Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee

March 18, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Have You Seen Him by Kimberly Lee
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Contemporary, Thriller, Suspense
Rated: 4 stars
Review by Rose

What if everything you believed about yourself was totally wrong?

For David Byrdsong, life is a series of daily obligations. An attorney, he lacks both ambition and the ability to commit to a long-term relationship with his girlfriend, Gayle. Abandoned by his family at an airport when he was eleven, he learned to blunt his feelings, despite his subsequent adoption by a loving couple.

Until one day, when David discovers his own face in a missing child ad. Suddenly driven to uncover the truth about his past, he is forced to tap into his inner strength as he encounters corporate conspiracies, murdered bystanders, and distressing suspicions about the only family he’s ever really trusted. David enlists Gayle’s help—and the help of an unlikely stranger with secrets of his own—as he attempts to find his true family, whoever they are.

Thrilling, exploratory, and propulsive, Have You Seen Him is a story of lost identity, dangerous secrets, and a deeply personal pursuit of the truth.

This book is full of excitement as well as great character development. This book had me flipping pages to see what would happen with David and Gayle and their search to find out the truth. I absolutely loved them both and could so see this on the screen (Netflix, are you listening?). These are not one-dimensional characters, either… they have flaws and they are definitely not perfect. But, they work together and this, in my opinion, is one of the strengths of the book.

This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but it certainly won’t be the last.

Filed Under: Mystery/Suspense, Reviews Tagged With: , , , , ,

Laughing Through the Storm by Jane Rogers – Spotlight and Giveaway

March 18, 2026 By Leave a Comment

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Jane Rogers will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Diagnosed with epilepsy at 13, Jane’s life took a wild turn full of seizures, specialists, and some seriously strange hospital adventures. But instead of letting it break her, she learned to laugh—at the chaos, the cringe, and even the curveballs. Laughing Through the Storm is a hilariously honest memoir about finding resilience, ridiculousness, and unexpected joy in the middle of life’s messiest moments.

Enjoy an Excerpt

It was a frosty January morning in 1981 when I decided to make my dramatic debut in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. As the latest addition to the family line-up, I was a calm and easy-going baby, quietly lulling everyone into a false sense of security. Classic me— always setting up for a twist.

My dad worked for the Health of Animals, a branch of the Canadian federal government, as a veterinarian in Prince Edward Island. They were responsible for the control, prevention and eradication of certain animal diseases. As the district veterinarian for the entire province, he had responsibilities for the health and well-being of all livestock, from pigs and cows to chickens. His days were a mix of travelling to farms to test animals for serious diseases like tuberculosis and rabies; visiting auction houses to ensure only healthy animals were sold; attending meat-packing plants to collect samples; and making safety diagnoses to ensure that animals entering the food chain were safe for human consumption.

When I was two, my parents decided to move us to Riverview, New Brunswick, a town that became the stage for my happiest childhood memories. We lived on Hamilton Court, a little slice of suburban heaven with one particularly glorious feature: hills. Our backyard sloped gently, but our neighbours’ yards were even steeper, perfect for sledding. Every winter, kids from all over the neighbourhood would arrive armed with sleds, ready to turn those snowy slopes into the ultimate playground. We would shriek with laughter as we careened down the hill and tumbled into a snowbank. Gravity may have been our accomplice in the winter, but in the summer, it was the architect of our joy. My friends and I would roll down those same hills, giggling uncontrollably, dizzy from both the spinning and the laughter.

About the Author:Jane Rogers is an accidental expert in epilepsy, diagnosed at 13 and living with it ever since. She’s spent over three decades navigating seizures, side effects, and hospital adventures with grit, sarcasm, and a solid sense of humor. Laughing Through the Storm is her first book—a tribute to resilience, ridiculous moments, and finding light in the darkest places.

She lives in Ottawa with her supportive husband, Pascal, and their two mischievous chihuahuas, Junior and Bailey.

Fun Fact: Jane once had a seizure during a comedy show— and still insists the comedian owes her one.

