By Chance by D. Taylor – Spotlight and Giveaway

March 4, 2026 By 1 Comment

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.

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Fate vs. Free Will in the Iona Stones World by Margaret Izard – Guest Post and Giveaway

February 26, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Margaret Izard will be awarding a Stone of Destiny Swag Box to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Fate vs. Free Will in the Iona Stones World

From the first book in the Iona Stones series, prophecy shaped the edges of the world. The Stones carried purpose. The guardians carried oaths. The maidens carried power they did not fully understand. Fate moved like a current beneath every choice.

But in Stone of Destiny, that current surged stronger than ever.

The central question sharpened to a blade’s edge: Are we bound to prophecy, or do we fight it?

Ceallach embodied duty. His life revolved around oath and protection. He did not approach the Gathering as a man seeking personal happiness; he approached it as a warrior sworn to defend ancient magic. Every step he took aligned with responsibility. He measured risk through the lens of what safeguarded the Stones—not what soothed his heart.

Kat moved in the opposite direction.

She carried loss. She carried longing. She carried the stubborn refusal to surrender the people she loved to fate’s decree. Where Ceallach honored prophecy, Kat challenged it. She questioned why destiny demanded sacrifice. She refused to stand quietly when magic dictated terms she did not accept.

That tension drove the heart of the story.

I never wanted destiny in this world to feel like a cage. Prophecy did not strip characters of agency. Instead, it pressed them into moments of decision. The Stones did not force Kat to love Ceallach. They did not command Ceallach to step away from her. They placed them in circumstances where every choice carried weight.

Free will emerged in how they responded.

Ceallach could have hidden behind duty and shut his heart. Kat could have protected herself and avoided the risk of loving a Fae warrior bound by ancient vows. Neither path would have broken prophecy outright—but both would have bent it into something smaller.

Instead, they chose to stand inside the storm.

That choice mattered more than the prophecy itself.

In Stone of Destiny, fate functioned as pressure rather than prison. It revealed character. It exposed fear. It demanded courage. When Kat faced the possibility of losing both her brother and the man she loved, she did not bow to inevitability. She acted. When Ceallach realized love might complicate his oath, he did not retreat into silence. He confronted what devotion truly required.

Destiny, in the Iona Stones world, did not remove choice. It tested it.

And in that testing, love either fractured—or proved strong enough to shape fate in return.

Bound by destiny, torn by fate—their love stood unbroken, victorious over all.

Kat MacArthur still feels the loss of her brother to another time. Seeking solace, she stumbles upon Ceallach, a Fae warrior, she’s had feelings for ever since she met him. The emotion grows stronger whenever they are together. Yet he warns her to stay away from the upcoming gathering for the Iona Stones. Kat refuses—she needs to be there to help her family and Ceallach.

Ceallach is torn between duty, magic, and the ache for mortal love. His Fae soul is sworn to protect the Iona Stones during the Gathering, but his heart is lost to Kat. With the prophecy looming, he cannot promise her forever—no matter how much he longs to. The maiden of the Iona Stones now faces sacrifice, and he fears if his beloved gets too close, he cannot save her.

When dark forces rise to take the Iona Stones along with their powers, Ceallach is forced into an impossible decision—to defy destiny or surrender to love?

Enjoy an Excerpt

Still wearing a grin, he strode forward with confidence, and a sensuality Kat had not forgotten. The man still took her breath away with one look. Ceallach arrived before her, a smile playing on his lips. As his eyes swept across her face, the expression faltered. His brows knitted together in a frown, shadowing the sudden tension in his gaze. Reaching with his finger, he lifted a tear from her cheek, gripped his fist hard, and when opened, a small, clear teardrop-shaped gemstone sat in his palm.

“Dry yer tears, sweet Kat. Yer face is much prettier without them.” He took her hand and, with his other placed the gemstone in her palm. “When ye hold the gem, yer tears will fade, and happy thoughts shall fill yer heart.” When the stone touched her skin, her mind cleared, and a sense of ease washed over her.

Ceallach released her hand and strode past her to the doors.

Kat turned, calling after him. “Wait, why are ye here?”

