This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddes Fish Promotions. Beth Ford will be
awarding a $20 Amazon/BN gift card to a randomly drawn winner. Click on the tour
banner to see the other stops on the tour.
Ashley
and Thomas, a medieval knight, are in 1377 England, escaping from present-day
immigration authorities intent on capturing Thomas. Having fled to the past to ensure
their togetherness, Ashley is faced with adapting to fourteenth-century life, while
Thomas, new to his title as Baron after his older brother’s death, is called to Parliament,
encountering enemies there and at court as he struggles to build his own
alliances.
Ashley's work at a monastic hospital is deemed “miraculous” but draws unwanted
attention as potential witchcraft. Meanwhile, becoming embroiled in a political
movement, she realizes too lateHow can Ashley conform to social expectations, counter the plot, and still keep her
relationship with Thomas, in all the turmoil?
Read an Excerpt
The scene at Newgate was much different than when they had left only a couple of
hours before. The crowd of everyday travelers had dispersed, and de Landys’s men had
been reinforced, though a few of them lay on the ground with arrows through their
chests. Most of them stood with their backs to Ashley and her group, intent on
countering the King’s men, who were heaving against the gate to break it down.
The two knights who had agreed to accompany her paused. Ashley glanced up at de la
Garde. “This is your moment, Sir Matthew. Your future reputation will depend on what
you choose to do now.”
Sir Matthew set his mouth in a grim line. He glanced at his fellow, who nodded at him.
They roared past her and attacked the men from behind, slashing swords into backs
and necks. Ashley used the distraction to dash into the gatehouse, where she paused
only to slide the torch into a handy sconce on the wall. The King’s men were still tied up.
She would have to trust that their loyalty to the King held true. Ashley knelt and used
her dagger to cut through the ropes, starting with de Mantel.
“What’s the situation?” he asked as soon as he was free of his gag.
“The King’s men are on the other side of the gate. We’ve reinforced them from
inside.”
“You? Are there any fighting men in your reinforceme
nts?”
“Yes. Two.” The bloody body of one of the traitors fell into the gatehouse doorway. Ashley forced a smile even though the sight made her gag. “See?”
it’s a plot against the King.
About the Author
<
/div>
Beth Ford writes historical and time travel stories that transport you in time. She is the
author of the novels In the Times of Spirits, Love Between Times, Love Across, Time,
and After the Spirits Come: A Continuation of Dickens's A Christmas Carol. She also
writes the Cassie Woods, Reporter historical mystery romance novella series. Her work
has also appeared in a variety of literary journals. She lives in the beautiful Shenandoah
Valley of Virginia.
Operations
Manager Carli Porter runs The Lochwell as if it were her own and is fiercely
protective of the community she’s built within its walls. But when the
building's owner sends in his best friend to evaluate its future, Caril finds
herself fighting to keep everything she loves from slipping away. Left with no
other option, she’s forced to team up with Alexander Grassi, the very man who
could decide the building's fate.
Readers who enjoy steamy,
he-falls-first romances will devour Fight It Until We Can’t by Cissy Mecca
& Tina Gallagher, a small-town, rivals-to-lovers
romance.
She's the operations manager who will
make sure he doesn't.
Carli Porter runs The Lochwell like
it's hers. The coffee shop is her living room. Its book club members are her
family. The residents are her friends. The pub is her Friday night. The only
problem? The building belongs to someone else, and that someone just sent his
best friend to decide its fate.
Alexander Grassi is smart and
annoyingly hard to hate. He also has the kind of forearms that make it very
difficult to stay mad at him. (She's tried. It hasn't worked.) He's supposed to
write a report, hand it over to his friend and leave. He wasn't supposed to
start showing up to trivia night. Or turning her coffee cup so the handle faces
her. Or looking at her like she's the best thing in a building full of things
worth saving.
She says his report could ruin her
life.
He says she's not wrong.
She says that's makes him the last
person she should want around.
He says he's staying
anyway.
Because some legacies (and people)
are worth fighting for.
Copyright 2026, Author
Cissy Mecca & Author Tina Gallagher
"Did you tell her?" Chris
asked Vee as he emerged from the small kitchen at the back of the
shop.
"Tell me what?" I asked.
Vee slid two coffees toward Maria Grazia and me.
"Only that the hottest guy I've
ever seen was asking for you earlier," Chris said. "He wasn't just
hot. He was extraordinarily hot. Casual, buttoned-up, perfect hair, two days
shadow with a smile that could melt polar ice-caps kind of hot".
"I know the man looking for you.
And can guess why he's here," Maria said. She set her cup down. That
small, deliberate gesture told me more than her words had. "He's a good
man," she added carefully. "His mother is one of my dearest friends.
But good men can still be sent to do difficult things".
Before I could figure that out, or
even take another sip of coffee, he stepped into the coffee shop. At least, I
assumed it was him. But since the Brew didn't often see extraordinarily hot men
with smiles that could melt polar ice-caps every day, I assumed that was
probably him. His light blue buttoned-down shirt was open, no tie, but the
casual tan sport coat still gave him a polished appearance. Honestly? Chris's
description was overall pretty spot-on.
