The Compound - Spotlight!

 

The Compound 

by: Robin Mahle

About: The terrifying echo of my mother’s screams carry in the air. My baby sister has already been silenced.

Flames lick my back. Screams echo from those trapped inside. I’m running for my life. Down the stairs, taking the steps two at a time in my desperate escape.

As my foot finds the final step, I slip. The slick sensation underfoot is unmistakable — blood. My brother’s blood.

From upstairs, the man’s voice resonates through the house. “You think you can get away with what you’ve done?” His threat hangs in the air like a promise as I make my escape, leaving everyone else to die.

Now, twenty years later, I’m back in the small town in Iowa where I grew up. Where this all happened.

It’s the worst mistake I’ll ever make.

Author: Robin Mahle, Mystery and Suspense author, lives with her husband and two children in Virginia.

| Goodreads | Amazon | Author Page |

The Ghost Cat Spotlight

 The Ghost Cat by: Alex Howard

Early morning, 1902. At 7/7 Marchmont Crescent, Eilidh the charlady tips coal into a fire grate and sets it alight. Overhearing, Grimalkin the cat ambles over to curl up against the welcome heat and lick his favorite human’s hand. But this is to be his last day on earth…before he becomes the Ghost Cat.

Follow Grimalkin as he witnesses the changes of the next 120 years, prowling unseen among the inhabitants of an Edinburgh tenement while unearthing some startling revelations about the mystery of existence, the unstoppable march of time and the true meaning of feline companionship.

| Goodreads | Amazon |

Magical Meet Cute Spotlight

Magical Meet Cute by: Jean Meltzer

 Is he the real deal…or did she truly summon a golem?

Faye Kaplan used to be engaged. She also used to have a successful legal practice. But she much prefers her new life as a potter in Woodstock, New York. The only thing missing is the perfect guy.

Not that she needs one. She’s definitely happy alone.

That is, until she finds her town papered with anti-Semitic flyers after yet another failed singles event at the synagogue. Desperate for comfort, Faye drunkenly turns to the only thing guaranteed to soothe her—pottery. A golem protector is just what her town needs…and adding all the little details to make him her ideal man can’t hurt, right?

When a seriously hot stranger mysteriously turns up the next day, Greg seems too good to be true—if you ignore the fact that Faye hit him with her bike. And that he subsequently lost his memory…

But otherwise, the man checks Every. Single. Box. Causing Faye to wonder if Greg’s sudden and spicy appearance might be anything but a coincidence.

| Goodreads | Amazon | 

The Cat Who Chased Ghosts Spotlight

 

The Cat Who Chased Ghosts: A Magical Tale of Courage and Friendship

by: Nic Minnella

In a sleepy little town, an ordinary-looking cat hides an extraordinary secret that will transform his owners' lives forever.

When the Thompson family inherits a dilapidated old house, their overprotected son Timmy forms a strong bond with Whiskers—a chronically lazy tabby who's not what he seems.

As Timmy explores the house's mysteries, a chilling discovery puts his courage to the test. With the help of Whiskers and some newfound friends, he must face supernatural forces beyond his imagination and rescue a soul in peril.

The Cat Who Chased Ghosts is a tale of bravery, loyalty, and the magical power of friendship that will enchant readers of all ages, reminding us that sometimes the most extraordinary heroes come in the most unlikely packages.

Do you dare to follow Timmy and Whiskers into the shadows? Get your copy today and uncover the secrets of Haunted Hall.

Review: I was going to review this but- I have Phansmophobia! 

The Cat Who Chased Ghosts: A Magical Tale of Courage and Friendship by Nic Minnella | Goodreads

Red Spotlight

 

Title: Red #2

Author: M.K. Harkins

Description: The big, bad wolf is the least of her worries…

Breaking free from her homeschooled cocoon, Lily is ecstatic to head off to college. She’s waving goodbye to her mom’s doom-and-gloom speeches about the big, scary world, ready to embrace freedom without a care.

George is every girl’s dream—funny, smart, and handsome. But he’s still wrecked by the mysterious disappearance of his high school sweetheart. He yearns for closure but wallows in self-pity, pining for his lost love.

Sparks fly when Lily and George meet, and their mutual attraction is instantaneous. But George resists their electric connection and retreats. Frustrated by his repeated rejections, Lily is ready to walk away for good.'

