TEASER: Rattler by Anne Kane

(Riptide MC)

 

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense

Date Published: November 7, 2025

 


Lily ran from a nightmare straight to Rattler’s arms. He’s all leather,
muscle and lethal promise. Dare she hope for an HEA?

 

Lily — Abusing me was bad enough, but when my a**hole of a boyfriend
threatened to shoot a tiny kitten, I brained him with a pot of spaghetti sauce
and ran — straight into the arms of the tattooed VP of the Riptide MC.
He’s everything my ex isn’t, and that gives me hope. He promises
to keep Scrapper and I safe, but my ex isn’t the forgiving kind. He said
he would kill me if I left him and I know he’s going to come looking for
revenge.

Rattler — She might be younger than me in years, but there’s a world of
experience looking out of those gorgeous eyes, and it isn’t the good
kind. When she pulled a gun on me, I knew she was my kind of woman.
She’s on the run from an a**hole who used her as a punching bag. He
might have the local law enforcement in his pocket, but me and my brothers in
Riptide have military experience, and sometimes vigilante justice is
necessary.

 


Trigger Warning: This is an MC action thriller romance. It contains violence,
abuse, coarse language, vigilante justice, and adult situations. No cheating,
no cliffhangers, and a guaranteed happily ever after. Enjoy!

EXCERPT

 

Rattler

Thor and Janet were actually going to tie the fucking knot! I suppose I should
have seen it coming, but they’d been playing friends-with-benefits for
so long I guess I thought that’s all they’d ever be. And now here
I was — sitting in a bakery waiting for a box of frilly wedding-type cupcakes
to take back to the clubhouse for the old ladies to sample. Not sure how I got
conned into playing fetch. I was happy for them and all, but you’d think
they could have sent a prospect, not the fucking VP.

The bell on the door tinkled, and I looked up as a woman came in. She looked
rough. More than rough. One eye was black, and through the open collar of her
coat I could see a circle of greenish yellow bruises on her neck. Her clothes
looked like she’d slept in them, and she had a bulging backpack slung
across one shoulder. She looked young, too young to be stuck in the kind of
relationship those bruises indicated.

She glanced in my direction and quickly looked away. Yeah, she was scared of
something. Or more likely, someone. She walked up to the counter, and I
noticed a slight limp. Probably from the same incident that gave her that
black eye.

Maybe I was wrong. Ace always chided me for jumping to conclusions. She could
have been in a car accident or tripped and fallen down a flight of stairs. The
problem was, in my experience, that only happened once in a very long while.
I’d bet my bottom dollar there were more bruises hidden under her
clothes, in varying shades of blue, yellow, and purple. Evidence of an ongoing
series of attacks.

Impotent assholes who beat up on their women were one of my triggers, and I
looked outside to see if maybe this was my lucky day. Maybe the asshole was
here with her.

She asked the woman behind the counter for a coffee, and when the lady turned
to get it, she grabbed a muffin and stuffed it in her pocket. The attendant
turned back and sat the cup of steaming coffee on the counter and rang in the
purchase. Pulling a few bills out of her bra, the newcomer paid the bill and
hurried back outside, gulping the coffee down as she went. I watched as she
turned the corner and headed down the alley beside the bakery.

Standing, I strode over to the counter. Tossing a couple of bills on the
counter, I smiled. “For my coffee, and the muffin you forgot to charge
my friend for.”

“Your friend?” Her brows raised in disbelief.

“That’s right. She must not have seen me waiting for her.
I’ll be back in a few minutes for those cupcakes.” I pivoted and
strode out the door before she could ask exactly how anyone could miss seeing
someone as big as me.

I turned the corner and saw the woman crouched down at the far end of the
alley, petting a kitten that had its head poked out of her backpack. She gave
me the side-eye as I sauntered toward her, trying to look as unthreatening as
possible.

I obviously didn’t do a very good job. She waited until I was about ten
feet from her, far enough away not to touch her but close enough to block the
view of anyone who happened to walk past the mouth of the alley. Then she
straightened up and pulled the gun out from under her shirt. She made damn
sure I saw her flick the safety off.

“Don’t come near me.” She pulled the backpack a little
closer as if to protect the tiny scrap of a kitten in it.

Did I seriously look like the kind of guy who’d hurt a kitten?

Apparently, she thought so. I held my hands up. “I just wanted to talk.
I’m not going to harm you.”

She didn’t look convinced. “Tim send you?”

I frowned, taking in her battered appearance. “Tim the guy that did that
to you?”

She didn’t answer for a moment, and the gun didn’t waver.
“Fuck off.”

I had to work at not smiling. The swear words sounded cute coming out of such
a tiny thing. “No, I have no fucking idea who Tim is. I just saw you
come in and nick that muffin and wondered if maybe you needed a hand. I paid
for the muffin, by the way, so you don’t have to worry about
that.”

She snorted. “Not high on my list of worries right now.”

“Fair enough.” I gestured at the ground. “Doesn’t look
all that comfortable down there. Care to come back into the bakery and we can
talk?”

“Why would I want to talk to you?”

I shrugged. “I’m a nice guy. No offense, but it’s pretty
obvious you’re running from someone. Maybe I can help. Do you have
somewhere to go? I can offer you and your little companion there a
ride.”

Her eyes narrowed, and I could see her calculate the odds of me being a serial
killer. “I’m looking for the Riptide MC. Do you know where to find
them?”

