Wow. We're barely halfway through the month and it has been utterly crazy. Mr. Stevens had foot surgery and has been practically immobile for the last two weeks. (The doctor wants him to move as little as possible to make sure the procedure "takes".) We've had a number of birthdays in the extended family and, of course, all the children's activities.
So, how did Mr. Stevens and I celebrate Valentine's Day?
We didn't.
I know what you're thinking: How is it that a romance writer forgot to celebrate one of the most romantic days of the year? But, to be honest, we have never celebrated it. Our first Valentine's Day was only a few weeks after we had started dating and both of us felt it was too soon to celebrate with the traditional chocolates and flowers. Somehow, that turned into us never wanting to celebrate it.
How about you? How did you celebrate the holiday?
Hartfield Chronicles
Melinda and Pat are both happy to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. But when rumors of Pat and another girl appear in the celebrity gossip columns, his relationship with Melinda is tested.
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Friday.
Here's what you've missed
Episode 70: Melinda has an awkward conversation with Pat's father about her relationship
Episode 71: Melinda and Pat discuss Melinda's concerns about their relationship
Reviews from Ashleigh's Bookshelf
For young adult readers
Chase: The Boy Who Hid
Z Jeffries
Chase is angry. While everyone believes his grandad is dead, he knows the truth: Grandad is just missing. Since no one believes him, it's up to him to lead the search. Unfortunately, that means taking his spot in a top-secret government game of hide and seek, gaining the trust of the team, and maybe even interviewing the enemy. All without getting himself killed. Piece of cake, right?
For romance readers
Better Beginnings
Cyprus Hart
After breaking up with her boyfriend, Leigh just wants to get as far away from LA as possible. Small town Maine seems like the perfect place. After being surrounded by fake people looking out for themselves, she is shocked by the realness of her new neighbors, who seem to look after each other. Except Ulysses. The bearded lumberjack just doesn't seem to like Leigh, and that doesn't sit right with her. Can she win him over, or will finding out his secret be too painful? For both of them.
Free Books
R + J Sucks
Shakespeare's beloved tragedy
retold California style
Vampires. Romance. ENCHILADAS?
Teenagers. Romance. Vampires.
R+J v.1: When immortality is the be all, end all of Capulet family, can Juliet escape her ancestry to live happily ever after? A boy from the wrong side of the tracks, Romeo is forbidden to cross into Capulet territory, but how long can he resist when all that beckons him is gold and prosperity? Will he realize in time that all that wealth was amassed in blood, or will he sway to Juliet's overpowering natural charisma?
R+J v.2: The Capulets have plans for Juliet, a rare natural-born vampire. She must marry Paris and continue the bloodline. But how can she when she's fallen for a human? Such a love is forbidden, and her cousin Tybalt is sure to "discourage" Romeo Montague. Unsettled by this unholy union, the Montagues are ready to defend their family, and Romeo's soul.
R+J v.3: With Romeo facing his entire family being hunted by the vampire Royal Guard, it's up to him and Juliet to fight for their happiness. Fearing the downfall and disgrace of her own family, Juliet must choose love or immortality. Will the Montagues save themselves from the wrath of the Capulets? Or will Paris ensure the downfall of Romeo and his clan?
Two households, both of great dignity, In fair Verona, where we lay our scene, from ancient grudge breaks new mutiny, and civil blood makes civil hands unclean....
Buried By A Secret
Set against the backdrop of a massive alien invasion, this story focuses on a young couple with a secret that creates distrust and a plot to uncover the truth.
Will the truth be discovered on the day the world burns?
On the day 100,000 humans were taken from Earth, chaos befell every corner of the globe. The story of Graham Shears, taken from Chicago, IL, is told in the first chapter of The Shattered Gate (novel by Eric R. Swanson).
Buried by a Secret is a companion short story that follows a pair of young lovers in Tokyo as they discover something that kept a distance between them, unspoken.
BONUS CONTENT! The first chapter of The 'Shattered Gate' is included free!
