Paying It Forward for June 26, 2026

Good morning. One of the things I decided to do when I can is to spend more time on promotion, not just for myself, but for others who’ve helped me along my writing journey. I suck at tooting my own horn, but I’m happy to do so for others and enjoy helping out friends when I can.

This morning, I finished reading Mona Risk’s newest release, Her Cozy House. Mona and I have been part of several box sets from Chill Out Books and Tammy’s Dragonfly Publishing, and I’ve always been thrilled to see my name listed with hers and that of so many talented authors. Today, I’m spotlighting three of them, starting with Mona Risk.

Mona is a talented author with several book series to her credit. This one is the 20th book in her LOVE PLANS SERIES: A collection of stories centered on the Winston family, each featuring a Winston relative and/or taking place in a Winston Clinic. I’ve read many of the books in the series and enjoyed them all. This one was no exception. here’s the blurb. Grab your copy. It’ll brighten your day.

Friends to lovers. Romantic Comedy. Medical Romance by NYT and USA Bestselling author Mona Risk.
He told her to grow up. Now she’s back—and he’s not ready to let go.
Friends? Benefits? Or something real… he’ll fight for forever.
Jessica was only eighteen when she fell for Niles Wolf—the dashing resident renting a room in her grandmother’s cozy house. But when her Nanna passed, Niles shattered the magic with two cutting words: Grow up.
Six years later, Jessica isn’t the heartbroken girl he left behind. She’s a confident doctor with her own voice—and she’s not afraid to use it. “Your turn to mature, Niles. Friends? Friends with benefits? Or something real?”
Niles wants the real thing with Jessica. But ghosts from his past—and the women who still haunt it—threaten their chance at something lasting.
Can they rewrite their story, or will old wounds and lingering doubts pull them apart again?

Mimi Barbour, a fellow Canadian, helped me enormously by inviting me to join the Author’s Billboard a few years ago. Through her, I became involved in being part of box sets with Dani at Chill Out, and Tammy at Tammy’s Dragonfly Publishing. Mimi is a prolific writer with several series to her name. Again, seeing my name next to mimi’s in a published set is an incredible feeling!

Her latest release, Special Agent Nathaniel builds on a fantatic series. Here’s the blurb:

Agent Nathaniel’s Aunt Connie, now a retired police detective with a sassy attitude and a broken leg, brought him up to be principled, hardworking, and kind. All attributes that are often pushed to the limits as an undercover FBI agent working for the Minnesota governor’s office. His mandate is to join with ICE but be on the lookout for any law breaking activities displayed by federal law enforcement in their city. When Connie sees a young girl brutally taken into custody by these untrained men in uniform, she insists that Nathaniel has to help that poor girl any way he can.

Known today as a Tracker by her clients, Bella Rose considers herself a private investigator—one who seeks out those who have gone missing. Because she was trained in Quantico but left the bureau to go off on her own, she has abundant abilities that help in these investigations, and her successes escalate. When a beloved neighbor – the woman who takes care of Dirty Harry, her dead mother’s crazy, oversized grumpy cat – comes crying to her about the daughter of a friend who was picked up by ICE agents, Bella Rose finds herself agreeing to track the poor girl and bring her home.

When these two character’s cross paths, sparks fly, chaos follows, and both are tested to their breaking points.

Imagine at fifteen years old, lugging a bagful of groceries for neighbors too terrified to leave their homes & suddenly being surrounded by ICE agents. No matter how much you beg, they refuse to listen. There’s no one to help you… or is there?

International Amazon Links:  https://mybook.to/specialagentnathaniel

Free with Kindle Unlimited

I just downloaded my copy and can’t wait to read it!

My last shout-out today goes to another prolific author I ment through the Author’s Billboard and with whom I’ve shared a box set or more. Josie Riviera has written over 150 books romance novels, a truly amazing feet. She has several series to her credit. Her latest release, Hearts and Horsehoes, is the second book in her Montana Sweethearts collection.

For everyone who’s ever wondered if their heart has room to love again.

Grace Hallowell didn’t come back to Hallowell Heritage Ranch to stay. She came to say goodbye — to the land, to the memories, and to the life she and Mark had built before grief swallowed everything whole. One last chance to stop the bank from taking four generations of legacy. Then she’d leave it all behind for good.

What she didn’t count on was Cole Morrison.

Mark’s best friend had made a promise: Protect the ranch, protect Grace. He’d kept the first one. The second one is proving far more dangerous. Because somewhere between late-night calving sessions, mended fences, and shared grief, the line between keeping a promise and wanting her for himself has blurred past the point of reason.

A crumbling ranch. A promise he can’t break. And a woman he was never supposed to want.

Because loving someone new doesn’t mean forgetting the one you lost. Sometimes it means honoring them.