 

About the Author

Anne Kane lives in the beautiful Okanagan Valley with a bouncy little rescue
dog whose breed defies description, a cantankerous Himalayan cat, and too many
fish to count. She spent many years trying to fit in and act normal, but
finally gave up the effort. She started writing romance in 2008, and her fate
was sealed when she won a publishing contract with Red Sage Publishing and
just a month later Changeling Press accepted her first submission. Since then
she has published more than thirty stories in a variety of sub-genres, all
with a happily ever after.

She has two handsome sons and six adorable grandchildren and enjoys spending
time with them whenever she can. Her hobbies, when she’s not playing
with the characters in her head, include kayaking, hiking, swimming, playing
guitar, singing and of course, reading.

 

Author Links

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COVER REVEAL: The Valentine Lines by TK Sheffield

 

Cupid trades arrows for scones in a magical screwball comedy

Romantic Comedy, Humor Novel, Light Fantasy

Tropes: Valentine’s Day romance, Small Town Romance Slow Burn Romance,
Found Family, Forbidden Romance, Meddling Family

Publisher: Making Hay Press

Date Published: 12-09-2025

“The Valentine Lines” reimagines Cupid—aka Bart
McGee—as an underdog ditching the corporate grind of Mt. Olympus, Inc.,
for small-town life in quaint Mineral Point, Wisconsin. When Bart launches a
matchmaking business and falls in love with a local baker, chaos ensues as his
meddling Olympus relatives crash the scene. It’s packed with snappy
banter, slapstick escapades, mythological mishaps, and thoughtful explorations
of love, trust, and self-discovery.

It’s a modern “Bell, Book, and Candle.” A light,
literary escape for readers craving whimsy with emotional resonance.

 


No sex, politics, foul language. Manuscript winner/finalist in CIBA (humor)
and Southwest Writers.

 

About the Author

 

 TK Sheffield, MA, writes stories to laugh and escape, including new a romcom
“The Valentine Lines,” and “Nellie’s Island,” a children’s horse
story set in Mackinac Island. Sheffield also writes funny cozy mysteries, “The
Devil Wears Prada” meets a Wisconsin supper club, which have earned an IBPA
Humor medal, a Claymore, and an IPPY. She’s on the Wisconsin Writers
Association’s board, host of the Wispresso Café, an author talk
show, and a member of Blackbird Writers, Sisters in Crime, and SCBWI.

Contact Links

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Blog

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Preorder Link

On Sale for Preorders for just $0.99

Amazon

RELEASE BLITZ: Hush Little Baby Anthology

Horror, Holiday Horror (various subgenres)

Release Date: October 31

 

 

Santa’s making a list. He’s checking it twice. And if you’ve been
naughty… run. Because Krampus is real…but the legend never told the whole
story. In this eclectic anthology, multiple authors unleash the Alpine myth in
unexpected ways. He’s a monster. A protector. A lover. A nightmare. Sometimes
charming, sometimes deadly, always unforgettable. From vivid poetry to
spine-tingling terror to sinful spice, every story peels back another layer of
the creature who passes judgment on the naughty ones…and what happens next.
This multi-author collection features stories with varying tones and heat
levels. Graphic content is clearly labeled for your reading pleasure.


ALL proceeds from the sale of this anthology go to Quill Cottage Wildlife, a
501c3 wildlife rehabilitation

 

Featuring Works By


Jodee Jean Daniels, Luna Nyx Frost, C.L. Hart, Spiros Katsaras, Jayce Maxwell,
J. Noble, Jenna O’Malley, Kay Parquet, Melissa Power, Alyce Reads, E.L.
Summers, Jason M. Spencer, Kyle Thomas, Cass Voit

Excerpt

Crimson Retribution by C. L. Hart

Hashim led Donata to a clear spot where a cluster of trees blocked the wind.
After relieving herself, she returned to his side.

“All right, let’s see the fabulous view you’ve been raving about.”

“Would you like a pair of binoculars?”

“Certainly. I’ve always enjoyed pretending I was a bird flying above the
world.”

“Or an angel,” Hashim proposed.

“I imagine I have a few more miles left in this aging body before God or
whoever calls me home.”

“Darling, you’re always my angel.”

“What are you angling for with all this flattery, Hashim?”

“I’m only trying to make things right, my love. I don’t want a divorce. I love
you, and even though Libby is biologically Javed’s daughter, I’ve always
thought of her as my own.”

“No matter what happens between you and me, you will always be Libby’s father.
I’m open to working things out, but you need to understand that I will not put
up with any more abuse, either verbal or physical, and I won’t abide any more
cheating.”

Hashim handed Donata the binoculars.

“Gaze through your magic spectacles and tell me what appears to your wondering
eyes, my snow queen.”

“I believe this is what Santa sees from his sleigh as he swoops down on a
quiet Christmas Eve night. There are fantastical decorations, and the
multicolored lights make everything look festive.”

“You always had an amazing imagination.”

Hashim reached behind the seat of the sleigh, retrieving an axe.

“Picture being here with Libby on Christmas Eve. Imagine walking out on the
deck with her to marvel at the lights and look for Santa flying overhead.”

“Oh, there’s a house with a life-size Santa on the roof! He and the reindeer
seem so real. Rudolph’s nose flashes bright red, and Santa is waving to the
people below. I can almost hear Christmas carols playing and taste hot spiced
cider.”

