Sunday, August 31, 2025

Release Blitz: The House Guest by Penelope Ward

Title: The House Guest
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Release Date: August 31, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.
He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.
Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.
I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.
I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.
Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.
That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.
I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.
He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.
We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.
Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.
I was falling in love with him.
Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.
And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

$3.99 for a limited time!

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Free to read in Kindle Unlimited

ALSO AVAILABLE

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT

BILLIONAIRE HERO
ROOMMATES
TWIST
SLOW BURN
ANGSTY
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
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Saturday, August 30, 2025

Book Blitz and Giveaway: Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemo

Checking Mr. Wrong
Anne Kemp
(Love in Maple Falls)
Publication date: August 27th 2025
Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance, Sports

She’s a grump with a grudge. He’s a sweetheart with a slapshot. Sparks were expected, but the fireworks? Pure magic.

Mabel
Returning to Maple Falls wasn’t part of my five-year plan—or my backup plan. Or any plan, really. But here I am, back in my quirky hometown, dodging my mother’s judgment and trying not to cringe every time someone mentions the viral moment. (Yes, that one. No, I don’t want to talk about it.)

When my editor sends me to cover the NHL’s shiny new team, the Ice Breakers, I’m all in—until I meet Asher Tremblay. He’s their too-charming defenseman with a knack for wrecking my focus and my sanity. Equal parts infuriating and irresistible, but falling for him? Not on my agenda. Nope.

Asher
I’ve worked my whole life to make it in the NHL. A new team means a fresh start, and I won’t let anything distract me—least of all a snarky reporter who seems determined to hate me on sight.

But the more I see Mabel, the more I want to know what’s behind her walls. She’s fire and chaos, and I’ve spent my whole life playing it safe. Maybe she’s exactly what I need. I came to Maple Falls to chase my dream, but now all I want is her.

***

Checking Mr. Wrong is part of the Love in Maple Falls sweet hockey romcom multi-author series. It’s a grumpy sunshine story with forced proximity in this small town romance with all the sizzle and chemistry, but none of the spice.

Welcome back to Maple Falls—the small town where hockey players fall in love! This is a multi-author series of seven full-length books that could be read as standalones, but we think you’ll enjoy them best in order.

Fake-Off with Fate by Whitney Dineen
Offside and Off-Limits by Kate O’Keeffe
Checking Mr. Wrong by Anne Kemp
Skating and Fake Dating by Ellie Hall
Goalie and the Girl Next Door by Elsie Woods
Soulmates and Slapshots by Melissa Baldwin
The Icing on the Cake by Grace Worthington

Goodreads / Amazon

Asher’s POV

“I’m Asher,” I say with a nod, hoping she’ll come to understand that I am not a foe. Not a friend either, yet, but definitely not a foe.

She eyes me, looking at me as if she half expects me to grab her purse and toss it out the window. “Mabel.”

“Nice to meet you, Mabel. You from here?”

She nods. “Born and raised in Maple Falls.”

She still watches me while I take a pause. The tiniest of jokes pops up like a cartoon bubble over my head. “Wait. You’re Mabel. From Maple Falls?”

“I know where this is headed, and you’re not funny,” she retorts dryly as she shoots another glare my way.

“Is your last name ‘Syrup’?” I ask innocently as Joe does me a solid and cracks up from the front seat. “That would be hilarious.”

Even when she glares, it’s kinda sexy. I keep her pinned in my line of sight as I’m hit with a subtle wave of recognition. “Do we know each other from—”

“Nope,” she interjects, looking at me pointedly and still chomping on her ice. The way she gnashes away on it is like she’s mad at the ice and rage-crunching, but who knows.

“You didn’t let me finish.”

“How rude of me. Please, finish your thoughts,” she says as her lips form a tight thin line.

“I will.” Little does my new friend know, but I like the challenge of a sassy woman. “I was going to say that I know you from somewhere.”

“I doubt it.”

But I can’t shake it. “I think we must have met before.”

She snaps her head my way and stares at me. This is the second I truly notice her eyes—the kind of green that belongs in legends and treasure chests, brighter and more striking than any emerald I’ve ever seen. “I doubt it.”

