Kandi Cain inherited her Dr. Doolittle abilities from her
grandmother and became a psychic pet detective. To her dismay, she just
acquired the power to communicate with the spirit world, but dead people give
her the willies.
Just when Kandi thought her life couldn’t get more complicated, the neighbor
from hell moved in next door. The nasty guy’s name is Dutch Callaghan. How can
someone so gorgeous be such a dick? Kandi could chalk some of it up to his job.
Dutch is a Phoenix PD homicide cop.
Kandi’s current case is rescuing a Yorkie from a brutal dog fighting ring.
Little does she know her dog napping suspect is involved in a series of brutal
murders. Disguised as an elderly nun, Kandi rescues the Yorkie and, in the
process, blows the hell out of Dutch’s undercover operation.
Kandi now finds herself a person of interest in her client’s murder and her
sexy-as-hell, pain-in-the-butt neighbor is in hot pursuit of the Ninja Nun. Is
Dutch about to slap the cuffs on? Only time will tell.
Lions and tigers and skunks, oh my! Kandi Cain’s a psychic
pet detective. Her cases range from wrangling baby goats, to finding lost
critters. Her current case is rescuing a lion from a Nigerian warlord. Kandi
knew dressing up as a demonic clown and walking a lion down a city street would
freak people out. But, wow! She didn’t expect Armageddon.
The hot as hell Detective Dutch Callaghan’s on her trail again and showing more
than a professional interest. Kandi’s talents have attracted the attention of a
CIA black ops agent who wants her to steal twelve endangered white tigers from
a Pakistani warlord. The mission’s crucial to prevent a terrorist attack.
Wait! What? Terrorists? What had she gotten herself into? Kandi wasn’t a
superhero. She couldn’t bend steel with her bare hands, and she wasn’t faster
than a speeding bullet. She’s Doctor Doolittle. She talks to the animals and
occasionally the dead.
Howdy. My name is Gail Koger and once upon a time I was a
9-1-1 dispatcher. Too many years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre
behavior and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an
uncontrollable craving for chocolate. I took up writing science fiction romance
to keep from killing people. So far, it has worked.
The Vacation Bubble: A Second Chance Romantic Comedy Marcella Steele (To Barcelona with Love Trilogy, #1) Publication date: September 1, 2025 Genres: Adult, Comedy, Contemporary, Romance
Readers’ Favorite Perfect for fans of Beach Read, The Unhoneymooners, and Part of Your World—this witty second chance romance is a sun-drenched escape with heart, heat, and humor.
A fling wasn’t on her vacation itinerary. Neither was falling in love with the one man she’d already run from.
Romance has ghosted, gaslit, and gone full Shakespearean tragedy on Sofia Drake. She’s officially a one-woman rom-com with no third act in sight, ready to bolt if love sneaks up on her again.
Freshly dumped and jobless, Sofia is mid-pity-party (yes, wine and ice cream are involved) when a friend drags her to a job fair. If she’d known how a chance meeting would blow up her carefully constructed life, she would’ve stayed home. One look into Ryan Hunter’s crystal blue eyes and she can tell he’s trouble. He’s gorgeous, charming, and way too young. He’s also the first man in years to make her feel a real, rocket-exploding kind of heat. But when the jet-setting Ryan invites her on a spontaneous trip to Barcelona, Sofia does what she does best: she runs.
It takes a kick from her best friend (a “get a life” lecture) to move Sofia out of her comfort zone and onto a plane to Barcelona—alone. No men, no pressure, just a solo adventure. At least… until she runs straight into the one man she swore she’d never see again.
Now, Ryan is offering to be her personal tour guide, and Sofia is breaking her own ‘no men’ rule for a new one: keep it vacation-only. Sun, sangria, and maybe a little sizzle. They make a pact for the summer: Thirty days—no falling in love, no risky complications. Really.
Sometimes the best adventures happen when you finally stop running from what scares you the most.
“The Vacation Bubble will resonate with readers who crave wanderlust, sizzling chemistry, and second chances.” Readers’ Favorite
Sofia – the meet cute#1 San Francisco job networking event
It was his voice I heard first—deep, with a sexy tone that rumbled through me.