He scanned the room, his gaze pausing
when it reached us. He smiled at Maria Grazia and headed our way.
"I'm thinking this is
Carli?" he asked her.
"You didn't tell me you planned
to meet with her, Xander". Maria Grazia's tone was sharper than
usual.
"I don't have an
appointment," he turned his attention to me. His eyes were hazel, in the
best way possible. "And honestly didn't think I'd actually find her. You
get around." Xander stuck his hand out. "Alexander Grassi".
A firm handshake from someone
accustomed to shaking hands. "Carlina Porter," I responded,
defaulting to my full name, as I did when I met someone new.
"I'm a property analyst,"
he said.
Before I could fully register that,
Maria Grazia added, "And one of Graeme Lochwell's best
friends".
The bottom dropped out of my stomach.
Property analyst. Graeme Lochwell's best friend. Both pieces landed separately,
and then all at once, the way bad news always did. I looked at Xander. He
wasn't smiling anymore either. Whatever this morning had been before... Lou's
Instagram, AnnMarie's bathtub, the abandoned coffee cup on some forgotten high
top... it had just become the least of my problems.
About Cissy
Mecca
A "recovering" 8th-grade
teacher and curriculum consultant with a PhD in Language & Literacy,
Cecelia loves writing high-heat, emotionally charged romance. The Brands (The
Mecca Romance Multiverse): Cissy Mecca: Contemporary Romance, Cecelia Mecca:
Medieval and Scottish Historical Romance. C.L. Mecca: Fantasy and Paranormal
Romance. Mecca Romance Signature Style: Heroines: Bold, strong women who fall
hard but never lose their identity. Heroes: High-heat, protective, and intense.
Vibe: Visceral, sensory-rich escapes... from family-owned vineyards to the
war-torn Anglo-Scottish borders. Other Info: Representation: Katie Reed (Katie
Reed Literary) Personal: Married, two teens, Disney enthusiast, traveler, and
wine lovers Authority: PhD background makes her an excellent guest for
craft-focused podcasts or literacy-based panels.
Tina Gallagher grew up and continues
to live in Northeast Pennsylvania. As a tween, she and her best friend would
create happily ever afters for their favorite soap opera couples. Eventually,
the soap operas lost their appeal, but the writing never did. Before living her
dream as a full-time author, she worked a spectrum of jobs ranging from baking
and cake decorating to marketing and project management. In between creating
memorable characters, traveling, and taking pole dance lessons, Tina enjoys
spending time with her two grown children and Golden Irish named
Thea.
A breakup on
the way to a Fourth of July getaway was supposed to be the end for Merritt and
Ben until a strange accident sends them five years into a future neither of
them remembers. No longer together and surrounded by lives that have shifted in
unexpected ways, Merritt and Ben must piece together what went wrong between
them and their once-tight friend group. As old feelings reignite and hidden
truths are exposed, the past and present collide in ways they never anticipated.
Readers who enjoy heartfelt second-chance romances, stories with emotional time
slips, and a love that refuses to fade will devour Five Summers from Now, a
steamy new romance from Michelle Dayton.
They were supposed to spend the
Fourth of July weekend with their closest friends—fireworks, laughter,
traditions. Instead, Merritt Sullivan and Ben Samuels broke up on the drive to
the lake, before the first spark lit the sky.
But after a strange accident on the
dock, they wake up to find that everything’s changed. It’s five years later.
They’re no longer a couple. Their friends’ lives have shifted in ways they
never saw coming. Careers, relationships, even loyalties have rearranged—some
for the better, some painfully worse. And neither of them remembers the years
in between.
Forced to navigate a future they
don’t recall, Merritt and Ben must work together to understand what fractured
not only their relationship, but their entire friend group. The only way
back—if going back is even possible—is to face the heartbreak they once tried
to outrun.
As old feelings resurface and new
truths come to light, they’ll have to decide: is the future worth keeping…or
worth rewriting?
Tears formed and slid down my cheeks.
I dashed them away with one hand, silent, not wanting to break the spell. Out
of the corner of my eye, I saw Ben’s right hand jerk in my direction as if he
wanted to touch me, needed to touch me, but then realized he
shouldn’t.
Oh, to hell with it.
I reached over, grabbed his hand, and
pulled it to my heart. I bent my head and pressed my lips to it. He’d said his
brother’s name to me, for the first time ever.
A broken sound escaped his mouth at
the feel of my lips on his skin. The next thing I knew, he was pulling me into
his arms, the tight confines of the car be damned.
He pushed the driver’s side seat
back, settled me onto his lap sideways, and held on to me for dear life,
panting into my neck.
“It’s okay,” I murmured, winding my
arms around his neck and stroking through the hair on the back of his head.
“It’s okay.”
I closed my eyes and breathed him in,
the Downy fabric softener and chlorine scent of my Ben. His arms tightened
around my waist, and I let myself luxuriate in his embrace. God, I hadn’t felt
this safe in ages. I’d been so angry with him for so long. Even when we hugged,
it was perfunctory and quick. I hadn’t let myself cling or need him. Hadn’t let
him hold me or need me.
I’d taken his hand because he needed
comfort. We both did. This was his body’s response to my earlier apology. He
didn’t have the words, so holding me like this was his way of showing me he
forgave me.