The Disposables
Bruno Johnson, Cop-Turned-Con, Saves "Disposable" Kids in this Fast-Moving Thriller
THE DISPOSABLES is the first book in the bestselling Bruno Johnson thriller series.
Bruno Johnson, a tough street cop, member of the elite violent crime taskforce, feared by the bad guys, admired by the good, finds his life derailed when a personal tragedy forces him to break the law. Now he's an ex-con and his life on parole is not going well. He is hassled by the police at every opportunity and to make matters even more difficult, his former partner, Robby Wicks, now a high-ranking detective, bullies him into helping solve a high-profile crime - unofficially, of course.
Meantime, Bruno's girlfriend, Marie, brings out the good, the real Bruno, and even though they veer totally outside the law, he and Marie dedicate themselves to saving abused children, creating a type of underground railroad for neglected kids at risk -- disposable kids. What they must do is perilous as they step far outside the law, battling a warped justice system and Bruno's former partner, with his own evil agenda.
Would you like some free books in exchange for an honest review?
Want more free books? Check out these giveaways!
Other Books on Sale
Cross Country Hearts
A Sweet YA Enemies to Lovers Romance
Her sister is the bride. His cousin is the groom. This love story involves two enemies, one car, and an epic road trip.
June's sister, April, is getting married. The lucky guy? A businessman whose cousin is Jasper King, the art maniac loner of her high school.
The hate between them is mutual, but they can't avoid one another before the wedding. That becomes impossible when the two are thrown together into a car and forced to drive down the East Coast from Boston to Jacksonville for the wedding.
The two embark on an unlikely truce and road trip, which brings them from art museums in New York to Hersheypark in Pennsylvania, and down to the Coca-Cola Museum in Atlanta. Along the way June must reevaluate her relationship to Jasper, which is that of bully and victim, and she must contend with her past actions. Sparks fly and ignite, and what happens next will go down in road trip history.
Dreamers Destiny
Dreamers Saga Book 1
Marco and Alyssa have a once in a lifetime kind of love. The problem - he is literally the man of her dreams. Marco is part of a mythical race known as Dreamers. His job as a Dream Walker is to guide mortals to their dreams and Alyssa is one of his charges.
The opposite of a Walker is a Runner - someone that pushes their charges into nightmares. When Marco comes face-to-face with the Runner assigned to Alyssa, his love for her is threatened.
Will love conquer all? Find out in this first installment of the Dreamers Saga. Join Marco in the dream realm and Alyssa in the mortal world as they navigate dreams, nightmares, and the love that brought them together.
Cupcakes and Crime
Gold Valley Mysteries Book 1
The grand opening of Magnolia Winery is sure to make a splash until the General Manager is found dead in the wine cellar. Sophia Bell, owner of Mama Ginger's Bakery and a not very skilled kitchen witch, is hired to cater the highly anticipated event.
But the job is no icing on the cake, especially when she winds up as the prime suspect in the murder investigation.
Her mother's legacy on the line, Sophia launches her own investigation. With the help of her southern assistant, some honesty magic, and two fluffy dogs, Sophia uncovers a secret she never thought possible.
A murderer is living in Gold Valley, and Sophia is next on the list.
January was a crazy month, am I right? I don't know about you, but we were hit with a couple major snowstorms (with another one expected this weekend). During the last one, we rearranged the house a little and I now have a desk for the first time in over a decade. (No more using the kitchen table!) I joined Instagram and TikTok, so feel free to follow me there. And, oh yeah.
I published a book!
Elephant On My Chest
He's the vile boy next door. Who also knows her biggest secret.
Sixteen-year-old Izzy is excited about the all-school ski trip. She is looking forward to learning to ski, even if she will be the only one on the bunny hill. Of course, she has to first make it through a five-hour bus ride with the vilest—albeit cutest—boy in school. And survive the roommates who keep breaking her one rule: "No sleeping with your boyfriend in my bed!"
When an unexpected power outage triggers a panic attack, Izzy is forced to tell Pug her biggest secret. She's even more surprised to learn his, spending the rest of the long weekend looking at her enemy in a new light.