“Okay,” I say, keeping my focus on her. “Well, when I remember how I know you, I’ll tell you.”

“Sounds like a plan. DM me,” she says with sarcasm oozing off each letter, and plastering on a fake smile that would make a Ringling Brothers clown cringe. She tips her cup back and tosses more ice into her mouth, chomping down on it as she puts her back toward me and faces the window again. I’m still listening to the crunch of her ice when she suddenly stops.

“Oh, ow!” Mabel drops her cup in between her feet, what’s left of the ice spilling on the mat, as she holds her hand to her mouth. “Oh, no, no, no. No!”

“All good back there?” Joe asks from the front.

Mabel looks at me with fear in her eyes as she nods. “Uh-huh. All good,” she mumbles, sounding like she’s shoved a tissue in her mouth.

I give it a beat. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

I can see her moving her mouth around as she stares at the back of the seat in front of her. From my spot, I can tell that her eyes are a little wild; she looks like a three-legged snake just ran in front of the car.

“I think,” she whispers, running her tongue over her front teeth. “I think I’ve chipped my front tooth.”

“Let me see.” She shakes her head, so I do my best to make her feel comfortable. I mean, it’s what I do. My dad said I’m the most people-pleasing of all the Tremblays, so I need to keep my reputation. “If you let me look, I can tell you how bad it is. I play hockey, so having a tooth chipped or getting one knocked out is par for the course.” I point to my two front teeth. “These aren’t even mine. I lost them both in the first game I played in college. If you want, I can also pop my bridge out for you, it’s back here…”

She holds up a hand, genuine worry etched on her face. “No, thank you.”

“So, give me a smile.” I lean over to her. “I promise I won’t laugh. But I can tell you how fast you need to make a dental appointment when you get to Maple Falls.”

It feels like it takes more than ten minutes to coax her, but she finally rewards me with a teeny-tiny, kinda toothy grin. I say kinda toothy because yes, part of her front tooth is for sure missing and the woman needs more than a chiclet shoved in there to make it all better.

“Is it bad?” she asks, her voice barely above a whisper, like she’s bracing for a hurricane of bad news.

“It’s…” I pause, searching for the right words. What do you tell someone you’ve just met who is obviously not thrilled about losing half a tooth? “It’s not bad, but it’s not great either.”

Her face crumples like I just confessed that I let her puppy run away. “Why,” she groans, pressing her lips closed and throwing herself against the back of the seat. Her head tips back dramatically, like she’s auditioning for a soap opera. “No, I do not need this right now.”

I bite back a grin, because this? This is comedy gold. I mean, it’s not funny for her, but watching someone overreact to a chipped tooth like it’s the end of the world? Hard not to find the humor.

“Nobody’s even going to notice,” I say, trying to sound sincere but probably failing. “You’ll be in Maple Falls, and everyone’s too busy looking at the trees and drinking cider to care about your teeth.”

Anne Kemp is a bestselling author of romantic comedies. She loves reading (and she does it ridiculously fast, too!), gluten-free baking (because everyone needs a hobby that makes them crazy), and finding time to binge-watch her favorite shows. She grew up in Maryland but made Los Angeles her home until she encountered her own real-life meet-cute at a friend's wedding where she ended up married to one of the groomsmen. For real.

Anne now lives on the Kapiti Coast in New Zealand, and even though she was married at Mt. Doom, no…she doesn’t have a Hobbit. However, she and her husband do have a terrier named George Clooney and when she’s not writing, she’s usually with them taking a long walk on the river by their home.

You can find Anne on her website - come say hi! She’d love to hear from you: www.annekemp.com

Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Instagram / TikTok


Checking Mr. Wrong Blitz

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Friday, August 29, 2025

Cover Reveal: Cruelest Contract by Cora Bent

CRUELEST CONTRACT BY CORA BRENT
Release Date: September 10th
Genre/Tropes: Arranged Marriage / Dark Western/Mafia / My Wife’ Obsession / Twisted Surprises / Gothic Atmosphere
Cover Art: Cover Couture

Check out this STUNNING cover!!