Behind the scenes, an inexperienced fairy godmother teams up with an annoyingly handsome and arrogant guardian angel to stop Lily from ditching her true soulmate, George—a potentially catastrophic decision. While they debate their strategy, an enemy from George’s past devises a greedy and revengeful plot that could destroy everything. Can George save Lily, or will he suffer a lonely future—this time, forever?

When fairies, guardian angels, and mortals collide, anything can happen.

While this novel is a complete tale in itself, delving into the first book, Ashes, will enrich your understanding of the characters and their journey.

M.K. Harkins

Goodreads Author

Born

in Seattle, The United States

Website

http://mkharkins.com/

Twitter

mkharkins

Genre

Romance, Young Adult, Contemporary

Member Since

February 2013

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MK has always been a voracious reader. After hitting a dry spell of reading material, she decided to write the kind of book she'd like to read.

This resulted in the creation of her debut novel, Intentional. (Award for Best Sweet Romance - eFestival of Words- August 2014)

Unintentional, her second book, is based on the life of one of the characters in Intentional. Unintentional was written as a stand-alone book.

Breaking Braydon, Taking Tiffany, The Reader, The Jack, and Famous by Default have all been released on Amazon.

Ashes, the first book in a new series of modern-day fairy tale retellings, releases in May 2022. (Five more books in the series to follow)

When she's not writing novels, she likes to spend her free time traveling the world, splashing in mud puddles (She lives in Seattle, what can she say?), watching movies and reading (!)

She LOVES to hear from her readers!

mkharkins@hotmail.com
https://www.goodreads.com
https://twitter.com/mk_harkins
https://www.facebook.com/marilyn.well...

Info from Goodreads | Amazon |

Big Time Volume 1 & 2 Spotlight

 

Title: Big Time Volume 1

Author: Jennifer Estep

Description: New York Times bestselling author Jennifer Estep serves up action-packed, paranormal romance adventures with her Bigtime superhero series. Journey to a city that’s full of quirky, zany superheroes finding love while they battle over-the-top, evil ubervillains bent on world domination. Perfect for fantasy readers and comic book fans of Marvel Comics and DC Comics, along with the Wonder Woman show with Lynda Carter and the Batman show with Adam West.

The Bigtime Volume 1 includes the

Karma Girl—Book 1
After a surprising betrayal, investigative reporter Carmen Cole decides to devote her life to unmasking superheroes and ubervillains in Bigtime, N.Y. But her actions put her in the middle of a battle between the Fearless Five superhero team and the ubervillains of the Terrible Triad.

Hot Mama—Book 2
Fiona Fine is the hottest fashion designer in Bigtime—literally. That's because she moonlights as Fiera, a superhero with superstrength and volatile, fire-based powers. And with two new ubervillains in town, Fiona will need all of her powers just to survive.

A Karma Girl Christmas—Holiday novella
On Christmas Eve, Carmen Cole is assigned to guard toys, clothes, food, and more that are intended for needy children and their families. An ubervillain plans to steal and then sell the toys to the highest bidder, but Carmen is determined to stop the villain—and make sure that this Christmas is a happy one for all the kids who are counting on her.

The Bigtime Volume 2 includes the

Jinx—Book 3
Thanks to her unwanted superpower, fashion designer Bella Bulluci may be the luckiest woman in Bigtime. But luck can be good or bad, and it seems like just as many embarrassing things happen to Bella as do positive ones. But Bella is going to need every bit of her good luck when she becomes the target of two ubervillains intent on stealing a prize sapphire.

Nightingale—Book 4
Anxious brides. Drunken businessmen. Panicked partygoers. As Bigtime’s premiere event planner, Abby Appleby is capable of handling almost any crisis, but even she’s not prepared when she finds herself in the middle of a fight between superhero Talon and his ubervillain nemesis Bandit.

Fandemic —Book 5
Piper Perez’s friends jokingly call her a fandemic—someone who is a superfan of all things superhero. The nickname is truer than anyone knows, especially since Piper can’t stop thinking about Swifte, the speedy hero who broke her heart. But when Swifte becomes the target of a ruthless killer, Piper will have to use all her fandemic knowledge to save the man she loves.

Jennifer Estep

Goodreads Author

Website

http://www.jenniferestep.com

Twitter

Jennifer_Estep

Genre

Science Fiction & Fantasy, Romance, Mystery & Thrillers

Member Since

January 2010

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/goodreadscomjenniferestep

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Jennifer Estep is a New York Times, USA Today, and internationally bestselling author who prowls the streets of her imagination in search of her next fantasy idea.