The attractive Fae stopped and turned. “Dagda sent me. I’ve come to meet with the guardian of the stones. All the stones have returned. The gathering and battle of good vs evil is upon us. The gods have called, and we must answer.”

He opened the heavy oak doors without effort and strode through. The doors weight closed them, leaving Kat in the shadows again. She blinked, almost not believing her eyes and the truth before her. Her secret love had just casually strolled back into her life. Gripping the gem, he’d shaped from her tears, warmth washed over her. Ceallach was here. A smile crossed her face.

Ceallach was here.

About the Author: Margaret Izard is an award-winning author of historical fantasy and paranormal romance novels. Her latest awards are 2024 Reader’s Favorite Honorable Mention for Stone of Love and 2024 Spring BookFest Silver Award for the same title. She spent her early years through college to adulthood dedicated to dance, theater, and performing. Over the years, she developed a love for great storytelling in different mediums. She does not waste a good story, be it movement, the spoken, or the written word. She discovered historical romance novels in middle school, which combined her desire for romance, drama, and fantasy. She writes exciting plot lines, steamy love scenes and always falls for a strong male with a soft heart. She lives in Houston, Texas, with her husband and adult triplets.

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The Obscura Syndicate by Raven Storme – Spotlight and Giveaway

February 23, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Raven Storme will be awarding a signed paperback and book plate to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

Lira was meant to die for the throne.

Cassian Vale was trained to be the blade that ended her.

But the moment he hesitates—one heartbeat, one breath—everything forbidden ignites.

Now the deadliest man in the Syndicate is the only thing standing between Lira and a prophecy that demands her blood. He should fear her. He should kill her. Instead… he can’t stop wanting her.

She’s the girl marked for sacrifice.
He’s the weapon shaped to obey.

Together, they become the spark that threatens to burn Obscura to ashes.

As Lira’s power awakens and the throne tightens its grip, their desire becomes its own kind of danger—raw, consuming, and impossible to survive untouched. Enemies hunt them. Shadows follow them. And the kingdom whispers one truth:

If Cassian doesn’t ruin her, she’ll ruin him.

A dark, seductive story of prophecy, power, and a love so intense it could topple a kingdom.

Enjoy an Excerpt

The blade was colder than I expected.

Cassian Vale stood close enough that I could feel his breath against my temple, slow and steady—unbothered by the fact that he was about to end my life. His hand didn’t shake. His voice didn’t rise.

“Any last words?” he asked quietly.

I laughed.

It startled him. I felt it in the brief hitch of his breath, the infinitesimal pause before instinct took over again.

“You look disappointed,” I said. “Were you hoping I’d beg?”

His grip tightened at my throat—not enough to hurt, just enough to remind me how easily he could. “I don’t enjoy this,” he said.

“Then why are you here?”

His mouth hovered near my ear. “Because Obscura demands obedience.”

My pulse raced—not with fear, but with something sharper. Dangerous.

“And what do you demand?” I whispered.

The blade lowered.

For the first time in his life, Cassian Vale hesitated.

About the Author: Raven 🐦‍⬛ Storme writes dark, smut-heavy romance for readers who crave obsession, power struggles, and secrets whispered in the dark. Living in Pennsylvania, she’s been married for fourteen years and shares her life with fourteen dogs—because calm has never been her aesthetic.

Her debut series, The Obscura Syndicate, dives into forbidden desire, shadowy loyalties, and characters who blur every moral line. Raven believes love is messy, passion is dangerous, and the best stories live in the dark.

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Ten Things People Don’t Know About Me by Amanda Murr – Guest Blog and Giveaway

February 17, 2026 By 1 Comment

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

Ten Things People Don’t Know About Me

1. I’ve just transitioned into my 40s and am embracing every moment of it.
2. I have a seven-year-old daughter who is my absolute world.
3. I’m a crazy cat lady with two feline loves of my own.
4. I came out later in life, and I was actually more surprised that I was a lesbian than anyone else.
5. I have a free-spirited, peace-and-love vibe, even though I stay very grounded.
6. I’m a Scorpio, which means I feel everything deeply and intensely.
7. My love languages are acts of service and physical touch.
8. I adore The Golden Girls, especially Betty White.
9. I’m a chai and matcha tea enthusiast.
10. I love making people laugh and have a dry, witty sense of humor.

