We remember our first love. For most of us, it happened early in our life but that doesn't mean that we stopped finding love. Author Jennifer Raines has a wonderful new book coming out on July 14th. THE WRONG TIME FOR LOVE is the third book in the Anderson Sisters' series and features a later in life romance. Two secondary characters from the other books find that they have more in common than a penchant for hard work.

Don't miss your chance to fall in love with a modern middle-age romance.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0H3QBVNHH
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-wrong-time-for-love?
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wrong-time-for-love-jennifer-raines/1150306612
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/the-wrong-time-for-love/id6775984100
 
 
Blurb-
Love takes a loner and a grieving mother by surprise

Farm labourer, Bluey (Lachlan Murdoch), has been travelling for twenty years, constantly on the move to forget the death of his baby girl.

Dairy farmer, Helen Wilson, is barely keeping her head above water. Her fifteen-year-old son suicided and her older son flees the area looking for paid work to help keep the farm. When a neighbour gifts her three months of Bluey’s time, it’s a lifeline.

Bluey admires Helen’s fierce defence of her boys. Helen appreciates Bluey’s quiet presence and his daily acts of kindness. When desire enters the mix, Bluey worries he’s taking advantage. Helen feels guilty about forgetting her boys, even for a moment.

Commitment isn’t in Bluey’s playbook. Helen’s struggling to navigate grief. Baring one’s soul, even sharing one’s body, is easier with a deadline.
​
But with the clock ticking down, what risks are they prepared to take with their hearts?
 
Award winning author Jennifer Raines excels at the emotional slow burn love story. The Wrong Time for Love offers second chance, over forties male and female leads, forbidden love, forced proximity, and definitely no strings attached.
​

About the Author-
Australian Jennifer Raines writes sensuous contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ? A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of passion, mutual respect and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.

Jennifer fell in love with romance as a teenager. Starting with historical romance. Everything in the school library and then a personal treasured collection of Georgette Heyer, hard copies and paperbacks. Historical (regency) romance remains her comfort food when the world gets too much. Think Grace Burrowes and others.

Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of New Zealand. In 2025 Masquerade—Choosing Family Book 1 placed second in the Romance Writers of New Zealand (RWNZ) Koru Awards for Best Long Romance, and third for the Overall Award for Excellence. In 2023 Taylor’s Law --The Anderson Sisters Book 1 placed second in the RWNZ Koru Awards for Best First Book. Jennifer has won the Pacific Hearts competition twice, including in 2019 with Grace Under Fire—The Anderson Sisters Book 2.

Jennifer’s also a member of Romance Writers of Australia. Three times a finalist in the Emerald competition for best unpublished manuscript, including in 2017(Lela’s Choice under its working name Common Cause), 2018 (Taylor’s Law) and 2022 (Quinn, by design). She’s also a member of Romance Writers of America and has been a finalist in multiple chapter competitions. Jennifer values competitions for the constructive, honest, not always comfortable feedback they provide.

Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.

Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas walking—anywhere—or while doing physical activity. Yes, Virginia, housework does have a purpose. While Jennifer adores historical romance, she chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research while she was holding down a full-time job. Jennifer writes a monthly blog posted on her website at https://jenniferrainesauthor.com or you’ll find her at https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor or https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthorjen/
 ​

This rewrite is now available in ebook, paperback and hardcover! Don't miss your chance to follow this emotional journey as one marriage falls apart. Can they find their way back together??

This new first-person rewrite cuts deeper—more intimate, more conflicted, and impossible to ignore. You’ll feel every fracture in Mitch and Lauren’s story: the history, the heartbreak, the doubt, and the quiet moments that make you question what love really means. Don’t miss your chance to experience this marriage-in-crisis romance where forever is tested—and choosing each other might be the biggest risk of all. 
 
Vegas is just the right amount of wrong.

Lauren Templeton has loved Mitch Benson since childhood—since swing sets and scraped knees, since forever felt simple. Marrying him under the neon lights of Las Vegas felt like a gamble worth taking. But seven years later, she’s not so sure she won.

