Review: Kilts and Dagger by Victoria Roberts

Goodreads Blurb

Ever since Lady Grace Walsingham discovered her uncle and sister are spies for the Crown, she has yearned for adventure. She’s counting the days until she can leave barbaric Scotland behind, even if she must endure Highland captain Fagan Murray’s company for weeks.

Fagan has a simple mission: escort the haughty Lady Grace back to England. But nothing is ever easy. The sharp-tongued woman needles him at every turn. But when a menacing threat follows them on their journey, Fagan’s grudging tolerance for Grace turns to respect…and into a perilous attraction that could seal their fate.

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

This was another show stopper written by Victoria. It deserved more than a five-star. I was having a ball reading Grace and Fagan arguing back and forth. Loved that Grace spoke her mind and didn’t let men overpower her decisions. Fagan’s love for Grace could be seen from the beginning, by the way he protected her. Love that Grace was able to see she had feelings for Fagan even though she didn’t like highlanders. Grace totally made this story with her clumsiness and wanting to be a spy at any cost. She is strong-willed for being captured and not afraid of speaking her mind even though it costs her later. Her betrothed was a total jerk who beat women and hid behind their skirts in order to protect himself. I am very happy about the whole outcome. Grace deserved Fagan, the man who stood his ground and became Grace’s husband. Can’t wait to read the next book Victoria writes. Highly recommend this book.

Goodreads Author Biography

Award-winning author Victoria Roberts writes Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. She was the recipient of the 2013 RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice award for Best Medieval Historical Romance for X MARKS THE SCOT, as well as the 2014 BTS Book Reviews Red Carpet award for Best Historical and Best Book of the Year for MY HIGHLAND SPY.

Represented by Jill Marsal of the Marsal Lyon Literary Agency, Victoria is a member of Romance Writers of America, Celtic Hearts Romance Writers, several local chapters, in addition to being a contributing author to the online magazine CELTIC GUIDE.

Victoria resides in western Pennsylvania with her husband of twenty two years and their two beautiful children–not to mention one spoiled dog. When she’s not plotting her next Scottish adventure, she’s dragging her clan to every Scottish festival under the sun. Please visit Victoria at VictoriaRobertsAuthor.com.

Dan Brown at Barnes and Noble

We had to wait eight years for the new Robert Langdon novel written by the amazing author Dan Brown. This was my second chance to attend a book event for Dan Brown, and this time, I got a chance to sit in the first row. I have enjoyed every single book he has written, and I’m sure this novel will be epic.

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Firelight Days by Savannah Pryce


Book & Author Details:

Firelight Days

by Savannah Pryce

Publication date: August 3, 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

When wildfires force an evacuation in her small town, baker and loner Penny Ridgeman seeks refuge at the only place she feels safe – Jack Olsen’s family ranch in Eastern Oregon. For years, Penny has seen Jack as just a friend – even if he is, inconveniently, the most attractive man she knows. But just like you shouldn’t mix-up salt and sugar in a cake, she believes that mixing love and friendship is a recipe for disaster.

Jack has always admired and respected Penny’s need for solitude. And, as the town handyman, builder, and cat-in-a-tree-rescuer, he prides himself on being able to fix and figure out anything. But he can’t understand why Penny holds herself back in her work. He can’t see what’s behind those stubborn, thick walls she keeps up. And he can’t work out, for the life of him, why suddenly he can’t stop thinking about her.

As the days stretch into quiet nights on the ranch, Penny and Jack start to see each other in a new light – one Penny is certain can only lead to getting seriously burned. With the world around them on fire and only each other for company, they find themselves in a whirlwind of emotions neither expected.

As the fire threatens to consume everything, Penny and Jack must decide whether to risk their friendship for something deeper… or will that go up in flames, too?

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239709481-firelight-days

Purchase:

Amazon: https://amzn.to/4mI9JZR

AUTHOR BIO:

Savannah Pryce is a writer hailing from the beautiful Pacific Northwest. FIRELIGHT DAYS is her debut novel. 

Author links:

https://savannahpryce.com/

https://www.instagram.com/savannah.pryce/

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/58174368.Savannah_Pryce

Giveaway Link: https://gleam.io/KVzT3/firelight-days-blitz

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Faking the Pass by Tru Taylor

Book & Author Details:

Faking the Pass

by Tru Taylor

Publication date: September 5, 2025

Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance

Synopsis:

Fake marry the smokin’ hot NFL quarterback who dumped me in high school? Hard pass.

…Or it would be, if my Hollywood disaster of an ex-fiancé wasn’t trying to destroy my career—and bankrupt me in the process.

