way in Ireland, and Ada is so broke that she just barely managed to get a ticket on a budget airline. And as if things couldn’t get worse, said airline just cancelled her connection. Which means Ada is stuck in London with no way to make it to the wedding.

Surely she’s hit rock bottom?

So, there’s no reason for her not to spill her heart out about the over-the-top wedding, her sister’s worryingly quick engagement, and the womanizing best man she’s dreading meeting to a handsome also-stranded stranger at the bar. Until she realizes the stranger is headed to the same wedding. Oh, and he’s the infamous best man.

Now, Jack and Ada must put their simmering attraction behind them to make it to Belfast before they miss the nuptials. But between flat tires, missed trains, and suspect hostels, Jack and Ada start to question whether their feelings are worth going the distance, or just a distracting detour along the way.

MY THOUGHTS

A debut author? You’re kidding me, right? The book had me actually laughing out loud. The banter is hilarious between our two main characters with a mistaken identity but when they find out who each other are, ooops! The ooops makes for awkward and embarrassing moments and the conversations are dynamic.

The sparks absolutely fly in this romantic comedy you’re sure to love as much as I did.
Between lack of money, misunderstandings, vehicle breakdowns, hotel problems, missed flights and more I couldn’t stop laughing. All this made for an unputdownable debut book that had me rolling. This is an author to keep an eye on.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Wedding Dashers grab it here

Thank you for stopping in today.

Categories
Blog Tour

Blog Tour for Spiral (Off the Ice Book 2)

367 pages [publisher Berkley Publication date January 28, 2025

ABOUT THE BOOK

He’s on edge while she’s en pointe in this fake-dating sports romance from the author of the smash hit Collide.

Elias Westbrook, a newly drafted hockey player for the Toronto Thunder, is facing the challenges of fame and media scrutiny. With a growing fan base and too many expectations on his shoulders, he’s struggling to make his first career goal. The tabloids are reporting on his every move, including which woman he was last seen with, but all he wants to do is escape the spotlight.

Enter from stage left Sage Beaumont, an aspiring ballerina with dreams of joining the Aurora Ballet Theatre, but her lack of popularity online leaves her at a major disadvantage for securing the lead role. When Sage finds herself with the perfect opportunity to make her dreams come true by fake dating Elias, she takes her shot.

Soon enough, the flimsy fake-dating rules they set in place fall away in the face of their sizzling connection. But before things spiral out of control, Sage and Elias will have to decide if they’re willing to take the leap together or if they’ll call it quits.

MY THOUGHTS

Am I the only one who before this book has never read a sports romance?
I have seen an increase in the popularity of sports romances in the past several years but was never tempted to pick one up until I threw caution to the wind and decided to see what the big hoopla was all about. This may tell you something about me. Yes, I enjoy romance books a lot but a subgenre of sports well, not what I could see myself reading because I don’t really care about sports.

A newly drafted hockey player and an inspiring ballerina. They’ve each been involved in their perspective field for a long time, but will all that practice finally have them seeing the big time?
Though she’s a ballerina she’s been around hockey players for a long time as a family member is involved in the hockey league.

How will the public receive it when these two let it be known they are dating but it’s actually fake dating? She needs the publicity dating him will ensure, he can’t help falling but either can she.

Dynamic conversations with lots of humor. I loved seeing the interracial dating represented and boy was the sexual tension steaming.
This couple tries to keep it casual and he’s the grumpy with her being the sunshine. He holds out the longest in keeping it casual.

They each have an unexpected background that they are working on, because of course they do. Have to add in that drama. Funky, fun fresh and I’m convinced that I’ll be looking for more sports romances now.

I was given a complimentary copy of this book.
All opinions expressed are my own.

Spiral grab a copy

MEET THE AUTHOR

Bal is a Canadian writer, romance enthusiast, and book lover. Before she decided to jump into the romance pool, she spent her time gushing about books on social media. When inspiration strikes, she is found filling her notes app with ideas for romance novels. Like her heroine Summer, Bal has been woven into the fabric of two cultures and finds herself creating characters that represent the beauty of both. Whether it’s through language, a box of her favorite sweets, or a cup of chai, we can find hints of her South Asian roots throughout her writing. She loves reading about love, watching movies about love, and now, writing about it herself. There really isn’t much else that gets her heart fluttering the way HEAs do. She fell in love with writing and hopes to continue living out her romance author dreams.

Thanks for stopping in.