Caila Klaiss is here to tell us about Kennedy Sloane Gets Scooped, contemporary women's fiction and romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Contemporary Women's Fiction/Contemporary Romance
Date Published: November 6th, 2025
Publisher: Acorn Publishing
Faster than details break in a news story, Kennedy Sloane gets scooped.
On a rainy Manhattan afternoon, career-obsessed writer and news producer
Kennedy loses the interview that was guaranteed to catapult her to senior
producer status. Hours later, revered and feared book editor Muffin Evans, aka
the Manuscript Eater, shelves the publication of her promising debut novel.
Over a night of tears and too many glasses of wine, Kennedy responds to an
internet ad for a villa on the picturesque island of Hilton Head. She books a
five-week “hiatus from life,” to focus on herself, free from
distractions.
However, soon after arriving on the island, J.P. Long catches Kennedy’s
hesitant eye. Despite a series of serendipitous encounters around the romantic
oasis, Kennedy knows there’s no room in her life for a charming
professional golfer turned businessman who is battling his own personal and
professional insecurities.
But maybe he’s worth the trouble.
If there’s one thing Kennedy’s learned, it’s that life
rarely happens as expected, and sometimes, the best stories unfold when you
stop chasing the perfect headline.
About the Author
A graduate of Fordham University, Caila Klaiss is an award-winning network
news producer who spent seventeen years crisscrossing the country to cover
breaking and developing stories for platforms across ABC News. The bulk of her
career was spent producing true crime documentaries for 20/20.
Since making the difficult decision to leave a career she loved, Caila has
pursued her other life-long dream of becoming a writer. When she is not
reading, writing, or researching, Caila recharges by practicing yoga.
Born, raised, and currently living in northeastern Pennsylvania, Caila is a
New Yorker at heart whose happy place is a warm sandy beach, under a palm
tree.
Joanne Guidoccio is here to tell us about her short story fantasy Hippie Mermaid.
There's also a great giveaway.
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This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. Joanne Guidoccio will be awarding a $10 Amazon gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
From sea to shore, betrayal follows her wherever she goes.
On Christmas Eve, psychic Kendra Adams reveals the secret she’s hidden for decades—she was once Rosina, a mermaid torn between sea and shore. Betrayed in her ocean kingdom and desperate to escape banishment, she persuades a politician to smuggle her into the human world. But freedom on land comes at a cost, as she soon finds herself ensnared in another web, this one spun by the politician’s power-hungry sister.
Read an Excerpt
A smile crept up on Aunt Lina’s face. “We have seven days to captivate your human.”
“What…How?”
“I heard all about the excursion from the Ettas,” Aunt Lina said. “They couldn’t stop talking about the attention you received from those four men. And that, my dear Rosina, is why Annabella is determined to get rid of you. She doesn’t want any reminders of a competition she didn’t win.”
“But I wasn’t competing. I said nothing and let the others pick their humans.”
“Ah, but the humans wanted you. And the one called Blake was not too happy when Annabella claimed him.” Aunt Lina spoke more briskly, “You made a good impression. You stayed much longer than the others, and you risked your life for a man.”
I shook my head. “I forgot about the time.”
“Something you cannot afford to do when you go up there tomorrow night.”
“I can’t go up there.”
“Did La Bella forbid you?”
“No, but I don’t want to upset her any further.”
“If she has mentioned Crete, she has already decided. You need to find a way out of this disaster. Go up there each night until you connect with the human. Persuade him to take you with him. If a human desires you, La Bella will not interfere. She will expedite the process.”
I tried to recall scattered bits of the conversation with Lloyd. At one point, he did mention wanting to take me with him, but there was uncertainty in his voice. He already had issues with the two women in his life.
“Cry,” Aunt Lina advised. “Humans cannot handle our tears. And if necessary, beg him to take you away.”
“His life is already complicated.”
“And yours is not?” Aunt Lina grabbed my shoulders. “This human is your only way out of this mess.”
About the Author:
Joanne Guidoccio enjoyed a rewarding career teaching mathematics, business, and co-operative education courses before retiring to pursue writing. A member of Crime Writers of Canada, Sisters in Crime, and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association, she writes paranormal romances, cozy mysteries, and inspirational stories from her home base of Guelph, Ontario.
Brendon Patrick is here to tell us about Afghani, historical fiction.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Two souls,
one hundred years apart,
bound by lands that both
embrace and betray.