Instagram | Facebook

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Non-Fiction Tagged With: , , ,

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for March 18, 2026

March 18, 2026 By Leave a Comment

Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

Audiobooks I’ve Enjoyed

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge Tagged With: ,

Falcon of the Faroe Islands by Jennifer Ivy Walker

March 17, 2026 By 1 Comment


Falcon of the Faroe Islands by Jennifer Ivy Walker
Publisher: Green Mermaid Publications
Genre: paranormal, historical romance
Rated: 5 stars
Review by Rose

Haldor Falk, fierce warrior and powerful vitki blessed by the Goddess Freyja with the extraordinary ability to transform into a falcon, has been charged with forging Skjöld, grandson of King Harald Bluetooth, into a rugged warlord in the wild north of Norway.

With his acolyte’s training now complete, Haldor intends to return to the Viking stronghold of Normandy. But when a vision reveals an imminent attack on a dwarf guarding a hidden treasure trove in a secret cave, Haldor and Skjöld gain Dwarven-forged weapons and an unexpected, invaluable ally.

Úlvhild, a völva of formidable seiðr magic and Haldor’s lover of nearly twenty winters, foresees that the Dökkálfar Dark Elves will strike to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy. When the Norns unveil the terrible price of her fate, Úlvhild must confront a crimson-eyed witch to save her beloved falcon and ensure that the prophesied Son of the Dragon fulfills his destined path.

Falcon of the Faroe Islands is the sweeping, epic conclusion to the award-winning Valiant Vikings trilogy set in tenth century Normandy.

A sizzling blend of historical fiction, paranormal fantasy, Norse mythology, and steamy Viking romance!

I was so excited when this came up for review because it features my very favorite couple. You can see the reviews for the first and second books here.

Ms. Walker’s skill is making the history of this time period come to life is even more evident in this volume. I truly felt like I was immersed in the history and the spiritual practices.

It was also great to see repeat appearances from the characters from the previous books. Never fear, though, the book can still be read as a standalone.

I truly enjoyed this finale to the trilogy…. it’s the best of them all! Thank you for sharing this world with us.

Filed Under: Reviews, Romance Tagged With: , , , ,

Ten Things Most People Don’t Know about Me by Intensia – Guest Blog and Giveaway

March 16, 2026 By 1 Comment

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Intensia will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner during the tour. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Ten Things Most People Don’t Know about Me

1. I have always been a sensitive, thoughtful person. As a kid, I was convinced that the blue ice cream flavor they called “Smurfs” was actually made from those little creatures. I would cry every time I saw it. I was probably the only unhappy kid in a store usually filled with joy.

2. Even if music is my vocation, silence is something very precious to me. It is not stagnation but regeneration, respect, serenity, effortless understanding and intimacy instead.

3. I am a plant-based person and have been for a long time. Even when I was little, I would refuse to eat animals, and growing up I tried to reduce this kind of things from my diet whenever I could. I do not miss anything. Quite the opposite. It is very satisfying to create new recipes and tasty ways to veganize dishes. If done consciously, it is good for the environment, the belly and other beings too.

4. To me, art is made to inspire, connect, unite, and entertain. I create for the resonance of souls, not primarily for the ego. That is also why I do not appear personally in the visuals related to my music. It allows me to focus on the message, the vibe, and the emotions I would like to evoke. There is no need to put my face forward or place myself into roles for music videos. I trust that my fans will remember me and recognize my style anyway.

5. Besides being a singer, songwriter, award-winning author and music artist, I am also an award-winning vocal coach and an officially recognized vocational teacher for singers and songwriters in Germany. My boutique flagship label and publisher, Intensia Music International, is dedicated to releasing my art and supporting upcoming artists in developing their professional skills and craft online. This might be the one and only music label that nurtures control and strategic personal alignment through education, instead of signing people.

6. Intensia is my legally recognized stage name. In Germany, the European Community country where I live, it can be officially acknowledged and registered in personal documents under certain artistic criteria. My inner voice whispered it to me a long time ago. It means an intense intention, in tension. I like it so much, and it describes me so well that I sometimes forget I was ever called something else. That given name belongs more to the person I had to be in order to become who I truly am. Some artists build stage personas for themselves. For me, it is the other way around. Intensia is who I really am, both as artist and human being.

7. I do not drink any coffee or alcohol. Both make no difference to me in terms of happiness or energy, but they do when it comes to nature and wellbeing.

8. Unless the restock of a certain treat is on its way, I will not eat the last one of that kind I still have at home.

9. I love collecting blank planners and notebooks. They are full of potential! I also design and curate my own lines. One is a thoughtful surprise for music lovers, singers, and songwriters. The other is an exclusive merchandise line available until the next song drops. You can find these affordable gift ideas and useful creations online on Amazon.