Screenshot

Lily is a conscientious college student with a gift for songwriting and a passion for music. Life on Ember Island is pretty conventional until the morning Lily wakes up to a transformed world. As she begins to discover her roommates and entire campus have been impacted by some sort of fiendish disease, Lily finds herself all alone and heads for the city in an attempt to understand what is going on. In the scramble for survival, Lily meets the charming yet unpredictable Halen, and comes to understand they are now living in a dystopian society.

Although the quick-tempered Halen has a distrust for almost everyone she encounters, she seems to make an exception for Lily. They have an instant attraction to each other, which Halen is more forward about and finds enjoyment in making Lily nervous by this sudden attention.

With only each other to depend on, they face dangerous obstacles to escape the island. As they fight for their lives, Lily finds herself fighting her feelings for Halen just as much while Halen develops a strong urge to protect Lily. Will the two be able to trust their connection and find refuge on the mainland and within each other?

Enjoy an Excerpt

I go to another place for a while on my drive to the city. I think I’ve hit my max of what I can process, and it all still feels surreal. As I turn off the highway, I begin to look for any signs of life. Nothing. Not even bodies. I turn down the narrow street where my grandma lives, park my car, grab my backpack, and head to the gate. Three men stumble toward me in the parking lot, their pale skin glinting in the dim light. I quickly close the gate behind me as more stagger my way. I take off running through the alley, hoping to get inside the building, when I slam into someone.

She’s standing there, emerald specks in her eyes. “Are you a being?” she asks. I barely have time to respond before she yells, “Then we need to go. There’s a swarm on this side.” She boosts me onto a dumpster, guiding me toward the fire escape. My arms strain as I grab the ladder, her strength helping me up. Heights aren’t my thing, and panic sets in when one of them grabs my shoe. Suddenly, a loud sound erupts, dampness splashes over me, and their grip loosens. I look down—blood, but safety above.

On the rooftop, she trains a gun on me. “Did he scratch you?” she asks coldly. “No!” I stammer. Satisfied, she puts the gun away. Then we hear them shaking the ladder below. She tucks her curls behind her ears. “They need to feed,” she states. My heart pounds as I watch her flip a body over the ledge to distract them. Chaos, blood, survival—this is my new reality, and I can’t catch my breath.

About the Author: Amanda is a sapphic romance author based in Westminster, Colorado, where she balances her love of storytelling with her role as a People Development Manager and devoted mom to a spirited little girl. When she’s not writing about the supernatural and soul-deep love, she can be found exploring local coffee shops and bookstores, experimenting in the kitchen, or going on various adventures with her daughter. Known for her warmth, humor, and passion for human rights, Amanda brings equal parts compassion and imagination to everything she does—both on and off the page.

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Letters from Lucca by Kim Baccellia – Spotlight and Giveaway

February 16, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Kim Baccellia will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

On the heels of Sammi’s grandmother’s whispered deathbed wish, a package of letters from Italy arrives at her post box. Reading them makes Sammi recall whispers she heard in childhood of her grandmother’s wartime involvement, a past that Sammi’s father and aunt would rather see remain closed. As if things couldn’t get any worse, her long-time boyfriend, Hunter, dumps her. However, an opportunity arises that sends her to Italy to defend her grandmother, even if the truth might shatter all she believes. In a helpful twist, Joseph, her best friend’s Italian cousin, offers to help her. Despite the obvious growing attraction between Joseph and her, she tries to suppress it as she embarks on her mission to vindicate the grandmother she loves.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Droplets of rain dripped down the coat sleeve, which protected my simple black skirt and white blouse. The oversized London Fog trench coat gave me strength. Too bad the weather didn’t get the memo. I should have worn a bigger hat, not the small black bowler.

As I stood by my grandmother’s gravesite with family and friends, I sniffed back tears that mingled with rain drops. I just wanted to get through the burial and grave site service without drowning in tears.