I’ve read several of Josie’s book, and this one promises all the sighs of every other one. https://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Horseshoes-Romance-Montana-Sweethearts-ebook/dp/B0GF46KSCP

Finally, let me tickle your interest in two new box sets: Unforgettable Flirts and Love With a Single Dad

Six romances where love arrives late, loud, and wildly inconvenient.

A fake boyfriend at a wedding.
A hockey fling that shouldn’t happen.
A sabotaged island salon.
A rescue mission gone delightfully off the rails.
A stormy seaside inheritance with a captain who’s too tempting to ignore.
And a kidnapped social worker in a nun’s habit who walks into a bar and turns everything upside down.

Filled with humor, heart, mystery, and irresistible chemistry, this collection brings you small‑town charm, romantic suspense, road‑trip chaos, and second‑chance magic—all in one binge‑worthy set.
Featuring:

All My Loving
Cynthia Cooke
One wedding. One pretend boyfriend. One love that refuses to stay fake.

The Groupie
Stephanie Queen
A no-strings fling between intense, ambitious Rylee and easygoing hockey lover Zak turns into a complicated tangle of hidden identities, broken rules, and secrets neither can outrun. Their expiration-date romance was supposed to stay simple, but Zak is falling first, falling hard, and falling straight into trouble.

Della
Denise Devine
An ambitious hairstylist arrives on Enchanted Island to open her dream salon, only to face sabotage, small-town politics, and a distracting artist who may be exactly what her heart needs. Sunshine, scissors, scandal, and romance collide in this breezy island love story.


The Wizard of Odds
Dani Haviland
An oddball rescue mission sends insurance-company coworkers and a self-employed massage therapist on a wild road trip from Minnesota to Arizona to save exotic animals from a black-market gambler. Along the way, mismatched couples, desert danger, and a menagerie of second chances make falling in love almost as risky as the rescue itself.

Sea Breeze
Susanne Matthews
A guarded woman inherits a seaside resort and returns to the town where she was born, hoping to claim her freedom and uncover answers about her past. But a mysterious, blue-eyed boat captain with promises of his own may tempt her into risking her heart, especially when a storm threatens everything she’s just begun to build.

A Whole Lot of Loving
Susan Jean Ricci
A kidnapped social worker in a nun’s outfit walks into a bar.
For a bartender still on parole, that should be the beginning of a very bad joke.
Instead, it’s the start of a chase, a cover-up, and the kind of chemistry neither of them has time for. She needs protection. He needs to stay out of trouble.
But trouble – and flirting – have other plans

Let the chaos—and the chemistry—begin.

Maybe he’s become an unintended guardian following the loss of a family member, or he’s facing parenthood alone, gaining custody through a divorce or the death of his significant other.

Load up your Kindle with seven NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED romances from New York Times, USA Today & International Bestselling, Award-Winning authors.

Secret pasts, grieving widows and widowers, military men and women forging ahead while battling PTSD. There’s a story for everyone in this brand-new collection of single dad romances. Whether looking for love or not these single dads are sure going to find it!

TWO HEARTS’ DETOUR by Tamara Ferguson, USA Today Bestselling Author: He promised his fallen best friend he’d raise his daughter. She vowed never to marry again. But when a custody fight turns dangerous, a marriage of convenience becomes their only defense. As the attacks escalate, will they finally discover that it’s love they’re fighting for?

WORTH LOVING by Natalie Ann, USA Today Bestselling Author: One night of pretending became the truth neither could escape.

BLUE BAYOU by Suzanne Jenkins, USA Today Bestselling Author: He came to Cypress Cove to rebuild his life—quietly, carefully, on his own terms. She lives just beyond the edge of town, barefoot and guarded, with secrets he can’t quite reach. The closer he gets, the harder it is to ignore the pull between them—or the truth that she was never the one who needed saving.

NEVER LOVE AGAIN by Alicia Street, USA Today Bestselling Author: Moving back to his hometown, single dad Zander runs into the girl he left behind and the secret they shared.

LOVE ON THE ROAD by Mona Risk, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author: A former ER nurse turned limousine driver is pulled deep into the chaotic world of the Young family. Love, secrets, and her own buried past collide as the road ahead twists out of control.

NOT ANOTHER LONELY FATHER by Stacy Eaton, USA Today Bestselling Author: After moving to Sedona for a fresh start, former rescue pilot Caleb Sharpe finds his missing daughter in the care of Kelly, a Chicago nurse inheriting a local retreat. Their instant connection forces them both to decide if they can leave their pasts behind for a new future together.

COLD HEART by Susanne Matthews, International Bestselling Author: Judge Cole Hart is forced to choose between his daughter and his duty to the law. The only one who can help him is JJ Jones, a gorgeous redheaded bodyguard who attracts him as no one has since his wife’s death.