Mitch begins to pull away without explanation, and Lauren can’t reach him. So, she turns to the one thing she can control: Pier Ninety-two, her once-thriving Los Angeles restaurant. That is, until it burns to the ground.

Left with nothing but loss, consequences, and a marriage on the brink, Lauren is forced to face a truth she’s avoided—sometimes love isn’t always enough. But heartbreak sharpens instincts. And Lauren can’t shake the feeling there’s more to her unraveling than bad luck.
With nothing left to lose, she’s ready to risk it all. Because in Vegas, you don’t play it safe—you go all in.

Jump right into I’LL LOVE YOU TOMORROW, the final book in the Trading Heartbeats trilogy! While each story can be read as a standalone, common characters are woven throughout each book that will leave you pining for more. 

~Winner of a 1st place BOOKFEST AWARD in contemporary romance and a finalist in the AMERICAN WRITING AWARDS in romance.~
​

​Julie Navickas is a romance author represented by Chip Rice at WordLink, Inc. She is known for her keen ability to tell heart-wrenching, second-chance love stories through relatable characters with humility, humor, and heroism. Her Trading Heartbeats trilogy is the recipient of a Literary Global Book Award and five first-place wins with the BookFest in the contemporary romance category. Her debut trilogy has also earned three finalist designations with the American Writing Awards and a Clarion Award. 
Julie is an award-winning university instructor in the School of Communication at Illinois State University and works in corporate communications at COUNTRY Financial. She has earned master’s degrees in both organizational communication and English studies, as well as a bachelor’s degree in public relations.
 
Website: https://authorjulienavickas.com/ 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorJulieNavickas 
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JulieNavickas 
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/julienavickas/ 
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julienavickas/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@julienavickas 
Threads: https://www.threads.net/@julienavickas
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@justwritejulie
Email: [email protected]  
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/134518278-julie-navickas 

One sexy fireman and one sweet single mom equals a wonderful romance!

Libby Kay is the sweet romance guru who writes about small town romances filled with heart. Now she's got a new story about a former playboy fireman and the one woman who sets his world on fire! FLASH POINT is available June 23rd and you won't want to miss this amazing story!

Blurb:
A flash of attraction, the potential for more.

Best-selling author Libby Kay’s sweet fireman romance Flash Point is a playboy redemption story perfect for fans of B.K. Borison’s Lovelight series.

Javier “Javi” Ortiz never has trouble finding a date. The confident fireman enjoys the perks of no-strings hook-ups and his bachelor lifestyle. Yet when a certain blonde moves to Pinegrove, the idea of casual dating fizzles out. Javi is finally ready to settle down, but will he be able to charm his way into her life? Or will his reputation ruin his chance at real love?

Lola Peabody has given up on love. She doesn’t have time for men and their empty promises, especially with her hands full being a single mom and running her own photography business. Her plans do not include finding a man, even a charismatic fireman who treats her and her daughter like queens.

But Pinegrove is a small town, and the pair can’t stay away from each other. From photoshoots and romance book club to quiet walks in the woods, Lola and Javi spend more and more time together.
​
Could this be happily ever after? Or will their romance burn out faster than a five-alarm fire?
 

About the Author:
Libby Kay lives in the city in the heart of the Midwest with her husband. When she’s not writing, Libby loves reading romance novels of any kind. Stories of people falling in love nourish her soul.
​
When not surrounded by books, Libby can be found baking in her kitchen, binging true crime shows, or on the road with her husband, traveling as far as their bank account will allow.

Libby cohosts the Romance Roundup podcast with Liz Donatelli where they recommend romance books, do recaps of popular book-to-screen adaptations, and interview authors. Check it out for your dose of romance!
 
Website: https://www.libbykayauthor.com/
Instagram and Facebook: @LibbyKayAuthor
Goodreads and Bookbub: @LibbyKay

​Return to Grea Warner's best selling Nashville world where emotions run wild!

Every Day You & Me is a rollercoaster of feels as Maya and her new guy, Hawk, deal with the pain of loss and the hardship of life on the road. 

Grea Warner's stories will stay with you long after you put the book down. Bonus with this book--you get to see a snap shot of her Country Roads characters. <3 Out Now!