 


About the Author


C. L. Hart, also known as The Terrible Old Woman, is an
editor who writes. She enjoys creating holiday stories with a twist, usually
in either the dark fantasy/horror or sweet romance genres. Her short stories
have appeared in several anthologies, and she has self-published her own works
as well, including four poetry volumes, a novella, a fix-up novel, and several
short stories.

Ms. Hart lives in a tiny town on the Northeastern Colorado plains with her
adult son, cat daughter, and cat grandson. She doesn’t mind cooking, but she
hopes one day to hire elves to do the housework for her.

Ms. Hart can be found online at naughtynetherworldpress.start.page

 

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RELEASE BLITZ: A Vicious Love Burns by Sophie Barnes

 

House of Croft, Book 5

 

Murder Mystery Romance

Date Published: October 28, 2025

Danger isn’t just coming—it’s personal…

 

Adrian Croft has sacrificed everything to protect his family. But when a
brutal string of murders rock London, he’s briefly distracted from the
ruthless heir of an Irish crime lord—an enemy with ties to Adrian’s
darkest past. With Bow Street floundering and innocent lives at stake, Adrian
steps back into the fray… and the cost is more than he ever expected.

Five months pregnant and desperate to be by her husband’s side, Samantha Croft
returns from her wintry retreat in the country—only to find herself in
the crosshairs of the man determined to destroy her husband. Finn O’Leary
doesn’t care who he has to break to bring Adrian down, and Samantha may be his
most valuable target.

 

House of Croft Series

A Vengeful King Rises

House of Croft, Book One

 

A Tainted Heart Bleeds

House of Croft, Book Two

 

A Ruthless Angel Weeps

House of Croft, Book Three

 

A Deceptive Game Ensues

House of Croft, Book Four

 

A Vicious Love Burns

House of Croft, Book Five

 

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CKHWD83L

 

 

About the Author

USA TODAY bestselling author Sophie Barnes writes historical romance novels in
which the characters break away from social expectations in their quest for
happiness and love. Having written for Avon, an imprint of Harper Collins, her
books have been published internationally in numerous languages. With a
fondness for travel, Sophie has lived in six countries, on three continents,
and speaks English, Danish, French, Spanish, and Romanian with varying degrees
of fluency. Ever the romantic, she married the same man three times—in
three different countries and in three different dresses.

When she’s not busy dreaming up her next swoon worthy romance novel,
Sophie enjoys spending time with her family, practicing yoga, baking,
gardening, watching romantic comedies and, of course, reading.

 

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TEASER: Convention of Dragons by Emily Carrington


LGBTQ, Dark Fantasy, Polyamorous, Shapeshifters

Date Published: October 31, 2025

When duty calls, where will the heart go?

Joel’s twin has been hurt, and Joel decides to stay with him rather than
join his new lovers across the sea. But fate, and a serial killer, have other
plans.

Parisa and Noah are drifting apart and without Joel they might lose everything
they’ve built.

Can this new throuple fight together to win their happiness or will evil
triumph?


EXCERPT

 

“Hooo-elll…”

It was Parisa’s voice, but he couldn’t touch her physically or
telepathically. All Joel’s senses were blurred.

Joel wasn’t sure if he’d passed out, but everything was foggy. Not
dark, since he had no concept of light beyond the meaning of the word, but
misty. It was like the fog that clung to his face and arms, to his hearing and
sense of smell when he’d visited England thirty years ago. He’d
never forget that sensation of everything being muffled. The sound of his own
voice had been right, but the tapping of his cane tip on the cobblestones in
London had been oddly removed from the rest of him. He’d actually fallen
a couple of times in London, not because he couldn’t feel the ground but
because he had tried too hard to rely on the sound of his cane to tell him the
depth of things like cracks and steps.

Now, although the sense of being wrapped in cotton persisted, he felt even
more cut off from the world because he was really two people. He
couldn’t attend to his own movements or speech while living in
Jules’s head. Especially not when Jules was so distant from the world.
His whole spirit seemed caught up in confusion and fear. So although Joel and
Jules sometimes lived in each other’s heads for brief moments, there had
never been such a fundamental separation from physical reality.

Dimly, he could feel a hand caressing his face. He tried to reach up and catch
those fingers, but his arms felt like they weighed a hundred pounds. He
attempted another connection with Jules, one that would allow him to
communicate more than just his confusion and to feel Jules’s sense of
dislocation. That, too, failed.

Someone spoke then, their voice cutting through the fog. “Joel.”
It was James, the dragon guarding him. “Joel, come back. Follow me if
you’re turned around.”

He clung to those words and finally managed, by trailing after them in the
psychic world, to reestablish himself in the realm of touch, hearing, and
scent.

The person caressing his face paused and Parisa asked, “Can you hear me,
Joel?”

“Yes,” he croaked, his throat dry.

“Drink,” she answered, and he opened his mouth, unsure if he would
feel a glass against his lips or her cupped hand. He registered the water as
cool and drank as palmfuls were brought to his lips. From where he’d
heard Parisa’s voice, he’d expected the water to come from another
angle. Maybe Noah was actually giving him the refreshing liquid.

“James?” he asked between mouthfuls.

“He’s not here,” Parisa said, “although I heard him
too. It was like he somehow tapped into a telepathy that could be carried to
more than one person.”

“Are either of you hurt?” Joel asked.