Whichever books you choose, I knoiw you’ll have an exciting reading journey ahead of you!

Vacations refill Your Batteries.

Good morning! Last week, Hubby and I took the first of our in Canada summer vations. We love travelling with Jolly Tours, and if you’ve never taken a bus tour vacation, don’t knock it. Our guide, Rosemary, did all of the heavy lifting, in that she made sure we got where we needed to be on time and Dan, our driver, got us there safely.

To be honest, the trip didn’t begin well when our overweight suitcase, broke a wheel before we even started. Hubby hit a pothole pushing it to the curb from the taxi, and the bag went one way, while one wheel broke off, taking a chunk of the fiberglass bag with it. Then, unaccustomed to just standing as I am, we had to wait for the bus. It was a few minutes late, but all’s well that end’s well. We left only twenty minutes behind schedule.

Disaster comes in threes. right? Well, our first rest stop was at a new service center. Unfortunately, they had a water problem that day–they had none, and while there were chemical toilets, the guys were there to drain them at the same time we needed to use them. You get the picture, or rather the stench! But everything improved once we negotiated the parking lot and got back on the road.

I should mention that our trip consisted of 50 seniors from Ontario, specifically Ottawa and Cornwall, travelling into Eastern Quebec. They were a lively group–don’t roll your eyes. We can still have fun. Our first official tour activity was lunch at a sugar shack in Trois Rivieres, PQ. The people are friendly, the music is inviting–fiddles, accordions, drums, and spoons, the crowd jovial, and the food delicious and plentiful. Did you know that a maple tree has to be 40 years old to start producing sap for syrop? It doesn’t reach peak performace until it’s over 140! You see? Some things do improve with age.

Our next stop was the Jean Chretien Museum. Every head of state gets gifts from other countries, and Prime-Minister Chretien donated all of his to a museum in Shawinigan, PQ, the place where he was born and the riding he represented for all the years he was in politics. We watched a newsreel of his career, present in English just for us, and then we toured the exhibits. I was particularly fascinated by the items from Madame Chretien’s wardrobe. She was one classy lady!

From there, we went on to our first hotel stop and Quebec City. We stayed within the walls of the old town. Lots of construction, but as beautiful as ever.

The Manoir Victoria Hotel is beautifully appointed with a friendly staff who managed to find us some tape to repair the broken suitcase. John taped the wheel in place; all four of them sported green tape by the time we left. The bag survived, working perfectly for the rest of the vacation. He claims it’s fine to use now, but I bought a new suitcase for our upcoming trip to Newfoundland coming up in August. Anyone looking for a used suitcase whose wheels might just fall off?

The hotel provided a delicious dinner with a choice of entrees. John had the beef, I had the chicken. The meal was fantastic, the portions more than generous. After dinner, we went for a walk along the Rue St. Jean and stopped for a couple of pints at The St Alexander Pub, one of our favorites, before heading back to the hotel. There was a bit of a rainshower, but we were fine and didn’t have far to go! The beds were cozy and I was asleep in no time. Day 1? A resounding success.

The following morning, after a wonderful self-serve buffet breakfast, we boarded the bus for our trip to Tadoussac and our whale watching tour. I’d seen Humpback whales on previous tours and Orcas and Belugas at Marineland, but seeing Minke, Fin, and Belugas in the wild, and enjoying the beauty of the St. Lawrence Estuary, well, there’s nothing like it.

The camera doesn’t do it justice, but it was an incredible three hour cruise. After the cruise, we drove to our second hotel of the trip, the century old Hotel Tadoussac. The place was gorgeous, but there was no air conditioning in the rooms, and while you could open your window, without a breeze, it didn’t help much. A second problem was sharing a double bed when you’re used to a King. I’ve had more comfortable nights. Still, if I had a chance to go there again, I would. Dinner, anoter group one, this time, a trememndous baked salmon, was delicious. Day 2?Another success.

In the morning, after another buffet breakfast, we headed north, following the Saguenay waterway to Chicoutimi. Our first stop was La Pulperie de Chicoutimi, a former pulp mill closed years ago and now converted into a cultural museum. We spent most of our time learning about Arthur Villeneuve, a barber who decided that God had given him an unused talent, the ability to paint, and he felt called to do just that. In his sixtes, he decided to become an artist. His canvass? His home, inside and out! We weren’t allowed to take pictures, but it was really interesting to see, although talk about over stimulation! If you would like to learn about the barber-artist, you can check out this website. The middle image below is from what would’ve been the kitchen. https://www.ameriquefrancaise.org/en/articles/arthur-villeneuve-house-testimony-artists-life-and-work

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There were six full scale paper dresses created by other artists. The detail is incredible. Unfortunately, this was the first day of the museum’s season, and the gift shop wasn’t open.