But now, the embrace was changing for
me. It was becoming about need. All about need. I needed to feel his chest
expand and contract, needed to feel his breath against my bare neck, needed his
hands tugging on the strands of my hair.
I was suddenly hot all over, despite
the air-conditioning. It’d been so many months since he’d touched me, and even
if this embrace was simply in the spirit of forgiveness and comfort, my body
was responding in a very not-PG way.
“Merritt,” Ben whispered.
I pulled my face back, brushing my
cheek against his on my way to eye contact.
He stared up at me, at my mouth, his
pupils expanding and obliterating the blue. When I sucked in my bottom lip, he
groaned in the back of his throat. “If you don’t want to be kissed, you better
get the hell off my lap.”
Instead, I gripped the seat behind
his shoulders and used it as a brace as I twisted my body upright and carefully
brought my right leg over to straddle him.
Later, I’d probably kick myself for
this. Escalating things with Ben at this moment made about as much sense as the
defeat of the aliens in Independence Day, but common sense
didn’t stand a chance against the desire in Ben’s eyes, my racing heart, and
the singing sense of rightness in my veins every time his mouth was on
mine.
Ben’s body was taut with restraint as
he waited for my right knee to find purchase on the seat cushion between him
and the door. The very instant my weight stabilized, he cupped the back of my
neck and drew my face to his, claiming my mouth.
About Michelle
Dayton
There are only three things Michelle
Dayton loves more than sexy and suspenseful novels: her family, the city of
Chicago, and Mr. Darcy. Michelle dreams of a year of world travel – as long as
the trip would include weeks and weeks of beach time. As a bourbon lover and
unabashed wine snob, Michelle thinks heaven is discussing a good book over an
adult beverage.
A ruthless
bodyguard sworn to protect a woman whose family is his sworn enemy finds his
loyalty tested when forced proximity turns hatred into a dangerous attraction.
As enemies close in and the line between desire and duty blurs, protecting her
could mean betraying everything he’s ever known. Readers who enjoy forbidden,
forced proximity romances with touch-her-and-die vibes will love The Protection
Agreement by A. Akinosho, a steamy enemies-to-lovers, billionaire, bodyguard
romance.
When a threat puts her life in
danger, there’s only one man capable of protecting her—a ruthless bodyguard
with a fearsome reputation and loyalty carved into his bones. The problem? His
family and hers are sworn enemies. And he learned to hate her last name long
before he ever knew her.
This is duty. A
contract. Nothing more.
Shared space. Constant
protection. No attachment. No temptation.
Forced proximity turns restraint into
tension. Hatred softens. Awareness sharpens. Desire becomes impossible to
ignore. She’s a damsel in distress who refuses to be fragile. He’s a
possessive protector bound by duty, fighting feelings he has no right to claim.
Every glance is forbidden. Every moment together is a betrayal written in
silence.
As enemies close in and pressure
mounts, distance becomes impossible.
Because the longer he stands between
her and danger, the harder it is to remember where duty ends—and desire
begins.
He was sworn to keep her
alive. He just wasn’t prepared for what it would cost him.
Lexi returns from her room and takes
the seat next to me. I’ve concluded that we are fighting a losing
battle. It’s just a matter of time before the attraction between us takes over
and its fiery flame burns through us. We are quiet, our eyes are trained on the
movie even as I’m provocatively attune to her presence, her allure is seeping
into every nook and cranny of my being. It doesn’t take long before
she leans into me. I don’t move out of her reach. She’s soft and warm in my
arms and my whole being is responding to her closeness. I need to get her in
bed. I move her head from my shoulder.
“Hmm,” she groans. “Kiss me, Bruce,”
she whispers. I pause for a moment, convinced I didn’t hear
her.
“What did you say?” I ask, betting
she doesn’t realize what she asked of me.
“Kiss me, Bruce,” she says, her voice
barely audible. “I want you to kiss me. I took my meds.“ A chuckle
escapes her “Be aware that I may not remember in the morning, so make it good
so I can dream of you.” She grins, though a bit out of
it.
I want her to remember, and I
shouldn’t grant her request, but I’ve been dying to kiss her, so who am I to
deny her request especially when she wants to dream of me. I shift positions so
she’s on her back and I kiss her lips gently and she opens her mouth to let me
in. I kiss her with the fervor of a starved man that I am. Her tongue swirls
sweetly with mine. She wraps her arms around my neck and pulls me closer and
deeper to her. My tongue is seeking every inch of her mouth, my body is intensely
aroused. A soft moan escapes her, it sends a charge through my
body.
I can probably make love to her now
and she wouldn’t stop me, but I also want her sober and consenting plus I want
her to always remember us, every touch, every kiss and every thrust of me
inside her. I slowly pull away. Breaking the sweet feel of our kiss.
Fuck, I just
kissed Jonah’s girl and I fucking like it.
She smiles. “Goodnight,
Bruce.”
She turns to her side and sleeps like
she didn’t just break through every resistance shield of mine. I sigh because
looking at her, I want more. I feel it in the blood thumping in my veins. My
ragged breath that I fucking need to control. My hands running through my hair
in exasperation of what I’ve just done. I know there’s no going back
now.