Cue Presley Lowe.
Big-time quarterback. Bigger ego. Even bigger… contract.
The boy who broke my heart, then dared to somehow get even hotter with age.

He says a fake marriage will solve both our problems.
I say he’s lost his mind.

But I’m broke, blacklisted, and backed into a corner.
So now I’m wearing Presley’s ring, taking couple-selfies, and sleeping one wall away from the man who gave me my first heartbreak—and my last good kiss.

I pretend not to notice when he walks around shirtless.
He pretends he doesn’t remember exactly how I like to be kissed.

We’re both lying.
But it’s all temporary. Totally fake.

Right?

So why does every look he gives me scream mine?

And why am I starting to feel like there’s nothing I wouldn’t give to keep hearing him say, my wife?

What happens when your fake husband is also the boy you never got over?

🏈

 Faking the Pass is a fun and flirty steamy small town romantic comedy ideal for fans of Pippa Grant, Lucy Score, Megan Quinn, Melanie Harlow, Lauren Blakely, and Abby Jiminez.

It’s the perfect next read for readers who love these tropes:

Fake Marriage
NFL Quarterback Hero/ high school ex
First love, second chance
Runaway Bride
One Bed / Forced Proximity
Tight-knit family of football-playing brothers
Swoon-worthy, heartfelt, slow burn romance

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/239266524-faking-the-pass

Purchasehttps://geni.us/FakingthePass

AUTHOR BIO:

Award-winning romance author Tru Taylor writes small town romance that’s hot and sunny (and a little bit funny.) 

She runs on Coke Zero and dark chocolate, lives for lunches with her girlfriends, and drives to the town beach several times a week to watch the sun set over the water.

She loves LOVE and will attempt to turn any show or movie she’s watching into a romance whether it is one or not. Star Wars? A romance. Lord of the Rings? Clearly a romance. The Expendables? Okay, well not even Tru can redeem that one.

When she’s not writing, Tru enjoys watching movies and reading books with happy endings, spending time with her husband and two kids, and sneaking Hershey’s Kisses from the top shelf of the freezer throughout the day. (Top shelf because… two kids. Enough said.)

Tru is the author of the Eastport Bay small town romance series and loves living in a quaint New England town where she’s surrounded every day by the beautiful coastal setting you see brought to life in her books.

Visit her website at trutaylor.com where you can find a complete book list and get a free story! Join her VIP mailing list at https://bit.ly/TruTales for the latest book news, insider info, and fun freebies. 

Tru loves to hear from her readers! Connect with her on Instagram, Facebook, and email her at trutaylor@trutaylor.com

Author links:

https://www.instagram.com/trutaylorauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063832191976#

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/tru-taylor

https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/l8t6w9

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/20186144.Tru_Taylor

Giveaway link: https://gleam.io/tQaST/faking-the-pass-blitz

Cover Reveal: You Don’t Belong Here by D.M. Siciliano

BOOK DETAILS:

You Don’t Belong Here

by D.M. Siciliano

Publication date: October 13, 2025

Genres: Adult, Horror, Paranormal, Suspense

Synopsis:

A girl who feels invisible finally faces her worst fear on her sixteenth birthday and hastily makes a dark deal.

An old man returns to the same place every year on the anniversary of his wife’s death, to have one last moonlit dance with her.

A woman’s health concerns are ignored, and it leads to global chaos.

A young woman goes home to bury her father and sell his house but finds that the home is no longer hers.

An old man with Alzheimer’s becomes increasingly lost in his own house, which seems to be doing its own forgetting.

Two young girls find a Ouija board, thinking they’re communicating with a deceased relative, but find something much more cunning.

A woman, grieving the loss of her baby, takes a trip to a remote cabin in Tahoe. Her worried sister goes after her and isn’t prepared for what she finds.

A woman’s drive through California’s winding roads leads her to a perilous and sinister discovery lurking in the woods.

A woman takes a job as a nanny for two troublesome kids, only to find that the children aren’t the problem.

AUTHOR BIO:

DM is a lover of all things creative. From the moment she could speak, growing up in Massachusetts, she had a passion for flair and drama, putting on concerts for anyone who was even remotely interested (and even for those who were not). A storyteller by nature, she first pursued her young dream of becoming a singing diva while living in Arizona. She soon found that stage life wasn’t the only form of storytelling she craved, so she dropped the mic and picked up a pencil instead. She still hasn’t given up on her diva-ness, and hopes her pencil stays as sharp as her tongue. 