After a light lunch, teen burgers and onion rings from A & W, we drove to the town of La Baie and visited the Fjord Discovery Museum where we learned how the Saguenay Fjord had been created, how fresh and salt water don’t always fully mix, and the type of fish found near the bottom of the river … cod, flat fish, shellfish, and those found in the fresh water farther north where the brackish water ends. Finally, we stopped at a cheese factory for fresh curds. Ours were still warm! Yummy!

The Montagnais Hotel in Chicoutimi was terrific and highly entertaining as there were high school proms in the hotel both nights that we were there. The girls looked like cupcakes, or those toilet paper roll covers everyone’s grandmother crocheted, you know the one’s with a doll’s torso in the centre, with their large, crinolined dresses, reminiscent of Gone with the Wind. Most of the young ladies had difficulty naviagating the washrooms and steps. Remember that wedding dress with all the extra material? You get the idea. They didn’t quite know how to hold them up to avoid tripping on them, struggled to walk on high heels for what was probably the first time, but still looked absolutely lovely in what I’m sure were ridiculously expensive dresses in every color imaginable. The boys, wearing suits some salmon, some mauve, some blue, some ivory, while most were black, looked handsome. Oh to be that young again!

The meals were incredible. We watched the Canada-Qatar football game in the bar. Dinner that night was filet mignon and a side of conversation with a handsome young local. I’m always thrilled to meet new people and discuss my writing with them. Max was quite interested, and we had a lively discussion over wine and beer. We exchanged emails and I hope to hear from him again. He plans to move to Ottawa in the fall for school.

Day 3? Another success.

The next morning, we didn’t have to put our bags out in the hall to be collected since we spent two nights in Chicoutimi. We got to sleep in and laze around before meeting for a continental breakfast of fresh bread toasted, crossants, and fruit. We left the hotel under heavy skies, but our activities didn’t suffer. We returned to La Baie and boarded a boat for a 3-hour cruise down the fjord. The hotel provided box lunches which we ate on board. Despite the rain, we saw a lot. The cruise was narrated, so we got to learn about the statue high above the water. Since the fresh water freezes, people in the old days went across from one side to the other over the ice. One man was doing so when the ice broke and he, his horse, and the sleigh went into the water. He prayed to the Virgin Mary to save him, and when he survived, he commisioned the statue Notre Dame de Saguenay to be built and placed on the cliff above where the incident had occurred. It must’ve been quite the job to get it up there in the late 1800s! There were many beautiful waterfalls, too.

After the cruise, we returned for Prom, take 2, and dinner. That night, I had Coquilles St. Jacques, and it was the best I’ve ever had. Day 4? Another success.

Following a continental breakfast, we and our luggage boarded the bus for a ride to Hebertville and a visit to a seed oil farm. This link will tell you about them. https://tournevent.ca/pages/a-propos We got to learn how the grains and legumes are oraganically grown, how they are harvested for seeds, and how the seeds are turned into cold-pressed oils. Then we got to taste a few of them. I came home with a bottle of garlic-infuded canola and hemp vegetable oil. It’s good for cooking and dipping. Best thing, if I want more, I can order online.

When the tour and the tasting ended, we boarded the bus for a trek around Lac St Jean to the reconstructed town of Val Jalbert, a town built at the turn of the twentieth century for the men and women who worked in the pulp mill. The company owned everything, and when the mill closed in 1926, people left in search of work elsewhere but the vilage stayed. As one would expect, the deserted village became the basis of many ghost stories. Now, one hundred years later, it’s been brought back to life.

We had lunch in the mill and got ice cream from the general store. Our trolly ride included a delightful storyteller who told us about a feud settled by the local priest. It seemed one man tended to encroach on the property of the other. The priest planted a tree on the property line and each man was required to stay on his own side of the tree. It seems the priest carried a lot of power in the town–God on his side and all. Almost a hundred years later, that’s some tree! Lots of walking, but the day was sunny and warm. All in all, it was a grand adventure.

From there, we travelled to the Hotel du Jardin in St. Felicien for our last stay. The hotel was lovely, although the beds in the room consisted of one bed and one sofa bed — Hubby was nice enough to give me the bed. Tonight, we had our last group dinner and some interesting skies to admire. The cuisine prepared a lovely fruit cup for me since the dessert of the day contained nuts.

We met a lot od intersting people on the trip and had our meals with different couples each night. Day 5 was definitely a success. You can expect a Val Jalbert story in the future.

Watching my husband try to put the bed back the way it had been provided delightful morning entertainment–especially when he didn’t get mad or break it, and after another buffet breakfast, we boarded the bus for home. The drive took all day, but we did stop a few times. The roads took us through some incredible wilderness, with lots of trees, fields, and lakes, but surprisingly few pasture animals. Given how much farther north we were, we noticed that crops weren’t as advanced as at home. Lunch at McDonald’s was okay, but to be fair, this car and trailer in La Tuque had to be the highlight of the drive home.