“I can’t believe she’s gone,” I whispered, glancing over at Hunter. A skinny red tie broke the black monotone of his suit. Even in the rain, he looked good. I still couldn’t believe my luck; he wanted to be with me.

He held a large black umbrella over our heads. Oddly, he’d been quiet.

Clearing my throat, I waited for the usual trite words of condolence.

“Sorry for your loss,” Hunter finally said. Then he looked off into the distance.

I sighed.

Though we were standing close together, an invisible barrier divided us. His usual woodsy scent competed with the musty, damp smell of the burial site. I longed to nestle closer to him, but something felt off. He hadn’t brought up the reason behind the urgency of meeting at Crystal Cove. When I texted him the reason I couldn’t meet up? He’d expressed his sympathies, but nothing more. No reschedule. Nothing.

Color me confused.

About the Author:Award-winning author Kim Baccellia is the author of five fantasy/paranormal young adult novels, Crossed Out, Crossed Fire, No More Goddesses, Goddesses Can Wait, and Earrings of Ixtumea.

Kim has had many jobs. She was a bilingual teacher; homeschooled her son; served on her local RWA charter board; a Cybil’s panelist; and even read the slush pile for an agency.

In her free time, Kim loves long walks, yoga, watching psychological horror movies, and reading lots of books that she loves to review for YA Books Central.

A member of Women’s Fiction Writer’s organization, Kim is currently putting the finishing touches on a historical set in 1943 Italy. She also is working on a historical with a Utah suffragette loosely based on her own ancestor Lucy Clark. Kim lives in Southern California with her husband, son, and cockatiel Damon.

Website | Blog | Facebook | Bluesky | Instagram | Pinterest

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Fire Between Two Skies by R.F. Whong – Spotlight and Giveaway

February 6, 2026 By 1 Comment

This post was part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. R. F. Whong 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.

Across centuries—power and peril—one fire endures.

Two eras. One relentless quest for truth amid desires and temptation. Across the centuries, two men are bound by parallel destinies that echo through time. Book 3 of this dual-time odyssey delves deep into the passions and struggles that connect their worlds.

In 2022 Hong Kong, Jason Guan, after losing his job as an assistant supervisor for wetland conservation, joins his uncle’s real-estate business. A chance meeting with his high school classmate, Vivian Jiang, draws him into a web of secrecy, seduction, and moral compromise. Amid the chaos, he and his wife, Debra, read an unpublished manuscript by her father, a celebrated writer, about the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom (1851–1864) and a man’s futile pursuit of justice and peace on earth.

In nineteenth-century China, Zhang Xin, an orphan saved from the streets by Missionary Issachar Jacox Roberts, is swept into the fiery rebellion of the Taiping movement. Torn between the dream of a just kingdom, his forbidden love for Miao Lan, and his loyalty to his ruthless brother, Xin reckons with doubt, conscience, and the cost of faith.

When greed and exploitation eclipse justice, both men must navigate their respective perils. Will they prevail or be consumed?

At once a political thriller and a historical epic, this novel tracks the embers that survive every age.

Enjoy an Excerpt

Even in October, humidity seeped in. In the sea of pedestrians with face masks, Jason Guan trudged ahead. The city hadn’t been the same since the pandemic. Being a Realtor after he lost his job as an assistant supervisor for the Mai Po wetland conservation turned out to be tougher than he’d anticipated. The property market had become a temple. Some arrived to worship, others to offer sacrifices, while most lingered at the margins. The value of stability spiraled into abstraction.

He ducked into Le Jardin, a French café everyone Instagrammed. It had just reopened. Inside, the scent of baked croissants swirled around.

In the corner window, a woman sat, poised as if she were a sculpture poured into a tailored charcoal suit, all clean angles and an odd, quiet gravity. The hairs along Jason’s arms lifted. Instincts prickled. His mind skidded from face to memory to name while the rest of him stood there like an idiot. He stared too long. Time kinked. “Vivian Jiang?” The name scraped out before he knew it.

She looked up from her phone. Her jaw dropped. “Jason Guan?”

