Excerpt Reveal - SMASH by Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

 

Title: Smash

Authors: Penelope Ward & Vi Keeland

Genre: Standalone Contemporary Forbidden Romance

Release Date: October 25, 2026

Take a sneak peek at SMASH

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Copyright © 2026 by Penelope Ward and Vi Keeland

There was a beat of silence. For some reason I continued to stand there. Rafe looked at me for a few more seconds, like he was deciding something. Then he lifted his chin, gesturing toward the hallway. “You just got back from a run?”

I nodded. “First one since I left Montana.”

“How was it?”

“Definitely different. There are so many people out on the streets.”

He smiled. “There’s an art to dodging the slow walkers and people glued to their phone. You’ll pick it up.”

“I’m guessing I’ll also learn to stop apologizing to people I cut around. I think I said ‘I’m sorry’ a hundred times on an hour-long run.”

“Dead giveaway you’re from out of town.”

I laughed. “That and the fact that I’m wearing purple. What is it with everyone wearing black in New York? Especially women. They’re all in black pants, black leggings, black tops, black coats, black purses...”

His eyes flicked over me again—this time I definitely didn’t imagine it. “I like that you wear color.”

My stomach did a small, traitorous flip. “Thanks.”

Another pause stretched between us, this one charged in a way I couldn’t quite explain. Then Rafe walked to the table and grabbed his shirt, pulling it on. It made me wonder if he’d caught himself looking at me and felt wrong—exactly the way watching him felt for me.

“I, uh, I’m sorry Calder and I didn’t make it to your girlfriend’s show the other day.”

Rafe smiled. “Not my girlfriend and not a big deal.”

“How was it?”

“Good. I like plays better than musicals, but it was fun watching someone I know become someone else onstage.”

Maybe that’s why it sometimes felt like he was watching me—because being around him turned me into someone else. Or maybe this was the real me. I wasn’t sure who the hell I was anymore.

“Any good plans for the week?” he asked. “You start your new job soon, right?”

I nodded. “The Monday after next. I’m planning to hit a different museum each day as I count down.”

“Nice. I love museums. When I was a kid, I was obsessed with dinosaurs. I used to beg my babysitter to take me to the Museum of Natural History. I’ve probably been there fifty times over the years. It’s still one of my top two favorites.”

“What’s the other one?”

“It’s called the Noguchi.”

“I’ve never heard of it.”

Release Blitz & Review - CARVED IN THE SHADOWS by A.L. Jackson

Carved in the Shadows by A.L. Jackson is now live!

It was a terrible idea to agree to move in with my best friend’s little sister…

She is everything I’ve ever wanted and the one thing I can’t have.

As our motorcycle club’s Vice President, I’m charged with her protection.

Touching her would be a penalty subject to death.

When she demands the chance to spread her wings, it’s my duty to go with her.

I knew staying at her new apartment would be excruciating.

Listening to her in her room and imagining her under the fall of the shower.

But when she asks me to crawl into bed with her so she won’t feel so alone, there’s nothing I can do.

One brush of her hand and I’m crumbling.

One crook of those fingers and I’m trapped.

One reckless night and there’s no going back.

Only with the lives we lead, our enemies are never far away, and as she begins to receive threats, I’m in a race to end the threat before it’s too late.

Soon, our secrets unravel, and I’m faced with the consequence of loving her.

But I promised her everything, and I’m willing to offer the greatest sacrifice.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Audiobook Narrated by: Austin Stone & Andi Arndt

Visit A.L. Jackson’s website for buy links, or search Carved in the Shadows by A.L. Jackson on Amazon, Audible, and your retailer of choice for paperbacks.

https://aljacksonauthor.com/

Don’t forget to add Carved in the Shadows by A.L. Jackson to your Goodreads TBR!

The deluxe print edition features sprayed edges with stenciled artwork, custom endpapers and interior artwork.

Check out A.L. Jackson’s release giveaway!

4 Stars

This is the second book in the Crimson Crows series and though it could be read as a standalone, I really feel that the books should be read in sequence for the best experience. Full to the brim with emotions, angst, push and pull of wanting and feeling you can't have, fear but a very strong need to live and have everything.