BUY LINKS:
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2ZLQMV
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/every-day-you-me
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-day-you-me-grea-warner/1149899043
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/every-day-you-me/id6762160648
 
Blurb:
Maya Collins has lived through more than her share of heartbreak—losing both her parents as a child and then her husband tragically years later. It shattered everything she believed in about happiness. But now, with Hawk by her side and a miracle baby on the way, the social media assistant has come to trust in second chances.

When a sudden death rocks the Brannigans, Maya feels the tug of past grief and its lingering pain. Amid the family mourning, a dangerous situation causes an immediate and long-term threat to the beautiful future she is building. Maya must ignore the feeling of the walls closing in and the pleas of those around her in order to protect all she holds dear—even if it means risking her own life.

Set against the backdrop of the country music world, Every Day You & Me is the powerful continuation of Maya and Hawk’s emotional journey in the bestselling novel Every Mile a Memory. Poignant and realistic, it is a story of resilience, healing, and familial love … and a reminder that you should fight for what matters but understand you aren’t always in charge of where life takes you.

Known for her emotionally charged, character-driven stories, Grea Warner is an award-winning and bestselling author of women’s and new adult fiction. With a background in daytime drama, she brings a deep understanding of layered storytelling and compelling character arcs to every novel she writes.

Whether crafting addictive serials or powerful standalone books, Grea's work is rooted in realism, tackling life’s complexities with honesty and heart. Her stories are told in an intimate first-person point of view, immersing readers in narratives full of drama, angst, and authenticity. From heartbreak, to trauma, to the hope of second chances, her novels resonate with readers who crave emotional depth and genuine connection.
​
Follow Grea Warner:
📘  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Grea-Warner
📸 Instagram: greawarner
🐦 Twitter/X: @grea_warner
🌐 www.greawarner.com
 

Do you love emotional reads that leave you loving life and believing in love?? Grea Warner writes rollercoaster romances that have you wanting more. In a continuation of Every Mile a Memory, her characters return in Every Day You & Me... now a little older and a little wiser... but still in love.

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0GX2ZLQMV
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/every-day-you-me
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/every-day-you-me-grea-warner/1149899043
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/every-day-you-me/id6762160648
 
Blurb:
Maya Collins has lived through more than her share of heartbreak—losing both her parents as a child and then her husband tragically years later. It shattered everything she believed in about happiness. But now, with Hawk by her side and a miracle baby on the way, the social media assistant has come to trust in second chances.

When a sudden death rocks the Brannigans, Maya feels the tug of past grief and its lingering pain. Amid the family mourning, a dangerous situation causes an immediate and long-term threat to the beautiful future she is building. Maya must ignore the feeling of the walls closing in and the pleas of those around her in order to protect all she holds dear—even if it means risking her own life.

Set against the backdrop of the country music world, Every Day You & Me is the powerful continuation of Maya and Hawk’s emotional journey in the bestselling novel Every Mile a Memory. Poignant and realistic, it is a story of resilience, healing, and familial love … and a reminder that you should fight for what matters but understand you aren’t always in charge of where life takes you. 

Every Day You & Me arrives next month... just in time for your next summer read!!

Author Julie Navickas has rewritten her award winning romance, now in first person. Delve deeply into the characters' thoughts and emotions as Austin and Casey grapple with friendship and benefits. Both were hurt by previous loves and now must find their own way-- either together or apart....

BUY LINKS:
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BG5S1DZQ
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/i-love-you-today-3
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/i-love-you-today-julie-navickas/1142304154
APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6443475918
 
Blurb:
Casey McDaniels never had a plan—until she met him.

After years of bartending, boyfriend hopping, and chasing her next night out, Casey’s ambitions are little more than a blur. That is, until Austin Templeton—a charming, successful lawyer fresh from Los Angeles—moves to Chicago and turns her world upside down.

What begins as an unexpected spark quickly becomes something more. 

Austin’s drive and determination awaken dreams Casey long buried, inspiring her to chase a future she never thought she deserved. But when his career threatens to pull him back to California, Casey must confront a painful truth: the man who helped her find herself might be the one she has to let go.