Leaning down, I lift her in
my arms. She giggles like a little girl. I should leave her in her room, but
I’ve a need for her closeness, I can’t explain or control. I move
slowly with her asleep in my arms and place her gently in my bed. She curls to
her side and sleeps off. I sit on the bed for a moment watching her,
“she can’t leave” the voice that slams in my
head. Just as Declan’s words a while ago “when you kiss the one, you
never want another” I feel the weight of what I’ve done. Kissed the
one but she belongs to another man and not just any man. A man that hates my
guts, paid me to keep her safe and sternly warned me not to touch her. I now
know why, he made that request because he knows once I did.
He and I would be at war. Yet I find
myself willing to go to war for her. Damn it
I move closer and kiss her temple, my
palm gently touching her face. A giggle escapes her and I wonder if she’s
dreaming of me. I cover her and get off the bed. I go into the
bathroom to shower and relieve the monster awakening between my legs. I get
temporary relief. Wrapping my towel around my waist. I peep to check on her.
She’s knocked out. I put sleeping pants on and get in bed with her, pulling her
into my arms and she doesn’t resist.
About A.
Akinosho
A. Akinosho lives in her own little
nest in Illinois. An avid reader and enjoy reading thrillers, suspense, and
romance novels (partial to the romance genre). When she's not reading or
keeping up with life, she enjoys writing and creating twists to stories. She
loves writing about diverse characters, friendship, and overcoming challenges
through what is perceived as a weakness.
Operations
Manager Carli Porter runs The Lochwell as if it were her own and is fiercely
protective of the community she’s built within its walls. But when the
building's owner sends in his best friend to evaluate its future, Caril finds
herself fighting to keep everything she loves from slipping away. Left with no
other option, she’s forced to team up with Alexander Grassi, the very man who
could decide the building's fate.
Pre-order
this he-falls-first romance
with small-town and rivals-to-lovers tropes from Cissy Mecca & Tina
Gallagher.
Title: Fight It Until
We Can’t
Author: Cissy Mecca
& Tina Gallagher
Release Date:
05/12/2026
Genre: Contemporary
Romance
Page Count: 280
pages
Tropes: Small-Town,
Rivals-to-Lovers, Forced Proximity, He Falls First, Found Family, Competence
Kink
Blurb
He's a property analyst hired to find
the cracks.
She's the operations manager who will
make sure he doesn't.
Carli Porter runs The Lochwell like
it's hers. The coffee shop is her living room. Its book club members are her
family. The residents are her friends. The pub is her Friday night. The only
problem? The building belongs to someone else, and that someone just sent his
best friend to decide its fate.
Alexander Grassi is smart and
annoyingly hard to hate. He also has the kind of forearms that make it very
difficult to stay mad at him. (She's tried. It hasn't worked.) He's supposed to
write a report, hand it over to his friend and leave. He wasn't supposed to
start showing up to trivia night. Or turning her coffee cup so the handle faces
her. Or looking at her like she's the best thing in a building full of things
worth saving.
She says his report could ruin her
life.
He says she's not wrong.
She says that's makes him the last
person she should want around.
He says he's staying
anyway.
Because some legacies (and people)
are worth fighting for.
A "recovering" 8th-grade
teacher and curriculum consultant with a PhD in Language & Literacy,
Cecelia loves writing high-heat, emotionally charged romance. The Brands (The
Mecca Romance Multiverse): Cissy Mecca: Contemporary Romance, Cecelia Mecca:
Medieval and Scottish Historical Romance. C.L. Mecca: Fantasy and Paranormal
Romance. Mecca Romance Signature Style: Heroines: Bold, strong women who fall
hard but never lose their identity. Heroes: High-heat, protective, and intense.
Vibe: Visceral, sensory-rich escapes... from family-owned vineyards to the
war-torn Anglo-Scottish borders. Other Info: Representation: Katie Reed (Katie
Reed Literary) Personal: Married, two teens, Disney enthusiast, traveler, and
wine lovers Authority: PhD background makes her an excellent guest for
craft-focused podcasts or literacy-based panels.
Tina Gallagher grew up and continues
to live in Northeast Pennsylvania. As a tween, she and her best friend would
create happily ever afters for their favorite soap opera couples. Eventually,
the soap operas lost their appeal, but the writing never did. Before living her
dream as a full-time author, she worked a spectrum of jobs ranging from baking
and cake decorating to marketing and project management. In between creating
memorable characters, traveling, and taking pole dance lessons, Tina enjoys
spending time with her two grown children and Golden Irish named
Thea.
Natalie Dugan
thought starting a cleaning business would bring freedom, not danger. Between
caring for her sick mother and juggling new clients, she has no time for
romance—until she meets Aaron Marino, a scarred ex-firefighter who makes her
question everything. When a series of suspicious fires spreads through their
Virginia town, suspicion falls on every man around her, leaving Natalie to
unravel a deadly mystery before vengeance consumes them all. Readers who enjoy
high-stakes and forced proximity romances will devour Burning Vengeance by
Tricia T. LaRochelle, a small-town, fireman romantic
suspense.