“I’m in the mergers and acquisitions department. Possibly you’re acquainted with the bank?” he asked the balding man next to him. “It’s a global company whose headquarters are located here in San Francisco and in London. We’re looking for fresh talent, someone with experience in finance. The organization has an excellent training program.”
The line moved up, but I hung back, waving at people to take the place in front of me. Obvious? A few sideways glances confirmed that my chivalry wasn’t going unnoticed.
His voice came from my right, only a few feet away. I shifted in my high heels and casually pretended to brush a piece of lint off my shoulder, then caught sight of him. It may have been only four or five seconds, but as my eyes raked across his features, time seemed to slow, as if watching a movie at half speed. To say he was gorgeous wouldn’t do him justice. That face belonged on the cover of GQ magazine. Tall, dark, and handsome with refined, perfectly symmetrical features, luscious full lips, and, God help me, a chiseled jawline resembling Adonis. That was the moment I knew I was in trouble.
He continued his pitch to the short man in a suit. The man wasn’t over thirty-five, but the back of his head was already thinning. Sexy guy stood over six feet tall, his bronzed olive skin and tousled dark curls effortlessly stylish without seeming overdone. Even his clothes were sexy, although it was more about the way they fit his frame. My eyes scanned him from bottom to top, taking in his leather shoes, indigo-blue designer jeans, a white-collared shirt, and a black sport coat cut close to his body, revealing broad shoulders that led to a slender waist in a V shape. When he raised his arm to retrieve a business card, his bicep bulged against the sleeve of his jacket. Holy shit.
A buzzing sound rang in my ears, muting the conversation, but I watched as his face broke into a wide smile, dimples forming like perfect punctuation marks on his cheeks. Without warning, his head swiveled a fraction to the right and his eyes caught sight of mine—sparkling, deep blue eyes that held me transfixed for a split second. Then, in one swift (not obvious at all) move, I brought my hand to my hair and, as I flicked it over my shoulder, my gaze shifted to the blond woman directly in front of me. Thank God I was next in line.
A flush bloomed on my face, not solely due to the hot flash racing up my neck. Stop right there, missy, I told myself. He’s too young, probably in his thirties. I’d never needed a drink so desperately. Forcing my view straight ahead, I ordered a gin and tonic when I reached the edge of the bar.
“Make it two, please,” his voice rang in my ear.
Author Bio:
Marcella Steele is an American author/screenwriter who now writes with her laptop precariously balanced on a café table in Barcelona, but can sometimes be found dreaming up stories on a terrace in Bali or on a balcony in Paris. Marcella champions the radical idea that women over forty are just getting started and her contemporary romance/women’s fiction novels celebrate love, passion, and self-discovery at any age. With her passion for travel, she delights in bringing the reader along to discover the magic of faraway places. When she’s not writing, she’s planning her next adventure or practicing her spins on a salsa dance floor.
A fun combination of critters, murder, mayhem, geriatric
shenanigans, and love.
Stilettos &
Whiskey
Deputy Gemma Stone #5
by
Gail Koger
Genre: Romantic
Comedy, Police Procedural, Action
#1 Best Seller in
Amazon’s Police Romance
My name may be Julie Garza, but I’m a member of the Stone
family through and through. I was only eight years old when my parents were
murdered and I came to live with them. It was then I vowed to make law
enforcement my life’s work and bring my birth parents’ killer to justice. But
I’ve been a Maricopa County Sheriff’s deputy for five years now, and so far,
that hasn’t happened.
My personal life isn’t much better. I’ve been in love with my adopted brother,
Lucas Stone, since I was thirteen, but he thinks of me more like an annoying
kid sister than a full-grown woman, but what can I do? I had gotten good at
suppressing my feelings until the kiss. For a brief moment, I thought he had
feelings for me too, until he puked on my sneakers.
Just when I thought things couldn’t get any worse. I find myself in the
crosshairs of a murderous deputy and my estranged grandfather gets released
from prison and promptly sues for custody of me. Hello? Did he forget I’m an
adult?