It’s nice to travel and see new things, but it’s nice to sleep in your own bed again! Next trip? Mid-July for a couple of Blue Jays’ games. Hope you’re enjoying summer!

Tuesday Tales: From the word SOUR

Hello again. Happy summer! This week, the Tuesday Tales authors are writing to the word prompt SOUR.

“All that happens is the will of the Maker, and while it may be distressful for us, it suits His purpose. Even He is forbidden from interfering in what must be. Good and evil have battled since time began, the pendulum swinging back and forth as it must. We all play a part in what the future will bring.”

“I know that, but if we lose another…”

Garth reached for her hand, the heat from him blocking out the cold filling her soul.

“The reason the princess wasn’t with them when the accident happened was because she collapsed at a restaurant where they were eating. The owner called 9 1 1, and the paramedics took her to the hospital. We believe Galen, Rogan’s mage, created a toxin and intended to disable her so that the seekers could bring her to him. He must’ve put it in her food, but he was unaware of how quickly her body would react to the toxin. Her immune system is stronger than any virus, bacteria, or poison known to humanity, so when this toxic element entered her blood stream, her cells moved to isolate it in her abdomen until Astrid can remove it.”

He glanced at his hand, fingers blanched by the force of her grasp. She released her grip and sighed in apology.

“She can’t be poked and prodded, Garth, you know that.”

The thought of what indignities humans could be exposed to during medical tests and examinations soured her stomach.

“I know, and everything is being done to prevent that. Meg has guarded her fiercely all these years. She won’t back down now. As soon as Astrid’s senses warned her that something had happened, she contacted me. She should be with her by now and will attend to her. She’ll discover the true nature of her illness and deal with it; moreover, we’ve sent a doppelganger, one who died only a few weeks ago, and while she’s young to return to earth so soon after her passing, she was the only one available at the time. We’ve only so many guardians at our disposal, and since the time they can spend with humanity without returning to Sanctuary …  She will replace the princess for a few weeks and buy us some time. It should be sufficiently easy to keep Galen’s coven confused long enough to get her highness home safely. If Rogan has one weakness, it’s his constant ability to use lesser minds as servants, and a slow mind is always easier to dupe.”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Tuesday Tales: From the Word LEAF

Welcome to this week’s Tuesday Tales. Wow. Midway through June already with the summer solstice in a week’s time. They keep saying we are going to have a long, hot summer. I hope so because we certainly had a long, cold winter.

This week the authors of Tuesday Tales are writing to the word prompt LEAF. I’m continuing with the set up to The Bonds of Time, a paranormal/fantasy.

Garth removed his cap, running his fingers through his hair in an effort to cool his body.

“I had no idea that he knew as much as he did, but I should have guessed. We’ve sent others to replace the guardian, hoping they’ll keep her parents safe, but she must return to the estate or possibly Sanctuary itself, as soon as possible.” He hung his head, a rare sign of defeat in an immortal warlock of his magnitude. “He’s stronger than ever, Lorna, and can block his mind from me. I used to be able to reach out to my bother, to calm him, but I fear he’s more demon now than anything…”

This was not what she’d hoped to hear, but sadly there would be more.

“What aren’t you telling me, Garth?” she bit off the words, her fear fueling her irritation. “Don’t make me pull it from your mind. The way I feel would make it a painful, public display and draw unnecessary attention to us.”

Garth flushed, cleared his throat, and looked at her. She was more than capable of carrying out the threat and having been on the receiving end of the angry sorceress’s reading more than once in the millennia they’d been together, she was certain that he had no desire to repeat the process.

“Earlier this morning, I received a message from her primary guardian. There has been an accident, and the princess’s three companions, the young fay who’ve watched over her all these years, are dead. Some kind of motor vehicle accident that caused the car to explode since fire is the only thing that could’ve killed them. Their souls have returned to the ether, but it will be some time before they can resume any type of work here. They will need several months in Sanctuary to regain their strength.”

“By the Maker! Where is the princess?” If she needed to return to the estate, she wasn’t dead.

“Samantha is in the hospital, awaiting some sort of exploratory procedure. The guardian is with her, and Astrid should be there shortly. She’s well-versed in all types of human medicine as well as our own.”

Lorna hissed, her face taking on cat-like features in her distress. She stomped her foot, crushing a dead leaf under her boot, and reined in her frustration, her face resuming its human characteristics.

“Exploratory procedure? You know the changeling can’t undergo surgery or any other complex medical procedures in a hospital meant for humans. The differences would be visible and within minutes, she would become a test subject or worse. What fool took her to a hospital?”