When Natalie Dugan trades
spreadsheets for scrub brushes, she hopes her new cleaning business will give
her independence—and the chance to care for her ailing mother. Love isn’t on
her agenda, but everything changes when she meets Aaron Marino, a reclusive
ex-firefighter scarred by the blaze that nearly claimed his life.
As a string of suspicious fires
threatens their quaint Virginia town, every man in Natalie’s orbit becomes a
suspect: her hard-working new boyfriend, her mother’s unfairly maligned
partner, her unsettling neighbor, and even Aaron himself. But the closer
Natalie gets to Aaron, the harder it is to ignore the spark that refuses to
extinguish.
When the truth behind the fires
finally ignites, Natalie will have to confront betrayal, vengeance, and danger
that hits far too close to home. Survival—and love—depend on whether she can
brave the flames of the past … before they consume her.
Yaz and I were the new owners of
cockapoos. Daisy was my baby, and Sadie was Yaz’s. We adopted the two sisters
six months ago, when we had both decided to try our hand at pet parenting. And
we were smitten. Our little spitfires kept us busy.
Embracing the doggy craze, I’d bought
pj’s with images of dogs adorning them, tote bags, and throws of the same type
of pattern, and of course, the scrubs. Hell, I even had stemless wine glasses
with doggy prints etched into the glass—a gift from Mom last Christmas. She
doted on Daisy more than I did.
“You the cleaning
lady?”
Aaron’s voice brought me back to the
moment.
I do have a
name.
Other than his gaze lingering on my
outfit for a millisecond longer than normal, Aaron never really looked at me as
he spoke. He stayed focused on the area behind me, mostly. He also kept lightly
scratching at his beard, like someone would do when they were either anxious or
prone to such habits.
Handsome or not, I kept my mind on
high alert as I watched for signs of crazy from this guy. One hand remained in
my pocket, gripping my pepper spray.
“Yes, I’m Natalie. Natalie Dugan.” I
reached my free hand out, and he shook it, quickly releasing his
grip.
Here's one with a sense of
danger:
Daisy wandered the backyard by the
fence bordering Alan’s property. I hated it when she did that, but it was late,
and what difference did it make? As long as she did her business in a timely
fashion, I was fine.
“Okay, go potty, Daisy.” Not sure why
I had to ask her this. I hoped certain words and phrases would register. During
the day, I had taught her to ring a potty-training bell that hung from both the
front and back doors of the house. She and I were a work in
progress.
I wrapped my jacket around my waist
and wiggled my legs for warmth. “Hurry up, Daisy. Go potty, so we can get back
to bed.”
While the little pup sniffed the
ground along the fence line, I waited, my gaze wandering the surrounding area,
especially the pitchy woods growing thick out back.
I loved the privacy, but couldn’t
help but wonder what animals lurked. Especially on a night like this one, when
the moon was hiding behind a dense layer of clouds, the darkness so thick, I
could barely see my dog.
You forgot to turn on the
outside light, genius. Oh, well, this won’t take
long.
Movement cut through my thoughts, my
senses on guard. If a raccoon or a fox came bounding over the fence, I was
ready to grab Daisy and whisk her inside.
A shadow appeared on the other side
of the fence. Alan? Oh, shit. What was he doing out here
at this hour? My heart slammed against my ribcage, and I lost my breath. What
was it about this dude? He’d been harmless so far. Rude,
but otherwise benign. Maybe it was those gas cans? His uncanny
resemblance to the man in that Netflix show? Or just a sixth sense?
“D-Daisy, w-we gotta go,” I
whisper-yelled.
At this point, she was in full squat
mode, doing her business.
The shadow moved closer as my body
trembled and my lungs strained to accept any semblance of oxygen. I wanted to
run, but I stood paralyzed.
The shadow lifted something large. A
flick of a lighter followed. All at once, a dragon-sized ball of fire
illuminated the night.
All went dark. Alan moved closer. The
fire ignited again, and I could see flames escaping Alan’s mouth. It was like
something out of a circus. The heat flushed my cheeks with its
warmth.
Daisy, having finished, backed away
from the fence and barked at the wild display.
In an instant, I could see Alan
clearly, until the firebomb extinguished, and darkness
returned.
Alan lifted the bottle and spat more
flames. His head turned slightly, his gaze meeting
mine.
Holy shit. What
if he spat his flames over here?
About Tricia T.
LaRochelle
Since she was a little girl,
award-winning author Tricia T. LaRochelle has been obsessed with tragic love
stories. No beach reads for her. Bring on the grit with a double side of
turmoil. She likes to feel the character’s anguish as they fight to overcome
obstacles to be together. Growing up in central Vermont, she has seen her share
of tragedy but remains a hopeful romantic. She now lives in central Virginia,
where she continues to foster the possibilities of how love can conquer
all.
Rowan Harper, a relentless reporter with everything to lose, sets her sights
on the Beckett clan, only to find her biggest story complicated by Clive Beckett, the
self-sacrificing shifter she never meant to fall for. As prophecy unfolds and a traitor emerges,
Making Her Mine blends fated mates, magic, meddling gods, and
irresistible chemistry into a battle where love may be the most
dangerous force of all. Pre-order
this grumpy sunshine romance with a protective hero and a
who-did-this-to-you trope from Bree Westland.