Jennifer is the author of the Elemental Assassin, Section 47, Galactic Bonds, Crown of Shards, Gargoyle Queen, and other fantasy series. She has written more than 40 books, along with numerous novellas and stories.

In her spare time, Jennifer enjoys hanging out with friends and family, doing yoga, and reading fantasy and romance books. She also watches way too much TV and loves all things related to superheroes.

For more information on Jennifer and her books, visit her website at www.JenniferEstep.com or sign up for her newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-....

FOLLOW JENNIFER ONLINE:
Facebook: https://tinyurl.com/yyj59omw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_es...
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Jennifer_Estep

Amazon: https://amzn.to/39lCyX6
BookBub: https://tinyurl.com/y4dm3zso
Goodreads: https://tinyurl.com/y638q98k

Jennifer's blog: https://tinyurl.com/2dj4afb
Jennifer's newsletter: http://www.jenniferestep.com/contact-...

Info from Goodreads. 

Head over Skates Spotlight

 

Title: Head over Skates

Author: Gigi Blume

Description: From USA Today Bestselling Author Gigi Blume comes a new, standalone sports romance featuring a surly hockey star and the figure skater who has it in for him.

Sometimes you have to play dirty to score big.

OWEN:

I've never met a challenge I couldn't deke out—until Emily Brooks blasted into my world with all the subtlety of a slapshot to the face.

When an underwear incident (don’t ask) gives Emily ammunition for her gossip blog Blades After Dark, I’ve become her very reluctant muse. Perched on her Zamboni with a crafty smirk on that gorgeous face, she’s determined to turn my life into one big penalty box.

Not only does this woman have an Olympic-sized grudge against me, she cheered—yes, cheered—for the other team.

When I find out she has a secret she doesn’t want out, it’s gloves off.

I’m tempted to toss her right into the sin bin, but she’s skating circles around me.

In a catsuit. (don’t ask about that, either)

But now the championship cup’s gone missing, and we find ourselves sleuthing in closed quarters—despite Emily’s stubborn determination to keep me at stick's length.

Now I can’t stop thinking about that stolen kiss, and I want another taste.

Am I playing for keeps? Or am I the one who's being played?

EMILY:

My Olympic figure skating dreams got toe-picked, but driving a Zamboni at the Toronto Blizzard Dome has its perks—like not being recognized.

Beneath the cloak of anonymity, my words do what my skates used to; they slice with precision—in my late-night hockey blog.

Enter Owen Jablonski, the cocky star player with more notches on his hockey stick than all the pucks in Canada. Yet he singles me out to—get this—come on to me.

The gall. But the pen is mightier than the skate blade, so they say.

Do I have reasons for slamming Owen’s name against the boards? Yes, I do.

And when a funny post about him goes viral, can you blame me for finding Owen's flustered face a little bit delightful?

But instead of a simple exposé, Owen turns the tables on me and brokers a twisted deal: polish his precious public image in my blog in exchange for his silence on my identity. It's extortion with a side of sultry glares.

And secret kisses against the wall.

He's maddening, infuriating... a reeaaally good kisser.

Now I’m stuck in a reluctant pact with Owen. Stack on a mystery and the sting of his smoldering kiss on my mind, the heat between us might just melt all the ice in the rink.

He’s not what I expected, or wanted. How fiercely protective he is. How he insists I wear his jersey. How my heart flips when he stands up for me.

Or the way his eyes rake over me with want.

Oof. Is it getting hot in here?

I need to body-check my feelings before Owen scores more than just goals.

Lace up your skates and get ready to laugh, cry, and swoon. Head Over Skates is just the ticket for those who love their sports RomCom served with a side of snark, witty banter, and just a hint of mayhem.

🏒 Enemies to Lovers
🏒 Protective MMC
🏒 Figure skater FMC
🏒 Forced Proximity
🏒 Who did this to you trope
🏒 Wall kisses
🏒 Zamboni rides
🏒 Amateur sleuths
🏒 Fake dating

info from Goodreads. 

Gigi Blume

Goodreads Author

Born

in Anaheim, The United States

March 20

Genre

Romance, Humor and Comedy, Romantic Comedy

Member Since

October 2018

URL

https://www.goodreads.com/gigiblume

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Gigi is a USA TODAY bestselling author and hopeless musical theatre nerd who has perfected the art of lollygagging.