How many years had it been? Ten? Longer? He stepped forward.

Vivian stood, graceful and confident, but a tautness coiled behind that poise, as if she were ready to spring. He touched his chin. An old image from his high school days at the Methodist Academy flashed in his mind. Didn’t she always hide at the back of the class?

About the Author:

From a young age, I cultivated a profound love of reading and writing. I would spend hours at the library, devouring every book on a single shelf before moving on to the next. It seems I have a longing that can’t be satisfied by reality. Immersing myself in literature allows me to escape into worlds where I could become someone graceful, witty, and popular.

Currently, I work for a small biotech company and have published 120+ scientific books and papers. As a latecomer to the world of creative writing, I’ve released several books under different pen names. R. F. Whong is the pen name used for publishing fiction titles, whereas Ruth Wuwong is the chosen name for non-fiction books. I’m delighted to share that I’ve been named a Featured Author by the Minnesota Anoka County Library in 2025 and by the Suffolk Virginia Authors Festival in 2026. One of my books, Echoes over Stormy Sea, won a few awards, including being chosen by readers as a winner in the 2025 HOLT Medallion Contest.

I’m married to my wonderful husband, a retired pastor who encourages me to pursue my dreams. We served together at three different churches from 1987 to 2020. Our adult son works in a nearby city.

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On “Comparison is the thief of joy” by Susan Bagby – Guest Blog and Giveaway

February 2, 2026 By 3 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Susan Bagby will be awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

“Comparison is the thief of joy.”

I chose today to write about this simple, yet powerful quote, often attributed to our 26th president, Theodore Roosevelt. He often talked about the importance of focusing on one’s own path rather than measuring oneself against others. The exact original source of the message has been debated, but whoever said it, I can’t think of a better truth for writers and authors. And it’s something we all deal with at one time or another in our career. But the idea can apply to anything in life.

Anytime we compare ourselves to someone else, no matter the reason, we allow that comparison to steal our joy and hand our energy over to self-doubt and fear.

In regard to writing, I often watch successful careers of other writers and compare myself. When will I get there? What do they do differently? What can I do better? We writers are the hardest on ourselves—believe me.

But this one little statement hit home one day, and I now have it hanging above my writing desk—a gentle reminder that we are all different and unique, each on our own path. It’s about learning to embrace our journey and celebrate the small wins along the way. Because we all have them—be it a new publishing deal or just getting 100 words down on the page. Most writers write because they love it. I do. And even though it’s not an easy path—with publishing changes, rejections or marketing woes, to name a few—it is a path I gladly walk.

Thank you for hanging out with me today. Susan xo

Willow Barton’s life crumbles at her husband’s arrest for fraud, forcing her to return to her Ohio hometown to rebuild. Running a small bookstore and helping her best friend care for her ailing father offers solace—until Zachary Hayes, her best friend’s brother and a charming country music star, shows up. Struggling to revive his career and reconnect with his estranged father, Zach sparks an undeniable yet unwelcome chemistry with Willow. As her estranged husband seeks forgiveness, and Zach battles his own demons, Willow must confront her painful past and decide if she’s willing to risk her heart again. Caught between heartbreak and hope, can they overcome their fears and build a future together?

Enjoy an Excerpt

He browsed the shelves, stopping in front of a framed photograph on the wall of a close-up picture of a couple, sitting in a park somewhere in New York City. The woman was laughing, and the man held her outstretched hand. “The carefree expressions on their faces strike me with a feeling of wistfulness. Not an easy emotion to capture in an image. Who did this?” Zach pointed to the picture.

“I did.” Willow felt warmth spreading across her cheeks. Oh, God. I’m blushing.

“You’ve got talent—another surprising quality you possess. And this one?” He indicated another photo on the opposite wall.

“Yes.” She chewed on the end of her pen, watching him.

“Why aren’t you pursuing this as a career?”

She lowered her pen. “I’ve always wanted to, but life got in the way.” She was determined to stay tight-lipped about her endeavors in New York and failed career as a fine arts photographer.

