The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult

 When a chance for retribution is handed to you, will you take it?

Sage Singer prefers a solitary life, few friends, male or female, but rather the intricacies of creating and renewing old recipes in the dark of the night at the local bakery.

Josef Weber plays an important humanitarian in the local village.  His ninety-plus age doesn't keep him from being active with the community. He meets Sage at the bakery, and each have an unusual interest in one another.   

It's after Joseph requests Sage's help in a risky plan, that Sage takes her concern to the Justice Department.  Leo Stein responds to  her call.

Leo has a solitary job, too, and the urgency of the familiar story Sage brings to him takes a few discussions to sink in as the real thing.

Before Leo and Sage acknowledge their chemistry, a decades old mystery from WWII must be unraveled to allow their hearts and minds to accept changes in the present.

The parallel story of Sage's grandmother can bring you to tears and an understanding for the need for revenge.  Sage isn't sure it's her duty to mess with a plan bordering on illegal.  Josef doesn't consider if he deserves a relief of his former life.  Leo wants to legally charge the wrongdoer, and then have the chance to get closer to Sage.  

It's up to Sage on what will happen in the end, and that's a huge order.

Deeply riveting and loaded with emotions that will melt you into the pages.

Happy reading,

Dawn 

New Release ~ SHIELDING RILEY by Susan Stoker

 

Shielding Riley

Delta Team Two, Book 5

by

Susan Stoker

Blurb –

Porter “Oz” Reed knows as well as anyone the damage words can do. So while he’s not looking for a relationship, he has no problem standing outside his apartment looking intimidating as his sweet neighbor finally kicks her verbally abusive ex to the curb. Just in case. But it’s Oz who’s punched in the gut when, at that precise moment, his ten-year-old nephew Logan is dropped on his doorstep.

After finally ditching her ex, Riley Rogers is ready for a break from men. But her plan to stay single takes an immediate hit when Mr. Tall, Dark and Handsome from next door comes knocking, panicked at the prospect of caring for a nephew he never even knew existed. Riley’s only too happy to help. After all, Porter had her back when she needed him. And she feels a kinship with Logan…whose story hits a little too close to Riley’s own.

As they team up to make Logan feel safe in his new environment, Riley and Oz quickly fall hard for the boy, and each other. But they’ve barely adapted to their altered lives when Logan shares a secret that changes everything—again.

 ** Shielding Riley is the 5th book in the Delta Team Two Series. Each book is a stand-alone, with no cliffhanger endings.

Book Buy Links –

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2NJLxb3 

Amazon UK: www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0842B5GVM 

Amazon AU: www.amazon.com.au/dp/B0842B5GVM 

Amazon CA: www.amazon.ca/dp/B0842B5GVM 

AUDIO: https://adbl.co/2SyOWf1 

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/en/ebook/shielding-riley 

B&N: https://geni.us/Bp5uEBU 

Apple Books: https://books.apple.com/us/book/shielding-riley/id1495712031?mt=11&at=1001l9Ne
Google Play: http://bit.ly/38ts1KI

Add to your TBR shelf at Goodreads à https://bit.ly/2zKsl9h 

Author Bio –

Susan Stoker is a New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal bestselling author whose series include Mountain Mercenaries, Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes, SEAL of Protection, Ace Security, Delta Team Two, and Delta Force Heroes. Married to a retired Army noncommissioned officer, Stoker has lived all over the country—from Missouri and California to Colorado and Texas—and currently lives under the big skies of Tennessee. A true believer in happily ever after, Stoker enjoys writing novels in which romance turns to love. To learn more about the author and her work, visit her website, www.stokeraces.com.

Author Contact Links –

Facebook Friend Page: www.facebook.com/authorsstoker  
Facebook Author Page: www.facebook.com/authorsusanstoker   

Twitter: www.twitter.com/susan_stoker
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/SusanStoker

Amazon: http://amzn.to/238Jw8c
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/susan-stoker
Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorsusanstoker

Email: Susan@stokerAces.com

Newsletter Sign Up: www.StokerAces.com/contact-1.html

Facebook Fan Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/423496311135798/
Facebook Fan Fiction Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SpecialForcesWorld/

Veronica Reviews ~ SHADOW MANOR by Dani Wade

 

Shadow Manor

A Secrets of Covington Corner Novella

by

 Dani Wade

 

★★★★

4-Stars

Gothic Romance (Novella)

Once upon a time, Cara Gatlin was in love with the boy next door…until tragedy struck and the loss of his parents became her loss as well.  As time passed, Cara still finds herself fantasizing about the tall dark and mysterious Jacob Montgomery.  She has been researching the Montgomery Family history and is desperate for an answer as to why he turned his back on her.  As fate would have it, she finds herself invited to a masquerade ball with Jacob in attendance, and a night of passion soon turns into more questions than answers…will Jacob once again break her heart, or is there something much more sinister behind his coldness.