10. Although I do really care about a good sleep routine, I like to linger a little longer in bed in the morning. Even when I’m awake and ready to start, it just feels so cozy. Three alarms are barely enough to get me out of bed. I even have a “last call” reminder alarm for my final alarm.

Thanks so much for being here. The journey continues on Substack, where you are invited to join me as I share how the poetic excerpts from my award-winning book Words to Think. Or to Sing. come to life, one track at a time.

Have you ever wondered how your favorite songs really began?

Not with the words, not with the melody, but with a feeling.

Becoming a vision, becoming lines, becoming a complete piece of sonorous truth meant to be shared to unite people who resonate with it.

A mystical, fascinating process you can now be part of.

INTENSIA, a new heartfelt, poetic singer songwriter likely to belong with your favorite pop music companions, is turning the traditional release model upside down, inviting you to look into her soul and mind before anyone else.

Be among the first to witness this spark before her distinctive voice echoes through the world. This unique approach offers an unprecedented glimpse into evolving art, so you can feel and enjoy the essence of her songs before they are even complete.

Dive into this curated collection of lyric excerpts and emotional snapshots from pop songs in progress. Each piece stands on its own as a modern, poetic message, paired with brief reflections about the meaning or emotions behind the words.

It is more than something to read. It is a space to pause, reflect, and connect, with room for your thoughts and reflections too. Write what moves you, what you feel, what you dream. This book and its songs to be are meant to accompany you wherever you go.

For even more space to express yourself, the companion notebook PLACE TO THINK. OR TO WRITE. (ISBN 978-3-911445-02-3) is available as a dedicated space.

WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING. out 26 June 2025 on Amazon. Paperback (ISBN 978-3-911445-00-9), eBook (ISBN 978-3-911445-01-6).

Join INTENSIA’s free Intense Inside Club at www.intensia.music and discover this special music developing experience as it unfolds, where connection begins as songs come to life.

Enjoy an Excerpt

S T A I R C A S E

I saw red while you held my hand
on that hill in a castle of sand
being nice, coming out of the blue
you were losing me, undeniably true
I was just another trophy for your shelf
overloaded by the further rusty twelve

Dissociating from this charming place
you are a mess inside, I know it’s the case
this romance had better leave no trace
but at sunset we sat here on the staircase

About the Author From Munich’s vibrant core, Intensia is sparking a poetic, tuneful movement with a unique glimpse into her evolving pop songs-to-be book, “WORDS TO THINK. OR TO SING.”. It combines lyric snippets with heartfelt reflections, inviting readers to discover her art in progress in a new and unexpected way.

INTENSIA’s story began in childhood with a simple radio cassette recorder, a portal to a mesmerizing world where her voice became a powerful way to explore emotions and transform them into melodies.

Her lyrics delve into self-reflection, personal growth, relationships, and empowerment. Themes that reflect the vision of her boutique flagship label, Intensia Music International, which is also dedicated to inspiring others to explore their creative side.

With a high art, down-to-earth attitude, INTENSIA stands for emotional pop tunes that feel like after a meaningful conversation with a good friend. Step into her world at www.intensia.music and you will find a new sonorous companion for life.

Website | Music Label | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

Find reflections, impulses, and progress on the lyric excerpts from the book as they turn into cinematic, emotional pop songs to stream and experience: Substack

Buy the book at Amazon.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Other Tagged With: , , ,

Five Must-Haves in the Cozy Mystery Genre by Kirsten Weiss – Guest Blog and Giveaway

March 12, 2026 By 1 Comment

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kirsten Weiss will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Five Must-Haves in the Cozy Mystery Genre

If you’re a cozy mystery fan (or writer), you know the genre delivers something special: a comforting escape wrapped around a clever puzzle. Cozy mysteries aren’t about gritty realism or high-stakes thrillers—they’re gentle, witty, satisfying reads that leave you feeling good when the final page is turned. But what exactly makes a story qualify as a great cozy mystery? Over years of reading and writing in the genre (including my Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum series), I’ve boiled it down to these five essential must-haves. These elements show up in the best cozy mysteries time and again, creating that signature “cozy” feel readers crave.