Afghani
by Brendon Patrick
Genre: Historical Fiction
War is a Racket, and
Culture is Blind: The True Cost of Conflict
Journey through a century of strife in this gripping
dual-timeline novel with:
George Sher Gul:
A Muslim cameleer fleeing early 20th Century Afghanistan, seeking hope in
Australia's unforgiving outback. He navigates harsh landscapes and the
prejudices of White Australia, with his dream of belonging hanging by a thread.
Patterson: An
Australian soldier in post-9/11 Afghanistan, questioning the war's true motives
amidst corruption and personal demons.
Their intertwined stories challenge our beliefs on war,
peace, and humanity.
Experience heart-wrenching choices, cultural clashes across
generations, and a quest for belonging spanning continents.
This thought-provoking historical fiction exposes
deep-rooted xenophobia, drawing parallels between early 20th century Australia
and today's complex geopolitical landscape.
Together, it offers a witty yet unflinching critique of
global politics—questioning the cyclical nature of conflict.
From sun-baked Australian deserts to war-torn Afghan
streets, immerse yourself in a powerful journey through time and culture.
Will George Sher Gul find his future in a land that views
him as an outsider?
Can Patterson discover peace amidst chaos and national
expectations?
Uncover these answers in a compelling tale of resilience,
hope, and the enduring human spirit.
Click Buy Now to
embark on an unforgettable adventure that will challenge your perspectives and
touch your heart!
What readers
are saying:
Between breathtaking descriptions of Afghanistan's
demonic and razor-sharp craggy edges and the sun-scorched Australian outback,
Brendon Patrick weaves a tale that will leave you questioning everything you
thought you knew about both nations' shared history.
Brendon Patrick is an emerging voice in historical fiction,
drawing upon his experiences as a veteran of the Australian Army and his
heritage as a descendant of Afghan Cameleers. His debut novel: Afghani explores
the untold stories of Australia’s multicultural past.
Based in Brisbane, Brendon is a self-taught writer who founded Bulldog Self
Publishing to bring authentic Australian stories to readers. When not writing,
he can be found spending time with his beloved bulldogs and advocating for
diverse voices in literature.
Building an impossible tea farm in the Cheshire countryside was Sofia’s second chance. A way to prove herself. A fresh start. She knew it would be graft. She anticipated a degree of isolation. But with Christmas imminent and the farm failing, her thoughts have grown darker. She’s searching for something — an ineffable force to make this year the magical wonderland she always craves and never finds.
Yet with the farm failing there’s no time to fix her ailing social life. Sofia resigns herself to another lonely holiday.
Enter Matt.
Delaware Grange’s twenty-one-year-old assistant gamekeeper. Nice enough, a bit dopey.
As she hunkers down for winter, Sofia thinks she’s prepared for everything. Nothing could prepare her for Matt. For the abrupt awareness of him. For the way he’s far more capable than he seems. Thoughtful. Considerate. Quietly intelligent.
Way sexier than he appears.
Suddenly impossible to ignore.
But Matt isn’t what he seems. A darkness runs beneath Delaware Grange — insidious, creeping, buried deep.
Sofia was little more than a challenge, a box for Matt to check, an assignment to complete. Until he fell.
Hard.
Now all he sees is her. All he wants is her. And all he knows is she has no idea who he truly is. While Sofia fights her feelings in the face of forbidden fruit, and Matt wrestles with the reality of his true purpose on the estate, the pair fall into an intoxicating, passionate, volatile romance.
As winter deepens and Christmas closes in, two lonely souls struggle to find peace in each other, and trust becomes the most dangerous choice on the estate.
Falling for Matt threatens everything Sofia has worked so hard to build. Falling for Sofia might just be the making of Matt.
That Boy is a high-heat, secret-identity romance where desire, deception, and devotion collide in a snowy small-town Christmas.
While not required, it is highly suggested to read Nightshade before That Boy.
Author’s Note: Each novel in The Cheshire Set can be read as a standalone, but the following order avoids spoiling the reading experience of earlier books.
Recommended Reading Order for The Cheshire Set:
Bane
Nightshade
That Boy
Eve Was Framed, a prequel novella to Bane, isn’t strictly part of The Cheshire Set but is available for free download on the author’s website.
A quiet, introspective moment between Matt and Sofia after a near-disaster. As they talk about “The Gloaming”—that melancholy space between Halloween and Christmas—their chemistry deepens and the novel’s central themes of loneliness, yearning, and rediscovery of light emerge.