Law enforcement isn’t for the fainthearted. Are you brave enough to enter my
world? This time Armageddon is coming to Arizona.
What Readers
are saying:
“Stilettos and Whiskey was another high-octane
entertainment read from the Gemma Stone series that puts the romp in romantic
suspense.” – Sophia Rose, Reviewer
“This book is sooo good! I couldn't stop laughing, she
killed it with the humor. Armageddon was the best, the whole series was great,
a must read.” – Chris, Reviewer
“I love this entire series. The only complaint I have is
they are never long enough.
These books are full of riotous doings with women who own their femininity and
their badassery. Add in the kind of family we all wish we had, cops, Alpha
Dogs, bad guys, best friends, honor, shoot 'em ups, snark...the list goes on.
Whenever I need to forget life and grin I reread one of these books.” – Katy M,
Reviewer
Howdy. My name is Gail Koger and once upon a time I was a
9-1-1 dispatcher. Too many years of wild requests, screwy questions, bizarre
behavior and outrageous demands have left me with a permanent twitch and an
uncontrollable craving for chocolate. I took up writing science fiction romance
to keep from killing people. So far, it has worked.
The Decoy Girlfriend by Lillie Vale is a delightful romantic comedy featuring celebrity impersonation and a fake-dating scenario. This story had me smiling so much of the time. The premise got me from the start, and the author delivered just like she said she would.
Freya Lal’s follow-up novel to her successful debut book is due imminently, but with her inspiration level at zero, she’s nearing despair over honoring her commitment. Agonizing over her dilemma and staring at a blank laptop screen while watching her aunt’s bookstore, she’s even more distracted by the movie being shot on the street outside their doors that features a famous actress for whom Freya is frequently mistaken. While Freya has taken advantage of her physical similarity to Mandi Roy for small perks in the past, the idea of impersonating the hottest actress in town had never crossed her mind until Mandi’s co-star and Freya’s number one crush, Taft Bamber, walks through the bookstore doors.
I’m a sucker for the fake relationship story, true, but this one had a cool twist: one of the main characters is impersonating a celebrity. I also really enjoyed having the story told from the dual points of view of the two main characters and watching everything unfold from both angles.
Freya Lal was a delightful character. I liked her and felt bad about her agonizing problems trying to follow up on her early, early success with a new book – deadlines looming. Losing your mother is such a blow anyway, but when she is your main cheerleader, it would be particularly devastating.
Taft Bamber was hands-down charming and adorable. It was awful how he was treated by his “people.” It made me want to do some damage on his behalf. There are also several notable supporting characters.
I want to say that this is not a book for younger readers. There are very intimate scenes that are well done but not suitable for children.
I recommend THE DECOY GIRLFRIEND to romance readers who enjoy the fake dating/fake relationship plot, especially those featuring famous characters constantly in the spotlight, adding pressure to the situation.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advance Review Copy from the author or publisher through TBR and Beyond Book Tours.
Melody is a simple woman with simple needs that include good clean books, safe and intelligible television, and a job that she loves. As far as she’s concerned, she has everything she needs, including a beloved gig as the assistant librarian of her local public library. When a Winter Reads program turns chaotic and Melody is caught in the crossfires of a massive child-induced food fight, her dream job becomes a nightmare – a nightmare that continues into a snow-covered, accident-prone next day. After waking up to a sudden massive snowfall covering her town, she becomes the unwilling victim of a snowball fight between two identical twin brothers. Melody must then decide if she has met her very own Mister Right, or if her perfect life can handle an imperfect interruption. Lighthearted laughs and endearing moments fill this modern romantic comedy by humorist Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe.
CLICK TO PURCHASE!
This book will be on sale for $0.99 for the
duration of the tour.
As she walked, she read. While there were a lot of people around, it wasn’t very crowded. She didn’t worry about bumping into anybody or tripping over anything as long as she stayed on the paved pathways that circled around and wound through the city park. The pathways had plenty of snow covering them, but the people who had arrived before her did good work in trampling through and stomping down the snow that covered them.
