Welcome to Moonridge, where the ghosts have come out to play and Death
just checked into the local B&B.
Running a B&B in a town cursed by magical drama wasn’t Mina
Cartwright’s dream job, but it’s home. After all of the werewolf
debacle over the summer, business has flatlined, and she’s barely
holding on financially. Her last hope? A surprise booking from the cast of The
Real Vampire Wives of Obsidian Hills, who are bringing their reality-show
chaos (and impeccable fashion) to Moonridge just in time for the Halloween
festival.
But the real trouble begins when Dex Grimm, a mysterious, breathtakingly aloof
man with a cane and a suspiciously deathly aura, checks into Room Ten. He says
he’s a writer. Mina suspects he’s hiding something … like
the fact that he might actually be the Grim Reaper.
As ghostly activity spikes, magical boundaries fray, and her guests (living
and otherwise) cause mounting mayhem, Mina finds herself caught between a
brewing supernatural crisis and a man known primarily as Death who somehow
makes her feel more alive than she has in years.
Add in a reality TV crew, rampaging ghosts, and the underlying danger of an
ancient evil reawakening in Moonridge, and Mina’s fall season is about
to be to die for.
About the Author
Avery Arujo is the pen name of a socially anxious, awkward, and proudly
introverted author of the paranormal mystery/romance series Welcome to
Moonridge. Avery lives in the northern U.S., where the scenery is beautiful,
the weather perfect, and the food divine. When not writing, you’ll find
Avery watching a horror movie or trashy reality TV or reading under a blanket
with a cup of coffee, and the world’s sweetest dog trying to prove that
they are more interesting than any old book.
For more information about the Welcome to Moonridge series, or to sign up for
the newsletter, visit welcometomoonridge.com.
Serena King has spent years burying her sins beneath designer heels and ruthless ambition. But no lie lasts forever. When a ghost from her past returns, armed with secrets that could destroy her, she’s forced into a game she can’t control.
The first move? A marriage forced upon her
To him—her brother’s ex-best friend. Her first mistake. The man who was her first… and then broke her heart.
Miles Whitmore.
He’s not the reckless charmer she remembers. He’s colder. Crueler. Hungrier.
Miles wants to salvage his scandal-ridden family’s legacy. He needs power. He needs redemption. But he’s got secrets that could destroy everything too.
Their marriage is a business deal, a show for the public. But behind closed doors?
It’s a war.
A war of lies. A war of seduction. A war of who will break first.
But the deeper they fall into their twisted game, the more hatred turns to heat. The more vengeance turns to obsession.
Because in a world where power is everything and love is the most dangerous game of all…
I spotted Mama and Daddy at the far end of the room, whispering vehemently among themselves. It was only when I got close that I heard Mama hiss, “He’s on something, Vincent!”
I almost gasped as Omar Whitmore stumbled through the crowd, his champagne glass tilting dangerously in his loose grip.
That’s not drunk. I know drunk. Drunk is falling into a gardenia bush after too many martinis or flirting with someone’s husband.
What started off as a simple party was now becoming a Jerry Springer episode.
The day after the most beautiful night of my life. Of course everything went wrong.
“Relax, Vonnie. He’s fine,” Daddy said, but I could see he didn’t believe himself.
“This is not the first time. Look! He’s sweating like this is the Mississippi Delta! He’s falling over, and his eyes look blacked out like an alien,” Mama said. “He ain’t been right since his father died.”
“You weren’t any better,” Daddy reminded her. Mama glared at him.
I expected tonight to be low-key. Simple but luxurious. A big King party for the whole town before Laurene’s engagement party next week, complete with rosé, twinkling lights, and that laidback summer feel that Lush brings.
“You saw him at the mayor’s gala when the press was interviewing him. He looked unshaven and dirty like some drifter.”
“That’s just grief,” Daddy said, standing up for his best friend.
Mama’s glare didn’t ease up. “I never let myself go like this when my daddy died. Omar gave a sloppy, rambling speech at the town hall. He crashed my Women of Lush networking brunch, and you know much time I put into that, Vincent, don’t act dumb.”
“It could be depression. Anxiety?”
“And? What does that have to do with him messing up my party?” Mama put her hands on her hips. “The Ashbournes are here. Lord knows we don’t need to give them any more ammunition than they already have. All the families that matter in Lush are here. Mayor Johnson, the Lush Chronicles, investors, donors—”
I knew better than to interrupt when Mama was pissed. My eyes flicked back to Omar.