“What’s the Gloaming?”
“Oh. Right.” I shifted, trying to find a way to lean that didn’t hurt my shoulder. It was useless. Until someone could pop it back in, I was doomed to dull agony. “It’s that feeling that threatens to drown you…” I paused, swallowing hard and staring out the window.
The world nearly drowned me tonight.
“This time every year.” I finally managed. “You know?”
Keep talking. Stay conscious. Don’t toss your cookies into his lap.
“That…overwhelming urge to…cover everything in cheer. But…” I took a little more water. “…the more you try, the less cheerful you feel. So you just keep…adding more.”
He chuckled.
“Hoping the cheer finds you before you’re…” Another tiny sip of water. “…crushed by baubles and fake fir garlands.”
He stared at me.
Great. Now he thinks I’m a total weirdo.
“I get it.” A slow smile spread across his face. “You’re staring at all the decorations. Watching the snow fall. And somewhere inside you’re sure you love Christmas. But you never quite seem to feel it.”
“Yes!” I sat up, and momentarily thought I’d blackout from the effort.
He eased me back into the sofa.
“Nailed it.” I swallowed. Talking was so much effort. Thinking was weirdly worse. “It’s a coping mechanism, I guess.”
He nodded, but when I didn’t continue, he made a winding motion with his hands.
“Every year this…fog descends. When Halloween’s over. This looming sense of…dread.”
“And it’s right when everyone else is getting excited.”
I nodded. “Exactly. Not me.” The wind howled savagely by, rattling the window and making us both jump. I turned my face away from the glass, not wanting to think about the carnage outside. “I’m sat there like a…miserly Scrooge.”
“Scrooge was never that pretty.”
I shook my head. “Don’t flirt with me.”
“Keep talking then.”
I didn’t want to. I just wanted to sleep.
My eyes drifted, and he nudged my knee with his. “Sof?”
With gargantuan effort, I rallied. “Welcome to Gloamas!” I wheezed. “Not quite Christmas. Not quite apathy. Some…twisted netherworld.”
He permitted me another tiny sip of water for my effort.
I swallowed it and continued, “You’re stuck for weeks. Longing to be…joyful and merry. But…that ineffable light is…absent.”
Matt pursed his lips. “So…it’s not gloomy, it’s gloamy. You’re in the twilight. Daylight’s gone. You know it will be back at some point, but in the interim, you’re left with a hollow echo—”
“How you…loved Christmas…as a kid,” I managed. “Desperately wish to…feel it all.”
He grinned. “But for now, the light’s faded. Until the sun rises, you’re left wisting after a feeling.”
I stared at him. “And someone to share it with.”
Matty shifted a little closer. He was still soaking wet from the rain. Must have been freezing. Yet he hadn’t complained. Hadn’t even seemed to notice. I leant into him and shivered. More at the thought of how cold he must be than anything else. But he stripped off my blankets (now soaked) and wrapped me in two new dry ones.
The phone rang, and he shot up to grab it.
“She’s okay, I think. Conscious, talking, the bleeding’s stopped. Her shoulder’s bad, but—”
A pause as whoever was on the other end of the line spoke.
“Are you sure it’s safe?” He peered out of the window. “The rain’s still coming down hard.”
Another pause.
“Okay. We’ll be here.”
He hung up. “Sounds like the storm’s passing. It’s lightening up at the house, and the rain’s almost stopped down there. They’re on their way up. By the time they get here, it should have cleared.”
“The track will be murder.” I tried to sit up.
He moved and blocked me, forcing me to stay still. “Easy.”
“Give me the phone.”
“They’ve already left, Sof.”
I struggled some more.
“Stop!”
Calm. But firm. Commanding.
I’ve never heard him speak like that before.
“Stop.”
Softer. Eyes searching mine.
My heart fluttered.
“We’d all gladly risk a bit of fucking mud to get you safe. You must know that?”
My breath caught. My chest constricted painfully. His jaw was locked. The look in his eyes was…feral.
And so fucking hot.
There’s really something wrong with me.
Satisfied I wasn’t about to bolt for the door, he sat back down. Glanced around.
“Is that why all your decorations are so…weirdly depressing?”
“They’re not.” I sniffed.
“They really are, Sof. Like…they’re full of the festive spirit but don’t quite hit the mark.”