But their secrets are nothing compared to the one Izzy's mother has been keeping for sixteen years. When Izzy discovers the truth, she must learn to confront her panic disorder or else live with the elephant sitting on her chest.
Warning: This book describes panic attacks. If this will trigger you, this book may not be for you.
Now available
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Hartfield Chronicles
Melinda and Pat are both happy to celebrate Thanksgiving with their families. But when rumors of Pat and another girl appear in the celebrity gossip columns, his relationship with Melinda is tested.
Hartfield Chronicles follows the lives of Melinda, Pat, and their friends as they navigate their way through boarding school life. Each episode features two stories, one from Melinda's point of view and one from Pat's, along with an excerpt from Melinda's writing journal. New episodes are published every Friday.
Episode 69: When Melinda sees Pat kiss another girl, she starts to question their relationship.
Reviews from Ashleigh's Bookshelf
For mystery readers
Up to No Gouda
Linda Reilly
After the death of her husband, Carly has moved back to her small Vermont hometown to pursue her life-long dream: opening a restaurant that specializes in grilled cheese. Despite the fact business is booming, her new landlord decides not to renew her lease. When her best employee becomes the prime suspect in a murder, Carly embarks to prove her friend's innocence, maybe saving her shop in the process.
For children
Roosevelt Banks and the Attic of Doom
Laurie Calkhoven
illustrated by Debbie Palen
Ten-year-old Roosevelt Banks can't wait for summer. Mom will be working, his little sister will be at day care, and it will be a SUMMER OF DAD. Unfortunately, his father already has plans -- remodeling THE ATTIC OF DOOM into Roosevelt's new bedroom. Can Roosevelt convince them this is a bad idea? Or will he be forced to move in with the ghosts that want to take over his body?
Free Books
The Altruism Trail
An adventure chapter book follows a self-centered, entitled boy as he crash-lands on an island and slowly learns the importance of selflessness and altruism.
Could crashing a plane fix his problem?
Riley Pickering knows he'll be the next Sidney Crosby so it is expected everyone should cater to him, take care of his needs, and worship the ground he walks on. In addition, he has no patience for school, Science, Mme. Capretta, the French language or following rules. However, when a Science Project goes horribly wrong, Riley finds himself in the middle of the Pacific, stranded on an island scrambling to find ways to survive. When he meets two teenagers who are in a similar predicament, he begins to question whether he accidentally landed on the island, or whether he was intentially sent there.
The Broken Heart
True love never did run smooth ~ but there is a price to pay for giving up
When Ashley catches Daniel with another woman in a compromising situation, her love is deeply shaken, and she questions the bedrock of their relationship. To find herself and heal her broken heart, she comes to Settler’s Ridge, a remote mountain village in New Zealand. Falling in love with the slower pace of village life, she has to rethink her values and what’s important to fight for.
Can Daniel redeem himself and prove that he’s the victim of a set-up? He realizes their ten-year relationship is at stake and asks his friend Mark, a private investigator, to help him. They’re faced with unraveling a string of incidences that get increasingly more serious and life-threatening. When things get heated, all he wants is to keep Ashley safe … but can he?
Parents Don't Approve
Kidnapping mystery of a privileged teen
This story explores the lengths people are willing to go for passion and conviction, for hatred and vengeance. It also reconnoiters the blessedness of determination and zeal in the quest for justice and demystification.
Marcus with a die-hard determination to pursue a career as a private investigator leaves his job as an officer behind. Just while the consequences of his actions begin to dawn on him as he roams the streets of Nebraska, jobless, broke and hungry, luck smiles on him.
There has been a kidnapping. An old college friend reaches out to Marcus about his rich uncle whose son had just been kidnapped. Without earlier knowledge on the dangers of the perils and uncertainties of this investigative adventure, Marcus dives in without a second thought. For he must prove to himself, and his doubtful mother, that he knows his onions.
Marcus' genius is tested as he evaluates the case of the abduction of a college student from a rich home. There are almost no clues left in his search, as this kidnapping seems to have been the work of an evil mastermind. Everything seems to point in the opposite direction. The clues he finds in his search for the young, endangered boy keep pointing him back to where his search had begun – the wealthy Cromwell family.