“He’s our friend,” Daddy said, wincing as he watched Omar fall into a guest who yelped.
Despite what Miles thought, Mama had been dropping hints about giving me King Developments. She wanted to add another venture to King Enterprises, but Erik was too busy with King Aviation. Laurene was obsessed with her art.
This was it. But one wrong move from me tonight, and she’d place it right back into Erik’s lap without blinking.
So, I stayed still.
Author Bio:
Tinia (TUH-NIA) Montford is a Pisces who’s a sap for romance, especially when there’s (tons of) kissing. Loves eighties sitcoms and will consume anything with chocolate. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in English and Graphic Design. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiction.
In a city plagued by hidden crime, Rachel Remington is a solitary investigator
haunted by her family’s tragic past—her mother’s murder and
her father’s assassination. At 26, her obsession with finding their
killers drives her into a dangerous confrontation with a shadowy underworld of
illicit drug trafficking.
Will Rachel Get Her Revenge?
As hope emerges through the enigmatic Detective Trent, Rachel’s life spirals
into chaos. As they join forces, she discovers hidden agendas and dark secrets
threatening to consume her.
Games, Betrayals, and Love
Caught in a perilous game of trust and betrayal, Rachel must uncover her
family’s past while evading those determined to silence her. In a
thrilling tale of revenge and unexpected alliances, will Rachel uncover the
truth, seize her chance for redemption, find love, or will the shadows of her
past cost her everything?
About the Author
It’s never too late to make my dreams come true. I was lucky to be
born on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea, specifically in
Alexandria. My summers were spent on the beach, enjoying the sunshine, the
original surfboards/paddle boards, and the game of sand pickleball before it
even made it to the US.
Not having TVs, I read many books, especially wartime ones, Ian
Flemings’s early James Bond novels, John Le Carre, Agatha Christie,
Maurice LeBlanc (Arsene Lupin), and other detective/mystery-type books. For
school, we had to read all the French Classics. I was always intrigued by how
the characters always managed to resolve their problems.
At the Age of 19, I came to California as a foreign student. After graduating
with an engineering degree, I was able to obtain my permanent residency. I
never looked back. My mother was able to join me, but unfortunately, my father
passed away.
Once I graduated with a Mechanical Engineering degree, I joined an
International Engineering and Construction Company and spent all my working
time with them. What was great is that the company moved me to many work
projects around the world, where I spent an average of a couple of years on
each. My wife joined me on some of these assignments.
But my love for writing was always with me. During my stay abroad, I wrote a
philosophical book and many articles for local newspapers and the Laguna Beach
weekly issues, comparing life in Laguna Beach with life in Indonesia. I wrote
articles for the company’s monthly newsletter, as well as for other
publications.
I recently decided to use a “nom de plume”/pseudonym for my
writings. My real name is Jean-Pierre Zacaropoulos. Having a last name
starting with a “Z” had me called upon in classes either as one of
the last ones or one of the first one. It was always a guessing game. But
usually having an A or B will push you to the top (Ha! Ha!). So I decided to
choose a “B”
Now, I have a little bit more time, so I decided to make my long-time desire
come true. I wrote my mystery/romance novel, which will be followed shortly
after by a sequel.
Little Did We Know Cara Dee (The Mclean Tales, #1) Publication date: July 11th 2025 Genres: Adult, Contemporary, LGBTQ+, Romance
The Mclean Tales #1 • BDSM • Friendship • Found Family • Humor • Origin Story
At Mclean House, everyone knows about the eight founding members. If you need help with anything in the community, you send them a message or approach them at the house. Lucas is the kind Daddy Dom with patience for days, Macklin the funny switch who sure knows how to switch sides as well, and Greer is the primal Master with a huge heart and a devil on his shoulder. Colt has that devil on his shoulder too, actually. Lucian, another Master, is into high protocol and creative punishments. Penelope loves to host events and runs a tight ship. Last but definitely not least, the men who came up with the idea to start a community. River and Reese are the scary, sadistic twin brothers—until you get to know them and see the sweethearts under the ink, of course.
The eight founders find their happily ever afters in the Game Series, but this book isn’t about that. It’s about what happened before. The story very few know so far. How they met, how they became friends, and how they started exploring together.