Because sometimes the hardest choice isn’t between love and ambition—it’s accepting that you may not be able to hold onto both.
 
I LOVE YOU TODAY is the enchanting sequel to award-winning I LOVED YOU YESTERDAY, and though it can be read as a standalone, you’ll want to start at the beginning to feel every beat of this journey.  
 
EXCERPT
“Casey,” he whispered, reaching over to squeeze her hand. “Look at me. Please?”

With her sleeve, she wiped the offending tears away from her cheeks and turned. His head swiveled, working to balance the heated conversation and the line of traffic as the terminal approached.

“You are absolutely everything to me, Casey girl. In every way that matters, you are my equal.” He tugged her hand back to his lips.

She scrunched her nose. “Be real, Austin. You’re like this wealthy, sexy, successful man with a glass castle on Michigan Avenue. And I’m just this paycheck-to-paycheck bartender failing general education courses at community college. You see the difference, right?”

“Is that what this is about? Your test today?”

She scrunched down in her seat and rested her knees against the dashboard like a child.

“No… I don’t know. I just can’t help thinking that your family won’t like me, that you should be with someone better. Someone more accomplished.”

The car crept beneath the overhang of the terminal. “Case, hear me when I tell you that you’re flat-out wrong on this.” He took a deep breath and exhaled. “People like you, people like Mavis… you’re survivors. I had every advantage growing up. I fully admit that.” He steered the car into an empty spot beside baggage claim five and six and waved to his sister. “If anything, you’re better than me. You’ve accomplished way more.” He leaned over and placed a kiss on her damp cheek. “Let’s talk about this later, okay?”
 

​Out Today by Sasha Summers!!
Her Cowboy Protector


A man resigned to a lonely future

And a woman fighting to overcome her past

Painfully shy, Harper Lynn is desperate to start a new life on Crossroads Ranch—even if her housekeeping skills aren’t quite up to her new boss’s standards. Ames Parker, the gruff ranchhand and her new coworker, is willing to show her the ropes and help her battle her PTSD—for the sake of the ranch, of course. But Harper soon learns that Ames has his own past hurts and is unable—or unwilling—to let down his well-fortified walls. Because he knows that once the former librarian sees his true self, she’ll run for the hills, breaking his heart in the process. Still, maybe a belief in possibilities can lead to a future neither expect…


Buy Links:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Cowboy-Protector-Crossroads-Ranch-Story-ebook/dp/B0F4N9NDGR
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/her-cowboy-protector-sasha-summers/1147426614
Apple: https://books.apple.com/us/book/her-cowboy-protector/id6745885068
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/her-cowboy-protector-5
Google Books: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Sasha_Summers_Her_Cowboy_Protector?id=NetdEQAAQBAJ
--

Cleo knew something was mysterious about her father's life, especially after she learned that he'd wanted nothing to do with her. But when someone comes poking into the past, she takes a second look at her father and discovers more than the lies she knew.

Author Jennifer Raines is known for her heartwarming steamy romantic stories filled with Australian couples and settings. FINDING CLEO isn't her first foray into romantic suspense but she nails it with the twists and turns throughout the story as Cleo finds out the truth about her mysterious father. 

Fans of fast paced sweeping suspense stories will fall in love with the strong female lead in FINDING CLEO. Available now in ebook and print, FINDING CLEO will belong on your reading shelf with the likes  of Stephanie Evanovich and Sue Grafton. 

BUY LINKS-
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2TKL8SC
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/finding-cleo
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-cleo-jennifer-raines/1148770939
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/finding-cleo-a-sensual-romantic-suspense/id6755448447
 
Blurb:
Australian Cleo Montford has spent the last two years working as a guide and interpreter in Helsinki, cocooned from the lies and betrayals of her past, then Australian author Jack Spencer wants to hire her. Not for sightseeing, but to research the story her internationally awarded journalist father was investigating when he was accidentally killed. Cleo’s tempted. Is she brave enough to look the past in the eye and set herself free, or will she keep hiding?
 