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

Looking for Something Different? Forbidden Love

Dangerous desires just got irresistible… now only $0.99 for a limited time.

In this electrifying paranormal romantic suspense collection, danger arrives first—and love refuses to stay contained.

A Gorgon marked for execution stands against the immortal order hunting her.
A billionaire’s daughter wakes dressed for a wedding she never agreed to.
A single kiss awakens the wolf within.
An immortal vampire faces the one choice eternity never prepared him for.
A bound djinn answers a whispered desire.
Shapeshifters and predators collide where instinct rules and loyalty is tested.

These are not quiet romances.

They are stories where:

• Ancient powers move in the shadows
• Obsession masquerades as destiny
• Hunters close in
• Fortified islands become gilded cages
• Attraction ignites at the worst possible moment

Each novella stands alone.
Together, they deliver pulse-pounding stakes, undeniable chemistry, and heroes who must decide whether protection means control… or surrender.

Featuring New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors alongside rising voices in paranormal romance.


Love That Endures Beyond Time, Form, and Fate.

Gaze of Stone
Shayla Summers

Marked for execution, a Gorgon refuses to surrender to the immortal order hunting her. The one man assigned to bring her in discovers her deadly gaze is nothing compared to the danger of wanting her. In a world where desire means destruction, love could turn them both to stone.


Black Tied: Sapphire
Rachelle Ayala

Bound by power and obligation, a formidable supernatural being finds his control unraveling in the presence of a woman who refuses to kneel. What begins as a dangerous alliance ignites into a passion they cannot afford. But when ancient forces demand obedience, will love defy destiny—or be sacrificed to it?


French Quarter Bound
Amy Simone

In the shadowed streets of New Orleans, a djinn bound by ancient magic is summoned by a woman who never meant to make a wish. As desire coils between them, old bargains and darker enemies close in. Freedom has a price—and love may be the most dangerous wish of all.


Animal Instincts
Patricia Rosemoor

When animal rescuer Skye Cross stumbles into a brutal underground shifter fight, she uncovers a hidden world of predators—and the powerful man who commands them. Luc Lazare can control minds and shift at will, but he can’t control his growing need for the woman who could destroy his family. In a world ruled by instinct, trust may be the deadliest risk of all.


Renegade Wolf
Ari Thatcher

After shifting into wolf form on live television, Stephanie becomes prey to a ruthless werewolf hunter. The only man who can protect her is the one whose kiss awakened her wolf—and claimed her as his mate. Hiding in the wild Ozarks, passion and danger collide as they fight to survive a predator who never misses his mark.


Shadows and Threads
Dani Haviland

A centuries-old vampire who has never questioned eternity meets the one woman who forces him to choose it. As ancient powers tighten their grip and fate itself begins to unravel, love becomes both weapon and salvation. Forever has always been his domain—until now.


Destination Wedding
Rebecca York

Kidnapped from a mall parking lot, Camille Norland awakens on a fortified island—dressed for a wedding she never agreed to. The security agent who has secretly loved her must race against time to stop a ruthless billionaire determined to claim her. In a game of power, obsession, and survival, love may be the only way out.

So, if you’re looking for something different, this is it!

Paying it Forward: New Book from Mona Risk

Version 1.0.0

Friends to lovers. Romantic Comedy. Medical Romance by NYT and USA Bestselling author Mona Risk.

He told her to grow up. Now she’s back—and he’s not ready to let go.
Friends? Benefits? Or something real… he’ll fight for forever.

Jessica was only eighteen when she fell for Niles Wolf—the dashing resident renting a room in her grandmother’s cozy house. But when her Nanna passed, Niles shattered the magic with two cutting words: Grow up.
Six years later, Jessica isn’t the heartbroken girl he left behind. She’s a confident doctor with her own voice—and she’s not afraid to use it. “Your turn to mature, Niles. Friends? Friends with benefits? Or something real?”
Niles wants the real thing with Jessica. But ghosts from his past—and the women who still haunt it—threaten their chance at something lasting.
Can they rewrite their story, or will old wounds and lingering doubts pull them apart again?

Her Cozy House is book 20 of the Love Plans Series.

Over the years, I’ve had the pleasure of reading many of the books in the Love Plans series and I can honestly say Mona is an excellent story teller with a strong sense of charcter definition. This laests book won’t disappoint. The perfect read for a hot summer day or evening. Available in E-book.

New Book Box Just in Time for Father’s Day!

Maybe he’s become an unintended guardian following the loss of a family member, or he’s facing parenthood alone, gaining custody through a divorce or the death of his significant other.

Load up your Kindle with seven NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED romances from New York Times, USA Today & International Bestselling, Award-Winning authors.