So let’s go back to the beginning. It’s a cold night in Baltimore, and Lucas is about to catch the scowl of someone at an event where he feels completely out of place.
Author’s note: Are you new to the Game Series? This is the perfect book to jump right in and get to know the main characters.
Disclaimer: No fighter pilots or Marines were injured by each other’s insults in the making of this book, River apologizes in advance if he offended any vampires or people from Chicago, and Lucian solemnly swears that his cleaning service didn’t find anything embarrassing at his place after the night they all remember, except possibly something that belongs to Greer.
Disclaimer two: Sorry for lying. River isn’t apologizing for anything.
Reese’s smile widened. “Even better. A Dom who needs to get fucked? Do you struggle with that bit?”
I narrowed my eyes. “Only if the other guy—or guys—think they can boss me around. And for the record, Doms can be bottoms too.”
He chuckled and leaned back in his seat. “I know.” He lifted his gaze to something behind me—or someone, rather—and it was River returning with two bottles of beer. Reese scooted farther in, and River sat down next to him. “Lucas West here is a Dom who occasionally needs to get fucked like a savage.”
For chrissakes!
“Really.” River hitched his brows at me and took a swig of his beer. “Does he beg?”
Okay, that one got me. Annoyance tore through me, and I instantly considered calling it a night. I could still drive after two beers, and I hadn’t finished this one anyway. My plan had been to nurse it for a while. My actual plan—and the whole reason I’d chosen to drive—was because I’d thought I’d be in Baltimore.
“He fucking does not,” I stated. “He’s not that interested either.”
*
“Hey, gorgeous. Did you get your asshole prettied up for us?”
I stopped short, and it felt like he’d dumped a bucket of cold water over me. Water or embarrassment. Or defiance—or anger!
Who the fuck was this guy?!
I made eye contact with River. “Is he always like this?”
He shrugged a little and took a swig of whatever drink he’d mixed. “More or less. It’s how he digs for information. It ain’t subtle, but it’s effective.”
Information about what? And how exactly? Through shock value?
“If there’s information you want about me, you could start a conversation and ask,” I pointed out. “It’s how normal people get to know each other.”
River chuckled quietly. “Not sure we know what’s normal.”
“Fuck normal,” Reese said bluntly.
Author Bio:
Romance Across the Spectrum.
I’m often awkwardly silent or, if the topic interests me, a chronic rambler. In other words, I can discuss writing forever and ever. Fiction, in particular. The love story—while a huge draw and constantly present—is secondary for me, because there’s so much more to writing romance fiction than just making two (or more) people fall in love and have hot sex.
There’s a world to build, characters to develop, interests to create, and a topic or two to research thoroughly.
Every book is a challenge for me, an opportunity to learn something new, and a puzzle to piece together. I want my characters to come to life, and the only way I know to do that is to give them substance—passions, history, goals, quirks, and strong opinions—and to let them evolve.
I want my men and women to be relatable. That means allowing room for everyday problems and, for lack of a better word, flaws. My characters will never be perfect.
Wait…this was supposed to be about me, not my writing.
I’m a writey person who loves to write. Always wanderlusting, twitterpating, kinking, cooking, baking, and geeking. There’s time for hockey and family, too. But mostly, I just love to write.
Serena King has spent years burying her sins beneath designer heels and ruthless ambition. But no lie lasts forever. When a ghost from her past returns, armed with secrets that could destroy her, she’s forced into a game she can’t control.
The first move? A marriage forced upon her
To him—her brother’s ex-best friend. Her first mistake. The man who was her first… and then broke her heart.
Miles Whitmore.
He’s not the reckless charmer she remembers. He’s colder. Crueler. Hungrier.
Miles wants to salvage his scandal-ridden family’s legacy. He needs power. He needs redemption. But he’s got secrets that could destroy everything too.
Their marriage is a business deal, a show for the public. But behind closed doors?
It’s a war.
A war of lies. A war of seduction. A war of who will break first.
But the deeper they fall into their twisted game, the more hatred turns to heat. The more vengeance turns to obsession.
Because in a world where power is everything and love is the most dangerous game of all…
Tinia (TUH-NIA) Montford is a Pisces who’s a sap for romance, especially when there’s (tons of) kissing. Loves eighties sitcoms and will consume anything with chocolate. She graduated from the University of San Francisco with a degree in English and Graphic Design. She is currently pursuing her MFA in Fiction.