Title: Making Her Mine
Author: Bree Westland
Release Date: 02/26/2026
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Page Count: 359 pages
Tropes: Grumpy Sunshine, Meddling Gods, Who Did
This To You, Dislike to Love, Protective Hero, Touch Her and Die, Grief and Healing, Fated
Mates, Found Family, Telepathic Characters.
Blurb
Clive Beckett played as hard as he worked. Yet the truth of the matter, that he was slowly
circling the drain, would soon be apparent to everyone.
He had his family fooled. His passion was saving lives. But his carefully built facade was
disintegrating, piece by piece. Sacrifices needed to be made. And as usual Clive was all in,
putting himself on the line one too many times.
Nothing excited Rowan Harper more than chasing a lead. She’s failed at everything though,
except exploiting the truth. And with her personal life in shambles, she snags an exclusive
contract. A tell-all story, centering on the famous Beckett siblings. Once the story breaks, she’ll
be set for life, despite a high personal price. But a most unattainable, mountain of a man stands
in her way.
When Clive finds himself dragged into yet another scheme to unravel the rogue fae’s hold
on the clan, he can’t say no and comes face to face with his very human limitations. The pretty
little reporter brightens his drab days, getting under his skin, complicating matters. But painful
facts come to light, throwing everything Rowan has worked so hard for into question.
New battle lines are drawn and unforeseen allies called upon as the fight with the fae twists
and escalates, aligning with prophecy. And a traitor hides in their midst. Danger lurking among
the most vulnerable of them.
*Readers can expect healthy doses of hot shifters, naughty language, and intimate time with
a fated mate, all wrapped up in a happily ever after. Can be read as a standalone romance but
best enjoyed in the order written.
Hi, I’m Bree! Paranormal romance writer and lover of all things fantasy. I write steamy shifter
romances with growly alpha men and the strong women who love them. Most days you can find
me tucked away in my office, lost in the worlds and characters I create, listening while they tell
me their stories.
When not writing, you can catch me curled up with a hot cup of tea
and my ever-growing TBR pile. I call home the sunny beaches of Jacksonville, Florida, but I love
traveling as long as I can take my laptop with me!
Benny Reed came back to Waypoint to rebuild a baseball team, not to fall for
Quinn Logan, the hometown girl turned global pop sensation who once wrote songs about him.
Keeping their distance should be easy, but unresolved history, explosive chemistry, and nonstop
attention from everyone make it nearly impossible. Readers who love missed connections and
return-to-hometown romances will fall head over heels for Lineups and Lyrics by Tina Gallagher,
a steamy, small-town sports romance.
Benny Reed has a plan. Quinn Logan isn’t part of it.
Managing an MLB team means building something from the ground up, and that challenge
is exactly what drew him back to Waypoint. He knows the game. He knows the job. And he
knows one rule that’s always served him well: baseball and his personal life don’t mix.
Then he meets Quinn Logan.
She’s Waypoint born and raised.
She’s also a retired pop star with a name the world recognizes.
He doesn’t remember the quiet girl from high school.
She remembers him—and the crush that inspired her first songs.
Getting close is risky.
The town is watching.
The media won’t stay quiet.
And some connections don’t care about timing.
Lineups & Lyrics is a steamy small-town sports romance about missed
connections and unexpected love.
Benny and I stepped into the elevator and the doors slid shut. The car moved maybe two
feet before a dull clang sounded and the motion stopped dead. A single, half-hearted ding
followed—less “arriving at your floor” and more “I tried my best.”
I stared at the panel like it might offer an explanation.
Benny pressed one button, then another.
The lights flickered, then dimmed into a steady glow.
He hit the red emergency call button. A few seconds later, the speaker crackled to life.
“Building security,” a tinny voice said. “Are you stuck in an elevator?”
“Sure looks that way,” Benny said.
“All right. Maintenance will be there within the hour.”
The speaker clicked off, leaving only the hum of the fan.
Benny looked at me and exhaled a slow breath through his nose. “Guess we’re not going
anywhere for a bit.”
“Guess not.”
“Might as well get comfortable,” he said.
He pushed off the wall and sank to the floor, one leg stretched out, forearm resting on his
bent knee.
I hesitated for a second, then slid down the opposite wall. The space between us felt smaller
sitting like this, our legs only a couple of feet apart.
“I like Dane and Marin,” I said.
“Yeah, I think they’ll work out well.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “I’m glad Dane
recommended her. She’s not someone I would’ve normally looked at.”
“Because she’s a woman?” I asked, feigning a gasp.
“Because I trust Dane. And after talking to her, I believe him when he says she’s the
best.”
“She comes across calm and collected,” I said. “Like nothing shakes her.”
“That was true until you walked in.”
“She was sweet.”
Silence stretched for a beat before he spoke again.
“I take it that happens a lot.”
“More than I ever knew how to handle,” I admitted. “And it still feels strange. Underneath all
of it, I’m just me.”
“You ever miss it? The stage, the spotlight?”