Soon, all thoughts of her surroundings faded away into the background as Sally and her tale of love and life took over. Melody was at a really great part too. Sally, the protagonist, was single and twenty-five – close enough to Melody’s own age to make her very relatable. And there was this guy named Eric who worked at the same clothing store as Sally. Sally had found him attractive, and she hoped the same from him. At the start of the current chapter, Sally received a dozen red roses with an unsigned note card attached that says, “You look beautiful today.”
Melody gushed and paused in her step to just take in the moment. And, in that very moment, she heard a man shout, “I got it! I got it, bro!”
Looking up just in time to see a snowball nearing her face and a man leaping in front of it to try and catch it, Melody squealed. The snowball splattered against the man’s hand. The man lost his footing on the snow and fell backward. This caused him to impact with a startled Melody, plunging into her and knocking her down to the ground. Her bottom plopped down into the deep snow, and her elbows helped prevent her from landing flat and making it worse. Had she not been holding on to Roses for Sally for dear life, she surely would have damaged the book in the snow.
The man who collided into her landed just a foot or so in front of her and was pushing himself out of the snow while laughing. She watched him as he wiped the snow off himself, oblivious to her existence on the ground behind him. More than a bit insulted by the moment, she glared up at him.
“I told you I got it!” he shouted and laughed again. “Dude, did you see that block?”
“Yeah, bro,” yelled another voice. “But did you see what else you hit?”
“Huh?” the man asked. “What’d I hit?”
Melody watched him look over his shoulder and finally see her there on the ground behind him.
“Oh…” he muttered, looked blank for a moment, and then smiled and said, “Hi!”
GUEST POST:
Please welcome the author of our featured book, Jennifer Patricia O'Keeffe, to the blog today!
‘Smiles Brighten Rainy Days’
by Jennifer Patricia O'Keeffe
The reason I write romantic comedies is because I love
nothing more than to smile. To laugh. To be happy. That’s why I am a literary
humorist. I believe that joy opens us up to receive the greater things out of
life.
I wrote ‘Snowfall’ because I needed to smile. I needed to
laugh. I needed to be happy, but I wasn’t. I was depressed, which is not very
good for a humorist. Life around me had become different and chaotic. I’d
stopped writing after just beginning to build a steady fanbase. I was simply
going through the doldrums of each single day and into the next, off my path
and forgetting my dreams of goals.
Then, in late fall of last year, I had a serious heart to
heart with myself and reminded myself that the thing that makes me happiest in
life is writing and bringing joy to my readers. I sat myself down, opened up my
laptop, and wrote again for the first time in a long time.
That is how ‘Snowfall’ was born.
‘Snowfall’ is a book about a woman with a perfectly simple
life who believe she has everything she needs and doesn’t need anything more.
On one fateful morning, she awakens to a huge snowfall covering her city and
throwing a wrench in her day’s plans. It is then that her perfect, simple life
takes a series of heavy blows.
Her name is Melody, and she is strong and demonstrates this
throughout ‘Snowfall,’ taking on whatever life throws her way.
Through it all is what I do best – incorporating humor into everyday
life. Nothing feels better than a genuine smile, and the offer of that is what
‘Snowfall’ brings to the table.
If you’re expecting something along the lines of Amy Schumer
style romantic comedies, you won’t find that here. My romcoms are cleaner,
without the usage of foul language or explicit sex throughout. I believe in
leaving some things up to the imagination, and I believe the language in my
books shouldn’t offend my readers, no matter who they may be. I write light,
safe romantic comedies, and ‘Snowfall’ embodies that.
I enjoyed romantic comedies when I was a teenager, and I’ll
enjoy them when I’m old. That’s another reason my romcoms are appropriate for
most ages. They’re entertaining, plot driven, and – especially in the case of
‘Snowfall’ – they offer a realistic look at today’s young every-woman and a
glimpse of what today’s romance involves.
I can’t express how much I love this book, and I am
appreciative of this opportunity to explain why. If you need a smile on your
face… if you need to breathe a sigh of joy instead of a sigh of angst or
boredom… if you need someone to root for and to love who would love you and
root for you back, meet Melody. Enjoy her snowstorm adventure.