“Don’t let adverse circumstances prevent you from following your dreams, Willow. No matter what happens externally, don’t lose touch with your inner calling.” He lifted the photo and placed it by the cash register. “I want to buy this, please.”

Willow observed his facial expression, which bordered on flirtatious. “You don’t have to. Please don’t feel you need to buy one because we know each other. I won’t be offended.”

“You see, your problem is you don’t believe in yourself. I want this because the photo is an exquisite piece of art. I have a perfect place for it in my house. Don’t argue.” He grinned and eyed her with both hands on his hips, then slapped his credit card onto the counter.

About the AuthorSusan is a retired speech and language pathologist and full-time writer of romance books. She has three novels published with independent presses and her newest release is slotted for February 2026 with The Wild Rose Press entitled, Forever Kind of Love. In addition to being a Maggie Award finalist, Sweet Ridge Hearts, her last book, was also a Literary Titan gold award winner. She lives in Ohio where she relishes the four seasons, (well, maybe not winter), and loves yoga, jazz, golf and walking anywhere outdoors. Susan belongs to the Great Lakes Fiction Writers organization and to Romance Writers of America (RWA). She loves seeing new characters come to life and is a firm believer that dreams do come true.

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Undisciplined Catalyst by Gail Koger – Spotlight and Giveaway

January 15, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Gail Koger will be awarding a $15 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.

I was sixteen when I found out not only am I an alien hybrid, but monsters called the Tai-Kok were getting ready to invade our world. Guess who gets to stop them? Me! How?

My uncle, the mad scientist, created a machine called the portal that instantaneously sends a test subject from one location to another by converting them into energy. His idea is to port me onto a Tai-Kok ship. All I have to do is leave a bomb, hit the retrieval button on my spiffy traveler’s belt and poof! I’m back on Earth before the Tai-Kok ship goes kaboom. Sounds simple, right?

Wrong. Uncle Ben doesn’t have a clue where I’ll actually appear on the ship. It could be the engine room, the crew quarters, or even the bridge. It’s like playing Russian roulette. The Tai-Kok don’t like surprises or uninvited guests.

To make things even more fun, I have an alien battle commander stuck in my head and I’m related to a powerful Coletti warlord. Yippee. The chances of me living to see eighteen aren’t good.

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Give ‘em hell.” A wild look in his eyes, Uncle Ben tapped on the console.

The circles of light surrounded me, but this time it felt like a zillion fire ants were crawling over my body. Holy hell! Something had gone wrong! I appeared in midair and dropped like a rock. Smack! I slammed into someone, and my Glock went flying.

My eyes bugged. I was on the bridge of a futuristic warship, and the viewscreen showed one hell of a space battle going on. To make things even more fun, I was lying across the lap of a huge, muscle-bound male wearing black battle armor. Since he was sitting in the captain’s chair, I was assuming he was the boss.

A very angry-looking boss. I blinked. Holy cow was he good-looking, if you were into the whole merciless predator thing. Huh? The red chains woven into his black warrior’s braids matched the communication device on his left wrist. Who knew aliens accessorized and why did I care? I took a deep breath trying to control the panic streaking through me.

A low growl rumbled in his chest.

One look into his disturbingly hostile amber eyes and I knew I was in big trouble. I reached for my retrieval button.

His arms clamped around me painfully, and he spat a bunch of gobbledygook.

“Sorry, I don’t speak that language,” I replied mentally. Somehow, I knew he was psychic.

A harsh voice sounded in my head, “How did you get through our shields.”

“Dunno. My uncle is the scientific genius, not me. I’m just the delivery girl.”

“What do you deliver?”

Did I look stupid? The minute I told him bombs; he’d kill me. I pasted a friendly smile on my face. “Stuff. I’m Lexi and you are?”

“Battle Commander Kaelen. I serve Zarek the Coletti Overlord.”

About the Author: I was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is. Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?” And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree. I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.

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Why I Write Historical Fiction by Amber Leigh Williams – Guest Blog and Giveaway

January 14, 2026 By 2 Comments

This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Amber Leigh Williams 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.