We are honored to reveal the cover for the upcoming release of CRUELEST CONTRACT by @CoraBrentAuthor !
This arranged marriage, dark western/mafia romance will be releasing on September 10th!


WHAT TO EXPECT:
Think of this dark western mafia romance as The Sopranos move to Yellowstone. 
*Bookish Introverted Accountant and Morally Grey Ranch Boss 
*Arranged Marriage 
*Dark Western/Mafia 
*‘My Wife’ Obsession 
*Twisted Surprises 
*Gothic Atmosphere
There are four of them. 
Four brothers in the Tempesta family, one of the most dreaded Mafia names in the world. 
And I’ve been ordered to choose which one I’ll marry. 
This sacrifice is the cost of my twin brother’s survival and I’ll pay it without hesitation. 
For years I’ve tried to escape my family’s criminal legacy. 
I should have understood this was always a fantasy. 
It doesn’t matter that I moved to a different city or that I changed my name and stayed far away from the chaos I was born to. 
In the end, I cannot outrun the obligations of blood.
With my brother’s life on the line, I’ll honor the deal that promises to keep him safe. 
As a cruel favor, I’m allowed to pick which one of the fearsome Tempesta brothers I’ll walk down the aisle with. 
One week among them is all the time I’m given to make up my mind. 
Just one week in their vast ranch fortress in a remote corner of Wyoming to decide which of these formidable men I’ll agree to marry. 
They are all different. 
All gorgeous and seductive. 
And all uniquely challenging in their own way. 
But one of them stands out and fascinates me to the point of obsession. 
Years ago, Julian Tempesta saved my life and now our intense physical attraction is undeniable. Julian, as the charismatic eldest brother, is also the natural leader and protector, not a man who intends to use me and then callously crush my heart to pieces. 
When Julian says this marriage will be real, I believe him. 
I’m in far too deep by the time I understand the truth. 
I’ve foolishly trapped myself in a devil’s bargain. 
And now my ‘husband’ will be my undoing…
Cora Brent was born in a cold climate and escaped as soon as it was legally possible. Now, she lives in the desert with her husband, two kids and a prickly pear cactus she has affectionately named ‘Spot’. Cora’s closet is filled with boxes of unfinished stories that date back her 1980’s childhood and all her life she has dreamed of being an author. Amazingly, she is now a New York Times and USA Today bestselling writer of contemporary romance and begs not to be awakened from this dream.
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Release Blitz: Enzo by Eva Winners

ENZO BY EVA WINNERS
Release date: August 29th
Genre/Tropes: Mafia Romance / Second Generation of Belles & Mobsters
Series: Legacy of Heathens Book 3
ENZO by Eva Winners is NOW LIVE!
Make sure to grab this all-new mafia romance TODAY! 
Marriage arrangements were nothing new in our world. Mine was sealed before I even took my first breath—an unbreakable pact forged to ensure peace between two powerful families.
I, Penelope DiMauro, was to be wed to the ruthless heir to the Omertà criminal empire, Enzo Marchetti, on Christmas Day. 
We uttered our vows “Till death do us part…” and just like that, I became his. His wife. His possession.
My husband was beautiful, his rough hands and filthy mouth commanding my body. He stole my firsts with seduction and deceit, drawing me into his world until resistance felt like a lie. 
Our days full of banter and resentment turned into blissful nights. Soon, it became painfully clear there was a razor-thin line between love and hate.
And we were about to cross it.
As secrets unraveled, one question remained: would my husband be my forever or would I be his end?
Eva Winners released her first novel Second Chance At Love in 2020 and has been writing feverishly ever since. She writes about everlasting romance for every century focusing on characters emotional development and always guarantees an HEA. She loves yoga, wine and her kiddos. In her spare time, she seeks adventures either hiking through trails, yoga or exploring the beaches. Writing books has always been her passion and she brings real life to the forefront in everything she writes about. Deeply passionate characters and stories will draw you in and you'll never want to leave. Follow her on social media to stay up to date with all her new releases!
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Thursday, August 28, 2025