He glanced at my forlorn little tree. Which, in fairness, was at least standing vertically now. I’d come in one day to find him scrambling around on the floor, fiddling with the screws on the base to get it standing straight.
He was right. The baubles were desolate.
I loved them.
“I like them.” Matt wrapped the blankets tighter around me. “They’re comfortingly depressing. How Christmas should be. It always just…kind of reminds you of all you’re missing in life.”
Author Bio:
Briar has been a professional copywriter for many years (far more than she cares to admit). She began her career working for large companies and agencies before realising she could do it all for herself. Now, she happily writes for businesses and entrepreneurs she’s passionate about and dreams of the day her fiction becomes popular enough for her to retreat into fictional worlds full-time. Growing up in Cheshire and falling in love with its countryside, small towns, and villages, she’s enjoyed creating a fictional world that reflects her own.
Nicole LaBrocca is here to tell us about Shadows of Memory, Shadows & Smoke book 4, romantasy, epic paranormal romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Forbidden passion ignites between a duty-bound gargoyle and
an amnesiac wielding fire—
their love could save the realms, or burn them to
ash.
Shadows of Memory
Shadows & Smoke Book 4
by Nicole LaBrocca
Genre: Romantasy, Epic Paranormal Romance
Sebastian was a gargoyle warrior bound by duty to rescue his
kin. Aurora was a red-haired enigma found unconscious by a river's edge, her
past a blank slate. From the moment their eyes met, a primal connection
ignited, a forbidden flame that defied his stoic nature. Amnesia stole Aurora's
memories, but not the searing heat that pulsed between them, nor the strange,
untamed fire that flickered at her fingertips. As their perilous journey
deepened, so did their passion, a dangerous dance between duty and desire.
Aurora's forgotten past hides a dangerous truth: she's an
immortal, a vessel of immense power, tied to a crystal born from dying stars.
Her abilities could save or destroy the realms, a fate she doesn't understand.
Their love is forbidden by duty, yet their bond becomes a battleground.
Monsters, collapsing worlds, and ancient prophecies converge. He must choose:
love the woman who might save creation, or accept she's destined to destroy
it.Can their forbidden love withstand the weight of destiny, or will their
fated bond shatter amidst the chaos?
In the shadows of
captivity, love ignites in the battle for freedom.
Lyssa, a captive of a fearsome dragon, finds herself trapped
in a labyrinth of stone, shadows, and secrets. Her only solace comes from the
mysterious Zodiark, a rogue who whispers of freedom and sparks a forbidden
passion.
As she delves deeper into the dragon's lair, Lyssa must
navigate a dangerous path filled with ancient magic, desire, and a struggle for
power. Can she break free from the chains of captivity and embrace her destiny?
Immerse yourself in a seductive tale of passion and obsession, where the line
between predator and prey is perilously thin.
A heroine’s daring
escape ignites a dangerous journey as trust and destiny clash.
Imprisoned by ruthless monsters, Sage's world shatters when
her mother is brutally slain before her eyes. Feeling abandoned by the Moon
goddess and the male gargoyles who failed to rescue them, Sage takes matters
into her own hands and stages a daring escape.
Daxos, driven by an unrelenting need to find his destined partner, embarks on a
perilous quest. When he finally scents her presence, his deepest dreams become
reality—but their encounter is far from joyous.
Scarred and disillusioned, Sage rebuffs him, though reluctantly accepts his
help to navigate treacherous terrain back to safety. As their grueling journey
unfolds, they face numerous dangers: hostile creatures, treacherous landscapes,
and the threat of capture. Daxos must find a way to mend Sage's broken trust
while she grapples with her conflicted heart.
The scars of betrayal and trauma test their fated bond. In a world where hope
flickers like a dying ember, will love be enough to light their way home?
Ana is enjoying the tranquility of her porch one evening
when a portal drags her away. Unwittingly thrust into Xylos, a dimension
teetering on the edge of chaos, She’s taken to Leonad, a kingdom on the edge of
war, where she is both a stranger and the key to the realm's survival.
Magic warps her body, making her an impossibly rare and
coveted female gargoyle. She stands at a crossroads, torn between the pull of
returning home and the allure of this unknown land. Among the new beings she
meets is Quinn, a captivating gargoyle prince with eyes that beckon while
hiding secrets. Quinn declares that she is his destined mate and urges her to
accept his mark.