There is a whole underbelly of betrayal, past violence and murder that finally blows open. And for the first time, edges this new PI, Marcus, in the right direction in his investigation. Would Marcus be able to connect the dots? Will he be quick enough before someone else gets killed?
This story explores the lengths people are willing to go for passion and conviction, for hatred and vengeance. It also reconnoiters the blessedness of determination and zeal in the quest for justice and demystification. This story is worth the read, and it would take you on a thrilling voyage through the criminal underworld and the efforts and exploits of hero-detectives who come along to restore order.
Would you like some free books in exchange for an honest review?
Want more free books? Check out these giveaways!
Other Books on Sale
Hey, Brown Girl
17-year-old Raven Jamison, and her three best friends, Nia, Jasmine, and Trinity, make up The Brown Girls Club. The girls spend long and carefree days in their bayou town of Lake Lacroix, nestled behind the big city of New Orleans.
A dinner time knock at the door abruptly changes everything.
When child protective services descend on their doorstep dropping off her younger cousin Carter, Raven is suddenly thrust into a brand new reality. Generational ties that affected the entire family for decades soon resurface. Carter’s presence rips at the Jamison household, and his aggressive and shocking behaviors may prove too much to handle for this seemingly picture perfect family. Raven, her family and friends must work together to overcome their shared pain and help Carter find his voice before it’s too late.
Hey, Brown Girl is a compelling and thought-provoking young adult novel about struggle, forgiveness and hope. When this Melanin rich family finds strength in their shared bonds, it’s undeniable proof… love conquers all.
Silver Silence
Warriors of Valose Saga 6
Vallon
War with the gray invaders was imminent, and an even bigger threat loomed beyond the stars. We had obtained more powerful weapons and had a spacecraft at our disposal. For the first time in Valosian history, all three clans had reached a temporary accord to fight as one for the good of our world. Even with all that, it still might not be enough.
I worried over the survival of my species, and even more so for the future of the abducted human females—especially one in particular. My Elise—the one who awakened me—had a disability, making her more vulnerable than the others in my dangerous world. It would be a great honor to be her protector as she was my only light in the impending darkness that was to come. I knew she felt the yearning of her spirit to join with mine, but she held herself back, and I had been too afraid of her answer to ask why.
As I watched her form silent words with elegant hands, a smile glided across my face. I felt like a fool to have not thought of this before, but what my spirit mate referred to as a disability on her world could be the key to winning the war on mine.
Elise
Vallon was in complete possession of my heart. His eyes drank me in as if he couldn't get enough of the sight of me. There was nothing I wanted more than to bond with him and be his spirit mate, but with my disability, I was a serious liability. I knew he would die trying to protect me, and his world was a most dangerous place. I couldn't allow him to give his life for mine.
Not only that, but he was of another species—one that lives considerably longer than mine. Now that we knew babies were possible on Valose, what if I was taking away his chance of finding a mate in a female closer to his own species?
A Thief in Stickleback Hollow
The Mysteries of Stickleback Hollow Book 1
She can’t believe her parents are gone. But the noblewoman’s arrival in England has exposed a mysterious conspiracy that stretches across the British Empire.
Lady Sarah Montgomery Baird Watson-Wentworth is still grieving her mother and father’s death at the hand of an ugly fever when she has to leave everything behind. Leaving her birthplace in India and navigating London’s stiff and starch Victorian society has only compounded her grief and brought further frustrations. An invitation to a sleepy rural estate on the border of a quaint country village seemed like the perfect escape. That is until a thief triggers events that turns everything she ever knew upside down.
Unconvinced by the fingers pointing at the surly, but handsome groundskeeper as the thief, Lady Sarah can’t help but search for the truth, with a local constable to help her in her hunt. But with shady characters lurking down every leafy lane, and a perilous secret buried somewhere in her late father’s belongings, the determined peeress could be poking a very large hornet’s nest.
Can this clever aristocrat unmask a crook before she loses her most treasured heirlooms?