Cleo was a confident adolescent who adored her father, until her mother explains after his death that he’d never loved Cleo. Cleo sees lies everywhere, but it’s time to take her life back. She accepts Jack’s job offer. She doesn’t expect to find his mix of intelligence, stubbornness and charm so compelling, doesn’t expect him to understand her dilemma hearing people talk about her father, doesn’t expect to want to touch him—all the time.
 
Battling writer’s block, Jack latches onto the old story of the long unsolved assassination of a Scandinavian PM as the basis for a thriller. Finding Hugo Montford’s daughter in Helsinki strikes him as a good omen. That’s before he discovers she has secrets making her doubt herself. She’s smart, loyal, gorgeous, everything he’s looking for in a woman, if only he can convince her to take a chance on him.
 
When people unhappy with the direction of his research threaten Cleo, Jack calls a halt. Sensing there’s more to learn about her father, Cleo pushes to continue. Can Cleo and Jack agree on next steps, or will Cleo remain shackled to her past?
 
Sometimes you have to let go of what’s killing you, even if it’s killing you to let go.
 
Fans of sensual romances with strong characters showing emotional depth plus some international intrigue will enjoy the twists and turns before Cleo and Jack find their happy ending. This best-selling author is known for her characters, clever dialogue and unique stories that will introduce you to new worlds.
 
Excerpt 
“You’ve gone to a lot of trouble to try and hire me.”

He stalled, a frown forming between his eyes. Cleo’s gut told her to get out now.

“I need a plausible reason in the next thirty seconds, or I’ll walk.”

She’d learned the seductiveness of secrets at her father’s knee. Jack’s mesmerising eyes, deep as an ocean, were on her now, and the secrets they promised had already teased her at unexpected times in the last week.

She’d be a fool to trust a man with secrets.

“Because you’re Hugo Montford’s daughter.”

Halfway to her feet, her legs refused to hold her, and she sat down again with a thump.

Damn you! Damn you! Damn you!

She’d been unconsciously fumbling toward this awareness since his arrival in Angelika’s office. The news he was a writer should have cemented it. His persistence was akin to the slyest reporters and journalists who’d hounded her family after her father’s death, comparable to Paul Jacob’s pre-planned accidental meeting with her.

This time she wasn’t grief-stricken and without defences.

“You are Hugo Montford’s daughter, aren’t you?” he prodded further at her silence.

My only claim to fame—I’m the daughter of a famous, dead, investigative journalist.

“Why is that relevant?”

We both know it isn’t bloody relevant unless you want to use me.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Australian Jennifer Raines writes sensuous contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ? A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of passion, mutual respect and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
 
Jennifer fell in love with romance as a teenager. Starting with historical romance. Everything in the school library and then a personal treasured collection of Georgette Heyer, hard copies and paperbacks. Historical (regency) romance remains her comfort food when the world gets too much. Think Grace Burrowes and others.
 
Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, winning the Pacific Hearts competition twice, including in 2019 with Grace Under Fire, the sequel to Taylor’s Law. Taylor’s Law placed second in the 2023 RWNZ Koru Awards for Best First Book. In 2025 Jennifer placed second in the Romance Writers of New Zealand (RWNZ) Koru Awards for Best Long Romance, and third for the Overall Award for Excellence with Masquerade—Choosing Family Book 1.
 
Jennifer’s also a member of Romance Writers of Australia. Three times a finalist in the Emerald competition, including in 2017 (Lela’s Choice under its working name Common Cause), 2018 (Taylor’s Law) and 2022 (Quinn, by design). She’s also a member of Romance Writers of America and has been a finalist in multiple chapter competitions. Jennifer values competitions for the constructive, honest, not always comfortable feedback they provide.
 
Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.
 
Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas walking—anywhere—or while doing physical activity. Yes, Virginia, housework does have a purpose. While Jennifer adores historical romance, she chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research while she was holding down a full-time job. Jennifer writes a monthly blog posted on her website at https://jenniferrainesauthor.com or you’ll find her at https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor or https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthorjen/
​

With a Death God in her head, Niki has been dealing with his compulsion to kill. She's tried to remain strong in the face of this pressure. But now she has episodes of missing time. What has been happening? Is it a coincidence that people are ending up killed? Is she doing it? 