As Ana navigates the complex politics of her new home, she
discovers her arrival was no accident. While Ana battles fearsome monsters and
fends off a legion of suitors, her connection with Quinn deepens, stirring a
passion that defies explanation.
Yet, beneath the looming shadow of a usurper, Leonard
teeters on the brink of ruin. She must choose to save the kingdom and her
budding romance with Quinn.
Join Ana on her quest as she confronts her destiny, battles
for her freedom, and decides the fate of two worlds. Will she return to her
past home, or will love and duty forge a new path she never dared to dream?
In a celestial
struggle, love becomes the ultimate wild card.
When Fionnlaith, the radiant moon goddess, and Alawn, the
god of balance, first met, their love ignited fiercely. Yet destiny had other
plans.
As the Celestial Council rises, demanding all deities bow to
its authority, an epic tale of love, defiance, and sacrifice unfolds.
Fionnlaith’s serene realm, guarded by devoted gargoyles, faces encroaching
shadows. When monstrous entities ignite a war, she defies the Council to
protect her creations, paying a devastating price.
Stripped of her guardians, Fionnlaith uncovers the Council’s
betrayal. Now, she must navigate celestial politics, her conflicted heart, and
the brutal reality of war.
Can her love for Alawn reignite their flame and save their
kingdom?
Nicole LaBrocca ventures into enchanting new territories
with her spellbinding tales of romantic fantasy. She invites readers on an
exhilarating odyssey through a realm where steamy passion intertwines with
suspenseful supernatural intrigue, all seasoned with a sprinkle of humor. Be
prepared for an immersive journey where love ignites amidst swirling mysteries
and hidden truths. Step into a world where every page holds the promise of an
unforgettable escape.
AK Nevermore is here to tell us about Weres and Witchery, a spicy small town paranormal romance.
There's also a great giveaway.
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Magic happens and
sparks fly when a sassy witch with curves for days crosses paths with an
irresistible alpha shifter.
Weres and Witchery
by AK Nevermore
Genre: Spicy Small Town Paranormal Romance
Karma's a witch.
When witch Jena Seymore returns home to Havers-by-the-Sea to
care for her dying aunt, old town politics and prejudices are rekindled.
Between the local Westside Pack’s vendetta against her family and the coven
pressuring Jena to become guardian of the magical node outside of town, she has
enough problems without adding Chase Montgomery to the mix. Especially after he
broke her heart by starting the devastating rumor that sent Jena running from
town in the first place.
But Chase has plenty of problems of his own, and how to make
amends with Jena and win her heart is at the top of the list. Unbeknownst to
his pack, Jena is his fated mate, and after her leaving town the first time
almost killed him, he’s not letting her get away again—no matter what the
backlash might be.
And meanwhile, the node is turning wild, jeopardizing
Havers-by-the Sea's existence as tensions threaten to tear it apart from
within. Deep-seated small town secrets could hold the key to its future—but
only if they’re discovered before Samhain, when the blue moon rises.
“I loved this
story! It has everything I like in a good book, angst, anger, laughter, tears,
fun, heat, love, loyal best friend, quirky side characters and an HEA. It
doesn’t get any better than that. The storyline is solid, engaging, the world
building is multi-dimensional and once you start you won’t want to put it
down.” - @sunshinewhispers
“Wow, what a cracking book this is. Twists, turns and
lots of magic so what’s not to like. I couldn’t put it down till I’d finished
it, I was completely engrossed. I loved it.” - @sbanacek
“I started reading this book at 9pm and read straight
through to 4am. … FOUR. A. M. Crazy, right?! Let me tell you, this book had me
hooked from the start with its humor, drama, character chemistry, character
personalities, drama, romance, banter, action, and spice. ‘Weres and Witchery’
is among one of the best escapes I’ve had in a while.” - @Morally_Gray_Nola
AK Nevermore enjoys operating heavy machinery, freebases coffee, and
gives up sarcasm for Lent every year. A Jane-of-all-trades, she’s a certified
chef, restores antiques, and dabbles in beekeeping when she’s not reading
voraciously or running down the dream in her beat-up camo Chucks.
Unable to ignore the voices in her head, and unwilling to become
medicated, she writes Science Fiction and Fantasy full time.
She pays the bills editing, wielding a wicked hot pink pen and writing
a column on SFF. She also belongs to the Authors Guild, is a chapter treasurer
for the RWA, teaches creative writing, and on the rare occasion, sleeps.