  1. An Amateur Sleuth Readers Can Root For:
    Every cozy mystery needs a relatable protagonist who’s not a professional detective. She’s usually a woman (though not always) with a day job that conveniently gives her access to gossip and clues—think bakers, librarians, museum curators, or innkeepers. In my series, Maddie Kosloski runs a quirky paranormal museum in wine-country San Benedetto, stumbling into murders while managing cursed exhibits. She’s smart, stubborn, a little flawed, and deeply human—making her easy to root for. The best cozy mysteries let readers see themselves in the sleuth: ordinary people using wits, intuition, and community to solve crimes.
  2. A Charming, Contained Setting That Feels Like Home:
    Cozy mysteries thrive in picturesque, small-town or village environments where everyone knows everyone (and their secrets). Though recently, these mysteries are starting to move into contained urban neighborhoods (think Murders in the Building). With quaint streets, local shops, vineyards, or historic buildings, the setting becomes a character in its own right. My fictional San Benedetto, inspired by Lodi, California, offers wine-country charm with historic downtowns, Delta breezes, and tight-knit neighborhoods. This contained world keeps suspects limited and stakes personal, amplifying that cozy, escapist bubble readers love.
  3. No Graphic Violence, Gore, Explicit Sex, or Heavy Profanity:
    This is the golden rule of cozy mysteries. Crimes happen “off the page”—the murder might be discovered, but readers don’t witness graphic details. The focus stays on the puzzle, not the brutality. In my Paranormal Museum series, the emphasis is on clues, motives, and resolution, not blood. This “clean” approach makes cozy mysteries perfect comfort reads—ideal for curling up with tea without nightmares.
  4. A Clever, Fair-Play Puzzle with Red Herrings:
    Cozy mysteries are all about the whodunit. The plot must be logical, with clues scattered fairly so readers can solve it alongside the sleuth. Red herrings (false leads) add fun misdirection, but the reveal should feel earned and satisfying. In A Deathly Display, suspects include shadowy curators and jealous collectors, with clues hidden in exhibits and conversations—classic cozy mystery structure that rewards attentive readers.
  5. An Uplifting Resolution and Themes of Justice/Hope:
    Cozy mysteries end positively: the killer is caught, order restored, and characters grow. Themes of second chances, friendship, and good triumphing gently are key. The villain often faces consequences that feel fair, not vengeful. This “feel-good” payoff is why readers return—cozy mysteries reassure us that puzzles (and life) can resolve happily.

Ultimately, cozy is a feeling, and a cozy mystery is a promise of a certain reader experience. Together, these five must-haves create cozy magic: comfort, cleverness, and connection. They keep the genre accessible and addictive while allowing for creativity (like my light paranormal twists).

Speaking of cozy mysteries, my latest, A Deathly Display (book 11 in the Paranormal Museum series), hits all these notes: Maddie solves a museum murder with art-world intrigue, subtle haunts, humor, and heart. If you’re craving a cozy mystery with a whisper of the paranormal, grab it now!

What’s your favorite cozy mystery must-have? The amateur sleuth, the setting, or something else? Drop a comment—I love hearing from fellow cozy mystery fans!

Happy reading,
Kirsten Weiss

A killer stalks her sister.
A mysterious painting holds the key.
Can Maddie unravel the mystery before Melanie meets a deadly fate?

When Maddie and Herb attend a curation class at the upscale Domus Vinea museum, the mood turns darker than a gothic portrait after Maddie’s opera-singing sister, Melanie, discovers the museum director’s body. Now, with a cunning killer targeting Melanie next, Maddie must act fast.

Racing against time, Maddie and friends investigate a gallery of suspects, including a dashing vintner with a haunted painting that may hide a deadly secret. If Maddie can’t crack the case, and fast, her sister’s life could end in one fatal stroke.

A Deathly Display, the latest in the Paranormal Museum series, blends quirky sleuthing, small-town chills, and paranormal thrills with a dash of humor. Perfect for fans of cozy mysteries!

Grab A Deathly Display and start reading this hilarious whodunit!

For readers who crave a cozy mystery about a woman finding belonging through small-town wine-country sleuthing and the gentle absurdity of everyday hauntings. Perfect if you like breezy pacing, light supernatural quirks, and warm humor over gritty tension—think vintage charm, quirky neighbors, and just-enough chills to keep pages turning without losing sleep. Book 11 in the series.