Thank you for enjoying this moment with me here at Guatemala
Paula Loves to Read Blog! I do hope you’ll take a chance on my style of
romantic comedies and read my latest release ‘Snowfall.’ I promise, it’ll put a
smile on your face and a tickle on your funny bone!
If you’re interested in reading more of my musings, or my
book reviews, movie reviews, or the occasional recipe or household tip I feel
the urge to share, please follow my blog at: https://singlegirlsguidetohappiness.blogspot.com/
Much Love and Many Laughs,
Jenn.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe is a humorist fiction author whose works include the stories My Name is Not Cupid, The Scent of a Man, and the beautifully reviewed thriller about a mother who would stop at nothing to save her child, Hot Chocolate on a Cold Winter’s Night, among others. Known for her quirky romantic comedies that feature realistic women of various ages and races and the trials and tribulations of adulting and dating, Jennifer’s writings allow real women to see themselves in her characters. Jennifer is also a proud LGBTQ+ ally and often features gay characters in her stories, including the tale All I Want is to be Happy, which features a wonderful gay protagonist. Jennifer, herself, is a single straight woman, still looking for love, and living with her cats in an apartment in Nashville, Tennessee.
Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
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SYNOPSIS:
All
Casey wanted was to have hot, mind-blowing sex with Hothar, her soul mate. That
little fantasy went up in smoke when she’s stuck babysitting a cowardly witch
who is the galaxy’s only hope of survival.
My gaze fixed
on a tall, brawny warrior dressed in a spiffy black uniform striding across the
landing pad. God, why did he seem so familiar? I eyed his short hair and beard.
He didn’t look Coletti. Maybe he was one of Zarek’s mercenaries. I mentally
scanned him, and my jaw dropped. “Oh, my God. Hothar?”
The warrior
stopped and turned to face me.
My affectionate
companion had turned into a cold-eyed stranger. My stomach tied in knots; I
walked over to him. “What happened to your warrior’s braids?
“I cut them
off.”
Color me
confused. Braids were an important part of a Coletti warrior’s identity. “Why?”
“I went
undercover as an Avicii mercenary.”
Which explained
his brown eyes. “And the beard?”
“It hides my
Coletti features.” Hothar’s gaze roamed over me. “You have not been eating
properly.”
“Gee, I wonder
why?”
“I must go.
Zarek awaits me.”
Talk about a
slap in the face. Was he that eager to get away from me? “Who do you think told
me where you were? Should I call you War Commander now or will Hot Lips still
do?”
The muscles in
Hothar’s jaw bunched. “I do not answer to Hot Lips.”
“Don’t I get a
hug, Hot Lips?”
Hothar’s hands
fisted. “I gave my word to Zarek that I would not touch you.”
“Well, I
didn’t.” I wrapped my arms around him. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“And I you.”
Pain squeezed
my heart at his cool, impersonal tone. He didn’t sound like he had missed me at
all. His body remained stiff and unyielding. My God, he hadn’t even smiled at
me. I took a step back and smacked his chest. “You’ve changed your mind about
us. That’s why you never wrote or called or linked with me.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I
was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from
going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is.
Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?”
And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really
couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The
woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree.
I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but
we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my
husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting
myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.
My
name is Gemma Stone. I’m a Maricopa County Sheriff’s Deputy and not only must I
deal with the sweat-soaked misery of the Arizona desert, I get to respond to a
bunch of crazy 9-1-1 calls all day long. Like a parakeet up a tree, or a car
accident where a tractor trailer full of fireworks is hit and the 4th of July
comes a bit early.
But
some days crime takes a deadly turn. Police cars are suddenly blowing up.
Detective Sergeant Dante Delgado, the love of my life, was assigned to track
down and stop the bomber. Am I worried? You betcha. There’s a madman on the
loose and he is very, very good at making bombs.
Just
when I thought things couldn’t get any worse, the Feds think I’m in cahoots
with an Iraqi warlord who deals in stolen antiquities, Ichabod, my murderous
ex-dance partner, escapes from prison and I’m suddenly in everyone’s
crosshairs.