Author Lisa Dietrich draws readers back to the Guatemalan Jungle and ancient civilization where Gods battle for possession of the world. This gripping tale is the sequel to her ground-breaking paranormal romance- In the Silence of Darkness. While you don't have to have read Silence to love In the Midst of Light, the action and character motivations are better understood.  In the Midst of Light brings back Niki's former boyfriend who wasn't exactly truthful and hid his shifter nature. But now the stakes are higher. Niki has already given so much to save him but now she's asked to risk more than her heart.... she's all that stands between the Death God and the rest of the world. 

In the Midst of Light is now available in ebook and print... Don't Miss this Amazing Story!!


BUY LINKS-
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G33DS8BY
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/in-the-midst-of-light
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/in-the-midst-of-light-lisa-dietrich/1148777341
APPLE- https://books.apple.com/us/book/in-the-midst-of-light/id6755540120
 
Blurb:
Niki thought being a vessel for Hun-Came, the Mayan death god, was her worst nightmare.
She was wrong.

Bound to Hun-Came, the Mayan god of death, Niki has become something she never wanted to be—a killer.

As bodies pile up and her control slips away, salvation arrives in the form of a cryptic message from Zen, the man who once held her heart. There's a way to sever the supernatural bond, but it requires a perilous journey to Guatemala where ancient magic still pulses through the mystical jungle.

Niki knows all too well the risks. Hun-Came has ruled death for millennia, and he won't release his human vessel without extracting a price that could destroy everything—and everyone—she loves.

Some bloodlines can't be outrun, some hungers can't be denied, and some attractions are dangerous enough to wake the dead.

She sacrificed herself for love—now she must save herself.

Return to the Guatemala’s jungles with author Lisa Dietrich in her exciting sequel to In the Silence of Darkness. This time Niki is battling not only to save the people she loves but her own soul. Some bloodlines can't be outrun, some hungers can't be denied, and some attractions are dangerous enough to wake the dead.

EXCERPT:
Bracing myself against the sink, I confronted my reflection. A stranger stared back—pale, haunted, with dark eyes that seemed older than the rest of my face. Water dripped from my hair onto my shoulders, each cold droplet a reminder of how exposed I felt.

“What am I doing here?” I whispered to myself.

“They are obstacles,” Hun-Came’s voice slithered through my mind, not with his usual rage but with something far more dangerous—reason. “The shapeshifter seeks to use you. The druid seeks to control you. Neither understands what we could become together.”

A chill traced my spine despite the steam-filled bathroom. Hun-Came had been changing, his voice growing clearer, his suggestions more... persuasive. That terrified me more than his fury ever had.

“You need neither of them,” he continued, his voice like obsidian—dark, smooth, and cutting. “Embrace what you are becoming, and their petty conflicts will mean nothing. I can give you power beyond imagining, Nikita Balam.”

My knuckles whitened as I gripped the edge of the sink. “Get out of my head,” I hissed through clenched teeth.

“I am not in your head,” he replied with cold amusement. “I am in your soul. And I have waited centuries for someone like you.”

I closed my eyes and touched the iron bracelet at my wrist. The metal was cool against my fevered skin, a tangible anchor to reality. Focusing on my breathing—in for four counts, hold for seven, out for eight—I pushed against Hun-Came’s presence until he receded to that familiar dark corner of my consciousness where he lurked, watching, waiting.

When I opened my eyes again, some composure had returned to my face, though the shadows beneath my eyes told their own story. I drew in one final steadying breath and reached for the doorknob, armor in place.

​About the Author-
Lisa Dietrich holds a Ph.D. in Anthropology, which means she's professionally qualified to explain why ancient civilizations are infinitely more interesting than whatever is currently trending on social media. When she's not busy debating the finer points of Pre-Columbian mythology with her extremely patient husband, she writes steamy romance novels.
 