Former professional wedding singer, Gigi lives in Southern California with her personal chef...er...husband and two weird and awesome teenagers.

When Gigi's not writing like a crazy woman, she likes to belt out showtunes, embarrass her kids, and spend all her free cash on books

Goodreads Author Page | Gigi Blume | Delightfully Witty Romantic Comedy | Amazon |

March 2024 TBR!

 This coming month with learning dutch I am also doing a bunch of readathons like usual. At least that is the plans. My Manga reading isn't all listed here but that will never end :D

Middlegrade March: 

1. One Word Title - Smile by: Raina Telgemeier

2. Debut - Witch Wars

3. Immigration and Refugee Story - Nowhere Girl by: A.J. Paquette

4. Animal on the Cover - Alone by: Megan E. Freeman

5. Book you feel like you missed out on - Amari and the Night Brothers by: B.B. Alston

============================================

Spring into Reading:

Group Read - Shadow of the Fox by: Julie Kagawa

1. Spring Cleaning - 

2. New Beginning - Deal with the Elf King by: Elise Kova

3. Wet T-shirt - 

4. Road Trip - 

5. Let it Shine - 

6. Stormy Weather - Faebound by: Saara El-Arifi

7. Spring Fashion - Shadow of the Fox by: Julie Kagawa

8. Rewind - Bride by: Ali Hazelwood

9. April Showers - 

10. Luck of the Irish - 

11. Selfcare - 

12. Prom Queen - Bride by: Ali Hazelwood

13. Group Book - Shadow of the Fox by: Julie Kagawa

14. Spring Forward - 

15. Love is in the Air - Lisa and Lottie by: Erich Kastner

16. Over the Rainbow - The Hound of the Baskervilles by: Arthur Conan Doyle

17. Spring Break - The Summer I Turned Pretty by: Jenny Han

18. Refresh your TBR

19. Friendship Bracelets - Starfall by: Melissa Landers

20. Women's March - The Invocations by: Krystal Sutherland

21. Flower Power - Shadow of the Fox (uk) by: Julie Kagawa

22. Read Like an Ares - The Hound of the Baskervilles by: Arthur Conan Doyle

23. Tiptoe through the Tulips - Never Ever Getting ... Together by: Sophie Gonzales

24. Spring Court - Starfall by: Melissa Landers

===================================================

Romance Takeover Readathon - 72 hrs

===================================================

Galaxyathon

1. Set in the Future - The Day of the Triffids by: John Wyndham and Samuel West

2. Planet on the Cover - Life as we knew it by: Susan Beth Pfeffer

3. Space Royality - Starfall by: Melissa Landers

4. Stars in the title - Starfall by: Melissa Landers

5. Space Novella - Saga v. 4,5,6

======================================================

Bows and Books Readathon

1. Ribbon in the cover - Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon

2. Female Author - Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon

3. Pick a bow (blue), romance - Anne of Green Gables or Emily of New Moon

======================================================

there are two more but not sure I'll get to them :(

The Weekend Retreat Spotlight

 Spotlight!

THE WEEKEND RETREAT

Author: Tara Laskowski

ISBN: 9781525811456

Publication Date: December 26, 2023

Publisher: Graydon House

18.99 US | 23.99 CAN

Buy Links: | Harlequin | BookShop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Amazon |

Social Links:

Author website: https://taralaskowski.com/

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tara.laskowski.9

Author Bio:

TARA LASKOWSKI is the author of The Mother Next Door and One Night Gone, which won an

Agatha Award, Macavity Award, and Anthony Award, and was a finalist for the Mary Higgins Clark

Award, Left Coast Crime Award, Strand Critics' Award, and Library of Virginia Literary Award. She is

also the author of two short story collections, Modern Manners for Your Inner Demons and

Bystanders, has published stories in Alfred Hitchcock's Mystery Magazine and Mid-American

Review, among others, and is the former editor of SmokeLong Quarterly. Tara earned a BA in

English from Susquehanna University and an MFA from George Mason University and currently lives

in Virginia. Find her on Twitter and Instagram, @TaraLWrites.

Book Summary:

Every year, the illustrious Van Ness siblings, heirs to a copper fortune, gather at their lush winery

estate for a joint birthday celebration. It's a tradition they've followed nearly all their lives, and now

they are back with their significant others for a much-needed weekend of rest and relaxation, away

from the public spotlight.