Enjoy an Excerpt

There are a few things in life you can be sure of. Death. Taxes. And divas being divas.

“Why?” Melanie sobbed. “Why is this happening to meeeee?”

I jogged to the fallen man and knelt beside him in the courtyard. Pressing a finger to his neck, I tried to find a pulse.

“Another body,” my sister hiccupped. “Why here?”

I sat back on my heel. The dead man faced the pristine marble fountain. And he was definitely dead. Though his skin was still warm, his eyes stared, as blank as the nearby statue of Hermes.

Yanking my phone from the rear pocket of my khakis, I called 9-1-1. The scent of orange blossoms billowed in the warm night air, but now the odor seemed sickening.

My mother appeared at my side. “Oh, my God. That’s—” She gripped my shoulder, her nails digging in. Just as suddenly, she released me and edged the toe of her low camel-colored shoes away from the pooling blood.

“I just f-found him there.” Melanie pointed.

“And it’s a terrible shock,” my mother said in a low voice. “Now, we need to pull ourselves together.” She looped one arm around Melanie’s hourglass waist.

“Nine-one-one, what is your emergency?”

“Murder, I think,” I said. “My sister found a dead man. His head is—” I swallowed and looked away. “There’s a lot of blood. We’re at the Domus Vinea Museum, in the smaller courtyard.”

“Are you in danger?” the operator asked.

“No. There’s a reception going on here. There are lots of people…” I glanced toward the opening to the courtyard. Guests had begun to gather, staring, in its arched entrance.

“Why does this always happen?” Melanie wailed. “First Sicily and now this. Am I cursed?”

“No, no,” my mother murmured, touching the squash blossom necklace beneath the collar of her denim shirt. “It’s just bad luck.”

“Help is on the way,” the dispatcher said. “Is the man you found breathing?”

“No. He’s dead.” I knew dead, and I knew what came after for the people left behind.

About the Author: Kirsten Weiss writes laugh-out-loud, page-turning mysteries, and now a Tarot guidebook that’s a work of experimental fiction. Her heroes and heroines aren’t perfect, but they’re smart, they struggle, and they succeed. Kirsten writes in a house high on a hill in the Colorado woods and occasionally ventures out for wine and chocolate. Or for a visit to the local pie shop.

Kirsten is best known for her Wits’ End, Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum, and Tea & Tarot cozy mystery books. So if you like funny, action-packed mysteries with complicated heroines, just turn the page…

Website | Instagram | TikTok | YouTube | Perfectly Proper Paranormal Museum on X

Buy the book at Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes and Noble, Google Books, Kobo, or your favorite online venue

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Mystery/Suspense Tagged With: , , ,

Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge for March 11, 2026

March 11, 2026 By 2 Comments

Each Wednesday, Long and Short Reviews hosts a weekly “blog hop”. For more details on how to participate, please click here.

Books About My Favorite Topic

Filed Under: Miscellaneous Musings, Wednesday Weekly Blogging Challenge Tagged With: ,

Background of the Book by Victoria Weisfeld – Guest Blog and Giveaway

March 10, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Victoria Weisfeld will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Background of the Book

Mysteries and thrillers are what I write. They’re considered a genre, of course, but as Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell said, “Every good story has a mystery in it.” It’s the unknown outcome—will the hero succeed, will the woman find happiness, who is the real enemy?—that keeps us turning pages. It’s the desire to find out “what happens next?” I like to ground the mysteries in my stories in aspects of real life that I’ve experienced, though fortunately, I haven’t experienced everything I write about!

She Knew Too Much, my new thriller, is set in Italy, mostly in Rome. Yes, I’ve been there several times, exploring the city with my husband and on my own. It’s certainly one of my favorite places, so was fun to “revisit” it by writing about it. My main character is a travel writer and blogger. I engage in both those activities, so writing about them feels natural to me. When she’s attacked, she spends a few days in the hospital—and for that I drew on an episode in which my husband’s horseback riding accident led to two weeks in an Arizona hospital. Those experiences and many, many more end up woven together (dressed in new garments, as it were) in the novel.

In addition, I do a lot of research, because I love doing it. A lot of it is very specific or situational, like how long would it take to walk from x to y? And some is deep background. I stumbled on Douglas Preston’s The Monster of Florence about a northern Italian serial killer and the botched prosecutions of various suspects. This was very helpful in understanding how the Italian justice system works and how it differs from ours. I used Word Reference to help with translations and that site’s forums to interact with Italian speakers about slang and idioms.