“Sometimes,” I said honestly. “I loved my fans and performing for them. I loved the feeling of
a song connecting with a stadium full of people. The way a show can feel like everyone’s
heartbeat syncing.” I scratched lightly at my wrist, searching for the right words. “But the noise,
the scrutiny, the feeling that every breath had to be on display wore me down, and I needed a
break.”
“Everyone thinks they want the spotlight until they realize how hot it gets.” His eyes met
mine. “Still…walking away takes guts.”
“Or weak knees.” His brow lifted, amused. “I’m serious,” I said, smiling despite myself.
“Those final tour workouts nearly killed me. Dancing in heels under stage lights at forty? That’s
an Olympic sport.”
He laughed quietly, the sound low and easy. For a moment, it felt lighter between us, like the
conversation had traded its weight for something simpler.
“You know, sitting here, it’s hard to picture you as the same person who used to be on all
those magazine covers.”
“That girl had a whole team behind her,” I said with a small laugh. “The lighting, the styling,
the editing—none of it ever felt like me. I just look more like myself now.”
“Looks good on you,” he said. “The real version.”
The words landed softly but lingered. His gaze held, not sharp, just…intent. Curious. Like he
was trying to see all the parts of me I kept tucked away.
“Thanks,” I managed, though my voice came out thinner than I meant it to.
“You make it easy to forget you used to fill stadiums,” he said.
“Good. I just want to be plain old Quinn.”
His mouth curved, slow and sure.
“There’s nothing plain about you, Quinn.”
My heart did an unhelpful fluttery thing, and I tried to steady my breath. He didn’t look away,
and I didn’t want him to.
“Benny—” I started, but whatever I meant to say vanished the second his knee brushed
mine. Funny how something so insignificant could change the temperature of a room. Or, in this
case, an elevator.
He leaned in, close enough that I could catch the warmth of his skin and the faint, clean
scent of his cologne. His gaze flicked to my mouth, then back to my eyes, and for a beat the
world felt balanced on that breath between maybe and almost.
“Quinn,” he said, my name coming out rough, like gravel and hesitation all at once.
The sound of it was enough to undo me a little. I shifted forward just a fraction, and for a
heartbeat, the world went perfectly still. Then the elevator jolted hard. A metallic thunk echoed
through the car as the lights flickered back to full brightness.
The jolt sent me off balance, and I caught myself against the wall. Benny blinked, then let
out a short laugh.
“Perfect timing,” he said.
“Yeah.” My voice came out breathier than I wanted. “Impeccable.”
Wait until I tell Erin the elevator cockblocked me out of kissing Benny Reed.
About Tina Gallagher
Tina Gallagher grew up and continues to live in Northeast Pennsylvania. As a tween, she
and her best friend would create happily ever afters for their favorite soap opera couples.
Eventually, the soap operas lost their appeal, but the writing never did. Before living her dream
as a full-time author, she worked a spectrum of jobs ranging from baking and cake decorating to
marketing and project management. In between creating memorable characters, traveling, and
taking pole dance lessons, Tina enjoys spending time with her two grown children and Golden
Irish named Thea.
When a not-quite-jilted bride turns her would-be honeymoon into a solo
adventure, the last thing she expects is to fall for Paris or the broodingly handsome artist who
shows her its secrets. As midnight kisses blur into something deeper, she must choose between
the life she left behind and the future she never saw coming. Pre-order this heart-mending,
spicy travel romance from N.D.
Jackson, where art, passion, and
second chances collide in the world’s most romantic city.
Title: One Night in Paris
Author: N.D. Jackson
Release Date: 12/02/2025
Genres: Romantic Comedy
Page Count: 127 pages
Tropes: Diverse Romance, Jilted Bride, Friends-to-
Lovers, Travel Romance, Second Chance Romance, Spicy Romance.
Blurb
It started as one night in Paris. It ended
with forever on the line.
Not quite a jilted bride,
I still find myself on a first-class flight to Paris—solo.
What was supposed to be a honeymoon has become my Great Parisian Adventure: art,
food, and falling in love with the city.
Then I met Lucien.
Tall. Dark. French. Irresistibly artsy.
He taught me how to see the city through his eyes.
Its sounds, its colors, its passion.
linkDestination":"media","align":"center"} -->
And somehow, somewhere between croissants, art galleries, and midnight kisses,
Paris stopped being just a place… and started to feel like him.
But he’s a world away from my real life.
And I came here to move on, not fall in love.
Still, you can’t have a Great Parisian Adventure without a touch of romance.
Even if it can't last.
One Night in Paris is a jilted bride, friends to lovers, travel romance with a
happy ending, steamy open-door scenes and a whole lotta Paris. Features a scorching hot
Parisian with sensitive eyes, a gentle soul and hot touch.
Wanderer. Lover of books. Romance author. Vegan. Those are just some of the things used
to describe me! When I’m not spinning tales of small town and contemporary romance, I love to
travel, cook, and watch/listen to true crime, history & strange documentaries and podcasts.
I’m a native Chicagoan currently living in Europe who has been in love with books for as long as
I can remember. My first book, Conflict of Interest, was published in 2014, and I’ve been writing
books ever since! I’m a full-time writer and part-time author, traveler, vegan blogger, and
obsessive fan of Dawson’s Creek.