Someone hit the service bell on the front counter
repeatedly.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Julie frowned. “What the hell?”
“Hey! I want my fucking gun back,” Chief yelled.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
My temper flared to life. “Enough is enough.” I threw open
the restroom door and stormed down the hallway.
Mom and Julie were right behind me.
Ding.
Ding.
Ding.
“It’s about fucking time. Did you hear me, or do I need to
repeat myself?” Chief bellowed.
Totally ignoring my throbbing lip, I gave him my Debbie
Sunshine smile. “I suggest you take it down a notch or I’ll be happy to arrest
you for disturbing the peace.”
Chief sneered. “You think I’m frightened by a bunch of
itty-bitty females?” His gaze crawled over my face. “And it’s obvious, you
can’t fight worth a damn.”
“Wanna find out?” I challenged.
Julie stepped up. “It’s my turn to deal with obstinate
jackasses who won’t listen to reason.”
“It’ll mean another arrest,” I pointed out.
Julie pulled out her cuffs. “If I book another prisoner, I
meet my quota for the day, and I’ll have enough points to get that toaster oven
I’ve been eyeing.”
“Oh, I thought you wanted the microwave?”
A perplexed frown on his face, Chief growled, “What the fuck
are you babbling on about?”
“Hey! Wait!” Frank edged in front of me. “I haven’t met my
quota for the day, let me take the arrest.”
Lucas elbowed Frank out of the way. “No, I want it. I almost
have enough points to get the fishing pole.”
“Oh, hell no. I need the arrest, before someone snags the
tool chest,” Jacob shot back.
Chief backed away from the counter. “You’re all fucking
nuts.” He turned on his heel and left.
“Come back tomorrow and talk with Sergeant Bergman,” Julie
yelled after him.
Dad grinned. “Bamboozling suspects is much more fun than
beating the crap out of them.”
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I
was a 9-1-1 dispatcher for the Glendale Police Department and to keep from
going totally bonkers – I mean people have no idea what a real emergency is.
Take this for example: I answered, “9-1-1 emergency, what’s your emergency?”
And this hysterical woman yelled, “My bird is in a tree.” Sometimes I really
couldn’t help myself, so I said, “Birds have a tendency to do that, ma’am.” The
woman screeched, “No! You don’t understand. My pet parakeet is in the tree.
I’ve just got to get him down.” Like I said, not a clue. “I’m sorry ma’am but
we don’t get birds out of trees.” The woman then cried, “But… What about my
husband? He’s up there, too.” See what I had to deal with? To keep from hitting
myself repeatedly in the head with my phone I took up writing.
For years I've been dreaming of a real Christmas back home. Tree trimming,
decorating, Christmas carols. What I wasn't expecting was Cole.
If I was to dream up the perfect man even my wildest imagination would have
fallen short compared to Cole Nichols.
Tall, broad shoulders, smile to die for and dreamy green eyes that held a
mischievous glint.
Add in a heart of gold, always helping others in need.
We had planned out every detail of our lives together…including his
dream of becoming a major league pitcher.
So when my gran got sick and I needed to take care of her, I gave him the
push he needed, breaking my heart, and his, in the process.
A decade, and a divorce later, I'm heading back home to start my life
over.
That new start begins with Christmas at my best friend’s
cabin…and the man I’ve done everything to leave behind.
Is Christmas past here to haunt me, or to bring a future I stopped letting
myself dream of?
This is a sweet, kisses only, holiday romantic comedy with a second chance,
close proximity, enemies to lovers, opposites attract, slow burn, and
happily ever after.
Best Selling, Award Winning Author Abby Greyson loves writing clean, kisses
only, sweet and swoony romance stories that invite people to remember what
it’s like to fall in love over and over and over again. Stories that
make you laugh, root for the main characters and wonder what they are doing
long after the book is finished.
On the days she isn’t reading or writing she enjoys spending lazy
days with her Mr. Wonderful, her two pups and watching the Buffalo Bills on
a football Sunday.