I am an only child, so I never had a brother who was important to me, like Genie’s brother Robbie is so important to her. But I certainly have observed many siblings and how they interact. Also key to the novel, I’ve observed how people who must work together have to set aside personal feelings for the good of the project.

When people say, “It must be liberating to write fiction. You can just make it up!” I know they’ve never tried to write any. At least not the way I do. I work hard to stay grounded in a core of truth, a bedrock of shared understanding, so that I can connect with my readers. Once they trust me, I can stretch things a bit.

You might be thinking that science fiction and fantasy are two genres where the “shared understanding” idea doesn’t apply. But I believe it still does. My favorite contemporary science fiction writer is Neal Stephenson, and his science is impeccable. With that solid base, his characters can do . . . anything! Fantasy writers put people in unfamiliar worlds, with supernatural powers, but with familiar motivations and interactions: they’re on a quest, they’re fighting enemies, they’re seeking love or power. While we might not resonate with how they look or their unusual abilities, we can understand what they’re all about.

This is probably an oversimplification, but I believe it’s generally the case that people like stories and characters they can relate to. That was one of the joys of writing She Knew Too Much. I related not only to the main character, but to a good number of the diverse supporting cast, as well.

I hope your readers take the opportunity to read She Knew Too Much. I think they will find it a fast-moving story with touches of romance, humor, and a big dose of humanity. I welcome their responses. Thank you for inviting me to share these few words about its creation.

Travel writer Genie Clarke arrives in Rome seeking inspiration, but her trip turns deadly when she overhears two mafia operatives discussing a secret “Project.” Before she can escape, she’s attacked and left for dead. Awakening in a hospital-alive but hunted-Genie finds the police unwilling to believe her. Only Detective Leo Angelini takes her seriously, uncovering ties between her assault, a murdered woman, and a powerful criminal network.

With the threat escalating, Leo moves Genie into hiding, where she becomes both key witness and prime target. Cut off from safety and unsure who to trust, Genie must outthink the conspirators determined to silence her.

From Rome’s bright piazzas to its shadowed alleys, she faces a terrifying fight for survival-and an unexpected connection with the detective risking everything to protect her. She Knew Too Much is a lean, suspenseful psychological thriller about fear, courage, and the price of knowing too much.

Enjoy an Excerpt

I crossed the one-way traffic to reach the Piazza del Popolo’s spacious central rectangle. People ambled toward one or another of the half-dozen streets that converged on the Piazza or to the steps leading up to the Villa Borghese Gardens, where I’d spent the afternoon. I was aiming for the Via del Babuino, street of the Baboon, which got its name from a particularly hideous sculpture. In a few blocks, that street ended at the Piazza di Spagna and the always-crowded Spanish Steps, a half block from my hotel.

On the far side, I again negotiated the circling rush of traffic and chanced a look behind. What the hell? The spiky-haired blond had crossed the first stream of traffic. Now he jostled through the crowd, coming straight my way. He was tracking me, and he didn’t care if I knew it.
I was in trouble. And, if I didn’t want to believe my eyes, the hair on the back of my neck confirmed it. I picked up my pace, walking as fast as I could in my flimsy sandals.

Dozens of times I’d traveled the few blocks connecting the two piazzas. Now this familiar street radiated hostility, and the stones of the Sunday-shuttered buildings reflected no warmth. Surely something, some business, would be open. I sped past my favorite stationery store, the gallery whose owner I’d interviewed. Shut tight as oysters.

Why hadn’t I asked someone near the piazza for help? Could I have made myself understood? Would they have agreed to get involved? I shook my head in frustration.

About the Author: Vicki Weisfeld is a Midwesterner (Go Blue!) transplanted to New Jersey. Her short stories have appeared in leading mystery magazines, including Ellery Queen, Sherlock Holmes, and Black Cat. Find her work also in a variety of anthologies: Busted: Arresting Stories from the Beat, Seascapes: Best New England Crime Stories, Murder Among Friends, Passport to Murder, The Best Laid Plans, Quoth the Raven, and Sherlock Holmes in the Realms of Edgar Allan Poe. She’s a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, the Short Mystery Fiction Society, which awarded “Breadcrumbs” a best short story Derringer in 2017, and the Public Safety Writers Association, which gave a similar award to “Who They Are Now” in 2020. She’s a reviewer of New Jersey theater for TheFrontRowCenter.com and crime/mystery/thriller fiction for the UK website, crimefictionlover.com.