Elena has been given the go to move out of the compound and start her store. It has been a fight with her big brother, the president of the Crimson Crows. And for reason as he can't keep her safe like he can on the compound. But he also sees that she needs this chance to be her own person. She feels like she has just about everything. The one thing missing is the love from Trevan that she really wants.

Determined to keep his oath and look out for the Crows and his found family, Trevan is tasked with protecting Elena from the outside world. The one problem is the close proximity is making it hard for him to keep where he should be. He can't have the one thing he wants so bad. 

Will Trevan cross the line? Can they both have what they really want? Or will it all blow up?

Grab your copy and find out.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

Release Blitz & Review - CRAVING SILENCE by Freya Barker

Title: Craving Silence (Silence Series, #5) 
Author: Freya Barker 

Genre: Romantic Suspense 
Release Date: October 16, 2026 
Hosted by: Buoni Amici Press, LLC. 

Nurse practitioner, Dana Kerrigan, finds her steady and comfortably predictable life suddenly turned upside down as the result of a family emergency. With no choice but to take a leave from work, she has to hustle to keep Silence’s favorite pub running and her parents looked after. When heartbreak brings with it an unexpected opportunity to realize a long-held dream, it presents a new set of problems. One that involves murder, and the man sent to investigate.

As a recent transplant to Silence, sheriff’s detective, Rick Althof, was aiming for less stress and more solitude. Instead, he finds himself frequently drawn to The Kerrigan, a popular pub in town, to enjoy a meal, a beer, and—if lucky—a friendly chat with the owner’s pretty daughter. Still bearing the invisible scars of past mistakes, he’s determined to keep things friendly, despite a growing attraction.

However, his resolve is put to the test when she lands in the middle of an elaborate development scheme involving bribery, blackmail, and even murder.

AMAZON | APPLE BOOKS | NOOK | KOBO

“What’s the deep sigh for?” he asks from his perch on the ladder, as I fold the last of the towels. “It’s a satisfied sigh,” I explain, picking up the stack of laundry to carry upstairs. “The kind that comes with being able to check a box off my list.” A faint smile appears on his lips. “You’ll have another to check off soon,” he offers. “I’m almost done here.” I’ve been so busy studying the man, I failed to notice how quickly he’s made his way around to the last remaining wall in the kitchen. “I see that. It looks amazing.” I glance around the space, mentally noting some patchwork that will need to be done, but at least the horrific wallpaper is gone and the walls will be ready for some paint soon. Maybe I can do some of that after work this week. “Let me run these upstairs real quick, and I’ll help with the clean up.” My linen closet sports organized stacks of linens and towels, everything sorted by type and size. I guess I’m a little anal, but I love when everything has a place. It makes life so much easier. Maybe that need for predictability is why my life had become such a rut before Mom’s health took a nosedive and forced me to pivot and adapt. But that process also showed me there is so much more to life if you can be open to change. That kind of flexibility takes time though, and like a muscle that has been dormant for a long time, it needs to be used and exercised. I’m working on it. Half an hour later I haul the last garbage bag stuffed with discarded wallpaper to the back porch. Leaning over the railing, I twist my head to look up at the sky which is studded with stars. I missed the sun going down, and the temperature must’ve dropped about fifteen degrees. It’s cold out, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we drop below freezing tonight. Inside, I find Rick in the kitchen with a serious expression on his face. He may have been watching me. “You have to go…” I guess. He shakes his head in response and slowly approaches. His hands slide around the sides of my neck as he tilts my chin up with his thumbs. His eyes are deep blue pools I find myself drowning in. His voice is low and his words send a delicious shiver down my spine. “I wasn’t planning on going anywhere.” Closing my hands around his wrists, I lift up on my toes until my lips almost touch his. “Yippie,” I whisper, before taking the initiative.

 

5 Stars

This beautiful small town of Silence is anything but silent these days. As we wander into Dana and Ricks story we come face to face with fraud, blackmail and people thinking that money is power. Can Rick and the authorities keep Dana safe while trying to bring back the quiet justice to Silence?