Secret pasts, grieving widows and widowers, military men and women forging ahead while battling PTSD. There’s a story for everyone in this brand-new collection of single dad romances. Whether looking for love or not these single dads are sure going to find it!

TWO HEARTS’ DETOUR by Tamara Ferguson, USA Today Bestselling Author: He promised his fallen best friend he’d raise his daughter. She vowed never to marry again. But when a custody fight turns dangerous, a marriage of convenience becomes their only defense. As the attacks escalate, will they finally discover that it’s love they’re fighting for?

WORTH LOVING by Natalie Ann, USA Today Bestselling Author: One night of pretending became the truth neither could escape.

BLUE BAYOU by Suzanne Jenkins, USA Today Bestselling Author: He came to Cypress Cove to rebuild his life—quietly, carefully, on his own terms. She lives just beyond the edge of town, barefoot and guarded, with secrets he can’t quite reach. The closer he gets, the harder it is to ignore the pull between them—or the truth that she was never the one who needed saving.

NEVER LOVE AGAIN by Alicia Street, USA Today Bestselling Author: Moving back to his hometown, single dad Zander runs into the girl he left behind and the secret they shared.

LOVE ON THE ROAD by Mona Risk, New York Times & USA Today Bestselling Author: A former ER nurse turned limousine driver is pulled deep into the chaotic world of the Young family. Love, secrets, and her own buried past collide as the road ahead twists out of control.

NOT ANOTHER LONELY FATHER by Stacy Eaton, USA Today Bestselling Author: After moving to Sedona for a fresh start, former rescue pilot Caleb Sharpe finds his missing daughter in the care of Kelly, a Chicago nurse inheriting a local retreat. Their instant connection forces them both to decide if they can leave their pasts behind for a new future together.

COLD HEART by Susanne Matthews, International Bestselling Author: Judge Cole Hart is forced to choose between his daughter and his duty to the law. The only one who can help him is JJ Jones, a gorgeous redheaded bodyguard who attracts him as no one has since his wife’s death.

These stories are definitely the perfect summer evening treats. get your copy today. $4.99 USD of read on Kindle Unlimited.

Tuesday Tales: From the Word BERRIES

Welcome back. June seems to be behaving itself at least so far. I have mu yardword done for the year, and I’m looking forward to a quiet relaxing summer. This week, the authors of Tuesday tales are writing to the word prompt, BERRIES.

I’ve started a new book. The Bonds of Time is a paranormal/fantasy with a touch of time travel in dreams, and will be part of the Timeless Love Series. It’s got angels, demons, fairies, changelings and humans, of course. It’s a backburner book for me since I have others on the front burner, but I’ve decided to work on it just for you. So, without further ado…

At first glance, the man in the thin, nylon jacket and a New York Yankees’ ball cap and the woman in an olive coat trimmed in faux fur, an ivory knitted cap covering her head, seemed no different from anyone else admiring the ancient monoliths, but on closer inspection, something about them seemed out of place, and demanded a second glance.

Neither of them carried a camera or a tourist information pamphlet, and they walked along absorbed in one another rather than in the majesty of the stones surrounding them. The woman, an ageless beauty with regal elegance, seemed to glide gracefully along the pathway, while the older man trudged beside her as if he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders.

With her free hand, she pushed back the lock of platinum hair, and the only tress of its color in her tawney mane. The movement betrayed her agitation more clearly than any other action could have.

Other than her lips, the color of ripe berries, her complexion resembled the alabaster of ancient statuary.

“I’ve missed you, Garth, but for you to call me into this world now can only mean that something terrible has happened. Six months ago, when you reported to the Celestial Council, you claimed everything was under control, and that we would have at least five years to ensure her proper training; now, you say that she’s got to come home immediately. What’s caused this sudden change of heart? Don’t try to soften the blow, Garth. If you’re correct, we don’t have time for niceties.”

The man removed his hat and shook his grizzled mane. Taking a handkerchief from his pocket, he mopped his brow with an amazingly firm hand. Despite the coldness of the day, he perspired profusely.

“I’ve been in this form too long, I can’t control my body temperature, and it’s becoming noticeable. I need to return to Sanctuary, if only for a few days.”

“You’re prevaricating and stalling, husband.” Her voice filled with frustration. “You called me here; I want an answer now. What’s gone wrong?”

“They’ve found her, Lorna,” he answered his voice low, his tone remorseful.

She gasped. “Impossible!”

He shook his head. “I wouldn’t have believed it myself, but I saw it with my own eyes. The guardian sent to France to watch over her human parents is dead. He was brutally murdered by one of the seekers. I was called in as soon as the body was found. A residual scan of his remains showed that he’d given them vital information before he died.’

Don’t forget to check out the other Tuesday Tales.

So Much To Do, So Little Time To Do It!