“No,” Parisa answered after a moment. He wondered what caused the
hesitation. Then she explained. “Noah is shell-shocked, I think.
He’s –”

“I’m fine,” Noah said firmly. “Just… sorry
about…”

Struggling to raise his head, Joel felt hands tighten on his shoulders. He
fought down the instantaneous panic that clawed at his throat. “Unless
there’s a reason for me to be lying on my back,” he said as gently
as he could manage, “I’d rather sit up.”

The hands released him and as he sat up, crossing his legs, he felt
Parisa’s breath on his shoulder blade. He was still naked. He shivered
and instinctively pulled his legs up to shield his stomach and softer bits. He
wasn’t afraid of Parisa or Noah, but he felt vulnerable. “What
happened?”

“There was an explosion,” Noah said, and he did sound a little
shocky because his voice trembled. “Over at the other house, we
think.”

“Definitely not here,” Parisa put in. “Do either of you need
a towel? There aren’t robes in here, and I don’t think we should
leave the bathroom until we get the all-clear.”

So, that was why his bare butt was on tile. “Did you two carry me in
here?”

Again, there was that momentary pause. Then Parisa said, “I helped Noah
and carried you, yes.”

Their location made sense even if nothing else did. As far as Joel knew, the
bathroom might be the only room in the smaller house without windows.

Not like the one that had blown inward, injuring Jules.

He shivered as that realization, sent by his twin, hit him. Jules didn’t
actually know it had been a window, but he’d had glass taken out of his
arm so he’d made an educated guess. Joel said, “Soon as we can, I
need to get to Jules. Something’s seriously wrong with him.”

“Can you feel him?” Parisa asked, her hand warm on his back.

“Not now but…” He shivered again, unable to help himself.
“He was muffled, or that’s what it felt like. Like having your
head wrapped in a blanket.”

Noah began, “Did he –”

Someone interrupted, throwing open the door. “Here they are,” said
James, his voice tight.

“Good,” said a voice that came out slightly tinny. “Help is
on the way but it’s a good hour out. See if you can move them to this
building.”

“Will do.” James crouched, his voice coming from off to
Joel’s right. “Are any of you hurt?”

Joel shook his head. “I’m fine. It didn’t happen
here.” He reached out toward James’s voice, but Parisa caught his
hand.

“Agent Tavery,” she said softly, “you’re
bleeding.”

 

About the Author

Emily Carrington is a multipublished author of male/male and transgender
women’s speculative fiction. Seeking a world made of equality, she
created SearchLight to live out her dreams. But even SearchLight has its
problems, and Emily is looking forward to working all of these out with a host
of characters from dragons and genies to psychic vampires. And in the
contemporary world she’s named “Sticks & Stones,” Emily
has vowed to create small towns where prejudice is challenged by a passionate
quest for equality. Find her on Facebook at Shapeshifter Central or on her
website.

 

Author’s Website

Emily on Facebook

Emily on Twitter

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15

 

Pre-Order Today


RELEASE BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: Never Lost by Aaron C. Anderson

 

 


General Fiction

Date Published: October 23rd, 2025

Publisher: Acorn Publishing

Zane Carter and his sons, eleven-year-old Ty and thirteen-year-old
Joseph, venture one hundred miles into the Idaho wilderness with only a knife
and the knowledge of their Nez Perce ancestors. Danger awaits at every
deadfall and lurks in every snowy shadow as the boys hunt, fish, make weapons,
and build shelter, learning to survive, taking only what they need from the
land, and leaving no trace.

During their eighteen-day journey, Zane’s determination to fulfill a
promise to his grandfather, an Indigenous warrior who exemplified the tenets
of a wise and spiritual existence, is thwarted by a fatal encounter that
transports Zane into an ancient realm as he straddles the thin line between
life and death.

He wonders what has become of his boys. Have they learned enough patience,
resourcefulness, and courage to complete this rite of passage? Will they make
it out of the wildlands alive? Or will the unforgiving forces of the natural
world take them too far from home to ever return?

 

About the Author

After high school, Aaron Anderson set out to see the world, embarking on
adventures through North America, Europe, and North Africa. He enjoyed
traveling as a bicyclist, motorcyclist, train passenger, and even as a
hitchhiker, reveling in the excitement of the unknown.

At the age of twenty-two, Aaron returned to the US and worked on oil rigs in
Wyoming. He later became a carpenter and eventually a real estate appraiser.
However, his true passions have always been writing, developing powerful
friendships, and exploring new country.

During the 1980s he and his two sons hunted, hiked, and camped throughout the
western states. Here, his love for the natural world and respect for
Indigenous people prompted him to write his second novel, Never Lost.

 

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BOOK BLITZ: Holiday on the Rocks by Mary Lee Painter

 

Romcom

Date Published: October 20, 2025

Seven years ago a couple fell headfirst into love and ran off to
exchange vows in a fit of passion, only to have their dreams implode before
the sun set on their wedding day. Now, as fate would have it, they find
themselves trapped together for a friend’s destination holiday wedding
with Allie determined to never see him again while Levi plans to win back the
one he let slip away.

Because of a storm they find themselves alone at the vacation house with the
unresolved tension shining through like a diamond. As the snow falls outside,
they strike a deal—an unorthodox “closure plan” to finally
put their past to rest. Bound by the twenty-four-hour understanding that they
will spend one day together and then say goodbye forever.

With the glow of holiday lights surrounding them, Levi’s made it his
mission to win back the one he let slip away.