Website | Amazon Author Page | Goodreads

Buy the book at Amazon.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Mystery/Suspense Tagged With: , , ,

By Chance by D. Taylor – Spotlight and Giveaway

March 4, 2026 By 3 Comments

This stop is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. D. Taylor will be awarding a $10 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Charlotte Douglas has spent far too long trying to stitch her life back together after a single betrayal shattered her place in the community that once adored her. With every polite nod and measured smile, she shoulders the same whispered story: she is not the young lady she ought to be — and certainly not the kind any respectable man would escort into a ballroom.

Then a flat tire on a warm afternoon brings Elias Navarro to her gate.

A hardworking mechanic with steady hands and a restless heart, Elias has lived safely, sensibly, and without surprise. Until Charlotte. With her quiet fire, careful poise, and eyes that dare him to look closer, she becomes the first woman in years to make him want more than the life he knows.

What begins as a returned plate and a shared cup of coffee becomes something neither expected: late-afternoon walks, borrowed laughter, the charge of almost-kisses, and the slow, undeniable pull toward something tender.

But Charlotte’s past is a room full of watching eyes—and the Winter Soirée is coming.

When Charlotte hesitates to invite Elias, terrified he will judge the truth she’s never said aloud, he mistakes her quiet fear for rejection. And when cruel words at the ball turn her reputation into spectacle, Elias steps into the fray without hesitation—proving himself steady, fierce, and nothing like the man who once broke her heart.

What follows is a reckoning of truths:
her fear of being unworthy,
his fear of not belonging in her world,
and the choice they must face—
whether love found by chance can become love fought for on purpose.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Charlotte shouldn’t have taken the car—not with the sun already dipping low behind the rooftops, not with rush hour thickening, and certainly not in that dress.

By morning, the dread had rotted into something uglier. Louder. She couldn’t sit with it anymore.

So she took her father’s automobile keys and drove—south past the quiet boulevards and polished shopfronts her mother preferred, into a stretch of narrow blocks where everyone knew your name and no one asked questions. An hour later, she left with her long curls on the floor and tight ringlets pinned close to her scalp, neck bare, shame and freedom crawling the same path down her spine. The gold flapper dress shimmered when she moved—too beaded, too clingy, and entirely deliberate.

If they were going to whisper, let them whisper for something new.

The light shifted—amber, then rose-gold. She should have turned back.

She didn’t.

A delivery truck pulled too wide at the corner. She swerved—too fast, too sharp—and the front tire struck something jagged. The pop split the air, sharp and final. The car shuddered, then sagged, boneless as a broken doll.

Charlotte’s hands clung to the wheel. Her chest cinched. Heat pressed behind her eyes.

“Oh, isn’t this the bee’s knees,” she said thinly. “Just grand.”

She stumbled out, skirt snagging, heel catching, dignity unraveling by degrees. One look at the tire and the world tipped.

Then a voice—low, steady.

“You alright, miss?”

She startled, spine lifting as if she could will herself composed. A man stood nearby—tall, broad-shouldered, sleeves rolled, eyes warm and unguarded. He looked at her like the street had gone quiet.

And she didn’t look away.

“I wish I could say I was,” she said softly. “But I’m afraid I’ve made rather a mess of things.”

About the Author: D. Taylor is a passionate storyteller with a love for multicultural romance, adventure, and historical fiction. She independently wrote and toured with her novel Allied Hearts, a compelling romance that explores love, identity, and the strength of human connection.

Beyond writing, D. Taylor is a devoted wife of 18 years and a loving mother who cherishes time with her children. She finds joy in cooking, creating delicious meals that bring her family together. When she’s not writing or in the kitchen, she enjoys researching history, discovering new cultures, and embracing the ever-changing world of storytelling.