Cleo's found that what she believed wasn't true. Her past was a mine field of pain and hurt but when she is forced to re-examine her life and her relationship with her father, she just might change her mind. FINDING CLEO is a romantic suspense from award winning author Jennifer Raines. The relationship between Cleo and her father is at the heart of the mystery and brings up feelings Cleo had buried. This story is a great look at one woman's journey through her past but also a strong emotional journey through our shattered relationships with our loved ones.  

FINDING CLEO is now available for preorder and will release in ebook and print on February 17th. Don't Miss your chance to grab this compelling read!

BUY LINKS-
AMAZON- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0G2TKL8SC
KOBO- https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/finding-cleo
BN- https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/finding-cleo-jennifer-raines/1148770939
APPLE-https://books.apple.com/us/book/finding-cleo-a-sensual-romantic-suspense/id6755448447
 
Blurb:
Australian Cleo Montford has spent the last two years working as a guide and interpreter in Helsinki, cocooned from the lies and betrayals of her past, then Australian author Jack Spencer wants to hire her. Not for sightseeing, but to research the story her internationally awarded journalist father was investigating when he was accidentally killed. Cleo’s tempted. Is she brave enough to look the past in the eye and set herself free, or will she keep hiding?
 
Cleo was a confident adolescent who adored her father, until her mother explains after his death that he’d never loved Cleo. Cleo sees lies everywhere, but it’s time to take her life back. She accepts Jack’s job offer. She doesn’t expect to find his mix of intelligence, stubbornness and charm so compelling, doesn’t expect him to understand her dilemma hearing people talk about her father, doesn’t expect to want to touch him—all the time.
 
Battling writer’s block, Jack latches onto the old story of the long unsolved assassination of a Scandinavian PM as the basis for a thriller. Finding Hugo Montford’s daughter in Helsinki strikes him as a good omen. That’s before he discovers she has secrets making her doubt herself. She’s smart, loyal, gorgeous, everything he’s looking for in a woman, if only he can convince her to take a chance on him.
 
When people unhappy with the direction of his research threaten Cleo, Jack calls a halt. Sensing there’s more to learn about her father, Cleo pushes to continue. Can Cleo and Jack agree on next steps, or will Cleo remain shackled to her past?
 
Sometimes you have to let go of what’s killing you, even if it’s killing you to let go.
 
Fans of sensual romances with strong characters showing emotional depth plus some international intrigue will enjoy the twists and turns before Cleo and Jack find their happy ending. This best-selling author is known for her characters, clever dialogue and unique stories that will introduce you to new worlds.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Australian Jennifer Raines writes sensuous contemporary romances set mainly, but not exclusively, in Australia – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ? A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of passion, mutual respect and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
 
Jennifer fell in love with romance as a teenager. Starting with historical romance. Everything in the school library and then a personal treasured collection of Georgette Heyer, hard copies and paperbacks. Historical (regency) romance remains her comfort food when the world gets too much. Think Grace Burrowes and others.
 
Jennifer is a member of Romance Writers of New Zealand, winning the Pacific Hearts competition twice, including in 2019 with Grace Under Fire, the sequel to Taylor’s Law. Taylor’s Law placed second in the 2023 RWNZ Koru Awards for Best First Book. In 2025 Jennifer placed second in the Romance Writers of New Zealand (RWNZ) Koru Awards for Best Long Romance, and third for the Overall Award for Excellence with Masquerade—Choosing Family Book 1.
 
Jennifer’s also a member of Romance Writers of Australia. Three times a finalist in the Emerald competition, including in 2017 (Lela’s Choice under its working name Common Cause), 2018 (Taylor’s Law) and 2022 (Quinn, by design). She’s also a member of Romance Writers of America and has been a finalist in multiple chapter competitions. Jennifer values competitions for the constructive, honest, not always comfortable feedback they provide.
 
Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.
 
Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas walking—anywhere—or while doing physical activity. Yes, Virginia, housework does have a purpose. While Jennifer adores historical romance, she chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research while she was holding down a full-time job. Jennifer writes a monthly blog posted on her website at https://jenniferrainesauthor.com or you’ll find her at https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor or https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthorjen/
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