A polished, perfect football player with a secret that could destroy everything and a fierce,
quick-witted reporter, determined to get the story that isn’t being told. In a world where division
sells and secrets can ruin careers… who’s saving who? Readers who enjoy forced proximity
and morally grey characters will devour Who’s Saving You by Carolina Jax, a steamy, secret
life, reverse age gap, football
romance.
Nik Papas is the newest WR for the South Carolina Warriors.
Dubbed “Saint Nik” for his squeaky clean persona, he’s polished and perfect and always has the
right answer. But underneath all that ‘Saint’ is a secret that could destroy it all.
Noelle Moreno is a reporter for The Falls Press, always determined to get the story that isn’t
being told. Fierce and quick-witted, she's got a taste for sweets and an aversion to football
players.
In the sports world, where division sells and secrets can ruin careers, sometimes your only
hope is an enemy turned lover, or a dangerous man who’s too irresistible. And when that
happens, you have to ask …
The roar hits me like a wave as I step onto the field.
Itʼs not just noise; these stands are alive. Even with the shield on my helmet, I blink against
the stadium lights. The spotlights are shining down on the most capable players the league has
to offer. Chants bounce off the stands, rolling like thunder. My green and black jersey fits like a
glove. I was made for this
This is Sunday Night Football.
The huddle breaks, and I do my best to ignore the scoreboard. I already know what time it
is. The game is tied with a minute and fourteen left on the clock, ball on the forty-two. Coach
Gage gave me the green light. I check the defense and see that a safety and a cornerback are
locked in on my every move. They know the ball is coming to me.
Let them try to take it.
I line up wide left, one toe digging into the turf. The cornerback across from me is eyeing me
like I'm about to be dinner, but I just give him a slight chuckle. Iʼm too fast for him, and he knows
it. With six million watching from home and sixty thousand right here in the stands, the crowd's
energy gives me the extra boost I need. They chant my name, and it hums in my chest louder
than my own heartbeat.
Here comes the snap. I rock forward, weight even, and fingers twitching. This is the moment
every rookie dreams of. This is the moment theyʼll either praise you for or castrate you. The one
run where they say, “yeah, he's ready to playË® or “nope, too green. Take a
seat on the bench.Ë®
I know Iʼm better than anything they say.
The ball is snapped, and I explode off the line. The corner tries to cut me off, but I slip by,
shoulder down, and accelerate into the open field. The safety guarding me overshoots his shot,
and I cut inside, circling him before taking off toward the sideline.
It's my favorite route to run, and now Iʼm wide open.
.
Jameson Winters, my QB, sees it and already expects me there as he lets the ball fly. Itʼs a
tight spiral aiming right for me, and Iʼm ready.
The clock ticks, and I push hard, one, two, three, four steps. I reach out, and the ball hits my
hands like a moth to a flame. I cradle it to me, twist away from a defender, and run out of
bounds.
First down!
The stadium erupts. I mean, it literally explodes. Iʼve been to games, sat in the
stands, and watched as my favorite team was inches away from scoring. Thereʼs no better
feeling, itʼs as if I was already playing for them. I laugh to myself, remembering that analyst who
said I wasnʼt ready, the one who said I still needed a year.
Fuck your year.
My teammates swarm me, slapping me on my helmet before quickly pulling me back to the
huddle.
Line up. Do it again.
On the outside, Iʼm calm. I stand amongst my team listening to Jameson call the play. But
inside? Fucking fireworks. My blood runs through me like lava, my heart pumping
like I've been electrocuted. Iʼm half-fucking-hard standing here because I know what's
coming.
They throw it to me because I wonʼt drop it, because I make the plays the vets hesitate on.
Iʼm too new and too stupid to feel any other way but to sacrifice it all.
America loves an underdog, but they worship the one who can prove them wrong. And Iʼll
do it every fucking time.
Ballʼs on the 17, and the clock is ticking. Jameson steps up and meets my eyes.
“Coach called a Ghostfade. You got this?Ë®
My lips twitch. “You know I do.Ë®
This play is designed for me as Iʼm the only one who can outrun a defender every single
time. Like a ghost fades into thin air, I fade into the end zone, outrunning everyone around
me.
I line up wide and see the cornerʼs already pressing in, but he wonʼt ever catch me. The
snap hits, and I fake inside, sell the slant hard, then cut. Iʼm running outside, straight and clean.
He stumbles; itʼs just a step, but thatʼs all I need to take off. The end zone opens up like a
door.
Hailing from a tiny town in New York, Carolina spends her free
time with her military husband, their three sons and new daughter-in-law (welcome to this crazy
family!) and her chocolate lab, Lincoln. Her avid love for reading slowly morphed into an “I want
to do that, too!Ë® attitude and a dream was born with a pen and paper. Carolina Jax writes
contemporary romances about her favorite things – football, small towns and big hearts. Her
stories are based on an everyday life with amazing people finding amazing love. They have the
perfect combination of love, lust and laughs, and always with a Happily Ever After. When sheʼs
not on the field watching her boys play football and lacrosse, she loves to drink wine with
friends, watch the Philadelphia Eagles (hopefully) win, read about alpha heroes, and dream
about everything Christmas.
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