A dark sense of humor and curiosity for haunted houses and things out of the ordinary led her down the path of completing her first novel, Inside. Several other projects are constantly floating around in her head and her laptop daily, and sometimes keeping her up much too late at night. Occasionally, those projects are so dark and twisted, she needs to leave a nightlight on. 

She now lives in Northern California with her two fluffy furbabies, Cezare and Michaleto.  

Author links:

https://www.dmsiciliano.com/

https://www.bookbub.com/profile/d-m-siciliano

https://www.facebook.com/DMSiciliano/

https://www.instagram.com/dmsiciliano/

Review: Exile: A Novel of the Bloodforge by Tom Stacey

Goodreads Blurb

On the fringes of the Verian Empire, two small boys stumble upon a strange altar, buried in the heart of a mountain. There they awaken a horror unseen for generations, that will descend upon the realm of men while it is at its weakest. For Veria is a nation at war with itself, only recently recovered from a bloody rebellion, and the time of heroes has passed. The empire is in a state of chaos, and while its ruler, the Empron Illis, rids the land of his remaining enemies, unseen forces are gathering at the borders. However all eyes are turned inwards. The Empron is not a well man, and there are whispers among the common folk that his advisors are spies; demons that only wear the flesh of men.

Yet there is hope…

In the distant mountains, a forester who has buried his past learns that he has not been forgotten, and that his crimes have sought him out at last. But he is no simple woodsman. He is Beccorban the Helhammer, Scourge, Burner and the Death of Nations, and his fury is a terrible thing.

For when all the heroes are gone, Veria will turn to those it has forgotten, before all is lost.

My Review: Rated 4 out of 5 stars

Won this book from GoodReads. The story plot was very good and the writing.I really enjoyed the prologue of this book. Really caught my attention and interest. Tom really made me feel all the pain that Kiren endured with his injuries. I just couldn’t get over when the lady came and used a knife to cut his finger to remove his ring, not knowing that he was still alive. The constant cutting with a dull knife had my hair standing. He was very strong to lay there as if he was dead while someone did such a terrible act while not trying to move an inch. Being caught alive would just make him get killed. When Tom describes the fighting as seen, I feel like I am there being tortoured and trying to survive. This book had a nice array of characters each had their own secrets. Thanks for the chance to read your book.

Review: Detective Mole and the Halloween Mystery by Robert Quackenbush

Goodreads Blurb

The intrepid Detective Mole is called in to investigate when the jack-o’lanterns from every porch in the town are stolen

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

Received this book at BookCon and got to meet Mr. Quackenbush. He does amazing illustrations for his children books. Love the story in this book, and the images were perfect and colorful. Kids would enjoy this book in Halloween.

Goodreads Author Biography

Author/Artist/Educator Robert Quackenbush has written and illustrated over 200 books for young readers including his popular Miss Mallard Mysteries, which have been made into animated films for children’s worldwide television programming by Cinar (now Cookie Jar Entertainment) that are showing in 70 countries. His books have won many awards and citations including an Edgar Allen Poe Special Award for Best Juvenile Mystery, a Gradiva Award, and a gold medal from the Holland Society of New York for distinction in art and literature by a member of the society. He is a frequent visiting author at schools and libraries giving programs to instill children with a love of books and reading. These tours have taken him across the US, including Alaska, South America, Europe, and the Middle East. His art is in the permanent collections of the Whitney Museum, the Smithsonian Institution, the Department of Interior, the U.S. Air Force Museum, and Norton Simon Museum. For further information, visit his Web site www.rquackenbush.com, which also gives his Facebook and Blog addresses.

Review: The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot

Goodreads Blurb

Mia Thermopolis is pretty sure there’s nothing worse than being a five-foot-nine, flat-chested freshman, who also happens to be flunking Algebra.

Is she ever in for a surprise.

First mom announces that she’s dating Mia’s Algebra teacher. Then Dad has to go and reveal that he is the crown prince of Genovia. And guess who still doesn’t have a date for the Cultural Diversity Dance?

My Review: Rated 5 out of 5 stars

I must say I really enjoyed the drama that Mia had to overcome in this book. There was so much more going on in the book than what occurred in the movie. I really enjoy the story and Mia’s thinking process. If her diary could speak, it would spill the beans on love, pride, and courage. I loved how the chapters were broken down by dates and how she would include her to-do list at the end of the chapter. I didn’t care so much for the math equations since I was just like Mia, I don’t care for math. It was a great story since in the book, her father is still alive and is part of her life even though he doesn’t live with her. Lilly is as annoying or even more in the book than in the movie. I had a great pleasure in meeting Meg and getting to know how she felt about her books. If you are a fan, you don’t want to miss it.