About the Author

 

 Mary Lee Painter is the romcom author of The Other Fork in the Road (2024),
Wild in Minnesota (2025), and her latest release, Holiday on the Rocks, has an
October 20, 2025 publish date by Satin Romance. She has her first young adult
romcom entitled Worst Idea Ever which will be published in March 2026 by Fire
and Ice, and an adult romcom entitled Ding Dong, I’m Home to be released in
July 2026 by Satin Romance. Mary Lee resides in Omaha, Nebraska.

 

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TEASER TUESDAY: Doc (Dixie Reapers MC) by Harley Wylde

 

(Dixie Reapers MC)

 

Motorcycle Club Romance, Age Gap, Suspense

Date Published: October 24, 2025

When a fierce heroine collides with a hardened outlaw, secrets ignite
and sparks fly.

 

Nova — I was never a part of my uncle Bats’ outlaw MC world. He kept me
far from the Dixie Reapers, convinced distance meant safety. But when my
parents died in a crash I know wasn’t an accident, I walk straight into
the world I’ve been shielded from, where every secret carries blood,
betrayal, and danger. Each step puts a bigger target on my back, but I
can’t stop. Not when the conspiracy reached higher than I ever imagined.
And then there’s Doc. He’s a risk I can’t afford, no matter
how much I want him.

Doc — I patched into the Dixie Reapers for a fresh start, not to guard the 19
year old niece of a fallen brother. As a veteran and the club’s medic, I
know how to fight, save lives, and bury temptation. But Nova’s stubborn,
reckless, and too tempting to resist. I fell fast, and hard. Once I’ve
set eyes on her, I’m not letting go. Protecting her tests me more than
any battlefield ever has, but losing her isn’t an option.

Enemies circle like vultures — dirty cops, corrupt judges, men willing to
kill to silence us. Together we uncover a deadly web of human trafficking and
murder. But in the outlaw world, justice comes at a cost. Nova is mine, and
I’ll burn the world down before I let anyone take her.

 


If you like possessive alpha males, gritty MC romance, heart-pounding
suspense, and age gap romances, you’re going to love Doc and
Nova’s story!

 


WARNING: This book contains mature themes, government corruption, human
trafficking, violence, and adult content. Reader discretion advised.

 

 

EXCERPT

 

Nova

 

My little Honda looked pathetic among the gleaming motorcycles, like a child
who’d accidentally wandered into an adult party. I gripped the steering
wheel, knuckles white, as I scanned the Dixie Reapers clubhouse. Uncle Bats
had always warned me to stay away from this place, from his world. But Uncle
Bats was dead, and I needed answers that only his brothers might have.

The folder and notebook on my passenger seat contained everything I had left
of my mother — her research notes, newspaper clippings, and a lifetime of
suspicions that had probably gotten her killed. I picked them up, clutching
them to my chest like armor.

“You can do this, Nova,” I whispered to myself. “For Mom and
Dad.”

I took three deep breaths, counting each one the way my therapist had taught
me after the accident. Except it wasn’t an accident. I knew it
wasn’t, no matter what the police report said.

Outside, the late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the parking lot. Men
in leather cuts moved between motorcycles, their laughter and conversations a
low rumble that stopped abruptly when they noticed my car. I felt their gazes
on me, assessing, suspicious.

Uncle Bats had kept me secret from them, and while I knew of the Dixie
Reapers, I’d never been allowed to meet them. Now I was about to shatter
that barrier. The thought sent a tremor through my hands, but I shoved the
fear down deep where it couldn’t reach my face.

I stepped out of the car, my sensible flats crunching on the gravel. Five feet
tall in my best shoes, I’d never felt smaller than I did walking toward
that building. The folder and notebook clutched to my chest were my only
shield against their stares.

“Hey, darlin’, you lost?” called one man, his tone somewhere
between amused and suspicious. Tattoos covered his arms and disappeared
beneath the leather vest emblazoned with the Dixie Reapers patch.

I kept walking, eyes forward, spine straight the way my mother had taught me.
“Look them in the eye, Nova,” she’d say. “Don’t
let them think you’re afraid, even when you are.”

The surrounding conversations died one by one, replaced by silence and the
weight of two dozen stares. I could feel them taking in my brown hair, my
hazel eyes, my five-foot-nothing frame that had never intimidated anyone. I
probably looked like a strong wind could blow me over, but they didn’t
know about the steel underneath. They didn’t know I was
Mary-Jane’s daughter.

The clubhouse door loomed ahead, guarded by a mountain of a man with a graying
beard and hands the size of dinner plates. His cut identified him as a full
member, not just a hang-around. He stepped directly into my path, forcing me
to stop or walk straight into his chest.

“Clubhouse is members only, sweetheart,” he said, voice like
gravel. “Whatever you’re selling, we ain’t buying.”

Tiling my chin up, I met his gaze. “I’m not selling anything. I
need to speak with whoever’s in charge.”

He chuckled, but there was no humor in it. “That so? And what business
would a little thing like you have with the Dixie Reapers?”

The men behind me had moved closer, forming a loose semicircle. I could feel
them at my back, curiosity and suspicion rolling off them in waves.

“My name is Nova Treemont. I’m Bats’ niece.”

The effect was immediate. The doorman’s expression shifted from
dismissive to shocked in an instant. A murmur rippled through the men behind
me.

“Bullshit,” someone whispered.