 

Shadow Manor is a quick read that reminds me of the gothic romance novels I loved to read with my mom.  While I wish the author would have given me just a wee bit more story, it appears this will be a series of novellas, and I’m looking forward to the next Covington Corner secret to be revealed!  Would recommend to fans of short smexxy romance with just a hint of mystery!

AMAZON BUY LINK

Sharing what I love, 

Veronica

 

 

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book that I received via Booksprout. All thoughts and opinions are my own. **

January 2021

 

Hello, gentle readers! Hope you are all well and staying safe!

It’s early Sunday morning as I sit down to write this. And I do mean early. It’s only 5am (and yes, I do have my coffee). The sun isn’t up yet (so you may ask, why am I?). Well, after years and years of training myself to get up early so I can write before the day job, I find that I can no longer sleep in. Really. If I make it to 6:30, I consider that sleeping in. The other reason I’m up so early? I love this time of the morning before the world wakes up. The house is silent (just the constant hum of the computer) and even the dogs are sleeping on the futon behind me (albeit, not so quietly…they snore).

The DH and I spent a quiet New Years…except for all the fireworks going off in the neighborhood. Some of them were really loud and felt like they were coming from right in front of my house. The dogs didn’t like it at all. Nothing like having a shaking, panting 87 pound German Shepherd try to sit in your lap…unless it’s having her shaking, panting and whining 110 pound sister try to sit there at the same time (unfortunately, my lap was not big enough…it didn’t stop them from trying though and at one point, they did manage). Yes, this was my life on New Year’s Eve, trying desperately to keep the dogs calm. I even purchased something at the pet store to help toward that end…the calming chews did not help at all, as evidenced by them both crawling into my lap. We did make it through the night, but it was uncomfortable at best. Poor things. Horrible to be so scared!

Well, this being the beginning of a new year, I have set some goals for myself (not resolutions—those don’t last, but goals…those are a horse of a different color).

Goal Number 1: I will attempt to finish at least one of the manuscripts that I have started.

Goal Number 2: I will maintain the weight loss I’ve managed and attempt to lose a few more pounds (easier say than done…my scale and I have had some major disagreements).

Goal Number 3: I will continue to practice being kind. This goal is ongoing, because there is always room for improvement, but this year, I’m going to try harder to be kind to myself (which is much harder than being kind to someone else. I admit, I lose patience with myself more than I do with others).

And that’s all for me. Happy New Year! Stay well! Stay safe! And remember to spread kindness wherever you go!

Marie

New Release ~ THE DUKE'S PRIVATEER by Amy Jarecki

 

The Duke’s Privateer

(Devilish Dukes, Book 3)

By

Amy Jarecki

Blurb ~

When it comes to women, the Duke of Danby is an audacious rake… but when it comes to ridding the kingdom of smugglers, he’s leading the charge. The Prince Regent has bankrupted the country more than once, and Danby isn’t about to go down with a sinking ship.
 
The Honorable Eleanor Kent hides behind the image of a self-proclaimed spinster… though in truth she’s one of England’s most sought-after privateers.
 
When their paths cross at a royal dinner… Danby suspects the stunning redheaded woman is more than she seems. He engages her to consult on a chinoiserie remodel and Eleanor gladly accepts. Indeed, she’d rather keep her enemy close where she can watch his every move. Though neither duke nor lady has a clue of how tangled the web they’re spinning will become. As the heat ratchets up, so does their unbidden attraction. Will they get burned before it’s too late to run?