Dana has gone from a busy work life, balanced with helping at her family's bar & restaurant. Before she can blink she is dealing with loss and trying to keep her father and the bar moving in forward motion. A huge surprise left behind my her mother, gives her the one thing she has always wanted. Now she just needs to find the time to make it everything she dreamed of. Somebody doesn't want her in the old house in the woods and they are willing to do just about anything to get her out.

Rick has come to Silence needing a slower pace and leave the traumas of his life in the rear view mirror. He is happy with his choice in this small town, there is still lots to keep him busy with work. Its the quiet non work time that is his struggles, letting the past hurts seep back in. But he has taken to his visits at the Kerrigan in hope of seeing the beauty behind the bar. 

As Rick observes Dana and her struggles, he can't seem to help himself from stepping up to help her. With each interaction the attraction seems to spark a little stronger. Soon neither of the are able to deny it's there. When danger seems to be on Dana's door, Rick steps in to protect her in any way he can. Could it be that these dangers will be the final push they need to see where things lead?

A wonderful emotional read full of loss, healing while trying to keep everyone safe and stopping the corruption.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***

USA Today bestselling author Freya Barker loves writing about ordinary people with extraordinary stories.

With forty-plus books already published, she continues to create characters who are perhaps less than perfect, each struggling to find their own slice of happy.

Recipient of the ReadFREE.ly 2019 Best Book We've Read All Year Award for "Covering Ollie, the 2015 RomCon “Reader’s Choice” Award for Best First Book, “Slim To None”, Finalist for the 2017 Kindle Book Award with “From Dust”, and Finalist for the 2020 Kindle Book Award with “When Hope Ends”, Freya spins story after story with an endless supply of bruised and dented characters, vying for attention!

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Release Blitz & Review - CHASING SMOKE by Piper Rayne

Chasing Smoke by Piper Rayne is now live!

I've been running toward burning buildings for a decade. Then my best friend's widow smiled at me for the first time in two years, and I knew right then I was in trouble.

After Caleb died, I made a promise—I’d take care of his wife. Keep an eye on her. Check in on her. Make sure she kept on living.

Collins insists she’s fine. She’s not.

So when she finally agrees to let me help pull her out of her grief, I vow to stand beside her however long she needs me, no matter how much it costs me.

Collins isn’t supposed to smile at me like she does. She’s not supposed to let me in. And she definitely isn’t supposed to be the best part of my day.

She was Caleb’s. I know that.

The problem is, I can't stop wondering what it would be like if Collins wasn't just someone I was meant to protect.

But mine.

Release Blitz - SCORING DESTINY by Kat Mizera

SCORING DESTINY

Kat Mizera

Release Date: October 15

AVAILABLE IN KINDLE UNLIMITED

One reckless night was supposed to help me forget.

My ex-wife's wedding is everywhere. Every headline. Every photo. Every reminder of the life that fell apart.

So I do what any NHL player trying to outrun the past would do—I find the beautiful stranger who makes me forget my own name for one unforgettable night.

Then I walk away.

Until she walks back into my life.

Turns out the woman I can't stop thinking about is my teammate's little sister.

Now she's everywhere. In the stands. At team dinners. Under my skin.

I've spent years convincing myself I don't do relationships. Not after my marriage imploded.

But Macy doesn't settle for half-hearted. She deserves a man who's all in.

The problem?

For the first time in my life...I want to be that man.

Because losing one marriage was enough.

I'm not about to lose the woman who might just be my forever.

Release Blitz & Review - FALLING FOR HER by Natasha Madison

FALLING FOR HER

Natasha Madison

Release Date: October 13

A divorced detective who is all about order gets more than he bargained for when his new nanny sends his life—and his heart—spinning out of control in the latest spicy romance by USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author Natasha Madison.

Finley Westbook’s life just blew up. Now, the only thing she wants is for her husband to sign their divorce papers. Just one problem: He wants half of her, and her family’s, fortune. When her best friend tells her a man in her hometown needs a short-term, live-in nanny for his eight-year-old son, it sounds like the perfect escape from the mess her life has become. Sure, Finley has never had a job, but how hard can it be to take care of an adorable kid?