I have always loved historical fiction. I think I knew I wanted to write historical fiction from the moment I read The Diary of Anne Frank. Long after I read her last diary entry, I was still immersed in her world. The secret to writing is that there is always more than one story floating around most writers’ minds. When I dipped my toe in the writing pool for the first time, I wrote mystery. Then historical fiction. Then romance. The first book I sold to a publisher was a romantic adventure then a romantic suspense and a contemporary romance.

Always at the back of my mind was my fixation with historical fiction. It refused to let me go. For over a decade, I dabbled in the story I knew I wanted to tell but it never seemed to come together like my other books. Mostly because I was afraid I would mess it up. I wanted it to be perfect because I knew that this would be the book of my heart. It was the book I had wanted to write since being introduced to Anne Frank in junior high.

During the pandemic, I started fresh. I was going to tackle this historical fiction novel from a new approach, one I already knew and loved. I decided to write my historical like a suspense novel. From the opening paragraph, I established the backdrop of danger and a ticking clock that didn’t let up until the story’s conclusion. I gave every character a secret that would endanger them if shared with the wrong individual. I used years of research about the spies of World War II to my advantage, stirring intrigue into the pot. Even undercurrents of romance and spice were built in.

Finally, Madame Rebelle came together so fluidly, I knew that it was at last ready for publication. It has truly been a labor of love and I have enjoyed every moment of it. I hope you enjoy this story and these characters as much as I have!

Rebel. Smuggler. Spy.

Champagne, France 1943

Meet Madame Rebelle. Edmee Guillon is a smuggler. She hides people from the German troops surrounding her ancestral home. When a dying man in a German uniform seeks refuge at Maison Boutet, Edmee struggles to believe his claims that he is French. Her life, the maison and the people she loves are already at stake. Can she take the chance that this mysterious spy is who he says he is? And which side of this war is he really on?

Christian Vovk has been betrayed by someone inside his resistance organization. He knows asking the striking young war widow to hide him will put her in certain danger. However, Christian can help Edmee save as many refugees as she can. Falling in love with her will hinder his duty to the operation that brought him to her doorstep in the first place. When love and duty become inevitably tangled, will Christian sacrifice one for the other?

Enjoy an Excerpt

“Go home, Edmée. Do not come back to this part of the woods.”

As the soldier moved away, Edmée couldn’t believe it. They were letting her go?

Just like that?

Her feet tripped over one another as she moved into the trees. That was far easier than it should have been. They hadn’t asked to search her bags. They hadn’t asked what she was doing in the woods in the dark after curfew.

They’d only asked her name.

It made no sense.

She fled, her hands locked around the handles of the suitcases.

She didn’t risk taking her usual path back to Maison Boutet. She weaved and wandered for a while through brambles that caught her clothes and mud that sucked at the bottoms of her boots.

It felt like minutes…or maybe hours before she was back at her uncle’s vineyard.

The cases dangled weightily at the ends of her arms. Her knuckles had been white around them for so long, she could no longer feel them.

The maison was so dark, she failed to distinguish it from the landscape.

She looked at her muddy shoes, her trousers soaked past the ankles. The suitcases would have to be hidden, half of the contents destroyed…

She rushed into the heart of the rows. Her beacon was now the limestone mound with its rough-hewn back to the sky, the entrance to the hidden network of caves underneath the estate.

She wedged past the rocky entrance and stumbled down the steps toward the light.

At the bottom, the barrel of a pistol greeted her.

Her heart slammed into her ribs. Her knees threatened to fold.

She gaped at the man behind the gun.

Christian’s face was red and sweat-sheened. In the lantern’s low throbbing light, his features looked harsh. Moisture cloaked his bare chest like a second skin.

She’d searched him—his clothes, his personal effects… How did he get a gun?

Her lips trembled. She lifted her chin, regardless. The words were rough against her throat. “Are you going to shoot me?”

About the Author: Amber Leigh Williams writes pulse-pounding romantic suspense, historical fiction, and contemporary romance. When she’s not writing, she enjoys traveling and being outdoors with her family and dogs. She is fluent in sarcasm and is known to hoard books like the book dragon she is. An advocate for literacy, she is an ardent supporter of libraries and the constitutional right to read.

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