Excerpt Reveal: The House Guest by Penelope Ward

Title: The House Guest
Author: Penelope Ward
Genre: Standalone Contemporary Romance
Tropes: Billionaire Hero/Roommates/Twist
Slow Burn/Angsty/Opposites Attract
Release Date: August 31, 2025
From New York Times bestselling author Penelope Ward comes a new, STANDALONE contemporary romance…

The last thing Dorian Vanderbilt expected was to find me painting in my crop top when he returned to the mansion he hadn’t inhabited in years.
He was understandably surprised I’d turned his living room into an art space.
Life is certainly full of surprises, though, but not always in a good way.
I learned that lesson when my aunt and the billionaire she married died unexpectedly while traveling.
I’d been living with them, and just like that, my life was turned on its axis.
Unsure of what was next, I stayed alone at the barren estate figuring out my next move.
That was when Dorian—the late billionaire’s only son—showed up.
I’d never met Dorian Vanderbilt. He’d been living on the other side of the country.
But now, he was home, left to pick up the pieces of his father’s legacy.
Not only was Dorian devastatingly handsome and mysterious, but he was the sole heir to the Vanderbilt fortune.
He didn’t seem to like me—at first. We were total opposites. But I was grateful that at least he didn’t kick me out.
We stayed out of each other’s way for the most part, save for some late-night kitchen run-ins or unexpected bonding sessions in the home theater.
Over time, though, we grew closer. Turned out, our chemistry was pretty combustible.
I was falling in love with him.
Until everything I thought I knew turned upside down yet again.
And fate left me pining for the one man I’d ever loved.

$3.99 for a limited time!
AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU

Will be FREE to read in Kindle Unlimited

The current paperback pre-order is for the special-edition “ocean” cover only. A model-cover paperback will be live on release day.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT
BILLIONAIRE HERO
ROOMMATES
TWIST
SLOW BURN
ANGSTY
OPPOSITES ATTRACT
Copyright © 2025
By Penelope Ward

Eventually, I was able to put Dorian out of my mind and continue my movie night for one. Pulp Fiction was almost finished when the theater door opened again.
I turned to find Dorian entering—alone.
“Is it over?” he asked.
My pulse raced as I paused the movie. “About ten minutes left.”
Without further comment, he took the seat next to me, sinking into the chair and stretching his long legs. He closed his eyes and let out a long sigh. His delicious cologne wafted my way, sending unwanted arousal through me. I pressed play on the movie, hoping to move out of this hyper-aware state.
“Where’s your date?” I asked after the movie finished and she still hadn’t reappeared.
“She left.”
“Is she a…girlfriend or…?”
“Definitely not,” he said, staring at the screen.
“Someone you hook up with?” I pried.
He turned to me. “You always this nosy?”
“Well, we are stepcousins,” I teased. “You can tell me anything.”
“We go way back, don’t we? So much I nearly kicked you out when I got here.”
“Details…” I shrugged.
He chuckled. “She’s someone I used to hook up with when I lived here years ago. Thought it might be interesting to reconnect with her, but I was grossly mistaken.”
“Why? What was wrong with her?”
“Nothing wrong with her. I was just bored out of my wits. It’s probably me that’s changed more than anything. That happens when you leave home, I guess.” He reached for some popcorn. “Anyway…found myself more in the mood to watch Pulp Fiction than I was to make pointless conversation with her.”
“I can start it over, if you want to watch from the beginning.”
“Nah.” He shook his head. “But I’ll watch another movie with you, if you’re down.”
Ohhhkay.
Hesitant excitement washed over me. I’d been pretty lonely lately if the idea of having someone to watch a movie with felt exhilarating. But at the same time, this was Dorian Vanderbilt—not exactly someone I could relax around yet. But I sure as hell wasn’t going to say no.
I finally nodded. “That’d be cool.”
“You choose.”
“Well…” I took a moment to think on it. “If you were in the mood to watch Pulp Fiction, maybe another Tarantino?”
He scratched his chin. “Actually, have you ever seen Snatch?”
“Guy Ritchie, right?” I nodded. “I’ve heard of it but never watched it.”
“His style reminds me of Tarantino. I think you’ll enjoy it. Would you want to watch that?”
“Yeah.” I nodded, impressed with his effort to think of a movie I would like.
Dorian went over to the laptop and pulled up the film, then returned to the seat next to me. He reclined his chair as I pressed play on the remote. He once again stretched out his long legs.
For the next couple of hours, we watched the movie intently, neither of us saying a word until it finished. That was exactly how I liked it. But he did look over to see my reaction at certain parts, which I also liked. Any nervousness I’d had dissipated as the movie went on. And I certainly couldn’t complain about sitting close to him, since he smelled like heaven. I hadn’t been out with a member of the opposite sex in what seemed like ages. Sitting this close to an attractive man made me miss dating, even if the man sitting next to me currently was out of my league.
When the credits came on the screen, he reached for the remote and lowered the volume. “What did you think?”
“It was awesome. I love movies where you don’t know what to expect, and the power dynamic can change at the drop of a hat.”
“Ah…sort of like how you suddenly had the power when I discovered you could control those dogs?”
“Maybe, yeah.” My mouth curved into a smile.
“They actually like me now. But they did not like Savannah.”
“Savannah was your date tonight?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Tess saved me, actually. She helped me get out of the rest of the date.”
“What do you mean?”
“I wanted to end the night early and had been thinking up an excuse. Then Tess rubbed her asshole on Savannah’s shoe as we were standing in the foyer. She decided right then and there she wanted to call it a night.”
I cracked up. “Saved by the asshole.”
“Exactly. It was perfect.”
“Did you drive her home?”
“I called her a car.”
“Well, I’m sorry again if I disrupted your evening.”
“Trust me, I had more fun watching the movie with you than I would’ve sitting through whatever sappy film she picked.” He sighed. “And…I’m sorry if she was rude to you. She was probably just intimidated.”
“Intimidated? Why?”
He glared. “Really? You’re gonna make me say it?”
“Sure.” I smirked.
“Because you’re attractive…” His eyes fell to my abs. “And you seem to have no other wardrobe besides crop tops.”
Penelope Ward is a New York Times, USA Today and #1 Wall Street Journal bestselling author of contemporary romance.