This summer these two broken souls discover if your second love can make
you forget your first
Growing up, the Morelli brothers were close
Their kinship sinks deeper than the Titanic the summer they both fall for
the same girl. Zakiah always felt Iliana Kaplan’s heart belonged to him. All
along, it has been their story, until fate removed the blindfold.
Everything falls apart when Zakiah realizes Iliana will never give him her
whole heart. This time, the middle brother, Elijah, won’t be able to repair
the damage. A rift is torn amid all of them, and nothing will ever be the
same again.
Two years later, when love comes knocking on his door, Zakiah strays from
his motto. He can’t pretend the connection he feels with Glory Glover isn’t
real. He just can’t afford to fall victim to love again—already
learned that lesson the hard way.
Life drops the other shoe. When his dad reveals who his betrothed is,
there’s no running from what fate has in store. Can your second love make
you forget your first? Zakiah must decide if love only exists in fairytales.
No matter what choice he makes, it won’t be easy to find what’s truly his to
behold.
What happened in the spring might’ve made him forget his summertime dreams,
but reality rarely has a silver lining.
About the Author
B. Truly has wanted to be an author since she was fifteen years old. She is grateful to have accomplished this dream. B. Truly has very vivid dreams and a wild imagination. She likes to read, watch tons of TV shows, and movies. She’s addicted to romance and gets a thrill out of suspense and sci-fi. She writes young adult, new adult, and adult romance, sci-fi, dystopian, paranormal, and urban genres.
B. Truly likes to explore conflicted plots of romance with thrilling twists. She also loves creating impossible situations for her characters to grow from and try to overcome.
B. Truly has three wonderful children, and a husband who defines the person
that she is today. She works full-time as an Ultrasound technologist in Houston, Texas.
The Third Ring A.N. Horton Publication date: April 15th 2025 Genres: Adult, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Ten Trials. Two Oaths. One Chance.
To Adrian, the gods were never anything to be worshipped, just tolerated. But in the walled city of Sanctuary, whether through the religious fervor of the elite or the quaking fear of the poor, the Geist have always been served. And now it’s Adrian’s turn.
Born into power and raised for greatness, Dante stands for everything Adrian has come to despise, but he may be her only hope of survival. When the two of them are bonded against their will and forced to compete together in the Trials, the god’s ancient gauntlet of physical brutality and psychological torture, they have no choice but to set aside old prejudices and work together. Navigating religious zealots, a patriarch intent on breeding the pair for power, and the increasingly obvious cruelty of the gods, Adrian must come to terms with the fact that, whether Culled or Championed, we all serve the gods in the end. And, for her, betrayal has always been waiting just around the corner.
“He told me to seduce you,” he confessed, and I couldn’t help the laughter that burst out of me. His own lips quirked up into a smirk, amusement dancing in his bright eyes.
“I hate to break it to you,” I replied, still laughing, “but you’re shit at it.”
He laughed then too, a loud burst that had me grinning.
“I told him seducing you would be like trying to seduce one of the ancient serpentine beasts. But he only said that made you a true Viper.”
Author Bio:
A. N. Horton is a two-time award-winning author living in Nashville, TN with her husband, children, and moderately chunky Corgi. When she’s not writing, she’s reading, baking more cookies than her family can eat, and plotting crimes against her characters. Best known for crafting characters that steal her readers’ hearts as much as they shatter them, A. N. Horton is a cross-genre writer focused mainly on fantasy and romance with her upcoming urban fantasy series, The Third Ring, and her soon to be released historical romance novel, A Promise Kept.
Some captors don’t need chains to hold your heart hostage.
Just one last job, he said.
It will be easy money, he said.
You don’t even have to do the dirty work.
I worked for Victor Salazar for years. He’s an exceptional liar and a
master manipulator, so I should have known that every word that came out of
his mouth was horse crap. After I spent four years in prison because of a
job I did for him, I swore to myself that I would never get involved with
him again.
But then he offers me a deal so sweet I can’t refuse. He’ll
clear my debt, pay me enough to start over, and all I have to do is get
close to a girl, get some information, and get out. Sounds simple,
right?
Wrong!