Here it is. June. Only problem is that May flew by so quickly that I think I missed most of it. Truth be told, I did struggle with an earache for the last two weeks of the month and spent a lot of time curled up in a ball, sore ear pressed into the pillow.

I’d had earaches before. Since I suffer from seasonal allergies, it’s not unexpected. Sinuses fill and fail to drain properly, ear plugs, passages swell…you get the drift,but this was different. Instead of one steady pain, every so often, I got timy electric shocks–not only painful but disturbing. At first, I considered I was having mini-strokes–I wasn’t. It seems the swollen ear canal was pressing on a nerve. Tylenol alleviated the issue for four-five hours at a time, but if I missed a dose, it took at least an hour to work once more. I finally understand why they are so particular about taking meds at the correct time. Thanks to my antihistamines and decongestant as well as the pain reliever, the issue finally resolved itself–just like the doctor said it would.

Between bouts of rain, I managed to finish my garden clean-up for summer 2026. It’s the first year I’ve done it myself, and while I’m proud of my accomplishments, I do have to admit that it was damn hard work. But doesn’t it look nice? For the record, I have seven more beds like this around the house. I used 24 bags of mulch all told and filled 20 planters!

It was no small miracle that I managed to finish the next book in the Evie Chambers series, A Case of the Missing Prince.

The case may be cold, but what if the prince isn’t? It’s up to Evie and Al to find him.

Crown Prince Stanislav Drulivic is missing. The thirty-five-year old heir to the Kingdom of Zobora, located in the Carpathian Mountains on the border of Poland and Slovakia, an area rich in mineral deposits, vanished four months ago on a hiking/mountain climbing trip to Alberta. There was a rockslide at his last known locale, and two climbers were killed while many others were injured, including four of his friends traveling with him, but no one has seen hide nor hair of the missing royal since that day.

People disappear for a number of reasons, but when the missing person is next in line for the throne, foul play can’t be ignored. The authorities claim they’ve recovered all the bodies, but if he walked away from the slide, where is he now? With the family offering a huge financial incentive for answers, the job seems to be right up Evie’s alley, but there’s a catch—there’s always a catch.

In order to get the job, she has to include two Zoborans on her team: Viktor Opole, a security guard, and Baron Petrov Bukowski, a close friend of the missing prince. There’s something about the two men that doesn’t sit well with her. Al Binette, the former Navy Seal and Parks Canada employee who saved her life on her last case and brought love back into it, agrees to join her and watch her back once more.

While this new case is filled with intrigue and contradictions, it’s a cold one that defies explanation and will take every ounce of the savvy detective’s reasoning and investigative skills to solve.

Accidents can happen to anyone, anytime, anywhere, but how many times can Evie cheat death?

A Case of the Missing Prince will be released later this month as part of a box set:

I leave on vacation for a week on Tuesday. When I come back, I’m sure I’ll have lots to share with you.

The Insecure Writer’s Support Group Blog Post for June 2026

Welcome to June and almost summer as well as the sixth month of the year, which means we’re halfway through 2026. So far the first half of the year has been so-so, with sales lower than usual, but I’m hoping that will improve. I need to do more promoting, I guess, but that is my weak spot.

I finished the A to Z challenge in April, met several new bloggers, whom I hope will continue to follow my blog as I follow theirs. In addition, I’ve written two new books so far this year, one romance suspense, the other cozy mystery with a lot of rom-com in it. I seemed to have crossed over the line between the two genres. We’ll see what happens with sales. I’m hoping to write two more before the end of the year, but I have a month long holiday planned for August which will cut into my writing schedule this year. Hoping to write only in the morning and enjoy the rest of the warm summer days. Winter seemed especially long this time around.

This month’s question: Do most of your story ideas come from one place (the news, dreams, etc.) or do they hit from all over the place?

My stories come from all over, but world events and the news do give me lots of ideas. In some situations, my stories are reactions to current events. My characters can be very opinionated at times, and at others, they can be more open-minded than many of the people around me. My ideas tend to be influenced by current events and the reams of misinformation and disinformation that abounds on the Internet, so I walk a thin line.

I would say that my holidays also give me story ideas. I’ve been known to set my tales in places that I’ve visited, such as Scandinavia, The British Isles, the Carribbean Islands, and Mexico, as well as here in Canada, adding details from my own experiences and the things I learn while I’m there. My stories also come from a sense of national pride since I’m setting most of my latest books in Canada and adding in its beauty and culture.

The third source for story ideas has to be my overactive imagination and the ideas that manifest themselves in my dreams. I may not recall the entire dream, but something will stick with me, and I’ll feel the need to let the idea play out. As all of my books are character driven, a lot of the time I don’t know where I’m going with a story until I get there. That’s the joys of being a pantser. Even you can be surprised in the end.

Check the link to see how others have answered this month’s question. https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.html