Read the Devilish Dukes Series in Order

Book 1 ~ The Duke’s Fallen Angel

Book 2 ~ The Duke’s Untamed Desire

Book 3 ~ The Duke’s Privateer

~ Book Buy Links ~

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08FKV7D3G

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=CnoGEAAAQBAJ

Kobo: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-duke-s-privateer

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-dukes-privateer-amy-jarecki/1137931199

Audible: https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Dukes-Privateer-Audiobook/B08R5884NQ

Excerpt from THE DUKE’S PRIVATEER

Sometimes the act of a man kissing a woman’s hand can mean far more than words can express!

 

Ready to face yet another charade, Eleanor pushed out the door with her head held high. Except her breath stopped. Her heart leapt. The Duke of Danby smiled, standing beside two of the loveliest chestnut horses she’d ever seen. Their coats glistened in the sunlight, their manes and tails brushed to full, silken sheens.

As she neared, she ran her hand along the neck of the mare already fitted with her saddle. “They’re absolutely beautiful.”

“I’m glad they pass muster.” The duke removed his beaver top hat, his grin making butterflies swarm in her stomach. Undoubtedly, Eleanor’s initial reaction of breathlessness had been caused by the sight of the horses—at least she told herself as much.

Stepping forward, Danby took her hand. “’Tis ever so good to see you again, Miss Kent. Are you well?”

She drew in another breath. This one nearly deep enough to staunch the wicked trembling of her fingers. “Unchanged since yesterday.”

He turned up her palm and kissed it, the warmth of his lips searing through her thin kid-leather gloves.

Bless it, taking deep breaths was no help at all. Now her knees were turning into boneless mollusks. No wonder the duke had gained a reputation for rakishness. The man oozed sensuality.

To add fuel to the fire, Danby didn’t straighten right away but shifted his face up slightly, until his gaze met hers. For a fleeting moment, Eleanor was rendered utterly speechless. She stood dry mouthed with her heart thumping out of rhythm. Did he have any idea what kissing the palm of a woman’s hand did to her insides? Well, as a rake he most likely did. However, Eleanor had never been greeted in such a way. In fact, she couldn’t recall a man ever kissing her palm.

Was he deliberately trying to unnerve her?

Danby’s smile grew as he stretched to his full height—at least six feet tall, making her tip up her chin as he held her gaze. He released her hand and it grew oddly cold. “You approve of my filly?” he asked as if he had no idea of the effect he’d just had.

Squaring her shoulders, Eleanor rubbed her palms together. “I expected no less. Even I read the papers. Your horses oft win at the track.”

“I’ll admit, they are my one indulgence.”

“You only have one?”

“At the moment.”

Author Bio ~ 

Known for her action-packed, passionate historical romances, Amy Jarecki has received reader and critical praise throughout her writing career. She won the prestigious 2018 RT Reviewers' Choice award for The Highland Duke and the 2016 RONE award from InD’tale Magazine for Best Time Travel for her novel Rise of a Legend. In addition, she hit Amazon’s Top 100 Bestseller List, the Apple, Barnes & Noble, and Bookscan Bestseller lists, and has earned the designation as an Amazon All Star Author. Readers also chose her Scottish historical romance, A Highland Knight’s Desire, as the winning title through Amazon’s Kindle Scout Program.

Author Contact Links ~

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjarecki/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/amyjarecki or @amyjarecki

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jareckiamy/

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/amy-jarecki

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5306959.Amy_Jarecki

Amazon Page: https://www.amazon.com/Amy-Jarecki/e/B0061VIGDK

Newsletter: https://amyjarecki.com/newsletter/

Veronica Reviews ~ THE DUKE'S DESIRE by Erica Ridley

 

The Duke's Desire 

12 Dukes of Christmas, Book 8

by

Erica Ridley

★★★★

4-Stars

Historical Romance

Meg Church has embraced her spinster lifestyle. She’s opted to enjoy the freedom of not having a husband dictating what she can or can’t do, and extremely happy being outrageous and bold with what she wants and she’s set her eyes on taking Lucien le Duc as a lover…if only in her fantasies…

Lucien le Duc is determined to leave England and return to his native France. A dream since he had to flee with his family during the revolutionary war, Lucien will let nothing change his mind…well almost nothing…there just happens to be a beautiful outspoken woman that may just make him think twice on his feelings of all things English…

Oh I’m so in love with Erica Ridley’s 12 Dukes of Christmas series! These holiday romances are just the right mixture of sweet and heat! Highly recommend!

AMAZON BUY LINK

Sharing what I love,

Veronica