“Bats never had family,” said another.

“He had a sister,” another voice said.

The doorman’s eyes narrowed, searching my face. “Bats never
mentioned no niece.”

“He wouldn’t have.” I met his gaze. “He kept me out
of… all this. For protection.” I gestured at the clubhouse with
my free hand. “But he’s gone now, and I need help. The kind only
the Dixie Reapers can provide.”

The doorman studied me for what felt like an eternity, his gaze moving from my
face to the items I clutched and back again. I could almost see the gears
turning behind his eyes, weighing the possibility I was telling the truth
against the risk of letting a stranger into their sanctuary.

“Wait here.” He turned to enter the clubhouse.

I stood rooted to the spot, aware of the bikers still watching me. I could
feel the curiosity and hostility aimed my way. I kept my breathing even,
pretending I couldn’t feel their stares boring into my back.

The doorman returned a minute later, holding the door open. “Come
on,” he said gruffly.

I stepped past him into a world my uncle had spent his life shielding me from.
The air was thick with cigarette smoke that clung to the furniture and walls.
The smell of beer and whiskey undercut everything, along with something else
— something distinctly male and dangerous.

Pool balls clacked on a table where a game paused mid-shot as players turned
to stare. Behind a long bar, bottles gleamed under dim lights. Motorcycle
memorabilia covered the walls — license plates, photos.

It should have felt alien, this place my blood relation had called home.
Instead, deep inside me, something whispered recognition. As if some part of
me had been waiting to find this place my whole life.

The doorman nudged me forward with a hand that could have wrapped around my
entire upper arm. “This way.” He guided me deeper into the
clubhouse. “They’re waiting.”

I followed, clutching my mother’s research to my chest, aware that I was
crossing a threshold I could never uncross. Behind me, I heard someone say
softly, “Mary-Jane’s kid? Jesus Christ.”

They’d known my mother then. At least some of them had known, and
they’d stayed away all these years. Just as Bats had intended.

The thought steadied me as I walked toward whatever waited ahead. I
wasn’t just Nova Treemont anymore. I was Mary-Jane’s daughter,
Bats’ niece. And I had questions that needed answering, no matter how
dangerous the answers might be.

The back room was darker than the main area. Five men sat around a table,
their faces half in shadow, their cuts marking them as the officers of the
Dixie Reapers. I stood before them, a girl in jeans and a cardigan, feeling
like I was facing a firing squad. But I’d come too far to falter now.

The doorman who’d escorted me in gave a brief nod to the man at the head
of the table before stepping back, positioning himself in front of the closed
door. Message received: I wasn’t leaving until they decided I could.

“So,” said the man at the head of the table. His neatly trimmed
gray beard and dark eyes seemed sharp beneath heavy brows. The patches on his
cut read, “President — Savior.” “You claim to be
Bats’ niece.”

It wasn’t a question, but I answered anyway. “I am Bats’
niece. My mother was Mary-Jane Treemont, his younger sister.”

A muscle in the President’s jaw twitched. “Bats was a brother to
us for a long ass time. Never once mentioned a niece.”

“He was protecting me. Keeping his family separate from… this
life.”

One of the other men — younger, with a Vice President patch — snorted.
“Convenient story, sweetheart. Got any proof?”

I unzipped my bag and pulled out a small photo album, sliding it across the
table. “Page three. That’s my mother and uncle at her college
graduation.”

I watched as the President flipped to the page, his expression unchanging as
he studied the photo of a much younger Bats with his arm around my mother.

“Could be anyone.” The VP’s tone lacked conviction.

“Check the next page,” I said. “That’s from my
parents’ wedding. My mother, my father, and uncle.”

The President studied the photo longer this time before passing the album to
the man next to him. It made its way around the table, each man taking a
moment to examine the proof of a side of Bats they’d never known.

“So you’re his niece.” The President slid the album back
across the table. “What do you want from us?”

I took a deep breath and placed my folder on the table. “My parents died
several weeks ago in what was ruled a car accident. Their car went off the
road. Police said my father lost control.”

“And you don’t believe that.” The VP watched me with
narrowed eyes.

“No,” I said firmly. “I don’t. My mother was an
investigative journalist. She was working on a story.” I opened the
folder, spreading out newspaper clippings and photocopied notes across the
scarred wood. “She was investigating connections between Magnolia County
officials and organized crime. Money laundering, illegal gambling, possibly
human trafficking.”

The men exchanged glances, their expressions giving nothing away. I’d
honestly expected some sort of reaction, especially since this was happening
in their territory. My uncle had always been clear that while he may be an
outlaw, some things weren’t tolerated.

“Three days before she died, she called me,” I continued.
“She said she’d found something big. Something that would blow the
whole thing wide open. She wouldn’t tell me details over the phone, said
she’d show me everything when they came to visit that weekend.” My
voice cracked slightly. “They never made it.”

I pulled out a copy of the police report, pointing to highlighted sections.
“The accident report says the car was traveling at high speed, that my
father lost control. But my father never drove fast. He was cautious,
meticulous. And the witness statements are vague. No one actually saw the car
go off the road.”

“Accidents happen.” An older member with a gray ponytail watched
me intently. “Doesn’t mean someone killed your parents.”

I met his gaze directly. “After the funeral, our house was broken into.
Nothing valuable was taken, but my mother’s home office was ransacked.
Her computer was gone. All her files.”