Single dad and small-town detective Lincoln Burke doesn’t have time for chaos. But just as his ex-wife is about to leave for her honeymoon, a major case hits his desk. He’s desperate to find a nanny, and it seems Finley is his only option. She’s a walking disaster in his kitchen, can never follow a schedule—and is a dangerous temptation in his home.

The chemistry between them is impossible to ignore, but Lincoln won’t risk his heart again—especially not with his employee. Yet, the more Finley pushes his buttons, the harder she is to resist. When danger closes in, what started as a temporary arrangement may cost them far more than they ever expected.

Release Blitz - OFF THE POST by Sierra Hill

Off the Post by Sierra Hill is now live!

Her sunshine is a game winning shot against this grumpy goalie.

What fans don’t know about Vikings’ goalie Soren ‘the Wolf’ Wolfenspiel is that he hides behind the mask of grumpy loner to protect himself from the pain of emotional connection.

That way, he won’t get hurt again.

But then he meets his teammate’s sister, Ali St. Francis.

Ali’s move to Vancouver to work for her brother’s foundation is her new lease on life. She wants to bury herself in her new job and forget about the mistakes of her past.

When she recruits her brother’s teammates to raise money using their celebrity status, she finds herself engaging the reluctant and enigmatic goalie to participate.

It doesn’t take long for Ali’s sunshine in a bottle to melt the icy veneer of the goalie.

But will their casual (and secret) fling threaten to turn into something more and snare this lone wolf in his very own net?

Release Blitz & Review - THE LAST GOODBYE by Laura Pavlov

The Last Goodbye by Laura Pavlov is now live!

A Small Town, Enemies-to-Lovers Standalone Romance from USA Today and Amazon #1 Bestselling Author, Laura Pavlov.

Briar Sinclair is enemy number one.

She came to Blue Sky Bay with a multimillion-dollar plan and one goal: to buy my restaurant.

Too bad it’s not for sale.

She’s pulled every stunt in the book to get my attention, though I refuse to engage with a woman who came here to ruin my life—no matter how relentless she is.

Unfortunately, my restaurant is the last thing standing in the way of her powerful father’s approval.

She’s determined to convince me that this is a good idea.

We can agree to disagree.

But that doesn’t mean I’m not enjoying the effort that she’s putting in.

One minute she’s arguing with me about real estate, the next she’s tripping outside my houseboat or falling asleep behind my restaurant after working herself to exhaustion.

Did I mention the fact that she’s insanely beautiful.

I should hate her for what she’s trying to do. Instead, I can’t stop noticing her pretty pink mouth or her sharp tongue.

The more we clash, the harder it becomes to remember that she’s the enemy.

Because somewhere between the arguments, late nights, and undeniable attraction—Briar Sinclair stopped feeling like the woman trying to destroy my future…and she started feeling like she belonged in it.

Download today or read for FREE with Kindle Unlimited

Audiobook Narrated by: Jason Clarke & Desiree Ketchum

Visit Laura Pavlov’s website for buy links, or search The Last Goodbye by Laura Pavlov on Amazon, Audible, and your retailer of choice for paperbacks.

Don’t forget to add The Last Goodbye by Laura Pavlov to your Goodreads TBR!

The deluxe print edition features gorgeous interior artwork & sprayed edges.

4 Stars

We have travelled back to Blue Sky Bay and this is not a simple story. This one holds a boat load of emotions, healing and letting people in.

Briar finds herself in this small town trying very hard to please her father and make the deal. Determined to convince the owner of Bennett's by the Bay to sell his restaurant property so they can move forward with the plans for a hotel. She feels she is in a constant fight for her father approval with their past looming over them.

Bennett has put every bit of his heart and soul into the restaurant that has provided for him and his sister since the beginning. He knows his time is limited with the land lease only being for two more years but he can't afford to be closed and build something new up either. He is digging his heels in deep trying to hold on to what he has and loves.

Briar and Bennett are in for  a fight in the beginning, if she can even get her feet in the door. But the more time they spend together and the more she proves to him she wants to help him find a solution and a win for both of them. The banter between these characters if fantastic with a hint of grumpy/sunshine.

Grab your copy and see if Bennett sells his restaurant property and if the hotel becomes a reality? There might just be a romance waiting on the sidelines.

*** Advanced copy provided in exchange for an honest review. ***