With lavish comforts, gorgeous scenery, and indulgent drinking, the trip should be the perfect

escape. But it soon becomes clear that even a remote idyllic getaway can’t keep out the problems

simmering in each of their lives. As old tensions are reignited, the three couples are pushed to the

edge. Will their secrets destroy them, or will they destroy each other first? And who’s been watching

them from beyond the vineyard gates?

When a torrential rainstorm hits, plunging them into darkness, the answers prove all too deadly...

The Vacation Spotlight

 Another Spotlight!

THE VACATION

Author: John Maars

ISBN: 9781335006042

Publication Date: 12/19/2023

Publisher: Hanover Square Press

18.99 US | 23.99 CAD

Buy Links: | Harlequin | BookShop.org | Barnes & Noble | Books A Million | Amazon |

Social Links:

Author website: https://www.johnmarrsauthor.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/johnmarrs.author/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/johnmarrsauthor/?ref=bookmarks

Twitter: https://twitter.com/johnmarrs1

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@johnmarrs.author

Book Summary:

How far would you run to escape your past?

Venice Beach, Los Angeles. A paradise on earth. Tourists flock to the golden coast and the promise

of Hollywood. But for eight strangers at a beach-front hostel, there is far more on their minds than an

extended vacation. All of them are running from something. And they all have secrets they’d kill to

keep...

This holiday-set read is a compulsive and addictive thriller, perfect for fans of T.M. Logan.

Author Bio:

John Marrs is an author and former journalist based in London and Northamptonshire. After

spending his career interviewing celebrities from the worlds of television, film and music for

numerous national newspapers and magazines, he is now a full-time author. His books include

No1 bestseller and Netflix series The One, The Passengers, award winning What Lies Between

Us and The Good Samaritan. Follow him at www.johnmarrsauthor.co.uk , on Twitter

@johnmarrs1, on Instagram @johnmarrs.author and on Facebook at

www.facebook.com/johnmarrsauthor.

Pretty Little Lives Spotlight

 I didn't finish this but here's a spotlight post!

Perfect Little Lives

Authors: Amber and Danielle Brown

ISBN: 9781525805059

Publication Date: December 5, 2023

Publisher: Graydon House/HarperCollins

Buy Links:

HarperCollins.com: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/perfect-little-lives-amber-and-danielle-

brown?variant=41028995514402

BookShop.org: https://bookshop.org/p/books/perfect-little-lives-original-amber-and-danielle-

brown/19612183?ean=9781525805059

Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/perfect-little-lives-amber-and-danielle-

brown/1142864657?

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1525805053/keywords=thrillers?tag=harpercollinsus-20

Books-A-Million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/9781525805059

Social Links:

Author Website: https://www.amberanddanielle.com/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ambersharelle

https://twitter.com/dani_nicbrown

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

Goodreads

Book Summary:

LibraryReads December Bonus Pick!

ON ASHER LANE, SOME SECRETS ARE WORTH KILLING FOR…

Simone’s mother was murdered when she was thirteen. When her father was convicted, everything

changed. Overnight, Simone went from living in a wealthy white neighborhood to scraping by.

Ten years later, Simone has given up on her dreams and lives a quiet life, writing book reviews

and getting serious with her boyfriend. But with a true crime documentarian hounding her for a scoop

and a surprise encounter with her childhood next-door neighbor, Hunter, the past seems set on

haunting her. And after Hunter reveals that his father and her mother had a years-long affair, Simone is

determined to find out who really killed her mother.

Simone is convinced that all evidence points to Hunter’s father, a renowned judge who had everything

to lose if his affair—and his nascent love child—came to light. Playing the game from all sides, Simone

enlists Hunter’s help in her investigation into his family—whether he realizes it or not. But is she so

desperate for closure that she'll risk imploding her carefully rebuilt life?

Authors’ Bio:

Amber and Danielle Brown both graduated from Rider University where they studied

Communications/Journalism and sat on the editorial staff for the On Fire!! literary journal. They then

pursued a career in fashion and spent five years in NYC working their way up, eventually managing their

own popular fashion and lifestyle blog. Amber is also a screenwriter, so they live in LA, which works out

perfectly so Danielle can spoil her plant babies with copious amount of sunshine. Their debut Someone

Had to Do It, was a Library Reads pick.