That got their attention. The men straightened, exchanging glances that spoke
volumes.

“I managed to salvage these.” I gestured to the documents on the
table. “She kept backups in a safety deposit box. But it’s not
everything. There are references to evidence she had that I can’t
find.”

The President leaned forward, resting his forearms on the table. “And
what exactly do you expect us to do about this, Ms. Treemont?”

“I’ve tried the legal route,” I said. “I’ve been
to the police, the FBI, even a private investigator. No one will touch it. The
case is closed.” I swallowed hard. “My uncle –Bats — once
told my mother that if she ever needed help, real help, she should come to his
brothers. That you take care of your own.”

“Bats said that?” The VP’s eyebrows raised.

“He did,” I confirmed. “And with him gone, you’re all
I have left.”

The President’s eyes were unreadable as he studied my face. “You
understand what you’re asking? If what you’re saying is true,
you’re talking about going up against powerful people. The kind that can
make a car accident happen.”

“I know.” My voice came out steadier than I felt. “But they
killed my parents. They’ve been watching me too. Cars following me home.
Strange calls. Last week someone broke into my apartment.” I pulled up
my sleeve, revealing a jagged raw wound on my forearm. “I surprised him.
He had a knife.”

That drew a low curse from one of the men who hadn’t spoken yet.

“Before she died, my mother dug into something dangerous — something
big enough to get her killed. These bastards still tried to bury it, but I
swore I’d drag the truth into the light and make them pay.” My
gaze cut across the table, meeting each man’s eyes in turn.
“Justice for my parents is the only thing that matters.”

The silence that followed was heavy, broken only by the distant sounds of the
main room beyond the door.

Finally, the President gathered up my mother’s papers, tapping them into
a neat stack. “Wait outside.”

The doorman stepped forward, opening the door for me. I hesitated, reluctant
to leave my mother’s research behind.

“We’ll return these,” the President said, seeing my
hesitation. “Go on now.”

I had no choice but to comply. The doorman escorted me back to the main room,
indicating a worn leather couch against the wall. “Sit tight.”

I perched on the edge of the couch, feeling the weight of curious stares from
the men scattered around the room. No one approached me, but I could hear the
whispers.

“… Bats’ niece…”

“… Mary-Jane’s kid…”

“… looks just like her mother…”

That last comment made me look up sharply, trying to identify who had spoken.
An older member nodded at me from the bar, raising his beer bottle slightly.
“Knew your mama when she was younger than you. Bats always said she was
the smart one in the family. Said she could sniff out a lie from a mile
away.”

A lump formed in my throat. I’d never heard anyone talk about my mother
like that, like they’d known her personally. “Did you know her
well?”

The man shrugged. “Well enough. Your uncle always spoke highly of her
investigative skills. Said she could’ve been FBI if she hadn’t
been so damn stubborn about working outside the system.”

That sounded like my mother. And it sounded like something Uncle Bats would
say.

I sat straighter, hope kindling in my chest for the first time since I’d
arrived. Maybe they would help me after all. Maybe I’d finally get the
answers I’d been seeking for several weeks.

I just had to convince them I was worth the risk.

I traced the edge of my mother’s notebook with my fingertip, counting
the seconds that stretched into minutes. The leather couch beneath me had seen
better days, cracked and worn by years of men larger than me shifting their
weight. Around the room, bikers pretended not to watch me while doing exactly
that. I wondered if Uncle Bats had sat here, on this very couch, planning runs
or celebrating victories I’d never know about.

My gaze drifted to a wall of photos near the bar — men in Dixie Reapers cuts,
arms slung around each other’s shoulders, grins splitting their bearded
faces. I rose slowly, drawn to search for my uncle’s face among them. A
few members tensed as I moved, but none stopped me.

There he was. Younger, with fewer lines around his eyes, his arm thrown around
another member, looking more relaxed than I’d ever seen him during his
rare visits to our home. He’d always been on edge around us, as if
expecting trouble to follow him through our door.

Now I understood why.

“He was a good man,” said a voice behind me.

I turned to find the older member who’d spoken to me earlier, the one
who’d known my mother.

“One of our best,” he continued. “Loyal to the bone.”

“But not loyal enough to tell you about his family,” I said
softly.

The old biker’s mouth quirked in a half-smile. “That was his
loyalty to you, girl. Keeping you separate. Safe.” He nodded toward the
back room. “Not many of us manage that trick.”

Before I could respond, the door to the back room opened. The President
emerged, followed by the others. The room fell silent as they approached.

“Ms. Treemont,” the President said, his voice carrying across the
now-quiet clubhouse. “We’ve discussed your situation.”

I returned to the couch, perching on its edge, hands folded in my lap to hide
their trembling. “And?”

“Bats was our brother.” The President spoke in a measured voice,
choosing each word with care. “That carries weight. But what
you’re asking involves the club in what appears to be a personal
vendetta against powerful people, based on circumstantial evidence.”

My heart sank. “It’s not just –”

He held up a hand, cutting me off. “I didn’t say we wouldn’t
help. I said you’re asking a lot.”

Hope flickered back to life in my chest.

“We’ll hear you out,” he continued. “Review what
you’ve brought us. But I can’t promise involvement beyond that.
Understand?”

I nodded quickly. “Yes. Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” His expression remained stern.
“This isn’t a democracy. I make decisions based on what’s
best for the club, not for outsiders — even ones with Bats’
blood.”