She grew up in Boston with five older brothers and spent most of her twenties as a television news anchor. Penelope resides in Rhode Island with her husband, son, and beautiful daughter with autism.

With millions of books sold, she is a 21-time New York Times bestseller and the author of over forty books. Her novels have been translated into over a dozen languages and can be found in bookstores around the world.
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Tuesday, August 26, 2025

Release Boost: Gilded Lies by Sara McClaflin


GILDED LIES
Sara McClaflin
Release Date: August 21
AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED
I married the wrong man.

I chose safety—until my soulmark flared to life at my sister’s Infernal Union and shattered the illusion.

It didn’t burn for my husband.

It burned for a stranger with a devil’s grin and blood on his hands.

Owen Duvain is a demon cloaked in charm, a walking curse dressed in tailored control. His touch ignites the mark on my skin. His gaze sees the parts of me I’ve hidden from everyone else.

But he’s dangerous. Secretive. Bound to deals inked in darkness and debts still waiting to be paid.

Every instinct tells me I made vows—and I shouldn’t break them.

Even if I’m starting to forget why I made them in the first place.

Now my certainty is slipping, my world splintering, and the man I married is becoming someone I don’t recognize.

Owen doesn’t ask me to choose him.

The bond already has.
Sara McClaflin, a dedicated author of romance, crafts tales that are not only heart-melting but also delve into the delicate facets of humanity. Having spent the past few years as an avid reader, Sara transitioned from writing book reviews to creating her own narratives. Her passion for romance, in all its diverse forms, shines through as she weaves stories that resonate with readers.

Residing on the vibrant west coast with her husband and beloved dog, Sara McClaflin is surrounded by the inspiration of nature and the love of her family. In her world, there is no such thing as too many books or an overfilled "want to read" list, as each story unfolds new possibilities and adventures.

To find out about Sara McClaflin’s upcoming releases and giveaways, sign up for her newsletter here

For more information on Sara McClaflin and her books visit: https://linktr.ee/saramcclaflin

Connect with Sara McClaflin:
hello@authorsaramcclaflin.com
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