Katelyn Akiyama isn’t just some girl. She’s sharp, kind, and
way too good for someone like me. The closer I get, the harder it is to
remind myself this is just a job. But Victor doesn’t forgive mistakes,
and he doesn’t take no for an answer.
Now, I’m trapped between the only girl I’ve ever cared about
and the man who can ruin my life. One wrong move and I could lose
everything.
When I made a deal with the devil, I had no idea the price would be so
high.
Warning: Contains a splash of dub-con.
About the Author
Number cruncher by day, raging romance novelist by night;
Jacqueline’s creative inspiration stems from romance and all its
literary and rom-com depictions. Matters of the heart are what fascinates
her, because ultimately, what makes a life out of – what would ordinarily be
a typical existence – is Love
This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. M. Jayne LaDow will be awarding a $25 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour banner to see the other stops on the tour.
In the close-knit town of Marchfield, where gossip spreads faster than a teenager’s texts, English teacher Audrey Fremont and Algebra instructor Oz Taylor find themselves at the center of a scandal—and a romance neither saw coming.
A few too many drinks at Happy Hour and a glimpse of his infuriatingly sexy shoulders lead to a one-night stand that should have ended there—but didn’t. Relentlessly organized and a bit of a perfectionist, Audrey is horrified to discover that Oz is one of her new coworkers. Yet, stolen glances in the hallway, moments in the copy room, and snarky banter make keeping it “no strings attached” nearly impossible to maintain.
With meddling friends and nosy colleagues already placing bets on their romance, Audrey and Oz can’t ignore the chemistry simmering between them. But just when Audrey thinks she’s got everything under control, a surprise confession from Oz leaves her questioning everything she thought she knew about love.
In a town where everyone’s watching, Audrey and Oz must decide: will they keep playing it safe, or risk their hearts on a love that could change everything?
Read an Excerpt
The wind turned, and the warm night air chilled. Clicking open the locks on my car, I tried to get in and drive away. Slowly, I turned to scan the area for Oz. He stood by his truck, watching me with his hands in his pockets. His eyes were dark, and I could feel the heat of his stare.
I should have waved goodbye, hopped into Green Lightning, and headed home. I should have taken a cold shower and written in my journal all the reasons why we should Never Ever, Get Back Together. Thanks, Taylor Swift.
I should woman up.
But there he was, giving me sexy, smoldering eyes as he leaned against his truck. He looked like a modern-day cowboy, all hard and rugged after a day on the ranch. I have always had a thing for cowboys. They were hard, tough, weather and work-worn on the outside but warm and loyal on the inside.
The logical side of my brain warned me to stay away, but he’d lassoed me with an invisible rope. I stepped toward him and watched his eyes widen, and his chest rise as he drew in a deep breath. It was all the encouragement I needed to close the space between us.
I stood inches from him, staring into his eyes, searching for a sign. His mouth hitched up on the right side, and I felt myself rise up on my toes, my hands on his wide shoulders, and kiss him.
About the Author:
M. Jayne LaDow is a playwright and author who leapt into writing romance after spending thirty-three years wrangling middle school English students. Her rom-coms are hilariously inspired by her years in education, where she was regularly pied in the face, sang classroom karaoke, and dressed up like characters from novels. She resides with her very patient husband, two brilliant yet snarky children, three cuddly rescue cats, a toe-biting tortoise, and a bearded dragon who judges her life choices from his terrarium.
The only thing more lethal than his need for revenge, is the woman who’s
tasked with bringing him down.
Adrian Croft dreams of quitting the shady business he stands to inherit, of
settling down, and of raising a family free from a life of crime. But when
tragedy strikes, this fanciful dream is destroyed. All he wants now is
revenge. His anger, however, threatens to cloud his judgment, making it
harder for him to recognize danger when it approaches in the form of a
beautiful woman.
Trained for covert operations as part of a secret government program,
Samantha Carmichael’s mission is to give British law enforcement a reason to
prosecute the most powerful man in the country. But when common sense and
duty begin to blur, can she remain steadfast in her goal, or will her
loyalties shift as she gradually loses her heart to the one man she cannot
afford to love?
-One series, one couple, and the brutal challenges they must face-
If you like What Angels Fear, Silent in the Grave, and Murder on Black Swan
Lake, you’ll devour Sophie Barnes’ thrilling new series.
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 eight 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.