About the Author

Harley Wylde is an accomplished author known for her captivating MC Romances.
With an unwavering commitment to sensual storytelling, Wylde immerses her
readers in an exciting world of fierce men and irresistible women. Her works
exude passion, danger, and gritty realism, while still managing to end on a
satisfying note each time.

When not crafting her tales, Wylde spends her time brainstorming new
plotlines, indulging in a hot cup of Starbucks, or delving into a good book.
She has a particular affinity for supernatural horror literature and movies.
Visit Wylde’s website to learn more about her works and upcoming events, and
don’t forget to sign up for her newsletter to receive exclusive discounts and
other exciting perks.

 

Author on Facebook, Instagram, & TikTok: @harleywylde

 

Publisher on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok: @changelingpress

Save 15% off any order at ChangelingPress.com with code RABT15

BOOK BLITZ & GIVEAWAY: When Lavender Meets Flint! It’s Magic! by J.A. Jackson

When Lavender Meets Flint! It’s Magic!

Lovers, Players & Seducers – Book 4
Romance Suspense

Date Published: 06-05-2025

Flint Ambrose Deville and Lavender Ann Lundy discover a love
that’s as electrifying as it is unexpected, yet danger brews in the
shadows of their Silicon Valley Lives.


Nicholas La Cour
, haunted by his family’s turbulent legacy, is thrust
back into a battle he thought he’d left behind when his old nemesis,
Dante Channing, resurfaces. Alongside the enigmatic group known as the
Whispers, Dante brings with him a threat that could shatter the fragile
balance the La Cour and Deville family has fought so hard to restore.

As Lavender and Flint navigate the challenges of their budding romance,
they’re drawn into a web of intrigue that tests their courage, loyalty,
and trust in one another. With the Orchid Lover’s power dormant but far
from gone, and the Veil stirring once again, the stakes are higher than ever.

What if the love they’ve found isn’t enough to protect them from
the secrets of the past? What if the balance they’ve restored comes at a
price none of them are prepared to pay?

Will passion and loyalty triumph, or will the La Cour and Deville family be
consumed by forces they can no longer control? And can Nicholas La Cour
protect his family from the nemesis of his past?


In Lovers, Players, Seducers Book IV: When Lavender Meets Flint! It’s
Magic! ~ love collides with destiny, and every decision could be their last.

About the Author
J.A. Jackson is the pseudonym of Jerreece Jackson, an author known for
crafting sultry, suspenseful, and entertaining romantic novels with a
captivating twist. Her stories weave passion, intrigue, and a touch of the
unexpected, drawing readers into worlds where love and suspense collide.

Born in Arkansas and raised on Chicago’s Southside, Jerreece grew up in
a family of rich storytellers who fueled her lifelong love for writing. Today,
she resides in the enchanting foothills of Northern California, where she
continues to write from her cozy home surrounded by roses, tea, and
inspiration.

Before dedicating herself fully to fiction, she spent more than a decade
working in the non-profit sector as a grant writer and newsletter editor,
where she honed her skills in storytelling and communication.

Beyond her novels, Jerreece is the creative force behind A Geek An Angel
Jackson Publishing, a venture dedicated to inspiring creativity, promoting
mental wellness, supporting home-school education, and celebrating
individuality. Through her publishing brand, she has produced a diverse
collection of coloring books, journals, notebooks, and unique gifts that
reflect her mission to uplift and inspire.

A lover of magical tales, suspenseful ghost stories, chocolate, and the
timeless works of Jane Austen, J.A. Jackson continues to enchant readers with
her unforgettable blend of romance and intrigue.

Contact Links

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Threads

Purchase Link

Amazon

BOOK BLITZ: Lingering Flames by Anna August

 

Romantic Suspense

Date Published: October 2, 2025

Rose Everson Finch thought her childhood friendship with Finn Murphy
would last forever. But a disagreement shattered their bond.
She returns
to New York City, only to learn that love is an illusion.
She’s
since moved back to Evers Hollow, caring for her beloved grandmother and
hiking the woods that inspire her middle-grade books.
A late-night phone
call will change her past, her present, and threaten to turn her future to
ash.
Finn Murphy never told his best friend Rose that he loved her.
Not as
they grew up together, or the night she committed to marrying another man.
He’s
avoided their small town since.
But family obligations bring him back.
Now
he’s made a promise:
To protect Rose.

Lingering Flames is a small-town, friends-to-lovers, he-falls-first, romantic
suspense in The Everson Legacy series by author Anna August. Set in the scenic
mountains of Western North Carolina, it’s a full length novel with a
steam-filled happy-ever-after.

 

About the Author

Anna August writes romantic suspense and contemporary romance. She
enjoys writing imaginative characters with complicated backgrounds. She
cherishes books with plot twists, humor, and happily ever after’s.

Born and raised in California, Anna has also lived in Illinois, Texas, North
Carolina, Idaho, and England. She served as a military spouse alongside her
active duty husband in the US Air Force for twenty-one years. She holds a
bachelors degrees in English and also in Geology, after discovering her love
of rocks during a camping trip to a gold mine as a child.

When she’s not writing, she enjoys spending time with her husband and
two adult children at their home in Boise, Idaho. She also enjoys gardening,
gluten-free baking, and random home improvement projects.

Find her at http://www.annaaugustbooks.com

 

Contact Links

Instagram

Facebook

Purchase Links

Amazon


B&N

Kobo