D. Taylor believes that every story has the power to transport, transform, and inspire. Her work celebrates strong heroines, captivating heroes, and the resilience of love in all its forms.
Find out more and get bonus book material or join my mailing list @dtaylorwrites

Website | Amazon Author Page | Facebook

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Some Love Lasts and Getting to Yes by Tim Hunniecutt – Spotlight

March 4, 2026 By Leave a Comment

In Some Love Lasts and Getting to Yes, Tim Hunniecutt examines how early love can define a lifetime. One story unfolds through a single unforgettable summer; the other traces a young man’s gradual awakening to emotional responsibility.

Some Love Lasts

Along Florida’s shoreline, fourteen-year-old Madi anticipates solitude and familiar routines. Instead, she meets Matthew, the older neighbor whose swimmer’s build and lifeguard courage draw attention. Though admired by many, it is his recognition of Madi that alters her quiet expectations.

Their bond grows steadily as the heat of summer rises. What begins as curiosity evolves into something intense and lasting. When a hurricane strikes, Matthew steps into danger during a rescue that forever shapes Madi’s understanding of devotion. Years later, they meet again in college, carrying with them memories of a season that defined their first understanding of love.

Getting to Yes

Nineteen-year-old Chris moves through early adulthood searching for something genuine. Through a series of relationships, he confronts attraction, confusion, and the desire for deeper connection. Told in his voice, the story blends humor and introspection as he reflects on women who leave lasting impressions.

Each experience offers insight into vulnerability and expectation. As he grows more self-aware, he begins to recognize what he has been missing. When he meets Chloe, the connection feels immediate and distinct. The story explores innocence, heartbreak, and the resilience of hope as Chris navigates the path toward meaningful love.

Enjoy an Excerpt from Some Love Lasts

Though it was still early morning, warm humidity saturated the air. Billowing white clouds with dark spots drifted across the sky. The foaming waves gently crashed on the sand. Tiny sandpipers darted in and out. Seagulls squawked while circling.

Her eight-year-old sister edged into the water until it covered her feet. “It’s really warm.”

Madi joined her, and Roe grasped her hand firmly as they ventured farther until it reached their chests. Madi crouched and helped her sister float. “Yeah, it’s so warm, like being in a bathtub.”

She allowed her sister to do what she wanted as they were the only ones on the beach. Grandpa sat on one of the chairs, watching them from the shore. Her sister practiced swimming while Madi held her hat.

Roe tried to ride the waves as they broke, but they barely rippled, and she moved little if at all. She stood upright. “I’m bored.”

Madi put her hat on. “What do you want to do?”

“I’m going to hunt for seashells.” Roe scooted around in ankle-deep water, digging her toes into the sand to locate them.

Grandpa shouted, “I’ll be back to fetch you girls for lunch.” Madi waved goodbye, but Roe ignored him and continued to hunt for shells.

Madi suggested, “Let’s go read some.”

Roe pouted. “I don’t want to read yet. Can I keep looking for shells?”

“Sure, but stay on the beach. Don’t go into the water.”

“Okay.”

Madi sat and opened her book, dutifully checking on Roe before becoming absorbed in the story. The book she read enthralled her, and she failed to check on her sister until she finished the chapter.

When she did, however, she did not see Roe.

Alarmed, she stood.

No sign of her on the beach.

She looked at the Gulf and was shocked to find Roe hanging onto a man swimming toward the shore. Madi dashed forward, still wearing her hat and sunglasses, but she tripped and her hands smacked hard into the sand. Jumping up, she scrambled to the water as he carried Roe through the mild waves. It was the same guy she had seen swimming next door.

The tall young man put Roe down and smiled. “She got in too deep, and the tide began pulling her out. She isn’t a good enough swimmer to handle the deeper water. She’s okay. She’s a good floater and held on tight while I brought her back.”

Madi reached Roe and gripped her in a hug. She choked out her words. “What were you thinking? I told you to stay near the edge!”

About the Author:
Tim Hunniecutt has loved words since childhood, writing poems and stories for family and friends from an early age. Lifeguards have played a meaningful role in his life, from the rescue of his younger brother to several of his own children who later worked as lifeguards. He studied psychology and English at Florida State University, where the emotional spark for this story began after he fell in love during his first summer home from school. He now lives in Lithia, Florida, with that same girl, now his wife, and enjoys traveling, escape games, ballroom dancing with her, and time with his grandchildren.

Visit Tim at his website and on Facebook.

Buy Some Love Lasts and Getting to Yes on Amazon.

Filed Under: Guest Blogs, Romance Tagged With: ,
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