Goodreads Author Biography

Meg Cabot was born on February 1, 1967, during the Chinese astrological year of the Fire Horse, a notoriously unlucky sign. Fortunately she grew up in Bloomington, Indiana, where few people were aware of the stigma of being a fire horse — at least until Meg became a teenager, when she flunked freshman Algebra twice, then decided to cut her own bangs. After six years as an undergrad at Indiana University, Meg moved to New York City (in the middle of a sanitation worker strike) to pursue a career as an illustrator, at which she failed miserably, forcing her to turn to her favorite hobby–writing novels–for emotional succor. She worked various jobs to pay the rent, including a decade-long stint as the assistant manager of a 700 bed freshmen dormitory at NYU, a position she still occasionally misses.

She is now the author of nearly fifty books for both adults and teens, selling fifteen million copies worldwide, many of which have been #1 New York Times bestsellers, most notably The Princess Diaries series, which is currently being published in over 38 countries, and was made into two hit movies by Disney. In addition, Meg wrote the Mediator and 1-800-Where-R-You? series (on which the television series, Missing, was based), two All-American Girl books, Teen Idol, Avalon High, How to Be Popular, Pants on Fire, Jinx, a series of novels written entirely in email format (Boy Next Door, Boy Meets Girl, and Every Boy’s Got One), a mystery series (Size 12 Is Not Fat/ Size 14 Is Not Fat Either/Big Boned), and a chick-lit series called Queen of Babble.

Meg is now writing a new children’s series called Allie Finkle’s Rules for Girls. Her new paranormal series, Abandon, debuts in Summer of 2011.

Meg currently divides her time between Key West, Indiana, and New York City with a primary cat (one-eyed Henrietta), various back-up cats, and her husband, who doesn’t know he married a fire horse. Please don’t tell him.

Currently Reading: Buckeye by Patrick Ryan

Goodreads Blurb

In Bonhomie, Ohio, a stolen moment of passion, sparked in the exuberant aftermath of the Allied victory in Europe, binds Cal Jenkins, a man wounded not in war but by his inability to serve in it, to Margaret Salt, a woman trying to obscure her past. Cal’s wife, Becky, has a spiritual gift: She is a seer who can conjure the dead, helping families connect with those they’ve lost. Margaret’s husband, Felix, is serving on a Navy cargo ship, out of harm’s way—until a telegram suggests that the unthinkable might have happened.

Later, as the country reconstructs in the postwar boom, a secret grows in Bonhomie—but nothing stays buried forever in a small town. Against the backdrop of some of the most transformative decades in modern America, the consequences of that long-ago encounter ripple through the next generation of both families, compelling them to reexamine who they thought they were and what the future might hold.

Sweeping yet intimate, rich with piercing observation and the warmth that comes from profound understanding of the human spirit, Buckeye captures the universal longing for love and for goodness.

The review will be posted soon.

Cover Reveal: Dangerous Decisions by Evie Jacobs

BOOK DETAILS:

Dangerous Decisions

by Evie Jacobs

Publication date: September 30, 2025

Genres: Adult, Romance, Suspense

Synopsis:

They’re chasing the truth straight into each other’s arms.

When CIA agent Angie Liu disobeys orders by looking into the mysterious death of an informant, her investigation leads her to Jamaica. To get out of the U.S. undetected, she must turn to the last man she wants to ask for help–the sexy, one-night stand she ran out on who just happens to be her dead informant’s son.

Nate Hughes wrote his father off as a drug smuggler. But after his dad’s possible murder reveals another side of the story, Nate will stop at nothing to get answers. And when the beautiful woman who bolted from his hotel room shows up at his family airline in need of an unofficial ride to the Caribbean, he’s not about to let her out of his sight.

Angie doesn’t want to fall for the handsome-but-gruff son of a former asset, and Nate wants nothing to do with the organization that may have set his dad up to be murdered. But neither is prepared for the feelings that surface–or how much they’ll need the other to stay alive.

Goodreadshttps://www.goodreads.com/book/show/240935183-dangerous-decisions

Pre-orderhttps://amzn.to/4mJzGIP

AUTHOR BIO:

Evie Jacobs is an award-winning author of romantic suspense. She loves grumpy heroes, forced proximity, and a good sex scene. She lives in Colorado with her husband, two cats, and seven bicycles.

For more information about me and my books, please visit my website: eviejacobsuathor.com.

Author links:

https://www.eviejacobsauthor.com/

https://www.instagram.com/eviejacobsauthor/

https://www.facebook.com/eviejacobsauthor

https://www.bookbub.com/authors/evie-jacobs

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/50611326.Evie_Jacobs